deed I cannot help but be a looking into it at whatever time I can find the leisure."

"I hope you have gathered some entertainment from it, be it of ever so slight a kind," answered the other, with that real modesty which can only be found in the rarest natures; "for it would be a discouraging thing to me to know that the courteousness which led you to the perusal of my book, came to an unprofitable ending."

"There can be no fear of that, on mine honour," said my Lord Southampton, kindly. "Indeed, I have found excess of entertainment rather than the lack of it. In your plays I have ever met with poetry of the very choicest, wherein it was difficult to say whether the thought or the expressing of it was the most admirable. But such things came as flowers met with in a journey. They grew, as it were, on the roadside of the play; and he who kept on his way could scarce fail of seeing and delighting in them; and they enticed him forward at every step. The Rape of Lucrece must be considered in no other light than an entire garden, laid out with such prodigality of flowers, that there be scarce any getting on at all, one is so continually forced to stop and admire this and the other."

"Methinks 'twould be affectation in me were I to deny I find pleasure in your commendation," remarked Master Shakspeare. "Indeed I would venture to assert that he who pretendeth to a carelessness of praise, be worthy of no praise at all. I write, as all must write who have any true talent for it-in hope that what I have done shall be considered of some merit. That you commend it, is at least a proof of some kindliness on your part, the which cannot but give me exceeding gratification, for I am assured you would not show so honourable a feeling unless you thought there was such worthiness in me as might warrant it. As to the judgment you evince in this your opinion of my poor performance, it doth not become me to speak, for every one is but too well satisfied with the judgment that be satisfied with him."

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Mayhap my judgment is but of small value," said his companion, "but at least it hath the recommendation of being

sincere."

"There are few whose opinion I should be more inclined to bow to on ordinary topics," remarked his companion, "yet in this, methinks, the friendship you have distinguished me with hath given you partial eyes."

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"That cannot be, worthy Master Shakspeare," replied my lord. Every one who knoweth what true merit is, cannot fail of seeing it in this your exquisite poem; and there can be no partiality in approving of that which none but the most ignorant or the most envious could fail of commending. However, let that pass for the moment. The wine standeth unnoticed before you. I am fearful you make but poor cheer."

"I thank you, my good lord," answered Master Shaksspeare, refilling of his glass. "But it seemeth to me I should show an infinite lack of understanding were I to make poor cheer when the cheer hath been so bountifully provided." Then for a few minutes both appeared to be intent upon enjoying of the good things within their reach, saying little, save remarks of no moment, relating to them.

"Mistress Varnon hath acquainted me with a strange secret," observed the young nobleman, with a smile. "Hath she, indeed ?" answered the other.

"I doubt not it was of a pleasing kind; for a pretty woman's secret is usually well worth knowing."

"That is as you may think it," said his patron, still looking exceedingly amused. “But this is it: whilst you were in the garden with Dame Deborah, the last time we were at Islington, and, as of old, had left us two to such sweet delights as I can never be too grateful for, the loving creature told me that her aunt spoke of nothing but Master Dulcimer—was ever praising his looks, his dress, his manners, his musichis every thing belonging to him, with so absolute an earnestness as was a marvel to behold-that she was melancholy and restless when he was away, and seemed as if she enjoyed nothing so much as the sunshine of his presence-in short"

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Nay, the conclusion is manifest, my good lord," exclaimed his companion, laughing very heartily, in the which the young nobleman joined. My vanity is infinitely tickled. So, her stately ladyship loveth me? I'faith, 'tis as ridiculous a thing as ever happened. Mayhap, if she were forty years younger, I would be well content: whether my teeth be tender or my stomach be over dainty, 'tis hard to say, but I doubt not she would now prove so preposterously tough a morsel, I should be forced to leave the dish ere it had well been tasted."

Both continued to laugh and jest on the subject very merrily, for some minutes.

"Meant you not, in your note," continued Master Shak

speare, "there was some good office I could do you? Believe me, I shall be right glad to set about it."

""Tis a favour I would have at your hands," replied my Lord Southampton. "Indeed I shall be wondrously vexed if you refuse me."

"Think not of such a thing, I pray you," observed the other, quickly. "Be assured there is nothing I would not willingly do to give you pleasure, so that it be but in my power to perform."

"Tis a simple thing enough," said his companion." It hath come to my knowledge that you are exceeding desirous of purchasing a greater share in your playhouse than what you already possess. Have I been told truly?"

"I have such intention, without doubt," replied Master Shakspeare, "but it is one I mean not to put in execution for some time to come."

"Think you, it would be much to your advancement?" inquired my lord.

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Greatly," said the other.

"Then the favour I would ask of you is this:-I have a thousand pounds of mine own, doing of no good in the world. Will it please you to apply it to the purpose you have mentioned ?"

"My lord, I".

"I will hear of no objections, Master Shakspeare," said he. "Mayhap, if you take it not, I may be tempted to apply it to some bad end; and you shall do me a great injury by having refused to give it a more honourable occupation. Whilst it lieth idle in my hands it can afford me no pleasure, but rather will be to me a source of disquiet; now, when I know it hath gone for so good a purpose as the advantage of a worthy man, I cannot help being infinitely content."

"Believe me, it cannot be," exclaimed Master Shakspeare, who appeared so taken by surprise, he scarce knew what to

say.

"Believe me, it must be !" cried my lord, more earnestly. "I have set my heart upon it. I will not hear of a denial." "Indeed you must excuse me in this, my lord."

"I will hear of no excuses. Beside, you have already averred there was nothing you would not willingly do to give me pleasure. I hold you to it, Master Shakspeare."

"My good lord, it is so extraordinary large a sum." "All the better-it shall do you the more benefit."

""Twill be a rank abusing of your good nature-nay, take it not uncivil of me".

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I do take it monstrous uncivil of you, Master Shakspeare, that you should make any demur in doing me this favour. There can be no pleasure so great as that you will afford me by your compliance."

Then let it be but a hundred pounds I pray you my lord."

"I will not abate you a single groat of the thousand.” "I do assure you I cannot bring myself to accept it, for I know not at what time I shall be able to pay you."

"Talk not of paying, else shall I be angry presently. I tell you Master Shakspeare, I have received such infinite pleasure from the wondrous excellences of your genius that twenty times the sum I have mentioned would not have purchased. Shall I receive advantage and give none? I pray you no more denials. I have set my heart upon it, and it must be."

At this moment there entered a serving-man, announcing my Lord of Essex and Master Francis Bacon, to whom his master gave orders for their instant admittance.

I will send a trusty messenger to your lodgings with the money to-morrow morning, Master Shakspeare," said my Lord Southampton, as he in the very friendliest manner possible took his companion by the hand, which he cordially shook, his youthful face beaming with benevolence all the whilst. "And I sincerely trust it may be the foundation of a fortune worthy of your high deserts. Hush!-say not a word!" he exclaimed, seeing the other was about to speak. My friends approach; and I would not have this breathed to any."

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Master Shakspeare was silenced; but he reflected all the more. "And this is the man," thought he, "of whom Burbage spoke so slightingly! Why, what a princely heart he hath! O' my life! if I cannot help myself of profiting by his munificence, I will do my best to prove it hath not been misapplied." And so he went on, so lost in admiration of the other's noble conduct, as not to perceive he was the object of very attentive observation by a stranger who had entered the and, whilst the two lords were conversing very earnestly, yet in a low voice, as if on some important matter, at the further end of it, and the serving-man was putting a fresh log on the fire, and some clean glasses on the table, he, drawn

room,

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to him probably by that appearance of superior intelligence in his countenance which none could look on without affection or reverence, came as close as he might, and sat himself down the more nearly to observe him. This was no other than Master Francis Bacon, then coming into some note for his great learning, and afterwards so highly esteemed as the very chiefest philosopher of his time.

He was dressed in no way distinguishable from other young lawyers, wearing a doublet of a sober colour: indeed, his whole apparelling was a complete contrast unto the gorgeous splendour of my Lord of Essex, who affected to outdo all in costliness of dress, Master Bacon was rather of a comely countenance; of a gravity that was more pleasing than severe, having a mouth of some tendency to mirth, a thoughtful brow, eyes clear and bright, and a beard well trimmed. He seemed rather younger than Master Shakspeare; but they appeared, as near as might be of like height. There then were the two finest intellects of the age met together for the first time. Each had heard of the other; and what each had heard was sufficient to him desirous of knowing as much more as he could.

Master Shakspeare had not been but a very few seconds reflecting upon his patron's bountiful behaviour to him, when he started up of a sudden, as if conscious he had committed some rudeness in not paying more respect to my Lord Southampton's guests, and seeing of Master Bacon regarding of him so attentively, he straightway, with a courteousness that did become none so well as he, expressed how glad he was to make his acquaintance. To this the other replied to a like purpose; and they presently fell to conversing one with another with as much freedom as if they were acquaintances of long standing. Yet was there a marked difference betwixt the two in their manner. Master Shakspeare was open and cordial, like a man who is at home with the world after much knowledge of it-he was perfectly at his ease; but Master Bacon, though not so much so as at first, looked to be in a sort of constraint. Whether he held the other in such respect as made him more reserved in his company than he was likely to be in any other, or whether his deep study of books had given him not sufficient opportunity for acquiring that graceful confidence which social intercourse alone confers, or whether his pursuit of the law had created in him a suspiciousness of any man's intentions till their excellence was