CHAPTERI
　　THEMENOFKENT
　　SometimesIamrewardedforfrettingmyselfsomuchaboutpresentmattersbyaquiteunasked—forpleasantdream。ImeanwhenIamasleep。Thisdreamisasitwereapresentofanarchitecturalpeep—show。Iseesomebeautifulandnoblebuildingnewmade，asitwerefortheoccasion，asclearlyasifIwereawake；notvaguelyorabsurdly，asoftenhappensindreams，butwithallthedetailclearandreasonable。SomeElizabethanhousewithitsscrapofearlierfourteenth—centurybuilding，anditslaterdegradationsofQueenAnneandSillyBillyandVictoria，marringbutnotdestroyingit，inanoldvillageonceaclearingamidthesandywoodlandsofSussex。Oranoldandunusuallycuriouschurch，muchchurchwardened，andbesideitafragmentoffifteenth—centurydomesticarchitectureamongstthenotunpicturesquelathandplasterofanEssexfarm，andlookingnaturalenoughamongthesleepyelmsandthemeditativehensscratchingaboutinthelitterofthefarmyard，whosetroddenyellowstrawcomesuptotheveryjambsoftherichlycarvedNormandoorwayofthechurch。Orsometimes’tisasplendidcollegiatechurch，untouchedbyrestoringparsonandarchitect，standingamidanislandofshapelytreesandflower—besetcottagesofthatchedgreystoneandcob，amidstthenarrowstretchofbrightgreenwater—meadowsthatwindbetweenthesweepingWiltshiredowns，sowellbelovedofWilliamCobbett。Orsomenew—seenandyetfamiliarclusterofhousesinagreyvillageoftheupperThamesovertoppedbythedelicatetraceryofafourteenth—centurychurch；orevensometimestheverybuildingsofthepastuntouchedbythedegradationofthesordidutilitarianismthatcaresnotandknowsnotofbeautyandhistory：asonce，whenIwasjourneying（inadreamofthenight）
　　downthewell—rememberedreachesoftheThamesbetwixtStreatleyandWallingford，wherethefoothillsoftheWhiteHorsefallbackfromthebroadstream，Icameuponaclear—seenmediaevaltownstandingupwithroofandtowerandspirewithinitswalls，greyandancient，butuntouchedfromthedaysofitsbuildersofold。
　　AllthisIhaveseeninthedreamsofthenightclearerthanI
　　canforcemyselftoseethemindreamsoftheday。Sothatitwouldhavebeennothingnewtometheothernighttofallintoanarchitecturaldreamifthatwereall，andyetIhavetotellofthingsstrangeandnewthatbefellmeafterIhadfallenasleep。
　　IhadbegunmysojournintheLandofNodbyaveryconfusedattempttoconcludethatitwasallrightformetohaveanengagementtolectureatManchesterandMitchamFairGreenathalf—pastelevenatnightononeandthesameSunday，andthatI
　　couldmanageprettywell。AndthenIhadgoneontotrytomakethebestofaddressingalargeopen—airaudienceinthecostumeI
　　wasreallythenwearing——towit，mynight—shirt，reinforcedforthedreamoccasionbyapairofbracelesstrousers。Theconsciousnessofthisfactsobotheredme，thattheearnestfacesofmyaudience——whowouldNOTnoticeit，butwereclearlypreparingterribleanti—Socialistposersforme——begantofadeawayandmydreamgrewthin，andIawoke（asIthought）tofindmyselflyingonastripofwaysidewastebyanoakcopsejustoutsideacountryvillage。
　　Igotupandrubbedmyeyesandlookedaboutme，andthelandscapeseemedunfamiliartome，thoughitwas，astothelieoftheland，anordinaryEnglishlow—country，swellingintorisinggroundhereandthere。Theroadwasnarrow，andIwasconvincedthatitwasapieceofRomanroadfromitsstraightness。Copseswerescatteredoverthecountry，andthereweresignsoftwoorthreevillagesandhamletsinsightbesidestheonenearme，betweenwhichandmetherewassomeorchard—
　　land，wheretheearlyappleswerebeginningtoreddenonthetrees。Also，justontheothersideoftheroadandtheditchwhichranalongit，wasasmallcloseofaboutaquarterofanacre，neatlyhedgedwithquick，whichwasnearlyfullofwhitepoppies，and，asfarasIcouldseeforthehedge，hadalsoagoodfewrose—bushesofthebright—rednearlysinglekind，whichIhadheardaretheonesfromwhichrose—waterusedtobedistilled。Otherwisethelandwasquiteunhedged，butallundertillageofvariouskinds，mostlyinsmallstrips。Fromtheothersideofacopsenotfaroffroseatallspirewhiteandbrand—
　　new，butatonceboldinoutlineandunaffectedlygracefulandalsodistinctlyEnglishincharacter。This，togetherwiththeunhedgedtillageandacertainunwontedtrimnessandhandinessabouttheenclosuresofthegardenandorchards，puzzledmeforaminuteortwo，asIdidnotunderstand，newasthespirewas，howitcouldhavebeendesignedbyamodernarchitect；andIwasofcourseusedtothehedgedtillageandtumbledownbankrupt—lookingsurroundingsofourmodernagriculture。Sothatthegarden—likeneatnessandtrimnessofeverythingsurprisedme。Butafteraminuteortwothatsurpriseleftmeentirely；andifwhatIsawandheardafterwardsseemsstrangetoyou，rememberthatitdidnotseemstrangetomeatthetime，exceptwherenowandagainI
　　shalltellyouofit。Also，onceforall，ifIweretogiveyoutheverywordsofthosewhospoketomeyouwouldscarcelyunderstandthem，althoughtheirlanguagewasEnglishtoo，andatthetimeIcouldunderstandthematonce。
　　Well，asIstretchedmyselfandturnedmyfacetowardthevillage，Iheardhorse—hoofsontheroad，andpresentlyamanandhorseshowedontheotherendofthestretchofroadanddrewnearataswingingtrotwithplentyofclashofmetal。Themansooncameuptome，butpaidmenomoreheedthanthrowingmeanod。Hewascladinarmourofmingledsteelandleather，aswordgirttohisside，andoverhisshoulderalong—handledbill—hook。
　　Hisarmourwasfantasticinformandwellwrought；butbythistimeIwasquiteusedtothestrangenessofhim，andmerelymutteredtomyself，"Heiscomingtosummonthesquiretotheleet；"soIturnedtowardthevillageingoodearnest。Nor，again，wasIsurprisedatmyowngarments，althoughImightwellhavebeenfromtheirunwontedness。Iwasdressedinablackclothgownreachingtomyankles，neatlyembroideredaboutthecollarandcuffs，withwidesleevesgatheredinatthewrists；ahoodwithasortofbaghangingdownfromitwasonmyhead，abroadredleathergirdleroundmywaist，ononesideofwhichhungapouchembroideredveryprettilyandacasemadeofhardleatherchasedwithahuntingscene，whichIknewtobeapenandinkcase；ontheothersideasmallsheath—knife，onlyanarmincaseofdirenecessity。
　　Well，Icameintothevillage，whereIdidnotsee（norbythistimeexpectedtosee）asinglemodernbuilding，althoughmanyofthemwerenearlynew，notablythechurch，whichwaslarge，andquiteravishedmyheartwithitsextremebeauty，elegance，andfitness。Thechancelofthiswassonewthatthedustofthestonestilllaywhiteonthemidsummergrassbeneaththecarvingsofthewindows。Thehouseswerealmostallbuiltofoakframe—
　　workfilledwithcoborplasterwellwhitewashed；thoughsomehadtheirlowerstoriesofrubble—stone，withtheirwindowsanddoorsofwell—mouldedfreestone。Therewasmuchcuriousandinventivecarvingaboutmostofthem；andthoughsomewereoldandmuchworn，therewasthesamelookofdeftnessandtrimness，andevenbeauty，abouteverydetailinthemwhichInoticedbeforeinthefield—work。Theywereallroofedwithoakshingles，mostlygrownasgreyasstone；butonewassonewlybuiltthatitsroofwasyetpaleandyellow。Thiswasacornerhouse，andthecornerpostofithadacarvednichewhereinstoodagailypaintedfigureholdingananchor——St。Clementtowit，asthedwellerinthehousewasablacksmith。Halfastone’sthrowfromtheeastendofthechurchyardwallwasatallcrossofstone，newlikethechurch，theheadbeautifullycarvedwithacrucifixamidstleafage。Itstoodonasetofwidestonesteps，octagonalinshape，wherethreeroadsfromothervillagesmetandformedawideopenspaceonwhichathousandpeopleormorecouldstandtogetherwithnogreatcrowding。
　　AllthisIsaw，andalsothattherewasagoodishmanypeopleabout，womenandchildren，andafewoldmenatthedoors，manyofthemsomewhatgailyclad，andthatmenwerecomingintothevillagestreetbytheotherendtothatbywhichIhadentered，bytwosandthrees，mostofthemcarryingwhatIcouldseewerebowsincasesoflinenyellowwithwaxoroil；theyhadquiversattheirbacks，andmostofthemashortswordbytheirleftside，andapouchandknifeontheright；theyweremostlydressedinredorbrightishgreenorblueclothjerkins，withahoodontheheadgenerallyofanothercolour。AstheycamenearerIsawthattheclothoftheirgarmentswassomewhatcoarse，butstoutandserviceable。Iknew，somehow，thattheyhadbeenshootingatthebutts，and，indeed，Icouldstillhearanoiseofmenthereabout，andevennowandagainwhenthewindsetfromthatquarterthetwangofthebowstringandtheplumpoftheshaftinthetarget。
　　Ileanedagainstthechurchyardwallandwatchedthesemen，someofwhomwentstraightintotheirhousesandsomeloiteredaboutstill；theywererough—lookingfellows，tallandstout，veryblacksomeofthem，andsomered—haired，butmosthadhairburntbythesunintothecolouroftow；and，indeed，theywereallburnedandtannedandfreckledvariously。Theirarmsandbucklesandbeltsandthefinishingsandhemsoftheirgarmentswereallwhatweshouldnowcallbeautiful，roughasthemenwere；norintheirspeechwasanyofthatdrawlingsnarlorthickvulgaritywhichoneisusedtohearfromlabourersincivilisation；notthattheytalkedlikegentlemeneither，butfullandroundandbold，andtheyweremerryandgood—temperedenough；Icouldseethat，thoughIfeltshyandtimidamongstthem。
　　Oneofthemstrodeuptomeacrosstheroad，amansomesixfeethigh，withashortblackbeardandblackeyesandberry—brownskin，withahugebowinhishandbareofthecase，aknife，apouch，andashorthatchet，allclatteringtogetherathisgirdle。
　　"Well，friend，"saidhe，"thoulookestpartlymazed；whattonguehastthouinthinehead？"
　　"Atonguethatcantellrhymes，"saidI。
　　"SoIthought，"saidhe。"Thirstestthouany？"
　　"Yea，andhunger，"saidI。
　　Andtherewithmyhandwentintomypurse，andcameoutagainwithbutafewsmallandthinsilvercoinswithacrossstampedoneach，andthreepelletsineachcornerofthecross。Themangrinned。
　　"Aha!"saidhe，"isitso？Neverheedit，mate。ItshallbeasongforasupperthisfairSundayevening。Butfirst，whosemanartthou？"
　　"Noone’sman，"saidI，reddeningangrily；"Iammyownmaster。"
　　Hegrinnedagain。
　　"Nay，that’snotthecustomofEngland，asonetimebelikeitwillbe。Methinksthoucomestfromheavendown，andhasthadahighplacetheretoo。"
　　Heseemedtohesitateamoment，andthenleantforwardandwhisperedinmyear："JohntheMiller，thatgroundsmall，small，small，"andstoppedandwinkedatme，andfrombetweenmylipswithoutmymindforminganymeaningcamethewords，"Theking’ssonofheavenshallpayforall。"
　　Helethisbowfallontohisshoulder，caughtmyrighthandinhisandgaveitagreatgrip，whilehislefthandfellamongthegearathisbelt，andIcouldseethathehalfdrewhisknife。
　　"Well，brother，"saidhe，"standnotherehungryinthehighwaywhenthereisfleshandbreadintheRoseyonder。Comeon。"
　　Andwiththathedrewmealongtowardwhatwasclearlyataverndoor，outsidewhichmenweresittingonacoupleofbenchesanddrinkingmeditativelyfromcuriouslyshapedearthenpotsglazedgreenandyellow，somewithquaintdevicesonthem。
　　CHAPTERII
　　THEMANFROMESSEX
　　Ienteredthedoorandstartedatfirstwithmyoldastonishment，withwhichIhadwokeup，sostrangeandbeautifuldidthisinteriorseemtome，thoughitwasbutapothouseparlour。A
　　quaintly—carvedsideboardheldanarrayofbrightpewterpotsanddishesandwoodenandearthenbowls；astoutoaktablewentupanddowntheroom，andacarvedoakchairstoodbythechimney—corner，nowfilledbyaveryoldmandim—eyedandwhite—
　　bearded。That，excepttheroughstoolsandbenchesonwhichthecompanysat，wasallthefurniture。Thewallswerepanelledroughlyenoughwithoakboardstoaboutsixfeetfromthefloor，andaboutthreefeetofplasterabovethatwaswroughtinapatternofarosestemrunningallroundtheroom，freelyandroughlydone，butwith（asitseemedtomyunusedeyes）wonderfulskillandspirit。Onthehoodofthegreatchimneyahugerosewaswroughtintheplasterandbrightlypaintedinitspropercolours。TherewereadozenormoreofthemenIhadseencomingalongthestreetsittingthere，someeatingandalldrinking；
　　theircasedbowsleanedagainstthewall，theirquivershungonpegsinthepanelling，andinacorneroftheroomIsawhalf—a—
　　dozenbill—hooksthatlookedmademoreforwarthanforhedge—
　　shearing，withashenhandlessomesevenfootlong。Threeorfourchildrenwererunningaboutamongthelegsofthemen，heedingthemmightylittleintheirboldplay，andthemenseemedlittletroubledbyit，althoughtheyweretalkingearnestlyandseriouslytoo。Awell—madecomelygirlleanedupagainstthechimneyclosetothegaffer’schair，andseemedtobeinwaitingonthecompany：shewascladinaclose—fittinggownofbrightbluecloth，withabroadsilvergirdledaintilywrought，roundherloins，arosewreathwasonherheadandherhairhungdownunbound；thegaffergrumbledafewwordstoherfromtimetotime，sothatIjudgedhewashergrandfather。
　　Themenalllookedupaswecameintotheroom，mymateleadingmebythehand，andhecalledoutinhisrough，good—temperedvoice，"Here，mymasters，Ibringyoutidingsandatale；giveitmeatanddrinkthatitmaybestrongandsweet。"
　　"Whencearethytidings，WillGreen？"saidone。
　　Mymategrinnedagainwiththepleasureofmakinghisjokeoncemoreinabiggercompany："Itseemethfromheaven，sincethisgoodoldladhathnomaster，"saidhe。
　　"Themorefoolhetocomehere，"saidathinmanwithagrizzledbeard，amidstthelaughterthatfollowed，"unlesshehadthechoicegivenhimbetweenhellandEngland。"
　　"Nay，"saidI，"Icomenotfromheaven，butfromEssex。"
　　AsIsaidthewordagreatshoutsprangfromallmouthsatonce，asclearandsuddenasashotfromagun。ForImusttellyouthatIknewsomehow，butIknownothow，thatthemenofEssexweregatheringtoriseagainstthepoll—groatbailiffsandthelordsthatwouldturnthemallintovilleinsagain，astheirgrandfathershadbeen。Andthepeoplewasweakandthelordswerepoor；formanyamother’ssonhadfalleninthewarinFranceintheoldking’stime，andtheBlackDeathhadslainamany；sothatthelordshadbethoughtthem："Wearegrowingpoorer，andtheseupland—bredvilleinsaregrowingricher，andtheguildsofcraftarewaxinginthetowns，andsoonwhatwilltherebeleftforuswhocannotweaveandwillnotdig？Gooditwereifwefellonallwhoarenotguildsmenormenoffreeland，ifwefellonsoccagetenantsandothers，andbroughtboththelawandthestronghandonthem，andmadethemallvilleinsindeedastheyarenowinname；fornowtheserascalsmakemorethantheirbelliesneedofbread，andtheirbacksofhomespun，andtheoverplustheykeeptothemselves；andwearemoreworthyofitthanthey。Soletusgetthecollarontheirnecksagain，andmaketheirday’sworklongerandtheirbever—timeshorter，asthegoodstatuteoftheoldkingbade。AndgooditwereiftheHolyChurchweretolooktoit（andtheLollardsmighthelpherein）thatallthesenaughtyandwearisomeholidaysweredoneawaywith；orthatitshouldbeunlawfulforanymanbelowthedegreeofasquiretokeeptheholydaysofthechurch，exceptintheheartandthespiritonly，andletthebodylabourmeanwhile；
　　fordoesnottheApostlesay，`Ifamanworknot，neithershouldheeat’？Andifsuchthingsweredone，andsuchanestateofnoblerichmenandworthypoormenupholdenforever，thenwoulditbegoodtimesinEngland，andlifewereworththeliving。"
　　Allthiswerethelordsatworkon，andsuchtalkIknewwascommonnotonlyamongthelordsthemselves，butalsoamongtheirsergeantsandveryserving—men。Butthepeoplewouldnotabideit；therefore，asIsaid，inEssextheywereonthepointofrising，andwordhadgonehowthatatSt。AlbanstheywerewellnighatblowswiththeLordAbbot’ssoldiers；thatnorthawayatNorwichJohnLitsterwaswipingthewoadfromhisarms，aswhowouldhavetostainthemredagain，butnotwithgrainormadder；
　　andthatthevalianttilerofDartfordhadsmittenapoll—groatbailifftodeathwithhislath—rendingaxeformishandlingayoungmaid，hisdaughter；andthatthemenofKentwereonthemove。
　　Now，knowingallthisIwasnotastonishedthattheyshoutedatthethoughtoftheirfellowsthemenofEssex，butratherthattheysaidlittlemoreaboutit；onlyWillGreensayingquietly，"Well，thetidingsshallbetoldwhenourfellowshipisgreater；fall—tonowonthemeat，brother，thatwemaythesoonerhavethytale。"Ashespoketheblue—claddamselbestirredherselfandbroughtmeacleantrencher——thatis，asquarepieceofthinoakboardscrapedclean——andapewterpotofliquor。Sowithoutmoreado，andasoneusedtoit，IdrewmyknifeoutofmygirdleandcutmyselfwhatIwouldofthefleshandbreadonthetable。ButWillGreenmockedatmeasIcut，andsaid，"Certes，brother，thouhastnotbeenalord’scarver，thoughbutforthywordthoumightesthavebeenhisreader。HastthouseenOxford，scholar？"
　　Avisionofgrey—roofedhousesandalongwindingstreetandthesoundofmanybellscameovermeatthatwordasInodded"Yes"
　　tohim，mymouthfullofsaltporkandrye—bread；andthenI
　　liftedmypotandwemadetheclatteringmugskissandIdrank，andthefireofthegoodKentishmeadranthroughmyveinsanddeepenedmydreamofthingspast，present，andtocome，asI
　　said："Nowhearkenatale，sinceyewillhaveitso。ForlastautumnIwasinSuffolkatthegoodtownofDunwich，andthithercamethekeelsfromIceland，andonthemweresomemenofIceland，andmanyataletheyhadontheirtongues；andwiththesemenIforegathered，forIaminsoothagathereroftales，andthisthatisnowatmytongue’sendisoneofthem。"
　　SosuchataleItoldthem，longfamiliartome；butasItolditthewordsseemedtoquickenandgrow，sothatIknewnotthesoundofmyownvoice，andtheyranalmostintorhymeandmeasureasItoldit；andwhenIhaddonetherewassilenceawhile，tillonemanspake，butnotloudly：
　　"Yea，inthatlandwasthesummershortandthewinterlong；butmenlivedbothsummerandwinter；andifthetreesgrewillandthecornthrovenot，yetdidtheplantcalledmanthriveanddowell。Godsendussuchmenevenhere。"
　　"Nay，"saidanother，"suchmenhavebeenandwillbe，andbelikearenotfarfromthissamedoorevennow。"
　　"Yea，"saidathird，"hearkenastaveofRobinHood；maybethatshallhastenthecomingofoneIwotof。"Andhefelltosinginginaclearvoice，forhewasayoungman，andtoasweetwildmelody，oneofthoseballadswhichinanincompleteanddegradedformyouhavereadperhaps。MyheartrosehighasIheardhim，foritwasconcerningthestruggleagainsttyrannyforthefreedomoflife，howthatthewildwoodandtheheath，despiteofwindandweather，werebetterforafreemanthanthecourtandthecheaping—town；ofthetakingfromtherichtogivetothepoor；ofthelifeofamandoinghisownwillandnotthewillofanothermancommandinghimforthecommandment’ssake。
　　Themenalllistenedeagerly，andatwhilestookupasarefrainacoupletattheendofastanzawiththeirstrongandrough，butnotunmusicalvoices。Astheysang，apictureofthewild—woodspassedbyme，astheywereindeed，nopark—likedaintygladesandlawns，butroughandtangledthicketandbarewasteandheath，solemnunderthemorningsun，anddrearywiththerisingoftheeveningwindandthedriftofthenight—longrain。
　　Whenhehaddone，anotherbeganinsomethingofthesamestrain，butsingingmoreofasongthanastoryballad；andthusmuchI
　　rememberofit：
　　TheSheriffismadeamightylord，Ofgoodlygoldhehathenow，Andmanyasergeantgirtwithsword；
　　Butforthwillweandbendthebow。
　　WeshallbendthebowonthelilyleaBetwixtthethornandtheoakentree。
　　Withstoneandlimeistheburgwallbuilt，Andpitandprisonarestarkandstrong，Andmanyatruemanthereisspilt，Andmanyarightmandoomedbywrong。
　　SoforthshallweandbendthebowAndtheking’swritnevertheroadshallknow。
　　Nowyeomenwalkyewarily，Andheedyethehouseswhereyego，Forasfairandasfineastheymaybe，Lestbehindyourheelsthedoorclapto。
　　FareforthwiththebowtothelilyleaBetwixtthethornandtheoakentree。
　　NowbillsandbowsIandouta—gate!
　　Andturnaboutonthelilylea!
　　AndthoughtheircompanybegreatThegrey—goosewingshallsetusfree。
　　NowbentisthebowinthegreenabodeAndtheking’swritknowethnottheroad。
　　Sooverthemeadandoverthehithe，Andawaytothewild—woodwendweforth；
　　TheredwellweyeomenboldandblitheWheretheSheriff’swordisnoughtofworth。
　　BentisthebowonthelilyleaBetwixtthethornandtheoakentree。
　　Butherethesongdroppedsuddenly，andoneofthemenhelduphishandaswhowouldsay，Hist!Thenthroughtheopenwindowcamethesoundofanothersong，graduallyswellingasthoughsungbymenonthemarch。Thistimethemelodywasapieceoftheplain—songofthechurch，familiarenoughtometobringbacktomymindthegreatarchesofsomecathedralinFranceandthecanonssinginginthechoir。
　　Allleaptupandhurriedtotaketheirbowsfromwallandcorner；
　　andsomehadbucklerswithal，circlesofleather，boiledandthenmouldedintoshapeandhardened：theseweresometwohand—
　　breadthsacross，withironorbrassbossesinthecentre。WillGreenwenttothecornerwherethebillsleanedagainstthewallandhandedthemroundtothefirst—comersasfarastheywouldgo，andoutweallwentgravelyandquietlyintothevillagestreetandthefairsunlightofthecalmafternoon，nowbeginningtoturntowardsevening。Nonehadsaidanythingsincewefirstheardthenew—comesinging，savethataswewentoutofthedoortheballad—singerclappedmeontheshoulderandsaid：
　　"WasitnotsooththatIsaid，brother，thatRobinHoodshouldbringusJohnBall？"
　　CHAPTERIII
　　THEYMEETATTHECROSS
　　Thestreetwasprettyfullofmenbythenwewereoutinit，andallfacesturnedtowardthecross。Thesongstillgrewnearerandlouder，andevenaswelookedwesawitturningthecornerthroughthehedgesoftheorchardsandcloses，agoodclumpofmen，morearmed，asitwouldseem，thanourvillagers，asthelowsunflashedbackfrommanypointsofbrightironandsteel。Thewordsofthesongcouldnowbeheard，andamidstthemIcouldpickoutWillGreen’slatechallengetomeandmyanswer；butasIwasbendingallmymindtodisentanglemorewordsfromthemusic，suddenlyfromthenewwhitetowerbehindusclashedoutthechurchbells，harshandhurriedatfirst，butpresentlyfallingintomeasuredchime；andatthefirstsoundofthemagreatshoutwentupfromusandwasechoedbythenew—
　　comers，"JohnBallhathrungourbell!"Thenwepressedon，andpresentlywewereallmingledtogetheratthecross。
　　WillGreenhadgood—naturedlythrustandpulledmeforward，sothatIfoundmyselfstandingontheloweststepofthecross，hisseventy—twoinchesofmanononesideofme。HechuckledwhileI
　　panted，andsaid：
　　"There’sfortheeagoodhearingandseeingstead，oldlad。Thouarttallacrossthybellyandnototherwise，andthywind，belike，isnoneofthebest，andbutformethouwouldsthavebeenamidstthethickestofthethrong，andhaveheardwordsmuffledbyKentishbelliesandseenlittlebutswinkywoollenelbowsandgreasyplatesandjacks。Looknomoreontheground，asthoughthousawestahare，butletthineeyesandthineearsbebusytogathertidingstobearbacktoEssex——orheaven!"
　　Igrinnedgood—fellowshipathimbutsaidnothing，forintruthmyeyesandearswereasbusyashewouldhavethemtobe。A
　　buzzofgeneraltalkwentupfromthethrongamidsttheregularcadenceofthebells，whichnowseemedfarawayandasitwerethattheywerenotswayedbyhands，butwerelivingcreaturesmakingthatnoiseoftheirownwills。
　　Ilookedaroundandsawthatthenewcomersmingledwithusmusthavebeenaregulararmedband；allhadbucklersslungattheirbacks，fewlackedaswordattheside。Somehadbows，some"staves"——thatis，bills，pole—axes，orpikes。Moreover，unlikeourvillagers，theyhaddefensivearms。Mosthadsteel—capsontheirheads，andsomehadbodyarmour，generallya"jack，"orcoatintowhichpiecesofironorhornwerequilted；somehadalsosteelorsteel—and—leatherarmorthighpieces。Therewereafewmountedmenamongthem，theirhorsesbeingbig—bonedhammer—headedbeasts，thatlookedasiftheyhadbeentakenfromploughorwaggon，buttheirriderswerewellarmedwithsteelarmourontheirheads，legs，andarms。AmongstthehorsemenI
　　notedthemanthathadriddenpastmewhenIfirstawoke；butheseemedtobeaprisoner，ashehadawoollenhoodonhisheadinsteadofhishelmet，andcarriedneitherbill，sword，nordagger。Heseemedbynomeansill—at—ease，however，butwaslaughingandtalkingwiththemenwhostoodnearhim。
　　Abovetheheadsofthecrowd，andnowslowlyworkingtowardsthecross，wasabanneronahigh—raisedcross—pole，apictureofamanandwomanhalf—cladinskinsofbeastsseenagainstabackgroundofgreentrees，themanholdingaspadeandthewomanadistaffandspindlerudelydoneenough，butyetwithacertainspiritandmuchmeaning；andunderneaththissymboloftheearlyworldandman’sfirstcontestwithnaturewerethewrittenwords：
　　WhenAdamdelvedandEvespanWhowasthenthegentleman？
　　Thebannercameonandthroughthecrowd，whichatlastopenedwherewestoodforitspassage，andthebanner—bearerturnedandfacedthethrongandstoodonthefirststepofthecrossbesideme。
　　Amanfollowedhim，cladinalongdark—browngownofcoarsewoollen，girtwithacord，towhichhunga"pairofbeads"（orrosary，asweshouldcallitto—day）andabookinabag。Themanwastallandbig—boned，aringofdarkhairsurroundedhispriest’stonsure；hisnosewasbigbutclearcutandwithwidenostrils；hisshavenfaceshowedalongishupperlipandabigbutbluntchin；hismouthwasbigandthelipsclosedfirmly；afacenotverynoteworthybutforhisgreyeyeswellopenedandwideapart，atwhileslightinguphiswholefacewithakindlysmile，atwhilessetandstern，atwhilesrestinginthatlookasiftheyweregazingatsomethingalongwayoff，whichisthewontoftheeyesofthepoetorenthusiast。
　　Hewentslowlyupthestepsofthecrossandstoodatthetopwithonehandlaidontheshaft，andshoutuponshoutbrokeforthfromthethrong。Whentheshoutingdiedawayintoasilenceofthehumanvoices，thebellswerestillquietlychimingwiththatfar—awayvoiceoftheirs，andthelong—wingedduskyswifts，bynomeansscaredbytheconcourse，swungroundaboutthecrosswiththeirwildsqueals；andthemanstoodstillforalittle，eyeingthethrong，orratherlookingfirstatoneandthenanothermaninit，asthoughheweretryingtothinkwhatsuchanonewasthinkingof，orwhathewerefitfor。Sometimeshecaughttheeyeofoneorother，andthenthatkindlysmilespreadoverhisface，butfadedoffitintothesternnessandsadnessofamanwhohasheavyandgreatthoughtshangingabouthim。
　　ButwhenJohnBallfirstmountedthestepsofthecrossaladatsomeone’sbiddinghadrunofftostoptheringers，andsopresentlythevoiceofthebellsfelldead，leavingonmen’smindsthatsenseofblanknessorevendisappointmentwhichisalwayscausedbythesuddenstoppingofasoundonehasgotusedtoandfoundpleasant。Butagreatexpectationhadfallenbynowonallthatthrong，andnowordwasspokeneveninawhisper，andallmen’sheartsandeyeswerefixeduponthedarkfigurestandingstraightupnowbythetallwhiteshaftofthecross，hishandsstretchedoutbeforehim，onepalmlaidupontheother。
　　Andforme，asImadereadytohearken，IfeltajoyinmysoulthatIhadneveryetfelt。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　THEVOICEOFJOHNBALL
　　SOnowIheardJohnBall；howhelifteduphisvoiceandsaid：
　　"Ho，allyegoodpeople!IamapriestofGod，andinmyday’sworkitcomeththatIshouldtellyouwhatyeshoulddo，andwhatyeshouldforbeardoing，andtothatendIamcomehither：yetfirst，ifImyselfhavewrongedanymanhere，lethimsaywhereinmywrongdoinglieth，thatImayaskhispardonandhispity。"
　　Agreathumofgood—willranthroughthecrowdashespoke；thenhesmiledasinakindofpride，andagainhespoke：
　　"Whereforedidyetakemeoutofthearchbishop’sprisonbutthreedaysagone，whenyelightedthearchbishop’shouseforthecandleofCanterbury，butthatImightspeaktoyouandprayyou：thereforeIwillnotkeepsilence，whetherIhavedoneill，orwhetherIhavedonewell。Andherein，goodfellowsandmyverybrethren，Iwouldhaveyoutofollowme；andiftherebesuchhere，asIknowfullwelltherebesome，andmaybeagoodmany，whohavebeenrobbersoftheirneighbours（`Andwhoismyneighbour？’quoththerichman），orlechers，ordespitefulhaters，ortalebearers，orfawnersonrichmenforthehurtofthepoor（andthatistheworstofall）——Ah，mypoorbrethrenwhohavegoneastray，Isaynottoyou，gohomeandrepentlestyoumarourgreatdeeds，butrathercomeafieldandthererepent。
　　Manyadayhaveyebeenfools，buthearkenuntomeandIshallmakeyouwiseabovethewisdomoftheearth；andifyedieinyourwisdom，asGodwotyewellmay，sincethefieldsyewendtobearswordsfordaisies，andspearsforbents，thenshallyebe，thoughmencallyoudead，apartandparcelofthelivingwisdomofallthings，verystonesofthepillarsthatupholdthejoyfulearth。
　　"Forsooth，yehavehearditsaidthatyeshalldowellinthisworldthatintheworldtocomeyemaylivehappilyforever；doyewellthen，andhaveyourrewardbothonearthandinheaven；
　　forIsaytoyouthatearthandheavenarenottwobutone；andthisoneisthatwhichyeknow，andareeachoneofyouapartof，towit，theHolyChurch，andineachoneofyoudwelleththelifeoftheChurch，unlessyeslayit。Forsooth，brethren，willyemurdertheChurchanyoneofyou，andgoforthawanderingmanandlonely，evenasCaindidwhoslewhisbrother？Ah，mybrothers，whatanevildoomisthis，tobeanoutcastfromtheChurch，tohavenonetoloveyouandtospeakwithyou，tobewithoutfellowship!Forsooth，brothers，fellowshipisheaven，andlackoffellowshipishell：fellowshipislife，andlackoffellowshipisdeath：andthedeedsthatyedoupontheearth，itisforfellowship’ssakethatyedothem，andthelifethatisinit，thatshallliveonandonforever，andeachoneofyoupartofit，whilemanyaman’slifeupontheearthfromtheearthshallwane。
　　"Therefore，Ibidyounotdwellinhellbutinheaven，orwhileyemust，uponearth，whichisapartofheaven，andforsoothnofoulpart。
　　"Forsooth，hethatwakethinhellandfeelethhisheartfailhim，shallhavememoryofthemerrydaysofearth，andhowthatwhenhisheartfailedhimthere，hecriedonhisfellow，wereithiswifeorhissonorhisbrotherorhisgossiporhisbrothersworninarms，andhowthathisfellowheardhimandcameandtheymournedtogetherunderthesun，tillagaintheylaughedtogetherandwerebuthalfsorrybetweenthem。Thisshallhethinkoninhell，andcryonhisfellowtohelphim，andshallfindthatthereinisnohelpbecausethereisnofellowship，buteverymanforhimself。Therefore，Itellyouthattheproud，despiteousrichman，thoughheknowethitnot，isinhellalready，becausehehathnofellow；andhethathathsohardyaheartthatinsorrowhethinkethoffellowship，hissorrowissoonbutastoryofsorrow——alittlechangeinthelifethatknowsnotill。"
　　Heleftoffforalittle；andindeedforsometimehisvoicehadfallen，butitwassoclearandthesummereveningsosoftandstill，andthesilenceofthefolksocomplete，thateverywordtold。Hiseyesfelldowntothecrowdashestoppedspeaking，sinceforsomelittlewhiletheyhadbeenlookingfarawayintothebluedistanceofsummer；andthekindeyesofthemanhadacurioussightbeforehiminthatcrowd，foramongstthemweremanywhobythistimewerenotdry—eyed，andsomeweptoutrightinspiteoftheirblackbeards，whileallhadthatlookasiftheywereashamedofthemselves，anddidnotwantotherstoseehowdeeplytheyweremoved，afterthefashionoftheirracewhentheyarestronglystirred。IlookedatWillGreenbesideme：hisrighthandclutchedhisbowsotight，thattheknuckleswhitened；hewasstaringstraightbeforehim，andthetearswererunningoutofhiseyesanddownhisbignoseasthoughwithouthiswill，forhisfacewasstolidandunmovedallthetimetillhecaughtmyeye，andthenhescrewedupthestrangestface，ofscowlingbrow，weepingeyes，andsmilingmouth，whilehedealtmeasoundingthumpintheribswithhisleftelbow，which，thoughitwouldhaveknockedmedownbutforthecrowd，Itookasanesquiredoestheaccoladewhichmakesaknightofhim。
　　ButwhileIponderedallthesethings，andhowmenfightandlosethebattle，andthethingthattheyfoughtforcomesaboutinspiteoftheirdefeat，andwhenitcomesturnsoutnottobewhattheymeant，andothermenhavetofightforwhattheymeantunderanothername——whileIponderedallthis，JohnBallbegantospeakagaininthesamesoftanddearvoicewithwhichhehadleftoff。
　　"Goodfellows，itwasyourfellowshipandyourkindnessthattookmeoutofthearchbishop’sprisonthreedaysagone，thoughGodwotyehadnoughttogainbyitsaveoutlawryandthegallows；
　　yetlackedInotyourfellowshipbeforeyedrewnearmeinthebody，andwhenbetweenmeandCanterburystreetwasyetastrongwall，andtheturnkeysandsergeantsandbailiffs。
　　"Forhearken，myfriendsandhelpers；manydaysago，whenAprilwasyetyoung，Ilaythere，andtheheartthatIhadstrunguptobearallthingsbecauseofthefellowshipofmenandtheblessedsaintsandtheangelsandthosethatare，andthosethataretobe，thisheart，thatIhadstrunguplikeastrongbow，fellintofeebleness，sothatIlaytherea—longingforthegreenfieldsandthewhite—thornbushesandthelarksingingoverthecorn，andthetalkofgoodfellowsroundtheale—housebench，andthebabbleofthelittlechildren，andtheteamontheroadandthebeastsafield，andallthelifeofearth；andIaloneallthewhile，nearmyfoesandafarfrommyfriends，mockedandfloutedandstarvedwithcoldandhunger；andsoweakwasmyheartthatthoughIlongedforallthesethingsyetIsawthemnot，norknewthembutasnames；andIlongedsosoretobegonethatIchidedmyselfthatIhadoncedonewell；andIsaidtomyself：
　　"Forsooth，hadstthoukeptthytonguebetweenthyteeththoumightesthavebeensomething，ifithadbeenbutaparsonofatown，andcomfortabletomanyapoorman；andthenmightestthouhavecladhereandtherethenakedback，andfilledtheemptybelly，andholpenmany，andmenwouldhavespokenwellofthee，andofthyselfthouhadstthoughtwell；andallthishastthoulostforlackofawordhereandtheretosomegreatman，andalittlewinkingoftheeyesamidstmurderandwrongandunruth；andnowthouartnoughtandhelpless，andthehempfortheeissownandgrownandheckledandspun，andlothere，theropeforthygallows—tree!——allfornought，fornought。
　　"Forsooth，myfriends，thusIthoughtandsorrowedinmyfeeblenessthatIhadnotbeenatraitortotheFellowshipoftheChurch，fore’ensoevilwasmyfoolishimagination。
　　"Yet，forsooth，asIfella—ponderingoverallthecomfortandhelpthatImighthavebeenandthatImighthavehad，ifIhadbeenbutalittleofatremblingcurtocreepandcrawlbeforeabbotandbishopandbaronandbailiff，camethethoughtovermeoftheeviloftheworldwherewithI，JohnBall，therascalhedge—priest，hadfoughtandstrivenintheFellowshipofthesaintsinheavenandpoormenuponearth。
　　"Yea，forsooth，onceagainIsawasofold，thegreattreadingdownthelittle，andthestrongbeatingdowntheweak，andcruelmenfearingnot，andkindmendaringnot，andwisemencaringnot；andthesaintsinheavenforbearingandyetbiddingmenottoforbear；forsooth，Iknewoncemorethathewhodoethwellinfellowship，andbecauseoffellowship，shallnotfailthoughheseemtofailto—day，butindayshereaftershallheandhisworkyetbealive，andmenbeholpenbythemtostriveagainandyetagain；andyetindeedeventhatwaslittle，since，forsooth，tostrivewasmypleasureandmylife。
　　"SoIbecameamanoncemore，andIroseuptomyfeetandwentupanddownmyprisonwhatIcouldformyhopples，andintomymouthcamewordsofgoodcheer，evensuchasweto—dayhavesung，andstoutlyIsangthem，evenaswenowhavesungthem；andthendidIrestme，andoncemorethoughtofthosepleasantfieldswhereIwouldbe，andallthelifeofmanandbeastaboutthem，andIsaidtomyselfthatIshouldseethemoncemorebeforeIdied，ifbutonceitwere。
　　"Forsooth，thiswasstrange，thatwhereasbeforeIlongedforthemandyetsawthemnot，nowthatmylongingwasslakedmyvisionwascleared，andIsawthemasthoughtheprisonwallsopenedtomeandIwasoutofCanterburystreetandamidstthegreenmeadowsofApril；andtherewithalalongwithmefolkthatI
　　haveknownandwhoaredead，andfolkthatareliving；yea，andallthoseoftheFellowshiponearthandinheaven；yea，andallthatareherethisday。Overlongwerethetaletotellofthem，andofthetimethatisgone。
　　"SothenceforwardIworethroughthedayswithnosuchfaintheart，untilonedaytheprisonopenedverilyandinthedaylight，andtherewereye，myfellows，inthedoor——yourfacesglad，yourheartslightwithhope，andyourhandsheavywithwrath；thenIsawandunderstoodwhatwastodo。Now，therefore，doyeunderstandit!"
　　Hisvoicewaschanged，andgrewlouderthanloudnow，ashecasthishandsabroadtowardsthatcompanywiththoselastwordsofhis；andIcouldfeelthatallshameandfearwasfallingfromthosemen，andthatmerefierymanhoodwasshiningthroughtheirwontedEnglishshamefaststubbornness，andthattheyweremovedindeedandsawtheroadbeforethem。Yetnomanspoke，ratherthesilenceofthemen—folkdeepened，asthesun’sraysgrewmorelevelandmoregolden，andtheswiftswheeledaboutshrillerandlouderthanbefore。
　　ThenagainJohnBallspokeandsaid，"Ingoodsooth，IdeemyewotnoworsethanIdowhatistodo——andfirstthatsomewhatweshalldo——sinceitisforhimthatislonelyorinprisontodreamoffellowship，butforhimthatisofafellowshiptodoandnottodream。
　　"Andnext，yeknowwhoisthefoeman，andthatistheproudman，theoppressor，whoscornethfellowship，andhimselfisaworldtohimselfandneedethnohelpernorhelpethany，but，heedingnolaw，layethlawonothermenbecauseheisrich；andsurelyeveryonethatisrichissuchanone，normaybeother。
　　"Forsooth，inthebellyofeveryrichmandwellethadevilofhell，andwhenthemanwouldgivehisgoodstothepoor，thedevilwithinhimgainsayethit，andsaith，`Wiltthouthenbeofthepoor，andsuffercoldandhungerandmockingastheysuffer，thengivethouthygoodstothem，andkeepthemnot。’Andwhenhewouldbecompassionate，againsaiththedeviltohim，`Ifthouheedtheseloselsandturnonthemafaceliketotheirfaces，anddeemofthemasmen，thenshalltheyscornthee，andevilshallcomeofit，andevenonedaytheyshallfallontheetoslaytheewhentheyhavelearnedthatthouartbutastheybe。’
　　"Ah，woeworththewhile!tooofthesayethsooth，asthewontofthedevilis，thatliesmaybebornofthebarrentruth；andsoothitisthatthepoordeemeththerichtobeotherthanhe，andmeettobehismaster，asthough，forsooth，thepoorwerecomeofAdam，andtherichofhimthatmadeAdam，thatisGod；
　　andthusthepoormanoppresseththepoorman，becausehefeareththeoppressor。Noughtsuchareye，mybrethren；orelsewhyareyegatheredhereinharnesstobidallbearwitnessofyouthatyearethesonsofonemanandonemother，begottenoftheearth？"
　　Ashesaidthewordstherecameastiramongtheweaponsofthethrong，andtheypressedcloserroundthecross，yetwithheldtheshoutasyetwhichseemedgatheringintheirbosoms。
　　Andagainhesaid：
　　"Forsooth，toomanyrichmenthereareinthisrealm；andyetiftherewerebutone，therewouldbeonetoomany，forallshouldbehisthralls。Hearken，then，yemenofKent。ForoverlongbelikehaveIheldyouwithwords；buttheloveofyouconstrainedme，andthejoythatamanhathtobabbletohisfriendsandhisfellowswhomhehathnotseenforalongseason。
　　"Now，hearken，Ibidyou：Totherichmenthateatuparealmtherecomethatimewhentheywhomtheyeatup，thatisthepoor，seempoorerthanofwont，andtheircomplaintgoethuploudertotheheavens；yetitisnoriddletosaythatoftatsuchtimesthefellowshipofthepooriswaxingstronger，elsewouldnomanhaveheardhiscry。Alsoatsuchtimesistherichmanbecomefearful，andsowaxethincruelty，andofthatcrueltydopeoplemisdeemthatitispowerandmightwaxing。Forsooth，yearestrongerthanyourfathers，becauseyearemoregrievedthanthey，andyeshouldhavebeenlessgrievedthantheyhadyebeenhorsesandswine；andthen，forsooth，wouldyehavebeenstrongertobear；butye，yearenotstrongtobear，buttodo。
　　"Andwotyewhywearecometoyouthisfaireveofholiday？andwotyewhyIhavebeentellingoffellowshiptoyou？Yea，forsooth，Ideemyewotwell，thatitisforthiscause，thatyemightbethinkyouofyourfellowshipwiththemenofEssex。"
　　Hislastwordletloosetheshoutthathadbeenlongonallmen’slips，andgreatandfierceitwasasitrangshatteringthroughthequietuplandvillage。ButJohnBallhelduphishand，andtheshoutwasoneandnomore。
　　Thenhespokeagain：
　　"MenofKent，Iwotwellthatyearenotsohardbestedasthoseofothershires，bythetokenofthedaywhenbehindthescreenofleafyboughsyemetDukeWilliamwithbillandbowashewendedLondonwardfromthatwoefulfieldofSenlac；butIhavetoldoffellowship，andyehavehearkenedandunderstoodwhattheHolyChurchis，wherebyyeknowthatyearefellowsofthesaintsinheavenandthepoormenofEssex；andasonedaythesaintsshallcallyoutotheheavenlyfeast，sonowdothepoormencallyoutothebattle。
　　"MenofKent，yedwellfairlyhere，andyourhousesareframedofstoutoakbeams，andyourownlandsyetill；unlesssomeaccursedlawyerwithhisfalselyingsheepskinandforgedcustomoftheDevil’sManorhathstolenitfromyou；butinEssexslavestheybeandvilleins，andworsetheyshallbe，andthelordsswearthatereayearbeoveroxandhorseshallgofreeinEssex，andmanandwomanshalldrawtheteamandtheplough；andnorthawayintheeastcountriesdwellmeninpoorhallsofwattledreedsandmud，andthenorth—eastwindfromoffthefenwhistlesthroughthem；andpoortheybetotheletter；andtherehimwhomthelordspareth，thebailiffsqueezeth，andhimwhomthebailiffforgetteth，theEasterlingChapmansheareth；yetbethesestoutmenandvaliant，andyourverybrethren。
　　"Andyetiftherebeanymanheresobaseastothinkthatasmallmatter，lethimlooktoitthatifthesenecksabideundertheyoke，Kentshallsweatforitereitbelong；andyeshallloseacreandcloseandwoodland，andbeservantsinyourownhouses，andyoursonsshallbethelords’lads，andyourdaughterstheirlemans，andyeshallbuyaboldwordwithmanystripes，andanhonestdeedwithaleapfromthegallows—tree。
　　"Bethinkye，too，thatyehavenolongertodealwithDukeWilliam，who，ifhewereathiefandacruellord，wasyetaprudentmanandawisewarrior；butcruelarethese，andheadstrong，yea，thievesandfoolsinone——andyeshalllaytheirheadsinthedust。"
　　Ashoutwouldhavearisenagain，buthiseagervoicerisinghigheryet，restraineditashesaid：
　　"Andhowshallitbethenwhenthesearegone？Whatelseshallyelackwhenyelackmasters？Yeshallnotlackforthefieldsyehavetilled，northehousesyehavebuilt，northeclothyehavewoven；alltheseshallbeyours，andwhatsoyewillofallthattheearthbeareth；thenshallnomanmowthedeepgrassforanother，whilehisownkinelackcow—meat；andhethatsowethshallreap，andthereapershalleatinfellowshiptheharvestthatinfellowshiphehathwon；andhethatbuildethahouseshalldwellinitwiththosethathebiddethofhisfreewill；
　　andthetithebarnshallgarnerthewheatforallmentoeatofwhentheseasonsareuntoward，andtherain—drifthideththesheavesinAugust；andallshallbewithoutmoneyandwithoutprice。FaithfullyandmerrilythenshallallmenkeeptheholidaysoftheChurchinpeaceofbodyandjoyofheart。Andmanshallhelpman，andthesaintsinheavenshallbeglad，becausemennomorefeareachother；andthechurlshallbeashamed，andshallhidehischurlishnesstillitbegone，andhebenomoreachurl；andfellowshipshallbeestablishedinheavenandontheearth。"
　　CHAPTERV
　　THEYHEARTIDINGSOFBATTLEAND
　　MAKETHEMREADY
　　Heleftoffasonewhohadyetsomethingelsetosay；and，indeed，Ithoughthewouldgiveussomewordastothetrysting—
　　place，andwhitherthearmywastogofromit；becauseitwasnowcleartomethatthisgatheringwasbutabandofanarmy。ButmuchhappenedbeforeJohnBallspokeagainfromthecross，anditwasonthiswise。
　　Whentherewassilenceafterthelastshoutthatthecrowdhadraisedawhileago，IthoughtIheardathinsharpnoisefaraway，somewhattothenorthofthecross，whichItookratherforthesoundofatrumpetorhorn，thanforthevoiceofamanoranybeast。WillGreenalsoseemedtohaveheardit，forheturnedhisheadsharplyandthenbackagain，andlookedkeenlyintothecrowdasthoughseekingtocatchsomeone’seye。
　　Therewasaverytallmanstandingbytheprisoneronthehorseneartheoutskirtsofthecrowd，andholdinghisbridle。Thisman，whowaswell—armed，Isawlookupandsaysomethingtotheprisoner，whostoopeddownandseemedtowhisperhiminturn。
　　Thetallmannoddedhisheadandtheprisonergotoffhishorse，whichwasacleaner—limbed，better—builtbeastthantheothersbelongingtotheband，andthetallmanquietlyledhimalittlewayfromthecrowd，mountedhim，androdeoffnorthwardatasmartpace。
　　WillGreenlookedonsharplyatallthis，andwhenthemanrodeoff，smiledasonewhoiscontent，anddeemsthatallisgoingwell，andsettledhimselfdownagaintolistentothepriest。
　　ButnowwhenJohnBallhadceasedspeaking，andafteranothershout，andahumofexcitedpleasureandhopethatfollowedit，therewassilenceagain，andasthepriestaddressedhimselftospeakingoncemore，hepausedandturnedhisheadtowardsthewind，asifheheardsomething，whichcertainlyIheard，andbelikeeveryoneinthethrong，thoughitwasnotover—loud，farassoundscarryinclearquietevenings。Itwasthethump—a—
　　thumpofahorsedrawingnearatahand—gallopalongthegrassyuplandroad；andIknewwellitwasthetallmancomingbackwithtidings，thepurportofwhichIcouldwellguess。
　　IlookedupatWillGreen’sface。Hewassmilingasonepleased，andsaidsoftlyashenoddedtome，"Yea，shallweseethegrey—
　　gooseflythiseve？"
　　ButJohnBallsaidinagreatvoicefromthecross，"Hearyethetidingsontheway，fellows!Holdyetogetherandlooktoyourgear；yethurrynot，fornogreatmattershallthisbe。IwotwellthereislittleforcebetweenCanterburyandKingston，forthelordsarelookingnorthofThamestowardWatTylerandhismen。Yetwellitis，wellitis!"
　　Thecrowdopenedandspreadoutalittle，andthemenmovedaboutinit，sometighteningagirdle，somegettingtheirsidearmsmorewithinreachoftheirrighthands，andthosewhohadbowsstringingthem。
　　WillGreensethandandfoottothegreatshapelypieceofpolishedredyew，withitsshininghorntips，whichhecarried，andbentitwithnoseemingeffort；thenhereachedouthishandoverhisshoulderanddrewoutalongarrow，smooth，white，beautifullybalanced，withabarbedironheadatoneend，ahornnockandthreestronggoosefeathersattheother。Hehelditlooselybetweenthefingerandthumbofhisrighthand，andtherehestoodwithathoughtfullookonhisface，andinhishandsoneofthemostterribleweaponswhichastrongmanhasevercarried，theEnglishlong—bowandcloth—yardshaft。
　　Butallthiswhilethesoundofthehorse’shoofswasgrowingnearer，andpresentlyfromthecorneroftheroadamidsttheorchardsbrokeoutourlongfriend，hisfaceredinthesunnearsinkingnow。Hewavedhisrighthandashecameinsightofus，andsangout，"Billsandbows!billsandbows!"andthewholethrongturnedtowardshimandraisedagreatshout。
　　Hereinedupattheedgeofthethrong，andspokeinaloudvoice，sothatallmighthearhim：
　　"Fellows，thesearethetidings；evenwhileourpriestwasspeakingweheardahornblowfaroff；soIbadethesergeantwehavetaken，andwhoisnowourfellow—in—arms，totellmewhereawayitwasthattherewouldbefolka—gathering，andwhattheywere；andhedidmetowitthatmayhappenSirJohnNewtonwasstirringfromRochesterCastle；or，maybe，itwasthesheriffandRafeHoptonwithhim；soIrodeoffwhatImighttowardsHartlip，andIrodewarily，andthatwaswell，forasIcamethroughalittlewoodbetweenHartlipandGuildstead，Isawbeyonditagleamofsteel，andlointhefieldthereacompany，andapennonofRafeHopton’sarms，andthatisblueandthereonthreesilverfish：andapennonofthesheriff’sarms，andthatisagreentree；andwithalanotherpennonofthreeredkine，andwhosetheybeIknownot。[1]
　　[1]ProbablyoneoftheCalverlys，aCheshirefamily，oneofwhomwasanotedcaptainintheFrenchwars。
　　"TheretiedImyhorseinthemiddleofthewood，andmyselfI
　　creptalongthedyketoseemoreandtohearsomewhat；andnotalkIheardtotellofsaveatwhilesabigknighttalkingtofiveorsixothers，andsayingsomewhat，whereincamethewordsLondonandNicholasBramber，andKingRichard；butIsawthatofmen—at—armsandsergeantstheremightbeahundred，andofbowsnotmany，butofthoseoutlandarbalestsmaybeafifty；andso，whatwithoneandanotherofservantsandtipstavesandlads，somethreehundred，wellarmed，andthemen—at—armsofthebest。
　　Forsooth，mymasters，therehadIbeenbutaminute，erethebigknightbrokeoffhistalk，andcriedouttothemusictoblowup，`Andletusgolookonthesevilleins，’saidhe；andwithalthemenbegantogatherinadueandorderedcompany，andtheirfacesturnedhitherward；forsooth，Igottomyhorse，andledhimoutofthewoodontheotherside，andsotosaddleandawayalongthegreenroads；neitherwasIseenorchased。Solookyetoit，mymasters，forthesemenwillbecomingtospeakwithus；noristhereneedforhaste，butratherforgoodspeed；forinsometwentyorthirtyminuteswillbemoretidingstohand。"
　　Bythistimeoneofourbest—armedmenhadgotthroughthethrongandwasstandingonthecrossbesideJohnBall。Whenthelongmanhaddone，therewasconfusednoiseoftalkforawhile，andthethrongspreaditselfoutmoreandmore，butnotinadisorderlymanner；thebowmendrawingtogethertowardtheoutside，andthebillmenformingbehindthem。WillGreenwasstillstandingbesidemeandhadholdofmyarm，asthoughheknewbothwhereheandIweretogo。
　　"Fellows，"quoththecaptainfromthecross，"belikethisstourshallnotlivetobeolderthantheday，ifyegetnotintoaplumptogetherfortheirarbalestierstoshootboltsinto，andtheirmen—at—armstothrustspearsinto。Getyoutotheedgeofthecroftsandspreadouttheresixfeetbetweenmanandman，andshoot，yebowmen，fromthehedges，andyewiththestaveskeepyourheadsbelowthelevelofthehedges，orelseforalltheybethickaboltmaywinitswayin。"
　　Hegrinnedashesaidthis，andtherewaslaughterenoughinthethrongtohavedonehonourtoabetterjoke。
　　Thenhesungout，"HobWright，RafeWood，JohnPargetter，andthouWillGreen，bestiryeandmarshalthebowshot；andthouNicholasWoodyershallbeundermeJackStrawinorderingofthestaves。GregoryTailorandJohnClerk，fairandfineareyecladinthearmsoftheCanterburybailiffs；yeshallshinefromafar；
　　goyewiththebannerintothehighway，andthebowsoneithersideshallwardyou；yetjump，lads，andoverthehedgewithyouwhentheboltsbegintoflyyourway!Takeheed，goodfellowsall，thatourbusinessistobestridethehighway，andnotletthemgetinonourflankthewhile；sohalftotheright，halftotheleftofthehighway。Shootstraightandstrong，andwastenobreathwithnoise；letthelooseofthebowstringcryforyou!
　　andlookyou!thinkitnolossofmanhoodtocoveryourbodieswithtreeandbush；foroneofuswhoknowisworthahundredofthoseproudfools。Toit，lads，andletthemseewhatthegreygoosebearsbetweenhiswings!Abideushere，brotherJohnBall，andprayforusifthouwilt；butforme，ifGodwillnotdoforJackStrawwhatJackStrawwoulddoforGodwereheinlikecase，Icanseenohelpforit。"
　　"Yea，forsooth，"saidthepriest，"herewillIabideyoumyfellowsifyecomeback；orifyecomenotback，herewillI
　　abidethefoe。Depart，andtheblessingoftheFellowshipbewithyou。"
　　DownthenleaptJackStrawfromthecross，andthewholethrongsetoffwithoutnoiseorhurry，soberlyandsteadilyinoutwardseeming。WillGreenledmebythehandasifIwereaboy，yetnothinghesaid，beingforsoothintentonhischarge。Weweresomefourhundredmeninall；butIsaidtomyselfthatwithoutsomeadvantageofthegroundwewerelostmenbeforethemen—at—
　　armsthatlongGregoryTailorhadtoldusof；forIhadnotseenasyettheyard—longshaftatitswork。
　　Weandsomewhatmorethanhalfofourbandturnedintotheorchardsontheleftoftheroad，throughwhichthelevelraysofthelowsunshonebrightly。Theotherstookuptheirpositionontherightsideofit。Wekeptprettyneartotheroadtillwehadgotthroughalltheclosessavethelast，wherewewerebroughtupbyahedgeandadyke，beyondwhichlayawide—opennearlytreelessspace，notoftillage，asattheothersideoftheplace，butofpasture，thecommongrazinggroundofthetownship。Alittlestreamwoundaboutthroughtheground，withafewwillowshereandthere；therewasonlyathreadofwaterinitinthishotsummertide，butitscoursecouldeasilybetracedbythedeepblue—greenoftherushesthatgrewplenteouslyinthebed。Geesewerelazilywanderingaboutandnearthisbrook，andaherdofcows，accompaniedbythetownbull，werefeedingonquietly，theirheadsallturnedoneway；whilehalfadozencalvesmarchedclosetogethersidebysidelikeaplumpofsoldiers，theirtailsswinginginakindofmeasuretokeepofftheflies，ofwhichtherewasgreatplenty。Threeorfourladsandgirlsweresaunteringabout，heedingornotheedingthecattle。Theylookeduptowardusaswecrowdedintothelastclose，andslowlyloiteredofftowardthevillage。Nothinglookedlikebattle；yetbattlesoundedintheair；fornowweheardthebeatofthehorse—hoofsofthemen—at—armscomingontowardsusliketherollingofdistantthunder，andgrowinglouderandloudereveryminute；wewerenonetoosooninturningtofacethem。JackStrawwasonoursideoftheroad，andwithafewgesturesandawordortwohegothismenintotheirplaces。
　　SixarcherslinedthehedgealongtheroadwherethebannerofAdamandEve，risingabovethegreyleavesoftheapple—trees，challengedthenew—comers；andofthebillmenalsohekeptagoodfewreadytoguardtheroadincasetheenemyshouldtrytorushitwiththehorsemen。Theroad，notbeingaRomanone，was，youmustremember，littlelikethefirmsmoothcountryroadsthatyouareusedto；itwasameretrackbetweenthehedgesandfields，partlygrass—grown，andcutupbythedeep—sunkrutshardenedbythedroughtofsummer。Therewasastackoffagotandsmallwoodontheotherside，andourmenthrewthemselvesuponitandsettoworktostaketheroadacrossforaroughdefenceagainstthehorsemen。