| THEY sat and comb'd their beautiful hair, | |
| Their long, bright tresses, one by one, | |
| As they laugh'd and talk'd in the chamber there, | |
| After the revel was done. | |
| |
| Idly they talk'd of waltz and quadrille, | 5 |
| Idly they laugh'd, like other girls, | |
| Who over the fire, when all is still, | |
| Comb out their braids and curls. | |
| |
| Robe of satin and Brussels lace, | |
| Knots of flowers and ribbons, too, | 10 |
| Scatter'd about in every place, | |
| For the revel is through. | |
| |
| And Maud and Madge in robes of white, | |
| The prettiest night-gowns under the sun, | |
| Stockingless, slipperless, sit in the night, | 15 |
| For the revel is done,— | |
| |
| Sit and comb their beautiful hair, | |
| Those wonderful waves of brown and gold, | |
| Till the fire is out in the chamber there, | |
| And the little bare feet are cold. | 20 |
| |
| Then out of the gathering winter chill, | |
| All out of the bitter St. Agnes weather, | |
| While the fire is out and the house is still, | |
| Maud and Madge together,— | |
| |
| Maud and Madge in robes of white, | 25 |
| The prettiest night-gowns under the sun, | |
| Curtain'd away from the chilly night, | |
| After the revel is done,— | |
| |
| Float along in a splendid dream, | |
| To a golden gittern's tinkling tune, | 30 |
| While a thousand lustres shimmering stream | |
| In a palace's grand saloon. | |
| |
| Flashing of jewels and flutter of laces, | |
| Tropical odors sweeter than musk, | |
| Men and women with beautiful faces, | 35 |
| And eyes of tropical dusk; | |
| |
| And one face shining out like a star, | |
| One face haunting the dreams of each, | |
| And one voice, sweeter than others are, | |
| Breaking into silvery speech,— | 40 |
| |
| Telling, through lips of bearded bloom, | |
| An old, old story over again, | |
| As down the royal banner'd room, | |
| To the golden gittern's strain, | |
| |
| Two and two, they dreamily walk, | 45 |
| While an unseen spirit walks beside, | |
| And all unheard in the lovers' talk, | |
| He claimeth one for a bride. | |
| |
| O Maud and Madge, dream on together, | |
| With never a pang of jealous fear! | 50 |
| For, ere the bitter St. Agnes weather | |
| Shall whiten another year, | |
| |
| Robed for the bridal, and robed for the tomb, | |
| Braided brown hair and golden tress, | |
| There 'll be only one of you left for the bloom | 55 |
| Of the bearded lips to press,— | |
| |
| Only one for the bridal pearls, | |
| The robe of satin and Brussels lace,— | |
| Only one to blush through her curls | |
| At the sight of a lover's face. | 60 |
| |
| O beautiful Madge, in your bridal white, | |
| For you the revel has just begun, | |
| But for her who sleeps in your arms to-night | |
| The revel of Life is done! | |
| |
| But robed and crown'd with your saintly bliss, | 65 |
| Queen of heaven and bride of the sun, | |
| O beautiful Maud, you 'll never miss | |
| The kisses another hath won. | |
