31.12.2010, 18:42
THE MISSING BRIDE.
The wedded girl exclaim'd, ' I'll hide, I'll hide ! '
And so they sought her gaily far and near,
Till, first in wonder, then in mortal fear.
Hour after hour they look'd for the lost bride.
Oh ! would she peep from out the laurel-walk,
Or from yon pleached roses nod and smile.
We would forgive her all this mournful talk
And sad surmise, nor chide her girlish guile.
Years pass'd, long years ! when in an ancient chest,
Whose heavy lid had dropp'd upon its spring,
They found the object of a bygone quest,
A skeleton in bridal wreath and ring ;
And recognized, with hearts too full to speak,
The mystery of that fatal ' Hide and seek.'
The wedded girl exclaim'd, ' I'll hide, I'll hide ! '
And so they sought her gaily far and near,
Till, first in wonder, then in mortal fear.
Hour after hour they look'd for the lost bride.
Oh ! would she peep from out the laurel-walk,
Or from yon pleached roses nod and smile.
We would forgive her all this mournful talk
And sad surmise, nor chide her girlish guile.
Years pass'd, long years ! when in an ancient chest,
Whose heavy lid had dropp'd upon its spring,
They found the object of a bygone quest,
A skeleton in bridal wreath and ring ;
And recognized, with hearts too full to speak,
The mystery of that fatal ' Hide and seek.'