Dear Madam, you have seen this play;
I never saw it till today.
You know the details of the plot,
But, let me tell you, I do not.
The author seeks to keep from me
The murderer's identity,
And you are not a friend of his
If you keep shouting who it is.
The actors in their funny way
Have several funny things to say,
But they do not amuse me more
If you have said them just before;
The merit of the drama lies,
I understand, in some surprise;
But the surprise must now be small
Since you have just foretold it all.
The lady you have brought with you
Is, I infer, a half-wit too,
But I can understand the piece
Without assistance from your niece.
In short, dear woman, it would suit
Me just as well if you were mute;
In fact, to make my meaning plain,
I trust you will not speak again.
And—-may I add one human touch?—-
Don't breathe upon my neck so much.
Solve this upinder sir each phrase meaning try your best!
Answers
At the theatre: to the lady behind me
The poem At the Theatre: To the Lady behind Me, the poet A.P. Herbert shares an annoying experience. He was sitting inside a theatre enjoying a play. However, his excitement to enjoy the play was tarnished by a lady sitting behind him. She appeared to have seen the play previously also as she was revealing the plot of the play to the persons accompanying her. Consequently, the poet was not able to enjoy the play. The suspense that the playwright had intended to reveal after sometime, was revealed before the intended time.
At the end he advises her not to breathe upon his neck so much (irritate and annoy him so much)
Answer:
At the theatre: to the lady behind me
The poem At the Theatre: To the Lady behind Me, the poet A.P. Herbert shares an annoying experience. He was sitting inside a theatre enjoying a play. However, his excitement to enjoy the play was tarnished by a lady sitting behind him. She appeared to have seen the play previously also as she was revealing the plot of the play to the persons accompanying her. Consequently, the poet was not able to enjoy the play. The suspense that the playwright had intended to reveal after sometime, was revealed before the intended time.
At the end he advises her not to breathe upon his neck so much (irritate and annoy him so much)
Explanation: