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diff --git a/34796-8.txt b/34796-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0c43489 --- /dev/null +++ b/34796-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,19179 @@ +Project Gutenberg's William Shakespeare as he lived., by Henry Curling + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: William Shakespeare as he lived. + An Historical Tale + +Author: Henry Curling + +Release Date: December 30, 2010 [EBook #34796] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE AS HE LIVED. *** + + + + +Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Mary Meehan and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net +(This file was made using scans of public domain works +from the University of Michigan Digital Libraries.) + + + + + + + + + + + WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE + + AS HE LIVED. + + An Historical Tale. + + BY CAPTAIN CURLING, + + AUTHOR OF "JOHN OF ENGLAND." "SOLDIER OF FORTUNE." + + + "Sweet are the uses of adversity, + Which like the toad, ugly and venomous, + Wears yet a precious jewel in his head." + + _As you Like it._ + + + _WARWICK_: + + H. T. COOKE & SON, PUBLISHERS, HIGH STREET. + + (COPYRIGHT.) + + + + +PREFACE. + + +The nature of the following work is sufficiently indicated by the title. +In it the most interesting portions of the career of Shakespeare, taken +from the best accredited sources, are brought forward in a pleasing +narrative, the dialogue being in the style of the Elizabethan period. + +Throughout the work the writer has endeavoured, amidst a great deal of +stirring incident, and a subordinate tale of much interest, to place the +Poet constantly before the reader, whether on or off the scene. The +story commences when he was about seventeen years of age, and carries +him through some of the eventful "chances" of that glorious epoch which +called forth his own "muse of fire," and caused him to ascend "the +brightest heaven of invention;" and, after showing him the sharp "uses +of adversity," leaves him at the moment of success, whilst Elizabeth and +the entire Court-circle are turned to him whose matchless genius has +just enchanted them. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER I. A Forest Scene + +CHAPTER II. The Youthful Shakespeare + +CHAPTER III. Charlotte Clopton + +CHAPTER IV. The Family of the Cloptons + +CHAPTER V. A Domestic Party in Elizabeth's Day + +CHAPTER VI. A Disagreeable Visitor + +CHAPTER VII. Plots and Counterplots + +CHAPTER VIII. Stratford-upon-Avon + +CHAPTER IX. The Tavern + +CHAPTER X. The Churchyard of Stratford-upon-Avon + +CHAPTER XI. The Stratford Lawyer + +CHAPTER XII. The Sonnet + +CHAPTER XIII. Mother and Son + +CHAPTER XIV. The Lovers + +CHAPTER XV. Charlecote + +CHAPTER XVI. The Attack + +CHAPTER XVII. The Capture + +CHAPTER XVIII. A Revel at Clopton + +CHAPTER XIX. The Plague at Stratford + +CHAPTER XX. More Trouble at Clopton + +CHAPTER XXI. Domestic Affliction + +CHAPTER XXII. Bereavement + +CHAPTER XXIII. The Vault + +CHAPTER XXIV. The Village Fete--Ann Hathaway + +CHAPTER XXV. The Twelfth-tide Revelry + +CHAPTER XXVI. The Misled Wanderer + +CHAPTER XXVII. The Suitor + +CHAPTER XXVIII. Shottery Hall + +CHAPTER XXIX. The Lovers + +CHAPTER XXX. The Adventurers + +CHAPTER XXXI. The Benedict + +CHAPTER XXXII. The Hostel + +CHAPTER XXXIII. The Deer Stealers + +CHAPTER XXXIV. The Adventure + +CHAPTER XXXV. More Matter for a May Morning + +CHAPTER XXXVI. The Lampoon + +CHAPTER XXXVII. The Garden + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. The Flight to London + +CHAPTER XXXIX. Old London + +CHAPTER XL. The Poor Player + +CHAPTER XLI. The Tavern Revel + +CHAPTER XLII. More Strange than True + +CHAPTER XLIII. England on the Defensive + +CHAPTER XLIV. The Boar's Head, in East Cheap + +CHAPTER XLV. The Camp at Tilbury + +CHAPTER XLVI. The Invincible Armada + +CHAPTER XLVII. The Player at Court + +CHAPTER XLVIII. Sir Thomas Lucy in London + +CHAPTER XLIX. The Theatre of the Blackfriars + +CHAPTER L. The Scenic Hour + +CHAPTER LI. The Tavern + +CHAPTER LII. The Player in his Lodging + +CHAPTER LIII. The Poet and his Patron + +CHAPTER LIV. A Consultation + +CHAPTER LV. Ill Weaved Ambition + +CHAPTER LVI. The Associates + +CHAPTER LVII. The Poet and his Friends + +CHAPTER LVIII. Stratford and its Neighbourhood + +CHAPTER LIX. Kenilworth + +CHAPTER LX. The Return + +CHAPTER LXI. The Discomfited Scrivener + +CHAPTER LXII. Old Friends + +CHAPTER LXIII. Which ends this strange eventful History + + + + +WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE AS HE LIVED, + +STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, AND QUEEN ELIZABETH. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +A FOREST SCENE. + + +It was one morning, during the reign of Elizabeth, that a youth, clad in +a grey cloth doublet and hose (the usual costume of the respectable +country tradesman or apprentice in England), took his early morning +stroll in the vicinity of a small town in Warwickshire. + +Lovely as is the scenery in almost every part of this beautiful county, +which exhibits, perhaps, the most park-like and truly English picture in +our island, it was (at the period of our story) far more beautiful than +in its present state or cultivated improvement. + +The thick and massive foliage of its woods, in Elizabeth's day, were to +be seen in all the luxuriance of their native wildness, unpruned, +unthinned, untouched by the hand of man, representing in their bowery +beauty the wild uncontrolled woodlands of Britain, when waste, and wold, +and swamp, and thicket constituted all. + +The fern-clad undulations and forest glades around, too, at this period, +were peopled by the wild and herded deer--those "poor, dappled +fools--the native burghers of the desert city"--which, couched in their +own confines, their antlered heads alone seen in some sequestered spot +amongst the long grass, gave an additional charm to the locality they +haunted, in all the freedom of unmolested range, from park to forest, +and from glade to thicket. + +In these bosky bournes and sylvan retreats, unmolested then by the axe +of an encroaching population; nay, almost untrodden, save by the +occasional forester or the fierce outlaw; the gnarled oaks threw their +broad arms over the mossy carpet, giving so deep a shade in many parts, +that the rays of the mid-day sun were almost intercepted, and the silent +forest seemed dark, shadowy, and massive, as when the stately tramp of +the soldiery of Rome sounded beneath its boughs. + +As the youth cleared the enclosures in the immediate vicinity of the +town, and brushed the dew from the bladed grass on nearing the more +sylvan scene, the deep tones of the clock, from the old dark tower of +the church, struck the third hour. The sound arrested him; he paused, +and turning, gazed for some moments upon the buildings now seen emerging +from the mint of early morning. At this hour no sign of life--no stir +was to be observed in the town. + + "The cricket sang, and man's o'er-labour'd sense + Repaired itself by rest." + +Although the youth looked upon a scene familiar to his eye (for it was +the place of his birth, and from whence as yet his truant steps had +scarcely measured a score of miles), his capable eye dwelt upon every +point of interest and beauty in the surrounding picture. + +He had reached the age when the poetry of life begins to be felt; when +an incipient longing for society of the softer sex, and an anxiety to +look well in the eyes of the fair; to deserve well of woman, and to be +thought a sort of soldier-servant and defender of beauty, is mixed up +with the sterner ambitions of manhood. + +Perhaps few forms would have been more likely to captivate the fancy of +the other sex than the figure and face of this youth, as he stood at +gaze in the clear morning air, and contemplated the landscape around. In +shape, he was slightly but elegantly formed, and his well-knit limbs +were seen to advantage in the close-fitting but homely suit he wore. +Added to this figure of a youthful Apollo, was a countenance of genius, +intelligence, and beauty, peculiarly indicative of the mind of the +owner. His costume, we have already said, was homely; it was, indeed, +but one remove from the dress of the common man of the period. A gray +doublet of coarse cloth, edged or guarded with black, and tight-fitting +trunks and hose of the same material; to those were added a common felt +hat with steeple crown, and shoes without rosettes. In his hand he +carried a stout quarter-staff, shod with iron at either end. No costume, +however, could disguise or alter the nobility of look and gallant +bearing of that youth. After regarding the view presented to him in the +clear morning air for some moments, he turned, leaped the last enclosure +which pertained to the suburbs of the town, and pursued his way through +a wild chase or park, avoiding the more thick woods on his right. + +How slight and trivial are sometimes the accidents which control the +fate of man! + +On setting out from his own home, the stripling had intended to traverse +the woodlands which lay between his native town and Warwick, in order to +keep an appointment he had made with some youthful associates of the +latter place--some wild and reckless young men with whom he had lately +become acquainted. The church clock, however, whilst it informed him he +had anticipated the hour, determined him to change his intention of +going straight to the trysting-place, and he turned his steps in a +different direction. He therefore left the deep woodlands on his right, +and sought the enclosures of Clopton Hall. + +This change of purpose, in all probability, saved the life of the +handsome lad. As he turned from the woodlands on his right, and sought +the fern-clad chase and plantations in which Clopton Hall is embosomed, +a tall, fierce-looking man, clad in the well-worn suit of a ranger or +forester, stepped from the thick cover. As he did so, the forester +lowered a cross-bow, with which he had been taking a steady aim at the +stripling, from his shoulder, and stood and watched him till he +disappeared. + +"Now the red pestilence strike him," said the man. "He has again escaped +me. But an I give him not the death of a fat buck ere many days are over +his head, may my bow-string be the halter that hangs me." + +"Nay, comrade," said a second forester, at that moment coming forward, +"believe me, 'tis better as it is; thou must e'en drop this business, +and satisfy thy revenge by a less matter than murder. I half suspected +thy intent, and, therefore, have I followed thee. Come," he continued, +"thou must, I say, forgive the affront this lad has put upon thee." + +"May the fiend take me then!" returned the ruffian. + +"Nay, thou art most likely the property of St. Nicholas methinks. +Whatsoever thou dost," said the other, "certainly he will catch thee by +the back if thou should harm this youngster." + +"Why, look ye," said his fellow. "Have I not reason for what I do? The +varlet (who I shrewdly suspect hath an eye upon the deer) constantly +haunts our woods. Not a nook, not a secluded corner, not a thicket but +he knows of, and explores. At all hours of the day, and even at night, +have I caught sight of him wandering alone. Sometimes I have seen him, +lying along, book in hand, under a huge oak, in Fullbrook wood; at other +times I have watched him as he stood in the twilight beside the brook, +which flows through Charlecote Park. As often as I have tried to gain +speech with and warn him from our haunts, he has been ware of me; +plunging into the covert (nimble as a stag), so escaped. + +"Once, however, I came warily behind him while he stood watching the +deer as they swept along a glade in Fullbrook; and heard him repeating +words which rivetted me to the spot, nay almost took from me the power +of accosting him. Not, however, to be outworded by a boy, I pounced upon +him." + +"Go to!" said the other laughing, "then you collared him, I suppose, and +took him off to the head-ranger to give an account of his trespass. +Was't not so! Eh?" + +"You shall hear," returned the ranger. "At first I felt too much respect +to rebuke him. There was something in his look I could not away with. He +seemed somewhat angered too at being molested and caught by surprise; +and there was that in his eye which could look down a lion, methought. +After awhile, however, I gave him some of my mind, threatened to report +his trespass to the knight our master, and to give him a taste of the +stocks, or the cage." + +"Good," said his fellow, laughing. "You said well!" + +"Nay, 'twas not so good either, as it turned out," said the ranger. + +"How so?" inquired his comrade. + +"Why, he took my rebuke mildly at first, merely saying he sought not to +molest the game, but only to enjoy the liberty, freedom, and leisure of +the wild woods." + +"Well," interrupted the other, "between ourselves, that seems natural +enough. But, an all the lads in the country were to do the same, they +would soon drive the deer from their haunts, and render our trade a poor +one." + +"So I told him; and that I should not be so easy the next time I caught +him straying in our woods. Nay, that I would then, indeed, cudgel him +like a dog." + +"Ha! ha! and how took he that threat?" + +"Mass! I would you could have seen how he took it," said the irate +ranger, "for I shall never forget the change it wrought. He looked at me +with an eye of fire, reared himself up like a startled steed, and railed +on me in such terms as I think never man either heard or spoke before. +Nay, an I had not known he was the son of a trader here in Stratford, I +had taken him for the heir of some grandee, for never heard I before +such a tongue, or such words of fire." + +"Go to!" said the other; "and how answered ye that?" + +"At first I felt awed; but, when he dared me but to raise a finger in +the way of assault, and stirred my wrath so, that I laid hands on him, +he struck me to the earth; when I rose, and again attacked him, despite +my skill at quarter-staff, he cudgelled me to his heart's content." + +"What, yonder lad?" + +"Ay, yonder boy! His strength and skill were so great that, had I not +cried _peccavi_, I had died under his blows." + +"And for this you are resolved to shoot him!" + +"I am! I cannot forget the disgrace of his quarter-staff. My very bones +ache now at the bare remembrance." + +"Aye, but thou must forget it, comrade," said the other; "for to shoot +him, look ye, might get the rangers all into trouble. He hath, you see, +gone out of our bounds this morning; but let us follow, and if we find +him we will both beat him. As far as that goes, I am your man. 'Tis +allowable, and in the way of business. But for shooting the lad--fie +on't! 'tis cowardly and dangerous. Ever while you live, forbear your +bullet on a defenceless person." + +"Well, be it so!" said his fellow. "I agree. He hath had the best of me, +for once in his life. But, at least, will I be revenged:--blow for +blow." + +"Hath he good friends, said ye?" + +"None of note." + +"What then is his father?" + +"The wool-comber who dwells in Henley Street." + +"Enough! Now let us but catch him, and by 'r lady, we'll beat him so +that he shall scarce disport his curiosity amongst our woods again." + +"Nay, but if we kill him?" said the other, with a sneer. + +"Then must our master bear us out; we are hired to keep off all lurking +knaves. By fair means or foul, it must be done. An we kill him, we'll +e'en knock over a buck, and lay it to's charge. Swear we caught him +red-handed in the fact, and there an end." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE YOUTHFUL SHAKESPEARE. + + +About a couple of hours after the above conversation between the two +rangers, the subject of it might have been seen lying along, "like a +dropt acorn," book in hand, under cover of the thick belt of plantation +skirting the grounds of Clopton Hall. Occasionally, his gaze would turn +upon the huge twisted chimneys and casements of the building, just now +beginning to show symptoms of life. The thin blue smoke mounted into the +clear air, and the diamond panes of the windows glittered in the morning +sun. At this period the sports of the field formed the almost daily +avocation of the country gentlemen in England. Men rose with the sun, +and with hawk and hound and steed commenced the day at once. Scarce was +the substantial breakfast thought of till it had been earned in the free +air, amidst the woods and glades. Accordingly, as our student lay perdue +in the covert, he beheld the falconer of the household of Clopton with +the ready hawk, the grooms with the caparisoned steeds, the coupled +hounds, and all the paraphernalia of the field. + +The family of the Cloptons were not altogether unknown to the youth, and +the hall being only a mile from the town, Sir Hugh was a sort of patron +of Stratford, and in constant intercourse with the inhabitants. + +As his party had oft-times ridden through the streets, our hero had +scarce failed to remark amongst the cavalcade a beautiful female of some +seventeen years of age. This fair vision, who with hawk on hand, looked +some nymph or goddess of the chase, was, indeed, the only daughter of +Sir Hugh Clopton. + +To one of the ardent and poetic soul of our young friend, the mere +passing glance of so exquisite a creature as Charlotte Clopton had +suggested more than one sonnet descriptive of her beauty. Yes, the +glance of the lowly poet from beneath the pent-house which constituted +the shop of his father, had called forth verses which, even at this +early period of his life, surpassed all that ever had been penned; and +Charlotte Clopton first caused him to write a stanza in praise of +beauty. At this early period of his life, too, his fine mind teemed with +the germs of those thoughts which, in afterdays, brought forth so many +lovely flowers. The impression of his own passionate feelings in youth +furnished him with the ideas from which to pourtray the exquisitely +tender scenes of his after-life. + +To a youth of spirit, the sight of preparation for the sports of the +field was full of excitement. Most men love the chase, but mostly those +of a bold determined courage. + +Participation in the sports of people of condition was, however, denied +to the lad, as his condition in life barred him from aught beside the +sight of others so engaged. His capacious mind conceived, however, at a +glance, all the mysteries of wood-craft, and his truant disposition +leading him to become a frequent trespasser, the haunts and habits of +the wild denizens of the woods were familiar to him. + +If, therefore, he was debarred from following the chase himself, he +loved to see the hunt sweep by-- + + "When the skies, the fountains, every region near, + Seemed all one mutual cry." + +In addition to this, there was an insatiable craving after information +of every kind. He had been educated at the Free School of his native +town, and had far outstripped all competitors in such lore as the +academy afforded, and he now perused every book he could procure, making +himself master of the subjects they treated of with wonderful facility. +He was drinking in knowledge (if we may so term it) wherever it could be +reached; whilst, in his truant hours, no shrub, no herb, no plant in +nature escaped his piercing ken. + +His exquisite imagination, unfettered and free as the air he breathed in +the lovely scenery of his native country, created worlds of fancy, and +peopled them with beings which only himself could have conceived. In the +solitude of the deep woods he loved to dream away the hours. + + "On hill or dale, forest or mead, + By paved fountain, or by rushy brook," + +it was his wont to imagine the elfin crew, as they "danced their +ringlets to the whistling wind." + +It was observed, too, amongst his youthful associates, that he seemed to +know things by intuition. Those who were brought up to the different +mechanical trades in the town or neighbourhood found in him a master of +the craft at which they had worked. "Whence comes this knowledge," they +inquired of each other, "and where hath he found time to pick it up?" +"Body o' me," his father would oft-times say, "but where hath our +William learnt all this lore? Thus worded too! Master Cramboy, of the +Free School, albeit he comes here continually to supper, and uses +monstrous learned words in his discourse, never tells us of such things +as this lad discourses to us." Neither was all this superfluous +knowledge, "ill inhabited like Jove in a thatched house." He was already +a poet, turned things to shape, and gave to airy nothing + + "A local habitation and a name." + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +CHARLOTTE CLOPTON. + + +Clopton Hall was situated in a sort of wild chase, or park, in which +hundreds of broad, short-stemmed oaks grew at distant intervals; and +through this chase a deep trench had been cut in former days by the +legions of Rome, the thick plantation which formed the belt immediately +around the house being just in rear of the Roman ditch. + +The hawking party, on this morning, as they gradually assembled and +mounted their steeds in the court of the mansion, rode through the +gate-house, along the avenue and into the chase. Here they breathed +their coursers and careered about till Sir Hugh had mustered the +different servitors and attendants appertaining to a matter of so much +moment as his morning diversion, and was ready to go forth. + +As they did so, the youth noticed the lady he had before seen, and whose +exquisite form had made some slight impression upon his imagination. +Nothing could be more skilful than the way in which she managed her +horse, he thought--nothing more lovely and graceful than she altogether +appeared. The steed she rode was a magnificent animal, and one which +none but a most perfect horsewoman could have backed; and as he plunged, +and "yerked out his heels," he shewed his delight at being in the free +air, and proved "the metal of his pasture." + +It was a fair sight to behold one so delicately formed as that lady +restrain the ferocity, and, by her noble horsemanship, reduce to +subjection the wild spirit of that courser; and so thought the studious +boy in the gray jerkin. + +Well, however, as she had hitherto managed the animal, now that it was +growing even more excited by the number of horses around, it seemed +every instant becoming more and more unruly. It was in vain that a tall +handsome cavalier, who had kept an anxious eye for some time upon the +movements of her horse, now spurred his own steed beside the lady, and +kept near her bridle-rein. The brute reared, and stood for a few +moments, striking wildly with his fore feet. After a while, however, and +whilst all sat in helpless alarm, the lady still keeping her seat, the +steed recovered himself, plunged forwards, and bolted from the party. + +Few situations could be more perilous than that which Charlotte Clopton +now found herself in; few more distressing to the spectators to witness; +since to attempt aid is oft-times to hasten the catastrophe. + +To follow a runaway steed, in the hope of overtaking it is, perhaps, one +of the worst plans that can be adopted, as the very companionship of the +pursuing horse is sure to urge on and accelerate the pace of the flyer. + +Yet this course the tall dark cavalier (who seemed Charlotte Clopton's +principal esquire) unhappily adopted. + +As he beheld the maddened horse tearing across the park, swerving +amongst the oak trees, and threatening every instant to dash out the +brains of the rider amongst the branches, he set spurs to his own +courser, and galloped after her. It was in vain that Sir Hugh shouted to +him to return. In vain he roared and railed, and called to him that he +would murder his child by such folly. + +The lady, however, kept her seat. She managed even to guide her steed +into the more open part of the chase. For (like the mariner in the +storm) she well knew that whilst the tempest roars loudest, the open sea +gives the vessel the better chance. + +The sound of the horse following, however, totally ruined her plan, and +rendered her own steed more determined. He flung aside, turned from the +direction his rider had coaxed him into, and galloped towards the spot +where our hero was standing amidst the trees. It was by no means +difficult to conjecture that destruction to the beautiful creature, thus +borne along as if on one of the "couriers of the air," was almost +inevitable. + +The next minute, as the youth of the grey doublet, in a state of +breathless anxiety, stood and watched this race, himself concealed in +the thick foliage, the horse (like some wild deer seeking cover) plunged +headlong into the Roman ditch. + +The entrenchment was of considerable depth, so that both steed and +rider, for the moment, disappeared below the grassy ridge. It was, +however, but for a moment: the next, the maddened steed sprung up the +opposite bank. + +The rider was, however, no longer on his back: she had been cast +headlong from the saddle, and our hero saw, with terror, that her +riding-gear was entangled on the saddle, and that she was being dragged +along the ground by its side. + +But few minutes of exposure to such a situation, and that sweet face had +been spurned out of the form of humanity, and her delicate limbs broken, +torn, and lacerated. But the youth (although he saw at once that it +would be vain to attempt to arrest the powerful brute by seizing the +bridle) in a moment resolved upon a bolder measure. As the horse neared +him, he rushed from his concealment and (ere it could swerve from his +reach), with the full swing of his heavy quarter-staff, struck the +animal full upon its forehead, and with the iron at the extremity of his +weapon, fractured its skull. + +So truly and well was the blow delivered, that the steed fell as if +struck by a butcher's pole-axe, and the next instant was a quivering +carcase upon the grass. + +In another moment the achiever of this deed had unsheathed the sharp +dagger he wore at his waist-belt, cut away the entangled garment of the +lady from the saddle, and was kneeling beside her insensible form. As he +did so, he felt that he could have spent hours in gazing upon those +lovely features. + +Meanwhile, the cavalier who had followed (but who reined up his horse +when he observed the steed of the lady dash down the slope, and then +remained gazing on all that followed in a state of utter helplessness), +as soon as he beheld the extraordinary manner in which she had been +succoured, again set spurs to his horse. + +Dashing recklessly across the Roman trench, he galloped to the spot, and +throwing himself from the saddle, snatched the lady from the supporting +arms of her rescuer. + +There was a retiring diffidence, an innate modesty about the youth who +had aided the lady, which kept him from intrusion. Nevertheless, he felt +hurt at the manner in which the handsome cavalier had snatched her from +his arms. His indomitable spirit prompted him almost to thrust back that +officious friend, and like Valentine, exclaim-- + + "Thurio, give place, or else embrace thy death; + I dare thee but to look upon my love!" + +The next moment, however, remembrance of his own condition, and the +station in life of her he had saved, flashed across his brain. He drew a +pace or two back, and recollected how far removed he was from her he had +so promptly succoured. As for the attendant cavalier, he seemed to see +nothing but the still insensible form he hung over. "Oh! thank heaven. +Oh! thank heaven, she breathes," he said wildly, "she is not dead--speak +to me, Charlotte--speak but one word to your poor cousin, if but to +assure him of your safety." + +"I think she is recovering, fair sir," said the youth, again +approaching. "See, she opens her eyes." + +"She does--she does!" said the cavalier, as he raised her in his arms. +"I would we had a few drops of water to sprinkle in her face; 'twould do +much towards hastening her recovery." + +"That shall she soon have," said the youth; and darting off, he hastened +towards a rivulet, which, brawling along on the other side of the +plantation, ran through the marsh land beyond, and emptied itself into +the Avon. + +Taking off his high-crowned hat, he dipped it in the stream, and +returned as speedily. As he did so he observed that Sir Hugh Clopton, +and such of his party as were mounted, had now reached the spot; whilst +the fair Charlotte, having regained her senses, was clasped in her fond +father's arms. + +Handing the water to one of the attendants, he again drew back, and +leaning upon his quarter-staff, stood regarding the party unnoticed. + +"Now praise be to heaven for this mercy," said Sir Hugh. "In my pride +and joy of thee, my Charlotte, I bred yonder steed for thy especial use. +I thought to see thee mounted as no other damsel in Warwickshire, and +see the result. Ha, by my halidame, I swear to thee, that had not the +brute perished in his own wilfulness I had killed him with this hand." + +"Nay, blame not my poor Fairy," said the lady; "he did but follow the +bent of his joyous spirit, when he found himself in the fresh pasture. +'Twas thy timely succour, coz," she said, turning to the tall cavalier +beside her, "which I suspect saved me when I fell." + +"By my troth then, nephew," said the old knight, grasping the youth's +hand, "'twas well done of thee, and thou hast redeemed thy first fault +in following the runaway horse." + +"Alas, uncle," said the cavalier, "I fear me I have redeemed no fault, +neither deserve I any praise. I saw my fair cousin cast headlong to the +earth, and then dragged beneath the heels of yonder horse. No mortal +help, it appeared, could avail her. I felt the blood rush to my brain; I +was about to fall from my saddle, when lo, a lad stepped from beside the +trunk of yonder oak, I heard a heavy crashing blow, I saw Fairy fall as +if pierced by a bullet in the brain, and I found thee, Charlotte, saved. +And that reminds me," continued the cavalier, looking round, "he who did +this gallant deed was this moment by my side." + +"Ha, say'st thou, Walter," said the burly knight, "where, then, be this +lad whom we have not even thanked for his service? Stand back, my +masters." + +As Sir Hugh spoke the attendants fell back, and discovered the graceful +figure of the youth in the grey doublet, as he leant beside the tree. +The old knight immediately stepped up, and grasping the youth by the +hand, led him into the circle, whilst the young cavalier was more fully +describing to the lady the bold and instantaneous manner in which she +had been rescued. + +The youth sank on one knee, and taking the lady's hand, pressed it to +his lips. "Believe me, lady," he said, "the delight I experience in +serving one so fair and exquisite, a thousand times o'erpays the duty." + +"Why, gad a mercy," said the old knight, "thou art a high-flown +champion, methinks. Nevertheless, lad, we are indebted to thee in more +than we can either dilate on, or thou listen to with patience fasting. +Let us return to the house, my masters all. + +"Come Sir Knight of the quarter-staff," he continued, "'fore gad, we'll +not part with thee till we have learnt how to do thee good service. + +"Yet stay," he said, as he was preparing to mount, and whilst steadily +regarding the youth, "art not of the town here? Have I not seen thy +goodly visage somewhere in Stratford? Troth have I. Why man, thou art +the son of my respected neighbour, the wool-comber in Henley +Street--John Shakespeare." + +"His eldest son, an it so please ye," said the youth, blushing. + +"'Fore Heaven, and so thou art!" said Sir Hugh. "And what, good +Philip?--is not thy name Philip?" + +"William," said the youth. + +"And what good wind, then, good William Shakespeare, hath blown thee so +opportunely this morning to our neighbourhood?" + +"Marry, the same wind, good Sir Hugh," said a tall, dark-looking man, +dressed in the habiliments of a forester, and accompanied by a companion +quite as ill-favoured as himself, and who at this moment thrust himself +into the circle: "the same ill wind, Sir Hugh, that makes him haunt +every wood and dell in the county." + +This interruption somewhat startled the party. Sir Hugh turned and +looked at him with surprise, whilst the object of the remark of the +forester in an instant confronted the man. "Thou art an insolent +caitiff," he said, "thus to speak of one of whom thou knowest nothing." + +"An I know nothing of thee," said the forester contemptuously, "'tis +more than my comrade here can testify. By the same token, thou has +stolen upon his forest-walk, 'will he, nill he,' and beaten him on his +own beat, as it were, and so put him to shame." + +"And I am as like to do the same by thee with the like provocation," +returned young Shakespeare. "Thy comrade laid hands upon me, and +dishonoured me by a blow. For the which," he continued, significantly, +"_I beat him._" + +"And for which," returned the forester, "we have followed thee hither; +and, time and opportunity serving, will return the beating with +interest. Thou art warned, so look to thyself, and keep from our woods +in future." + +"Gramercy," said Sir Hugh, now interrupting the dispute, "but what saucy +companions are these?" + +"We are outlying keepers of Sir Thomas Lucy, of Charlecote, Sir Hugh," +said the man, doffing his hat, and making a leg. + +"Outlying, I think, by'r Lady," said Sir Hugh, "in every sense of the +word. Thou hast railed on thyself, Sir Ranger, in accusing this youth of +the offence of trespass, since thou art even now thyself trespassing +here, and putting an affront upon a youth whom it is our pleasure to +hold in good esteem. Begone, lest I give my people a hint to cudgel thee +for thy presumption." + +"Nay, then our master shall hear of it," said the keeper; "an thou +encouragest those who lurch upon his grounds, the sword must settle it." + +"'Tis with thy master I _will_ settle it, thou arrant knave," said Sir +Hugh; "I talk not with such caitiffs." + +"And yet dost thou take up with yonder son of a trader in Stratford +town," said the fellow, with a sneer. "'Want of company,' saith the +proverb. Eh?" + +"Hark ye, sirrah!" said young Shakespeare (like lightning seizing the +keeper by the green frock, and forcing him up to the dead horse), +"trader or noble, I warn thee to put no further affront upon me before +this fair company; for, by the hand that brained yon steed, I can as +easily teach thee as awful a lesson. Begone!" he continued. "I am alike +ready to meet thee on thine own or other grounds, singly or together, +with quarter-staff, or rapier and target." + +The man looked cowed, he glanced towards his comrade, and both +disappeared. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE FAMILY OF THE CLOPTONS. + + +To Charlotte Clopton the introduction of the stranger youth, the +relation her cousin gave of his opportune appearance, and the ready +manner in which he had rescued her, seemed like some dream. + +Indeed, under circumstances such as she now for the first time beheld +the youthful poet, he was scarcely to be regarded, we opine, by a lady's +eye with impunity. + +Rendered insensible, as we have seen, by her severe fall, on recovery +she found herself almost miraculously saved from a dreadful death. +Whilst he who had rescued her, appeared to have come to her assistance +"like some descended god." + +"Who ever loved, that loved not at first sight?" The heart of Charlotte +was from that moment hopelessly, irrecoverably, lost. + +The family of the Cloptons was of ancient descent. Sir Hugh was a +widower, having no other offspring but the daughter we have already +introduced to our readers. Of suitors doubtless the fair Charlotte might +have had plenty and to spare; for, when broad lands are coupled with +exceeding beauty, + + "From the four corners of the earth they come + To kiss the shrine." + +Sir Hugh had, however, made election for his daughter, of one who had +been her companion from childhood, a cousin of her own, Walter Arderne. +This young man, who was now about two and twenty years of age, +absolutely doated on his affianced bride. His fortune was ample, and the +woods of Arderne could be seen from the grounds of Clopton. Added to +this he was extremely handsome, of a most amiable and generous +disposition, brave as the steel he wore, and "complete in all good grace +to grace a gentleman." + +And yet withal, although Charlotte loved him as a brother, esteemed him +as a friend, and had been taught to regard him as her future husband, to +entertain any more tender feelings towards him she found impossible. + +Still, Walter Arderne being thus the constant companion, the affianced +husband of Charlotte, although numerous other cavaliers saw, and seeing, +admired, their brief bow was soon made. They saw--they were smitten by +the blind bow-boy--but they felt that the prize was appropriated +worthily and withdrew. + +Few men, indeed, were more worthy of a lady's eye than Walter Arderne. +Gentle, generous, and frank, as we have before described him--rich and +handsome withal--it seems scarcely possible that his fair cousin could +fail in returning the strong love he felt for her. Yet so it was, and +whether this love "chosen by another's eye" was distasteful to her, or +that she thought the near relationship any bar to a more tender feeling, +it is certain the very thought of her betrothment was disagreeable. +Still Walter had been her friend, her companion, and her champion from +childhood's hour, and under his fostering care and tuition she had +become a sort of Dian of the woods and groves. Dearly did she love the +bounding steed and the chase: the wild, the wold, the hawk, and the free +air. + +Her father's wishes also were law to her, and as she found it would be a +terrible disappointment to him were she to own her dislike to a marriage +with her cousin, she had suffered the engagement to remain unchallenged. + +For centuries the Cloptons had seemed a doomed race; as if some ban was +upon them they had been strangely unlucky by flood and field. Gentle by +birth, noble in spirit, and in the enjoyment of all the world could +give, they seemed doomed to be unfortunate. There was even a melancholy +about the old hall itself consequent upon the mishaps and disasters that +appeared the hereditary portion of the family. The sons were brave, +their banner ever in the van, but they fell early in the fight. The +daughters were chaste as they were beautiful, but an early grave had +almost always closed over them. Nay, the villagers called the old +manor-house the house of mourning, so invariably had most of its +numerous occupants been swept off. An old legend (they affirmed) +proclaimed this near extinction of the line of Clopton, and that the +hall would be unlucky whilst their race continued its owners. + +The brave old knight, gentle and even-tempered as he was, and whom on +ordinary provocation it was difficult to anger, was peculiarly sensitive +on this subject. Any allusion to the wild legend from a servitor, or +rustic on his estate, would be sure to be followed by displeasure or +dismissal; whilst mention of it from one in his own rank would have been +considered equivalent to an invitation to the dark walk at the end of +the pleasance, armed with rapier and dagger. + +Sir Hugh had beheld his children fade away, apparently of hereditary +disease, one after another in their early youth; all except the +beautiful Charlotte, the pledge of a second marriage, and whose mother +had died soon after giving birth to this their only child, and he was in +consequence tremblingly alive to the slightest alarm of accident or +illness. It was under such circumstances that Sir Hugh, in accepting the +guardianship of his nephew, had learned to look upon the well-favoured +Walter almost with the eye of a parent, and had set his heart upon a +marriage between him and his lovely child. + +Under such circumstances, too, had young Shakespeare performed the piece +of service we have described,--a service beyond reward (as the old +knight worded it), beyond aught he had to bestow; and it was under such +circumstances that the youth became an occasional visitor at Clopton +Hall, where he was admitted on an equality with the inmates, and +received in a manner perhaps no other circumstances would have been +likely to lead to. + +The line drawn between persons of different condition in life was then +more strictly kept, and more accurately defined than in our own day. But +the good sense of Sir Hugh led him to appreciate superior attainments +wherever they were to be found. The ignorance of youth proceeded, he +thought, from idleness; the continuance of ignorance in manhood from +pride--the pride which is less ashamed of being ignorant than of seeking +instruction. At Clopton, therefore, men of worth were received, even +though of low estate. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +A DOMESTIC PARTY IN ELIZABETH'S DAY. + + +On the evening of the day on which the accident had happened to +Charlotte Clopton, that lady, together with her father, her cousin +Walter, and young Shakespeare, were assembled in an ample apartment at +Clopton Hall, situate on the ground floor, the windows looking out upon +the lovely pleasure-grounds in the rear of the building. The youth had +spent the entire day at the hall, and in the society of those to whom he +had rendered so great a service. + +Indeed any person (albeit he might not so well deserve consideration by +this good family) would still have been a cherished guest; nay, even an +"unmannered churl," under the same circumstances, would have been +tolerated and made much of; but in this lad, Sir Hugh and his family +found something so extraordinary, so superior, and of so amiable a +disposition, that it appeared a blessing and an honour to have him as an +associate beneath their roof. + +Those who can associate with persons above them in rank, it has been +said, and yet neither disgust or affront them by over-familiarity, or +disgrace themselves by servility, prove that they are as much gentlemen +by nature as their companions are by rank and station. If our readers +wish to picture the youthful Shakespeare's first introduction into +"worshipful society," and amongst people of condition of his day, and +where he received those first impressions from which some of his +delicious scenes have been drawn, they must imagine to themselves a +large and somewhat gloomy oak-pannelled room, whose principal ornament +is the huge elaborately-carved chimney-piece, which, in truth, seems to +occupy one entire side of the apartment, and appears inclined also to +march into the very centre thereof. The apartment (albeit it was, as we +have said, by no means stinted to space, and had an exceeding quiet, +retired, and comfortable look withal) was by no means constructed or +fashioned after the more approved style of modern architecture. The +ceiling was somewhat low, traversed by an enormous beam, and cut and +carved elaborately, displaying fruits and flowers, heraldic devices of +the brave, and all those extraordinary and grotesque figures which the +cunning architects of old were so fond of inventing. On the side of the +apartment opposite the huge chimney-piece, and on which side hung +several scowling and bearded portraits, stood a sort of spinnet or +harpsichord, and beside that leant an instrument, fashioned somewhat +like a bass viol of the present day, but of a more curious form, and +elaborately inlaid with ivory, a viol-de-gamba, an instrument then much +in vogue. Two ample casements which opened inwards, and which were +festooned by creeping plants, the eglantine and sweet jessamine, and +which casements, as we have before said, looked into the green and +bowery garden, and through which the soft evening breeze of May breathed +the most exquisite perfume, gave a sort of green and fairy light to the +interior. A heavy oaken table with enormous legs was placed near the +window. Upon it were to be seen a silver salver, with several bottles of +antique and most exquisite pattern, containing liquors of comfortable +appearance and delicious flavour. These were flanked by high glasses of +Venetian workmanship. In addition to these articles, several high-backed +cane-bottomed chairs and one or two stools formed the remaining +furniture of the room, and which, in comparison with our own +over-crowded style, would perhaps have been termed only half furnished. + +Nic-nacs there were few or none. Two or three dull-faced miniature +mirrors, looking all frame, hung heavily against the pannelling, and +even a cross-bow, several rapiers, one or two matchlocks, and other +weapons of ancient fashion, were to be observed; whilst, to complete the +picture, on the ample hearth (although the room constituted what in the +present day would have been called the withdrawing-room of the mansion) +sprawled several of the smaller dogs then used in field sports, and an +enormous hound, sufficiently large and powerful to pull down a stag; and +in the enjoyment of the sight and flavour of the good wines placed +before him, sat the portly form of the master of the house. Beside the +open window stood the youthful cavalier Walter Arderne, and on one of +the oaken lockers or benches in the embrazure of the casement, was +seated Charlotte Clopton. As she leant her cheek upon her hand, one +moment she gazed abstractedly into the bowery garden, the next her eyes +wandered into the softened light of the interior of the apartment, and +rested upon the features of her deliverer, young Shakespeare. This youth +stood beside the spinnet, and (unconscious of the sensation his +narrative produced upon the ears and hearts of his hearers, and of the +beauty of the description) was giving them the plot of a tale in verse +which he had that morning been perusing, when the lady's danger +interrupted him. + +He related the story briefly, but in such language that his listeners +were wrapt by the recital. He even accompanied his description by some +action, and where he wished to impress his hearers more especially he +endeavoured to recollect and repeat the lines of the poem, piecing out +the story, when memory failed him, with such verses as he made for the +nonce. + +In addition to these, the principal personages of our chapter, there was +one other individual in the room, who (albeit he occupied the background +of the scene, being crouched up in a corner) is also deserving of a +description. + +This was a sort of hanger-on, or appendage to the establishments of the +old families of condition in England not then quite extinct--a sort of +good familiar creature, attached to the master of the house principally, +and indifferently familiar with all and sundry, in doors and out--a sort +of humorist--a privileged, seeming half idiotic, though in reality +extremely shrewd and clever companion, who used his folly "like a +stalking-horse, under cover of which, he shot his wit;" but who was +indeed more the friend than the fool of the family, and oft-times +consulted on matters of moment by the good knight. + +This individual, clad in somewhat fantastic costume, fashioned by +himself, be it understood, and which it was his especial pleasure to +wear, (for Sir Hugh would by no means have forced any one in his +establishment to wear motley,) was seated in a huge high-backed +arm-chair, in a corner of the apartment, where, with his legs drawn up +under him on the cushion, his hands clasped together over his breast, +and his thumbs in his mouth, he kept a shrewd eye upon the other +occupants; the long ears of his cap every now and then, as they shook +with a sort of nervous twitch of the head, alone proclaiming that he was +not some stuffed ornament, occupying the position it was his wont +usually to choose in the apartment. + +The story Shakespeare had related seemed to have made an impression on +his own youthful mind. It professed to pourtray that baneful passion +jealousy--a passion which, when once indulged, is the inevitable +destroyer of conjugal happiness. It formed one of the old romances then +in vogue amongst such as delighted in reading of the sort; for in those +days of leisure, sobriety, and lack of excitement amongst females in the +country, reading, spinning, embroidery, and other ornamental needlework, +principally occupied the hours of the elder; and out-door amusements and +music the younger. Those females who were given to literature, however, +would, in our times, have indeed been considered learned, since many +(albeit they eschewed light reading) understood both the Greek and Latin +tongues to perfection, and many were no less skilful in the Spanish, +Italian, and French. + +In the narration of this story, and whilst (as we have said) young +Shakespeare gave his own version, might have been observed gleams of +that mighty genius which was, in after-times, to astonish the world. + +His relation had, indeed, much of the fire and descriptive beauty which +he afterwards threw into every line of his writings. He called up before +his hearers the fiery openness of the injured husband; boundless in +confidence, ardent in affection. He touched upon the soft and gentle +simplicity of the victim; her consciousness of innocence; and her +slowness to suspect she could be suspected. And, lastly, he described +the clever devil, the fiend-like and malignant accuser, with matchless +power. + +Indeed the enormity of the crime of adultery, and upon which this story +touched so forcibly, was in after days (as our readers doubtless +recollect) made by the great dramatic moralist the subject of not less +than four of his finished productions. + +Another thing remarkable, and which struck all present, was the facility +with which, by a touch as it were, he ever and anon (and as if by some +incomprehensible magic of description) impressed the climate and +country, the manners and customs of the actors in this romance, upon the +hearers. + +The relation had, indeed, seemed to the auditors like a dramatic +performance. The melody of the speaker's voice, and the lines he +uttered, left his audience as we sometimes feel after the scenic hour. +There was a want of some soother of the excitement produced. + +The old knight felt this. He took his viol-de-gamba and drew his bow +lightly across the strings, producing that silver and somewhat solemn +sound which those who have heard the instrument so well remember--sounds +suited to the hour, age, and scene, and which give their own impressions +of days long passed away. + +"Come, Charlotte," said Sir Hugh, after executing one of the pieces of +music then in vogue, "now a madrigal in which all can join. This youth +hath put a spell upon us with his sad story. Come, a madrigal; and after +that our evening meal in the garden, beneath the mulberry-tree. Do thou +take the first, whilst I and Walter chime in second and third, and +Martin shall e'en do his best to help us." + +"Nay, uncle," said Martin, jerking out his legs straight before him, +then putting them to the ground gently, and then lightly executing a +sort of somersault and coming forward, "I pr'ythee hold me excused. I +shall but spoil your music: my voice is rugged. I am not gifted to sing +squealingly with a lady. A psalm or so at church, or a quaver after +supper I can execute; but my voice is like the howl of an Irish wolf +when I sing a part with the lady Charlotte: blessings on her celestial +throat." + +"Nay, Martin," said Charlotte, as she seated herself, "thou wilt not +refuse when I tell thee it is to pleasure our new friend, to whom we owe +so much." + +Martin glanced quickly upon Shakespeare, as she said this, and then +slowly turned his eye upon the young lady. + +He stroked his chin knowingly, and seemed to be considering them both +very curiously. "Truly so," he said, "we do indeed owe much to this lad. +May God requite the debt." So saying, the familiar walked to the window, +and, looking affectionately in the handsome face of Walter, as he stood +leaning against the casement and regarding Charlotte, he put his arm +through that of the young cavalier, and remained beside him whilst the +madrigal was sung; his own fine bass voice coming in with singular +effect, and belying his modest assertion of incompetency. + +To say that the voice of the lovely Charlotte delighted Shakespeare +would be to say little; he felt ravished and enchanted, and it left an +impression upon the young poet which he never forgot from that hour! + +And oh! how calmly, how contentedly, and how quietly flowed the hours of +private life even during such a reign of glory as that of the great and +good Queen Bess! + +In those days the whirl of events, the increasing villany of the world, +the petty doings of the actors in this vale of tears, the very minutiæ +of crime and sin, the most paltry acts "committed on this ball of +earth," in town, city, village, and hamlet were not as now, printed and +published and blown into every corner of the kingdom, a few hours after +commission. Even the leading events of the day, the acts of the great +amongst the nations of the earth, and all the stirring deeds going on in +the world, and which shook and overturned thrones; even these travelled +slowly, and though posts "came tiring on," still rumour, full of +tongues, made oft-times many slanderous reports ere the true one was +manifest. + +To the country gentleman his domain was his little world, his court, +wherein he received the homage of his neighbouring dependents and +tenants. + +The charm of life consisted in these pursuits, those associations--nay +even those superstitions, and those antiquated customs which modern +utilitarianism has driven from the world. Whilst, as we have said, +mighty events shook the nation, men continued to pursue their even way +in that station of life in which it had pleased Heaven to call them. + +After the madrigal, the old knight, with the viol-de-gamba clutched +between his legs, fell fast asleep, his wonted custom in the evening; +and having gently relieved him from all care of the instrument by +withdrawing it from his custody, Charlotte invited the trio to a stroll +in the garden, where they held converse upon various matters, +occasionally interrupted in their discourse by the quaint sayings and +witticisms of the shrewd Martin. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +A DISAGREEABLE VISITOR. + + +'Twas a pleasing picture, that old knight taking his evening nap in his +oak pannelled room, so quiet and so retired, so undisturbed, except by +the cooing of the wood-pigeon, or the distant bay of the hound in the +kennel. + +The evening breeze sighed drearily through the branches of the gigantic +cedar-tree in the garden, and whispered softly through the luxuriant +plants and shrubs which hung about the diamond-paned windows. + +'Tis a sweet time that evening hour, in an old mansion far removed from +the bustle of the world. The oak floor, too, in the centre of the +apartment, was coloured faintly by the many tints reflected through the +stained glass in the upper compartments of the windows, and where the +arms and crest of the Cloptons were variously multiplied and emblazoned. +The dark polished oak of the huge chimney-piece, as the shadows of +evening descended, seemed framed of iron or ebony, the grotesque +figures, here and there ornamenting the higher parts, with their +demoniac faces and satyr-like bodies, seeming ready to pounce upon +whoever came within their reach. + +Whilst the old knight enjoyed his siesta, every now and then giving a +sort of start in his deep sleep, or a prolonged snore, and then +twitching his muscular face and changing his position, the door of the +apartment was gently opened, and a tall shadowy figure, after hesitating +for a few moments at the threshold, and looking round, entered +cautiously, and approaching the sleeper stood and gazed long and fixedly +at his countenance. + +What a contrast might a looker-on have observed in those two faces!--the +one round, ruddy, redolent of health, and shewing no traces of guilt or +care; the other worn, pale, anxious, and cadaverous-looking. The broad +brim of the stranger's hat was drawn down and pulled low over his +forehead, his dark and grizzled hair looked thin and perished, matching +well with the iron gray of his complexion, and his forked beard, +presenting altogether a worn and haggard appearance, a man of dark +passions, evil thoughts, and sinister disposition. + +After gazing for some time at Sir Hugh, the stranger laid his heavy +gauntlet upon his shoulder and suddenly awoke him. + +The knight opened his eyes, stared at the dark countenance so suddenly +presented to him for a few moments, and then starting up, stepped a pace +or two back and laid his hand upon the hilt of his rapier. + +The grim stranger smiled at the startled look of the old knight, "Fear +me not, Sir Hugh," he said. "I come not with intent to do thee harm." + +"Fear thee," said Sir Hugh contemptuously, "wherefore should I fear? But +thou comest upon me in my secure hour here--and I know thee not. Stand +off, lest I smite thee." + +"That would be a poor reception for an old friend," said the other, +smiling a grim smile. + +"An old friend!" said Sir Hugh, in tones of surprise; "truly then thou +art an old friend with a new face. May heaven protect me, if ever I +looked upon that white-livered visage of thine before." + +"Art thou quite sure of that, Sir Hugh Clopton?" said the stranger. +"Look again; time and care and climate have written, I dare be sworn, +strange defeatures in my face, but yet methinks twenty years ago the +name of Parry was not altogether unknown at Clopton." + +"Parry!" said Sir Hugh, starting; "art thou Gilbert Parry? and what doth +the banished traitor Parry within my walls? Hence, sirrah; I wish for +the companionship of no man polluted with crimes such as thine." + +"Nay, soft, Sir Hugh," said the visitor, "I come with credentials from +one thou darest not slight. Look ye, I am bearer of a letter from the +Nuncio Campeggio, and I demand speech with Father Eustace, who dwells in +thy house here." + +Sir Hugh again started; he took the letter from the hand of his visitor, +and read it attentively. + +"Truly," he said, "the letter is as thou say'st. In it I find I am +ordered to give thee shelter here for the space of one week; affording +thee and those with whom thou consortest such secresy and seclusion as +thou may'st desire. I dare not deny the hospitality so enjoined, but in +good sooth I had as lief thou had'st sought it elsewhere, Gilbert +Parry." + +"'Tis well," said Parry, taking his riding-cloak from his shoulders; +"Clopton hath secret chambers, I know, as well as that devoted servants +of the Catholic Church dwell beneath its roof." + +"May I not know," inquired Sir Hugh, "of the business which employs the +talents of Gilbert Parry, and makes the Pope's Nuncio his introducer +within my walls?" + +"At more fitting opportunity perchance thou mayest," returned Parry, +whose manner had become more assured after he observed the impression +the letter he had delivered had made; "at the present moment I require +rest and refreshment." + +Sir Hugh said no more; he stepped to a concealed pannel beside the huge +chimney-piece, and drawing it aside, ushered his guest into a small +closet-like apartment, and then carefully closed the pannel again. A +narrow winding staircase ascended from this small room into the chamber +above, and which was only known or used by Sir Hugh himself, together +with Martin and the priest, who occasionally visited at the Hall. + +After entering, Sir Hugh signed to his guest to ascend the staircase. + +"Thou wilt find every accommodation here in this chamber," he said, "and +refreshment shall be served to thee by one I can trust. Father Eustace +is at present absent from Clopton, but to-morrow I expect he will +return." + +"I would confer with him without delay," said Parry, "so soon as he +returns." + +"Be it so," said Sir Hugh, retiring from the apartment, and descending +the stairs; seeming, as he did so, by his manner, not sorry to withdraw +from the companionship of his new guest. + +As soon as he had descended into the small apartment we have before +described, he paused for a few moments, and then unlocked and opened a +low postern door, which admitted into the garden, and, guided by the +voices of his daughter and her party in the distance, immediately sought +them. + +It was by no means uncommon for the Catholics, during this reign, to +hold secret intercourse with each other after the fashion we have just +described, going from house to house with the utmost care; the more +violent and remorseless making it their practice to seek refuge +oft-times amongst the quieter gentry, and, under cover of their +respectability, carrying on their designs with greater security. + +In pursuance of such custom, Sir Hugh's new visitor had now sought +shelter at Clopton. He had, on that same evening, arrived at Stratford +in company with others, and immediately on dismounting from his horse, +had walked across the meadows, entered the grounds, and being well +acquainted with the localities, introduced himself into the house +without being seen by any one. + +When Sir Hugh joined his daughter and her party, there was a something +of anxiety upon his brow which was not usual with him. But so deeply +interested were Charlotte and Walter Arderne with the conversation of +their new formed acquaintance, that they observed it not. The quick eye, +however, of the shrewd Martin (who so well knew his old master's habits) +saw at a glance that something had puddled the clear spirit of the +knight; and advancing towards him, they walked apart and held converse +together. + +"Is there ill news toward?" said Martin. "Something I perceive hath +disturbed you, and broken in upon your slumbers." + +"I have had a visitor, Martin," said Sir Hugh; "one with whom I had long +closed the accounts of acquaintanceship as a dangerous companion." + +"Know I the man?" inquired Martin. + +"Like myself you did so," returned Sir Hugh; "but evil courses drove him +from the country some years back. You remember Gilbert Parry?" + +"What," said Martin, "he who was condemned to death as a traitor some +five years ago, and to whom the Queen graciously granted a free pardon?" + +"The same. He hath been with me just now." + +"He was ever a restless dangerous knave," said Martin; "his visit might +well have been spared. I trust it was a short one." + +"Nay," said Sir Hugh, "he hath claimed the hospitality of Clopton on +matters of moment connected with holy mother Church, and hath shewn me +letters from the Nuncio Campeggio, and from Ragazoni at Paris." + +"He comes from abroad, then, I dare be sworn," said Martin, "and on no +good errand depend on't, and he makes Clopton his place of residence on +his first arrival, in order to be in security whilst he spies into the +localities, and sounds his instruments; ah, and by my fay, 'tis a crafty +and a dangerous companion, whose designs may get us into trouble. But an +I dive not into his contrivances I would I might never taste hippocras +again." + +"I would have thee do so, Martin, if it be possible," said Sir Hugh, +"for I like not such guests; albeit, their visits are sanctioned and +enjoined by the mighty in our Church. Nay, it was but last week I had a +visit from Ralph Somerville, of Warwick, who held me in dangerous +converse a whole hour, upon the necessity of smiting all heretics and +persecutors. His discourses on religious matters shewed a distempered +brain. Troth, I was glad to be rid of him." + +"'Tis strange," said Martin, "to behold the spirit which everywhere +actuates those who profess more religion than their neighbours, both +Protestants and Catholics. By my faith, men will dispute upon the +subject, cut a throat for religion, indite most learned matter +appertaining,--anything but live for it." + +"'Tis even so, Martin," said Sir Hugh with a sigh, "and therefore doth +it behove us, and all those who are not of this bigoted and intolerant +spirit, to guard our hearths from the danger of such association. A +presentiment of evil is upon my mind since this man's coming, which I +cannot shake off. Be it thy business to look to his wants this evening. +To-morrow Father Eustace returns, and we shall then know more about his +designs." + +"Ah, that Eustace!" muttered Martin to himself. "Hath he ever seen this +man?" he inquired aloud. + +"I think not," said Sir Hugh; "they have never met to my knowledge." + +"Enough," said Martin; "leave him to me. Now break we off, and let us +join our party. See where the lady Charlotte leads her two attendant +swains toward the house yonder. This new-found friend, Sir Hugh," +continued Martin, "this youth, whose merits seem so far beyond his +fortunes, is he likely to remain long at Clopton?" + +"He tarries here to-night, Martin," said Sir Hugh, "and shall be ever +welcome. We are deeply his debtor." + +"Humph," said Martin significantly, "I supposed as much, and I suppose +it must even be so,--_but_----" + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +PLOTS AND COUNTERPLOTS. + + +England, up to the period of Elizabeth's reign, at which our story has +now arrived, had been blessed in the enjoyment of the most absolute +security. + +The scene, however, was now beginning to change, and multiplied dangers +to threaten the maiden Queen from various quarters. + +Scotland and its affairs gave Elizabeth continued uneasiness, and every +new revolution amongst the wild and turbulent nobles of that rude land +caused her fresh anxiety, because that country alone being not separated +from England by sea, and bordering on all the Catholic and malcontent +countries, afforded her enemies an easy mode of annoying her. + +Nothing could be more romantic, wild, and extravagant than the stories +which those of the English who had penetrated far north brought back of +the state of the nation, and the manners and disposition of the +inhabitants; and which, if they were to be believed, described the +chieftains in the hill countries as living amidst their wild and savage +retainers in a singular style of feudal grandeur and semi-barbarism. + +Nay, such was, in reality, the nature of the rude Highlanders in the +remoter districts of Scotland, that, for an Englishman to attempt to +penetrate into their fastnesses, would have been attended with the same +difficulty and danger as at the present time a journey into the centre +of Africa is exposed to. So that to the generality of the English nation +the interior of Scotland was a _terra incognita_; whilst the dark and +ominous rumours continually floating about, pictured the very court +itself of that distracted country in a most strange and unnatural light. +Murders, conspiracies, rebellions, and every sort of consequence upon +misrule and headstrong passion, seemed the every-day occurrence there. + +In Ireland, too, (where the inhabitants were equally wild, reckless, and +opposite to England,) every invader found ready auxiliaries. + +Alienated by religious prejudices, that nation hated the English with a +peculiar and deadly animosity; an animosity which has rankled in their +breasts up to the present time, and caused the shedding of rivulets of +blood. + +The anxiety of the Queen, on account of the attempts of the English +Catholics, never ceased during the course of her reign, and was at this +period greater than ever: whilst the continued revolutions happening to +all the neighbouring kingdoms were the source of her continued +apprehension Plots after plots were concocted in all quarters against +her life, and which were being as constantly brought to light by one +extraordinary chance or another. + +The Cloptons, as we have seen, were members of the Church of Rome, +though they were of the milder sort of Catholics, steering clear of all +those intrigues and conspiracies which the more bigoted of their +persuasion were so continually engaged in. + +They were, indeed, well thought of and regarded by the government and +the queen, and the good Sir Hugh was beloved and respected by all +parties. Still the iron rule of the Church of Rome was upon him and his +household, and held him under subjection. Many, therefore, were the +narrow escapes he had experienced from being drawn into the violent and +bloody plots and conspiracies the more dangerous and bigoted members of +his creed had already been engaged in. + +In a former chapter our readers have seen a person of this latter sort +arrive stealthily at the Hall, and fasten himself upon the secret +hospitality of Sir Hugh, in virtue of the powerful letters he produced. + +What the designs of this man might be it was impossible to fathom, and +Sir Hugh well knew that from the circumstance of his being himself +considered but a mild and luke-warm Catholic by the more zealous and +violent party, (although he might be made use of,) he would scarcely be +initiated by them into their secrets. + +Under such circumstances, the faithful Martin, (whose devotion towards +the family of his old friend and patron amounted to a species of +worship,) in taking upon himself the office of attendant upon the +unwelcome guest, resolved to play the spy upon him at the same time, +and, if possible, pluck out the heart of his mystery. The absence of the +priest (who frequently resided at the Hall) favoured this design; and +(on leaving Sir Hugh) Martin ascended to the apartment usually occupied +by Father Eustace, where he doffed his motley coat, and induing the +garments of the priest, suddenly presented himself before Parry. + +The talent for humour possessed by this singular being made his design +peculiarly agreeable to him, for to play a part (even under dangerous +circumstances) was quite in accordance with his disposition. + +On entering he found the object of his visit seated upon the small +truckle bed with which the room was accommodated, and which (except two +chairs) was all the furniture in it--the bed standing in a recess. + +The room itself was one of those small, curious chambers peculiar to the +buildings of the Catholic gentry during this and the subsequent reign. +It seemed evidently to have been contrived for purposes of seclusion and +concealment, and was more like the cell of a monastery than a chamber in +a private dwelling. Cribbed, as it seemed to have been, out of some +corner of the edifice, where an apartment would never have been thought +of; the only light by which this closet-like room was illuminated in the +day-time being from a small concealed window, so contrived as not to be +visible from the grounds without. + +So deep in his own contemplations was the occupant of this chamber, +that, at first, he did not observe the entrance of the disguised Martin. +When he did so, however, he quickly started to his feet, and the riding +cloak which he had unfastened slipping from his shoulders shewed that he +was armed (as the phrase goes) to the very teeth. Rapier and dagger were +by his side, a pair of the huge, ill-contrived, petronels of the period +at his waist, and in place of a shirt it was evident that he wore a sort +of hauberk of linked steel beneath his upper garments; in fact, a more +dangerous-looking and dishevelled companion the shrewd Martin had seldom +beheld. + +"The peace of Heaven be upon thee, my son," said Martin, as the visitor +confronted him. + +"Such peace as Heaven wills," returned the other. + +"Those who have to do the work are not permitted peace of mind or body +in this world. Art thou him to whom I am secretly commended at Clopton, +the good Father Eustace?" + +"Such is the name men usually give the wearer of these garments of the +Church, my son," returned Martin. "I would they clove to the body of a +more worthy representative." + +"The business I have with thee, good father," said Parry, "is of that +dangerous and imminent nature that I may not trust to thy word alone. I +must be furnished with proof of thy identity. Sir Hugh Clopton affirmed +but now that Father Eustace was at present absent from the Hall." + +"I have but now returned," said Martin, "and immediately have sought +thee out by Sir Hugh's desire. What you have to communicate can either +be withheld or given freely, I seek not to know the secret of others. +Letters of import, as I learn, hath procured thee a secret asylum here, +without which, as thou art aware, thou could'st not have been received, +neither can I hold converse with thee, unless thou canst shew such +documents or explain the reasons of thy coming hither." + +"Enough said, father," returned Parry, thrown off his guard, "those +documents thou shalt have; meantime hear the reasons which have moved me +to this visit, and my intent in seeking thee." + +"Proceed," said Martin, seating himself, whilst the other walked +restlessly up and down the small room, apparently carried away by the +violence of his own thoughts. + +"Thou knowest my early history," he said, "and how that after being an +undutiful son, a sabbath-breaker, and a blasphemer, the devil lured me +to the commission of crimes by which my life was forfeited to the laws?" + +"I have heard these things," said Martin, "and such part of the story +needs no repetition. The Queen granted you a free pardon, for which you +are doubtless grateful, and resolved in making amends?" + +"I had resolved on doing so," said Parry, "and hoped for days of +repentance and happiness, but none came, as you shall hear. The fiend +still held possession. I wandered about in woods and solitary places, +for the sight of my fellow creatures was horrible to me. Nay, I thought +every one seemed happy but myself, and the evil one constantly whispered +that there was no mercy for Gilbert Parry. Again, therefore, I sought +society, gave the reins to my evil desires, and myself up to evil ways, +and again conscience troubled me. I had rest neither by night nor day. I +feared the night, lest the enemy should take me before morning. I tried +to pray, but could not. I passed whole days as if my body had been +pricked down irrecoverably, persuaded the fiend was in my apartment. +Nay, my very body was in flames. To cry for help was vain, no relief +came, and I was ever filled with evil thoughts. Such, holy father, were +the torments I endured for five years. At length it appeared to me that +this state of persecution arose from some cause in which I was called +upon to exert myself. Then considered I of the persecuted state of our +religion, and that I was called upon to strike a blow for its welfare. +In short I resolved to do a deed which (by destroying the great enemy of +our Church) should obtain for me the crown of martyrdom." + +"Proceed, my son," said Martin, who, seated with his chin upon his +doubled fists, was listening to and contemplating the excited Parry with +the utmost attention. "Proceed, my son, wherefore dost thou stop?" + +The narrator of his own troubled thoughts regarded Martin with a deep +and searching look. "Methought I saw a devilish smile upon thy face," he +said sternly. "Is the relation of such things subject of ridicule?" + +"Rather of pity," said Martin; "I smiled to think that a whip and a dark +room might have dispelled such phantoms. The most absurd doctrines are +not without such evidence as martyrdom can produce." + +"You think, then," said Parry, "that penance and flagellation were +required?" + +"Call it so, an if you will," said Martin, "fasting is good for +digestion, and real pain for imaginary suffering. Doubtless you lived +well whilst this frenzy lasted. You was, you say, leading a wild life, +perhaps drunk one-half of the twenty-four hours, and mad the other. A +bad state of the stomach produces fumes upon the brain. I would have +exorcised the fiend by blood-letting, blisters, purgation, and +purification. But proceed, you was about to say what this continued +spiritual ague wrought you to." + +"The cutting off of one who is the bitter enemy of our creed, the +usurper of the throne of these realms," said Parry, "the putting to +death of Elizabeth Tudor." + +"Ah, ah," said Martin, "methought 'twould tend that way. She to whom you +are indebted for a life, is to pay the forfeit of life for her +clemency." + +"And you disapprove of my project, then?" inquired Parry. + +"Nay, I said not so much, did I?" returned the shrewd Martin. + +"But you inferred so much, did you not?" again inquired Parry. + +"Mayhap I did, mayhap I did not," said Martin, who saw by the eye of +Parry that his own situation, thus shut up with such a man, and under +false colours, was somewhat perilous, especially as Parry in his excited +state begun to fumble with the poniard at his waist. Martin in short now +saw that his companion was mad. Under such circumstances to shew fear or +distrust is to perish. + +"In trusting Father Eustace," said Parry, placing himself between Martin +and the door, "I was led to expect I should find one ready in every way +to forward and aid so great a design. Such was the assurance I received +from Ragazoni. I brook no prevarication, priest; neither will I run the +risk of betrayal." So saying, Parry drew his dagger from the sheath, +looking at Martin at the same time with the ferocity of a tiger ready to +spring. + +"'Tis not often that ministers of the Holy Mother Church are threatened +thus," said Martin coolly, and without altering his position. + +"I will drive my dagger to the heart of every member of this household," +said Parry, "rather than endanger the success of my project." + +"That in itself would ruin the project, as far as you are its executor," +returned Martin, "since you would be likely to be apprehended and suffer +for your violence." + +"Swear upon the hilt of my poniard not to divulge what I have just +related," said Parry, becoming somewhat less excited, and thrusting his +dagger close to the mouth of Martin. "Swear." + +"I am ready to do so," said Martin, quietly moving the steel from its +close proximity to his lips, "with one reservation however, that Sir +Hugh Clopton is to be informed of it." + +"Ah," said Parry, seeming to reflect, and as suddenly changing from his +excited state to comparative calmness, "was I not told to take the +advice of Father Eustace, as to the propriety of making Sir Hugh Clopton +acquainted with this design? And you advise such measure, do you, +father?" + +"Most assuredly; for what other purpose have you sought his roof?" + +"For the purpose," said Parry, "of being in the vicinity of others +cognizant of my design in this country, and of conferring with yourself +in security, since my steps and motions, until I took refuge in +Warwickshire, have been closely watched." + +"Good," returned Martin. "Now, wilt follow my advice since you have been +sent to seek it?" + +"I will," said Parry. + +"Thus it is," said Martin; "dismiss all further thoughts connected with +your design to-night: partake of the refreshments I have brought with +me, and then seek the repose you so much need. _To-morrow_ we will talk +further, taking Sir Hugh into our counsels; and so I take my leave." As +he said this Martin rose, and was about to pass Parry, carefully making +a circuit so as to get between him and the door, the latter following +him as he did so with a doubtful eye. + +"You are a different man from the person I was led to expect in Father +Eustace," said Parry, still dallying with his drawn dagger. + +"I am as you see me," said Martin, "true to my word and to the master I +serve." + +"And you swear not to divulge?" said Parry. + +"Except to Sir Hugh--I swear," said Martin. + +"Be it so," said Parry, sheathing his dagger and stepping aside. "Good +night, father." + +"To-morrow early I will again be with you," said Martin. "Good night", +and the next moment he was outside the small apartment. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +STRATFORD-UPON-AVON. + + +On the skirts of the county of Warwick (saith a modern author), situated +on the low meadowy banks of a river, there is a little quiet country +town, boasting nothing to attract the attention of the traveller but a +fine church and one or two antique buildings with elaborately carved +fronts of wood or stone, in the peaceful streets. There would seem to be +little traffic in that place, and the passing traveller, ignorant of the +locality, would scarcely cast a second look around. But whisper its name +into his ear, and, hand in hand with his ignorance, his apathy will +straightway depart. He will stop his horse; he will descend from the +saddle; he will explore those quiet streets, he will enter more than one +of the houses in that little town; he will visit that old church, he +will pause reverentially before its monuments; he will carry away with +him some notes--perhaps some sketches; and remember what he saw and what +he felt that day to the very close of his life. Indeed you will seldom +fail to see, even in that quiet little town, small groups of people on +whose faces and in whose demeanour you will recognize the stranger +stamp. There is something to see in those unfrequented streets; and they +have come a long way to see it. What wonder! The town is +Stratford-upon-Avon. + +Such is indeed Stratford-upon-Avon at the present time. But in the +sixteenth century it presented a somewhat different aspect. + +The different towns in England, at this latter period, were just +beginning to emerge from their state of primitive rudeness and +irregularity, and the houses to be distinguished for a style of +architectural beauty and comfort as dwellings, which has not since been +improved or exceeded. + +The various contentions and intestine jars which had, almost up to the +reign of Elizabeth, drained the population, and kept men from all +peaceful occupations and improvements, and in consequence of which the +squalor of their dwellings and tenements were but one degree improved +from the rudeness of the Norman period, was now to give place to a style +which, if but one tenement remain to us in a town of the present age, we +look at it with delight and admiration. Stratford-upon-Avon then, in the +year 1584, might be said to partake largely of both these styles. In +some parts were to be seen those irregular ill-built wooden tenements, +little removed from the hut of the Norman citizen. These standing apart, +and without regard to streets, formed the abode of the poorer sort of +inhabitants, and chiefly constituted the suburbs; whilst several regular +streets were to be found composed of handsome, strong-built, +heavily-timbered, and substantial dwellings, having their shops +encroaching into the streets; their beetling storeys above; their long +passages running backwards, with ample yards and gardens in rear; and +their low-roofed wide-chimneyed, secluded, and comfortable rooms, +secured by massive iron-studded doors, and accommodated with heavy +cumbrous articles of furniture. + +Here and there too, in the midst, were to be seen the mouldering remains +of some dark monastic building of a former day. The walls of edifices, +built in the dark ages of monkish intolerance, whose grated windows and +low-arched doors told of the Saxon and the Dane, when, save the +splendour of religious architecture, there was nothing between the hut +and the castle. + +Nothing could be more rural and picturesque than Stratford-upon-Avon on +a bright summer's day. Its streets, as we have before partially +described, and (as was mostly the case in unwalled towns at this period) +were, except in the very centre of the town, composed of houses +detached at irregular intervals, many of the edifices being partially +screened by the luxuriant trees which shadowed their fronts, and grew in +the gardens in rear: added to this, in the suburban thoroughfares of +this town, it was not uncommon to find a clump of tall elms or oaks +growing in the very centre of the road, beneath whose boughs the rude +bench, the horse-trough, and the creaking sign proclaimed the immediate +vicinity of the smaller hostel. + +If the traveller looked from the town, he beheld the high road he was to +traverse on leaving it, o'ercanopied by the forest scene without, whilst +on entering the suburbs, the sloping roof, gable ends, and heavy +chimneys were only here and there to be caught sight of amongst the +living verdure in which they were embosomed. + +Besides this, as he proceeded, the picture was added to by the various +signs of the several trades, which proclaimed the occupation of the +indwellers, and before many of the houses were placed long benches on +which, in fine weather, the townsfolk were to be found seated, +conversing cozily together in their quaint-cut doublets and +steeple-crowned hats. Large tubs of water also, by order of the chief +magistrate, were placed beside each dwelling, as a precautionary +preventative against the spread of fire amongst these stout-timbered +edifices. The highways, however, even in the outskirts of the town, were +by no means so well cared for as in our own times, and in foul weather, +in place of a well-paved or Macadamized thoroughfare, the road was +knee-deep in mud, and cut up fearfully with cart wheels and other +traffic of the time. + +In what would now be called a small and somewhat mean-looking dwelling, +but which in the reign of Elizabeth constituted the habitation of a good +substantial citizen, resided John Shakespeare, a dealer in wool in +Stratford-upon-Avon. The house itself had nothing in its outward +appearance to recommend it, except the strength of its build and the +stoutness of its timbers. + +It was neither "a goodly dwelling or a rich." Its rooms were both +stinted to space and somewhat low in roof. But little did its inmates +suspect that from the mere legend of one of its indwellers having first +drawn breath beneath its roof, that house would create more interest in +the world than the most magnificent palace the world contained, and that +in after-ages the four corners of the earth would send forth votaries to +see, to worship, and to offer adoration at its shrine. And still less +did its occupants imagine that in the person of one of their own +children they possessed a treasure, whose very name, unthought of and +slightly regarded as he then was, would prove dearer than Pluto's mine, +more rich than gold. + +Let us for a moment take a glance at the interior of this hallowed +residence, and view it at the precise period of time to which the minds +of those who now visit it are wont to revert; and when he who was in +after-times to throw so great an interest over every cupboard, corner, +and cranny of its stout-timbered walls, was in life, and dwelling idly +in its apartments. + +In an inner apartment of the ground-floor was seated on a high-backed +oaken chair, a female of some thirty years of age. If the reader has +ever bestowed his attention upon the portrait Rubens has left us of his +first wife, it will save much trouble in the description, since both in +feature and figure this very handsome middle-aged female was the +counterpart presentment of that portrait. + +Opposite to her, and apparently engaged with books and accounts +pertaining to his business, pen in hand, and inditing what, in the +present day, would be called a cramped piece of penmanship, sits a very +comely and respectable-looking man. Nay, if we look closely at him we +shall pronounce him to be a splendid specimen of an Englishman, both in +countenance and figure. His face is exceedingly handsome, the complexion +of a rich brown, the features high and aquiline, hair of a dark auburn, +slightly tinged with grey, whilst a close-clipped curly beard worn round +the chin, and a thick moustachio on the upper lip, complete the picture +of one of those true-born English yeomen whose ancestors drew their +arrows to the ear in the fields of Cressey, Poietiers, and Agincourt. If +our readers then look upon this pair they will behold the father and +mother of England's pride and glory, John and Joan Shakespeare. + +In the female there is a dignity of look and manner which seems somewhat +out of keeping with so lowly a home as the one we find her in. She looks +one whose presence would have better suited the hall than the cottage. +One come of gentle blood, and born to fortune instead of being the wife +of a tradesman in a country town, handsome and genteel-looking as nature +hath made that husband.--Such is in truth the case, as John Shakespeare +married one of the daughters and heirs of Arden of Wellingcote, in the +county of Warwick. + +This pair, however, were not the only occupants of the small inner +apartment in which we have found them, as some half-a-dozen curly-headed +varlets, male and female, of various ages, from three to ten, were +sitting and sprawling about the floor, clambering upon chairs, +exercising their lungs in concert, and ever and anon calling forth a +short reproof or a caress from their handsome parents. + +After a while, the wool-comber shuts up his books, places his pen in the +inkstand, and folding his arms, remains wrapt in deep meditation. + +There is something of care and anxiety in his countenance. His thoughts +and cogitations, as he occasionally glances upon his good-looking +spouse, and then watches the young fry upon the floor, become more +troubled; and, apparently to hide the growing heaviness of his brow, he +rises, walks into the shop in front, reaches down his steeple-crowned +hat, and looks forth into the street,--the little curly brood breaking +cover as he opens the door, and bounding joyously into the sunshine in +the streets. + +As they do so, they are met, caught up, and kissed, (at least the +younger ones,) by their elder brother, just now returning to his home. + +"Ah, Will, good Will," cries one, "where have you been tarrying so +long?" "Naughty truant Willy," cries another, "you've been rambling over +to Warwick with Dick, the tanner's wild son, duck-hunting, I dare be +sworn." "Nay," cries a third, "I know he has been otter-hunting all +night in the river; see his staff is red with blood. Yon have brought us +some skins, good William, hast thou not?" + +"Nay, in good sooth, you varlets," said the elder brother, entering the +door with the whole fry clinging round him, "I have neither wild fowl +from the marshes, nor otters from the river; for none have I been in +search of. I come home empty-handed this afternoon, for which you must +forgive me." + +"And where, then, hast thou been, William?" said his father, somewhat +gravely. "This idle wandering life of thine will, I fear me, lead to +nothing. Master Pouncet Grasp has fairly given me warning that he will +have no more to do with thee. He complains that you keep no regular +hours; you heed no orders or directions he gives; that you set him at +naught, in sooth, and make his other lads more idle than yourself. Nay, +he says you spoil his parchments, spill his ink in waste, and that, in +truth, he must either be ruined or be rid of thee." + +"Out upon the miserable scrivener," returned William, laughing. "I did +but pen a stanza in place of drawing a lease, and lo! he has never +forgotten it. But, in good sooth, dear father," continued the youth, "I +fear me I shall never thrive in the office of Pouncet Grasp. I find the +dry work of a copying-clerk but an idle waste of the life Heaven hath +blessed me with. I was not formed to draw leases, wills, and other +tenures and tricks of lawcraft. + + "Between two hawks, which flies the higher pitch, + Between two dogs, which hath the deeper mouth, + Between two girls, which hath the merrier eye-- + I have, perchance, some shallow spirit of judgment; + But in the nice sharp quillets of the law, + Good faith, I am no wiser than a jackdaw." + +"Thou canst rhapsodize at a good rate, my son," said the father, "that I +well know. But in good truth thou must turn over a new leaf with Lawyer +Grasp, or he will turn thee off, William!" + +"Nay," urged the youth, "since we have entered upon this matter, I must +tell thee, father, that never since the pupil age of Adam was there poor +wight more unfitted for a lawyer than myself; my pen runs riot when I +put it upon parchment; I cannot indite the undoing of the widow and the +orphan, even when the _foul_ copy lies before my nose. I turn a writ +into a love-song, and when I should copy out an ejectment, lo! I find I +have penned the words of a madrigal." + +"The more the pity, William," said the father, "for to speak sooth to +thee, I find myself by no means in so thriving a condition as I could +wish. There be a many of us now in family, great and small. Business +slackens with me, and in good sooth, lad, an I do not better in the +next three months than I have done the last, I may e'en close my books, +shut the house, and stick up bills to let the premises. Ruin, William, +stares me in the face, if matters mend not anon. A bad time such for you +to be thinking of changing from the vocation I have placed you in." + +"Neither would I think of changing, father," returned the son, "did I +think that, by remaining _in_ the law, I could help you or advance +myself. But believe me, so opposite is the dull routine of the desk, so +abhorrent to my soul is the craft of a lawyer, that rather than follow +such a calling I would take the sword my grandsire won at Bosworth, and +seek a livelihood in any place where men cut throats in the way of +profession. Those were sad times, father, but they were stirring times, +those days of York and Lancaster, when-- + + "Trenching war channell'd our fields, + And bruised our flowrets with the armed hoofs + Of hostile paces." + +As the youth uttered this with something of a theatrical air, and giving +the words great force by his utterance, his father looked at him with +considerable curiosity. "Now, by my halidame," he said, "I cannot half +fathom thee, William. Truly thou art a riddle to make out. Seeming fit +for nothing, and yet good at all things. I would I knew, in good sooth, +what to put thee to." + +The lad smiled. "Nay," he said, "I must not be undutiful towards one so +good. I will then continue to try and please this godless lawyer till +something better turns up. And now I must tell thee I have made a friend +of one well known to thee, and who is willing to serve us in requital +for some little service he hath received at my hands." + +"Of whom dost thou speak, William?" inquired the father. + +"Of Sir Hugh Clopton," returned the youth. + +"Nay, and thou hast made friends of Sir Hugh and his family," said John +Shakespeare, "thou hast done thyself good service, and, mayhap, he may +advance thee in life: though what he will find thee fit for, William, I +wot not." + +"Truly, father," said William, "I confess myself but a tattered +prodigal, only fitted to eat draff and husks. Nevertheless, an thou wilt +but admit me, I would fain join these hungry varlets at their evening +meal, and beg a blessing of my honoured mother, whose sweet face I have +scarce looked at these two days past." + +"Well, come thy ways in, thou scoffer," said John Shakespeare, +good-naturedly. "I defy the evil one to be angry with such a madcap as +thou art." + +So saying, Master John Shakespeare turned and entered the house, his +eldest son following with all his little brothers and sisters clinging +to him--one upon his back, another in his arms, and the remainder +pulling at the skirts of his coarse gray doublet. + +To picture the private hours of the great is a difficult, as well as a +thankless, task we opine, since oft-times more is expected than is in +reality to be found; and our readers will scarce be contented to find +the youthful Shakespeare--in all the freedom, amiability, and kindness +of his disposition--the great, the illustrious, the unmatchable--the +mere playmate of his little brothers and sisters, and, whilst sitting +beneath the huge chimney in that small dark room, as he watches the +preparation for the evening meal, engaged in a joyous game of romps. + +Yet such is the case. The gentle William, despite the greatness of his +spirit and the waywardness of his disposition, which seems inclined to +settle to nothing, is the darling of that home circle, the joy of his +brothers and sisters, and, when at home, entering into all their little +amusements and pastimes with heart and hand,--nay, their nurse when +sick, and even assisting his mother oft-times in her little attentions +towards them,--ere he himself, in all "the unyoked humour of his +idleness," sallies out to join his youthful associates of the town. + +Our readers will, therefore, not be surprised to find that great mind, +which in a single line could send a thrill through the soul of his +readers, intent upon an infantine game in the "ingle neuk." + +The pecuniary difficulties John Shakespeare had hinted at to his son +were consequent upon his having maintained a somewhat "more swelling +port than his faint means would grant continuance." No man in Stratford +was better thought of or more respected than neighbour Shakespeare. +There was something about him so well bred and so superior to his +station in life, that he bore with him a degree of influence seldom +granted except to rank and fortune. + +The chief magistrate of the body corporate of Stratford was in the early +charters called the high bailiff. This office Master John Shakespeare +had filled some few years previous to the date of our story, and the +execution of such office had led him into expenses which he had since in +vain tried to abridge. "To some men, their virtues stand them but as +enemies," and thus the good and companionable qualities of Master +Shakespeare, notwithstanding his domestic habits, were so greatly +esteemed that his hospitality was taxed accordingly, and his hearth +seldom unhonoured by guests after business hours. Nay, at no hour was +the little back parlour of his house entirely free from the gossiping +neighbour who came down to talk over the politics of the town, or +discuss the latest floating rumour of the stirring events of Elizabeth's +reign. + +Newspaper intelligence, we have said, there was none at this period, +and, in the absence of such a vehicle for information, men's mouths were +filled with any stirring tidings, and they donned their castors and +hurried about in a country town, stuffing each other's ears with false +reports, and frightening the place from its propriety when any event of +particular import happened. + + "From Rumour's tongues + They brought smooth comforts false, worse than true wrongs." + +"Heard ye the news, neighbour Shakespeare?" said Master Doubletongue the +mercer, entering the small parlour we have attempted to describe, and +joining the family circle. "Heard ye the news to-night?" + +"Good or bad be it?" said John Shakespeare smiling, "it would have been +curious news an it had travelled hither before you brought it, neighbour +Doubletongue. Come, sit, man, sit, fill your cup and give us your news. +What! hath Dame Illwill been brought to bed of twins, or how goes the +story?" + +"Nay, neighbour," returned Doubletongue, who was one of the veriest +scandal-mongers in Stratford, "Dame Illwill hath not produced twins, +neither do I think she will produce the half of twins. By the same +token, I heard the Leech say, 'twas after all but a dropsy that had +caused all this scandal in her disfavour. But body o'me, heard ye not +the news just now brought to town?" + +"That Dame Illwill's affair is likely to end in a bottle of smoke? why, +man, thou hast just told us as much." + +"Ah," said Doubletongue, taking off his cap like one who found he had in +him wherewithal to interest his auditor, "then I _see_ you have not +heard the news. Ergo, the news is mine to give." + +"Then I take it, neighbour," said John Shakespeare, "there are but two +ways, either to give or to retain it. Come, another cup will perhaps +help its deliverance." + +"Nay," said Doubletongue, who but half relished the lack of excitement +his intended communication seemed to make, "you will scarce keep the +native colour in your cheek, neighbour, when I do tell ye what's afloat +to-night. The affair, then, gossips, is thus----" + +"Whose affair?" interrupted John Shakespeare, "not the one you just now +spoke of?" + +"Did I hint anything?" inquired Doubletongue. + +"About a certain female you did," said John Shakespeare. + +"Of illustrious rank?" said Doubletongue. "Why, then you _have_ heard?" + +"We have heard what you have just told us," said John Shakespeare. + +"The news?" + +"The news." + +"What! of Queen Elizabeth?" + +"Nay, Heaven forbid we should sit to hear such words uttered about our +gracious Queen," said John Shakespeare with much solemnity. "'Tis even +dangerous to breathe such a scandal in such a quarter." + +"Then of whom were we speaking?" said Doubletongue. "I gave no news. I +have none to give out concerning our gracious----" + +"Of Dame Illwill, I thought you spoke?" said John Shakespeare. + +"Dame Illwill," said Doubletongue, contemptuously, "who cares about Dame +Illwill? and who, think ye, neighbour, would trouble themselves to stab +her?" + +"Stab her!" said John Shakespeare, "who talked of stabbing?" + +"I do," said Doubletongue; "its my own news, man. It's what I am come to +propound, to expound, and to promulgate. Only you will not bear with me. +The Queen is stabbed, killed, and murdered; our good and gracious Queen +hath been murdered, I say; now, there is my news." + +"Heaven forbid!" said John Shakespeare, starting to his feet. "That +would bode ill luck to England at this moment. Heard you this report, +Master Cramboy?" he continued, addressing another of the townsmen who +entered at the moment. + +"Which report, and whence derived, neighbour?" said Cramboy (who was +master of the free-school at Stratford); "for there be many rumours just +now come into town; the difficulty is to get the true one." + +"That relating to the death of the Queen by the hand of an assassin," +returned John Shakespeare, "and just now given us by neighbour +Doubletongue here." + +"Where gott'st thou _that_ news, goodman Doubletongue?" said the +schoolmaster, with considerable asperity in his manner, "and how came +you to take upon yourself to promulgate, disseminate, and divulge such a +fable?" + +"Nay," said Doubletongue, who stood somewhat in awe of the pedant, "I +know no harm in relating what I have just heard from neighbour Suddle of +our town." + +"Out upon the barbarmonger," said Cramboy, "He is ever inventing one lie +or other; I advise thee to shut thy ears against all his monstrous +conceptions, and thy door against his visits. Know'st thou not, simple +mercer as thou art, that to imagine the Queen's death is treasonable as +to attempt _her life_. Ergo, thou hast committed, or rather aided in +spreading the contagion of matter containing treason, and art _particeps +criminis_ with that lying knave Suddle, who goeth about seeking whom he +may deceive." + +"Nay," said Doubletongue, "if such be the case, I will myself go about +to retrace my steps, and gainsay all I have said." + +"'Twere best you did so," said Cramboy, "with the addition, Master +Doubletongue, that for the future the good folks are never to believe +any rumours either you or Suddle may bring them. And harkee, neighbour, +when you are asked the real state of the case, you can tell your friends +that it is not the Queen who has been stabbed, but the Prince of Orange. +For that is the actual verity." + +"Body o'me, but that is it, then, is it?" said Doubletongue: "well then, +there has been a royal personage murdered, after all. Grant that, my +veracity; grant that, and God be praised, therefore, I am not then +altogether a liar. But stay, an I obey your first injunctions, good +Master Cramboy, who will believe this second report at my hands? I shall +scarce be credited, methinks." + +"So much the better, neighbour," said Cramboy; "the less men credit in +these days of trouble, always excepting holy writ, and the more they +keep to their own affairs, the better for them. And therefore go _not_ +about _at all_; but sit ye down and fill your tankard, whilst I expound +what really hath happened." + +"One way or other, we shall at last learn the rights of this matter," +said John Shakespeare, laughing; "you said but now, Master Cramboy, that +the Prince of Orange hath been murdered?" + +"At Delft, by the hands of a misguided fanatic, such is the awful story, +John Shakespeare. For what saith the book? 'Villany that is vigilant +will be an overmatch for virtue, if she slumbereth.' One Balthazar +Gerard, a Burgundian, it seems has long entertained this design against +the Prince of Orange, and, in order to destroy that famous restorer of +religious liberty, has, at the same time, sacrificed his own life. On my +word," continued the pedant, "these Jesuits are fearful fellows, and +will murder us all in the end. Nay, it is affirmed the Spanish arms are +making rapid progress in the Netherlands, and that Antwerp is ta'en. +Truly, the Prince of Parma carries all before him in those parts. Nay, +'tis further said the States are reduced to such extremity, that they +have sent an ambassador to London to offer to acknowledge our blessed +Queen for their sovereign, providing always she will grant them her +protection and assistance." + +"And there it is," said Master Doubletongue, "there hath not been so +bloody a wild beast seen ravening, burning, and destroying us poor +Protestants, as that terrible Spaniard Philip since the world began. +Heaven keep us from his hot pincers, his thumb-screws, his iron boots, +his hostile intrigues, and cruel enterprises!" + +"Amen, neighbour, say I," returned Master Cramboy, "though I marvel much +you will allow your tongue so much liberty, neighbour, seeing that, as I +firmly believe, Philip of Spain hath a paid spy and intelligencer in +every town of the kingdom. Nay, his wicked designs are said to be fully +directed against England at this moment." + +"I trust no paid spy is to be found within my house, neighbour Cramboy," +said John Shakespeare, laughing, "so that my worthy friend Doubletongue +is quite at liberty to rail upon the Spaniard to his heart's content +here." + +"I meant nothing but in the way of caution to our good neighbour," said +the pedant, "and whose tongue would be much the better for an occasional +bridle, whilst the unrighteous are in sight. By the same token there are +at this moment some half-dozen strangers staying at the hostel of the +Checquers, whom none of us can fathom. Master Mumble, the headborough, +talks of paying them a visit, and putting them to their purgation. +Truly, we are in a dangerous condition, neighbour, and it behoves every +one to look well to the main chance." + +"I think with you," said John Shakespeare, "that our prospects seem not +so fair as hitherto they have seemed. There is no question but that +Philip of Spain, with all the power of his united empire, will fall upon +England anon. His sole aim is the entire subjection of the Protestants. +But come, since your news hath driven off my wife and all her children, +let us even walk down to the Falcon and discuss these matters further. +'Tis now eight o'clock, and I dare be sworn the Dolphin parlour is well +filled with guests. Heaven keep our blessed Queen in its own safety, for +an these paid spies and jesuitical villains should hit her life, I fear +me we shall be devoured by the wolf of Spain." + +So saying, Master Shakespeare rose, and accompanied by his son and two +fellow-townsmen, took their hats and sallied forth. + +During the foregoing discussion so many bumpers had been tossed off by +the two newsmongers, that Master Doubletongue was becoming a trifle +double-sighted, whilst the pedant, who was sufficiently domineering over +his neighbours on most occasions, was now rendered doubly important and +overbearing. + +"Methinks, Will," whispered the elder Shakespeare to his son, "you had +better give Master Doubletongue the aid of your guidance, lest he +measure his length in the gutter. He seems somewhat flustered, and +inclined to quarrel with the road for not being of sufficient width." + +"Thank ye, good William, thank ye," said the mercer, as he availed +himself of the youth's assistance, "the causeway seems progressive +to-night, the stones wherewith it is paved, ever and anon, do rise up to +salute my nostrils, and there they come again." + +"Now that's what I call a circumstance," said Cramboy, "neighbour +Doubletongue has been fuddled every night before curfew, for the last +twenty years of his life, and has not yet learnt to carry his liquor +seemly. An the watch pass us they will be scandalized at his condition, +and take us all up for being drunk at unseasonable hours in the streets. +I pr'ythee, good William, convey him to his own door, and deposit him in +safety there." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE TAVERN. + + +When the pair reached the Falcon, they found a goodly assemblage in the +"Dolphin" parlour of that hostel. This apartment was appropriated to a +certain clique of jolly companions in the town, who often met together +after business hours,--a sapient and most self-important fraternity, +which in our own times would have been designated a sort of club. They +were indifferently ignorant upon all subjects unconnected with their +respective trades and callings, and according to their ignorance was +their importance and self-conceit. + +Matters connected with their own town and county it was their especial +privilege, they thought, to discuss, but affairs in general, and the +politics of the world, were also brought under consideration. Their +oracle, or as we should at present term him, president, was one Master +Michael Teazle, the clothier, who, in his wisdom and his care, sought in +his various harangues to "dress the threadbare state of the commonwealth +and turn it, and set a new nap upon it,"--generally concluding, like +Cade, that the Queen's council were no good workmen, and that he +himself, being a working-man, could best understand the management of +the State. + +This man was, in fact, a somewhat extraordinary individual, and in +possession of considerable talent; one who, in our own times, would have +most likely been either a popular sectarian preacher, or a violent +demagogue. But in Elizabeth's day, there being no proper vent for the +effusion of such a spirit, he was merely the oracle of his gossiping +society of his own town. Too indolent for real and useful work, he +neglected his own business to spy into the affairs of his neighbours, +and too dissipated for any profitable employment; except that he was +kept from utter ruin by an industrious wife, he would, with all his wise +saws, have starved. + +The piece of news which had in the present instance reached Stratford, +had called forth from Master Teazle a considerable harangue upon the +state of the country, and the imminent danger Her Majesty's government, +her own life, and the safety of themselves individually, were exposed to +from the intrigues of the Catholics; and in taking upon him to expound +what _had_ already been done, he took upon him also to say what _should_ +be done. + +"I maintain, my masters all," said he, "that these Jesuits should be +pistolled like mad dogs wherever one can light upon them; for look ye, +are they not educated, and brought up, and fed, and nourished, in +superstition and bigotry? Are they not infused with a bitter hatred +against our Queen, whom they treat as an usurper, a schismatic, a +heretic, a persecutor of the orthodox, and one excommunicated and made +horrible by the _ridiculous_ Pope." Here he stopped and looked around +with great importance. "Nay," he resumed, "look but upon this affair of +the Prince of Orange! Sedition, rebellion, and assassination are the +expedients by which they effect their purposes." + +"For mine own part," said Master Lambe, the glover, "I know not +precisely in what consists a Jesuit." + +"Why, then, lament therefore," said Teazle, "since not to know _in what_ +consists a Jesuit, is not to know the danger to be apprehended _from_ a +Jesuit." + +"Expound unto us, neighbour," said goodman Hyde, the tanner, "what is +your version of such a wild beast?" + +"Wild beast is a bad term to apply to a Jesuit," said Teazle, "as you +will see by the story. To propound what is a Jesuit, we must e'en go +back to the order of Jesuits founded at Douay by Philip of Spain; and +thus it is:--he erected a seminary for Catholics to send their children +to, in order that they might be brought up, and educated with a view to +the crown of martyrdom. Neither to be deterred by danger nor fatigue +from maintaining their principles. And into the breasts of these pupils +is instilled the most inveterate hatred against Protestant England in +general, and Stratford town in particular; and to our blessed Queen +nothing but poison, steel, and perdition. Ahem!" + +"There art thou wrong, brother," said Master Cramboy. "The order of +Jesuits was erected when the Pope perceived that his lazy monks and +beggarly friars sufficed no longer to defend the Church, and that the +unquiet spirit of the age required something more keen, active, and +erudite to defend it." + +"Well, neighbour, well," said Teazle, (who was generally somewhat in awe +of the learning of the pedant), "I sit corrected. Be it, however, as it +may, you will bear with me in holding that prevarication, and every +stratagem which serves their ghostly purposes, are the especial +privileges of the Order." + +"Thereafter, as may be," said Cramboy; "we will discuss that point anon. +Meanwhile, thou art right, insomuch that the seminary you have +mentioned, and which the Cardinal of Lorraine has imitated at Rheims, +and the Pope has also followed the example of at Rome, are all under the +direction of Jesuits--violent, intolerant, and dangerous. And, +therefore, may Heaven bless our glorious Queen, who put that caitiff +Campion to the rack so lately, and broke his bones under the very nose +of the Duke of Alencon, whilst he was making suit for her hand in +marriage." + +"A decent hint to him of the sort of martyrdom he might expect in case +his suit was a successful one," said John Shakespeare, laughing. + +"A grievous martyrdom had all England suffered, an the French duke had +prospered," said Teazle. + +"'Twere best not to pursue that theme, neighbour," said Master Lambe, +"lest we run into dangerous ground, like Charles Arundel Stubbs, of +Lincoln's Inn, who wrote a book, and called it 'The Gulph in which +England was to be swallowed by the French marriage,' and lost his right +hand, as a libeller, for his pains." + +"A severe sentence upon a loyal subject," said Cramboy, "for look ye how +Stubbs bore his punishment! I was there, and saw him suffer. He took his +hat off with his left hand, and waving it over his head, cried, 'God +save good Queen Elizabeth!' Methinks the right hand of such a man would +have been better unlopped. It might have done good service hereafter." + +"Go to, my masters, 'enough said is soonest mended,' as the old saw +goes. An I were the Queen, after what has happened, I would take Spain +by the beard," said Teazle; "for look ye, my masters all, how that king +of red-hot ploughshares and burning pincers groweth more powerful daily. +Already hath he made himself lord of Portugal, and gained settlements in +the Indies; not only arrogating to himself the commerce of those +regions, but all the princes of Italy, and even the Pope of Rome, are +reduced to subjection beneath his sway. Austria and Germany, too, are +connected with, and ready to supply him with troops at his beck. See, +too, how the bloated toad sitteth upon his throne, swelling and +sweltering in wealth as well as bigotry; with all the treasures of the +Western Ind in his diadem." + +"O' my word, neighbour," said Master Lambe, "an such be the case I +should be chary, an I were the Queen, of chasing such a swollen reptile, +lest he spit poison upon me, and burnt me up with the breath of his +powerful nostrils; methinks, an I were Her Majesty, I should be careful +how I gave my crown to the chance of battle with such an enemy." + +"Go to, neighbour," returned Teazle, "thou lookest but along thy nose, +and no farther. See'st thou not that what _must_ come _will_ come; and +_will_ come, may come when most _unwelcome_. Now, an I were the Queen, I +would take Philip of Spain by the nose at once, ere the Netherlands +relapse again into servitude, assailed as they are by those veteran +armies employed against them. By my manhood, I say Elizabeth should at +once trust to her people, and assault the whole force of the Catholic +monarch ere it grow so great that it will swallow up the world. Nay, an +I were appointed general-in-chief, I would conduct an army over to +Holland, and deliver the country from the danger at once." + +"Perhaps, neighbour," said John Shakespeare, "you have heard a rumour +that some such measure has in truth been thought of. A power of +dauntless spirits are, it is said, at this moment assembling under the +Earl of Leicester." + +"A fico for the Earl of Leicester," said Teazle; "pr'ythee what sort of +a soldier is he to oppose against the experienced captains and sturdy +infantry of Spain? Now, an I had been called to name the man fit for +such command I should have named----" + +"Thyself," said Cramboy. "Ah, ah! a very pretty piece of soldiership we +should have in thee." + +"Thou hast said it, not I, neighbour," returned Teazle. "_But_, an I had +said myself, I had at least named one quite as equal to the emergency of +the case as the man of rings and carcanets, of broaches and feathers, +thou hast just named." + +"Methinks 'twere wise not to pursue such comparison further," said +Master Lambe; "'twere best for those to speak civily of the bear who are +such near neighbours to his hold, lest the ragged staff reach our +coxcombs." + +"What gentlemen of note are engaged in this expedition?" inquired +Cramboy. + +"I hear," said John Shakespeare, "that he carries with him a glorious +retinue, being accompanied by the young Earl of Essex, Lords Audley and +North, Sir William Russell, Sir Thomas Shirly, Sir Arthur Basset, Sir +Walter Waller, and Sir Gervase Clifton, added to which five hundred +gentlemen ride in his select troop." + +"Still do I maintain," said Teazle, "that the selection of my Lord of +Leicester is not a good one; he possesses neither courage nor capacity +equal to the task, and were I in presence of the Queen, with the Earl +leaning at the back of her chair, I would say the same." + +"And how would you speak of those in commission with him?" inquired +Cramboy, "To begin with Essex, what think you of him?" + +"As of one better to be led than to lead. Essex is a brave boy +doubtless, and a clever, but then he is rash, headstrong, and +unweighing. Curb him never so little and he flings up in your teeth. +Give him his head and he knocks out his own brains." + +"What of Lords Audley and North?" + +"Put into the scale against the other one and their weight will about +weigh against his lightness. Ergo, the three together are as naught." + +"And how say ye to Sir William Russell?" + +"But so so. Marry a good blade and a stout man, a proper fellow of his +hands. But for brains the accompt is very minute indeed." + +"How of Sir Arthur Basset?" + +"As of one fitter to feat in a couranto, at court, than trail a pike in +the Low Countries." + +"Nay, then, 'tis vain to say more," said Cramboy, "since of the whole +five hundred in my Lord of Leicester's troops I dare be sworn, in thy +opinion, there is not one fit to wield a rapier or poise a caliver." + +"Thou hast again said it, neighbour, and not I," returned Teazle. +"Though in sooth, an I had, I had not been far out." + +"'Tis well then," said Cramboy, "that in maritime affairs a better +selection hath been made. Heard ye, my masters all, that Sir Francis +Drake hath been appointed Admiral, with a fleet of twenty sail and two +thousand three hundred volunteers, besides seamen to serve in it? They +have already sailed for the West Indies against the Spaniards. How like +ye that piece of news?" + +"That likes me somewhat better," said Teazle, "and I can venture to +predict some good to accrue therefrom. Drake is the man to make the +settlements smoke for it. He will burn, sack, and destroy all along the +Spanish main, whilst the other will but make a sort of harnessed masque +through the Low Countries. Such is my poor opinion, and time will prove +in how much it is correct. So fill a cup to Sir Francis Drake, another +for our gracious Queen, and one more for Stratford town. Huzza! huzza! +huzza!" + +After this loyal outbreak there was a short pause. This was at last +broken by neighbour Dismal, who (albeit he drank his quantum at these +meetings) seldom spoke much, and when he did so generally threw a gloom +over the whole assemblage. He always had, however, his _one say_, which +was a sort of concentration of the worst piece of news he could collect +for the nonce. And as he was a man of undoubted veracity, unless he was +pretty well assured of the truth of what he uttered, he never uttered it +at all. + +This usually gave his _one wisdom_ a most startling air of gloom and +horror, and when he rose to speak, or even coughed his preliminary ahem, +he was honoured by the most startling silence. On the present occasion +he prepared to broach the subject matter with peculiar solemnity, +actually rising from his seat, and, as he steadied himself with both +hands upon the table, delivering himself, somewhat after the following +lively fashion. + +"Neighbours all," he said, "I have listened to the discussion of the +foregoing matter with considerable interest. Our good neighbour, Teazle, +hath handled the subject of the proposed expedition in very able style. +He hath been replied to quite as cleverly by my learned and worthy +Fellow-townsman, Cramboy. Such discussions are, however, at the present +moment, methinks, better left to those whom they most concern, inasmuch +as subjects of nearer interest to _ourselves_, it doth appear to me, +more nearly concern _ourselves_. Neighbours, I know I have been accused +of being a kill joy, a melancholy man. Some call me Goodman Death: and +the little boys hoot at me, as I walk at night, and say, 'There goeth +Goodman Bones.' Nevertheless, I have been merry twice or once ere now. I +was merry on the day I married Mistress Dismal, and I was merry the day +I buried her. I was also merry when my father died, and left me in +possession of his business. But I cannot say I am merry just at this +time. Neighbours and jovial friends, I will conclude my speech briefly +and heartily. By the same token, I wish you all your healths, and, at +the same time, hope we may some of us meet here again next week _well_ +and _happy_. How far we are likely to do so is another matter, and of +that you will be better able to judge when I tell you that The Plague is +in Stratford-upon-Avon at the present moment!" + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +THE CHURCHYARD OF STRATFORD-UPON-AVON. + + +After young Shakespeare had safely deposited Goodman Doubletongue at his +own door, and left him in charge of the good housewife, he turned his +steps towards the Falcon, with the intent of rejoining his father there, +and hearing the news of the town; for the son and sire were upon the +delightful terms we sometimes, though not often, may observe between +parent and child. + +In both the elements of high character were so mixed that there could be +no drawback to their love: they were more like companions of the same +age than father and son. The same tastes, the same pursuits, the same +high spirit and honourable feelings pervaded both. + +Certes, the mind of one was of a far more extraordinary character than +that of the other, but that in no degree lessened the feeling of respect +and love young Shakespeare felt for his father, and that father's +example and influence helped to form the man. + +Always the creature of impulse, the youth, after conveying Master +Doubletongue home, as he neared the Falcon, suddenly resolved to turn +his steps in another direction; and, in place of listening, in the hot +sanded parlour of the hostel, to the discussions of the Stratford +wise-acres, whilst he felt the influence of the balmy breeze of night +upon his cheek, he passed the hostel and strolled towards the outskirts +of the town. He felt indeed that the hour was more fitted for communion +with his own thoughts than listening to the ridiculous dogmas and +politics of the goodly fellowship of the Falcon. + +Since his visit to Clopton a new scene had opened to him, and his +feelings had become somewhat changed. He had beheld, nay, become +intimately acquainted with a being of a superior order to any he had yet +met with, and in the lovely and amiable Charlotte Clopton he had found +that perfect specimen of female excellence which his imagination had, +even at this early period of his life, loved to picture. Nay, perhaps, +had he not in youth thus beheld some such bright excellence--some such +reality of his conceptions--we might have wanted those delineations of +grace and purity, those fairest flowers of perfect excellence--the +Viola, Miranda, Desdemona, Juliet, and the sweetest Imogene of his +maturer years. + +To see and to feel the influence of companionship even for a couple of +days with the fair Charlotte, so soft in manner, so fair in form and +feature, so anxious to express her feelings of gratitude for service +rendered, and not to love her, was impossible. And during his visit the +bright face of the young lad might have been observed beaming with +admiration and affectionate regard upon Charlotte as she sang and +accompanied herself upon the spinnet, and which, had it been noticed by +her betrothed, might have perhaps caused some sparks of jealousy and +uneasiness. + +It was lucky, however, in young Shakespeare's case, that the great mind +of the youth came to his aid in this situation, and whilst in company +with her of whom even a previous glance had called forth his admiration. +During his visit he had also comprehended the politics of the family he +was introduced amongst. He beheld the thorough gentleman, the confiding +honourable old cavalier, the knight _sans peur et sans reproche_, in Sir +Hugh Clopton. He saw the youthful esquire, the lusty bachelor, the free +open-hearted, brave, and devoted servant, the lover, whose whole soul +and every thought were upon his fair mistress, in Walter Arderne; whilst +in that cunningest pattern of excelling nature, the lovely Charlotte, +he saw one far removed from his own sphere of life. So much so, indeed, +that "it were all one, that he should love some bright particular star," +"and think to wed it," she was so much above him. So thought the modest +youth. And yet again it was easy for him also to observe that the strong +affection of the lady's suitor was unrequited, and his feelings +unreturned, save by those of esteem and friendship. Under these +circumstances, we say, the strong sense of the youth came to his aid, +and, if it did not hinder him from falling desperately in love, it +somewhat curbed his feelings, and hindered him from discovering them to +the object of his admiration. He felt the barb of the arrow rankle in +his heart; but his pride and proper feeling helped him to subdue, and +conceal the smart. So true it is that-- + + "As in the sweetest bud + The eating canker dwells, so eating love + Inhabits in the finest wits of all." + +We fear it must be acknowledged that the youthful poet, at this period +of his life, was of a most untamed and wandering disposition; that his +life and his employments were rather desultory; and that when once his +steps turned towards the wild scenery which so abounded around his +native town, all was forgotten of home duties, and engagements +pertaining thereto. + +This must, however, be excused in one whose mind was of so extraordinary +a character. + +Amongst other haunts which young Shakespeare loved to frequent at times, +and even when the shadows of night gave a more solemn feeling to its +precincts, was the churchyard of his native town. And perhaps those who +have lingered, and looked upon that sweet scene during night's silent +reign, whilst the moon has silvered the tops of the surrounding trees, +and the waters of the Avon mirrored the beautiful structure on its +banks, will better understand the feelings of young Shakespeare in such +a place. Things more than mortal seem to steal upon the heart, and +thoughts of early and shadowy recollection to haunt the mind. + +Let those who have not visited this locality at "the witching hour," +take a stroll into the ancient churchyard of Stratford. Let them feel +the influence of the man everywhere around them, and imagine him at such +a time. Let them look up at those demoniac heads which the cunning +architects of the Norman period have carved on every coigne of vantage, +together with the shadowy grandeur of the walls and buttresses. + +Let them glance over the verdant mounds and the mossy tombstones of the +silent tenants around, and then ask themselves what were the thoughts +engendered in such locality? Have they not some dark and shadowy +conceptions of Elsineur? Doth not the postern of the old churchyard wall +open to admit the Monkish procession for the obsequies of the fair +Ophelia, with all the pomp and circumstance of the times? Do they not +see before them the whole scene, and hear the words of the distracted +Laertes as he stands beside the open grave of his sister:-- + + "Lay her i' the earth, + And from her fair and unpolluted flesh + May violets spring! I tell thee, churlish priest, + A minist'ring angel shall my sister be, + When thou liest howling." + +Or, in that moonlight scene of beauty, and whilst the reverential awe it +engenders steals upon the heart, doth not some remembrance of Juliet's +tomb, the hour, and the deeds therein performed, float over the mind, +and the words of him who sleeps so near recur? + +Those, we say, who can feel this impression, can best imagine the +influence the hour, and the hallowed spot, had upon the youthful mind of +him who in after-life was to draw upon such feelings in order to produce +the scenes we have mentioned. At the present time, and whilst young +Shakespeare took his way through the churchyard, the feeling of awe +which is sure to pervade the mind, more or less, in such a place, was +peculiarly impressed upon him. It seemed a presentiment of some evil to +come, which he could not shake off. He stopped and gazed around, and a +chaos of wild thoughts and imaginings coursed one another through his +brain as he did so. Within that sacred pile the knightly and the noble, +the soldier of the cross, the fierce Norman, and the proud Churchman +were entombed,--"_hearsed in death_,"--the very men who had lived in the +days he was so fond of dwelling on; those fierce times of contention and +civil butchery. + +The associations connected with such a scene are indeed peculiar; the +beings of a former age in all the panoply of war re-appear, and (as we +gaze upon the architectural beauty of the holy edifices they have left +behind them) we love to imagine their steel-clad forms,--their deep +devotion; whilst remembrance of their heroic acts in the field is mixed +up with the superstition and feelings of their day. + +Whilst the youthful Shakespeare gazed upon the mounds, and the mossy +tombstones, and the soft flowing river; as he listened to the dreary +whisper of the breeze through the trees, a feeling of awe crept over +him, and his imagination reverted to the world of spirits-- + + "When churchyards yawned and graves stood tenantless." + +The living stood alone amongst the dead. Slowly he took his way, that +extraordinary youth: his thoughts and conceptions seemed a wonder to +himself; at one moment he gazed upwards at the o'erhanging firmament, +"that majestical roof, fretted with golden fire;" then he stood upon the +margin of the flowing river, and watched its waves, as they passed +onwards and were lost in the distance, like the hours passing into +eternity, and mingling with those before the flood. _What were those +thoughts_ at that hour and period of his life? who could write them, or +could he himself have described them? _We think not_--perhaps he may +have himself given us something nearly akin. He may _have_ then thought +with his own Prospero-- + + "The cloud capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces, + The solemn temples, the great globe itself, + Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve; + And like this unsubstantial pageant faded, + Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff + As dreams are made of, and our little life + Is rounded with a sleep." + +Man holds strange communion with himself in such a sanctuary. "The +present horror of the time suits with it." There is even a sort of +fascination to the spot, and a longing, a yearning after something +supernatural. Even the hoot of the owl, or the cloistered flight of the +bat, hath a charm in character. + +Such, perhaps, were the thoughts of this youth, for he lingered long in +the churchyard wrapt in his own imaginings. At length, as he heard an +approaching footstep along the path, he slowly turned from the sacred +edifice, leaped the wall, and sought the woods of Charlecote. + +As young Shakespeare left the churchyard, the person whose approach had +interrupted his meditations slowly walked up to the porch of the church. + +As the new comer turned, on reaching the porch, the clock from the tower +sounded the first hour after midnight; a deep and clanking note which +swam over the adjoining fields and was lost in fainter replications. +"'Tis the hour," said he, "and now for the man." + +The midnight visitor was apparently a tall figure, wearing the long +riding cloak of the period, and which completely enveloped his form, +whilst his broad-brimmed hat, and the sable plumes with which it was +ornamented, as effectually shadowed his features. + +"'Tis the hour," he said, as the iron tongue sounded from the tower. +"And now for this unsafe partisan." A low whistle (as if from some +person lying perdue without the wall of the churchyard) was almost +immediately heard, and in a few minutes another footstep was also to be +distinguished as if from the town. + +The figure in the cloak immediately advanced towards the approaching +sounds, and as he did so he freed his right arm from his cloak, and, +pulling it more completely over the left shoulder, felt that his rapier +was easy in the sheath, that his other weapons were free to his hand, +and also that the dagger in his girdle was handy to his grasp. + +Readiness in the use of the various weapons (at that time a part of the +costume of a completely dressed cavalier) was one of the accomplishments +of a gentleman, and the steps and bearing of the person we have +described (although but partially distinguishable in the shade of the +tall trees of the churchyard) proclaimed that he was a person of some +condition. + +He walked slowly and deliberately down the path towards the gate, so +that by the time he had traversed half its length, the swinging sound of +its opening and closing proclaimed that the person advancing had passed +into the churchyard. The moon at this moment had become hidden behind +one of the dark clouds which seemed to threaten a coming storm, so that +(in the deepened gloom of the avenue) the tall cavalier (although the +closing gate and approaching footsteps proclaimed the proximity of the +new comer) could not at the moment distinguish him. + +There seemed no desire for concealment on the part of either, as they +walked boldly past each other. Only a close observer might have observed +in the motions of each considerable caution and distrust. The hand +closed over the hilt of the half-drawn dagger, and each gave the other +what sailors term a wide berth in passing. + +The gloom of the place, at this moment indeed, completely hindered the +features of either party from being distinguished even in passing; +nevertheless, as they moved by, each stared the other in the face with a +sharp and piercing eye, and after having passed a few paces, both +simultaneously wheeled round and retraced their steps. As they did so, +the first comer repeated in a low tone a single word, as if to himself, +which was immediately answered by the other, and both turned; a sign +then passed between them; some mysterious signal, perhaps, like the +words they had uttered, only known to the parties themselves. + +"Gilbert Charnock!" said the first comer. "Is't not he?" + +"The same," returned the other; "and dost not thou answer to-night to +the name of Gifford?" + +"Right," said the first; "you have come at the hour named." + +"I am sworn to do so," replied Charnock. + +"And are you armed to do as sworn to do?" inquired Gifford. + +"I am, if on trial the object of our meeting here is found to be +dangerous to the cause." + +"He has been found so," said Gifford. + +"And yet our friend. One joined heart and hand in that cause. And yet to +die by our hands." + +"Either he or ourselves, besides others implicated in the plot: nay, the +cause itself demands the sacrifice." + +"And he will be here to meet us?" inquired Charnock. + +"He has sworn it." + +"Which of us is to deal with him?" + +"Why this question? The lot was drawn by you." + +"Enough: and he is even now in concealment at Sir Hugh Clopton's. Is't +not so?" + +"So far I traced him by the mad acts he hath committed since leaving +France, and by which conduct our faction is placed in jeopardy." + +"But come; it still wants several minutes of the appointed time. Walk +aside here, and I will tell you in how much the man is unfortunate in +his position. You know the circumstance of his coming amongst us, and +how he undertook to be the instrument, the steel, the dagger, as it +were, by which our arch enemy was to be reached." + +"I do, and how he refused to share the glory of the enterprise with +others, and resolving to take the whole upon himself, suddenly and +secretly set off, without further circumstance." + +"There shone out the dangerous madness of the man," returned the other, +"and by-and-by comes a reaction, by which we are all endangered, as +thus: it appears that on his arrival in England this Parry was as +suddenly seized with scruples, and under influence thereof he goes about +to certain gentlemen, to advise with them as to the propriety of his +undertaking this pious act. Luckily, it seems, he hath, as yet, +consulted with men who are deemed at least safe, or we ourselves had +scarce been here to-night. By some he was told that the enterprise was +criminal and impious; whilst others, again, applauded it. Nay, even +Ragazoni, the Nuncio, and the Pope himself (to whom he wrote a letter), +desired him to persist in his resolution." + +"Methinks that such authority might have satisfied his scruples." + +"Not a whit as you shall hear; for so deeply did the fiend palter with +him in favour of the heretic Elizabeth, that even when he had +opportunity twice, thrice, nay, a dozen times repeated, he could not +strike the blow." + +"The evil one surely mounts guard over that iron-hearted woman," said +Gifford, "or she could never have escaped the many designs set on foot +to cut her off." + +"One would think it," returned Charnock, "and in the instance I am +speaking of, she seems to have been specially guarded by some familiar; +inasmuch as although Parry, albeit he managed matters so well that he +gained an introduction and a private audience of the Queen, no sooner +did he find himself in the presence, than his scruples returned with so +much force, that he commenced an exhortation in place of driving his +dagger to her heart; and after praying of her to tender her life, and +grant us Catholics more indulgence in the exercise of our religion, he +actually informed her there were numerous conspiracies at that moment +formed against her." + +"And how escaped he being apprehended and examined?" inquired Gifford. + +"Ah, there consists the marvel," returned Charnock; "but it seems the +Queen looked upon him as a harmless maniac, and took little account of +what he uttered. She trusted for safety to God and to her people's love, +she said, and so dismissed him." + +"Indeed," continued Charnock, "it seems then, that the interview for the +time completely prostrated all Parry's energies; and lest he should be +tempted, as he owned, by the opportunities he found of approaching her +ere his words could have effect, he always came to court unprovided with +any offensive weapon." + +"And then he afterwards relapsed into his former violence; was't not +so?" + +"It was. He returned to France, saw the Nuncio and Ragazoni, became +again confirmed in his first intent, and has again recrossed to England, +where his madness and his extravagant conduct are likely to compromise +all his friends. Nay, an he is not speedily silenced, we shall assuredly +perish by the gibbet." + +During the foregoing conversation of the conspirators, thus met in the +seclusion of the churchyard of Stratford, (a trysting place they had +fixed on as more likely than any other to be unmolested by the prying +eyes and ears of the curious,) they had slowly traversed round the +sacred edifice; and now, as the taller stranger finished his discourse, +they arrived at the north porch, and stood concealed in its shadow. + +"We seek an edifice dedicated to the service of religion for a strange +and awful purpose," said Gifford, as he gazed along the footpath leading +from the church. + +"Since it is to serve the purposes of the true religion," said Charnock, +"let us trust to the greatness of the cause to sanctify our doings. Hast +thou any scruples?" + +"None," said Gifford. "But time passes. How, if our man fail?" + +"That would bode us ill," said Charnock; "though I think it unlikely +that he will do so. Between the hours of one and two was the time I +appointed him to be here, and he swore to me that he would not fail." + +"And how didst thou get opportunity of speech with him?" inquired +Gifford. + +"By following him to Clopton soon after his arrival; where I gained an +interview, and bade him hither in the name of our leader. Hark, the +signal; 'tis he!" and the two conspirators advanced along the path, +whilst at the same time footsteps were heard. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +THE STRATFORD LAWYER. + + +The arrival of strangers to take up their abode for any length of time +in such a town as Stratford-upon-Avon, always furnished matter of +curiosity and speculation amongst the inhabitants. The neighbours were +known to each other so well, and there was comparatively so little +travel, that a certain degree of suspicion attached to all new-comers in +those dangerous days. When any of the townsmen had business, even a few +miles off, it was usual for them to arrange matters go that two or three +might travel in company. Neighbour Fustian, the hosier, having business +in Warwick, agreed to travel the road in company with neighbour Lambe, +the glover, whose trade made him a visitor to Coventry, whilst the +latter stayed the convenience of mine host of the Falcon, who was, +peradventure, bound for the latter town, and all three, mounted and +armed, went and returned in company, rather than trust purse and person +singly to the chances of the road. + +Robbing on the highway, although by no means so common as in the +preceding reign, was still frequent. The woods were thick in this part +of Warwickshire, and the gentlemen of the shade found it easy to elude +pursuit after a highway robbery. Nay, but a few short years before, and +during the York and Lancaster feuds, which had deluged the land with +blood; what with disbanded men-at-arms, thieves, and caitiffs of one +sort or other, the roads were but cut-throat defiles, and the country +round a continued battle-field. + +So that during the troublous reign of Henry VI. it had been especially +ordered, that between the towns of Coventry, Warwick, and +Stratford-upon-Avon, the highways should be widened, by cutting down +trees on either hand, in order that travellers and wayfarers might have +more room to defend themselves against the numerous robbers and caitiffs +infesting those parts. + +On the morning following the transactions we have recorded in the +foregoing chapter, there were several subjects of interest commented +upon and discussed in the little back room which constituted the office +of one Pouncet Grasp, the head-lawyer of the town. One was the sojourn +of several strangers, whom no one knew anything about, at one of the +hostels: another was a dark and alarming rumour of a suspicious sort of +illness having broken out in the suburbs: and another was the +circumstance of a man, having all the appearance of a person of +condition, having been found, stabbed in several places, and lying, with +the pockets of his doublet rifled, a stiffened and unhandsome corse, in +the road leading to the ferry beyond the church. + +Master Pouncet Grasp himself was seated upon a high stool near the +window of his office, which looked into a green and bowery garden, +having at its further extremity a most pleasant bowling-green; the river +just to be distinguished in the distance beyond, amongst the marshy +meadows. + +Some two or three clerks were seated in different parts of the +apartment, all busily engaged, pen in hand, scrawling strange +hieroglyphics upon certain sheets of parchment before them, making a +dreadful sound of incessant scribbling with their pens. + +Master Grasp himself, the monarch of all he surveyed, and an especial +tyrant over the unfortunate clerks he presided over, was the only +personage in that small apartment who seemed to have freedom of thought +and motion, and license to take his attention from the crackling +parchments beneath his nose. + +If our readers have ever taken the trouble to picture to themselves the +clerk of Chatham, with his pen and ink-horn hung round his neck, they +will have some idea of the figure of our Stratford lawyer in his own +office. Only that, whereas we imagine the clerk of Chatham to have been +a sort of dreamy, drawling person, Master Pouncet was rather more swift, +sententious, and mercurial. Law had sharpened his wit, irritated his +temper, levelled his honesty, and urged his avarice. + +Any one to have watched him when alone in his glory, and only seen by +his clerks, would have taken him to be half insane. The moment, however, +a client or a stranger appeared, he put on a new face and a demeanour +suited to the occasion; appearing wise in council, amiable in +disposition, and staid and sober in manners, whereas before he had been +like a chattering ape irritated with a hot chestnut. + +"Now do I wonder who these strangers may be," he said, leaving off his +writing and jumping round in his seat; "truly I must run down to goodman +Doubletongue and confer with him on the subject. Will Shakespeare," he +said, jumping back again, "get thee down to----Ah, I forgot that +pestilent Shakespeare hath not been to the office for a whole week. Ah, +the caitiff! Oh, the villain! See, too," he said, opening his desk and +searching amongst his papers, "the vile rubbish he inditeth when he is +here in place of copying what is set before him. What! you grin there, +do ye? driving wights that ye are. Grin, my masters, _whilst ye work_, +an ye list. But, an ye _leave off_ to grin, see an I brain ye not with +this ruler. Shakespeare--ah, a pretty name that, and a precious hounding +scamp is the fellow that owns it. Here's goodly stuff toward! Here's +loves of the gods and goddesses for you! Here's Venus, Adonis, Cytherea, +hid in the rushes; Proserpina and Pluto, besides half a dozen heathen +deities, devils, satyrs, and demigods, all dancing the hays in a lump!" +So saying, Pouncet Grasp turned over the leaves of a sort of manuscript +poem, written upon a quantity of backs of letters and dirty sheets of +paper, and, after glancing through the contents, sent them fluttering +and flying at the head of one of his clerks. + +"There," said he, "that's the way my ink is spoiled, and my documents +destroyed. I suppose now, that your friend and crony there," he +continued, addressing himself to the young man at whose head he had +thrown the manuscript, "I suppose your unintelligible friend calls that +incomprehensible and unaccountable rubbish a sort of rough draught of a +poem. I'm not learned in such productions, but methinks he that wrote of +such lewd doings ought to be whipped at the cart's tail, or put in the +stocks at least." + +"I was not aware," said the youth addressed, (and who under cover of his +industry had been laughing all the time Master Grasp was reading the +poem), "I was not aware William Shakespeare has ever written a poem +about the gods." + +"_Si-lence_," cried Grasp, sticking his pen behind his ear and looking +fierce, as he wheeled round and faced about, first to one and then to +another of his clerks. "_Si-lence_, ye scoundrel scribblers, or by the +Lord Harry----" + +The clerk, who knew from experience the irritable nature of his +taskmaster, took the hint and redoubled his exertions with the pen and +parchment before him, only occasionally, as he stole a furtive glance at +his companions and observed the lawyer's attention in another direction, +lolling out his tongue or executing a hideous grimace at him. + +"I pr'ythee, sirs, inform me," said Grasp, again interrupting the +silence he had commanded, "when was that mad-headed ape last in this +office?" + +"Of whom was it your pleasure to speak?" inquired the youth who had +received the compliment of the poem at his head. + +"Of whom should I speak, sinner that I am, but of him of whom I _last +spoke_--that incomprehensible, uncontrollable varlet--that scribbler of +bad verse--that idle companion of thine?" + +"He was here but yesterday," said the lad. + +"Yesterday!" said Grasp, "why I _saw_ him not; I _heard_ him not; +neither did he indite a line of that I left for him to work at." + +"He was fetched away almost as soon as he came," said the lad. + +"Fetched away! who should fetch William Shakespeare away I trow, and +from my house, without leave, licence, and permission granted _from_ and +_by_ me to take the person of the said Shakespeare?" + +"Master Walter Arderne, from the Hall, called for him, and they went +away together," said the lad. + +"Master Arderne, an called for one of my lads here! why what's in the +wind now I trow, and why sent ye not to the Falcon for me, ye sinner?" + +"He asked not for you, sir," returned the lad, "he asked for William +Shakespeare." + +"Now the fiend take thee for a stupid dolt," said Grasp; "what an if he +did ask for William Shakespeare, of course it was me he wished to confer +with; only, as he found I was out, he inquired for the first idiot who +had sense enough to take his message, and the chance fell upon the +greatest scrape-grace and the most consummate ape in the whole lot. + +"Miserable sinner that I am! That varlet hath forgotten to deliver the +message he received from Master Arderne. Who knoweth the import of such +message, so entrusted, and confided, and given, and--and--lost perhaps +for ever?----Ah! and----Peradventure Sir Hugh Clopton hath been seized +with apoplexy, and I have been sent for to confer about his will, or +mayhap Master Arderne hath wished for my advice, anent drawing up the +articles of marriage betwixt himself and that most beautified of young +ladies his cousin.----Or, peradventure the match may have been broken +off, and he may wish for my advice on the let and hindrance thereof. +Nay, it is impossible to say in how much I am deteriorated and damaged, +both in purse, person, and reputation by the mistakes, misconduct, and +mismanagement of that pestilent conglomeration of vices, idleness, and +villany--that scurvy companion, that ill favoured----" + +"William Shakespeare, I suppose you mean," said that youth himself, who +at the moment entered unperceived, and stood smiling at the door whilst +he listened to the scurrility of Grasp. "Nay, finish your sentence, and +fill up the measure of your abuse, master-mine," said Shakespeare, +advancing towards Grasp, who seemed struck all of a heap by his +presence. "I have heard it is your pleasure to rail upon me behind my +back, and, as I well know I deserve some slight portion of your anger, I +am as well content to receive it myself, in place of its being put upon +these lads, my fellows." + +"Nay, good William," said the lawyer (whose excitement seemed to have +vanished in a most unaccountable manner, in the presence of his clerk); +"I named you not, I meant you not, I spoke not your name, that I am +aware of. At least not at this precise moment. Did I name our good +William lads? Did I couple his name--?" + +"If you did, I care not," said the youth, "since (as I have before said) +I feel myself in some sort deserving of your censure. The law suiteth +not my disposition, neither can I give my mind up to its dry study. I +wrong thee, Master Grasp, when I attempt to serve thee, and I should use +oceans of ink and reams of paper ere I learnt even how to serve a writ +properly. It is easier to pretend to be what we are not, than hide what +we really are, Master Grasp, and I will be content to be under +imputation of those ill names you have given me, provided you add not +lawyer to the number; only, in as much as you have favoured me with +those terms, we must be content to part. I do not _beat thee_, Master +Grasp, because thou art weak in body, and somewhat old; but I do warn +thee not to couple my name in future, when you speak of me, with those +opprobrious epithets you have just used. I am no villain at least, and +so farewell for ever, Master Grasp." And Shakespeare turned abruptly and +left the office. + +"Now that's what I call a circumstance," said the lawyer; "here's a +large mouth, here's a goodly gentleman: a stipendiary, a stripling, a +mere school-boy, who hath scarce been two months in my office, and to +rebel, and take himself off thus. Well, be it so. I am well rid of the +rebel, but an I have him not on the hip ere long, my name is not Grasp. +And now I forgot to demand of him the message sent to me from Clopton +Hall. My boots! my boots!" he called to the serving-wench, "and tell +Davey to clap saddle upon Sorrel. Troth I will ride to Clopton, and +inquire me of the steward what's amiss there." + +When the serving-man brought the lawyer his boots, he announced a client +in waiting. "One to advise with your worship," said the man, "upon +matters of import, as he saith." + +"Ah," said Grasp, "what manner of man, Davey man, and where +from,----what's his name too?" + +"A would not give his name, but a said he were from Warwick," said +Davey. + +"From Warwick, Davey? eh? Right, good Davey. I do expect one from +Warwick to-day,--I had forgotten as much--and so you showed him into the +front chamber?" + +"I did, master," said Davey. + +"And is all in order in that apartment, Davey?" + +"It be so," said Davey. + +"Papers, parchments, deeds, and strong boxes, all in their places, +Davey?" inquired Grasp. + +"Yes, master, like nest-eggs. He! he! he!" + +"And you told him I was engaged with another client on business of +import,--of immense import,--eh, Davey?" + +"Trust I for that!" said Davey. + +"Good, then, take him a cup of wine, Davey. Tell him I will see him the +moment I am disengaged, and then bring me hither my capon and tankard. +And d'ye hear,--after you have done that, mount Sorrel yourself, and +ride over to Clopton; make some excuse to introduce yourself into the +servants' hall, and just take a look, and observe if there be anything +out of the common there. You understand?" + +"He! he! hap I do," said Davey, with a knowing wink, as he hurried out +to execute his several commissions. + +When the important little lawyer condescended to give audience to the +particular client his serving-man David had announced, he found himself +in company with a tall aristocratic-looking person, dressed in the +somewhat faded appointments of a military man of the period: that is to +say, he wore the leathern doublet usually covered by the breast-plate +and back-piece, the stains upon it showing it had seen much service in +the field as well as the table, whilst the scarf and jingling spur still +farther denoted the profession of arms. + +"Master Algernon Neville!" said the man of parchment, as soon as the +striking figure of the visitor saluted his eye on entering the room. "I +would your honour had sent in your name. I should hardly have kept you +so long in waiting here. Body o' me, I had no idea it was your +honourable self." + +"Nor much desire so to find it, I dare be sworn, Grasp," said the +visitor. "But, sooth to say, I am come to thee again, and upon the same +errand as when I last was here." + +"Advice, eh?" said Grasp; "truly your honour shall have it,--the best I +can give." + +"I am bounden to thee, good Grasp," said the visitor, "for thy advice; +but there was, as thou knowest, something else I required of thee +besides thy advice, good as it doubtless was." + +"Moneys?" said Grasp. "Truly I am not likely to forget I did also +advance certain moneys,--moneys you required to take you over to +Scotland." + +"And now, if I require more moneys," said the visitor, "can you +accommodate me again?" + +"Marry can I," said Grasp; "what sum does your honour require?" + +The visitor hesitated. He looked shrewdly at Grasp, and taking the pen +from the inkstand marked on a piece of paper several figures. + +"I want that," he said, handing the paper to Grasp. + +"Mass, a round sum!" said Grasp; "but upon such security as you can give +you shall have it, honoured sir. Nay, double an you want it." + +"Why, gad a-mercy!" said the visitor, in some surprise, "hast thou been +the Virginian voyage since I saw thee last? Rich thou hast always been +since I knew thee, but so ready to part with thy moneys I never knew +thee before." + +"Your honour will pardon me for the simile," said Grasp; "but there are +a sort of men who are fortune's favourites, and who like cats ever light +upon their legs. Your honour hath surely heard a piece of news which +nearly concerns you?" + +"I know of no news likely to effect my fortunes," said the visitor, +"having but lately arrived in England. Hast thou anything of import to +communicate?" + +"Body o' me," said Grasp, "why, I concluded you _had heard_, or I had +communicated it immediately I saw you! Know you not the Earl of +Westmoreland is dead!" + +"Nay, is this true?" said Neville, starting. + +"True as that your honour is his next heir," said Grasp. + +"And where died he?" inquired the visitor. + +"In Italy, where he hath been long in exile, as thou know'st." + +"Ah!" said Neville, "this is somewhat unlucky!" + +"Unlucky?" said Grasp. "Heard ye ever the like o' that! What can be +unlucky that bodes your honour so much good? You are in fact and in +right, _de facto et de jure_, next heir to the earldom of Westmoreland." + +"Would that I had known of this but yesterday!" said Neville, +abstractedly; "'twould have spared me from participating in this last +business." + +"Did your honour observe anything?" said Grasp, staring at his visitor, +who seemed wrapped in the thought and cogitations consequent upon the +news he had just heard. + +"'Tis no matter," he muttered at length to himself, "I will betray them +all. Harkee, good Grasp," he continued, after a considerable pause, +"'tis quite true, that which thou say'st. I am next heir to the title +and estate of Westmoreland. But it follows not, therefore, that I shall +succeed to them, as I am in disgrace and under suspicion. Could I indeed +do some acceptable service to the Queen, I might recover those estates +and honours forfeited by the rebellion of the earl just now deceased." + +"That were, indeed, a way to recover," said Grasp; "but does your honour +know of any acceptable service that might do yourself honour and her +majesty pleasure?" + +"I do," said Neville, "and you can aid me in it; but I warn you, it is +attended with danger." + +"In aiding you I serve the Queen, it seems," said Grasp, "Is't not so?" + +"It is so," said Neville. + +"Ergo, it is profitable," said Grasp. + +"It is so," said Neville. + +"Then am I content to encounter the danger," said Grasp, "since I am +well aware that titles, honours, and profit are not to be gained without +some sort of risk; and now tell us, honoured sir, what is to be done." + +"To discover a plot and arrest the traitors," said Neville. + +"Ah," said Grasp, with alacrity, "that were indeed a circumstance. An +you could find such a matter as a ready-made plot, and light upon a nest +of traitors, I should say you were in luck's way, as usual, good Master +Neville." + +"I can do both, good Grasp," said Neville, "and that not a thousand +miles from this town; nay, not a thousand yards from this house." + +"Ah, say'st thou," said Grasp, "not a thousand yards from this house? As +sure as my name is Grasp, your words point at the strangers who have +been for the last two days playing at hide-and-seek at the Checquers. Am +I right, good sir?" + +"You are," said Neville. + +"Now, praise be to my sagacity," said Grasp, "I all along suspected +those mysterious men of being evil-doers. There is treason and concealed +villany in their very shadows as they glide about. What is the nature of +their designs and their intent, good Master Neville? are they emissaries +of the Spaniard? or are they----" + +"Let it suffice, their intentions are dangerous to the safety of the +Queen, and they are secretly drawing into their conspiracy many Catholic +gentlemen in this county who are discontented with the present +government. Nay, five of them are sworn by the most binding oaths to +sacrifice themselves to the service of taking the life of the Queen." + +"Oh, the villains!" said Grasp, rubbing his hands with delight at the +prospect of being accessory to the discovery of a conspiracy of so much +magnitude. "Oh, the caitiffs! a plot to destroy our blessed Queen, and +ruin the nation! now that's what I call worth living to hear of. I'm a +made man, that's clear." + +"Nay, but," said Neville, "we must go warily to work, good Grasp; and I +must damp the exuberance of thy glee a trifle, inasmuch as this business +is likely to implicate and deprive thee perhaps of a client of thine." + +"Ah," said Grasp, his countenance falling a little, "that's rather bad, +who is the man?" + +"Sir Hugh Clopton." + +"Thou hast taken my breath away," said Grasp, recoiling a pace or two. +"Sir Hugh Clopton, whom men call the good Sir Hugh, engaged in such a +bloodthirsty and jesuitical plot as this? Are you quite sure, honoured +sir, of the correctness of what you utter?" + +"I am quite sure that some of those engaged and deeply pledged to +assassinate the Queen have been in hiding at Clopton Hall within the +last two days. Nay, I shall be able to identify several of the best +Catholic families in this county, as having been in correspondence with +emissaries in Scotland, not only to assassinate Elizabeth, but to set +the Queen of Scots at liberty, and place the crown upon her head." + +"Nay, this is glorious," said Grasp; "the plot does indeed thicken, as +the saying is. The fiend take the good Sir Hugh; I would sacrifice fifty +such clients, and see them hanged, drawn, and quartered into the +bargain, for such a chance as this. And now let us lay our heads +together, and consult how to capture these bloody-minded conspirators +with most advantage to our own proper selves. How shall we proceed, +honoured sir? Shall we rouse the whole _posse comitatus_, and attack the +house in which these miscreants are engendering, and hatching, and +concocting those horrors; or, shall we go incontinent, and give secret +intelligence to Sir Thomas Lucy at Charlecote?" + +"That I must leave to your discretion, good Grasp," said Neville. "Your +part must be to secure them ere twenty-four hours have elapsed. +Meantime, I must ride post haste to London, and give information to the +Queen or her ministers of the whole affair." + +"I would your worship would remain here, and capture the caitiffs, +whilst I proceed up to town with information," said Grasp. "Methinks, as +you are a man of _war_, and I am a man of _law_, that would be the most +proper arrangement." + +"By no means," said Neville. "Manage the matter as I have told thee. Do +it well and effectually, and reward is sure to follow to us both. It is +essential that I should myself gain favour by the discovery, and if I +should succeed to the estates and title of Westmoreland, I shall not +forget the service you have rendered. Be wary, and prosper. Farewell." +So saying, the visitor hastily took his leave, and a few minutes +afterwards was riding furiously towards Warwick, on his way to London. + +"Now, there's a bloody-minded and dangerous Jesuit for you," said Grasp +to himself. "He thinks I know not that he's a Catholic, I suppose, and +that I cannot guess he has been as deep in this vile plot as the rest of +them. But I do bear a brain, and I can perceive that the death of his +relation hath completely turned his conscience, and now, in place of +helping to murder the Queen, he's going to hang up all his associates, +by turning evidence. A bad world, my masters, and bad folks in it! But +then it's by the bad I gain and thrive; bickerings, quarrellings, +evil-speaking, lying, and slander, plots, counterplots, conspiracies, +hangings, and headings, are my especial good. So now to consider and +contrive this matter. Let me see--I instantly hasten off to the high +bailiff, get together a sufficient body of his men, and then, my +masters, look to yourselves! A plot to kill the Queen, subvert the +Government, and burn the whole kingdom in an _auto-da-fé_! By all that's +good, the business will not be effected without blood-letting on both +sides! Let me see, who have we of approved valour and conduct to aid us +in this capture? There's Master John Shakespeare; he's a good man and a +true one, that will thrust in, and smite hard. His grandsire did good +service at Bosworth Field. Then there's Goodman Rivett, the armourer; he +hath an arm of might, and a heart of steel,--him will I also look up, an +we need special men. Then there's--Yet," continued Grasp, pausing, and +considering the matter, "methinks, after all, it would be better to put +the affair at once into the management of Sir Thomas Lucy. Yes, I will +incontinently and instantaneously proceed to Charlecote, and do so. Let +me see; 'tis now about one hour after noon. I shall catch the proud +knight just before he takes his post-prandium ride." + +So saying, Grasp donned his hat, and prepared for his visit to +Charlecote. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE SONNET. + + +When Shakespeare took leave of his newly-found friends at Clopton, he +left a deep impression behind him. + +There was a feeling amongst the trio, which two of them at least could +not understand; so greatly had the youth's manners struck them, so +forcible was the interest he had created; whilst the third and most +interesting of the party found that the handsome lad had unconsciously +robbed her of her heart. + +"By 'r Lady," said the old knight, "yonder stripling is one of the most +singular companions I ever met; without being in the least forward in +manners, he somehow impresses one with a feeling of inferiority I cannot +understand. He's an extraordinary youth, my masters; and, an he turn not +out something beyond the common, I am not a Clopton." + +"How well he talks on all subjects!" said Arderne; "and yet how modest +doth he seem!" + +"How beautiful were those verses he wrote this morning!" said Charlotte. + +"If he did write them," said Martin, "lady mine; _for mark ye_, they may +be the offspring of another brain." + +"_If_ he wrote them! Martin," said Charlotte: "why, who else could have +written them, think ye?" + +"Why not another as well as he, lady mine?" said Martin, archly; "what +one man can do, another might effect. Methinks one older and more +learned must have indited those lines." + +"Nay," said Charlotte, "I know not wherefore, but sure I feel that none +but he could have penned that sonnet." + +"Gramercy," said Martin, "this is to have an opinion of merit, indeed! +Doth that stripling, that hero of the quarter-staff, seem to you, Master +Walter," he continued, shrewdly glancing at Arderne, "to have so much +merit that none other can come up to him?" + +"I confess the lad hath made a singular impression upon me," said +Arderne, "an impression I cannot shake off or understand. I never was in +company with so amiable a youth before." + +"Let us hear his verse again," said Sir Hugh. "Come, Martin, thou hast a +voice, thou shalt read it." + +"Ahem," said Martin. "I am no hand at a stanza; I shall mar the good +verse, I fear me. Nevertheless, I will essay it." + + THE SONNET. + + Who will believe my verse in time to come, + If it were filled with your most high deserts? + Though yet, Heaven knows, it is but as a tomb + Which hides your life, and shews not half your parts. + If I could write the beauty of your eyes, + And in fresh numbers, number all your graces, + The age to come would say, this poet lies, + Such heavenly touches ne'er touched earthly faces, + So should my papers, yellow'd with their age, + Be scorn'd like old men of less truth than tongue; + And your true rights be termed a poet's rage, + And stretched metre of an antique song: + But where some child of yours alive that time, + You should live twice,--in it, and in my rhyme. + +Sir Hugh was a man of parts. He was a man, too, of strong sense, and, +for the age in which he lived, might have been esteemed and accounted a +learned man withal. + +Had he chosen to be more of a courtier, and his creed been different, he +might have risen to some eminence as a statesman. + +He felt considerable astonishment, and expressed no less admiration, at +the beauty of the verses just recited. + +"Now, by my fay, good Martin," said he, "I do somewhat lean to thy +opinion in the matter, inasmuch as it seemeth scarce possible so young a +lad could have penned such stanzas. Nay, by our Lady, I know not where +to look amongst our old poets in order to find aught to equal those +lines." + +"Then where hath the lad gotten them from?" said Arderne. "Peradventure +he hath fetched them from some recent book of songs and sonnets; they +say young Spencer hath lately written." + +"'Tis not in Spencer's vein," said Charlotte; "and since we have so far +discussed the matter, I must needs say that I can almost vouch for his +having written them." + +"Ho! ho!" said Martin, with a shrewd look. "La! you there now. Come, +tell us the when, the where, and the how, Lady Charlotte. Let us have +the circumstances under which this sonnet was written, since yon confess +to so much knowledge of the matter." + +"Nay, Martin," said Charlotte, blushing; "it was by accident I +discovered so much. Walter and myself had been walking under the shade +of the tall trees at the end of the garden, when I observed the youth +standing, with arms folded, and gazing upon us in the arbour at its +extremity. As we leisurely approached him, I saw him tear a leaf from a +small book he held in his hand, and write something in it. When we +entered the arbour and joined him, in putting up his book, he dropped +the stray leaf, upon which he had been writing, and I own I was wicked +enough to let it lie, and secure it after he had left us." + +"Well," said Sir Hugh, "the lad is certainly a youth of merit, and I +feel bound to befriend him in what I can. We must bethink us, Walter, in +what way we can serve him materially." + +"He is at present, as he tells me," said Arderne, "a clerk or writer in +the service of Lawyer Grasp; albeit he liketh not the drudgery and +confinement of such a life." + +"I wonder not thereat," said Sir Hugh; "since to sentence a lad of so +much genius to be a scrivener's clerk, is like putting my best bred +palfrey into a mill, or shutting up a soaring falcon in a thrush's cage. +We must do something for him, Walter, for we owe much to him." + +Such were the kind intentions of the good Sir Hugh towards one to whom +he felt under considerable obligations, and doubtless he who had caused +those grateful feelings would have felt the benefit of them from one so +well off in the world. "Wishing well, however, hath not a body in it;" +and our intents of to-day are oft-times marred by the events of +to-morrow. + +The promises of the powerful are oft-times a sort of "satire upon the +softness of prosperity;" and in a few days the good Sir Hugh was himself +involved in difficulties which made him oblivious of all, save +honourable extrication from their labyrinth. + +The conversation which had taken place regarding the sonnet, occurred on +the day following that on which young Shakespeare had left the Hall: a +day made more memorable to two of the inmates, from the circumstance of +the unwelcome visit of Gilbert Parry, and which it is our purpose now +again to refer to, in order to explain certain other matters +appertaining. + +It will doubtless be remembered by our readers that the shrewd Martin +had played the spy upon the insane conspirator, and succeeded in making +himself complete master of his horrid and perilous intentions. +Intentions, the more dangerous to all who were in the slightest degree +implicated, as the bloody designs and desperate projects which were +suspected to be in existence against the Queen on all sides, had +determined Elizabeth's council to make terrible examples of all whom +they might discover. To the good Sir Hugh, however, the danger likely to +accrue to his own person was the least consideration; and when the +faithful Martin, accordingly, on the following morning, informed him of +the intentions of the visitor and his own suspicions of his sanity, the +good knight was struck with consternation. It was early morning when +Martin told his tale to his patron, and when the old knight having just +descended, was making the round of his kennel and falconry, and the +relation at once filled him with terror, pity, and indignation. + +"I will incontinently visit this dangerous caitiff," he said, "and if I +find matters as bad as you say, I will take means to secure him and +prevent mischief. If he be indeed mad, it is my duty, as a Christian +man, to lay him under restraint; but if he be sane and resolved on such +attempt, I swear to thee I will arrest him with my own hand, and deliver +him over to justice." + +"Beware!" said Martin, stopping him as he was hastening off in search of +his visitor. "Beware, good master mine, how you introduce yourself alone +into the den of a tiger. This fellow is dangerous in the extreme; and on +the slightest hint of your knowledge and disapproval of his designs, +will fly upon you and attempt your life. A madman I have heard say, in +his furious fits, hath twice the strength of one in possession of +reason." + +"I value not his madness a maravedi," said Sir Hugh, whose anger was +predominant at the moment. "A murderous caitiff and condemned felon thus +to introduce himself into my house! By our Lady's grace, an he draw +weapon or lift hand against me, I will smite him in the teeth with my +dagger, and kill him like the reptile at my foot." + +"At least, let me accompany you," said Martin, who saw that the angry +spirit so seldom aroused was now predominant, and therefore the more +resistless. + +"Follow an ye list," said Sir Hugh, "but I tell thee I am quite able to +cope with such a fellow, and equal to arrest him if I find his purpose +treasonable;" so saying, and followed by the faithful Martin, Sir Hugh +re-entered the house, and the pair, introducing themselves into the +secret wing of the mansion, immediately ascended into the chamber in +which Parry had been shewn the night before. + +Sir Hugh was the first to enter, and, with the angry spot upon his brow, +after hastily glancing round the small room advanced to the bed and +pulled open the curtain with no very gentle hand. + +The bed, however, was unoccupied, and the room tenantless, although the +crumpled state of the coverlid of the couch and pillows shewed that the +occupant had thrown himself upon it during some part of the night at +least. + +"There is the form," said Sir Hugh, "but the game is off." + +"There is no saying where such a customer may have crept to," said +Martin, peeping under the bed, then getting up on one of the chairs and +looking out of the small window upon the roof. "The man I am sure is as +mad as a March hare; let us descend and see if he is any where secreted +in the small apartment below." + +Sir Hugh accordingly descended, and (both together) searched in every +closet and hiding hole with which the place was accommodated, but the +bird had certainly flown, having, without doubt, passed into the garden +by the small postern door which opened on the inside. + +Proceeding into the garden they searched through its walks and alleys, +but the object of their search was no where to be found, and the small +door which opened in the thick high wall at its extremity, and admitted +into the thick plantations beyond, being wide open, they naturally +concluded their visitor had fairly decamped in his insane mood as +unceremoniously as he had entered. Sir Hugh, however (although he could +not but feel relieved at the absence of the dangerous intruder), felt +considerable annoyance at the whole circumstance. He was oppressed with +the knowledge of the maniac's treason, and which, notwithstanding the +powerful letter brought to him from the Nuncio Campeggio, he was +resolved to divulge to the Queen's council. At the same time he also +determined to do nothing rashly. Father Eustace was expected in a few +hours, and must be consulted, whilst Martin, meanwhile, undertook to +endeavour to trace the madman and observe his motions if possible. + +In such a case delays are dangerous, as the good Sir Hugh found, for +Parry, whose vagaries had alarmed some of those connected with the +dangerous plot, having been met with in Stratford, and then followed to +Clopton, was lured into a secret appointment and put to silence with at +least half a dozen wounds; and the whole affair in a few short hours +after was in progress of being fully divulged. Of this, however, Sir +Hugh was not likely to become acquainted, till the news reached him in +an unpleasant shape. The circumstance of a man having been killed just +without the town was by no means an uncommon event; and as Martin had +failed in tracing Parry, and Father Eustace's return was delayed, except +that there was a degree of mystery attached to the appearance and +disappearance of the visitor, in a few days the circumstance was almost +forgotten. + +Meantime, whilst, with swift passage, events were hastening onwards, and +which were to involve some of the _dramatis personæ_ of our story in +the perils and miseries of life, how calmly and how treacherously flowed +on the even tenor of their hours. Mischief, as we have seen, was afoot; +a secret society, consisting of one or two dangerous fanatics, resident +in the county of Warwick, an Irish gentleman of rank, and several other +desperadoes, had met, as we have before hinted, at one of the low +hostels in the town of Stratford, and which locality they had chosen for +some reason best known to themselves. + +These men, involved in a desperate enterprise, and sworn to devote +themselves to death one by one, till they had achieved it, whilst they +sought to increase the number of their associates, found danger even in +the overzeal--the frenzied enthusiasm--of one of their own instruments, +whilst another was about to prove false and betray them; nay, at the +very moment when, like the alchemist of old, their toils were to be +rewarded with progression, the vessel containing the elixir was to +burst, and destroy all within its influence. + +These emissaries were at work in various directions,--secretly, +stealthily. They had friends in France, in Spain, in Italy, in Flanders +even; the day and the hour at which the first attempt was to be made was +fixed; the very hooftreads of the horse which carried the unscrupulous +Neville towards his design, in imagination, were counted by them; whilst +he who was then, as his associates supposed, hastening towards this +purpose, from a sudden change having taken place in his before desperate +fortunes, was indeed posting to London; not, as he had sworn, in order +to make essay upon the life of Elizabeth, but to betray the whole plot +to the council, to aggrandize himself, and give to the gibbet and the +executioner's knife, his sometime friends. + +And such are the inscrutable ways by which Providence works out His +ends: such is the wisdom of the Great Director of events, and such are +the vain designs of man. Ever driving headlong onwards, hastened by evil +passions, obstinacy, wickedness, and pride, to inevitable +destruction;--destroyed by their own villanous devices, thirsting for +blood, grasping at riches, feeding absolutely on each other, the wicked +perish miserably. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +MOTHER AND SON. + + +Those of our readers who have visited Stratford-upon-Avon, and looked +upon the house in Henley Street, that house which has caused so great an +interest in the world, will remember the lattice-windowed room in its +upper floor, that room in which (as their eyes have glanced around its +walls) their feelings have perhaps been excited almost unto the shedding +of tears;--that room in which some portion of the early youth of him +whose idea is enshrined in the hearts of all who speak our English +tongue, was passed. + +It is mid-day, and seated in that room are a mother and an elder son. +The mother is employed in some sort of curious work, whilst her baby is +cradled, and asleep at her side. Spinning perhaps, like "the spinsters +and the knitters of the sun,"-- + + "Weaving her threads with bones," + +lace-making; and as she works, she chants some old ditty,--some song, +"that dallies with the innocence of love, like the old age." + + "Come away, come away, death, + And in sad cypress let me be laid; + Fly away, fly away, breath, + I am slain by a fair cruel maid: + My shroud of white, stuck all with yew, + O, prepare it-- + My part of death no one so true + Did share it. + + Not a flower, not a flower, sweet, + On my black coffin let there be strewn; + Not a friend, not a friend, greet + My poor corpse, where my bones shall be thrown; + A thousand, thousand sighs to save, + Lay me, O where + Sad true lover ne'er find my grave, + To weep there."[1] + +[Footnote 1: "Twelfth Night."] + +And whilst she sings, the youth, her son, seated upon a stool at her +feet, is deeply engaged in perusing the goodly-sized volume he holds +upon his knees. + +Such is the picture. The sun streams through the diamond panes of that +ample window, and gives a glowing tint to the red curtains of the old +square-topped bedstead, and other cumbrous articles of furniture; the +high-backed chairs, and the heavy oaken table in the background. What +would the illustrious of the world,--what would the most honoured in the +world's esteem, of our own day, for arts, for arms, or for +learning,--what would they give for _one_ glance into "the dark backward +and abysm of time,"--but _one_ glance, so to see that mother and her +son;--that mother who implanted grace in her child; that child whose +high spirit had been tamed and cultivated by her influence? And what, +indeed, should we all be, saith a great writer, but for the influence of +women in our youth? + +They give us life, and they also give us the life of the soul. How many +things do we learn of them as sons, lovers, or friends? + +The youthful Shakespeare loved to hold sweet converse with his handsome +mother, and whom he loved so well. From her conversation, in his boyhood +he had taken his first impressions of things: from her legendary +stories, (so sweetly related,) he had gathered many facts of history. In +winter's tedious nights, how oft had she pictured to him all she had +heard from her own parents, of the York and Lancastrian wars, and the +horrors to which England had been reduced--"Discord in every state, +discord in every family!" From her's, and from his father's relations, +over the winter's fire, were gathered the boy's first impressions of +those fierce English, whose characteristics (according to their foes) +were force of pride, and obstinacy--those doggedly resolute, those +invincibly cool islanders, who, in all their splendour of their feudal +pride, had so often walked through the vasty fields of France, as if in +some harnessed masque, eating up the lands on all sides, and still +fighting onwards in their own joyless way: burning, slaying, and +destroying for so many centuries, till they made captive at Agincourt, +not only of the French king, but the very realm. + +'Twas thus the boy had learnt his first lesson in the history of his +country, not either exactly as a lesson, but in the homely popular form +of a winter night's tale, as the simple story, or faith of a mother. + +And what we thus inbibe with the milk we suck, and with our growing +blood, is a living thing as it were, and what the boy loved to listen to +as a simple story, the youth loved to follow out as a study. He reads of +the events his mother has told him of, and given him a taste for, in the +chronicled history of the wars of the time; whilst the little of life +and splendour he has already seen, in the brilliant era in which he +lives, has given him, even now, an impression of the pride, pomp, and +circumstance of the Norman period. + +Yes, the mind of the boy had been moulded by his mother, and a great +deal of his just appreciation of women, and his delineations of the +exquisite females he has drawn, are derived from the impressions she has +given him. + +As he reads from the thick volume, in which he learnt more accurately +the facts, and date, of the history of his own country, he occasionally +pauses to listen to his mother's song, to gaze up in her face, and to +question her upon some point he has arrived at, and which he remembers +to have heard her relate before. + +Music and singing were much more cultivated (even amongst the humble +classes) than in our own times, in England, and where indeed they are +now scarcely cultivated at all. The sweet old songs "of the old age," +are for the most part lost to us, they have departed with the quainter +dwellings in which they were warbled. + +In those days the strains which floated through the halls of the great, +and the notes which were heard in the low-roofed apartments of the +citizen, were calculated to soothe and quiet the passions of man. In our +own times they are meant to arouse and excite--they are a whirl, a +discordant noise. The lullabys which the mother chanted as she worked, +were scraps of songs, great favourites at the time, and afterwards +adapted from the recollection of the hearer in some of his works: + + "Take, oh, take those lips away, + That so sweetly were forsworn,-- + And those eyes, the break of day, + Lights that do mislead the morn. + But my kisses bring again,--bring again, + Seals of love, but seal'd in vain,--seal'd in vain."[2] + +[Footnote 2: This song, which, no doubt, was a favourite in its day, is +inserted in Beaumont and Fletcher's "Bloody Brother."] + +Not only the history of his own land, and which all ranks at this period +were lamentably ignorant in, did the youthful Shakespeare receive the +rudiments of from his mother; but she loved to amuse him with those +stories of romance she had learned from her own parents, and which had +been handed down from the chivalric ages, when the female of high degree +was the teacher of youth. The great lady--"of exalted rank and +inaccessible,"--who cultivates the mind of the youthful page--a mother, +a sister, a guardian angel, and yet of such high degree, that she seems +(in the austerity of her counsels, and the difficulties to be overcome, +ere her favour can be gained) too great even to receive the adoration of +him whose service costs so many sighs. Till in the end, as the +accomplished knight is produced, the incarnation of merit and grace all +fades away before the powerful god. + +The youth achieves greatness, and becomes lord of that beautiful lady, +her dark castle, and her broad domain, "with shadowy forests, and with +champions rich." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE LOVERS. + + +But three days had intervened since young Shakespeare's introduction to +Clopton Hall, and again he was a visitor there. + +Although his own desire for the society of its amiable inmates might +reasonably have led the youth to repeat his visit, his better judgment +would have hindered him from so soon returning to Clopton, had he not +been led to do so by Walter Arderne. + +That young man felt so great a desire to renew his acquaintance with the +youthful poet, that he had sought him out on the day following his +visit; and had, indeed, been with him every succeeding day in the +interval. + +To one so amiable in disposition and so generous in sentiment as Walter +Arderne, the difference in station between himself and friend was no bar +to intimacy. Indeed, he felt so much in every way his own inferiority, +whilst in company with this singular new acquaintance, that it seemed +when in his society as if the condescension was on the other side. At +the same time the joyous spirit of the youthful Shakespeare, and a spice +of reckless daring in his disposition, gave an additional charm to his +companionship. So that intimacy, which (amongst many) has been the +source of the deadliest enmity, in this case led to the firmest +friendship. + +"I know not wherefore, good William," said Arderne, as they slowly +wended their way towards Clopton, "but towards thee my feelings of +friendship and attachment are greater than is ordinarily experienced +between men not connected by blood. I am by birth thy superior, my +prospects in life are more brilliant than thine, I mix with the choice +spirits of the country here, and yet (albeit I am looked on as a wit, a +setter of exploits, a leader of diversions, a good blade, and a +sportsman), yet, somehow, my genius seems rebuked when in thy presence; +I feel myself as it were naught. Nay, despite thy sober suit of homely +cut and fashion, there is a superiority in every look, tone, and +movement of thine, which I feel and wonder at." + +"Nay," said Shakespeare, "this is something too much, good sir. 'Tis +your love and friendship which makes you think thus. Be assured, the gay +and gallant Walter Arderne can never be outshone by so quiet, so +unobtrusive a wight as myself." + +"Ah, so thou say'st," returned Arderne; "but why is it that I feel this +veneration on so short an acquaintance with a mere boy? Thy converse is +different from that of men even of learning and great attainments. There +is a force, a feeling in every word thou utterest, which makes its +impression. Yes, there is a manner about thee, William Shakespeare, +which is inexplicable; whilst thy slightest remark upon the most trivial +flowret in the hedgerow seems to me worth all the uttered wisdom of the +schools." + +"Nay, then," said Shakespeare, laughing, "thou art but flouting me, good +Master Walter." + +"Truly, thou art an extraordinary youth, good William, and the way thou +hast drawn out the different characters we have met with as we walked +the streets even to-day, and made them display their peculiarities and +their follies, is as singular as all else pertaining to thee." + +Whilst they held converse thus, Walter Arderne and his new friend drew +near to the garden and pleasure-grounds of the Hall. As they did so, the +eyes of the lover detected his mistress in the distance. She was slowly +pacing along one of the walks, and perusing some verses written upon a +small scrap of paper. Arderne stopped as soon as he saw Charlotte +Clopton, and as he watched her graceful form amidst the trees, he seemed +for the moment wrapped in his own thoughts. + +"Were it not," he said, after a pause, and turning to his youthful +friend, "were it not that I so entirely love thee, good William, were it +not that even in our short acquaintance I so highly esteem thee, I +should hesitate to bring one so superior to myself in contact with her I +adore; and were it not that thy superiority is so great, I should scorn +to own such a feeling to thee, William Shakespeare, lest I compromised +my own station by such thoughts. 'Tis strange, but so it is; and to any +one but thee, I should have shamed to give my thoughts tongue on such a +subject." + +Ardorne sighed as he said this, and again looked towards the object of +his ardent affection. "She loves me not," he said, "'tis vain for me to +suppose she does. Her manner, despite her willingness to oblige her +father, and even to persuade herself she feels inclination to wed with +me, too plainly shews I have little or no real interest in her heart. +Had I but thy winning tongue and gift of speech, good William, I might +do much. Nay, it were good that thou shouldst plead for me, and tell her +of the violence of my passion; and thou shalt do it too." + +"Nay," said his friend, "that would be somewhat out of the usual course +of wooing. I pray you hold me excused in this Master Arderne." + +"Not a whit," said Arderne, "the thought is a good one. Women oft-times +are led to prize that which those they think well of value,--to open +their eyes and see clearly the hugeness of an affection they have not +before appreciated." + +"But I know not how to woo a maid for myself," said his friend, "since I +have never yet made suit to one, how, then, am I to play the suitor for +so accomplished a cavalier; I who hath not ever seen the court?" + +"Tush, tush, man," said Arderne, "there's ne'er a courtier of them all +could match thee, I dare be sworn." + +And thus did the boy poet--the lover under circumstances so peculiar, +spend another day at Clopton Hall, and where all he saw gave him a +second impression of life in a different sphere to that in which he had +hitherto moved. True to the whimsical project which had suddenly seized +him, Walter Arderne left his friend with a fair opportunity of pleading +for him to the fair Charlotte. + +"When thou art tired of examining those worm-eaten volumes," he said to +Shakespeare, "I dare be sworn thou wilt find Mistress Charlotte in her +favourite arbour in the garden. Sir Hugh and myself are promised forth +this morning. Farewell, therefore, for the present." + +Our readers will readily imagine that the renewal of acquaintance +between this youthful pair would be likely to ripen the growing +affection they felt for each other. Concealment, however, seemed to both +a matter of necessity. Neither dared to own, even to themselves, that +they loved. Pride came to the aid of each. In one it was the pride which +fears even the shadow of suspicion; in the other it was the pride of +birth. The pride of ancestry, however, is soonest subdued in such cases; +that of conscience is more difficult for the blind god to overcome. + +And the youthful poet and the exquisite Charlotte found themselves +thrown together, where every scene of beauty around them was conducive +to the growth of their passion. + +The locality has oft-times much to do with love. + +The lady, in all her glowing beauty, seemed even more lovely amidst her +own shadowy groves, with the time-honoured towers of her ancestors +looking majestic in the distance. The perfume from the sweetly-scented +shrubs and flowrets, the whisper of the soft breeze through the +luxuriant trees, the cooing of the wood-pigeons in the distant +plantation, the hum of the bees, and the plash of the fountain, each and +all were felt by one who was so prone to feel. + +And he himself who walked beside that beautiful girl, thus surrounded by +all the appliances of rank and station, how did he appear in her eyes in +his lowly suit? Had he nothing to recommend him, and did he seem +unfitted for the companionship of one so much more elevated in station? +Did he appear to feel himself out of place or abashed by all he saw? We +think not. The lady looked upon that face of youthful beauty; the soft +curly hair even then thin upon the high forehead, the features so +beautifully formed and so expressive; that eye so soft, and yet at times +so full of fire, and whose glance was like the lightning's flash; the +small beautifully-formed and downy moustache upon the upper lip; and all +this, added to a figure which for grace and symmetry might have vied +with a Grecian statue. And as she looked and listened to his sweet and +honied sentences, she felt that all around would darken down to naked +waste without his society. The conversation of him who but a few days +before she would have passed without perhaps deigning to look upon, +seemed to have opened a new world to her. Such is love,--that most +fantastic of passions, which is said to be but once felt, and once felt +never forgotten. + +The affections of women are perhaps easier won than those of men. They +are commonly more disinterested, and "prize not quality of dirty lands." +Seldom do we find that women display such open heartlessness, such acts +of infidelity, as men. + + "For however we do praise ourselves, + Our fancies are more giddy and infirm, + More longing, wavering, sooner lost and won, + Than woman's are." + +That the fair Charlotte should, on better knowledge, more fully +appreciate the merits of her companion, we of latter days, who imagine +the man from his works alone, can hardly wonder at; and the +peculiarities of the position of the lovers made her, falling +desperately in love, the less extraordinary. Had the youth of inferior +degree presumed upon the favourable impression he could not help seeing +he had made, the pride of the lady might have better befriended her. But +there was ever a certain reserve about him, when matters seemed verging +towards their issue, which perplexed and somewhat piqued her. + +The expression of his eyes, when occasionally she detected him gazing +upon her, was hardly to be mistaken, but then his respectful reserve +would as suddenly return. + +This was, however, a state of things which could not last, and perhaps, +of all men, the ardent, the impassioned Shakespeare, in his early youth, +was the most unlikely person to withstand such a strife as he was +exposed to, and come off victorious, however honour, and friendship, +and pride, might come to his aid. The knowledge that he was beloved by +the fair creature beside him, the locality, the opportunity afforded him +of expressing his own feelings, altogether, even in this his second +visit, nearly made shipwreck of all his good intentions, and once or +twice he was about to seize the hand of the fair Charlotte, and after +owning the ardour of his affection, fly from the spot for ever. + +He, however, during this visit did manage to contain and conceal his +passion; nay, he even performed the office of friendship which had been +entrusted to him, and as he spoke of the fair lady's betrothed husband, +he praised him for those good qualities he had already found him to +possess, and spoke of him as one worthy the love and regard of any +woman, however excellent and high in station. This was a theme, however, +which he perceived was somewhat unwelcome, and the beauty grew wayward +as he pursued it. With girlish tact she beat him from his theme, as +often as he renewed it, and sought to lure him to other subjects more +congenial to her thoughts whilst in his society. Nay, perhaps had he +studied how best to advance his own suit to her he could not have hit +upon a way more likely to succeed. + +The fair Charlotte was piqued at what she considered his insensibility, +and without considering what she did, she almost let him understand that +it would have been much more grateful to her to have heard the speaker's +own merits extolled than those of Master Arderne. + +"And yet," she said, with a sigh, as she glanced archly from her fringed +lids, whilst her eyes were cast down in mock solemnity, "and yet I +should be ungrateful were I not to join in your praises towards my bold +coz, for in good sooth I am indebted to him for many of the +accomplishments I possess. He hath taught me to fly my hawk with e'er a +cavalier in Warwickshire. Nay, I think I could even shoe my palfrey as +well as ride him, if necessary. I am sure I could train a hound as well +as himself, and, as for the treatment of the poor brutes in all their +ailments, that I am confident I understand quite as much as old Hubert, +the head huntsman, or any of his underlings. Now, all these matters I +have been fairly taught and perfected in by my cousin, therefore see an +I be not under obligation indeed." + +"And is such, the praise that one so true of heart and hand deserves?" +said Shakespeare. "Methinks, in this world, where so much silliness, +selfishness, vanity, and falsehood exists, a perfect cavalier, without +fault and honest, open and free too as he is brave and handsome, +deserves more praise from the lips of beauty than for paltry knowledge +you have ascribed to him." + +"Paltry knowledge!" said Charlotte, laughing, "what call ye paltry? Why, +these accomplishments I have enumerated to thee are the essentials of a +country gentleman, as necessary for the woods and fields as dancing, +dicing, and swearing are for the town. But methinks 'tis somewhat early +for you to have taken note of the silliness and falsehood existing in +the world; one so young can scarce have observed such matters, I should +have thought." + +"Pardon me, good lady," said Shakespeare, "what may be in the world at +large I am, indeed, for the most part ignorant in. But our good town of +Stratford hath in itself some fair specimens of the human mortal, which +he who hath eyes to mark, and brains to consider, may easily profit by, +and lay up in his memory." + +"Methinks so shrewd an observer, and so keen withal, may chance to find +us all fair mark for the shafts of his wit," returned Charlotte; "we +shall learn to fear you, young sir, an ye prove so hard upon your +neighbours." + +"Nay, fair lady," said Shakespeare, "my observations hath only had to do +with those in my own sphere of life. The little I have seen as yet in a +higher grade, hath been glanced at during my boyhood at the Free School +of my native town. Nay, if I may venture to judge, I should say that the +same vices, the same ambitions, the same petty feelings, jealousies, and +envious heart-burnings, are to be observed in the smaller circle of a +charity-school and its rulers, as are to be observed in the great and +universal theatre of the world. Amongst those who rule, we do not always +find examples of unerring goodliness, grace, and virtue, but rather +intolerance and pride, and in most others ill-will, conceit, envy, +hatred, and uncharitableness; large promise; much of puritanism, but a +plentiful lack of true merit." + +During this visit, the fair Charlotte, who was all joyous anxiety to +contribute to the amusement of her guest, made the round of the kennel +and the falconry, in order to initiate him into the mysteries of the +management of some of her pets. + +In those days, as we have before hinted, men of all ranks took delight +in out-door sports and diversions. Their amusements were, for the most +part, in the open air, and the chase, and the terms of wood-craft were +ever mixed up in their conversation. The veriest lout in his holiday +excursion loved to see his mongrel cur hunt the meadows and marshes for +game, or catch the cony in the extensive warrens which then existed +around. The youthful Shakespeare, it may therefore be well imagined, was +passionately fond of seeking the haunts of the game, abundant as it was +in the neighbourhood of his native town. Under these circumstances the +sporting establishment at Clopton was looked over with considerable +interest by him, and as the fair Charlotte petted the favourite hawk +which usually graced her wrist, she taught him the several terms of +falconry, and even explained how the various grades of men in the old +time were recognized by their hawks. "An eagle," she said, "is for an +emperor; a gerfalcon is due to a king; a falcon-gentle and a +tercel-gentle, these be for a prince; a falcon of the rook is for a +duke; the falcon peregrine for a belted earl; your bustard is for a +baron; a sacret for a knight, and a lanair is for a squire; and then," +said Charlotte, as she continued to count up further varieties, "we have +the goshawk for the yeoman, the spave hawk for Sir Priest, a muskyte for +a holy-water clerk, and a kestrel for a knave or varlet." + +Whilst thus situated and employed, how swift is the growth of love +between two beings of disposition and character such as we have +described. As the youthful poet watched the expressive face of the +beautiful girl beside him, whilst she spoke so eloquently upon a subject +of interest to her, and as she gave herself up to the management of her +falcon, or played with and fondled her favourite dogs, he became more +fascinated with her artlessness and beauty. He marked the natural grace +of her movements, as, in all the freedom of unchecked enjoyment, she +entered into the excitement of the hour. He observed the nymph-like +figure, the glowing face, the luxuriant tresses uncontrolled in the soft +breeze, and he listened with delight to the joyous and ringing laugh; +and as he beheld her thus, his admiration was touched with sadness, for +he thought that all this elegance and beauty was far removed from his +hopes. "One fading moment's mirth" perchance was bought "with twenty +watchful, weary, tedious nights." + +Attended by the head falconer and one or two of his men, as they +followed the flight of Charlotte's hawk, they had extended their ramble +to some considerable distance beyond the chace, and the mid-day sun was +so oppressive, that they returned through the thick and shadowy woods, +which on one side extended to within a short distance of the Hall. And +here too--as the grasshopper uttered his peculiar chirp in the prickling +gorse and thorn, and as the sweet scent of the fern pervaded the +air--these unfrequented glades gave rise to thoughts only incident to +fresh and stainless youth ere the blunter feelings of riper years rob us +of their verdant freshness. + +Images of vernal brightness floated before the poet's mind, and feelings +of youth, and hope, and joy were blended with the thoughts of her he +loved: images such as Shakespeare could alone have conceived. And she +who was the object of that love, as she listened to the sportive gaiety +of his words, during this ramble, and as he called forth the elves and +fairies of his brilliant imagination, she felt as if wandering in a +magic grove and breathing the sweet odours of an elfin bower: and then, +again, he peopled the glades with bright forms, fresh and lusty as in +the first ages of the world. And when he himself parted from his fair +companion on reaching the Hall, and he returned again through the +plantations of Clopton, he sought out each spot which Charlotte had +seemed most interested in, and dwelt upon each look, and tone, and word, +she had uttered. 'Twas indeed a midsummer day's dream, a situation in +which he was carried from the reality of the present, to the realms of +fancy, a dream that haunted him in after years. The thoughts and +imaginings which pervaded the mind of the youthful Shakespeare, during +these moments, were what perhaps he himself would have failed in +describing. + +Few of us can convey in words the heavenly images which float in +celestial ether, as it were, through the brain. We feel in the feeble +attempt the unsufficing medium of language. Words are but the clayed +embodiment of the swift thought. The thought itself is the essence of +the soul--poetry unspeakable. We cannot word that which is divine. +Language has no power to render again the shadowy dream--the musing +reverie. + +Whilst under the influence of feelings such as these, the society and +the haunts of men were uncongenial to the poetic youth, and he usually +sought out the wildest scenes of his native country. Over park, over +pale, he bounded, and the keepers, who caught sight of him occasionally +in their forest walks, failed in arresting him in his rambles. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +CHARLECOTE. + + +In a former chapter we have seen the sharp and sententious Lawyer Grasp, +in the act of girding up his loins and preparing to set forth upon a +somewhat important mission: a matter, indeed, not likely to be effected +without some little danger to all concerned in its execution. The shrewd +lawyer, however, to say the least of him, was not altogether devoid of +courage, and, albeit his valour was modified by a certain degree of +discretion, he loved to be first when anything was to be gained by +leading the van. + +In the present instance he thought he spied a good chance of promotion, +both as regarding his instrumentality in apprehending or gaining notice +of a dangerous plot, but he also hoped to make a profitable intimacy +with the proud owner of Charlecote: and, as he spurred his palfry +onwards, visions of suits, and testaments, and title deeds, and strong +boxes, pertaining to the domain he was entering, floated through his +brain in rapid succession. + +Plots and complots, conspiracies, and secret meetings to kill a queen, +were, indeed, in his eye, as nothing, unless pertaining to the +advancement of one small person who wrote himself attorney in the town +of Stratford: and who hoped, one day, to be the richest and greatest man +there. The world around was nothing: the covering sky was nothing; +England was nothing, except as pertaining to Master Pouncet Grasp; nay, +so long as the small circle of air around his own proper person was +wholesome and fit for the purposes of respiration, it would have been +all the same to him if the atmosphere in general were infected with the +plague. He was, indeed, without question, the most selfish little +caitiff that ever drove a quill upon parchment. + +Charlecote, the residence of Sir Thomas Lucy, was one of those vast, +irregularly built, but picturesque looking mansions, which gives +impression, at first sight, of the architectural style of the Tudors. +Redolent of red brick picked out with white, full of large bay windows, +beetling balconies, twisted chimneys, gable ends, and gate-houses. A +magnificent structure looking like a brick-built palace, situate in the +midst of the most luxuriant foliage; which partially concealed its +multitudinous offices, its falconries, its dog-kennels, and its +thick-walled gardens. + +As Grasp, therefore, approached this curious building, he beheld its +embattled towers and massive chimneys embosomed in ancient trees of vast +size, and most soft and lovely foliage. Nothing, perhaps, could be more +impressive than the whole scene. The vast park studded with mossed +trees, and the herded deer couched in the fern, beneath the shade. The +gigantic avenue, flourishing in all the grandeur of its undecayed age, +and each particular tree throwing its deep shadow upon the grassy carpet +beneath, with the lordly mansion only partially seen at its extremity. + +As Grasp entered this gloomy, but majestic avenue, he drew bridle, and +paused for a few moments to reassure himself, and consider matters over, +and as he did so, he became impressed with the deep and solemn silence +reigning around, a silence only occasionally interrupted by the baying +howl from the kennel, an occasional winding note from the huntsman's +bugle, or the clear ringing sound of the old clock from the tower of the +red brick gate-house. + +As the little lawyer gazed around, a sort of awe crept over his paltry +soul, he became at each step more deeply impressed with the greatness of +the man he was about to approach, and from the wealth he saw around him, +he began to consider whether he himself was worthy of coming into the +presence of one so mighty. For Grasp's idol was money, the only +Providence he believed in or worshipped. + +Added to this he knew from report the aristocratic and exclusive +disposition of Sir Thomas, his haughty bearing towards his inferiors, +and his dislike of intrusion, and he began to doubt whether the knight +might take it well, that he had come thus in person to communicate with +him, more especially as he himself had very lately been engaged in a +suit against Sir Thomas, instituted by one of the tradesmen of +Stratford, and in which Grasp, by trickery, had managed to get a verdict +against the great man. + +In short, as Grasp approached the house, he began to feel that he would +almost rather have demanded an interview with Queen Elizabeth herself, +than with the owner of the domain of Charlecote. He even began to doubt, +whether (if Sir Thomas should happen to catch sight of him before an +opportunity offered for introducing his important mission) the proud +knight would not either order his attendants to whip him out of the +park-gates, or perhaps even set his hounds upon him and hunt him through +the grounds. These thoughts and apprehensions the more forcibly +impressed themselves upon his mind, as the caitiff was well aware he +fully deserved as much at Sir Thomas's hands. + +However, the business he was upon at length outweighed all other +considerations, and setting spurs to his sorry nag, he hastened onwards +and neared the house. + +As he did so he found that he had timed his visit exactly as he had +anticipated, and that Sir Thomas and his family were about to take their +afternoon excursion. For (amongst his other peculiarities) the old +knight was exceedingly punctual and precise in all his doing, keeping +the even tenor of his way, and timing his different movements as exactly +as the clock in the tower of his gate-house was true to the dial in the +pleasaunce. As Grasp therefore approached he beheld the palfreys and +attendants of the family party, mustering in front of the mansion,--a +goodly sight to look on, and which made Grasp open his eyes as he beheld +it. + +Sir Thomas, like most others in the country at this period, was one of +those proud men who like to do every thing with circumstance and parade, +and accordingly if he only rode across the park to shoot a buck, he +usually was attended by a round dozen of his keepers and servants. + +At the present time, as he was about to take his afternoon ride, and +perhaps pay a formal visit to one or two of his immediate neighbours, +his party, including his own family and the attendant serving-men, +amounted to about a score. The sight was a gallant one,--such as in our +own times we may behold represented upon the artist's canvass, or during +the scenic hour, but never again with all its circumstance in real life. +There were assembled the serving men and attendants, with the three +white Lucys embroidered in silver upon their green hunting-frocks. The +head falconer, clad in a sort of loose frock of scarlet cloth; the +keepers carrying the hawks upon a stand, and several attendant grooms +with the knight's favourite dogs in their charge. For, as with men of +this sort the sports of the field was the chief occupation of life, so +the companionship of their dogs and hounds seemed almost necessary to +their enjoyment; they seldom made a journey without the favourite hawk +or hound, and they as seldom rode to take the air on the most ordinary +occasions, without being provided with the means of striking any game +they might put up in their route. The hawk upon the wrist was as +necessary also to the lady, as the spur upon the heel to the knight. The +most interesting part of the present display, however, and that which +struck the little lawyer with a sort of dread, was the sporting old +knight himself, and his three daughters, as they came forth and mounted +their steeds. + +There was, indeed, something about Sir Thomas Lucy, that, to a man of +Grasp's sort, seemed unapproachable, incomprehensible, and even awful. +His tall gaunt figure, clad in his hunting-frock of scarlet cloth +embroidered with gold, with all the tasselled appointments to match--the +long leather gauntlets upon his hands--and the high russet boots upon +his legs, were well matched by the grey hair and peaked beard, the +aquiline features, and the pale complexion of the stern-looking old +knight. In fact, there was a something inexpressibly noble in the +appearance of that grey old man. He looked one of the Norman knights of +the crusading times returned to his halls,--so pale, so wan, so antique, +and yet withal so knightly in his bearing. The hand seemed formed for +the rapier, the head for the helm, the heel for the spur. If the little +lawyer felt at the moment somewhat impressed with the appearance of the +old knight, now that he was about to approach him, he was no less struck +with the grace and beauty of his daughters. They seemed to his eye, at +that moment (and as he regarded them, seated upon their palfreys), +creatures of a superior race to the generality of human mortals; +celestial beings, with "beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear." + +In fact, Grasp was so feelingly impressed with a sense of inferiority as +he approached the presence of the Knight of Charlecote, that once or +twice he was about to wheel his steed, and return as he had come. + +Indeed he certainly had done so, had not the old knight suddenly caught +sight of him, just as he came into the open space in which the party was +assembled, and fixed him like a basilisk. + +It happened unluckily for Grasp, that the avenue was not often made a +thoroughfare for any but visitors to the Hall, and accordingly, the +apparition of the meagre-looking lawyer, clad in a sad-coloured suit, +carrying a little bag in his hand, and bowing to the pommel of his +saddle every step he took, rather struck Sir Thomas Lucy with +astonishment. The knight had just at that precise moment thrown his leg +over his palfrey, and settled his gaunt person fairly in the demipique, +or war-saddle, it was his usual wont to use, when he espied the lawyer; +and the effect upon both was like the boa-constrictor suddenly coming in +sight of its prey. The lawyer seemed transfixed for the moment, whilst +the magnifico, with his movements arrested, regarded him with a stern +and curious eye. + +At length Sir Thomas signed to one of his attendants to approach, and, +pointing to the lawyer, desired him to inquire into the meaning of the +intrusion. + +"Inquire me of yonder man," said the knight, "wherefore he hath +approached the house on this side, and which it is our desire to keep +secluded from public resort, and the eyes of the common and popular." + +"He hath business of great import, and craves an immediate and private +audience with your worship," said the serving-man, after communicating +with Grasp. + +"Hath he a name?" said Sir Thomas. + +"He had rather your worship heard his business first and his name +afterwards," said the serving-man, "so much did he inform me when I made +inquiry; but I rather think it is Master Grasp, the lawyer of +Stratford." + +Sir Thomas winced. "And what doth Master Grasp, the lawyer of Statford +require with Sir Thomas Lucy, of Charlecote?" dryly he said. "Inquire me +out his business; and if he tell it not, convey him round to the proper +entrance for people of his sort; and, d'ye hear? wait on him out." + +During this colloquy, the lawyer had gained somewhat of his +self-sufficiency, and, dismounting, approached Sir Thomas, and ventured +to accost him. + +"Will your honourable worship," he said, "favour me with a hearing at +this unseasonable moment, upon matters of high import, connected with +the safety of our gracious Sovereign the Queen and the welfare of the +whole realm?" + +"If thy communication be of so much importance as that," said the +knight, "it behoves me, as a true subject, to give attention to it. The +body public and the safety of the realm demand so much of us." + +"'Tis a matter of so much importance," said Grasp, "that it concerns all +who wish not to be burned, racked, whipped, beaten, and otherwise +tormented to death by the Spaniard. 'Tis no less a matter, Sir Thomas +Lucy, than a discovery I have made of a nest of traitors, who are, at +this moment, assembled together, at Stratford, for the purpose of +contriving the murder of our Queen and the delivery of the kingdom into +the hands of Philip of Spain." + +Grasp delivered this piece of intelligence with so much eagerness and +vehemence, that he had approached quite close to Sir Thomas, in his +anxiety that his news should not be overheard, and the old knight was in +something impressed with its importance. He, however, drew back from too +close contact with the Stratford lawyer, warning him to remove a little +further from his person. + +"Your communication is doubtless of the utmost importance," he said +coolly, as he prepared to dismount; "we will instantly hear all you have +to say. Nevertheless, confine your eagerness to serve Her Majesty within +proper bounds." So saying, Sir Thomas dismounted from his palfry, and +coolly desiring his daughters to continue their ride, led the way into +the house, and, followed by Grasp, entered his private study. + +The loyalty of the man would not permit him to pause a moment, as soon +as he fully comprehended the nature of the business. He took two turns +up and down the apartment; and then ordered the head-keeper to be +summoned into his presence. "I will arrest these miscreants with my own +proper hand and with my own people," he said, "instantly, without a +moment's delay. Meantime, I will send over to my good neighbour, Sir +Hugh Clopton, and inform him of it, so that he may meet me at Stratford +on my arrival there, and aid me in this capture. Not so much," he +continued to himself, "that I require his assistance, as that he may +partake with me in the honour of cutting the throats of such vile +wretches, an they resist lawful authority." + +"May it please your worship," said Grasp, "there is a thing, I omitted +to say, and which I had said, only that I feared its knowledge would +most heartily grieve, astonish, and dismay your worship." + +"You have already both astonished and somewhat grieved us," said Sir +Thomas, "in delivering the piece of intelligence you came here charged +withal. In how far you may be further able to dismay us, we may be +perhaps permitted to doubt: nevertheless, we would fain be made +acquainted with the nature of this omitted circumstance." + +"Sir Hugh Clopton," said Grasp, "your worship spoke of him as aiding and +assisting in the capture of these bloody-minded conspirators." + +"I did so," said Sir Thomas. "Said I not well, good Master Grasp?" + +"Your worship hath the gift of saying well," returned Grasp, who found +himself gaining ground, he thought, in Sir Thomas's good graces. "But I +grieve to say that Sir Hugh lieth under the imputation of being deeply +implicated in this plot." + +"How!" said Sir Thomas, losing something of austerity in his surprise. +"Sir Hugh Clopton implicated in such a hellish conspiracy as this you +have named? Had any man holding rank equal or superior to mine own, said +so much, Master Pouncet Grasp, he had lied under the imputation of a +liar and a caitiff at my hands." + +"Nay," said Grasp, "I ask your worship's pardon, I had it from him who +gave me the clue to the whole matter,--the honourable gentleman I told +you of,--the right honourable Master Walter Neville." + +"Say, rather, the arch traitor--the doubly dishonourable villain +Neville, who goeth about to purchase benefit for himself by the blood of +his party. An such a man be your informant? Credit me, the information +is incorrect. I listen not therefore to it, it is naught." + +Meantime, whilst Sir Thomas held converse thus with Grasp, he had at the +same time, in the most quiet and business-like way, been encasing +himself in one or two pieces of defensive armour which had hung at hand, +behind the great chair on which he usually sat. Taking down a richly +inlaid breast-plate, and which he had worn in his youth in the wars of +the Low Countries, he fitted it on with care and precision, as one to +whom the business of arming was a habit of easiness. He then indued a +cumbrous back-piece to match, buckled the shoulder-straps without +assistance, and girded the whole tightly together with an embroidered +belt round his waist. After which (laying aside the light rapier he +usually wore), he adopted a stout, heavy-hilted, and somewhat ponderous +blade, and thrusting a pair of enormous petronels and his dagger into +his girdle, stept forth into the centre of the apartment completely +equipped for the business on hand, and looking, what our readers of the +present day would have termed, as perfect a specimen of Don Quixote de +la Mancha as they could have wished to behold. + +Those who looked upon his tall gaunt form and sinewy limbs, however, +might see that, eccentric as was his appearance, he would be rather an +awkward customer to engage with or offer an affront to; and so thought +Grasp, when he beheld the knight's military toilette completed. + +Nay, a sort of unpleasant feeling began to creep over him; a +presentiment of hard knocks, bullets, and grievous wounds suddenly +pervaded his mind, as he looked upon this military figure clattering +about in his cuirass, and coolly selecting his ponderous weapons for the +nonce. For Grasp, it must be remembered, (albeit he lived in stirring +times,) was a man of peace, and whose whole life nearly had been passed +in a small dark back office in the town of Warwick, where he had been +brought up and initiated in all the tricks of his craft. + +However, as he had been the exciting cause of Sir Thomas's taking the +affair upon his hands, and as he knew the knight would be likely to make +a clean business of it, he felt that now to hold back would be to lose +all the advantage he had previously promised himself. + +Could he but manage to be exceedingly prominent and useful in this +capture, he felt certain that it would lead on to fortune. + +"I have never yet fought," he said to himself, "except with my pen. Now +I am going to wield a weapon which, if it be only half as deadly and +destructive in my hands, I shall make unpleasant work withal. But, in +good sooth, I feel as though I had rather _prepare_ the writ than +_serve_ it in the present case." + +So eager was Sir Thomas to pursue the adventure, and make capture of the +conspirators with his own hand, that he tarried not for any of the +customary formalities. + +He resolved to take all responsibility upon himself, and "standing to no +repairs," swoop upon the culprits. Accordingly, having mustered the +serving-men he had warned for this service, and seen to their efficiency +in regard to weapons with a military eye, the whole party wheeled out of +the gate-house of Charlecote and took their way towards Stratford. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +THE ATTACK. + + +Many of our readers, who have searched with curious eye through the +various localities and peculiar points of interest at Stratford, will +doubtless recollect a small antiquated-looking inn, situated on the +Avon's bank,--a building whose outward favour and stout-timbered walls, +together with its massive chimneys and general appearance, would +proclaim it to have been a house of some mark in its day. + +At the period of our story this building had degenerated from a goodly +farm-house to a hostel called the Checquers, and was the house of +entertainment generally used by the commoner sort of wayfarers. It was a +house altogether of no very good repute, in which the brawl and the +night-shriek might be occasionally heard by the more respectable +dwellers in the town,--a house often visited too by the watch, and +carefully looked after by the authorities. + +It was a dwelling also often changing owners, and had been lately taken +by a stranger, a dark, taciturn, evil-looking host, whose appearance +nobody liked, consequently he was but ill supported. + +In short, since the present landlord had been its occupant, save and +except an occasional guest who appeared to have arrived from foreign +parts, and departed as quickly and silently as he had come, the +Checquers was almost without guests. So that, albeit its former +dissolute repute might be said to have departed from it, the inn had now +assumed a mysterious sort of note, and was as celebrated for closed +doors and quietude, as it had before been for riot and open debauchery. +Some said the landlord was a Jesuit; others, that he was an emissary of +the Spaniard; whilst others again affirmed he was both the one and the +other, and all agreed that he was an ill-favoured, unneighbourly, and +exceedingly disagreeable person. + +It was at this hostel, Master Neville and his associates had previously +taken up their quarters, and here they had been frequently visited +during the dark hours by certain cavaliers who hitherto had seldom +remained till dawn. + +Master Muddlework, the head constable of the town, had considered it +consistent with his duty twice to visit the Checquers, in order to +observe these suspicious-looking strangers, but each time he had done so +he had failed in finding anything to fasten his suspicions upon; so that +whether a good look-out was kept, and the major portion of the strangers +had concealed themselves, or that they were really absent at the moment +of his visit, the functionary had, as we have said, quite failed in +observing anything unusual or particular; except it was the mysterious +quietude and closed-up doors and shutters of the sometime rollicking +hostel. + +In short, nothing could exceed the degree of interest with which this +inn and its occupants were at this moment regarded,--an interest which +had become general throughout the town, all on a sudden apparently, and +it was towards this hostel, as our readers doubtless are aware, that Sir +Thomas Lucy and his party were now advancing. + +To the suggestion of Grasp, that it would be better, he thought, to wait +till the shadows of evening had descended before they approached the +town, Sir Thomas gave a decided negative. All dark doings, he said, were +foreign to his nature. He had proceeded by the shortest and most +expeditious route towards his design, as in duty bound, the moment he +heard of this vile assemblage, and, Heaven willing, he would proceed as +straight to the capture of the caitiffs. + +With military precision and precaution, however, he gave directions so +as to ensure the more sure success of his undertaking, and halting for a +few moments in the road, he divided his party in twain, sending one +portion full trot forwards, with orders to make a slight detour, and +enter the town on the further side, whilst he so timed his own movements +as to come within hail of the suspicious hostel at the precise moment +his other party approached it. + +This done, according to previous concert, the two portions extending +from the right and left, in a moment completed a very pretty cordon +around the hostel; so that not a mouse could shew its nose outside the +walls without being seen. Quickly as this movement had been executed, it +had been as quickly seen by the inmates apparently; for the door in the +rear, which had been open the moment before, was immediately closed and +secured. + +This proceeding convinced Sir Thomas in a moment that the inmates of the +hostel kept a good look-out, and at the same time led him to suspect +what he indeed quickly found, namely, a desperate resistance. Such +indeed might reasonably be expected, for the vigilance of the Queen's +council was at this time so keen, and the various plots of the day so +continually being discovered by one chance or other, that there was +small hope of success, unless the utmost secresy was maintained. + +Ordering his party instantly to dismount, (whilst the horses were put in +charge of a small reserve,) Sir Thomas drew back and desired Grasp to +advance to the fore door of the Checquers, and demand admittance in +form. + +"An it so please your worship," said Grasp, "I had rather not take upon +myself so much of the responsibility of the action as that would amount +to. Your honour is a justice of the peace, and may therefore reasonably +take the lead. I will follow and bear witness to the lawfulness of +whatsoever it may please your valour to perform; but I had rather not +strike the first blow." + +"Or receive it either, I believe," said Sir Thomas, _sotto voce_. "'Tis +well," he added aloud, and immediately setting spurs to his palfrey, he +was, the next moment, beside the strong iron-studded front-door of the +hostel, which he struck forcibly with the butt-end of his riding-whip. + +As he expected, the door was fastened, and to his repeated summons no +answer was returned. At length he uplifted his voice, and in a loud +tone, demanded instant admittance in the Queen's name. Upon this the +lattice-window was thrown open, and a man's head appeared at it,--a +pale, cadaverous-looking wretch, with long lank hair, and glassy and +excited eye. + +"What seek you here?" he said. "There is death in the house, and the +doors are closed against visitors to-day." + +"Let them open to those who come in the Queen's name," said Sir Thomas. +"I come to seize the persons of all within this house. Dead or alive, it +matters not, I will arrest the bodies of all here consorting and +assembling." + +"Ah," said the man, "and who then art thou, thus commissioned, and from, +whom hast thou such authority?" + +"I am Sir Thomas Lucy, of Charlecote," returned the knight, "and if I +mistake not, thou art Ralph Somerville, of Warwick." + +"And how if we refuse you admittance?" said Somerville. "How then, Sir +Thomas Lucy, of Charlecote?" + +"Then I will make forcible entry," said Sir Thomas, "and those who +oppose me must be content with the mishaps that attend such procedure." + +"Of what are we accused, that we are thus molested in our retirement?" +said Somerville. + +"Of high treason, in conspiring to take the life of our blessed and +gracious Queen Elizabeth," said Sir Thomas. + +"Then receive the wages of your service, heretic," said Somerville, at +the same moment discharging the contents of a petronel full in Sir +Thomas's visage. + +The weapon was thrust so near to the face of the knight that the powder +blackened his features, but the ball, luckily, just missed his head, and +passing downwards on his cuirass, glanced off harmless. + +"'Tis well," he said, with his usual coolness, as Somerville immediately +closed the window. "Forwards, men, and force the doors instantly." + +The house had, apparently, been prepared in anticipation of such an +assault; for, as the party advanced to the attack, several calivers were +discharged from loop-holes, which had been made in the walls at the +upper part, and two of Sir Thomas's men were shot dead ere they could +reach the doors. + +As the remainder, however, did so, they found the entrance so strongly +barricaded that their efforts to get in were fruitless; whilst at the +same time they were exposed to the bullets of those within during the +attempt. Sir Thomas saw this in a moment, as he rode about +superintending the affair, and indeed drawing several discharges from +the besieged upon his own person. + +With military quickness and decision he immediately dismounted, and +rallying some half-a-dozen of his men who were bearing back from the hot +fire of the besieged, he seized upon a ladder which he espied lying near +a sort of outhouse in the rear. This he ordered his people to man on +either side, and leading them on, sword in hand, they rushed with +terrible force against the back door of the hostel, giving it such a +shock, that door and lintels together were nearly unshipped. + +"Another rush," cried Sir Thomas; "one more, and we have them!" + +Accordingly on dashed the men with this novel battering-ram, and again +and again they assailed the door. Any one who could have observed Grasp +at this moment, would have doubtless considered that he had suddenly +gone mad, since what between his anxiety to be amongst the first, and +near Sir Thomas Lucy, and his mortal fear of the whistling balls, he cut +a most ridiculous figure. One moment he rushed forward, with the party +who were using the ladder as a battering-ram; the next, as the sharp +report of a well-loaded caliver jarred his ears, he fairly bolted off, +turning again when he had gained a few paces to the rear, flourishing +his blue bag, and shouting at the assailants with all his might, to +break in and take the rebels. + +"Serve the warrant, take the body, seize the person!--Take them dead or +alive!" he cried, as he jumped about. Meantime the ladder, being well +and chivalrously managed, at about the fourth rush carried in the door, +and Sir Thomas, with portentous strength, carried his body along with it +into the kitchen of the inn, a petronel in one hand and his heavy rapier +in the other, closely followed by his men. Contrary to his expectations, +however, the apartment was empty; "Guard the entrance!" he cried, as he +dashed into the next apartment. "The villains will escape us yet! Kill +whoever attempts to get out!" + +Rapidly, and followed by his men, Sir Thomas made search through the +lower portion of the hostel, without, however, finding a soul, although +it was evident they had but the moment before escaped, the rooms being +filled with the smoke of their discharged fire-arms. Glancing round +upon his followers, who were now for the most part within the hostel, he +directed them instantly to search the upper flooring, whilst he kept +guard below. + +This was, however, more easily said than done. The staircase was found +to be impracticable, being barricaded by a large quantity of faggots, +which had been drawn up and jammed tightly together. + +"Ah," said Grasp, whose ferret eyes were everywhere at once, "may I +never draw an inference again, if I do not think the rogues have +ascended by a ladder through yonder trap, and then drawn the ladder up +after them." + +At this moment, and whilst all paused to consider the next move, the +barrels of several calivers were thrust through as many holes which had +been perforated through the ceiling, and a very lively discharge was +kept up upon Sir Thomas and his party, which killing one of the men, +quickly sent Grasp and the rest out of the doors; Grasp, who in his +hurry and agitation being the last, closing the door behind him, and +actually shutting Sir Thomas up alone amongst his foes. + +"Heaven bless and preserve us all from conspirators," said the lawyer, +jumping about and wringing his hands, as he hastily glanced amongst the +scared domestics, "they have shot, killed, and destroyed the knight of +Charlecote, as sure as I am a sinner! Sir Thomas Lucy is certainly +murdered outright by this nest of vipers, for I see him not amongst us +here?" + +Confusion and dismay, indeed, sufficiently pervaded the attacking party. +They readily imagined their lord and master was slain, and to the horror +of such a catastrophe was added their doubts as to what was next to be +done; so that whilst some drew off from the near vicinity of tho house, +others mounted their horses, and set off full cry to the town to get +assistance. + +In short, the assaulters felt the want of a second in command. They were +struck with dread at the supposed death of their leader, and the head +falconer being killed also, there was no one to lead them, to the +recovery even of the old knight's body, if he was indeed shot, or his +rescue, if only wounded. + +Grasp, however, did all he could to exhort some half-a-dozen who +remained to make another attempt, to gain the interior. But the men very +wisely demurred. + +"Who think ye is to enter yonder dark place, to be killed like a fox in +a hole?" said one. + +"Nay," said another, "the matter is now none of ours to meddle with. If +our master be killed by these villains, some one else must take it up, +we have no further warranty to go forward; all we can do is to wait till +assistance comes from the town." + +In the midst of this colloquy, (and which had hardly taken as many +moments as words used,) to the astonishment of the speakers, the sound +of firing again commenced within the dwelling,--quick, short, and +rapid, sounded the shots; whilst the old inn, as the gazers regarded +it, although it seemed convulsed with internal discord, remained closed +up, and its exterior undisturbed as if nothing extraordinary was going +on. At the same moment, too, shouts and sounds from the town proclaimed +that the townsfolk were coming to the scene of action. + +"Gad he here," said Grasp, "what may this portend? The miscreants surely +cannot be contending against each other, and cutting their own throats +from sheer disappointment at being discovered in their villany!" + +At this moment, and in the midst of these speculations upon the matter, +the door opened, and enveloped in a volume of smoke, which burst out +with him, begrimed too with soot and dirt, appeared Sir Thomas himself, +who instantly closing the door after him, and coughing violently from +the effects of the fumigation he had endured, waved his sword for his +people again to advance. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +THE CAPTURE. + + +To account for this appearance we must return to the knight after he had +been shut up within the hostel. + +As he had never for a moment intended to give ground, he was in no wise +daunted at being thus left alone, and as the closing of the door shut +out the glare of light, it most probably was the means of saving his +life, for could those above have distinctly seen and levelled their +pieces at him, they would have shot him like a wolf in a trap. For the +moment all was quiet, and casting his eyes round the gloomy kitchen Sir +Thomas spied the remains of a fire in the grate, whilst fearful and +hurried whispers, gradually growing louder and more vehement above his +head, proclaimed that the conspirators were in earnest consultation. + +Without a moment's delay, Sir Thomas (by aid of the fire on the hearth, +and such combustibles as he could hastily collect) set to work with +might and main, and lighted up a blazing bonfire in the very middle of +the apartment. + +The rushes with which the floor was partially strewed, materially +assisted the blaze, and heaping chairs and other less cumbrous articles +upon it, whilst the astonished conspirators fired at him through the +loop-holes, he soon effected a very alarming conflagration. + +It was lucky for the knight that the construction of such a measure of +defence, as that of perforating an upper floor to fire through, +necessarily precludes any precision in taking aim, as it is almost +impossible in a small opening of the sort, to get a good sight whilst +levelling downwards, and consequently, although a continued discharge +took place, whilst the knight busied himself in getting up the +conflagration, although the balls flew about his ears and buried +themselves in the floor at his feet, not one struck him. + +Under these circumstances, and whilst the conspirators were ignorant +that the combustion which already became disagreeably apparent to them +was being effected by one person, their persevering foe completed his +arrangements, and jerking his powder flask into the flames, quickly +opened the door, and as he could no longer remain safely within, coolly +walked out. + +Reassured by his appearance, those of his followers who were at hand +hastened to the support of the knight, who instantly directed Grasp to +proceed round to the door on the other side, with several of the men, +and make instant capture of any of the conspirators who attempted to +escape on that side. + +"I have smoked the traitors in their den," said he, "and anon we shall +have them swarming out. Make prisoners of all you can secure. Hurt none +who yield, but suffer none to escape. If they resist, kill." + +The anxiety of Grasp to see these mysterious plotters almost overcame +his personal apprehensions. He therefore hastened round with the men +under his charge, and in a few minutes the conflagration within forced +the besieged to attempt a sortie. The door before which Sir Thomas had +posted himself was thrown open, and (as smoke and flame gushed out) +forth rushed half a dozen men so completely begrimed in soot that their +features were scarcely distinguishable. + +The conspirators evidently had made up their minds to a desperate effort +at escape, for they dashed to the right and left sword in hand, cutting +at all who opposed them. + +"Yield thee, caitiff," cried Sir Thomas, flinging himself upon the +foremost, and seizing him by the collar of his doublet with an iron +grip, before he could strike a blow. "Yield thee, miscreant, in the +Queen's name!" + +The man accosted attempted to stab Sir Thomas with his dagger, but the +knight dragged him headlong down, and stepping a pace or two back, at +the same time absolutely flinging him to his men, rushed upon the next +in the same manner, and, in this way, capturing three with his own hand, +whilst his followers kept them in play. + +The scene we have described fully exemplified the nature of a period in +which deeds of violence and bloodshed, consequent upon the seditious and +superstitious bigotry of both religions, were by no means uncommon, +breaking out too, as they oft-times did, in the midst of apparent +tranquility. + +Close upon the doors, in rear of the hostel, and at which the +conspirators made their principal efforts at escape, stood Sir Thomas +himself backed up by several of his men, conspicuous from his tall form +and his activity in cutting down all who refused to yield. Somewhat +removed, and at a safer distance, were to be seen a crowd of the +townsfolk, with a portion of the town guard and the head bailiff, who +had hastened to the scene upon the alarm of the encounter, accompanied +by a legion of old women and idle boys. These, as they learned the +nature of the business in hand, became proportionably excited against +the conspirators, whom they seemed inclined to tear in pieces so soon as +they could fairly get at them with safety to themselves. + +"Oh! the miserable sinners," said Dame Patch. "I thought no good was +going on down yonder, with all their silence, secret meetings, and +keeping us women from amongst them." + +"I always said there was a plot hatching to blow up the town and kill +every Protestant in it," cried Doubletongue. "God save Sir Thomas. See, +there's the last of the rogues down and being bound hand and foot!" + +Such was indeed the case, and, except Somerville and another of the +conspirators who escaped Grasp and his party, the whole (amounting to +seven individuals) were down or captured, and, being bound, were +delivered into the hands of the bailiff for safe custody. + +No sooner was the business done, and the capture fairly effected, than +the eccentric character of the knight of Charlecote again displayed +itself. He had borne himself manfully during the fight, and as one +worthy of his crusading ancestors, but his hauteur and reserve +immediately succeeded to the violence of action. + +Drawing together his people, he gave directions for the removal of the +wounded into the town, where their hurts could be looked to. After which +he mounted his horse, and calling for a cup of wine, he lifted his hat, +and drank to the health of the Queen, the discomfit of the Spaniards, +and the confusion of all Jesuits. After which he turned his horse's head +from the Checquers, now filled with the idle and the curious, who had +managed to extinguish the fire, and rode off towards Charlecote. + +"Nay, but how am I to dispose of these prisoners, Sir Thomas?" said the +head bailiff, stopping him as he passed. "I should also like to learn +the exact nature of the matter which hath led to this capture and the +death of these people around us here." + +"Of that you will better learn," said Sir Thomas, dryly, "by applying to +your townsman there--Lawyer Grasp; and all further circumstances +connected with them, I opine you will speedily be made acquainted with +by the Queen's council, as I am myself led to believe by what Master +Grasp hath informed me." + +So saying, Sir Thomas bowed to the head bailiff, and rode away from the +scene of his achievements. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +A REVEL AT CLOPTON. + + +On the night which followed the action we have described, and which the +inhabitants of Stratford long afterwards called the fray of the +Checquers, Sir Hugh Clopton held an old accustomed feast at his house. +The entertainment was given in honour of his daughter's birthday, the +maiden having just completed her seventeenth year; and on this +interesting occasion most of the old knightly families of the county of +Warwickshire graced the scene. There came the Astleys of Hill Moreton, +the De la Wards of Newton, the Clintons of Badsley, the Walshes of +Mereden, the Blenknaps of Knoll, the Wellesbourns of Hastang, the +Comptons of Compton Winyate, the Sheldons of Beoley, the Attwoods, and +many other nobles, whose names now, like those once owning them, in all +the pride of ancestral honours, are obliterated from the muster-roll of +the living, and long forgotten in the very domains which owned them as +lords; and last, though by no means least, came the knight of Charlecote +and his lady, and their two lovely daughters. + +It was indeed a goodly assemblage of the rank, youth, and beauty of the +county of Warwick of that period. The old folks stately in manner and +formal in costume; the men, looking in their starch ruffs, short cloaks +and trunks, quaint cut doublets and peaked beards; and the women, in +their jewelled stomachers and farthingales, like so many old portraits +stepping forth from their frames; whilst the youth of both sexes, in all +the bravery of that age of brave attire, glittered in silks and satins, +gold and embroidery, bright jewels and richly mounted weapons. Nothing, +indeed, could exceed the gallant look of the cavaliers who trod a +measure in the dance, except it were the loveliness of their bright +partners. Those youthful and fresh female buds of England, so celebrated +for their native beauty; fair, and blooming, and swan-like in their +graceful carriage--"earth-treading stars, that make dark heaven bright." + +The music rang out from a sort of a temporary orchestra, formed at one +end of the hall, arched over and festooned with sweet flowers and green +shrubs. It consisted mostly of stringed instruments, which gave forth a +silver sound, accompanied by the deep tones of the bassoon and the +occasional flourish of the horn, and whilst the dancers trod a measure, +and the different guests, in all the freedom of unchecked enjoyment, +wandered about, how sweetly the strains floated through those +oak-panelled rooms, reverberating in the long corridors and passages, +and, mellowed by distance, thrummed in the upper rooms. + +It mingled with the whispered softness of the lover's tongue, sounding +doubly sweet by night. It added to the charm of beauty, as she listened +to the flattering tale, till the coyness of the half-won maiden seemed +to relax in music; and the glittering cavalier, with renewed hope, led +her to the dance. + +How inferior is the fussy and excited style of our own days compared +with such a scene as this, where all was open-hearted gaiety and +enjoyment, where, without effort, all was dignified, and brilliant, and +picturesque. + +The very serving-men and maids, ranged in a long row at the lower end of +the hall, seemed to add to the effect of the picture. The men in their +rich liveries with heraldic badge upon the sleeve; the maids, all in one +sort of costume, fitting and becoming for their station in life; nay, +the orchestra itself was a picture, composed as it was of respectable +personages from the town of Stratford, grave-looking, bearded, and +staid, working away at their different instruments, as if it was a +matter of national pride and import,--the celebration of the fair +Charlotte's natal day. Each in his quaint-cut doublet and scarlet hose. +How they clutched at the bass-viol, those fat citizens, and glowed with +the strains they produced; how the fiddlers jerked and worked at their +bows, with heads going, and feet keeping time: how the puffed cheek of +the horn-blowers seemed to grow distended to the degree of exploding; +and how the eyes of the whole party seemed to roll about in agony, and +follow the dancers as their strains excited them to fresh efforts; and +how resolutely, ever and anon, they paused to take a long pull at the +huge flagons placed within their reach; returning to their instruments +with renewed vigour, and stamping to keep time, as if sitting still was +almost too great an effort, and they longed to jump up, and fling out +amongst the best there; urging one another to quicker movements and +louder strains as the liquor mounted and the evening wore on. + +Amongst that gay and brilliant throng there was one whose whole soul +seemed wrapped in melody. The soft tones of the floating minstrelsy +seemed to steal upon his heart. He stood apart from all: aloof in person +as in mind, leaning against one of the quaint-cut ornaments of the room. +As his eye wandered amongst the gay dancers, his countenance was at +times lighted up by an expression which seemed divine. The greatness of +his soul shone out in his glorious countenance, and yet, save by two +persons, he was all unmarked. + +It was the boy poet, the youthful Shakespeare. + +Walter Arderne, who felt that no assemblage could be complete which +wanted the presence of his friend, no hour enjoyed but in his company, +had brought him again to Clopton, where he mingled in the scene, not so +much a guest as a spectator. And yet unknown as unmarked, or, if +regarded, perhaps but calling forth a passing remark upon his good +looks, how greatly did that youth feel himself the superior of all +there, elevated as some of them were in station. The fineness and +acuteness of organic sensibility made him alive to all the mighty world +of ear and eye. Nothing escaped him; and yet feeling this within +himself, and in strength of mind a demigod, in profundity of view a +prophet,[3] he moved amongst the throng, as if unconscious of being more +than the most unassuming servitor in attendance. Gentle and open in +manner as a child. + +[Footnote 3: Schegel's estimate of Shakespeare.] + +The good Sir Hugh welcomed him to his house, and presented him to two of +his oldest friends, as one to whom he owed much. "A goodly lad," he +said, "and of exceeding promise; a ripe and ready wit, sirs. By 'r Lady, +but he hath the knack of making me laugh till my face is like a wet +napkin. Nay, and he inditeth rhymes, too, it would do you good to hear. +A poet, I'll assure ye, sirs, already, and a rare one, too. Go thy ways, +lad; go thy ways. 'Fore Heaven we owe thee much, and hope to requite +it." + +"A young friend," said Arderne, to one of the ladies with whom he +danced, and as he pointed the unconscious poet out to her, whilst +standing at the lower end of the hall. "A young friend who, though in +humble life, seems to me of somewhat extraordinary character, and in +whom I am greatly interested. He unites in his genius the utmost +elevation and the utmost depth; and the most foreign, and even +irreconcilable properties subsist in him together. I cannot describe to +you the delight I experience in the companionship of that youth." The +lady glanced her eye towards the part of the hall indicated by Walter +Arderne, as he mentioned his friend. It was but a glance, and she +observed the person indicated. The words humble life was, however, quite +sufficient to destroy all interest in the bosom of the beauty, for Clara +de Mowbray (albeit she was both lovely and amiable) partook, in some +sort, of the pride of her race. Added to this, she was the victim of an +unrequited passion, and save for the tall handsome form and expressive +features of her partner, she had no eyes. + +"I should have imagined, from all I have this night beheld," she said, +"there was but one in this room, nay, in this world, who could take up +even a moment of your care or thoughts, fair sir. This new-found friend +must, indeed, be a rare specimen, if he can wean your eyes for a moment +from Charlotte Clopton. But that, indeed," she added, with a sigh, "is +as it should be; she is, I think, to-night more beautiful than ever!" + +Walter sighed, and unconsciously his glance wandered in search of his +betrothed. "You are a shrewd observer, lady," he said, looking full in +her expressive face,--and indeed, except Charlotte Clopton, whose beauty +was of a different character, Clara de Mowbray was one of the most +beautiful women in the county. "You are a great observer, lady," he +said, "and yet you have failed to observe how much your own beauty +excites admiration from all present to-night. Nay, I am not blind +myself, however much I may lie under the imputation with which you have +charged me." + +"To love is no such heavy sin, Sir Arderne," said the lady, "an if it +were so, you would indeed require sufficing penance and absolution, +since you are a very votary to the blind god." + +"And she to whom my vows are given," he said, "is she not worthy of an +emperor's love?" + +"She is worthy of the love of him who seeks her hand," said Clara, +somewhat sadly. "She is my dear and early friend, and I could not wish +greater happiness to her than in that store. Unless the emperor were +Walter Arderne, and the empire he inherited here in Warwickshire. I +conclude Charlotte would scarce become an empress." + +"You speak not this as you think," said Arderne, doubtfully, yet +delighted at so much confirmation from one of the intimate friends of +his beloved Charlotte. + +"I speak as I feel," said Clara; "I know the worth of both, and how +well both deserve; and yet methinks youth and valour should not +altogether succumb to Cupid. Were I a man, I should seek for action and +to be worthy in _deed_." + +The youth gazed with increasing admiration upon the radiant face of the +lady. He almost doubted whether its exceeding loveliness did not equal +that of his betrothed. + +"Ah," he said, gaily, turning towards his new friend, who at the moment +approached, "give us assurance, gentle Shakespeare, we that are in love; +and teach this lady to respect the passion." + +Shakespeare looked full at the lady; he seemed struck with the beauty of +her face and form. "Love, first learned in a lady's eyes," he said, +gaily, + + "Lives not alone immured in the brain; + But with the motion of all elements, + Courses as swift as thought in every power; + And gives to every power a double power, + Above their functions and their offices, + Never durst poet touch a pen to write, + Until his ink were temper'd with love's sighs." + +"That is indeed a singular being!" said the lady, gazing after the youth +as he passed through the crowd and quitted the room. "Who and what is +he?" + +"'Tis him of whom I just now spoke," said Arderne; "but come, let us +seek Charlotte Clopton; I thought I saw her leave the room but now to +seek the purer air of the gardens. I will tell thee more of our +acquaintance with this youth as we go." + +It was a bright and lovely night, and, with all the freedom and licence +of the age, many of the younger guests had sought the pleasure-grounds +and gardens of the Hall, whilst their more staid guardians and parents +held converse within doors. + +Here and there was to be seen a group seated or reclined upon the velvet +turf, whilst others paced up and down the terrace, or disappeared and +were lost in the dark walks, till the joyous strains of the orchestra +within again recalled them to the dance. + +If the quick eyes of love had enabled the lady Clara to observe the +object to which Walter Arderne's thoughts were that night fixed, the +same observation had failed in shewing her on whom the affections of her +rival was centred. + +Indeed, although Charlotte Clopton, both from her beauty and her +position as the heroine of the night, was necessarily the observed of +all observers, and her hand sought for by every cavalier in the room, +those who looked closely at her might have observed a tinge of +melancholy in her countenance, and a restlessness about her which shewed +she was not in the enjoyment of her own content. To herself hardly dared +she own it, as her restless glance traversed the room, but she felt that +one minute's conversation with her romantic friend,--nay, one word, or +but an exchanged glance,--would be worth all the gallant speeches she +endured from the gayer cavaliers by whom she was surrounded. + +This new friend, however, had not once approached her on that night. He +had studiously kept in the background, and although he had, unobserved, +caught sight of her, he had even carefully avoided those parts of the +room in which she was engaged with her various partners and friends. +Nay, the pleasure he experienced in the gay and festive scene, like that +of the fair Charlotte, was tinged with an occasional melancholy; a soft +and dreamy sadness mingled with the brighter thoughts called into play +by the sight of beauty and the strains of music. + +With such feelings he quitted the house, and passed into the gardens of +the Hall, those lovely grounds looking, as they did, so fair and soft, +in the bright moonlight. And how often do we find it thus in life! How +oft do we see the most worthy wending his way unnoticed, unobserved, +unappreciated, and unknown, whilst the giddy, the frivolous, the vain, +and even the vile, are sunning themselves in the smiles of patronage and +favour, playing their fantastic tricks, and swollen with the success +their cringing falsehood has attained, whilst patient merit, scorning +the rout, passes on unsought. + +The night, as Lorenzo words it, was but the daylight sick, "it looked a +little paler." The youthful poet threw himself upon a grassy bank, +shadowed by trees, and as the sounds of music crept upon his ears, + + "Soft stillness, and the night, + Became the touches of sweet harmony." + +And what indeed were the thoughts and imaginings the scene and hour gave +rise to?--Thoughts softened by the sweet breath of a summer's night, +loaded with perfume, and bearing harmony from the distance. At such +moment the mind reverts to days long past, or even revels in the fabled +ages of the early world. In such a night as this, + + "When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees + And they did make no noise; in such a night, + Troilus, methinks, mounted the Trojan walls + And sighed his soul toward the Grecian tents + Where Cressid lay." + +And, + + "In such a night, + Stood Dido with a willow in her hand, + Upon the wild sea-banks, and waved her love + To come again to Carthage." + +It was whilst Shakespeare remained thus sequestered and alone, and in +the indulgence of the thoughts produced by such a situation, that the +company had sought the gardens; and the walks, and alleys, the green +slopes, and mossed banks, became suddenly peopled with bright forms, and +which in a moment gave another and gayer aspect, and a totally different +turn to the entire scene. The stillness, and the sweet touches of +distant music, and which had so stolen upon his heart, was now changed +to the sounds of laughter and loud conversation. In the shaded walks +were now to be seen some tall form, clad in brave attire; his jewelled +hat and gay plume bent down as he conversed with the lady at his side, +and, in the open space before him, the different groups lent a lustre to +the gardens which only gay costume and forms of beauty can give. As he +remarked the scene before him, the joyous and sportive throng thus +revelling in happiness,--the very heavens "thick inlaid with patinos of +bright gold," he presently observed a dark and ominous cloud slowly and +stealthily mounting, as it were, from the south. It seemed to emerge +from the distant woods like a pall, and--as if emblematic of the +short-lived days of mortals--gradually stole over one side of the +heavens. + +Yes, that flaunting throng was like the pleasures of the world. "Those +clouds were like its coming cares." Whilst he watched their slow +development, a light footstep approached, and Charlotte Clopton stood +before him. + +Was it his fancy, or was it that the silver brightness falling on the +spot on which she stood, gave an ethereal appearance to the beautiful +girl, a ghost-like and shadowy look, which, for the moment, struck him +with a sort of awe? He arose from his recumbent posture, and, as he did +so, he observed she was unusually pale. Nay, as he gazed upon that sweet +face and form, he could not help seeing that it was with difficulty she +kept herself from falling. + +"I fear me, lady," he said, (struck with sudden alarm,) "you are not +well?" + +"A feeling of illness has indeed come over me," said Charlotte, "and +which I cannot entirely shake off. I thought the air of the gardens +would have taken it away, but it has not done so." + +"Suffer me to lead you in," said Shakespeare, taking her hand, "perhaps +some cordial will restore you?" + +"Not so," said Charlotte; "I have sought this spot as I knew it was a +favourite one with you. I felt you would be here, and that I must see +you. I know not wherefore, but a presentiment of evil is upon me. I feel +as if I spoke to thee this night for the last time." + +There was a wildness in the manner of Charlotte Clopton, as she said +this, which increased the anxiety of her admirer, and, as he saw that +she was really suffering from some sudden feeling of illness, he again +entreated her to seek the house. She, however, again refused. "I have +sought this opportunity to speak to you," she said, "for I felt I must +do so; nay, I feel as if I should die unless I unburthened myself to +one I so highly esteem, one to whom I owe so much, one so noble and so +good; nay, were it to any but to thee, (generous and sweet in +disposition as thou art, William Shakespeare,) I should shame to say so +much. But well I know that none can know thee and refrain from loving; +can trust thee and repent." + +To say that the youthful poet could hear this from a being so beautiful, +and not forget all the resolutions he had previously made to subdue and +conceal his passion, would be to describe one of those over-perfect +mortals existing only in the imagination of the prudish. + +William Shakespeare was no such perfection of a hero; he had sought to +quench his love's hot fire, + + "Lest it should burn above the bounds of reason." + +The intense feelings of youth, however, and which in after-life led him +so forcibly to pourtray the passion he felt, now completely overcame all +his prudential resolves. + +The being he had thought so much above him, and in secret loved, had +confessed her feelings. He was instantly lost to every thing but his +love for her. Its hopelessness, its seeming treachery towards his new +and generous friend, all were forgotten as he gazed upon Charlotte and +returned her vows. And yet, what was this love, so pure, so unselfish, +so unlikely ever to meet with reward? It rather lacked, even at its +commencement, the rapturous intoxication of hope, and seemed, even at +the moment of its mutual confidence, to partake of the bitterness of +certain disappointment. + +Whilst the various groups had been enjoying themselves in the grounds, +the heavens had become gradually overcast, till one entire portion was +mantled with the darksome veil now rapidly extending; distant rumbling +peals, too, like the sound of heavy ordnance from afar, and large heavy +drops of rain, gave notice of the coming storm. This, together with the +renewed sound of music, warned the revellers around again to seek the +shelter of the Hall, and, as Charlotte Clopton heard her name called, +the lovers too felt that they must part. Yet still they lingered, and +had more to say. + +The voice of Martin, however, calling upon Charlotte, who had now been +suddenly missed from amongst the guests, and sought for in the house, +recalled them to the necessity of separating. Their parting seemed a sad +one, and although the feeling of illness Charlotte had previously felt +had now partially left her, she still felt a sensation of langour and a +weight upon her spirits she could not account for. + +Her lover observed this, and that her cheek, ordinarily so full of +bloom, was deadly pale, giving her dark brown tresses a still darker +shade, and he parted from her with an ill divining soul. + +In his present frame of mind Shakespeare felt no longer any desire to +witness the gaieties within doors, and yet he found it impossible to +tear himself away from the gardens. He loved to breathe the neighbouring +air, and as he listened to the music, he tried to fancy her he loved +still adding to the grace and beauty of the assemblage. + +Whilst he thus remained lost in his own thoughts, the threatened storm +suddenly burst forth. The thunder crashed over head, and the lightning +darted along the walks and alleys of the gardens, and then came the +rain, rushing upon the earth like a cataract, suddenly bursting bounds. + +These sounds were mingled with the tread of horses' hoofs as they +clattered into the stable-yard, and then came a short and rapid word of +command. A few minutes more and the music ceased; rapid and hurried +footsteps were heard, as of guests suddenly departing, coupled with +lamentations and sounds of alarm. The mirth of the assemblage seemed +suddenly to have been marred, and their good cheer spoiled, and such +indeed was the case. + +In the very midst of the revel, and whilst the festive cup was drained +around to the health of Sir Hugh and his fair child, that child had +again been seized with illness and fainted. + +Attributing it to the heat and excitement she had undergone, Sir Hugh +bore her to her couch, and as she soon recovered from her swoon he again +sought his guests. + +When he did so, he observed that during his absence the party had been +increased by the addition of some half a dozen cavaliers completely +armed, and as he entered the room the chief of the party stepped up to +him, and laid his hand upon his shoulder. + +"Sir Hugh Clopton, of Clopton," he said, in a loud voice, "I arrest thee +of high treason, in the name of our most sovereign lady the Queen." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +THE PLAGUE AT STRATFORD. + + +The swift passage of events, and which it has taken some little time to +record, has necessarily obliged us to omit mention of several minor +characters of our story, but who, nevertheless, have been playing their +parts upon the stage as well as those of greater note and import. +Amongst others, Master Dismal, whose cue it seemed to ferret out all +sorts of disagreeables and who seemed to batton upon horrors, had not +failed to follow up the hint promulgated at the Falcon regarding the +sickness which had appeared in the town. + +At the period of our story the plague was no uncommon visitor in the +different towns in England, and awful were the consequences of such +visitation when it appeared. + +In cases of this sort when some dire disease breaks out amongst the poor +and ignorant, they generally at first conceal it. Struck with dismay, +they yet resolve to doubt the suspicious appearance till confirmation of +its reality drives them to disclosure. + +The plague was indeed so much dreaded at this time, that those first +infected were looked upon with as much horror and dislike as if they +were absolutely guilty of its production. + +The very suspicion of its appearance was sufficient to frighten the town +from its propriety. The inhabitants withdrew from the businesses and +pleasures of life like snails within their shells. Each feared his +neighbour, and all around was distrust and dread. It was this fear, +together with the unclean state of the town, and most of the houses in +it, which made the pestilence so quick and be fatal in its effects. +Evils, it has been said, are more to be dreaded from the suddenness of +their attack than from their magnitude or duration. In the storms of +life those that are foreseen are half overcome. + +This disease, however, was in general as formidable and as difficult to +get rid of in a town, as its coining was sudden and unexpected. It was +like the wind which sailors term the tiffoon, pouncing upon the vessel +like an eagle upon the prey, and paralyzing the victim at once. + +Master Dismal had received intelligence of this visitation by an +anonymous communication, written upon a dirty scrap of paper, and which +had been one night thrown in at his window. + +The scrawl was in such strange hieroglyphics, and so vaguely worded, +that any other person beside himself would have failed in hitting upon +its hidden meaning; but the busy-body had a peculiar facility in +deciphering and discovering horrors. Nay, his visitations amongst his +neighbours and townsfolk were generally looked upon by them as a sure +harbinger of evil in one shape or other. He was a sort of stormy petrel +in the town, a forerunner of danger and despair. He even loved to watch +the progress of misery and disease, contemplating the ills mankind are +subject to, with a philosophic eye. + +If a whole family were to be swept off, his visits continued as long as +the disease lasted amongst them; and he made his entrance and took his +leave with the doctor. + +In fact, it was his recreation to study the maladies and miseries "the +poor compounded clay, man, is heir to." Accidents and wounds, and indeed +every sort of infliction his neighbours were subject to, it was his +humour to watch curiously,--nay, he was even interested in the sight of +a felon's ear, nailed to the cart wheel, whilst a knave set in the +stocks, or a vagabond whipped through the town, was a matter of +reflection, and a spectacle to be hunted after: and when Dame Patch was +placed upon the cuckin stool, and then ducked in the Avon for lying and +slander, he was observed next day to pay her a visit of condolence, +whilst some affirmed that he had even remained a whole week in her +dwelling to offer her consolation in her distress. + +In addition to these peculiarities, we need hardly mention that the +funeral bell was at any time a grateful sound to his ears, seldom +failing to call him forth from his home, whatever his employment might +happen to be. + +Then again he loved to contemplate a batch of dirty urchins, in all the +enjoyment of mud and mire, freedom and mischief, revelling in +undisturbed possession of the kennel or the road, and to speculate upon +the chances against one-third of them reaching maturity, or their +probable fate if they did so. + +Following the clue given him by the anonymous communication, and which +he had received a few hours before he announced the news it contained at +the Falcon, he had made a search through the locality hinted at. The +note, which was vaguely and notoriously worded, had pointed to some +house in the suburbs; and, after duly calling over the different persona +whom he considered likely to have been the writer of the billet, he +fixed it upon a crazy, half insane fellow, living in a lone house in +Henley Street. + +Accordingly, when the shadows of evening descended, he went prying +about, and peeping into all the windows, and listening at all the doors +on either side that street. "Wat Murdake," he said to himself, "is a +maniac,--a dangerous fellow at times, having fits of violence quite +awful to look on. He killed his wife with a shoemaker's awl, pierced her +ear when she was asleep,--at least, so it is said, and he confesses it +even now in his ravings,--but that's nought. Many an old host that I +know would be glad to do the same, if they dared, for the women do drive +men to desperate deeds with that unruly member, the tongue. Wat Murdake +is a dangerous fellow at times, and exceedingly mad always, but then he +is pretty cunning, and keepeth a sure eye upon his neighbour. An I +cannot find these plague spots, I will seek him and make inquiry, for +'tis good I saw into the matter at once. + +"Ah! what's that I hear? A scream? No, it's only a child squalling, and +the mother singing it to sleep with a merry song. There's no misery +there. So pass we on to the next. What's that, a groan? No, it's a +fellow practising on the bass-viol. All right I trow there; where music +_is_, contentment rests, and no plague. What's this?" he continued, +listening at the next house, "lamentations and words of woe? No, it's +man and wife quarrelling. Ah! and there they go to blows. There is no +real misery there, but what they make for themselves; they've plague +enough, but not the plague I seek. Pass we on again. What's here? the +bones rattling? Yes, dicing, drinking, and brawl. It's not there. +It _may_ come to that, but they don't begin _so_. There'll be +death, perhaps, in the house, but it will be by violence, _not +disease_--to-night, to-morrow, perhaps; who knows? And so Master Dismal +passed on from door to door, taking his cue of good or ill from the +employment of the inmates of the different houses. At length he came to +a lone, squalid-looking hut, the last but one in the street, standing in +its own untrimmed and neglected garden; a ruin with walls so rent as to +shew one-half of its heavy-beamed rooms in a skeleton state; the +remainder being patched up to expel the wind and rain, and reclaimed, as +it were, in a slovenly manner, from the general state of decay. +The toad sat and croaked in the long damp grass, and the lizard crawled +over the muddy pathway to the door, as Dismal stopped and listened. + +"This looks like business," he said, "I quite forgot this house of +ill-omen. Ah! what a dirty-mantled pond in the garden! Here we have it, +sure enough! there's no mistaking these sounds! Let me see, this is the +residence of Smite Drear and his family, the most drunken, +ill-conducted, dirty, evil-minded lot in all Warwickshire--the man a +vile caitiff, a puritan whose tongue is ruin; the woman a slanderer +also, and a termagant; the children thieves, liars, and imps of ill. +_I'm sure it's here_; _I know it's here_; it _must_ be here; it _ought_ +to be here; it _is_ here. Yea, and here it _is_, sure enough! If I could +only get a peep into the interior, I should know in a minute. Let me +see; where's my pouncet-box? Ah! there's another groan, and the sob of a +female! I hear some one praying too; rather unusual _that_, I trow. I +must go in. _But no_, I cannot _get_ in, the door is fastened; I'll +knock." + +It was some time before the summons of Master Dismal was answered. But +at last the owner of the hovel removed a broken shutter from an upper +window, and thrusting out his head, growled a malediction upon the +person disturbing him. + +"Pass on," he said, "and trouble us not." + +"I would crave permission," said Dismal, "to pay a visit on matters----" + +"_Crave_ nothing here," said Drear, "_Seek_ nothing here. Sickness and +death are within our doors: we are accursed." + +"I would fain offer consolation, and observe the nature of your +illness," said Dismal. "I would inform the leech, or even summon _other_ +aid in your need." + +"Who is it speaks?" said Drear, thrusting his head further out. "All, I +see! Hence, screech-owl--bird of ill; hence, wretch, lest I come down +and beat thee! Hence, hound, whose bark never boded aught but death to +the sick man. We wanted but thy visit to make us certain of our fate." + +So saying, Drear violently put up his shutter and withdrew. + +"Ah," said Dismal, "you may talk, my master, till you've tired yourself. +But I know all about it now. If I cannot get _in_, by my troth I'll take +care to put a sign which shall hinder you from getting _out_. Plague or +no plague, I'll cause them to look in upon you who have authority to do +so." So saying. Master Dismal took a large lump of red ochre from his +pocket, and with considerable care marked up a broad red cross upon the +door. He then, as he knew it was about the hour the watch passed, +quietly withdrew to the opposite side of the street, and ensconsing +himself behind the buttress of a wall, waited the event. + +In a short time the watch came up; they passed Master Dismal where he +stood without discovering him and then proceeded to the very end of the +street. According to their custom (in making the rounds at night) they +then halted, ordered their pikes, trimmed their lights, and stood at +ease for a few minutes, ere they returned down the other side of the +street; examining each door they passed by holding up the light they +carried. + +At the first tenement they found nothing extraordinary, the fellow who +carried the light, which was a sort of cresset at the end of a bar of +iron, held it aloft, and as its lurid glare fell upon the house, it +displayed its walls clear as in open daylight. "All right, pass," said +the head constable, and so they passed on to the next. + +Here the constable carrying the cresset was merely about to raise it and +pass on, when, as he did so, the whole party were arrested in speechless +alarm by a sign they knew too well from former visitation. "The plague!" +said the first, in a voice modulated almost to a whisper. "The plague!" +said the second, "why I heard not of it before." "The searcher's mark," +said the second, "I knew not that he had been sent out." "Advance your +light again, Diccon," said a third, "and observe if the house be +padlocked up." "I see no fastening," said Diccon, "and yet, 'tis the +searcher's mark, sure enough; pass on, in heaven's name, comrades;" and +on passed the watch, no longer with measured tread, but with accelerated +and fearful steps, to inform the headborough of what they had seen: +Master Dismal stealing after them in a state of the most exuberant glee +at his own conceit and its success. + +The spread of the disease, as was usual at this period, was extremely +rapid. Indeed, it had risen to some height in the town before the +authorities would consent to believe it really existed. In such cases, +and in former days, precautionary measures were seldom thought of. Men +drove off all thought of the evil; when they found it was really amongst +them, or what they feared, they kept to themselves. At first they turned +sulky under the infliction, if we may so term it, barring up their doors +and deserting the streets; they avoided each other as much as possible, +seeking air and recreation and forgetfulness by taking to the wastes and +commons around. Leaving their homes by the back doors, they almost +deserted the streets in search of the necessaries of life. As it grew +worse the town seemed depopulated, even before the disease had time to +work, so empty were its streets. + +But a few days had passed since all the out-door sports and diversions +of the age and the season had been in full play. Those gay and jovial +May-day games, in the quaint mazes of the wanton green; those rural +fêtes and diversions--the wakes and revels--the May-pole dances--the +parties of pleasure--into the shadowy desert unfrequented woods, and +which the peasantry of old were so fond of, all had ceased as it were on +the instant. The human mortals feared each other, a secret +dread--however each member of a family kept the native colour of his +cheek--was in the heart of each. The very air seemed infected, and tho +aspect of the town took a ghastly hue. It smelt of death, men thought. +Business stopped in it. No markets were attended. No strangers passed +through it. It was a place infected, avoided, accursed. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +MORE TROUBLE AT CLOPTON. + + +Meanwhile, as misfortunes seldom come but in battalions, Sir Hugh +Clopton (even before he had heard of the appearance of the disease) had +been arrested of high treason, and carried off to London with several +other gentlemen of condition in the county, and who had likewise been +mixed up in the confession of Master Walter Neville. + +It is indeed hardly possible to describe the dire confusion which ensued +upon this unexpected event taking place on the night of the feast at +Clopton Hall. Sir Hugh himself was the only person of his household and +family who seemed to retain his self-command. Walter Arderne would, at +first, have fain struck down the Queen's officer and expelled his men. +The faithful Martin was almost distraught. The serving men and retainers +were scared and indignant at the same time; and the guests in a state of +astonishment and dismay. + +"Heed it not, my masters all," said Sir Hugh, "'tis a mistake +altogether. I a traitor to our blessed Queen! pah. I would she had but +such traitors in all her foes; methinks I know where this matter +originates, and shall set it right upon examination." + +"I hope so," said the officer; "Nevertheless, there is one other I am to +secure within your household, but my people have just learnt he hath +fled on our approach." + +"In the name of Heaven," said Sir Hugh, "who else lays under this +strange misconception?" + +"A priest but lately come from over sea, commonly called Father +Eustace," said the officer. + +"Eustace!" said Sir Hugh, "why he was here but now. Is he too accused?" + +"He is," said the officer, "and must, if possible, be apprehended; some +of my party have followed on his trail." + +"Any more of my family, household, or personal friends implicated?" said +Sir Hugh, somewhat bitterly. "I trust I shall set my accuser, whoever he +be, before my rapier's point, when I promise him such mercy as it +affords _no more_." + +"I feel sorry to put any force upon you, Sir Hugh," said the officer, +"especially before this goodly company, but my orders are peremptory, +and I must convey you to Warwick to-night; to-morrow with all speed +towards London." + +"Nay," said Sir Hugh, "good sir, you but express my own wishes in this +matter. To the Tower with me at once. An there be any limb or member o' +my body found guilty of this sin--torture it: an the Queen find that my +head hath entertained a thought against her--off with it: an my heart +hath conceived treason--tear it out. To horse then in God's name, and +let us put on without delay." + +And truly did the good Sir Hugh bespeak himself, whilst most of the +guests standing in amaze around, and, with tears in their eyes, beheld +him made prisoner, and conveyed from his own domain. Under the +circumstances in which he found himself, it was a great relief to the +good knight that his daughter was saved from the grief and misery of +seeing and taking leave of him. + +The coming of the officers and the arrest of her father it was hastily +arranged should be carefully concealed, and her attendants were enjoined +to say that a sudden summons from the Queen had obliged Sir Hugh +instantly to depart. + +Meantime the faithful Martin undertook to remain in watchful attendance +upon her, whilst Arderne, whose feelings would not permit him to stay +behind, accompanied the party in charge of the old knight, and whom he +swore never to leave till he was again at liberty. + +"I will gain audience of the Queen," he said, "instantly, and not leave +the Court until I know the vile traducer who hath thus denounced thee, +uncle. Thou a traitor, indeed! Thou soul of honour, loyalty and truth! +Treason hath no existence--no place to hide in aught where thou +abidest." + +And thus (as is oft the case in life) the scene became on the sudden +overcast. At the moment of its brightness--the gaiety, the splendour, +and the happiness of the party were dashed; whilst those who had met +together with light hearts and fantastic spirits, dispersed with evil +foreboding and slow and heavy footsteps. + +In a party of this sort, in Warwickshire, it was customary oft-times to +keep up the revel till dawn, whilst every nook and corner of the +dwelling was made available for those of the guests who chose to remain +afterwards. + +With the good old English hospitality which despised form, Sir Hugh had +previously arranged for many of his most intimate friends to stay a few +days at Clopton and partake in the sport his preserves afforded. The +dogs and falcons were to have been put in requisition, and the heronry +and the thick covers around beat for game. + +Indeed two or three did remain at Clopton the next day; not for the +purpose of recreating themselves with the old knight's hawks, but from +their anxiety about the illness of the fair Charlotte, and in the hope +of seeing her re-appear from her room with renewed health. + +Such, however, was not to be the case, as she grew rapidly worse, and it +was found necessary to summon the leech from Stratford. Soon after his +arrival, the faithful Martin, with a face of alarm, took upon himself to +dismiss the guests. His charge, he said, was extremely ill. Her +complaint was pronounced by the leech to be both infectious and +dangerous, and under such circumstances, it was advisable for them to +shorten their visit. "Neither should I be acting rightly," he added, "if +I concealed it, although the rumour may possibly be without foundation, +but I have just heard the plague hath broken out in Stratford." + +Thus were the halls of Clopton--and which but a few short hours before +had displayed such a scene of gaiety and revelling,--as suddenly changed +to gloom and melancholy. + +The domestics seemed to glide about with noiseless step, hardly having +heart to arrange the different rooms, so that many of them were left in +the confusion and disarray they had been in when the mirth of the party +was so suddenly interrupted; and, if the succeeding day was fraught with +melancholy, the night was filled with terrors. Strange and awful sounds +were heard in some of the rooms. Sounds which none could account for or +discover the meaning of, although, at first attributing them to natural +causes, the domestics made search through those parts of the house where +they had been heard. + +Coming thus at a time of grief and misfortune, and following sickness +and the rumours of so dire a disease as the plague, these sounds had an +ominous and awful appearance. The domestics, much as they loved their +employers, and commiserated them in their present distress, were so much +scared, that several fled from the Hall to their own homes; and, as the +mysterious sounds continued night after night growing more violent, and +even extending from the part of the house to which they had at first +been confined; with the exception of two or three of the upper servants, +the numerous domestics of the establish meat had almost all deserted it. + +The faithful Martin was sorely troubled. Living in an age when men's +minds were easily affected by superstitious terrors, and a general +belief existed in supernatural agency, he however possessed an uncommon +degree of firmness and mental energy. At first he tried to laugh at the +terrors and complaints of the different servants, as they brought +continued reports of dreadful sounds existing in the western wing of the +Hall, and where the secret hiding-places existed. Then, as his own ears +confirmed their reports, he shut himself up, well armed, for a whole +night in the apartments where the spirit was said to be most +troublesome. + +On this night, which was the third after the departure of Sir Hugh, the +sounds were most terrific and awful. As if the evil genius of the house +of Clopton was either rejoicing over the present state of the family, or +impatient for their utter destruction, it seemed inclined to drive the +inmates to despair by its violence. + +Martin, having thrown himself upon the bed in the apartment we have +before seen tenanted by the maniac Parry, was reclining in a half-dozing +state, a couple of huge petronels in his belt and a drawn rapier upon +tho table, when he was suddenly conscious of some one entering the room, +and sitting down beside the bed. + +As he had carefully locked the door he was in something surprised at +this visitation; but suspecting that some influence from without was at +work, and distrusting the Jesuitical priest Eustace, after a while he +quietly and cautiously rose, and then leaping suddenly from the bed, +confronted the supposed visitant petronel in hand. + +To his astonishment, however, no person was there,--"He looked but on a +stool." The door, which had been violently burst in, was still wide +open, but no one was in the room besides himself. This was the more +extraordinary as Martin was confident he had distinctly heard the person +enter, and with swift step passing into the apartment, seat itself by +his bedside. Nay, so quick and sudden seemed the visit, that though a +bold and determined man, Martin had felt paralyzed and unable to move +for the first minute or two. His heart beat violently; he was certain +some one was within a few inches of him as he lay, and yet he could not +move a limb; till at length, shaking off the feeling, he rose to +confront the intruder. Pistol in hand, he looked in every part of the +small room, "searching impossible places" in his anxiety. He then +descended the narrow staircase, and looked into every nook and corner of +the apartment beneath, but found not even a cobweb amiss. + +Returning to his couch he re-fastened the door, trimmed his lamp, placed +it in the chair beside his bed, examined his petronel, and again lay +down with the weapon firmly grasped in his hand. "If there be any deceit +in this," he said to himself, "and which I feel inclined to believe is +the case, I will make sure work of it with the practiser. A bullet +through his heart or lungs, will lay his ghostship in the Red Sea." + +There had never been much good feeling in existence between the shrewd +Martin and the priest Eustace. At the present moment the former held the +Jesuit in especial dislike. He had a suspicion that the difficulties in +which Sir Hugh was now placed, arose from some intrigues of the priest, +whom he knew to be of an unscrupulous and designing nature. The present +noises he conceived to be some contrivance of this iron-hearted bigot, +in order to scare the servants of the establishment from that wing of +the building, and he accordingly resolved to make a severe example of +whoever he detected. This idea nerved him to so great a degree, that the +extraordinary sounds he heard at first failed in completely frightening +him. The situation, however, was not altogether a pleasant one. The +silence, the loneliness, the dangerous illness of his favourite +Charlotte, the peril in which the old knight was placed, all crowded +themselves upon his imagination as he lay and watched. + +For some time nothing occurred to disturb his melancholy reflections, +reflections which at length took him from the present horror of the +time; and led on to other thoughts, till, at length, the heavy summons +of sleep began to weigh upon his eyelids. + +At this moment the clock from the old tower in the stabling struck two. +Scarcely had it done so when a distant whirling sound was heard; it +seemed at first like a rushing wind stirring the trees in the shrubbery +without, and steadily advancing towards the house. It increased in sound +as it did so, till it appeared to enter the house, and rushing up the +staircase with fearful violence the door again was dashed open with a +tremendous burst, the lamp was extinguished at the same moment, and the +room seemed filled with some strange and unnatural visitants. + +Starting up at the moment of the door being burst in, Martin discharged +his pistol full at the entrance, and at the very instant the light was +extinguished. He then jumped, sword in hand, into the middle of the +room, whilst a rushing sound, as of persons moving about, was all around +him. + +The darkness, added to the horrors of his situation, almost unmanned the +bold Martin, and spite of his determined character his heart now beat +violently and his hair bristled on his head. Nay, so impressed was he +with the idea that some spectral beings were in the apartment, and even +in his own vicinity,--nay, perhaps, that the enemy of mankind was at his +very elbow and about to clutch him, that, as he uttered a hasty prayer +for the protection of Heaven, he executed several furious backstrokes +round the apartment, cutting a huge gash in the bed furniture, +demolishing the back of an elaborately carved oaken chair, and bringing +down a cumbrous mirror, smashed into a dozen pieces with as many blows. +Indeed, the natural sounds of this ruin in some measure did away with +the awe the supernatural noises had created. There is always some relief +in action in such cases. The coward, for instance, makes use of his +legs, in the midst of apprehension, the brave man takes to his arms, and +as the strange sounds gradually subsided, seeming to traverse through +the rooms below in their progress, Martin ceased from his exertions. + +He was, however, now completely converted to the opinion of the +domestics that there was something most strange and most unnatural in +this visitation. He felt awed and struck with dread, and, lowering the +point of his weapon, he stood in the centre of the apartment listening +attentively as the noise passed through the lower rooms. "There is +surely something in all this," he said to himself, "which is beyond my +comprehension. 'Tis a sound of warning. I fear me some dire misfortune +is in store. Peradventure Sir Hugh is dead: great Heaven, perhaps +executed on the scaffold! Alas, my poor Charlotte! But no, it cannot be +so. Heaven help us in our need, for we seem a doomed people here." + +A deep sigh sounded close to his ears as he finished his soliloquy, so +heavy, so long drawn, and so startling, that his blood curdled in his +veins. He felt that he could no longer remain in the apartment, and +hastily leaving it he descended the stairs, and opening the sliding +pannel, passed into the rooms usually habited when Sir Hugh was at home. + +Here he felt in something reassured, and groping his way to the door +which admitted to the garden, he threw it open and sought relief in the +free air. + +The night was dark and a drizzling rain descended; he stepped on to the +grass-plat and looked up at the apartment of his sick charge. A light +was in the room, a pale and sickly gleam, which seemed to speak of +watching and woe at that dead hour. As he passed beneath the window he +thought he perceived a figure gliding away, but the night was too dark +for him to be quite certain; still he felt sure that he had seen the +outline of a form which, gloomy as was the night, he recognized. + +"'Tis he, I feel assured," said Martin. "I cannot mistake that form, +even so indistinctly seen, for there is none other like him. Alas! alas! +'tis even so. He watches her window even in such a night as this. I saw +they loved each other from the first. Well, we are in the hands of +heaven, and 'tis wrong to murmur. If our ills are reparable, to complain +is ungrateful; if irremediable, 'tis vain. Whatever happens must have +first pleased God, and most pleased him; or it had not happened. There +is no affliction which resignation cannot conquer or death cure." + +As Martin resigned himself to this comfortable doctrine he turned and +re-entered the house. + +The dawn was now beginning to break, and he resolved to knock at the +chamber door of the invalid and make some inquiry after her. + +The first grey tint of morning began to render objects in the room +visible as he passed through it. There stood the spinnet upon which +Charlotte had so lately played, the music-book open. There was her lute +lying beside the music, and where it had been laid on the night of the +party, and beside that lay the hood and jesses of her favourite hawk. + +Whilst Martin regarded these remembrances of one now unable to use or +enjoy them, a pang of grief shot through his heart, that sorrowful +feeling with which we look upon the relics of the dead, and whom we have +loved dearly when in life; and with that feeling came the conviction +that she who once played so sweetly on that instrument, and so bravely +wore those trappings of her gallant bird,--she, the young, the +beautiful, was already parted perhaps for ever from the pleasures of the +earth,--sick, prostrate, dying,--nay, even at that moment perhaps dead. + +With heavy heart and evil foreboding he ascended the great staircase and +sought Charlotte's room. His step was heard by the nurse who attended on +the invalid, and gently opening the door she came forth to meet him. + +The nurse was one of the old servants of the family; she was pale as +death Martin observed as he advanced along the corridor. "We have had a +fearful night," she said. + +"But your charge?" said Martin, "I trust in Heaven she is better." + +"Worse, Martin, worse," she replied; "worse than I can bring myself to +tell thee. She is now asleep, but hath been delirious all the night." + +"Now the gods help us," said Martin. + +"Amen," said the nurse; "she hath raved much and talked wildly. To thee, +Martin, I will confess it, she hath spoken much of one she loves." + +"I dare to say so," said Martin, musing. + +"But not of _him_ of whom she should so speak," said the nurse. + +"Not of him our good old master would like to have heard her speak in +such loving terms. Mayhap I should surprise you were I to say on whom +her affections seem fixed." + +"I think not," said Martin, significantly. + +"You think not?" said the nurse, "and wherefore?" + +"Because I know her secret as well as if she had told it me," said +Martin. "I have seen it from the first." + +"Hark!" said the nurse, "she is again in one of those fits. Hear you +that name, and thus called on." + +"I do," said Martin; "'tis as I thought. May I see her? Methinks I +cannot be satisfied till I look upon her sweet face, if but for a +moment." + +"Remain here whilst I go in, and I will then summon you," said the +nurse. "Ah me, 'tis very sad!" and the nurse passed into the room, +closing the door behind her. + +Martin seated himself on the bench beneath the window at the end of the +corridor, and as he gazed upon the portraits of the Clopton family +hanging on either hand, his reflections became even more saddened. In +that array of beautiful females and noble-looking cavaliers, how many +died early! Amongst those scowling and bearded men of middle age, +arrayed in all the panoply of war, how many had perished in their +harness! There was Hugo de Clopton, the crusader, the fiercest of a +brave race, who had smote even a crowned king in Palestine rather than +brook dishonour. There was the templar, who had died at the stake in +France, true to his vow; and Blanch Clopton, whom the lascivious John +had solicited in vain, and who had been celebrated at tilt and tourney +throughout Christendom as "La belle des belles." + +Each and all of these portraits, it seemed to him, had a curious history +attached to them--a sad and stern tale in life's romance--and as he sat +and regarded them he thought upon their descendant now lying sick in +their close vicinity--her father accused of treason and a prisoner, at a +time so inopportune. + +"Strange," he thought to himself, "that this family, so noble in +disposition, so high in their sense of honour, should seem thus marked +out and pursued by fate. + +"'Tis true the good Sir Hugh hath been called, by the clergy of his own +persuasion, but a luke-warm member of the true Church; an irreligious +man. + +"Nay, Eustace hath upbraided him with leaning towards heresy; and the +Protestant churchmen at Stratford, again, hath accused him of being +neither of the one religion or the other--altogether a heathen. + +"These churchmen are both men, however, who wrangle and fight so much +about religion, vice and virtue, that they have no time to practice +either the one or the other; whilst the good Sir Hugh hath, during life, +been so fully engaged in acts of benevolence, that saving the hours he +hath spent amongst his horses and dogs, he hath indeed little leisure to +think about such controversies." + +Whilst Martin sat thus chewing the cud of bitter fancy, the old +attendant returned to him. "She again sleeps," she said, weeping, and +you may look upon her sweet face once more. "But oh, Martin, I fear me we +are indeed in trouble; you will scarce behold that countenance, even yet +so beautiful, without terror." + +"Is she already so changed?" said Martin. "In the name of Heaven, what +can be her complaint?" + +"No noise," said the attendant, "but go in, and judge for yourself." + +In a few moments Martin returned. Horror was in his countenance. "Her +face is filled with livid spots!" he said. "We are indeed unhappy; she +has caught----" + +"The plague," said the nurse, as Martin hesitated, apparently unable to +repeat the words. "The plague; 'tis even so, and she will not outlive +this day." + +"I will hasten to Stratford, and bid the leech again visit her +instantly," said Martin. + +"'Twere best," said the attendant, "be quick; but I fear me it is of +little avail." And Martin, with fearful and hasty steps, left the +corridor, and descended to the stabling of the Hall. + +Besides Martin and the attending nurse, there was one other who watched +with anxiety over the fate of the poor invalid, and who, albeit +circumstances made it unpleasing to him openly to display the interest +he felt, yet who sought in every way to gather some tidings of her state +of health. + +Amidst the general trouble in which the town was now involved, private +griefs were less thought of, and consequently, although the inhabitants +of the Hall were, by the good folks of Stratford-upon-Avon, known to be +in some strait, whilst everybody was in apprehension for himself, +commiseration there was little of, and intercourse there was none. Nay, +the small remaining portion of domestics at Clopton had become so +greatly alarmed by the visitation of the previous night, that they +neglected their duties on this day, and remaining huddled together in +the servants' hall, meditated altogether deserting the locality. + +In addition to the supernatural sounds, they were now scared by a +suspicion of the nature of the disease which had seized their young +lady. + +It was under such circumstances that, when Martin descended to the +stables in order to dispatch a messenger for the doctor, he could at +first find no one willing to undertake the message. + +"I would willingly do anything I could to benefit the young lady," said +one, "but I am about to leave the Hall." + +"I cannot go into the town," said another, "for it is said that death is +rife in its streets; and the folks are stricken as they walk. It would +be a tempting of the disease an I were to run into it." + +"Nay! we have had warning enough here," said another; "and albeit I +respect Sir Hugh, I fear to remain, after what we have heard last night. +Besides, if the truth must out, I believe the sickness hath come to +Clopton; and folks must look to themselves. I have friends at +Kenilworth, and I must seek them. They say too, that Sir Hugh hath been +found guilty of a conspiracy against the life of the Queen, and I like +it not." + +"Hounds!" said Martin--"unworthy even to tend upon the generous animals +you are hired to feed. Begone! pack--seek another roof, where you can +batten on cold bits, and return kindness with base ingratitude." So +saying, Martin saddled one of the steeds, and mounting himself, galloped +into the town. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +DOMESTIC AFFLICTIONS. + + +It is evening--damp, dreary, and heavy, like the day which has preceded +it. + +An unwholesome closeness pervades the air; a heavy drizzling rain +descends from the clouds upon the earth, enveloping all around in a +dense mist, which hides the surrounding scenery. + +Leaving his home, the youthful Shakespeare takes his way across the +meadows, in which our readers may remember to have first seen him in the +opening chapter of this story. His step, however, is less buoyant, and +his heart is heavier than on that occasion. The clouds, which drive +steadily on, are not less gloomy than his presentiments. Sickness and +misery are amongst the neighbours he leaves; sickness and sorrow are +amongst those he seeks. + +Yet still as that youth wends onwards, now crossing through the fern +(laden and heavy with moisture,) now diving into the thick plantations +which lead into the chase of Clopton, nothing escapes his notice. The +crow, "as it wings to the rocky wood," in the thickening light,--the +coney, as it flashes into the cover,--the darting lizard, as it +disappears in the thick fern,--the stoat and weasel, as they pounce upon +their prey in the brake, all are noted by him. + +His mind was oppressed and desponding, but it was a mind which no +circumstances could entirely destroy the elasticity of, even for a +moment. "There is a pleasure in the pathless woods," it hath been said +by a modern poet; and there is society where none intrudes. But perhaps +the feeling of pleasure experienced amidst solitude and sylvan scenery +is only really and intensely felt by men of extraordinary parts and +poetical imagination. + +The fairest glade, and the wildest haunts of the untamed denizens of the +woods, it was young Shakespeare's great delight to seek out and ponder +amidst. + +At the present moment he felt that no locality would soothe the sadness +of his thoughts so well as the leafy covert he was in. + +Even whilst the heavy rain was pattering amidst the foliage, and +dropping from the surcharged boughs; the air misty and moist; and the +darksome glade rendered more gloomy by the murky atmosphere, there was +indeed to his eye and mind, something fresh to be remarked around in the +changeful hue of the herbs, plants, and thick foliage, as the driving +clouds constantly varied them; nay (as we have said,) the gloomy and +dull aspect of the wood at that moment better suited his troubled +thoughts than a more bright and splendid scene. + +Some slight intimation of the troubles of his friends at the Hall had +reached him; he had received a hint of the arrest of Sir Hugh, and the +absence of his friend Arderne. He also knew that the fair Charlotte was +unwell; and naturally attributing her illness to the shock she had +received at the arrest of her father, he hoped that a few days would +restore her to health. Still a presentiment of evil, and which he +conceived was consequent upon the unhappy state of the town in which he +had lived, pervaded his mind. + +He had occasionally visited the neighbourhood of the Hall, and made some +inquiry after the inmates; but in the absence of the good knight, and +his friend Arderne, he had not considered it consistent with propriety +to introduce himself into the house, coming as he did from a place +infected with the plague. + +On this evening, however, he resolved to gain some more assured tidings +of those he felt so much interested in; and after pondering upon the +matter, he resolved to approach the hall. + +There was a solitude and silence about the house, as he gazed at it from +the belt of plantation by which he approached, that he could not account +for. No smoke ascended, from those huge twisted chimneys; no sound (save +an occasional dismal and long-drawn howl) came from the kennel. No +person was to be seen, as of yore, flitting about, engaged in the +numerous avocations of their daily duties. All looked dull and deserted. + +He entered the court in rear, and proceeded to the stabling. The stables +were for the most part empty, the steeds had been turned into the chase, +and deserted by their attendants. He looked into the falconry; the hawks +were upon the perch, and apparently well fed and attended to, for at +that period a falconer would have as soon deserted his children as his +hawks, but the attendants were at the moment absent; they had fled from +the Hall, and located themselves in some out-buildings in the woods. As +he entered the house, the same appearance of desertion struck his eye. +He passed through a long passage, and gained the hall. There hung the +old tattered banners, the unscoured armour, and the antlered heads of +several large stags,--stags of ten,--all spoke of recent occupation and +use. The cross-bow lay where it had been thrown a few days before; the +thick hawking gauntlets and the dog-couples were mingled with whips and +spurs, bits and bridles, and all the _mélange_ of the chase and the +country gentleman's occupation, but of servants or inhabitants there was +no sign. He passed into the oak-pannelled room where he had first +enjoyed the society of the family, and learned to love them for their +worth. All looked desolate. The solitude and silence around made his +presence seem an intrusion. The innate modesty of his disposition +overcame his anxiety to hear tidings of the invalid. He felt as if +prying into the secret sorrows of the owner of the mansion, and was +about to withdraw, when the door opened, and Martin entered the room. + +Martin started as he recognised the visitor, and a slight frown seemed +to cross his brow. He was a curious compound, that man. He half disliked +the youth for the virtues he at the same time admired in him, and which +he saw had also won the love of the daughter of his patron, and which +under no circumstance he considered could lead to a happy result,--now, +however, all was at an end. + +"Ah," he said, "art _thou_ here? Art thou come to Clopton when all else +desert it?" + +"My anxiety to learn tidings of the family hath made me an intruder on +your privacy," said Shakespeare. "I hope----" + +"We have no hope," said Martin; "and you are not wise in coming hither. +Yon have surely heard of our misery. Charlotte Clopton is dying. Dying +of the plague. The nurse has just caught it of her and sickens too. All +have fled from the Hall." + +A few moments more, and Shakespeare had sprung up the great staircase, +and sought the chamber of the invalid, Martin hastening after him, and +in vain urging him not to enter her room. "The disease is of the most +malignant character," he said. "The leech hath left the house unable to +do us any good. 'Tis but a tempting of Providence to enter the room. I +pr'ythee have thought upon your own safety." + +"Perish all thoughts of self and safety!" said Shakespeare, dashing his +hat upon the floor as he entered the chamber. "O fairest flower," he +said, "cut down and blighted in thy budding beauty, do I indeed behold +thee again thus--so soon to part with thee for ever?" + +He knelt down beside her bed, took her hand, and carried it to his lips. + +Her long luxuriant tresses, which had escaped from the ribbon that bound +them, covered the white pillow like a cloud, and half-concealed her +face. She raised herself as she recognised the voice, and, parting her +hair, gazes eagerly in his face. "Thou art come then," she said; "once +more come? Oh, blessings on thee for it. I have wished for thee; dreamt +of thee; called for thee; and thou art come at last to set mine eye. +What happiness to look upon thy face once more--even in death! And yet," +she said, as she held him from her, "there is danger in your being here, +I heard them whisper to each other of the plague." + +"Oh, believe it not!" said Shakespeare; "there is no sign of such +disease about thee. Thou wilt live, dearest lady. Cast but from your +mind these sad thoughts, and you will yet recover." + +"Not so," said Charlotte; "I feel as if I had not many moments on earth, +and yet I know I shall not harm thee, for I have beheld the story of thy +life in my troubled dreams. I have seen thee unknown, unthought of, +unhonoured in the world. And then I saw thee enshrined in such a blaze +of glory as no mortal ever before attained on earth:--the wonder of ages +to come. Thy very name alone, whispered in thy lowly home, William +Shakespeare, will make bearded men weep. Yes," she continued, +vehemently, "I beheld thy figure standing upon an eminence so high above +thy fellow-mortals, that, though all were striving to ascend towards +thee, none could come beyond the plain on which that mountain stood." + +The tears fell from the youth's eyes as he buried his face upon the +coverlid of the couch, and listened to what he considered the prophetic +ravings of delirium; and then he again raised his head and gazed upon +her. There were no traces of disease to be observed in that bright form +as he did so. The subdued light of the chamber gave her the appearance +of a marble monument. In the abandonment of her grief, she had raised +herself on one arm, and her beauty seemed even more dazzling. + + "'Twas beauty + Too rich for use, for earth too dear." + +The livid spots, which had so alarmed the nurse and Martin, had +disappeared from her face. Her rounded shoulder and bosom were like the +sculptured alabaster--rendered yet more white and polished by the soft, +dark tresses, by which they were partially covered. + +"I would have lived for thee," she said, "to have but served thee; to +have made the paltry riches I own, available to thy genius." + +As she uttered this, she sank down sobbing upon the couch. Shakespeare, +in an agony of grief, tried to raise and recover her, but she sank +quickly into insensibility: and when he laid her down again upon her +pillow, as he looked upon her, he saw she was dead! + +Dead! but without the ghastly appearance which the grisly tyrant stamps +upon his prey. + + "Death, that had sucked the honey of her breath, + Had yet no power upon her beauty. + Beauty's ensign yet + Was crimson on her lips and in her cheeks, + And Death's pale flag was not advanced there." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +BEREAVEMENT. + + +One week has elapsed since the events narrated in the last chapter. The +house of Clopton is shut up, empty, deserted. The good Sir Hugh is again +at liberty; but the seas flow between him and Britain. After having been +examined by Lord Hunsden, Sir Christopher Hatton, and Sir Francis +Walsingham, three members of the Privy Council, he was released from +confinement. The conspirators, all excepting the priest Eustace, who had +escaped, and through whose intrigues the good knight had become an +object of suspicion to the Council, were condemned to death and executed +in Old Palace Yard two days after. With eager haste, and tarrying at +each post but to obtain fresh horses, Sir Hugh and Walter Arderne had +(immediately on the release of the former) galloped as hard as spur and +bridle could urge on their steeds towards Clopton. Unluckily they passed +Martin in the night on the road near Oxford, as he was hastening towards +London with the intention of breaking the news of Charlotte's death to +them. + +One letter had, in a measure, prepared the good knight to find his +daughter dangerously ill; but as in those days, both the inditing and +conveying a packet was a matter of considerable time and toil, letters +were by no means so sure of coming to hand, or so speedily delivered as +in latter times. + +So that the unhappy knight arrived at the Hall to find desolation where +he had left plenty. His house was shut up----his daughter dead. She had +died of the plague, it was said; and with fearful haste, by order of the +authorities of the neighbouring town, had been buried. + +It far exceeds the descriptive power of our pen to paint the grief, +horror, and despair of the good Sir Hugh and his nephew. For the moment +they seemed stupified with excess of misery. They then threw themselves +into each other's arms, and wept in their desolation, till the very +violence of their grief in some sort relieved them. + +'Tis extraordinary how the human mind, after a time, accommodates itself +to the dispensations of Providence, however hard to bear. It was greatly +in favour of the mourners that they had in each other subjects of +anxiety. Each felt the hard lot of the other; and as each watched the +deep sorrow of his companion, the very feelings and disposition to +afford comfort, and urge patience and resignation, in some sort took +from them the poignancy of their own feelings. + +The old knight, after wandering about the house in a state of +bewilderment for the first twenty-four hours after his arrival, became +calmer, and seemed inclined to force himself to take an interest in his +old occupations. + +He visited, on the evening of the second day, the kennel and the +falconry, accompanied by Arderne, and made the rounds of the different +buildings and offices. Neither of them spoke much to each other, except +an occasional word as they came upon some object of deep interest in +connexion with her who was gone. "Look!" said Sir Hugh, as with +quivering lips and tears rolling down his muscular cheeks and grey +beard, he pointed to Charlotte's favourite hawk--a gallant bird, which +sat and plumed itself upon its perch, "look!" said he, in tremulous +accents----he could say no more; but in the utterance of that word what +an agony of grief was expressed. Arderne, too, felt his chest heave, and +the tears course each other down his cheeks, as he regarded the hawk. +But the sight of the brave old knight struggling to master his grief for +his sake, relieved the poignancy of his own sorrow. "Come, uncle," said +he, "we must to the stables. Tarry not here. There is much to be looked +after, and which wants your care. The attendants seem to have deserted +their charge, and the stalls are for the most part empty;" and so they +pursued their search around. When they came to the stable, if objects +were wanting to produce the sharp pang of grief, here again they were to +be found--objects peculiarly adapted to give the most intense feelings +of sorrow, as they were associated with those accomplishments in his +daughter, which the knight had held in the most estimation. There hung +the gay trappings of her favourite steed, and there stood the steed +itself, which the falconer had kept in its stall--a milk-white and +perfect courser; and in the stable beside the manger, lay Charlotte's +favourite hound--the dog, in her absence having apparently sought +consolation in the companionship of the horse he had so often +accompanied to the field. + +The horse turned and neighed inquiringly, it appeared, to the old +knight; and the dog shook himself clear of the straw, and bounding out +of the stall, put his fore-legs upon Sir Hugh's breast, and seemed to +ask for his mistress, and then it stood down, as if conscious of the +fruitlessness of the query; and throwing up its great head, uttered a +long melancholy howl. + +The good knight regarded the dog for a moment in silence. He stepped up +to the white steed; and as it put its nose affectionately in his face, +he kissed it again and again. He then sought for his own saddle; and +saddling and bridling the horse, he led it forth into the yard, followed +by the hound. + +As Walter observed the knight's movements, he quietly saddled his own +steed, and they both set out together, and without a word took the road +to Stratford. There was no necessity for Walter to inquire of his uncle +their destination. He felt assured that the knight was about to visit +his daughter's grave. + +Although Sir Hugh had however endeavoured to resign himself to the +decrees of Providence, and bear with fortitude the dire affliction which +had visited his house, he found it impossible to pursue the usual tenor +of his former life; the charm of existence seemed fled for ever--"life +was as tedious as a twice-told tale." It seemed to him, that in the +listless way in which he was pursuing his daily avocations, he was +beginning over again. He rode forth without purpose, and pursued his +route as chance or his steed directed. + +Luckily this had been foreseen by a true industrious friend, one who, +since the return of Sir Hugh to Clopton, had been sorely missed in his +need by the good knight. + +The faithful Martin, on his arrival in London, on finding that Sir Hugh +had been liberated, and had returned to Clopton, was struck with dismay, +inasmuch as he immediately surmised the shock the knight would be likely +to receive on so immediately returning to his desolate home. + +Sudden and quick in all his resolves, he sought out a friend at Court, +and one who was under some little obligation to him for former services +rendered. This was no less a person than Sir Christopher Hatton, a +distinguished personal favourite of the Queen; a gentleman who owed his +rise absolutely to his exceeding good gifts in the elegant +accomplishment of dancing, and who walking into favour by a corranto, +gradually gained ground in her Majesty's further affections by his +activity in the galliard, capering higher and higher into the Royal +estimation at each subsequent demivolt, till he successively attained +the posts of Gentleman Pensioner, Captain of the Guard, +Vice-Chamberlain, and Lord Chancellor. This gentleman, who +(notwithstanding the oddness of his rise) was in reality a man of most +amiable disposition, possessed a mind less biassed by the prejudices of +his age than most of his contemporaries; and this most estimable man the +faithful Martin sought out. + +"Sir Hugh Clopton," said Martin, "hath been badly used in this matter; +and inasmuch as his arrest and absence hath in some measure, by removing +him from the government of his house at a time of sickness and distress, +caused him much misery, the which his presence and management might have +possibly obviated. I think the Queen is bound to shew him some sort of +assistance in his great grief." + +"Doubtless," said Sir Christopher, who was at that moment engaged in +arranging a quick measure for the viol-de-gamba, and which he meant to +adapt some exceeding curious steps to at the masque given by the +Templars to Her Majesty on that very night, "doubtless, good Martin. +Only shew me in what way I can serve the good knight Sir Hugh, and look +upon it as done." + +"Why look ye," said Martin, "Sir Hugh is a man having as great +excellence is his arms as you, Sir Christopher, are so celebrated for in +the legs. Now if you could intercede for him with Her Majesty, so that +the good knight might be appointed to some command in the Low Countries, +the violence of action might do away with the poignancy of his grief, +and force him from his home." + +"I fear me this is rather a delicate matter to broach unto Her Majesty," +said Sir Christopher. + +"And yet," said Martin, "consider the miserable condition of this poor +gentleman: make it your own case. Think, Sir Christopher, if you was to +be bereft of all--of favour, fortune, influence at Court." + +"Sir Hugh hath lost nothing of all this," interrupted Sir Christopher. +"He hath lost no fortune and favour and influence at Court: he never had +or sought for either the one or the other." + +"But he hath lost his child," said Martin, "which is all these to him." + +"In my case," said Sir Christopher, "I should _not_ consider myself so +utterly miserable were I to lose all you have mentioned. As long as I am +lord of this presence," he continued, looking at the reflection of his +exceeding handsome face in the mirror, and then regarding his +well-turned leg and small foot, "I should not lack advancement. There +are other Courts besides the Court of Elizabeth--other lands besides +Britain--where a man's good gifts might be properly estimated;" and as +Sir Christopher said this, he threw out his right foot, and pointed his +toe with grace and effect. + +"And there it is," said Martin; "bereft of favour and fortune, you would +still have something to fall back upon, Sir Christopher. But how if a +sudden twist were to dislocate that slim ancle, and the joint were ever +after to be like the callous hock of a foundered steed? How then would +you push your fortune?" + +"Nay, then I should be utterly discomfited," said Sir Christopher, +laughing; "foundered in good earnest--toe and heel--hip and thigh." + +"And such is the condition of Sir Hugh," said Martin, "unless we can +give a fresh fillip to his depressed spirits, and teach him to forget +his griefs; he will despair, and despairing, die." + +"I see the urgency of the matter," said Sir Christopher; "Her Majesty +may lose a good blade in the stout knight, were he to die of grief. He +hath received wrong, but he shall have speedy redress. Come to me +to-morrow, good Martin--early, good Martin--my life upon it, I will in +some sort content you." + +Accordingly, a few days after Sir Hugh had returned to his desolate +home, and when he was beginning, even more than at first, to feel the +sense of his utter loneliness, and the heaviness of his irreparable +loss, Martin unexpectedly returned, and, full of apparent haste and the +urgency and importance of his business, presented a sealed commission +from Sir Christopher Hatton. + +The good knight was seated in the old oak-panelled room, where we have +first introduced him to our readers. His viol-de-gamba was in his hand, +and he was listlessly executing an air which was a favourite with his +daughter. + +Those who have heard the tones of this obsolete instrument will readily +remember its silver sweetness--tones which seemed peculiar to the age, +floating with a delicious softness through those old apartments, and +seeming, as they filled hall and corridor, to die away in echoing +vibration; so soothing and so melancholy; so well adapted to soften the +poignancy of the old man's grief, that, as he finished the measure, the +tears coursed one another down his cheeks. Martin (who had stopped to +listen to the strains for a moment) as the old knight laid down his bow, +immediately stepped up to him and presented his packet. + +The first meeting of the friends, as Martin had surmised, caused +considerable emotion to both; but Martin concealed his own feelings +under an affectation of despatch, and dashing the tear from his eye, +bade the knight peruse the packet with which he had been entrusted, +without delay. + +"From whom and whence?" said Sir Hugh. "Methinks I had rather defer +matters of business till another opportunity. There be many sealed +letters I have received the last two days now lying in the hall, and +which I have no heart to open or peruse; for what have I to do with +affairs of the world? what interest have I in life or its businesses?" + +"Nevertheless," said Martin, "this commission must be read, inasmuch as +it cometh from one whose behests are to be obeyed. 'Tis from the Queen; +and if I mistake not, Her Majesty requires your instant employment in +her service. There is work to be done with spur and rapier, and you must +undertake it." + +"Nay then," said the knight, whose ardour was in a moment aroused at the +prospect of military duty, "there never yet was a Clopton found wanting +when he should serve his sovereign in the field: mine eyes are somewhat +dim, good Martin, peruse the letter, and give me the substance of its +contents." + +"In how long a time," said Martin, after glancing at the letter, the +contents of which he well knew, "can you be ready to set forth from +hence, good master mine?" + +"As soon as steed is saddled and led forth, and weapon girded on, I am +prepared to mount," said Sir Hugh, "what other preparation doth a +soldier want, good Martin?" "Alas!" he continued, looking round, "I have +now nothing here to take leave of; nothing to care for. In the world I +am nothing, and unless Her Majesty's services require continuance of my +life, 'twere better I were gathered to my forefathers." Thus then was +Sir Hugh, through the instrumentality of Martin, dispatched forthwith to +join the expedition under the Earl of Leicester against the Spaniards. +He came up with the Earl just as he had sat down before Zutphen, where +the circumstance of war and the bustle of the camp, in a great measure +alleviated the sorrows of the good old man. + +With Walter Arderne, however, Martin had a more difficult part to play. +He thought it wise to separate the uncle and nephew, because the +constant sight of each other only served to remind them of their loss. + +He therefore, after the knight's departure, urged upon Walter the +necessity there was for his not wearing out his youth in shapeless +idleness. "There be many ways for a man to rise to distinction in the +world at the present moment," said Martin, "and let ambition be now your +mistress, good Walter." + +"Alas!" said Arderne, "thou canst not feel for me, good friend, because +thou hast never felt the desolation I feel. Ambition and all other +passions are dead within me." + +"Go to," said Martin. "Men that live _in_ the world must be _of_ the +world. The health of the mind is of far more consequence to us than the +health of the body. The Ardernes were never yet drivellers. Go forth, +man, like your forefathers. I in some sort feel anguish of mind, as well +as thou; but I give not way to it. Afflictions are sent by Providence. +Let your head contrive and your hand execute, and you will forget your +particular griefs in blows given and taken; nay, the time is coming when +we shall all have to belt on the brand--that I foresee plainly enough. +The Spaniard despises all other nations except the English; we have the +honour of his hate because he cannot despise us; and we shall shortly +feel the weight of his whole force against us. Of that you may rely." + +"And whither, then, would you have me go?" said Arderne. "You objected +to my accompanying my uncle; what course do you point out for me, so +poor in spirit?" + +"Why, look ye," said Martin, "there is an expedition now about to set +sail for the purpose of attacking the Spaniards in the Indies. Men's +mouths were full of it when I was near the Court. Two thousand three +hundred volunteers, besides seamen, are enrolled under Sir Francis +Drake. The success of the Spaniards and Portuguese in both Indies, and +the wonders seen in these islands, have influenced the imagination of +all men of spirit; an I were you, I would join this expedition,--see +this new world and its strange inhabitants, and witness the matters said +to exist there." + +"And when would you have me to depart?" inquired Arderne. + +"What time is better than the present?" said Martin. "How long doth the +soldier require to get under arms, when he receives the order to fall +in?" + +"Methinks," said Arderne, "I have many places to visit and take leave +of, ere I can quit them, perhaps for ever." + +"Take no leave of them at all," said Martin. "When you return, they will +be fresh and fairer in your eyes." + +"I have one friend, amongst the many I care not to see again, whom I +must see and take leave of," said Arderne; "one whom I would fain spend +some time with ere we part." + +"Know I him?" inquired Martin. + +"You have seen him often," said Arderne, "but you know him not. She who +is gone knew him and valued him. 'Tis of her I would speak with him." + +"'Twere best not," said Martin; "but (sith I do know the friend you +speak of,) I cannot object. There is a kind of character in him I never +found in other men. To part with such a one without seeing again is, I +grant ye, hard. I give ye one day to spend with your friend, and then +you must promise to depart for London." + +"I promise it," said Arderne, who already felt relief from being, as it +were, driven into action,----"I promise it, good friend, and the day +after to-morrow I will depart from Clopton,----depart, perhaps, never to +return." + +"Good!" said Martin; "well-resolved and resolutely! I expect great +things of this expedition, and thy conduct in it. You are just the age +to adventure. In youth, we are apt to trust ourselves overmuch; and +others too little when old. At thy time of life thou art just between +the two extremes. The proper season for action; _ergo_, thou wilt +thrive." + +It was evening when this conversation took place at Clopton, and gloom +and melancholy still reigned supreme there. Perhaps the feelings of +Martin and his young friend were even more depressed, inasmuch as they +had a melancholy task to perform ere they left the place. + +The good old servant, who we have before seen in attendance upon +Charlotte, either from over-exertion or want of rest, had fallen sick +just before her charge died. It was supposed at the time that she had +taken the plague; such, however, was not the case, as she lingered on +for some days after the young lady's death, and died at last, apparently +of grief for the loss of her favourite mistress. + +Before the death of this old domestic, she had requested of Martin that +she might be buried in the vault with her beloved young mistress: and +the request having been acceded to, this very evening was fixed on for +the funeral. Arderne paced up and down the room (after the conversation +we have just recorded) for some time in silence. He then turned to +Martin. "I have been thinking deeply of what you just now urged to me," +he said. "The force of it is so impressed upon my mind, that I am +resolved at once to take my departure from Clopton. The place seems, +since my resolve, to be hateful to me. To-night I will go forth; for +since this matter has gone so far, I cannot bear again to sleep at +Clopton." + +"'Tis well," said Martin; "just as I would advise." + +"And this friend?" said Arderne, "in whom I am so much interested. Thou +likest him not, or I would bid thee tell him in how much I feel desirous +of serving him; and that I commend him to thy especial favour." + +"How know you I like not that youth?" said Martin. "I never said so, did +I?" + +"I surmised it from your manner," said Arderne. "You seemed to look +askance upon him, as it were." + +"Perhaps I had my own reasons for such seeming," said Martin; "and if I +had so, those reasons are now naught. There is no farther cause for +them. Believe me, he you call your friend, is one who, if I mistake not, +will some day rise to great eminence. And he live to any age, the world +will hear something of him, for he hath the brains of half a score of us +common mortals, with all his modest look, and beardless cheek." + +"Then to you I will intrust the task of saying farewell to him," said +Arderne, "for, methinks, on reflection, it will but aggravate my +feelings to see him again, since I am so suddenly to depart." + +"Be it so," said Martin; "I accept the office." + +"In one hour, then, we will say adieu, good friend," said Arderne, +wringing Martin's hand. "This night I would fain dedicate to her we both +loved; to-morrow shall find me far from Clopton." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +THE VAULT. + + +It is night, and the moon sheds a pale and sickly light over the silent +streets of Stratford-upon-Avon, and the surrounding meadows and +woodlands. + +Is it that the idea of pestilence and death being rife in that silent +town gives its streets so sickly and melancholy a look--a sort of +unnatural and unwholesome glare--or is the surrounding air, impregnated +as it seems with disease, of a more rarified and peculiar character? + +The square, thick-ribbed, and embattled tower of the guild of the Holy +Cross, with its Norman windows and grotesque ornaments, alone looks dark +in shadow. The streets and windows of the various houses seem to glance +white and spectral. The tower of the distant church hath a ghastly look, +and the very tombstones of the dead seem also more white and ghostly; +whilst a thick mist from the river rises like a cloud in the background. + +Silence reigns supreme. Not a breath of wind stirs the foliage of the +trees upon the margin of the river, or bends the long dank grass growing +amongst the graves. + +Suddenly the distant sound of a horse's hoof-tread disturbs the deep +silence, and a solitary horseman, riding through the deserted streets of +the town, approached the churchyard, and dismounting, after fastening +his steed, entered it. + +He takes his way slowly and with measured tread towards a vault attached +to the church. His cheek is pale and haggard, and the large round tears +course one another down it. It is Walter Arderne; he has come to spend +the last hours he intends remaining in the vicinity of Stratford, beside +the vault containing the remains of his beloved Charlotte. + +The plague which raged in Stratford this year was now at its height. +Already one-fifth of the inhabitants had fallen victims; and it was the +custom, as much as possible, to bury the dead unobserved at night. + +The remains of the domestic who had died at Clopton Hall were to be +buried on this night after midnight; and as Walter Arderne knew the +hour, he had preceded the corpse, intending to descend into the vault +and gaze upon the remains of her he had so loved in life. + +His feelings were, indeed, at the moment, wrought to a pitch of +intensity. He felt that he could scarcely wait with patience for the +coming of the body and the opening of the vault, so eager was he to +descend. + +"O Time," he said, as with folded arms, he stood gazing at the dark +grating of the vault, "thy wings are of lightning in our pleasures; but +thou creepest with feet of lead to the sorrowful and weary. And yet +thou, who dost constantly move onwards, overcoming all things in thy +flight, wilt at last conquer even death itself; thou, most subtle and +insatiable of depredators, wilt at last take all." + +A heavy rumbling sound interrupted the meditation of the mourner. It was +the vehicle containing the body of the domestic from Clopton, and which, +in its progress, had gathered up other bodies in the town on that night +to be interred. + +The ceremony was performed without the usual formalities, and in all +haste. Walter drew aside as the buriers, preceded by the sexton, +approached and opened the vault. They ignited their torches previous to +descending the flight of steps, and when they did so a cry of horror and +alarm proceeded from the sexton, who had first entered the vault, and he +rushed out, whilst those who had followed seemed equally +horror-stricken. They threw down the corpse, after a glance at the +interior, and fled. + +Walter, who had quietly followed, was struck with dread. He stopped, and +taking up one of the torches, descended into the vault; when a dreadful +sight presented itself,--a sight which, as long as memory held a seat in +his brain, remained there. + +The vault was situate deep below the surface. On hastening down the +steps Walter held his torch on high, and when about half-way its rays +fell upon a figure, which, like some sheeted ghost, leant against the +damp walls. + +Arderne was brave as the steel he wore, but at first he stopped and +hesitated, whilst the door of the vault closing behind him added to the +horror of the situation. + +As he continued to regard this startling object, the light becoming more +steady, he recognised the features of the figure. + +"Oh!" he said, "do I behold aright, or do mine eyes play false?" + +With horror in his features he approached nearer, and became confirmed +in his first suspicion. It was Charlotte Clopton. She was dressed in her +grave-clothes, as she had been consigned to the tomb. She appeared to +have been but a short time dead, and in the agonies of despair, hunger, +or, perhaps, madness, consequent upon the dreadful situation, she had +bitten a large piece from her round white shoulder. + +When the buriers of the dead returned, somewhat reassured by collecting +all their number together, they found Walter in a swoon, with the body +of Charlotte fast locked in his embrace. Separating them, they replaced +the body in the coffin, and conveying Walter to upper air, closed up the +vault for ever. + +As the day broke, a tall cavalier rode slowly out of Stratford. The +raven plumes of his hat almost shadowed his pale face, and his ample +riding-cloak completely enveloped his form. + +He reined up his steed as soon as he had cleared the suburbs, and gazed +long and fixedly for some time at the handsome spire of the church. He +then turned his steed, dashed the spurs into its flanks, and galloped +like a madman along the Warwick road. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +THE VILLAGE FETE.--ANNE HATHAWAY. + + +It is extraordinary how speedily the human mind recovers its elasticity +after being bent down to the earth, as it were, with the weight of care. + +Let the reader glide over some four or five months from the date of the +transactions we have first narrated, and again look upon +Stratford-upon-Avon. No trace remains of the deadly scourge which had so +recently raged in the town; nay, even but small remembrance is to be +observed in the visages or trappings and suite of the surviving +citizens (now again mixing in the business of life and the pleasures of +the world) of those relations and friends _put to bed with a shovel_. +The fact was, that the plague was a constant visitor at this period, and +fear of infection the bugbear of the time.[4] The visitation, however, +being over, the inhabitants came forth again with renewed zest. They +fluttered about like "summer flies i' the shambles," and sunned +themselves in the anticipation of brighter days to come. It seemed quite +a delight to walk the streets, where all looked so happy and contented. +And yet how small indeed is the portion of life really and truly enjoyed +by the poor compounded clay, man! Youth refuses to be happy in the +present moment, and looks forward to future joys, never perhaps to be +realized. Old age, again, takes a backward glance, and sighs over what +has passed; whilst manhood (which appears to be occupied with the +present moment) in reality is oft-times forming vague determinations for +happiness at some future period when time shall serve. + +[Footnote 4: See Correspondence of Sir Christopher Hatton.] + +Master Dismal had experienced a perfect state of contemplative +contentment during the recent visitation; he might now sit himself down +and retire for a space, he thought; his researches had been most +incessant, and his attendance upon his neighbours most praiseworthy; he +could almost have written a treatise upon all he had beheld and studied; +he had seen out no less than three sapient doctors during the progress +of the plague, and could indeed, from his gathered experience, have +himself practised the healing art as well as the remaining one. Now, +however, that his vocation was over, for the present at least, and the +inhabitants full of enjoyment, he determined to enjoy himself amongst +them. It was exactly the twelfth day after Christmas-day that the thread +of our story is resumed. A sort of village festival was held at the +hamlet of Shottery, about a mile distant from Stratford-upon-Avon, and +as several of Master Dismal's neighbours were hieing thither with light +hearts and joyous spirits, thither he bent his steps also. "Who knows +what sports may be toward?" he said, as he called for Lawyer Grasp and +Master Doubletongue, on his way. "Peradventure I may be of some service; +for albeit I do not wish to anticipate accidents or offences, the last +wake I was present at, which was at the shearing-feast at Kenilworth +Green, there were more heads broken by the lads of Coventry and Warwick +than I can tell you. Nay, Dick, the smith, got such a fall at the +wrestling, that he never joyed after. Yes, he, died in three weeks. Aye, +and Ralph Roughhead had his spine wrenched by the back trick." + +In Elizabeth's day, when the bold peasantry of England did recreate +themselves, their sports and pastimes were most joyous. Except in such a +case as we have just described, and in which the hand of sickness bore +them hard, their hearths were for the most part free from the withering +cares of our own improving times. Light-hearted and jovial, they kept up +the old world sports and pastimes which had been handed down from their +forefathers. Those quaint games and rural diversions so frequently +carried on in the green fields and bosky woods. Those cozy fire-side +diversions which extended alike from the cottage ingle neuk to the +manorial hall and the castle court. + +Many of the popular customs then in use had their origin in remote +antiquity. The well-known custom of making presents upon New-Year's-day +in England is as old, for instance, as the period in which the Romans +sojourned in Britain, and by whom it was introduced amongst us. Amongst +the Saxons the first of the new year was observed with great ceremony +and hilarity, and in the reign of Alfred a law was made that the twelve +days following Christmas-day should be kept as festivals. This is the +original of our twelfth-day feast, and which, in Elizabeth's reign, and +long afterwards, was kept with something more of jovial circumstance +than is now customary. For what says Herrick-- + + "For sports, for pagentrie and plays, + Thou hast thy eves and holy days. + Thy wakes, thy quintels, here thou hast: + Thy May-pole, too, with garlands vast. + Thy morrice dance, thy Whitsun ale, + Thy shearing feasts which never fail; + Thy harvest home, thy wassaile bowle + That's tost up after fox-i'th-hole; + Thy mummeries, thy twelfe-tide kings, + And queens; thy Christmas revellings." + +When Master Dismal reached Shottery, he found a goodly assemblage +collected together enjoying themselves in various ways upon the green. A +whole sheep, which had been given to the inhabitants of the hamlet by +Sir Thomas Lucy, who possessed property there, was roasting before a +huge fire. A company of morris-dancers, dressed in a sort of eastern or +Moorish costume, and covered with bells, were capering away, toeing and +heeling, and keeping time, their truncheons also bedecked with hawks' +bells, and making a tremendous jingling. + +Then the May-pole, decked with evergreens and berries, and surmounted +with misletoe, had its joyous party dancing, and running, and threading, +and laughing, till the green rang again. The lads were all in holiday +trim, their short becoming jackets belted tightly round the waist, their +trunks and well-fitting hose forming part of their picturesque costume. +The lasses were also dressed for the most part in one style--the neat +made boddice and the short stuff petticoat, so becoming to the female +figure, and in which they looked handsomer even than if bedizened with +lace and silk, and tricked out with jewellery. The glow of exercise was +in their cheeks, and the forms of many there, as they sported in all the +unchecked freedom of innocent enjoyment, would have been worthy studies +for the artist's pencil. + +The children of the village, who are seldom behindhand when diversions +are in full force, had also their part in the performance. Tricked out +in all sorts of scraps of frippery, and costumed for the nonce, they +revived, in their own way, the Christmas-day pastimes, and bringing out +the hobby-horse, the green dragon, and all the paraphernalia which had +done service on the former occasion, they renewed (in small) the sports +they had then and there beheld. The dragon flapped his wings, the knight +engaged him, the merryman and the old pantaloon took equal numbers of +adherents, and "fought on part and part." The snow-balls flew fast and +furious, and loud and dire were the shouts and hallooing of the +combatants. Then came the feast in the open air, for in those days men +and women shrank not from the winter blast during their holiday sports, +and after that the cup went round, the dance was renewed, and the +twelfth-tide kings and queens were introduced in all their grandeur. + +The village of Shottery was a lovely specimen of a rural hamlet in the +days of Elizabeth. It consisted then but of some half-a-dozen houses or +hamlets, which, sequestered amongst the deep woodlands, and each with +its little orchard in rear, and its pretty flower-garden, formed a +delicious picture. + +Except, indeed, that the homesteads were of a more recent build, (having +superseded the ruder sort of huts, one or two of which, however, yet +remained,) Shottery seemed as sequestered and out of the way of the busy +world as when, many hundred years back, Offa, King of the Mercians, +granted its meadow to the church of Worcester. + +Besides the actors in the different games, there were also many +spectators, who stood about and occasionally mingled amongst the lads +and lasses of the village; and amongst these visitors were several +foresters or keepers belonging to the domains of the gentry around. + +These men, as was generally the case when they met together at the +different wakes, fairs, and country diversions, got up a shooting-match +at the edge of the green. Warwickshire was always famous for its +bow-men, and the caliver had not so entirely superseded the cloth-yard +shaft but that it was yet a dear diversion amongst the peasantry. The +cross-bow, it is true, was mostly in use, but the longbow was still much +practised. The remembrance of its destructive powers, and the battles it +had won in the "vasty fields of France," was yet ripe in the mouths and +memories of the old host, when he told his winter tale; nay, even yet we +shall find in this delightful province some remnant of the longbow in +almost every hamlet: there are indeed more archery meetings in +Warwickshire alone than in all the other counties of England put +together. + +Amongst the many specimens of rural beauty enjoying themselves in the +dance, there was one female who especially attracted the gaze of all +assembled. + +Pouncet Grasp (who had wandered over with Master Dismal and others to +enjoy the scene, and, at the same time, see a client he had in the +hamlet) seemed especially struck with her. Nay, even Master Dismal +pronounced her of exceeding good proportions, and most comely features. +He had never seen a fairer form, he affirmed, chiselled upon a tomb. +"What a lovely corpse she would make!" he said, with professional +enthusiasm; "an it please Heaven to take her early, and before age +withered up her rounded limbs, and whitened her glossy black hair." + +"Out upon it," said Master Doubletongue; "thy voice is like a screech +owl's! Yonder lass will live to make wild work with the hearts of some +of the village swains before she dies, for all her cherubim looks. I +shall make shrewd inquiry about her. I'll wager a flagon there's some +scandal to be heard. I never knew a well-favoured maiden yet, but her +neighbours said something of her;" and here Master Doubletongue +whispered in Grasp's ear, at which the lawyer laughed and winked his +eye, as much as to say, "Ah, Master Doubletongue, you're a wag, but +you're not far out either." + +"An I might get yonder sweet-faced lass for a partner," said Grasp, who +was a trifle roguish when out of his office; "methinks I could like to +shake a toe amongst the circle." + +"Nay," said Doubletongue, "I'm clearly with you there, neighbour; what a +trim ancle she hath! By the mass, the keen wind which blows me into an +ague here, shews her figure off to advantage. Accost her, Grasp, accost +her! Methinks I should like to hear the voice which issues from so +pretty a mouth." + +"Go to," said Grasp, "I am somewhat diffident at speaking to a young +lass where so many of her companions are around her. Do thou accost her, +Master Doubletongue, and I'll be near to back you. See, the dance is +finished, and she comes this way." + +"You trip it featly, fair Mistress," said Doubletongue, as the damsel, +whose appearance had so struck them, approached with two other maidens. +"Will you join hands with me? Methinks I should like to join issue in +the dance, and tread a measure with so fair a partner." + +"Thanks, gentle sir," said the maid, laughing; "but I do not use to +dance with any save those I know." + +"Right," said a tall athletic-looking forester. "What do lawyers want +dancing with village girls--Eh? Go to, Master Grasp, mate with your own +degree. Fair mistress Anne," said he to the maiden, "you must be mine +for the next dance." + +The maiden shrank back with a look of dislike at the tall forester, +which Grasp observing, interpreted it as a preference for himself as a +partner. + +"Thou art but a rude companion," said he; "and I would fain have the +maiden's answer without thy counsel; she'll have none of thy partnership +any how, I trow." + +"No," said Doubletongue; "she wisheth not to have the scandal of such a +partner. Go, fellow--go." + +"Pshaw!" said the forester, "what a brace of old crones thou art--go, +get thee down to the hostel yonder, and warm thee with a cup of wine, or +an extra flannel shirt! Dance, quotha, and with such a lass as Anne +Hathaway--Ha! Ha! Why, there's not a caper left in the pair of ye. Go, +ye gray beards, go, or by my faith I'll make ye both dance to some other +tune." + +"Come, neighbour," said Doubletongue, who liked not the athletic make +and savage look of the forester, "let us budge and exchange no more +words with this scurvy companion. For, look ye there, the girl and he +understand each other, depend on't. They are well matched. I know the +fellow. He's a keeper of Sir Thomas Lucy's, and one of the greatest +ruffians in the country." + +But the village maiden evidently did not relish the companionship of the +tall forester. She turned and would have tripped off with her two female +companions without more controversy. The forester, however, who seemed +somewhat flushed with good liquor, seized her by the hand, and insisted +upon her being his partner. + +"If I must dance with thee, Diccon, why I must," she said, as she was +led by the rude keeper to another party; "but it is ungentle of thee to +force me to do so against my free inclination." + +"Thou art ever thus coy with me, Anne," said the forester, "and ever +avoidest my company. Why dost use me thus, when I have sworn an hundred +times I would die to serve thee?" + +"I like thee not, and would have no further words with thee," said the +maiden. "Thy presence poisons my delight. I have told thee so I know not +how oft. I pr'ythee prove the love thou dost profess, by leaving me." + +"Beware I shew thee not how love can turn to hate," said the dark +forester, bitterly. "Thou shalt not spurn me thus for nothing. Come, +thou shalt dance," and forthwith the forester led the maiden out to join +the dancers. + +Gazing upon the revellers, and at no great distance from the spot where +the forester and his unwilling partner danced, stood a youth, apparently +about seventeen years of age. He leaned upon a stout staff, and regarded +the dancers with a countenance so melancholy, that it was evident +(although he listened to the pipe and tabor, and watched the glee of the +revellers) he had no part in their enjoyment. It was young Shakespeare: +he had been absent some time from his native town--no one knew where he +had sojourned, or what part of the world he had visited during this +sequestration of himself from a neighbourhood recent events had rendered +so full of melancholy associations. He had occasionally given his +parents intimation by a few lines, or some message, of his welfare, and +had but a few days before returned to Stratford. + +It is not to be supposed, that one so full of observation would fail in +remarking the very handsome female we have described. "The prettiest +low-born lass that ever ran on the green sward." + +With a melancholy mind he had bent his steps that day towards Shottery. +Such revels as the present he had before oft-times taken part in, and +now (albeit he was in no mood for joviality), with the feeling and +desire to observe the happiness of others, he had remained to look upon +the sports. + +His thoughts, indeed, were sad enough. He had lost his good friends from +Clopton, after the terrible affliction of their house. He had been left +alone after having tasted the sweets of their society, and this too in +the midst of misery and disease. 'Tis true, that owing to the good +management of his parents, and their being of more careful habits than +the generality of the neighbours in their condition of life, they had +kept the disease from their hearth, and for that he had reason to be +thankful. But, added to the feeling of melancholy which the events we +have before narrated had caused, was the knowledge that his father's +circumstances were daily growing worse, and he felt too that he himself, +although he had reached a time of life when he ought to be doing +something, was without purse, profession, or prospect. + +These thoughts, however, gradually gave place to interest in the +surrounding scene. His was a mind and disposition which could scarcely +witness the happiness of others without partaking of their joy, and +gradually he became more and more interested. As he continued to observe +the beautiful villager (for she was in the full blossom of her charms), +he noticed that she seemed uneasy with her partner, and averse to his +rough attentions. Watching more closely, he observed the overbearing +style of the forester, and the increasing timidity of the maiden. That +was enough for him. He moved nearer to them, and as the dance finished, +he stepped up and accosted her. + +"Your hand, fair maiden," he said, gently taking her hand in his. "But +that I think you have fatigued yourself, I would dance with you." + +There was so much sweetness in his voice and expression, as he said +this, and his action was so gentle, that the maid resigned her hand, +and, as she gazed at his handsome face, she unconsciously put her arm in +his, and adopted him as her protector. In such cases the parties +understood each other in a moment. + +If there is one thing more likely than another to excite a desperate +quarrel amongst men, it is rivalry in the affairs of love and gallantry. +The veriest cur upon four legs can hardly brook being cut out +unceremoniously before the eyes of his favourite, and to the tall +forester, with the forbidding countenance, the fact of being thus +outbraved by a stripling, was matter, at first, of astonishment more +than anger. The fellow was a sort of champion too, one hired and kept by +the knight of Charlecote as a sort of terror to evil-doers in his parks +and preserves; an impudent, reckless, and quarrelsome companion; one +whom most of the youths present would fain have avoided fastening a +quarrel upon, inasmuch as he had kept the ring on Kenilworth Green for a +whole Christmas, against all comers, a few years before. + +Slightly bowing her head in courtesy, Anne Hathaway would have tripped +off with her new friend and protector, but the keeper was not the man +likely to put up with so unceremonious a parting. He stepped on a few +paces, and presently overtook them. + +"How now, young Master," he said to Shakespeare, "methinks you carry +this matter as bravely as rudely? A word with you ere you walk off so +quietly with my partner there." + +As Anne, in some alarm, had rather urged her protector on, the forester +unconsciously laid his hand upon his arm to detain him. + +The youth snatched his arm quickly away. "Lay no fist of thine on me, +sirrah," said he, "as many words as you like, but touch not my doublet." + +Th« forester looked surprised at the eye of fire with which Shakespeare +regarded him. + +"And wherefore not?" he said. + +"Simply," reiterated Shakespeare, "because your putting affront upon me +will oblige me to wipe off such rudeness by a blow of my staff." + +"Thou art a bold young springald as ever it was my lot to fall in with," +said the forester, stepping a pace back and regarding his rival with a +scowling look; "and by my fay, for your inches, as likely a young fellow +as ere I looked upon, well limbed and clean made as a good bred colt. +But I must take this sauciness out of thee. I cannot sing small before +so young a champion; come," he continued, "unhand the lass, lest I pluck +her from thee, or rather thee from her." + +"The maiden seeks her home for a space," said Shakespeare, "and I attend +her; after that I will hold converse with thee. Fear not," he whispered +to his fair companion, as she shrank back in alarm at the threatening +aspect of the forester, "this is but a drunken dissolute fellow, and I +shall be able to protect you from his violence, depend on it. Those who +threaten loudly are oftentimes but weak in action." + +The pair were again about to move off. But the evident aversion of the +maiden to the rude forester was indeed gall and wormwood to him, and +roused him to stop her progress homeward. + +"Nay, Mistress Anne," he said, "you carry it not thus with your gallant; +come, I will bring you to your cot myself," and as he said this, he +stretched forth his hand, and would have rudely seized her by the arm, +but Shakespeare, who had anticipated something of the sort, dealt him so +severe a blow over the knuckles with the staff he carried, that the hand +fell powerless, and the forester, with a cry of pain, started back for +the moment unable to return the blow. + +"Make amongst your companions," said the youth, "I must bide this act +now, for good or ill. I have struck the first blow." + +The controversy had, indeed, already collected several spectators; "A +ring, a ring!" they cried. "Here's Black Dick challenged to a bout at +quarter-staff by a boy." + +"Ha," said Grasp, who had come up amongst others, and now pushed into +the circle, "assault and battery here, eh? Keep back, my masters all; +keep out of range, lest we get a flout from their cudgels. There'll be +smashing work anon, for look you, yonder's my wild slip of a +sometime-clerk, John Shakespeare's unthrift son. He's going to catch it +this time, and right glad am I therefore. Stand back, Master Dismal, +stand back. Ah, there they go at it right merrily." + +"I see evident chance of a broken skull in this business," said Dismal. +"That fellow with the green frock seldom amuses himself by a set-to in +the ring but he either maims or lames his adversary for life." + +The parties indeed had quickly engaged, for as speedily as the forester +could shake the numbness from his fingers, he dealt a most +uncompromising blow at his adversary, which had it taken effect would +certainly have knocked out his brains. But the youth received it on his +staff with great coolness, and shifting his right hand, returned it as +swiftly. The forester in an instant lost his temper; he rushed upon his +opponent with the intention of seizing him in his powerful grip, and +throwing him to the earth; but he received so severe a check full in the +teeth as he did so, that he stopped short, and shook his head with rage +and pain. + +"Well struck," cried the villagers, "Black Dick has met his match!" + +Coolness and self-possession will always tell in a combat of this sort. + +The temper once lost, the conflict within tells more against the +combatant than the blows of his adversary. Every available function is +over-exerted and blind rage baffles the skill. + +Thus it was with the bulky forester. Strong drink and violent anger +rendered him tremulous as he fought. He dealt his blows thick as hail, +most maliciously, and without any regard to the rules of such a combat. +He would have killed his opponent if he could, and so young Shakespeare +found, and dealt with him accordingly, quite aware that the slightest +mistake on his own part would result in his either being killed or lamed +for life. The youth, who in reality possessed greater strength than his +appearance seemed to warrant, kept well away from the shower of blows, +till his antagonist was completely out of breath. He then stood more up +to him, returned his blows with interest, and at length dealt him so +severe a stroke on the head, that the forester reeled under the shock +and almost fell. + +Nothing but his own consummate skill could, however, have saved young +Shakespeare up to this time from the fury of his antagonist. Nothing now +but his own chivalrous feeling could have saved his antagonist from a +severer lesson than he actually received at his hands. + +The blow he gave the forester, and which struck him on the head, for the +moment placed him at his mercy. The strong ruffian reeled and nearly +fell, and as he still endeavoured to smite furiously with his weapon, it +flew out of his hand, and he was at the mercy of his antagonist, who +immediately dropped the end of his staff upon the ground, and waited for +him to recover it. + +At this moment several of the forester's comrades, who had been shooting +at a target at the edge of the Green, attracted by the sound of the +fray, came up. They were enraged at beholding the discomfiture of their +companion, whose opponent they seemed inclined to handle roughly; and +the villagers immediately taking part with Shakespeare, a general fight +ensued, and with the true English bull-dog resolution, blows with fist +and stick resounded on all sides. Master Grasp was overturned and trod +under foot, swearing action and imprisonment against all and sundry the +combatants. Master Dismal was fain to betake himself to flight, and +Doubletongue said, as he made off also, that such a scene was a scandal +to the whole country; whilst the village maidens, in a state of alarm, +stood looking on at a distance, and calling to their lovers, cousins, +and brothers, to desist for the love of heaven and their own sweet +sakes. + +In short, such was the rage of the combatants,--the keepers being for +the most part Gloucestershire men, and objects of dislike to the +Shottery lads,--that it seemed more than probable lives would be lost +ere the matter ended. + +In the midst of the fray, however, a stately-looking man, mounted upon a +large grey horse, accompanied by a couple of cavaliers, and attended by +half-a-dozen serving-men, or falconers, rode up to the scene of action. +The badge worn upon the arms of the attendants bore the same device as +that upon the coats of several of the foresters engaged, being three +white lucies, or pike-fish, and the spectators immediately recognised +Sir Thomas Lucy, of Charlecote. + +No sooner did the knight observe the nature of the business in hand, and +his own people engaged, than he clapped spurs to his horse, and dashing +into the midst of the fray, called, in a voice of thunder, to the +combatants to desist, overturning at the same time, with the shoulder of +his horse, the two first persons he came in contact with. + +"Give me the names, Huntsman," he said, turning to the man who seemed +his own particular attendant, "of all in my service engaged in this +disgraceful riot. Now, I will not only discharge, but punish them +severely!" + +"May so please your honour," said one of the foresters, "we are not +altogether so much in fault as you may imagine. One of our comrades hath +been assailed and beaten, and we did but take his part here, when all +set upon us." + +"And what do you here at all, caitiffs?" said Sir Thomas, "when ye +should be in your walk in Fulbrook Park. Whilst such fellows as you +dance and fight at wakes and fairs, my park is broken, and my game +killed and carried off." + +"We came but in to-day to drink your honour's health, hearing you had +given a sheep for the revels," said the chop-fallen keeper. + +"You shall drink the health of another employer henceforth," said the +knight; "and who is the person you say hath beaten your fellow?" + +"A youth, who hath more than once done the like," said the keeper; "one +whom I myself have oft-times caught in our Woods and warrens, and as +continually warned off." + +"His name?" said Sir Thomas. "Let me know his name, and I will take +sharp measures with him an I catch him." + +"Shakespeare," said the keeper; "he hath beaten me myself some time +back." + +"Shakespeare!" said Sir Thomas, "'tis well. I will remember. Hath the +fellow no Christian name?" + +"William, your honour," said the forester; "the elder son of John +Shakespeare, of Stratford." + +"William Shakespeare!" said Sir Thomas, with emphasis. "'Tis well. Now +point this William Shakespeare out to me, if he be present on the +Green." + +"If your honour looks but amongst the knot of men yonder," said the +forester, "you cannot fail but see him." + +"What, is it that fellow there with the broad shoulders and long back? +By my fay, a strong and able caitiff." + +"Not so," said the keeper, "'tis the youth standing next him, in the +gray doublet." + +"Fetch him hither," said Sir Thomas; "I would speak with him." + +As young Shakespeare approached Sir Thomas, the knight regarded him with +a scrutinizing and searching eye. + +"A goodly stripling," he said, turning to Sir Jacob Astley, of Hill +Morton, one of the gentlemen with him, "a goodly stripling, and a bold +looking withal." + +"It hath been notified to me, sirrah," said Sir Thomas, addressing +Shakespeare with infinite stateliness and hauteur, "that you are much +given to evil ways, inasmuch as you are wont to make frequent trespass +upon my parks and woods hereabouts; and that, too, to the detriment of +my property and the disturbance of my deer." + +"I am sorry such rumours have reached you," said Shakespeare coolly, +"since there is, I fear me, some sort of foundation for them. I _have_ +trespassed in your woods. Albeit, I have never intentionally molested +the deer." + +"I am glad you have the grace to confess so much," said Sir Thomas; "but +sith you have not disturbed my deer, you have, at least, beaten my +foresters during your trespass, and again to-day have you repeated the +offence." + +"Your foresters rated me in ungentle terms," said Shakespeare; "railed +at, and bestowed vile epithets upon me. Nay, even laid hands on me." + +"They are hired by me so to do," said Sir Thomas. "Their roughness is +their virtue; and _by_ such roughness are they told to deter all +trespassers and poachers from my parks and warrens." + +"I am no poacher, to be so railed at and roughly treated," said +Shakespeare coolly. + +"Well, henceforth come no more into my woods," said Sir Thomas, +preparing to ride off, "lest I give directions to have thee used in a +more rough fashion than heretofore." + +"I cannot promise that," said Shakespeare, "since I am much given to +wandering; and, truth to say, I know not exactly which are, and which +are not, your grounds. I would not willingly anger Sir Thomas Lucy, of +Charlecote, _but_ an he keeps men for the preservation of the game, and +the amusement of himself, methinks such men have small right to domineer +and tyrannize over those of poorer sort, who seek but the free air and +the wild woodlands." + +"Thou art over bold and insolent for thy years," said Sir Thomas; "I +will have thee whipped and imprisoned the next time my men take thee. So +come not in Charlecote woods an ye be wise." And Sir Thomas, who found +his choler getting high, put spurs to his palfrey, and, after ordering +his keeper to quit the Green, rode off with his company. + +It would be difficult to describe the expression of mingled acorn, +contempt, and ridicule which was expressed upon the countenance of +Shakespeare, as he regarded the departing figure of the knight of +Charlecote. + +He stood for some moments leaning upon his staff, looking upon the party +as they rode off the Green and disappeared in the woods. He then turned +his glance contemptuously upon the keeper, and laughing to himself as he +repeated the words, "whipped and imprisoned," turned and was about to +leave the spot. + +"We shall meet again," said the keeper, in a deriding tone. "I know we +shall." + +"Not if I can avoid it," said Shakespeare. + +"An we do," said the keeper, "you hear what is in store for you." + +"He you serve can hardly tell what is in store for himself, much more +for another," said Shakespeare, "an he could have done so, he had +prophesied thy likely reward both here and elsewhere." + +"What would that be?" inquired the keeper, coming close to the youth. + +"Present beating, if again insolent," said Shakespeare, "and the gallows +in reversion." + +The keeper drew back; he remembered his comrade's discomfiture, and the +skill the youth had displayed. + +"Well, fare thee well," he said, "we shall cry quits anon. An Sir Thomas +keep word with thee we shall lay thee by the heels yet." + +"And, an he keep word with thee, he will have one knave the less in his +service. Adieu, I waste time and speech upon thee." So saying, +Shakespeare turned his back upon the forester, who, joining his +companions, after exchanging a few angry words with their late +opponents, they left the Green, and the sports were resumed. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +THE TWELFTH-TIDE REVELRY. + + +The rudeness of the keepers and their overbearing style towards the +villagers, was by no means an uncommon occurrence. Backed up by their +employers to display as much roughness towards all trespassers as they +chose, the foresters were usually a coarse and brutal set. They were +mostly chosen too, at this period, for courage, strength, and skill with +their weapons; consequently when they came into collision with the +peasantry, the latter frequently had the worst of it, and the conflict +seldom ended without serious consequences. + +On the present occasion, several of the village lads assembled vowed war +to the knife against the men they had fought with. They had so often +experienced their _outrécuidance_ and overbearing rudeness, that they +swore to annoy them in every possible way they could. + +"Sir Thomas Lucy," said Ralph Coulter, "doth ever take part against us, +let his men use us vilely as they may; nay, we shall soon have no leave +to step either to the right or to the left from the beaten road. For +look ye, an we steal but into the meadows to whisper a word into a fair +lass's ear, we are warned off, and ordered to keep the path; an we take +a dog to hunt the ducks in the stream, we are threatened with +imprisonment for poaching." + +"As well do the thing at once as be blamed for it," said another +peasant; "who'll go down with me to-night, and shoot a buck in +Fulbrook?" + +"Have with you for one, say I," said Ralph Coulter, "an we miss the buck +and hit the keeper, so much the better shot." + +"Nay, this is but folly," said a third, "and may bring all into trouble, +so to speak before strangers; you do but jest, I trow! Look ye, we are +overheard too." + +"An ye mean this lad who hath so well cudgelled Black Dick," said +Coulter, "I dare be sworn he is not a sneak to turn informer upon us." +"Wilt take a part and bring in a buck some night? Me thinks it would be +rare sport," he continued, addressing Shakespeare. + +"Marry will I," said Shakespeare, whose daring disposition was instantly +aroused at the idea of the exploit. "Any night you like I should dearly +love to do some despite towards those overweening knaves." + +"Well," said Coulter, "we shall talk further of it anon; meantime see +the dancing is over, and the indoors diversions are beginning. I am for +old Hathaway's orchard and the cider revel." + +"And I am for goodman Thorne's," said another; and so the party +separated. + +The shadows of a January's evening were now beginning to descend over +the surrounding scene, and the several parties to retire to their +different homesteads, there to continue their twelfth-tide diversions, +and to partake of such fare as the good wives had prepared for the +swains accompanying their daughters home. + +Young Shakespeare, who had made acquaintance with Ralph Coulter, +accordingly accompanied him to the cottage of Master Hathaway, where he +again met with the handsome Anne, and renewed his acquaintance with her. + +The maiden indeed seemed nothing loth to receive his attention, for his +handsome figure and gallant conduct had already made some impression +upon her. + +According to an ancient custom in this and other counties of "Merrie +England," Master Hathaway assembled his guests in the principal +apartment of his domicile, a good-sized and comfortable-looking room, +and which (as was usual in those days) served the jolly yeoman for +"parlour, and kitchen, and hall." There was the huge gaping chimney, +with its comfortable bench on either hand, together with those stout +timbered rafters and oaken beams at the roof, from which hung such store +of bacon and other good things appertaining. There was the +diamond-paned-window and its seat beneath, with the stout timbered +doors, the high-backed chairs, and the one massive and cumbrous oaken +table, and which seemed from its thick supporters to be fixed into the +floor, or growing out of it; and there sat the grandsire in his old +accustomed seat under the chimney, "sans eyes, sans taste, sans teeth, +sans everything," yet looking with some sort of recognition upon the +sports he had witnessed, man and boy, for near a century in that very +room. In short, it was a perfect picture of rural comfort and old world +contentment that kitchen and its appurtenances, filled as it was with +those happy, smiling, and rosy maidens, and their stout-limbed ruddy +village swains. + +As soon as Master Hathaway had assembled his guests and family, he +filled a huge pitcher with cider, and the whole party, young and old, +male and female, filed out into the orchard in rear of the cottage. Here +they immediately took hands around one of the best apple trees, and +dancing round it, the whole company hailed the veteran in the following +doggrel, in the gladsome feeling of their light hearts, flinging and +capering, shouting and hallooing, like so many bacchanals. + + "All hail to thee, thou old apple-tree, + Whence thou may'st bud, and whence thou may'st blow, + And whence thou may'st bear apples enow. + Bonnets-full! caps-full! + Bushel-bushel-sacks-full, + And our pockets-full eke also; + Here's for thee, thou old apple-tree, huzza! huzza!" + +Whilst this was being sung, the females of the party, seizing the +opportunity of the jug passing round, made their escape within doors; +and then the joint intended for supper being clapped upon the spit, the +doors were all immediately made fast. Meantime Master Hathaway, having +finished his "all hail" to the patriarch of the apple family, bestowed a +libation on its mossed stem from the remains of the cider, and then, at +the head of his party, made the tour of his orchard, singing the same +exquisite piece of doggrel over again. + +This done, as the sharp and biting blast of a January night began to be +apparent, and the snow to fall, the whole of the men assembled filed off +to the house. Here (according to the custom of the time and the sport +toward) the doors were found to have been secured by the female portions +of the revellers; and they were put through the ceremony of a formal +demand for admittance, and as formal a denial. + +Exposed to the pitiless pelting of the snow-storm, whilst the damsels +jeered them at advantage from the casement, they were told that no lock +could be turned, no bolt withdrawn, until one amongst their party +(himself a guest and a bachelor) could guess the name of the joint +roasting upon the spit. + +"And what guerdon," inquired Shakespeare, "to him who guesseth the +same?" + +"The best portion of the joint," said Dame Hathaway, "the first draught +from the cider with the toast and hissing crab in it, and a kiss from +the comeliest lass in the company." + +"The latter reward, then, at least, I claim," said Shakespeare; "for an +you have not spitted the chine to-night, I would I might never see a +porker again." + +The scream of laughter with which this was received, (the withdrawal of +the bolts, and the rush of the lasses to hide themselves from the +penalty incurred), proclaimed that the guesser had made a lucky hit; and +Shakespeare, in right of his guess, entered first to claim and obtain +the reward. + +Our readers need scarcely be informed that the handsome daughter of the +host was the maiden sought for and selected; and that Anne Hathaway +received on this night the first kiss from William Shakespeare. + +In the games which were to follow this ceremony, the more mirth +displayed was superstitiously imagined to give greater promise of a full +apple season that year, and accordingly, fast and furious grew the fun. + +If we were to say that young Shakespeare entered into these revels with +feelings of unmingled enjoyment, we should indeed belie him. + +As he looked upon the joyous faces around him, he felt delighted at the +scene; and as his eye occasionally met that of the handsome Anne, he +certainly at each glance felt more and more struck with her beauty; yet, +still the remembrance of Charlotte Clopton, and the dear friends he had +lost, over and anon "stopped the career of laughter with a sigh," and +he, at such moments, felt almost unfitted for the scene. + +There was, however, a charm to one of his disposition in these old wild +rites and superstitions; and, as after midnight the revellers sat round +the hearth, and each one was called upon for the tale of grammarie, the +ghost story, or the fairy tale, he at length gave himself up to the +enjoyment of the hour and season. + +The peasantry of our times have scarce an idea of the enjoyment +consequent upon the old creeds and superstitions of their forefathers. +Their dispositions are soured, their lives squalid, their style brutal, +and in comparison to the good old English peasant, the jovial hearty +yeoman of Elizabeth's day, they are a miserable race. The innocence of +the old age is fled, and 'tis now all driving harshness, and hard +selfish utilitarianism. + +Our fairy creed, amongst other things of more moment, and which was wont +to be so cherished amongst the superstitions of the peasantry, is gone +from their memories. + +Not a sprite is left to skim the cream from the bowl,--not a silver +piece is now ever lent to the _favoured_ maiden, _without the rate of +interest_, and found by her at early dawn. + +Puck and Robin Goodfellow, and all their elfin throng, _have fled ever_ +from the scene. At the period of our story, however, these imaginary +beings held a prominent place in the minds of our rural populations. +Nay, so firmly was the existence of these _elfins of power_ believed in, +and so much influence were they supposed to have over mortals _for good +or ill_, that many an old crone spoke with bated breath when she named +the merry or mischievous pranks of Robin Goodfellow. Many a bold youth +glanced with eye of fear at the acknowledged haunt of the fay in the +forest glade, and many a maiden held the household sprite in religious +awe, as she swept her kitchen at early dawn. + +That such feelings and superstitions were idle and ridiculous (amongst +the bold peasantry of England in a former age) is true. Still, they gave +a charm to each shadowy grove and unfrequented wood, and caused an +interest in the different wild scenes of beauty where the elfin crew, +"those merry wanderers of the night," were wont to hold their moonlight +revels, and dance their ringlets to the whistling wind, which to our own +times is unknown. + +The more noisy sports of the night had finished. The party, nothing +loth, for even pleasure is fatiguing, were now seated round the blazing +hearth. To noise and loud laughter succeeded the cough of the crone--the +saw of the old man's tale--the tale "of woeful ages long ago betide," +and the chirp of the cricket; whilst the ruddy glow of the fire was +reflected upon the faces and forms of tho listeners sitting around. The +maidens, too, crept more closely to their admiring swains, as they +glanced fearfully behind during the progress of the tale; more than one +kiss was taken on the sly, by way of assurance against the spectre. The +last pipkin of good liquor simmered upon the hearth, and, in short, it +was now the very "sweet o' the night." + +To Shakespeare this was a delightful moment. His mind seized upon the +secret feelings of the assemblage. He saw them in their ignorance and +superstition: and though conscious of his own superiority over the rude +throng, "sitting 'mongst men like a descended god,"--nay, in after days, +remembering these meetings and the feelings they had engendered, he +founded an elfin world of his own on the traditions of the peasantry, +and clothed them in the ever-living flowers of his own exuberant fancy. +Yes, he who was to astonish the universal world, sat in that cottage +like one lost in a dream--a dream which these simple superstitions had +conjured up. The snow-storm still rattled on the casement, the fire grew +dim on the hearth, the room darkened down, the wind whistled without, +and sounded drear amongst the mossed trees in old Hathaway's orchard, as +he listened, and, as his arm stole round the waist of the sweet Anne, he +forgot his recent troubles, and already felt himself half in love, +whilst the tale and the song still went on. + +That gentle and unassuming mortal was the last person to presume upon +his own feelings and knowledge; he felt pleased and delighted with the +company he was thrown amongst, and extracted amusement and instruction +from the veriest clod-pate there. Perhaps the enjoyment of the circle +was the more perfect, too, from the growing storm, which as it rattled +sharply against the casements, added to the comfort within, by the +apparent discomfort without. + +Remembrance lingers o'er such scenes, and the lapse of time gives them +an interest which at the period they scarcely seemed to possess. Yes, +time hallows in after days the scene and hour, and softens the +remembrance of it even as age softens the touches of a picture. + +"Ugh-ugh," coughed the old grandsire, when called upon for his story. +"There have been many tales told of Robin Goodfellow in my young days, +an I could but remember them. Nay, I can recollect myself sad pranks he +used to play. Both him and Hobgoblin, as we used to call t'other sprite. +In those days the witches were more plentiful than now, though their +evil deeds are rife enow at all times--God 'ild us; but even the witches +themselves were no more terrible than was Robin and his rout. Mass, I +wish I could remember one half of the merry jests, mad pranks, and +mischiefs he used to do." + +"Nay, grandsire," said Anne Hathaway, "but this Robin doth no harm now, +except it to be to knaves and queans, as he is Oberon's own son, so his +royal father hath enjoined him not to harm the good and thrifty." + +"Of a verity," said the elder Hathaway, "such is the case in some sort. +Nevertheless, Anne, in my time, sad pranks have been played in the night +season by Robin." + +"Aye, and as many good turns done too by him in mine," said old dame +Hathaway. "What, hath not the elf oft-times ground the malt, swept clean +the house, and washed all the children's faces in the night?" + +"Aye," said the other, "and pinched the maids black and blue for +laziness; and even carried them out fast asleep into the green meadows +in the night, and led poor wayfarers out of the way to perish in some +deep wash."[5] + +[Footnote 5: All these were popular beliefs.] + +"Well, well," said Master Hathaway, "cleanliness and thrift, and a good +hunk of bread in one's pouch, will do much; not only to keep off the +elf, but to keep one from hungering in the quagmire, for what saith the +rhyme."[6] + +[Footnote 6: Clobie's "Divine Glimpses." I adopt these lines because +they allude to the curious old opinion, that bread carried about the +person was a charm against tricks of Robin Goodfellow, though they bear +date 1659.] + + "Thy fairy elves who thee mislead with stories + Into the mire, then at thy folly smile, + Yea, clap their hands for joy. Were I used so; + I should shake hands with them, and turn their foe. + Old country folks, who pixie leading fear, + Bear bread about them to prevent that harm!" + +"Come, tell us, grandsire," said Anne, "how you met the fairies coming +one night from Monkspath." + +"Gad-a-mercy, lass, I had almost forgotten all about it," said the old +host, who indeed had most likely dreamt the adventure one night in his +cups, and then related it till he himself believed it was a fact. "Why, +you see, when I was a yonker, there were terrible deeds done in England. +We didn't live then so peaceable-like, as we do now, under our blessed +Queen Elizabeth. A man's life in those days warn't thought o' so much +value as in ourn; by the same token, stabbing, smashing, hanging, and +heading, and all sorts of wild work, were the order of the day,--more +the pity. We hadn't then either such goodly dwellings, at least so many +on 'em. Men were men then, and hadn't such luxuries as now. Ugh-ugh, +Gad-a-mercy! I have seen the time when we used to sleep o' nights in the +open fields as comfortably as under a roof. Nay, we hadn't such beds +either then. A shake-down of the fern, or a clean bed of straw, with a +log of wood for the head, was enow for most folks. I struck a good +strike for Harry at Bosworth Field what time old Shakespeare----" + +"Well, well," interrupted John Hathaway, "Bosworth bye and bye. The +fairy story now, father." + +"Nay, I war only going to say that yonder lad's grandfather (old +Shakespeare of Stratford) could have borne me out, had he been alive, +since he war at the battle of Bosworth too. Both he and I were together, +jammed in amongst the spearmen, when King Richard pressed up on his +white horse, and nearly struck young Richmond down. Mass, he were a +fierce devil that day, and raged like a fiend. Richmond, I remember, +bore back, as well as he might, an Richard had not been beaten off by +the good knights around, the hot king had fairly brained him. Two I saw +him fell with my own eyes ere he was forced away. Ah, he were a goodly +sight to look on that day; and if deeds of daring and good soldiership +could ha gotten the day, Richard had had it. He wore his crown upon his +helmet, I remember, and (albins men liked him not) by my fay, he looked +a king. No man that lived and beheld him but saw that." + +"But the fairies, grandsire, the fairies?" said Anne. + +"Well, well; bide a bit. Where war I? Ah, I see. I had a mad horse in +Shottery--what time I came back from Leicestershire--and I would fain +have sold him; so I e'en rode him along with some other youngsters to +Kenilworth Green, where there war a wake holden underneath the abbey +walls. Folks spoke darkly of old Kenilworth then. Now I'm told there be +rare new buildings reared up there." + +"There are," said Ralph Coulter. "A fine new castle hath been built by +the Earl, glorious to look on, and called Leicester's Buildings, and +ornamented, that it would do you good to look on 'em." + +"Ah," said the elder Hathaway, "times are changed hugely. At the time I +speak of old Clinton's Tower was ornamented and hung with the bodies of +caitiffs, traitors, and outlaws; for the whole country round was full of +disturbance, famine, and war. Howbeit, as I was saying, I went to +Kenilworth to sell my sorrel nag; but I couldn't do so. So after I had +taken a draught at the Leicester Arms there, I rode away to a relation I +had at Monkspath. Travelling was very unsafe then, as you may +believe--worse than now-a-days--and I hastened on to get through the +woods before nightfall; and when I had got within about a mile of +Monkspath, I saw a man, just as it began to grow twilight, coming +towards me. He was dressed in a bright green doublet, and either my +eyes deceived me, or the good liquor of the hostel made me see double, +but he had a sort of _familiar_ flitting at his back. He was very small +in make and height, and wore a bright golden bugle at his waist. My +horse stopped of himself as the little man came up, and seemed all of a +tremble, and wouldn't pass him nohow; so I dismounted, and tried to lead +him past. But it wur all one; the horse wur fixed as firm as one of the +old oaks beside us. 'Will you sell that brute?' said the little hunter. +''Tis what I wish,' I answered. 'It is very ugly: is it a cow or a +horse?' said the little man. 'He was a horse a minute ago,' I answered; +'but now he seems turned to stone: I can't make him go, no wise.' 'My +people have got him fast,' said the little man; 'he can't go. What do +you ask for him?' inquired the little wretch. 'Fifteen pieces,' I said. +'There's thirty,' said the little man. 'Now stand aside whilst I mount.' +So saying, the little gentleman gave me the thirty pieces, and got upon +the horse. No sooner had he done so than the beast went mad outright, I +thought. He flew about, capered, and kicked out his heels, as if a flame +of fire had lighted on his crupper. I ran to get out of the way, for +fear of being struck, and when I turned, lo, horse and man were clean +gone--sink into the earth as it were, and vanished, leaving me in the +greatest of terror and confusion; whilst a wild and beautiful strain--a +sort of hollow winding note of a bugle--seemed to pass through the air." + +"Strange," said several of the listeners. "Was it not?" + +"As soon as I had a little recovered myself," continued the quaint old +man, "I hastened on to Monkspath, and sought my relation. He took me to +an old monk belonging to the abbey beside the castle, to whom I told the +story, and asked his advice about the money, and whether I might use it. +The monk gave me leave to use one-half the money, provided I gave him t' +other half; 'for,' said he, 'as you in no way circumvented or +endeavoured to cheat the buyer, be he witch, devil, or fairy, you are +fully entitled to what you asked. The other fifteen pieces,' said he, 'I +will lay up in store for the use of our abbey.' On this assurance I was +well satisfied, so I hastened to get out the purse the little gentleman +had given me; but the worst of it all was that no purse could I find; my +pocket was empty, my purse gone, and the monk rated at me for a knave, +whilst my relation laughed at me for a fool." + +"He, he, he--ugh--O dear--O dear!" + +"And the horse," said Anne--"the horse? you forgot the horse, +grandfather." + +"The horse--oh, ah, true enough--the horse. Why I found him, on my +return home here, grazing quietly in the orchard, with his saddle turned +under his belly, and covered with mud and mire, as if he had been drawn +through all the mosses and sloughs between this and Coventry." + +"And you was not at all flustered that night?" said Shakespeare. "Pardon +the question, But I thought the little man in green might have treated +you to an extra cup." + +"Body o' me,--what I drunk! Not a whit. I had had just enough to make me +all right. I'd a drunk about as much that night as I have to-night, or +perhaps a quart more." + +"And who do you then suppose the buyer was?" inquired Shakespeare. + +"Who?" said the old host, "why, who but Robin Goodfellow, his own self! +Who else should it be?" + +"True," said Shakespeare, laughing; "there's no question on't." + +"A song, a song," said Dick, the shepherd. "Let fair Mistress Anne sing +the song about Robin." + +Anne Hathaway accordingly, in a marvellously sweet voice, and to the old +tune of Dulcina, sang some verses, which, although not word for word the +same, in some sort were like the following stanzas:-- + + I. + + From Oberon, in fairy land, + The king of ghosts and shadows there, + Mad Robin I, at his command, + Am sent to view the night sports here. + What revel rout + It kept about + + I will o'ersee + And merry be + In every corner where I go, + And make good sport with ho, ho, ho! + + II. + + When house or hearth doth sluttish lie, + I pinch the maidens black and blue; + The bed-clothes from the bed pull I, + And lay them naked all to view. + 'Twixt sleep and wake + I do them take, + And on the clay-cold floor them throw; + If out they cry, + Then forth I fly, + And loudly laugh I, ho, ho, ho. + + III. + + By wells and rills, in meadows green + We nightly dance out hey-day guise + And to our fairy king and queen + We dance our moonlight minstrelsies. + When larks 'gin sing + Away we fling, + And babes new-born steal as we go, + An elf instead + We leave in bed, + And wind out-laughing, ho, ho, ho![7] + +[Footnote 7: This song has been attributed to Ben Jonson, and in the old +black-letter copies it is directed to be sung to the tune of Dulcina. As +it embodies some of the freaks of Robin, I have given it here.] + +How much longer Mistress Anne Hathaway's song might have continued it is +impossible to say, but as she finished the last verse steps were heard +without the door, followed by sounds, as if some one in a faint voice +demanded admittance, and then a dull heavy blow, like a person falling, +and which shook the door violently. + +The wind piped loud and drear, whilst all paused and listened, and +presently a deep groan, which appeared to come into the very room from +beneath the door, still further startled the party. + +The village maidens were too much frightened to cry out, but each threw +herself into the arms of the swain next her, whilst Master Hathaway rose +from his seat, and Shakespeare felt obliged to bestow a kiss upon the +ripe lips of Anne, in order to reassure her. + +"Gad-a-mercy," said Hathaway, "'tis surely Robin himself come amongst +us." + +"Ah!" said Dame Hathaway, "this comes of singing ribald songs to offend +him. Now the good year; what shall we do to appease the sprite? Ah, +mercy on me, there is another groan, as I am a true woman." + +"Some one is surely in distress," said Shakespeare, rising, "suffer me +to unbar the door." + +"Troth, I'd rather not," said Hathaway; "since it may be a device of the +evil one to come amongst us." + +"Nay, but it may be some wayfarer lost or misled on this inclement +night," said Shakespeare. "A few minutes' neglect may cause death. I +pr'ythee allow me to open and look out. There are enough of us here," he +continued, smiling at the horror-stricken peasants, "to cudgel Puck and +all his crew." + +So saying, Shakespeare stepped across to the door, and, drawing the +bolts, quickly opened it, when the body of a man to all appearance dead, +rolled into the apartment. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +THE MISLED WANDERER. + + +The visitation we have just described caused a sufficiently startling +interruption to the cozy comfort of the entire party. Young Shakespeare +started back in some surprise, and the whole circle, springing from +their seats, stood gazing upon the object so suddenly introduced amongst +them. + +The villagers looked upon the visitation as something supernatural, and +were afraid to move; but Shakespeare, after closing the door, with main +force against the driving wind and snow, stooped down and examined the +object at his feet. + +"Move the log upon the hearth, Master Hathaway," he said, "and make it +send up a flame, so that I may see better. Ah, 'tis as I thought, some +poor devil caught in the storm. He seems dead." + +"Dead!" cried Dame Hathaway, regaining courage, when she found the +visitor was not a fairy, or perhaps Robin Goodfellow in _propriâ +personâ_. "Dead! Gad-a-mercy, how dreadful!" + +"Best warm his inside," said Master Hathaway, approaching. "Here, let us +drag him close to the fire, and give him something to drink." + +Suiting the action to the word, Master Hathaway took the inanimate body +by the shoulders, and, drawing it before the fire, laid it along upon +the hearth,--a ghastly object,--appearing, in the blazing light, the +prostrate form of what had once been a tall strong man. The face was +now, however, pinched and ghastly, and the limbs already stiffening. + +The readiest remedy at hand being a portion of the hot cider, with the +hissing crab in it, some was immediately poured down the throat of the +prostrate wayfarer, whilst all hands set to work to draw off the heavy +boots, and divest him of some of his outer garments, in order to rub and +chafe his body. In the progress of this operation it became apparent +that the person of the visitor had been exposed to all the vicissitudes +of flood and field; since the mud frozen upon his outer garments, and +the peat-moss which was incrusted upon his long boots, doublet, and torn +belt, showed that he had wandered through more than one morass in his +progress. + +He was evidently a person of condition, as was apparent from his dress, +which, torn and soiled as it was, proclaimed the rank of the wearer, by +its fashion. He was completely armed too, having a long heavy sword in +his belt, and poniard in his girdle. + +"Ah!" said old Hathaway, as he gazed upon the man's face, after pouring +a draught of hot cider down his throat; "I surely know that +countenance." + +"See, he's coming to," said Dame Hathaway; "he opens his eyes, aye, and +his mouth too. Give him more liquor." + +"'Tis so," said Hathaway, after regarding the prostrate form; "I thought +I knew that face. Dame," said he, calling his wife aside, "this is a +somewhat dangerous visitor, inasmuch as he is one whom it is considered +treason to shelter." + +"And who then is it, husband?" inquired the Dame. + +"'Tis Eustace the priest," whispered Hathaway, "who used to lie up at +Clopton, and through whom 'tis said the old knight got into so much +trouble. His coming bodes no good to us, I fear." + +"Gad be here" said Dame Hathaway, "that's ill tidings to give us on a +twelfth-night, or rather morn. But be he priest or sinner, traitor or +faitour, or whatever else he may turn out, we cannot do otherwise than +help him in his present need." + +"Right," said Hathaway; "we must shelter the man, that's certain." + +In accordance to this humane resolve, and which was indeed at the period +sufficiently hazardous, the priest was conveyed up stairs, and laid upon +a four-post bed. But although every attention was paid to him, it was +soon apparent that his hours were numbered. + +Calling Dame Hathaway to his bed side, as he somewhat recovered, the +priest desired that Master Hathaway might be summoned. + +"I fear me your kindness, good Master Hathaway," he said, "may possibly +get you into misfortune; and were I able to rise and leave your cottage, +I would rather do so, than lay you under the danger of succouring me." + +"Heed it not," said the good farmer, "a belated wayfarer should ever +find shelter in an Englishman's cottage." + +"But, in me," said the priest, "you behold a man condemned to death, and +whom the officers of justice are now in search of." + +"I know you only as one in need," returned the farmer. "Those who search +know for what they search. You are welcome to my roof whilst needing it. +When you no longer need it, go forth." + +"I shall never leave it alive," said the priest. "Listen whilst I relate +the causes which have driven me to this extremity." + +"Go to," said Hathaway, "sleep would do you more good. But an it pleases +you to be a talker, I am all attention." + +"You doubtless know me," said the priest, "and so much of my history as +led me to fly from Clopton what time the good Sir Hugh was arrested and +sent to the Tower." + +"Hap I do, hap I don't," said the farmer. "Take another sip of the warm +sack my dame hands you, and go on from thence. At least I've heard of +the events of that night." + +"I escaped pursuit on that night," said the priest. "They sought me in +the south, but I fled north, across the border, and took refuge in +Scotland." + +"Ah!" said old Hathaway, "I dare be sworn there you found plenty of your +own sort. Scot and plot hath rhymed together pretty often during this +reign." + +"It hath," said Eustace; "and I speedily entered into a plot there." + +"One you found ready-made to your hand," said Hathaway; "Eh?" + +"I did," said the priest. "I fell in, whilst in the mountains, with one +Morgan, also a fugitive from England: he introduced me to Babington, +Savage, and others, who were zealous Catholics, and engaged in a project +for dethroning Elizabeth, and restoring by force of arms the exercise of +the ancient and true religion. The Pope, the Spaniard, and the Duke of +Guise, had all emissaries amongst this company. I, however, persuaded +them of the vanity of any attempts upon the kingdom, so long as one so +prudent and popular as Elizabeth was suffered to live. An assassination, +an insurrection, and an invasion, must at one and the same time be +attempted, I told them, that they saw at once the force of my arguments. +We met, during this discussion, in an old castle situate in Strathdon, +and called Corgarff--a wild and desolate place. To you who dwell in +fertile and pleasant England, my good folks," continued the priest, "the +aspect of the wild region in which we held our meetings, would have +appeared sufficiently terrible. No shrub, no tree, not a blade of grass +was to be seen on this drear mountain land. Nothing but blasted heath, +rocky glens, and deep morasses. The people wild, desperate and fearful, +as the land they inhabit." + +"In few," continued the priest, "having assumed the disguise of a +soldier, and the name of Geffrey, I left this place for England, with +the purpose of obtaining a secret interview with the Queen of Scots, +during her imprisonment. This opportunity I found whilst the queen was +in custody of Sir Amias Paulet, rigorous as that confinement was. To her +I communicated tidings, that on the event of Elizabeth's death, her own +deliverance would be attempted; all the zealous Catholics would fly to +arms, and that foreign forces taking advantage of the general confusion, +would fix her upon the English throne, and re-establish the Catholic +religion." + +"Alas! alas! what terrible doings you who meddle with religious matters +think upon," said Master Hathaway; "better to kneel down under the blue +sky, and worship God without form and ceremony, if such is to be upheld +by treason and bloodshed, from one end of the kingdom to the other." + +"Alas! thou speakest wiser than thou art aware of," said the father, +"and after a life of intrigue and dark underhand doings, in death I find +that all such measures are but a serving the cause of the devil, in +place of doing our duty towards God." + +The dying priest now became so faint and exhausted that he could +scarcely proceed. + +"I feel," he said, "the hand of death rapidly approaching, and bitterly +doth it now weigh upon my soul, that I have in some sort aided the +enemies of my country in raising that dreadful tempest which sooner or +later must now fall upon the land." + +"Truly a heavy weight to lay upon the breast of a sick man," said +Hathaway, shuddering. "And how then came you thus?" + +"Our scheme," said the priest, "was discovered. Nay, it had been all +along known. The Queen of Scots approved the project, and even when we +were ripe and ready for action, one of our party, named Ballard was +seized. This indeed so alarmed us, that finding we were also strictly +watched wherever we went, we dispersed in parties, and under cover of +night, and in various disguises, we fled from London a week back. + +"Of all who were engaged, however, and we numbered fifteen individuals, +all, I have since learned in the different towns where I have ventured, +have been taken, some in woods, some in barns and outhouses where they +sought shelter; nay, I have myself lain in concealment beneath the straw +in the barn adjoining your cottage here for the last few days. This +morning I stole out, and whilst you were engaged with your village +dance, I endeavoured to reach a secret refuge known to me at Clopton, +and which place I concluded was uninhabited. Unexpectedly, however, I +found as I entered the private part of the mansion, that I was mistaken. +I was encountered by one Martin Delville, who it seems hath remained in +charge of the hall. He attempted to seize me, and in defending myself, I +received a shot in the breast. Still I managed to escape, and wandering +through the country, I endeavoured to find some place of refuge, some +roof where I might be sheltered. Faint with loss of blood, I still held +onwards in the hope of reaching Stratford, but a dancing light, which at +one moment seemed to await my coming, and the next went bounding from +me, and by following which I have been more than once nearly drowned, at +length led me back to the spot from whence I had started. As the light +vanished from my eyes, its place was supplied by the distant appearance +of your comfortable fire, seen through the casement, and the driving +snow. I but managed to reach your door, and that was all--life is fast +ebbing away with the blood that flows from my wound." + +"Nay, cheer up," said Dame Hathaway, "perhaps it may not be so bad; I +have some Friar's balsam here at hand which will do wonderful things." + +"It's no use, goodwife," said Hathaway, "I see death in his face. He +bleeds inwardly as thou see'st, and is almost choked. Not all the friars +that ever lived could save him, and to speak truth he hath had already +quite enough to do with such cattle, for see what sloughs and pitfalls +they have led him into." + +"Nay," said Dame Hathaway, "it was Robin Goodfellow, you see, who led +him into all these sloughs and pitfalls he describes, and at length +brought him to our door." + +"Robin Goodfellow, or Robin Badfellow,"[8] said old Hathaway---- + +[Footnote 8: The sprite was sometimes so named at this period.] + +"Hist, hist!" said Dame Hathaway, "never abuse Robin if you wish to +thrive." + +"Well, go to," said her husband, "the man is sped, and there's an end. +Do thou and Anne remain with him whilst I go down to the lads below. +'Tis almost dawn. Alas, alas! this is a sad finish to our twelfth-tide +sports; but we must still not suffer our guests to depart without their +breakfast." + +As Hathaway spoke, he descended to the apartment below, where the guests +were still sitting around the fire, and discussing matters appertaining +to the appearance of the misled wayfarer, and telling of woeful tales +and dire stories, which suited the hour and the circumstance. + +At old Hathaway's re-appearance amongst the circle, all were set to work +to clear up the apartment, put it to rights, and prepare for the +breakfast it was customary to partake of before the company finally +broke up. The first faint streaks of dawn were beginning to appear as +they departed. The snow-storm had cleared up, the diamond panes of the +windows were fretted with frozen crystals, and as old Hathaway threw +open the door and looked forth, the trees in the orchard were heaving +with congealed snow, the ground was covered with the same white sheet, +icicles hung in clusters from the roofs of the outhouses, and all around +was softened and rounded by one white feathery crust. In short, it was +one of those delicious winter mornings so often seen after a driving +dreary and tempestuous night,----a morning in which the old world look +of the buildings and barns around, seen in the clear wintry air, and the +while flaky look of the country, gives so delightful an aspect to a +rural hamlet. + +Old Hyems seems then to smile as benignantly as he can,----to have +smoothed the icy furrows of his brow, and consented to give to human +mortals a slight respite, ere he fetches from the frozen bosom of the +north more cutting blasts and angry winds. + + "Then icicles hang by the wall, + And Dick, the shepherd, blows his nail, + Then Tom bears logs into the hall, + And milk comes frozen home in pail. + When blood is nipp'd, and ways are foul, + Then nightly sings the staring owl, + _Tu-whit_, _to-who_, a merry note, + While greasy Joan doth keel the pot." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +THE SUITOR. + + +The confession of the dying priest will doubtless recall to our readers +the state of England at this period. Matters indeed were fast hastening +towards that great event of Elizabeth's reign, which, for its mighty +import, and the magnificence of its preparation, is, perhaps, without a +parallel in the history of the country. The minds of men indeed were at +this time fully impressed with the certainty of some great and terrible +convulsion being at hand. It seemed that a fearful storm was surely and +slowly gathering above their heads, and which, sooner or later, was to +burst upon the land like some torrent breaking bounds. There was no +occasion for men to ask each other from whence this ruin was to come. +The great enemy of the country,--the haughty, vindictive, and cruel foe +of England at this period, was the iron-hearted bigot of Spain: and upon +Spain were the eyes of all men turned with apprehension. 'Twas the +general theme of conversation, the all-absorbing topic of the day; and +torture, murder, and every sort of evil that fiends could inflict upon +the inhabitants of a conquered country was to be expected, should a +successful invasion take place. Yes; Spain was then the bugbear of +nearly every Englishman's fire-side. One or two startling events, +however, which made men "whisper one another in the ear," were to take +place, ere this grand convulsion shook the nation; and yet, amidst the +anxieties consequent upon such a state of things, it is curious how +mankind continue the even tenor of their lives. + +The twelfth-tide revel at Shottery had introduced young Shakespeare to +some new acquaintance in that place. Amidst the youths he had met there, +he found one or two lads of spirit; and, as he bent his steps across the +fields towards the village, he would fain have persuaded himself that it +was to renew his acquaintance with them that he had set forth. Ere he +had reached the village, however, he felt obliged to confess that the +real desire of his heart was neither for the companionship of the lads +of the village, nor to learn tidings of the wounded priest, but really +and truly to see again and hold converse with the handsome Anne. + + "Oh heaven, were man but constant + He were perfect. That one error + Fills him with faults." + +Mortals indeed are prone to error; and he whom we reverence as the +greatest of men, was no more secure from the failings the flesh in heir +to than his fellows. In truth, the youthful Shakespeare was again in +love. + +Those of the most generous sentiments and finest feelings are perhaps +more subject to this passion; for, + + "Eating love inhabits in the finest wits of all." + +It is not to be supposed that the melancholy fate of the beautiful +Charlotte was so soon and entirely forgotten; but youth is not the +season for ever-during melancholy. Bright thoughts will then spring up +amidst the most gloomy recollections; and if one thing more than another +can soothe the cares, and help to "pluck from the memory a rooted +sorrow," it is the sweet companionship of woman in all the brilliancy of +her glowing charms: and so thought Shakespeare as he took his way across +those pleasant fields betwixt his own town and Shottery. "Yes," he said, +as he came within sight of old Hathaway's cottage, + + "To heal all grief, to cure all care, + Turn foulest night to fairest day, + To breathe delight, Anne _Hath a way_." + +In youth we are more prone to fancy one elder than ourselves. The modest +lad seems to look up to the full-blown woman, and to feel that his +attentions, if received, are bestowed upon a worthy object; that he is +indebted to her who consents to regard one so inferior (as at that +moment he conceives himself) for women profess, in general, whatever +they may feel, a contempt for the attentions of a mere boy, as they term +the lad of seventeen or eighteen--a foolish lad, whom we laught at for +his simple folly and childish admiration. This is dangerous sophistry, +however, for a fair maid to indulge in. + +In the middle period of life the fancy of the lover strays towards the +fresh and budding flower, and the coy maiden is often sought out for a +wife. In age, alas, 'tis but second childishness. + +When Shakespeare reached the cottage of Master Hathaway, he felt his +heart palpitate as he knocked at the door. His was a new acquaintance, +and he hardly knew how the good yeoman might receive a visit so soon +repeated. The voice of the old dame, however, bidding him come in, +reassured him, and he lifted the latch and entered. + +"Ah, Master Shakespeare," said the old dame, who was sitting at her +spinning-wheel, "troth am I right glad to see thee. My husband and I +have been oft-times talking of you since the night you was here." + +"And the goodman," said Shakespeare, "is he hearty?" + +"Troth is he, and away to Warwick to-day with Goodman Coulter, Hodge the +smith, and others." + +"And your fair daughter?" said Shakespeare; "I see her not here. How +fares she?" + +"A little dashed in spirit with this matter you wot of--the wayfarer +whom we had to bury yesterday," said the dame. + +"He is then dead. I thought his end was near." + +"He died soon after you left," said Dame Hathaway. "The crowner sat on's +body, and the man Martin from the Hall was examined with Lawyer Grasp +and Master Dismal, and the man were known to be an escaped traitor. And +so he's buried in a hole like a dog; and there's an end. And a good end +too, if men will go about to compass such mischief as he seems to have +been hatching all his life." + +"And fair Mistress Anne," said Shakespeare, "is she too busied like +yourself, 'weaving her thread with bones'?" + +"No," said Dame Hathaway, "though she is occupied, she is out in the +orchard with Mopsy, and Lawyer Grasp, and Master Doubletongue." + +"Grasp!" exclaimed Shakespeare, as a sort of strange feeling shot across +him; "what doth the scrivener at Shottery?" + +The dame smiled, knowingly. "The bright day hath brought him forth +mayhap," said she. + +"'Tis the bright day that brings forth the adder," said Shakespeare; +"and that Doubletongue too. I am sorry they are acquainted with Mistress +Anne." + +"Why so?" said the dame. "Master Grasp is rich. He hath store of moneys +'tis said. He hath been saying some pretty things to Anne; nay, in good +sooth I think he, _in some sort_, affects her." + +"May the pestilence strike the crafty knave!" said Shakespeare to +himself, as a slight pang of jealousy shot through his breast. "He +affect the handsome Anne Hathaway!" + +"You know Master Grasp?" said Dame Hathaway, inquiringly. + +"I do," said Shakespeare, drily. + +"I thought as much," said the good dame, "for I heard his discourse to +Anne, and, sooth to say, he did not speak well of you; nay, he speaks +vilely of you." + +"Thank Heaven, therefore," said Shakespeare, smiling; "the praise of the +wicked is less to be coveted than their censure. By your leave I will +seek your daughter in the orchard." + +"I pray you do," said Dame Hathaway, "and bid them in to dinner." + +When Shakespeare entered the orchard he found the two damsels engaged in +removing apples from a sort of store-house erected at the further end of +it, to another outhouse nearer to the dwelling; and, as the two elderly +swains had gallantly volunteered to assist them in their labours, the +damsels were amusing themselves by taxing their good-nature and strength +to the utmost. + +Accordingly as the youth strolled amongst the tree towards them, he +beheld the unhappy Grasp bent double under the weight of an enormous +basket, so filled with apples that he could scarce stagger beneath it, +whilst Anne Hathaway, with both hands, was still piling up more fruit. +Master Doubletongue was similarly loaded, and both the maidens were +laughing till their sides ached at the rueful figures their patient +lovers exhibited. + +The situation was indeed felt by the suitors as sufficiently ridiculous, +and when they saw some one approaching both would fain have thrown down +their burthens if they had been able. + +"Nay, I pray thee, Good Mistress Anne," said Grasp, "give me not the +entire produce of the orchard at one turn. I am neither Hercules nor +Atlas. My back is well nigh broke, as well as my heart, by your cruelty. +I would fain stand upright. Heaven relieve me," he muttered to himself, +"from this pestilent load." + +"My strength sufficeth not to remove so large a load," said Anne, still +laughing, "all I can do is to take them out by degrees, as I have placed +them _one by one_!" + +"I should die ere relieved by so slow a process," said Grasp. "Oh, my +back, my weary back is cramped with long suffering and weight of +apples." + +"Then trudge off, and throw them into yonder wood-house," said Anne. +"I'll never entertain your services if you are thus idle." + +"I cannot budge a foot," said Grasp, "I am, as it were, rooted in the +snow. Heaven help me." + +"Stop whilst I give you this small basketfull," said Anne, emptying more +apples into the load. + +"Nay, then, I can no longer bear it," said Grasp; and he sank upon his +knees, whilst both the lasses kept piling more apples upon his head. + +"I am utterly foredone, and must fain succumb," said Grasp; "my better +parts are vanquished, lo, I fall," and, as he sank under his burthen, +the huge load rolled in heaps around him. + +"I shall be crushed, altogether crushed and flattened like a +shrove-groat shilling," said Master Doubletongue. "I pray you, fair +damsel, to help me down with this burthen. I would fain do my best in +your service, but I am not able, I find, to do the work of a younger +man." + +But the saucy maidens, having brought their two admirers to their +present doleful state, as soon as they saw young Shakespeare +approaching, ran, shrieking with laughter to meet him, leaving their +swains to extricate themselves as they best could. + +"I do perceive that I am made an exceeding ass of by this lively +virgin," said Grasp, gathering himself up from amongst the rolling +apples; "nevertheless her comeliness and favour hath quite entamed my +spirits to her worship. I would fain contract a marriage, and the good +yeoman her father is right willing to receive me for a son-in-law." + +"And I," said Doubletongue, "should greatly like to wive also, an I +could achieve the maiden Mopsy. Mass, but she is fresh as an April morn, +and strong as a porter. Would to Heaven she had relieved me of this +burthen ere she fled! Help me down with it, good Grasp, an you love me." + +"Who was that I saw approaching when the maidens deserted us?" inquired +Grasp. "See, they are now returning with him into the house, without so +much as 'I thank ye,' for all we have done for them." + +"'Tis surely young Shakespeare," said Doubletongue, "your sometime +clerk." + +"Oh, the young scapegallows," said Grasp, "by my fay, and so it is. His +presence here bodes no good to my suit, and I have already possessed +Mistress Anne with my opinion of him. Nay, Sir Thomas Lucy hath spoken +with me about him, too. The dare-devil lad hath somehow offended Sir +Thomas, and he vows to deal hardly with him an he can catch him +trespassing on his domain. I'll stir him further to't." + +"He hath trespassed upon our domains here too, I think, and carried off +my sweet friend Mopsy," said Doubletongue. "I'll abuse the varlet +where'er I come." + +"Thou canst not say worse of him than he deserves," said Grasp; "an I +can but once catch him tripping, I'll be his ruin yet." + +"Methinks we bad better wend our steps back to Stratford this morning," +said Doubletongue. "I am sore wearied, and sorely nipped with the cold +blast. The pestilence seize this Shakespeare, I had rather not encounter +him." + +"I would we were both rid of him," said Grasp; "albeit I am somewhat +sorry to leave him in the company of the fair Anne; such a +smooth-tongued varlet is sufficient to corrupt a whole village." + +"Let us slink by and get a peep in at the window," said Doubletongue; +and the worthy pair of friends left the orchard. + +On that evening a youth and a village maiden were soon strolling quietly +along the footpath leading from Shottery to Stratford-upon-Avon. The +youth, with head inclined, was telling a soft tale in the ear of his +companion--a tale such as evidently was pleasing to her, for her +handsome face was radiant with smiles. There was something in the step +and bearing of both which proclaimed them superior to the common ran of +mortals: albeit their costume was but a degree removed from, and in +somewhat better taste than that of the peasant of the period. Both were +extremely handsome, and it was evident they were lovers, inasmuch as +(although the occasional passer seldom failed to stop and turn to regard +them) they were so entirely wrapped in each other's society that they +seemed lost to all external objects. + +As they reached a part of the path which in crossed by the high road, +they stopped, and a stately knight, accompanied by two ladies, and +attended by several mounted serving men, rode by. The ladies seemed +struck with the form of the handsome maiden; and the cavalier, after +passing, turned and leant upon the cantle of his saddle, and steadily +regarded the youth. + +"'Tis he," said the Knight of Charlecote, to himself, "and the girl is +Hathaway's daughter. 'Tis pity she should mate with so reckless a +youth." + +"Who, said ye, they are?" inquired the elder daughter of Sir Thomas; +"methinks I have seen the youth at Clopton Hall." + +"See him when and where thou wilt, Alicia," returned the knight, "I fear +me you will have seen but a graceless suitor, from all I have learned +through the scrivener Grasp. 'Tis the wool-comber's eldest son, young +Shakespeare of Stratford." + +After this brief discourse, the party rode on. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +SHOTTERY HALL. + + +With lovers, days, weeks, and months pass swiftly by. The fair and witty +Rosalind is made to tell us, however, that time trots hard with a young +maid, between the contract of her marriage and the day it is solemnized, +for "if the interim be but a se'night, time's pace is so hard, that it +seems the length of seven years." + +With the swifter foot of time, however, during the even course of love +between young Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway, we shall pace over some few +months in our history. + +Angry winter must be supposed to have departed; the fields and meadows +to have thrown off his livery, and the woodland scene around +Stratford-upon-Avon, to be dressed in the green investiture of the +coming spring. + +The hard pace of time therefore must be now imagined to be progressing +with the fair Anne, inasmuch as she has been wooed and won by the +youthful Shakespeare. She is indeed between the contract of her marriage +and its solemnization. + +It was one lovely evening, about this period of our story, that an +exceedingly handsome female was sitting pensive and melancholy in her +own apartment at Shottery Hall, a large mansion situated just without +the village. + +Our readers have before had a glimpse of this lady, during the eventful +night of the party at Clopton, what time she was engaged in the dance +with Walter Arderne. Clara de Mowbray had indeed, been one of the +intimate friends of the fair Charlotte, her confidant and associate from +childhood. She was herself an orphan, and possessed of great wealth; and +although but one-and-twenty years of age, seemed to have already given +up the pleasures of the world, and dedicated her days to good and +charitable deeds in and around her own neighbourhood. She was, +therefore, as a matter of course, the lady patroness of the little +village near which she dwelt. + +Whether it was that she mourned over the fate of the early friend, whose +death had been attended with such awful and melancholy circumstances, or +whether the loss of her parents had left a sad impression upon her +spirits, we cannot tell; but certain it is, that Clara de Mowbray seemed +to labour under some secret and deep-seated grief, which rendered +society a burden to her. + +As she sat on this evening in her own apartment, her attendant announced +a maiden from the village, who was desirous of seeing her. + +"'Tis the handsome Anne Hathaway----is it not?" inquired Clara. "Indeed +I sent to request she would come hither." + +"It is, lady," returned the attendant. + +"Set a chair for her here beside the window, and wait on her in." + +"They tell me she is soon to be wedded," said the attendant, as she +brushed the chair with her apron, "and that she hath refused a good +offer for the sake of her present lover." + +"I have heard as much," said the lady; "and 'tis of that I would speak +with her." + +The Lady Clara had known Anne Hathaway from childhood, consequently, +there was little of form or ceremony between her and the more humble +friend. + +"I have sent for you, Anne," said Clara, as soon as the damsel entered, +"to talk about your future prospects. I have been so great a recluse, +that I have only just heard of your intended marriage. I trust you will +be happy, Anne." + +"I hope so, lady," said Anne. + +"And do you _think so_?" inquired Clara. + +"Wherefore should I not, lady?" inquired Anne. + +"There are one or two things," continued the lady, "I have heard of your +betrothed, which leads me to ask the question, Anne; and also because we +are old friends, and I love you. In the first place, I hear your suitor +is younger than yourself. Is't not so?" + +"It is, lady," said Anne. + +"And I hear also that he is of no calling; that he is poor, and his +friends needy." + +"All that you have said is true," said Anne Hathaway; "_but_--" and she +paused. + +"But you are in love," said Clara. "Well, I suppose there is no advice I +can give you which will avail against that argument. I would have you, +however, consider well; and (as I know neither of the parties) I cannot +judge in how far your own judgment is right in this matter." + +"I would you could see the two together," said Anne, smiling, "you would +then have little left to urge in favour of my richer suitor." + +"Indeed!" said Clara, smiling; "yet one word more, Anne. I hear the +youth--let me see, how is he named?" + +"Shakespeare," said Anne, "William Shakespeare." + +"Well, then, I hear that this lover of yours--this young Shakespeare, is +of a daring spirit; that he associates with youths as reckless as +himself; and that, in very sooth, he bears altogether a character for +idleness even in the town where he dwells." + +"What do you charge him with in particular?" said Anne, smiling. + +"Nay, nothing more than I have hinted at," said Clara. "He is slightly +regarded by the townsfolk of Stratford, from his idle propensities. If +there be a bear to be baited at Kenilworth Green, who so sure to be +there as this younker. If there is a wrestling-match and a bull-baiting +at Coventry, thither is your swain sure to go. If there be, in short, a +wake or fair, or revel, in this or the adjoining county, young +Shakespeare is as certain to be seen upon the Green as those resident on +the spot. Nay, I have been told that he hath himself beaten one of our +Warwickshire champions here at Shottery last Christmas, and that he is +giving to poaching withal." + +"In respect ye have named his delight in all sort of out-door sports, +you are right, lady," said Anne; "but that he is given to poaching is a +malicious rumour." + +"Well," said Clara, "I see your affections are set upon this match, and +far be it from me to oppose your will. I too well know the misery of +blighted love. Heaven guard you, Anne. Ere you wed, it would please me +to see _the youth_." + +"You have seen him," said Anne. + +"I remember him not," said Clara. + +"'Twas at Clopton you met with him," said Anne. "William hath told me he +met you on the night of that unhappy ball, and that Master Walter +Arderne shewed you to him in the room." + +Clara started. She then said, in some surprise, "Did your lover know +Walter, then?" + +"They were sworn friends, lady," said Anne. + +"Shakespeare!" said Clara. "'Tis a name I remember. Was not the youth +who saved Charlotte Clopton from death in the park called Shakespeare? +If so, him indeed have I met at Clopton, and have heard both Charlotte +and Walter Arderne speak of." + +"'Tis the same youth, lady," said Anne. + +"Indeed," said Clara; "that doth indeed surprise me;" and Clara remained +for some time lost in deep thought. "I have a relic," she said, "of +Charlotte's given me by Martin, and which was much treasured by poor +Charlotte. 'Tis a small piece of verse of exquisite beauty. If I +recollect rightly, Martin told me it was written by this lad--this lover +of yours. Stay, I will shew it you;" and Clara, after searching in a +small casket, brought forth a scrap of paper with some verses written on +it, which she read aloud, and then handed to Anne. + +"I am not much given to poetry," said Anne, smiling; "but I see by the +character they are written by William; but methinks I should have known +them for his by other tokens. He often repeats such verse in our walks. +He hath written scores of such pieces as the one I now hold in my hand." + +"Nay, then, I cannot wondor at what I have heard," said the lady; +"neither am I surprised at such a man being the friend of Walter +Arderne. There is one thing more I would ask," said Clara, blushing. +"You know my secret, Anne, and can perhaps give me some news of him you +wot of, through means of your lover. Where now is Walter Arderne?" + +"I shall grieve you, lady, if I say that for some time no accounts have +been received of him, and it is greatly feared he hath perished amongst +the adventurers with whom he left England." + +"How is this news derived?" she said. + +"William hath learnt so much from Martin, whom he has occasionally seen +whilst Martin remained at Clopton; but latterly Martin seemed to grow +uneasy, and as reports were circulated relative to the loss of that part +of the expedition with which Master Arderne sailed, he at length left +Clopton, where he had been residing almost alone, and went to London. +Whilst there he met some of the adventurers who had returned with Sir +Francis Drake, and of them he heard dire accounts of the dangers and +hardships they had encountered. From them too he learned that Walter +Arderne had greatly distinguished himself amongst the followers of +Christopher Carlisle at the taking of St. Jago, near Cape de Verde; that +he had afterwards sailed for Hispaniola, and assaulted and taken St. +Domingo. He was also heard of on the coast of Florida; and it was at the +burning of one of the towns, either St. Anthony or St. Helens, on that +coast, that Master Arderne is supposed to have perished." + +"Was he then not seen and identified amongst the slain or wounded?" +inquired Clara. + +"It appears not," said Anne. "The expedition, with the exception of some +smaller ships separated from them in a storm, sailed along the coast o£ +Virginia, where they found the remains of a colony previously planted +there by Sir Walter Raleigh, and which had almost gone to decay. The +miserable remnant of adventurers," continued Anne, "who were found by +Sir Francis Drake at this place, and who are described to have appeared +more like living mummies than Christian men, abandoned their settlement, +and prevailed on Sir Francis Drake to bring them to England." + +"And have no further tidings been since heard?" inquired Clara. + +"Nothing certain. A small portion of the fleet which separated from +Drake's squadron after this, and sailed along the coast of Florida, +inflamed with rage against the Spaniards and the riches they had already +gained, after a short cruise, returned with an account of their having +observed a wreck near Raleigh's ruined colony;[9] and that they had even +seen some individuals apparently again located there. They had, however, +steadily pursued their course without inquiry; albeit they judged this +wreck to have been one of the ships Walter Arderne had held command in." + +[Footnote 9: This was the first attempt of the English to form such +settlements; and although they have since surpassed all European +nations, they had been so unsuccessful that they abandoned the place.] + +"So then," said Clara, "these unfortunate men may have been left to +perish, exposed to all the vicissitudes of war and climate, and +half-naked in an enemy's country!" + +"'Tis to be feared so," returned Anne, "although the dreadful mortality +which the climate produced amongst Drake's followers is but a feeble +restraint on the avidity and sanguine expectation of the young +adventurers of England; nay, other expeditions are said to be about to +set sail; should it be so, that coast may be again visited." + +"And this you have learnt from your lover?" said Clara. + +"I have, lady; he loves to talk to me in our walks about the wonders +seen in these islands of the sea in the far West. I would you could hear +him describe what he has learnt from one or two of the youths who have +adventured and returned: how they have seen and landed upon islands +inhabited by people of wondrous appearance; islands full of strange +sounds, and in which the most ravishing melody floated in the air, the +musicians being spirits and invisible to sight." + +"Methinks," said Clara, "I should much like to hear your lover's account +of such wonders." + +"Nay, so interested is he in these accounts, and the riches to be found +on the Spanish main, that had I not over-ruled his design, he would +himself have adventured this year with Martin Frobisher." + +"I have heard something of Frobisher's former expedition," said Clara. +"What were the particulars?" + +"Nay, I can but inform you as I have learned it from the lips of +others," said Anne. + +"They set out, I have heard," said Clara, "for the purpose of +discovering a passage to Cataia, in the Indies, by the north-west seas. +I do not myself quite understand such matters, but I believe they sailed +beyond Friesland, where they came in sight of land inhabited by strange +and savage people. In this land they discovered some black substance +like sea-coal, and on their return showed it to a goldsmith in London, +and he found it to be rich in gold ore, was't not so?" + +"It was, lady," said Anne; "this encouraged Martin Frobisher to make a +second voyage, when he freighted two vessels home with this black +stone, and his project is now so risen in credit that he is about to set +sail a third time, with fifteen goodly vessels; nay, had I not used my +influence, as I before said, William Shakespeare had surely adventured +amongst the crew." + +"And so would you as surely have lost a lover, as he would have lost his +venture," said Clara. "I have no opinion of these wild schemes--and yet +I have half a mind to fit out an expedition and venture myself in quest +of a treasure." + +"You, lady!" said Anne; "but you are not serious?" + +"I was never more so," said Clara. + +As she said this, Clara rose from her seat--a hint to her visitor that +the interview had lasted long enough. + +"Yet stay," she said, as Anne was about to depart. "We have been long +friends, Anne Hathaway, and if I find the choice you have made a worthy +one, I will befriend you both. One thing I have forgotten to mention, +and that is the report I have heard of this match between you and young +Shakespeare being disapproved of by your father. Is that also true?" + +"My lover is at present poor," said Anne. + +"Enough," said Clara. "Farewell, Anne, I intend leaving Shottery for +some time, but when I return, remember you have a friend in me. Here," +she continued, "is a present I had intended to have given you after your +marriage. Take it now, as we shall not meet again for many months. I +leave Shottery to-morrow." + +And so the friends parted. + +The fair Clara remained buried in thought for some time after the +departure of Anne Hathaway. + +At length she arose from her seat, and her eye fell upon the sonnet she +had received from Martin. "The verse is indeed beautiful," she said. +"Happy, happy Anne, how much is thy lot to be envied! In thy rank in +life there is little impediment to the affections. Thou lovest and art +beloved again: there is no drawback in regard to inequality, or matching +in degree. The village lad loves and chooses his mate as the turtle, +unembarrassed by wealth or worldly interest. This youth must, however, +be in mind at least far superior. Well, thy prospect is a happy one! +Whilst mine, alas! he I love is perhaps lost in the watery wastes of +unknown seas--perhaps starving on some desert shore." + +As Clara thus indulged her melancholy thoughts, she rang a small silver +bell, and desired her attendant to summon to her presence the steward or +major-domo of her household. + +"Hubert," she said, "I am about to leave Shottery for London. My horses +have of late had but idle times, and an excursion will do them good. I +ride with twenty followers." + +The orders of Clara were law with Hubert. He therefore bowed; and she +continued, "I take this strong escort," she said, "because I shall have +great charge with me in gold and diamonds. To you I will at once +confess the purpose of my journey to London, and my farther intentions +when there. I am about myself to fit out an expedition to the coast of +Florida, and in person to visit the strange lands said to exist in the +New World." + +"In choosing amongst my people," she continued, "pick out those youths +who you think would be likely to volunteer for such an exploit." + +"And when do we depart, lady?" inquired the steward. + +"The day after to-morrow," said Clara. + +And again the steward bowed, and then withdrew. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +THE LOVERS. + + +The very name of the New World during the reign of Elizabeth, was +suggestive of boundless wealth, and the wildest hopes of gain. The +islands already visited by the adventurers of the period, were said to +be scenes of enchantment--a sort of demi-paradise, where the most lovely +Indian females wandered about in all the innocence of the golden age. + +Such was the idea men entertained of the New World, as it was then +called, and in consequence, albeit those who had returned from this land +of promise, presented in their own worn appearance but small +encouragement to others to try fortune in their boasted region; still +the voyage, as it was designated _par excellence_, was in great repute +amongst the "rash, inconsiderate, and fiery voluntaries" of Elizabeth's +reign. And, under these circumstances, sea-faring men of all sorts, and +even those who had never beheld the sea, occasionally made up the file +as soldiers for the various expeditions in vogue. The hardships and +dangers these men encountered beneath the hot sun of the tropics at this +time; their endurance under difficulties, whilst exposed to privation in +their marches through unknown forests, defiles, and mountains, is +wonderful to contemplate. Nay, perhaps, the very difficulties to be +encountered, and the watery wastes to be traversed, even enhanced the +desire these desperadoes felt in undertaking the venture; added also to +this spirit of enterprise, and the prospect men behold in the sunny +distance, of lovely lands, and scenes of enchantment in the bright +islands they thought to find, there was in the breast of the Englishman +at this period a rankling and deep-seated hatred of the Spaniard--then +the stoutest soldier of the civilized world--a foe not only worthy in +that day of the Englishman's sword, but who bore away from him the palm +of soldiership, and, of whom, he felt in some sort jealous. The +Spaniard, at the same time, whilst he had been drilled into wonderful +efficiency by long conflict with the Moors, the French, and Italians, +surpassed all other men in the qualities which conquer kingdoms, even at +fearful odds. + +The Spanish hidalgo still possessed all the chivalry of the crusader, +with augmented bigotry and superstition. Fighting was his element, and +greed of gold and religious fanaticism his stimulants. His pride was +beyond description. He was-- + + "The man of compliment, a most illustrious wight, + A man of fire, new words, fashion's own knight." + +'Twas against soldiers of this stamp that such men us Drake were now +waging war. The stern hearts and iron fists of his sailors and +men-at-arms, were turned against wretches, whose cruel hearts had shewn +no mercy to the harmless Indian; and fierce, bloody, remorseless, was +the conflict when the Englishmen met the Don. + +The great success of the Spaniard in both the Indies, too, was an +additional stimulant to the emulation of the English adventurers. + +He was indeed considered a hero, who returned safe from the horrors of +murderous conflict, mid the sack and siege of town and settlement in the +tropics. His sun-burnt visage was gazed on with curiosity; and his +account also of hardships endured amidst swamp and thicket, together +with exaggerated circumstance of horrid animals, fearful reptiles, and +wonderous beings in human form, was listened to with awe and wonder. + +The morning Clara had fixed on for her departure dawned brightly. Hill +and dale, and wood and park, were faintly gilded with the early morning +sun; she looked around, and sighed as she reflected, that perhaps for +the last time she beheld the domain of her ancestors. + +As her party left the grounds of Shottery and took their way through the +village, she reined up her palfrey, and, with her female attendant, +remained a few minutes behind. She then turned her horse towards Anne +Hathaway's cottage, and, as the road ran close beside it, she resolved +to pass the dwelling of her rustic friend, and perhaps see her for a +moment and bid her again farewell. As she did so, she observed two +youths advancing along the road. They carried cross-bows in their hands, +and seemed bound for the woodlands. + +"Is not the slighter of those youth's Anne's lover?" inquired Clara of +an attendant, as the young men entered the garden of old Hathaway's +cottage. + +"It is, lady," said the attendant. "Yon handsome lad is William +Shakespeare." + +"Listen!" said Clara; "he is awakening his mistress with a song." And as +the lady drew bridle under shelter of the tall trees beside the cottage, +they heard a beautiful voice accompanied by a sort of lute, singing +these _now_ well-known words. + + "Hark! hark! the lark at heaven's gate sings, + And Phoebus 'gins arise, + His steeds to water at those springs + On chalic'd flowers that lies; + And winking Mary-buds begin + To ope their golden eyes + With everything that pretty bin, + My lady, sweet, arise. + Arise, arise."[10] + +[Footnote 10: "Cymbeline."] + +The beauty of the verse, and the sweetness of the singer's voice, +completely fixed Clara to the spot; and, as she listened anxiously for +another verse, she heard the lattice open, and the voice of Anne join in +conversation with her lover. Clara felt extremely anxious again to see +one who had been the friend of Walter Arderne, and she determined to +accost the youth. When she rode round, however, to the front of the +cottage, he was gone on his way, and afterwards with his companion might +have been observed, concealed in the woods at Fulbrook. Together they +lay in the thick covert and watched a sequestered stag, a bolt from +Shakespear's cross-bow had wounded, and which he was again endeavouring +to gain a shot at. 'Twas his first poaching offence; and whilst he lay +thus crouching in the thick brake, and again sought to get near the +stag, his comrade, Dick Snare, kept watch somewhat aloof, lest the +keepers came upon them unawares. + +Meantime slowly and sadly the maiden of high degree turned her horse's +head from the scenes of her childhood. She felt desolate amidst her +plenteous fields and domains, whilst the humble friend of her childhood, +the village companion, the poor cottager, seamed happy in all the world +could bestow worth coveting; and as Clara turned from the cottage, the +handsome Anne, unconscious of her near proximity, was intently perusing +some verses which Shakespeare had thrown in at her window as he +departed,--verses addressed to herself. + + I. + + "Would ye be taught, ye feather'd throng, + With love's sweet notes to grace your song, + To pierce the heart with thrilling lay, + Listen to mine, Anne Hathaway. + She hath a way to sing so clear, + Phoebus might, wondering, stop to hear; + To melt the sad, make blithe the gay, + And nature charm, Anne hath a way. + She hath a way, + Anne Hathaway, + To breathe delight, Anne Hathaway. + + II. + + "When Envy's breath and ranc'rous tooth + Do soil and bite fair worth and truth, + And merit to distress betray, + To soothe the heart, Anne hath a way; + She hath a way to chase despair, + To heal all grief, to cure all care, + Turn foulest night to fairest day, + Thou know'st, fond heart, Anne hath a way. + She hath a way, + Anne Hathaway, + To make grief bliss, Anne hath a way." + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +THE ADVENTURERS. + + +About three weeks after the departure of Clara de Mowbray, a +stout-timbered vessel, built after the peculiar fashion of the time, and +yet in something improved in its construction from the unwieldy craft in +general use, might have been observed beating up against wind and tide +on the Kentish coast. The weather, for the time of the year, was +unusually rough, and to a heavy rolling sea was added a driving rain, +and a roaring gale of wind. There is considerable danger, too, as the +mariner well knows, around him on this part of the coast. His craft has +been driven out of its course, and the fearful Goodwins are close at +hand; still labours on, however, that gallant barque, manned by stout +English adventurers. She is trying, amidst the driving rain and furious +winds, to make out the mouth of the Sandwich haven; and, whilst her +timbers creak, and the blast whistles amongst her rigging, a delicious +strain of melody seems to float around her. The notes of a lute are +heard by the sailors accompanied by a voice of ravishing sweetness; and, +as it issues from the cabin of the vessel, it sounds as if some angel is +trying to soothe the fury of the winds and waves. + +Dangerous as is this part of the coast, even in the present time, when +its perils are so well marked out to the navigator, at the period of our +story, it was, by comparison, almost an unknown sea. No secure harbour +was then constructed close opposite the Goodwins. No buoys and revolving +lights pointed out the dangerous proximity of rocks and shoals; those +dread quicksands, whose depths retain the wrecked treasures of +successive ages; sands which + + "Will not bear our enemy's boats, + But suck them up to the top-mast." + +Bravely, however, keeps on that labouring barque. One moment she seems +engulphed in the boiling waters, and the mist rolls over the spot where +her hull was last tossing. The next she is trembling upon the crested +wave, and again about to be hurled from its summit into the waters +beneath. + +One eye there is, on board, which seems especially to watch over +her,--an eye which calmly scans every part around, watches every cord of +her rigging, and rectifies every mishap consequent upon the violence of +the gale. + +Meanwhile, on the waist, the deck, the poop, are to be seen, besides the +sailors who work the vessel, lying, sitting, and holding on by the +ropes, the forms of fierce and bearded men, clad in the buff leathern +dress which formed the usual costume of warriors of the period, their +half-armour being doffed during their voyage along the coast. + +Suddenly the eye of the chief, as the driving rain for the moment seems +to subside, catches sight of a range of white foam. Another and another +follow after, till they seem to overtake each other, and mingle in a +perfect cauldron of boiling sea. + +Then his voice sounds amidst the roar of winds and waters--the sails +flap--the cordage strains--and every eye looks anxious, and every heart +beats quicker; for that moment is to decide whether the living, and +warlike freightage, are to ride safely past the gulf, or to be sucked +down amidst the depths of the awful Goodwins. + +As the chief mariner leaps upon the bulwark of the vessel, and, grasping +the rigging, looks out upon the boiling sea, a slight and graceful youth +has emerged from the cabin, and placed himself beside him. + +"We are in peril," said he, in a low voice; "these are the fatal sands +you thought you had safely passed an hour ago." + +But the mariner for the moment heeds not the question of his superior. +His whole attention is given to his craft, and the horrible depths she +is every minute apparently about to be engulphed in. + +It was an awful moment for one so young and delicate-looking as that +boy. Yet his cheek blanches not at the prospect of a death so fearful. +He clings to the slippery ropes, and awaits the event with a courage +worthy of one of firmer frame and maturer years; whilst the vessel, +dashing amidst the waves, still holds stoutly on. + +As she did so the mariner leapt down, and, as his feet again touched the +deck of his craft, he drew a long breath. + +"'Twas a fearful moment," he said, "I ne'er before looked down whilst so +close upon the eternal bed of many a tall and stately vessel. 'Twas a +moment that told of life or death." + +"'Tis passed, then," said the youth; "see, we are driving away from +yonder white gallopers, who seem to course each other in an endless +chase." + +"'Tis passed, _for this time_," said the mariner; "but we are on a +fearful coast on such an evening as this. Methought I know each foot of +these waters; but in such a driving gale 'tis scarce possible to know +our course." + +"And what then will you do?" inquired the youth. + +"Still make for the mouth of the haven I told you of," said the captain; +"and which leads us to safety, if we can hit it." + +"No easy matter, methinks," said the youth, "in such a gale, eh?" + +"Nevertheless, I do not despair," returned the mariner. "My youth has +been passed upon these very seas. But this is no weather for your +Excellency," he continued respectfully, taking the youth's hand, and +leading him towards the cabin of the half-decked vessel. + +"You forget I am the commander in this expedition," said the youth, +smiling. + +"Only of the land-forces," said the mariner, returning the smile; "the +vessel, by our compact, I am to be captain of." + +Half-an-hour after this conversation and the gallant barque was quietly +and slowly winding its course along the muddy stream which flows up to +the Dutch-built Cinque Port situated at this part of the coast. + +The Cinque Ports in Elizabeth's day, albeit their grandeur had in a +great measure departed from them, were still of great importance to the +nation. There was a pride and pomposity of manner still to be found +amongst the barons, and burgesses, and townsfolk, which had descended to +them from, their warlike ancestry, during the days when kings honoured +them with their especial favour, and granted them privileges and +immunities unknown to other towns. With all the pride of their mail-clad +ancestry, therefore, and whose constant sufferance had been sack and +siege, fire and slaughter, the more peaceful Cinque Porter of +Elizabeth's day considered himself still a sort of a _magnifico_. 'Tis +true that in place of the chain-mail and two-handed weapons of the +iron-men of the Norman period, whose only trade was war, the present +race were clad in the high-crown hat, the short cloak, and the full +trunks of the well-dealing merchant. Yet still, albeit the portly, +lank-haired, Flemish-looking burgher stood upon his gentility as he +walked the key of this muddy haven, yet still, we say, steel corslet and +military pride was not altogether laid aside, and the _trade of +merchandize_ had not entirely superseded efficiency in the _trade of +war_. + +On the morning following the night on which the strange barque entered +the haven of Sandwich, two portly townsmen greeted each other in the +Fish Market. + +"What vessel was that same which crept up last night and lies moored +before the Fisher's Gate?" inquired neighbour De Bock of Master Cramp. + +"I can't observe," said Cramp. "She looks queer, methinks. There's an +armed sentinel upon her deck, to keep any one from leaving her without +license, and another man-at-arms upon the shore with loaded caliver, who +walks up and down forsooth, as who should say, keep off Sir Curious, and +pry not too closely into our affairs." + +"Is she from Holland, think ye?" inquired De Bock. + +"I should say nay to that," said Cramp. + +"Is she from London, laden with serge, baize, and flannel, think ye?" + +"I rather opine not." + +"What is her rig, neighbour?" + +"Nondescript, I think." + +"What is her build?" + +"Indescribable, I should say." + +"Hath she any freight at all on board?" + +"As far as I can judge, she hath a freight." + +"And what is it?" + +"Principally arms of various sorts--rapier and dagger pike and arqebus." + +"Ha, sayst thou? Then must she be seized, and her destination inquired +into." + +"That might cause some sort of controversy--some arbitration--since each +weapon I have named hath a man tacked to it, and a hand to exercise it." + +"What, is she then filled with armed men, neighbour?" + +"She is. So much have I learned by looking down at her just now from the +tower of St. Clement's Church." + +"'Fore Gad, she may be a Spaniard then." + +"I think nay to that, too." + +"Or a pirate?" + +"_There_ thou _hast it_; methinks she _is_ a pirate. Nay, certes she is +a pirate who has been forced to take shelter in our haven by yesterday's +gale." + +"My life upon't thou art right. Let's e'en go look upon her, and then to +the mayor with our report." And the worthy burgesses immediately +threaded the narrow streets, and approached the Fisher's Gate, which +looks upon the flats on the Thanet side of the town. + +Just within the Fisher's Gate, and in the narrow lane which leads down +to it from the town, there is still to be seen an ancient hostel called +the Checquers. Its low arched doors, its narrow passages, its +comfortable sanded parlour, its ample kitchen, diamond paned windows, +and small comfortable rooms, low in roof, and ponderous in beam, bespeak +its early date. It had been the hostel of the Fisher's Gate full half a +century before the period of our story. + +If curiosity was a ruling passion with the two burgesses, love of good +liquor was equally strong, and accordingly as they necessarily passed +this old hostel, they turned in for their morning's draught. + +As they did so, they found it was occupied by two persons belonging to +the very vessel which had so much excited their curiosity. One was a +slight and effeminate looking youth, of most graceful form, and features +of exceeding beauty. His long curled ringlets hung over either shoulder, +which, as it was not the fashion of the day, rendered his appearance +even more remarkable. His dress, although it bespoke the sea-faring man, +was evidently fashioned after his own whim. Perhaps it was more in the +style of the Venetian sailor than the English sea-faring man. Such as it +was, however, it added much to the graceful beauty of him who wore it; +and as it was accompanied by a certain rakish swagger, an assumed easy +manner, the appearance of the juvenile stranger altogether considerably +astonished the two grave, staid, and simple-minded Cinque Port +functionaries, who entered the hostel. + +The companion of the youth was a man in no way remarkable, except for +his high forehead, intelligent countenance, and well-knit and somewhat +athletic form. His costume was that of a sort of amphibious adventurer +of the period, half sailor, half soldier--a man equally serviceable +either on the deck of his vessel, or in the tented field, and alike +trained to the arts and manoeuvres of war on the rampart or in the +trench, on horseback or on foot. His twisted-hilted and long rapier was +carried in a broad buff belt; his gauntlets reached to his elbow; his +thick leathern doublet carried the marks of the breast-plate he wore on +service, and the wide-topped boots reached his full trunks, like those +of a fisherman of the present time. + +The youth before-named occupied an arm chair, situated near a table on +which the appliances for a substantial breakfast were placed, and which +he occupied in a sort of lounging, jaunty style, ever and anon picking a +small portion from the plate before him, and conveying it to his lips +with the point of his richly-guarded dagger, the whilst his stalwart +comrade applied himself to the viands like one who especially relished a +good meal. + +"Your Excellency," said this latter sailor, without seeming to notice +the entrance of the native burghers of the town, "scarce seems to have +found the benefit of these Kentish breezes. Your appetite is somewhat +dainty this morning, methinks; and yet this bread is white as the +snowflake, and sweet and wholesome withal. Let me give you the veriest +taste of this Canary wine, 'twill coax you into trying yonder pastie." + +"I thank thee, good Captain Fluellyn,"[11] returned the youth, "I cannot +bear Canary so early. Indeed, my breakfast is already made; I eat but +slightly in the morning. At dinner I will drink with ye turn and turn +about, an you list, till your brain reels like a top." + +[Footnote 11: A name at that time to be found at Stratford.] + +"Ah, so thou ever sayest," returned the Captain, "but when dinner comes +your Excellency still evades the wine-cup." + +The title given to the youthful navigator, his distinguished appearance, +and the luxuries by which he was surrounded, rather astonished the +natives as they observed the pair. + +It was plain that the silver goblets from which they drank, and the +elaborately ornamented plates and dishes upon which the viands were +served, together with the handsome case of liquors, all of which +belonged to a sort of canteen which stood open near the table, must have +been brought for the use of this noble from the ship then lying but a +few yards off. + +The curiosity, therefore, of the two townsmen was considerably excited +to know who and what he was, and as both himself and the stalwart +captain continued their conversation and meal without taking the +slightest notice of their presence, their self-importance was a trifle +injured, and Master De Bock addressed himself to the handsome sailor. + +"If I may crave permission of interrupting your exertions for a moment," +he said, stepping up to the table, "I would fain know if our presence +here is intrusive, and, if so, I would crave permission to retire with +my worthy townsman here." + +At this sage address from the lank-haired round-faced burgher, the tall +captain laid down the small dagger with which he was helping himself to +a portion of the savory pastie before him, and, twisting the end of his +moustache, stared at him for a few moments, and then throwing himself +back in his chair, looked inquiringly into the face of his companion. + +The youth was evidently inclined to laugh; there was, indeed, a sort of +twinkle in his eye as he returned the stare of the sea-captain. + +"Is it your Countship's pleasure to be private?" at length, said the +latter, as the burgher stood gazing with his fishy eye upon the youth. + +"We do in some sort court seclusion," said the Count, "and to that end, +have engaged and hired this hostel, for the especial use of ourselves +and followers during the stay of our vessel in yonder haven." + +"Shall I signify the same unto these worthy traders?" said the Captain. + +"His lordship hath himself spoken it," said the burgess, "we take our +leave. May we, however, crave to know the honoured title of the +distinguished personage visiting our town, and the name of the vessel in +which he has arrived? It is necessary we should convey to his honour the +mayor intelligence of such visitation, in order that he may wait upon +his lordship in proper form." + +The youth again smiled. "I am myself called," he said, "'the Count of +the Saxon shore.' The vessel in which I am passenger is named the +'Phantom,' commanded by this worthy gentleman, my esteemed friend +Captain Fluellyn, a gallant seaman, who hath sailed with Drake, and +fought the Spaniard by sea and land." + +Upon this introduction, the Captain thought it necessary to rise from +his chair, and bow to the two townsmen in due form, which they as +formally returned. After which, at a sign from the Count, he offered +them a glass of Canary from the high-necked bottle upon the table. + +"The Count of the Saxon shore," said De Bock, smacking his lips with +ineffable relish as he sat down the glass. "That is, indeed, an ancient +title, and one I knew not was still in existence. Doth your lordship +claim to be lineally descended from tho Roman whose authority extended +in former days along this coast, and whose castle walls are still to be +seen at hand here, and called Rugulbium or Reculver?" + +"By the father's aide, most assuredly," said the Count. "Maternally, I +am of Kentish extraction, since, on the female side I claim descent from +the god Woden, whose effigy was as you know, or ought to know, enthroned +upon the hill a mile westward of your town, and called to this day +Wodnesborough." + +"A most respectable lineage," said tho burgess, quite awe-struck at so +glorious a descent. "His worship the mayor, attended by the hogmace, the +supervisor of the gutters, the several beadles in commission within our +walls, will have the honour of waiting upon your lordship forthwith." + +"The honour will be to us," said the Count, rising and bowing as the +burgesses were about to leave the apartment. "For the next four hours we +shall be engaged here in consulting with our gallant friend, and certain +messengers we expect to arrive; after that, if it so please your mayor, +we will receive him." + +"And now, Captain," said the Count, reseating himself, "since we have +got rid of those cane-bearded worthies, and you have finished your +meal, we will, if it so please ye, discuss certain matters appertaining +to this venture of ours." + +"I am all readiness to give attention, Sir Count," said the Captain, +also sitting himself comfortably in his chair, and drawing the case of +liquors close beside him. + +"In the first place, then, I trust you clearly comprehend my intentions +in this voyage?" + +"I think as much," said the Captain, filling his glass; "nevertheless, +perhaps you will oblige me by repeating your wishes?" + +"My voyage, then, I would have you to understand, is more a voyage of +discovery than of profit. I neither wish to work mines, nor burn and +sack towns. I would avoid all chance, if possible, of coming into +collision with the Spaniard; and, unless I see occasion for other +course, I would rather fly from, than seek an enemy." + +"But," said the Captain, "you scarce gave out so much before. This +somewhat exceeds what I expected. The Falcon is constructed after some +improved notions of my own, and will assuredly outstrip any vessel upon +the seas; but I like not to be always upon the wing. You forget I am one +of Drake's first comrades, and have learned to love powder as devotedly +as I hate the Spaniard. Body o' me, I shall lose what reputation I have +gained! We shall be taken for little else besides knaves and cowards." + +"You will find me ready enough to fight where fighting is my cue," +interrupted the Count; "and if our voyage is successful, I will be +myself an East and West Indies to you, inasmuch as you shall never again +be obliged to seek fortune in the wide seas. And now we understand one +another perfectly?" + +"Your last argument is all-powerful," said the Captain. "I admire your +love of adventure, coupled as it is with so much humanity, and am yours +for the voyage, making peace or war as you affect either the one or the +other. Nevertheless, I may as well remind your lordship, ere you embark +on the enterprise, that we sailors of Drake and Frobisher, since the +time we have interfered with the Spaniard, have a proverb, that there +'is no peace beyond the line.'" + +"I have heard so much," said the Count, "and now methinks, whilst we +wait here for the person appointed to join us, a short history of your +adventures in these seas would serve to while away the hours." + +"The history of my life might prove both distasteful and tedious to +you," said the Captain; "but a brief account of it is at your service. +Where shall I begin?" + +Just as the sea captain was about to commence his narrative, and whilst +he refilled his pipe with the weed he professed such veneration for, the +sharp-ringing sound of horse's hoofs were heard beneath the arch of the +gate-house, which indeed was so close to the old hostel that it almost +formed a part of the building. + +At this period there was no drawbridge across the stream which separated +the town from the Island of Thanet, and communication was kept up by a +ferry-boat, which plied exactly opposite the Fisher's Gate. + +As the horseman was ferried across, he hailed the craft which had caused +so much curiosity to the Sandwegians. + +"Hillo, ho, ho! Falcon there! Is the Count on board?" + +"Gone on shore," was the brief answer returned. + +"Captain on board?" inquired the horseman. + +"Ashore with the Count." + +"Where do they lodge?" + +"At the hostel within yonder gateway." + +Accordingly, the horseman, after landing, rode straight up to the +Checquers, and unceremoniously entered the apartment in which the Count +and Captain were seated. + +"Welcome, good Martin," said the Count, rising, "you see we keep time +and tryst here." + +"I am here at my time," said the traveller. + +"I am right glad you have so soon joined us," said the Count; "for, +sooth to say, both the Captain and myself are most anxious to be on the +broad waves of the Atlantic." + +"Our necessaries are by this time on board," said the Captain; "and as +this honourable person makes up the file of gentlemen engaged for the +expedition, what stays us, but we warp out to sea at once? In an hour I +will undertake to be under weigh." + +"Be it so," said the Count. "In an hour myself and friend will be on +board." + +And the Captain rose, and, after another cup of Canary, proceeded to his +ship. + +"Have you succeeded in learning any fresh tidings?" said the Count to +our old friend Martin. + +"I have journeyed far, and in something profited by my travel," said +Martin. "I have visited the Netherlands, and also been in Warwickshire, +since I met you in London, and now I keep tryste, and am here as +appointed." + +"You are ever worthy and zealous in the cause of your friends," returned +the Count; "what are your tidings?" + +"Briefly, then," said Martin, "I have reason to believe the good Walter +lives; but, if such be the case, he is prisoner to the Spaniard--the +worst sort of captivity--since he is in the hands of those who know no +touch of pity, and are incensed against the English. This letter will +better inform you of his situation." + +The Count took the letter and perused it. "We will speed to his +assistance," he said, as he refolded it. "And, now, how goes all in +Warwickshire. Hath Sir Hugh Clopton returned?" + +"Of Warwickshire I have not much news to give," said Martin. "Sir Hugh +is still in the Low Countries. At Shottery all is as usual. Your steward +commends him to you. Yet, stay, there is some further news of your own +neighbourhood. Your old playmate, Anne Hathaway, is married to young +Shakespeare." + +"That I concluded must have taken place," said the Count, "since, when I +left Shottery, they were to be united in a few days. I trust she will be +happy. The bridegroom is, however, somewhat young to make a steady +husband. I think I have heard you say you knew something of the lad: +report speaks of him as a wild youth." + +"Report is in something correct, I believe," said Martin. "To say I knew +him well would be to say more than I should be warranted in affirming. +What I did know of that young man served me for matter of reflection. +For his wildness I cannot offer excuse, except that he hath a mounting +spirit; nay, I will venture to affirm, that had your expedition been +delayed a week, he would have joined in it." + +"'Tis better as it is," said the Count, "I would not that my good friend +Anne should so soon lose her husband." + +"There is, however," continued Martin, "startling news from London, and +which I rather think I am the first to announce in this town, as I +over-rode a foundered post between this place and Canterbury. The Queen +of Scots, 'tis said, is again involved in a dangerous conspiracy to +destroy our brave mistress, Queen Elizabeth." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +THE BENEDICT. + + +The course of events connected with our story has necessarily obliged us +to deviate from the locality in which we have heretofore progressed. We +must, however, now again, after such brief excursion, return to the spot +from whence we started, and as the sun shines brightly upon park and +field, and wooded glade, once more look upon fair and fertile +Warwickshire. + +Sweet Stratford-upon-Avon! those who know thee, and know thee well--who +have lingered in thy old-world streets, and wandered in thy +neighbourhood, breathing the scented air which smells so wooingly +amongst the shadowy groves and unfrequented glades around, will +acknowledge that there is no place in England, for situation and beauty, +thy superior. + +There is a freshness in thy neighbourhood, a quiet beauty in thy +streets, a cozy comfort in many of thy dwellings, and a venerable and +impressive grandeur in thy religious edifices, belonging alone to an +English town of good and ancient descent. Was a stranger to be dropped +suddenly in the centre of this town, whilst he looked around, and noted +the sweet aspect of the locality he had so suddenly arrived in, +methinks he would say to himself that he had reached a spot noted and +celebrated in the world's esteem beyond most others in the kingdom. Yes, +in this rural picture we think the stranger might find all these +peculiar features characteristic of the old haunts in which Englishmen +of a former age dwelt so happily. Those verdant villages, which made the +English, however much they loved military adventure the whilst they +formed the hosts of kings in the vasty fields of France, look back from +the splendour of the tented field upon their own pleasant woodlands and +quiet homes with fond yearning. + +Tuck of drum might sound, the horn's sweet note be carried by the +evening breeze, as it floated over some stricken field during those +splendid wars of the Edwards and Henries. The gonfalon might flutter, +and the knight, with all his train, ride stately amidst the white range +of tents; the archer might lean upon his bow and gaze upon the splendour +of the host. But the noble, and the knight, and the peasant-born soldier +of England, alike sighed in his heart of hearts for the hour that was to +see his foreign marches over, and himself amidst the scenes of his +island home. + + "That England hedged in with the main, + That precious gem set in the silver sea." + +If then our readers love fair Warwickshire, and admire the grandeur and +beauty of its scenery as we do, they will scarce be angry with us for +again leading them back toward Stratford-upon-Avon. + +And Shakespeare is married. One great event of his life is passed. He +dwells with his wife in his native town; beyond the precincts of which +he is comparatively unknown, or, being known, but little regarded. + +He is scarcely more than eighteen years of age, and his wife is +four-and-twenty. Their means are small, and their comforts few. The +prospect before them is not of the brightest, but they are young, and in +youth all seems beautiful because all is new. A female, however, of +twenty-four, wedded to a youth of eighteen--_a mere boy_, as she terms +him--will be likely to have her own way in everything; at least she will +try to have it, and that is almost as bad. We fear, too, the blooming +Anne is a "little shrew." She hath a high spirit withal, and we opine +that her tastes and dispositions are not in exact accordance with those +of her youthful husband. He is all imagination--all fire, energy, and +spirit; whilst she is more matter of fact. The gods have certainly not +made her poetical, and she thanks the gods therefore. And then her age. +Beautiful as she is in face and form, she is not matched in respect of +years, and she knows it. + + "Too old, by heaven; let still the woman take + An elder than herself--so wears she to him, + So sways she level in her husband's heart."[12] + +[Footnote 12: "Twelfth Night."] + +William Shakespeare had married in opposition to the advice of his +parents. The handsome Anne had done the same in regard to her's. Such +cases are by no means rare in their walk of life. The present is all +that is considered, the future unthought of. Old folks do sometimes, +however, know more than young ones give them credit for; and in this +instance they prognosticated the match would not be a happy one. + +That the youthful poet felt some sort of disappointment when he found +how widely his disposition and tastes differed from the companion he had +chosen, there can be little doubt. + +His extraordinary flights of genius, his wondrous conceptions, she had +no part in. She, indeed, could scarce understand them; and that which +she could not comprehend she looked upon as the rhapsodizing of a boy. +Even those beautiful descriptions, and the music of his honeyed vows, +for Shakespeare, although married, was still a lover, were now listened +to without the smile of appreciation. "Alas!" he said to himself, "maids +are May when they are maids, but the sky changes when they are wives." +In short, the youthful poet found that he had matched unhappily. There +was little sympathy in feeling, although there might have been in +choice; and so their loves passed + + "Swift as a shadow, short as any dream, + Brief as the lightning in the collied night." + +They dwelt in Henley Street, in the house next to that in which the +youth's parents inhabited; and he occasionally assisted his father in +his business as a dealer in wool. + +In Stratford, at this time, there was a knot of young fellows celebrated +for little else beside their idleness, their wit, and their reckless +daring. One or two of these were apprenticed to different trades in the +town. One had made the voyage, and returned a reckless desperado, +although a jovial and most amusing companion; another had served for a +brief space in the Low Countries, "the land of pike and caliver," where +finding hard knocks more plentiful than either pay or promotion, and his +courage none of the greatest, he had deserted his colours, and returned +home with a marvellous capacity for imbibing strong liquors, and +relating wondrous stories of his own exploits whilst a soldier:-- + + "Of healths _five_ fathom deep, + Of palisadoes, frontiers, parapets, + And all the current of the heady fight." + +With these youths young Shakespeare had before been in the habit of +associating. Their eccentricity amused him; there was a kind of +character in their lives which he loved to contemplate. Before his +marriage he had loved however to indulge his thoughts a good deal alone, +to wander and meditate amidst the delicious scenery in the +neighbourhood. Now it was somewhat different, he had home and its duties +to attend to, besides matters connected with his father's business, to +keep him from so continually excursionizing as heretofore. + +His meetings with these choice and master spirits, these jolly +companions who "daffed the world aside, and bid it pass," were, +therefore, for the most part, in after hours, and when the business of +the day was over. + +Besides these lads of mettle, there was another person whose company +young Shakespeare had of late much affected, and in whose society he +found a perfect fund of entertainment, a feeling which was quite mutual, +as this friend was of a capacity as fully to appreciate the +extraordinary talents and delightful society of the juvenile poet, as +the latter was to enjoy the wit and humour of his entertainer. + +This person, who was a resident at Stratford, although not a native +there, was a most singular compound. He was possessed of some property +in the town; but his expenditure was generally greater than his means +warranted, and he was consequently obliged often to eke out his funds by +laying his companions under contribution. He was ever in difficulties, +and yet ever jovial, hospitable, and with his friends around him. His +eccentricity, his wit, and his follies were a continual feast to young +Shakespeare; his absurdities, and the scrapes he got into, a continual +tax upon his intimates to get him respectably clear of. By the sober and +puritanical of the townsfolk he was detested, for he made them the +subject of his biting jests. By the respectable citizen he was feared as +an intimate, for his tongue was a continual libel upon all his +acquaintance. By the more light-hearted and careless, who laughed _with_ +him and _at_ him, he was tolerated, and even sought after, for his +amusing qualities. + +In his person, the man was its singular as in his disposition--fat, and +unwieldy in figure; he was upwards of six feet in height, with a round +ruddy face, in which the laughing features were lost amidst the +puffed-out cheeks and double chin--a sort of figure and face, which +looked as if the owner had been fat and full of jollity at the time of +his birth, and gone on increasing up to his present age. + +What was the history of his former life none could tell, for he had come +a stranger to the town. Some said, however, that in his youth he had +been engaged in the wars of the Netherlands, and cashiered for +cowardice; others affirmed that he was the discarded steward of some +noble, dismissed for arrant knavery and dishonest practices; whilst by +others, again, he was said to have been the host of a low tavern, +situated in the purlieus of Whitefriars of London, and, that having +amassed a small competency, he had since pretty well dissipated it, and +was now living at Stratford to be out of the way. + +Be that, however, as it may, at the period of our story he resided at a +sort of tavern or hostel, situated in the suburbs of the town, and which +hostel himself and yoke fellows principally occupied, leading a roaring, +rollicking life, to the great scandal of the more steady portions of the +community. + +In this society young Shakespeare heard many things which considerably +augmented his store of knowledge. The soldier described "the toil o' the +war," and the abuses of the service he had been in, where "preferment +went by letter and affection." The adventurer told of seas, "whose +yeasty waves confound and swallow navigation up;" of islands full of +noises, and peopled by strange monsters; and the fat host spoke of the +"cities usuries," "the art o' the Court," and the adventures and +intrigues himself had been the hero of in various localities from his +youth upwards. + +In proportion to the pleasure young Shakespeare took in this society, +was the dislike entertained for it by his wife; for the character of the +presiding genius of the tavern she was well aware of, together with his +loudness for, and capacity of, imbibing strong liquors, and carrying +them steadily. His professed libertinism, and light opinion of the whole +sex,--his impudent boast of favours received from several of the good +dames of the town, and the various cudgellings he had received from +their husbands--each and all of those matters had been industriously +poured into her ear by her female gossipers, with the additional +information, that the unwieldy gentleman, notwithstanding his unfitness +for such exploits, was much given to walking, or rather riding, by +moonlight; and, with his more active friends, making free with a stray +haunch occasionally, at the expense of the neighbouring gentry. Nay, it +was even affirmed, that some of the midnight excursions of himself and +followers had not been entirely for the purpose of coney-catching and +deer-stealing, but that more than once they had stopped certain +travellers between Coventry and Warwick, and eased them of their cash. + +As he was, however, well known to be one of the most arrant cowards that +ever buckled on a rapier, this latter story was for the most part +disbelieved, as far as he was concerned. + +Be that as it may, the companionship of the eccentric John Froth, and +his yoke-fellows was not likely to lead a youth of the free, +unsuspicious, and generous disposition of young Shakespeare into any +good employment, and that his wife well knew and as roundly told him of. +Had her advice been well-timed, and gently given, perhaps it might have +produced its effect; but unhappily, the fair Anne possessed a shrewd +temper and little tact. + + "In bed he slept not for her urging it, + At board he fed not, for her urging it, + Alone, it was the subject of her theme; + In company she often glanced at it." + +And therefore came it that the man was wretched. In short, his sleep was +hindered by her railings; his head made light, and his meat sauced with +her upbraidings; so that he was driven, for relief, to associate the +more with the very companions his wife was so jealous of. + + "Sweet recreation barred, what doth ensue, + But moody and dull melancholy-- + Kinsman to grim and comfortless despair; + The venom clamours of a jealous woman, + Poison more deadly than a mad dog's tooth." + +Perhaps one great charm young Shakespeare felt in the society of his fat +friend, was the faculty he seemed to possess of enjoying every moment of +his life to the utmost. He turned everything to mirth. Nothing could for +a moment damp his spirits, unless his fears for his own personal safety +were aroused; and, even then, he was the more amusing, from the very +absurdity of his apprehensions, labouring, as he did, to persuade those +who so well knew his infirmity, of the heroic nature of his +disposition. + +It was, indeed, in consequence of the amusement to be derived from this +latter failing, that he had been once or twice invited by his companions +to join in several of their poaching expeditions. The state of alarm he +had been in, and the difficulties his associates had led him into, +having furnished, even himself, with an endless theme of amusement after +the exploit was over. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +THE HOSTEL. + + +At the present time, when every street and thoroughfare of a country +town has its public-house filled with the noisy refuse of an +overwhelming population, and absolutely roaring with ribaldry, many of +our readers have but a faint idea of the quiet comfort and cozy +appearance of a hostel in the olden time. Its ample kitchen hung around +with articles and implements of the good wife's occupation, the chance +guests, for the most part, assembled in such apartment, and the quiet +retirement of its other rooms, engaged, as they not unfrequently were, +by some well-to-do retired person, half sportsman, half soldier, who +paid his shot weekly, and was dependent upon chance customers, and mine +host, for companionship. + +Such guest not unfrequently dubbed himself gentleman, upon the strength +of possessing a half-starved steed and a couple of greyhounds. Sportsman +he was, of course, for every man professed knowledge of, and had a taste +for, field sports, when England was less cultivated, and her woods and +wastes teemed with game. + +The tavern we have named as the residence of Master Froth, was called +the Lucy Arms, because upon its sign were displayed the three white pike +fish, or lucies, which had been the cognomen of the knights of +Charlecote from the time of the Crusades downwards. + +Inn signs were, indeed, in former days for the most part of an heraldic +character. Many of the town residences of the nobility and the great +ecclesiastics were sometimes called inns, and in the front of them the +family arms displayed. Such inns afterwards became appropriated to the +purpose of the hostel, and the armorial decorations retained, under the +denomination of signs, directed the guest to them as places of +accommodation and refreshment. This we retain even in the present +degenerate age, the signs of the white, red, black, and golden lions of +the Crusades; and the blue boars, golden crosses, swans, dragons, and +dolphins, which ornamented the knightly helmet or shield, now do duty at +the entrance of the beer-shop. + + "Thus chances mock and changes fill the cup of alteration." + +It was one evening in the merry month of May, about a year after the +marriage of young Shakespeare, that Jack Froth, and several of his +associates, were assembled at the Lucy Arms. + +The apartment in which they were congregated was one which Froth had +appropriated to his own especial use,--a good-sized room, whose windows +looked into the orchard in rear of the hostel, one of those sweet and +verdant orchards peculiar to the time, and which are now, for the most +part, destroyed; but which, in Elizabeth's day, were attached to every +goodly dwelling, or hostel, in a country town. + +A half-open door, on one side of the apartment, gave a peep into a +smaller room, in which, as the sun streamed from the lattice-window, its +rays fell upon, and lighted up, the deep red curtains and square-topped +hangings of an antique bed; and at the same time gilded the high-backed +chairs with which the room was furnished. + +On the ample hearth of the first-named apartment two enormous +deer-hounds were to be seen, sprawling at full length, their occasional +disturbed sleep, and short sharp bark, shewing that their dreams were of +the woodland and the chase. + +The occupants of the room were five in number. They were seated round a +massive oaken table, which placed near the window, gave them a delicious +view of the green and bowery orchard. + +The fat and jovial Froth, "the lord o' the feast," as he leaned back in +his strong oaken chair, whilst he occasionally looked out upon the +orchard, listened to the recital of some verses his opposite neighbour +was reading aloud. Seated directly opposite the window was a tall thin +man, of about five-and-twenty years of age, clad in the faded suit of an +officer of pikemen, an enormous rapier tacked to his waist, with dagger +to match. His chair being drawn so close to the table that he sat +bolt-upright, and, as he dallied with the glass he ever and anon carried +to his lips, he also listened with attention to the words of the poem. + +Opposite to him sat another man, about thirty years of age, clad in a +tawdry suit, which in our own days would have been shrewdly suspected of +having done duty on the boards of a theatre. Beside him, with apron +doffed, and his cap thrown aside, sat mine host of the tavern--a portly +and jolly-looking companion. + +Such was the party assembled, and, as the reader finished the fragment +of verse, his hearers seemed so much interested in its recital that for +some moments there was a pause of expectation. It was like the expiring +sound of sweet music, which has a soothing effect upon the listener, +making him long for a renewal of the melody. + +"There is more?" said Froth, inquiringly, as he turned his eye upon the +reader. + +"No more have I written," said young Shakespeare, who was indeed the +reader of the poetry; "nor deemed I this deformed offspring of my brain +worthy of notice." + +"Then I pr'ythee, good William," said Froth, "repair thy voice by +another draught of Canary, and give the two first verses over again." + +"Has my verse, then, so much pleased you?" inquired Shakespeare. + +"It hath more than pleased, it has delighted me," said Froth; "so to't +again, lad." + +"Two verses you shall have," said Shakespeare, smiling, "but no more." +And he again read from his manuscript the following lines of a poem he +had that morning commenced writing,-- + + "Even as the sun with purple-coloured face--" + +"'Fore gad, bully host," interrupted Froth, "but thy countenance at this +moment, round, fiery, and covered with huge angry welks and knobs, must +have suggested that line. Was't not so, sweet William; didst thou not +call the sun's face purple-coloured from the reflection of our host's +mulberry visage?" + +"Go to, go to," said the host; "'fore gad, if my face took but a tithe +of the good vivers to keep it in colour that thine doth, I were +altogether a ruined landlord." + +"I cry you mercy, good William," said Froth; "proceed with thy stanzas. +Mine host here is one of those prating knaves who would rather talk than +listen, let who will be the orator." + +And the poet again read from his manuscript,-- + + "Even as the sun with purple-coloured face + Had ta'en his last leave of the weeping morn, + Rose cheeked, Adonis hied him to the chase; + Hunting he loved, but love he laugh'd to scorn. + Sick-thoughted Venus makes amain unto him, + And, like a bold-faced suitor, 'gins to woo him. + 'Thrice fairer than myself'--thus she begun; + 'The field's chief flower, sweet above compare, + Stain to all nymphs, more lovely than a man, + More white and red than doves or roses are. + Nature that made thee with herself at strife, + Saith that the world hath ending with thy life.'" + +"And how call ye the poem?" inquired Froth, as young Shakespeare +finished the second verse, and then thrust the paper into the breast of +his doublet. + +"I think of calling it 'Venus and Adonis,'" he said, "for fault of a +better name." + +"Call it what thou wilt, lad," said Froth, "'tis a glorious +commencement. Like everything else thou dost, 'tis excellent." + +"Ha, ha," said Pierce Caliver, "thou art full of thy ropery, Froth; thou +word'st him, thou word'st him. See, he blusheth at thy praise." + +"I word him not, but as I mean," said Froth; "an his cheek blusheth, +'tis more than thine was ever guilty of. I hate flattery as I hate an +unfilled flasket in the woodlands at midnight. He hath but one fault, +that lad." + +"Ah, a fault," said Caliver, "can Will Shakespeare own a fault in thy +eyes? I pr'ythee let's hear it." + +"Nay, 'tis not a fault, either, 'tis a misfortune," said Froth, "he's +married." + +"Gad-a-mercy, that is indeed a scrape to get into!" said Ralph Careless. +"I have been twice across the Atlantic, escaped shipwreck as often, been +left for dead amongst the burning huts of a Spanish settlement; and yet +have I never had such an escape as when I offered marriage to the Widow +Crooke, and she altered her mind a week before the day fixed." + +"That widow must be worthy looking on too," said Froth; "for truly her +own escape exceedeth all thine put together." + +"How so?" said Careless. + +"In escaping from thee," returned Froth. + +"Nay, the evil-favoured old hag," said Careless; "but she escaped not +altogether scot-free either, since I drew a handsome forfeit ere I +consented to let her break off." + +"Had she given thee all she possessed," said Froth, "so she kept herself +free of thee, she had the luck on't; but, come, the very name of +marriage hath made our good William here a melancholy man. Oh! 'tis +monstrous that tying together of couples for life, to claw and tear like +a brace of tabbies cast over a clothes' line! Said I well, William? Why, +fill again, and pass the flasket." + +"Nay," said Shakespeare, "wooing, wedding, and repenting is, after all, +but a Scotch jig, a measure, and a cinque pace. The first suit is hot +and hasty, like a Scotch jig, and full as fantastical; the wedding +mannerly and modest;[13] and then comes repentance, and with his two +logs fallen into a cinque pace, faster and faster, till he sink into his +grave." + +[Footnote 13: "Much ado about Nothing."] + +"Methinks, bullies," said the Host, "since we are on the subject of +matrimony, that we must quaff a health for the nonce. Heard'st thou not +that our good William here is the honoured father of a fair son--a +goodly boy?" + +"Ah, by St. Jago and charge Spain!" said Caliver, "and is it so? Why, +then fill to the brim, my masters all;" and the health of the infant was +pledged in flowing bumpers of Canary. After which, the long-necked +glasses were flourished to a loud huzza, and being cast overhead, +smashed upon the rushes with which the apartment was strewed. + +"And now," said Froth, "thou shalt give us a song, William--a song of +thine own, for what man amidst us could produce a verse worthy of thee +to sing? Come, warble, and let it be to thine own words, Will." + +"A song--a song!" said Caliver; "give us one, William, in praise of the +wine-cup." + +Shakespeare smiled, and then sang: + + "Come, thou monarch of the vine, + Plumpy Bacchus, with pink eyne; + In thy vats our cares be drown'd, + With thy grapes our hairs be crown'd: + Cup us, till the world go round, + Cup us, till the world go round." + +Whilst the chorus was ringing out, till every room in the hostel echoed +with it, another individual entered the apartment. + +The new comer was a tall, good-looking youth, clad in a worn leathern +jerkin, which seemed as if it had endured the worst spite of the +elements, and done duty in the woods for many years. His russet boots +were drawn up to the thigh, and his well-worn wide-brimmed beaver was +without feather or ornament, except a large assortment of fish-hooks, +with the horse-hair twisted around it. In short, he looked what he +really was--a dissolute hanger-on of a country town, and yet a good +fellow withal, one given to the sports of the field, without means or +license to pursue them--one of Diana's foresters, a poacher, a professed +deer-stealer. + +"You keep a goodly revel here, my masters," said he, drawing a chair, +and seating himself unceremoniously at the table. + +"Ha! what, Diccon Snare, is it thou, thou wandering knight of the hollow +woods?" said Froth. "By my troth, thou art welcome; fill thyself a +chalice for the nonce. How goes all at Warwick?" + +"I scarcely know," said Snare, "since I have not been there for some +days. If I have news at all, it is of these parts, and farther afield. +There is work for you to-night an ye listen. The old Pike of Charlecote +hath ridden forth, and taken in his train some thirty followers. The +moon is up to be sure, but then the woodlands are but badly watched." + +"And how know'st thou this, thou sworn enemy of an outlying stag?" +inquired Shakespeare. + +"How know I it? Why, from sure intelligence, and careful watching. How +else should I know my trade?" + +"Nay, thou hast served a pretty apprenticeship to the poaching trade, +Diccon, that's certain," said Froth, "as the hangman's brand can +testify! And what takes Sir Thomas to town with so strong an escort?" + +"It seems there is more trouble at Court about the Queen of Scots," said +Snare, "and her name is again mixed up with all sorts of intrigues and +plots against our Queen. My Lord of Leicester hath stroked the beard of +consideration upon the matter, and set on foot an association for the +nonce. They are sworn keepers of the Queen's safety in life, and doubly +sworn to revenge her death, should she fall by these malignant +conspirators. A great many of the gentry around have gone up to join in +this association, whilst the Queen of Scots is again placed in more +severe keeping." + +"Ha!" said Froth, "I heard somewhat of this before; and so--" + +"And so," continued Snare, "Sir Thomas in great state hath set forth +towards town, and sleeps to-night at Kenilworth, where the great +Bear-ward at present lies." + +"So that several of his foresters follow in his train, eh! is't so?" + +"They do; he rides in state, for, as thou knowest, 'tis the pride of the +old Pike to be followed by a whole troop. I saw him pass along the road +as I lay perdue in the covert. Twenty of his fellows in coat and badge, +with green and yellow feathers in their hats,[14] and as many falconers +to make up the train." + +[Footnote 14: People of condition in the country generally rode with +numerous followers at the period.] + +"And that in truth makes a fair field for us," said Shakespeare. "What +say ye, my masters all? Shall we be minions of the moon to-night? Shall +we strike a buck at Charlecote?" + +To men of the wild and peculiar disposition of the assembled party, +nothing could be more pleasant than an excursion of the sort. + +A midnight visit to the woodlands was by no means an uncommon +circumstance in their lives; but hitherto they had pursued their sport +in localities somewhat more removed from the town in which they dwelt. +To the bold and imaginative Shakespeare, as his eye glanced into the +moonlit orchard, the excursion had charms known only to himself. He had +once or twice before watched the deer in the glades of Fulbrook, and he +now joined in the expedition heart and hand. + +Preparations were accordingly forthwith commenced, and the entire party +made themselves ready for an exploit, which in those days, and with such +men, was attended with something more of circumstance than in our own. + +In the first place, a large closet in the bedchamber of the portly Froth +was ransacked for such change of garment as was necessary for pushing +through the more thick and tangled cover. Cross-bows and other weapons +of the chase were then lugged out, and, amongst other articles, a sort +of theatrical dress was produced; and being carefully packed up, was +strapped upon the shoulder of Diccon Snare, to be used as occasion might +serve. + +This latter article of apparel had been purloined from the wardrobe of a +company of masquers, who were in the habit of visiting Stratford. It was +neither more nor less than the dress of "_Mors, or dreary Death_," a +character then enacting in one of the tedious moral plays of the period. + +It was fashioned so as to represent a skeleton; and seen in the +woodlands in the night, would be likely to scare a forester out of his +wits, and consequently, should the party be molested during their +exploit, enables them to escape without collision or discovery. + +By the time the party had indued their forest gear, the curfew +proclaimed that it was time for them to set out; and once more seating +themselves round the board, they arranged their plan of proceedings. + +"Now, my masters all," said Froth, "a cup to hearten us, and another to +the success of our venture, and then to horse." + +"Let him whose courage fails remain here," said Caliver; "and let those +to horse whose feet cannot prop up their bodies." + +"No scoffing, lads," said Froth. "Thou knowest I am not able to travel +on foot so far, or so fast as thou art; but in the field, I have twice +thy skill at a shot." + +"I have heard thee say so often," said Caliver. "To-night I hope to see +a specimen of thy skill." + +"Thus be it, then," said Snare. "You and I, Will Shakespeare will go +straight to Charlecote Park. By 'ur Lady! we'll strike the best buck in +the herd. You, Froth, being mounted, will accompany us, and remain +without the park in readiness to receive the deer when we have struck +it. You, Careless and Caliver, will walk apart lower down, and give us +notice in case of approach." + +"I like not that lying-out work, and alone too," said Froth. "The last +time I played receiver on Wolvey Heath, I was nearly captured. He that +dies a martyr, 'tis said, proves that he is not a knave. But, methinks, +'tis not so sure that he proves himself no fool." + +"And wherefore art thou and Will Shakespeare to have the best of the +sport?" said Careless. "Methinks, since you say the chase is left to +take care of itself to-night, we might all four be strikers, and make a +good venture on't." + +"Nay," said Snare, "be it as you will. Will Shakespeare here is sound in +wind and limb. You are both of ye but broken-down hacks at best, and, if +you take my advice, will lie perdue without the palings; for, an we be +molested, we shall have a smart run for it, I promise ye." + +Having made their arrangements and laid the plot of their proceedings, +the party soon after divided, and left the hostel by different doors. +Shakespeare, Snare, and Froth, the latter mounted on horseback, and +disguised in a sort of countryman's frock, took the road; whilst Caliver +and Careless, leaving by the back door, crossed the orchard, and making +a slight detour to the right, joined them about a mile from the town. + +Scarcely had the party left the Lucy Arms a quarter of an hour ere +Pouncet Grasp, accompanied by Master Doubletongue and a couple of +ill-looking companions, entered it. + +"Ah," said Grasp, peering about, and snifting like a terrier dog in +search of a rabbit; "ah, Host, is your honoured guest, Master John +Froth, within?" + +The host of the Lucy Arms had an instinctive dread and a most +unalterable dislike to the lawyer. He considered a visit from him little +inferior in omen to that of a visit from the plague. He accordingly +busied himself about some matter or other, and pretended not to observe +Grasp. + +"Not within?--eh, Host?" said the latter, making a sign to his two +attendants, who immediately planted themselves at the front and back +doors of the premises. "I am sorely unlucky in my visits. Host. An it +please you, permit me to observe _myself_ if Master John Froth hath in +reality gone abroad." + +"Hast thou business, Master Grasp," inquired the Host, "with mine +honoured guest to-night? If so, I take it the best way would be to +confide it to me, or call again. I have said it: Master John Froth +_hath_ gone forth to-night." + +"Business," said Grasp; "ah, to be sure; 'business, like time, stays for +no man,' as the saying goes. Why, yes, I have a slight trifle of +business; albeit I may not confide it to thee. Certes, I _will_ call +again. Wilt thou meantime draw me a tankard ere I depart?" + +Whilst the host busied himself in drawing the liquor called for, and +which he immediately set about, in the hope of speedily getting rid of +the trio, Grasp sauntered into the passage, and peeped into the private +apartment of Froth, in order to be sure he was really out, and then +whispered to his two neighbours to make a shew of leaving the house by +the back way, and quietly conceal themselves in the orchard. + +That done, he returned to the kitchen, drank off his liquor, and bade +the host good night. + +Scarce had he gone a dozen paces, however, ere he returned stealthily, +and watching without the window till the host for some purpose left the +kitchen, he very quietly re-entered it, and concealed himself there. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +THE DEER STEALERS. + + +The Lucy family we have already had occasion to notice as descended from +an ancient and honourable house. They might indeed say with Christopher +Sly--"We came in with Richard Conqueror," since they have in truth, +occupied an important position in England for many centuries. + +The mansion of Charlecote, at the period of our story, stood in the +midst of a park or chase much greater in extent than at the present +time. + +The ground plan of the building forms in shape the Roman capital letter +E, perhaps in compliment to the virgin Queen, with whose arms it is +decorated. The soft and gentle Avon gliding at the base, and the park, +which immediately surrounded the building, was shadowed by oaks of great +age, which gradually gave place to brake and thicket, almost +impenetrable in some parts to aught save the hound or the game he +followed. This again was relieved at intervals by open spaces of great +beauty, in which the fern grew in wild luxuriance, and hundreds of brood +short-stemmed oaks, at distant intervals, threw their huge branches over +the green surface, as if rejoicing in their unconfined luxuriance. In +such spots, so bright and fresh in the pale light of the moon, the fern +decked with liquid dew, and the branches of the trees glittering with +bright drops, the fairies might well be imagined to hold their +sequestered revels. + +Every glade and bosky bourne, every tree and fern-clad undulation, was a +scene peculiarly adapted to the elfin and the fay. They seemed to tell, +in their sweetness, and their unmolested seclusion, of the innocent +ages of an early world, when faun and satyr, and nymph and dryad, +revelled in the open glade, or reposed on the mossed bank beneath the +sheltering boughs. + +Stealthily, and with the utmost caution, not a word even whispered, but +communicating to each other by signs as they advanced, young Shakespeare +and Diccon Snare slowly emerged from the more thick cover upon one of +these picturesque glades, and took their stand behind a huge oak-- + + "An oak whose boughs were moss'd with age, + And big top bald with dry antiquity." + +"We near the herd," said Shakespeare, in a gentle whisper to his +companion. + +"We do so," said Snare, "a few yards more and we shall get within shot, +thanks to our care in gaming the wind, and, look, ye, there they be! You +can just see their antlered heads above the long white grass in yonder +open space." + +"We must be wary in our approach," said Shakespeare, in a whisper; +"tread softly, that the blind mole may not hear a footfall." + +"'Twere best to lay along and drag ourselves to yonder blasted oak," +said Snare. "Be careful and keep where the fern is less thick. The +slightest unnatural movement of the herbage, and they are off." + +So saying, Snare lay flat on the ground, and began to worm himself +towards the tree he had mentioned, Shakespeare doing the same and +following close in his wake; and so quietly and cautiously did they +continue their serpent-like course, that a looker-on would hardly have +discovered the track they took except by the occasional movements of the +long grass and fern. + +Every now and then the crafty Snare lay perfectly quiet for a few +moments, and then cautiously raising his bare head, looked forth to see +if the herd were still unconscious of their approach. + +Nothing could be more lovely than the entire scene, as it was looked +upon by Shakespeare. Before and around him lay the wild chase, the deer +couched "in their own confines," and nearly hidden in the long thick +grass of ages--himself in a spot which, except under the peculiar +circumstance in which he sought it, he could scarce have beheld the game +so near,--those magnificent and antlered monarchs of waste, be it +remembered. For in Elizabeth's day, and in the extensive parks of the +great, the stag was a wilder and fiercer creature than the same animal +domesticated as they are, from the confined space in which they are +necessarily kept. + +The danger attendant on the situation also lent its charm to one of his +bold and ardent spirit. As his eye glanced amidst the magnificent +scenery, his imagination was instantly carried back to the days of the +early English kings, when Britain was one entire forest, waste or wold; +and when, even at an after period, the conquering Norman had lain waste +whole districts to give room for the chase. Then again, with the +shifting change of thought, his imagination bodied forth the fabled +beings of an earlier age. The mossed carpet on which he stood, the +venerable trees around, the sweet scent of the fern, and the perfumed +air of the fresh forest, as the dews of summer night fell around him, +suggested those magnificent thoughts, peculiar to himself, and which in +after life produced descriptions unequalled for beauty in any age. He +was + + "With Hercules and Cadmus, + When in a wood of Crete they bay'd the bear + With hounds of Sparta. + Besides the groves, + The skies, the fountains, every region near + Seemed all one mutual cry." + +Meantime whilst the mind of Shakespeare was impressed with the beauty of +the situation, as well as interested in the sport, the less imaginative +Snare, with his whole soul intent upon slaughter, and with all the +cunning of his craft, his body flattened against the huge tree, one hand +keeping his companion back, the other grasping his cross-bow, again +cautiously peered out into the glade before him. + +This was a moment of intense interest to the deer-stealers. They found +themselves so close upon the wild and magnificent animals that they +could see their slightest movement. + +There is indeed, something inexpressibly exciting to the hunter or the +deer stalker in thus finding himself in the midst of the herd, a spy +upon them in their security, conscious at the same time that the +slightest movement or mistake on his own part will ruin the hours of +toil he has previously spent in gaining his position. + +A magnificent stag lay a little to the right, and nearest to +Shakespeare; he touched his companion lightly on the shoulder, and by a +sign signified that he meant to fire at it. + +Snare stretched his neck and peeped over his shoulder. As he did so, +Shakespeare saw, that with the instinctive knowledge and jealousy of +their nature, the herd were becoming aware that danger was in their +close vicinity. + +In an instant their heads were thrown back, the next moment Snare heard +at some distance that short guttural noise, so peculiar to the deer at +particular seasons of the year, and as the splendid animal upon which +Shakespeare had fixed his eye caught the sound, it leaped to its feet +and bounded from the spot, the whole herd in an instant also flying like +the wind towards the cover, seemed to vanish into the mists of night; +but ere his companion could stay his hand, Shakespeare had raised his +bow to his shoulder and fired. The shot struck the deer just behind the +shoulder, and the animal bounding into the air, fell struggling amongst +the fern. + +"Hark!" said Snare, as the same guttural sounds were again heard in the +woods. "You should not have fired. 'Tis the signal from our comrades. +The keepers are at hand." + +"May the fiend take them," said Shakespeare. + +"So say I," returned Snare; "but an we take not especial care, they will +take us; for look ye, the startled herd will sweep by them yonder, and +they will be upon us anon; and see, that huge beast is kicking and +struggling like a dying ox,--quick, good William, strike roundly in and +cut his throat." + +So saying, Snare gave all his attention to the direction in which the +sounds came, whilst Shakespeare, dashing upon the stag, seized the +animal by the horns. There was then a short and desperate struggle, and +with his sharp dagger he cut the creature's throat. He then as swiftly +rejoined his companion. Scarcely had he done so ere they were both aware +of the approach of the keepers, who having observed the affrighted herd, +and at the same time noticed the peculiar sounds given by the watchers, +and which were somewhat out of season, came directly upon them. + +"We might easily shew them a clean pair of heels, and join the bulky +Froth without the palings," whispered Snare; "but we must have yonder +beast at all hazards; and we can but make a fight of it if it come to +the worst. Down with thee, good Will, flat in the fern. Here they +come--I see them plainly in yonder glade." So saying, Snare threw +himself on the ground close beside Shakespeare, and immediately +divesting himself of his jerkin and hat, rose up again a most grisly +object--neither more nor less than Mors, or Dreary Death. Meanwhile the +rangers came quickly on, four in number, and each armed with cross-bows +and a short barbed, spear. + +They advanced to within about a bow-shot from the tree behind which +Snare and Shakespeare were concealed, when the former, slowly gliding +from behind its stern, advanced directly upon them. + +The first sight of such an apparition, seen but indistinctly amongst the +huge boughs, brought the whole party to a stand. They but half made out +its hideous outline, when it emerged into the clear moonlight, and +seemed gliding upon them, "a bare-ribbed death, horrible to sight." To +say the keepers were frightened would be to say little. They were at +first paralysed, and then turning, they fled like the wind; whilst Snare +immediately again threw himself flat on his face, and was lost to sight +amongst the fern; so that, as the keepers looked back whilst they fled, +the apparition had apparently vanished into the earth. + +Rejoining Shakespeare, Snare now resumed his outward garment; and taking +advantage of the panic, both hastily approached the deer, and securing +its legs, fastened them on a quarter-staff which they had supported on +their shoulders, they then hastened across the glade. + +So soon as they had gained the park palings, and which at this period, +and at this part, ran across a deep sandy lane, they threw down their +burden; and casting themselves on the ground to regain breath after +their rapid flight, listened attentively. In a few moments a huge +broad-backed countryman, clad in the loose frock of a miller's man, +mounted upon a strong-jointed horse, and carrying an empty sack on the +pommel of the saddle, rode past. + +"You ride late, Master Miller," said Shakespeare, as he clambered over +the palings. + +"Nay; rather I ride early, Master Forester," returned the other. "Hast +anything for the mill to-night?" + +"I have, good Froth," said Shakespeare; "but is there a clear coast?" + +"By the mass! I think there be. Be quick, however, for three of Sir +Thomas's fellows have passed this spot not a quarter of an hour back." + +"Good!" said Shakespeare. "Then hand me thy meal bag." And the horseman +threw his sack to Shakespeare, as Snare at the same moment heaved the +carcase of the deer over the paling, and then following himself, the +sack was quickly drawn over the body of the deer, and it was thrown +across the horse, the trio making the best of their way along the deep +sandy lane towards Stratford. + +As they emerged from the lane upon a rushy mead, and left the boundary +of the park, a low whistle was heard, which they answered. Soon +afterwards they were joined by their companions, and enveloped in mists +of the swampy ground they traversed. + +It was about the hour when "night is at odds with morning which is +which" that the party we have before seen assembled at the Lucy Arms +once more entered its hospitable doors. Quietly, and with considerable +caution, however, they stole in, one of them bearing upon his shoulders, +nay, round his neck as it were, with the hind and fore legs protruding +before him, the carcase of a goodly stag. This latter bent his tall +form, as he was ushered into the kitchen of the hostel, and threw his +heavy burthen upon the floor, whilst his companions and mine host, by +the light of the fire, and in great glee, proceeded to examine it. + +"By 'ur Lady, a fine beast," said the host. "Why, Will Shakespeare, this +is even a better night's work than when you shot that beast in +Fulbrook." + +"A stag of ten, my masters all," said Froth. "'Fore gad, I am well nigh +exhausted with long fasting and sharp watching. A cup of wine, mine +host, a cup of wine to Sir Thomas Lucy's health." + +Whilst the host produced his wine, and Froth and Careless seated +themselves on the settle beneath the chimney, Snare and Shakespeare were +busily engaged in skinning the stag, which having quickly accomplished, +they as speedily cut it up, and disposed of the several portions in such +places of security and concealment us the host pointed out. After which, +the skin and the antlered head were thrust into the meal-bag, and +carried into the orchard, where Shakespeare dug a hole and buried it. + +That done they returned to the kitchen, and mine host having spread a +table and furnished it with liquors, some rashers were cut from the +carcase of the door, and fried, and eaten with a relish only known to +men who had spent a night in the forest glades watching and killing the +stag from which they were taken. + +"By 'ur Lady, my lads," said Froth, as he washed down these delicious +morsels, hot from the fire, with large draughts of mine host's best ale, +"this is the best part of the night's work. I like not that lonely +watching beneath the moon's rays. Give me the tankard and a savoury +collop after the deed is done, and spare me the toil of the action. And +yet, lads, an I had met yonder caitiff-keepers, I should have found them +in work, I promise ye." + +"No doubt," said Caliver; "it would have taken them all four to have +carried thy fat paunch to the cage." + +"I taken to the cage!" said Froth, "I would have cudgelled them to +mummy." + +"Ha, Cavaliere," said the host, "thou would'st have smote, thou would'st +have feined, thou would'st have traversed, eh, ere limbo should have +held thy portly body? And that reminds me, Lawyer Grasp, with two imps +of the evil one, was here to-night inquiring for thee." + +"Ah!" said Froth, turning rather blank, and setting down the tankard. +"The peaking knave, then, hath entered the action against me for Master +Doubletongue's debt. Would I had been at home, my lads, we would have +tossed the caitiff in a blanket." + +"Nay, Host," said Pierce Caliver, "I had rather myself not come in +contact with that Grasp; by the same token, I owe moneys too. Therefore +keep fast your doors while I am within them." + +"My hand upon it," said the host; "I will keep all fast till noon; and +none shall have egress or regress. Said I well, lads, eh?" + +"You did, Host," said Careless, "for I, too, would as lief walk with the +receipt of fernseed by daylight." + +"And now, my lads all," said Snare, "let us have one song, and then a +nap; after that to seek our several destinations. I am for Warwick when +day breaks." + +"And I for Monkspath," said Careless. + +"And I for Stoneleigh," said Caliver. + +"And I for home," said Shakespeare, with a look of mock solemnity, +"where----" + +"Where thou wilt be finely clapper-clawed for being out all night," said +the host. "Such it is to be a married man--ha! ha! A young man married +is a man that's marred. But truly, Will, thou art not yet married; thou +canst hit a buck by moonlight with the best of us; so, I pry'thee, give +us that song of thine about the horns, and we'll all join in chorus." + +Shakespeare accordingly commenced the following glee. Snare and the +others taking part, and joining chorus:-- + + _Shak._ What shall he have that killed the deer?[15] + _Snare._ His leather skin and horns to wear. + _Shak._ Then sing him home. + _Chorus._ Take thou no scorn, to wear the horn, + It was a crest ere thou wast born, + _Shak._ Thy father's father wore it. + _Snare._ And thy own father bore it. + _Chorus._ The horn, the horn, the lusty horn, + Is not a thing to laugh to scorn. + +[Footnote 15: "As you like it."] + +The first faint light of the breaking dawn, as it gradually appeared +through the diamond-paned window, found the entire party wrapped in +slumber. + +The fat and jovial Froth, with his huge legs stretched out before him, +his portly body thrown back, and the tankard fast-clutched in his hand, +showed by his apoplectic breathing, the heaviness of his slumbers. + +Shakespeare, somewhat fatigued by the night's exertions, sat opposite, +with his head on his folded arms. + +Snare was down full length before the expired fire upon the hearth; and +the others were disposed on either side. + +Not a sound was heard, except the prolonged chorus of the sleepers, and +the chirping of the cricket; when from beneath a large table at the +farther end of the kitchen, and where he had lain concealed, the head of +Pouncet Grasp was protruded. Stealthily, and with the greatest caution, +he listened to the heavy breathing of the sleepers. He then as carefully +emerged from his hiding-place, and stole on tip-toe towards the party, +identifying each individual as he did so, and putting down his name in a +small tablet he drew from the breast of his doublet. + +"Oh, oh," he whispered to himself, as he closed the tablets, after +writing down the name of William Shakespeare; "here is a precious nest +of ye." + +"Ah! ah!" he continued, as he stepped to the door, and carefully opening +it, looked back ere he departed. "Here's a delicious job for a man to +stumble upon! A good night's work you have made on't, Master William +Shakespeare, have ye? Yes, and a precious piece of work have ye all made +on't. A Star-Chamber matter will Sir Thomas make of this, as sure as my +name is Grasp." So saying, he quietly opened the back door, and stole +out to join the followers whom he had left in the orchard. + +"Shall I call the other men, and make the capture, Master Grasp?" +inquired one of his myrmidons in a whisper. "Not to-night, good Giles," +said the lawyer. "By no means to-night. There is a precious fellowship +within there; and they may capture us! Besides, I have found out a +plot--a monstrous plot--a damnable plot--and yet a lovely plot--a most +sweet piece of villany!" + +"A monstrous plot!" said the constable; "What is't, another conspiracy +to murder the Queen?" + +"Worse," said Grasp. "Now, listen and perpend. Thou knowest Sir Thomas +Lucy hath of late lost more than one deer?" + +"I do," said the constable. + +"Well, an he hath lost them, I have found them." + +"Where?" eagerly inquired the constable. + +"Here, in this veritable inn," said Grasp. + +"And when?" inquired the constable. + +"Why, now, even now: go to--see what it is to bear a brain." + +"Nay, then, Master Grasp," said the constable, "if the case, I also have +a discovery to tell of." + +"Ah!" said Grasp, "what is it?" + +"Whilst we lay perdue in yonder corner of the orchard. But, stay, dost +see that tree there with the spade against it?" + +"I do," said Grasp, eagerly. + +"With that spade, and under the third tree in line therewith, did Will +Shakespeare dig a hole this night, and into that hole did Diccon Snare +bury a something concealed in a sack." + +"Ha! say'st thou; by my faith the skin of the stolen deer," said Grasp, +"as I'm a lawyer. Let us mark the tree; and now, my lads, I have ye +emmeshed in a lovely web. No noise, ye knaves," he continued to his men, +"but get through the hedge and away." + +"Ha! ha! Master William Shakespeare," he said, as he followed his two +ill-looking myrmidons. "Now, will I to Sir Thomas Lucy, of Charlecote, +knight and magistrate, and then will we let the law loose upon ye." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +THE ADVENTURE. + + +Our situation as recorder of events connected with this history, whilst +it enables us to look from an elevated position upon those connected +with our story, enables us also to transport our readers, with a +thought, from pole to pole. Nay, we can even rival the swift flight of +Puck, if we so will it, and "put a girdle round about the earth in +somewhat less than forty minutes." + +In virtue of this power, we therefore take leave to transport our +readers upon the "sightless couriers of the air," and bid them look down +upon the main of waters several thousand miles from the scene of our +last chapter--even to the watery wastes which wash the coast of Florida. + +A small speck--an atom--is seen slowly and laboriously making its way +over the broad waves of the Atlantic. Steadily and beautifully, as we +obtain a nearer view, does she seem to mount upon the rolling surge, and +then again sink down into the vale of waters, almost lost to sight +between the liquid mountains which follow each other in succession, +apparently from end to end of the world. + +How awfully grand is the situation! How curious to consider is the +intellect, courage, and perseverance of those who guide that barque +through such an unknown waste! The dreadful winds roaring above them, +and beneath the multitudinous waters descending, "where fathom line +would never find the ground," one touch of an unseen rock, one bolt +starting in the vessel's hull, one unmarked and uncared-for blast of +wind, one spark alighting in a crevice, and that vessel and all that it +contains, unknown, unseen, is resolved into the vast tide, and washed +amidst the atoms contained in its dark waters. Months have passed since +the Falcon left the river which flows up to that old Dutch-built Cinque +Port where our readers may remember to have last seen her. Steadily hath +the wanderer held on day after day, through fair and foul, into the dark +waste, alone, like some atom upon the surface, and still breasting the +wave, as if eternity was before her in those rolling seas. + +Strange that the spirit of adventure should sustain men in such a +hopeless-looking wilderness! That the desire of finding new worlds, or +their greed after gold, should take them from all they hold dear in +their own land. Such, however, is the motive which actuates the major +part of the crew of that labouring barque, whilst to one alone amongst +them, and who seems the chief of the party, the secret spring which is +indeed the prime mover of the adventure, is love. + +The youthful Count, then, whilst he leads on his followers under the +idea of new discoveries, great gains, and hatred of the Spaniard, is, in +truth, seeking for one who has either perished by wreck or starvation, +or is still living in hopeless abandonment or captivity, somewhere +amongst these far-away seas. + +One only confidant is aware of the secret motive, and that person is our +old acquaintance Martin. If then we look within the hull of this small +craft, we shall find its interior peopled by some sixty stern-looking +and bearded wanderers, high in courage, stern in resolve, the captain +and crew who work the vessel, the eccentric and faithful Martin, and one +female in disguise, the latter "a count of wealth as well as quality," +to all appearance, and who, as proprietor of the vessel and loader of +the expedition, seeks ostensibly but to pursue his love of adventure. + +In consequence of the inferiority of size, form, and fashion of this +vessel, and the unknown ocean they traverse, the Falcon and her warlike +fraughtage have boon boating about for many a weary week. + +It was after being exposed to one of the fearful hurricanes so frequent +in these seas, that we now look upon the Falcon and her devoted crew. +Tempest-tossed as they had been for some weeks, to their great relief +they at length began to find themselves approaching land, and by the +delicious fragrance with which the air was loaded--an air which seemed +as if it blew from some garden abounding with sweet flowers--they found +themselves amongst "the still vext Bermothees," where they resolved to +remain for a short time in order to refit. + +Strange and unnatural appearances, however, whilst in this, as it first +seemed, region of paradise, so astonished the sailors, that after a +brief sojourn, the Count was necessitated to hasten his departure-- + + "The Isle seemed full of noises, + Sounds and sweet airs, that gave delight, and hurt not." + +The sailors, too, with characteristic superstition, declared they heard +strange voices commanding them to leave the shore,[16] and, as if to +enforce their orders, a dreadful storm of thunder and lightning seemed +to rend the very heavens, and darkness settled as a pall around them. +Fearful shapes too were said to glare through the murky atmosphere +around the ship, and the apparition of the ominous flame, called by +seamen "Castor and Pollux," flitted above the mast. These portents were +the prelude to a yet more tremendous storm, which threatening to swallow +up the little vessel, eventually drove her on an island which runs +parallel nearly to the coast of Carolina. + +[Footnote 16: Such an account was in reality given by the adventurers +who sailed with Sir Humphrey Gilbert, the father of our plantations, and +the brother of Sir Walter Raleigh, and who was lost in the storm +following the portentous sounds we have described. Might not this very +incident have suggested to Shakespeare the description of the island in +the "Tempest."] + +The Count here disembarked, and refreshed his followers, by rest amidst +woods and groves of tall cedar trees, around whose trunks wild vines +hung in festoons, and the grape seemed so natural to the soil, that the +clusters covered the ground and dipt into the ocean. + +Again they put to sea, and again they made a strange land filled with +new wonders. Here, whilst the adventurers sought the interior of a +country they had been led to believe contained cities in which the +houses were studded with pearl, the Count and his immediate attendants +sought the ruined colony from which Drake had carried off the remnant of +followers, previously left by Sir Walter Raleigh. "They after riches +hunt; he after love." The dangers and difficulties encountered by both +parties it would be difficult to picture; for hunger, heat, wounds, and +disease were the portion of the adventurers of Elizabeth's day. Through +gloomy swamps they penetrated, and through interminable forests they +hewed their way. Many were pierced by the poisoned shaft of the Indian, +many died of despair, and many were the victims of serpents, reptiles, +and savage beasts; whilst others again died of loathsome diseases +unknown in their native land. + +Still the Count, the faithful Martin, and their immediate followers held +on. They had gained some tidings by which they learnt that it party of +wrecked seamen had been carried captive by the natives to a city in the +interior of the country; and they resolved to reach them, or perish in +the attempt. + +'Twas indeed an edifying sight to behold the stripling youth who led +that small band. One evidently nurtured in luxury and ease, enduring the +extremity of danger, fatigue, hardship, and privation, and lending a +fire to his jaded followers by his heroic fortitude and example. What +mattered it him, that for days hundreds of half-naked Indians, with +their clubs and bows, hovered around his mail-clad band. One moment +swarming to the close attack, the next showering flights of arrows from +the distance. Still himself and party were resolved to penetrate to the +rescue of their countrymen or die; and the little band at length reached +the place they sought. + +'Twas lucky for the young Count that he had steeled his mind to bear +disappointment when he donned the light cuirass which adorned his +breast; for himself and followers, on arriving at the capital of the +country, found literally nothing to repay their toil. In place of +boundless wealth and temples of the sun, the adventurers found a +wretched Indian town, which had been sacked and partially burned by a +detachment of Spanish soldiers, and who had apparently carried off those +they sought as prisoners to their ship. + +Here again, therefore, the Christian fortitude of the young Count +supported his followers. "Murmur at nothing, comrades," he said. "If our +ills are repairable, it is ungrateful; if otherwise, it is vain. There +is comfort yet. The Spaniard is assailable, and the Falcon swift of +pinion; we will return, embark, and swoop upon the enemy." + +Well knowing that the Spaniards always went into the Gulf of Mexico by +St. Domingo and Hispaniola, and directed their homeward course by the +Gulf of Florida, where they found a continued coast on the west side, +trending away north, and then standing to the east to make for Spain, +the Captain of the Falcon directed his course accordingly; and guided by +report of some barques he fell in with, managed to gain sight of the +very vessel they were in search of. + +The Spaniard was a huge carrack loaded with treasure; and when the +English vessel sighted her, she was labouring heavily in a gale, and +which the lighter and better-built Falcon rode with ease. Displaying his +flag, the Count instantly gave orders to bear down and near the enemy; +and disregarding the increasing winds which now blow almost a hurricane, +the two vessels encountered each other. + +How strange it seemed that amidst the fury of the elements, and which in +a few short hours might overwhelm both vessels in the deep, the natural +hatred the crews bore each other should urge on and help the +destruction. And still more edifying was the gallantry with which the +smaller English vessel bore down upon the huge golden prize, received +her heavy fire, and, crashing upon her, whilst they were locked +together, attempted to storm her bulwarks, and gain a footing on her +deck. Then might have been seen a fearful sight,--amidst the tearing of +masts and rigging consequent upon the vessels being locked together for +the moment, and whilst they were simultaneously heaved upon each wave, +was heard the ringing sound of musketry, the clash of weapons, and the +despairing cry of agony, mingled with rattling sails and roaring wind. + +Enveloped in smoke, none knew whether they were sinking amidst the dire +confusion and horrible sounds around. Navigation was suspended whilst +rage lasted, until the vessels separating with the increasing violence +of the storm, in a crippled state, and, as if pausing for want of power +to renew the fight, they were now gradually driven from each other. Not +as they had met, however, did they part. In the confusion of the fight, +and owing to their tearing apart ere the English adventurers could +master the Spanish craft, and which by their valour and impetuosity they +had nearly accomplished, several had fallen into the hands of the +Spaniard, whilst a similar capture had also been made by the Falcon. + +The young Count and Martin were unluckily amongst those left upon the +deck of the Spanish vessel, and one or two of the before wrecked +sailors, of whom the Count was in search, together with some Spaniards +of condition, were the prize of the English. + +This was a dire consummation to the crew of the Falcon after all their +toils. The Spaniard was known to be a cruel devil on the high seas. The +prisoners would be tortured or made to walk the plank. In addition to +this, there was no possibility of rescue or renewal of the fight in such +a sea, and in so crippled a state. Both vessels, therefore, lay rolling +upon the waters, the crews glaring at each other till night. + +Notwithstanding their crippled state, the Captain of the Falcon, with +the characteristic industry of the English suitor, sat about preparing +for a renewal of the engagement, and, after giving a multitude of +directions, he found time to address himself to a tall noble-looking +cavalier, who seemed the principal of those whom the chance of war had +introduced into his vessel. + +"This is an unlucky issue to our adventure, Seignor," he said, "unless +we can repair the mischief by a second fight." + +"A lucky one for me, good Captain," returned the cavalier, "I was forced +with other prisoners upon the deck of yonder Spaniard, and ordered to +fight against you, my own country men. In the _melée_ I managed to gain +a footing upon your craft. Another day had perhaps seen us all committed +to the deep." + +"Whilst I," said the Captain, "in gaining that for which I adventured in +this voyage, have lost my venture by losing my employer. Is not thy name +Arderne,--Walter Arderne?" + +"It is," said the cavalier, in some surprise, "How have you discovered +so much?" + +"There are those in this vessel who know you," said the Captain; "men +from your own neighbourhood, and who are the followers of the owner of +this craft, a noble gentleman who set sail from England for the very +purpose of discovering and rescuing certain of his countrymen said to be +cast away on the coast of Florida." + +"You still more astonish me," said Arderne. "What was the name of this +person?" + +"My employer, and who has unluckily become a captive in yonder carrack, +is called the Count Falanara, a noble having large estates in +Warwickshire." + +"We have no such name, or proprietor of land, in that county," said +Arderne; "you have been deceived." + +"In some sort I think so," said Captain Fluellyn; "will you favour me by +stepping into the cabin of this noble, and in which, until his absence +gave me opportunity of entering, I have never yet been?" + +So saying, the Captain led the way into the small cabin the Count had +occupied during the voyage, which had been fitted up under his own +directions. + +Nothing could be more elegant than the interior of this cabin; the +curtains of the small sleeping-berth were of common silk, fringed with +gold; the window beneath which the waves rippled was elaborately carved, +and also framed and gilt; a splendid mirror of small dimensions, being +framed in gold, ornamented the opposite side; the lamp which was +suspended from the ceiling was also of pure gold; an elaborately-carved +seat, with velvet cushions, was opposite the small round table fastened +in the centre of the cabin, and upon it was placed a lute. In short, +everything shewed that the recent occupier was a person of somewhat +effeminate tastes and habits, and so the Captain seemed to think. "A +soft nest," he said, "for one vowed to adventure, and the dangers of the +New World. One would think a noble possessing the means for luxuries +such as these need scarcely seek for treasure." + +"Truly so," said Arderne. + +"And yet," said the Captain, "it all depends upon the treasure sought. +This Count, as you have said, hath in some sort put a cheat upon me; +inasmuch, Master Arderne, as he was not what he seemed." + +"True," said Arderne. + +"These things are not the usual accompaniments of a sailor, or a rude +son of adventure," said the Captain, somewhat contemptuously, touching +the lute and the framed mirror with the end of his sheathed rapier. "On +my first acquaintance with this youth--this noble--and when I took +instructions anent our voyage, I looked upon him as a coward. He was for +avoiding all unnecessary danger and collision with an enemy. Subsequent +events, however, and his endurance under toil, and his ardour after that +he sought, caused me to change that opinion. A week ago, as I listened +to the melody of the voice which accompanied yonder lute, it suddenly +struck me the Count was a female." + +"A female!" said Arderne. "Had she no familiar friend--no confidant with +her--who was aware of her real name, think ye?" + +"She had," returned the Captain, "a shrewd and faithful friend, who +seemed her confidant; albeit, I could make him out as little as I could +his superior. He also is captured or lost in the confusion." + +"We must take that vessel, Captain, or perish!" said Arderne. + +"We will at least do our best," said the Captain, preparing to leave the +cabin, and look to the exertions of his men. But at that moment a sudden +cry arose in the vessel, which made both him and Arderne hasten their +steps. The Spaniard was on fire. + +This was indeed a terrible consummation. The night was dark--the burning +vessel some miles off. + +Regardless of the billows rolling mountains high, Arderne and a resolute +company got out the boats of the Falcon, and attempted to approach the +blazing vessel. + +'Twas, however, all in vain. The conflagration rapidly increased; so +that ere the boats neared her, she was on fire in many places; her +ordnance thundering off as the flames reached them, rendering it +impossible to approach near. That several escaped in their boats was +likely; but the English sailors, in spite of Arderne's desire to keep +near, rowed back to tho Falcon, whence they remained gazing upon the +flaming craft--a terrific spectacle thus seen by night. The shape, +cordage, masts, her high and towering poop, and all her gilded +furniture, displayed in the hot flames, as if some painter had drawn out +every portion. + +All night and part of the next day did the haughty-looking Spaniard +burn, till she was consumed to the water's edge, and then, as the Falcon +neared her, there arose ever and anon a column of smoke from the rolling +sea, consequent upon the close decks, full of spices, exploding under +water, and which the fire had not taken hold of. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +MORE MATTER FOR A MAY MORNING. + + +Stratford-upon-Avon, like most country towns, possessed at this period, +amongst other and worthier inhabitants, a certain amount of fragments, +who were indeed in themselves nothing, but who wished to make +themselves, as they fancied themselves, something. + +Those stuck-up portions of humanity, besides being extremely chaste in +their ideas of propriety, were perhaps the most intolerant and +unforgiving Christians in the world. + +Brotherly love and charity were as often and as forcible in their mouths +as real humanity was wanting in their hearts. Did a poor maiden err, and +allowed her failing to be discovered, she was to be utterly cast out, +abandoned, destroyed--no redemption allowed. Did a youth but shew the +germs of a generous spirit, and fling out never so little, he was to be +hunted down as one of the wild and wicked, irrecoverably disowned, and +driven from society. Such folks are, as we have said, always to be found +in a small community of citizens--the unwholesome impurity which +circulates in its veins and arteries, and poisons by degrees the stream +of its life. + +Should any of these envious censors happen to observe one whom they +consider of mark and likelihood beyond the common herd, they endeavour +to make shipwreck of such superiority, by nipping it in the bud. They +feel conscious of their own common-place inferiority. They know +themselves in reality nothing, and they resolve to reduce, if they can, +the superiority of others to their own level, or to trample and destroy +it utterly, if possible. + +"Such a commodity of warm slaves" in Stratford had for some time looked +with evil eye upon young Shakespeare. There was a superiority about him +which, as it was more observable to their envy, they could by no means +behold with quietude. They regarded him with a rankling dislike, and +received, invented, or promulgated with avidity any thing they could +gather to his disadvantage. + +Our readers will perhaps think it odd, that one so young should already +have found enemies in his native town. They will, however, remember, +that "Envy always dogs merit at the heels," and that Shakespeare, as he +was no common person, was at the same time the most open, generous, and +unsuspicious of mortals--a man likely to expose himself to censure, and +care little about it either. + +Back-wounding calumny, as he well knew, "the whitest virtue strikes." +With every aggravation of circumstance, therefore, the somewhat +desultory life young Shakespeare led, became canvassed by these good +citizens of Stratford. + +He was noted as one of irreclaimably wild and dissolute habits--"quoted +and signed to do some deed of shame;" and through the industry of Grasp +and Doubletongue, the Charlecote exploit got wind all over the +neighbourhood. + +No sooner did Grasp hear of the return of Sir Thomas Lucy from +Kenilworth, and which happened a few days after the adventure, than he +hastened over to Charlecote, and demanding audience of the stately +knight, laid all he knew before him. + +Our readers will readily picture to themselves the ire of Sir Thomas on +hearing this piece of intelligence, and which, as Grasp related the +conversation he had heard whilst lying in perdue at the hostel, plainly +shewed the knight that his park had been broke, and his deer shot under +his very nose. + +"Ha!" he said, as he rose from his chair, and looked forth into the +lovely chase; "and is it so? and are we bearded thus? Now, I will teach +these knaves a lesson they shall not easily forget! The _outrécuidance_ +of that wild young fellow--that young Shakespeare, it shall go hard, but +I will punish. A slight touch of the whip would do much towards turning +so fiery a spirit. Ah! and what then, nothing but my parks, my woods, +and my forest-walks will suffice for the recreation of that young +springald. + +"Master Grasp, I am much bounden to you for this intelligence. At once +we will proceed against the whole gang of desperadoes. Let me see your +list again. Ah! I see. And now, with regard to the Lucy Arms, we will +begin there first. No more shall that swaggering Host make mine own +property the den in which these ruffians congregate, and lay their plots +to rob and plunder me." + +"Master Fillpot was soliciting a fresh lease of the Lucy Arms, was he +not, honoured Sir?" inquired Grasp. + +"He was so," said Sir Thomas. "His lease expired last Midsummer, and I +was about to renew it. I will renew it with a vengeance, Master Grasp, +as you shall see anon." + +"Marry and amen," said Grasp. "The Lucy Arms, grieved am I to say it, +since they are pertaining to so honourable a house, hath been for some +time a sign of disrepute in the town, a rallying point for certain +dissolute and shameless characters to assemble at." + +"They shall no longer be so," said. Sir Thomas, ringing a small bell on +his table, "We will incontinently proceed there. Let the head keeper be +sought immediately," he said to the domestic, who answered the summons. + +"He awaits in the court with the hawks, Sir Thomas," said the domestic. + +"Order him hither," said the knight, "and inform the ladies I shall not +go to the marshes this morning. I have business at Stratford which will +employ me till after noon." + +The man bowed and withdrew, and immediately afterwards the head keeper, +a tall, athletic-looking man, holding his falcon on his glove, entered +the room. + +"Your fellows keep good watch, Oswald," said the knight. "During my +absence at Kenilworth, I have been again robbed; one of the best bucks +in the park has been stolen." + +"I heard not of it, Sir Thomas," returned the falconer. + +"So it appears," returned the knight. "Nevertheless it hath been done; +by the same token, this worthy, honest person saw the deer brought to +the kitchen of the Lucy Arms at Stratford, where it was skinned, cut up, +and actually some part of it eaten by William Shakespeare and his +companions." + +"You amaze me," said the keeper; "on that night some of those I left in +charge of the park were scared by a horrible apparition, the same which +has been sometimes seen in the chase of Kenilworth, and so alarmed Roger +Watchum, the Earl's head keeper, that he took it as a warning of death, +and never joyed after. It hath grievously scared our people too, and +they are afraid to go out at night, except in couples." + +"Let them quit my service in couples then," said Sir Thomas, "since they +are such cowardly hounds, and do you put a bullet through that ghost +wherever you find it. I am well served by fellows who, scared by a +shadow, run scampering about the woods, and leave the deer to the mercy +of caitiffs and common robbers the whilst." + +The head keeper well knew the stern disposition of his master, he +therefore only bowed and waited further orders, whilst Sir Thomas walked +up and down the apartment for some minutes without speaking. After a +while, however, he again addressed the keeper. + +"Go, sirrah," he said, "get together half a score of my out-door +serving-men with pick and crow-bar. Send them forward to the Town-end at +Stratford; and do thou and half a dozen of thy fellows, prepare to +attend _me_." + +"And now, Master Grasp," he said, "we will take your's, and the +depositions of the men you have brought with you, who saw this +Shakespeare in the act of burying the buck's-hide in the orchard of the +Lucy Arms." + +Meantime whilst these transactions were taking place at Charlecote, the +unconscious delinquents were again assembled at the hostel, where we +fear, it must be confessed, more mischief was being plotted against the +quieter portions of the community. + +The spirit of mischief, and the love of sport, was, after all, the chief +mover of the whole party. They enjoyed those stolen pleasures, and, +indeed, doubly relished the banquets they furnished forth, from the very +circumstances of their being so procured. + +On the present occasion, the presiding genius of the tavern--the jovial +Froth, with Pierce, Caliver, and Careless, were the parties assembled in +the parlour of the Lucy Arms. + +'Twas the time, according to the magnificent wight Armado, "when beasts +most graze, birds best peck, and men sit down to that nourishment which +is called supper,"--about the sixth hour. + +The meal was accompanied by sauce of the best quality, hunger, and +savoured by good humour and hilarity. It consisted of a smoking haunch +from the very buck we have already heard so much controversy about, and +which was washed down by large draughts of liquor, various in kind, and +exquisite in flavour. + +It would have done the reader's heart good to have beheld mine host of +the tavern, with the sleeves of his doublet tucked up, standing at the +table to carve the savoury joint, and whilst he ever and anon partook of +a morsel and pledged his guests in a bumper, waiting upon them and +uttering his quaint sayings. + +William Shakespeare and Diccon Snare had promised to be of the party on +this evening, but from some cause or other which was unexplained, +neither had kept the appointment. + +Meanwhile the supper was finished, the haunch devoured down to the very +bone, the napkin was removed, and the sparkling liquors in their +quaint-cut bottles and flasks being placed upon the board, the party sat +in for a carouse. They had all been over to Warwick on that day, and +pleasure and action gave a zest to the evening's entertainment and the +enjoyment of the hour; still the absence of Shakespeare and Snare made +the evening's enjoyment, after all, seem incomplete. There was a feeling +of something wanting to crown the joy of the party; for those who had +once been in the society of the delightful Will, would be likely, +without knowing the extent of their feelings at the moment, to +experience a terrible void if he disappointed them. + +The assemblage, however, were not men to allow the hours to hang on +hand; and in the hope and expectation that their friends would join +them, they carried on the war in jovial style. Their jests principally +were levelled against Sir Thomas Lucy, whose rude and overbearing +keepers they were the more pleased at gaining a triumph over; inasmuch +as one or two of their own party had before been severely punished for +offences against the game laws--offences, which men of their sort looked +upon in the light of no offence at all, and rather as a sort of feather +in their caps, anything but a theft; or, if a theft, a species of +stealing which those of spirit, and ranking as gentlemen, had a right to +indulge in: for what says the old doggrel? + + "Harry and I in youth long since + Did doughty deeds, but some nonsense; + We read our books, we sang our song, + We stole a deer; nor thought it wrong; + To cut a purse deserves but hanging, + To steal a deer gets merely banging." + +"Ha, ha!" said the Host. "Art thou there, bullies? Why, then, confusion +to these Bohemian tartars! and we lads of mettle will still feast at +their expense. What we must hedge, we must lurch. An we are borne down +by the vile in spirit, we must resort to cozenage,--we must filch,--we +must steal,--we must coney catch,--we must cozen the dappled deer from +the fern." + +"Truly thou art in the right, Host," said Froth; "but I most especially +marvel what keepeth the jovial Will to-night. He struck the buck, and +should be at the carving of the haunch. We lack him--we lack him much. +By my fay! the cup lacks flavour, whilst expectation is thus defeated. +Oh, 'tis a glorious boy! Come, lads, let us in his absence cheer our +spirits with a catch. Give us Will's own song of the horns: an we have +not himself, we'll have his verse." And the party sang,-- + + "1. What shall we have that kill the deer? + 2. His leathern skin and horns to wear. + 3. Then sing him home. + Take thou no scorn to wear the horn, + It was a crest ere thou wast born." + +The chorus was trolled out again and again, the singers applauding their +own exertions vigorously, by repeated raps upon the table. Mine Host sat +with his hands clasped before him, his head keeping time with drunken +precision: + + "The horn, the horn, the lusty horn, + Is not a thing to laugh to scorn." + +When just at this moment the whole company were startled by an +apparition nearly as appalling in appearance as the spectre they had +themselves scared the keepers of Sir Thomas Lucy with in Charlecote, and +which indeed was neither more nor less than Sir Thomas Lucy himself. + +The knight advanced a few paces into the room, accompanied by several of +his men, and stood to regard the party. Mine host was the first to catch +sight of him, and the lusty chorus he was trolling out died away in a +faint quaver, and as the rest of the company, following the direction of +his staring eyes, turned and beheld the tall knight, conscience made +cowards of them all, and, with a desperate rush, they endeavoured to get +out of the room. Two dashed into the sleeping-chamber of Froth, whence +they escaped into the orchard, whilst mine host, Caliver, and Careless, +bolted through the open window. + +Following the example of these latter fugitives, Froth made also an +attempt to escape by the window, but his huge body became fixed like a +wedge, as he endeavoured to throw himself forwards upon the grass +without, and his nether man presented so fair a mark that the irate +knight pointing him out to his head keeper, the sturdy forester stepped +up, and by a most industrious application of his hunting-whip, so +stimulated the exertions of Froth, that, bellowing with pain, he at last +managed to get through the opening. + +If the stately knight had been given to mirth, the sight of this swollen +porpoise, during his efforts to escape,--his huge legs kicking at his +tormentor,--his great body fast jammed,--would have furnished him with +laughter for some minutes. + +Sir Thomas, however, was too irate to be so moved; he sought for proof +of the guilt of the parties in this their sanctum, and, quickly +proceeding to overhaul the lodgement of Froth, he found sufficient +evidence of their poaching propensities; cross-bows, matchlocks, and +snares of various sorts, were rummaged out and brought to light; and +even the costume of Dreary Death, and other disguises, were produced. In +fact, the query which had been often suggested by some of the more staid +neighbours of the vicinity, as to how the swash-bucklers and rollicking +blades constituting the society of the Lucy Arms, managed to live, +was brought to light. They lived by their exertions on the road +and the glade. They were squires of the night's body--Diana's +foresters--gentlemen of the shade. + +No sooner was Sir Thomas fully satisfied on this point than he retired +from the interior, and, mounting his horse, ordered the men awaiting him +at the town-end to be summoned. + +"Master Grasp," he said, "I have more than once given this caitiff host +notice to quit, and he hath still hung on and craved to remain my +tenant. You have seen him this day evacuate the premises of his own free +will, and I will now give my own people possession." + +Thus saying, Sir Thomas ordered his men to enter the hostel, and proceed +to unroof it,[17] after which he desired them with pick and spade to +demolish and destroy as much as they could effect that night, and in the +morning to return and level the Lucy Arms with the ground. That done, he +reiterated his commands to the obsequious Grasp to proceed against the +whole party as aiders and abetters in the robbery--William Shakespeare, +in particular, as principal. To _prosecute_ and _persecute_ with the +utmost rigour of the law. After which he turned his horse, and, grave +and stately, attended by his keepers, rode off to Charlecote. + +[Footnote 17: This sort of ejectment was not uncommon in Elizabeth's +reign.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +THE LAMPOON. + + +On the morning of the day on which Sir Thomas paid a visit to the Lucy +Arms, William Shakespeare, seated in a small parlour at the back of his +house, was employed reading from a somewhat bulky volume certain matters +which appeared deeply to interest him. + +So much so, indeed, that albeit his attention was often called from the +subject of his studies by the little crowing baby he held in one arm; +still he ever returned with renewed avidity to devour a few more pages, +as often as the playful infant gave him an opportunity of doing so. + +The volume Shakespeare was reading from was a thick squat folio, then +some thirty years printed, and called Hall's Chronicles. Many and +various were the histories contained in this thick volume; and the deep +interest young Shakespeare felt in their perusal, and the impression +they made upon his mind, may be imagined when we enumerate them as set +forth. First, then, there was "the unquiet time of King Henry ye +Fourth." That was indeed a stirring page in England's history, "when +trenching war channelled her fields," and intestine jars and civil +butchery "daubed her lips with her own children's blood." + +Then followed the victorious acts of King Henry the Fifth--a glorious +epoch--a "record of fair act," and which, as we read of, he already saw +before him, "the warlike Hal, in the vasty fields of France," + + "Assuming the port of Mars, and at his heels + Leash'd in, like hounds, famine, fire, and sword, + Crouching for employment." + +Then came the troublous season of King Henry the Sixth, when + + "Cropp'd were the flower-de-luces in our arms, + And England's cost one-half was cut away." + +Then followed the boisterous reign of King Edward the Fourth, the +pitiful life of King Edward the Fifth, the tragical doings of King +Richard the Third, the "politic governance" of King Henry the Seventh, +the triumphant reign of King Henry the Eighth. + +How diligently young Shakespeare perused this book; and how carefully he +remembered the impression made upon his mind, his after-life has shewn +us. + +At the present moment, like many a less elevated genius, his studies +were disturbed by civil discord, domestic brawls, and the matters of +every-day life around him. + +Such, however, was the fine disposition of the man, that it took much to +disturb the serenity of his temper and the equanimity of his mind. + +We have seen that, in the amiability of his disposition, he was +snatching an hour's leisure from the business in which he was engaged, +and helping to nurse his child whilst pursuing his studies. This +employment in itself would but have enhanced the pleasure afforded by +such study. But unluckily (albeit he gave as little attention thereto as +possible) he was at the same time subjected to the observation and sharp +rebuke of his somewhat shrewish better half. + +The stolen hours spent with his associates of the Lucy Arms had caused +him a series of lectures and upbraidings, which completely ship-wrecked +his domestic peace. + +All this be suffered in silence, for, as he could not compromise his +companions by disclosing their confederacy in his deer-stealing exploit, +he wisely held big tongue; not that he, however, deemed it right to keep +secret counsel from the wife of his bosom; but in this case, where +others were concerned, honour bound his tongue. In his own words he +could have told her-- + + "That he knew her wise, but yet no further wise + Than William Shakespeare's wife. Constant she was, + But yet a woman: and for secrecy + No lady closer, for he well believed + She would not utter what she did not know, + And so far would he trust the gentle Anne." + +In the present instance the gentle Anne appeared determined to have a +serious quarrel with her husband. She flatly told him she would never +rest till she had discovered where and with whom he had passed the +night; and her upbraidings, as is frequently the case with females in +her station of life, were by no means mild. + + "The venom'd clamours of a jealous woman + Poison more deadly than a mad dog's tooth." + +And William Shakespeare found it, and accordingly at length his patience +gave way, and he arose, laid aside his book, placed his child in the +cradle, and notwithstanding his stomach warned him it was near the +dinner hour, he donned his castor, left the small apartment, and was +about to leave his house for the Lucy Arms, when, just as he reached the +door, he beheld Diccon Snare. + +Dismounting from his horse, Snare entered the front-room of +Shakespeare's house; and having desired the lad to whom he gave charge +of the steed to lead it round to the shed in rear, he closed the door +behind him carefully, and then threw himself into a chair, as one who +had ridden far and fast since he had taken to the saddle. + +"There is ill news abroad, Will," said he; "the Charlecote business is +blown--Sir Thomas Lucy knows all. That much concerns you, for you are +made the principal in the affair. Other matter hath also come out +regarding some transactions in which Caliver and Careless are concerned. +Caliver is in custody. Careless hath escaped, and, as I am not +altogether exempt, I am for London with all speed." + +"For myself I care nothing," said Shakespeare; "but for Pierce, Caliver, +and Careless, I am grieved. But whence is all this derived?" + +"I met one of Grasp's lads at Kenilworth this morning," said Snare, "who +with an officer was searching for Caliver; he gave me a hint to convey +intelligence to the lads of the Lucy Arms; and I have ridden hard to +give you the first notice." + +"This doth indeed look ugly," said Shakespeare. "Sir Thomas hath ever +held me in his hate, and undeservedly so. Wherefore he hath this +dislike, I partly guess; now he has me on the hip, I doubt not he will +do his utmost against me. But I pry'thee come in, Snare, you look pale, +and lack refreshment. Our meal is about to be served." + +"Nay, but," said Snare, "your wife, Will,--she likes me not; nay, she +forbade my coming hither last Martinmas." + +"Heed it not," said Shakespeare, smiling; "believe me, she meant not +what she said. A friend both tired, hungry, and in need of shelter, +shall never be turned fasting from my door. Besides, hath not thy love +brought thee hither to warn me? Tush, man! Do you tell me of a woman's +tongue-- + + "That gives not half so great a blow to the ear, + As doth a chestnut in a farmer's fire." + +And Shakespeare threw open the door, and ushered his friend Snare into +the inner-room, where they found the dinner spread, and the wife not +best pleased at having to tarry. + +"Not a word of matters appertaining," he whispered to Snare, as they +entered. "Mistress Anne will not endure thee long, Diccon. After the +meal is finished, she will take herself off to the upper-room." + +Snare therefore followed his friend, and looking somewhat scared, made a +leg, and paid his compliments to the hostess as he best could. + +'Twas exactly as Shakespeare had surmised. The handsome Anne, whose brow +grew somewhat contracted when she saw her husband usher in Snare, left +the pair to themselves, as soon as she had finished her meal. + +After her departure, Shakespeare placed liquor before his guest; and +over a social glass they debated seriously of their affairs. + +The high spirit of Shakespeare, however, would not permit of his long +remaining under dominion of care or apprehension; and, under influence +of a cup or two of Canary, he began to rail upon Sir Thomas, and lash +him alternately. + +"Out upon the clod-pate," he said; "his brains are as thick as +Tewkesbury mustard. He imprison me--he have me whipped! Pshaw! I laugh +at the dull ass! I will make him a jest to the whole country!" + +"O' my word, Will, he will be more likely to drive thee from it," said +Snare; "for Launcelot Quill, Grasp's head clerk, vows he never saw man +more angered than the old knight is against thee." + +"Tush, man!" said Shakespeare, "never tell me of his anger. Let him do +his spite. He hath already done me several ill turns, from the bare +suspicion that I have broke his park. Now, I doubt not, he will fine, +imprison, and what not, if he can but catch me! Come, another cup, and +then to inform our companions of the Lucy Arms of this matter. Best, +however, clap-to the outer door, and make all fast," he said, rising and +drawing the bolt across the fore-door, "lest this Cavaliero Justice hath +already let loose his myrmidons against me. Ha! ha!" he continued, +reseating himself, "he a Justice of the Peace!--he a Parliament Member! +Why, I will fashion a better justice after supper out of a +cheese-paring. I pr'ythee, Snare, reach me that ink-horn. I will write a +lampoon upon the peaking Cornuto, and fasten it up against his +park-gates--I will, indeed, lad!" + +"Nay, but Will," urged Snare, "thou wilt scarce venture, daring dog as +thou art, further to irritate the knight? I tell thee, being married and +settled here, this business will already go far to ruin thee." + +"Ruin me!" said Shakespeare, somewhat bitterly. "Ruin me, saidst thou? +Why, man, dost think me in a thriving condition here in Stratford?" + +"Not entirely so," said Snare, looking around; "I would I could see thy +nest better feathered, Will, and I trust I shall yet do so." + +"I think it not," said Shakespeare; "business decreases apace with me. I +am called wild, inattentive, dissolute,--nay, I have had one or two +slight misunderstandings with my family; and, as thou sayest, this last +business and the rancorous hatred of Sir Thomas, will go hard with your +poor friend. But, come, here we have a couplet or two in his condign +praise: for a taste-- + + "A parliament member, a justice of peace, + At home a poor scarecrow, at London an asse; + If lowsie is Lucy, as same volke miscalle it, + Then Lucy is lowsie whatever befall it." + +"'Fore heaven, Will, stop," said Snare, laughing, "Thou hast indeed +touched up the knight; thou hast tied him to a post, and wilt lash him +into madness." + +"Nay, but stay," said Shakespeare, "I will give him another stanza yet. +Hearkee to this: + + "He thinks himself great. + Yet an asse in his state, + We allowe by his ears but with asses to mate; + If Lucy is lowsie as some volke miscalle it, + Then sing lowsie Lucy, whatever befall it." + +"Nay," said Snare, "an thou stick that up, thou hadst better put the +seas between thyself and Britain. The Knight of Charlecote will be +driven stark staring mad." + +"Well," said Shakespeare, "we shall see how matters progress. If Sir +Thomas bears me hard, as true as thy name is Diccon Snare, I will nail +this lampoon to his park-gates, and have it sung to filthy tunes through +the town." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +THE GARDEN. + + +It was one bright morning, a few days after the events we have recorded +that a gay and gallant-looking party rode into the grounds of Clopton +and approached the Hall. + +The mansion, which had for some time remained shut up, now appeared to +be resuming something of its former state. Its latticed windows were +once more open, whilst servants were to be seen moving about the offices +and gardens, and even the bark and bay of dogs were heard in the kennel. + +The good Sir Hugh had suddenly returned to his home from the Low +Countries. Time had gradually ameliorated his deep grief, and restored +the equilibrium of his mind. He felt tired of camps and military +service, and his thoughts turned to the green woods and sweet scenes of +his own home. + +A feeling we suspect which almost all soldiers, however much ambition +and the love of profession may keep them in harness, more or less +experience. There is a period in the lives of all men in which the +occupations of a country life form a sort of recreation after the toils +and cares of the world. That which we disregard in youth, amidst the +gaieties and frivolities and ambitions of life, in age seems to come as +a natural repose. A wise provision of nature, and which in earlier +times was perhaps better exemplified. To youth, the bright weapon, the +helm, the shield, and the defence. To riper age, the plough, the hoe, +and the dibble. + +Sir Hugh had returned to his sweet home, and, albeit a settled +melancholy was on his spirits, he could better enjoy that home now that +absence had rendered it less painful to him to look upon, and he +returned with renewed zest to his old employments. He was in his garden, +giving directions to his gardener about the different plants, and +flowers, and shrubs, and turning over in his mind the varieties which in +his daughter's time she had loved to cultivate-- + + "Daffodils + That come before the swallow dares, and take + The winds of March with beauty. Violets dim, + But sweeter than the lids of Juno's eyes + Or Cytherea's breath; pale primroses + That die unmarried, ere they can behold + Bright Phoebus in his strength." + +He was busied amongst his "somewhat o'erweeded garden," when an +attendant announced that Sir Thomas and Lady Lucy were advancing towards +the house, with the intention, no doubt, of paying him a formal visit on +his return. Upon which the good Sir Hugh set his dibble in the earth, +smoothed down the cuffs of his doublet, belted on the long rapier, which +he had laid aside upon the walk when he commenced work, and, adjusting +his short cloak and starched ruff, entered his house to receive these +distinguished guests. + +Sir Thomas Lucy, in the kindness of his heart, had hastened to pay a +visit to his old friend the moment he heard of his arrival, and, well +knowing there would be many things to excite the feelings of Sir Hugh on +his return, he was resolved to carry him back to Charlecote. + +"I will have no denial, Sir Hugh," he said, "I have come hither to bring +ye forth to Charlecote. We have wanted you long, and by my fay we cannot +away without ye." + +"Nay, but," said Sir Hugh, "I am but now returned. Methinks in a few +days I should be more prepared to leave home again." + +"Prepare me nothing," said Sir Thomas. "What the good-year, dost think +we will let thee sit down to a solitary meal here, when we have shot the +buck, and dressed the haunch on purpose for thee? Come, man, Lady Lucy +takes no denial; and, see, my daughters are here to fetch thee." + +There was no resisting this, so Sir Hugh, sighing as he glanced upon the +lovely daughters of his neighbour, ordered out his steed at once. + +It was a lovely morning, as the party rode through the grounds of +Clopton, and emerged upon the road to Stratford. Many matters were +discussed by the two friends after their long separation. + +Sir Thomas rode, as was customary at the period, with his falcon on his +glove, his falconers being in attendance. Nay, even the ladies carried +their favourite hawks, which they petted, and even talked to as they +rode; a favourable opportunity for giving them wing being not altogether +neglected occasionally. + +"We must have a day on't in the marshes, Sir Hugh," said the Knight of +Charlecote, "and you must away with me next week to the Cotswold Hills, +to the coursing, Sir Hugh. By 'ur Lady, I have a pup of old Snowball, +which, an I am not mistaken, will win the match. 'Tis a goodly cur, I +promise ye." + +"I will see him run," said Sir Hugh. + +"And that reminds me," said Sir Thomas, "to tell thee I have of late +been much molested by a knot of young fellows breaking my parks and +shooting my deer." + +"Ah, the caitiffs," said Sir Hugh, "can'st not take them?" + +"In sooth can I, and will trounce them too. One, especially, have I +marked for punishment; and my lawyer hath him in hand. A wild lad of the +town here, named Shakespeare." + +"Shakespeare!" said Sir Hugh; "not young William Shakespeare, the eldest +son of the wool-comber?" + +"The same," said Thomas. "I shall impound the knave ere many hours more +are over his head." + +"Nay, I am truly sorry to hear this," said Sir Hugh, "for I have reason +to think well of that lad." + +"'Tis more than any one else hath, then," said Sir Thomas. "He hath been +a bitter thorn in my side for some time." + +"Truly, you surprise me; hath he then so altered since I left these +parts?" + +"I know not that," said Sir Thomas; "but I well know he hath the +reputation of the wildest young fellow in the neighbourhood." + +"Nay, then I am utterly astonished," said Sir Hugh. "We must talk +further of this matter; and I must see if I cannot get you to over-look, +in some sort, young Shakespeare's offence." + +"I would do much to pleasure you," said the Knight of Charlecote; "but +my lawyer hath instruction to prosecute him with rigour. I was resolved +to make a Star Chamber matter o't. If he be, however, so much favoured +by thee, my good friend, we must look to't. But come, here we are at +Charlecote. Ha!" he continued, pulling up his steed suddenly; "what have +we nailed up against the gate? Dismount, Hubald!" he said to the +Falconer, "take it down, man, and read it, and see what 'tis." + +The head Falconer dismounted, and approaching the gates, took down a +good sized placard written in large characters, a single glance at which +seemed to cover him with dismay. + +"What is it, in the name of wonder?" said the Knight. "Read, man, read; +don't stand glaring like a driveller. Is my place placarded for sale?" + +"An it so please ye," said the Falconer, "a gnat hath gotten into my +eye, and I cannot well make it out. 'Tis a verse, too, and I cannot read +a verse anyhow." + +"Thou art a knave," said the Knight. "Read, I tell thee. I am curious to +know what such documents can have to do with my gates. Read, I say, +without more circumstance." And accordingly the Falconer, like one +affrighted at his own voice, and in doleful tones drawled out the +following couplet:-- + + "A parliament member, a justice of peace, + At home a poor scarecrow, in London an ass. + If Lucy is--" + +"Ahem! 'If Lucy is--'" And the Falconer stopped. + +"Proceed, sirrah," said Sir Thomas, with the calmness of concentrated +rage; "proceed, a God's name!" And again the Falconer read-- + + "If Lucy is lowsey as some folk miscall it, + Then lowsey is Lucy whatever befall it." + +To paint the ire and astonishment of Sir Thomas would be difficult. + +"Here's goodly stuff toward," he said, as the Falconer stopped after the +four first lines, and stood looking as much scared as if he had himself +been guilty of the composition. "This, then, Sir Hugh, is doubtless the +production of thy witty friend. A pestilence strike such wit! say I. +Here, hand me the paper. Now may the fiend take me, an I do not give him +his full deserts for this insult." And cramming the placard into the +bosom of his doublet, to be read carefully and at more leisure, Sir +Thomas put spurs to his horse and rode into the courtyard of his +mansion. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +THE FLIGHT TO LONDON. + + +A week has elapsed since Sir Hugh Clopton paid his visit to Charlecote. +He has been a few days returned to his own home again, and is filled +with pleasurable sensations on account of a letter just received from +London, and announcing the arrival there of his nephew, Walter Arderne. +The ship in which Walter has received a passage home is called the +"Falcon," it is lying at Deptford; and the letter from the nephew to the +uncle treats of strange matter; and promises, when they meet, still +stranger news, connected with his escape, and safe return to England. A +postscript adds, that as Walter has returned naked, as it were, to his +native land, and has little to delay him preparatory to his returning to +Clopton, his strong love for his uncle, "sharp as his spur," will help +him on his road as fast as his horse can bring him. One only drawback is +there to the contentment of Sir Hugh, and that is the account his nephew +gives of the loss of the faithful Martin. + +Still (although Sir Hugh felt more happy at this intelligence than he +had been for some time) he did not let his feelings interfere with a +project he had conceived after his return home, of going into Stratford +in order to pay a visit to John Shakespeare, in Henley Street. The good +Sir Hugh felt, that however much the son of the wool-comber might have +disgraced himself, at any rate he himself was in duty bound to try and +befriend him. "A deer-stealer," he said, as he mounted his horse and +rode forth, "and given to all unluckiness in catching hares and rabbits +too; and then that biting satire nailed against the park-gates, and +stuck up all over the town: nay, 'twas too bad, and that is the truth +on't. Here, too," he continued, (fumbling in the pocket of his doublet,) +"is a vile ballad I bought of an old hag, who was bawling it through the +streets of Stratford but yesterday. Let me see what saith the doggrel: + + "Sir Thomas was too covetous + To covet so much deer, + When horns enough upon his head, + Most plainly did appear." + +"By 'ur Lady, but 'tis sad stuff; and here be more-- + + "Had not his worship one deer left? + What then? he had a wife, + Took pains enough to find him horns + Should last him during life." + +"Ah, a very simple lad, and a wilful. Had it not been for these +things--these scraps of bad verse--I could have made matters up, I dare +be sworn." And Sir Hugh (who by this time had reached Henley Street) +dismounted, and entered the house of the wool-comber. + +How well the Knight of Charlecote had bestirred himself, and how well he +had been assisted in his prosecution of the deer-stealers by the +wretched Grasp, was evident, since Sir Hugh found that Snare was in jail +at Warwick, Caliver in durance at Coventry, and that William Shakespeare +had fled. + +Yes, Shakespeare had fled from Stratford-upon-Avon. How trivial a +circumstance did that seem at the time! Except his own family, none +seemed to know or care much about him. A mere youth was driven from his +home to avoid punishment for a trifling indiscretion; persecuted by a +man of high and chivalrous feeling, and who knew him not, but by the ill +report of the vile; a man who, had he but suspected the great worth and +brilliant genius of the fugitive, would have been one of the first to +befriend, in place of injuring and driving him, alone and friendless, +from his home. And that act, whilst it lent an imperishable _eclat_ to +his own name, was, perhaps, the exciting cause of the greatness of the +offender. + +It was dark night when Shakespeare left his home. The resolve was +suddenly taken: his high spirit could not brook the thought of +degradation and punishment at the suit of the Knight of Charlecote. The +misrepresentations, the misconceptions, and the absurd reports of the +Stratford noodles, had disgusted him; and (even amidst the laughter +caused by the lampoon affixed to the gates of Charlecote) he fled from +the town. + +Added to these feelings, there was the natural ambition which a young +man, a husband, and a father, entertained to enter into some wider +sphere of action, find where the talents he possessed might be brought +into play. Domestic difference, too, and undeserved reproach,--or, if +_deserved_, ill-timed, galled his spirit, and his gentle nature rebelled +against the treatment he had received. The fire in the flint, 'tis said, +"shows not till it be struck." + +'Twas night when he left his home. To his mother alone had he confided +his intent, and to her he had entrusted the care of both wife and +children. 'Twas two hours past midnight when he donned his hat and +cloak, took his quarter-staff in his hand, and prepared to start. + +Gently he ascended the stairs, and entered his sleeping-room. The +handsome Ann was buried in a deep sleep; and as one snowy arm encircled +her infant, her dark-brown locks lay like a cloud upon the pillow. What +a picture of rustic English beauty did she present! One kiss of her +parted lips, and he descended the stairs, and let himself out by the +back-door. + +He was obliged to be cautious as he crossed the orchard, and gained the +open fields in rear of his dwelling. It would, however, we opine, have +been somewhat dangerous had the emissaries of Grasp molested him on this +night, as his spirit, although bruised, was not broken, and he would +have been a difficult person to capture. Ere he left the orchard, he +turned and looked long and fixedly at his own and his father's dwelling. +He felt that, perhaps, he might never again behold the sloping roofs +which covered relatives so dear. All, save one (his mother), were buried +in deep sleep, and unconscious of his flight. A minute more, and he was +gone from his native town. Hurrying onwards over the meadows and +woodlands--avoiding the high-road--across the country towards +Warwick--"over park, over pale--through brake, through briar." Without +any fixed notion as to his route, London was his destination; and with a +mind ill at ease, the solitude of the woods was most congenial to his +thoughts. Thus he traversed, alone and at night, the first few miles of +that delicious and park-like scene between his native town and Warwick; +and still, as his steps were destined towards the latter town, old +haunts, and points of interest, lured him from the direct line; and the +breaking dawn found him standing, leaning upon his staff, on Blacklow +Hill--a spot, we dare say, well known to the majority of our readers. +The sweetness of this locality, and the delicious scene around, for the +moment took him from his own particular griefs; his mind reverted to the +terrible deed of stern and wild justice it had been the scene of. + +In the hollow of the rock beneath his feet, Piers Gaveston, the minion +of Edward the Second, had met his sudden fate. + +Amidst the fern and on the mossed face of the rugged rock were still to +be seen the name of the victim, and the date in which the deed had been +done, rudely cut at the moment of the execution. + + 1311. + PIERS GAVESTON, + EARL OF CORNWALL, + BEHEADED. + +Around him were the oaks of the Druids; in the distance, embosomed in +softest verdure, gray with age, and softened in the mists of early dawn, +were the towers of the magnificent Warwick. + +On right, on left, were the deep woodlands, at this period covering +nearly all Warwickshire like a huge forest. 'Twas a scene peculiarly +adapted to call forth all the chivalrous feelings and historical +recollection of such a being. The distant rush of the water from the +monastic mill at Guy's Cliff, a sound which the monks of the adjoining +abbey in bygone times had loved to hear, soothed the melancholy of his +soul;--a sort of dreamy and shadowy remembrance of ages "long ago +betide;"--a feeling as if the gazer upon such a scene had been familiar +with the iron men who lived in feudal pride, and owned those towers in +bygone days, stole upon him. He stood upon the domain of that mighty +Earl of Warwick, "the putter up and plucker down of kings;" the blast of +whose bugle in that county had often assembled thousands, "all +furnished, all in arms." In thought he followed the proud baron in all +his stirring career. Knight and esquire and vassal, a "jolly troop of +English" swept by with tuck of drum and colours spread; and then he saw +the mighty earl dying amidst the dust and blood of Barnet:-- + + "His parks, his walks, his manors, that he had, + Even these forsaking him; and, of all his lands, + Nothing left him but his body's length." + +Any one who could have looked upon that youthful poet at the moment, +might have surmised the Shakespeare after-times has been wont to +picture. There was the divine expression,--the countenance _once seen_, +even in a portrait, never to be forgotten; the eye of fire, "glancing +from heaven to earth;" the splendid form, with head thrown back and foot +advanced. And thus he stood upon Blacklow Hill-- + + "A combination and a form, indeed, + To give the world assurance of a man." + +Not like a fugitive flying from the paltry spite of a scrivener set on +by a country squire, but like the herald mercury. + + "New lighted on a heaven-kissing hill." + Long did the fugitive linger in this spot, till-- + + "Light thickened, and the crow + Wing'd to the rocky wood." + +He then, as hunger forced him from his retreat, crossed the meadows, and +entering the town of Warwick, sought an old hostel situate in the +suburbs. No sooner did he enter this town, than he began to find himself +one remove from the dull seclusion of his native place. The streets +seemed all alive; a huge bonfire was a-light in the market-place, and +hundreds of the rough sons of toil were assembled around, and in the +adjoining thoroughfares. + +Another diabolical conspiracy of the Jesuits had been discovered, and +their designs frustrated. The news had just travelled to Warwick, and +all was exultation, execration, and wild riot; whilst, added to this was +a whispered rumour that the Queen of Scots was to be immediately brought +to trial for participation in the plot. Sir Walter Mildmay, Sir Amias +Paulet, and Edward Barker,--it was said at the Castle,--had waited upon +Mary, informing her of the commission to try her, and also that Mary had +refused to submit to an examination before subjects. Thus, then, all was +excitement, stir, and bustle, as Shakespeare, unmarked by all, passed +through the streets of Warwick and entered, the market-place,--a scene, +perhaps, not quite so rude and riotous as in earlier times in that old +town, yet still sufficiently characteristic of the period. + +At one side of the market a company of fleshers, butchers, and half-clad +hangers-on, reeking with the "uncleanly savours of the slaughter-house," +threw up their sweaty night-caps, and urged their savage mastiffs to the +charge, whilst an unlucky bear, tied to a strong stake, hugged and bit +and bellowed with the agony of the attack. At another part a rout of +fellows were to be seen wrestling and playing at quarter-staff; others, +as they sprawled before a low hostel, were dicing and drinking, whilst a +whole company danced and shouted around a bonfire, in which the effigies +of Philip of Spain, tied back to back to a shaven monk, were being +burnt. At another part of the market a considerable crowd was gathered +around a sort of rhyming pedlar,--a tatterdemalion poet, who said, and +shouted, and sang, the latest news, the newest ballad, and the last +lampoon made upon Sir Thomas Lucy of Charlecote:-- + + "A Parliament member, a justice of peace-- + At home a poor scarecrow, in London an ass." + +Passing through this crowd, and gathering from several knots of the +citizens much of the stirring news, Shakespeare entered a small tavern +situate in the outskirts of the town, near the Priory walls, where, +although he found less bustle, there was yet a decent assemblage of +guests. Here again he had opportunity of hearing those events which at +the moment interested the kingdom from one end to the other. Violent +philippics were levelled against Mary of Scotland, Philip of Spain, the +Pope, and all communicating and consorting with them. The Queen of +Scots, it was asserted by one of the travellers, had been found guilty +of writing a letter to Philip, in which she offered to transfer all +England to the Spaniard should her son refuse to embrace the Catholic +faith. Another guest affirmed she had entered into a conspiracy against +her own son, and instigated agents to seize his person and deliver him +into the hands of the Pope, or the King of Spain. + +As the fugitive sat beneath the huge chimney, and listened to the noisy +debate of these politicians, amidst the hum of voices, and with the +names of Walsingham, Babington, Burleigh, Hatton, Leicester, and others, +ringing in his ears, he fell asleep, and with his arms folded, his head +dropping upon his breast, his feet stretched out upon the hearth, his +quarter-staff fast clutched in his arms, in company with others snoring +in different parts of the apartment, did he pass the first hours of the +night on which he fled from Stratford. + +It was by no means an uncommon occurrence in Elizabeth's day for guests +and wayfarers at a hostel of this sort _so_ to pass the night. Your +traveller oft-times took his supper, folded his arms, drew his cloak +around him, and slept in his boots and doublet when on a journey. The +comfort of a good bed, as in our own day upon the road, was by no means +thought so necessary. Nay, during the reign of Henry the Eighth, the +peasant slept upon the floor with a log of wood for a pillow; and a +comfortable bed to the hardy English peasant or the yeoman was a luxury +indeed. The traveller, therefore, who meant to be early on the road, +paid his shot over-night, and departed with "the first cock." +Accordingly, the morning broke as Shakespeare brushed the dew from the +grass some miles from Warwick, and the sun shone out brightly as he +neared the towers of Kenilworth, then in all its pride and magnificence. +The parks, and woods, and chase of this fortress were well known to the +poet; and the beautiful little village, with its priory situated close +to the walls, amidst verdant meadows, and surrounded with thick and +massive foliage, had been a favourite haunt. Here, when a school-boy, he +had accompanied his father, what time the Earl of Leicester entertained +Queen Elizabeth for seventeen days, "with pomp, with triumph, and with +revelling." And here he had taken his first impression of regal pride +and power. At the same time he also got an inkling of the theatrical +diversions then in vogue; for hither came the Coventry men, and acted an +ancient play upon the green--a play long used or represented in their +antique city, and called "Hock's Tuesday," and in which the Dane, after +a formal engagement, was discomfited. Here, too, us he stood upon the +margin of the castle-lake, he beheld another pageant, in which + + "Arion,[18] on a dolphin's back, + Uttered such dulcet and harmonious breath, + That the rude lake grew civil at her song." + +[Footnote 18: The Earl, besides other things, had represented Arion on a +dolphin, with rare music, whilst fireworks were seen in the air. +Shakespeare, more than once, alludes to Arion on a dolphin's back. Might +not these things have made early impression upon his mind?] + +Many other rough, sports, too, had he seen on this occasion and on this +spot; the gracious Queen, sitting patiently the whilst, "kindly giving +her thanks to the actors for nothing." + + "Her sport to take what they mistook, + And what poor duty could not do, + Noble respect took it in might, not merit; + And where she saw them shiver and look pale, + Make periods in the midst of sentences, + Throttle their practis'd accents in their fears, + And in conclusion dumbly breaking off, + Out of their silence did she pick a welcome, + And in the modesty of fearful duty + She read as much, as from the rattling tongue + Of saucy and audacious eloquence." + +As Shakespeare turned from the neighbourhood of Kenilworth, the scene +was by no means new to him, yet still it made considerable impression +upon his mind; the huge castle and its flanking walls and towers, and +the buildings which had been added to it during various reigns, +altogether made up a pile of feudal grandeur such as was hardly to be +equalled in the kingdom. There stood the new and magnificent buildings +of the favourite Leicester--the towers of old John of Gaunt, +"time-honoured Lancaster,"--the lodgings of King Henry the Eighth--the +old bower of Cæsar, (built by Geoffrey de Clinton,) the tilt-yard, the +swan tower, the water tower, Lunn's tower, Fountain tower, Saintlow +tower, and Mervyn's bower. There was the plaisance, the orchard, the +huge court, the garden, the glassy lake, and the wild and magnificent +chase. All these, much as they had been impressed upon the mind of +Shakespeare in former rambles, seemed doubly interesting and impressive +now that lie was leaving the scene, perhaps for ever, without purse, +profession, or prospect. Nay, should he meet some outlaw or common +robber on the road, he might have said, with his own Valentine-- + + "A man I am, crossed with adversity, + My riches are these poor habiliments, + Of which, if you should here disfurnish me, + You take the sum and substance that I have." + +Those who have left the home and haunts of their childhood, and all +there so dearly loved, can best describe the feeling of desolation which +the one solitary wanderer for the first time feels, and which each mile +seems to add to. He who has first embarked for a distant clime, leaving +all worth living for, to "make a hazard of new fortunes in the world," +can best remember "how slow his soul sailed on, how swift his ship." + +When Shakespeare left the neighbourhood of Kenilworth, all was strange +and new to him; and he might then be said to have entered upon "the wide +and universal theatre." + +All travel at this period was performed on horseback. Roads were foul, +ill-made, and difficult; so much so, that in winter a man might have +been dead in London three mouths before his next heir at York heard the +news. The towns and villages, too, were then few, small, and far apart; +and as Shakespeare inquired his weary way onwards, how sweet in +remembrance seemed the bowery beauty of that sequestered spot he had +quitted--sweet Stratford! and where he knew every face he met, where he +saw and mixed with his own family every day, every hour. Sometimes, as +he lay along, and rested beneath the shade of melancholy boughs, he +loved to ponder upon those dearly-loved relatives, and imagine what they +were doing, what they thought of his absence, and whether they missed +him. His mother, too, she who had always so loved her first-born, who +could read his high desert, and appreciate his brilliant talents, when +all else passed him by, how would she miss him! + + "Oh this will make my mother die of grief." + +The tears would then course one another down his cheek, and he would +start up and hurry onwards again. He had no fixed route, but inquired +his way from village to town, and from hamlet to city. His good +constitution, and out-door habits, made it no hardship to him to pass +the night upon the mossed bank in the open air. The cottage afforded him +refreshment, and the thin drink of the shepherd from his bottle was +oft-times offered in return for a few minutes' conversation upon the +wold; the hawthorn bush the shade in which he rested; and thus he +proceeded onwards in his flight, purposely deviating from the direct +road, as well from inclination as that he felt it likely some search +might be made after him either by friends or enemies. + +The few coins he had in his pocket when he started were soon expended, +and he experienced at times, during his progress, the pangs of hunger +without the means of allaying it, and this perhaps was an ordeal +Shakespeare was fated to go through. He was destined to feel the "uses +of adversity" ere he rose, by his own mighty efforts, above the world. +He was to see human nature in all its varieties. To experience the +depressing weight of poverty, ere he surmounted his worldly cares, as +the lion shakes the dew-drops from his mane. Adversity was to be the +finishing school of his studies--nature the book presented. In this +school he took his degree, and which all the learning of the ancients, +all the pedants of the antique world would have failed in teaching him. +Nor was his attention confined to the actions of men as he mingled +amongst them. He was the exact surveyor of the inanimate world as he +travelled through it, and his descriptions in after-life were grafted +from the contemplation of things as they really existed. + +To a solitary traveller on foot at this period there was considerable +peril. The resolute ruffian, the "resolved villain," who lived by +levying contributions on the road, was often to be met with. Nay, even +strong parties of travellers were frequently attacked, and robbed, and +murdered, 'twixt town and town. Still all unarmed, except the stout +staff he carried in his hand, and the small dagger worn at his girdle, +and which served to cut up the food he ate, Shakespeare held on his way. +The lowly ruffian as he emerged from the thick cover which overhung the +road occasionally scowled upon him as he passed, and then let him +proceed unquestioned. There was something in the eye, which met his +glance, which told the robber of hard blows and desperate resistance, +whilst the unfurnished manner in which he travelled promised little in +the shape of booty. Once or twice the wayfarer had joined a party of +carriers, who, with other travellers in their company, were going the +same route, but, as he frequently diverged from the road, he soon lost +such companionship and made his way alone, through by-roads and foul +ways, and across the dreary wastes and commons, at that period extending +occasionally for many miles. It was on the fourth evening of his journey +that, having made a long detour from the main road, he again came into +it about five miles from Stoney Stratford. The day had been lovely, he +had wandered far, and as he laid himself down beneath some huge trees +and watched the bright track of the setting sun, he fell into a sound +sleep. + +'Twas "the middle summer's spring." The bank upon which he lay looked a +perfect haunt of the elfin crew, but whether or not, on _this_ night, +Shakespeare dreamt a _dream of Midsummer_, or whether he dreamt at all, +we are unable to say. Whilst he slept, however, he was suddenly awakened +by the sound of voices near. + +As he opened his eyes, by the moon's light he observed three persons +standing a few yards from him. The spot on which he reclined was so +shadowed by the overhanging branches and thick with fern that he had +himself been undiscovered, and a few moments' observation convinced him +that the men he beheld were "squires of the night's booty." Their heavy +boots, their soiled doublets, the rusted breast-plates they wore, their +slouched hats, and untrimmed beards, altogether indeed convinced him +they were thieves. + +Whilst he regarded the ill-favoured trio they descended from the +overhanging bank into the road, where they were joined by a fourth +person, who stole from the covert on the other side, and for some +minutes remained in conversation with them. The situation was not +without its interest, albeit it was fraught with danger to Shakespeare. +He had, indeed, unconsciously intruded himself into the trysting place +of a band of robbers, and, as he rose to his feet and removed somewhat +behind the tree, he watched them narrowly. + +They were evidently laying in wait for passengers, as he more than once +observed one of the party throw himself flat upon the road, with his ear +to the ground, in order to listen for the tread of hoofs. To remain +behind the oak (whose antique root peeped out upon the overhanging bank) +would have been dangerous. Still, as he resolved closely to watch these +men, he cautiously withdrew into the deeper cover of the trees. As he +did so his head struck against some obstacle pendant from one of the +boughs, and, as he raised his eyes, he beheld the dead body of a man +suspended, a ghastly object thus seen in the gloom, and which +sufficiently shewed the evil nature of the neighbourhood. He had, in +fact, reached a spot called the "Crooked Wood," a part of the road at +that period famous for robbery and murder, and the bodies of several +malefactors were hung _in terrorem_. + +Shuddering at the sight, he withdrew from the vicinity of this object, +which swinging backwards and forwards looked yet more horrible in the +deep gloom. The next moment he heard the distant sound of hoofs upon the +rood, and at the same time observed the figures beneath drawing +cautiously off on either hand, concealing themselves completely in the +deep shadows, one only remaining prostrate in the very middle of the +highway. Although the horsemen approached rapidly, it was some time ere +they neared the spot; now the clatter of hoofs appearing close at hand, +and then (as some turn in the road intervened) again for some moments +totally lost to the ear. + +At length they advanced down the hill which led immediately into this +dark defile. Two horsemen he distinguished; the foremost immediately +reined up his horse, and signed to his companion to do the same. The +heart of Shakespeare beat quickly as he observed one of the travellers +dismount and stoop down to render assistance to the prostrate form +before him. As he did so the robber suddenly grasped the traveller by +the throat and pulled him down, at the same moment his three companions +darted like lightning from either side of the road; whilst two assailed +the horseman, the third aided their comrade to despatch the traveller +who had been entrapped. + +The struggle was desperate: the mounted cavalier had in an instant +unsheathed his long rapier, and manfully defended himself; and the woods +around rang to the blows of the combatants. Meanwhile the prostrate +traveller, whose horse had galloped off at the commencement of the fray, +was also in an unpleasant plight. This latter, being a powerful man, had +more than once heaved himself up by main force, and nearly cleared +himself from his adversaries. But, with heavy blows and desperate +exertions, they at length succeeded in pinning him down. In an instant, +however, the fallen man succeeded in drawing a pistol from his belt, and +discharged it into the body of one of his opponents. + +All this happened in as short a time as it has taken the reader to +peruse it. Life and death, in such deadly conflict, in taken and +received by the combatants like the lightning's flash; and, albeit the +travellers straggled manfully, yet a very few minutes sufficed to tell +against the leaser party. The horseman was on the point of being dragged +from his saddle, and his fellow-traveller was growing exhausted with the +violence of action. At that moment, however, a heavy blow fractured the +skull of the ruffian who hold the bridle-rein of the rearing steed, and +as the new combatant afterwards opposed himself to the robber, who had +by this time succeeded in bringing the rider to the ground, after a +short and rapid combat, the latter turned and fled. + +This turned the tide of battle instantaneously in favour of the +travellers, and as in oft-times the case in such conflicts, it ended in +the same rapid manner in which it had commenced. The travellers stood +panting with their recent exertions, and whilst three bodies lay before +them in the road, thou: deliverer, leaning upon his heavy quarter-staff, +stood regarding one of them with curious eye. + +Meantime, after the person, who seemed by his appearance the principal +of the travellers, had somewhat recovered himself, he stepped up to the +hero of the quarter-staff, and poured forth his thanks for the service +rendered. + +"We are indebted to you for no less than our lives," he said, "and would +fain repay the obligation by something more acceptable than thanks." + +The moon was at the moment hidden, but as Shakespeare caught a nearer +view of the features of the speaker, he plucked his own hat over his +brow, and withdrew still further into the shadow of the trees. At the +same time he courteously refused all requital for the aid he had +rendered. + +"Can we do nothing to requite this favour?" said the taller Cavalier. + +"You can," said Shakespeare, "since, if I guess aright, your name is +Arderne, and you go towards Stratford-upon-Avon." + +"Such is my name," said the traveller. "How can I serve you?" + +"By giving this token," said Shakespeare, tearing a leaf from a small +tablet he earned in his breast, and writing a few words on it. + +"No more?" inquired the traveller, endeavouring to get a better view of +the speaker. + +"Tell those to whom you give the token," said Shakespeare, "that he who +sends it is in life and health--no more." + +"But will you not bear us company?" said Arderne. "This place seems +dangerous, and alone you may be met by others of the gang." + +"'Tis no matter," said Shakespeare; "I cannot consort with thee. Our +paths to-night, as through life, lie in different directions. Farewell!" +and hastily darting off, he was quickly lost in the gloom. + +"Strange," said Walter Arderne, as he glanced closely at the small slip +of paper in his hand, and which the moon's light now gave him an +opportunity of reading. "Ah! this paper is directed to the wool-comber +in Henley Street. Methought I knew the voice. 'Twas then William +Shakespeare who so opportunely befriended us." + +So much was Arderne surprised at this meeting, that he would fain have +followed Shakespeare, but his companion dissuaded him. + +"The man is gone suddenly as he came," said he, "and we are not wise to +remain longer in this place. Come," he continued, as Walter remained +looking in the direction his sometime friend had taken, "let us on, and +endeavour to catch our horses. We may be met again in this dark pass, +and, by my fay, it is not every night in the week a man meets with +a--let me see--How called ye this friend in need?" + +"Shakespeare," said Arderne, whilst he still lingered in the hope of +catching another glimpse of his deliverer--"William Shakespeare." + +"Ah, Shakespeare!" said the blunt Fluellyn, sheathing his rapier. "Truly +so; but come on, a' God's name, I say; for 'tis not every wood at +midnight that can produce a Shakespeare." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + +OLD LONDON. + + +Our scene shifts now from the pleasant fields and sylvan retreats in +which we have so long lingered, and changes to the great metropolis of +England--London, in the olden time--a vastly different place, as our +readers are doubtless well aware, both in size and aspect, from the same +metropolis of the present day; since three parts of that which is now +crowded with houses, intersected with streets and squares, and crammed +with an overwhelming population, was then the haunt of the deer, the +form of the hare, the park, the thicket, and the chace. + +It is curious to imagine the appearance of this metropolis in +Elizabeth's day. Its peculiar houses, with their sloping roofs and +beetling stories, its narrow thoroughfares, and the variety of antique +buildings, which still remained to tell the tale of former reigns, +altogether producing a picturesque and beautiful effect, such as our +readers have doubtless often dwelt on with pleasure in the old paintings +of the time. Added also to the peculiar architectural beauty of that +day, many of the better sort of edifices being detached, surrounded with +tall trees, and standing within the rounding of their own gardens, +presented a delicious and bowery appearance ere the very interior of the +city was reached. The silver Thames, too, at this period, still flowed +for the most part through green banks, until its tide passed the dark +gates of the Tower, when for a small space the buildings were reared +one upon another, as if they had apparently been thrust forward from the +more crowded parts, and only hindered from toppling into the stream by +the piles and heavy timbers of the crushed-up cabins underneath. + +Thus the whole together, seen from the water, with their diamond-paned +bay-windows encroaching over the stream, looked like the bulk-heads of +innumerable vessels crammed and cast in confusion along the margin of +the river. + +After passing this crowded mass, however, and which, in Elizabeth's +reign, stretched out for a short distance, the eye of the passenger was +again relieved by edifices both of a noble appearance, and by no means +stinted to space, the banks even at this part of the river occasionally +displaying a verdant appearance, and such buildings standing in their +own proper grounds. For instance, the very important hostel of the Three +Cranes, with its porch, its huge chimneys, and its ample rooms, was +reared upon the grassy bank, its deep bay-windows looking out upon the +stream. The frowning towers and dark water-gate of Barnard's Castle next +appeared. Then came the ominous-looking tower of Bridewell. A few +strokes of the oar, and the pleasant gardens of the White Friars met the +eye. Then came the Temple Gardens, and after them the pile of buildings, +with battlement and strong tower, called the Sanoye; after that, amongst +many other important edifices, were to be seen the castellated towers of +Duresme Place, York Place, the Courts, the Starre Chamber, Westminster +Hall, with a sort of pier running out from the open court in front, and +the Parliament House; then came the huge Abbey of Westminster, not as +now, choked up by encroaching squalor, but standing in its magnificence +in the midst of verdant meadows; and lastly came the Queen's Bridge. + +On the Surrey side, the aspect of the Thames and its banks would have +yet more surprised a modern eye, since there the wind still sighed +amongst the reeds and long grass of centuries. On Lambeth Marsh stood +the palace and church, together with some two dozen straggling edifices. +But the Oxen's low was heard along the whole of that over-crowded part, +so well known to the Londoner of the present day, and now so teeming +with a squalid and overwhelming population. All along the banks on this +side, trees and gardens, with an occasional row of houses, a goodly +edifice, or a countryfied hostel were to be seen until the passenger +came to Winchester Place, St. Mary Over, and London Bridge, with the +gate-houses, towers, and multitudinous buildings, built all along it. +Nay, the spectator, standing upon the top of one of the towers of the +bridge and looking beyond the great blackened wall of Old London, beheld +a large tract called the Spital Fyelds, in which the sheep fed beneath +the shade of tall trees. Bishopgate Street, too, with its one long +straggling thoroughfare, seemed a trifling village. In Finsburie Fyeld +stood the windmill, and the kennel for hounds. Clerkenwell seemed but a +single church with its surrounding wall. Gray's Inn Lane appeared a +remote thoroughfare, leading to the open country, and Broad St. Jiles +was a trifling village; whilst in Convent Garden, then completely +surrounded by a high and massive wall, stood a single edifice--the +Convent, from which it took its name, and beyond it green meadows +studded with trees. + +Such, then, were the environs of London, at the period of which we +write. Its interior we shall perhaps again have occasion to speak of +during the progress of our story. + +It was on the afternoon of the fifth day from his leaving +Stratford-upon-Avon, that William Shakespeare, standing upon Hampstead +Hill, looked upon London for the first time. The spot on which he stood +(albeit it has now, like others we have mentioned, become one vast +region of brick and mortar) was then studded with oaks, which had +perhaps witnessed the gathering of the knightly and the noble for the +Crusades. Immediately on his right, was the massive buttressed wall, +inclosing the grounds of a half castellated and moated residence, a +country seat of the Earl of Southampton. + +As Shakespeare stood thus and gazed down upon the metropolis, he beheld +many of those time-honoured edifices, yet remaining, which he had read +of whilst studying the history of his native land. + +Long did the future poet gaze upon the scene before him, and the setting +sun was pouring down his softened glories, and bathing tower, and +steeple, and wall, in a flood of molten gold, as he entered the suburbs. +Suburbs which the traveller of the present day would have likened more +to a row of hucksters' shops, or temporary buildings run up for a fair, +than the outskirts of a great city. + +Far as the eye could reach were to be seen those pent-house stalls, +which, projecting into the highways, displayed the different articles of +the different trades and occupations of the indwellers, and which being +relieved by innumerable signs, tubs, long benches, stalls, smiths' +forges, and quaint-looking inns or hostels, gave a most picturesque and +diversified appearance to the whole. + +It must have been a singular sight to behold that friendless young man, +wending his way along the suburban streets of Old London. The dust of +many miles upon his worn shoes, his spirits weary, and, like his own +Touchstone, his legs weary too, and not a cross in his pocket. He was in +London now, and the hard selfishness of the citizen he found somewhat +different from the good-natured hospitality of the cottager. His last +coin had been spent that morning, and he was weary and hungry withal. +Yet still the first sight of the streets of London, as he gradually got +into the interior, so much interested him, that he forgot both hunger +and weariness and kept wandering on. + +To the right he turned, now stopping to admire some relics of the days +of the Plantagenets; and then to the left, now looking up at some +edifice whose beetling stories, projecting over the street above, so +nearly met a corresponding edifice on the opposite side, that the +inhabitants might almost have shaken hands out of the upper floor +windows. The increasing bustle of the great town he was every step +becoming more involved in, he at first disregarded, being wholly taken +up with the buildings he passed, and the curiosities every moment +presented to his view. Occasionally, too, his attention was arrested by +a group of cavaliers, dressed in all the magnificence of the period, as +they rode gallantly through the streets. Then again, the furtive glance +of the merry-eyed citizen's daughter, and which she threw at the +exceeding handsome, though somewhat country-clad young man, as she +tripped down some narrow passage, arrested him. + +These matters caused Shakespeare ever and anon to stop and consider +curiously, and, as he gazed around, the continual passers as constantly +interrupted the current of his meditations. + +Then he was rudely thrust from the causeway, as a swaggering party, +ruffling and rustling in "unpaid-for-silks," and attended by a whole +retinue of followers, passed on towards the court-end of the town, +talking loud, swearing gallantly, and even singing snatches of songs as +they progressed; elbowing the men from, and thrusting the females as +unceremoniously to, the wall. Their huge trunks and short cloaks +fluttering in the wind, their chains and various ornaments glittering in +the sun, and the feathers in their high-crowned hats brushing the +overhanging stories of the houses as they walked. + +All these varieties, so new to the pedestrian, continually excited his +curiosity, more especially as, from the conversation of several +citizens, he found that rumours of events of importance were filling +men's minds with the anticipation of events to come. + +"Heard ye the news, neighbour," said one staid-looking burgher, "just +brought in from Milford Haven? A Spanish fleet hath been sighted off +those parts." + +"Nay, neighbour," said another, "I heard not of the Spaniard. They do +say, however, that the Duke of Guise hath landed in Sussex with a strong +army." + +"And I heard," continued a third, "that the Scot hath made an irruption +into England. Nay, 'tis even whispered that Queen Mary hath escaped, and +that the northern countries, have, in sooth, commenced an insurrection." + +"Aye, and harkee, neighbours all," said a fourth, "only let it go no +further, I heard tell in Paul's to-day of a new conspiracy to +assassinate our good Queen Elizabeth, and set on foot, 'tis said, by +L'Aubespine, the French Ambassador. Nay, I can tell thee that a mob hath +beset the Frenchman's house, and he hath been ordered to quit the +kingdom without delay. Aye, and 'tis said the Queen is much troubled +with these things; that she keeps close, and much alone; that she +muttereth much to herself, and seems in great tribulation." + +"Not much wonder, either," said another, "'Tis certain she is in great +terror and perplexity; and if she hesitate much longer to order the +execution of the Queen of Scots, the kingdom will be burnt up in an +_auto-da-fé_." + +As Shakespeare listened to these rumours he still continued to wander on +amidst the labyrinth of lanes, alleys, and buildings in which he found +himself. Now he progressed through a dense mass of wooden tenements +called Shoe Lane, the streets crooked and narrow, and overshadowed by a +perpetual twilight, from the abutments overhead, rising, as we before +said, story above story, until they almost closed upon each other. Then, +again, he turned down another street, retraced his steps, wandered back +through Crow Lane into Gifford Street, and was brought up by the huge +black-looking mass constituting Old London Wall. Grazing up at the +ramparts of this dark boundary, he made his way along the Old Bailey, +passed through Lud's Gate, and found himself in the large open space in +which stood the then gothic-looking structure of St. Paul's. Here he +found a large concourse of people, men, women, and children, leaping, +shouting, and holding a sort of revel around a huge bonfire kindled just +at the part called Ave Maria, whilst a second rout were collecting in +the vicinity of a sort of stage erected opposite the houses named +Paternoster Row. + +Leaning upon his staff, in the shade of the old gothic building, he +gazed upon the scene before him as the chimes rung out from the tower. +He stood apart from that crowd alone, unknowing any, unknown to all, on +a spot now covered by the vast building since reared upon those ancient +foundations: and, as he stood, he looked upon a scene which called up +associations no longer likely to be engendered in such locality; for all +is gone which could impress the mind with the times in which he himself +lived, or with the deeds of a former age. + +The edifice itself, at that period, told of monkish intolerance and +monastic grandeur; when the knightly and the noble bowed their necks, +and walked bare-headed on the flags beneath, and even kings did penance +amongst the mean and miserable at its shrine. + +He was amidst the mighty dead--the men of whom he had read in his home +at Stratford! The Norman kings, in all the pomp and circumstance of +their feudal pride, had walked upon that spot. Then, again, as he seated +himself upon an ancient tomb, his thoughts turned upon his own welfare +and prospects, and he began to ask himself, for the first time since his +arrival in London, what course he was to pursue? Now that he had reached +this aim and end of his journey, what was he in reality the better for +it? He knew no one: he had neglected to make inquiries of his own +friends as to persons to whom he might have got a recommendation; and +money--the best friend of the traveller--he had none. But then, he was +in London. "Truly so," he thought to himself. "The more fool for being +there, when in the country he was in a better place." And then he +thought of home, of wife, children, and other relations, and then his +heart softened, and he wept. Yes! there, amidst the bustle of Old +Paul's, whilst the Londoners recreated themselves before a sort of +moveable stage, on which certain dramatic representations were exhibited +to the gaping crowd on one side, and the bonfire raged on the other, and +all was uproar and hilarity,--there did Shakespeare sit and weep, "in +pure melancholy and troubled brain." At length, overcome with weariness, +he leant back against an old tomb, and fell asleep amidst the hubbub. + +And, as he slept, came swaggering by, the gay fop--the gallant of the +city--the tavern-haunter--the ruffler--and the bully. Then paced by the +more staid and sober citizens, "merchants our well-dealing countrymen;" +but they stopped not to glance upon the tired stranger. Then came +flaunting along, tempted out by the beauty of the evening, the city +madam with her gossip, the merry wives of Chepe; and, as they passed, +they stopped for a moment to glance upon the well-knit limbs and +handsome face of the homeless Shakespeare. They marked his travelled +look, his dusty shoes, and his worn doublet, and they felt inclined to +arouse him, and ask the cause of that pallid cheek, and his sleeping in +the open air at such an hour. But then, a titter from the rude gallant +as he passed, sent them forward amidst the throng. Then came the +cut-purse, as the shadows deepened, and he stole a furtive glance around +the dark old building. But the night was not far enough advanced for him +safely to rifle the pockets of the sleeper, or slit his windpipe +unobserved; and so Shakespeare slept on amidst the throng. Quietly, +sweetly did he slumber, until, as night approached, the crowd gradually +dispersed, the stage disappeared, and all deepened down. Soundly, +heavily, slept that wonderful man amidst scenes which he was ere long to +render famous in all time. One touch of his pen was to picture Old +Paul's and Lud's Town, as no other could picture them. He was to revel +in these scenes amidst which he now unconsciously slumbered, so as no +mortal ever revelled before. He was to call up those bright kings, and +all the glittering host, and shew them in harness, as they had lived, +and to render all that would else have been unknown in Old London--a +dream of delight. Nay, those even who dwelt hard by in East Cheap, knew +not East Cheap; and London itself was to have an interest lent to it, +such as the dwellers in it at that moment little thought of. And so +Shakespeare slept the sleep of weariness--of "weariness which snores +upon the flint." + +By-and-by, an old poor man, clad in scraps and tatters, "his whole +apparel built upon pins," his ragged beard descending to his waist, and +carrying a filthy wallet on his back, as he poked about, and picked up +bones in the churchyard, came and looked upon him, and after a few +moments' contemplation, stirred him with the end of his staff and awoke +him. "Best not sleep here so late, young master," he said; "'tis +unsafe." + +Shakespeare rubbed his eyes, stared at the crooked object before him, +and thanked him for the caution. "I have," he said, "no cause for fear, +since I have nothing to lose. Nevertheless, I thank thee." + +"Nothing to fear!" said the tatterdemalion, "nothing to lose! What call +ye nothing? Have ye not life to lose? Have ye not clothes? By my troth! +there be those haunting Paul's at night, young man, that will take the +one for the sake of the other, and so rob ye of both." + +"Both are valueless, or at least worth little," said Shakespeare, +smiling. "Hark, the chimes! how sweetly they sound." + +"Sweeter to those who hear them in a good bed," said the man. "They are +the midnight chimes! wherefore dost thou not seek thy home, young +master?" + +"I should seek that which I should hardly find," said Shakespeare. "I +have no home, good friend, at least, not in London." + +"Neither home nor coin?" said the aged man. + +"Neither one nor the other," returned Shakespeare; "and but a few hours +old in London." + +"But you've friends here?" inquired the old man. + +"Poor in that as in all else," returned Shakespeare. + +"Wilt come with me?" said the old man; "I can find thee a roof for one +night, perhaps food too." + +"I almost die for food," said Shakespeare; "and thankfully follow thee." +And so the tatterdemalion led the way from St. Paul's, and Shakespeare +followed him. + +Through dark alleys and curious thoroughfares did that lean old man +thread his way, ever and anon, as he trampled along and turned the +corner of some fresh street, stopping for a moment to observe if his +follower took the right turn, where so many closes, alleys, and courts +existed; for as they made their way to the water-side, he occasionally +came amongst houses so thickly and irregularly placed, that, by night, +he himself could scarcely thread the labyrinth. Passing through +Dowe-gate, Bush-lane, and Pudynge-lane, he at last stopped before a +house in Bylyngsgate. The tenement before which the old man stopped +would have been termed in our own days but a shed, since, seen from the +street, it apparently consisted but of one large bay window, thrust out +from a square wooden building, a large brick chimney sprouting out in +rear. + +On opening the door, which was situated within a sort of blind alley on +one side, the proprietor of the domicile signed to his guest to follow, +and entered the one apartment, which indeed constituted the entire +dwelling. + +Not only was it the parlour, kitchen, and sleeping-apartment of the +occupants, but, as the guest glanced around it, he observed, by the +light of a lamp placed on a table near the window, that it was fitted up +as a sort of laboratory; and its walls being accommodated with shelves, +were crowded with vials, gallipots, and vessels of antique formation, +containing precious unguents, filters, and compounds, perhaps in the +present day no longer to be found in the Pharmacopoeia. In addition to +this, there was also means for experimentalising in the deep science of +alchemy,--all which was apparent from the crucibles, retorts, and other +vessels scattered around the hearth. Such as the apartment was, the +needy-looking hollow-eyed proprietor, and who, Shakespeare surmised was +a medical practitioner of that squalid neighbourhood, welcomed his guest +to his poor dwelling; and with an alacrity which was hardly to be +expected from his appearance, placed wine and refreshment before him; +and then opening an ample closet at the further end of the apartment, +shewed him a mattress on which he could repose for the night. + +"I have little to offer, young master," he said; "and seldom offer that +little. But I saw that in your face which interested me as you slept. +You reminded me of a bright youth, my hope in better days, my only son, +long since dead; and as I watched thy countenance, I read a bright +fortune in store for thee." + +And Shakespeare wrung the hand of that old man, so needy-looking and +pinched, and slept without fear under his roof, in the then dangerous +locality of Bylyngsgate, and where perhaps he might never again awake +alive. + + + + +CHAPTER XL. + +THE POOR PLAYER. + + +On the morning which followed the events narrated in the foregoing +chapter, the traveller took leave of the exceedingly poor but kind old +man who had so hospitably sheltered him. He thanked him for his +goodness, and bestowed upon him a small ring, which he took from his +finger, the only trifle of value in his possession. And that old host +attended his guest to the door, and bestowed his blessing upon him, and +followed him with his eyes as he wended his way along the narrow +thoroughfare, and then still stood and looked in the direction he had +gone long after he was out of sight. And then he turned with a sigh and +re-entered his dwelling. "All, well-a-day," he said, "we may grub on in +misery for years and years, and forget the goodly beings we have known +in youth and happiness, outliving all that we loved and honoured in the +world, and still amidst the contaminating filth of poverty and woe pass +our weary lives, and then some superior specimen of goodness and grace +as suddenly revives in our recollection of the beings we have seen in +bygone times. What would I give, an I were amongst the crowned monarchs +of the world, to have yonder youth to companion me? To hear his words, +as I have this morning heard them? to see him as I have seen him but +now, within this lowly hovel?" And then the old man took the platter +from which his guest had eaten, and washed it and put it aside, and set +back the three-legged stool on which Shakespeare had sat, and then he +wept as he said to himself, "An if I look not upon him again, I will +keep these as relics, never to be used by others, for, God forgive me, +but I think, as I recollect his words, that yonder man was something +more than mortal." And then the old man examined the gold ring his guest +presented him with, and as he did so, he gradually approached the +crucible upon the fire, and again he looked upon the gift, and, +hesitating for a moment as his eye fell upon the crucible, he sighed and +dropped the ring into it. + +It is evening, and the sun shines upon the banks of the Thames on the +Surrey side. + +The scenic hour oft-times presents to our readers such a picture as we +now invite them to look upon. The houses on this side the river are both +irregularly placed and situated, as we have before described, namely, +standing here and there apart, amidst trees and gardens, and +occasionally neighboured by some edifice of a bygone time, and whose +build speaks of monastic grandeur and castellated defence. + +Looking from the grassy bank upon the Thames at this part, we behold the +stream rushing impetuously through innumerable arches of a dark +heavy-built bridge--a bridge which frowns with towers and turrets of +curious form and ancient architecture, and which turrets and towers are +graced and garnished with the ghastly heads of criminals and traitors +lately executed. + +As the red glare of the evening sun falls upon those buildings, it is +reflected in the innumerable windows with which they are accommodated, +at the same time it displays each "coign of vantage," each grated +embrasure, each coping-stone, buttress, and battlement of the +complicated structure in colours of gold. + +The arch and flanking tower, and the iron portcullis and cresset, are +all there as if in a heated furnace. + +Turning again towards the shore as we stand upon the bank, after passing +the ancient edifices called Winchester Place, we behold a long row of +buildings near the water's edge, and somewhat removed in the open apace +behind them, a curiously constructed and somewhat ugly building of a +round form. On its top is a small and quaint-looking structure--a sort +of "_match-case to a common 'larum bell_"--and the whole surmounted by a +flag, on which is written "_The Globe_." A few shrubs and stunted trees +are immediately around this building: and the space beyond that, for +about half a bow-shot, is gravelled, and even, in some parts, strewed +with fresh rushes recently cut from the river's bank. + +Some fifty yards to the left of this is a rival structure, composed of +stakes and high palings--a sort of stockade, round which flutter +half-a-dozen little markers or flags; and over the gateway which admits +into the arena, is written in large characters the words "_The Bull +Bayting_." + +A little removed from the former of these buildings, stands a hostel of +the commoner sort, with its garden in rear, several goodly trees before +its porch, and a bowling-green pleasantly shadowed. Benches are before +this inn, and also under the trees, and the actors upon the scene are +both many and rather uncommon in appearance. + +The inn is indeed the haunt of those persons who find employment in the +two houses of entertainment we have described. The hangers-on of the +Globe Theatre, and the employés of the Bull and Bear-bayting, men of a +character and disposition somewhat peculiar. They are indeed, many of +them, _sui generis_, something in style and demeanour between the +magnifico and the mountebank, and yet amongst them are men of appearance +and talent worthy of a better station. + +As they congregate about this rallying-point, they seem the very genii +of idleness; and, in their listless indifference, above the doings and +events of this work-a-day world. + +Here a fellow, with his beaver cocked, and swaggering gait, throws out +his arm, in order to display a cloak of three-piled velvet, whilst his +toes are seen peeping from the foot of an ample russet boot. There a +comrade, evidently "a horse of the same colour," an "affected +fantastico," points a toe in attitude, twists a moustache with a grace, +plays off a gauntlet with a flourish, and struts "like chanticleer i' +the sun." These are the magnificoes of the walk. Then come a crowd of +under-strappers, whose vocation is in their very look, who even play +their parts hourly, and _live_ in character--either aping the grandee, +the gallant, the swaggerer, or the lisping idiotic driveller; the clowns +and jesters making up the file. + +Each speaks with an accompanying gesture, and walks with a circumstance. +Some have a sort of sad hilarity, and utter dull jokes with a grave +brow, or laugh _in a sort_. They even wear a ceremonious observance +towards each other, and look upon the world in general in an inferior +light. The free-masonry of bombast is rife amongst the fellowship. If +one hands the tankard to his fellow, standing with mine host beneath the +porch, he does so with a flourish, and receives it again cross-handed. +In short, as they are seen congregated about their haunt, or place of +call, they seem uninterested in the common-place events of the world as +other men. Their ideas are inflated and dreamy; their world, their +kingdom, is their theatre, and their lives felt to be but passed whilst +they strut their hour before the admiring throng. "The best actors in +the world, either for scene individable, or poem unlimited." "Seneca +could not be too heavy, nor Plautus too light for them." Whilst these +characters walk and talk, flourish and attitudinize, a trumpet sounds +from the roof of the round building first described, at which some +amongst them seem to start like the war-horse aroused; others pay their +shot to mine host; others again wave a hand gracefully to the buxom +landlady at the latticed window; and all take their way to the theatre. +They are indeed summoned to prepare for the scenic hour, to rehearse +their parts--such as those parts are. + +Amongst these men there were, as we have hinted, some individuals of a +superior stamp, men of high attainments, considering the period in which +they lived, and who, finding no vent for the talents they were in +possession of, passed their hours amongst the choice spirits of the +Globe. + +There was a romance in the lives of some of these latter, in keeping +with their appearance; and one or two had attempted a higher flight, and +endeavoured to improve the style of dramatic composition. Nor had they +altogether failed, for many dramas had been written by them possessing +real and absolute excellence. + +Scarce half-an-hour had elapsed after the trumpet sounded from the +Globe, when a man passed through the various portals upon London Bridge; +and, as chance directed, turning to the left upon the Surrey side of the +river, quickly took his way amongst the ancient buildings then lining +the bank. + +Wearied and faint from lack of food--for he had been all day wandering +through the streets of London,--he stopped beside the Norman structure, +built during the crusades by William Pont de l'Arche, and called St-Mary +Ouer. + +The curious in antiquities will, we fear, look in vain for any vestige +of this remnant of the early English, which nevertheless, in Elizabeth's +day, with its church and monastery, extended down to the very edge of +the Thames. + +Leaning upon his staff, undecided in which direction to turn his steps, +Shakespeare stopped beside the dark walls of this ancient edifice; and, +after gazing upon the building with interest for some moments, entered +the porch of the old monastery. + +Whilst he remained there, several cavaliers on horseback rode past--gay +youths, tricked out in all the extravagance of that age of extravagant +costume; their loud laughter, and joyous converse, as they careered +along, shewing that their spirits were gay as their habits. They came +from the bridge over which he himself had just crossed, and took their +way along the massive wall then skirting the antique buildings of +Winchester Place. + +Whilst Shakespeare continued to remark the several parties occasionally +passing, he also observed that boats, containing companies of ladies, +also put into a small landing-place near at hand; and these latter +parties took the same direction the horsemen had gone. + +The beauty of the evening, the fresh air from the river, the monastic +grandeur of the old buildings, and the cheerful appearance of the +various companies he at the moment beheld, somewhat revived his drooping +spirits. He felt it impossible to be quite unhappy, whilst all around +was gay, and the scene so lovely. + +Listlessly he continued to watch the various boats; and as the parties +disembarked and passed on, in their thoughtless hilarity, he arose, and +bent his steps in the same direction. + +He passed through the open field along that strong buttressed wall, then +inclosing Winchester Place; and a few paces brought him to the close +vicinity of a building, around which several persons at that moment were +congregated--the Globe Theatre. The place and scene altogether +interested him, and again he stopped to observe the throng, and which, +as it altogether presented a somewhat singular appearance, we shall +ourselves stop with him to observe. + +The entrance of the building was accommodated with benches on either +side, on which were seated various of the hangers-on of the +establishment, and one or two of the actors, waiting for their call. +Amongst those, a couple of clowns or fools were conspicuous; and as they +uttered their witticisms, and performed divers tricks, for the amusement +of themselves and their companions, they collected an audience without, +which frequently recruited those within--cracking their jokes, and +familiarizing themselves with the various companies as they came up. +These were, indeed, the all-licensed fools of the time, and without +whose presence and aid no performance was considered perfect; they bore +off, in some sort, the tedium of the long dialogue then in vogue. + +Whilst Shakespeare stood to regard the scene before him, the flourish of +drum and trumpet within the building recalled those motley-minded gentry +and their companions to their various duties; and at the same moment a +gay party of mounted cavaliers approached, dismounted, and entered. + +Still that tired stranger, as he stood beside the portals of the +theatre, continued to feel an interest in all that was going on there. +The merry glance of the citizen's wife, as she passed in,--the answering +look of the gallant as he followed,--the gay and flaunting party from +the Court-end of the town,--the loud laugh, the sharp rebuke, the coarse +jest, the retort courteous, and the counter-check quarrelsome,--all were +there. + +By-and-by a couple of cavaliers, splendidly mounted and magnificently +apparelled, came galloping up. They dismounted at the door, and the one +nearest Shakespeare threw the rein of his steed to him, and desired him +to hold the horse, at the same moment thrusting a silver coin into the +youth's hand. His companion meanwhile had confided his charger to the +care of one of the employés of the theatre, and the next moment both +these gallants were within the Globe. They had passed so quickly, that +Shakespeare found himself in possession of the coin and the steed, ere +he had time fully to observe the person of the cavalier who had favoured +him with his custody. + +As he looked at the money, a slight blush tinged his cheek, but he +repressed the feeling of shame which at first intruded itself, as he +reflected the money was honestly come by. He then looked more curiously +upon the noble animal intrusted to his charge. + +Passionately fond of a horse, like most men bred and born in the +country, he examined its points with interest. It was in truth a noble +animal, answering in every point the description he has himself given of +a perfect courser: + + "Round hoofed, short-pointed, fetlocks shag and long, + Broad breast, full eye, small head, and nostril wide, + High chest, short ears, straight legs, and passing strong, + Thin mane, thick tail, broad buttock, tender hide. + Look, what a horse should have, he did not lack." + +Pulling the arched neck of the noble steed, he then led him towards the +man holding its fellow. + +"Know you the owner of this goodly horse?" he inquired. + +The man was evidently a sort of character, a swaggerer who wished to +pass for a gentleman and a soldier, albeit his elbows were ragged, and +his whole dress patched and furbished up. + +"Know I Master Edmund Spencer?" he said, looking contemptuously upon +Shakespeare. "Where canst thou have lived, boy, to ask the question. +Best inquire me next for the rider of _this_ nag, Sir Walter Raleigh. +Thou knowest not the choice spirits of the Court. Ergo, thou art strange +to the town." + +"I am, in sooth, a stranger to the town," said Shakespeare; "but a few +hours old in it." + +"And from whence?" inquired the other. + +"From Warwickshire," returned Shakespeare. + +"The county I know," returned the other; "my grandsire was of Warwick, +eke also. Hast coin in pouch, camarado mine?" + +"I have," said Shakespeare, producing the silver piece given him by +Spenser the moment before. + +"Ha!" said the other, "then will we adventure to yonder hostel in search +of liquor and food wherewith to repair ourselves, for sooth to say thou +lookest both pale and hungry. Come ye of the Ardens of Warwickshire?" + +"One way I do," said Shakespeare. "But Arden is not my name. Call me +William." + +"'Tis no matter," said the other; "thou art a proper fellow of thy +hands, and I have taken a fancy for thy companionship. Lead on thy steed +good William; a cup of Canary and a toast will cheer thee." + +And thus did Shakespeare make a friend and procure the refreshments he +so much required, and with the poor player sitting beside him on the +bench, whilst they held the horses beneath the tree, under the influence +of "the good familiar creature, wine," he unbosomed himself to this new +comrade. + +"I will befriend thee in all I can," said the player, and who in truth, +being but a sorry stick, was himself rarely employed, "I will myself +advocate thy fortunes, good rustic," he continued. "I do spy in thy face +and figure marvellous proper attributes for certain parts, for the which +we are in want of actors. Ah, by Apollo! thou hast the limbs, and thews, +and form, to captivate the fancy of ladies fair." + + + + +CHAPTER XLI. + +THE TAVERN REVEL. + + +The general aspect of London in the reign of Elizabeth is so singular +when contrasted with the same great metropolis of our own day, that we +must again refer to it. + +The houses in the heart of the city, like those in the suburbs, were +still chiefly built of wood, or of wood and brick; the poverty of their +appearance being the more apparent from their being, ever and anon, +relieved by the stately and massive building of former days. The dark +monastery, the massive wall, or the castellated edifice, were constantly +to be seen amidst streets so crooked and narrow, and so dismal from the +abutments overhead, that foreigners, as they threaded their way, and +amidst damp and wind, are said to have likened London to the vale of +death. In wet weather the streets were especially dismal, and so +prevalent were consumption and pestilence that bonfires were oft-times +kindled in order to purify the air and avert the plague. Nay, even kites +and ravens were to be seen hopping about the various thoroughfares, +being kept by many inhabitants for the purpose of devouring the filth. + +Nothing, indeed, could well exceed the contrast during Elizabeth's reign +between the splendid, though somewhat barbaresque, magnificence of the +mansions of the nobles and gentry, and the houses of the commoner sort +of people. Yet still, although the houses of the citizens were for the +most part poor and ill-contrived, yet every now and then would be found +amongst them, the dwelling of some richer trader which broke the +uniformity of the general mass; such edifice having a quantity of gable +ends at all heights and in all directions, with chimneys of fantastic +shape and profuse ornament, and covered with decorations; the +multitudinous frames in its windows completed the picture. + +These were the dwellings of some of the merchant-princes of the town, +whose strongly-barred and iron-studded doors showed that where wealth +was to be found defence was necessary against the lawless spirits +roaming through the dark thoroughfares at hand. + +Another contrast to the filthy, unpaved, and uncared-for state of the +streets and thoroughfares at this period, was the costly style in which +many of the houses were ornamented on any occasion of rejoicing or +pageantry. At such times every window and pent-house was garnished with +banners and strips of tapestry, or hung with rich fragments of velvet, +damask, or silk, whilst the city functionaries and the various companies +"in robe and furred gown," and attended by a host of proper fellows, +apparelled in silk and chain of gold, contributed to make up the show. + +On the morning which followed the night Shakespeare made acquaintance +with the poor player he awoke in a small, low roofed apartment in the +upper floor of the hostel of the Globe. He felt himself considerably +refreshed, and rising from his truckle bed he threw open the window and +looked forth upon the well wooded hills of Surrey, It was a pleasant +picture at that time, and the inn itself, being of considerable size, +presented a stirring and bustling scene. Immediately beneath him was the +ample stable-yard, with long rows of out-buildings and sheds +appropriated to the varieties of cattle usually driven from the country +on certain days of the week, the horses of the carriers being on one +side, and the stabling for those of travellers of a better sort on the +other. Then there were other buildings appropriate to the large +quantities of poultry which it was customary at this period to rear, +besides the ample dove-cot, which stood beyond the bowery garden, and +which harboured such flights of pigeons that their rush through the air +was heard at considerable distance as they wheeled and circled about. + +"Tired nature's great restorer, balmy sleep," had laid so heavily upon +the wanderer that it was somewhat late when he awoke, and the bustle in +the inn-yard below proclaimed that the business of the day had +commenced. + +Returning from the window he sat himself down on the bed to consider his +prospects. After awhile he took from an inside pocket of his doublet a +small roll of paper. It was an unfinished poem, "the first heir of his +invention," and which he had carefully preserved and brought with him, +intending to finish and, if possible, get it into print at some future +opportunity. + +The composition seemed to please him, for his countenance brightened as +he read it, and he quickly lost all thought of self in the thoughts +conjured up. Taking out his tablets, for pen and ink were articles not +so readily found at hand as in our own times, as he gazed upon the +well-wooded hills in the distance "burnished with the morning sun," he +added the following stanza to his poem-- + + "Lo, here the gentle lark, weary of rest, + From his moist cabinet mounts up on high. + And wakes the morning, from whose silver breast + The sun arises in his majesty; + Who doth the world so gloriously behold, + That cedar tops and hills seem burnished gold." + +Scarcely had he thus commenced when a slight tap at his door disturbed +him, and his new friend the player entered. + +"Ah! by St. Paul," said the player, "have we writers here? How, Sir +traveller, inditest thou thus early? I aroused thee not--I called thee +not--I disturbed thee not; for much toil maketh the limbs weary, and I +would have thee, good rustic, freshened and refreshened. But lad, I find +thee up and working with brain and pencil. Come--I have brought thee a +chalice for thy morning draught. Indue thy habiliments--descend to the +lower world--and I will take thee before Master Marlow, who will, +peradventure, find thee apt, and capable of preferment." + +Shakespeare thanked the player, whose bombast considerably amused him; +and putting up his poem, accompanied him to the common apartment of the +tavern, then filled with a motley assemblage. After procuring something +by way of a breakfast, which the remaining portion of the money given +him the night before enabled him to do, he accompanied his new +acquaintance over to the Globe. + +Early as was the hour, the business of the morning had commenced, and +many of the actors engaged in rehearsing a new play. + +The scene altogether was a new and striking one, and instantly engaged +his attention. + +As his eye took the whole interior in its glance, a forcible impression +was made upon his mind. The stage--the rude half-circle of seats and +benches, seen thus in the shadowy light admitted from several small +openings--the various picturesque figures sitting and lounging about, +some of them being on the centre of the stage, and rehearsing their +parts--the melody of the tragic rhythm--all impressed him. He even, at +the moment, conceived a visionary project of one day making the means +and appliances he beheld around subservient to his own mighty +conceptions. In an instant, the want of something long sought seemed +found; and then again, as he looked round, and his mind grasped the +possibility of his project he said to himself-- + + "But, can this cock-pit hold + The vasty fields of France? or may we cram + Within this wooden O, the very casques + That did affright the air at Agincourt?" + +Whether it could or not, he was not then permitted further to consider. +The possibility of such an event, time was to show; and in the meanwhile +the player disturbing the current of his thoughts, tapped him on the +shoulder, and invited him to follow to a small apartment, situated on +one side of the building, and which constituted a sort of manager's +room. + +The proprietor of this apartment was at the moment engaged in the +composition of a new piece; and as he wrote, he ever and anon rose from +his seat, and with voice and gesture, recited a portion of his +composition, though, perhaps, had he better known the man introduced +into his presence, he would have been less verbose before him. + +As it was, he continued to rehearse in a ranting tone, sawing the air +with his hand, and strutting up and down to give effect to the lines. + +During a pause of consideration, he observed the player and his +companion, "Ah!" he said, "what wants that youth?" + +"Pay and employment, good master mine," said the player. + +"Hath he wit?--can he speak?--are his legs strong?--arms pliant?" + +"He is young, strong, and of good parts," said the player--"I can avouch +it." + +"Then will we find him in employment," said the manager; "he shall have +charge of the foot-lights, and snuff the lamps." And so Shakespeare +became attached to the theatre. + + + + +CHAPTER XLII. + +MORE STRANGE THAN TRUE. + + +In a former chapter we have seen Walter Arderne, after many and various +adventures by flood and field, returning to the home and haunts of his +childhood. The good and gallant youth (although from station and +prospects he might reasonably have hoped for ease and happiness in life) +had hitherto seemed but a step-son of fortune after all. And now, "like +a younker and a prodigal" lean, rent, and tattered, having endured +shipwreck and been sold to slavery by the insolent foe, by a sudden +freak of fortune was once more safe in Warwickshire and with his beloved +uncle at Clopton. The meeting between Sir Hugh and his nephew was +extremely affecting. They were now all in all to each other, for both +had experienced losses which to both were irreparable. The grief, +however, they experienced for past sorrows had now considerably abated, +so that they could hold converse upon bygone events and even find +benefit from such communion. + +Still, when Walter looked around him in his old neighbourhood, like Sir +Hugh when he had first returned, he felt at times a sense of desolation +which was almost insupportable. The loss of his old and tried friend, +the eccentric Martin, was also a heavy blow to him; and in addition to +this the absence and delinquency of the singular friend, whose +conversation had made so great an impression upon them all during their +short acquaintance, especially grieved him. The breath of slander, when +he came to inquire into the facts leading to young Shakespeare's +departure, had rendered that youth's conduct so reckless and even +criminal that Walter was us much surprised as grieved at all he heard. + +"It was a good thing," Mr. Doubletongue said, "that the _Ne'er-do-well_ +had made off with himself, or the Lord knew what he would be after next. +Stealing of deer by night, and catching rabbits by day, would perhaps +have been the least part of the story. Nay," he continued, "the lad +(albeit he had a most comely female to wife) had as sharp an eye and as +devilish a tongue for the lasses in Stratford as--" + +When the lawyer accordingly entered, he made so many contortions of +body, and bent and bowed so often and so humbly to the three gentlemen, +never even venturing to lift his eyes from the floor, that the Knight of +Clopton desired him to desist from his prostrations, and deliver +himself. + +Upon this Master Grasp muttered some words about his sorrow for past +passages, and his desire to oblige the good Sir Hugh, and ended by +depositing on the table the eternal blue bag he always carried; saying, +as he did so, that he had no particular business at that moment with Sir +Hugh Clapton at all. + +"Then, if such is the case," said Sir Hugh, "as I especially hate law +and all appertaining, Master Grasp, as speedily an convenient, remove +yourself from our premises." + +"Nay," said Grasp, "good Sir Hugh, I pray you bear with me, since I come +to bring joyful tidings to one _near_ and _dear_ to you--even your +worshipful nephew there, Master Walter Arderne. And in order to convince +you thereof, with permission, I will enter upon the matter at once." As +he said this, Grasp emptied the contents of his bag upon the table, and +forthwith began to fumble amongst a whole heap of parchments, strewing +them about in most admired disorder. + +"Gad-be-here!" exclaimed the old knight, as he looked with astonishment +upon the vast quantity of documents and deeds. "Here be matter enough to +undo half the families in Warwickshire. 'Fore Heaven, I ne'er looked +upon such a mass of parchments before. Lord help thee, Walter, and keep +pen and ink out of thy hands, for an thou settest thy name to these +deeds, thou'lt never be thine own man again. I pr'ythee," he continued +to the lawyer, "leave sorting that mass, and explain thy business." + +Grasp, however, had now made good his footing, and produced his +impression. And, as he pointed with fore-finger from paper to paper, he +began to recapitulate the various tracts of land, domains, and estates +and all and sundry thereunto belonging, with messuages, tenements, and +matters appertaining, so rapidly that Sir Hugh stood aghast, with eyes +starting and face of wonder, as he listened. + +At length, the knight put a stop to it all with a voice of thunder, and +insisted upon a more clear demonstration of the matter in hand. "What, +in the fiend's name," he said, "hath my nephew to do with your heirs +male, your tenures, domains, your castles, windmills, your fee-simples, +your tails and entails, your arable lands, wastes, commons, fishponds, +and woodlands, and all the litany of impertinence you have been +jittering for the last half hour?" + +"In fact and in right," said Grasp, "_de facto_ and _de jure_, all and +every thing hath your nephew to do herewith." + +"How so?" said Arderne. "I know nought about the lands you have named, +unless it be that here, in Warwickshire, I have heard such places +exist." + +"Nevertheless, as sure as they exist, they to all appearance are at this +moment your own, good Master Arderne," said Grasp. + +"Mine?" said Arderne. "The man is mad. I pray you explain." + +"I will so," said the lawyer. "May I be permitted to sit in this +presence." + +"Take a chair," said Sir Hugh. And the lawyer accordingly seated +himself, wiped his glasses, and commenced again. + +"You doubtless are aware that, by the father's side, you can claim +kindred with the noble house of Plantagenet," he said. + +"It's a far-away relationship then," said Arderne. "Nevertheless I +believe such is the case; but what of that?" + +"You know it well enough, good Master Arderne," said Grasp; "for it is a +thing to thank God and to be proud of; and you also know that the Lady +Clara de Mowbray was also akin to you. As thus:--Geoffrey Plantagenet +wedded with----." + +"Well, a truce with all matter of that sort," interrupted Arderne. "I +know my lineage well as thou canst tell it me, Master Grasp. But what of +Clara de Mowbray? Granting I am her distant kinsman, and distant indeed +must the relationship be----." + +"Nevertheless it is true, as I am in a condition to prove," said Grasp. +"Nay, not only are you her kinsman, but you are her sole remaining +kinsman, and to obviate all controversy about succession, she hath +constituted and appointed you her sole heir." + +"You do, indeed, astonish me," said Arderne; "is then the beautiful +Clara de Mowbray dead?" + +"'Tis so rumoured, set down, and given out," said Grasp. + +"She is said to have gone to foreign parts," said Sir Hugh; "died she +there!" + +"She did," said Grasp. + +"Alas! my poor daughter's dear and only friend!" exclaimed Sir Hugh. And +then there was a pause of some moments amongst the party, whilst Grasp, +whose heart was as hard and dry as the parchment he idolized, became +again so deeply involved amongst his papers, that he seemed to lose +sight of everything else around him; nay, even Sir Hugh and Arderne +seemed totally to have forgotten his presence. Arderne, indeed, was lost +in the thoughts this intelligence had conjured up. He called to mind the +exceeding beauty of the high-born lady who thus had made him the heir to +all her vast possessions; and as he did so, many little passages between +them, during his intimacy with his cousin Charlotte, flashed across his +brain. At length, as his eye fell upon Grasp, he again questioned him. + +"You were apparently employed," he said, "by the Lady Clara de Mowbray +as her lawyer, Master Grasp?" + +"I had that honour," said Grasp. "I was the instrument by which, under +direction of her major-domo, or house steward, she gathered in her +various rents. May I hope for a continuance of favour for the like, from +your honour?" + +"Know you the circumstances of the lady's decease, and where she died?" +inquired Arderne. + +"I do," said Grasp, "inasmuch as having been bound for the term of one +year to keep the circumstances pertaining to the event secret; that time +having now expired, I am at liberty to divulge to this honoured company +all I know thereof." + +"I pray you to proceed," said Arderne. + +"It seemeth, then," said Grasp, "as I am given to understand by the +steward or major-domo before-named, that since the melancholy fate of +the daughter of the honoured master of this house, and who was (under +favour for mentioning it) buried alive----" + +"How! buried alive?" said the captain, laying down his pipe, whilst Sir +Hugh groaned aloud, rose from his seat, and walked to the window, and +Walter Arderne started as if he had received a bullet through his brain. + +"Buried alive!" iterated Grasp, as he watched his auditors with the +utmost satisfaction and curiosity. "I conceive it is no libel to say so +much, _inasmuch_ as it is well known, and has indeed made some talk at +the time." + +"I pray you," said Arderne sternly, "to continue your relation, without +further circumstance. You pain us all by such unnecessary particulars." + +"Nay," said Grasp, "I crave pardon; but as the particularly horrible +nature of that young lady's end was in some sort necessary to what +follows, I felt obliged, in some sort, to refer to it. Howbeit, I will +now expedite my narrative, taking it from the events I have thus brought +back to your remembrance. It seems, I say, that the particularly awful +nature of the said Miss Charlotte Clopton's death made a great +impression upon the mind of the before-named Lady Clara de Mowbray, and +whose intimate friend the before-mentioned Charlotte was; and that +moreover the said Clara de Mowbray mourned over her said friend's sad +fate with strict observance of privacy for many months. Nay, that on the +news first being told her of Mistress Charlotte's having been buried, +she, in fact, shut herself up from all communion with the world." + +"We heard as much," said Arderne; "I pray you to proceed. She resided at +Shottery Hall at that time I think?" + +"She did so," continued Grasp, "and where, somewhat on the sudden (as I +learn from her confidential servant,--also my client,) she conceived the +idea of changing the current of her thoughts and ameliorating her grief +by seeing foreign lands. In pursuance of which design she fitted out a +vessel, hired a crew, engaged a gentleman of approved valour as captain, +and sailed for the New World." + +"How! said ye," exclaimed Captain Fluellyn, "fitted out a ship, engaged +a crew and captain, and adventured to the New World?" + +"What ship did she sail in, Master Lawyer Rasp?" + +"Grasp, good sir, and it so please ye," said the lawyer. + +"What ship, quotha--let me see. I have a document here, signed by one of +her followers, and which states the name of the ship, the number of her +crew, the title of the said captain, and all thereunto appertaining and +belonging. Ah! let me see," he continued, (fumbling about amongst his +papers.) "the 'Eagle'--the 'Estridge'--the 'Heron'--the 'Hawk'--no, it +was none of those. The--ah! here it is--the 'Falcon,' that was the +vessel; Fluellyn, captain commanding; owner, Count Falconara." + +The Captain looked at Walter Arderne, in whose face was reflected the +astonishment depicted in his own; and both, as if by common impulse, +rose from their seats, and walked forth into the open air. + +Arderne took a turn along the dark walk which led to the rivulet at the +bottom of the garden, ere he spoke. At length he approached the Captain +(who, out of respect, had remained near the house). + +"This is a strange matter!" said Fluellyn. + +"It is indeed!" said Arderne. "It seems to me like something unreal. I +can scarce believe that Clara de Mowbray hath perished in such a +venture." + +"You knew the lady, then?" said the Captain. + +"I did," said Arderne. "She was the friend and intimate of Charlotte +Clopton, she of whom ye have heard me speak, and consequently in former +days much here; nay, she rented a mansion at Shottery for the purpose of +being near her friend." + +"Perhaps" said the Captain, "for the purpose of being near her +_friend's_ friend. 'Tis evident she loved you, and you saw it not." + +"Nay!" said Arderne, "she knew I was betrothed to my cousin." + +"Tush, man! that mattered not amaravedi," said the Captain; "she loved +you, spite of fate, and against hope. 'Tis not uncommon with women. She +heard of your desolate condition through the worthy Martin; and (urged +by her strong love) she persuaded him to adventure with her, in the hope +of discovering and rescuing you from your desolate situation: so much I +can myself answer for. How she bore herself in that adventure, I have +also reason to know. All we required to know further was the name of +this Count of quality, and, behold! we have it. Come--thou art at least +a richer man by the knowledge." + +"Would to Heaven," said Arderne mournfully, "she were in the enjoyment +of her own wealth. I seem to make shipwreck of all that interest +themselves in my welfare." + +"Ah!" said the blunt Captain, "I doubt thee not, good Master Arderne. +Such a woman were worthy of an emperor's love; one to worship in life, +and evermore sigh for when dead. But come--no more sad brow and sighing +breath. Thou art the likeliest man in all the country,--hast fair +domains, castles, parks, and warrens, according to yonder scrivener. +Such an one need not sigh for a wife methinks. Let us in, lest the old +knight and the law-man fall to buffets, spite of the news brought." + +"Sir Hugh must indeed not know of this," said Arderne, "at least, not at +present; 'twould but revive his grief for Martin's loss. Over a cup of +Canary after dinner we will relate the story." + +And thus did Walter Arderne become the possessor of many fair domains in +Warwickshire and other countries; for as there was none at that time to +dispute possession, and as their former possessor was fairly identified, +and her death deposed to by more than one of her own followers, so there +was nothing to hinder him in the succession. + +There was, however, a certain degree at melancholy attached to the whole +affair, which seemed to throw a gloom over the estates, as he in turn +visited them,--a something wanting--a deserted look--an inexpressible +feeling of dislike to assume the mastery and ownership of these fair and +fertile lands. "I can even yet hardly reconcile to myself the right of +proprietorship here," he said to Sir Hugh, as they looked forth one day +from the towers at Hill Morton upon a vast chase below. "It seems to me +that I am an interloper--an usurper here." + +"Tush--man!" said Sir Hugh; "this is to be overscrupulous. Take the good +the gods send, and make no words on't." + +And thus matters rested quietly for days, weeks, and months, and then +there arose matter which took the thoughts of men, throughout the land, +from their own particular concerns, and (whilst the whole nation rang +with the news) called up the energies of all. + +Sir Hugh was with his nephew and friend when the first intimation of the +certainty of this event reached Clopton. The day was hot, for it was +just at the end of April, and the knight had ordered the dinner to be +served in the hall, where they were enjoying the half hour after their +meal "with pippins and cheese" and a whiff or two of the pleasant weed. + +The soothing influence of his pipe was just composing the old knight to +sleep when the sharp sound of hoofs were heard in the court without, and +a messenger, "bloody with sparring, fiery red with haste," came clanking +into the presence. + +The sealed brief he handed to Sir Hugh--with the words, ride, ride, +ride, upon the cover, in a few minutes after its perusal effectually +dispelled the influence of the weed Sir Walter loved, inasmuch as it was +from Sir Walter himself, and dated from Deptford. + +"Come forth, my old friend," said the letter, "the time hath arrived for +all to be stirring, 'Tis now certain the Armada is about to sail. Let +your nephew look to his command and bring up his companions. Our ships +are ready for sea and men are wanted. 'Fore Heaven, _we will singe the +Dons whiskers for him_,[19] or smoke for it ourselves." + +[Footnote 19: A saying of Sir Francis Drake's at this time.] + + + + +CHAPTER XLIII. + +ENGLAND ON THE DEFENSIVE. + + +Our story having now (with swift passage) glided o'er some two years, we +arrive at a period in which all England was aroused by the alarm of a +dreadful invasion. + +All corners that the eye of Heaven visited throughout the island were +indeed frightened from their proprietary by the mighty preparation of +the Spaniard,--a preparation of such vast magnitude that it shewed the +determination of the foe to subdue, and put to indiscriminate slaughter, +the whole population of the country, if possible exterminate heresy at +one blow, and acquire eternal renown by reuniting the whole Christian +world in the Catholic Communion. England at this period, it must be +owned, was in a critical situation. A long peace had deprived it of all +military discipline and experience. It was exposed to invasions from all +quarters, as it was in reality neither fortified by art or nature; +whilst the numerous Catholics, with which it still abounded, it was +feared would be ready to join the invader the moment he succeeded in +landing. + +In addition to this, men began to consider the difference between the +English and Spanish forces. To remember the overwhelming power of the +naval force of the Spaniard, and the vast numbers, reputation, and +veteran bravery of his armies, and then--as they sat and brooded over +these matters--they reflected that the fate of England must be decided +in two battles, one at sea and one on land. Deep and portentous were the +thoughts and fears these things conjured up when the certainty of the +visitation became apparent. Whole families, high and low, rich and poor, +looked each other in the face with vacant horror and dire apprehension. +From the hut to the castle, from the cottage to the baronial hall, +spread the whispered fear. Not altogether the fear of being beaten in +fair and open fight, but of being overwhelmed by the mighty power of a +tremendous foe without chance of a successful defence. Nor is it to be +wondered at, if the hearts of the islanders did quail at this juncture, +when we remember the three years' preparation which (_now completed_) +was about to be precipitated like a mighty torrent upon the shores of +England. + +According to a letter of Sir John Hawkins, written at the time to Sir +Francis Walsingham, the main strength of the Armada consisted in a +squadron of fifty-four magnificent and invincible ships, embracing nine +galleons of Portugal, twenty great argosies of Venice, twenty huge +Biscayns, four large Galleasses, and a ship of the Duke of Florence of +800 tons. Besides these were thirty smaller ships and thirty hulks, +which, together with others, amounted to 132 ships and 20 caravals. + +On board this huge fleet were 8,766 mariners, and 21,855 soldiers, +besides 2,088 galley-slaves; and in addition, the Armada contained +stores for the army, cannon, double cannon, culverin, and field-pieces, +7,000 muskets, 10,000 halberts, 56,000 quintals of gunpowder, and 12,000 +quintals of match. Nay, so confident were these overweening Spaniards of +success, that their huge ships even contained horses, mules, carts, +waggons, spades, mattocks, baskets, and everything necessary for +settling upon the land they meant, at one blow, to conquer and enslave. + +Both fleet and army were also provided on a scale of unexampled +profusion, and the officers who were to lead, and who were of the +noblest families of Spain, even embarked their suites of attendants and +their physicians. But, perhaps, the most galling accompaniment to the +Englishman, and which this dread Armada, had provided itself with, was +one hundred and eighty monks and Jesuits, carrying with them chains, +wheels, racks, and whips to be employed in the conversion of those +heretics they might choose to spare from the infliction of a cruel +death. In fact, every part of the vast empire of the malignant Spaniard +had resounded with "dreadful note of preparation and the noise of +armaments," whilst all his ministers, generals, and admirals were +sweating in aid of the design. + +But this was not all that England had to fear, for the Duke of Parma and +Asmodeus of Savoy had also prepared in the Netherlands an army of 30,000 +men; whilst the Duke of Guise was conducting to the coast of Normandy +12,000 troops, in order to embark and land on the west of England. So +that in the Netherlands also the air resounded with the busy hammer of +smiths and carpenters, collected in Flanders, Lower Germany, and the +coasts of the Baltic, and who "making the night joint-labourer with the +day," were engaged in the construction of vessels and flat-bottomed +boats, for the transport of their infantry and cavalry. + +The hearts and minds of many for the moment quailed under the thought of +this tremendous armament; whilst all Europe apprehended that England was +doomed, and must be overwhelmed and enslaved. + +A deep gloom and a secret horror was indeed upon the hearts of all. They +stooped, however, but for a moment beneath the tide, and then the whole +nation seemed to start up at the imperious challenge of Spain, sword in +hand, sheathed in complete steel. + +Not a county in England, not a town or village even, but seemed to rise +simultaneously in arms--not a corner of the land but rang with +preparation and muster, and awoke endeavour for defence! Nay, such was +the incredible alacrity with which from shire to shire the soldiers were +raised, and mustered and marched, that from Cornwall all along southward +towards Kent, and thence eastward to Lincolnshire, (as the account of +the period is worded) "was there a place to be doubted for the landing +of these foreigners; but that within forty-eight hours, on horseback or +on foot, 20,000 men, completely armed, with ammunition, provision, and +carriages, commanded by the principal nobles of their counties, and +captains of knowledge, would be ready to oppose them." + +In the interior, also, every man capable of bearing a weapon, rushed to +arms. + +The green fields, near Tilbury in Essex, gleamed with the white tents of +22,000 foot, and 2,000 horse, whilst another army, close at hand, +counted 28,000 men. + +The narrow streets of London, too, resounded night and day with roll of +drum and blast of trumpet; every church and tower and hall was rummaged +for arms and armour. Each citizen stood in harness of proof. The armour, +which had "hung unsecured by the walls" even from the Crusades, was +taken down and put in requisition; and in addition to this, 10,000 +additional troops were raised within the walls, together with 5,000 more +as a reserve. + +All this, however, against the overwhelming moral force of Philip, in +the minds of many experienced men, was thought insufficient; and whilst +the bold spirits of the leaders of the host led them to affirm that they +were strong enough to cut to pieces the whole Spanish force the moment +they land, there were others quite aware that the ocean was the element +on which to meet the foe. + +"A mighty power," said the great Raleigh at the juncture, "in a goodly +fleet of ships, and which neither foot nor horse can follow, cannot be +desirable to land where it list in England; unless it be hindered and +unconnected by a fleet of answerable strength." It was accordingly under +advice of men of approved valour and conduct, that Elizabeth set about +to equip a fleet suitable, as far as possible, to the occasion. + +Notwithstanding, however, the almost incredible exertions made to meet +the foe on the seas, the naval power of England seemed quite inadequate +to resist so terrible an enemy upon the waters. All the sailors in +England amounted to but 14,000 men, and the size of the shipping was so +small that, with the exception of a few of the Queen's ships of war, +there were not four vessels belonging to the merchants which exceeded +400 tons. The royal navy consisted but of twenty-eight sail, many of +them of small size, and indeed for the most part deserving the name of +pinnaces rather than ships. + +To counterbalance this disproportion, however, the English felt +consolation in the known dexterity and valour of her seamen, their +constant custom of sailing in tempestuous seas, and being undeterred by +the dangers of the element on which they had now to fight; a virtue +which will ever render our glorious sailors more than a match for any +foe. + +In addition to this small navy, all the commercial towns in England +furnished forth ships. The citizens of London fitted out and equipped +thirty vessels, and the gentry and nobility hired, armed, and manned +forty-three ships. + +Such then was the mighty preparation of the Spaniard, and such was the +"awakened endeavour of England for defence,"--an endeavour perhaps +without parallel in the history of our country, and which we have thus +minutely brought to the recollection of our readers, because it was +witnessed and keenly observed by one whose mighty mind seized upon +whatever came within his piercing ken, and who, whilst he was the most +careful of observers, was, at the same time, possessed of judgment as +remarkable as his imagination and genius were wonderful; one who +treasured up what he then beheld, although he stood, apparently, but as +"a cypher to that great accompt;" and whilst he thus in reality, beheld +"a kingdom for a stage, princes to act, and monarchs to behold the +swelling scene," himself possessed-- + + "A muse of fire; that would ascend + The brightest heaven of invention; + +afterwards giving his observations to the world in descriptions of +chivalrous grandeur, such as none other in any age has equalled. One who +himself saw that brave fleet so hastily collected and prepared for the +occasion. + + "With silken streamers the young Phebus fanning, + And in them beheld, + Upon the hempen tackle, ship-boys climbing; + Heard the shrill whistle, which did order give, + To sounds confus'd. Beheld the threaden sails, + Borne with the invisible and creeping wind, + Draw the huge bottoms through the furrowed sea, + Breasting the lofty surge. + Who stood upon the rivage and beheld + A city as the inconstant billows dancing, + For so appeared the fleet majestical." + +Yes, whilst the choice-drawn cavaliers of Elizabeth's age stood in arms, +and whilst, upon the waves rode those adventurous seamen, Shakespeare +stood amongst the file, and as his capable eye marked the big muster, +his heart beat with each roll of the drum, as it resounded amidst the +narrow streets of old London. + +And what, indeed, must have appeared to such a man "this post haste and +homage through the land," this "threatening of the threatener," this +"pomp and circumstance of glorious war?" What must have been the +feelings of that one man as he stood amidst the throng-- + + "For who was he, whose chin was but enriched + With one appearing hair, that would not follow + Those culled and choice-drawn cavaliers?" + +He saw the daily and hourly preparation; he beheld the knightly and the +noble "all plumed like ostriches;" he saw the closes, the streets and +alleys of Lud's old town swarming with men-at-arms. + + "He beheld the strict and most observant watch, + Which nightly toiled the subject of the land: + The impress of shipwrights, whose sore task + Did not divide the Sunday from the week: + And then he put himself in arms." + + + + +CHAPTER XLIV. + +THE BOAR'S HEAD IN EAST CHEAP. + + +Whilst London, and indeed all England, was thus aroused by this sound of +deadly preparation, a gay and jovial party sat carousing in one of the +apartments of an antique tavern in East Cheap. + +They sat around a huge table situated in the centre of the apartment, +and which was indifferently well furnished with savoury viands and +generous wines; and a single glance sufficed to proclaim them the choice +spirits of the tavern. Daring, reckless blades, companions who daffed +the world aside, men heeding nothing, caring for nothing, dreading +nothing, and to whom the spirit of the times was peculiarly delightful. +They loved action, those revellers. Their lives were made up of the +false fleeting excitement of some four hours' exhibition before the +flickey foot-lights of a theatre. They were indeed actors all, but their +vocation was over for the time amidst the excitement of the coming war. + +And as they sat at supper at one of their old haunts, the Boar's Head in +East Cheap, they aroused the neighbourhood with their revelry. Amongst +them, however, was one whose voice in an instant caused attention. When +he spoke their clamour ceased, and whilst some envied, others wondered +at, and one or two even disliked (for amongst men of this sort there is +ever a something of jealousy) all listened to and sought to catch his +slightest remark. Nor was it at all surprising that such should be the +case, for this man, who had joined their company, and become an actor +about a couple of years before, had made an extraordinary impression +upon them all. He had come amongst them a stranger, a fugitive, and in +distress. He had taken the meanest, the most subordinate parts in the +dramatic representations then performing; but his words, appearance, and +manners had been instantly recognized as something uncommon. + +Amongst those men, and whom he had accidentally, and as if by a sort of +fate, at once fallen in with, were some who read character deeply and +instantly, who caught peculiarities and appreciated talent at a glance. + +Such then is the association in which we again, after a brief interval +look upon Shakespeare. The actor's of Elizabeth's day--a jovial racy +set--men who could play the parts assigned them in the inn yard, or with +the hawthorn-bush for a scene, and trust to their own good acting and +energy to keep their audience amused. + +And these men had Shakespeare astonished by the genius and talents he +possessed, whilst his conversation displayed the wildest sallies of +fancy, the most brilliant wit, and the utmost depth of observation. In +fact, he had become their oracle, their adviser, their leader. He had +already altered and improved some of the rude scenes of their dramas, +shewn them how to put them effectively upon the stage, taught them to +suit the action to the word, and in short shewn a taste and genius for +the profession that at once astonished and delighted all. + +To many it will doubtless appear strange and startling thus to mark +Shakespeare down to a period of our island history, which for stirring +import had never been exceeded, to find him thus, with his companions of +the theatre, on the eve of so terrific an encounter as was then about to +take place "between two mighty monarchies," to behold him a living, +breathing man, at a moment when all England was aroused to beat off the +invader from her shores, or fall and perish miserably beneath the yoke. + +The feeling of the thousands then in arms was as of one man; not an +islander stood enranked with iron upon his breast, but owned a heart as +brave and true as the weapon by his side; nay, every right arm felt a +limb of steel, and each fist, as it grasped the rapier's hilt, was ready +to rain its storm of blows upon the crests of the overweening Spaniard, +and smite him dead upon the earth he came to invade. And such will it +always be in "this sceptered isle." + +'Twas a picturesque-looking party that assemblage in the old room of the +tavern in East Cheap. The chimes, sounding from the tower of St. Paul's, +proclaimed the hour of midnight through an open casement which admitted +the fresh and balmy breeze of May. In different parts of the room were +to be seen portions of the arms and armour the wearers had cast aside +when they sat down to their carouse,--the heavy rapier, the cuirass, the +helmet, and the plumed hat are thrown carelessly into corners, whilst +the story, the biting jest, and the song is heard:-- + + "And let me the canakin, clink, clink, clink, + And let me the canakin clink, + A soldier's a man, and life's but a span, + Why then let a soldier drink." + +We have said that Shakespeare had obtained an influence amongst the men +with whom he had become associated, and the present circumstance of this +tavern meeting shews it,--"that tiger's heart wrapped in a player's +hide, had stirred them up to join him in the present enterprise." The +players have turned soldiers, and are about to seek service amongst the +troops embarking with Drake, Hawkins, and Frobisher. With the dawn they +are to take boat, and drop down towards Tilbury Fort, where the Queen in +person is to inspect her troops; and this night they hold perhaps their +last revel in one of their old haunts, this night perhaps they drain +their last cup in old London. + +Fast and furious grows the revel. The spirit of the time lends its charm +to men so easily excited, so "of imagination all compact." They drink +deep to the healths of the bold spirits of the day. To Lord Howard of +Effingham, who commands upon the seas; to the Earl Leicester, who +defends the capital at Tilbury; to Lord Seymour; to Lord Hunsdon; to the +Queen,-- + + "Cup her till the world go round." + +And then that _one man's_ voice is heard, as he rises and drains his +glass, and his tongue gives utterance to words which still more fire the +hearts of his hearers. For he speaks of his native land: + + "That England hedged in with the main, + That water-walled bulwark, still secure + And confident from foreign purposes. + England, that never did, nor ever shall + Lie at the proud foot of a conqueror, + Unless she first doth help to wound herself." + +And now, as the breaking dawn sheds a faint and pale light upon tower, +and church, and lofty roof, gradually redeeming the narrow and +overshadowed streets from the gloom of night, the sounds of bustle are +heard around. Then comes the rattle and roll of drum, the blast of horn, +and the quick tramp of armed men. Up Fish-street Hill, down St. Magnus +Corner, rattles and reverberates the rolling sheepskin; now it sounds +dead and dull beneath the caves and penthouses of St. Margarit's and +Pudding Lane; and now it beats loud and shrill as it emerges into Chepe, +whilst Aldgate, and Houndsditch, and Hog Lane, and Tower Street, and +Cornhill, and Budge Row, also are filled with replications of the +clamour. + +As the tongue of war thus suddenly startles the ears of the revellers, +they start from their seats, and hastily resume the defensive armour. A +few minutes more and East Cheap seems filled with men, and all the +crafts of London to have turned out and put themselves in arms. Then +comes the short quick word of command, the halt and front, the trail of +the puissant pike, and the ringing noise of caliver upon the hard +ground. + +Then, as the Golden Cheap, as it was called, displays its rich treasures +from each window, its cloth of gold and silver, and velvets of various +hue, its arras and rich carpetings and silk, and, more than all, its +comely wives and the handsome daughters of the wealthy burghers standing +at the casements they have thus adorned,--then on come the levies +destined for the defence of the coast, or about to embark in various +ships, lying in the Thames, and which, passing through the double rank +of the civic battalions, with quick pace and heavy tramp, turn towards +London Bridge. + +As these sounds, we say, salute the ears of the revellers, they leave +their flagons, and, hastily selecting their various arms and defensive +armour, call lustily for something substantial else they join the +newly-raised levies. They go forth to the war as to another +revel,--those players. They vow to singe the whiskers of the overweening +Don. And Shakespeare halloos them on. + + "Hostess, my breakfast, come, + O, I could wish this tavern were my drum." + + + + +CHAPTER XLV. + +THE CAMP AT TILBURY. + + +To describe minutely the magnificent force assembled at Tilbury, and the +camp there, would be both a tedious and a twice-told tale. My Lord of +Leicester (who had the ordering of all matters thereunto appertaining) +had arranged things not altogether so unskilfully. It was at his +instigation, and invitation too, that the Queen herself paid a visit to +her troops there; for, says his letter to her on this occasion, "If it +may please your Majesty, your army being about London, as at Stratford, +East Ham, Hackney, and the villages thereabout, shall be not only a +defence, but a ready supply to Essex and Kent, if need be. In the +meantime your Majesty, to comfort this army, and the people of both +these counties, may (if it so please you) spend some days to see both +camps and forts." And so the bold Tudor, in martial array, visited the +camp; and never, perhaps, did the world witness a more heroic sight. The +glorious sun of a summer's day poured its rays upon a glittering host. +Line beyond line they stood enranked on either side, and beyond the +blockhouse, as the Queen landed; and as the drums rattled, and the +cannon roared, when she stepped from her barge, down went ensign, and +pike, and caliver. + +The Earl of Leicester and his officers received her on landing; and two +thousand horse, dividing into two brigades, together with two thousand +infantry, formed her immediate guard. + +The next day she reviewed her troops on the hill near Tilbury church, +attended by the Earls of Leicester and Ormond. She wore a corslet of +polished steel upon her breast, (a page bearing her plumed helm,) and +thus, bare-headed, and carrying a marshal's truncheon in her hand, she +rode through the ranks amidst the most deafening cheers; after which she +harangued the host in a speech of considerable length. + +The scene was one likely to make a deep and lasting impression upon the +minds of all who witnessed it. The assembled troops were, in +themselves, worthy of note; for, besides the regular and trained +infantry and cavalry of the period, there stood enranked, and _doing the +duty of private volunteers_, some of the noblest in England. The gentry +of the various counties had donned their harness, and come forth to do +the duty of common soldiers; scarfed, and plumed, and belted, they stood +there, resolved to lay down their life, ere they yielded one foot of +their native land to the invader. As the Queen passed on amidst this +steel-clad host, there was one who stood somewhat apart, and in an +interval of the lines of infantry; he raised his voice amidst the +general enthusiasm, as the royal Tudor rode along the rank near which he +was posted; and then he lowered his weapon, and as he leaned upon it, +keenly observed the whole scene. + +He saw that lion-hearted woman, and who had then borne the sceptre for +thirty years; her body cleped in steel; her high pale forehead furrowed +with care; her bright and piercing eye, and her majestic form unbent by +the pressure of years. He saw her thus, mounted upon her magnificent +steed, like a true daughter of the Plantagenet, vindicating the honour +of her kingdom. He saw her thus, undismayed by the tremendous armament +threatening her coast, pass on from rank to rank, "with cheerful +semblance, and sweet majesty;" and as she rode-- + + "A largess universal, like the sun, + Her liberal eye did give to every one." + +Those who have stood in the ranks of an English battalion can perhaps +best imagine the proud feeling which must have animated the breast of +Shakespeare at this moment. His eye passed rapidly over the glittering +files, and then it dwelt with curiosity upon the stern features of the +troops, as each glance was bent upon that one form, "so regal, so +majestical;" and, as he looked upon the expression of those bearded +men, he felt that no power which the invader could bring would be +likely to subdue such a host. The English might be struck +dead--blasted--annihilated by some wrathful bolt from the skies, but, +unless the power of Heaven fought against them, no foreign force could +subdue that _island-host_ upon their own ground. And then, whilst he +gazed upon this inspiriting sight, as the Queen passed off the ground, +and took her way "so strongly guarded" amongst the innumerable white +tents, a wild flourish of martial music floated through the air, the +firm unbent forms of the soldiery relaxed, the sword point was lowered, +the pike trailed, drum and fife sounded, and the various companies +wheeled off then-several positions and followed through the camp. As +column after column moved past, still that observant eye was rivetted +upon them. The musqueteers in the front rank; the pikemen in a dense +column behind; then came the cavalry, slow and stately, with a rushing +ringing sound, the horses reined back to keep time to the trumpets' +clang. Squadron after squadron, they moved past with stately pace and +slow; the several leaders armed in steel, galloping up and down the +ranks, and giving the word as they wheeled round and moved off the +field. They were led by one scarce two-and-twenty years of age, who +seemed, on his magnificent charger, with his beaver raised, "the prince +of chivalry," the "arm and burgonet of men." The young Earl of Essex, +just then in the zenith of his fame, and to whom the Queen had given +command of the cavalry. + +And so the eye of the "poor player" pierced through the camp and +witnessed all the "pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war;" +himself, in his humble suit of buff, with buck and breast and helm of a +common soldier, the greatest man there. He saw the tented field, so as +only a nation's "endeavour for defence" could have shown it him. He +mingled amongst tho white tents of the soldiery, and he visited the huts +made of boughs of trees and poles, beneath which many of the gentry from +the various counties and their followers were sheltered. + +At this period of his life his profusion had made him known to many of +the nobles and leaders present, and those who fell in with him were +pleased to have a word with "the pleasant Willie" amidst the excitement +and bustle of the hour. As he turned from the scene, and, with his +companions threaded his way amidst the crowd of soldiers, suttlers, and +the other accompaniments of a huge army, he was met and accosted by one +high in authority amongst the host. + +"Ah! Will Shakespeare," said the noble, "hast thou too put thyself in +arms? 'Fore Heaven, man, thou shalt come with me to my tent. See, here +is my Lord of Southampton, and other gallants, 'the very elements of the +camp,' would fain have a rouse ere they wait upon the Queen. Come, man, +a word from thee will spice the cup. No denial," continued the noble, as +Shakespeare endeavoured to excuse himself on the plea of wishing to make +on toward Dover that night. "No denial. Come, thou shalt cup us this day +in the field. I could better lack the best of my followers on the day of +battle than lose thee now we have once met here. What says't thou, my +Lord of Southampton, thou canst not excuse the gentle William, eh?" And +so it was late in the day ere Shakespeare left the tented field of +Tilbury. + +When he did so he crossed over a bridge of boats and barges which had +been drawn across the Thames at Gravesend. This bridge had been +constructed for the purpose of opposing the passage of the invading +fleet, should any portion of the expedition succeed in crossing the +Nore, and to afford a means of communication for supplies of men and +munition from Kent and Sussex. + +With two or three companions (and who, like himself, were resolved to +hasten to the coast and, if possible, get on board some vessel at +Dover,) Shakespeare hastened, after leaving Gravesend, along the Old +Kent Road, then the most beaten track in England. + +Thus then, under circumstances so peculiar, the players found themselves +in the county of Kent, that interesting county, which has been the +battle-ground of the English for so many centuries, and which yet +retains the ancient name Cæsar,[20] conferred upon it upwards of +eighteen hundred years before. + +[Footnote 20: Cæsar denominated this county, Cantium; time, therefore, +has made no further alteration than in giving it an English sound.] + +Much as was the traffic on this thoroughfare at the period of our story, +the road was still in a very primitive state, thickly shadowed by trees +on either side, ill kept and full of deep ruts and quagmires, whilst the +country on either hand seemed one entire forest, and thus, amidst the +bustle of the time, troops marching and counter-marching, "posts tiring +on," pack-horses, and wains, and carriers occasionally overtaking them, +Shakespeare took his way. + +We leave our readers to imagine the feelings of the poet as he passed +along this, the old Roman road. + +As his eye pierced through the gloom, he beheld the road ascending +through a leafy tunnel, and as he mounted a steep hill, he looked into +the thick shadow on either hand, and then stopped and contemplated the +place with a curious eye. It is more than probable, whilst he looked +upon this locality, covered as it was with enormous trees, the road +darkened by their shadow, the overhanging bank covered with fern, the +crow winging to his nest, the moon just beginning to appear, that some +passages he had perused in one of the old chronicles of England flashed +across his brain, for in the scene thus beheld at so sweet an hour +Shakespeare looked upon GAD'S HILL. + +And now, as the players left the woodlands, and descended the hill on +the other side, a magnificent sight was presented to their +view,--looking in the pale moonlight like some romantic view exhibited +during the scenic hour, the Keep of Rochester, white and spectral, +towered above the flanking walls that surrounded it; the rushing waters +of the river flowing just beneath; the old picturesque town (then in +comparison but a hamlet) lying dark and sombre on the left. 'Twas a +scene that spake of former passages in Britain's history; and as +Shakespeare looked upon it he felt the impression. There beneath him +flowed the broad Medway, where the Britons had made their stand against +the legions of Rome. On the bank, surrounded with battled towers, +frowned the tower of the Norman Gundulph, now, as of yore, filled with +glittering troops; the flaming cresset glaring from its walls, and +reflected in the stream. The "panoply of war, grim-visaged, but glorious +war," once again had revived its thick-ribbed towers. And in the old +hostel of the Crown, Shakespeare and his troop slept that night,--a +locality since immortalised, for 'tis _the inn-yard at Rochester_, of +the scenic hour. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVI. + +THE INVINCIBLE ARMADA. + + +At a time when every rank of men in England buried all party +distinctions, and prepared with order, as well as vigour, to resist the +violence of the invaders, the Catholics throughout the land were not +found wanting. Many gentlemen of that sect, conscious that they could +not justly expect either trust or authority, entered themselves as +volunteers in the fleet or army, whilst many equipped ships at their own +charge, and gave the command of them to Protestants; others again +bestirred themselves, and animated their tenantry, servants, and +neighbours to join in the defence. + +Amongst these, Sir Hugh Clopton and Walter Arderne had manfully +bestirred themselves. Sir Hugh had mustered his servants and followers, +and putting them under conduct of his good friend, Sir Thomas Lucy, +marched off as a simple volunteer to Tilbury Camp, whilst Walter +Arderne, with no less zeal, and tenfold means, (for be it remembered he +was now the possessor of an enormous fortune,) had equipped several +ships at his own charge, intending to join Sir Francis Drake. + +And thus having brought our readers to this period of general +enthusiasm, we now almost lose sight of the individuals more immediately +connected with our story in the universal excitement. The huge Armada, +after having by a variety of reports seemed to threaten every foot of +the coast in turn, was at length first discerned making its approach. A +Dutch pirate brought intelligence to Plymouth that the Duke of Medina +Sidonia was in reality in the English Channel. The captains and +commanders of the English vessels were at the moment of this +intelligence being brought playing at bowls at Plymouth; and Sir Francis +Drake, with the true spirit of an English seaman, insisted upon playing +out the game. "Play it out," my masters all, he said, "play it out. We +have plenty of time to win the game first and beat the Spaniards +afterwards." + +A south-west wind, however, blew so strongly at the moment that the +vessels had considerable difficulty in warping out. At length, however, +by the tremendous efforts of all hands, (for the anxiety of the troops +and sailors to get at the enemy is hardly to be described,) the English +ships were fairly at sea, and, with every sail set, bearing up for the +enemy. + + + "And now sits expectant in the air," + + +for whilst the sea bears upon its bosom the opposing fleets, the shores +of England are bristling with the armed legions watching the event. The +islanders standing "like greyhounds in the slips straining upon the +start," and thus, whilst "borne by the invisible and creeping wind," the +ships neared each other, was to be seen those characteristics of the +islanders which furnished forth descriptions like the blast of trumpet +to a Briton's ear. + + + "On! on! you noblest English, + Whose blood is set from fathers of war proof! + Fathers, that, like so many Alexanders, + Have, in these parts, from morn till even fought, + And sheathed their swords for lack of argument. + Dishonour not your mothers. Now attest, + That those that you call'd fathers, did beget you; + Be copy now to men of grosser blood, + And teach them how to war."[21] + + +[Footnote 21: "Henry the Fifth."] + +It is not our purpose fully to describe the action with, and the +discomfiture of, the Huge Don, only such portions of the engagement as +embraces the fate of those connected with our story being necessary. + +Suffice it then that the fleet of the mighty Spaniard came on slowly, +awfully, and, according to the description given by Camden, so +tremendous in appearance that the very winds seemed tired of propelling +and the ocean groaned with its weight. That the English ships, dwarfs as +they appeared by comparison, and few as they were in number, resolutely +encountered, and, like bulldogs, which never leave the animal they are +pitted against whilst life lasts, stuck to and worried the bloated Don +till they completely pulled down his pride. + +The proximity of Plymouth to the Spanish coast had rendered it probable +that that part of England would be selected by the enemy for his first +attempt, and there accordingly the Queen had appointed as Guardian one +of the noblest and most approved soldiers of her realm. That aspiring +hero, the gallant Sir Walter Raleigh, in himself a host at such a +moment, was appointed Lord-Warden of Plymouth, with office of +Lieutenant-General of the county of Cornwall, and 5,000 men under him. + +No post or appointment on land, however, could satisfy such a man, when +he himself knew the element on which the English ought to meet their +foes was the sea. Accordingly, the blast of war and the thunder at the +cannon found Sir Walter amidst the foremost, fighting hand to hand like +some avenger, and covered with the smoke and blood of the hot encounter. +Sir Walter, indeed, with a brilliant company of nobles and gentlemen, +had left Plymouth in a small squadron, and quickly came up with the +Spanish fleet. As they sighted the enemy, it was joined by a small force +fitted out by Walter Arderne, and the two made into the midst of the +fight. + +Notwithstanding, however, the desperate valour of Sir Walter Raleigh, +and which at times amounted to rashness, in the present instance he +displayed his superior seamanship, and used discretion. He was aware +that the lighter and less numerous vessels of the English had an +advantage over the unwieldy Spanish galleons, provided the former +avoided close quarters. + +He therefore ran near the floating castles of the enemy, and poured in +his broadsides, whilst they found it almost impossible to bring their +great ordnance to bear, ere he was off again. This plan of operation was +adopted by the whole English fleet. Ever asunder, but always in motion, +they took advantage of the wind to tack whenever they could most annoy +the foe; pouring in broadside after broadside, and sheering off out of +range of the Spanish guns, and then again boldly returning ere the +latter could well reload; performing, as Sir Henry Wooton described it, +a perfect morris-dance upon the water.[22] + +[Footnote 22: Oldy's "Life of Raleigh."] + +It was in vain that the Spanish fleet bore down upon their antagonists, +anxious, by bringing them to a closer action, at once to destroy them. +The skilful English sailors avoided the contact by continually +separating into small divisions. Six of the English ships, however, led +by Sir Martin Frobisher and Lord Thomas Howard, were so disjoined from +the rest, that the galleasses of the Armada came close upon them, and +continued a desperate engagement for many hours. At the same time, +another squadron of the English fiercely assailed the division of the +Armada stationed to the westward; nay, such was the desperation of the +English, that they in a short time disabled every ship in the line +there. + +Amidst the storm of hurling iron, hid from one another by volumes of +white smoke which hung upon the waters and enveloped everything around, +two individuals sprang from their vessels, and, followed by their crews, +sword in hand, clambered with desperate energy up the hull of one of the +Spanish ships. The dense smoke on all sides is only relieved by the +rapid volume of fire which seemed to pour out of every part of the +Spaniard. The tearing of timbers, the shriek of agony, the cry of +despair, and the deep curse, is answered by the wild joyous cheer of the +jolly Briton. Amidst a storm of blows, the two leaders, the forlorn hope +of the boarders, gaining the high deck of the Spanish craft, sprung upon +the enemy's deck, where they were instantly followed by their +strong-armed countrymen. What can resist, what can front them and live! +Their blows are like the lightning's flash! Their force, strength, and +ire, is terrible to look upon! They carve a passage; they bear down all +before them! The deck of the Spaniard is slippery with blood; the +thunder of the cannon is even hushed for the instant; and then is heard +the ringing noise of hundreds hand-to-hand,--the cold dull smite of +steel upon the body, the deadly curse, the cry of horror, and the shriek +of death. + +During this terrible encounter, even whilst mounting the side of the +Spanish vessel, the two men we have first described caught sight of, and +recognised each other. In the face of him who sprang from a small craft +called the Falcon, one of the sometime players of the Globe recognized +Walter Arderne; and in that countenance beside him, although now with +smoke and powder disguised "as if besmeared in hell," Arderne has for an +instant recognised the features of one known in fair Warwickshire in +happier days. They see, they recognized each other, but their thoughts +are as the red flash of the artillery around them, and the next moment +they are in the midst of blows and death. A contest of this sort, so +fought and followed, is seldom of long duration. One side or other must +generally be overborne; and, accordingly, the entire crew of the Spanish +galleon were either driven to the poop of their vessel, or dead upon her +decks. So numerous, however, were the Spaniards, that even in this +desperate extremity they were formidable; and still the contest raged. + +In the midst of the _melée_, the player who we have before seen amongst +the first to board the Spaniard, is now fighting hand-to-hand with the +Spanish captain. + +Hard pressed, (for the rapier of the Englishman bears the _invincible_ +Don almost to the planks of his vessel,) the latter turns and flies +below. Entering his cabin, he snatches up a pistol, and attempts to fire +it into a huge barrel of gunpowder, and so blow up his vessel. Like +lightning the Englishman strikes the pistol from his grasp, and calls +upon him to yield. + +The Spaniard, however, renews the contest like a tiger at bay. Rushing +upon his foe, for the moment he bears him backward; he then as suddenly +turns towards a youth who, crouched in one corner of the cabin, seemed +terrified, and unable to protect himself. Him the Spaniard now rushes +upon, and attempts to pierce with his rapier; but the Englishman again +anticipates him, strikes the weapon aside, and pierces the _invincible_ +Don to the heart at the very moment the vessel is captured; and one loud +English cheer fills the air. Curiosity and humanity leads the victor to +approach the boy whom he had so opportunely saved. He drags from before +him the body of the Spanish captain, bids the lad look up and fear +nothing; but, overcome with the terrors of the situation, the lad had +fainted. At this moment the cabin is filled with the excited +captors--they are maddened with rage and blood, and ready to strike down +all before them. Anxious for the poor boy, the gallant player lifts him +up, throws him across his shoulder, and carries him upon deck, never +leaving him till he has placed him in safety in his own vessel. + +Amidst the turmoil, confusion, and horror of such a scene, (for, of all +battles, perhaps a sea-fight presents the most savage and desperate +picture of warfare,) the "poor player," who had thus rescued the youth +from death, and borne him to a place of comparative safety, had but +small leisure to pay attention to him. + +Nevertheless, as he placed him in the cabin of the English vessel, he +could scarcely fail to observe his extreme beauty; and as the lad came +to himself, and thanked his preserver, the player found, by his accent, +that the lad was English born. + +Commending him, therefore, hastily to the care of some of the sailors at +hand, (as his ear again caught the wild huzza of the victors,) the +player again sprang upon the deck of his own ship, and the next moment +was once more amidst the scene of death and slaughter--enveloped in +smoke and fire--deafened with the roar of guns, and in the midst of +crashing timbers and falling spars. + +The Spanish galleon had been captured ere he again reached her decks; +but still on went those English red-handed from slaughter to slaughter, +"with ladies' faces, and fierce dragon's spleens," they assailed ship +after ship of the squadron they had become entangled with, and night +only arrested the terrible encounter. + +Awful indeed is the destructive power of man, when once his rage is let +loose upon his fellow. Those stately Spanish vessels, covered with +gilding and ornament, and which had come heaving upon the wave, stately +in movement, and beautiful in appearance as a bevy of swans, were now +dismantled wrecks, blackened, half burnt, and, as if tortured into +madness by their swift enemies, they vomited forth their fire at random, +their shot flying over the heads of their adversaries, and hurting each +other in the confusion of the scene. + +In other parts of the engagement the English had been equally +industrious; and had it not been for the gross mismanagement of those in +authority, and through whose parsimony the ships ran short of +ammunition, the success would have been instantly followed up; as it +was, the parsimony of the Queen might have cost her her crown, for +thrice were the English baulked in the midst of success for want of +ammunition, and obliged to take advantage of wind to get out of fire, +and as often did they return, like avengers, to smite and destroy. + +The sequel of this glorious contest is too well known for us to dwell +upon; only so far as it bears upon our story have we followed it. To +that poor player, the intrepidity of demeanour, the confidence in the +love of her subjects, and the activity and foresight of the royal Tudor, +was not lost. He saw of what his own countrymen were capable; and when +he dipped his pan in his own heart, and described deeds of knightly +fame, he wrote as he felt. + +The noble Howard of Effingham, profiting by the faults of the Duke of +Medina, and the difficulties experienced by the Spanish seamen in +manoeuvring their floating castles, made a terrible example of the +enemy, and all around is crushing ruin, flight, and pursuit. Those ships +which were scattered he followed, and the whole fleet of Medina was +already vanquished and flying, when the elements effected the rest. + + "So, by a roaring tempest as the flood, + A whole Armada of collected sail + Is scatter'd and disjoined from fellowship." + +It was during the continuance of tho storm which followed, and whilst +the few Spaniards who returned to their own shores were filling the ears +of their countrymen with reports of the desperate valour of the English, +and the tempestuous violence of the ocean which surrounded them, that +two solitary travellers took their way along the old Kent road leading +from Sandwich to Canterbury. Having quitted the ships in which they had +arrived at the old Cinque Porte town, the two wayfarers were now making +their way towards the metropolis. + +In our own times they would have come under the denomination of +strollers, since one of them was in reality an actor, and, in the form +of the other who walks by his side, our readers must recognise the youth +rescued during the preceding action with the Armada. + +Light is the step and joyous the voice of that player. It almost cheers +the heavy heart of the melancholy lad, his companion. Nay, it does, in +some sort, apparently chase from his memory some rooted sorrow; for the +large glowing orbs of the boy are oft-times turned towards the player as +he speaks, and his step becomes more firm as they proceed. + +Scarce a mile has been traversed from the town, ere the eye of the +player catches sight of a gray and massive ruin on his right, and the +steps of both are turned towards it. + +Long lingered their footsteps beside that magnificent relic, and deeply +ponders the player upon the surrounding scene. + +His companion listened to his words with breathless interest. The +glittering helmets of the cohorts of Rome seem to pass within the arena. + +Nay, the spirit of the Roman, who reared the fortress, like a rock, upon +that elevation, eighteen hundred years before, seems still to pervade +the spot. There--where the thistle rears its lonely head, and the long +grass of centuries waves in the wind--the shadowy forms of the imperial +soldiery seem to glide by. + +"And such," said the youth, as he listened to the words of his +companion, "is in truth the impression felt in each locality where the +pick and spade of the Roman has left trace of his conquering arm. The +feelings you have just described, the shadowy remembrance such locality +seems to conjure up, I have oft-times felt whilst at Clopton." + +The player started. "At Clopton?" he said, as he looked curiously at the +expressive countenance of his companion. In both there was a sort of +dreamy recollection of having met before. "At Clopton, boy? True, there +is a Roman trench in the park there. And so, then, thou knowest fair +Warwickshire?" + +The youth sighed,--his usual answer when his companion, during their +short acquaintance, had inquired his history. "I do," he said. + +"And know you Stratford-upon-Avon?" inquired the player. + +"But too well," answered the youth, again sighing. + +"Ah," said the player thoughtfully, "then well may I." + +"And wherefore?" said the lad, looking archly in his face. + +"I was born there," returned the player. "Have friends, wife, children +at Stratford." + +"And your name?" inquired the youth. + +"Shakespeare, for fault of a better," said the player. And the pair soon +afterwards left the Roman ruin and wended on towards London. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVII. + +THE PLAYER AT COURT. + + +And now a new epoch seems to have arrived, and England (for the time +being) may indeed be called "_merrie England_." The good old days of +good Queen Bess are now in full force. The nation seems like a burly +giant, who, lately weighed down by some heavy disease, and which it +required all the strength of his constitution to surmount, suddenly +finds himself again in health and strength. + + "Now he breathes again, and can give audience to any tongue, + Speak il of what it may." + +The enjoyment of the sometime invalid is tenfold from the sudden +rebound. Earth and sea, air and sky, look doubly beautiful, and each +hour is one of enjoyment. The whole nation revels in the excitement and +the joyous feelings consequent upon its deliverance from a fearful yoke. +The anticipation of dishonour, torture, and slavery, are no more. The +overweening Spaniard, "that Armado hight," has been smitten with deadly +vengeance, and all care is thrown to the winds. The Queen, the +courtiers, the soldiers, sailors, citizens, nay, all the realm are +dancing a galliard through the country. And of all those dancers none +danced more vigorously, or cut higher capers, than the royal Tudor +herself and her dancing chancellor, Sir Christopher Hatton. + + "Full oft within the spacious walls, + When he had fifty winters o'er him, + My grave lord-keeper led the brawls, + And seals and maces danced before him. + His bushy beard, and shoe-strings green, + His high-crowned hat and satin doublet, + Moved the stout heart of England's Queen, + Though Pope and Spaniard could not trouble it." + +Leicester, Essex, Raleigh, and Hatton, the especial gallants of the +Court, "glittering in golden coats like images," are amongst those +revellers. + +In London and its environs, bear-baitings, bull-baitings, masques, +morris dancers, theatrical exhibitions, and all sorts of diversions +filled up the hours. + +Great crowds of noblemen and gentlemen (who had met the Queen on her +landing at Westminster after the dispersion of the Armada) attended her +to St. James's Palace, and, day after day, entertained her, "all +furnished, all in arms," with tilts and tourneys. + +Fully did the English at this moment appreciate the merits of their +Queen. She was extolled, glorified, and almost deified in the exuberance +of their joy and loyalty.[23] + +[Footnote 23: Stow mentions a little jobbing tailor who absolutely went +mad for love of, and died glorifying the perfections of the Queen.] + +Oh that it came within the compass of our pen to describe the appearance +of the Court. To introduce our reader, but for one short hour, within +the walls of the palace; amidst that throng of princely gentlemen and +stately dames clustered around one of the most gifted and extraordinary +women that ever wielded a sceptre. Alas! the times are so changed, that +the might, the magnificence of royalty, the grandeur of the scene +within, and the halo shed around even the precincts of the palace, can +scarcely be understood. The stately forms of the bearded yeomen; the +glitter of the halbert, and the flash of weapons amidst tower and +turret; the emblazoned doublet; the measured tread of men-at-arms on +every post, and port, and passage; the lounging pages and servants, who +throng the courts and offices; the hundreds of hangers-on upon royalty +at this joyous period. The very sacred character of much that pertained +to a palace seems to have vanished. The bold grandeur of the times seem +to have departed with those cloistered and embattled buildings and the +stately beings who inhabited them. + +The very precincts of the Court,--the "whereabout of royalty," seemed +invested with a sacred character during the reign of Elizabeth. The +stern grandeur which pervaded tho habitations of the terrible Harry, her +father, still surrounded the various dwellings of the no less majestic +daughter. + +Our readers must now imagine the Court in all its splendour at that old +palace whose gateway and flanking towers still bear the cognizance and +initials of the burly Harry; not as now, however, where the echoes of +the drum and trumpet which rings and rattles out upon occasion of pomp +and parade, reverberated from the goodly dwellings and ample streets by +which it is neighboured. + +St. James's palace, in Elizabeth's day, stood in the open country. It +had been built upon the site of the dissolved hospital of St. James, by +the bluff King, and its buttressed walls were surrounded by a sort of +chase or park, the grounds of which to the north were, for the most +part, wet and marshy. The heron flapped his wing in the pool where now +the Green Park is situated, and amidst the tall trees upon the hill, at +present called Bond Street, the deer couched in the fern. It was indeed +a picturesque and noble building, exceeding handsome, as a writer of the +sixteenth century describes it, built of brick, embattled for defence, +and surrounded at the top with crenelles, the chase always green, and in +which the Court can walk in summer. Indeed, every part around St. +James's, built upon and populated as it now is, at the period of our +story was the occasional haunt of Queen Elizabeth, where she rode, +walked, and meditated, considered her household affairs, or disported +with her ladies, her courtiers, and her lovers. + +And what a picture did the scene without the palace exhibit a few weeks +after the dispersion of the Armada, and whilst many of these noblemen +and gentry, who, at the moment remained in London, were in constant +attendance upon the Queen, and endeavouring to outshine each other in +their devices and designs. + +It is near the hour of noon; the sun shines upon tower and turret, and +glances bright upon the arms of the various sentinels upon rampart and +gateway. Within, the courtyard is crowded with men-at-arms and persons +of all ranks passing in and out. And amongst these are the stately forms +of many whom the page of history has had occasion to tell of. In the +park without, numerous youthful cavaliers are careering about, mounted +upon steeds splendidly caparisoned, whilst a mounted guard of honour +stands enranked about a bow-shot in front of the principal entrance. +Huntsmen and falconers too, bedight with the royal arms, their +greyhounds in couples, and other dogs of the chase, are seen amidst the +clank of arms, as the sentinels are relieved. Nay, the perfume of the +scented courtiers pervade the air as they dismount and enter the palace. +The steaming smell of hot dishes and savoury viands also salute the +nostril, as cooks, scallions, servitors, and pages, are seen in the +inner court leading from the kitchen, as the hour approaches for the +royal banquet. + +Shift the scene to the interior, and a magnificent sight strikes the +eye, "the presence strew'd." The walls are hung with rich tapestry, and +on either hand are the nobles of the Court, "a glittering throng." The +Queen is about to pass through, and all are bare-headed. What a picture +do those men present! Cloaked, ruffed, and rapiered, their Very apparel +and arms studded with jewels, their bearded faces, so celebrated for +manly beauty,--for the Queen loves to look upon the handsomest men the +age can produce,--and limbs, and thews, and features, are sure to find +favour in her sight. Whilst the nobility stand thus enranked, (many of +lesser note at the bottom of the chamber,) a gentleman usher, dressed in +velvet, with a golden chain, suddenly appears, the doors are thrown +open, and the majestic Tudor is announced as at hand. + +First come forth, with proud step and reared heads, some of those lately +so celebrated in the "world's debate." Bare-headed, they have had +especial and private audience in the presence. Raleigh, with hawk's eye +and aquiline features, his very spirit glancing as he looks +good-naturedly, but haughtily around. Then Essex, majestic in mien and +regal-looking in demeanour, and seeming to carry on his dress the cost +of whole manors. Then Leicester, splendid in person and dress, but with +somewhat of a restless, uneasy, and sinister expression; dark as a +gipsy, and so haughty and unbending in demeanour, that his countenance +freezes the blood in the gazer's veins, and yet withal wearing a sort of +smile, ever and anon, to shew his pearly teeth; his hand plays nervously +with the hilt of his jewelled poniard, as he bows to the several nobles +he recognises. And so they file in, and fall into line on either hand. + +And now, whatever of conversation, amidst the assemblage, has been going +on, suddenly ceases; and each man standing erect, and with his +embroidered cloak advanced somewhat over the left arm, the one hand upon +the rapier's heavy hilt, the plumed hat in the other--with eyes of +expectation, await the moment of the Queen's appearance. A flourish of +twelve trumpets and two kettle-drums immediately ring and rattle out; +the battle-axes of the gentlemen-at-arms are lowered; and, lo, the +Majesty of England has passed the door. + +Elizabeth at this period of her reign was fifty-six years of age. Her +face, although exceedingly majestic, shewed the deep furrows of +care--the care which is the heir-loom of the diadem; her nose was +somewhat hooked; her lips, narrow; her teeth, discoloured. In her ears +she wore two enormous pearls with rich drops; and her small crown rested +upon a mass of false red hair. Her bosom it was her pleasure to display +uncovered (the custom of all English ladies before marriage); on her +neck was a necklace of costly jewels. The dress she wore was of white +silk, embroidered with enormous pearls, larger than beans. Over this +dress she wore a costly mantle of coloured silk, shot with silver +threads; and her long train was borne by a marchioness. In addition to +all this, she wore, in place of a chain, a magnificent collar of gold +and jewels. Her aspect upon the whole was at first sight pleasing; but +on a steady view of her countenance, there was to be found the +unendurable look of a line of kings. The eye that could gaze down a +lion; the fierce glance of the royal Harry, was there; a glance which +proclaimed the excitable nature of the Tudor blood. + +She remained stationary for a few brief moments as soon as she entered +the room, and seemed to comprehend the whole assemblage in one rapid +glance. She then advanced, with her bevy of attendant ladies, and, at +her pleasure, spoke first to one and then another of the nobles present. +To one or two giving her hand to kiss, as a mark of special favour, her +favourites (albeit they had already been favoured with a private +audience) being every now and then appealed to; whilst the moment her +eye detected any person of peculiar note, or not immediately belonging +to her circle, she fixed him like a basilisk. + +"Ah! Master Spenser," she said, as she stopped near the author of the +"Faery Queen," "hast thou received the guerdon I promised thee for thy +song yet? We rated Burleigh soundly for disobeying our orders, and +bringing forth that jangling rhyme of thine, which touched our honour. +Let me see how went it;" and the Queen repeated, with good emphasis and +discretion, the words of the poet: + + "I was promised on a time. + To have reason for my rhyme: + + Since that time until this season, + I have had nor rhyme nor reason." + +"The radiant Gloriana," said Spenser, "doth overmuch honour my poor +couplet by repeating it; nevertheless the rhyme still hath reason. Of +that, our shepherd of the ocean[24] can testify." + +[Footnote 24: Raleigh.] + +"How! Raleigh," said the Queen, "hath not thy friend received the +hundred pounds I promised him? This is overbold of Burleigh!" And the +eye of the Queen shewed the lioness' glance as she looked around for +the offender. Burleigh, however, had anticipated a storm, and sought the +lower end of the room; meanwhile Raleigh, who seldom let an opportunity +pass for pressing any suit he had to carry, replied that Spenser had as +yet received nothing of the promised coin. + +"My friend is as unlucky as myself," he said; "for neither hath he +received his guerdon, any more than I myself have obtained the grant of +lands your gracious bounty half promised." + +"Ah!" said the Queen, (who spite of her partiality for the wit, genius, +and valour of the adventurous and daring knight, little relished his +rapacity). "Ah!" she said, "what, that suit of the fields at Mitcham +again? And when will you cease to be a beggar, Raleigh?" + +Raleigh saw he had half offended, but his impudence and readiness +brought him through. "When your Majesty ceases to be a benefactress," he +said, gracefully bowing. + +The angry spot left the Queen's brow. She smiled and shook her head. +"Thou art an accomplished courtier," she said, as she passed on, "but +thou gettest not the Mitcham meadows of us yet notwithstanding." + +"What mutterest thou, Tarleton?" she continued sharply, to one of the +attendant clowns or comedians, whom she frequently admitted to her +presence. + +"I mutter nothing that I will not stand to, Madona," said Tarleton; "and +that which your Majesty calls muttering, was but an assurance to my +gossip, Raleigh, of all he requires, Raleigh hath but to open his mouth, +and the tid bits from your royal table are sure to be cast into it." + +"So!" said the Queen, rather angrily. + +"Yes," returned the bold jester, "Look but on my lord there--he of the +dark eye and olive complexion. By my fay, he hath swollen to such a huge +bulk in the sunshine of your royal eye, that anon we shall all be +overwhelmed!" + +This sally of Tarleton's against the Earl of Leicester was received with +a titter of applause, and Burleigh, who had indeed tutored the poor +jester, greatly enjoyed it. + +Elizabeth saw the feeling, and affecting to hear it with unconcern, +turned to another of the court fools. "Well, Pace," she said, "and now I +suppose we shall hear from you also of our faults." + +"What is the use of speaking of that which all the town is talking of?" +growled Pace. + +Although the Queen permitted considerable license to men of this class, +she was more deeply offended than she chose to shew, and passed on +without another word. A few moments afterwards, however, both Pace and +Tarleton were observed, at a hint from one of the gentlemen-at-arms, to +quit the presence. + +"Ah, Bacon," said the Queen to her ample-browed Lord Keeper, "we are +sorry to see thee still suffering from the old enemy, the gout. Remain +not standing here, my lord; go sit thee down. We make use of your good +head, not your bad legs!" + +Lord Bacon, nothing loth, bowed and hobbled off. + +"My Lord Bacon's soul lodgeth well," she observed to one of her ladies, +"and truly do we honour him therefore. We are the enemy of all dwarfs +and monsters in shape, and would have all appointments, either civil or +military, bestowed on men of good appearance. What sayest thou?" + +"Certies, I am woman enough to be of your Majesty's opinion," answered +the lady; "and yet your Majesty cannot always suit wit and judgment with +a splendid dwelling: witness your royal choice of Sir Robert Cecil." + +"True," said the Queen, "Cecil hath both a mean look and an ugly +expression; but we cannot want the crook back." + +The Queen now turned, and taking Leicester aside, held him for some time +in conversation, during which all kept aloof. She then, as it was near +the hour of dining, again passed down the line, still speaking to and +noticing all she felt any inclination to propitiate, Leicester, Raleigh, +and one or two of the more privileged courtiers following. As she passed +into the second chamber, she observed amongst the _élite_ several whose +rank had not entitled them to be in the presence-chamber; and wherever +her eye fell on a handsome face and form, she stopped and made inquiry +concerning such persons. + +"I pray you, Mignonne," she said, turning to one of her ladies, "who is +yonder handsome youth--he who stands there near the door?" + +"I know not his name, Madam," said the lady. + +"Pshaw," said the Queen, "I have ever those about me who are ignorant. +Leicester," she continued, "what is the name of yonder youth?" + +"He whom your Majesty's eye hath fascinated, even to the crimsoning of +his cheeks," said Leicester, "is Charles Blount." + +"Nay," said the Queen, "I could have sworn there was good blood in his +veins. He is brother of Lord William Mountjoye, is he not so?" + +"He is, Madam," said Leicester, "his younger brother, and now studying +at the inns of court. He was in Drake's ship, and did good service +against the Spaniard." + +"Nay," said Elizabeth, "by my fay, an he was with Drake, he was like to +be where blows were rife. Bid him approach." + +The youth accordingly came forward and knelt to the Queen, who, still +more struck by his handsome form and features, gave him her hand to +kiss. + +"Come again to Court, good Master Blount," she said, "and I will bethink +me of your future fortunes." + +The young man again blushed, and being extremely bashful, stammered some +incoherent reply of thanks which, still more interested the Queen, and +again she added words of encouragement. + +The Earls of Essex and Leicester smiled contemptuously, and Essex, who +stood near the Queen, made some sneering remark, which was partially +overheard. Not even, however, could the favourite Essex escape censure +at such a moment. + +"Ha!" she said (turning sharply upon him), "say'st thou, my Lord? Stand +back, lest we teach you manners here." + +Essex bit his lip, but he was fain to obey, observing to my Lord +Southampton "that every fool he thought was coming into favour." + +"Then," said Southampton, who stood near, "'tis fit we introduce +something not altogether so silly, and there is one here to-day I much +wish her Majesty to notice. Ha! and look ye, she hath already found +him." + +"Of whom speak ye?" inquired Essex. + +"Of one well beloved by thee," said Southampton. "See thou not the man +there standing amidst the throng, somewhat behind the beefeaters?" + +"I do," said Essex. "'Tis Will Shakespeare." + +Meanwhile, whilst Essex, whose proud spirit being somewhat chafed, had +thus remained behind the royal party, the Queen passed on talking right +and left as was her wont, and discussing matters of political interest +with those near her. "We will think of this matter, my Lord of +Effingham," she said, in answer to something that noble had said. "I am +ready, as thou hast seen, to arm for defence, but I make no wars." + +"Nevertheless, your majesty should strike a blow at Spain ere he recover +the effects of his discomfiture. I hear again of formidable preparations +being in contemplation to avenge the destruction of his ships. Nay, +Philip hath affirmed, and that on oath, that he will be revenged even if +he is reduced to pawn the last candlestick on his altar." + +"Nay, my Lord," said the Queen, "if the dollars of silver and ingots of +gold, and which the wretched Indians work for in their native mines, +could effect the conquest of this realm, he would assuredly succeed, hut +I fear him not. We have stout hearts and heavy blades here in England to +oppose to his glittering coin. Whilst you yourself, Raleigh, Frobisher, +Drake, and other daring spirits are ready for the sea, we shall hold our +own, my Lord." + +"Nevertheless, your Majesty will, I trust, hear at a future opportunity +what myself and my Lord of Essex have to urge in favour of an expedition +against Spain." + +"It may be we will hear both," said the Queen, "but in truth Essex is +hardly to be entrusted with command. His impetuosity requireth a bridle, +my Lord, rather than a spur. He is the soul of chivalry, but rash as he +is brave; and see you there now," she said, turning and looking after +Essex, "I reproved him but with one word, and his choler is aroused even +towards us, his benefactress." + +The Queen turned now to a tall, gaunt, but exceedingly noble looking old +man, his costume partaking both of the soldier and the courtier. "Sir +Thomas Lucy," she said, "we have heard of your gallantry during the +action with the Armada. We thank, in your presence, all those gentlemen +of fair Warwickshire for their alacrity in fitting out ships, and their +bravery in fighting them. We heard of you Sir Thomas, in the hottest +part of the battle." + +"And where your Highness shall ever find me when the foes of England are +to be met," said the old knight, proudly, and at the same time rearing +his head as he watched the progress of the royal Tudor, Presently, +however, the countenance of Sir Thomas underwent a slight change, he +seemed to start at some name her Majesty pronounced. His pale iron-gray +visage became flushed; nay, had Sir Thomas received an insult in the +presence, the expression of his countenance could not have more +instantly changed. Slowly and with contracted brows, his eyes rested +upon the person Her Majesty was speaking to, and that, indeed, not five +paces from where he himself stood. He was fixed--astonished. He could +scarcely believe his eyes. + +"What! Master Shakespeare," said the Queen, as her eagle-eye caught +sight of the poet standing amongst a crowd of officials, "and so thou +too hast come to Court? We have not ourself yet seen thy last poem--thy +Tarquin and Lucrece, but Raleigh and Essex have repeated some passages +to us." + +Shakespeare bent his knee and presented a small roll of paper to the +Queen, which she received graciously, and after glancing at it, "'tis +well," she said, "we will, good William, be present." She then gave the +poet her hand to kiss and passed through the door. + +As Shakespeare rose from his knee he was immediately accosted and +congratulated by the Earls of Essex and Southampton, whilst many others +of the Court came about him. + +Sir Thomas Lucy, meanwhile, continued to exhibit the utmost +astonishment. The countenance of the poet he could hardly mistake. The +name, too, he had caught the sound of, and in the person of one +apparently on the most familiar terms with the grandees of Elizabeth's +court, nay, one who was received with favour by the haughty Tudor +herself, he saw the individual who had broke his park, stolen his deer, +and decamped to avoid punishment for his offence. + +Whilst, therefore, Shakespeare stood amidst the glittering throng, Sir +Thomas still continued rapt in astonishment. Proud as he himself was, he +felt (in common with all country squires), that removed from his own +little domain, and transplanted into the wondrous world of fashion of +London, he was but a "cypher in the great accompt." But a small mite +indeed, helping to swell the grandeur of the court. + + "A substitute shines brightly as a king + Until a king be by, and then his state + + Empties itself (as doth an inland brook,) + Into the main of waters." + +"A parliament member," he muttered to himself, as the lampoon kept +recurring to his mind, and as he watched the courtiers, so interested +and so joyous, whilst in the influence of Shakespeare's wit. "It must be +him--I am sure it's him--I know it's him--A justice of peace," he +muttered: "at home a poor scarecrow. And on such terms here at court +too! In London an ass," he continued, as he approached somewhat nearer, +and took a more keen survey of the unconscious poet. "Yes, it is him +sure enough; and yet--I'll make bold to make sure," and Sir Thomas +accosted Sir Christopher Hatton, and inquired somewhat tartly, the name +of the gentleman who seemed to keep the Lords Essex, Bacon, Leicester, +and Sir Walter Raleigh, in such exceeding mirth. + +"His name?" said Hatton, who was himself hastening to the feast of wit, +"Why, it's our Shakespeare, man--The gentle Will--Knowest thou not Will +Shakespeare, the very element of wit and pleasantry?" + +"Shakespeare!" said Sir Thomas. "Shakespeare! Thank you. Sir +Christopher. Shakespeare! the element of wit and pleasantry! And what +may be the present calling of this element of whit?" he inquired. + +"His calling; why, he's an actor, Sir Thomas--a poet, and a right good +one. A player, sir, and a writer of plays; one, too, who keeps us +amused. + +"Oh!" said Sir Thomas, "'Tis so, is it? Good!--an actor--a mummer--a +morisco." + +"Come, Sir Thomas," said Sir Christopher, "I'll make him known to thee; +I'll assure you he's a rare fellow, this Will Shakespeare." + +"I thank you, la," said the knight truly. "I hold not acquaintance with +mummers and wild moriscos. Farewell, Sir Christopher, I am away to +Warwickshire. An ass, quotha. Well, this 'tis to have deer, and parks, +and warrens--this 'tis to be a player. The world's turned athwart. +Farewell, Sir Christopher, (he continued hurriedly to the dancing +favorite,) fail not to come to Charlecote, we'll kill the buck +there--eh?" And so Sir Thomas left the palace. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVIII. + +SIR THOMAS LUCY IN LONDON. + + +The more Sir Thomas Lucy heard, during his sojourn in London on the +subject that had so startled him at Court, the more he wondered. + +It was but a few days after he had caught a glimpse of the Warwickshire +lad, whom he had hunted from his native town, that he found the name of +William Shakespeare in the mouths of almost all he met. That his name +should be at all subject of conversation at this precise moment, was +indeed astonishing, considering the habits and pursuits of the +generality of the Londoners. The warm citizens of London were for the +most part a staid and grave set. The more juvenile were rude and rough; +fond of athletic sports and out-door pastimes. They loved to see the +bear tug and hug the hound; to witness the cruel conflict 'twixt mastiff +and monkey; to see the bull driven to madness; or to shout over the bout +at quarter-staff. Added to these pastimes it must be owned, however, +that the patience with which they could sit at a (so-called) theatrical +exhibition, and listen to the long-winded orations, speeches, and +mysteries then in fashion, and which had been handed from their more +ignorant ancestors, was a perfect marvel; for except that the fool or +clown uttered here and there a conceit, a theatrical exhibition was a +weary business. Shakespeare, who had now spent some time, in a sort of +apprenticeship, amongst the players, had already altered this style; and +just before the invasion of the Spaniards, he had perfectly astonished +the town by producing a piece of his own writing--a play, which, albeit +in our own time it is in comparison but slightly regarded, possessed in +Elizabeth's day peculiar attractions. This play, which was called +Pericles, had greatly delighted the Court and the city. It in some sort +partook of the style of production most suited to the taste of the time, +and prepared the way for more perfect productions. + +It is not therefore matter of so much surprise, that just at this +precise moment, when the fierce revelry consequent upon the dispersion +of the Armada was beginning to pall upon the "monster with uncounted +heads," the circumstance of William Shakespeare being about to produce +another play, should make some stir. + +As Sir Thomas passed through the Golden Chepe, he found, by the +conversation of many whom he met, that the Queen intended to be at the +Blackfriars Theatre that afternoon. + +Now Sir Thomas had never in his life been inside a theatre in London. He +had seen mysteries, mummeries, morris-dances, and Christmas revels in +his own hall at Charlecote. But other sort of dramatic representation, +in common with others of his class, he had no conception of or care +for. + +"Diccon," he said to one of the attendants who walked behind him (for +Sir Thomas always promenaded the town with half-a-dozen serving men at +his back,) "What is this play we heard my Lord Keeper speaking of?" + +"Marry, Sir Thomas, it is a play written, I be informed, by one Sampson +Beakspere of this town." + +"Ah," said Sir Thomas, "Beakspere, said ye? Art sure that is the name?" + +"One cannot be sure of anything, an it so please ye, in this sink of +iniquity," said Diccon, "where lying, thieving, and every sort of +villany existeth in open daylight. Nay, one cannot be sure of finding +one's throat hale and sound in the morning when one lays down at night. +By the same token, at the hostel where I lay, they cut off the badge +containing the three silver pike-fish from all our sleeves." + +"_Beak_speare," said Sir Thomas, merely glancing at the denuded coat +sleeve of his head serving-man. "Art sure it is not _Shake_speare, +Diccon?" + +"I cannot tell your honour. Beakspere was the name I understood, but it +may probably be Shakespeare. Nay, I should not be surprised even if it +was the very fellow who stole your honour's deer and stuck up bills +against our park-gates. Nothing is too bad for this town and the people +in it. I would we were fairly back in Warwickshire." + +Sir Thomas looked hard at his serving-man, so unusually talkative in his +presence. "Amongst other things they do in this town, Diccon," he said +sharply, "it seems they have taught you to drink more strong beer before +breakfast than your brains can bear. Go to, sirrah; less circumstance +when you answer." And the stately knight held his way along Chepe. + +On this morning he was intending to pay a visit to an old friend +residing at Dowe-gate, and afterwards to take boat, at Styll-yard, and +cross over to Bank-side, there to see the bear-bayting, and accordingly +his serving-men turned down Bucklersbury, traversed Canwick Street, and +completely bewildered themselves in East Chepe. + +These thoroughfares were somewhat strait and exceedingly intricate in +Elizabeth's day, whilst the encroaching stories of the houses grazed the +plumes on the tall knight's castor, as he walked, so much so that he was +fain to hold down his head. By which proceeding he, ever and anon, run +full butt against some tall fellow or other, receiving such abuse as +rather kept his philosophy from rusting. + +"How now, thou mandrake, thou thin-faced gull!" said a tall man, dressed +with great bravery, and who, accompanied by several others, was +advancing from the water side; "how mean ye by that? Thou hast run thy +hatchet visage full in my breast, and murdered my ruff, thou ass!" + +"I cry ye mercy, fair sir," said Sir Thomas, who was always the +gentleman. "I am as ready to make amends, as I have unconsciously +offended." + +"Offended, quotha," said the gallant, as he stood pluming himself, like +a bird, and pinching out his crushed ruff, which starched with yellow +starch stood out a foot at least from his neck. "Thou hast murdered my +ruff, I tell thee, and shalt duly answer it." + +"Of a verity," said Sir Thomas, "an I have endamaged thy ruff I will pay +thy laundress coin wherewith to re-stiffen it. An I have ruffled thine +honour I will give the reparation with my rapier, always presuming thou +art a gentleman of coat armour, and fit opponent for my poor person, for +thy language, to say sooth, is foul, and thy manner coarse even for this +foul town." + +"How speakest thou,--a gentleman and fit opponent for thee? Betake thee +straight to thy weapon. Know I am a gentleman to the Earl of Leicester." + +"Diccon," said Sir Thomas, sheathing his half-drawn rapier and stepping +aside, "this is thy business. Tell this caitiff, that the language and +behaviour of a menial should be at least civilized when he encounters a +gentleman." + +"Wilt not fight with me?" said the bully, who, together with his fellow, +now rudely pressed upon the knight's party. + +"Not willingly will I fight with a scavenger," said Sir Thomas, "the +quarrel shall be a good quarrel, for I will fasten it upon the Earl thy +master. I stand aside here--smite him, Diccon--well, Diccon--lay on my +men all, and clear a passage. I would pass on." + +Upon this the followers of Sir Thomas threw the round targets they +carried on their left arms, before their breasts, and, spreading out +over the whole width of the thoroughfare, drew their blades, and +advancing upon the rude followers of the Earl of Leycester bore them +back, so that Sir Thomas passed on his way to the bear-bayting. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIX. + +THE THEATRE OF THE BLACKFRIARS. + + +In our times the profession of an actor presents a picture of +uninterrupted drudgery and discomfort. In Elizabeth's day such was not +the case. There was not then that continual craving after novelty, that +constant production of pieces, written for the hour and the topic of the +day, which gives an actor no rest. In comparison to our own race of +actors (excellent as many of them are for the sort of work they have to +do,) the actors of Elizabeth's day were a company of magnificoes, +"proper fellows of their hands," and "tall gentlemen in their own +esteem." + +The thing they took easily, and with a certain dignity of deportment. It +was indeed edifying to see one of these goodly fellows with part in his +hand, his plumed hat, "short cloak and slops," and eke his rapier, +taking his early walk, either in the fields or on Bank Side, or +peradventure hiring a boat at the Blackfriars, and thus gesticulating, +with a short and diminutive bowled pipe in his mouth, studying the +author's meaning to the letter, and _getting up his lengths_. + +Sometimes they went forth in companies, these men, to some favourite +rural haunt, some delightfully situated hostel or tavern by the river's +bank, or to the bowery woods near Richmond or Greenwich. On such +occasions they would take boat, and make the river echo with their +jokes, and puns, and witticisms, as they were wafted along on its glassy +surface. At other times a select few would hire horses and beat up the +towns of Windsor, Mortlake[25], and other places which the occasional +residence of the Court made more gay and populous; for these actors +loved to haunt the whereabout of royalty. Their professional knowledge +made them exceeding good companions too. Glorious fellows. And then how +dearly too did "mine host of the tavern," enter into their joviality, +and aid them in those little waggeries they were so prone to engage in. + +[Footnote 25: Elizabeth, with her court, frequently moved to these +places.] + +None but those who have mixed amongst actors of talent, and know them +intimately, can have an idea of the charm of their society. The very +characters they have to personate, good or ill, and the moralities +taught in the pieces they are obliged to study, ought to, and does, +render them better men. Their study also is to give peculiar effect to +all they say and do. And oft-times with them the most common place +sentence is pointed into something witty. They understand the "jest's +prosperity," and in an instant they penetrated through the follies, the +ignorance and the cunning of the common-place. Their ideas being for the +most part free, unfettered, and unshackled by mercantile matters, their +sentiments are ennobled by the study of those parts they have to +perform. + +And oh, what fascination, what delight, what a world of itself, is the +scenic hour! The romance of feeling, the inexpressible charm, belonging +to that brilliant little period, none know but the actors themselves. It +is oft-times their all of life; the rest is flat and stale? they live +but for those few brief moments in which they glitter the observed of +all observers, the admiration, the delight, nay, almost the envy of the +audience. Like the lunatic, the lover, and the poet, they are "of +imagination all compact." The actor has thrown himself into the author's +conception. The poet's world is also the world of him who enacts the +part the poet has written. He lives in his author's period, not only +whilst acting, but whilst studying the part. The loves, the hates, the +fears, the joys, the doing of all around are pertaining to himself--as +if "'twas reality he felt." + +Some of these men were very noble fellows, (if we may so term it), noble +at least in sentiment, if not in blood, and who would have scorned to +perform the mean acts perpetrated by men in a class far above them. They +knew, too, in what the point of honour consisted, and were "sudden and +quick in quarrel" where they conceived themselves insulted; and it was +this virtue in the better sort of the actors of Elizabeth's day which +made them sought for, and associated with, by many of the best of the +nobility. Nay, it must be remembered that at a somewhat later period of +England's history, and when civil war "channelled her fields," the +actors were, to a man, found enranked amongst the cavaliers, and +fighting "on the party of the King." Their professional education taught +them to "hold in hate the canting round-heads," and they fought and bled +for the better cause. + +How dearly Shakespeare loved the scenic hour his own doings have, we +think, proclaimed. The world around him, too, at the period in which he +lived and wrote presented much that was grand and exciting. He had but +to note what he observed in the vicinity of Elizabeth's Court, in order +to pourtray some of his scenes. + +From the first moment of his introduction within the walls of the +theatre, he had felt the fascination of the "scenic hour," and become +captivated with the society of the actors, oven rude as the pieces were +which he found them performing. To one of his own natural parts and +brilliant wit, there was to be found an endless fund of amusement +amongst such men. Their way of life also had its charm. How he loved +those summer excursions amidst the sweet scenery of Old Windsor--those +country revels in which he mingled amongst the rural throng, in all the +sports and pastimes "of the old age." He had now been resident in London +some time, and besides being noticed by many of the "choice and master +spirits of the age," had become acquainted with some of the native +burghers of the city, and their connexions in the country around. + +The amusements of the early portion of Elizabeth's reign for the most +part consisted in her dearly-loved bull and bear-baiting, with +occasionally the more refined masques and pageants. These latter, +however, were of rare occurrence, and usually called forth by some +exciting occasion, such for instance as the visit of a foreign +ambassador, the celebration of a victory, or the return of some joyous +festival. The votaries of the "deformed thief, Fashion," did not then +herd together as now. Factions, jealousies, and fears together with the +dangerous intrigues which the great carried on against each other, and +which oft-times brought the heads of such contrivers to the block, kept +the grandees apart. Added to which, those mediums of varied amusement +which assemble the _élite_ with one another in our own day, were not in +existence. + +At the period in which our story had now arrived, however, an event was +about to take place which made some little stir, and drew a large +concourse from both Court and city into one focus. + +This was neither more nor less than a new play, written as was then +said, by "a right pleasant and merry conceited companion," named William +Shakespeare. It was to be enacted within the walls of an old monastery +called the Blackfriars. The performance was entitled "The Lamentable +Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet;" and so great was the interest created, +that the Queen, with such of her Court as she chose should attend her on +the occasion, had signified an intention of being present. + +It will doubtless appear somewhat extraordinary to many of our readers +to find such a performance taking place within the walls of a religious +edifice. But the civic authorities had so often opposed the +representation of regular performance in the city that the actors at +last sought a place without their jurisdiction, and finally obtained the +deserted building within the precincts of the dissolved monastery of the +Blackfriars, and fitted some parts up for a theatre. + +In the preceding reigns there had been no public buildings exclusively +appropriated to dramatic entertainment. The most common places of +performance were the yards of the Chaucer-like hostels, in the various +towns through which the actors wandered. + +Some of these inns are even yet remaining, although altered and +modernized, in the city of London, and also along the Old Kent Road. The +gateways of such houses formed one side of the quadrangle, whilst the +balconies, being accessible from the various chambers, obviated all +necessity of descending amongst the vulgar in the yard. + +In such galleries kings and nobles, the fierce Norman of the Crusades, +the knight, the esquire, and the damsel of high decree, had leant over +the rails in the olden time, and witnessed the miracle-plays and +mysteries then exhibiting. Such for instance as the miracle-play of the +Creation, wherein Adam and Eve appeared "in puris naturalibus," and +were, as the play quaintly says, "NOT ASHAMED." The earliest of theatres +were churches; the earliest performers, monks and friars; and for the +most part their exhibitions being on religious subjects, such as the +descent of our Saviour to liberate our first parents, John the Baptist +and the prophets from the lower regions. On the accession of Henry the +Eighth, acting had become an ordinary profession, and companies of +players were attached to each town; but previous to the reign of the +bluff monarch, plays on general subjects were unknown, yet long before +that period it had been customary for great noblemen to have companies +of players attached to their household. + +Such, then, is a short summary of theatrical affairs previous +to the period in which Shakespeare startled the town by his +productions,--making a single vault from the lowest depth of misrule and +barbarity to the highest pinnacle of excellence in dramatic art and +composition; and, apparently without any ostensible guide whereby to +steer his course, at once striking out a path, so exquisitely conceived, +so laden with perfumed flowers, so filled with romance and beauty, that +all the world of after-times has bowed down in worshipful adoration. Of +after-times, however, it is not our hint to speak. The sight and +impression of Shakespeare's own play, in the infancy of his career, +himself enacting a part, and speaking his own words, is what we have to +look upon. To bring before the reader's eye that "poor player, who +strutted his hour upon the stage, and then was heard no more." "_Heard +no more!_"--his own words! How "rounded in the ear," and yet how strange +to reflect upon. + +We have already said that the expected performance had on this occasion +drawn together a considerable audience both from Court and city. + +Such was indeed the case, and taking into consideration in what +consisted a considerable audience at that period, and when accommodation +was at best but scant, the concourse of persons hieing to witness Master +Shakespeare's new play was very great. + +The _élite_ of the Court, for the most part, took boat from their own +residences, or from Westminster, where they waited within the Abbey +walls for the arrival of the Queen. The citizens, on the contrary, came +thronging through Paul's and Ludgate, and over Flete Bridge, and along +Knight Ryder's Street, filling the open space before the Abbey, +citywards, and cracking their jokes with each other on that side, whilst +other nobles and their attendants being congregated about the water-gate +or sauntering within the wall, (at that period extending along the +Thames from Baynard Castle to Bridewell), presented a gay and brilliant +appearance. + +All along this part and up to the point of entrance, through the various +gateways and passages, until the theatre itself was reached, the actors +had strewn fresh rushes, and to and fro upon these flags walked several +whose names were famous in the world; and as they walked they debated of +matters appertaining. + +And now, as the chimes sounded from Old Paul's proclaiming the hour of 4 +p.m., soft music was heard upon the water at some little distance, with +the sullen boom of the kettle drum. Soon after which, boats containing +the yeomen of the guard touched the Abbey stairs, the men as they landed +falling in file by file in extended order beneath the various arches and +along the passages; and shortly afterwards, as boat after boat +discharged its brilliant freightage and shot off again, the Queen, with +several of her ladies attendant, and the _élite_ of the Court, stepped +on shore. As they took their way amidst the cloisters and gothic arches +of that old building so darkly venerable, and besides whose walls flowed +the broad Thames, it seemed singular to hear the echo of the gay +courtier, to listen to the clash of weapon, and the measured tread of +the guard, as they followed the royal Tudor, together with the mincing +step and affected voice of the Court fop. On the other side, and in the +same precincts was also to be heard the ribald jest of the 'prentice of +Chepe, and the ringing laugh of the city madam, as they entered the +theatre. + +Within, too, what was the sight there? Methinks our readers will be +anxious to look within those walls, where their own Shakespeare was +living, breathing, nay, at that moment, perhaps, dressing for his part, +and about to fret his hour. + +The aspect of the interior, as it bursts upon the gazer's eye, is indeed +curious. + +Here was no vast triumphal specimen of architecture; the whole seemed +got up for the nonce. But oh! how exquisite--how characteristic of him +who was then striving against so many difficulties. + +The partition-wall between two large apartments of the monastery had +been cut through, so as to form the stage, the proscenium, and the +circle. Nay, so rude was the whole construction, that, to a modern eye, +it would have seemed only suited to some "play of ten words long," +wherein there was not "one word apt, one player fitted." And yet doth a +single glance within this rude theatre present all we can expect to +find. The boxes were a sort of gallery, along which stood and leant the +gallants and ladies of the Court. The Queen and her own especial party +being enthroned in ft sort of canopy in the centre--looking indeed very +like the lady in the lobster. + +The rude throne on which she sat was merely railed off from the other +seats, and standing behind her chair, on either hand, were several of +her favourites. On her right stood Leicester, on her left Essex--both +magnificent in look and apparel. Immediately behind her also, on the +right of her chair, (stepping down whenever she addressed him), was Sir +Philip Sidney. Beside him stood Sir Christopher Hatton, and Bacon was +seated near, not being able to remain long on his gouty foot. The rich +costume of these magnificent looking men, and their splendid jewels, and +weapons, glittered in the reflection of the many torches held by some of +the Queen's servants, and even several of the guard held flaming torches +in their hands. + +In what would now be called the pit, were congregated the citizens. The +members of the inns of court, etc., they stood (for there were no seats +in that part of the theatre), leaned upon their rapiers, and intently +_watched_, as it was then termed, the play. + +The stage, which was somewhat elevated above the pit, was on each side +furnished with three-legged stools, and strewed with rushes and seated +thereon, and even, (one or two of them throwing their careless lengths +along), nay even smoking their diminutive pipes, were also several of +the privileged of the Court. Raleigh was upon one side, Spenser on the +other; my Lord Southampton was also half reclined upon the rushes, +whilst others of the privileged sprawled about. + +Such was, indeed, a custom of the time (albeit it was exceedingly +distasteful to the audience), as these gallants, whilst they swaggered +with their rapiers, or combed their long curls, interfered frequently +with the business of the hour, mewing like cats, hissing like serpents, +tickling each other's ears with the rushes, and, if they had any pique +against actor or author, "damning him utterlie." Nay, it was extremely +fashionable at this period for a gallant to salute his friend in the +boxes, in the midst of the performance, or carry on a loud conversation +so as utterly to discontinue and distract the business of the hour, and +being thus in the very midst of the actors, perhaps, himself and company +would then get up and withdraw, making as much noise as possible. In +addition to this was the rudeness of the "all licensed clowns," who +laughed in order to set on the barren spectators to _laugh_ too, though, +in the mean time, "some necessary question of the play had to be +considered." + +On the present occasion, however, albeit the conversation was somewhat +of the loudest, the company were necessitated to be somewhat restrained +within the bounds of propriety out of respect to the Queen. + +The orchestra, we fear, must have _rather_ "split the ears of the +groundlings." The performers were, for the most part, situated behind +the scenes. It consisted principally of wind instruments and two +kettle-drums, which, ever and anon, sounded out a wild flourish of +martial music, whilst a viol-de-gamba and several fiddles occasionally +created a sort of relief to the troubled ear. + +In our own times, indeed, magnificent as the whole scene must have +appeared, it would have been criticised severely. The loud talking of +those on the stage, the impertinence of the clowns, the rudeness and +small dimensions of the stage, and whole theatre, and which latter +indeed was calculated to give the actors a gigantic appearance, bringing +them too close to the audience, would have been cavilled at. In addition +to all this, was the lack of scenery and decorations; nay, so great was +the dearth of painted scenery at this interesting period, that the spot +on which the scene was supposed to occur, was indicated by a board or +placard, upon which was written the particular locality. + +Still, with all those deficiencies, the whole aspect of the interior +would have presented an extraordinary effect to a modern spectator. + +The Queen, beneath her canopy of state, for so was it be-fashioned; her +splendid guard standing immediately beneath, and bearing "staff +torches," which threw their glare upon the spectators, and lit up the +Gothic architecture of that abbey playhouse. The stage itself being +also, on this occasion, lighted by torches held by servitors having the +royal arms emblazoned on their doublets. Then those choice spirits of +the Court too, sitting or lying on either hand, and several of the +gentlemen-pensioners on guard at each wing. Altogether, rude as was the +theatre, the entire scene was, as we have already said, one of peculiar +splendour. Meanwhile, during the few brief minutes before the curtain +rises, a lively conversation was going on amongst the audience. + +"Ah, what, Sir Thomas Lucy, art thou, too, come to see the play +to-night?" said Lord Burleigh to our old Warwickshire acquaintance, who +was elbowing his way into the gallery amongst the _élite_. "By cock and +pie, but 'tis long since thou and I have met at masque or revel." + +"Fie! my lord. 'Tis so indeed," returned the knight, "some twenty +winters is it since we foregathered at Arundel Castle." + +"Go to, Sir Thomas," said Lord Burleigh, "By 'ur Lady, 'tis thirty years +come Martinmas. Rememberest thou the revels there, what time we saw +enacted in the great hall the Castle of Perseverance?" + +"Truly, I had forgotten that," said Sir Thomas Lucy. "Yet now I do +remember me thereof." + +"Go to," said Lord Burleigh, "those were princely revels. Dost remember +in the performance how rare it was to see the seven deadly sins do their +parts?" + +"Ah, and how featly the dancers tripped it?" struck in Sir Christopher +Hatton. + +"I do now remember me," said Sir Thomas, "of those deadly sins. Let me +see, there was Pride, Wrath, Envy, Luxury, Sloth, and Gluttony. By the +same token they came mounted on their hobbys, and assailed the castle." + +"Aye," said Hatton, "and then Humanum Genus (who defended it) was sore +bested; truly it was excellent, and then came Mors, or Dreary Death, and +took Humanum Genus and carried him off." + +"Aye, but then the fool, Sir Thomas!" said Burleigh, "rememberest thou +the scurvy knave of a fool? By my fay, ha was the life o' the night. +Truly, Sir Thomas, the fool was a most worthy fool; not altogether an +ass,--eh?" + +"Ahem!" said Sir Thomas, who liked not the word ass, "methinks Her +Majesty doth glance towards this part, nay, now she peradventure wisheth +a word with you." + +"Go to," said Burleigh, "I will attend. Oh, that fool! methinks I had as +lief go hang as go see a play without a fool in't. Oh! that ass, Sir +Thomas; and Sir Thomas, and Lord Burleigh, and Hatton sidled up towards +the Queen, and joined in the conversation carried on there upon +theatrical subjects. + +"Your Majesty will understand," said Lord Revel (who was something of a +fop), "that this Shakespeare hath a new style, which is very commendably +excellent. A most perfect style, altogether his own. Hast seen anything +yet of his producing, my Lord Burleigh?" + +My Lord Burleigh shook his head, an old custom with him. "I have not," +he replied, "but I hear great things of his poetry." + +"Go to," said the Queen, in answer to some remark of Sir Philip +Sydney's. "Those matters, Sir Philip, were good, but here be better. +Didst thou witness the former play of this man's writing, Sir Thomas +Lucy?" she enquired of the Knight of Charlecote. + +"If it is so, please your Majesty, I did not," he returned. + +"'Fore Heaven, then, thou hadst a great loss. You heard of it? +peradventure." + +"Truly, your Majesty, we hear not of such matters in Warwickshire as +these your London plays," said Sir Thomas drily. + +"But you have heard of Master Shakespeare, and seen his verse? Nay, +methinks you must have seen his verse." + +Sir Thomas coughed (he glanced at her Majesty in order to see if she was +bantering him), "His verse, your Majesty," he said. + +"Truly so," said the Queen. "How like you Master Shakespeare's verse, +Sir Thomas." + +"Very scurvily, in verity, what I have seen of it, that is to say. +Ahem!" + +"That is singular," said the Queen. "Methinks there could hardly be a +double opinion upon Master Shakespeare's verse. It is most exquisite and +unmatchable." + +"I cannot say I have seen anything I particularly admire in it +nevertheless," said Sir Thomas, drily. + +"What verse have you seen?" inquired the Queen. "Can you repeat a +stanza?" + +"Ahem! Your Majesty," said Sir Thomas, "I am not altogether good at +repeating poetry. I like it not. Sir Philip Sydney was about to observe +something,--he understands these matters." + +"I am but saying to my Lord of Leicester," said Sir Philip, "that +according to the present system, those stage matters are managed in a +somewhat more rapid style than was wont to be the custom. Now, for +instance, we must tax our imagination. For look ye, if in the play the +ladies walk forth before one's eyes and gather flowers, what skills it +but your Majesty is forthwith to imagine the stage a garden. By-and-by +two wet mariners speak of shipwreck in the same place. Then indeed, are +we to blame an we accept it not for a barren sand or rock. Upon the back +of that cometh out a hideous monster with fire and smoke issuing from +his nostrils; and then the miserable beholders are bound to take it for +a cave, whilst in the meantime two armies flying in are represented by +some half-a-dozen swords and bucklers, and then what hard heart will not +receive it for a pitched field?" + +"By my fay, Sir Philip," said the Queen, "we must then have imaginations +as fertile as him who writeth these changeful varieties." + +"Truly so, your Majesty," said Sir Philip, who was rather affected in +his ordinary style. "Doubtless such sights are edifying, but then of +time, madam,--of time,--we must be even more liberal, for look ye, if +(as is not uncommon) two royal persons fall in love, we may see these +lovers become parents of a chubby boy. Then, your Majesty, such boy +becomes stolen and lost, and after many traverses he groweth to man's +estate, falleth in love in time, and _in time_ is ready to marry +and all this (an it so please ye) in some two hours' space." + +"Nay, Sir Philip," saith the Queen, " methinks you are now taking some +pains to appeal to our imagination yourself, lest we should weary ere +the performance commences. But, look ye, in good time the drums have +ceased and the curtain rises." + + + + +CHAPTER L. + +THE SCENIC HOUR. + + +When the curtain rose, it discovered the representation of a private +street, very rudely painted upon a sort of hanging screen at the back of +the stage, with a couple of wings to match, and upon a board or placard +was also written in good-sized characters an intimation for the benefit +of the spectators, worded thus:--"Scene during the greater part of the +play in Verona; once in ye-fifthe act, at Mantua," a flourish of +trumpets meantime rung out as the stage was displayed, and one dressed +in character as "Prologue," entered, and bowing low towards the royal +box, delivered the well-known but now omitted argument of the piece:-- + + "Two households, both alike in dignity, + In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, + From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, + Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. + From forth the fatal loins of these two foes, + A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life; + Whose misadventur'd piteous overthrows + Do, with their death, bury their parents' strife. + The fearful passage of their death mark'd love, + And the continuance of their parents's rage + Which, but their children's end, nought could remove, + Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage: + The which if you with patient ears attend, + What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend." + +"Methinks, my Lord of Essex," said the Queen, who had listened with +great interest to the words, "Master Prologue promiseth well. Marked you +how much was contained in those few lines? And lo, here begins the +piece." + +As the Queen spoke, Sampson and Gregory, with their swords and bucklers, +and clad pretty much after the fashion of serving men of their own day, +entered, and instantly commenced their animated dialogue. + +Not, however, be it understood "slubbered over" by inferior actors, as +in our times, but with exceeding humour, and with force and emphasis in +every word; for even these minor characters were performed by actors of +great talent. + +Nothing could exceed the curiosity and interest in the audience even at +this, the very commencement. The lively and sharp dialogue, the action +so suited to the times in which the spectators lived; the animosity of +the Capulet underlings towards the servitors of the Montagu family--and +which bore so hardly upon several nobles present, whose followers +frequently brawled and fought in the streets--produced a great effect; +till, at length, as the lie was given, and Gregory, being prompted to +remember his swashing _blow_, drew out his weapon, and the whole four +engaged, the excitement, especially in the pit, was extraordinary. A +murmur of delight was heard, and whilst some clapped their hands upon +their rapiers, others shouted and seemed half inclined to jump upon the +stage, and "fight on part and part." The entrance of Benvolio and +Tybalt, however, produced a deep and silent attention. + + "What, art thou drawn amongst these heartless hinds? + Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death." + +There was, indeed, now amongst the audience no inclination to pursue +their accustomed practical jokes--no mewling of cats, squeaking of pigs, +and tickling each other's ears with the rushes. The wondrous words of +the poet held them in a state of enchantment. The nobles of the Court +for the moment forgot the accustomed homage of eye and ear. Their +bearded faces betrayed their interest, and the templars and students, as +they stood leaning upon their heavy-hilted rapiers, sent their eyes upon +the stage as if they could have devoured each line. + +Indeed, to have any ideas of the interest created, we most again call to +the reader's remembrance how great was the contrast between that which +_had been_ and that which _was_; and if the melody of the verse of +Shakespeare can, in the present day, make such an impression whilst we +have so many and such varied productions suited to the hour and the +time, in how much more was it likely to strike the senses of all +present, when it seemed to have descended at once, in all its glorious +beauty, like the music of the spheres! + +There is that in theatrical representation, it has been observed by one +of the greatest writers of our day, which perpetually awakens whatever +of romance belongs to our characters. The comic wit, the strange art +that gives such meaning to the poet's lightest word, the fair exciting +life that is detailed before us, crowded into some little three +hours--all that our most busy ambition could desire, love, enterprize, +war, glory, the exaggeration of the sentiments which belong to the +stage--like our own boldest movements. + +Meanwhile the interest increased momentarily. The audience, from the +Queen down to the meanest person there, seemed held in a state of +enchantment as the piece proceeded. How different was it already from +anything they had ever conceived of theatrical representation! It was a +picture of life, such as is in the order of nature; there was the +buoyant spirit of youth in every line! The Knight of Charlecote even +became young again; he cast his eyes for a moment around, and was +edified at beholding the deep, the breathless attention of the audience. +The royal Tudor, "with eye and ear attentive bent," the lovely faces of +her attendant ladies, each thrust forward and eager to catch the words +of the poet, and the fine features of the attendant cavaliers, lighted +up and animated with an expression of deep interest; the whole +assemblage seeming, he thought, to hang upon each word. + +As the eye of Sir Thomas again turned from the audience and rested upon +the stage, he observed that the scene had been fresh placarded, and was +now "a street in fair Verona." Indeed the serving-man who had announced +to Lady Capulet, in the preceding scene, that "supper was served, Juliet +asked for, the nurse cursed in the pantry, and everything in extremity," +had before his own exit changed the placard, and the next moment, as a +gay party of revellers filled up the back of the stage, Romeo, Mercutio, +and Benvolio, clad in masking costume, vizors in their hands, entered. + +The masquing robes of Mercutio were partially dashed aside as he spoke +the few words which constitute his opening speech. + + "Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance." + +At the same moment, too, the vizor which had bean held before his face +was lowered, and as the glance of the torch-light fell upon his rich +Italian dress and elegant figure, Sir Thomas started, whilst a murmur of +applause ran through the theatre, gradually breaking into load plaudits, +for in Mercutio they beheld the author of the piece--Shakespeare was on +the stage. + +The applause, however, was hushed almost at its commencement in the +interest of the scene, and then came those startling lines which have +since become as household words:-- + + "O, then, I see Queen Mab has been with you." + +They came from the tongue of him who composed them, now uttered to an +audience for the first time. Who shall attempt to describe their +impression upon the hearers? Who shall describe the manner--the +look--the utterance of him who then gave them? Shall we go too far if we +say the world had since nothing to compare with that representation? The +life, the brilliancy, the style of the character was suited to the +actor. He was all fire, energy and spirit,--Mercutio was Shakespeare's +self,--the most mercurial and spirited of the production of his comic +muse; and the impressive manner in which he gave the words of the +character, and their fire and brilliancy, his exquisite intonation, nay, +the very dash of his look was irresistible. + +The Queen, as he finished his speech, glanced around her. "'Fore Heaven, +my Lord of Essex," she said, "but is not this exquisite?" + +The answer of Essex was drowned in the applause which at the moment +burst from all around as the graceful actor continued his part. + +To ourselves, perhaps, at this moment, it would appear extraordinary +that even greater approbation and louder plaudits had not followed. +Shakespeare upon the stage, and speaking his own words, would seem to +call forth acclaiming shouts within the walls of that old monastic +playhouse which should almost have rent its roof in twain. To ourselves +it would seem that the spectators should have almost expired with their +enthusiasm; that "throats of brass, inspired with iron lungs," should +have greeted him. But, be it remembered, that, exquisite as the whole +performance was, as yet the audience knew little of the man, that the +consideration of years had to mature the judgment of the world. He was +actually giving them that which was too exquisite for the rudeness of +the age in which they lived. + +And so the play went on, new beauties every moment coming over the ears +of that courtly audience, and at the same moment filling with delight +those of inferior degree. + +Amongst the audience constituting the Court circle were two spectators +who stood somewhat apart, and beneath the arched entrance which admitted +to the rude gallery constituting the dress-circle. With folded arms they +watched the performance with, if possible, greater interest than any +there. + +They were an old and a young man, who had been drawn to see this +performance from having heard the name of the author on their arrival in +London. Both were from the neighbourhood of Stratford-upon-Avon, and +(albeit they could scarce believe this play was the production of one +whom they had long lost sight of), still they came. + +As the play proceeded they became convinced from the language that it +was indeed the production of the youth they had formerly known. + +"By 'ur Lady," said Walter Arderne, "this must be our sometime friend!" + +"No man else could have written even what we have already heard," said +Sir Hugh Clopton. + +"I am amazed," said Walter; "and yet I ought not, for well do I remember +what the lad was." + +"Hist," said Sir Hugh, "the scene is changed. Ah! and see, too, yonder +masquer just now speaking those lines of fire. Is it not he?" + +"It is himself!" said Walter. "O glorious fellow!" + +"Soft, good Walter," said Sir Hugh. "In God's name let us hear." + +As Mercutio finished his speech, the uncle and nephew looked at each +other. The tears were in the eyes of Sir Hugh. "My poor Charlotte +prophesied this," he said. "Rememberest thou her words about this +Shakespeare when we first became acquainted with him?" + +"I do," said Walter; "and she was indeed the only one amongst us who +fully appreciated his merits. Nay, from the very first, an you remember, +she said he would one day surprise us." + +All further attempt to describe the progress of this play, and its +effect upon the minds of the spectators, we feel to be a mere +impertinence. It seems indeed to ourselves, as in imagination we after +eye it, a play within a play--where all is like romance. The audience, +that theatre, the players, that "foremost man of all the world" speaking +his own words; all is like the fabric of some vision seen before,--a +shadowy recollection of some brilliant hour set apart from the dull +stream of life, and that too, during a glorious epoch. + +As the play proceeded, and the progress of Romeo's sudden passion +developed itself, the thoughts of that stately Queen returned to her +early youth, ere the sterner feeling of pride and power had obliterated +all gentler sensations. She thought upon the days when she loved the +handsome Sudley, with all the violence of a first passion. + +And if the royal Tudor and all around her were delighted with the +delicious picture presented before them, in the halls of old Capulet, +and the masque held there, they were still more charmed with the garden +scene. They felt enchanted whilst they listened to the images of beauty +which appear to have floated in such profusion before the poet's mind. + +The richness of that glorious Italian picture held them in a state of +enchantment. It had the sweetness of the rose, and all its freshness in +every line. All was bright as the moonlight which tipped with silver the +fruit-tree tops of the orchard, and yet all was soft as a southern +spring. The very air of that garden seemed to breath a transport of +delight; one almost expected to hear the language of the nightingale's +song. And then the refinement and delicacy of the author's conception of +the female character delighted the hearers as they listened to the words +of Juliet. + + "Thou know'st the mask of night is on my face, + Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek + For that which thou hast heard me speak to-night. + Fain would I dwell on form, fain deny + What I have spoke--but farewell compliment; + Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say, ay, + And I will take thee at thy word. Yet, if thou swear'st, + Thou may'st prove false; at lovers' perjuries, + They say Jove laughs. Oh, gentle Romeo, + If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully; + Or, if thou think I am too quickly won, + I'll frown and be perverse, and say thee nay + So thou wilt woo: but else not for the world. + In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond; + And therefore thou may'st think my 'haviour light; + But trust me gentleman, I'll prove move true + Than those who have more cunning to be strange." + +"The world hath nothing like this," said Raleigh to Southampton. + +"'Tis heaven on this base earth," returned Southampton. "Said I not the +master-mind of this man would produce wondrous matter?" + +"Nay," said Sir Courtley Flutter, who was an ancient fop of the first +water, "'Fore Gad, my lords, 'tis indeed perfect paradise sent down upon +us poor worldlings here. I feel inspired altogether--repaired as it +were; my heart palpitates--my blood circulates! Ha! I am young again, +positively in love myself. Look, how these exquisite ladies, with the +Queen there, are overcome. Nay, my Lord Burleigh seems to have forgotten +the cares o' the state, and Bacon his gout. An we have another such +masque as that just now represented, Sir Christopher Hatton will +assuredly fling out amongst the dancers, and give us a coranto." + +"By 'ur Lady!" said Sir Christopher, "I would ask no more beatitude in +life, during the mighty changes of the world, than what appears in this +changing drama, and the stuff of which it is composed. This lower world +hath no such bliss. Let me see how went it:--'A hall, a hall,--give way, +and foot it, girls!' Oh, 'twas exquisite stuff!" + +The limits of the chapter we have dedicated to a description of "the +play" permits not of a full dilation upon all therein enacted, neither +can we describe the particular excellence of each actor; for each and +all performed their parts with a richness and appreciation of the +author's meaning the very tradition of which seems to have worn out from +the stage. + +To the want of scenery during this period we are perhaps indebted for +many of those glorious descriptions with which the author has favoured +the world in his works. + +One thing, and which with a more modern audience would have gone far to +take from the delight experienced, was the circumstance of Juliet's +being personated by a youth of some sixteen years of age. This, together +with the shambling clowns, who, with loose gait and slippery tongue +strolled about and vented their sourril jests amongst the audience,--one +moment tagging idle rhymes together, and the next venting truths deep as +the centre, shewing a most pitiful ambition to make themselves +prominent. These circumstances, in some sort, took from the effect. + +As for Mercutio, the fire and dash of his character so excited the +spectators that they could hardly contain themselves within bounds. He +was like some bright exhalation, lending fire to the sphere in which he +moved. And when, with the foot and hand, he gave the speech ending "Ah, +the immortal passado! the punto reverso! the hay!" the Court gallants, +the benchers of the temple, and the citizens, shouted with delight. His +death took all by surprise, and his absence from the scene was felt as a +shock of reality. It was an age of bright deeds and fierce doers, and +accordingly there was a murmur of disapprobation and disappointment when +"Tybalt, alive, in triumph," made his exit,--till, as Romeo breaks +through his apathy, and, assuming some of the fire of his kinsman's +spirit, fiercely encounters and kills "the envious Capulet," a shout of +gratified vengeance filled the house. Queen Elizabeth had herself been +delighted with Mercutio. "That was a character, my Lord of Essex," she +said, "after my own heart. But he was too brilliant to last. His were +the faults that travellers give the moon,-- + + "He shone too bright. But died, alas! too soon." + +"'Fore heaven, Sir Christopher Hatton," she continued, "we will not let +Mercutio altogether die. An he was so brilliant that the author was +enforced to kill him thus early, we will ourself raise him up. Go round, +Sir Christopher, and summon that Shakespeare to our presence, in order +that we may express to him our approbation of his efforts. What think +ye, ladies," she continued, turning to her female attendants, "we will +have both the character and the creator of the character beside us." + +Shakespeare accordingly, by royal command, entered the royal stand or +box, where he knelt and kissed the Queen's hand. After which he remained +beside her. + +And thus he stood on the right hand of the Queen with his face turned +towards the royal countenance, his side towards the stage, and as the +play proceeded, he received the compliments of Elizabeth, and answered +the various questions she put to him. Nay, she ordered back whoever came +so close as to inconvenience the poet, and seemed altogether delighted +at having him so near her. + +"We will keep you beside us, Master Shakespeare," said she, "and whilst +your play proceeds, you shall act as chorus, explaining what may seem +wanting to our duller senses." + +Shakespeare bowed his thanks. "I attend your Highness," he said, "with +all true duty,"--and thus he remained immovable as a statue during the +remainder of the play, the mark of more than one bright glance from the +fair bevy in attendance. This was the poet's triumphant hour, and yet +the mind of the man was too great to be elevated beyond bounds. + +He knew "the art o' the Court," and the uncertain favour of the great; +and that there was-- + + "Between that smile, he would aspire to, + That sweet aspect of princes, and their ruin, + More pangs and fears, than wars or women have." + +Amongst the audience, there was a female bright and exquisite as one of +the creations of that author's after years. She stood with an attendant, +and almost concealed beneath one of the gothic arches of the building, +and wore (as was indeed not uncommon at that period) a sort of masking +costume. Her features, indeed, were so completely concealed by her mask +that only her brilliant eyes were visible. + +It was one who, even at this early period of the poet's career, fully +appreciated his genius and talents, and (like Charlotte Clopton) at once +saw what the world would take years to discover. And what a sight was it +for that private friend to behold! She saw him, to whom she owed so +much, in his hour of triumph, and marked his expressive countenance as +he stood beside the Queen. She marked, too, the surprise and delight +pourtrayed upon the countenance of Walter Arderne and Sir Hugh Clopton, +as they looked upon the poor player thus honoured in the presence of the +mighty Tudor; and then she beheld with a smile, for she knew his story, +the astonishment of Sir Thomas Lucy, as the knight's eyes wandered to +the stage, and again returned to the figure of the sometime +deer-stealer; and whilst his ears drank in the honeyed words of that +poet, Sir Thomas felt he could forgive all his juvenile delinquencies, +and longed to grasp him by the hand. + +"Pshaw," he said, "I have been an ass. I am an ass--_ergo_, we are all +asses in comparison to this _one_ man, this Shakespeare." + + + + +CHAPTER LI. + +THE TAVERN. + + +It was about an hour after the performance we have attempted to +describe, that a solitary individual stood near the water-gate of the +monastery of the Blackfriars. He stood, apparently lost in thought, and +listening to the distant sound of music on the waters--the roll of the +kettle-drum and the flourish of trumpet, as the Queen and her party +returned towards St. James's. + +As Shakespeare stood thus alone (after having attended the Queen to the +Abbey stairs, and seen her embark), all around seemed dark and sombre. +The cloisters of that abbey no longer flashed in the torch-light; the +theatre was empty and deserted; all that was brilliant had +departed--vanished like the pleasures of the world, and left a dreary +contrast behind him. + +"Oh, time," he thought to himself, "thou art the most indefatigable of +things! The past is gone, the future to come, and the present becomes +the past even while we attempt to define it,--like the flash of +lightning, it exists and expires." + +His companions of the theatre had sought the genial license of the +tavern, there to revel over the success of the night, and canvass the +merits and demerits of what they had enacted; and whilst he, the poet +himself, the idol of the hour, and whom all wished to have with them, +felt at that moment unfitted for society. + +As he cast his eyes up at the "brave o'erhanging firmament, fretted with +golden fire," he felt that "the wide, the universal theatre," was at +that moment most congenial to his soul. + +Whilst numerous boats continued to pass and repass, many of them filled +with companies who had witnessed the performance, he hailed one he +observed disengaged; and after rowing to his own lodging, and changing +his dress, he re-embarked. + +We have already stated that the mind of the man had not been elevated +beyond bounds at the success he had achieved. To such a mind as +Shakespeare's the prosperity of the hour was more likely to produce a +degree of melancholy than any undue elevation. An incomprehensible +feeling of contempt and distrust of all worldly success. Perhaps of all +mortals this great man was the least given to vanity. The present hour +would indeed seem to proclaim as much. He was on that night wished for, +sought for, not only by many of the nobles who had witnessed his play, +but his companions of the stage too sought for him to join their tavern +revel after the performance, and several of the audience had even +lingered about the doors, to gain a look at him as he came forth, whilst +the unconscious poet, wrapped in his own thoughts, slowly floated down +the river. Nay, so utterly careless was he of all he had effected, that +the very play which had made so great a sensation scarcely existed but +in the memories of the performers who had recited it. + +It had, previous to performance, been copied into lengths, as the +several parts are technically denominated, and given to the actors to +study, whilst the manuscript itself was left casting about amidst the +properties of the theatre, to be searched for, if required, at the next +performance. + +As the gentle Shakespeare, during the silent hour of night, passed +slowly along the stream, his thoughts indeed were of other matters +rather than his own particular affairs. The ripple of the water, the +plash of the oars, the faint sound of music from afar, soothed his +thoughts after the false exciting hour. + + "Soft stillness and the night, + Became the touches of sweet harmony." + +Meantime, whilst the poet floats onwards, we must return to the city, +and observe the events taking place immediately after the representation +of his play. + +In a goodly room of a good-sized tavern, situated in the purlieus of Old +St. Paul's, were congregated, on this night, many who had been +spectators of the recent performance at the Blackfriars, and several +other chance customers. + +Besides the more respectable merchants, who had put into the tavern +after the play, there were several ruffling blades of the inns of Court, +one or two bullying fellows whose moans and professions were extremely +doubtful--a sort of Alsatian companions, "as ready to strike as to +speak," who drank deep wherever they could obtain liquor, and diced +whenever they could pick up a cully; and also several guests from the +country. + +The Londoners, who constituted a party by themselves, sat at a table +extending about half-way along the ample room; whilst two or three +smaller tables were occupied by those parties who had sought the hostel +on matters of business, and who transacted their affairs or enjoyed +themselves apart from the rest. + +The aspect of the room shewed that it had been reduced to its present +state from a more respectable occupation. The ample window which ran +along one entire side, looked into a good-sized court: and on the +capacious stone chimney was carved various coats-of-arms, and all sorts +of herald devices and designs. + +Those guests who were apart from the sort of ordinary, or common table, +were at the upper end of the room, and on either side the chimney. They +carried on their conversation amongst each other, and were, for the most +part, strangers to the town. + +At one of the smaller tables, placed quite up in the corner of the room, +were seated a party of four individuals, and two of them being natives +of the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, our readers are already acquainted +with. + +This company consisted of Lawyer Grasp; a rich client, for whom he was +professionally employed; a member of the Temple, with whom he was in +consultation; and Master Doubletongue. + +Besides these, there were also four or five other persons seated upon +the long bench beneath the window, and they also carried on their +occupation apart from either the guests at the supper table, or the +other parties in the room. Some two or three were deeply engaged in +play, rattling the dice and staking their coin with an eagerness equal +to the absorption of their comrades who watched the game. + +Such being the mixed nature of the assemblage, as two fresh guests +entered the room and made their way to the upper end of it, the +conversation of the various parties formed a sort of confused jargon, +very like the cross-reading of a modern newspaper. + +Such as it was, it seemed greatly to interest the late arrivals, and, as +they stood with their backs towards the fire-place, they lent an +attentive ear, more especially to the conversation of Grasp and his +small party, and a look of intelligence ever and anon passed between +them. + +The table at which Grasp sat was covered with the produce of his eternal +blue bag, and, as his quick moving fingers pointed to the various +documents and deeds, he held forth with his accustomed volubility whilst +every now and then a roar from the table, or a dispute amongst the +dicers, interrupted his dissertations. + +"Here," he said to the Temple lawyer, "here we have the matter duly +executed. And here," he continued, "I will prove our right." + +"Stay," said the Temple lawyer, "if I remember rightly, there is no +mention of this place in the Conqueror's survey." + +"A fico for the Conqueror and his survey," cried Grasp; "trouble not +yourself upon that subject; mark and perpend--from Geoffrey Clinton it +descended to the Verduns in marriage with Leosceline, daughter of that +same Geoffrey, as did also the manors of Brandon, and I take it--" + +"On my word," roared a tall Alsatian-looking fellow at the long table, +"I take it that this Romeus and Julietta, or whatever else 'tis called, +is the most exquisite piece ever submitted to a crowned head." + +"A pestilence seize Romulus and Julia," said Grasp; "how that fellow +bawls. And now, sirs, that name Anselm de Clinton, of whom I was before +speaking, was first enfeoffed thereof." + +"Up with his heels then," cried one of the dicers, as he threw. "Play. +Ha! seven by Old Paul's. More sack, drawer!" + +"The fiend sack those dicers," said Grasp, "marry and amen; as I was +saying, good sir, by a multitude of testimonies I can prove--" + +"A lie, knave, throw again." "Ha! ha!" roared another of the gamblers. + +"They are certified to hold it," continued Grasp, "of that family by the +service of half a knight's fee, and they of the Earls of Warwick. Now my +client here--" + +"A cheater, I'll be sworn. A murrain take thee!" cried another of the +gamblers. + +"But how said ye," inquired the Temple lawyer, "that you became opposed +to this Arderne? Methinks, when I last consulted you, you were employed +and trusted by him." + +"At first, _only_ at first," said Grasp. "In virtue of my having +informed him of his good fortune he did employ me,--entrusted me with +management of his estates, and I did but eject--" + +"Cheatery, villany!" cried the dicer. "I'll not restore a dernier." + +"Pshaw," said Grasp, "I did but eject one or two of the poorer tenants, +and put relatives of mine own into their holdings, when he ejected both +them and myself. This, my good sir, I liked not, and, as upon careful +examination I found one I thought more nearly related to the deceased, +and the will distinctly says next of kin. I forthwith sought out my +client; there now is our case." + +"The case is a good case, an exceeding good case, and so I said from the +first," said the Templar. "You have this Arderne fairly upon the hip, an +he pay not he must to jail, unless you give him time." + +"Not a day, not an hour," said Grasp; "we got a verdict in a former +suit, and he shall incontinent to prison." + +"Such is the law of a verity," said the Templar, emptying his glass, +filling his pipe, and turning now to regard the guests at the ordinary, +as they seemed getting up a dispute upon the subject of the play they +had witnessed. + +"I perfectly agree with you," said a person who sat opposite to the tall +Alsatian, "in so far as regards the excellence of the play we have this +night seen. But in respect of its newness to the world there I +disagree." + +"How?" cried the other fiercely, "dost mean to affirm that such +exquisite portraits as that lady who loved the youth Romeo, that +brilliant Mercutio, and that hot-brained Tybalt were ever drawn by +mortal man before? Didst ever behold any thing so like reality as that +loquacious, secret, obsequious nurse, or the little Peter who carried +her fan? Didst ever--" + +"Pshaw," said the other, "I quarrel not with your nurse, neither do I +take exception at Peter,--what I say I will maintain with my rapier here +or elsewhere. And thus it is: the subject-matter of that play is not new +to the world. 'Tis manifestly constructed upon the novel of Italy, +written by Luigi da Porto, a Venetian gentleman now deceased--gainsay +that who will." And the student rose, drew up his tall form, twisted his +mustachio, and looked fiercely around. + +"We shall assuredly have a riot here," said Grasp, looking up from the +copy of a will he was perusing. "I like it not." + +"Nay," said Doubletongue, "'tis but a controversy upon a play. I saw the +greater portion of it myself, and came away to my appointment here. +'Twas but a paltry performance methought, full of bombast and fustian." + +"Was it not then liked?" inquired the Temple lawyer. + +"'Fore Heaven, I cannot answer for that," said Doubletongue. "I only +know it liked me not." + +"Methinks," said the Templar, "you are hard to please, good Master +Doubletongue. Master Shakespeare is somewhat of a favourite here." + +"Who, said ye?" exclaimed Grasp, looking over his glasses, and speaking +with great rapidity. "Master Shakespeare--methinks I ought to know that +name. Comes he from Warwickshire? Is he to be met withal? Canst tell me +aught of Master Shakespeare? 'Fore Heaven, I have matter on hand with +Master Shakespeare, an' his name be William, and he cometh from +Stratford-upon-Avon." + +"I pr'ythee settle one thing at a time, my good Grasp," said the London +lawyer. "Permit me to glance at that testament you was perusing once +more." + +"Here 'tis," said Grasp. "Nay, you shall find that I do hear a brain; +whoso trusts to Lawyer Grasp shall be--." + +"Ruined, hip and thigh," cried one of the dicers, hurling the dice-box +at the head of his opponent, whilst, at the same time the disputants at +the ordinary being also pretty well flushed, a general riot immediately +ensued, and swords being drawn the whole room became a scene of +confusion. + +The two guests who had last entered took advantage of this scene to +press close upon the table at which Grasp and his party had been seated. +They were both clad in the costume of sea-faring men of the period, +their sea-caps so completely drawn over their heads that their features +were not discernible, though one appeared a slight youth, and the other +a middle aged and powerful man. + +As Grasp, in some alarm, seized upon his blue bag and withdrew more into +the corner, the elder of the strangers, as if to keep from the fray, +seated himself in the chair the lawyer had left, and whilst he puffed +out huge volumes of smoke from his pipe, abstracted from amongst the +papers the will the Templar had been perusing. Handing it then to his +youthful companion, the latter seized a pen, and, unobserved, wrote a +codicil to it. He then restored it to its place, and as the riot +increased and Grasp seized upon his papers and thrust them into his bag, +the pair took an opportunity of withdrawing as quietly as they had +entered. + + + + +CHAPTER LII. + +THE PLAYER IN HIS LODGING. + + +All that Shakespeare had lately seen and gone through made considerable +impression upon his mind. In the short period during which the national +convulsion we have described was taking place, it seemed to him that he +had lived whole years. + +Those events, and the great men which the stirring times had produced, +seemed indeed to have passed before the poet, for the very purpose of +finishing and perfecting the great mind of the man. + +He sat himself down on his return to London, and, as he thought over the +past experience of his life, such a chaos of bright thoughts and +wondrous images presented themselves before and seemed to overflow his +brain, that, at first, it seemed utterly impossible to turn them to +shape. + +Already had his "muse of fire" given him employment at various times, +and even taken a dramatic shape; nay, the room he inhabited was filled +with fragments--unfinished beginnings; and one or two of the novels of +the period had been partially dramatized and then cast aside, after the +inspiration which called them forth had, in other pursuits, been +forgotten. + +His avocations as a player had too frequently led him into scenes of +revelry. His way of life was still desultory. He knew not his own value. +And whilst his brilliant wit and companionable qualities had kept him +too much among the society of men in his own class, he had failed to +carry out any of his bright conceptions. His companions hunted him, +haunted him, took him from his own thoughts, and dragged him, even when +satiated with revelry, into more company; for what party was complete +amongst them that had not in it _that one_--that "foremost man of all +the world." + +His poetry was beginning to be appreciated ere the national danger had +fully occupied men's minds, and so fully employed them that all else for +the time being was necessarily forgotten. He had written a poem +peculiarly suited to the taste of the age, and which was greatly the +fashion amongst the gay cavaliers of Elizabeth's Court. This he had +dedicated to Lord Southampton, a nobleman, whose acquaintance he had +made on the boards of the theatre. Added to this, some sonnets, which +had almost by accident found their way into circulation (for no man was +more careless or thoughtless of his own works than William Shakespeare) +were greatly admired. Nay, the Queen had been so much struck with one or +two of them, that she had shewn favour to the poet; and spoken words of +encouragement in his ear. + +The starched and stately Tudor was indeed becoming extremely fond of +dramatic representations, tedious and ill-contrived as they, for the +most part, were; and now often frequented the theatre, in place of the +bear and bull-baiting arenas. Besides his stage companions, also +Shakespeare had, amongst his acquaintance, at this period of his life, +some of the most brilliant of the courtiers--Sydney and Raleigh, Essex +and Spenser, all were personally known to the gentle Willie. They sought +his society for his wit; and they respected him for his fine feelings, +his noble sentiments, and his universal knowledge. Nay, these great men +felt an internal conviction, whilst in the society of Shakespeare, that +great as they themselves were, this man, of almost unknown origin, was +immeasurably their superior; that, had his station in life been more +elevated and his opportunities greater, he might have risen to the +highest eminence in the State. They saw in him-- + + "The courtier's, soldier's, scholar's eye, tongue, sword." + +The war was now for the present over, and amidst the general excitement +around him, Shakespeare sat himself down to think upon all he had +beheld. The quick result of such confederation our readers will as +quickly imagine. The poet seized his pen,-- + + "Imagination bodied forth the form of things unknown." + +His pen "turned them to shape, and gave to airy nothing a local +habitation and a name." + +Scarce had the joyous shouts for the glorious victory over the +invincible Don subsided, ere the poet bad completed one of those +finished productions which left all competition behind. Yet stop we here +for a space in our narrative, even whilst the reader looks upon +Shakespeare thus engaged. + +This is indeed a period in the man's life which most of us have sought +for with the mind's eye. + +The living Shakespeare, still comparatively unknown, still +disregarded--for, however he might have been appreciated by the very few +who were acquainted with him at this time, the wide and universal +theatre had yet to discover the greatness of the man. The living +Shakespeare, employed in writing that language never equalled, never to +be equalled, deserves somewhat of a pause to look upon. The room, the +house, the chairs, the tables, each and all, require an especial +description. Like his own Iachimo, we must "note the chamber. Such and +such pictures. There the windows. Such the adornment of the bed. The +arras and figures. Why such and such." + +Stay, then, gentle reader, if only for a brief space, and look upon the +man--the gentle Shakespeare, as he was denominated amongst his +familiars. He sits in a room, which to all appearance has belonged to a +building of some pretensions in the palmy days of such edifices. The +chamber is large, low in roof, and somewhat gloomy withal. A good-sized +bay window, heavy in mullion, and which looks out upon the silver Thames +beneath, affording a delicious view of the Surrey hills on the opposite +side, gives light to (at least) one-half of the apartment. The morning +sun streams through small diamond panes of many colours, which ornament +the upper part of the casement, and is reflected in fainter hues, like +a fading rainbow upon the oaken floor. The ceiling is richly carved. It +displays the cunning skill of the architects of old. And on the heavy +oaken beam, which traverses it, is cut from end to end the coats of arms +of some city functionary of Old London, for the house (albeit it is now +but partially inhabited by one or two of the actors of the Blackfriars +theatre, and some portion of it even suffered to run to decay) has, in +the preceding reign, belonged to one of the citizen princes--the +merchants of Blackfriars. "The chimney-piece, south of the chamber," is +elaborately carved, with gigantic figures, "exceedingly ugly;" and +tapestry, (albeit it is somewhat faded), displaying pictorial scenes +from scriptural and mythological history, hangs to the wall. One side +has King David dancing before the ark; the other, "Cytherea hid in +sedges." + +A massive oaken table stands near the fire-place; a high-backed chair on +either hand, and two more in the embayment of the window; and an antique +cabinet occupies a place directly opposite the chimney. + +The house, we have said, is situated on the river bank, and has once +been occupied by a rich merchant, but is now let out in compartments. +You ascend to the chamber which Shakespeare occupies, by a broad carved, +oaken staircase, and advance along a vast passage which has rooms on +either side. + +The autumn wind sighs, and soughs, in this old dwelling, as it rushes +through the long passages from the water side. In such room our +Shakespeare sits and writes. Sometime he stops and considers for a +space--thinks, and thinks deeply. Then again his pen glides swiftly over +the paper before him, and he writes like the wind. The table at which he +is seated is but little removed from the embayment of the window, and +his eye, ever and anon, glances out upon the rushing tide, and wanders +over the opposite landscape, then consisting of green meadows and +stunted trees. + +As he thus looks out upon the river, he sees boats filled with gay +parties, cloaked and ruffed, and rapiered, attended by other boats, +carrying musicians, who make the air resound with their melody--a gay +and gallant sight, for these are courtiers going to Greenwich, or +Mortlake, or Chelsea, such excursions being common in Elizabeth's day. + +As the poet writes, there seems no effort in the composition. His +thoughts flow, for the most part, so easily, that it seems but the +careless noting down of whatever comes uppermost. He writes as his own +Falstaff speaks--as if almost without the trouble of thought. Anon, he +smiles and pauses; then he rises from his high-backed chair, takes a +turn through the room, and gives utterance to the conceit which has +suddenly struck him. The actor predominates over the author at such a +moment, and he recites aloud the recent thought, and which his "often +rumination" upon, the extravagance of action, amongst his associates, +has conjured up. + + + + +CHAPTER LIII. + +THE POET AND HIS PATRON. + + +Whilst he gives his thoughts tongue, the door opens, and a bulky form +seems to fill up the entrance--no other, indeed, than our old Stratford +acquaintance John Froth. + +"Ah! thou mad compound," said Froth, "and is such thy advice to the +fraternity of the Blackfriars?" + +"It is," returned Shakespeare. + +"Then would we might see it approved in the acting," said Froth; "but +'tis thrown away upon me, as thou know'st. I am not for the personation +of aught requiring such rules. If I am to turn mummer, I must enact +something fit for a man of my parts to appear in." + +"And therefore," said Shakespeare, "will I write a character fit only +for thy huge bulk and greater follies." + +"Nay, by my fay," said Froth, "I thought thou hadst already put me into +shape, for so hast thou promised any time these two months past." + +"'Tis better as it is," said Shakespeare, "for till I saw thy vagaries +during this last affair with the Spaniard, thy arrant cowardice, thy +shifts, for preferment, and then thy desire to keep out of action, I +hardly could have displayed such a marvellous compound of frailty and +flesh." + +"Trouble me not with the remembrance thereof," said Froth; "I received +my guerdon, my remuneration, and that was the aim in end." + +"And which remuneration thou hast already dissipated in dice and +liquor,--is't not so?" inquired Shakespeare. + +"Thou hast spoken it, and not I," said Froth, "and so spoken it that I +may hardly venture to gainsay it. Wilt furnish me forthwith a few crowns +for present need, good William?" + +"The more readily," returned Shakespeare, as he handed him the coin, "as +I would fain be rid o' thee. See'st thou not, thou idle reveller, that I +am busy here with deep premeditated lines--with written matters +studiously devised?" + +"Well, Will, I will hinder thee not. I will mar not thy labours. I will +but fill me a chalice, and drink success to thy muse, and then to the +tavern." + +So saying, Froth helped himself from the flask upon the table, and +pledged the health of his friend, smacking his lips after the draught +with a sense of ineffable relish. + +"Thou art a wondrous fellow, Will," he said, as he looked upon his +friend; "thou wilt thrive. But, in sooth, envy already begins to dog thy +heels. Green and Marlow like thee not, William; Green calls thee an +upstart crow dressed with his feathers." + +"Ah!" said Shakespeare, smiling, "methinks Green hath little reason to +speak thus, seeing I have imp'd his wing with some of my own feathers. +He will scarce say that to my face." + +"Nay," said Froth, "I dare be sworn he will not, for many of them know +thee too well to offer insult to thy face. Marlow too speaks of thee as +that 'tiger's heart wrapped in a player's hide.'" + +"Well," said Shakespeare, "their sayings pass by me like the wind. I +pr'ythee be nought awhile, if thou art to remain here, or else betake +thyself to other haunts." + +"Farewell," said Froth; "you shall find me at the old haunt in Paul's +whilst this coin holds out." + +Scarcely had Froth departed, ere the sound of horses was heard without, +and a man of noble presence, dressed in the extreme of fashion of that +age of brave attire, entered the room. Shakespeare instantly rose, and +advanced to meet him. + +"I am proud to welcome my Lord of Southampton to my poor lodging," said +the poet. + +"Nay, by my fay, not altogether so poor either," said the noble, looking +around him. "I am glad to find thee removed from thy old haunt to so +goodly a lodgment, good William." + +"And am I not indebted to your lordship's kind favour and friendship for +being thus well lodged?" said Shakespeare. "When we first met, my lord, +I was somewhat lower in estate than at the present time. A poor +unfriended outcast; I do, indeed, owe thee much." + +"Not a whit," said the Earl; "you owe all to your own surpassing +excellence. I am greatly charmed with thy Tarquin and Lucrece. Nay, +Raleigh, Essex, and others do swear by it as the most exquisite thing +extant. I, who know thee better, think even better of thee than shall +here say." + +"You do me too much honour, my Lord," said Shakespeare; "like Venus and +Adonis, (and which I had the honour of dedicating to you), Tarquin and +Lucrece was but a first effort, when I was green in judgment. I shall +hope better to deserve with more experience." + +"I pray you to inform me," said Lord Southampton, after a pause, "who +and what is yonder companion of thine, and whom I met as I entered the +house,--a gross, fat man?" + +Shakespeare smiled at the question. "A strange fellow, my Lord," he +replied, "and who was known to me in my native town, and whom I have +lately fallen in with here. Like myself, he was obliged to fly from +Stratford, and being in some difficulties, I procured him employment in +the theatres." + +"A somewhat bulky actor," said Lord Southampton, "is he not." + +"Nevertheless one whom I think even of giving a part to. The man is +himself a character worth the studying, and if he exhibits himself +before the curtain as he does in his true character, cannot fail to keep +the audience in continual laughter. His peculiar humour, tone of voice, +look, and jesture, coupled to such a person, are almost indescribable. +Added to this, he is so extraordinary a mimic that no one of us can move +or speak before him, but he carries their voice, look, mien, and motion +into another company. + +"And yet upon the stage he may not be able to execute the same degree of +perfection," said Southampton. "Some of your companions of the theatre, +I have found prime fellows and witty knaves over their cups, and yet but +heavy upon the boards." + +"Truly so, my lord," said Shakespeare; "this is one of Nature's secrets, +and which I have observed. Necessary qualifications which cannot be well +spared in an actor, oftimes exist in men of the profession; and yet, +with the assistance of all these united, we see such persons come forth +upon the boards but poor and barren. In writing a character for my +friend, I shall avoid making him play off his ordinary parts, except to +produce himself when I think he will tell forcibly." + +"I feel some curiosity to know this witty knave," said the noble +"pr'ythee bring him with thee to Southampton House when next you come." + +"Providing your lordship can away with his grossness, and resist the +attacks he is sure to make upon your purse," said Shakespeare, "you will +be amused with him. But, unluckily, 'tis a familiar creature who makes +himself enemies as easily as his humour delights." + +"And this new play of thine," said Southampton, "holds it still for next +week?" + +"It does, my lord," said Shakespeare. + +"Then have I news for thee of price, good William," said Southampton. +"The Queen intends to be present. She takes wondrous interest in all +that thou dost, and has of late spoken most approvingly of thy efforts." + +"I am much bounden to her Majesty," returned the poet; "and there again +must feel grateful to your lordship for having turned her eye of favour +towards my unworthy efforts." + +"Thou hast sufficiently delighted us all, good William," said Lord +Southampton; "and, if I am to judge by the mass of papers I behold here, +you intend still further to delight us. Are these portions of manuscript +pertaining to another production of the same sort?" + +"In truth, my lord," said Shakespeare, "they do in some sort tend that +way. But at present I am somewhat desultory in my doings. I have so many +plans, on so many subjects, that what you behold are but the rough notes +of such ideas as pass current. The scraps are of all sorts; perhaps fit +for little else but to be cast to the waves without." + +"Thou art, at least industrious," said Southampton, "and permit me to +say, I believe not in the valueless quality of what I behold here. May I +look upon one of these same unworthy scraps?" And Lord Southampton took +up a fragment of paper containing some few lines of blank verse. + +At first he seemed disposed to read it cursorily, as one slightly +curious to know what had employed the pen of his friend. The very first +line, however, seemed to strike him, and he read the verse attentively +from beginning to end. He then recommenced it, and read it more slowly, +observing the wondrous force of the lines more and more as he did so. He +then stopped and looked at the pleasant smiling countenance of the +writer, so unassuming, so devoid of all self-conceit, and then he read +aloud-- + + "Time hath, my lord, a wallet at his back, + Wherein he puts alms for oblivion, + A great-siz'd monster of ingratitudes: + Those scraps are good deeds past: which are devour'd + As fast as they are made, forgot as soon + As done: Perseverance, dear my lord, + Keeps honour bright; To have done is to hang + Quite out of fashion, like a rusty mail, + In monumental mockery. Take the instant way; + For honour travels in a strait so narrow, + Where one but goes abreast: keep then the path; + For emulation hath a thousand sons, + That one by one pursue. If you give way, + Or hedge aside from the direct forth right, + Like to an enter'd tide, they all rush by, + And leave you hindmost;-- + Or, like a gallant horse fallen in first rank, + Lie there for pavement to the abject rear, + O'errun and trampled on. Then what do they in present, + Though less than yours in past, most o'ertop yours: + For time is like a fashionable host + That slighly shakes his parting guest by the hand; + And with his arms out-stretch'd as he would fly, + Grasps in the corner: Welcome ever smiles, + And farewell goes that sighing." + +"Why," he said, "thou hast written here a whole volume in a few brief +lines. Not all the learning of the ancients ever produced so much in +such compass. I will learn these lines, and have them ever before me. To +what pertain they, good William?" + +Shakespeare smiled. "Nay, 'tis but a fragment," he said. "My often +rumination supplies many such. I shall perhaps adopt them in a play I +have been thinking of writing." + +"Thou wilt completely alter the old style of representation," said +Southampton. + +"'Tis my purpose so to do," returned Shakespeare. + +"From what thou hast before shewn me," said Lord Southampton, "I think +thou wilt do much. But bethink ye, William Shakespeare, albeit thou hast +a quick wit and rapid pen, thou must not let things come hastily from +thy hands. Good works, I take it, are plants of slow produce. The city +lads and the inns of court have, I find, began to regard thee since thou +hast remodelled the company of the Blackfriars. And hast thou," +continued the earl after a pause, "still the name purpose of becoming a +part proprietor in the theatre here?" + +"Such is my ambition," said Shakespeare; "but that must be at a future +period, when further success shall give warranty to my hopes." + +"Nay, want of means shall not baulk thee, good William," said Lord +Southampton, "since I see plainly that more power will greatly +facilitate the bringing forth thy inimitable works. Look," he continued, +taking the pen Shakespeare had been writing with, and scrawling a few +lines, "there is an order for a thousand pounds; present it to my +steward when thou wilt, and 'tis thine. Nay, double the sum, if +required." + +Shakespeare thanked his generous patron in terms of manly gratitude; and +soon afterwards the noble, after appointing his poetic friend to visit +him, took his leave. + +After the departure of Lord Southampton, the poet sat for some time, +with his forehead leaning upon his hand, gazing upon the order his +friend had given him. + +Between my Lord Southampton and Shakespeare there was the most sincere +friendship. The young noble appreciated the genius of the man, and felt +quite a veneration for him; whilst the poet honoured one possessed of +the fine feelings and generous and heroic spirit belonging to a more +early and chivalrous age. + +Since Shakespeare's flight from Stratford some time had now elapsed, +during which he had not returned there. He had made a vow not to do so +until he could re-appear under circumstances that would disarm the +malevolence of his enemies; not until he had achieved a name. Oft-times +had he written, and as often heard from his friends, sending them the +greater portion of his earnings his efforts continually brought in. This +was not the first gift of Lord Southampton; and a considerable sum he +had before received had enabled him to settle his wife and children in +comfortable circumstances in his native town. The money his noble friend +had just now conferred upon him gave him a nearer prospect of revisiting +Stratford be thought. And so the poet, with renewed energy, seized his +pen, and again gave vent to his wondrous conceptions. As he writes, he +remembers former days, and his thoughts revert again to his own sweet +home and its neighbourhood, and again he dips his pen in his own heart. +Then he revels in the recollection of those orgies amidst the choice +spirits of Old London. Those tavern suppers in the quaint dark courts +where the hostels of the crowded city are situated. Those secluded +taverns of Old London town now, indeed, no longer to be found. The +player's loved haunt, and where the rollicking 'prentice and even +occasionally, the nobles of the Court congregated. Where he himself had +fallen in with the Alsatian bully, the humourist, and all the varieties +of the tavern haunter of the age; and from such he now draws his +character, life-like and real, as if they walked and breathed and spoke +before him. + +And so the first part of the day passes, and still Shakespeare writes, +for the fit is upon him, and like many of his class, albeit he spends in +whole weeks, at times in joviality, excursionising with his comrades to +Windsor and Greenwich, and "dafling the world aside" with the idlest; +still there comes upon the man fits of deep thought, which are only to +be relieved by the pen. + +Whilst he writes, as the clanking tones of the clock of Barnard's Castle +strike the sixth hour, the sound of a lute is heard in an adjoining +apartment, accompanied by a voice of ravishing sweetness. + + + + +CHAPTER LIV. + +A CONSULTATION. + + +As those dulcet sounds reached the ears of the poet, he laid down his +pen and listened attentively. That voice, no rich in tone, so sweetly +modulated, seemed deeply to affect him; and, as the song ceased, he rose +and paced the apartment. + +Again, he bears a short prelude upon the instrument, and pushing aside +the arras from the wall, he opened a sliding panel, leading into a +narrow passage; one of those passages so peculiar to old buildings, and +which communicate from chamber to chamber, oft-times along, one entire +wing of such edifice. + +As he did so, the voice of the singer is again and again more plainly +heard. How sweetly it sounds in that house, and at that hour, for the +shadows are beginning to descend upon Old London. + +The poet stands transfixed. His glorious countenance so softened by the +sorrowful notes of the musician, proclaim how powerfully the strains +affect him--"He is never merry when he hears sweet music." + +Again the strains cease and all is silent, save the moaning of the wind +without, and which hums through the casement like an Æolian harp. After +a pause, the poet again withdrew the tapestry which hung before the +doorway, and, traversing the passage, knocks gently against a small door +which stood partially open at its extremity. + +A sweet voice bids him enter, and the next moment he is in the presence +of a young and beautiful female. Traces of recent illness are to be +observed upon her cheek, as she sits, half inclined, upon a sort of +couch placed near the window of the apartment;--a small lamp, placed +upon a table near, giving better light for an attendant female, who is +occupied in knitting. + +The lady half rises, as the poet enters and as she does so, he sinks +upon one knee, and respectfully kisses the hand she extends to him. + +Nothing, indeed, can exceed the respectful attention with which the poet +stands in the presence of that female. He does not even take the chair, +placed near the couch on which she is seated, till she requires him to +do so. And well indeed might Shakespeare gaze with interest, and no less +admiration, upon that lady, as she again reclined upon the couch from +which she had half risen at his entrance. + +The perfect proportions of her form and features, softened as they both +were in the subdued light of that antique apartment, rendered her in the +eyes of the poet even more beautiful. Her dark hair fell in wavy +ringlets upon her shoulders, and her large eyes beamed with an +expression of sweetness and regard upon him, which made them full of +peril to one so impassioned. + +Frankly and gracefully she again stretched forth her hand. "My kind +preserver," she said, "my generous and noble friend; but that weakness +keeps me a prisoner to my couch, 'tis I who ought to kneel to thee." + +"I heard the sweet tones, lady," said the poet, "which gave notice that +I might approach." + +"Alas!" she replied, "how can I ever requite thy generosity? Had it been +my fortune to fall into other hands, I might, indeed, have been unhappy; +but thou, oh! thou art different from other mortals." + +"Beauty, lady," said Shakespeare, "provoketh thieves even sooner than +gold. Nay, it is that beauty which has made fearful of trusting you in +this evil town, save whilst I can myself guard over you. The wild and +reckless spirits who dwell around us here, the desperate characters of +many who, in their outward seeming, are of the virtuous, render a +sojourn in this city unsafe, and therefore have I brought thee hither; +and therefore have I constituted myself thy sole guardian till recovered +strength shall enable you to take the journey you contemplate." + +"You will forgive me, then," said the lady, "that although I have +related to you some portion of my story, I yet conceal my own, and the +name of those connected with the tale". + +"I am in all thy friend and servant," said Shakespeare. + +"And now that I have somewhat recovered," she continued, "recall to me +in how much I am indebted to you during my illness. The attendant you +have furnished me with hath partially informed me of your goodness, but +I would fain hear the recital from your own lips." + +"Your disguise," said Shakespeare, "whilst we journeyed hitherward, +beguiled me, or I had never so far taxed your strength." + +"Ah! but that journey," said the lady, "so travelled, can one mile of +it, think you, be forgotten?" + +"Nay," said the poet, smiting, "still can I not forgive myself. Those +moonlight walks during our route have, I fear, wearied you." + +"Could it be possible," said the lady, "for mortal to feel fatigue +amidst those scenes, I might have wearied." + +Shakespeare again smiled. He felt gratified at the compliment paid him. +He was no perfect mortal, and to say that he could look coldly upon the +glorious creature before him, would be to belie his nature. He could no +more do so than he could have "held a fire in his hand by thinking of +the frosty Caucasus." His finer feelings, however, rendered that +unprotected female as safe whilst beneath his roof, as if she had been +guarded by a host. He seated himself again beside her, and an he calmly +and kindly regarded her exquisite form, whilst he again spoke, a bright +and pure beam of divine expression was on his bearded face, an +expression, which diffused a calm feeling of happiness and contentment +over the soul of her who beheld it. + +The long crushed spirit of the lady felt the influence of his presence. + +"That I had in my ignorance of your sex somewhat overtaxed your strength +during our journey," he said, "the result has shewn, since on our +reaching London, you was seized with an illness which nearly cost your +life." + +"I remember nothing," said the lady, "after our arrival at the hotel of +the Globe." + +"Unluckily," said the poet, "it happened that some seamen who +disembarked but a few days before had brought the plague into that +neighbourhood. That disease in London is usually so dire in its effect, +that, for mere suspicion, the inhabitants act as if for surety. Your +ship-boy's semblance, and your illness, gave the host of the tavern a +suspicion that you was infected, and he expelled us from his door. Nay, +such was the rapidity with which the alarm travelled, that I found it +impossible to procure a shelter for you in that neighbourhood; and it +was whilst conveying you, still insensible, to the water-side, that I +became suspicious of your sex. This discovery increased the difficulty +of our situation, till I recollected an asylum in which I could safely +carry you, and e'en procure the assistance of medicine. I remembered an +old poor man, one so needy, starved, and miserable, that I had oft-times +sought, and alleviated his condition. Nay, gratitude had prompted me so +to do, since, in my own need, and when, alone and friendless, I first +sought this town, he himself befriended me. To the habitation of this +man, who indeed, possesses considerable skill in leechcraft, I conveyed +you, and to his care, attention, and skill, for night and day did he +watch over you, are you indebted for your life." + +"And whilst yourself also cared for me," said the lady, "still fearless +of the tyrant fever with which I was burnt up; nay, you have since +removed me hither, and so continued to guard over me. And all this in +favour of one alike hopeless and friendless." + +"Such circumstances, lady," said the poet, "should in themselves alone +suffice to enlist me in your service. But come," he continued, "we will +no more of this. A letter I have just received from my sometime home, in +Warwickshire, gives much of news. I have unfolded to you so much of my +history, that I may now further inform you there is hope of once more +revisiting the friends I left whilst in trouble and disgrace." + +"This is, indeed, pleasing intelligence," said his companion. "My own +destination is in that neighbourhood." + +"To guard over you till I can safely convey you amongst those friends +you have hinted at," said Shakespeare, "is my wish; nay, our exertions, +and the generosity of a nobleman, my friend, has enabled me to complete +a purchase I had in contemplation--a share in the neighbouring theatre +here. I have also another play toward, and should it succeed in the +represental, I will then attend on you with all true duty." + +"But your letter?" said the lady; "pardon my seeming curiosity. In +happier days I have owned friends in the neighbourhood of your home. +Speaks it of any resident around Stratford-upon-Avon?" + +"It does," said Shakespeare. "It is from my father, and gives much +gossip of the locality. Amongst other matter it informs me of some +difficulties a gentleman, my friend, has fallen into." + +"And his name," said the lady, "is Walter Arderne?" + +"The same," returned Shakespeare. + +The lady's face immediately became crimson, and then deadly pale. "And +how then hath Walter Arderne fallen into difficulties?" she inquired. +"Methought I heard from you, during our journey, that he had succeeded +to great wealth." + +"It was even so," said Shakespeare, "but I fear I am again taxing your +strength. You look somewhat pale." + +"'Tis nothing," said his fair companion. "Proceed, I beseech you, I am +most anxious to know of the welfare of this Arderne." + +"The young man, then," continued Shakespeare, "it appears by the story, +after coming into possession of this fortune, and many parks, and walks, +and manors, in England, hath busied himself in various acts of goodness. +Amongst other things he hath built alms-houses, hospitals, for the use +of the afflicted." + +"To such a one," said the lady, "fortune should ever belong; but to your +story. What more of this Arderne? Methinks I am overfond to hear of so +much generosity." + +"There is little more to tell," said Shakespeare. "The sums he hath +bestowed and the various charities he hath endowed, have involved him in +difficulties. His virtues have served him but as enemies. Nay, he seems, +I am grieved to say, on the brink of ruin; for, in addition to all I +have enumerated, it appears he hath expended large sums during the +invasion of the Spaniard, both in fitting out numerous ships, and +enrolling and embodying men, all which vessels, through his desperate +valour in leading them into the hot encounter, have been either +destroyed or returned to port rent and beggared." + +"Nay, but," said the lady, "I am still in ignorance how this could +possibly involve Walter Ardene in ruin. The fortune he inherited would +have borne all this, methinks, and much more, without endamagement." + +"Truly so, lady," said Shakespeare; "but it hath suddenly transpired +that Walter Arderne is not the lawful heir. A caitiff wretch, named +Grasp, and whose ferrit eyes and evil spirit are always seeking +mischief, hath, by dint of searching over worm-eaten deeds and musty +parchments, hunting out tombstones, and manufacturing pedigrees, somehow +found a nearer relation; and all the sums Master Arderne hath expended +since the hour he came into possession, the law will enforce him to +refund. This, together with the suits he is involved in, will go nigh to +ruin both himself and his good uncle, Sir Hugh Clopton." + +"And this nearer kinsman!" said the lady. "Does your information extend +so far as to name the person of such claimant?" + +"'Tis one who is the friend of a powerful noble," said Shakespeare, "of +one whom it is dangerous to speak of in other terms but those of +respect." + +"Methinks I can name him," said the lady. "It is one whose unbounded +stomach and high ambition long soared towards a crown by marriage; one +whose evil disposition would halt not to obtain power or riches, +magnificent as his fortune already is. The Earl with the dark +countenance and gloomy soul--he whom Sussex calls the Gipsey; the +dangerous Leicester." + +"The same," said Shakespeare. + +"Nay, then, an Walter Arderne hath that noble for an enemy, let him +beware the cup, as well as the law, for Leicester is sure to succeed by +fair means or foul. He is the most successful dealer in poison in the +kingdom." + +"Would to Heaven," said Shakespeare, "some help might be found; for the +strait this generous man is like to be driven to sorely oppresses him!" + +"Let it no longer do so," said the lady. "Continue to inform me of the +progress of events; I will be warranty for his safe extrication from all +his difficulties." + +Shakespeare looked surprised; but he forbode remark; and soon after this +conversation retired to his own lodging. + +After the interview, the poet reflected deeply upon the conversation +which had taken place, and as he did so, many things which had not +previously struck him forced themselves upon his mind regarding his +mysterious friend, and which now enabled him in some sort to pluck out +the heart of her mystery. + +During the time he had watched over her during her illness, and the +delirium consequent upon it, she had uttered names which recalled former +passages of his life. She had called upon Charlotte Clopton, and bade +her leave the horrid charnel-house in which she had been entombed alive, +and even named localities familiar to him in his native county. + +These things, whilst they contributed to elucidate her story, more +deeply interested him. He saw she could appreciate a true heart and bold +spirit in man, and could love with all the truth and innocence of a +Juliet. There was in her no false pride or prudery, but unconscious of +her own excellence, she was indeed one of those bright creatures so +often bestowed where they are unvalued. Had such a one fallen to his own +share, he thought, how would he have worshipped! But such was not to be. +He who was the gentlest, the noblest of mankind, was not to be so +companioned. His course was steered, at this period, alone. For him, +high birth and bright excellence should have been reserved, because he +so well could have appreciated them. + +There was, however, to be observed in this singular female a sort of +character which even more interested him than her radiant beauty. With +all her amiability, she possessed a determination of purpose, which made +it impossible to control her designs. From what he could fathom of her +intentions and her story, she seemed only anxious to confer or secure +some important benefit to the individual she loved, and then to retire +from the world, to enter some convent abroad, "and be for aye in shady +cloister mew'd." And so, as the poet sat and thought over these matters, +he again seized his pen, and wrote. + + + + +CHAPTER LV. + +ILL WEAVED AMBITION. + + +The machinations of Pouncet Grasp had not been without their due effect. +His evil disposition was as great as his industry, and his very face and +form, twisted and contorted as both were, proclaimed the mind of the man +as plainly as if he had carried a window in his breast. + +Few specimens of the human countenance presented indeed less of the +divine about it than did that of the Stratford lawyer. The term _ugly as +sin_ might, in verity, have been applied to him, for, when he was +hatching any particular piece of rascality, the working of his features +gave him a diabolical look. + +Not only had he succeeded in his design of weaving a web about Walter +Arderne, and getting incarcerated within the walls of a prison for debt, +but he even managed, by some strange underhand practice, to bring him +under the suspicion of the Queen's council for treasonable matter. And +yet, with all this malignancy of disposition, Grasp carried about him +such an air of _bonhommie_ that, until he was found out, he was seldom +distrusted. After he had, by the most careful approaches, (like a spider +securing a victim in his web, who is too powerful to be openly +attacked), fairly enmeshed Walter Arderne, he turned his thoughts upon +his old Stratford enemy, William Shakespeare, and, whose whereabout he +now had little difficulty in discovering, since after the successful +performance of Romeo and Juliet, the author's name was in the mouths of +many. + +Sir Thomas Lucy had departed only few days before for Stratford, or +Grasp would immediately have sought him out, and, as he himself was also +on the eve of returning to Warwickshire, together with his new client, +in order to take immediate possession of the inheritance succeeded to, +he resolved to delay till his arrival the discovery he had made. + +Meanwhile, the situation of Arderne was sufficiently disagreeable. He +was arrested for an enormous sum, and-when Sir Hugh Clopton sought to +clear him of the difficulty, by making some great sacrifices, that good +old man found, to his further dismay, that some secret foe had denounced +his nephew as a conspirator against the life of the Queen. + +In Elizabeth's reign, those persons of condition who came under +suspicion and were confined within the walls of a prison found it no +easy matter to clear themselves, and some, even in the higher ranks of +the nobility, without any sustained charge but "for mere suspicion, were +treated as if for surety," finding their graves in the dismal chambers +of the Tower. + +The news of the imprisonment of his early friend greatly troubled +Shakespeare. He was just at this time contemplating a return to his +native town, for now that he had so far achieved success, and felt +within himself the power of future fame, the longing for home, added to +the desire of once more embracing all he had dear there, he felt to be +irresistible. + +To leave London, however, without an effort to serve his early friend +was impossible. He visited Arderne in his prison, and afterwards sought +Lord Leicester in order to interest that noble in his favour. + +The time was, however, somewhat out of joint for making a successful +suit to Leicester at this moment. He was in one of those periodical fits +of ill-temper which usually attacked him when his "high-reaching" +schemes failed. He was out of favour with the Queen too, somewhat on the +sudden, and so wide was the breach that, albeit he was seeking by some +underhand contrivances to regain a place in her good graces, all his +attempts were futile. + +To explain this to our readers, we must remind them that after the +services of Leicester at Tilbury, Elizabeth had created for the +favourite the office of Lord Lieutenant of England and Ireland; an +office which would have invested him with greater power than any +sovereign of this country had ever ventured to bestow on a subject. The +patent for this unprecedented dignity was actually made out, and only +awaited the royal signature, when Burleigh and Hatton, by their earnest +remonstrances, deterred Her Majesty from investing him with such power. + +It was during the fit of rage consequent upon disappointment, that +Leicester had behaved with a degree of intemperance so distasteful to +Her Majesty, that she dismissed him in anger, and refused to be +reconciled. + +The despondence which followed the violence of his rage on this occasion +brought on an illness, from which he, in truth, never recovered. + +At the moment Shakespeare obtained an interview, he accordingly found +the earl in so ill a frame of mind, that he refused to interest himself +in favour of Walter Arderne. + +He was about, he said to quit London for his castle of Kenilworth, and +was so utterly disgusted with Courts and all pertaining, that he vowed +to Heaven he would no more return. + +As the poet looked in the face of this ambitious and still powerful +noble, he thought it not unlikely his words would prove true; for the +inroads of his peculiar disease were so apparent in his countenance, +that the grisly tyrant seemed to have put his mark upon him. + +Leicester, at this period of his life, had grown bulky, and lost much of +that striking beauty of face and form for which he had been so +celebrated. His countenance shewed traces of his ungovernable temper and +evil disposition; his hair, lately coal-black, had become a "sable +silvered;" his frown had contracted into an habitual scowl; his dark +complexion, and from which he had obtained the _sobriquet_ of "The +Gipsey," had changed to a sickly yellow; his fine features had become +bloated; and every part about him seemed blasted with premature age. + +As he rose from his seat during the interview, the poet observed that he +looked the personification of an evil-disposed but powerful man. One who +was torn by the fiend of avarice, the lust of power, and the chagrin of +blasted ambition. The Court smile was gone for ever from that once +pliant brow, and the scowl of hate seated in its stead. + +To the surprise of the poet, whilst he flatly refused interference on +the subject of Arderne's imprisonment, he even seemed to experience +satisfaction at that youth's danger. The poisonous mind of the most +successful poisoner of the age was now recklessly displayed. He seemed +to rejoice in the misfortunes of his fellow-men, whilst he felt that his +own further success in life was ended. He was indeed at that moment +sinking into the grave a hopeless unbeliever, "a bold bad man." + +"Sir Thomas Lucy," he said, rudely and abruptly, "hath sought me on the +subject of this Arderne, praying of me to intercede with the Queen. But +I meddle not again with matters of state or the business of others. My +health requires change from the pestilential vapour of this city. I have +done with Courts and seek my castle at Kenilworth." + +Shakespeare bowed, and was about to withdraw, when Leicester turned and +again spoke. + +"I advise you yourself, Master Shakespeare," he said, "to keep free of +such matters. Peril not your present favour by mixing in treasonable +affairs, and so farewell." + +"Nay, my Lord," said Shakespeare, "this gentleman, my friend, hath been +most unjustly accused. He is one to whom I owe much love. I may not +cease from making what interest I can in his favour." + +"And I tell thee then," said Leicester, imperiously, "that in me you +will find an opponent in his cause; my interest lieth in the very +opposite direction, since I am informed by a law-man of your native town +that, in right of my wife, I can claim some of those estates in +Warwickshire so lately in possession of this Arderne." + +Shakespeare felt surprised at this intimation, and immediately the +interview terminated. + +There was evidently a secret enemy at work, he thought, as he left the +house; and, as he passed through the gateway, he ran against a man who +was entering. + +The poet was so wrapped in his own thoughts that he observed not the +features of this person; but Grasp (for it was no less a person who was +entering the courtyard) started at the well-known form of his sometime +clerk, and, hesitating for the moment, seemed divided as to whether he +should not defer his present business and follow the poet. + +Whilst he stood undecided, Shakespeare took boat, and so Grasp turned +towards the building. + +"I shall find the pestilent fellow," he said, "and I shall also +penetrate into the mystery of that fair Lindabrides who dwells beneath +his roof, and masquerades about the city at nights. My certie, but I'll +spoil his actings, his writings, his inditings, his poetizing, and +rhapsodizing. I can myself indite, aye, and play a part, too, as well as +he; and so, Master William Shakespeare, look to thyself, for thou art in +jeopardy;" and so Grasp turned and proceeded, across the court of +Leicester House rejoicing. + + + + +CHAPTER LVI. + +THE ASSOCIATES. + + +So great were the talents possessed by Grasp for smelling out a plot, +whether it existed or not, that he seemed peculiarly fitted for the +period in which he lived, and in which conspiracies, either real or +pretended, were so frequently agitating the kingdom. + +Plot and pestilence, indeed, during Elizabeth's reign seemed the +bug-bears of the time. At one moment the Court was driven from its +locality, by some of the attendants being seized at the very palace +gates with some infectious disorder, and the next, some dark, +evil-minded fanatic was apprehended, dagger in hand, almost in the very +presence-chamber. + +Since the execution of the Queen of Scots those conspirators had been +more hopeless of success; yet still, ever and anon, a new and dangerous +attempt against the life of the Queen was brought to light. + +Just at the present period of our story, such a design was pounced on by +Grasp; but, like all over-zealous persons, he was liable, in his +eagerness, to run upon a wrong scent, and lose sight of the game he had +started. + +It happened, during his visit to London at this time, and in an interval +spared from his numerous avocations, (for Grasp was now a man in full +business), that he, one night, amused himself by witnessing an execution +in company with his friend Doubletongue. + +This execution was one possessing considerable interest, inasmuch as +several criminals were to suffer for conscience-sake, and that was +always a popular exhibition during Elizabeth's reign. Six were Catholic +priests, who were hung, drawn, and quartered, for conspiring against the +Queen's life. Two more were laymen, who, having embraced protestantism +and returned to the old belief, were to be burned alive in company with +a wretched atheist named Francis Wright, alias Kit Wyndham. Besides +these there was one other named Word, who was to be executed for +concealment of Catholics under suspicion of treason. + +The execution took place in Smithfield, and, like those of more modern +times, when the cut-purse is seen to exercise his vocation beneath the +gallows on which a fellow thief was struggling, so was treason watching +within the scorching influence of the fire which burned these traitors. + +One Reginald Deville, an usurer and an informer, who also bore the +appropriate cognomen of Reynard Devil, had tracked a suspicious +character into Smithfield on this very night; a fanatic being, whose +husband had been in the service of the Queen of Scots, and who, in the +disguise of a man, was known to be in concealment in London for the +purpose of assassinating Elizabeth. + +In the crowd, and during the excitement of the execution, Deville had +lost sight of this person, almost at the moment he was about to gain +assistance and pounce upon her; and, as he was prying about, he stumbled +upon Grasp, whom he had formerly known. + +Now Grasp himself, besides his other business, occasionally did a little +in the informing way. Such pursuit formed a sort of afterhour recreation +with him. He and Doubletongue, at such times, hunted in couples, and as +evil speaking, lying, and slander, were the peculiar talents of his +friend, so the more covert villany was his own peculiar forte. + +The moment Reginald Deville stumbled upon Grasp and his friend, in his +eagerness he half divulged the secret intelligence with which he was +furnished. + +"Ah," he said, "my good friend Grasp, I am glad to meet. Hast seen a +slight rakish figure pass this minute, wearing a cloak of scarlet serge, +a red feather in his hat, a brace of petronels in his girdle, and drab +trunks with hose to match?" + +Grasp was never at fault. "I have," he said hastily. + +"Which way went he, in God's name," said Deville. "Quick, or I lose a +chance--he's worth the having, I can assure you." + +"I will put you upon his trail," said Grasp, "perhaps inform you where +he haunts, an you promise half profits and tell me what's his crime." + +"Treason is his crime," said Deville, "'Tis a female in man's apparel, +one Margaret Lambrun. Her husband died of grief after Queen Mary was +executed. The woman was in the service of Mary, and hath resolved on the +death of the Queen. I had secret intelligence from a cousin of my own in +Scotland, and have been in pursuit for some days." + +"Well, then," said Grasp, "I can only tell you in return for your secret +that your man, or woman rather, was here beside me in company with four +others. Catholics, I dare be sworn, for they looked upon the burning of +yonder priests with a devilish expression of horror, in place of viewing +it as you and I. They marked me as I watched them, and they are off; but +I heard one of them name some place in Blackfriars as where he resided." + +"How said ye," exclaimed Doubletongue, "in Blackfriars? then, by my fay, +I think I can give ye a clue to this same female." + +"As how?" inquired Grasp, eagerly. + +"As thus," said Doubletongue. "Dost remember the night on which we +consulted with Lawyer Quillet at the Blue Boar Inn?" + +"Truly so," said Grasp, "and what o' that?" + +"On that night I marked, although you did not, a couple of persons who +kept themselves altogether apart from the other guests--a young and a +middle-aged person. Nay, I especially marked the younger of the twain, +and as I looked upon the tiny foot, the sparkling eyes, and the slender +form, methinks I penetrated through the disguise worn, and beheld a +female." + +"Ah! caitiff," said Grasp, "thou were't ever a devil to spy out a +farthingale. And so--" + +"And so, I said to myself, where disguise is there mischief is meant, +and I resolved to know more. Acting upon this resolve, albeit I lost +sight of them during the riot which ensued in the tavern, I followed +them out into the street, dodged them to their lair--" + +"And that is--?" inquired Deville impatiently. + +"In the Blackfriars, at a house down by the water-side, and which I can +point out." + +"But thou may'st have been mistaken," said Grasp, "appearances may have +deceived thee." + +"Not a whit," said Doubletongue. "I took some pains to make assurance; +for, sooth to say, I was taken with this mysterious female. I watched +about the house till I again saw her. I even ventured within, concealed +myself during the absence of herself and him who seemed her protector, +and I found in the room which she inhabited--" + +"What?" said Grasp, who expected a written list of the conspirators. "In +God's name what did you find?" + +"Her doublet and hose," said Doubletongue. "The very pair of nether +garments in which I had seen her masquerading at the Blue Boar the first +night I beheld her." + +"Oh, monstrous!" said Grasp. "Tis, undoubtedly the person of whom you +are in quest. See, the execution is over and the criminals burnt. +Wherefore not at once, proceed to Blackfriars and identify the house? +To-morrow we will procure assistance and pounce upon her;" and the two +immediately pushed their way through the crowd and left Smithfield. + + + + +CHAPTER LVII. + +THE POET AND HIS FRIENDS. + + +The success of Shakespeare's play of Romeo and Juliet had placed him in +a somewhat different situation amongst his companions of the theatre. By +the majority he was immediately looked up to as a rising star, and +whilst others again viewed him with increasing envy, there were one or +two who were so much struck with the extraordinary merit of the +composition that they already pronounced him the wonder of the age. + +Such, however, was the agitated state of the kingdom at the moment, and +fears, factions, and jealousies, so absorbed the minds of men of all +ranks, that except beyond the circle of his own professional brethren, +and amongst his own immediate friends of the Court, my Lord of Essex, +Sir Walter Raleigh, Lord Southampton, &c., the effect produced was, +after all, but evanescent. + +The English nation at this time was yet struggling to emerge from +barbarity. The philology of Italy had been transplanted hither in the +reign of Henry the Eighth, and the learned languages cultivated by +Lilly, Linacre, More, and others. Greek was now taught in some of the +principal schools, and many of the learned read the Italian and Spanish +poets. But still literature was even yet confined in a great measure to +professed scholars, or persons of high rank. The body public was but +gross and dark; and to read and write, an accomplishment valued +according to its rarity. + +Thus, then, the people who witnessed the great curiosity of +Shakespeare's new play hardly knew how to judge. It was welcome even to +the most rude and vulgar; they looked at it with a sort of childish +wonder. It was a delicious and startling change from the giants, +dragons, and enchantments they had been used to. Nay, it even bid fair +to supersede the interesting exhibition of the bear hugging the dog to +death, or the bull driven into madness by agony. The show and bustle of +the new play even charmed the rudesby's, who could scarce even +comprehend the beauty and elegance of the poetry. + +It was on the morning of the same day on which Grasp had witnessed the +execution in Smithfield, that Shakespeare made his unsuccessful +application to the Earl of Leicester in behalf of his friend Arderne. +After his interview with the fallen favourite, the poet returned, sad +and somewhat out of sorts, to his new lodgings in Blackfriars. As was +his wont on all occasions wherein his capacious mind had received an +impression, he contemplated the object that had furnished it. Indeed, +his interview with that ambitious courtier, whose whole life had been a +mistake, had been to him a whole volume. "How wretched," he thought, "is +that poor man that hangs on prince's favours!" and then he seized his +pen and wrote,-- + + "Fling away ambition, + By that sin fell the angels, how can man, then, + The image of his Maker, hope to rise by it." + +Whilst the poet wrote, as was not uncommonly the case, a whole levée of +visitors continually interrupted his labours. This, however, was a +circumstance that seemed rather to aid than disturb the current of his +thoughts. He laid down his pen to laugh with the light-hearted, and he +thrust aside his manuscript to listen to the more serious. He was all +things with all men. The courtier, the soldier, the scholar, all and +each found in him something to wonder at and admire. On this day, which +was the sixth for the representation of his play, his visitors were +numerous. In addition to many of his brother authors, several of the +actors and other persons connected with the theatre, the Earl of Essex, +Sir Walter Raleigh, Lord Southampton, and the poet Spenser, sought him +in his lodging. Master Doubletongue too, who on this day had been +seeking an opportunity of introducing himself into the house, as he met +with some actor or other visitor coming out, hesitated as to the safety +of such espial. Nay, he felt considerably astonished at the number and +quality of the persons who seemed, as the day advanced, to come +thronging about the locality. + +Whilst he continued watching for some person he appeared to expect, he +beheld the open space in front of the house filled with the attendants +of several nobles of the Court; their magnificent steeds, gaily +caparisoned, being led up and down, or held by servitors with the +emblazoned badges of the favourites of the Queen. + +It is indeed curious to consider the poet himself during the visit of +these magnificoes, and who, in the enjoyment of his society, sought a +new pleasure; visitors who, like himself, were elevated above "the +common cry of curs," and, leaving their high rank out of the question, +worthy of the friendship of Shakespeare. The poet himself, too, was +perfectly at his ease in the company of these haughty nobles. He sat and +conversed with them in all the freedom of unchecked enjoyment. + +To attempt any description of the conversation carried on amongst these +choice and master spirits of the age would be vain and ridiculous, since +it exceeds the power of our pen to describe it. Nay, were it possible so +to do, we must of necessity furnish forth to the world a dialogue such +as is only to be found in the page of him who acted as the host to the +assemblage. + +Let us look at the picture, for it is one worthy of regard. Shakespeare +sits beneath the ample chimney, his table is before him, strewed with +papers. He leans back in his chair; a divine expression, a sweet smile +is on his bearded face. Opposite to him is his patron, Lord Southampton, +his chin resting upon the hilt of his sheathed rapier, his eyes and ears +intent upon the subject Shakespeare is speaking of. Beside Shakespeare, +leaning his cheek upon his hand, his elbow upon the table, sits the +magnificent Essex; he also is intently regarding the poet, admiration in +his gaze. Standing somewhat behind Lord Southampton, his back against +the carved chimney, is the poet Spenser. Raleigh sits within the +embayment of the window; his plumed hat is carelessly thrown down beside +him, and his quick, restless glance is ever and anon turned from the +poet towards the different craft which pass and repass upon the Thames +below. Beside these, _élite_ of the company, there is Tarleton, the +comedian and Court fool, who, under cover of his folly, shoots his bolts +upon all the party. One more addition, and the party is completed; and +it is made up by the dissolute friend of the poet, the fat and jovial +Froth. + +Whilst they are engaged in conversation, the drawer from an adjoining +tavern enters with wine and other refreshments. From long-necked and +quaint-looking bottles is poured the wines of Gascony and Spain. The +means, too, and appliances for indulgence in Sir Walter's favourite weed +is then handed round, and (as was the custom of the period) each guest +takes a whiff; the thin blue smoke mounts into the air, and eddies about +the carved ceiling; and, as the mirth and joviality of the party grows +faster, time flies unheeded by, the shadows descend upon the Thames, +again and again the bottles are renewed, and another day dawns upon the +party, ere they recollect how the hours have fled. + +Can our readers wonder at this, when they remember of what that party +consisted, and their entertainer? Those magnificoes had come to pay the +poet a morning visit, and they had stayed half a day and one entire +night. Shakespeare was their entertainer! + +As the first faint streaks of dawn began to "lace the severing clouds," +the poet stood alone in his apartment. His guests had left him, and his +room shewed tokens of the revel they had been engaged in. + +The revellers had drank deep, for they were such as would be most likely +to give themselves up to the peculiar enjoyment of the hour. Shakespeare +had cheered the cup for them. + +As the glorious poet glanced upon the heap of empty flaskets, broken +bottles, remnants of long-necked glasses, and capacious bowled pipes, +together with all the _débris_ of a long-continued orgie, he smiled, and +stepping to the lattice-window, threw it open, and stood to enjoy the +refreshing breeze from the river. + +Whilst he stood and gazed upon the Thames, the boats containing his +recent guests glided past, on their way to Greenwich; for Essex and +Southampton, when they found themselves regularly set in for an orgie, +had some time before sent away their steeds. + +They waved their hands an they passed, on observing the poet, and he +remained listening to the music from the boat which followed the barge +of Essex, as it grew fainter and fainter in the distance. + +As Shakespeare turned from the window, the arras near the fire-place was +lifted, and two persons noiselessly entered. He started as he beheld +them, for by the faint morning light he distinguished in one of them the +beautiful female we have before remarked, dwelling beneath his roof; the +other was our old friend Martin. Something more than ordinary he well +knew must have caused her to enter the wing of the building he +inhabited; in addition to which, he saw she was equipped in her +masculine costume, and, together with her companion, prepared for a +journey. + +"We have come to bid you farewell," she said, as the poet stepped up to +her, and took her hand. + +"This is somewhat sudden," he returned. "I hoped to have been of your +party into Warwickshire." + +"Certain spies, good Master Shakespeare," said Martin, "have it seems +noted this lady's residence beneath your roof, and she has fallen under +suspicion of treasonable matter." + +"Yes," said the lady, "my faithful friend and adviser here has +discovered so much. My presence here might even compromise you, my kind +friend and preserver. We have therefore resolved, at once, to set off on +our journey." + +"And how then have you learnt this?" inquired Shakespeare. + +"Nay, heed not my means of intelligence," said Martin. "Thou know'st I +possess the secret of divination, or I could never have at last escaped +the Spanish Inquisition, and discovered the residence of this lady in +London. Suffice it we know our danger, and must fly." + +"And do you then still purpose seeking Kenilworth?" inquired Shakespeare +of his beautiful friend. + +"I do," she replied. "Lady Leicester is my friend. She will, I trust, +be able to do service to him we wish well to. My best hope is from that +quarter." + +"I have already seen the Earl," said Shakespeare, "and my own +expectations, in that quarter, touch ground." + +"From the Earl himself I never entertained a particle of hope," said the +lady, "his Countess may, however, serve us, for she is my friend." + +"All good angels, then, speed you on your journey!" said Shakespeare. "I +have myself other chances here. The Earl of Essex hath promised to speak +with the Queen, ere another day passes, added to which, Lord Southampton +and Sir Walter Raleigh have sworn to back his suit." + +"Have you, then, seen the Earl of Essex on this matter?" inquired +Martin, in some surprise. + +"He and Lord Southampton were here but now," said Shakespeare, smiling, +and pointing to the confused state of the apartment. "Behold the witness +of their revel. Some ten minutes back they left me to take boat for +Greenwich, where the Queen at present stays." + +"Farewell, then," said the lady sorrowing, "we dare no longer stay, may +we soon meet again!" + +"Heaven grant it, fair excellence," said Shakespeare, "until I again +revisit my home in Warwickshire, I shall have but small contentment. But +until I see my friend out of jeopardy, and clear of imprisonment, I have +neither home nor friends there." + +"'Tis like yourself," said the lady. "Farewell! We shall soon then meet, +I trust. Walter Arderne once relieved from durance, and my task is +effected." + + + + +CHAPTER LVIII. + +STRATFORD AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. + + +After absence from a well-known locality how fresh and verdant seems +every spot there. The mind which has dwelt, again and again, upon every +nook and corner, unmarked perhaps and unappreciated whilst in the +neighbourhood, becomes enamoured absolutely of trivialities and trifles. +How well doth the exile, eating the bitter bread of banishment, perhaps +breathing the hot air of the tropics, many, many thousand leagues from +the quiet village in which he first drew breath--how well doth he +recollect, and dwell with fondness upon each street or lane of the +village suburb, the school-boy spot, the home the wanderer longs for +with an undying desire! + +And if such be the case, how anxiously, and even sadly, do we think upon +those relatives and friends domesticated in the far-away home, and see +them in their old-accustomed places. Relations so dear and friends so +esteemed, yet, perhaps, never again to be met with in life, and +therefore more cherished in our thoughts. + +And Shakespeare had oft-times felt this anxiety during the time his +self-exile lasted. In his own mind he had resolved that, until he had +"name and fame," he had "nothing at Stratford." Those dearly loved +friends should not again look upon the unthrift younker; and unless the +man redeemed the courses wild of the youth, he would no more return. + +How far he had already succeeded our readers have seen; and even the +little world of Stratford began to feel pride in him they had before so +lightly regarded. + +Master William Shakespeare, it was affirmed amongst the wise-acres of +the Falcon Inn, had indited two several poems, some said three, of such +exceeding merit, that they had afforded exceeding delight to the +grandees and gallants of Elizabeth's court. Sonnets, too, innumerable, +had fallen amongst the fair dames of the palace, like the perfumed +flowers blown by the sweet south. + +Nay, William Shakespeare was said to be a favourite with the Queen +herself. Two plays he had also produced--plays of most exquisite fancy. +The Adonis of the Court,--the "wealthy-curled darling of the land," the +favourite Essex, was his personal friend. My Lord Southampton his +patron. And more than this, than these, than all, William Shakespeare +had made money, thriven, purchased property, become a proprietor of one +of the theatres in London. + +"'Fore Heaven, I wonder what made him ever go away from us?' said Master +Mumble, the head-bailiff. + +"I always said there was something in him," said Master Lamb. + +"He was ever a clever dog though a mischievous one," said Cramboy. + +"Dost think he will come back amongst us?" inquired Teazle. "Methinks I +long to look upon one who hath written three poems, a whole litany of +sonnets, and two masques or mysteries." + +"An he do come amongst us again," said the head-bailiff, "I, for one, +vote we make him master of the free school." + +"Nay," said Cramboy, "I know not how far to agree with you there, before +we go to such lengths, let us peruse his works; there is some +difference, my masters all, between teaching one's boys their _quis_, +their _quæs_, and their _quods_, and writing jingling rhymes for the +amusement of the Londoners and the Court." + +"Well," said the mayor, "we might make him parish-clerk. Something we +ought to offer him, methinks, an he comes back amongst us. Body o' me, +hath he not written two poems and a play? There be those amongst us who +cannot even write their own names, much more a poem such as 'tis said +this William Shakespeare hath produced." + +"Hath any one seen these poems you speak of?" inquired Master Scourge. + +"Truly, I believe mine host hath a copy of one brought from London by a +gentleman of the Court, and left behind him. I saw it myself not a week +ago and looked at the title-page, 'tis called Tartquin and Lucrece, a +very clever book, if I may judge from the look of the binding." + +"We will see that poem," said the bailiff; and the host, being +accordingly summoned, produced a small volume, which the head-bailiff +with infinite gravity, after laying aside his pipe and adjusting his +spectacles, proceeded to read. Scarcely, however, had he got through one +verse ere he paused and looked over his glasses at the grave auditors +who sat in judgment upon the production, whilst they themselves puffed +out such clouds of smoke, that it appeared they were resolved the +bailiff should scarce observe the impression produced. + +"You do not speak, my masters," said the head-bailiff, "have you heard?" + +"Perfectly," returned Master Cramboy. + +"And do you approve?" inquired the head-bailiff. + +"Ahem," said the mercer, "'Speak that I may know thee,' saith the +proverb; proceed;" and the bailiff read another verse. + +"Fie! fie!" said Master Teazle, "what stuff is here? My service to you, +my masters all, and a merry Christmas. How say you now to making Master +William Shakespeare master of the free school,--eh?" + +"Shall I proceed any further?" inquired the head-bailiff. + +"Not a line," said Cramboy. "I feel quite scandalized. What a depraved +taste the Court must have! Allow me, however to look at the binding of +this volume," and Cramboy quietly noted down where the book was to be +bought in order that he might procure and read it as soon as he could, +the rest of the company quietly following his example. + +"Well," said John Peto, the tanner, "after all what is fame? Here hath +our fellow-townsman gained much celebrity by such matter as we have +heard. Trash, my masters; lies, conjured up by the fumes of sack and +Canary. Marry, the lad hath a quick wit, I dare be sworn, but how he +hath gotten himself into the good graces of the powerful by such matter +I marvel." + +"I remember me," said Master Richard Coomb, (who was known amongst his +co-mates by the sobriquet of Thin Beard, from the circumstance of his +wearing a starved cane-coloured beard), "I remember me that our +townsman, John Shakespeare, father of this William, had from his youth +upwards, a quick and shrewd wit. Nay, by 'ur Lady, he must be about my +own age; by the same token I played oft-times with him when he was a boy +and living with his father at Snitterfield." + +"Aye," said Mumble, "he came to Stratford from Snitterfield. He held +lands there when he was better off. Did'st know Richard Shakespeare, +grandfather to this William? He was well to do, and had lands and beeves +at Snitterfield." + +"I did know him," returned Coomb; "that is, I do remember me of him. By +'ur Lady, a proper man of his hands as ever you would wish to look +on,--aye, and a pleasant man to speak with too." + +"Did not your brother, John Coomb, accommodate Master John Shakespeare, +at his need, with moneys, not long back?" inquired Cramboy. + +"In sooth did he," returned Thin Beard, "more than once, I can tell +thee." + +"And did I not hear that John Coomb pressed him hard for repayment, and +would have clapped him up in jail but for the debt being defrayed by +this poet of our's,--this William his son,--so soon as he became aware +of it?" + +"Nay, 'tis true enough," said Thin Beard; "I may not deny that my +brother doth press hard for moneys due." + +"Go to," said Mumble; "we all know John Coomb and his usances well +enough without your confession. 'Tis creditable to Master hath been +given to courses wild. I like him better for his befriending his father +than for his poetry." + +"Come," said the head bailiff, laying down his pipe, and rising from his +chair, "Let us drink the health of our good townsman, since he hath so +far done honour to the place of his birth. Who knows, he may do even +better yet! We have not altogether approved of the production here +before us, peradventure his songs and sonnets are in better taste than +his lampoons. Fill, my masters, to the brim. Since the Queen delights to +honour Master Shakespeare, here's his health, and may he soon return +amongst us!" + +And if such was the feeling entertained towards the poet by the more +mechanical portion of the community of Stratford, those of higher degree +felt a proportionable share of respect, since they could better +appreciate his merits. + +And now, having once more returned to the spot from whence we started, +we must again revisit some of the localities in and around that sweet +neighbourhood. Sir Hugh Clopton having also returned from London on +business of import, is once more to be seen in his old dwelling. + +Since we last beheld him located there, many stirring events have +transpired. His life, on the whole, has passed, since the action with +the Armada, in ease and quietude. At the present moment, however, he is +in some trouble, consequent upon the untoward events connected with his +nephew. Nay, he has returned to London for the purpose of parting with +all he possesses, so that he may but pay off the huge debts Walter +Arderne has become liable for, and save him from the other difficulties +he is surrounded by. + +It is now far advanced in the month of September. The season is wet and +dreary,--one of those unhealthy seasons which produce much sickness +throughout the land. The continued rain had flooded the country around. +The roads, never at this period good, are now almost impassable. The +woods are wrapped in mist, and the marsh lands a perfect sea. + + "The fold stands empty in the drowned field, + And crows are fatted with the murrain flocks, + The nine men's morris is filled up with mud, + And the quaint mazes in the wanton green, + For lack of tread, are undistinguishable; + Whilst on old Hyem's chin and icy crown, + An odorous chaplet of sweet summer buds, + Is, as in mockery, set." + +Sir Hugh, after conferance with his man of business, is preparing in a +few days again to set off for London. A journey of such extent is, +however, matter of some consideration and considerable danger at such a +season, with weather so unpropitious. + +As the old knight looks out upon the chase, the gloom of the aspect adds +to the gloom of his spirits. + +Such a prospect is always calculated to beget a certain share of +despondency, even in the most cheerful temper, and Sir Hugh has had +enough of sorrow in his time to make him rather a grave than a merry +companion. + +The old knight, however, is not the man to give way to despair under +circumstances like the present. + +"Goods news, an Heaven will," he said, as he suddenly descried a +horseman, with head bent to the saddle-bow, come sparring against the +driving wind, his cloak blown into a balloon, the mire and water flying +into the air as he dashed across the chase towards the mansion. + +During the prevalence of heavy and continued rain, any object which +enlivens the wet landscape, even in our own dull times, becomes of +interest. In Elizabeth's day, when so many events of import were +transpiring, and when news came but rarely to a country place, the +arrival of a post as tho armed and heavily-accoutred horseman was +called was of peculiar interest. He brought, perhaps, intelligence of +the danger or death of those nearest and dearest, and now heard for the +first time. He bore, perchance, some secret intelligence of warning, +some caution against an imminent, deadly foe, some hint to put the seas +between the receiver and his native land. + +To Sir Hugh the sight of the coming horseman, as he emerged from the +belt of plantation, and dashed into the open chase, was fraught almost +with alarm. + +"God grant," he said, an he strained his eyes to observe if he could +recognize the features of the rider, "that this new comer may bring me +good tidings of our Walter." + +The increasing gloom, however, for it was now evening, hindered the +knight from recognizing the person of the horseman. He heard the clatter +of the hoofs of the steed along the approach, and, as he threw open the +door, the rider having dismounted, unceremoniously entered the room. The +next moment his hand was caught in the iron gripe of Captain Fluellyn. + +"Thou hast news, Captain," said Sir Hugh, "news of import, or thou +would'st scarce have left my nephew in his captivity?" + +"I _have_ news, good Sir Hugh," said the Captain; "and when I have in +something recovered wind enough, I will unfold it to you!" + +"Good! an Heaven will," said Sir Hugh; "my nephew, good Captain--?" + +"Is well," returned the Captain, "and commends him to you. Nay, he is, +in some sort, out of his difficulties--that is to say, in as far as the +charge of treason goeth." + +"Nay, then, Heaven be praised for that!" said Sir Hugh, "for the other +matter, the worst is but worldly loss." + +"We are not so sure of that, either," returned the Captain, "affairs +have altogether taken a new turn. Your nephew hath desired my return at +once to inform you thereof, so as to stop your making any sacrifice of +property." + +"'Fore Heaven, this doth surprise me!" said the Knight, "but come, we +will hear such matter at more leisure, and after you have refreshed +yourself, for you seem to have ridden far and fast since morning." + +"I have," said the Captain. "I am stained with variation of each soil, +'twist this seat of yours and the town of Oxford, and the ways are +wondrous foul and hard to travel over, too. A cup of wine and a rasher +will be welcome." + +"You shall have the best that Clopton can afford," said the Knight, +hurrying out, and calling lustily to his servants to prepare the evening +meal without delay. + +Accordingly, the Captain, having divested himself of his heavy +riding-cloak, and removed the long petronels, rapier, and dagger from +his side, was in a few minutes more seated cozily in a high-backed chair +beneath the chimney, and opposite his host. + +Between the pair stood a small table, plentifully furnished with several +sorts of wine. A glorious log of wood blazed upon the hearth, and whilst +the servants brought in the refreshments which furnished forth the +evening meal, the new comer between each mouthful delivered his news to +the greedy ears of his host. + +"Many events of import have transpired," said he, as he at length pushed +his plate from him, in token that the inner man was satisfied; "aye, and +that too in the short period since you left London to arrange matters +here. In the first place, I need not inform you that both yourself and +Walter Arderne had a secret foe at Court." + +"Of that I have long been aware," said Sir Hugh. + +"Most probably," said the Captain. "A foe is generally found sooner or +later, like the blind mole, by the effects of his progress; but I have +unearthed this mole." + +"Good," said Sir Hugh, "that's a point gained any how." + +"Nay, more, I have discovered you have also a secret and powerful friend +at Court, and the friend is more powerful than the foe. Witness the +effects. Your nephew is released from all responsibility on the subject +of the treasonable charge trumped up against him, and, as he himself +bade me deliver to you, is in a fair way of getting rid also of other +matters appertaining." + +"And how is this derived?" said Sir Hugh. "You amaze me with so much +good news, I pray you expound unto me the names of these persons who +have interested themselves for and against me and mine. Set this foe +before me, that I may know him, good Captain. 'Fore Heaven, I am old, +but I have still some skill in fence. Thou shalt bear a cartel to the +caitiff." + +"It could be easily done," returned the Captain, filling his pipe and +puffing out a volume of smoke. + +"'Fore gad, then," said Sir Hugh, lighting a fellow pipe, and performing +upon it with equal gusto, "you shall find it shall be as promptly done." + +"Have you ever had personal quarrel with the Earl of Leicester?" +inquired the Captain. + +"None, as I am a gentleman," said Sir Hugh. + +"And yet," said the Captain, "hath it been through his means that your +nephew's late troubles have been brought to a serious issue, so indeed +as to threaten his life as well as deprive him of his liberty." + +"Were he twenty times an earl," said Sir Hugh, "he shall answer it. Thou +shalt seek him, Captain, in my name, and demand the why and wherefore." + +"I had much rather be excused," said the Captain, eyeing the gyrations +of the smoke, and then peeping at Sir Hugh. + +"How?" said Sir Hugh. "Wilt not be then my friend, good Captain? Well, +be it so, I will to my good neighbour, Sir Thomas Lucy. He is a man to +beard fifty earls, be they ever so powerful." + +"Sir Thomas Lucy could hardly do your message either," said the Captain. + +"Ha, say'st thou! Truly, then, thou knowest not the goodness and +hot-valour of the knight of Charlecote; he is a true friend, and right +honest. But wherefore should Sir Thomas refuse to carry a cartel to the +Earl?" + +"Because Sir Thomas would scarce carry a cartel to one unable to reply +to it," said the Captain. "The Earl of Leicester is dead. He died two +nights back at Cornbury, on his way to Kenilworth. So much I learnt as I +tarried at Oxford, where, moreover, I further heard strange rumours of +the manner of his death." + +"Gad-a-mercy!" said Sir Hugh, "this doth indeed surprise me. What a +world is this we live in. Dead, quotha! and mine enemy too! Well this is +news, indeed. But then this friend at Court, good Captain? methinks I +should not forget to ask for him." + +"Ahem!" said the Captain. "Of that, anon. Bless me! how heavily the rain +beats against the casement. Foul weather this, good Sir Hugh, for +travellers. Truly the night hath come down dark, as a wolf's mouth, and +ways be both foul and dangerous." + +"Hast any friend on the road to-night, good Captain?" inquired Sir Hugh. + +"I was consorted," said the Captain, "as far as Oxford by one who +over-rode me on the way soon after leaving London, and whom I left at +Oxford with a purpose of following hitherward. He is a native of +Stratford, and one of pleasanter mood I never travelled withal. The man, +I think, you know." + +"And his name?" inquired Sir Hugh. "Come, fill your glass." + +"William Shakespeare," said the Captain. "He who wrote the play we saw +in London." + +Sir Hugh laid down his pipe, and rose to his feet. "Is Shakespeare +coming back?" he said. "'Fore Heaven, thou canst not think, my good +friend the pleasure such information gives me. Thou canst not tell what +I feel towards that young man--so little known, yet so well +appreciated." + +"Ha," said the Captain, "so have I heard you say." + +"I have before named to thee," said Sir Hugh, "former passages in which +my family became acquainted with this Shakespeare, and how we received +an inestimable service from him in his early youth. And I tell thee now +my very soul yearned to go to that man when in London and clasp him to +my heart, but I was ashamed. I gave ear to the tales of his enemies; I +believed him to have become worthless and an outcast in the world. And, +as I shamed to take part with him in adversity, so I shame to see his +face in his hour of triumph. But I love that man. Nay, I am old, +Captain, but the words of his poetry, as we listened to it that night, +yet ring in mine ears." + +"Truly then," said the Captain, whose rough nature was in something +moved, "your friendship is not ill bestowed. This Shakespeare hath +bestirred himself in your nephew's favour, and procured his release from +the graver charge of treason. He hath interested the Queen, through my +Lords of Essex and Southampton, and hath given me a clue by which I have +discovered the villany of our Stratford lawyer here, Pouncet Grasp, the +secret foe through whose influence the Earl of Leicester was made +instrumental. Nay, Shakespeare hath been your good friend, Sir Hugh." + +"And is he in sooth coming back to Stratford?" said Sir Hugh, rubbing +his hands. "In prosperity or adversity, he shall be welcome as if he +were mine own son." + +"Truly," said the Captain, "I can in some sort almost feel the same +towards this friend of thine, for never travelled I with one who so +cheered the long miles 'twixt post and post. He was right pleasant and +facetious all the miry way 'twixt Acton and Oxbridge. I wished the miles +twice us long whilst we pricked across the waste land towards +Beaconsfield. Neither wind nor rain, or mud or mire, could alter his +merry mood, as, by night, we made our way towards Walting Town; and when +we lost our route, and were nearly drowned in the marshes of Abingdon, +he turned our danger into a jest. Nothing came amiss to this +Shakespeare; he had a saying for every mistake, and a good word for +every misfortune." + +"Such a comrade," said Sir Hugh, "were worth something on a journey." + +"Nay, Sir Hugh," returned the Captain, "I have travelled far and near, +yet never met I with such another. By 'ur Lady, I have consorted with +your Dane, drank with your Hollander, revelled with your Frenchman, and +fought with your Spaniard, yet none did I ever find who could hold +comparison with this man." + +"I marvel you came not on further together," said Sir Hugh, "since you +so well relished his companionship." + +"He tarried, as I told you, at Oxford," returned the Captain, "where it +seems he had appointed to meet other company. Nay, I myself also tarried +one night at Oxford, to rest my horse. We put up at the hostel of the +Crown, and, in sooth, a merrier night I never spent withal. This +Shakespeare hath a peculiar art. He made himself familiar amidst the +various guests, and drew them out to exhibit themselves after the most +exquisite fashion. Nay, the hostess of the Crown was herself a woman of +exceeding wit and beauty, and seemed to relish the society of the +player." + +"I know that hostel," said Sir Hugh. "'Tis kept by one Davenant; and the +hostess is indeed, as you say, 'a most sweet wench.'"[26] + +[Footnote 26: There is an anecdote extant in Oxfordshire, of the +intimacy subsisting between this hostess and Shakespeare. Shakespeare is +said to have always rested at the Crown, at Oxford, whilst _en route_ +from London to Stratford.] + + + + +CHAPTER LIX. + +KENILWORTH. + + +Our readers, we doubt not, have for some time entertained a shrewd +suspicion regarding the somewhat indistinct character latterly flitting +about amongst the _dramatis personæ_ of our story. The Lady Clara de +Mowbray, in her own proper person, has of late been but little seen in +the twisted and ravelled skein of this history. + +The fortunes of him who is enshrined in all hearts, has of necessity +thrown all minor characters into the shade. + +Nevertheless, the doings of so exquisite a creature as Clara de Mowbray, +are worthy of the contemplation of our readers, for both in station and +disposition she was considerably elevated above the ordinary fragments +of the world. + +She was a being in whom the best elements were mingled that she might +well have been the worshipped idol of the noblest of the other sex. And +yet have we seen this female, by one of those curious chances so common +in real life, left alone almost in the world, steering her course across +the ocean of adventurous deeds, unknown, and, apparently, unappreciated. +And is not thin oft-times the case? Do we not oft-times see in the world +the most paltry portions of humanity, the most impudent and assuming? +The moat common-place, the most vain, and the most unworthy, exacting +the most homage? Nay, succeeding in life better than the good and +virtuous? + +Clara de Mowbray was one worthy of an emperor's love; a creature we do +occasionally, but rarely, meet with in the world; a sort of descended +angel amongst mortals, sent apparently as the pattern, the model, for +the baser worldlings to "dress themselves by." The world, however, would +perhaps be likely to censure Clara, and her virtues to stand her but as +enemies--her innocence and her regardlessness of form and ceremony, her +recklessness of paltry opinion, be considered unmaidenly and bold! and +so might the world think and say, for Clara possessed a spirit as +undaunted in the resolve to carry out her projects as she was pure in +heart and beautiful in person. If she had a fault it was her unbended +determination to go through with any thing she once undertook. She was +the creature of romance too, and altogether would have been better +suited for a more romantic age than that in which she lived. Albeit her +own times gave some scope for the exercise of her peculiarities. + +We have seen that from childhood she had loved Arderne; she had had so +many opportunities of observing his excellence and worth, that spite of +her better reason, and against hope, she had loved. It was one of those +unselfish passions which hopes all for the being beloved, and nothing +for self. She knew that the object of her thoughts had been engaged +elsewhere, that his affections were buried in the tomb of Charlotte +Clopton, but that altered not her feelings towards him a jot. Whilst he +lived, it was something to breathe in the same hemisphere; and to add to +his happiness and prosperity, even by stealth, was her study. + +Hence have we seen her in disguise seeking to deliver him from the +horrors of captivity or starvation on a desolate shore. Herself enduring +the extremity of mishap, and then rescued from captivity of the +Spaniard. Hence have we seen her bequeathing, in the event of her own +death, all she possessed upon the one so beloved, and hence have we +seen her, and her extraordinary disposition revelled in such a +situation, the disguised comrade, and then the guest of the wonderful +man whose course of life it has been our task to follow. And hence we +find her, up to the present period of our story, still bending all her +energies to restore the fortunes and happiness of Walter Arderne. + +In all things, however, Clara de Mowbray, as we have before hinted, +chose to follow her own notions comparatively unknown, certainly she +thought unloved by the object of her affections. She shrank from all +idea of being recognised as the benefactor of Arderne, lest he should +consider himself bound to tender her the devotion of the life she had +sought to save. She pursued, therefore, an extremely cautious and +erratic mode in all her proceeding. Even Shakespeare, the friend, the +wonderful man who had saved her from the Spaniard, she feared entirely +to place confidence in. The poet, however, had carefully studied the +character of this beautiful female, resolved to thwart her ultimate +intentions regarding herself, and if possible, to make her happy. + +How strangely then flows the tide of human events. Clara de Mowbray +alive, in health, and the real possessor of enormous wealth, was +apparently dead to the world as to herself, her affections she thought +unrequited. On the object of those affections she had conferred all her +worldly goods, and herself she had intended to dedicate to Heaven. + +She was a Catholic, and she meant, as soon an she saw all her schemes in +a fair way of completion, to seclude herself from the world. She had +arranged matters so as to retire to a convent in Navarre. With Arderne +the case was as singular. This youth, so much thought of for his +excellent disposition, albeit he mourned the beautiful Clara as one +dead, adored her memory as a reality, and, had he suspected her of being +in life, would have put a girdle round the earth to find her out. + + "Love like a shadow flies, when substation love pursues, + Pursuing that that flies, and flying what pursues." + +And that such should be the case,--that the melancholy Walter should +become enamoured of what seemed but a shadow, is not surprising in a man +of his disposition. The splendid domains be had succeeded to, the +romance of the situation altogether, his remembrance of the sometime +heiress of these broad lands, at last caused him to be so enamoured of +her bare memory that the subject of her beauty formed the entire subject +of his thoughts. It seemed to him that she haunted each dell and glided +about the stately halls of her forefathers, sighed in the winds which +swept around the battlements of her ancestry; and, indeed, pervaded +every spot around the woods and groves she had conferred upon him. The +remembrance of his former love was by a newer object quite obliterated. +The good Walter, in short, became a sort of dreamy person. For hours +together would he stand in the long gallery at Shottery, and +contemplate the picture of Clara de Mowbray; and had not Grasp's +machinations, by driving him from these thoughts and from possession of +the domains, driven him from the haunts that engendered them, he would +most probably have become a melancholy maniac or a misanthrope. + +Clara de Mowbray had in her early youth, beside the unfortunate +Charlotte Clopton, one other dear and valued friend, the unhappy +Countess of Leicester. This beautiful woman, whom the dark Earl had +become enamoured of whilst her first husband was alive, he was reported +to have "played most foully for." He was said, indeed to have poisoned +Walter, Earl of Essex, in order to gain her hand. + +The sorrowful Countess, who had ample leisure to repent of her second +marriage, had been greatly attached to Clara, and frequently when she +could escape from the splendid cares, "the glistering grief," of her own +home, had been wont to pour her sorrows into the ear of the heiress. She +had consequently been the only person, except the eccentric Martin, who +was the entire confident of Clara. She had known of her attachment, and +also had been privy to her adventure in search of her lover; she also +knew of her determination to retire from the world it she succeeded, and +in common with the world, she imagined Clara had perished in the +attempt; but as she had been sworn to secresy by her young friend, ere +she departed, so she had faithfully kept counsel. + +Now, however, but a few days before the Earl of Leicester's death, to +her astonishment, in the disguised individual who sought her at +Kenilworth, the Countess beheld her dearly-loved friend, accompanied by +the long lost Martin. How they had escaped from shipwreck and all the +"portance of their travelled history," the Countess had small time to +learn, for soon after their arrival she herself was summoned to the sick +Earl at Cornbury Park. + +The Countess, however, had granted Clara the boon she asked,--a letter +to the Queen in favour of Arderne; and this letter, together with the +applications of Essex and Southampton, had procured Walter's release; +after which, together with the faithful Martin, Clara again sought +retirement at Kenilworth. + +And, oh! if that splendid record of pride and power could have spoken, +what tales of sorrow and suffering, as well as of grandeur, what proofs +of unbridled power could it have told. Those magnificent buildings of +Leicester, where such princely revels had been held--how could they have +uttered forth a wailing lament over the wickedness of unchecked and +headstrong will! Those gaudy and tapestried chambers, the last built, +the first to go to decay--how well could they have divulged the +whispered deceit of human nature, the cunning and the baseness of the +_parvenu_ Earl who reared them! + +For one hour those rooms had "blazed with light, and bray'd with +minstrelsy," how many dark and melancholy weeks had they to tell of, +whilst sorrow and whispered horror, and surmise that "dared not speak +its fear," had reigned there! How had the very domestics feared the +descending shadows in those vast rooms, and where the night-shriek +"disturbed the curtain sleep!" Deeds of evil note had had their reign in +those chambers. The wail of sorrow had been heard oft-times in the long +winter's nights, in the dungeons of that castle; and, even to her who +was the mistress there, that bright castle-lake, the fair scene without, +all had been looked upon from those arched windows with eyes that marked +not their beauty,--she, who was the wife of their possessor, slept there +in fear. + +Through the instrumentality of Essex and Southampton, on becoming better +known to those chivalrous men, Arderne had been so much liked, that they +had introduced him to the Queen; and Elizabeth was so struck with his +handsome form and gallant bearing, that she had taken him into favour, +and employed him in her service. + +The national spirit of England had been so much, aroused by the Spanish +invasion, that nothing less than some attempt at retaliation would +satisfy the people. Don Anthonia, titular King of Portugal, was a +suppliant at the English Court for assistance to establish him on the +throne of his ancestors; and as Elizabeth rather relished the policy, +albeit she liked not the cost of such a measure, she gave leave to her +subjects to fit out an expedition for the liberation of Portugal from +the Spanish yoke, always providing they did it at their own proper +charge, she lending them ships of war. + +This expedition the valiant Arderne resolved, at a hint from the Queen, +to join; and, albeit he was forbidden to have anything to do with it by +the doating Queen, the rash and headstrong Essex also resolved to play +the knight-errant, and, escaping from the silken fetters of his courtly +mistress, as a simple volunteer accompany the expedition. + +Clara de Mowbray, meantime, was the guest of her early friend, Lettice, +Countess of Leicester, at Kenilworth; the Countess, during the period of +her mourning, being resident at the castle. Some three weeks had passed +away since the Earl's death, and even in that short space, many events +bad transpired. Arderne was released from all graver charges; Grasp, +although discomfited, terrified and conscience-stricken, was still +endeavouring to make a good fight for his client; and Shakespeare was +returning to his wife and family. True to his resolve, after his own +return to Stratford-upon-Avon, Grasp as soon as he recovered himself, +had hastened to Charlecote with intelligence that the "sometime +deer-stealer" was at length forthcoming, and would but Sir Thomas give +fresh instructions, he, Grasp, would still pursue the delinquent, and +bring him to condign punishment. + +Sir Thomas had, however, entirely changed his opinion upon the subject +of the offence, it appeared. He had also changed his opinion of Grasp, +and summoning his head-falconer, old Hubert, he desired him to call +together several of his followers, and toss Grasp in a blanket in the +park--the knight watching the operations with infinite gusto from his +window. + +Such happiness, therefore, as usually falls to the share of mortals in +this work-a-day world, may be supposed to have fallen to the share of +many of tho individuals connected with our story. + +In outward seeming, such was, indeed the case. + +But perfect happiness is, in reality, beyond the reach of mortals. It is +the green spot in the distance, and that on which we stand is ever but a +sterile promontory. + + "What we have not, still we strive to get, + And what we have, _forget_." + +It was one evening, about three weeks after Leicester's death, that the +Countess and her interesting friend were seated in one of those +magnificent apartments in the buildings to which the Earl had given his +name. + +Few, as we have before said, as they gaze upon this now ruined shell, +can have an adequate notion of its former state and grandeur. The +buildings reared by that proud Earl, almost for the sole purpose of +offering to the Queen the most sumptuous entertainment ever given by +subject to sovereign, seemed, indeed, reared but for that one scene of +pomp and grandeur, and afterwards to have remained a sad memento of the +mutability of human greatness, and then sank unnoted to decay. As they +had added their sum of more to that before enormous pile, so had they, +in their vastness, remained almost too spacious for a subject's means. +For the castle altogether, with its numerous flanking towers, and the +additions which had been made to it from time to time seemed capable of +containing an army within the roundure of its walls. + +As the Countess sat with her friend in one of the magnificent apartments +of Leicester's Building, she listened to the recital Clara had to give +of her own escape from death, when taken prisoner by the Spaniard. + +'Twas a delicious evening. The October winds sighed upon the lake +without, and scattered the dried leaves from the woodland on the +opposite shore. The setting sun shone like gold upon the turrets of the +castle, and tinged the massive forest, as the Lady Clara glanced +occasionally in the direction where lay Stratford-upon-Avon. The +Countess marked that glance as she sat opposite to her friend and +beneath the huge chimney, for the coldness of the season, and the size +of the room, made the blazing fire upon the hearth anything but +disagreeable. + +"And after enduring so much," said the Countess, "you mean then, to +retire for ever from the world--you will forsake him for whom you have +adventured life, fortune, reputation." + +"I forsake none," said Clara. "Who knows or cares for one so solitary in +the world! I bequeath to him I most love, all my worldly goods--myself I +dedicate to heaven." + +"There is one other," said the Countess, "and whom I have heard you +mention in terms of admiration and respect--will not his persuasion +avail." + +"He is indeed a man," said Clara, with enthusiasm, "one whose words +might do much. But are you quite sure he would not rather approve than +censure my resolve? He knows something of my story, but like yourself, +he is bound by me to secresy whilst I remain in England." + +"Listen," said the Countess, "to what this friend has to urge;" and +taking from a sort of cabinet a small packet, she read the following:-- + + I. + + "From fairest creatures we desire increase, + That thereby beauty's rose might never die. + But as the riper should by time decease, + His tender heir might bear his memory: + But then, contracted to thine own bright eyes, + Feed'st thy light's frame with self-substantial fuel, + Making a famine where abundance lies, + Thyself thy foe, to thy sweet self too cruel, + Thou that art now the world's fresh ornament, + And only herald to the gaudy spring, + Within thine own bud buriest thy content, + And, tender churl, mak'st waste in niggarding, + Pity the world, or else this glutton be, + To eat the world's due, by the grave and thee. + + II. + + When forty winters shall besiege thy brow, + And dig deep trenches in thy beauty's field, + Thy youth's proud livery, so gazed on now, + Will be a tatter'd weed, of small worth held: + Then, being ask'd where all thy beauty lies, + Where all the treasure of thy lusty days; + To say, within thine own deep sunken eyes, + Were an all-eating shame, and thriftless praise. + How much more praise deserved thy beauty's use, + If thou could'st answer--'This fair-child of mine + Shall sum my count, and make my old excuse,'-- + Proving his beauty by succession thine. + This were to be new made, when thou art old, + And see thy blood warm, when thou feel'st it cold." + +There was a pause after the Countess had read these sonnets, and which +she, in common with the entire Court circle, had been delighted with +when they first appeared. The beauty of the poetry, like sweet music, +placed a spell upon the pair; such verse in those lordly apartments had +a double influence. + +As Clara gazed around upon the arrassed walls, and then glanced from the +window upon the sweet scene without,--when she looked towards the home +of the poet, the spirit of that man seemed to breath around. In some +sort the Countess of Leicester felt this, for both these high-born +ladies knew Shakespeare; his exquisite poetry had stolen over their +hearts. They were of the few of their day who already appreciated him. + +"Your story, Clara," said Lady Leicester, at length breaking silence, +"convinces me this generous man carries with him the remembrance of some +early grief--some secret sorrow never to be expressed. I feel as firmly +convinced of it, as that you yourself are the excited cause of those +sonnets I have just perused. The time of their production and +circulation amongst us by Essex and Southampton--the circumstances under +which you was rescued by this Shakespeare from the Spaniard--his +discovery of your true sex, and subsequent contemplation of your +exquisite disposition, Clara, all confirm it. Heaven grant thou sweetest +and best of women, that this poetic friend does not himself love, and +whilst he has pleaded for license to inform his friend Arderne of your +secret, has not indeed felt a pang sharp as the stilleto of the +Italian." + +Clara started at the words of the Countess, and a slight flush suffused +her check. The thought was, for the moment, fraught with pleasant +reminiscences, but then feelings of alarm pervaded her, lest there +should be in reality some truth in the suspicion of her friend. That +man, so immeasurably above all other mortals, to love her--that man, +whose influence seemed always to pervade every spot around her, where +aught noble, refined, or chivalrous breathed--that man, without whose +society, even granting she were wedded to him she loved, she must now +experience a void, a blank. For be it remembered that Clara de Mowbray +had, from circumstances, been the intimate, the companion of +Shakespeare, knew his sentiments, been with him in the hour when poetry +flowed from lip as well as pen; and that whilst she had listened, his +words had produced thoughts and imaginings belonging to the fabled ages +of the early world, in Crete, in Sparta, and in Thessaly. + +As the Countess remarked the effect her words had produced, she arose +and walked to the window. How sad, she thought to herself, that the life +of one so amiable should be an aimless one! How sad, that sorrow should +inhabit that form where so much grace and beauty dwelt! + +Her thoughts, however, were speedily withdrawn from her friend, for at +that moment the Major Domo, or steward of the Castle, his white wand in +his hand, announced the arrival of a messenger from London bearing +dispatches. + +"News," she said, as she took the several sealed packets and examined +them. "News, Clara, and from my truant son." + +"The messenger, an it so please ye," said the steward, "announces the +Earl is on his road hitherward, and with a goodly company." + +"'Tis even so," said Lady Leicester; "he writes me word he hath returned +from Lisbon, where nothing but discomfort, sickness, and mortality +attended the English army. Six out of eighteen thousand having already +fallen victims to the climate." + +"And have you news of others present in that ill-omened expedition?" +inquired Clara. + +"Nothing save that some of his companions of the expedition are with +him. The Queen, I find, by another packet," said Lady Leicester, "is +much blamed for permitting this expedition to be undertaken at all since +it has thus failed. Nay, she hath been rated by Burleigh. The royal +lioness is, therefore, chafed in spirit." + +"Ah! and here is another letter," continued the Countess, as she perused +a somewhat curious document, as curiously worded, and after a fashion +not uncommon at a period when, "in speaking of dangerous majesty," it +was necessary to be guarded. The letter was brief and secret, partly in +figures, and the Countess read it aloud to her friend: + +"Let not 1500[27] gain sight of 1000 till anger subdueth, or the hot +blood of 1000 will chafe at what may peradventure follow; 1500 is +wrathful, and the enemies of 1000 have worked during absence; keep, +therefore, valour and worth employed till matters cool. Not only hath +the disobedience of 1000 offended in the expedition, but 1500 hath seen +a printed volume[28] of _t--t's_, title to _a--a_, a device, doubtless, +of some crafty knave and enemy; 50 hath been committed this day to the +tower." + +[Footnote 27: Elizabeth was expressed in those letters by the figures +1500; Essex by 1000; _a--a_ was the crown.] + +[Footnote 28: A seditious Catholic publication, dedicated to Essex, to +ruin him.] + +"I understand it not," said Clara. "Albeit it is plain enough to the +eye, the sense is mysterious." + +"It speaks to me of danger to my gallant son," said the Countess with a +sigh, "and is from a dear and true industrious friend. It means that the +Queen is angry with my son, and we must, therefore, hold him here if +possible. You must aid me in this Clara, and we must endeavour to make +Kenilworth a pleasing prison to him for a brief space." + +"Thou knowest," said Clara, "that I am thy guest under promise of strict +incognito; thou knowest, dear Lettice, that I am strict in my resolve to +remain unknown." + +"I know thou art proud in spirit, Clara, as becomes one of the princely +line of Plantagenet. But 'tis a mother who asks thee to aid her in +keeping her darling son from danger. Heaven knows I have little heart +for revelling just now, but something we must invent to detain Essex at +Kenilworth till the danger blows over." + + + + +CHAPTER LX. + +THE RETURN. + + + Our readers must now again look upon the town of Stratford, + whilst the bright mid-day sun shines upon its roof and + chimneys, mid glitters like innumerable diamonds upon its + multitudinous windows. + +With one of those sudden changes so common to our climate, the damp +weather has cleared up, and turned to frost. The air is light and +cheerful, and a hoary tinge is given to all around. + +How sweetly rural are the quiet old towns of England, as the approaching +winter begins to give us that cozy anticipation of the comforts and +fire-side enjoyments to come with the snow and the bracing blast. + +In Elizabeth's day, when the season was fraught with games and revels, +each house in the quaint-looking street seemed to promise its +hospitality. The citizens' wives, as they bustled through the street, +appeared to experience this feeling. The native burghers seemed to +accost each other with a more cordial greeting. The change, even in the +open country, albeit it is sterile, and the "one red leaf" is all that +dances on the tall tree, is so seasonable, that it is grateful. The +human mortals love the coming winter. Its change seems to freshen up all +around. Even the old crone, shivering in the ingle neuk, looks with a +renewed feeling of pleasure upon the frosted pane, and listens to the +sound of the wind without with a kind of enjoyable feeling as she turns +her eye again upon the bright hearth-log. Its very crackle seems to +chirp of Christmas festivities--"to tell of youthful prime," and those +departed days of lusty bachelorship and maiden coyness, with all the +romps and revels of the time. And then, with the changeful current of +thought, as remembrance dwells upon the many departed, amidst the many +known,--then comes the more sombre picture, the superstitions of the old +age, the sheeted ghost, the evil genius, the witch, and the thrice-told +tale of Gramarie--those cherished remembrances of the hallowed period + + "Wherein the Saviour's birth was celebrated." + +Stratford, so picturesque in its old-world look, so peculiarly English, +is just now putting on its winter garb. + +A couple of days subsequent to that on which Captain Fluellyn arrived at +Clopton, whilst the inhabitants progressed the streets, they seemed once +more filled with the import of recent news. Rumour, in the absence of +all assured information, with all its exaggeration of circumstance, was +afloat amongst them. The great difficulty amidst the variety of +information was to gain the real story which had arrived. Grasp, who +had suddenly returned, had brought it; but then Grasp, who was hardly to +be believed on his oath, had shut himself up the moment he arrived, and +would see no one. Certain, however, it was (for everybody said it) that +another desperate attempt had been made upon the life of the Queen. By +some it was reported she had been stabbed; by others that she had been +shot. Master Doubletongue went so far as to say that she was both dead +and buried! But as such surmise amounted to treason, he was ordered by +the head-bailiff to go about and deny all he had asserted, the drummer +of the town being sent round with him, in order that he might proclaim +himself a liar at every corner. + +Those of our readers who have an eye for the picturesque can, we dare +say, imagine the High Street of Stratford-upon-Avon at this season of +the year, peopled thus with inhabitants clad in their quaint costume, +their short cloaks, doublets, and high-crowned hats. Those respectable, +dignified, and grave-looking men, progressing with an assured and +stately step, cane in hand, not hurrying about, as at the present day, +but greeting each other with something of ceremony in their deportment. +Many of them stand in groups of three or four and discuss the news, +whilst the good wives of the town, albeit they are few in number, for it +was not considered over seemly for the sober sort of females to be much +upon the tramp, are also to be observed in their wide-brimmed hats, +mufflers and kirtles, passing and repassing along the highway. + +The street altogether has, with the beetling stories on either hand, the +clear frosty air, and the costumed figures, with here and there a red +cloak amongst other sad-coloured suits, altogether the appearance of a +winter view in an old Dutch painting. + +The news is of import, and all seem impressed with it--for, in +Elizabeth's day, so much importance was attached to the life of the +Queen by her Protestant subjects, that man looked grave and anxious at +such a rumour as the present. Public safety and the prosperity of the +nation seemed to hang upon her life. + +Grasp, albeit he was slightly regarded in the town, was called on +several times, but no one could gain admittance at Grasp's. He seemed to +have rammed up his doors against the world. He was sick, engaged, not +within, not to be molested. Meanwhile, as the day passed and the evening +approached, a light and gentle fall of snow seemed to herald the coming +winter weather. And as light thickened, the sharp and rapid sound of an +approaching horseman is heard at a distance on the Warwick road. Let us +listen to the sound, as the sharp spur of that rider urges on his steed; +now from a rapid trot to a gallop, and then again apparently he pulls up +to a slower pace. + +'Tis sweet to hear, in the still evening, the sound of hoofs on the hard +road, mellowed by distance, now clattering along, loud and sharp, and +now again so indistinct as to be almost lost to the ear. + +One or two of the townsfolk have walked forth to meet that traveller and +inquire the news, and at length he nears the suburb, spurs on his steed, +and enters the inn; an event in the annals of that place which, could +the inhabitants have appreciated it, would have doubtless been +sufficiently noted. + +He came comparatively unknown amongst them, that horseman, unannounced +even to his own family. He thought not of his own importance, he knew it +not, yet not a building, could it have spoken and felt, but would, we +think, have uttered a note of joy. The very bells of the old tower +should have rung out a joyous peal, and the hollow steeple of the guild +of the Holy Cross have cracked with the reverberation of the sound. + +Nay, we can almost wonder that the inhabitants did not, one and all, go +forth to greet the rider in the high-crowned hat, long boots, ample +cloak, and the long petronels in his girdle, for, take him for all in +all, Stratford will never look upon his like again. His capable eye +glanced down the High Street, as he rode; a tear glistened on his cheek +as he beheld its well-known aspect, and then he spurred his steed, and +rode up Henley Street. A few moments more and he was in the midst of his +relatives. William Shakespeare had returned to Stratford-upon-Avon. + + + + +CHAPTER LXI. + +THE DISCOMFITED SCRIVENER. + + + Grasp's return home was somewhat more sudden than he had + intended. He returned indeed in an exceedingly discomfited and + excited state. + +His friend Dismal was the only person who had gained access to him, and +that but for a few moments. During the interview, however, Dismal had +gathered from Doubletongue, who also arrived in all haste, that great +events had transpired in London, of one sort or other. But so +extraordinary and so perturbed did both the lawyer and his friend seem, +that except certain incoherent expressions about an attempt upon the +Queen's life, a spectre he himself had beheld, and various allusions to +poison, assassination, death, destruction, and utter ruin. Dismal +completely failed in discovering the exact news the travellers had to +tall, and hence the variety of reports circulated through the town. +Something certainly seemed to have gone all wrong with the lawyer. His +friend Doubletongue had never seen him so put out, and altogether he +feared that his wits were going. + +To explain the meaning of this agitated and nervous state of the worthy +Stratford lawyer, we must go back a few paces in our history. + +Grasp, then, it will be remembered, whilst in London, had considerably +extended his practice. He had apparently involved Walter Arderne in +ruin; he had even carried on his intrigues so as to make the dark Earl, +he of Leicester, a party concerned in his plot. For Grasp had given the +Earl a hint about certain abbey lands and a manor near Kenilworth, which +would fall to the said Earl in the event of Arderne's decease. He had +ferreted out the existence of a plot, by means of which he hoped to rise +to great preferment; and he had succeeded in beguiling a simple-minded +gentleman, resident in Warwickshire, that he was indeed the real and +undisputed heir to the estates of the before-named Clara de Mowbray, and +actually by bribery, and using all sorts of villainy, got a verdict in +such person's favour, and placed him in possession of some portion of +the property. + +Somehow or other, however, like the labours of the alchemist, which at +the moment of projection are frequently overthrown by the bursting of +some vessel containing the divine elixir, so all Grasp's schemes seemed +unaccountably blown to the winds, and himself discomfited. + +Acting upon wrong information, he had followed a female, who travelled +in male disguise, as far as Oxford, where he lost all trace of her; and +whilst he tarried at the City of Palaces, an express overtook him, with +directions to hasten with all speed to Cornbury Park, where the Earl of +Leicester was then lying sick, having arrived there by easy stages on +the way to Kenilworth, a few days before. + +Now, Grasp, since his first introduction to the Earl of Leicester, had +made such considerable advances in that bad man's good graces, that the +Earl had sent an express for him, in order to make some alterations in +his will. + +Grasp accordingly set forth, leaving directions that Sir Humphrey +Graball, the gentleman who was disputing the succession of the Mowbray +estates, and Master Quillett, the Temple lawyer, and with whom he had +arranged a meeting at Oxford, should follow him to Cornbury. For Grasp +argued very wisely, that both the matters of business apertaining to the +Earl's claim, and the concoction of a new will, might be arranged at one +and the same time. + +The will of the sick and fallen favourite, had we space to dilate upon +it, would perhaps be well worthy of contemplation. That part of it +especially in which he bequeathed a costly legacy to his royal +mistress--the bequest being wrapped up in a preamble of honeyed words, +being not the least curious part of the document. + +It was night when the Earl finished his business with Grasp, and the +bleak winds of September sounded through the park of Cornbury, as the +lawyer, after the interview, sat with the before-named client and the +Templar, in a small apartment of the mansion. It was a dark hour, and a +certain feeling of awe seemed to pervade that household. + +The overgrown and fallen courtier lying helpless and hopeless, alike +body and soul. His "ill-weaved ambition" shrank to the smallest +span--his parks, his walks, his manors forsaking him. His swollen body, +a thing abhorrent even to himself. That beautiful Countess too, +attending upon him without love; and whilst duty called her to the side +of him who had so vilely used her, the selfish courtier even envying her +the life and health she enjoyed. + +Nothing however, could exceed the elation of Grasp. He beheld in +prospect a glorious array of difficulties and litigation consequent upon +the matters he was engaged in; and most of all the success of his +machinations in favour of Sir Humphrey Graball, and his succession to +the manors of Mowbray, promised him endless profits. + +"Sir Humphrey is altogether an easy simpleton," he said, "a most weak +and debile man, and can as easily be led by the nose as an ass. Ergo, I +shall thrive." + +Accordingly, as Grasp sat with his client discussing matters of moment, +whilst they relieved their labours by occasional indulgence in the good +wine of the house, amongst other papers called for, was the will of the +Lady Clara de Mowbray--an instrument we have, on a former occasion seen +in his possession. There is always a secret horror suitable to the time, +when in some antique apartment, and, by night, men meet together to +peruse the musty documents which speak the last wishes of those within +the tomb, more especially when sickness and those signs which foretell +the ending of mortality pervade the habitation. On this rough night + + "The owl shrieked, the fatal bellman + Which gives the sternest good night." + +Suddenly, as Grasp glanced upon that will, he became, as it were, +transfixed. At the same moment a sort of hubbub seemed to pervade the +house. In place of the silence which the sick Earl had commanded there +was suddenly heard an opening and shutting of doors--a summons of +persons in all haste, and something apparently of dreadful import in +agitation. + +Grasp, however, heeded it not. He seemed still engrossed with the +parchment before him. He held it back at arm's length; he drew it close +to his nose; he uttered an exclamation of astonishment, and the word +"codicil" escaped, as one of the domestics rushed into tho room to +announce that the Earl was dying in fearful agony. + +Without heeding the news, Grasp fled from the room, rushed to the +stable, mounted his horse, and rode off for Oxford. With the will still +in his hand, the excited lawyer dismounted from his steed, and strode +into the tavern, where, heeding not the assembled guests, he threw +himself into a vacant seat, with the air of one possessed by a demon. +And, again, with fearful eye, regarded the instrument he hold in his +hand. + +"Can such things be?" he said. "Can the dead return to life, or is it +the evil one himself who thus palters with my sight and senses?" + +The tavern was on this night tolerably well filled with guests. One of +them, who was seated opposite to the lawyer, was a person of a most +expressive and pleasant style of countenance. His conversation and wit +had indeed been setting the whole assemblage, gentle and simple, in +roars, during the entire evening--the host and hostess of the tavern +being not the least amused. + +The advent of Grasp in his perturbed state, his extraordinary grimaces, +his abstracted demeanour, and his travel-stained appearance altogether, +called forth from this person so many curious remarks, that the laughter +which had for the moment been interrupted by his entrance was renewed +tenfold at Grasp's expense, till, as on unfixing his gaze from the +basilisk he seemed to hold in his hand, he looked round upon the +assemblage, and then steadily regarded his tormentor, he beheld himself +face to face with the old subject of his former enmity--Master William +Shakespeare. + +"There is no rest for the wicked," saith the old proverb; and the +renewed roar which followed the expression of Grasp's countenance at +this sudden recognition, was actually driving him from the room, when +Doubletongue, who had followed his friend, suddenly entered, and +whispered something in his ear. + +"Poisoned say ye?" exclaimed Grasp, starting in surprise; "my Lord of +Leicester deceased--dead--defunct, and thus suddenly? Poisoned, say ye? +Art sure 'tis the Countess you mean?" + +"No, 'tis the Earl himself," said Doubletongue; "and your having been +with him just before, together with your sudden departure, hath raised a +suspicion among the household that----" + +"'Fore heaven, what mean ye?" said Grasp. "They surely suspect not that +I had ought to do with the poisoning of my Lord of Leicester? There must +have been some dire mistake in the matter. 'Fore heaven, I shall be +hanged through this mistake!" and Grasp immediately left the room, +bribed the ostler to procure him a fresh horse, and set off with all +speed towards Stratford-upon-Avon. + +Scarce had he gained a dozen miles when he came up with a couple of +riders progressing the same road as himself. Company was ever welcome in +those days, and the horsemen gladly acceded to his request to be allowed +to ride in their escort. + +The habitual caution of the lawyer, however, caused him to cast certain +searching glances at his companions as often as the moon's light gave +him opportunity of doing so, and ere long he became almost confirmed in +the belief that in one of the armed riders he was accompanying he had +fallen in with the identical female in male apparel whom he had before +been in search of. There was comfort, at all events, in this +supposition, and as they emerged from the dark covert of a wood they had +been progressing through, he managed to push his horse between them and +gain a good look at their features. And here again Grasp apparently +beheld that which renewed his former perturbation. The face of the rider +he first encountered wore the actual expression of one he had reason to +believe had long been dead, and as he turned his startled glance upon +the other, he beheld the exact lineaments of Clara de Mowbray. Pale she +looked, as if her features were of sculptured alabaster; but as she +turned her countenance full upon him, he could not be mistaken in their +identity. + +Conscience had already made a coward of Grasp--his clear spirit was +puddled. The deep sea had apparently cast up the dead to discomfort him, +and clapping spars to his steed, he fled onwards on his route towards +Stratford-upon-Avon. + + + + +CHAPTER LXII. + +OLD FRIENDS. + + +Our story now draws towards conclusion, and we once more return to the +point from which we at first started. Clopton Hall, after so many years +of gloom, may now be said to have quite resumed that appearance of +hospitality and prosperity as when we first beheld it in the early +passages of our story, and ere disease, death, and misery, had so +prevailed there. + +For the first time for many years its rooms and offices, its stalls, +kennels, and falconries, were all tenanted. After so many vicissitudes +and strange events, in which its inmates had been separated, and became +wanderers in the world, such of them as were in being were again +assembled within its old walls. + +The coming Christmas, that season so ceremoniously observed at the +period, promised again to be the harbinger of festive scenes and old +world rites of hospitality. + +The old knight, for the first time for many years, seemed really to hold +up his head, and glance around him with feelings of pride and +contentment. His dearly beloved nephew was again with him; he had just +come from over sea with Essex, and having left the Earl on the road +towards Kenilworth, had galloped forward to Clopton. + +In addition to this, too, which seemed to give Sir Hugh as much content +as astonishment, that tried old friend, the trusty and shrewd Martin, +who had so long been mourned as dead there, had suddenly reappeared at +Clopton. + +The old knight could scarce contain himself within bounds as he looked +upon the pair. 'Twas hardly to be thought of, so much of contentment, +after having so long been a lonesome mourner; for one way or other, Sir +Hugh had now been in trouble so many years, that his happiness almost +alarmed him, lest something should turn up to mar it afresh. + +It was on the evening of the day on which we have introduced our readers +to the inmates of Kenilworth that Martin and Arderne, together with +others connected with our story, were seated beneath the hospitable roof +of Sir Hugh. + +To describe the unmixed pleasure experienced by these good and amiable +friends on that evening exceeds the power of our pen; albeit we may +attempt to describe some portion of the conversation which took place. +Few things, we opine, are more gratifying than to glance upon a circle +of true friends, so bound together as the ones in question, and on this +occasion the party consisted of some half-dozen individuals, for, +besides those we have already named, the circle contained the worthy +Captain Fluellyn, and, "though last, not least," William Shakespeare sat +a guest beneath that old chimney. + +'Twas indeed a goodly fellowship, and in which, though perhaps 'tis a +rare thing to say, where six mortals quaffed a loving cup together, not +a particle of envy, hatred, or uncharitableness, pervaded. + +The divine expression of Shakespeare's face, as he sipped the ruby +liquor, the noble countenance of Arderne, as he glanced first at one and +then another of the friends around, the excitement of the old host, as +he pushed the cup about, the quaint look of the shrewd Martin, and the +bluff, jovial style of the sea captain, as he puffed away at his +capacious pipe, our readers must imagine. They sat in a circle round the +huge log upon the hearth, and each and all had something to relate or +something to listen to of stirring interest, for as each spoke of his +own adventures, 'twas as if some brother told the tale. + +"Your story, good Martin," said Shakespeare, as Martin paused after +telling some portion of his adventure and escape from the Spaniard, "on +mine own authority I would hardly dare avouch. 'Tis like some of those +events in real life which scarce pass even in fiction." + +"I dare be sworn on't," said Martin. "'Tis an over credulous and yet +unbelieving world this, an' I may so word it, a mad world, my masters, +and yet, ha, ha, 'tis a pleasant world, too. Aye, and this not +altogether so bad a way of passing the time in't. What says the song, + + "'Tis merry in hall when beards wag all, + And welcome merry Christmas." + +"I pr'ythee, good friend," said Arderne, "continue the narrative of this +tragedy; for I must needs call that a tragedy which comprehends the loss +of so exquisite a lady as Clara de Mowbray." + +"Aye, truly so," said Martin; "that was a sigh, indeed, Master Walter. +Sighing, however, is of little avail when the object is beyond reach. +'Tis too true an evil; the Lady Clara is lost to us." + +"Thou did'st, however, aid her escape from that burning carrick?" said +Fluellyn, "and in which, indeed, we all suffered with those we saw +suffer. 'Twas a fearful sight." + +"I take some credit to say I did so," returned Martin, dallying with his +glass, and looking at the red flame of the fire through the ruby liquor. +"Ah, ah, methinks I see those overweening Dons grilling in their +treasure ship at this moment. I did aid in the lady's escape by the same +token, I myself caused the conflagration that aided our escape; I +myself, in my immaculate valour, destroyed the enemy, as Drake hath it, +I singed the Dons' whiskers with a vengeance. Ha, ha." + +"Tell us the manner of the exploit," said Shakespeare, who, by the way, +had heard it from other lips. + +"In few, then," said Martin, "and to continue from where I left. You are +to know that the commander of the carrick no sooner beheld us upon his +deck than he was about to cast us off again, and into the roaring sea. +As he seized, however, upon my companion in misfortune, lo! you, he +discovered he had prisoner of a female. The stately Don upon this +steadily regarded his prisoner, and became struck all on a heap with her +beauty. He then transferred his gaze to me, and (albeit he saw nothing +extremely feminine, or even beautiful in my outward form) he was pleased +to extend his clemency to us both. In few the blood of the Castillian +was inflamed at the sight of the exquisite Clara; and, whilst the two +ships lay glaring upon each other, we were both hurried down below, +there to remain till more leisure should enable the magnifico to pay +personal attention to us. My fate, doubtless, was to have been the sea. +My companion's, perhaps, even worse. Whatever fate, however, was in +store for us at the hands of the Don, we determined in no wise to submit +to it. The cabin in which we were confined had a window in roar of the +carrick. Without that window hung a boat. My companion got into that +boat, and after I myself had lighted a bonfire in the cabin, and placed +several barrels of gunpowder in very dangerous proximity thereto, I +managed to lower that boat after getting into it, and finally, to cut +her adrift. The blow-up of the barrels, and the gloom of the coming +night, effectually diverted attention from our frail craft, as we +mounted upon the crest of wave after wave. As we did so, we were +horrified spectators of the scene of terror we had caused. One moment +the burning ship was lifted on high, like some huge beacon, and the nest +lost in the deep valley of waters. Thus did we escape, for that time, +the death and dishonour that awaited us, and, weak and debile ministers, +destroyed our foes at one and the same time. But oh," continued Martin, +"conceive us, my masters all, wanderers upon that vast heaving world, in +a rotten carcase of a boat--no knowledge where to steer for, no +knowledge how to steer, if we knew where to steer--no expectation but +death. Do I not seem to ye like one sitting here telling of things +imagined in a dream? That heaving water, in which our boat could scarce +live--those roaring winds, which almost stopped our very breathing in +their violence--that lady, whose form every sea drenched, and who for +two long nights endured this extremity of dire distress." + +"And died she so?" inquired Arderne. + +"Not a whit," said Martin. "Her's was a miserable strait to be reduced +to; but her spirit was great. She had scarce time to die. She helped me +to bale out the waters, as they continually washed into our boat. She +shared my small portion of biscuit with me, and she drank from the +flasket I filched from the cabin when we escaped from the ship; and so +she lived, good sir, lived to be picked up in the dreary waste of +waters. For, look ye, we had constructed a sort of sail, when the wind +moderated, and that betrayed us to the companion of the carrick we had +burned. Yes, we were descried and picked up by another Don, commanded by +another courageous Captain of Compliments, and forthwith carried off to +the country of the Spaniard." + +"And that lady," said Arderne. "Pr'ythee, good Martin, follow out your +story. Her fate I dread to ask, and yet would learn." + +"Nay," said Martin, archly, "methinks mine own fate might in some sort +interest my hearers. But truly I seem not to command much attention in +this story of adventure: and yet I showed myself courageous, and aided +the weaker vessel too." + +Shakespeare smiled, and a look passed between him and Martin. "'Tis the +duty of doublet and hose to show itself courageous to petticoat," he +said. "We are naturally given to pity the young and beautiful, rather +than the strong and sturdy. Besides, thou hast escaped, art here to +avouch it thyself." + +"And so may that lady, for aught I know to the contrary," said Martin. + +"How!" exclaimed Arderne. "Escaped! Methought she died, died in Spain." + +"It may be so," said Martin, "but I never said it. When we arrived in +Spain, we were both clapped up as heretics between the walls of the +Inquisition, where, doubtless, I for one should have died upon the rack, +but that I was eventually made useful at the oar. My companion's fate I +cannot further avouch. I myself was rescued whilst helping against my +will, to invade my native land, amongst other galley slaves. The craft +we worked in was captured by one of Frobisher's vessels, and in that +vessel I was forthwith carried to the Indies after the fight, and in +that vessel have I returned; and here I am once more at Clopton." + +"Nay then," said Arderne, "if such be the case, thou hast but momentarily +raised my hope and dashed it again, good Martin. Had that lady lived, +and were I of all kingdoms king, I would give all for but one scattered +smile of one so excellent." + +The narration of Martin caused a sudden check to the previous hilarity +of the company, since it recalled to most there the loss of kindred or +relatives in former days. + +Shakespeare, as he glanced around, remembered former scenes of mingled +grief and joy in that house; the melancholy of Arderne was a melancholy +of his own, the sundry contemplation of his mishaps and misfortunes, +founded, as he then thought, principally upon the loss of one, who when +alive, was unappreciated; whilst the captain and Martin also, in pure +melancholy and troubled brain puffed away at their pipes with double +vigour. + +"Come," said Sir Hugh, who observed this gloomy fit stealing over his +party, "we trifle time when we sorrow for what is past and irrevocable. +It draws toward supper time. Remember, neighbours and friends, this is +the first time of our meeting together after long years and much misery. +Gloom shall not hold sovereign sway over Clopton again, an I can drive +it hence. Music ho!" he said, rising and clapping his hands. "'Fore +heaven, nephew, we will e'en be jovial to-night. Have we not Shakespeare +here, and can'st forget those scenes he furnished forth at the +Blackfriars? Come, let music play, and serve the supper, lads!" + +The custom of the period permitted this in the halls of the great. Many +of the nobles and even gentry of condition kept up a sort of orchestra +or band composed of their own domestics or servitors, and which gave a +degree of enjoyment to their entertainment unknown to modern times. The +sweet tones of the instruments kept off that starched etiquette, that +awkward stiffness oft-times felt during the intervals of conversation, +that struggle for wit that came not when called for, it filled up the +evening, and the soft strains of melody engendered bright thoughts, +whilst they soothed the mind at the same time. Whatever of romance is in +our character is called forth at such a time by music. + +And so the party sat around the festive board in their quaint costume, +old and young, poet and philosopher, whilst as the musicians puffed at +tho French horn, and drew forth dulcet sounds from those antiquated +stringed instruments, serving-men hastened about, trencher in hand, and +bearing liquor on their salvers. Topics of conversation were plentiful, +for still flowed the tide of interest concerning each other's separate +fortunes during their career, and the jest's propriety lay in the ears +of those who listened, whilst Shakespeare was the speaker. + +Sir Hugh promised his friends a merry Christmas at Clopton; a Christmas +observed with all due observance of the time. + +In Elizabeth's day, most people, even of the higher grade of society, +kept comparatively early hours. Those who dined at eleven and twelve, +necessarily supped at five or six. The supper too, was the most festive +meal, and most enjoyed; and when the season of the year, or old custom, +gave warranty, your old English host not unfrequently kept wassail all +night long. + +On the present occasion the old Knight felt inclined to drink deep and +sit late. He seemed resolved for a carouse. Martin and Shakespeare +banded about their quaint sayings, and Sir Hugh seemed to revel in the +idea of a merry Christmas at Clopton, observed with all due observance +of the time; an observance, which in Warwickshire at that day was looked +upon by old and young, rich and poor, with a feeling of enjoyment and +love amounting to a passion. Every sport was got up with religious +fervour; every old-world custom regarded with a veneration unknown to +our own squalid days. + +Christmas Day was at hand, and the old Knight talked of it like a child +talks of a new toy; but whilst he spoke of good cheer and wine and +wassail to set before his guests, a reeking post arrived, inviting +himself and all consorting him to a feast held during the Christmas week +at Kenilworth. The Countess of Leicester greeting her friend Sir Hugh, +bade him welcome to her poor house of Kenilworth, to come with hawk and +hound, kith, kindred and friends presently consorting him. + +The Countess of Leicester was one in whom Sir Hugh had much interest. +She was the daughter of his old friend, Lettice, Lady Knolleys, sister +to Carey, Lord Hundsdon. + +The Knight pitied her for her misfortune in marrying the evil-minded +Leicester, for he had indeed loved her with a paternal affection; albeit +the troublous current of his own life had lately hindered him from +seeing much of her. + +Under these circumstances, Sir Hugh felt delighted with the invitation, +and resolved, if his party agreed, to accept it. + +"How say ye, lads," he said, "shall we to this feast? Methinks I should +like hugely to visit Kenilworth, and my charming friend, after so many +years of absence. How say ye, Walter, shall we dine once more beneath +the towers of old John of Gaunt, and Geoffrey Clinton?" + +The company, as a matter of course, left it to their entertainer to +accept or refuse, as he thought best. + +"I am for a revel and a brawl any bow," said Martin, "now I have come +once more to a Christian land. Be it at Clopton or Kenilworth, all's one +to Martin." + +And so the party resolved to join in the Christmas revels at +Kenilworth. + + + + +CHAPTER LXIII. + +WHICH ENDS THIS STRANGE EVENTFUL HISTORY. + + +The festival held at Kenilworth on occasion of Christmas-tide, was not +on such an extended scale as on former occasions had been customary +there, when Norman kings feasted and kept wassail, and when "kettle-drum +and trumpet brayed out the triumph of their pledge." + +In Elizabeth's reign, however, when a noble held a festival in his own +halls, the entertainment was sufficiently magnificent, and conducted +with all the observances of older times. + +The late demise of the dark Earl, of necessity curtailed the +hospitalities: yet, still the enjoined rites of the period gave the +Countess an excuse for some circumstance, some little pageantry of the +season. Her brilliant son, too, "the glass of fashion and the mould of +form," was to be with her. And, albeit the party she invited to meet him +was but small, still it was composed of some of the _élite_ of the +country round. Almost all entertainments of this period partook of the +dramatic character, the taste for such was universal; and it seemed, +indeed, as if he who was in reality to create the drama in England, had +sprung up just at this period to supply the want of that which wan so +imperfect, to substitute his own brilliant conceptions for those heavy +long-winded stupid exhibitions then in vogue. + +With all her power of persuasion, the Countess had not been able to +persuade her friend, Clara de Mowbray, to promise her presence and +participation during the intended festivities. All she could obtain +being a promise, that, as that lady's departure was fixed to take place +in a few days, she would remain over Christmas-eve; as on that night the +Countess had invited Shakespeare to be present. + +The fair Clara had before taken leave of her friend the poet in +Stratford; but still, to see him at Kenilworth, and during the gaieties +enacted there, would, she felt, be a great treat. + +The Countess resolved to receive her son in the great hall of the +Castle, an apartment which, those who have carefully perused the +building will doubtless remember,--eighty-six feet long by forty-five in +width. It had, some few years before, beheld those fierce vanities, what +time Leicester, "with pomp, with triumph, and with revelling," +entertained the Queen and her followers for seventeen successive days; +and now, all in that lighted hall was green with holly and winter +ornaments. The large bow window was festooned with "rarest mistletoe," +the various arms and trophies were covered with green boughs, whilst the +white-hall, the presence-chamber, and other rooms of which nothing now +remains but the fragments of walls and the staircases which led to +them, were lighted up and ornamented for the nonce. There is ever +something cheering in the aspect of all around at this period of the +year; something bright and joyous in the country, when old Hymns "with +his icy crown," seems to wield his severe sceptre and pervade the scene; +when cottage and castle, lake and forest,--all are bound down by the +sharp and biting frost. The good fellowship of the world seems then more +rife, and Christian feeling and brotherly love to prevail. Perhaps, the +good cheer enjoyed, and expectation of more to be enjoyed, openeth the +heart of men. At Kenilworth, all was hospitality. The Countess was soon +to give up possession to Ambrose, Earl of Warwick, her late husband's +brother; and she resolved to quit the neighborhood in no niggardly +fashion. Butts of ale were broached for the poor in the villages and +hamlets around, and oxen and sheep were roasted. The young Earl was +expected on the eve of Christmas-day, and his popularity was just then +so great, especially in that neighbourhood, that the coming of royalty +itself could scarce have made a greater sensation. + +The day was one of excitement to the Countess. Dearly she loved that +brilliant Noble, and well she knew the dizzy pinnacle on which he stood. +Her fears even then anticipated that ruin which was to ensue. Conversant +with "the art o' the Court," and the dangerous mood of Majesty, she saw +already a dark cloud in perspective. Nay, that which she was now about +to do, namely, to receive her son, and entertain him beneath the towers +of Kenilworth, when it came to be known, would be attended with danger. +The Queen liked not interference with her pleasures or her purposes. She +was at that moment seeking to beguile the tedium of the favourite's +absence by visiting the seats of her different nobles; and during which +her irritability was but too apparent. He, the adored, the magnificent, +should on his arrival in England, have bent the knee in all haste, and +asked pardon for his truant disposition. But he was haughty and rash as +his queenly relative. The day had been one of excitement to the fair +Countess. There is ever something to be thought of and arranged, even by +the great. The Earl was to dine _en route_ with his array at Rugby, and +afterwards ride forward to Kenilworth, so as to join the select friends +invited to meet him. In Elizabeth's day nothing was more thought of than +dancing and playing (says Rowland White), and the invitation given by +Lady Leicester might have parodied that of Capulet to his friends. There +came Sir John de Astley and his wife and daughters, the noble knight of +Clopton and his friends consorting, the Lord de la Warde and his +beauteous sisters, the Lady widow of Lord Falconberg, good Master +Murdake and his nieces, Sir Thomas Lucy and his lovely daughters, the +Lady Wolvey, and the lively Throckmorton. These guests, for the most +part, were in the castle, but more were expected as the evening +advanced. + +Mistress Bridges, the most beautiful of the Queen's maids of honour, she +whom Essex loved, and of whom the Queen was so jealous that she is said +to have publicly struck her; Blount, too, the lover of the Countess of +Leicester, and the Lady Katharine Howard, all were expected to grace the +assemblage. And, at length, as the Countess and her guests awaited the +hour in the great hall, the trumpet from the gate-house announced the +Earl's arrival. + +It was a brilliant sight to behold;--that gallant youth amidst the +associates he brought with him. The magnificent Essex, looking some +paladin of romance, came forth from amidst the glittering band, and +gracefully saluted his handsome mother. A something regal was in his +look, which suited well with that magnificent hall. + +Nay, 'twas almost the last occasion on which those buildings entertained +so noble an assemblage: they seem to have afterwards fallen to decay, as +though later times and fashions would be unsuited to their grandeur--as +though their work was done--their hour passed away. + +On this night, however, as Essex and his followers entered, there came +one individual with a somewhat smaller party, whose presence was more +worthy of note than oven the Plantagenet Kings who had dwelt there--one +whose name would live + + "Spite of cormorant devouring time, + The heir to all eternity." + +He passed on with Sir Hugh Clopton and others of lesser note; and after +exchanging a few words with the noble hostess, he perused the assembled +company at his leisure. As he did so, he entered the building called the +White Hall, and stood for a moment to gaze upon all around, for such a +scene was likely to make a deep impression upon his mind. Softly the +sounds of music floated through those vast rooms, and where all he +beheld spoke of the past, and conjured up scenes he has himself +impressed upon us all. For when, indeed, doth sweet music in lordly +chambers, or in solitude, steal upon the ear, but imagination bodies +forth those scenes which Shakespeare, and Shakespeare alone, is +identified with. All the poetry of life is associated in those charming +ideas. The man himself seems to glide around us. At such hour--assembled +amidst the lovely and the high-born, amidst minstrelsy and lighted +halls, there doth his glorious spirit seem to pervade. + +And so Shakespeare passed on amidst the company, and quietly took his +way through the gorgeous rooms. + +It was evident the poet had before visited those chambers, for he +appeared familiar with the various passages he passed through, till at +length he reached a room at the extremity of the buildings. Here he +stopped, and quietly regarded the apartment, which in its magnificent +style might well have furnished forth the description he has left us in +his own Cymbeline, for Shakespeare adopted in many of his descriptions +the costume of the time. + +Whilst he stood, a small door opened, and a figure, lovely as his own +Juliet, advanced towards him. It was Clara de Mowbray! She uttered an +exclamation of joy when she beheld the poet, and in an instant was at +his side. The poet took her hand and led her to a seat, and the pair +held converse together for some time. + +Whilst they did so, it was evident the tongue of that poor player made +some impression on his fair hearer. + +"Marriage is a matter of more worth, lady," he said, as he at length +rose from his seat; "than to be dealt in by attorneyship. You consent to +an interview with my friend." + +Clara, whose eyes were bent upon the ground in deep thought, glanced +quickly upon Shakespeare. There was no mistaking the expression of that +face. He was gazing upon her with feelings of mingled admiration and +regret. The next moment, as if unwilling again to meet her glance, he +turned and hastily left the apartment. + +A few minutes more, and the Countess of Leicester entered the room, +accompanied by a tall cavalier, clad in mourning costume. The sad +expression, however, which for many months had suited with his habit, +now however gave place to surprise, joy and admiration; and Walter +Arderne beheld the living original of the portrait his eyes had loved to +dwell upon. He knelt at the feet of Clara de Mowbray. + +Our story is now so far ended. The sequel may be gathered "by what went +before." Time and space alloweth not of dilation upon the gay revel held +that night in the halls of Kenilworth. Shakespeare, whose mind was but +ill-fitted for revelry, soon afterwards left the castle. + +For some reason, which we are unable to explain, he felt unfitted for +society. He left the hall of Kenilworth, and in the free air gave vent +to the feelings with which he was oppressed. In the woods of Stoneleigh, +the dawn found him, despite the coldness of the season, laying along +"under an oak, whose boughs were mossed with age," and "high top-bald +with dry antiquity." And as his eye glanced from heaven to earth--from +earth to heaven, whilst the deer swept by,[29] his imagination bodied +forth the forms of Jaques and Rosalind in Arden. + +[Footnote 29: Amongst the few traditions concerning Shakespeare, in +Warwickshire, there is one which was kindly communicated to me by a +nobleman resident there, namely, that he wrote the character of Jaques, +in the park of Stoneleigh.] + +About a fortnight subsequent to the revel at Kenilworth, a noble-looking +cavalier, accompanied by a lady (both mounted and attended by a numerous +retinue,) rode on to the green before old Hathaway's cottage at +Shottery. The cavalier and the lady dismounted, and left their horses +with the attendants, and as they approached the cottage, they conversed +upon the subject of some dearly-loved friend. + +"I offered him," said Walter Arderne, "in your name, dearest Clara, half +of what we possess, so he would but remain with us here; but the spirit +of the man is great, and he will pursue his fortunes after his own +fashion. Listen to what himself says;" and Arderne produced a letter, +which he read an extract from, worded somewhat thus:-- + +"The portion of time I have spent amongst my companions of the theatre +has made me desire to continue in my vocation. The success I have +already achieved gives warranty to my expectations. I have friends, to, +as thou knowest, amongst the nobles of the Court; and the spirit of my +father, which I think is within me, leads me to think I can yet go on +towards even a higher fortune than this that I have reached. In few, I +could not with contentment at this period of my life sit down here in +Stratford. My residence will be at my old haunt, where I shall hope yet +to see those I so dearly love." + +"In London, then, we will see him, Walter," said the lady. + +"We will so," returned Arderne. "After our marriage, Clara, we will yet +hope to visit our friend." + +And should our readers also wish to visit the poet, amidst his +associates of the theatre in London, we will also follow him to his old +haunt in Paul's. + +THE END. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's William Shakespeare as he lived., by Henry Curling + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE AS HE LIVED. *** + +***** This file should be named 34796-8.txt or 34796-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/7/9/34796/ + +Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Mary Meehan and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net +(This file was made using scans of public domain works +from the University of Michigan Digital Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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