BLESSING SHAKESPEARE.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 338, 30 May 1885, Page 4

BLESSING SHAKESPEARE.

* I bless Shakespeare every time I meet that fellow,' said a young, man one morning, as a chilly-looking individual brushed: past. him. <You see,' he continued, ' Smith's married the girl I was engaged to. . But she settled Mm. . Why that girl squandered his money so that -he had to- give up his business, and he is now only salesman.' ' But what has Shakespeare to be thanked for F asked a friend. : « Well, I was engaged to this lady about two years ago, and every thing . was arranged for the wedding. One night I took her to the theatre to see 'A Midsummer Nights Dream.' We were both very much pleased -with it, and, I am happy to say, remembered ■various passages in the text. A few days afterwards we were at a picnic together, and strayed away from the rest of the company during some of the sports. ' The scene was. a sylvan one, pre-eminently suited to billing and cooing. Addressing Kate, I said, quoting the dream : — . * Come, sit.thee. down, upon the flowery bed, That I. thy amiable cheek may coy, And stick 1 musk roses -in thy smooth, sleek head, -^ And kiss thy. fair, large .ears* my gentle joy.' ' Immediately she flared up. I could not account for her indignation, as I was not conscious of having said anything to give offence. 1 She seemed to ! be about to leave me, Tvhen I inquired if she was ill. *' How dare you bring me here to insult ' ane ? she cried". * ' I insult you ? ' I repeated in astonishaneht. 'I insult you? No! and, by heaven, the man— . : 'She- did not allow, me to finish my explanation of how very unfortunate that man or. woman would, be who should dare to insuit her, : but; interrupted me.; < 'Really ?' : she said, with sarcastic smile, * and yet you bring me here and do it yourself.' . ■ : * ' LTpon my word : -.' ' ' We are not married yet, and you have no right to do it,' she continued, heedless of my expostulations. 'If my ears are large it is not my fault, and you, who have expressed so much admiration for me, should be the last to notice the fact.' * A flood of light now broke in upon me. I vowed that in making the quotation I had intended no offence, but she turned a deaf ear to all my pleading.' ' At. last I sank on' my knees before her, hoping to move her in this manner. ..« 'I have loved you— dearly loved you,' I said, 'and, believed you loved me in return. You do love me, and surely you will not : allow so trival a matter to interfere with our { happiness. . Say you love me now as you did before,' ... . : ' Again she smiled sarcastically and curled her lip. Quoting also from the ' Midsummer Wight's Dream,' she said — 'Methinks I was enamoured of an ass : Oh, how mine eyes do loathe his visage now.' * She * said no more but turned away. What she did say was sufficient. Vainly I endeavoured to effect a reconciliation. She -wasimarriecL in a; month to. her present hustarid, andj sometimes think, when I look on the poor old man, that it was a lucky thing forme that I! was born after Shakespeare.' ...,•'