INTRODUCTION
　　Acertaindegreeofsuccess，realorsupposed，inthedelineationofQueenMary，naturallyinducedtheauthortoattemptsomethingsimilarrespecting"hersisterandherfoe，"thecelebratedElizabeth。Hewillnot，however，pretendtohaveapproachedthetaskwiththesamefeelings;forthecandidRobertsonhimselfconfesseshavingfelttheprejudiceswithwhichaScottishmanistemptedtoregardthesubject;andwhatsoliberalahistorianavows，apoorromance—writerdaresnotdisown。Buthehopestheinfluenceofaprejudice，almostasnaturaltohimashisnativeair，willnotbefoundtohavegreatlyaffectedthesketchhehasattemptedofEngland'sElizabeth。Ihaveendeavouredtodescribeherasatonceahigh—mindedsovereign，andafemaleofpassionatefeelings，hesitatingbetwixtthesenseofherrankandthedutysheowedhersubjectsontheonehand，andontheotherherattachmenttoanobleman，who，inexternalqualificationsatleast，amplymeritedherfavour。TheinterestofthestoryisthrownuponthatperiodwhenthesuddendeathofthefirstCountessofLeicesterseemedtoopentotheambitionofherhusbandtheopportunityofsharingthecrownofhissovereign。
　　Itispossiblethatslander，whichveryseldomfavoursthememoriesofpersonsinexaltedstations，mayhaveblackenedthecharacterofLeicesterwithdarkershadesthanreallybelongedtoit。ButthealmostgeneralvoiceofthetimesattachedthemostfoulsuspicionstothedeathoftheunfortunateCountess，moreespeciallyasittookplacesoveryopportunelyfortheindulgenceofherlover'sambition。IfwecantrustAshmole'sAntiquitiesofBerkshire，therewasbuttoomuchgroundforthetraditionswhichchargeLeicesterwiththemurderofhiswife。
　　Inthefollowingextractofthepassage，thereaderwillfindtheauthorityIhadforthestoryoftheromance:——
　　"Atthewestendofthechurcharetheruinsofamanor，ancientlybelonging（asacell，orplaceofremoval，assomereport）tothemonksofAbington。AttheDissolution，thesaidmanor，orlordship，wasconveyedtoone——Owen（Ibelieve），thepossessorofGodstowthen。
　　"Inthehall，overthechimney，IfindAbingtonarmscutinstone——namely，apatoneebetweenfourmartletts;andalsoanotherescutcheon——namely，alionrampant，andseveralmitrescutinstoneaboutthehouse。ThereisalsointhesaidhouseachambercalledDudley'schamber，wheretheEarlofLeicester'swifewasmurdered，ofwhichthisisthestoryfollowing:——
　　"RobertDudley，EarlofLeicester，averygoodlypersonage，andsingularlywellfeatured，beingagreatfavouritetoQueenElizabeth，itwasthought，andcommonlyreported，thathadhebeenabachelororwidower，theQueenwouldhavemadehimherhusband;tothisend，tofreehimselfofallobstacles，hecommands，orperhaps，withfairflatteringentreaties，desireshiswifetoreposeherselfhereathisservantAnthonyForster'shouse，whothenlivedintheaforesaidmanor—house;andalsoprescribestoSirRichardVarney（apromptertothisdesign），athiscominghither，thatheshouldfirstattempttopoisonher，andifthatdidnottakeeffect，thenbyanyotherwaywhatsoevertodispatchher。This，itseems，wasprovedbythereportofDr。
　　WalterBayly，sometimefellowofNewCollege，thenlivinginOxford，andprofessorofphysicinthatuniversity;whom，becausehewouldnotconsenttotakeawayherlifebypoison，theEarlendeavouredtodisplacehimthecourt。Thisman，itseems，reportedformostcertainthattherewasapracticeinCumnoramongtheconspirators，tohavepoisonedthispoorinnocentlady，alittlebeforeshewaskilled，whichwasattemptedafterthismanner:——Theyseeingthegoodladysadandheavy（asonethatwellknew，byherotherhandling，thatherdeathwasnotfaroff），begantopersuadeherthatherpresentdiseasewasabundanceofmelancholyandotherhumours，etc。，andthereforewouldneedscounselhertotakesomepotion，whichsheabsolutelyrefusingtodo，asstillsuspectingtheworst;whereupontheysentamessengeronaday（unawarestoher）forDr。Bayly，andentreatedhimtopersuadehertotakesomelittlepotionbyhisdirection，andtheywouldfetchthesameatOxford;meaningtohaveaddedsomethingoftheirownforhercomfort，asthedoctoruponjustcauseandconsiderationdidsuspect，seeingtheirgreatimportunity，andthesmallneedtheladyhadofphysic，andthereforeheperemptorilydeniedtheirrequest;misdoubting（asheafterwardsreported）lest，iftheyhadpoisonedherunderthenameofhispotion，hemightafterhavebeenhangedforacolouroftheirsin，andthedoctorremainedstillwellassuredthatthiswaytakingnoeffect，shewouldnotlongescapetheirviolence，whichafterwardshappenedthus。ForSirRichardVarneyabovesaid（thechiefprojectorinthisdesign），who，bytheEarl'sorder，remainedthatdayofherdeathalonewithher，withonemanonlyandForster，whohadthatdayforciblysentawayallherservantsfromhertoAbingtonmarket，aboutthreemilesdistantfromthisplace;they（Isay，whetherfirststiflingher，orelsestranglingher）afterwardsflungherdownapairofstairsandbrokeherneck，usingmuchviolenceuponher;but，however，thoughitwasvulgarlyreportedthatshebychancefelldownstairs（butstillwithouthurtingherhoodthatwasuponherhead），yettheinhabitantswilltellyoutherethatshewasconveyedfromherusualchamberwhereshelay，toanotherwherethebed'sheadofthechamberstoodclosetoaprivyposterndoor，wheretheyinthenightcameandstifledherinherbed，bruisedherheadverymuchbrokeherneck，andatlengthflungherdownstairs，therebybelievingtheworldwouldhavethoughtitamischance，andsohaveblindedtheirvillainy。ButbeholdthemercyandjusticeofGodinrevenginganddiscoveringthislady'smurder;foroneofthepersonsthatwasacoadjutorinthismurderwasafterwardstakenforafelonyinthemarchesofWales，andofferingtopublishthemanneroftheaforesaidmurder，wasprivatelymadeawayintheprisonbytheEarl'sappointment;andSirRichardVarneytheother，dyingaboutthesametimeinLondon，criedmiserably，andblasphemedGod，andsaidtoapersonofnote（whohathrelatedthesametootherssince），notlongbeforehisdeath，thatallthedevilsinhelldidtearhiminpieces。Forster，likewise，afterthisfact，beingamanformerlyaddictedtohospitality，company，mirth，andmusic，wasafterwardsobservedtoforsakeallthis，andwithmuchmelancholyandpensiveness（somesaywithmadness）pinedanddroopedaway。ThewifealsoofBaldButter，kinsmantotheEarl，gaveoutthewholefactalittlebeforeherdeath。Neitherarethesefollowingpassagestobeforgotten，thatassoonasevershewasmurdered，theymadegreathastetoburyherbeforethecoronerhadgiveninhisinquest（whichtheEarlhimselfcondemnedasnotdoneadvisedly），whichherfather，orSirJohnRobertsett（asIsuppose），hearingof，camewithallspeedhither，causedhercorpsetobetakenup，thecoronertosituponher，andfurtherinquirytobemadeconcerningthisbusinesstothefull;butitwasgenerallythoughtthattheEarlstoppedhismouth，andmadeupthebusinessbetwixtthem;andthegoodEarl，tomakeplaintotheworldthegreatlovehebaretoherwhilealive，andwhatagriefthelossofsovirtuousaladywastohistenderheart，caused（thoughthething，bytheseandothermeans，wasbeatenintotheheadsoftheprincipalmenoftheUniversityofOxford）herbodytobereburiedinSt，Mary'sChurchinOxford，withgreatpompandsolemnity。Itisremarkable，whenDr。Babington，theEarl'schaplain，didpreachthefuneralsermon，hetriptonceortwiceinhisspeech，byrecommendingtotheirmemoriesthatvirtuousladysopitifullymurdered，insteadofsayingpitifullyslain。ThisEarl，afterallhismurdersandpoisonings，washimselfpoisonedbythatwhichwaspreparedforothers（somesaybyhiswifeatCornburyLodgebeforementioned），thoughBakerinhisChroniclewouldhaveitatKillingworth;anno1588。"[Ashmole'sAntiquitiesofBerkshire，vol。i。，p。149。ThetraditionastoLeicester'sdeathwasthuscommunicatedbyBenJonsontoDrummondofHawthornden:——"TheEarlofLeicestergaveabottleofliquortohisLady，whichhewilledhertouseinanyfaintness，whichshe，afterhisreturnefromcourt，notknowingitwaspoison，gavehim，andsohedied。"——BENJONSON'S
　　INFORMATIONTODRUMMONDOFHAWTHORNDEN，MS。，SIRROBERTSIBBALD'S
　　COPY。]
　　ThesameaccusationhasbeenadoptedandcirculatedbytheauthorofLeicester'sCommonwealth，asatirewrittendirectlyagainsttheEarlofLeicester，whichloadedhimwiththemosthorridcrimes，and，amongtherest，withthemurderofhisfirstwife。
　　ItwasalludedtointheYorkshireTragedy，aplayerroneouslyascribedtoShakespeare，whereabaker，whodeterminestodestroyallhisfamily，throwshiswifedownstairs，withthisallusiontothesupposedmurderofLeicester'slady，——
　　"Theonlywaytocharmawoman'stongueIs，breakherneck——apoliticiandidit。"
　　ThereaderwillfindIhaveborrowedseveralincidentsaswellasnamesfromAshmole，andthemoreearlyauthorities;butmyfirstacquaintancewiththehistorywasthroughthemorepleasingmediumofverse。Thereisaperiodinyouthwhenthemerepowerofnumbershasamorestrongeffectonearandimaginationthaninmoreadvancedlife。Atthisseasonofimmaturetaste，theauthorwasgreatlydelightedwiththepoemsofMickleandLanghorne，poetswho，thoughbynomeansdeficientinthehigherbranchesoftheirart，wereeminentfortheirpowersofverbalmelodyabovemostwhohavepractisedthisdepartmentofpoetry。
　　OneofthosepiecesofMickle，whichtheauthorwasparticularlypleasedwith，isaballad，orratheraspeciesofelegy，onthesubjectofCumnorHall，which，withothersbythesameauthor，wastobefoundinEvans'sAncientBallads（vol。iv。，page130），towhichworkMicklemadeliberalcontributions。Thefirststanzaespeciallyhadapeculiarspeciesofenchantmentfortheyouthfulearoftheauthor，theforceofwhichisnotevennowentirelyspent;someothersaresufficientlyprosaic。
　　CUMNORHALL。
　　Thedewsofsummernightdidfall;
　　Themoon，sweetregentofthesky，Silver'dthewallsofCumnorHall，Andmanyanoakthatgrewthereby，Nownoughtwasheardbeneaththeskies，Thesoundsofbusylifewerestill，Saveanunhappylady'ssighs，Thatissuedfromthatlonelypile。
　　"Leicester，"shecried，"isthisthyloveThatthousoofthastsworntome，Toleavemeinthislonelygrove，Immuredinshamefulprivity？
　　"Nomorethoucom'stwithlover'sspeed，Thyoncebelovedbridetosee;
　　Butbeshealive，orbeshedead，Ifear，sternEarl，'sthesametothee。
　　"NotsotheusageIreceivedWhenhappyinmyfather'shall;
　　Nofaithlesshusbandthenmegrieved，Nochillingfearsdidmeappal。
　　"Iroseupwiththecheerfulmorn，Nolarkmoreblithe，noflowermoregay;
　　Andlikethebirdthathauntsthethorn，Somerrilysungthelivelongday。
　　"Ifthatmybeautyisbutsmall，Amongcourtladiesalldespised，Whydidstthourenditfromthathall，Where，scornfulEarl，itwellwasprized？
　　"Andwhenyoufirsttomemadesuit，HowfairIwasyouoftwouldsay！
　　Andproudofconquest，pluck'dthefruit，Thenlefttheblossomtodecay。
　　"Yes！nowneglectedanddespised，Theroseispale，thelily'sdead;
　　Buthethatoncetheircharmssoprized，Issurethecausethosecharmsarefled。
　　"Forknow，whensick'ninggriefdothprey，Andtenderlove'srepaidwithscorn，Thesweetestbeautywilldecay，——
　　Whatfloweretcanendurethestorm？
　　"Atcourt，I'mtold，isbeauty'sthrone，Whereeverylady'spassingrare，ThatEasternflowers，thatshamethesun，Arenotsoglowing，notsofair。
　　"Then，Earl，whydidstthouleavethebedsWhererosesandwhereliliesvie，Toseekaprimrose，whosepaleshadesMustsickenwhenthosegaudsareby？
　　"'MongruralbeautiesIwasone，Amongthefieldswildflowersarefair;
　　Somecountryswainmightmehavewon，Andthoughtmybeautypassingrare。
　　"But，Leicester（orImuchamwrong），Or'tisnotbeautyluresthyvows;
　　Ratherambition'sgildedcrownMakestheeforgetthyhumblespouse。
　　"Then，Leicester，why，againIplead（Theinjuredsurelymayrepine）——
　　Whydidstthouwedacountrymaid，Whensomefairprincessmightbethine？
　　"Whydidstthoupraisemyhum'blecharms，And，oh！thenleavethemtodecay？
　　Whydidstthouwinmetothyarms，Thenleavetomournthelivelongday？
　　"ThevillagemaidensoftheplainSalutemelowlyastheygo;
　　Envioustheymarkmysilkentrain，NorthinkaCountesscanhavewoe。
　　"Thesimplenymphs！theylittleknowHowfarmorehappy'stheirestate;
　　Tosmileforjoy，thansighforwoe——
　　Tobecontent，thantobegreat。
　　"HowfarlessblestamIthanthem？
　　Dailytopineandwastewithcare！
　　Likethepoorplantthat，fromitsstemDivided，feelsthechillingair。
　　"Nor，cruelEarl！canIenjoyThehumblecharmsofsolitude;
　　Yourminionsproudmypeacedestroy，Bysullenfrownsorpratingsrude。
　　"Lastnight，assadIchancedtostray，Thevillagedeath—bellsmotemyear;
　　Theywink'daside，andseemedtosay，'Countess，prepare，thyendisnear！'
　　"Andnow，whilehappypeasantssleep，HereIsitlonelyandforlorn;
　　NoonetosoothemeasIweep，SavePhilomelonyonderthorn。
　　"Myspiritsflag——myhopesdecay——
　　Stillthatdreaddeath—bellsmitesmyear;
　　Andmanyabodingseemstosay，'Countess，prepare，thyendisnear！'"
　　Thussoreandsadthatladygrieved，InCumnorHall，soloneanddrear;
　　Andmanyaheartfeltsighsheheaved，Andletfallmanyabittertear。
　　Anderethedawnofdayappear'd，InCumnorHall，soloneanddrear，Fullmanyapiercingscreamwasheard，Andmanyacryofmortalfear。
　　Thedeath—bellthricewasheardtoring，Anaerialvoicewasheardtocall，Andthricetheravenflapp'ditswingAroundthetowersofCumnorHall。
　　Themastiffhowl'datvillagedoor，Theoakswereshatter'donthegreen;
　　Woewasthehour——fornevermoreThathaplessCountesse'erwasseen！
　　AndinthatManornownomoreIscheerfulfeastandsprightlyball;
　　ForeversincethatdrearyhourHavespiritshauntedCumnorHall。
　　Thevillagemaids，withfearfulglance，Avoidtheancientmoss—grownwall;
　　Noreverleadthemerrydance，AmongthegrovesofCumnorHall。
　　Fullmanyatravellerofthathsigh'd，AndpensivewepttheCountess'fall，Aswand'ringonwardthey'veespiedThehauntedtowersofCumnorHall。
　　ARBOTSFORD，1stMarch1831。
　　*
　　KENILWORTH
　　CHAPTERI。
　　Iamaninnkeeper，andknowmygrounds，Andstudythem;Braino'man，Istudythem。
　　Imusthavejovialgueststodrivemyploughs，Andwhistlingboystobringmyharvestshome，OrIshallhearnoflailsthwack。THENEWINN。
　　Itistheprivilegeoftale—tellerstoopentheirstoryinaninn，thefreerendezvousofalltravellers，andwherethehumourofeachdisplaysitselfwithoutceremonyorrestraint。ThisisspeciallysuitablewhenthesceneislaidduringtheolddaysofmerryEngland，whentheguestswereinsomesortnotmerelytheinmates，butthemessmatesandtemporarycompanionsofmineHost，whowasusuallyapersonageofprivilegedfreedom，comelypresence，andgood—humour。Patronizedbyhimthecharactersofthecompanywereplacedinreadycontrast;andtheyseldomfailed，duringtheemptyingofasix—hoopedpot，tothrowoffreserve，andpresentthemselvestoeachother，andtotheirlandlord，withthefreedomofoldacquaintance。
　　ThevillageofCumnor，withinthreeorfourmilesofOxford，boasted，duringtheeighteenthofQueenElizabeth，anexcellentinnoftheoldstamp，conducted，orratherruled，byGilesGosling，amanofagoodlyperson，andofsomewhatroundbelly;
　　fiftyyearsofageandupwards，moderateinhisreckonings，promptinhispayments，havingacellarofsoundliquor，areadywit，andaprettydaughter。SincethedaysofoldHarryBaillieoftheTabardinSouthwark，noonehadexcelledGilesGoslinginthepowerofpleasinghisguestsofeverydescription;andsogreatwashisfame，thattohavebeeninCumnorwithoutwettingacupatthebonnyBlackBear，wouldhavebeentoavouchone's—selfutterlyindifferenttoreputationasatraveller。AcountryfellowmightaswellreturnfromLondonwithoutlookinginthefaceofmajesty。ThemenofCumnorwereproudoftheirHost，andtheirHostwasproudofhishouse，hisliquor，hisdaughter，andhimself。
　　Itwasinthecourtyardoftheinnwhichcalledthishonestfellowlandlord，thatatravelleralightedinthecloseoftheevening，gavehishorse，whichseemedtohavemadealongjourney，tothehostler，andmadesomeinquiry，whichproducedthefollowingdialoguebetwixtthemyrmidonsofthebonnyBlackBear。
　　"What，ho！JohnTapster。"
　　"Athand，WillHostler，"repliedthemanofthespigot，showinghimselfinhiscostumeofloosejacket，linenbreeches，andgreenapron，halfwithinandhalfwithoutadoor，whichappearedtodescendtoanoutercellar。
　　"Hereisagentlemanasksifyoudrawgoodale，"continuedthehostler。
　　"Beshrewmyheartelse，"answeredthetapster，"sincetherearebutfourmilesbetwixtusandOxford。Marry，ifmyaledidnotconvincetheheadsofthescholars，theywouldsoonconvincemypatewiththepewterflagon。"
　　"CallyouthatOxfordlogic？"saidthestranger，whohadnowquittedthereinofhishorse，andwasadvancingtowardstheinn—
　　door，whenhewasencounteredbythegoodlyformofGilesGoslinghimself。
　　"Isitlogicyoutalkof，SirGuest？"saidthehost;"why，then，haveatyouwithadownrightconsequence——
　　'Thehorsetotherack，Andtofirewiththesack。'"
　　"Amen！withallmyheart，mygoodhost，"saidthestranger;"letitbeaquartofyourbestCanaries，andgivemeyourgoodhelptodrinkit。"
　　"Nay，youarebutinyouraccidenceyet，SirTraveller，ifyoucallonyourhostforhelpforsuchasippingmatterasaquartofsack;Wereitagallon，youmightlacksomeneighbouringaidatmyhand，andyetcallyourselfatoper。"
　　"Fearmenot。"saidtheguest，"IwilldomydevoirasbecomesamanwhofindshimselfwithinfivemilesofOxford;forIamnotcomefromthefieldofMarstodiscreditmyselfamongstthefollowersofMinerva。"
　　Ashespokethus，thelandlord，withmuchsemblanceofheartywelcome，usheredhisguestintoalarge，lowchamber，whereseveralpersonswereseatedtogetherindifferentparties——somedrinking，someplayingatcards，someconversing，andsome，whosebusinesscalledthemtobeearlyrisersonthemorrow，concludingtheireveningmeal，andconferringwiththechamberlainabouttheirnight'squarters。
　　Theentranceofastrangerprocuredhimthatgeneralandcarelesssortofattentionwhichisusuallypaidonsuchoccasions，fromwhichthefollowingresultswerededuced:——Theguestwasoneofthosewho，withawell—madeperson，andfeaturesnotinthemselvesunpleasing，areneverthelesssofarfromhandsomethat，whetherfromtheexpressionoftheirfeatures，orthetoneoftheirvoice，orfromtheirgaitandmanner，therearises，onthewhole，adisinclinationtotheirsociety。Thestranger'saddresswasbold，withoutbeingfrank，andseemedeagerlyandhastilytoclaimforhimadegreeofattentionanddeferencewhichhefearedwouldberefused，ifnotinstantlyvindicatedashisright。Hisattirewasariding—cloak，which，whenopen，displayedahandsomejerkinoverlaidwithlace，andbeltedwithabuffgirdle，whichsustainedabroadswordandapairofpistols。
　　"Youridewellprovided，sir，"saidthehost，lookingattheweaponsasheplacedonthetablethemulledsackwhichthetravellerhadordered。
　　"Yes，minehost;Ihavefoundtheuseon'tindangeroustimes，andIdonot，likeyourmoderngrandees，turnoffmyfollowerstheinstanttheyareuseless。"
　　"Ay，sir？"saidGilesGosling;"thenyouarefromtheLowCountries，thelandofpikeandcaliver？"
　　"Ihavebeenhighandlow，myfriend，broadandwide，farandnear。Buthereistotheeinacupofthysack;fillthyselfanothertopledgeme，and，ifitislessthansuperlative，e'endrinkasyouhavebrewed。"
　　"Lessthansuperlative？"saidGilesGosling，drinkingoffthecup，andsmackinghislipswithanairofineffablerelish，——"I
　　knownothingofsuperlative，noristheresuchawineattheThreeCranes，intheVintry，tomyknowledge;butifyoufindbettersackthanthatintheSheres，orintheCanarieseither，I
　　wouldImaynevertoucheitherpotorpennymore。Why，holditupbetwixtyouandthelight，youshallseethelittlemotesdanceinthegoldenliquorlikedustinthesunbeam。ButIwouldratherdrawwinefortenclownsthanonetraveller。——Itrustyourhonourlikesthewine？"
　　"Itisneatandcomfortable，minehost;buttoknowgoodliquor，youshoulddrinkwherethevinegrows。Trustme，yourSpaniardistoowiseamantosendyoutheverysoulofthegrape。Why，thisnow，whichyouaccountsochoice，werecountedbutasacupofbastardattheGroyne，oratPortSt。Mary's。Youshouldtravel，minehost，ifyouwouldbedeepinthemysteriesofthebuttandpottle—pot。"
　　"Introth，SigniorGuest，"saidGilesGosling，"ifIweretotravelonlythatImightbediscontentedwiththatwhichIcangetathome，methinksIshouldgobutonafool'serrand。
　　Besides，Iwarrantyou，thereismanyafoolcanturnhisnoseupatgooddrinkwithouteverhavingbeenoutofthesmokeofOldEngland;andsoevergramercymineownfireside。"
　　"Thisisbutameanmindofyours，minehost，"saidthestranger;
　　"Iwarrantme，allyourtown'sfolkdonotthinksobasely。Youhavegallantsamongyou，Idareundertake，thathavemadetheVirginiavoyage，ortakenaturnintheLowCountriesatleast。
　　Come，cudgelyourmemory。Haveyounofriendsinforeignpartsthatyouwouldgladlyhavetidingsof？"
　　"Troth，sir，notI，"answeredthehost，"sincerantingRobinofDrysandfordwasshotatthesiegeoftheBrill。Thedeviltakethecaliverthatfiredtheball，forablitherladneverfilledacupatmidnight！Butheisdeadandgone，andIknownotasoldier，oratraveller，whoisasoldier'smate，thatIwouldgiveapeeledcodlingfor。"
　　"BytheMass，thatisstrange。What！somanyofourbraveEnglishheartsareabroad，andyou，whoseemtobeamanofmark，havenofriend，nokinsmanamongthem？"
　　"Nay，ifyouspeakofkinsmen，"answeredGosling，"Ihaveonewildslipofakinsman，wholeftusinthelastyearofQueenMary;butheisbetterlostthanfound。"
　　"Donotsayso，friend，unlessyouhaveheardillofhimlately。
　　Manyawildcolthasturnedoutanoblesteed。——Hisname，Iprayyou？"
　　"MichaelLambourne，"answeredthelandlordoftheBlackBear;"asonofmysister's——thereislittlepleasureinrecollectingeitherthenameortheconnection。"
　　"MichaelLambourne！"saidthestranger，asifendeavouringtorecollecthimself——"what，norelationtoMichaelLambourne，thegallantcavalierwhobehavedsobravelyatthesiegeofVenlothatGraveMauricethankedhimattheheadofthearmy？MensaidhewasanEnglishcavalier，andofnohighextraction。"
　　"Itcouldscarcelybemynephew，"saidGilesGosling，"forhehadnotthecourageofahen—partridgeforaughtbutmischief。"
　　"Oh，manyamanfindscourageinthewars，"repliedthestranger。
　　"Itmaybe，"saidthelandlord;"butIwouldhavethoughtourMikemorelikelytolosethelittlehehad。"
　　"TheMichaelLambournewhomIknew，"continuedthetraveller，"wasalikelyfellow——wentalwaysgayandwellattired，andhadahawk'seyeafteraprettywench。"
　　"OurMichael，"repliedthehost，"hadthelookofadogwithabottleatitstail，andworeacoat，everyragofwhichwasbiddinggood—daytotherest。"
　　"Oh，menpickupgoodapparelinthewars，"repliedtheguest。
　　"OurMike，"answeredthelandlord，"wasmoreliketopickitupinafripperywarehouse，whilethebrokerwaslookinganotherway;and，forthehawk'seyeyoutalkof，hiswasalwaysaftermystrayspoons。Hewastapster'sboyhereinthisblessedhouseforaquarterofayear;andbetweenmisreckonings，miscarriages，mistakes，andmisdemeanours，hadhedweltwithmeforthreemonthslonger，Imighthavepulleddownsign，shutuphouse，andgiventhedevilthekeytokeep。"
　　"Youwouldbesorry，afterall，"continuedthetraveller，"wereI
　　totellyoupoorMikeLambournewasshotattheheadofhisregimentatthetakingofasconcenearMaestricht？"
　　"Sorry！——itwouldbetheblithestnewsIeverheardofhim，sinceitwouldensuremehewasnothanged。Butlethimpass——Idoubthisendwillneverdosuchcredittohisfriends。Wereitso，I
　　shouldsay"——（takinganothercupofsack）——"Here'sGodresthim，withallmyheart。"
　　"Tush，man，"repliedthetraveller，"neverfearbutyouwillhavecreditbyyournephewyet，especiallyifhebetheMichaelLambournewhomIknew，andlovedverynearly，oraltogether，aswellasmyself。CanyoutellmenomarkbywhichIcouldjudgewhethertheybethesame？"
　　"Faith，nonethatIcanthinkof，"answeredGilesGosling，"unlessthatourMikehadthegallowsbrandedonhisleftshoulderforstealingasilvercaudle—cupfromDameSnortofHogsditch。"
　　"Nay，thereyoulielikeaknave，uncle，"saidthestranger，slippingasidehisruff;andturningdownthesleeveofhisdoubletfromhisneckandshoulder;"bythisgoodday，myshoulderisasunscarredasthineown。
　　"What，Mike，boy——Mike！"exclaimedthehost;——"andisitthou，ingoodearnest？Nay，Ihavejudgedsoforthishalf—hour;forI
　　knewnootherpersonwouldhaveta'enhalftheinterestinthee。
　　But，Mike，anthyshoulderbeunscathedasthousayest，thoumustownthatGoodmanThong，thehangman，wasmercifulinhisoffice，andstampedtheewithacoldiron。"
　　"Tush，uncle——trucewithyourjests。Keepthemtoseasonyoursourale，andletusseewhatheartywelcomethouwiltgiveakinsmanwhohasrolledtheworldaroundforeighteenyears;whohasseenthesunsetwhereitrises，andhastravelledtillthewesthasbecometheeast。"
　　"Thouhastbroughtbackonetraveller'sgiftwiththee，Mike，asIwellsee;andthatwaswhatthouleastdidst:needtotravelfor。Irememberwell，amongthineotherqualities，therewasnocreditingawordwhichcamefromthymouth。"
　　"Here'sanunbelievingpaganforyou，gentlemen！"saidMichaelLambourne，turningtothosewhowitnessedthisstrangeinterviewbetwixtuncleandnephew，someofwhom，beingnativesofthevillage，werenostrangerstohisjuvenilewildness。"ThismaybecalledslayingaCumnorfattedcalfformewithavengeance。——
　　But，uncle，Icomenotfromthehusksandtheswine—trough，andI
　　carenotforthywelcomeornowelcome;Icarrythatwithmewillmakemewelcome，wendwhereIwill。"
　　Sosaying，hepulledoutapurseofgoldindifferentlywellfilled，thesightofwhichproducedavisibleeffectuponthecompany。Someshooktheirheadsandwhisperedtoeachother，whileoneortwoofthelessscrupulousspeedilybegantorecollecthimasaschool—companion，atownsman，orsoforth。Ontheotherhand，twoorthreegrave，sedate—lookingpersonsshooktheirheads，andlefttheinn，hintingthat，ifGilesGoslingwishedtocontinuetothrive，heshouldturnhisthriftless，godlessnephewadriftagain，assoonashecould。Goslingdemeanedhimselfasifheweremuchofthesameopinion，foreventhesightofthegoldmadelessimpressiononthehonestgentlemanthanitusuallydothupononeofhiscalling。
　　"KinsmanMichael，"hesaid，"putupthypurse。Mysister'ssonshallbecalledtonoreckoninginmyhouseforsupperorlodging;andIreckonthouwilthardlywishtostaylongerwherethouarte'enbuttoowellknown。"
　　"Forthatmatter，uncle，"repliedthetraveller，"Ishallconsultmyownneedsandconveniences。MeantimeIwishtogivethesupperandsleepingcuptothosegoodtownsmenwhoarenottooproudtorememberMikeLambourne，thetapster'sboy。Ifyouwillletmehaveentertainmentformymoney，so;ifnot，itisbutashorttwominutes'walktotheHareandTabor，andItrustourneighbourswillnotgrudgegoingthusfarwithme。"
　　"Nay，Mike，"repliedhisuncle，"aseighteenyearshavegoneoverthyhead，andItrustthouartsomewhatamendedinthyconditions，thoushaltnotleavemyhouseatthishour，andshalte'enhavewhateverinreasonyoulisttocallfor。ButIwouldI
　　knewthatthatpurseofthine，whichthouvapourestof，wereaswellcomebyasitseemswellfilled。"
　　"Hereisaninfidelforyou，mygoodneighbours！"saidLambourne，againappealingtotheaudience。"Here'safellowwillripuphiskinsman'sfolliesofagoodscoreofyears'
　　standing。Andforthegold，why，sirs，Ihavebeenwhereitgrew，andwastobehadforthegathering。IntheNewWorldhaveIbeen，man——intheEldorado，whereurchinsplayatcherry—pitwithdiamonds，andcountrywenchesthreadrubiesfornecklaces，insteadofrowan—treeberries;wherethepantilesaremadeofpuregold，andthepaving—stonesofvirginsilver。"
　　"Bymycredit，friendMike，"saidyoungLaurenceGoldthred，thecuttingmercerofAbingdon，"thatwerealikelycoasttotradeto。Andwhatmaylawns，cypruses，andribandsfetch，wheregoldissoplenty？"
　　"Oh，theprofitwereunutterable，"repliedLambourne，"especiallywhenahandsomeyoungmerchantbearsthepackhimself;fortheladiesofthatclimearebona—robas，andbeingthemselvessomewhatsunburnt，theycatchfireliketinderatafreshcomplexionlikethine，withaheadofhairincliningtobered。"
　　"IwouldImighttradethither，"saidthemercer，chuckling。
　　"Why，andsothoumayest，"saidMichael——"thatis，ifthouartthesamebriskboywhowaspartnerwithmeatrobbingtheAbbot'sorchard。'Tisbutalittletouchofalchemytodecoctthyhouseandlandintoreadymoney，andthatreadymoneyintoatallship，withsails，anchors，cordage，andallthingsconforming;thenclapthywarehouseofgoodsunderhatches，putfiftygoodfellowsondeck，withmyselftocommandthem，andsohoisttopsails，andheyfortheNewWorld！"
　　"Thouhasttaughthimasecret，kinsman，"saidGilesGosling，"todecoct，anthatbetheword，hispoundintoapennyandhiswebsintoathread。——Takeafool'sadvice，neighbourGoldthred。Temptnotthesea，forsheisadevourer。Letcardsandcockatricesdotheirworst，thyfather'sbalesmaybideabangingforayearortwoerethoucomesttotheSpital;buttheseahathabottomlessappetite，——shewouldswallowthewealthofLombardStreetinamorning，aseasilyasIwouldapoachedeggandacupofclary。