Half-after-eight,[247] clad in a rich pale green,[248]
And looking like a lovely fairy-queen,
(If such a creature e’er on earth was seen,)
Jane came down stairs; there, waiting at the foot,
Her lover greeted her with this salute—
He sanctified her with a bridegroom’s kiss;
The bride return’d it,—thus a twofold bliss.
A hasty breakfast they in peace partook,
And subsequently scann’d the godly-book;
A sacred feeling fill’d each anxious breast:
Then, for awhile, they parted to get drest.[249]
Punctual, at ten—George Hollybrand came in.
(Methinks how proud Jane’s father must have been
On that bright morning, to behold his own * * *
Oh! think not that many a tear had stol’n
Down o’er his fiftied cheeks, ere he had ta’en
His early meal, a-thinking of dear Jane?)
Toogood, (dear creature, busy as a bee,
For one so old,—yea, nimble as a flea,)
Seem’d now as though her life was e’en at stake,
Adjusting flowers around the bridal-cake;
A massive silver stand supports it up;
Beside it, stood an ancient golden cup,—
Engrav’d with Bacchus, riding on a ram,—
In which a thousand purple streams had swam.
(O goblet, could’st thou tell but half the mirth
Which thou alone hast witnessed on earth!
Ah! could’st thou tell whose lips have kiss’d thy rim,
When festive-wine had fill’d thee to the brim!
No, no, thou canst not; but thou art here still,
As ever ready for thy sumptuous fill:
To-day, in thy proud bosom there will shine
Repeated bumpers of the rarest wine;
To-day, thy lordly owner will pass round
The festive board, thy majesty profound;
Thy sides shall quiver with harmonious sound.)
[247] O’clock.
[248] A green dress.
[249] To put on the wedding-garments.