Thanks, but my bookies tell me John is a better bet.

I don't know if this is proper for the contest, since I just strung together actual Woody Allen lines:

Woody Allen's Hamlet

To be, or not to be. I don't mind dying, I just don't want to be there when it happens. Life is full of misery, loneliness, and suffering - and it's all over much too soon. Yet death is one of the few things that can be done as easily lying down. It's impossible to experience one's death objectively and still carry a tune. My one regret in life is that I am not someone else. Eternal nothingness is fine if you happen to be dressed for it.

My Speccie arrived yesterday. Not having looked at this thread until now I find that I have gone for an almost exact match of John's sources. In view of his current form I may well not bother to submit ---

Is this a dagger that I see before me? (Act 2 Scene 1)

I think I may have found a knife.
Hooray! No ifs or buts.
Like bad King John I've always longed
for one that really cuts.

And if it really is a knife
my cares can all go hang,
'cos it's Auld Lang Syne for Duncan who's
the leader of our gang.

Dorothy Parker's Hamlet

Bodkins pain you,
nightmares may come
that drive you insane -- you
would surely feel dumb
to learn after croaking
that death's not so hot.
Self slaughter? You're joking.
I'd much rather not.


alternative:

Bodkins pain you,
nightmares may come
that drive you insane -- you
would surely feel dumb
to learn after croaking
what death has to give.
Self slaughter? You're joking.
You might as well live.

Roger, that's nice, and I don't think anyone else will have thought of Dorothy Parker. I'd push out a small bet on that one.

The man to watch, of course, is King Bazza aka the chap who won the top prize at the LitRev, and he has not spoken yet.

I tried a prose one in the style of Henry James, but actually S & J are
too close for comfort. I think John's is a winner.

This is just to say

My too too
solid flesh
has melted
thawed

and resolved
itself
to dew
on the kitchen floor

Forgive me
it was delicious
so sweet
and so cold
.
.
.

Rog - My money's on Dorothy #1, to place.

Frank

Yup! 1#'s the one!

Roger's G and S/Hamlet was excellent.
Here's Houseman on the same.


Since I can’t stand divisive,
I hear the shadows say:
“You should really be decisive
And end it all today. ”
But my other voice is musing
“No! No! I want TO BE!”
(It sounds a bit derisive.)
Which one of them is me?

Since I can’t stand divisive,
I hear them say again:
You’re so gosh darned two-sided.
You’re driving us insane!
You’ve coddled indecision,
Impartiality.
Now just look at what you’ve done:
Another’s come. There's three!

Here's "Now is the winter of our discontent..." by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward

Summertime,
And the fighting is over.
Folks is dancin'
And I'm left high and dry.

'Cause I don't jig
And I ain't so good lookin'.
The dogs start a barkin'
When I pass by.

One of these mornings
I'm gonna prove me a villain.
I'll be starting some rumours,
I'll be watching them fly.

Oh George, Duke of Clarence,
Here's a something might harm you -
Your brother wants his piece of the pie.