IN WHICH I CONCEIVE A DISLIKE OF AN EARL'S SERVANT
AND AN AFFECTION FOR A MAN OF LAW
I think I overlaid my conscience in the night, seeing I stayed abed
until near seven o'clock next morning, a thing I had never before done;
but, indeed, I had now some colour of excuse for so doing, for besides
my wound in the thigh, which the cold had made woefully to ache, there
was my new clothes which the carrier had not yet delivered, and I was
mighty loth to go abroad in my travel-stained riding dress and great
boots. As I lay there, the light then gathering mistily in my chamber,
I could hear the noises of the City and the cries of the multitude of
small vendors that go about the streets, as having no booth nor open
shop wherein to display their petty merchandise. From a church near by
I heard bells pealing, and soon from other churches too. Below my
window there was a maid singing, and a man with her that hawked
ballads, bawling their titles till my ears tingled. Nevertheless, the
confusion of all these strange cries and sounds heartened me
marvellously, and had I but got my new-fashioned doublet of dark cloth
and hose therewithal, I had been the merriest man of the parish, as I
was certainly the most curious. After awhile I could lie no longer,
but leapt up, and running to the casement, found London white, a sky of
frost, and a brave gay world before me.
My chamber, as I said, was a sort of great attic in the gable, and full
as high up in the house as was my old tower room at home. But 'twas
less the height that astonished me, than the nearness into which the
houses were thrust together from either side of the street, so as they
almost met by the roofs; and I swear, had I been so inclined (and he
too) I could have crossed staves with the barber that had his dwelling
over against mine, or almost stolen his pewter shaving dish from the
sill where it lay. Of these conceits of mine, however, the barber was
necessarily ignorant, being then busily engaged upon the exercise of
his craft, which he carried on perforce above stairs, the shop below
and the other rooms being used by a haberdasher and alderman, that had
his goods stored there. I noted the barber particularly as well for
his extraordinary grace and courtesy, as for the activity he manifested
in his occupation. No hand's turn would he do but a flourish went to
it, and always his body bending and his head nodding and twisting to
that extent, I wondered how the man he shaved could sit his chair in
any degree of comfort. Perhaps he did not, though he seemed to suffer
the little man's attentions coolly enough, and when he went away, paid
him, I perceived, handsomely, and strode off with a careless ease, that
minded me, with some shame, of my own country manners. My thoughts
being thus returned upon my late secluded life, I fell into a
melancholy mood which was a little after happily dissipated by the maid
bringing me my new clothes and telling me moreover that the family
stayed for me at breakfast.
I was soon enough dressed after this and, settling my starched ruff, of
which the pleats somewhat galled me, descended to the room where they
dined; and there found the whole family of the Malts (that with the
infant made up nine) set at the board and very ready for their delayed
meal. A long grace was said by the youngest maid, whose eyes were
fierce upon the eggs the while, and after that we fell to. Madam Malt
spoke kindly to me once or twice of my business, of which I had already
given her some slight and grudged particulars, but for the most part
she conversed in sidelong frowns with her children, of whose conduct it
was evident she wished I should think well. But in truth I cared
nothing for their conduct nor much for their persons (for all they were
personable enough) being in a fever to be gone upon my errand to the
goldsmith's and to commence work in earnest.
Breakfast done then, I lost little time upon formalities and broke in
upon Madam Malt's excuse of her third (or fourth) daughter's mishap
over the small beer, with excuses of my own for leaving her; and so
taking up my hat left her staring. So eager indeed was I, that I ran
out of the door into the arms of a gentleman that stood by and nearly
sent him on his back in the snow. When he had recovered himself, with
my aid, and stood fronting me, I knew him directly for the man whom I
had seen in the barber's chair, and faltering upon my apology let fall
some foolish words by which I might be thought to claim his
acquaintance. He frowned suddenly at that and gazing upon me earnestly
said--
"It were easy to perceive you are of the country, young sir, and not
used to our town customs."
"How so?" I asked very hotly, for his disdain went the deeper into me
that it was founded upon reason.
"By your pretending to an intimacy with me," he replied, and drew
himself up very haughtily as he said it, "who know not your name even,
although doubtless you know mine, as all do, seeing the place I keep,
and the especial favour of my lord to me; yet I say that is no ground
for your familiarly accosting me in the public way."
"Why, as to that," I cried out scorningly, "I know nothing of you save
that I saw you but now in the barber's chair, swathed up in a towel and
your face all lathered."
He turned very pale at this out of mere discomfiture, and I expected
would have run upon me with his sword, so that I clapped my fist upon
my own and stepping closely to his side said--
"Sir, I am, as you imagine, but lately come out of the country and
therefore know not your customs here in London. But if there be places
reserved for the settlement of such brabbles as this, let us go thither
with all my heart." And then, after a breath or two taken: "For all
that," I added, "I had it in my mind to say I meant no insult, and if I
offended you, I am sorry."
He stood without replying either to my threats or my amends, but gazed
upon me with a look that I saw meant mischief; though whether to be
done now or at a convenient time and secretly, I could not guess.
He was a fine bold man, of an height a good span greater than my own.
He wore no hair on his face, but that I could see under his plumed cap
was thick and black. His dress was of rare stuff and I supposed very
costly, being all slashed and broidered, and tagged with gold. Indeed,
had he not let slip that boast of intimacy with some lord I should have
been sure of his being a lord himself and perhaps master of one of
those great palaces upon the Strand. Thus, then, we stood thwarting
each other a considerable space, and I (at least) doubting of the
upshot, when a great fellow in a livery of blue, with a badge on his
sleeve, came running up the lane, and casting an eye upon me, pushed in
between us and spoke with the tall man low and seriously. There
remaining therefore nought to hinder me longer about that brawl, I went
off, but asked one that stood by what was the badge the man in livery
bore, and he answered 'twas the Earl of Pembroke's emblem of the green
dragon, and that they twain that communed together thus secretly were
both of his household of Baynards Castle by Blackfriars.
Without further mishap, but pondering rather heavily upon my late one,
I made my way through the streets, past the noble church of Paul's on
the south side of it, to Mr. Wall the goldsmith hard by the Exchange.
I have neither space nor words nor confidence either, to speak of all
the things I met with, beyond imagination marvellous to me; and even
where I was disappointed of my expectation; as in the little width of
the streets, and of Paul's that it lacked the spire it once had;
together with much else that lacked completion or seemed at hazard
builded; even there, I say, I found my idea bettered by the fact, and a
strange beauty in the irregularity and scant ordering of the City, that
the more bewildered me as I went the further into the midst of it.
I found Mr. Wall in his shop, or house rather, a little down the lane
named of the Pope's Head tavern, where he expected me with the money
ready, that my father had desired him to have at my disposal. He
overread my letters of credit somewhat closely, after which he put to
me two or three such pertinent questions as sufficed to show a shrewd
aptitude in affairs of business, yet without any the least pedantry, or
vexatious delays. Indeed he dispatched all with an easy unconcern, as
if such matters were of every day and not considerable; although the
sum to be paid methought large enough in all conscience. The while I
counted over the gold pieces he talked idly, but with a pleasant
humour, of Mr. John Davis that was said to be projecting with others a
voyage for the discovery of the Northwest Passage (the which he
undertook in the summer following), and of Mr. Sanderson, a merchant
well known to him, that was especially committed to this adventure.
"I would myself have gone upon this discovery," he said, "but for the
misfortune of a singular queasy stomach that layeth me low or ever I be
come upon the ship. Yet I thank Heaven I am not of their number that,
having themselves failed, pretend that success is the constant
attendant upon incompetence."
When it came to the carriage of my gold he very courteously offered to
send his porter therewith, and as the weight was more by far than I had
looked for, I thanked him, and gave the bags to the man, who for his
part made nothing of them, but walked away briskly down Cornhill, I
following him as a convoy might follow a treasure ship, close upon her
chase. In such sort we arrived in time at the Serjeants Inn in Fleet
Street, where I had engaged to meet Mr. John Skene, that was my uncle's
attorney. In that Inn, or warren rather (for indeed it is nothing
less), we searched for any of the name of Skene, but could find none;
however, a stranger who chanced to pass over the court while we stood
at gaze courteously directing us, we soon after came upon his chambers,
which were at the head of a narrow stair in the south building and the
eastern end thereof; whereupon my porter gave me my leathern sacks into
my hands saying he must now go, which (I having paid him) he presently
did.
Mr. Skene admitted me with a deal of ceremony, being, I could see, a
man of extreme punctuality and withal one to whom I took an immediate
liking. He was I think the most handsome-featured man I have ever met
with, in height tall, and of a stately port, his body stout although
not at all gross, and his hair, which was very plentiful, gone a
perfect silver. I supposed his age to be nearing three score, but he
might have been younger. His eye was very bright and kindly and seemed
to smile even when his lips were drawn close in meditation. The black
gown he wore as suited to his profession very well befitted his grave
demeanour; about his neck was a plain linen band, but the cap which the
Serjeants generally use he had not on, and I supposed kept it only for
wearing in the Court. His business room into which I had come appeared
meanly furnished, excepting in books and quires, of which there was a
great number scattered everywhere, but his table and the two or three
chairs were nothing so good as our own at home, and the floor unswept
and foul. While I took notice of these small matters Mr. Skene was
reaching from a shelf a great file of papers tied with silk; which
having got, he turned about and surprised me at that occupation.
"A poor hole, you think, Mr. Cleeve," he said, with a merry smile at my
embarrassment, "but we men of law have scant occasion for leisure in
which to look about us, and luxury would be ill circumstanced here
where life and death be too often at grips. Come," he added after a
pause, "I do not mean to take the pulpit over you, but to bid you
expect such plainness in me as you find in my chamber; and so, enough,"
he ended, and therewith drew out a parchment with a great seal attached
to it, upon which he pondered a while.
"You have the main of this affair?" he asked abruptly, touching the
skin as he spoke.
"Yes," I replied, "at least so much as that my uncle Botolph is in the
Tower, and hopes to clear himself if he may be brought to trial."
"Then you have it all, or nearly so," he said nodding. "He was
arrested upon an order of the Council and secretly conveyed by water to
the place where he now lies. By especial grace I have once been
admitted to see him, and learned from his own mouth, although I needed
not to hear that I was already assured of, namely, the entire innocence
that he hath as touching these late revolts."
He sat silent awhile and perhaps awaited my reply, albeit my reply when
he heard it seemed not much to his mind, and I myself was surprised at
my boldness in speaking it.
"It lies upon my conscience, sir," said I, "to tell you that, had I my
will, my uncle should by no means come by this franchise we be
deliberating so painfully to procure. I believe him to be a most
absolute villain, and had not my father moved herein, I should have let
him rot in his dungeon and ne'er stirred a finger in this cause."
I stopped there for mere lack of breath, being quite overcome by my
heat of passion against my uncle, but when I would have excused myself,
Mr. Skene prevented me with a motion of his hand. The pleasant light
in his eyes was clouded with a grave anxiety.
"These be hard words, Master Denis," he said, "and I hope are
justified; or rather, I hope not; else I cannot for my honour undertake
this prisoner's defence. But tell me briefly upon what grounds you
believe him to be so worthless of relief."
This put me into an unlooked for difficulty, because I could not bring
myself to tell him aught of my mother, and yet had I no other reason to
give him. But he, as if perceiving he had said something to vex me,
hastened to set me at my ease, and leaning forward upon his desk, said--
"You are still very young, Mr. Denis, and the young are apt to
prejudge. But for the cause of your anger I may tell you frankly that
I know it; and respect you both for it and also for your reticence in
naming it. I have been acquainted with your uncle," he went on,
speaking still in a thoughtful manner, but as if some pleasure joined
with the recollection of which he was to notify me: "I have been
acquainted with him above seven years now, and can lay claim to know
his private mind so far as a man's friend may do. You spoke of a fault
of his, when he was scarce older than yourself. Are we to send him to
the block for that? It is not the charge under which he now lies, Mr.
Denis, nor is it one"--he spoke this with so great an earnestness that
I dropped my eyes before his--"nor is it such an impeachment as you
would be willing to stand beside the block where he lay dead and say,
'I let him die because a score of years since a certain frail lady held
him higher than her honour.'"
"Sir," I cried out at that, "have a care! The lady was my mother."
He started back as if I had shot him. "I knew not that," he said, and
repeated it twice or thrice. "I had not thought it pressed so near.
Forgive me; I should have guessed it from your manner, if not from his
narration. But he was ever thus," he proceeded, half to himself. "It
hath been so, since our acquaintance even." He stopped short, leaning
back in his chair and then suddenly again forward: "If you desire it,"
he said, "I will go no further in this matter. He deserves no pity,
but rather the last penalty of the law; and I make no question but that
by our abstention, he will come into the way to receive it."
For awhile I could not speak, so wrought upon was I by this temptation,
which was none other than that I had set before my father, and he
rejected. At length I shook my head and without another word burst
into tears. Mr. Skene waited until I was something recovered, settling
his papers the while, and seeming to write upon his tablets; for which
delicacy I thanked him in my heart. When next he spoke, he changed the
direction of our discourse, inquiring pleasantly why I had troubled
myself with so great a sum as five hundred pounds, in coin, when my own
letters would equally have served.
"I know not where to store it safely," he said, "until such time as I
shall be able to use it, or a part of it only, as I hope; which may be
not for many days or weeks even. If you take my advice, Mr. Denis, you
will restore it to Mr. Wall, whom I know very well, and beg him to
disburse it to you, as you, or I rather, may require."
I blushed for my small knowledge that had led me into this laughable
error, and although the attorney made little of it I perceived he
thought but meanly of my dealings in exchange.
In the end I wrote a letter to Mr. Wall requiring him to do as Mr.
Skene had advised, and requesting him further to fetch away my unlucky
bags of gold, which in the meanwhile the attorney promised to bestow in
one of the closets where his title-deeds and capital muniments were
lodged for their better security against thieves and fire. This done,
he told me to come to him again on the morrow and a little earlier than
I had done that day; by which time he would have, ready drawn and fair
writ, our petition to the Council praying for a fair trial at law of
Mr. Botolph Cleeve that was now detained in the Tower during her
Majesty's pleasure, and also to be furnished with the several counts of
the indictment against him directed, which it lay upon us to be
possessed of in order to the preparing of our answer thereto. I
marvelled at the industry and rapid address of the man in these
necessary (but by me unthought of) particulars, and told him that I
wished I loved my uncle better that I might rejoice the more in the
certainty of his release. He shook his head at that, however, saying
that at the best 'twas not impossible the prisoner would be brought to
trial even; and that for the event he could promise nothing, having
indeed more fear of it than he had yet allowed.
I parted from him soon after, and it being then dinner time I was glad
to find a tavern hard by the Temple Bar where I partook heartily of the
excellent ordinary that is there maintained; and a little while
afterwards Mr. Richard Malt entering (a son of the worthy hosier with
whom I lodged), he entertained me with discourse of the comedies that
were then playing at the public theatres, and of the famous players
that were his friends; from all which I concluded that Mr. Richard
would scarce make so diligent a hosier as his father, whom indeed he
continually disparaged, terming him old buffle-head, and swearing he
had never so much as heard of the "Arraignment of Paris" nor of
"Campaspe" even; upon which I shrugged up my shoulders as who should
say: Is such ignorance possible in this age? and determined to apply
myself to some discreet person secretly, that should instruct me in all
matters of the stage, without delay.
And so for that while did my uncle Botolph go clean out of my head.