the world's a stage

these actors troop into the prepared hall
the play that we will see is very old
a little time to smile then we'll grow old
not long until the final curtain-call
and then no critic and no actors' ball
no mention of all that was bought and sold
we know the story just as it was told
but sit in silence behind the fourth wall
taken together we are something large
beyond what each of us has thought to bring
the game we play is for each other's eyes
memory of cleopatra on her barge
or any thought of conscience in the king
but will recall that first joyous surprise