Act! While in delirium and out of my brain,
I do not know what I say and do, I'm down,
And yet it's necessary... make a strain!

Bah! Are you not a man?
You are a clown!


Put on your costume,
dip your face into farina.
The people want to laugh, and they pay to be here.

And if Harlequin shall steal your Columbina,
laugh, clown, laugh, and then the audience will cheer!
Turn your distress and tears into jest, oh, clown

your pain and sobbing into a funny face, while playing your part -- Ah!

Laugh, clown,

at your love, that was broken down!
Laugh at the grief that envenoms your heart!