Classic Poem

The Ghosts of Drury Lane

Painted and enamelled, on the air he shook
Scented flaxen ringlets from his wide peruke,
And his treble quavered: “Lo, the stage whereon
A Bracegirdle hath been, sir, and alike a Woffington!”

Queried I: “And do you know the stage as now for us?”
“Truth, I know”, cried Cibber, “and oh truth, 'tis marvellous!
Yet my heart hangs after the little mellow ring
Where Barry fired with love, sir, and where Betterton was king.

“Rays have brought you riches. Fathomed lies the sea.
Deep may call to deep and world to world at your decree.
From earth's limitation aiming far and high
Over mist and mountain sail your orchids of the sky.

“Wonders, wonders, wonders, wherever eye may glance—
Romance's very tentacles. But where is your romance?”
Suddenly a wind arose that rocked the house with rage.
Faded curtains parted on the long-forgotten stage.
“Who are these that gather, moving blurred, fantastical,
Tell me, Colley Cibber!” But he answered not at all.
Down the aisle he hastened into the hurricane,
Through the dark he vanished with the ghosts of Drury Lane.English