The Complete Works of James Whitcomb Riley in ten volumes |
 | 1. |
| 2. |
 | 3. |
THE COUNTRY EDITOR |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
| 7. |
| 8. |
| 9. |
 | The Complete Works of James Whitcomb Riley |  |
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THE COUNTRY EDITOR
A thoughtful brow and face—of sallow hue,But warm with welcome, as we find him there,
Throned in his old misnomered “easy chair,”
Scrawling a “leader,” or a book-review;
Or staring through the roof for something new
With which to lift a wretched rival's hair,
Or blow some petty clique in empty air
And snap the party-ligaments in two.
A man he is deserving well of thee,—
So be compassionate—yea, pay thy dues,
Nor pamper him with thy spring-poetry,
But haul him wood, or something he can use;
And promptly act, nor tarry long when he
Gnaweth his pen and glareth rabidly.
| The Complete Works of James Whitcomb Riley | |