Friday, September 11, 2009

Profile of Greatness

One says his name, and instantly you see
Richard the Third, or Hamlet, tortured prince,
His cultured voice in great soliloquy,
No better came before - or has been since.

Richard the Third, or Hamlet, tortured prince -
Such royalty he brilliantly portrayed;
No better came before, or has been since.
Too often, sadly, prices must be paid.

Such royalty! He brilliantly portrayed
Each role, as critics cheered (and women swooned);
Too often, sadly, prices must be paid.
The lure of liquor stole him far too soon.

Each role, as critics cheered and women swooned -
Jekyll, or the Svengali, or Don Juan...
The lure of liquor stole him far too soon;
His characters, however, living on.

Jekyll, or the Svengali, or Don Juan,
One says his name, and instantly you see
His characters. However, living on -
His cultured voice, in great soliloquy.



John Barrymore

This is my favorite photo of Barrymore, by Alfred Cheney Johnston. I don't know if the child is Diana or Dolores, however.

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