LetthosewhoareinfavourwiththeirstarsOfpublichonourandproudtitlesboast，WhilstI，whomfortuneofsuchtriumphbars，Unlook’dforjoyinthatIhonourmost。
Andendsthesonnetbycongratulatinghimselfonthemeanstateofhimhesoadored。
ThenhappyI，thatloveandambelovedWhereImaynotremovenorberemoved。
ThissonnetCyrildeclaredwouldbequiteunintelligibleifwefanciedthatitwasaddressedtoeithertheEarlofPembrokeortheEarlofSouthampton，bothofwhomweremenofthehighestpositioninEnglandandfullyentitledtobecalled\"greatprinces\";andheincorroborationofhisviewreadmeSonnetsCXXIV。andCXXV。，inwhichShakespearetellsusthathisloveisnot\"thechildofstate，\"thatit\"suffersnotinsmilingpomp，\"butis\"buildedfarfromaccident。\"Ilistenedwithagooddealofinterest，forI
don’tthinkthepointhadeverbeenmadebefore;butwhatfollowedwasstillmorecurious，andseemedtomeatthetimetodisposeentirelyofPembroke’sclaim。WeknowfromMeresthattheSonnetshadbeenwrittenbefore1598，andSonnetCIV。informsusthatShakespeare’sfriendshipforMr。W。H。hadbeenalreadyinexistenceforthreeyears。NowLordPembroke，whowasbornin1580，didnotcometoLondontillhewaseighteenyearsofage，thatistosaytill1598，andShakespeare’sacquaintancewithMr。
W。H。musthavebegunin1594，oratthelatestin1595。
Shakespeare，accordingly，couldnothaveknownLordPembroketillaftertheSonnetshadbeenwritten。
’CyrilpointedoutalsothatPembroke’sfatherdidnotdietill1601;whereasitwasevidentfromtheline，Youhadafather;letyoursonsayso，thatthefatherofMr。W。H。wasdeadin1598。Besides，itwasabsurdtoimaginethatanypublisherofthetime，andtheprefaceisfromthepublisher’shand，wouldhaveventuredtoaddressWilliamHerbert，EarlofPembroke，asMr。W。H。;thecaseofLordBuckhurstbeingspokenofasMr。Sackvillebeingnotreallyaparallelinstance，asLordBuckhurstwasnotapeer，butmerelytheyoungersonofapeer，withacourtesytitle，andthepassageinENGLAND’SPARNASSUS，whereheissospokenof，isnotaformalandstatelydedication，butsimplyacasualallusion。SofarforLordPembroke，whosesupposedclaimsCyrileasilydemolishedwhileIsatbyinwonder。WithLordSouthamptonCyrilhadevenlessdifficulty。SouthamptonbecameataveryearlyagetheloverofElizabethVernon，soheneedednoentreatiestomarry;hewasnotbeautiful;hedidnotresemblehismother，asMr。W。H。did-
Thouartthymother’sglass，andsheintheeCallsbackthelovelyAprilofherprime;
and，aboveall，hisChristiannamewasHenry，whereasthepunningsonnets（CXXXV。andCXLIII。）showthattheChristiannameofShakespeare’sfriendwasthesameashisown-WILL。
’Asfortheothersuggestionsofunfortunatecommentators，thatMr。
W。H。isamisprintforMr。W。S。，meaningMr。WilliamShakespeare;
that\"Mr。W。H。all\"shouldberead\"Mr。W。Hall\";thatMr。W。H。
isMr。WilliamHathaway;andthatafullstopshouldbeplacedafter\"wisheth，\"makingMr。W。H。thewriterandnotthesubjectofthededication，-Cyrilgotridoftheminaveryshorttime;anditisnotworthwhiletomentionhisreasons，thoughIrememberhesentmeoffintoafitoflaughterbyreadingtome，Iamgladtosaynotintheoriginal，someextractsfromaGermancommentatorcalledBarnstorff，whoinsistedthatMr。W。H。wasnolessapersonthan\"Mr。WilliamHimself。\"NorwouldheallowforamomentthattheSonnetsaremeresatiresontheworkofDraytonandJohnDaviesofHereford。Tohim，asindeedtome，theywerepoemsofseriousandtragicimport，wrungoutofthebitternessofShakespeare’sheart，andmadesweetbythehoneyofhislips。Stilllesswouldheadmitthattheyweremerelyaphilosophicalallegory，andthatinthemShakespeareisaddressinghisIdealSelf，orIdealManhood，ortheSpiritofBeauty，ortheReason，ortheDivineLogos，ortheCatholicChurch。Hefelt，asindeedIthinkweallmustfeel，thattheSonnetsareaddressedtoanindividual，-toaparticularyoungmanwhosepersonalityforsomereasonseemstohavefilledthesoulofShakespearewithterriblejoyandnolessterribledespair。
’Havinginthismannerclearedthewayasitwere，CyrilaskedmetodismissfrommymindanypreconceivedideasImighthaveformedonthesubject，andtogiveafairandunbiassedhearingtohisowntheory。Theproblemhepointedoutwasthis：WhowasthatyoungmanofShakespeare’sdaywho，withoutbeingofnoblebirthorevenofnoblenature，wasaddressedbyhimintermsofsuchpassionateadorationthatwecanbutwonderatthestrangeworship，andarealmostafraidtoturnthekeythatunlocksthemysteryofthepoet’sheart？Whowashewhosephysicalbeautywassuchthatitbecametheverycorner-stoneofShakespeare’sart;theverysourceofShakespeare’sinspiration;theveryincarnationofShakespeare’sdreams？Tolookuponhimassimplytheobjectofcertainlove-
poemsistomissthewholemeaningofthepoems：fortheartofwhichShakespearetalksintheSonnetsisnottheartoftheSonnetsthemselves，whichindeedweretohimbutslightandsecretthings-itistheartofthedramatisttowhichheisalwaysalluding;andhetowhomShakespearesaid-
Thouartallmyart，anddostadvanceAshighaslearningmyrudeignorance，hetowhomhepromisedimmortality，Wherebreathmostbreathes，eveninthemouthsofmen，-
wassurelynoneotherthantheboy-actorforwhomhecreatedViolaandImogen，JulietandRosalind，PortiaandDesdemona，andCleopatraherself。ThiswasCyrilGraham’stheory，evolvedasyouseepurelyfromtheSonnetsthemselves，anddependingforitsacceptancenotsomuchondemonstrableprooforformalevidence，butonakindofspiritualandartisticsense，bywhichaloneheclaimedcouldthetruemeaningofthepoemsbediscerned。I
rememberhisreadingtomethatfinesonnet-
HowcanmyMusewantsubjecttoinvent，Whilethoudostbreathe，thatpour’stintomyverseThineownsweetargument，tooexcellentForeveryvulgarpapertorehearse？
O，givethyselfthethanks，ifaughtinmeWorthyperusalstandagainstthysight;
Forwho’ssodumbthatcannotwritetothee，Whenthouthyselfdostgiveinventionlight？
BethouthetenthMuse，tentimesmoreinworthThanthoseoldninewhichrhymersinvocate;
Andhethatcallsonthee，lethimbringforthEternalnumberstooutlivelongdate-
andpointingouthowcompletelyitcorroboratedhistheory;andindeedhewentthroughalltheSonnetscarefully，andshowed，orfanciedthatheshowed，that，accordingtohisnewexplanationoftheirmeaning，thingsthathadseemedobscure，orevil，orexaggerated，becameclearandrational，andofhighartisticimport，illustratingShakespeare’sconceptionofthetruerelationsbetweentheartoftheactorandtheartofthedramatist。
’ItisofcourseevidentthattheremusthavebeeninShakespeare’scompanysomewonderfulboy-actorofgreatbeauty，towhomheintrustedthepresentationofhisnobleheroines;forShakespearewasapracticaltheatricalmanageraswellasanimaginativepoet，andCyrilGrahamhadactuallydiscoveredtheboy-actor’sname。HewasWill，or，ashepreferredtocallhim，WillieHughes。TheChristiannamehefoundofcourseinthepunningsonnets，CXXXV。
andCXLIII。;thesurnamewas，accordingtohim，hiddenintheseventhlineofthe20thSonnet，whereMr。W。H。isdescribedas-
Amaninhew，allHEWSinhiscontrowling。
’IntheoriginaleditionoftheSonnets\"Hews\"isprintedwithacapitalletterandinitalics，andthis，heclaimed，showedclearlythataplayonwordswasintended，hisviewreceivingagooddealofcorroborationfromthosesonnetsinwhichcuriouspunsaremadeonthewords\"use\"and\"usury。\"OfcourseIwasconvertedatonce，andWillieHughesbecametomeasrealapersonasShakespeare。
TheonlyobjectionImadetothetheorywasthatthenameofWillieHughesdoesnotoccurinthelistoftheactorsofShakespeare’scompanyasitisprintedinthefirstfolio。Cyril，however，pointedoutthattheabsenceofWillieHughes’snamefromthislistreallycorroboratedthetheory，asitwasevidentfromSonnetLXXXVI。thatWillieHugheshadabandonedShakespeare’scompanytoplayatarivaltheatre，probablyinsomeofChapman’splays。ItisinreferencetothisthatinthegreatsonnetonChapman，ShakespearesaidtoWillieHughes-
Butwhenyourcountenancefill’duphisline，Thenlack’dImatter;thatenfeebledmine-
theexpression\"whenyourcountenancefilleduphisline\"referringobviouslytothebeautyoftheyoungactorgivinglifeandrealityandaddedcharmtoChapman’sverse，thesameideabeingalsoputforwardinthe79thSonnet-
WhilstIalonedidcalluponthyaid，Myversealonehadallthygentlegrace;
Butnowmygraciousnumbersaredecay’d，AndmysickMusedothgiveanotherplace;
andintheimmediatelyprecedingsonnet，whereShakespearesays-
EveryalienpenhasgotmyUSE
Andundertheetheirpoesydisperse，theplayuponwords（use=Hughes）beingofcourseobvious，andthephrase\"undertheetheirpoesydisperse，\"meaning\"byyourassistanceasanactorbringtheirplaysbeforethepeople。\"
’Itwasawonderfulevening，andwesatupalmosttilldawnreadingandre-readingtheSonnets。Aftersometime，however，Ibegantoseethatbeforethetheorycouldbeplacedbeforetheworldinareallyperfectedform，itwasnecessarytogetsomeindependentevidenceabouttheexistenceofthisyoungactor，WillieHughes。
Ifthiscouldbeonceestablished，therecouldbenopossibledoubtabouthisidentitywithMr。W。H。;butotherwisethetheorywouldfalltotheground。IputthisforwardverystronglytoCyril，whowasagooddealannoyedatwhathecalledmyPhilistinetoneofmind，andindeedwasratherbitteruponthesubject。However，I
madehimpromisethatinhisowninteresthewouldnotpublishhisdiscoverytillhehadputthewholematterbeyondthereachofdoubt;andforweeksandweekswesearchedtheregistersofCitychurches，theAlleynMSS。atDulwich，theRecordOffice，thepapersoftheLordChamberlain-everything，infact，thatwethoughtmightcontainsomeallusiontoWillieHughes。Wediscoverednothing，ofcourse，andeverydaytheexistenceofWillieHughesseemedtometobecomemoreproblematical。Cyrilwasinadreadfulstate，andusedtogooverthewholequestiondayafterday，entreatingmetobelieve;butIsawtheoneflawinthetheory，andIrefusedtobeconvincedtilltheactualexistenceofWillieHughes，aboy-actorofElizabethandays，hadbeenplacedbeyondthereachofdoubtorcavil。
’OnedayCyrillefttowntostaywithhisgrandfather，Ithoughtatthetime，butIafterwardsheardfromLordCreditonthatthiswasnotthecase;andaboutafortnightafterwardsIreceivedatelegramfromhim，handedinatWarwick，askingmetobesuretocomeanddinewithhimthateveningateighto’clock。WhenI
arrived，hesaidtome，\"TheonlyapostlewhodidnotdeserveproofwasSt。Thomas，andSt。Thomaswastheonlyapostlewhogotit。\"I
askedhimwhathemeant。Heansweredthathehadnotmerelybeenabletoestablishtheexistenceinthesixteenthcenturyofaboy-
actorofthenameofWillieHughes，buttoprovebythemostconclusiveevidencethathewastheMr。W。H。oftheSonnets。Hewouldnottellmeanythingmoreatthetime;butafterdinnerhesolemnlyproducedthepictureIshowedyou，andtoldmethathehaddiscovereditbythemerestchancenailedtothesideofanoldchestthathehadboughtatafarmhouseinWarwickshire。Thechestitself，whichwasaveryfineexampleofElizabethanwork，hehad，ofcourse，broughtwithhim，andinthecentreofthefrontpaneltheinitialsW。H。wereundoubtedlycarved。Itwasthismonogramthathadattractedhisattention，andhetoldmethatitwasnottillhehadhadthechestinhispossessionforseveraldaysthathehadthoughtofmakinganycarefulexaminationoftheinside。
Onemorning，however，hesawthatoneofthesidesofthechestwasmuchthickerthantheother，andlookingmoreclosely，hediscoveredthataframedpanelpicturewasclampedagainstit。Ontakingitout，hefounditwasthepicturethatisnowlyingonthesofa。Itwasverydirty，andcoveredwithmould;buthemanagedtocleanit，and，tohisgreatjoy，sawthathehadfallenbymerechanceontheonethingforwhichhehadbeenlooking。HerewasanauthenticportraitofMr。W。H。，withhishandrestingonthededicatorypageoftheSonnets，andontheframeitselfcouldbefaintlyseenthenameoftheyoungmanwritteninblackunciallettersonafadedgoldground，\"MasterWill。Hews。\"
’Well，whatwasItosay？ItneveroccurredtomeforamomentthatCyrilGrahamwasplayingatrickonme，orthathewastryingtoprovehistheorybymeansofaforgery。’
’Butisitaforgery？’Iasked。
’Ofcourseitis，’saidErskine。’Itisaverygoodforgery;butitisaforgerynonetheless。IthoughtatthetimethatCyrilwasrathercalmaboutthewholematter;butIrememberhemorethanoncetoldmethathehimselfrequirednoproofofthekind，andthathethoughtthetheorycompletewithoutit。Ilaughedathim，andtoldhimthatwithoutitthetheorywouldfalltotheground，andIwarmlycongratulatedhimonthemarvellousdiscovery。Wethenarrangedthatthepictureshouldbeetchedorfacsimiled，andplacedasthefrontispiecetoCyril’seditionoftheSonnets;andforthreemonthswedidnothingbutgoovereachpoemlinebyline，tillwehadsettledeverydifficultyoftextormeaning。OneunluckydayIwasinaprint-shopinHolborn，whenIsawuponthecountersomeextremelybeautifuldrawingsinsilver-point。IwassoattractedbythemthatIboughtthem;andtheproprietoroftheplace，amancalledRawlings，toldmethattheyweredonebyayoungpainterofthenameofEdwardMerton，whowasveryclever，butaspoorasachurchmouse。IwenttoseeMertonsomedaysafterwards，havinggothisaddressfromtheprintseller，andfoundapale，interestingyoungman，witharathercommon-lookingwife-
hismodel，asIsubsequentlylearned。ItoldhimhowmuchI
admiredhisdrawings，atwhichheseemedverypleased，andIaskedhimifhewouldshowmesomeofhisotherwork。Aswewerelookingoveraportfolio，fullofreallyverylovelythings，-forMertonhadamostdelicateanddelightfultouch，-IsuddenlycaughtsightofadrawingofthepictureofMr。W。H。Therewasnodoubtwhateveraboutit。ItwasalmostaFACSIMILE-theonlydifferencebeingthatthetwomasksofTragedyandComedywerenotsuspendedfromthemarbletableastheyareinthepicture，butwerelyingonthefloorattheyoungman’sfeet。\"Whereonearthdidyougetthat？\"Isaid。Hegrewratherconfused，andsaid-\"Oh，thatisnothing。Ididnotknowitwasinthisportfolio。Itisnotathingofanyvalue。\"\"ItiswhatyoudidforMr。CyrilGraham，\"
exclaimedhiswife;\"andifthisgentlemanwishestobuyit，lethimhaveit。\"\"ForMr。CyrilGraham？\"Irepeated。\"DidyoupaintthepictureofMr。W。H。？\"\"Idon’tunderstandwhatyoumean，\"heanswered，growingveryred。Well，thewholethingwasquitedreadful。Thewifeletitallout。IgaveherfivepoundswhenI
wasgoingaway。Ican’tbeartothinkofitnow;butofcourseI
wasfurious。IwentoffatoncetoCyril’schambers，waitedthereforthreehoursbeforehecamein，withthathorridliestaringmeintheface，andtoldhimIhaddiscoveredhisforgery。Hegrewverypaleandsaid-\"Ididitpurelyforyoursake。Youwouldnotbeconvincedinanyotherway。Itdoesnotaffectthetruthofthetheory。\"\"Thetruthofthetheory！\"Iexclaimed;\"thelesswetalkaboutthatthebetter。Youneverevenbelievedinityourself。Ifyouhad，youwouldnothavecommittedaforgerytoproveit。\"Highwordspassedbetweenus;wehadafearfulquarrel。IdaresayI
wasunjust。Thenextmorninghewasdead。’
’Dead！’Icried，’Yes;heshothimselfwitharevolver。Someofthebloodsplashedupontheframeofthepicture，justwherethenamehadbeenpainted。BythetimeIarrived-hisservanthadsentformeatonce-thepolicewerealreadythere。Hehadleftaletterforme，evidentlywritteninthegreatestagitationanddistressofmind。’
’Whatwasinit？’Iasked。
’Oh，thathebelievedabsolutelyinWillieHughes;thattheforgeryofthepicturehadbeendonesimplyasaconcessiontome，anddidnotintheslightestdegreeinvalidatethetruthofthetheory;
and，thatinordertoshowmehowfirmandflawlesshisfaithinthewholethingwas，hewasgoingtoofferhislifeasasacrificetothesecretoftheSonnets。Itwasafoolish，madletter。I
rememberheendedbysayingthatheintrustedtometheWillieHughestheory，andthatitwasformetopresentittotheworld，andtounlockthesecretofShakespeare’sheart。’
’Itisamosttragicstory，’Icried;’butwhyhaveyounotcarriedouthiswishes？’
Erskineshruggedhisshoulders。’Becauseitisaperfectlyunsoundtheoryfrombeginningtoend，’heanswered。
’MydearErskine，’Isaid，gettingupfrommyseat，’youareentirelywrongaboutthewholematter。ItistheonlyperfectkeytoShakespeare’sSonnetsthathaseverbeenmade。Itiscompleteineverydetail。IbelieveinWillieHughes。’
’Don’tsaythat，’saidErskinegravely;’Ibelievethereissomethingfatalabouttheidea，andintellectuallythereisnothingtobesaidforit。Ihavegoneintothewholematter，andIassureyouthetheoryisentirelyfallacious。Itisplausibleuptoacertainpoint。Thenitstops。Forheaven’ssake，mydearboy，don’ttakeupthesubjectofWillieHughes。Youwillbreakyourheartoverit。’
’Erskine，’Ianswered，’itisyourdutytogivethistheorytotheworld。Ifyouwillnotdoit，Iwill。BykeepingitbackyouwrongthememoryofCyrilGraham，theyoungestandthemostsplendidofallthemartyrsofliterature。Ientreatyoutodohimjustice。Hediedforthisthing，-don’tlethisdeathbeinvain。’
Erskinelookedatmeinamazement。’Youarecarriedawaybythesentimentofthewholestory，’hesaid。’Youforgetthatathingisnotnecessarilytruebecauseamandiesforit。IwasdevotedtoCyrilGraham。Hisdeathwasahorribleblowtome。Ididnotrecoveritforyears。Idon’tthinkIhaveeverrecoveredit。ButWillieHughes？ThereisnothingintheideaofWillieHughes。Nosuchpersoneverexisted。Asforbringingthewholethingbeforetheworld-theworldthinksthatCyrilGrahamshothimselfbyaccident。Theonlyproofofhissuicidewascontainedinthelettertome，andofthisletterthepublicneverheardanything。
TothepresentdayLordCreditonthinksthatthewholethingwasaccidental。’
’CyrilGrahamsacrificedhislifetoagreatIdea，’Ianswered;
’andifyouwillnottellofhismartyrdom，tellatleastofhisfaith。’
’Hisfaith，’saidErskine，’wasfixedinathingthatwasfalse，inathingthatwasunsound，inathingthatnoShakespeareanscholarwouldacceptforamoment。Thetheorywouldbelaughedat。Don’tmakeafoolofyourself，anddon’tfollowatrailthatleadsnowhere。Youstartbyassumingtheexistenceoftheverypersonwhoseexistenceisthethingtobeproved。Besides，everybodyknowsthattheSonnetswereaddressedtoLordPembroke。Thematterissettledonceforall。’
’Thematterisnotsettled！’Iexclaimed。’IwilltakeupthetheorywhereCyrilGrahamleftit，andIwillprovetotheworldthathewasright。’
’Sillyboy！’saidErskine。’Gohome：itisaftertwo，anddon’tthinkaboutWillieHughesanymore。IamsorryItoldyouanythingaboutit，andverysorryindeedthatIshouldhaveconvertedyoutoathinginwhichIdon’tbelieve。’
’Youhavegivenmethekeytothegreatestmysteryofmodernliterature，’Ianswered;’andIshallnotresttillIhavemadeyourecognise，tillIhavemadeeverybodyrecognise，thatCyrilGrahamwasthemostsubtleShakespeareancriticofourday。’
AsIwalkedhomethroughSt。James’sParkthedawnwasjustbreakingoverLondon。Thewhiteswanswerelyingasleeponthepolishedlake，andthegauntPalacelookedpurpleagainstthepale-
greensky。IthoughtofCyrilGraham，andmyeyesfilledwithtears。
CHAPTERII
ITwaspasttwelveo’clockwhenIawoke，andthesunwasstreaminginthroughthecurtainsofmyroominlongslantingbeamsofdustygold。ItoldmyservantthatIwouldbeathometonoone;andafterIhadhadacupofchocolateandaPETIT-PAIN，Itookdownfromthebook-shelfmycopyofShakespeare’sSonnets，andbegantogocarefullythroughthem。EverypoemseemedtometocorroborateCyrilGraham’stheory。IfeltasifIhadmyhanduponShakespeare’sheart，andwascountingeachseparatethrobandpulseofpassion。Ithoughtofthewonderfulboy-actor，andsawhisfaceineveryline。
Twosonnets，Iremember，struckmeparticularly：theywerethe53rdandthe67th。Inthefirstofthese，Shakespeare，complimentingWillieHughesontheversatilityofhisacting，onhiswiderangeofparts，arangeextendingfromRosalindtoJuliet，andfromBeatricetoOphelia，saystohim-
Whatisyoursubstance，whereofareyoumade，Thatmillionsofstrangeshadowsonyoutend？
Sinceeveryonehath，everyone，oneshade，Andyou，butone，caneveryshadowlend-
linesthatwouldbeunintelligibleiftheywerenotaddressedtoanactor，fortheword’shadow’hadinShakespeare’sdayatechnicalmeaningconnectedwiththestage。’Thebestinthiskindarebutshadows，’saysTheseusoftheactorsintheMIDSUMMERNIGHT’S
DREAM，andtherearemanysimilarallusionsintheliteratureoftheday。ThesesonnetsevidentlybelongedtotheseriesinwhichShakespearediscussesthenatureoftheactor’sart，andofthestrangeandraretemperamentthatisessentialtotheperfectstage-player。’Howisit，’saysShakespearetoWillieHughes，’thatyouhavesomanypersonalities？’andthenhegoesontopointoutthathisbeautyissuchthatitseemstorealiseeveryformandphaseoffancy，toembodyeachdreamofthecreativeimagination-
anideathatisstillfurtherexpandedinthesonnetthatimmediatelyfollows，where，beginningwiththefinethought，O，howmuchmoredothbeautybeauteousseemBythatsweetornamentwhichTRUTHdothgive！
Shakespeareinvitesustonoticehowthetruthofacting，thetruthofvisiblepresentationonthestage，addstothewonderofpoetry，givinglifetoitsloveliness，andactualrealitytoitsidealform。Andyet，inthe67thSonnet，ShakespearecallsuponWillieHughestoabandonthestagewithitsartificiality，itsfalsemimiclifeofpaintedfaceandunrealcostume，itsimmoralinfluencesandsuggestions，itsremotenessfromthetrueworldofnobleactionandsincereutterance。
Ah，whereforewithinfectionshouldheliveAndwithhispresencegraceimpiety，ThatsinbyhimadvantageshouldachieveAndlaceitselfwithhissociety？
Whyshouldfalsepaintingimitatehischeek，Andstealdeadseemingofhislivinghue？
WhyshouldpoorbeautyindirectlyseekRosesofshadow，sincehisroseistrue？
ItmayseemstrangethatsogreatadramatistasShakespeare，whorealisedhisownperfectionasanartistandhishumanityasamanontheidealplaneofstage-writingandstage-playing，shouldhavewritteninthesetermsaboutthetheatre;butwemustrememberthatinSonnetsCX。andCXI。Shakespeareshowsusthathetoowasweariedoftheworldofpuppets，andfullofshameathavingmadehimself’amotleytotheview。’The111thSonnetisespeciallybitter：-
O，formysakedoyouwithFortunechide，Theguiltygoddessofmyharmfuldeeds，ThatdidnotbetterformylifeprovideThanpublicmeanswhichpublicmannersbreeds。
Thencecomesitthatmynamereceivesabrand，AndalmostthencemynatureissubduedTowhatitworksin，likethedyer’shand：
PitymethenandwishIwererenew’d-
andtherearemanysignselsewhereofthesamefeeling，signsfamiliartoallrealstudentsofShakespeare。
OnepointpuzzledmeimmenselyasIreadtheSonnets，anditwasdaysbeforeIstruckonthetrueinterpretation，whichindeedCyrilGrahamhimselfseemstohavemissed。IcouldnotunderstandhowitwasthatShakespearesetsohighavalueonhisyoungfriendmarrying。Hehimselfhadmarriedyoung，andtheresulthadbeenunhappiness，anditwasnotlikelythathewouldhaveaskedWillieHughestocommitthesameerror。Theboy-playerofRosalindhadnothingtogainfrommarriage，orfromthepassionsofreallife。
Theearlysonnets，withtheirstrangeentreatiestohavechildren，seemedtomeajarringnote。Theexplanationofthemysterycameonmequitesuddenly，andIfounditinthecuriousdedication。Itwillberememberedthatthededicationrunsasfollows：-
TOTHEONLIEBEGETTEROF
THESEINSUINGSONNETS
MR。W。H。ALLHAPPINESSE
ANDTHATETERNITIE
PROMISED
BY
OUREVER-LIVINGPOET
WISHETH
THEWELL-WISHING
ADVENTURERIN
SETTING
FORTH。
T。T。
Somescholarshavesupposedthattheword’begetter’inthisdedicationmeanssimplytheprocureroftheSonnetsforThomasThorpethepublisher;butthisviewisnowgenerallyabandoned，andthehighestauthoritiesarequiteagreedthatitistobetakeninthesenseofinspirer，themetaphorbeingdrawnfromtheanalogyofphysicallife。NowIsawthatthesamemetaphorwasusedbyShakespearehimselfallthroughthepoems，andthissetmeontherighttrack。FinallyImademygreatdiscovery。ThemarriagethatShakespeareproposesforWillieHughesisthemarriagewithhisMuse，anexpressionwhichisdefinitelyputforwardinthe82ndSonnet，where，inthebitternessofhisheartatthedefectionoftheboy-actorforwhomhehadwrittenhisgreatestparts，andwhosebeautyhadindeedsuggestedthem，heopenshiscomplaintbysaying-
IgrantthouwertnotmarriedtomyMuse。
Thechildrenhebegshimtobegetarenochildrenoffleshandblood，butmoreimmortalchildrenofundyingfame。ThewholecycleoftheearlysonnetsissimplyShakespeare’sinvitationtoWillieHughestogouponthestageandbecomeaplayer。Howbarrenandprofitlessathing，hesays，isthisbeautyofyoursifitbenotused：-
WhenfortywintersshallbesiegethybrowAnddigdeeptrenchesinthybeauty’sfield，Thyyouth’sproudlivery，sogazedonnow，Willbeatatter’dweed，ofsmallworthheld：
Thenbeingask’dwhereallthybeautylies，Whereallthetreasureofthylustydays，Tosay，withinthineowndeep-sunkeneyes，Wereanall-eatingshameandthriftlesspraise。
Youmustcreatesomethinginart：myverse’isthine，andBORNofthee’;onlylistentome，andIwill’BRINGFORTHeternalnumberstooutlivelongdate，’andyoushallpeoplewithformsofyourownimagetheimaginaryworldofthestage。Thesechildrenthatyoubeget，hecontinues，willnotwitheraway，asmortalchildrendo，butyoushallliveinthemandinmyplays：dobut-
Maketheeanotherself，forloveofme，Thatbeautystillmayliveinthineorthee。
Icollectedallthepassagesthatseemedtometocorroboratethisview，andtheyproducedastrongimpressiononme，andshowedmehowcompleteCyrilGraham’stheoryreallywas。IalsosawthatitwasquiteeasytoseparatethoselinesinwhichhespeaksoftheSonnetsthemselvesfromthoseinwhichhespeaksofhisgreatdramaticwork。ThiswasapointthathadbeenentirelyoverlookedbyallcriticsuptoCyrilGraham’sday。Andyetitwasoneofthemostimportantpointsinthewholeseriesofpoems。TotheSonnetsShakespearewasmoreorlessindifferent。Hedidnotwishtoresthisfameonthem。Theyweretohimhis’slightMuse，’ashecallsthem，andintended，asMerestellsus，forprivatecirculationonlyamongafew，averyfew，friends。Upontheotherhandhewasextremelyconsciousofthehighartisticvalueofhisplays，andshowsanobleself-relianceuponhisdramaticgenius。WhenhesaystoWillieHughes：
Butthyeternalsummershallnotfade，Norlosepossessionofthatfairthouowest;
NorshallDeathbragthouwander’stinhisshade，WheninETERNALLINEStotimethougrow’st：
Solongasmencanbreathe，oreyescansee，Solonglivesthis，andthisgiveslifetothee;-
theexpression’eternallines’clearlyalludestooneofhisplaysthathewassendinghimatthetime，justastheconcludingcoupletpointstohisconfidenceintheprobabilityofhisplaysbeingalwaysacted。InhisaddresstotheDramaticMuse（SonnetsC。andCI。），wefindthesamefeeling。
Whereartthou，Muse，thatthouforget’stsolongTospeakofthatwhichgivestheeallthymight？
Spend’stthouthyfuryonsomeworthlesssong，Darkeningthypowertolendbasesubjectslight？
hecries，andhethenproceedstoreproachtheMistressofTragedyandComedyforher’neglectofTruthinBeautydyed，’andsays-
Becauseheneedsnopraise，wiltthoubedumb？
Excusenotsilenceso，for’tliesintheeTomakehimmuchoutliveagildedtombAndtobepraisedofagesyettobe。
Thendothyoffice，Muse;IteachtheehowTomakehimseemlonghenceasheshowsnow。
Itis，however，perhapsinthe55thSonnetthatShakespearegivestothisideaitsfullestexpression。Toimaginethatthe’powerfulrhyme’ofthesecondlinereferstothesonnetitself，istomistakeShakespeare’smeaningentirely。Itseemedtomethatitwasextremelylikely，fromthegeneralcharacterofthesonnet，thataparticularplaywasmeant，andthattheplaywasnoneotherbutROMEOANDJULIET。
Notmarble，northegildedmonumentsOfprinces，shalloutlivethispowerfulrhyme;
ButyoushallshinemorebrightinthesecontentsThanunsweptstonebesmear’dwithsluttishtime。
Whenwastefulwarsshallstatuesoverturn，Andbroilsrootouttheworkofmasonry，NorMarshisswordnorwar’squickfireshallburnThelivingrecordofyourmemory。
’Gainstdeathandall-obliviousenmityShallyoupaceforth;yourpraiseshallstillfindroomEvenintheeyesofallposterityThatwearthisworldouttotheendingdoom。
So，tillthejudgementthatyourselfarise，Youliveinthis，anddwellinlovers’eyes。
ItwasalsoextremelysuggestivetonotehowhereaselsewhereShakespearepromisedWillieHughesimmortalityinaformthatappealedtomen’seyes-thatistosay，inaspectacularform，inaplaythatistobelookedat。
FortwoweeksIworkedhardattheSonnets，hardlyevergoingout，andrefusingallinvitations。EverydayIseemedtobediscoveringsomethingnew，andWillieHughesbecametomeakindofspiritualpresence，anever-dominantpersonality。IcouldalmostfancythatIsawhimstandingintheshadowofmyroom，sowellhadShakespearedrawnhim，withhisgoldenhair，histenderflower-likegrace，hisdreamydeep-sunkeneyes，hisdelicatemobilelimbs，andhiswhitelilyhands。Hisverynamefascinatedme。WillieHughes！
WillieHughes！Howmusicallyitsounded！Yes;whoelsebuthecouldhavebeenthemaster-mistressofShakespeare’spassion，（1）
thelordofhislovetowhomhewasboundinvassalage，（2）thedelicateminionofpleasure，（3）theroseofthewholeworld，（4）
theheraldofthespring（5）deckedintheproudliveryofyouth，（6）thelovelyboywhomitwassweetmusictohear，（7）andwhosebeautywastheveryraimentofShakespeare’sheart，（8）asitwasthekeystoneofhisdramaticpower？Howbitternowseemedthewholetragedyofhisdesertionandhisshame！-shamethathemadesweetandlovely（9）bythemeremagicofhispersonality，butthatwasnonethelessshame。YetasShakespeareforgavehim，shouldnotweforgivehimalso？Ididnotcaretopryintothemysteryofhissin。
HisabandonmentofShakespeare’stheatrewasadifferentmatter，andIinvestigateditatgreatlength。FinallyIcametotheconclusionthatCyrilGrahamhadbeenwronginregardingtherivaldramatistofthe80thSonnetasChapman。ItwasobviouslyMarlowewhowasalludedto。AtthetimetheSonnetswerewritten，suchanexpressionas’theproudfullsailofhisgreatverse’couldnothavebeenusedofChapman’swork，howeverapplicableitmighthavebeentothestyleofhislaterJacobeanplays。No：MarlowewasclearlytherivaldramatistofwhomShakespearespokeinsuchlaudatoryterms;andthatAffablefamiliarghostWhichnightlygullshimwithintelligence，wastheMephistophelesofhisDOCTORFAUSTUS。Nodoubt，Marlowewasfascinatedbythebeautyandgraceoftheboy-actor，andluredhimawayfromtheBlackfriarsTheatre，thathemightplaytheGavestonofhisEDWARDII。ThatShakespearehadthelegalrighttoretainWillieHughesinhisowncompanyisevidentfromSonnetLXXXVII。，wherehesays：-
Farewell！thouarttoodearformypossessing，Andlikeenoughthouknow’stthyestimate：
TheCHARTEROFTHYWORTHgivestheereleasing;
MyBONDSintheearealldeterminate。
ForhowdoIholdtheebutbythygranting？
Andforthatricheswhereismydeserving？
Thecauseofthisfairgiftinmeiswanting，ANDSOMYPATENTBACKAGAINISSWERVING。
Thyselfthougayest，thyownworththennotknowing，Orme，towhomthougavestit，elsemistaking;
Sothygreatgift，uponmisprisiongrowing，Comeshomeagain，onbetterjudgementmaking。
ThushaveIhadthee，asadreamdothflatter，Insleepaking，butwakingnosuchmatter。
Buthimwhomhecouldnotholdbylove，hewouldnotholdbyforce。
WillieHughesbecameamemberofLordPembroke’scompany，and，perhapsintheopenyardoftheRedBullTavern，playedthepartofKingEdward’sdelicateminion。OnMarlowe’sdeath，heseemstohavereturnedtoShakespeare，who，whateverhisfellow-partnersmayhavethoughtofthematter，wasnotslowtoforgivethewilfulnessandtreacheryoftheyoungactor。
Howwell，too，hadShakespearedrawnthetemperamentofthestage-
player！WillieHugheswasoneofthoseThatdonotdothethingtheymostdoshow，Who，movingothers，arethemselvesasstone。
Hecouldactlove，butcouldnotfeelit，couldmimicpassionwithoutrealisingit。
Inmany’slooksthefalseheart’shistoryIswritinmoodsandfrownsandwrinklesstrange，butwithWillieHughesitwasnotso。’Heaven，’saysShakespeare，inasonnetofmadidolatry-
HeaveninthycreationdiddecreeThatinthyfacesweetloveshouldeverdwell;
Whate’erthythoughtsorthyheart’sworkingsbe，Thylooksshouldnothingthencebutsweetnesstell。
Inhis’inconstantmind’andhis’falseheart，’itwaseasytorecognisetheinsincerityandtreacherythatsomehowseeminseparablefromtheartisticnature，asinhisloveofpraisethatdesireforimmediaterecognitionthatcharacterisesallactors。
Andyet，morefortunateinthisthanotheractors，WillieHugheswastoknowsomethingofimmortality。InseparablyconnectedwithShakespeare’splays，hewastoliveinthem。
Yournamefromhenceimmortallifeshallhave，ThoughI，oncegone，toalltheworldmustdie：
Theearthcanyieldmebutacommongrave，Whenyouentombedinmen’seyesshalllie。
Yourmonumentshallbemygentleverse，Whicheyesnotyetcreatedshallo’er-read，Andtonguestobeyourbeingshallrehearse，Whenallthebreathersofthisworldaredead。
Therewereendlessallusions，also，toWillieHughes’spoweroverhisaudience-the’gazers，’asShakespearecallsthem;butperhapsthemostperfectdescriptionofhiswonderfulmasteryoverdramaticartwasinALOVER’SCOMPLAINT，whereShakespearesaysofhim：-
Inhimaplenitudeofsubtlematter，Appliedtocautels，allstrangeformsreceives，Ofburningblushes，orofweepingwater，Orswooningpaleness;andhetakesandleaves，Ineither’saptness，asitbestdeceives，Toblushatspeechesrank，toweepatwoes，Ortoturnwhiteandswoonattragicshows。
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Soonthetipofhissubduingtongue，Allkindofargumentsandquestionsdeep，Allreplicationpromptandreasonstrong，Forhisadvantagestilldidwakeandsleep，Tomaketheweeperlaugh，thelaugherweep。
Hehadthedialectandthedifferentskill，Catchingallpassionsinhiscraftofwill。
OnceIthoughtthatIhadreallyfoundWillieHughesinElizabethanliterature。InawonderfullygraphicaccountofthelastdaysofthegreatEarlofEssex，hischaplain，ThomasKnell，tellsusthatthenightbeforetheEarldied，’hecalledWilliamHewes，whichwashismusician，toplayuponthevirginalsandtosing。\"Play，\"saidhe，\"mysong，WillHewes，andIwillsingittomyself。\"Sohediditmostjoyfully，notasthehowlingswan，which，stilllookingdown，wailethherend，butasasweetlark，liftinguphishandsandcastinguphiseyestohisGod，withthismountedthecrystalskies，andreachedwithhisunweariedtonguethetopofhighestheavens。’SurelytheboywhoplayedonthevirginalstothedyingfatherofSidney’sStellawasnoneotherbuttheWillHewstowhomShakespearededicatedtheSonnets，andwhohetellsuswashimselfsweet’musictohear。’YetLordEssexdiedin1576，whenShakespearehimselfwasbuttwelveyearsofage。ItwasimpossiblethathismusiciancouldhavebeentheMr。W。H。oftheSonnets。
PerhapsShakespeare’syoungfriendwasthesonoftheplayeruponthevirginals？ItwasatleastsomethingtohavediscoveredthatWillHewswasanElizabethanname。IndeedthenameHewsseemedtohavebeencloselyconnectedwithmusicandthestage。ThefirstEnglishactresswasthelovelyMargaretHews，whomPrinceRupertsomadlyloved。WhatmoreprobablethanthatbetweenherandLordEssex’smusicianhadcometheboy-actorofShakespeare’splays？
Buttheproofs，thelinks-wherewerethey？Alas！Icouldnotfindthem。ItseemedtomethatIwasalwaysonthebrinkofabsoluteverification，butthatIcouldneverreallyattaintoit。
FromWillieHughes’slifeIsoonpassedtothoughtsofhisdeath。
Iusedtowonderwhathadbeenhisend。
PerhapshehadbeenoneofthoseEnglishactorswhoin1604wentacrossseatoGermanyandplayedbeforethegreatDukeHenryJuliusofBrunswick，himselfadramatistofnomeanorder，andattheCourtofthatstrangeElectorofBrandenburg，whowassoenamouredofbeautythathewassaidtohaveboughtforhisweightinambertheyoungsonofatravellingGreekmerchant，andtohavegivenpageantsinhonourofhisslaveallthroughthatdreadfulfamineyearof1606-7，whenthepeoplediedofhungerintheverystreetsofthetown，andforthespaceofsevenmonthstherewasnorain。
WeknowatanyratethatROMEOANDJULIETwasbroughtoutatDresdenin1613，alongwithHAMLETandKINGLEAR，anditwassurelytononeotherthanWillieHughesthatin1615thedeath-maskofShakespearewasbroughtbythehandofoneofthesuiteoftheEnglishambassador，paletokenofthepassingawayofthegreatpoetwhohadsodearlylovedhim。Indeedtherewouldhavebeensomethingpeculiarlyfittingintheideathattheboy-actor，whosebeautyhadbeensovitalanelementintherealismandromanceofShakespeare’sart，shouldhavebeenthefirsttohavebroughttoGermanytheseedofthenewculture，andwasinhiswaytheprecursorofthatAUFKLARUNGorIlluminationoftheeighteenthcentury，thatsplendidmovementwhich，thoughbegunbyLessingandHerder，andbroughttoitsfullandperfectissuebyGoethe，wasinnosmallparthelpedonbyanotheractor-FriedrichSchroeder-
whoawokethepopularconsciousness，andbymeansofthefeignedpassionsandmimeticmethodsofthestageshowedtheintimate，thevital，connectionbetweenlifeandliterature。Ifthiswasso-
andtherewascertainlynoevidenceagainstit-itwasnotimprobablethatWillieHugheswasoneofthoseEnglishcomedians（MIMAEQUIDAMEXBRITANNIA，astheoldchroniclecallsthem），whowereslainatNuremberginasuddenuprisingofthepeople，andweresecretlyburiedinalittlevineyardoutsidethecitybysomeyoungmen’whohadfoundpleasureintheirperformances，andofwhomsomehadsoughttobeinstructedinthemysteriesofthenewart。’CertainlynomorefittingplacecouldtherebeforhimtowhomShakespearesaid，’thouartallmyart，’thanthislittlevineyardoutsidethecitywalls。ForwasitnotfromthesorrowsofDionysosthatTragedysprang？WasnotthelightlaughterofComedy，withitscarelessmerrimentandquickreplies，firstheardonthelipsoftheSicilianvine-dressers？Nay，didnotthepurpleandredstainofthewine-frothonfaceandlimbsgivethefirstsuggestionofthecharmandfascinationofdisguise-thedesireforself-concealment，thesenseofthevalueofobjectivitythusshowingitselfintherudebeginningsoftheart？Atanyrate，whereverhelay-whetherinthelittlevineyardatthegateoftheGothictown，orinsomedimLondonchurchyardamidsttheroarandbustleofourgreatcity-nogorgeousmonumentmarkedhisresting-
place。Histruetomb，asShakespearesaw，wasthepoet’sverse，histruemonumentthepermanenceofthedrama。Sohaditbeenwithotherswhosebeautyhadgivenanewcreativeimpulsetotheirage。
TheivorybodyoftheBithynianslaverotsinthegreenoozeoftheNile，andontheyellowhillsoftheCerameicusisstrewnthedustoftheyoungAthenian;butAntinouslivesinsculpture，andCharmidesinphilosophy。
CHAPTERIII
AFTERthreeweekshadelapsed，IdeterminedtomakeastrongappealtoErskinetodojusticetothememoryofCyrilGraham，andtogivetotheworldhismarvellousinterpretationoftheSonnets-theonlyinterpretationthatthoroughlyexplainedtheproblem。Ihavenotanycopyofmyletter，Iregrettosay，norhaveIbeenabletolaymyhandupontheoriginal;butIrememberthatIwentoverthewholeground，andcoveredsheetsofpaperwithpassionatereiterationoftheargumentsandproofsthatmystudyhadsuggestedtome。ItseemedtomethatIwasnotmerelyrestoringCyrilGrahamtohisproperplaceinliteraryhistory，butrescuingthehonourofShakespearehimselffromthetediousmemoryofacommonplaceintrigue。Iputintotheletterallmyenthusiasm。I
putintotheletterallmyfaith。
Nosooner，infact，hadIsentitoffthanacuriousreactioncameoverme。ItseemedtomethatIhadgivenawaymycapacityforbeliefintheWillieHughestheoryoftheSonnets，thatsomethinghadgoneoutofme，asitwere，andthatIwasperfectlyindifferenttothewholesubject。Whatwasitthathadhappened？
Itisdifficulttosay。Perhaps，byfindingperfectexpressionforapassion，Ihadexhaustedthepassionitself。Emotionalforces，liketheforcesofphysicallife，havetheirpositivelimitations。
Perhapsthemereefforttoconvertanyonetoatheoryinvolvessomeformofrenunciationofthepowerofcredence。PerhapsIwassimplytiredofthewholething，and，myenthusiasmhavingburntout，myreasonwaslefttoitsownunimpassionedjudgment。Howeveritcameabout，andIcannotpretendtoexplainit，therewasnodoubtthatWillieHughessuddenlybecametomeameremyth，anidledream，theboyishfancyofayoungmanwho，likemostardentspirits，wasmoreanxioustoconvinceothersthantobehimselfconvinced。
AsIhadsaidsomeveryunjustandbitterthingstoErskineinmyletter，Ideterminedtogoandseehimatonce，andtomakemyapologiestohimformybehaviour。Accordingly，thenextmorningI
drovedowntoBirdcageWalk，andfoundErskinesittinginhislibrary，withtheforgedpictureofWillieHughesinfrontofhim。
’MydearErskine！’Icried，’Ihavecometoapologisetoyou。’
’Toapologisetome？’hesaid。’Whatfor？’
’Formyletter，’Ianswered。
’Youhavenothingtoregretinyourletter，’hesaid。’Onthecontrary，youhavedonemethegreatestserviceinyourpower。YouhaveshownmethatCyrilGraham’stheoryisperfectlysound。’
’Youdon’tmeantosaythatyoubelieveinWillieHughes？’I
exclaimed。
’Whynot？’herejoined。’Youhaveprovedthethingtome。DoyouthinkIcannotestimatethevalueofevidence？’
’Butthereisnoevidenceatall，’Igroaned，sinkingintoachair。
’WhenIwrotetoyouIwasundertheinfluenceofaperfectlysillyenthusiasm。IhadbeentouchedbythestoryofCyrilGraham’sdeath，fascinatedbyhisromantictheory，enthralledbythewonderandnoveltyofthewholeidea。Iseenowthatthetheoryisbasedonadelusion。TheonlyevidencefortheexistenceofWillieHughesisthatpictureinfrontofyou，andthepictureisaforgery。Don’tbecarriedawaybymeresentimentinthismatter。
WhateverromancemayhavetosayabouttheWillieHughestheory，reasonisdeadagainstit。’
’Idon’tunderstandyou，’saidErskine，lookingatmeinamazement。
’Why，youyourselfhaveconvincedmebyyourletterthatWillieHughesisanabsolutereality。Whyhaveyouchangedyourmind？Orisallthatyouhavebeensayingtomemerelyajoke？’
’Icannotexplainittoyou，’Irejoined，’butIseenowthatthereisreallynothingtobesaidinfavourofCyrilGraham’sinterpretation。TheSonnetsareaddressedtoLordPembroke。Forheaven’ssakedon’twasteyourtimeinafoolishattempttodiscoverayoungElizabethanactorwhoneverexisted，andtomakeaphantompuppetthecentreofthegreatcycleofShakespeare’sSonnets。’
’Iseethatyoudon’tunderstandthetheory，’hereplied。
’MydearErskine，’Icried，’notunderstandit！Why，IfeelasifIhadinventedit。SurelymylettershowsyouthatInotmerelywentintothewholematter，butthatIcontributedproofsofeverykind。Theoneflawinthetheoryisthatitpresupposestheexistenceofthepersonwhoseexistenceisthesubjectofdispute。
IfwegrantthattherewasinShakespeare’scompanyayoungactorofthenameofWillieHughes，itisnotdifficulttomakehimtheobjectoftheSonnets。ButasweknowthattherewasnoactorofthisnameinthecompanyoftheGlobeTheatre，itisidletopursuetheinvestigationfurther。’
’Butthatisexactlywhatwedon’tknow，’saidErskine。’Itisquitetruethathisnamedoesnotoccurinthelistgiveninthefirstfolio;but，asCyrilpointedout，thatisratheraproofinfavouroftheexistenceofWillieHughesthanagainstit，ifwerememberhistreacherousdesertionofShakespeareforarivaldramatist。’
Wearguedthematteroverforhours，butnothingthatIcouldsaycouldmakeErskinesurrenderhisfaithinCyrilGraham’sinterpretation。Hetoldmethatheintendedtodevotehislifetoprovingthetheory，andthathewasdeterminedtodojusticetoCyrilGraham’smemory。Ientreatedhim，laughedathim，beggedofhim，butitwasofnouse。Finallyweparted，notexactlyinanger，butcertainlywithashadowbetweenus。Hethoughtmeshallow，Ithoughthimfoolish。WhenIcalledonhimagainhisservanttoldmethathehadgonetoGermany。
Twoyearsafterwards，asIwasgoingintomyclub，thehall-porterhandedmealetterwithaforeignpostmark。ItwasfromErskine，andwrittenattheHoteld’Angleterre，Cannes。WhenIhadreaditIwasfilledwithhorror，thoughIdidnotquitebelievethathewouldbesomadastocarryhisresolveintoexecution。ThegistoftheletterwasthathehadtriedineverywaytoverifytheWillieHughestheory，andhadfailed，andthatasCyrilGrahamhadgivenhislifeforthistheory，hehimselfhaddeterminedtogivehisownlifealsotothesamecause。Theconcludingwordsoftheletterwerethese：’IstillbelieveinWillieHughes;andbythetimeyoureceivethis，IshallhavediedbymyownhandforWillieHughes’ssake：forhissake，andforthesakeofCyrilGraham，whomIdrovetohisdeathbymyshallowscepticismandignorantlackoffaith。Thetruthwasoncerevealedtoyou，andyourejectedit。Itcomestoyounowstainedwiththebloodoftwolives，-donotturnawayfromit。’
Itwasahorriblemoment。Ifeltsickwithmisery，andyetIcouldnotbelieveit。Todieforone’stheologicalbeliefsistheworstuseamancanmakeofhislife，buttodieforaliterarytheory！
Itseemedimpossible。
Ilookedatthedate。Theletterwasaweekold。Someunfortunatechancehadpreventedmygoingtotheclubforseveraldays，orI
mighthavegotitintimetosavehim。Perhapsitwasnottoolate。Idroveofftomyrooms，packedupmythings，andstartedbythenight-mailfromCharingCross。Thejourneywasintolerable。I
thoughtIwouldneverarrive。AssoonasIdidIdrovetotheHotell’Angleterre。TheytoldmethatErskinehadbeenburiedtwodaysbeforeintheEnglishcemetery。Therewassomethinghorriblygrotesqueaboutthewholetragedy。Isaidallkindsofwildthings，andthepeopleinthehalllookedcuriouslyatme。
SuddenlyLadyErskine，indeepmourning，passedacrossthevestibule。Whenshesawmeshecameuptome，murmuredsomethingaboutherpoorson，andburstintotears。Iledherintohersitting-room。Anelderlygentlemanwastherewaitingforher。ItwastheEnglishdoctor。
WetalkedagreatdealaboutErskine，butIsaidnothingabouthismotiveforcommittingsuicide。Itwasevidentthathehadnottoldhismotheranythingaboutthereasonthathaddrivenhimtosofatal，somadanact。FinallyLadyErskineroseandsaid，Georgeleftyousomethingasamemento。Itwasathingheprizedverymuch。Iwillgetitforyou。
AssoonasshehadlefttheroomIturnedtothedoctorandsaid，’WhatadreadfulshockitmusthavebeentoLadyErskine！Iwonderthatshebearsitaswellasshedoes。’
’Oh，sheknewformonthspastthatitwascoming，’heanswered。
’Knewitformonthspast！’Icried。’Butwhydidn’tshestophim？
Whydidn’tshehavehimwatched？Hemusthavebeenmad。’
Thedoctorstaredatme。’Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，’hesaid。
’Well，’Icried，’ifamotherknowsthathersonisgoingtocommitsuicide-’
’Suicide！’heanswered。’PoorErskinedidnotcommitsuicide。Hediedofconsumption。Hecameheretodie。ThemomentIsawhimI
knewthattherewasnohope。Onelungwasalmostgone，andtheotherwasverymuchaffected。Threedaysbeforehediedheaskedmewasthereanyhope。Itoldhimfranklythattherewasnone，andthathehadonlyafewdaystolive。Hewrotesomeletters，andwasquiteresigned，retaininghissensestothelast。’
AtthatmomentLadyErskineenteredtheroomwiththefatalpictureofWillieHughesinherhand。’WhenGeorgewasdyinghebeggedmetogiveyouthis，’shesaid。AsItookitfromher，hertearsfellonmyhand。
Thepicturehangsnowinmylibrary，whereitisverymuchadmiredbymyartisticfriends。TheyhavedecidedthatitisnotaClouet，butanOudry。Ihavenevercaredtotellthemitstruehistory。
Butsometimes，whenIlookatit，IthinkthatthereisreallyagreatdealtobesaidfortheWillieHughestheoryofShakespeare’sSonnets。
Footnotes：
（1）Sonnetxx。2。
（2）Sonnetxxvi。1。
（3）Sonnetcxxvi。9。
（4）Sonnetcix。14。
（5）Sonneti。10。
（6）Sonnetii。3。
（7）Sonnetviii。1。
（8）Sonnetxxii。6。
（9）Sonnetxcv。1。