I’d sooner starve—yet, Love, I trust
You’ll pardon me, for say I must
That’s not the way to treat a genius!
“Here’s something good by Malloray,
I’ll read it if you’ll only stay.
(Damnation! Take that child away!)
Say I will dine at six to-night,
Something both nourishing and light.
No, dear—my pocket’s empty quite.
That’s not the way to treat a genius!