Poems (Procter)/The Bride's Dream
THE BRIDE'S DREAM.
HE stars are gleaming; The maiden sleeps,—What is she dreaming? For see—she weeps.By her side is an Angel With folded wings;While the Maiden slumbers, The Angel sings:He sings of a Bridal, Of Love, of pain, Of a heart to be given,— And all in vain;(See, her cheek is flushing, As if with pain;)He telleth of sorrow, Regrets and fears,And the few vain pleasures We buy with tears;And the bitter lesson We learn from years.The stars are gleaming Upon her brow:What is she dreaming So calmly now?By her side is the Angel With folded wings;She smiles in her slumber The while he sings.He sings of a Bridal, Of Love divine;Of a heart to be laid On a sacred shrine;Of a crown of glory, Where seraphs shine;Of the deep, long rapture The chosen knowWho forsake for Heaven Vain joys below,Who desire no pleasure, And fear no woe.
The Bells are ringing, The sun shines clear, The Choir is singing, The guests are here.Before the High Altar Behold the Bride;And a mournful Angel Is by her side.She smiles, all content With her chosen lot,—(Is her last night's dreaming So soon forgot?)And oh, may the Angel Forsake her not!For on her small hand There glitters plainThe first sad link Of a life-long chain;—And she needs his guiding Through paths of pain.