How to Ask and Have

“oh, ’t is time I should talk to your mother,         Sweet Mary,” says I. “Oh, don’t talk to my mother,” says Mary,         Beginning to cry: “For my mother says men are deceivers,     And never, I know, will consent; She says girls in a hurry who marry         At leisure repent.” “Then suppose I would talk to your father,         Sweet Mary,” says I. “Oh, don’t talk to my father,” says Mary,         Beginning to cry: “For my father, he loves me so dearly,     He ’ll never consent I should go— If you talk to my father,” says Mary,         “He ’ll surely say ‘No.’” “Then how shall I get you, my jewel?         Sweet Mary,” says I. “If your father and mother ’s so cruel,         Most surely I ’ll die!” “Oh, never say die, dear,” says Mary:     “A way now to save you I see: Since my parents are both so contrary—         You ’d better ask me.”