The play is done; the curtain drops, Slow falling to the prompter’s bell: A moment yet the actor stops, And looks around, to say farewell. It is an i… - William Makepeace Thackeray

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The play is done; the curtain drops,
Slow falling to the prompter’s bell:
A moment yet the actor stops, And looks around, to say farewell.
It is an irksome word and task;
And, when he’s laughed and said his say,
He shows, as he removes the mask,
A face that’s anything but gay.