Perfect weekend in Stratford .

Shakespeare's Birthplace 7.00am on a Sunday.


"But be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great ,some achieve greatness , and some
have greatness thrust upon 'em"

"Twelfth Night"

***Main Street ; 7.00am


"Then the whining school-boy , with his satchel
And shining morning face , creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school "

"As You Like It"

***





Pewter Museum (with pub next door)


"Neither a borrower nor a lender be ;
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry ."

"Hamlet"
***





Ann Hathaway's Cottage.


"Romeo , Romeo ! wherefore art thou Romeo ?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name ;
Or, if thou wilt not , be but sworn my love ,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet."

"Romeo and Juliet"
***






Different view (Ann Hathaway's Cottage )

"Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines ,
And often is his gold complexion dimm'd ;
And every fair from fair some times declines ,
By chance , or nature's changing course , untrimm'd ;
But thy eternal summer shall not fade "

"Sonnet 18"
***






Sculpture trail (Gardens at Anne Hathaway's Cottage)


"This royal throne of kings , this scept'red isle ,
This earth of majesty , this seat of Mars ,
This other Eden , demi-paradise
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war ,
This happy breed of men , this little world
This precious stone set in the silver sea ,"

"King Richard the Second "
***


I so hope that Shakespeare's work will continue to be studied and appreciated , and whilst the tangible fabric of history can still be glimpsed in these wonderful places surely his legacy is secure .....

"So long as men can breathe or eyes can see
So long lives this , and this gives life to thee ." - Sonnet 18


T.T.F.N Ruth x