Part 4

Howbeit, he continued to affirme and to stare, untill at lengthe, one after another, by dint of strayning theire Eyes and theire Imaginations, did admitt, first, that they saw Something; next, that it mighte be a Dragon; and last, that it was. Of course, on theire Passage homeward, they could talk of little else--some made serious Reflections; others, philosophicall Speculations; and _Pole_ waggishly triumphed in having beene the Firste to discerne the Spectacle.

"And you trulie believe there was a Signe in the Heavens?" we inquired of _Erasmus_.

"What know I?" returned he smiling; "you know, _Constantine_ saw a Cross. Why shoulde _Polus_ not see a Dragon? We must judge by the Event. Perhaps its Mission may be to fly away with _him_. He swore to the curly Tail."

How difficulte it is to discerne the supernatural from the incredible! We laughe at _Gillian's_ Faith in our Latin; _Erasmus_ laughs at _Polus_ his Dragon. Have we a righte to believe noughte but what we can see or prove? Nay, that will never doe. _Father_ says a Capacitie for reasoning increaseth a Capacitie for believing. He believes there is such a Thing as Witchcraft, though not that poore olde _Gammer Gurney_ is a Witch; he believes that Saints can work Miracles, though not in alle the Marvels reported of the _Canterbury_ Shrine.

Had I beene Justice of the Peace, like the King's Grandmother, I would have beene very jealous of Accusations of Witchcraft; and have taken infinite Payns to sift out the Causes of Malice, Jealousie, &c., which mighte have wroughte with the poore olde Women's Enemies. _Holie Writ_ sayth, "Thou shalt not suffer a Witch to live;" but, questionlesse, manie have suffered Hurte that were noe Witches; and for my Part, I have alwaies helde ducking to be a very uncertayn as well as very cruel Teste.

I cannot helpe smiling, whenever I think of my Rencounter with _William_ this Morning. Mr. _Gunnell_ had set me _Homer's_ tiresome List of Ships; and, because of the excessive Heate within Doors, I took my Book into the Nuttery, to be beyonde the Wrath of far-darting _Phoebus Apollo_, where I clomb into my favourite Filbert Seat. Anon comes _William_ through the Trees without seeing me; and seats him at the Foot of my Filbert; then, out with his Tablets, and, in a Posture I should have called studdied, had he known anie one within Sighte, falls a poetizing, I question not. Having noe Mind to be interrupted, I lett him be, thinking he would soone exhaust the Vein; but a Caterpillar dropping from the Leaves on to my Page, I was fayn, for Mirthe sake, to shake it down on his Tablets. As ill Luck would have it, however, the little Reptile onlie fell among his Curls; which soe took me at Vantage that I coulde not helpe hastilie crying, "I beg your Pardon." 'Twas worth a World to see his Start! "Why!" cries he, looking up, "are there indeede _Hamadryads_?" and would have gallanted a little, but I bade him hold down his Head, while that with a Twig I switched off the Caterpillar. Neither coulde forbeare laughing; and then he sued me to step downe, but I was minded to abide where I was. Howbeit, after a Minute's Pause, he sayd, in a grave, kind Tone, "Come, little Wife;" and taking mine Arm steadilie in his Hand, I lost my Balance and was faine to come down whether or noe. We walked for some Time _juxta Fluvium_; and he talked not badlie of his Travels, insomuch as I founde there was really more in him than one would think.

--Was there ever Aniething soe perverse, unluckie, and downrighte disagreeable? We hurried our Afternoone Tasks, to goe on the Water with my _Father_; and, meaning to give Mr. _Gunnel_ my _Latin_ Traduction, which is in a Booke like unto this, I never knew he had my Journalle insteade, untill that he burst out a laughing. "Soe this is the famous _Libellus_," quoth he.... I never waited for another Word, but snatcht it out of his Hand; which he, for soe strict a Man, bore well enow. I do not believe he could have read a Dozen Lines, and they were towards the Beginning; but I should hugelie like to know which Dozen Lines they were.

Hum! I have a Mind never to write another Word. That will be punishing myselfe, though, insteade of _Gunnel_. And he bade me not take it to Heart like the late _Bishop of Durham_, to whom a like Accident befel, which soe annoyed him that he died of Chagrin. I will never again, howbeit, write Aniething savouring ever soe little of Levitie or Absurditie. The Saints keepe me to it! And, to know it from my Exercise Book, I will henceforthe bind a blue Ribbon round it. Furthermore, I will knit the sayd Ribbon in soe close a Knot, that it shall be worth no one else's Payns to pick it out. Lastlie, and for entire Securitie, I will carry the Same in my Pouch, which will hold bigger Matters than this.

_22nd._

This Daye, at Dinner, Mr. _Clement_ tooke the Pistoller's Place at the Reading-desk; and, insteade of continuing the Subject in Hand, read a Paraphrase of the 103rde Psalm; the Faithfulnesse and elegant Turne of which, _Erasmus_ highlie commended, though he took Exceptions to the Phrase "renewing thy Youth like that of the Phoenix," whose fabulous Story he believed to have beene unknowne to the Psalmist, and, therefore, however poeticall, unfitt to be introduced. A deepe Blush on sweet _Mercy's_ Face ledd to the Detection of the Paraphrast, and drew on her some deserved Commendations. _Erasmus_, turning to my _Father_, exclaymed with Animation, "I woulde call this House the Academy of _Plato_, were it not Injustice to compare it to a Place where the usuall Disputations concerning Figures and Numbers were onlie occasionallie intersperst with Disquisitions concerning the moral Virtues." Then, in a graver Mood, he added, "One mighte envie you, but that your precious Privileges are bound up with soe paynfulle Anxieties. How manie Pledges have you given to Fortune!"

"If my Children are to die out of the Course of Nature, before theire Parents," _Father_ firmly replyed, "I would rather they died well-instructed than ignorant."

"You remind me," rejoyns _Erasmus_, "of _Phocion_; whose Wife, when he was aboute to drink the fatal Cup, exclaimed, 'Ah, my Husband! you die innocent.' 'And woulde you, my Wife,' he returned, 'have me die guilty?'"

Awhile after, _Gonellus_ askt leave to see _Erasmus_ his Signet-ring, which he handed down to him. In passing it back, _William_, who was occupyde in carving a Crane, handed it so negligentlie that it felle to the Ground. I never saw such a Face as _Erasmus_ made, when 'twas picked out from the Rushes! And yet, ours are renewed almost daylie, which manie think over nice. He took it gingerlie in his faire, Woman-like Hands, and washed and wiped it before he put it on; which escaped not my Step-mother's displeased notice. Indeede, these _Dutchmen_ are scrupulouslie cleane, though _Mother_ calls 'em swinish, because they will eat raw Sallets; though, for that Matter, _Father_ loves Cresses and Ramps. She alsoe mislikes _Erasmus_ for eating Cheese and Butter together with his Manchet; or what he calls _Boetram_; and for being, generallie, daintie at his Sizes, which she sayth is an ill Example to soe manie young People, and becometh not one with soe little Money in 's Purse: howbeit, I think 'tis not Nicetie, but a weak Stomach, which makes him loathe our Salt-meat Commons from Michaelmasse to Easter, and eschew Fish of the coarser Sort. He cannot breakfaste on colde Milk, like _Father_, but liketh Furmity a little spiced. At Dinner, he pecks at, rather than eats, Ruffs and Reeves, Lapwings, or anie smalle Birds it may chance; but affects Sweets and Subtilties, and loves a Cup of Wine or Ale, stirred with Rosemary. _Father_ never toucheth the Wine-cup but to grace a Guest, and loves Water from the Spring. We growing Girls eat more than either; and _Father_ says he loves to see us slice away at the Cob-loaf; it does him goode. What a kind Father he is! I wish my _Step-mother_ were as kind. I hate all sneaping and snubbing, flowting, fleering, pinching, nipping, and such-like; it onlie creates Resentment insteade of Penitence, and lowers the Minde of either Partie. _Gillian_ throws a Rolling-pin at the Turnspit's Head, and we call it Low-life; but we looke for such Unmannerlinesse in the Kitchen. A Whip is onlie fit for _Tisiphone_.

As we rose from Table, I noted _Argus_ pearcht on the Window-sill, eagerlie watching for his Dinner, which he looketh for as punctuallie as if he could tell the Diall; and to please the good, patient Bird, till the Scullion broughte him his Mess of Garden-stuff, I fetched him some Pulse, which he took from mine Hand, taking good Heede not to hurt me with his sharp Beak. While I was feeding him, _Erasmus_ came up, and asked me concerning _Mercy Giggs_; and I tolde him how that she was a friendlesse Orphan, to whom deare _Father_ afforded Protection and the run of the House; and tolde him of her Gratitude, her Meekness, her Patience, her Docilitie, her Aptitude for alle goode Works and Alms-deeds; and how, in her little Chamber, she improved eache spare Moment in the Way of Studdy and Prayer. He repeated "Friendlesse? she cannot be called Friendlesse, who hath _More_ for her Protector, and his Children for Companions;" and then woulde heare more of her Parents' sad Story. Alsoe, would hear somewhat of _Rupert Allington_, and how _Father_ gained his Lawsuit. Alsoe, of _Daisy_, whose Name he tooke to be the true Abbreviation for _Margaret_, but I tolde him how that my Step-sister, and _Mercy_, and I, being all three of a Name, and I being alwaies called _Meg_, we had in Sport given one the Significative of her characteristic Virtue, and the other that of the French _Marguerite_, which may indeed be rendered either Pearl or Daisy. And _Chaucer_, speaking of our English Daisy, saith

"_Si douce est la Marguerite._"

_23rd._

Since the little Wisdom I have Capacitie to acquire, soe oft gives me the Headache to Distraction, I marvel not at _Jupiter's_ Payn in his Head, when the Goddess of Wisdom sprang therefrom full growne.

* * * * *

This Morn, to quiet the Payn brought on by too busie Application, Mr. _Gunnel_ would have me close my Book and ramble forth with _Cecy_ into the Fields. We strolled towards _Walham Greene_; and she was seeking for Shepherd's Purses and Shepherd's Needles, when she came running back to me, looking rather pale. I askt what had scared her, and she made answer that _Gammer Gurney_ was coming along the Hedge. I bade her set aside her Feares; and anon we came up with _Gammer_, who was pulling at the purple Blossoms of the Deadly Nightshade. I sayd, "_Gammer_, to what Purpose gather that Weed? knowest not 'tis Evill?"

She sayth, mumbling, "What GOD hath created, that call not thou evill."

"Well, but," quo' I, "'tis Poison."

"Aye, and Medicine too," returns _Gammer_. "I wonder what we poor Souls might come to, if we tooke Nowt for our Ails and Aches but what we could buy o' the Potticary. We've got noe Dr. _Clement_, we poor Folks, to be our Leech o' the Household."

"But hast no Feare," quo' I, "of an Over-dose?"

"There's manie a Doctor," sayth she, with an unpleasant Leer, "that hath given that at first. In Time he gets his Hand in; and I've had a Plenty o' Practice--Thanks to Self and Sister."

"I knew not," quoth I, "that thou hadst a Sister."

"How should ye, Mistress," returns she shortlie, "when ye never comes nigh us? We've grubbed on together this many a Year."

"'Tis soe far," I returned, half ashamed.

"Why, soe it be," answers _Gammer_; "far from Neighbours, far from Church, and far from Priest; howbeit, my old Legs carries me to _your_ House o' Fridays; but I know not whether I shall e'er come agayn--the Rye Bread was soe hard last Time; it may serve for young Teeth, and for them as has got none; but mine, you see, are onlie on the _goe_;" and she opened her Mouth with a ghastly Smile. "'Tis not," she added, "that I'm ungratefulle; but thou sees, Mistress, I really _can't_ eat Crusts."

After a Moment, I asked, "Where lies your Dwelling?"

"Out by yonder," quoth she, pointing to a shapeless Mass like a huge Bird's Nest in the Corner of the Field. "There bides poor _Joan_ and I. Wilt come and looke within, Mistress, and see how a Christian can die?"

I mutelie complyed, in spite of _Cecy's_ pulling at my Skirts. Arrived at the wretched Abode, which had a Hole for its Chimney, and another for Door at once and Window, I found, sitting in a Corner, propped on a Heap of Rushes, dried Leaves, and olde Rags, an aged sick Woman, who seemed to have but a little While to live. A Mug of Water stoode within her Reach; I saw none other Sustenance; but, in her Visage, oh, such Peace!... Whispers _Gammer_ with an awfulle Look, "She sees 'em now!"

"Sees who?" quoth I.

"Why, Angels in two long Rows, afore the Throne of GOD, a bending of themselves, this Way, with theire Faces to th' Earth, and Arms stretched out afore 'em."

"Hath she seen a Priest?" quoth I.

"LORD love ye," returns _Gammer_, "what coulde a Priest doe for her? She's in Heaven alreadie. I doubte if she can heare me." And then, in a loud, distinct Voyce, quite free from her usuall Mumping, she beganne to recite in _English_, "Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD, and walketh in his Ways," etc.; which the dying Woman hearde, although alreadie speechlesse; and reaching out her feeble Arm unto her Sister's Neck, she dragged it down till their Faces touched; and then, looking up, pointed at Somewhat she aimed to make her see ... and we alle looked up, but saw Noughte. Howbeit, she pointed up three severall Times, and lay, as it were, transfigured before us, a gazing at some transporting Sighte, and ever and anon turning on her Sister Looks of Love; and, the While we stoode thus agaze, her Spiritt passed away without even a Thrill or a Shudder. _Cecy_ and I beganne to weepe; and, after a While, soe did _Gammer_; then, putting us forthe, she sayd, "Goe, Children, goe; 'tis noe goode crying; and yet I'm thankfulle to ye for your Teares."

I sayd, "Is there Aught we can doe for thee?"

She made Answer, "Perhaps you can give me Tuppence, Mistress, to lay on her poor Eyelids and keep 'em down. Bless 'ee, bless 'ee! You're like the good Samaritan--he pulled out Twopence. And maybe, if I come to 'ee To-morrow, you'll give me a Lapfulle of Rosemarie, to lay on her poor Corpse.... I know you've Plenty. GOD be with 'ee, Children; and be sure ye mind how a Christian can die."

Soe we left, and came Home sober enow. _Cecy_ sayth, "To die is not soe fearfulle, _Meg_, as I thoughte, but shoulde _you_ fancy dying without a Priest? I shoulde not; and yet _Gammer_ sayd she wanted not one. Howbeit, for certayn, _Gammer Gurney_ is noe Witch, or she would not soe prayse GOD."

To conclude, _Father_, on hearing Alle, hath given _Gammer_ more than enow for her present Needes; and _Cecy_ and I are the Almoners of his Mercy.

_June 24th._

Yesternighte, being _St. John's Eve_, we went into Town to see the mustering of the Watch. Mr. _Rastall_ had secured us a Window opposite the _King's Head_, in _Chepe_, where theire Majestys went in State to see the Show. The Streets were a Marvell to see, being like unto a Continuation of fayr Bowres or Arbours, garlanded acrosse and over the Doors with greene Birch, long Fennel, Orpin, St. _John's_ Wort, white Lilies, and such like; with innumerable Candles intersperst, the which, being lit up as soon as 'twas Dusk, made the Whole look like enchanted Land; while, at the same Time, the leaping over Bon-fires commenced, and produced Shouts of Laughter. The Youths woulde have had _Father_ goe downe and joyn 'em; _Rupert_, speciallie, begged him hard, but he put him off with, "Sirrah, you Goose-cap, dost think 'twoulde befitt the Judge of the _Sheriffs' Court_?"

At length, to the Sound of Trumpets, came marching up _Cheapside_ two Thousand of the Watch, in white Fustian, with the City Badge; and seven hundred Cressett Bearers, eache with his Fellow to supplie him with Oyl, and making, with theire flaring Lights, the Night as cleare as Daye. After 'em, the Morris-dancers and City Waites; the Lord Mayor on horseback, very fine, with his Giants and Pageants; and the Sheriff and his Watch, and _his_ Giants and Pageants. The Streets very uproarious on our way back to the Barge, but the homeward Passage delicious; the Nighte Ayre cool; and the Stars shining brightly. _Father_ and _Erasmus_ had some astronomick Talk; howbeit, methoughte _Erasmus_ less familiar with the heavenlie Bodies than _Father_ is. Afterwards they spake of the King, but not over-freelie, by reason of the Bargemen overhearing. Thence, to the ever-vext Question of _Martin Luther_, of whome _Erasmus_ spake in Terms of earneste, yet qualifyde Prayse.

"If _Luther_ be innocent," quoth he, "I woulde not run him down by a wicked Faction; if he be in Error, I woulde rather have him reclaymed than destroyed; for this is most agreeable to the Doctrine of our deare Lord and Master, who woulde not bruise the broken Reede, nor quenche the smoking Flax." And much more to same Purpose.

We younger Folks felle to choosing our favourite Mottoes and Devices, in which the Elders at length joyned us. _Mother's_ was loyal--"Cleave to the Crown though it hang on a Bush." _Erasmus's_ pithie--"_Festina lente._" _William_ sayd he was indebted for his to St. _Paul_--"I seeke not yours, but you." For me, I quoted one I had seene in an olde Countrie Church, "_Mieux être que paroître_," which pleased _Father_ and _Erasmus_ much.

_June 25th._

Poor _Erasmus_ caughte colde on the Water last Nighte, and keeps House to-daye, taking warm Possets. 'Tis my Week of Housekeeping under Mother's Guidance, and I never had more Pleasure in it; delighting to suit his Taste in sweete Things, which, methinks, all Men like. I have enow of Time left for Studdy, when alle's done.

He hathe beene the best Part of the Morning in our Academia, looking over Books and Manuscripts, taking Notes of some, discoursing with Mr. _Gunnel_ on others; and, in some Sorte, interrupting our Morning's Work; but how pleasantlie! Besides, as _Father_ sayth, "Varietie is not always Interruption. That which occasionallie lets and hinders our accustomed Studdies, may prove to the ingenious noe less profitable than theire Studdies themselves."

They beganne with discussing the Pronunciation of Latin and Greek, on which _Erasmus_ differeth much from us, though he holds to our Pronunciation of the _Theta_. Thence, to the absurde Partie of the _Ciceronians_ now in _Italie_, who will admit noe Author save _Tully_ to be read nor quoted, nor any Word not in his Writings to be used. Thence to the Latinitie of the _Fathers_, of whose Style he spake slightlie enow, but rated _Jerome_ above _Augustine_. At length, to his _Greek_ and _Latin Testament_, of late issued from the Presse, and the incredible Labour it hath cost him to make it as perfect as possible: on this Subject he so warmed that _Bess_ and I listened with suspended Breath. "May it please GOD," sayth he, knitting ferventlie his Hands, "to make it a Blessing to all Christendom! I look for noe other Reward. Scholars and Believers yet unborn may have Reason to thank, and yet may forget _Erasmus_." He then went on to explain to _Gunnel_ what he had much felt in want of, and hoped some Scholar might yet undertake; to wit, a Sort of _Index Bibliorum_, showing in how manie Passages of Holy Writ occurreth anie given Word, etc.; and he e'en proposed it to _Gunnel_, saying 'twas onlie the Work of Patience and Industry, and mighte be layd aside, and resumed as Occasion offered, and completed at Leisure, to the great Thankfullenesse of Scholars. But _Gunnel_ onlie smiled and shooke his Head. Howbeit, _Erasmus_ set forth his Scheme soe playnlie, that I, having a Pen in Hand, did privilie note down alle the Heads of the same, thinking, if none else would undertake it, why should not I? since Leisure and Industrie were alone required, and since 'twoulde be soe acceptable to manie, 'speciallie to _Erasmus_.

_June 29th._

Hearde _Mother_ say to _Barbara_, "Be sure the Sirloin is well basted for the King's Physician;" which avised me that Dr. _Linacre_ was expected. In Truth, he returned with _Father_ in the Barge; and they tooke a Turn on the River Bank before sitting down to Table. I noted them from my Lattice; and anon, _Father_, beckoning me, cries, "Child, bring out my favourite Treatyse on Fisshynge, printed by _Wynkyn de Worde_; I must give the Doctor my loved Passage."

Joyning 'em with the Booke, I found _Father_ telling him of the Roach, Dace, Chub, Barbel, etc., we oft catch opposite the Church; and hastilie turning over the Leaves, he beginneth with Unction to read the Passage ensuing, which I love to the full as much as he:--

He observeth, if the Angler's Sport shoulde fail him, "he at the best hathe his holsom Walk and mery at his Ease, a swete Ayre of the swete Savour of the Meade of Flowers, that maketh him hungry; he heareth the melodious Harmonie of Fowles, he seeth the young Swans, Herons, Ducks, Cotes, and manie other Fowles, with theire Broods, which me seemeth better than alle the Noise of Hounds, Faukenors, and Fowlers can make. And if the Angler take Fysshe, then there is noe Man merrier than he is in his Spryte." And, "Ye shall not use this foresaid crafty Disporte for no covetysnesse in the encreasing and sparing of your Money onlie, but pryncipallie for your Solace, and to cause the Health of your Bodie, and speciallie of your Soule, for when ye purpose to goe on your Disportes of Fysshynge, ye will not desire greatlie manie Persons with you, which woulde lett you of your Game. And thenne ye may serve GOD devoutlie, in saying affectuouslie your customable Prayer; and thus doing, ye shall eschew and voyd manie Vices."

"Angling is itselfe a Vice," cries _Erasmus_, from the Thresholde; "for my Part I will fish none, save and except for pickled Oysters."

"In the Regions below," answers _Father_; and then laughinglie tells _Linacre_ of his firste Dialogue with _Erasmus_, who had beene feasting in my Lord Mayor's Cellar:--"'Whence come you?' 'From below.' 'What were they about there?' 'Eating live Oysters, and drinking out of Leather Jacks.' 'Either you are _Erasmus_,' etc. 'Either you are _More_ or Nothing.'"

"'Neither more nor less,' you should have rejoyned," sayth the Doctor.

"How I wish I had!" says _Father_; "don't torment me with a Jest I might have made and did not make; 'speciallie to put downe _Erasmus_."

"_Concedo nulli_," sayth _Erasmus_.

"Why are you so lazy?" asks _Linacre_; "I am sure you can speak English if you will."

"Soe far from it," sayth _Erasmus_, "that I made my Incapacitie an Excuse for declining an English Rectory. Albeit, you know how _Wareham_ requited me; saying, in his kind, generous Way, I served the Church more by my Pen than I coulde by preaching Sermons in a countrie Village."

Sayth _Linacre_, "The Archbishop hath made another Remark, as much to the Purpose: to wit, that he has received from you the Immortalitie which Emperors and Kings cannot bestow."

"They cannot even bid a smoking Sirloin retain its Heat an Hour after it hath left the Fire," sayth _Father_. "Tilly-vally! as my good _Alice_ says,--let us remember the universal Doom, '_Fruges consumere nati_,' and philosophize over our Ale and Bracket."

"Not _Cambridge_ Ale, neither," sayth _Erasmus_.