1 Once, after long-drawn revel at The Mermaid, He to the overbearing Boanerges Jonson, uttered (if half of it were liquor, Blessed be the vintage!) 2 Saying how, at an alehouse under Cotswold, He had made sure of his very Cleopatra, Drunk with enormous, salvation-contemning Love for a tinker. 3 How, while he hid from Sir Thomas's keepers, Crouched in a ditch and drenched by the midnight Dews, he had listened to gipsy Juliet Rail at the dawning. 4 How at Bankside, a boy drowning kittens Winced at the business; whereupon his sister Lady Macbeth aged seven - thrust 'em under, Sombrely scornful. 5 How on a Sabbath, hushed and compassionate She being known since her birth to the townsfolk Stratford dredged and delivered from Avon Dripping Ophelia. 6 So, with a thin third finger marrying Drop to wine-drop domed on the table, Shakespeare opened his heart till the sunrise Entered to hear him. 7 London waked and he, imperturbable, Passed from waking to hurry after shadows... Busied upon shows of no earthly importance? Yes, but he knew it!
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