第3章

CHAPTERXI

HARDITISFORTHEOLDWORLDTO

SEETHENEW

Heheldhispeaceawhile，andthenhesaid："Butnomansellethhimselfandhischildrenintothraldomuncompelled；norisanyfoolsogreatafoolaswillinglytotakethenameoffreemanandthelifeofathrallaspaymentfortheverylifeofafreeman。

NowwouldIasktheesomewhatelse；andIamthereadiertodososinceIperceivethatthouartawondrousseer；forsurelynomancouldofhisownwithaveimaginedataleofsuchfolliesasthouhasttoldme。NowwellIwotthatmenhavingonceshakenthemselvesclearoftheburdenofvilleinage，asthousayestweshalldo（andIblesstheefortheword），shallneverbowdowntothisworsertyrannywithoutsorestrifeintheworld；andsurelysosoreshallitbe，beforeourvaliantsonsgiveway，thatmaidsandlittleladsshalltaketheswordandthespear，andinmanyafieldmen’sbloodandnotwatershallturnthegristmillsofEngland。Butwhenallthisisover，andthetyrannyisestablished，becausetherearebutfewmeninthelandafterthegreatwar，howshallitbewithyouthen？Willtherenotbemanysoldiersandsergeantsandfewworkers？Surelyineveryparishyeshallhavetheconstablestoseethatthemenwork；andtheyshallbesayingeveryday，`Suchanone，hastthouyetsoldthyselfforthisdayorthisweekorthisyear？Gotonow，andgetthybargaindone，oritshallbetheworseforthee。’Andwheresoeverworkisgoingonthereshallbeconstablesagain，andthosethatlabourshalllabourunderthewhipliketheHebrewsinthelandofEgypt。Andeverymanthatmay，willstealasadogsnatchesatabone；andthereagainshallyeneedmoresoldiersandmoreconstablestillthelandiseatenupbythem；norshallthelordsandthemastersevenbeabletobeartheburdenofit；norwilltheirgainsbesogreat，sincethatwhicheachmanmaydoinadayisnotrightgreatwhenallissaid。"

"Friend，"saidI，"fromthineownvaliancyandhighheartthouspeakest，whenthousayestthattheywhofallunderthistyrannyshallfighttothedeathagainstit。Warsindeedthereshallbeintheworld，greatandgrievous，andyetfewonthisscore；

rathershallmenfightastheyhavebeenfightinginFranceatthebiddingofsomelordofthemanor，orsomeking，oratlastatthebiddingofsomeusurerandforestallerofthemarket。

Valiantmen，forsooth，shallariseinthebeginningoftheseeviltimes，butthoughtheyshalldieasyeshall，yetshallnottheirdeathsbefruitfulasyoursshallbe；becauseye，forsooth，arefightingagainstvilleinagewhichiswaning，buttheyshallfightagainstusurywhichiswaxing。And，moreover，Ihavebeentellingtheehowitshallbewhenthemeasureofthetimeisfull；andwe，lookingatthesethingsfromafar，canseethemastheyareindeed；buttheywholiveatthebeginningofthosetimesandamidstthem，shallnotknowwhatisdoingaroundthem；

theyshallindeedfeeltheplagueandyetnotknowtheremedy；bylittleandbylittletheyshallfallfromtheirbetterlivelihood，andweakandhelplessshalltheygrow，andhavenomighttowithstandtheevilofthistyranny；andthenagainwhenthetimesmendsomewhatandtheyhavebutalittlemoreease，thenshallitbetothemlikethekingdomofheaven，andtheyshallhavenowilltowithstandanytyranny，butshallthinkthemselveshappythattheybepinchedsomewhatless。Alsowhereasthousayestthatthereshallbeforeverconstablesandsergeantsgoingtoandfrotodrivementowork，andthattheywillnotworksaveunderthelash，thouartwronganditshallnotbeso；forthereshalleverbemoreworkersthanthemastersmaysettowork，sothatmenshallstriveeagerlyforleavetowork；andwhenonesays，Iwillsellmyhoursatsuchandsuchaprice，thenanotherwillsay，andIforsomuchless；

sothatnevershallthelordslackslaveswillingtowork，butoftentheslavesshalllacklordstobuythem。"

"Thoutellestmarvelsindeed，"saidhe；"buthowthen？ifallthechurlsworknot，shalltherenotbefamineandlackofwares？"

"Famineenough，"saidI，"yetnotfromlackofwares；itshallbecleancontrary。WhatwiltthousaywhenItelltheethatinthelatterdaysthereshallbesuchtrafficandsuchspeedytravelacrosstheseasthatmostwaresshallbegoodcheap，andbreadofallthingsthecheapest？"

Quothhe："Ishouldsaythatthentherewouldbebetterlivelihoodformen，forintimesofplentyitiswell；forthenmeneatthatwhichtheirownhandshaveharvested，andneednottospendoftheirsubstanceinbuyingofothers。Truly，itiswellforhonestmen，butnotsowellforforestallersandregraters；[2]butwhoheedswhatbefallssuchfoulswine，whofilchthemoneyfrompeople’spurses，anddonotonehair’sturnofworktohelpthem？"

[2]Forestaller，onewhobuysupgoodswhentheyarecheap，andsoraisesthepriceforhisownbenefit；forestallsthedueandrealdemand。Regrater，onewhobothbuysandsellsinthesamemarket，orwithinfivemilesthereof；buys，sayatonofcheeseat10A。M。andsellsitat5P。M。apennyapounddearerwithoutmovingfromhischair。Theword"monopolist"willcoverbothspeciesofthief。

"Yea，friend，"Isaid，"butinthoselatterdaysallpowershallbeinthehandsofthesefoulswine，andtheyshallbetherulersofall；therefore，hearken，forItelltheethattimesofplentyshallinthosedaysbethetimesoffamine，andallshallprayforthepricesofwarestorise，sothattheforestallersandregratersmaythrive，andthatsomeoftheirwell—doingmayoverflowontothoseonwhomtheylive。"

"Iamwearyofthyriddles，"hesaid。"YetatleastIhopethattheremaybefewerandfewerfolkintheland；asmaywellbe，iflifeisthensofoulandwretched。"

"Alas，poorman!"Isaid；"normaystthouimaginehowfoulandwretcheditmaybeformanyofthefolk；andyetItelltheethatmenshallincreaseandmultiply，tillwherethereisonemaninthelandnow，thereshallbetwentyinthosedays——yea，insomeplacestentimestwenty。"

"Ihavebutlittlehearttoasktheemorequestions，"saidhe；

"andwhenthouanswerest，thywordsareplain，butthethingstheytellofImayscarceunderstand。Buttellmethis：inthosedayswillmendeemthatsoitmustbeforever，asgreatmenevennowtellusofourills，orwilltheythinkofsomeremedy？"

Ilookedaboutme。Therewasbutaglimmeroflightinthechurchnow，butwhattherewas，wasnolongerthestrangelightofthemoon，butthefirstcomingofthekindlyday。

"Yea，"saidJohnBall，"’tisthetwilightofthedawn。GodandSt。Christophersendusagoodday!"

"JohnBall，"saidI，"Ihavetoldtheethatthydeathwillbringaboutthatwhichthylifehasstrivenfor：thinkestthouthatthethingwhichthoustrivestforisworththelabour？ordostthoubelieveinthetaleIhavetoldtheeofthedaystocome？"

Hesaid："ItelltheeonceagainthatItrusttheeforaseer；

becausenomancouldmakeupsuchataleasthou；thethingswhichthoutellestaretoowonderfulforaminstrel，thetaletoogrievous。AndwhereasthouaskestastowhetherIcountmylabourlost，Isaynay；ifsobethatinthoselattertimes（andworserthanourstheywillbe）menshallyetseekaremedy：

thereforeagainIaskthee，isitsothattheyshall？"

"Yea，"saidI，"andtheirremedyshallbethesameasthine，althoughthedaysbedifferent：forifthefolkbeenthralled，whatremedysavethattheybesetfree？andiftheyhavetriedmanyroadstowardsfreedom，andfoundthattheyledno—whither，thenshalltheytryyetanother。Yetinthedaystocometheyshallbeslothfultotryit，becausetheirmastersshallbesomuchmightierthanthine，thattheyshallnotneedtoshowthehighhand，anduntilthedaysgettotheirevilest，menshallbecozenedintothinkingthatitisoftheirownfreewillthattheymustneedsbuyleavetolabourbypawningtheirlabourthatistobe。Moreover，yourlordsandmastersseemverymightytoyou，eachoneofthem，andsotheyare，buttheyarefew；andthemastersofthedaystocomeshallnoteachoneofthemseemverymightytothemenofthosedays，buttheyshallbeverymany，andtheyshallbeofoneintentinthesematterswithoutknowingit；

likeasoneseestheoarsofagalleywhentherowersarehidden，thatriseandfallasitwerewithonewill。"

"Andyet，"hesaid，"shallitnotbethesamewiththosethatthesemendevour？shallnottheyalsohaveonewill？"

"Friend，"Isaid，"theyshallhavethewilltolive，asthewretchedestthinglivinghas：thereforeshalltheysellthemselvesthattheymaylive，asItoldthee；andtheirhardneedshallbetheirlord’seasylivelihood，andbecauseofitheshallsleepwithoutfear，sincetheirneedcompelleththemnottoloiterbythewaytolamentwithfriendorbrotherthattheyarepinchedintheirservitude，ortodevisemeansforendingit。

Andyetindeedthousayestit：theyalsoshallhaveonewilliftheybutknewit：butforalongwhiletheyshallhavebutaglimmerofknowledgeofit：yetdoubtitnotthatintheendtheyshallcometoknowitclearly，andthenshalltheybringabouttheremedy；andinthosedaysshallitbeseenthatthouhastnotwroughtfornothing，becausethouhastseenbeforehandwhattheremedyshouldbe，evenasthoseoflaterdayshaveseenit。"

Webothsatsilentalittlewhile。Thetwilightwasgainingonthenight，thoughslowly。IlookedatthepoppywhichIstillheldinmyhand，andbethoughtmeofWillGreen，andsaid：

"Lo，howthelightisspreading：nowmustIgetmebacktoWillGreen’shouseasIpromised。"

"Go，then，"saidhe，"ifthouwilt。Yetmeseemsbeforelongheshallcometous；andthenmaystthousleepamongthetreesonthegreengrasstillthesunishigh，forthehostshallnotbeonfootveryearly；andsweetitistosleepinshadowbythesuninthefullmorningwhenonehasbeenawakeandtroubledthroughthenight—tide。"

"YetIwillgonow，"saidI；"Ibidtheegood—night，orrathergood—morrow。"

TherewithIhalfroseup；butasIdidsothewilltodepartleftmeasthoughIhadneverhadit，andIsatdownagain，andheardthevoiceofJohnBall，atfirstasonespeakingfromfaraway，butlittlebylittlegrowingnearerandmorefamiliartome，andasifoncemoreitwerecomingfromthemanhimselfwhomIhadgottoknow。

CHAPTERXII

ILLWOULDCHANGEBEATWHILESWERE

ITNOTFORTHECHANGEBEYONDTHE

CHANGE

Hesaid："ManystrangethingshastthoutoldmethatIcouldnotunderstand；yea，somemywitsofailedtocompass，thatIcannotsomuchasasktheequestionsconcerningthem；butofsomematterswouldIaskthee，andImusthasten，forinverysooththenightiswornoldandgrey。Whereasthousayestthatinthedaystocome，whenthereshallbenolabouringmenwhoarenotthrallsaftertheirnewfashion，thattheirlordsshallbemanyandverymany，itseemethtomethatthesesamelords，iftheybemany，shallhardlyberich，orbutveryfewofthem，sincetheymustverilyfeedandclotheandhousetheirthralls，sothatthatwhichtheytakefromthem，sinceitwillhavetobedealtoutamongstmany，willnotbeenoughtomakemanyrich；

sinceoutofonemanyemaygetbutoneman’swork；andpinchhimneversosorely，stillasaforesaidyemaynotpinchhimsosorelyasnottofeedhim。Therefore，thoughtheeyesofmymindmayseeafewlordsandmanyslaves，yetcantheynotseemanylordsaswellasmanyslaves；andiftheslavesbemanyandthelordsfew，thensomedayshalltheslavesmakeanendofthatmasterybytheforceoftheirbodies。Howthenshallthymastershipofthelatterdaysendure？"

"JohnBall，"saidI，"mastershiphathmanyshiftswherebyitstrivethtokeepitselfaliveintheworld。Andnowhearamarvel：whereasthousayestthesetwotimesthatoutofonemanyemaygetbutoneman’swork，indaystocomeonemanshalldotheworkofahundredmen——yea，ofathousandormore：andthisistheshiftofmastershipthatshallmakemanymastersandmanyrichmen。"

JohnBalllaughed。"Greatismyharvestofriddlesto—night，"

saidhe；"forevenifamansleepnot，andeatanddrinkwhileheisa—working，yeshallbutmaketwomen，orthreeatthemost，outofhim。"

SaidI："Sawestthoueveraweaverathisloom？"

"Yea，"saidhe，"manyatime。"

Hewassilentalittle，andthensaid："YetImarvellednotatit；butnowImarvel，becauseIknowwhatthouwouldstsay。Timewaswhentheshuttlewasthrustinandoutofallthethousandthreadsofthewarp，anditwaslongtodo；butnowthespring—

stavesgoupanddownastheman’sfeetmove，andthisandthatleafofthewarpcomethforwardandtheshuttlegoethinoneshotthroughallthethousandwarps。Yea，soitisthatthismultipliethamanmanytimes。Butlookyou，heissomultipliedalready；andsohathhebeen，meseemeth，formanyhundredyears。"

"Yea，"saidI，"butwhathithertoneededthemasterstomultiplyhimmore？Formanyhundredyearstheworkmanwasathrallboughtandsoldatthecross；andforotherhundredsofyearshehathbeenavillein——thatis，aworking—beastandapartofthestockofthemanoronwhichheliveth；butthenthouandthelikeoftheeshallfreehim，andthenismastershipputtoitsshifts；

forwhatshouldavailthemasterythen，whenthemasternolongerowneththemanbylawashischattel，noranylongerbylawownethhimasstockofhisland，ifthemasterhathnotthatwhichheonwhomhelivethmaynotlackandlivewithal，andcannothavewithoutsellinghimself？"

Hesaidnothing，butIsawhisbrowknittedandhislipspressedtogetherasthoughinanger；andagainIsaid：

"Thouhastseentheweaverathisloom：thinkhowitshouldbeifhesitnolongerbeforethewebandcasttheshuttleanddrawhomethesley，butiftheshedopenofitselfandtheshuttleofitselfspeedthroughitasswiftastheeyecanfollow，andthesleycomehomeofitself；andtheweaverstandingbyandwhistlingTheHunt’sUp!thewhile，orlookingtohalf—a—dozenloomsandbiddingthemwhattodo。Andaswiththeweaversowiththepotter，andthesmith，andeveryworkerinmetals，andallothercrafts，thatitshallbeforthemlookingonandtending，aswiththemanthatsittethinthecartwhilethehorsedraws。Yea，atlastsoshallitbeevenwiththosewhoaremerehusbandmen；andnolongershallthereaperfareafieldinthemorningwithhishookoverhisshoulder，andsmiteandbindandsmiteagaintillthesunisdownandthemoonisup；butheshalldrawathingmadebymenintothefieldwithoneortwohorses，andshallsaythewordandthehorsesshallgoupanddown，andthethingshallreapandgatherandbind，anddotheworkofmanymen。Imagineallthisinthymindifthoucanst，atleastasyemayimagineataleofenchantmenttoldbyaminstrel，andthentellmewhatshouldstthoudeemthatthelifeofmenwouldbeamidstallthis，mensuchasthesemenofthetownshiphere，orthemenoftheCanterburygilds。"

"Yea，"saidhe；"butbeforeItelltheemythoughtsofthytaleofwonder，Iwouldasktheethis：Inthosedayswhenmenworksoeasily，surelytheyshallmakemorewaresthantheycanuseinonecountryside，oronegoodtown，whereasinanother，wherethingshavenotgoneaswell，theyshallhavelessthantheyneed；andevensoitiswithusnow，andthereofcomethscarcityandfamine；andifpeoplemaynotcomeateachother’sgoods，itavaileththewholelandlittlethatonecountry—sidehathmorethanenoughwhileanotherhathless；forthegoodsshallabidethereinthestorehousesoftherichplacetilltheyperish。Soifthatbesointhedaysofwonderyetellof（andI

seenothowitcanbeotherwise），thenshallmenbebutlittleholpenbymakingalltheirwaressoeasilyandwithsolittlelabour。"

Ismiledagainandsaid："Yea，butitshallnotbeso；notonlyshallmenbemultipliedahundredandathousandfold，butthedistanceofoneplacefromanothershallbeasnothing；sothatthewareswhichliereadyformarketinDurhamintheeveningmaybeinLondononthemorrowmorning；andthemenofWalesmayeatcornofEssexandthemenofEssexwearwoolofWales；sothat，sofarastheflittingofgoodstomarketgoes，allthelandshallbeasoneparish。Nay，whatsayI？Notastothislandonlyshallitbeso，buteventheIndies，andfarcountriesofwhichthouknowestnot，shallbe，sotosay，ateveryman’sdoor，andwareswhichnowyeaccountpreciousanddear—bought，shallthenbecommonthingsboughtandsoldforlittlepriceateveryhuckster’sstall。Saythen，John，shallnotthosedaysbemerry，andplentifulofeaseandcontentmentforallmen？"

"Brother，"saidhe，"meseemethsomedolefulmockeryliethunderthesejoyfultidingsofthine；sincethouhastalreadypartlytoldmetomysadbewildermentwhatthelifeofmanshallbeinthosedays。YetwillInowforalittlesetallthatasidetoconsiderthystrangetaleasofaminstrelfromoversea，evenasthoubiddestme。ThereforeIsay，thatifmenstillabidemenasIhaveknownthem，andunlessthesefolkofEnglandchangeas，thelandchangeth——andforsoothofthemen，forgoodandforevil，IcanthinknootherthanIthinknow，orbeholdthemotherthanIhaveknownthemandlovedthem——Isayifthemenbestillmen，whatwillhappenexceptthatthereshouldbeallplentyintheland，andnotonepoormantherein，unlessofhisownfreewillhechoosetolackandbepoor，asamaninreligionorsuchlike；fortherewouldthenbesuchabundanceofallgoodthings，that，asgreedyasthelordsmightbe，therewouldbeenoughtosatisfytheirgreedandyetleavegoodlivingforallwholabouredwiththeirhands；sothattheseshouldlabourfarlessthannow，andtheywouldhavetimetolearnknowledge，sothatthereshouldbenolearnedorunlearned，forallshouldbelearned；andtheywouldhavetimealsotolearnhowtoorderthemattersoftheparishandthehundred，andoftheparliamentoftherealm，sothatthekingshouldtakenomorethanhisown；andtoordertheruleoftherealm，sothatallmen，richandunrich，shouldhaveparttherein；andsobyundoingofevillawsandmakingofgoodones，thatfashionwouldcometoanendwhereofthouspeakest，thatrichmenmakelawsfortheirownbehoof；fortheyshouldnolongerbeabletodothuswhenallhadpartinmakingthelaws；wherebyitwouldsooncomeaboutthattherewouldbenomenrichandtyrannous，butallshouldhaveenoughandtospareoftheincreaseoftheearthandtheworkoftheirownhands。Yeasurely，brother，ifeveritcomethaboutthatmenshallbeabletomakethings，andnotmen，workfortheirsuperfluities，andthatthelengthoftravelfromoneplacetoanotherbemadeofnoaccount，andalltheworldbeamarketforalltheworld，thenallshallliveinhealthandwealth；andenvyandgrudgingshallperish。Forthenshallwehaveconqueredtheearthanditshallbeenough；andthenshallthekingdomofheavenbecomedowntotheearthinverydeed。Whylookestthousosadandsorry？whatsayestthou？"

Isaid："HastthouforgottenalreadywhatItoldthee，thatinthoselatterdaysamanwhohathnoughtsavehisownbody（andsuchmenshallbefarthemostofmen）mustneedspawnhislabourforleavetolabour？Cansuchamanbewealthy？Hastthounotcalledhimathrall？"

"Yea，"hesaid；"buthowcouldIdeemthatsuchthingscouldbewhenthosedaysshouldbecomewhereinmencouldmakethingsworkforthem？"

"Poorman!"saidI。"Learnthatinthoseverydays，whenitshallbewiththemakingofthingsaswiththecarterinthecart，thattherehesittethandshakeththereinsandthehorsedrawethandthecartgoeth；inthosedays，Itellthee，manymenshallbeaspoorandwretchedalways，yearbyyear，astheyarewiththeewhenthereisfamineintheland；norshallanyhaveplentyandsuretyoflivelihoodsavethosethatshallsitbyandlookonwhileotherslabour；andthese，Itellthee，shallbeamany，sothattheyshallseetothemakingofalllaws，andintheirhandsshallbeallpower，andthelabourersshallthinkthattheycannotdowithoutthesementhatlivebyrobbingthem，andshallpraisethemandwellnighpraytothemasyepraytothesaints，andthebestworshippedmaninthelandshallbehewhobyforestallingandregratinghathgottentohimthemostmoney。"

"Yea，"saidhe，"andshalltheywhoseethemselvesrobbedworshiptherobber？Thenindeedshallmenbechangedfromwhattheyarenow，andtheyshallbesluggards，dolts，andcowardsbeyondalltheearthhathyetborne。SucharenotthemenIhaveknowninmylife—days，andthatnowIloveinmydeath。"

"Nay，"Isaid，"buttherobberyshalltheynotsee；forhaveInottoldtheethattheyshallholdthemselvestobefreemen？

Andforwhy？Iwilltellthee：butfirsttellmehowitfareswithmennow；maythelabouringmanbecomealord？"

Hesaid："Thethinghathbeenseenthatchurlshaverisenfromthedortoirofthemonasterytotheabbot’schairandthebishop’sthrone；yetnotoften；andwhileshathaboldsergeantbecomeawisecaptain，andtheyhavemadehimsquireandknight；

andyetbutveryseldom。AndnowIsupposethouwilttellmethattheChurchwillopenherarmswidertothispoorpeople，andthatmanythroughhershallriseintolordship。Butwhatavaileththat？NoughtwereittomeiftheAbbotofSt。Alban’swithhisgoldenmitresittingguardedbyhisknightsandsergeants，orthePriorofMertonwithhishawksandhishounds，hadoncebeenpoormen，iftheywerenowtyrantsofpoormen；norwoulditbetterthematterifthereweretentimesasmanyHousesofReligioninthelandasnoware，andeachwithachurl’ssonforabbotorprioroverit。"

Ismiledandsaid："Comfortthyself；forinthosedaysshalltherebeneitherabbeynorprioryintheland，normonksnorfriars，noranyreligious。"（HestartedasIspoke。）"Butthouhasttoldmethathardlyinthesedaysmayapoormanrisetobealord：nowItelltheethatinthedaystocomepoormenshallbeabletobecomelordsandmastersanddo—nothings；andoftwillitbeseenthattheyshalldoso；anditshallbeevenforthatcausethattheireyesshallbeblindedtotherobbingofthemselvesbyothers，becausetheyshallhopeintheirsoulsthattheymayeachlivetorobothers：andthisshallbetheverysafeguardofallruleandlawinthosedays。"

"NowamIsorrierthanthouhastyetmademe，"saidhe；"forwhenoncethisisestablished，howthencanitbechanged？

Strongshallbethetyrannyofthelatterdays。Andnowmeseems，ifthousayestsooth，thistimeoftheconquestoftheearthshallnotbringheavendowntotheearth，aserstIdeemeditwould，butratherthatitshallbringhellupontotheearth。

Woe’sme，brother，forthysadandwearyforetelling!Andyetsaidstthouthatthemenofthosedayswouldseekaremedy。

Canstthouyettellme，brother，whatthatremedyshallbe，lestthesunriseuponmemadehopelessbythytaleofwhatistobe？

And，loyou，soonshallsheriseupontheearth。"

Intruththedawnwaswideningnow，andthecolourscomingintothepicturesonwallandinwindow；andaswellasIcouldseethroughthevariedglazingoftheselast（andonewindowbeforemehadasyetnothingbutwhiteglassinit），theruddyglow，whichhadbutsolittleawhilequitediedoutinthewest，wasnowbeginningtogatherintheeast——thenewdaywasbeginning。IlookedatthepoppythatIstillcarriedinmyhand，anditseemedtometohavewitheredanddwindled。Ifeltanxioustospeaktomycompanionandtellhimmuch，andwithalI

feltthatImusthasten，orforsomereasonorotherIshouldbetoolate；soIspokeatlastloudandhurriedly：

"JohnBall，beofgoodcheer；foroncemorethouknowest，asI

know，thattheFellowshipofMenshallendure，howevermanytribulationsitmayhavetowearthrough。Lookyou，awhileagowasthelightbrightaboutus；butitwasbecauseofthemoon，andthenightwasdeepnotwithstanding，andwhenthemoonlightwanedanddied，andtherewasbutalittleglimmerinplaceofthebrightlight，yetwastheworldgladbecauseallthingsknewthattheglimmerwasofdayandnotofnight。Loyou，animageofthetimestobetidethehopeoftheFellowshipofMen。

Yetforsooth，itmaywellbethatthisbrightdayofsummerwhichisnowdawninguponusisnoimageofthebeginningofthedaythatshallbe；butrathershallthatday—dawnbecoldandgreyandsurly；andyetbyitslightshallmenseethingsastheyverilyare，andnolongerenchantedbythegleamofthemoonandtheglamourofthedream—tide。Bysuchgreylightshallwisemenandvaliantsoulsseetheremedy，anddealwithit，arealthingthatmaybetouchedandhandled，andnogloryoftheheavenstobeworshippedfromafaroff。Andwhatshallitbe，asItoldtheebefore，savethatmenshallbedeterminedtobefree；yea，freeasthouwouldsthavethem，whenthinehoperisesthehighest，andthouartthinkingnotoftheking’suncles，andpoll—groatbailiffs，andthevilleinageofEssex，butoftheendofall，whenmenshallhavethefruitsoftheearthandthefruitsoftheirtoilthereon，withoutmoneyandwithoutprice。Thetimeshallcome，JohnBall，whenthatdreamofthinethatthisshallonedaybe，shallbeathingthatmenshalltalkofsoberly，andasathingsoontocomeabout，asevenwiththeetheytalkofthevilleinsbecomingtenantspayingtheirlordquit—rent；therefore，hastthoudonewelltohopeit；and，ifthouheedestthisalso，asIsupposethouheedestitlittle，thynameshallabidebythyhopeinthosedaystocome，andthoushaltnotbeforgotten。"

Iheardhisvoicecomeoutofthetwilight，scarcelyseeinghim，thoughnowthelightwasgrowingfast，ashesaid：

"Brother，thougivestmeheartagain；yetsincenowIwotwellthatthouartasendingfromfar—offtimesandfar—offthings：

tellthou，ifthoumayest，toamanwhoisgoingtohisdeathhowthisshallcomeabout。"

"OnlythismayItellthee"saidI；"tothee，whenthoudidsttrytoconceiveofthem，thewaysofthedaystocomeseemedfolliesscarcetobethoughtof；yetshalltheycometobefamiliarthings，andanorderbywhicheverymanliveth，illasheliveth，sothatmenshalldeemofthem，thatthusithathbeensincethebeginningoftheworld，andthatthusitshallbewhiletheworldendureth；andinthiswisesoshalltheybethoughtofalongwhile；andthecomplaintofthepoortherichmanshallheed，evenasmuchandnomoreashewholiethinpleasureunderthelime—treesinthesummerheedeththemurmurofhistoilingbees。Yetintimeshallthisalsogrowold，anddoubtshallcreepin，becausemenshallscarcebeabletolivebythatorder，andthecomplaintofthepoorshallbehearkened，nolongerasatalenotutterlygrievous，butasathreatofruin，andafear。

Thenshallthesethings，whichtotheeseemfollies，andtothemenbetweentheeandmemerewisdomandthebondofstability，seemfolliesonceagain；yet，whereasmenhavesolonglivedbythem，theyshallclingtothemyetfromblindnessandfromfear；andthosethatsee，andthathavethusmuchconqueredfearthattheyarefurtheringtherealtimethatcomethandnotthedreamthatfaileth，thesemenshalltheblindandthefearfulmockandmissay，andtormentandmurder：andgreatandgrievousshallbethestrifeinthosedays，andmanythefailuresofthewise，andtoooftsoreshallbethedespairofthevaliant；andback—sliding，anddoubt，andcontestbetweenfriendsandfellowslackingtimeinthehubbubtounderstandeachother，shallgrievemanyheartsandhindertheHostoftheFellowship：yetshallallbringabouttheend，tillthydeemingoffollyandoursshallbeone，andthyhopeandourhope；andthen——theDaywillhavecome。"

OncemoreIheardthevoiceofJohnBall："Now，brother，Isayfarewell；fornowverilyhaththeDayoftheEarthcome，andthouandIarelonelyofeachotheragain；thouhastbeenadreamtomeasItothee，andsorryandgladhavewemadeeachother，astalesofoldtimeandthelongingoftimestocomeshallevermakementobe。Igotolifeandtodeath，andleavethee；andscarcedoIknowwhethertowishtheesomedreamofthedaysbeyondthinetotellwhatshallbe，asthouhasttoldme，forI

knownotifthatshallhelporhinderthee；butsincewehavebeenkindandveryfriends，Iwillnotleavetheewithoutawishofgood—will，soatleastIwishtheewhatthouthyselfwishestforthyself，andthatishopefulstrifeandblamelesspeace，whichistosayinoneword，life。Farewell，friend。"

Forsomelittletime，althoughIhadknownthatthedaylightwasgrowingandwhatwasaroundme，IhadscarceseenthethingsI

hadbeforenotedsokeenly；butnowinaflashIsawall——theeastcrimsonwithsunrisethroughthewhitewindowonmyrighthand；therichly—carvedstallsandgildedscreenwork，thepicturesonthewalls，thelovelinessofthefaultlesscolourofthemosaicwindowlights，thealtarandtheredlightoveritlookingstrangeinthedaylight，andthebierswiththehiddendeadmenuponthemthatlaybeforethehighaltar。Agreatpainfilledmyheartatthesightofallthatbeauty，andwithalI

heardquickstepscomingupthepavedchurch—pathtotheporch，andtheloudwhistleofasweetoldtunetherewith；thenthefootstepsstoppedatthedoor；Iheardthelatchrattle，andknewthatWillGreen’shandwasontheringofit。

ThenIstrovetoriseup，butfellbackagain；awhitelight，emptyofallsights，brokeuponmeforamoment，andloIbehold，Iwaslyinginmyfamiliarbed，thesouth—westerlygalerattlingtheVenetianblindsandmakingtheirhold—fastssqueak。

Igotuppresently，andgoingtothewindowlookedoutonthewintermorning；theriverwasbeforemebroadbetweenouterbankandbank，butitwasnearlydeadebb，andtherewasawidespaceofmudoneachsideofthehurryingstream，drivenonthefasterasitseemedbythepushofthesouth—westwind。Ontheothersideofthewaterthefewwillow—treesleftusbytheThamesConservancylookeddoubtfullyaliveagainstthebleakskyandtherowofwretched—lookingblue—slatedhouses，although，bytheway，thelatterwerethebacksofasortofstreetof"villas"andnotaslum；theroadinfrontofthehousewassootyandmuddyatonce，andintheairwasthatsenseofdirtydiscomfortwhichoneisneverquitofinLondon。Themorningwasharsh，too，andthoughthewindwasfromthesouth—westitwasascoldasanorthwind；andyetamidstitall，IthoughtofthecornerofthenextbightoftheriverwhichIcouldnotquiteseefromwhereIwas，butoverwhichonecanseeclearofhousesandintoRichmondPark，lookingliketheopencountry；anddirtyastheriverwas，andharshaswastheJanuarywind，theyseemedtowoometowardthecountry—side，whereawayfromthemiseriesofthe"GreatWen"ImightofmyownwillcarryonadaydreamofthefriendsIhadmadeinthedreamofthenightandagainstmywill。

ButasIturnedawayshiveringanddownhearted，onasuddencamethefrightfulnoiseofthe"hooters，"oneaftertheother，thatcalltheworkmentothefactories，thisonetheafter—breakfastone，morebytoken。SoIgrinnedsurlily，anddressedandgotreadyformyday’s"work"asIcallit，butwhichmanyamanbesidesJohnRuskin（thoughnotmanyinhisposition）wouldcall"play。"

EndofADreamofJohnBall

AKING’SLESSON

ItistoldofMatthiasCorvinus，kingofHungary——theAlfredtheGreatofhistimeandpeople——thatheonceheard（onceONLY？）

thatsome（onlySOME，mylad？）ofhispeasantswereover—

workedandunder—fed。SohesentforhisCouncil，andbadecometheretoalsosomeofthemayorsofthegoodtowns，andsomeofthelordsoflandandtheirbailiffs，andaskedthemofthetruththereof；andindiversewaystheyalltoldoneandthesametale，howthepeasantcarleswerestoutandwellabletoworkandhadenoughandtospareofmeatanddrink，seeingthattheywerebutchurls；andhowiftheyworkednotattheleastashardastheydid，itwouldbeillforthemandillfortheirlords；forthatthemorethechurlhaththemoreheasketh；andthatwhenheknowethwealth，heknoweththelackofitalso，asitfaredwithourfirstparentsintheGardenofGod。TheKingsatandsaidbutlittlewhiletheyspake，buthemisdoubtedthemthattheywereliars。SotheCouncilbrakeupwithnothingdone；buttheKingtookthemattertoheart，being，askingsgo，ajustman，besidesbeingmorevaliantthantheymostlywere，evenintheoldfeudaltime。Sowithintwoorthreedays，saysthetale，hecalledtogethersuchlordsandcouncillorsashedeemedfittest，andbadebuskthemforaride；andwhentheywerereadyheandtheysetout，overroughandsmooth，deckedoutinallthegloryofattirewhichwasthewontofthosedays。Thustheyrodetilltheycametosomevillageorthorpeofthepeasantfolk，andthroughittothevineyardswheremenwereworkingonthesunnysouthernslopesthatwentupfromtheriver：mytaledoesnotsaywhetherthatwereTheiss，orDonau，orwhatriver。Well，Ijudgeitwaslatespringorearlysummer，andthevinesbutjustbeginningtoshowtheirgrapes；forthevintageislateinthoselands，andsomeofthegrapesarenotgatheredtillthefirstfrostshavetouchedthem，wherebythewinemadefromthemisthestrongerandsweeter。Anyhowtherewerethepeasants，menandwomen，boysandyoungmaidens，toilingandswinking；somehoeingbetweenthevine—rows，somebearingbasketsofdungupthesteepslopes，someinoneway，someinanother，labouringforthefruittheyshouldnevereat，andthewinetheyshouldneverdrink。

TheretoturnedtheKingandgotoffhishorseandbegantoclimbupthestonyridgesofthevineyard，andhislordsinlikemannerfollowedhim，wonderingintheirheartswhatwastoward；buttotheonewhowasfollowingnextafterhimheturnedaboutandsaidwithasmile，"Yea，lords，thisisanewgameweareplayingto—

day，andanewknowledgewillcomefromit。"Andthelordsmiled，butsomewhatsourly。

Asforthepeasants，greatwastheirfearofthosegayandgoldenlords。IjudgethattheydidnotknowtheKing，sinceitwaslittlelikelythatanyoneofthemhadseenhisface；andtheyknewofhimbutastheGreatFather，themightywarriorwhokepttheTurkfromharryingtheirthorpe。Though，forsooth，littlematterwasittoanymantherewhetherTurkorMagyarwastheirover—lord，sincetoonemasteroranothertheyhadtopaytheduetaleoflabouringdaysintheyear，andhardwasthelivelihoodthattheyearnedforthemselvesonthedayswhentheyworkedforthemselvesandtheirwivesandchildren。

Well，beliketheyknewnottheKing；butamidstthoserichlordstheysawandknewtheirownlord，andofhimtheyweresoreafraid。Butnoughtitavailedthemtofleeawayfromthosestrongmenandstronghorses——theywhohadbeentoilingfrombeforetherisingofthesun，andnowitwantedlittlemorethananhourofnoon：besides，withtheKingandlordswasaguardofcrossbowmen，whowerelefttheothersideofthevineyardwall，——keen—eyedItaliansofthemountains，straightshootersofthebolt。Sothepoorfolkflednot；naytheymadeasifallthiswerenoneoftheirbusiness，andwentonwiththeirwork。Forindeedeachmansaidtohimself，"IfIbetheonethatisnotslain，to—morrowIshalllackbreadifIdonotworkmyhardestto—day；andmaybeIshallbeheadmanifsomeofthesebeslainandIlive。"

NowcomestheKingamongstthemandsays："Goodfellows，whichofyouistheheadman？"

Spakeaman，sturdyandsunburnt，welloninyearsandgrizzled：

"Iamtheheadman，lord。"

"Givemethyhoe，then，"saystheKing；"fornowshallIorderthismattermyself，sincetheselordsdesireanewgame，andarefaintoworkundermeatvine—dressing。ButdothoustandbymeandsetmerightifIorderthemwrong：buttherestofyougoplay!"

Thecarleknewnotwhattothink，andlettheKingstandwithhishandstretchedout，whilehelookedaskanceathisownlordandbaron，whowaggedhisheadathimgrimlyasonewhosays，"Doit，dog!"

ThenthecarleletsthehoecomeintotheKing’shand；andtheKingfallsto，andordershislordsforvine—dressing，toeachhisdueshareofthework：andwhilesthecarlesaidyeaandwhilesnaytohisordering。Andthenyeshouldhaveseenvelvetcloakscastoff，andmantlesoffineFlemishscarletgotothedustyearth；asthelordsandknightsbuskedthemtothework。

Sotheybuckledto；andtomostofthemitseemedgoodgametoplayatvine—dressing。Butonetherewaswho，whenhisscarletcloakwasoff，stoodupinadoubletofgloriousPersianwebofgoldandsilk，suchasmenmakenotnow，worthahundredflorinstheBremenell。UntohimtheKingwithnosmileonhisfacegavethejoboftoingandfroingupanddownthehillwiththebiggestandthefrailestdung—basketthattherewas；andthereatthesilkenlordscrewedupagrin，thatwassporttosee，andallthelordslaughed；andasheturnedawayhesaid，yetsothatnoneheardhim，"DoIservethisson’ssonofawhorethatheshouldbidmecarrydung？"ForyoumustknowthattheKing’sfather，JohnHunyad，oneofthegreatwarriorsoftheworld，theHammeroftheTurks，wasnotgotteninwedlock，thoughhewereaking’sson。

Well，theyspedtheworkbravelyforawhile，andloudwasthelaughterasthehoessmotetheearthandtheflintstonestinkledandthecloudofdustroseup；thebrocadeddung—bearerwentupanddown，cursingandswearingbytheWhiteGodandtheBlack；

andonewouldsaytoanother，"Seeyehowgentlebloodoutgoeschurls’blood，evenwhenthegentledoesthechurl’swork：theselazyloonssmotebutonestroketoourthree。"ButtheKing，whoworkednoworsethanany，laughednotatall；andmeanwhilethepoorfolkstoodby，notdaringtospeakawordonetotheother；

fortheywerestillsoreafraid，notnowofbeingslainonthespot，butthisratherwasintheirhearts："Thesegreatandstronglordsandknightshavecometoseewhatworkamanmaydowithoutdying：ifwearetohaveyetmoredaysaddedtoouryear’staleoflords’labour，thenarewelostwithoutremedy。"

Andtheirheartssankwithinthem。

Sospedthework；andthesunroseyethigherintheheavens，anditwasnoonandmore。Andnowtherewasnomorelaughteramongthosetoilinglords，andthestrokesofthehoeandmattockcamefarslower，whilethedung—bearersatdownatthebottomofthehillandlookedoutontheriver；buttheKingyetworkedondoggedly，soforshametheotherlordsyetkeptatit。TillatlastthenextmantotheKinglethishoedropwithaclatter，andsworeagreatoath。Nowhewasastrongblack—beardedmanintheprimeoflife，avaliantcaptainofthatfamousBlackBandthathadsooftenrenttheTurkisharray；andtheKinglovedhimforhissturdyvalour；sohesaystohim，"Isaughtwrong，Captain？"

"Nay，lord，"sayshe，"asktheheadmancarleyonderwhatailsus。"

"Headman，"saystheKing，"whatailsthesestrongknights？HaveIorderedthemwrongly？"

"Nay，butshirkingailsthem，lord，"sayshe，"fortheyareweary；andnowonder，fortheyhavebeenplayinghard，andareofgentleblood。"

"Isthatso，lord，"saystheKing，"thatyearewearyalready？"

Thentheresthungtheirheadsandsaidnought，allsavethatcaptainofwar；andhesaid，beingaboldmanandnoliar：

"King，Iseewhatthouwouldstbeat；thouhastbroughtusheretopreachusasermonfromthatPlatoofthine；andtosaysooth，sothatImayswinknomore，andgoeatmydinner，nowpreachthyworst!Nay，ifthouwiltbepriestIwillbethydeacon。WiltthouthatIaskthislabouringcarleathingortwo？"

"Yea，"saidtheKing。Andtherecame，asitwere，acloudofthoughtoverhisface。

Thenthecaptainstraddledhislegsandlookedbig，andsaidtothecarle："Goodfellow，howlonghavewebeenworkinghere？"

"Twohoursorthereabout，judgingbythesunaboveus，"sayshe。

"Andhowmuchofthyworkhavewedoneinthatwhile？"saysthecaptain，andwinkshiseyeathimwithal。

"Lord，"saysthecarle，grinningalittledespitehimself，"benotwrothwithmyword。Inthefirsthalf—houryedidfive—and—

fortyminutes’workofours，andinthenexthalf—hourscantathirtyminutes’work，andthethirdhalf—hourafifteenminutes’

work，andinthefourthhalf—hourtwominutes’work。"Thegrinnowhadfadedfromhisface，butagleamcameintohiseyesashesaid："Andnow，asIsuppose，yourday’sworkisdone，andyewillgotoyourdinner，andeatthesweetanddrinkthestrong；

andweshalleatalittlerye—bread，andthenbeworkingheretillafterthesunhassetandthemoonhasbeguntocastshadows。Nowforyou，Iwotnothowyeshallsleepnorwhere，norwhatwhitebodyyeshallholdinyourarmswhilethenightflitsandthestarsshine；butforus，whilethestarsyetshine，shallwebeatitagain，andbethinkyeforwhat!Iknownotwhatgameandplayyeshallbedevisingforto—morrowasyeridebackhome；butforuswhenwecomebackhereto—morrow，itshallbeasiftherehadbeennoyesterdayandnothingdonetherein，andthatworkofthatto—dayshallbenoughttousalso，forweshallwinnorespitefromourtoilthereby，andthemorrowofto—morrowwillallbetobeginagainoncemore，andsoonandontillnoto—morrowabidethus。Therefore，ifyearethinkingtolaysomenewtaxortaleuponus，thinktwiceofit，forwemaynotbearit。AndallthisIsaywiththelessfear，becauseIperceivethismanherebesideme，intheblackvelvetjerkinandthegoldchainonhisneck，istheKing；nordoIthinkhewillslaymeformywordsincehehathsomanyaTurkbeforehimandhismightysword!"

Thensaidthecaptain："ShallIsmitetheman，OKing？orhathhepreachedthysermonforthee？"

"Smitenot，forhehathpreachedit，"saidtheKing。"Hearkentothecarle’ssermon，lordsandcouncillorsofmine!Yetwhenanotherhathspokenourthought，otherthoughtsareborntherefrom，andnowhaveIanothersermontopreach；butIwillrefrainmeasnow。Letusdownandtoourdinner。"

Sotheywent，theKingandhisgentles，andsatdownbytheriverundertherustleofthepoplars，andtheyateanddrankandweremerry。AndtheKingbadebearupthebrokenmeatstothevine—

dressers，andagooddraughtofthearcher’swine，andtotheheadmanhegaveabroadgoldpiece，andtoeachmanthreesilverpennies。Butwhenthepoorfolkhadallthatundertheirhands，itwastothemasthoughthekingdomofheavenhadcomedowntoearth。

InthecooloftheeveninghomerodetheKingandhislords。TheKingwasdistraughtandsilent；butatlastthecaptain，whorodebesidehim，saidtohim："Preachmenowthineafter—sermon，OKing!"

"Ithinkthouknowestitalready，"saidtheKing，"elsehadstthounotspokeninsuchwisetothecarle；buttellmewhatisthycraftandthecraftofallthese，wherebyyelive，asthepotterbymakingpots，andsoforth？"

Saidthecaptain："Asthepotterlivesbymakingpots，sowelivebyrobbingthepoor。"

AgainsaidtheKing："Andmytrade？"

Saidhe，"Thytradeistobeakingofsuchthieves，yetnoworserthantherest。"

TheKinglaughed。

"Bearthatinmind，"saidhe，"andthenshallItelltheemythoughtwhileyondercarlespake。`Carle，’Ithought，`wereI

thouorsuchasthou，thenwouldItakeinmyhandaswordoraspear，orwereitonlyahedge—stake，andbidothersdothelike，andforthwouldwego；andsincewewouldbesomany，andwithnoughttolosesaveamiserablelife，wewoulddobattleandprevail，andmakeanendofthecraftofkingsandoflordsandofusurers，andthereshouldbebutonecraftintheworld，towit，toworkmerrilyforourselvesandtolivemerrilythereby。’"

Saidthecaptain："Thisthenisthysermon。Whowillheeditifthoupreachit？"

SaidtheKing："Theywhowilltakethemadkingandputhiminaking’smadhouse，thereforedoIforbeartopreachit。YetitSHALLbepreached。"

"Andnotheeded，"saidthecaptain，"savebythosewhoheadandhangthesettersforthofnewthingsthataregoodfortheworld。

Ourtradeissafeformanyanmanyageneration。"

AndtherewiththeycametotheKing’spalace，andtheyateanddrankandsleptandtheworldwentonitsways。