Queer Street, London, 10 March, 1593.

    To William Shakespeare, Actor: 

These presents are to warn you that the time has six days since passed in which you were to repay me 8 shillings, and thereby redeem the property in pledge to me; namely, one Henry VIII. shirt of mail and visor, and Portia’s law book, and the green bag therefor.  Be warned that unless the 8 shillings and the usance thereof be forthcoming, the town-crier shall notify the sale of the sundry articles named.

The next letter, and the last in this period of the poet’s career (1593), is from Mordecai Shylock.

    Fleet Street, Near the sign of the hog in Armor, Nov. 22, 1593.

    To William Shakespeare: 

I have been active in the way you some days since besought me; namely, the procuring for you of a loan of L5, that you might retire a bill upon which you were a guarantor.  As I then told you, I have no money myself, being very poor; but I have a friend who has money with which I can persuade him to relieve your wants.  Had I myself the money, I should gladly meet your needs at a moderate usance, not more than twenty-five in the hundred; but my friend is a hard man, who exacts large returns for his means, and will be very urgent that repayment be made on the day named in the bill.  He hath empowered me to take your bill at two months,—­for him, mind you,—­for L10, the payment to be assured, as you wished, by the pledge of your two new plays in manuscript,—­“Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Romeo and Juliet,”—­for which bill he will at my strong instance, and because you are a friend to me, give L5.  My charge for services in this behalf, which hath consumed much time, will be L1, which I shall straightway pay out in the purchase of a new gown, much needed by my little daughter Jessica, who loves you and recalls often the pleasant tales you do repeat for her diversion.

The letters in the second period (1602) are nine years later than those just read.  The first is from the same Mordecai Shylock, who, with the poet, seems to have prospered in worldly affairs, as his letters are dated in a more reputable portion of the city.

    Threadneedle Street, London, April 17, 1602.

    To William Shakespeare: 

In January last past you purchased of Richard Burbage four shares of the stock of the Globe Theatre for L100, and inasmuch as you had not available the whole means to pay therefor, borrowed from me the L60 wanting, paying yourself L40 of such purchase price, and giving me in pledge for my L60 such four shares of stock.  Owing to special attractions at Blackfriars’ Theatre, the stock of the Globe hath greatly declined in value, and I fear these four shares may not longer be salable at the price of even L60, and I therefore must importune that you forthwith do make a payment of L20 on your said bill, or the four shares of stock will be sold at public vendue.

The next letter is from the same writer, and is dated nine days later.