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Now all is golden hue,
Now all seems rose, then blue,

’Gainst crimson-velvet background.
Now joyful sounds they hear,

Of music, soft and clear,

First low, but soon increasing—
A lively wedding march :
They pause before an arch,

To catch those notes so pleasing. |
‘Oh! welcome home once more,
dear ;

Here friends you never saw, dear,

All long to see your face.
I’ve told them of your beauty ;
But all your love and duty |

’ Twould take a life to trace.’

The arch appears to tremble,
A painting did dissemble ;

And now it upward rises,

And to her startled gaze
Magnificence displays,

Which even her surprises.
About a thousand guests,
In richest costume dressed,

Line each side of the great hall.
A loud and hearty cheer,

And cries of ‘Welcome here!’

To her repose is fatal.

She clings unto her lord—
Can utter not a word,

Until he said, ‘ Look here, love!
Here are some friends you know,
With them some moments go ;

Your parents both are near, love.’

 

 

‘ And can this be our child ?’
The father cried (half wild) ;

‘The Princess of Golconda!’
With arms flung round her neck,
Whilst tears her eyes bedeck,

What mother could be fonder ?
The hall which now they chat in
Is draped with azure satin,

And garlanded with flowers.
And, oh! it was a sight,

When ’neath a dazzling light

They danced at later hours.
Once more a jocund strain,

The wedding march again,

The guests are all retreating.
Marshalled by usher’s call
Into the banquet-hall,

At tables they are seating.
Bridegroom and Bride at last
The sculptured arch have passed

(With just a chosen few),

| And mount a lofty dais,

The centre of the place,
For thousand guests to view.
The tables groan with massive plate,
Footmen in scarlet liv’ry wait,
And now the feast commences.
I cannot give a bill of fare,
’Twould make a gourmand rend his
hair,
Or take away his senses :
The wine in silver fountain plays,
Iced first below ; the surplus strays
Through channels to the grounds near,