AT THE COURT OF KING CLAUDIUS 130 ROMEO AND ROSALINE 138 A FIRST NIGHT 147 THE POET, THE PLAYER, AND THE LITERARY AGENT 156 BATH, 1663 168 PETER THE GREAT 176 “HAMLET” AND DR. DODD 188 HERR MÜLLER 197 HEINE IN PARIS 207 SMITH MAJOR 217 FROM SATURDAY TO MONDAY 224 A RUSSIAN SAILOR 236 DEAD LETTERS FROM THE MYCENAE PAPERS _Clytaemnestra to Aegisthus_ MYCENAE. Honoured Sir, I am sorry I was out when you came yesterday. I never thought that you seriously meant to come. I shall be very busy all next week, as Helen and Menelaus are arriving and I must get everything ready. Orestes was quite delighted with the cup and ball. You spoil him. Yours sincerely, CLYTAEMNESTRA. _Clytaemnestra to Aegisthus_ Most honoured Aegisthus, One line to say that I have received your letter and _loved_ it all except the last sentence. Please do not say that kind of thing again as it will quite ruin our friendship, which I thought was going to be so _real_. Yours very sincerely, CLYTAEMNESTRA. _Clytaemnestra to Aegisthus_ Most honoured Aegisthus, The flowers are beautiful, and it was kind of you to remember my birthday. But your letter is really too naughty.... (The rest of this letter is missing) _Clytaemnestra to Aegisthus_ MYCENAE. Most honoured Sir, This is to say that since you persist in misunderstanding me and refuse to listen to what I say, our correspondence must end. It is extraordinary to me that you should wish to debase what might have been so great and so wonderful. Yours truly, CLYTAEMNESTRA. _Clytaemnestra to Aegisthus_ MYCENAE. Most honoured Aegisthus, I was much touched by your letter and I will give you the one more trial you ask for so humbly and so touchingly.