Century Magazine/Volume 44/Issue 5/An Experience

a dream last night in which I seemed To see myself a man immortal deemed. My poems, lately placed upon the mart, Had gone straight home to every reader's heart, And fairly falling o'er each other's feet, Demanding copies, mortals thronged the street Before the doors of him who had to sell The dainty verses that I loved so well. Then, as I watched the scramble for my work, An angel came and beckoned—with a smirk— "Fitz-Alfred Massinger De Greene," she said, "Lift up your optics blue and look ahead." The which I did—for you must understand At all times I obey the soft command Of angels, whether wingéd ones or those Who here do lighten or increase our woes. And as I looked I saw a wondrous sight That dazzled, 't was so marvelously bright, As well it might be, for the scroll of fame Stood straight before my eyes, and there the name— Sensation sweet! Sensation, oh, how blest!— Fitz-Alfred M. De Greene led all the rest.

I swooned with very joy, and then I woke As yonder church bells sounded forth the stroke Announcing morn! I need not here unfold Just how I rose and dressed. The crisp and cold Of winter lingered in the atmosphere, Yet not for me could anything be drear. The while that dream of bliss did haunt my soul, Life was all joy unmixed with tearful dole.

But hist! What sound is that I seem to hear? The postman's whistle breaks upon my ear. A missive from my publisher he brings In confirmation of my dream—he flings It through the open door. Be quick to ope O trusty paper-knife, this envelope.

Egad, it must be true; a check falls out, And here 's a statement of the sales, no doubt.

Let 's see: one thousand copies printed, two Hundred and sixty-seven for review, And still on hand when this year was begun— Ye Gods! no less than seven thirty-one. "Inclosed find twenty cents in royalty— Two copies sold!" Scott! They were bought by me!

Roll on, drear world, nor stop to think of me. I go to-day across the salt, salt sea. I 'll head for Russia, where, the Czar defied, I 'll save myself th' expense of suicide.