PREFACE. TABLE OF CONTENTS Part I. Shakespeare's Youth, Stratford 1564-1586 Part II. Shakespeare in London 1586-1608 The state of the roads, means of communication, § 2. FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF LONDON A foreign view, the buildings, the Thames, a water- 92 A. Drink its effects, a fearful example, ale-houses, 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, CHAPTER VIII. THE COURT 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, 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 An Elizabethan stage, from Victor E. Albright's Shaksperian Stage, 1909 Charlecote Hall, from Dr Furnivall's edition of Harrison's |