XVII THE YOUNG MARRIED COUPLE (Muswell Hill).
Reading edition
The home of the young married couple is pleasant and clean, They receive me together. They say “Will I please come in,” And “not mind” some small thing (which I have not seen). Then: “Dinner is ready now,” and “shall we begin?” They have a small daughter, and not too much money. They say That things must look up, by and by. They are merry and brave, They have grey days and bright days and days of play; And they always enjoy together the things that they have. And often I envy my friends, as I sit and read All alone with my books and my thoughts, without child or wife: And I think I should like to marry very much indeed— If only the marriage sentence weren’t for life.