A Bridal Measure

By Thomas Bailey Aldrich

For S. F.

Gifts they sent her manifold,
Diamonds and pearls and gold.
One there was among the throng
Had not Midas' touch at need:
He against a sylvan reed
Set his lis and breathed a song.

Bid bright Flora, as she comes,
Snatch a spray of orange blooms
For a maiden's hair.

Let the Hours their aprons fill
With mignonette and daffodil,
And all that's fair.

For her bosom fetch the rose
That is rarest --
Not that either these or those
Could by any happening be
Ornaments to such as she;
They'll but show, when she is dressed,
She is fairer than the fairest
And out-betters what is best!