Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By Thomas BaileyAldrich

691 Sargent’s Portrait of Edwin Booth at “The Players”

THAT face which no man ever saw

And from his memory banished quite,

With eyes in which are Hamlet ’s awe

And Cardinal Richelieu’s subtle light

Looks from this frame. A master’s hand

Has set the master-player here,

In the fair temple that he planned

Not for himself. To us most dear

This image of him! “It was thus

He looked; such pallor touched his cheek;

With that same grace he greeted us—

Nay, ’t is the man, could it but speak!”

Sad words that shall be said some day—

Far fall the day! O cruel Time,

Whose breath sweeps mortal things away,

Spare long this image of his prime,

That others standing in the place

Where, save as ghosts, we come no more,

May know what sweet majestic face

The gentle Prince of Players wore!