Page:The Fall of the Alamo.djvu/207

 [While James Travis goes to execute his brother's wish and while he and the Chaplain for a short time indulge in manifestations of joy about their meeting again, Colonel William Travis continues, speaking to Elsie.] Our wedding, Elsie, will not come to pass As we, when seated once in moonlight's glare 'Neath Anahuac's verdant garden-bower, In glowing tints had pictured to one another. Yet though our fancy's dreams are not fulfilled, Our wedding-day is not devoid of charms. The sparkling tears of joy within thine eyes Outshine in brilliancy the costliest pearls Wherewith thou couldst have decked thee out to-day; The glowing blush upon thy cheeks out-does The fairest rose-bloom which thou couldst have worn; While in solemnity of hour and place No earthly wedding can compete with ours.

And if on Earth the picture of our fancy Has been excelled by its embodiment, How much more gloriously will Heaven redeem What little we have lost beneath. For now The draft we thought to hold on eartlily gifts Has been exchanged for one on Heaven's delights, Far greater, safer, better than the first. [Here James Travis and the Chaplain advance to the altar.]