human
That I had in my ignorance of your sex somewhat overtaxed your strength during our journey, he said,
gpt
I remember nothing, said the lady,
human
Unluckily, said the poet,
gpt
And whilst yourself also cared for me, said the lady,
human
Such circumstances, lady, said the poet,
gpt
he continued,
human
This is, indeed, pleasing intelligence, said his companion.
gpt
My own destination is in that neighbourhood.
human
To guard over you till I can safely convey you amongst those friends you have hinted at, said Shakespeare,
gpt
But your letter? said the lady;
human
It does, said Shakespeare.
gpt
It is from my father, and gives much gossip of the locality. Amongst other matter it informs me of some difficulties a gentleman, my friend, has fallen into.
human
And his name, said the lady,
gpt
The same,
human
And how then hath Walter Arderne fallen into difficulties? she inquired.
gpt
Methought I heard from you, during our journey, that he had succeeded to great wealth.
human
It was even so, said Shakespeare,
gpt
said his fair companion.
human
Proceed, I beseech you, I am most anxious to know of the welfare of this Arderne.
gpt
The young man, then, continued Shakespeare,
human
To such a one, said the lady,
gpt
There is little more to tell, said Shakespeare.
human
The sums he hath bestowed and the various charities he hath endowed, have involved him in difficulties. His virtues have served him but as enemies. Nay, he seems, I am grieved to say, on the brink of ruin; for, in addition to all I have enumerated, it appears he hath expended large sums during the invasion of the Spaniard, both in fitting out numerous ships, and enrolling and embodying men, all which vessels, through his desperate valour in leading them into the hot encounter, have been either destroyed or returned to port rent and beggared.
gpt
Nay, but, said the lady,
human
I am still in ignorance how this could possibly involve Walter Ardene in ruin. The fortune he inherited would have borne all this, methinks, and much more, without endamagement.
gpt
Truly so, lady, said Shakespeare;
human
And this nearer kinsman! said the lady.
gpt
Does your information extend so far as to name the person of such claimant?
human
said Shakespeare,
gpt
Methinks I can name him, said the lady.
human
It is one whose unbounded stomach and high ambition long soared towards a crown by marriage; one whose evil disposition would halt not to obtain power or riches, magnificent as his fortune already is. The Earl with the dark countenance and gloomy soul--he whom Sussex calls the Gipsey; the dangerous Leicester.
gpt
The same,
human
Nay, then, an Walter Arderne hath that noble for an enemy, let him beware the cup, as well as the law, for Leicester is sure to succeed by fair means or foul. He is the most successful dealer in poison in the kingdom.
gpt
Would to Heaven, said Shakespeare,
human
Let it no longer do so, said the lady.
gpt
Continue to inform me of the progress of events; I will be warranty for his safe extrication from all his difficulties.