CHILD. Oh, he’s a poor old king whose daughters beat him. He isn’t in this play. Well, when Orpheus gets to hell--I lead him there, you know-- ANNE. A babe in hell--a babe in hell-- CHILD. I’m the little god of love. I wear a crown of roses and wings. They do tickle. Soon I’ll be too big. So he and I go to the three Fates to get back his wife. She isn’t pretty in that act. She’s all white and dead round her eyes--like you. ANNE. Does he find her? CHILD. After he sings his beautiful song he does. Everybody has to listen when he sings. Even the big dog lies down. Your husband made us a nice catch about it yesterday. I like your husband. I’m glad he’s coming with us. Are you coming with us? ANNE. No. CHILD. It’s a pity. If you were a man you could act in the company. But women can’t act. Even Orpheus’ wife is a boy really. So are the three Fates. They’re friends of mine. Would you like to talk to them, the way we do in the play? Come on! I go first, you see. You must say just what I tell you. _He takes her hands and pulls her to her feet. She stares, bewildered, for the room has grown dim. The dying fire shines upon the shifting, shadowy figures of the_ PLAYERS. _The crowd grows larger every moment and is thickest at the foot of the stairs_. SHAKESPEARE _is seen coming down them_. ANNE. The room’s so full. I’m frightened. Who are all these people? CHILD. Hush! We’re in hell. These are all the dead people. We bring ’em to life. ANNE. Who? We? CHILD. I and the singer. Look, there’s your husband coming down the stairs! That’s just the way Orpheus comes down into hell. ANNE. Will! Will! CHILD. Hush! You mustn’t talk. ANNE. But it’s all dreams--it’s all dreams. CHILD. It’s the players. SHAKESPEARE [_among the shadows_]. Let me pass! THE SHADOWS. Pay toll! SHAKESPEARE. How, pay it? A SHADOW. Tell my story? ANOTHER. And mine! ANOTHER. And mine! ANOTHER. And mine! A ROMAN WOMAN. Pluck back my dagger first and tell my story! A DROWNED GIRL. Oh, listen, listen, listen, I’ve forgotten my own story. It’s a very sad one. Remember for me! SHAKESPEARE. I will remember. Let me pass! A TROJAN WOMAN [_kissing him_]. Here’s pay! A VENETIAN. I died of love. THE TROJAN WOMAN. Kiss me and tell my story! A MOOR. Dead lips, dead lips! A YOUNG MAN. This is how Judas kissed. A QUEEN. My son was taken from me. Tell my story! ANOTHER. And mine! ANOTHER. And mine! A YOUNG MAN. That son am I! TWO CHILDREN. I--I-- A SOLDIER. I killed a king.