London Lyrics — A Glimpse of Gretna Green, in the Distance

* * * * * That evening seem'd strangely to linger, The licence and luggage were packt, And Time, with a long and short finger, Approvingly mark'd me exact.

Arrived, woman's constancy blessing, No end of nice people I see, Some hither, some thitherwards pressing, But none of them waiting for me.

Time passes, my watch how I con it, I see her--she's coming--no, stuff!

Instead of Kate's smart little bonnet, It is aunt and her wonderful muff!

(Yes!

Fortune deserves to be chidden, It is a coincidence queer, Whenever one wants to be hidden, One's relatives always appear.

) Near nine!

how the passers despise me, They smile at my anguish, I think;

And even the sentinel eyes me, And tips that policeman the wink.

Ah!

Kate made me promises solemn, At eight she had vow'd to be mine;

While waiting for one at this column, I find I've been waiting for nine.

O Fame!

on thy pillar so steady, Some dupes watch beneath thee in vain: How many have done it already!

How many will do it again!

THE FOUR SEASONS