HOW THE LAST ACT OF HAMLET WAS WRITTEN. 75

“It is my belief,” said Burbage, “that the reason he came for his
money as soon as he had done the first four acts, was that he didn’t
know how to finish it himself. He hath gotten his people into such
a coil, as would defy the devil to get them out of it. Truly, I was
distraught to pay him !”

“It will be a lesson for you in future,” said the Earl.

“Tt will!” said the manager, with deep feeling.

The Earl of Essex appeared lost in meditation. At length his
countenance assumed an air of decision. He grasped the manager’s
hand, and said, with fervour—

“ Burbage, I’ll save you yet! Give me the manuscript.”

Burbage looked frightened. He feared that his illustrious patron
was going to offer his own literary services; and his faith in noble
amateurs was not great. He falteringly asked him what he pro-
posed.

“To find Will,” was the reply. ‘And if he be alive, and within
twenty miles, I pledge you my knightly word he shall finish the piece
before sunrise—though I ransack every pot-house round Paul’s, and
force him to write with my sword at his throat.”

“My noble friend!” exclaimed the delighted manager, at once
relieved of his fears, and inspired with a ray of hope—* how shall I
ever repay you ?”

. And he thrust the MS. eagerly into the Earl’s hand.

“Not a word!” said Essex, impatiently: “it shall be done.