Page:Wessex poems and other verses (IA wessexpoemsother00hard).pdf/203

 And, a'most without knowing it, found himself near The house of the tranter, and now of his Dear, Where the lantern-light showed 'em arrived.

The bride sought her cham'er so calm and so pale That a Northern had thought her resigned: But to eyes that had seen her in tide-times of weal, Like the white cloud o' smoke, the red battlefield's vail, That look spak' of havoc behind.

The bridegroom yet laitered a beaker to drain, Then reeled to the linhay for more, When the candle-snoff kindled some chaff from his grain— Flames spread, and red vlankers, wi' might and wi' main, And round beams, thatch, and chimley-tun roar.