The Lady's Monthly Museum Volume 15 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1822 Excerpt: ... And oped those eyes which dare not wish for morn, And yet, not wishing, fain would have it dawn; The village bride, her cheek with blushes spread, Forth in reluctant willingness is led. Before her path her virgin fellows strew Fresh gather'd buds of many-meaning hne j For love, the rose; the lily's spotless white For innocence; the goldcup.for delight; For truth, the flower that hids us " not forget" For maiden modesty, the violet. Anon a jocund troop in gallant trim, Merry at heart, and light and lithe of limb, Comes dancing forward to the measur'd sound Of pipe and tabor, footing its gay round; And one most joyous 'mid the brother band, With ribands on his hat, and garlands in his hand. Then to the solemn rite the priest proceeds, And feels a father's pleasure while he reads j Joins hand in hand as heart is join'd in heart, And takes their mutual pledge, "till death doth part." And as his lips the enamoured couple bless, Fain would his eyes the starting tears suppress; Tears not of sorrow, for the good man smiled, And bis heart whisper'd--" Each is as my child, ' Or when the lessening year declines away, Slow dawns the sun, and early sinks the day When the dank gales of Autumn, subtle thief, Pilfer the widow'd branches leaf by leaf; Which point the poet's moral as they fly, Man in his generation so must die; Another rite, perhaps, demands his care, The last sad offices a friend can share; Some grey-hair'd friend whom, ripen'd for his crown, Time has not pluck'd, but gently shaken down. Beneath the church-yard's venerable shade. Hard by the yew, a decent grave is made; And round the patriarch's hearse in mourning band. Sons and their sons, and kinsmen's kinsmen stand; Next many an old acquaintance; in the rear Idlers, and gossips, ...