“This is the Great Theatre of Life. Admission is free, but the taxation is mortal. You come when you can, and leave when you must. The show is continuous. Goodnight.”

Part 4, section 28. The last lines of the novel.
The Cunning Man (1994)
Context: "Can you tell me the time of the last complete show?"
"You have the wrong number."
"Eh? Isn't this the Odeon?"
I decide to give a Burtonian answer.
"No, this is the Great Theatre of Life. Admission is free but the taxation is mortal. You come when you can, and leave when you must. The show is continuous. Good-night."

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Robertson Davies 282
Canadian journalist, playwright, professor, critic, and nov… 1913–1995

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