Xxii. Man, Who Cannot Chuse His Part In This Life, Yet May Chuse To Perform It Well Poem by Ellis Walker

While on this busy stage, the world you stay,
You're, as it were the actor of a play;
Of such a part therein, as he thinks fit
To whom belongs the pow'r of giving it.
Longer, or shorter, is thy part, as he,
The master of the revels, shall decree.
If he command to act the beggar's part,
Do it with all thy skill, with all thy art,
Though mean the character, yet ne'er complain,
Perform it well; as just applause you'll gain,
As he, whose princely grandeur fills the stage,
And frights all near him in heroick rage.
Say, thou a cit or cripple represent,
Let each be done with the best management.
'Tis in thy power to perform with art,
Though not within thy pow'r to chuse the part.