Act 1 — Scene V.
Reading edition
Burbage:
[Entering hurriedly.] Farce and tragedy and escape. A play within a play.
Fletcher:
[Enters just behind him, followed by Dekker, Marston, Chettle and Hughes.] A great scene! The revolt of the groundlings. Didn’t you hear them shouting, Shakespeare?
Shakespeare:
I heard nothing.
Fletcher:
Self-absorbed as ever.
Dekker:
[Sneeringly.] Lost on Parnassus!
Shakespeare:
What was it, Fletcher?
Fletcher:
A scene for Dekker. The orange-girls have been pelting the ladies in their rooms. The ladies gibed at them, and they replied with rotten fruit. The ladies shrieked, and hid themselves; 21all but one, who stood in front and outfaced the furies—a queen!
Shakespeare:
Are they safe? Where are they now?
Burbage:
The lords Southampton and Lacy are bringing them: here they come.
[Enter three ladies, masked, and Lords Southampton and Lacy, followed by Selden.]