Shelley’s short lyric offers a wedding blessing that feels tender and a little breathless. The speaker calls on Sleep to unbar its golden gates for the couple, whose union of strength and beauty shines like a star reflected in a calm, glassy sea. Night and darkness are invited to look down, to shed their holiest dew, because even the fickle moon never smiled on lovers so true. There’s a shy wish woven in: let their eyes not see their own delight yet, as if too much awareness might break the spell. Instead, let the swift hours carry them gently, then return again to renew that joy. Spirits—fairies, sprites, angels—are asked to keep the bride safe, and the holy stars are told to permit no wrong. Dawn is implored to come soon, to wake the sleeper before long. The final cry—“O joy! O fear!”—catches the trembling anticipation of new love left in the dark, holding its breath for morning.
A Bridal Song — Summary
The golden gates of Sleep unbar Where Strength and Beauty, met together, Kindle their image like a star In a sea of glassy weather! Night, with all thy stars look down,-- Darkness, weep thy holiest dew,-- Never smiled the inconstant moon On a pair so true. Let eyes not see their own delight;-- Haste, swift Hour, and thy flight Oft renew.
Fairies, sprites, and angels, keep her! Holy stars, permit no wrong! And return to wake the sleeper, Dawn,--ere it be long! O joy! O fear! what will be done In the absence of the sun! Come along!