Do you know that in scores they will pay at the doors--these
millions in darkness who grope--
For a glimpse of Mark Twain or a word from Hall Caine
or a reading from Anthony Hope?
We are ignorant here of the glorious career
which conspicuous talent awaits:
Not a master of style but is making his pile
by the lectures he gives in the States!

With amazement I hear of the chances they
lose--of the simply incredible sums
Which a Barrie might have (if he did not refuse)
for reciting _A Window in Thrums_:
Of the prospects of gain which are offered
in vain as a sop to the Laureate's pride:
Of the price which I learn Mr Bradshaw
might earn by declaiming his excellent Guide.

Columbia! desist from soliciting those who
your bribes and petitions contemn:
Though plutocrats scorn the rewards you
propose, there are others superior to them:
Why burden the proud with superfluous
pelf, who wealth in abundance possess,
When indigent Worth (I allude to myself)
would go for substantially less?

For Europe, I know, to oblivion may doom
the fruits of my talented brain,