human
Truly so, he thought to himself.
gpt
The more fool for being there, when in the country he was in a better place. And then he thought of home, of wife, children, and other relations, and then his heart softened, and he wept. Yes! there, amidst the bustle of Old Paul's, whilst the Londoners recreated themselves before a sort of moveable stage, on which certain dramatic representations were exhibited to the gaping crowd on one side, and the bonfire raged on the other, and all was uproar and hilarity,--there did Shakespeare sit and weep,
human
but they stopped not to glance upon the tired stranger. Then came flaunting along, tempted out by the beauty of the evening, the city madam with her gossip, the merry wives of Chepe; and, as they passed, they stopped for a moment to glance upon the well-knit limbs and handsome face of the homeless Shakespeare. They marked his travelled look, his dusty shoes, and his worn doublet, and they felt inclined to arouse him, and ask the cause of that pallid cheek, and his sleeping in the open air at such an hour. But then, a titter from the rude gallant as he passed, sent them forward amidst the throng. Then came the cut-purse, as the shadows deepened, and he stole a furtive glance around the dark old building. But the night was not far enough advanced for him safely to rifle the pockets of the sleeper, or slit his windpipe unobserved; and so Shakespeare slept on amidst the throng. Quietly, sweetly did he slumber, until, as night approached, the crowd gradually dispersed, the stage disappeared, and all deepened down. Soundly, heavily, slept that wonderful man amidst scenes which he was ere long to render famous in all time. One touch of his pen was to picture Old Paul's and Lud's Town, as no other could picture them. He was to revel in these scenes amidst which he now unconsciously slumbered, so as no mortal ever revelled before. He was to call up those bright kings, and all the glittering host, and shew them in harness, as they had lived, and to render all that would else have been unknown in Old London--a dream of delight. Nay, those even who dwelt hard by in East Cheap, knew not East Cheap; and London itself was to have an interest lent to it, such as the dwellers in it at that moment little thought of. And so Shakespeare slept the sleep of weariness--of
gpt
his ragged beard descending to his waist, and carrying a filthy wallet on his back, as he poked about, and picked up bones in the churchyard, came and looked upon him, and after a few moments' contemplation, stirred him with the end of his staff and awoke him.
human
Best not sleep here so late, young master, he said;
gpt
I have, he said,
human
Nothing to fear! said the tatterdemalion,
gpt
Both are valueless, or at least worth little, said Shakespeare, smiling.
human
Hark, the chimes! how sweetly they sound.
gpt
Sweeter to those who hear them in a good bed, said the man.
human
They are the midnight chimes! wherefore dost thou not seek thy home, young master?
gpt
I should seek that which I should hardly find, said Shakespeare.
human
I have no home, good friend, at least, not in London.
gpt
Neither home nor coin?
human
Neither one nor the other, returned Shakespeare;
gpt
But you've friends here?
human
Poor in that as in all else,
gpt
Wilt come with me? said the old man;
human
I can find thee a roof for one night, perhaps food too.
gpt
I almost die for food, said Shakespeare;