29 Now fare thee well, my master, if true surface be garredened with hard looks, even cut the tow-line, and let our barks across the pathless flood hold different courses. The Shipwreck Tresselion walked into the outer yard of the castle, scarce knowing what to think of his late, strange, and most unexpected interview with Amy Ropes-Arm, and dubious if he had done well, being entrusted with the delegated authority of her father, to pass his word so solemnly to leave her to her own guidance for so many hours. Yet how could he have denied her request, dependent, as she had, too probably rendered herself upon Varney? Such was his natural reasoning. The happiness of her future life might depend on his not driving her to extremities, and since no authority of Tresselions could extricate her from the power of Varney, supposing he was to acknowledge Amy to be his wife, what title had he to destroy the hope of domestic peace, which might yet remain to her, by sending enmity betwixt them. He could resolve, therefore, scrupulously, to observe his word pledged to Amy, both because it had been given, and because, as he still thought, while he considered and reconsidered that extraordinary interview, it could not, with justice or propriety, have been refused. In one respect he had gained much towards securing effectual protection for this unhappy and still beloved object of his early affection. Amy was no longer mewed up in a distant and solitary retreat, under the charge of persons of doubtful reputation. She was in the castle of Kenilworth, within the verge of the royal court for the time, free from all risk of violence, and liable to be produced before Elizabeth on the first summons. These were circumstances which could not but assist greatly the efforts which he might have occasioned to use in her behalf. While he was thus balancing the advantages and perils, which attended her unexpected presence in Kenilworth, Tricillian was hastily and anxiously accosted by Weyland, who, after ejaculating, thanked God, your worship is found at last, proceeded with breathless caution to pour into his ear the intelligence that the lady had escaped from come her place. And is it present in this castle, said Tricillian, I know it, and I have seen her. Was it by her own choice she found refuge in my apartment? No, answered Weyland, but I could think of no other way of safely bestowing her, and was but too happy to find a deputy usher who knew where you were quartered. In jolly society truly, the hall on the one hand and the kitchen on the other. Peace, this is no time for jesting, answered Tricillian sternly. I want that but too well, said the artist, for I felt these three days as if I had a halt around my neck. This lady knows not her own mind, she will have none of your aid, command you not to be named to her, and is about to put herself into the hands of my Lord Lester. I never got her safe into your chamber had she known the owner of it. Is it possible, said Tricillian? But she may have hopes the Earl will exert his influence in her favour over his villainous dependent. I know nothing of that, said Weyland, but I believe if she is to reconcile herself with either Lester or Barney, the side of the castle of Kenneworth, which will be safest for us, will be the outside, from which we can fastest fly away. It is not my purpose to abide an instant after delivery of the letter to Lester, which waits but your commands to find its way to him. See, here it is. But no, a plague on it. I must have left it in my dog-hole, in that hayloft yonder, where I am to sleep. Death and fury, said Tricillian, transported beyond his usual patience. That was not lost that on which may depend a stake more important than a thousand such lives as thine. Lost it, answered Weyland readily. That were a jest indeed. No, sir, I have it carefully put up with my night-sack, and some matters I have occasion to use. I will fetch it in an instant. Do so, said Tricillian, be faithful, and thou shalt be well rewarded. But if I have reason to suspect thee, a dead dog were in better case than thou. Weyland bowed and took his leave with seeming confidence and alacrity, but in fact filled with the utmost dread and confusion. The letter was lost, that was certain, notwithstanding the apology which he had made, to appease the impatient displeasure of Tricillian. It was lost, it might fall into wrong hands, it would then certainly occasion a discovery of the whole intrigue in which he had been engaged. Nor indeed did Weyland see much prospect of its remaining concealed in any event. He felt much hurt, besides at Tricillian's burst of impatience. Nay, if I am to be paid in this coin for surfaces where my neck is concerned, it is time I should look to myself. Here have I offended, fraught I know, to the death, the lord of the stately castle, whose word were as powerful to take away my life, as the breath which speaks it to blow out a farthing candle, and all this for a madlady, and a melancholy gallant, who, on the loss of a forenoted bit of paper, has his hand on his poignardot, and swears death and fury. Then there is the doctor and Varney. I will save myself from the whole mess of them. Life is dearer than gold. I will fly this instant, though I leave my reward behind me. These reflections, naturally enough, occurred to a mind like Weyland's, who found himself engaged far deeper than he'd expected in a train of mysterious and unintelligible intrigues, in which the actors seemed hardly to know their own course. And yet, to do him justice, his personal fears were, in some degree, counterbalanced by his compassion for the deserted state of the lady. I care not a groat for Master Tricillian, he said. I have done more than bargain by him, and I have brought his errant damsel within his reach, so that he may look after her himself. But I feel the poor thing is in much danger amongst these stormy spirits. I will do a chamber and tell her the fate which has befallen her letter, that she may write another if she lists. She cannot lack a messenger, I tro, where there are so many lackeys that can carry a letter to their lord. And I will tell her also that I leave the castle, trusting her to God, her own guidance, and Master Tricillian's care and looking after her. Perhaps she may remember the ring she offered me. It was well earned, I tro. But she is a lovely creature, and Mary hang the ring. I will not bear a base spirit for the matter. If I fare ill in this world for my good nature, I shall a better chance in the next. So now for the lady, and then for the road. With the stealthy step and jealous eye of the cat that stills on her prey, Wayland resumed the way to the Countess's chamber, siding along by the side of the courts and passages, a like observant for all around him, and studious himself to escape observation. In this manner he crossed the outward and inward castle yard, and the great arch passage, which, running betwixt the range of kitchen offices and the hall, led to the bottom of the little winding stair that gave access to the chambers of Mervyn's tower. The artist congratulated himself on having escaped the various perils of his journey, and was in the act of ascending by two steps at once, when he observed that the shadow of a man, thrown from a door which stood ajar, darkened the opposite wall of the staircase. Wayland drew back cautiously, went down to the inner courtyard, spent about a quarter of an hour, which seemed at least quadruple its usual duration, and walking from place to place, and then returned to the tower, in hopes to find that the lurker had disappeared. He ascended as high as the suspicious spot. There was no shadow on the wall. He ascended a few yards further. The door was still ajar, and he was doubtful whether to advance or retreat, when it was suddenly thrown wide open and Michael Lamporn bolted out upon the astonished Wayland. Who the devil art thou, and what seekest thou in this part of the castle? March into that chamber and be hanged to thee. I'm no dawg to go at every man's whistle, said the artist, affecting a confidence which was belied by a timid shake in his voice. Sayest thou me so? Come hither, Laurence Staples. A huge ill-made and ill-looked fellow, upwards of six feet high, appeared at the door, and Lamporn proceeded. If thou beest so fond of this tower, my friend, thou shalt see its foundations, good twelve feet below the bed of the lake, and tenanted by certain jolly toads, snakes, and so forth, which thou would find mighty good company. Therefore once more I ask you in fair play, who thou art, and what thou seekest here? If the dungeon great once clashes behind me, thought Wayland, I am a god-man. He therefore answered submissively. He was the poor juggler whom his honour had met yesterday in Weatherly Bottom. And what juggling trick art thou playing in this tower? Thy gang, said Lamporn, lie over against Clinton's buildings. I came here to see my sister, said the juggler, who is in Master Tressillian's chamber, just above. Ah, said Lamporn, smiling, here be trues. Upon my honour, for a stranger, this same Master Tressillian makes himself at home among us, and furnishes out his cell, handsomely, with all sorts of commodities. This will be a precious tale of the sainted Master Tressillian, and will be welcome to some folks, as a purse of broad pieces to me. He continued, addressing Wayland, that shall not give Puss a hint to still away. We must catch her in her form. So back with that pitiful, sheep-binding visage of thine, or I will fling thee from the window of the tower, and try if your juggling skill can save your bones. Your worship will not be so hard-hearted, I trust, said Wayland. Poor folk must plove. I trust your honour will allow me to speak with my sister. Sister, on Adam's side I warn't, said Lamporn, or if otherwise, the more naive thou. But sister, or no sister, thou dyest on point of fox, if thou comest a-prying to this tower once more. And now I think of it, unsdagger's in death. I will see thee out of the castle, for this is a more main concern than thy jugglery. But please your worship, said Wayland, I am to enact Irian in the pageant upon the lake this very evening. I will act it myself by St. Christopher, said Lamporn. Or Ryan, callest thou him? I will act to Ryan, his belt and his seven stars, to boot. Come along, for a rascal nave as thou art. Follow me. Or stay. Lawrence, do thou bring him along? Lawrence seized by the collar of the cloak the unresisting juggler, while Lamporn, with hasty steps, led the way to that same sally-port, or secret postern, by which Triselyan had returned to the castle, and which opened in the western wall at no great distance from Mervyn's tower. While traversing with the rapid foot, the space betwixt the tower and the sally-port, Wayland in vain racked his brain for some device which might avail the poor lady, for whom notwithstanding his own eminent danger, he felt deep interest. But when he was thrust out of the castle and informed by Lamporn, with a tremendous oath, that instant death would be the consequence of his again approaching it, he cast up his hands and eyes to heaven, as if to call God to witness, he had stood to the uttermost in defense of the oppressed, then turned his back on the proud towers of Kenilworth, and went his way to seek a humbler and safer place of refuge. Lawrence and Lamporn gazed a little while after Wayland, and then turned to go back to their tower, when the former thus addressed his companion. Never credit me, Master Lamporn, if I can guess why thou has driven this poor K-tiff from the castle, just when he was to bear a part in the show that was beginning, and all this about a wench. Ah, Lawrence, replied Lamporn, thou art thinking of black-john jugs of slingdon, and hast sympathy with human frailty. But Caragio, most noble duke of the dungeon and Lord of Limbo, for thou art as dark in this matter as thine own dominions of little ease. My most reverent senior of the low countries of Kenilworth, note that our most noble master, Richard Varney, would give as much to have a hole in the same Tresillian's coat, as would make us some fifty midnight carousels, with the full leave of bidding this do-word go snick up, if he came to startle us too soon from our goblets. Nay, and that be the case, thou hast right, said Lawrence Staples, the upper warder, or, in common phrase, the first jailer of Kenilworth Castle, and of the liberty and honour belonging thereto. But how you manage when you are absent at the Queen's entrance, Master Lamporn, for me thinks thou must attend thy master there. Why, thou, my nonnest prince of prisons, must keep ward in my absence. Let Tresillian enter, if he will, but see thou let no one come out. If the damsel herself would make a break, as does not unlike she may, scare her back with rough words. She is but a paltry player's wench, after all. Nay, for that matter, said Lawrence, I might shut the iron wicket upon her that stands without the double door, and so force per force. She will be bound to her answer without more trouble. Then Tresillian will not get access to her, said Lamporn, reflecting a moment. But is no matter. She will be detected in her chamber, and that is all one. But confess, thou old bat-side dungeonkeeper, that you fear to keep awake by yourself in that Mervyn's tower of thine. Why, as to fear Master Lamporn, said the fellow, I mind it not the turn of a key, but strange things have been heard and seen in that tower. You must have heard, for a short time as you have been, Kenilworth, that it is haunted by the spirit of Arthur at Mervyn, a wild chief taken by fierce Lord Mortimer, when he was one of the Lord's marchers of whales, and murdered, as they say, in that same tower which bears his name. Oh, I have heard the tale five hundred times, said Lamporn, in how the ghost is always most paciferous when they boil leeks and stir about, or fry toasted cheese in the culinary regions. Santo diablo, man. Hold thy tongue, I know all about it. I, without just not, though, said the turnkey, for as wise thou wouldst make thyself. Ah, it is an awful thing to murder a prisoner in his ward. You that may have given a man a stab in a dark street know nothing of it.  But to draw a weapon and slay him, as was done in this Welsh Lord, that raises you a ghost that will render your prison house untenable by any decent captive for some hundred years. And I have that regard for my prisoners, poor things, that I have put good squires in men of worship, that have taken a ride on the highway, or slandered my Lord of Lester, or the like, fifty feet underground, rather than I would put them into that upper chamber yonder that they call Mervyn's Tower. Indeed, by good Saint Peter of the Fetters, I marvel my noble Lord, or Master Barney, could think of lodging guests there. And if this Master Tessilion could get any to keep him company, and in a special of pretty wench, why truly I think he was in the ride on't. I tell thee, said Lamborn, leading the way into the turnkey's apartment, thou art an ass, go bolt the wicked on the stair, and trouble not thy new little about-ghosts, give me the wine stoop man, I'm somewhat heated with chafing with yonder rascal. While Lamborn drew a long draught from a picture of Clarence, which he made use of without any cup, the water went on, vindicating his own belief in the supernatural. Thou hast been few hours in this castle, and hast been for the whole space so drunk, Lamborn, that thou art deaf, dumb, and blind. But we should hear less of your bragging were you to pass a night with us at full moon, for then the ghost is busiest, and more especially when a rattling wind sets in from the northwest, with some sprinkling of rain, and now then a growl of thunder. To you, me, what crackings and clashings, what groanings and what howlings, will there be at such times in Moorven's Bower, right as if it were over our heads, till the matter of two courts of distilled waters has not been enough to keep my lads and me in some heart. Shaw-man, replied Lamborn, on whom his loft straffed, joined to repeated visitations of the picture upon former occasions, and to make some innovation. Thou speakest, thou knowest not one about spirits, no one knows justly what to say about them, and, in short, least said, in that matter, be soonest amended. Send men believe in one thing, some in another. It is all a matter of fancy. I have known them of all sorts, my dear Lawrence, lock the door, and sensible men, too. There's a great Lord, well, pass his name, Lawrence. He believes in the stars and the moon, the planets and their courses and so forth, and that they twinkle exclusively for his benefit. When in sober or rather in drunken truth, Lawrence, they're only shining to keep honest fellows like me out of the kennel. Well, sir, let his humour pass. He is great enough to indulge it. Then, lucky, there is another, a very learned man, I promise you, and Ken Vent, Greek and Hebrew, as fast as I can, thieves Latin. He has a humour of sympathies and antempethies, of changing lead into gold and the like. Why, via, let that pass, too, and let him pay those in trans migrated coin who are fools enough to let it be current with them. Then there come as thou thyself, another great man, though neither learned nor noble, yet full six feet high, and now, like a purblind mole, must needs believe in ghosts and goblins and such like. Now, there is besides a great man, that is a great little man, or a little great man, my dear Lawrence, and his name begins with V, and what believes he? Why, nothing, honest Lawrence, nothing in earth, heaven, or hell, and for my part, if I believe there is a devil, it is only because I think there must be someone to catch our, a fore-said friend by the back, when soul and body sever, as the ballad says. For your antecedent will have a consequent rawro antecedentum, as Dr. Bircham was wont to say. But this is Greek to you now, honest Lawrence, and in soothe learning his dry work. Hand me the pitcher once more. In faith, if you drink more, Michael, said the warder, you will be in sorry case, either to play Arian, or to wait on your master on such a solemn night. And I expect each moment to hear the great bell toll for the muster at Mortimer's Tower, to receive the queen. Wall staples remonstrated, lamborn drank, and then setting down the pitcher, which was nearly emptied, with a deep sigh, he said, in an undertone, which soon rose to a high one, as the speech proceeded. Never mind, Lawrence, if I be drunk, I know, that shall make Barney uphold me sober, but as I said, never mind, I can carry my drink discreetly, or over I'm to go on the water as Arian, and shall take cold, unless I take something comfortable beforehand. Not play, Arian? Let us see the best roar that ever strained his lungs, for twelve pence outmouth me. What if they see me a little disguised? Wherefore, should any man be sober tonight? Answer me that. It is a matter of loyalty to be merry, and I tell thee, there are those in the castle who, if they are not merry when drunk, have little chance to be merry when sober. I name no names, Lawrence, but your pothole of sack is a fine chewing-horn to pull on a loyal humor and a merry one. Huzzah for Queen Elizabeth, for the noble Lester, for the worshipful Master Barney, and for Michael Lamborn, that can turn them all round his finger. So sane he walked downstairs and across the inner court. The water looked after him, shook his head, and while he drew close and locked a wicket, which crossing the staircase, rendered it impossible for anyone to ascend higher than the story immediately beneath Mervyn's power. As Triselyne's chamber was named, he thus soliloquized with himself. It's a good thing to be a favorite, and one I lost mine office, because one frosty morning Master Barney thought I smelled of aquavita, and this fellow can appear before him drunk as a wine-skin, and yet meet no rebuke. But then he is a pestilent, clever fellow with all, and no one can understand above one half of what he says. End Chapter 29. Chapter 30 of Kenilworth. Now bid the steeple-rock. She comes, she comes. Speak for us. Bells, speak for us. Shrill-tongue-tuckets. Stand to thy lint-stock gunner. Let thy cannon play such appeal as if a pain in foe came stretched in turban ranks to storm the ramparts. We will have pageants, too. But that craves wit, and I'm a rough-hewn soldier. The Virgin Queen, a tragedy comedy. Triselyne, when Wayland had left him, as mentioned in the last chapter, remained uncertain what he ought next to do. When Raleigh and Blount came up to him arm in arm, yet according to their want, very eagerly disputing together. Triselyne had no great desire for their society in the present state of his feelings, but there was no possibility of avoiding them, and indeed he felt that, bound by his promise not to approach Amy, or take any step in her behalf, it would be his best course at once to mix with general society, and to exhibit on his brow as little as he could of the anguish and uncertainty which sat heavy at his heart. He therefore made a virtue of necessity, and hailed his comrades with, All mirth to you, gentlemen, whence come ye? From Warwick, to be sure, said Blount. We must needs home to change our habits, like poor players, for our feign to multiply their persons to outward appearance by change of suits, and you would better do the like, Triselyne. Blount is right, said Raleigh. The Queen loves such marks of deference, and notices, as wanting in respect, those who not arriving in her immediate attendance, may appear in their soiled and ruffled riding-dress. But look at Blount himself, Triselyne, for the love of laughter, and see how his villainous tailor hath apparelled him, in blue, green, and crimson, with carnation ribbons, and yellow roses in his shoes. Why, what would it thou have, said Blount? I told the cross-legged thief to do his best, and spare no cost, and me thinks these things are gay enough, gayer than thine own. I'll be judged by Triselyne. I agree, I agree, said Walter Raleigh. Judge betwixt us, Triselyne, for the love of heaven. Triselyne, thus appealed to, looked at them both, and was immediately sensible at a single glance, that, on his Blount, and taken upon the tailor's warrant, the pied garments, which he had chosen to make, and was as much embarrassed by the quantity of points and ribbons which garnished his dress, as a clown is, in his holiday clothes, while the dress of Raleigh was a well fancied and rich suit, which the wearer bore as a garb too well adapted to his elegant person, to attract particular attention. Triselyne said, therefore, that Blount's dress was finest, but Raleigh's, the best fancied. Blount was satisfied with his decision. I knew mine was finest, he said. If that knave double-stitch had brought me home such a simple doublet as that of Raleigh's, I would have beat his brains up with his own pressing iron. Nay, if we must be fools, ever let us be fools of the first head, say I. But why get us, though, not on thy bravery, Triselyne? said Raleigh. I am excluded from my apartment by a silly mistake, said Triselyne, and separated for the time from my baggage. I was about to seek thee, to beseech a share of thy lodging. And welcome, said Raleigh, it is a noble one. My lord of Leicester has done us that kindness, and lodged us in princely fashion. If his courtesy be extorted reluctantly, it is at least extended far. I would advise you to tell your straight to the Earl's Chamberlain. You will have instant redress. Nay, it is not worthwhile, since you can spare me room, replied Triselyne. I would not be troublesome. Has anyone come hither with you? Oh, I, said Blount, Varney and a whole tribe of lustreans, besides about a score of us honest, Sussex folk. We are all, it seems, to receive the queen at what they call the gallery tower, and witness some fulleries there. And them were to remain in attendance upon the queen in the great hall. God bless the mark. While those who are now waiting upon her grace get rid of their slow and doff their riding suits. Heaven help me, if her grace should speak to me, I shall never know what to answer. And what has detained them so long at Warwick, said Triselyne, unwilling that their conversation should return to their own affairs? Such a succession of fulleries, said Blount, as were never seen at Bartholomew fair. We have had speeches and players, and dogs and bears, and men making monkeys, and women moppets of themselves. I marveled the queen could endure it. But ever and on came in something of the lovely light of her gracious countenance, or some such trash. Vanity makes a fool of the wisest. But come, let us on to the same gallery-tower, though I see not what thou, Triselyne, canst do with thy riding-dress and boots. I will take my station behind thee, Blount, said Triselyne, who solid his friend's unusual finery had taken a strong hold of his imagination.  And so thou shalt admit, said Blount. In faith I am glad thou thinkest my garbwell fancy, for all, Mr. Woody-Pate here. For when one does a foolish thing, it is right to do it handsomely. So say, Blount cocked his beaver, threw out his leg, and marched manfully forward, as if at the head of his begrade of pikemen, ever none on, looking with complacence on his crimson stockings, and the huge yellow roses which blossomed on his shoes. Triselyne followed, wrapped in his own sad thoughts, and scarce minding Raleigh, whose quick fancy, amused by the awkward vanity of his respectable friend, vented itself in jess, which he whispered into Triselyne's ear. In this manner they crossed the long bridge, or tiltyard, and took their station, with other gentlemen of quality, before the outer gate of the gallery or entrance tower. The whole amounted to about forty persons, all selected as of the first rank, under that of knighthood, and were disposed in double rows on either side of the gate, like a guard of honour, within the close hedge of pikes and partisans, which was formed by Lester's retainers, wearing his liveries. The gentlemen carried no arms, saved their swords and daggers. These gallants were as gaily dressed as imagination could devise, and as the garb of the time permitted a great display of expensive magnificence, not was to be seen, but velvet in cloth of gold and silver, ribbons, feathers, gems in golden chains. In spite of his more serious subjects of distress, Triselyne could not help feeling that he, with his riding suit, however handsome it might be, made rather an unworthy figure among these fierce fanaties, and the rather, because he saw that his disaville was the subject of wonder among his own friends, and have scorned among the partisans of Lester. We could not suppress this fact, though it may seem something at variance with the gravity of Triselyne's character, but the truth is that a regard for personal appearance is a species of self-love, from which the wisest are not exempt, and to which the mind clings so instinctively that not only the soldier advancing to almost inevitable death, but even the doomed criminal, who goes to certain execution, shows an anxiety to array his person to the best advantage, but this is a digression. It was the twilight of a summer night, 9 July 1575, the sun having for some time set, and all were an anxious expectation of the queen's immediate approach. The multitude had remained assembled for many hours, and their numbers were still rather on the increase. A profuse distribution of refreshments, together with roasted oxen and barrels of ale, set a brooch in different places of the road, had kept the populace in perfect love and loyalty towards the queen and her favorite, which might have somewhat abated had fasting been added to watching. They passed away the time, therefore, with the usual popular amusements of whooping, hallowing, shrieking, and playing rude tricks upon each other, forming the chorus of discordant sounds usual on such occasions. These prevailed all through the crowded roads and fields, and especially beyond the gate of the chase, where the greater number of the common sort were stationed. When, all of a sudden, a single rocket was seen to shoot into the atmosphere, and at the instant, far heard over flood and field, the great bell the castle told. Immediately there was a pause of dead silence, succeeded by a deep hum of expectation, the united voice of many thousands, none of whom spoke above their breath, or to use a singular expression, the whisper of an immense multitude. They come now for certain, said Raleigh. Tresillian, that sound is grand. We hear it from this distance as mariners, after a long voyage, here upon their night watch, the tide rush upon some distant and unknown shore. Mass, answered Blount, I hear it, rather as I used to hear in my known kind, lowing from the clothes of Winton's Westlow. He will assuredly, graze presently, said Raleigh to Tresillian. His thought is all of fat oxen and fertile meadows. He grows little better than one of his own bees, and only becomes grand when he is provoked to pushing and goring. We shall have him at that presently, said Tresillian, if you spare not your wit. Tush, I care not, answered Raleigh. But thou too, Tresillian, hast turned a kind of owl, that flies only by night, hast exchanged thy songs for screechings and good company for an ivy-tod. But what manner of animal art thou thyself, Raleigh, said Tresillian, that thou holdest us all so lightly? Who, I, replied Raleigh, an eagle am I, that never will think of dull earth while there is a heaven to soar in, and a sun to gaze upon. Well bragged by St. Barnaby, said Blount, but good master eagle, beware the cage, and beware the fowler. Many birds have flown as high that I have seen stuffed with straw and hung up to scare kites. But, Hark, would a dead silence have fallen on them at once? The procession pauses, said Raleigh, at the gate of the chase, where Sybil, one of the Fatidichai, meets the queen to tell her fortune. I saw the verses, there is little savor in them, and her grace has been already crammed full with such poetical compliments. She whispered to me, during the recorder's speech yonder, at Ford Mill, as she entered the liberties of Warwick, how she was, Pertassa Barbarai, L'Oquila. The queen whispered to him, said Blount, in a kind of soliloquy, Good God, to what will this world come? His further meditations were interrupted by a shot of applause from the multitude, so tremendously vociferous that the country echoed for miles round. The guards thickly stationed upon the road by which the queen was to advance caught up the acclamation, which ran like wildfire, to the castle, and announced to all within that Queen Elizabeth had entered the royal chase of Kenilworth. The whole music of the castle sounded at once, and a round of artillery, with a salvo of small arms, was discharged from the battlements. But the noise of drums and trumpets, and even of the canon themselves, was but faintly heard amidst the roaring and reiterated welcomes of the multitude. As the noise began to abate, a broad glare of light was seen to appear from the gate of the park, and broadening and brightening as it came nearer, advanced along the open and fair avenue that led towards the gallery tower, in which, as we have already noticed, was lined on either hand by the retainers of the Earl of Lester. The word was passed along the line, the queen, the queen, silence, and stand fast. Onward came the cavalcade, illuminated by two hundred thick wax and torches in the hands of as many horsemen, which cast a light like that of broad day all around the procession, but especially on the principal group, of which the queen herself, arrayed in the most splendid manner, and blazing the jewels, formed the central figure. She was mounted on a milk-white horse, which she reigned with peculiar grace and dignity, and in the whole of her stately and noble carriage, you saw the daughter of a hundred kings. The ladies of the court who rode beside her majesty had taken a special care that their own external appearance should not be more glorious than their rank, and the occasion altogether demanded, so that no inferior luminary might appear to approach the orbit of royalty. But their personal charms and the magnificence by which, under every prudential restraint, they were necessarily distinguished, exhibited them as the very flower of a realm so far famed for splendor and beauty. The magnificence of the courtiers, free from such restraints as prudence imposed on the ladies, was yet more unbounded. Lester, who glittered like a golden image with jewels and cloth of gold, rode on her majesty's right hand, as well in quality of her host, as of her master of the horse. The black steed, which he mounted, had not a single white hair on his body, and was one of the most renowned chargers in Europe, having been purchased by the Earl at large expense for this royal occasion. As the noble animal chafed at the slow pace of the procession, and arching his stately neck, champed on the silver bits which restrained him, the foam flew from his mouth, and speckled his well-formed limbs as if with spots of snow. The rider well became the high place which he held, and the proud steed which he bestowed. For no man in England or perhaps in Europe was more perfect than deadly in horsemanship, and all other exercises belonging to his quality. He was bareheaded as were all the courtiers in the train, and the red torchlight shown upon his long, curl tresses of dark hair, and on his noble features, to the beauty of which even the severest criticism could only object, the lordly fault, as it may be termed, of a forehead somewhat too high. On that proud evening those features were all the grateful solicitude of the subject to show himself sensible of the high honor which the queen was conferring on him, and all the pride and satisfaction which became so glorious a moment. Yet, though neither eye nor feature betrayed, ought but feelings which suited the occasion, some of the Earl's personal attendants remarked that he was unusually pale, and they expressed to each other their fear that he was taking more fatigue than consisted with his health. Barney followed close behind his master, as the principal class-guire, in waiting, and had charge of his lordship's black velvet bonnet, garnished with a clasp of diamonds and surmounted by a white plume. He kept his eye constantly on his master, and for reasons with which the reader is not unacquainted, was among Lester's numerous dependents, the one who was most anxious that his lord's strength and resolution should carry him successfully through a day so agitating. For although Barney was one of the few, the very few, moral monsters who contrived to lull to sleep through a morse of their own bosoms, and are drugged into moral insensibility by atheism, as meant in extreme agony, are lulled by opium, yet he knew that in the breast of his patron there was already awakened the fire that has never quenched, and that his lord felt amid all the pomp and magnificence we have described the gnawing of the worm that dyeth not. Still, however, assured as Lord Lester stood, by Barney's own intelligence, that his countess labored under an indisposition which formed an unanswerable apology to the queen, for her not appearing at Kenilworth, there was little danger, his wildly retainer thought, that a man so ambitious would betray himself by giving way to any external weakness. The train, male and female, who attended immediately upon the queen's person, were of course of the bravest and the fairest, the highest-born nobles, and the wisest counselors, of that distinguished reign, to repeat whose names were but to weary the reader. Behind came a long crowd of knights and gentlemen whose rank and birth, however distinguished, were thrown into shade as their persons into the rear of a procession, whose front was of such august majesty. Thus marshalled, the cavalcade approached the gallery tower, which formed, as we have often observed, the extreme barrier of the castle. It was now the part of the huge porter to step forward, but the labored was so overwhelmed with confusion of spirit, the contents of one immense blackjack of double veil, which he had just drunk to quicken his memory, having treacherously confused the brain, it was intended to clear, that he only groaned piteously, and remained sitting on his stone seat. And the queen would have passed on without greeting, had not the gigantic warder's secret ally, Fliberty Gibbet, who they perdued behind him, thrust a pin into the rear of the short femoral garment, which we elsewhere described. The porter uttered a sort of yell, which came not amiss into his part, started up with his club, and dealt a sound, douse, or two, on each side of him. And then, like a coach horse, fricked by the spur, started off at once into the full career of his address, and by dint of active prompting on the part of Dickie's Lodge, delivered in sounds of gigantic intonation, a speech which may be, thus a bridge. The reader being, to suppose, at the first lines, were addressed to the throng who approached the gateway. The conclusion, at the approach of the queen, upon side of whom, as struck by some heavenly vision, the gigantic warder dropped his club, resigned his keys, and gave open way to the goddess of the night, and all her magnificent train. What stir, what turmoil, have we for the knowns? Stand back, my masters, or beware your bones. Serves, I'm a warder, and no man of straw. My voice keeps order, and my club gives law. Yet soft, nay? Stay, wait! Vision, what have we here? What dainty darlings this? What peerless peer? What loveliest face, that loving ranks unfold, like brightest diamond chased in purest gold? Dazzled and blind, mine office I forsake, my club, my key, my knee, my homage take. Bright paragon, pass on in joy and bliss, be shrew the gate, that opes not wide at such a sight as this. Reader's note, this is an imitation of Gascoigne's verses spoken by the Herculean porter, as mentioned in the text. The original may be found in the republication of the princely pleasures of Kenilworth, by the same author, in the history of Kenilworth already quoted, Chiswick, 1821. End Reader's note. Elizabeth received, most graciously, the homage of the Herculean porter, and bending her head to him in Requital, passed through his guarded tower, from the top of which was poured a clamorous blast of war-like music, which was replied to by other bands of minstrelsy, placed at different points on the castle walls, and by others, again stationed in the chase. While the tones of the one, as they yet vibrated on the echoes, were caught up and answered by new harmony from different quarters. Amidst these bursts of music, which, as if the work of enchantment, seemed now close at hand, now softened by distant space, now wailing so low and sweet, as if that distance were gradually prolonged, until only the last lingering strains could reach the ear. Queen Elizabeth crossed the gallery tower, and came upon the long bridge, which extended from thence to Mordemer's tower, and which was already as light as day, so many torches have been fastened to the palisades on either side. Most of the nobles here alighted, and sent their horses to the neighboring village of Kenilworth, following the queen on foot, as did the gentleman who had stood in array to receive her at the gallery tower. On this occasion, as at different times during the evening, Raleigh addressed himself to Drisilien, and was on a little surprised at his vague and unsatisfactory answers, which joined to his leaving his apartment without any assigned reason, appearing in an undress when it was likely to be offensive to the queen, and some other symptoms of irregularity, which he thought he discovered, led him to doubt whether his friend did not labor under some temporary derangement. Meanwhile, the queen had no sooner stepped on the bridge than a new spectacle was provided. For as soon as the music gave signal that she was so far advanced, a raft, so disposed as to resemble a small floating island, illuminated by a great variety of torches, and surrounded by floating pageants, formed to represent sea horses, on which sad tritons, naryads, and other fabulous deities of the seas and rivers, made its appearance upon the lake, and issuing from behind a small heronry, where it had been concealed, floated gently towards the farther end of the bridge. On the islet appeared a beautiful woman clad in a watchet-colored, silken mantle, bound with a broad girdle, inscribed with characters like the phylacteries of the Hebrews. Her feet and arms were bare, but her wrists and ankles were adorned with gold bracelets of uncommon size. Amidst her long, silky black hair, she wore a crown of chaplet of artificial mistletoe, and bore in her hand a rod of ebony tipped with silver. Two nymphs attended on her, dressed in the same antique and mystical guise. The patient was so well managed that this lady of the floating island, having performed her voyage with much picturesque effect, landed at Mortimer's Tower with her two attendants, just as Elizabeth presented herself before that outwork. The stranger, then, in a well-penned speech, announced herself as that famous lady of the lake, renowned in the stories of King Arthur, who had nursed the youth of the redoubted Sir Lancelot, and whose beauty had proved too powerful, both for the wisdom and the spells of the mighty Merlin. Since that earlier period she had remained possessed of her crystal dominions, she said, despite the various men of fame and might by whom Kenilworth had been successively tenantant. The Saxons, the Danes, the Normans, the St. Lowe's, the Clintons, the Montfort's, the Mortimer's, the Plantagenets. Great though they were in arms and magnificence, had never, she said, caused her to raise her head from the waters, which hid her crystal palace. But a greater than all these great names had now appeared, and she came in homage and duty to welcome the peerless Elizabeth to all sport which the castle and its environs, which lake or land, could afford. The Queen received this address also with great courtesy and made answer in Raylary. We thought this lake had belonged to our own Dominion's fair dame, but since so famed a lady claims it for hers, we will be glad at some other time to have further communing with you, touching our joint interests. With this gracious answer the lady of the lake vanished and Arian, who was amongst the maritime deities, appeared upon his dolphin. But Lamborn, who had taken upon him the part in the absence of Wayland, being chilled with remaining immersed in an element to which he was not friendly, having never got his speech by heart, and not having, like the porter, the advantage of a prompter, paid it off with impudence, tearing off his wizard and swearing, cog's bones. He was none of Arian or Orion either, but honest Michael Lamborn, that had been drinking her majesty's health from morning till midnight, and was come to bid her heartily welcome to Kenilworth Castle. This unpremeditated buffoonery answered the purpose probably better than the set speech would have done. The Queen laughed heartily and swore, in her turn, that he had made the best speech she had heard that day. Lamborn, who instantly saw his jest had saved his bones, jumped on shore, gave his dolphin a kick, and declared he would never meddle with fish again, except at dinner. At the same time that the Queen was about to enter the castle, that memorable discharge of fireworks by water and land took place, which Master Lanehem, formally introduced to the reader, has strained all his eloquence to describe. Such, says the clerk of the council chamber door, was the blaze of burning darts, the gleams of stars carouscant, the streams in hail of fiery sparks, lightnings of wildfire, and flight-shot of thunderbolts, with continuance, terror, and vehemence, that the heavens thundered, the water surged, and the earth shook. And for my part, hearty as I am, it made me very vengeably afraid. Readers note, See Lanehem's account of the Queen's entertainment at Killingworth Castle in 1575. A very diverting tract, written by as Greydecoxham, as ever blotted paper. See note six. The original is extremely rare, but it has been twice reprinted, once in Mr. Nicholl's very curious and interesting collection of the progressives and public processions of Queen Elizabeth, volume one. And more lately, in a beautiful antiquarian publication, termed Kenilworth Illustrated, printed at Chiswick, for meridue of Coventry and raglet of Birmingham. It contains reprints of Lanehem's letter, Gascoigne's princely progress, and other scarce pieces, annotated with accuracy and ability. The author takes the liberty to refer to this work as his authority for the account of the festivities. I am indebted for a curious ground plan of the Castle of Kenilworth, as it existed in Queen Elizabeth's time, to the voluntary kindness of Richard Padnail, a squire of Olive Bank, near Liverpool. From his obliging communication, I learned that the original sketch was found among the manuscripts of the celebrated J. J. Rousseau, when he left England. These were entrusted by the philosopher to the care of his friend, Mr. Davenport, and passed from his legatee into the possession of Mr. Padnail. End Reader's Note End Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Nay, this is matter for the month of March, when hairs are maddest. Either speak and reason, giving cold argument the wall of passion, or I break up the court. Beaumont and Fletcher It is by no means our purpose to detail minutely all the princely festivities of Kenilworth, after the fashion of Master Robert Lanehem, whom we quoted in the conclusion of the last chapter. It is sufficient to say that under discharge of the splendid fireworks which we have borrowed Lanehem's eloquence to describe, the Queen entered the base court of Kenilworth through Mortimer's Tower, and moving on through pageants of heathen gods and heroes of antiquity, who offered gifts and compliments on the bended knee, at length found her way to the great hall of the castle, gorgeously hung for her reception with the richest silken tapestry, misty with perfumes, and sounding to strains of soft and delicious music. From the highly carved oak and roof hung a superb chandelier of gilt bronze, formed like a spread eagle, whose outstretched wings supported three male and three female figures, grasping a pair of branches in each hand. The hall was thus illuminated by twenty-four torches of wax. At the upper end of the splendid apartment was a state canopy, overshadowing a royal throne, and beside it was a door, which opened to a long suite of apartments, decorated with yet most magnificence for the Queen and her ladies, whenever it should be her pleasure to be private. The Earl of Lustre having handed the Queen up to her throne, and seated her there, knelt down before her, and kissing the hand which she held out, with an air in which romantic and respectful gallantry was happily mingled, with the air of loyal devotion. He thanked her, in terms of the deepest gratitude, for the highest honour which a sovereign could render to a subject. So handsome did he look when kneeling before her, that Elizabeth was tempted to prolong the scene a little longer than there was, strictly speaking, necessity for. And ere she raised him, she passed her hand over his head, so near as almost to touch his long, curled, and perfumed hair. And with the movement of fondness that seemed to intimate she would, if she dared, have made the motion a slight caress. Readers note, to justify what may be considered as a high coloured picture, the author quotes the original of the courtly intrude Sir James Melville, being the Queen Mary's end-boy at the court of London. I was required, says Sir James, to stay till I had seen him made Earl of Leicester, and Baron of Denby, with great solemnity, herself, Elizabeth, helping to put on his ceremonial. He sitting on his knees before her, keeping a great gravity and a discreet behaviour. But she could not refrain from putting her hand to his neck, to kittle, i.e. tickle, him smilingly, the French ambassador and I standing beside her. Melville's memoirs, Vanityne edition, page 120, end-reader's note, she at length raised him and standing beside the throne, he explained to her the various preparations which had been made for her amusement and accommodation, all of which received her prompt and gracious approbation. The role then prayed her majesty for permission that he himself, and the nobles who had been in attendance, upon her during the journey, might retire for a few minutes and put themselves into a guise more fitting for a dutiful attendance, during which space those gentlemen of worship, pointing to Varney, Blount, Tresselian, and others, who had already put themselves into fresh attire, would have the honour of keeping her present chamber. Be it so, my lord, answered the queen, you can manage a theatre well, who can thus command a double set of actors. For ourselves we will receive your courtesies this evening, but clownishly, since it is not our purpose to change our writing attire, being in effect something fatigued with a journey which the concourse of our good people hath rendered slow, though the love they have shown our person hath, at the same time, made it delightful. Lester, having received this permission, retired accordingly, and was followed by those nobles who had attended the queen to Kenilworth in person. The gentlemen who had preceded them, and were, of course, dressed for the solemnity, remained in attendance, but being most of them of rather inferior rank, they remained at an awful distance from the throne which Elizabeth occupied. The queen's sharp eyes soon distinguished Raleigh amongst them, with one or two others who were personally known to her, and she instantly made them a sign to approach, and a cost to them very graciously. Raleigh in particular, the adventure of whose cloak, as well as the incident of the verses, remained on her mind, was very graciously received, and to him she most frequently applied for information concerning the names and rank of those who were in presence. These he communicated concisely, and not without some traits of humorous satire, by which Elizabeth seemed much amused. "'And who is yonder clownish fellow?' she said, looking at Tressillian, whose soil dress on this occasion greatly obscured his good mean?' "'A poet, if it please your grace,' replied Raleigh. "'I might have guessed that from his careless garb,' said Elizabeth. "'I have known some poets so thoughtless as to throw their cloaks into gutters.' "'It must have been when the sun dazzled both their eyes and their judgment,' answered Raleigh. Elizabeth smiled and proceeded. "'I asked that slovenly fellow's name, and you only told me his profession.' "'Tressillian is his name,' said Raleigh, with internal reluctance, for he first saw nothing favorable to his friend from the manner in which she took notice of him. "'Tressillian,' answered Elizabeth. "'Oh, the mental deus of our romance. Why, he has dressed himself in a guise that will go far to exculpate his fare in false hellen. And where is Farnham, or whatever his name is, my Lord of Lester's man, I mean, the Paris of this Devonshire tale?' With still greater reluctance Raleigh named and pointed out to her Barney, for whom the tailor had done all that art could perform in making his exterior agreeable. And who, if he had not grace, had a sort of tact and habitual knowledge of breeding which came in place of it. The Queen turned her eyes from one to the other. "'I doubt,' she said, the same poetical Master Tressillian, who is too learned, I warrant me, to remember whose presence he was to appear in, maybe one of those of whom Geoffrey Chaucer says wittily, the wisest clerks are not the wisest men. I remember that Barney is a smooth-tongued farlet. I doubt this fair runaway have had reasons for breaking her faith.' To this, Raleigh durst make no answer, aware how little he should benefit Tressillian by contradicting the Queen's sentiments. And not at all certain on the whole whether the best thing that could befall him would not be that she should put an end at once by her authority to this affair, upon which it seemed to him Tressillian's thoughts were fixed, with unavailing and distressing pertinacity. As these reflections passed through his active brain, the lower door of the hall opened, and Lester, accompanied by several of his kinsmen, and of the nobles who had embraced his faction, re-entered the castle hall. The favorite role was now apprailed, all in white, his shoes being of white velvet, his under-stocks, or stockings, of knit silk, his upper-stocks of white velvet, lined with cloth of silver which was shown at the slash part of the middle five, his doublet of cloth of silver, the close jerkin of white velvet, embroidered with silver and seed-prol, his girdle and the scabbard of a sword of white velvet with golden buckles. His pon-yard and sword hilted and mounted with gold, and overall a rich, loose robe of white satin, with a border of golden embroidery, a foot and breath, the collar of the garter, and the azure garter itself around his knee, completed the appointments of the role of Lester, which were so well matched by his fair stature, graceful gesture, fine proportion of body, and handsome countenance, that at that moment he was admitted by all who saw him as the goodliest person whom they had ever looked upon. Sussex and the other nobles were also richly attired, but in pointous wonder and gracefulness of mean Lester far exceeded them all. Elizabeth received him with great complacency. We have one piece of royal justice, she said, to attend to. It is a piece of justice, too, which interests us as a woman, as well as in the character of mother and guardian of the English people. An involuntary shudder came over Lester, as he bowed low, expressive of his readiness to receive her royal commands, and a similar cold fit came over Varney, whose eyes, seldom during that evening removed from his patron, instantly perceived from the change in his looks, slight as that was, of what the queen was speaking. But Lester had wrought his resolution up to the point which, in his crooked policy, he judged necessary. And when Elizabeth added, it is of the matter of Varney and Tricilian we speak, is the lady here, my lord. His answer was ready. Gracious madam, she is not. Elizabeth bent her brows and compressed her lips. Our orders were strict and positive, my lord, was her answer. And should have been obeyed, good my liege, replied Lester, had they been expressed in the form of the lightest wish. But Varney stepped forward. This gentleman will inform your grace of the cause why the lady, he could not force his rebellious tongue to utter the words his wife, cannot attend on your royal presence. Varney advanced and pleaded with readiness, when indeed he firmly believed the absolute incapacity of the party, for neither did he dare, in Lester's presence, term her his wife, to wait on her grace. Here is that he are attestations from a most learned physician, whose skill and honor are well known to my good lord of Lester, and from an honest and devout protestant, a man of credit and substance, one Anthony Foster, the gentleman in whose house she is at present bestowed, that she now labors under an illness which altogether unfits her for such a journey, as betwixt this castle in the neighborhood of Oxford. This alters the matter, said the queen, taking the certificates in her hand and glancing at their contents. Let Tresselion come forward. Master Tresselion, we have much sympathy for your situation. The rather that you seem to have set your heart deeply on this Amy Robes heart, or Varney, our power thanks to God, and the willing obedience of a loving people, is worth much. But there are some things which it cannot compass. We cannot, for example, command the affections of a giddy young girl, or make her love sense and learning better than a courtier's fine doublet. And we cannot control sickness with which it seems this lady is afflicted, who may not, by reason of such infirmity, attend our court here, as we had required her to do. Here are the testimonials of the physician who hath her under his charge, and the gentleman in whose house she resides, so setting forth. Under your Majesty's favour, said Tresselion hastily, and in his alarm for the consequence of the imposition practiced on the Queen, for getting impart at least his own promise to Amy, these certificates speak not the truth. How, sir, said the Queen, impeach my Lord of Lester's veracity. But you shall have a fair hearing. In our presence the meanest of our subjects shall be heard against the proudest, and the least known against the most vapour. Therefore you shall be heard fairly, but beware you speak, not without a warrant. Take these certificates in your own hand. Look at them carefully, and say manfully, if you impugn the truth of them, and upon what evidence. As the Queen spoke, his promise and all its consequences rushed on the mind of the unfortunate Tresselion, and while it controlled his natural inclination to pronounce that of falsehood, which he knew from the evidence of his senses to be untrue, gave an indecision and e-resolution to his appearance and utterance, which made strongly against him in the mind of Elizabeth, as well as of all who beheld him.  The Queen's impatience began to become visible.  How say you, are these certificates true or no? Madam, said Tresselion, with obvious embarrassment and hesitation, anxious to avoid admitting evidence which he might afterwards have reasoned to confute, yet equally desirous to keep his word to Amy, and to give her, as he had promised, space to plead her own cause in her own way. Madam, your grace calls on me to admit evidence which ought to be proved valid by those who found their defence upon them. Why, Tresselion, thou art critical as well as poetical, said the Queen, bending on him a brow of displeasure. Methinks these writings being produced in the presence of the noble earl to whom this castle pertains, and his honour being appealed to as the guarantee of their authenticity, might be evidence enough for thee, but since thou listest to be so formal, Barney, or rather, my lord of Lester, for the affair becomes yours, these words, though spoken at random, thrilled through the earl's marrow and bones, what evidence have you as touching these certificates?  The earl of Oxford, a young unthrift, whom Foster had more than once accommodated with loans on usurious interest, acknowledged on this appeal, that he knew whom as a wealthy and independent Franklin, supposed to be worth much money, and verified the certificate produced to be his handwriting. And who speaks to the doctor's certificate, said the Queen. Alaska, Methinks, is his name. Masters, her majesty's physician, not the less willingly, that he remembered his repulse from Seya's court, and thought that his present testimony might gratify Lester and mortify the earl of Sussex and his faction, acknowledged he had more than once consulted with Dr. Alaska, and spoke of him as a man of extraordinary learning and hidden acquirements, though not altogether in the regular course of practice. The earl of Huntingdon, Lord Lester's brother-in-law, and the old countess of Rutland, next saying his praises, and both remembered the thin, beautiful Italian hand, in which he was wont to write his receipts, and which corresponded to the certificate produced as his. And now I trust Master Tresselian, this matter is ended, said the Queen. We will do something ear than I this older to reconcile old Sir Hugh Robb Sartre to the match. You've done your duty something more than boldly, but we were no woman had we not compassion for the wounds which true love deals. So we forgive your audacity, and your unclean boots withal, which have while now overpowered my Lord of Lester's perfumes. So spoke Elizabeth, whose nicety of scent was one of the characteristics of her organization, as appeared long afterwards when she expelled Essex from her presence, on a charge against his boots, similar to that which she now expressed against those of Tresselian. But Tresselian had by this time collected himself, astonished as he had at first been by the audacity of the falsehood so feasibly supported, and placed in array against the evidence of his own eyes. He rushed forward, kneeled down, and caught the Queen by the skirt of her robe.  To do equal justice among your subjects, as you hope yourself to have fair hearing, which God grant you. At that last part, which we must all plead, grant me one small request. Decide not this matter so hastily, give me but 24 hours interval, and I will at the end of that brief space produce evidence which will show, to demonstration, that these certificates, which state this unhappy lady to be now ill, at ease in Oxfordshire, are false as hell. Let go my train, sir, said Elizabeth, who was straddled at his vehemence, though she had too much of the lion in her to fear. The fellow must be distraught. That woody knave, my godson Harrington, must have him into his rhymes of Orlando Furioso, and yet, by this light, there is something strange in the vehemence of his demand. Speak, Tresselian, what wilt thou do if, at the end of these four and twenty hours, thou canst not compute a fact so solemnly proved, as this lady's illness? I will lay down my head on the block, answered Tresselian.  What head falls in England but by just a sentence of English law? I asked thee, man, if thou hast sense to understand me, wilt thou, if thou shalt fail in this improbable attempt of mine, render me a good and sufficient reason why thou dost undertake it? Tresselian paused and again hesitated, because he felt convinced that, if within the interval demanded, Amy should become reconciled to her husband, he would in that case do her the worst of offices, by again ripping up the whole circumstances before Elizabeth, and showing how that wise and jealous princess had been imposed upon by false testimonials. The consciousness of this dilemma renews his extreme embarrassment of look, voice, and manner. He hesitated, looked down, and, on the Queen, repeating her question with a stern voice and flashing eye, he admitted with faltering words, that it might be, he could not positively, that is, in certain events, explain the reasons and grounds on which he acted. Now, by the soul of King Henry, said the Queen, this is either Moonstruck madness, or very navery, seeest thou, Raleigh? Thy friend is far too pindaric for this presence. Have him away, and make us quit of him, or it shall be the worst for him, for his flights are too unbridled for any place but Parnassus, or St. Luke's hospital. But come back instantly, myself, when he is placed under fitting restraint. We wish we had seen the beauty, which could make such havoc in a wise man's brain. Tresselion was again endeavouring to address the Queen, when Raleigh, in obedience to the orders he'd received, interfered, and with Blount's assistance, half led, half forced him out of the presence chamber, where he himself, indeed, began to think his appearance did his cause more harm than good. When they had attained the antechamber, Raleigh entreated Blount to see Tresselion safely conducted into the apartments allotted to the Earl of Sussex's followers, and, if necessary, recommended that a guard should be mounted on him. This extravagant passion, he said, and, as it would seem, the news of the Lady's illness, has utterly wrecked his excellent judgment. But it will pass away, if he be kept quiet, only let him break forth again at no rate, for he is already far in her highness's displeasure, and should she be again provoked, she will find for him a worse place of confinement and stern her keepers. I judged as much as that he was mad, said Nicholas Blount, looking down upon his own crimson stockings and yellow roses. Whenever I saw him wearing yonder damned boots, which stunk so in her nostrils, I will but see him stowed, and be back with you presently. But Walter did the Queen ask who I was? Me thought she glanced an eye at me. Twenty, twenty eyeglances she sent, and I told her all, how that were to brave soldier, and a, but for God's sake, get off, Tressylian. I will, I will, said Blount, but me thinks this court haunting is no such bad pastime, after all. We shall rise by it, Walter, my brave lad. Thou saidest I was a good soldier, and a, what besides, dearest Walter? An all-unutterable cod's head, for God's sake, be gone. Tressylian, without further resistance or expostulation, followed, or rather suffered himself, to be conducted by Blount to Raleigh's lodging, where he was formally installed into a small truck-open placed in a wardrobe, and designed for domestic. He saw but too plainly that no remonstrances would avail to procure the help or sympathy of his friends, and tell the laughs of the time for which he applied himself to remain inactive, should enable him either to explain the whole circumstances to them, or remove from him every pretext or desire of further interference with the fortunes of Amy, by her having found means to place herself in a state of reconciliation with her husband, with great difficulty, and only by the most patient and mild remonstrances with Blount. He escaped the disgrace and mortification of having two Sussex's stoutest human, quartered in his apartment. At last, however, when Nicholas had seen him fairly deposited in his truck-open, and had bestowed one or two hearty kicks, and as hearty curses on the boots, which in his lately acquired spirit of robbery, he considered as a strong symptom, if not the cause, of his friend's malady. He contented himself with the modified measure of locking the door on the unfortunate Tressylian, whose gallant and disinterested efforts to save a female who had treated him with ingratitude, thus terminated for the present in the displeasure of his sovereign, and the conviction of his friends that he was little better than a madman. End CHAPTER XXXI CHAPTER XXXII of Kenilworth The sleeper-vox recording is in the public domain. Kenilworth by Sir Walter Scott CHAPTER XXXII The wisest sovereign's air like private men, and royal hand to sometimes lay at the sword of chivalry upon a worthless shoulder, which better had been branded by the hangman. What then? Kings do their best, and they and we must answer for the intent, and not the event. OLD PLAY It is a melancholy matter, said the queen, when Tressylian was withdrawn. To see a wise and learned man's wit thus pitifully unsettled. Yet this public display of his imperfection of brain plainly shows us that his supposed injury and accusation were fruitless.  Knowing well that your lordship, and all you have, are so earnestly devoted to our service. And we render Varney the honor more especially that we are a guest, and we fear a chargeable and troublesome one under your lordship's roof. And also for the satisfaction of the good old knight of Devon, Sir Hugh Ropesart, whose daughter he hath married, and we trust the special mark of grace which we are about to confer, may reconcile him to his son-in-law. Your sword, my lord of Luster. The earl unbuckled his sword, and taken it by the point, presented on bent in need the hilt to Elizabeth. She took it slowly, drew it from the scapern, and, while the ladies who stood around, turned away their eyes with real or affected shuttering, she noticed with a curious eye, the high polish and ridge, damaged ornaments upon the glittering blade. Had I been a man, she said, me thinks none of my ancestors would have loved a good sword better. As it is with me, I like to look on one, and could, like the fairy of whom I have read in some Italian rhymes. Were my gods in Harrington here, he could tell me the passage. Even trim my hair and arrange my headgear in such a steel mirror as this is. Richard Barney come forth and kneel down. In the name of God in St. George, we dub thee night. Be faithful, brave, and fortunate. Arise, Sir Richard Barney. Readers note. The incident alluded to occurs in the poem of Orlando in a morato of Boyardo. Libro Roman numeral two, canto four, stands at twenty-five. Non era per ventura, etc. It may be rendered thus. As then, perchance, unguarded was the tower, so entered free unglantes dauntless night. No monster, no giant, guard the bower in whose recess reclined the fairy light. Robed in a loose cymar of lily-white.  The fairy decked her hair, and placed her cornet, a right. Elizabeth's attachment to the Italian school of poetry was singularly manifested on a well-known occasion. Her godson, Sir John Harrington, having offended her delicacy by translating some of the licentious passages of the Orlando Furioso. She imposed on him, as a penance, the task of rendering the whole poem into English. End reader's note. Barney arose and retired, making a deep obeisance to the sovereign who had done him so much honour. The buckling of the spur and what other rites remain, said the queen, may be finished to-morrow in the chapel, for we intend, Sir Richard Barney, a companion in his honours. And as we must not be partial in conferring such distinction, we mean on this matter to confer with our cousin of Sussex. That noble Earl, who since his arrival at Kenilworth, and indeed since the commencement of this progress, had found himself in a subordinate situation a luster, was now wearing a heavy cloud on his brow. A circumstance which had not escaped the queen, who hoped to appease his discontent and to follow out her system of balancing policy by a mark of peculiar favour, the more gratifying as it was tendered at a moment when his rival's triumph appeared to be complete. At the summons of Queen Elizabeth, Sussex hastily approached her person, and being asked on which of his followers, being a gentleman and of merit, he would wish the honour of knighthood to be conferred. He answered, with more sincerity than policy, that he would have ventured to speak for Tressylian, to whom he conceived he owed his own life, and who was a distinguished soldier and scholar, besides a man of unstained lineage. Only, he said, he feared the events of that night, and then he stopped. I'm glad her lordship is thus considerate, said Elizabeth. The events of this night would make us in the eyes of our subjects, as mad is this poor, brain-sick gentleman himself, for we ascribe his conduct to no malice. Should we choose this moment to do him grace? In that case, said the Earl of Sussex, somewhat discontent.  The Queen could not help shrugging her shoulder slightly, even at this second suggestion, and the Duchess of Rutland, who read in the Queen's manner that she had expected that Sussex would have named Raleigh, and thus would have enabled her to gratify her own wish, while she honoured his recommendation. Only waited the Queen's assent to what he had proposed, and then said that she hoped, since these two high nobles had been each permitted to suggest a candidate for the honours of chivalry, she, on behalf of the ladies in presence, might have a similar indulgence.  Then, pursued the Duchess, in the name of these fair ladies present, I request your Majesty to confer the rank of knighthood on Walter Raleigh, whose birth, deeds of arms and promptitude to serve our sex with sword or pen, deserve such distinction from us all. Grammarcy, fair ladies, said Elizabeth, smiling, Your boon is granted, and the gentle squire lack cloak shall become the good-night lack cloak, at your desire. Let the two aspirants, for the honour of chivalry, step forward. Blount was not as yet returned from seeing Triselyan as he conceived, safely disposed of, but Raleigh came forth and kneeling down, received at the hand of the Virgin Queen, that title of honour, which was never conferred on a more distinguished or more illustrious object. Shortly afterwards Nicholas Blount entered, and hastily apprised by Sussex, who met him at the door of the hall, of the Queen's gracious purpose regarding him. He was desired to advance towards the throne. It is the sight sometimes seen, and is both ludicrous and pitiable, when an honest man of plain common sense is surprised by the coquetry of a pretty woman, or any other cause, into those frivolous fauperies, which only sit well upon the youthful, the gay, and those to whom long practice has rendered them a second nature. Poor Blount was in this situation. His head was already giddy from a consciousness of unusual finery, and the supposed necessity of suiting his manners to the gaiety of his dress. And now the sudden view of promotion altogether completed the conquest of the newly inhaled spirit of faupery over his natural disposition, and converted a plain, honest, awkward man into a coxcomb of a new and most ridiculous kind. The night expected advanced up the hall, the whole length of which he had, unfortunately, to traverse, turning out his toes with so much zeal that he presented his leg at every step with its broadside foremost, so that it greatly resembled an old-fashioned table-knife with a curved point, when seen sideways.  Sussex himself lost all patience and could not forbear whispering into the ear of his friend. Curse thee, canst thou not walk like a man and a soldier? An interjection which only made honest Blount start and stop, until at glance at his yellow roses and crimson stockings restored his self-confidence, when on he went at the same pace as before. The Queen conferred on poor Blount the honor of knighthood with a marked sense of reluctance. That wise princess was fully aware of the propriety of using great circumspection and economy in bestowing those titles of honor, which the stewards, who succeeded to her throne, distributed with an imprudent liberality, which greatly diminished their value. Blount had no sooner arisen and retired than she turned to the Duchess of Rutland. Our woman whit, she said, dear Rutland, is sharper than that of those proud things in Dublin and Hose. See, as thou, out of these three knights, thine is the only true medal to stamp Chilvery's imprint upon. Sir Richard Varney surely, the friend of my Lord of Lester, surely he has merit, replied the Duchess. Varney has the sly countenance and the smooth tongue, replied the Queen. I fear me, he will prove a knave. But the promise was of ancient standing.  I protest, Rutland, that while he sat on his knees before me, moping and mowing as if he had scalding porridge in his mouth, I had much a duty for bear cutting him over the pate instead of striking his shoulder.  We who stood behind, heard the blade clatter on his collarbone, and the poor man fidgeted too, as if he felt it. I could not help it, went, said the Queen laughing. But we will have this same Sir Nicholas, sent to Ireland or Scotland or somewhere, to rid our court of so Antica Chevalier.  The discourse became then more general, and soon after there was a summons to the banquet. In order to obey this signal, the company were under the necessity of crossing the inner court of the castle, that they might reach the new buildings containing the large banqueting room, in which preparations for supper were made upon a scale of profuse magnificence corresponding to the occasion. Delivery cupboards were loaded with a plate of the richest description, and the most varied. Some articles tasteful, some perhaps grotesque, in the invention and decoration, but all gorgeously magnificent, both from the richness of the work, and value of the materials. Thus the chieftable was adorned by a salt, shipped fashion, made of mother of pearl, garnished with silver and diverse war-like insines and other ornaments, anchors, sails, and sixteen pieces of ordinance. It bore a figure of fortune, placed on a globe, with a flag in her hand. Another salt was fashioned of silver, in form of a swan in full sail, that chivalry might not be omitted amid this splendor. A silver St. George was presented, mounted and equipped in the usual fashion, in which he bestrides the dragon. The figures were molded to be in some sort useful. The horse's tail was managed to hold a case of knives, while the breast of the dragon presented a similar accommodation for oyster knives. In the course of the passage from the hall of reception to the banqueting room, and especially in the courtyard, the new-made knights were assailed by the heralds, persuivants, minstrels, etc., with the usual cry of An ancient invocation intended to awaken the bounty of the acolytes of chivalry towards those whose business it was to register their armorial bearings, and celebrate the deeds by which they were illustrated. The call was, of course, liberally and courteously answered by those to whom it was addressed. Barney gave his largesse, with an affectation of complacence and humility. Raleigh bestowed his with the graceful ease, peculiar to one who has attained his own place, and is familiar with its dignity. Honest Blount gave what his tailor had left him of his half-year's rent, dropping some pieces in his hurry, then stooping down to look for them, and then distributing them amongst the various claimants, with the anxious face and mean of the parish beetle dividing a dole among poppers. The donations were accepted with the usual clamour and vivant of applause, common on such occasions. But as the parties gratified were chiefly dependents of Lord Lester, it was Barney whose name was repeated with the loudest acclamations. Lamb-born especially, distinguished himself by his vociferations of long life to Sir Richard Barney, health and honour to Sir Richard, never was a more worthy night dubbed. Then suddenly, syncing his voice he added, since the valiant Sir Pandras of Troy, a winding up of his clamorous applause were said all men laughing who were within hearing of it. It is unnecessary to say anything further of the festivities of the evening, which were so brilliant in themselves, and received with such obvious and willing satisfaction by the Queen, that Lester retired to his own apartment with all the giddy raptures of successful ambition. Barney, who had changed his splendid attire, and now waited on his patron in a very modest and plain undress, attended to do the honours of the Earl's Couchet. How, Sir Richard, said Lester, smiling, your new rank scaresuits the humility of this attendance. I would disown that rank, my Lord, said Barney, could I think it was to remove me to a distance from your Lordship's person? Thou art a grateful fellow, said Lester, but I must not allow you to do what would abate you in the opinion of others. While thus speaking he still accepted without hesitation the offices about his person, which the new main night seemed to render as eagerly as if he had really felt in discharging the task, that pleasure which his words expressed. I'm not afraid of men's misconstruction, he said, in answer to Lester's remark. Since there is not, permit me to undo the collar. A man within the castle who does not expect very soon to see persons of a rank far superior to that which, by your goodness, I now hold, rendering the duties of the bed-chamber to you, and accounting it in honour. It might indeed so have been, said the Earl, with an involuntary sigh, and then presently added, my gown, Barney, I will look out on the night, is not the moon near to the full? I think so, my Lord, according to the calendar, answered Barney. There was an abutting window which opened on a small projecting balcony of stone, battle-minted, as as usual in gothic castles. The Earl ended the lattice, and stepped out into the open air. The station he had chosen commanded an extensive view of the lake and woodlands beyond, where the bright moonlight rested on the clear blue waters, and the distant masses of oak and elm trees. The moon rode high in the heavens, attended by thousands and thousands of inferior luminaries. All seemed already to be hushed in the netherworld, accepting occasionally the voice of the watch. For the yeoman of the guard performed that duty, wherever the queen was present in person. And the distant bane of the hounds, disturbed by the preparations amongst the grooms, and prickers for a magnificent hunt, which was to be the amusement of the next day. Lester looked out on the blue arch of heaven, with gestures and accountants expressive of anxious exultation, while Varney, who remained within the darkened apartment, could, himself unnoticed, with a secret satisfaction, see his patron stretch his hands with earnest gesticulation towards the heavenly bodies. Ye distant orbs of living fire. So ran the muttered invocation of the ambitious year silent, while you will your mystic rounds. But wisdom is given to you, a voice. Tell me then, to what end is my high course destined? Shall the greatness to which I've aspired be bright, preeminent, and stable as your own? Or am I but doomed to draw brief and glittering train along the nightly darkness, and then to sink down earth, like the base refuse of those artificial fires with which men emulate your rays? He looked on the heavens in profound silence for a minute or two longer, and then again stepped into the apartment, where Varney seemed to have been engaged in putting the Earl's jewels into a casket. What said Alaska of my horoscope? demanded Lester. You already told me, but it has escaped me, for I think but lightly of that art. Many learned and great men have thought otherwise, said Varney, and, not to fodder your lordship, my own opinion leans that way. I, saw among the prophets, said Lester, I thought thou were skeptical in all such matters as thou couldest neither see, hear, smell, taste, or touch, and that thy belief was limited by thy senses. Perhaps, my lord, said Varney, I may be misled on the presentation, but may wish to find the predictions of astrology true. Alaska says that your favorite planet is culminating in that the adverse influence he would not use a planar term, though not overcome was evidently combust, I think he said, or retrograde. It is even so, said Lester, looking at an abstract of astrological calculations which he had in his hand. The stronger influence will prevail and, as I think, the evil hour pass away. Lend me your hands, O Richard, to doff my gown, and remain an instant if it is not too burdensome to your knighthood, while I compose myself to sleep. I believe the bustle of this day has fevered my blood, for it streams through my veins like a currant of molten lead. Remain an instant, I pray you, I would faint feel my eyes heavy or I close them. Varney, officiously, assisted his lord to bed and placed a massive silver nightlamp with a short soren on a marble table which stood close by the head of the couch. Either in order to avoid the light at the lamp or to hide his countenance from Varney, Lester drew the curtain, heavy with entwined silk and gold, so as completely to shade his face. Varney took a seat near the bed, but with his back towards his master, as if to intimate that he was not watching him, and quietly waited till Lester himself led the way to the topic by which his mind was engrossed. And so, Varney, said the earl, after waiting in vain till his dependent should commence the conversation, men talk of the queen's favour towards me. I, my good lord, said Varney, of what can they else, since it is so strongly manifested. She's indeed my good and gracious mistress, said Lester, after another pause. But it is written, put not thy trust in princes. A good sentence and a true, said Varney, unless you can unite their interest with yours, so absolutely that they must need sit on your wrist like hooded hawks. I know what thou meanest, said Lester impatiently. Thou, though art tonight so prudentially careful of what thou sayest to me. Thou wouldst sit intimate, I might marry the queen if I would. It is your speech, my lord, not mine, answered Varney. But whosoever be the speech, it is the thought of ninety-nine out of a hundred men throughout broad England. I, but, said Lester, turning himself in his bed. The hundredth man knows better. Thou, for example, knows the obstacle that cannot be overleaped. It must, my lord, if the stars speak true, said Varney, composedly. What, talkest thou of them, said Lester, that believe is not in them or in odd else? You mistake, my lord, under your gracious pardon, said Varney. I believe in many things that predict the future. I believe, if showers fall in April, that we shall have flowers in May, that if the sun shines, grain will ripen. And I believe in much natural philosophy to the same effect, which, if the stars swear to me, I will say the stars speak the truth. And, in like manner, I will not disbelieve that which I see wished for and expected on earth, solely because the astrologers have read it in the heavens. Thou art right, said Lester. Again tossing himself on his couch. Earth does wish for it. I have had advices from the reformed churches of Germany, from the low countries, from Switzerland, urging this as a point on which Europe's safety depends. France will not oppose it. The ruling party in Scotland looked to it as their best security. Spain fears it, but cannot prevent it, and yet thou knowest it is impossible. I know not that, my lord, said Varney. The Countess is indisposed. Villain, said Lester, starting up on his couch, and seizing the sword which lay on the table beside him. Go thy thoughts that way, thou wouldst not do murder. For whom or what do you hold me, my lord, said Varney, assuming the superiority of an innocent man subjected to unjust suspicion. I said nothing to deserve such a horrid imputation as your violence and furs. I said but that the Countess was ill, and Countess, though she be, lovely and beloved as she is. Surely your lordship must hold her to be mortal. She may die, and your lordship's hand become once more your own. Away! Away! said Lester. Let me have no more of this. Good night, my lord, said Varney. Seeming to understand this as the commander depart, but Lester's voice interrupted his purpose. Thou scape as me, not thus or full, said he. I think thy knighthood has addled thy brains. Confess thou as talked of impossibilities, as of things which may come to pass. My lord, long live your fair Countess, said Varney. But neither your love nor my good wishes can make her immortal, but God grant she live long to be happy herself and to render you so. I see not, but you may be king of England, not withstanding. Nay, now, Varney, thou art stark mad, said Lester. I would I were myself within the same nearness to a good estate of freehold, said Varney. Have we not known in other countries how a left-handed marriage might subsist to expersions of differing degree? I, and be no hindrance to prevent the husband from conjoining himself afterwards with a more suitable partner. I have heard of such things in Germany, said Lester. I, and the most learned of doctors in foreign universities, justify the practice from the Old Testament, said Varney. And after all, where is the harm? The beautiful partner, whom you have chosen for true love, has your secret hours of relaxation and affection. Her fame is safe, her conscience may slumber securely. You have wealth to provide royally for your issue, should have him bless you with offspring. Meanwhile, you may give to Elizabeth ten times the leisure and ten thousand times the affection that ever dawned Philip of Spain, spared to her sister Mary. Yet you know how she doted on him, though so cold and neglectful.   Lester was silent for a moment, then sighed and said, It is impossible. Good night, Sir Richard Varney. Yet stay! Can you guess what meant Trisly, and by showing himself in such careless guise before the Queen to-day, to strike her tender heart, I should guess, with all the symphonies due to a lover abandoned by his mistress and abandoning himself? Varney's motheriness nearing laugh answered. He believed Master Trislyon had no such matter in his head. How, said Lester, what meanest thou? There is ever neighbouring that laugh of thine Varney. I only met my lord, said Varney, that Trislyon has taken the sure way to avoid heartbreaking. He had had a companion, a female companion, a mistress, a sort of player's wife or sister, as I believe, with him and Mervyn's bower, where I courted him for certain reasons of my own. A mistress? Meanest thou a paramour? I, my lord, what female else waits for hours in a gentleman's chamber? By my faith, time and space fitting, this were a good tale to tell, said Lester. I ever distrusted those bookish, hypocritical, seeming virtuous scholars. Well, Master Trislyon makes somewhat familiar with my house. If I look it over, he is indebted to it for certain recollections. I would not harm him more than I can help. Keep eye on him, however, Varney. I lodged him for that reason, said Varney, in Mervyn's tower, where he is under the eye of my very vigilant. If he were not also my very drunken servant, Michael Namborn, whom I have told your grace of. Grace, said Lester, what meanest thou by that epithet? It came and awares, my lord, and yet it sounds so very natural that I cannot recall it. It is thine own preferment that hath turned my brain, said Lester, laughing. New honours are so heady as new wine. Mayor Lordship soon hath caused to say so from experience, said Varney, and wishing his patron good night, he withdrew. In revising this work I have had the means of making some accurate additions to my attempt to describe the princely pleasures of Kenilworth by the kindness of my friend William Hamper Esquire, who had the goodness to communicate to me an inventory of the furniture of Kenilworth in the days of the magnificent Earl Lester. I have adorned the text with some of the splendid articles mentioned in the inventory, but antiquaries especially will be desirous to see a more full specimen than the story leaves room for. Extracts from Kenilworth inventory, AD 1584. Assault, ship fashion, of the mother of Pearl, garnished with silver and diver's works, warlike ensigns and ornaments, with sixteen pieces of ordnance, were of two on wheels, two anchors on the four part, and on the stern the image of Dame Fortune, standing on a globe with a flag in her hand. Pois, thirty-two ounces, a gilt salt like a swan, mother of Pearl, pois thirty ounces, three quarters, a George on horseback of wood, painted in gilt, with a case for knives in the tail of the horse, and a case for oyster knives in the breast of the dragon. A green barge cloth embroidered with white lions and bears, a perfuming pan of silver, pois nineteen ounces. In the hall, tables long and short, six forms long and short, fourteen. Hangings, these are minutely specified and consisted of the following subjects in tapestry and gilt and red leather. Flowers, beasts and pillars arched. Forestwork, history, story of Susanna, the prodigal child, Saul, Toby, Hercules, Ladyfame, Hawking and Hunting, Jezebel, Judith and Holofernes, David, Abraham, Samson, Hippolytus, Alexander the Great, Naman the Assyrian, Jacob, etc. Bedsteads, with their furniture. These are magnificent and numerous. I shall copy, verbatim, the description of what appears to have been one of the best. A bedstead of walnut tree, top fashion, the pillars red and varnished, the cellar, tester and single valence of crimson satin, paint with a broad border of bone lace of gold and silver. The tester richly embroidered with my Lord's arms in a garland of hops, roses and pomegranates, and lined with buckram. Five curtains of crimson satin to the same bedstead, striped down with the bone lace of gold and silver, garnished with buttons and loops of crimson silken gold, containing fourteen breaths of satin and one yard three-quarters deep. The cellar, valence and curtains lined with crimson taffeta sarsenet. A crimson satin counterpoint, quilted and embroidered with a gold twist, and lined with red sarsenet, being in length three yards good, and in breadth three scant. A shez of crimson satin, suitable. A fair quilt of crimson satin, six breaths, three yards, three quarters, nailed deep, all lozenge over with silver twist, in the midst of a sink foil, within a garland of ragged staves, fringe round about with a small fringe of crimson silk, lined through with white fustion. Five plumes of colored feathers, garnished with bone lace and spangles of gold and silver, standing in cups knit all over with gold, silver and crimson silk. Probably on the center and four corners of the bedstead, four bears and ragged staves occupied a similar position on another of these sumptuous pieces of furniture. A carpet for a cupboard of crimson satin, embroidered with a border of gold twist, about three parts of it fringed with silk and gold, lined with bridges. That is, bruge satin in length two yards and two breaths of satin. There were eleven down beds and ninety feather beds besides thirty-seven mattresses. Chairs, stools, and cushions. These were equally splendid with the beds, etc. I shall here copy that which stands at the head of the list. A chair of crimson velvet, the seat and back partly embroidered with R.L. in gloss of gold, the bear and ragged staff in gloss of gold, garnished with lace and fringe of gold, silver and crimson silk. The frame covered with velvet, bound about the edge with gold lace, and studded with gilt nails. A square stool and a footstool of crimson velvet, fringed and garnished suitable. A long cushion of crimson velvet, embroidered with the ragged staff in a wreath of gold, with my lord's posie, d'oite et loyale, written in the same, and the letters R.L. in gloss of gold, being garnished with lace, fringe, buttons, and tassels of gold, silver, and crimson silk, lined with crimson tass, being in length one yard quarter. A square cushion of the like velvet, embroidered suitable to the long cushion. Carpets. There were ten velvet carpets for tables and windows. Forty-nine turkey carpets for floors, and thirty-two cloth carpets. One of each I will now specify. A carpet of crimson velvet, richly embroidered with my lord's posie, bears and ragged staves, et cetera. Of cloth of gold and silver, garnished upon the seams and about, with gold lace, fringed accordingly, lined with crimson taffeta sarsenet, being three breaths of velvet, one yard three quarters long. A great turkey carpet, the ground blue, with a list of yellow at each end, being in length ten yards, in breadth four yards and a quarter. A long carpet of blue cloth, lined with bridges satin, fringed with blue silk and gold, in length six yards, lack a quarter, the whole breadth of the cloth. Pictures. Chiefly described as having curtains. The Queen's Majesty. Two great tables. Three of my lord's Saint Jerome. Lord of Arundel. Lord Mathers. Lord of Pembroke. Count Egmont. The Queen of Scots. King Philip. The Baker's Daughters. The Duke of Faria. Alexander Mognus. Two young ladies. Pompeia Sabina. Frederick Duke of Saxony. Emperor Charles. King Philip's wife. Prince of Orange and his wife. Marquesse of Burge and his wife. Count de Homme. Count Holstot. Monseigneur Brederoad. Duke Alva. Cardinal Granville. Duchess of Palmer. Henry Earl of Pembroke in his young Countess. Countess of Essex. Occasion and Repentance. Lord Montecute. Sir James Crofts. Sir William Mildmay. Sir William Pickering. Edwin Archbishop of York. A table of a history of men, women, and children, molded in wax. A little folding table of ebony, garnished with white bone, wherein are written verses with letters of gold. A table of my lord's arms. Five of the planets painted in frames. Twenty-three cards, that is, charts, or maps of countries. Instruments, I shall give to specimens. An instrument of organs, regal, and virginals, covered with crimson velvet and garnished with gold lace. A fair pair of double virginals. Cabinets. A cabinet of crimson satin, richly embroidered with a device of hunting the stag in gold, silver, and silk. With four glasses on the top thereof, sixteen cups of flowers made of gold, silver, and silk. In a case of leather, lined with green satin of bridges. Another purple velvet. A desk of red leather. A chessboard of ebony, with checkers of crystal and other stones, laid with silver, garnished with bears and ragged staves, and sink foils of silver. The thirty-two men likewise of crystal and other stones sat. The one sword in silver white, the other gilt. In a case gilded and lined with green cotton. Another of bone and ebony. A pair of tables of bone. A great brazen candlestick to hang in the roof of the house. Very fair and curiously wrought, with twenty-four branches, twelve great and twelve of lesser size. Six rollers and two wings for the spread eagle. Twenty-four sockets for candles, twelve greater and twelve of a lesser sort. Twenty-four saucers or candle cups. Of like proportion to put under the sockets. Three images of men and three of women. Of brass. Very finely and artificially done. These specimens of Lester's magnificence may serve to assure the reader that it scarce lay in the power of a modern author to exaggerate the lavish style of expense displayed in the princely pleasures of Cannellworth. End reader's note, end chapter thirty-two.