THE KINDLY EMPEROR AND THE POETASTERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 175, 14 October 1927, Page 12

THE KINDLY EMPEROR AND THE POETASTERS

Written for THE SUN.)

The Emperor of all the Wazees called his Grand "Vizier to him. “What arrangements/ 3 he asked, “have been made for my amusement this day?' 3 “O Light of the World, O Sun Among Men, for whose death the seven thousand houris of Paradise pant, that they may gaze upon thine august countenance; thou from whom the Light of the True Wisdom shineth as a— ** “Cut it, 33 said the Emperor. “I 3 ve got a date in half-an-hour 3 s time. Get on with it. 33 “Excellency, 33 replied the Grand Vizier, “three Poets and an Editor are to he thrown to the lions this afternoon. 33 “Good, 33 said the Emperor. “My stomach is full and I cap, look upon death, with equanimity. 33 That afternoon the three Poets and the Editor were led into the arena, where the Royal Household and several thousand of the Sporting Section of the Wazee public were assembled. One of the Poets immediately prostrated himself before the Em.neror. “August One, 1 speak for myself and for my two brother Poets. 33 “Be careful, my friend. Call not yourself and your two fel-lows-in-inf amy Poets. There is but one Poet , and A-Few-Thou-sand-a-Year is his Profit. I refer to the Big Noyes. 33 “Poetasters then, O Worshipful One. We who are about to die agree with you. How should it be otherwise? 33

“Enough! 33 said the Emperor. “Come, what is your request? 33 “Excellency, we crave that the Editor be thrown to the lions first. 33 The Emperor of all the Wazees being a kindhearted man, the request was granted, and the Poets died happy. A. R. D. FAIRBURN.