That is all.
Quoting an American Judge (Dr. Stotsenburg, apparently), Mr.
Greenwood cites the circumstance that, in two volumes of Alleyn's
papers "there is not one mention of such a poet as William Shaksper
in his list of actors, poets, and theatrical comrades." {160a} If
this means that Shakspere is not mentioned by Alleyn among actors,
are we to infer that William was not an actor? Even Baconians insist
that he was an actor. "How strange, how more than strange," cries
Mr. Greenwood, "that Henslowe should make no mention in all this long
diary, embracing all the time from 1591 to 1609, of the actor-author
. . . No matter. Credo quia impossibile!" {160b} Credo what? and
what is IMPOSSIBLE? Henslowe's volume is no Diary; he does not tell
a single anecdote of any description; he merely enters loans, gains,
payments. Does Henslowe mention, say, Ben Jonson, WHEN HE IS NOT
DOING BUSINESS WITH BEN? Does he mention any actor or author except
in connection with money matters? Then, if he did no business with
Shakspere the actor, in borrowing or lending, and did no business
with Shakespeare the author, in borrowing, lending, buying or
selling, "How strange, how more than strange" it would be if Henslowe
DID mention Shakespeare! He was not keeping a journal of literary
and dramatic jottings. He was keeping an account of his expenses and
receipts.
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