John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892). The Poetical Works in Four Volumes. 1892.
Poems by Elizabeth H. WhittierThe Wedding Veil
D
Her white veil, on her wedding night,
Threw o’er my thin brown hair its folds,
And, laughing, turned me to the light.
The bridal veil, forsworn for years!”
She saw my face,—her laugh was hushed,
Her happy eyes were filled with tears.
She drew away the gauzy mist;
“Forgive, dear heart!” her sweet voice said:
Her loving lips my forehead kissed.
The summer night was calm and fair:
I did not see her pitying eyes,
I felt her soft hand smooth my hair.
Mid falling tears, at last I said,
“Forsworn indeed to me that veil
Because I only love the dead!”
And, musing, spake, in undertone,
“The living love may colder grow;
The dead is safe with God alone!”