I offer this ironic gem from the 19th century. MY LAST CIGAR (Anon mid 1800's, published in READ 'EM AND WEEP; first published in 1868) 'Twas off the blue Canary Isles, A glorious summer day, I sat upon the quarter deck, And whiffed my cares away; And as the volumed smoke arose, Like incense in the air, I breath'd a sigh to think, in sooth, It was my last cigar. Chorus: It was my last cigar; It was my last cigar, I breath'd a sigh to think, in sooth, It was my last cigar. I leaned upon the quarter rail, And looked down in the sea, E'en there the purple wreath of smoke Was curling gracefully; Oh, what had I at such a time To do with wasting care! Alas, the trembling tear proclaimed It was my last cigar. (CHO) I watched the ashes as it came Fast drawing toward the end; I watched it as a friend would watch Beside a dying friend; But still the flame crept slowly on; It vanished into air; I throw it from me, spare the tale, It was my last cigar. (CHO) I've seen the land of all I love Fade in the distance dim; I've watched above the blighted heart, Where once proud hope hath been ; But I've never known a sorrow That could with that compare, When off the blue Canaries, I smoked my last cigar. (CHO) And a woman is only a woman but...;)
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