Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox

---

    Now is the time when India is gay
    With wedding parties; and the radiant throngs
    Seem like a scattered rainbow taking part
    In human pleasures.    Dressed in bright array,
    They fling upon the bride their wreaths of songs - 
    The Little Lady of the Bullock Cart.

    Here is the temple ready for the rite:
    The large-eyed bullocks halt; and waiting arms
    Lift down the bride.    All India's curious art
    Speaks in the gems with which she is bedight.
    And in the robes which hide her sweet alarms - 
    The Little Lady of the Bullock Cart.

    This is her day of days:    her splendid hour
    When joy is hers, though love is all unknown.
    It has not dawned upon her childish heart.
    But human triumph, in a temporal power,
    Has crowned her queen upon a one-day throne - 
    The Little Lady of the Bullock Cart.

    Ah, Little Lady!    What will be your fate?
    So long, so long, the outward-reaching years:
    So brief the joy of this elusive part;
    So frail the shoulders for the loads that wait:
    So bitter salt the virgin widow's tears - 
    O Little Lady of the Bullock cart.

---

Type of Poem: Ballad

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a profound exploration of the intersection between joy and sorrow, tradition and change. It vividly paints a portrait of a young bride in India, referring to her as "The Little Lady of the Bullock Cart." The narrative tone is rich with both celebration and impending melancholy, hinting at the dichotomy of her situation.

The poem's structure is consistent, using a rhythmic AABCCB scheme that lends a sense of order and tradition, fitting for the wedding ceremony it describes. The imagery is vivid and colorful, creating a bright picture of the festivities with references to "scattered rainbow," "wedding parties," and "radiant throngs." The repeated phrase "The Little Lady of the Bullock Cart" serves as a powerful refrain, anchoring the poem and underscoring the central focus on the young bride.

However, amidst the celebration, there's an undercurrent of sorrow and concern for the bride's future. The poet hints at the young bride's innocence and lack of understanding about love and her impending responsibilities. The poignant lines "So brief the joy of this elusive part; So frail the shoulders for the loads that wait" suggest a bleak future, possibly hinting at the hardships she may face as a wife and perhaps a widow in traditional Indian society. The final line, "O Little Lady of the Bullock cart," is a lament, revealing the poet's empathy and concern for the young bride. Thus, the poem becomes a commentary on the societal norms and expectations surrounding marriage in the context depicted.