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.
I am busy working to bring Nora Hopper Chesson's "A Marriage Charm" to life through some unique musical arrangements and will have a full analysis of the poem here for you soon.
At V2Melody, each arrangement is crafted with care through a thoughtful partnership of human artistry and technological innovation. This process involves:
This creative journey takes time—each composition represents hours of dedicated work to create something that deepens our connection to Nora Hopper Chesson's words in meaningful ways.
While you wait for the complete interpretation, I invite you to explore other musical arrangements in my gallery or learn more about Nora Hopper Chesson's life and contributions to literature.
Check back soon to experience how "A Marriage Charm" transforms when verse meets melody—a unique journey that makes poetry accessible, engaging, and profoundly moving in new ways.