The friendly parties met - the Guardian cried,

“I am too old; my sons have each a bride:

Martha, my ward, would make an easy wife:

On easy terms I’ll make her yours for life;

And then the creature is so weak and mild.

She may be soothed and threaten’d as a child.”

“Yet not obey,” said Fulham, “for your fools,

Female and male, are obstinate as mules.”

Some points adjusted, these new friends agreed,

Proposed the day, and hurried on the deed.