ACT I.
Q. Nay, be not sad, my lord!
Cl. Sad, loved Queen?
If by an effort of the will I could
Revoke the ever-present Past—disperse
The gaunt and gloomy ghosts of bygone deeds,
Or bind them with unperishable chains
In caverns of the past incarcerate,
Then could I smile again—but not till then!
Q. Oh, my dear lord!
If aught there be that gives thy soul unrest,
Tell it to me!
Cl. Well-loved and faithful wife,
Tender companion of my faltering life.
Yes; I can trust thee! Listen then to me:
Fifty years since—when but a headstrong lad—
I wrote a five-act tragedy!
Q. (interested). Indeed?
Cl. A play, writ by a king—
Q. And such a King!—
Cl. Finds ready market. It was read at once.
But ere 'twas read, accepted. Then the Press
Teemed with portentous import. Elsinore
Was duly placarded by willing hands;
