Page:General William Booth enters into Heaven, and other poems.djvu/68

52 THE KNIGHT IN DISGUISE [Concerning O. Henry (Sidney Porter)]

E could not forget that the was a Sidney."

Is this Sir Philip Sidney, this loud clown, The darling of the glad and gaping town?

This is that dubious hero of the press Whose slangy tongue and insolent address Were spiced to rouse of Sunday afternoon The man with yellow journals round him strewn. We laughed and dozed, then roused and read again, And vowed O. Henry funniest of men. He always worked a triple-hinged surprise To end the scene and make one rub his eyes.

He comes with vaudeville, with stare and leer. He comes with megaphone and specious cheer.