SHAKESPEARE. She heard us? Did she hear--they’ve read the play, And the Queen’s asked for me! London, Anne! London! I’ll send you London home, my lass, by the post-- Such frocks and fancies! London! London, Anne! And you, you know? and speed me hence? By God, That’s my own wife at last, all gold to me And goodness! Anne, be better to me still And help me hence to-night! ANNE. It dips, it dies, A night-light, Mother, and no star. I grope Giddily in the dark. SHAKESPEARE. What did she tell you? ANNE. No matter. Oh, it earns not that black look. London? the Queen? I’ll help you, oh, be sure! Too glad to see you glad. SHAKESPEARE. Anne, it’s good-bye To Stratford till the game’s won. ANNE. What care I So you are satisfied? The farm must go-- That’s little-- SHAKESPEARE. Must it go? ANNE. Dreamer, how else Shall we two live in London? SHAKESPEARE. _We_, do you say? They’d have me travel with them--a rough life-- ANNE. I care not! SHAKESPEARE. --and you’re ailing. ANNE. Better soon. SHAKESPEARE. You’ll miss your mother. ANNE. Mothers everywhere Will help a girl. I’m strong. SHAKESPEARE. It will not do! I have my world to learn, and learn alone. I will not dangle at your apron-strings. ANNE. I’ll be no tie. I’ll be your follower And scarce your wife; but let me go with you! SHAKESPEARE. If you could see but once, once, with my eyes! ANNE. Will! let me go with you! SHAKESPEARE. I tell you--no! Leave me to go my way and rule my life After my fashion! I’ll not lean on you Because you’re seven years wiser. ANNE. That too, O God! SHAKESPEARE. And if I hurt you--for I know I do, I’m not so rapt--think of me, if you can, As a man stifled that wildly throws his arms, Raking the air for room--for room to breathe, And so strikes unaware, unwillingly, His lover! ANNE. I could sooner think of you Asleep, and I beside you with the child, And all this passion ended, as it must, In quiet graves; for we have been such lovers As there’s no room for in the human air And daylight side of the grass. What shall I do? And how live on? Why did you marry me? SHAKESPEARE. You know the why of that.