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out doubt 'tis owing to your majesty's infinite condescension, in having desired of me the production of such a play; therefore I cannot say the merit be mine, but must, in proper honesty, give it to the illustrious source from which it sprung."

This speech appeared to give her majesty great satisfaction, for she looked well pleased at it; and the ladies around her spoke to one another in commendation of Master Shakspeare's modesty, and did regard him with a wonderful pleased aspect.

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Nay, you shall do yourself no such wrong," replied the queen, kindness of manner that was truly admirable; "the performance is of your sole invention, to the which we have contributed not one line; therefore in no case can we claim the smallest partnership in the merit. We have been hugely taken with that fat knight of yours all along, and we have found so much gratification in the very proper treatment of him by the merry wives, that we shall think the better of Windsor for containing such."

At this the courtiers began a praising of her majesty's liberality, for so handsomely denying having any share in the excellence of what at least had been done at her instigation; and in consequence thereof she might justly, they said, have claimed some part of the merit; and all, marvelling at the extreme pleasantness of her majesty's humour, did anticipate that it would be to Master

Shakspeare's profit. In that it seemed, from what immediately followed, they were not without some grounds.

"Think you there is ought in which we could do you a service?" enquired the queen.

"That is there, please your majesty, I should like done of all things," answered Master Shakspeare.

"Speak, then, what you would have; and if it be within modest bounds, it shall be granted," added the queen.

"Please your majesty, 'tis but for the pardon of a distressed friend of mine, that hath had the ill hap to offend your majesty," said Master Shakspeare, with exceeding ~gency; "he is one of most notable good parts s gallant a gentleman that breathes; infinite in his accomplishments, and princely in his disposition; who hath borne himself so on manifold occasions, as is alike honourable to your majesty, whom it was once his pride and happiness to serve; and creditable to himself, who now languisheth in a prison in utter hopelessness, at having, in some misguided moment, incurred your majesty's displeasure. I will wager my life he is heartily sorry for what he hath done amiss; and that there lives not in this bountiful world one who, if he were allowed, would serve your majesty with more honesty, valour, and devotedness."

"And who may this distressed friend of yours happen to be?" asked the queen, in some degree pleased to meet with one of such a nature as would rather ask for another than for himself.

"Sir Walter Raleigh,” replied he.

Thereupon every one did look amazed at Master Shakspeare's imprudence, and the queen's brow grew black of a sudden.

"We are astonished that you could find no better request to make," observed the queen, somewhat angrily; yet in her heart wondering that there should come before her one so bold as, in his first request of her, to plead for a disgraced favourite. "He hath done us such extreme dishonour as surely never before did crowned queen suffer of a subject. We have had him placed where he shall have time to repent him of such shameful misdoings; and there 'tis our good pleasure he shall remain. As for yourself, Master Shakspeare, you have done greatly amiss in speaking of such a traitor. It seemeth to us somewhat overbold of you. Go your ways, sir, and when we next allow of your asking of us a favour, see that it contain no such offensive matter."

At this Master Shakspeare bowed very low, yet with a marvellous dignity, that was the admiration of all, and was about to depart from the presence, when my Lord of Essex, who, notwithstanding his exceeding pride, and jealousy of any that did seem

to interfere with his supremacy, was possessed of some noble qualities, thought to put in a word for him.

"Please your majesty," said he, "it be all out of the very honesty of Master Shakspeare's nature, that he hath said this, I will be bound for it. My honourable friend the Lord Southampton, hath given me great commendation of him; and I do assure your majesty he is in excellent good report of all men. What he hath urged in behalf of his friend is in the manner natural; and methinks he might escape blame without any dishonour to your majesty, whose bountifulness of heart can in no way suffer by it. I pray you, let not what he hath said move you against him, for I for one, who, it may be supposed, am not like to go out of my way to say aught upon the matter, do consider that Sir Walter Raleigh hath the requisites of a very noble gentleman."

Now the courtiers knew not which to marvel at most—the imprudence of Master Shakspeare in requesting pardon for his friend, or the magnanimity of my Lord of Essex in speaking in favour of his rival; but the consequence of my lord's speaking was, that the queen did give Master Shakspeare a more gracious dismissal than she seemed before inclined to do; and acknowledged that she believed her captain of the guard had many commendable qualities and it now appeared to those around her,

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a greater marvel than all, that her majesty should say this when it was known he had done her so grievous a wrong.

Master Shakspeare made all haste from the palace to the lodgings of Master Burbage in Cheapside, in great disappointment that he had succeeded no better for Sir Walter Raleigh, whom he greatly esteemed; yet in some hope that the consequences would not be to his disadvantage. He found his friend dressed, and on the point of going out.

"Ha, Will!" exclaimed he, as soon as the other entered the room, “How liketh the queen thy new play? Doth it please her? Dost think 'twill draw her to the playhouse? How was it taken among the noble lords and fair ladies of the court?"

"I prythee have patience, Dick,” replied Master Shakspeare, sitting of himself down awhile, "I will answer thy questions as speedily as I may. The queen liketh my new play well-it doth please her, because she liketh it-she will be at the playhouse the first time of its performance, because it pleaseth her-and the noble lords and fair ladies were taken with it exceedingly, because it was exceedingly taken of the queen."

"Bravo, Will! thou answereth marvellously to the purpose," cried Master Burbage, cutting a caper, as if the intelligence was hugely to his liking.

"I'faith, 'tis well that thou art pleased," remarked the other, "for I had need of half a dozen

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