The sky it was dark, and the way it was long,
When I mounted his Majesty’s Mail;
And I tried to chirrup a cheery song
In the teeth of the wind and the hail;—
But it wouldn’t do—so on night’s dark face
I said there should glitter one star;
And I took from snug sleep in its own cozy case,
And lit up into life a cigar.
And then, as its sweet breath came forth with good-will,
The sky didn’t look half so gruff;