Pray, sir, now do not do it, but stay over, I implore.”

This he oft had said before.

But then he looked more willing, as I threw to him a shilling

To drink my health in whisky, as oft I’d done before.

And then I took my spanner, and all the bolts did hammer,

And tightened up the nuts, an operation I abhor,

Then I jumped into my saddle, shouting to him “au revoir.”

Only this, and nothing more.

And as I felt aweary, the road to me seemed dreary

Drearier than ever it had seemed to me before,