The Golden Wedding-Ring

by Gerald Massey

With a white hand like a lady,
And a heart as merry as Spring,
I am ripe and I am ready
For a golden wedding-ring;
Heigho, for a wedding-ring.

This old world is scarce worth seeing,
Till Love wave his purple wing,
And we gauge the bliss of being,
Thro' a golden wedding-ring;
Heigho, for a wedding-ring.

Would you draw far Eden nearer,
And to earth the Angels bring;
You must seek the magic mirror
Of a golden wedding-ring;
Heigho, for a wedding-ring.

As the earth with sea is bounded,
And the winter-world with spring,
So a Maiden's life is rounded
With a golden wedding-ring;
Heigho, for a wedding-ring.

I have known full many a Maiden,
Like a white rose withering,
Into fresh ripe beauty redden
Thro' a golden wedding-ring;
Heigho, for a wedding-ring.

As the crescent Moon rings golden,
Her full glory perfecting,
Womanly beauty is unfolden
In a golden wedding-ring;
Heigho, for a wedding-ring.

Fainting spirits oft grow fearless,
Sighing hearts will soar and sing,
Tearful eyes will laugh out tearless,
Thro' a golden wedding-ring;
Heigho, for a wedding-ring.

There's no jewel so worth wearing,
That a Lover's hands may bring, --
There's no treasure worth comparing
With a golden wedding-ring;
Heigho, for a wedding-ring.

Ah! when hearts are wildly beating,
And when arms all glowing cling,
Think, Love's circle wants completing
With a golden wedding-ring;
Heigho, for a wedding-ring.