SCENE I.-The Street before the Court House at Stratford. In the background the PUBLIC, await

ing admission. In the foreground FIVE FATHERS and a MOTHER, conferring with the CLERK OF THE COURT.

FIRST FATHER.

Must we then howl jointly and severally, good Master Clerk?

THE CLERK OF THE COURT.

Aye, Master Perch, and roar also.

SECOND FATHER.

And weep exceeding sore?

THE CLERK OF THE COURT.

Aye, so as thy neighbour smelleth not thine onion.

THIRD FATHER.

And when shall this our lamentation and uproar

appear most prudent and seemly, good Master Clerk ?

THE CLERK OF THE COURT.

When ye shall note Sir Thomas to enter. Until then, lift not your voices clamorously: only thou [to the Mother] may'st sob and spare not. Notwithstanding, omit not the while to shake your fists at Master Shakespeare. And remember that when Sir Thomas cometh in, ye men shall cry for justice against the said Shakespeare, but the mother shall cry only, "O my boy, my boy! my innocent boy!"

FOURTH FATHER.

Wherefore this, good Master Clerk?

THE CLERK OF THE Court.

Marry, because Sir Thomas maliceth Shakespeare, and shall regard you the more favourably if you do him to wit that you malice Shakespeare also, and give him cause to say that Shakespeare has hurt not him only but you and your children. Cry and weep inasmuch as it shall be given you, until ye perceive Sir Thomas offer to speak, or call the first witness, then

may a pin be heard to fall; and have a special care that none be able to say that Sir Thomas taketh his

law from the fathers of the defendants.

FIFTH FATHER.

May we not cry from time to time, "O Sir Thomas, Sir Thomas, spare my child!" as though extremity of anguish did enforce us?

THE CLERK OF THE COURT.

Aye, but warily, that Sir Thomas his voice be not covered thereby.

FIRST FATHER.

There is but one thing yet somewhat disquieteth me, good Master Clerk.

THE CLERK OF THE COurt.

What of it?

FIRST FATHER.

Thou knowest that our children do marvellously

affect their master Shakespeare, and I doubt that

when they see us shake our fists at him, they will

shake their fists at us.

SECOND FATHER.

Aye, and that when we cry out against him they

will

cry for him, and call him dear master.

THIRD FATHER.

And say that they choose rather imprisonment with him, and their love and loyalty shall move many.

THE CLERK OF THE COurt.

It moveth not Sir Thomas, I warrant you, albeit he be of gentle heart save when he maliceth a man, and he maliceth your sons not at all, but Shakespeare only. But see, the doors are opened, and the folk enter. Go in, therefore, and sit where I did tell you and although your sons must needs be shent in

court, doubt not that this night they shall eat their porridge at home.

[They go in.