CHAPTERXI
HARDITISFORTHEOLDWORLDTO
SEETHENEW
Heheldhispeaceawhile，andthenhesaid："Butnomansellethhimselfandhischildrenintothraldomuncompelled；norisanyfoolsogreatafoolaswillinglytotakethenameoffreemanandthelifeofathrallaspaymentfortheverylifeofafreeman。
NowwouldIasktheesomewhatelse；andIamthereadiertodososinceIperceivethatthouartawondrousseer；forsurelynomancouldofhisownwithaveimaginedataleofsuchfolliesasthouhasttoldme。NowwellIwotthatmenhavingonceshakenthemselvesclearoftheburdenofvilleinage，asthousayestweshalldo（andIblesstheefortheword），shallneverbowdowntothisworsertyrannywithoutsorestrifeintheworld；andsurelysosoreshallitbe，beforeourvaliantsonsgiveway，thatmaidsandlittleladsshalltaketheswordandthespear，andinmanyafieldmen’sbloodandnotwatershallturnthegristmillsofEngland。Butwhenallthisisover，andthetyrannyisestablished，becausetherearebutfewmeninthelandafterthegreatwar，howshallitbewithyouthen？Willtherenotbemanysoldiersandsergeantsandfewworkers？Surelyineveryparishyeshallhavetheconstablestoseethatthemenwork；andtheyshallbesayingeveryday，`Suchanone，hastthouyetsoldthyselfforthisdayorthisweekorthisyear？Gotonow，andgetthybargaindone，oritshallbetheworseforthee。’Andwheresoeverworkisgoingonthereshallbeconstablesagain，andthosethatlabourshalllabourunderthewhipliketheHebrewsinthelandofEgypt。Andeverymanthatmay，willstealasadogsnatchesatabone；andthereagainshallyeneedmoresoldiersandmoreconstablestillthelandiseatenupbythem；norshallthelordsandthemastersevenbeabletobeartheburdenofit；norwilltheirgainsbesogreat，sincethatwhicheachmanmaydoinadayisnotrightgreatwhenallissaid。"
"Friend，"saidI，"fromthineownvaliancyandhighheartthouspeakest，whenthousayestthattheywhofallunderthistyrannyshallfighttothedeathagainstit。Warsindeedthereshallbeintheworld，greatandgrievous，andyetfewonthisscore；
rathershallmenfightastheyhavebeenfightinginFranceatthebiddingofsomelordofthemanor，orsomeking，oratlastatthebiddingofsomeusurerandforestallerofthemarket。
Valiantmen，forsooth，shallariseinthebeginningoftheseeviltimes，butthoughtheyshalldieasyeshall，yetshallnottheirdeathsbefruitfulasyoursshallbe；becauseye，forsooth，arefightingagainstvilleinagewhichiswaning，buttheyshallfightagainstusurywhichiswaxing。And，moreover，Ihavebeentellingtheehowitshallbewhenthemeasureofthetimeisfull；andwe，lookingatthesethingsfromafar，canseethemastheyareindeed；buttheywholiveatthebeginningofthosetimesandamidstthem，shallnotknowwhatisdoingaroundthem；
theyshallindeedfeeltheplagueandyetnotknowtheremedy；bylittleandbylittletheyshallfallfromtheirbetterlivelihood，andweakandhelplessshalltheygrow，andhavenomighttowithstandtheevilofthistyranny；andthenagainwhenthetimesmendsomewhatandtheyhavebutalittlemoreease，thenshallitbetothemlikethekingdomofheaven，andtheyshallhavenowilltowithstandanytyranny，butshallthinkthemselveshappythattheybepinchedsomewhatless。Alsowhereasthousayestthatthereshallbeforeverconstablesandsergeantsgoingtoandfrotodrivementowork，andthattheywillnotworksaveunderthelash，thouartwronganditshallnotbeso；forthereshalleverbemoreworkersthanthemastersmaysettowork，sothatmenshallstriveeagerlyforleavetowork；andwhenonesays，Iwillsellmyhoursatsuchandsuchaprice，thenanotherwillsay，andIforsomuchless；
sothatnevershallthelordslackslaveswillingtowork，butoftentheslavesshalllacklordstobuythem。"
"Thoutellestmarvelsindeed，"saidhe；"buthowthen？ifallthechurlsworknot，shalltherenotbefamineandlackofwares？"
"Famineenough，"saidI，"yetnotfromlackofwares；itshallbecleancontrary。WhatwiltthousaywhenItelltheethatinthelatterdaysthereshallbesuchtrafficandsuchspeedytravelacrosstheseasthatmostwaresshallbegoodcheap，andbreadofallthingsthecheapest？"
Quothhe："Ishouldsaythatthentherewouldbebetterlivelihoodformen，forintimesofplentyitiswell；forthenmeneatthatwhichtheirownhandshaveharvested，andneednottospendoftheirsubstanceinbuyingofothers。Truly，itiswellforhonestmen，butnotsowellforforestallersandregraters；[2]butwhoheedswhatbefallssuchfoulswine，whofilchthemoneyfrompeople’spurses，anddonotonehair’sturnofworktohelpthem？"
[2]Forestaller，onewhobuysupgoodswhentheyarecheap，andsoraisesthepriceforhisownbenefit；forestallsthedueandrealdemand。Regrater，onewhobothbuysandsellsinthesamemarket，orwithinfivemilesthereof；buys，sayatonofcheeseat10A。M。andsellsitat5P。M。apennyapounddearerwithoutmovingfromhischair。Theword"monopolist"willcoverbothspeciesofthief。
"Yea，friend，"Isaid，"butinthoselatterdaysallpowershallbeinthehandsofthesefoulswine，andtheyshallbetherulersofall；therefore，hearken，forItelltheethattimesofplentyshallinthosedaysbethetimesoffamine，andallshallprayforthepricesofwarestorise，sothattheforestallersandregratersmaythrive，andthatsomeoftheirwell—doingmayoverflowontothoseonwhomtheylive。"
"Iamwearyofthyriddles，"hesaid。"YetatleastIhopethattheremaybefewerandfewerfolkintheland；asmaywellbe，iflifeisthensofoulandwretched。"
"Alas，poorman!"Isaid；"normaystthouimaginehowfoulandwretcheditmaybeformanyofthefolk；andyetItelltheethatmenshallincreaseandmultiply，tillwherethereisonemaninthelandnow，thereshallbetwentyinthosedays——yea，insomeplacestentimestwenty。"
"Ihavebutlittlehearttoasktheemorequestions，"saidhe；
"andwhenthouanswerest，thywordsareplain，butthethingstheytellofImayscarceunderstand。Buttellmethis：inthosedayswillmendeemthatsoitmustbeforever，asgreatmenevennowtellusofourills，orwilltheythinkofsomeremedy？"
Ilookedaboutme。Therewasbutaglimmeroflightinthechurchnow，butwhattherewas，wasnolongerthestrangelightofthemoon，butthefirstcomingofthekindlyday。
"Yea，"saidJohnBall，"’tisthetwilightofthedawn。GodandSt。Christophersendusagoodday!"
"JohnBall，"saidI，"Ihavetoldtheethatthydeathwillbringaboutthatwhichthylifehasstrivenfor：thinkestthouthatthethingwhichthoustrivestforisworththelabour？ordostthoubelieveinthetaleIhavetoldtheeofthedaystocome？"
Hesaid："ItelltheeonceagainthatItrusttheeforaseer；
becausenomancouldmakeupsuchataleasthou；thethingswhichthoutellestaretoowonderfulforaminstrel，thetaletoogrievous。AndwhereasthouaskestastowhetherIcountmylabourlost，Isaynay；ifsobethatinthoselattertimes（andworserthanourstheywillbe）menshallyetseekaremedy：
thereforeagainIaskthee，isitsothattheyshall？"
"Yea，"saidI，"andtheirremedyshallbethesameasthine，althoughthedaysbedifferent：forifthefolkbeenthralled，whatremedysavethattheybesetfree？andiftheyhavetriedmanyroadstowardsfreedom，andfoundthattheyledno—whither，thenshalltheytryyetanother。Yetinthedaystocometheyshallbeslothfultotryit，becausetheirmastersshallbesomuchmightierthanthine，thattheyshallnotneedtoshowthehighhand，anduntilthedaysgettotheirevilest，menshallbecozenedintothinkingthatitisoftheirownfreewillthattheymustneedsbuyleavetolabourbypawningtheirlabourthatistobe。Moreover，yourlordsandmastersseemverymightytoyou，eachoneofthem，andsotheyare，buttheyarefew；andthemastersofthedaystocomeshallnoteachoneofthemseemverymightytothemenofthosedays，buttheyshallbeverymany，andtheyshallbeofoneintentinthesematterswithoutknowingit；
likeasoneseestheoarsofagalleywhentherowersarehidden，thatriseandfallasitwerewithonewill。"
"Andyet，"hesaid，"shallitnotbethesamewiththosethatthesemendevour？shallnottheyalsohaveonewill？"
"Friend，"Isaid，"theyshallhavethewilltolive，asthewretchedestthinglivinghas：thereforeshalltheysellthemselvesthattheymaylive，asItoldthee；andtheirhardneedshallbetheirlord’seasylivelihood，andbecauseofitheshallsleepwithoutfear，sincetheirneedcompelleththemnottoloiterbythewaytolamentwithfriendorbrotherthattheyarepinchedintheirservitude，ortodevisemeansforendingit。
Andyetindeedthousayestit：theyalsoshallhaveonewilliftheybutknewit：butforalongwhiletheyshallhavebutaglimmerofknowledgeofit：yetdoubtitnotthatintheendtheyshallcometoknowitclearly，andthenshalltheybringabouttheremedy；andinthosedaysshallitbeseenthatthouhastnotwroughtfornothing，becausethouhastseenbeforehandwhattheremedyshouldbe，evenasthoseoflaterdayshaveseenit。"
Webothsatsilentalittlewhile。Thetwilightwasgainingonthenight，thoughslowly。IlookedatthepoppywhichIstillheldinmyhand，andbethoughtmeofWillGreen，andsaid：
"Lo，howthelightisspreading：nowmustIgetmebacktoWillGreen’shouseasIpromised。"
"Go，then，"saidhe，"ifthouwilt。Yetmeseemsbeforelongheshallcometous；andthenmaystthousleepamongthetreesonthegreengrasstillthesunishigh，forthehostshallnotbeonfootveryearly；andsweetitistosleepinshadowbythesuninthefullmorningwhenonehasbeenawakeandtroubledthroughthenight—tide。"
"YetIwillgonow，"saidI；"Ibidtheegood—night，orrathergood—morrow。"
TherewithIhalfroseup；butasIdidsothewilltodepartleftmeasthoughIhadneverhadit，andIsatdownagain，andheardthevoiceofJohnBall，atfirstasonespeakingfromfaraway，butlittlebylittlegrowingnearerandmorefamiliartome，andasifoncemoreitwerecomingfromthemanhimselfwhomIhadgottoknow。
CHAPTERXII
ILLWOULDCHANGEBEATWHILESWERE
ITNOTFORTHECHANGEBEYONDTHE
CHANGE
Hesaid："ManystrangethingshastthoutoldmethatIcouldnotunderstand；yea，somemywitsofailedtocompass，thatIcannotsomuchasasktheequestionsconcerningthem；butofsomematterswouldIaskthee，andImusthasten，forinverysooththenightiswornoldandgrey。Whereasthousayestthatinthedaystocome，whenthereshallbenolabouringmenwhoarenotthrallsaftertheirnewfashion，thattheirlordsshallbemanyandverymany，itseemethtomethatthesesamelords，iftheybemany，shallhardlyberich，orbutveryfewofthem，sincetheymustverilyfeedandclotheandhousetheirthralls，sothatthatwhichtheytakefromthem，sinceitwillhavetobedealtoutamongstmany，willnotbeenoughtomakemanyrich；
sinceoutofonemanyemaygetbutoneman’swork；andpinchhimneversosorely，stillasaforesaidyemaynotpinchhimsosorelyasnottofeedhim。Therefore，thoughtheeyesofmymindmayseeafewlordsandmanyslaves，yetcantheynotseemanylordsaswellasmanyslaves；andiftheslavesbemanyandthelordsfew，thensomedayshalltheslavesmakeanendofthatmasterybytheforceoftheirbodies。Howthenshallthymastershipofthelatterdaysendure？"
"JohnBall，"saidI，"mastershiphathmanyshiftswherebyitstrivethtokeepitselfaliveintheworld。Andnowhearamarvel：whereasthousayestthesetwotimesthatoutofonemanyemaygetbutoneman’swork，indaystocomeonemanshalldotheworkofahundredmen——yea，ofathousandormore：andthisistheshiftofmastershipthatshallmakemanymastersandmanyrichmen。"
JohnBalllaughed。"Greatismyharvestofriddlesto—night，"
saidhe；"forevenifamansleepnot，andeatanddrinkwhileheisa—working，yeshallbutmaketwomen，orthreeatthemost，outofhim。"
SaidI："Sawestthoueveraweaverathisloom？"
"Yea，"saidhe，"manyatime。"
Hewassilentalittle，andthensaid："YetImarvellednotatit；butnowImarvel，becauseIknowwhatthouwouldstsay。Timewaswhentheshuttlewasthrustinandoutofallthethousandthreadsofthewarp，anditwaslongtodo；butnowthespring—
stavesgoupanddownastheman’sfeetmove，andthisandthatleafofthewarpcomethforwardandtheshuttlegoethinoneshotthroughallthethousandwarps。Yea，soitisthatthismultipliethamanmanytimes。Butlookyou，heissomultipliedalready；andsohathhebeen，meseemeth，formanyhundredyears。"
"Yea，"saidI，"butwhathithertoneededthemasterstomultiplyhimmore？Formanyhundredyearstheworkmanwasathrallboughtandsoldatthecross；andforotherhundredsofyearshehathbeenavillein——thatis，aworking—beastandapartofthestockofthemanoronwhichheliveth；butthenthouandthelikeoftheeshallfreehim，andthenismastershipputtoitsshifts；
forwhatshouldavailthemasterythen，whenthemasternolongerowneththemanbylawashischattel，noranylongerbylawownethhimasstockofhisland，ifthemasterhathnotthatwhichheonwhomhelivethmaynotlackandlivewithal，andcannothavewithoutsellinghimself？"
Hesaidnothing，butIsawhisbrowknittedandhislipspressedtogetherasthoughinanger；andagainIsaid：
"Thouhastseentheweaverathisloom：thinkhowitshouldbeifhesitnolongerbeforethewebandcasttheshuttleanddrawhomethesley，butiftheshedopenofitselfandtheshuttleofitselfspeedthroughitasswiftastheeyecanfollow，andthesleycomehomeofitself；andtheweaverstandingbyandwhistlingTheHunt’sUp!thewhile，orlookingtohalf—a—dozenloomsandbiddingthemwhattodo。Andaswiththeweaversowiththepotter，andthesmith，andeveryworkerinmetals，andallothercrafts，thatitshallbeforthemlookingonandtending，aswiththemanthatsittethinthecartwhilethehorsedraws。Yea，atlastsoshallitbeevenwiththosewhoaremerehusbandmen；andnolongershallthereaperfareafieldinthemorningwithhishookoverhisshoulder，andsmiteandbindandsmiteagaintillthesunisdownandthemoonisup；butheshalldrawathingmadebymenintothefieldwithoneortwohorses，andshallsaythewordandthehorsesshallgoupanddown，andthethingshallreapandgatherandbind，anddotheworkofmanymen。Imagineallthisinthymindifthoucanst，atleastasyemayimagineataleofenchantmenttoldbyaminstrel，andthentellmewhatshouldstthoudeemthatthelifeofmenwouldbeamidstallthis，mensuchasthesemenofthetownshiphere，orthemenoftheCanterburygilds。"
"Yea，"saidhe；"butbeforeItelltheemythoughtsofthytaleofwonder，Iwouldasktheethis：Inthosedayswhenmenworksoeasily，surelytheyshallmakemorewaresthantheycanuseinonecountryside，oronegoodtown，whereasinanother，wherethingshavenotgoneaswell，theyshallhavelessthantheyneed；andevensoitiswithusnow，andthereofcomethscarcityandfamine；andifpeoplemaynotcomeateachother’sgoods，itavaileththewholelandlittlethatonecountry—sidehathmorethanenoughwhileanotherhathless；forthegoodsshallabidethereinthestorehousesoftherichplacetilltheyperish。Soifthatbesointhedaysofwonderyetellof（andI
seenothowitcanbeotherwise），thenshallmenbebutlittleholpenbymakingalltheirwaressoeasilyandwithsolittlelabour。"
Ismiledagainandsaid："Yea，butitshallnotbeso；notonlyshallmenbemultipliedahundredandathousandfold，butthedistanceofoneplacefromanothershallbeasnothing；sothatthewareswhichliereadyformarketinDurhamintheeveningmaybeinLondononthemorrowmorning；andthemenofWalesmayeatcornofEssexandthemenofEssexwearwoolofWales；sothat，sofarastheflittingofgoodstomarketgoes，allthelandshallbeasoneparish。Nay，whatsayI？Notastothislandonlyshallitbeso，buteventheIndies，andfarcountriesofwhichthouknowestnot，shallbe，sotosay，ateveryman’sdoor，andwareswhichnowyeaccountpreciousanddear—bought，shallthenbecommonthingsboughtandsoldforlittlepriceateveryhuckster’sstall。Saythen，John，shallnotthosedaysbemerry，andplentifulofeaseandcontentmentforallmen？"
"Brother，"saidhe，"meseemethsomedolefulmockeryliethunderthesejoyfultidingsofthine；sincethouhastalreadypartlytoldmetomysadbewildermentwhatthelifeofmanshallbeinthosedays。YetwillInowforalittlesetallthatasidetoconsiderthystrangetaleasofaminstrelfromoversea，evenasthoubiddestme。ThereforeIsay，thatifmenstillabidemenasIhaveknownthem，andunlessthesefolkofEnglandchangeas，thelandchangeth——andforsoothofthemen，forgoodandforevil，IcanthinknootherthanIthinknow，orbeholdthemotherthanIhaveknownthemandlovedthem——Isayifthemenbestillmen，whatwillhappenexceptthatthereshouldbeallplentyintheland，andnotonepoormantherein，unlessofhisownfreewillhechoosetolackandbepoor，asamaninreligionorsuchlike；fortherewouldthenbesuchabundanceofallgoodthings，that，asgreedyasthelordsmightbe，therewouldbeenoughtosatisfytheirgreedandyetleavegoodlivingforallwholabouredwiththeirhands；sothattheseshouldlabourfarlessthannow，andtheywouldhavetimetolearnknowledge，sothatthereshouldbenolearnedorunlearned，forallshouldbelearned；andtheywouldhavetimealsotolearnhowtoorderthemattersoftheparishandthehundred，andoftheparliamentoftherealm，sothatthekingshouldtakenomorethanhisown；andtoordertheruleoftherealm，sothatallmen，richandunrich，shouldhaveparttherein；andsobyundoingofevillawsandmakingofgoodones，thatfashionwouldcometoanendwhereofthouspeakest，thatrichmenmakelawsfortheirownbehoof；fortheyshouldnolongerbeabletodothuswhenallhadpartinmakingthelaws；wherebyitwouldsooncomeaboutthattherewouldbenomenrichandtyrannous，butallshouldhaveenoughandtospareoftheincreaseoftheearthandtheworkoftheirownhands。Yeasurely，brother，ifeveritcomethaboutthatmenshallbeabletomakethings，andnotmen，workfortheirsuperfluities，andthatthelengthoftravelfromoneplacetoanotherbemadeofnoaccount，andalltheworldbeamarketforalltheworld，thenallshallliveinhealthandwealth；andenvyandgrudgingshallperish。Forthenshallwehaveconqueredtheearthanditshallbeenough；andthenshallthekingdomofheavenbecomedowntotheearthinverydeed。Whylookestthousosadandsorry？whatsayestthou？"
Isaid："HastthouforgottenalreadywhatItoldthee，thatinthoselatterdaysamanwhohathnoughtsavehisownbody（andsuchmenshallbefarthemostofmen）mustneedspawnhislabourforleavetolabour？Cansuchamanbewealthy？Hastthounotcalledhimathrall？"
"Yea，"hesaid；"buthowcouldIdeemthatsuchthingscouldbewhenthosedaysshouldbecomewhereinmencouldmakethingsworkforthem？"
"Poorman!"saidI。"Learnthatinthoseverydays，whenitshallbewiththemakingofthingsaswiththecarterinthecart，thattherehesittethandshakeththereinsandthehorsedrawethandthecartgoeth；inthosedays，Itellthee，manymenshallbeaspoorandwretchedalways，yearbyyear，astheyarewiththeewhenthereisfamineintheland；norshallanyhaveplentyandsuretyoflivelihoodsavethosethatshallsitbyandlookonwhileotherslabour；andthese，Itellthee，shallbeamany，sothattheyshallseetothemakingofalllaws，andintheirhandsshallbeallpower，andthelabourersshallthinkthattheycannotdowithoutthesementhatlivebyrobbingthem，andshallpraisethemandwellnighpraytothemasyepraytothesaints，andthebestworshippedmaninthelandshallbehewhobyforestallingandregratinghathgottentohimthemostmoney。"
"Yea，"saidhe，"andshalltheywhoseethemselvesrobbedworshiptherobber？Thenindeedshallmenbechangedfromwhattheyarenow，andtheyshallbesluggards，dolts，andcowardsbeyondalltheearthhathyetborne。SucharenotthemenIhaveknowninmylife—days，andthatnowIloveinmydeath。"
"Nay，"Isaid，"buttherobberyshalltheynotsee；forhaveInottoldtheethattheyshallholdthemselvestobefreemen？
Andforwhy？Iwilltellthee：butfirsttellmehowitfareswithmennow；maythelabouringmanbecomealord？"
Hesaid："Thethinghathbeenseenthatchurlshaverisenfromthedortoirofthemonasterytotheabbot’schairandthebishop’sthrone；yetnotoften；andwhileshathaboldsergeantbecomeawisecaptain，andtheyhavemadehimsquireandknight；
andyetbutveryseldom。AndnowIsupposethouwilttellmethattheChurchwillopenherarmswidertothispoorpeople，andthatmanythroughhershallriseintolordship。Butwhatavaileththat？NoughtwereittomeiftheAbbotofSt。Alban’swithhisgoldenmitresittingguardedbyhisknightsandsergeants，orthePriorofMertonwithhishawksandhishounds，hadoncebeenpoormen，iftheywerenowtyrantsofpoormen；norwoulditbetterthematterifthereweretentimesasmanyHousesofReligioninthelandasnoware，andeachwithachurl’ssonforabbotorprioroverit。"
Ismiledandsaid："Comfortthyself；forinthosedaysshalltherebeneitherabbeynorprioryintheland，normonksnorfriars，noranyreligious。"（HestartedasIspoke。）"Butthouhasttoldmethathardlyinthesedaysmayapoormanrisetobealord：nowItelltheethatinthedaystocomepoormenshallbeabletobecomelordsandmastersanddo—nothings；andoftwillitbeseenthattheyshalldoso；anditshallbeevenforthatcausethattheireyesshallbeblindedtotherobbingofthemselvesbyothers，becausetheyshallhopeintheirsoulsthattheymayeachlivetorobothers：andthisshallbetheverysafeguardofallruleandlawinthosedays。"
"NowamIsorrierthanthouhastyetmademe，"saidhe；"forwhenoncethisisestablished，howthencanitbechanged？
Strongshallbethetyrannyofthelatterdays。Andnowmeseems，ifthousayestsooth，thistimeoftheconquestoftheearthshallnotbringheavendowntotheearth，aserstIdeemeditwould，butratherthatitshallbringhellupontotheearth。
Woe’sme，brother，forthysadandwearyforetelling!Andyetsaidstthouthatthemenofthosedayswouldseekaremedy。
Canstthouyettellme，brother，whatthatremedyshallbe，lestthesunriseuponmemadehopelessbythytaleofwhatistobe？
And，loyou，soonshallsheriseupontheearth。"
Intruththedawnwaswideningnow，andthecolourscomingintothepicturesonwallandinwindow；andaswellasIcouldseethroughthevariedglazingoftheselast（andonewindowbeforemehadasyetnothingbutwhiteglassinit），theruddyglow，whichhadbutsolittleawhilequitediedoutinthewest，wasnowbeginningtogatherintheeast——thenewdaywasbeginning。IlookedatthepoppythatIstillcarriedinmyhand，anditseemedtometohavewitheredanddwindled。Ifeltanxioustospeaktomycompanionandtellhimmuch，andwithalI
feltthatImusthasten，orforsomereasonorotherIshouldbetoolate；soIspokeatlastloudandhurriedly：
"JohnBall，beofgoodcheer；foroncemorethouknowest，asI
know，thattheFellowshipofMenshallendure，howevermanytribulationsitmayhavetowearthrough。Lookyou，awhileagowasthelightbrightaboutus；butitwasbecauseofthemoon，andthenightwasdeepnotwithstanding，andwhenthemoonlightwanedanddied，andtherewasbutalittleglimmerinplaceofthebrightlight，yetwastheworldgladbecauseallthingsknewthattheglimmerwasofdayandnotofnight。Loyou，animageofthetimestobetidethehopeoftheFellowshipofMen。
Yetforsooth，itmaywellbethatthisbrightdayofsummerwhichisnowdawninguponusisnoimageofthebeginningofthedaythatshallbe；butrathershallthatday—dawnbecoldandgreyandsurly；andyetbyitslightshallmenseethingsastheyverilyare，andnolongerenchantedbythegleamofthemoonandtheglamourofthedream—tide。Bysuchgreylightshallwisemenandvaliantsoulsseetheremedy，anddealwithit，arealthingthatmaybetouchedandhandled，andnogloryoftheheavenstobeworshippedfromafaroff。Andwhatshallitbe，asItoldtheebefore，savethatmenshallbedeterminedtobefree；yea，freeasthouwouldsthavethem，whenthinehoperisesthehighest，andthouartthinkingnotoftheking’suncles，andpoll—groatbailiffs，andthevilleinageofEssex，butoftheendofall，whenmenshallhavethefruitsoftheearthandthefruitsoftheirtoilthereon，withoutmoneyandwithoutprice。Thetimeshallcome，JohnBall，whenthatdreamofthinethatthisshallonedaybe，shallbeathingthatmenshalltalkofsoberly，andasathingsoontocomeabout，asevenwiththeetheytalkofthevilleinsbecomingtenantspayingtheirlordquit—rent；therefore，hastthoudonewelltohopeit；and，ifthouheedestthisalso，asIsupposethouheedestitlittle，thynameshallabidebythyhopeinthosedaystocome，andthoushaltnotbeforgotten。"
Iheardhisvoicecomeoutofthetwilight，scarcelyseeinghim，thoughnowthelightwasgrowingfast，ashesaid：
"Brother，thougivestmeheartagain；yetsincenowIwotwellthatthouartasendingfromfar—offtimesandfar—offthings：
tellthou，ifthoumayest，toamanwhoisgoingtohisdeathhowthisshallcomeabout。"
"OnlythismayItellthee"saidI；"tothee，whenthoudidsttrytoconceiveofthem，thewaysofthedaystocomeseemedfolliesscarcetobethoughtof；yetshalltheycometobefamiliarthings，andanorderbywhicheverymanliveth，illasheliveth，sothatmenshalldeemofthem，thatthusithathbeensincethebeginningoftheworld，andthatthusitshallbewhiletheworldendureth；andinthiswisesoshalltheybethoughtofalongwhile；andthecomplaintofthepoortherichmanshallheed，evenasmuchandnomoreashewholiethinpleasureunderthelime—treesinthesummerheedeththemurmurofhistoilingbees。Yetintimeshallthisalsogrowold，anddoubtshallcreepin，becausemenshallscarcebeabletolivebythatorder，andthecomplaintofthepoorshallbehearkened，nolongerasatalenotutterlygrievous，butasathreatofruin，andafear。
Thenshallthesethings，whichtotheeseemfollies，andtothemenbetweentheeandmemerewisdomandthebondofstability，seemfolliesonceagain；yet，whereasmenhavesolonglivedbythem，theyshallclingtothemyetfromblindnessandfromfear；andthosethatsee，andthathavethusmuchconqueredfearthattheyarefurtheringtherealtimethatcomethandnotthedreamthatfaileth，thesemenshalltheblindandthefearfulmockandmissay，andtormentandmurder：andgreatandgrievousshallbethestrifeinthosedays，andmanythefailuresofthewise，andtoooftsoreshallbethedespairofthevaliant；andback—sliding，anddoubt，andcontestbetweenfriendsandfellowslackingtimeinthehubbubtounderstandeachother，shallgrievemanyheartsandhindertheHostoftheFellowship：yetshallallbringabouttheend，tillthydeemingoffollyandoursshallbeone，andthyhopeandourhope；andthen——theDaywillhavecome。"
OncemoreIheardthevoiceofJohnBall："Now，brother，Isayfarewell；fornowverilyhaththeDayoftheEarthcome，andthouandIarelonelyofeachotheragain；thouhastbeenadreamtomeasItothee，andsorryandgladhavewemadeeachother，astalesofoldtimeandthelongingoftimestocomeshallevermakementobe。Igotolifeandtodeath，andleavethee；andscarcedoIknowwhethertowishtheesomedreamofthedaysbeyondthinetotellwhatshallbe，asthouhasttoldme，forI
knownotifthatshallhelporhinderthee；butsincewehavebeenkindandveryfriends，Iwillnotleavetheewithoutawishofgood—will，soatleastIwishtheewhatthouthyselfwishestforthyself，andthatishopefulstrifeandblamelesspeace，whichistosayinoneword，life。Farewell，friend。"
Forsomelittletime，althoughIhadknownthatthedaylightwasgrowingandwhatwasaroundme，IhadscarceseenthethingsI
hadbeforenotedsokeenly；butnowinaflashIsawall——theeastcrimsonwithsunrisethroughthewhitewindowonmyrighthand；therichly—carvedstallsandgildedscreenwork，thepicturesonthewalls，thelovelinessofthefaultlesscolourofthemosaicwindowlights，thealtarandtheredlightoveritlookingstrangeinthedaylight，andthebierswiththehiddendeadmenuponthemthatlaybeforethehighaltar。Agreatpainfilledmyheartatthesightofallthatbeauty，andwithalI
heardquickstepscomingupthepavedchurch—pathtotheporch，andtheloudwhistleofasweetoldtunetherewith；thenthefootstepsstoppedatthedoor；Iheardthelatchrattle，andknewthatWillGreen’shandwasontheringofit。
ThenIstrovetoriseup，butfellbackagain；awhitelight，emptyofallsights，brokeuponmeforamoment，andloIbehold，Iwaslyinginmyfamiliarbed，thesouth—westerlygalerattlingtheVenetianblindsandmakingtheirhold—fastssqueak。
Igotuppresently，andgoingtothewindowlookedoutonthewintermorning；theriverwasbeforemebroadbetweenouterbankandbank，butitwasnearlydeadebb，andtherewasawidespaceofmudoneachsideofthehurryingstream，drivenonthefasterasitseemedbythepushofthesouth—westwind。Ontheothersideofthewaterthefewwillow—treesleftusbytheThamesConservancylookeddoubtfullyaliveagainstthebleakskyandtherowofwretched—lookingblue—slatedhouses，although，bytheway，thelatterwerethebacksofasortofstreetof"villas"andnotaslum；theroadinfrontofthehousewassootyandmuddyatonce，andintheairwasthatsenseofdirtydiscomfortwhichoneisneverquitofinLondon。Themorningwasharsh，too，andthoughthewindwasfromthesouth—westitwasascoldasanorthwind；andyetamidstitall，IthoughtofthecornerofthenextbightoftheriverwhichIcouldnotquiteseefromwhereIwas，butoverwhichonecanseeclearofhousesandintoRichmondPark，lookingliketheopencountry；anddirtyastheriverwas，andharshaswastheJanuarywind，theyseemedtowoometowardthecountry—side，whereawayfromthemiseriesofthe"GreatWen"ImightofmyownwillcarryonadaydreamofthefriendsIhadmadeinthedreamofthenightandagainstmywill。
ButasIturnedawayshiveringanddownhearted，onasuddencamethefrightfulnoiseofthe"hooters，"oneaftertheother，thatcalltheworkmentothefactories，thisonetheafter—breakfastone，morebytoken。SoIgrinnedsurlily，anddressedandgotreadyformyday’s"work"asIcallit，butwhichmanyamanbesidesJohnRuskin（thoughnotmanyinhisposition）wouldcall"play。"
EndofADreamofJohnBall
AKING’SLESSON
ItistoldofMatthiasCorvinus，kingofHungary——theAlfredtheGreatofhistimeandpeople——thatheonceheard（onceONLY？）
thatsome（onlySOME，mylad？）ofhispeasantswereover—
workedandunder—fed。SohesentforhisCouncil，andbadecometheretoalsosomeofthemayorsofthegoodtowns，andsomeofthelordsoflandandtheirbailiffs，andaskedthemofthetruththereof；andindiversewaystheyalltoldoneandthesametale，howthepeasantcarleswerestoutandwellabletoworkandhadenoughandtospareofmeatanddrink，seeingthattheywerebutchurls；andhowiftheyworkednotattheleastashardastheydid，itwouldbeillforthemandillfortheirlords；forthatthemorethechurlhaththemoreheasketh；andthatwhenheknowethwealth，heknoweththelackofitalso，asitfaredwithourfirstparentsintheGardenofGod。TheKingsatandsaidbutlittlewhiletheyspake，buthemisdoubtedthemthattheywereliars。SotheCouncilbrakeupwithnothingdone；buttheKingtookthemattertoheart，being，askingsgo，ajustman，besidesbeingmorevaliantthantheymostlywere，evenintheoldfeudaltime。Sowithintwoorthreedays，saysthetale，hecalledtogethersuchlordsandcouncillorsashedeemedfittest，andbadebuskthemforaride；andwhentheywerereadyheandtheysetout，overroughandsmooth，deckedoutinallthegloryofattirewhichwasthewontofthosedays。Thustheyrodetilltheycametosomevillageorthorpeofthepeasantfolk，andthroughittothevineyardswheremenwereworkingonthesunnysouthernslopesthatwentupfromtheriver：mytaledoesnotsaywhetherthatwereTheiss，orDonau，orwhatriver。Well，Ijudgeitwaslatespringorearlysummer，andthevinesbutjustbeginningtoshowtheirgrapes；forthevintageislateinthoselands，andsomeofthegrapesarenotgatheredtillthefirstfrostshavetouchedthem，wherebythewinemadefromthemisthestrongerandsweeter。Anyhowtherewerethepeasants，menandwomen，boysandyoungmaidens，toilingandswinking；somehoeingbetweenthevine—rows，somebearingbasketsofdungupthesteepslopes，someinoneway，someinanother，labouringforthefruittheyshouldnevereat，andthewinetheyshouldneverdrink。
TheretoturnedtheKingandgotoffhishorseandbegantoclimbupthestonyridgesofthevineyard，andhislordsinlikemannerfollowedhim，wonderingintheirheartswhatwastoward；buttotheonewhowasfollowingnextafterhimheturnedaboutandsaidwithasmile，"Yea，lords，thisisanewgameweareplayingto—
day，andanewknowledgewillcomefromit。"Andthelordsmiled，butsomewhatsourly。
Asforthepeasants，greatwastheirfearofthosegayandgoldenlords。IjudgethattheydidnotknowtheKing，sinceitwaslittlelikelythatanyoneofthemhadseenhisface；andtheyknewofhimbutastheGreatFather，themightywarriorwhokepttheTurkfromharryingtheirthorpe。Though，forsooth，littlematterwasittoanymantherewhetherTurkorMagyarwastheirover—lord，sincetoonemasteroranothertheyhadtopaytheduetaleoflabouringdaysintheyear，andhardwasthelivelihoodthattheyearnedforthemselvesonthedayswhentheyworkedforthemselvesandtheirwivesandchildren。
Well，beliketheyknewnottheKing；butamidstthoserichlordstheysawandknewtheirownlord，andofhimtheyweresoreafraid。Butnoughtitavailedthemtofleeawayfromthosestrongmenandstronghorses——theywhohadbeentoilingfrombeforetherisingofthesun，andnowitwantedlittlemorethananhourofnoon：besides，withtheKingandlordswasaguardofcrossbowmen，whowerelefttheothersideofthevineyardwall，——keen—eyedItaliansofthemountains，straightshootersofthebolt。Sothepoorfolkflednot；naytheymadeasifallthiswerenoneoftheirbusiness，andwentonwiththeirwork。Forindeedeachmansaidtohimself，"IfIbetheonethatisnotslain，to—morrowIshalllackbreadifIdonotworkmyhardestto—day；andmaybeIshallbeheadmanifsomeofthesebeslainandIlive。"
NowcomestheKingamongstthemandsays："Goodfellows，whichofyouistheheadman？"
Spakeaman，sturdyandsunburnt，welloninyearsandgrizzled：
"Iamtheheadman，lord。"
"Givemethyhoe，then，"saystheKing；"fornowshallIorderthismattermyself，sincetheselordsdesireanewgame，andarefaintoworkundermeatvine—dressing。ButdothoustandbymeandsetmerightifIorderthemwrong：buttherestofyougoplay!"
Thecarleknewnotwhattothink，andlettheKingstandwithhishandstretchedout，whilehelookedaskanceathisownlordandbaron，whowaggedhisheadathimgrimlyasonewhosays，"Doit，dog!"
ThenthecarleletsthehoecomeintotheKing’shand；andtheKingfallsto，andordershislordsforvine—dressing，toeachhisdueshareofthework：andwhilesthecarlesaidyeaandwhilesnaytohisordering。Andthenyeshouldhaveseenvelvetcloakscastoff，andmantlesoffineFlemishscarletgotothedustyearth；asthelordsandknightsbuskedthemtothework。
Sotheybuckledto；andtomostofthemitseemedgoodgametoplayatvine—dressing。Butonetherewaswho，whenhisscarletcloakwasoff，stoodupinadoubletofgloriousPersianwebofgoldandsilk，suchasmenmakenotnow，worthahundredflorinstheBremenell。UntohimtheKingwithnosmileonhisfacegavethejoboftoingandfroingupanddownthehillwiththebiggestandthefrailestdung—basketthattherewas；andthereatthesilkenlordscrewedupagrin，thatwassporttosee，andallthelordslaughed；andasheturnedawayhesaid，yetsothatnoneheardhim，"DoIservethisson’ssonofawhorethatheshouldbidmecarrydung？"ForyoumustknowthattheKing’sfather，JohnHunyad，oneofthegreatwarriorsoftheworld，theHammeroftheTurks，wasnotgotteninwedlock，thoughhewereaking’sson。
Well，theyspedtheworkbravelyforawhile，andloudwasthelaughterasthehoessmotetheearthandtheflintstonestinkledandthecloudofdustroseup；thebrocadeddung—bearerwentupanddown，cursingandswearingbytheWhiteGodandtheBlack；
andonewouldsaytoanother，"Seeyehowgentlebloodoutgoeschurls’blood，evenwhenthegentledoesthechurl’swork：theselazyloonssmotebutonestroketoourthree。"ButtheKing，whoworkednoworsethanany，laughednotatall；andmeanwhilethepoorfolkstoodby，notdaringtospeakawordonetotheother；
fortheywerestillsoreafraid，notnowofbeingslainonthespot，butthisratherwasintheirhearts："Thesegreatandstronglordsandknightshavecometoseewhatworkamanmaydowithoutdying：ifwearetohaveyetmoredaysaddedtoouryear’staleoflords’labour，thenarewelostwithoutremedy。"
Andtheirheartssankwithinthem。
Sospedthework；andthesunroseyethigherintheheavens，anditwasnoonandmore。Andnowtherewasnomorelaughteramongthosetoilinglords，andthestrokesofthehoeandmattockcamefarslower，whilethedung—bearersatdownatthebottomofthehillandlookedoutontheriver；buttheKingyetworkedondoggedly，soforshametheotherlordsyetkeptatit。TillatlastthenextmantotheKinglethishoedropwithaclatter，andsworeagreatoath。Nowhewasastrongblack—beardedmanintheprimeoflife，avaliantcaptainofthatfamousBlackBandthathadsooftenrenttheTurkisharray；andtheKinglovedhimforhissturdyvalour；sohesaystohim，"Isaughtwrong，Captain？"
"Nay，lord，"sayshe，"asktheheadmancarleyonderwhatailsus。"
"Headman，"saystheKing，"whatailsthesestrongknights？HaveIorderedthemwrongly？"
"Nay，butshirkingailsthem，lord，"sayshe，"fortheyareweary；andnowonder，fortheyhavebeenplayinghard，andareofgentleblood。"
"Isthatso，lord，"saystheKing，"thatyearewearyalready？"
Thentheresthungtheirheadsandsaidnought，allsavethatcaptainofwar；andhesaid，beingaboldmanandnoliar：
"King，Iseewhatthouwouldstbeat；thouhastbroughtusheretopreachusasermonfromthatPlatoofthine；andtosaysooth，sothatImayswinknomore，andgoeatmydinner，nowpreachthyworst!Nay，ifthouwiltbepriestIwillbethydeacon。WiltthouthatIaskthislabouringcarleathingortwo？"
"Yea，"saidtheKing。Andtherecame，asitwere，acloudofthoughtoverhisface。
Thenthecaptainstraddledhislegsandlookedbig，andsaidtothecarle："Goodfellow，howlonghavewebeenworkinghere？"
"Twohoursorthereabout，judgingbythesunaboveus，"sayshe。
"Andhowmuchofthyworkhavewedoneinthatwhile？"saysthecaptain，andwinkshiseyeathimwithal。
"Lord，"saysthecarle，grinningalittledespitehimself，"benotwrothwithmyword。Inthefirsthalf—houryedidfive—and—
fortyminutes’workofours，andinthenexthalf—hourscantathirtyminutes’work，andthethirdhalf—hourafifteenminutes’
work，andinthefourthhalf—hourtwominutes’work。"Thegrinnowhadfadedfromhisface，butagleamcameintohiseyesashesaid："Andnow，asIsuppose，yourday’sworkisdone，andyewillgotoyourdinner，andeatthesweetanddrinkthestrong；
andweshalleatalittlerye—bread，andthenbeworkingheretillafterthesunhassetandthemoonhasbeguntocastshadows。Nowforyou，Iwotnothowyeshallsleepnorwhere，norwhatwhitebodyyeshallholdinyourarmswhilethenightflitsandthestarsshine；butforus，whilethestarsyetshine，shallwebeatitagain，andbethinkyeforwhat!Iknownotwhatgameandplayyeshallbedevisingforto—morrowasyeridebackhome；butforuswhenwecomebackhereto—morrow，itshallbeasiftherehadbeennoyesterdayandnothingdonetherein，andthatworkofthatto—dayshallbenoughttousalso，forweshallwinnorespitefromourtoilthereby，andthemorrowofto—morrowwillallbetobeginagainoncemore，andsoonandontillnoto—morrowabidethus。Therefore，ifyearethinkingtolaysomenewtaxortaleuponus，thinktwiceofit，forwemaynotbearit。AndallthisIsaywiththelessfear，becauseIperceivethismanherebesideme，intheblackvelvetjerkinandthegoldchainonhisneck，istheKing；nordoIthinkhewillslaymeformywordsincehehathsomanyaTurkbeforehimandhismightysword!"
Thensaidthecaptain："ShallIsmitetheman，OKing？orhathhepreachedthysermonforthee？"
"Smitenot，forhehathpreachedit，"saidtheKing。"Hearkentothecarle’ssermon，lordsandcouncillorsofmine!Yetwhenanotherhathspokenourthought，otherthoughtsareborntherefrom，andnowhaveIanothersermontopreach；butIwillrefrainmeasnow。Letusdownandtoourdinner。"
Sotheywent，theKingandhisgentles，andsatdownbytheriverundertherustleofthepoplars，andtheyateanddrankandweremerry。AndtheKingbadebearupthebrokenmeatstothevine—
dressers，andagooddraughtofthearcher’swine，andtotheheadmanhegaveabroadgoldpiece，andtoeachmanthreesilverpennies。Butwhenthepoorfolkhadallthatundertheirhands，itwastothemasthoughthekingdomofheavenhadcomedowntoearth。
InthecooloftheeveninghomerodetheKingandhislords。TheKingwasdistraughtandsilent；butatlastthecaptain，whorodebesidehim，saidtohim："Preachmenowthineafter—sermon，OKing!"
"Ithinkthouknowestitalready，"saidtheKing，"elsehadstthounotspokeninsuchwisetothecarle；buttellmewhatisthycraftandthecraftofallthese，wherebyyelive，asthepotterbymakingpots，andsoforth？"
Saidthecaptain："Asthepotterlivesbymakingpots，sowelivebyrobbingthepoor。"
AgainsaidtheKing："Andmytrade？"
Saidhe，"Thytradeistobeakingofsuchthieves，yetnoworserthantherest。"
TheKinglaughed。
"Bearthatinmind，"saidhe，"andthenshallItelltheemythoughtwhileyondercarlespake。`Carle，’Ithought，`wereI
thouorsuchasthou，thenwouldItakeinmyhandaswordoraspear，orwereitonlyahedge—stake，andbidothersdothelike，andforthwouldwego；andsincewewouldbesomany，andwithnoughttolosesaveamiserablelife，wewoulddobattleandprevail，andmakeanendofthecraftofkingsandoflordsandofusurers，andthereshouldbebutonecraftintheworld，towit，toworkmerrilyforourselvesandtolivemerrilythereby。’"
Saidthecaptain："Thisthenisthysermon。Whowillheeditifthoupreachit？"
SaidtheKing："Theywhowilltakethemadkingandputhiminaking’smadhouse，thereforedoIforbeartopreachit。YetitSHALLbepreached。"
"Andnotheeded，"saidthecaptain，"savebythosewhoheadandhangthesettersforthofnewthingsthataregoodfortheworld。
Ourtradeissafeformanyanmanyageneration。"
AndtherewiththeycametotheKing’spalace，andtheyateanddrankandsleptandtheworldwentonitsways。