The Bridal Ballad

The ring is on my hand,
        And the wreath is on my brow;
      Satin and jewels grand
      Are all at my command,
        And I am happy now.

      And my lord he loves me well;
        But, when first he breathed his vow,
      I felt my bosom swell-
      For the words rang as a knell,
      And the voice seemed his who fell
      In the battle down the dell,
        And who is happy now.

      But he spoke to re-assure me,
        And he kissed my pallid brow,
      While a reverie came o'er me,
      And to the church-yard bore me,
      And I sighed to him before me,
      Thinking him dead D'Elormie,
      "Oh, I am happy now!"

      And thus the words were spoken,
        And this the plighted vow,
      And, though my faith be broken,
      And, though my heart be broken,
      Here is a ring, as token
        That I am happy now!

      Would God I could awaken!
        For I dream I know not how!
      And my soul is sorely shaken
      Lest an evil step be taken,-
      Lest the dead who is forsaken
        May not be happy now.