"For I

speare, with as much gravity as he could assume. doubt not at all, that not only on its first appearance would one shake thy hand, but shake thy body for thee into the bargain."

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By this light, that be not so bad!" exclaimed his companion, laughing heartily. "But methinks thy wit be like unto a steel breastplate-the brighter it becometh the oftener it be used."

"And that be none so bad," replied his friend. how didst like the playing of Taylor?"

"But

"He playeth the character of Hamlet so well, that, as far as my judgment goeth, none living can come up with him,' said the other.

"I do assure thee, I took huge pains in the teaching of him," observed Master Shakspeare, as he was fastening his doublet.

"That is manifest enough," answered Master Burbage. "And he hath profited well. It was my good hap to be in a room with my Lord of Southampton whilst noticing of the play, and he was quite rapt in it as it were, and greatly commended Master Taylor. But of thy playing of the ghost he seemed to like most of all, for he said there was so awful a fearfulness in thy doing of it, 'twas quite moving to look on; which methinks is nothing more than the truth. We then fell to discoursing of thy many singular excellencies, and I do assure thee he spoke right eloquently in thy praise. He mentioned the exceeding fine pleasure he had lately derived from the perusing of thy most sweet poems, which thou hast properly dedicated to him, for of all true friends I do believe him to be the truest-and spoke of his great desire to do thee such service as might be most lasting. He asked of me concerning of thy circumstances, and pressed much to know whether thou didst lack any thing he could obtain for thee. Upon this request of his, I presently told him how anxious wert thou to purchase a greater share in the playhouse than what thou hast already.'

"Thou shouldst not have told him that, Dick," said Master Shakspeare with some earnestness.

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And why not, Will?" inquired Master Burbage.

"In truth, I like not seeming to want aught of any," replied the other.

Seeming to want a fiddlestick!" exclaimed his companion. "Thou art too scrupulous by far. Dost think I would stand

upon my punctilios with one inclined to do me a kindness? I be no such a wittol, I promise thee. But to proceed with my narration. My lord did inquire very particularly what sum was required-the value of the property-the advantages to be gained by a purchase of such a share of it, and the like sensible questions; to all of which, thou mayest depend on it, I gave right sensible answers."

"I would thou hadst never spoke on the matter," observed Master Shakspeare very seriously.

"Out on thee for an ungrateful varlet!" cried Master Burbage. "Well, after this, my lord left me, courteously bidding of me good day, and I, as soon as I might, posted to thee, to let thee know how good a friend thou hast in him; for I be quite certain, though he gave me no hint of a promise that he hath most liberal intentions towards thee."

"I have seen few of so generous a nature," said the other. "Yet can I never bring my mind to take advantage of it, nevertheless"

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Here cometh Gib's heavy foot-mayhap he hath a message for one or other of us," observed his companion, interrupting him, and sure enough a footstep was heard of the very clumsiest sort approaching the door-then there came a knock at it, and admittance being granted, certes Gib, the call-boy, made his appearance, looking in no way altered from what he was when the courteous reader had sight of him last, being just as bandy in the legs, as monstrous in the mouth, as squinting in the eyes, as carroty in the hair, as awkward in his manner, and as clumsy in his shape as ever. "Here be a letter for Master Shakspeare," said he, and straightway Master Shakspeare took it from his hand.

"Well, Chanticleer!" exclaimed Master Burbage, hitting of the boy a slap on the back which nearly sent him off his legs. "Thou didst play thy part famously."

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'Methinks, for the playing of the cock in Hamlet, there be few so apt," replied the call-boy, looking exceedingly dignified.

"Thou art too modest by half," said Master Burbage with a monstrous gravity. "Thou art sure to be cock of the walk' wherever thou goest. I'faith, thou deservest to be the king of the cocks and of the hens too, thou hast such a superlative talent for crowing."

"Dost think so, indeed?" cried Gib, grinning with such delight it did stretch his monstrous mouth from ear to ear.

"Perchance, if such be your opinion, you will advance me in the profession of which you have said so oft I am like to be so great an ornament.”

"O' my word there would be no such an ornament amongst us," remarked the other, looking upon the uncomely figure before him with all the seriousness he could put on. "But stick to the cock, I prythee, for in the playing of that thou hast not thy peer; yet would I venture to assert that, shouldst thou make an essay in any other part, there would be none like unto thee in the performance of it."

"Doth any person wait?" inquired Master Shakspeare, after reading of the letter, whilst the two were talking.

"None, an' it please you," replied the boy. "It was my Lord Southampton who gave it to me, as I was showing of Will Peppercorn the way I would play Romeo, were I let." At this the two players looked at each other very particularly, with something of an inclination to laugh: "and my lord bade me carry it to Master Shakspeare," continued he: "and was so civil as to give me a silver groat; and then, merely requesting of me not to delay in the delivery of the letter, he took himself out of the playhouse."

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Having done what was required of thee, we will now dispense with thy company," said Master Shakspeare.

"Get thee gone, good Cock," exclaimed Master Burbage, lifting up his foot, and lending him such a kick of the breech, as he was a turning round, that sent him, as it were, flying through the open door.

"Nay, hurt him not, I prythee," cried Master Shakspeare, upon seeing the rapid disappearance of the call-boy, though he could not help laughing.

"O' my life, I do believe he hath no more feeling in him than a stone," replied the other, who was very merry upon it. "I doubt not, if he were handsomely paid, he would allow himself to be kicked from this world to the next. He liketh nothing so well. I have seen him rejoice at having a cuff from any of us; and a kick appeareth to delight him beyond all measure. But what sayeth my Lord South

ampton ?"

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Thou shalt hear," replied his companion, and without further preamble read the following:

"Worthy Master Shakspeare,

"To say aught of the delicate pleasure I have received

from that marvellous sweet poem you have done my poor name the honour of dedicating unto me, I cannot at this present, as I lack time to express all that I feel; and to do less than that, were not to do you justice. Rest you satisfied, then, that though I be silent on the matter, I am eloquent enough at heart: for well can I appreciate such things, and exceeding glad shall I be to prove how well I think of them. On the receipt of this, please you to come to me at my dwelling, for I am desirous you should do me a favour, the granting of which will be to my extreme gratification.

666 'H. W.'"

"O' my life he be but a scurvy fellow after all," exclaimed Master Burbage, jumping up from the table on which he had sat himself, and seeming in a wonderful vexation. "Instead of acting the true friend by thee, with such handsomeness as he might do, without hurt to him, he contenteth himself with asking a favour of thee. A fig for such patrons, say I: there be too many of this sort. Wondrous fine fellows are they all, who are exceeding bountiful with their praise, which costeth nothing; but when there shall come a fine occasion for showing that generousness of soul which one that hath the power should always show to him he assumeth to be the patron to, they slink away, and will do nothing."

"Thou dost grossly abuse him, I will be bound for't," said Master Shakspeare, warmly. "I do not think their breathes a better, a truer, or gentler heart, than is my Lord of Southampton. I see nothing in the letter but the kindly disposition I have ever known in him."

Kindly fig's end!" cried the other, seemingly in no very pleasant mood; "talk not to me of kindly dispositions, that be shown in naught but mere words. I have no patience with such."

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Notwithstanding of which, I shall haste to iny lord's without loss of time," observed his companion. "Whatever favour it may be that I can confer, he may depend on receiving, and right glad shall I be of the opportunity of doing it." And thereupon he proceeded to make himself ready to go out.

"Then thou deservest all thou wilt get for thy pains," said Master Burbage. "Depend on't he intendeth only to suck thy brains for thee, which having done to an absolute sufficiency-a murrain on him!-he will be monstrous prodigal

in his compliments, but as for putting of his hand in his purse, he would as soon meddle with the plague."

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"I want not his purse," replied Master Shakspeare; he need never put his hand there for me but of his willingness to serve me, I am well convinced. Wilt go with me?" he added, as he was making for the door.

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Nay I am bound for the very prettiest woman that lives," observed his companion, seemingly putting of his dress in the very properest order, as he stood before a large mirror nigh unto the fire. Oh! she hath such a delicate waist, and so dainty an ancle-such lustrous eyes-so ruby a lipso".

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"Another Joanna ?" here interrupted Master Shakspeare, Hang Joanna!" exclaimed Master Burbage, with extreme asperity, and quickly followed his friend, who had gone laughing out of the room.

Master Shakspeare made the best of his way to the Lord Southampton's pleased in his heart that he had it in his power to oblige one for whom he entertained so perfect a respect. He found him in his study-an elegant chamber of moderate dimensions, well furnished with books, together with some few pictures. He was sitting before a pleasant fire, having wine, and fruit, and some choice cakes on a table beside him, and was reading of a book by its light, the time being towards the dusk of the afternoon, a little too early for candles.

"Welcome, Master Shakspeare," he exclaimed, as soon as the other entered the room, quickly putting of his book down, and rising to shake him by the hand. "Sit you down, and partake of such cheer as I can give you."

"With all mine heart, my good lord," replied his companion, cheerfully complying with my lord's request; and they presently, with exceeding sociableness, fell to drinking of wine, and eating of the delicacies upon the table, seasoning them with such friendly converse as was like to pass on such an occasion between two so well inclined to each other. There could be no mistaking the expression on the features of the young nobleman, for never was benevolence so apparent in a human face; and the fine, open, manly countenance of Master Shakspeare, whereon was writ a free heart and a noble mind, was not less worthy of admiration.

"I have been reading of your truly delectable poem," observed my lord, as he pointed to the book on the table.

"In