第2章

WhatbefellmoreontheroaditselfIhadnotmuchtimetonote，forourbowmenspreadthemselvesoutalongthehedgethatlookedintothepasture—field，leavingsomesixfeetbetweenmanandman；therestofthebillmenwentalongwiththebowmen，andhaltedinclumpsofsomehalf—dozenalongtheirline，holdingthemselvesreadytohelpthebowmeniftheenemyshouldrunupundertheirshafts，ortorunontolengthenthelineincasetheyshouldtrytobreakinonourflank。Thehedgeinfrontofuswasofquick。IthadbeenstronglyplashedinthepastFebruary，andwasstiffandstout。Itstoodonalowbank；

moreover，theleveloftheorchardwassomethirtyincheshigherthanthatofthefield。andtheditchsometwofootdeeperthanthefaceofthefield。Thefieldwentwindingroundtobeyondthechurch，makingaquarterofacircleaboutthevillage，andatthewesternendofitwerethebuttswhencethefolkwerecomingfromshootingwhenIfirstcameintothevillagestreet。

Altogether，tomewhoknewnothingofwartheplaceseemeddefensibleenough。IhavesaidthattheroaddownwhichLongGregorycamewithhistidingswentnorth；andthatwasitsgeneraldirection；butitsfirstreachwasnearlyeast，sothatthelowsunwasnotintheeyesofanyofus，andwhereWillGreentookhisstand，andIwithhim，itwasnearlyatourbacks。

CHAPTERVI

THEBATTLEATTHETOWNSHIP’SEND

Ourmenhadgotintotheirplacesleisurelyandcoollyenough，andwithnolackofjestingandlaughter。Aswewentalongthehedgebytheroad，theleaderstoreoffleafytwigsfromthelowoakbushestherein，andsetthemforarallyingsignintheirhatsandheadpieces，andtwoorthreeofthemhadhornsforblowing。

WillGreen，whenhegotintohisplace，whichwasthirtyyardsfromwhereJackStrawandthebillmenstoodinthecornerofthetwohedges，theroadhedgeandthehedgebetweenthecloseandfield，lookedtorightandleftofhimamoment，thenturnedtothemanontheleftandsaid：

"Lookyou，mate，whenyouhearourhornsblowasknomorequestions，butshootstraightandstrongatwhatsocomethtowardsus，tillyehearmoretidingsfromJackStraworfromme。Passthatwordonward。"

Thenhelookedatmeandsaid：

"Now，ladfromEssex，thouhadstbestsitdownoutofthewayatonce：forsoothIwotnotwhyIbroughttheehither。Wiltthounotbacktothecross，forthouartlittleofafighting—man？"

"Nay，"saidI，"Iwouldseetheplay。Whatshallcomeofit？"

"Little，"saidhe；"weshallslayahorseortwainmaybe。Iwilltellthee，sincethouhastnotseenafightbelike，asIhaveseensome，thatthesemen—at—armscannotrunfasteithertotheplayorfromit，iftheybea—foot；andiftheycomeona—

horseback，whatshallhindermetoputashaftintothepoorbeast？Butdownwiththeeonthedaisies，forsomeshottherewillbefirst。"

Ashespokehewaspullingoffhisbeltsandothergear，andhiscoat，whichdone，helaidhisquiverontheground，girthimagain，didhisaxeandbucklerontohisgirdle，andhunguphisotherattireonthenearesttreebehindus。Thenheopenedhisquiverandtookoutofitsometwodozenofarrows，whichhestuckinthegroundbesidehimreadytohishand。Mostofthebowmenwithinsightweredoingthelike。

AsIglancedtowardthehousesIsawthreeorfourbrightfiguresmovingthroughtheorchards，andpresentlynotedthattheywerewomen，allcladmoreorlesslikethegirlintheRose，exceptthattwoofthemworewhitecoifsontheirheads。Theirerrandtherewasclear，foreachcarriedabundleofarrowsunderherarm。

OneofthemcamestraightuptoWillGreen，andIcouldseeatoncethatshewashisdaughter。Shewastallandstronglymade，withblackhairlikeherfather，somewhatcomely，thoughnogreatbeauty；butastheymet，hereyessmiledevenmorethanhermouth，andmadeherfacelookverysweetandkind，andthesmilewasansweredbackinawaysoquaintlyliketoherfather’sface，thatItoosmiledforgoodwillandpleasure。

"Well，well，lass，"saidhe，"dostthouthinkthathereisCrecyfieldtoward，thatyebringallthisartillery？Turnback，mygirl，andsetthepotonthefire；forthatshallweneedwhenwecomehome，Iandthisballad—makerhere。"

"Nay，"shesaid，noddingkindlyatme，"ifthisistobenoCrecy，thenmayIstoptosee，aswellastheballad—maker，sincehehathneitherswordnorstaff？"

"Sweetling，"hesaid，"gettheehomeinhaste。Thisplayisbutlittle，yetmightestthoubehurtinit；andtrustmethetimemaycome，sweetheart，wheneventhouandsuchasthoushaltholdaswordorastaff。Erethemoonthrowsashadowweshallbeback。"

Sheturnedawaylingering，notwithouttearsonherface，laidthesheafofarrowsatthefootofthetree，andhastenedoffthroughtheorchard。Iwasgoingtosaysomething，whenWillGreenhelduphishandaswhowouldbidushearken。Thenoiseofthehorse—hoofs，aftergrowingnearerandnearer，hadceasedsuddenly，andaconfusedmurmurofvoiceshadtakentheplaceofit。

"Gettheedown，andtakecover，oldlad，"saidWillGreen；"thedancewillsoonbegin，andyeshallhearthemusicpresently。"

SureenoughasIslippeddownbythehedgeclosetowhichIhadbeenstanding，Iheardtheharshtwangofthebow—strings，one，two，three，almosttogether，fromtheroad，andeventhewhewoftheshafts，thoughthatwasdrownedinamomentbyaconfusedbutloudandthreateningshoutfromtheotherside，andagainthebowstringsclanged，andthistimeafar—offclashofarmsfollowed，andtherewithalthatcryofastrongmanthatcomeswithouthiswill，andissodifferentfromhiswontedvoicethatonehasaguesstherebyofthechangethatdeathis。Thenforawhilewasalmostsilence；nordidourhornsblowup，thoughsomehalf—dozenofthebillmenhadleaptintotheroadwhenthebowsfirstshot。Butpresentlycameagreatblareoftrumpetsandhornsfromtheotherside，andtherewithasitwereariverofsteelandbrightcoatspouredintothefieldbeforeus，andstilltheirhornsblewastheyspreadouttowardtheleftofourline；

thecattleinthepasture—field，heretoforefeedingquietly，seemedfrightenedsillybythesuddennoise，andranabouttailinairandlowingloudly；theoldbullwithhisheadalittlelowered，andhisstubbornlegsplantedfirmly，growlingthreateningly；whilethegeeseaboutthebrookwaddledawaygobblingandsqueaking；allwhichseemedsostrangetousalongwiththethreatofsuddendeaththatrangoutfromthebrightarrayoveragainstus，thatwelaughedoutright，themostofus，andWillGreenputdownhisheadinmockeryofthebullandgruntedlikehim，whereatwelaughedyetmore。Heturnedroundtomeashenockedhisarrow，andsaid：

"Iwouldtheywerejustfiftypacesnigher，andtheymovenot。

Ho!JackStraw，shallweshoot？"

Forthelatter—namedwasnighusnow；heshookhisheadandsaidnothingashestoodlookingattheenemy’sline。

"Fearnotbuttheyaretherightfolk，Jack，"quothWillGreen。

"Yea，yea，"saidhe，"butabideawhile；theycouldmakenoughtofthehighway，andtwooftheirsergeantshadamessagefromthegrey—goosefeather。Abide，fortheyhavenotcrossedtheroadtoourrighthand，andbelikehavenotseenourfellowsontheotherside，whoarenowforabushmenttothem。"

Ilookedhardattheman。Hewasatall，wiry，andbroad—

shoulderedfellow，cladinahandsomearmourofbrightsteelthatcertainlyhadnotbeenmadeforayeoman，butoverithehadacommonlinensmock—frockorgabardine，likeourfieldworkmenwearnoworusedtowear，andinhishelmethecarriedinsteadofafeatherawispofwheatenstraw。Heboreaheavyaxeinhishandbesidestheswordhewasgirtwith，androundhisneckhungagreathornforblowing。IshouldsaythatIknewthattherewereatleastthree"JackStraws"amongthefellowshipofthediscontented，oneofwhomwasoverinEssex。

Aswewaitedthere，everybowmanwithhisshaftnockedonthestring，therewasamovementinthelineopposite，andpresentlycamefromitalittleknotofthreemen，themiddleoneonhorseback，theothertwoarmedwithlong—handledglaives；allthreewellmuffledupinarmour。AstheycamenearerIcouldseethatthehorsemanhadatabardoverhisarmour，gailyembroideredwithagreentreeonagoldground，andinhishandatrumpet。

"Theyarecometosummonus。Wiltthouthathespeak，Jack？"

saidWillGreen。

"Nay，"saidtheother；"yetshallhehavewarningfirst。Shootwhenmyhornblows!"

Andtherewithhecameuptothehedge，climbedover，slowlybecauseofhisarmour，andstoodsomedozenyardsoutinthefield。Themanonhorsebackputhistrumpettohismouthandblewalongblast，andthentookascrollintohishandandmadeasifheweregoingtoread；butJackStrawlifteduphisvoiceandcriedout：

"Doitnot，orthouartbutdead!Wewillhavenoaccursedlawyersandtheirsheep—skinshere!Gobacktothosethatsentthee————"

Butthemanbrokeininaloudharshvoice：

"Ho!YEPEOPLE!whatwillyegatheringinarms？"

ThencriedJackStraw：

"SirFool，holdyourpeacetillyehaveheardme，orelseweshootatonce。Gobacktothosethatsentthee，andtellthemthatwefreemenofKentareonthewaytoLondontospeakwithKingRichard，andtotellhimthatwhichhewotsnot；towit，thatthereisacertainsortoffoolsandtraitorstotherealmwhowouldputcollarsonournecksandmakebeastsofus，andthatitishisrightandhisdevoirtodoashesworewhenhewascrownedandanointedatWestminsterontheStoneofDoom，andgainsaythesethievesandtraitors；andifhebetooweak，thenshallwehelphim；andifhewillnotbeking，thenshallwehaveonewhowillbe，andthatistheKing’sSonofHeaven。Now，therefore，ifanywithstandusonourlawfulerrandaswegotospeakwithourownkingandlord，lethimlooktoit。Bearbackthiswordtothemthatsentthee。Butforthee，hearken，thoubastardofaninkysheep—skin!gettheegoneandtarrynot；

threetimesshallIliftupmyhand，andthethirdtimelooktothyself，forthenshaltthouhearthelooseofourbowstrings，andafterthatnoughtelsetillthouhearestthedevilbiddingtheewelcometohell!"

Ourfellowsshouted，butthesummonerbeganagain，yetinaquaveringvoice：

"Ho!YEPEOPLE!whatwillyegatheringinarms？Wotyenotthatyearedoingorshalldogreatharm，loss，andhurttotheking’slieges————"

Hestopped；JackStraw’shandwasloweredforthesecondtime。

Helookedtohismenrightandleft，andthenturnedreinandturnedtail，andscuttledbacktothemainbodyathisswiftest。

HugelaughterrattledoutallalongourlineasJackStrawclimbedbackintotheorchardgrinningalso。

Thenwenotedmoremovementintheenemy’sline。Theywerespreadingthearchersandarbalestierstoourleft，andthemen—

at—armsandothersalsospreadsome，whatunderthethreepennonsofwhichLongGregoryhadtoldus，andwhichwereplainenoughtousinthedearevening。Presentlythemovinglinefacedus，andthearcherssetoffatasmartpacetowardus，themen—at—armsholdingbackalittlebehindthem。Iknewnowthattheyhadbeenwithinbowshotallalong，butourmenwerelothtoshootbeforetheirfirstshotswouldtell，likethosehalf—dozenintheroadwhen，astheytoldmeafterwards，aplumpoftheirmen—at—armshadmadeashowoffallingon。

Butnowassoonasthosemenbegantomoveonusdirectlyinface，JackStrawputhishorntohislipsandblewaloudroughblastthatwasechoedbyfiveorsixothersalongtheorchardhedge。Everymanhadhisshaftnockedonthestring；Iwatchedthem，andWillGreenspecially；heandhisbowanditsstringseemedallofapiece，soeasilybyseemingdidhedrawthenockofthearrowtohisear。Amoment，ashetookhisaim，andthen——OthendidIunderstandthemeaningoftheawewithwhichtheancientpoetspeaksofthelooseofthegodApollo’sbow；forterribleindeedwasthemingledsoundofthetwangingbowstringandthewhirringshaftsoclosetome。

IwasnowonmykneesrightinfrontofWillandsawallclearly；

thearbalestiers（fornolong—bowmenwereoveragainstourstead）hadallofthembrightheadpieces，andstoutbody—armourofboiledleatherwithmetalstuds，andastheycametowardsus，Icouldseeovertheirshouldersgreatwoodenshieldshangingattheirbacks。Furthertoourlefttheirlong—bowmenhadshotalmostassoonasours，andIheardorseemedtoheartherushofthearrowsthroughtheapple—boughsandaman’scrytherewith；

butwithusthelong—bowhadbeenbeforethecross—bow；oneofthearbalestiersfelloutright，hisgreatshieldclatteringdownonhim，andmovednomore；whilethreeotherswerehitandwerecrawlingtotherear。Theresthadshoulderedtheirbowsandwereaiming，butIthoughtunsteadily；andbeforethetriggersweredrawnagainWillGreenhadnockedandloosed，andnotafewothersofourfolk；thencamethewoodenhailoftheboltsrattlingthroughtheboughs，butalloverheadandnoonehit。

ThenexttimeWillGreennockedhisarrowhedrewwithagreatshout，whichallourfellowstookup；forthearbalestiersinsteadofturningaboutintheirplacescoveredbytheirgreatshieldsandwindinguptheircross—bowsforasecondshot，asisthecustomofsuchsoldiers，ranhuddlingtogethertowardtheirmen—at—arms，ourarrowsdrivingthump—thumpintotheirshieldsastheyran：Isawfourlyingonthefielddeadorsorewounded。

Butourarchersshoutedagain，andkeptoneachpluckingthearrowsfromtheground，andnockingandloosingswiftlybutdeliberatelyatthelinebeforethem；indeednowwasthetimefortheseterriblebowmen，forasWillGreentoldmeafterwardstheyalwaysreckonedtokillthroughclothorleatheratfivehundredyards，andtheyhadletthecross—bowmencomenearlywithinthreehundred，andthesewerenowallmingledandmuddledupwiththemen—at—armsatscantfivehundredyards’distance；

andbelike，too，thelatterwerenottreatingthemtoowell，butseemedtobebelabouringthemwiththeirspear—stavesintheirangeratthepoornessoftheplay；sothatasWillGreensaiditwaslikeshootingathay—ricks。

Allthisyoumustunderstandlastedbutafewminutes，andwhenourmenhadbeenshootingquitecoolly，likegoodworkmenatpeacefulwork，forafewminutesmore，theenemy’slineseemedtoclearsomewhat；thepennonwiththethreeredkineshowedinfrontandthreemenarmedfromheadtofootingleamingsteel，exceptfortheirshortcoatsbrightwithheraldry，werewithit。

Oneofthem（andheborethethreekineonhiscoat）turnedroundandgavesomewordofcommand，andanangryshoutwentupfromthem，andtheycameonsteadilytowardsus，themanwiththeredkineonhiscoatleadingthem，agreatnakedswordinhishand：youmustnotethattheywereallonfoot；butastheydrewnearerIsawtheirhorsesledbygroomsandpagescomingonslowlybehindthem。

SoothsaidWillGreenthatthemen—at—armsrunnotfasteithertoorfrothefray；theycameonnofasterthanahastywalk，theirarmsclashingaboutthemandthetwangofthebowsandwhistleofthearrowsneverfailingallthewhile，butgoingonlikethepushofthewesterlygale，asfromtimetotimethemen—at—armsshouted，"Ha!ha!out!out!Kentishthieves!"

Butwhentheybegantofallon，JackStrawshoutedout，"Billstothefield!billstothefield!"

Thenallourbillmenranupandleaptoverthehedgeintothemeadowandstoodstoutlyalongtheditchunderourbows，JackStrawintheforefronthandlinghisgreataxe。Thenhecastitintohislefthand，caughtuphishornandwindeditloudly。Themen—at—armsdrewnearsteadily，somefellunderthearrow—storm，butnotamany；forthoughthetargetwasbig，itwashard，sincenoteventhecloth—yardshaftcouldpiercewell—wroughtarmourofplate，andtherewasmucharmouramongthem。Withalthearbalestierswereshootingagain，buthighandataventure，sotheydidusnohurt。

ButasthesesoldiersmadewisebytheFrenchwarwerenowdrawingnear，andourbowmenwerecastingdowntheirbowsanddrawingtheirshortswords，orhandlingtheiraxes，asdidWillGreen，muttering，"NowmustHobWright’sgearendthisplay"——

whilethiswasa—doing，lo，onasuddenaflightofarrowsfromourrightontheflankofthesergeants’array，whichstayedthemsomewhat；notbecauseitslewmanymen，butbecausetheybegantobethinkthemthattheirfoesweremanyandallaroundthem；

thentheroad—hedgeontherightseemedalivewitharmedmen，forwhatevercouldholdswordorstaffamongstuswasthere；everybowmanalsoleaptourorchard—hedgeswordoraxeinhand，andwithagreatshout，billmen，archers，andall，raninonthem；

half—armed，yea，andhalf—nakedsomeofthem；strongandstoutandlitheandlightwithal，thewrathofbattleandthehopeofbettertimesliftinguptheirheartstillnothingcouldwithstandthem。Sowasallmingledtogether，andforaminuteortwowasaconfusedclamouroverwhichroseaclatterliketherivetingofironplates，orthenoiseofthestreetofcoppersmithsatFlorence；thenthethrongburstopenandthesteel—cladsergeantsandsquiresandknightsranhuddlingandshufflingtowardstheirhorses；butsomecastdowntheirweaponsandthrewuptheirhandsandcriedforpeaceandransom；andsomestoodandfoughtdesperately，andslewsometilltheywerehammereddownbymanystrokes，andofthesewerethebailiffsandtipstaves，andthelawyersandtheirmen，whocouldnotrunandhopedfornomercy。

Ilookedasonapictureandwondered，andmymindwasatstraintoremembersomethingforgotten，whichyethadleftitsmarkonit。Iheardthenoiseofthehorse—hoofsofthefleeingmen—at—

arms（thearchersandarbalestiershadscatteredbeforethelastminutesoftheplay），Iheardtheconfusedsoundoflaughterandrejoicingdowninthemeadow，andclosebymetheeveningwindliftingthelightertwigsofthetrees，andfarawaythemanynoisesofthequietcountry，tilllightandsoundbothbegantofadefrommeandIsawandheardnothing。

IleaptuptomyfeetpresentlyandtherewasWillGreenbeforemeasIhadfirstseenhiminthestreetwithcoatandhoodandthegearathisgirdleandhisunstrungbowinhishand；hisfacesmilingandkindagain，butmaybeathoughtsad。

"Well，"quothI，"whatisthetalefortheballad—maker？"

"AsJackStrawsaiditwouldbe，"saidhe，"`theendofthedayandtheendofthefray；’"andhepointedtothebraveshowoftheskyoverthesunkensun；"theknightsfledandthesheriffdead：twoofthelawyerkindslainafield，andonehanged：andcruelwashetomakethemcruel：andthreebailiffsknockedonthehead——stoutmen，andsowitless，thatnonefoundtheirbrainsintheirskulls；andfivearbalestiersandonearcherslain，andascoreandahalfofothers，mostlymencomebackfromtheFrenchwars，menoftheCompanionsthere，knowingnoothercraftthanfightingforgold；andthisistheendtheyarepaidfor。

Well，brother，savingthelawyerswhobelikehadnosouls，butonlyparchmentdeedsandlibelsofthesame，Godresttheirsouls!"

Hefella—musing；butIsaid，"AndofourFellowshipwereanyslain？"

"Twogoodmenofthetownship，"hesaid，"HobHornerandAntonyWebber，wereslainoutright，HobwithashaftandAntonyinthehand—play，andJohnPargetterhurtverysoreontheshoulderwithaglaive；andfivemoremenoftheFellowshipslaininthehand—play，andsomefewhurt，butnotsorely。Andastothoseslain，ifGodgivetheirsoulsrestitiswell；forlittleresttheyhadontheearthbelike；butforme，Idesirerestnomore。"

Ilookedathimandoureyesmetwithnolittlelove；andI

wonderedtoseehowwrathandgriefwithinhimwerecontendingwiththekindnessoftheman，andhowclearthetokensofitwereinhisface。

"Comenow，oldlad，"saidhe，"forIdeemthatJohnBallandJackStrawhaveawordtosaytousatthecrossyet，sincethesemenbrokeoffthetellingofthetale；thereshallweknowwhatwearetotakeinhandto—morrow。Andafterwardsthoushalteatanddrinkinmyhousethisonce，ifneveragain"

Sowewentthroughtheorchardclosesagain；andotherswereaboutandanighus，allturnedtowardsthecrossaswewentoverthedewygrass，whereonthemoonwasjustbeginningtothrowshadows。

CHAPTERVII

MOREWORDSATTHECROSS

Igotintomyoldplaceagainonthestepsofthecross，WillGreenbesideme，andabovemeJohnBallandJackStrawagain。

Themoonwashalf—wayuptheheavensnow，andtheshortsummernighthadbegun，calmandfragrant，withjustsomuchnoiseoutsideourquietcircleasmadeonefeeltheworldaliveandhappy。

WewaitedsilentlyuntilwehadheardJohnBallandthestoryofwhatwastodo；andpresentlyhebegantospeak。

"Goodpeople，itisbegun，butnotended。WhichofyouishardyenoughtowendtheroadtoLondonto—morrow？"

"All!All!"theyshouted。

"Yea，"saidhe，"evensoIdeemedofyou。Yetforsoothhearken!Londonisagreatandgrievouscity；andmayhappenwhenyecomethitheritshallseemtoyouovergreattodealwith，whenyerememberthelittletownshipsandthecotsyecamefrom。

"Moreover，whenyedwellhereinKentyethinkforsoothofyourbrethreninEssexorSuffolk，andtherebelikeanend。ButfromLondonyemayhaveaninklingofalltheworld，andover—

burdensomemaybeshallthatseemtoyou，afewandafeeblepeople。

"NeverthelessIsaytoyou，remembertheFellowship，inthehopeofwhichyehavethisdayconquered；andwhenyecometoLondonbewiseandwary；andthatisasmuchastosay，beboldandhardy；forinthesedaysareyebuildingahousewhichshallnotbeoverthrown，andtheworldshallnotbetoogreatortoolittletoholdit：forindeeditshallbetheworlditself，setfreefromevil—doersforfriendstodwellin。"

Heceasedawhile，buttheyhearkenedstill，asifsomethingmorewascoming。Thenhesaid：

"To—morrowweshalltaketheroadforRochester；andmostlikeitwerewelltoseewhatSirJohnNewtoninthecastlemaysaytous：forthemanisnoillman，andhathatonguewell—shapenforwords；anditwerewellthatwehadhimoutofthecastleandawaywithus，andthatweputawordinhismouthtosaytotheKing。Andwotyewell，goodfellows，thatbythenwecometoRochesterweshallbeagoodlycompany，anderewecometoBlackheathaverygreatcompany；andatLondonBridgewhoshallstayourhost？

"Thereforethereisnoughtthatcanundousexceptourownselvesandourhearkeningtosoftwordsfromthosewhowouldslayus。

Theyshallbidusgohomeandabidepeacefullywithourwivesandchildrenwhilethey，thelordsandcouncillorsandlawyers，imaginecounselandremedyforus；andevensoshallourownfollybidus；andifwehearkentheretoweareundoneindeed；

fortheyshallfalluponourpeacewithwar，andourwivesandchildrentheyshalltakefromus，andsomeofustheyshallhang，andsometheyshallscourge，andtheothersshallbetheiryoke—

beasts——yea，andworse，fortheyshalllackmeatmore。

"Tofoolshearkennot，whethertheybeyourselvesoryourfoemen，foreithershallleadyouastray。

"Withthelordsparleynot，foryeknowalreadywhattheywouldsaytoyou，andthatis，`Churl，letmebridletheeandsaddlethee，andeatthylivelihoodthatthouwinnest，andcalltheehardnamesbecauseIeattheeup；andforthee，speaknotanddonot，saveasIbidthee。’

"Allthatistheendoftheirparleying。

"Thereforebeyebold，andagainbold，andthricebold!Gripthebow，handlethestaff，drawthesword，andsetoninthenameoftheFellowship!"

Heendedamidloudshouts；butstraight—wayansweringshoutswereheard，andagreatnoiseofthewindingofhorns，andI

misdoubtedanewonslaught；andsomeofthoseinthethrongbegantostringtheirbowsandhandletheirbills；butWillGreenpulledmebythesleeveandsaid：

"Friendsarethesebythewindingoftheirhorns；thouartquitforthisnight，oldlad。"AndthenJackStrawcriedoutfromthecross："Fairandsoftly，mymasters!ThesebemenofourFellowship，andareforyourgueststhisnight；theyarefromthebentsthissideofMedway，andarewithusherebecauseofthepilgrimageroad，andthatisthebestintheseparts，andsotheshortesttoRochester。Anddoubtyenothingofourbeingtakenunawaresthisnight；forIhavebiddenandsentoutwatchersoftheways，andneitheraman’ssonnoramare’ssonmaycomeinonuswithoutespial。Nowmakeweourfriendswelcome。Forsooth，I

lookedforthemanhourlater；andhadtheycomeanhourearlieryet，someheadswouldnowlieonthecoldgrasswhichshalllieonafeatherbedto—night。Butletbe，sincealliswell!

"Nowgetwehometoourhouses，andeatanddrinkandslumberthisnight，ifneveronceagain，amidthemultitudeoffriendsandfellows；andyetsoberlyandwithoutriot，sincesomuchworkistohand。Moreoverthepriestsaith，bearyethedeadmen，bothfriendsandfoes，intothechancelofthechurch，andtherethisnighthewillwakethem：butafterto—morrowletthedeadabidetoburytheirdead!"

Therewithheleaptdownfromthecross，andWillandIbestirredourselvesandmingledwiththenew—comers。Theyweresomethreehundredstrong，cladandarmedinallwayslikethepeopleofourtownship，exceptsomehalf—dozenwhosearmourshonecoldlikeiceunderthemoonbeams。WillGreensoonhadadozenofthembythesleevetocomehomewithhimtoboardandbed，andthenIlosthimforsomeminutes，andturningaboutsawJohnBallstandingbehindme，lookingpensivelyonallthestirandmerryhumoursofthejoyousuplanders。

"BrotherfromEssex，"saidhe，"shallIseetheeagainto—night？

Iwerefainofspeechwiththee；forthouseemestlikeonethathasseenmorethanmost。"

"Yea，"saidI，"ifyecometoWillGreen’shouse，forthitheramIbidden。"

"ThithershallIcome，"saidhe，smilingkindly，"ornomanI

knowinfield。Loyou，WillGreenlookingforsomething，andthatisme。Butinhishousewillbesongandthetalkofmanyfriends；andforsoothIhavewordsinmethatcravetocomeoutinaquietplacewheretheymayhaveeachonehisownanswer。Ifthouartnotafraidofdeadmenwhowerealiveandwickedthismorning，comethoutothechurchwhensupperisdone，andtherewemaytalkallwewill。"

WillGreenwasstandingbesideusbeforehehaddone，withhishandlaidonthepriest’sshoulder，waitingtillhehadspokenout；andasInoddedYeatoJohnBallhesaid：

"Now，masterpriest，thouhastspokenenoughthistwoorthreehours，andthismynewbrothermusttellandtalkinmyhouse；

andtheremymaidwillhearhiswisdomwhichlaystillunderthehedgee’ennowwhentheboltswereabroad。Socomeye，andyegoodfellows，come!"

Soweturnedawaytogetherintothelittlestreet。ButwhileJohnBallhadbeenspeakingtomeIfeltstrangely，asthoughI

hadmorethingstosaythanthewordsIknewcouldmakeclear：asifIwantedtogetfromotherpeopleanewsetofwords。

Moreover，aswepassedupthestreetagainIwasonceagainsmittenwiththegreatbeautyofthescene；thehouses，thechurchwithitsnewchancelandtower，snow—whiteinthemoonbeamsnow；thedressesandarmsofthepeople，menandwomen（forthelatterwerenowmixedupwiththemen）；theirgravesonorouslanguage，andthequaintandmeasuredformsofspeech，wereagainbecomeawondertomeandaffectedmealmosttotears。

CHAPTERVIII

SUPPERATWILLGREEN’S

IwalkedalongwiththeothersmusingasifIdidnotbelongtothem，tillwecametoWillGreen’shouse。Hewasoneofthewealthieroftheyeomen，andhishousewasoneofthoseItoldyouof，thelowerstoryofwhichwasbuiltofstone。Ithadnotbeenbuiltlong，andwasverytrimandneat。ThefitofwonderhadwornoffmeagainbythenIreachedit，orperhapsIshouldgiveyouacloserdescriptionofit，foritwasahandsomeyeoman’sdwellingofthatday，whichisasmuchassayingitwasverybeautiful。Thehouseontheothersideofit，thelasthouseinthevillage，wasoldorevenancient；allbuiltofstone，andexceptforanewerpiecebuiltontoit——ahall，itseemed——hadroundarches，someofthemhandsomelycarved。Iknewthatthiswastheparson’shouse；buthewasanothersortofpriestthanJohnBall，andwhatforfear，whatforhatred，hadgonebacktohismonasterywiththetwootherchantreypriestswhodweltinthathouse；sothatthemenofthetownship，andmoreespeciallythewomen，werethinkinggladlyhowJohnBallshouldsaymassintheirnewchancelonthemorrow。

WillGreen’sdaughterwaswaitingforhimatthedoorandgavehimacloseandeagerhug，andhadakisstospareforeachofuswithal：astronggirlshewas，asIhavesaid，andsweetandwholesomealso。Shemademerrywithherfather；yetitwaseasytoseethatherheartwasinhermouthallalong。Therewasayoungergirlsometwelvesummersold，andaladoften，whowereeasilytobeknownforhischildren；anoldwomanalso，whohadherlivelihoodthere，andhelpedthehousehold；andmoreoverthreelongyoungmen，whocameintothehouseafterwehadsatdown，towhomWillnoddedkindly。Theywerebriskladsandsmart，buthadbeenafieldafterthebeaststhatevening，andhadnotseenthefray。

Theroomwecameintowasindeedthehouse，fortherewasnothingbutitonthegroundfloor，butastairinthecornerwentuptothechamberorloftabove。ItwasmuchliketheroomattheRose，butbigger；thecupboardbetterwrought，andwithmorevesselsonit，andhandsomer。Alsothewalls，insteadofbeingpanelled，werehungwithacoarseloosely—wovenstuffofgreenworstedwithbirdsandtreeswovenintoit。Therewereflowersinplentystuckabouttheroom，mostlyoftheyellowblossomingflagorflower—de—luce，ofwhichIhadseenplentyinalltheditches，butinthewindownearthedoorwasapotfullofthosesamewhitepoppiesIhadseenwhenIfirstwokeup；andthetablewasallsetforthwithmeatanddrink，abigsalt—cellarofpewterinthemiddle，coveredwithawhitecloth。

Wesatdown，thepriestblessedthemeatinthenameoftheTrinity，andwecrossedourselvesandfellto。Thevictualwasplentifulofbrothandflesh—meat，andbreadandcherries，soweateanddrank，andtalkedlightlytogetherwhenwewerefull。

Yetwasnotthefeastsogayasmighthavebeen。WillGreenhadmetositnexttohim，andontheothersidesatJohnBall；butthepriesthadgrownsomewhatdistraught，andsatasonethinkingofsomewhatthatwasliketoescapehisthought。WillGreenlookedathisdaughterfromtimetotime，andwhileshiseyesglancedroundthefairchamberasonewholovedit，andhiskindfacegrewsad，yetneversullen。WhentheherdsmencameintothehalltheyfellstraightwaytoaskingquestionsconcerningthoseoftheFellowshipwhohadbeenslaininthefray，andoftheirwivesandchildren；sothatforawhilethereafternomancaredtojest，fortheywereaneighbourlyandkindfolk，andweresorrybothforthedead，andalsoforthelivingthatshouldsufferfromthatday’swork。

Sothenwesatsilentawhile。Theunseenmoonwasbrightovertheroofofthehouse，sothatoutsideallwasgleamingbrightsavetheblackshadows，thoughthemooncamenotintotheroom，andthewhitewallofthetowerwasthewhitestandthebrightestthingwecouldsee。

Wideopenwerethewindows，andthescentsofthefragrantnightfloatedinuponus，andthesoundsofthemenattheirmeatormakingmerryaboutthetownship；andwhilesweheardthegibberofanowlfromthetreeswestwardofthechurch，andthesharpcryofablackbirdmadefearfulbytheprowlingstoat，orthefar—offlowingofacowfromtheuplandpastures；orthehoofsofahorsetrottingonthepilgrimageroad（andoneofourwatcherswouldthatbe）。

Thuswesatawhile，andonceagaincamethatfeelingovermeofwonderandpleasureatthestrangeandbeautifulsights，mingled。

withthesightsandsoundsandscentsbeautifulindeed，yetnotstrange，butratherlongfamiliartome。

ButnowWillGreenstartedinhisseatwherehesatwithhisdaughterhangingoverhischair，herhandamidsthisthickblackcurls，andsheweepingsoftly，Ithought；andhisroughstrongvoicebrokethesilence。

"Why，ladsandneighbours，whatailsus？Iftheknightswhofledfromusthiseveweretocreepbackhitherandlookinatthewindow，theywoulddeemthattheyhadslainusafterall，andthatwewerebuttheghostsofthemenwhofoughtthem。Yet，forsooth，fairitisatwhilestositwithfriendsandletthesummernightspeakforusandtellusitstales。Butnow，sweetling，fetchthemazerandthewine。"

"Forsooth，"saidJohnBall，"ifyelaughnotover—muchnow，yeshalllaughthemoreonthemorrowofto—morrow，asyedrawnearertotheplayofpointandedge。"

"Thatissooth，"saidoneoftheuplandguests。"SoitwasseeninFrancewhenwefoughtthere；andtheeveoffightwassoberandthemornwasmerry。"

"Yea，"saidanother，"butthere，forsooth，itwasfornothingyefought；andto—morrowitshallbeforafairreward。"

"Itwasforlifewefought，"saidthefirst。

"Yea，"saidthesecond，"forlife；andleavetogohomeandfindthelawyersattheirfellgame。Ho，WillGreen，callahealthoverthecup!"

FornowWillGreenhadabowlofwineinhishand。Hestoodupandsaid："Here，now，IcallahealthtothewrightsofKentwhobeturningourplough—sharesintoswordsandourpruning—hooksintospears!Drinkaround，mymasters!"

Thenhedrank，andhisdaughterfilledthebowlbrimmingagainandhepassedittome。AsItookitIsawthatitwasoflightpolishedwoodcuriouslyspeckled，withabandofsilverroundit，onwhichwascutthelegend，"InthenameoftheTrinityfillthecupanddrinktome。"AndbeforeIdrank，itcameuponmetosay，"To—morrow，andthefairdaysafterwards!"

ThenIdrankagreatdraughtofthestrongredwine，andpassediton；andeverymansaidsomethingoverit，as"TheroadtoLondonBridge!""HobCarterandhismate!"andsoon，tilllastofallJohnBalldrank，saying：

"Tenyearshence，andthefreedomoftheFellowship!"ThenhesaidtoWillGreen："Now，Will，mustIneedsdeparttogoandwakethedead，bothfriendandfoeinthechurchyonder；andwhosoofyouwillbeshrivenlethimcometomethitherinthemorn，norspareforaslittleaftersunriseasitmaybe。AndthisourfriendandbrotherfromoverthewaterofThames，hehathwilltotalkwithmeandIwithhim；sonowwillItakehimbythehand：andsoGodkeepyou，fellows!"

Irosetomeethimashecameroundtheheadofthetable，andtookhishand。WillGreenturnedroundtomeandsaid：

"Thouwiltcomebackagaintimely，oldlad；forbetimesonthemorrowmustweriseifweshalldineatRochester。"

IstammeredasIyea—saidhim；forJohnBallwaslookingstrangelyatmewithahalf—smile，andmyheartbeatanxiouslyandfearfully：butwewentquietlytothedoorandsooutintothebrightmoonlight。

Ilingeredalittlewhenwehadpassedthethreshold，andlookedbackattheyellow—lightedwindowandtheshapesofthementhatIsawthereinwithagriefandlongingthatIcouldnotgivemyselfareasonfor，sinceIwastocomebacksosoon。JohnBalldidnotpressmetomoveforward，buthelduphishandasiftobidmehearken。Thefolkandgueststherehadalreadyshakenthemselvesdownsinceourdeparture，andweregottentobereasonablymerryitseemed；foroneoftheguests，hewhohadspokenofFrancebefore，hadfallentosingingaballadofthewartoawildandmelancholytune。Irememberthefirstrhymesofit，whichIheardasIturnedawaymyheadandwemovedontowardthechurch：

"OnafairfieldofFranceWefoughtonamorningSolovelyasitliethAlongbythewater。

TherewasmanyalordthereMowedmeninthemedley，’MidstthebannersofthebaronsAndboldmenoftheknighthood，AndspearmenandsergeantsAndshootersoftheshaft。"

CHAPTERIX

BETWIXTTHELIVINGANDTHEDEAD

Weenteredthechurchthroughthesouthporchunderaround—

archeddoorcarvedveryrichly，andwithasculptureoverthedoorwayandunderthearch，which，asfarasIcouldseebythemoonlight，figuredSt。MichaelandtheDragon。AsIcameintotherichgloomofthenaveInoticedforthefirsttimethatI

hadoneofthosewhitepoppiesinmyhand；ImusthavetakenitoutofthepotbythewindowasIpassedoutofWillGreen’shouse。

Thenavewasnotverylarge，butitlookedspacioustoo；itwassomewhatold，butwell—builtandhandsome；theroofofcurvedwoodenrafterswithgreattie—beamsgoingfromwalltowall。

Therewasnolightinitbutthatofthemoonstreamingthroughthewindows，whichwerebynomeanslarge，andwereglazedwithwhitefretwork，withhereandtherealittlefigureinverydeeprichcolours。Twolargerwindowsneartheeastendofeachaislehadjustbeenmadesothatthechurchgrewlightertowardtheeast，andIcouldseealltheworkonthegreatscreenbetweenthenaveandchancelwhichglitteredbrightinnewpaintandgilding：acandleglimmeredintheloftaboveit，beforethehugeroodthatfilledupthewholespacebetweentheloftandthechancelarch。Therewasanaltarattheeastendofeachaisle，theoneonthesouthsidestandingagainsttheoutsidewall，theoneonthenorthagainstatraceriedgaily—paintedscreen，forthataisleranonalongthechancel。Therewereafewoakbenchesnearthissecondaltar，seeminglyjustmade，andwellcarvedandmoulded；otherwisethefloorofthenave，whichwaspavedwithaquaintpavementofglazedtileslikethecrocksIhadseenoutsideastoware，wasquiteclear，andtheshaftsofthearchesroseoutofitwhiteandbeautifulunderthemoonasthoughoutofasea，darkbutwithgleamsstruckoverit。

Thepriestletmelingerandlookround，whenhehadcrossedhimselfandgivenmetheholywater；andthenIsawthatthewallswerefiguredalloverwithstories，ahugeSt。ChristopherwithhisblackbeardlookinglikeWillGreen，beingclosetotheporchbywhichweentered，andabovethechancelarchtheDoomofthelastDay，inwhichthepainterhadnotsparedeitherkingsorbishops，andinwhichalawyerwithhisbluecoifwasoneofthechieffiguresinthegroupwhichtheDevilwashaulingofftohell。

"Yea，"saidJohnBall，"’tisagoodlychurchandfairasyoumaysee’twixtCanterburyandLondonasforitskind；andyetdoI

misdoubtmewherethosewhoaredeadarehoused，andwherethoseshallhousethemaftertheyaredead，whobuiltthishouseforGodtodwellin。Godgranttheybecleansedatlast；

forsoothoneofthemwhoisnowaliveisafoulswineandacruelwolf。Artthouallsosure，scholar，thatallsuchhavesouls？

andifitbeso，wasitwelldoneofGodtomakethem？Ispeaktotheethus，forIthinkthouartnodelator；andifthoube，whyshouldIheedit，sinceIthinknottocomebackfromthisjourney。"

Ilookedathimand，asitwere，hadsomeadotoanswerhim；butIsaidatlast，"Friend，Ineversawasoul，saveinthebody；I

cannottell。"

Hecrossedhimselfandsaid，"YetdoIintendthateremanydaysaregonebymysoulshallbeinblissamongthefellowshipofthesaints，andmerryshallitbe，evenbeforemybodyrisesfromthedead；forwiselyIhavewroughtintheworld，andIwotwelloffriendsthatarelongagogonefromtheworld，asSt。Martin，andSt。Francis，andSt。ThomasofCanterbury，whoshallspeakwellofmetotheheavenlyFellowship，andIshallinnowiselosemyreward。"

Ilookedshylyathimashespoke；hisfacelookedsweetandcalmandhappy，andIwouldhavesaidnowordtogrievehim；andyetbelikemyeyeslookedwonderonhim：heseemedtonoteitandhisfacegrewpuzzled。"Howdeemestthouofthesethings？"saidhe：

"whydomendieelse，ifitbeotherwisethanthis？"

Ismiled："Whythendotheylive？"saidI。

EveninthewhitemoonlightIsawhisfaceflush，andhecriedoutinagreatvoice，"Todogreatdeedsortorepentthemthattheyeverwereborn。"

"Yea，"saidI，"theylivetolivebecausetheworldliveth。"Hestretchedouthishandtomeandgraspedmine，butsaidnomore；

andwentontillwecametothedoorintherood—screen；thenheturnedtomewithhishandonthering—latch，andsaid，"Hastthouseenmanydeadmen？"

"Nay，butfew，"saidI。

"AndIamany，"saidhe；"butcomenowandlookonthese，ourfriendsfirstandthenourfoes，sothatyemaynotlooktoseethemwhilewesitandtalkofthedaysthataretobeontheearthbeforetheDayofDoomcometh。"

Soheopenedthedoor，andwewentintothechancel；alightburnedonthehighaltarbeforethehost，andlookedredandstrangeinthemoonlightthatcamethroughthewidetraceriedwindowsunstainedbythepicturesandbefloweringsoftheglazing；therewerenewstallsforthepriestsandvicarswhereweentered，carvedmoreabundantlyandbeautifullythananyofthewoodworkIhadyetseen，andeverywherewasrichandfaircolouranddelicateanddaintyform。Ourdeadlayjustbeforethehighaltaronlowbiers，theirfacesallcoveredwithlinencloths，forsomeofthemhadbeensoresmittenandhackedinthefray。WewentuptothemandJohnBalltooktheclothfromthefaceofone；hehadbeenshottotheheartwithashaftandhisfacewascalmandsmooth。Hehadbeenayoungmanfairandcomely，withhairflaxenalmosttowhiteness；helaythereinhisclothesashehadfallen，thehandscrossedoverhisbreastandholdingarushcross。Hisbowlayononesideofhim，hisquiverofshaftsandhisswordontheother。

JohnBallspaketomewhileheheldthecornerofthesheet：

"Whatsayestthou，scholar？feelestthousorrowofheartwhenthoulookestonthis，eitherforthemanhimself，orforthyselfandthetimewhenthoushaltbeasheis？"

Isaid，"Nay，Ifeelnosorrowforthis；forthemanisnothere：

thisisanemptyhouse，andthemasterhasgonefromit。

Forsooth，thistomeisbutasawaxenimageofaman；nay，noteventhat，forifitwereanimage，itwouldbeanimageofthemanashewaswhenhewasalive。Buthereisnolifenorsemblanceoflife，andIamnotmovedbyit；nay，Iammoremovedbytheman’sclothesandwar—gear——thereismorelifeinthemthaninhim。"

"Thousayestsooth，"saidhe；"butsorrowestthounotforthineowndeathwhenthoulookestonhim？"

Isaid，"AndhowcanIsorrowforthatwhichIcannotsomuchasthinkof？BethinktheethatwhileIamaliveIcannotthinkthatIshalldie，orbelieveindeathatall，althoughIknowwellthatIshalldie——Icanbutthinkofmyselfaslivinginsomenewway。"

Againhelookedonmeasifpuzzled；thenhisfaceclearedashesaid，"Yea，forsooth，andthatiswhattheChurchmeanethbydeath，andeventhatIlookfor；andthathereafterIshallseeallthedeedsthatIhavedoneinthebody，andwhattheyreallywere，andwhatshallcomeofthem；andevershallIbeamemberoftheChurch，andthatistheFellowship；then，evenasnow。"

Isighedashespoke；thenIsaid，"Yea，somewhatinthisfashionhavemostofmenthought，sincenomanthatiscanconceiveofnotbeing；andImindmethatinthosestoriesoftheoldDanes，theircommonwordforamandyingistosay，`Hechangedhislife。’"

"Andsodeemestthou？"

Ishookmyheadandsaidnothing。

"Whathastthoutosayhereon？"saidhe，"forthereseemethsomethingbetwixtustwainasitwereawallthatpartethus。"

"This，"saidI，"thatthoughIdieandend，yetmankindyetliveth，thereforeIendnot，sinceIamaman；andevensothoudeemest，goodfriend；orattheleastevensothoudoest，sincenowthouartreadytodieingriefandtormentratherthanbeunfaithfultotheFellowship，yearatherthanfailtoworkthineutmostforit；whereas，asthouthyselfsaidstatthecross，withafewwordsspokenandalittlehuddling—upofthetruth，withafewpenniespaid，andafewmassessung，thoumightesthavehadagoodplaceonthisearthandinthatheaven。Andasthoudoest，sonowdothmanyapoormanunnamedandunknown，andshalldowhiletheworldlasteth：andtheythatdolessthanthis，failbecauseoffear，andareashamedoftheircowardice，andmakemanytalestothemselvestodeceivethemselves，lesttheyshouldgrowtoomuchashamedtolive。Andtrustmeifthiswerenotso，theworldwouldnotlive，butwoulddie，smotheredbyitsownstink。Isthewallbetwixtusgone，friend？"

Hesmiledashelookedatme，kindly，butsadlyandshamefast，andshookhishead。

Theninawhilehesaid，"Nowyehaveseentheimagesofthosewhowereourfriends，comeandseetheimagesofthosewhowereonceourfoes。"

Soheledthewaythroughthesidescreenintothechancelaisle，andthereonthepavementlaythebodiesofthefoemen，theirweaponstakenfromthemandtheystrippedoftheirarmour，butnototherwiseoftheirclothes，andtheirfacesmostly，butnotall，covered。Attheeastendoftheaislewasanotheraltar，coveredwitharichclothbeautifullyfigured，andonthewalloveritwasadealoftabernaclework，inthemidmostnicheofitanimagepaintedandgiltofagayknightonhorseback，cuttinghisowncloakintwowithhisswordtogiveacantleofittoahalf—nakedbeggar。

"Knowestthouanyofthesemen？"saidI。

Hesaid，"SomeIshouldknow，couldIseetheirfaces；butletthembe。"

"Weretheyevilmen？"saidI。

"Yea，"hesaid，"sometwoorthree。ButIwillnottelltheeofthem；letSt。Martin，whosehousethisis，telltheirstoryifhewill。Asfortheresttheywerehaplessfools，orelsemenwhomustearntheirbreadsomehow，andweredriventothisbadwayofearningit；Godresttheirsouls!Iwillbenotale—bearer，noteventoGod。"

Sowestoodmusingalittlewhile，Igazingnotonthedeadmen，butonthestrangepicturesonthewall，whichwerericheranddeepercolouredthanthoseinthenave；tillatlastJohnBallturnedtomeandlaidhishandonmyshoulder。Istartedandsaid，"Yea，brother；nowmustIgetmebacktoWillGreen’shouse，asIpromisedtodosotimely。"

"Notyet，brother，"saidhe；"Ihavestillmuchtosaytothee，andthenightisyetyoung。Goweandsitinthestallsofthevicars，andletusaskandansweronmattersconcerningthefashionofthisworldofmenfolk，andofthislandwhereinwedwell；foroncemoreIdeemoftheethatthouhastseenthingswhichIhavenotseen，andcouldnothaveseen。"Withthatwordheledmebackintothechancel，andwesatdownsidebysideinthestallsatthewestendofit，facingthehighaltarandthegreateastwindow。Bythistimethechancelwasgettingdimmerasthemoonwoundroundtheheavens；butyetwasthereatwilightofthemoon，sothatIcouldstillseethethingsaboutmeforallthebrightnessofthewindowthatfacedus；andthismoontwilightwouldlast，Iknew，untiltheshortsummernightshouldwane，andthetwilightofthedawnbegintoshowusthecoloursofallthingsaboutus。

Sowesat，andIgatheredmythoughtstohearwhathewouldsay，andImyselfwastryingtothinkwhatIshouldaskofhim；forI

thoughtofhimasheofme，thathehadseenthingswhichIcouldnothaveseen。

CHAPTERX

TWOTALKOFTHEDAYSTOCOME

"Brother，"saidJohnBall，"howdeemestthouofouradventure？I

donotasktheeifthouthinkestwearerighttoplaytheplaylikemen，butwhetherplayinglikemenweshallfaillikemen。"

"Whydostthouaskme？"saidI；"howmuchfurtherthanbeyondthischurchcanIsee？"

"Farfurther，"quothhe，"forIwotthatthouartascholarandhastreadbooks；andwithal，insomewaythatIcannotname，thouknowestmorethanwe；asthoughwiththeetheworldhadlivedlongerthanwithus。Hidenot，therefore，whatthouhastinthineheart，forIthinkafterthisnightIshallseetheenomore，untilwemeetintheheavenlyFellowship。"

"Friend，"Isaid，"askmewhatthouwilt；orratheraskthoutheyearstocometotelltheesomelittleoftheirtale；andyetmethinksthouthyselfmayesthavesomedeemingthereof。"

Heraisedhimselfontheelbowofthestallandlookedmefullintheface，andsaidtome："Isitsoafterallthatthouartnomanintheflesh，butartsenttomebytheMasteroftheFellowship，andtheKing’sSonofHeaven，totellmewhatshallbe？Ifthatbesotellmestraightout，sinceIhadsomedeeminghereofbefore；whereasthyspeechislikeoursandyetunlike，andthyfacehathsomethinginitwhichisnotafterthefashionofourday。Andyettakeheed，ifthouartsuchanone，Ifeartheenot，nay，norhimthatsentthee；norforthybidding，norforhis，willIturnbackfromLondonBridgebutwillpresson，forIdowhatismeetandright。"

"Nay，"saidI，"didInottelltheee’ennowthatIknewlifebutnotdeath？Iamnotdead；andastowhohathsentme，IsaynotthatIamcomebymyownwill；forIknownot；yetalsoIknownotthewillthathathsentmehither。AndthisIsaytothee，moreover，thatifIknowmorethanthou，Idofarless；thereforethouartmycaptainandIthyminstrel。"

Hesighedasonefromwhomaweighthadbeenlifted，andsaid：

"Well，then，sincethouartaliveontheearthandamanlikemyself，tellmehowdeemestthouofouradventure：shallwecometoLondon，andhowshallwefarethere？"

SaidI，"WhatshallhinderyoutocometoLondon，andtofarethereasyewill？ForbesurethattheFellowshipinEssexshallnotfailyou；norshalltheLondonerswhohatetheking’suncleswithstandyou；norhaththeCourtanygreatforcetomeetyouinthefield；yeshallcastfearandtremblingintotheirhearts。"

"Evenso，Ithought，"saidhe；"butafterwardswhatshallbetide？"

SaidI，"ItgrievesmyhearttosaythatwhichIthink。Yethearken；manyaman’ssonshalldiewhoisnowaliveandhappy，andifthesoldiersbeslain，andofthemmostnotonthefield，butbythelawyers，howshallthecaptainsescape？Surelythougoesttothydeath。"

Hesmiledverysweetly，yetproudly，ashesaid："Yea，theroadislong，buttheendcomethatlast。Friend，manyadayhaveI

beendying；formysister，withwhomIhaveplayedandbeenmerryintheautumntideabouttheedgesofthestubble—fields；andwegatheredthenutsandbramble—berriesthere，andstartedthencethemissel—thrush，andwonderedathisvoiceandthoughthimbig；

andthesparrow—hawkwheeledandturnedoverthehedgesandtheweaselranacrossthepath，andthesoundofthesheep—bellscametousfromthedownsaswesathappyonthegrass；andsheisdeadandgonefromtheearth，forshepinedfromfamineaftertheyearsofthegreatsickness；andmybrotherwasslainintheFrenchwars，andnonethankedhimfordyingsavehethatstrippedhimofhisgear；andmyunweddedwifewithwhomIdweltinloveafterIhadtakenthetonsure，andallmensaidshewasgoodandfair，andtrueshewasandlovely；shealsoisdeadandgonefromtheearth；andwhyshouldIabidesaveforthedeedsofthefleshwhichmustbedone？Truly，friend，thisisbutanoldtalethatmenmustdie；andIwilltelltheeanother，towit，thattheylive：andIlivenowandshalllive。Tellmethenwhatshallbefall。"

SomehowIcouldnotheedhimasalivingmanasmuchasIhaddone，andthevoicethatcamefrommeseemedlessofmeasI

answered：

"Thesemenarestrongandvaliantasanythathavebeenorshallbe，andgoodfellowsalsoandkindly；buttheyaresimple，andseenogreatwaybeforetheirownnoses。Thevictoryshalltheyhaveandshallnotknowwhattodowithit；theyshallfightandovercome，becauseoftheirlackofknowledge，andbecauseoftheirlackofknowledgeshalltheybecozenedandbetrayedwhentheircaptainsareslain，andallshallcometonoughtbyseeming；andtheking’sunclesshallprevail，thatboththeyandthekingmaycometotheshamethatisappointedforthem。Andyetwhenthelordshavevanquished，andallEnglandliethunderthemagain，yetshalltheirvictorybefruitless；forthefreementhatholdunfreelandsshalltheynotbringunderthecollaragain，andvilleinageshallslipfromtheirhands，tilltherebe，andnotlongafteryearedead，butfewunfreemeninEngland；sothatyourlivesandyourdeathsbothshallbearfruit。"

"SaidInot，"quothJohnBall，"thatthouwertasendingfromothertimes？Goodisthymessage，forthelandshallbefree。Tellonnow。"

Hespokeeagerly，andIwentonsomewhatsadly："Thetimesshallbetter，thoughthekingandlordsshallworsen，theGildsofCraftshallwaxandbecomemightier；morerecourseshalltherebeofforeignmerchants。Thereshallbeplentyinthelandandnotfamine。Whereamannowearnethtwopenniesheshallearnthree。"

"Yea，"saidhe，"thenshallthosethatlabourbecomestrongandstronger，andsosoonshallitcomeaboutthatallmenshallworkandnonemaketowork，andsoshallnoneberobbed，andatlastshallallmenlabourandliveandbehappy，andhavethegoodsoftheearthwithoutmoneyandwithoutprice。"

"Yea，"saidI，"thatshallindeedcometopass，butnotyetforawhile，andbelikealongwhile。"

AndIsatforlongwithoutspeaking，andthechurchgrewdarkerasthemoonwanedyetmore。

ThenIsaid："Bethinktheethatthesemenshallyethavemastersoverthem，whohaveathandmanyalawandcustomforthebehoofofmasters，andbeingmasterscanmakeyetmorelawsinthesamebehoof；andtheyshallsufferpoorpeopletothrivejustsolongastheirthrivingshallprofitthemastershipandnolonger；andsoshallitbeinthosedaysItellof；forthereshallbekingandlordsandknightsandsquiresstill，withservantstodotheirbidding，andmakehonestmenafraid；andallthesewillmakenothingandeatmuchasaforetime，andthemorethatismadeinthelandthemoreshalltheycrave。"

"Yea，"saidhe，"thatwotIwell，thattheseareofthekinofthedaughtersofthehorse—leech；buthowshalltheyslaketheirgreed，seeingthatasthousayestvilleinageshallbegone？

Beliketheirmenshallpaythemquit—rentsanddothemservice，asfreemenmay，butallthisaccordingtolawandnotbeyondit；sothatthoughtheworkersshallbericherthantheynowbe，thelordsshallbenoricher，andsoallshallbeontheroadtobeingfreeandequal。"

SaidI，"Lookyou，friend；aforetimethelords，forthemostpart，heldthelandandallthatwasonit，andthementhatwereonitworkedforthemastheirhorsesworked，andaftertheywerefedandhousedallwasthelords’；butinthetimetocomethelordsshallseetheirmenthrivingonthelandandshallsayoncemore，`Thesemenhavemorethantheyneed，whyhavewenotthesurplussincewearetheirlords？’Moreover，inthosedaysshallbetidemuchchafferingforwaresbetweenmanandman，andcountryandcountry；andthelordsshallnotethatiftherewerelesscornandlessmenontheirlandstherewouldbemoresheep，thatistosaymorewoolforchaffer，andthatthereoftheyshouldhaveabundantlymorethanaforetime；sinceallthelandtheyown，anditpaysthemquit—rentorservice，savehereandthereacroftoracloseofayeoman；andallthismightgrowwoolforthemtoselltotheEasterlings。ThenshallEnglandseeanewthing，forwhereashithertomenhavelivedonthelandandbyit，thelandshallnolongerneedthem，butmanysheepandafewshepherdsshallmakewoolgrowtobesoldformoneytotheEasterlings，andthatmoneyshallthelordspouch：for，lookyou，theyshallsetthelawyersa—workandthestronghandmoreover，andthelandtheyshalltaketothemselvesandtheirsheep；andexceptfortheselordsoflandfewshallbethefreementhatshallholdaroodoflandwhomthewordoftheirlordmaynotturnadriftstraightway。"

"Howmeanyou？"saidJohnBall："shallallmenbevilleinsagain？"

"Nay，"saidI，"thereshallbenovilleinsinEngland。"

"Surelythen，"saidhe，"itshallbeworse，andallmensaveafewshallbethrallstobeboughtandsoldatthecross。"

"Goodfriend，"saidI，"itshallnotbeso；allmenshallbefreeevenasyewouldhaveit；yet，asIsay，fewindeedshallhavesomuchlandastheycanstanduponsavebybuyingsuchagraceoftheirmasters。"

"Andnow，"saidhe，"Iwotnotwhatthousayest。Iknowathrall，andheishismaster’severyhour，andneverhisown；andavilleinIknow，andwhilesheishisownandwhileshislord’s；

andIknowafreeman，andheishisownalways；buthowshallhebehisownifhehavenoughtwherebytomakehislivelihood？Orshallhebeathiefandtakefromothers？Thenisheanoutlaw。

Wonderfulisthisthoutellestofafreemanwithnoughtwherebytolive!"

"Yetsoitshallbe，"saidI，"andbysuchfreemenshallallwaresbemade。"

"Nay，thatcannotbe；thouarttalkingriddles，"saidhe；

"forhowshallawoodwrightmakeachestwithoutthewoodandthetools？"

SaidI，"Hemustneedsbuyleavetolabourofthemthatownallthingsexcepthimselfandsuchashimself。"

"Yea，butwherewithshallhebuyit？"saidJohnBall。"Whathathheexcepthimself？"

"Withhimselfthenshallhebuyit，"quothI，"withhisbodyandthepoweroflabourthatlieththerein；withthepriceofhislabourshallhebuyleavetolabour。"

"Riddlesagain!"saidhe；"howcanhesellhislabourforaughtelsebuthisdailybread？Hemustwinbyhislabourmeatanddrinkandclothingandhousing!Canhesellhislabourtwiceover？"

"Notso，"saidI，"butthisshallhedobelike；heshallsellhimself，thatisthelabourthatisinhim，tothemasterthatsuffershimtowork，andthatmastershallgivetohimfromoutofthewareshemakethenoughtokeephimalive，andtobegetchildrenandnourishthemtilltheybeoldenoughtobesoldlikehimself，andtheresidueshalltherichmankeeptohimself。"

JohnBalllaughedaloud，andsaid："Well，Iperceivewearenotyetoutofthelandofriddles。Themanmaywelldowhatthousayestandlive，buthemaynotdoitandliveafreeman。"

"Thousayestsooth，"saidI。