Class _HI^9:j^ BooIc._ ' nl . CQEXRIGHT DEPOSm WILL SHAKESPEARE AN INFENTION BY THE SAME AUTHOR NOVELS: REGIMENT OF WOMEN FIRST THE BLADE LEGEND PLAY: A BILL OF DIVORCEMENT J WILL SHAKESPEARE A'N INVENTION IN FOUR ACTS BY CLEMENCE DANE u(j^i-^ljl^^ .:i THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 1922 All rights reserved Cv^ PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Copyright, 1921 and 1922 By CLEMENCE DANE Set up and printed. Published January, 1922 ©C.I.A554197 '^ Press of J. J. Little & Ives Company New York, U. S. A. JAN I I 1922 r-WA-C "l^' "There's a divinity that shapes our ends. Rough-hew them how we will." Shakespeare. -7 THE PEOPLE OF THE PLAY As they appear, Anne Hathaway. Will Shakespeare. Mrs. Hathaway. Henslowe. A Child. Players. Queen Elizabeth. Mary Fitton. Kit Marlowe. Stage Hands. A Boy. A Landlord. A Man. Another Man. A Girl. A Street Hawker. A Page. Soldiers, Attendants, etc. ACT I. — ^A Cottage in Stratford. ACT n. — Ten Years Later — Scene i. A Room in THE Palace. Scene 2. Three Months Later — The First Night of "Romeo and Juliet." ACT in. — Scene i. A Month Later — Shake- speare's Lodging. Scene 2. The Same Night — A Room at an Inn. ACT IV. — The Next Day — A State Room in the Palace. The Play was first acted at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London, on November 17th, 1921, by the Reandean Company, with the following cast : — Will Shakespeare Anne Mrs. Hathaway Henslowe Queen Elizabeth Mary Fitton Kit Marlowe A Child Actor A Secretary A Stage Hand A Boy A Landlord A Lady-in-waiting Mr. Philip Merivale Miss Moyna Macgill Miss Mary Rorke Mr. Arthur Whitby Miss Haidee Wright Miss Mary Clare Mr. Claude Rains Master Eric Spear Mr. Arthur Bawtree Mr. Gilbert Ritchie Master Spear Mr. Ivor Barnard Miss Joan Maclean Shadows in Act I. Ophelia Miss Lennie Pride Desdemona Miss Gladys Jessel Othello Mr. Herbert Young Queen Margaret Miss Flora Robson Prince Arthur Mr. Eric Crosbie Rosalind Miss Phyllis Fabian The Three Fates Shylock Clown Hamlet Caesar Cleopatra King Lear Mr. Gilbert Ritchie Mr. Ivor Barnard Mr. Neil Curtis Mr. Arthur Bawtree Miss Mai Ashley Mr. Fred Morgan Miss Nora Robinson Miss Gladys Gray Miss Beatrice Smith Strolling Players, Beefeaters, Stage Hands, Drinkers, Court Attendants, etc. The Production by Basil Dean. The Music by Thomas Wood. Designs for the Scenery and Dresses by George Haeris. ACT I The curtain rises on the living room of a sixteenth century cottage. The walls and ceiling are of black beams and white-washed plaster. On the left is a large open fireplace with logs burning. Beyond it is a door. At the back is another door and a mullioned window half open giving a glimpse of bare garden hedge and winter sky. On the right wall is a staircase running down from the ceiling into the room, a dresser and a light shelf holding a book or two. Under the shelf is a small table piled with papers, ink-stand, sand box and so on. At it sits Shakespeare, his elbows on his papers, his head in his hands, absorbed. He is a boy of twenty but looks older. He is dark and slight. His voice is low, but he speaks very clearly. Behind him Anne Hathaway moves to and fro from dresser to the central table, laying a meal. She is a slender, pale woman with reddish hair. Her movements are quick and furtive and she has a high sweet voice that shrills too easily. ANNE {^Hesitating, with little pauses between the sentences."] Supper is ready, Will ! Will, did you hear ? A farm-bird — Mother brought it. Won't you come ? She's crying in for the basket presently. First primroses ! Here, smell ! Sweet, aren't they ? Bread? I 2 WILL SHAKESPEARE Are the snow wreaths gone from the fields? Did you go far? Are you wet? Was it cold? There's black frost in the air, My mother says, and spring hangs dead on the boughs — Oh, you might answer when I speak to you! ^Shakespeare gets up quickly.'] Where are you going? SHAKESPEARE Out! ANNE Where? SHAKESPEARE Anywhere — ANNE ! — away from me! Yes! Say it! SHAKESPEARE {Under his breath.'] Patience ! Patience ! ANNE Come back! Come back! I'm sorry. Oh, come back! I talk too much. I crossed you. You must eat. Oh ! Oh ! I meant no harm — I meant no harm ! — You know? SHAKESPEARE I know. ANNE Why then, come back and eat. WILL SHAKESPEARE 3 And talk to me. Aren't you a boy to lose All day in the woods? SHAKESPEARE The town! ANNE Ah ! In the town ? Ah then, you've talked and eaten. Yes, you can talk In the town! [He goes back to his desk.'] More writing? What's the dream to-day? [He winces.'] Oh, tell me, tell me! SHAKESPEARE No! ANNE I want your dreams. SHAKESPEARE A dream's a bubble, Anne, and yet a world, Unsailed, uncharted, mine. But stretch your hand To touch it — gone ! And you have wet your fingers, Whilst I, like Alexander, want my world — And so I scold my wife. ANNE Oh, let me sail Your world with you. SHAKESPEARE One day, when all is mapped On paper — ANNE Now! WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE Not yet. ANNE Now, now! SHAKESPEARE I cannot! ANNE Because you will not. Ever you shut me out. SHAKESPEARE How many are there in the listening room? ANNE We two. We three. Will! SHAKESPEARE Are there not three? Yet swift, Because it is too soon, you shrink from me, Guarding your mystery still ; so must I guard My dreams from any touch till they are born. ANNE What ! Do you make our bond our barrier now ? SHAKESPEARE See, you're a child that clamours — "Let me taste!' But laugh and let it sip your wine, it cries — "I like it not. It is not sweet !" — and blames you. See ! even when I give you cannot take. ANNE Try me! SHAKESPEARE ANNE WILL SHAKESPEARE 5 SHAKESPEARE Too late. ANNE I will not think I know What cruelty you mean. What is't you mean? What is't? SHAKESPEARE How long since we two married? ANNE Why, Four months. SHAKESPEARE And are you happy? ANNE Will, aren't you? SHAKESPEARE I asked my wife. ANNE I am! I am! I am! Oh, how can I be happy when I read Your eyes, and read — what is it that I read? SHAKESPEARE God knows! ANNE Yes, God He knows, but He's so far away-^ Tell Anne! SHAKESPEARE Touch not these cellar thoughts, half worm, half weed : WILL SHAKESPEARE Give them no light, no air : be warned in time : Break not the seal nor roll away the stone, Lest the blind evil writhe itself heart-high And its breath stale us! ANNE Oh, what evil? SHAKESPEARE Know you not? Why then I'll say "Thank God !" and never tell you — And yet I think you know? ANNE Am I, your wife, Wiser than your own mother in your ways (For she was wise for many, IVe but you) Ways in my heart stored, and with them the unborn I feed, that he may grow a second you — Am I your wife, so close to you all day. So close to you all night, that oft I lie Counting your heart-beats — do I watch you stir And cry out suddenly and clench your hand Till the bone shows white, and then you sigh and turn. And sometimes smile, but never ope your eyes. Nor know me with a seeking touch of hands That bids me share the dream — am I your wife. Can I be woman and your very wife And know not you are burdened ? You lock me out. Yet at the door I wait, wringing my hands To help you. SHAKESPEARE You could help me ; but — I know you ! You'd help me, in your way, to go — your way! WILL SHAKESPEARE ANNE The right way. SHAKESPEARE Said I not, sweetheart — your way? So — cleave it! IHe begins to write. Anne goes to the window and leans against it, looking out.'] ANNE [Softly.-] Give me words ! God, give me words ! SHAKESPEARE Sweetheart, you stay the Hght. ANNE The pane is cool. [She moves to one side."] Can you see now? SHAKESPEARE That's better. \_The twang of a lute is heard,'] ANNE The road dances. A VOICE ISinging.] Come with me to London, Folly, come away! I'll make your fortune On a fine day — ANNE A stranger with my mother at the gate! [She opens the door to Mrs. Hathaway, who enters.] 8 WILL SHAKESPEARE THE VOICE INearer.'] Daisy leave and buttercup! Pick your gold and silver up, In London, in London, Oh, London Town ! ANNE What have you brought us, Mother, unawares? MRS. HATHAWAY Why, I met the man in the lane and he asked his way here. He wants Will. ' ANNE Does he, and does he? SHAKESPEARE lAt the window.'] One of the players. In the town I met him And had some talk, and told him of my play. ANNE You told a stranger and a player? But I — I am not told ! THE VOICE [Close at hand.] For sheep can feed And robins breed Without you, without you. And the world get on without you—; Oh, London Town! [Shakespeare goes to the door.] WILL SHAKESPEARE 9 ANNE [Stopping himJ] What brings him here? SHAKESPEARE I bring him ! To my own house. IHe goes out.'] MRS. HATHAWAY Trouble ? ANNE Why, no! No trouble! I am not beaten, starved, nor put on the street. "MRS. HATHAWAY Be wise, be wise ; for the child's sake, be wiser ! ANNE What shall I do ? Out of your fifty years, What shall I do to hold him? MRS. HATHAWAY A low voice And a light heart is best — and not to judge. ANNE Light, Mother, light? Oh, Mother, Mother, Mother! I'm battling on the crumble-edge of loss Against a seaward wind, that drives his ship To fortunate isles, but carries me cliff over. Clutching at flint and thistle-hold, to braise me Upon the barren beaches he has left For ever. [Shakespeare and the player, Henslowe, come in talking."] 10 WILL SHAKESPEARE MRS. HATHAWAY [^At the inner doorJ] Come, find my basket for me. Let them be! ANNE Look at him, how his face lights up! MRS. HATHAWAY Come now. And leave them to it ! ANNE I dare not, Mother, I dare not. MRS. HATHAWAY It's not the way — a little trust — ANNE I dare not. IMrs. Hathaway goes out at the door by the fire.'] HENSLOWE \_In talk. He is a stout, good-humoured, elderly man, with bright eyes and a dancing step. He wears ear-rings, is dressed shabby-handsome, and is splashed with mud. A lute is slung at his shoulder.] Played? It shall be played. That's why I'm here. ANNE {Behind them.] Will! SHAKESPEARE [Turning.] This is my wife. ANNE [Curtseys. Then, half aside.] Who is the man? Where from? What is his name? WILL SHAKESPEARE 11 HENSLOWE 10 ver hearing.'] Proteus, Madonna! A poor son of the god. [Shakespeare laughs.] ANNE A foreigner? HENSLOWE Why, yes and no ! Fm from Spain at the moment — I have castles there ; but my bed-sitting room (a green room. Madonna) is in Black friars. As to my means, for I see your eye on my travel stains, I have a bank account, also in Spain, a box office, and the best of references. The world and his wife employ me, the Queen comes to see me, and all the men of genius run to be my servants. But as to who I am — O Madonna, who am I not? IVe played every card in the pack, beginning as the least in the company, the mere unit, the innocent ace, running up my number with each change of hand to Jack, Queen, King, and so to myself again, the same mere One, but grown to my hopes. For Queen may blow kisses, King of Hearts command all hands at court, but Ace in his shirt-sleeves is man- ager and trumps them off the board at will. You may learn from this Ace; for I think, sir, you will end as he does, the master of your suit. ANNE A fortune-teller too! HENSLOWE Will you cross my palm with a sixpence. Madonna? 12 WILL SHAKESPEARE ANNE With nothing. HENSLOWE Beware lest I tell you for nothing that you — fear your fortune! SHAKESPEARE [Spreading his hand."] Is mine worth fearing? HENSLOWE Here's an actor's hand, and a bad one. You'll lose your words, King o' Hearts. Your great scene will break down. SHAKESPEARE Then Fll be 'prenticed direct to the Ace. HENSLOWE Too fast. You must come to cues like the rest of tis, and play out your part, before you can be God Almighty in the wings — as God himself found out when the world was youngish. ANNE We're plain people, sir, and my husband works his farm. HENSLOWE And sings songs? I've been trying out a new play in the provinces before we risk London and Gloriana — ANNE What! the Queen! the Queen? HENSLOWE Oh, she keeps her eye on poor players as well as WILL SHAKESPEARE 13 on Burleigh and the fleet. There's God Almighty in the wings if you Hke! But as I say — Whatever barn we storm, here in the west, We're marching to the echo of new songs, Jigged out in taverns, trolled along the street, Loosed under sweetheart windows, whistled and sighed Wherever a farmer's boy in Lover's Lane Shifts from the right foot to the left and waits — "Where did you hear it?" say I, beating time: And always comes the answer — "Stratford way!" A green parish, Stratford! SHAKESPEARE Too flat, though I love it. Give me hills to climb! HENSLOWE Flat? You should see Norfolk, where I was a boy. From sky to sky there's no break in the levels but shock-head willows and reed tussocks where a sing- ing bird may nest. But in which? Oh, for that you must sit unstirring in your boat, between still water and still sky, while the drips run off your blade until a yard away, uprises the song. Then, flash! part the rushes — the nest is bare and the bird your own ! Oh, I know the ways of the water birds! And so, hear- ing of a cygnet on the banks of Avon — ANNE Ah! HENSLOWE You're right. Madonna, the poetical vein runs dry. So I'll end with a plain question — "Is not Thames broader than Avon?" 14 WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE Muddier — HENSLOWE But a magical water to hasten the moult, to wash white a young swan's feathers. SHAKESPEARE Or black, Mephisto! HENSLOWE Black swans are rarest. I saw one when I was last in London. London's a great city! Madonna, you should send your husband to market in London, and in a twelvemonth he'll bring you home the world in his pocket as it might be a russet apple. ANNE What should we do with the world, sir, here in Stratford? HENSLOWE Why, seed it and sow it, and plant it in your garden, and it'll grow into the tree of knowledge. ANNE [Turning away.'] My garden is planted already. HENSLOWE [In a low voice.l The black swan seeks a mate, black swan, SHAKESPEARE A woman? ANNE [Turning sharply."] What did he say to you? WILL SHAKESPEARE 15 HENSLOWE Why, that a woman can make her fortune in Lon- don as well as a man. There's one came lately to court, but sixteen and a mere knight's daughter, with- out a penny piece, and you should see her now ! The men at her feet — ANNE And the women — ? HENSLOWE Under her heel. ANNE What does the Queen say? HENSLOWE Winks and lets her be. A fashion out of fashion — gipsy-black Among the ladies with their bracken hair, (The Queen, you know, is red!) SHAKESPEARE A vixen, eh? HENSLOWE Treason, my son! ANNE God made us anyway and coloured us! SHAKESPEARE And is he less the artist if at will He strings a black pearl, hangs between the camps Of day and day the banner of His dark? Or that He leaves, when with His autumn breath He fans the bonfire of the woods, a pine Unkindled? i6 WILL SHAKESPEARE HENSLOWE True ; and such a black is she Among the golden women. SHAKESPEARE I see your pine, Your branching solitude, your evening tree. With high, untroubled head, that meets the eye As lips meet unseen kisses in the night — A perfumed dusk, a canopy of dreams And chapel of ease, a harp for summer airs To tremble in — ANNE Barren the ground beneath, No flowers, no grass, the needles lying thick, Spent arrows — SHAKESPEARE Yes, she knows — we know how women Can prick a man to death with needle stabs. ANNE O God! HENSLOWE Your wife ! She's ill ! SHAKESPEARE Anne? ANNE Let me be! SHAKESPEARE Come to your mother — ^take my arm — WILL SHAKESPEARE 17 ANNE riisit. I have no strength. SHAKESPEARE I'll call her to you. [He goes out."] ANNE Quick! Before he comes, what is her name? her name? Her mood ? her mind ? In all the town of Stratford Was there no door but this to pound at ? Quick ! You know her ? Did you see his look ? O God ! The last rope parts. He's like a boat that strains, Strains at her moorings. Why did you praise her so? And talk of London? What's it all to you? Tall, is she? Yes, like a tree — a block of wood — You said so! (Is he coming?) Tell me quick! I've never seen a London lady close. She's lovely? So are many! How? HENSLOWE She's new! She's gallant, like a tall ship setting sail, And boasts she fears no man. Say "woman" though — ANNE What woman does this woman fear? HENSLOWE The Queen. I've seen it in her eye. i8 WILL SHAKESPEARE ANNE I should not fear. HENSLOWE You never saw the Queen of England smile And crook her finger, once — and the fate falls. ANNE IVe seen her picture. She's eaten of a worm As I am eaten. I'd not fear the Queen. Her snake would know its fellow in my heart And pass me. But this woman — what's her name? '^ HENSLOWE Mary — ANNE That's "bitter." I shall find her so. [Shakespeare comes in with Mrs. Hathaway.] Look at him ! Fear the Queen ? Did not the Queen, My sister, meet a Mary long ago That bruised her in the heel? HENSLOWE Man, your wife's mad! She says the Queen's her sister. ANNE Mad, noble Festus? Not I ! But tell him so — he'll kiss you for it. HENSLOWE I'll meet you, friend, some other time or place — SHAKESPEARE What's this ? You're leaving us ? WILL SHAKESPEARE 19 HENSLOWE Your wife's too ill — SHAKESPEARE Too ill to stand, yet not too ill to — lAside."] Anne! Why does he stare ? What have you told my friend ? ANNE Your friend! SHAKESPEARE My friend ! ANNE This once-met Londoner! What does he want of you, in spite of me? This bribing tramp, this palpable decoy — SHAKESPEARE Be silent in my house before my friends! ^ Be silent! ANNE This your friend! SHAKESPEARE Silent, I say! ANNE I will not I Blows ? Would you do that to me, Husband ? SHAKESPEARE I never touched you ! ANNE What! No blow? Here, where I felt it — here? Is there no wound. No black mark? 20 WILL SHAKESPEARE "MRS. HATHAWAY Oh, she's wild ! I'll take her. Come! Come, Amie! It's naught! I know the signs. [To Shakespeare] Stay you! ANNE O Mother, there befell me a strange pang Here at my heart — {The two go out together."] SHAKESPEARE O women! women! women! They slink about you, noiseless as a cat. With ready smiles and ready silences. These women are too humble and too wise In pricking needle-ways: they drive you mad With fibs and slips and kisses out of time: And if you do not trip and feign as they And cover all with kisses, do but wince Once in your soul (the soul they shall not touch, Never, I tell you, never ! Sooner the smeared. The old-time honey death from a thousand stings. Than let their tongue prick patterns on your soul !) Then, then all's cat-like clamour and annoy! HENSLOWE Cry, "Shoo !" and clap your hands ; for so are all Familiar women. These are but interludes In the march of the play, and should be taken SO, Lightly, as food for laughter, not for rage, SHAKESPEARE Mv mother- WILL SHAKESPEARE 21 HENSLOWE IShrugging."] Ah, your mother ! SHAKESPEARE She's not thus, But selfless; and I've dreamed of others — tall. Warm-flushed Hke pine-woods with their clear red stems, With massy hair and voices like the wind Stirring the cool dark silence of the pines. Know you such women ? — beckoning hill-top women, That sway to you with lovely gifts of shade And slumber, and deep peace, and when at dawn You go from them on pilgrimage again, They follow not nor weep, but rooted stand In their own pride for ever — demi-gods. Are these such women? Did you say you knew Such women? such a woman? HENSLOWE Come to London And use your eyes ! SHAKESPEARE How can I come to London? You see me what I am, a man tied down. My wife — ^you saw ! How can I come to London ? Say to a sick man "Take your bed and walk !" Say to a prisoner "Release your chain!'* Say to a tongue-slit blackbird "Pipe again As in the free, the spring time !" You maybe Have spells to help them, but for me no help. 22 WILL SHAKESPEARE London ! I think sometimes that I shall never see This lady in whose lap the weed-hung ships From ocean-end returning pour their gold, Myrrh, frankincense. What colour's frankincense? And how will a man's eye move and how his hand, Who sailed the flat world round and home again To London, London of the mazy streets, Where ever the shifting people flash and fade Like my own thoughts? You're smiling — why? HENSLOWE I live there. SHAKESPEARE Oh, to be you! To read the faces and to write the dreams, To hear the voices and record the songs. To grave upon the metal of my mind All great men, lordlier than they know themselves, And fowler-like to fling my net o'er London, And some let fly, and clip the wings of some Fit for my notes; till one fine day I catch The Governess of England as she goes To solemn service with her gentlemen: (What thoughts behind the mask, beneath the crown?) Queen! The crowd's eyes are yours, but not my eyes! Queen ! To my piping you shall unawares Strut on my stage for me ! You laugh ? I swear I'll make that thrice- wrapped, politic, vain heart My horn-book (as you all are) whence I'll learn WILL SHAKESPEARE 23 How Julius frowned, and Elinor rode her way Rough-shod, and Egypt met ill-news. I'll do it. Though I hold horses in the streets for hire, Once I am come to London. HENSLOWE Come with us And there's no holding horses! Part and pay Are ready, and we start to-night. SHAKESPEARE I cannot. I'm Whittington at cross-roads, but the bells Ring "Turn again to Stratford !" not to London. HENSLOWE Well — as you choose! SHAKESPEARE As I choose? // / choose? I'm married to a woman near her time That needs me! Choose? I am not twenty, sir! What devil sped you here to bid me choose? I knew a boy went wandering in a wood. Drunken with common dew and beauty-mad And moonstruck. Then there came a nightshade witch. Locked hands with him, small hands, hot hands, down drew him, Sighing — "Love me, love me !" as a ring-dove sighs, (How white a woman is, under the moon!) She was scarce human. Yet he took her home, And now she's turned in the gross light of da3i5 To a haggard scold, and he handfasted sits 24 WILL SHAKESPEARE Breaking his heart — ^and yet the spell constrains him. This is not I, not I, for I am bound To a good wife and true, that loves me ; but — I tell you I could write of such a man, And make you laugh and weep at such a man. For your own manhood's sake, so bound, so bound. HENSLOWE Laugh? Weep? No, I'd be a friend to such a man ! Go to him now and tell him from me^-or no! Go rather to this wife of his that loves him well, you say — ? SHAKESPEARE Too well! HENSLOWE Why, man, it's common I Or too light, too low. Not once in a golden age love's scale trims level. SHAKESPEARE I read of lovers once in Italy — HENSLOWE You'll write of lovers too, not once nor twice. SHAKESPEARE Their scales were level ere they died of love, In Italy. HENSLOWE But if instead they had lived — in Stratford — there'd have been such a see-saw in six months as — SHAKESPEARE As what? WILL SHAKESPEARE 25 HENSLOWE As there has been, eh? "See-saw ! Margery Daw ! She sold her bed to He upon straw." And so — ^poor Margery! Though she counts me an enemy — poor Margery! SHAKESPEARE What help for Margery — and her Jack ? HENSLOWE None, friend, in Stratford. SHAKESPEARE Do I not know it? HENSLOWE Then — tell Margery! SHAKESPEARE Deaf, deaf I HENSLOWE Not if you tell her how all heels in London (And the Queen dances!) So trip to the Stratford tune that I hot-haste Am sent to fetch the fiddler — SHAKESPEARE Man, is it true? True that the Queen — ? HENSLOWE I say — tell Margery! What ! is she a woman, a wife, and will not further her man ? I say to you — tell Margery, as I tell you — • 26 WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE You do? HENSLOWE I do. I do tell you that if you can come away with us now with your 'Dream' in your pocket, and teach it to us and learn of us while you teach, and strike London in time for the Queen's birthday — I tell you and I tell her. Jack's a made man. See what Margery says to that, and give me the answer, stay or come, as I pass here to-night ! And now let me go ; for if I do not soon whip my company clear of apple- juice and apple-bloom, clear, that is to say, of Stratford wine and Stratford women, we shall not pass here to-night. IHe goes out."] SHAKESPEARE {^Calling.'] To-night ! Anne ! Anne ! [He walks up and down.'] Oh, to be one of them to-night on the silver road— to smell the steaming frost and listen to men's voices and the ring of iron on the London road! ICalUng.l Anne! ANNE lEntering.l You called ? He's gone ? You're angry ? Oh, not now, No anger now; for, Will, to-night in the sky, Our sky, a new star shines. SHAKESPEARE What's that? You know? WILL SHAKESPEARE 27 ANNE I know, and oh, my heart sings. SHAKESPEARE Anne, dear Anne, You know? No frets? You wish it? Oh, dear Anne, How did you guess and know? ANNE My mother told me. SHAKESPEARE She heard us? Did she hear — theyVe read the play, And the Queen's asked for me! London, Anne! London ! I'll send you London home, my lass, by the post — Such frocks and fancies! London! London, Anne! And you, you know? and speed me hence? By God, That's my own wife at last, all gold to me And goodness! Anne, be better to me still And help me hence to-night ! ANNE It dips, it dies, A night-light, Mother, and no star. I grope Giddily in the dark. SHAKESPEARE What did she tell you? ANNE No matter. Oh, it earns not that black look. London? the Queen? I'll help you, oh, be sure! Too glad to see you glad. 28 WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE Anne, it's good-bye To Stratford till the game's won. ANNE What care I So you are satisfied? The farm must go — That's little— SHAKESPEARE Must it go? ANNE Dreamer, how else Shall we two live in London? SHAKESPEARE We, do you say? They'd have me travel with them — a rough life — ■ ANNE I care not! SHAKESPEARE — and you're ailing. ANNE Better soon. SHAKESPEARE You'll miss your mother. ANNE Mothers everywhere Will help a girl. I'm strong. SHAKESPEARE It will not do ! I have my world to learn, and learn alone. I will not dangle at your apron-strings. WILL SHAKESPEARE 29 ANNE I'll be no tie. I'll be your follower And scarce your wife; but let me go with you! SHAKESPEARE ilf you could see but once, once, with my eyes! ANNE Will ! let me go with you ! SHAKESPEARE I tell you — no! Leave me to go my way and rule my life After my fashion ! I'll not lean on you Because you're seven years wiser. ANNE That too, O God! SHAKESPEARE And if I hurt you — for I know I do, I'm not so rapt — think of me, if you can, As a man stifled that wildly throws his arms, Raking the air for room — for room to breathe, And so strikes unaware, unwillingly, His lover! ANNE I could sooner think of you Asleep, and I beside you with the child, And all this passion ended, as it must. In quiet graves ; for we have been such lovers As there's no room for in the human air And daylight side of the grass. What shall I do? And how live on? Why did you marry me? 30 WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE You know the why of that. ANNE Too well we know it, I and the child. You have well taught this fool That thought a heart of dreams, a loving heart, A soul, a self resigned, could better please Than the blind flesh of a woman ; for God knows Your self drew me, the folded man in you, Not, not the boy-husk. SHAKESPEARE Yet the same God knows When folly was, you willed it first, not L ANNE Old! Old as Adam! and untrue, untrue! Why did you come to me at Shottery, Out of your way, so often? laugh with me Apart, and answer for me as of right. As if you knew me better (ah, it was sweet!) Than my own brothers? And on Sunday eves You'd wait and walk with me the long way home From church, with me alone, the foot-path way, Across the fields where wild convolvulus Strangles the corn — SHAKESPEARE Strangles the corn indeed! ANNE — and still delay me talking at the stile, Long after curfew, under the risen moon. WILL SHAKESPEARE 31 Why did you come? Why did you stay with me, To make me love, to make me think you loved me? SHAKESPEARE Oh, you were easy, cheap, you flattered me. ANNE {Crying out."] I did not. SHAKESPEARE Why, did you not look at me As I were God ? And for a while I liked it. It fed some weed in me that since has withered ; For now I like it not, nor like you for it! ANNE That is your fate, you change, you must ever be changing, You climb from a boy to a man, from a man to a god, And the god looks back on the man with a smile, and the man on the boy with wonder; But I, I am woman for ever : I change not at all. You hold out your hands to me — heaven: ybu turn from me — hell; But neither the hell nor the heaven can change me: I love you : I change not at all. SHAKESPEARE All this leads not to London, and for London I am resolved : if not to-night — ANNE To-night ? 32 WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE As soon as maybe. When the child is born — When will the child be born? ANNE Soon, soon — SHAKESPEARE How soon? ANNE I think — I do not know — SHAKESPEARE In March? ANNE Who knows? SHAKESPEARE Did you not tell me March? ANNE Easter — That's May! SHAKESPEARE It should be March. ANNE ilt — should be — March — SHAKESPEARE Why, Anne? ANNE Stay with me longer! Wait till Whitsuntide, Till June, till summer comes, and if, when you see Your own son, still you'll leave us, why, go then! But sure, you will not go. WILL SHAKESPEARE 33 SHAKESPEARE Summer? Why summer? It should be spring, not summer — ANNE ril not bear These questions, like coarse fingers, prying out My secrets. SHAKESPEARE Secrets ? ANNE Secrets? I? IVe none — I never meant — I know not why the word Came to me, "secret.'* Yet you're all secret thoughts And plans you do not share. Why should not I Be secret, if I choose ? But see, I'll tell you All, all — some other time — ^were there indeed A thing to tell — SHAKESPEARE When will the child be born? ANNE If it were — June? My mother said to-day It might be June — July — This woman's talk Is not for you — SHAKESPEARE July? ANNE Oh, I must laugh Because you look and look — don't look at me! June! May! I swear it's May! I said the spring, And May is still the girlhood of the year. 34 WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE July! A round year since you came to me! Then — when you came to me, in haste, afraid, AH tears, and clung to me, and white-lipped swore You had no friend but Avon if I failed you, It was a lie? ANNE Don't look at me! SHAKESPEARE No need? You forced me with a lie ? ANNE Now there is — ^now! SHAKESPEARE You locked me in this prison with a lie? ANNE I loved you. SHAKESPEARE And you lied to me — ANNE To hold you. I couldn't lose you. I was mad with pain. SHAKESPEARE Are you so weak, So candle-wavering, that a gust of pain Could snuff out honour? ANNE 'Ware this hurricane Of pain ! The deserts heed it not, nor rocks, WILL SHAKESPEARE 35 Nor the perpetual sea; but oh, the fields Where barley grows and small beasts hide, they fear — And haggard woods that feel its violent hand Entangled in their hair and wrestling, shriek Crashing to ruin. What shall their pensioners Do now, the rustling mice, the anemones, The whisking squirrels, ivies, nightingales, The hermit bee whose summer goods were stored In a south bank? How shall the small things stand Against the tempest, against the cruel sun That stares them, homeless, out of countenance, Through the day's heats? SHAKESPEARE Coward ! They see the sun Though they die seeing, and the wider view, The vast horizons, the amazing skies Undreamed before. ANNE I cannot see so far. I want my little loves, I want my home. My life is rooted up, my prop is gone. And like a vine I lie upon the ground. Muddied and broken. SHAKESPEARE I could be sorry for you Under the heavy hand of God or man But your own hand has slain yourself and me. Woman, the shame of it, to trap me thus, Knowing I never loved you! 36 WILL SHAKESPEARE ANNE Oh, for a month — In the spring, in the long grass, under the apple-trees — SHAKESPEARE I never loved you. ANNE Think, when I hurt my hand With the wild rose, it was then you said "Dear Anne !" SHAKESPEARE I have forgotten. ANNE On Midsummer Eve — There was a dream about a wood you told me, Me — not another — SHAKESPEARE I was drunk with dreams That night. ANNE That night, that night you loved me, Will! Oh, never look at me and say — that night. Under the holy moon, there was no love ! SHAKESPEARE You knew it was not love. ANNE O God, I knew. And would not know ! You never came again. I hoped. I prayed. I hoped. I loved you so. You never came. WILL SHAKESPEARE 37 And must I go to you? I was ashamed. Yet in the wood I waited, waited, Will, Night after night I waited, waited, Will, Till shame itself was swallowed up in pain, In pain of waiting, and — I went to you. SHAKESPEARE That lie upon those loving lips? ANNE That lie. SHAKESPEARE There was no child? ANNE The hope, the hope of children, To bind you to me — a true hope to hold you — No lie — a little lie — I loved you so — Scarcely a lie — a promise to come true Of gifts between us and a love to come. SHAKESPEARE You're mad! You're mad! ANNE I was mad. I am sane. I am blind Samson, shaking down the house Of torment on myself as well as you. SHAKESPEARE What gain was there? What gain? ANNE What gain but you ? The sight of your face and the sound of your foot on the stair. 38 WILL SHAKESPEARE And your casual word to a stranger — "This is my wife!" For the touch of my hand on your arm, as a right, when we walked with the neighbours : For the son, for the son on my heart, with your smile and your frown: For the loss of my name in the name that you gave when you said to him — "Mother! your mother!" For your glance at me over his head when he brought us his toys or his tears : Have pity! Have pity! Have pity! for these things I did it. SHAKESPEARE Words! Words! You lied to me. Go your own road ! I know you not. ANNE But I, but I know you. Have I not learned my god's face? Have I not seen The great dreams cloud it, as the ships of the sky Darken the river? Has not the wind struck home. The following chill wind that stirs all straws Of omen? You're to be great, God pity you! I'm your poor village woman ; but I know What you must learn and learn, and shriek to Grod To spare you learning, if you will be great. Singing to men and women across fields Of years, and hearing answer as they reap. Afar, the centuried fields, "He knew, he knew!" How will they listen to you — voice that cries WILL SHAKESPEARE 39 "Right's right! Wrong's wrong! For every sin a stone ! "Ye shall not plead to any god or man — " *I flinched because the pain was very great/ " *I fell because the burden bore me down,' " ^Hungry, I stole.' " O boy, ungrown, at judgment, How will they listen? What? I lied? Oh, blind! When I, your own, show you my heart of hearts, A book for you to read all women by. Blindly you turn my page with — "Here are lies !" SHAKESPEARE Subtle enough — and glitter may be gold In women's eyes — ^you say so — though to a man, Boy rather (boy, you called me) lies are lies, Base money, though you rub 'em till they shine, 111 money to buy love with; but — I care not! So be at ease! My love's not confiscate. For none was yours to forfeit. Faith indeed, A weakling trust is gone, for though you irked me I thought you honest and so bore much from you — Your jealous-glancing eye, officious hand Meddling my papers, fool's opinion given Unasked when strangers spoke with me, and laughter Suddenly checked as if you feared a blow As a dog does — it made me mad! ANNE Go on! SHAKESPEARE For when did I use you ill? ANNE Go on! 40 WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE What need? Airs in a word — ^your ever-presence here As if you'd naught in life to do but watch me — •- ANNE Go on! SHAKESPEARE All this, I say, I bore, because at heart I did believe you loved me. Well — it's gone! And I go with it — free, a free man, free ! Anne ! for that word I could forgive you all And go from you in peace. ANNE [Catching at his arm.l You shall not go ! SHAKESPEARE Shall not? This burr — how impudent it clings! ANNE You have not heard me — SHAKESPEARE Let me go, I say! My purse, my papers — ANNE Will! SHAKESPEARE Talk to the walls, For I hear nothing! WILL SHAKESPEARE 41 ANNE Why, a murderess Has respite in my case — and I — and I — What have I done but love you, when all's said? You will not leave me now, now when that lie Is certain truth at last, and in me sleeps Like God's forgiveness? For I felt it stir When you were angry — I was angry too, My fault, all mine — but I was sick and faint And frightened, so I railed, because no word Matched with the strong need in me suddenly For gentlest looks and your beloved arms About this body changed and shaking so; But why I knew not. But my rnother knew And told me. SHAKESPEARE wise mother ! ANNE Will, it's true ! SHAKESPEARE Practice makes perfect, as we wrote at school ! ANNE 1 swear to you — SHAKESPEARE As then you swore to me. Not twice, not twice, my girl! ANNE O God, God Son! Pitiful God! If there be other lives. As I have heard him say, as his books say, 42 WILL SHAKESPEARE In other bodies, for Your Mother's sake And all she knows (God, ask her what she knows!) Let me not be a woman ! Let me be Some twisting worm on a hook, or fish they catch And fling again to catch another year, Or otter trapped and broiled in the sun three days, Or lovely bird whose living wing men tear From its live body, or of Italy Some peasant's drudge-horse whipped upon its eyes, Or let me as a heart-burst, screaming hare Be wrenched in two by slavering deaths for sport; But let me not again be cursed a woman Surrendered to the mercy of her man ! {She sinks down in a crouching heap by the hearth. There has been a sound of many voices drawing nearer^ and as she ceases speaking, the words of a song be- come clear."} THE PLAYERS {Singing.} Come with us to London, Folly, come away! We'll make your fortune On a summer day. Leave your sloes and mulberries! There are riper fruits than these. In London, in London, Oh, London Town! For winds will blow And barley grow Without you, without you, And the world get on without you — Oh, London Town! WILL SHAKESPEARE 43 {The voices drop to a low hum. Henslowe thrusts his head in at the window.'] HENSLOWE The sun's down. The sky's as yellow as a London fog. Well, what's it to be ? SHAKESPEARE London ! The future in a golden fog ! HENSLOWE Come then! SHAKESPEARE I'll fetch my bundle. Wait for me! What voices? HENSLOWE The rest of us, the people of the plays. We're all here waiting for you. SHAKESPEARE Come in, all ! all HENSLOWE Does your wife say to us — "Come in!"? SHAKESPEARE What wife? [He hurries up the stairs and disappears."] HENSLOWE {Opening the outer door.] May we come in? ANNE You heard him. HENSLOWE We ask you. 44 WILL SHAKESPEARE ANNE It's his house. HENSLOWE \_Humming.1 While fortune waits Within the gates Of London, of London — He must be quick ! ANNE Am / to tell him so? HENSLOWE The new moon's up and reaping in a sky- Like corn — ^that's frost ! A bitter travelling night Before us — ANNE [Going to the window.'\ So it is. HENSLOWE Not through the glass! You'll buy ill luck of the moon. ANNE I bought ill fortune Long months ago under the shifty moon, I saw her through the midnight glass of the air Milky with light, when trees my casement were. And little twigs the leads that held my pane. I'm out of luck for ever. HENSLOWE Did I not tell you you feared your fortune? But there are some in the company can tell you a better, if you'll let 'em in. WILL SHAKESPEARE 45 THREE PLAYERS IN MASKS [Tapping at the window."] Let us in ! Let us in ! Let us in ! ANNE I will not let you in. Wait for your fellow On the high road ! He'll come to you soon enough {She turns from them and seats herself by the fire."] A PLAYER [Dressed as a king, over Henslowe's shoulder.] Are we never to come in? It's as cold as charity since the sun set. ANNE It's no warmer here. A CHILD {Poking his head under the Player's arm.] I can't feel my fingers. [Anne looks at him. Her face changes.] ANNE If the fire warms you, you may warm yourselves. [The Players stream in.] It does not warm me. Look ! It cannot warm me. [She thrusts her hand into the Uame.] HENSLOWE God's sake! [He pulls her hack. The Players stare and whisper together.] ANNE Eyes! Needle eyes! Why do you stare and point? 46 WILL SHAKESPEARE Like you I would have warmed myself. Vain, vain! It's a strange hearth. You players are the first It ever warmed or welcomed. Charity ? Who said it — "Cold as charity" ? That's love ! But there's no love here. Baby, stay away! You'll freeze less out in churchyard night than here, For here's not even charity. THE CHILD {Warming his hands.'] I'm not a baby. I'm nearly eleven. I've played chil- dren's parts for years. I'm getting warmer. Are you? ANNE No. CHILD I like this house. I'd like to stay here. I suppose there are things in that cupboard? THE KING iOverhearing.'] Now, now! CHILD That's my father. He's a king this week. He's only a duke as a rule. Are there apples in that cup- board? Will you give me one? [Anne goes to the cupboard and takes out an apple.] ANNE Will you give me a kiss? CHILD For my apple? ANNE No, for love. WILL SHAKESPEARE 47 CHILD I don't love you. ANNE For luck, then. CHILD You told him you'd got no luck. ANNE Won't you give me a kiss ? CHILD If you like. Don't hold me so tight. Is it true you've no luck ? Shall I tell your fortune ? ANNE Can you? CHILD O yes! I've watched the Fates do it in the new play. It's Orpheus and — it's a long name. But she's his lost wife. Give me a handkerchief ! That's for a grey veil. [Posing."] Now say to me — "Who are you ?" ANNE Who are you? CHILD [Posing."] Fate! Now you must say — "Whose fate?" ANNE Whose? 4S WILL SHAKESPEARE CHILD Oh, then I lift the veil and you scream. {Stamping his foot.l Scream ! ANNE Why, baby? CHILD [Frowning.'l At my dreadful face. [But he begins to laugh in spite of himself. '\ ANNE [Her face hidden."] Oh, child! Oh, child! CHILD That's right! That's the way she cries in the play. You see the man goes down to hell to find his wife, and the Fates show her what's going to happen while she's waiting for him. She's in hell already, waiting and waiting. It takes years to travel through hell. That's her talking to the old man in rags and a crown. ANNE Who's he? CHILD Oh, he's a poor old king whose daughters beat him. He isn't in this play. Well, when Orpheus gets to hell — I lead him there, you know — ANNE A babe in hell — a babe in hell — WILL SHAKESPEARE 49 CHILD I'm the little god of love. I wear a crown of roses and wings. They do tickle. Soon I'll be too big. So he and I go to the three Fates to get back his wife. She isn't pretty in that act. She's all white and dead round her eyes — like you. ANNE Does he find her? CHILD After he sings his beautiful song he does. Every- body has to listen when he sings. Even the big dog lies down. Your husband made us a nice catch about it yesterday. I like your husband. I'm glad he's coming with us. Are you coming with us ? ANNE No. CHILD It's a pity. If you were a man you could act in the company. But women can't act. Even Orpheus' wife is a boy really. So are the three Fates. They're friends of mine. Would you like to talk to them, the way we do in the play ? Come on ! I go first, you see. You must say just what I tell you. IHe takes her hands and pulls her to her feet. She stares, bewildered, for the room has grown dim. The dying fire shines upon the shifting, shadowy figures of the Players. The crowd grows larger every moment and is thickest at the foot of the stairs. Shakespeare is seen coming down them.^ ANNE The room's so full. I'm frightened. Who are all these people? 50 WILL SHAKESPEARE CHILD Hush ! We're in hell. These are all the dead people. We bring 'em to life. ANNE Who? We? CHILD I and the singer. Look, there's your husband coming down the stairs ! That's just the way Orpheus comes down into hell. ANNE Will! Will! CHILD Hush ! You mustn't talk. ANNE But it's all dreams — it's all dreams. r CHILD It's the players. SHAKESPEARE {Among the shadows.'\ Let me pass ! THE SHADOWS Pay toll! SHAKESPEARE How, pay it? A SHADOW Tell my story? ANOTHER And mine! ANOTHER And mine! WILL SHAKESPEARE 51 ANOTHER And mine! A ROMAN WOMAN Pluck back my dagger first and tell my story! A DROWNED GIRL Oh, listen, listen, listen, I've forgotten my own story. It*s a very sad one. Remember for me ! SHAKESPEARE I will remember. Let me pass ! A TROJAN WOMAN [Kissing him.l Kerens pay. A VENETIAN I died of love. THE TROJAN WOMAN Kiss me and tell my story ! A MOOR Dead lips, dead lips! A YOUNG MAN This is how Judas kissed. A QUEEN My son was taken from me. Tell my story. ANOTHER And mine! ANOTHER And mine! A YOUNG MAN That son am I ! 52 WILL SHAKESPEARE TWO CHILDREN I— I— A SOLDIER I killed a king. A CROWNED SHADOW He killed me while I slept. THE SHADOWS You shall not pass until you tell our story! A GIRL DRESSED AS A BOY I lived in a wood and laughed. Sing you my laughter When the sun shone ! SHAKESPEARE I'll sing it. Singing I go, What shall I find after the song is over? What shall I find after the way is clear? AN OLD MAN, A JEW Gold and gold and gold — A CLOWN And a grave untended — A MAN IN BLACK Heartbreak — TWO COUSINS A friend or two — A ROMAN WITH LAURELS Oh, sing my story Before I had half-way climbed to the nearest star My ladder broke. WILL SHAKESPEARE 53 SHAKESPEARE I'll tell all time that story. THE ROMAN The stars are dark, seen close. SHAKESPEARE I'll say it. THE ROMAN Pass! AN EGYPTIAN [Holding a goblet."] He shall not pass. Drink ! There are pearls in the cup. A GIRL, A VERONESE [Taking it from her.] A MAN [With a wand.l THE KING IN RAGS A NUN A DRUNKARD No — sleep ! Dreams ! Frenzy ! Sacrament ! A jest! A ROMAN WIFE Here's coals for bread. THE EGYPTIAN [A man in armour has Hung his arm about her neck,] Eat, drink and pass again To the lost sunshine and the passionate nights, And tell the world our story 1 54 WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE Let me go ! ALL THE SHADOWS Never, never, never ! To the end of time we follow, Follow, follow, follow! SHAKESPEARE Threads and floating wisps Of being, how they fasten like a cloud Of gnats upon me, not to be shaken off Unsatisfied — THE SHADOWS Sing ! Sing ! [There is a strain of music the crowd hides Shakespeare: the three masked players have drifted free of the turmoil.'] CHILD IDelighted.'] He does it quite as well as Orpheus. ANNE Who are these dreams? CHILD The people of the plays. And there are the Fates at last! That's the end of my part. Now you must talk to them till your husband comes. He comes when you scream. {He picks up his bow and runs away."] ANNE Come back ! Stay by me ! WILL SHAKESPEARE 55 CHILD ILaughing.'] Play your part alone. IHe is lost in the crowd. The Masks have drawn nfar. The first is small and closely veiled and carries the distaff. The second is tall: part of her face shows white: her hands are empty. The third is bowed and crowned: she carries the shears.'\ ANNE These are all dreams or I am mad. Who are you? FIRST MASK His fate. I hold the thread. ANNE I'll see you ! FIRST MASK No! [As she retreats the Second Mask takes the distaff from her.l I tangle it. Who are you? Fate! his fate! SECOND MASK ANNE SECOND MASK ANNE Drop the bright mask and let me see I {The Second Mask drops her veil and shows the face of a dark lady.l It needs not ! I knew, 1 knew! Barren the ground beneath, No flowers, no fruit, spent arrows — : 56 WILL SHAKESPEARE IThe Second Mask makes way for the Third who takes the tangle from her. The Second Mask glides away."] Not the shears! THIRD MASK ^Winding the thread."] Not yet ! ANNE Who are you? THIRD MASK Fate! his fate! ANNE A crown! My snake should know its fellow — is it so? {The mask is lifted and reveals the face of Elisabeth."] I do not fear the Queen — THIRD MASK Take back the thread ! {She gives the distaff to the First Mask who has reap- peared beside her and glides away.] ANNE But you I fear, O shrinking fate ! what fate ? What first and last fate ? Show me your face, I say ! {She tears off the mask. The face revealed is the face of Anne. She screams.] Myself ! I saw myself ! Will ! Will ! {The Child kneeling at the hearth stirs the fire and a bright flame shoots up that lights the whole room. It is empty save for the few players gathering to- gether their bundles and Shakespeare who has hurried to Anne. His hand, gripping her shoulder, steadies her as she sways.] WILL SHAKESPEARE 57 SHAKESPEARE Still railing? CHILD {To his father.'] She's a poor frightened lady and she cried. I like her. ANNE Gone! Gone! Where are they! Call them back! I saw — SHAKESPEARE What folly ! These are players and my friends ; You could have given them food at least and served them. ANNE I saw — I saw — HENSLOWE [Coming up to them,"] So, are you ready ? The moon is high : we must be going. SHAKESPEARE I'll follow instantly. [The Players trail out by twos and threes. They pass the window and repass it on the further side of the hedge. They are a Mack, fantastic frieze upon the yellow, winter sky. Henslowe goes first: the king's crown is crooked, and the child is riding on his hack: the masks come last.] THE PLAYERS [Singing.] Come away to London, Folly, come away! 58 WILL SHAKESPEARE You'll make your fortune Thrice in a day. Paddocks leave and winter byres, London has a thousand spires, A-chiming, a-rhyming, Oh, London Town ! The snow will fall And cover all Without you, without you, And the world get on without you — Oh, London Town 1 {Shakespeare goes hurriedly to the table and picks up his books.'\ ANNE Will! SHAKESPEARE For your needs You have the farm. Farewell ! ANNE [Catching at his arm."] For pity's sake ! I'm so beset with terrors not my own — What have you loosed upon me? I'll not be left In this black house, this kennel of chained grief. This ghost-run. Take me with you! No, stay by me! These are but dreams of evil. Shall we not wake Drowsily in a minute? Oh, bless'd waking To peace and sunshine and no evil done! Count out the minute — WILL SHAKESPEARE 59 SHAKESPEARE If ever I forget The evil done me, I'll forget the spring, And Avon, and the blue ways of the sky, And my own mother's face. ANNE Do I say "forget"? I say "remember"! When you've staked all, all, Upon your one throw — when you've lost — remem- ber! And done the evilest thing you would not do. Self-forced to the vile wrong you would not do, Me in that hour remember I SHAKESPEARE Let me go ! ANNE [She is on the ground, clinging to him."] Remember! See, I do not pray "forgive"! Forgive? Forgiving is forgetting — no. Remember me ! Remember, when your sun Blazes the noon down, that my sun is set, Extinct and cindered in a bitter sea. And warm me with a thought. For we are bound Closer than love or chains or marriage binds : We went by night and each in other's heart Sowed tares, sowed tears. Husband, when harvest comes, Of all your men and women I alone Can give you comfort, for you'll reap my pain As I your loss. What other knows our need? 6o WILL SHAKESPEARE Dear hands, remember, when you hold her, thus, Close, close — SHAKESPEARE Let go my hands ! ANNE — and when she turns To stone, to a stone, to an unvouchsafing stone Under your clutch — SHAKESPEARE You rave! ANNE — ^loved hands, remember Me unloved then, and how my hands held you! And when her face — for I am prophecy — When her lost face, the woman I am not. Stares from the page you toil upon, thus, thus, In a glass of tears, remember then that thus, No other way, I see your face between my work and me, Always ! SHAKESPEARE Make end and let me go ! ANNE iShe has risen.} Why, go! But mock me not with any "Let me go" ! I do not hold you. Ah, but when you're old (You will be old one day, as I am old Already in my heart), too weary-old WILL SHAKESPEARE 6i For love, hate, pity, anything but peace, When the long race, O straining breast ! is won, And the bright victory drops to your outstretched hand, A windfall apple, not worth eating, then Come back to me — SHAKESPEARE lAt the door.'] Farewell ! ANNE — when all your need Is hands to serve you and a breast to die on, Come back to me — SHAKESPEARE Never in any world! {He goes out as the last figure passes the window^ and disappears.] THE players' voices [Dying away.] For snow will fall And cover all Without you, without you — IThe words are lost.] SHAKESPEARE {Joyfully.] Ah! London Town! £IIe is seen an instant, a silhouette with outstretched, arms. Then he, too, disappears and there is a long silence. A cold wind blows in through the open door. Tfie room is quite dark and the fire has fallen t6\ ashes.] 62 WILL SHAKESPEARE ANNE {Crying out suddenly."] The years — the years before me! MRS. HATHAWAY ICalling.'] Anne! Where's Anne? [She comes in at the side door.] Anne! Anne! Where are you? Why, what do you here, In the cold, in the dark, and all alone? ANNE I wait. The Curtain Falls. ACT II. Scene I. lA room at the Palace. Elisabeth sits at a working table. She is upright, vigorous, with an ivory white skin and piercing eyes. Her hair is dark red and stiffly dressed. She is old, as an oak or a cliffy or a cathedral is old — there is no frailty of age in her. Her gestures are measured, she moves very little, and frowns oftener than she smiles, but her smile, when it does come, is kindly. Her voice is strong, rather harsh, but clear. She speaks her words like a scholar, but her manner is that of a woman of the world, shrewd and easy. Her dress is a black-green brocade, stiff with gold and embroidered with coloured stones. Beside her stands Henslowe, ten years older, stouter and more prosperous. In the background Mary Fitton, a woman of twenty-six, sits at the virginals, fingering out a tune very faintly and lightly. She is taller than Elisabeth, pale, with black hair, a smiling mouth and brilliant eyes. She is quick and graceftd as a cat, and her voice is the voice of a singer, low and full. She wears a magnificent black and white dress with many pearls. A red rose is tucked behind her ear.} ELIZABETH Money, money! Always more money! Henslowe, you're a leech ! And I'm a Gammer Gurton to let my- self be bled. Let the public pay I 63 64 WILL SHAKESPEARE HENSLOWE Madam, they'll do that fast enough if we may call ourselves Your Majesty's Players. ELIZABETH No, no, you're not yet proven. What do you give me ? Good plays enough, but what great play ? What has England, what have I, to match against them when they talk to me of their Tasso, their Petrarch, their Rabelais — of Divine Comedies and the plays of Spain? Are we to climb no higher than the Germans with their 'Ship of Fools'? HENSLOWE * The Faery Queen ' ? ELIZABETH Unfinished. HENSLOWE Green — Peele — Kyd — ^Webster — ELIZABETH Stout English names — not names for all the world. I will pay you no more good English pounds a year and fib to my treasurer to account for them. You head a deputation, do you? You would call yourselves the Queen's Players, and mount a crown on your curtains ? Give me a great play then — a royal play — a play to set against France and Italy and Spain, and you can have your patent. HENSLOWE There's * Tamburlaine ' ! ELIZABETH A boy's glory, not a man's. WILL SHAKESPEARE 65 HENSLOWE * Faust ' and * The Jew of Malta * ! ELIZABETH I know them. HENSLOWE He'll do greater things yet. ELIZABETH Do you believe that, Henslowe? HENSLOWE No, Madam. ELIZABETH Then why do you lie to me? HENSLOWE Madam, I mark time. I have my man ; but he is not yet ripe. ELIZABETH How long have you served me, Henslowe? HENSLOWE Twelve years. ELIZABETH How often have you come to me in those twelve years? HENSLOWE Four times, Madam! ELIZABETH Have I helped or hindered? HENSLOWE I confess it. Madam, I have lived on your wits. 66 WILL SHAKESPEARE ELIZABETH Then who's your man? HENSLOWE You'll not trust me. He has done little before the world. ELIZABETH Shakespeare ? HENSLOWE Madam, you know everything. Will you see him? He and Marlowe are among our petitioners. ELIZABETH H'm ! the Stratford boy ! I have not forgotten. HENSLOWE Who could have promised better ? He came to town like a conqueror. He took us all with his laughter. You yourself, Madam — ELIZABETH Yes, make us laugh and you may pick all pockets! He helped you to pick mine. HENSLOWE So far good. But he aims no higher. Yet what he could do if he would! I have a sort of love of him. Madam. I found him : I taught him : I have daughters enough but no son. I have wrestled with him like Jacob at Peniel, but when I think to conquer he tickles my rib and I laugh. That's his weapon, Mad- am ! With his laughter he locks the door of his heart against every man. WILL SHAKESPEARE 67 ELIZABETH And every woman? HENSLOWE They say — no, Madam! ELIZABETH Then we must find her. HENSLOWE [With a glance at Mary Fitton.'] They say she is found already. But a court lady — ^and a player! It's folly, Madam! Now Marlowe would shrug his shoulder and go elsewhere; but Shakespeare — there is about him in little and great a certain dogged and damnable constancy that wrecks all. If he cannot have the moon for his supper, he will starve, Madam, whatever an old fool says to him. ELIZABETH Then, Henslowe, we must serve him up the moon. Mary! MARY [Rising and coming down to them."] Madam? ELIZABETH Could you hear us? MARY I was playing the new song that the Earl set for you. ELIZABETH For me? But you heard? 68 WILL SHAKESPEARE MARY Something of the talk, Madam! ELIZABETH You go to all the plays, do you not? Which is the coming man, Mary, Shakespeare or Marlowe. MARY I£ you ask me. Madam, I'm all for the cobbler's son. HENSLOWE Mistress Fitton should give us a sound reason if she have it, but she has none. MARY Only that I don't know Mr. Marlowe, and I know my little Shakespeare by heart. I'm an Athenian — I'm always asking for nfew tunes. ELIZABETH Which is Shakespeare ? The youngster like a smok- ing lamp, all aflare? MARY No, Madam! That's Marlowe. Shakespeare's a lesser man. HENSLOWE A lesser man? Marlowe the lamp, say you? He's conflagration, he's "Armada!" flashed From Kent to Cornwall! But this lesser man, He's the far world the beacons can outflare One little hour, but, when their flame dies down, High o'er the embers in the deep of night Behold the star! WILL SHAKESPEARE 69 ELIZABETH I forget if ever I saw him. HENSLOWE Madam, if ever you saw him, you would not forget — A small, a proud head, like an Arab Christ, And noble, madman's fingers, never still — The face still though, mouth hid, the nostril wide, And eyes like voices calling, shrill and sad, •Borne on hot winds from fairyland or hell; Yet round the heavy lids a score of lines All criss-cross crinkle like a score of laughs That he has scribbled hastily down himself With his quick fingers. No, not tall — ELIZABETH But a man ! Like other men. MARY Ah? ELIZABETH It was easy. MARY Tell! ELIZABETH MARY He came like a boy to apples. Marlowe now — ELIZABETH More than a man, less than a man, but not As yet a man then ? Well, I'll see your Shakespeare : Marlowe — some other time. 70 WILL SHAKESPEARE HENSLOWE I'll fetch him to you. [Henslowe goes out.l ELIZABETH To you, Mary — to you! MARY Madam, spare me! It's a stiff instrument and once, I think, has been ill-tuned. ELIZABETH Tune it afresh! MARY You wish that, Madam? ELIZABETH 1 wish it. Marlowe can wait — and Pembroke. MARY Madam ? ELIZABETH I am blind, deaf, dumb, so long as you practise your new tune. But the Earl of Pembroke goes to Ireland. MARY He's an old glove. Madam. ELIZABETH Young or old, not for your wearing. Strip your hand and finger your new tune! MARY Now, Madam? WILL SHAKESPEARE 71 ELIZABETH Why not? Why do I dress you and keep you at court? Here's Spain in the ante-room and France on the stairs — am I to keep them waiting while I humour a parcel of players? MARY Indeed, Madam, I wonder that you have spared half an hour. ELIZABETH Wonder, Mary! Wonder! And when ycu know why I do what I do you shall be Queen instead of me. In the meantime you may learn the trade, if you choose, I give you a kingdom to rule in the likeness of a poor player. Let me see how you do it! Yet mark this — though with fair cheeks and black hair you may come by a coronet (but the Earl goes to Ireland) yet if you rule your kingdom by the glance of your eyes, you will lose it as other Maries have done. MARY I must reign in my own way — forgive me, Madam ! — ^not yours. ELIZABETH Girl, do you think you could ever rule in mine? Well, try your way! But — between queens, Mary — one kingdom at a time! [Elizabeth goes out.'\ MARY [She sits on the table edge, swinging her pretty foot.} So Pembroke goes to Ireland ! Ay, and comes back, 72 WILL SHAKESPEARE old winter ! I can wait. And while I wait — Shakes- peare ! Will Shakespeare ! O charity — I wish it were Marlowe! What did the old woman say? A king- dom in the likeness of a player. I wonder. Well, we'll explore. Yet I wish it were Marlowe. {Shakespeare enters.'] Ah ! here comes poor Mr. Shakespeare looking for the Queen and finding — SHAKESPEARE The Queen! MARY Hush! Palace walls! Well, Mr. Shakespeare, what's the news ? SHAKESPEARE Good, bad and indifferent. MARY Take the bad first. SHAKESPEARE The bad? — that I have not seen you some five weeks! The good — that I have now seen you some five seconds! The indifferent — that you do not care one pin whether I see you or not for the next five years ! MARY Who told you that, Solomon? SHAKESPEARE I have had no answer to — WILL SHAKESPEARE 73 MARY Five letters, seven sonnets, two catches and a roundelay ! SHAKESPEARE Love's Labour Lost! MARY Ah, Mr. Shakespeare, you were not a Solomon then! There was too much Rosaline and too little Queen in that labour. SHAKESPEARE You're right! Solomon would have drawn all Rosaline and no Queen at all. I'll write another play ! MARY It might pay you better than your sonnets. SHAKESPEARE Do you read them — Rosaline? MARY Most carefully, Mr. Shakespeare — on Saturday nights! Then I make up my accounts and empty my purse, and wonder — must I pawn my jewels? Then I cry. And then I read your latest sonnet and laugh again. SHAKESPEARE You should not laugh. MARY Why, is it not meant to move me? 74 WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE You should not laugh. I tell you such a thought, Such fiery lava welling from a heart, So crystalled in the wonder-working brain. Mined by the soul and rough-cut into words Fit for a poet's faceting and, last, Strung on a string of gold by a golden tongue- Why, such a thought is an immortal jewel To gild you, living, in men's eyes, and after To make you queen of all the un jewelled dead Who bear not their least bracelet hence. For I, Eternally I'd deck you, were you my own. Would you but wear my necklaces divine, My rings of sorcery, my crowns of song. What chains of emeralds — did you but know? My rubies, O my rubies — could you but see! And this one gem of wonder, pearl of pearls. Hid in my heart for you, could you but take, Would you but take — MARY Open your heart ! SHAKESPEARE Not SO. The god who made it hath forgot the key. Or lost or lent it. , MARY Heartless god ! Poor heart ! Yet if this key — (is there indeed a key?) SHAKESPEARE No lock without a key, nor heart, nor heart. WILL SHAKESPEARE 75 MARY — were found one day and strung with other keys Upon my ring? SHAKESPEARE With other — ? MARY Keys of hearts! What else? Tucked in the casket where my mortals lie — Sick pearl, flawed emerald, brooch or coronet — SHAKESPEARE God! MARY Why, Jeweller? SHAKESPEARE Then what they say — MARY They say? What do they say? And what care I? They say Pembroke ? SHAKESPEARE They lie! You shall not speak. They lie! MARY So little doubt — and you a man ! It's new. It's sweet. It will not last. We spoke of keys — This heart-key, had I found it, would you buy? Come, tempt me with immortal necklaces ! Come, purchase me with ornaments divine! SHAKESPEARE I love you — 76 WILL SHAKESPEARE MARY Well? I love you — Is that all? I love you so. SHAKESPEARE MARY SHAKESPEARE MARY Why, that's a common cry, I hear it daily, like the London cries, "Old chairs to mend!" or "Sweet, sweet lavender!" Is this your string of pearls, sixteen a penny? SHAKESPEARE D'you laugh at me? I mean it. MARY So do they all. Buy! Buy my lavender! Lady, it's cheap — It's sweet — new cut— I starve — for Christ's sake, buy! They mean it, all the hoarse-throat, hungry men That sell me lavender, that sell me love. SHAKESPEARE I put my wares away. I do not sell. MARY O pedlar! I had half a mind to buy. SHAKESPEARE Too late. MARY Open your pack again ! What haste ! What — ^not a trinket left me, not a pin For a poor lady ? Does not the offer hold ? WILL SHAKESPEARE 77 SHAKESPEARE ^ You did not close. MARY I will. SHAKESPEARE Withdrawn ! Withdrawn ! MARY Renew ! SHAKESPEARE Too late. MARY You know your business best; Yet — what care I? SHAKESPEARE Or I? Yet — never again To buy and sell with you! MARY Never again! Heigh-ho! I sighed, sir. SHAKESPEARE Yes, I heard you sigh. MARY And smiled. At court, sir — SHAKESPEARE Yes, they buy and sell At court. But I know better — give and take! MARY ^Evading him.'] What will you give me if I let you take? 78 WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE If you will come with me into my mind — How shall I say it ? Still you'll laugh at me ! MARY Maybe ! SHAKESPEARE My mind's not one room stored, but many, A house of windows that o'er look far gardens, The hanging gardens of more Babylons Than there are bees in a linden tree in June. I'm the king-prisoner in his capital. Ruling strange peoples of a world unknown. Yet there come envoys from the untravelled lands That fill my corridors with miracles As it were tribute, secretly, by night ; And I wake in the dawn like Solomon, To stare at peacocks, apes and ivory, And a closed door. And all these stores I give you for your own, You shall be mistress of my fairy-lands, I'll ride you round the world on the back of a dream, I'll give you all the stars that ever danced In the sea o' nights. If you will come into my mind with me. If you will learn me — know me. MARY I do know you. You are the quizzical Mr. Shakespeare of the 'Rose,' who never means a word he says. I've heard of you. All trades hate you because you are not of their union, WILL SHAKESPEARE 79 and yet know the tricks of each trade; but your own trade loves you, because you are content with a crook in the lower branches when you might be top of the tree. You write comedies, all wit and no wisdom, like a flower-bed raked but not dug ; but the high stuff of the others, their tragedies and lamentable ends, these you will not essay. Why not, Mr. Shakespeare of the fairy-lands? SHAKESPEARE Queen Wasp, I do not know. MARY King Drone, then I will tell you. You are the little boy at Christmas who would not play snap-dragon till the flames died down, and so was left at the end with a cold raisin in an empty dish. That's you, that's you, with the careful fingers and no good word in your plays for any woman. Run home, run home, there's no more to you! SHAKESPEARE D'you think so? MARY I think that I think so. SHAKESPEARE I'll show you. MARY What will you show me. Will? . SHAKESPEARE Fairyland, and you and me in it. Will you believe in me then? 8o WILL SHAKESPEARE MARY Not I, not I! I'm a woman of this world. Give me flesh and blood, not gossamer, Honey and heart-ache, and a lover's moon. SHAKESPEARE I read of lovers once in Italy — She was like you, such eyes of night, such hair. God took a week to make his world, but these In four short days made heaven to bum on earth Like a great torch; and when they died — MARY They died? SHAKESPEARE Like torches quenched in water, suddenly. Because they loved too well. MARY Oh, write it down! Ah, could you. Will? I think you could not write it. SHAKESPEARE I can write Romeo. Teach me Juliet! MARY I could if I would. Was that her name — ^Juliet? SHAKESPEARE Poor Juliet! MARY Not SO poor if I know her. Oh, make that plain — she was not poor! And tell them, Will, tell all men and women — WILL SHAKESPEARE 81 SHAKESPEARE What, my heart? MARY I will whisper it to you one day when I know you better. Oh, it'll be a play! Will you do it for me, Will ? Will you write it for you and for me ? Where do they live? SHAKESPEARE Verona. Italy. MARY Come to me daily! Read it to me scene by scene, line by line ! How many acts ? SHAKESPEARE The old five-branched candlestick. MARY But a new flame ! Will it take long to write ? . . . . It must not. SHAKESPEARE Shall not. MARY What shall we call it, Will? The Tragical Discourse? The Famous End? The Lovers of Verona? SHAKESPEARE No, no! Plain. Their two names married — Romeo and Juliet. lAs they lean towards each other still talking'i THE CURTAIN FALLS 82 WILL SHAKESPEARE ACT IL Scene II. IThe first performance of Romeo and Juliet: the end of the fourth act. The curtain rises on a small hare dusty office, littered with stage properties and dresses. When the door at the back of the stage is open there is a glimpse of passage and curtains, and moving figures, with now and then a Hare of torchlight. There is a continuous far-away murmur of voices and, once in a while, applause. As the curtain goes up Mary Fitton is opening the door to go out. Shakespeare holds her back."] MARY Let go! Let me go! I must be in front at the end of that act. I must hear what the Queen will say to it. SHAKESPEARE But you'll come back? That depends on what the Queen says. IVe prom- ised you nothing if she damns it. {The applause breaks out again."] SHAKESPEARE Listen! Is it damned? MARY Sugar-sweet, isn't it? But that's nothing. That's the mob. That's your friends. They'll clap you. But the Queen, if she claps, claps your play. SHAKESPEARE Your play! WILL SHAKESPEARE 83 MARY Is it mine? Earnest? SHAKESPEAitE My earnest, but your play. MARY Well, good luck to my play! SHAKESPEARE Give me — MARY Oh, so it's not a free gift? SHAKESPEARE Give me a finger-tip of thanks! MARY In advance? Not I ! But if the Queen likes it — Vm her obedient servant. If the Queen opens her hand I shan't shut mine. Where she claps once I'll clap twice. Where she gives you a hand to kiss, I'll give you — There ! Curtain's down ! I must go. SHAKESPEARE Mary! MARY Listen to it! Listen! Listen! This is better than any poor Mary. [She goes out. The door is left open. The applause, breaks out again. Ji SHAKESPEARE Is this the golden apple in my hand At last? 84 WILL SHAKESPEARE How tastes it, heart, and is it sweet, is it sweet? Sweeter than common apples? So many years Of days I watched it grow and propped and pruned, •Besought the sun and watered. O my tr^e When the green broke! That was a morning hour. Fool, so to long for fruit ! Now the fruit's ripe. The tree in spring was fairest, when it flowered. And every petal held a drink of dew. The bloom went long ago. Well, the fruit's here! Hark! [The applause breaks out again.'] It goes well. Eat up your apple, man! This is the hour, the hour! I'm the same man — No better for it. When Marlowe praised me so He meant it — meant it. I thought he laughed at me In his sleeve. Will Shakespeare ! Romeo and Juliet ! I made it — I ! Indeed, indeed, at heart — (I would not for the world they read my heart: I'd scarce tell Mary) but indeed, at heart, I know no song was ever sung before Like this my lovely song. / made it — I ! It has not changed me. I'm the same small man, And yet I made it! Strange! {A knock.'] STAGE HAND [Putting in his head at the door."] You'll not see anyone, sir, will you? SHAKESPEARE I told you already I'll come to the green-room when the show's over. I can see no stranger before. WILL SHAKESPEARE 85 STAGE HAND So IVe told her, sir, many times. But she says you will know her when you see her and she can't wait. SHAKESPEARE A lady? STAGE HAND No, no, sir, just a woman. I'll tell her to go away again. SHAKESPEARE Wait ! Did she give no name ? STAGE HAND Name of Hathaway, sir, from Stratford. SHAKESPEARE Anne! Bring her here! Bring her here quickly, privately! You should have told me sooner. Where does she wait? Did any see her? Did any speak with her? If anyone asks for me save Henslowe or Mr. Marlowe, I am gone, I am not in the theatre. What are you staring at ? What are you waiting for ? Bring her here ! STAGE HAND Glad to be rid of her, sir ! She has sat in the pas- sage this hour to be tripped over, and nothing budges her. [Calling.'l Will you come this way — ^this way! [He disappears.'] 86 WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE Anne? Anne in London? What does Anne in London ? STAGE HAND IReturning.'] This way, this way,! It's a dark passage. This way! {Mrs. Hathaway conies w.] SHAKESPEARE Not Anne! MRS. HATHAWAY Is Mr. Shakespeare—? Will! Is it Will? Oh, how you're changed! SHAKESPEARE Ten years change a young man. MRS. HATHAWAY ■But not an old woman. I'm Anne's mother still. SHAKESPEARE I'm not so changed that I forget it. What do you want of me, Mrs. Hathaway? MRS. HATHAWAY I bring you news. SHAKESPEARE Good news? MRS. HATHAWAY It's as you take it. SHAKESPEARE Dead? WILL SHAKESPEARE 87 MRS. HATHAWAY Is that good news, my half son? She is not so blessed. SHAKESPEARE I did not say it so. Is she with you? MRS. HATHAWAY No. SHAKESPEARE Did she send you? Oh, so she has heard of this business! It's like her to send you now. She is to take her toll of it, is she? MRS. HATHAWAY You are bitter, you are bitter! You are the east wind of your own spring sunshine. She has heard nothing of this business or of that — dark lady. SHAKESPEARE Take care! MRS. HATHAWAY I saw her come from this room — off her guard. I know how a woman looks when a man has pleased her. Oh, please her if you must ! I am old. I do not judge. And I think you will not always. But that's not my news. SHAKESPEARE I can't hear it now. I am pressed. This is not every night. I'll see you to-morrow, not now. MRS. HATHAWAY My news may be dead to-morrow. 88 WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE So much the better. I needn't hear it. MRS. HATHAWAY Son, son, son! You don't know what you say. SHAKESPEARE That is not my name. And I know well what I say. You are my wife's mother and I'll not share anything of hers. But if she needs money, I'll send it. To-night makes me a rich man. MRS. HATHAWAY Richer than you think — and to-morrow poorer, if you do not listen to me. IT here is a roar of applause. J SHAKESPEARE Listen to you? Why should I listen to you? Can you give me anything to better that? MRS. HATHAWAY But if she can? Sixty years I have learned lessons in the world; but I never learned that a city was bet- ter than green fields, friends better than a house-mate, or the works of a man's hand more to him than the child of his own flesh. SHAKESPEARE And have I learned it, I ? Do I not know That when I left her I left all behind That was my right? See how I live my life — Married nor single, neither bond nor free, My future mortgaged for a roofless home! WILL SHAKESPEARE 89 For though I love I must not say "I love you, Come to my hearth !" A child ? I have no child : I hear no voice crying to me o' nights Out of the frost-bound dark. How can it cry Or smile at me until I give it lips? How can it clutch me till I give it hands? How can it be, until I give it leave ? Small sparrow at the window-pane, a'cold, Begging your crumb of Hfe from me, indeed I cannot let you in. Small love, small sweet, Look not so trustfully! You are not mine, Not mine, not anyone's. Away, unborn! Back to the womb of dreams, and never stir, Never again ! How meek the small ghost fades. Reject and fatherless, that might have been My son! MRS. HATHAV^AY Is it possible? Anne knew you best. She said you did not know. Dear son, too soon By two last months yet by these months too late After you left her, Hamnet, the boy, was born. SHAKESPEARE It is not true! MRS. HATHAV^AY Ah, ah, she knew you best. She said always, weeping she said always You would not listen, though she sent you word; But when the boy was grown she'd send the boy, Then you would listen and come home, come home But now that web is tattered in its turn By a cold wind, an out-of-season wind, 90 WILL SHAKESPEARE Tearing the silver webs, blacking the leaves And shaking the first blossoms down too soon, Too soon, too soon. He shivered and lay down Among pinched violets and the wrack of spring; But when the sky drew breath and April came, Amnog pinched violets and the wrack of spring; New flowers from the ground, still our flower drooped : The sunlight hurt his eyes, his bed's too hot, He drinks and will not eat: since Saturday There's but one end. SHAKESPEARE What end? MRS. HATHAWAY You're stubborn as she. She will not bow to it. Yet she sent me hither To bring you home. SHAKESPEARE New witch-work MRS. HATHAWAY Will you not come? SHAKESPEARE I will not. MRS. HATHAWAY Will you not come? She bade me say That the boy cries for you — SHAKESPEARE A lie! A gross lie! He never called me father. WILL SHAKESPEARE 91 MRS. HATHAWAY That he does! You are his Merlin and his Arthur too, And God-Almighty Sundays. Thus it goes — *'My Father says — " and ''When my Father comes — " "I'll tell my father !" To his mother's hand He clings and whispers in his fever now, With bright eyes wide — your eyes, son, your quick eyes — That she shall fetch you (she? she cannot speak) To bring him wonders home like Whittington, (And Where's your cat?) and tell the tales you know Of Puck and witches, and the English kings, To whistle down the birds as Orpheus did, And for a silver penny pick the moon From the sky's pocket, and buy him gingerbread — And so he rambles on, breaking her heart A second time, God help her! SHAKESPEARE I will come. A man's voice [Off the stage.'] Shakespeare! Will Shakespeare! Call Will Shake- speare ! SHAKESPEARE [To Mrs. Hathaway.l Here! When do we start? MRS. HATHAWAY The horses wait at the inn. 92 WILL SHAKESPEARE VOICE AVill Shakespeare! SHAKESPEARE Give me an hour. The bridge is nearer. On London Bridge at midnight! I'll be there! MRS. HATHAWAY Not later, I warn you, if you'd see the child alive. SHAKESPEARE Fear not, I'll be there. D'you think so ill of me? I could have been a good father to my own son — if I had known. If I had known! This is a woman's way of enduring a wrong. Oh, dumb beast! Could she not send for me — send to me? Am I a monster that she could not come to me? "Buy him ginger- bread" ! To send me no word till he's dying ! Would any she-devil in hell do so to a man? Dying? I tell you he shall live and not die. There was a man once fought death for a friend and held him. Can I not fight death for my own son? Can I not beat death off for an hour, for a little hour, till I have kissed my only son? marlowe's voice Shakespeare! The Queen — the Queen has asked for you, And sent her woman twice. Will Shakespeare ! Will I SHAKESPEARE At midnight then. IMrs. Hathaway goes oui.l WILL SHAKESPEARE 93 VOICE Will Shakespeare ! SHAKESPEARE Coming ! Coming ! MARY {In the doorway, followed by Marlowe.'] Is Shakespeare — ? SHAKESPEARE Oh, not now, not now, not now! MARY Are you mad to keep her waiting? She has favours up her sleeve. You are to write her a play for the summer revels. Quick now, ere the last act begins! Off with you! [Shakespeare goes out."] Look how he drags away! What's come to the man to fling aside his luck? MARLOWE He has left it behind him. MARY Here's a proxy silver-tongue! Are you Mr. Mar- lowe? MARLOWE Are you Mistress Fitton? MARY So weVe heard of each other! MARLOWE What have you heard of me ? 94 WILL SHAKESPEARE MARY That you were somebody's brother-in-art! What have you heard of me? MARLOWE That you were his sister-in-art. MARY A man's sister! I'd as soon be a cold pudding! What did he say of his sister, brother? MARLOWE That you brought him luck. MARY That he leaves behind him! MARLOWE Like the blind man's lucky sixpence that the Jew stole when he put a penny in his plate, MARY " A Jew of Malta? MARLOWE What, do you read me? You? A STAGE HAND [/» the passage.'] Last act, please ! Last act ! Last act ! MARY I must go watch it. MARLOWE Don't you know it? WILL SHAKESPEARE 95 MARY Oh, by heart! Yet I must sisterly watch it. MARLOWE Stay a Httle. MARY Till he comes? Then I shall miss all, for he'll keep me. MARLOWE Against your will? MARY No, with my Will. MARLOWE Is it he or his plays? MARY Not sure. MARLOWE If I were he I'd make you sure. MARY I wonder if you could ! I wonder — how ? MARLOWE Too long to tell you here, and — curtain's up! MARY Come to my house one lazy day and tell me! MARLOWE Hark! That's more noise than curtain! henslowe's voice Shakespeare ! Shakespeare ! [Entering.'] 96 WILL SHAKESPEARE Here's a calamity! Where's Shakespeare? He should be in the green-room! Why does he tuck away in this rat-hole when he's wanted? And what's to be done? Where in God's name is Shakespeare? MARY With the Queen. MARLOWE The curtain's up; he'll be here in a minute. MARY What's wrong? HENSLOWE Everything ! Juliet ! The clumsy beasts ! They let him fall from the bier ; they let him fall on his arm ! Now he's moaning and wincing and swears he can't go on, though he has but to speak his death scene. I've bid them cut the afterwards. MARLOWE Broken? HENSLOWE I fear so. MARY Let it be broken! Say he must go on! What? Spoil the play? These baby-men! HENSLOWE He will not. MARLOWE The understudy? HENSLOWE Playing Paris. Where's Shakespeare? What's to be done! The play's spoiled. WILL SHAKESPEARE 97 MARLOWE He'll break his heart. MARY He shall not break his heart! This is our play! Back to your Juliet-boy, Strip off his wear and never heed his arm! Bid them play on and bring me Juliet's robes! I'll put them on and put on Juliet too. Quick, Henslowe! HENSLOWE What ! a woman play on the stage ? MARY Ay, when the men fail! Quick! I say I'll do it! SHAKESPEARE {Entering.'] Here still? You've heard? MARY [0» the threshold.'] And heeded. Never stop me! You shall have Juliet. You shall have your play. {She and Henslowe hurry out.] MARLOWE There goes a man's master! But does she know the part? SHAKESPEARE She knows each line, she knows each word, she breathed them Into my heart long ere I wrote them down. 98 WILL SHAKESPEARE MARLOWE But to act! Can you trust her? SHAKESPEARE She? Go and watch! I need not. MARLOWE But is it in her? She's Julia not Juliet, not your young Juliet, not your June morning — or is she? SHAKESPEARE You talk! You talk! You talk! What do you know of her? MARLOWE Or you, old Will? SHAKESPEARE I dream her. MARLOWE Well, pleasant dreams! SHAKESPEARE No more. I'm black awake. MARLOWE What's wrong? Ill news? SHAKESPEARE From Stratford. Yes, yes, yes, Kit! And it must come now, just now, after ten dumb years! MARLOWE Stratford! Whew! I'd forgotten your nettle-bed. What does she want of you? WILL SHAKESPEARE 99 SHAKESPEARE Hark! Mary's on. MARLOWE It's a voice like the drip of a honey-comb. SHAKESPEARE Can she play Juliet, man? Can she play Juliet? I think she can. Kit? MARLOWE Ay? SHAKESPEARE Oh, is there peace Anywhere, Kit, in any, any world? MARLOWE What is it, peace? SHAKESPEARE It passeth understanding. They round the sermon off on Sunday with it. Laugh in their sleeves and send us parching home. This is a dew that dries ere Monday comes, And oh, the heat of the seven days! MARLOWE I like it! The smell of dust, the shouting, and the glare Of crowded noon in cities, and such nights As this night, crowning labour. What is — peace? STAGE HAND lEntering.'\ Sir, sir, sir, will you come down, sir, says Mr. Hens- 100 WILL SHAKESPEARE lowe. The end's near and the house half mad. We've not seen a night like this since — since your night, sir! Your first night, sir, your roaring Tamburlaine night! Never anything like it and I've seen many. Will you come, sirs? SHAKESPEARE You go, Marlowe ! STAGE HAND There's nothing to fear, sir! It runs like clock- work. The lady died well, sir ! Lord, who'd think she was a woman! There, there, it breaks out. Listen to 'em! Come, sir, come, come! MARLOWE We'll come! We'll come! {The man goes out.l SHAKESPEARE Not I! Oh, if you love me, Marlowe, swear I'm ill, gone away, dead, what you please, but keep them away! I can stand no more. MARLOWE It's as she said — ^mad — mad — to fling your luck away. SHAKESPEARE A frost has touched me, Marlowe, my fruit's black. Help me now! Go, go! Say I'm gone, as I shall be when I've seen Mary — MARLOWE A back stairs? Now I understand. WILL SHAKESPEARE loi SHAKESPEARE Oh, stop your laughter! I'm to leave London in half an hour. MARLOWE Earnest? For long? SHAKESPEARE Little or long, what matter? I've missed the mo- ment. Who has his moment twice ? MARLOWE Shall you tell her why you go? SHAKESPEARE Mary? God forbid! VOICE Shakespeare! Call Shakespeare! SHAKESPEARE D'you hear them ? Help me ! Say I am gone I Oh, go, go I MARLOWE Well, if you wish it! {He goes out leaving the door ajar. As Shakespeare goes on speaking the murmurs and claps die away and the noises of the stage are heard, the shouts of the scene-shifters, directions being given, and so on. Finally there is silence."] SHAKESPEARE Wish it ? I wish it ? Have you no more for me Of comfort, Marlowe? Oh, what a dumb and measureless gulf divides Star from twin star, and friend from closest friend ! 102 WILL SHAKESPEARE Women, they say, can bridge it when they will: As seamen rope a ship with grappling irons These spinners of strong cords invisible Make fast and draw the drifting glory home In the name of love. I know not. Better go! I am not for this harbour — [There is a sound of hasty footsteps and Mary Fitton enters in Juliefs robes. She stands in the doorway, panting^ exalted, with arms outstretched. The door swings to behind her, shutting out all sound."] MARY Oh, I faced The peacock of the world, the arch of eyes That watched me love a god, the eyes, eyes, eyes. That watched me die of love. Wake me again, soul that did inhabit me, O husband Whose mind I uttered, to whose will I swayed, Whose self of love I was! Wake me again To die of love in earnest ! SHAKESPEARE Mary ! Mary ! MARY 1 cannot ride this hurricane. I spin Like a leaf in the air. Die down and let me lie Close to the earth I am! O stir me not With rosy breathings from the south, the south Of sun and wine and peaks that flame to God Suddenly in the dark! O wind, let be And drive me not; for speech lies on my lips Like a strange finger hushing back my soul With words not mine, and thoughts not mine arise WILL SHAKESPEARE 103 Like marsh-flame dancing ! As a leaf to a tree Upblown, O wind that whirls me, I return. Master and quickener, give me love indeed! SHAKESPEARE These are the hands I never held till now: These are the lips I never felt on mine: This is the hour I dreamed of, many an hour : This is the spirit awake. God in your sky! Did your heart beat so on the seventh dawn? MARY 'Ware thunder! SHAKESPEARE Sweet, He envies and is dumb, Dumb as His dark. He was our audience. Now to His blinding centrum home He hies, Omnipotent drudge, to wind the clocks of Time And tend His 'plaining universes all — To us, to us, His empty theatre of night Abandoning. But we too steal away; For the play's done. Lights out — all over — and here we stand alone, Holding each other in a little room. Like two souls in one grave. We are such lovers — anne's voice As there's no room for in the human air And green side of the grass — SHAKESPEARE A voice ! A voice ! MARY No voice here! 104 WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE In my heart I heard it cry Like a sick child waked suddenly at night. [Crying out.'\ A child — a sick child! Unlink your arms that hold me! MARY Never till I choose SHAKESPEARE Put back your hair! I am lost Unless I lose all gain. O moonless night, In your hot darkness I have lost my way! But kiss me, summer, once! On London Bridge At midnight — I'll be there! Has the clock struck? MARY Midnight long since. SHAKESPEARE Oh, I am damned and lost In hell for ever! MARY Food, dear fool, what harm? If this be hell indeed, is not hell kind ? Is not hell lovely, if this love be hell? Is not damnation sweet? SHAKESPEARE God does not know How sweet, how sweet! WILL SHAKESPEARE 105 MARY Were they not wise, those two Whose same blood beats again in you and me. That chose the desert and the fall and went Exultant from their garden and their God? Long shall the sworded angels stand at ease And idly guard the undesired delight: Long shall the grasses grow and tall the briars, And bent the branches of the ancient trees: And many a year the wilding flowers shall blaze Under a lonely sun, and fruited sweets Shall drop and rot, and feed the roots that feed. And bud again and ripen : long and long Silent the watchman-lark in heaven shall hang High over Eden, e'er they come again Those two, whose blood is our blood, and their love Our love, our own, that no god gave us, ours. The venture ours, the glory ours, the shame A price worth paying, then, now, ever — • SHAKESPEARE Eve, Eve, Eve, the snake has been with you! You draw. You drink my soul as I your body — MARY Kiss! THE CURTAIN FALLS io6 WILL SHAKESPEARE ACT III Scene I. [Shakespeare* s lodging. It is the plain hut well-arranged room of a man of fair means and fine taste. The walls are panelled: on them hang a couple of un- framed engravings, a painting, tapestry, and a map of the known world. There is a four-post bed with a coverlet and hangings of needlework, and on the window-sill a pot of early summer Uowers. There is a chair or two of oak and a table littered with papers. Shakespeare is sitting at it, a manuscript in his hand. On the arm of the chair lolls Marlowe, one arm Hung round Shakespeare's neck, reading over his shoulder Ji SHAKESPEARE Man, how youVe worked! A whole act to my ten lines ! You dice all day and dance all night and yet — how do you do it ? MARLOWE Like it? SHAKESPEARE Like it? What a word for a word-master! Con- sider, Kit ! When the sun rises like a battle song over the sea: when the wind's feet visibly race along the tree-tops of a ten-mile wood: when they shout "Amen!" in the Abbey, praying for the Queen on Armada Day: when the sky is a brass gong and the rain steel rods, and across all suddenly arch the seven colours of the promise — do I like these wonders when I stammer and weep, and know that God lives ? Like, Marlowe ! MARLOWE Yes, yes, old Will! But do you like the new act? WILL SHAKESPEARE loy SHAKESPEARE I like it, Kit! IThey look at each other and laugh."] MARLOWE And now for your scene, ere I go. SHAKESPEARE My scene! I give you what I've done. Finish it alone, Kit, and take what it brings ! I'm sucked dry. MARLOWE IVe heard that before. SHAKESPEARE I wish I had never come to London. MARLOWE Henslowe's back. Seen him? SHAKESPEARE I've seen no-one. Did the tour go well? MARLOWE He says so. He left them at Stratford. Well, I must go. SHAKESPEARE Where? To Mary? MARLOWE Why should I go to your Mary? SHAKESPEARE Because IVe asked you to, often enough. Why else? You've grown to be friends. You could help me if you would. io8 WILL SHAKESPEARE MARLOWE Never step between a man and a woman! SHAKESPEARE But youVe our friend! And they say you know women. MARLOWE They say many things. They say we're rivals, Will — that I shall end by having you hissed. SHAKESPEARE Let them say! But have you seen Mary? When did you last see Mary? MARLOWE I forget. Saturday. SHAKESPEARE Did you speak of me, Kit? Kit, does she speak of me? MARLOWE If you must have it — seldom. New songs, new books, new music — of plays and players and the Queen's tantrums — not of you. SHAKESPEARE I have not seen her three days. MARLOWE Why, go then and see her ! SHAKESPEARE She has company. She is waiting on the Queen. She gives me a smile and a white cool finger-tip, and — "Farewell, Mr. Shakespeare !" Yet a month ago, ay WILL SHAKESPEARE 109 and less than a month — ! Did you give her my mes- sage? What did she say? MARLOWE She laughed and says you dream. She never liked you better. SHAKESPEARE Did she say that ? MARLOWE She says you cool to her, not she to you. SHAKESPEARE Did she say that ? MARLOWE Swore it, with tears in her eyes. SHAKESPEARE Is it so? I wish it were so. Well, you're my good friend, Marlowe! MARLOWE Oh, leave that! SHAKESPEARE Kit, do you blame me so much? MARLOWE Why should I blame you? SHAKESPEARE That I'm here and not in Warwickshire. MARLOWE I throw no stones. Why? Have you heard aught? no WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE No, nor dared ask — nor dared ask, Marlowe. The boy's dead. I know it. But I will not hear it. Mar- lowe, Marlowe, Marlowe, do you judge me? MARLOWE Ay, that putting your hand to the plough you look back. Would I comb out my conscience daily as a woman combs out her hair ? I do what I choose, though it damn me! Blame you? The round world has not such another Mary — or so, had I your eyes, I should hold. For this prize, if I loved her, I would pay away all I had. SHAKESPEARE Honour, Kit? MARLOWE Honour, Will! SHAKESPEARE Faith and conscience and an only son? MARLOWE It*s my own life. What are children to me? SHAKESPEARE Well, I have paid. MARLOWE But you grudge — ^you grudge! Look at you! If you go to her with those eyes it's little wonder that she tires of you. SHAKESPEARE Tires? Who says that she tires? Who says it? MARLOWE Not I, old Will ! Not I ! Why, Shakespeare? WILL SHAKESPEARE in SHAKESPEARE IShaken.l I can't sleep, Kit ! I can't write. What has come to me? I think I go mad. IHe starts.'] Was that the boy on the stairs ? I sent him to her. I wrote. I have waited her will long enough. She shall see me to-night. I'll know what it means. She plays with me, Kit. Are you going ? MARLOWE I shall scarce reach Deptford ere dark. SHAKESPEARE How long do you lodge in Deptford? MARLOWE All summer. HENSLOWE [Pounding at the door."] Who's at home? Who's at home? MARLOWE That's Henslowe. SHAKESPEARE Why does the boy stay so long? HENSLOWE [/» the doorway."] Gentlemen, the traveller returns ! For the last time, I tell you ! My bones grow too old for barn-storming. Do you go as I come, Kit ? Thank you for nothing ! 112 WILL SHAKESPEARE MARLOWE Be civil, Henslowe! "The Curtain's" on its knees to me for my next play. HENSLOWE Pooh ! This man can serve my turn. MARLOWE You see, they'll make rivals of us, Will, before they've done. I'll see you soon again. {He goes out.l HENSLOWE Well, what's the news? SHAKESPEARE I sit at home. You roam England. You can do the talking. How did the tour go? HENSLOWE You're thin, man! What's the matter? Success doesn't suit you? SHAKESPEARE How did the tour go? HENSLOWE By way of Oxford, Warwick, Kenilworth — SHAKESPEARE I said "how" not "where." HENSLOWE — and Leamington and Stratford. We played 'Romeo' every other night — ^and to full houses, my son ! I've a pocketful of money for you. They liked you WILL SHAKESPEARE 113 everywhere. As for your townsfolk, they went mad. You can safely go home, boy ! You'll find Sir Thomas in the front row, splitting his gloves. He'll ask you to dinner. SHAKESPEARE Were you there long? HENSLOWE Two nights. SHAKESPEARE Did you see — anyone? HENSLOWE Why not say — SHAKESPEARE I say, did you pass my house? HENSLOWE I had forgot the way. SHAKESPEARE As I have, Henslowe! HENSLOWE Should I have sought her? SHAKESPEARE No. HENSLOWE Yet I did see her. Making for London, not a week ago, Alone on horseback, sudden the long grey road Grew friendly, like a stranger in a dream Nodding "I know you !" and behold, a love 114 WILL SHAKESPEARE Long dead, that smiles and says, "I never died!" Then in the turn of the lane I saw your thatch. Summer not winter, else was all unchanged. Still in the dream I left my horse to graze. And let ten years slip from me at your gate. SHAKESPEARE Is it ten years? HENSLOWE The little garden lay Enchanted in the Sunday sloth of noon ; In th' aspen tree the wind hung, fast asleep, Yet the air danced a foot above the flowers And gnats danced in it. I saw a poppy-head Spilling great petals, noiseless, one by one : I heard the honeysuckle breathe — sweet, sweet: The briar was sweeter — a. long hedge, pink-starred- SHAKESPEARE I know. HENSLOWE There was a bush of lavender. And roses, and a bee in every rose, Drowning the lark that fluted, fields away, Up in the marvel blue. SHAKESPEARE Did you go in? HENSLOWE Why, scarce I dared, for as I latched the gate The wind stirred drowsily, and "Hush!" it said. And slept again; but all the garden waked Upon the sound. I swear, as I play Prologue, WILL SHAKESPEARE 115 It watched me, waiting. Down the path I crept, Tip-toe, and reached the window, and looked in. SHAKESPEARE You saw — ? HENSLOWE I saw her; though the place was gloom After the sunshine; but I saw her — ; Changed ? I knew her. SHAKESPEARE HENSLOWE SHAKESPEARE Who was with her ? HENSLOWE She was alone, Beside the hearth unkindled, sitting alone. A child's chair was beside her, but no child. Her hands were sleepless, and beneath her breath She tuned a thread of song — your song of * Willow.' But when I tapped upon the window-pane. Oh, how she turned, and how leaped up ! Her face Glowed white as iron new lifted from the forge: Her hair fled out behind her in one flame As to the door she ran, with little cries Scarce human, tearing at the bolt, the key. And flung it crashing back: ran out, wide-armed, Calling your name : then — saw me, and stood still. So still you'd think she died there, standing up, As a sapling will in frost, so desolate She stood, with summer round her, staring — ii6 WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE Well? HENSLOWE I asked her, did she know me? Yes, she said, And would I rest and eat? So much she said To the lawn behind me — oh, to the hollyhock Stiff at my elbow — to a something — nothing — But not to me. I could not eat her food. I told her so. She nodded. Oh, she knows How thoughts run in a man. No fool, no fool ! I spoke of you. She listened. SHAKESPEARE Questioned you? HENSLOWE Never a question. SHAKESPEARE She said nothing? Nothing. Not like her. HENSLOWE SHAKESPEARE HENSLOWE But her eyes spoke, as I came By way of London, Juliet, 'The Rose,' And the Queen's great favour (*'And why not?* they said) Again to silence; so, as I turned to go I asked her — "Any greeting?" Then she said, Lifting her chin as if she sped her words Far, far, like pigeons flung upon the air, And soft her voice as bird-wings — then she said, WILL SHAKESPEARE 117 "Tell him the woods are green at Shottery, Fuller of flowers than any wood in the world." "What else?" said I. She said— "The wind still blows Fresh between park and river. Tell him that!" Said I — "No message, letter?'*' Then she said, Twisting her hands — "Tell him the days are long. Tell him — " and suddenly ceased. Then, with good- bye Pleasantly spoken, and another look At some wraith standing by me, not at me, Went back into the house and shut the door. SHAKESPEARE Ay, shut the door, Henslowe; for had she been this she Ten years ago and I this other I — Well, I have friends to love! Heard Marlowe's news? He's three-part through Leander! Oh, this Mar- lowe! I mine for coal but he digs diamonds. HENSLOWE Yet fill your scuttle lest the world grow chill! Is the new play done? SHAKESPEARE No. HENSLOWE Much written? SHAKESPEARE Not a line. ii8 WILL SHAKESPEARE HENSLOWE Are you mad? We're contracted. What shall I say to the Queen? SHAKESPEARE What you please. HENSLOWE Are you well ? SHAKESPEARE Well enough. HENSLOWE 111 enough, I think! SHAKESPEARE Write your own plays — bid Marlowe, any man That writes as nettles grow or rain comes down! I am not born to it. I write not so. Romeo and Juliet — I am dead of them ! The pay's too small, good clappers! These ghosts need blood To make 'em plump and lively and they know it, And seek their altar. Threads and floating wisps Of being, how they fasten like a cloud Of gnats upon me, not to be shoo'd off Unsatisfied — and they drink deep, drink deep; For like a pelican these motes I feed. And with old griefs' remembrance and old joys' Sharper remembrance daily scourge myself. And still they crowd to suck my scars and live. HENSLOWE Now, now, now — do I ask another 'J^het' of you ? God forbid ! A fine play, your *Juliet,' but — WILL SHAKESPEARE 119 SHAKESPEARE Now come the "buts." HENSLOWE Man, we must live ! Can we fill the theatre on love and longing, and high words ? Ay, when Marlowe does it to the sound of trumpets. But you — you're not Mar- lowe. You know too much. Your gods are too much men and women. Who'll pay sixpence for a heart- ache? and in advance too! Give us but two more *Romeo and Juliets' and you may be a great poet, but we close down. Another tragedy? No, no, no, we don't ask that of you ! We want light stuff, easy stuff. Oh, who knows as well as you what's wanted? It's a court play, my man! The French Embassy's to be there and the two Counts from Italy, and always Essex and his gang, and you know their fancy. Get down to it now, there's a good lad ! Oh, you can do it in your sleep ! Lovers and lasses, and quarrels and kisses, like the two halves of a sandwich ! But court lovers, you know, that talk verse — and between them a green cress of country folk and country song, daffodils and valen- tines, and brown bowls of ale — season all with a pep- per of wit — and there's your sandwich, there's your play, as the Queen likes it, as we all like it ! SHAKESPEARE Ay, as you like it ! There's your title pat ! But I'll not serve you. I'm to live, not write. Tell that to the Queen! [A boy enters wkistling and stops as he sees Shakespeare.'] Well, Hugh, what answer? 120 WILL SHAKESPEARE BOY None, sir! SHAKESPEARE What? No answer? HENSLOWE See here, Will! If you do not write me this play you have thrice promised, I'll to the Queen — sick or mad ril to the Queen this very day for your physic — and so I warn you. SHAKESPEARE [To the boy.'] Did you see — ? BOY The maid, sir ! HENSLOWE I'll not see "The Rose" in ruins for a mad — SHAKESPEARE [To the boy.] But what did I bid you ? BOY Wait on the doorstep till Mistress Fitton came out, though I waited all night. But indeed, sir, she's gone ; for I saw her, though she did not see me. HENSLOWE Oh, the Fitton ! Now I see light through the wood ! SHAKESPEARE What's that you say? HENSLOWE I say that the Queen shall know where the blame lies. WILL SHAKESPEARE 121 SHAKESPEARE You lie. / heard you. / saw you twist your lips round a white name. HENSLOWE Will! Will! Will! SHAKESPEARE Did you not? HENSLOWE Why, Will, you have friends, though you fray 'em to the parting of endurance. SHAKESPEARE What's this? HENSLOWE I say you have friends that see what they see, and are sorry. SHAKESPEARE Yes, I am blessed in one man and woman who do not use me as a beast to be milked dry. I have Marlowe and — HENSLOWE Marlowe? And I said, God forgive me, that you knew men and women ! Marlowe ! SHAKESPEARE You spe?k of my friend. HENSLOWE Ay, Jonathan — of David, the singer, of him that took Bathsheba, all men know how. [Shakespeare makes a threatening movement.'] 122 WILL SHAKESPEARE No, no. Will! I am too old a man to give and take with you — too old a man and too old a friend. SHAKESPEARE So you're to lie and I'm to listen because you're an old man ! HENSLOWE Lie? Ask any in the town. I'm but a day returned and already I've heard the talk. Why, man, they make songs of it in the street ! SHAKESPEARE It? It? It? HENSLOWE Boy? BOY Here, sir? HENSLOWE What was that song you whistled as you came up the stairs ? BOY "Weathercock," sir? HENSLOWE That's it! BOY Lord, sir, I know but the one verse I heard a dray- man sing. HENSLOWE How does it go ? BOY It goes — WILL SHAKESPEARE 123 [SingingJ] Two birds settle on a weathercock — How's the wind to-day — O ? One shall nest and one shall knock — • How's the wind to-day — O ? Turn about and turn about, Kit pops in as Will pops out ! Winds that whistle round the weathercock, Who's her love to-day — O? It's a good tune, sir ! HENSLOWE Eh, Will ? A good tune ! A rousing tune ! SHAKESPEARE [Softly.} "For this prize, if I loved her, I would pay all I had ! I do what I choose though it damn me !" BOY May I go, sir? SHAKESPEARE Go, go ! BOY And my pay, sir? Indeed I'd have stopped the lady if I could. But she made as if she were not herself, and rode out of the yard. But I knew her, for all her riding-coat and breeches. HENSLOWE What's all this? SHAKESPEARE {To the boyl. You're dreaming — 124 WILL SHAKESPEARE BOY No, sir, there was your ring on her finger — SHAKESPEARE Be still ! Take this and forget your dreams ! \_He gives him money.'] Henslowe, farewell! If youVe lied to me I'll pay you for it, and if you've spoken truth to me I'll pay you for it no less. HENSLOWE Pay? I want no pay. I want the play that the Queen ordered, and will have in the end, mark that! You have not yet served the Queen. SHAKESPEARE Boy! Hugh! BOY Sir? SHAKESPEARE Which way did she ride ? BOY Am I asleep or awake, sir? SHAKESPEARE Which way did she ride? BOY Across the bridge, sir, as I dreamt it along the Dept- ford road. SHAKESPEARE Marlowe! The Deptford road! The Deptford road! IHe rushes out.l WILL SHAKESPEARE 125 BOY IShowing his money.'] Dreaming pays, sir! It's gold. HENSLOWE Boy, boy ! Never trust a man ! Never kiss a woman ! Work all day and sleep all night! Love yourself and never ask God for the moon ! So you may live to be old. This business grows beyond me. I'll to the Queen. {He trots out, shaking his head. The boy skips after him, whistling his tune."] The Curtain Falls ACT III Scene II lA private room at an inn late at night. Through the door in the right wall is seen the outer public room, with men sitting drinking. There is a window at the back, set so low in the wall that, above the window- sill, the heads of summer Uowers glisten in the moon- light. On the left wall is the hearth and between it and the window a low bed. In the centre is a table with candle, glasses and mugs, and two or three men sitting round it drinking. Marlowe stands with his back to the window, one foot on a chair, shouting out a song as the curtain rises.] MARLOWE [Singing.] If Luck and I should meet I'll catch her to me crying, 126 WILL SHAKESPEARE *To trip with you were sweet, Have done with your denying !* Hey, lass ! Ho, lass ! Heel and toe, lass ! Who'll have a dance with me? ALL TOGETHER Hey, Luck! Ho, Luck! Ne'er say no. Luck ! I'll have a dance with thee ! A MAN [Hammering the table."] Again ! Again ! LANDLORD [At the door.l Sir, sir, there's without a young gentleman hot with riding — MARLOWE Does the hot young gentleman give no name? LANDLORD Why yes, sir, Archer, Francis Archer ! He said you would know him. MARLOWE I knew an Archer, but he died in Flanders. LANDLORD He may well come from Flanders, sir, for he's muddy. MARLOWE Are Flanders' graves so shallow? Tell him if he's alive I don't know him, and if he's dead I won't WILL SHAKESPEARE 127 know him, and so either way let him go where he belongs. iThe Landlord goes out.'] THE MAN What, Kit ! send him to hell with a dry throat ? MARLOWE And all impostors with him ! THE MAN But what if it were a true ghost? Have a heart! You'll be one yourself some day, and watch old friends run away from you when you come to haunt them in pure good fellowship. LANDLORD {At the door."] Sir, he says indeed he knows you. His business is private. MARLOWE Well, let him come in. No, friends, sit still! If he's the death he pretends we'll face him together as the song teaches. [Singing.'] When Death at last arrives, I'll greet him with a chuckle, I'll ask him how he thrives And press his bony knuckle. With— Ho, boy ! Hey, boy ! Come this way, boy! Who'll have a drink with me ? 128 WILL SHAKESPEARE mary's voice lOn the stairs.'] Hey, Sir! Ho, Sir! No, no, no, Sir! Why should he drink with thee? ALL TOGETHER Hey, Death! Ho, Death! Let me go. Death ! 1*11 never drink with thee ! MARLOWE What voice is that ? {Mary stands in the doorway. She is dressed as a boy, with cloak, riding boots, and slouch cap."} MARY ISinging.l If Love should pass me by, ril follow till I find him'. And when I hear him sigh, I'll tear the veils that blind him. Up, man ! Dance, man ! Take your chance, man ! Who'll get a kiss from me ? ALL TOGETHER Hey, Love ! Ho, I^ove ! None shall know. Love! Keep but a kiss for me ! [They clap.} THE MAN [To Marlowe.'] Ghost of a nightingale! D'you know him? WILL SHAKESPEARE 129 MARLOWE 1 think I do. {To Mary, aside.'] What April freak is this ? THE MAN [With a glass.] Spirits to spirit, young sir! Have a drink! MARY I should choke, sir! We drink nectar in my coun- try. THE MAN Where's that, ghost? MARY Oh, somewhere on the soft side of heaven where the poppies grow. THE MAN He swore you were dead and buried. MARY And so I was. But there's a witch in London so sighs for him and so cries for him, that in the end she whistled me out of my gravity and sent me here to fetch him home to her. THE MAN Her name, transparency, her name? MARY Why, sir, I rode in such haste that my memory could not keep up with me. It'll not be here this half hour. 130 WILL SHAKESPEARE MARLOWE Landlord, pour ale for a dozen, and these friends will drink to her, name or no name — in the next room. THE MAN Kit, you're a man of tact ! I'm a man of tact. We're all men of tact ! Ho, boys ! Hey, boys ! Come this way, boys ! Who'll have a drink with me? [The door closes on them.'] MARY Well, did you ever see a better boy? My hair was the only trouble. MARLOWE Madcap ! What does this mean ? MARY What I said ! [Singnig.'] Moth, where are you flown? To burn in a flame! Moth, I lie alone — You've not been near me these four days. MARLOWE Uneasy days — I could not. MARY Are you burned, moth? Are the poor wings a frizzle? WILL SHAKESPEARE 131 MARLOWE Not mine, dear candle, but a king of moths, But a great hawk-moth, velvet as the night He beats with twilight wings, he, he is singed, Fallen to earth and pitiful. MARY Oh, Shakespeare! My dear, I've run away because I hate The smell of burning. He was to come to me to-night to tell me his trage- dies and his comedies and — oh, I yawn ! And I played her so well too at the first — MARLOWE Who? MARY The cool nymph under Tiber stairs — what's her name? — Egeria. Am I your Egeria, Marlowe? MARLOWE Something less slippery. MARY Oh, she was fun to play — first to please the Queen and then to please myself. For I was caught, you know. It's something to be hung among the stars, something to say — "I was his Juliet !" MARLOWE What, you — you Comedy-Kate? MARY Why, I'm a woman! that is — fifty women! While he played Romeo to my Juliet 132 WILL SHAKESPEARE I could be anything he chose. O Kit! I sucked his great soul out. You never lit the blaze I was for half an hour : then — out I went ! MARLOWE He stoops o'er the embers yet. MARY But ashes fanned Fly from their centre, lighter than a kiss. And settle — where they please ! {She kisses him.'] D'you love me? MARLOWE More than I wish. MARY Would you be cured ? MARLOWE Not possible, MARY ISinging."] Go to church, sweetheart, A flower in your coat ! Your wedding bells shall prove The death of love! The death of lovel Ding-dong ! Ding-dong ! The death of love ! Or so Will says. MARLOWE He should know. MARY What's that? WILL SHAKESPEARE 133 MARLOWE Nothing. MARY He's married? MARLOWE I do not tell you so. MARY Married ! He shall pay me. Married ! I guessed it — but he shall pay me. A country girl ? MARLOWE If you must know ! He has not seen her these ten years. She sent for him the night of 'Juliet/ MARY Why now all's plain. So she's the canker that hath drooped our rose! If I had loved him — I do not love him, Marlowe — This would have fanned a flame. Well, we're all cheats ! But now I cheat with better conscience. Married! Lord, I could laugh ! He must not know I know it. MARLOWE I shan't boast I told you. O Mary, when I first came to you, it was he sent me. He came like a child and asked me to see you, to say what good of him I could, Because I was his friend. And now, see, see, How I have friended him! MARY I love you for it. He shall not know. Why talk of him? Forget him! 134 WILL SHAKESPEARE MARLOWE Can you? MARY Why, that I cannot makes me mad — MARLOWE Forget him? As soon forget myself ! I am his courage. His worldly wisdom — Mary, I think I am The youth he lost in Stratford. Yet we're one age, And now we write one play. If I died of a sudden, It seems he'd breathe me as I left my body, And I should live in him as sunshine lies Forgotten in a forest, and be found In slants and pools and patterns, golden still In all he writes. MARY dull Kit! have I adventured here to hear you talk of dying? MARLOWE You borrowed Archer's name. MARY 1 wanted one that would startle you out to me, and you told me the tale of him once, how young he died. MARLOWE And how unwilling ! You've set him running in my head like a spider in a skull. Spinning across the hollows of mine eyes A web of dusty thought. Sweet, brush him off! Death's a vile dreg in this intoxicant. WILL SHAKESPEARE 135 This liquor of the gods, this seven-hued life. Sometimes I pinch myself, say — "Can you die? Is it possible? Will you be winter-nipped One day like other flies ?" I'm glad you came. Stay with me, stay, till the last minute of life ! Let the court go, the world go, stay with me! MARY {Her arms around him.'] So — quiet till the dawn comes, quiet! Hark! Who called? Did you hear it? MARLOWE Birds in the ivy. MARY No. Twice in the road I stopped and turned about Because I heard my name called. There was nothing ; Yet I had heard it — Mary — Mary — Mary! MARLOWE You heard your own heart pound from riding. MARY Again ! Open the window! {Marlowe rises and goes to the window.] Do you see anything? MARLOWE All's sinister. The moon fled out of the sky Long since, and the black trees of midnight quake. 136 WILL SHAKESPEARE MARY And the wind! What a wind! It tugs at the window-frame Like jealousy, mad to break in and part us. Could you be jealous? MARLOWE If I were a fool I'd let you guess it. MARY Wise, you're wise, but — jealous? Too many men in the world I I'd lift no finger To beckon back the fool that tired of me, Would you? But he, he glooms and says no word, But follows with his eyes when e'er I stir. I hate those asking eyes. Look thus at me But once and — ended, Marlowe! I'll not give But when I choose. IHe sits beside her.l MARLOWE But when I choose. [Behind them the blur of the window is darkened."] MARY [/w his arms.'] Why yes ! Had he your key-word — ! Sometimes I like him yet. When anger comes in a white lightning flash, Then he's the man of men still, then with shut eyes I think him you and shiver and I like him, WILL SHAKESPEARE 137 Held roughly in his arms, thinking of you. The Warwick burr is like an afterwards Of thunder when he's angry, in his speech. MARLOWE What does he say? MARY He says he is not jealous ! He would not wrong me so, nor wrong himself. Then the sky lightens and we kiss — or kiss not! Who cares? Then in come you. It's well he thinks you his In friendship — MARLOWE So I was. [Shakespeare swings himself noiselessly over the sill.l MARY And so you are. And have all things in common as friends should. Eh, friend? Oh, stir not! Frowning? If you were a fool— (How did it run?) you'd let me guess you — jealous! But you're no fool. MARLOWE Let's have no more! You know I loved — I love the man. MARY MARLOWE Why, so do I. You shall not! MARY Then I will not. Not to-night. 138 WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE [Standing by the window."] Why not to-night, my lover and my friend? [He comes down into the room as they start up."] Will you not give me wine and welcome me? Sit down, sit down — we three have much to say ! But tell me first, what does that hand of yours Upon her neck, as there were custom in it? Part ! Part, I say ! Part ! lest I couple you Once and for all ! MARY He's armed! MARLOWE He shall not touch you! SHAKESPEARE You, Marlowe! You! MARLOWE Stand out of her way! SHAKESPEARE You! You! MARLOWE Why then — [Marlowe darts at Shakespeare and is thrown off. He staggers against the table, knocking over the candle. As he strikes the second time his arm is knocked up, striking his own forehead. He falls across the bed. There is an instant's pause, then Shakespeare rushes to him, slipping an arm under his shoulder.] MARY Dead ? Is he dead ? Oh, what an end ! I never saw a dead man. Will — to me! WILL SHAKESPEARE 139 SHAKESPEARE Get help! MARY I dare not. MARLOWE Oh! SHAKESPEARE What is it? MARLOWE Oh! My life, my lovely life, and cast away Untasted, wasted — Death, let me go! {He dies."] MARY What now? Rouse up! Delay Is dangerous. Wake! Wake! What shall we do? SHAKESPEARE O trumpet of the angels lent to a boy. Could I not spare you for the golden blast. For the great sound's sake? What have I done? anne's voice Ah ! Done The thing you would not do — MARY Rouse I Rouse yourself I What now? anne's voice Remember — SHAKESPEARE Hark! A sigh! 140 WILL SHAKESPEARE MARY The wind Keening the night — SHAKESPEARE A sound of weeping — MARY Rain. Is this a time for visions? White-cheeked day Stares through the pane. Each minute is an eye Opening upon us. What shall we do now ? SHAKESPEARE Weep, clamorous harlot ! We have given him death, And shall we dock his rights of death, his peace Upon his bed, his sun of hair smoothed, hands Crossed decently by me, his friend? Close you His eyes with kisses, lest I kill you too! Give him his due, I say! his woman's tears! You were his woman — oh, deny it not! You were his woman. Pay him what you owe! MARY What ? Do you glove my clean hand with your stain, Red fingers ? Soft ! This is your kill, not mine ! My free soul is not sticky with your sins. You pinch your lips? You singe me with your tongue? Your country lilac that you left for me Taught you strange names for a woman. Harlot? I? WILL SHAKESPEARE 141 Sweep your own stable, trickster, married man! Lie, cheat, break faith, until you end a man That bettered you as roses better weeds — SHAKESPEARE That is well known. MARY — and now you'll stare and weep Until the watch comes and the Queen hears all. Then — ends all ! And I caught with you ! She's a devil of ice Since Leicester died. No man or woman stirs her; But she must have her toys! London's her doll's house. Its marts, its theatres. This death was half her pride, And you the other. Was I not set to mould you? What will she do to me now her doll's broken, Broken in my hand? I fear her, oh, I fear her. The green eyes of her justice and her smile. Will, if you love me — you who have had my lips, And more, and more, and shall have all again, All that you choose, and gladly given — awake ! Fly while there's time to save yourself and me ! Look not on him — he's blind — he cannot speak, Nor a stretch a hand to stay you — ^he's cold nothing ! But we, we live! Here on my throat, here, here, (Give me your fingers!) feel the hot pulse live! Yet I'll die sooner than be pent. You know me I Must I lie still for ever at his side Because you will not rouse yourself ? 142 WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE Who Speaks? O vanished dew, O summer sweetness gone, perfume staled in a night, that yesterday Was fresh as morning roses — do you live? Are you still Mary? O my shining lamp Of love put out, how dark the world has grown! Did you want him so? Did it come on you suddenly. And shake you from your north — • MARY The dawn! the dawn! SHAKESPEARE Or did you never love me — where do you point? MARY To save ourselves comes first! SHAKESPEARE To answer me! MARY Fool! Fool! Will you hang? Let go, fool! SHAKESPEARE Answer me! MARY Will, for the love of living — r SHAKESPEARE Answer me! MARY 1 never loved you. Are you answered? WILL SHAKESPEARE 143 anne's voice Oh— For a month — in the spring — SHAKESPEARE Is it a month ago? The trees are not yet metalled with the dust Of summer, that were greening when we two — MARY Oh, peace! SHAKESPEARE — in a night of spring — MARY Ah, was it love? SHAKESPEARE Remember, Beauty, when you came to me. As came the beggar to Cophetua, As queens came conquered to the Macedon, As Cressid came by night to Diomed, As night comes queenly to the bed of day Enmantled in her hair, so you to me, Juliet and all your night of hair was mine To curtain me and you — MARY Forgotten, forgotten — SHAKESPEARE That night you loved me — anne's voice I was drunk with dreams That night. 144 WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE That night of victory you loved me! I have my witnesses. O watching stars — MARY The eyes, the eyes, the arch of eyes! SHAKESPEARE — speak for me! Once was a taper that outshone you all, It burned so bright. Oh, how you winked and pried ! I saw you through the tatters of the dark And mocked you in my hour. Yet speak for me, Eternal lights, for now my candle's blown Past envy! But she loved me then! MARY I know not. SHAKESPEARE Though god and devil deny — you loved me then! MARY But was it love? I could have loved if you had taught me loving. Something I sought and found not ; so I turned From searching. I have clean forgotten now That ever I sought — and so live merrily — And so will live! Why wreck myself for you? SHAKESPEARE O heart's desire, and eyes' desire of hands, Self of myself, have pity! WILL SHAKESPEARE 145 MARY What had you? If I had borne you children (but I was wise, Knowing my man, as men have taught me men) What name had you to give them, to give me? No, no, I wrong you, for you christened me But now, first having slain him who had struck The rankness from your mouth. SHAKESPEARE What I have done — MARY Lied, lied to me! SHAKESPEARE — and if I did — ANNE's VOICE To hold you ! I couldn't lose you. I was mad with pain. MARY Tricked me — SHAKESPEARE To hold — listen to me — to hold you! Lest I should lose you. I was mad with pain. MARY Are you so womanish that a breath of pain—: SHAKESPEARE A breath ! God, listen ! A breath, a summer breath ! MARY !— could blow away your honour? 146 WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE Once it was mine. I laid it up with you. Where is it now? I'm stripped of honour like an oak in June Whose leaves a curse of caterpillars eat, That stands a mockery to flowers and men, With naked arms praying the lightning down. anne's voice At Shottery the woods are green — SHAKESPEARE My God! anne's voice And full of flowers — SHAKESPEARE Let be, let be! My honour? I bought it with a woman — not like you, A faithless-faithful woman — not like you; But weak as I'm weak, loving as I love, God help her! not like you — no black-eyed Spain Whose cheeks hang out their red to match the red When bull meets man — no luxury that wears A lover like new clothes, and all the while Eyes other women's fashions ; but a woman That should have loved me less, poor fool, and less — MARY You should have loved me less, my fool, and less! SHAKESPEARE Yet from this folly all the music springs That is in the world, and all my hopes that ranged WILL SHAKESPEARE 147 Lark-high in heaven! Yet murder comes of it. Look where he Hes ! He was true friend to me, And I to him, until you came, you came. MARY I came and I can go. SHAKESPEARE Mary! [There is a clatter of hoofs.} MARY D'you hear? Horses! What do they seek? You, Marlowe, melj SHAKESPEARE This they call conscience. MARY Take your hand away! I'll slip through yet; nor shall you follow me; You had your chance. Listen! A boy was here; One Francis Archer. Say it after me — No woman, but a boy, a stranger to you ! SHAKESPEARE Strange to me, Mary. [There is a sound of voices in the yard.1 MARY If you hold me now ril scream and swear you stabbed him as he slept, They're drinking still. [She opens the door."] 148 WILL SHAKESPEARE VOICES [/« the outer room.'] Hey, boy ! Ho, boy ! Heel and toe, boy! Who'll have a drink with me? MARY If you should get away. Send me no message, come not near me! Now! [She slips into the room. Shakespeare stands at the half open door watching.'] A MAN Sing another verse! ANOTHER There's the boy back. Make him sing it! MARY I'm to fetch more wine first. THE MAN Sing another verse! ANOTHER If Love and I should meet, I'll catch her to me — ANOTHER Luck, you fool, not love! ANOTHER Where's the difference? If you're in love you're in luck. WILL SHAKESPEARE 149 ANOTHER Here, stop the boy! MARY Let me pass, gentlemen! THE MAN Sing another verse! ANOTHER If Love and I — ANOTHER Shut up now and let the kid sing it! MARY Why yes, if you'll let me pass afterwards, sir, like love in the song. THE MAN Sing another verse ! Sing twenty other verses ! MARY [Singing. "] If Love should pass me by, I'll follow till I find him. And when I hear him cry, I'll tear the veils that blind him! THE MAN Now then, chorus! ALL TOGETHER Hey, Love! Ho, Love! None shall know, Love! Keep but a kiss for me! IMary disappears in the crowd. The door swings to as Shakespeare turns back into the room.'] 150 WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE Marlowe ! Marlowe ! She is gone, Marlowe, that was a fume of wine Between us. Marlowe, Marlowe, speak to me! Never a sound. We have seen many a dawn Creep like a house-wife on the drunken night, And tumble him from heaven with work day hand And bird-shrill railing; but such a waking up As this we never knew. Sorry and cold I look on you. Kit, Kit, this mark of the knife Is the first blot I ever saw in you. The first ill-writing. Kit, for your own sake, You should have wronged a stranger, not your friend ; For like a looking glass my heart still served you To see yourself, and when you struck at me. You struck yourself, and broke this mirror too. \_A knock.'] Mary? Is it Mary? Lie you quiet, Marlowe! We will not let her in. HENSLOWE Within, who's within there? SHAKESPEARE Two dead men. HENSLOWE Is it Marlowe? Is Shakespeare there? SHAKESPEARE Come in, come in, come in! [Henslowe comes in hurriedly. He leaves the door half open behind him.} WILL SHAKESPEARE 151 VOICES [Singing.'] Ho, boy! Hey, boy! Come this way, boy! Who'll have a drink with me? HENSLOWE Why, here's a bird of wisdom sitting in the dark! Shut your eyes, man, and use candles or you'll scorch out your own sockets ! What's wrong now ? But tell me that as we ride; for the Queen wants you in a hurry, and what's more an angry Queen. I'd not be you ! Here I've hunted London for you from tavern to lady's lodging till I ferreted out that Marlowe was here, and so I followed him for news. SHAKESPEARE Here's news enough. Henslowe, look here! HENSLOWE Who did it? SHAKESPEARE We — he and I. There was another in it. HENSLOWE Was it the youngster passed me in the yard. Caught at his horse and rode like fear away? SHAKESPEARE Was't a pale horse? HENSLOWE I saw not. In the dark A voice cried "Hurry!" 152 WILL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE That was she. HENSLOWE Who? Who? SHAKESPEARB Death. She has fled and left her catch behind. Can you do anything? HENSLOWE For the living scarce — You must be got away. Are you known here? As men know Cain. All, all is finished, Henslowe! LANDLORD {Putting his head in at the door."] Is an3rthing wrong sir? HENSLOWE Wrong? What should be wrong? But we're in haste. Call the ostler ! We want a second horse. IHe slips his arm through Shakespeare's and tries to lead him to the door."] LANDLORD Is the gentleman ill, sir ? He sways. HENSLOWE Your good wine, host. A MAN {Over the Landlord's shoulder."] The best on the Surrey side ! WILL SHAKESPEARE 153 HENSLOWE He'll tell the Queen so in an hour if you'll make way. MEN {Crowding into the doorway."] The Queen! Did you hear? He's been sent by the Queen! HENSLOWE Keep your people back, landlord! THE MAN {Staggering into the room.'\ I say, three cheers for the Queen ! ANOTHER The Queen! The Queen! Three cheers for Bess J [Singing.] Hey, Bess! Ho, Bess! Heel and toe, Bess! Ladies and gentlemen, here's a man on the bed. HENSLOWE Ay! My friend! Let him be! THE MAN Is he drunk too? THE OTHER If I were a judge I'd say *'Very drunk"! He's spilled his wine on his clothes. What I say is "Waste not, want not !" LANDLORD Come now, come away ! You hear what the gentle- man says. 154 WILL SHAKESPEARE THE MAN {Throwing him o^.] Hey, Death! Ho, Death! Let me go, Death! Shall I wake him? SHAKESPEARE ^Turning in the doorway. 1 Ay, wake him, wake him, old trump of judgment! Wake him if you can. And if you cannot let him sleep his sleep And envy him that he can sleep so sound ! THE MAN Ay sir, he shall sleep till he wakes. But we, sir, we*ll sing you oif the premises, for the love of Bess. Hey, Bess? Ho, Bess! ANOTHER {Hammering the table."] Death, not Bess! Death! Death! Death! Come along chorus! TWO OR THREE [As they lurch out of the room."] Ho, boy ! Hey, boy ! Come this way, boy! Who'll have a drink with me? ALL {Following.'] Hey, Death! Ho, Death! Out you go. Death! We'll never drink with thee! WILL SHAKESPEARE 155 IThe door swings to and quiet settles on the lightening room. The first ray of sunlight touches the bed. Out- side the birds are beginning to sing.} THE CURTAIN FALLS ACT IV [^A room in the palace, hung with tapestries. On the right wall is a heavy, studded door: on the left, a great raised seat on a low platform. On the hack wall is a small curtained door and a large window. A girl in a primrose-coloured gown stands at it holding hack its curtain. Set slantwise in front of it, nearer the centre of the stage, is a writing table with scattered papers. At it sits Elisabeth, a secretary beside her. The Queen's dress is of dull grey brocade with trans- parent lawn and jewels of aquamarine; hut as the evening deepens its colour becomes one with the dusk and only her white face and hands are clearly seen.'] . A HAWKER ^Chanting in the street far away.] Cress! Buy cress! Who'll buy my cress-es? [^Elisabeth lays down her pen.] ELIZABETH These three are signed. Take them to Walsingham. This 111 not grant. Tell him so! [The man bows and goes out,] HAWKER [Nearer.] Cress! Buy cress! ELIZABETH There! Put the papers by! [The girl at the window comes down to the table and be- gins to sort them.] 156 WILL SHAKESPEARE 157 ANOTHER HAWKER Strawberries! Ripe strawberries! THE GIRL I wonder, Madam, that you choose this room Here on the noisy street. ELIZABETH Child, when you marry Who'll rule your nursery, you or your maids? GIRL Why, that I will! ELIZABETH Then you must sit in it daily. Where's Mary Fitton? GIRL In waiting. Madam, and half asleep. She was up early to-day. I saw her from my window by the little garden door and called to her. She had been out to pick roses, as you bade her, ere the dew dried on them. ELIZABETH As I bade her? GIRL Yes, Madam, she said so. HAWKER {Close at hand. 2 Cress! Buy cress! Fit for Queen Bess! ELIZABETH open the window! {The girl opens it."] 158 WILL SHAKESPEARE HAWKER Cress! Buy cress! Who'll buy my cress-es? ELIZABETH Fetch me my purse ! [The girl goes out by the little door. As she does sOj Elisabeth takes her purse from a drawer and going to the window, throws out a coin.'] HAWKER Cress! Buy cress! Are you there, lady? [Elisabeth throws out another coin."] I plucked my riches From Deptford ditches, I came by a Deptford Inn; Where a young man lies, With pennies on his eyes — Murdered, lady, and none saw who did it! Cress ! Buy cress ! [Elisabeth Uings out another coin.] There was a boy that ran away, and Henslowe the Queen^s man, and a third — Cress! Buy cress! A supper for Queen Bess! [Elizabeth lays down the purse on the table as the girl comes back.] GIRL [Distressed.] Madam — ■ WILL SHAKESPEARE 159 ELIZABETH It was here. That cress seller has a sweet voice. Fling her a coin and ask her where she lives ! GIRL \_Going to the window. '\ Hey, beggar! HAWKER Bless you, lady! GIRL Where do you come from with your green stuff ? HAWKER Marlow, lady, Marlow! Down by the river where the cresses grow, And buttercups like guineas. Cress ! Buy cress ! Who'll buy my cress-es? [Her voice dies away in the distance.^ GIRL She has come a long way. Marlow's across the river, far from us. ELIZABETH Marlowe's across the river, far from us. If any ask to speak with me, let me know it ! GIRL Why, Madam, Henslowe, the old player, has been waiting since noon, and Mr. Shakespeare with him. ELIZABETH The name's not written here. Whose duty? i6o WILL SHAKESPEARE GIRL Mary Fitton's. ELIZABETH Send Henslowe ! And when I ring let Mary Fitton answer ! GIRL I'll tell her, Madam. IShe goes out. Elizabeth rises and goes slowly across the room to the dais and seats herself. There is a pause. Then a page throws open the big door facing the dais and Henslowe enters.'] ELIZABETH Henslowe, you're not welcome For the news you bring. HENSLOWE Madam, that Marlowe's dead I know because I found him — I am new come from Deptford — But how you know I know not. ELIZABETH Why, not a keel ^1 Grounds on the Cornish pebbles, but the jar Thrills through all English earth home to my feet. No riderless horse snuffs blood and gallops home To a girl widowed, but I the sparking hoofs Hear pound as her heart pounds, waiting; for my spies Are everywhere. Do not my English swifts Report to me at dusk, eavesdropping low, The number of my English primroses WILL SHAKESPEARE 161 In English woods all spring? The gulls on Thames Scream past the Tower "Storm in Channel! Storm!" And if I hear not, sudden my drinking glass Rings out "Send help, lest English sailors drown!" The lantern moon swings o'er unvisited towns Signalling "Peace!" or a star shoots out of the west Across my window, flashing "Danger here!" And is it Ireland rising, or a child On chalk-pit roof after the blackberries, I'm warned, and bid my human servants haste. The flat-worn stones, the echoes of the streets At night when drunkards tumble, citizens In the half silence and half light trot home, Reveal the well, the ill in my own land. I am its eyes, its pulse, its finger-tips. The wakeful partner of its married soul. I know what darkness does, what dawn discovers In all the English country. I am the Queen. You have done my errand? Shakespeare the player is with you? HENSLOWE He waits without. ELIZABETH Then he too was at Deptford last night. HENSLOWE None knows it. ELIZABETH That's well! But was it he, Henslowe — ^he? HENSLOWE No, no, no! I'll swear it i62 WILL SHAKESPEARE ELIZABETH But will he swear it? HENSLOWE He's dazed, he will say anything — yes — no — , Just as you prompt him, as if one blow had struck His soul and Marlowe's body. Madam, he's not his witness ! Yet, if 'twere true, if he has lost us Marlowe, Must we lose him? Then has the English stage Lost both her hands and cannot feed herself, Starves, Madam! ELIZABETH You're honest, Henslowe! Your son's son one day May help a king to thread a needle's eye. But do you think he did it? HENSLOWE No, though he says it, For he loved him. ELIZABETH Loved him, but a woman better. HENSLOWE There was no woman with them. ELIZABETH So I hear; but a boy! HENSLOWE Unknown. ELIZABETH Did you see him? WILL SHAKESPEARE 163 HENSLOWE Not his face. He was past me in a flash, crying "Hurry!" ELIZABETH Well, ril see Shakespeare. HENSLOWE Madam — ELIZABETH I thread my own needles, Henslowe, being a woman. [Mary Fitton enters.'] Send Mr. Shakespeare to me! [Then, as Mary turns to go — ] Mary! MARY Madam? ELIZABETH Bid him hurry! [Mary turns to the door.'l' Mary! MARY Madam ? ELIZABETH What did I tell you but now? MARY Madam, to bid him hurry. HENSLOWE {^Recognising the voice.'] "Hurry!" ELIZABETH Wait. Daylight, Henslowe? Girl, you're slow. You go heavily. Have you not slept? Let Henslowe do your errand! i64 WILL SHAKESPEARE ITo HensloweJ] Let him wait at hand ! MARY Madam, I can well go. ELIZABETH No hurry now. ]^Henslowe goes out.'] D'you guess why I send for your teller of tales ? MARY No, Madam. ELIZABETH He has told a tale, it seems, that I'd hear told again. MARY Told? ELIZABETH Why are you not in black, Mary? MARY I, Madam? ELIZABETH Marlowe is dead. MARY I grieve to hear it. ELIZABETg When did you hear? MARY Why, Madam, now — you tell me! ELIZABETH Then I tell you wrong. He is alive and has told all. WILL SHAKESPEARE 165 MARY Alive? They lie to you, Madam! What has he told? Who says it? ELIZABETH You, Mary Fitton! For by your dark-ringed eyes Your dreaming service and those blind hands of yours Seeking a hold, I think you saw him die. Ere you passed Henslowe in the dark, crying "Hurry !'* MARY Madam, it was your errand. For this Shakespeare, This quill you thrust on me to sharpen up. Jealous of Marlowe, though he had no cause (What! must I live his nun, his stay-at-home? Your servant and a lady of the court!), Sent me a letter — ELIZABETH Let me read! MARY I tore it 1 — so inked in threat that I post-haste for Deptford — ELIZABETH 111 judged! MARY I know ! I followed my first fear. — rode to warn Marlowe. Shakespeare following, Spying upon us, spying upon us. Madam ! Found us in counsel. Then, with a hail of words That Marlowe would not bear, with "stale" and "harlot," i66 WILL SHAKESPEARE He beat me down, till Marlowe flung 'em back ; Then like two dogs they struggled. Marlowe fell. ELIZABETH Struck down? MARY Struck down, but blindly, not to kill — I will not think to kill — and as he fell His own knife caught him, here. ELIZABETH What did you then? MARY I, Madam? ELIZABETH You, Madam? Did you fold your hands And watch this business as you'd watch a play, And clap them on? Or, as a short month since You played a part I think, did you strike in And play a part ? Why did you call for help ? MARY I did not, Madam! ELIZABETH Why did not Mary Fitton Cry help against — which lover? MARY Lover, Madam? ELIZABETH There's tinker, tailor, soldier — the old rhyme — ? There's Pembroke, Marlowe, Shakespeare — : MARY Madam ! Madam ! I'll not bear this ! WILL SHAKESPEARE 167 ELIZABETH Ay, you have fierce black eyes — What will you do then if you will not bear it? You have leave to show. MARY I say I did cry out To both that they should cease. ELIZABETH So you cried out! Bring up your witnesses that heard you cry! MARY I did not stand and watch. I ran upon them. I was flung off and bruised. ELIZABETH Show me the bruise ! MARY High on my arm — ELIZABETH Rip up your sleeve and show me ! You stand, you stare, you're white. I think you shake. MARY Anger not fear, though you were ten times Queen Of twenty Englands! ELIZABETH Quiet, and quiet, my girl! This ill-spent night has left you feverish. You are too free for court. i68 WILL SHAKESPEARE Too bruised and touzled for my gentlemen. You shall go home, I think, to heal this bruise, To cleanse your body and soul in country air And banished quiet till I send for you. MARY Upon what count? ELIZABETH On none. But I've no time. No room for butter-fingers. Here's a man slain Upon your lap that England needed. Go! Go, blunted tool! \_She touches a bellJ] MARY Madam ! Madam ! You wrong me ! ELIZABETH IVe wronged your betters, Mary, Mary Fitton, As tide wrongs pebble, or as wind wrongs chaff At threshing time. lA page enters at the great door on the right.'] Send Mr. Shakespeare to me! MARY This is the justice of the Queen of England ! ELIZABETH My justice. MARY Have I not served you? ELIZABETH All things serve me. They choose their path. I use them in their path. WILL SHAKESPEARE 169 MARY As once you used, they say — ELIZABETH Do not dare ! Do not dare ! MARY Dare, Madam? May I not wonder, like another. Why you have used me thus? ELIZABETH I used you, dirt, To show a man how foul the dirt can be; But now I brush you from him. [The main door opens and Henslowe enters followed by Shakespeare, She beckons to Henslowe.^ Henslowe ! HENSLOWE Madam? [They speak privately for a moment, then Henslowe goes out by the small door."] MARY [To Shakespeare."] You come to cue! SHAKESPEARE What has fallen? MARY Sent away Because of you, because my name is Mary! SHAKESPEARE Go to my lodging ! Wait for me ! I'll follow, For where you go I go. 170 WILL SHAKESPEARE MARY Ay, bring your wife! This act is over! There are other men! \_She goes out.'\ SHAKESPEARE Mary ! Love, life, the breath I breathe, come back ! Mary, you have not heard me ! Mary ! Mary Come back! \The door shuts with a clang.'] anne's voice Come back! ELIZABETH Never in any world! Fasten the door there! SHAKESPEARE [Struggling to open it.] Open! Open, I say! Beat, beat your heart out ! Let me watch you beat Those servants of your soul until they bleed, Mash, agonise, against a senseless door! Beat, beat your weaker hands than that dead tree, Tear, tear your nails upon its nails in vain. Beat, beat your heart out — you'll not pass the door! Can you not come at her ? She goes — ^beat, beat ! The distance widens, like a ship she goes Utterly from you. Follow! Beat your hands! What? Are you held, you who bow men with words Windily down like corn-fields? Is she gone? Call up the clouds to carry you who walk WILL SHAKESPEARE 171 Sky-high, star -level, eyeing the naked sun. Where are your wings? Beat, beat your heart out! Beat! Where is your strength ? Will not the wood be moved ? Cannot your love-call reach her, you who know The heart of the lark and how the warm throat thrills At mating-time? Is there a living thing You do not dwell in, cannot stir, and yet You cannot move this door? SHAKESPEARE I am not so bound — ELIZABETH Why, yes, there's the window ! You may cast down and be done with it all — done with it all ! I'll not stop you. Who am I to keep a man from his sweet rest? And yet — what of me, my son, before you do it? What of me and this England that I am? SHAKESPEARE Madam, I have not slept these five nights. I do not know what you say. ELIZABETH Or care? SHAKESPEARE Or care, Madam, forgive me! God's pity, Madam, open the door! ELIZABETH It shall not serve you. SHAKESPEARE I know it. 172 WILL SHAKESPEARE ELIZABETg She has sold you, man. SHAKESPEARE I know it. open the door! ELIZABETH Come here, my son! Why do I hold you here, think you? SHAKESPEARE ' Marlowe — ELIZABETH Tell me nothing! I'll know nothing! Mr. Shake- speare, where is the work I should have from you? Where is the new play? You sold and I bought. Give me my goods! Then go! SHAKESPEARE A play? You are Queen, Madam, you do not live our lives; so I call you not pure devilish to keep me here for so little a thing. ELIZABETH Yet I will have it from you! There's paper, pen — I'll have your roughed-out scene ere Henslowe leaves To-night. And ere the ended month this play, This English laughter, ringing all her bells. Before the pick of Europe at my court Performed, shall link our hands with Italy, With old immortal Athens. This you'll do, For this you can. WILL SHAKESPEARE 173 SHAKESPEARE {Crying outJ] I am to live, not write, To love, not write of love, to live my life As others do, to live a summer life As all the others do! ELIZABETH I thought so too When I was young. Then, 'mid my state affairs And droning voices of my ministers, The people's acclamation and the hiss Of treacheries to England and to me. Ever I heard the momentary clock Ticking away my girlhood as I reigned; While she — while she — Mary of Scotland, Mary of delight, (I know her sweetheart names, Maybird, Mayflower, The three times married honeysuckle queen. She had her youth. Think you I'd not have changed, Sat out her twenty years a prisoner. Ridden her road from France to Fotheringay, To have her story? Am I less woman, I, That I'd not change with her? For the high way Is flowerless, and thin the mountain air And rends the lungs that breathe it ; and the light Spreading from hill to everlasting hill, Welling across the sky as from a wound, A heart of blood between the breasts of the world, Is not much nearer, no, nor half as warm As the kissing sun of the valleys: and we climb (You'll climb as I do) not because we will. 174 WILL SHAKESPEARE Because we must. There is no virtue in it ; But some pride. Fate can force but not befool me! I am not drunken with religious dream Like the poor blissful fools of kingdom come : I know the flesh is sweetest, when all's said, And summer's heyday and the love of men: I know well what I lose. I'm head of the Church And stoop my neck on Sunday — ^to what Christ? The God of little children? I have none. The God of love? What love has come to me? The God upon His ass ? I am not meek. Nor is he meek, the stallion that I ride, The great white horse of England. I'll not bow To the gentle Jesus of the women, I — But to the man who hung 'twixt earth and heaven Six mortals hours, and knew the end (as strength And custom was) three days away, yet ruled His soul and body so, that when the sponge Blessed his cracked lips with promise of relief And quick oblivion, he would not drink: He turned his head away and would not drink: Spat out the anodyne and would not drink. This was a god for king and queens of pride, And him I follow. Whither? SHAKESPEARE ELIZABETH The alley's blind. For the cross rules us or we rule the cross, Yet the cross wins in the end. For night is older than the daylight is: WILL SHAKESPEARE 175 The slack string will not quiver for the hand Of cunningest musician. Does the cross care, a chafer on a pin, Whether Barabbas writhe, or very God? All's one to the dead wood! Dead wood, dead wood, It coffins us in the end. God, you and me And everyone — the dead wood baffles all. And why I care I know not, but I know That I'll die fighting — and the fight goes on. Yet not uncaptained shall the assault go on Against dead wood fencing the hearts of men. For this I chose you. I am a barren woman. Mary's child Reigns after me in England. Yet, tonight, I crown my heir. I England, crown my son. SHAKESPEARE There was a better man but yesterday — To him the crown! King was he of all song. ELIZABETH He's king now of the silence after song. When the last bell-note hovers, like a high And starry rocket that dissolves in stars. Lost ere they reach us. He is lord of that For ever. SHAKESPEARE He — he had the luck; but I, But England was not lucky. ELIZABETH Be assured Had England chosen Marlowe, here to-night England had crowned him, and you in Surrey ditch 176 WILL SHAKESPEARE Had lain where he lies, dead, my dead son, dead. Take you the kingship on you ! SHAKESPEARE A player king — ELIZABETH As I a player-queen ! I play my part Not ill, not ill. Judge me, my English peer. And witness for me, that I play not ill My part ! And if by night, unseen, I weep. Scourging my spirit down the track of the years. Hating the name of Mary, as she said; Yet comes and goes my hour, and comes again, My hour, when I bear England in my breast As God Almighty bears His universe, England moves in me, I for England speak. As I speak now. It is not the shut door, But I, but England, holds you prisoner. SHAKESPEARE But to what service, England, and what end? ELIZABETH I send my ships where never ships have sailed, To break the barriers and make wide the ways For the after world. Send you your ships to the hidden lands of the soul, To break the barriers and make plain the ways Between man and man. Why else were we two bom ? SHAKESPEARE What's the worth of a play? WILL SHAKESPEARE 177 ELIZABETH My ships are not so great And ride not like firm islands of dry land As Philip's do; yet these my cockle-boats Have used the vast world as a village pound. And fished for treasure above the planets' bed In the drowned palaces where, water-bleached, Atlantis gleams as gleams the skull-white moon. Rolled in the overwhelming tides of time Hither and down the beaches of the sky. Send out your thoughts as I send out my men, To earn a world for England! — paying first The toll of the pioneer. I do not cheat. Here is the bill — reckon it ere you pay! SHAKESPEARE Have I not paid? ELIZABETH Nay, hourly, till you die. I tell you, you shall toss upon your bed Crying "Let me sleep!" as men cry "Let me live!" And sleeping you shall still cry "Mary! Mary!" This will not pass. Think not the sun that wakes The birds in England and the daisy-lawns, Draws up the meadow fog like prayer to heaven, And curls the smoke in cottage chimney stacks. Shall once forget to wake you with a warm And kissing breath ! The four walls shall repeat The name upon your lips, and in your heart The name, the one name, like a knife shall turn. These are your dawns. / tell you, I who know. Nor shall day spare you. All your prospering years. 178 WILL SHAKESPEARE The tasteless honours for yourself — not her — The envy in men's voices, (if they knew The beggar that they envied ! ) all this shall stab, Stab, stab, and stab again. And little things Shall hurt you so: stray words in books you read, And jests of strangers never meant to hurt you: The lovers in the shadow of your fence. Their faces hid, shall thrust a spare hand out, The other held, to stab you as you pass : And oh, the cry of children when they play ! You shall put grief in irons and lock it up. And at the door set laughter for a guard. Yet dance through life on knives and never rest. While England knows you for a lucky man. These are your days. I tell you, I, a queen. Ruling myself and half a world. I know What fate is laid upon you. Carry it! Or, if you choose, flinch, weaken, and fall down, Lie flat and howl, and let the ones that love you (Not burdened less) half carry it and you! Will you do that? Proud man, will you do that? SHAKESPEARE Because you are all woman — ELIZABETH Have you seen it? None other sees. SHAKESPEARE — and not as youVe the Queen, ril let you be the tongue to my own soul. Yet not for long Pll bear it. WILL SHAKESPEARE 179 ELIZABETH To each his angel For good or ill. Women to a man, the man to a woman ever Mated or fated. I am this fate to you, As to me once a fallen star you knew not. It's long ago. You should have known the man. He was the glory of the English night. Its red star in decline. For see what came — His fires were earthy and he choked himself In his own ash. Not good but goodly was he, A natural prince of the world : and he had been one Had he been other, or I blind, or — Mary. Lucifer ! Lucifer ! He loved me not, But would have used me. Well — ^he used me not. He died. I loved him. This between us two. Bury it deep! SHAKESPEARE Deep as my sorrow lies. But Queen, what cometh after? ELIZABETH Work. SHAKESPEARE And after? ELIZABETH Sleep comes for me. SHAKESPEARE And after ? ELIZABETH Sleep for you. SHAKESPEARE And after? i8o WILL SHAKESPEARE ELIZABETH Nothing. Only the blessed sleep. SHAKESPEARE And so ends all? ELIZABETH And so all ends. SHAKESPEARE Love ends? ELIZABETH And so love ends. SHAKESPEARE I have a word to say. Give me this crown and reach the sceptre here! The end's not yet, but yet the end is mine ; For I know what I am and what I do At last! Give me my pen, ere the spark dies That lights me ! And now leave me ! IHe turns to the table and his work.'] ELIZABETH ILoudly.] Open the door! SHAKESPEARE Sesame, sesame! A word to say — [The door is Hung open and the long passage is seen.'] O darkness, did she pass between your walls, And left no picture on the empty air, No echo of her step that waits for mine To wake it in a message? What do I here? "A word to say"! There's nothing left but words. [Elizabeth has descended from her throne and crossing the room, pauses a moment beside him.] WILL SHAKESPEARE i8i ELIZABETH Is the harness heavy — heavy? SHAKESPEARE Heavy as lead. Heavy as a heart. ELIZABETH It will not lighten. SHAKESPEARE Go! IShe goes out.'] I had a word to say. Oh, spark that burned but now — I ANNE'S VOICE It dips, it dies — SHAKESPEARE A night-light, fool, and not a star. I grope Giddily in the dark. I shall grow old. What is my sum? I have made seven plays. Two poems and some sonnets. I have friends So long as I write poems, sonnets, plays. Earn then your loves, and as you like it — write! Come, what's your will? Three sets of lovers and a duke or two, Courtiers and fool — We'll set it in a wood, Half park, half orchard, like the woods at home. See the house rustle, pit gape, boxes thrill. As through the trees, boyishly, hand on hip, Knee-deep in grass, zone-deep in margarets. Comes to us — Mary! i82 WILL SHAKESPEARE anne's voice Under the apple-trees, In. the spring, in the long grass — Will ! SHAKESPEARE Still the old shame Hangs round my neck with withered arms and chokes Endeavour. anne's voice Will! SHAKESPEARE At right wing enter ghost! It should be Marlowe with his parted mouth And sweep of arm. Why should he wake for me? That would be friendship, and what a friend was I! Well — to the work! ANNE*S VOICE Will! Will! SHAKESPEARE What, ghost? still there? Must I speak first? That's manners with the dead; But this haunt lives — at Stratford, by the river. Maggot, come out of my brain ! Girl ! Echo ! Wraith ! You've had free lodging, like a rat, too long. I need my room. Come, show yourself and go ! "Changed?" "But I knew her!": — Say your say and go! You'd a tongue once. ANNE's VOICE You're to be greats- WILL SHAKESPEARE 183 SHAKESPEARE Stale! Stale! That's the Queen's catch-word. anne's voice But I know, I know, I'm your poor village woman, but I know What you must learn and learn, and shriek to God To spare you learning — SHAKESPEARE Ay, like wheels that shriek, Carting the grain, their dragged unwilling way Over the stones, uphill, at even, thus, Shrieking, I learn — anne's voice When harvest comes — SHAKESPEARE Is come! Sown, sprouted, scythed and garnered — anne's voice I alone Can give you comfort, for you reap my pain. As I your loss — loss — loss — SHAKESPEARE Anne, was it thus? anne's VOICE No Other way; — SHAKESPEARE Such pain? i84 WILL SHAKESPEARE anne's voice Such pain, such pain! SHAKESPEARE I did not know. O tortured thing, remember, I did not know — I did not know! Forgive — anne's voice Forgiving is forgetting — no, come back! I love you. Oh, come back to me, come back ! SHAKESPEARE I cannot. anne's voice Oh, come back! I love you so. SHAKESPEARE Be still, poor voice, be still ! anne's voice I love you so. SHAKESPEARE What is this love? What is this awful spirit and unknown, That mates the suns and gives a bird his tune? What is this stirring at the roots of the world? What is this secret child that leaps in the womb Of life? What is this wind, whence does it blow, And why? And falls upon us like the flame Of Pentecost, haphazard. What is this dire And holy ghost that will not let us two For no prayers' sake nor good deeds' sake nor pain Nor pity, have peace, and live at ease, and die As the leaves die? WILL SHAKESPEARE 185 anne's voice I know not. All I know. Is that I love you. SHAKESPEARE But I know, having learned— ^ This I believe because I know, I know, Being in hell, paying the price, alone, Licked in the flame unspeakable and torn By devils, as in the old tales that are true — All true, the fires, the red hot branding irons. The thirst, the laughter, and the filth of shame, All true, O fellow men! all true, all true — Down through the circles, like a mangled rat A hawk lets fall from the far towers of the sky, Down through the wakeful aeons of the night. Into the Pit of misery they call Bottomless, falling — I believe and know That the Pit's bottom is the lap of God, And God is love. ANNE S VOICE Is love, is love- SHAKESPEARE I know. And knowing I will live my dark days out And wait for His own evening to give light. And though I may not fill the mouth I love, Yet will I sow and reap and bind my sheaves. Glean, garner, mill my corn, and bake, and cast My bread upon the waters of the age. This will I do for love's sake, lest God's eyes, That are the Judgment, ask her man of her i86 WILL SHAKESPEARE One day, and she be shamed — as I am shamed Ever, in my heart, by a voice witnessing Against me that I knew not love. PAGE [Entering with lights.'] The Queen, sir; Has sent you candles, now the sun is down, That you may see to work. SHAKESPEARE I thank the Queen. Tell her the work goes well ! [He sits down at the table.'] Act one, scene one, Oliver's house. It shall go well. I have A strength that comes I know not whence. It shall Go well. And then Til give the Roman tale I heard at school — a tale of men, not women : That easies all. But Antony goes on To Egypt and a gipsy : leaves his pale wife At home to scald her eyes out. Mary — Mary — Will you not let me be? It shall go well. And after Antony some Twelfth Night trick To please our gods and give my pregnancy Its needed peace. How many months for Denmark? And then? A whole man laughs, and so will I. Oh, Smile behind the thunder, teach me laughter, And save my soul ! — The knock-about fat man, try him again! He'll take a month or less — candles are cheap. Cheaper than sleep these dreaming nights. That done. WILL SHAKESPEARE 187 ril sink another shaft in Holinshed — Marlowe, your diamonds! your diamonds! The king and his three daughters — he's been shaped Already. True! But rough cut only. Wait! Give me that giant cluster in my hand To cut anew, in its own midnight set, It shall outshine Orion! Afterwards, A fairy tale maybe, and after that — And after that — and after — after? God! The years before me! And no Mary! Mary — anne's voice When her lost face — SHAKESPEARE It shall, it shall go well. anne's voice — stares from the page you toil upon, thus, thus, In a glass of tears — SHAKESPEARE They scald, they blind my view, No comfort anywhere. anne's voice I love you so. SHAKESPEARE The work, the work remains. anne's voice But when you're old. For work too old, or pity, love or hate. i88 WILL SHAKESPEARE For anything but peace, and in your hand Lies the crowned life victorious at last — SHAKESPEARE Like the crowned Indian fruit, the voyage home Rots while it gilds, not worth the tasting — anne's voice Then, Remember me! Then, then, when all your need Is hands to serve you and a breast to die on, Come back to me! SHAKESPEARE God knows — some day? ANNE's VOICE I wait. lAs he stoops over his work agaiti] THE CURTAIN FALLS January, 1920 — April, 1921. Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide Treatment Date: Feb. 2009 PreservationTechnoiogies A WORLD LEADER IN COLLECTIONS PRESERVATION 111 Thomson Park Drive Cranberry Township, PA 1 6066 (724)779-2111 FEB 2 5 1922 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 156 784 6 ."i;*.