Page:Bohemian legends and other poems.djvu/43

“Yes, they shall prepare the wedding,
In the convent far away.
Come, oh bridesmaids, cut my long locks,
Let me sup with you to-day.
Gladly in your silent convent,
I will give my hand away.

“Come and see me, oh beloved—
Come and hear me when I sing,
Till that fatal day, beloved,
When the black robe they will fling
Round about my weary shoulders—
On my hand the wedding ring.

“They will take my white dress from me,
Dress me in the robe of pain;
And the image of my bridegroom
Now must be my only gain.
Vanish from my sight, beloved one,
We must never meet again.

“The crucifix is by my side,
The rosary in my hand,
I raise my weary eyes to Him,
Lord of that heavenly band.
Oh, glorious bridegroom, I am yours,
The wedding ring is on my hand.

“Beyond the convent’s silent walls,
Oh, never more shall I stray,
No earthly voice shall haunt me more,
When I humbly kneel to pray.
Heaven’s love will fill my broken heart,
The world will have passed away.

“Avaunt from me, beloved of earth,
My bridegroom is in the sky;
Depart from me, betrothed on earth,
To Heaven I fain would fly;
Oh, holy bridegroom, fill my heart
With your image till I die.