Until the Sea Shall Give Up Her Dead Read Free

skills?”
    Archer shifted uncomfortably and then said in a very low voice, “I believe it was to impress him with his ardour, sir.”
    â€œAhh . . .” Hayden felt suddenly as though he had been thrown into a part of the ocean he had not swum before. “And how is it you are certain of that?”
    â€œIt is a love poem written by Shakespeare to a young man, sir.”
    Hayden glanced at the poem. “I see no indication here that this poem was written to a man rather than a woman.”
    â€œI believe it was dedicated to and first presented to the Earl of Southampton.”
    â€œBy Shakespeare . . .”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œShakespeare the playwright.”
    â€œThe very one, Captain.”
    â€œI am . . . somewhat . . . dumbfounded.” Hayden looked at Archer again. “Our Shakespeare?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œThe things they neglected to teach me in school . . .”
    â€œI can say the same, Captain.”
    â€œHow did you learn of this, then?”
    â€œMy brother, sir.”
    â€œThe barrister?”
    â€œThe very one, sir. He belongs to a Shakespeare society.”
    â€œI did not know such a thing existed.”
    â€œIt would appear there is at least one.”
    Hayden glanced at the scrap of paper again. “He is quite certain this sonnet was written to a young man?”
    â€œQuite, sir. It is but one of many, a fact apparently well known among scholars, sir.”
    â€œWell, they have kept it rather a secret from the rest of us.” Hayden glanced again at the poem he still held. “I shall never view Shakespeare’s plays in the same way again.”
    â€œIt does give them a certain slant, sir.”
    â€œYes. But to the matter at hand . . . How has Maxwell taken all of this?”
    â€œHe came to me rather embarrassed, sir. In fact, I should say he felt somewhat ashamed. He asked my advice on how best to proceed, not wishing to offend a cousin of the admiral’s wife.”
    â€œHmm. Does anyone else know of this?”
    â€œMr Wickham, sir; he sent Maxwell to me.”
    â€œLet us try to keep it among the four of us.”
    â€œI agree, sir, but I am not quite certain how to deal with it. I suppose I could give Mr Percival a copy of the Articles of War . . . ?”
    â€œBut he is a civilian and only governed by them at the extreme. When does the midshipmen’s reading society next meet?”
    â€œTomorrow, sir.”
    â€œDo you still attend?”
    â€œWhenever duty allows, Captain. I intend to be at the next meeting.”
    Hayden passed the poem back to Archer. “Excellent. Invite Mr Percival to your meeting, then produce this poem, saying that he has brought it to the attention of the group, read it aloud, and discuss it. Be certain to inform everyone who Mr Shakespeare wrote it for. Mr Maxwell will have no more troubles with Mr Percival after that, I trust.”
    Archer looked immensely relieved. “Thank you, sir. I believe that is an excellent plan.”
    Hayden hoped he was right. Best to save everyone embarrassment in this matter—not least the captain. “How is Mr Wickham getting on?” Hayden asked, as much to change the subject as anything.
    â€œI do not believe he has gained any more use of his hand since he came back aboard, sir. He remains one-and-a-half-handed, though I believe he is determined to make the best of it, all the same.”
    â€œHe would not let anyone know any different, no matter how he felt.”
    â€œI believe that is true, sir.”
    â€œDo keep your eye on him, Mr Archer, and inform me immediately if you see signs of melancholy. The young . . . they never imagine that they will not heal, but when they discover they have injuries that will stay with them all their days . . . Well, I have seen more than one youth struggle with this