...Λίγα μέτρα από το σπίτι του (Σαιξπήρου) βρίσκεται ένα ρομαντικό ρυάκι. Λίγες βαρκούλες το ζωντανεύουνε απ’ το βαρύ του ύπνο. Surely it means "no little boat" here. In any case, I can’t imagine any βαρκούλες σ’ ένα ρυάκι!
Well, if we're talking about Shakespeare's birthplace,
that half-timbered house on Henley Street in Stratford-upon-Avon, not far from that to the northeast is the Stratford Canal which,
according to Google Earth, should be wide enough for small boats, or if not, for punting at least. Not to mention
the Avon itself to the southeast.
Perhaps the word "ρυάκι" is used for a stream —not a brook or creek which are narrower— where small boats would fit, I suppose.
... 'Enliven it from its deep sleep'. Is 'its deep sleep' then the winter. These travellers go there in the spring.
Could be that the stream is pictured as lazy, slow moving, therefore in a deep slumber regardless of season, or even sleepy because very few people -or boats- visit it.
Boat on the river - Styx
Now that's a river in deep,
heavy sleep indeed,
Styx.
