THE ROUNDS OF THE PRESS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XII, Issue XIII, 31 March 1894, Page 312

THE ROUNDS OF THE PRESS.

When that joke made its bow at the first, It was brimming all over with mirth ; Like a rocket its brilliancy burst, To enliven the sons of the earth : And the Editor said in his heart, • This is fine, and I’m fain to confess That a jokelet so polished and smart Will soon travel the Rounds of the Press !’ Ah, his prophecy soon was fulfilled, And the joke made a start on its tour At a pace that would quickly have kill’d Any commonplace joke, I am sure. Oh, the maddening rate of its speed Filled his heart full of trouble and stress, For more fleet than a thoroughbred steed, Did it travel the Rounds of the Press ! It was seized by the capital’s prints, Through the provinces likewise it flew There were even significant hints It would journey to far Timbuctoo ! And the German upon it did sup When they gave it a Teutonic dress, And it doubled the Frenchman right up As it travelled the Rounds of his Press ! There was not an American scribe Entertained any shadow of doubt, When he saw that remarkable gibe, That his duty was plain— 1 Cut it out !’ And from pole unto pole it was sent, All the uttermost peoples to bless— How the Fijians roared as it went On the Rounds of the Fijian Press ! Now, ’tis clear that its terrible pace Has spoiled all the mirth that it had, Yet it stares us each week in the face, With a look that’s appallingly sad. Ah, it yearns for eternal surcease, To be freed from the printer’s duress, To repose in some haven of peace, Far away from the Rounds of the Press !