_Edward convalesceth i' the Green Lattice_
When mine Eyes opened next Morning, my loved _Mother's_ dear, pale Face
was hanging over me. "Child," quod she, "Misfortunes never come
alone—When Master _Hewet's_ Post came to _Ashford_ with News of thy
Sickness, I was far from Home, in _Westmoreland_, at the Death-bed of
thine Uncle _Lancelyn_; and I wist not till Yesterday, what News was
awaiting my Return." ... And she hung over me, and bathed my Face in her
Tears. "But I am proud of thee, my _Ned_" quod she, "and so would thy
Father have been. And thou hast taken off from thee the Reproach of
being taught of a Woman as well as born of a Woman ... my dear, dear
Son!"
Oh! what a Heaven it was to get well! There was my loved _Mother_ beside
me at her Sewing, telling me of _Ashford_ and the green Lanes of _Kent_,
and of the wild Hills of _Westmoreland_, till I seemed to be there
myself. There was Mistress _Fraunces_ cockering me up, first with Sweets
and cooling Drinks, and then with savoury and strengthening Things; even
to _Mortreuse_ and _Leche Lombard_! And when I was able to sit up at the
green Lattice, Mistress _Anne_ and I would look down on the Barges and
Boats, and play at divers Games and tell divers Stories. The Lodger that
had beforetime occupied this Chamber, had left a Heap of old Books and
written Papers, which, having Nothing private in them, my Master said I
was free to look over. There was Part of a Chronicle of _English_
History, whether the Writer's own Composure or a Traduction, I wot not;
but brave and pleasant Reading, about the Courts of _England_, _France_,
_Spain_, and _Flanders_, in the Time of our _Edward_ the _Third_, and
Queen _Philippa_. Another Work was a Romaunt of Love and Chivalry: also
an Account of _London Bridge_, and _Chaucer's Canterbury Tales_, and a
Treatyse on Fysshynge. Likewise, there was a great Roll of Drawings,
done, I afterwards found, by another Lodger, in black and red Chalk,
much fouled, smeared, and chafed, but diverting to look at, being
Representations of Men, Women, Children, Skeletons, Death's Heads,
Bones, Angels, Fiends, Hippogriffs,—and divers other Presentments; with
_H. H._ writ at the End.
Thus pleasantly passed the Time till the Doctor said I had only now to
pick up my Strength; and my _Mother_ then thought it Time for her to
return to my little Brothers. The Evening before she left, she sayth
unto me somewhat apologetically, "_Ned_, thine Uncle _Edward_ having
died childless, and left all to thine unmarried Uncle _Lancelyn_, who
hath now left me his Heir, I am now well to do, with an hundred Pound by
the Year, real Estate, and, personal Estate, five hundred Pounds, which
I have taken kind Master _Hewet's_ Advice concerning the Disposal of.
And he, being kindly affectioned unto thee just now, (as well he may
be,) is pleased to say thou art sure to make thine own Way in the World,
and to advise my devising all my personal Estate unto thy younger
Brothers, thou being secure of the other at my Death."
Quod I, "Dear _Mother_, mayst thou live as long as I shall! There is
Nothing thou canst do so much to my Mind as to care for _Thomas_ and
_Julian_, the one of whom is weakly and unfit for active Life, and the
other, I think, will love Farming. Master _Hewet_, I am certified, hath
spoken wisely." And in sooth, I was glad to note what a good
Understanding seemed to exist, on so short Acquaintance, between him and
my dear _Mother_.
So, when she was gone, I had Nothing to do but to get well. Marry! what
a hard Matter, though, it was!—At first I was glad to think I might go
forth abroad, and resume my old Gossips with _Tomkins_. But the very
first Time I essayed to clamber up to his Attick, though 'twas only two
short Flights, I found myself so weak that I was fain to sit down on the
Stair and shed Tears, whether I would or no. And there, to my very great
Shame, I was found of my Master. He bespake me kindly, and helped me up,
and said this Weakness would soon go off: howbeit, it did not.—I always
think that Chirurgeon bled me too freely: I noted his saying, "We'll
knock him down first, and then build him up again!" which carryeth a
Sound of Smartness, but not always answereth with the Event. Thus, 'twas
now found I must still go softly; and the Weather being sultry, Master
_Hewet_ bade me keep as much as I could i' the open Air and Shade, and
creep out, as my Strength permitted, to the Fields, with Mistress _Anne_
to my Mate. So we went forth Hand in Hand, for I was past carrying her;
and presently I say, "Oh me, Mistress! ... I must sit down"—and sayth
she, "There's a Door-step i' the Shade a little farther on, with a nice
old Woman on it, selling Mulberries." So we creep on, and the little
Maid buyeth me Mulberries, and I eat and rest, and am refreshed. Then
quod I, "Let's go back now, Mistress;" but sayth she, "Oh, let's try to
go on to _Trolop's_ Milk-farm." So I love not to cross the little
Fondling, and as soon as we reach the green Meadows, the fresh, sweet
Air seems to take away that queer, light, fluttering Feel in my Head,
and to refresh and brace me; and I lie on the Grass i' the Shade, and
she runs hither and thither and gathers Borage, and Blue Bugloss, and
Bushy Red-mint, and bringeth them to me, saying, "What's this?" and
"What's this?" And so we go on Day by Day.
Now as touching _Miles Hackathrift_. When I first lay sick, I have said
he was mighty softened, and went gently and seemed amain concerned for
me. Howbeit, Boy's Grief not long lasteth, and he soon fell tired of
feeling or feigning any; more by Token, he perceived his was outrun by
that of Everyone in the House. Whereupon he turned about, and grew
indifferent, then jealous, then surly, then envious, doubtless by small
Degrees; but of this, I, being apart from him, was not cognizant; and
the Change made itself apparent to me all at once. First, when Master
_Hewet_ was out, he took Advantage of it to come trampling up Stairs
with all the Clamour he could, singing, "Row the Boat, Norman!" in a
defiant sort of Way; and when Mistress _Fraunces_ put her Head forth of
the Lattice Chamber and sayth, "Make not such a Turmoil, _Miles_," he
pretended to stumble on _Tomkins's_ Stair, and let a heavy Weight roll
all the way down it. When he clattered down after it, Mistress
_Fraunces_, watching her Opportunity, gave him a Rap on the Head, which
I know that white Hand of hers could not have dealt very heavily;
natheless he took Occasion by it to cry out sharply, and then give one
or two dismal Grones, which he was too spirited to have done had he in
verity been mal-entreated. However, finding he might not sing nor slam
Doors while I lay under the Leech's Care, he turned sulky and held
close, so as that scarce yea or nay was to be had out of him. When at
length I returned to our Loft, he took Care to do me to wit how pleasant
it had been to him to have it all to himself; and immediately took
Advantage of my coming back, to oversleep himself of a Morning. Also he
instantly intermitted all the little Share of my Work that had been put
upon him while I was ill. Seeing me turn white from Time to Time, he
said I was shamming for the Sake of Soups and Cordials; and when I went
forth with Mistress _Anne_, he called me a special good Nursery-maid.
All this I cared for very little, knowing that when I got stout, I could
soon put him down; but meantime, 'twas not over-pleasant to be scoffed
at as a languid Lad, who, if trodden on, could not turn again. One Day,
when some Trifle had made me start and change Colour,—I think it was
seeing Mistress _Anne_ go nigh the open Window,—he had half pronounced,
"You Coward!" when, suddenly changing his Mind, he sayth, "Dost know
what new Name I have found for thee, and taught the Lads along the
Bridge? 'The Knight of the Flying Leap!'" Which was humourous, but not
well natured. Howbeit I heard it often enough for awhile, but as a Title
of Distinction instead of Derision; which incensed the Author of it.
But all these little Clouds blew over during the three Weeks I spent
with my Mother at _Ashford_. When I came back, I was the same Lad as
ever, and took Things as I found them, and fell into my old Place.
[Illustration: Tryphena & Tryphosa]
In the October of this Year, Sir _John Gresham_, Mercer, being chosen
Mayor, his Company resolved to get up their famous Pageant of the Maiden
Chariot; and having vainly cast about among their own Fraternity for a
young Damsel sufficiently comely to be the Admiration of all the City,
and likewise able and willing to play the Part of Chariot Maiden, they
at length offered it to the youngest Daughter of Master _Soper_ the
Barbitonsor who lived on the Bridge. Now Master _Soper_ had two
Daughters, good and pretty Girls enow as Times went, _Tryphena_ and
_Tryphosa_ by Name, fresh-coloured, sprightly, and much admired by the
Bridge 'Prentices. These two Sisters were seldom apart, inasmuch as both
their Heads might commonly be seen out of one upper Lattice, looking
after every Thing that passed in the Strete; and 'twas in their Favour
that they always seemed on the best of Terms with one another. But
whether by Reason of any Unguent of Master _Soper's_, or mere Liberality
of Nature, I wot not, the younger, who in no other Wise excelled her
Sister, was notorious for the excessive Length and Thickness of her
glossy flaxen Hair. And this being an indispensable Requisite for the
Chariot Maiden, the Mercers without more Ado offered her the Part, which
she with great Glee accepted. Now hereupon, I lament to say, ensewed
great Disruption between the twain hitherto so harmonious; for Public
Admiration of Beauty is as true a Test of what is the Nature of a
Woman's Heart, as the black Marble the Goldsmiths call Touchstone is of
their precious Metals. If her Head be not turned by it, good: if she can
bear it bestowed upon another and o'erlooked in herself, why, good
also,—she can stand the Touchstone: howbeit, all have not this Virtue.
And, whereas _Tryphosa_ was now so elate with thinking of her white
satin Gown, her golden Sandals, her jewelled Crown, and her Feast in the
Hall, as to suppose the Ground scarce good enow for her to tread upon,
_Tryphena_ was ready to burst with Envy of her Sister, and could scarce
speak peaceably unto her. However, she came to her common Sense and good
Feeling at last, and found her Account in playing Second; many good
Things being in Store for both. A notable Thing was, that Master
_Soper's_ Shop was now literally besieged with Customers who wanted to
have a Glimpse of the Chariot Maiden, insomuch that he said he never had
had such a Trafficking for Pennyworths in any given Year, as he had in
this Month of October; only the worst was that every Customer gave as
much Trouble for a Penny as he should have done for a Shilling, and
would hang about, keeping away fresh Comers, when his Purchase was made.
While _Tryphosa_, who had never to this Time shewn any Symptoms of
Shyness, now turned coy and kept herself close; now and then letting
_Tryphena_ flit through the Shop and be mistaken for her, after which
the two would shut themselves up and go into Fits of Laughter. The Women
all along the Bridge were out of Patience with her for what they would
have it was simulated Bashfulness in one who meant to be stared at from
Morn to Night on _Lord Mayor's_ Day. And they satisfied themselves that
she was shutting herself up for Fear of freckling or sunburning. As for
_Miles_, who always loved to do like the rest, he was evermore running
over to Master _Soper_ to have his Hair cut, till at last it was hardly
longer than the Nap of his Gown; and I almost think he would have
submitted one of his good white Teeth to the Barber's Pincers, if he
could have gained Admittance on no cheaper Terms; just to boast of it
afterwards. At last, when the grand Day came, he and every 'Prentice on
the Bridge mobbed the Barbitonsor's Door till _Tryphosa_ was fetched
away in a close Litter. Then there was a Rush to the _Mercers'_ Hall,
where Master _Gresham_, in his Scarlet and Gold, met his Livery in their
new Gowns furred with Foins and Budge; and accompanied them, mounted, to
_Guildhall_, where the late _Mayor_, _Sheriffs_, and _Aldermen_, met
them on Horseback. Then they all took Barge to _Westminster_ and back,
to the Sound of Trumpets, Sackbuts, and Shawlms, and the firing of small
Guns, and exploding of Crackers. On re-landing at _Three Cranes' Wharf_,
they re-mounted, and proceeded to _Paul's Churchyard_, where they met
the Pageant, consisting of an exceeding magnifical Chariot, twenty-two
Feet high, of the _Roman_ Build, entirely covered with silver embossed
Work, having _Tryphosa_ therein, set on high, in Jewels and spangled
Satin; her fair flaxen Tresses dishevelled, a Sceptre in one Hand, a
Shield in the other, with all the Glory and Majesty possible to
imagine:—_Fame_, blowing of a Trumpet right over her Head, _Wisdom_,
_Modesty_, and all the rest, including the nine Muses, each in their
proper Places; _Triumph_, driving nine white _Flanders_ Horses, three
abreast; Grooms, Lictors, and Pages marching alongside the Equipage; and
a Score of Salvages and Jacks-i'-the-Green, making diverting Remarks to
all; and keeping the Crowd off with Squibs and Crackers.
Oh! was ever Woman exalted one Day so high (even to the first-floor
Windows), to come down so low into the Retiredness of domestic Life the
next! What was _Cleopatra_ sailing down the _Cydnus_ to this? Did
_Zenobia_, did _Semiramis_ ever have anything so fine in the Way of
Triumph? Pish!—Moreover, there was a separate Table prepared for
_Tryphosa_, who dined in State with her chosen Ladies, attended by
Seneschals, Squires, and Pages, as if she had been a Queen. And had
Swans' Pudding and Leche Lombard, I promise ye!
—But oh! poor Humanity.—'Twas noted at the Feast, more in special by
some of the chosen Ladies that thought themselves set lower than they
might have been,—that poor _Tryphosa's_ Face was so tanned by Exposure
all Day to Sun and Wind, as that my _Lord Mayor's_ Gown was scarce more
Scarlet. And by the Space of a Fortnight or so from that Hour, 'twas so
blistered and scorched that she hated to be seen, and was obliged to
blanch and mollify it with Buttermilk, Cream of Almonds, and I wot not
what Female Recipes. Which was the more provoking, as some of the
inferior Officers of the Company called, the Day after the Feast, to
know how she fared, and she was constrained to leave their Entertainment
to _Tryphena_. _Miles_, who had a Glimpse of her through an upper
Casement, was so offended at her Aspect that he spent no more Pence at
Master _Soper's_. And by the Fortnight's End, the Matter had ceased to
be talked about, and the two Girls might be seen, sewing together, and
keeping an Eye to the Bridge, as contentedly and harmoniously as ever.
During my Visit to my _Mother_, a new Inmate had been brought into the
Family: to wit, a superior Kind of Maid for Mistress _Anne_, named
_Damaris_, who had lived aforetime in the Household of Master _Hewet's_
Brother in the Country. She was a Miracle of Composedness and discreet
Demeanour, which gave her the Air of being somewhat older than she
really was. Mistress _Anne_ now spent the Chief of the Day with her in
the Green Lattice, where _Damaris_ kept herself much reserved, sewing
fine Linen, and teaching her little Charge to read.
One Day, when I was moving some Laths and Cases that had stood against
the Wall in _Tomkins's_ Attick till they were begrimed with Dust, I was
in Amaze to behold delineated on the White-wash with black Chalk, an
exact Portraicture of _Tomkins_, stooping over his Work, with every Line
and Furrow of his intent, earnest Visage accurately made out.
"What's this?" quod I.
_Tomkins_ brake forth into Laughing. "I wist what you would come to,"
quod he, "when you set about moving those Laths. That's Master _Hans
Holbein's_ Handywork. He must needs befoul the Wall with his Scrawling,
just after it had been fresh Lime-washed. I told him 'twas a Pity it had
not been scrawled first, and limewashed afterwards. So, then, in his
Despite, he scored it through with that Cross; and then I set the Lumber
against it, and told him Nobody should see it again."
"Who is _Hans Holbein_?" quod I.
"A prime _Flemish_ Painter," returned _Tomkins_; "he tables at the
Goldsmith's, nearer the north End of the Bridge. When Master _Hewet_
first married, he had _Hans Holbein_ for a Lodger; and the Green Lattice
was filled from End to End with his Pictures—there's a Bundle of his
Scratchings down there now. Howbeit, he was too boisterous an Inmate to
please Mistress _Alice_, so Master _Hewet_ was glad to get quit of him.
There's a famous Thing of his at _Surgeons' Hall_; old King _Harry_
granting the Charter to the Company; howbeit, though he painted half the
Court, he did nothing better, to my Mind, than his Likeness of Mistress
_Alice_, that now hangs at the Foot of her Husband's Bed. When the Door
standeth ajar, thou mayst see it without going in."
So, the next Time I passed, I looked in, and saw the Presentment of my
Master's late Wife. Of a Truth, she must have been a fair Creature: with
Eyes as blue and truthful as Mistress _Anne's_, and sunny Hair that
would have fallen over her fair Shoulders in as heavy Curls, but for her
Matron's Frow's-paste. Also the same full, cherry Lips, and dimpled
Chin; the same small Nose, small Ear, small Hand; in fine, the
Foreshadow of what Mistress _Anne_ in After-time became, rather than
what she was yet.... Pity, so fair a Lady should die so young!
And she made a good End, _Tomkins_ told me—knew 'twas at Hand, took
composed Leave of all, and desired she might be buried in the Church of
St. _Martin Orgar_; and that 30_s._ and no more should be spent to bury
her decently, and 10_s._ more for Cakes, Wine, and Spices for the
Mourners. Also 20_s._ out of her own private Purse to be put in the
Common-box of the Fraternity for an Alms; Five Shillings to the mortuary
Priest, and Five Shillings to the Poor in Bread. Six of the Company bare
her to Church, each of whom received a silver Spoon.
Somewhere about this Time, the _Clothworkers'_ new Overseer came to
examine the Premises; and, when he had concluded his Inspection
below-stairs, told my Master, with some Hesitation, he had Reason to
think there was a Journeyman hid away above who worked in the House.
Master _Hewet_ smiled, and told him of the Exception made in Favour of
_Tomkins_, and accompanied him up-stairs, to let him witness for himself
that his Statement was true. When we went in, _Tomkins_, for once, was
off Duty, intent upon a Book, and so buried in it, that he started and
blushed like a Boy caught conning _Tom Thumb_ in School-time. When the
Overseer was gone, _Tomkins_ sayth to me with a little Dryness, "Who
would have thought of your taking me by Surprise?"
I made Answer, "Who would have thought of your being surprised?" at
which he laughed.
"So," quod he, after weaving a little While in Silence, "they've set up
_Erasmus's_ Paraphrase, now, alongside of the chained Bible in St.
_Magnus's_."
"They have it in all the Churches," quod I; "but how came you to know
it?"
He was silent awhile, and smiled a little. "Well," quod he, "thou
knowest I have crawled out a little lately, before Breakfast; and I
thought it as well to turn into the Church for a Rest; and found that a
Spell of Reading helped to pass the Time.... I go there o' Sundays, now:
have done so ever since _that Night_."
"Then," quod I softly, as I leaned over him, "GOD _hath_ been merciful
to you a Sinner."
And spake never a Word moe.