His head always level, her heart always true,
Let us wish them God-speed, and bid them adieu.
XIV.
Things are somewhat reversed, when wisdom and age
Are counted as nothing—as fools on the stage;
If a man wants to marry—strange as it seems—
Must he ask his dear children, still in their teens?
Must he say to them, “Children, please, may I marry?”
And if they refuse, should he raise the Old Harry?