Composed On The Eve Of The Marriage Of A Friend In The Vale Of Grasmere

  1. Poetry
  2. Poets
  3. William Wordsworth
  4. Composed On The Eve Of The Marriage Of A Friend In The Vale Of Grasmere

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Poem

WHAT need of clamorous bells, or ribands gay,
These humble nuptials to proclaim or grace?
Angels of love, look down upon the place;
Shed on the chosen vale a sun-bright day!
Yet no proud gladness would the Bride display
Even for such promise:–serious is her face,
Modest her mien; and she, whose thoughts keep pace
With gentleness, in that becoming way
Will thank you. Faultless does the Maid appear;
No disproportion in her soul, no strife:
But, when the closer view of wedded life
Hath shown that nothing human can be clear
From frailty, for that insight may the Wife
To her indulgent Lord become more dear.

Previous Poem
Composed During A Storm
Next Poem
Composed While The Author Was Engaged In Writing A Tract Occasioned By The Convention Of Cintra