Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By John WhiteChadwick

774 A Wedding-Song

I SAID: “My heart, now let us sing a song

For a fair lady on her wedding-day;

Some solemn hymn or pretty roundelay,

That shall be with her as she goes along

To meet her joy, and for her happy feet

Shall make a pleasant music, low and sweet.”

Then said my heart: “It is right bold of thee

To think that any song that we could sing

Would for this lady be an offering

Meet for such gladness as hers needs must be,

What time she goes to don her bridal ring,

And her own heart makes sweetest carolling.”

And so it is that with my lute unstrung,

Lady, I come to greet thy wedding-day;

But once, methinks, I heard a poet say,

The sweetest songs remain for aye unsung.

So mine, unsung, at thy dear feet I lay,

And with a “Peace be with you!” go my way.