Page:Foggerty.djvu/354

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350
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

ACT I.

Interior of King Claudius's Palace. Claudius discovered seated in gloomy attitude. Queen Gertrude at his feet, consoling him.

Q. Nay, be not sad, my lord!
Cl. Sad, loved Queen?
If by an effort of the will I could
Revoke the ever-present Past—disperse
The gaunt and gloomy ghosts of bygone deeds,
Or bind them with unperishable chains
In caverns of the past incarcerate,
Then could I smile again—but not till then!
Q. Oh, my dear lord!
If aught there be that gives thy soul unrest,
Tell it to me!
Cl. Well-loved and faithful wife,
Tender companion of my faltering life.
Yes; I can trust thee! Listen then to me:
Fifty years since—when but a headstrong lad—
I wrote a five-act tragedy!
Q. (interested). Indeed?
Cl. A play, writ by a king—
Q. And such a King!—
Cl. Finds ready market. It was read at once.
But ere 'twas read, accepted. Then the Press
Teemed with portentous import. Elsinore
Was duly placarded by willing hands;