The next letter is from the same writer, and is dated nine days later.
THREADNEEDLE STREET, April 26, 1602.
To WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE:
I acknowledge to have received from you by the hand of Henry Condell
L5, and two of your own shares in the stock of the Globe Theatre in
further pledge of your bill of L60, as was engaged between us
yesterday. It pains me to make known to you that, owing to the great
demands recently made upon the goldsmiths by her sacred Majesty,
money hath become very dear; and as it was not my own lent you, I
have been obliged to pay above the usance expected a further premium
of seventeen in the hundred, which I pray you to presently repay
me. I am told that shares in the Globe can now be bought at L15;
and inasmuch as yours were bought at L25, should you acquire other
shares at L15, it would serve to equate your havings.
The next letter, from the same broker, is written but a few days later.
THREADNEEDLE STREET, May 12, 1602.
To WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE:
Acting as requested by you, I did one week ago buy for you three
shares in the Globe Theatre for L15 each, using in such purchase the
L15 given me by you, and L30, not of mine own, but which was
furnished me by a goldsmith of repute. Yesterday I learned that
shares were offered at L10 each, perchance from the efforts of
forestallers, as also from the preaching of a dissenter, who
fulminates that the end of the world is but three weeks away, which
hath induced great seriousness among the people.
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