Famous Single Poems
sense, both prose and verse, sounding the whole newspaper gamut from advertisements to editorials. In general quality 'Casey' (at least in my judgment), is neither better nor worse than much of the other stuff. Its persistent vogue is simply unaccountable, and it would be hard to say, all things considered, if it has given me more pleasure than annoyance. The constant wrangling about the authorship, from which I have tried to keep aloof, has certainly filled me with disgust."
The version of "Casey at the Bat" which accompanies this article is the one supplied by Mr. Thayer to the Bookman some years ago. It is not as good in some respects as the earlier version—revision has destroyed a little of its spontaneity and vim. But it is used here in accordance with the specific request of the author. There have been numberless imitations, and parodies, and sequels, the best of which is perhaps "Casey's Revenge," by Grantland Rice, but none of them possesses the rich humor and masterly rhythm of the one and only original.
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