COMPROMISE.
Reading edition
“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.