Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Henry Alford. 1810–1871711. The Bride
‘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 | 5 |
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 | 10 |
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. |