Page:Bohemian legends and other poems.djvu/43

 Yes, they shall prepare the wedding,
 * In the convent far away.

Come, oh bridesmaids, cut my long locks,
 * Let me sup with you to-day.

Gladly in your silent convent,
 * I will give my hand away.

Come and see me, oh beloved—
 * Come and hear me when I sing,

Till that fatal day, beloved,
 * When the black robe they will fling

Round about my weary shoulders—
 * On my hand the wedding ring.

They will take my white dress from me,
 * Dress me in the robe of pain;

And the image of my bridegroom
 * Now must be my only gain.

Vanish from my sight, beloved one,
 * We must never meet again.

The crucifix is by my side,
 * The rosary in my hand,

I raise my weary eyes to Him,
 * Lord of that heavenly band.

Oh, glorious bridegroom, I am yours,
 * The wedding ring is on my hand.

Beyond the convent’s silent walls,
 * Oh, never more shall I stray,

No earthly voice shall haunt me more,
 * When I humbly kneel to pray.

Heaven’s love will fill my broken heart,
 * The world will have passed away.

Avaunt from me, beloved of earth,
 * My bridegroom is in the sky;

Depart from me, betrothed on earth,
 * To Heaven I fain would fly;

Oh, holy bridegroom, fill my heart
 * With your image till I die.