To aim at what might bring me soon to shame: 
          In wedlock I’ve been asked by that and this;
          My father thinks these offers not amiss;
          But, Nicaise, I’ll allow you still to hope,
          That if with others I’m obliged to cope,
          No matter whether counsellor or judge. 
          Since clearly ev’ry thing to such I grudge,
          The marriage eve, or morn, or day, or hour,
          To you I’ll give—­the first enchanting flow’r.

          Thelad most gratefully his thanks returned;
          His breast with ev’ry soft emotion burned. 
          Within a week, to this sweet charmer came,
          A rich young squire, who soon declared his flame;
          On which she said to Nicaise:—­he will do;
          This spark will easily let matters through;
          And as the belle was confident of that,
          She gave consent and listened to his chat. 
          Soon all was settled and arranged the day,
          When marriage they no longer would delay,
          You’ll fully notice this:—­I think I view
          The thoughts which move around and you pursue;
          ’Twas doubtless clear, whatever bliss in store,
          The lady was betrothed, and nothing more.

          Thoughall was fixed a week before the day,
          Yet fearing accidents might things delay,
          Or even break the treaty ere complete,
          She would not our apprentice fully greet,
          Till on the very morn she gave her hand,
          Lest chance defeated what was nicely planned.

          Howe’erthe belle was to the altar led,
          A virgin still, and doomed the squire to wed,
          Who, quite impatient, consummation sought,
          As soon as he the charmer back had brought;
          But she solicited the day apart,
          And this obtained, alone by prayers and art. 
          ’Twas early morn, and ’stead of bed she dressed,
          In ev’ry thing a queen had thought the best;
          With diamonds, pearls, and various jewels rare;
          Her husband riches had, she was aware,
          Which raised her into rank that dress required,
          And all her neighbours envied and admired. 
          Her lover, to secure the promised bliss,
          An hour’s indulgence gained to take a kiss. 
          A bow’r within a garden was the spot,
          Which, for their private meeting, they had got. 
          A confidant had been employed around,
          To watch if any one were lurking found.

          Thelady was the first who thither came;
          To get a nosegay was, she said, her aim;
          And Nicaise presently her steps pursued,
          Who, when the turf within the bow’r he viewed,
          Exclaimed, oh la! how wet it is my dear!