I am
therefore a ready believer in relics, legends, and local anecdotes
of goblins and great men; and would advise all travellers who travel
for their gratification to be the same. What is it to us, whether
these stories be true or false, so long as we can persuade ourselves
into the belief of them, and enjoy all the charm of the reality? There
is nothing like resolute good-humored credulity in these matters;
and on this occasion I went even so far as willingly to believe the
claims of mine hostess to a lineal descent from the poet, when,
luckily, for my faith, she put into my hands a play of her own
composition, which set all belief in her consanguinity at defiance.
From the birth-place of Shakspeare a few paces brought me to his
grave. He lies buried in the chancel of the parish church, a large and
venerable pile, mouldering with age, but richly ornamented. It
stands on the banks of the Avon, on an embowered point, and
separated by adjoining gardens from the suburbs of the town. Its
situation is quiet and retired: the river runs murmuring at the foot
of the churchyard, and the elms which grow upon its banks droop
their branches into its clear bosom. An avenue of limes, the boughs of
which are curiously interlaced, so as to form in summer an arched
way of foliage, leads up from the gate of the yard to the church
porch.
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