WE'RE married, they say, and you think you have won me, -- Well, take this white veil from my head, and look on me; Here's matter to vex you, and matter to grieve you, Here's doubt to distrust you, and faith to believe you, -- I am all as you see, common earth, common dew; Be wary, and mould me to roses, not rue! Ah! shake out the filmy thing, fold after fold, And see if you have me to keep and to hold, -- Look close on my heart -- see the worst of its sinning, -- It is not yours to-day for the yesterday's winning -- The past is not mine -- I am too proud to borrow -- You must grow to new heights if I love you to-morrow. We're married! I'm plighted to hold up your praises, As the turf at your feet does its handful of daisies; That way lies my honor, -- my pathway of pride, But, mark you, if greener grass grow either side, I shall know it, and keeping in body with you, Shall walk in my spirit with feet on the dew! We're married! Oh, pray that our love do not fail! I have wings flattened down and hid under my veil: They are subtle as light -- you can never undo them, And swift in their flight -- you can never pursue them, And spite of all clasping, and spite of all bands, I can slip like a shadow, a dream, from your hands. Nay, call me not cruel, and fear not to take me, I am yours for my life-time, to be what you make me, -- To wear my white veil for a sign, or a cover, As you shall be proven my lord, or my lover; A cover for peace that is dead, or a token Of bliss that can never be written or spoken. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...JACOBITE'S TOAST (TO AN OFFICER IN THE ARMY) by JOHN BYROM THE CONTRETEMPS by THOMAS HARDY BINSEY POPLARS (FELLED 1879) by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS THE PRAYER PERFECT by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY THE PITY OF LOVE by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS SOUL AND BODY by LASCELLES ABERCROMBIE |