Henry Cuyler Bunner (1855–1896)

ALTHOUGH a curtain of the salt sea-mist

May fall between the actor and our eyes—

Although he change, for soft and dearer skies,

These that the Spring has yet but coyly kist—

Although the voice to which we loved to list

Fail ere the thunder of our plaudits dies—

Although he part from us in gracious wise,

With grateful Memory left his eulogist—

His best is with us still.
His perfect art

Has held us ’twixt a heart-throb and a tear—

Cheating our souls to passionate belief:

And in his greatness we have now some part—

We have been courtiers of the crownless Lear,

And partners in Othello’s mighty grief.