Poems (Osgood)/Keep, keep the Maiden's Dowry
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KEEP, KEEP THE MAIDEN'S DOWRY.
a distinguished nobleman refused a dowry with his bride—the incident suggested the following lines.
Keep, keep the maiden's dowry,
And give me but my bride,—
Not for her wealth! woo her,
Not for her station's pride;
She is a treasure in herself—
Worth all the world beside.
And give me but my bride,—
Not for her wealth! woo her,
Not for her station's pride;
She is a treasure in herself—
Worth all the world beside.
Is not her mind a palace,
Wherein are riches rare,
Bright thoughts that flash like jewels,
And golden fancies fair,
And glowing dreams of joy and hope,
That make sweet pictures there .
Wherein are riches rare,
Bright thoughts that flash like jewels,
And golden fancies fair,
And glowing dreams of joy and hope,
That make sweet pictures there .
Keep, keep my lady's dowry,
Her hand, her heart I claim;
That little hand is more to me
Than power, rank, or fame;
That heart's pure love is wealth, my lord,
No more your coffers name!
Her hand, her heart I claim;
That little hand is more to me
Than power, rank, or fame;
That heart's pure love is wealth, my lord,
No more your coffers name!
1No statue in your proud saloon
Can match her form of grace,
No gem that lights your casket
The radiance of her face.
In giving her, you give me all
I covet in earth's space.
Can match her form of grace,
No gem that lights your casket
The radiance of her face.
In giving her, you give me all
I covet in earth's space.
Oh! make her mine, your idol child!
To be my prize and pride,
My star in every festival,
My trust should wo betide,
My bower's loveliest blossom,
Mine own, my worshipp'd bride.
To be my prize and pride,
My star in every festival,
My trust should wo betide,
My bower's loveliest blossom,
Mine own, my worshipp'd bride.