Classic Poem

One night the charming Gerster said,
" Now listen, colonel, to me:
I will not sing — I'll quit instead —
Unless I'm paid what's due me.
I'm mad to think that you should think
That I am such a greeny
To let you lavish all the chink
On Mrs. Nicolini! "

Then Mapleson in guileful vein
Protested he was busted;
And Gerster on the midnight train
Incontinently dusted.
Back to her babe in York she hied, —
This operatic charmer, —
And put all other r├┤les aside
For that of simple mamma.

But Mapleson, when she had fled,
Forthwith began to worry;
The telegram he sent her said:
" Come back, and please to hurry.
I'll build a palace-car for you,
And bear your tantrums meekly,
And pay your salary when it's due —
That is to say, tri-weekly. "

So back to Mapleson went she
As sweet as dripping honey,
And now is happy as can be
Because she got her money.
When asked what caused the recent row
They answer 't was the baby;
This fairy tale's sufficient now
To fool the public, maybe.