"I wish I'd said that." "Well, tell Boswell," said Shakespeare.

"He'll make you say it, and it'll be all the same in a hundred years." Lord Bacon, accompanied by Charon and the ice for Nero and the ale for Doctor Johnson, appeared as Shakespeare spoke.

The philosopher bowed stiffly at Doctor Johnson, as though he hardly approved of him, extended his left hand to Shakespeare, and stared coldly at Nero.
"Did you send for me, William ?" he asked, languidly.
"I did," said Shakespeare.

"I sent for you because this imperial violinist here says that you wrote _Othello_." "What nonsense," said Bacon.

"The only plays of yours I wrote were _Ham_--" "Sh!" said Shakespeare, shaking his head madly.