Studying Andrew Marvell, the class assignment was to write either a pastoral or dialogue poem; I chose dialogue.
Please critique:
A dispute between comedy and tragedy, over lady art.
COMEDY
My friend, be brave and show your face;
Come frown on stage, we’ll soon erase
Any doubt as to who will be
Fit for her noble company.
TRAGEDY
I reveal my features only to see
That I am not mistaken in my belief:
There sits in the audience that fair she
Whose shining tears make worthwhile my grief,
Falling there pure; not for your mockery.
COMEDY
Purity is debatable.
You simply aren’t relatable;
Those who achieve you wind up dead,
While I offer a fellow bed.
TRAGEDY
You just don’t have the foresight or wisdom
To understand my belated lessons.
A king’s failings soon will doom his kingdom;
I offer men these, and darker questions;
Your charm is blush, touches hearts but seldom.
COMEDY
I need no point of sword to touch;
The fallen find that meager crutch
Enough to end their weary days:
Life will be good; the wise man stays.
TRAGEDY
Hush you, now let me speak in my defense:
The lady will choose; by her dalliance
Decide who’ll reign on the stage, now and hence.
I, forlorn but trusting my valiance,
Or you, a fool content to speak nonsense.
COMEDY
Your falsity is known by all.
Quick applause at your curtain call:
No encore to hear your vain reprieve,
By your heavy end they’re relieved.
TRAGEDY
Now here she softly steps, let her decide.
COMEDY
She frowns; I’m sure it’s not for me.
LADY ART
Good fellows, don’t be upset overly;
It’s not that I mean to deride,
But as you both are fools and could not see,
I’ve chosen Tragicomedy.
TRAGEDY
He’s familiar with both our repertoires!
COMEDY
Yes; all that, and he has a car.
Please critique:
A dispute between comedy and tragedy, over lady art.
COMEDY
My friend, be brave and show your face;
Come frown on stage, we’ll soon erase
Any doubt as to who will be
Fit for her noble company.
TRAGEDY
I reveal my features only to see
That I am not mistaken in my belief:
There sits in the audience that fair she
Whose shining tears make worthwhile my grief,
Falling there pure; not for your mockery.
COMEDY
Purity is debatable.
You simply aren’t relatable;
Those who achieve you wind up dead,
While I offer a fellow bed.
TRAGEDY
You just don’t have the foresight or wisdom
To understand my belated lessons.
A king’s failings soon will doom his kingdom;
I offer men these, and darker questions;
Your charm is blush, touches hearts but seldom.
COMEDY
I need no point of sword to touch;
The fallen find that meager crutch
Enough to end their weary days:
Life will be good; the wise man stays.
TRAGEDY
Hush you, now let me speak in my defense:
The lady will choose; by her dalliance
Decide who’ll reign on the stage, now and hence.
I, forlorn but trusting my valiance,
Or you, a fool content to speak nonsense.
COMEDY
Your falsity is known by all.
Quick applause at your curtain call:
No encore to hear your vain reprieve,
By your heavy end they’re relieved.
TRAGEDY
Now here she softly steps, let her decide.
COMEDY
She frowns; I’m sure it’s not for me.
LADY ART
Good fellows, don’t be upset overly;
It’s not that I mean to deride,
But as you both are fools and could not see,
I’ve chosen Tragicomedy.
TRAGEDY
He’s familiar with both our repertoires!
COMEDY
Yes; all that, and he has a car.
