Ink and Steel

Intra-act: Chorus

Two weeks later, the playhouses opened as scheduled, and a letter arrived at Will’s lodging house, forwarded without comment by Annie from Stratford.

Mr. Will. Shakspere Stratford-upon-Avon

My dearest countryman & fellow:

Please that this find you well, I have prevailed upon one Robin of my present company to deliver unto you this letter & my fondest remembrances, that all passeth well with you & the fair Anne your wife & that you me recollect fondly as you serve our fair Prince. It is to me as my days creep by that, gone as I am from England, England is almost near enough to touch: a great frustration to an exile. But even as my spirit sometimes flags, I find I am come home, & am given to hope perhaps my necessary & permanent absence will not prove so onerous as fear’d. I have an eye for you, my dear Will, & will be of assistance as I may find opportunity. I beg you trust me safe, if in politics, & well-occupied with many pleasures and problems. A letter may reach me through unusual channels, although perhaps not privily: FW knows the path. I hope you will forward your Adonis, & whatever other works you think may interest me. I would send gold to afford the purchase of books but it would not outlast the sunset as other than dross, & having been taken once for coining I’ll not will that adventure on you. So if you seek to do me this kindness I fear you shall have no recompense but mine unending affection. I am closer than you imagine. This 14th day of January 1593 (as I think it) I remain yrs affectionately & in good hope of our eventual re-acquaintance your most distant friend.

Postscript: Yr Shrew was an outstanding success. I will be observing your future career with some interest.