第1章

CHAPTERI

THEMENOFKENT

SometimesIamrewardedforfrettingmyselfsomuchaboutpresentmattersbyaquiteunasked—forpleasantdream。ImeanwhenIamasleep。Thisdreamisasitwereapresentofanarchitecturalpeep—show。Iseesomebeautifulandnoblebuildingnewmade，asitwerefortheoccasion，asclearlyasifIwereawake；notvaguelyorabsurdly，asoftenhappensindreams，butwithallthedetailclearandreasonable。SomeElizabethanhousewithitsscrapofearlierfourteenth—centurybuilding，anditslaterdegradationsofQueenAnneandSillyBillyandVictoria，marringbutnotdestroyingit，inanoldvillageonceaclearingamidthesandywoodlandsofSussex。Oranoldandunusuallycuriouschurch，muchchurchwardened，andbesideitafragmentoffifteenth—centurydomesticarchitectureamongstthenotunpicturesquelathandplasterofanEssexfarm，andlookingnaturalenoughamongthesleepyelmsandthemeditativehensscratchingaboutinthelitterofthefarmyard，whosetroddenyellowstrawcomesuptotheveryjambsoftherichlycarvedNormandoorwayofthechurch。Orsometimes’tisasplendidcollegiatechurch，untouchedbyrestoringparsonandarchitect，standingamidanislandofshapelytreesandflower—besetcottagesofthatchedgreystoneandcob，amidstthenarrowstretchofbrightgreenwater—meadowsthatwindbetweenthesweepingWiltshiredowns，sowellbelovedofWilliamCobbett。Orsomenew—seenandyetfamiliarclusterofhousesinagreyvillageoftheupperThamesovertoppedbythedelicatetraceryofafourteenth—centurychurch；orevensometimestheverybuildingsofthepastuntouchedbythedegradationofthesordidutilitarianismthatcaresnotandknowsnotofbeautyandhistory：asonce，whenIwasjourneying（inadreamofthenight）

downthewell—rememberedreachesoftheThamesbetwixtStreatleyandWallingford，wherethefoothillsoftheWhiteHorsefallbackfromthebroadstream，Icameuponaclear—seenmediaevaltownstandingupwithroofandtowerandspirewithinitswalls，greyandancient，butuntouchedfromthedaysofitsbuildersofold。

AllthisIhaveseeninthedreamsofthenightclearerthanI

canforcemyselftoseethemindreamsoftheday。Sothatitwouldhavebeennothingnewtometheothernighttofallintoanarchitecturaldreamifthatwereall，andyetIhavetotellofthingsstrangeandnewthatbefellmeafterIhadfallenasleep。

IhadbegunmysojournintheLandofNodbyaveryconfusedattempttoconcludethatitwasallrightformetohaveanengagementtolectureatManchesterandMitchamFairGreenathalf—pastelevenatnightononeandthesameSunday，andthatI

couldmanageprettywell。AndthenIhadgoneontotrytomakethebestofaddressingalargeopen—airaudienceinthecostumeI

wasreallythenwearing——towit，mynight—shirt，reinforcedforthedreamoccasionbyapairofbracelesstrousers。Theconsciousnessofthisfactsobotheredme，thattheearnestfacesofmyaudience——whowouldNOTnoticeit，butwereclearlypreparingterribleanti—Socialistposersforme——begantofadeawayandmydreamgrewthin，andIawoke（asIthought）tofindmyselflyingonastripofwaysidewastebyanoakcopsejustoutsideacountryvillage。

Igotupandrubbedmyeyesandlookedaboutme，andthelandscapeseemedunfamiliartome，thoughitwas，astothelieoftheland，anordinaryEnglishlow—country，swellingintorisinggroundhereandthere。Theroadwasnarrow，andIwasconvincedthatitwasapieceofRomanroadfromitsstraightness。Copseswerescatteredoverthecountry，andthereweresignsoftwoorthreevillagesandhamletsinsightbesidestheonenearme，betweenwhichandmetherewassomeorchard—

land，wheretheearlyappleswerebeginningtoreddenonthetrees。Also，justontheothersideoftheroadandtheditchwhichranalongit，wasasmallcloseofaboutaquarterofanacre，neatlyhedgedwithquick，whichwasnearlyfullofwhitepoppies，and，asfarasIcouldseeforthehedge，hadalsoagoodfewrose—bushesofthebright—rednearlysinglekind，whichIhadheardaretheonesfromwhichrose—waterusedtobedistilled。Otherwisethelandwasquiteunhedged，butallundertillageofvariouskinds，mostlyinsmallstrips。Fromtheothersideofacopsenotfaroffroseatallspirewhiteandbrand—

new，butatonceboldinoutlineandunaffectedlygracefulandalsodistinctlyEnglishincharacter。This，togetherwiththeunhedgedtillageandacertainunwontedtrimnessandhandinessabouttheenclosuresofthegardenandorchards，puzzledmeforaminuteortwo，asIdidnotunderstand，newasthespirewas，howitcouldhavebeendesignedbyamodernarchitect；andIwasofcourseusedtothehedgedtillageandtumbledownbankrupt—lookingsurroundingsofourmodernagriculture。Sothatthegarden—likeneatnessandtrimnessofeverythingsurprisedme。Butafteraminuteortwothatsurpriseleftmeentirely；andifwhatIsawandheardafterwardsseemsstrangetoyou，rememberthatitdidnotseemstrangetomeatthetime，exceptwherenowandagainI

shalltellyouofit。Also，onceforall，ifIweretogiveyoutheverywordsofthosewhospoketomeyouwouldscarcelyunderstandthem，althoughtheirlanguagewasEnglishtoo，andatthetimeIcouldunderstandthematonce。

Well，asIstretchedmyselfandturnedmyfacetowardthevillage，Iheardhorse—hoofsontheroad，andpresentlyamanandhorseshowedontheotherendofthestretchofroadanddrewnearataswingingtrotwithplentyofclashofmetal。Themansooncameuptome，butpaidmenomoreheedthanthrowingmeanod。Hewascladinarmourofmingledsteelandleather，aswordgirttohisside，andoverhisshoulderalong—handledbill—hook。

Hisarmourwasfantasticinformandwellwrought；butbythistimeIwasquiteusedtothestrangenessofhim，andmerelymutteredtomyself，"Heiscomingtosummonthesquiretotheleet；"soIturnedtowardthevillageingoodearnest。Nor，again，wasIsurprisedatmyowngarments，althoughImightwellhavebeenfromtheirunwontedness。Iwasdressedinablackclothgownreachingtomyankles，neatlyembroideredaboutthecollarandcuffs，withwidesleevesgatheredinatthewrists；ahoodwithasortofbaghangingdownfromitwasonmyhead，abroadredleathergirdleroundmywaist，ononesideofwhichhungapouchembroideredveryprettilyandacasemadeofhardleatherchasedwithahuntingscene，whichIknewtobeapenandinkcase；ontheothersideasmallsheath—knife，onlyanarmincaseofdirenecessity。

Well，Icameintothevillage，whereIdidnotsee（norbythistimeexpectedtosee）asinglemodernbuilding，althoughmanyofthemwerenearlynew，notablythechurch，whichwaslarge，andquiteravishedmyheartwithitsextremebeauty，elegance，andfitness。Thechancelofthiswassonewthatthedustofthestonestilllaywhiteonthemidsummergrassbeneaththecarvingsofthewindows。Thehouseswerealmostallbuiltofoakframe—

workfilledwithcoborplasterwellwhitewashed；thoughsomehadtheirlowerstoriesofrubble—stone，withtheirwindowsanddoorsofwell—mouldedfreestone。Therewasmuchcuriousandinventivecarvingaboutmostofthem；andthoughsomewereoldandmuchworn，therewasthesamelookofdeftnessandtrimness，andevenbeauty，abouteverydetailinthemwhichInoticedbeforeinthefield—work。Theywereallroofedwithoakshingles，mostlygrownasgreyasstone；butonewassonewlybuiltthatitsroofwasyetpaleandyellow。Thiswasacornerhouse，andthecornerpostofithadacarvednichewhereinstoodagailypaintedfigureholdingananchor——St。Clementtowit，asthedwellerinthehousewasablacksmith。Halfastone’sthrowfromtheeastendofthechurchyardwallwasatallcrossofstone，newlikethechurch，theheadbeautifullycarvedwithacrucifixamidstleafage。Itstoodonasetofwidestonesteps，octagonalinshape，wherethreeroadsfromothervillagesmetandformedawideopenspaceonwhichathousandpeopleormorecouldstandtogetherwithnogreatcrowding。

AllthisIsaw，andalsothattherewasagoodishmanypeopleabout，womenandchildren，andafewoldmenatthedoors，manyofthemsomewhatgailyclad，andthatmenwerecomingintothevillagestreetbytheotherendtothatbywhichIhadentered，bytwosandthrees，mostofthemcarryingwhatIcouldseewerebowsincasesoflinenyellowwithwaxoroil；theyhadquiversattheirbacks，andmostofthemashortswordbytheirleftside，andapouchandknifeontheright；theyweremostlydressedinredorbrightishgreenorblueclothjerkins，withahoodontheheadgenerallyofanothercolour。AstheycamenearerIsawthattheclothoftheirgarmentswassomewhatcoarse，butstoutandserviceable。Iknew，somehow，thattheyhadbeenshootingatthebutts，and，indeed，Icouldstillhearanoiseofmenthereabout，andevennowandagainwhenthewindsetfromthatquarterthetwangofthebowstringandtheplumpoftheshaftinthetarget。

Ileanedagainstthechurchyardwallandwatchedthesemen，someofwhomwentstraightintotheirhousesandsomeloiteredaboutstill；theywererough—lookingfellows，tallandstout，veryblacksomeofthem，andsomered—haired，butmosthadhairburntbythesunintothecolouroftow；and，indeed，theywereallburnedandtannedandfreckledvariously。Theirarmsandbucklesandbeltsandthefinishingsandhemsoftheirgarmentswereallwhatweshouldnowcallbeautiful，roughasthemenwere；norintheirspeechwasanyofthatdrawlingsnarlorthickvulgaritywhichoneisusedtohearfromlabourersincivilisation；notthattheytalkedlikegentlemeneither，butfullandroundandbold，andtheyweremerryandgood—temperedenough；Icouldseethat，thoughIfeltshyandtimidamongstthem。

Oneofthemstrodeuptomeacrosstheroad，amansomesixfeethigh，withashortblackbeardandblackeyesandberry—brownskin，withahugebowinhishandbareofthecase，aknife，apouch，andashorthatchet，allclatteringtogetherathisgirdle。

"Well，friend，"saidhe，"thoulookestpartlymazed；whattonguehastthouinthinehead？"

"Atonguethatcantellrhymes，"saidI。

"SoIthought，"saidhe。"Thirstestthouany？"

"Yea，andhunger，"saidI。

Andtherewithmyhandwentintomypurse，andcameoutagainwithbutafewsmallandthinsilvercoinswithacrossstampedoneach，andthreepelletsineachcornerofthecross。Themangrinned。

"Aha!"saidhe，"isitso？Neverheedit，mate。ItshallbeasongforasupperthisfairSundayevening。Butfirst，whosemanartthou？"

"Noone’sman，"saidI，reddeningangrily；"Iammyownmaster。"

Hegrinnedagain。

"Nay，that’snotthecustomofEngland，asonetimebelikeitwillbe。Methinksthoucomestfromheavendown，andhasthadahighplacetheretoo。"

Heseemedtohesitateamoment，andthenleantforwardandwhisperedinmyear："JohntheMiller，thatgroundsmall，small，small，"andstoppedandwinkedatme，andfrombetweenmylipswithoutmymindforminganymeaningcamethewords，"Theking’ssonofheavenshallpayforall。"

Helethisbowfallontohisshoulder，caughtmyrighthandinhisandgaveitagreatgrip，whilehislefthandfellamongthegearathisbelt，andIcouldseethathehalfdrewhisknife。

"Well，brother，"saidhe，"standnotherehungryinthehighwaywhenthereisfleshandbreadintheRoseyonder。Comeon。"

Andwiththathedrewmealongtowardwhatwasclearlyataverndoor，outsidewhichmenweresittingonacoupleofbenchesanddrinkingmeditativelyfromcuriouslyshapedearthenpotsglazedgreenandyellow，somewithquaintdevicesonthem。

CHAPTERII

THEMANFROMESSEX

Ienteredthedoorandstartedatfirstwithmyoldastonishment，withwhichIhadwokeup，sostrangeandbeautifuldidthisinteriorseemtome，thoughitwasbutapothouseparlour。A

quaintly—carvedsideboardheldanarrayofbrightpewterpotsanddishesandwoodenandearthenbowls；astoutoaktablewentupanddowntheroom，andacarvedoakchairstoodbythechimney—corner，nowfilledbyaveryoldmandim—eyedandwhite—

bearded。That，excepttheroughstoolsandbenchesonwhichthecompanysat，wasallthefurniture。Thewallswerepanelledroughlyenoughwithoakboardstoaboutsixfeetfromthefloor，andaboutthreefeetofplasterabovethatwaswroughtinapatternofarosestemrunningallroundtheroom，freelyandroughlydone，butwith（asitseemedtomyunusedeyes）wonderfulskillandspirit。Onthehoodofthegreatchimneyahugerosewaswroughtintheplasterandbrightlypaintedinitspropercolours。TherewereadozenormoreofthemenIhadseencomingalongthestreetsittingthere，someeatingandalldrinking；

theircasedbowsleanedagainstthewall，theirquivershungonpegsinthepanelling，andinacorneroftheroomIsawhalf—a—

dozenbill—hooksthatlookedmademoreforwarthanforhedge—

shearing，withashenhandlessomesevenfootlong。Threeorfourchildrenwererunningaboutamongthelegsofthemen，heedingthemmightylittleintheirboldplay，andthemenseemedlittletroubledbyit，althoughtheyweretalkingearnestlyandseriouslytoo。Awell—madecomelygirlleanedupagainstthechimneyclosetothegaffer’schair，andseemedtobeinwaitingonthecompany：shewascladinaclose—fittinggownofbrightbluecloth，withabroadsilvergirdledaintilywrought，roundherloins，arosewreathwasonherheadandherhairhungdownunbound；thegaffergrumbledafewwordstoherfromtimetotime，sothatIjudgedhewashergrandfather。

Themenalllookedupaswecameintotheroom，mymateleadingmebythehand，andhecalledoutinhisrough，good—temperedvoice，"Here，mymasters，Ibringyoutidingsandatale；giveitmeatanddrinkthatitmaybestrongandsweet。"

"Whencearethytidings，WillGreen？"saidone。

Mymategrinnedagainwiththepleasureofmakinghisjokeoncemoreinabiggercompany："Itseemethfromheaven，sincethisgoodoldladhathnomaster，"saidhe。

"Themorefoolhetocomehere，"saidathinmanwithagrizzledbeard，amidstthelaughterthatfollowed，"unlesshehadthechoicegivenhimbetweenhellandEngland。"

"Nay，"saidI，"Icomenotfromheaven，butfromEssex。"

AsIsaidthewordagreatshoutsprangfromallmouthsatonce，asclearandsuddenasashotfromagun。ForImusttellyouthatIknewsomehow，butIknownothow，thatthemenofEssexweregatheringtoriseagainstthepoll—groatbailiffsandthelordsthatwouldturnthemallintovilleinsagain，astheirgrandfathershadbeen。Andthepeoplewasweakandthelordswerepoor；formanyamother’ssonhadfalleninthewarinFranceintheoldking’stime，andtheBlackDeathhadslainamany；sothatthelordshadbethoughtthem："Wearegrowingpoorer，andtheseupland—bredvilleinsaregrowingricher，andtheguildsofcraftarewaxinginthetowns，andsoonwhatwilltherebeleftforuswhocannotweaveandwillnotdig？Gooditwereifwefellonallwhoarenotguildsmenormenoffreeland，ifwefellonsoccagetenantsandothers，andbroughtboththelawandthestronghandonthem，andmadethemallvilleinsindeedastheyarenowinname；fornowtheserascalsmakemorethantheirbelliesneedofbread，andtheirbacksofhomespun，andtheoverplustheykeeptothemselves；andwearemoreworthyofitthanthey。Soletusgetthecollarontheirnecksagain，andmaketheirday’sworklongerandtheirbever—timeshorter，asthegoodstatuteoftheoldkingbade。AndgooditwereiftheHolyChurchweretolooktoit（andtheLollardsmighthelpherein）thatallthesenaughtyandwearisomeholidaysweredoneawaywith；orthatitshouldbeunlawfulforanymanbelowthedegreeofasquiretokeeptheholydaysofthechurch，exceptintheheartandthespiritonly，andletthebodylabourmeanwhile；

fordoesnottheApostlesay，`Ifamanworknot，neithershouldheeat’？Andifsuchthingsweredone，andsuchanestateofnoblerichmenandworthypoormenupholdenforever，thenwoulditbegoodtimesinEngland，andlifewereworththeliving。"

Allthiswerethelordsatworkon，andsuchtalkIknewwascommonnotonlyamongthelordsthemselves，butalsoamongtheirsergeantsandveryserving—men。Butthepeoplewouldnotabideit；therefore，asIsaid，inEssextheywereonthepointofrising，andwordhadgonehowthatatSt。AlbanstheywerewellnighatblowswiththeLordAbbot’ssoldiers；thatnorthawayatNorwichJohnLitsterwaswipingthewoadfromhisarms，aswhowouldhavetostainthemredagain，butnotwithgrainormadder；

andthatthevalianttilerofDartfordhadsmittenapoll—groatbailifftodeathwithhislath—rendingaxeformishandlingayoungmaid，hisdaughter；andthatthemenofKentwereonthemove。

Now，knowingallthisIwasnotastonishedthattheyshoutedatthethoughtoftheirfellowsthemenofEssex，butratherthattheysaidlittlemoreaboutit；onlyWillGreensayingquietly，"Well，thetidingsshallbetoldwhenourfellowshipisgreater；fall—tonowonthemeat，brother，thatwemaythesoonerhavethytale。"Ashespoketheblue—claddamselbestirredherselfandbroughtmeacleantrencher——thatis，asquarepieceofthinoakboardscrapedclean——andapewterpotofliquor。Sowithoutmoreado，andasoneusedtoit，IdrewmyknifeoutofmygirdleandcutmyselfwhatIwouldofthefleshandbreadonthetable。ButWillGreenmockedatmeasIcut，andsaid，"Certes，brother，thouhastnotbeenalord’scarver，thoughbutforthywordthoumightesthavebeenhisreader。HastthouseenOxford，scholar？"

Avisionofgrey—roofedhousesandalongwindingstreetandthesoundofmanybellscameovermeatthatwordasInodded"Yes"

tohim，mymouthfullofsaltporkandrye—bread；andthenI

liftedmypotandwemadetheclatteringmugskissandIdrank，andthefireofthegoodKentishmeadranthroughmyveinsanddeepenedmydreamofthingspast，present，andtocome，asI

said："Nowhearkenatale，sinceyewillhaveitso。ForlastautumnIwasinSuffolkatthegoodtownofDunwich，andthithercamethekeelsfromIceland，andonthemweresomemenofIceland，andmanyataletheyhadontheirtongues；andwiththesemenIforegathered，forIaminsoothagathereroftales，andthisthatisnowatmytongue’sendisoneofthem。"

SosuchataleItoldthem，longfamiliartome；butasItolditthewordsseemedtoquickenandgrow，sothatIknewnotthesoundofmyownvoice，andtheyranalmostintorhymeandmeasureasItoldit；andwhenIhaddonetherewassilenceawhile，tillonemanspake，butnotloudly：

"Yea，inthatlandwasthesummershortandthewinterlong；butmenlivedbothsummerandwinter；andifthetreesgrewillandthecornthrovenot，yetdidtheplantcalledmanthriveanddowell。Godsendussuchmenevenhere。"

"Nay，"saidanother，"suchmenhavebeenandwillbe，andbelikearenotfarfromthissamedoorevennow。"

"Yea，"saidathird，"hearkenastaveofRobinHood；maybethatshallhastenthecomingofoneIwotof。"Andhefelltosinginginaclearvoice，forhewasayoungman，andtoasweetwildmelody，oneofthoseballadswhichinanincompleteanddegradedformyouhavereadperhaps。MyheartrosehighasIheardhim，foritwasconcerningthestruggleagainsttyrannyforthefreedomoflife，howthatthewildwoodandtheheath，despiteofwindandweather，werebetterforafreemanthanthecourtandthecheaping—town；ofthetakingfromtherichtogivetothepoor；ofthelifeofamandoinghisownwillandnotthewillofanothermancommandinghimforthecommandment’ssake。

Themenalllistenedeagerly，andatwhilestookupasarefrainacoupletattheendofastanzawiththeirstrongandrough，butnotunmusicalvoices。Astheysang，apictureofthewild—woodspassedbyme，astheywereindeed，nopark—likedaintygladesandlawns，butroughandtangledthicketandbarewasteandheath，solemnunderthemorningsun，anddrearywiththerisingoftheeveningwindandthedriftofthenight—longrain。

Whenhehaddone，anotherbeganinsomethingofthesamestrain，butsingingmoreofasongthanastoryballad；andthusmuchI

rememberofit：

TheSheriffismadeamightylord，Ofgoodlygoldhehathenow，Andmanyasergeantgirtwithsword；

Butforthwillweandbendthebow。

WeshallbendthebowonthelilyleaBetwixtthethornandtheoakentree。

Withstoneandlimeistheburgwallbuilt，Andpitandprisonarestarkandstrong，Andmanyatruemanthereisspilt，Andmanyarightmandoomedbywrong。

SoforthshallweandbendthebowAndtheking’swritnevertheroadshallknow。

Nowyeomenwalkyewarily，Andheedyethehouseswhereyego，Forasfairandasfineastheymaybe，Lestbehindyourheelsthedoorclapto。

FareforthwiththebowtothelilyleaBetwixtthethornandtheoakentree。

NowbillsandbowsIandouta—gate!

Andturnaboutonthelilylea!

AndthoughtheircompanybegreatThegrey—goosewingshallsetusfree。

NowbentisthebowinthegreenabodeAndtheking’swritknowethnottheroad。

Sooverthemeadandoverthehithe，Andawaytothewild—woodwendweforth；

TheredwellweyeomenboldandblitheWheretheSheriff’swordisnoughtofworth。

BentisthebowonthelilyleaBetwixtthethornandtheoakentree。

Butherethesongdroppedsuddenly，andoneofthemenhelduphishandaswhowouldsay，Hist!Thenthroughtheopenwindowcamethesoundofanothersong，graduallyswellingasthoughsungbymenonthemarch。Thistimethemelodywasapieceoftheplain—songofthechurch，familiarenoughtometobringbacktomymindthegreatarchesofsomecathedralinFranceandthecanonssinginginthechoir。

Allleaptupandhurriedtotaketheirbowsfromwallandcorner；

andsomehadbucklerswithal，circlesofleather，boiledandthenmouldedintoshapeandhardened：theseweresometwohand—

breadthsacross，withironorbrassbossesinthecentre。WillGreenwenttothecornerwherethebillsleanedagainstthewallandhandedthemroundtothefirst—comersasfarastheywouldgo，andoutweallwentgravelyandquietlyintothevillagestreetandthefairsunlightofthecalmafternoon，nowbeginningtoturntowardsevening。Nonehadsaidanythingsincewefirstheardthenew—comesinging，savethataswewentoutofthedoortheballad—singerclappedmeontheshoulderandsaid：

"WasitnotsooththatIsaid，brother，thatRobinHoodshouldbringusJohnBall？"

CHAPTERIII

THEYMEETATTHECROSS

Thestreetwasprettyfullofmenbythenwewereoutinit，andallfacesturnedtowardthecross。Thesongstillgrewnearerandlouder，andevenaswelookedwesawitturningthecornerthroughthehedgesoftheorchardsandcloses，agoodclumpofmen，morearmed，asitwouldseem，thanourvillagers，asthelowsunflashedbackfrommanypointsofbrightironandsteel。Thewordsofthesongcouldnowbeheard，andamidstthemIcouldpickoutWillGreen’slatechallengetomeandmyanswer；butasIwasbendingallmymindtodisentanglemorewordsfromthemusic，suddenlyfromthenewwhitetowerbehindusclashedoutthechurchbells，harshandhurriedatfirst，butpresentlyfallingintomeasuredchime；andatthefirstsoundofthemagreatshoutwentupfromusandwasechoedbythenew—

comers，"JohnBallhathrungourbell!"Thenwepressedon，andpresentlywewereallmingledtogetheratthecross。

WillGreenhadgood—naturedlythrustandpulledmeforward，sothatIfoundmyselfstandingontheloweststepofthecross，hisseventy—twoinchesofmanononesideofme。HechuckledwhileI

panted，andsaid：

"There’sfortheeagoodhearingandseeingstead，oldlad。Thouarttallacrossthybellyandnototherwise，andthywind，belike，isnoneofthebest，andbutformethouwouldsthavebeenamidstthethickestofthethrong，andhaveheardwordsmuffledbyKentishbelliesandseenlittlebutswinkywoollenelbowsandgreasyplatesandjacks。Looknomoreontheground，asthoughthousawestahare，butletthineeyesandthineearsbebusytogathertidingstobearbacktoEssex——orheaven!"

Igrinnedgood—fellowshipathimbutsaidnothing，forintruthmyeyesandearswereasbusyashewouldhavethemtobe。A

buzzofgeneraltalkwentupfromthethrongamidsttheregularcadenceofthebells，whichnowseemedfarawayandasitwerethattheywerenotswayedbyhands，butwerelivingcreaturesmakingthatnoiseoftheirownwills。

Ilookedaroundandsawthatthenewcomersmingledwithusmusthavebeenaregulararmedband；allhadbucklersslungattheirbacks，fewlackedaswordattheside。Somehadbows，some"staves"——thatis，bills，pole—axes，orpikes。Moreover，unlikeourvillagers，theyhaddefensivearms。Mosthadsteel—capsontheirheads，andsomehadbodyarmour，generallya"jack，"orcoatintowhichpiecesofironorhornwerequilted；somehadalsosteelorsteel—and—leatherarmorthighpieces。Therewereafewmountedmenamongthem，theirhorsesbeingbig—bonedhammer—headedbeasts，thatlookedasiftheyhadbeentakenfromploughorwaggon，buttheirriderswerewellarmedwithsteelarmourontheirheads，legs，andarms。AmongstthehorsemenI

notedthemanthathadriddenpastmewhenIfirstawoke；butheseemedtobeaprisoner，ashehadawoollenhoodonhisheadinsteadofhishelmet，andcarriedneitherbill，sword，nordagger。Heseemedbynomeansill—at—ease，however，butwaslaughingandtalkingwiththemenwhostoodnearhim。

Abovetheheadsofthecrowd，andnowslowlyworkingtowardsthecross，wasabanneronahigh—raisedcross—pole，apictureofamanandwomanhalf—cladinskinsofbeastsseenagainstabackgroundofgreentrees，themanholdingaspadeandthewomanadistaffandspindlerudelydoneenough，butyetwithacertainspiritandmuchmeaning；andunderneaththissymboloftheearlyworldandman’sfirstcontestwithnaturewerethewrittenwords：

WhenAdamdelvedandEvespanWhowasthenthegentleman？

Thebannercameonandthroughthecrowd，whichatlastopenedwherewestoodforitspassage，andthebanner—bearerturnedandfacedthethrongandstoodonthefirststepofthecrossbesideme。

Amanfollowedhim，cladinalongdark—browngownofcoarsewoollen，girtwithacord，towhichhunga"pairofbeads"（orrosary，asweshouldcallitto—day）andabookinabag。Themanwastallandbig—boned，aringofdarkhairsurroundedhispriest’stonsure；hisnosewasbigbutclearcutandwithwidenostrils；hisshavenfaceshowedalongishupperlipandabigbutbluntchin；hismouthwasbigandthelipsclosedfirmly；afacenotverynoteworthybutforhisgreyeyeswellopenedandwideapart，atwhileslightinguphiswholefacewithakindlysmile，atwhilessetandstern，atwhilesrestinginthatlookasiftheyweregazingatsomethingalongwayoff，whichisthewontoftheeyesofthepoetorenthusiast。

Hewentslowlyupthestepsofthecrossandstoodatthetopwithonehandlaidontheshaft，andshoutuponshoutbrokeforthfromthethrong。Whentheshoutingdiedawayintoasilenceofthehumanvoices，thebellswerestillquietlychimingwiththatfar—awayvoiceoftheirs，andthelong—wingedduskyswifts，bynomeansscaredbytheconcourse，swungroundaboutthecrosswiththeirwildsqueals；andthemanstoodstillforalittle，eyeingthethrong，orratherlookingfirstatoneandthenanothermaninit，asthoughheweretryingtothinkwhatsuchanonewasthinkingof，orwhathewerefitfor。Sometimeshecaughttheeyeofoneorother，andthenthatkindlysmilespreadoverhisface，butfadedoffitintothesternnessandsadnessofamanwhohasheavyandgreatthoughtshangingabouthim。

ButwhenJohnBallfirstmountedthestepsofthecrossaladatsomeone’sbiddinghadrunofftostoptheringers，andsopresentlythevoiceofthebellsfelldead，leavingonmen’smindsthatsenseofblanknessorevendisappointmentwhichisalwayscausedbythesuddenstoppingofasoundonehasgotusedtoandfoundpleasant。Butagreatexpectationhadfallenbynowonallthatthrong，andnowordwasspokeneveninawhisper，andallmen’sheartsandeyeswerefixeduponthedarkfigurestandingstraightupnowbythetallwhiteshaftofthecross，hishandsstretchedoutbeforehim，onepalmlaidupontheother。

Andforme，asImadereadytohearken，IfeltajoyinmysoulthatIhadneveryetfelt。

CHAPTERIV

THEVOICEOFJOHNBALL

SOnowIheardJohnBall；howhelifteduphisvoiceandsaid：

"Ho，allyegoodpeople!IamapriestofGod，andinmyday’sworkitcomeththatIshouldtellyouwhatyeshoulddo，andwhatyeshouldforbeardoing，andtothatendIamcomehither：yetfirst，ifImyselfhavewrongedanymanhere，lethimsaywhereinmywrongdoinglieth，thatImayaskhispardonandhispity。"

Agreathumofgood—willranthroughthecrowdashespoke；thenhesmiledasinakindofpride，andagainhespoke：

"Whereforedidyetakemeoutofthearchbishop’sprisonbutthreedaysagone，whenyelightedthearchbishop’shouseforthecandleofCanterbury，butthatImightspeaktoyouandprayyou：thereforeIwillnotkeepsilence，whetherIhavedoneill，orwhetherIhavedonewell。Andherein，goodfellowsandmyverybrethren，Iwouldhaveyoutofollowme；andiftherebesuchhere，asIknowfullwelltherebesome，andmaybeagoodmany，whohavebeenrobbersoftheirneighbours（`Andwhoismyneighbour？’quoththerichman），orlechers，ordespitefulhaters，ortalebearers，orfawnersonrichmenforthehurtofthepoor（andthatistheworstofall）——Ah，mypoorbrethrenwhohavegoneastray，Isaynottoyou，gohomeandrepentlestyoumarourgreatdeeds，butrathercomeafieldandthererepent。

Manyadayhaveyebeenfools，buthearkenuntomeandIshallmakeyouwiseabovethewisdomoftheearth；andifyedieinyourwisdom，asGodwotyewellmay，sincethefieldsyewendtobearswordsfordaisies，andspearsforbents，thenshallyebe，thoughmencallyoudead，apartandparcelofthelivingwisdomofallthings，verystonesofthepillarsthatupholdthejoyfulearth。

"Forsooth，yehavehearditsaidthatyeshalldowellinthisworldthatintheworldtocomeyemaylivehappilyforever；doyewellthen，andhaveyourrewardbothonearthandinheaven；

forIsaytoyouthatearthandheavenarenottwobutone；andthisoneisthatwhichyeknow，andareeachoneofyouapartof，towit，theHolyChurch，andineachoneofyoudwelleththelifeoftheChurch，unlessyeslayit。Forsooth，brethren，willyemurdertheChurchanyoneofyou，andgoforthawanderingmanandlonely，evenasCaindidwhoslewhisbrother？Ah，mybrothers，whatanevildoomisthis，tobeanoutcastfromtheChurch，tohavenonetoloveyouandtospeakwithyou，tobewithoutfellowship!Forsooth，brothers，fellowshipisheaven，andlackoffellowshipishell：fellowshipislife，andlackoffellowshipisdeath：andthedeedsthatyedoupontheearth，itisforfellowship’ssakethatyedothem，andthelifethatisinit，thatshallliveonandonforever，andeachoneofyoupartofit，whilemanyaman’slifeupontheearthfromtheearthshallwane。

"Therefore，Ibidyounotdwellinhellbutinheaven，orwhileyemust，uponearth，whichisapartofheaven，andforsoothnofoulpart。

"Forsooth，hethatwakethinhellandfeelethhisheartfailhim，shallhavememoryofthemerrydaysofearth，andhowthatwhenhisheartfailedhimthere，hecriedonhisfellow，wereithiswifeorhissonorhisbrotherorhisgossiporhisbrothersworninarms，andhowthathisfellowheardhimandcameandtheymournedtogetherunderthesun，tillagaintheylaughedtogetherandwerebuthalfsorrybetweenthem。Thisshallhethinkoninhell，andcryonhisfellowtohelphim，andshallfindthatthereinisnohelpbecausethereisnofellowship，buteverymanforhimself。Therefore，Itellyouthattheproud，despiteousrichman，thoughheknowethitnot，isinhellalready，becausehehathnofellow；andhethathathsohardyaheartthatinsorrowhethinkethoffellowship，hissorrowissoonbutastoryofsorrow——alittlechangeinthelifethatknowsnotill。"

Heleftoffforalittle；andindeedforsometimehisvoicehadfallen，butitwassoclearandthesummereveningsosoftandstill，andthesilenceofthefolksocomplete，thateverywordtold。Hiseyesfelldowntothecrowdashestoppedspeaking，sinceforsomelittlewhiletheyhadbeenlookingfarawayintothebluedistanceofsummer；andthekindeyesofthemanhadacurioussightbeforehiminthatcrowd，foramongstthemweremanywhobythistimewerenotdry—eyed，andsomeweptoutrightinspiteoftheirblackbeards，whileallhadthatlookasiftheywereashamedofthemselves，anddidnotwantotherstoseehowdeeplytheyweremoved，afterthefashionoftheirracewhentheyarestronglystirred。IlookedatWillGreenbesideme：hisrighthandclutchedhisbowsotight，thattheknuckleswhitened；hewasstaringstraightbeforehim，andthetearswererunningoutofhiseyesanddownhisbignoseasthoughwithouthiswill，forhisfacewasstolidandunmovedallthetimetillhecaughtmyeye，andthenhescrewedupthestrangestface，ofscowlingbrow，weepingeyes，andsmilingmouth，whilehedealtmeasoundingthumpintheribswithhisleftelbow，which，thoughitwouldhaveknockedmedownbutforthecrowd，Itookasanesquiredoestheaccoladewhichmakesaknightofhim。

ButwhileIponderedallthesethings，andhowmenfightandlosethebattle，andthethingthattheyfoughtforcomesaboutinspiteoftheirdefeat，andwhenitcomesturnsoutnottobewhattheymeant，andothermenhavetofightforwhattheymeantunderanothername——whileIponderedallthis，JohnBallbegantospeakagaininthesamesoftanddearvoicewithwhichhehadleftoff。

"Goodfellows，itwasyourfellowshipandyourkindnessthattookmeoutofthearchbishop’sprisonthreedaysagone，thoughGodwotyehadnoughttogainbyitsaveoutlawryandthegallows；

yetlackedInotyourfellowshipbeforeyedrewnearmeinthebody，andwhenbetweenmeandCanterburystreetwasyetastrongwall，andtheturnkeysandsergeantsandbailiffs。

"Forhearken，myfriendsandhelpers；manydaysago，whenAprilwasyetyoung，Ilaythere，andtheheartthatIhadstrunguptobearallthingsbecauseofthefellowshipofmenandtheblessedsaintsandtheangelsandthosethatare，andthosethataretobe，thisheart，thatIhadstrunguplikeastrongbow，fellintofeebleness，sothatIlaytherea—longingforthegreenfieldsandthewhite—thornbushesandthelarksingingoverthecorn，andthetalkofgoodfellowsroundtheale—housebench，andthebabbleofthelittlechildren，andtheteamontheroadandthebeastsafield，andallthelifeofearth；andIaloneallthewhile，nearmyfoesandafarfrommyfriends，mockedandfloutedandstarvedwithcoldandhunger；andsoweakwasmyheartthatthoughIlongedforallthesethingsyetIsawthemnot，norknewthembutasnames；andIlongedsosoretobegonethatIchidedmyselfthatIhadoncedonewell；andIsaidtomyself：

"Forsooth，hadstthoukeptthytonguebetweenthyteeththoumightesthavebeensomething，ifithadbeenbutaparsonofatown，andcomfortabletomanyapoorman；andthenmightestthouhavecladhereandtherethenakedback，andfilledtheemptybelly，andholpenmany，andmenwouldhavespokenwellofthee，andofthyselfthouhadstthoughtwell；andallthishastthoulostforlackofawordhereandtheretosomegreatman，andalittlewinkingoftheeyesamidstmurderandwrongandunruth；andnowthouartnoughtandhelpless，andthehempfortheeissownandgrownandheckledandspun，andlothere，theropeforthygallows—tree!——allfornought，fornought。

"Forsooth，myfriends，thusIthoughtandsorrowedinmyfeeblenessthatIhadnotbeenatraitortotheFellowshipoftheChurch，fore’ensoevilwasmyfoolishimagination。

"Yet，forsooth，asIfella—ponderingoverallthecomfortandhelpthatImighthavebeenandthatImighthavehad，ifIhadbeenbutalittleofatremblingcurtocreepandcrawlbeforeabbotandbishopandbaronandbailiff，camethethoughtovermeoftheeviloftheworldwherewithI，JohnBall，therascalhedge—priest，hadfoughtandstrivenintheFellowshipofthesaintsinheavenandpoormenuponearth。

"Yea，forsooth，onceagainIsawasofold，thegreattreadingdownthelittle，andthestrongbeatingdowntheweak，andcruelmenfearingnot，andkindmendaringnot，andwisemencaringnot；andthesaintsinheavenforbearingandyetbiddingmenottoforbear；forsooth，Iknewoncemorethathewhodoethwellinfellowship，andbecauseoffellowship，shallnotfailthoughheseemtofailto—day，butindayshereaftershallheandhisworkyetbealive，andmenbeholpenbythemtostriveagainandyetagain；andyetindeedeventhatwaslittle，since，forsooth，tostrivewasmypleasureandmylife。

"SoIbecameamanoncemore，andIroseuptomyfeetandwentupanddownmyprisonwhatIcouldformyhopples，andintomymouthcamewordsofgoodcheer，evensuchasweto—dayhavesung，andstoutlyIsangthem，evenaswenowhavesungthem；andthendidIrestme，andoncemorethoughtofthosepleasantfieldswhereIwouldbe，andallthelifeofmanandbeastaboutthem，andIsaidtomyselfthatIshouldseethemoncemorebeforeIdied，ifbutonceitwere。

"Forsooth，thiswasstrange，thatwhereasbeforeIlongedforthemandyetsawthemnot，nowthatmylongingwasslakedmyvisionwascleared，andIsawthemasthoughtheprisonwallsopenedtomeandIwasoutofCanterburystreetandamidstthegreenmeadowsofApril；andtherewithalalongwithmefolkthatI

haveknownandwhoaredead，andfolkthatareliving；yea，andallthoseoftheFellowshiponearthandinheaven；yea，andallthatareherethisday。Overlongwerethetaletotellofthem，andofthetimethatisgone。

"SothenceforwardIworethroughthedayswithnosuchfaintheart，untilonedaytheprisonopenedverilyandinthedaylight，andtherewereye，myfellows，inthedoor——yourfacesglad，yourheartslightwithhope，andyourhandsheavywithwrath；thenIsawandunderstoodwhatwastodo。Now，therefore，doyeunderstandit!"

Hisvoicewaschanged，andgrewlouderthanloudnow，ashecasthishandsabroadtowardsthatcompanywiththoselastwordsofhis；andIcouldfeelthatallshameandfearwasfallingfromthosemen，andthatmerefierymanhoodwasshiningthroughtheirwontedEnglishshamefaststubbornness，andthattheyweremovedindeedandsawtheroadbeforethem。Yetnomanspoke，ratherthesilenceofthemen—folkdeepened，asthesun’sraysgrewmorelevelandmoregolden，andtheswiftswheeledaboutshrillerandlouderthanbefore。

ThenagainJohnBallspokeandsaid，"Ingoodsooth，IdeemyewotnoworsethanIdowhatistodo——andfirstthatsomewhatweshalldo——sinceitisforhimthatislonelyorinprisontodreamoffellowship，butforhimthatisofafellowshiptodoandnottodream。

"Andnext，yeknowwhoisthefoeman，andthatistheproudman，theoppressor，whoscornethfellowship，andhimselfisaworldtohimselfandneedethnohelpernorhelpethany，but，heedingnolaw，layethlawonothermenbecauseheisrich；andsurelyeveryonethatisrichissuchanone，normaybeother。

"Forsooth，inthebellyofeveryrichmandwellethadevilofhell，andwhenthemanwouldgivehisgoodstothepoor，thedevilwithinhimgainsayethit，andsaith，`Wiltthouthenbeofthepoor，andsuffercoldandhungerandmockingastheysuffer，thengivethouthygoodstothem，andkeepthemnot。’Andwhenhewouldbecompassionate，againsaiththedeviltohim，`Ifthouheedtheseloselsandturnonthemafaceliketotheirfaces，anddeemofthemasmen，thenshalltheyscornthee，andevilshallcomeofit，andevenonedaytheyshallfallontheetoslaytheewhentheyhavelearnedthatthouartbutastheybe。’

"Ah，woeworththewhile!tooofthesayethsooth，asthewontofthedevilis，thatliesmaybebornofthebarrentruth；andsoothitisthatthepoordeemeththerichtobeotherthanhe，andmeettobehismaster，asthough，forsooth，thepoorwerecomeofAdam，andtherichofhimthatmadeAdam，thatisGod；

andthusthepoormanoppresseththepoorman，becausehefeareththeoppressor。Noughtsuchareye，mybrethren；orelsewhyareyegatheredhereinharnesstobidallbearwitnessofyouthatyearethesonsofonemanandonemother，begottenoftheearth？"

Ashesaidthewordstherecameastiramongtheweaponsofthethrong，andtheypressedcloserroundthecross，yetwithheldtheshoutasyetwhichseemedgatheringintheirbosoms。

Andagainhesaid：

"Forsooth，toomanyrichmenthereareinthisrealm；andyetiftherewerebutone，therewouldbeonetoomany，forallshouldbehisthralls。Hearken，then，yemenofKent。ForoverlongbelikehaveIheldyouwithwords；buttheloveofyouconstrainedme，andthejoythatamanhathtobabbletohisfriendsandhisfellowswhomhehathnotseenforalongseason。

"Now，hearken，Ibidyou：Totherichmenthateatuparealmtherecomethatimewhentheywhomtheyeatup，thatisthepoor，seempoorerthanofwont，andtheircomplaintgoethuploudertotheheavens；yetitisnoriddletosaythatoftatsuchtimesthefellowshipofthepooriswaxingstronger，elsewouldnomanhaveheardhiscry。Alsoatsuchtimesistherichmanbecomefearful，andsowaxethincruelty，andofthatcrueltydopeoplemisdeemthatitispowerandmightwaxing。Forsooth，yearestrongerthanyourfathers，becauseyearemoregrievedthanthey，andyeshouldhavebeenlessgrievedthantheyhadyebeenhorsesandswine；andthen，forsooth，wouldyehavebeenstrongertobear；butye，yearenotstrongtobear，buttodo。

"Andwotyewhywearecometoyouthisfaireveofholiday？andwotyewhyIhavebeentellingoffellowshiptoyou？Yea，forsooth，Ideemyewotwell，thatitisforthiscause，thatyemightbethinkyouofyourfellowshipwiththemenofEssex。"

Hislastwordletloosetheshoutthathadbeenlongonallmen’slips，andgreatandfierceitwasasitrangshatteringthroughthequietuplandvillage。ButJohnBallhelduphishand，andtheshoutwasoneandnomore。

Thenhespokeagain：

"MenofKent，Iwotwellthatyearenotsohardbestedasthoseofothershires，bythetokenofthedaywhenbehindthescreenofleafyboughsyemetDukeWilliamwithbillandbowashewendedLondonwardfromthatwoefulfieldofSenlac；butIhavetoldoffellowship，andyehavehearkenedandunderstoodwhattheHolyChurchis，wherebyyeknowthatyearefellowsofthesaintsinheavenandthepoormenofEssex；andasonedaythesaintsshallcallyoutotheheavenlyfeast，sonowdothepoormencallyoutothebattle。

"MenofKent，yedwellfairlyhere，andyourhousesareframedofstoutoakbeams，andyourownlandsyetill；unlesssomeaccursedlawyerwithhisfalselyingsheepskinandforgedcustomoftheDevil’sManorhathstolenitfromyou；butinEssexslavestheybeandvilleins，andworsetheyshallbe，andthelordsswearthatereayearbeoveroxandhorseshallgofreeinEssex，andmanandwomanshalldrawtheteamandtheplough；andnorthawayintheeastcountriesdwellmeninpoorhallsofwattledreedsandmud，andthenorth—eastwindfromoffthefenwhistlesthroughthem；andpoortheybetotheletter；andtherehimwhomthelordspareth，thebailiffsqueezeth，andhimwhomthebailiffforgetteth，theEasterlingChapmansheareth；yetbethesestoutmenandvaliant，andyourverybrethren。

"Andyetiftherebeanymanheresobaseastothinkthatasmallmatter，lethimlooktoitthatifthesenecksabideundertheyoke，Kentshallsweatforitereitbelong；andyeshallloseacreandcloseandwoodland，andbeservantsinyourownhouses，andyoursonsshallbethelords’lads，andyourdaughterstheirlemans，andyeshallbuyaboldwordwithmanystripes，andanhonestdeedwithaleapfromthegallows—tree。

"Bethinkye，too，thatyehavenolongertodealwithDukeWilliam，who，ifhewereathiefandacruellord，wasyetaprudentmanandawisewarrior；butcruelarethese，andheadstrong，yea，thievesandfoolsinone——andyeshalllaytheirheadsinthedust。"

Ashoutwouldhavearisenagain，buthiseagervoicerisinghigheryet，restraineditashesaid：

"Andhowshallitbethenwhenthesearegone？Whatelseshallyelackwhenyelackmasters？Yeshallnotlackforthefieldsyehavetilled，northehousesyehavebuilt，northeclothyehavewoven；alltheseshallbeyours，andwhatsoyewillofallthattheearthbeareth；thenshallnomanmowthedeepgrassforanother，whilehisownkinelackcow—meat；andhethatsowethshallreap，andthereapershalleatinfellowshiptheharvestthatinfellowshiphehathwon；andhethatbuildethahouseshalldwellinitwiththosethathebiddethofhisfreewill；

andthetithebarnshallgarnerthewheatforallmentoeatofwhentheseasonsareuntoward，andtherain—drifthideththesheavesinAugust；andallshallbewithoutmoneyandwithoutprice。FaithfullyandmerrilythenshallallmenkeeptheholidaysoftheChurchinpeaceofbodyandjoyofheart。Andmanshallhelpman，andthesaintsinheavenshallbeglad，becausemennomorefeareachother；andthechurlshallbeashamed，andshallhidehischurlishnesstillitbegone，andhebenomoreachurl；andfellowshipshallbeestablishedinheavenandontheearth。"

CHAPTERV

THEYHEARTIDINGSOFBATTLEAND

MAKETHEMREADY

Heleftoffasonewhohadyetsomethingelsetosay；and，indeed，Ithoughthewouldgiveussomewordastothetrysting—

place，andwhitherthearmywastogofromit；becauseitwasnowcleartomethatthisgatheringwasbutabandofanarmy。ButmuchhappenedbeforeJohnBallspokeagainfromthecross，anditwasonthiswise。

Whentherewassilenceafterthelastshoutthatthecrowdhadraisedawhileago，IthoughtIheardathinsharpnoisefaraway，somewhattothenorthofthecross，whichItookratherforthesoundofatrumpetorhorn，thanforthevoiceofamanoranybeast。WillGreenalsoseemedtohaveheardit，forheturnedhisheadsharplyandthenbackagain，andlookedkeenlyintothecrowdasthoughseekingtocatchsomeone’seye。

Therewasaverytallmanstandingbytheprisoneronthehorseneartheoutskirtsofthecrowd，andholdinghisbridle。Thisman，whowaswell—armed，Isawlookupandsaysomethingtotheprisoner，whostoopeddownandseemedtowhisperhiminturn。

Thetallmannoddedhisheadandtheprisonergotoffhishorse，whichwasacleaner—limbed，better—builtbeastthantheothersbelongingtotheband，andthetallmanquietlyledhimalittlewayfromthecrowd，mountedhim，androdeoffnorthwardatasmartpace。

WillGreenlookedonsharplyatallthis，andwhenthemanrodeoff，smiledasonewhoiscontent，anddeemsthatallisgoingwell，andsettledhimselfdownagaintolistentothepriest。

ButnowwhenJohnBallhadceasedspeaking，andafteranothershout，andahumofexcitedpleasureandhopethatfollowedit，therewassilenceagain，andasthepriestaddressedhimselftospeakingoncemore，hepausedandturnedhisheadtowardsthewind，asifheheardsomething，whichcertainlyIheard，andbelikeeveryoneinthethrong，thoughitwasnotover—loud，farassoundscarryinclearquietevenings。Itwasthethump—a—

thumpofahorsedrawingnearatahand—gallopalongthegrassyuplandroad；andIknewwellitwasthetallmancomingbackwithtidings，thepurportofwhichIcouldwellguess。

IlookedupatWillGreen’sface。Hewassmilingasonepleased，andsaidsoftlyashenoddedtome，"Yea，shallweseethegrey—

gooseflythiseve？"

ButJohnBallsaidinagreatvoicefromthecross，"Hearyethetidingsontheway，fellows!Holdyetogetherandlooktoyourgear；yethurrynot，fornogreatmattershallthisbe。IwotwellthereislittleforcebetweenCanterburyandKingston，forthelordsarelookingnorthofThamestowardWatTylerandhismen。Yetwellitis，wellitis!"

Thecrowdopenedandspreadoutalittle，andthemenmovedaboutinit，sometighteningagirdle，somegettingtheirsidearmsmorewithinreachoftheirrighthands，andthosewhohadbowsstringingthem。

WillGreensethandandfoottothegreatshapelypieceofpolishedredyew，withitsshininghorntips，whichhecarried，andbentitwithnoseemingeffort；thenhereachedouthishandoverhisshoulderanddrewoutalongarrow，smooth，white，beautifullybalanced，withabarbedironheadatoneend，ahornnockandthreestronggoosefeathersattheother。Hehelditlooselybetweenthefingerandthumbofhisrighthand，andtherehestoodwithathoughtfullookonhisface，andinhishandsoneofthemostterribleweaponswhichastrongmanhasevercarried，theEnglishlong—bowandcloth—yardshaft。

Butallthiswhilethesoundofthehorse’shoofswasgrowingnearer，andpresentlyfromthecorneroftheroadamidsttheorchardsbrokeoutourlongfriend，hisfaceredinthesunnearsinkingnow。Hewavedhisrighthandashecameinsightofus，andsangout，"Billsandbows!billsandbows!"andthewholethrongturnedtowardshimandraisedagreatshout。

Hereinedupattheedgeofthethrong，andspokeinaloudvoice，sothatallmighthearhim：

"Fellows，thesearethetidings；evenwhileourpriestwasspeakingweheardahornblowfaroff；soIbadethesergeantwehavetaken，andwhoisnowourfellow—in—arms，totellmewhereawayitwasthattherewouldbefolka—gathering，andwhattheywere；andhedidmetowitthatmayhappenSirJohnNewtonwasstirringfromRochesterCastle；or，maybe，itwasthesheriffandRafeHoptonwithhim；soIrodeoffwhatImighttowardsHartlip，andIrodewarily，andthatwaswell，forasIcamethroughalittlewoodbetweenHartlipandGuildstead，Isawbeyonditagleamofsteel，andlointhefieldthereacompany，andapennonofRafeHopton’sarms，andthatisblueandthereonthreesilverfish：andapennonofthesheriff’sarms，andthatisagreentree；andwithalanotherpennonofthreeredkine，andwhosetheybeIknownot。[1]

[1]ProbablyoneoftheCalverlys，aCheshirefamily，oneofwhomwasanotedcaptainintheFrenchwars。

"TheretiedImyhorseinthemiddleofthewood，andmyselfI

creptalongthedyketoseemoreandtohearsomewhat；andnotalkIheardtotellofsaveatwhilesabigknighttalkingtofiveorsixothers，andsayingsomewhat，whereincamethewordsLondonandNicholasBramber，andKingRichard；butIsawthatofmen—at—armsandsergeantstheremightbeahundred，andofbowsnotmany，butofthoseoutlandarbalestsmaybeafifty；andso，whatwithoneandanotherofservantsandtipstavesandlads，somethreehundred，wellarmed，andthemen—at—armsofthebest。

Forsooth，mymasters，therehadIbeenbutaminute，erethebigknightbrokeoffhistalk，andcriedouttothemusictoblowup，`Andletusgolookonthesevilleins，’saidhe；andwithalthemenbegantogatherinadueandorderedcompany，andtheirfacesturnedhitherward；forsooth，Igottomyhorse，andledhimoutofthewoodontheotherside，andsotosaddleandawayalongthegreenroads；neitherwasIseenorchased。Solookyetoit，mymasters，forthesemenwillbecomingtospeakwithus；noristhereneedforhaste，butratherforgoodspeed；forinsometwentyorthirtyminuteswillbemoretidingstohand。"

Bythistimeoneofourbest—armedmenhadgotthroughthethrongandwasstandingonthecrossbesideJohnBall。Whenthelongmanhaddone，therewasconfusednoiseoftalkforawhile，andthethrongspreaditselfoutmoreandmore，butnotinadisorderlymanner；thebowmendrawingtogethertowardtheoutside，andthebillmenformingbehindthem。WillGreenwasstillstandingbesidemeandhadholdofmyarm，asthoughheknewbothwhereheandIweretogo。

"Fellows，"quoththecaptainfromthecross，"belikethisstourshallnotlivetobeolderthantheday，ifyegetnotintoaplumptogetherfortheirarbalestierstoshootboltsinto，andtheirmen—at—armstothrustspearsinto。Getyoutotheedgeofthecroftsandspreadouttheresixfeetbetweenmanandman，andshoot，yebowmen，fromthehedges，andyewiththestaveskeepyourheadsbelowthelevelofthehedges，orelseforalltheybethickaboltmaywinitswayin。"

Hegrinnedashesaidthis，andtherewaslaughterenoughinthethrongtohavedonehonourtoabetterjoke。

Thenhesungout，"HobWright，RafeWood，JohnPargetter，andthouWillGreen，bestiryeandmarshalthebowshot；andthouNicholasWoodyershallbeundermeJackStrawinorderingofthestaves。GregoryTailorandJohnClerk，fairandfineareyecladinthearmsoftheCanterburybailiffs；yeshallshinefromafar；

goyewiththebannerintothehighway，andthebowsoneithersideshallwardyou；yetjump，lads，andoverthehedgewithyouwhentheboltsbegintoflyyourway!Takeheed，goodfellowsall，thatourbusinessistobestridethehighway，andnotletthemgetinonourflankthewhile；sohalftotheright，halftotheleftofthehighway。Shootstraightandstrong，andwastenobreathwithnoise；letthelooseofthebowstringcryforyou!

andlookyou!thinkitnolossofmanhoodtocoveryourbodieswithtreeandbush；foroneofuswhoknowisworthahundredofthoseproudfools。Toit，lads，andletthemseewhatthegreygoosebearsbetweenhiswings!Abideushere，brotherJohnBall，andprayforusifthouwilt；butforme，ifGodwillnotdoforJackStrawwhatJackStrawwoulddoforGodwereheinlikecase，Icanseenohelpforit。"

"Yea，forsooth，"saidthepriest，"herewillIabideyoumyfellowsifyecomeback；orifyecomenotback，herewillI

abidethefoe。Depart，andtheblessingoftheFellowshipbewithyou。"

DownthenleaptJackStrawfromthecross，andthewholethrongsetoffwithoutnoiseorhurry，soberlyandsteadilyinoutwardseeming。WillGreenledmebythehandasifIwereaboy，yetnothinghesaid，beingforsoothintentonhischarge。Weweresomefourhundredmeninall；butIsaidtomyselfthatwithoutsomeadvantageofthegroundwewerelostmenbeforethemen—at—

armsthatlongGregoryTailorhadtoldusof；forIhadnotseenasyettheyard—longshaftatitswork。

Weandsomewhatmorethanhalfofourbandturnedintotheorchardsontheleftoftheroad，throughwhichthelevelraysofthelowsunshonebrightly。Theotherstookuptheirpositionontherightsideofit。Wekeptprettyneartotheroadtillwehadgotthroughalltheclosessavethelast，wherewewerebroughtupbyahedgeandadyke，beyondwhichlayawide—opennearlytreelessspace，notoftillage，asattheothersideoftheplace，butofpasture，thecommongrazinggroundofthetownship。Alittlestreamwoundaboutthroughtheground，withafewwillowshereandthere；therewasonlyathreadofwaterinitinthishotsummertide，butitscoursecouldeasilybetracedbythedeepblue—greenoftherushesthatgrewplenteouslyinthebed。Geesewerelazilywanderingaboutandnearthisbrook，andaherdofcows，accompaniedbythetownbull，werefeedingonquietly，theirheadsallturnedoneway；whilehalfadozencalvesmarchedclosetogethersidebysidelikeaplumpofsoldiers，theirtailsswinginginakindofmeasuretokeepofftheflies，ofwhichtherewasgreatplenty。Threeorfourladsandgirlsweresaunteringabout，heedingornotheedingthecattle。Theylookeduptowardusaswecrowdedintothelastclose，andslowlyloiteredofftowardthevillage。Nothinglookedlikebattle；yetbattlesoundedintheair；fornowweheardthebeatofthehorse—hoofsofthemen—at—armscomingontowardsusliketherollingofdistantthunder，andgrowinglouderandloudereveryminute；wewerenonetoosooninturningtofacethem。JackStrawwasonoursideoftheroad，andwithafewgesturesandawordortwohegothismenintotheirplaces。

SixarcherslinedthehedgealongtheroadwherethebannerofAdamandEve，risingabovethegreyleavesoftheapple—trees，challengedthenew—comers；andofthebillmenalsohekeptagoodfewreadytoguardtheroadincasetheenemyshouldtrytorushitwiththehorsemen。Theroad，notbeingaRomanone，was，youmustremember，littlelikethefirmsmoothcountryroadsthatyouareusedto；itwasameretrackbetweenthehedgesandfields，partlygrass—grown，andcutupbythedeep—sunkrutshardenedbythedroughtofsummer。Therewasastackoffagotandsmallwoodontheotherside，andourmenthrewthemselvesuponitandsettoworktostaketheroadacrossforaroughdefenceagainstthehorsemen。