MARY. In advance? Not I! But if the Queen likes it--I’m her obedient servant. If the Queen opens her hand I shan’t shut mine. Where she claps once I’ll clap twice. Where she gives you a hand to kiss, I’ll give you--There! Curtain’s down! I must go. SHAKESPEARE. Mary! MARY. Listen to it! Listen! Listen! This is better than any poor Mary. _She goes out. The door is left open. The applause breaks out again._ SHAKESPEARE. Is this the golden apple in my hand At last? How tastes it, heart, and is it sweet, is it sweet? Sweeter than common apples? So many years Of days I watched it grow and propped and pruned, Besought the sun and watered. O my tree When the green broke! That was a morning hour. Fool, so to long for fruit! Now the fruit’s ripe. The tree in spring was fairest, when it flowered, And every petal held a drink of dew. The bloom went long ago. Well, the fruit’s here! Hark! _The applause breaks out again._ It goes well. Eat up your apple, man! This is the hour, the hour! I’m the same man-- No better for it. When Marlowe praised me so He meant it--meant it. I thought he laughed at me In his sleeve. Will Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet! I made it--I! Indeed, indeed, at heart-- (I would not for the world they read my heart: I’d scarce tell Mary) but indeed, at heart, I know no song was ever sung before Like this my lovely song. _I_ made it--I! It has not changed me. I’m the same small man, And yet I made it! Strange! [_A knock._] STAGE HAND [_putting in his head at the door_]. You’ll not see anyone, sir, will you? SHAKESPEARE. I told you already I’ll come to the green-room when the show’s over. I can see no stranger before. STAGE HAND. So I’ve told her, sir, many times. But she says you will know her when you see her and she can’t wait. SHAKESPEARE. A lady? STAGE HAND. No, no, sir, just a woman. I’ll tell her to go away again. SHAKESPEARE. Wait! Did she give no name? STAGE HAND. Name of Hathaway, sir, from Stratford. SHAKESPEARE. Anne! Bring her here! Bring her here quickly, privately! You should have told me sooner. Where does she wait? Did any see her? Did any speak with her? If anyone asks for me save Henslowe or Mr. Marlowe, I am gone, I am not in the theatre. What are you staring at? What are you waiting for? Bring her here!