NOT yet! No, no,—you would not quote | |
| That meanest of the critic’s gags? | |
| ’Twas surely not of me they wrote | |
| Those words, too late the veteran lags: | |
| ’Tis not so very late with me; | 5 |
| I’m not so old as that you know, | |
| Though work and trouble—as you see— | |
| (Not years) have brought me somewhat low. | |
| I failed you say? No, no, not yet! | |
| Or, if I did,—with such a past, | 10 |
| Where is the man would have me quit | |
| Without one triumph at the last? | |
| |
| But one night more,—a little thing | |
| To you,—I swear ’tis all I ask! | |
| Once more to make the wide house ring, | 15 |
| To tread the boards to wear the mask, | |
| To move the coldest as of yore, | |
| To make them laugh, to make them cry, | |
| To be—to be myself once more, | |
| And then, if must be, let me die! | 20 |
| The prompter’s bell! I’m here, you see: | |
| By Heaven, friends, you’ll break my heart! | |
| Nat Gosling’s called: let be, let be,— | |
| None but myself shall act the part! | |
| |
| Yes, thank you, boy, I’ll take you chair | 25 |
| One moment while I catch my breath. | |
| D’ye hear the noise they’re making there? | |
| ’Twould warm a player’s heart in death. | |
| How say you now? Whate’er they write, | |
| We’ve put that bitter gibe to shame; | 30 |
| I knew, I knew there burned to-night | |
| Within my soul the olden flame! | |
| Stand off a bit: that final round,— | |
| I’d hear it ere it dies away | |
| The last, last time!—there’s no more sound: | 35 |
| So end the player and the play. | |
| |
| The house is cleared. My senses swim; | |
| I shall be better, though, anon,— | |
| One stumbles when the lights are dim,— | |
| ’Tis growing late: we must be gone. | 40 |
| Well, braver luck than mine, old friends! | |
| A little work and fame are ours | |
| While Heaven health and fortune lends, | |
| And then—the coffin and the flowers! | |
| These scattered garments? let them lie: | 45 |
| Some fresher actor (I’m not vain) | |
| Will dress anew the part;—but I— | |
| I shall not put them on again. | |
| |
