Hethinkshimselfgreat；
　　Yetanasseinhisstate，
　　Weallowbyhisearsbutwithassestomate，
　　IfLucyislowsie，assomevolkemiscalleit，
　　ThensinglowsieLucywhateverbefallit。
　　Thisflagitiousattackuponthedignityoftheknightsoincensed
　　him，thatheappliedtoalawyeratWarwicktoputtheseverityofthe
　　lawsinforceagainsttherhymingdeer—stalker。Shakspearedidnot
　　waittobravetheunitedpuissanceofaknightoftheshireanda
　　countryattorney。Heforthwithabandonedthepleasantbanksofthe
　　Avonandhispaternaltrade；wanderedawaytoLondon；becamea
　　hanger—ontothetheatres；thenanactor；and，finally，wrotefor
　　thestage；andthus，throughthepersecutionofSirThomasLucy，
　　Stratfordlostanindifferentwool—comber，andtheworldgainedan
　　immortalpoet。Heretained，however，foralongtime，asenseofthe
　　harshtreatmentoftheLordofCharlecot，andrevengedhimselfin
　　hiswritings；butinthesportivewayofagood—naturedmind。Sir
　　ThomasissaidtobetheoriginalJusticeShallow，andthesatireis
　　slylyfixeduponhimbythejustice’sarmorialbearings，which，like
　　thoseoftheknight，hadwhiteluces*inthequarterings。
　　*Theluceisapikeorjack，andaboundsintheAvonabout
　　Charlecot。
　　Variousattemptshavebeenmadebyhisbiographerstosoftenand
　　explainawaythisearlytransgressionofthepoet；butIlookupon
　　itasoneofthosethoughtlessexploitsnaturaltohissituationand
　　turnofmind。Shakspeare，whenyoung，haddoubtlessallthewildness
　　andirregularityofanardent，undisciplined，andundirectedgenius。
　　Thepoetictemperamenthasnaturallysomethinginitofthe
　　vagabond。Whenlefttoitselfitrunslooselyandwildly，anddelights
　　ineverythingeccentricandlicentious。Itisoftenaturn—upofa
　　die，inthegamblingfreaksoffate，whetheranaturalgeniusshall
　　turnoutagreatrogueoragreatpoet；andhadnotShakspeare’s
　　mindfortunatelytakenaliterarybias，hemighthaveasdaringly
　　transcendedallcivil，ashehasalldramaticlaws。
　　Ihavelittledoubtthat，inearlylife，whenrunning，likean
　　unbrokencolt，abouttheneighborhoodofStratford，hewastobefound
　　inthecompanyofallkindsofoddanomalouscharacters；thathe
　　associatedwithallthemadcapsoftheplace，andwasoneofthose
　　unluckyurchins，atmentionofwhomoldmenshaketheirheads，and
　　predictthattheywillonedaycometothegallows。Tohimthe
　　poachinginSirThomasLucy’sparkwasdoubtlesslikeaforaytoa
　　Scottishknight，andstruckhiseager，and，asyetuntamed，
　　imagination，assomethingdelightfullyadventurous。*
　　*AproofofShakspeare’srandomhabitsandassociatesinhis
　　youthfuldaysmaybefoundinatraditionaryanecdote，pickedupat
　　StratfordbytheelderIreland，andmentionedinhis"Picturesque
　　ViewsontheAvon。"
　　AboutsevenmilesfromStratfordliesthethirstylittlemarkettown
　　ofBedford，famousforitsale。Twosocietiesofthevillage
　　yeomanryusedtomeet，undertheappellationoftheBedfordtopers，
　　andtochallengetheloversofgoodaleoftheneighboringvillagesto
　　acontestofdrinking。Amongothers，thepeopleofStratfordwere
　　calledouttoprovethestrengthoftheirheads；andinthenumber
　　ofthechampionswasShakspeare，who，inspiteoftheproverbthat
　　"theywhodrinkbeerwillthinkbeer，"wasastruetohisaleas
　　Falstafftohissack。ThechivalryofStratfordwasstaggeredatthe
　　firstonset，andsoundedaretreatwhiletheyhadyetlegstocarry
　　themoffthefield。Theyhadscarcelymarchedamilewhen，their
　　legsfailingthem，theywereforcedtoliedownunderacrab—tree，
　　wheretheypassedthenight。Itisstillstanding，andgoesbythe
　　nameofShakspeare’stree。
　　Inthemorninghiscompanionsawakedthebard，andproposed
　　returningtoBedford，buthedeclined，sayinghehadhadenoughhaving
　　drankwith
　　PipingPebworth，DancingMarston，
　　HauntedHilbro’，HungryGrafton，
　　DrudgingExhall，PapistWicksford，
　　BeggarlyBroom，andDrunkenBedford。
　　"Thevillagesherealludedto，"saysIreland，"stillbearthe
　　epithetsthusgiventhem：thepeopleofPebwortharestillfamedfor
　　theirskillonthepipeandtabor；HilboroughisnowcalledHaunted
　　Hilborough；andGraftonisfamousforthepovertyofitssoil。"
　　TheoldmansionofCharlecotanditssurroundingparkstillremain
　　inthepossessionoftheLucyfamily，andarepeculiarly
　　interesting，frombeingconnectedwiththiswhimsicalbuteventful
　　circumstanceinthescantyhistoryofthebard。Asthehousestoodbut
　　littlemorethanthreemiles’distancefromStratford，Iresolvedto
　　payitapedestrianvisit，thatImightstrollleisurelythrough
　　someofthosescenesfromwhichShakspearemusthavederivedhis
　　earliestideasofruralimagery。
　　Thecountrywasyetnakedandleafless；butEnglishsceneryis
　　alwaysverdant，andthesuddenchangeinthetemperatureofthe
　　weatherwassurprisinginitsquickeningeffectsuponthelandscape。
　　Itwasinspiringandanimatingtowitnessthisfirstawakeningof
　　spring；tofeelitswarmbreathstealingoverthesenses；toseethe
　　moistmellowearthbeginningtoputforththegreensproutandthe
　　tenderblade：andthetreesandshrubs，intheirrevivingtintsand
　　burstingbuds，givingthepromiseofreturningfoliageandflower。The
　　coldsnow—drop，thatlittlebordererontheskirtsofwinter，wasto
　　beseenwithitschastewhiteblossomsinthesmallgardensbeforethe
　　cottages。Thebleatingofthenew—droptlambswasfaintlyheardfrom
　　thefields。Thesparrowtwitteredaboutthethatchedeavesandbudding
　　hedges；therobinthrewaliveliernoteintohislatequerulouswintry
　　strain；andthelark，springingupfromthereekingbosomofthe
　　meadow，toweredawayintothebrightfleecycloud，pouringforth
　　torrentsofmelody。AsIwatchedthelittlesongster，mountingup
　　higherandhigher，untilhisbodywasamerespeckonthewhite
　　bosomofthecloud，whiletheearwasstillfilledwithhismusic，
　　itcalledtomindShakspeare’sexquisitelittlesonginCymbeline：
　　Hark！hark！thelarkatheaven’sgatesings，
　　AndPhoebus’ginsarise，
　　Hissteedstowateratthosesprings，
　　Onchalicedflowersthatlies。
　　Andwinkingmary—budsbegin
　　Toopetheirgoldeneyes；
　　Witheverythingthatprettybin，
　　Myladysweetarise！
　　Indeedthewholecountryabouthereispoeticground：everythingis
　　associatedwiththeideaofShakspeare。EveryoldcottagethatI
　　saw，Ifanciedintosomeresortofhisboyhood，wherehehad
　　acquiredhisintimateknowledgeofrusticlifeandmanners，and
　　heardthoselegendarytalesandwildsuperstitionswhichhehas
　　wovenlikewitchcraftintohisdramas。Forinhistime，wearetold，
　　itwasapopularamusementinwinterevenings"tositroundthe
　　fire，andtellmerrytalesoferrantknights，queens，lovers，lords，
　　ladies，giants，dwarfs，thieves，cheaters，witches，fairies，
　　goblins，andfriars。"*
　　*Scot，inhis"DiscoverieofWitchcraft，"enumeratesahostof
　　thesefiresidefancies。"Andtheyhavesofraiduswith
　　bull—beggars，spirits，witches，urchins，elves，hags，fairies，satyrs，
　　pans，faunes，syrens，kitwiththecansticke，tritons，centaurs，
　　dwarfes，giantes，imps，calcars，conjurors，nymphes，changelings，
　　incubus，Robin—good—fellow，thespoorne，themare，themanintheoke，
　　thehell—waine，thefierdrake，thepuckle，TomThombe，hobgoblins，
　　TomTumbler，boneless，andsuchotherbugs，thatwewereafraidofour
　　ownshadowes。"
　　MyrouteforapartofthewaylayinsightoftheAvon，which
　　madeavarietyofthemostfancydoublingsandwindingsthroughawide
　　andfertilevalley；sometimesglitteringfromamongwillows，which
　　fringeditsborders；sometimesdisappearingamonggroves，orbeneath
　　greenbanks；andsometimesramblingoutintofullview，andmaking
　　anazuresweeproundaslopeofmeadowland。Thisbeautifulbosomof
　　countryiscalledtheValeoftheRedHorse。Adistantlineof
　　undulatingbluehillsseemstobeitsboundary，whilstallthesoft
　　interveninglandscapeliesinamannerenchainedinthesilverlinks
　　oftheAvon。
　　Afterpursuingtheroadforaboutthreemiles，Iturnedoffintoa
　　footpath，whichledalongthebordersoffields，andunderhedgerows
　　toaprivategateofthepark；therewasastile，however，forthe
　　benefitofthepedestrian；therebeingapublicrightofwaythrough
　　thegrounds。Idelightinthesehospitableestates，inwhicheveryone
　　hasakindofproperty—atleastasfarasthefootpathis
　　concerned。Itinsomemeasurereconcilesapoormantohislot，and，
　　whatismore，tothebetterlotofhisneighbor，thustohaveparks
　　andpleasure—groundsthrownopenforhisrecreation。Hebreathesthe
　　pureairasfreely，andlollsasluxuriouslyundertheshade，asthe
　　lordofthesoil；andifhehasnottheprivilegeofcallingall
　　thatheseeshisown，hehasnot，atthesametime，thetroubleof
　　payingforit，andkeepingitinorder。
　　Inowfoundmyselfamongnobleavenuesofoaksandelms，whose
　　vastsizebespokethegrowthofcenturies。Thewindsoundedsolemnly
　　amongtheirbranches，andtherookscawedfromtheirhereditary
　　nestsinthetreetops。Theeyerangedthroughalonglesseningvista，
　　withnothingtointerrupttheviewbutadistantstatue；andavagrant
　　deerstalkinglikeashadowacrosstheopening。
　　Thereissomethingaboutthesestatelyoldavenuesthathasthe
　　effectofGothicarchitecture，notmerelyfromthepretended
　　similarityofform，butfromtheirbearingtheevidenceoflong
　　duration，andofhavinghadtheirorigininaperiodoftimewith
　　whichweassociateideasofromanticgrandeur。Theybetokenalsothe
　　long—settleddignity，andproudly—concentratedindependenceofan
　　ancientfamily；andIhaveheardaworthybutaristocraticold
　　friendobserve，whenspeakingofthesumptuouspalacesofmodern
　　gentry，that"moneycoulddomuchwithstoneandmortar，but，thank
　　Heaven，therewasnosuchthingassuddenlybuildingupanavenueof
　　oaks。"
　　Itwasfromwanderinginearlylifeamongthisrichscenery，and
　　abouttheromanticsolitudesoftheadjoiningparkofFullbroke，which
　　thenformedapartoftheLucyestate，thatsomeofShakspeare’s
　　commentatorshavesupposedhederivedhisnobleforestmeditations
　　ofJaques，andtheenchantingwoodlandpicturesin"AsYouLikeIt。"
　　Itisinlonelywanderingsthroughsuchscenes，thattheminddrinks
　　deepbutquietdraughtsofinspiration，andbecomesintenselysensible
　　ofthebeautyandmajestyofnature。Theimaginationkindlesinto
　　reverieandrapture；vaguebutexquisiteimagesandideaskeep
　　breakinguponit；andwerevelinamuteandalmostincommunicable
　　luxuryofthought。Itwasinsomesuchmood，andperhapsunderone
　　ofthoseverytreesbeforeme，whichthrewtheirbroadshadesoverthe
　　grassybanksandquiveringwatersoftheAvon，thatthepoet’sfancy
　　mayhavesalliedforthintothatlittlesongwhichbreathesthevery
　　soulofaruralvoluptuary：
　　Underthegreenwoodtree，
　　Wholovestoliewithme，
　　Andtunehismerrythroat
　　Untothesweetbird’snote，
　　Comehither，comehither，comehither。
　　Hereshallhesee
　　Noenemy，
　　Butwinterandroughweather。
　　Ihadnowcomeinsightofthehouse。Itisalargebuildingof
　　brick，withstonequoins，andisintheGothicstyleofQueen
　　Elizabeth’sday，havingbeenbuiltinthefirstyearofherreign。The
　　exteriorremainsverynearlyinitsoriginalstate，andmaybe
　　consideredafairspecimenoftheresidenceofawealthycountry
　　gentlemanofthosedays。Agreatgatewayopensfromtheparkintoa
　　kindofcourtyardinfrontofthehouse，ornamentedwitha
　　grassplot，shrubs，andflower—beds。Thegatewayisinimitationofthe
　　ancientbarbican；beingakindofoutpost，andflankedbytowers；
　　thoughevidentlyformereornament，insteadofdefence。Thefrontof
　　thehouseiscompletelyintheoldstyle；withstone—shafted
　　casements，agreatbowwindowofheavystone—work，andaportalwith
　　armorialbearingsoverit，carvedinstone。Ateachcornerofthe
　　buildingisanoctagontower，surmountedbyagiltballand
　　weathercock。
　　TheAvon，whichwindsthroughthepark，makesabendjustatthe
　　footofagently—slopingbank，whichsweepsdownfromtherearof
　　thehouse。Largeherdsofdeerwerefeedingorreposinguponits
　　borders；andswansweresailingmajesticallyuponitsbosom。AsI
　　contemplatedthevenerableoldmansion，IcalledtomindFalstaff’s
　　encomiumonJusticeShallow’sabode，andtheaffectedindifferenceand
　　realvanityofthelatter：
　　"Falstaff。Youhaveagoodlydwellingandarich。
　　Shallow。Barren，barren，barren；beggarsall，beggarsall，Sir
　　John：—marry，goodair。"
　　Whatevermayhavebeenthejovialityoftheoldmansioninthe
　　daysofShakspeare，ithadnowanairofstillnessandsolitude。The
　　greatirongatewaythatopenedintothecourt—yardwaslocked；there
　　wasnoshowofservantsbustlingabouttheplace；thedeergazed
　　quietlyatmeasIpassed，beingnolongerharriedbythe
　　moss—troopersofStratford。TheonlysignofdomesticlifethatI
　　metwithwasawhitecat，stealingwithwarylookandstealthypace
　　towardsthestables，asifonsomenefariousexpedition。Imustnot
　　omittomentionthecarcassofascoundrelcrowwhichIsaw
　　suspendedagainstthebarnwall，asitshowsthattheLucysstill
　　inheritthatlordlyabhorrenceofpoachers，andmaintainthatrigorous
　　exerciseofterritorialpowerwhichwassostrenuouslymanifestedin
　　thecaseofthebard。
　　Afterprowlingaboutforsometime，Iatlengthfoundmywaytoa
　　lateralportal，whichwastheevery—dayentrancetothemansion。Iwas
　　courteouslyreceivedbyaworthyoldhousekeeper，who，withthe
　　civilityandcommunicativenessofherorder，showedmetheinteriorof
　　thehouse。Thegreaterparthasundergonealterations，andbeen
　　adaptedtomoderntastesandmodesofliving：thereisafineold
　　oakenstaircase；andthegreathall，thatnoblefeatureinan
　　ancientmanor—house，stillretainsmuchoftheappearanceitmusthave
　　hadinthedaysofShakspeare。Theceilingisarchedandlofty；andat
　　oneendisagalleryinwhichstandsanorgan。Theweaponsand
　　trophiesofthechase，whichformerlyadornedthehallofacountry
　　gentleman，havemadewayforfamilyportraits。Thereisawide
　　hospitablefireplace，calculatedforanampleold—fashionedwoodfire，
　　formerlytherallying—placeofwinterfestivity。Ontheopposite
　　sideofthehallisthehugeGothicbowwindow，withstoneshafts，
　　whichlooksoutuponthecourt—yard。Hereareemblazonedinstained
　　glassthearmorialbearingsoftheLucyfamilyformanygenerations，
　　somebeingdatedin1558。Iwasdelightedtoobserveinthe
　　quarteringsthethreewhiteluces，bywhichthecharacterofSir
　　ThomaswasfirstidentifiedwiththatofJusticeShallow。Theyare
　　mentionedinthefirstsceneoftheMerryWivesofWindsor，where
　　theJusticeisinaragewithFalstaffforhaving"beatenhismen，
　　killedhisdeer，andbrokenintohislodge。"Thepoethadnodoubtthe
　　offencesofhimselfandhiscomradesinmindatthetime，andwemay
　　supposethefamilyprideandvindictivethreatsofthepuissant
　　ShallowtobeacaricatureofthepompousindignationofSirThomas。
　　"Shallow。SirHugh，persuademenot；IwillmakeaStar—Chamber
　　matterofit；ifheweretwentySirJohnFalstaffs，heshallnotabuse
　　RobertShallow，Esq。
　　Slender。InthecountyofGloster，justiceofpeace，andcoram。
　　Shallow。Ay，cousinSlender，andcustalorum。
　　Slender。Ay，andratalorumtoo，andagentlemanborn，master
　　parson；whowriteshimselfArmigeroinanybill，warrant，quittance，
　　orobligation，Armigero。
　　Shallow。Ay，thatIdo；andhavedoneanytimethesethree
　　hundredyears。
　　Slender。Allhissuccessorsgonebeforehimhavedone’t，and
　　allhisancestorsthatcomeafterhimmay；theymaygivethedozen
　　whitelucesintheircoat。*****
　　Shallow。Thecouncilshallhearit；itisariot。
　　Evans。Itisnotmeetthecouncilhearofariot；thereisno
　　fearofGotinariot；thecouncil，hearyou，shalldesiretohearthe
　　fearofGot，andnottohearariot；takeyourvizamentsinthat。
　　Shallow。Ha！o’mylife，ifIwereyoungagain，thesword
　　shouldendit！"
　　NearthewindowthusemblazonedhungaportraitbySirPeterLely，
　　ofoneoftheLucyfamily，agreatbeautyofthetimeofCharlesthe
　　Second：theoldhousekeepershookherheadasshepointedtothe
　　picture，andinformedmethatthisladyhadbeensadlyaddictedto
　　cards，andhadgambledawayagreatportionofthefamilyestate，
　　amongwhichwasthatpartoftheparkwhereShakspeareandhis
　　comradeshadkilledthedeer。Thelandsthuslosthadnotbeen
　　entirelyregainedbythefamilyevenatthepresentday。Itisbut
　　justicetothisrecreantdametoconfessthatshehadasurpassingly
　　finehandandarm。
　　Thepicturewhichmostattractedmyattentionwasagreatpainting
　　overthefireplace，containinglikenessesofSirThomasLucyandhis
　　family，whoinhabitedthehallinthelatterpartofShakspeare’s
　　lifetime。Iatfirstthoughtthatitwasthevindictiveknight
　　himself，butthehousekeeperassuredmethatitwashisson；the
　　onlylikenessextantoftheformerbeinganeffigyuponhistombin
　　thechurchoftheneighboringhamletofCharlecot。*Thepicture
　　givesalivelyideaofthecostumeandmannersofthetime。SirThomas
　　isdressedinruffanddoublet；whiteshoeswithrosesinthem；and
　　hasapeakedyellow，or，asMasterSlenderwouldsay，"a
　　cane—coloredbeard。"Hisladyisseatedontheoppositesideofthe
　　picture，inwideruffandlongstomacher，andthechildrenhaveamost
　　venerablestiffnessandformalityofdress。Houndsandspanielsare
　　mingledinthefamilygroup；ahawkisseatedonhisperchinthe
　　foreground，andoneofthechildrenholdsabow；—allintimatingthe
　　knight’sskillinhunting，hawking，andarchery—soindispensableto
　　anaccomplishedgentlemeninthosedays。*（2）
　　*Thiseffigyisinwhitemarble，andrepresentstheKnightin
　　completearmor。Nearhimliestheeffigyofhiswife，andonher
　　tombisthefollowinginscription；which，ifreallycomposedbyher
　　husband，placeshimquiteabovetheintellectuallevelofMaster
　　Shallow：
　　HerelyeththeLadyJoyceLucywifeofSrThomasLucyofCharlecot
　　inyecountyofWarwick，Knight，DaughterandheirofThomasActon
　　ofSuttoninyecountyofWorcesterEsquirewhodepartedoutofthis
　　wretchedworldtoherheavenlykingdomye10dayofFebruaryinye
　　yeareofourLordGod1595andofherage60andthree。Allthetime
　　ofherlyfeatrueandfaythfulservantofhergoodGod，never
　　detectedofanycrymeorvice。Inreligionmostsounde，inlovetoher
　　husbandmostfaythfulandtrue。Infriendshipmostconstant；towhat
　　intrustwascommitteduntohermostsecret。Inwisdomexcelling。In
　　governingofherhouse，bringingupofyouthinyefearofGodthat
　　didconversewithhermosterareandsingular。Agreatmaintaynerof
　　hospitality。Greatlyesteemedofherbetters；mislikedofnone
　　unlessoftheenvyous。Whenallisspokenthatcanbesaideawomanso
　　garnishedwithvirtueasnottobebetteredandhardlytobe
　　equalledbyany。Assheelivedmostvirtuouslysosheediedmost
　　Godly。Setdownebyhimytbestdidknowewhathathbynwrittento
　　betrue。
　　ThomasLucy。
　　*（2）BishopEarle，speakingofthecountrygentlemanofhistime，
　　observes，"hishousekeepingisseenmuchinthedifferentfamilies
　　ofdogs，andserving—menattendantontheirkennels；andthe
　　deepnessoftheirthroatsisthedepthofhisdiscourse。Ahawkhe
　　esteemsthetrueburdenofnobility，andisexceedinglyambitiousto
　　seemdelightedwiththesport，andhavehisfistglovedwithhis
　　jesses。"AndGilpin，inhisdescriptionofaMr。Hastings，remarks，
　　"hekeptallsortsofhoundsthatrunbuck，fox，hare，otter，and
　　badger；andhadhawksofallkindsbothlongandshortwinged。His
　　greathallwascommonlystrewedwithmarrow—bones，andfullofhawk
　　perches，hounds，spaniels，andterriers。Onabroadhearth，pavedwith
　　brick，laysomeofthechoicestterriers，hounds，andspaniels。"
　　Iregrettedtofindthattheancientfurnitureofthehallhad
　　disappeared；forIhadhopedtomeetwiththestatelyelbow—chairof
　　carvedoak，inwhichthecountrysquireofformerdayswaswontto
　　swaythesceptreofempireoverhisruraldomains；andinwhichit
　　mightbepresumedtheredoubtedSirThomassatenthronedinawful
　　statewhentherecreantShakspearewasbroughtbeforehim。AsIlike
　　todeckoutpicturesformyownentertainment，Ipleasedmyselfwith
　　theideathatthisveryhallhadbeenthesceneoftheunlucky
　　bard’sexaminationonthemorningafterhiscaptivityinthelodge。
　　Ifanciedtomyselftheruralpotentate，surroundedbyhis
　　body—guardofbutler，pages，andblue—coatedserving—men，withtheir
　　badges；whilethelucklessculpritwasbroughtin，forlornand
　　chap—fallen，inthecustodyofgamekeepers，huntsmen，andwhippers—in，
　　andfollowedbyarabbleroutofcountryclowns。Ifanciedbright
　　facesofcurioushousemaidspeepingfromthehalf—openeddoors；
　　whilefromthegallerythefairdaughtersoftheknightleaned
　　gracefullyforward，eyeingtheyouthfulprisonerwiththatpity
　　"thatdwellsinwomanhood。"—Whowouldhavethoughtthatthispoor
　　varlet，thustremblingbeforethebriefauthorityofacountrysquire，
　　andthesportofrusticboors，wassoontobecomethedelightof
　　princes，thethemeofalltonguesandages，thedictatortothe
　　humanmind，andwastoconferimmortalityonhisoppressorbya
　　caricatureandalampoon！
　　Iwasnowinvitedbythebutlertowalkintothegarden，andI
　　feltinclinedtovisittheorchardandarborwherethejusticetreated
　　SirJohnFalstaffandCousinSilence"toalastyear’spippinofhis
　　owngrafting，withadishofcaraways；"butIhadalreadyspentso
　　muchofthedayinmyramblingsthatIwasobligedtogiveupany
　　furtherinvestigations。WhenabouttotakemyleaveIwasgratifiedby
　　thecivilentreatiesofthehousekeeperandbutler，thatIwould
　　takesomerefreshment：aninstanceofgoodoldhospitalitywhich，I
　　grievetosay，wecastle—huntersseldommeetwithinmoderndays。I
　　makenodoubtitisavirtuewhichthepresentrepresentativeofthe
　　Lucysinheritsfromhisancestors；forShakspeare，eveninhis
　　caricature，makesJusticeShallowimportunateinthisrespect，as
　　witnesshispressinginstancestoFalstaff。
　　"Bycockandpye，sir，youshallnotawayto—night***Iwill
　　notexcuseyou；youshallnotbeexcused；excusesshallnotbe
　　admitted；thereisnoexcuseshallserve；youshallnotbeexcused**
　　*Somepigeons，Davy；acoupleofshort—leggedhens；ajointof
　　mutton；andanyprettylittletinykickshaws，tellWilliamCook。"
　　Inowbadeareluctantfarewelltotheoldhall。Mymindhad
　　becomesocompletelypossessedbytheimaginaryscenesand
　　charactersconnectedwithit，thatIseemedtobeactuallyliving
　　amongthem。Everythingbroughtthemasitwerebeforemyeyes；andas
　　thedoorofthedining—roomopened，Ialmostexpectedtohearthe
　　feeblevoiceofMasterSilencequaveringforthhisfavoriteditty：
　　"’Tismerryinhall，whenbeardswagall，
　　Andwelcomemerryshrove—tide！"
　　Onreturningtomyinn，Icouldnotbutreflectonthesingulargift
　　ofthepoet；tobeablethustospreadthemagicofhismindover
　　theveryfaceofnature；togivetothingsandplacesacharmand
　　characternottheirown，andtoturnthis"working—dayworld"intoa
　　perfectfairyland。Heisindeedthetrueenchanter，whosespell
　　operates，notuponthesenses，butupontheimaginationandtheheart。
　　UnderthewizardinfluenceofShakspeareIhadbeenwalkingalldayin
　　acompletedelusion。Ihadsurveyedthelandscapethroughtheprismof
　　poetry，whichtingedeveryobjectwiththehuesoftherainbow。I
　　hadbeensurroundedwithfanciedbeings；withmereairynothings，
　　conjuredupbypoeticpower；yetwhich，tome，hadallthecharmof
　　reality。IhadheardJacquessoliloquizebeneathhisoak：hadbeheld
　　thefairRosalindandhercompanionadventuringthroughthewoodlands；
　　and，aboveall，hadbeenoncemorepresentinspiritwithfatJack
　　Falstaffandhiscontemporaries，fromtheaugustJusticeShallow，down
　　tothegentleMasterSlenderandthesweetAnnePage。Tenthousand
　　honorsandblessingsonthebardwhohasthusgildedthedull
　　realitiesoflifewithinnocentillusions；whohasspreadexquisite
　　andunboughtpleasuresinmychequeredpath；andbeguiledmyspiritin
　　manyalonelyhour，withallthecordialandcheerfulsympathiesof
　　sociallife！