PREFACE. TABLE OF CONTENTS Part I. Shakespeare's Youth, Stratford 1564—1586 Part II. Shakespeare in London 1586-1608 Goes to London (? on foot) c. 1586: recognised as a rising 92- A. Drink: its effects, a fearful example, ale-houses, taverns, English sobriety. B. Tobacco. a tobacco seller, royal disapprobation. C. Dicing and Gaming: cheaters, a gaming-house, false dice, card-sharping. D. Debt and Usury: Fashion in general, gorgeous attire, a dandy, Patronage, portrait of a poet, an author's complaint, a pot- The first London theatres, a German at the theatre, Part III. Shakespeare's last years, Stratford Buys New Place and other property at Stratford 1597: leaves London 1608: writes his last plays The Rogues and the law, a courtesy man, an abraham man, (The Merchant of Venice, Antony and Cleopatra, England's naval power, a merchant, the sailor's life, the story LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS George Gascoigne, poet and dramatist, presenting his The south bank of the Thames, showing the Globe The Southwark Gate of London Bridge, from Visscher's A sixteenth century printer's office, from A book of trades, 1568 sperian Stage, 1909 An Elizabethan stage, from Victor E. Albright's Shak Charlecote Hall, from Dr Furnivall's edition of Harrison's |