import re


def parse_date_range(date, alt_end_date=None):
    """
    Parse input `date` string in free-text format for four-digit long groups.

    Args:
        date (str): Input containing years.

    Returns:
        tuple: ``(from, to)`` as four-digit strings.
    """
    NOT_ENDED = "9999"
    all_years = re.findall(r"\d{4}", date)

    if alt_end_date:
        NOT_ENDED = alt_end_date

    if not all_years:
        return "****", NOT_ENDED

    elif len(all_years) == 1:
        return all_years[0], NOT_ENDED

    return all_years[0], all_years[1]