Hebrew Wedding

From “The Fall of Jerusalem” TO the sound of timbrels sweet Moving slow our solemn feet, We have borne thee on the road To the virgin’s blest abode; With thy yellow torches gleaming, And thy scarlet mantle streaming, And the canopy above Swaying as we slowly move. Thou hast left the joyous feast, And the mirth and wine has ceased; And now we set thee down before The jealously unclosing door, That the favored youth admits Where the veilèd virgin sits In the bliss of maiden fear, Waiting our soft tread to hear, And the music’s brisker din At the bridegroom’s entering in, Entering in, a welcome guest, To the chamber of his rest. CHORUS OF MAIDENS Now the jocund song is thine, Bride of David’s kingly line; How thy dove-like bosom trembleth, And thy shrouded eye resembleth Violets, when the dews of eve A moist and tremulous glitter leave On the bashful sealèd lid! Close within the bride-veil hid, Motionless thou sitt’st and mute; Save that at the soft salute Of each entering maiden friend, Thou dost rise and softly bend. Hark! a brisker, merrier glee! The door unfolds,—’t is he! ’t is he! Thus we lift our lamps to meet him, Thus we touch our lutes to greet him. Thou shalt give a fonder meeting, Thou shalt give a tenderer greeting.