Shakespeare Advises a Young Apprentice

[BobBradshaw]

Shakespeare Advises a Young Apprentice


My first job in London?
I held the reins of horses
for wealthy Theatre patrons.

Why did I become an actor?
‘Twas the playhouse’s roars
—and the women who followed

players from play to play.
What did an ostler have to offer?
Boots stinking of dung?

One afternoon I overheard
a lady planning a rendezvous
with Richard Burbage,

star of Richard III.
Announce thyself she told him
as “Richard the Third”

and my valet tonight
will let you in.
Instead I slipped out ahead

of the famous Dick
an hour before he arrived.
As his presence was announced

I leaned out naked
from the bedroom window,
shouting

“William the Conqueror
came before Richard the Third!”

Whether ‘tis love or not,
there are as many opportunities
as costumes in a tiring room.

Always look to grow thy part.
My writing began when I
was told to fix the tawdry scripts

of others. I was like a tailor taking up
a sack, coloring and resewing it
till it was mistaken as silk

worn by the Queen’s
favorite lady in waiting…How?
With a stitch. And more stitches.

And thousands of others
till you have a garment, a play
that wears well in the wealthiest

of courts and mansions
years, nay centuries from now
—as Marlowe’s “costumes” will be.

Do not shrink from the moment, lad.
Learn thy roles well
—and aim for a big entrance!

Or take an old ostler’s advice.
Seize Chance by the reins;
do not give her reason

to bolt.

[Billy]

This is great no nits. It reminds me of a nature fact. Frogs attract a mate with their croaking. The better croakers get the female. But some smart frogs, not that good at croaking, wait in ambush for a female to come to a good croaker and then they pounce on her before the good croaker can.

[BobBradshaw]

Ha! Great analogy! Love it

[FranktheFrank]

Why is Theatre capitalised?

[BobBradshaw]

The first theatre was called that. Another early theatre was The Curtain.

[Kenneth2816]

I think the appropriate term is bawdy.
Nicely done. A pretty good romp.