A Marriage Charm

Here and now, by the angel-orders nine, 
That take no care for love nor yet for loss, 
Woman most dear, I choose you out for mine, 
I turn my errant feet your way across. 

I set a charm upon your hurrying breath, 
I set a charm upon your wandering feet, 
You shall not leave me — not for life, nor death, 
Not even though you cease to love me, Sweet. 

A woman's love nine Angels cannot bind, 
Nor any rune that wind or water knows, 
My heart were all as well set on the wind, 
Or bound, to live or die, upon a rose. 

I set a charm upon you, foot and hand, 
That you and Knowledge, love, may never meet, 
That you may never chance to understand 
How strong you are, how weak your lover, Sweet. 

I set my charm upon your kindly arm, 
I set it as a seal upon your breast; 
That you may never hear another's charm. 
Nor guess another's gift outruns my best. 

I bid your wandering footsteps me to follow, 
Your thoughts to travel after in my track, 
I am the sky that waits you, dear grey swallow, 
No wind of mine shall ever blow you back. 

I am your dream, Sweet: so no more of dreaming, 
Your lips to mine must end this chanted charm, 
Your heart to mine, 'neath nut-brown tresses streaming, 
I set my love a seal upon your arm.