The Bridal Veil - by Alice Cary

We're married, they say, and you think you have won me,--

Well, take this white veil from my head, and look on me;

Here's matter to vex you, and matter to grieve you,

Here's doubt to distrust you, and faith to believe you,--

I am all as you see, common earth, common dew;

Be wary, and mould me to roses, not rue!

Ah! shake out the filmy thing, fold after fold,

And see if you have me to keep and to hold,-

Look close on my heart-see the worst of its sinning,-

It is not yours to-day for the yesterday's winning-

The past is not mine-I am too proud to borrow-

You must grow to new heights if I love you to-morrow.

I have wings flattened down and hid under my veil:

They are subtle as light-you can never undo them,

And swift in their flight-you can never pursue them,

And spite of all clasping, and spite of all bands,

I can slip like a shadow, a dream, from your hands.

Nay, call me not cruel, and fear not to take me,

I am yours for my life-time, to be what you make me,-

To wear my white veil for a sign, or a cover,

As you shall be proven my lord, or my lover;

A cover for peace that is dead, or a token

Of bliss that can never be written or spoken.