RICE AND SLIPPERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9253, 1 December 1891, Page 4

RICE AND SLIPPERS.

Bioo and slippers, slippna an 1 ! rice J Quaint old symbols of all that's n""o. In a world made np of sugar aud spice, With a honeymoon always shining ; A world where the.rhirda; Jieop house by tWOB, And the ringdove calls and the suokdove, COOS, i ' And maids are many, and men may choose, And never Bhall to"?e go pining. L. For the rice shall bo shed and the shoes shall be thrown When the bridegroom makes the bride his own, i He and she in the world alone, Though many a man oame wooing ; He and she, and no ether beside, Though the ways a*9 long and .the world is wide, i The proudest gro-*m and the prettiept bride ' That ever went b?«4ing and cooing. Slippers and rice fox *n omen meet, Fling them out in tb« open street, High oyoihead and low under feet, i Precious beyond ail posies ; Glad as the song the t greets the day When wedded lovers are whirled away For an everlasting month of May, Or a whole round year of roses. Say, is she fair, the wife of an hour ? Then fairer was nejwr the fairest flower, Lily or rose, in a maiden's bower, ' , B hish- white on £Jummer.md.rning; Or say, is she dark ? Then never yet Was Southern beaut/ with eyes of jet, Or dusk -pale syren, i* dark brunette, Ho lovely beyond i doming. i Is she rich ? does a^e bring a dower ol gold ? Then good is the treasure to have and to hold ; .J Her lover will learn to be twice as .bold With fortune at hand to aid him ; Is she poor, in all but her own fair worth ? Then that is the richest dower on .earth, And her lover will laugh at wealth and birth - ' i When he owns it vr&sshe who made him. It is well, all well, whatever she be A queen to her lord and to none but he — . But the sweetest sight in the world to see Is a bride in her bridal beauty; And he, he too, is a noble sight, The groom as gallant as belted, knight, Who wins a prize in the world's despite By his vows of love and duty. — Argosy