And what though Eleëmon were "This was no doubtful thing," they said, "For he had in the house been bred, Nor e'er from thence removed; But there from childhood had been known, And trusted and approved. "Such as he was his qualities The Maid and Father for their choice, "But Heaven by miracle had made All doubtful thoughts to rest. The wondering City thus discoursed; The secret truth, and even to him Meantime the Church hath been prepared For spousal celebration; The Sisters to their cells retire, Amazed at such mutation. The habit and hood of camel's hair, Which with the sacred scissars there On the altar were display'd, Are taken thence, and in their stead Behold, in garments gay with gold, The Maiden from her Father's house And now before the Holy Door In the Ante-nave they stand; The Bride and Bridegroom side by side, The Paranymphs in festal pride Arranged on either hand. Then from the Sanctuary the Priests, With incense burning sweet, Advance, and at the Holy Door The Bride and Bridegroom meet. There to the Bride and Bridegroom they The marriage tapers gave; And to the altar as they go, For fruitfulness, and perfect love, They call'd upon the Lord to bless And sanctify the marriage rite A pause at every prayer they made, The Choristers took up their part, And sung in tones that thrill'd the heart, Have mercy on us, Lord! Then with the marriage rings the priest Pronouncing them before high Heaven Now and for ever more, for time This did he in the presence Then to that gracious Lord, the Priest Who, as our sacred Scriptures tell, He call'd upon that gracious Lord And with his mercy and his word With a Christian benediction, The Priest dismist them then, And the Choristers, with louder voice, Intoned the last Amen! The days of Espousals are over; Before them, by the Paranymphs, Composed of all sweet flowers of spring With lighted tapers in array They enter the Holy Door, And the Priest with the waving thuribule Perfumes the way before. He raised his voice, and call'd aloud Creating Woman thus for Man For youth and age, for good and ill, Flesh of his flesh; appointing them And on our Lord he call'd, by whom Then in the ever-blessed Name, From the man's Paranymph he took And crowning him therewith, in that "Eleëmon, the Servant of God, is crown'd For Cyra, the Lord's Handmaid !" |