“Applause we crave, from scorn we take defence
But have no armour 'gainst indifference.”

—  Robertson Davies

A Prologue (1939) to Oliver Goldsmith's The Good Natur'd Man (1768).
Context: Our fate lies in your hands, to you we pray
For an indulgent hearing of our play;
Laugh if you can, or failing that, give vent
In hissing fury to your discontent;
Applause we crave, from scorn we take defence
But have no armour 'gainst indifference.

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

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

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