Poetical Fragments from Ethel Churchill Volume II/The Marriage Vow

by Letitia Elizabeth Landon

For works with similar titles, see The Marriage Vow.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE CHURCH.

The altar, 'tis of death! for there are laid
The sacrifice of all youth's sweetest hopes.
It is a dreadful thing for woman's lip
To swear the heart away; yet know that heart
Annuls the vow while speaking, and shrinks back
From the dark future that it dares not face.
The service read above the open grave
Is far less terrible than that which seals
The vow that binds the victim, not the will;
For in the grave is rest.

Blanchard’s title is:

THE MARRIAGE VOW