Piercing the heart of his friend had struck his

own, and had sundered Once and for ever the bonds that held him

bound as a captive, Wild with excess of sensation, the awful delight

of his freedom, Mingled with pain and regret, unconscious of

what he was doing, Clasped, almost with a groan, the motionless

form of Priscilla, Pressing her close to his heart, as for ever his

own, and exclaiming : 66 Those whom the Lord hath united, let no

man put them asunder!”

Even as rivulets twain, from distant and

separate sources, Seeing each other afar, as they leap from the

rocks, and pursuing Each one its devious path, but drawing nearer

Rush together at last, at their trysting-place in

the forest; So these lives that had run thus far in separate

channels, Coming in sight of each other, then swerving

and flowing asunder, Parted by barriers strong, but drawing nearer

and nearer,

Rushed together at last, and one was lost in the

IX.

THE WEDDING-DAY.

Forth from the curtain of clouds, from the

tent of purple and scarlet, Issued the sun, the great High-Priest, in his

garments resplendent, Holiness unto the Lord, in letters of light, on

his forehead, Round the hem of his robe the golden bells and

pomegranates. Blessing the world he came, and the bars of

vapor beneath him Gleamed like a grate of brass, and the sea at

his feet was a laver !

This was the wedding morn of Priscilla the

Puritan maiden.

Friends were assembled together; the Elder

and Magistrate also Graced the scene with their

presence,

and stood like the Law and the Gospel, One with the sanction of earth and one with

the blessing of heaven. Simple and brief was the wedding, as that of

Ruth and of Boaz. Softly the youth and the maiden repeated the

words of betrothal, Taking each other for husband and wife in the

Magistrate's presence, After the Puritan way, and the laudable cus

tom of Holland. Fervently then, and devoutly, the excellent El

der of Plymouth Prayed for the hearth and the home, that were

founded that day in affection,

Speaking of life and of death, and imploring

divine benedictions.

Lo! when the service was ended, a form

appeared on the threshold, Clad in armor of steel, a sombre and sorrowful

figure ! Why does the bridegroom start and stare at

the strange apparition ? Why does the bride turn pale, and hide her

face on his shoulder ? Is it a phantom of air,- a bodiless, spectral

illusion ?

Is it a ghost from the grave, that has come to

forbid the betrothal ? Long had it stood there unseen, a guest un

invited, unwelcomed ; Over its clouded eyes there had passed at times

an expression Softening the gloom and revealing the warm

heart hidden beneath them,