As an exercise in writing
I've tried to expand
on the Elizabethan era
and drama at hand.

Some knowledge I gained
by watching (hope you approve)
the enchanting movie
of "Shakespear in Love"

Herewith is my effort,
fiction 'tho it be,
with unknown characters
and known ones, to a degree.

And so the drama begins...

Lady Evelyn waited impatiently for Master Kit to come to her in the garden as the lark sang its soft, sweet song.

Memories enveloped her this warm May morn, and her thoughts returned to the first time she had seen him: just two fortnights past. So short a time, and yet thee hath stolen my heart, beloved sir, she thought to herself.

____________________

Her father, Lord Walsham, had allowed her to go with friends and her maid to attend the play that was produced by the Earl of Nottingham at The Rose theatre. It was the second time in three years this play was produced, but the first by the company of Lord Admiral’s Men.

Heralded to be a most wondrous play, “The Massacre at Paris” was indeed an enjoyable entertainment, but towards the end, Lady Evelyn was in need of fresh air; she strolled to the entrance of the theater.

There she beheld the most beautiful man she had ever seen: black of hair and eyes of mysterious depth and sorrow. How intense he seems, she thought. Suddenly he was approaching her.

“Couldst my lady be so bored with the entertainment that thou must leave the play?” he asked her.

“Oh, no, kind sir; it is just the warmth of the enclosure that made my head seem to swirl. It truly is a good play. And, what brings thee to the outdoors, if I am not too bold with thee?” Lady Evelyn asked in reply.

“I have lived with this play far much too long, my lady. I know the words of each of the actors better than they; I am the author of this and other plays produced by the Earl.”

“Oh, sir, I know of thy name: Master Kit you must be, then. I have heard the Earl speak highly of you with my father.”

“If thou shall permit me, I wouldst escort thee to thy carriage Lady...ah, I know not thy name.”

“Evelyn, Lady Evelyn, sir” she interjected.

"...ah, Lady Evelyn, the play will soon find its end and the crowd could be a might rowdy. Shall thee show the way?”

Thus it began, with many meetings to follow.

They would meet in the garden, or take strolls through fields. He speaking words that would enchant and beguile my soul, she thought. Just two nights past he had dazzled her with:

“Come live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove,
That valleys, groves, hills, and fields,
Woods, or steepy mountain yields.”

“Such beautiful words thee speak, Master Kit. Methinks thou wouldst not be so bold to speak these in the presence of my Lord Walsham” Lady Evelyn had nearly spat at him.

____________________

There were more harsh words then, and Lady Evelyn wondered if Master Kit would keep this morning meeting with her. She would apologize to him, though she felt in her heart he had been much too bold to speak of these things to her. He could become enraged quite easily, she thought.

She had just sat on the bench when she heard the squeak of the garden gate. Her heart was pounding as she turned and saw him nearing; saw those same eyes of mysterious depth and sorrow and intensity.

“My Lady, I apologize for making thee wait. I must leave anon, as there are friends awaiting me to go to Deptford for the day” Master Kit said as he turned his head from her.

“Why art thou leaving so soon, good sir? Art thou still angry with me for my outburst
to thee two nights past? Oh, kindred spirit, wouldst thou not deceive me with thine eyes! Turn thy head to me and tell me now: doust thou love me no more, as the rose loves the sun and rain, or shall we forever be apart, as summer is from winters morn?”, Lady Evelyn implored.

“Naught to be, my lady. I have told of my love for thee, how could I be angry. ‘Tis foolish business that must be attended to this day. I shall return to thee before the nightingale
sings his first song of early eve, and we shall speak of what wilst be.”

With this she eagerly accepted his warm kisses, though they be lost in tears as he passed through the garden gate.

Came late in the evening that Lady Evelyn again waited in the garden. Someone had entered the gate, but it was not Master Kit.

“Good sir, what be thy business here this night?” she asked Master Will.

“’Tis an ill wind that blows this night, m’lady. I bring thee news that saddens me to the deepest part of mine heart; but I had to come to thee lest you hear the word from a stranger. ‘Tis news of our friend Kit I bring thee. He hath been slain this day at Deptford. A tragedy to all who love him and...”

“Oh, begone, sir! I do not want to hear these unspeakable words! It surely cannot be true what thee sayeth! I will NOT believe!” she cried out. Sobbing, she fell to the soft ground beneath her.

As Lady Evelyn finally raised her head, she glimpsed Will Shakespeare leave through the gate.

It was then she heard the nightingale sing mournfully: ”ahh...ahh...but my love, what could have been.”

It was thus that the beautiful Lady Evelyn learned of the death of her most handsome and beloved Christopher Marlowe.

 
And so the drama ends.

© Copyright Jackie (Micke) Jinks, Feb. 2008

Original© Copyright Jackie (Micke) Jinks, 2001.