ABSTRACT
Shakespeare took that grave, slow instrument, and played it in symphonies, delivered it as from a giant orchestra in immense harmonics, rippled like sunlit water, crisp as sea spray, passionate as the hurricane, or pealing, crashing thunder. Perhaps it is only in the long perspective of history that even Shakespeare himself stands out gigantic; and men walk unnoticed in our streets to-day who will seem colossal to future generations. And hither came young Shakespeare, poet, seer, prophet, and the one man of England who had clearest vision, the sweetest, the profoundest understanding. Under the sheltering strength of England’s ancient Church, a secular government had unfolded, already at this time very old and strong, of mature and gentle power. Plantagenet England had been notable in the world for dignity and learning, for steady industry, and fine craftsmanship, considerable naval strength, and formidable military force.
