I suffer, if that’s what you mean; but the suffering will pass. My courage rises to the need: the world is wide; the roads run free. What will be, will be. One mistake never ruins a man’s life, and one mistake shall never ruin mine. Next summer the sun will shine again and the air be young and quick; I have no fear. [_Turns to go._] Farewell, I’m for the road. [_Mistress Fitton turns to go._] SHAKESPEARE: You will come back. We shall meet again! MISS FITTON: [_Turns to the door, and turns back again._] It is hard to say; we’ve played at cross-purposes, Will; but we all wound and are wounded in love’s lists; yet, after all, love is the soul of life. SHAKESPEARE: A great game; and you are a great player, the greatest I shall ever know. [_Takes her hand and kisses it._] Of many thousand kisses this poor last. [_Exit Miss Fitton._] SCENE IV. [_Burbage, Marston, Dekker and Fletcher burst in._] BURBAGE: Great news, Will, great news! The Queen’ll hear us in “The Merry Wives of Windsor” to-night in full Court. Now use your wit, my lad, and you’ll be Master of the Revels, and our licence’ll be safe and we’ll all come to honour and riches! DEKKER: He counts his hens in the shell always. FLETCHER [_To Shakespeare, humming._]: “Why so sad, singer, why so sad? Girls were deceivers ever— One foot in Court and one on Stage, To one love constant never!” SCENE V. _The Throne Room at Court._ [_The Queen enters, with train of ladies, lords, and counsellors, and takes the throne; Burghley, small and deformed, dressed in black, is on her right._] THE QUEEN: The play was well enough. [_Turning to Burghley._] My Lord Burghley, have you heard from our cousin James? Has he punished those raiders yet? LORD BURGHLEY: He’ll give us every satisfaction, your Majesty, except what costs him money. THE QUEEN: A mean spirit and a long tongue; he had the one from his father, the other from his mother. And Essex? How does he bear his disgrace? LORD BURGHLEY: He chafes and talks loud; it’ll all end in talk. But he should not be strengthened, Madame; the time’s unsettled and for that reason I’d pray your Majesty to release Lord Herbert; he’s young and well liked of the common—— THE QUEEN: Keep to your own business. LORD BURGHLEY: [_Bows low._] Shall I write to the King of Scots imposing a penalty? He’s responsible for disorder. THE QUEEN: I’m tired to-night. LORD BURGHLEY: Your complexion’s brilliant; you look your best. THE QUEEN: Ah! You think so. What’s this? [_Lord Lacy and Lady Joan come forward and bow low. Lord Lacy advances holding Lady Joan’s hand._] THE QUEEN: [_To Lacy._] What is it? Speak. LACY: