Hymen (1919)

The Bride by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1865)

As from a temple service, tall and dignified, with slow pace, each a queen, the sixteen matrons from the temple of Hera pass before the curtain–a dark purple hung between Ionic columns–of the porch or open hall of a palace. Their hair is bound as the marble hair of the temple Hera. Each wears a crown or diadem of gold.

They sing–the music is temple music, deep, simple chanting notes:

          From the closed garden
          Where our feet pace
          Back and forth each day,
          This gladiolus white,
          This red, this purple spray–
          Gladiolus tall with dignity
          As yours, lady–we lay
          Before your feet and pray:

          Of all the blessings–
          Youth, joy, ecstasy–
          May one gift last
          (As the tall gladiolus may
          Outlast the wind-flower,
          Winter-rose or rose),
          One gift above,
          Encompassing all those;

          For her, for him,
          For all within these palace walls,
          Beyond the feast,
          Beyond the cry of Hymen and the torch,
          Beyond the night and music
          Echoing through the porch till day.