Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936). Verse: 1885–1918. 1922.
The Craftsman
O
He to the overbearing Boanerges
Jonson, uttered (if half of it were liquor,
Blessed be the vintage!)
He had made sure of his very Cleopatra,
Drunk with enormous, salvation-contemning
Love for a tinker.
Crouched in a ditch and drenched by the midnight
Dews, he had listened to gipsy Juliet
Rail at the dawning.
Winced at the business; whereupon his sister—
Lady Macbeth aged seven—thrust ’em under,
Sombrely scornful.
She being known since her birth to the townsfolk—
Stratford dredged and delivered from Avon
Dripping Ophelia.
Drop to wine-drop domed on the table,
Shakespeare opened his heart till the sunrise—
Entered to hear him.
Passed from waking to hurry after shadows …
Busied upon shows of no earthly importance?
Yes, but he knew it!