| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 1127. The Bride’s Toilette |
| | | (The Conciergerie, 1793) |
| | | By Ellen Mackay Hutchinson Cortissoz |
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| “DAME, how the moments go— | |
| And the bride is not ready! | |
| Call all her tiring maids, | |
| Paul, Jean, and Thedie. | |
| Is this your robe, my dear? | 5 |
| Faith, but she ’s steady! | |
| The bridegroom is blest who gets | |
| Such a brave lady.” | |
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| “Pardi! That throat is fair— | |
| How he will kiss it! | 10 |
| Here is your kerchief, girl; | |
| Did you not miss it? | |
| Quick, don these little shoes, | |
| White as your foot is. | |
| Ho, Jean, Saint Guillotine | 15 |
| Loves these fine beauties!” | |
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| “Now those long locks must go,— | |
| The bridegroom is waiting; | |
| Short is the hour he gives | |
| To wooing and mating. | 20 |
| Thedie, you fool, the shears!— | |
| Time this was ended.”— | |
| Down falls the golden hair, | |
| Once lovingly tended. | |
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| So from her prison doors | 25 |
| Forth went the lady; | |
| Silent the Bridegroom stood, | |
| Not a sound made he. | |
| Oh, but he clasped her close! | |
| ’T was a brave lover.— | 30 |
| “Dance, dance La Carmagnole! | |
| The bridal is over!” | |
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