HENSLOWE. Why, here’s a bird of wisdom sitting in the dark! Shut your eyes, man, and use candles or you’ll scorch out your own sockets! What’s wrong now? But tell me that as we ride; for the Queen wants you in a hurry, and what’s more an angry Queen. I’d not be you! Here I’ve hunted London for you from tavern to lady’s lodging till I ferreted out that Marlowe was here, and so I followed him for news. SHAKESPEARE. Here’s news enough. Henslowe, look here! HENSLOWE. Who did it? SHAKESPEARE. We--he and I. There was another in it. HENSLOWE. Was it the youngster passed me in the yard, Caught at his horse and rode like fear away? SHAKESPEARE. Was’t a pale horse? HENSLOWE. I saw not. In the dark A voice cried “Hurry!” SHAKESPEARE. That was she. HENSLOWE. Who? Who? SHAKESPEARE. Death. She has fled and left her catch behind. Can you do anything? HENSLOWE. For the living scarce-- You must be got away. Are you known here? SHAKESPEARE. As men know Cain. All, all is finished, Henslowe! LANDLORD [_putting his head in at the door_]. Is anything wrong sir? HENSLOWE. Wrong? What should be wrong? But we’re in haste. Call the ostler! We want a second horse. _He slips his arm through_ SHAKESPEARE’S _and tries to lead him to the door._ LANDLORD. Is the gentleman ill, sir? He sways. HENSLOWE. Your good wine, host. A MAN [_over the_ LANDLORD’S _shoulder_]. The best on the Surrey side! HENSLOWE. He’ll tell the Queen so in an hour if you’ll make way. MEN [_crowding into the doorway_]. The Queen! Did you hear? He’s been sent by the Queen! HENSLOWE. Keep your people back, landlord! THE MAN [_staggering into the room_]. I say, three cheers for the Queen! ANOTHER. The Queen! The Queen! Three cheers for Bess! [_Singing_]. Hey, Bess! Ho, Bess! Heel and toe, Bess! Ladies and gentlemen, here’s a man on the bed. HENSLOWE. Ay! My friend! Let him be! THE MAN. Is he drunk too? THE OTHER. If I were a judge I’d say “Very drunk”! He’s spilled his wine on his clothes. What I say is “Waste not, want not!” LANDLORD. Come now, come away! You hear what the gentleman says. THE MAN [_throwing him off_]. Hey, Death! Ho, Death! Let me go, Death! Shall I wake him? SHAKESPEARE [_turning in the doorway_]. Ay, wake him, wake him, old trump of judgment! Wake him if you can, And if you cannot let him sleep his sleep And envy him that he can sleep so sound!