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lance be adjusted. This conceit they follow up in all things:-when Simple hath the toothache, Dimple tieth up his jaw; and if one be afflicted with the cholic, the other rubbeth his bowels, and belloweth like a town bull. Yet with all this affectation of friendship, I warrant you Castor doth not care a fig's end for Pollux-and Pollux would not cross the way to save his Castor from the whipping-post.'

Then Master Shakspeare, suddenly turning round, said to his young friend,"Hear you how Green maketh the people laugh?" And sure enough there was heard at that moment a very roar of laughter, which, at intervals, did continue, with boisterous clapping of hands and the like.

"Now turn your vision to where stands that tall slim gentleman, in close converse with Robert Armyn," said he. "Saw you anything so spic and span? he looks as dainty as a bowl of whipped syllabub, and smelleth as nice as a dish of stewed prunes. Surely you will think so fine a personage was made only for Sundays; for he seemeth a marvellous deal too delectable for this every-day world. His speech too he maketh to match with his dress; for it be other folk's finery, cut and clipped in accordance with his own taste. Truly is he choice in his phrases, and putteth them to a very absolute good use. He will talk you upon the cracking of nuts in the tapestry style of Sir Philip Sydney his Arcadia; and describe the fashion of a garter in the heroic vein of the blank verse of my Lord Sackville. He is Master Aniseed: doubtless you suppose that his birth was as delicate as his behaviour; and his bringing up as holiday-like as his apparelling. Yet was his mother a poor midwife, and his father a ratcatcher, and to the latter reputable vocation was he born and bred, and did practise with very notable success, after the demise of his worshipful parents, till a miserly uncle dying, whose heir he was, he straightway began very earnestly, with his new found gold, to purchase the necessaries of gentility; and now passeth he, as he doth imagine, for a truly creditable gentleman. 'Tis like you may fancy, by the pains he takes, that Master Aniseed preferreth his new mode of life wonderfully; but in that are you much deceived; for have I good grounds for saying, that, in secret, he doth sigh continually for the more exquisite pleasure he hath found in the catching of rats."

At that moment there entered at the door one of the players, dressed as King Henry the Fourth, whom Master Shakspeare thus addressed :

"Well, Lowing, and how goeth the play with her majesty ?"

"Never went anything better," said he, very cheerfully; "her majesty hath shewn from the beginning an admirable interest in the story; and Green hath made her laugh till her crown tottered again;" and then he passed on.

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Here, observe you that portly man, with the red face and the black beard, talking familiarly to our Dame Quickly and Doll Tearsheet," continued Master Shakspeare to his young friend; "a turkeycock looks not so valiant. Judging of him by the way he beareth himself, one might suppose that he had inherited the warlike spirits of all the heroes who have gone before him. He seemeth of so great

a heart that he could have braved Cæsar, or pulled Alexander by the nose. Hear him talk, and to his, the deeds of the seven champions of Christendom are but as the feats of idle apprentices. There, see how he stalks across the room, holding by the scabbard his monstrous rapier, and looking about him as valiantly as if he cared not a rush for the whole company, and would fight them all round if any dared but wink at him. Yet is Captain Swagger not so dangerous as he looks; indeed he hath done no great damage as yet, as I have heard; nor is he ever like to distinguish himself that way; for in his heart he hath a most Christian abhorrence of the shedding of blood; therefore, at all times, he taketh good care of his own skin. He will seem full of quarrel where there be no disposition shewn to take offence; but if you look him bravely in the face the whilst, you may tread on his toes, and he will be in no hurry to take notice of it."

"Now is it the common opinion," added he, "that the players be confined to the playhouse; but I do maintain, and have described some of the characters in this room, to prove that I speak to the purpose, that there be better players off the stage than on. Moreover, if you look throughout the various busy scenes in the drama of life, you shall have good cause to admire the excellence with which some do play their parts-often to the complete delusion of the spectators into the belief that they are what they seem. By this art, how often doth the wanton pass for a creature virtuously given, and the mere cheater play the game of an honest man. This is it that makes the glib-tongued profligate so perfectly assume the character of the devoted lover; that teacheth the sanctimonious hypocrite how to be regarded as one of God's chosen; that gives to youth and assurance the name of candour and disinterestedness; and gravity and grey hairs invest with the air of wisdom and goodness. Truly, Master Francis, if you look well to the world, you shall find that there be feigners that beat us poor players all to naught."

Master Francis had listened with marvellous attention to the discourse of his companion, without daring to hazard a word of reply, for fear of losing something he might say in the interim, at which his companion evidently was not ill pleased. In truth, it seemed that the more he beheld of the youth his modesty and discretion, the greater became his liking for him; and as he continued to point out the persons worthy of note, that were in the room, he looked as if his gratification therein increased with the increasing pleasure he afforded to his auditor.

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"There is as goodly a group yonder as you will meet with in a playhouse," continued he; it consisteth of young Ben Jonson, a veritable son of the muses, who promiseth to be better known than he is; my Lord Buckhurst, one who hath written a tragedy of some note, and loveth to spend his leisure upon players; Master Edmond Tilney, master of the queen's revels, a very proper gentleman, and a courteous, who hath the licensing of plays, and therefore cometh amongst us often; Dr. Thomas Lodge, and Dr. Thomas Legge, who have writ for our neighbour the Rose with a very fair success; and that pedantic and most conceited coxcomb Master John Lily, who hath invented many

comedies, yet is like to get himself more laughed at than any of them. Ben Jonson-he that is standing up-seemeth to have the lion's share of the argument, as is his wont; for his tongue is a rattling famously; and I judge from that, the subject of dispute concerneth the ancients, for he prideth himself mightily upon his Greek and Latin. But here cometh my excellent good friend and patron Lord Southampton." At this he broke off, and his companion noticed a noble-looking gentleman, scarce older than himself, well attired, but not too fine in his appointments, who was advancing towards them with an easy courteousness, and a bland aspect.

"Well met, Master Shakspeare," said he, shaking hands with the other very cordially.

"I'faith, if your lordship be in as good health as am I," responded Master Shakspeare with a smile," then are we 'well met,' indeed." "Ever at it," exclaimed the Lord Southampton laughingly. "Surely there never was thy match at quibbles and quirks! Indeed, thou art a very juggler with words, and at the mere touch of thy wit canst give them any meaning that suits thee."

"In In truth, my good Lord," replied the other, "my poor words when addressed to you, however little their meaning may be, must needs have a good meaning, for they mean you well at all times; and such cannot help but suit me, seeing that I take abundance of care they are brought forth on a fitting occasion."

"There, again!" cried my lord, laughing again very merrily. "Sure, never was the like! But I have just left her majesty, and rarely have I seen her in a more commendable humour. She doth applaud Burbage to the very echo, and hath laughed at Green till her sides ached for it. I tell thee, if thou canst please the higher powers so well, hast thou no cause to fear those foolish pragmatics of the city. Let them do what they list. I have spoken on thy behalf to mine honourable and most esteemed good friend, Sir Thomas Egerton, who, for learning in the law, hath no superior; and he hath promised me to exert himself for thy advantage. Keep a good heart. Knowing that thou hast the protection of Master Attorney General, and art in such absolute favour at court, the aldermen, even if they have the power, the which have I my doubts of, shall not dare drive thee from the Blackfriars. Nay, I should take it in very monstrous hard case indeed, were a few paltry citizens allowed to interfere with the pleasures of so many worshipful lords and gentlemen as find excellent entertainment at the playhouse. Be of good cheer, Master Shakspeare-thou shalt never receive disadvantage at their hands." "I am infinitely beholden to you, my good Lord," said Master Shakspeare. "It is adding another leaf to that volume of favours your lordship's bountiful spirit hath accorded me."

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"Take not what I have done for thee as anything," replied my Lord Southampton, putting his hand in a friendly way on the other's shoulder. For, inhonest truth, I am ashamed I have as yet been to thee of such exceeding poor service. Fain would I shew in more substantial fashion how honourably I regard the manifold excellencies of thy nature; and be assured I will not rest till I do something to

the purpose. But I must needs be gone, for I have a party waiting, with whom is sweet Mistress Varnon; therefore, fare thee well, Master Shakspeare, till we meet again."

"All good attend you, my lord!" replied Master Shakspeare with a very earnest sincerity, as he saw his patron leave the room; then turning to his young friend, who had not lost a syllable of the preceding discourse, he exclaimed, "There is a truly noble spirit! he is none of your mere lords who can claim nothing of distinction but the names of their fathers-he is enrolled in nature's own peerage; and carryeth his patent of nobility in his heart. Truly are such an honour to the land; and the more England hath of them, the better able will she be to cope with her enemies. Though he hath so youthful a look, he is of a most manly nature. He is ever intent upon honourable purposes-thinketh that of all worshipful things intellect hath the supremacy-and seemeth ever ready to put his vantage of rank into obedience out of respect to the gifts, such as they be, which God hath grafted into my being. Indeed it be the knowledge of such notable dispositions that maketh me in love with humanity. know of but one other like him, and him you shall see anon."

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At this instant there entered at the door, laughing as if they had naught else in the world to do but to be merry, two of the players; the one, of whom the reader hath already had acquaintance, to wit, Richard Burbage, was dressed as the Prince Henry; the other, with a look of infinite drollery, in a suit of russet, with huge swollen belly and legs, did represent Sir John Falstaff; and he coming in did freely accost Master Shakspeare with a very hail fellow' slap on the back, exclaiming" How now, Chanticleer? thou lookest as demure as an old maid that waketh in the night with a dream that she hath been kissed by a blackamoor."

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"Go to-thou art Green!" replied Master Shakspeare in the same humour ; "thou art Green by name and green by nature, therefore thy wit cannot be ripe-and not being ripe must needs be sour. hang thyself on a sunshiny wall, and mayhap thou shalt in time become palateable."

"Away with thee, thou pestilent player upon words, and unprofitable player upon a stage," cried out the other, "dost think I'll hang at thy bidding? No-I'll be hanged if I do. Away! I am sick of thee." "Then hast thou the Green sickness-which is marvellous to behold in one of thy appearance," replied Master Shakspeare.

"Now whip me this knave!" said Master Green, turning to his companion, who seemed as if he could not well maintain his gravity. “Here be a sorry fellow for you, who hath as many jests to a name as there are patches in a Jew's gaberdine. See how he abuseth the license of speech! Was ever such poor practises known since talking came into fashion?”

"Let him have his way, I prythee," observed Master Burbage: "he is but simple; and peradventure had he not his usual pastime he might die from the lack of it.”

"Nay, if I die not till I lack sport, I shall keep my breath as long as"-here Master Shakspeare paused a bit, and then added archly

"as long as this exquisite world provideth such sweet facetious rogues as they that now serve me to break a jest upon.'

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"Out upon thee!" exclaimed the representative of Sir John Falstaff, good humouredly, "thou wilt come to no good, depend on't." "How can I, forsooth, when such evil things as thou art, stop my way?" asked the other.

"I'faith thou hadst best not meddle with him," gravely remarked Master Burbage. "He is like unto the great bear in Paris gardenhe worryeth the dogs more than the dogs worry him: a murrain on him."

"Show not thy teeth then, good dogs," added the other, with a smile.

"A fico for thee and all thy kind!" cried Master Green, "I will shew my teeth in spite of thee-ay, and use them too if it seemeth me good."

"Doubtless, when such be thy humour, thou wouldst succeed in making a green wound-in virtue of thy name," retorted Master Shakspeare.

"Nay, if hanging be not too good for thee, burn me for a schismatic !" laughingly exclaimed his antagonist..

"In good truth, I do not think thou wouldst burn, Tom," coolly observed the one.

"Why not, Will?" enquired the other.

"Seeing that green wood doth not catch fire very readily," replied the first.

"What green again !" cried his droll companion, "why what a master of colours art thou who useth but one."

"Wouldst have him take thee for a chameleon, who can change his complexion as it suiteth his fancy?" asked Master Burbage.

"For the matter of that, he changeth his hue very much like your chameleon," said Master Shakspeare; for if you catch him at the tavern, doubt not to find him a bottle Green".

"Ha! ha!" shouted both at the same time.

"If he ventureth on the salt ocean, assuredly he is a sea Green""Good, o'my life!" exclaimed Master Burbage, laughing very lustily.

"That he be not a Kendal or a Lincoln Green, I can warrant, knowing that he cometh from Warwickshire; but when all that is now man of him be turned into mould, there cannot be a question that he will make a very respectable grass Green."

"Oh, kill me that varlet straight!" cried Master Green, shaking his monstrous stomach with the violence of his mirth. "Kill him, Dick, if thou lov'st me-for he hath filled me full of most villanous vegetable conceits.. I do begin to fancy some old grannum, coming for simples, catching me up for a goodly pennyworth, and boiling me, as a sovereign remedy for her rheumatics."

"Nay, Tom, thou shalt be put to no such ignoble use, believe me," said Master Shakspeare, now laughing in his turn. "Green thou art, it cannot be denied, and it be equally certain that thou wilt be ever-Green; therefore, if it pleaseth thee, when I seek the bays I will come to thee for as much as thou canst provide."

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