Forth from her room, with measured step she came,
Proud of th’ event, and stately look’d the dame;
The husband met her at his study door -
“This way, my love - one moment, and no more:
A trifling business - you will understand -
The law requires that you affix your hand;
But first attend, and you shall learn the cause
Why forms like these have been prescribed by laws.”
Then from his chair a man in black arose,
And with much quickness hurried off his prose -