Anecdote

The poet, dying of famishment

As the legend’s had it lang,

Decided to end his banishment

With an editor in his gang,

—His gang, for bandits they all be

All these editors and poets—

To the effect of a maravedi

Or two, for breaking of his diets.

The editor, who had just not

Sold... less than an edition,

Briefly, responded: “Dear fellow, you’ve got

Me stuck up like a highwayman.”

The poet, evermore serene,

Evermore asinine, replied:

“Thieves like me, it will be seen

For the good of the nation are rather short-supplied.”

Paul Verlaine