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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
VALEDICTORY STANZAS TO JOHN P. KEMBLE, ESQ.; FOR A PUBLIC MEETING, by THOMAS CAMPBELL Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Pride of the british stage Last Line: A long and last adieu! Subject(s): Actors & Actresses; Kemble, John Philip (1757-1823); Actresses | |||
PRIDE of the British stage, A long and last adieu! Whose image brought th' hercic age Revived to Fancy's view. Like fields refreshed with dewy light When the sun smiles his last, Thy parting presence makes more bright Our memory of the past; And memory conjures feelings up That wine or music need not swell, As high we lift the festal cup To Kemble -- fare thee well! His was the spell o'er hearts Which only Acting lends -- The youngest of the sister Arts, Where all their beauty blends: For ill can Poetry express Full many a tone of thought sublime, And Painting, mute and motionless, Steals but a glance of time. But by the mighty actor brought, Illusion's perfect triumphs come, -- Verse ceases to be airy thought, And Sculpture to be dumb. Time may again revive, But ne'er eclipse the charm, When Cato spoke in him alive, Or Hotspur kindled warm. What soul was not resigned entire To the deep sorrows of the Moor? What English heart was not on fire With him at Agincourt? And yet a majesty possessed His transport's most impetuous tone, And to each passion of the breast The Graces gave their zone. High were the task -- too high, Ye conscious bosoms here! In words to paint your memory Of Kemble and of Lear; But who forgets that white discrowned head, Those bursts of Reason's half-extinguished glare, Those tears upon Cordelia's bosom shed In doubt more touching than despair, If 'twas reality he felt? Had Shakspeare's self amidst you been, Friends, he had seen you melt, And triumphed to have seen! And there was many an hour Of blended, kindred fame, When Siddons's auxiliar power And sister magic came. Together at the Muse's side The tragic paragons had grown; They were the children of her pride, The columns of her throne; And undivided favor ran From heart to heart in their applause, Save for the gallantry of man In lovelier woman's cause. Fair as some classic dome, Robust and richly graced, Your KEMBLE's spirit was the home Of genius and of taste; Taste like the silent dial's power, That when supernal light is given, Can measure inspiration's hour, And tell its height in heaven. At once ennobled and correct, His mind surveyed the tragic page, And what the actor could effect, The scholar could presage These were his traits of worth: -- And must we lose them now? And shall the scene no more show forth His sternly pleasing brow? Alas, the moral brings a tear! -- 'Tis all a transient hour below; And we that would detain thee here, Ourselves as fleetly go! Yet shall our latest age This parting scene review: -- Pride of the British stage, A long and last adieu! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MOVIE STAR IN THE PROJECTION ROOM by EVE MERRIAM DO YOU WANT TO BE EXCELLENT AN ACTRESS NO NOT THAT EITHER by ALICE NOTLEY HOMAGE TO SHARON STONE (1) by LYNN EMANUEL HOMAGE TO SHARON STONE (2) by LYNN EMANUEL POST-MODERNISM by JAMES GALVIN FILM AND FLESH by CLARENCE MAJOR MOVIE STAR PETER AT THE SUPPER FOR STREET PEOPLE by DAVID FERRY BALLADE OF DEAD ACTORS by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY BATTLE OF THE BALTIC by THOMAS CAMPBELL DOWNFALL OF POLAND [FALL OF WARSAW, 1794] by THOMAS CAMPBELL |
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