Poems (Odom)/Wedded to Another
WEDDED TO ANOTHER.
She is wedded to another now Who once was pledged to me,And what I fondly pictured once I know can never be.Yet still I love to think upon The bright and glorious past,And breathe a sigh, e'er withered hopes Too purely sweet to last.
They say 'tis madness to recall The love of early youth—'T is folly now to kneel before That broken idol, truth.Yet still the old, sweet dream of joy About my memory clings,And to my heart a trembling wail Of saddest music brings.
Back through the mist of buried years Its tones are lingering yet Recalling to my saddened heart, The dream I should forget.Forget! How easily the word By careless lips is spokenAs though the woven ties of love Could easily be broken.
'T was fate she told me—not her will— That severed us for aye;Her father frowned upon our love; She dared not disobey.I know she loved me by her tears, And by the kiss she gave,The shadow of our parting hour Will fall into my grave.
To-day we met—she veiled her eyes From mine with firmest will;Ah! did she fear that I might read In them, she loved me still?Did some sweet bell from out the past Send forth its magic chimeThat bore within its mellow tone Thoughts of the olden time?
Did retrospection on her soul With subtle power steal;Awaking in her eyes a light She dares not now reveal?The present hour belongs to him, And he may deem it fair;The past I claim, for well I know, My image triumphs there.
Though fate has parted us, and now Her life with his will twine,Thank God! he may not—cannot know The love that once was mine.