From Tom to Ned
DEAR Ned, no doubt you ’ll be surprised
When you receive and read this letter.
I ’ve railed against the marriage state;
But then, you see, I knew no better.
I ’ve met a lovely girl out here;
Her manner is—well—very winning:
We ’re soon to be—well, Ned, my dear,
I ’ll tell you all, from the beginning.