Breaks on the hush with reverent tone:
“If friends,” says he, “have planned to wed
’Tis meet that now they do proceed.”
Forthwith upon the women’s side
A blushing youth stands forth in view
And with him shrinks his Quaker bride.
With trembling hand in shaking palm,
They face the Meeting’s awful hush,
—No minister to question them,
No kindly shield to hide a blush.