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