The King and the Stroller by W. S. Gilbert

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The Stroller's life is freedom true
	(A fact I'm now attesting),
The King — well he's an Actor too,
	Hardworked and never "resting."
From eight to twelve your Strollers play
	(Say twelve, to be within time),
Your King plays fifty parts a day
	From dawn to turning-in time.
The King dies once and dies outright,
	Then flies to regions upper:
The Stroller dies three times a night,
	Then toddles home to supper.
With perils dark and dangers drear
	A King too often grapples:
The deadliest missiles Strollers fear
	Are oranges and apples.

		On kingly crimes
			Falls vengeance dread;
		A King sometimes
			May lose his head.
		Though his endeavour
			Audience quiz,
		An Actor never
			Loses his.

The King who strikes unlawful blows,
	His country always blames him:
The Actor stabs a dozen foes,
	Yet no policeman claims him.
When Monarchs waste a nation's gold
	They rouse the papers daily:
When Actors give "a sum twice-told"
	Their country bears it gaily.
A king from Royalty deposed
	Finds life a vain chimæra:
The Actor when his theatre's closed
	Turns lightly to the Era.
In short this summing-up you'll find
	A very useful factor —
A King both "P's" and "Qs" must mind —
	His "Qs" alone an Actor.

		Oh don't suppose
			A Royal crown
		Is bed of rose
			Or seat of down;
		Compelled to State
			As Monarchs are,
		A Stroller's fate
			Is fairer far!

Page Created 29 July, 2011