The Seven Stages of Man

[Short Orchestral Intro] All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, [Verse 1] His acts being seven ages. At first the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms; [Verse 2] And then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail Unwillingly to school. [Chorus] All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, [Verse 3] And then the lover, Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. [Verse 4] Then a soldier, Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard, Jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel, Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the cannon’s mouth. [Verse 5] And then the justice, In fair round belly with good capon lined, With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, Full of wise saws and modern instances; And so he plays his part. [Verse 6] The sixth age shifts Into the lean and slippered pantaloon, With spectacles on nose and pouch on side; His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice, Turning again toward childish treble, pipes And whistles in his sound. [Chorus 2] All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, [Sad and Quiet Finish] [Verse 7] Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history, Is second childishness and mere oblivion, Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything. [End] [Verse 7] Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history, Is second childishness and mere oblivion, Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything. [End]