AT THE ELEPHANT & MAGPIE INN, LONDON, May 29, 1602.

TO WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE:

This is written to thee by John Lely, a clerk, in behalf of Nicholas
Bottom, who useth not the pen, and who says to me to tell William
Shakespeare, fie upon him that he did order the aforesaid Bottom to
be locked out of the Globe Playhouse. Hath he forgotten the first
play he, William Shakespeare, did ever write, to wit, "Pyramus and
Thisbe," when a boy at Stratford, which was played by himself and
Nicholas Bottom and Peter Quince and others, in a barn, for the
delectation of the townsmen? And is not this same play a part of his
"Midsummer Night's Dream," which beggarly play he did sell for £10,
and hath not Nicholas Bottom first and always been an ass therein?
Doth he refuse to render to Nicholas Bottom 10 shillings per week
when he can get £10 or even £11 for a beggarly play, which is nought
unless it be acted? Many a time hath he paid me from a sponging
house; often hath he given me groats for sack, and for purges when
sack hath undone me; and did I ever insult him to offer to repay him
a penny? Say to him, remembereth he not when the horses ridden by
Duncan and Macbeth upon the stage did break through the floor, who,
affrighted, did run howling away, whereby Burbage was aroused and
did pick him, William Shakespeare, from among the horses' feet and
save his life? And now, sweet Will, fie upon thee that thou didst
frown upon thy townsman. Delay not to send me sundry shillings for
the publican, who believes you will discharge, as often before, my
reckoning. This, and much more of like tenor, saith Nicholas Bottom
to William Shakespeare by your worship's humble servant,

JOHN LELY.