THE WEDDING GOWN

She put her wedding-gown away

As tenderly as one might close,

With kissing lips and finger-tips,

The petals of a rose

Still held for the Belovèd's sake —

The loveliest that blows.

She put her wedding-gown away —

The quiet place was all astir

With vague perfume that filled the room,

Cedar and lavender,

Yet sweeter still about it clung

The fragrant thoughts of her.

She put her wedding-gown away —

Yet lingered where its whiteness gleamed

As one above a sleeping Love,

Oh, thus it was she seemed,

Reluctant still to turn and go

And leave him as he dreamed.