Transcriber's Note.
Apparent typographical errors have been corrected. The use of hyphens
has been rationalised.
A list of the author's works, at the front of the text, has been
moved to join related material at the back.
Small capitals have been converted to full capitals. Italic and bold
font are indicated by _underscores_ and +plus signs+.
[Illustration:
The Colloquies
of
Edward Osborne
Citizen and Clothworker
of London
Illustrations by
John Jellicoe]
[Illustration: J Jellicoe
"Surely thou art the Widow Osborne"]
THE COLLOQUIES OF
EDWARD OSBORNE
CITIZEN AND CLOTHWORKER
OF LONDON
By
The Author of "Mary Powell,"
"The Household of Sir Thos. More," "Cherry & Violet"
and "The Old Chelsea Bun-Shop," etc.
_WITH TEN ILLUSTRATIONS BY_
JOHN JELLICOE
LONDON
JOHN C. NIMMO
NEW YORK: CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS
MDCCCC
Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.
At the Ballantyne Press
CONTENTS
CHAP. PAGE
I.—_A Country Lad cometh to Town_ 1
II.—_First Day of a London 'Prentice his Life_ 27
III.—_Ye Disposition & Economy of Master Hewet's House_ 45
IV.—_Noteworthy Deed of a Boy taught of a Woman_ 58
V.—_Edward Convalesceth i' the Green Lattice_ 77
VI.—_Tib's Malpractyzes_ 102
VII.—_Early Setting of a young Morning Star_ 117
VIII.—_The Defence of the Bridge_ 133
IX.—_Osborne is out of his Time_ 167
X.—_Evil Times bring Evil Crimes_ 181
XI.—_The Blood of the Martyrs, yᵉ Seed of yᵉ Church_ 194
XII.—_A Snake among yᵉ Flowers_ 207
XIII.—_Master Hewet ordereth Things discretely_ 231
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
_From Drawings by_ JOHN JELLICOE
"SURELY THOU ART THE WIDOW OSBORNE" _Frontispiece_
PAGE
"HELD THE OAR TO HIM" _To face_ 40
"AND TOOK A LEAP" " 60
TRYPHENA AND TRYPHOSA " 88
"EATING CURDS AND CREAM" " 120
"MAKE WAY FOR THE SHERIFF'S DAUGHTER" " 140
"RODE OVER THE BRIDGE" " 152
"COVERED HIS FACE AND WEPT" " 192
"PROFFERED ME A PIECE OF MONEY" " 240
THE MASQUE " 272
THE COLLOQUIES OF
EDWARD OSBORNE
CHAPTER I
_A Country Lad cometh to Town_
So we left the old grey Horse at the _Tabard_, and set forth a-foot, my
Mother and me, for _London Bridge_: I looking right and left for a
Glimpse of the great, broad River. But no Water could we see; and the
Ways were thronged with Men, Horses, Carts, Wagons, Flocks of Sheep, and
Droves of Oxen, pressing along between Stalls set out with all manner of
Cates. Anon we come to a big Gateway, with its Portcullis-teeth grinning
over our Heads; and a-top of this Gateway, that was flanked with
Turrets, and spanned the Road, were ever so many round, dark Objects,
set on Poles, leaning this Way and that; and my Mother shuddered when
she saw them, and told me they were Traitors' Heads. But between us and
this Gateway lay a Draw-bridge, the which, as we crossed, gave us a
Glimpse of the broad _Thames_, all a-blaze in the Sun. I pluckt at my
Mother's Sleeve, without speaking, and we looked over the Parapet, and
could see Boats ducking and diving under a Row of Houses right across
the River, some of 'em six Stories high, with Balconies and projecting
Gables, looking ready to topple into the Water, that rushed onward with
tremendous Force, eddying and foaming among the Arches. Then I noted at
the Foot of each Pier, strange Projections of Timber-work, and askt my
Mother what they were, and she could not tell me. But a Man that
overheard me said they were called Sterlings, and were strong Piles of
Wood driven into the Bed of the River. Also he told me the Bridge was
sixty Feet above the Water, and that its Founder, _Peter_ of
_Colechurch_, lay y-buried in the Chapel on the Bridge; and more he
would have added but for the Interposure of my Mother, who said, "Come,
Child, we linger," and drew me away. Then we passed under the Gateway,
which was also a Kind of Guard-house, and Toll-gate; and, quod she, "Now
thou art on _London Bridge_." But I should never have found it out; for
to all Seeming, we were in midst of an ill-paved, exceeding narrow
Strete, only some twelve Feet across, with Frippery-shops, and such-like
on either Side. A great, o'erloaded Wagon that went first, cleared the
Way for us, filling the Space all across; but anon it meeteth another
Wagon, even higher than itself, with a Terrier barking a-top; and, the
one essaying to pass the other, their Headgear got entangled in the
Outworks of the upper Stories of two opposite Houses, and I saw the
Terrier jump into an Attick Window, and presently run forth of the Shop
below. Then the Wagoners chode and reviled, for one of 'em must needs
back off the Bridge, and some Sheep and Oxen were coming up behind; and
the Foot-passengers jostled and jibed, and Shopkeepers looked forth of
their Doors, and Wives and Maids from their Lattices, and Swarms of
quick-eyed mischievous favoured Lads peered forth of every Bulk; and my
Mother cried, "Oh! weary on them! we may bide here all Night!" ... when,
looking hard on the Shop to our left, she sayth, "Why here's the _Golden
Fleece_!"
And so we made bold to enter, between a few Rolls of brown and gray
Cloth; and found Master _Hewet_ seated behind a Desk, holding a Pen, but
not using it, discoursing with a sober-apparelled Friend, and ever and
anon casting a quiet amused Look at the Turmoil on the Bridge. He was
what I then counted a middle-aged, but should now reckon a youngish Man,
somewhere betwixt thirty and forty Years of Age, of a good Presence and
a piercing but pleasant Eye; and with that in his Carriage and Looks
that discovered he had Something within him beyond the common, that
tended to excite Affection and Veneration. So soon as his Eye lighted
pleasantly upon us, "Surely, thou art the Widow _Osborne_!" quod he to
my Mother, "and this, by his Favour, I am sure is the Son of mine old
School-mate. He will, I trust, prove of as good Conditions."
And, putting down his Pen, he quickly led the Way into a pleasant
Chamber at the Back, o'erlooking the River, wherein, a watering of some
Flowers on the Window-sill, was a middle-aged Gentlewoman, clad in
Black, of a benign Aspect, a mild hazel Eye, and a Tinct that had more
of the Pearl than the Peach in it. "Sister _Fraunces_," quod Master
_Hewet_, "here is Mistress _Osborne_;" whereon the Gentlewoman turned
about and spake courteouslie unto my Mother, whom she made to sit down
and take Wine and Spiced-bread; while I, as a mannerly Youth, stood in
Presence of mine Elders. Then sayth my Mother to Master _Hewet_, "I
come, Sir, in answer to your considerate Letter, to put my Boy in your
Charge:—he's but country-bred, though a good Lad, and come of a good
Stock ... not only born of a Woman, but taught of a Woman, alas
that I should say so! save for his School-teaching." "Marry, his
Brother-prentice, then, is one of another Feather," saith Master
_Hewet_, smiling, "we shall see which turns out best. Leave your Son
with me; and at the End of a Month or so, when he hath looked at the
Trade a little, we will decide whether or no to have him bound." "Alas,
Sir!" saith my Mother, with lengthened Face, "may not all be done now? I
have two small Children at Home, mine Absence is untimeous, and
Travelling is strange to me—I have the Fee ready, the Boy is willing,
and you cannot choose but be satisfied with his Conditions, for the Lad
is a good Lad, though 'tis his Mother that says so."
"Well," saith Master _Hewet_, after a little Thought, "the Course is
uncommon, for we mainly like to prove a Youth and see whether he be
likely to do Good at the Trade, and be a profitable and desirable
Apprentice before we bind him; but since your Case is in some Respects
singular, it shall be as you say; for, as it happens, this is one of the
Days on which the Court and Master sit to bind and enroll 'Prentices."
So forth we went: he making Way for my Mother, and I following last.
On our Way to _Mincheon Lane_, we fell in with an uproarious Rabble,
that, with Shouts, were haling Somewhat through the Mud, which proved to
be a Church Image; doubtless, just pulled down from its Niche. The Head
was rare carven, and floridly painted after the Life; but the Trunk was
nothing but a squared Block, with a Cross-piece for the Shoulders, and
looked pitiful enow, now 'twas despoiled of its rich Clothing. An
Ale-house Keeper at the Bridge end turned in-doors with Disgust at the
Sight, which some of the Rabblement noting, they cried out, "Here's a
Bone for you to pick, Sir _Tobias_!" and beset his Door. I afterwards
learned he was an ejected Roman Catholic Parson.
When we reached the _Clothworkers' Hall_, the Clerk made out my
Indentures; and then I was taken before the Master to be enrolled.
My Mother having paid the Fee, (Spoon-silver they jocosely called it,)
unto Master _Hewet_, he did not pocket it, but put it into the
Common-box: and the Business was done; my Master exchanging some
pleasant Words with the Master of the Company, and the latter bidding me
(in the only Sentence he spoke to me), mind the Clothworkers'
Motto,—"_My Trust is in God alone_."
Then, my Mother and I took Leave of one another, aside, as 'twere, in
the Doorway; for she was to lie that Night in _Temstrete_, at her Cousin
_Hale's_, (who was a _Broughton_,) and return to _Ashford_ on the
Morrow. And she kissed me and wept sore, and sayth, "Ah Son, thou art
full young to be cast out of the Nest ... fain I were to keep thee: but
what though? Thou canst not always be at mine Apron-string, and thou
hast a brave Spirit and a good Heart; wherefore, like _Hannah_, Wife of
_Elkanah_, I will entrust my First-born unto the LORD, and see what he
will do for thee.... And remember, _Ned_, thou art the Son of a
Gentleman, and think the Eye of thy Father still upon thee."
Then quod I, in answer to my Mother, "Cheer up, sweet _Mother_, I will
never disgrace him nor thee: so give over thy weeping, lest they should
deem the Tears on my Face to be mine instead of thine ... don't melt me,
_Mother_, lest they count me but a Boy, and make light of our Country
Breeding."
"A Boy, indeed! What art thou more?" quod she, smiling through her
Tears; and with one hearty Kiss and her Blessing, went her Ways.
On our Return to my Master's House, he, noting my Hair to be too long
for a 'Prentice, (for, indeed, my Mother was rather vain of it,) gave me
a Penny, and sent me to Master _Soper_ the Barbitonsor, across the
Bridge, to have it clipt. Here found I a Man having his Beard trimmed,
and another, waiting for his Turn, playing a Mandoline. Seeing me look
forth of the Lattice on the River, boiling and splashing below, and the
Boats shooting the Arches and nearly pitching Head foremost down the
Fall, he stayed his Hand, and told me how many Lives were lost in those
Rapids by the Year. Then I made bold to ask him what was that great
Fortress with Towers, on the north Bank.
"Thou art a Stranger in _London_, then," saith he, "for every Cockney
knows the _Tower_, whose foundation Stones were cemented, they say, with
Mortar tempered with Blood. And truly, Blood enow hath been spilt within
it to bring a Judgment on its Walls. _Henry_ the _Sixth_ was murdered in
the _Tower_, _George_ of _Clarence_ was drowned in the _Tower_, _Edward_
the _Fifth_ and _Richard_ Duke of _York_, those pretty Innocents, were
smothered in the _Tower_, _Anne Boleyn_ and _Katherine Howard_ were
beheaded in the _Tower_. And, for all it hath held a King's Parliament,
and is our Citadel of Defence, a royal Palace for Assemblies, a
Council-house for Treaties, a Treasury of Crown Jewels, the royal Mint
of Coinage, the prime Conservator of Records, and the Armoury of warlike
Provisions, yet, for the Tears and the Blood that have been shed in it,
I could say, Down with it, down with it even unto the Ground! And
methinks its evil Story is not yet wound up, but that a dark Cloud hangs
over it e'en now. We shall see! we shall see! Many an ignoble Man rises
aloft, many a proud Man is brought low. 'Tis time enough at one's Life's
end to sing Gloria. Ah! our Bridge Tower, whereof I am Gate-keeper, hath
another guess Foundation than _Cæsar's_; for on every one of its four
Corner-stones is graven the Name of JESUS; _deep, but out of Sight_."
And he peered into my Face as he spake that Saying, to wit if I felt its
Force.
"And now my Turn hath come to be trimmed," quod he, "so thou mayst thrum
the Mandoline."
When I went back, there was a Man with a Burthen leaving the Shop; and
my Master saith, "Follow this Porter to Master _Askew's_ in
_Candlewickstrete_, and bring home my little Daughter, who hath been
spending the Forenoon at her Godfather's." So I went with the
Porter, and on reaching _Candlewickstrete_, which was not full of
Tallow-chandlers' Shops, but of Drapers, he shewed me Master _Askew's_
House; and I entered and found him in Parley with a Man in a red Coat.
Quod he, "Well, I suppose my Lord must have it, but I like not the
Security;" and handed him over a heavy Bag that seemed full of Money.
Said the Man in Red, stowing the Bag under his Coat, "You were best not
offend my Lord, for I warrant the Loss of his Custom would make you the
worse by a pretty Penny." "Tut!" cries the other, "we could better
afford to lose the Court than the Court to lose the City." On which,
they parted. "Who art thou, my Lad?" quod he. "I'm my Master's new
'Prentice," quod I, "come to fetch Mistress _Anne_." "Ah!" quod he,
"then you're from Master _Hewet_, though you speak as if there were but
one Master in the World.... _Anne!_ sweet _Anne_!"
And, at his Call, there runneth in a fair little Gentlewoman, about six
Years of Age. Sure, never was seen so sweet a Child! Master _Askew_
caught her up in his Arms and gave her many Kisses, and told her she
must return with me; whereon she came and placed her Hand in mine, in
full Assurance of Faith. A Gentlewoman, not much turned of thirty,
personable, and of the Complexion they call sanguine, followed her
forth, with many Injunctions to tell her Father how good she had been,
and giving her, at parting, a Piece of sweet Marchpane.
In the Strete, we were so beshoved about, that Mistress _Anne_ presently
made Request of me to carry her. So I took her up and set her on my
Shoulder, and bade her hold on by my Hair; which she was pleased to say
was shorter than mine Ears, or even than mine Eyelashes. And, in seeking
to admeasure them, she nearly toppled down; so then I said if she were
going to be unruly, besides blinding me with the Crumbs of her
Marchpane, I must set her in the Stokkes. To which she made Answer,
"Then you must put both my Feet into one Hole; and even then I shall
slip them out." Thus prettily she prattled all the Way, till I told her
I thought my Hair was at least shorter than her Tongue. When we reached
my Master's Door, I was passing it unawares, when she lugged at mine
Hair and cried, "Stop, Boy, stop; you must set me down." I said, "Then
you must give me a Kiss." She sayth, "Humph, I've no Objection;" which I
thought very funny and very pretty in so young a little Gentlewoman.
It was now Supper-time; and, my Fellow-'prentice being out, Mistress
_Fraunces_ shewed me how to lay the Cloth, set forth the Spoons, &c.,
and told me that London 'Prentices stood behind their Master's Chair at
Meal Times. Just as _Tib_ the Cook had set the Dishes on the Table,
there entereth a hale, aged Man, white headed, with a merry Eye, and a
thin Cheek besprent with lively red. My Master hailed him with Zest,
crying, "Ha! Master _Cheke_! 'tis of long Time since we met! How fareth
it with thee, Master _Cheke_? Come in, Man, come in and sup with us,
and, if thou wilt, lie to-night in the Green Lattice; there's the old
Bed made up."
"Old Bed!" quod the other, jocularly; is anything old fit to be offered
to me that am so young and so fine? What though I'm from the Country,
have I not Friends at Court? Marry, Man, my Kinsman is the King's
Sub-tutor, and I've had Speech of him this Day."
"If you are too fine for old Friends, I have no more to say to you,"
quod Master _Hewet_, heartily, and taking his Place at Table, while his
Visitor and Mistress _Fraunces_ did the same. "You can't be _our_ Master
_Cheke_.... Now then, Sir, boiled or roast? You see, though 'tis
_Friday_, we are not quite so scrupulous as we were wont of old Time, in
regard to a broiled Bone or so ... here's nothing from salt Water save a
Dish of Prawns."
"And very pretty Picking," sayth Master _Cheke_, "for a Man that hath
had one Supper already off a King's Leavings ... for, you see, the
pretty Boy goes to Bed at eight o' the Clock. What a young Miracle 'tis!
A very Saint, Sir! excelling any _Edward_ hath been canonized. Marry, my
Kinsman said I should have seene the sweet Child blush, when 'twas told
him he was King; and then fall a weeping for his Father, whom,
peradventure, none other loved soe purely; for Love kindles Love, they
say, and, of a Surety, if the old King loved any one, he loved _him_."
"Then, his Grace's Speech on his Crownation-day," quod Mistress
_Fraunces_. "They brought him the three Swords, for the three Kingdoms.
'There ought to be yet another,' quod he, looking about; 'bring me a
Bible.' When 'twas brought,—'This,' saith he, 'is the Sword of the
Spirit; as the other three are the Swords of our Temporal Dominions: by
them we govern, by this we must be governed, and under this we ought to
live, to fight, to rule, and to guide all our Affairs.' A marvellous
Saying for a Boy of nine Year old!"
"Ah! I dare say my Kinsman put him up to it," said Master _Cheke_, "but
indeed 'twas well rehearsed and well remembered."
"Nay, I like not to hear the Credit of a good Thing taken away from its
proper Owner in that Way," quod Mistress _Fraunces_ somewhat warmly.
"Why should we say, 'Such an One was prompted?' 'such a Thing was
forecast?' Doubtless, we all get our Teaching ... from ourselves or
others; and some few, I think, be Heaven-taught."
"Well, well," quod Master _Cheke_, shelling his Prawns; "'twas a pretty
Word, we all must own. How he chode with his Nurse, e'en in the Nursery,
for standing on a Bible to reach Somewhat off a Shelf!"
"And that was before he learned Lip wisdom of Master _Cheke_," quod
Mistress _Fraunces_. "However, Sir, I disparage not your Kinsman, though
I will not hear you disparage the King. Honour to whom Honour is due."
I saw an almost imperceptible uprising of Master _Cheke's_ Eyebrows at
this, as though he were inwardly saying, "Place to Ladies:" howbeit,
Mistress _Fraunces_ kept her Ground, and, I thought, becomingly. She
thought so too, and mentioned afterwards that she had given it to him
roundly.
Master _Hewet_ was diverting the Discourse, when a Cry without of
"Clubs! Clubs!" was followed by a Shrilling and Screaming like Swifts
round a Steeple, and an uproarious Hallooing and Whooping all along the
Bridge. Master _Cheke_ started up, and then re-seated himself,
muttering, "Young Rascallions!"
"And yet," quod Master _Hewet_, "they are the Stuff our sober
substantial Citizens are made of. Oh, Sir, I don't mind speaking freely
before my 'Prentice Lads. They will hear no dangerous Matter from me,
and cannot be too early made to feel that we are all one Family. Let
them be merry and wise; the Error is in aiming to be one without the
other."
I would I could call to Mind othermuch that was said: howbeit, I was
young and new to Service, and had not yet attained unto the Facility
which practised Servitors have of noting each Thing said, hinted, or so
much as looked at Table, while attending to such Orders as "The Mustard,
_Osborne_" ... and so forth.
But, or ever they had well sate down, Mistress _Anne_ had run in to wish
good Night; and, contriving to tarry, had remained awhile at Master
_Hewet's_ Knee, noting all was done and said. And when, referring to
some of the King's Council, Master _Cheke_ said, "They are new to their
Work, but will take kindly to it presently," she softly sayth, "Like our
new 'Prentice!" which made all laugh.
When Master _Cheke_ had departed, and the Day's Work and Prayer were
ended, Mistress _Fraunces_ said she would sit up for _Miles
Hackathrift_, who was out too late, and bade me go to Bed, for that she
saw I was weary: (and indeed I had ridden the Pillion twenty Mile that
Morning.) Wherefore I thankfully crept up to the Loft a-top of the
House, wherein were two Tressel-beds; and no sooner lay down than I was
asleep; and might have slept all Night without so much as turning; but
by and by I was arouzed by the Light of a Lanthorn held close to mine
Eyes, which opened, somewhat dazed, on a red, swollen Face, that had too
little Brow and too much Cheek and Chin. Then a surly Voice sayth, "So
thou's the new 'Prentice, it seemeth! Good so! how prettily thy Mother
in the Country hath had thine Hair cut!" I said, "It was cut in Town,
not in the Country.—Go away, and take the Light out of mine Eyes, I
pr'ythee.... I think thou hast been drinking Something stronger than
small Ale, and hast broken thine Indenture." ... "Then I'll brake
Something else," quod he; and gave me a Bang on the Head with his
Lanthorn, that put the Candle out. Thereafter he had to go to Bed in the
Dark; but I wot not if he grumbled thereat, so soon fell I again on
Sleep, too weary to resent his Malefices.