April 23 is the date on which Shakespeare was born, in the year 1564. It is also the date on which he departed this world, in 1616. Shakespeare knew about dramatic entrances and exits. ("Exit Ghost" is one of the stage directions in "Hamlet"--appropriate, as in performances at The Globe, Shakespeare himself played the ghost of Hamlet's father.)
April 23 is also St. George's Day, commemorating the dragon slayer who is the patron saint of England. Thus, in "Henry V," Shakespeare has the young king, on the eve of the battle of Agincourt, tell his archers, "Follow your spirit, and upon this charge cry "God for Harry! England and Saint George!"
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