14 THE BOUQUET. 



They dwell, in truth, in such a sphere — 

 Youth's fairy land ! — Ah, never fear 

 Or care or sorrow's hand 

 Can touch the dwellers of that clime ; 

 Secure in pleasure's spells they stand, 

 Defying all save Time ! 



The gay ones pause beside the church ; 



Each bows a reverent head 



And passes neath the lofty arch 



With slow and solemn tread. 



With folded wing and noiseless pace 



The Fay, too, seeks that worship-place, 



Enters, and marks with mute surprise 



The holy scene that meets her eyes. 



Before the sacred altar stand 



A noble youth and gentle maid ; — 



Eye meeting eye, and hand in hand. 



And truth on either brow displayed. 



They seem, by Heaven, design'd to move 



Together o'er life's rugged Avay, 



That clouded path which w^edded love 



Can render radiant as the day. 



Fair was the bride ; — youth's holy charm 



Lent all its witchery to her form ; 



And beauty's deepest spell was seen 



In down-cast eye and modest mein. 



A graceful robe of stainless white 



Fell round her, as the moon's soft light 



Falls o'er the Earth in cloudless night. 



A floating veil of silvery hue 



Whose folds, her brow look'd lovelier tliroug 



Hnn!'-, liU{^ (lie niist on iDOiiiitaia side. 



