Shakespeare’s Sister by Emma Whipday

Author:Emma Whipday
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-02-11T00:00:00+00:00

NED Joan, I beg of you –

JOAN What? What do you beg of me? What can I give you that I have not already given? I have pledged you my body, my wealth, my life. I have given you my heart – you’ve had that long in your keeping. What more do you want of me, Ned? What more can you ask?

NED Forgiveness.

JOAN Forgiveness! You are only contrite because I have caught you. How many times more would you have lain with her, if I had not spied you?

NED Joan, please – this was the last – this was the final –

JOAN Why limit yourself? Take her all you want. Lie with her till she wears you away, till you’re both wasted to the bones. It matters not to me. You matter not to me, Edward Alleyn – I am done with you.

Enter PHIL,LUCY MORGAN and DOROTHY CLAYTON.

PHIL What’s the yell?

LUCY (spying JUDITH )Oh, my.

DOROTHY begins to laugh.

PHIL Ned, Ned, Ned. You’re an example to us all.

JOAN Get out.

DOROTHY Want me to scratch her, Joan?

NED Joan –

Enter HENSLOWE.

HENSLOWE What means this ruckus in my theatre? What is the matter here?

JOAN Papa, I shall never wed.

HENSLOWE Do not speak so rashly, girl. Tell me what… (catching sight of JUDITH and NED )Ah. Our playwright’s little sister. I think it best you go to the tiring house and dress yourself, Judith. Then straightway return.

JUDITH Yes, Master Henslowe.

Exit JUDITH, at speed.

HENSLOWE Master Alleyn. I think it’s rather time the wedding was brought forward, don’t you? You’ve both been waiting long enough. And a long wait can make a man restive – is that not so, Ned?

NED Yes – I mean, you are certain – we may still wed?

JOAN I will not wed him, Papa!

HENSLOWE (aside) What, would you drive him into her arms, girl? He’s the finest actor this stage has seen.

JOAN And that is all you care for?

HENSLOWE You will wed him, Joan, lest I remember you are only my step-child, which so far I have contrived to forget. I care for your future, girl – obey me.

NED Please, Joan – I beg of you –

JOAN No. I will not. I will not.

She begins to sob. He pulls her to him.

Never will I marry you, Ned Alleyn. Never. Never.

NED I am sorry, my love – my little mouse –

JOAN, still sobbing, relaxes against him.

JOAN How could you, Ned? How may I trust you now?

NED I’m yours, Joan. I’m yours ever and nobody else’s.

Enter JUDITH, properly attired but her hair still dishevelled, carrying NED ’s shirt.

HENSLOWE pulls JOAN away, wipes her tears with his handkerchief.

HENSLOWE (in a low voice) You will wed him, then.

JOAN nods.

Good girl.

JUDITH hands the shirt to NED in silence, and he dresses himself in it. All others look away.

NED (in a low voice) Farewell, sweet one.

JUDITH (clearly) Fare you well, Edward Alleyn.

HENSLOWE Right, my lads. It is time you were on the road. The sun is up!

PHIL and DICK lift and remove the trunk, LUCY and DOROTHY follow. NED and JOAN embrace, and he whispers apologies to her.

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