To Laugh With Tears

Watching Garrick — English actor -

the people applauding him would say:

“You are the funniest on earth,

and happiest… ”

and the comedian laughed.

Victims of spleen, the high lords

in the blackest and heaviest nights,

they would go to see the king of actors,

and they changed their spleen into laughter.

Once, before a famous doctor,

a man came with a gloomy look:

I suffer, he said, such a terrible evil

like this pale face of mine.

Nothing seems charming or attractive;

I don’t care about my name or my luck;

in an eternal spleen I’m dying alive,

and my only ambition is that of death.

Travel and you will be distracted.

-I have traveled so much!

Look for readings.

-I’ve read so much!

Does a woman love you.

-I am loved!

Acquire a title.

-Noble I was born!