Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Poem
July 8, 1880
Alexandria Gazette
Alexandria, Alexandria County, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
Humorous poem parodying Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Raven,' depicting a newspaper editor's encounter with a delinquent subscriber who unexpectedly pays a debt and renews the subscription, bringing joy to the office.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
The Delinquent Subscriber,
One day last week, while sad and dreary,
As we wended, weak and weary,
Across the unswept floor,
We heard at first a gentle tapping.
Then it became an earnest rapping
At our sanctum door.
"Come in!" we said; while yet he pondered.
And in silence we still wondered
What for us could be in store;
Then the door-bolt gently turning,
In he walked—our check was burning!
Though pale of crimson gore.
"Are you the man who does the writing?"
What word will rhyme with this but fighting?
Quickly thought we o'er and o'er!-
"Sir, we are," we gently told him.
Nodding to the boys to hold him,
If he tried to beat us sore.
…Then you'll please give me a credit.
Opposite that little debt,
For two dollars more.
I like your paper, and will take it
As long as you will strive to make it
As good as it has been before.
We jumped! He dodged! Thus we missed
him.
Or we surely would have kissed him,
No matter if the boys did roar;
So seldom treated in this manner
We felt inclined to sing Hosanna!
Only this and nothing more.
One day last week, while sad and dreary,
As we wended, weak and weary,
Across the unswept floor,
We heard at first a gentle tapping.
Then it became an earnest rapping
At our sanctum door.
"Come in!" we said; while yet he pondered.
And in silence we still wondered
What for us could be in store;
Then the door-bolt gently turning,
In he walked—our check was burning!
Though pale of crimson gore.
"Are you the man who does the writing?"
What word will rhyme with this but fighting?
Quickly thought we o'er and o'er!-
"Sir, we are," we gently told him.
Nodding to the boys to hold him,
If he tried to beat us sore.
…Then you'll please give me a credit.
Opposite that little debt,
For two dollars more.
I like your paper, and will take it
As long as you will strive to make it
As good as it has been before.
We jumped! He dodged! Thus we missed
him.
Or we surely would have kissed him,
No matter if the boys did roar;
So seldom treated in this manner
We felt inclined to sing Hosanna!
Only this and nothing more.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Satire Society
Commerce Trade
What keywords are associated?
Delinquent Subscriber
Newspaper Debt
Parody Raven
Payment Humor
Subscription Renewal
Poem Details
Title
The Delinquent Subscriber
Subject
Visit From A Delinquent Subscriber
Form / Style
Parody Of 'The Raven' In Trochaic Tetrameter
Key Lines
One Day Last Week, While Sad And Dreary,
"Are You The Man Who Does The Writing?"
I Like Your Paper, And Will Take It
We Jumped! He Dodged! Thus We Missed Him.
So Seldom Treated In This Manner