ELIZABETH. To each his angel For good or ill. Women to a man, the man to a woman ever Mated or fated. I am this fate to you, As to me once a fallen star you knew not. It’s long ago. You should have known the man. He was the glory of the English night, Its red star in decline. For see what came-- His fires were earthy and he choked himself In his own ash. Not good but goodly was he, A natural prince of the world: and he had been one Had he been other, or I blind, or--Mary. Lucifer! Lucifer! He loved me not, But would have used me. Well--he used me not. He died. I loved him. This between us two. Bury it deep! SHAKESPEARE. Deep as my sorrow lies. But Queen, what cometh after? ELIZABETH. Work. SHAKESPEARE. And after? ELIZABETH. Sleep comes for me. SHAKESPEARE. And after? ELIZABETH. Sleep for you. SHAKESPEARE. And after? ELIZABETH. Nothing. Only the blessed sleep. SHAKESPEARE. And so ends all? ELIZABETH. And so all ends. SHAKESPEARE. Love ends? ELIZABETH. And so love ends. SHAKESPEARE. I have a word to say. Give me this crown and reach the sceptre here! The end’s not yet, but yet the end is mine; For I know what I am and what I do At last! Give me my pen, ere the spark dies That lights me! And now leave me! _He turns to the table and his work._ ELIZABETH [_loudly_]. Open the door! SHAKESPEARE. Sesame, sesame! A word to say-- _The door is flung open and the long passage is seen._ O darkness, did she pass between your walls, And left no picture on the empty air, No echo of her step that waits for mine To wake it in a message? What do I here? “A word to say”! There’s nothing left but words. ELIZABETH _has descended from her throne and crossing the room, pauses a moment beside him._ ELIZABETH. Is the harness heavy--heavy? SHAKESPEARE. Heavy as lead. Heavy as a heart. ELIZABETH. It will not lighten. SHAKESPEARE. Go! [_She goes out._] I had a word to say. Oh, spark that burned but now--! ANNE’S VOICE. It dips, it dies--