Transcriber's Notes:
Underscores "_" before and after a word or phrase indicate _italics_
in the original text.
Equals signs "=" before and after a word or phrase indicate =bold=
in the original text.
Small capitals have been converted to BLOCK capitals.
The play is in both prose and poetry. It alternates between the two
unpredictably, (sometimes in mid-sentence).
_BY THE SAME AUTHOR_
_NOVELS_:
_REGIMENT OF WOMEN_
_FIRST THE BLADE_
_LEGEND_
_PLAY_:
_A BILL OF DIVORCEMENT_
_LONDON: WILLIAM HEINEMANN_
WILL SHAKESPEARE
AN INVENTION IN FOUR ACTS
BY
CLEMENCE DANE
[Illustration: 1921]
LONDON: WILLIAM HEINEMANN
‘_There’s a divinity that shapes our ends,
Rough-hew them how we will._’
SHAKESPEARE.
THE PEOPLE OF THE PLAY
_As they appear._
ANNE HATHAWAY.
WILL SHAKESPEARE.
MRS. HATHAWAY.
HENSLOWE.
A CHILD.
PLAYERS.
QUEEN ELIZABETH.
MARY FITTON.
KIT MARLOWE.
STAGE HANDS.
A BOY.
A LANDLORD.
A MAN.
ANOTHER MAN.
A GIRL.
A STREET HAWKER.
A PAGE.
SOLDIERS, ATTENDANTS, ETC.
ACT I.--A COTTAGE IN STRATFORD.