A Certificate Of Marriage
Swift, in one of his pedestrian journeys from London towards Chester, is
reported to have taken shelter from a summer tempest under a large oak
on the road side, at no great distance from Litchfield. Presently, a
man, with a pregnant woman, wore driven by the like impulse to avail
themselves of the same covert. The Dean, entering into conversation,
found the parties were destined for Litchfield to be married. As the
si
uation of the woman indicated no time should be lost, a proposition
was made on his part to save them the rest of the journey, by performing
the ceremony on the spot. The offer was gladly accepted, and thanks
being duly returned, the bridal pair, as the sky brightened, was about
to return: but the bridegroom suddenly recollecting that a certificate
was requisite to authenticate the marriage, requested one, which the
Dean wrote in these words:
Under an oak, in stormy weather,
I joined this rogue and wench together,
And none but he who rules the thunder,
Can put this wench and rogue asunder.