Poems (Odom)/Bridal Offering

BRIDAL OFFERING TO MISS BETTIE ELDRIDGE, On her Wedding-day.

Before you speak the sacred vow
That binds you as a wife,
Turn once again the pages of
Your happy, maiden life:
Have you no tearful glance to fling
Back through your father's door—
The dear old home from which you turn
For ever, evermore?

Is there no thought unspoken now
That you may wish revealed,
When silence on your rosy lips
The bridal vow has sealed?
No withered rose you still may hold,
Too dear to throw away;
No letters that you tear in shreds
Or sadly burn to-day?

No pictured face that yet may thrill
Your bosom with regret?
No broken dream you still may try
All vainly to forget?
Ah! well I read your answer in
The half-indignant start;
No other hand has ever stirred
The love-chords in your heart.

I see it in the vivid blush
That rises to your cheek
When even any stranger tongue
His name may chance to speak.
The look of perfect, deep content
That lives within your eyes,
Was never born of buried hopes,
Nor any broken ties.

The love you fondly, freely give
Retains no secret part;
The girlish hand you pledge to-day
Bears all your woman's heart.
And he holds dearer than his life
The fair girl at his side;
His every hope he gives into
The keeping of his bride.

God keep you both in faithfulness
Too sweet for any tears,
Too perfect for unhappiness
Throughout the coming years.
May woman's purest confidence
Grow strong about his life,
And manhood's deepest tenderness
Still crown you as his wife.