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。