SHAKESPEARE [_shaken_]. I can’t sleep, Kit! has come to me? I think I go mad. [_He starts._] Was that the I can’t write. What boy on the stairs? I sent him to her. I wrote. I have waited her will long enough. She shall see me to-night. I’ll know what it means. She plays with me, Kit. Are you going? MARLOWE. I shall scarce reach Deptford ere dark. SHAKESPEARE. How long do you lodge in Deptford? MARLOWE. All summer. HENSLOWE [_pounding at the door_]. Who’s at home? Who’s at home? MARLOWE. That’s Henslowe. SHAKESPEARE. Why does the boy stay so long? HENSLOWE [_in the doorway_]. Gentlemen, the traveller returns! For the last time, I tell you! My bones grow too old for barnstorming. Do you go as I come, Kit? Thank you for nothing! MARLOWE. Be civil, Henslowe! ‘The Curtain’ ’s on its knees to me for my next play. HENSLOWE. Pooh! This man can serve my turn. MARLOWE. You see, they’ll make rivals of us, Will, before they’ve done. I’ll see you soon again. [_He goes out._] HENSLOWE. Well, what’s the news? SHAKESPEARE. I sit at home. You roam England. You can do the talking. How did the tour go? HENSLOWE. You’re thin, man! What’s the matter? Success doesn’t suit you? SHAKESPEARE. How did the tour go? HENSLOWE. By way of Oxford, Warwick, Kenilworth-- SHAKESPEARE. I said “how” not “where.” HENSLOWE. --and Leamington and Stratford. We played ‘Romeo’ every other night--and to full houses, my son! I’ve a pocketful of money for you. They liked you everywhere. As for your townsfolk, they went mad. You can safely go home, boy! You’ll find Sir Thomas in the front row, splitting his gloves. He’ll ask you to dinner. SHAKESPEARE. Were you there long? HENSLOWE. Two nights. SHAKESPEARE. Did you see--anyone? HENSLOWE. Why not say-- SHAKESPEARE. I say, did you pass my house? HENSLOWE. I had forgot the way. SHAKESPEARE. As I have, Henslowe! HENSLOWE. Should I have sought her? SHAKESPEARE. No. HENSLOWE. Yet I did see her. Making for London, not a week ago, Alone on horseback, sudden the long grey road Grew friendly, like a stranger in a dream Nodding “I know you!” and behold, a love Long dead, that smiles and says, “I never died!” Then in the turn of the lane I saw your thatch. Summer not winter, else was all unchanged. Still in the dream I left my horse to graze, And let ten years slip from me at your gate. SHAKESPEARE. Is it ten years?