File:William Shakespere - a biography (1860) (14579438100).jpg

Identifier: williamshakesper00knig (find matches)
Title: William Shakespere : a biography
Year: 1860 (1860s)
Authors: Knight, Charles, 1791-1873
Subjects: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
Publisher: London New York : G. Routledge and sons
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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r, of the ballad poetry stood outin Shaksperes boyhood in remarkable contrast to the drawling pedantry of themoral plays of the early stage. The ballads kept the love and the knowledgeof real poetry in the hearts of the people. There was something high, andgenerous, and tolerant, in those which were most popular; something whichdemonstratively told they belonged to a nation which admired -courage, whichloved truth, which respected misfortune. Percy, speaking of the more ancientballad of Chevy Chase, says—One may also observe a generous impartialityin the old original bard, when in the conclusion of his tale he represents bothnations as quitting the field without any reproachful reflection on either ; thoughhe gives to his own countrymen the credit of being the smaller number. Theauthor of that ballad was an Englishman; and we may believe this impar-tialitv to have been an ingredient of the old English patriotism. At any ratit entered into the patriotism of Shakspere. ^^.?.^ ^^*, f^^
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i( I r«^J«» -^ ^ ^ <a®-^^* CTlie Boiindavy Elm, Stratti)i-cl.) CHAPTER VI. HOLIDAYS. It is the twenty-third of April, and the birthday of WilHam Sliakspere is ageneral h(/aday at Stratford. It is St. Georges day. There is high feastingat Westminster or at Windsor, Tlie green rushes are strewn in the outwardcourts of the Palace; the choristers lift up the solemn chants of the Litanyas a procession advances from the Queens Hall to her Chapel; the Heraldsmove on gorgeously in their coat-armour; the Knights of the Garter and theSovereign glitter in their velvet robes ; the Yeomen of the Guard close roundin their richest liveries.* At Stratford there is humbler pageantry. Uponthe walls of the Chapel of the Holy Cross there was a wondrous painting of aterrible dragon pierced through the neck with a spear ; but he has snapped the C2 S^ee Nicholss Irogresses of Elizabeth, v )1. i.. p. 88. A BTOGRAPIiy. weapon in two with his fearful talons, and a gallant knight in conaplete armouris up

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