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We know that walls have ears—I gave them tongues—
And they were eloquent with promises!
Q. Even the dead walls?
Cl. (solemnly). ⁠ Aye, the deader they,
The louder they proclaimed!
Q. (appalled). ⁠ Oh, marvellous!
Cl. The day approached—all Denmark stood agape.
Arrangements were devised at once by which
Seats might be booked a twelvemonth in advance.
The first night came!
Q. ⁠And did the play succeed?
Cl. In one sense, yes.
Q. ⁠Oh, I was sure of it!
Cl. A farce was given to play the people in—
My tragedy succeeded that. That's all!
Q. And how long did it run?
Cl. ⁠About ten minutes!
Ere the first act had traced one-half its course
The curtain fell—never to rise again!
Q. And did the people hiss?
Cl. ⁠ No—worse than that—
They laughed! Sick with the shame that covered me,
I knelt down palsied in my private box,
And prayed the hearsed and catacombed dead
Might quit their vaults, and claim me for their own!
But it was not to be!
Q. ⁠Oh, my good lord,
The house was surely packed!
Cl. ⁠ It was—by me.
My favourite courtiers crowded every place—
From floor to floor the house was peopled by