318 HAMPTON COURT.
Like blossoms mixed, the bright-haired children sate,
Delighted from a blessed bride to win
Kind word or kiss. Then rose the pastor s prayer,
And the sweet hymn, for music waits alike
On Love and Faith, on this world and the next.
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But all too soon the fond leave-taking came,
The parent s benediction, and the embrace
Of loving kindred; for impatient steeds
Curving their necks, by white-gloved coachmen reined,
Waited the bride, and lo ! her silvery veil
And snowy satin robe gave sudden place
To traveller s graver costume.
Thus doth fleet
Woman s brief goddess-ship, and soon she takes The sober matron tint, content to yield Tinsel and trappings, if her heart be right, That in her true vocation she may shed A higher happiness on him she loves, For earth and heaven.
As from her early home
And pleasant gates the gentle bride passed forth, Big tears stood glittering in the old servants eyes, Deepening their murmured benison on her Who was " so like the mother that was gone, The sainted mistress." T is a heaven-taught art To graft enduring love on servitude ; And often have I joyed to see how deep Around the hearths of England is that root Of comfort, whose entwining tendrils bind
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