Their sturdy babes speak kindly
And fly and run with joy,
Shepherding the helpless lambs --
A Grecian girl and boy.

These children visit Heaven
Each year and make of worth
All we planned and wrought in youth
And all our tears on earth.

From books our God has written
They sing of high desire.
They turn the leaves in gentleness.
Their wings are folded fire.




Epitaphs for Two Players



I. Edwin Booth

An old actor at the Player's Club told me that Edwin Booth
first impersonated Hamlet when a barnstormer in California.
There were few theatres, but the hotels were provided
with crude assembly rooms for strolling players.