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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AFTER THE PLAY by BURTON EGBERT STEVENSON

First Line: MID THE TAWDRY PURPLE AND TINSEL BRIGHT
Last Line: THE KING'S BUT A BEGGAR AFTER THE PLAY.
MID the tawdry purple and tinsel bright,
With a mimic crowd bowing low at his feet,
In crown and sceptre of gilt bedight,
And a poor robe falling in fold and pleat,
He stalks on the stage and takes a seat.
Ah, well, let him prosper while he may:
The curtain's soon down, for the hours are fleet,
And the king's but a beggar after the play.

In his borrowed plumage, poor, shallow cheat,
He struts the stage with a strange conceit;
But let him prosper while he may,
The king's but a beggar after the play.



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