ou might retire
a bill upon which you were a guarantor. As I then told you, I have
no money myself, being very poor; but I have a friend who has money
with which I can persuade him to relieve your wants. Had I myself
the money, I should gladly meet your needs at a moderate usance, not
more than twenty-five in the hundred; but my friend is a hard man,
who exacts large returns for his means, and will be very urgent that
repayment be made on the day named in the bill. He hath empowered me
to take your bill at two months,--for him, mind you,--for L10, the
payment to be assured, as you wished, by the pledge of your two new
plays in manuscript,--"Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Romeo and
Juliet,"--for which bill he will at my strong instance, and because
you are a friend to me, give L5. My charge for services in this
behalf, which hath consumed much time, will be L1, which I shall
straightway pay out in the purchase of a new gown, much needed by my
little daughter Jessica, who loves you and recalls often the
pleasant tales you do repeat for her diversion.

The letters in the second period (1602) are nine years later than those
just read. The first is from the same Mordecai Shylock, who, with the
poet, seems to have prospered in worldly affairs, as his letters are
dated in a more reputable portion of the city.

THREADNEEDLE STREET, LONDON, April 17, 1602.

To WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE:

In January last past you purchased of Richard Burbage four shares of
the stock of the Globe Theatre for L100, and inasmuch as you had not
available the whole means to pay therefor, borrowed from me the L60
wanting, paying yourself L40 of such purchase price, and giving me
in pledge for my L60 such four shares of stock. Owing to special
attractions at Blackfriars' Theatre, the stock of the Globe hath
greatly declined in value, and I fear these four shares may not
longer be salable at the price of even L60, and I therefore must
importune that you forthwith do make a payment of L20 on your said
bill, or the four shares of stock will be sold at public vendue.

The next letter is from the same writer, and is dated nine days later.

THREADNEEDLE STREET, April 26, 1602.

To WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE:

I acknowledge to have received from you by the hand of Henry Condell
L5, and two of your own shares in the stock of the Globe Theatr