The Vested Priest before the Altar stands; Approach, come gladly, ye prepared, in sight Of God and chosen friends, your troth to plight With the symbolic ring, and willing hands[307] Solemnly joined. Now sanctify the bands, 5 O Father!--to the Espoused thy blessing give, That mutually assisted they may live Obedient, as here taught, to thy commands. So prays the Church, to consecrate a Vow "The which would endless matrimony make";[308] 10 Union that shadows forth and doth partake A mystery potent human love to endow With heavenly, each more prized for the other's sake; Weep not, meek Bride! uplift thy timid brow. FOOTNOTES: [306] In a letter to Professor Henry Reed, dated "Rydal Mount, Sept. 4, 1842," Wordsworth says: "A few days ago, after a very long interval, I returned to poetical composition; and my first employment was to write a couple of Sonnets upon subjects recommended by you to take place in the Ecclesiastical Series. They are upon the Marriage Ceremony and the Funeral Service. I have, about the same time, added two others, both upon subjects taken from the Services of our Liturgy."--ED. [307] 1842. Together they kneel down who come in sight Of God and chosen friends their troth to plight. This have they done, by words, and prayers, and hands c. XXVII THANKSGIVING AFTER CHILDBIRTH Composed 1842.--Published 1845 Woman! the Power who left his throne on high, And deigned to wear the robe of flesh we wear, The Power that thro' the straits of Infancy Did pass dependent on maternal care, His own humanity with Thee will share, 5 Pleased with the thanks that in his People's eye Thou offerest up for safe Delivery From Childbirth's perilous throes. And should the Heir Of thy fond hopes hereafter walk inclined To courses fit to make a mother rue 10 That ever he was born, a glance of mind Cast upon this observance may renew A better will; and, in the imagined view Of thee thus kneeling, safety he may find. FOOTNOTES: [308] Compare Spenser's _Epithalamion_, stanza xl. ll. 216, 217-- The sacred ceremonies these partake, The which do endlesse matrimony make; Also, Southey's _All for Love, or a sinner well saved_, Part IV. stanza 46-- While they the sacred rites partake Which endless matrimony make.--ED. XXVIII VISITATION OF THE SICK Composed 1842.--Published 1845