Page:A lover's tale (Tennyson, 1879).djvu/74

With shrieks and ringing laughter on the sand
Threw down the bier; the woods upon the hill
Waved with a sudden gust that sweeping down
Took the edges of the pall, and blew it far
Until it hung, a little silver cloud
Over the sounding seas: I turn'd: my heart
Shrank in me, like a snow flake in the hand,
Waiting to see the settled countenance
Of her I loved, adorn' d with fading flowers.
But she from out her death-like chrysalis.
She from her bier, as into fresher life,
My sister, and my cousin, and my love,
Leapt lightly clad in bridal white—her hair
Studded with one rich Provence rose—a light
Of smiling welcome round her lips—her eyes
And cheeks as bright as when she climb'd the hill.
One hand she reach' d to those that came behind.
And while I mused nor yet endured to take