Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.
By Elizabeth ClementineKinney269 The Quakeress Bride
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Where Fashion assembles her glittering crowd,
Where all is in beauty and splendor arrayed,
Were the nuptials performed of the meek Quaker maid.
By the altar, the mitre-crowned bishop and book,
Where oft in her jewels stands proudly the bride,
Unawed by those vows which through life shall abide.
Who heeds the deep worship that utters no tone;
Whose presence is not to the temple confined,
But dwells with the contrite and lowly of mind.
The Quakeress bride, in her white satin hood:
Her charms unadorned by the garland or gem,
Yet fair as the lily just plucked from its stem.
And her bosom half uttered a tremulous sigh,
As the hand she had pledged was confidingly given,
And the low murmured words were recorded in heaven.
Where the sparkling red wine in rich goblets was poured;
Where the priest in his surplice from ritual read,
And the solemn response was impressively said.
Give the pride of his heart to the bridegroom away;
While he brushed the big tear from his deep furrowed cheek,
And bowed the assent which his lips might not speak.
Naught seemed to my eye so sincere in its mien,
No language so fully the heart to resign,
As the Quakeress bride’s—“Until death I am thine!”