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Article SHAKSPEARE AT CHARLECOTE PARK. ← Page 2 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Shakspeare At Charlecote Park.
ginity . Still it was no mean event that could thrust seven of Sir Thomas Lucy ' s men into their saddles , and send them galloping like so many St , Georges , to the mayor of Stratford . Tims it was then , the park of Sir Thomas had been entered on the over night , and one fine head of fallow deer stolen from the pasturage , whilst another was found sorely maimed , sobbing out its life among the underwood . The maurauders were known ; and Sir Thomas had sent to his worship to apprehend
the evil-doers , and despatch them under a safe guard to the hall at Charleeote . This simpie story mightily disappointed the worthy denizens of Stratford ; and , for the most part' sent them back to their various business . Many , however , lingered about his worship ' s dwelling to catch a view of the culprits—for they were soon in custodyand many a head was thrust from the windows to look at the offenders , as mounted on horseback , and well guarded an all sides by Sir Thomas Lucy ' s servants and the constables of Stratford , they took their way through the town , and crossing the Avon , turned on the left to Charleeote .
There were four criminals , and all in the first flush of manhood ; they rode as gaily among their guards , as though each carried a hawk upon his fist , and went ambling to the sound of Milan bells . One of the culprits was specially distinguished from his companions , more by the perfect beauty of his face than by the laughing unconcern that shone in it . He seemed about twenty-two years of age , of somewhat more than the ordinary stature ; his limbs , combining
gracefulness of form with manly strength . He sat upon his saddle as though he grew there . PL ' s countenance was of extraordinary sweetness . He had an eye , at once so brilliant and so deep , so various in its expression , so keenly piercing , yet so meltingly soft , —an eye , so wonderful and instant in its power , as though it would read the whole world at a glance ; such an eye as hardly ever shone within the face of man , it was not an eye of flesh ; it was a living soul . His nose and chin were
shaped as with a chissel from the fairest marble ; his mouth looked instinct with thought ; yet as sweet and gentle in its expression , - as is an infant ' s when it dreams and smiles . And as he doffed his hat to a fair head that looked mournfully at him from an upper casement , his broad forehead bared out from his dark curls in surpassing power and amplitude . It seemed a tablet writ with a new world .
The townspeople gazed at the young man , and some of them said" Poor Will Shakspeare ! " Others said , " twas a sore thing to get a child for the gallows ! " and one old crone lifted up her lean hands and cried—God help poor Anne Hatheaway she had better married the tailor !"Some prophecied a world of trouble for the young man ' s parentsmany railed him as a scapegrace , given to loose companions—a mischevous varlet—a midnight roysterer—but the greater number only
cried— " Poor Will Shakspeare !" It was but a short ride to the hall : yet , ere the escort had arrived there , Sir Thomas Lucy , with some choice guests , was seated at dinner . Hereupon the constables were ordered to take especial care of the culprits , who were forthwith consigned to the darkest and strongest cellar at Charleeote . Here , at least it was thought , that Will " Shakspeare would abate somewhat of his unseemly hardihood .
For all the way to the mansion , he had laughed and jested and made riddles on the constables' beards , and sang snatches of profane songs , and kissed his fingers to the damsels on the road , and , indeed " showed himself , " as a discreet serving man declared , " little better than a
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Shakspeare At Charlecote Park.
ginity . Still it was no mean event that could thrust seven of Sir Thomas Lucy ' s men into their saddles , and send them galloping like so many St , Georges , to the mayor of Stratford . Tims it was then , the park of Sir Thomas had been entered on the over night , and one fine head of fallow deer stolen from the pasturage , whilst another was found sorely maimed , sobbing out its life among the underwood . The maurauders were known ; and Sir Thomas had sent to his worship to apprehend
the evil-doers , and despatch them under a safe guard to the hall at Charleeote . This simpie story mightily disappointed the worthy denizens of Stratford ; and , for the most part' sent them back to their various business . Many , however , lingered about his worship ' s dwelling to catch a view of the culprits—for they were soon in custodyand many a head was thrust from the windows to look at the offenders , as mounted on horseback , and well guarded an all sides by Sir Thomas Lucy ' s servants and the constables of Stratford , they took their way through the town , and crossing the Avon , turned on the left to Charleeote .
There were four criminals , and all in the first flush of manhood ; they rode as gaily among their guards , as though each carried a hawk upon his fist , and went ambling to the sound of Milan bells . One of the culprits was specially distinguished from his companions , more by the perfect beauty of his face than by the laughing unconcern that shone in it . He seemed about twenty-two years of age , of somewhat more than the ordinary stature ; his limbs , combining
gracefulness of form with manly strength . He sat upon his saddle as though he grew there . PL ' s countenance was of extraordinary sweetness . He had an eye , at once so brilliant and so deep , so various in its expression , so keenly piercing , yet so meltingly soft , —an eye , so wonderful and instant in its power , as though it would read the whole world at a glance ; such an eye as hardly ever shone within the face of man , it was not an eye of flesh ; it was a living soul . His nose and chin were
shaped as with a chissel from the fairest marble ; his mouth looked instinct with thought ; yet as sweet and gentle in its expression , - as is an infant ' s when it dreams and smiles . And as he doffed his hat to a fair head that looked mournfully at him from an upper casement , his broad forehead bared out from his dark curls in surpassing power and amplitude . It seemed a tablet writ with a new world .
The townspeople gazed at the young man , and some of them said" Poor Will Shakspeare ! " Others said , " twas a sore thing to get a child for the gallows ! " and one old crone lifted up her lean hands and cried—God help poor Anne Hatheaway she had better married the tailor !"Some prophecied a world of trouble for the young man ' s parentsmany railed him as a scapegrace , given to loose companions—a mischevous varlet—a midnight roysterer—but the greater number only
cried— " Poor Will Shakspeare !" It was but a short ride to the hall : yet , ere the escort had arrived there , Sir Thomas Lucy , with some choice guests , was seated at dinner . Hereupon the constables were ordered to take especial care of the culprits , who were forthwith consigned to the darkest and strongest cellar at Charleeote . Here , at least it was thought , that Will " Shakspeare would abate somewhat of his unseemly hardihood .
For all the way to the mansion , he had laughed and jested and made riddles on the constables' beards , and sang snatches of profane songs , and kissed his fingers to the damsels on the road , and , indeed " showed himself , " as a discreet serving man declared , " little better than a