The morn was brilliant and the packing done,

And all were in the very liveliest mood,

Although, of course, there was no time for fun,

And jokes were too untimely to be good.

The first cabdriver must have been endued

With strength, for this occasion, from above

He was so mighty, and his attitude

Betokened he was instantly in love

With cooky, smiling on her, charming little dove![19]

[19]

LIII.

He quite forgot (although perhaps you doubt it),

With love for cook, what he'd to sup'rintend;

They had two cabs, that's all I know about it,

And, Gracious knows, their luggage had no end.

And everybody thought they did intend

To find th' remotest corner of the earth,

Wherever that was. I can't comprehend

Who in the dickens gave such stories birth,

Still of frivolities like these there is no dearth.

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