Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 125 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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wry 4 | | ctw MERRY ENGLAND. 17 Treasurer are best able to advise at such a critical con- juncture.” “T have taken another step of which I hope his Ma- jesty will approve,”” pursued Burley. ‘Having heard thatsome of the citizens are disaffected, I have sum- moned Sir William Walworth, the Lord Mayor, and Sir John Philpot, toattend, in order that his Majesty may learn the exact truth. Both are thoroughly loyal and trustworthy, and can be relied on in this emergency.”’ “T know it,” replied Richard; “I have perfect faith in them. But I will not distrust the g citizens of London. Whenever I have gone among them they have received me with demonstrations of loyalty and regard, You cannot fail to remember my first visit to the city, Sir Simon, and the welcome given me on that occa- sion ?”’ ‘ “I remember it well, my liege,”’ replied Burley. “But things have changed since then. However, we shall hear what*the Lord Mayor has to say.”’ Just then an usher, bearing a white wand, made his appearance, and, rows profoundly, informed the King that the Lord Mayor and Sir John Philpot had just ar- rived at the palace. “They are heartily welcome,” cried Richard: ‘“ Bring them to our presence forthwith, and take care that their attendants are well entertained.” “They have obeyed the summons quickly,’’ observed the Princess. Scarcely was the usher gone, when the chamberlain appeared, and announced the arrival of the Archbishop = Canterbury and the Lord Treasurer, Sir Robert ales. “Our council will be complete,” said the King, re- peating the order he had just given to the usher. ‘Come, madam, let us take our seats,’’ he added to the Princess. “Before holding the council,” she rejoined, “had you not best confer with Master Geoffrey Chaucer and Messer Benedetto? Both have been captives of the rebels, and have much to relate, which it is needful your Majesty should hear.” “Let them relate it to thes council,” said Richard, “Bid them follow us,”’ he added, to Sir Simon. Leading the Princess to the estrade, he placed her on one of the royal chairs, and seated himself beside her. The Baron de Vertain and Sir Eustace de Valletort atationed themselves on the right of the King, while Sir Simon Burley, with Chaucer and Benedetto, stood on the left. The general company did not move from the center of the apartment, and between them and the royal seats were grouped a number of richly clad attendants. CHAPTER VII. SIR WILLIAM WALWORTH AND SIR JOHN PHILPOT, PRESENTLY, a stir was heard at the lower end of the room, and two striking-looking personages, preceded by an usher, could be seen making their way through the assemblage. The foremost was the Lord Mayor. Above the ordinary height, strongly built, but ex- tremely well-proportioned, Sir William Walworth had features of the true Saxon type. His locks were of light brown; his beard of the same color. His eyes were of aclear gray, quick and penetrating, The habitual expression of his countenance was frank, good-humored,and cordial; but he could look stern enough when severity was needed. His frame showed that he possessed great personal strength, and he was a roficient in all martial exercises. Though a merchant, r William was half a soldier, and had a considerable body of armed men under him. Indeed, a strong escort had attended him to the palace. The Lord Mayor wore a dark blue velvet gown, bor- dered with fur, and his cote-hardie was of the same stuff. Round his neck was the collar of 8S, and from his girdle hung a dagger, destined to become his- torical. . Sir William Walworth was a wealthy London mer- chant, and much esteemed by his fellow-citizens for his high character. He was a member of the Fishmongers’ Company, and when he was advanced to the mayoralty, a pageant of extraordinary splendor was exhibited by them in his honor. At a subsequent date his statue was pet in the great hall of the company, within a niche ehind the chair of the Prime Warden. Sir John Philpot was another renowned and wealthy London merchant. About three years prior to the date of our story, he performed a singularly daring action, to which some allusion has already been made. When the war broke out again in Scotland, a bold pirate, named Mercer, who had several armed vessels under his command, carried off.a fleet of merchantmen from Scarborough. No effort being made by the Coun- cil to capture this, pirate, who continued to. scour the North Sea with impunity, Sir John Philpot armed 4 small squadron at his own cost, and went in quest of him. Captain Mercer was easily found, and quite ready to give battle to the brave citizen, who at once attacked him, and capturing him and all his vessels, brought them into the port of London. For this gallant and patriotic act he was reprimanded by the Council, who forbade him to wage war on his own account ; but he little recked the re | he had earned the gratitude of his fellow-citizens, Quite as tall as Sir William Walworth, and quite as pore made, the brave knight, though plain of fea- ure, had an open, manly countenance, characterized by great firmness of expression. His locks were grizzled, and his cheeks bronzed by exposure *o the weather, His costume was devoid of ornament. He wore a furred gown, beneath which could be seen a velvet tunic. From his girdle hung @ purse and a badelaire, or short broad-sword. As the Lord Mayor and his companion were ushered inte the royal presence, and each had made a profound ee a ee obeisance, Richard rose from his seat, and, descending a single step of the estrade, but no more, received them with great dignity of manner. ‘Welcome, my good Lord Mayor,” he cried. ‘* Wel- come, also, my brave and faithful Sir John Philpot! Right glad are we to see you both at a moment when our throne is threatened by rebels! You bring ns, we trust, good tidings, and can give us the assnrance that all your fellow-citizens continue as loyal and well affected as they have ever heretofore shown themselves towards us. Is it so?” Having said thus much, he resumed his seat. “Sire,” replied the Lord Mayor, in a firm voice, “ I can- not answer the question you have deigned to put to me as satisfactorily as 1 could desire ; but I will not attempt | to disguise the truth, however unpalatable it may be to your Majesty. The bulk of the citizens of London are | as loyal and devoted as ever; but 1 grieve to say there are many disaffected persons among them, who seek to incite the others to rise in opposition to your author- ity.” ‘ Richard uttered an exclamation of anger. “ How say you, Sir John Philpot?”’ he cried, “‘Do you confirm the Lord Mayor's statement? Do you believe the citizens of London—some few of them, factions and seditious ?"’ “My liege, ‘tis even so,"’ replied Philpot. “Some evil influence hath been at work among them of late, and many Joyal burghers have been turned trom their mean—ure duty.’ vs By whose agency have they been thus perverted, Sir John ?”’ demanded the King, sharply. “"Twere dangerous to speak too plainly, my liege,” he replied. ‘‘My suspicions must be for your Majesty's private ear.”’ “You hint not at a member of the Council, ha?” “T hint at nv one, my liege.” “Then speak plainly.” “Sir John has spoken as plainly as he can,"’ remarked the Princess, in a low tone, to tle King. ‘“ He dares not name your uncle, the Earl of Buckingham, You must question him in private.” “Thus much I will boldly declare to your Majesty,” said Philpot ; ‘and I will take the consequences on my own head. Some of those who have fomented this re- bellion are not far to seek,” And as he spoke, he directed a glance at Chaucer, who was stationed near the King, as previously mentioned. “If that false and calumnious charge is made against me, Sir John, I can easily relieve myself from it,” said the poet. ‘“ Messer Benedetto and myself have both been made prisoners by the rebels, and owe our deliy- erance from them solely to her Highness the Princess of Wales. “You were at Dartford at the time of the outbreak,” said Sir John, still looking fixedly at him. “ You were seen in converse with the rebel leader.”’ “Nay, good Sir John, that proves nothing,” interposed Benedetto, ‘I also was at Dartford at the time of the outbreak, and I likewise conversed with Wat Tyler. Moreover, I was made prisoner by another rebel leader, and should be in captivity now, and in peril of my life, had not the Princess graciously undertaken that I should pay a heavy ransom, which I shall do, of course, albeit the men are rebels.” “But you are not, like Master Geoffrey Chaucer, a partisan of the Duke of Lancaster,”’ observed Philpot, “You have not forgiven the Duke, Sir John, because he reprimanded you for making war on your own ac- count, in the case of the Scottish pirate, Mercer,’’ ob- served Chaucer, “His grace has no more to do with thia insurrection than I have.” “Then he is greatly misrepresented, and so is the Earl of Buckingham, for the citizens make free with both their names,’’ said Philpot. “Some are for John of Gaunt, some for Buckingham.” * But none for the King ?”’ cried the Princess. “Yes, madam,” Hy ves Philpot; “I spoke only of the disaffected, Beyond doubt, the majority of the citizens are still loyal.’ An interruption was here offered by the chamberlain, who announced the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Treasurer. CHAPTER VIII. THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY AND THE LORD OF BT. JOHN'S. SIMON DE SupBuRY, Archbishop of Canterbury and Chancellor of England, was a very stately personage, his imposing appearance being heightened by the splen- dor of his vestments, His Cope and dalmatic were coy- ered with the richest embroidery and white silk; all being flowered with gold. His ods and gloves were likewise richly embroidered, the latter being adorned at the back with jewels. A silk coil covered his head. The Archbishop's person was lofty, his expression proud, and his deportment extremely dignified, A man of a very high order of intellect, and of ad- mirable judgment on all matters, ecclesiastical or secu- lar, Simon de Sudbury had exercised great influence in the state councils during the latter part of the previous reign, and was much regarded by Edward ITI. Appointed Chancellor on the accession of Richard IL., he had discharged the duties of his onerous office with the greatest ability and rectitude, though unfounded imputations were cast npon him by his enemies. Since his elevation to the archiepiscopal throne, in 1374, Simon de Sudbury had conferred great benefits on Canterbury—had improved. the internal condition of the cathedral, enlarged his palace, repaired the rninous city walls, and built a new gate, which still remains to attest his worth. Sir Robert Hales, Lord of St. John’s and Lord Treas- urer, who accompanied the Archbishop, had a yery austere countenance. Rarely, it would seem, did a smile light up his sharp features. An aquiline nose, eyes black and piercing, complexion sallow, cheeks scrupulously shaven, and dark locks closely shorn— such was his personal description. His figure was thin. Round his neck he wore a Suead jeweled collar. | Along robe of black velvet, with loose sleeves, and bor- dered with sable, formed his costume. His cap was of black velvet, without ornament, | As the Archbishop and the Lord of St. John’s ap- | proached, with slow and stately step, the Lord Mayor and Sir John Philpot drew on one side, while Richard descended from the estrade, Bending reverently, the King did not rise ti)l the Archbishop had pronounced a benediction over him. ' He then thanked his Grace and the Lord Treasurer for so promptly attending to his anmmons. “ Never had we greater need of your wise and prudent counsel than now,”’ he said. “T have long dreaded this outbreak, my liege,” re- joined the Archbishop, “ but it has come upon us sud- denly at the last. We ought to have been better pre- pared ; we have had plenty of warnings.” “That is true, your Grace,'’ said the King; “ but the warnings have been disregarded. The question now be- fore us is—how the rebellion can best be crushed. Come forward, I pray you, my Lord Mayor; and you, Sir John Philpot; we must haye the advantage of your | counsel. Sir Simon Burley, and Sir Eustace de Valetort, | you must likewise lend us aid,” ‘ So saying, the King returned to hia seat, and the Arch- bishop stationed himself on bis right hand. The others ' gathered round the foot of the estrade. | “Your Majesty has asked how this rebellion can best | be crushed,” said Sir Simon Burley. “ “Dis a question, I fear, that none of us can answer satisfactorily. The | moment for the outbreak has been so well chosen, that it finds us wholly unprepared. Our armies are in Brit- tuny and Spain. To remove the forces from the North would expose us to an immediate invasion from Scotland, We have scarce men-at-arms enow for the defense of | eit How, then, are we to attack the rebel ost?’ “Two thousand men can be raised within the city of London,” said Sir Jobn Philpot; “and it his Majesty will give me the command of them, I will march at once | against the rebels. If I disperse not the knaves, I will | consent to lose my head !’’ “ Your proposition likes us well, Sir John,” observed Richard. .“‘ How say you, my Lord Mayor, can you spare two thousand men ?” “No, my liege,”’ replied Sir William Walworth “ Not half the number—not a third. As I have already inti- ‘mated to your Majesty, there are many disaffected citi- zens, and these ill-disposed persons would assuredly | rise in revolt were an opportunity afforded them, as it | would be by the removal of the soldiery, who now keep them in restraint.” “You are right,”’ observed Sir Simon Burley. “Would that the Duke of Lancaster were here!" ex- claimed Sir Robert Hales. * He is better at Roxburgh," cried Philpot. ‘ Were he here, he would be more likely to lead the rebels than to aid in routing them !” “You malign his Grace!” cried the Lord Treasurer, indignantly. ‘ Were he present, you would not dare to make such a charge against him (” “T will stand by my words!” said Philpot, boldly. “The charge is false!" cried Chaucer, stepping for- ward; “as false as the accusation thon hast just brought against me of conspiring with the rebelw# at Dartford !’ “T have proot of what I have stated, that on the eve- = before the outbreak you had a private conference with the chief of the insurgents,” rejoined Philpot. “TI counsel his Majesty to keep you a close prisoner in the | Lower till the rebellion be put down.” “T shall be content to remain a prisoner, if his Majesty entertains any doubt of my loyalty.” “You are a known partisan of our uncle, good Master Chaucer,” observed Richard, “ We shall be Jad to have you with us at the Tower—not as a prisoner but as a guest. You will, therefore, return with ua.” Chaucer bowed, and retired. But he cast a menacing glance at Sir John Philpot. “T would this poll-tax had never been finposed,” ob- mint the King. “It has led to most unfortunate re- sults.” “'Tis not the tax that has caused the outbreak, my liege, though it may seem to have done so,” rejoined the Archbishop. “The peasantry have long been dis contented.” “And they have real grievances to complain of,” re- marked the Princess. “Since, as it now appears, his Majesty cannot find soldiery to put them down, will it not be best to treat with them and grant their requesta —provided they are not immoderate ?” “You say well, madam,” rejoined the Archbishop. “'T will be advisable to listen to their complaints. At all events time will be gained.” “But they must not be deluded with false hopes, or they will become yet more embittered against us,"’ said the Princess, “ Before his Majesty can make any promises the in- surgents, he must know what they ask—or, rather, de- mand,” observed the Treasurer. “True,” replied the Princess. him meet them in a conciliatory spirit."’ must be entirely eormaney by their conduct to him," said the Archbishop. “A favorable hearing may be granted to petitions and entreaties, but he cannot yield to threats.” “Never!” eried Richard. “TI would die sooner!” “TI like not the notion of treating with rebels,’’ ob- served Sir Simon Burley. “But it appears to me that we have no option.” “Nay; it is certain we must either fight them or treat with them !” cried Sir Eustace de Valletort. “ For my own part I would rather fight them !’" “Where are they now?" demanded the Lord or. “They were at Canterbury yesterday,” replied Sir ee eee “But I would have’ “In his negotiations with the rebels, his ee EORVIELOOC) <S (E(0)