A PRINCELY OFFER.
["To Poets.—£5 offered for a One-Act Opera Libretto, subject to conditions," &c.—Advertisement in "Morning Post.">[
Passed are the days when in accents pathetic
Writers complained of their wage as unjust,
Gone are the times when the genius poetic
Struggled in penury, dined on a crust!
Nor need they longer, who strive for a pittance,
Grieve if the editors still are remiss;
What though the papers refuse them admittance
While they're afforded such chances as this?
Writers of verse, here is news to elate you!
"Poets" (the title you value the most),
Simply magnificent offers await you!—
Vide this paragraph, cut from the Post.
Hasten, ye bards (who surely a debt owe
To this Mæcenas, this opulent man),
Hasten with joy to prepare a libretto
Fit to accomplish his excellent plan!
He will fulfil your most lofty ambitions—
Such generosity simply astounds!—
You will receive (under certain "conditions")
Honour, and glory, and fame, and—five pounds!
A Paradox of Theatrical Success.—At the Criterion very difficult to get into Hot Water.