I am Pagliacci, the buffoon.

“Bravo! Bravo!” The audience shrieks in delight as Feruccio the Acrobat leaves the ring. Signore Gasparo steps into the center ring to introduce the next act. My act. “Veni, vidi, vici,” Feruccio sighs. “Every town is the same.” “They cheer for what the greatness they see,” I reply. “They cheer, Pagliacci, in anticipation of errors. They come to watch disaster.” He is right. They cheer for misfortune. That is why I am Pagliacci.