| James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902. | | | | November 19 | | The Dead Player | | By John James Meehan |
| | | | W. J. Florence was an American comedian who died on Nov. 19, 1891. |
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“ONLY a player dead!” | |
| How light the words are said! | |
| Each year the olden circle narrows down; | |
| The shadows gather less, | |
| The shoulders fewer press, | 5 |
| Upon the shield that guards the actor’s crown. | |
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| If in some life there be | |
| A flitting memory, | |
| A tear for love, a prayer for home, a smile | |
| That these have made to come | 10 |
| In hearts to music dumb, | |
| Is kinder deed engraved on tomb or pile? | |
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| Good night! The curtain falls: | |
| When last the prompter calls, | |
| Upon our eyes may grow another scene, | 15 |
| Where all the players gray | |
| Shall fill the misty day, | |
| With songs in woodland valleys soft and green. | | | |
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