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Presented by Mrs J. L. Stanford
July 1st '03

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For Mrs. Stanford
With Compliments and respects
of the Author/ (Mrs.) A. W. Truesdell

Two Strangers at the Elizabethan
Play

By Amelia W. Truesdell

TIME -- Saturday, March 7, 1903, 10:30 a. m.

Scene -- Corridor before door of Assembly Hall, Stanford
University.

Persons -- Two strangers -- men.

First Stranger -- Prithee friend, what brought thee hither?
I am right merry to see thee.

Second Stranger -- By my faith I know not, only a great
distemper did seize upon my mind and I must needs wander
forth in quest of, I know not what. How is it with thee,
brother? Why art thou come and what place may this be?

First Stranger -- Thou sayest truly; I know not why I am
here, only that by a great drawing which I could in no wise
resist, am I come hither, I know not where.

Second Stranger -- These men do look like our kindred except
for their strange attire. Let us go in with them and see
what this crowd may mean.

First Stranger -- Methinks we be not fittingly arrayed.
Mayhap it be the court. The fashion of our apparel --

Second Stranger -- Thou wast ever fond of thine attire, with
thy scarfs and ribbons.

First Stranger -- Marry fellow, thou wert not far behind me.
These men be a sorry crowd arrayed in black.

Inside of Hall -- (They walk slowly down the centre aisle).

Second Stranger -- Methinks yon varlet is o'er rude. He
fetches others to their seats, but looks not to us. Mayhap it is
the light. Why have they shut out the day and what manner
of blinding light is this! Sirrah, boy, come hither!

First Stranger -- He did not heed thee. He pushed me
rudely by the shoulder and begged not my grace. A well-
favored lad, but most ill-mannered.

Second Stranger -- What think you this occasion may be, the
men thus attired in black, the one as like the other as two
pease in a peascod? Doubtless it is the funeral of some great
man, and that is why they turn it into night.

First Stranger -- If it be a funeral why be so many women
here in gay apparel?