Only one marriage I regret. I remember after I got that marriage license I went across from the license bureau to a bar for a drink. The bartender said, What will you have, sir? And I said, A glass of hemlock.

Summary

In this quote, the speaker reflects on their regret for a particular marriage. The mention of going to a bar right after getting the marriage license conveys a sense of emotional distress or disillusionment. The request for hemlock, a poisonous plant historically associated with death, symbolizes a desire for escape or an end to their suffering. The quote suggests that the speaker views this particular marriage as deeply regrettable and possibly even a source of pain or unhappiness.