Time flies apace; the marriage-scene begins:
Sir Humphrey, and his two grand-daughters, (twins,)
Two fair-hair’d damsels, draped in richest blond,—
Of whom, Sir Humphrey was extremely fond,—
Had just arriv’d. (It should, just here, be said
That Lady Brown was now an invalid;
And, consequently, she could not be there;
But sent her blessings to the happy pair.)
Loud rang the old-hall bell, announcing plain—
Some gentle-folk, an entrance sought to gain:
At once Lord Mountjoy, (smiles upon his face,)
Sped forth to greet them; with admiring grace,
And noble bearing, Arnold usher’d in
The wedding guests unto his own dear queen.
Jane had been seated, but she now was ris’n,
And look’d an angel just escaped from heav’n:
Her dark brown tresses form’d her diadem;
Her eyes surpass’d in radiancy, the gem
Which shone upon her bosom. (O! ye gods,
And queenly nymphs, who dwell in sylvan woods—
If such there are—come hither, if so bold
To hazard such a step, for here behold!
Not Venus, nor one vassal of the sky,
With all their graces, can in form outvie
Jane Hollybrand. Nor can that mighty Jove,
Who reigns by courtesy in realms above,—
Whom all the suns, and moons, of heav’n adore,—
Whose charms subdued the heathen hordes of war,—
Can find a virgin equal to compare!)