Will Shakes His Peers

[RC James]

What a rascal you were, in the guise
of a wit-riddled playwright inventing
realities above the din of lesser men,
shallow in their contumely for you. 

Ah, but you veiled in a maze of rhyme
contempt for worrisome detractors each,
covered the field in glory manifest above,
with music of language alone, mannered
where necessary, but always, with reason.

How we lack a visage akin to yours nowadays,
how thirsty we are for wit perched upon 
the brink of danger and hoary escapades.

We missed by centuries the rapture when Juliet
wakes to find Romeo’s still body next to her;
the first night silence, beyond applause, at the end.

Now, let us bend a knee and issue learned praise,
this, your world, above all others, holds sway
with us today, no other works shine just so.







What a rascal you were, in the guise
of godly apparition spouting verities
heard above the din of lesser men,
shallow in their contumely for you.

Ah, but you veiled in glissading rhyme
contempt for worrisome detractors each,
covered the field in glory manifest above,
with music of your fulsome brow, mannered
where necessary, but always, within reason.

We missed the first night’s fervent hush
when Juliet wakes to find Romeo’s still body,
and the silence, beyond applause, at the end.

We lack a visage akin to yours nowadays.
We are thirsty for wit perched upon
the brink of danger and hoary escapades.

Now, let us bend a knee and issue learned praise,
this, your world, above all others, holds sway
in our minds and hearts, no other shines just so.