WhatbefellmoreontheroaditselfIhadnotmuchtimetonote，forourbowmenspreadthemselvesoutalongthehedgethatlookedintothepasture—field，leavingsomesixfeetbetweenmanandman；therestofthebillmenwentalongwiththebowmen，andhaltedinclumpsofsomehalf—dozenalongtheirline，holdingthemselvesreadytohelpthebowmeniftheenemyshouldrunupundertheirshafts，ortorunontolengthenthelineincasetheyshouldtrytobreakinonourflank。Thehedgeinfrontofuswasofquick。IthadbeenstronglyplashedinthepastFebruary，andwasstiffandstout。Itstoodonalowbank；
moreover，theleveloftheorchardwassomethirtyincheshigherthanthatofthefield。andtheditchsometwofootdeeperthanthefaceofthefield。Thefieldwentwindingroundtobeyondthechurch，makingaquarterofacircleaboutthevillage，andatthewesternendofitwerethebuttswhencethefolkwerecomingfromshootingwhenIfirstcameintothevillagestreet。
Altogether，tomewhoknewnothingofwartheplaceseemeddefensibleenough。IhavesaidthattheroaddownwhichLongGregorycamewithhistidingswentnorth；andthatwasitsgeneraldirection；butitsfirstreachwasnearlyeast，sothatthelowsunwasnotintheeyesofanyofus，andwhereWillGreentookhisstand，andIwithhim，itwasnearlyatourbacks。
CHAPTERVI
THEBATTLEATTHETOWNSHIP’SEND
Ourmenhadgotintotheirplacesleisurelyandcoollyenough，andwithnolackofjestingandlaughter。Aswewentalongthehedgebytheroad，theleaderstoreoffleafytwigsfromthelowoakbushestherein，andsetthemforarallyingsignintheirhatsandheadpieces，andtwoorthreeofthemhadhornsforblowing。
WillGreen，whenhegotintohisplace，whichwasthirtyyardsfromwhereJackStrawandthebillmenstoodinthecornerofthetwohedges，theroadhedgeandthehedgebetweenthecloseandfield，lookedtorightandleftofhimamoment，thenturnedtothemanontheleftandsaid：
\"Lookyou，mate，whenyouhearourhornsblowasknomorequestions，butshootstraightandstrongatwhatsocomethtowardsus，tillyehearmoretidingsfromJackStraworfromme。Passthatwordonward。\"
Thenhelookedatmeandsaid：
\"Now，ladfromEssex，thouhadstbestsitdownoutofthewayatonce：forsoothIwotnotwhyIbroughttheehither。Wiltthounotbacktothecross，forthouartlittleofafighting—man？\"
\"Nay，\"saidI，\"Iwouldseetheplay。Whatshallcomeofit？\"
\"Little，\"saidhe；\"weshallslayahorseortwainmaybe。Iwilltellthee，sincethouhastnotseenafightbelike，asIhaveseensome，thatthesemen—at—armscannotrunfasteithertotheplayorfromit，iftheybea—foot；andiftheycomeona—
horseback，whatshallhindermetoputashaftintothepoorbeast？Butdownwiththeeonthedaisies，forsomeshottherewillbefirst。\"
Ashespokehewaspullingoffhisbeltsandothergear，andhiscoat，whichdone，helaidhisquiverontheground，girthimagain，didhisaxeandbucklerontohisgirdle，andhunguphisotherattireonthenearesttreebehindus。Thenheopenedhisquiverandtookoutofitsometwodozenofarrows，whichhestuckinthegroundbesidehimreadytohishand。Mostofthebowmenwithinsightweredoingthelike。
AsIglancedtowardthehousesIsawthreeorfourbrightfiguresmovingthroughtheorchards，andpresentlynotedthattheywerewomen，allcladmoreorlesslikethegirlintheRose，exceptthattwoofthemworewhitecoifsontheirheads。Theirerrandtherewasclear，foreachcarriedabundleofarrowsunderherarm。
OneofthemcamestraightuptoWillGreen，andIcouldseeatoncethatshewashisdaughter。Shewastallandstronglymade，withblackhairlikeherfather，somewhatcomely，thoughnogreatbeauty；butastheymet，hereyessmiledevenmorethanhermouth，andmadeherfacelookverysweetandkind，andthesmilewasansweredbackinawaysoquaintlyliketoherfather’sface，thatItoosmiledforgoodwillandpleasure。
\"Well，well，lass，\"saidhe，\"dostthouthinkthathereisCrecyfieldtoward，thatyebringallthisartillery？Turnback，mygirl，andsetthepotonthefire；forthatshallweneedwhenwecomehome，Iandthisballad—makerhere。\"
\"Nay，\"shesaid，noddingkindlyatme，\"ifthisistobenoCrecy，thenmayIstoptosee，aswellastheballad—maker，sincehehathneitherswordnorstaff？\"
\"Sweetling，\"hesaid，\"gettheehomeinhaste。Thisplayisbutlittle，yetmightestthoubehurtinit；andtrustmethetimemaycome，sweetheart，wheneventhouandsuchasthoushaltholdaswordorastaff。Erethemoonthrowsashadowweshallbeback。\"
Sheturnedawaylingering，notwithouttearsonherface，laidthesheafofarrowsatthefootofthetree，andhastenedoffthroughtheorchard。Iwasgoingtosaysomething，whenWillGreenhelduphishandaswhowouldbidushearken。Thenoiseofthehorse—hoofs，aftergrowingnearerandnearer，hadceasedsuddenly，andaconfusedmurmurofvoiceshadtakentheplaceofit。
\"Gettheedown，andtakecover，oldlad，\"saidWillGreen；\"thedancewillsoonbegin，andyeshallhearthemusicpresently。\"
SureenoughasIslippeddownbythehedgeclosetowhichIhadbeenstanding，Iheardtheharshtwangofthebow—strings，one，two，three，almosttogether，fromtheroad，andeventhewhewoftheshafts，thoughthatwasdrownedinamomentbyaconfusedbutloudandthreateningshoutfromtheotherside，andagainthebowstringsclanged，andthistimeafar—offclashofarmsfollowed，andtherewithalthatcryofastrongmanthatcomeswithouthiswill，andissodifferentfromhiswontedvoicethatonehasaguesstherebyofthechangethatdeathis。Thenforawhilewasalmostsilence；nordidourhornsblowup，thoughsomehalf—dozenofthebillmenhadleaptintotheroadwhenthebowsfirstshot。Butpresentlycameagreatblareoftrumpetsandhornsfromtheotherside，andtherewithasitwereariverofsteelandbrightcoatspouredintothefieldbeforeus，andstilltheirhornsblewastheyspreadouttowardtheleftofourline；
thecattleinthepasture—field，heretoforefeedingquietly，seemedfrightenedsillybythesuddennoise，andranabouttailinairandlowingloudly；theoldbullwithhisheadalittlelowered，andhisstubbornlegsplantedfirmly，growlingthreateningly；whilethegeeseaboutthebrookwaddledawaygobblingandsqueaking；allwhichseemedsostrangetousalongwiththethreatofsuddendeaththatrangoutfromthebrightarrayoveragainstus，thatwelaughedoutright，themostofus，andWillGreenputdownhisheadinmockeryofthebullandgruntedlikehim，whereatwelaughedyetmore。Heturnedroundtomeashenockedhisarrow，andsaid：
\"Iwouldtheywerejustfiftypacesnigher，andtheymovenot。
Ho!JackStraw，shallweshoot？\"
Forthelatter—namedwasnighusnow；heshookhisheadandsaidnothingashestoodlookingattheenemy’sline。
\"Fearnotbuttheyaretherightfolk，Jack，\"quothWillGreen。
\"Yea，yea，\"saidhe，\"butabideawhile；theycouldmakenoughtofthehighway，andtwooftheirsergeantshadamessagefromthegrey—goosefeather。Abide，fortheyhavenotcrossedtheroadtoourrighthand，andbelikehavenotseenourfellowsontheotherside，whoarenowforabushmenttothem。\"
Ilookedhardattheman。Hewasatall，wiry，andbroad—
shoulderedfellow，cladinahandsomearmourofbrightsteelthatcertainlyhadnotbeenmadeforayeoman，butoverithehadacommonlinensmock—frockorgabardine，likeourfieldworkmenwearnoworusedtowear，andinhishelmethecarriedinsteadofafeatherawispofwheatenstraw。Heboreaheavyaxeinhishandbesidestheswordhewasgirtwith，androundhisneckhungagreathornforblowing。IshouldsaythatIknewthattherewereatleastthree\"JackStraws\"amongthefellowshipofthediscontented，oneofwhomwasoverinEssex。
Aswewaitedthere，everybowmanwithhisshaftnockedonthestring，therewasamovementinthelineopposite，andpresentlycamefromitalittleknotofthreemen，themiddleoneonhorseback，theothertwoarmedwithlong—handledglaives；allthreewellmuffledupinarmour。AstheycamenearerIcouldseethatthehorsemanhadatabardoverhisarmour，gailyembroideredwithagreentreeonagoldground，andinhishandatrumpet。
\"Theyarecometosummonus。Wiltthouthathespeak，Jack？\"
saidWillGreen。
\"Nay，\"saidtheother；\"yetshallhehavewarningfirst。Shootwhenmyhornblows!\"
Andtherewithhecameuptothehedge，climbedover，slowlybecauseofhisarmour，andstoodsomedozenyardsoutinthefield。Themanonhorsebackputhistrumpettohismouthandblewalongblast，andthentookascrollintohishandandmadeasifheweregoingtoread；butJackStrawlifteduphisvoiceandcriedout：
\"Doitnot，orthouartbutdead!Wewillhavenoaccursedlawyersandtheirsheep—skinshere!Gobacktothosethatsentthee————\"
Butthemanbrokeininaloudharshvoice：
\"Ho!YEPEOPLE!whatwillyegatheringinarms？\"
ThencriedJackStraw：
\"SirFool，holdyourpeacetillyehaveheardme，orelseweshootatonce。Gobacktothosethatsentthee，andtellthemthatwefreemenofKentareonthewaytoLondontospeakwithKingRichard，andtotellhimthatwhichhewotsnot；towit，thatthereisacertainsortoffoolsandtraitorstotherealmwhowouldputcollarsonournecksandmakebeastsofus，andthatitishisrightandhisdevoirtodoashesworewhenhewascrownedandanointedatWestminsterontheStoneofDoom，andgainsaythesethievesandtraitors；andifhebetooweak，thenshallwehelphim；andifhewillnotbeking，thenshallwehaveonewhowillbe，andthatistheKing’sSonofHeaven。Now，therefore，ifanywithstandusonourlawfulerrandaswegotospeakwithourownkingandlord，lethimlooktoit。Bearbackthiswordtothemthatsentthee。Butforthee，hearken，thoubastardofaninkysheep—skin!gettheegoneandtarrynot；
threetimesshallIliftupmyhand，andthethirdtimelooktothyself，forthenshaltthouhearthelooseofourbowstrings，andafterthatnoughtelsetillthouhearestthedevilbiddingtheewelcometohell!\"
Ourfellowsshouted，butthesummonerbeganagain，yetinaquaveringvoice：
\"Ho!YEPEOPLE!whatwillyegatheringinarms？Wotyenotthatyearedoingorshalldogreatharm，loss，andhurttotheking’slieges————\"
Hestopped；JackStraw’shandwasloweredforthesecondtime。
Helookedtohismenrightandleft，andthenturnedreinandturnedtail，andscuttledbacktothemainbodyathisswiftest。
HugelaughterrattledoutallalongourlineasJackStrawclimbedbackintotheorchardgrinningalso。
Thenwenotedmoremovementintheenemy’sline。Theywerespreadingthearchersandarbalestierstoourleft，andthemen—
at—armsandothersalsospreadsome，whatunderthethreepennonsofwhichLongGregoryhadtoldus，andwhichwereplainenoughtousinthedearevening。Presentlythemovinglinefacedus，andthearcherssetoffatasmartpacetowardus，themen—at—armsholdingbackalittlebehindthem。Iknewnowthattheyhadbeenwithinbowshotallalong，butourmenwerelothtoshootbeforetheirfirstshotswouldtell，likethosehalf—dozenintheroadwhen，astheytoldmeafterwards，aplumpoftheirmen—at—armshadmadeashowoffallingon。
Butnowassoonasthosemenbegantomoveonusdirectlyinface，JackStrawputhishorntohislipsandblewaloudroughblastthatwasechoedbyfiveorsixothersalongtheorchardhedge。Everymanhadhisshaftnockedonthestring；Iwatchedthem，andWillGreenspecially；heandhisbowanditsstringseemedallofapiece，soeasilybyseemingdidhedrawthenockofthearrowtohisear。Amoment，ashetookhisaim，andthen——OthendidIunderstandthemeaningoftheawewithwhichtheancientpoetspeaksofthelooseofthegodApollo’sbow；forterribleindeedwasthemingledsoundofthetwangingbowstringandthewhirringshaftsoclosetome。
IwasnowonmykneesrightinfrontofWillandsawallclearly；
thearbalestiers（fornolong—bowmenwereoveragainstourstead）hadallofthembrightheadpieces，andstoutbody—armourofboiledleatherwithmetalstuds，andastheycametowardsus，Icouldseeovertheirshouldersgreatwoodenshieldshangingattheirbacks。Furthertoourlefttheirlong—bowmenhadshotalmostassoonasours，andIheardorseemedtoheartherushofthearrowsthroughtheapple—boughsandaman’scrytherewith；
butwithusthelong—bowhadbeenbeforethecross—bow；oneofthearbalestiersfelloutright，hisgreatshieldclatteringdownonhim，andmovednomore；whilethreeotherswerehitandwerecrawlingtotherear。Theresthadshoulderedtheirbowsandwereaiming，butIthoughtunsteadily；andbeforethetriggersweredrawnagainWillGreenhadnockedandloosed，andnotafewothersofourfolk；thencamethewoodenhailoftheboltsrattlingthroughtheboughs，butalloverheadandnoonehit。
ThenexttimeWillGreennockedhisarrowhedrewwithagreatshout，whichallourfellowstookup；forthearbalestiersinsteadofturningaboutintheirplacescoveredbytheirgreatshieldsandwindinguptheircross—bowsforasecondshot，asisthecustomofsuchsoldiers，ranhuddlingtogethertowardtheirmen—at—arms，ourarrowsdrivingthump—thumpintotheirshieldsastheyran：Isawfourlyingonthefielddeadorsorewounded。
Butourarchersshoutedagain，andkeptoneachpluckingthearrowsfromtheground，andnockingandloosingswiftlybutdeliberatelyatthelinebeforethem；indeednowwasthetimefortheseterriblebowmen，forasWillGreentoldmeafterwardstheyalwaysreckonedtokillthroughclothorleatheratfivehundredyards，andtheyhadletthecross—bowmencomenearlywithinthreehundred，andthesewerenowallmingledandmuddledupwiththemen—at—armsatscantfivehundredyards’distance；
andbelike，too，thelatterwerenottreatingthemtoowell，butseemedtobebelabouringthemwiththeirspear—stavesintheirangeratthepoornessoftheplay；sothatasWillGreensaiditwaslikeshootingathay—ricks。
Allthisyoumustunderstandlastedbutafewminutes，andwhenourmenhadbeenshootingquitecoolly，likegoodworkmenatpeacefulwork，forafewminutesmore，theenemy’slineseemedtoclearsomewhat；thepennonwiththethreeredkineshowedinfrontandthreemenarmedfromheadtofootingleamingsteel，exceptfortheirshortcoatsbrightwithheraldry，werewithit。
Oneofthem（andheborethethreekineonhiscoat）turnedroundandgavesomewordofcommand，andanangryshoutwentupfromthem，andtheycameonsteadilytowardsus，themanwiththeredkineonhiscoatleadingthem，agreatnakedswordinhishand：youmustnotethattheywereallonfoot；butastheydrewnearerIsawtheirhorsesledbygroomsandpagescomingonslowlybehindthem。
SoothsaidWillGreenthatthemen—at—armsrunnotfasteithertoorfrothefray；theycameonnofasterthanahastywalk，theirarmsclashingaboutthemandthetwangofthebowsandwhistleofthearrowsneverfailingallthewhile，butgoingonlikethepushofthewesterlygale，asfromtimetotimethemen—at—armsshouted，\"Ha!ha!out!out!Kentishthieves!\"
Butwhentheybegantofallon，JackStrawshoutedout，\"Billstothefield!billstothefield!\"
Thenallourbillmenranupandleaptoverthehedgeintothemeadowandstoodstoutlyalongtheditchunderourbows，JackStrawintheforefronthandlinghisgreataxe。Thenhecastitintohislefthand，caughtuphishornandwindeditloudly。Themen—at—armsdrewnearsteadily，somefellunderthearrow—storm，butnotamany；forthoughthetargetwasbig，itwashard，sincenoteventhecloth—yardshaftcouldpiercewell—wroughtarmourofplate，andtherewasmucharmouramongthem。Withalthearbalestierswereshootingagain，buthighandataventure，sotheydidusnohurt。
ButasthesesoldiersmadewisebytheFrenchwarwerenowdrawingnear，andourbowmenwerecastingdowntheirbowsanddrawingtheirshortswords，orhandlingtheiraxes，asdidWillGreen，muttering，\"NowmustHobWright’sgearendthisplay\"——
whilethiswasa—doing，lo，onasuddenaflightofarrowsfromourrightontheflankofthesergeants’array，whichstayedthemsomewhat；notbecauseitslewmanymen，butbecausetheybegantobethinkthemthattheirfoesweremanyandallaroundthem；
thentheroad—hedgeontherightseemedalivewitharmedmen，forwhatevercouldholdswordorstaffamongstuswasthere；everybowmanalsoleaptourorchard—hedgeswordoraxeinhand，andwithagreatshout，billmen，archers，andall，raninonthem；
half—armed，yea，andhalf—nakedsomeofthem；strongandstoutandlitheandlightwithal，thewrathofbattleandthehopeofbettertimesliftinguptheirheartstillnothingcouldwithstandthem。Sowasallmingledtogether，andforaminuteortwowasaconfusedclamouroverwhichroseaclatterliketherivetingofironplates，orthenoiseofthestreetofcoppersmithsatFlorence；thenthethrongburstopenandthesteel—cladsergeantsandsquiresandknightsranhuddlingandshufflingtowardstheirhorses；butsomecastdowntheirweaponsandthrewuptheirhandsandcriedforpeaceandransom；andsomestoodandfoughtdesperately，andslewsometilltheywerehammereddownbymanystrokes，andofthesewerethebailiffsandtipstaves，andthelawyersandtheirmen，whocouldnotrunandhopedfornomercy。
Ilookedasonapictureandwondered，andmymindwasatstraintoremembersomethingforgotten，whichyethadleftitsmarkonit。Iheardthenoiseofthehorse—hoofsofthefleeingmen—at—
arms（thearchersandarbalestiershadscatteredbeforethelastminutesoftheplay），Iheardtheconfusedsoundoflaughterandrejoicingdowninthemeadow，andclosebymetheeveningwindliftingthelightertwigsofthetrees，andfarawaythemanynoisesofthequietcountry，tilllightandsoundbothbegantofadefrommeandIsawandheardnothing。
IleaptuptomyfeetpresentlyandtherewasWillGreenbeforemeasIhadfirstseenhiminthestreetwithcoatandhoodandthegearathisgirdleandhisunstrungbowinhishand；hisfacesmilingandkindagain，butmaybeathoughtsad。
\"Well，\"quothI，\"whatisthetalefortheballad—maker？\"
\"AsJackStrawsaiditwouldbe，\"saidhe，\"`theendofthedayandtheendofthefray；’\"andhepointedtothebraveshowoftheskyoverthesunkensun；\"theknightsfledandthesheriffdead：twoofthelawyerkindslainafield，andonehanged：andcruelwashetomakethemcruel：andthreebailiffsknockedonthehead——stoutmen，andsowitless，thatnonefoundtheirbrainsintheirskulls；andfivearbalestiersandonearcherslain，andascoreandahalfofothers，mostlymencomebackfromtheFrenchwars，menoftheCompanionsthere，knowingnoothercraftthanfightingforgold；andthisistheendtheyarepaidfor。
Well，brother，savingthelawyerswhobelikehadnosouls，butonlyparchmentdeedsandlibelsofthesame，Godresttheirsouls!\"
Hefella—musing；butIsaid，\"AndofourFellowshipwereanyslain？\"
\"Twogoodmenofthetownship，\"hesaid，\"HobHornerandAntonyWebber，wereslainoutright，HobwithashaftandAntonyinthehand—play，andJohnPargetterhurtverysoreontheshoulderwithaglaive；andfivemoremenoftheFellowshipslaininthehand—play，andsomefewhurt，butnotsorely。Andastothoseslain，ifGodgivetheirsoulsrestitiswell；forlittleresttheyhadontheearthbelike；butforme，Idesirerestnomore。\"
Ilookedathimandoureyesmetwithnolittlelove；andI
wonderedtoseehowwrathandgriefwithinhimwerecontendingwiththekindnessoftheman，andhowclearthetokensofitwereinhisface。
\"Comenow，oldlad，\"saidhe，\"forIdeemthatJohnBallandJackStrawhaveawordtosaytousatthecrossyet，sincethesemenbrokeoffthetellingofthetale；thereshallweknowwhatwearetotakeinhandto—morrow。Andafterwardsthoushalteatanddrinkinmyhousethisonce，ifneveragain\"
Sowewentthroughtheorchardclosesagain；andotherswereaboutandanighus，allturnedtowardsthecrossaswewentoverthedewygrass，whereonthemoonwasjustbeginningtothrowshadows。
CHAPTERVII
MOREWORDSATTHECROSS
Igotintomyoldplaceagainonthestepsofthecross，WillGreenbesideme，andabovemeJohnBallandJackStrawagain。
Themoonwashalf—wayuptheheavensnow，andtheshortsummernighthadbegun，calmandfragrant，withjustsomuchnoiseoutsideourquietcircleasmadeonefeeltheworldaliveandhappy。
WewaitedsilentlyuntilwehadheardJohnBallandthestoryofwhatwastodo；andpresentlyhebegantospeak。
\"Goodpeople，itisbegun，butnotended。WhichofyouishardyenoughtowendtheroadtoLondonto—morrow？\"
\"All!All!\"theyshouted。
\"Yea，\"saidhe，\"evensoIdeemedofyou。Yetforsoothhearken!Londonisagreatandgrievouscity；andmayhappenwhenyecomethitheritshallseemtoyouovergreattodealwith，whenyerememberthelittletownshipsandthecotsyecamefrom。
\"Moreover，whenyedwellhereinKentyethinkforsoothofyourbrethreninEssexorSuffolk，andtherebelikeanend。ButfromLondonyemayhaveaninklingofalltheworld，andover—
burdensomemaybeshallthatseemtoyou，afewandafeeblepeople。
\"NeverthelessIsaytoyou，remembertheFellowship，inthehopeofwhichyehavethisdayconquered；andwhenyecometoLondonbewiseandwary；andthatisasmuchastosay，beboldandhardy；forinthesedaysareyebuildingahousewhichshallnotbeoverthrown，andtheworldshallnotbetoogreatortoolittletoholdit：forindeeditshallbetheworlditself，setfreefromevil—doersforfriendstodwellin。\"
Heceasedawhile，buttheyhearkenedstill，asifsomethingmorewascoming。Thenhesaid：
\"To—morrowweshalltaketheroadforRochester；andmostlikeitwerewelltoseewhatSirJohnNewtoninthecastlemaysaytous：forthemanisnoillman，andhathatonguewell—shapenforwords；anditwerewellthatwehadhimoutofthecastleandawaywithus，andthatweputawordinhismouthtosaytotheKing。Andwotyewell，goodfellows，thatbythenwecometoRochesterweshallbeagoodlycompany，anderewecometoBlackheathaverygreatcompany；andatLondonBridgewhoshallstayourhost？
\"Thereforethereisnoughtthatcanundousexceptourownselvesandourhearkeningtosoftwordsfromthosewhowouldslayus。
Theyshallbidusgohomeandabidepeacefullywithourwivesandchildrenwhilethey，thelordsandcouncillorsandlawyers，imaginecounselandremedyforus；andevensoshallourownfollybidus；andifwehearkentheretoweareundoneindeed；
fortheyshallfalluponourpeacewithwar，andourwivesandchildrentheyshalltakefromus，andsomeofustheyshallhang，andsometheyshallscourge，andtheothersshallbetheiryoke—
beasts——yea，andworse，fortheyshalllackmeatmore。
\"Tofoolshearkennot，whethertheybeyourselvesoryourfoemen，foreithershallleadyouastray。
\"Withthelordsparleynot，foryeknowalreadywhattheywouldsaytoyou，andthatis，`Churl，letmebridletheeandsaddlethee，andeatthylivelihoodthatthouwinnest，andcalltheehardnamesbecauseIeattheeup；andforthee，speaknotanddonot，saveasIbidthee。’
\"Allthatistheendoftheirparleying。
\"Thereforebeyebold，andagainbold，andthricebold!Gripthebow，handlethestaff，drawthesword，andsetoninthenameoftheFellowship!\"
Heendedamidloudshouts；butstraight—wayansweringshoutswereheard，andagreatnoiseofthewindingofhorns，andI
misdoubtedanewonslaught；andsomeofthoseinthethrongbegantostringtheirbowsandhandletheirbills；butWillGreenpulledmebythesleeveandsaid：
\"Friendsarethesebythewindingoftheirhorns；thouartquitforthisnight，oldlad。\"AndthenJackStrawcriedoutfromthecross：\"Fairandsoftly，mymasters!ThesebemenofourFellowship，andareforyourgueststhisnight；theyarefromthebentsthissideofMedway，andarewithusherebecauseofthepilgrimageroad，andthatisthebestintheseparts，andsotheshortesttoRochester。Anddoubtyenothingofourbeingtakenunawaresthisnight；forIhavebiddenandsentoutwatchersoftheways，andneitheraman’ssonnoramare’ssonmaycomeinonuswithoutespial。Nowmakeweourfriendswelcome。Forsooth，I
lookedforthemanhourlater；andhadtheycomeanhourearlieryet，someheadswouldnowlieonthecoldgrasswhichshalllieonafeatherbedto—night。Butletbe，sincealliswell!
\"Nowgetwehometoourhouses，andeatanddrinkandslumberthisnight，ifneveronceagain，amidthemultitudeoffriendsandfellows；andyetsoberlyandwithoutriot，sincesomuchworkistohand。Moreoverthepriestsaith，bearyethedeadmen，bothfriendsandfoes，intothechancelofthechurch，andtherethisnighthewillwakethem：butafterto—morrowletthedeadabidetoburytheirdead!\"
Therewithheleaptdownfromthecross，andWillandIbestirredourselvesandmingledwiththenew—comers。Theyweresomethreehundredstrong，cladandarmedinallwayslikethepeopleofourtownship，exceptsomehalf—dozenwhosearmourshonecoldlikeiceunderthemoonbeams。WillGreensoonhadadozenofthembythesleevetocomehomewithhimtoboardandbed，andthenIlosthimforsomeminutes，andturningaboutsawJohnBallstandingbehindme，lookingpensivelyonallthestirandmerryhumoursofthejoyousuplanders。
\"BrotherfromEssex，\"saidhe，\"shallIseetheeagainto—night？
Iwerefainofspeechwiththee；forthouseemestlikeonethathasseenmorethanmost。\"
\"Yea，\"saidI，\"ifyecometoWillGreen’shouse，forthitheramIbidden。\"
\"ThithershallIcome，\"saidhe，smilingkindly，\"ornomanI
knowinfield。Loyou，WillGreenlookingforsomething，andthatisme。Butinhishousewillbesongandthetalkofmanyfriends；andforsoothIhavewordsinmethatcravetocomeoutinaquietplacewheretheymayhaveeachonehisownanswer。Ifthouartnotafraidofdeadmenwhowerealiveandwickedthismorning，comethoutothechurchwhensupperisdone，andtherewemaytalkallwewill。\"
WillGreenwasstandingbesideusbeforehehaddone，withhishandlaidonthepriest’sshoulder，waitingtillhehadspokenout；andasInoddedYeatoJohnBallhesaid：
\"Now，masterpriest，thouhastspokenenoughthistwoorthreehours，andthismynewbrothermusttellandtalkinmyhouse；
andtheremymaidwillhearhiswisdomwhichlaystillunderthehedgee’ennowwhentheboltswereabroad。Socomeye，andyegoodfellows，come!\"
Soweturnedawaytogetherintothelittlestreet。ButwhileJohnBallhadbeenspeakingtomeIfeltstrangely，asthoughI
hadmorethingstosaythanthewordsIknewcouldmakeclear：asifIwantedtogetfromotherpeopleanewsetofwords。
Moreover，aswepassedupthestreetagainIwasonceagainsmittenwiththegreatbeautyofthescene；thehouses，thechurchwithitsnewchancelandtower，snow—whiteinthemoonbeamsnow；thedressesandarmsofthepeople，menandwomen（forthelatterwerenowmixedupwiththemen）；theirgravesonorouslanguage，andthequaintandmeasuredformsofspeech，wereagainbecomeawondertomeandaffectedmealmosttotears。
CHAPTERVIII
SUPPERATWILLGREEN’S
IwalkedalongwiththeothersmusingasifIdidnotbelongtothem，tillwecametoWillGreen’shouse。Hewasoneofthewealthieroftheyeomen，andhishousewasoneofthoseItoldyouof，thelowerstoryofwhichwasbuiltofstone。Ithadnotbeenbuiltlong，andwasverytrimandneat。ThefitofwonderhadwornoffmeagainbythenIreachedit，orperhapsIshouldgiveyouacloserdescriptionofit，foritwasahandsomeyeoman’sdwellingofthatday，whichisasmuchassayingitwasverybeautiful。Thehouseontheothersideofit，thelasthouseinthevillage，wasoldorevenancient；allbuiltofstone，andexceptforanewerpiecebuiltontoit——ahall，itseemed——hadroundarches，someofthemhandsomelycarved。Iknewthatthiswastheparson’shouse；buthewasanothersortofpriestthanJohnBall，andwhatforfear，whatforhatred，hadgonebacktohismonasterywiththetwootherchantreypriestswhodweltinthathouse；sothatthemenofthetownship，andmoreespeciallythewomen，werethinkinggladlyhowJohnBallshouldsaymassintheirnewchancelonthemorrow。
WillGreen’sdaughterwaswaitingforhimatthedoorandgavehimacloseandeagerhug，andhadakisstospareforeachofuswithal：astronggirlshewas，asIhavesaid，andsweetandwholesomealso。Shemademerrywithherfather；yetitwaseasytoseethatherheartwasinhermouthallalong。Therewasayoungergirlsometwelvesummersold，andaladoften，whowereeasilytobeknownforhischildren；anoldwomanalso，whohadherlivelihoodthere，andhelpedthehousehold；andmoreoverthreelongyoungmen，whocameintothehouseafterwehadsatdown，towhomWillnoddedkindly。Theywerebriskladsandsmart，buthadbeenafieldafterthebeaststhatevening，andhadnotseenthefray。
Theroomwecameintowasindeedthehouse，fortherewasnothingbutitonthegroundfloor，butastairinthecornerwentuptothechamberorloftabove。ItwasmuchliketheroomattheRose，butbigger；thecupboardbetterwrought，andwithmorevesselsonit，andhandsomer。Alsothewalls，insteadofbeingpanelled，werehungwithacoarseloosely—wovenstuffofgreenworstedwithbirdsandtreeswovenintoit。Therewereflowersinplentystuckabouttheroom，mostlyoftheyellowblossomingflagorflower—de—luce，ofwhichIhadseenplentyinalltheditches，butinthewindownearthedoorwasapotfullofthosesamewhitepoppiesIhadseenwhenIfirstwokeup；andthetablewasallsetforthwithmeatanddrink，abigsalt—cellarofpewterinthemiddle，coveredwithawhitecloth。
Wesatdown，thepriestblessedthemeatinthenameoftheTrinity，andwecrossedourselvesandfellto。Thevictualwasplentifulofbrothandflesh—meat，andbreadandcherries，soweateanddrank，andtalkedlightlytogetherwhenwewerefull。
Yetwasnotthefeastsogayasmighthavebeen。WillGreenhadmetositnexttohim，andontheothersidesatJohnBall；butthepriesthadgrownsomewhatdistraught，andsatasonethinkingofsomewhatthatwasliketoescapehisthought。WillGreenlookedathisdaughterfromtimetotime，andwhileshiseyesglancedroundthefairchamberasonewholovedit，andhiskindfacegrewsad，yetneversullen。WhentheherdsmencameintothehalltheyfellstraightwaytoaskingquestionsconcerningthoseoftheFellowshipwhohadbeenslaininthefray，andoftheirwivesandchildren；sothatforawhilethereafternomancaredtojest，fortheywereaneighbourlyandkindfolk，andweresorrybothforthedead，andalsoforthelivingthatshouldsufferfromthatday’swork。
Sothenwesatsilentawhile。Theunseenmoonwasbrightovertheroofofthehouse，sothatoutsideallwasgleamingbrightsavetheblackshadows，thoughthemooncamenotintotheroom，andthewhitewallofthetowerwasthewhitestandthebrightestthingwecouldsee。
Wideopenwerethewindows，andthescentsofthefragrantnightfloatedinuponus，andthesoundsofthemenattheirmeatormakingmerryaboutthetownship；andwhilesweheardthegibberofanowlfromthetreeswestwardofthechurch，andthesharpcryofablackbirdmadefearfulbytheprowlingstoat，orthefar—offlowingofacowfromtheuplandpastures；orthehoofsofahorsetrottingonthepilgrimageroad（andoneofourwatcherswouldthatbe）。
Thuswesatawhile，andonceagaincamethatfeelingovermeofwonderandpleasureatthestrangeandbeautifulsights，mingled。
withthesightsandsoundsandscentsbeautifulindeed，yetnotstrange，butratherlongfamiliartome。
ButnowWillGreenstartedinhisseatwherehesatwithhisdaughterhangingoverhischair，herhandamidsthisthickblackcurls，andsheweepingsoftly，Ithought；andhisroughstrongvoicebrokethesilence。
\"Why，ladsandneighbours，whatailsus？Iftheknightswhofledfromusthiseveweretocreepbackhitherandlookinatthewindow，theywoulddeemthattheyhadslainusafterall，andthatwewerebuttheghostsofthemenwhofoughtthem。Yet，forsooth，fairitisatwhilestositwithfriendsandletthesummernightspeakforusandtellusitstales。Butnow，sweetling，fetchthemazerandthewine。\"
\"Forsooth，\"saidJohnBall，\"ifyelaughnotover—muchnow，yeshalllaughthemoreonthemorrowofto—morrow，asyedrawnearertotheplayofpointandedge。\"
\"Thatissooth，\"saidoneoftheuplandguests。\"SoitwasseeninFrancewhenwefoughtthere；andtheeveoffightwassoberandthemornwasmerry。\"
\"Yea，\"saidanother，\"butthere，forsooth，itwasfornothingyefought；andto—morrowitshallbeforafairreward。\"
\"Itwasforlifewefought，\"saidthefirst。
\"Yea，\"saidthesecond，\"forlife；andleavetogohomeandfindthelawyersattheirfellgame。Ho，WillGreen，callahealthoverthecup!\"
FornowWillGreenhadabowlofwineinhishand。Hestoodupandsaid：\"Here，now，IcallahealthtothewrightsofKentwhobeturningourplough—sharesintoswordsandourpruning—hooksintospears!Drinkaround，mymasters!\"
Thenhedrank，andhisdaughterfilledthebowlbrimmingagainandhepassedittome。AsItookitIsawthatitwasoflightpolishedwoodcuriouslyspeckled，withabandofsilverroundit，onwhichwascutthelegend，\"InthenameoftheTrinityfillthecupanddrinktome。\"AndbeforeIdrank，itcameuponmetosay，\"To—morrow，andthefairdaysafterwards!\"
ThenIdrankagreatdraughtofthestrongredwine，andpassediton；andeverymansaidsomethingoverit，as\"TheroadtoLondonBridge!\"\"HobCarterandhismate!\"andsoon，tilllastofallJohnBalldrank，saying：
\"Tenyearshence，andthefreedomoftheFellowship!\"ThenhesaidtoWillGreen：\"Now，Will，mustIneedsdeparttogoandwakethedead，bothfriendandfoeinthechurchyonder；andwhosoofyouwillbeshrivenlethimcometomethitherinthemorn，norspareforaslittleaftersunriseasitmaybe。AndthisourfriendandbrotherfromoverthewaterofThames，hehathwilltotalkwithmeandIwithhim；sonowwillItakehimbythehand：andsoGodkeepyou，fellows!\"
Irosetomeethimashecameroundtheheadofthetable，andtookhishand。WillGreenturnedroundtomeandsaid：
\"Thouwiltcomebackagaintimely，oldlad；forbetimesonthemorrowmustweriseifweshalldineatRochester。\"
IstammeredasIyea—saidhim；forJohnBallwaslookingstrangelyatmewithahalf—smile，andmyheartbeatanxiouslyandfearfully：butwewentquietlytothedoorandsooutintothebrightmoonlight。
Ilingeredalittlewhenwehadpassedthethreshold，andlookedbackattheyellow—lightedwindowandtheshapesofthementhatIsawthereinwithagriefandlongingthatIcouldnotgivemyselfareasonfor，sinceIwastocomebacksosoon。JohnBalldidnotpressmetomoveforward，buthelduphishandasiftobidmehearken。Thefolkandgueststherehadalreadyshakenthemselvesdownsinceourdeparture，andweregottentobereasonablymerryitseemed；foroneoftheguests，hewhohadspokenofFrancebefore，hadfallentosingingaballadofthewartoawildandmelancholytune。Irememberthefirstrhymesofit，whichIheardasIturnedawaymyheadandwemovedontowardthechurch：
\"OnafairfieldofFranceWefoughtonamorningSolovelyasitliethAlongbythewater。
TherewasmanyalordthereMowedmeninthemedley，’MidstthebannersofthebaronsAndboldmenoftheknighthood，AndspearmenandsergeantsAndshootersoftheshaft。\"
CHAPTERIX
BETWIXTTHELIVINGANDTHEDEAD
Weenteredthechurchthroughthesouthporchunderaround—
archeddoorcarvedveryrichly，andwithasculptureoverthedoorwayandunderthearch，which，asfarasIcouldseebythemoonlight，figuredSt。MichaelandtheDragon。AsIcameintotherichgloomofthenaveInoticedforthefirsttimethatI
hadoneofthosewhitepoppiesinmyhand；ImusthavetakenitoutofthepotbythewindowasIpassedoutofWillGreen’shouse。
Thenavewasnotverylarge，butitlookedspacioustoo；itwassomewhatold，butwell—builtandhandsome；theroofofcurvedwoodenrafterswithgreattie—beamsgoingfromwalltowall。
Therewasnolightinitbutthatofthemoonstreamingthroughthewindows，whichwerebynomeanslarge，andwereglazedwithwhitefretwork，withhereandtherealittlefigureinverydeeprichcolours。Twolargerwindowsneartheeastendofeachaislehadjustbeenmadesothatthechurchgrewlightertowardtheeast，andIcouldseealltheworkonthegreatscreenbetweenthenaveandchancelwhichglitteredbrightinnewpaintandgilding：acandleglimmeredintheloftaboveit，beforethehugeroodthatfilledupthewholespacebetweentheloftandthechancelarch。Therewasanaltarattheeastendofeachaisle，theoneonthesouthsidestandingagainsttheoutsidewall，theoneonthenorthagainstatraceriedgaily—paintedscreen，forthataisleranonalongthechancel。Therewereafewoakbenchesnearthissecondaltar，seeminglyjustmade，andwellcarvedandmoulded；otherwisethefloorofthenave，whichwaspavedwithaquaintpavementofglazedtileslikethecrocksIhadseenoutsideastoware，wasquiteclear，andtheshaftsofthearchesroseoutofitwhiteandbeautifulunderthemoonasthoughoutofasea，darkbutwithgleamsstruckoverit。
Thepriestletmelingerandlookround，whenhehadcrossedhimselfandgivenmetheholywater；andthenIsawthatthewallswerefiguredalloverwithstories，ahugeSt。ChristopherwithhisblackbeardlookinglikeWillGreen，beingclosetotheporchbywhichweentered，andabovethechancelarchtheDoomofthelastDay，inwhichthepainterhadnotsparedeitherkingsorbishops，andinwhichalawyerwithhisbluecoifwasoneofthechieffiguresinthegroupwhichtheDevilwashaulingofftohell。
\"Yea，\"saidJohnBall，\"’tisagoodlychurchandfairasyoumaysee’twixtCanterburyandLondonasforitskind；andyetdoI
misdoubtmewherethosewhoaredeadarehoused，andwherethoseshallhousethemaftertheyaredead，whobuiltthishouseforGodtodwellin。Godgranttheybecleansedatlast；
forsoothoneofthemwhoisnowaliveisafoulswineandacruelwolf。Artthouallsosure，scholar，thatallsuchhavesouls？
andifitbeso，wasitwelldoneofGodtomakethem？Ispeaktotheethus，forIthinkthouartnodelator；andifthoube，whyshouldIheedit，sinceIthinknottocomebackfromthisjourney。\"
Ilookedathimand，asitwere，hadsomeadotoanswerhim；butIsaidatlast，\"Friend，Ineversawasoul，saveinthebody；I
cannottell。\"
Hecrossedhimselfandsaid，\"YetdoIintendthateremanydaysaregonebymysoulshallbeinblissamongthefellowshipofthesaints，andmerryshallitbe，evenbeforemybodyrisesfromthedead；forwiselyIhavewroughtintheworld，andIwotwelloffriendsthatarelongagogonefromtheworld，asSt。Martin，andSt。Francis，andSt。ThomasofCanterbury，whoshallspeakwellofmetotheheavenlyFellowship，andIshallinnowiselosemyreward。\"
Ilookedshylyathimashespoke；hisfacelookedsweetandcalmandhappy，andIwouldhavesaidnowordtogrievehim；andyetbelikemyeyeslookedwonderonhim：heseemedtonoteitandhisfacegrewpuzzled。\"Howdeemestthouofthesethings？\"saidhe：
\"whydomendieelse，ifitbeotherwisethanthis？\"
Ismiled：\"Whythendotheylive？\"saidI。
EveninthewhitemoonlightIsawhisfaceflush，andhecriedoutinagreatvoice，\"Todogreatdeedsortorepentthemthattheyeverwereborn。\"
\"Yea，\"saidI，\"theylivetolivebecausetheworldliveth。\"Hestretchedouthishandtomeandgraspedmine，butsaidnomore；
andwentontillwecametothedoorintherood—screen；thenheturnedtomewithhishandonthering—latch，andsaid，\"Hastthouseenmanydeadmen？\"
\"Nay，butfew，\"saidI。
\"AndIamany，\"saidhe；\"butcomenowandlookonthese，ourfriendsfirstandthenourfoes，sothatyemaynotlooktoseethemwhilewesitandtalkofthedaysthataretobeontheearthbeforetheDayofDoomcometh。\"
Soheopenedthedoor，andwewentintothechancel；alightburnedonthehighaltarbeforethehost，andlookedredandstrangeinthemoonlightthatcamethroughthewidetraceriedwindowsunstainedbythepicturesandbefloweringsoftheglazing；therewerenewstallsforthepriestsandvicarswhereweentered，carvedmoreabundantlyandbeautifullythananyofthewoodworkIhadyetseen，andeverywherewasrichandfaircolouranddelicateanddaintyform。Ourdeadlayjustbeforethehighaltaronlowbiers，theirfacesallcoveredwithlinencloths，forsomeofthemhadbeensoresmittenandhackedinthefray。WewentuptothemandJohnBalltooktheclothfromthefaceofone；hehadbeenshottotheheartwithashaftandhisfacewascalmandsmooth。Hehadbeenayoungmanfairandcomely，withhairflaxenalmosttowhiteness；helaythereinhisclothesashehadfallen，thehandscrossedoverhisbreastandholdingarushcross。Hisbowlayononesideofhim，hisquiverofshaftsandhisswordontheother。
JohnBallspaketomewhileheheldthecornerofthesheet：
\"Whatsayestthou，scholar？feelestthousorrowofheartwhenthoulookestonthis，eitherforthemanhimself，orforthyselfandthetimewhenthoushaltbeasheis？\"
Isaid，\"Nay，Ifeelnosorrowforthis；forthemanisnothere：
thisisanemptyhouse，andthemasterhasgonefromit。
Forsooth，thistomeisbutasawaxenimageofaman；nay，noteventhat，forifitwereanimage，itwouldbeanimageofthemanashewaswhenhewasalive。Buthereisnolifenorsemblanceoflife，andIamnotmovedbyit；nay，Iammoremovedbytheman’sclothesandwar—gear——thereismorelifeinthemthaninhim。\"
\"Thousayestsooth，\"saidhe；\"butsorrowestthounotforthineowndeathwhenthoulookestonhim？\"
Isaid，\"AndhowcanIsorrowforthatwhichIcannotsomuchasthinkof？BethinktheethatwhileIamaliveIcannotthinkthatIshalldie，orbelieveindeathatall，althoughIknowwellthatIshalldie——Icanbutthinkofmyselfaslivinginsomenewway。\"
Againhelookedonmeasifpuzzled；thenhisfaceclearedashesaid，\"Yea，forsooth，andthatiswhattheChurchmeanethbydeath，andeventhatIlookfor；andthathereafterIshallseeallthedeedsthatIhavedoneinthebody，andwhattheyreallywere，andwhatshallcomeofthem；andevershallIbeamemberoftheChurch，andthatistheFellowship；then，evenasnow。\"
Isighedashespoke；thenIsaid，\"Yea，somewhatinthisfashionhavemostofmenthought，sincenomanthatiscanconceiveofnotbeing；andImindmethatinthosestoriesoftheoldDanes，theircommonwordforamandyingistosay，`Hechangedhislife。’\"
\"Andsodeemestthou？\"
Ishookmyheadandsaidnothing。
\"Whathastthoutosayhereon？\"saidhe，\"forthereseemethsomethingbetwixtustwainasitwereawallthatpartethus。\"
\"This，\"saidI，\"thatthoughIdieandend，yetmankindyetliveth，thereforeIendnot，sinceIamaman；andevensothoudeemest，goodfriend；orattheleastevensothoudoest，sincenowthouartreadytodieingriefandtormentratherthanbeunfaithfultotheFellowship，yearatherthanfailtoworkthineutmostforit；whereas，asthouthyselfsaidstatthecross，withafewwordsspokenandalittlehuddling—upofthetruth，withafewpenniespaid，andafewmassessung，thoumightesthavehadagoodplaceonthisearthandinthatheaven。Andasthoudoest，sonowdothmanyapoormanunnamedandunknown，andshalldowhiletheworldlasteth：andtheythatdolessthanthis，failbecauseoffear，andareashamedoftheircowardice，andmakemanytalestothemselvestodeceivethemselves，lesttheyshouldgrowtoomuchashamedtolive。Andtrustmeifthiswerenotso，theworldwouldnotlive，butwoulddie，smotheredbyitsownstink。Isthewallbetwixtusgone，friend？\"
Hesmiledashelookedatme，kindly，butsadlyandshamefast，andshookhishead。
Theninawhilehesaid，\"Nowyehaveseentheimagesofthosewhowereourfriends，comeandseetheimagesofthosewhowereonceourfoes。\"
Soheledthewaythroughthesidescreenintothechancelaisle，andthereonthepavementlaythebodiesofthefoemen，theirweaponstakenfromthemandtheystrippedoftheirarmour，butnototherwiseoftheirclothes，andtheirfacesmostly，butnotall，covered。Attheeastendoftheaislewasanotheraltar，coveredwitharichclothbeautifullyfigured，andonthewalloveritwasadealoftabernaclework，inthemidmostnicheofitanimagepaintedandgiltofagayknightonhorseback，cuttinghisowncloakintwowithhisswordtogiveacantleofittoahalf—nakedbeggar。
\"Knowestthouanyofthesemen？\"saidI。
Hesaid，\"SomeIshouldknow，couldIseetheirfaces；butletthembe。\"
\"Weretheyevilmen？\"saidI。
\"Yea，\"hesaid，\"sometwoorthree。ButIwillnottelltheeofthem；letSt。Martin，whosehousethisis，telltheirstoryifhewill。Asfortheresttheywerehaplessfools，orelsemenwhomustearntheirbreadsomehow，andweredriventothisbadwayofearningit；Godresttheirsouls!Iwillbenotale—bearer，noteventoGod。\"
Sowestoodmusingalittlewhile，Igazingnotonthedeadmen，butonthestrangepicturesonthewall，whichwerericheranddeepercolouredthanthoseinthenave；tillatlastJohnBallturnedtomeandlaidhishandonmyshoulder。Istartedandsaid，\"Yea，brother；nowmustIgetmebacktoWillGreen’shouse，asIpromisedtodosotimely。\"
\"Notyet，brother，\"saidhe；\"Ihavestillmuchtosaytothee，andthenightisyetyoung。Goweandsitinthestallsofthevicars，andletusaskandansweronmattersconcerningthefashionofthisworldofmenfolk，andofthislandwhereinwedwell；foroncemoreIdeemoftheethatthouhastseenthingswhichIhavenotseen，andcouldnothaveseen。\"Withthatwordheledmebackintothechancel，andwesatdownsidebysideinthestallsatthewestendofit，facingthehighaltarandthegreateastwindow。Bythistimethechancelwasgettingdimmerasthemoonwoundroundtheheavens；butyetwasthereatwilightofthemoon，sothatIcouldstillseethethingsaboutmeforallthebrightnessofthewindowthatfacedus；andthismoontwilightwouldlast，Iknew，untiltheshortsummernightshouldwane，andthetwilightofthedawnbegintoshowusthecoloursofallthingsaboutus。
Sowesat，andIgatheredmythoughtstohearwhathewouldsay，andImyselfwastryingtothinkwhatIshouldaskofhim；forI
thoughtofhimasheofme，thathehadseenthingswhichIcouldnothaveseen。
CHAPTERX
TWOTALKOFTHEDAYSTOCOME
\"Brother，\"saidJohnBall，\"howdeemestthouofouradventure？I
donotasktheeifthouthinkestwearerighttoplaytheplaylikemen，butwhetherplayinglikemenweshallfaillikemen。\"
\"Whydostthouaskme？\"saidI；\"howmuchfurtherthanbeyondthischurchcanIsee？\"
\"Farfurther，\"quothhe，\"forIwotthatthouartascholarandhastreadbooks；andwithal，insomewaythatIcannotname，thouknowestmorethanwe；asthoughwiththeetheworldhadlivedlongerthanwithus。Hidenot，therefore，whatthouhastinthineheart，forIthinkafterthisnightIshallseetheenomore，untilwemeetintheheavenlyFellowship。\"
\"Friend，\"Isaid，\"askmewhatthouwilt；orratheraskthoutheyearstocometotelltheesomelittleoftheirtale；andyetmethinksthouthyselfmayesthavesomedeemingthereof。\"
Heraisedhimselfontheelbowofthestallandlookedmefullintheface，andsaidtome：\"Isitsoafterallthatthouartnomanintheflesh，butartsenttomebytheMasteroftheFellowship，andtheKing’sSonofHeaven，totellmewhatshallbe？Ifthatbesotellmestraightout，sinceIhadsomedeeminghereofbefore；whereasthyspeechislikeoursandyetunlike，andthyfacehathsomethinginitwhichisnotafterthefashionofourday。Andyettakeheed，ifthouartsuchanone，Ifeartheenot，nay，norhimthatsentthee；norforthybidding，norforhis，willIturnbackfromLondonBridgebutwillpresson，forIdowhatismeetandright。\"
\"Nay，\"saidI，\"didInottelltheee’ennowthatIknewlifebutnotdeath？Iamnotdead；andastowhohathsentme，IsaynotthatIamcomebymyownwill；forIknownot；yetalsoIknownotthewillthathathsentmehither。AndthisIsaytothee，moreover，thatifIknowmorethanthou，Idofarless；thereforethouartmycaptainandIthyminstrel。\"
Hesighedasonefromwhomaweighthadbeenlifted，andsaid：
\"Well，then，sincethouartaliveontheearthandamanlikemyself，tellmehowdeemestthouofouradventure：shallwecometoLondon，andhowshallwefarethere？\"
SaidI，\"WhatshallhinderyoutocometoLondon，andtofarethereasyewill？ForbesurethattheFellowshipinEssexshallnotfailyou；norshalltheLondonerswhohatetheking’suncleswithstandyou；norhaththeCourtanygreatforcetomeetyouinthefield；yeshallcastfearandtremblingintotheirhearts。\"
\"Evenso，Ithought，\"saidhe；\"butafterwardswhatshallbetide？\"
SaidI，\"ItgrievesmyhearttosaythatwhichIthink。Yethearken；manyaman’ssonshalldiewhoisnowaliveandhappy，andifthesoldiersbeslain，andofthemmostnotonthefield，butbythelawyers，howshallthecaptainsescape？Surelythougoesttothydeath。\"
Hesmiledverysweetly，yetproudly，ashesaid：\"Yea，theroadislong，buttheendcomethatlast。Friend，manyadayhaveI
beendying；formysister，withwhomIhaveplayedandbeenmerryintheautumntideabouttheedgesofthestubble—fields；andwegatheredthenutsandbramble—berriesthere，andstartedthencethemissel—thrush，andwonderedathisvoiceandthoughthimbig；
andthesparrow—hawkwheeledandturnedoverthehedgesandtheweaselranacrossthepath，andthesoundofthesheep—bellscametousfromthedownsaswesathappyonthegrass；andsheisdeadandgonefromtheearth，forshepinedfromfamineaftertheyearsofthegreatsickness；andmybrotherwasslainintheFrenchwars，andnonethankedhimfordyingsavehethatstrippedhimofhisgear；andmyunweddedwifewithwhomIdweltinloveafterIhadtakenthetonsure，andallmensaidshewasgoodandfair，andtrueshewasandlovely；shealsoisdeadandgonefromtheearth；andwhyshouldIabidesaveforthedeedsofthefleshwhichmustbedone？Truly，friend，thisisbutanoldtalethatmenmustdie；andIwilltelltheeanother，towit，thattheylive：andIlivenowandshalllive。Tellmethenwhatshallbefall。\"
SomehowIcouldnotheedhimasalivingmanasmuchasIhaddone，andthevoicethatcamefrommeseemedlessofmeasI
answered：
\"Thesemenarestrongandvaliantasanythathavebeenorshallbe，andgoodfellowsalsoandkindly；buttheyaresimple，andseenogreatwaybeforetheirownnoses。Thevictoryshalltheyhaveandshallnotknowwhattodowithit；theyshallfightandovercome，becauseoftheirlackofknowledge，andbecauseoftheirlackofknowledgeshalltheybecozenedandbetrayedwhentheircaptainsareslain，andallshallcometonoughtbyseeming；andtheking’sunclesshallprevail，thatboththeyandthekingmaycometotheshamethatisappointedforthem。Andyetwhenthelordshavevanquished，andallEnglandliethunderthemagain，yetshalltheirvictorybefruitless；forthefreementhatholdunfreelandsshalltheynotbringunderthecollaragain，andvilleinageshallslipfromtheirhands，tilltherebe，andnotlongafteryearedead，butfewunfreemeninEngland；sothatyourlivesandyourdeathsbothshallbearfruit。\"
\"SaidInot，\"quothJohnBall，\"thatthouwertasendingfromothertimes？Goodisthymessage，forthelandshallbefree。Tellonnow。\"
Hespokeeagerly，andIwentonsomewhatsadly：\"Thetimesshallbetter，thoughthekingandlordsshallworsen，theGildsofCraftshallwaxandbecomemightier；morerecourseshalltherebeofforeignmerchants。Thereshallbeplentyinthelandandnotfamine。Whereamannowearnethtwopenniesheshallearnthree。\"
\"Yea，\"saidhe，\"thenshallthosethatlabourbecomestrongandstronger，andsosoonshallitcomeaboutthatallmenshallworkandnonemaketowork，andsoshallnoneberobbed，andatlastshallallmenlabourandliveandbehappy，andhavethegoodsoftheearthwithoutmoneyandwithoutprice。\"
\"Yea，\"saidI，\"thatshallindeedcometopass，butnotyetforawhile，andbelikealongwhile。\"
AndIsatforlongwithoutspeaking，andthechurchgrewdarkerasthemoonwanedyetmore。
ThenIsaid：\"Bethinktheethatthesemenshallyethavemastersoverthem，whohaveathandmanyalawandcustomforthebehoofofmasters，andbeingmasterscanmakeyetmorelawsinthesamebehoof；andtheyshallsufferpoorpeopletothrivejustsolongastheirthrivingshallprofitthemastershipandnolonger；andsoshallitbeinthosedaysItellof；forthereshallbekingandlordsandknightsandsquiresstill，withservantstodotheirbidding，andmakehonestmenafraid；andallthesewillmakenothingandeatmuchasaforetime，andthemorethatismadeinthelandthemoreshalltheycrave。\"
\"Yea，\"saidhe，\"thatwotIwell，thattheseareofthekinofthedaughtersofthehorse—leech；buthowshalltheyslaketheirgreed，seeingthatasthousayestvilleinageshallbegone？
Beliketheirmenshallpaythemquit—rentsanddothemservice，asfreemenmay，butallthisaccordingtolawandnotbeyondit；sothatthoughtheworkersshallbericherthantheynowbe，thelordsshallbenoricher，andsoallshallbeontheroadtobeingfreeandequal。\"
SaidI，\"Lookyou，friend；aforetimethelords，forthemostpart，heldthelandandallthatwasonit，andthementhatwereonitworkedforthemastheirhorsesworked，andaftertheywerefedandhousedallwasthelords’；butinthetimetocomethelordsshallseetheirmenthrivingonthelandandshallsayoncemore，`Thesemenhavemorethantheyneed，whyhavewenotthesurplussincewearetheirlords？’Moreover，inthosedaysshallbetidemuchchafferingforwaresbetweenmanandman，andcountryandcountry；andthelordsshallnotethatiftherewerelesscornandlessmenontheirlandstherewouldbemoresheep，thatistosaymorewoolforchaffer，andthatthereoftheyshouldhaveabundantlymorethanaforetime；sinceallthelandtheyown，anditpaysthemquit—rentorservice，savehereandthereacroftoracloseofayeoman；andallthismightgrowwoolforthemtoselltotheEasterlings。ThenshallEnglandseeanewthing，forwhereashithertomenhavelivedonthelandandbyit，thelandshallnolongerneedthem，butmanysheepandafewshepherdsshallmakewoolgrowtobesoldformoneytotheEasterlings，andthatmoneyshallthelordspouch：for，lookyou，theyshallsetthelawyersa—workandthestronghandmoreover，andthelandtheyshalltaketothemselvesandtheirsheep；andexceptfortheselordsoflandfewshallbethefreementhatshallholdaroodoflandwhomthewordoftheirlordmaynotturnadriftstraightway。\"
\"Howmeanyou？\"saidJohnBall：\"shallallmenbevilleinsagain？\"
\"Nay，\"saidI，\"thereshallbenovilleinsinEngland。\"
\"Surelythen，\"saidhe，\"itshallbeworse，andallmensaveafewshallbethrallstobeboughtandsoldatthecross。\"
\"Goodfriend，\"saidI，\"itshallnotbeso；allmenshallbefreeevenasyewouldhaveit；yet，asIsay，fewindeedshallhavesomuchlandastheycanstanduponsavebybuyingsuchagraceoftheirmasters。\"
\"Andnow，\"saidhe，\"Iwotnotwhatthousayest。Iknowathrall，andheishismaster’severyhour，andneverhisown；andavilleinIknow，andwhilesheishisownandwhileshislord’s；
andIknowafreeman，andheishisownalways；buthowshallhebehisownifhehavenoughtwherebytomakehislivelihood？Orshallhebeathiefandtakefromothers？Thenisheanoutlaw。
Wonderfulisthisthoutellestofafreemanwithnoughtwherebytolive!\"
\"Yetsoitshallbe，\"saidI，\"andbysuchfreemenshallallwaresbemade。\"
\"Nay，thatcannotbe；thouarttalkingriddles，\"saidhe；
\"forhowshallawoodwrightmakeachestwithoutthewoodandthetools？\"
SaidI，\"Hemustneedsbuyleavetolabourofthemthatownallthingsexcepthimselfandsuchashimself。\"
\"Yea，butwherewithshallhebuyit？\"saidJohnBall。\"Whathathheexcepthimself？\"
\"Withhimselfthenshallhebuyit，\"quothI，\"withhisbodyandthepoweroflabourthatlieththerein；withthepriceofhislabourshallhebuyleavetolabour。\"
\"Riddlesagain!\"saidhe；\"howcanhesellhislabourforaughtelsebuthisdailybread？Hemustwinbyhislabourmeatanddrinkandclothingandhousing!Canhesellhislabourtwiceover？\"
\"Notso，\"saidI，\"butthisshallhedobelike；heshallsellhimself，thatisthelabourthatisinhim，tothemasterthatsuffershimtowork，andthatmastershallgivetohimfromoutofthewareshemakethenoughtokeephimalive，andtobegetchildrenandnourishthemtilltheybeoldenoughtobesoldlikehimself，andtheresidueshalltherichmankeeptohimself。\"
JohnBalllaughedaloud，andsaid：\"Well，Iperceivewearenotyetoutofthelandofriddles。Themanmaywelldowhatthousayestandlive，buthemaynotdoitandliveafreeman。\"
\"Thousayestsooth，\"saidI。