708 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1810. 



He ceased : no echo gave again 

 The murmur of the deep Amen. 



THE WEDDING. 



\_From the same.'\ 



A BLITHESOME rout, that morning tide. 

 Had sought the chapel of Saint Bride. 

 Her troth Tombea's Mary gave 

 To Norman, heir of Armandave, 

 And, issuing from the Gothic arch. 

 The bridal now resumed their march. 

 In rude, but glad procession, came 

 Bonnetted sire and coif-clad dame ; 

 And plaided youth, with jest and jeer, 

 "Which snooded maiden would not hear ; 

 And children, that, unwitting why. 

 Lent the gay shout their shrilly cry ; 

 And minstrels, that in measure vied 

 Before the young and bonny bride. 

 Whose downcast eye and cheek disclose 

 The tear and blush of morning rose. 

 With virgin step, and bashful hand. 

 She held the kerchief's snowy band ; 

 The gallant bridegroom, by her side. 

 Beheld his prize with victor's pride, 

 And the glad mother in her ear 

 Was closely whispering word of cheer. 



Who meets them at the church-yard gate ? - 



The messenger of fear and fate ! 



Haste in his hurried accent lies. 



And grief is swimming in his eyes. 



All dripping from the recent flood, 



Panting and travel-soii'd he stood. 



The fatal sign of fire and sword 



Held forth, and spoke the appointed word ; 



" The muster-place is Lanrick mead. 



Speed forth the signal ! Norman, speed !"• — 



And must he change so soon the hand. 



Just link'd to his by holy band, 



For the fell cross of blood and brand ? 



And must the day, so blithe that rose, 



And promised rapture in the close. 



