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diff --git a/43262-0.txt b/43262-0.txt index 6c47ff0..a30f714 100644 --- a/43262-0.txt +++ b/43262-0.txt @@ -1,39 +1,4 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Broken Font, Vol. 2 (of 2), by Moyle Sherer - -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: The Broken Font, Vol. 2 (of 2) - A Story of the Civil War - -Author: Moyle Sherer - -Release Date: July 20, 2013 [EBook #43262] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BROKEN FONT, VOL. 2 (OF 2) *** - - - - -Produced by sp1nd, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43262 *** THE BROKEN FONT @@ -5735,362 +5700,4 @@ the name of the righteous should live. 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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: The Broken Font, Vol. 2 (of 2) - A Story of the Civil War - -Author: Moyle Sherer - -Release Date: July 20, 2013 [EBook #43262] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BROKEN FONT, VOL. 2 (OF 2) *** - - - - -Produced by sp1nd, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - THE BROKEN FONT - - A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR. - - BY THE - AUTHOR OF "TALES OF THE WARS OF OUR TIMES," - "RECOLLECTIONS OF THE PENINSULA," &c. &c. &c. - - - IN TWO VOLUMES. - - VOL. II. - - - LONDON: - - PRINTED FOR - - LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, & LONGMAN, - - PATERNOSTER-ROW. - - 1836. - - - - -THE BROKEN FONT. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - And now, good morrow to our waking soules, - Which watch not one another out of feare. - DONNE. - - -The noble spirit of Katharine Heywood was severely exercised by those -disclosures of Jane Lambert which have been related in a former -chapter. - -She regretted, too late, that she had ever asked that true-hearted -girl to perform an office so difficult in itself, and which had -proved, in its consequences, so hazardous to her reputation and her -peace. The chance of such a misfortune as that which had befallen Jane -never remotely presented itself to her mind at the moment when she -made the request, yet she could not but feel compunction as she -reflected on the trouble to which the generous constancy of a delicate -mind had subjected her affectionate friend. One slight reparation was -in her power. It became her plain duty to undeceive the mind of Juxon -on the subject; and the thought that she should be thus instrumental -in bringing together two fine characters, formed for each other, made -all selfish considerations about her own sorrow, and every pang which -her maidenly pride must suffer, vanish before that proper resolution. - -No opportunity of speaking in private with Juxon occurred on the -evening of Jane's disclosure to Katharine, nor did any offer itself -until the arrival of her young cousin Arthur from Oxford. It was a -mournful trial to Katharine to observe the high and joyous spirits of -the ardent youth, as he embraced and thanked Sir Oliver for acceding -to his request. The silent house became suddenly full of cheerful -echoes as the brave boy passed to and fro on its oaken staircase and -along the pleasant gallery, singing snatches of loyal songs, or making -his spurs jingle as he ran. All his preparations for the solemn work -of war were made with a light heart, and with little or no -consideration that fellow-countrymen were to be his enemies. Such -little sympathy as the boy once felt for the tortured Prynne existed -no longer for any one of that party, which he had learned to look upon -as traitors. - -One would have thought that he was volunteering in a foreign -expedition, by his gay-hearted alacrity in getting ready. - -"Cousin Kate," said he, turning towards her as they sat at breakfast -in the hall, "you must make us a couple of King's rosettes,--and I -hope you have both of you," he added, looking at Jane Lambert, "nearly -finished embroidering the small standard for our troop:--you have -laughed at me, and called me boy, Jane; but when I bring you back your -own embroidery, stained with the blood of traitors, you shall reward -me as a man." - -"I am not so very blood-thirsty, Arthur," said Jane Lambert, "as to -wish it shed to do honour to my embroidery; and if I see you come -safe back with your sword bright and a peace branch in your hand, I -will tell a fib for you, and call you a man before your beard comes. -Now don't frown--it does not become your smooth face:--when all is -over, you shall play the part of a lady in the first court masque, and -shall wear my rose-coloured gown." - -"Why, Jane," said Sir Oliver, "what is come to you, girl? It was but -five minutes ago that I saw you with your kerchief at your eyes, -looking as sad as though you were sitting at a funeral; and now thou -mockest poor Arthur, as if he were a vain boaster, instead of a -gallant boy, as thou well knowest.--Never mind her, Arthur: she is a -true woman, and teazes those most whom she loves the best. She will -cry peccavi to thee a few weeks hence, and suffer thee to give her a -full pardon in honest kisses." - -"Marry, Sir Oliver," said Jane, smiling, "you will spoil the boy, an -you talk thus to him." - -"She shall not wait so long for my pardon," said the good-tempered -Arthur, with quickness; and rising from his seat, he went to Jane, -and, with the permitted familiarity of boyhood and cousinship, he -gave her a kiss. "There," he added: "a bird in the hand is worth two -in the bush. 'To-morrow' is a word I never liked, and it is a season -which I may never find. Now, remember, if I should have the ill luck -to be cut down by the sword of a traitor, I die in peace with you, -dear coz, and forgive you for your merriment beforehand." - -"She will not be merrier, Arthur, than she is now," said Katharine; -"and to say truth, the very thought is enough to make us sad, if we -were not melancholy already:--but I must not hear, my dear father, of -your going to the field. It will be at the cost of your life, and -that, too, without your having the satisfaction to be of use." - -"An example, Kate, must always be of service, if it be a good one; and -though I never stood opposite a shotted cannon hitherto, methinks, to -do that once by the side of my King would make the short remnant of my -life all the brighter for it. Besides, my dear girl, for all the talk -which these Parliament men make about their levies, let the country -gentlemen of the western counties arm in right earnest, and the loyal -cavaliers of England will make these praying rogues bend the knee and -cry out for quarter." - -"To be sure they will," said the excited Arthur: "I will bring cousin -Jane a live specimen of the genuine round-headed rebel, with his hands -tied behind him, and the whites of his eyes where the pupils should -be." - -At this moment Juxon entered the hall from Old Beech:--he caught the -last sentence; and putting one hand on Arthur's shoulder, as he gave -the other to Sir Oliver.--"Remember, my young master," he said, "that -thy game must be caught before it can be cooked, at least so says the -cookery book in my old housekeeper's room; and, believe me, you will -find a day's fighting with these Parliament boys rather harder work -than a morning's hare-hunting, and little game bagged at the close of -it." - -"Why, George Juxon! this from you!" said Sir Oliver. "Why, you are the -very last man that I expected to hear croak in this fashion. Why, I -expect to see the vagabonds turn tail, before a charge of well mounted -cavaliers, like a flock of sheep." - -"You could not see such a runaway flight with greater pleasure than I -should; but take my word for it, the King's enemies are made of -sterner stuff than you give them credit for. Many a great spirit is -reckoned among their leaders; and of the meaner folk that follow them -numbers have put their hearts into the cause, under a notion that it -is that of the people. No, sir, Arthur will act in these troubles, I -am well assured, with the same manliness of spirit with which he wrote -to you from Oxford, and, therefore, I do not wish to hear him talk -like a school boy." - -Arthur coloured with a little confusion at this grave rebuke; but, -with the frank grace of a generous spirit, confessed himself to have -spoken idly, and to be wrong; excusing it, at the same time, by -saying, that he was only vapouring so to plague Jane Lambert a little, -who, he verily believed, to be in love with one of the rebels. The -eyes of Katharine fell, and her gaze was fixed silently upon the -ground, and a slight contraction of her brow showed to Jane how very -keenly she was suffering. It was not possible, at the moment, to leave -the table without an abruptness which must, of necessity, attract -notice, or she would have done so; but Jane, with a ready -cheerfulness, replied, "Perhaps I am: now, guess for me, most noble -cavalier, whether my Puritan suitor be tall or short; young or old; -how many hairs grow on his chin; whether his cheeks be red and white, -like summer apples; how much buff it may take to make him a war coat; -and if he do not wear high boot heels and jingling spurs for bravery?" - -The fine temper of Arthur enabled him to take this playful raillery of -Jane's as pleasantly as it was meant; and Sir Oliver came to the boy's -aid, observing, "The sly maiden is laughing at us both, Arthur; and it -is too true that I must have a broad seam let into my old buff -coat.--See thou have it done quickly," said he, "Philip," turning to -the old serving man behind his chair. - -The announcement, however, which Sir Oliver had before made of his -intentions, confirmed by the order thus gaily given, seemed to take -away the old man's breath; for to old Philip none of these sad changes -were matters for laughter. - -Juxon did not discourage these intentions of Sir Oliver for the -present: he had satisfied his own mind that the family must, of -necessity, soon quit the mansion at Milverton for a season. The spirit -in Warwick and in Coventry was decidedly favourable to the cause of -the Parliament; and although many of the gentlemen and yeomen in the -country villages declared for his Majesty, yet whatever men could be -raised under the commission of array would, of course, be marched -away. However, it was agreed among the gentry, that the King should be -invited to show himself in the county, and that some effort should be -made to arouse the loyalty and enlist the feelings of the people in -his quarrel. Should this fail, they all looked to Nottingham or -Shrewsbury as favourable rallying points for the Royalists. - -In the mean time secret preparations were made for concealing or -removing valuable effects, and for transporting families and -households, when the approach of the parliamentary forces should -render it no longer safe for the more distinguished and wealthy of the -Royalists to remain in their stately homes. - -The conversation at the breakfast table at Milverton was changed from -the jocular mood of the moment to a graver tone. - -The news of the day,--the last movements of the King,--the rumours of -his approach,--conjectures of his reception,--by turns engaged the -attention of all, and were discussed between Juxon and Sir Oliver with -earnestness and forethought. - -The calm clear judgment of George Juxon made him look far on to -consequences; and Sir Oliver, conscious of his own deficiency of -information, and of the indolence of his inquiries, deferred more -readily to the opinions of Juxon than obstinate men are found willing -to do in general. - -When the party rose and quitted the hall, Katharine, under the -pretence of asking Juxon's advice about packing a valuable picture, -led him to the gallery alone, while Arthur and Jane Lambert were -settling their playful quarrel upon the terrace. - -At the far end of the gallery was a windowed niche, with an antique -seat of carved oak. Katharine sat down, and entreating the attention -of Juxon to something of consequence, which it was her desire to -impart to him, he placed himself on the bench by her side. - -"You must be at a loss, Master Juxon, I fear, thoroughly to understand -our dear friend, Jane Lambert." - -"It is true--she is a very strange girl." - -"Yes, strangely excellent: her idle words and idle ways do veil a -character of rare and precious worth." - -"I would fain think so, lady; but I do sometimes fear that she is of a -nature too open and too free for this hollow world. Already, to my -thought, she is unhappy from this very cause: whatever may be her -sorrow, I wish she would confide it to you." - -"I have discovered it." - -"Can it be possible? If so, I am truly happy to think that she will -have a friend, whose maidenly reserve and heavenly wisdom may guide -her through all dangers and difficulties in safety." - -"Ah! there's the pang; 'twas I betrayed her to them." - -"You wrong yourself, lady,--I am convinced you do. I am afraid that I -can make a better guess at what causes the melancholy of Jane Lambert -than you can; however, I do not feel at liberty to speak more -plainly." - -"I tell you it was I who placed her in the painful perplexity in which -you once surprised her. The gentleman from whom you saw her part was -an unhappy relative of mine: mine was the errand she was doing; mine -was the secret that she kept with so noble a constancy:--that -gentleman was nought to her." - -"Indeed! was he not her lover?" - -"No: would he were! and yet the wish were selfish, and not kind, for -she loves another." - -"I am utterly confused:--how much have my suspicions wronged her:--she -is a generous girl;--how can I have been so deceived? And yet the -gallant kissed her hand upon his knees." - -"I know it; but even in that action he only charged her with his -homage to another: she was but love's messenger." - -"Lady, I am troubled in my thoughts at this sad business: it is plain -I wronged her; plain that she is constant as a star to friend or to -lover. What she has done in friendship may well command my lasting -admiration. You tell me that she loves. Why is her lover unknown and -unavowed? What is his condition? Where is he? What barriers divide -their fortunes and their hopes?" - -"One only--he knows not of her love." - -"Whoever he may be, wherever he may dwell, in ignorance of such a vast -possession as such a woman's love--methinks, lady, it is your duty, -your solemn and sweet duty, to make it known to him. I envy you the -joy: let me be the bearer of your words or letter; so shall I some -atonement make for my unworthy suspicions of her danger." - -"You forget--these are no times for lovers' vows; these are no times -for marrying and giving in marriage: such knowledge might depress the -object of her love with care:--to see happiness offered to our heart's -want, and then, in the self-same instant, wrested from us by the iron -hand of war, and scared away by the blast of discord, is to make -acquaintance with a sorrow which, by ignorance, we might have -escaped." - -"I think not with you, lady: it were pity for any man to die in his -first field unconscious of such a blessing." - -"As I have a human heart, I can conceive of such a feeling, and like -the noble thought.--Long may you live, Master Juxon, to prove how well -Jane Lambert loves you!" So saying, Katharine rose and left the -gallery. - -Juxon remained fixed where he sat, in a state of mind which no -language could faithfully depict. His heart swelled; his eyes became -dim; and as the blinding tears fell fast away, the first object on -which they rested was the figure of Jane Lambert, walking under the -shade of the lime-trees alone. He went down to join her in a tumult -of rapture; but before he reached the end of the avenue the reflection -crossed him, "What am I about to do? what am I about to utter? This is -no moment, this is no mood, in which, for the first time, to address -her as a lover. Katharine said true, 'These are no times for lovers' -vows.' 'For better' I would have her mine, but not 'for worse.' She -shall know no misery that I can shield her from now, as a friend; and -when peace smiles on my country once more, may God then join our -hands, as even now our hearts!" - - - - -CHAP. II. - - Thus would I teach the world a better way, - For the recovery of a wounded honour, - Than with a savage fury, not true courage, - Still to run headlong on. - MASSINGER. - - -There is no earthly consolation under sorrow of a more noble kind than -that of witnessing and of promoting the happiness of those whom we -know to deserve our affection. Katharine had not experienced for a -long time a feeling of joy so true as that, with which, in the -solitude of her chamber, she reflected upon what had just passed -between herself and Juxon. She saw him go out, with hasty steps, -towards the avenue where Jane was walking alone, and she rightly -interpreted that check and change of his resolutions which made him -turn suddenly away. But she determined that the work which she had -begun should not be left long incomplete, and that Jane Lambert should -at once know of the revelation which she had made to Juxon that -morning. She regretted having uttered a syllable during their -interview which could operate to discourage Juxon from an immediate -avowal of the impression which Jane's conduct had made upon his heart. -Most true it was that, in the present posture of public affairs, it -could not be advisable for any one, and more especially for a -clergyman, to enter into the state of matrimony, and it was a -melancholy thing to form engagements which might never be fulfilled. -Here, however, she could not but admit there was room for an exception -to the common rules of prudence. Juxon and Jane Lambert were not -ordinary characters. She knew that Juxon had of late taken a most -serious view of the duties which were imposed on him as the rector of -a parish, and that he had decided to guide and guard his flock with -vigilance and courage as long as the spirit of persecution would -suffer him to do so. While, therefore, many of the clergy were for -arming themselves, and for accompanying the King's forces in the -field, he resisted that natural inclination, and that easy escape into -the security of a camp, by preparing to abide the visitations of the -storm at his appointed post. The path of duty, however dangerous and -exposed, is always that of peace; nevertheless, the age, the active -habits, and the resolute spirit of Juxon made a vast and necessary -difference between his course and that of the mild old parson of -Cheddar. As Katharine revolved all these matters in her mind, she -became reconciled to the thought of seeing her beloved Jane united at -once to the man so well worthy of possessing her. The sole difficulty -would be the reluctance of Juxon to expose a woman to those chances of -distress and privation which alone he could cheerfully endure. - -Katharine had long foreseen that the moment would arrive when Sir -Oliver and herself must quit Milverton; and until the late disclosure -of Jane, she had fully reckoned upon that dear girl as the companion -of their wanderings and the friend of her bosom; but now it seemed a -duty to resign that comfort. However, there was one procedure by which -it might be retained. If, when it became necessary for the royalist -gentry to quit their homes, George Juxon would accompany the family to -whatever city they might select as a temporary and secure residence, -his marriage with Jane might soon take place, and there would be no -interruption of her own sweet intercourse with her friend. Some -thoughts like these had passed through the mind of Juxon as he paced -up and down the terrace, full of that hope which is dashed with fear. -While he was thus taking counsel of his own heart, Sir Charles Lambert -arrived at Milverton, and, in company with Sir Oliver and Arthur, -descended the steps and joined him. Sir Charles had for some time past -appeared to so great advantage by the manner in which he had come -forward in the royal cause, that he was considered, even by Juxon, a -thoroughly changed man. There was a carefulness in his language, which -greatly contrasted with his former coarseness. His manners were not -only grave and composed, but there was an urbanity in his address, -which made a frank-hearted person like Juxon ashamed of not being able -to like him. He thought him of a better capacity than he had once -given him credit for, and was not willing to believe that, under all -this outward improvement of his words and ways, his heart could remain -unaffected. Moreover, there seemed no adequate reason for his assuming -a false exterior, nor for any design which he might not openly avow. -He attributed this amendment of character to secret compunction for -his violence and brutality towards Cuthbert Noble; to that elevation -of sentiment which a new position and great duties might and ought to -produce; and to those considerations of death as an event possible and -near, which the hazards of the approaching contest might naturally -suggest to the least serious of men. "What think you, Master Juxon," -said Sir Oliver, "our cousin Charles hath just had a letter from -Yorkshire from Sir Thomas Leigh, who saith that we may soon expect his -most gracious Majesty in these parts, and that he hopes to possess -himself of Coventry and raise Warwickshire, and make a good stand in -this county, if Essex should march hither: in that case, you see, we -shall not need to quit Milverton; and the battle may be fought so near -home, that even Kate will see how fit it is that I should be in the -field. Gout or no gout, I can get as far as Stoneleigh Abbey, and meet -his Majesty." - -"I am afraid the King reckons without his host," answered Juxon: "I -doubt if the gates of Coventry will open more readily for him than -those of Hull:--the citizens there are all for the parliament." - -"The citizens of Coventry be hanged," said Sir Charles: "they have -only their own train bands to man the walls,--a set of knock-knee'd -rascals:--why, a squib in their breeches would clear their -market-place." - -"Yes," said Arthur; "and they would run like rats to their holes at -the very clatter of a horse-hoof." - -"Perhaps they might, Arthur," said Juxon smiling; "but the matter will -be to get this horse into the streets, and this squib into the -market-place." - -Sir Charles, who well knew that Juxon was no coward, bit his lips, -and said, "Really I cannot think what is come to you, parson: you are -always now a prophet of evil:--why the cause of the King would soon be -down, if all had such faint hearts about it as you have." - -"Faint hearts, sir, are fond of feeding on false hopes; stout hearts -look at naked dangers without blenching. The notion that a rebellion -of citizens can be put down by a few horses is foolish. It prevents, -first, earnest preparations to subdue it; and, at last, when these are -attempted, they prove too late, and altogether ineffectual." - -"Well, Juxon, Sir Oliver here and I have done our parts, and shall do -them to the last: your words don't touch me; but I must say, you love -to damp us; I hope, however, that the boy cares as little for you as I -do." - -"You need not to be rude as well as angry, Sir Charles." - -"Rude! methinks you forget yourself!--a truce to all compliments. Did -you not call me faint-hearted?" - -"Your memory is short indeed, Sir Charles, not to remember who first -used the word." - -"Come, come," interrupted the old knight, "I wo'n't have any falling -out between friends. Are we not all king's men, loyal and true? It may -be, Sir Charles, that Juxon sees further into matters than we do; but -his heart is with us." - -"That may seem clear to you, Sir Oliver:--time will show us all men in -their true colours: I have been right once before, and I may be right -again." - -"What do you mean?" asked Juxon, reddening with anger: "do you doubt -my loyalty, sir?" - -The evil temper of Sir Charles was so strong within him, that, -desirous only of vexing Juxon to the uttermost, he replied with a -sneer, "You have taken care to secure yourself a friend in the enemy's -camp; so that your parsonage at Old Beech will be quite safe, come -what may; and you mean to stick by it, as I am told." - -"It is an insinuation as false as it is base to suspect and utter it: -try me not farther, or you will make me forget my sacred calling." - -"You are not likely to do that by what I hear of your doings at Old -Beech. You preach like a Puritan already: it were a pity to lose a fat -rectory if the Parliament get uppermost." - -The mean and cruel turn, which Sir Charles thus gave to his malicious -charge, so startled and affected Juxon, who had always been both -honest and earnest in his pulpit, that he paused in his reply,--and -was sending up a swift ejaculation to Heaven for the grace of -patience, when Sir Oliver angrily interposed. - -"Zounds and thunder, Sir Charles, you might have remembered, among the -doings of Friend Juxon, that he has furnished right stout troopers -from his own purse, and that every man in his parish, capable of -bearing arms, who can be spared from home, has been sent off already -to carry a pike for King Charles. I think the devil is in thee, or -that yellow Margery hath crossed thy path this morning." - -The mention of yellow Margery was never pleasant to Sir Charles, and a -scowl came over his brow at the sound of her name; but he answered in -a dogged and sullen manner,--"Ay, that is all very well: it is good to -have two strings to one's bow. I suppose, Master Juxon will not deny -that that canting fanatic, Cuthbert Noble, is his friend. My steward, -who came last night from Hertfordshire, saw the vile hypocrite, with -tuck and partizan, on guard in the market-place at St. Albans. Your -grave tutor is a lieutenant of pikemen. I hope I shall ride over the -rascal some fine day." - -"A fanatic he may be--a hypocrite he cannot be; and you say truly that -I am his friend; but I will not trust myself with another word--I must -return home. Sir Charles, from henceforth I shall look on you as a -stranger; and did it become my cloth I would chastise you." - -"Insolent priest! thy cloth is thy protection," said Sir Charles, -advancing with a lifted hunting whip, as if to strike Juxon. - -"You need not come between us, Sir Oliver," said Juxon, with a look of -quiet scorn: "in spite of the anger in his heart, he knows when to be -prudent." - -"Odd's life!" said the old knight, "I will have no more ill blood at -Milverton:--look you, go your ways, both of you, and sleep over it, -and come here again to-morrow, and let us make all up. You are both -right, and both wrong--faults on both sides; that is always the story -of a quarrel." - -With these words he took Juxon by the hand and shook it kindly, -adding, "There go, man, get your horse; you'll be yourself again -before you reach home. Here, Arthur, boy, go with him, and call -Richard to saddle his hobby.--I'll make Sir Charles listen to reason." - -This easy and indolent mode of confounding right and wrong, and -escaping out of the proper and severe course of honourable judgment, -was by no means agreeable to the upright and manly Juxon. He coldly -gave his hand, and wishing Sir Oliver a good morning, ascended the -steps with Arthur, casting a look of silent and expressive indignation -at Sir Charles, who regarded him in return with violent eyes and -cheeks livid with rage. - -As Juxon and Arthur passed round to the side of the mansion facing the -court-yard, they saw Katharine Heywood and Jane Lambert standing -together under the shade of a tree, in earnest conversation. At the -sound of the approaching footsteps they turned their heads; and it was -evident to George Juxon that the subject of their discourse was -connected with what had already passed at the interview between -Katharine and himself that very morning. - - "Oh! what a thing is man! how far from power, - From settled peace and rest! - He is some twenty sev'ral men, at least, - Each sev'ral hour." - -The sweet and sudden calm which fell upon the roused and troubled -passions of Juxon at the very sight of Jane Lambert brought that -stanza of Herbert's to his memory, and he gave utterance to it as he -joined and stood with them for a few moments, while Arthur went -forward to order out his horse. - -If Katharine had not already told her friend that Juxon was now truly -informed of all those circumstances which, at the time, must of -necessity have perplexed him about her conduct and her probable -engagement, the expression of his fine eyes would have revealed to her -that grateful fact. There is a silent eloquence in the look of one -who truly and fondly loves which needs no interpreter. The avowal of -his attachment, which he had upon principle resolved to suppress, his -eyes, prompted by the pulses of his heart, spoke as plainly to Jane as -though she had heard it from his lips in all the language of ardour -and admiration. - -Katharine questioned him reproachingly on the cause of his sudden -return to Old Beech, but he excused himself without betraying the true -reason. They gave credit to his simple assurance that it was not -possible for him to prolong his visit at present; and with a tender -pressure of the hand he took his leave of Jane, promising Katharine -that he would soon ride over to Milverton again. - -It was not till his horse had turned the distant corner of the road, -and was lost to view, that Arthur came in from the outer gate; and the -distress and dejection of the youth were so plainly to be read in his -countenance, that Katharine took him aside to ask what was the matter. -He related to her the quarrel between Juxon and Sir Charles Lambert -just as it had occurred. She heard it with more pain than surprise, -for she was well aware of the unaltered nature of Sir Charles; and she -knew that he cherished mean and vindictive feelings towards Juxon for -his conduct at the time of his own ferocious assault on Cuthbert -Noble, and for all his subsequent kindness and friendship to that -injured student. On one account she very deeply regretted this -occurrence. It could not fail to put a very serious obstacle in the -way of that union between Jane Lambert and Juxon which she had just -indulged herself with the hope she might soon have the happiness of -seeing perfected at the altar. - -The reflections of Juxon himself, as he rode homewards, were of a -complexion as varied as the face of an April sky. His thoughts were -overshadowed by many a cloud of fear, and care, and coming sorrow, -while ever and anon they became glad and bright as if coloured with -blue sky and sunbeams, and the rainbow of hope. Notwithstanding his -uncomfortable quarrel with Sir Charles, it was a day to be marked in -his calendar with a white stone. The day was so hot, that he walked -his horse leisurely all the way; and when he had gone about half the -distance between Milverton and Old Beech, he pulled up near a water -trough, under the shadow of a majestic old oak, and dismounted. There -was a bank of earth round the trunk of the tree, on which he seated -himself: his beast stood indolently still, after having dipped its -nose in the trough; and both rider and horse luxuriated in the cool -shade. The murmur of the spring that fed the trough was the only sound -to be heard; and the loneliness of the spot, for it was in the middle -of a common, suggested pleasing thoughts of gratitude for the human -charity which had thus provided for the comfort and refreshment of man -and his dumb companions in labour. By a natural train of associations -the mind of Juxon was led to reflect on charity in its more high and -heavenly signification, and on those works which it should produce. He -considered what the earth would be if subjected to the law of love, -and what it really was. He bethought him of the mission and office of -the Prince of Peace: he remembered that he was a minister of that new -and glorious covenant announced by the voice of angels in a heavenly -melody,--"Peace on earth, good will towards men." He mused upon the -titles by which ministers are designated,--watchmen, shepherds,--and -he was more than ever confirmed in his resolution to remain with his -flock at Old Beech during the coming troubles. "'The hireling -fleeth,'" said he to himself, "'because he is an hireling.' Why was I -so moved at the taunt of malignity and ignorance? How strong a thing -must be the fear of man, when I can allow myself to fear the opinion -of one whom I despise, and whom, in truth, I ought to pity; when I can -dare to wish for an opportunity of showing on the battle-field that my -heart is English, loyal, and true. I am priest of the temple; I will -defend my church porch to the last, and keep out the wolf as long as I -can." As Juxon was thus occupied in sober meditation, he heard the -tramp of a horse galloping across the common, in the direction of -Milverton. On looking up, he instantly knew the horse and the figure -of Sir Charles Lambert. He felt certain that nothing but a fit of -boiling and ungovernable anger would have led to this swift pursuit of -him, and was at no loss to conjecture the nature of the trial for -which he must prepare. Juxon never rode from home in those unquiet -days without pistols; but come what might from the violence of this -infuriated man, he resolved that nothing should induce him to use them -in his defence. Although as a clergyman he could not wear a sword, yet -he often carried with him a cane of Italian invention, which contained -a sword-blade, and by means of a secret spring threw out a small guard -at the handle, which supplied a hilt, and thus, if at any time -assaulted with the sword, he was furnished with some, though an -imperfect, weapon of resistance. He was fortunately thus provided on -the present occasion. - -Sir Charles no sooner reached the spot than he threw himself -impetuously from his horse, and said with a loud oath, "This shall -settle our difference for ever." At the same time he drew his rapier, -and advanced upon his antagonist. - -Juxon, without a word, took a defensive posture, and opposing his -cane-sword to that of Sir Charles, parried his fierce passes with such -a quick eye and so strong a hand, that, in a rencontre which could not -have lasted two minutes, he twisted the sword of his opponent from his -angry grasp, and made it fly several yards off. He as immediately -secured it. "By hell, you shall not escape me!" said Sir Charles, -frantic with vexation; and plucking a pistol from his belt, he -discharged it at Juxon as he returned from picking up the sword. The -ball struck the buckle of Juxon's hat-band, and glanced off. He felt a -slight shock, but, as it came aslant upon it, the concussion was not -so violent as to stun him. - -Sir Charles dropped the pistol, seized upon a second, which was in his -belt, but, ere he could deliver his fire, Juxon had beaten aside his -arm, and the bullet spent its force harmlessly on the yielding air. - -"Madman!" said Juxon with an earnest and solemn tone, "let us from our -hearts thank God. He has preserved you from the sin of murder, and me -from being hurried into the holy presence of the Prince of Peace from -a scene of guilty contention, in the cause of which I am far from -innocent. There is your sword:--there is my hand:--by these lips no -human being shall ever be informed of what has just occurred. Your -present situation and your present duties call upon you to use your -sword in the field of honour and in the service of your king: do so in -a good spirit, and forget this hour as fully as I forgive it." - -The burning coal fell, guided by Heaven, upon the humbled head of the -proud one. Scalding tears stood in his eyes; the blood rushed hotly to -his cheeks. His embarrassment was so great, that for a while he could -utter nothing. "Let me hope," said Juxon, "that I have lost an enemy, -and gained a friend." - -"You have done more, much more," answered Sir Charles: "you are the -first person on earth who ever touched my heart with a feeling -altogether new:--I shall bless this day for ever. You shall never -repent your noble consideration for my character. This sword shall -never again be dishonoured." Here Sir Charles fell upon his knees. "I -ask pardon of God and of you, Juxon, for my murderous purpose. I feel -that the hand of Providence has been in this strange work--I am not -yet an utter reprobate." - -"God forbid!" said Juxon, as he raised him up: "we will talk together -of better hopes. Suppose we return together to Milverton, and show -ourselves as reconciled heartily--it will, I think, spare that kind -family many hours of uneasiness." - -Sir Charles acceded with eagerness to the proposal, and mounting their -horses they rode back quietly together. - - - - -CHAP. III. - - And is there care in heaven? and is there love - In heavenly spirits to these creatures base, - That may compassion of their evils move? - There is; else much more wretched were the case - Of men than beasts. But O th' exceeding grace - Of highest God! that loves his creatures so, - And all his works with mercy doth embrace, - That blessed angels he sends to and fro, - To serve to wicked man, to serve his wicked foe. - SPENSER. - - -The village of Old Beech, which has been often named in this story as -the living of George Juxon, was a retired and picturesque place, -containing about three hundred inhabitants. Here, as at Cheddar, there -was no lord of the manor in residence. The principal owner of the -village lands for the last twenty years had been a Roman Catholic -gentleman, who, being single, and of a severe and gloomy temper of -mind, had, before this accession of property, embraced the monastic -life in Italy, and taken the vows as a brother of the Carthusian -order. The lessee of his estates had let them advantageously to four -substantial farmers; one of whom occupied the venerable old -manor-house. Its quaint wooden gables and ornamental carpentry always -arrested the attention of the passer by their venerable appearance. - -A bay window, with five lights in two divisions, marked very -distinctly the situation of the great hall; a noble apartment used -only by the tenant as a vast store-room for the produce of his orchard -and his garden. The broad gates hung broken and decaying from the -square stone columns in which their hinges had been fastened by iron -staples, and the pavement of the court was half hid by rank weeds. The -church was small and ancient, and stood, not far from the manor-house, -on a gentle eminence, which commanded a beautiful flat of meadow-land, -watered by a small clear river that meandered through the fields in -fine and graceful curves, was richly fringed with willows, and turned -in its course two clean-looking busy mills. Not far from the -churchyard stood a tall and stately beech-tree, about two centuries -old, and near it the stump of the very tree from which the village had -been first named was still visible. - -The smooth bark of this noble old beech was covered with initial -letters, true love knots, and joined hearts, rudely carved by rustic -hands, many of which, it might be seen by the dates affixed, had long -since mouldered under the grassy heaps, to which lowly beds of peace -the very same bell still tolled the parting summons of their lineal -descendants. - -One of the most remarkable features in this pretty village was the -rectory. The basement story was completely built of glazed bricks in -checkered patterns, while that over it was constructed of fine massive -black timbers, the walls being plastered between; the whole was -surmounted with elevated overhanging roof and lofty gables. The -entrance was through a fine long porch of timber, and the woodwork of -this, as well as of the projecting portions of the roofs and gables, -was elaborately ornamented after the fashion of the fifteenth -century. Of Juxon's habits something has already been said, but a -more particular account of his home life is necessary to show him -faithfully in the relation in which he stood to his parish. Having a -private fortune, in addition to the proceeds of his living, he was as -able as he proved himself always willing to benefit his people. When -he came first among them he found them much neglected and in great -darkness: his first step was to establish a school, and to win the -hearts of the parents through their children, all of whom he had -taught to read, and many of the most promising yet further instructed -in writing and arithmetic. A few of the old villagers, and one of the -most acute of his farmers, who, though unable to read himself, was -well furnished with all that worldly wisdom which may be orally -conveyed in pithy proverbs, and committed to memory for practical -guidance in life, resisted this strange innovation. But steady -perseverance and good-humoured resolution soon conquered all -opposition; and Juxon had the satisfaction of seeing around him much -improvement in that knowledge which makes the mind, and _the heart_ -of man, accessible to the light of divine truth. - -He was diligent in his duties, open in his manners, cheering in his -words, and wise in his charities; he distinguished well between the -objects of them, knew how to give, and when and what; he farmed his -own glebe, partly as an amusement, and also to set a good example -before his farmers of just behaviour to labourers. He understood -cottage economy as well as the most prudent among them; could talk -with them over the wickets of their little gardens about their -succession crops, and about the fattening of their pigs and poultry, -and knew every poor man's cow upon the village common. - -The happy children upon the green never paused in their merry games -when he passed them, and the winner of a race was doubly pleased if -Master Juxon's eye had seen his triumph. The rough blacksmith, when, -at breathing times, he stood out under the shade of the ancient and -hollow oak near which his shed had been erected, always tried to -engage him in a little talk; and although these brief colloquies were -commonly of simple occurrences, yet the sturdy smith forgot not the -dropped word of advice, and he sung his part in the village quire -o'Sundays with his understanding as well as with his fine deep voice. -It might be truly said, that the parson of Old Beech was popular in -his parish, and deserved to be so. A hogshead of wheat, and another of -pease or barley, stood ever in his hall, out of which the aged widows -and the poor housekeepers of the village were always liberally -supplied in their need. He would patiently listen to their long and -prosy tales about their family as they sat in his hospitable porch, -without hurrying them, though perhaps they had told him the same story -for weeks in succession. But if an angel from heaven dwelt among three -hundred human beings, and passed his life in acts of love and kindness -towards them, he should not want enemies, nor should he reap gratitude -and good will from all; therefore Juxon was regarded by a small and -envious knot with evil eyes. Of this party, a small chandler or -grocer, a publican, and one of the millers, who was sinking into -poverty from slothful habits, were the leaders, and the worthy rector -had sense enough to know that in due time they would show their enmity -openly. - -However, with the answer of a good conscience, he walked about daily, -without the shadow of a fear, and lay down to sleep in peace, well -knowing that God alone can make any of us to dwell in safety. Within -the last two years many things had occurred to awaken his own mind to -more serious views than those with which he had at first entered upon -the ministerial office. The questions concerning scandals among the -clergy engaged his serious attention; and his opinions about the -lawfulness, or rather the expediency, of some practices, the good or -evil of which he had never previously considered, now underwent a -change. - -He would never admit for a moment, that to hunt, or to shoot, or to -fish, were diversions _inherently_ sinful; but he began to look on -time as a talent, for which every man must render a solemn account, -and the time of a clergyman as more especially given him to be -employed to graver ends than could be honestly and effectually -attained, if sports and amusements of a nature so idle and absorbing -were not resigned. Nor was this the only change in his opinions;--a -closer study of the sacred volume, for the purpose of preaching its -saving truths more plainly to his people; an earnest desire to set -before them the glory of gospel hopes, and the comfort of Scripture -promises; and a lively recollection of some of his conversations with -Cuthbert Noble, satisfied him that if he would be found faithful he -must preach, with authority and with persuasion, free reconciliation -to God through a willing and all-sufficient Saviour. - -The prayerful exercises to which the composition of his sermons now -compelled him produced a blessed influence on his own spirit; and he -never stood up in his pulpit, as an ambassador for Christ, without a -most affectionate solicitude for the welfare of immortal souls, and a -present sense of the high privilege and deep responsibility of his -sacred office. His growing seriousness, as a clergyman, had been more -apparent to Katharine Heywood than to any one else at Milverton; for -she was too deeply taught to be deceived in the evidences of a living -grace. In his parish his earnestness in his pulpit was well known, as -might be seen from the report of it which had reached Sir Charles -Lambert, and which partly caused those taunts and insinuations, the -issue of which, in the quarrel and the encounter that followed, has -been already related; but to common observers, as Juxon's language had -no peculiar religious phraseology, and as his manners, his happy -countenance, and his manly habits, prepossessed their good opinion, -without alarming any of their prejudices, he seemed one of themselves, -and they neither knew nor cared to know his inner man. - -However, as Juxon and Sir Charles rode back slowly to Milverton after -the violent scene which might have terminated so awfully for both, he -was determined not to lose so favourable an occasion for setting -before the softened transgressor the great and common evil of man's -nature, and the blessed remedy. He did this with a feeling, a -faithfulness, and a humility which surprized and affected his silent -companion greatly, and which at last drew from him a confession of a -most interesting kind. He told Juxon that, from his earliest -childhood, he had found himself an object of dislike and aversion to -all his family; that his elder brother, his senior only by one year, -had been the indulged and favoured pet both of his father and mother, -while he had been always either treated with neglect or addressed in -the language of unkindness and reproach; that hate had begotten hate, -and that he had passed his early youth hating and hateful; that at the -age of sixteen, as his brother was out shooting on the manor, he lost -his life by the accidental discharge of his own gun, as he was -carelessly forcing his way through some thick furze bushes. He -confessed that he was inwardly rejoiced at this calamity; that he -looked upon the corpse without one emotion of sorrow or even of pity, -and that he viewed with a malignant satisfaction the agony of his -parents, more especially that of his mother, whose persecution of him -had been perpetual, and of a petty and irritating nature. This feeling -of his was so irrepressible as to be seen. The thought that their -despised boy should inherit the estates and the title had proved so -very intolerable to his mother that she could not endure his presence -at home. He was therefore sent away, and placed under the charge of a -severe tutor, who, finding him the ignorant and evil-disposed youth -which the letters of his father had represented him, governed him with -strictness, and instructed him with an evident contempt for his want -of capacity and for his backwardness in those attainments which, in -truth, it had been impossible for him to acquire; it having been the -mean pleasure of his mother to deny him the advantages enjoyed by his -brother. He related the story of his mother's funeral, to which he was -called after an absence of two years, and the death of his father, -which had taken place four years later, while he himself was abroad. -It appeared by these accounts that subsequent to the death of his -brother he had never enjoyed or indeed desired any intercourse with -his parents, and that when he came to take possession of the estates, -he found his sisters, who were much younger than himself, grown up and -left to his protection. As they were not mixed up in his mind with the -injuries of his childhood, such little kindness as he had ever felt -capable of he had entertained for them. But even here he stated he had -found disappointment; for one being timid and of no character, feared -him, while his sister Jane, the only being who had ever behaved well -to him, he nevertheless knew did not, and perhaps could not, love him -as a brother. - -This confession was poured into the ear of a generous and a thoughtful -Christian, deeply skilled in the diseases of the human heart. It was -evident to Juxon that the depravity of our fallen nature, common to -all, had, in the miserable heart now laid bare before him, been -inflamed by the early unkindness of parents, and had taken the dark -colours of a rancorous and cruel disposition. Yet, even in this -apparently desperate case, there was a ray of hope, there was a light -of that mysterious something which may be observed in the human heart, -as a fragment of its better nature that has survived the fall,--_a -capacity of loving_; which, as it could find no issue towards man, -exhibited itself in a rare kindness and affection to dogs, horses, and -birds. To these living creatures Sir Charles, who was to man -indifferent or cruel, showed himself gentle, patient, and fond. Juxon -had often observed this with pleasure: he now caught this golden -string, and by it he led up the mind of his hearer to contemplate the -God of creation upon a throne of universal love, caring for the -meanest of his creatures, and revealing himself more especially to man -in the relation of Father. Thence, by a swift transition, he painted -man (_the whole race_) prodigal, miserable, naked, feeding with swine, -till returning to their Father they were forgiven and with embraces; -nor, while he fixed attention upon the mighty Saviour, from whose -gracious lips this parable proceeded, did he fail to preach Jesus as -the incarnation of Divine love, reconciling the lost children of earth -to their heavenly Father, waiting to be gracious. He did not thus -speak in vain:--who shall dare to look down upon any human being as -lost, hardened, reprobate? Who maketh men to differ? Who can make the -rock yield water, and dry up the Euphrates? He who can change flesh -into stone when it is his pleasure. - -But we return to show the connection of what has passed with the -progress of our story. - -It was a most welcome sight to the family at Milverton, to see Juxon -and Sir Charles return amicably together after the quarrel of the -morning; but there was something, nevertheless, very inexplicable in -the manners of both. Those of the former were far more serious and -absorbed than Katharine had ever observed them before; while the -latter had an embarrassed air, a softened tone of voice, and an -expression of deep, real, unaffected sorrow in his countenance. - -Whatever had passed between them, it was evident that the -reconciliation was on both sides of the sincere nature of hearty -forgiveness. As Katharine contemplated the brow and the features of -Sir Charles, she discerned traces of a mental working such as she had -never seen at any previous period of their frequent intercourse; and, -for the first time, she looked on him without aversion and without -suspicion. - -To his great honour, and as the strongest proof of the good effect -wrought on him by the events of that memorable day, he took the first -opportunity that offered, to declare, in the absence of Juxon, the -circumstances of their rencontre, and the generous conduct of his -noble antagonist. - -There is a something in the honest avowal of shame, and the honest -recognition of another's excellence, which, as it can only proceed -from a humbled and subdued heart, so it will instantly engage the -approval of every well constituted mind. - -From that very hour Sir Charles found himself regarded by all at -Milverton with a new feeling,--all countenances were changed towards -him: he had gotten a friend in Katharine,--he found the eyes of his -sister Jane ever resting upon him, with a new and strange delight: Sir -Oliver, to whom discord was trouble, and who had never wholly -resigned the hope of having Sir Charles for a son-in-law, was beyond -measure gratified; and Arthur felt a more undoubting confidence and -ease at the thought of serving under him than he had hitherto -admitted. - -A sense of all these mercies, a consciousness that he was drawn with -the cords of love by an invisible hand, deepened his repentance and -humility, and gave life, strength, and love to his new-born faith; but -all this was a secret work, in which he was wisely assisted by the -prudent counsel and the sound judgment of Juxon. It was fortunate, -that, amid the stirring and necessary duties of those times, he was -provided with so plain, so manly, so healthy an adviser. Side by side, -with a profound self-abasement, grew a sentiment of self-respect, that -prevented his spirit being paralysed, or cast down below the right -degree of energy required of him by his position at the moment. He was -now truly prepared, in a more noble frame of mind, to render good and -faithful service wherever the cause of his king and country might -lead him. Now, too, he understood and respected the motives which -decided Juxon to remain at his own proper post, and to perform his own -sacred duties to the last moment. - -In the fortnight which passed about this period he lived long; that -is, he gathered the experience which is usually the fruit of a much -longer space of time. - -Swiftly as the days glided by, they fully developed the love of Juxon -and Jane Lambert; and, although Katharine could not persuade Juxon to -hear of Jane's being exposed to the inconvenience and danger of -becoming his wife, at a time when the clergy might expect a -persecution, yet she did enjoy the happiness of seeing them seated -before her in the sweet and interesting relation of avowed and -betrothed lovers. - - - - -CHAP. IV. - - Food for powder, food for powder; they'll fill a pit as well - as better: tush, man, mortal men, mortal men. - _King Henry IV._ - - -Although Cuthbert Noble was by degrees gaining a little experience in -his new and unsuitable calling, yet it must be confessed that a little -of his enthusiasm evaporated under the necessary process of being -drilled and taught his exercise; and not only so, but he began to be -very much puzzled and perplexed at the opinions and the conduct of -many with whom he was now to live and to act. The Colonel of the -regiment in which he had received his appointment was, indeed, a man -eminently worthy of respect and esteem. He was a devout, reserved -person, of a noble and grave presence,--an approved soldier, and a -sincere and sound patriot. He considered himself to be opposing the -crown upon strict constitutional principles; and, being -conscientiously attached to the Presbyterian form of church -government, desired the overthrow of the prelacy, and the total -abolition of episcopacy. Nevertheless, he viewed with distaste and a -cold sufferance the extravagant proceedings of the various independent -sects now loose upon society; and discouraged, as far as he could, -without danger to the one great and common cause, the practices which -already obtained in the ranks of the Parliament levies. Every vain and -intoxicated fanatic, who had the power of uttering a few dozen -unconnected and rambling sentences without book, claimed for his -shallow babbling the authority of inspiration, and asserted his gift -of speech as a divine commission, by which he was called to the office -of a preacher of the word of God. His own religion was serious, -practical, intelligible; and he had a sternness of sound judgment, -before which all flighty pretensions and false confidences fell down -or fled away. His name was Maxwell: he had been a friend of the father -of Francis Heywood, and was very well acquainted with Francis. Owing -to this circumstance Cuthbert was favourably introduced to him, and -was always very considerately treated; but their characters, their -ages, and their relative situations in the regiment, made it -impossible for them to become intimate with each other. Moreover, the -earliest and latest waking thoughts of Colonel Maxwell were wholly -taken up with the very important duties of preparing his corps by -strict discipline and close training for the day of trial, which could -not be very far distant; therefore Cuthbert was left, soon after he -joined, to make out as well as he could with the society of the -captain of his company and his brother lieutenant. At first, indeed, -for a very few days, he had enjoyed the comfort of having Francis -Heywood in the same quarters, but the horse had marched down to -Northampton, and they were thus separated. Now the captain of -Cuthbert's company had been a master butcher, of the name of Ruddiman, -about forty years of age: a fine portly man, standing about six feet -three inches in height, with ample chest and broad shoulders, little -eyes, red cheeks, a low forehead, and coarse greasy black hair. He -had a fist that would fell a bullock, and a voice that would frighten -a herd of them. In spite of the very hardening influence of his -calling, he had nothing unkind in his temper. He had thrived greatly -in his business, was honest and just in all his dealings, a good -husband, a good father, and a good citizen--with a house full of -children, and a pretty pasture farm in the county of Hertfordshire. He -was as bold as he was strong; but was here, nevertheless, solely in -obedience to the wishes of an active, ambitious, meddling wife, who -was a bitter, censorious, religious politician, and whose pride it was -that her husband should be a down-king man, and a captain in the -Parliament army. The good captain himself, meanwhile, barring his -wife's sovereign will, and the honour of the title, would much rather -have looked after his business at home; or, at all events, have been -permitted to join a horse regiment, though only as a sergeant. But -Mrs. Ruddiman had decided otherwise, and had told him that, if he only -served for a few weeks or months as a captain, and looked well about -him, he might get made a commissary and get a contract, and make his -fortune. This last consideration was not without its weight; for -Master Ruddiman had always a keen eye to the main chance. The brother -lieutenant of Cuthbert was a very different sort of personage. He was -a thin man, of middle stature, with a pale face and red hair, under -thirty years of age. His trade had been that of a dyer: he had -rendered conspicuous service at the last election, in securing the -return of a Puritan to Parliament, and had been rewarded thus: he was -needy, and the pay of his humble rank an object to him. He had great -fluency of words, and was a raving Independent of the most virulent -order. His name was Elkanah Sippet: he was ignorant, irritable, and -vain. He knew a little Latin, with which he was wont to garnish his -talk when he wanted to pass off for a scholar, and puzzle big Captain -Ruddiman; and he could fill his mouth with Scripture phrases and texts -when he wished to impress Cuthbert with a favourable notion of his -piety. Ruddiman and Sippet hated each other with about as natural and -as cordial a hatred as might consist with their being on the same side -in this contest. Neither of them could understand or like poor -Cuthbert; but both took refuge from the uneasy contempt with which -they regarded each other, by endeavouring to conciliate his good -opinion, or rather his preference. - -To choose between them was easy: Ruddiman was worth a dozen Sippets in -the qualities of his nature; nor was there any thing of the hypocrite -in him. He was dull, and slow of comprehension; therefore he seldom -suffered himself to speak about religion, but passively knelt and -passively listened to the long prayers and longer preachings of the -chaplain. He had been so stupified and subdued at home about points of -faith and church government by his wife's brother, a warm and wordy -brazier, the godly elder of the congregation to which his wife -belonged, that he yielded, partly for the sake of peace, and partly in -distrust of his own reason. Thus, in plain fact, he feared God truly -for himself, and received the interpretations of Scripture delivered -by the clergy, and the lay elders of his sect, with a submission as -implicit, and an apprehension as confused, as the Italian peasant -listens to the Latin oration of a Franciscan friar. His politics were -more simple; and he was in the habit of expressing what he felt about -them by always calling the King _the man Charles Stuart_, and all the -principal leaders of the Parliament party right honest and God-fearing -worthies. "A man's a man," he would say: "I don't see why any one -should be called lord over another; and as for bishops, bless us, why -should they live in palaces, and hold forth about taxes in the House -of Lords?--Don't you think that's wrong, Master Noble, quite wrong? -Why it is writ in the Bible that the kingdom of Christ is not of this -world." To this political creed Cuthbert would give assent; but a -quick memory whispered to his inner man, "Why then do my servants -fight?" As for his brother lieutenant, his tone was always rancorous -and unchristian: he was of a mean and narrow mind, without charity and -without patience; selfish and tricky, and, withal, quite intent on -rising upon the ruin of his betters. He felt a sort of inferiority in -the presence of Cuthbert that a little awed him; but his nature would -break out occasionally. It was no small advantage to Cuthbert that his -two companions had seen him, for a few days, often walking and -conversing with Francis Heywood, whose soldierly appearance had -attracted general attention among the troops. Moreover, though far -indeed from the aptitude desired by Colonel Maxwell, the intelligence -of Cuthbert in the field of exercise was greater than that of either -Ruddiman or Sippet. Perhaps, after all, the greatest trial of Cuthbert -arose from the manners of those with whom he was now compelled, by the -distribution of quarters, to live night and day. As officers of the -same company, Captain Ruddiman, Sippet, and himself, took their meals -together, and he was compelled to occupy a stretcher in the same -sleeping chamber with Sippet. Now Ruddiman was a very gross and -unclean feeder, and had a most disgusting habit of hawking and -spitting on the floor all day long; while Sippet, who secretly -indulged in the too frequent use of strong waters, always stunk of -spirits, and snored through his nights so loudly, as very seriously to -disturb the rest of Cuthbert: nor was it possible, with so irritating -an accompaniment, to comfort his wakeful hours with those meditations -with which he had often solaced his night watches at Milverton while -confined by his wound. However, his spirit, though fretted, did not -sink under these annoyances: he rose constantly with the first glimmer -of dawn: he did his utmost to perfect himself in all matters of drill -and discipline. He gave his best attention to all his instructors, and -he performed all his duties with manly cheerfulness, and in the best -possible spirit. Colonel Maxwell saw this with silent satisfaction; -but he was not a man for lavish praises and sudden intimacies, nor was -he without a clear perception that Cuthbert would never make a -thorough soldier; indeed his immovable gravity was sometimes very near -being altogether conquered by a burst of laughter at the mode in which -Cuthbert exhibited the solemn earnestness of his desire to learn his -exercises thoroughly, and to command his men properly. - -One day, for instance, very soon after Cuthbert's arrival, as he rode -through the different squads of recruits who were learning their -facings, he found Cuthbert in one corner of the field, with his head -in the air, and a corporal giving him private instructions; and, -unperceived by the former, he heard the following strange -query:--"Now, my brave man, pray have the goodness to explain to me, -very exactly, how it is, that is, upon what principle it is, that, if -I place my feet in this extraordinary manner, I shall come to what you -call 'the right about face?'" - -"Principle! God save you, master! I know nothing at all about -principles; but I know, if you do as I bid you, and put the ball of -your right toe to your left heel, and raise the fore part of your -feet, and come smartly, heel round, on your two heels, and bring back -your right sharply and square with the left, you will come to the -right about like a man and a musketeer." - -Again, at an after period, as the Colonel passed the spot where a -company of pikemen was parading under the orders of Cuthbert, the -warlike student, who was just fresh from the perusal of a military -treatise in Greek, having taken post at a farther distance than usual -in the front, and noticing a little whispering and unsteadiness, -called out with most innocent seriousness,--"Silence, men, silence: -the Lacedæmonians never spoke in the ranks." - -The pikemen seeing the Colonel near became silent, rather in respect -to his presence than obedience to their simple-hearted lieutenant, and -wondered the while what county militia these Lacedæmonians might be. -The commanding officer, averting his head to conceal his irrepressible -smiles, went forward; and Cuthbert, quite unconscious of any thing -strange or ridiculous, proceeded to number off, and prove his pikemen -according to the intricate system of the slow and cumbrous movements -of those days. - -Never, however, was a human being more thoroughly out of his element -than Master Cuthbert as lieutenant in this said company of pikemen -under the orders of Captain Ruddiman. He could contrive, indeed, a -little leisure and a little solitude most days; but even those brief -seasons of meditation and enjoyment were often broken in upon by a -sergeant hurrying after him to say that perhaps eleven set of new -straps for back and breast pieces were wanting, or that two pikes were -broken, and three men had lost the scabbards of their tucks. - -Moreover, he could hardly find a private path or walk near St. Albans, -where he did not come suddenly upon a few military sinners, who had -stolen out of the sight of their preaching officers and praying -comrades to have a game of trap-ball, tip-cat, or the greater -abominations of cross and pile, pitch and hustle, and chuck farthing. -Nay, upon one occasion, he surprised a little party under a buttress -of the abbey playing at primero, trump, put, or beat the knave out of -doors, with two dollys sitting in their company, of whom it might be -plainly seen that they had no business in a garrison of Puritans. But -he was in these moments usually in too absorbed a mood to take notice -of and reprove these transgressors, and was quite as anxious to turn -away his eyes as the soldiers were to see them so averted. - -One day, as he wandered into the abbey a little before sunset, and was -standing lost in thought before the monument of Lord Bacon, and -contemplating the fine alabaster effigy of that great philosopher, he -heard himself gently addressed by name, and turning to the speaker, he -recognised, with as much surprise as delight, his worthy and -invaluable friend Randal, the surgeon of Warwick, to whose skilful -care and kind treatment he held himself indebted, under God, for his -life. - -Their pleasure at meeting was mutual, and was increased when they -found that they were again providentially brought together, and held -commissions in the same corps. Randal had offered his services to the -Parliament, and had been appointed the surgeon of this levy. -Henceforth Cuthbert would enjoy the comfort of his society and the -advantage of his counsel. They agreed instantly to live and mess -together; and, after a long and interesting conversation about -Milverton, the Heywoods, and his friend Juxon, they walked together to -the Colonel's quarter, where Randal had been invited to sup; and -Cuthbert returned, in high spirits, and with a heart full of joy and -thanksgiving, to take his own meal with Ruddiman and Sippet, and to -make known to them his intention of leaving their mess, and living in -future with his old friend Randal. Ruddiman was sincerely vexed, ate -less, and hawked rather more than usual, and proposed as an -arrangement, not unnatural, that the surgeon should join their party -instead of this breaking up; and Lieutenant Sippet, who wished much to -avoid being left alone with Ruddiman, very earnestly seconded this -proposal; observing, that he thought it a very proper subject for most -serious consideration, and that they ought to seek the Lord for -guidance, that they might plainly discern his will in this important -matter. - -This, Cuthbert said, he deemed to be an occasion on which so solemn a -proceeding was altogether uncalled for and improper. Sippet misquoted -and misapplied a shower of texts, which, in a sadder mood, would have -made poor Cuthbert's head ache. Ruddiman did not see what they were to -pray about, for his part, and thought a man might do his duty to God -and his neighbour very well without so much prayer. "But if you must -pray," said he, "Friend Sippet, pray to be kept from putting your -mouth so often to that stone bottle of strong waters at the corner of -your bed, and from snoring so loud every night, man. Why, though I am -next room, you waked me this morning before cock-crow; and I doubt if -Master Noble has had a sound night's sleep since he joined us." -Cuthbert hastily wished them good night, and withdrew; so in what -manner the wrathful Sippet resented this affront, or whether he did so -at all, he never heard. - - - - -CHAP. V. - - Pray now buy some: I love a ballad in print, a' life; for - then we are sure they are true. - _Winter's Tale._ - - -Although the good parson of Cheddar was as yet unmolested, and -continued his ministrations in peace, he was far too sagacious not to -perceive the growing strength of Parliament, and never partook of -those extravagant hopes, which, upon the arrival of the Marquis of -Hertford, at the city of Wells, animated so many of the gentlemen and -the clergy in Somersetshire. But he gave such attendance at the -meetings of a public nature as was necessary to show plainly the part -which he had taken,--and he set a faithful example of loyalty in his -parish. The son and the son-in-law of old Blount the franklin, and -most of the yeomen of Cheddar, offered their services to the Marquis, -and repaired to his quarters well mounted and armed.--It was a deeply -mortifying reflection to Noble and his wife that their son Cuthbert -had joined the forces of the Parliament, and was already in arms -against his king. Their spirits were far more depressed by this -consideration than by any other. Compared to this heavy trial all -others, which could possibly arrive, seemed light and undeserving of -careful or anxious deprecation; but for this one chastisement, they -humbled themselves before God daily with tears and supplications. -Nevertheless they sorrowed not as without hope, and they did not -murmur. They knew that their prayers were poured out before a Father -of mercies, who heareth always, and gives or withholds the blessing -implored, with a wisdom that cannot err, and with a mysterious love. - -Therefore they were enabled to preserve a calm and resigned aspect -before the village, and before their household, though plain Peter and -the good maidens were not to be deceived as to their silent -sufferings; for master did not notice the flowers and birds in the -garden so much now, and walked up and down thinking, instead of -talking pleasant; and mistress had not looked after her -fruit-preserves and her home-made wines this year with the heart she -used to do; and, worst sign of all, the dinner was often carried away -hardly touched by either. The apprehensions of Noble as to the -progress of disaffection to the royal cause proved but too well -founded. The private agents and emissaries of the Parliament party -wrought underhand to persuade the people, that, by the commission of -array, a great part of the estates of all substantial yeomen and -freeholders would be taken from them, alleging, that some lords had -said that "twenty pounds by the year was enough for every peasant to -live on;" and they further said, that all the meaner and poorer sort -of people were appointed by the same commission to pay a tax of one -day's labour in every week to the King. These reports, however little -deserving of credit, were received by the more ignorant with implicit -belief, and circulated by the interested and designing with most -persevering activity. The people were thus taught that, if they did -not adhere to the Parliament, and submit to the ordinance for the -militia, they would soon be no better than slaves to the lords, and -the victims of a most cruel oppression. - -The ignorance and credulity of the vulgar were by these arts widely -and successfully imposed upon; but the population of Cheddar was -preserved from these corrupting falsehoods by the prudence of Noble. -He early obtained a copy of the commission of array, which was written -in Latin, and having translated it with fidelity, distributed copies -from house to house. The word of the good parson was ever held in -reverence by his flock, therefore, with few exceptions, and those -confined to the worst characters in the village, his account of the -matter was received as true; while in many other places the crafty -supporters of the levelling party, taking advantage of the commissions -being in Latin, translated it into what English they pleased, and -abused simple folk in the manner related. - -While the Marquis of Hertford maintained himself at Wells all things -continued quiet at Cheddar; but as Noble had foreseen, there was soon -a very powerful party brought against him, and he was compelled to -retire, before the increasing forces and the active officers of the -Parliament, to Sherborne, in Dorsetshire. - -Master Daws, the artful and the covetous enemy of Noble, who had been -already baffled in his endeavour to drag him before a committee, and -whose eyes were steadily fixed upon the living of Cheddar, had not -been inactive while the Royalists lay at Wells. - -He had, it is true, seldom ventured from home for fear his precious -carcass might receive some weighty mark of the wrath or merriment of a -royal trooper, though he might have gone to and fro in his clerical -garb as safe as an innocent child: but conscience made a coward of -him; for he had employed the period of his confinement to his house in -preparing certain lying and inflammatory papers, which, through the -agency of a near relation, who was a scrivener's clerk at Bristol, he -procured to be secretly printed in that city. These papers were of the -most indecent and outrageous nature, directed chiefly against -prelacy, and all supporters of the church of England and the episcopal -form of government. Now, this scrivener's clerk, though he knew and -despised the hypocrisy of Master Daws, and laughed at all religion, -whether real or pretended, lent himself as a most ready agent in this -charitable work. "There are diversities of gifts, my dear Matty," said -his crafty uncle Daws in the letter which accompanied his manuscript -libels,--"diversities of gifts, but the same spirit:--thou hast a -lively wit, and a playful hand with thy pencil; prithee put a little -device of some facetious kind at the head of each of these -papers,--such an one as may be easily struck off in a wood-cut of the -kind, which the profane Italians call caricature: but what need I say -more? Thou knowest what I would have:--see thou do it. I wish to have -them done before Cheddar fair, which is held, thou knowest, at the -latter end of September. They are a bigoted, base, priest-ridden herd -of swine in that parish, and as blind as the moles and the bats:--we -must let in a little light on them:--see thou do it broadly." - -The sharp-visaged, pale-faced nephew grinned as he read his worthy -uncle's epistle, and secretly resolved at once to gratify the mean -desire expressed in it, and to amuse himself, at his uncle's expense, -when it was too late for him to make any alteration should he detect -it. Of the ungainly figure, and the hideous features of his uncle, he -had caricatures without number; and as they were so strongly marked, -that the rudest engraver of a wooden block could not fail to copy them -faithfully, he determined that the long visage of Daws himself should -find a place in his performance. - -The fair-day of Cheddar was that one day in the year which was always -most trying to Noble. All the other holydays were home festivals, and -were kept by the villagers among themselves, being seldom intruded on -by strangers; but the annual fair always brought with it a herd of -idle vagabonds from Bristol, and other towns within a convenient -distance, and seldom terminated without many profligate, disgusting -scenes, or an open brawl. The state of public affairs, and the -presence of a Puritan force in Somersetshire, had such an effect on -the fairs throughout the county this autumn, that they were in general -but thinly attended, and little or no business was done among the -farmers and dealers, by whom they were commonly frequented. - -Nevertheless, fairs were too important in the social economy to the -convenience of the people to be wholly suspended. Therefore, on the -appointed morning, early in September, a pleasant peal of five bells -(not as yet silenced by force or law) gave due notice from the tower -of Cheddar church that the day of fairings and gilt gingerbread had -arrived; but although a certain quantity of booths had been erected, -only one, and that but scantily supplied, was set apart for the -profane display of those glittering temptations. Among the farm -servants standing for hire, there were no stout young carters with -their whips, no hale shepherds with their crooks and green sprigs in -their hats; and though there was no lack of maids, yet, as they -crowded together, they looked lonesome and sad, and their bonny brown -hair was not tied up with ribands. The few children present were held -fast by the hand, and led by their parents to see the common purchases -made for the household; but even in these matters the traffic was -dull. There were, indeed, a few cattle; a few pens of sheep; some -piles of Cheddar and other Somersetshire cheese; a store of salted -meats; one stall with fair garnishes of pewter for the cupboard; -another with wooden bowls, and trenchers, and vessels for the dairy; -and one great one, at which groceries, cloths, linens, and articles of -hardware, were promiscuously set forth, and where the neighbouring -housewives were wont to lay in their store of useful necessaries for -the coming year. But now it was so uncertain what a day might bring -forth, that not many cared to make their annual outlay. - -It might be supposed, that, in such unsettled times, mountebanks, -tumblers, and conjurers could hardly reckon on a sufficient harvest of -pence to find them in beer and shoe leather; but some of them still -ventured their exhibitions, and with a ready wit practised boldly, -wherever they came, upon the popular prejudices of the hour, and lent -themselves to the crafty suggestions of the designing, who well knew -that the vulgar mind may be artfully seduced to join in the ridicule -of those very persons and things, which, in its better moments, it has -respected. - -Now the nephew of Daws had been a most willing and active agent in -forwarding the objects of his uncle; for he had not only procured his -libellous papers to be printed, but he had provided them each with a -caricature engraving on wood; and he had, in like manner, caused -certain ribald songs to be headed for distribution at Cheddar fair; so -that they who could not read the slanders and calumnies contained in -the printed matter might see them pictured to their senses. Nor did he -stop here; but he procured a base fellow, the son of a drunken -saddler, who was a noted posture master in Bristol, to carry these -papers and prints to Cheddar on the fair day, and to commend them to -the people. This knave, taking with him a merriman and a fire-eater to -assist him in attracting a crowd, repaired thither, and about noon -began his operations on a scaffold near the market cross. They had -been followed by a rabble of disorderly persons, among whom the report -of some fun at Cheddar fair had been already spread by the rogues -engaged on the occasion. - -Master Daws, who had been advised by his nephew of the preparations -that were made for bringing the church and its ministers into contempt -before the population of Cheddar, walked to the village at an early -hour in company with his nephew, under the pretence of buying a -hundred weight of cheese and a salted mutton; and, though the day was -fine, he took care to appear in the blue Geneva cloak, which was -commonly worn by the Puritan divines. Having engaged an upper room in -a public house facing the market place, he had no sooner stalked -through the vacant crowd, and made his purchases, than he retired to -feast his malignant envy from the window of this chamber. - -The sound of the pipe and tabor, and the nasal tones of Master -Merriman, soon gathered all the idle folk in the fair round the -mountebank's scaffold. The fool began with their favourite egg-dance; -and they stood with gaping mouths to see him hop about on one leg, and -then, being blindfolded, dance backwards and forwards between the eggs -without touching one of them: their mouths gaped yet wider, as this -performer was succeeded by the fire-eater, who, after commencing by -the trick of drawing forth from his mouth yard after yard of ribands, -as if his stomach had been a riband loom, put a bundle of lighted -matches into his mouth, and blew the smoke of the sulphur through his -nostrils. Last came the posture-master, whose art consisted in making -all sorts of uncouth faces, and exhibiting in a natural but shocking -manner every species of deformity and dislocation. Now he showed a -huge rising of his left shoulder; now shifted the deformity into the -other; now represented a humpback; accompanying these changes of his -figure with sundry comical contortions of countenance, to which the -crowd responded in roars of laughter. Having thus got them into good -humour for his purpose, he went on to imitate the cries and voices of -sundry animals and birds; the crow of the cock, the gabble of the -geese, the gobble of the turkey, the quaak of the duck, the squeak of -the sucking pig, the bleat of the lamb, the grunt of the old sow, and -the braying of the ass. The crowd was on the broad grin while he went -through these imitations. He now therefore disappeared for a minute, -leaving the merriman to amuse them, by way of interlude, with a -jocular dance, and returned in robes made of coarse materials to -imitate those of a bishop. His figure was stuffed out to Falstaff-like -proportions; his hands were crossed with due gravity; he had plumpers -in his cheeks; and he forthwith began to intone an anthem with -burlesque solemnity. The words were in mockery of the coronation -anthem; and the petition for the growth of the King's beard, and the -shaving thereof, was delivered in all those varieties of note which he -had before given when mimicking the animals of the farm-yard. He thus -excited the mirth of the rabble vastly. He closed this mischievous -performance by a comic song about tithes; and, after imitating the -squeak of a sucking pig, and the clack of a hen, he produced upon the -stage, by sleight of hand, as if from his paunch, a basket filled with -curious samples of the small tithe, in which the tenth egg was not -forgotten. His place was now taken by the mountebank, who professed to -be appointed grand physician to the state, and purifier of the church. -The fool stood by his side making all the uncouth faces which he could -think of, taken, it must be confessed, most chiefly from the sour -_kill-joys_ of the time; and holding a large bundle of printed papers, -each headed by a wood-cut, he distributed them down among the people -for due consideration of pence and farthings dropped into his cap. -These papers, though ridiculous devices were prefixed to them, -contained a venom of no laughable matter, and were eagerly bought up. - -The nephew of old Daws had been at little pains to rack his invention -for the subject of these curious cuts. On one, he had engraven the -figure of a fox, vested in canonicals, with a crosier in his hand and -a mitre on his head, hanging upon a tree, with a flock of geese and -other fowl beneath chattering at him; on another, he had represented a -fox in chains, with his right paw on a bag of money, and a monkey at -prayers by his side, trying to steal it away. On the next was given -the figure of a wolf in sheep's clothing, bearing a close resemblance -to his own uncle, puffing a large fire with a pair of bellows, on -which was inscribed "Groans and sighs;" while above was depicted an -owl, with a wolf and a lamb joining in prayers. By a self-deception -not uncommon, Master Daws had not the slightest suspicion that the -said wolf bore any likeness to himself, and, to the secret diversion -of his nephew, he gave a most ghastly smile of approval as he looked -over the rude caricatures, three of which we have described. The time -was now come for directing the wayward crowd to a stronger expression -of their contempt for the church than laughter. Accordingly, the -nephew of Daws descended among them, and proposed that they should -burn a bishop's effigy before the parson's house. While the effigy was -preparing, the people stood in groups reading the papers; and sundry -charitable suggestions were made by the baser among them. "Let's get -into his cellar," said one, "and drink a little of the sacrament -wine."--"Let's lay hold of the church plate," said another:--"Or give -the parson a ride on old Bruin here," was the cruel proposal of a -third, pointing to a huge bear in a string, led by a wandering -showman. All things were soon ready; and, led by the posture master in -front, and guided behind by the mischievous nephew of Master Daws, off -the rabble moved, noisy and half drunk, and ready for all evil. They -had no sooner reached the yew-tree in the churchyard, and were -advancing towards the wicket, than out rushed an old beggar, stumping -on his wooden leg, followed by plain Peter and two more old labourers, -and immediately behind them, as if in pursuit, a fine young bull. The -old beggar, who was no other than the worn-out veteran before -mentioned, shouted, "_Mad bull!_" at the top of his voice, with an -earnestness and passion that made him at once believed; and the crowd -fled, tumbling over each other, as they ran, in inextricable -confusion: nor were they allowed time to detect the deception -practised on them; for the old soldier and plain Peter slipping behind -the frightened beast, and goading him forward, he performed his -friendly office as well as the maddest of all bulls, and very -effectually dispersed the mob, and defeated their base and cruel -intentions for that day. Master Daws, who had from his post of -observation at the window witnessed the scenes in the market-place -with the most malignant satisfaction, as soon as the crowd marched off -towards the vicarage with the effigy, and he saw the coast clear, -could not repress his curiosity, and, stealing down, followed afar off -to watch their operations. In the luckless moment of their panic and -flight, he was so terrified and puzzled, that he could not regain the -house, but ran with the crowd, and was thrown down by a pig; nor was -this the worst, for it so happened that a man, leading a monkey, fell -at the same moment, and jocko flew upon Daws and bit his right ear, -till he screamed for agony: beyond this, however, and the tearing of -his clothes, he sustained no injury. A worse fate waited the -posture-master, the bear being infuriated at the hubbub, and having -broken away from his master, seized him fiercely, and embraced him in -a hug so fatal, that it produced contortions of countenance and a -dislocation of bones very different from those he had so lately been -exhibiting, and left him a cripple for life. The warning of his -master's danger had been communicated to plain Peter, that very -morning, by the grateful old soldier, who had come to that fair with -no other intention than rendering this service, he having heard a -whisper of the intended doings in a tap at Bristol. It so chanced that -old Noble was confined to the house by a sprain of the ankle, and his -mistress was not well; so Peter kept from them all mention of these -fears. The stratagem he adopted for putting the mob to flight was -suggested by the old soldier, and cheerfully aided by a neighbouring -farmer and two of his servants. Thus was the worthy parson protected -in peace, and kept safe from the strife of tongues and the violence of -a base rabble, throughout a day that was very threatening: -unconscious himself how Daws had been undermining him, he had passed -it in a frame of mind more than usually composed. - -Daws and his nephew continued their retreat without staying to pay -their reckoning at the public-house. The greater part of the crowd, -finding themselves on the road to Axbridge, proceeded there, to make -up for their disappointment at Cheddar by a riot at that place -instead. So few, indeed, returned, after they had got beyond the reach -of danger, to find out the truth of it, and they squabbled so much -among themselves, that Master Blount and the villagers were able to -prevent further disturbance at that time. Before evening all the -strange rabble departed; and the sun set on Cheddar as tranquilly as -in happier times. - - - - -CHAP. VI. - - It's a hard fate to be slain for what a man should never - willingly fight. - RALEIGH. - - -The prediction of Juxon concerning the city of Coventry proved -correct:--not only was the disposition of the inhabitants such as he -described, but the Parliamentarians, whose vigilance and activity were -very great, sent forward a small force to assist the citizens in -defending the place,--and the King had the mortification of summoning -it in vain. The gates were shut against him, and the burghers sent out -a message of defiance. His Majesty came to Stoneleigh Abbey the same -afternoon, much dejected; and being there joined by several of the -most considerable gentlemen in the county, he decided on raising his -standard at Nottingham, which was accordingly done on the 25th of -August; but he found that place much emptier than he expected, and -learned that the army of the Parliament, composed of horse, foot, and -cannon, was at Northampton. His own few cannon and stores were, as -yet, at quarters in York; and the levy gathered immediately under his -own person was at this moment very inconsiderable. Among the -cavaliers, who had brought their contingent of horsemen for the royal -service, was Sir Charles Lambert, with young Arthur Heywood and a -small troop of stout yeomanry. The age of boyhood is so impressible, -that the mind readily admits an omen for good or for evil; and Arthur -felt, and was angry with himself for feeling, uncomfortable, because -the very first evening of its erection the royal standard was blown -down by a violent storm of wind and rain. - -A short time was now consumed in messages between the King and the two -Houses; but on neither side were the negotiations conducted in a -spirit which could issue otherwise than they did. The declaration of -the two Houses to the kingdom was a trumpet note that gave no -uncertain sound, and it was answered to by the King with a princely -courage. - -He now removed to Derby; and having clear information that Shrewsbury -was at his devotion, continued his march to that town; and, collecting -all his forces in that strong and pleasant situation, was enabled to -organise them for taking the field in security, and to keep up his -correspondence with Worcester,--a city zealously affected to the royal -cause. Soon after the King left Nottingham, the Earl of Essex marched -from Northampton with his whole army towards Worcester, and, as he -traversed Warwickshire, placed garrisons of foot both in Warwick and -Coventry. It so chanced that, by these dispositions, the regiment to -which Cuthbert belonged was stationed for a time at Warwick. - -Sir Oliver Heywood had been disappointed of his wishes by an attack of -gout so very severe, that it quite disabled him; and although he had -contrived to present himself before the King at Stoneleigh, the effort -had thrown him back, and reduced him to the helplessness of a -cripple. He was therefore compelled to forego his intention of -repairing to Nottingham and joining the levy. Under these -circumstances he was willing to remain shut up at Milverton House, and -to abide all chances and all consequences which might follow on that -course, when the army of the Parliament should enter the county. But -Juxon warmly represented to him the great imprudence of this -unnecessary risk, and advised him to seek a temporary residence in a -more protected situation. With a wise forethought he recommended -Oxford; observing that it was at present occupied for the King; and, -if his Majesty could make head against his enemies, would undoubtedly -become the royal quarters, in the event of his not being fortunate -enough to recover the capital before winter. It was true that in the -interval which must pass before the King could take the field, and -advance in strength, the University of Oxford might be exposed to a -visit of some division of the Parliamentary forces; but it was not -probable that private families lodging there without show would be -seriously molested:--whereas it was almost certain that the country -mansion of any Royalist of like consideration with himself would be -subjected to a visitation of a very insulting and rude nature. Sir -Oliver yielded to this sensible advice; and as soon as the King -quitted Nottingham he departed from Milverton. Jane and Sophia Lambert -accompanied Katharine Heywood to Oxford; and Juxon having escorted the -party on their first day's journey, took leave of them with the best -composure which he could, and, without betraying the depth and -tenderness of his solicitude by one look or tone of dejection, -returned with all speed to Old Beech. - -It was near midnight when he approached the village; and by the -obscure light of a moonless but clear sky he discerned in the lane -before him two men moving about at a point where another road crossed -it. As a gate on his right hand opened into a large field, he -dismounted, and leading in his horse, fastened it to a hedge-stake, -and stole forward softly on foot by a pathway, leading to the point -where the roads crossed. Just as he reached the spot, a disturbed -bird nestled in a bush. "Who goes there?" said a gruff voice. Juxon -remained perfectly still, and saw two sentinels, one a pikeman, and -the other a musketeer, who now ceased their pacing, and stood halted, -fronting the lane end. - -"It is nobody," replied the comrade of the soldier who had given the -challenge:--"this is the second time thou hast been fooled to-night." - -"Thou art the fool, deaf dunderhead, and wouldst not hear a troop of -horse till they were down on thee:--what dost thou know of the wars, -bumpkin? I tell thee I heard a horse at the far end of yon lane as -clear as I hear thy clapper; and there may be royal troopers closer -than we think for. Dost mind? when I fire, take to thy scrapers, and -join the post at the barn." - -"Well, call me bumpkin as you will, you may be right: I warn't -thinking about horses, nor listening, you see. Your ears are sharp -enough for both;--a plague o' the Parliament folk;--I was thinking -about them pretty bodies that wear white caps and yellow kerchiefs. I -was to ha' been wed, man, at Michaelmas, but for all this to do about -the litia: what's the King done to me?" - -"Why you talk like a fool: hold your tongue.--Who goes there?" again -roared the old musketeer,--but Juxon kept a breathless silence.--"You -talk like a fool. Pay is pay, and victuals victuals, and one side as -good as t' other; and ours will be the best for booty, man." - -"Booty! what's that?" - -"Why you must be a queer simpleton not to know: why money, and plate, -and rich gear, and wines, and grub of all sorts; all's fish that comes -to net, man: that's the best part of a soldier's life." - -"Why what's he got to do with them things, if they beynt his'n?" - -"Beynt his'n!" said the old soldier with a tone of contempt: "why make -'em his'n." - -"Why that's what I call plain picking and stealing; and it's taught in -the Catechiz that you musn't do that." - -"Ay, that's all very well for brats at a parson's village school; but -that wo'n't do for them that know better. Besides, the Catechiz, as -you call it, is no good now; it's all wrong foundation." - -"Well, while I ha' got hands to get my living I don't want gold nor -silver: I never heard one of your rich folk whistle in all my born -days; and as for your madams, why my Madge has a laughing face that -shames them. Dang it, I wish I were back with her, and you might -soldier and the Roundheads might preach long enough afore I'd come -among ye." - -"Why I don't say any thing for those fellows that pray and preach; and -sometimes I am afraid they'll stand between a good soldier and his -right, and wo'n't let him have his fair share of plunder. There's that -grave, demure leeftenant they call Cuthbert drove me and two more out -of the parson's orchard this very afternoon before I mounted duty. He -looks too sharp after other people's business, that godly rogue; and -if ever I catch him tripping in a thick smoke, I'll give him a rap on -the sconce shall make him sleep sound enough ever after." - -"Thou shalt never hurt a hair of his head while I am by," said the -rustic soldier: "he's a kind, fair-spoken gentleman as ever stepped in -shoe-leather." - -"Tut! you're both of a kidney--both fools alike--I've been throwing -away my breath on. Keep your own path, and keep moving," said the -musketeer, and resumed his own cross beat in a surly silence. - -Warned by this adventure that Parliament soldiers were quartered for -the night in Old Beech, and by the mention of Cuthbert's name, and the -anecdote connected with it, that he had a friend among the hostile -party, who would, as far as possible, protect his interests, Juxon -instantly resolved to pass round by another road, and put up at a -detached farm-house a quarter of a mile to the north of the village, -where he could gain more accurate information of their doings, and -judge how to act in the morning. He was turning about quietly, to -steal off and get back to his horse, when his attention was again -arrested by the musketeer saying suddenly and bluntly to the pikeman, -"You want to be off home, I'm sure." - -"You're right enough there, and no conjurer:--I told you so." - -"I mean, you want to desert." - -"No, I doant." - -"Yes you do, and you'll run off when the fighting comes." - -"No I wunt: there's no man shall ever say that Bob Hazel gave back in -a fair stand-up fight." - -"Well, then, you'll change your side as soon as we come near the -King's troops, and fight on the other." - -"Why for the matter o' that, I didn't choose my side, to be sure, any -more than if I had been called by him that won the toss at football; -but now I'm in for it, I'll fight it out with the best of them on my -own side." - -"That's more than I'll say," muttered the musketeer: "I'm always for -the uppermost cause and the best paymaster: after the first battle we -shall see which has the good luck." - -They were again silent, and Juxon moved away, and regaining his horse -led it round by paths and gaps well known to himself to the farm-house -above mentioned. He found the farmer out and on the watch, and his -family had not gone to bed. The information which he here obtained of -the conduct of the Parliament troops in Old Beech was very -satisfactory. They had been peaceable and orderly, and had done -violence to no man. The commanding officer, it seems, had taken up his -quarters at the rectory, and a safeguard was appointed to protect the -church from injury. It was reported that they would march forwards the -next morning, or in the course of the day. But although the Colonel -had maintained a strict control over the soldiers during the day, the -farmer was naturally afraid that in the course of the night some -evil-disposed marauders might visit the farm, and therefore all his -people kept watch. Juxon's horse was instantly put up,--and before the -large fire in the farmer's kitchen a homely but welcome supper was -cheerfully provided. Although fatigued, he was far too restless to -sleep; and when he had refreshed himself with a little food and a cup -of strong ale he went out again, and walked towards the village. In -the clear gloom of night it presented the fine outline of a -picturesque cluster of habitations, of which the principal feature was -the small church, with its ancient tower, looking black and solemn. To -the surprize, however, of Juxon, a light, the only one to be seen in -all the dark mass of buildings, gleamed steadily from the window of -his chancel. The sight attracted him; and under the impulse of -curiosity, to see what the guard might be doing, he crossed the -intervening fields, leaped over the wall of the churchyard, and gained -the window without seeing or being noticed by any one. A lamp in the -chancel had been lighted, and threw around an illumination, faint -indeed, but sufficient to show very distinctly to the eyes of Juxon -the reverend figure within. Directly opposite the window, with his -face so slightly averted towards a monument on the same side, that not -a feature nor an expression was lost, stood a tall grave person in a -clerical habit. His features were noble and sad: his eyes were very -bright, but severe withal; and his complexion was pale as marble. He -wore a small skullcap of black velvet; and beneath it his hair fell, -on either side, in a large wavy mass, and lay upon the broad white -collar that turned over his narrow and close-buttoned cassock. His -upper lip was shaded with a small quantity of the blackest hair; a -tuft of the same filled the indenture beneath his under lip, and thus -the pallor of his long thin cheeks, and of his high forehead, appeared -more deadly. His pale hand, which held a closed volume, was pressed -against his bosom; and he stood so very motionless, and so deeply -absorbed in meditation, that a less healthy fancy than that of Juxon -would have deemed him some ghostly visitant, permitted, during the -witching hour of night, to haunt that holy place. The slow heavy tread -of a man in arms, turning the distant corner of the church, warned -Juxon to conceal himself; and passing quickly round under the altar -window to the other side, he came to the small door of the chancel. It -stood ajar; and pushing it gently, he entered, and again closing it, -found himself in the presence of the venerable stranger, and alone -with him. He turned at the sound of Juxon's entrance without -abruptness or discomposure; but as the light showed him an unknown -face, and an athletic form in garments dusty with travel, he demanded -of him in a tone of authority how he had come thither, and what was -his business. - -"But yesterday," said Juxon, "I might have asked that question of -thee: but a day has brought forth a sudden change; and the shepherd -must enter his own fold by stealth, or with the permission of others." - -"I understand thee. Thou art the minister of this place: thou hast -nothing to fear: I have watched in thy sanctuary, and no one has -violated or defiled it. You may go home to your own chamber in peace: -it was allotted as my quarter by the commander of this band, but I -resolved to keep a vigil here, and would continue it alone. Go, and -God speed thee. We shall march in the morning; and I pray that you may -be kept safe in all future visitations." - -"March!--have I heard aright? Does such an one as you march in the -ranks of rebels? Does a minister of the Gospel preach war, and that -against the Lord's anointed?" - -"Against the person of the King we do not war: we fight against his -false and dangerous friends. The sword of the Lord is with us, and it -must go through the land; but we march as mourners to the field of -blood. Witness these walls that have heard my groanings, yon tomb that -has been watered by my tears. In that tomb lie the ashes of my -grandfather, who was the first Protestant of his race. The -Reformation, begun by the godly men of that day, has never yet been -completed: that work remains for us." - -"Miserable delusion!" cried Juxon aloud; "miserable delusion! Is it by -kindling and diffusing the false fire of fanaticism? is it in arms? is -it by a path of blood that you move? Then is your work a work of evil, -and your light darkness." - -"So called they the work and the light of our forefathers, when they -led them forth, and burned them at the stake. You have a zeal for the -church, but not according to knowledge. I have heard of you from your -friend Cuthbert Noble." - -"Call him not friend of mine: give to all things their right names. He -that stands in arms against his king is a traitor; and if he had lain -in my heart's core, I would pluck him out, and cast him from me." - -At this moment, a man in arms entered the small door of the chancel, -and taking off his steel cap, advanced towards Juxon, and put forth -his hand:--it was Cuthbert Noble. He was much altered in his -appearance: his countenance was severe and sad, but resolute withal; -and his corslet, with the broad buff girdle beneath, had produced a -change in his aspect and bearing incredible to the mind of Juxon, if -he had not witnessed it with his eyes. - -"Do you refuse my hand? do you turn away from me, Juxon? I have not -deserved this at your hands," said Cuthbert, still stretching forth -his hand. Juxon turned his face and looked steadfastly upon him. - -"Cuthbert," said he with a slow, grave utterance, "I and your revered -father are upon the same side, and we fill the same sacred office. -Even now, perhaps, his fold is broken into by some furious zealots, -who will not show the same lingering compunction which is now, for a -moment, sparing mine. No, Cuthbert, the hand that grasps a sword, and -wields it against my king, shall never more be clasped with -friendliness by me." - -Cuthbert's hand fell down, and his knees shook, and his whole frame -trembled with the strength of his emotion. - -"Dare to repent," added Juxon, observing the internal struggle,--"dare -to repent. Here in the house of God, and before the altar of God, lay -down the arms of rebellion, and go home to comfort, and, if possible, -to protect, your father and mother." - -What effect this appeal might have had upon Cuthbert had he been alone -with Juxon, and subjected to all the strength with which it would have -been urged home upon him, we cannot say; for it was no sooner spoken, -than the Puritan chaplain fell upon his knees, and poured forth a -prayer for the cause of the Parliament, which, by its solemn tone and -intense fervency, commanded the silent and breathless attention of -both. It was evident that this petitioner, with an enthusiasm that has -been felt perhaps in common by some of every creed and party under the -cope of heaven, identified the particular cause which he himself had -espoused with that of truth and of God. Before he had uttered the -first brief sentence of adoration, Cuthbert had fallen down in a lowly -posture of worship,--and his spirit was soon carried by his leader in -prayer whithersoever he would. - -Juxon leaned his head against the wall where he stood, and kept his -eyes fixed on them. He had before him one of those rarely endowed -beings on whom gifts without measure had been poured:--for a quarter -of an hour he listened, with a painful and solemn interest, to a flow -of real eloquence. The petitions touched in succession every point at -issue. They justified, as by divine command, the appeal to arms, and -proclaimed the end thereof to be reformation and peace. They -recognised the sacredness of the King's anointed head; and they ended -in a prophetic anticipation of the days of millennial glory, and the -universal reign of a manifested God. - -In the course of the prayer he had not forgotten to pray for all -mankind, and especially for all those enemies who now stood opposed to -them in the present contest, and again in a yet more especial manner -for the near and dear relations, whose wishes and entreaties they were -now called on to resist, and whose hearts they might now afflict. -Painting this resistance most truly, as the highest order of -self-denial, he urged it as a sacred duty, and a sacrifice well -pleasing to the Lord. - -Juxon saw by the expression of Cuthbert's mouth the new and stronger -resolutions he was making;--nor did it surprise him to see that, when -they rose together at the conclusion of this fervent prayer, the -chaplain took Cuthbert by the hand, that was passively yielded, and -led him forth from the church without either of them addressing one -word to himself. They looked at him, indeed, with seriousness, if not -with compassion, and they moved their lips, but the whispered -ejaculations of their hearts had no voice; and their departing -footsteps were the only sounds that broke the silence of the place and -of the hour. - - - - -CHAP. VII. - - Thy friend put in thy bosom: wear his eyes, - Still in thy heart, that he may see what's there. - HERBERT. - - -By the care of Juxon, who had written to an old college servant of -Christ-church, a lodging was provided for Sir Oliver Heywood and his -party in a retired street at Oxford; and, having accomplished their -journey without any accident, they took possession of their new abode -early in September. The house though small was clean, and by no means -incommodious; but a part of it was already in the occupation of -another lodger. However, he was a quiet man, and was employed all day -in his labours, as a painter of coloured glass, having been engaged to -execute the windows of a chapel then building at University College. -Moreover, he was a Fleming, and spoke English so imperfectly that he -could not understand what was said to him, except on the most common -and necessary matters. But Sir Oliver, who suffered great pain with -his gout, and was really mortified at not being able to join the army, -began to show a fretfulness and discontent at his position, very -trying to Katharine and all about him. He was perpetually finding -fault with every thing, and every person; and his anger at the -language of alarm and doubt, which he found prevalent at Oxford, knew -no bounds. The secret of all this peevishness lay deeper than his -gouty sufferings; for, upon the very day of his arrival, he read in -"The Perfect Diurnall" that two squadrons of horse under Sergeant -Major Francis Heywood had joined the head quarters of the Lord Say, -who was the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, and stoutly opposed to the -King. Nor was this the simple announcement; but the news went on to -say, that these horsemen were well accoutred, and disciplined very -exactly under the training of Sergeant Major Heywood, a soldier of -excellent promise, who had served under the great Gustavus, and was -nearly allied to Sir Oliver Heywood of Milverton House, Warwickshire. -The old gentleman cursed and swore heartily when he first read this -aloud to Katharine and the Lamberts, but he never afterwards named the -subject or Francis; however, the thought lay rankling under every -expression of anger which daily events drew forth. - -The cloisters and the groves on the banks of the Isis were no longer -the solemn and silent haunts of peaceful, meditative scholars,--they -now echoed to the harsh beating of drums; and the young students, -instead of pacing slowly in their black academic habits, were dressed -in the garb of soldiers, with blue scarfs suspended across their -bodies from the shoulder, and with pikes in their hands. At a -convocation held in July the University had, with one consent, voted -his Majesty all the public money which they had in hand; and, besides -this, several of the colleges, as well as private persons, sent in -their plate and their ready money also. This act of the convocation, -however, was immediately pronounced null and void by Parliament; and -any such actions were forbidden for the future. This proclamation -pronounced those criminal who had been concerned in advising this -diversion of the treasures of their colleges, and commanded each -society to secure its own. It also ordered that the Dean of -Christ-church, the President of Magdalen, and the Provost of Queen's, -who had been most active in this matter, should be seized and brought -to the bar of the House to answer for their conduct. But this could -not be accomplished, because the High Sheriff and the Mayor of Oxford, -acting upon the commission of array, had called out the train bands of -the city, and the scholars had taken arms. To support this show of -resistance, Sir John Biron marched to Oxford, and took possession of -it for the King. Sir John had with him about five hundred horse; and -thus he secured the contributions for the King's service, and was -enabled, though compelled soon afterwards to retire from the city, to -carry a considerable portion of it safe to the royal quarters. It was -during the period that Oxford was thus held for the King that Sir -Oliver and his family came there to reside. They were visited by -several of the stanch Royalists and their ladies: these visitors -consisted for the most part of the troubled and alarmed clergy, who -were connected by office with the University. To some of their wives -it was a delight to have a new family into whose ears they might pour -all the bitter scandals against the Nonconformists, and others of the -Parliament party, which they eagerly collected and minutely detailed. -Nor was there any deficiency in spirit; for some of them went so far -as to declare that, happen what might, nothing should make them stir -from their own houses; that their husbands might run away if they -pleased; but no canting Roundheads should ever eject them from their -own arm chairs; and generally concluded by observing, that if their -husbands were not such a poor set of creatures, they would drive the -odious Lord Say out of the county; and that, as it was, there was no -chance whatever of his getting into the city. Then they reckoned upon -their fingers,--the five hundred men of Sir John Biron, and the four -hundred pikes of the train bands, and the two hundred scholars with -pikes, and the fifty doctors and masters of arts that had horses and -pistols, and spirit to use them. Mrs. Veal, the lady of a doctor of -Christ-church, was the most eloquent in these invectives, and the most -exact in these calculations; and, to her honour be it spoken, she kept -her word; and when the day of trial came, and Oxford was abandoned to -the Parliamentarians, she would not accompany her husband, but -remained obstinately fixed in her own arm-chair, and most successfully -defended her house with a scolding tongue. - -Amid all these bitter and uncongenial elements Katharine Heywood was -perplexed and troubled, and found little rest for her spirit, save -that which passeth man's understanding, and that which she found in -the affectionate friendship of Jane Lambert. Nothing more cruelly -jarred her feelings than the language in which, by common consent, -almost all around her seemed to talk of the Parliamentarians. Her own -loyalty was firm and pure, but it was of an exalted character; and -under no circumstances could it have stooped to so low a hatred of the -persons, or to so mean an opinion of the motives, of the King's -enemies, as that generally entertained and daily expressed before her. -She did every thing which it was in the power of a daughter to do for -the comfort and tranquillity of her father, but her efforts were not -very successful. - -As soon as it became known that the Lord Say was advancing upon Oxford -with superior forces, and that Sir John Biron was about to retire upon -Worcester, nothing would pacify Sir Oliver but an endeavour to -accompany that movement. However, the means of conveyance were not to -be obtained for money, and he was compelled to remain where he was. - -On the morning of the 14th of September the greatest possible -consternation prevailed in the city; and early in the forenoon a -strong body of horse, headed by the Lord Say, marched into the -University. His first act was to cause all the colleges to be strictly -searched for plate and arms, and to secure whatever plate had not -been hidden, or despatched under escort of Sir John Biron. He also -broke into their treasuries, but found little in them, save in that of -Christ-church, where, after a day's labour, and breaking through a -plastered wall to an iron chest, he discovered in the bottom thereof a -groat and a halter;--a pleasant surprize for a man of his morose -temper, and provided for him by the wit of the doctor's lady who has -been mentioned above. - -It was not till late in the evening of the 14th that Sir Oliver and -his daughter got any distinct information of what was passing. Their -street was retired; not a soldier entered it; nor a sound, save that -of trumpets from the market-place, reached their anxious ears. The -worthy knight forbade Katharine and Jane to leave the house, and old -Philip the butler was not at all inclined to volunteer any inquiries. -But the Flemish painter had been absent from a very early hour; on -which account Sir Oliver charitably pronounced him a Dutch -Presbyterian rascal, who had been acting as a spy for the Roundheads. -It was in vain that Katharine observed that he was an artist employed -by a college upon its chapel windows: the knight pronounced him a -foreign scoundrel, gone to join in the plunder. Towards evening the -painter returned, and came to their apartment, to tell them in his -broken stammering language, with tears in his eyes, that a fine young -officer, who spoke Dutch, had saved all his painted glass from being -broken, and had put a safeguard at all the chapels. - -The officer of whom the painter related this was no other than Francis -Heywood. The throb of Katharine's heart told her so at the instant, -but it was confirmed to her afterwards. - -It was the habit of Katharine and Jane to walk daily in the afternoon -in the fair meadows on the banks of the river to which they had quick -and easy access, from the retired quarter in which they dwelt, without -passing through any of the more public streets of the town. - -Their friendship had strengthened under all the adverse and anxious -circumstances of the times; and the piety of Jane had become so -deepened by her constant intercourse with Katharine that their -spirits held communion together in these walks, whether they conversed -or were silent. - -The arrival of the Parliamentarians put a stop to these rambles for -the first few days after they took possession of the city; but, by the -strictness of their discipline and the quietness of their behaviour -towards the citizens of the place, confidence was soon restored, and -the people went about the streets and ventured into the neighbouring -fields as usual. - -It was on a fine glowing afternoon, about a week after the entrance of -Lord Say's horsemen, that Katharine and Jane went forth together to -their favourite meadow. The sun had such power, that, instead of -keeping the open and more public path, they confined themselves to a -short and shady promenade beneath a few stately trees on the margin of -the river. No one chanced to be in the meadow but themselves: the -glorious hues of autumn were already beginning to tinge the tops of -trees, and the hedge rows were blushing with bird fruit. In the -distance, too, on the low hills, the naked and yellow stubble of the -corn fields told that the harvest was ended, and the season of the -last fruits was come. The friends were carrying forward their hopes -and fears as to the future, and were comforting themselves with the -vain hope that, even yet, before the fall of the leaf, some change for -the better might come. - -It was rumoured that, through the Lord Falkland, who was highly -considered by many of the Parliamentary leaders, and who was known to -be a Royalist far too generous and right minded to wish well to -despotic government, expectations of a reconciliation between the King -and his Commons were yet entertained. But Katharine, though she wished -not to depress her more sanguine friend, could not but fear that these -rumours of peace were begotten rather of the wishes of those who -uttered them than of their judgment: that too many resolute men were -on horseback and in arms; and that they would assuredly draw the sword -and try the issues of battle. As thus they walked together, softened -by the repose and beauty of the scene around, Jane ventured upon a -theme which seldom or ever passed her lips. She spoke of love, and of -its many crosses; but withal that better it was to love, though life -were passed separated from the object of it, than not to feel so sweet -an influence. - -"It is true, Jane," said Katharine mournfully, "it is most true; yet -misplaced affections do greatly wear the spirit." - -"You do not mean misplaced, dear cousin, surely; but fixed hopelessly -on one most worthy of our love. Such is your destiny, for Francis is a -noble being. You never told me of the first growth of your attachment: -how did it first spring? what moved you? did he woo you? Love, they -say, does ever beget love; but yet, methinks, nothing of outward show -or manliest beauty, no mere words of admiration, would have availed to -fix any man firmly in a heart like yours." - -"Albeit the subject pains me, I will tell thee, Jane. Yes, he is -worthy of a woman's love. From his first youth he has been, as thou -knowest well, a soldier. It was his father's pride to see him, when -but a stripling, not so tall as the boy Arthur, intrusted with a -standard in the day of battle. In his first field, a bullet struck him -down upon his knees; still, with uplifted arms, he waved his ensign, -and strove to keep his place in the close ranks, till faint with pain -he fell: but, even then, he grasped the colour staff so firmly, that a -stout lieutenant, who, for its safety, took it from him, was forced to -bruise his boyish hands ere they would let go their sacred charge. On -the morrow, as he lay upon his bloody straw in the field hospital, the -great Gustavus gave him the Iron Cross of Honour, and with it a -commission in his guard of horse,--rewards for this first proof of -constancy. - -"This, at our table, his father did relate with such a pride as doth -become a parent. Francis the while coloured a little, and looked down -for modesty, but said nothing. I felt hot tears upon my cheek; and -when they drank his health, and I did pledge him, he saw those tears. -Such was the birth of our attachment; and kind words, and gentle -actions, and books, and music, and many things, did feed it, till it -grew to love; and then came trouble. Thou knowest well the bitter feud -that blazed forth suddenly between our fathers. The quarrel was of -public matters; for my father never knew nor even guessed our love. -'Tis long, long past that blissful season: let's talk of it no more." - -"Thank you, dear Katharine," said Jane, with swimming eyes and -faltering tongue; "I feel for you. I love you so, it was but right to -tell me this. You wish for silence; be it so: for the world I would -not pain you." Their conversation dropped, and they gave themselves to -the grave thoughts it had called up. - -It had been late in the afternoon before they came out: evening drew -on; and the sun was setting in a fine autumnal sky, when they were -surprised by the sound of approaching voices: as they became more -distinct, Jane observed that they must proceed from some persons on -the river or on the opposite bank. They went to a tree near the water, -and there, concealed by the overhanging branches, they saw a small -boat dropping down the stream, and gliding to the very bank on which -they stood. It came close, but neither of the persons in it stepped -ashore: they continued talking in a foreign language, and comparing a -distant outline of ground with papers which they held in their hands. -Their backs were towards Katharine and Jane; but these almost -immediately recognised one as the Flemish painter, who lodged in the -same house with them, the other was a tall stately man in a helmet and -a buff war coat, with an orange scarf depending from his right -shoulder. The heart of Katharine throbbed violently. Under the -disguise of a foreign tongue, she was not certain about the voice; but -she thought it was that of Francis. He lifted his helmet from his -head, and turned to catch the evening breeze. It was her cousin. Her -cheek became deadly pale: she trembled excessively, and caught at the -trunk of the tree for support. A sudden exclamation from Jane Lambert -gave alarm. Francis sprang instantly to the shore, eager to quiet any -fears which he might innocently have caused. Nor was the surprise -greater to them than to himself, when he saw Katharine Heywood and -Jane Lambert before him. - - - - -CHAP. VIII. - - My true love hath my heart, and I have his. - SIDNEY. - - -When the painter, who followed Francis Heywood from the boat, saw the -affecting situation of the parties, and discerned clearly, at a -glance, that they were not only well acquainted with each other, but -apparently suffering from very deep and embarrassing emotions, he -withdrew. There was a something in this meeting of Francis and -Katharine, under present circumstances, so mournful, that Jane -Lambert, from a sympathy with their sacred feelings, walked to a short -distance from the spot, and left them together. They stood alone; they -were both pale; both trembling; the greeting of the embrace, and the -utterance of each other's names, had already passed in the presence of -Jane. Silence was first broken by Francis. "I bless the leading of my -better angel for bringing me here this evening. Oh, Katharine, how I -have longed for an interview with you: that blessing is come; it is a -boon of Providence; we meet again: once more I have heard your lips -pronounce my name; once more I gaze upon the living form which has -dwelt with me as a bright shadow; the comfort of my wanderings and -toils; the cherished idol of my lonesome hours; the household image -that gladdened my solitary lodging. Nay, do not seek to silence me; do -not avert your eyes from me; let not displeasure cloud your glorious -brow. I have loved you long, faithfully, and well. I hail this meeting -as an omen of Heaven's favour: the hour will come that I may dare ask -thee of thy father without shame or fear." - -"Francis, that hour will never come; it was an unhappy hour in which -we first became acquainted." - -"Oh, say not so: from that sweet hour I date a happiness that cannot -die: why look so grave upon me? You cannot quench my love:--it grew as -does the flower which with a constancy looks ever to the sun. Thou -art a sun to me; and till I am cut down by the swift scythe of war, or -wither in decay, thus will it ever be." - -"Oh, Francis, who hath bewitched you? Why did you return to England? -Why did you leave the green savannas of the New World, and your pure -and peaceful labours, for scenes of strife and of rebellion? -Away--afar--separated from me by the stormy ocean--and too painfully -conscious myself that the course of our true love never could run -smooth--I had a comfort in your absence. We are divided in time, was -my thought--but not for ever. There is a high and distant region, -where we may meet again to part no more;--but now, Francis--it is not -too late--put off these arms--return to America. Here, now, let us -take our last and long farewell. Return to your father, and give me -back the happiness of knowing that he who loves me may be, without a -crime, beloved again. Yes--I have loved you well. I have known that -our union was impossible:--to honour a parent's will is the duty of a -child. But hear me, Francis:--if all such obstacles were by some magic -power removed,--if fortune crowned you with all those gifts of wealth -and station, which so generally secure the consent of fathers and the -approval of the world,--never would I accept the hand of that man, who -had raised his sword against his king." - -While Katharine was delivering this earnest, fond remonstrance, with -all the tenderness of a woman, but with a tone of decision towards the -close at once solemn and mournful, Francis stood pale and attentive, -with eyes that regarded her countenance admiringly. He remained silent -for more than a minute after she had ceased from speaking, as if -waiting to hear more; then coming closer to her, he took her hand, -gazed on her with intense affection, and slowly answered,-- - -"With due deliberation of my deed, I took commission of the -Parliament, and swore the oath prescribed; and I will keep it, -Katharine, as a soldier should. You live at home, as women use to do, -and therefore cannot know the truth of this great nation's quarrel -with its king. Spirits there are in this bad world, to whom their own -security and peace bring no content, while any are debarred a common -right. Such lead the people now; such, standing up in arms, demand for -all, true liberty--and I am with them. The anointed head of England's -king is to me, as to you, sacred, and I would defend it from the -swords of my own squadrons should any dare to threaten it. You have -none near you, my beloved Katharine, to show you things in their true -colours, and your gentle and pious fear of evil misleads your better -judgment." - -"Francis, I thank God I live apart from the great world, and hear but -little of their teaching; but this I know, nations are families, and -he that slays his brother in any quarrel commits a sin, and he that -puts forth his hand against a nation's father is tempted to a crime so -like to parricide, that the laws do visit treason with the same -punishment. I'll pray for thee, cousin,--pray that some power divine -may turn thy deceived heart,--may touch it with the spirit of peace, -and love, and holy fear. Lay not the flattering unction to your soul, -that the cause of true religion, or of true liberty, can be promoted -by the sword of rebellion. It will turn into your own generous bosom -hereafter, and pierce you through with sorrows." - -"Well, Katharine, a nation is a family; but if some of the children do -poison a father's mind against others, and these last rise up to -punish their treachery, at whose door lieth the sin?" - -"My heart is too heavy, Francis, to deal with you in argument. Sure I -am, that you feel persuaded in your own mind of the truth of that view -which lures you on to misery. Oh, that I could move thee. Francis, -from the tender age at which I kneeled upon a mother's lap, and lisped -my infant prayer, I was taught to love and to reverence the church in -which I was baptized; to worship in her courts; to kneel before her -altars; and now I may not see her in the dust without a pang." - -"Katharine, I would sooner this arm should rot than that it should -violate a church, or desecrate one pillar of the temple; but all that -are called Israel are not Israel. There are unseemly spots upon the -raiment of the King's daughter. She will come forth more glorious for -purification. Fear not, my gentle cousin, fear not, all will yet be -well." - -"Not so--not so; my heart more truly tells some fatal end. What scarf -is that upon thy shoulder? Where is thy king? Doth not his sacred head -even now pillow upon thorns? His throne! his crown! where are they? by -whom assailed? by whom defended?" - -"The true enemies of the King, the true foes of the church, are -gathered about the royal person; have poisoned his ear; have turned -the generous blood of a princely heart to the black and bitter stream -that swells the veins of tyrants. The best friends both of the church -and of the King march to free them and to reinstate them in the love -of all the people." - -"Oh, that it were so, Francis--were truly so! Is Falkland in your -ranks? Oh, that I had a tongue of persuasion to win you back again! -Oh, that you were riding among your king's defenders!" - -"Katharine, by the sweet sacredness of my deep and constant love for -you, ask me not that which I could never do with honour. Beneath the -cope of heaven there walks no being whose wish is such a law to me as -thine. My services are pledged--my colours chosen. My heart is in the -cause. If thou couldst give to me thy precious self in marriage, as -the mighty price of my desertion, I were unworthy of thee--we should -be unworthy of each other. Our fall would be beyond the common lapse -of false mankind. Even in our wedding garments our love would die." - -"Lord of my constant heart, forget my words:--I know not what they -meant--I know not how I spake them. Sorrow, and fear, and love, and -dark forebodings, do half bewilder me. I would not have thee other -than thou art in any thing. Thy heart is no traitor's heart. Delusion, -bright as is the garment of an archangel, goes before thee; and in -Heaven's chosen squadrons you shall be one day marshalled. Whene'er -thou fallest in the battle, I shall know it:--the stars will tell it -me: Francis, thou wilt be taken away from me,--I know it:--a presage -dark and cold overshadows me." - -"Nay, love, that fear is idle; 'tis a passing weakness. Nor time, nor -space, nor life, nor death, can e'er divide our loves. In all I think, -in all I do, you are present with me. Spirits are not confined:--in -lonely forest haunts, across the wide Atlantic, I have had thee with -me, Katharine, _visibly with me_; and I do know by the mysterious -sympathy between us, that thou hast seen me sit with thee, beneath thy -favourite cedar, when ocean rolled between us. This is the high and -glorious privilege of love like ours. Come to my heart:--be folded -there in one such fond embrace as may live in memory's cup to be a -daily nectar." He pressed her majestic form to his manly breast, and -bowed his head upon her shoulder. Just then a trumpet sounded from the -city. He strained her yet closer to his heart, then cast his eyes -around with eager glance, and made signal with his hand till Jane -observed him and came up:--to her he passed his pale and silent charge -with soft and reverent action, and, with the quick farewell of -soldiers' partings, broke suddenly away. - - - - -CHAP. IX. - - He calls us rebels, traitors; and will scourge with haughty - arms this hateful name in us. - _Henry IV._ - - -On the cold foggy evening of October the 22d, 1642, the brigade of -foot to which the regiment of Cuthbert Noble belonged took up its -ground for the night in an open field to the north of the village of -Keinton, in which the Earl of Essex fixed his head-quarters. The -armies of the King and the Parliament had been several days on the -march, both moving in the same direction, on lines of route some -twenty miles asunder. Both the King and Essex were well resolved to -fight a battle when the fit opportunity should offer; and it was the -common talk of the soldiers on both sides that they should soon come -to blows. Nevertheless, there was little thought in either camp that -they were on the very eve of an engagement, or, indeed, that the main -bodies lay so convenient to each other as to fight on the morrow. As -soon as the guards were posted, the pikemen and musketeers of -Maxwell's regiment piled their arms in ranks, and were allowed to make -such fires as they could. The country being open, and bare of wood, -these fires were comfortless and short lived. By a flickering flame, -fed with the small wood of the few bushes that grew near, Cuthbert -Noble and Randal ate a slender supper of dry bread and salt herring, -which they washed down with a weak draught of cold mixture, but -faintly tinged with strong waters. "The Saxons," said Randal, who was -a very hardy man, "call this month the wine month, or _Wyn Monath_; -certainly there must have been milder seasons in England formerly than -we experience now; for it is impossible to fancy a vintage during such -sharp frosts as these."--"Yes," said Cuthbert, "yes." Randal smiled at -a reply which bespoke inattention and discomposure, then added, -"Master Cuthbert, I counted on seeing you a little proud of your -first night in camp: we must all endure hardness as good soldiers." - -"True," answered Cuthbert, recovering himself: "what is a little cold -and a little hunger compared to what thousands of Christian men have -in all ages endured, and do in all ages endure for the truth? It is a -great cause--a holy cause. I was only thinking at the moment that it -is a pity we had not taken a little better care of our bread and of -that bottle of strong waters: there is a loaf missing, and the bottle -is almost empty. But what petty trifles these are; how much below the -dignity of our nature: you are right, Randal; I am, and I ought to be, -happy; see how comfortable the Colonel has made himself;" so saying, -he pointed to where Maxwell sat, near the only good fire on the -ground, with a few officers round him. He was enveloped in a large -cloak,--a fur cap was drawn over his ears,--he was leaning with his -back against a pack-saddle; and as the smoke of his pipe issued in -warm clouds from his mouth he looked as much at his ease as if seated -in a chimney corner by the brightest fireside in the kingdom. - -"Ay," said Randal, "he is an old campaigner, and use is second nature; -for myself, as long as I am warmly clad, for no other comfort do I -care: I hate a pipe, and am not fond of a fire." Now Randal was -wrapped up in an outer coat of the thickest woollen; and Cuthbert -himself, being also clothed in a large warm mantle, checked his -disposition to complain, and, after a little conversation of a better -kind, they both composed themselves to sleep. About two or three hours -after he had lain down he was awakened by a sensation of extreme cold. -He instantly discovered the cause: his mantle had been stripped off, -and he was left without any other covering than the clothes in which -he stood. Most of the camp fires were already extinguished, or only -emitted a very faint light from the expiring embers. The stars in the -deep blue sky above shone with the most vivid lustre: the fog had -disappeared; and through the clear gloom of night he could see -outlines of the piles of arms and of the groups of sleeping soldiers. -Immediately near him lay Randal in a profound sleep: lifting a -half-burned brand, he saw by the light which it gave as he waved it -around that the mantle was nowhere near the spot. He went among the -groups which were not far off to search for it; but the growl and the -curse of a brawny pikeman, over whom he chanced to stumble, deterred -him from his pursuit; and he had no other resource than to pace up and -down in a vacant space of ground, that he might keep himself warm by -exertion. In vain he tried to raise his mind to heavenly -contemplations; in vain he sought to warm his zeal by picturing the -sad and severe sublimities of battle and of victory; and the price of -blood which he might soon be called upon, and which he was ready to -pay, for the triumph of his cause. For great sacrifices he was eager; -for petty troubles he was wholly unprepared; therefore the night wore -away in coldness and discontent. - -Just as the day was breaking, he observed a man, in the garb of a -Puritan, riding leisurely along the lines, and apparently taking a -very particular notice of the position and number of the troops. What -it was in the manner of the man that awakened the suspicions of -Cuthbert is uncertain, but he felt impelled to go closer, and examine -him. Accordingly, he crossed towards the quarter-guard, where he -observed him stop and enter into conversation with the sergeant. The -man's back was towards Cuthbert,--thus he was able to approach the -quarter-guard without being perceived by the stranger. No sooner did -Cuthbert catch the tone of his voice than he immediately recognised it -to be that of the roguish hypocrite who had slept in the same chamber -with him at the inn in Aylesbury, two years before, and had stolen his -purse and the horse lent him by Sir Oliver Heywood. The knave, not -recollecting Cuthbert in his new dress, continued to pursue his -inquiries after he came up in the same canting phraseology, and even -addressed some questions to Cuthbert himself; but the latter, -suddenly seizing the bridle of his beast, directed the sergeant to -pull him out of his saddle, which was instantly and adroitly done, and -gave him in charge as a thief and a horse-stealer, and on suspicion of -being a spy. The wretch was so panic-stricken that he made no effort -to conceal or destroy any of the proofs which were found upon him, -when they proceeded to search his person. These papers consisted of a -letter to Prince Rupert--another, without a signature, saying that two -squadrons of the Parliamentarian horse were prepared to desert as soon -as the armies met--and a third, containing an accurate return of the -strength of Essex's main body, and an estimate of the numbers left -behind in garrisons, and on other duties. He was taken before Colonel -Maxwell; by him sent forthwith to the Earl of Essex, who, having -gotten all the information which the confused hypocrite could give, -directed him to be hanged in front of the lines, before the troops -marched. The rogue died like a dog and a dastard, imploring mercy with -loud and feverish howls, till, the noose being fastened tight about -his neck, and made secure to a strong branch on the only tree near -the camp, the forage cart, on which he had been dragged beneath it, -was driven away, and he suddenly fell, and swung slowly to and fro -before the silent and stern battalions which were assembled upon the -ground in arms. - -Such was the Sabbath morning of October the 23d,--far different in -prospect and in promise from those of his youthful days at Cheddar. -The distant sound of trumpets told that the divisions of horse were -already in motion; the drums beat; many a shrill fife pierced the ear; -and the columns of foot slowly followed. The army had scarcely -advanced a mile before the troops were halted; and they could all -distinctly see a fair body of horse on the top of a high level, called -Edge Hill, not more than a good mile in front. At the same moment, the -Earl of Essex rode past Maxwell's regiment, and said, in the hearing -of Cuthbert,-- - -"Maxwell, I shall give you plenty of work to-day, for I know I may -reckon on your regiment safely." - -"My Lord, we're all ready and willing," was the Colonel's brief reply. - -The order now came for drawing up the army in order of battle. Near -Keinton, on the right, were some hedges and enclosures: among these -were placed the musketeers and pikemen; and one of the most important -posts was assigned to the regiment in which Cuthbert served. There -were not above two regiments of horse in this wing, where the ground -was narrowest; but in the left wing was placed a thousand horse under -Ramsey. The reserve of horse was commanded by the Earl of Bedford, -assisted by Sir William Balfour: between the Parliamentarians and the -royal position, on Edge Hill, it was a fair open country. Essex having -thus chosen his ground, stood still in a defensive posture, and -directed three cannon to be discharged as a defiance and a challenge -to the royal army: they answered readily on their part with two shot -from a battery of field guns on the brow of their position. However, -many of their foot regiments were quartered seven or eight miles from -the main body, and had that distance to march to the rendezvous. It -was past one of the clock before the King's forces marched down the -hill, with the King's standard waving in the centre of his regiment of -guards. They made a very fine and gallant appearance, especially their -horse. Their trumpets sounded out in the distance, very grand to hear, -and those upon Essex's left wing sounded also. It was a glorious sight -to see the royal forces move steadily on, in two lines, with bodies of -reserve. They numbered not less than eighteen thousand men, and the -army of Essex was very little superior in strength; for two of his -best regiments of foot, and one of his horse regiments, were a day's -march behind him. However, the Parliament soldiers were no less ready -for the fray than their eager adversaries. - -During the solemn pause before the battle, while the hosts were -drawing up face to face, and the dispositions for the attack were -completing, Cuthbert felt an unaccountable sadness on his spirits. He -could well imagine, from all that he heard and saw, that the feelings -of a true soldier, standing opposite an army of hostile invaders, and -about to fight for the altars and the hearths of his native land, must -be of a most exalted and enviable description,--but how different were -his. The royal standard of England was floating in the adverse line, -and English voices were marshalling it for the onset: his own pupil, -young Arthur Heywood, was riding in those ranks. - -"Remember, men," said the commanding voice of Maxwell, "to be silent -and steady: wait for the order: reserve your fire to the last moment, -musketeers; and keep your ranks, pikemen, when it comes to the push. -By God's help, we'll drive them up that hill in worse order than they -are coming down." - -In another minute there broke a sudden flash from the enemy's line: -close followed the white smoke and the thundering echo; and, by the -very side of Cuthbert, a sergeant was struck down dead. - -"Pick up Sergeant Bond's partisan," said the sergeant-major of the -regiment as he was passing by: "pick it up, you Tibbs," he repeated, -in a sharp cold tone, to a supernumerary sergeant attached to the same -company, and who had only a sword. - -"Is this the glorious battle death?" said Cuthbert to himself,--but he -had no leisure for thought: the roar of shotted guns began on both -sides, and the battle fiercely opened. The musketeers of the regiment -were thrown out towards a hedge, a little in front of the ground -occupied by the pikemen; and a canopy of smoke soon rose above them -all, veiling the golden sun and the blue heavens, and giving to all -the forms and faces of those around, whether friends or foes, a -shadowy indistinctness. - -In the midst of all this apparent confusion, governing commands were -given by beat of drum, or by the swift and intelligent service of -chosen aides, or by the personal presence and loud voice, at the -particular point were they were needed, of Essex himself, who -commanded and fought with his foot throughout the day. Captain -Ruddiman, who commanded the company of pikemen to which Cuthbert -belonged, did not appear to relish the cannon balls; feeling very -naturally, that however ready and able to encounter the Royalists at -close quarters, there was no mode of guarding against a round iron -shot; nor was he much better pleased with the spitting and whistling -of musket-balls. However, being a very brave man, he stood them all as -steady as a signpost, and rebuked Lieutenant Sippets for bobbing up -and down in a very unsoldier-like fashion. Meanwhile Cuthbert was -expressly called by Maxwell to go to the front, and take charge of a -company of musketeers, the officers of which were all killed or -wounded. He ran eagerly forward and was soon hotly engaged; but the -royal dragoons coming up to the support of their foot, and both -forcing their way on with ardour, the musketeers were withdrawn by -Maxwell behind the reserve of pikemen; and these moving up in good and -compact order soon came to a gallant push of pike, and drove back the -enemy with severe loss; at the same time the musketeers stoutly -supported the push of pike with their clubbed muskets, and made a -bloody carnage in the royal ranks. In this mêlée Cuthbert owed his -life to that expertness at the sword exercise for which he was -indebted to the lessons of George Juxon; for by a dexterous parry he -beat off the assault of a stout Royalist officer, who ran at him as he -was grasping at a colour, the bearer of which had stumbled, and, -killing him by a home thrust through the body, succeeded in taking the -colour. - -In the pause which followed on the repulse of this attack Cuthbert -received the high praise of Maxwell, and the honest congratulations of -Captain Ruddiman, who, at close quarters, had himself done good -service among the Royalists, making not a few bite the dust beneath -the blows of a heavy poll-axe which he had found upon the field. Both -parties now for awhile took wind and breath; but soon again the horse -of Essex's right wing was led by Sir William Balfour against the point -of the King's left. Their squadrons passed the flank of Maxwell's -regiment, as they advanced at a walk to take their ground before they -formed up for the charge; and Francis Heywood, already distinguished -by his brilliant conduct at the unfortunate affair of Pershore, passed -so close to Cuthbert that they shook hands. It scarcely seemed a -minute from this friendly greeting ere their trumpets sounded the -charge, and with a desperate fury they galloped towards the enemy. The -first line broke before them: the second was staggered; but two -regiments of the royal dragoons, in reserve, came swiftly to their -aid, and by the fire of their long carbines struck down a great many -of the Parliament horse, and following this up by a charge, compelled -them to wheel about. The royal foot now advanced again, and made a -furious attack upon the right of Essex, and pushed up to the very -mouths of his cannon, and drove away the gunners and spiked several of -the guns; but this artillery was valiantly won back by the -Parliamentarians: and the brigade of foot in which Maxwell's regiment -fought actually charged the royal dragoons with their pikes, and drove -them back in disorder, with the loss of a great many men and horses. -It so happened, in this last movement, that when the two parties were -close together, Cuthbert caught a momentary but a very distinct view -of the fine countenance of young Arthur Heywood, and heard him cry -aloud, "Strike home, lads, for God and the King!" The smoke of battle -soon hid the vision, and the royal dragoons were compelled to retire. - -Prince Rupert had beaten the left wing of Essex, and was in full -pursuit; but as night drew on the horsemen of the Prince were seen -returning to the field of battle; and as the right wing had maintained -its ground stubbornly, the battle ended by the King retiring to the -hills, and leaving Essex in possession of the field, where he kept his -troops together throughout the night. Both sides laid claim to the -victory, and both gained some advantages in the fight, but their -losses were very heavy and nearly equal. However, Essex slept upon the -field of battle, and was joined in the night by most of the fugitives -from his left wing, and was further reinforced by the arrival of two -good regiments of foot and one of horse. - -The sun had no sooner set on the evening of the battle than it began -to freeze hard; and it being Cuthbert's turn for outline guard, he was -posted at the end of a considerable enclosure, near some large gaps, -which had been made by the enemy in their attacks to admit of their -bringing up their cannon and their cavalry. The slaughter near this -spot had been considerable, and Cuthbert had to plant his sentinels -among mangled and naked corpses; but in the gloom and obscurity of -night the only appearance they presented was that of pallid and stony -objects without a shape. He was surprised to find himself insensible -to any feeling but the low animal sensations of hunger, cold, and -weariness. He sat round the watch fire with the men composing the -guard, and ate ravenously of such coarse provisions as were issued. -His share of the plunder had been a large warm horseman's cloak, which -his corporal had found among the slain of the King's guards, and which -he now folded about him as he lay down to rest with a very thankful -but somewhat a selfish sense of comfort. He gave orders that he -should be waked at every relief of the sentinels, and then sunk into a -deep slumber, from which he was aroused, within two hours, to go his -rounds. When he returned from them all disposition for sleep had -departed. He trimmed the watch fire, and was soon the only one awake -near the spot except the sentinel. A little book, with silver corners -and clasps, lay on the ground, where it had apparently been thrown by -one of the soldiers: it attracted the eye of Cuthbert by the gleaming -of its silver clasps,--he took it up; the covers were smeared with -dirt: he opened it,--it was a Book of Common Prayer: a leaf was folded -down at the collect for the day; and in the inside of the cover was -written the following quotation from George Herbert:-- - - "Sundays observe:--think, when the bells do chime, - 'Tis angels' music." - -He knew the handwriting; it was that of Katharine: he knew the book; -he remembered the Sabbath morning when she first presented it to her -cousin Arthur. He thought upon that glimpse which he had caught of his -pupil's countenance in the battle, and he shuddered with -apprehensions. - - - - -CHAP. X. - - Great God! there is no safety here below; - Thou art my fortress; thou that seem'st my foe, - 'Tis thou that strik'st the stroke, must guard the blow. - QUARLES. - - -Although the malice of the hypocrite Daws had been disappointed by the -result of his wicked artifices at Cheddar fair, and the worthy Noble -had been saved from the injury and ruin which a lawless rabble were -instigated to inflict on that peaceful man of God, yet Daws, being -unsuspected and secure from detection, did not relax his efforts for -the persecution and ejectment of Noble. - -He contrived to have him haled before a committee of religious inquiry -which visited those parts soon after; but here again he was baffled: -for one of the commissioners being pricked in his conscience by -observing the godly simplicity of the good parson of Cheddar, and the -sincerity of his love to the blessed Saviour of the world, procured -his dismissal from that ordeal unharmed. Nevertheless Daws continued -to work secretly for his own ends, and gave himself no rest in the -pursuit of his great object. He had the reputation of great strictness -and sanctity as a minister,--and the outward man imposed upon many; in -his heart he cared not for the souls of men; his sins were those which -often and long escape the detection of the world, and which can be -indulged under the cloak of religious zeal without exciting the -suspicions of any, but those honest and sagacious persons who can -detect a character by indications of its spirit too slight and fine to -be admitted as important by the multitude. He was avaricious and -tyrannical: money was his idol; and to subject the minds of a -congregation was his next delight. From his pulpit he dealt forth the -most fierce and cruel fulminations against all unbelievers. Nor was he -without many trembling followers, whom he scolded and comforted, -according to the caprice of his own temper. - - "He damned the sins he had no mind to, - And spared the few he was inclined to." - -In his creed, the prayers and alms of any one who did not exactly -entertain his notions of faith were sins, and would be visited as -such. Now Parson Noble was a minister who bowed his knees before the -Father of mercies as a self-abased sinner, confessing himself without -grace or strength to will or to do, save of God's free mercy, -communicated through and for Christ's sake. He taught all his people -that if they asked the gifts and graces of repentance and faith in -that precious name they could not be denied, and should never be sent -empty away: to proclaim the message of peace and reconciliation was -his delight; to invite all freely, to tell of a pardon to the human -race, which, under the present dispensation of mercy, was the common -right of all who were _willing_ to accept it, was his constant -practice; and he showed them plainly that if they came not to the -light, it was because they loved darkness; because they could not part -with their sins, and shrunk from the Gospel as a rule of life. "Love," -he would say, "worketh no ill to his neighbour, therefore love is the -fulfilling of the law. Love is keeping the commandments: God is love, -from whom they came. Jesus is love, by whom they were taught, -magnified, and perfectly obeyed, that in his sacrifice of himself, as -a pure and spotless victim, we might have an all-sufficient atonement, -and hope towards a God who had taken our nature upon him, and been -manifest in the flesh." Now Daws held that Noble was a blind leader of -the blind, and that both would fall into the ditch; and he desired, -first, the proceeds of Cheddar living in his pocket, and, next, the -gratification of telling the flock of Noble that they were one and all -in the broad road to destruction. - -Nor did this insidious priest fail to spread all sorts of calumnies -about the poor unconscious vicar, and to irritate many furious -zealots against him. He kept up a constant correspondence with a -political partisan in London, to whom he gave much information on -local and county matters, stretching his invention not a little when -he had to tell any thing against the Royalists of those parts. By this -means he got a name as a person well affected to the Parliament, and -greatly interested in the cause of religious liberty. - -It so happened, that, in the November immediately following the -breaking out of the war, and the great battle of Keinton, a body of -Parliamentarian horse being quartered in his neighbourhood, Daws found -a fit instrument for his purposes on Cheddar, in a most furious and -bigotted fanatic, who commanded a troop of horse. This man was easily -persuaded that he could not render a more acceptable service to God -than by destroying with fire and sword all places, all persons, and -all things, which were, in his own view, defiled, and idolatrous, and -impure; and he therefore sallied forth against the church and the -parson of Cheddar as he would against a temple and a priest of Baal. - -On the day on which old Noble was ejected from Cheddar, with many -circumstances of cruelty and hardship, he arose, as usual, with some -fears, but with unshaken trust in the goodness and mercy of an -all-wise and almighty Father. The day was cold, and not a sunbeam was -admitted through the cloud and gloom which brooded over all things. It -chanced that the stout and resolute old franklin Blount had determined -that his grandchild should be publicly baptized at the same ancient -font at which his own venerable forehead had been signed with the sign -of the cross. There was some doubt in the mind of his son-in-law, -Hargood, whether it was prudent at that moment of busy persecution, on -the part of the county committee, to make so open a display of devout -attachment to the hallowed ceremony of a christening. His loving -daughter, from a tender apprehension about her infant's safety, if any -thing should fall out amiss, would have stolen to church, at the -earliest possible hour, and in the most quiet manner. However, habits -of submission to her father, formed by an admiration of his character, -were of so long a growth, and so deeply rooted, that the remonstrance -of her fears was not ventured on; indeed Blount would have held it -craven to yield to the timid suggestions of prudence, where he looked -to a principle in his conduct. It is not improbable that some shadow -of a domestic tragedy had been cast upon the old man's solitary -thoughts; for, within a few days past, there had been observable in -his manner a mixture of severity and gentleness at once strange and -affecting. He had twice been found in the large oak parlour alone, -reading from the Book of Martyrs, which was there chained upon a tall -desk. It is true that on both these occasions he had whistled and -walked away quick; but it was afterwards remembered. Howbeit, at ten -o'clock in the forenoon, there issued from the porch of the franklin's -old mansion a small party consisting of about eight persons, male and -female: one of the last bore in her arms an infant so folded up and -hidden in a large mantle of thick white woollen, that nothing but a -little outline of the babe could be seen, and not a breath of the keen -wintry wind could penetrate to its tender frame. They moved slowly, -and in a formal order up the long straggling street; and all the -villagers who met them by the way, or looked at them from their doors, -saluted them with bows and good words, but with evident and anxious -wonder. A faithful woodman ventured to go close and whisper to Master -Blount that he was just come in from Axbridge, and saw some of the -rascal Roundheads mustering, and that he heard say, at the Old -Pack-horse Inn, that they were going to march for Wells by the road of -Cheddar. "Well, let them come," said the franklin; "we are not doing -any thing to be ashamed of: let them see us doing as their forefathers -did before us, and redden in the face for their own falsehood; 'church -and king' is an old cry and a good one: out upon the knaves!--God will -defend his own." - -The party went forward; and having reached the churchyard, passed -into the church by the low chancel door, walked down the great aisle, -and turned into the southern transept. Here stood the font; here the -worthy parson awaited them, and his wife also, who was by a promise of -long date to stand as godmother to the child. The old stone font, -round which this pious family were assembled, had long been an object -of great veneration to the inhabitants of Cheddar. It was octagonal in -form, and supported upon a clustered shaft of Purbeck marble. The -compartments on its sides were sculptured with scenes from Holy Writ. -In one was represented the circumcision of Christ; in another the same -blessed Lord was figured in manhood, with a little child in his arms, -and his disciples standing round: through age and injury the subjects -in the other compartments were no longer discernible. - -Above the font was a window of painted glass, which, as there was no -light of the sun to illuminate its gorgeous groups, did only present -to the eye a dim cold grandeur;--a grave and visionary glory, through -which, as in the pages of unaccomplished prophecy, might be caught -bright glimpses of pale and celestial faces, and yet garments crimson -withal, as though they had been rolled in blood. - -In this solemn light, and around this sacred font, the family of -Blount reverently kneeled, and the service proceeded. The babe lay -still and unconscious in the arms of the old franklin's wife; and -nothing told of its young life but a soft breath from parted lips, and -a faint flush upon a waxen cheek. By its side knelt the fair mother, -delicate and colourless, with eyes bent on the ground, and a forehead -over which fears flitted, and disturbed her prayers. - -Of all the party none save the sweet infant was so calm as Blount -himself. Upon the throne of the old man's heart his God was seated, -and his soul was at peace. In fancy and in spirit he was again the -subject of that holy rite. When Noble took the babe in his arms, and -it opened its blue eyes and stretched out its little helpless hands, -and as it felt the sprinkled water, and was signed with the sign of -the cross, gave that little cry for which mother and nurse listen so -fondly, a few large tears dropped from the eyelids of the stalwart -franklin, and the voice of Noble faltered a little as he saw them -fall. The solemn declaration by which the child is received into -Christ's flock was completed, and was responded to by the deep and -fervent Amen of Blount, and the gentler tones of those around him; and -the good parson was proceeding to the thanksgiving that follows, when -that fearful sound, which is made up of the trampling of horses, and -the rattle of harness, and the blast of the trumpet, was heard at the -church doors in the opposite transept. Their heavy leaves were thrown -open with a sudden and violent crash, and two of the horsemen rode -into the body of the church, accompanied by three severe and sour -looking persons in sad coloured doublets, and narrow crowned hats, and -followed by some low rabble, with whom, in fear and curiosity, a few -of the good folk of Cheddar intermingled. - -"I have a message for thee, thou priest of Baal,--thou blind leader of -the blind,--thou whited wall," said he, whose caparisons bespoke him -the chief, laying the flat of his sword with a smart stroke upon the -neck of Noble. "Thou art weighed in the balance, and found wanting: -thou must come with me; thy mummeries and thy knaveries shall no more -pollute the sanctuary." - -"Dost thou not fear God?" said the meek but undaunted Noble, with a -firm voice and unshrinking mien. "Dost thou not fear God, that thus -thou comest to his holy temple? To what manner of man was it told, -that it were better for him a millstone were tied about his neck, and -he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little -ones? I tell thee, the angel of that helpless babe doth, even now, -behold the face of his Father, which is in heaven, and beareth witness -against thee.--Go forth. I myself will follow thee, whithersoever thou -wouldest, be it to judgment or to death; but this hoof-clatter in the -courts of the Lord is a most abominable sin." - -"Now will I do so, and yet more, thou hypocrite, thou whitened -sepulchre!" so saying, the fanatic plunged his spurs into the flanks -of his frightened war-horse, but the fretted and gallant beast did -only rear, and chafe, and champ the bit. Meanwhile, the young mother, -with her child in her bosom, and the other women round her, had sunk -back into the corner of the transept in terror. Old Blount and his -son-in-law interposed between the horsemen and Noble, and demanded of -them loudly to quit the sacred building. - -"I ask ye not," said he, "as Christians, for that ye cannot be, but -for your manhood's sake, to suffer, that these poor terrified women -pass forth with the infant in peace; for ourselves, though we be -unarmed, we will abide your wrath as best we may." - -"Let not thine eye pity," said a harsh voice from behind the horsemen: -"blessed be he that taketh her children and dasheth them against the -stones. Woe to the idolaters! woe!--The priest shall be slain at the -altar, and the water of the Babylonish font shall be red with the -blood of sacrifice." - -The frenzied zeal of the willing fanatic being thus excited, he urged -on his powerful steed, and raised his glittering sword. The hot animal -by a weighty plunge came breast upon the font, and overthrew and brake -it, and the consecrated water was spilled upon the ground. At this -sight old Blount, with the strong arm of a Samson, caught at the -bridle, and threw back the horse and his rider with so violent a -force, that the hoofs slipped upon the smooth pavement, and they fell -together; and before they had risen, the old man had caught up a heavy -bar of wood near him, and raising the ponderous weapon with both -hands, aimed so true and so deadly a blow at the sacrilegious chief -that he never moved after; and the life-blood ran from his mouth and -ears, and flowing onward, mingled with the water from the BROKEN FONT. - -Every voice was silenced,--every foot was rivetted there where it -stood. All were hushed and motionless, and every face looked ghastly. -During this awful pause, the aged franklin, exhausted by the mighty -and energetic deed, fell back against a seat, and, sinking into it, -turned pale, and his eye-sight became dim. Noble went over and took -his hand in alarm, and eagerly inquired, "What is this? what is this? -Are you wounded?" - -"No," he faintly answered, "not wounded, but--this is--death. Heavenly -Father, forgive me, for thy dear Son's sake, for I knew not what I -did." - -His wife and daughter and his sons now gathered round him; but he was -dying, and his words were few. He tried to kiss his infant grandchild, -and he said to Noble, with a heavy sigh,-- - -"Your trials are coming:--I count myself happy, and commit my own dear -family and yours to him who remembers mercy in judgment;" and now, -letting fall his head on his wife's bosom, he breathed a few times in -a struggling convulsive manner, and his spirit returned to the God who -gave it. - - - - -CHAP. XI. - - Even my prayers, - When with most zeal sent upward, are pull'd down, - With strong imaginary doubts and fears, - And in their sudden precipice o'erwhelm me. - MASSINGER. - - -The close of the December following the battle of Keinton found -Cuthbert in winter quarters at Warwick. His regiment marched into that -city on the day before Christmas-day; and, as soon as the men were -distributed in their quarters, he walked towards Milverton, from that -natural impulse which inclines us all to revisit any spot where we -have passed a part, however small, of our mysterious lives. - -It was a bright, clear, invigorating day: the ground was firm under -the foot, and, though the sun shone out in a cloudless sky, there was -so hard a frost that the pathways were clean. The trees glittered in -the sun's rays like frosted silver, and the face of nature looked -healthy and cheerful, like the winter season of a hale old age. - -The step of Cuthbert was not so fast or active as travellers use in -such weather. He walked like one who reluctantly takes exercise, and -in company in which he takes no pleasure. He was alone, indeed, but -with care and doubt for his companions. Since the battle, he had been -advanced to the command of a company of musketeers, and Maxwell had -distinguished him by particular attentions. Randal was still his more -constant associate; and the petty and disagreeable perplexities to -which he had been at first subjected by the uncongenial persons with -whom he had been thrown, and by the novelty of the duties to which he -had been called, had altogether vanished: for in three months habits -are formed, and we become accustomed to any mode of life. To be -accustomed, however, is not to be reconciled to it. But this was the -least, and the most trifling and despised ingredient in the bitter cup -from which Cuthbert daily drank,--his conscience was not at peace. He -drugged it with an opium, extracted, by a very common process, from -the precepts and the promises of Scripture; but there was not a day of -his life that it did not awake to some doubts and horrors, and the -same medicine, dangerous where it is unskilfully applied, was taken to -excess. He felt himself embarked in a black ship, with a wild and -motley crew, and he dared not own to himself that he mistrusted those -who navigated the vessel. Her way was through gloom and danger, and -the voyage might, after all, end in shipwreck. - -From the day of the battle, he was never seen to smile by any one; and -from the severity of his thoughts, his countenance had gathered a sad -yet stern complexion, which was not unsuitable to his present -fortunes. - -In a sort of hope that the sight of Milverton House might beguile his -melancholy, might soothe him, by reviving sweet images of past and -precious hours, and building, as he walked along, a new fabric of -happy and peaceful liberty for his distracted country, he reached the -well known gates of the once hospitable mansion. Absorbed in his -reflections, he never raised his eyes to direct them towards the -house, till he stood at the very portal. The gates lay upon the -ground; the noble edifice was a blackened and a yawning ruin. A sudden -and terrific thunder clap, bursting from a serene sky, could not so -painfully have startled him. All around was silent--desolately, -dreadfully silent; and the sun was bright, and the stony skeleton of -the vast dwelling was black. He poured a passionate cry to God: he -fell down upon the earth, and petitioned feverishly that the evil one -might not hunt him to despair. - -When he had in some measure recovered his composure, he rose and -walked through the lonely and roofless ruins. The rubbish, which had -fallen in when the floors and ceilings of the upper chambers gave way, -or were consumed, had been disturbed, and removed in large quantities, -to be sifted for any valuable metals which they might contain, so that -he could make his way without difficulty, and could still trace -distinctly all the lower apartments. - -Near the fire-place in the large kitchen, on a part of the wall that -had only been scorched, might still be read one of those rude and -homely posies which were the delight of our honest forefathers, and -might be found alike in the manor-house and the humbler cottage of the -husbandman:-- - - "At Christmas be merry, and thankful withal, - And feast thy poor neighbours, the great with the small; - Yea all the year long, to the poor let us give, - God's blessing to follow us while we do live." - -And upon the other side of the fire-place was written up,-- - - "Play thou the good fellow; seek none to misdeem; - Disdain not the honest, though merry they seem; - For oftentimes seen, no more very a knave, - Than he that doth counterfeit most to be grave." - -These posies brought more to Cuthbert's mind than the memory of the -happy Christmas he had once passed within these very walls. The lines, -which he had known from his boyhood, were taken from old Thomas -Tusser's Book of Husbandry, the favourite manual of the old franklin -Blount, and a work of which he remembered his father had always been -very fond, and which stood upon the book-shelf at Cheddar next the -Country Parson of Master George Herbert. All these recollections came -upon him at once, and overwhelmed his spirit. He was totally ignorant -of all that had been lately enacted at Cheddar, and of the present -situation of his father. He had not heard of or from his parents for -several months; but his fears for their safety had been quieted by a -promise, that especial orders should be sent to all the forces of the -Parliament to respect both the persons and the dwellings of all such -relations of the officers and men serving the Parliament as did not -take up arms against them, whatever might be their known sentiments on -affairs of church and state. - -How far this line of forbearance had been broken through, and how -violently, the ruins around most plainly declared; for he was well -assured that Francis Heywood would have omitted no precaution which -could possibly have availed to protect the property of Sir Oliver; nor -had he been present with the division by whom this wanton crime was -effected would he have failed to repress it. But when "Havoc!" is once -cried, and the dogs of war are once let slip, who shall, who can, -restrain them, but he who sitteth in the circle of the heavens? - -His fancy became bewildered with the thought of his mother's grief, -and the dangers to which she might possibly be exposed, and of the -possibility that his father might be suffering the penalty of some -bitter persecution by his adherence to the royal cause. He, as was his -wont in all extremities of doubt and sorrow, betook himself to the -only source of true comfort, when men are guided by the Spirit of -truth to a right use of it:--he drew from the bosom of his doublet a -small Bible. He implored direction from above; and yet, when he had -done so, yielded to the petty superstition of opening the sacred -volume suddenly, and taking the first text that presented itself to -his eye for his counsellor. The words which he thus read were, "Where -envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." He -smote upon his breast with agony, perused the chapter of James the -Apostle, from whence it was taken, and that which followed. All his -resolutions were staggered and shaken. He was in a mood to unbuckle -his sword, and to find a lodge in some wilderness where man could not -penetrate. "Yet," said he aloud, as pleading his own cause before the -invisible throne, "Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I -am not moved by the spirit that lusteth to envy in this great -contention against apostasy and spiritual wickedness in high places." -In the fervour and agitation of his appeal his Bible fell from his -hand, and when he took it up, it opened at that same epistle at the -beginning of it; and reading there that he was to count it all joy -falling into divers temptations, and that the trying of his faith -worked patience, he was again as suddenly recovered to steadfastness, -in what he blindly persuaded himself was the battle of the Lord; thus -giving a most sad practical proof that he was a waverer, tossed and -driven to and fro like a wave of the sea. What further doubts and -changes might have coloured his meditations, and his prayers in that -desolate and afflicting scene, had he been left alone to brood over -all his fears, it is not possible to say; but he was roused and -interrupted by the sound of footsteps on the paved path, which led up -from the terrace towards the principal entrance, the steps of which -yet remained. He stood aside, that the intruder, whoever it might be, -should not discover him. To his surprise, it was no other than old -Margery of the sand pit. She turned towards the offices as soon as she -entered the Hall, and went winding her way through heaps of rubbish, -towards an outhouse in the court-yard, the roof of which was still -entire. Her aspect, and the echo of her staff and of her footsteps, in -that solitary ruin, were very strange and affecting. Afraid of too -suddenly alarming the aged and unhappy being, he followed her with -light and noiseless steps to the low building, which she entered. Of -the two small windows that gave it light one was half open, and having -gained it, he could see and hear what was passing within. Laying down -her bag and staff, she seated herself on a very low stool, close by -the little fire-place, and applied her breath to the embers. The white -ashes flew off, and laid bare the glowing embers. To these she applied -a few dry sticks which she had brought with her, and a warm and -cheerful flame, accompanied by a light crackling noise, soon blazed -comfortably before her. - -"I wonder where the master is this blessed day," were her first words, -"and Mistress Kate, that was God's angel to me, and the rest of them. -Wherever they are, Christ comfort them, and bless them: they were good -friends to me, and to many. I never came to the gate, and went away -without a measure of meal and a kind word; and it was a good day for -my poor soul when the beautiful lady first talked to me:"--she -stopped, and put on another stick or two;--"and Parson Juxon, that -made me leave the pit, and gave me a bit of a cot to myself at Old -Beech, where he and I would have been now but for the wars and the -villainies of those devils that burned his house over his head, and -made a bonfire to roast me, if it had not been God's will to make 'em -fall out about it. They called me 'a child of hell,' I mind:--well, it -is not the first time--many a score times gentle and simple have -called me the same, till within the last two years, and I thought it -was all over, and I got to heaven already; but there's a weary bit yet -for me. I hope it wo'n't be long. Now, if parson was here, he'd scold -and look pleasant at me, and say, 'God's time's the best time, -Margery.' Well, now, I've lost him--God's will be done. I've been a -poor sinful body all my days; but I never harmed any more than a curse -might, and little ill could that do to any but my own poor self. It's -well it couldn't; for if it had been able to kill, I should have sent -it after many a one, and might again. God help me! I'll be burnt for a -witch some day yet; and, truth to say, I've many a time wished I was -one,--but that's all over. I say the Lord's Prayer different now." - -Here she clasped and raised her lean and withered hands, and said it -in a humble whisper on her knees. - -Cuthbert was agitated terribly; but he dared not speak, he dared not -enter. - -"Who shall say," thought his better mind, "who shall say that the -blessed One, who taught his disciples thus to pray, is not present, -dimly seen, perhaps, but felt with secret reverence and affection?" - -Her prayer said, the old woman put a little earthen pot on the fire, -and again seated herself on the stool by the side of it. - -"Ah! it's no merry Christmas," said she, "here, or any where else; but -I have known a worse; and I think this is safe hiding, for the folk -all think the place haunted. Well, I must thank God, and make the best -of it." - -As she ended these words, she began humming the air of an old -Christmas carol, and at last sung, in the mournful voice of age, this -ancient fragment:-- - - "He neither shall be clothed - In purple nor in pall, - But all in fair linen, - As were babies all; - He neither shall be rocked - In silver nor in gold, - But in a wooden cradle, - That rocks on the mould." - -At the close he went to the door, and before he entered called her -gently by name. The tone of voice in which he spoke had the effect -which he intended, and, without any cry of alarm, she rose up quietly -and turned round; but she no sooner beheld his military dress than her -terror became excessive. It was quite in vain that he attempted to -bring himself to her recollection: the fear of being dragged forth and -led to the stake was uppermost, and entirely bewildered her. In his -person she saw only one of those from whose hands she had so recently -escaped, and her shrieks and implorations were agonising to hear. To -relieve her he quitted the ruin; and before he was many hundred yards -from it had the pain of seeing her on the far side of it hobbling fast -towards the cover of the adjoining wood for concealment. He walked to -his quarters in a miserable and dejected mood; and as he passed an -open church which had apparently been occupied by Parliamentary -soldiers, he went in for a moment. It was empty: the tombs and -monuments had been broken and their inscriptions defaced: not a pane -of glass in the tall windows had escaped destruction: a painting over -the altar had been hacked to pieces; and, as if in mockery, the tables -of God's commandments were left on either side plainly legible, and -above, in the midst, might be seen, in letters of gold, the words of -that message of mercy which the angels of God sang to the shepherds -keeping watch by night, when they announced the advent of -Messiah,--_Peace on earth,--good will towards man_. - - - - -CHAP. XII. - - Thus see we how these ugly furious spirits - Of warre are cloth'd, colour'd, and disguis'd, - With stiles of vertue, honour, zeale, and merits, - Whose owne complexion, well anatomis'd, - A mixture is of pride, rage, avarice, - Ambition, lust, and every tragicke vice. - LORD BROOKE. - - -It is now necessary to relate that treatment of George Juxon to which -old Margery alluded in the last chapter. For six weeks after the first -visit of the Parliamentary soldiers to Old Beech he successfully -maintained his post, and continued to officiate every Sabbath among -his people. His house, indeed, had been often beset by small parties -of soldiers or by other godly reformers deputed to arrest him, but he -was so beloved by the villagers that he was always warned, and was -thus enabled to escape their hands or evade their search; nor were any -of these parties of a strength sufficient for attempting acts of -violence upon the church or the parsonage. Indeed one of them was -fairly braved and driven away by Juxon himself, disguised like a -farmer, and aided by his faithful friend the blacksmith and half a -dozen more. One Sabbath morning, as he was out upon the watch, in the -disguise of a belted woodman, he met a party coming to seize him about -a mile from Old Beech, and, having put them on a wrong scent, went -joyfully home, and preached to a glad and attentive congregation. -However, his popularity and his very name were offences too great in -the sight of the Roundheads of Coventry to suffer him much longer to -elude his enemies. A squadron of horse made a sudden march from that -city on a Sunday afternoon, and surprised both pastor and flock while -engaged at divine service. They rode into the churchyard; and having -there dismounted, their commander, followed by a dozen or more -officers and troopers, entered the church with their steel caps on -their heads, and, by the noise of their steps, would have drowned the -voice of Juxon if he had not instantly made a pause to consider his -best course. One look at the leader of this band satisfied him that -any appeal to the spirit of love and of a sound mind would be vain; -and a glance through the window had shown him that any resistance by -force on the present occasion would only expose his people to a very -great calamity. - -The commander of the troops was no other than Sir Roger Zouch. -Accordingly Juxon said, with a loud voice, "My Christian brethren, the -worship of God in this place being thus interrupted, I dismiss you to -your homes." His manly tone caused an attention on the part of the -soldiery, which produced a short and silent pause, and, taking -advantage of this, he solemnly pronounced the blessing with which the -service of the church always concludes. Sir Roger, after stammering -with anger, now broke out most violently, "Peace, peace! thou criest -peace where there is no peace, thou son of perdition. Come out of thy -calves' coop, and make an end of thy pottage. I know thee, who thou -art; thy very name savoureth of all evil: take him out, thou good and -faithful soldier of the cross, Zachariah Trim, and that book of -abomination with him, and make my passage to yon pulpit pure;--verily -I will speak a word to these poor, perishing, and neglected people." -If it had not been for Juxon's discretion at this moment the church -would soon have become a scene of blood; for the stout blacksmith, -seeing Zachariah move towards the desk with an action as if he would -lay hands on Juxon, interposed with so hasty and resolute a manner, as -caused Zachariah to step back two or three paces and draw his sword. -His example was instantly followed by many comrades; and the shrieks -of alarm among the women and children were dreadful. But Juxon came -forth in a collected mood, and so spoke, that the swords were returned -to their scabbards, and his people submitted, though in fear yet in -silence, while the few among them, who, like the blacksmith, were -ready for any hazards, forebore any further attempt at resistance. - -Sir Roger ascended the pulpit, put down his steel cap by his side, -poured forth a long, rambling, confused prayer, took out his pocket -Bible, and preached for two hours; till the sweat streamed down his -bony cheeks, and his voice became hoarser than any raven that ever -croaked his sad predictions at a sick man's window. Juxon listened -with profound and with indignant astonishment to his wild and -blasphemous perversions of divine truth; but he was comforted, as far -as his own flock was concerned, in the consciousness that they were -better instructed than to be moved by his fanaticism. His manner -corresponded with his matter; and if he had not been accompanied by -too many and too formidable and ready ministers of his violent will he -would only have excited sentiments of disgust and ridicule. But as he -thundered forth his curses upon the church in which the poor villagers -had been brought up, and described her by a flood of reproachful names -and epithets, of which last, Babylonish was the most gentle, no one -could listen to his ravings without serious fears that they were a -plain preface to deeds of crime. It was, therefore, with a heart full -of devout and sincere thanksgiving for his people that Juxon heard -this strange and fierce iconoclast promise with solemnity that their -houses and their little property should be respected, and that no one -of them should suffer any harm from his soldiers; but that he would -take away with him their blind and wicked guide, and would only purge -and purify the polluted temple and the priest's dwelling. - -The surplice and hood of Juxon had been torn from his back before this -precious discourse began, and he had been placed in custody between -two armed troopers, with pistols in their hands, and was frequently -addressed by the heated Sir Roger in those words which are applied -both in the Old Testament and the New to false and unfaithful -teachers. All this he had borne with a calm and admirable -courage,--feeling within the answer of a good conscience, and -supported by an unshaken faith in a God of wisdom and love. - -"It is the Lord," he said within himself, "let him do what seemeth him -good,"--and all the unuttered petitions which his heart sent up to -the throne of grace were for the spiritual and temporal preservation -of his little flock. - -When Sir Roger concluded his sermon, he gave forth one of those -psalms, which, being directed against idolatry, he considered as -appropriate to the work he now meditated. It was sung in loud and -harsh notes by his gloomy looking troopers, after which, descending -into the body of the church, he directed fire to be brought, and -burned the Book of Common Prayer before the communion table; heaping -on the same fire all those rags and fragments of the whore of Babylon, -as he was pleased to designate pulpit and altar cloth, and all the -decent vestments of the minister. - -At this gross outrage, Juxon burst forth with a holy zeal, in a most -earnest tone of faithful remonstrance; but he was instantly gagged in -a painful mode, and was forced in this state to witness their after -proceedings. - -The people were now forcibly driven out of the church, and as many -troopers as could find room were directed to come in and stable there -for the night. The order was obeyed with tumultuous joy; and they had -no sooner taken possession of their once sacred quarters, than they -began and completed the work of demolition,--breaking the coloured -windows, destroying the tombs, and crowning their work of hell by -bringing in a baggage ass, and baptizing it with mock ceremonies at -the font. This last work was not witnessed by Sir Roger, who was -busily superintending the burning of poor George Juxon's library, and -of many _curiosa_ in the way of antiquities, which his father had -collected in foreign countries, and bequeathed to him at his death. - -It so chanced, that the first thing on which the eyes of Sir Roger -rested, when he entered the parsonage, was a glass case, or cabinet, -in which, among other ancient relics, was a small crucifix, -exquisitely wrought in ivory. The sight of this inflamed his zeal to -the boiling pitch; and declaring that so great an abomination could -only be punished by the utter destruction of the dwelling in which it -was found, he called in two or three assistants, whom he judged -qualified to overlook the books on the shelves, to the end that any -godly ones might be saved from the general ruin;--declaring, at the -same time, that all the silver, and the gold, and the raiment, and the -furniture, and the pictures, and the vessels, of what sort soever, -whether in hall or kitchen, were polluted, and must be consumed, and -denouncing the wrath of God on any of his followers who should -presume, like Achan, to appropriate a single article of the unhallowed -heap. Accordingly, on the lawn before the windows, a huge fire was -made of all these goods, which were cast forth from the windows; the -shell only of the house being spared for the use of such godly -minister as the Parliament might appoint. - -The attention of Sir Roger and the few zealots with him was confined -to the contents of the library: not a few valuables, however, from -other parts of the mansion, were stolen and secreted by the sly rogues -of the squadron. But it so chanced that, as the house was spared, in a -concealed recess, behind a false wainscot, his family plate and a few -heirlooms were preserved. Of five hundred volumes, however, only -three copies of the Bible, also one work in folio, two small thin -quartos, and a heap of loose pamphlets of a controversial nature, -written by Puritans, escaped the sentence of fire. Upon the same pile, -and doomed to blaze in the same flame, were thrown fine copies of the -ancient fathers; the works of sound Protestant divines, and ponderous -lives and legends of Romish saints; the tomes of Bacon, and old -worthless folios on astrology and divination; the plays and poems -produced by the genius of a Shakspeare and a Spenser, and the -interminable and prosaic romances which, in the preceding age, our -ancestors had found leisure and patience to peruse. - -During the night, Juxon was confined as a prisoner in one of the -out-houses in his own yard, and, in the morning, he was mounted on a -lean, bony cart-horse, without saddle or bridle, and led by a small -escort to Warwick, where, before he was committed to the gaol of the -Castle, he was subjected to the odious and vile insults of an -examination before a Committee of Religion. Three witnesses appeared -against him: two of these were base knaves from his own parish, and -the third was from Coventry. - -Thomas Slugg, the first of these, a lazy hypocrite, who found it -easier to affect the office of an itinerant singer of psalms than to -dig, deposed that Parson Juxon was an enemy to all godly persons, and -a teacher of falsehoods, caring nothing for the souls of his people; -and, as a proof, stated that, when, on one occasion, he, the witness, -had asked him, "whether there were many or few that should be saved?" -he had turned his back upon him, and entered the church saying,-- - -"What is that to thee? follow thou me." - -Another, who was a turned-off journeyman of the blacksmith's, deposed -that he saw Parson Juxon one day in a field behind his own garden -casting the bar and hammer; and that he, the parson, threw a bar, and -a heavy stone, and a sledge hammer, and that the smith, and two -farmers, and one Strong, a warrener, threw against him. - -The third was no other than the witch-finder from Coventry, who swore -that the parson consorted with dealers in magic and the black art; -that books on those arts were found in his house, and burned (this was -confirmed eagerly by some of the escort), and that he even kept in his -pay and service a notorious witch named Yellow Margery. - -Juxon listened to these charges with a grave smile, and made no reply. -Hereupon one of the commissioners observed, in great wrath,-- - -"That he was a most godless and obstinate Malignant, as was plain to -see by his laughing, and the redness of his face; and that if not -drunk, he was merry; but that a gaol and bread and water would soon -take away the colour from his cheeks, and bring down the naughtiness -of his spirit." - -They forthwith committed him to Warwick Castle, as a soul-destroying -hypocrite, who held communion with idle and lewd fellows, and -consorted with witches; and they appointed one Mr. Blackaby, a true -brother, and bold as a lion for the faith, to succeed him at Old -Beech, directing that he should be protected in his settlement by a -detachment from the garrison, until the stubborn people of that -village were reduced to submit heartily to God and the Parliament. - -The room of the Castle to which Juxon was now removed was a large -comfortless apartment with damp stone walls and no fire, containing -about fourteen other prisoners, ten of whom were, like himself, -incumbents. The two windows of this room looked down upon the river, -which washed the very walls of the Castle; and the windows were not -only securely barred, but even were it possible to force that -obstacle, the fall being very great, any notion of the escape of a -prisoner would have been judged an idle fear. However, the faithful -blacksmith and George Juxon's groom had followed the escort into -Warwick, and watched the courageous parson as he walked with an -upright carriage and manly step between the guards who took him to -prison. - -Having gained information concerning the part of the Castle in which -he was confined, they laid a plan for his deliverance, which, from -their knowledge of his strength and activity, they thought possible, -though extremely difficult. - -They conveyed to him in a loaf of brown bread, which was sent by one -of the charity children of the place, and was given him without -suspicion, a small cord, of sufficient strength to bear his weight, a -small steel saw, and a phial of aqua-fortis. - -It was not possible to conceal this from his fellow-prisoners, nor -could he desire to do so. They promised secrecy, but dissuaded him -from the attempt. That it was very perilous, he well knew; but he -resolved upon it at once. In the afternoon of the day on which he -received the cord, he saw the blacksmith standing on the river bank in -the opposite meadow. The man did not pretend to take any notice of the -Castle, but stripped off his clothes and plunged into the water; and -it being a cold frosty day, he was loudly laughed at by a group of -soldiers standing on the bridge. He swam out into the middle of the -stream and back again; then putting on his clothes, he disappeared. - -By two o'clock on the following morning Juxon had cut away a bar, and -made fast his cord. Amid the breathless good wishes of his -fellow-prisoners he began to descend, clad only in a pair of stout -drawers and his shirt. The cord, though strong enough, was so small, -that it cut his hands like a knife; but he got safely down to within -twelve feet of the water, and from hence dropped into the river; and -gaining the opposite side, was helped up the bank by the stout arm of -his faithful blacksmith, and hurried to a hedge, behind which he found -dry clothes and his groom with two horses. To dress himself, to snap a -hunter's mouthful, and to take one draught of cordial spirit from the -leathern bottle of his servant, was the glad work of a few minutes; -and by eight o'clock on the same morning he was forty miles on the -road to Shrewsbury. Among other friends at the royal head-quarters he -found Sir Charles Lambert and Arthur Heywood, and at once resolved to -follow the fortunes of the camp as a volunteer chaplain to the -regiment of horse with which they were serving. He was present with -them in the battle of Keinton; and though decided himself not to use -arms, he rode upon the flank of the regiment when it charged. - -The horse of Sir Charles being killed under him, Juxon alighted, in an -exposed and perilous position, and instantly gave his own to remount -his friend. Here it was that, soon after, the gallant boy Arthur, -returning wounded from the front, fell fainting from his saddle; and -his frightened horse flying fast away, he would have been left -helpless on the field before the advancing enemy, had not Juxon been a -witness of his distress and danger. Hastening to the bleeding boy, he -lifted him on his back, and so carried him a mile and a half to the -top of Edge Hill, where a surgeon dressed his hurt, and pronounced it -to be severe, but not dangerous, or likely to be attended with loss of -limb or any very serious consequences. Having seen Arthur placed -safely in a cart with other wounded officers going to a village in the -rear, Juxon remained upon the hill, to which the royal army retired -at sunset; and, as he saw Sir Charles and his own favourite roan horse -coming safely back at the head of a squadron which had suffered severe -losses, his heart swelled thankfully within him. He shook the hand of -Sir Charles with a tearful cordiality; and they ate their cold and -scanty supper by a little fire in the open fields, with sentiments of -gratitude and of piety at once elevated and pure. The crown of England -was hanging as it were on a bush, and they were among its guardians. -Moreover, there was in both their bosoms a fine consciousness of what -was passing in their respective hearts:--to see the noble and -miraculous change in a man whom he had once, and with reason, -despised, was a rich reward to Juxon,--while Sir Charles sat in the -presence of his friend with the sweet and gracious feeling that he had -been to him as a guardian angel and as a voice from Heaven. - - - - -CHAP. XIII. - - Happy are those - That knowing, in their births, they are subject to - Uncertain change, are still prepared, and arm'd - For either fortune:--a rare principle, - And with much labour learn'd in wisdom's school. - MASSINGER. - - -One fair star was still shining in the eastern sky, and a cool wind, -balmy with the odours of spring, blew pleasant upon his cheek, as a -traveller, whose dusty feet showed that he had come many a mile upon -more public roads, walked rapidly across the footpath-way of a green -and dewy close, at the far end of which was the churchyard of Cheddar. - -The outline of the tall tower was majestically defined upon the light -of the dawning day, and beyond, hidden by well-remembered trees, lay -the home of the wayfarer. - -In the low grey wall which surrounded this sacred enclosure there was -a very ancient stile, all rudely graven over with notches, crosses, -and initial letters. The hand of the traveller was already upon this -stile, when he suddenly paused, as though some unwelcome object -presented itself, and forbade his progress. His cheek changed, and his -heart sank, and he stood as still as though a spell were upon him. Yet -it was no uncommon sight that arrested him, and one quite in keeping -with the hour and the scene. - -A sturdy old sexton, the scarebabe of all the infants in the parish, -but the cheerful, though grim-looking, minister to many of his boyish -sports and pleasures, was digging a grave under the north wall of the -church, and had just thrown up a skull, which lay beside his mattock, -near the pediment of the building. - -All men are superstitious:--the eye of the traveller, which, but a -minute before, was beaming bright with hope, became sad and anxious; -his lip quivered, and, instead of vaulting over the stile eagerly, and -hurrying to the wicket of the vicarage, he leaned upon the low wall -with a feeling of faintness, his sight became dim, and his thoughts -confused and mournful. He had been a long time absent in a foreign -land,--some change might have taken place at home; and this idea once -admitted to his mind, was followed by a crowd of most natural fears, -and of melancholy images. These, however, were soon dispelled by the -lively tones of the hale old sexton's voice. To relieve the dull and -lonely labour of digging a grave, he was trolling out, in a sort of -hearty jig-jog cadence, a fragment of the Mayers' song:-- - - "The moon shines bright, and the stars give a light, - A little before it is day; - So God bless you all, both great and small, - And send you a joyful May." - -This snatch of an ancient medley, so familiar to Martin Noble from his -earliest years, called up the memory of May games, and summer days, -and a happy boyhood; and a rush of bright recollections swept away the -cloud from his mind, as a clearing wind drives the mist from a -mountain top, and lays it open to the glad play of the cheerful -sunbeams. - -Martin Noble, as we shall hence call our wayfarer, sprung lightly into -the churchyard, and approaching the old sexton, thus accosted him:-- - -"Good morrow to you, Robert: I am glad to hear your voice once more, -and to find you so stout and well." - -"Kindly spoken," said the old man, raising his head, and leaning on -his spade, "kindly spoken. Robert is my name, sure enough; but what -yours may be is more than I know, or can guess even, without you are -young Blount that went to the wars. Perhaps, master, you made a bit of -guess-work, and never saw me before." - -"No, I am not young Blount, but I have seen you as often and knew you -as well as he did; and to thy cap, thy jerkin, the keys at thy girdle, -and thy grizzled beard, thou art just as I left thee, old Robert. God -grant that I may find my own dear father as little altered." - -The spade fell from the old man's hand, and rubbing his eyes as if to -clear his vision, at the same time coming closer to his object, he -exclaimed,-- - -"Odd's life, you cannot be Master Martin that went to foreign parts?" - -"Yes, but I am," said Martin, shaking the old man's hand:--"tell me, -Robert, is my father well." - -"Oh yes, he's well,--that's to say, he don't ail, as I hear, God bless -him!--but as to well,--I can't call him well, after all, when I think -of a kind soul like him without a----" - -"Heavens! my mother is not dead?" - -"Oh no; but have not you heard of all the changes here at Cheddar?" - -"Of what changes do you speak? I have heard nothing. It was only last -evening at sunset that I landed at Clevedon Creek in a fishing-boat -which came alongside our brigantine as we were running up the Channel -to Bristol. I journeyed hither, as you see, on foot, but I shall know -all by going home at once." - -"Stop, Master Martin, the parson's house is no home of thine now; an -thou ring the bell, a sour face, and a hard word, and a slammed door, -would be thy sorry welcome." - -"You don't surely mean that such a man as my father has been taken -from his people, and from his own house and home?" - -"Yes but I do. The good shepherd is gone, and we have a false goatherd -in his place,--a wolf in shepherd's clothing." - -"Where then is my father gone? Where shall I find him?" - -"I can't rightly tell you myself; but I'll take you to them that can. -It's somewhere, however, near old Glastonbury Tor; and they tell me -that master is as cheery as ever, though, God help him, he fares no -better, as this world goes, than I do. Come, I'll take you to old -Mistress Blount: right glad she'll be to see thee again, and a sad -story she'll have to tell thee about the old gentleman. God's blessing -on his soul!--a was the poor man's friend." - -"What! is dear old Master Blount gone?" - -"Ay, it's an awful tale. The mistress will tell you all about it." So -saying, he led the way to a wicket leading out of the churchyard at an -opposite corner; but ere they reached it he stopped, observing, that -second thoughts were best. - -"No," said the old man, "if I take thee to Mistress Blount it may get -her into trouble, and if I take thee to my bit of a cot, it may bring -thee into trouble; for my old woman is as curious as a magpie and as -leaky as a sieve, and every gossip near us would soon be on the -lookout and the chatter. If thou go to the Jolly Woodcutter, near the -Market Cross, thou wilt find old Margery Broad the right hostess: she -hath good liquor and few words, and neither meddles nor makes. Go -break thy fast, and take rest, and in the evening thou canst set -forward for Glastonbury. When the chimes go five, I'll bring one shall -guide thee to thy father's." - -"Why such delay? I would go at once." - -"It will be better for your father that you should not reach -Glastonbury till after dusk; besides, you have been afoot all night, -and a stretch on one of Dame Margery's pallets will do you no hurt." - -With these words they parted, and Martin Noble walked slowly down -towards the hostel. The rising sun was but just beginning to gild the -carved pinnacles of the church tower and the tops of the tallest -trees. The townlet itself lay, as yet, in deep shadow. The streets -were silent, and, but for here and there the figure of a solitary -labourer going early to the field, they were empty. - -Nobody was yet astir at the Jolly Woodcutter, therefore Martin -patiently took seat at the Market Cross, in one of the angular -recesses of that ancient hexagonal building which so conveniently -shelter poor wayfarers from sun and rain. - -As here he mused in silence, his reverie was suddenly broken by a -voice from one of the adjoining seats, and he found he was not the -sole occupant of the friendly building. His unseen neighbour thus -talked with himself, or rather thought aloud,-- - -"Ho, daylight!--truly the light is comfortable, and a pleasant thing -it is to behold the sun: blessings on the man that built this shelter -for the houseless head. Jack, thou art a fool; I say thou art a fool, -and I have often told thee so. Thou hast not one farthing in thy -pocket. I tell thee a man with empty pockets is and must be a fool; -and it shall go hard with him if, though he keep his hands from -picking and stealing, he be not called a knave also. Here cometh a -fellow now, with a red face and a portly belly, who will say me a -'sirrah' to a certainty, and talk to me comfortable words about the -gallows. I am penniless, therefore I am a rogue; I am houseless, -therefore I am a sorry vagabond. This is charitable judgment, and -sound logic: so said the tapster last night when he thrust me forth -into the street, and bolted his door against me. They may call gold -poison to men's souls, but I verily think that one broad piece would -do me no great hurt. A morning in the stocks, and without a breakfast, -will never do: I must be off to the liberal fields, and try coaxing at -a lone farm house." - -These words were followed by the sound of a shuffling footstep; and -the speaker turned sharply round by Martin's side of the cross, to -avoid the questions of a burly personage who was advancing to call -him to account. The figure of the poor wanderer was sufficiently -deplorable; yet it was impossible to look upon it without a smile. He -was a very tall and a remarkably spare man, with a long pale face, one -side of which was contracted so as to give the appearance of a -perpetual winking:--his beard was yellow, and untrimmed. He was -habited in a suit of plum-coloured cloth, which had been once of the -best quality, but was now faded and threadbare:--his shoes were worn -out, and he limped, leaning on a stout cane. At one glance Martin saw -that he was one of those forlorn strolling players whose services -during these times of trouble were no longer needed, and whose age and -infirmity forbade him the privilege of following many of his calling -to the camp. He was a cast off minister of pleasure, and, like a -cracked viol or an empty flagon, thrown aside as useless. - -"Whither away so fast, sirrah?" said the beadle, stepping after him; -"what dost thou here alone in the street at this hour?" - -"Marry I am not alone, but in company that I would be happy to be well -rid of." - -"Why, thou knave, did I not see thee rub thine eyes, and shake -thyself, and not a soul near thee?" - -"Nay, but I tell thee we were three:--first, there was myself; next, -there was poverty, a fast traveller, that is even now pinching me, -and, thirdly, there was an armed man called want, who belabours me -without mercy." - -"None of thy foolery, rogue, or I'll clap thy claw-foot in the -stocks:--thou wilt come to the gallows tree at last;--a sluggard all -thy life long, I'll warrant me." - -"Look you, master, a slug is a fat thing, and a slow, that feeds -without working. Now, you see, I am as lean as a scarecrow, and, lame -as I am, I will race thee for a breakfast." - -"Out, thou yellow-faced varlet; out, troop away; take thy gabble to -the common, and pick thy breakfast with the geese." - -"Have me to thy home, and give me part of thy manchets: it will be all -the same, for then I shall breakfast with the gander." - -Till this moment, neither of the parties had seen Martin; but no -sooner did the aged and wandering son of Thespis espy his countenance -and smile than he boldly came back, and accosted him:--"Most gallant -Cavalier, for by the very curl of thy light beard I see thou art one, -help me in my need. Thou seest that I am pricked with many thorns: -help me, I say, and so may God help you, and cover your head in -battle." - -The beadle turned round with surprise; but before he had time to utter -a single word Martin had slipped into the hand of the wanderer a piece -of silver; and as, at the very same moment, the door of the Jolly -Woodcutter was opened by a stout serving wench, he escaped thanks and -questions by entering the house. - -"Silver, by my luck!--silver--and a broad piece! look you," said the -exulting wanderer; "now begone dull care: let us take no thought for -to-morrow; we will begin our day with a morning's draught of sack, -next, we will be clean shaven, for money is a gentleman. We will have -a pasty to our dinner, and be a lord for the rest of the day. A broad -piece! I will drink canary; and this young cavalier shall hear my -recitations, and I will regale him with merry songs. There hangeth a -viol de gamba in the barber's shop, and there be a score of old play -books on his shelf: we will have a rare evening. I will reward this -young master: he hath breeding, and will take pleasure in my company; -let to-morrow take care of itself, or let him take care of it for me: -we will drink canary." These resolutions, the natural fruit of -Martin's inconsiderate bounty, had well nigh disconcerted his quiet -plan; but, luckily, the thoughtless player had drunk himself into a -sound sleep before the evening chimes struck five. - - - - -CHAP. XIV. - - These black clouds will overblowe; - Sunshine shall have his returning; - And my grief-wrung heart I know, - Into mirth shall change his mourning. - _Psalm_ xiii.--DAVISON. - - -Martin Noble and his guide did not reach old Glastonbury till after -sunset. Crossing one of the lower streets of the town, they passed -into a suburb of scattered cottages; and turning up a narrow lane by -one of those large stone barns that formerly belonged to the abbey, -they stopped at the garden wicket of a small lone cottage. Martin -stood without while his guide stepped gently forward, that the good -parson and his lady might not be overcome by too sudden a surprise. - -A light shone through the narrow casement: all objects around were -shaded in the soft obscurity of a summer night: the air was perfume; -and all things seemed hushed into a stillness at once sweet and -solemn. Martin passed the wicket with a trembling step and a throbbing -heart; and ere he reached the door he was met in the path and folded -to a father's heart. Another moment, and he was pressed again to that -bosom on which he had hung in helpless infancy. Now the lamp was held -up by his father, and his hair was parted from his forehead by his -mother's hand, and her eyes rested upon his face and scanned his form; -and he felt the unutterable bliss of being the child of such parents. -They took him by the hand, and made him kneel with them before God, -while they fervently thanked him for his mercy, "which endureth for -ever." After a brief pause, they rose; and as Martin looked round on -the mean and scanty accommodations of the poor hovel which they -inhabited, and then remarked the calm and contented expression of -countenance which they both wore, he was lost in astonishment. - -"Is it possible," he exclaimed, "father, that you have no better -dwelling than this? Alas! how much must my dear mother undergo." - -"Your mother, Martin, never had more equal spirits or more regular -health than in this humble and obscure cottage. She makes me and -herself as happy as, under the painful circumstances of the land, any -persons can or ought to be." Here the old couple looked in each -other's eyes, with that calm fondness which is the fruit of love long -tried, and lately quickened by the rude storms of persecution and -poverty. But it is to be borne in mind, that in such and all like -cases, in times of trouble and confusion, there may be suffering, but -there cannot be shame. That which is commonly the most bitter -ingredient of an indigent condition is altogether wanting: _there -cannot be shame_: neither the sense of it, in those who are reduced to -the extremities of need, nor one thought of it in the minds of those -who look upon the necessities of their fallen fortunes. Their rags are -honest: they can tread the clay floor of a common straw-roofed hut -with as much pride as though it were a marble hall. Therefore, where -there is health, and the physical capability of endurance, and where -no habits of softness, sensuality, and self-indulgence, have -previously enslaved the spirit, and left it tied and bound as a -despised victim to be tormented by discontent and peevishness, there -will be found a cheerful resignation in the poorest circumstances. -Here there was the grace of contentment in daily exercise. Old Noble -and his wife were not only resigned but thankful for the blessings of -food, shelter, and raiment, and they hopefully made the best of every -thing around them. - -"Martin," said his father as he heard the wicket swing, "here is one -of your oldest friends coming: you have not forgot Peter." - -"Lord love you, Master Martin," said the old man as he entered, "I -have heard of you:" here he took the offered hand, and bowed his head -on it; then again looking up, resumed, "Well if it is not--yes,--no, -well, I can't make you out; why, how you are grown and altered! One -thing's right, I see,--you have not got your head clipped and shaved -like a mule's rump." Here Peter caught a grave look on the face of -his master, and added, "Well, truth's best spoken out: I don't like -'em, the knaves, and I've reasons as plenty as blackberries. Didn't -they come a horseback into the church at the christening, and throw -over the Font; and has not that prick-eared, tallow-faced rogue, and -no parson, stuck it into the ground in our poultry yard, near the -muck-heap, for the ducks to dabble in? and didn't they drive you out -of house and home, and throw your furniture out of window, and offer -it for sale in the street? and didn't they burn your favourite old -books, and break the old lute, and make you and mistress trudge half a -winter's night in the mire? and worse than all, haven't they bewitched -Master Cuthbert, and changed his nature like, and made him against his -own kin and his own king? Rot'em! No rogue like your godly rogue, my -old mother was wont to say:--all saint without, all devil within. -There, love you, dear master, don't scold with your eyes in that -fashion: 'an old dog cannot alter his way of barking.' Come, I've -coughed it all out, and it has done me good, and now for salt and -trenchers. I'll warrant Master Martin has got hunger sauce for his -supper." - -Herewith he set about covering the low table with a white napkin and -clean trenchers, and produced from the basket a small mutton ham and -some fine heads of sweet lettuce, and a loaf of the best wheaten -bread; and setting on one side a small keg of ale, stood up with a -look of pride and joy at his master's back, and said, "To God's gift, -God send a good appetite." - -"How is this, Peter, whence is this?" asked old Noble. - -"Why, master, it is from old Mrs. Blount. Wasn't her good man--'peace -to his soul!'--wasn't he a church-tenant, and his father's father -before him? and was there a day of your life that you hadn't a kind -word for him? and does not she know that you have got a stout young -trencher-man come to you and nothing to set before him?" - -"Well, well,--she is a warm-hearted woman, and always was. God reward -her! but sit down, Peter: you and I are only fellow-labourers now; and -if you did not handle the spade better than I do, we should not have -fared half so well as we have hitherto:--make him sit down, wife." - -"No," said Peter, "'t was well enough sometimes o' the long winter -nights, when madam worked her needle-work and you were making nets, -for old Peter to have a seat in the chimney-corner, and to hear your -blessed voices, and take food from your own hands, and eat it by the -same fire; but now, with Master Martin at home, we'll soon have things -right again." - -These few words of the honest and faithful Peter gave Martin a rude -but strong outline of all that had been lately passing at home; and it -was easy for him to fill in, from the fancy, a picture of the present -state of England, by considering the evils to which his own parents -had been exposed. As he saw in the person of his own father a pious -son of the church, a true patriot, and a loyal subject, trampled under -foot by a tyrannous parliament, degraded from his holy office, and -ejected from his own house, he felt a deep thankfulness for the -providential ordering that had kept him away from England at a moment -of excitement when, unsuspicious of the real aim and tendency of many -of the measures of Parliament, he should probably have joined their -banners. He was now plainly called to a very different course; and, as -there he sat in the presence of his parents, his resolution was -silently taken to share the fortunes of the royal army. These things -swept across his mind swiftly, and gave no interruption to the glad -flow of his spirits, as, sitting once again at table with a father and -a mother, he took his cheerful meal, replying to all the questions -they asked, and relating to them such passages of his travels and -adventures as he thought might gratify or divert them. - -When, however, his mother had retired, Martin questioned his father, -with not a little anxiety, about the part which his brother had taken, -and about the present condition of some of those families and friends -whom he had hoped to have met again in happy intercourse. The answers -to these inquiries did for the most part convey pain. His brother, it -seemed, was among those devout but sincere enthusiasts, who, offended -with certain faults in the government of the church, and certain -scandals in unworthy individuals among the clergy, desired a severe -purification of the Establishment, and in their zeal for rooting out -the tares, were destroying the wheat with them. Upon this subject old -Noble was very mournful. He had been himself an epistle known and read -of all men:--his life was so pure and exemplary--his habits so -quiet--his pursuits so innocent--his teaching so plain and -faithful--and his attention to the spiritual wants and the temporal -necessities of his flock so constant and tender--that such of the -neighbouring clergy as led less creditable lives had long regarded him -as a Puritan. The worldly, to whom all tests were indifferent, and who -were ready to embrace any profession of faith, and submit to any -novelties, whether of doctrine or of discipline, necessary, by present -law, to preserve their incomes in peace, had fully reckoned on the -sheltering support of his name. But, to the surprize of all, save the -few who knew him intimately, he was found, in the hour of trial, in -that humble and hallowed band which took cheerfully the spoiling of -their goods for conscience-sake. It was past midnight before Martin -and his father parted. In a small upper room, which took the shape of -the sloping roof, Martin passed the night upon a clean pallet. He -could sleep but little: through the open window came the grateful -scent of the honeysuckle, and his eyes rested upon the stars. His -broken slumbers were full of strange visions, that crowded on and away -in such quick succession as to leave no connected impressions. Of some -dear familiar face a sudden glimpse was caught, and lost so -immediately as to be a grief; and a familiar voice heard soft and -melodious, but the straining ear could catch no word; and then music -exquisitely faint and plaintive; and then the stern trumpet, and -darkness, and a crash, louder than any thunder, and so sleep frighted -from the eyes, and a troubled awakening. But towards morning the -blessing came:--a drowsiness stole upon him, and with it a delicious -sense of fading consciousness. A sleep deep, dreamless, and -refreshing, was gently and pleasantly chased from his eyes by the play -of the cheerful sunbeams; and through the open casement was poured the -varied melody of little birds, that with clear sweet notes were -sending up to heaven, with the white incense of the morning dew, their -early song. - -Martin sprang up with a grateful heart, and looked from the window. -The mantling honeysuckle did half conceal him. Beneath the shade of an -aged mulberry tree, by a cistern of water which flowed over at a rude -lip of stone, and ran away to irrigate the plot of ground in which the -cottage stood, sat his mother at her spinning-wheel. In a corner of -the garden his father and old Peter were digging. This little bit of -land, with a small orchard by its side, was the principal, though not -the sole, support of his parents. In addition to the produce of his -mother's spinning, her skill in needle-work brought in something; and -old Noble had long ago taught himself to make cabbage nets, twist -fishing lines, and turn hackle into flies, with little thought that -such pastime should one day help him to buy bread. However, so many -persons of ingenuity had fallen into poverty in these times, that a -far walk might be taken, and a long stand might be made in a dull -market-place, or at the corner of an inn yard, before a purchaser for -such trifles could be found; indeed a sale for any thing beyond -necessaries could not be reckoned on. - -As Martin looked down upon this scene of repose, as he saw his parents -safe, in health, and not subdued by circumstances, he could not but -feel that the wind of adversity had been tempered to them by that God -whose terrible blasts were abroad; that a plank was thrown to them in -the storm; that the Father of all mercies was their refuge, and the -shadow of his almighty wings was over them for comfort and for good. A -pang came across him, as he thought upon his brother. A vista of -calamity and war now opened before his startled fancy; but genuine -philanthropy, and the love of true freedom, no less than his -attachment to the altar and the throne, gave a call to his spirit to -which he could not be deaf, and which he would not disobey. However, -he turned from all vain and dark forebodings to the contemplation of -present happiness. It was a hallowed bliss to be again near those dear -parents who had from his cradle loved and cherished him. Deep-felt -pleasure is ever akin to melancholy; and thus it was, that, from -excess of happiness, Martin could almost have wept, as he went down -stairs, and freely did so as he felt his mother's arms about his neck, -and her kiss upon his cheek; but such tears are dried as soon as shed. - -The morning rites were performed by his father with the same -impressive tones, and the same hallowed composure, that he could -remember as having often soothed the little troubles of his boyhood, -and which did now again the like office, and calmed the strong but -natural emotions of the man. - -After their plain wholesome breakfast of milk and bread, Martin took -his father aside, and made known to him the resolution which he had -last night formed of immediately joining some division of the royal -army as a volunteer. He entreated him not to utter one syllable of -objection or remonstrance, and not to feel any apprehension of his -ever being brought into a distressing situation, as regarded Cuthbert. -They should never meet, nor in any way be personally opposed to each -other; and the circumstance of his having one son in arms against the -King made it necessary that another should more truly represent his -father, by being enrolled among the royal forces. He stated both his -intentions and his means of carrying them into effect,--at the same -time inviting the best advice which his father could offer as to the -manner of his proceeding, and the leader whom he should join. - -It was not without grief and reluctance that old Noble consented to be -so immediately deprived of his gallant boy; and the mother was almost -inconsolable at the thought of so early and sad a separation: but that -same evening Martin took his departure for Bristol, that he might -secure such baggage as he had brought with him from Italy, and equip -himself for the camp. - - - - -CHAP. XV. - - But at my back I always hear - Time's winged chariot hurrying near; - And yonder all before us lie - Deserts of vast eternity. - MARVELL. - - -Although Bristol was at this time garrisoned by the Parliamentary -troops, Martin Noble and old Peter, by whom he was accompanied, found -no difficulty at the barriers, for the city was not besieged,--and -being on foot, they entered without suspicion. - -The doublet and cloak of Martin being cut in the Italian fashion, he -easily passed in that large and busy port as one newly arrived from -Leghorn and Genoa, and as one engaged in some commercial venture. His -first care was to secure the little property which he had brought from -Italy, and which, save one bag of a hundred pieces in ready money, -consisted entirely in paintings, drawings, and engravings, with a few -antiques. The value of this small collection might have amounted to -twelve hundred pieces. It was now necessary to part with these for -whatever they might produce. His object being to send the whole price -of them, beyond the sum necessary for his own equipment as a volunteer -soldier of horse, to his parents. The captain and crew of the vessel -in which he had returned home were all so cheerfully devoted to his -interests, that he procured his baggage to be privately landed; and -having unpacked and carefully arranged them in his apartment at a -large inn near the quay, he went forth in search of a purchaser. He -had not far to seek: the contents of an open shop kept by a Venetian -in that same quarter at once pointed out whither many a collection of -those curious toys of human invention, whether in the fine arts or in -plate or furniture, round which the strange children of manhood will -fasten fondness, already lay in dull divorce from the pleasant -chambers they had once adorned. The broker consented to go to the inn -and look at his pictures with a cold and wily slowness. There was only -one small original which had been given Martin; the rest were -exquisite copies, executed by his brother artists or himself. The -engravings and the articles of _virtu_ (many of them presents) were -selected with the finest taste; and a magical feeling was associated -in the breast of Martin with every trifle or scrap in his portfolios. -Though his mind was healthy and strong, and the necessity of the -sacrifice was obvious, yet he could bear no work of bargaining, no -words of depreciation. He bade the dealer look them over silently, and -take them at his own price. Nor was he at all disappointed when the -sum of three hundred and fifty pieces were paid down for little heart -treasures, from which, in happier circumstances, he would at no price -have consented to be separated. Of this sum he despatched two hundred -and fifty, by the safe hands of old Peter, to his parents, and the -remainder, with what he had already by him, was amply sufficient to -purchase a horse, a handsome buff coat, and good arms. - -During his residence in Italy, to relieve the sedentary labours of the -_studio_, he had always used horse exercise, fencing, and the play of -the broad sword, and having a vigorous and comely person and a quick -eye, had great skill in all these exercises. He little thought in -those days that he must exchange the wonderful art to which his genius -was wedded for that of war; the peaceful _studio_ and the open -landscape for the noisy camp and the cloudy battle-field. - -He effected his departure from Bristol, and his journey to the -headquarters of the Marquis of Hertford and Prince Maurice, who were -then coming westward, with considerable address. By a few pieces well -bestowed he obtained passports as a foreign artist for London; and, -lading a sumpter-horse with two packages in which his great saddle and -his arms were well concealed, he rode his trained horse in such -furniture and clothing, and with such a bridle, as disguised its -quality. Moreover, by avoiding the large towns, and travelling -circuitous ways, through many of those lovely coombes or valleys with -which the western counties abound, he exposed himself to as little -observation as was possible. He slept in lonely places under a tree, -and he snatched his refreshment through the day at farm-houses or -little rustic inns. There was a consciousness in his bosom, that of -this brief and precious season of his life the most was to be made. -The weaning was at hand: the trials and the solemn chances of warfare -lay before him in all their stern reality. The glorious arts were left -behind as childish things; and he was passing through those scenes of -nature in which the love of heaven is plainly mirrored. He loved the -beautiful; in all things loved it: but, alone in the far windings of a -sheltered vale, where trees and grass and waters blend their beauties; -where cattle lie down, and the white lamb gambols,--with tears of -thanksgiving he worshipped. Nor less in the still secluded forest, -where rivulets make gentle music, he worshipped. Such spots are -sacred: they are not solitudes; they are peopled, most thickly -peopled, with innocent spirits, whom we cannot see; but we feel their -presence, and tread softly in their quiet paradise. It was the last -leisure of Martin's life, and the sweet scenes coloured his mind for -ever; and afterwards, in coarse companies, and in the tumultuous camp, -his memory would steal away back to those vales of peace, as to some -hallowed visions, and lie awhile entranced, till laughter loud, or -cannon's voice, did wake him. It was on this journey that he for the -last time exercised the art he loved. - -In a deep still valley, with wooded hills on either side, and a small -clear river that flowed between them, he stopped at noon before a -solitary farm. The goodwife made him welcome. In her little hall she -spread his clean repast, and there, in the window, sat her daughter -with a child in her arms. It were easy to see she was its mother. If -ever face was sweet and comely,--if ever eyes were calm, and brow was -open,--if ever human forehead looked meet for the seal of Heaven, hers -did, as it shone fair and pure beneath her dark and parted hair. The -child, too, was of curly and surpassing beauty, and stretched its -little arms with smiles. The obeisance of this young mother was -modest,--but her blush was faint, and innocence itself. A sampler -framed in oak hung upon the wall. Martin asked if it was her work, and -she said "Yes--the prize sampler worked in her ninth year,"--and took -it down; and, in fine needle-work, he read the following lines:-- - - "Even as a nurse, whose child's imperfect pace - Can hardly lead his foot from place to place, - Leaves her fond kissing, sets him down to go, - Nor does uphold him for a step or two; - But, when she finds that he begins to fall, - She holds him up and kisses him withal. - So God from man sometimes withdraws his hand - Awhile, to teach his infant faith to stand; - But when he sees his feeble strength begin - To fail, he gently takes him up again." - QUARLES. - -He put it down, subdued to a sudden tenderness, and then asked the -name of her child; she said it was christened "Charles," and then -caressed it more closely, and sighed; adding, "It's a good name, but -it has brought me my first sorrow, for it's with King Charles my -husband is; and they that go to the wars may never come back again." - -She resumed her seat in the window; and, putting down the child, who -could run stoutly about after his grandmother, she began to ply her -needle in silence. Here, as her head was naturally bent downwards, -Martin sketched a happy resemblance of her on his tablets, while she, -unconscious, sat thinking of her fond husband far away, and daily -exposed to wounds or death. Martin rode away from this dwelling; and, -and at some distance, looking back, through a summer shower he saw it -arched over by a glorious rainbow, and asked a blessing on that fair -young mother from the God of hope. - -Thus and here he took leave of peaceful life for ever. That same -evening his horses' hoofs were clattering over the pavement of a small -town in Dorsetshire, filled with royal troopers; and, finding that -Robert Dormer, the Earl of Caernarvon, was there in person, his -journey was at an end. He had brought a particular letter of -introduction to this youthful nobleman from one of his near relatives, -then residing at Rome, in a declining state of health, and had been -also intrusted to deliver to him a curious antique ring as a token of -the abiding love and friendship of a dying man. The letter spoke very -favourably of Martin; but was not written with any expectation that it -would be presented under circumstances and with an object like those -which now induced Martin to deliver it. He had engaged at Bristol a -sprightly young horse-boy, who had whistled his long marches -cheerfully by the side of the sumpter-horse, and who was not a little -delighted at being now permitted to unpack saddle and equipments, and -to see Martin put on a buff coat and a royal scarf. As soon as our -volunteer was dressed, he proceeded to the quarters of Lord -Caernarvon, sent up his letter and name, was instantly admitted, and -met with a kind reception. - -The evening was cheerless and rainy, and the Earl was engaged at the -game of tables, now better known by the name of backgammon, with a -gentleman of a very fine person, about his own age, while a bright -eyed youth of seventeen sat eagerly watching the game. - -The Earl gave Martin a friendly look, and bade him take a seat till -the game was done; for he had already satisfied himself, by a glance, -that it was a letter on private affairs, though he had not opened it. - -"You are from Bristol, young man. What news among our friends in that -neighbourhood, or rather among our enemies within?" - -"I was so situated, my Lord, that I am not so well acquainted with the -condition of the garrison, or the state of the place, as your -Lordship. My sole business there was to get my baggage out of the -vessel in which I came from Italy, to equip myself for camp, and to -join the royal army." - -"From Italy!" said Lord Caernarvon; "indeed! From what part?" - -"I sailed from the port of Leghorn; but came from Rome only a few days -before." - -"Here, Arthur," said the Earl, "take my place, and finish the -game.--Sir Charles, you will excuse me." - -He now took his letter to the window, and immediately read it with -attention. Then approaching Martin, he took him cordially by the -hand. - -"I am afraid to ask how you left Edward Herbert; for in this letter he -seems to consider his recovery as impossible." - -"I am sorry to say, my Lord, that he is a dying man; but he suffers -very little pain, and is as calm and resigned as any person under such -circumstances can be. I am the bearer of his last token of affection -for the Lady Caernarvon." - -Here he drew forth a small case, containing a signet ring, of great -antiquity. Upon the stone, which was a clear beryl, the engraved -symbol was a genius, with an inverted torch. - -As Lord Caernarvon was silently and thoughtfully examining this gem, -the door of the apartment was opened by a grave, mournful looking -gentlemen in a neglected dress, who said,-- - -"Well, Caernarvon, I shall start at eleven, on my return to the King's -quarters, and will direct the escort to march back to you after they -have halted eight hours. I shall only take them thirty miles; and as -there is a moon, we shall have a pleasant ride. What have you got in -your hand?" he added, observing the ring. - -"It is is a farewell token from Edward Herbert to his cousin Sophia: -if you remember, Falkland, the youth was a great favourite of yours." - -Lord Falkland took the ring, and looked upon it in silence for more -than two minutes, then gave it back to Caernarvon with a sigh, and -going close to the window, from which Caernarvon had advanced, Martin -distinctly heard him ingeminate the word "Peace, peace," while he -raised his eyes towards the rainy sky. Yet was the tone of voice so -low, and it came so deeply from within, that nobody else could -distinguish what he uttered; and no one seemed to notice the -inarticulate sound, as if it was a habit of grief and abstraction -common to the man. - -Caernarvon himself was not in spirits the whole evening,--though, as a -party of more than twelve were assembled at his supper table, he was -necessarily engaged in much conversation on the state and prospects of -the war. - -However, before this hour he introduced Martin in a particular manner -to Sir Charles Lambert and Arthur Heywood, when they had finished -their game; and he presented him to the Lord Falkland, who was very -gracious,--but told him with a mournful smile that he must for awhile -forget the fair creations of Raphael, and prepare himself for the -study of severer subjects. - -His relationship to Cuthbert Noble was soon discovered by young -Arthur; and it would have been impossible for him to have received -more cordial and friendly attentions than both Sir Charles and the boy -readily offered. They expressed their sorrow in a delicate yet -becoming manner that Cuthbert should be in the ranks of the -Parliamentary army, and congratulated Martin, as well as themselves, -on the probability that they should be spared the pain of acting, for -the present, against that division of the enemy's force with which he -was known to be serving, as their own march lay westward, to join the -Cornish army. - -Martin rode with the regiment of horse commanded by Lord Caernarvon, -as a volunteer, and soon became a favourite with that nobleman, whose -excellent example in the office and duty of a soldier it was his pride -to imitate. Moreover, this nobleman took delight in the society of the -youth, because he himself had, before the war, been a great traveller, -and an exact observer of the manners of many nations; not only -visiting the south of Europe, but also Turkey and other countries of -the East. Therefore, in as far as any alleviating happiness could -consist with a campaign life, in a warfare carried on in the heart of -one's own country, Martin was fortunate. - -Nor is it to be denied that genius has so many sources of enjoyment -that in no condition can they be all dried up. To love the beautiful -in all things is a high privilege; and feelings of rapture, as of awe, -may be extracted from objects which only impress ordinary minds with -pain or terror. If the calm lake, the green valley, and the pale -primrose soothe us with sweet pictures of peace, the stormy ocean, the -rifted rock, and the blasted tree, can and do stir us with a deep -delight. Thus war has its glories and its solemnities for the eye and -for the ear of man; and his heart may throb with emotions the most -sublime upon a battle-field, and at the wailing trumpets of a -vanquished and a flying foe. - - - - -CHAP. XVI. - - Lastly stoode warre in glitteryng armes yclad, - With visage grym, sterne lookes, and blackely hewed; - In his right hand a naked sworde he had, - That to the hiltes was al with bloud embrewed. - SACKVILLE. - - -The zeal and fidelity of Francis Heywood, in that perplexity and -trouble of the Earl of Essex which were caused by the desertion of -Colonel Hurry at Thame, and by the information that he gave to Prince -Rupert, were so conspicuous, and he rendered such gallant and eminent -service in that unfortunate field of Chalgrave, in which Mr. Hampden -fell, that he was promoted to a colonelcy of horse soon after. - -The army of Essex having been much weakened by the successful -enterprises of Prince Rupert, and being also more wasted by sickness, -the Earl moved from Thame towards London, and quartered his troops -about St. Alban's. Here Francis Heywood met with a very unfortunate -adventure, which ended by his taking away the life of a brother -officer; but the origin of the dispute and the fatal issue of it were -such, that, even by a regular trial before a court of Puritan -officers, he was most honourably acquitted. - -It chanced that as he was passing before the abbey of St. Alban's a -little after dusk, he saw a drunken and noisy procession of the rabble -coming along by torchlight. He stopped to see what they were doing: -when they approached close to him, his anger and disgust were strongly -excited by observing a lewd wretch in a cope trailing in the dirt, -with a service book in his hand, singing, as in scorn, the solemn -words of the church litany, amid the derision and jeers of the base -fellows around him. Francis darted through the crowd and dealt the -impious knave a blow which laid him dumb in the gutter; and calling a -corporal who came in sight had him picked up and confined in a -guard-house for the night. It turned out that this rogue was a common -soldier in the regiment of Sir Roger Zouch, to whom such a -representation of the circumstance was made that he took up the matter -in great wrath, and sent Colonel Heywood a challenge. Francis -immediately sought an interview with Sir Roger, to explain and justify -what he had done. This furious fanatic not only defended and lauded -the crime of his soldier, but, in a paroxysm of rage, deaf to every -argument, rushed on Francis sword in hand; while the latter kept -retreating and expostulating, till at length he was obliged to draw -his sword in self-defence. - -A home-thrust now soon put a period to Sir Roger's life. Fortunately, -this contest took place in the open space near the Abbey, and in the -presence of many respectable witnesses both of the army and the town; -and these cheerfully came forward and deposed to the necessity under -which Francis was laid to defend himself. - -This circumstance made a great impression upon Francis; for though he -stood acquitted in his conscience of all blame, and though he felt -opposed in heart to such a mischievous spirit as that evidenced by Sir -Roger, yet it forced him to consider that it was against such men that -the sincere churchmen in the royal ranks were honourably fighting. -However, he did not slack in his zeal for that cause for which Hampden -had already poured out his life-blood; but he confined himself -strictly to the duties of his particular command, and, both by example -and authority, enforced good discipline and quiet conduct among his -own troopers. He occasionally saw Cuthbert, but had now little comfort -or satisfaction from those interviews. In gloom and in sadness of -spirits that unhappy man wore away his days: his temper had become -embittered and stern; and he was ever unquiet and restless except in -the field, where he delighted to expose himself to every chance of -death. It has, however, been often observed, that that black tyrant, -insatiate as he is, delights to pass by the wretched, and transfix the -bosoms of those whose hopes are in the full blossom of promise. Of -this war is ever furnishing examples. - -In a temper of mind very different from that of his brother did -Martin Noble make his campaign under Caernarvon. - -About the middle of June, Prince Maurice and the Marquis of Hertford, -with sixteen hundred horse, one thousand foot, and eight field pieces, -marched to Chard, a fair town of Somersetshire, on the borders of -Devon, and effected their junction with the Cornish army, which -consisted of three thousand foot, eight hundred horse, and four guns. -This force soon possessed itself of Taunton, Bridgewater, and Dunstar -Castle, without bloodshed. Not long after they marched upon Wells, -where a respectable body had been drawn together by the parliament -officers, Popham, Strode, and others: these retired from the city as -the Marquis of Hertford advanced against it, and drew up on the top of -Mendip Hill; and, waiting till the royal horse came on the same level -in front of them, pursued their retreat leisurely, and in good order. -The King's horse followed them, till they having to pass through a -lane, near Chewton, were compelled, before their entrance into that -defile, to leave their reserve fronted. The Earl of Caernarvon, who -was always in the van, and always charged home, perceiving this -advantage, rode hard at them, entered the lane with them, routed the -whole body of their horse, and did good execution on them for two -miles. But the enemy being reinforced by a fresh strong party of horse -and dragoons, which, by the cover of a hedge, had joined them without -being discovered, rallied, charged, and pressed Caernarvon in his -turn, who was now forced to retire through the village and lane, and -fall back on the Prince's party, drawn up on the open heath. - -Though somewhat broken and chafed, his men rallied stoutly on the -Prince's flank; and when the enemy came up, though now very superior -in numbers, the Prince and the Earl, seeing the danger of a retreat -over those open hills, took the brave resolution to charge them. This -was so vigorously done by the Prince, and so briskly seconded by -Caernarvon, that after a close and fierce mêlée, sword to sword, the -enemy were driven from the field, and chased by Caernarvon again till -set of sun. - -This stirring and brilliant action of cavalry was Martin's first -trial; and he acquitted himself in a manner so spirited and valiant, -as won the warm praise of his gallant patron. He received two hurts, -and was beaten off his horse; but as the army rested many days at -Wells, and his wounds were only sword-cuts, he was sufficiently -recovered to be on horseback again before they marched forward. In the -battle of Lansdown, on July the 5th, he gained fresh reputation; for, -having been twice engaged in the early part of that action against the -famous regiment of cuirassiers, by which the King's horse were so -amazed and staggered, and having shown the most invincible courage in -trying to restore confidence to the routed troopers, he was, in the -last advance against the hill, dismounted, his horse being killed -under him. He was himself at the moment immediately on the right of -those brave Cornish pikes which Sir Bevil Greenvil was leading up. He, -catching up the pike of a fallen soldier, fell into those ranks, by -whom the summit of the hill was soon won, and maintained throughout -that bloody evening. Night fell upon both hosts, tired, battered, and -contented to stand still; but before morning Sir William Waller -withdrew to Bath, and the field of battle, the dead, and other ensigns -of victory, were left with the King's army. - -His next service was at Roundway Down, where Sir William Waller -suffered so great a defeat as very much clouded his affairs and all -his previous reputation. Early in August, Francis was with that army -which sat down before Gloucester; but, as the horse are for the most -part only lookers on at the operations of a siege, he here enjoyed a -certain interval of leisure. At this period he contracted a close -intimacy with young Arthur Heywood, and he had a strange pleasure in -conversing with the youth about his brother Cuthbert. They two would -ride together the circuit of the leaguer, observing the batteries and -approaches, and watching the play of the cannon both on and from the -city; or they would choose unfrequented roads, which led into valleys -near where there was no sight of camp or town; or in tent or camp hut -they would sit together for hours, and often as they did so, the name -of Cuthbert came up, and the one recollected the brother of his -boyhood, and the other, the kind and gentle tutor, who first woke him -to good thoughts,--and it became a cement of love between them; and -while they deplored the course which Cuthbert had taken, their hearts -were full of affection for him. Nor was any one more forward to do -justice to his many excellent qualities than Sir Charles Lambert, when -he chanced, as he often did, to make one of the tent party. - -Sir Charles was, as Arthur told Martin, a changed man from the period -when his brother first knew him; and no one that had seen the grave, -the manly, and thoughtful deportment of Sir Charles, the loyal and -devoted officer, could have deemed it possible that he was the same -person who had once invited and deserved their suspicions and their -contempt. - -However, after lying nearly a month before Gloucester, and making -little progress in the siege, the King was roused by the news that -Essex was advancing to relieve the city. A last effort was decided on: -the town had been most ably defended by Colonel Massey, the governor, -who had made many bold and effective sallies, and interrupted the -labours of the siege with good success; but the garrison was now -reduced to great extremities for want of ammunition; therefore the -King battered the town heavily for thirty-six hours, made a fair -breach, and tried an open assault. The attempt was boldly made, and -the breach mounted, but, after a bloody conflict, the storming-party -was beaten back again. In this last affair Martin and Arthur were -looking on at the assault, when a cannon bullet struck and shattered -the leg of the latter, so that he was forced to have his limb -amputated considerably above the knee,--a most painful operation, -which he bore with a cheerful courage and composure. Thus did the -service of this noble boy suddenly end, he being made a cripple for -life, and no longer able to share the honourable toils of warfare or -to partake ever again of the pleasant and joyous exercises natural to -his age. The helplessness incident to the last season of life fell -suddenly upon him, and made him prematurely old. Martin parted from -him as he lay in hospital with tears in his eyes, and they never met -again: however, Arthur was removed with other wounded to a place of -safety, and when sufficiently recovered was sent to Oxford. Meantime -the siege of Gloucester was raised; and, when Essex marched into that -joyful town, he found them reduced to a single barrel of powder, and -other provisions nearly exhausted. He stayed three days in the place, -after which his care was to retire again to London without -encountering the King's army. He made a night march from Tewksbury to -Cirencester, where he surprised two regiments of the royal horse, and -found a great quantity of the King's provisions; hence he made his -route through the deep and enclosed country of North Wiltshire direct -for London. However, Prince Rupert, with five thousand horse, by -incredible diligence and forced marches, got between London and the -enemy, and detained him till the King, with his main army, came to -Newbury. - -The forces of Essex being now intercepted in their movement, it was -not the interest or wish of the King to engage in a battle, except on -his own terms and with choice of his own ground; but when, on the -morning of the 18th of September, the hot spirits in the royal army -saw the host of Essex drawn up in fair battle array within a mile, and -when they heard the beating of their drums and the breath of defiance -from their trumpets, they would not be contained, and some young -leaders of strong parties got so far engaged that the King was -compelled to fight a general action. - -Never did hostile forces meet with greater fierceness and resolution. -The field was obstinately disputed throughout the day, and night alone -parted the combatants. The foot of Essex had maintained their ground -with admirable steadiness; and the bold charges of Rupert and the -royal horse could make no impression on their stand of pikes. One of -the regiments most frequently exposed to these desperate assaults was -that of Maxwell, where Cuthbert commanded a company of pikes. This -corps, after having endured a storm of bullets from a body of the -King's musketeers in the last attack of the royal forces before -sunset, was come upon suddenly, and at a disadvantage, by some -squadrons of horse, and broken in upon. Nearly half their numbers were -cut to pieces; but the rest, being well rallied, resisted, and slew -many of the horsemen that were intermixed with them, and finally drove -off the enemy. - -No one exerted himself in this most critical juncture with more energy -and sternness than Maxwell; and Cuthbert showed in that difficulty a -noble example to his men. His sword had already been plunged into the -horse of an assailant with such force, that by the action of the -wounded beast he had been disarmed, and another horseman was rushing -towards him. He discharged his pistol swiftly, yet with an aim so -true, that the young Cavalier was borne past him reeling in the -saddle, and thrown violently to the earth. - -When this short and confused conflict between the pikemen and the -royal horse was over, and there came a breathing time, and a pause in -the fighting at that spot, Cuthbert, who marked where his last -opponent fell, left his ranks, and hastened (it was not many yards -away) to his succour. The young man, bareheaded and pale, lay upon the -ground: his bright hair was dabbled with blood--not his own, but that -of other combatants who had been slain near him: a pistol shot had -reached his gallant heart; the courageous and gentle spirit had fled. - -"Nothing can be done for him," said Randal, for whom Cuthbert had -called,--"come away." - -"Surely, surely there can," answered Cuthbert, in an agony, strange -and unaccountable even to himself. - -"Nothing, I tell you: he is dead." - -"Well, then, I will take care of the body, and bury it." - -"Let the dead bury the dead," said Randal. - -"The battle is not over yet. Hark! there is the drum beating to fall -in." - -Cuthbert heard it, and the loud voice of Maxwell, and saw the men -rushing to their arms. He hurried to his post; and there, as he stood, -saw stragglers coming in, who stopped and stooped upon the very spot -where the body of the youth lay, as if to rifle it. His regiment was -at the same moment faced to the left, and moved a quarter of a mile -off to new ground. Here they halted and stood at ease. - -Now came rumours how that great and good men had fallen on the King's -side; that the gallant Caernarvon had been slain by the sword, and -that a bullet had taken the life of the noble Falkland. - -The trumpets did seem to wail them, they sounded so desolate and -mournful as the shades of evening came on. As soon as he could get -away, Cuthbert again hurried to the place where the corpse of his own -particular victim lay. He got a torch, and searched the body, if haply -he might find a name: in the bosom next the heart there lay the -miniature of a girl of calm pure beauty; from the features and the -costume, it seemed that of an Italian. Cuthbert sighed, and continued -his search for some paper that might give a name. At last, in the -breast pocket of the doublet beneath his buff coat, he found a -letter:--the address was "Martin Noble,"--the handwriting was that of -his own father. - - - - -CHAP. XVII. - - Lead us from hence; where we may leisurely - Each one demand, and answer to his part - Perform'd in this wide gap of time. - _Winter's Tale._ - - -It is not necessary to the after-story of the persons in our domestic -drama that the various fortunes of that unnatural war, which desolated -England for so many years, should be further related. - -From the bloody field of Newbury, of which we have already spoken, to -the close of that mighty and memorable contest which convulsed the -whole kingdom, our tale pauses. The imagination of the reader must -pass with us in haste across that afflicting season of violence and -woe to consider the first-fruits of that harvest, the seed of which -had been sown in the whirlwind of human passions, and had been watered -by torrents of human blood. - -But some slight notices of what passed during this interval among our -various characters--a faint outline of their doings, and of the -positions which they occupied--may not be without some interest. From -the period when we last mentioned him, the health of Sir Oliver -declined: he grew infirm; and besides gout he had other complaints, -which produced a morbid action in his system, and made him alternately -gloomy and lethargic, or sensitive and irritable to excess. Any bad -news, a disagreeable incident, a chance crossing of his will, made him -angry and out of temper with every person and thing around him. All -this Katharine bore with a prayerful composure of the spirit, and was -often rewarded by subduing her unreasonable father into sincere and -affectionate confessions of that divine mercy, which did in so many -things comfort and succour them in this season of common adversity and -universal suffering. But there were trials to which she was -occasionally exposed that drove her away in agony of spirit, and with -a silent step, to her closet, where she might weep alone. - -Sir Oliver had been informed, through the officious and mischievous -agency of one of those busy old ladies who had forced their -acquaintance on the family, first, that Francis Heywood had been in -Oxford with Lord Say's horsemen, and, next, that he had had an -interview on the bank of the river with Mistress Katharine. She -contrived, moreover, in her relation of the story, under a pretence of -feeling for the young people, and of its being so natural and so -romantic, to insinuate that it was a prettily concerted meeting. It is -not to be denied that she had some materials on which to build up the -fabric of her falsehood: for she had seen Jane and Katharine walking -in the meadow; she had seen Francis Heywood leap from the boat; and -when he came forth from the avenue which concealed both the ladies as -well as himself, and walked swiftly into the city, he had passed close -under the window of her summer house. - -There is a dignity and there is an earnestness in a genuine spirit of -truth which command belief and compel admiration. No sooner, -therefore, did Sir Oliver first mention to Katharine what he had heard -than she told him, with all plainness, in how sudden and unexpected a -manner Francis and herself met. She told him in part what had passed -between them, and excused herself for not telling him of the -interview, by reminding him how very much the sight of her cousin's -name in the newspaper had discomposed and excited him; and how, in his -own judgment, it had exasperated the symptoms of his disease. By these -explanations the old knight was at once satisfied and quieted. Her -remonstrance with Francis put aside at the moment all suspicion. At -her particular request, he promised that Francis and his politics -should be an interdicted name and a forbidden subject. But this -resolution was soon broken; for when he heard that Milverton House was -burnt down, for a fortnight the name was constantly on his lips, and -was always coupled with the most angry and contemptuous language, if -not by maledictions of a more fearful nature. - -At such moments, a sense of his own impotent condition, which forbade -him to join the camp, would press upon his mind, till it produced -paroxysms of frantic rage. By these temptations a temper less heavenly -than that of Katharine's would have been fretted into resistance and -contention,--a faith less firm and exalted would have failed. But ever -as the tempests of his mind subsided, Sir Oliver felt shame in her -angelic presence. He could not indeed apprehend the high order of her -mental force; but he could appreciate those solid principles of filial -affection that enabled her to endure all things, to hope all things, -and that replied to bitter words only by the kindest services, and by -the most studious desires to content and cherish him. Through -sickness, through pain, through greater reverses of fortune than they -at first experienced,--under circumstances which compelled a great -abridgement of all their ordinary comforts,--the daughter shone as if -she had been some ministering spirit of love and patience, to whom a -charge of peculiar difficulty had been assigned. Nor was this trial of -her patience brief. It was not till the winter of 1647 that her -chastised parent was removed from his scene of suffering and taken to -his rest. The last two months of his existence were, however, marked -by a change of temper and conduct very affecting to all who witnessed -it; and this proved a reward and consolation to Katharine herself -beyond all expectation. Hope, indeed, had never forsaken her; for her -hope was ever anchored beneath the mercy seat of that Redeemer who is -mighty to save. The old knight became gentle, penitent, -tearful:--listened with earnestness to the word of life--was much in -meditation--became tender as a little child--was full of thanksgiving -and gratitude to his Christian daughter, and expired in her arms in -peace. His end was only marked by one painful circumstance,--a last -weakness and prejudice, that clung to him even when the approach of -death was manifest, and eternity in view. He declared that he died in -true and perfect charity with all men, and with Francis and his father -more especially; but he made a request to Katharine, that she would -solemnly promise, under no change of circumstances whatever, to give -her hand in marriage to her cousin Francis. He confessed to her that, -two years before, he had intercepted a letter from him to her address; -in which, though he did not suppose them to be responded to by her, -his sentiments of love were set forth in plain and melancholy words. -Katharine gave the promise required with a low firm voice, and -received upon a pale and trembling cheek the cold kiss that thanked -her. - -The Heywoods had remained in Oxford through both the sieges, and in -that city Sir Oliver died. Arthur Heywood, feeling himself by the loss -of his limb disabled for all future service in the field, had again -entered at his college, and prepared himself by diligent and cheerful -study for embracing the profession of the law, whenever the -distracted kingdom should be once more in a state of repose. George -Juxon had been for the most part in the field, having accompanied the -army of the King as the volunteer chaplain of a regiment of horse; but -in the winter of 1645 he made Jane Lambert his own by those sweet and -sacred ties which the church sanctifies and records. Katharine stood -by her at the altar with that pure and perfect joy which hath its only -outward expression in grave and loving looks. For her comfort, Jane -was still spared to her as a companion,--a consolation greatly needed, -and most thankfully enjoyed; for her domestic trials were of that -petty and painful nature, that do especially wear and weary the most -generous spirits. - -The name of Francis did never reach her ear save through some public -channel, and that being commonly a newspaper, printed for the -Royalists, she did only gather that he had been present on some fields -where there had been obstinate fighting and great loss of lives. The -thought of his being slain was one painfully familiar to her in the -still night when she lay awake and prayed for him. Then again came -other news in the morning, and his name mentioned as one still riding -at the head of squadrons, and present, it would seem, and among the -foremost wherever swords were drawn, and service to be done. -Afterwards, for months she might not hear his name:--if he was dead, -she did not know it; if he was living, she did not know it; and all -these silent anxieties most deeply wrought upon her suffering spirit. - -At the death of Sir Oliver, the King being now a captive, and the -royal cause (which had never looked up since the fatal battle of -Naseby) on all sides declining, Katharine consented, at the earnest -entreaty of Jane, to accompany the Juxons to Cottesmore, in the county -of Gloucester; near which place the venerable uncle of George had an -estate and a private dwelling. It was her intention to wait patiently -the full end of all troubles or commotions before she attempted to fix -her future residence; and then, upon the settlement of her family -affairs, to summon back to her that little orphan girl, just shown at -the commencement of this story. That sweet child had been securely -placed with the widow of a clergyman in one of the most secluded -valleys of Derbyshire, where, safe even from the sounds of war, she -had been reared in peace, and educated with religious care. This -arrangement had been made by Mistress Alice before her death, from an -apprehension that unquiet days were coming; and ample provision for -the support of the child had been lodged in the hands of a secure -agent in that county. - -It was the plan of Katharine, whenever she might again take possession -of the Warwickshire estates, to build and endow a college for the -widows of clergymen on the site of the ruined mansion of Milverton, -and to pass the rest of her days in some quiet and suitable retreat -near Kenilworth. But it is premature to speak of the time and manner -of a retirement which was not to be realised till yet greater trials -than those she had hitherto experienced should come. - - - - -CHAP. XVIII. - - He nothing common did nor mean - After that memorable scene; - But with his keener eye - The axe's edge did try: - Nor call'd the gods, with vulgar spite, - To vindicate his helpless right; - But bow'd his comely head - Down as upon a bed. - MARVELL. - - -From the hour of his brother's untimely death Cuthbert led a life of -crazed care and religious melancholy. He retired to London, but he -avoided all his former acquaintances. He lodged in an obscure alley, -and wandered about during the day without any apparent aim or object, -when not compelled to some slight exertion to provide bread for the -passing day. His resource on these occasions was a Puritan printer, to -whom his Cambridge tutor, now dead, had very favourably introduced him -before the breaking out of the war, and who, from compassion to his -troubled state of mind, gave him such small and easy employments as -might not only contribute to his support but might avail to divert his -melancholy, and to restore the strength of his shattered intellect. He -was not, however, to be engaged in any undertaking which long confined -him at home or to a house. He had become one of those rueful objects, -of which a few may be found in all large cities, and in the fields and -parks in their vicinity. They stray about at will; stand near the -crowded pageant; and though they seem to look upon it earnestly, are -perfectly unconscious whether it is a funereal procession or the lord -mayor's show. They gaze fixedly at buildings and at persons; but the -former are to them as clouds, and the latter as trees walking. From -frequent and careless exposure to chilling rains, and from his long -fasts and the scantiness and irregularity of his meals, his health had -suffered seriously: he had a settled cough; and he was so emaciated -and altered in the face that hardly any body would have recognised -him. Moreover, the change in his appearance had extended to his -dress, which was old, threadbare, and torn. Such was the melancholy -figure that came into churches, and sat down upon the benches of the -middle aisle, not conscious why he was avoided by the more decent -poor, why none but some Lazarus full of sores would take a seat beside -him. He hung as a blighted leaf upon the social tree,--a sad memento -that man is born to trouble, and that sooner in sorrow, or later in -death, all the leaves must fade. - -Upon that black day in the calendar of England's history, the 30th of -January, 1648, when the last act in the tragic drama of the civil war -was presented in public before an afflicted and indignant people, -Cuthbert stood among the gloomy and anxious crowd which was gathered -round the scaffold at Whitehall. Several regiments of horse and foot -were posted near the place of execution, as much to keep the people -from hearing their king's last words as to observe and control their -temper. The mind of Cuthbert had been roused from its long lethargy by -the various news and rumours connected with the trial of the King, -which had been circulated within the last fortnight around him; and he -came along with the multitude on this day, not believing that they -would dare execute Charles, and that if it were attempted, a rescue -would be effected. The day was piercing cold, and the keen wind -searched through his threadbare cloak; and he leaned back against a -wall, a pale shadow of misery, feeble and trembling. He knew not why -he was there, or what he was to do, but when he had seen the strong -populace hastening to Whitehall, he had followed a helpless expectant -of some strange judgment or deliverance. His view of the place of -execution was intercepted by the tall men who stood in front of him -and by a trooper on horseback; and he remained still and silent, lost -in thought and in confused prayers, till a movement and murmurs in the -crowd awakened him to a consciousness of the dread scene which was -going forward at a little distance. - -"That's his Majesty," said one: "how noble he looks."--"He's speaking -now," said another.--"See how grand and straight he stands up, and -how he looks them all in the face."--And from other voices came such -remarks,--"See! the clergy is speaking to him."--"Who is that -parson?"--"'Tis a bishop, man."--"Which?"--"Why honest old -Juxon."--"Look! the King has got his doublet off. God help his blessed -Majesty! O for a few thousand good men and true!"--"Nay, nay, he's -saved. Look! they're putting on his cloak again! Thank God! thank -God!"--But the voice that had uttered this hope was soon hushed, and -there was a dread silence,--the people held their breath. Suddenly -there arose a loud and universal wail. At the sight of the royal head -held up dripping with blood in the hands of the executioner, -lamentations, and groans, and tears, and wringing of hands, did make a -wild mourning such as became a nation's remorseful woe. Cuthbert smote -on his breast, and fell upon his knees, and lifted up his voice, and -wept scalding tears, calling himself a murderer and an abetter of the -King's death,--one that had, like Judas, sold his master, and that his -end would be the same, and everlasting fire his portion. A knot of -persons gathered about him; some of whom, as they heard his ravings, -did half believe that he had been more particularly concerned in -betraying the King, and looked upon him with horror, as on one -suffering the just judgment of Heaven, while others pitied him, and -thought him mad. But the troopers being now called upon to dismiss the -crowd, two large bodies of horse moved up and down from King Street to -Charing Cross, dispersing the folk that had gathered in the middle of -the way, while a few single dragoons moved towards the various knots -and groups, that still lingered near the walls and in corners, to -drive them also away. One approached the small crowd which had -collected around Cuthbert in his bewildered agonies; and, either -really taking him for an impostor or for a designing person wanting to -create a disturbance, came close and gave him a brutal blow with the -flat of his sword, bidding him away to his own dunghill, and play his -tricks with his fellow-beggars in Rosemary Lane. Upon this, a stout -man near, who, from his knit bonnet and coarse grey coat, looked like -a woodman or a warrener from the country, struck the sword out of the -trooper's hand, and knocked him off his horse; and the mob would have -had his life but for the prompt assistance of his comrades, a few of -whom came up led by a sergeant, who, being a reasonable man that felt -ashamed for the unsoldierly services of that sad morning, contented -himself with releasing the soldier and advising the people to go -quietly to their homes. The trooper had been so startled and stunned -by the assault that he could not point out the person who struck him -first, nor did the sergeant seize upon any one. - -The stout man who had resented the blow inflicted on poor Cuthbert -raised him up, and led him aside to a more private place, where, they -two being alone together, he tried to make himself known, for he had -already recognised the voice of Cuthbert; and his soul could, even on -that day of public calamity, be filled with pity for this unhappy -sufferer. It was George Juxon. Cuthbert, already in a kind of stupor, -produced by great mental excitement on a weak and exhausted frame, and -the action of the severe cold of the day upon his naked head, looked -vacantly at him, with incredulity and alarm; and Juxon saw that he was -not only very ill but that his senses were wandering. He immediately -took him home to his own lodgings in a quiet street near St. Paul's -Cathedral, and procured the help of a skilful and humane physician. - -It was a week before Cuthbert was sufficiently restored to strength -either of body or mind to recognise his protector; but when he did so, -the face and voice of Juxon appeared to give him the power of -recovering his scattered memories and unravelling his tangled -thoughts. Nor were the features of Juxon the only ones he was enabled -to recall among those kind preservers with whom he had been thus -mercifully thrown at so critical a moment of his life. - -Jane Lambert, now the wife of Juxon, was one of those who ministered -to him in his sickness; and the countenance of Katharine Heywood, no -longer radiant with youth, and health, and hope, but still majestic -and merciful as those of guardian angels, shone upon him with a mild -and Christian pity. They all viewed Cuthbert as an erring child of a -heavenly Father brought back to him by affliction; and they felt that -to minister to his sorrows and his need, and to lead him gently to the -green pastures and the still waters of Christ's flock, was a sacred -duty, and a sweet privilege. - -The circumstances of those around him were sufficiently easy, -considering the times, to enable them to place him again in his -relative station as regarded temporal matters; and he learned with -thanksgiving that his father and mother were safe and well, and had -been so far assisted as to be comparatively comfortable in the small -cottage in which they dwelt. - -But it was long before Juxon prevailed with him to return to his -father. At every mention of this duty he became silent and gloomy: -from this trial he seemed to shrink with dejection and almost despair. -His faith in the gracious promises of Scripture failed him,--and he -thought his crimes of too black a dye for forgiveness. One evening, -especially, a man coming before the parlour windows and crying certain -relics for sale, offered with a loud hoarse voice,--"Most precious -remains of his late sacred Majesty of pious memory, warranted genuine, -and dipped in his own blood." - -"Here be two locks of hair, master, and three strips of a -handkerchief, all bloody, as you see," said the knave, thrusting them -across the rails towards the window where Mrs. Juxon and Cuthbert were -sitting. At this sight the poor convalescent fainted, and suffered a -relapse, which again disturbed his reason. But as the spring opened, -his mind was restored to the vigour of his best days. He saw and -embraced his privileges as a pardoned penitent, and he willingly -prepared to return to his parents. It was plain, indeed, to himself as -well as to Juxon, that his earthly pilgrimage could not be long, for -consumption had set her deadly mark upon his cheek; and he was -oppressed with a cough which he knew he must carry to the grave with -him: but, grateful for the blessings of restored peace and hope, he -took his last farewell of Juxon, and set forward on his journey home. - -He travelled down with a train of return pack horses to Bristol, and -was five days upon the road. It was the middle of April, but the -weather was cold, snowy, and ungenial;--as in some springs there is a -brief season of summer heat, so in this there was that sharp and -bitter check known among shepherds and countrymen by the name of the -black thorn winter. - -There was a heavy fall of snow on the very day that he rode from -Bristol to Glastonbury; and when he alighted at the small hostel where -he was to leave his hired horse, all was dull, still and silent. He -had passed through empty streets, and he came to an empty yard, where -it was long before a lame hostler, with a sack over his shoulder, and -a pair of wooden shoes on his feet, came out to take his hack. It was -long, again, before he could procure any one to guide him to Priest -Hill Cottage;--at last an urchin with a blue face, and his hands in -his breeches pockets, was driven out, by a scolding landlady, to show -Cuthbert on his way. The north-east wind blew keenly, and drove the -snow into his face and neck as he followed the awkward and floundering -steps of the stupid and unwilling boy: the distance seemed long; and -when they stopped before the wicket of the small cottage, it had a -most poor and desolate appearance. - -Cuthbert paid and dismissed his guide; and now he was alone on the -threshold of that father, whose bosom he had pierced through with many -sorrows; he was soon to meet the mother on whose breasts himself and -Martin had both hanged in the innocent days of infancy. He had one -secret in his bosom, which it would be his duty to keep from those -parents--that they might not be grieved above measure in their -declining years. He was only come for their pardon and their blessing -before he died; but he could not open the wicket and go in. In silent -agony he raised his eyes to the God of heaven, to implore strength for -that solemn meeting. Then came the tempter, and showed him Martin in -boyhood, with sunny curls, and an arm about his neck, running with -him down the green slope of the garden to the arbour where their -father and mother sat--and then a change came--and he saw the pale -corpse, and the bright hair dabbled with blood--and frowning faces -looked out on him from the black and laden sky. He felt chill as death -and very giddy, and then came a merciful swoon. - -What hands were these chafing him as he awoke to consciousness, lying -on warm blankets before a fire?--his mother's. What man was this upon -his knees, with earnest and moist eyes, that was giving him a cordial -with a gentle care?--it was his father: the wanderer was at home -again. Words may not tell his happiness; earth has no language to -express it: there, near the throne of mercy, to which his grateful -heart throbbed up its thanksgiving, there it was intelligible; there -good angels heard it, and struck their golden harps to hymns of joy. - -There was not in broad England a fireside more sweetly blessed with -the spirit of peace and love than that by which old Noble and his wife -and their child Cuthbert sat now for many weeks in quiet company. Not -a single look of upbraiding even from old Peter shaded one hour of -Cuthbert's life, from the moment when he was brought in from the -wicket in the arms of his father and of that faithful old servant. -Though quaint, and rough in manner, the man was true and tender at -heart. It was enough for him that Master Cuthbert was come home again; -and when he saw his hollow cheeks, and listened to his churchyard -cough, all the same feelings which he had once had for him during a -dangerous sickness of his childhood returned, and he was as gentle and -kind in all he had to do for him as a nurse; but this was little,--for -a mother was ever at his side: by her hands his pillow was smoothed, -by her his back was propped, and his chair placed nearer to the fire; -while his father sought to share in all these services, and read to -him, and prayed with him, and communed with him through long and -precious hours about their common faith, their common hope, and that -future and abiding world, where they should dwell as pardoned and -perfected spirits, in sinless felicity, and in the pure service of -praise and love for ever. - -They all sat together one afternoon, about the close of May, when it -was so warm that even the invalid had his chair moved out of doors for -half an hour, and sat well wrapped up, to look at the flowers and the -bee-hive. Cuthbert was silent, but a tear stole down his cheek; and -turning suddenly to his father, he asked, "Did you see any thing?" - -"Nothing," replied Noble, calmly. - -"It was a vision then; the mere creature of my own brain: but it was -very beautiful. I thought I saw our dear departed Martin." - -"That is not surprising, Cuthbert, we have talked together so much -about him lately, and you think of him, I know, a great deal; I myself -often in my fancy see the dear boy, and probably shall continue to do -so as long as I live." - -"Yes, that is the natural way to account for it; but yet I have never -before pictured him to my mind as I saw him just now. He stood in -shining raiment, by the bank of a river that seemed to flow between -us, and beckoned me to come over; and behind him I saw a field of -light, and far off, a city that was bright as alabaster. - -"Father, I have one last request to make--I do not think that I shall -be much longer with you--read me the fourteenth chapter of St. John -now: there my hope as a Christian was first clearly revealed to me; -there I first cast anchor. O that I had never put out into the stormy -sea of controversy! But it is all well--it is all over now. By the -Divine alchemy good hath been drawn out of evil. - - "'O Father of eternal life, and all - Created glories under thee! - Resume thy spirit from this world of thrall - Into true liberty.'" - -"You are not, dear Cuthbert, impatient, I hope? We must all wait God's -time." - -"I hope not; but it is better to depart." - -He now listened with the most devout and prayerful attention as his -father read to him; but before the chapter was finished, his head -suddenly sunk upon his bosom, and his spirit departed. - - - - -CHAP. XIX. - - The extreme peril of the case, - The peace of England, and our person's safety, - Enforced us to this execution. - _King Richard III._ - - -Among the petitioners who stood waiting for an audience of the Lord -Protector in the guard hall at Hampton Court, at that anxious period -which followed the many arrests and trials of persons implicated in -the conspiracy against his government, in the spring of 1655, was a -lady in deep mourning, who stood alone in the window niche of that -crowded apartment, and gazed upon the sunny garden before her with an -air of settled melancholy. - -It was a May morning, the fourth day of that month. Notwithstanding -that the air of every thing about the palace was solemn and grave, yet -the appearance of his Highness's life guards was very stately and -imposing. The hum of their voices, and of those of the various -officials who passed to and fro to the door of the presence-chamber, -though not loud, was yet audible and confident; while the little -conversation on which the various groups of petitioners ventured was -carried on in suppressed tones, or low and anxious whispers. - -For three hours the lady remained in the same place, and kept her face -averted from the busy hall, and fixed upon the trees without. At last -there was a sudden stir and bustle, and when she turned round, she saw -the crowd going forth at the outer door; and an usher of the court -gave notice in a loud voice, that his Highness the Lord Protector -would not hear any further suits that day. - -She moved instantly towards the door of the presence-chamber. - -"By your leave, gentlemen,--let me pass: my humble suit will not -detain his Highness a moment; and to-morrow will not----" - -"I understand you, lady," said a grey-haired officer, with a manly -compassion; "but his Highness has passed into his inner -presence-chamber, and is engaged with the great officers of state. He -will not allow any one to approach him now; and he does not use to see -any private petitioners after. No one dare present himself at the door -of that chamber now; and we may not suffer you to pass." - -"Well, sir; but I will wait till the council is over, and then, -perhaps, he will admit me. To-morrow will be too late," she added, and -turned away her head. - -"Certainly, lady, you may remain awhile, till the council comes forth; -and he never consults long with them; but if your suit touches any of -the poor gentlemen about to suffer for the late treason, I fear there -is no hope of your success. He hath refused many well-supported -memorials for some who were but slightly connected with the offence, -and whose friends have great personal influence with himself. Indeed, -he cannot pardon them, with safety to his government." - -"It is not for a pardon that I come, sir, it is only for leave to part -with a dear relative, who is sentenced to die as to-morrow; and I am -denied admission to him, without I bring an authority from the Lord -Protector himself." - -"In as far as I may serve you, lady, in this matter, I will surely do -it." So saying, he crossed to a gentleman who sat at a table in the -outer presence-chamber, the door of which was standing open, and -conferred with him, giving the paper, with the prayer of her petition, -into his hands. He returned, saying, that the secretary would present -it as soon as the council broke up, and then placed a chair for her in -the window near. In less than half an hour, the great officers of the -council came out, and crossed the hall--the guards standing to their -halberds. The lady rose, as they passed, out of respect to their -offices; and they, with grave bows, acknowledged that courtesy--not -aware, perhaps, that she was only a trembling suitor for their -master's "Yes." But this was not given, as a matter of course, when -the secretary asked it. The Protector questioned him closely -concerning the aspect and manner of the lady, and ended by commanding -her into his presence. - -She was ushered into the inner presence-chamber, the door closed -behind her, and she found herself alone before Cromwell. He stood on -the far side of a table, with one hand resting upon it, and her -memorial in the other. The table was covered with papers, and directly -near him was an ancient desk of ebony, with an hour-glass by the side -of it, and three or four books, one of which was a Bible. He was -dressed in a suit of black, and his costume would have been plainer -than any about the court but for the extreme richness of his Flemish -lace collar and cuffs; but these were cut after a plain square -fashion, and not in the Vandyke pattern of Charles's reign. He avoided -noticing her obeisance, for she did not kneel; and, after a -considerable pause, he raised his eyes slowly, and fixed them upon her -with a penetrating and a severe expression. It was a trying moment for -Katharine Heywood,--for she was that lady; but she had been silently -lifting up her heart to God, and she returned his look with dignity -and composure. She could not but be impressed with awe in the presence -of one so powerful; and there was nothing in his cloudy and grave -deportment calculated to relieve that feeling. At last he addressed -her:--"Thou comest to us on the matter of this poor and deluded man, -who hath fallen into the snares of Satan, and hath attempted to fight -against the Lord. It is vain to petition us in this matter: we are to -this unhappy and distracted kingdom in the place of the angel of the -Lord; and we must not bear the sword in vain. As we are man, in so far -we are weak, poor, foolish, frail, blind, unstable, like unto the -light vane that turneth with every breath of wind; but, in that we are -the angel of this people, chosen of the Lord, set up in the place of -judgment, our wisdom and strength, our counsels and actions, are from -above, and we are strong, rich, wise, indestructible, discerning all -things; steady, fixed, constant in our purposes; immovable as a great -rock, that smileth at the madness of those waves that dash around -it.--Do not interrupt me, woman. I know what thou wouldest say: I can -tell thy thoughts afar off, and see tears before they come to the -eyelids. I must not pity. He that hath covered my head in battle -appointeth the doom of this troubler of Israel. His is the sceptre, -and the sword is his. I am but the poor unworthy instrument by whom -they are borne. I am no more but a poor Jack of the clock-house, and -strike the stroke of righteous vengeance, even as that automatous toy -striketh on the bell, being moved by the organs and machinery of the -skilful constructor or contriver thereof. Thou understandest me? I -like to speak plain, that my poor people may see what a very worm of -earth is every child of Adam; and how little store I set by all the -baubles and gewgaws of power and state. It is known how a whole nation -did weary my spirit with petitions to take upon me this grave and -weighty office, which I would gladly have foregone, if that I might -have declined the cross without sin. But such peace was not for me." -During this strange address, Cromwell looked alternately at the paper -in his hand and at Katharine Heywood; dropping his eyes on the former, -and then suddenly raising them again, as if to catch some expression -of her countenance, which she would not willingly wear while his eyes -rested on her: but there was about her a majesty sad and unmoved; the -seriousness of her displeasure was grave; and she was fortifying -herself by mental prayer. The Protector perceiving this, abruptly and -without a pause, changed his manner and tone:--"You are the wife of -the condemned?" - -"Not so, my Lord, I am his cousin." - -"What is your name?" - -"Katharine Heywood, Sir: it is written on the petition." - -"What Heywoods?" - -"Those of Warwickshire." - -"Ha! Malignants--Malignants:--Sir Oliver was one of them: a staunch -slave of that foolish and misguided man, Charles Stuart." - -"My father, sir, was a faithful subject of King Charles." - -"And you, woman----" - -"I obey the laws. By my sex and by my sorrows I have been taught -thankfulness for any government that brings peace." - -"Out of thine own mouth is thy rebel cousin condemned. How came it -that all his relations were not instantly arrested? But thus it is. -Thus am I served by indolent and purblind knaves--the serpent and the -woman;--thus it ever was, and will be, the boldest treasons are ever -hatched by women. Where dost thou live?" - -"At Cottesmore, in Gloucestershire." - -"How long have you dwelt there, and with whom?" - -"Since the death of my father, I have lived in the family of an -ejected minister, named Juxon, a nephew of the bishop." - -Cromwell bit his nether lip, and passed his hand quickly across his -brow. - -"I did not think that bluff old man was a plotter. They told me that -he was turned hunter again; but it is me that they would hunt. My soul -is as a partridge on the mountains: they hunt for the precious -life;--but," he added (recovering the tone which a gloomy and passing -emotion had discomposed), "it is the Lord: it is he that hath called -me. I am his servant, and no weapon formed against me can prosper. -Who are these that would disturb a peace which the Lord giveth, and -kindle again the fires of a civil war which I have been commanded to -extinguish? and so thou livest near this merry old hunter that would -have my life?" - -"My Lord, it is not so: the bishop meddleth not with any public -affairs, and I have never seen him smile since the sad end of his -royal master. No, sir, he doth only hunt for health and diversion of -his mind, which is ever occupied at home in dull cares and grave -studies." - -"That soundeth true of him. I do remember that he was accounted -honest; and that, from his youth, he had a body comely and quick--apt -for that manly sport;--but still, 'The heart is deceitful above all -things, and desperately wicked: who may know it?'--How long is it -since thy cousin was at Cottesmore?" - -"He was never there." - -"Is this true?" - -"I would be sorry to utter any thing which might, by possibility, be -proved mistaken; but, to my knowledge, he was never there." - -"And how long, then, is it since you have seen him?" - -"It is many years since I have seen him; nor for these two years have -I even heard of him." - -"He was an officer of the Parliament?" - -"He was, sir; and was made a colonel of horse, in the second year of -those wars." - -"I remember it. Ere this, he might have written general, and baronet -to boot; but he was hot, and wrong-headed." - -"'Tis better as it is: his heart is right,--and he hath less to answer -for." - -The eyes of Cromwell rested upon the countenance of the majestic -Katharine with severity, and with a surprize that seemed to ask the -meaning of words so strange and cold. But the tone in which they were -uttered, and the sudden mournfulness and abstraction of her gaze, told -him that emotions, both strong and tender, were working in her bosom. - -"And your prayer, lady, is that you may be permitted to take leave of -your cousin before his execution?" - -"That is my prayer." - -"It is not wise. I speak as to a Christian mind. Though none hath -shown himself more bitterly my foe than this cousin of thine, yet he -was no assassin. He was, I know, for a warlike rising: his obscure -lodging was found full of arms; and though he lived as frugally as he -that laboureth for a groat a-day, yet was a horse worth fifty pieces, -and trained for the great saddle, found in the shed, behind the small -house where he lived. I have shown him all the favour in my -power:--the sentence and manner of his death are changed. His life is -a forfeit to the weal of England. I am no man of blood, lady:--the -signing of death-warrants is no joy to me; but one example on a -scaffold may save the lives of thousands. Lady, your visit will only -disturb his last moments. I have cared for his soul:--a godly minister -doth see him; and I learn that he doth exercise himself as a dying man -should. It seems that you have not seen him for many years:--he will -not expect thee--does not think of thee:--cousinship is not so close a -kindred. I cannot grant thy prayer." - -"My Lord, I am his nearest relative--his only relative now living in -the land. We were together in our youth. I would not fail him in this -hour. At such a time, to feel that he is not forsaken of all men must -be a comfort to the spirit. Besides, he may have parting words for his -distant father, and parting words are precious. Oh, grant my suit, -your Highness! on my knees I humbly ask it--I implore it. Oh, grant my -suit! I will not let you go till my poor prayer is answered." - -Katharine had approached, and fallen upon her knees, and in her hands -she had clasped the skirt of his dark cloak. - -"Lady, control yourself: I have a human heart--but duties are too -sacred to be foregone for tears. I cannot grant your prayer." - -"Why not, my Lord? Oh, why this strict and stern refusal? Oh, deign to -tell me what makes you thus cruelly dismiss me?" - -"It were to commit evil against thy cousin's soul, and to defeat the -ends of public justice; I can tell by thy lofty eyes thou wilt carry -him the means of death." - -Katharine rose from her low posture with a look of reproof to the -suspicious usurper at once dignified and solemn. - -"Francis Heywood, my Lord, is of a nobler spirit than to tarnish his -brave life by an end so mean, and hath too holy a trust in his -Redeemer's mercy to shrink from his appointed trial. But were he -other, and I found him so, and with a poison cup at his lips, this -friendly hand should dash it from them." - -"You speak of what you know not: the most valiant heart that ever beat -might yet shrink from the shame and dishonours of the scaffold." - -"Shame and dishonours! Where are they? 'Tis not the place or manner of -a death can make them; besides, the scaffold hath now become a dying -place of kings, and meaner men may hold themselves ennobled by -suffering like end. I promise by all my love towards my gallant -cousin, by all my truth, and all my hopes of heaven, to hold no word -of conference with him on any matters save our private love as -cousins, and our common faith as Christians." - -Just at this moment a door leading to the wing which Cromwell -inhabited slowly opened, and a lady, with a gracious but most pensive -face entered a little way and gently called him. He turned: the -gloominess which had gathered over his brow at Katharine's last speech -was dissipated at the sound of her soft voice: he went to her, but -before Katharine could address an appeal to her she had left the -chamber; and Cromwell, returning to the table, took a pen, and wrote -on the back of her petition an order for her admission to the Tower, -and to the prison of Francis Heywood; then, with a grave and not an -unkind look, he put it into her hand. - -She glanced at the writing:--"Add another word, my good Lord,--the -body:--Oh, grant me that! When the bloody axe hath done its work, let -the body be my care:--we grew together in our youth,--I would not have -his precious remains buried by executioners." Cromwell took back the -paper, and, without uttering a word, wrote the permission. - - - - -CHAP. XX. - - Nor death, nor sleep, nor any dismall shade - Of low, contracting life, she then doth fear; - No troubled thoughts her settled mind invade: - The immortal root of life she seeth clear, - Wisheth she ever were engrafted here. - HENRY MORE. - - -It had been arranged between Katharine and her ever-constant friends, -the Juxons, who had accompanied her from London on this melancholy -occasion, that she should go to the palace alone, while they awaited -her return on the bank of the river. They had come from Westminster by -water in the morning; and, in the event of her petition being attended -with success, were to go back in the same manner direct to the Tower. - -They had been provided with a swift four-oared boat, well manned, -hired for the day; and while Katharine was in the palace, Jane and her -husband sat under the trees not fifty yards from the river, and in -sight of the boat. The men had been cautioned against drinking or -straying, and having shown all civility and attention, rested idly on -the bank, to all seeming in contented obedience. But whether their -patience had been exhausted, or the mournfulness of the party was -displeasing to them, or they felt bribed by the chances of feasting -and merriment with some party of pleasure, just before Katharine came -down to the river, they suddenly took boat and rowed swiftly away, -unheeding the loud and vain remonstrance of Juxon. - -By this petty perplexity she was for some time delayed. It was long -before any conveyance could be found. Every horse--every -carriage--every boat was out. It was one of those delicious days, when -all the world, as by common consent, keeps holyday:--when sorrows, -disappointments, wrongs, and sordid cares are left within doors; when -grass is in its greenest beauty; when hedges are white and -sweet-scented; when lovely blossoms cover all the orchards; and -flowers are every where, and foliage is fresh and young, and birds -are in full song. - -Absorbed, patient, unconscious, Katharine sat still, her hand within -that of Jane. Juxon at last returned, rowing a small wherry himself, -and placing them in it, made for the Tower with his best vigour. He -said little; but as he passed the numberless boats, which were crowded -with glad and joyous groups, here noisy with laughter, there vocal -with sweet and innocent songs, the natural expression of youthful -enjoyment, his heart bled for Katharine. But, in truth, all these -sights and sounds gave her little disturbance--they were unheeded. Her -spirit was preparing for a great trial, and was lying low before a -hidden throne, imploring strength. - -As soon as they reached the neighbouring wharf, Juxon accompanied her -to the gate of the Tower, promised to provide a lodging for the night -in that neighbourhood, where they might all remain, and to return for -her. - -And now this sad and gracious woman was left to pass through all the -slow and cold formalities of admission alone. By no less than five -different officers was her paper examined; and with some there was -unkind delay, and with others, the rude questioning of an unfeeling -curiosity. At last came the prison itself. Here the order from the -lieutenant of the Tower having been duly recognised was obeyed in -surly silence, by a stern-faced gaoler and his assistants. Heavy doors -were slowly unlocked; and harsh and grating sounds, and the clank of -keys, and the turning of strong bolts, made her blood chill. - -A lighter door, as of an apartment, was at length unlocked quietly, -and she was ushered into a chamber, where her cousin sat at a table -writing, with his back to the entrance. He did not, at first, turn -round, fancying it was one of the gaolers. One grated window in his -front, having a northern aspect, looked out upon a wall so close to -it, that not even sunshine could be ever visible upon it. There were a -few books upon his table:--here, too, there was an hour-glass. A -little very ancient furniture, of oak, relieved the nakedness of the -walls; and there was an aspect in the gloomy room which did properly -belong to the prison of a state criminal of rank. - -The conductor of Katharine respectfully announced a visiter, and as -immediately withdrew, and turned the lock. Francis rose:--he -recognised Katharine at once, and with a mute embrace; then placed her -with reverent tenderness in a seat, and went for a moment to the -window, to recover his composure, after which he came and sat down -beside her. Katharine was collected, and did not shed a single tear; -but the first words she would have uttered died within her, and found -no voice. Francis took her hand in a grave, calm manner:-- - -"Remember," said he, "my dear, beloved Katharine, that this must be no -melancholy parting. If any thing on earth could make me loth to quit -it, most true it is, the thought that it must yet, for a brief season, -be your dwelling-place, would make me cast a lingering look behind. -But even that I have struggled with and conquered; nor does your -presence shake my resolution. You must rejoice with me--not weep. It -is a bad world, sweet cousin, and I have been among the worst upon it. -But I have found the Great Deliverer; or, rather, have been found of -him; and I do look beyond it now:--ay, Katharine, and have done so for -many years. My spirit panteth to be gone; and well I know that thou -art only kept on earth, as angels are, to minister God's mercy to the -wretched. I knew that I should have thy charitable prayers, but did -not think to see thee. How didst thou gain admission? It has been -denied to some of my true friends. Besides, I thought thee far away, -and wrote especially to the tyrant's private secretary to say that we -had had no intercourse for years; and that you knew nothing of my -actions, nor were you even acquainted with any of the Royalists -engaged. I marvel much this favour hath been granted me, and humbly -thank my God for this last blessing." - -The while he spoke she looked upon him steadily, and at every word did -gather strength and peace. - -"How is it, Francis, that I feel no grief? How is it that I have -stood face to face today with Cromwell without a falter of the tongue? -How is it that I feel this nearness of thy death as if it were the -appointment of some hallowed honour to wipe out all the noble errors -of thy deceived heart, and write upon thy tomb their glorious -confession? I did ever love you well, Francis--now better than ever. -We are no longer young: I can read in your worn lineaments, as in a -mirror, the lines of care, which Heaven has traced upon mine own. Your -hair is grey, and war and woe have done their work upon you, and -quenched the brightness of your eye of fire. Now you are dear to -me;--now that you stand upon the verge of the invisible world, -prepared, with prostrate heart, and with courageous faith, to enter -in. I do not come to weep with thee:--your spirit kindles mine--I will -rejoice." - -"There spoke the woman of my love--of my heart's choice. Katharine, I -do own to thee, that when I did engage with this last band to strike a -blow for freedom, and when discovery came, and chains and judgment -followed, the thought that you would know my last true effort, would -call it constant, honest, and drop a tear upon my grave, was a strong -cordial to my wearied spirit, and did enable me to look at Cromwell in -all his state and power with a bright defiance. I do marvel that he -granted me this favour:--what said he?" - -"He did not do it readily. He spoke you fair and justly as a soldier; -but only in one point he did you grievous wrong." - -"In what? I pray you name it." - -"He seemed to fear that I might bring you poison or a dagger--and so -the scaffold lose a victim, and baser men an example for their -terror." - -"And what said you in answer?" - -"I told him that you had a nobler scorn of death, and a holier fear of -God, than so to sin against your soul. - -"He said that bravest men might dread the dishonours of the scaffold. - -"I told him these now were no dishonours--that it was a place -ennobled by the blood of a royal martyr." - -"Dared you so much? How looked he?" - -"He loured and bent his eyes upon the ground. Just then his lady -daughter entered. She whispered him, and, as I think, did plead for -me--for, after she went forth, he wrote the permission instantly and -more. The after-sentence is remitted:--then, when the axe hath done -its cruel work, thou art mine, Francis--these hands shall fold thy -grave-clothes." - -"Angels of heaven! are ye listening, are ye present? Yes, her steps -are compassed round with holy guardians; her strength is more than -mortal. Am I then helped in this my only trouble? this the last -weakness of my shrinking nature? Have my prayers been heard, and have -I been cared for as a timid child, by him who sitteth on the mercy -seat? The tyrant told you truly, Katharine; for he, half hypocrite, -half hero, is brave as his own sword:--yes--brave men may shrink from -the rude shames done on their lifeless bodies. Remember, noble woman, -that this last great charity doth take away the only bitterness that -made my cup to taste of terror. Now my heart is light, and leaps -within me, as if I felt its pinions struggling to be free. To-morrow -is as a bridal-day to me." - -During this speech Katharine was so much overcome that big tears -rolled down her marble cheeks, and she sought relief in prayer. Her -eyes were raised to heaven in silence, and for a few brief minutes not -a word was spoken by either; for Francis kneeled beside her, and his -heart was lifted up in devout and still communion with hers. Being -calmed and strengthened by this exercise of faith, Katharine was again -able to address him. - -"Your hours are now precious, Francis; let me not dare to waste one -golden moment of them: whatever may be your last desires and wishes, -tell me, that they may be religiously observed." - -"They are not many: these papers, which one broken hour of the night -will give me time enough to seal, I would have conveyed by a safe hand -to New England; and perhaps one line from you might comfort my -father's heart. These few books I would also have sent to him. This, -Katharine, is my Psalter: take it; and till we meet in a better world -use no other. Now hear me; and, for both our sakes, observe my last -directions strictly. To-morrow morning, from the hour of eight to -nine, keep closely to thy chamber, and shut thy door, and do not look -abroad; but make this Psalter thy companion, and read therein the -choicest words of praise and thanksgiving. Yes, praise and -thanksgiving:--remember this. If that I am a pardoned sinner, and that -I am pardoned a humble voice within me whispers, and visionary hands -do point to him the blessed of the Father, who hung on the accursed -tree, and died that we might live. If it be so, then to-morrow I shall -cross Jordan at the narrowest point, and see that heavenly Canaan -where happy spirits dwell: there we shall meet again. Hark! there be -footsteps. One last embrace:--farewell." - -The door was unlocked, and a minister of a countenance most kind and -holy did softly enter. He paused, irresolute at the sight of -Katharine, and would have withdrawn till their interview might end. - -"Nay, my reverend and dear friend, come in, I prithee:--this is the -lady of whom I spoke to you: my only relative in England. She hath -come to do me the last charitable offices of earthly love. You are -prepared, I see, to comfort and refresh me. My cousin will keep this -feast with us." - -At these words the good man entered, bearing a salver and a cup, over -which a white napkin was decently spread; and when the door had again -been closed, and the clank of the keys at the gaoler's girdle had died -away in the long passages, and the world and the world's sounds were -all shut out, that dull and grated prison became a temple,--and they -three in a mournful humility did make their meek confession, and in -faith, hope, and charity, did feast upon a Saviour's love. - - - - -CHAP. XXI. - - Dear beauteous death, the jewel of the just, - Shining nowhere but in the dark: - What mysteries do lie beyond thy dust, - Could man outlook that mark! - VAUGHAN. - - -The good old vicar of Cheddar, and the aged partner of his trials and -his consolations, survived the melancholy war which brought so much -public misery on the nation, and so much private affliction on -themselves, for many years. They continued to dwell in the same small -cottage, in which, after the ejectment of Noble, they found their -first refuge, unknowing and unknown. Their means were slender, but -their wants were few; and they were rich in the graces of divine -contentment. - -As with advancing years the strength necessary for manual labour -declined, there came such little improvement of circumstances as -enabled the worthy man to dispense with such exertion; and the toil of -Peter was lightened by the assistance of a younger labourer. Noble -himself walked regularly every Sunday of his life to attend divine -service at a small village church distant from his cottage about a -mile and a half; and old Peter and he sat together in the back seats -under the gallery. His wife being feeble on her limbs, and dim of -sight, remained at home; and it was Noble's pleasure to bring back to -her the text of the sermon and the matter of the discourse. - -This church was served by a Puritan divine, who held a benefice five -miles on the other side of it, and rode over to the hamlet for one -full service in the afternoon. The lord of the manor was a nobleman -who had been distinguished during the war; and who, after the close of -hostilities in Ireland and the establishment of the protectorate, had -retired to this mansion and estate, where he led a very secluded life, -seldom stirring beyond his park wall. But he was a pious and -charitable man, well spoken of by his servants, and by the poor of -the village as a Christian master and a considerate landlord. - -There was something very fine and very affecting in the consideration, -that an aged minister, ejected for conscience-sake, should sit every -Sabbath as a humble and loving Christian listener, under the ministry -of one young enough to be his son, and to find in him a helper of his -joy. - -The young man knew not whom it was his privilege thus to strengthen -and comfort; for there was a meekness and a shy reserve about Noble, -and an enjoined silence to Peter, which repressed and baffled -curiosity. They just knew so much as that one was a deprived -clergyman; but whether he had been turned out for scandal, or what his -story might be, none cared to discover more particularly;--he was an -accustomed sight. - -It so chanced that, one Sunday, when the congregation was assembled at -the usual hour the young minister was not forthcoming. All persons had -taken their seats. The lord of the manor was in his pew; and, after a -long pause, the singing was begun, in the expectation that perhaps he -would yet arrive time enough to conduct the worship; but the psalm was -concluded, and he did not appear. - -There was an evident disappointment on the countenances of all the -people; and the grave nobleman, after leaning over his pew, and -summoning the clerk, decided to sit down again, and linger yet a -little time. Another psalm was given out and sung through,--still no -minister arrived. - -At last, moved by a constraining principle of love to the great and -Divine shepherd of all Christian flocks, and by a pure love to the -souls of the people, Noble came forward with lowliness and composure, -and told the clerk quietly that, being himself an ordained minister, -he did not feel it right to let the people go empty away, without -offering in such manner as he could to feed them; and that if there -was no objection he was ready to go up into the pulpit. To this -arrangement there was an immediate assent from the nobleman, to whom -the clerk referred it; and old Noble, for the first time since the -day when he was driven from Cheddar with blows and insults, found -himself in the place and office of an ambassador for Christ. - -He was manifestly supported in this moment by the spirit of power, -love, and of a sound mind. His prayer was serious, simple, and plain -as the utterance of a child. Out of the abundance of his heart he -offered up his petitions with reverent fervency and confiding love. -The chapter which he selected for reading was the fourth chapter of -the first Epistle of John; and, taking the tenth verse of this chapter -for his text, he declared fully and freely that blessed message of -pardon, reconciliation, and peace, which it is the most precious -privilege of the Christian minister to deliver, and to deliver which -is a duty of sacred and perpetual obligation. Mercy and grace fell -softly from his lips, and distilled like the gentle dew upon the -hearts of all his hearers. - -The poorest and least instructed could understand every thing he said; -the most learned and advanced among them found a master in Israel, -walking with a secure footing on the very summits of the mount of -God. Unseen by Noble, the young minister entered, when he was in the -middle of his discourse, and stood with rapt, devout, and breathless -attention to its close. The rugged old warlike nobleman had early -risen, and leaned over his pew with eyes fixed upon the preacher, and -half the congregation were in the like posture of attention. Of all -this Noble was utterly unconscious: his own gaze was perfectly -abstracted; he saw nothing, he thought of nothing but the Divine love. -He magnified it; he set it forth in the chaste radiance and the -heavenly light of Scripture language and Scripture imagery. He -commended it to the hearts of all around him, by speaking of it -experimentally, gratefully. He showed what the world and society would -be if subjected to its influence: drew the mournful contrast daily -presented to the eye; and, towards the close, he drew aside, as it -were, the curtains of the skies, and displayed the world of light, and -the redeemed of the Lord walking, as angels, in an air of glory. When -he had concluded, he kneeled down to pray: his few first words, -though not quite so loud as his sermon, which had been preached in -very subdued and quiet tones, were distinctly audible; but, then, they -became faint and unintelligible, his grey head bowed down upon his -pale hands, and both rested without motion upon the dark cushion of -the pulpit. - -The young minister was the first to perceive his condition, and the -first to run to his succour. With the aid of Peter, he brought him -down and out into the summer air, and laid him on the grass, and -loosened his vest; but the body itself was no longer any thing but a -put-off garment:--the spirit was far off, breathing already the air of -that Eden which is above. - -The young minister accompanied Peter back to the cottage with the -precious remains, and, leaving them at a few yards' distance, entered -first, and broke the loss to his aged partner. She felt it deeply: but -as all the circumstances attending it were truly and tenderly related, -the grief of the woman yielded to the faith of the Christian; and, -while tears rolled down her withered cheeks, she was enabled to bless -and praise her God. - -From that day, to the hour of her death, that youthful minister took -her to his own home, and was to her as a son. - -The very same day which witnessed the sudden and solemn removal of the -good old vicar of Cheddar brought a summons to his base and -hypocritical successor in that vicarage. As the crafty and bitter -bigot was crossing his yard with a more hasty step than usual, his -foot tripped against the edge of the BROKEN FONT, which he had put in -the ground near his ash-heap, to hold water for his fowls. He fell to -the ground with such violence as to produce a compound fracture of his -thigh; and, after the lingering torments of a very long confinement, -died in the greatest agony of body, and in hopeless terror of mind. - -While this unhappy wretch lay upon his bed, in the first week after -his accident, the body of Noble was brought to Cheddar for interment -by the young Puritan divine, of whom we have spoken in the foregoing -part of the chapter. The whole village poured forth to meet the body: -the large hearted young minister performed the funeral service; and, -indifferent to what the rigid party might say or think, he read over -the grave of the departed vicar that solemn and sweet office for the -burial of the dead which was, in those days, a forbidden charity to -men who had suffered cheerfully the loss of all things rather than -give up the sacred ritual of their church, or take the covenant which -the faction in authority would have tyrannically imposed upon their -conscience. The dropping of a leaf might have been heard in the green -churchyard as that service was read; and a crowd stood listening with -bare heads and serious eyes. When the last rite was done, and the -earth was filled into the grave, fresh and verdant sods, which had -been most carefully cut in a neighbouring paddock, were placed over it -orderly and firm, and these again were so thickly strewn over with the -choicest summer flowers as to be almost concealed by the profusion, -while a fragrant and grateful incense, more pleasant than "precious -ointment poured out," filled all the place with a sweet promise, that -the name of the righteous should live. - - - THE END. - - - LONDON: - Printed by A. SPOTTISWOODE, - New-Street-Square. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Broken Font, Vol. 2 (of 2), by Moyle Sherer - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BROKEN FONT, VOL. 2 (OF 2) *** - -***** This file should be named 43262-8.txt or 43262-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/2/6/43262/ - -Produced by sp1nd, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -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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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: The Broken Font, Vol. 2 (of 2) - A Story of the Civil War - -Author: Moyle Sherer - -Release Date: July 20, 2013 [EBook #43262] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BROKEN FONT, VOL. 2 (OF 2) *** - - - - -Produced by sp1nd, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43262 ***</div> <div class="figcenter" style="width: 342px;"> <img class="border" src="images/titlepage.jpg" width="342" height="600" alt="" /> @@ -6087,383 +6048,6 @@ the name of the righteous should live.</p> Printed by <span class="smcap">A. Spottiswoode</span>,<br /> New-Street-Square.</p> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Broken Font, Vol. 2 (of 2), by Moyle Sherer - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BROKEN FONT, VOL. 2 (OF 2) *** - -***** This file should be named 43262-h.htm or 43262-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/2/6/43262/ - -Produced by sp1nd, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -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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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: The Broken Font, Vol. 2 (of 2) - A Story of the Civil War - -Author: Moyle Sherer - -Release Date: July 20, 2013 [EBook #43262] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BROKEN FONT, VOL. 2 (OF 2) *** - - - - -Produced by sp1nd, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - THE BROKEN FONT - - A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR. - - BY THE - AUTHOR OF "TALES OF THE WARS OF OUR TIMES," - "RECOLLECTIONS OF THE PENINSULA," &c. &c. &c. - - - IN TWO VOLUMES. - - VOL. II. - - - LONDON: - - PRINTED FOR - - LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, & LONGMAN, - - PATERNOSTER-ROW. - - 1836. - - - - -THE BROKEN FONT. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - And now, good morrow to our waking soules, - Which watch not one another out of feare. - DONNE. - - -The noble spirit of Katharine Heywood was severely exercised by those -disclosures of Jane Lambert which have been related in a former -chapter. - -She regretted, too late, that she had ever asked that true-hearted -girl to perform an office so difficult in itself, and which had -proved, in its consequences, so hazardous to her reputation and her -peace. The chance of such a misfortune as that which had befallen Jane -never remotely presented itself to her mind at the moment when she -made the request, yet she could not but feel compunction as she -reflected on the trouble to which the generous constancy of a delicate -mind had subjected her affectionate friend. One slight reparation was -in her power. It became her plain duty to undeceive the mind of Juxon -on the subject; and the thought that she should be thus instrumental -in bringing together two fine characters, formed for each other, made -all selfish considerations about her own sorrow, and every pang which -her maidenly pride must suffer, vanish before that proper resolution. - -No opportunity of speaking in private with Juxon occurred on the -evening of Jane's disclosure to Katharine, nor did any offer itself -until the arrival of her young cousin Arthur from Oxford. It was a -mournful trial to Katharine to observe the high and joyous spirits of -the ardent youth, as he embraced and thanked Sir Oliver for acceding -to his request. The silent house became suddenly full of cheerful -echoes as the brave boy passed to and fro on its oaken staircase and -along the pleasant gallery, singing snatches of loyal songs, or making -his spurs jingle as he ran. All his preparations for the solemn work -of war were made with a light heart, and with little or no -consideration that fellow-countrymen were to be his enemies. Such -little sympathy as the boy once felt for the tortured Prynne existed -no longer for any one of that party, which he had learned to look upon -as traitors. - -One would have thought that he was volunteering in a foreign -expedition, by his gay-hearted alacrity in getting ready. - -"Cousin Kate," said he, turning towards her as they sat at breakfast -in the hall, "you must make us a couple of King's rosettes,--and I -hope you have both of you," he added, looking at Jane Lambert, "nearly -finished embroidering the small standard for our troop:--you have -laughed at me, and called me boy, Jane; but when I bring you back your -own embroidery, stained with the blood of traitors, you shall reward -me as a man." - -"I am not so very blood-thirsty, Arthur," said Jane Lambert, "as to -wish it shed to do honour to my embroidery; and if I see you come -safe back with your sword bright and a peace branch in your hand, I -will tell a fib for you, and call you a man before your beard comes. -Now don't frown--it does not become your smooth face:--when all is -over, you shall play the part of a lady in the first court masque, and -shall wear my rose-coloured gown." - -"Why, Jane," said Sir Oliver, "what is come to you, girl? It was but -five minutes ago that I saw you with your kerchief at your eyes, -looking as sad as though you were sitting at a funeral; and now thou -mockest poor Arthur, as if he were a vain boaster, instead of a -gallant boy, as thou well knowest.--Never mind her, Arthur: she is a -true woman, and teazes those most whom she loves the best. She will -cry peccavi to thee a few weeks hence, and suffer thee to give her a -full pardon in honest kisses." - -"Marry, Sir Oliver," said Jane, smiling, "you will spoil the boy, an -you talk thus to him." - -"She shall not wait so long for my pardon," said the good-tempered -Arthur, with quickness; and rising from his seat, he went to Jane, -and, with the permitted familiarity of boyhood and cousinship, he -gave her a kiss. "There," he added: "a bird in the hand is worth two -in the bush. 'To-morrow' is a word I never liked, and it is a season -which I may never find. Now, remember, if I should have the ill luck -to be cut down by the sword of a traitor, I die in peace with you, -dear coz, and forgive you for your merriment beforehand." - -"She will not be merrier, Arthur, than she is now," said Katharine; -"and to say truth, the very thought is enough to make us sad, if we -were not melancholy already:--but I must not hear, my dear father, of -your going to the field. It will be at the cost of your life, and -that, too, without your having the satisfaction to be of use." - -"An example, Kate, must always be of service, if it be a good one; and -though I never stood opposite a shotted cannon hitherto, methinks, to -do that once by the side of my King would make the short remnant of my -life all the brighter for it. Besides, my dear girl, for all the talk -which these Parliament men make about their levies, let the country -gentlemen of the western counties arm in right earnest, and the loyal -cavaliers of England will make these praying rogues bend the knee and -cry out for quarter." - -"To be sure they will," said the excited Arthur: "I will bring cousin -Jane a live specimen of the genuine round-headed rebel, with his hands -tied behind him, and the whites of his eyes where the pupils should -be." - -At this moment Juxon entered the hall from Old Beech:--he caught the -last sentence; and putting one hand on Arthur's shoulder, as he gave -the other to Sir Oliver.--"Remember, my young master," he said, "that -thy game must be caught before it can be cooked, at least so says the -cookery book in my old housekeeper's room; and, believe me, you will -find a day's fighting with these Parliament boys rather harder work -than a morning's hare-hunting, and little game bagged at the close of -it." - -"Why, George Juxon! this from you!" said Sir Oliver. "Why, you are the -very last man that I expected to hear croak in this fashion. Why, I -expect to see the vagabonds turn tail, before a charge of well mounted -cavaliers, like a flock of sheep." - -"You could not see such a runaway flight with greater pleasure than I -should; but take my word for it, the King's enemies are made of -sterner stuff than you give them credit for. Many a great spirit is -reckoned among their leaders; and of the meaner folk that follow them -numbers have put their hearts into the cause, under a notion that it -is that of the people. No, sir, Arthur will act in these troubles, I -am well assured, with the same manliness of spirit with which he wrote -to you from Oxford, and, therefore, I do not wish to hear him talk -like a school boy." - -Arthur coloured with a little confusion at this grave rebuke; but, -with the frank grace of a generous spirit, confessed himself to have -spoken idly, and to be wrong; excusing it, at the same time, by -saying, that he was only vapouring so to plague Jane Lambert a little, -who, he verily believed, to be in love with one of the rebels. The -eyes of Katharine fell, and her gaze was fixed silently upon the -ground, and a slight contraction of her brow showed to Jane how very -keenly she was suffering. It was not possible, at the moment, to leave -the table without an abruptness which must, of necessity, attract -notice, or she would have done so; but Jane, with a ready -cheerfulness, replied, "Perhaps I am: now, guess for me, most noble -cavalier, whether my Puritan suitor be tall or short; young or old; -how many hairs grow on his chin; whether his cheeks be red and white, -like summer apples; how much buff it may take to make him a war coat; -and if he do not wear high boot heels and jingling spurs for bravery?" - -The fine temper of Arthur enabled him to take this playful raillery of -Jane's as pleasantly as it was meant; and Sir Oliver came to the boy's -aid, observing, "The sly maiden is laughing at us both, Arthur; and it -is too true that I must have a broad seam let into my old buff -coat.--See thou have it done quickly," said he, "Philip," turning to -the old serving man behind his chair. - -The announcement, however, which Sir Oliver had before made of his -intentions, confirmed by the order thus gaily given, seemed to take -away the old man's breath; for to old Philip none of these sad changes -were matters for laughter. - -Juxon did not discourage these intentions of Sir Oliver for the -present: he had satisfied his own mind that the family must, of -necessity, soon quit the mansion at Milverton for a season. The spirit -in Warwick and in Coventry was decidedly favourable to the cause of -the Parliament; and although many of the gentlemen and yeomen in the -country villages declared for his Majesty, yet whatever men could be -raised under the commission of array would, of course, be marched -away. However, it was agreed among the gentry, that the King should be -invited to show himself in the county, and that some effort should be -made to arouse the loyalty and enlist the feelings of the people in -his quarrel. Should this fail, they all looked to Nottingham or -Shrewsbury as favourable rallying points for the Royalists. - -In the mean time secret preparations were made for concealing or -removing valuable effects, and for transporting families and -households, when the approach of the parliamentary forces should -render it no longer safe for the more distinguished and wealthy of the -Royalists to remain in their stately homes. - -The conversation at the breakfast table at Milverton was changed from -the jocular mood of the moment to a graver tone. - -The news of the day,--the last movements of the King,--the rumours of -his approach,--conjectures of his reception,--by turns engaged the -attention of all, and were discussed between Juxon and Sir Oliver with -earnestness and forethought. - -The calm clear judgment of George Juxon made him look far on to -consequences; and Sir Oliver, conscious of his own deficiency of -information, and of the indolence of his inquiries, deferred more -readily to the opinions of Juxon than obstinate men are found willing -to do in general. - -When the party rose and quitted the hall, Katharine, under the -pretence of asking Juxon's advice about packing a valuable picture, -led him to the gallery alone, while Arthur and Jane Lambert were -settling their playful quarrel upon the terrace. - -At the far end of the gallery was a windowed niche, with an antique -seat of carved oak. Katharine sat down, and entreating the attention -of Juxon to something of consequence, which it was her desire to -impart to him, he placed himself on the bench by her side. - -"You must be at a loss, Master Juxon, I fear, thoroughly to understand -our dear friend, Jane Lambert." - -"It is true--she is a very strange girl." - -"Yes, strangely excellent: her idle words and idle ways do veil a -character of rare and precious worth." - -"I would fain think so, lady; but I do sometimes fear that she is of a -nature too open and too free for this hollow world. Already, to my -thought, she is unhappy from this very cause: whatever may be her -sorrow, I wish she would confide it to you." - -"I have discovered it." - -"Can it be possible? If so, I am truly happy to think that she will -have a friend, whose maidenly reserve and heavenly wisdom may guide -her through all dangers and difficulties in safety." - -"Ah! there's the pang; 'twas I betrayed her to them." - -"You wrong yourself, lady,--I am convinced you do. I am afraid that I -can make a better guess at what causes the melancholy of Jane Lambert -than you can; however, I do not feel at liberty to speak more -plainly." - -"I tell you it was I who placed her in the painful perplexity in which -you once surprised her. The gentleman from whom you saw her part was -an unhappy relative of mine: mine was the errand she was doing; mine -was the secret that she kept with so noble a constancy:--that -gentleman was nought to her." - -"Indeed! was he not her lover?" - -"No: would he were! and yet the wish were selfish, and not kind, for -she loves another." - -"I am utterly confused:--how much have my suspicions wronged her:--she -is a generous girl;--how can I have been so deceived? And yet the -gallant kissed her hand upon his knees." - -"I know it; but even in that action he only charged her with his -homage to another: she was but love's messenger." - -"Lady, I am troubled in my thoughts at this sad business: it is plain -I wronged her; plain that she is constant as a star to friend or to -lover. What she has done in friendship may well command my lasting -admiration. You tell me that she loves. Why is her lover unknown and -unavowed? What is his condition? Where is he? What barriers divide -their fortunes and their hopes?" - -"One only--he knows not of her love." - -"Whoever he may be, wherever he may dwell, in ignorance of such a vast -possession as such a woman's love--methinks, lady, it is your duty, -your solemn and sweet duty, to make it known to him. I envy you the -joy: let me be the bearer of your words or letter; so shall I some -atonement make for my unworthy suspicions of her danger." - -"You forget--these are no times for lovers' vows; these are no times -for marrying and giving in marriage: such knowledge might depress the -object of her love with care:--to see happiness offered to our heart's -want, and then, in the self-same instant, wrested from us by the iron -hand of war, and scared away by the blast of discord, is to make -acquaintance with a sorrow which, by ignorance, we might have -escaped." - -"I think not with you, lady: it were pity for any man to die in his -first field unconscious of such a blessing." - -"As I have a human heart, I can conceive of such a feeling, and like -the noble thought.--Long may you live, Master Juxon, to prove how well -Jane Lambert loves you!" So saying, Katharine rose and left the -gallery. - -Juxon remained fixed where he sat, in a state of mind which no -language could faithfully depict. His heart swelled; his eyes became -dim; and as the blinding tears fell fast away, the first object on -which they rested was the figure of Jane Lambert, walking under the -shade of the lime-trees alone. He went down to join her in a tumult -of rapture; but before he reached the end of the avenue the reflection -crossed him, "What am I about to do? what am I about to utter? This is -no moment, this is no mood, in which, for the first time, to address -her as a lover. Katharine said true, 'These are no times for lovers' -vows.' 'For better' I would have her mine, but not 'for worse.' She -shall know no misery that I can shield her from now, as a friend; and -when peace smiles on my country once more, may God then join our -hands, as even now our hearts!" - - - - -CHAP. II. - - Thus would I teach the world a better way, - For the recovery of a wounded honour, - Than with a savage fury, not true courage, - Still to run headlong on. - MASSINGER. - - -There is no earthly consolation under sorrow of a more noble kind than -that of witnessing and of promoting the happiness of those whom we -know to deserve our affection. Katharine had not experienced for a -long time a feeling of joy so true as that, with which, in the -solitude of her chamber, she reflected upon what had just passed -between herself and Juxon. She saw him go out, with hasty steps, -towards the avenue where Jane was walking alone, and she rightly -interpreted that check and change of his resolutions which made him -turn suddenly away. But she determined that the work which she had -begun should not be left long incomplete, and that Jane Lambert should -at once know of the revelation which she had made to Juxon that -morning. She regretted having uttered a syllable during their -interview which could operate to discourage Juxon from an immediate -avowal of the impression which Jane's conduct had made upon his heart. -Most true it was that, in the present posture of public affairs, it -could not be advisable for any one, and more especially for a -clergyman, to enter into the state of matrimony, and it was a -melancholy thing to form engagements which might never be fulfilled. -Here, however, she could not but admit there was room for an exception -to the common rules of prudence. Juxon and Jane Lambert were not -ordinary characters. She knew that Juxon had of late taken a most -serious view of the duties which were imposed on him as the rector of -a parish, and that he had decided to guide and guard his flock with -vigilance and courage as long as the spirit of persecution would -suffer him to do so. While, therefore, many of the clergy were for -arming themselves, and for accompanying the King's forces in the -field, he resisted that natural inclination, and that easy escape into -the security of a camp, by preparing to abide the visitations of the -storm at his appointed post. The path of duty, however dangerous and -exposed, is always that of peace; nevertheless, the age, the active -habits, and the resolute spirit of Juxon made a vast and necessary -difference between his course and that of the mild old parson of -Cheddar. As Katharine revolved all these matters in her mind, she -became reconciled to the thought of seeing her beloved Jane united at -once to the man so well worthy of possessing her. The sole difficulty -would be the reluctance of Juxon to expose a woman to those chances of -distress and privation which alone he could cheerfully endure. - -Katharine had long foreseen that the moment would arrive when Sir -Oliver and herself must quit Milverton; and until the late disclosure -of Jane, she had fully reckoned upon that dear girl as the companion -of their wanderings and the friend of her bosom; but now it seemed a -duty to resign that comfort. However, there was one procedure by which -it might be retained. If, when it became necessary for the royalist -gentry to quit their homes, George Juxon would accompany the family to -whatever city they might select as a temporary and secure residence, -his marriage with Jane might soon take place, and there would be no -interruption of her own sweet intercourse with her friend. Some -thoughts like these had passed through the mind of Juxon as he paced -up and down the terrace, full of that hope which is dashed with fear. -While he was thus taking counsel of his own heart, Sir Charles Lambert -arrived at Milverton, and, in company with Sir Oliver and Arthur, -descended the steps and joined him. Sir Charles had for some time past -appeared to so great advantage by the manner in which he had come -forward in the royal cause, that he was considered, even by Juxon, a -thoroughly changed man. There was a carefulness in his language, which -greatly contrasted with his former coarseness. His manners were not -only grave and composed, but there was an urbanity in his address, -which made a frank-hearted person like Juxon ashamed of not being able -to like him. He thought him of a better capacity than he had once -given him credit for, and was not willing to believe that, under all -this outward improvement of his words and ways, his heart could remain -unaffected. Moreover, there seemed no adequate reason for his assuming -a false exterior, nor for any design which he might not openly avow. -He attributed this amendment of character to secret compunction for -his violence and brutality towards Cuthbert Noble; to that elevation -of sentiment which a new position and great duties might and ought to -produce; and to those considerations of death as an event possible and -near, which the hazards of the approaching contest might naturally -suggest to the least serious of men. "What think you, Master Juxon," -said Sir Oliver, "our cousin Charles hath just had a letter from -Yorkshire from Sir Thomas Leigh, who saith that we may soon expect his -most gracious Majesty in these parts, and that he hopes to possess -himself of Coventry and raise Warwickshire, and make a good stand in -this county, if Essex should march hither: in that case, you see, we -shall not need to quit Milverton; and the battle may be fought so near -home, that even Kate will see how fit it is that I should be in the -field. Gout or no gout, I can get as far as Stoneleigh Abbey, and meet -his Majesty." - -"I am afraid the King reckons without his host," answered Juxon: "I -doubt if the gates of Coventry will open more readily for him than -those of Hull:--the citizens there are all for the parliament." - -"The citizens of Coventry be hanged," said Sir Charles: "they have -only their own train bands to man the walls,--a set of knock-knee'd -rascals:--why, a squib in their breeches would clear their -market-place." - -"Yes," said Arthur; "and they would run like rats to their holes at -the very clatter of a horse-hoof." - -"Perhaps they might, Arthur," said Juxon smiling; "but the matter will -be to get this horse into the streets, and this squib into the -market-place." - -Sir Charles, who well knew that Juxon was no coward, bit his lips, -and said, "Really I cannot think what is come to you, parson: you are -always now a prophet of evil:--why the cause of the King would soon be -down, if all had such faint hearts about it as you have." - -"Faint hearts, sir, are fond of feeding on false hopes; stout hearts -look at naked dangers without blenching. The notion that a rebellion -of citizens can be put down by a few horses is foolish. It prevents, -first, earnest preparations to subdue it; and, at last, when these are -attempted, they prove too late, and altogether ineffectual." - -"Well, Juxon, Sir Oliver here and I have done our parts, and shall do -them to the last: your words don't touch me; but I must say, you love -to damp us; I hope, however, that the boy cares as little for you as I -do." - -"You need not to be rude as well as angry, Sir Charles." - -"Rude! methinks you forget yourself!--a truce to all compliments. Did -you not call me faint-hearted?" - -"Your memory is short indeed, Sir Charles, not to remember who first -used the word." - -"Come, come," interrupted the old knight, "I wo'n't have any falling -out between friends. Are we not all king's men, loyal and true? It may -be, Sir Charles, that Juxon sees further into matters than we do; but -his heart is with us." - -"That may seem clear to you, Sir Oliver:--time will show us all men in -their true colours: I have been right once before, and I may be right -again." - -"What do you mean?" asked Juxon, reddening with anger: "do you doubt -my loyalty, sir?" - -The evil temper of Sir Charles was so strong within him, that, -desirous only of vexing Juxon to the uttermost, he replied with a -sneer, "You have taken care to secure yourself a friend in the enemy's -camp; so that your parsonage at Old Beech will be quite safe, come -what may; and you mean to stick by it, as I am told." - -"It is an insinuation as false as it is base to suspect and utter it: -try me not farther, or you will make me forget my sacred calling." - -"You are not likely to do that by what I hear of your doings at Old -Beech. You preach like a Puritan already: it were a pity to lose a fat -rectory if the Parliament get uppermost." - -The mean and cruel turn, which Sir Charles thus gave to his malicious -charge, so startled and affected Juxon, who had always been both -honest and earnest in his pulpit, that he paused in his reply,--and -was sending up a swift ejaculation to Heaven for the grace of -patience, when Sir Oliver angrily interposed. - -"Zounds and thunder, Sir Charles, you might have remembered, among the -doings of Friend Juxon, that he has furnished right stout troopers -from his own purse, and that every man in his parish, capable of -bearing arms, who can be spared from home, has been sent off already -to carry a pike for King Charles. I think the devil is in thee, or -that yellow Margery hath crossed thy path this morning." - -The mention of yellow Margery was never pleasant to Sir Charles, and a -scowl came over his brow at the sound of her name; but he answered in -a dogged and sullen manner,--"Ay, that is all very well: it is good to -have two strings to one's bow. I suppose, Master Juxon will not deny -that that canting fanatic, Cuthbert Noble, is his friend. My steward, -who came last night from Hertfordshire, saw the vile hypocrite, with -tuck and partizan, on guard in the market-place at St. Albans. Your -grave tutor is a lieutenant of pikemen. I hope I shall ride over the -rascal some fine day." - -"A fanatic he may be--a hypocrite he cannot be; and you say truly that -I am his friend; but I will not trust myself with another word--I must -return home. Sir Charles, from henceforth I shall look on you as a -stranger; and did it become my cloth I would chastise you." - -"Insolent priest! thy cloth is thy protection," said Sir Charles, -advancing with a lifted hunting whip, as if to strike Juxon. - -"You need not come between us, Sir Oliver," said Juxon, with a look of -quiet scorn: "in spite of the anger in his heart, he knows when to be -prudent." - -"Odd's life!" said the old knight, "I will have no more ill blood at -Milverton:--look you, go your ways, both of you, and sleep over it, -and come here again to-morrow, and let us make all up. You are both -right, and both wrong--faults on both sides; that is always the story -of a quarrel." - -With these words he took Juxon by the hand and shook it kindly, -adding, "There go, man, get your horse; you'll be yourself again -before you reach home. Here, Arthur, boy, go with him, and call -Richard to saddle his hobby.--I'll make Sir Charles listen to reason." - -This easy and indolent mode of confounding right and wrong, and -escaping out of the proper and severe course of honourable judgment, -was by no means agreeable to the upright and manly Juxon. He coldly -gave his hand, and wishing Sir Oliver a good morning, ascended the -steps with Arthur, casting a look of silent and expressive indignation -at Sir Charles, who regarded him in return with violent eyes and -cheeks livid with rage. - -As Juxon and Arthur passed round to the side of the mansion facing the -court-yard, they saw Katharine Heywood and Jane Lambert standing -together under the shade of a tree, in earnest conversation. At the -sound of the approaching footsteps they turned their heads; and it was -evident to George Juxon that the subject of their discourse was -connected with what had already passed at the interview between -Katharine and himself that very morning. - - "Oh! what a thing is man! how far from power, - From settled peace and rest! - He is some twenty sev'ral men, at least, - Each sev'ral hour." - -The sweet and sudden calm which fell upon the roused and troubled -passions of Juxon at the very sight of Jane Lambert brought that -stanza of Herbert's to his memory, and he gave utterance to it as he -joined and stood with them for a few moments, while Arthur went -forward to order out his horse. - -If Katharine had not already told her friend that Juxon was now truly -informed of all those circumstances which, at the time, must of -necessity have perplexed him about her conduct and her probable -engagement, the expression of his fine eyes would have revealed to her -that grateful fact. There is a silent eloquence in the look of one -who truly and fondly loves which needs no interpreter. The avowal of -his attachment, which he had upon principle resolved to suppress, his -eyes, prompted by the pulses of his heart, spoke as plainly to Jane as -though she had heard it from his lips in all the language of ardour -and admiration. - -Katharine questioned him reproachingly on the cause of his sudden -return to Old Beech, but he excused himself without betraying the true -reason. They gave credit to his simple assurance that it was not -possible for him to prolong his visit at present; and with a tender -pressure of the hand he took his leave of Jane, promising Katharine -that he would soon ride over to Milverton again. - -It was not till his horse had turned the distant corner of the road, -and was lost to view, that Arthur came in from the outer gate; and the -distress and dejection of the youth were so plainly to be read in his -countenance, that Katharine took him aside to ask what was the matter. -He related to her the quarrel between Juxon and Sir Charles Lambert -just as it had occurred. She heard it with more pain than surprise, -for she was well aware of the unaltered nature of Sir Charles; and she -knew that he cherished mean and vindictive feelings towards Juxon for -his conduct at the time of his own ferocious assault on Cuthbert -Noble, and for all his subsequent kindness and friendship to that -injured student. On one account she very deeply regretted this -occurrence. It could not fail to put a very serious obstacle in the -way of that union between Jane Lambert and Juxon which she had just -indulged herself with the hope she might soon have the happiness of -seeing perfected at the altar. - -The reflections of Juxon himself, as he rode homewards, were of a -complexion as varied as the face of an April sky. His thoughts were -overshadowed by many a cloud of fear, and care, and coming sorrow, -while ever and anon they became glad and bright as if coloured with -blue sky and sunbeams, and the rainbow of hope. Notwithstanding his -uncomfortable quarrel with Sir Charles, it was a day to be marked in -his calendar with a white stone. The day was so hot, that he walked -his horse leisurely all the way; and when he had gone about half the -distance between Milverton and Old Beech, he pulled up near a water -trough, under the shadow of a majestic old oak, and dismounted. There -was a bank of earth round the trunk of the tree, on which he seated -himself: his beast stood indolently still, after having dipped its -nose in the trough; and both rider and horse luxuriated in the cool -shade. The murmur of the spring that fed the trough was the only sound -to be heard; and the loneliness of the spot, for it was in the middle -of a common, suggested pleasing thoughts of gratitude for the human -charity which had thus provided for the comfort and refreshment of man -and his dumb companions in labour. By a natural train of associations -the mind of Juxon was led to reflect on charity in its more high and -heavenly signification, and on those works which it should produce. He -considered what the earth would be if subjected to the law of love, -and what it really was. He bethought him of the mission and office of -the Prince of Peace: he remembered that he was a minister of that new -and glorious covenant announced by the voice of angels in a heavenly -melody,--"Peace on earth, good will towards men." He mused upon the -titles by which ministers are designated,--watchmen, shepherds,--and -he was more than ever confirmed in his resolution to remain with his -flock at Old Beech during the coming troubles. "'The hireling -fleeth,'" said he to himself, "'because he is an hireling.' Why was I -so moved at the taunt of malignity and ignorance? How strong a thing -must be the fear of man, when I can allow myself to fear the opinion -of one whom I despise, and whom, in truth, I ought to pity; when I can -dare to wish for an opportunity of showing on the battle-field that my -heart is English, loyal, and true. I am priest of the temple; I will -defend my church porch to the last, and keep out the wolf as long as I -can." As Juxon was thus occupied in sober meditation, he heard the -tramp of a horse galloping across the common, in the direction of -Milverton. On looking up, he instantly knew the horse and the figure -of Sir Charles Lambert. He felt certain that nothing but a fit of -boiling and ungovernable anger would have led to this swift pursuit of -him, and was at no loss to conjecture the nature of the trial for -which he must prepare. Juxon never rode from home in those unquiet -days without pistols; but come what might from the violence of this -infuriated man, he resolved that nothing should induce him to use them -in his defence. Although as a clergyman he could not wear a sword, yet -he often carried with him a cane of Italian invention, which contained -a sword-blade, and by means of a secret spring threw out a small guard -at the handle, which supplied a hilt, and thus, if at any time -assaulted with the sword, he was furnished with some, though an -imperfect, weapon of resistance. He was fortunately thus provided on -the present occasion. - -Sir Charles no sooner reached the spot than he threw himself -impetuously from his horse, and said with a loud oath, "This shall -settle our difference for ever." At the same time he drew his rapier, -and advanced upon his antagonist. - -Juxon, without a word, took a defensive posture, and opposing his -cane-sword to that of Sir Charles, parried his fierce passes with such -a quick eye and so strong a hand, that, in a rencontre which could not -have lasted two minutes, he twisted the sword of his opponent from his -angry grasp, and made it fly several yards off. He as immediately -secured it. "By hell, you shall not escape me!" said Sir Charles, -frantic with vexation; and plucking a pistol from his belt, he -discharged it at Juxon as he returned from picking up the sword. The -ball struck the buckle of Juxon's hat-band, and glanced off. He felt a -slight shock, but, as it came aslant upon it, the concussion was not -so violent as to stun him. - -Sir Charles dropped the pistol, seized upon a second, which was in his -belt, but, ere he could deliver his fire, Juxon had beaten aside his -arm, and the bullet spent its force harmlessly on the yielding air. - -"Madman!" said Juxon with an earnest and solemn tone, "let us from our -hearts thank God. He has preserved you from the sin of murder, and me -from being hurried into the holy presence of the Prince of Peace from -a scene of guilty contention, in the cause of which I am far from -innocent. There is your sword:--there is my hand:--by these lips no -human being shall ever be informed of what has just occurred. Your -present situation and your present duties call upon you to use your -sword in the field of honour and in the service of your king: do so in -a good spirit, and forget this hour as fully as I forgive it." - -The burning coal fell, guided by Heaven, upon the humbled head of the -proud one. Scalding tears stood in his eyes; the blood rushed hotly to -his cheeks. His embarrassment was so great, that for a while he could -utter nothing. "Let me hope," said Juxon, "that I have lost an enemy, -and gained a friend." - -"You have done more, much more," answered Sir Charles: "you are the -first person on earth who ever touched my heart with a feeling -altogether new:--I shall bless this day for ever. You shall never -repent your noble consideration for my character. This sword shall -never again be dishonoured." Here Sir Charles fell upon his knees. "I -ask pardon of God and of you, Juxon, for my murderous purpose. I feel -that the hand of Providence has been in this strange work--I am not -yet an utter reprobate." - -"God forbid!" said Juxon, as he raised him up: "we will talk together -of better hopes. Suppose we return together to Milverton, and show -ourselves as reconciled heartily--it will, I think, spare that kind -family many hours of uneasiness." - -Sir Charles acceded with eagerness to the proposal, and mounting their -horses they rode back quietly together. - - - - -CHAP. III. - - And is there care in heaven? and is there love - In heavenly spirits to these creatures base, - That may compassion of their evils move? - There is; else much more wretched were the case - Of men than beasts. But O th' exceeding grace - Of highest God! that loves his creatures so, - And all his works with mercy doth embrace, - That blessed angels he sends to and fro, - To serve to wicked man, to serve his wicked foe. - SPENSER. - - -The village of Old Beech, which has been often named in this story as -the living of George Juxon, was a retired and picturesque place, -containing about three hundred inhabitants. Here, as at Cheddar, there -was no lord of the manor in residence. The principal owner of the -village lands for the last twenty years had been a Roman Catholic -gentleman, who, being single, and of a severe and gloomy temper of -mind, had, before this accession of property, embraced the monastic -life in Italy, and taken the vows as a brother of the Carthusian -order. The lessee of his estates had let them advantageously to four -substantial farmers; one of whom occupied the venerable old -manor-house. Its quaint wooden gables and ornamental carpentry always -arrested the attention of the passer by their venerable appearance. - -A bay window, with five lights in two divisions, marked very -distinctly the situation of the great hall; a noble apartment used -only by the tenant as a vast store-room for the produce of his orchard -and his garden. The broad gates hung broken and decaying from the -square stone columns in which their hinges had been fastened by iron -staples, and the pavement of the court was half hid by rank weeds. The -church was small and ancient, and stood, not far from the manor-house, -on a gentle eminence, which commanded a beautiful flat of meadow-land, -watered by a small clear river that meandered through the fields in -fine and graceful curves, was richly fringed with willows, and turned -in its course two clean-looking busy mills. Not far from the -churchyard stood a tall and stately beech-tree, about two centuries -old, and near it the stump of the very tree from which the village had -been first named was still visible. - -The smooth bark of this noble old beech was covered with initial -letters, true love knots, and joined hearts, rudely carved by rustic -hands, many of which, it might be seen by the dates affixed, had long -since mouldered under the grassy heaps, to which lowly beds of peace -the very same bell still tolled the parting summons of their lineal -descendants. - -One of the most remarkable features in this pretty village was the -rectory. The basement story was completely built of glazed bricks in -checkered patterns, while that over it was constructed of fine massive -black timbers, the walls being plastered between; the whole was -surmounted with elevated overhanging roof and lofty gables. The -entrance was through a fine long porch of timber, and the woodwork of -this, as well as of the projecting portions of the roofs and gables, -was elaborately ornamented after the fashion of the fifteenth -century. Of Juxon's habits something has already been said, but a -more particular account of his home life is necessary to show him -faithfully in the relation in which he stood to his parish. Having a -private fortune, in addition to the proceeds of his living, he was as -able as he proved himself always willing to benefit his people. When -he came first among them he found them much neglected and in great -darkness: his first step was to establish a school, and to win the -hearts of the parents through their children, all of whom he had -taught to read, and many of the most promising yet further instructed -in writing and arithmetic. A few of the old villagers, and one of the -most acute of his farmers, who, though unable to read himself, was -well furnished with all that worldly wisdom which may be orally -conveyed in pithy proverbs, and committed to memory for practical -guidance in life, resisted this strange innovation. But steady -perseverance and good-humoured resolution soon conquered all -opposition; and Juxon had the satisfaction of seeing around him much -improvement in that knowledge which makes the mind, and _the heart_ -of man, accessible to the light of divine truth. - -He was diligent in his duties, open in his manners, cheering in his -words, and wise in his charities; he distinguished well between the -objects of them, knew how to give, and when and what; he farmed his -own glebe, partly as an amusement, and also to set a good example -before his farmers of just behaviour to labourers. He understood -cottage economy as well as the most prudent among them; could talk -with them over the wickets of their little gardens about their -succession crops, and about the fattening of their pigs and poultry, -and knew every poor man's cow upon the village common. - -The happy children upon the green never paused in their merry games -when he passed them, and the winner of a race was doubly pleased if -Master Juxon's eye had seen his triumph. The rough blacksmith, when, -at breathing times, he stood out under the shade of the ancient and -hollow oak near which his shed had been erected, always tried to -engage him in a little talk; and although these brief colloquies were -commonly of simple occurrences, yet the sturdy smith forgot not the -dropped word of advice, and he sung his part in the village quire -o'Sundays with his understanding as well as with his fine deep voice. -It might be truly said, that the parson of Old Beech was popular in -his parish, and deserved to be so. A hogshead of wheat, and another of -pease or barley, stood ever in his hall, out of which the aged widows -and the poor housekeepers of the village were always liberally -supplied in their need. He would patiently listen to their long and -prosy tales about their family as they sat in his hospitable porch, -without hurrying them, though perhaps they had told him the same story -for weeks in succession. But if an angel from heaven dwelt among three -hundred human beings, and passed his life in acts of love and kindness -towards them, he should not want enemies, nor should he reap gratitude -and good will from all; therefore Juxon was regarded by a small and -envious knot with evil eyes. Of this party, a small chandler or -grocer, a publican, and one of the millers, who was sinking into -poverty from slothful habits, were the leaders, and the worthy rector -had sense enough to know that in due time they would show their enmity -openly. - -However, with the answer of a good conscience, he walked about daily, -without the shadow of a fear, and lay down to sleep in peace, well -knowing that God alone can make any of us to dwell in safety. Within -the last two years many things had occurred to awaken his own mind to -more serious views than those with which he had at first entered upon -the ministerial office. The questions concerning scandals among the -clergy engaged his serious attention; and his opinions about the -lawfulness, or rather the expediency, of some practices, the good or -evil of which he had never previously considered, now underwent a -change. - -He would never admit for a moment, that to hunt, or to shoot, or to -fish, were diversions _inherently_ sinful; but he began to look on -time as a talent, for which every man must render a solemn account, -and the time of a clergyman as more especially given him to be -employed to graver ends than could be honestly and effectually -attained, if sports and amusements of a nature so idle and absorbing -were not resigned. Nor was this the only change in his opinions;--a -closer study of the sacred volume, for the purpose of preaching its -saving truths more plainly to his people; an earnest desire to set -before them the glory of gospel hopes, and the comfort of Scripture -promises; and a lively recollection of some of his conversations with -Cuthbert Noble, satisfied him that if he would be found faithful he -must preach, with authority and with persuasion, free reconciliation -to God through a willing and all-sufficient Saviour. - -The prayerful exercises to which the composition of his sermons now -compelled him produced a blessed influence on his own spirit; and he -never stood up in his pulpit, as an ambassador for Christ, without a -most affectionate solicitude for the welfare of immortal souls, and a -present sense of the high privilege and deep responsibility of his -sacred office. His growing seriousness, as a clergyman, had been more -apparent to Katharine Heywood than to any one else at Milverton; for -she was too deeply taught to be deceived in the evidences of a living -grace. In his parish his earnestness in his pulpit was well known, as -might be seen from the report of it which had reached Sir Charles -Lambert, and which partly caused those taunts and insinuations, the -issue of which, in the quarrel and the encounter that followed, has -been already related; but to common observers, as Juxon's language had -no peculiar religious phraseology, and as his manners, his happy -countenance, and his manly habits, prepossessed their good opinion, -without alarming any of their prejudices, he seemed one of themselves, -and they neither knew nor cared to know his inner man. - -However, as Juxon and Sir Charles rode back slowly to Milverton after -the violent scene which might have terminated so awfully for both, he -was determined not to lose so favourable an occasion for setting -before the softened transgressor the great and common evil of man's -nature, and the blessed remedy. He did this with a feeling, a -faithfulness, and a humility which surprized and affected his silent -companion greatly, and which at last drew from him a confession of a -most interesting kind. He told Juxon that, from his earliest -childhood, he had found himself an object of dislike and aversion to -all his family; that his elder brother, his senior only by one year, -had been the indulged and favoured pet both of his father and mother, -while he had been always either treated with neglect or addressed in -the language of unkindness and reproach; that hate had begotten hate, -and that he had passed his early youth hating and hateful; that at the -age of sixteen, as his brother was out shooting on the manor, he lost -his life by the accidental discharge of his own gun, as he was -carelessly forcing his way through some thick furze bushes. He -confessed that he was inwardly rejoiced at this calamity; that he -looked upon the corpse without one emotion of sorrow or even of pity, -and that he viewed with a malignant satisfaction the agony of his -parents, more especially that of his mother, whose persecution of him -had been perpetual, and of a petty and irritating nature. This feeling -of his was so irrepressible as to be seen. The thought that their -despised boy should inherit the estates and the title had proved so -very intolerable to his mother that she could not endure his presence -at home. He was therefore sent away, and placed under the charge of a -severe tutor, who, finding him the ignorant and evil-disposed youth -which the letters of his father had represented him, governed him with -strictness, and instructed him with an evident contempt for his want -of capacity and for his backwardness in those attainments which, in -truth, it had been impossible for him to acquire; it having been the -mean pleasure of his mother to deny him the advantages enjoyed by his -brother. He related the story of his mother's funeral, to which he was -called after an absence of two years, and the death of his father, -which had taken place four years later, while he himself was abroad. -It appeared by these accounts that subsequent to the death of his -brother he had never enjoyed or indeed desired any intercourse with -his parents, and that when he came to take possession of the estates, -he found his sisters, who were much younger than himself, grown up and -left to his protection. As they were not mixed up in his mind with the -injuries of his childhood, such little kindness as he had ever felt -capable of he had entertained for them. But even here he stated he had -found disappointment; for one being timid and of no character, feared -him, while his sister Jane, the only being who had ever behaved well -to him, he nevertheless knew did not, and perhaps could not, love him -as a brother. - -This confession was poured into the ear of a generous and a thoughtful -Christian, deeply skilled in the diseases of the human heart. It was -evident to Juxon that the depravity of our fallen nature, common to -all, had, in the miserable heart now laid bare before him, been -inflamed by the early unkindness of parents, and had taken the dark -colours of a rancorous and cruel disposition. Yet, even in this -apparently desperate case, there was a ray of hope, there was a light -of that mysterious something which may be observed in the human heart, -as a fragment of its better nature that has survived the fall,--_a -capacity of loving_; which, as it could find no issue towards man, -exhibited itself in a rare kindness and affection to dogs, horses, and -birds. To these living creatures Sir Charles, who was to man -indifferent or cruel, showed himself gentle, patient, and fond. Juxon -had often observed this with pleasure: he now caught this golden -string, and by it he led up the mind of his hearer to contemplate the -God of creation upon a throne of universal love, caring for the -meanest of his creatures, and revealing himself more especially to man -in the relation of Father. Thence, by a swift transition, he painted -man (_the whole race_) prodigal, miserable, naked, feeding with swine, -till returning to their Father they were forgiven and with embraces; -nor, while he fixed attention upon the mighty Saviour, from whose -gracious lips this parable proceeded, did he fail to preach Jesus as -the incarnation of Divine love, reconciling the lost children of earth -to their heavenly Father, waiting to be gracious. He did not thus -speak in vain:--who shall dare to look down upon any human being as -lost, hardened, reprobate? Who maketh men to differ? Who can make the -rock yield water, and dry up the Euphrates? He who can change flesh -into stone when it is his pleasure. - -But we return to show the connection of what has passed with the -progress of our story. - -It was a most welcome sight to the family at Milverton, to see Juxon -and Sir Charles return amicably together after the quarrel of the -morning; but there was something, nevertheless, very inexplicable in -the manners of both. Those of the former were far more serious and -absorbed than Katharine had ever observed them before; while the -latter had an embarrassed air, a softened tone of voice, and an -expression of deep, real, unaffected sorrow in his countenance. - -Whatever had passed between them, it was evident that the -reconciliation was on both sides of the sincere nature of hearty -forgiveness. As Katharine contemplated the brow and the features of -Sir Charles, she discerned traces of a mental working such as she had -never seen at any previous period of their frequent intercourse; and, -for the first time, she looked on him without aversion and without -suspicion. - -To his great honour, and as the strongest proof of the good effect -wrought on him by the events of that memorable day, he took the first -opportunity that offered, to declare, in the absence of Juxon, the -circumstances of their rencontre, and the generous conduct of his -noble antagonist. - -There is a something in the honest avowal of shame, and the honest -recognition of another's excellence, which, as it can only proceed -from a humbled and subdued heart, so it will instantly engage the -approval of every well constituted mind. - -From that very hour Sir Charles found himself regarded by all at -Milverton with a new feeling,--all countenances were changed towards -him: he had gotten a friend in Katharine,--he found the eyes of his -sister Jane ever resting upon him, with a new and strange delight: Sir -Oliver, to whom discord was trouble, and who had never wholly -resigned the hope of having Sir Charles for a son-in-law, was beyond -measure gratified; and Arthur felt a more undoubting confidence and -ease at the thought of serving under him than he had hitherto -admitted. - -A sense of all these mercies, a consciousness that he was drawn with -the cords of love by an invisible hand, deepened his repentance and -humility, and gave life, strength, and love to his new-born faith; but -all this was a secret work, in which he was wisely assisted by the -prudent counsel and the sound judgment of Juxon. It was fortunate, -that, amid the stirring and necessary duties of those times, he was -provided with so plain, so manly, so healthy an adviser. Side by side, -with a profound self-abasement, grew a sentiment of self-respect, that -prevented his spirit being paralysed, or cast down below the right -degree of energy required of him by his position at the moment. He was -now truly prepared, in a more noble frame of mind, to render good and -faithful service wherever the cause of his king and country might -lead him. Now, too, he understood and respected the motives which -decided Juxon to remain at his own proper post, and to perform his own -sacred duties to the last moment. - -In the fortnight which passed about this period he lived long; that -is, he gathered the experience which is usually the fruit of a much -longer space of time. - -Swiftly as the days glided by, they fully developed the love of Juxon -and Jane Lambert; and, although Katharine could not persuade Juxon to -hear of Jane's being exposed to the inconvenience and danger of -becoming his wife, at a time when the clergy might expect a -persecution, yet she did enjoy the happiness of seeing them seated -before her in the sweet and interesting relation of avowed and -betrothed lovers. - - - - -CHAP. IV. - - Food for powder, food for powder; they'll fill a pit as well - as better: tush, man, mortal men, mortal men. - _King Henry IV._ - - -Although Cuthbert Noble was by degrees gaining a little experience in -his new and unsuitable calling, yet it must be confessed that a little -of his enthusiasm evaporated under the necessary process of being -drilled and taught his exercise; and not only so, but he began to be -very much puzzled and perplexed at the opinions and the conduct of -many with whom he was now to live and to act. The Colonel of the -regiment in which he had received his appointment was, indeed, a man -eminently worthy of respect and esteem. He was a devout, reserved -person, of a noble and grave presence,--an approved soldier, and a -sincere and sound patriot. He considered himself to be opposing the -crown upon strict constitutional principles; and, being -conscientiously attached to the Presbyterian form of church -government, desired the overthrow of the prelacy, and the total -abolition of episcopacy. Nevertheless, he viewed with distaste and a -cold sufferance the extravagant proceedings of the various independent -sects now loose upon society; and discouraged, as far as he could, -without danger to the one great and common cause, the practices which -already obtained in the ranks of the Parliament levies. Every vain and -intoxicated fanatic, who had the power of uttering a few dozen -unconnected and rambling sentences without book, claimed for his -shallow babbling the authority of inspiration, and asserted his gift -of speech as a divine commission, by which he was called to the office -of a preacher of the word of God. His own religion was serious, -practical, intelligible; and he had a sternness of sound judgment, -before which all flighty pretensions and false confidences fell down -or fled away. His name was Maxwell: he had been a friend of the father -of Francis Heywood, and was very well acquainted with Francis. Owing -to this circumstance Cuthbert was favourably introduced to him, and -was always very considerately treated; but their characters, their -ages, and their relative situations in the regiment, made it -impossible for them to become intimate with each other. Moreover, the -earliest and latest waking thoughts of Colonel Maxwell were wholly -taken up with the very important duties of preparing his corps by -strict discipline and close training for the day of trial, which could -not be very far distant; therefore Cuthbert was left, soon after he -joined, to make out as well as he could with the society of the -captain of his company and his brother lieutenant. At first, indeed, -for a very few days, he had enjoyed the comfort of having Francis -Heywood in the same quarters, but the horse had marched down to -Northampton, and they were thus separated. Now the captain of -Cuthbert's company had been a master butcher, of the name of Ruddiman, -about forty years of age: a fine portly man, standing about six feet -three inches in height, with ample chest and broad shoulders, little -eyes, red cheeks, a low forehead, and coarse greasy black hair. He -had a fist that would fell a bullock, and a voice that would frighten -a herd of them. In spite of the very hardening influence of his -calling, he had nothing unkind in his temper. He had thrived greatly -in his business, was honest and just in all his dealings, a good -husband, a good father, and a good citizen--with a house full of -children, and a pretty pasture farm in the county of Hertfordshire. He -was as bold as he was strong; but was here, nevertheless, solely in -obedience to the wishes of an active, ambitious, meddling wife, who -was a bitter, censorious, religious politician, and whose pride it was -that her husband should be a down-king man, and a captain in the -Parliament army. The good captain himself, meanwhile, barring his -wife's sovereign will, and the honour of the title, would much rather -have looked after his business at home; or, at all events, have been -permitted to join a horse regiment, though only as a sergeant. But -Mrs. Ruddiman had decided otherwise, and had told him that, if he only -served for a few weeks or months as a captain, and looked well about -him, he might get made a commissary and get a contract, and make his -fortune. This last consideration was not without its weight; for -Master Ruddiman had always a keen eye to the main chance. The brother -lieutenant of Cuthbert was a very different sort of personage. He was -a thin man, of middle stature, with a pale face and red hair, under -thirty years of age. His trade had been that of a dyer: he had -rendered conspicuous service at the last election, in securing the -return of a Puritan to Parliament, and had been rewarded thus: he was -needy, and the pay of his humble rank an object to him. He had great -fluency of words, and was a raving Independent of the most virulent -order. His name was Elkanah Sippet: he was ignorant, irritable, and -vain. He knew a little Latin, with which he was wont to garnish his -talk when he wanted to pass off for a scholar, and puzzle big Captain -Ruddiman; and he could fill his mouth with Scripture phrases and texts -when he wished to impress Cuthbert with a favourable notion of his -piety. Ruddiman and Sippet hated each other with about as natural and -as cordial a hatred as might consist with their being on the same side -in this contest. Neither of them could understand or like poor -Cuthbert; but both took refuge from the uneasy contempt with which -they regarded each other, by endeavouring to conciliate his good -opinion, or rather his preference. - -To choose between them was easy: Ruddiman was worth a dozen Sippets in -the qualities of his nature; nor was there any thing of the hypocrite -in him. He was dull, and slow of comprehension; therefore he seldom -suffered himself to speak about religion, but passively knelt and -passively listened to the long prayers and longer preachings of the -chaplain. He had been so stupified and subdued at home about points of -faith and church government by his wife's brother, a warm and wordy -brazier, the godly elder of the congregation to which his wife -belonged, that he yielded, partly for the sake of peace, and partly in -distrust of his own reason. Thus, in plain fact, he feared God truly -for himself, and received the interpretations of Scripture delivered -by the clergy, and the lay elders of his sect, with a submission as -implicit, and an apprehension as confused, as the Italian peasant -listens to the Latin oration of a Franciscan friar. His politics were -more simple; and he was in the habit of expressing what he felt about -them by always calling the King _the man Charles Stuart_, and all the -principal leaders of the Parliament party right honest and God-fearing -worthies. "A man's a man," he would say: "I don't see why any one -should be called lord over another; and as for bishops, bless us, why -should they live in palaces, and hold forth about taxes in the House -of Lords?--Don't you think that's wrong, Master Noble, quite wrong? -Why it is writ in the Bible that the kingdom of Christ is not of this -world." To this political creed Cuthbert would give assent; but a -quick memory whispered to his inner man, "Why then do my servants -fight?" As for his brother lieutenant, his tone was always rancorous -and unchristian: he was of a mean and narrow mind, without charity and -without patience; selfish and tricky, and, withal, quite intent on -rising upon the ruin of his betters. He felt a sort of inferiority in -the presence of Cuthbert that a little awed him; but his nature would -break out occasionally. It was no small advantage to Cuthbert that his -two companions had seen him, for a few days, often walking and -conversing with Francis Heywood, whose soldierly appearance had -attracted general attention among the troops. Moreover, though far -indeed from the aptitude desired by Colonel Maxwell, the intelligence -of Cuthbert in the field of exercise was greater than that of either -Ruddiman or Sippet. Perhaps, after all, the greatest trial of Cuthbert -arose from the manners of those with whom he was now compelled, by the -distribution of quarters, to live night and day. As officers of the -same company, Captain Ruddiman, Sippet, and himself, took their meals -together, and he was compelled to occupy a stretcher in the same -sleeping chamber with Sippet. Now Ruddiman was a very gross and -unclean feeder, and had a most disgusting habit of hawking and -spitting on the floor all day long; while Sippet, who secretly -indulged in the too frequent use of strong waters, always stunk of -spirits, and snored through his nights so loudly, as very seriously to -disturb the rest of Cuthbert: nor was it possible, with so irritating -an accompaniment, to comfort his wakeful hours with those meditations -with which he had often solaced his night watches at Milverton while -confined by his wound. However, his spirit, though fretted, did not -sink under these annoyances: he rose constantly with the first glimmer -of dawn: he did his utmost to perfect himself in all matters of drill -and discipline. He gave his best attention to all his instructors, and -he performed all his duties with manly cheerfulness, and in the best -possible spirit. Colonel Maxwell saw this with silent satisfaction; -but he was not a man for lavish praises and sudden intimacies, nor was -he without a clear perception that Cuthbert would never make a -thorough soldier; indeed his immovable gravity was sometimes very near -being altogether conquered by a burst of laughter at the mode in which -Cuthbert exhibited the solemn earnestness of his desire to learn his -exercises thoroughly, and to command his men properly. - -One day, for instance, very soon after Cuthbert's arrival, as he rode -through the different squads of recruits who were learning their -facings, he found Cuthbert in one corner of the field, with his head -in the air, and a corporal giving him private instructions; and, -unperceived by the former, he heard the following strange -query:--"Now, my brave man, pray have the goodness to explain to me, -very exactly, how it is, that is, upon what principle it is, that, if -I place my feet in this extraordinary manner, I shall come to what you -call 'the right about face?'" - -"Principle! God save you, master! I know nothing at all about -principles; but I know, if you do as I bid you, and put the ball of -your right toe to your left heel, and raise the fore part of your -feet, and come smartly, heel round, on your two heels, and bring back -your right sharply and square with the left, you will come to the -right about like a man and a musketeer." - -Again, at an after period, as the Colonel passed the spot where a -company of pikemen was parading under the orders of Cuthbert, the -warlike student, who was just fresh from the perusal of a military -treatise in Greek, having taken post at a farther distance than usual -in the front, and noticing a little whispering and unsteadiness, -called out with most innocent seriousness,--"Silence, men, silence: -the Lacedaemonians never spoke in the ranks." - -The pikemen seeing the Colonel near became silent, rather in respect -to his presence than obedience to their simple-hearted lieutenant, and -wondered the while what county militia these Lacedaemonians might be. -The commanding officer, averting his head to conceal his irrepressible -smiles, went forward; and Cuthbert, quite unconscious of any thing -strange or ridiculous, proceeded to number off, and prove his pikemen -according to the intricate system of the slow and cumbrous movements -of those days. - -Never, however, was a human being more thoroughly out of his element -than Master Cuthbert as lieutenant in this said company of pikemen -under the orders of Captain Ruddiman. He could contrive, indeed, a -little leisure and a little solitude most days; but even those brief -seasons of meditation and enjoyment were often broken in upon by a -sergeant hurrying after him to say that perhaps eleven set of new -straps for back and breast pieces were wanting, or that two pikes were -broken, and three men had lost the scabbards of their tucks. - -Moreover, he could hardly find a private path or walk near St. Albans, -where he did not come suddenly upon a few military sinners, who had -stolen out of the sight of their preaching officers and praying -comrades to have a game of trap-ball, tip-cat, or the greater -abominations of cross and pile, pitch and hustle, and chuck farthing. -Nay, upon one occasion, he surprised a little party under a buttress -of the abbey playing at primero, trump, put, or beat the knave out of -doors, with two dollys sitting in their company, of whom it might be -plainly seen that they had no business in a garrison of Puritans. But -he was in these moments usually in too absorbed a mood to take notice -of and reprove these transgressors, and was quite as anxious to turn -away his eyes as the soldiers were to see them so averted. - -One day, as he wandered into the abbey a little before sunset, and was -standing lost in thought before the monument of Lord Bacon, and -contemplating the fine alabaster effigy of that great philosopher, he -heard himself gently addressed by name, and turning to the speaker, he -recognised, with as much surprise as delight, his worthy and -invaluable friend Randal, the surgeon of Warwick, to whose skilful -care and kind treatment he held himself indebted, under God, for his -life. - -Their pleasure at meeting was mutual, and was increased when they -found that they were again providentially brought together, and held -commissions in the same corps. Randal had offered his services to the -Parliament, and had been appointed the surgeon of this levy. -Henceforth Cuthbert would enjoy the comfort of his society and the -advantage of his counsel. They agreed instantly to live and mess -together; and, after a long and interesting conversation about -Milverton, the Heywoods, and his friend Juxon, they walked together to -the Colonel's quarter, where Randal had been invited to sup; and -Cuthbert returned, in high spirits, and with a heart full of joy and -thanksgiving, to take his own meal with Ruddiman and Sippet, and to -make known to them his intention of leaving their mess, and living in -future with his old friend Randal. Ruddiman was sincerely vexed, ate -less, and hawked rather more than usual, and proposed as an -arrangement, not unnatural, that the surgeon should join their party -instead of this breaking up; and Lieutenant Sippet, who wished much to -avoid being left alone with Ruddiman, very earnestly seconded this -proposal; observing, that he thought it a very proper subject for most -serious consideration, and that they ought to seek the Lord for -guidance, that they might plainly discern his will in this important -matter. - -This, Cuthbert said, he deemed to be an occasion on which so solemn a -proceeding was altogether uncalled for and improper. Sippet misquoted -and misapplied a shower of texts, which, in a sadder mood, would have -made poor Cuthbert's head ache. Ruddiman did not see what they were to -pray about, for his part, and thought a man might do his duty to God -and his neighbour very well without so much prayer. "But if you must -pray," said he, "Friend Sippet, pray to be kept from putting your -mouth so often to that stone bottle of strong waters at the corner of -your bed, and from snoring so loud every night, man. Why, though I am -next room, you waked me this morning before cock-crow; and I doubt if -Master Noble has had a sound night's sleep since he joined us." -Cuthbert hastily wished them good night, and withdrew; so in what -manner the wrathful Sippet resented this affront, or whether he did so -at all, he never heard. - - - - -CHAP. V. - - Pray now buy some: I love a ballad in print, a' life; for - then we are sure they are true. - _Winter's Tale._ - - -Although the good parson of Cheddar was as yet unmolested, and -continued his ministrations in peace, he was far too sagacious not to -perceive the growing strength of Parliament, and never partook of -those extravagant hopes, which, upon the arrival of the Marquis of -Hertford, at the city of Wells, animated so many of the gentlemen and -the clergy in Somersetshire. But he gave such attendance at the -meetings of a public nature as was necessary to show plainly the part -which he had taken,--and he set a faithful example of loyalty in his -parish. The son and the son-in-law of old Blount the franklin, and -most of the yeomen of Cheddar, offered their services to the Marquis, -and repaired to his quarters well mounted and armed.--It was a deeply -mortifying reflection to Noble and his wife that their son Cuthbert -had joined the forces of the Parliament, and was already in arms -against his king. Their spirits were far more depressed by this -consideration than by any other. Compared to this heavy trial all -others, which could possibly arrive, seemed light and undeserving of -careful or anxious deprecation; but for this one chastisement, they -humbled themselves before God daily with tears and supplications. -Nevertheless they sorrowed not as without hope, and they did not -murmur. They knew that their prayers were poured out before a Father -of mercies, who heareth always, and gives or withholds the blessing -implored, with a wisdom that cannot err, and with a mysterious love. - -Therefore they were enabled to preserve a calm and resigned aspect -before the village, and before their household, though plain Peter and -the good maidens were not to be deceived as to their silent -sufferings; for master did not notice the flowers and birds in the -garden so much now, and walked up and down thinking, instead of -talking pleasant; and mistress had not looked after her -fruit-preserves and her home-made wines this year with the heart she -used to do; and, worst sign of all, the dinner was often carried away -hardly touched by either. The apprehensions of Noble as to the -progress of disaffection to the royal cause proved but too well -founded. The private agents and emissaries of the Parliament party -wrought underhand to persuade the people, that, by the commission of -array, a great part of the estates of all substantial yeomen and -freeholders would be taken from them, alleging, that some lords had -said that "twenty pounds by the year was enough for every peasant to -live on;" and they further said, that all the meaner and poorer sort -of people were appointed by the same commission to pay a tax of one -day's labour in every week to the King. These reports, however little -deserving of credit, were received by the more ignorant with implicit -belief, and circulated by the interested and designing with most -persevering activity. The people were thus taught that, if they did -not adhere to the Parliament, and submit to the ordinance for the -militia, they would soon be no better than slaves to the lords, and -the victims of a most cruel oppression. - -The ignorance and credulity of the vulgar were by these arts widely -and successfully imposed upon; but the population of Cheddar was -preserved from these corrupting falsehoods by the prudence of Noble. -He early obtained a copy of the commission of array, which was written -in Latin, and having translated it with fidelity, distributed copies -from house to house. The word of the good parson was ever held in -reverence by his flock, therefore, with few exceptions, and those -confined to the worst characters in the village, his account of the -matter was received as true; while in many other places the crafty -supporters of the levelling party, taking advantage of the commissions -being in Latin, translated it into what English they pleased, and -abused simple folk in the manner related. - -While the Marquis of Hertford maintained himself at Wells all things -continued quiet at Cheddar; but as Noble had foreseen, there was soon -a very powerful party brought against him, and he was compelled to -retire, before the increasing forces and the active officers of the -Parliament, to Sherborne, in Dorsetshire. - -Master Daws, the artful and the covetous enemy of Noble, who had been -already baffled in his endeavour to drag him before a committee, and -whose eyes were steadily fixed upon the living of Cheddar, had not -been inactive while the Royalists lay at Wells. - -He had, it is true, seldom ventured from home for fear his precious -carcass might receive some weighty mark of the wrath or merriment of a -royal trooper, though he might have gone to and fro in his clerical -garb as safe as an innocent child: but conscience made a coward of -him; for he had employed the period of his confinement to his house in -preparing certain lying and inflammatory papers, which, through the -agency of a near relation, who was a scrivener's clerk at Bristol, he -procured to be secretly printed in that city. These papers were of the -most indecent and outrageous nature, directed chiefly against -prelacy, and all supporters of the church of England and the episcopal -form of government. Now, this scrivener's clerk, though he knew and -despised the hypocrisy of Master Daws, and laughed at all religion, -whether real or pretended, lent himself as a most ready agent in this -charitable work. "There are diversities of gifts, my dear Matty," said -his crafty uncle Daws in the letter which accompanied his manuscript -libels,--"diversities of gifts, but the same spirit:--thou hast a -lively wit, and a playful hand with thy pencil; prithee put a little -device of some facetious kind at the head of each of these -papers,--such an one as may be easily struck off in a wood-cut of the -kind, which the profane Italians call caricature: but what need I say -more? Thou knowest what I would have:--see thou do it. I wish to have -them done before Cheddar fair, which is held, thou knowest, at the -latter end of September. They are a bigoted, base, priest-ridden herd -of swine in that parish, and as blind as the moles and the bats:--we -must let in a little light on them:--see thou do it broadly." - -The sharp-visaged, pale-faced nephew grinned as he read his worthy -uncle's epistle, and secretly resolved at once to gratify the mean -desire expressed in it, and to amuse himself, at his uncle's expense, -when it was too late for him to make any alteration should he detect -it. Of the ungainly figure, and the hideous features of his uncle, he -had caricatures without number; and as they were so strongly marked, -that the rudest engraver of a wooden block could not fail to copy them -faithfully, he determined that the long visage of Daws himself should -find a place in his performance. - -The fair-day of Cheddar was that one day in the year which was always -most trying to Noble. All the other holydays were home festivals, and -were kept by the villagers among themselves, being seldom intruded on -by strangers; but the annual fair always brought with it a herd of -idle vagabonds from Bristol, and other towns within a convenient -distance, and seldom terminated without many profligate, disgusting -scenes, or an open brawl. The state of public affairs, and the -presence of a Puritan force in Somersetshire, had such an effect on -the fairs throughout the county this autumn, that they were in general -but thinly attended, and little or no business was done among the -farmers and dealers, by whom they were commonly frequented. - -Nevertheless, fairs were too important in the social economy to the -convenience of the people to be wholly suspended. Therefore, on the -appointed morning, early in September, a pleasant peal of five bells -(not as yet silenced by force or law) gave due notice from the tower -of Cheddar church that the day of fairings and gilt gingerbread had -arrived; but although a certain quantity of booths had been erected, -only one, and that but scantily supplied, was set apart for the -profane display of those glittering temptations. Among the farm -servants standing for hire, there were no stout young carters with -their whips, no hale shepherds with their crooks and green sprigs in -their hats; and though there was no lack of maids, yet, as they -crowded together, they looked lonesome and sad, and their bonny brown -hair was not tied up with ribands. The few children present were held -fast by the hand, and led by their parents to see the common purchases -made for the household; but even in these matters the traffic was -dull. There were, indeed, a few cattle; a few pens of sheep; some -piles of Cheddar and other Somersetshire cheese; a store of salted -meats; one stall with fair garnishes of pewter for the cupboard; -another with wooden bowls, and trenchers, and vessels for the dairy; -and one great one, at which groceries, cloths, linens, and articles of -hardware, were promiscuously set forth, and where the neighbouring -housewives were wont to lay in their store of useful necessaries for -the coming year. But now it was so uncertain what a day might bring -forth, that not many cared to make their annual outlay. - -It might be supposed, that, in such unsettled times, mountebanks, -tumblers, and conjurers could hardly reckon on a sufficient harvest of -pence to find them in beer and shoe leather; but some of them still -ventured their exhibitions, and with a ready wit practised boldly, -wherever they came, upon the popular prejudices of the hour, and lent -themselves to the crafty suggestions of the designing, who well knew -that the vulgar mind may be artfully seduced to join in the ridicule -of those very persons and things, which, in its better moments, it has -respected. - -Now the nephew of Daws had been a most willing and active agent in -forwarding the objects of his uncle; for he had not only procured his -libellous papers to be printed, but he had provided them each with a -caricature engraving on wood; and he had, in like manner, caused -certain ribald songs to be headed for distribution at Cheddar fair; so -that they who could not read the slanders and calumnies contained in -the printed matter might see them pictured to their senses. Nor did he -stop here; but he procured a base fellow, the son of a drunken -saddler, who was a noted posture master in Bristol, to carry these -papers and prints to Cheddar on the fair day, and to commend them to -the people. This knave, taking with him a merriman and a fire-eater to -assist him in attracting a crowd, repaired thither, and about noon -began his operations on a scaffold near the market cross. They had -been followed by a rabble of disorderly persons, among whom the report -of some fun at Cheddar fair had been already spread by the rogues -engaged on the occasion. - -Master Daws, who had been advised by his nephew of the preparations -that were made for bringing the church and its ministers into contempt -before the population of Cheddar, walked to the village at an early -hour in company with his nephew, under the pretence of buying a -hundred weight of cheese and a salted mutton; and, though the day was -fine, he took care to appear in the blue Geneva cloak, which was -commonly worn by the Puritan divines. Having engaged an upper room in -a public house facing the market place, he had no sooner stalked -through the vacant crowd, and made his purchases, than he retired to -feast his malignant envy from the window of this chamber. - -The sound of the pipe and tabor, and the nasal tones of Master -Merriman, soon gathered all the idle folk in the fair round the -mountebank's scaffold. The fool began with their favourite egg-dance; -and they stood with gaping mouths to see him hop about on one leg, and -then, being blindfolded, dance backwards and forwards between the eggs -without touching one of them: their mouths gaped yet wider, as this -performer was succeeded by the fire-eater, who, after commencing by -the trick of drawing forth from his mouth yard after yard of ribands, -as if his stomach had been a riband loom, put a bundle of lighted -matches into his mouth, and blew the smoke of the sulphur through his -nostrils. Last came the posture-master, whose art consisted in making -all sorts of uncouth faces, and exhibiting in a natural but shocking -manner every species of deformity and dislocation. Now he showed a -huge rising of his left shoulder; now shifted the deformity into the -other; now represented a humpback; accompanying these changes of his -figure with sundry comical contortions of countenance, to which the -crowd responded in roars of laughter. Having thus got them into good -humour for his purpose, he went on to imitate the cries and voices of -sundry animals and birds; the crow of the cock, the gabble of the -geese, the gobble of the turkey, the quaak of the duck, the squeak of -the sucking pig, the bleat of the lamb, the grunt of the old sow, and -the braying of the ass. The crowd was on the broad grin while he went -through these imitations. He now therefore disappeared for a minute, -leaving the merriman to amuse them, by way of interlude, with a -jocular dance, and returned in robes made of coarse materials to -imitate those of a bishop. His figure was stuffed out to Falstaff-like -proportions; his hands were crossed with due gravity; he had plumpers -in his cheeks; and he forthwith began to intone an anthem with -burlesque solemnity. The words were in mockery of the coronation -anthem; and the petition for the growth of the King's beard, and the -shaving thereof, was delivered in all those varieties of note which he -had before given when mimicking the animals of the farm-yard. He thus -excited the mirth of the rabble vastly. He closed this mischievous -performance by a comic song about tithes; and, after imitating the -squeak of a sucking pig, and the clack of a hen, he produced upon the -stage, by sleight of hand, as if from his paunch, a basket filled with -curious samples of the small tithe, in which the tenth egg was not -forgotten. His place was now taken by the mountebank, who professed to -be appointed grand physician to the state, and purifier of the church. -The fool stood by his side making all the uncouth faces which he could -think of, taken, it must be confessed, most chiefly from the sour -_kill-joys_ of the time; and holding a large bundle of printed papers, -each headed by a wood-cut, he distributed them down among the people -for due consideration of pence and farthings dropped into his cap. -These papers, though ridiculous devices were prefixed to them, -contained a venom of no laughable matter, and were eagerly bought up. - -The nephew of old Daws had been at little pains to rack his invention -for the subject of these curious cuts. On one, he had engraven the -figure of a fox, vested in canonicals, with a crosier in his hand and -a mitre on his head, hanging upon a tree, with a flock of geese and -other fowl beneath chattering at him; on another, he had represented a -fox in chains, with his right paw on a bag of money, and a monkey at -prayers by his side, trying to steal it away. On the next was given -the figure of a wolf in sheep's clothing, bearing a close resemblance -to his own uncle, puffing a large fire with a pair of bellows, on -which was inscribed "Groans and sighs;" while above was depicted an -owl, with a wolf and a lamb joining in prayers. By a self-deception -not uncommon, Master Daws had not the slightest suspicion that the -said wolf bore any likeness to himself, and, to the secret diversion -of his nephew, he gave a most ghastly smile of approval as he looked -over the rude caricatures, three of which we have described. The time -was now come for directing the wayward crowd to a stronger expression -of their contempt for the church than laughter. Accordingly, the -nephew of Daws descended among them, and proposed that they should -burn a bishop's effigy before the parson's house. While the effigy was -preparing, the people stood in groups reading the papers; and sundry -charitable suggestions were made by the baser among them. "Let's get -into his cellar," said one, "and drink a little of the sacrament -wine."--"Let's lay hold of the church plate," said another:--"Or give -the parson a ride on old Bruin here," was the cruel proposal of a -third, pointing to a huge bear in a string, led by a wandering -showman. All things were soon ready; and, led by the posture master in -front, and guided behind by the mischievous nephew of Master Daws, off -the rabble moved, noisy and half drunk, and ready for all evil. They -had no sooner reached the yew-tree in the churchyard, and were -advancing towards the wicket, than out rushed an old beggar, stumping -on his wooden leg, followed by plain Peter and two more old labourers, -and immediately behind them, as if in pursuit, a fine young bull. The -old beggar, who was no other than the worn-out veteran before -mentioned, shouted, "_Mad bull!_" at the top of his voice, with an -earnestness and passion that made him at once believed; and the crowd -fled, tumbling over each other, as they ran, in inextricable -confusion: nor were they allowed time to detect the deception -practised on them; for the old soldier and plain Peter slipping behind -the frightened beast, and goading him forward, he performed his -friendly office as well as the maddest of all bulls, and very -effectually dispersed the mob, and defeated their base and cruel -intentions for that day. Master Daws, who had from his post of -observation at the window witnessed the scenes in the market-place -with the most malignant satisfaction, as soon as the crowd marched off -towards the vicarage with the effigy, and he saw the coast clear, -could not repress his curiosity, and, stealing down, followed afar off -to watch their operations. In the luckless moment of their panic and -flight, he was so terrified and puzzled, that he could not regain the -house, but ran with the crowd, and was thrown down by a pig; nor was -this the worst, for it so happened that a man, leading a monkey, fell -at the same moment, and jocko flew upon Daws and bit his right ear, -till he screamed for agony: beyond this, however, and the tearing of -his clothes, he sustained no injury. A worse fate waited the -posture-master, the bear being infuriated at the hubbub, and having -broken away from his master, seized him fiercely, and embraced him in -a hug so fatal, that it produced contortions of countenance and a -dislocation of bones very different from those he had so lately been -exhibiting, and left him a cripple for life. The warning of his -master's danger had been communicated to plain Peter, that very -morning, by the grateful old soldier, who had come to that fair with -no other intention than rendering this service, he having heard a -whisper of the intended doings in a tap at Bristol. It so chanced that -old Noble was confined to the house by a sprain of the ankle, and his -mistress was not well; so Peter kept from them all mention of these -fears. The stratagem he adopted for putting the mob to flight was -suggested by the old soldier, and cheerfully aided by a neighbouring -farmer and two of his servants. Thus was the worthy parson protected -in peace, and kept safe from the strife of tongues and the violence of -a base rabble, throughout a day that was very threatening: -unconscious himself how Daws had been undermining him, he had passed -it in a frame of mind more than usually composed. - -Daws and his nephew continued their retreat without staying to pay -their reckoning at the public-house. The greater part of the crowd, -finding themselves on the road to Axbridge, proceeded there, to make -up for their disappointment at Cheddar by a riot at that place -instead. So few, indeed, returned, after they had got beyond the reach -of danger, to find out the truth of it, and they squabbled so much -among themselves, that Master Blount and the villagers were able to -prevent further disturbance at that time. Before evening all the -strange rabble departed; and the sun set on Cheddar as tranquilly as -in happier times. - - - - -CHAP. VI. - - It's a hard fate to be slain for what a man should never - willingly fight. - RALEIGH. - - -The prediction of Juxon concerning the city of Coventry proved -correct:--not only was the disposition of the inhabitants such as he -described, but the Parliamentarians, whose vigilance and activity were -very great, sent forward a small force to assist the citizens in -defending the place,--and the King had the mortification of summoning -it in vain. The gates were shut against him, and the burghers sent out -a message of defiance. His Majesty came to Stoneleigh Abbey the same -afternoon, much dejected; and being there joined by several of the -most considerable gentlemen in the county, he decided on raising his -standard at Nottingham, which was accordingly done on the 25th of -August; but he found that place much emptier than he expected, and -learned that the army of the Parliament, composed of horse, foot, and -cannon, was at Northampton. His own few cannon and stores were, as -yet, at quarters in York; and the levy gathered immediately under his -own person was at this moment very inconsiderable. Among the -cavaliers, who had brought their contingent of horsemen for the royal -service, was Sir Charles Lambert, with young Arthur Heywood and a -small troop of stout yeomanry. The age of boyhood is so impressible, -that the mind readily admits an omen for good or for evil; and Arthur -felt, and was angry with himself for feeling, uncomfortable, because -the very first evening of its erection the royal standard was blown -down by a violent storm of wind and rain. - -A short time was now consumed in messages between the King and the two -Houses; but on neither side were the negotiations conducted in a -spirit which could issue otherwise than they did. The declaration of -the two Houses to the kingdom was a trumpet note that gave no -uncertain sound, and it was answered to by the King with a princely -courage. - -He now removed to Derby; and having clear information that Shrewsbury -was at his devotion, continued his march to that town; and, collecting -all his forces in that strong and pleasant situation, was enabled to -organise them for taking the field in security, and to keep up his -correspondence with Worcester,--a city zealously affected to the royal -cause. Soon after the King left Nottingham, the Earl of Essex marched -from Northampton with his whole army towards Worcester, and, as he -traversed Warwickshire, placed garrisons of foot both in Warwick and -Coventry. It so chanced that, by these dispositions, the regiment to -which Cuthbert belonged was stationed for a time at Warwick. - -Sir Oliver Heywood had been disappointed of his wishes by an attack of -gout so very severe, that it quite disabled him; and although he had -contrived to present himself before the King at Stoneleigh, the effort -had thrown him back, and reduced him to the helplessness of a -cripple. He was therefore compelled to forego his intention of -repairing to Nottingham and joining the levy. Under these -circumstances he was willing to remain shut up at Milverton House, and -to abide all chances and all consequences which might follow on that -course, when the army of the Parliament should enter the county. But -Juxon warmly represented to him the great imprudence of this -unnecessary risk, and advised him to seek a temporary residence in a -more protected situation. With a wise forethought he recommended -Oxford; observing that it was at present occupied for the King; and, -if his Majesty could make head against his enemies, would undoubtedly -become the royal quarters, in the event of his not being fortunate -enough to recover the capital before winter. It was true that in the -interval which must pass before the King could take the field, and -advance in strength, the University of Oxford might be exposed to a -visit of some division of the Parliamentary forces; but it was not -probable that private families lodging there without show would be -seriously molested:--whereas it was almost certain that the country -mansion of any Royalist of like consideration with himself would be -subjected to a visitation of a very insulting and rude nature. Sir -Oliver yielded to this sensible advice; and as soon as the King -quitted Nottingham he departed from Milverton. Jane and Sophia Lambert -accompanied Katharine Heywood to Oxford; and Juxon having escorted the -party on their first day's journey, took leave of them with the best -composure which he could, and, without betraying the depth and -tenderness of his solicitude by one look or tone of dejection, -returned with all speed to Old Beech. - -It was near midnight when he approached the village; and by the -obscure light of a moonless but clear sky he discerned in the lane -before him two men moving about at a point where another road crossed -it. As a gate on his right hand opened into a large field, he -dismounted, and leading in his horse, fastened it to a hedge-stake, -and stole forward softly on foot by a pathway, leading to the point -where the roads crossed. Just as he reached the spot, a disturbed -bird nestled in a bush. "Who goes there?" said a gruff voice. Juxon -remained perfectly still, and saw two sentinels, one a pikeman, and -the other a musketeer, who now ceased their pacing, and stood halted, -fronting the lane end. - -"It is nobody," replied the comrade of the soldier who had given the -challenge:--"this is the second time thou hast been fooled to-night." - -"Thou art the fool, deaf dunderhead, and wouldst not hear a troop of -horse till they were down on thee:--what dost thou know of the wars, -bumpkin? I tell thee I heard a horse at the far end of yon lane as -clear as I hear thy clapper; and there may be royal troopers closer -than we think for. Dost mind? when I fire, take to thy scrapers, and -join the post at the barn." - -"Well, call me bumpkin as you will, you may be right: I warn't -thinking about horses, nor listening, you see. Your ears are sharp -enough for both;--a plague o' the Parliament folk;--I was thinking -about them pretty bodies that wear white caps and yellow kerchiefs. I -was to ha' been wed, man, at Michaelmas, but for all this to do about -the litia: what's the King done to me?" - -"Why you talk like a fool: hold your tongue.--Who goes there?" again -roared the old musketeer,--but Juxon kept a breathless silence.--"You -talk like a fool. Pay is pay, and victuals victuals, and one side as -good as t' other; and ours will be the best for booty, man." - -"Booty! what's that?" - -"Why you must be a queer simpleton not to know: why money, and plate, -and rich gear, and wines, and grub of all sorts; all's fish that comes -to net, man: that's the best part of a soldier's life." - -"Why what's he got to do with them things, if they beynt his'n?" - -"Beynt his'n!" said the old soldier with a tone of contempt: "why make -'em his'n." - -"Why that's what I call plain picking and stealing; and it's taught in -the Catechiz that you musn't do that." - -"Ay, that's all very well for brats at a parson's village school; but -that wo'n't do for them that know better. Besides, the Catechiz, as -you call it, is no good now; it's all wrong foundation." - -"Well, while I ha' got hands to get my living I don't want gold nor -silver: I never heard one of your rich folk whistle in all my born -days; and as for your madams, why my Madge has a laughing face that -shames them. Dang it, I wish I were back with her, and you might -soldier and the Roundheads might preach long enough afore I'd come -among ye." - -"Why I don't say any thing for those fellows that pray and preach; and -sometimes I am afraid they'll stand between a good soldier and his -right, and wo'n't let him have his fair share of plunder. There's that -grave, demure leeftenant they call Cuthbert drove me and two more out -of the parson's orchard this very afternoon before I mounted duty. He -looks too sharp after other people's business, that godly rogue; and -if ever I catch him tripping in a thick smoke, I'll give him a rap on -the sconce shall make him sleep sound enough ever after." - -"Thou shalt never hurt a hair of his head while I am by," said the -rustic soldier: "he's a kind, fair-spoken gentleman as ever stepped in -shoe-leather." - -"Tut! you're both of a kidney--both fools alike--I've been throwing -away my breath on. Keep your own path, and keep moving," said the -musketeer, and resumed his own cross beat in a surly silence. - -Warned by this adventure that Parliament soldiers were quartered for -the night in Old Beech, and by the mention of Cuthbert's name, and the -anecdote connected with it, that he had a friend among the hostile -party, who would, as far as possible, protect his interests, Juxon -instantly resolved to pass round by another road, and put up at a -detached farm-house a quarter of a mile to the north of the village, -where he could gain more accurate information of their doings, and -judge how to act in the morning. He was turning about quietly, to -steal off and get back to his horse, when his attention was again -arrested by the musketeer saying suddenly and bluntly to the pikeman, -"You want to be off home, I'm sure." - -"You're right enough there, and no conjurer:--I told you so." - -"I mean, you want to desert." - -"No, I doant." - -"Yes you do, and you'll run off when the fighting comes." - -"No I wunt: there's no man shall ever say that Bob Hazel gave back in -a fair stand-up fight." - -"Well, then, you'll change your side as soon as we come near the -King's troops, and fight on the other." - -"Why for the matter o' that, I didn't choose my side, to be sure, any -more than if I had been called by him that won the toss at football; -but now I'm in for it, I'll fight it out with the best of them on my -own side." - -"That's more than I'll say," muttered the musketeer: "I'm always for -the uppermost cause and the best paymaster: after the first battle we -shall see which has the good luck." - -They were again silent, and Juxon moved away, and regaining his horse -led it round by paths and gaps well known to himself to the farm-house -above mentioned. He found the farmer out and on the watch, and his -family had not gone to bed. The information which he here obtained of -the conduct of the Parliament troops in Old Beech was very -satisfactory. They had been peaceable and orderly, and had done -violence to no man. The commanding officer, it seems, had taken up his -quarters at the rectory, and a safeguard was appointed to protect the -church from injury. It was reported that they would march forwards the -next morning, or in the course of the day. But although the Colonel -had maintained a strict control over the soldiers during the day, the -farmer was naturally afraid that in the course of the night some -evil-disposed marauders might visit the farm, and therefore all his -people kept watch. Juxon's horse was instantly put up,--and before the -large fire in the farmer's kitchen a homely but welcome supper was -cheerfully provided. Although fatigued, he was far too restless to -sleep; and when he had refreshed himself with a little food and a cup -of strong ale he went out again, and walked towards the village. In -the clear gloom of night it presented the fine outline of a -picturesque cluster of habitations, of which the principal feature was -the small church, with its ancient tower, looking black and solemn. To -the surprize, however, of Juxon, a light, the only one to be seen in -all the dark mass of buildings, gleamed steadily from the window of -his chancel. The sight attracted him; and under the impulse of -curiosity, to see what the guard might be doing, he crossed the -intervening fields, leaped over the wall of the churchyard, and gained -the window without seeing or being noticed by any one. A lamp in the -chancel had been lighted, and threw around an illumination, faint -indeed, but sufficient to show very distinctly to the eyes of Juxon -the reverend figure within. Directly opposite the window, with his -face so slightly averted towards a monument on the same side, that not -a feature nor an expression was lost, stood a tall grave person in a -clerical habit. His features were noble and sad: his eyes were very -bright, but severe withal; and his complexion was pale as marble. He -wore a small skullcap of black velvet; and beneath it his hair fell, -on either side, in a large wavy mass, and lay upon the broad white -collar that turned over his narrow and close-buttoned cassock. His -upper lip was shaded with a small quantity of the blackest hair; a -tuft of the same filled the indenture beneath his under lip, and thus -the pallor of his long thin cheeks, and of his high forehead, appeared -more deadly. His pale hand, which held a closed volume, was pressed -against his bosom; and he stood so very motionless, and so deeply -absorbed in meditation, that a less healthy fancy than that of Juxon -would have deemed him some ghostly visitant, permitted, during the -witching hour of night, to haunt that holy place. The slow heavy tread -of a man in arms, turning the distant corner of the church, warned -Juxon to conceal himself; and passing quickly round under the altar -window to the other side, he came to the small door of the chancel. It -stood ajar; and pushing it gently, he entered, and again closing it, -found himself in the presence of the venerable stranger, and alone -with him. He turned at the sound of Juxon's entrance without -abruptness or discomposure; but as the light showed him an unknown -face, and an athletic form in garments dusty with travel, he demanded -of him in a tone of authority how he had come thither, and what was -his business. - -"But yesterday," said Juxon, "I might have asked that question of -thee: but a day has brought forth a sudden change; and the shepherd -must enter his own fold by stealth, or with the permission of others." - -"I understand thee. Thou art the minister of this place: thou hast -nothing to fear: I have watched in thy sanctuary, and no one has -violated or defiled it. You may go home to your own chamber in peace: -it was allotted as my quarter by the commander of this band, but I -resolved to keep a vigil here, and would continue it alone. Go, and -God speed thee. We shall march in the morning; and I pray that you may -be kept safe in all future visitations." - -"March!--have I heard aright? Does such an one as you march in the -ranks of rebels? Does a minister of the Gospel preach war, and that -against the Lord's anointed?" - -"Against the person of the King we do not war: we fight against his -false and dangerous friends. The sword of the Lord is with us, and it -must go through the land; but we march as mourners to the field of -blood. Witness these walls that have heard my groanings, yon tomb that -has been watered by my tears. In that tomb lie the ashes of my -grandfather, who was the first Protestant of his race. The -Reformation, begun by the godly men of that day, has never yet been -completed: that work remains for us." - -"Miserable delusion!" cried Juxon aloud; "miserable delusion! Is it by -kindling and diffusing the false fire of fanaticism? is it in arms? is -it by a path of blood that you move? Then is your work a work of evil, -and your light darkness." - -"So called they the work and the light of our forefathers, when they -led them forth, and burned them at the stake. You have a zeal for the -church, but not according to knowledge. I have heard of you from your -friend Cuthbert Noble." - -"Call him not friend of mine: give to all things their right names. He -that stands in arms against his king is a traitor; and if he had lain -in my heart's core, I would pluck him out, and cast him from me." - -At this moment, a man in arms entered the small door of the chancel, -and taking off his steel cap, advanced towards Juxon, and put forth -his hand:--it was Cuthbert Noble. He was much altered in his -appearance: his countenance was severe and sad, but resolute withal; -and his corslet, with the broad buff girdle beneath, had produced a -change in his aspect and bearing incredible to the mind of Juxon, if -he had not witnessed it with his eyes. - -"Do you refuse my hand? do you turn away from me, Juxon? I have not -deserved this at your hands," said Cuthbert, still stretching forth -his hand. Juxon turned his face and looked steadfastly upon him. - -"Cuthbert," said he with a slow, grave utterance, "I and your revered -father are upon the same side, and we fill the same sacred office. -Even now, perhaps, his fold is broken into by some furious zealots, -who will not show the same lingering compunction which is now, for a -moment, sparing mine. No, Cuthbert, the hand that grasps a sword, and -wields it against my king, shall never more be clasped with -friendliness by me." - -Cuthbert's hand fell down, and his knees shook, and his whole frame -trembled with the strength of his emotion. - -"Dare to repent," added Juxon, observing the internal struggle,--"dare -to repent. Here in the house of God, and before the altar of God, lay -down the arms of rebellion, and go home to comfort, and, if possible, -to protect, your father and mother." - -What effect this appeal might have had upon Cuthbert had he been alone -with Juxon, and subjected to all the strength with which it would have -been urged home upon him, we cannot say; for it was no sooner spoken, -than the Puritan chaplain fell upon his knees, and poured forth a -prayer for the cause of the Parliament, which, by its solemn tone and -intense fervency, commanded the silent and breathless attention of -both. It was evident that this petitioner, with an enthusiasm that has -been felt perhaps in common by some of every creed and party under the -cope of heaven, identified the particular cause which he himself had -espoused with that of truth and of God. Before he had uttered the -first brief sentence of adoration, Cuthbert had fallen down in a lowly -posture of worship,--and his spirit was soon carried by his leader in -prayer whithersoever he would. - -Juxon leaned his head against the wall where he stood, and kept his -eyes fixed on them. He had before him one of those rarely endowed -beings on whom gifts without measure had been poured:--for a quarter -of an hour he listened, with a painful and solemn interest, to a flow -of real eloquence. The petitions touched in succession every point at -issue. They justified, as by divine command, the appeal to arms, and -proclaimed the end thereof to be reformation and peace. They -recognised the sacredness of the King's anointed head; and they ended -in a prophetic anticipation of the days of millennial glory, and the -universal reign of a manifested God. - -In the course of the prayer he had not forgotten to pray for all -mankind, and especially for all those enemies who now stood opposed to -them in the present contest, and again in a yet more especial manner -for the near and dear relations, whose wishes and entreaties they were -now called on to resist, and whose hearts they might now afflict. -Painting this resistance most truly, as the highest order of -self-denial, he urged it as a sacred duty, and a sacrifice well -pleasing to the Lord. - -Juxon saw by the expression of Cuthbert's mouth the new and stronger -resolutions he was making;--nor did it surprise him to see that, when -they rose together at the conclusion of this fervent prayer, the -chaplain took Cuthbert by the hand, that was passively yielded, and -led him forth from the church without either of them addressing one -word to himself. They looked at him, indeed, with seriousness, if not -with compassion, and they moved their lips, but the whispered -ejaculations of their hearts had no voice; and their departing -footsteps were the only sounds that broke the silence of the place and -of the hour. - - - - -CHAP. VII. - - Thy friend put in thy bosom: wear his eyes, - Still in thy heart, that he may see what's there. - HERBERT. - - -By the care of Juxon, who had written to an old college servant of -Christ-church, a lodging was provided for Sir Oliver Heywood and his -party in a retired street at Oxford; and, having accomplished their -journey without any accident, they took possession of their new abode -early in September. The house though small was clean, and by no means -incommodious; but a part of it was already in the occupation of -another lodger. However, he was a quiet man, and was employed all day -in his labours, as a painter of coloured glass, having been engaged to -execute the windows of a chapel then building at University College. -Moreover, he was a Fleming, and spoke English so imperfectly that he -could not understand what was said to him, except on the most common -and necessary matters. But Sir Oliver, who suffered great pain with -his gout, and was really mortified at not being able to join the army, -began to show a fretfulness and discontent at his position, very -trying to Katharine and all about him. He was perpetually finding -fault with every thing, and every person; and his anger at the -language of alarm and doubt, which he found prevalent at Oxford, knew -no bounds. The secret of all this peevishness lay deeper than his -gouty sufferings; for, upon the very day of his arrival, he read in -"The Perfect Diurnall" that two squadrons of horse under Sergeant -Major Francis Heywood had joined the head quarters of the Lord Say, -who was the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, and stoutly opposed to the -King. Nor was this the simple announcement; but the news went on to -say, that these horsemen were well accoutred, and disciplined very -exactly under the training of Sergeant Major Heywood, a soldier of -excellent promise, who had served under the great Gustavus, and was -nearly allied to Sir Oliver Heywood of Milverton House, Warwickshire. -The old gentleman cursed and swore heartily when he first read this -aloud to Katharine and the Lamberts, but he never afterwards named the -subject or Francis; however, the thought lay rankling under every -expression of anger which daily events drew forth. - -The cloisters and the groves on the banks of the Isis were no longer -the solemn and silent haunts of peaceful, meditative scholars,--they -now echoed to the harsh beating of drums; and the young students, -instead of pacing slowly in their black academic habits, were dressed -in the garb of soldiers, with blue scarfs suspended across their -bodies from the shoulder, and with pikes in their hands. At a -convocation held in July the University had, with one consent, voted -his Majesty all the public money which they had in hand; and, besides -this, several of the colleges, as well as private persons, sent in -their plate and their ready money also. This act of the convocation, -however, was immediately pronounced null and void by Parliament; and -any such actions were forbidden for the future. This proclamation -pronounced those criminal who had been concerned in advising this -diversion of the treasures of their colleges, and commanded each -society to secure its own. It also ordered that the Dean of -Christ-church, the President of Magdalen, and the Provost of Queen's, -who had been most active in this matter, should be seized and brought -to the bar of the House to answer for their conduct. But this could -not be accomplished, because the High Sheriff and the Mayor of Oxford, -acting upon the commission of array, had called out the train bands of -the city, and the scholars had taken arms. To support this show of -resistance, Sir John Biron marched to Oxford, and took possession of -it for the King. Sir John had with him about five hundred horse; and -thus he secured the contributions for the King's service, and was -enabled, though compelled soon afterwards to retire from the city, to -carry a considerable portion of it safe to the royal quarters. It was -during the period that Oxford was thus held for the King that Sir -Oliver and his family came there to reside. They were visited by -several of the stanch Royalists and their ladies: these visitors -consisted for the most part of the troubled and alarmed clergy, who -were connected by office with the University. To some of their wives -it was a delight to have a new family into whose ears they might pour -all the bitter scandals against the Nonconformists, and others of the -Parliament party, which they eagerly collected and minutely detailed. -Nor was there any deficiency in spirit; for some of them went so far -as to declare that, happen what might, nothing should make them stir -from their own houses; that their husbands might run away if they -pleased; but no canting Roundheads should ever eject them from their -own arm chairs; and generally concluded by observing, that if their -husbands were not such a poor set of creatures, they would drive the -odious Lord Say out of the county; and that, as it was, there was no -chance whatever of his getting into the city. Then they reckoned upon -their fingers,--the five hundred men of Sir John Biron, and the four -hundred pikes of the train bands, and the two hundred scholars with -pikes, and the fifty doctors and masters of arts that had horses and -pistols, and spirit to use them. Mrs. Veal, the lady of a doctor of -Christ-church, was the most eloquent in these invectives, and the most -exact in these calculations; and, to her honour be it spoken, she kept -her word; and when the day of trial came, and Oxford was abandoned to -the Parliamentarians, she would not accompany her husband, but -remained obstinately fixed in her own arm-chair, and most successfully -defended her house with a scolding tongue. - -Amid all these bitter and uncongenial elements Katharine Heywood was -perplexed and troubled, and found little rest for her spirit, save -that which passeth man's understanding, and that which she found in -the affectionate friendship of Jane Lambert. Nothing more cruelly -jarred her feelings than the language in which, by common consent, -almost all around her seemed to talk of the Parliamentarians. Her own -loyalty was firm and pure, but it was of an exalted character; and -under no circumstances could it have stooped to so low a hatred of the -persons, or to so mean an opinion of the motives, of the King's -enemies, as that generally entertained and daily expressed before her. -She did every thing which it was in the power of a daughter to do for -the comfort and tranquillity of her father, but her efforts were not -very successful. - -As soon as it became known that the Lord Say was advancing upon Oxford -with superior forces, and that Sir John Biron was about to retire upon -Worcester, nothing would pacify Sir Oliver but an endeavour to -accompany that movement. However, the means of conveyance were not to -be obtained for money, and he was compelled to remain where he was. - -On the morning of the 14th of September the greatest possible -consternation prevailed in the city; and early in the forenoon a -strong body of horse, headed by the Lord Say, marched into the -University. His first act was to cause all the colleges to be strictly -searched for plate and arms, and to secure whatever plate had not -been hidden, or despatched under escort of Sir John Biron. He also -broke into their treasuries, but found little in them, save in that of -Christ-church, where, after a day's labour, and breaking through a -plastered wall to an iron chest, he discovered in the bottom thereof a -groat and a halter;--a pleasant surprize for a man of his morose -temper, and provided for him by the wit of the doctor's lady who has -been mentioned above. - -It was not till late in the evening of the 14th that Sir Oliver and -his daughter got any distinct information of what was passing. Their -street was retired; not a soldier entered it; nor a sound, save that -of trumpets from the market-place, reached their anxious ears. The -worthy knight forbade Katharine and Jane to leave the house, and old -Philip the butler was not at all inclined to volunteer any inquiries. -But the Flemish painter had been absent from a very early hour; on -which account Sir Oliver charitably pronounced him a Dutch -Presbyterian rascal, who had been acting as a spy for the Roundheads. -It was in vain that Katharine observed that he was an artist employed -by a college upon its chapel windows: the knight pronounced him a -foreign scoundrel, gone to join in the plunder. Towards evening the -painter returned, and came to their apartment, to tell them in his -broken stammering language, with tears in his eyes, that a fine young -officer, who spoke Dutch, had saved all his painted glass from being -broken, and had put a safeguard at all the chapels. - -The officer of whom the painter related this was no other than Francis -Heywood. The throb of Katharine's heart told her so at the instant, -but it was confirmed to her afterwards. - -It was the habit of Katharine and Jane to walk daily in the afternoon -in the fair meadows on the banks of the river to which they had quick -and easy access, from the retired quarter in which they dwelt, without -passing through any of the more public streets of the town. - -Their friendship had strengthened under all the adverse and anxious -circumstances of the times; and the piety of Jane had become so -deepened by her constant intercourse with Katharine that their -spirits held communion together in these walks, whether they conversed -or were silent. - -The arrival of the Parliamentarians put a stop to these rambles for -the first few days after they took possession of the city; but, by the -strictness of their discipline and the quietness of their behaviour -towards the citizens of the place, confidence was soon restored, and -the people went about the streets and ventured into the neighbouring -fields as usual. - -It was on a fine glowing afternoon, about a week after the entrance of -Lord Say's horsemen, that Katharine and Jane went forth together to -their favourite meadow. The sun had such power, that, instead of -keeping the open and more public path, they confined themselves to a -short and shady promenade beneath a few stately trees on the margin of -the river. No one chanced to be in the meadow but themselves: the -glorious hues of autumn were already beginning to tinge the tops of -trees, and the hedge rows were blushing with bird fruit. In the -distance, too, on the low hills, the naked and yellow stubble of the -corn fields told that the harvest was ended, and the season of the -last fruits was come. The friends were carrying forward their hopes -and fears as to the future, and were comforting themselves with the -vain hope that, even yet, before the fall of the leaf, some change for -the better might come. - -It was rumoured that, through the Lord Falkland, who was highly -considered by many of the Parliamentary leaders, and who was known to -be a Royalist far too generous and right minded to wish well to -despotic government, expectations of a reconciliation between the King -and his Commons were yet entertained. But Katharine, though she wished -not to depress her more sanguine friend, could not but fear that these -rumours of peace were begotten rather of the wishes of those who -uttered them than of their judgment: that too many resolute men were -on horseback and in arms; and that they would assuredly draw the sword -and try the issues of battle. As thus they walked together, softened -by the repose and beauty of the scene around, Jane ventured upon a -theme which seldom or ever passed her lips. She spoke of love, and of -its many crosses; but withal that better it was to love, though life -were passed separated from the object of it, than not to feel so sweet -an influence. - -"It is true, Jane," said Katharine mournfully, "it is most true; yet -misplaced affections do greatly wear the spirit." - -"You do not mean misplaced, dear cousin, surely; but fixed hopelessly -on one most worthy of our love. Such is your destiny, for Francis is a -noble being. You never told me of the first growth of your attachment: -how did it first spring? what moved you? did he woo you? Love, they -say, does ever beget love; but yet, methinks, nothing of outward show -or manliest beauty, no mere words of admiration, would have availed to -fix any man firmly in a heart like yours." - -"Albeit the subject pains me, I will tell thee, Jane. Yes, he is -worthy of a woman's love. From his first youth he has been, as thou -knowest well, a soldier. It was his father's pride to see him, when -but a stripling, not so tall as the boy Arthur, intrusted with a -standard in the day of battle. In his first field, a bullet struck him -down upon his knees; still, with uplifted arms, he waved his ensign, -and strove to keep his place in the close ranks, till faint with pain -he fell: but, even then, he grasped the colour staff so firmly, that a -stout lieutenant, who, for its safety, took it from him, was forced to -bruise his boyish hands ere they would let go their sacred charge. On -the morrow, as he lay upon his bloody straw in the field hospital, the -great Gustavus gave him the Iron Cross of Honour, and with it a -commission in his guard of horse,--rewards for this first proof of -constancy. - -"This, at our table, his father did relate with such a pride as doth -become a parent. Francis the while coloured a little, and looked down -for modesty, but said nothing. I felt hot tears upon my cheek; and -when they drank his health, and I did pledge him, he saw those tears. -Such was the birth of our attachment; and kind words, and gentle -actions, and books, and music, and many things, did feed it, till it -grew to love; and then came trouble. Thou knowest well the bitter feud -that blazed forth suddenly between our fathers. The quarrel was of -public matters; for my father never knew nor even guessed our love. -'Tis long, long past that blissful season: let's talk of it no more." - -"Thank you, dear Katharine," said Jane, with swimming eyes and -faltering tongue; "I feel for you. I love you so, it was but right to -tell me this. You wish for silence; be it so: for the world I would -not pain you." Their conversation dropped, and they gave themselves to -the grave thoughts it had called up. - -It had been late in the afternoon before they came out: evening drew -on; and the sun was setting in a fine autumnal sky, when they were -surprised by the sound of approaching voices: as they became more -distinct, Jane observed that they must proceed from some persons on -the river or on the opposite bank. They went to a tree near the water, -and there, concealed by the overhanging branches, they saw a small -boat dropping down the stream, and gliding to the very bank on which -they stood. It came close, but neither of the persons in it stepped -ashore: they continued talking in a foreign language, and comparing a -distant outline of ground with papers which they held in their hands. -Their backs were towards Katharine and Jane; but these almost -immediately recognised one as the Flemish painter, who lodged in the -same house with them, the other was a tall stately man in a helmet and -a buff war coat, with an orange scarf depending from his right -shoulder. The heart of Katharine throbbed violently. Under the -disguise of a foreign tongue, she was not certain about the voice; but -she thought it was that of Francis. He lifted his helmet from his -head, and turned to catch the evening breeze. It was her cousin. Her -cheek became deadly pale: she trembled excessively, and caught at the -trunk of the tree for support. A sudden exclamation from Jane Lambert -gave alarm. Francis sprang instantly to the shore, eager to quiet any -fears which he might innocently have caused. Nor was the surprise -greater to them than to himself, when he saw Katharine Heywood and -Jane Lambert before him. - - - - -CHAP. VIII. - - My true love hath my heart, and I have his. - SIDNEY. - - -When the painter, who followed Francis Heywood from the boat, saw the -affecting situation of the parties, and discerned clearly, at a -glance, that they were not only well acquainted with each other, but -apparently suffering from very deep and embarrassing emotions, he -withdrew. There was a something in this meeting of Francis and -Katharine, under present circumstances, so mournful, that Jane -Lambert, from a sympathy with their sacred feelings, walked to a short -distance from the spot, and left them together. They stood alone; they -were both pale; both trembling; the greeting of the embrace, and the -utterance of each other's names, had already passed in the presence of -Jane. Silence was first broken by Francis. "I bless the leading of my -better angel for bringing me here this evening. Oh, Katharine, how I -have longed for an interview with you: that blessing is come; it is a -boon of Providence; we meet again: once more I have heard your lips -pronounce my name; once more I gaze upon the living form which has -dwelt with me as a bright shadow; the comfort of my wanderings and -toils; the cherished idol of my lonesome hours; the household image -that gladdened my solitary lodging. Nay, do not seek to silence me; do -not avert your eyes from me; let not displeasure cloud your glorious -brow. I have loved you long, faithfully, and well. I hail this meeting -as an omen of Heaven's favour: the hour will come that I may dare ask -thee of thy father without shame or fear." - -"Francis, that hour will never come; it was an unhappy hour in which -we first became acquainted." - -"Oh, say not so: from that sweet hour I date a happiness that cannot -die: why look so grave upon me? You cannot quench my love:--it grew as -does the flower which with a constancy looks ever to the sun. Thou -art a sun to me; and till I am cut down by the swift scythe of war, or -wither in decay, thus will it ever be." - -"Oh, Francis, who hath bewitched you? Why did you return to England? -Why did you leave the green savannas of the New World, and your pure -and peaceful labours, for scenes of strife and of rebellion? -Away--afar--separated from me by the stormy ocean--and too painfully -conscious myself that the course of our true love never could run -smooth--I had a comfort in your absence. We are divided in time, was -my thought--but not for ever. There is a high and distant region, -where we may meet again to part no more;--but now, Francis--it is not -too late--put off these arms--return to America. Here, now, let us -take our last and long farewell. Return to your father, and give me -back the happiness of knowing that he who loves me may be, without a -crime, beloved again. Yes--I have loved you well. I have known that -our union was impossible:--to honour a parent's will is the duty of a -child. But hear me, Francis:--if all such obstacles were by some magic -power removed,--if fortune crowned you with all those gifts of wealth -and station, which so generally secure the consent of fathers and the -approval of the world,--never would I accept the hand of that man, who -had raised his sword against his king." - -While Katharine was delivering this earnest, fond remonstrance, with -all the tenderness of a woman, but with a tone of decision towards the -close at once solemn and mournful, Francis stood pale and attentive, -with eyes that regarded her countenance admiringly. He remained silent -for more than a minute after she had ceased from speaking, as if -waiting to hear more; then coming closer to her, he took her hand, -gazed on her with intense affection, and slowly answered,-- - -"With due deliberation of my deed, I took commission of the -Parliament, and swore the oath prescribed; and I will keep it, -Katharine, as a soldier should. You live at home, as women use to do, -and therefore cannot know the truth of this great nation's quarrel -with its king. Spirits there are in this bad world, to whom their own -security and peace bring no content, while any are debarred a common -right. Such lead the people now; such, standing up in arms, demand for -all, true liberty--and I am with them. The anointed head of England's -king is to me, as to you, sacred, and I would defend it from the -swords of my own squadrons should any dare to threaten it. You have -none near you, my beloved Katharine, to show you things in their true -colours, and your gentle and pious fear of evil misleads your better -judgment." - -"Francis, I thank God I live apart from the great world, and hear but -little of their teaching; but this I know, nations are families, and -he that slays his brother in any quarrel commits a sin, and he that -puts forth his hand against a nation's father is tempted to a crime so -like to parricide, that the laws do visit treason with the same -punishment. I'll pray for thee, cousin,--pray that some power divine -may turn thy deceived heart,--may touch it with the spirit of peace, -and love, and holy fear. Lay not the flattering unction to your soul, -that the cause of true religion, or of true liberty, can be promoted -by the sword of rebellion. It will turn into your own generous bosom -hereafter, and pierce you through with sorrows." - -"Well, Katharine, a nation is a family; but if some of the children do -poison a father's mind against others, and these last rise up to -punish their treachery, at whose door lieth the sin?" - -"My heart is too heavy, Francis, to deal with you in argument. Sure I -am, that you feel persuaded in your own mind of the truth of that view -which lures you on to misery. Oh, that I could move thee. Francis, -from the tender age at which I kneeled upon a mother's lap, and lisped -my infant prayer, I was taught to love and to reverence the church in -which I was baptized; to worship in her courts; to kneel before her -altars; and now I may not see her in the dust without a pang." - -"Katharine, I would sooner this arm should rot than that it should -violate a church, or desecrate one pillar of the temple; but all that -are called Israel are not Israel. There are unseemly spots upon the -raiment of the King's daughter. She will come forth more glorious for -purification. Fear not, my gentle cousin, fear not, all will yet be -well." - -"Not so--not so; my heart more truly tells some fatal end. What scarf -is that upon thy shoulder? Where is thy king? Doth not his sacred head -even now pillow upon thorns? His throne! his crown! where are they? by -whom assailed? by whom defended?" - -"The true enemies of the King, the true foes of the church, are -gathered about the royal person; have poisoned his ear; have turned -the generous blood of a princely heart to the black and bitter stream -that swells the veins of tyrants. The best friends both of the church -and of the King march to free them and to reinstate them in the love -of all the people." - -"Oh, that it were so, Francis--were truly so! Is Falkland in your -ranks? Oh, that I had a tongue of persuasion to win you back again! -Oh, that you were riding among your king's defenders!" - -"Katharine, by the sweet sacredness of my deep and constant love for -you, ask me not that which I could never do with honour. Beneath the -cope of heaven there walks no being whose wish is such a law to me as -thine. My services are pledged--my colours chosen. My heart is in the -cause. If thou couldst give to me thy precious self in marriage, as -the mighty price of my desertion, I were unworthy of thee--we should -be unworthy of each other. Our fall would be beyond the common lapse -of false mankind. Even in our wedding garments our love would die." - -"Lord of my constant heart, forget my words:--I know not what they -meant--I know not how I spake them. Sorrow, and fear, and love, and -dark forebodings, do half bewilder me. I would not have thee other -than thou art in any thing. Thy heart is no traitor's heart. Delusion, -bright as is the garment of an archangel, goes before thee; and in -Heaven's chosen squadrons you shall be one day marshalled. Whene'er -thou fallest in the battle, I shall know it:--the stars will tell it -me: Francis, thou wilt be taken away from me,--I know it:--a presage -dark and cold overshadows me." - -"Nay, love, that fear is idle; 'tis a passing weakness. Nor time, nor -space, nor life, nor death, can e'er divide our loves. In all I think, -in all I do, you are present with me. Spirits are not confined:--in -lonely forest haunts, across the wide Atlantic, I have had thee with -me, Katharine, _visibly with me_; and I do know by the mysterious -sympathy between us, that thou hast seen me sit with thee, beneath thy -favourite cedar, when ocean rolled between us. This is the high and -glorious privilege of love like ours. Come to my heart:--be folded -there in one such fond embrace as may live in memory's cup to be a -daily nectar." He pressed her majestic form to his manly breast, and -bowed his head upon her shoulder. Just then a trumpet sounded from the -city. He strained her yet closer to his heart, then cast his eyes -around with eager glance, and made signal with his hand till Jane -observed him and came up:--to her he passed his pale and silent charge -with soft and reverent action, and, with the quick farewell of -soldiers' partings, broke suddenly away. - - - - -CHAP. IX. - - He calls us rebels, traitors; and will scourge with haughty - arms this hateful name in us. - _Henry IV._ - - -On the cold foggy evening of October the 22d, 1642, the brigade of -foot to which the regiment of Cuthbert Noble belonged took up its -ground for the night in an open field to the north of the village of -Keinton, in which the Earl of Essex fixed his head-quarters. The -armies of the King and the Parliament had been several days on the -march, both moving in the same direction, on lines of route some -twenty miles asunder. Both the King and Essex were well resolved to -fight a battle when the fit opportunity should offer; and it was the -common talk of the soldiers on both sides that they should soon come -to blows. Nevertheless, there was little thought in either camp that -they were on the very eve of an engagement, or, indeed, that the main -bodies lay so convenient to each other as to fight on the morrow. As -soon as the guards were posted, the pikemen and musketeers of -Maxwell's regiment piled their arms in ranks, and were allowed to make -such fires as they could. The country being open, and bare of wood, -these fires were comfortless and short lived. By a flickering flame, -fed with the small wood of the few bushes that grew near, Cuthbert -Noble and Randal ate a slender supper of dry bread and salt herring, -which they washed down with a weak draught of cold mixture, but -faintly tinged with strong waters. "The Saxons," said Randal, who was -a very hardy man, "call this month the wine month, or _Wyn Monath_; -certainly there must have been milder seasons in England formerly than -we experience now; for it is impossible to fancy a vintage during such -sharp frosts as these."--"Yes," said Cuthbert, "yes." Randal smiled at -a reply which bespoke inattention and discomposure, then added, -"Master Cuthbert, I counted on seeing you a little proud of your -first night in camp: we must all endure hardness as good soldiers." - -"True," answered Cuthbert, recovering himself: "what is a little cold -and a little hunger compared to what thousands of Christian men have -in all ages endured, and do in all ages endure for the truth? It is a -great cause--a holy cause. I was only thinking at the moment that it -is a pity we had not taken a little better care of our bread and of -that bottle of strong waters: there is a loaf missing, and the bottle -is almost empty. But what petty trifles these are; how much below the -dignity of our nature: you are right, Randal; I am, and I ought to be, -happy; see how comfortable the Colonel has made himself;" so saying, -he pointed to where Maxwell sat, near the only good fire on the -ground, with a few officers round him. He was enveloped in a large -cloak,--a fur cap was drawn over his ears,--he was leaning with his -back against a pack-saddle; and as the smoke of his pipe issued in -warm clouds from his mouth he looked as much at his ease as if seated -in a chimney corner by the brightest fireside in the kingdom. - -"Ay," said Randal, "he is an old campaigner, and use is second nature; -for myself, as long as I am warmly clad, for no other comfort do I -care: I hate a pipe, and am not fond of a fire." Now Randal was -wrapped up in an outer coat of the thickest woollen; and Cuthbert -himself, being also clothed in a large warm mantle, checked his -disposition to complain, and, after a little conversation of a better -kind, they both composed themselves to sleep. About two or three hours -after he had lain down he was awakened by a sensation of extreme cold. -He instantly discovered the cause: his mantle had been stripped off, -and he was left without any other covering than the clothes in which -he stood. Most of the camp fires were already extinguished, or only -emitted a very faint light from the expiring embers. The stars in the -deep blue sky above shone with the most vivid lustre: the fog had -disappeared; and through the clear gloom of night he could see -outlines of the piles of arms and of the groups of sleeping soldiers. -Immediately near him lay Randal in a profound sleep: lifting a -half-burned brand, he saw by the light which it gave as he waved it -around that the mantle was nowhere near the spot. He went among the -groups which were not far off to search for it; but the growl and the -curse of a brawny pikeman, over whom he chanced to stumble, deterred -him from his pursuit; and he had no other resource than to pace up and -down in a vacant space of ground, that he might keep himself warm by -exertion. In vain he tried to raise his mind to heavenly -contemplations; in vain he sought to warm his zeal by picturing the -sad and severe sublimities of battle and of victory; and the price of -blood which he might soon be called upon, and which he was ready to -pay, for the triumph of his cause. For great sacrifices he was eager; -for petty troubles he was wholly unprepared; therefore the night wore -away in coldness and discontent. - -Just as the day was breaking, he observed a man, in the garb of a -Puritan, riding leisurely along the lines, and apparently taking a -very particular notice of the position and number of the troops. What -it was in the manner of the man that awakened the suspicions of -Cuthbert is uncertain, but he felt impelled to go closer, and examine -him. Accordingly, he crossed towards the quarter-guard, where he -observed him stop and enter into conversation with the sergeant. The -man's back was towards Cuthbert,--thus he was able to approach the -quarter-guard without being perceived by the stranger. No sooner did -Cuthbert catch the tone of his voice than he immediately recognised it -to be that of the roguish hypocrite who had slept in the same chamber -with him at the inn in Aylesbury, two years before, and had stolen his -purse and the horse lent him by Sir Oliver Heywood. The knave, not -recollecting Cuthbert in his new dress, continued to pursue his -inquiries after he came up in the same canting phraseology, and even -addressed some questions to Cuthbert himself; but the latter, -suddenly seizing the bridle of his beast, directed the sergeant to -pull him out of his saddle, which was instantly and adroitly done, and -gave him in charge as a thief and a horse-stealer, and on suspicion of -being a spy. The wretch was so panic-stricken that he made no effort -to conceal or destroy any of the proofs which were found upon him, -when they proceeded to search his person. These papers consisted of a -letter to Prince Rupert--another, without a signature, saying that two -squadrons of the Parliamentarian horse were prepared to desert as soon -as the armies met--and a third, containing an accurate return of the -strength of Essex's main body, and an estimate of the numbers left -behind in garrisons, and on other duties. He was taken before Colonel -Maxwell; by him sent forthwith to the Earl of Essex, who, having -gotten all the information which the confused hypocrite could give, -directed him to be hanged in front of the lines, before the troops -marched. The rogue died like a dog and a dastard, imploring mercy with -loud and feverish howls, till, the noose being fastened tight about -his neck, and made secure to a strong branch on the only tree near -the camp, the forage cart, on which he had been dragged beneath it, -was driven away, and he suddenly fell, and swung slowly to and fro -before the silent and stern battalions which were assembled upon the -ground in arms. - -Such was the Sabbath morning of October the 23d,--far different in -prospect and in promise from those of his youthful days at Cheddar. -The distant sound of trumpets told that the divisions of horse were -already in motion; the drums beat; many a shrill fife pierced the ear; -and the columns of foot slowly followed. The army had scarcely -advanced a mile before the troops were halted; and they could all -distinctly see a fair body of horse on the top of a high level, called -Edge Hill, not more than a good mile in front. At the same moment, the -Earl of Essex rode past Maxwell's regiment, and said, in the hearing -of Cuthbert,-- - -"Maxwell, I shall give you plenty of work to-day, for I know I may -reckon on your regiment safely." - -"My Lord, we're all ready and willing," was the Colonel's brief reply. - -The order now came for drawing up the army in order of battle. Near -Keinton, on the right, were some hedges and enclosures: among these -were placed the musketeers and pikemen; and one of the most important -posts was assigned to the regiment in which Cuthbert served. There -were not above two regiments of horse in this wing, where the ground -was narrowest; but in the left wing was placed a thousand horse under -Ramsey. The reserve of horse was commanded by the Earl of Bedford, -assisted by Sir William Balfour: between the Parliamentarians and the -royal position, on Edge Hill, it was a fair open country. Essex having -thus chosen his ground, stood still in a defensive posture, and -directed three cannon to be discharged as a defiance and a challenge -to the royal army: they answered readily on their part with two shot -from a battery of field guns on the brow of their position. However, -many of their foot regiments were quartered seven or eight miles from -the main body, and had that distance to march to the rendezvous. It -was past one of the clock before the King's forces marched down the -hill, with the King's standard waving in the centre of his regiment of -guards. They made a very fine and gallant appearance, especially their -horse. Their trumpets sounded out in the distance, very grand to hear, -and those upon Essex's left wing sounded also. It was a glorious sight -to see the royal forces move steadily on, in two lines, with bodies of -reserve. They numbered not less than eighteen thousand men, and the -army of Essex was very little superior in strength; for two of his -best regiments of foot, and one of his horse regiments, were a day's -march behind him. However, the Parliament soldiers were no less ready -for the fray than their eager adversaries. - -During the solemn pause before the battle, while the hosts were -drawing up face to face, and the dispositions for the attack were -completing, Cuthbert felt an unaccountable sadness on his spirits. He -could well imagine, from all that he heard and saw, that the feelings -of a true soldier, standing opposite an army of hostile invaders, and -about to fight for the altars and the hearths of his native land, must -be of a most exalted and enviable description,--but how different were -his. The royal standard of England was floating in the adverse line, -and English voices were marshalling it for the onset: his own pupil, -young Arthur Heywood, was riding in those ranks. - -"Remember, men," said the commanding voice of Maxwell, "to be silent -and steady: wait for the order: reserve your fire to the last moment, -musketeers; and keep your ranks, pikemen, when it comes to the push. -By God's help, we'll drive them up that hill in worse order than they -are coming down." - -In another minute there broke a sudden flash from the enemy's line: -close followed the white smoke and the thundering echo; and, by the -very side of Cuthbert, a sergeant was struck down dead. - -"Pick up Sergeant Bond's partisan," said the sergeant-major of the -regiment as he was passing by: "pick it up, you Tibbs," he repeated, -in a sharp cold tone, to a supernumerary sergeant attached to the same -company, and who had only a sword. - -"Is this the glorious battle death?" said Cuthbert to himself,--but he -had no leisure for thought: the roar of shotted guns began on both -sides, and the battle fiercely opened. The musketeers of the regiment -were thrown out towards a hedge, a little in front of the ground -occupied by the pikemen; and a canopy of smoke soon rose above them -all, veiling the golden sun and the blue heavens, and giving to all -the forms and faces of those around, whether friends or foes, a -shadowy indistinctness. - -In the midst of all this apparent confusion, governing commands were -given by beat of drum, or by the swift and intelligent service of -chosen aides, or by the personal presence and loud voice, at the -particular point were they were needed, of Essex himself, who -commanded and fought with his foot throughout the day. Captain -Ruddiman, who commanded the company of pikemen to which Cuthbert -belonged, did not appear to relish the cannon balls; feeling very -naturally, that however ready and able to encounter the Royalists at -close quarters, there was no mode of guarding against a round iron -shot; nor was he much better pleased with the spitting and whistling -of musket-balls. However, being a very brave man, he stood them all as -steady as a signpost, and rebuked Lieutenant Sippets for bobbing up -and down in a very unsoldier-like fashion. Meanwhile Cuthbert was -expressly called by Maxwell to go to the front, and take charge of a -company of musketeers, the officers of which were all killed or -wounded. He ran eagerly forward and was soon hotly engaged; but the -royal dragoons coming up to the support of their foot, and both -forcing their way on with ardour, the musketeers were withdrawn by -Maxwell behind the reserve of pikemen; and these moving up in good and -compact order soon came to a gallant push of pike, and drove back the -enemy with severe loss; at the same time the musketeers stoutly -supported the push of pike with their clubbed muskets, and made a -bloody carnage in the royal ranks. In this melee Cuthbert owed his -life to that expertness at the sword exercise for which he was -indebted to the lessons of George Juxon; for by a dexterous parry he -beat off the assault of a stout Royalist officer, who ran at him as he -was grasping at a colour, the bearer of which had stumbled, and, -killing him by a home thrust through the body, succeeded in taking the -colour. - -In the pause which followed on the repulse of this attack Cuthbert -received the high praise of Maxwell, and the honest congratulations of -Captain Ruddiman, who, at close quarters, had himself done good -service among the Royalists, making not a few bite the dust beneath -the blows of a heavy poll-axe which he had found upon the field. Both -parties now for awhile took wind and breath; but soon again the horse -of Essex's right wing was led by Sir William Balfour against the point -of the King's left. Their squadrons passed the flank of Maxwell's -regiment, as they advanced at a walk to take their ground before they -formed up for the charge; and Francis Heywood, already distinguished -by his brilliant conduct at the unfortunate affair of Pershore, passed -so close to Cuthbert that they shook hands. It scarcely seemed a -minute from this friendly greeting ere their trumpets sounded the -charge, and with a desperate fury they galloped towards the enemy. The -first line broke before them: the second was staggered; but two -regiments of the royal dragoons, in reserve, came swiftly to their -aid, and by the fire of their long carbines struck down a great many -of the Parliament horse, and following this up by a charge, compelled -them to wheel about. The royal foot now advanced again, and made a -furious attack upon the right of Essex, and pushed up to the very -mouths of his cannon, and drove away the gunners and spiked several of -the guns; but this artillery was valiantly won back by the -Parliamentarians: and the brigade of foot in which Maxwell's regiment -fought actually charged the royal dragoons with their pikes, and drove -them back in disorder, with the loss of a great many men and horses. -It so happened, in this last movement, that when the two parties were -close together, Cuthbert caught a momentary but a very distinct view -of the fine countenance of young Arthur Heywood, and heard him cry -aloud, "Strike home, lads, for God and the King!" The smoke of battle -soon hid the vision, and the royal dragoons were compelled to retire. - -Prince Rupert had beaten the left wing of Essex, and was in full -pursuit; but as night drew on the horsemen of the Prince were seen -returning to the field of battle; and as the right wing had maintained -its ground stubbornly, the battle ended by the King retiring to the -hills, and leaving Essex in possession of the field, where he kept his -troops together throughout the night. Both sides laid claim to the -victory, and both gained some advantages in the fight, but their -losses were very heavy and nearly equal. However, Essex slept upon the -field of battle, and was joined in the night by most of the fugitives -from his left wing, and was further reinforced by the arrival of two -good regiments of foot and one of horse. - -The sun had no sooner set on the evening of the battle than it began -to freeze hard; and it being Cuthbert's turn for outline guard, he was -posted at the end of a considerable enclosure, near some large gaps, -which had been made by the enemy in their attacks to admit of their -bringing up their cannon and their cavalry. The slaughter near this -spot had been considerable, and Cuthbert had to plant his sentinels -among mangled and naked corpses; but in the gloom and obscurity of -night the only appearance they presented was that of pallid and stony -objects without a shape. He was surprised to find himself insensible -to any feeling but the low animal sensations of hunger, cold, and -weariness. He sat round the watch fire with the men composing the -guard, and ate ravenously of such coarse provisions as were issued. -His share of the plunder had been a large warm horseman's cloak, which -his corporal had found among the slain of the King's guards, and which -he now folded about him as he lay down to rest with a very thankful -but somewhat a selfish sense of comfort. He gave orders that he -should be waked at every relief of the sentinels, and then sunk into a -deep slumber, from which he was aroused, within two hours, to go his -rounds. When he returned from them all disposition for sleep had -departed. He trimmed the watch fire, and was soon the only one awake -near the spot except the sentinel. A little book, with silver corners -and clasps, lay on the ground, where it had apparently been thrown by -one of the soldiers: it attracted the eye of Cuthbert by the gleaming -of its silver clasps,--he took it up; the covers were smeared with -dirt: he opened it,--it was a Book of Common Prayer: a leaf was folded -down at the collect for the day; and in the inside of the cover was -written the following quotation from George Herbert:-- - - "Sundays observe:--think, when the bells do chime, - 'Tis angels' music." - -He knew the handwriting; it was that of Katharine: he knew the book; -he remembered the Sabbath morning when she first presented it to her -cousin Arthur. He thought upon that glimpse which he had caught of his -pupil's countenance in the battle, and he shuddered with -apprehensions. - - - - -CHAP. X. - - Great God! there is no safety here below; - Thou art my fortress; thou that seem'st my foe, - 'Tis thou that strik'st the stroke, must guard the blow. - QUARLES. - - -Although the malice of the hypocrite Daws had been disappointed by the -result of his wicked artifices at Cheddar fair, and the worthy Noble -had been saved from the injury and ruin which a lawless rabble were -instigated to inflict on that peaceful man of God, yet Daws, being -unsuspected and secure from detection, did not relax his efforts for -the persecution and ejectment of Noble. - -He contrived to have him haled before a committee of religious inquiry -which visited those parts soon after; but here again he was baffled: -for one of the commissioners being pricked in his conscience by -observing the godly simplicity of the good parson of Cheddar, and the -sincerity of his love to the blessed Saviour of the world, procured -his dismissal from that ordeal unharmed. Nevertheless Daws continued -to work secretly for his own ends, and gave himself no rest in the -pursuit of his great object. He had the reputation of great strictness -and sanctity as a minister,--and the outward man imposed upon many; in -his heart he cared not for the souls of men; his sins were those which -often and long escape the detection of the world, and which can be -indulged under the cloak of religious zeal without exciting the -suspicions of any, but those honest and sagacious persons who can -detect a character by indications of its spirit too slight and fine to -be admitted as important by the multitude. He was avaricious and -tyrannical: money was his idol; and to subject the minds of a -congregation was his next delight. From his pulpit he dealt forth the -most fierce and cruel fulminations against all unbelievers. Nor was he -without many trembling followers, whom he scolded and comforted, -according to the caprice of his own temper. - - "He damned the sins he had no mind to, - And spared the few he was inclined to." - -In his creed, the prayers and alms of any one who did not exactly -entertain his notions of faith were sins, and would be visited as -such. Now Parson Noble was a minister who bowed his knees before the -Father of mercies as a self-abased sinner, confessing himself without -grace or strength to will or to do, save of God's free mercy, -communicated through and for Christ's sake. He taught all his people -that if they asked the gifts and graces of repentance and faith in -that precious name they could not be denied, and should never be sent -empty away: to proclaim the message of peace and reconciliation was -his delight; to invite all freely, to tell of a pardon to the human -race, which, under the present dispensation of mercy, was the common -right of all who were _willing_ to accept it, was his constant -practice; and he showed them plainly that if they came not to the -light, it was because they loved darkness; because they could not part -with their sins, and shrunk from the Gospel as a rule of life. "Love," -he would say, "worketh no ill to his neighbour, therefore love is the -fulfilling of the law. Love is keeping the commandments: God is love, -from whom they came. Jesus is love, by whom they were taught, -magnified, and perfectly obeyed, that in his sacrifice of himself, as -a pure and spotless victim, we might have an all-sufficient atonement, -and hope towards a God who had taken our nature upon him, and been -manifest in the flesh." Now Daws held that Noble was a blind leader of -the blind, and that both would fall into the ditch; and he desired, -first, the proceeds of Cheddar living in his pocket, and, next, the -gratification of telling the flock of Noble that they were one and all -in the broad road to destruction. - -Nor did this insidious priest fail to spread all sorts of calumnies -about the poor unconscious vicar, and to irritate many furious -zealots against him. He kept up a constant correspondence with a -political partisan in London, to whom he gave much information on -local and county matters, stretching his invention not a little when -he had to tell any thing against the Royalists of those parts. By this -means he got a name as a person well affected to the Parliament, and -greatly interested in the cause of religious liberty. - -It so happened, that, in the November immediately following the -breaking out of the war, and the great battle of Keinton, a body of -Parliamentarian horse being quartered in his neighbourhood, Daws found -a fit instrument for his purposes on Cheddar, in a most furious and -bigotted fanatic, who commanded a troop of horse. This man was easily -persuaded that he could not render a more acceptable service to God -than by destroying with fire and sword all places, all persons, and -all things, which were, in his own view, defiled, and idolatrous, and -impure; and he therefore sallied forth against the church and the -parson of Cheddar as he would against a temple and a priest of Baal. - -On the day on which old Noble was ejected from Cheddar, with many -circumstances of cruelty and hardship, he arose, as usual, with some -fears, but with unshaken trust in the goodness and mercy of an -all-wise and almighty Father. The day was cold, and not a sunbeam was -admitted through the cloud and gloom which brooded over all things. It -chanced that the stout and resolute old franklin Blount had determined -that his grandchild should be publicly baptized at the same ancient -font at which his own venerable forehead had been signed with the sign -of the cross. There was some doubt in the mind of his son-in-law, -Hargood, whether it was prudent at that moment of busy persecution, on -the part of the county committee, to make so open a display of devout -attachment to the hallowed ceremony of a christening. His loving -daughter, from a tender apprehension about her infant's safety, if any -thing should fall out amiss, would have stolen to church, at the -earliest possible hour, and in the most quiet manner. However, habits -of submission to her father, formed by an admiration of his character, -were of so long a growth, and so deeply rooted, that the remonstrance -of her fears was not ventured on; indeed Blount would have held it -craven to yield to the timid suggestions of prudence, where he looked -to a principle in his conduct. It is not improbable that some shadow -of a domestic tragedy had been cast upon the old man's solitary -thoughts; for, within a few days past, there had been observable in -his manner a mixture of severity and gentleness at once strange and -affecting. He had twice been found in the large oak parlour alone, -reading from the Book of Martyrs, which was there chained upon a tall -desk. It is true that on both these occasions he had whistled and -walked away quick; but it was afterwards remembered. Howbeit, at ten -o'clock in the forenoon, there issued from the porch of the franklin's -old mansion a small party consisting of about eight persons, male and -female: one of the last bore in her arms an infant so folded up and -hidden in a large mantle of thick white woollen, that nothing but a -little outline of the babe could be seen, and not a breath of the keen -wintry wind could penetrate to its tender frame. They moved slowly, -and in a formal order up the long straggling street; and all the -villagers who met them by the way, or looked at them from their doors, -saluted them with bows and good words, but with evident and anxious -wonder. A faithful woodman ventured to go close and whisper to Master -Blount that he was just come in from Axbridge, and saw some of the -rascal Roundheads mustering, and that he heard say, at the Old -Pack-horse Inn, that they were going to march for Wells by the road of -Cheddar. "Well, let them come," said the franklin; "we are not doing -any thing to be ashamed of: let them see us doing as their forefathers -did before us, and redden in the face for their own falsehood; 'church -and king' is an old cry and a good one: out upon the knaves!--God will -defend his own." - -The party went forward; and having reached the churchyard, passed -into the church by the low chancel door, walked down the great aisle, -and turned into the southern transept. Here stood the font; here the -worthy parson awaited them, and his wife also, who was by a promise of -long date to stand as godmother to the child. The old stone font, -round which this pious family were assembled, had long been an object -of great veneration to the inhabitants of Cheddar. It was octagonal in -form, and supported upon a clustered shaft of Purbeck marble. The -compartments on its sides were sculptured with scenes from Holy Writ. -In one was represented the circumcision of Christ; in another the same -blessed Lord was figured in manhood, with a little child in his arms, -and his disciples standing round: through age and injury the subjects -in the other compartments were no longer discernible. - -Above the font was a window of painted glass, which, as there was no -light of the sun to illuminate its gorgeous groups, did only present -to the eye a dim cold grandeur;--a grave and visionary glory, through -which, as in the pages of unaccomplished prophecy, might be caught -bright glimpses of pale and celestial faces, and yet garments crimson -withal, as though they had been rolled in blood. - -In this solemn light, and around this sacred font, the family of -Blount reverently kneeled, and the service proceeded. The babe lay -still and unconscious in the arms of the old franklin's wife; and -nothing told of its young life but a soft breath from parted lips, and -a faint flush upon a waxen cheek. By its side knelt the fair mother, -delicate and colourless, with eyes bent on the ground, and a forehead -over which fears flitted, and disturbed her prayers. - -Of all the party none save the sweet infant was so calm as Blount -himself. Upon the throne of the old man's heart his God was seated, -and his soul was at peace. In fancy and in spirit he was again the -subject of that holy rite. When Noble took the babe in his arms, and -it opened its blue eyes and stretched out its little helpless hands, -and as it felt the sprinkled water, and was signed with the sign of -the cross, gave that little cry for which mother and nurse listen so -fondly, a few large tears dropped from the eyelids of the stalwart -franklin, and the voice of Noble faltered a little as he saw them -fall. The solemn declaration by which the child is received into -Christ's flock was completed, and was responded to by the deep and -fervent Amen of Blount, and the gentler tones of those around him; and -the good parson was proceeding to the thanksgiving that follows, when -that fearful sound, which is made up of the trampling of horses, and -the rattle of harness, and the blast of the trumpet, was heard at the -church doors in the opposite transept. Their heavy leaves were thrown -open with a sudden and violent crash, and two of the horsemen rode -into the body of the church, accompanied by three severe and sour -looking persons in sad coloured doublets, and narrow crowned hats, and -followed by some low rabble, with whom, in fear and curiosity, a few -of the good folk of Cheddar intermingled. - -"I have a message for thee, thou priest of Baal,--thou blind leader of -the blind,--thou whited wall," said he, whose caparisons bespoke him -the chief, laying the flat of his sword with a smart stroke upon the -neck of Noble. "Thou art weighed in the balance, and found wanting: -thou must come with me; thy mummeries and thy knaveries shall no more -pollute the sanctuary." - -"Dost thou not fear God?" said the meek but undaunted Noble, with a -firm voice and unshrinking mien. "Dost thou not fear God, that thus -thou comest to his holy temple? To what manner of man was it told, -that it were better for him a millstone were tied about his neck, and -he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little -ones? I tell thee, the angel of that helpless babe doth, even now, -behold the face of his Father, which is in heaven, and beareth witness -against thee.--Go forth. I myself will follow thee, whithersoever thou -wouldest, be it to judgment or to death; but this hoof-clatter in the -courts of the Lord is a most abominable sin." - -"Now will I do so, and yet more, thou hypocrite, thou whitened -sepulchre!" so saying, the fanatic plunged his spurs into the flanks -of his frightened war-horse, but the fretted and gallant beast did -only rear, and chafe, and champ the bit. Meanwhile, the young mother, -with her child in her bosom, and the other women round her, had sunk -back into the corner of the transept in terror. Old Blount and his -son-in-law interposed between the horsemen and Noble, and demanded of -them loudly to quit the sacred building. - -"I ask ye not," said he, "as Christians, for that ye cannot be, but -for your manhood's sake, to suffer, that these poor terrified women -pass forth with the infant in peace; for ourselves, though we be -unarmed, we will abide your wrath as best we may." - -"Let not thine eye pity," said a harsh voice from behind the horsemen: -"blessed be he that taketh her children and dasheth them against the -stones. Woe to the idolaters! woe!--The priest shall be slain at the -altar, and the water of the Babylonish font shall be red with the -blood of sacrifice." - -The frenzied zeal of the willing fanatic being thus excited, he urged -on his powerful steed, and raised his glittering sword. The hot animal -by a weighty plunge came breast upon the font, and overthrew and brake -it, and the consecrated water was spilled upon the ground. At this -sight old Blount, with the strong arm of a Samson, caught at the -bridle, and threw back the horse and his rider with so violent a -force, that the hoofs slipped upon the smooth pavement, and they fell -together; and before they had risen, the old man had caught up a heavy -bar of wood near him, and raising the ponderous weapon with both -hands, aimed so true and so deadly a blow at the sacrilegious chief -that he never moved after; and the life-blood ran from his mouth and -ears, and flowing onward, mingled with the water from the BROKEN FONT. - -Every voice was silenced,--every foot was rivetted there where it -stood. All were hushed and motionless, and every face looked ghastly. -During this awful pause, the aged franklin, exhausted by the mighty -and energetic deed, fell back against a seat, and, sinking into it, -turned pale, and his eye-sight became dim. Noble went over and took -his hand in alarm, and eagerly inquired, "What is this? what is this? -Are you wounded?" - -"No," he faintly answered, "not wounded, but--this is--death. Heavenly -Father, forgive me, for thy dear Son's sake, for I knew not what I -did." - -His wife and daughter and his sons now gathered round him; but he was -dying, and his words were few. He tried to kiss his infant grandchild, -and he said to Noble, with a heavy sigh,-- - -"Your trials are coming:--I count myself happy, and commit my own dear -family and yours to him who remembers mercy in judgment;" and now, -letting fall his head on his wife's bosom, he breathed a few times in -a struggling convulsive manner, and his spirit returned to the God who -gave it. - - - - -CHAP. XI. - - Even my prayers, - When with most zeal sent upward, are pull'd down, - With strong imaginary doubts and fears, - And in their sudden precipice o'erwhelm me. - MASSINGER. - - -The close of the December following the battle of Keinton found -Cuthbert in winter quarters at Warwick. His regiment marched into that -city on the day before Christmas-day; and, as soon as the men were -distributed in their quarters, he walked towards Milverton, from that -natural impulse which inclines us all to revisit any spot where we -have passed a part, however small, of our mysterious lives. - -It was a bright, clear, invigorating day: the ground was firm under -the foot, and, though the sun shone out in a cloudless sky, there was -so hard a frost that the pathways were clean. The trees glittered in -the sun's rays like frosted silver, and the face of nature looked -healthy and cheerful, like the winter season of a hale old age. - -The step of Cuthbert was not so fast or active as travellers use in -such weather. He walked like one who reluctantly takes exercise, and -in company in which he takes no pleasure. He was alone, indeed, but -with care and doubt for his companions. Since the battle, he had been -advanced to the command of a company of musketeers, and Maxwell had -distinguished him by particular attentions. Randal was still his more -constant associate; and the petty and disagreeable perplexities to -which he had been at first subjected by the uncongenial persons with -whom he had been thrown, and by the novelty of the duties to which he -had been called, had altogether vanished: for in three months habits -are formed, and we become accustomed to any mode of life. To be -accustomed, however, is not to be reconciled to it. But this was the -least, and the most trifling and despised ingredient in the bitter cup -from which Cuthbert daily drank,--his conscience was not at peace. He -drugged it with an opium, extracted, by a very common process, from -the precepts and the promises of Scripture; but there was not a day of -his life that it did not awake to some doubts and horrors, and the -same medicine, dangerous where it is unskilfully applied, was taken to -excess. He felt himself embarked in a black ship, with a wild and -motley crew, and he dared not own to himself that he mistrusted those -who navigated the vessel. Her way was through gloom and danger, and -the voyage might, after all, end in shipwreck. - -From the day of the battle, he was never seen to smile by any one; and -from the severity of his thoughts, his countenance had gathered a sad -yet stern complexion, which was not unsuitable to his present -fortunes. - -In a sort of hope that the sight of Milverton House might beguile his -melancholy, might soothe him, by reviving sweet images of past and -precious hours, and building, as he walked along, a new fabric of -happy and peaceful liberty for his distracted country, he reached the -well known gates of the once hospitable mansion. Absorbed in his -reflections, he never raised his eyes to direct them towards the -house, till he stood at the very portal. The gates lay upon the -ground; the noble edifice was a blackened and a yawning ruin. A sudden -and terrific thunder clap, bursting from a serene sky, could not so -painfully have startled him. All around was silent--desolately, -dreadfully silent; and the sun was bright, and the stony skeleton of -the vast dwelling was black. He poured a passionate cry to God: he -fell down upon the earth, and petitioned feverishly that the evil one -might not hunt him to despair. - -When he had in some measure recovered his composure, he rose and -walked through the lonely and roofless ruins. The rubbish, which had -fallen in when the floors and ceilings of the upper chambers gave way, -or were consumed, had been disturbed, and removed in large quantities, -to be sifted for any valuable metals which they might contain, so that -he could make his way without difficulty, and could still trace -distinctly all the lower apartments. - -Near the fire-place in the large kitchen, on a part of the wall that -had only been scorched, might still be read one of those rude and -homely posies which were the delight of our honest forefathers, and -might be found alike in the manor-house and the humbler cottage of the -husbandman:-- - - "At Christmas be merry, and thankful withal, - And feast thy poor neighbours, the great with the small; - Yea all the year long, to the poor let us give, - God's blessing to follow us while we do live." - -And upon the other side of the fire-place was written up,-- - - "Play thou the good fellow; seek none to misdeem; - Disdain not the honest, though merry they seem; - For oftentimes seen, no more very a knave, - Than he that doth counterfeit most to be grave." - -These posies brought more to Cuthbert's mind than the memory of the -happy Christmas he had once passed within these very walls. The lines, -which he had known from his boyhood, were taken from old Thomas -Tusser's Book of Husbandry, the favourite manual of the old franklin -Blount, and a work of which he remembered his father had always been -very fond, and which stood upon the book-shelf at Cheddar next the -Country Parson of Master George Herbert. All these recollections came -upon him at once, and overwhelmed his spirit. He was totally ignorant -of all that had been lately enacted at Cheddar, and of the present -situation of his father. He had not heard of or from his parents for -several months; but his fears for their safety had been quieted by a -promise, that especial orders should be sent to all the forces of the -Parliament to respect both the persons and the dwellings of all such -relations of the officers and men serving the Parliament as did not -take up arms against them, whatever might be their known sentiments on -affairs of church and state. - -How far this line of forbearance had been broken through, and how -violently, the ruins around most plainly declared; for he was well -assured that Francis Heywood would have omitted no precaution which -could possibly have availed to protect the property of Sir Oliver; nor -had he been present with the division by whom this wanton crime was -effected would he have failed to repress it. But when "Havoc!" is once -cried, and the dogs of war are once let slip, who shall, who can, -restrain them, but he who sitteth in the circle of the heavens? - -His fancy became bewildered with the thought of his mother's grief, -and the dangers to which she might possibly be exposed, and of the -possibility that his father might be suffering the penalty of some -bitter persecution by his adherence to the royal cause. He, as was his -wont in all extremities of doubt and sorrow, betook himself to the -only source of true comfort, when men are guided by the Spirit of -truth to a right use of it:--he drew from the bosom of his doublet a -small Bible. He implored direction from above; and yet, when he had -done so, yielded to the petty superstition of opening the sacred -volume suddenly, and taking the first text that presented itself to -his eye for his counsellor. The words which he thus read were, "Where -envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." He -smote upon his breast with agony, perused the chapter of James the -Apostle, from whence it was taken, and that which followed. All his -resolutions were staggered and shaken. He was in a mood to unbuckle -his sword, and to find a lodge in some wilderness where man could not -penetrate. "Yet," said he aloud, as pleading his own cause before the -invisible throne, "Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I -am not moved by the spirit that lusteth to envy in this great -contention against apostasy and spiritual wickedness in high places." -In the fervour and agitation of his appeal his Bible fell from his -hand, and when he took it up, it opened at that same epistle at the -beginning of it; and reading there that he was to count it all joy -falling into divers temptations, and that the trying of his faith -worked patience, he was again as suddenly recovered to steadfastness, -in what he blindly persuaded himself was the battle of the Lord; thus -giving a most sad practical proof that he was a waverer, tossed and -driven to and fro like a wave of the sea. What further doubts and -changes might have coloured his meditations, and his prayers in that -desolate and afflicting scene, had he been left alone to brood over -all his fears, it is not possible to say; but he was roused and -interrupted by the sound of footsteps on the paved path, which led up -from the terrace towards the principal entrance, the steps of which -yet remained. He stood aside, that the intruder, whoever it might be, -should not discover him. To his surprise, it was no other than old -Margery of the sand pit. She turned towards the offices as soon as she -entered the Hall, and went winding her way through heaps of rubbish, -towards an outhouse in the court-yard, the roof of which was still -entire. Her aspect, and the echo of her staff and of her footsteps, in -that solitary ruin, were very strange and affecting. Afraid of too -suddenly alarming the aged and unhappy being, he followed her with -light and noiseless steps to the low building, which she entered. Of -the two small windows that gave it light one was half open, and having -gained it, he could see and hear what was passing within. Laying down -her bag and staff, she seated herself on a very low stool, close by -the little fire-place, and applied her breath to the embers. The white -ashes flew off, and laid bare the glowing embers. To these she applied -a few dry sticks which she had brought with her, and a warm and -cheerful flame, accompanied by a light crackling noise, soon blazed -comfortably before her. - -"I wonder where the master is this blessed day," were her first words, -"and Mistress Kate, that was God's angel to me, and the rest of them. -Wherever they are, Christ comfort them, and bless them: they were good -friends to me, and to many. I never came to the gate, and went away -without a measure of meal and a kind word; and it was a good day for -my poor soul when the beautiful lady first talked to me:"--she -stopped, and put on another stick or two;--"and Parson Juxon, that -made me leave the pit, and gave me a bit of a cot to myself at Old -Beech, where he and I would have been now but for the wars and the -villainies of those devils that burned his house over his head, and -made a bonfire to roast me, if it had not been God's will to make 'em -fall out about it. They called me 'a child of hell,' I mind:--well, it -is not the first time--many a score times gentle and simple have -called me the same, till within the last two years, and I thought it -was all over, and I got to heaven already; but there's a weary bit yet -for me. I hope it wo'n't be long. Now, if parson was here, he'd scold -and look pleasant at me, and say, 'God's time's the best time, -Margery.' Well, now, I've lost him--God's will be done. I've been a -poor sinful body all my days; but I never harmed any more than a curse -might, and little ill could that do to any but my own poor self. It's -well it couldn't; for if it had been able to kill, I should have sent -it after many a one, and might again. God help me! I'll be burnt for a -witch some day yet; and, truth to say, I've many a time wished I was -one,--but that's all over. I say the Lord's Prayer different now." - -Here she clasped and raised her lean and withered hands, and said it -in a humble whisper on her knees. - -Cuthbert was agitated terribly; but he dared not speak, he dared not -enter. - -"Who shall say," thought his better mind, "who shall say that the -blessed One, who taught his disciples thus to pray, is not present, -dimly seen, perhaps, but felt with secret reverence and affection?" - -Her prayer said, the old woman put a little earthen pot on the fire, -and again seated herself on the stool by the side of it. - -"Ah! it's no merry Christmas," said she, "here, or any where else; but -I have known a worse; and I think this is safe hiding, for the folk -all think the place haunted. Well, I must thank God, and make the best -of it." - -As she ended these words, she began humming the air of an old -Christmas carol, and at last sung, in the mournful voice of age, this -ancient fragment:-- - - "He neither shall be clothed - In purple nor in pall, - But all in fair linen, - As were babies all; - He neither shall be rocked - In silver nor in gold, - But in a wooden cradle, - That rocks on the mould." - -At the close he went to the door, and before he entered called her -gently by name. The tone of voice in which he spoke had the effect -which he intended, and, without any cry of alarm, she rose up quietly -and turned round; but she no sooner beheld his military dress than her -terror became excessive. It was quite in vain that he attempted to -bring himself to her recollection: the fear of being dragged forth and -led to the stake was uppermost, and entirely bewildered her. In his -person she saw only one of those from whose hands she had so recently -escaped, and her shrieks and implorations were agonising to hear. To -relieve her he quitted the ruin; and before he was many hundred yards -from it had the pain of seeing her on the far side of it hobbling fast -towards the cover of the adjoining wood for concealment. He walked to -his quarters in a miserable and dejected mood; and as he passed an -open church which had apparently been occupied by Parliamentary -soldiers, he went in for a moment. It was empty: the tombs and -monuments had been broken and their inscriptions defaced: not a pane -of glass in the tall windows had escaped destruction: a painting over -the altar had been hacked to pieces; and, as if in mockery, the tables -of God's commandments were left on either side plainly legible, and -above, in the midst, might be seen, in letters of gold, the words of -that message of mercy which the angels of God sang to the shepherds -keeping watch by night, when they announced the advent of -Messiah,--_Peace on earth,--good will towards man_. - - - - -CHAP. XII. - - Thus see we how these ugly furious spirits - Of warre are cloth'd, colour'd, and disguis'd, - With stiles of vertue, honour, zeale, and merits, - Whose owne complexion, well anatomis'd, - A mixture is of pride, rage, avarice, - Ambition, lust, and every tragicke vice. - LORD BROOKE. - - -It is now necessary to relate that treatment of George Juxon to which -old Margery alluded in the last chapter. For six weeks after the first -visit of the Parliamentary soldiers to Old Beech he successfully -maintained his post, and continued to officiate every Sabbath among -his people. His house, indeed, had been often beset by small parties -of soldiers or by other godly reformers deputed to arrest him, but he -was so beloved by the villagers that he was always warned, and was -thus enabled to escape their hands or evade their search; nor were any -of these parties of a strength sufficient for attempting acts of -violence upon the church or the parsonage. Indeed one of them was -fairly braved and driven away by Juxon himself, disguised like a -farmer, and aided by his faithful friend the blacksmith and half a -dozen more. One Sabbath morning, as he was out upon the watch, in the -disguise of a belted woodman, he met a party coming to seize him about -a mile from Old Beech, and, having put them on a wrong scent, went -joyfully home, and preached to a glad and attentive congregation. -However, his popularity and his very name were offences too great in -the sight of the Roundheads of Coventry to suffer him much longer to -elude his enemies. A squadron of horse made a sudden march from that -city on a Sunday afternoon, and surprised both pastor and flock while -engaged at divine service. They rode into the churchyard; and having -there dismounted, their commander, followed by a dozen or more -officers and troopers, entered the church with their steel caps on -their heads, and, by the noise of their steps, would have drowned the -voice of Juxon if he had not instantly made a pause to consider his -best course. One look at the leader of this band satisfied him that -any appeal to the spirit of love and of a sound mind would be vain; -and a glance through the window had shown him that any resistance by -force on the present occasion would only expose his people to a very -great calamity. - -The commander of the troops was no other than Sir Roger Zouch. -Accordingly Juxon said, with a loud voice, "My Christian brethren, the -worship of God in this place being thus interrupted, I dismiss you to -your homes." His manly tone caused an attention on the part of the -soldiery, which produced a short and silent pause, and, taking -advantage of this, he solemnly pronounced the blessing with which the -service of the church always concludes. Sir Roger, after stammering -with anger, now broke out most violently, "Peace, peace! thou criest -peace where there is no peace, thou son of perdition. Come out of thy -calves' coop, and make an end of thy pottage. I know thee, who thou -art; thy very name savoureth of all evil: take him out, thou good and -faithful soldier of the cross, Zachariah Trim, and that book of -abomination with him, and make my passage to yon pulpit pure;--verily -I will speak a word to these poor, perishing, and neglected people." -If it had not been for Juxon's discretion at this moment the church -would soon have become a scene of blood; for the stout blacksmith, -seeing Zachariah move towards the desk with an action as if he would -lay hands on Juxon, interposed with so hasty and resolute a manner, as -caused Zachariah to step back two or three paces and draw his sword. -His example was instantly followed by many comrades; and the shrieks -of alarm among the women and children were dreadful. But Juxon came -forth in a collected mood, and so spoke, that the swords were returned -to their scabbards, and his people submitted, though in fear yet in -silence, while the few among them, who, like the blacksmith, were -ready for any hazards, forebore any further attempt at resistance. - -Sir Roger ascended the pulpit, put down his steel cap by his side, -poured forth a long, rambling, confused prayer, took out his pocket -Bible, and preached for two hours; till the sweat streamed down his -bony cheeks, and his voice became hoarser than any raven that ever -croaked his sad predictions at a sick man's window. Juxon listened -with profound and with indignant astonishment to his wild and -blasphemous perversions of divine truth; but he was comforted, as far -as his own flock was concerned, in the consciousness that they were -better instructed than to be moved by his fanaticism. His manner -corresponded with his matter; and if he had not been accompanied by -too many and too formidable and ready ministers of his violent will he -would only have excited sentiments of disgust and ridicule. But as he -thundered forth his curses upon the church in which the poor villagers -had been brought up, and described her by a flood of reproachful names -and epithets, of which last, Babylonish was the most gentle, no one -could listen to his ravings without serious fears that they were a -plain preface to deeds of crime. It was, therefore, with a heart full -of devout and sincere thanksgiving for his people that Juxon heard -this strange and fierce iconoclast promise with solemnity that their -houses and their little property should be respected, and that no one -of them should suffer any harm from his soldiers; but that he would -take away with him their blind and wicked guide, and would only purge -and purify the polluted temple and the priest's dwelling. - -The surplice and hood of Juxon had been torn from his back before this -precious discourse began, and he had been placed in custody between -two armed troopers, with pistols in their hands, and was frequently -addressed by the heated Sir Roger in those words which are applied -both in the Old Testament and the New to false and unfaithful -teachers. All this he had borne with a calm and admirable -courage,--feeling within the answer of a good conscience, and -supported by an unshaken faith in a God of wisdom and love. - -"It is the Lord," he said within himself, "let him do what seemeth him -good,"--and all the unuttered petitions which his heart sent up to -the throne of grace were for the spiritual and temporal preservation -of his little flock. - -When Sir Roger concluded his sermon, he gave forth one of those -psalms, which, being directed against idolatry, he considered as -appropriate to the work he now meditated. It was sung in loud and -harsh notes by his gloomy looking troopers, after which, descending -into the body of the church, he directed fire to be brought, and -burned the Book of Common Prayer before the communion table; heaping -on the same fire all those rags and fragments of the whore of Babylon, -as he was pleased to designate pulpit and altar cloth, and all the -decent vestments of the minister. - -At this gross outrage, Juxon burst forth with a holy zeal, in a most -earnest tone of faithful remonstrance; but he was instantly gagged in -a painful mode, and was forced in this state to witness their after -proceedings. - -The people were now forcibly driven out of the church, and as many -troopers as could find room were directed to come in and stable there -for the night. The order was obeyed with tumultuous joy; and they had -no sooner taken possession of their once sacred quarters, than they -began and completed the work of demolition,--breaking the coloured -windows, destroying the tombs, and crowning their work of hell by -bringing in a baggage ass, and baptizing it with mock ceremonies at -the font. This last work was not witnessed by Sir Roger, who was -busily superintending the burning of poor George Juxon's library, and -of many _curiosa_ in the way of antiquities, which his father had -collected in foreign countries, and bequeathed to him at his death. - -It so chanced, that the first thing on which the eyes of Sir Roger -rested, when he entered the parsonage, was a glass case, or cabinet, -in which, among other ancient relics, was a small crucifix, -exquisitely wrought in ivory. The sight of this inflamed his zeal to -the boiling pitch; and declaring that so great an abomination could -only be punished by the utter destruction of the dwelling in which it -was found, he called in two or three assistants, whom he judged -qualified to overlook the books on the shelves, to the end that any -godly ones might be saved from the general ruin;--declaring, at the -same time, that all the silver, and the gold, and the raiment, and the -furniture, and the pictures, and the vessels, of what sort soever, -whether in hall or kitchen, were polluted, and must be consumed, and -denouncing the wrath of God on any of his followers who should -presume, like Achan, to appropriate a single article of the unhallowed -heap. Accordingly, on the lawn before the windows, a huge fire was -made of all these goods, which were cast forth from the windows; the -shell only of the house being spared for the use of such godly -minister as the Parliament might appoint. - -The attention of Sir Roger and the few zealots with him was confined -to the contents of the library: not a few valuables, however, from -other parts of the mansion, were stolen and secreted by the sly rogues -of the squadron. But it so chanced that, as the house was spared, in a -concealed recess, behind a false wainscot, his family plate and a few -heirlooms were preserved. Of five hundred volumes, however, only -three copies of the Bible, also one work in folio, two small thin -quartos, and a heap of loose pamphlets of a controversial nature, -written by Puritans, escaped the sentence of fire. Upon the same pile, -and doomed to blaze in the same flame, were thrown fine copies of the -ancient fathers; the works of sound Protestant divines, and ponderous -lives and legends of Romish saints; the tomes of Bacon, and old -worthless folios on astrology and divination; the plays and poems -produced by the genius of a Shakspeare and a Spenser, and the -interminable and prosaic romances which, in the preceding age, our -ancestors had found leisure and patience to peruse. - -During the night, Juxon was confined as a prisoner in one of the -out-houses in his own yard, and, in the morning, he was mounted on a -lean, bony cart-horse, without saddle or bridle, and led by a small -escort to Warwick, where, before he was committed to the gaol of the -Castle, he was subjected to the odious and vile insults of an -examination before a Committee of Religion. Three witnesses appeared -against him: two of these were base knaves from his own parish, and -the third was from Coventry. - -Thomas Slugg, the first of these, a lazy hypocrite, who found it -easier to affect the office of an itinerant singer of psalms than to -dig, deposed that Parson Juxon was an enemy to all godly persons, and -a teacher of falsehoods, caring nothing for the souls of his people; -and, as a proof, stated that, when, on one occasion, he, the witness, -had asked him, "whether there were many or few that should be saved?" -he had turned his back upon him, and entered the church saying,-- - -"What is that to thee? follow thou me." - -Another, who was a turned-off journeyman of the blacksmith's, deposed -that he saw Parson Juxon one day in a field behind his own garden -casting the bar and hammer; and that he, the parson, threw a bar, and -a heavy stone, and a sledge hammer, and that the smith, and two -farmers, and one Strong, a warrener, threw against him. - -The third was no other than the witch-finder from Coventry, who swore -that the parson consorted with dealers in magic and the black art; -that books on those arts were found in his house, and burned (this was -confirmed eagerly by some of the escort), and that he even kept in his -pay and service a notorious witch named Yellow Margery. - -Juxon listened to these charges with a grave smile, and made no reply. -Hereupon one of the commissioners observed, in great wrath,-- - -"That he was a most godless and obstinate Malignant, as was plain to -see by his laughing, and the redness of his face; and that if not -drunk, he was merry; but that a gaol and bread and water would soon -take away the colour from his cheeks, and bring down the naughtiness -of his spirit." - -They forthwith committed him to Warwick Castle, as a soul-destroying -hypocrite, who held communion with idle and lewd fellows, and -consorted with witches; and they appointed one Mr. Blackaby, a true -brother, and bold as a lion for the faith, to succeed him at Old -Beech, directing that he should be protected in his settlement by a -detachment from the garrison, until the stubborn people of that -village were reduced to submit heartily to God and the Parliament. - -The room of the Castle to which Juxon was now removed was a large -comfortless apartment with damp stone walls and no fire, containing -about fourteen other prisoners, ten of whom were, like himself, -incumbents. The two windows of this room looked down upon the river, -which washed the very walls of the Castle; and the windows were not -only securely barred, but even were it possible to force that -obstacle, the fall being very great, any notion of the escape of a -prisoner would have been judged an idle fear. However, the faithful -blacksmith and George Juxon's groom had followed the escort into -Warwick, and watched the courageous parson as he walked with an -upright carriage and manly step between the guards who took him to -prison. - -Having gained information concerning the part of the Castle in which -he was confined, they laid a plan for his deliverance, which, from -their knowledge of his strength and activity, they thought possible, -though extremely difficult. - -They conveyed to him in a loaf of brown bread, which was sent by one -of the charity children of the place, and was given him without -suspicion, a small cord, of sufficient strength to bear his weight, a -small steel saw, and a phial of aqua-fortis. - -It was not possible to conceal this from his fellow-prisoners, nor -could he desire to do so. They promised secrecy, but dissuaded him -from the attempt. That it was very perilous, he well knew; but he -resolved upon it at once. In the afternoon of the day on which he -received the cord, he saw the blacksmith standing on the river bank in -the opposite meadow. The man did not pretend to take any notice of the -Castle, but stripped off his clothes and plunged into the water; and -it being a cold frosty day, he was loudly laughed at by a group of -soldiers standing on the bridge. He swam out into the middle of the -stream and back again; then putting on his clothes, he disappeared. - -By two o'clock on the following morning Juxon had cut away a bar, and -made fast his cord. Amid the breathless good wishes of his -fellow-prisoners he began to descend, clad only in a pair of stout -drawers and his shirt. The cord, though strong enough, was so small, -that it cut his hands like a knife; but he got safely down to within -twelve feet of the water, and from hence dropped into the river; and -gaining the opposite side, was helped up the bank by the stout arm of -his faithful blacksmith, and hurried to a hedge, behind which he found -dry clothes and his groom with two horses. To dress himself, to snap a -hunter's mouthful, and to take one draught of cordial spirit from the -leathern bottle of his servant, was the glad work of a few minutes; -and by eight o'clock on the same morning he was forty miles on the -road to Shrewsbury. Among other friends at the royal head-quarters he -found Sir Charles Lambert and Arthur Heywood, and at once resolved to -follow the fortunes of the camp as a volunteer chaplain to the -regiment of horse with which they were serving. He was present with -them in the battle of Keinton; and though decided himself not to use -arms, he rode upon the flank of the regiment when it charged. - -The horse of Sir Charles being killed under him, Juxon alighted, in an -exposed and perilous position, and instantly gave his own to remount -his friend. Here it was that, soon after, the gallant boy Arthur, -returning wounded from the front, fell fainting from his saddle; and -his frightened horse flying fast away, he would have been left -helpless on the field before the advancing enemy, had not Juxon been a -witness of his distress and danger. Hastening to the bleeding boy, he -lifted him on his back, and so carried him a mile and a half to the -top of Edge Hill, where a surgeon dressed his hurt, and pronounced it -to be severe, but not dangerous, or likely to be attended with loss of -limb or any very serious consequences. Having seen Arthur placed -safely in a cart with other wounded officers going to a village in the -rear, Juxon remained upon the hill, to which the royal army retired -at sunset; and, as he saw Sir Charles and his own favourite roan horse -coming safely back at the head of a squadron which had suffered severe -losses, his heart swelled thankfully within him. He shook the hand of -Sir Charles with a tearful cordiality; and they ate their cold and -scanty supper by a little fire in the open fields, with sentiments of -gratitude and of piety at once elevated and pure. The crown of England -was hanging as it were on a bush, and they were among its guardians. -Moreover, there was in both their bosoms a fine consciousness of what -was passing in their respective hearts:--to see the noble and -miraculous change in a man whom he had once, and with reason, -despised, was a rich reward to Juxon,--while Sir Charles sat in the -presence of his friend with the sweet and gracious feeling that he had -been to him as a guardian angel and as a voice from Heaven. - - - - -CHAP. XIII. - - Happy are those - That knowing, in their births, they are subject to - Uncertain change, are still prepared, and arm'd - For either fortune:--a rare principle, - And with much labour learn'd in wisdom's school. - MASSINGER. - - -One fair star was still shining in the eastern sky, and a cool wind, -balmy with the odours of spring, blew pleasant upon his cheek, as a -traveller, whose dusty feet showed that he had come many a mile upon -more public roads, walked rapidly across the footpath-way of a green -and dewy close, at the far end of which was the churchyard of Cheddar. - -The outline of the tall tower was majestically defined upon the light -of the dawning day, and beyond, hidden by well-remembered trees, lay -the home of the wayfarer. - -In the low grey wall which surrounded this sacred enclosure there was -a very ancient stile, all rudely graven over with notches, crosses, -and initial letters. The hand of the traveller was already upon this -stile, when he suddenly paused, as though some unwelcome object -presented itself, and forbade his progress. His cheek changed, and his -heart sank, and he stood as still as though a spell were upon him. Yet -it was no uncommon sight that arrested him, and one quite in keeping -with the hour and the scene. - -A sturdy old sexton, the scarebabe of all the infants in the parish, -but the cheerful, though grim-looking, minister to many of his boyish -sports and pleasures, was digging a grave under the north wall of the -church, and had just thrown up a skull, which lay beside his mattock, -near the pediment of the building. - -All men are superstitious:--the eye of the traveller, which, but a -minute before, was beaming bright with hope, became sad and anxious; -his lip quivered, and, instead of vaulting over the stile eagerly, and -hurrying to the wicket of the vicarage, he leaned upon the low wall -with a feeling of faintness, his sight became dim, and his thoughts -confused and mournful. He had been a long time absent in a foreign -land,--some change might have taken place at home; and this idea once -admitted to his mind, was followed by a crowd of most natural fears, -and of melancholy images. These, however, were soon dispelled by the -lively tones of the hale old sexton's voice. To relieve the dull and -lonely labour of digging a grave, he was trolling out, in a sort of -hearty jig-jog cadence, a fragment of the Mayers' song:-- - - "The moon shines bright, and the stars give a light, - A little before it is day; - So God bless you all, both great and small, - And send you a joyful May." - -This snatch of an ancient medley, so familiar to Martin Noble from his -earliest years, called up the memory of May games, and summer days, -and a happy boyhood; and a rush of bright recollections swept away the -cloud from his mind, as a clearing wind drives the mist from a -mountain top, and lays it open to the glad play of the cheerful -sunbeams. - -Martin Noble, as we shall hence call our wayfarer, sprung lightly into -the churchyard, and approaching the old sexton, thus accosted him:-- - -"Good morrow to you, Robert: I am glad to hear your voice once more, -and to find you so stout and well." - -"Kindly spoken," said the old man, raising his head, and leaning on -his spade, "kindly spoken. Robert is my name, sure enough; but what -yours may be is more than I know, or can guess even, without you are -young Blount that went to the wars. Perhaps, master, you made a bit of -guess-work, and never saw me before." - -"No, I am not young Blount, but I have seen you as often and knew you -as well as he did; and to thy cap, thy jerkin, the keys at thy girdle, -and thy grizzled beard, thou art just as I left thee, old Robert. God -grant that I may find my own dear father as little altered." - -The spade fell from the old man's hand, and rubbing his eyes as if to -clear his vision, at the same time coming closer to his object, he -exclaimed,-- - -"Odd's life, you cannot be Master Martin that went to foreign parts?" - -"Yes, but I am," said Martin, shaking the old man's hand:--"tell me, -Robert, is my father well." - -"Oh yes, he's well,--that's to say, he don't ail, as I hear, God bless -him!--but as to well,--I can't call him well, after all, when I think -of a kind soul like him without a----" - -"Heavens! my mother is not dead?" - -"Oh no; but have not you heard of all the changes here at Cheddar?" - -"Of what changes do you speak? I have heard nothing. It was only last -evening at sunset that I landed at Clevedon Creek in a fishing-boat -which came alongside our brigantine as we were running up the Channel -to Bristol. I journeyed hither, as you see, on foot, but I shall know -all by going home at once." - -"Stop, Master Martin, the parson's house is no home of thine now; an -thou ring the bell, a sour face, and a hard word, and a slammed door, -would be thy sorry welcome." - -"You don't surely mean that such a man as my father has been taken -from his people, and from his own house and home?" - -"Yes but I do. The good shepherd is gone, and we have a false goatherd -in his place,--a wolf in shepherd's clothing." - -"Where then is my father gone? Where shall I find him?" - -"I can't rightly tell you myself; but I'll take you to them that can. -It's somewhere, however, near old Glastonbury Tor; and they tell me -that master is as cheery as ever, though, God help him, he fares no -better, as this world goes, than I do. Come, I'll take you to old -Mistress Blount: right glad she'll be to see thee again, and a sad -story she'll have to tell thee about the old gentleman. God's blessing -on his soul!--a was the poor man's friend." - -"What! is dear old Master Blount gone?" - -"Ay, it's an awful tale. The mistress will tell you all about it." So -saying, he led the way to a wicket leading out of the churchyard at an -opposite corner; but ere they reached it he stopped, observing, that -second thoughts were best. - -"No," said the old man, "if I take thee to Mistress Blount it may get -her into trouble, and if I take thee to my bit of a cot, it may bring -thee into trouble; for my old woman is as curious as a magpie and as -leaky as a sieve, and every gossip near us would soon be on the -lookout and the chatter. If thou go to the Jolly Woodcutter, near the -Market Cross, thou wilt find old Margery Broad the right hostess: she -hath good liquor and few words, and neither meddles nor makes. Go -break thy fast, and take rest, and in the evening thou canst set -forward for Glastonbury. When the chimes go five, I'll bring one shall -guide thee to thy father's." - -"Why such delay? I would go at once." - -"It will be better for your father that you should not reach -Glastonbury till after dusk; besides, you have been afoot all night, -and a stretch on one of Dame Margery's pallets will do you no hurt." - -With these words they parted, and Martin Noble walked slowly down -towards the hostel. The rising sun was but just beginning to gild the -carved pinnacles of the church tower and the tops of the tallest -trees. The townlet itself lay, as yet, in deep shadow. The streets -were silent, and, but for here and there the figure of a solitary -labourer going early to the field, they were empty. - -Nobody was yet astir at the Jolly Woodcutter, therefore Martin -patiently took seat at the Market Cross, in one of the angular -recesses of that ancient hexagonal building which so conveniently -shelter poor wayfarers from sun and rain. - -As here he mused in silence, his reverie was suddenly broken by a -voice from one of the adjoining seats, and he found he was not the -sole occupant of the friendly building. His unseen neighbour thus -talked with himself, or rather thought aloud,-- - -"Ho, daylight!--truly the light is comfortable, and a pleasant thing -it is to behold the sun: blessings on the man that built this shelter -for the houseless head. Jack, thou art a fool; I say thou art a fool, -and I have often told thee so. Thou hast not one farthing in thy -pocket. I tell thee a man with empty pockets is and must be a fool; -and it shall go hard with him if, though he keep his hands from -picking and stealing, he be not called a knave also. Here cometh a -fellow now, with a red face and a portly belly, who will say me a -'sirrah' to a certainty, and talk to me comfortable words about the -gallows. I am penniless, therefore I am a rogue; I am houseless, -therefore I am a sorry vagabond. This is charitable judgment, and -sound logic: so said the tapster last night when he thrust me forth -into the street, and bolted his door against me. They may call gold -poison to men's souls, but I verily think that one broad piece would -do me no great hurt. A morning in the stocks, and without a breakfast, -will never do: I must be off to the liberal fields, and try coaxing at -a lone farm house." - -These words were followed by the sound of a shuffling footstep; and -the speaker turned sharply round by Martin's side of the cross, to -avoid the questions of a burly personage who was advancing to call -him to account. The figure of the poor wanderer was sufficiently -deplorable; yet it was impossible to look upon it without a smile. He -was a very tall and a remarkably spare man, with a long pale face, one -side of which was contracted so as to give the appearance of a -perpetual winking:--his beard was yellow, and untrimmed. He was -habited in a suit of plum-coloured cloth, which had been once of the -best quality, but was now faded and threadbare:--his shoes were worn -out, and he limped, leaning on a stout cane. At one glance Martin saw -that he was one of those forlorn strolling players whose services -during these times of trouble were no longer needed, and whose age and -infirmity forbade him the privilege of following many of his calling -to the camp. He was a cast off minister of pleasure, and, like a -cracked viol or an empty flagon, thrown aside as useless. - -"Whither away so fast, sirrah?" said the beadle, stepping after him; -"what dost thou here alone in the street at this hour?" - -"Marry I am not alone, but in company that I would be happy to be well -rid of." - -"Why, thou knave, did I not see thee rub thine eyes, and shake -thyself, and not a soul near thee?" - -"Nay, but I tell thee we were three:--first, there was myself; next, -there was poverty, a fast traveller, that is even now pinching me, -and, thirdly, there was an armed man called want, who belabours me -without mercy." - -"None of thy foolery, rogue, or I'll clap thy claw-foot in the -stocks:--thou wilt come to the gallows tree at last;--a sluggard all -thy life long, I'll warrant me." - -"Look you, master, a slug is a fat thing, and a slow, that feeds -without working. Now, you see, I am as lean as a scarecrow, and, lame -as I am, I will race thee for a breakfast." - -"Out, thou yellow-faced varlet; out, troop away; take thy gabble to -the common, and pick thy breakfast with the geese." - -"Have me to thy home, and give me part of thy manchets: it will be all -the same, for then I shall breakfast with the gander." - -Till this moment, neither of the parties had seen Martin; but no -sooner did the aged and wandering son of Thespis espy his countenance -and smile than he boldly came back, and accosted him:--"Most gallant -Cavalier, for by the very curl of thy light beard I see thou art one, -help me in my need. Thou seest that I am pricked with many thorns: -help me, I say, and so may God help you, and cover your head in -battle." - -The beadle turned round with surprise; but before he had time to utter -a single word Martin had slipped into the hand of the wanderer a piece -of silver; and as, at the very same moment, the door of the Jolly -Woodcutter was opened by a stout serving wench, he escaped thanks and -questions by entering the house. - -"Silver, by my luck!--silver--and a broad piece! look you," said the -exulting wanderer; "now begone dull care: let us take no thought for -to-morrow; we will begin our day with a morning's draught of sack, -next, we will be clean shaven, for money is a gentleman. We will have -a pasty to our dinner, and be a lord for the rest of the day. A broad -piece! I will drink canary; and this young cavalier shall hear my -recitations, and I will regale him with merry songs. There hangeth a -viol de gamba in the barber's shop, and there be a score of old play -books on his shelf: we will have a rare evening. I will reward this -young master: he hath breeding, and will take pleasure in my company; -let to-morrow take care of itself, or let him take care of it for me: -we will drink canary." These resolutions, the natural fruit of -Martin's inconsiderate bounty, had well nigh disconcerted his quiet -plan; but, luckily, the thoughtless player had drunk himself into a -sound sleep before the evening chimes struck five. - - - - -CHAP. XIV. - - These black clouds will overblowe; - Sunshine shall have his returning; - And my grief-wrung heart I know, - Into mirth shall change his mourning. - _Psalm_ xiii.--DAVISON. - - -Martin Noble and his guide did not reach old Glastonbury till after -sunset. Crossing one of the lower streets of the town, they passed -into a suburb of scattered cottages; and turning up a narrow lane by -one of those large stone barns that formerly belonged to the abbey, -they stopped at the garden wicket of a small lone cottage. Martin -stood without while his guide stepped gently forward, that the good -parson and his lady might not be overcome by too sudden a surprise. - -A light shone through the narrow casement: all objects around were -shaded in the soft obscurity of a summer night: the air was perfume; -and all things seemed hushed into a stillness at once sweet and -solemn. Martin passed the wicket with a trembling step and a throbbing -heart; and ere he reached the door he was met in the path and folded -to a father's heart. Another moment, and he was pressed again to that -bosom on which he had hung in helpless infancy. Now the lamp was held -up by his father, and his hair was parted from his forehead by his -mother's hand, and her eyes rested upon his face and scanned his form; -and he felt the unutterable bliss of being the child of such parents. -They took him by the hand, and made him kneel with them before God, -while they fervently thanked him for his mercy, "which endureth for -ever." After a brief pause, they rose; and as Martin looked round on -the mean and scanty accommodations of the poor hovel which they -inhabited, and then remarked the calm and contented expression of -countenance which they both wore, he was lost in astonishment. - -"Is it possible," he exclaimed, "father, that you have no better -dwelling than this? Alas! how much must my dear mother undergo." - -"Your mother, Martin, never had more equal spirits or more regular -health than in this humble and obscure cottage. She makes me and -herself as happy as, under the painful circumstances of the land, any -persons can or ought to be." Here the old couple looked in each -other's eyes, with that calm fondness which is the fruit of love long -tried, and lately quickened by the rude storms of persecution and -poverty. But it is to be borne in mind, that in such and all like -cases, in times of trouble and confusion, there may be suffering, but -there cannot be shame. That which is commonly the most bitter -ingredient of an indigent condition is altogether wanting: _there -cannot be shame_: neither the sense of it, in those who are reduced to -the extremities of need, nor one thought of it in the minds of those -who look upon the necessities of their fallen fortunes. Their rags are -honest: they can tread the clay floor of a common straw-roofed hut -with as much pride as though it were a marble hall. Therefore, where -there is health, and the physical capability of endurance, and where -no habits of softness, sensuality, and self-indulgence, have -previously enslaved the spirit, and left it tied and bound as a -despised victim to be tormented by discontent and peevishness, there -will be found a cheerful resignation in the poorest circumstances. -Here there was the grace of contentment in daily exercise. Old Noble -and his wife were not only resigned but thankful for the blessings of -food, shelter, and raiment, and they hopefully made the best of every -thing around them. - -"Martin," said his father as he heard the wicket swing, "here is one -of your oldest friends coming: you have not forgot Peter." - -"Lord love you, Master Martin," said the old man as he entered, "I -have heard of you:" here he took the offered hand, and bowed his head -on it; then again looking up, resumed, "Well if it is not--yes,--no, -well, I can't make you out; why, how you are grown and altered! One -thing's right, I see,--you have not got your head clipped and shaved -like a mule's rump." Here Peter caught a grave look on the face of -his master, and added, "Well, truth's best spoken out: I don't like -'em, the knaves, and I've reasons as plenty as blackberries. Didn't -they come a horseback into the church at the christening, and throw -over the Font; and has not that prick-eared, tallow-faced rogue, and -no parson, stuck it into the ground in our poultry yard, near the -muck-heap, for the ducks to dabble in? and didn't they drive you out -of house and home, and throw your furniture out of window, and offer -it for sale in the street? and didn't they burn your favourite old -books, and break the old lute, and make you and mistress trudge half a -winter's night in the mire? and worse than all, haven't they bewitched -Master Cuthbert, and changed his nature like, and made him against his -own kin and his own king? Rot'em! No rogue like your godly rogue, my -old mother was wont to say:--all saint without, all devil within. -There, love you, dear master, don't scold with your eyes in that -fashion: 'an old dog cannot alter his way of barking.' Come, I've -coughed it all out, and it has done me good, and now for salt and -trenchers. I'll warrant Master Martin has got hunger sauce for his -supper." - -Herewith he set about covering the low table with a white napkin and -clean trenchers, and produced from the basket a small mutton ham and -some fine heads of sweet lettuce, and a loaf of the best wheaten -bread; and setting on one side a small keg of ale, stood up with a -look of pride and joy at his master's back, and said, "To God's gift, -God send a good appetite." - -"How is this, Peter, whence is this?" asked old Noble. - -"Why, master, it is from old Mrs. Blount. Wasn't her good man--'peace -to his soul!'--wasn't he a church-tenant, and his father's father -before him? and was there a day of your life that you hadn't a kind -word for him? and does not she know that you have got a stout young -trencher-man come to you and nothing to set before him?" - -"Well, well,--she is a warm-hearted woman, and always was. God reward -her! but sit down, Peter: you and I are only fellow-labourers now; and -if you did not handle the spade better than I do, we should not have -fared half so well as we have hitherto:--make him sit down, wife." - -"No," said Peter, "'t was well enough sometimes o' the long winter -nights, when madam worked her needle-work and you were making nets, -for old Peter to have a seat in the chimney-corner, and to hear your -blessed voices, and take food from your own hands, and eat it by the -same fire; but now, with Master Martin at home, we'll soon have things -right again." - -These few words of the honest and faithful Peter gave Martin a rude -but strong outline of all that had been lately passing at home; and it -was easy for him to fill in, from the fancy, a picture of the present -state of England, by considering the evils to which his own parents -had been exposed. As he saw in the person of his own father a pious -son of the church, a true patriot, and a loyal subject, trampled under -foot by a tyrannous parliament, degraded from his holy office, and -ejected from his own house, he felt a deep thankfulness for the -providential ordering that had kept him away from England at a moment -of excitement when, unsuspicious of the real aim and tendency of many -of the measures of Parliament, he should probably have joined their -banners. He was now plainly called to a very different course; and, as -there he sat in the presence of his parents, his resolution was -silently taken to share the fortunes of the royal army. These things -swept across his mind swiftly, and gave no interruption to the glad -flow of his spirits, as, sitting once again at table with a father and -a mother, he took his cheerful meal, replying to all the questions -they asked, and relating to them such passages of his travels and -adventures as he thought might gratify or divert them. - -When, however, his mother had retired, Martin questioned his father, -with not a little anxiety, about the part which his brother had taken, -and about the present condition of some of those families and friends -whom he had hoped to have met again in happy intercourse. The answers -to these inquiries did for the most part convey pain. His brother, it -seemed, was among those devout but sincere enthusiasts, who, offended -with certain faults in the government of the church, and certain -scandals in unworthy individuals among the clergy, desired a severe -purification of the Establishment, and in their zeal for rooting out -the tares, were destroying the wheat with them. Upon this subject old -Noble was very mournful. He had been himself an epistle known and read -of all men:--his life was so pure and exemplary--his habits so -quiet--his pursuits so innocent--his teaching so plain and -faithful--and his attention to the spiritual wants and the temporal -necessities of his flock so constant and tender--that such of the -neighbouring clergy as led less creditable lives had long regarded him -as a Puritan. The worldly, to whom all tests were indifferent, and who -were ready to embrace any profession of faith, and submit to any -novelties, whether of doctrine or of discipline, necessary, by present -law, to preserve their incomes in peace, had fully reckoned on the -sheltering support of his name. But, to the surprize of all, save the -few who knew him intimately, he was found, in the hour of trial, in -that humble and hallowed band which took cheerfully the spoiling of -their goods for conscience-sake. It was past midnight before Martin -and his father parted. In a small upper room, which took the shape of -the sloping roof, Martin passed the night upon a clean pallet. He -could sleep but little: through the open window came the grateful -scent of the honeysuckle, and his eyes rested upon the stars. His -broken slumbers were full of strange visions, that crowded on and away -in such quick succession as to leave no connected impressions. Of some -dear familiar face a sudden glimpse was caught, and lost so -immediately as to be a grief; and a familiar voice heard soft and -melodious, but the straining ear could catch no word; and then music -exquisitely faint and plaintive; and then the stern trumpet, and -darkness, and a crash, louder than any thunder, and so sleep frighted -from the eyes, and a troubled awakening. But towards morning the -blessing came:--a drowsiness stole upon him, and with it a delicious -sense of fading consciousness. A sleep deep, dreamless, and -refreshing, was gently and pleasantly chased from his eyes by the play -of the cheerful sunbeams; and through the open casement was poured the -varied melody of little birds, that with clear sweet notes were -sending up to heaven, with the white incense of the morning dew, their -early song. - -Martin sprang up with a grateful heart, and looked from the window. -The mantling honeysuckle did half conceal him. Beneath the shade of an -aged mulberry tree, by a cistern of water which flowed over at a rude -lip of stone, and ran away to irrigate the plot of ground in which the -cottage stood, sat his mother at her spinning-wheel. In a corner of -the garden his father and old Peter were digging. This little bit of -land, with a small orchard by its side, was the principal, though not -the sole, support of his parents. In addition to the produce of his -mother's spinning, her skill in needle-work brought in something; and -old Noble had long ago taught himself to make cabbage nets, twist -fishing lines, and turn hackle into flies, with little thought that -such pastime should one day help him to buy bread. However, so many -persons of ingenuity had fallen into poverty in these times, that a -far walk might be taken, and a long stand might be made in a dull -market-place, or at the corner of an inn yard, before a purchaser for -such trifles could be found; indeed a sale for any thing beyond -necessaries could not be reckoned on. - -As Martin looked down upon this scene of repose, as he saw his parents -safe, in health, and not subdued by circumstances, he could not but -feel that the wind of adversity had been tempered to them by that God -whose terrible blasts were abroad; that a plank was thrown to them in -the storm; that the Father of all mercies was their refuge, and the -shadow of his almighty wings was over them for comfort and for good. A -pang came across him, as he thought upon his brother. A vista of -calamity and war now opened before his startled fancy; but genuine -philanthropy, and the love of true freedom, no less than his -attachment to the altar and the throne, gave a call to his spirit to -which he could not be deaf, and which he would not disobey. However, -he turned from all vain and dark forebodings to the contemplation of -present happiness. It was a hallowed bliss to be again near those dear -parents who had from his cradle loved and cherished him. Deep-felt -pleasure is ever akin to melancholy; and thus it was, that, from -excess of happiness, Martin could almost have wept, as he went down -stairs, and freely did so as he felt his mother's arms about his neck, -and her kiss upon his cheek; but such tears are dried as soon as shed. - -The morning rites were performed by his father with the same -impressive tones, and the same hallowed composure, that he could -remember as having often soothed the little troubles of his boyhood, -and which did now again the like office, and calmed the strong but -natural emotions of the man. - -After their plain wholesome breakfast of milk and bread, Martin took -his father aside, and made known to him the resolution which he had -last night formed of immediately joining some division of the royal -army as a volunteer. He entreated him not to utter one syllable of -objection or remonstrance, and not to feel any apprehension of his -ever being brought into a distressing situation, as regarded Cuthbert. -They should never meet, nor in any way be personally opposed to each -other; and the circumstance of his having one son in arms against the -King made it necessary that another should more truly represent his -father, by being enrolled among the royal forces. He stated both his -intentions and his means of carrying them into effect,--at the same -time inviting the best advice which his father could offer as to the -manner of his proceeding, and the leader whom he should join. - -It was not without grief and reluctance that old Noble consented to be -so immediately deprived of his gallant boy; and the mother was almost -inconsolable at the thought of so early and sad a separation: but that -same evening Martin took his departure for Bristol, that he might -secure such baggage as he had brought with him from Italy, and equip -himself for the camp. - - - - -CHAP. XV. - - But at my back I always hear - Time's winged chariot hurrying near; - And yonder all before us lie - Deserts of vast eternity. - MARVELL. - - -Although Bristol was at this time garrisoned by the Parliamentary -troops, Martin Noble and old Peter, by whom he was accompanied, found -no difficulty at the barriers, for the city was not besieged,--and -being on foot, they entered without suspicion. - -The doublet and cloak of Martin being cut in the Italian fashion, he -easily passed in that large and busy port as one newly arrived from -Leghorn and Genoa, and as one engaged in some commercial venture. His -first care was to secure the little property which he had brought from -Italy, and which, save one bag of a hundred pieces in ready money, -consisted entirely in paintings, drawings, and engravings, with a few -antiques. The value of this small collection might have amounted to -twelve hundred pieces. It was now necessary to part with these for -whatever they might produce. His object being to send the whole price -of them, beyond the sum necessary for his own equipment as a volunteer -soldier of horse, to his parents. The captain and crew of the vessel -in which he had returned home were all so cheerfully devoted to his -interests, that he procured his baggage to be privately landed; and -having unpacked and carefully arranged them in his apartment at a -large inn near the quay, he went forth in search of a purchaser. He -had not far to seek: the contents of an open shop kept by a Venetian -in that same quarter at once pointed out whither many a collection of -those curious toys of human invention, whether in the fine arts or in -plate or furniture, round which the strange children of manhood will -fasten fondness, already lay in dull divorce from the pleasant -chambers they had once adorned. The broker consented to go to the inn -and look at his pictures with a cold and wily slowness. There was only -one small original which had been given Martin; the rest were -exquisite copies, executed by his brother artists or himself. The -engravings and the articles of _virtu_ (many of them presents) were -selected with the finest taste; and a magical feeling was associated -in the breast of Martin with every trifle or scrap in his portfolios. -Though his mind was healthy and strong, and the necessity of the -sacrifice was obvious, yet he could bear no work of bargaining, no -words of depreciation. He bade the dealer look them over silently, and -take them at his own price. Nor was he at all disappointed when the -sum of three hundred and fifty pieces were paid down for little heart -treasures, from which, in happier circumstances, he would at no price -have consented to be separated. Of this sum he despatched two hundred -and fifty, by the safe hands of old Peter, to his parents, and the -remainder, with what he had already by him, was amply sufficient to -purchase a horse, a handsome buff coat, and good arms. - -During his residence in Italy, to relieve the sedentary labours of the -_studio_, he had always used horse exercise, fencing, and the play of -the broad sword, and having a vigorous and comely person and a quick -eye, had great skill in all these exercises. He little thought in -those days that he must exchange the wonderful art to which his genius -was wedded for that of war; the peaceful _studio_ and the open -landscape for the noisy camp and the cloudy battle-field. - -He effected his departure from Bristol, and his journey to the -headquarters of the Marquis of Hertford and Prince Maurice, who were -then coming westward, with considerable address. By a few pieces well -bestowed he obtained passports as a foreign artist for London; and, -lading a sumpter-horse with two packages in which his great saddle and -his arms were well concealed, he rode his trained horse in such -furniture and clothing, and with such a bridle, as disguised its -quality. Moreover, by avoiding the large towns, and travelling -circuitous ways, through many of those lovely coombes or valleys with -which the western counties abound, he exposed himself to as little -observation as was possible. He slept in lonely places under a tree, -and he snatched his refreshment through the day at farm-houses or -little rustic inns. There was a consciousness in his bosom, that of -this brief and precious season of his life the most was to be made. -The weaning was at hand: the trials and the solemn chances of warfare -lay before him in all their stern reality. The glorious arts were left -behind as childish things; and he was passing through those scenes of -nature in which the love of heaven is plainly mirrored. He loved the -beautiful; in all things loved it: but, alone in the far windings of a -sheltered vale, where trees and grass and waters blend their beauties; -where cattle lie down, and the white lamb gambols,--with tears of -thanksgiving he worshipped. Nor less in the still secluded forest, -where rivulets make gentle music, he worshipped. Such spots are -sacred: they are not solitudes; they are peopled, most thickly -peopled, with innocent spirits, whom we cannot see; but we feel their -presence, and tread softly in their quiet paradise. It was the last -leisure of Martin's life, and the sweet scenes coloured his mind for -ever; and afterwards, in coarse companies, and in the tumultuous camp, -his memory would steal away back to those vales of peace, as to some -hallowed visions, and lie awhile entranced, till laughter loud, or -cannon's voice, did wake him. It was on this journey that he for the -last time exercised the art he loved. - -In a deep still valley, with wooded hills on either side, and a small -clear river that flowed between them, he stopped at noon before a -solitary farm. The goodwife made him welcome. In her little hall she -spread his clean repast, and there, in the window, sat her daughter -with a child in her arms. It were easy to see she was its mother. If -ever face was sweet and comely,--if ever eyes were calm, and brow was -open,--if ever human forehead looked meet for the seal of Heaven, hers -did, as it shone fair and pure beneath her dark and parted hair. The -child, too, was of curly and surpassing beauty, and stretched its -little arms with smiles. The obeisance of this young mother was -modest,--but her blush was faint, and innocence itself. A sampler -framed in oak hung upon the wall. Martin asked if it was her work, and -she said "Yes--the prize sampler worked in her ninth year,"--and took -it down; and, in fine needle-work, he read the following lines:-- - - "Even as a nurse, whose child's imperfect pace - Can hardly lead his foot from place to place, - Leaves her fond kissing, sets him down to go, - Nor does uphold him for a step or two; - But, when she finds that he begins to fall, - She holds him up and kisses him withal. - So God from man sometimes withdraws his hand - Awhile, to teach his infant faith to stand; - But when he sees his feeble strength begin - To fail, he gently takes him up again." - QUARLES. - -He put it down, subdued to a sudden tenderness, and then asked the -name of her child; she said it was christened "Charles," and then -caressed it more closely, and sighed; adding, "It's a good name, but -it has brought me my first sorrow, for it's with King Charles my -husband is; and they that go to the wars may never come back again." - -She resumed her seat in the window; and, putting down the child, who -could run stoutly about after his grandmother, she began to ply her -needle in silence. Here, as her head was naturally bent downwards, -Martin sketched a happy resemblance of her on his tablets, while she, -unconscious, sat thinking of her fond husband far away, and daily -exposed to wounds or death. Martin rode away from this dwelling; and, -and at some distance, looking back, through a summer shower he saw it -arched over by a glorious rainbow, and asked a blessing on that fair -young mother from the God of hope. - -Thus and here he took leave of peaceful life for ever. That same -evening his horses' hoofs were clattering over the pavement of a small -town in Dorsetshire, filled with royal troopers; and, finding that -Robert Dormer, the Earl of Caernarvon, was there in person, his -journey was at an end. He had brought a particular letter of -introduction to this youthful nobleman from one of his near relatives, -then residing at Rome, in a declining state of health, and had been -also intrusted to deliver to him a curious antique ring as a token of -the abiding love and friendship of a dying man. The letter spoke very -favourably of Martin; but was not written with any expectation that it -would be presented under circumstances and with an object like those -which now induced Martin to deliver it. He had engaged at Bristol a -sprightly young horse-boy, who had whistled his long marches -cheerfully by the side of the sumpter-horse, and who was not a little -delighted at being now permitted to unpack saddle and equipments, and -to see Martin put on a buff coat and a royal scarf. As soon as our -volunteer was dressed, he proceeded to the quarters of Lord -Caernarvon, sent up his letter and name, was instantly admitted, and -met with a kind reception. - -The evening was cheerless and rainy, and the Earl was engaged at the -game of tables, now better known by the name of backgammon, with a -gentleman of a very fine person, about his own age, while a bright -eyed youth of seventeen sat eagerly watching the game. - -The Earl gave Martin a friendly look, and bade him take a seat till -the game was done; for he had already satisfied himself, by a glance, -that it was a letter on private affairs, though he had not opened it. - -"You are from Bristol, young man. What news among our friends in that -neighbourhood, or rather among our enemies within?" - -"I was so situated, my Lord, that I am not so well acquainted with the -condition of the garrison, or the state of the place, as your -Lordship. My sole business there was to get my baggage out of the -vessel in which I came from Italy, to equip myself for camp, and to -join the royal army." - -"From Italy!" said Lord Caernarvon; "indeed! From what part?" - -"I sailed from the port of Leghorn; but came from Rome only a few days -before." - -"Here, Arthur," said the Earl, "take my place, and finish the -game.--Sir Charles, you will excuse me." - -He now took his letter to the window, and immediately read it with -attention. Then approaching Martin, he took him cordially by the -hand. - -"I am afraid to ask how you left Edward Herbert; for in this letter he -seems to consider his recovery as impossible." - -"I am sorry to say, my Lord, that he is a dying man; but he suffers -very little pain, and is as calm and resigned as any person under such -circumstances can be. I am the bearer of his last token of affection -for the Lady Caernarvon." - -Here he drew forth a small case, containing a signet ring, of great -antiquity. Upon the stone, which was a clear beryl, the engraved -symbol was a genius, with an inverted torch. - -As Lord Caernarvon was silently and thoughtfully examining this gem, -the door of the apartment was opened by a grave, mournful looking -gentlemen in a neglected dress, who said,-- - -"Well, Caernarvon, I shall start at eleven, on my return to the King's -quarters, and will direct the escort to march back to you after they -have halted eight hours. I shall only take them thirty miles; and as -there is a moon, we shall have a pleasant ride. What have you got in -your hand?" he added, observing the ring. - -"It is is a farewell token from Edward Herbert to his cousin Sophia: -if you remember, Falkland, the youth was a great favourite of yours." - -Lord Falkland took the ring, and looked upon it in silence for more -than two minutes, then gave it back to Caernarvon with a sigh, and -going close to the window, from which Caernarvon had advanced, Martin -distinctly heard him ingeminate the word "Peace, peace," while he -raised his eyes towards the rainy sky. Yet was the tone of voice so -low, and it came so deeply from within, that nobody else could -distinguish what he uttered; and no one seemed to notice the -inarticulate sound, as if it was a habit of grief and abstraction -common to the man. - -Caernarvon himself was not in spirits the whole evening,--though, as a -party of more than twelve were assembled at his supper table, he was -necessarily engaged in much conversation on the state and prospects of -the war. - -However, before this hour he introduced Martin in a particular manner -to Sir Charles Lambert and Arthur Heywood, when they had finished -their game; and he presented him to the Lord Falkland, who was very -gracious,--but told him with a mournful smile that he must for awhile -forget the fair creations of Raphael, and prepare himself for the -study of severer subjects. - -His relationship to Cuthbert Noble was soon discovered by young -Arthur; and it would have been impossible for him to have received -more cordial and friendly attentions than both Sir Charles and the boy -readily offered. They expressed their sorrow in a delicate yet -becoming manner that Cuthbert should be in the ranks of the -Parliamentary army, and congratulated Martin, as well as themselves, -on the probability that they should be spared the pain of acting, for -the present, against that division of the enemy's force with which he -was known to be serving, as their own march lay westward, to join the -Cornish army. - -Martin rode with the regiment of horse commanded by Lord Caernarvon, -as a volunteer, and soon became a favourite with that nobleman, whose -excellent example in the office and duty of a soldier it was his pride -to imitate. Moreover, this nobleman took delight in the society of the -youth, because he himself had, before the war, been a great traveller, -and an exact observer of the manners of many nations; not only -visiting the south of Europe, but also Turkey and other countries of -the East. Therefore, in as far as any alleviating happiness could -consist with a campaign life, in a warfare carried on in the heart of -one's own country, Martin was fortunate. - -Nor is it to be denied that genius has so many sources of enjoyment -that in no condition can they be all dried up. To love the beautiful -in all things is a high privilege; and feelings of rapture, as of awe, -may be extracted from objects which only impress ordinary minds with -pain or terror. If the calm lake, the green valley, and the pale -primrose soothe us with sweet pictures of peace, the stormy ocean, the -rifted rock, and the blasted tree, can and do stir us with a deep -delight. Thus war has its glories and its solemnities for the eye and -for the ear of man; and his heart may throb with emotions the most -sublime upon a battle-field, and at the wailing trumpets of a -vanquished and a flying foe. - - - - -CHAP. XVI. - - Lastly stoode warre in glitteryng armes yclad, - With visage grym, sterne lookes, and blackely hewed; - In his right hand a naked sworde he had, - That to the hiltes was al with bloud embrewed. - SACKVILLE. - - -The zeal and fidelity of Francis Heywood, in that perplexity and -trouble of the Earl of Essex which were caused by the desertion of -Colonel Hurry at Thame, and by the information that he gave to Prince -Rupert, were so conspicuous, and he rendered such gallant and eminent -service in that unfortunate field of Chalgrave, in which Mr. Hampden -fell, that he was promoted to a colonelcy of horse soon after. - -The army of Essex having been much weakened by the successful -enterprises of Prince Rupert, and being also more wasted by sickness, -the Earl moved from Thame towards London, and quartered his troops -about St. Alban's. Here Francis Heywood met with a very unfortunate -adventure, which ended by his taking away the life of a brother -officer; but the origin of the dispute and the fatal issue of it were -such, that, even by a regular trial before a court of Puritan -officers, he was most honourably acquitted. - -It chanced that as he was passing before the abbey of St. Alban's a -little after dusk, he saw a drunken and noisy procession of the rabble -coming along by torchlight. He stopped to see what they were doing: -when they approached close to him, his anger and disgust were strongly -excited by observing a lewd wretch in a cope trailing in the dirt, -with a service book in his hand, singing, as in scorn, the solemn -words of the church litany, amid the derision and jeers of the base -fellows around him. Francis darted through the crowd and dealt the -impious knave a blow which laid him dumb in the gutter; and calling a -corporal who came in sight had him picked up and confined in a -guard-house for the night. It turned out that this rogue was a common -soldier in the regiment of Sir Roger Zouch, to whom such a -representation of the circumstance was made that he took up the matter -in great wrath, and sent Colonel Heywood a challenge. Francis -immediately sought an interview with Sir Roger, to explain and justify -what he had done. This furious fanatic not only defended and lauded -the crime of his soldier, but, in a paroxysm of rage, deaf to every -argument, rushed on Francis sword in hand; while the latter kept -retreating and expostulating, till at length he was obliged to draw -his sword in self-defence. - -A home-thrust now soon put a period to Sir Roger's life. Fortunately, -this contest took place in the open space near the Abbey, and in the -presence of many respectable witnesses both of the army and the town; -and these cheerfully came forward and deposed to the necessity under -which Francis was laid to defend himself. - -This circumstance made a great impression upon Francis; for though he -stood acquitted in his conscience of all blame, and though he felt -opposed in heart to such a mischievous spirit as that evidenced by Sir -Roger, yet it forced him to consider that it was against such men that -the sincere churchmen in the royal ranks were honourably fighting. -However, he did not slack in his zeal for that cause for which Hampden -had already poured out his life-blood; but he confined himself -strictly to the duties of his particular command, and, both by example -and authority, enforced good discipline and quiet conduct among his -own troopers. He occasionally saw Cuthbert, but had now little comfort -or satisfaction from those interviews. In gloom and in sadness of -spirits that unhappy man wore away his days: his temper had become -embittered and stern; and he was ever unquiet and restless except in -the field, where he delighted to expose himself to every chance of -death. It has, however, been often observed, that that black tyrant, -insatiate as he is, delights to pass by the wretched, and transfix the -bosoms of those whose hopes are in the full blossom of promise. Of -this war is ever furnishing examples. - -In a temper of mind very different from that of his brother did -Martin Noble make his campaign under Caernarvon. - -About the middle of June, Prince Maurice and the Marquis of Hertford, -with sixteen hundred horse, one thousand foot, and eight field pieces, -marched to Chard, a fair town of Somersetshire, on the borders of -Devon, and effected their junction with the Cornish army, which -consisted of three thousand foot, eight hundred horse, and four guns. -This force soon possessed itself of Taunton, Bridgewater, and Dunstar -Castle, without bloodshed. Not long after they marched upon Wells, -where a respectable body had been drawn together by the parliament -officers, Popham, Strode, and others: these retired from the city as -the Marquis of Hertford advanced against it, and drew up on the top of -Mendip Hill; and, waiting till the royal horse came on the same level -in front of them, pursued their retreat leisurely, and in good order. -The King's horse followed them, till they having to pass through a -lane, near Chewton, were compelled, before their entrance into that -defile, to leave their reserve fronted. The Earl of Caernarvon, who -was always in the van, and always charged home, perceiving this -advantage, rode hard at them, entered the lane with them, routed the -whole body of their horse, and did good execution on them for two -miles. But the enemy being reinforced by a fresh strong party of horse -and dragoons, which, by the cover of a hedge, had joined them without -being discovered, rallied, charged, and pressed Caernarvon in his -turn, who was now forced to retire through the village and lane, and -fall back on the Prince's party, drawn up on the open heath. - -Though somewhat broken and chafed, his men rallied stoutly on the -Prince's flank; and when the enemy came up, though now very superior -in numbers, the Prince and the Earl, seeing the danger of a retreat -over those open hills, took the brave resolution to charge them. This -was so vigorously done by the Prince, and so briskly seconded by -Caernarvon, that after a close and fierce melee, sword to sword, the -enemy were driven from the field, and chased by Caernarvon again till -set of sun. - -This stirring and brilliant action of cavalry was Martin's first -trial; and he acquitted himself in a manner so spirited and valiant, -as won the warm praise of his gallant patron. He received two hurts, -and was beaten off his horse; but as the army rested many days at -Wells, and his wounds were only sword-cuts, he was sufficiently -recovered to be on horseback again before they marched forward. In the -battle of Lansdown, on July the 5th, he gained fresh reputation; for, -having been twice engaged in the early part of that action against the -famous regiment of cuirassiers, by which the King's horse were so -amazed and staggered, and having shown the most invincible courage in -trying to restore confidence to the routed troopers, he was, in the -last advance against the hill, dismounted, his horse being killed -under him. He was himself at the moment immediately on the right of -those brave Cornish pikes which Sir Bevil Greenvil was leading up. He, -catching up the pike of a fallen soldier, fell into those ranks, by -whom the summit of the hill was soon won, and maintained throughout -that bloody evening. Night fell upon both hosts, tired, battered, and -contented to stand still; but before morning Sir William Waller -withdrew to Bath, and the field of battle, the dead, and other ensigns -of victory, were left with the King's army. - -His next service was at Roundway Down, where Sir William Waller -suffered so great a defeat as very much clouded his affairs and all -his previous reputation. Early in August, Francis was with that army -which sat down before Gloucester; but, as the horse are for the most -part only lookers on at the operations of a siege, he here enjoyed a -certain interval of leisure. At this period he contracted a close -intimacy with young Arthur Heywood, and he had a strange pleasure in -conversing with the youth about his brother Cuthbert. They two would -ride together the circuit of the leaguer, observing the batteries and -approaches, and watching the play of the cannon both on and from the -city; or they would choose unfrequented roads, which led into valleys -near where there was no sight of camp or town; or in tent or camp hut -they would sit together for hours, and often as they did so, the name -of Cuthbert came up, and the one recollected the brother of his -boyhood, and the other, the kind and gentle tutor, who first woke him -to good thoughts,--and it became a cement of love between them; and -while they deplored the course which Cuthbert had taken, their hearts -were full of affection for him. Nor was any one more forward to do -justice to his many excellent qualities than Sir Charles Lambert, when -he chanced, as he often did, to make one of the tent party. - -Sir Charles was, as Arthur told Martin, a changed man from the period -when his brother first knew him; and no one that had seen the grave, -the manly, and thoughtful deportment of Sir Charles, the loyal and -devoted officer, could have deemed it possible that he was the same -person who had once invited and deserved their suspicions and their -contempt. - -However, after lying nearly a month before Gloucester, and making -little progress in the siege, the King was roused by the news that -Essex was advancing to relieve the city. A last effort was decided on: -the town had been most ably defended by Colonel Massey, the governor, -who had made many bold and effective sallies, and interrupted the -labours of the siege with good success; but the garrison was now -reduced to great extremities for want of ammunition; therefore the -King battered the town heavily for thirty-six hours, made a fair -breach, and tried an open assault. The attempt was boldly made, and -the breach mounted, but, after a bloody conflict, the storming-party -was beaten back again. In this last affair Martin and Arthur were -looking on at the assault, when a cannon bullet struck and shattered -the leg of the latter, so that he was forced to have his limb -amputated considerably above the knee,--a most painful operation, -which he bore with a cheerful courage and composure. Thus did the -service of this noble boy suddenly end, he being made a cripple for -life, and no longer able to share the honourable toils of warfare or -to partake ever again of the pleasant and joyous exercises natural to -his age. The helplessness incident to the last season of life fell -suddenly upon him, and made him prematurely old. Martin parted from -him as he lay in hospital with tears in his eyes, and they never met -again: however, Arthur was removed with other wounded to a place of -safety, and when sufficiently recovered was sent to Oxford. Meantime -the siege of Gloucester was raised; and, when Essex marched into that -joyful town, he found them reduced to a single barrel of powder, and -other provisions nearly exhausted. He stayed three days in the place, -after which his care was to retire again to London without -encountering the King's army. He made a night march from Tewksbury to -Cirencester, where he surprised two regiments of the royal horse, and -found a great quantity of the King's provisions; hence he made his -route through the deep and enclosed country of North Wiltshire direct -for London. However, Prince Rupert, with five thousand horse, by -incredible diligence and forced marches, got between London and the -enemy, and detained him till the King, with his main army, came to -Newbury. - -The forces of Essex being now intercepted in their movement, it was -not the interest or wish of the King to engage in a battle, except on -his own terms and with choice of his own ground; but when, on the -morning of the 18th of September, the hot spirits in the royal army -saw the host of Essex drawn up in fair battle array within a mile, and -when they heard the beating of their drums and the breath of defiance -from their trumpets, they would not be contained, and some young -leaders of strong parties got so far engaged that the King was -compelled to fight a general action. - -Never did hostile forces meet with greater fierceness and resolution. -The field was obstinately disputed throughout the day, and night alone -parted the combatants. The foot of Essex had maintained their ground -with admirable steadiness; and the bold charges of Rupert and the -royal horse could make no impression on their stand of pikes. One of -the regiments most frequently exposed to these desperate assaults was -that of Maxwell, where Cuthbert commanded a company of pikes. This -corps, after having endured a storm of bullets from a body of the -King's musketeers in the last attack of the royal forces before -sunset, was come upon suddenly, and at a disadvantage, by some -squadrons of horse, and broken in upon. Nearly half their numbers were -cut to pieces; but the rest, being well rallied, resisted, and slew -many of the horsemen that were intermixed with them, and finally drove -off the enemy. - -No one exerted himself in this most critical juncture with more energy -and sternness than Maxwell; and Cuthbert showed in that difficulty a -noble example to his men. His sword had already been plunged into the -horse of an assailant with such force, that by the action of the -wounded beast he had been disarmed, and another horseman was rushing -towards him. He discharged his pistol swiftly, yet with an aim so -true, that the young Cavalier was borne past him reeling in the -saddle, and thrown violently to the earth. - -When this short and confused conflict between the pikemen and the -royal horse was over, and there came a breathing time, and a pause in -the fighting at that spot, Cuthbert, who marked where his last -opponent fell, left his ranks, and hastened (it was not many yards -away) to his succour. The young man, bareheaded and pale, lay upon the -ground: his bright hair was dabbled with blood--not his own, but that -of other combatants who had been slain near him: a pistol shot had -reached his gallant heart; the courageous and gentle spirit had fled. - -"Nothing can be done for him," said Randal, for whom Cuthbert had -called,--"come away." - -"Surely, surely there can," answered Cuthbert, in an agony, strange -and unaccountable even to himself. - -"Nothing, I tell you: he is dead." - -"Well, then, I will take care of the body, and bury it." - -"Let the dead bury the dead," said Randal. - -"The battle is not over yet. Hark! there is the drum beating to fall -in." - -Cuthbert heard it, and the loud voice of Maxwell, and saw the men -rushing to their arms. He hurried to his post; and there, as he stood, -saw stragglers coming in, who stopped and stooped upon the very spot -where the body of the youth lay, as if to rifle it. His regiment was -at the same moment faced to the left, and moved a quarter of a mile -off to new ground. Here they halted and stood at ease. - -Now came rumours how that great and good men had fallen on the King's -side; that the gallant Caernarvon had been slain by the sword, and -that a bullet had taken the life of the noble Falkland. - -The trumpets did seem to wail them, they sounded so desolate and -mournful as the shades of evening came on. As soon as he could get -away, Cuthbert again hurried to the place where the corpse of his own -particular victim lay. He got a torch, and searched the body, if haply -he might find a name: in the bosom next the heart there lay the -miniature of a girl of calm pure beauty; from the features and the -costume, it seemed that of an Italian. Cuthbert sighed, and continued -his search for some paper that might give a name. At last, in the -breast pocket of the doublet beneath his buff coat, he found a -letter:--the address was "Martin Noble,"--the handwriting was that of -his own father. - - - - -CHAP. XVII. - - Lead us from hence; where we may leisurely - Each one demand, and answer to his part - Perform'd in this wide gap of time. - _Winter's Tale._ - - -It is not necessary to the after-story of the persons in our domestic -drama that the various fortunes of that unnatural war, which desolated -England for so many years, should be further related. - -From the bloody field of Newbury, of which we have already spoken, to -the close of that mighty and memorable contest which convulsed the -whole kingdom, our tale pauses. The imagination of the reader must -pass with us in haste across that afflicting season of violence and -woe to consider the first-fruits of that harvest, the seed of which -had been sown in the whirlwind of human passions, and had been watered -by torrents of human blood. - -But some slight notices of what passed during this interval among our -various characters--a faint outline of their doings, and of the -positions which they occupied--may not be without some interest. From -the period when we last mentioned him, the health of Sir Oliver -declined: he grew infirm; and besides gout he had other complaints, -which produced a morbid action in his system, and made him alternately -gloomy and lethargic, or sensitive and irritable to excess. Any bad -news, a disagreeable incident, a chance crossing of his will, made him -angry and out of temper with every person and thing around him. All -this Katharine bore with a prayerful composure of the spirit, and was -often rewarded by subduing her unreasonable father into sincere and -affectionate confessions of that divine mercy, which did in so many -things comfort and succour them in this season of common adversity and -universal suffering. But there were trials to which she was -occasionally exposed that drove her away in agony of spirit, and with -a silent step, to her closet, where she might weep alone. - -Sir Oliver had been informed, through the officious and mischievous -agency of one of those busy old ladies who had forced their -acquaintance on the family, first, that Francis Heywood had been in -Oxford with Lord Say's horsemen, and, next, that he had had an -interview on the bank of the river with Mistress Katharine. She -contrived, moreover, in her relation of the story, under a pretence of -feeling for the young people, and of its being so natural and so -romantic, to insinuate that it was a prettily concerted meeting. It is -not to be denied that she had some materials on which to build up the -fabric of her falsehood: for she had seen Jane and Katharine walking -in the meadow; she had seen Francis Heywood leap from the boat; and -when he came forth from the avenue which concealed both the ladies as -well as himself, and walked swiftly into the city, he had passed close -under the window of her summer house. - -There is a dignity and there is an earnestness in a genuine spirit of -truth which command belief and compel admiration. No sooner, -therefore, did Sir Oliver first mention to Katharine what he had heard -than she told him, with all plainness, in how sudden and unexpected a -manner Francis and herself met. She told him in part what had passed -between them, and excused herself for not telling him of the -interview, by reminding him how very much the sight of her cousin's -name in the newspaper had discomposed and excited him; and how, in his -own judgment, it had exasperated the symptoms of his disease. By these -explanations the old knight was at once satisfied and quieted. Her -remonstrance with Francis put aside at the moment all suspicion. At -her particular request, he promised that Francis and his politics -should be an interdicted name and a forbidden subject. But this -resolution was soon broken; for when he heard that Milverton House was -burnt down, for a fortnight the name was constantly on his lips, and -was always coupled with the most angry and contemptuous language, if -not by maledictions of a more fearful nature. - -At such moments, a sense of his own impotent condition, which forbade -him to join the camp, would press upon his mind, till it produced -paroxysms of frantic rage. By these temptations a temper less heavenly -than that of Katharine's would have been fretted into resistance and -contention,--a faith less firm and exalted would have failed. But ever -as the tempests of his mind subsided, Sir Oliver felt shame in her -angelic presence. He could not indeed apprehend the high order of her -mental force; but he could appreciate those solid principles of filial -affection that enabled her to endure all things, to hope all things, -and that replied to bitter words only by the kindest services, and by -the most studious desires to content and cherish him. Through -sickness, through pain, through greater reverses of fortune than they -at first experienced,--under circumstances which compelled a great -abridgement of all their ordinary comforts,--the daughter shone as if -she had been some ministering spirit of love and patience, to whom a -charge of peculiar difficulty had been assigned. Nor was this trial of -her patience brief. It was not till the winter of 1647 that her -chastised parent was removed from his scene of suffering and taken to -his rest. The last two months of his existence were, however, marked -by a change of temper and conduct very affecting to all who witnessed -it; and this proved a reward and consolation to Katharine herself -beyond all expectation. Hope, indeed, had never forsaken her; for her -hope was ever anchored beneath the mercy seat of that Redeemer who is -mighty to save. The old knight became gentle, penitent, -tearful:--listened with earnestness to the word of life--was much in -meditation--became tender as a little child--was full of thanksgiving -and gratitude to his Christian daughter, and expired in her arms in -peace. His end was only marked by one painful circumstance,--a last -weakness and prejudice, that clung to him even when the approach of -death was manifest, and eternity in view. He declared that he died in -true and perfect charity with all men, and with Francis and his father -more especially; but he made a request to Katharine, that she would -solemnly promise, under no change of circumstances whatever, to give -her hand in marriage to her cousin Francis. He confessed to her that, -two years before, he had intercepted a letter from him to her address; -in which, though he did not suppose them to be responded to by her, -his sentiments of love were set forth in plain and melancholy words. -Katharine gave the promise required with a low firm voice, and -received upon a pale and trembling cheek the cold kiss that thanked -her. - -The Heywoods had remained in Oxford through both the sieges, and in -that city Sir Oliver died. Arthur Heywood, feeling himself by the loss -of his limb disabled for all future service in the field, had again -entered at his college, and prepared himself by diligent and cheerful -study for embracing the profession of the law, whenever the -distracted kingdom should be once more in a state of repose. George -Juxon had been for the most part in the field, having accompanied the -army of the King as the volunteer chaplain of a regiment of horse; but -in the winter of 1645 he made Jane Lambert his own by those sweet and -sacred ties which the church sanctifies and records. Katharine stood -by her at the altar with that pure and perfect joy which hath its only -outward expression in grave and loving looks. For her comfort, Jane -was still spared to her as a companion,--a consolation greatly needed, -and most thankfully enjoyed; for her domestic trials were of that -petty and painful nature, that do especially wear and weary the most -generous spirits. - -The name of Francis did never reach her ear save through some public -channel, and that being commonly a newspaper, printed for the -Royalists, she did only gather that he had been present on some fields -where there had been obstinate fighting and great loss of lives. The -thought of his being slain was one painfully familiar to her in the -still night when she lay awake and prayed for him. Then again came -other news in the morning, and his name mentioned as one still riding -at the head of squadrons, and present, it would seem, and among the -foremost wherever swords were drawn, and service to be done. -Afterwards, for months she might not hear his name:--if he was dead, -she did not know it; if he was living, she did not know it; and all -these silent anxieties most deeply wrought upon her suffering spirit. - -At the death of Sir Oliver, the King being now a captive, and the -royal cause (which had never looked up since the fatal battle of -Naseby) on all sides declining, Katharine consented, at the earnest -entreaty of Jane, to accompany the Juxons to Cottesmore, in the county -of Gloucester; near which place the venerable uncle of George had an -estate and a private dwelling. It was her intention to wait patiently -the full end of all troubles or commotions before she attempted to fix -her future residence; and then, upon the settlement of her family -affairs, to summon back to her that little orphan girl, just shown at -the commencement of this story. That sweet child had been securely -placed with the widow of a clergyman in one of the most secluded -valleys of Derbyshire, where, safe even from the sounds of war, she -had been reared in peace, and educated with religious care. This -arrangement had been made by Mistress Alice before her death, from an -apprehension that unquiet days were coming; and ample provision for -the support of the child had been lodged in the hands of a secure -agent in that county. - -It was the plan of Katharine, whenever she might again take possession -of the Warwickshire estates, to build and endow a college for the -widows of clergymen on the site of the ruined mansion of Milverton, -and to pass the rest of her days in some quiet and suitable retreat -near Kenilworth. But it is premature to speak of the time and manner -of a retirement which was not to be realised till yet greater trials -than those she had hitherto experienced should come. - - - - -CHAP. XVIII. - - He nothing common did nor mean - After that memorable scene; - But with his keener eye - The axe's edge did try: - Nor call'd the gods, with vulgar spite, - To vindicate his helpless right; - But bow'd his comely head - Down as upon a bed. - MARVELL. - - -From the hour of his brother's untimely death Cuthbert led a life of -crazed care and religious melancholy. He retired to London, but he -avoided all his former acquaintances. He lodged in an obscure alley, -and wandered about during the day without any apparent aim or object, -when not compelled to some slight exertion to provide bread for the -passing day. His resource on these occasions was a Puritan printer, to -whom his Cambridge tutor, now dead, had very favourably introduced him -before the breaking out of the war, and who, from compassion to his -troubled state of mind, gave him such small and easy employments as -might not only contribute to his support but might avail to divert his -melancholy, and to restore the strength of his shattered intellect. He -was not, however, to be engaged in any undertaking which long confined -him at home or to a house. He had become one of those rueful objects, -of which a few may be found in all large cities, and in the fields and -parks in their vicinity. They stray about at will; stand near the -crowded pageant; and though they seem to look upon it earnestly, are -perfectly unconscious whether it is a funereal procession or the lord -mayor's show. They gaze fixedly at buildings and at persons; but the -former are to them as clouds, and the latter as trees walking. From -frequent and careless exposure to chilling rains, and from his long -fasts and the scantiness and irregularity of his meals, his health had -suffered seriously: he had a settled cough; and he was so emaciated -and altered in the face that hardly any body would have recognised -him. Moreover, the change in his appearance had extended to his -dress, which was old, threadbare, and torn. Such was the melancholy -figure that came into churches, and sat down upon the benches of the -middle aisle, not conscious why he was avoided by the more decent -poor, why none but some Lazarus full of sores would take a seat beside -him. He hung as a blighted leaf upon the social tree,--a sad memento -that man is born to trouble, and that sooner in sorrow, or later in -death, all the leaves must fade. - -Upon that black day in the calendar of England's history, the 30th of -January, 1648, when the last act in the tragic drama of the civil war -was presented in public before an afflicted and indignant people, -Cuthbert stood among the gloomy and anxious crowd which was gathered -round the scaffold at Whitehall. Several regiments of horse and foot -were posted near the place of execution, as much to keep the people -from hearing their king's last words as to observe and control their -temper. The mind of Cuthbert had been roused from its long lethargy by -the various news and rumours connected with the trial of the King, -which had been circulated within the last fortnight around him; and he -came along with the multitude on this day, not believing that they -would dare execute Charles, and that if it were attempted, a rescue -would be effected. The day was piercing cold, and the keen wind -searched through his threadbare cloak; and he leaned back against a -wall, a pale shadow of misery, feeble and trembling. He knew not why -he was there, or what he was to do, but when he had seen the strong -populace hastening to Whitehall, he had followed a helpless expectant -of some strange judgment or deliverance. His view of the place of -execution was intercepted by the tall men who stood in front of him -and by a trooper on horseback; and he remained still and silent, lost -in thought and in confused prayers, till a movement and murmurs in the -crowd awakened him to a consciousness of the dread scene which was -going forward at a little distance. - -"That's his Majesty," said one: "how noble he looks."--"He's speaking -now," said another.--"See how grand and straight he stands up, and -how he looks them all in the face."--And from other voices came such -remarks,--"See! the clergy is speaking to him."--"Who is that -parson?"--"'Tis a bishop, man."--"Which?"--"Why honest old -Juxon."--"Look! the King has got his doublet off. God help his blessed -Majesty! O for a few thousand good men and true!"--"Nay, nay, he's -saved. Look! they're putting on his cloak again! Thank God! thank -God!"--But the voice that had uttered this hope was soon hushed, and -there was a dread silence,--the people held their breath. Suddenly -there arose a loud and universal wail. At the sight of the royal head -held up dripping with blood in the hands of the executioner, -lamentations, and groans, and tears, and wringing of hands, did make a -wild mourning such as became a nation's remorseful woe. Cuthbert smote -on his breast, and fell upon his knees, and lifted up his voice, and -wept scalding tears, calling himself a murderer and an abetter of the -King's death,--one that had, like Judas, sold his master, and that his -end would be the same, and everlasting fire his portion. A knot of -persons gathered about him; some of whom, as they heard his ravings, -did half believe that he had been more particularly concerned in -betraying the King, and looked upon him with horror, as on one -suffering the just judgment of Heaven, while others pitied him, and -thought him mad. But the troopers being now called upon to dismiss the -crowd, two large bodies of horse moved up and down from King Street to -Charing Cross, dispersing the folk that had gathered in the middle of -the way, while a few single dragoons moved towards the various knots -and groups, that still lingered near the walls and in corners, to -drive them also away. One approached the small crowd which had -collected around Cuthbert in his bewildered agonies; and, either -really taking him for an impostor or for a designing person wanting to -create a disturbance, came close and gave him a brutal blow with the -flat of his sword, bidding him away to his own dunghill, and play his -tricks with his fellow-beggars in Rosemary Lane. Upon this, a stout -man near, who, from his knit bonnet and coarse grey coat, looked like -a woodman or a warrener from the country, struck the sword out of the -trooper's hand, and knocked him off his horse; and the mob would have -had his life but for the prompt assistance of his comrades, a few of -whom came up led by a sergeant, who, being a reasonable man that felt -ashamed for the unsoldierly services of that sad morning, contented -himself with releasing the soldier and advising the people to go -quietly to their homes. The trooper had been so startled and stunned -by the assault that he could not point out the person who struck him -first, nor did the sergeant seize upon any one. - -The stout man who had resented the blow inflicted on poor Cuthbert -raised him up, and led him aside to a more private place, where, they -two being alone together, he tried to make himself known, for he had -already recognised the voice of Cuthbert; and his soul could, even on -that day of public calamity, be filled with pity for this unhappy -sufferer. It was George Juxon. Cuthbert, already in a kind of stupor, -produced by great mental excitement on a weak and exhausted frame, and -the action of the severe cold of the day upon his naked head, looked -vacantly at him, with incredulity and alarm; and Juxon saw that he was -not only very ill but that his senses were wandering. He immediately -took him home to his own lodgings in a quiet street near St. Paul's -Cathedral, and procured the help of a skilful and humane physician. - -It was a week before Cuthbert was sufficiently restored to strength -either of body or mind to recognise his protector; but when he did so, -the face and voice of Juxon appeared to give him the power of -recovering his scattered memories and unravelling his tangled -thoughts. Nor were the features of Juxon the only ones he was enabled -to recall among those kind preservers with whom he had been thus -mercifully thrown at so critical a moment of his life. - -Jane Lambert, now the wife of Juxon, was one of those who ministered -to him in his sickness; and the countenance of Katharine Heywood, no -longer radiant with youth, and health, and hope, but still majestic -and merciful as those of guardian angels, shone upon him with a mild -and Christian pity. They all viewed Cuthbert as an erring child of a -heavenly Father brought back to him by affliction; and they felt that -to minister to his sorrows and his need, and to lead him gently to the -green pastures and the still waters of Christ's flock, was a sacred -duty, and a sweet privilege. - -The circumstances of those around him were sufficiently easy, -considering the times, to enable them to place him again in his -relative station as regarded temporal matters; and he learned with -thanksgiving that his father and mother were safe and well, and had -been so far assisted as to be comparatively comfortable in the small -cottage in which they dwelt. - -But it was long before Juxon prevailed with him to return to his -father. At every mention of this duty he became silent and gloomy: -from this trial he seemed to shrink with dejection and almost despair. -His faith in the gracious promises of Scripture failed him,--and he -thought his crimes of too black a dye for forgiveness. One evening, -especially, a man coming before the parlour windows and crying certain -relics for sale, offered with a loud hoarse voice,--"Most precious -remains of his late sacred Majesty of pious memory, warranted genuine, -and dipped in his own blood." - -"Here be two locks of hair, master, and three strips of a -handkerchief, all bloody, as you see," said the knave, thrusting them -across the rails towards the window where Mrs. Juxon and Cuthbert were -sitting. At this sight the poor convalescent fainted, and suffered a -relapse, which again disturbed his reason. But as the spring opened, -his mind was restored to the vigour of his best days. He saw and -embraced his privileges as a pardoned penitent, and he willingly -prepared to return to his parents. It was plain, indeed, to himself as -well as to Juxon, that his earthly pilgrimage could not be long, for -consumption had set her deadly mark upon his cheek; and he was -oppressed with a cough which he knew he must carry to the grave with -him: but, grateful for the blessings of restored peace and hope, he -took his last farewell of Juxon, and set forward on his journey home. - -He travelled down with a train of return pack horses to Bristol, and -was five days upon the road. It was the middle of April, but the -weather was cold, snowy, and ungenial;--as in some springs there is a -brief season of summer heat, so in this there was that sharp and -bitter check known among shepherds and countrymen by the name of the -black thorn winter. - -There was a heavy fall of snow on the very day that he rode from -Bristol to Glastonbury; and when he alighted at the small hostel where -he was to leave his hired horse, all was dull, still and silent. He -had passed through empty streets, and he came to an empty yard, where -it was long before a lame hostler, with a sack over his shoulder, and -a pair of wooden shoes on his feet, came out to take his hack. It was -long, again, before he could procure any one to guide him to Priest -Hill Cottage;--at last an urchin with a blue face, and his hands in -his breeches pockets, was driven out, by a scolding landlady, to show -Cuthbert on his way. The north-east wind blew keenly, and drove the -snow into his face and neck as he followed the awkward and floundering -steps of the stupid and unwilling boy: the distance seemed long; and -when they stopped before the wicket of the small cottage, it had a -most poor and desolate appearance. - -Cuthbert paid and dismissed his guide; and now he was alone on the -threshold of that father, whose bosom he had pierced through with many -sorrows; he was soon to meet the mother on whose breasts himself and -Martin had both hanged in the innocent days of infancy. He had one -secret in his bosom, which it would be his duty to keep from those -parents--that they might not be grieved above measure in their -declining years. He was only come for their pardon and their blessing -before he died; but he could not open the wicket and go in. In silent -agony he raised his eyes to the God of heaven, to implore strength for -that solemn meeting. Then came the tempter, and showed him Martin in -boyhood, with sunny curls, and an arm about his neck, running with -him down the green slope of the garden to the arbour where their -father and mother sat--and then a change came--and he saw the pale -corpse, and the bright hair dabbled with blood--and frowning faces -looked out on him from the black and laden sky. He felt chill as death -and very giddy, and then came a merciful swoon. - -What hands were these chafing him as he awoke to consciousness, lying -on warm blankets before a fire?--his mother's. What man was this upon -his knees, with earnest and moist eyes, that was giving him a cordial -with a gentle care?--it was his father: the wanderer was at home -again. Words may not tell his happiness; earth has no language to -express it: there, near the throne of mercy, to which his grateful -heart throbbed up its thanksgiving, there it was intelligible; there -good angels heard it, and struck their golden harps to hymns of joy. - -There was not in broad England a fireside more sweetly blessed with -the spirit of peace and love than that by which old Noble and his wife -and their child Cuthbert sat now for many weeks in quiet company. Not -a single look of upbraiding even from old Peter shaded one hour of -Cuthbert's life, from the moment when he was brought in from the -wicket in the arms of his father and of that faithful old servant. -Though quaint, and rough in manner, the man was true and tender at -heart. It was enough for him that Master Cuthbert was come home again; -and when he saw his hollow cheeks, and listened to his churchyard -cough, all the same feelings which he had once had for him during a -dangerous sickness of his childhood returned, and he was as gentle and -kind in all he had to do for him as a nurse; but this was little,--for -a mother was ever at his side: by her hands his pillow was smoothed, -by her his back was propped, and his chair placed nearer to the fire; -while his father sought to share in all these services, and read to -him, and prayed with him, and communed with him through long and -precious hours about their common faith, their common hope, and that -future and abiding world, where they should dwell as pardoned and -perfected spirits, in sinless felicity, and in the pure service of -praise and love for ever. - -They all sat together one afternoon, about the close of May, when it -was so warm that even the invalid had his chair moved out of doors for -half an hour, and sat well wrapped up, to look at the flowers and the -bee-hive. Cuthbert was silent, but a tear stole down his cheek; and -turning suddenly to his father, he asked, "Did you see any thing?" - -"Nothing," replied Noble, calmly. - -"It was a vision then; the mere creature of my own brain: but it was -very beautiful. I thought I saw our dear departed Martin." - -"That is not surprising, Cuthbert, we have talked together so much -about him lately, and you think of him, I know, a great deal; I myself -often in my fancy see the dear boy, and probably shall continue to do -so as long as I live." - -"Yes, that is the natural way to account for it; but yet I have never -before pictured him to my mind as I saw him just now. He stood in -shining raiment, by the bank of a river that seemed to flow between -us, and beckoned me to come over; and behind him I saw a field of -light, and far off, a city that was bright as alabaster. - -"Father, I have one last request to make--I do not think that I shall -be much longer with you--read me the fourteenth chapter of St. John -now: there my hope as a Christian was first clearly revealed to me; -there I first cast anchor. O that I had never put out into the stormy -sea of controversy! But it is all well--it is all over now. By the -Divine alchemy good hath been drawn out of evil. - - "'O Father of eternal life, and all - Created glories under thee! - Resume thy spirit from this world of thrall - Into true liberty.'" - -"You are not, dear Cuthbert, impatient, I hope? We must all wait God's -time." - -"I hope not; but it is better to depart." - -He now listened with the most devout and prayerful attention as his -father read to him; but before the chapter was finished, his head -suddenly sunk upon his bosom, and his spirit departed. - - - - -CHAP. XIX. - - The extreme peril of the case, - The peace of England, and our person's safety, - Enforced us to this execution. - _King Richard III._ - - -Among the petitioners who stood waiting for an audience of the Lord -Protector in the guard hall at Hampton Court, at that anxious period -which followed the many arrests and trials of persons implicated in -the conspiracy against his government, in the spring of 1655, was a -lady in deep mourning, who stood alone in the window niche of that -crowded apartment, and gazed upon the sunny garden before her with an -air of settled melancholy. - -It was a May morning, the fourth day of that month. Notwithstanding -that the air of every thing about the palace was solemn and grave, yet -the appearance of his Highness's life guards was very stately and -imposing. The hum of their voices, and of those of the various -officials who passed to and fro to the door of the presence-chamber, -though not loud, was yet audible and confident; while the little -conversation on which the various groups of petitioners ventured was -carried on in suppressed tones, or low and anxious whispers. - -For three hours the lady remained in the same place, and kept her face -averted from the busy hall, and fixed upon the trees without. At last -there was a sudden stir and bustle, and when she turned round, she saw -the crowd going forth at the outer door; and an usher of the court -gave notice in a loud voice, that his Highness the Lord Protector -would not hear any further suits that day. - -She moved instantly towards the door of the presence-chamber. - -"By your leave, gentlemen,--let me pass: my humble suit will not -detain his Highness a moment; and to-morrow will not----" - -"I understand you, lady," said a grey-haired officer, with a manly -compassion; "but his Highness has passed into his inner -presence-chamber, and is engaged with the great officers of state. He -will not allow any one to approach him now; and he does not use to see -any private petitioners after. No one dare present himself at the door -of that chamber now; and we may not suffer you to pass." - -"Well, sir; but I will wait till the council is over, and then, -perhaps, he will admit me. To-morrow will be too late," she added, and -turned away her head. - -"Certainly, lady, you may remain awhile, till the council comes forth; -and he never consults long with them; but if your suit touches any of -the poor gentlemen about to suffer for the late treason, I fear there -is no hope of your success. He hath refused many well-supported -memorials for some who were but slightly connected with the offence, -and whose friends have great personal influence with himself. Indeed, -he cannot pardon them, with safety to his government." - -"It is not for a pardon that I come, sir, it is only for leave to part -with a dear relative, who is sentenced to die as to-morrow; and I am -denied admission to him, without I bring an authority from the Lord -Protector himself." - -"In as far as I may serve you, lady, in this matter, I will surely do -it." So saying, he crossed to a gentleman who sat at a table in the -outer presence-chamber, the door of which was standing open, and -conferred with him, giving the paper, with the prayer of her petition, -into his hands. He returned, saying, that the secretary would present -it as soon as the council broke up, and then placed a chair for her in -the window near. In less than half an hour, the great officers of the -council came out, and crossed the hall--the guards standing to their -halberds. The lady rose, as they passed, out of respect to their -offices; and they, with grave bows, acknowledged that courtesy--not -aware, perhaps, that she was only a trembling suitor for their -master's "Yes." But this was not given, as a matter of course, when -the secretary asked it. The Protector questioned him closely -concerning the aspect and manner of the lady, and ended by commanding -her into his presence. - -She was ushered into the inner presence-chamber, the door closed -behind her, and she found herself alone before Cromwell. He stood on -the far side of a table, with one hand resting upon it, and her -memorial in the other. The table was covered with papers, and directly -near him was an ancient desk of ebony, with an hour-glass by the side -of it, and three or four books, one of which was a Bible. He was -dressed in a suit of black, and his costume would have been plainer -than any about the court but for the extreme richness of his Flemish -lace collar and cuffs; but these were cut after a plain square -fashion, and not in the Vandyke pattern of Charles's reign. He avoided -noticing her obeisance, for she did not kneel; and, after a -considerable pause, he raised his eyes slowly, and fixed them upon her -with a penetrating and a severe expression. It was a trying moment for -Katharine Heywood,--for she was that lady; but she had been silently -lifting up her heart to God, and she returned his look with dignity -and composure. She could not but be impressed with awe in the presence -of one so powerful; and there was nothing in his cloudy and grave -deportment calculated to relieve that feeling. At last he addressed -her:--"Thou comest to us on the matter of this poor and deluded man, -who hath fallen into the snares of Satan, and hath attempted to fight -against the Lord. It is vain to petition us in this matter: we are to -this unhappy and distracted kingdom in the place of the angel of the -Lord; and we must not bear the sword in vain. As we are man, in so far -we are weak, poor, foolish, frail, blind, unstable, like unto the -light vane that turneth with every breath of wind; but, in that we are -the angel of this people, chosen of the Lord, set up in the place of -judgment, our wisdom and strength, our counsels and actions, are from -above, and we are strong, rich, wise, indestructible, discerning all -things; steady, fixed, constant in our purposes; immovable as a great -rock, that smileth at the madness of those waves that dash around -it.--Do not interrupt me, woman. I know what thou wouldest say: I can -tell thy thoughts afar off, and see tears before they come to the -eyelids. I must not pity. He that hath covered my head in battle -appointeth the doom of this troubler of Israel. His is the sceptre, -and the sword is his. I am but the poor unworthy instrument by whom -they are borne. I am no more but a poor Jack of the clock-house, and -strike the stroke of righteous vengeance, even as that automatous toy -striketh on the bell, being moved by the organs and machinery of the -skilful constructor or contriver thereof. Thou understandest me? I -like to speak plain, that my poor people may see what a very worm of -earth is every child of Adam; and how little store I set by all the -baubles and gewgaws of power and state. It is known how a whole nation -did weary my spirit with petitions to take upon me this grave and -weighty office, which I would gladly have foregone, if that I might -have declined the cross without sin. But such peace was not for me." -During this strange address, Cromwell looked alternately at the paper -in his hand and at Katharine Heywood; dropping his eyes on the former, -and then suddenly raising them again, as if to catch some expression -of her countenance, which she would not willingly wear while his eyes -rested on her: but there was about her a majesty sad and unmoved; the -seriousness of her displeasure was grave; and she was fortifying -herself by mental prayer. The Protector perceiving this, abruptly and -without a pause, changed his manner and tone:--"You are the wife of -the condemned?" - -"Not so, my Lord, I am his cousin." - -"What is your name?" - -"Katharine Heywood, Sir: it is written on the petition." - -"What Heywoods?" - -"Those of Warwickshire." - -"Ha! Malignants--Malignants:--Sir Oliver was one of them: a staunch -slave of that foolish and misguided man, Charles Stuart." - -"My father, sir, was a faithful subject of King Charles." - -"And you, woman----" - -"I obey the laws. By my sex and by my sorrows I have been taught -thankfulness for any government that brings peace." - -"Out of thine own mouth is thy rebel cousin condemned. How came it -that all his relations were not instantly arrested? But thus it is. -Thus am I served by indolent and purblind knaves--the serpent and the -woman;--thus it ever was, and will be, the boldest treasons are ever -hatched by women. Where dost thou live?" - -"At Cottesmore, in Gloucestershire." - -"How long have you dwelt there, and with whom?" - -"Since the death of my father, I have lived in the family of an -ejected minister, named Juxon, a nephew of the bishop." - -Cromwell bit his nether lip, and passed his hand quickly across his -brow. - -"I did not think that bluff old man was a plotter. They told me that -he was turned hunter again; but it is me that they would hunt. My soul -is as a partridge on the mountains: they hunt for the precious -life;--but," he added (recovering the tone which a gloomy and passing -emotion had discomposed), "it is the Lord: it is he that hath called -me. I am his servant, and no weapon formed against me can prosper. -Who are these that would disturb a peace which the Lord giveth, and -kindle again the fires of a civil war which I have been commanded to -extinguish? and so thou livest near this merry old hunter that would -have my life?" - -"My Lord, it is not so: the bishop meddleth not with any public -affairs, and I have never seen him smile since the sad end of his -royal master. No, sir, he doth only hunt for health and diversion of -his mind, which is ever occupied at home in dull cares and grave -studies." - -"That soundeth true of him. I do remember that he was accounted -honest; and that, from his youth, he had a body comely and quick--apt -for that manly sport;--but still, 'The heart is deceitful above all -things, and desperately wicked: who may know it?'--How long is it -since thy cousin was at Cottesmore?" - -"He was never there." - -"Is this true?" - -"I would be sorry to utter any thing which might, by possibility, be -proved mistaken; but, to my knowledge, he was never there." - -"And how long, then, is it since you have seen him?" - -"It is many years since I have seen him; nor for these two years have -I even heard of him." - -"He was an officer of the Parliament?" - -"He was, sir; and was made a colonel of horse, in the second year of -those wars." - -"I remember it. Ere this, he might have written general, and baronet -to boot; but he was hot, and wrong-headed." - -"'Tis better as it is: his heart is right,--and he hath less to answer -for." - -The eyes of Cromwell rested upon the countenance of the majestic -Katharine with severity, and with a surprize that seemed to ask the -meaning of words so strange and cold. But the tone in which they were -uttered, and the sudden mournfulness and abstraction of her gaze, told -him that emotions, both strong and tender, were working in her bosom. - -"And your prayer, lady, is that you may be permitted to take leave of -your cousin before his execution?" - -"That is my prayer." - -"It is not wise. I speak as to a Christian mind. Though none hath -shown himself more bitterly my foe than this cousin of thine, yet he -was no assassin. He was, I know, for a warlike rising: his obscure -lodging was found full of arms; and though he lived as frugally as he -that laboureth for a groat a-day, yet was a horse worth fifty pieces, -and trained for the great saddle, found in the shed, behind the small -house where he lived. I have shown him all the favour in my -power:--the sentence and manner of his death are changed. His life is -a forfeit to the weal of England. I am no man of blood, lady:--the -signing of death-warrants is no joy to me; but one example on a -scaffold may save the lives of thousands. Lady, your visit will only -disturb his last moments. I have cared for his soul:--a godly minister -doth see him; and I learn that he doth exercise himself as a dying man -should. It seems that you have not seen him for many years:--he will -not expect thee--does not think of thee:--cousinship is not so close a -kindred. I cannot grant thy prayer." - -"My Lord, I am his nearest relative--his only relative now living in -the land. We were together in our youth. I would not fail him in this -hour. At such a time, to feel that he is not forsaken of all men must -be a comfort to the spirit. Besides, he may have parting words for his -distant father, and parting words are precious. Oh, grant my suit, -your Highness! on my knees I humbly ask it--I implore it. Oh, grant my -suit! I will not let you go till my poor prayer is answered." - -Katharine had approached, and fallen upon her knees, and in her hands -she had clasped the skirt of his dark cloak. - -"Lady, control yourself: I have a human heart--but duties are too -sacred to be foregone for tears. I cannot grant your prayer." - -"Why not, my Lord? Oh, why this strict and stern refusal? Oh, deign to -tell me what makes you thus cruelly dismiss me?" - -"It were to commit evil against thy cousin's soul, and to defeat the -ends of public justice; I can tell by thy lofty eyes thou wilt carry -him the means of death." - -Katharine rose from her low posture with a look of reproof to the -suspicious usurper at once dignified and solemn. - -"Francis Heywood, my Lord, is of a nobler spirit than to tarnish his -brave life by an end so mean, and hath too holy a trust in his -Redeemer's mercy to shrink from his appointed trial. But were he -other, and I found him so, and with a poison cup at his lips, this -friendly hand should dash it from them." - -"You speak of what you know not: the most valiant heart that ever beat -might yet shrink from the shame and dishonours of the scaffold." - -"Shame and dishonours! Where are they? 'Tis not the place or manner of -a death can make them; besides, the scaffold hath now become a dying -place of kings, and meaner men may hold themselves ennobled by -suffering like end. I promise by all my love towards my gallant -cousin, by all my truth, and all my hopes of heaven, to hold no word -of conference with him on any matters save our private love as -cousins, and our common faith as Christians." - -Just at this moment a door leading to the wing which Cromwell -inhabited slowly opened, and a lady, with a gracious but most pensive -face entered a little way and gently called him. He turned: the -gloominess which had gathered over his brow at Katharine's last speech -was dissipated at the sound of her soft voice: he went to her, but -before Katharine could address an appeal to her she had left the -chamber; and Cromwell, returning to the table, took a pen, and wrote -on the back of her petition an order for her admission to the Tower, -and to the prison of Francis Heywood; then, with a grave and not an -unkind look, he put it into her hand. - -She glanced at the writing:--"Add another word, my good Lord,--the -body:--Oh, grant me that! When the bloody axe hath done its work, let -the body be my care:--we grew together in our youth,--I would not have -his precious remains buried by executioners." Cromwell took back the -paper, and, without uttering a word, wrote the permission. - - - - -CHAP. XX. - - Nor death, nor sleep, nor any dismall shade - Of low, contracting life, she then doth fear; - No troubled thoughts her settled mind invade: - The immortal root of life she seeth clear, - Wisheth she ever were engrafted here. - HENRY MORE. - - -It had been arranged between Katharine and her ever-constant friends, -the Juxons, who had accompanied her from London on this melancholy -occasion, that she should go to the palace alone, while they awaited -her return on the bank of the river. They had come from Westminster by -water in the morning; and, in the event of her petition being attended -with success, were to go back in the same manner direct to the Tower. - -They had been provided with a swift four-oared boat, well manned, -hired for the day; and while Katharine was in the palace, Jane and her -husband sat under the trees not fifty yards from the river, and in -sight of the boat. The men had been cautioned against drinking or -straying, and having shown all civility and attention, rested idly on -the bank, to all seeming in contented obedience. But whether their -patience had been exhausted, or the mournfulness of the party was -displeasing to them, or they felt bribed by the chances of feasting -and merriment with some party of pleasure, just before Katharine came -down to the river, they suddenly took boat and rowed swiftly away, -unheeding the loud and vain remonstrance of Juxon. - -By this petty perplexity she was for some time delayed. It was long -before any conveyance could be found. Every horse--every -carriage--every boat was out. It was one of those delicious days, when -all the world, as by common consent, keeps holyday:--when sorrows, -disappointments, wrongs, and sordid cares are left within doors; when -grass is in its greenest beauty; when hedges are white and -sweet-scented; when lovely blossoms cover all the orchards; and -flowers are every where, and foliage is fresh and young, and birds -are in full song. - -Absorbed, patient, unconscious, Katharine sat still, her hand within -that of Jane. Juxon at last returned, rowing a small wherry himself, -and placing them in it, made for the Tower with his best vigour. He -said little; but as he passed the numberless boats, which were crowded -with glad and joyous groups, here noisy with laughter, there vocal -with sweet and innocent songs, the natural expression of youthful -enjoyment, his heart bled for Katharine. But, in truth, all these -sights and sounds gave her little disturbance--they were unheeded. Her -spirit was preparing for a great trial, and was lying low before a -hidden throne, imploring strength. - -As soon as they reached the neighbouring wharf, Juxon accompanied her -to the gate of the Tower, promised to provide a lodging for the night -in that neighbourhood, where they might all remain, and to return for -her. - -And now this sad and gracious woman was left to pass through all the -slow and cold formalities of admission alone. By no less than five -different officers was her paper examined; and with some there was -unkind delay, and with others, the rude questioning of an unfeeling -curiosity. At last came the prison itself. Here the order from the -lieutenant of the Tower having been duly recognised was obeyed in -surly silence, by a stern-faced gaoler and his assistants. Heavy doors -were slowly unlocked; and harsh and grating sounds, and the clank of -keys, and the turning of strong bolts, made her blood chill. - -A lighter door, as of an apartment, was at length unlocked quietly, -and she was ushered into a chamber, where her cousin sat at a table -writing, with his back to the entrance. He did not, at first, turn -round, fancying it was one of the gaolers. One grated window in his -front, having a northern aspect, looked out upon a wall so close to -it, that not even sunshine could be ever visible upon it. There were a -few books upon his table:--here, too, there was an hour-glass. A -little very ancient furniture, of oak, relieved the nakedness of the -walls; and there was an aspect in the gloomy room which did properly -belong to the prison of a state criminal of rank. - -The conductor of Katharine respectfully announced a visiter, and as -immediately withdrew, and turned the lock. Francis rose:--he -recognised Katharine at once, and with a mute embrace; then placed her -with reverent tenderness in a seat, and went for a moment to the -window, to recover his composure, after which he came and sat down -beside her. Katharine was collected, and did not shed a single tear; -but the first words she would have uttered died within her, and found -no voice. Francis took her hand in a grave, calm manner:-- - -"Remember," said he, "my dear, beloved Katharine, that this must be no -melancholy parting. If any thing on earth could make me loth to quit -it, most true it is, the thought that it must yet, for a brief season, -be your dwelling-place, would make me cast a lingering look behind. -But even that I have struggled with and conquered; nor does your -presence shake my resolution. You must rejoice with me--not weep. It -is a bad world, sweet cousin, and I have been among the worst upon it. -But I have found the Great Deliverer; or, rather, have been found of -him; and I do look beyond it now:--ay, Katharine, and have done so for -many years. My spirit panteth to be gone; and well I know that thou -art only kept on earth, as angels are, to minister God's mercy to the -wretched. I knew that I should have thy charitable prayers, but did -not think to see thee. How didst thou gain admission? It has been -denied to some of my true friends. Besides, I thought thee far away, -and wrote especially to the tyrant's private secretary to say that we -had had no intercourse for years; and that you knew nothing of my -actions, nor were you even acquainted with any of the Royalists -engaged. I marvel much this favour hath been granted me, and humbly -thank my God for this last blessing." - -The while he spoke she looked upon him steadily, and at every word did -gather strength and peace. - -"How is it, Francis, that I feel no grief? How is it that I have -stood face to face today with Cromwell without a falter of the tongue? -How is it that I feel this nearness of thy death as if it were the -appointment of some hallowed honour to wipe out all the noble errors -of thy deceived heart, and write upon thy tomb their glorious -confession? I did ever love you well, Francis--now better than ever. -We are no longer young: I can read in your worn lineaments, as in a -mirror, the lines of care, which Heaven has traced upon mine own. Your -hair is grey, and war and woe have done their work upon you, and -quenched the brightness of your eye of fire. Now you are dear to -me;--now that you stand upon the verge of the invisible world, -prepared, with prostrate heart, and with courageous faith, to enter -in. I do not come to weep with thee:--your spirit kindles mine--I will -rejoice." - -"There spoke the woman of my love--of my heart's choice. Katharine, I -do own to thee, that when I did engage with this last band to strike a -blow for freedom, and when discovery came, and chains and judgment -followed, the thought that you would know my last true effort, would -call it constant, honest, and drop a tear upon my grave, was a strong -cordial to my wearied spirit, and did enable me to look at Cromwell in -all his state and power with a bright defiance. I do marvel that he -granted me this favour:--what said he?" - -"He did not do it readily. He spoke you fair and justly as a soldier; -but only in one point he did you grievous wrong." - -"In what? I pray you name it." - -"He seemed to fear that I might bring you poison or a dagger--and so -the scaffold lose a victim, and baser men an example for their -terror." - -"And what said you in answer?" - -"I told him that you had a nobler scorn of death, and a holier fear of -God, than so to sin against your soul. - -"He said that bravest men might dread the dishonours of the scaffold. - -"I told him these now were no dishonours--that it was a place -ennobled by the blood of a royal martyr." - -"Dared you so much? How looked he?" - -"He loured and bent his eyes upon the ground. Just then his lady -daughter entered. She whispered him, and, as I think, did plead for -me--for, after she went forth, he wrote the permission instantly and -more. The after-sentence is remitted:--then, when the axe hath done -its cruel work, thou art mine, Francis--these hands shall fold thy -grave-clothes." - -"Angels of heaven! are ye listening, are ye present? Yes, her steps -are compassed round with holy guardians; her strength is more than -mortal. Am I then helped in this my only trouble? this the last -weakness of my shrinking nature? Have my prayers been heard, and have -I been cared for as a timid child, by him who sitteth on the mercy -seat? The tyrant told you truly, Katharine; for he, half hypocrite, -half hero, is brave as his own sword:--yes--brave men may shrink from -the rude shames done on their lifeless bodies. Remember, noble woman, -that this last great charity doth take away the only bitterness that -made my cup to taste of terror. Now my heart is light, and leaps -within me, as if I felt its pinions struggling to be free. To-morrow -is as a bridal-day to me." - -During this speech Katharine was so much overcome that big tears -rolled down her marble cheeks, and she sought relief in prayer. Her -eyes were raised to heaven in silence, and for a few brief minutes not -a word was spoken by either; for Francis kneeled beside her, and his -heart was lifted up in devout and still communion with hers. Being -calmed and strengthened by this exercise of faith, Katharine was again -able to address him. - -"Your hours are now precious, Francis; let me not dare to waste one -golden moment of them: whatever may be your last desires and wishes, -tell me, that they may be religiously observed." - -"They are not many: these papers, which one broken hour of the night -will give me time enough to seal, I would have conveyed by a safe hand -to New England; and perhaps one line from you might comfort my -father's heart. These few books I would also have sent to him. This, -Katharine, is my Psalter: take it; and till we meet in a better world -use no other. Now hear me; and, for both our sakes, observe my last -directions strictly. To-morrow morning, from the hour of eight to -nine, keep closely to thy chamber, and shut thy door, and do not look -abroad; but make this Psalter thy companion, and read therein the -choicest words of praise and thanksgiving. Yes, praise and -thanksgiving:--remember this. If that I am a pardoned sinner, and that -I am pardoned a humble voice within me whispers, and visionary hands -do point to him the blessed of the Father, who hung on the accursed -tree, and died that we might live. If it be so, then to-morrow I shall -cross Jordan at the narrowest point, and see that heavenly Canaan -where happy spirits dwell: there we shall meet again. Hark! there be -footsteps. One last embrace:--farewell." - -The door was unlocked, and a minister of a countenance most kind and -holy did softly enter. He paused, irresolute at the sight of -Katharine, and would have withdrawn till their interview might end. - -"Nay, my reverend and dear friend, come in, I prithee:--this is the -lady of whom I spoke to you: my only relative in England. She hath -come to do me the last charitable offices of earthly love. You are -prepared, I see, to comfort and refresh me. My cousin will keep this -feast with us." - -At these words the good man entered, bearing a salver and a cup, over -which a white napkin was decently spread; and when the door had again -been closed, and the clank of the keys at the gaoler's girdle had died -away in the long passages, and the world and the world's sounds were -all shut out, that dull and grated prison became a temple,--and they -three in a mournful humility did make their meek confession, and in -faith, hope, and charity, did feast upon a Saviour's love. - - - - -CHAP. XXI. - - Dear beauteous death, the jewel of the just, - Shining nowhere but in the dark: - What mysteries do lie beyond thy dust, - Could man outlook that mark! - VAUGHAN. - - -The good old vicar of Cheddar, and the aged partner of his trials and -his consolations, survived the melancholy war which brought so much -public misery on the nation, and so much private affliction on -themselves, for many years. They continued to dwell in the same small -cottage, in which, after the ejectment of Noble, they found their -first refuge, unknowing and unknown. Their means were slender, but -their wants were few; and they were rich in the graces of divine -contentment. - -As with advancing years the strength necessary for manual labour -declined, there came such little improvement of circumstances as -enabled the worthy man to dispense with such exertion; and the toil of -Peter was lightened by the assistance of a younger labourer. Noble -himself walked regularly every Sunday of his life to attend divine -service at a small village church distant from his cottage about a -mile and a half; and old Peter and he sat together in the back seats -under the gallery. His wife being feeble on her limbs, and dim of -sight, remained at home; and it was Noble's pleasure to bring back to -her the text of the sermon and the matter of the discourse. - -This church was served by a Puritan divine, who held a benefice five -miles on the other side of it, and rode over to the hamlet for one -full service in the afternoon. The lord of the manor was a nobleman -who had been distinguished during the war; and who, after the close of -hostilities in Ireland and the establishment of the protectorate, had -retired to this mansion and estate, where he led a very secluded life, -seldom stirring beyond his park wall. But he was a pious and -charitable man, well spoken of by his servants, and by the poor of -the village as a Christian master and a considerate landlord. - -There was something very fine and very affecting in the consideration, -that an aged minister, ejected for conscience-sake, should sit every -Sabbath as a humble and loving Christian listener, under the ministry -of one young enough to be his son, and to find in him a helper of his -joy. - -The young man knew not whom it was his privilege thus to strengthen -and comfort; for there was a meekness and a shy reserve about Noble, -and an enjoined silence to Peter, which repressed and baffled -curiosity. They just knew so much as that one was a deprived -clergyman; but whether he had been turned out for scandal, or what his -story might be, none cared to discover more particularly;--he was an -accustomed sight. - -It so chanced that, one Sunday, when the congregation was assembled at -the usual hour the young minister was not forthcoming. All persons had -taken their seats. The lord of the manor was in his pew; and, after a -long pause, the singing was begun, in the expectation that perhaps he -would yet arrive time enough to conduct the worship; but the psalm was -concluded, and he did not appear. - -There was an evident disappointment on the countenances of all the -people; and the grave nobleman, after leaning over his pew, and -summoning the clerk, decided to sit down again, and linger yet a -little time. Another psalm was given out and sung through,--still no -minister arrived. - -At last, moved by a constraining principle of love to the great and -Divine shepherd of all Christian flocks, and by a pure love to the -souls of the people, Noble came forward with lowliness and composure, -and told the clerk quietly that, being himself an ordained minister, -he did not feel it right to let the people go empty away, without -offering in such manner as he could to feed them; and that if there -was no objection he was ready to go up into the pulpit. To this -arrangement there was an immediate assent from the nobleman, to whom -the clerk referred it; and old Noble, for the first time since the -day when he was driven from Cheddar with blows and insults, found -himself in the place and office of an ambassador for Christ. - -He was manifestly supported in this moment by the spirit of power, -love, and of a sound mind. His prayer was serious, simple, and plain -as the utterance of a child. Out of the abundance of his heart he -offered up his petitions with reverent fervency and confiding love. -The chapter which he selected for reading was the fourth chapter of -the first Epistle of John; and, taking the tenth verse of this chapter -for his text, he declared fully and freely that blessed message of -pardon, reconciliation, and peace, which it is the most precious -privilege of the Christian minister to deliver, and to deliver which -is a duty of sacred and perpetual obligation. Mercy and grace fell -softly from his lips, and distilled like the gentle dew upon the -hearts of all his hearers. - -The poorest and least instructed could understand every thing he said; -the most learned and advanced among them found a master in Israel, -walking with a secure footing on the very summits of the mount of -God. Unseen by Noble, the young minister entered, when he was in the -middle of his discourse, and stood with rapt, devout, and breathless -attention to its close. The rugged old warlike nobleman had early -risen, and leaned over his pew with eyes fixed upon the preacher, and -half the congregation were in the like posture of attention. Of all -this Noble was utterly unconscious: his own gaze was perfectly -abstracted; he saw nothing, he thought of nothing but the Divine love. -He magnified it; he set it forth in the chaste radiance and the -heavenly light of Scripture language and Scripture imagery. He -commended it to the hearts of all around him, by speaking of it -experimentally, gratefully. He showed what the world and society would -be if subjected to its influence: drew the mournful contrast daily -presented to the eye; and, towards the close, he drew aside, as it -were, the curtains of the skies, and displayed the world of light, and -the redeemed of the Lord walking, as angels, in an air of glory. When -he had concluded, he kneeled down to pray: his few first words, -though not quite so loud as his sermon, which had been preached in -very subdued and quiet tones, were distinctly audible; but, then, they -became faint and unintelligible, his grey head bowed down upon his -pale hands, and both rested without motion upon the dark cushion of -the pulpit. - -The young minister was the first to perceive his condition, and the -first to run to his succour. With the aid of Peter, he brought him -down and out into the summer air, and laid him on the grass, and -loosened his vest; but the body itself was no longer any thing but a -put-off garment:--the spirit was far off, breathing already the air of -that Eden which is above. - -The young minister accompanied Peter back to the cottage with the -precious remains, and, leaving them at a few yards' distance, entered -first, and broke the loss to his aged partner. She felt it deeply: but -as all the circumstances attending it were truly and tenderly related, -the grief of the woman yielded to the faith of the Christian; and, -while tears rolled down her withered cheeks, she was enabled to bless -and praise her God. - -From that day, to the hour of her death, that youthful minister took -her to his own home, and was to her as a son. - -The very same day which witnessed the sudden and solemn removal of the -good old vicar of Cheddar brought a summons to his base and -hypocritical successor in that vicarage. As the crafty and bitter -bigot was crossing his yard with a more hasty step than usual, his -foot tripped against the edge of the BROKEN FONT, which he had put in -the ground near his ash-heap, to hold water for his fowls. He fell to -the ground with such violence as to produce a compound fracture of his -thigh; and, after the lingering torments of a very long confinement, -died in the greatest agony of body, and in hopeless terror of mind. - -While this unhappy wretch lay upon his bed, in the first week after -his accident, the body of Noble was brought to Cheddar for interment -by the young Puritan divine, of whom we have spoken in the foregoing -part of the chapter. The whole village poured forth to meet the body: -the large hearted young minister performed the funeral service; and, -indifferent to what the rigid party might say or think, he read over -the grave of the departed vicar that solemn and sweet office for the -burial of the dead which was, in those days, a forbidden charity to -men who had suffered cheerfully the loss of all things rather than -give up the sacred ritual of their church, or take the covenant which -the faction in authority would have tyrannically imposed upon their -conscience. The dropping of a leaf might have been heard in the green -churchyard as that service was read; and a crowd stood listening with -bare heads and serious eyes. When the last rite was done, and the -earth was filled into the grave, fresh and verdant sods, which had -been most carefully cut in a neighbouring paddock, were placed over it -orderly and firm, and these again were so thickly strewn over with the -choicest summer flowers as to be almost concealed by the profusion, -while a fragrant and grateful incense, more pleasant than "precious -ointment poured out," filled all the place with a sweet promise, that -the name of the righteous should live. - - - THE END. - - - LONDON: - Printed by A. SPOTTISWOODE, - New-Street-Square. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Broken Font, Vol. 2 (of 2), by Moyle Sherer - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BROKEN FONT, VOL. 2 (OF 2) *** - -***** This file should be named 43262.txt or 43262.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/2/6/43262/ - -Produced by sp1nd, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -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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