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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
BALLADE OF OLD PLAYS, by ANDREW LANG Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: When these old plays were new, the king | |||
(I es Œuvres de Monsieur Molière. A Paris, chez Louys Billaine, à la Palme. M. D. C. LXVI.) La Cour When these old plays were new, the King, Beside the Cardinal's chair, Applauded, 'mid the courtly ring, The verses of Molière. Point-lace was then the only wear, Old Corneille came to woo, And bright Du Parc was young and fair, When these old plays were new! La Comédie How shrill the butcher's cat-calls ring, How loud the lackeys swear! Black pipe-bowls on the stage they fling, At Brécourt, fuming there! The porter's stabbed! a Mousquetaire Breaks in with noisy crew- 'Twas all a commonplace affair When these old plays were new! La Ville When these old plays were new! They bring A host of phantoms rare: Old jests that float, old jibes that sting, Old faces peaked with care: Ménage's smirk, de Visé's stare, The thefts of Jean Ribou- Ah, publishers were hard to bear When these old plays were new. Envoy Ghosts, at your poet's word ye dare To break death's dungeons through; And frisk, as in that golden air, When these old plays were new! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A SCOT TO JEANNE D'ARC by ANDREW LANG A VERY WOEFUL BALLADE OF THE ART CRITIC (TO E.A. ABBEY) by ANDREW LANG ALMAE MATRES (ST. ANDREWS, 1862; OXFORD, 1865) by ANDREW LANG BALLADE DEDICATORY TO MRS. ELTON OF WHITE STAUNTON by ANDREW LANG BALLADE OF CHRISTMAS GHOSTS by ANDREW LANG BALLADE OF CRICKET by ANDREW LANG |
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