Mary. Oh, peace!
Shakespeare. —in a night of spring—
Mary. Ah, was it love?
Shakespeare. Remember, Beauty, when you came to me, As came the beggar to Cophetua, As queens came conquered to the Macedon, As Cressid came by night to Diomed, As night comes queenly to the bed of day Enmantled in her hair, so you to me, Juliet, and all your night of hair was mine To curtain me and you—
Mary. Forgotten, forgotten—
Shakespeare. That night you loved me—
Anne’s Voice. I was drunk with dreams That night.
Shakespeare. That night of victory you loved me! I have my witnesses. O watching stars—
Mary. The eyes, the eyes, the arch of eyes!
Shakespeare. —speak for me! Once was a taper that outshone you all, It burned so bright. Oh, how you winked and pried! I saw you through the tatters of the dark And mocked you in my hour. Yet speak for me, Eternal lights, for now my candle’s blown Past envy! But she loved me then!