Henry Alford (1810–1871)

‘RISE,’ said the Master, ‘come unto the feast.’

She heard the call and rose with willing feet;

But thinking it not otherwise than meet

For such a bidding to put on her best,

She is gone from us for a few short hours

Into her bridal closet, there to wait

For the unfolding of the palace gate

That gives her entrance to the blissful bowers.

We have not seen her yet, though we have been

Full often to her chamber door, and oft

Have listen’d underneath the postern green,

And laid fresh flowers, and whisper’d short and soft.

But she hath made no answer, and the day

From the clear west is fading fast away.