Shelagh Delaney Pavan for a Dead Prince?

Answer 1

"Pavan for a Dead Prince" is a melancholic short story (by Shelagh Delaney) of a terminally ill young man who despite his youth, is bed-ridden. He is often visited by his closest friend, a girl from the area he resides. His illness keeps him weak and unable to engage in his greatest passion: dancing.

One afternoon, while sitting with his best friend he decides to get up from his sick bed and attempt to dance. He is surprised to feel his energy return. He is suddenly moving with an ease and grace that he hasn't felt in ages. His friend watching cannot believe the miracle she is seeing with her own eyes as well as the sheer beauty of his dancing. An immense sense of freedom comes over him, filling him with joy, making him unable to stop. It is at this moment that the dancer collapses to the floor. His friend rushes to his side and finds him spent, yet beaming with happiness. He speaks excitedly about the performance that has just happened. It is at this moment that he dies in her arms.

The moral of the story is essentially this: It's better to die doing what one loves to do rather than die slowly wishing to have done what one loves to do.

Answer 2

"Shelagh Delaney" is the name of a British playwright best known for her work "A Taste of Honey," and "Pavan for a Dead Prince" is a Ballet choreographed by George Balanchine.