The Bridegroom

I SLEPT,—'twas midnight,—in my bosom woke,

As though 'twere day, my love-o'erflowing heart;

To me it seemed like night, when day first broke;

What is't to me, whate'er it may impart?

She was away; the world's unceasing strife

For her alone I suffer'd through the heat

Of sultry day; oh, what refreshing life

At cooling eve!—my guerdon was complete.

The sun now set, and wand'ring hand in hand,

His last and blissful look we greeted then;

While spake our eyes, as they each other scann'd:

"From the far east, let's trust, he'll come again!"

At midnight!—the bright stars, in vision blest,

Guide to the threshold where she slumbers calm:

Oh be it mine, there too at length to rest,—

Yet howsoe'er this prove, life's full of charm!

Note: Bridegroom - Not in the English sense of the word, but the German, where it has the meaning of betrothed.