Peripheral to this discussion.

The great John Barrymore was doing a performance of Shakespeare's Richard the Third. He reached the line, "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!"

Somebody in the peanut gallery burst out with a mighty guffaw.

Barrymore stared up at him. Slowly he raised his arm, pointed at him, and intoned:

"Or saddle me yon braying ass in the balcony!"

Don Firth