Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A MODERN DIALOGUE, by OLIVER BROOK HERFORD Poet's Biography First Line: Why, bob, it's you! They got your name all wrong Last Line: (they ring off.) Subject(s): Courtship; Talk; Telephones | ||||||||
SCENEOn Manhattan Island. TimeTo-day. HourTen-thirty. Persons of the play: SIBYL. A dream of beauty, half awake, In filmy disarrayabout to take Her morning tub. In speech with her the while Is ROBERT. He is dressed in riding style. SIBYLWhy, Bob, it's you! They got your name all wrong. I'm sorry that I made you wait so long. BOB Only six minutes by my watchit's true A minute seems a year, awaiting you! But Time is merciful and I rejoice That I am still alive to hear your voice. SIBYLA very pretty speech, for you, indeed. But what extenuation can you plead For waking ladies at the break of day From peaceful slumbers, sir! BOB Oh, come, I say! It's half-past ten! SIBYL Well, it was nearly three Before I got to bed! BOB Good gracious me! I'm sure I'd no idea it was so late. Why, I was riding in the Park at eight And looked for you. I own I felt abused; Last night you said SIBYL I beg to be excused From keeping foolish promises, when made At two A. M., by moonlight. I'm afraid My memory's no better than a sieve. So you expected me? The Lord forgive Your trusting soul! BOB It is His metier! SIBYLDon't be outrageous, or I'll run away. BOB Ah, no; don't go. I will be good, I swear! 'Twas a quotation, Heine, or Voltaire, Or some fool cynic fellow. By the way, If you have nothing on, what do you say To breakfasting with Peg and me at noon At the Casino? SIBYL Well, that's rather soon; I can't be ready for an hour or more. BOB Come as you are, you know that I adore Your ladyship in any sort of gown; Besides, there's not another soul in town. Come as you are; there'll only be we three. SIBYLWell, I like that! It's fortunate for me This is a telephone, and not that new Invention one can talk and see through, too! What's that you said? BOB I didn't speak at all I only thought. SIBYL Well, don't! Suppose we call The breakfast half-past one instead of noon? BOB (joyously) Then you will come? SIBYL I swear! BOB Not by the moon? SIBYL (laughing) No, you may count on me. Now I must fly. One-thirtydon't forgetGood by! BOB Good by! (They ring off.) | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DID YOU EVER GET A PHONE CALL by IRA SADOFF UNDER A TELEPHONE POLE by CARL SANDBURG TELEPHONE POLES by JOHN UPDIKE WHY THE TELEPHONE WIRES DIP & POLES ARE CRACKED & CROOKED by JOHN UPDIKE IT'S ME, I'M NOT HOME by REETIKA VAZIRANI LIMERICK by OLIVER BROOK HERFORD |
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