11. SADNESS SETTLED ON THE HOUSEHOLD.

So Molly's father called the Law,

Set a guard around his mansion,

And on his household then he saw

Sadness, like a shadow, falling.

Adamant was Molly's father,

Changing not his angry order,

Heeding not his daughter's pleading,

Or her mother's mediation.

Stern and cross grew Molly's father,

Posted warnings‘ gainst the “beggar”,

Asked the Law to force his order,

Set a guard around his mansion,

Walked in blackness through his kitchen,

Spoke with angry tone and gesture,

Swore that he would “kill the beggar”,

Thinking to subdue his daughter,

Knowing not her wilful spirit

Matched his own in daring purpose,

Knowing not the years of sorrow

That his harshness was preparing,

All the numbness and the pathos

That would follow his decision;

All the anguish and the sadness

He was storing for the future;

Knowing not that he was driving

From his heart his only daughter.

“Right” was he, in his opinion,

“Never would he reconsider.”

Silent were the tearful servants

In their angry master's presence —

Speaking words of fierce resentment

In their angry master's absence,

For they all adored fair Molly

And approved her choice of suitors.

Sadness settled on the household,

On their lives there fell a shadow,

Fell a dark and gloomy shadow,

Resting there and never lifted.