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Bride Song - a poem by Christina Rossetti

BRIDE SONG
Christina Rossetti

Too late for love, too late for joy, 
Too late, too late! 
You loitered on the road too long, 
You trifled at the gate: 
The enchanted dove upon her branch 
Died without a mate; 
The enchanted princess in her tower 
Slept, died, behind the grate; 
Her heart was starving all this while 
You made it wait. 

Ten years ago, five years ago, 
One year ago, 
Even then you had arrived in time, 
Though somewhat slow; 
Then you had known her living face 
Which now you cannot know: 
The frozen fountain would have leaped, 
The buds gone on to blow, 
The warm south wind would have awaked 
To melt the snow. 

Is she fair now as she lies? 
Once she was fair; 
Meet queen for any kingly king, 
With gold-dust on her hair, 
Now these are poppies in her locks, 
White poppies she must wear; 
Must wear a veil to shroud her face 
And the want graven there: 
Or is the hunger fed at length, 
Cast off the care? 

We never saw her with a smile 
Or with a frown; 
Her bed seemed never soft to her, 
Though tossed of down; 
She little heeded what she wore, 
Kirtle, or wreath, or gown; 
We think her white brows often ached 
Beneath her crown, 
Till silvery hairs showed in her locks 
That used to be so brown. 

We never heard her speak in haste; 
Her tones were sweet, 
And modulated just so much 
As it was meet: 
Her heart sat silent through the noise 
And concourse of the street. 
There was no hurry in her hands, 
No hurry in her feet; 
There was no bliss drew nigh to her, 
That she might run to greet. 

You should have wept her yesterday, 
Wasting upon her bed: 
But wherefore should you weep today 
That she is dead? 
Lo we who love weep not today, 
But crown her royal head. 
Let be these poppies that we strew, 
Your roses are too red: 
Let be these poppies, not for you 
Cut down and spread. 


Bride Song - a poem by Christina Rossetti

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