Spoke of bright realms, far distant lying,

Where love and joy are both undying!

E’en thus—a vision of delight,

A beam to gladden mortal sight,

A flower whose head no storm had bow’d,

Whose leaves ne’er droop’d beneath a cloud,—

Thus, by the world unstain’d, untried,

Seem’d that beloved and lovely bride;

A being all too soft and fair

One breath of earthly woe to bear!