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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SOLILOQUY by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON

First Line: I AM A PLAYER, ON THE STAGE? NOT SO
Last Line: MAY GOD HIMSELF APPROVE MY CURTAIN SPEECH!
Subject(s): ACTORS & ACTRESSES; DEATH; GOD; LIFE; PLAYS & PLAYWRIGHTS ; SLEEP; ACTRESSES; DEAD, THE; DRAMATISTS;
I AM a Player. On the stage? Not so;
But on the life-stage where I come and go,
Rehearse, play ill or well, then doff my mask
To rest, and then resume my curious task
Of being many, though I am but one.

I wonder if, when all the parts are done,
The lights go off, the house is emptied quite,
And I must step into the outer night,
The stars will calm me, and a cooling breath
Comfort my body, . . . on the way to death? . . .
Meanwhile, the prompter's bell! His task to each.
May God himself approve my curtain speech!



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