Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922.
The WatcherJames Stephens (18821950)
A
A ring for a bride,
Joy for the homestead
Clean and wide—
Who ’s that waiting
In the rain outside?
A hand for the new:
Love can to earth lend
Heaven’s hue—
Who ’s that standing
In the silver dew?
A tear as they go,
God’s sweethearting
Ends just so—
Who ’s that watching
Where the black winds blow?
In the rain outside,
He who is standing
Where the dew drops wide,
He who is watching
In the wind must ride
(Tho’ the pale hands cling)
With the rose
And the ring
And the bride,
Must ride
With the red of the rose,
And the gold of the ring,
And the lips and the hair of the bride.