In Other Words/Thanking One and All

by Franklin P. Adams

Layout 2

 

 

Thanking One and All.

[If it were generally known how many writers who have achieved success have practically been made by editors endowed with the gift of helping the young author to find himself, the public would be indeed surprised. Once in a while one may be startled by some grateful communication or dedication expressive of such literary indebtedness, but this is rare. It must be owned that the attitude of the successful author is usually one of self-congratulation.—Boston Herald.

Of me, good sooth, none ever wrote
 “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth
It is to have a thankless pote!”
 For wit ye well, this Tower of Truth
Had never seen the l. of d.
 Unless the costly linotyper
Had set my stuff, that it might be
 Emblazoned in this evening pyper.

And if the make-up should refuse
 To place my gems as I request,
Where then would be the motley muse?
 Where then my japery and jest?
And if the paper mill shut down
 Or leaden type no more were minted,
Where then would be my fair renown?
 Where I, with priceless pomes unprinted?

So say not that the trait is rare;
 Us authors is a grateful crew.
Our aim is ever to be fair,
 And give the angel all his due:
Brown’s grammar, Noah Webster’s tome
 And Walker on Versification
All help me when I pull a pome—
 My stuff is all collaboration.

“Ungrateful?” Nay! My lightest line
 Is due to others more than me.
No paragraph is wholly mine;
 No verse I own in simple fee.
If even the cashier himself,
 Some Saturday when I endeavor
To grab my gold, refused me pelf,
 I’d give up Litrachoor forever.