The Great Bed of Ware

In Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," Act. III., Scene 2, Sir Toby Belch wickedly urges Sir Andrew Aguecheek to pen a challenge to his supposed rival, and to put into it "as many lies as will lie in thy sheet of paper, although the sheet were big enough for the bed of Ware in England." The enormous bed alluded to was a wonder in the age of Shakspeare, and still exists in Ware.

It is seven feet six inches high, and ten feet nine inches square; so that twelve people can lie comfortably in it.

It is very elegantly carved, and is a magnificent specimen of antique furniture, though not older than the reign of Elizabeth.

It has been visited by multitudes of travellers; and it is customary for a company, on seeing the bed, to drink from a can of beer a toast appropriate to it. In the same room with the bed, there hung a pair of horns, upon which all strangers were sworn, as at Highgate.