We spent part of the day on a literary pilgrimage—searching the streets of London for the original Globe Theatre where Shakespeare first brought his words to life. After many steps (and a few missteps), we finally found it—or at least what remains of it. Today, all that’s left is the facade that is a the front door of a pub.

Not far away, though, we stumbled upon its legacy: the beautifully reconstructed Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, a loving tribute to the original. They were just beginning a performance of Romeo and Juliet, and for a moment we considered joining the audience. But after 32 hours without sleep, we knew how that story would end for us: with closed eyes and gentle snores during Juliet’s lament.

Instead, here is a little taste of our adventure (in iambic pentameter)

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Searching for Shakespeare

We wandered long through alleys old and tight,
In search of where the Bard once plied his quill.
Our feet, though weary, pressed into the night
To find the Globe, with hope and stubborn will.

At last we came upon a humble place—
A building small, a tavern now its kin.
“Is this,” quoth we, “the stage of Hamlet’s grace?
Where once did dreams and dagger’d scenes begin?”

But lo! Not far, a newer Globe did stand,
A tribute bold to mimic days of yore.
Romeo and Juliet took to hand—
Their tale of love and death upon the floor.

We near did enter, drawn by thespian art,
But sleep, that thief, did creep into the heart.

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We paused before the doors, our hearts aflame,
As Juliet did call from off the stage.
Yet travel’s toll had wearied mortal frame,
And sleep did fight our thoughts in silent rage.

To sit within that hall would tempt the Fates,
For eyes once closed may not so soon arise.
We’d shame the house with snoring through its gates,
While lovers wept ‘neath balcony and skies.

So turned we back, with reverence and regret,
And left the star-crossed tale to those more wake.
Our steps did wander where old spirits met,
While London’s breeze did whisper in our wake.

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Tags: Shakespeare, London, Travel Blog, Globe Theatre, Literary Travel, Sleep-Deprived Adventures