And now, in spotless garb arrayed, Was never seen a fairer maid; Her parents gaze with tearful pride, Her lover longs to call her bride; And while the altar she draws nigh, She checks the tear and trembling sigh, And with religious awe doth feel The solemn bond she comes to seal! She utters not, like words of course, The vows that wedlock’s laws enforce; With holy fervour does she speak Each word, and with a spirit meek Resolves their purpose to fulfil, Obedient to the Almighty Will! The Bishop now the bride has blessed, Her husband now her lips hath pressed; Her friends flock round, and wish the pair May all life’s joys and blessings share: Her mother tries to hide a tear, And still her father hovers near Once more to bless, once more to speak; He can but look—for words are weak,— But a life’s love’s in the embrace, And tears that fall upon her face. And now, before my story ends, } A sumptuous _déjeûner_ attends } The happy couple and their friends. } ’Tis done: behold approach the door A well-appointed chaise-and-four: More tasteful never left Long Acre. What wonder?—Barker was the maker. The bride, attired in travelling dress, Meets once, once more, the sad caress Of parents, who with breaking heart, Behold their mansion’s flower depart. They’d keep her still.—In vain! for marriage Were nought without its travelling-carriage. And now my Muse disdains to tune Her tired harp for the honey-moon: The wooing past—the wedding o’er— Paid every fee—what would ye more? True wishes, lovely maids, and kind, That such a lot you each may find; And every Belle have equal reason To bless the closing of the Season! THE END. LONDON: PRINTED BY MOYES AND BARCLAY, CASTLE STREET, LEICESTER SQUARE. [Illustration: [Fleuron]] PUBLISHED FOR THE PROPRIETOR, BY LONGMAN, & Cº, PATERNOSTER N. Y. _AND APPLETON, & Cº NEW YORK_ ----- Footnote 1: It is a Rabbinical tradition, that one of the questions which the Queen of Sheba submitted for consideration to Solomon the Wise took the form of a couple of wreaths—the one of natural, the other of artificial flowers. The monarch, unable to decide between nature and art, called in the aid of a swarm of bees, which, by settling upon the genuine wreath, saved the King of Judah’s reputation for wisdom. Footnote 2: ——“On such a night Stood Dido, with a willow in her hand, Upon the wild sea-banks, and wav’d her love To come again to Carthage.” Footnote 3: “What hell it is in sueing long to bide!” SPENSER’S “_Mother Hubbard’s Tale_.” Footnote 4: The king of the humming-birds—remarkable among that gay tribe for the superior brilliancy of his plumage. ------------------------------------------------------------------------