Alone they stand, alone must they
Swear matrimony’s solemn oath;
A hundred noses point their way,
Two hundred eyes stare hard at both.
Then twice and thrice the youth’s parched lips
Strive hard to frame the longed-for word;
And twice and thrice he tries again,
Yet not a single sound is heard.
There’s just an upward flash of eyes
Like starlight in a forest pool,