A PROLOGUE BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE, 



AN EPITHALAMIUM. 



My FRIENDS, OUR FRIENDS. 



There is to-day exactly half a century 



We Tiave been bound with the chains of matrimony. 



My good half ? oft has said with verity, 



These chains though indissoluble to eternity 



Seem light enough, even pleasant to wear ! 



For her, I dare say, they are gold ware, 



But for the other party, who drags the fetters ? 



Don't you think his lot might have been better 



Than to have been more or less, for years, 



Obliged to listen to her would-be fears, 



Of leaving too numerous a posterity; 



Which, after all, is less than that Adam had the priority. 



P. S. 



Here: I intended to say nothing more of my tribulations, 

 Although I have many more in my recollections, 

 Therefore, I will close my narration, fear of being checked 

 For divulging that I have often been henpecked ! 

 Henpecked, have I said ? this is a hard word, I think, 

 Even when used jocosely, but when written with ink 

 It seems outrageous, if one considers that indiscretions 

 May have been the cause of the above castigation; 

 However, such is a long usage of subjection, 

 That I am wiUing to submit to a repetition 

 Of 



So let us rivet the chains again. 



L. M. Oct. 31, '90. 



