
THE HOUR-GLASS - A MORALITY
By W. B. Yeats
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
THE HOUR-GLASS
In this lively one‑act morality, a scholarly teacher sits surrounded by dusty books and an ancient hour‑glass, preparing a lesson for his pupils. A beggar‑like fool barges in, demanding a penny and coaxing the wise man into a game of words about hidden kingdoms, angels, and the nature of true knowledge. Their banter spirals from practical need to riddles about invisible realms, setting a stage where philosophy and everyday survival clash.
As the conversation deepens, the fool reveals his cryptic role cutting black nets that supposedly trap angels, hinting at a secret world only the quiet can perceive. The wise man's skepticism meets the fool's unsettling certainty, inviting listeners to ponder whether wisdom is found in written doctrine or in the strange, unseen moments that slip past ordinary sight. The play’s rich imagery and gentle humor make it a thought‑provoking listening experience that questions what we choose to call foolishness and what we call wisdom.
Language
en
Duration
~24 minutes (23K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Nichole Apostola and David Widger
Release date
2005-02-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1865–1939
A towering voice in modern poetry, this Irish writer blended folklore, politics, mysticism, and personal longing into work that still feels vivid today. He helped shape Ireland’s literary culture while writing poems and plays that became classics.
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