Poems (Douglas)/Stanzas on the Marriage of Miss Helen Douglas to David Reid, Esq.
Stanzas
ON THE MARRIAGE OF MISS HELEN DOUGLAS (DAUGHTER OF HUGH DOUGLAS, ESQ., LATE OF DEMERARA), TO DAVID REID, ESQ., AYR.
Her soft, luxuriant, raven hair, in darker glory flows,
Beneath the chaplet of pale flowers, which mid its splendour glows;
And never gleamed the orange bloom above a fairer face,
So captivatingly endowed with beauty's every grace.
The bridal robes which round her fall, in folds of glistening light,
Out-rival not her gentle brow, in stainlessness of white;
And yet, the glossy midnight tress, jet fringed and star-bright eyes,
Awaken dreams of other climes, 'neath brighter, warmer skies.
Beneath the chaplet of pale flowers, which mid its splendour glows;
And never gleamed the orange bloom above a fairer face,
So captivatingly endowed with beauty's every grace.
The bridal robes which round her fall, in folds of glistening light,
Out-rival not her gentle brow, in stainlessness of white;
And yet, the glossy midnight tress, jet fringed and star-bright eyes,
Awaken dreams of other climes, 'neath brighter, warmer skies.
Not in a land of orange groves, and birds of brilliant plume,
Where Nature scatters all around one luxury of bloom;
Where gorgeous butterfly-like flowers entangle every tread,
Is she, the lovely and beloved, now to the altar led.
'Tis in the land of mount and vale, of dashing linn and glen,
Whose purple heaths, in days of yore, were clad with warrior men;
Where bonnets wear the thistle crests, and bosoms brave the plaid,
One, with fond triumph in his eye, looks on his peerless bride.
Where Nature scatters all around one luxury of bloom;
Where gorgeous butterfly-like flowers entangle every tread,
Is she, the lovely and beloved, now to the altar led.
'Tis in the land of mount and vale, of dashing linn and glen,
Whose purple heaths, in days of yore, were clad with warrior men;
Where bonnets wear the thistle crests, and bosoms brave the plaid,
One, with fond triumph in his eye, looks on his peerless bride.
And gently, fondly, will he deal with that fair orphan girl,
His treasure—all the Wo1ld above, his life's once price- less pearl;
And well with rapture may he view his rare and beauteous flower,
Whom blessings from a thousand hearts will follow to his bower:
E'en from afar warm breathings float, from bosoms all sincere,—
Prayers for the gentle child of him Whose memory all revere;
The feelings of whose mighty heart, benevolent and mild,
A rich world-worth inheritance, descended to his child.
His treasure—all the Wo1ld above, his life's once price- less pearl;
And well with rapture may he view his rare and beauteous flower,
Whom blessings from a thousand hearts will follow to his bower:
E'en from afar warm breathings float, from bosoms all sincere,—
Prayers for the gentle child of him Whose memory all revere;
The feelings of whose mighty heart, benevolent and mild,
A rich world-worth inheritance, descended to his child.
The first foot-marks of spring appear where snowdrops raise their head,
Where primrose, with its pale sweet robe, peeps from its mossy bed;
The winter's gloom has passed away, no more descend the rains,
The singing-time of birds is come, whilst gladness fills the plains.
Then, with the early thornless flowers, fresh with the glistening dew,—
As emblem of their future road,—the wedded's path- way strew;
Oh! still, dew fresh, in either soul, live music, spring, and hope,
Nor much of care upon life's way, be their's wherewith to cope.
Where primrose, with its pale sweet robe, peeps from its mossy bed;
The winter's gloom has passed away, no more descend the rains,
The singing-time of birds is come, whilst gladness fills the plains.
Then, with the early thornless flowers, fresh with the glistening dew,—
As emblem of their future road,—the wedded's path- way strew;
Oh! still, dew fresh, in either soul, live music, spring, and hope,
Nor much of care upon life's way, be their's wherewith to cope.
None would I wish, if such could be;—but oh! life's little span
Unchequered, to the passing foot, ne'er falls to lot of man,
But soft as spring-clouds shadows flit, o'er meads in light arrayed,
May every life-attending care prove but a fleeting shade.
Be their's all bliss which wedded love to noble hearts can bring;
No discord touch affection's lute, to wake one jarring string:
One heart, one home, one altar, long in love may they enjoy.
And every Heaven-sent happiness be their's without alloy.
Unchequered, to the passing foot, ne'er falls to lot of man,
But soft as spring-clouds shadows flit, o'er meads in light arrayed,
May every life-attending care prove but a fleeting shade.
Be their's all bliss which wedded love to noble hearts can bring;
No discord touch affection's lute, to wake one jarring string:
One heart, one home, one altar, long in love may they enjoy.
And every Heaven-sent happiness be their's without alloy.
Whilst wishes round the festive board flow warm in Burns's land,
Oh! bear them, bear them proudly on, ye waves, to Erin's strand;
Let Erin's daughters to receive the fair young bride come forth,
(For never trod their fertile shores more loveliness and worth),
And fragrant flowers, fair thornless flowers, before their footsteps spread,
As emblem of the glad life-path each wish would have them tread.
All joy to union of such hearts, so kindred in each tone:
Would, would that this fair earth of ours more of such hearts could own.
Oh! bear them, bear them proudly on, ye waves, to Erin's strand;
Let Erin's daughters to receive the fair young bride come forth,
(For never trod their fertile shores more loveliness and worth),
And fragrant flowers, fair thornless flowers, before their footsteps spread,
As emblem of the glad life-path each wish would have them tread.
All joy to union of such hearts, so kindred in each tone:
Would, would that this fair earth of ours more of such hearts could own.