Page:Departmental Ditties and Ballads and Barrack-Room Ballads, Kipling, 1899.djvu/112

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98
THE BETROTHED

And I turn my eyes to the future that Maggie and I must prove,
But the only light on the marshes is the Will-o'-the-Wisp of Love.


Will it see me safe through my journey or leave me bogged in the mire?
Since a puff of tobacco can cloud it, shall I follow the fitful fire?


Open the old cigar-box—let me consider anew—
Old friends, and who is Maggie that I should abandon you?


A million surplus Maggies are willing to bear the yoke;
And a woman is only a woman, but a good cigar is a Smoke.


Light me another Cuba—I hold to my first-sworn vows,
If Maggie will have no rival, I'll have no Maggie for spouse!