A poem by one of Shakespeare’s characters expressing his or her views about the 2016 Celebrations on

A poem by one of Shakespeare’s characters expressing his or her views about the 2016 Celebrations on the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death.

I, Caesar, have much cause to feel aggrieved

That he, four centuries on, should still be praised

When but two Acts and one short scene he gave

For me to strut and fret upon the stage;

Brief was my time, and brief my speeches too,

‘Et tu, Brute’ my piteous epitaph

While he bequeathed to lesser men than I

The best of all the great soliloquies;

As constant as the northern star I shone

Yet, though my time to shine was all too short,

The crown I was denied I offer him

And shall my future with these words ensure:

Long may men mark his anniversary –

So long as he lives, he gives life to me.