Courtship v. marriage
And verily, ’tis rarely seen
With those who lovers long have been
Ere wedlock joined them, that doth last
Fond nuptial love, for in the past
The lover would avow him for
The lady’s bounden servitor,
But after marriage doth declare
His lordship, which right hard to bear
She finds from him who late did waive
All right and vowed himself her slave.
The Lover.
Her slave ?
The Friend.
Past doubt.
The Lover.
And prithee why ?
The Friend.
Because he willingly would fly
At her command; if she but said:
Dear friend, my purse; away he sped,
Nothing could vex him, nought could tire,
To satisfy her least desire;
To speak, indeed, were scarce worth while,
He read each frown, and knew each smile,
His only thought was to obey
Her every wish in every way.9920
But when they’re once by wedlock tied.
This courtesy is cast aside,
