Shakespeare's England . ble. A few great elms, near by, are noddingand rustling in the wind, and once or twice a drowsybird-note floats up from the neighbouring thicket thatskirts the vacant, lonely road. There, at some distance,are the dim arches of Cloptons Bridge. In front — agraceful, shapely mass, indistinct in the starlight—risesthe fair Memorial, Stratfords honour and pride. Fur-ther off, glimmering through the tree-tops, is the duskyspire of Trinity, keeping its sacred vigil over the dustof Shakespeare. Nothing here is changed. The sametranquil beauty, as of old, hallows this place; th
Shakespeare's England . ble. A few great elms, near by, are noddingand rustling in the wind, and once or twice a drowsybird-note floats up from the neighbouring thicket thatskirts the vacant, lonely road. There, at some distance,are the dim arches of Cloptons Bridge. In front — agraceful, shapely mass, indistinct in the starlight—risesthe fair Memorial, Stratfords honour and pride. Fur-ther off, glimmering through the tree-tops, is the duskyspire of Trinity, keeping its sacred vigil over the dustof Shakespeare. Nothing here is changed. The sametranquil beauty, as of old, hallows this place; the samesense of awe and mystery broods over its silent shrines 230 CHAP. XXI THE SHRINES OF WARWICKSHIRE 231 of everlasting renown. Long and weary the years havebeen since last I saw it; but to-night they are remem-bered only as a fleeting and troubled dream. Here,once more, is the highest and noblest companionshipthis world can give. Here, once more, is the almostvisible presence of the one magician who can lift the. Siratford-upon-A von. soul out of the infinite weariness of common things andgive it strength and peace. The old time has comeback, and the bloom of the heart that I thought had allfaded and gone. I stroll again to the rivers brink,and take my place in the boat, and, trailing my handin the dark waters of the Avon, forget every troublethat ever I have known, 232 SHAKESPEARES ENGLAND chap. It is often said, with reference to memorable places,that the best view always is the first view. No doubtthe accustomed eye sees blemishes. No doubt thesupreme moments of human life are few and come butonce; and neither of them is ever repeated. Yet fre-quently it will be found that the change is in ourselvesand not in the objects we behold. Scott has glanced atthis truth, in a few mournful lines, written toward theclose of his heroic and beautiful life. Here at Stratford,however, I am not conscious that the wonderful charmof the place is in any degree impaired. The town still
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectshakespearewilliam15
