Volume Ii Part 163 (2/2)
Thine is his valor, oh Bride, and his beauty, Thine to possess and re-issue again, Such is thy tender and pa.s.sionate duty, Licit thy pleasure and honored thy pain.
Choti Tinchaurya, lovely and tender, Still all unbroken to sorrow and strife, Come to the Bridegroom who, silk-clad and slender, Brings thee the Honor and Burden of Life.
Bidding farewell to thy light-hearted playtime, Wors.h.i.+p thy Lover with fear and delight; Art thou not ever, though slave of his daytime, Choti Tinchaurya, queen of his night?
Laurence Hope [1865-1904]
A MARRIAGE CHARM
I set a charm upon your hurrying breath, I set a charm upon your wandering feet, You shall not leave me--not for life, nor death, Not even though you cease to love me, Sweet.
A woman's love nine Angels cannot bind, Nor any rune that wind or water knows, My heart were all as well set on the wind, Or bound, to live or die, upon a rose.
I set a charm upon you, foot and hand, That you and Knowledge, love, may never meet, That you may never chance to understand How strong you are, how weak your lover, Sweet.
I set my charm upon your kindly arm, I set it as a seal upon your breast; That you may never hear another's charm, Nor guess another's gift outruns my best.
I bid your wandering footsteps me to follow, Your thoughts to travel after in my track, I am the sky that waits you, dear gray swallow, No wind of mine shall ever blow you back.
I am your dream, Sweet; so no more of dreaming, Your lips to mine must end this chanted charm, Your heart to mine, 'neath nut-brown tresses streaming, I set my love a seal upon your arm.
Nora Hopper [1871-1906]
”LIKE A LAVEROCK IN THE LIFT”
It's we two, it's we two, it's we two for aye, All the world, and we two, and Heaven be our stay!
Like a laverock in the lift, sing, O bonny bride!
All the world was Adam once, with Eve by his side.
What's the world, my la.s.s, my love!--what can it do?
I am thine, and thou art mine; life is sweet and new.
If the world have missed the mark, let it stand by; For we two have gotten leave, and once more we'll try.
Like a laverock in the lift, sing, O bonny bride!
It's we two, it's we two, happy side by side.
Take a kiss from me, thy man; now the song begins: ”All is made afresh for us, and the brave heart wins.”
When the darker days come, and no sun will s.h.i.+ne, Thou shalt dry my tears, la.s.s, and I'll dry thine.
It's we two, it's we two, while the world's away, Sitting by the golden sheaves on our wedding-day.
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