Two statesmen met by moonlight. br Their ease was partly feigned. br They glanced about the prairie. br Their faces were constrained. br In various ways aforetime br They had misled the state, br Yet did it so politely br Their henchmen thought them great. br They sat beneath a hedge and spake br No word, but had a smoke. br A satchel passed from hand to hand. br Next day, the deadlock broke.