The day was named, the guests invited; That morn, ere many a star was set, -And now, her strength, her courage spent, And more than half a penitent, She comes along the path she went. And now the village gleams at last; The woods, the golden meadows passed, So saying, thro' the fragrant shade While Manchon round and round her played: And, as that silent glen they leave, Where by the spring the pitchers stand, Where glow-worms light their lamps at eve, And fairies dance-in fairy-land, (When Lubin calls, and Blanche steals round, Her finger on her lip, to see; And many an acorn-cup is found Under the greenwood tree) Sabot, and coif, and collerette, The housewife's prayer, the grandam's blessing! Girls that adjust their locks of jet, And look and look and linger yet, The lovely bride caressing; Babes that had learnt to lisp her name, But what felt D'Arcy, when at length And trembling stood in dread suspense, Her tears her only eloquence! All, all the while--an awful distance keeping; Save D'Arcy, who nor speaks nor stirs ; And one, his little hand in hers, Who weeps to see his sister weeping. X Then Jacqueline the silence broke. While D'Arcy as before looked on, "His praises from your lips I heard, And, if in aught his Sire has erred, She, whom in joy, in grief you nursed; On her you thought--but to be kind! One-one how young ;-nor yet the other old. spurn them not-nor look so coldIf Jacqueline be cast away, Her bridal be her dying day. Well, well might she believe in you!- He shook his aged locks of snow; And twice he turned, and rose to go. |