Category: Plays/Films/Dramas
[_As the curtain goes up an attendant is discovered listening at door_ L. _There is a noise to be heard as of persons leaving the theatre: as the door is thrown open the attendant moves aside. The Earl of Southampton, Lord Lacy, Sir John Stanley, Chapman, Dekker, Marston, Flet...
[_As the curtain goes up an attendant is discovered listening at door_ L. _There is a noise to be heard as of persons leaving the theatre: as the door is thrown open the attenda...
5. SCENE II.The truth, Will—the truth in the mouth of a suckling! They all want an English play and Falstaff. Without him, my lad, the spirit’s out of the sack—all stale and flat.
6. SCENE III.And let the wit play like lightning against the clouds. Or, better still, exhort him, my lord, to seek a new love; ’tis love that lifts to melody and song, and gives the birds t...
7. SCENE IV.There was such a crowd I did not dare to come at first, and yet I could not stay away; I could not. I wanted to tell you how wonderful it all was.
8. SCENE V.A scene for Dekker. The orange-girls have been pelting the ladies in their rooms. The ladies gibed at them, and they replied with rotten fruit. The ladies shrieked, and hid them...
9. SCENE VI.At length Beauty’s piloted to the safety of the stage. And without straining extolment I proclaim that never did lady [_bowing to the tallest_] show more innocence of fear, more...
10. SCENE VII.The dull clods have no eyes for beauty, no ears for poetry. I had to go before the end; you forgive me? The play was splendid, one line a miracle—“How all the other passions fle...
11. SCENE VIII._The Antechamber at Court. Two girls, dressed as gentleman and page—Mistress Mary Fitton and Lady Cynthia Darrel—are talking together at one end of the room_, L. _Sir Walter Ral...
12. SCENE IX.There is more of the man than the woman in me, I think: yet I would this cloak were somewhat longer. [_She tries to draw it round her to cover her legs; failing in this she stan...
13. SCENE X.Time! Time is for slaves: an hour for this, an hour for that. Curse time, a slut that lends herself to every basest use. [_Throws himself into a seat. Insolently._] What was the...
14. SCENE I._At the Mermaid. Ben Jonson is standing at the end of the room_, L., _Fletcher and Lord Lacy near him. Marston and Dekker are with Chapman in the middle. Chettle is seated_, R.,...
15. SCENE II.That’s kind of you. Let me present my friends. This is young Fletcher, the poet, and Burbage whom you know, and Master Shakespeare, the best playwright of us all. And this, gent...
16. SCENE III.[_Gravely._] Worse. On Monday you were to be at Lady Rutland’s; you had promised; I went; you were not there; I fell into the abysm of despair. Why, my queen, why?
17. SCENE IV.[_As Shakespeare passes._] Ho, Ho! Master Shakespeare doth fly from yon miracle of Nature, as from a dire portent. Methought her most brave strain of wit, and peremptory grace,...
18. SCENE V.Of course they will; women always tell of each other, so I’ll save them the trouble. Lady Cynthia said, she’d rather be the Queen you knelt to, than the Captain you struck.
19. SCENE VI.Let the dance go on! [_The Queen looks round; Herbert and Miss Fitton are standing_ L.C. _The Queen calls_ “Lord Herbert.” _Herbert goes on talking to Miss Fitton as if he did n...
20. SCENE I.[_Aside._] Poor in flesh and poorer in spirit. [_Aloud._] Go to, man, I don’t ask you for trust. From now on the drink of the day shall be paid in the day. What can you want more?
21. SCENE II.Not so, bully Ben. Not so. Rheumatics, not gout. Ah, had my mother but given me sack when I was young and tender, I had never known these whoreson tweakings. A pious upbringing,...
22. SCENE III.23. SCENE IV.24. SCENE V.[_Unbuckles his belt and gives it with his sword to a gray-haired servant in livery: takes off his cap with its great jewelled brooch and throws it on the table._] Has no one come?
25. SCENE VI.’Tis true; not since my quarrel with Raleigh. How the old limpet clings to place. He has just come to new honours, I hear: she has made him Governor of Jersey. Curse him!
26. SCENE I.Prince-fool, indeed. Which is the better title, I wonder:—prince or fool? [_Shakespeare goes to window; opens lattice and looks out._] Hush; hark! [_Opens the door, listens; shu...
27. SCENE II.Late! I have been here for hours, walking up and down like a beast in a cage, listening for the step that never comes. When Hope has died and the ashes are cold, you come.
28. SCENE III.[_While Shakespeare stands at gaze Ben Jonson enters._] It is the end, I think—the end. [_Turns to the room._] What weak curs we are, Ben: I beg her to come soon; yet I wish she...
29. SCENE IV.Great news, Will, great news! The Queen’ll hear us in “The Merry Wives of Windsor” to-night in full Court. Now use your wit, my lad, and you’ll be Master of the Revels, and our...
30. SCENE V.He chafes and talks loud; it’ll all end in talk. But he should not be strengthened, Madame; the time’s unsettled and for that reason I’d pray your Majesty to release Lord Herber...
31. SCENE VI.“Her beseechings” forsooth—I’m very weary! [_The Players enter and stand grouped by the servants at the end of the Hall._] Ah! there are our players. Well, let that one approach...
32. SCENE I._Shakespeare’s bedchamber in his house at Stratford. The master is seated in a large chair close to the bed. A small table stands near the head of the bed. His daughter Judith i...
33. SCENE II.[_Comes in. To Judith._] How tired he looks! Run at once for my husband, see if you can bring him: I think he’s very ill. [_Judith hurries to the door and goes. Shakespeare lies...