you shall not lose by my over-hopeful vision. For its usance I send
a package of a new herb from the Chesapeake, called by the natives
tobacco. Make it not into tea, as did one of my kinsmen, but kindle
and smoke it in the little tube the messenger will bestow. Be not
deterred if thy gorge at first rises against it, for, when thou art
wonted, it is a balm for all sorrows and griefs, and as a dream of
Paradise. And now, my sweet Will, whom my soul loveth, why comest
thou not as of yore to the "Mermaid," that I may have speech with
thee? Thou knowest that from my youth up I have adventured all for
the welfare and glory of our Queen Elizabeth. On sea and on land and
in many climes have I fought the accursed Spaniards, and am honored
recognize thy supreme merit, for daily and hourly are sung to her
the praises of this loveliness until the story is as a tale that is
told and a weariness to the understanding; but thy commendations of
her wisdom will be as fresh and fragrant incense, nor will their
truthfulness be too closely scanned.

Thou knowest that I have taken all knowledge to be my province, and
therefore have I oft and longingly gazed into the flowery fields of
that divine art where to-day in our much-loved England thou art
disporting thyself supremely and alone. But when I consider thy
tragedies, throughout which is diffused the inmost soul of poesy, my
crude yet labored metres seem to me as the body of a maiden, not
indeed devoid of a certain comeliness and grace, yet into whose
waiting bosom hath not yet been breathed the spirit of life.

In thy tragedies thou hast the majestic grace which in the Attic
ages belonged to Sophocles alone; thou hast the stately march and
music of Aeschylus, without in thy themes his ceaseless iteration
of predestined woe which ranks his heroes outside humanity; yet the