Classic Poem

O, lovely shone the daytime sun
Upon the pair just wedded!
They took the train at Washington
For Philadelphia headed.
So pure the bride, her groom beside,
Her buds and blossoms wreathing,
It seemed she saw the angels glide
Out of his holy breathing.

She, heiress of a sire's clean work,
Her purse sat light upon her;
And he, a ship's paymaster's clerk,
He did the Navy honor;
Clean lips and life his cool heart from
He worshiped with her, singing,
From his she saw their race to come
About her bosom clinging.

Vestal and matron spirits there
Coquetted in her dreaming,
Till in the Bay of Delaware
They saw a Warship steaming;
" I seem to hear her seamen cheer
For you, their dear paymaster! "
Said he: " The city's drawing near,
But we'll get there the faster! "

Thus ever she felt spirits by —
A spell than nuptials stranger —
And leaned upon his large, fond eye
That smiled away all danger;
Till, to their bridal chamber came
His friends to call him to them,
He kissed with flame, then, calm and tame,
Went out as if he knew them.

Never again, to bride or man,
His life, or shade, has risen;
He forged the payrolls of his ship
And spent a life in prison.
The vestal bride wed one beside,
With less supernal graces;
Her children fill the countryside;
Fond heart fits many faces!