[Hilda!! Do not do this at this of all times! This is serious.]

You do not need to win, you need only take a momentary lead. I will forgive your indiscretions— [ie taking his reject poem and doing this cruel thing to him] if you will do for me this one simple favor. For a dear friend!

[This is as close to begging as he can physically get, gurl. Don't leave him hanging.]