Belfry. Well,
The sketch was good; I liked it and the man.
The play was good, too—better than the stuff
We're acting; but I saw how out of it,
Instead of something that would crown his fame——
Sir T. The poet's?
Belfry. Yes, the poet's! Out of his play,
That might have been a stage-mark for a brace
Of centuries or so, I saw there could be shaped
A popular success to overrun
The English-speaking world for just two years,
Extract a ton of money, and be forgotten
For ever after: which is what we want.
Sir T. Indubitably.
Belfry. A commodious hack
I keep, transferred the scene, the folk, to Spain
From England, changed the age, and vulgarized
The whole. The trick was done; the money flows.
Sir T. And what about the poet?
Belfry. He trusted me;
He has no claim.
Sir T. I think the law——
Belfry. We all
Risk that.
Sir T. You shameful Yankee salesman! Play
Your tricks elsewhere.