Angelina’s father br Courteously approached me br At the summer house br And asked me to cease br In my spirited efforts br To pursue his daughter, br The pride of his existence. br br “As a friend of your late father, ” br He spoke to me, br “And as a man who was kind to your mother br When the distress of his death br So devastated her, br I ask you to choose any girl br Scattered beneath the stars br Than the one I carried br Upon my shoulders br At carnivals and fairs.” br br And it was understood, br My family’s pedigree was insufficient br For the family tree br With lavish roots in Europe br And places of power; br We were the secret enforcers, br The hidden persuaders br With bloody hands. br br Her father informed me br He was speaking from a place br Of genuine humility, br Seeking in a civilized manner br His daughter’s best interests.