The Last Dance, or a punch up at a wedding

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

At this joyful wedding celebration, 

It now falls on me, 

As your Master of Ceremonies, 

To welcome you to the Last Dance. 

As some of you may be aware, 

This isn’t a bookend for the First, 

That ritual set-in stone, 

And homage to love and hope, 

Performed by newly wedded husband and wife. 

The Last Dance depends on us, 

And is an altogether different beast, 

Rather better known, 

As a punch up at a wedding. 

For the Bride and Groom have put on a lovely spread. 

You’ve been wined, dined, and entertained. 

Now you can show them where their efforts have led, 

By sending them on their way, 

Not happy as if to their Honeymoon, 

But sad, dazed, and dismayed, 

As if from a Wake.

(Image taken from the Gordon Sisters Boxing, 1901)