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But I read on; a passage from a play,
With frequent interlude and change of scene,
Till here was Denmark and the moody Dane.
Without, the Corporal did change the guard,
Even while Bernardo challenged Francisco
Upon the battlements at Elsinore:

Fran.—You come most carefully upon your hour.
Ber.—'Tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, Francisco.
Fran.—For this relief much thanks. . . .

"And so say I," said Nick, acrawling in,
"'Tis dull work gazing into No Man's Land,
And peopling it with denizens of dream—
But do not let my coming stay the play;
The play's the thing; your audience awaits!"

So now my fingers found that sad, sweet tale,
That story of the ancient grudge between
The House of Montague and Capulet.