Now once when the sky was pouring rain,
The Magpie chanced to come by again—
And there stood the post in the wet.
"Helloa." said the Magpie. "What you here
Pray tell me I beg is there sheltering near—
A terrible day for this time of the year.
T'would make a Saint Anthony fret."
"I beg your pardon—I didn't quite hear."
(Then louder) "I say is there sheltering near"
But the post was as dumb as Death.