I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker,
And I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker,
And in short, I was afraid.

from T.S. Eliot – The Love Song Of J. Alfred Prufrock on Rap Genius

He couldn’t seize his opportunities (artistic, sexual) due to fear of breaking with convention or committing a faux pas. Now he’s getting older and “the eternal Footman” (death) is nearing.

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