Celebates

They must not wed the Doctor said, For they were far from strong, And children of their marriage bed Might not live overlong. And yet each eve I saw them pass With rapt and eager air, As fit a seeming lad and lass As ought to pair. For twenty years I went away And scoured the China Sea, Then homing came and found that they Were still sweet company. The Doctor and the Priest had banned Three times their wedding ties, Yet they were walking hand in hand, Love in their eyes. And then I went away again For years another score, And sailored all the Spanish Main Ere I returned once more; And now I see them pass my gate, So slow and stooped and grey, And when I asked them: "Why not mate?" "We do," they say. "No priest and village bells we need, No Doctor to approve; The Lord has wedded us indeed With everlasting love. How wonderful to understand The working of His will! Lo! We are walking hand in hand, And sweethearts still."