Text: Edgar Allan Poe, “Bridal Ballad” (Text-07), J. L. Graham copy of The Raven and Other Poems (1845), with Poe's manuscript changes, 1845-1849, pp. 7-8


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[page 7:]

BRIDAL BALLAD.

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THE ring is on my hand,

And the wreath is on my brow;

Satins and jewels grand

Are all at my command,

And I am happy now.

And my lord he loves me well;

But, when first he breathed his vow,

I felt my bosom swell —

For the words rang as a knell,

And the voice seemed his who fell

In the battle down the dell,

And who is happy now.

But he spoke to re-assure me,

And he kissed my pallid brow,

While a reverie came o’re me,

And to the church-yard bore me,

And I sighed to him before me,

(Thinking him dead D’Elormie,)

“Oh, I am happy now!”

And thus the words were spoken;

And this the plighted vow;

And, though my faith be broken,

And, though my heart be broken,

Here is a ring, as token

That I am happy now! — [page 8:]

Behold the golden token

That proves me happy now!

Would God I could awaken!

For I dream I know not how,

And my soul is sorely shaken

Lest an evil step be taken, —

Lest the dead who is forsaken

May not be happy now.

 


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Notes:

This version presents the text with all of Poe's indicated changes having been made. For a detailed analysis of the changes made in this version, see the study text.

 

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[S:1 - RAOP-JLG, 1849 (fac, 1942)] - Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore - Works - Poems - Bridal Ballad (Text-07)