“Come, promise, dear,” I whispered low,
“That you will take my name.”
I never said I’d give it, but
They swore ’twas all the same.

They brought an action to extort
Four thousand pounds from me—
The Judge said “compromise,” and so
I had to give her three.

By my hard fate, unwary youth,
Take warning, and be wise:
Once with “come promise” you begin,
The end is compromise.