Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/875

 HENRY ALFORD

1810-1871

711. 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 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.

SIR SAMUEL FERGUSON

1810-1886

712. Cean Dubh Deelish

Put your head, darling, darling, darling, Your darling black head my heart above; O mouth of honey, with thyme for fragrance, Who, with heart in breast, could deny you love?

O many and many a young girl for me is pining. Letting her locks of gold to the cold wind free, For me, the foremost of our gay young fellows; But I'd leave a hundred, pure love, for thee!

712. Cean dubh deelish] darling black head.