The Fair Maid of Bohemia

by Edward Marston

  Nicholas suggested an improvement which Firethorn readily embraced. Music was to be played between each of the five acts of the play to enable costumes and scenery to be changed, and to allow the audience time to absorb what they had just seen. The action of the play would be slowed but this was outweighed by the gains. Even without Adrian Smallwood, the company had four actor-musicians, and the quartet were pleased to be featured much more in the revival of Love and Fortune.

  Chairs and benches were set out on raised platforms down at the rear of the auditorium. Complimentary seats were offered to the Burgomaster and his Council, but others paid four albus to watch the play from a sitting position. Standees were charged half that price. The day’s takings would be subject to a ten per-cent city tax but that did not alarm Westfield’s Men. When they saw the best part of a thousand people crowding into their theatre, they knew that they would make a tidy profit out of two hours’ strutting on a stage.

  Minutes before the performance was due to begin, Firethorn spoke to his company like a general addressing his troops on the eve of a decisive battle.

  ‘Gentlemen,’ he declared, ‘it is time to show a German audience the true worth of English actors. We delighted with this play in Cologne but we must go beyond delight today. We must woo, we must ensnare, we must excite, we must captivate. Frankfurt has never seen players of our quality before. Let us scorch vivid memories in their minds and leave them gasping in astonishment. Remember, friends,’ he said, wagging a finger, ‘that we have two more performances to give here. If we distinguish ourselves today, we shall have even more people coming to see us tomorrow and the day after. Think of England, think of reputation.’ His eyes glinted. ‘Think of money!’

  He had them straining to get out on the stage.

  Anne Hendrik sat near the back and watched it all with fascination. She had seen the play more than once at the Queen’s Head, but this version was very different. It was played at a more measured pace and included additional songs and dances. Most of the wit and word-play was lost on the audience but they were entranced by the visual aspects of the production. Musical interludes allowed them time to discuss the plot before new twists were introduced to it. Moments of crude farce sent them into hysterics. Anne found herself studying the audience more closely than the play.

  Frankfurt cheered the performance to the echo and all but drowned out the rival hullabaloo of the fair. The Burgomaster was thrilled by what he had seen and insisted on meeting the entire company. Since he spoke no English at all, Anne came into her own as an interpreter. Enthusiastic in his praise of everyone, the Burgomaster was especially taken by Barnaby Gill’s brilliant mimes. He talked excitedly to the clown for five minutes.

  ‘What on earth is the fool saying?’ asked Gill.

  ‘He says that you were splendid,’ translated Anne. ‘He and his wife have never laughed so much in their life.’

  ‘Oh!’ said Gill, basking in the commendation. ‘It is good to know that the city is run by a man of such discernment. What else did he say about me? I want to hear every word.’

  Anne paraphrased freely and he lapped up the flattery. Nicholas looked on with amusement. She was already proving her value to the company. Even Gill was coming to appreciate that. Firethorn could not resist a gibe at the clown.

  ‘Who said that a lady had no place in the theatre?’

  ‘I did,’ affirmed Gill. ‘And I hold to that view.’

  ‘After all that Anne has just done for us?’

  ‘Drama is the domain of men.’

  ‘Translate that into German.’

  Gill conceded a unique smile of self-deprecation.

  ‘Even I have my limitations,’ he said.

  ***

  Three days in Frankfurt helped to erase ugly memories of Flushing and uneasy recollections of The Corrupt Bargain in Cologne. Westfield’s Men could do no wrong. Marriage and Mischief won them countless new friends at their second performance and Cupid’s Folly extended their fame even further on the final afternoon. As they returned to the Golden Lion to celebrate their achievements, they were in a buoyant mood.

  ‘I begin to love this country,’ said Owen Elias.

  ‘It is growing on me as well,’ agreed James Ingram.

  ‘I still do not like the beer,’ said George Dart timidly. ‘It is too strong for my stomach.’ His face brightened. ‘But I like the sausages. They are wonderful. Wunderbar!’

  ‘You are not the only person to like them, George,’ said Elias. ‘Do you know what a German’s idea of happiness is?’

  ‘No, Owen.’

  ‘Lange Würste, Kurz Predigen.’

  ‘What does it mean?’

  ‘Long sausages, short sermons.’

  ‘Food before faith,’ observed Ingram. ‘They’re a practical people, the Germans.’

  ‘Their women have a similar motto,’ said Elias.

  ‘Do they?’

  ‘A long sausage, twice a night.’

  Dart was puzzled. ‘The women eat sausages at night?’

  ‘If their menfolk are lucky!’

  The jest produced ribald laughter from some of the others but its meaning was way beyond Dart. He turned his attention to the monster sausage before him. As he popped the end into his mouth, his fellows gave him a mocking cheer. None the wiser, he chewed away contentedly.

  Nicholas was at a table with Firethorn, Hoode and Anne Hendrik. While the actors were toasting their success on the stage, the book-holder was reflecting on the financial benefits of their visit. Part of his job was to collect, count and look after all the money paid for admission to the performances. In addition to what the gatherers had taken, there was a generous donation from the City Council. Three days in Frankfurt had brought in as much as three weeks at the Queen’s Head. It made Firethorn think fondly of home once more.

  ‘Margery must share in this good fortune,’ he said. ‘I must find a way to send money back to her in Shoreditch.’

  ‘She will surely be grateful,’ said Anne.

  ‘There will be others of the same mind,’ added Nicholas. ‘They have wives and families as well.’

  ‘So much money in such a short time!’ said Firethorn, rubbing his palms together. ‘Germany has enriched us.’

  ‘And ennobled us,’ Hoode pointed out. ‘We came here as threadbare players and they treat us like minor aristocrats. In England, we are reviled as shiftless actors. Here, we are gentlemen of a company.’

  ‘It is no more than we deserve, Edmund. Wait until we get to Bohemia. The Emperor will probably give us knighthoods.’

  Evening soon merged with night and the atmosphere at the inn grew steadily rowdier. Westfield’s Men were not the only roisterers. Other travellers were staying there and the Golden Lion also had its regular customers from the locality. It was only a matter of time before the drinking songs began in lusty German. Anne decided that it was time to retire to bed. They were leaving at dawn next morning and she needed her sleep. Nicholas escorted her away from the revelry before it took on an even more boisterous note. After taking a fond farewell outside her bedchamber, he urged her to lock her door and open it to nobody. Anne gave a wan smile.

  ‘I would feel safer if you were with me,’ she said.

  ‘It is where I would love to be, Anne, but…’ He glanced downstairs. ‘It is awkward. I have other duties.’

  ‘I understand.’

  ‘They are envious enough of me, as it is.’

  She nodded. What they could easily do in the privacy of her house became trickier when he was with the whole company. Nicholas did not want to expose Anne to lewd gossip or himself to the knowing looks of his colleagues. Discretion was the first priority.

  ‘There will be time,’ he promised. ‘One day.’

  ‘I will wait.’

  She blew him ano
ther kiss and retreated behind the door. When he heard the bolt being slipped home, he went downstairs to the taproom. Firethorn and Hoode had moved to the main table to be with the rest of the company. Nicholas saw that a stranger had joined them.

  ‘Come and sit here, Nick,’ said Firethorn, making room on the bench. ‘Meet our new friend. I’ll call him plain Hugo because my tongue cannot get round his other name.’

  ‘Usselincx,’ said the stranger. ‘Hugo Usselincx.’

  ‘This is Nick Bracewell. The mainstay of the company.’

  Nicholas exchanged greetings with the newcomer and sat opposite him. Usselincx was a well-built man of short stature, but his shoulders were so rounded and his manner so diffident that he seemed even smaller than he was. He was soberly dressed in the Dutch fashion with a cap that was pulled down over his forehead. A nervous smile hung around the wide mouth. His English was good but overlaid with a Dutch accent.

  ‘I came to congratulate you,’ he said softly.

  ‘You saw the performance this afternoon?’

  ‘Hugo saw all three performances, Nick,’ said Firethorn with a hearty chuckle. ‘He is a stauncher patron than Lord Westfield.’

  ‘I only found out this evening where the company was staying,’ explained Usselincx. ‘I would not normally have come. I am very shy. But I had to make the effort this time.’

  ‘That is very gratifying, Master Usselincx,’ said Nicholas.

  ‘Please. Call me Hugo. It is easier.’

  Nicholas was trying to weigh up the man. Frankfurt was full of merchants—many from Holland—but Hugo Usselincx was not one of them. He had none of the assertiveness of a man who lives to haggle. The dark attire suggested a religious affiliation of some kind. Having been appraised himself, the Dutchman was carrying out his own shrewd scrutiny of Nicholas.

  ‘Master Firethorn was right to call you the mainstay.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because you kept the company together,’ said Usselincx. ‘You are the book-holder, are you not?’

  ‘How did you know that?’

  ‘Because you do not look like an actor and you are the only member of the company who did not appear onstage. You were behind the scenes, Nicholas Bracewell. Working hard to make the play flow from scene to scene. The book-holder is an important man. Especially in a company like yours.’

  ‘You have seen English players before?’

  ‘Many times. I lived in London for a while.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘I saw you wondering if I was in holy orders,’ said the other with a smile. ‘You were close. I am an organist. I have worked in churches and cathedrals all over Europe. Earlier this year, I was in London. I heard much about Westfield’s Men and saw you perform Black Antonio at the Queen’s Head.’

  ‘I hope you enjoyed it, Hugo,’ said Nicholas, warming to him. ‘What brings you to Frankfurt?’

  ‘I am on my way to Prague to take up a post there. The Týn Church. It is very famous.’ He looked around the actors. ‘I could not believe my luck when I discovered that Westfield’s Men were here. I should have left two days ago but I stayed on so that I did not miss a single performance.’

  ‘We are bound for Prague ourselves.’

  ‘So Master Firethorn was telling me.’

  ‘We are to be guests of honour at the Imperial Court,’ said Firethorn. ‘By personal invitation of the Emperor.’

  ‘No honour could be higher.’ He peered at Nicholas. ‘I hope that our paths may cross again. If there is some way that I may watch you play in Prague, I will find it.’

  ‘You will be most welcome, Hugo,’ said Firethorn. ‘But if you go by the same route, why not travel in company with us?’

  ‘That would be an imposition. Besides, I am days behind now. I must ride hard to make up lost time.’ He rose to his feet and offered his hand to Firethorn. ‘Farewell—and thank you for this pleasure.’

  ‘We are always pleased to see a friendly face, Hugo.’

  ‘Yes,’ said Nicholas. ‘We wish you Godspeed!’

  Usselincx took his hand between both palms and shook it. As he backed away, the Dutchman plucked a small purse from his belt and tossed it to Firethorn.

  ‘Spend that for me in celebration of your triumph.’

  When Firethorn shook out the coins, he was surprised at the man’s generosity. Before he could thank him, however, Hugo Usselincx had given a simpering smile and disappeared.

  ‘Frankfurt is a city of wonders!’ said Firethorn. ‘Money drops out of the sky.’

  ‘We would do well to save it against harsher times,’ suggested Nicholas. ‘Shall I take charge of it?’

  ‘No, Nick. It is ours to spend and that is what we will do with it. We’ll drink the health of Hugo Usselincx.’ He put an arm around his friend. ‘Do not look so disapproving. This money may be spent, but plenty more will fall into our laps. We may find that it grows on trees in Bohemia.’

  ‘I doubt that.’

  ‘So will I when I am sober again. But tonight I will get as gloriously drunk as a lord. Then I will fall into my bed and dream sweetly of Sophia Magdalena. The fair maid herself.’ He smacked his friend between the shoulder-blades. ‘Come, Nick. Be honest. You long to see her again yourself.’

  ‘I do,’ admitted Nicholas, ‘but my first task will be to seek out someone else in Prague.’

  ‘And who is that?’

  ‘Doctor Talbot Royden.’

  ***

  He was still not used to the noisome stench of the dungeon or to its chilling coldness. Talbot Royden sat in the straw in a corner, huddled over the single candle they had allowed him. Since he had been thrown in there, he had been given no food or drink. Were they intent on starving him to death? His head was still spinning at the speed of what had happened. Instead of being the respected Doctor Royden, he was one more miserable prisoner in the castle dungeons. Why had Rudolph turned against him so suddenly and unaccountably?

  Distant footsteps raised a faint glimmer of hope and he scrambled to the door. A guard came down the steps, lighting the way with a flaming torch that gave off an acrid smell. Peering through the bars, Royden rallied when he saw that his assistant was following the guard. Caspar was carrying a large basket that was covered with a cloth. His assistant was as confused as his master by what had happened, but at least he had retained his freedom. He was Royden’s one link with the outside world.

  ‘Caspar!’ he called. ‘What is going on? Why have they done this to me? Have you been to the Emperor to protest?’

  ‘Yes, Master,’ said the other quietly.

  ‘Well?’

  ‘He said that I was to give you this.’

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘You will see, Master.’

  The guard unlocked the door and Caspar stepped into the dungeon. He offered his cargo to Royden with obvious embarrassment, then indicated that he should remove the cloth. When Royden did so, he was stupefied. The gift from the Emperor made no sense at all. In his hands, the prisoner was holding a huge basket of fresh fruit.

  Chapter Eight

  The mood of elation in which they left Frankfurt lasted for only a few days. Westfield’s Men were soon weary of the discomforts of travelling over bad roads in changeable weather. Complaints surfaced, bickering developed. On the fourth day, one of the wagons overturned while fording a river. Injuries were minor, but half of the company were soaked to the skin and the wagon itself was badly damaged. Repairs cost them precious time. Because they could not reach the next town by nightfall, they had to sleep under the stars. It was a thoroughly dispirited troupe which set off at dawn next morning.

  As setbacks continued to mount, even the placid Edmund Hoode began to grumble. He was seated beside Nicholas Bracewell, who was driving the first wagon. Anne Hendrik was directly behind them, l
istening to the strains of the lute on which Richard Honeydew was practising. Hoode gazed at the mountains ahead of them.

  ‘Do we have to climb over those, Nick?’ he moaned.

  ‘There may be a pass through them.’

  ‘Not with our luck!’

  ‘It is bound to change soon.’

  ‘Yes—for the worse. We have been on the road for a week now and we still seem no closer to our destination. Will we ever get there?’

  ‘No question but that we will,’ assured Nicholas. ‘And the journey has not been entirely an ordeal. Eisenach was a pretty town and Weimar even more so.’

  ‘But we only stayed a night at each, Nick. Had we performed at both, I would look back on them with far more pleasure. As it was, they were mere breaks from the tedium of travelling.’

  ‘There was no time to linger, Edmund.’

  ‘More’s the pity!’

  ‘We have to press on as hard as we may,’ said Nicholas. ‘That is why we have altered our route. Master Davey urged us to go by way of Leipzig and Dresden, but that would take us in a wide loop. This road—poor as it is—should get us to Prague all the sooner.’

  ‘I think we have been going around in circles.’

  ‘Only in your mind.’

  Hoode gave a hollow laugh. The horses were ambling along, the wagon was creaking and the passengers were jolted every time they encountered deep ruts or scattered stones. The playwright was irked by their lethargic progress.

  ‘Do you know what Balthasar Davey told me?’ he said.

  ‘What?’

  ‘It was over that delicious meal we were given at the Governor’s house in Flushing. Sir Robert spoke movingly of his late brother. Master Davey was equally complimentary. He told us that Sir Philip Sidney had once ridden all the way from Vienna to Cracow in a mere fourteen days.’

  ‘Did he tell you what distance was covered?’

  ‘Over five hundred and fifty miles.’