THAT FATAL VERSE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XII, Issue XI, 10 March 1894, Page 240

THAT FATAL VERSE.

‘ Will you write in my autograph book ? ’ said she, And he dared not answer nay, Though his heart beat quick, and his breath came thick, And he trembled in dismay ; For he loved the maid, and was sore afraid — And he dared not answer nay. So he took the book and prayed for a thought. And long for a thought did pray, And long did he look in the dictionary book, And the cy-clo-pe-di-a. * I will write a verse,’ said he, ‘ that is terse And bang-up and O. K.’ And he search ed thro’ the * Library of Sone,’ And he search ed many a day. ‘ I will show the maid that the poetry trade,’ Said he, * is just my lay. I will find a verse that is sweet and terse, If I hunt forever and aye ! ’ And he search ed long, and he found a verse At the end of the fortieth day. • She will think every line,’ he chuckled, ‘ is mine,’ And he laughed full loud and gay. ‘ I’m a ge -ni-us, and I make no fuss To write good verse. Hoo ray ! ’ Then he turned the page, and his rival’s name Was writ with much display ’Neath the very same verse, and it made him curse ; And his raven locks turned grey ; And he fell on bis side, and quickly died Of hy-po-chon-dri-a. IF. Foss.