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per.00134.002
A KISS TO THE BRIDE.
Sacred, blithesome, undenied,
With benisons from East and West,
And salutations North and South,
Through me indeed to-day a million hearts and
hands,
Wafting a million loves, a million soul-felt prayers;
—Tender and true remain the arm that shields thee
Fair winds always fill the ship's sails that sail thee!
Clear sun by day, and bright stars at night, beam on
thee!
Dear girl—through me the ancient privilege too,
For the New World, through me, the old, old wed-
ding greeting:
O youth and health! O sweet Missouri rose! O
bonny bride!
Yield thy red cheeks, thy lips, to-day,
Unto a Nation's loving kiss.
WALT WHITMAN.