Profile of Greatness

One says his name, and instantly you see
Richard the Third, or Hamlet, tortured prince,
His cultured voice in great soliloquy,
No better came before - or has been since.

Richard the Third, or Hamlet, tortured prince -
Such royalty he brilliantly portrayed;
No better came before, or has been since.
Too often, sadly, prices must be paid.

Such royalty! He brilliantly portrayed
Each role, as critics cheered (and women swooned);
Too often, sadly, prices must be paid.
The lure of liquor stole him far too soon.

Each role, as critics cheered and women swooned -
Jekyll, or the Svengali, or Don Juan...
The lure of liquor stole him far too soon;
His characters, however, living on.

Jekyll, or the Svengali, or Don Juan,
One says his name, and instantly you see
His characters. However, living on -
His cultured voice, in great soliloquy.



John Barrymore

This is my favorite photo of Barrymore, by Alfred Cheney Johnston. I don't know if the child is Diana or Dolores, however.