Act 2 — Scene II.

Bacon:

[To Jonson, with hand outstretched.] Hearing of your discharge, I hastened to find you and share your joy, though alack! I was too weak to obtain your release.

Jonson:

That’s kind of you. Let me present my friends. This is young Fletcher, the poet, and Burbage whom you know, and Master Shakespeare, the best playwright of us all. And this, gentlemen, is Master Francis Bacon, the great philosopher.

Shakespeare:

And friend to my lord of Essex.

Bacon:

[Turning to Shakespeare.] Yes: do you know the Earl?

64Shakespeare:

By the kindness of Lord Southampton, so far as a poor poet may.

Jonson:

He’ll win Lord Burghley’s place or fall to ruin. But I fear his violence and wild courses.

Bacon:

When Lord Essex comes to power, he will act more soberly. Great men are like the heavenly bodies; they move violently to their places, and calmly in their places.

Shakespeare:

True, true! His violence is all of quick feeling: at heart he is most generous-kind.

Bacon:

You do not overpraise him; yet on troubled sea, small sails of will and temper are the safest.

Shakespeare:

Lord Essex is too great to think of safety; he dreams of noble deeds, and does them.

Bacon:

[After pausing.] Your praise does you credit; 65it shall be reported to the Earl. But I came to greet Jonson, and hear his new song: I must soon be on my way.

Selden:

[To Fletcher.] Curious, the two masters can neither wrestle nor embrace: Bacon’s on earth, Shakespeare in the clouds.

Fletcher:

[Not listening.] Let us go into the inner room: we shall hear the music better. [All go inside save Shakespeare and Jonson. Music is heard through the open door.]

Jonson:

[Turning to Shakespeare.] So you are in love, I hear. Oh, that urchin, Cupid! But beware, Will, beware; his darts are all poisoned.

[Takes Shakespeare’s arm, and draws him towards the inner room.]

Shakespeare:

What sweet poison!

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