To act with ladies, learned, young and fair,
Old women, like the Councillors and me,
To direr torments still reserved may be.
The better part of valour is discretion,
I'll try to soften them by prompt concession."
Then coughing thrice, impression due to make
And clear his throat, in accents mild he spake,
"Ye have my leave, 'V.R.,' I mean 'D.V.'"
The students bowed, retired, and he was free.'
The High Sheriff and the Chief of Police, when they heard of the Provost's weakness, were filled with wrath and dismay, and very promptly insisted on his lordship taking back the concession, so that this historic procession was as much 'forbidden fruit' as its predecessors, and the students probably enjoyed it the more that they had as usual to dare all those in authority to carry it out.