Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 125 — page 28: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

wy MERRY ENGLAND. made slow p rogness, as if unwilling to destroy so fair and useful an At in the Sane pile, which had fllumined the skk $aF mi around, formed a grand and mournful spec- oer lurid light of the conflagration fell upon thousands of wild figures gathered upon the green, and gave them @ weird and fantastic appearance. . The Outlaw and Hothbrand were stationed on horse- back before the entrance of the convent, so as to prevent a harm from being done to that building. istracted with terror, with the red light reflected upon the walls, and gleaming through the windows of the con- vent, with the hideous and appalling outcries of the mis- creants ringing in their ears, the poor sisters passed a dreadful night. The burning Hospital formed a conspicuous obsect from the walls on the north side of the city, and struck terror into all beholders, most of whom believed that the Nun- nery was likewise on fire. For seven. days the fire continued, and even then the vast building was not entirel consumed. The great gateway was bene ised, and still exists. er watching by the con tion during the greater part of ne night, the Outlaw snatched a few hours’ re- pose on the egies after which he set off with his follow- ere oes. to meet his brother chief at London Bridge. CHAPTER IIL HOW LAMBETH PALACK WAS BURNT. SIMULTANEOUSLY with the terrible events previously narrated, Wat Tyler's host had marched on to South- MA causing havoc and desolation on the way thith- “Fan the prisons vere broken open—the Marshalsea, me habitation of the Master of the Marshalsea, the King’ Bench, the Clink, and the Compter; and the prisoners ing let loose, gave their best aid to their deliverers in she work of destruction. Their ranks being thus reinforced by the worst male- ane phan g the rebels committed even greater outrages than ore. On hearing of Wat Tyler’s approach, the Lord Mayor seures the gates of London Bridge to be closed and 7 Ru ed; and being thus prevented from cross- tie river, the Insurgents contented themselves with d ong all the mischief they could at Southwark. Their chief object being to pillage the archie e at Lambeth, they marched thither, a ay destroyed « all the small habitations on the Bankside. occu most of whom were Flemings—being ob noxious chert An ineff tial attempt was made by the guard to de- fend the palace, but they were quickly stig anes ered and and the rebels bursting into the archieplecopal ments and the chapel, quickly strip them, tear- ae meet oe che walle and n cabliten! teath Tae ows, av lling down the ped he time de thus employed, —T 4 eee utter- = complet denunciations against th p. seg tsa ed whee 3 work of plunder. tney wet Sort re to @ most te ‘the Alamies began to he shout, that it was at the Tower bx the the Archbishop piarelt, and cau phn heart to him. He knew it announced th peo his Fath servan servants, and the spoliation antl the destruction of his house. Pit only were the ears of the good iain tyes Eft — terrific oars but am eyes w by the of the flames a m his ni noe mounted to nid summit of the White Tower the King. aga the rest of the Counell, to ngs of t “rebels, had course along the senate undl they reached where, after he tinaterrible state of aus. pense for awhile, en worst bare were realized, All forbore to address feeling they could offer no be rp bishop was « wras stil aus ae bi stunned vy ah, w. Treas Cee wah neaial Tosp tm, . aves at. ae 7 aa burnt, flames, and the pities ams ‘and it | Chause Woeful sansa Petes not submit t pa ently, to ye decrees of heaven, sn eo the his foot with rage, and uttering a dire male- diction t the rebels, he vowed revenge. and the Couneil anxious ~y + each ouneh a = that seemed to ask, “What ill- tidin are in store? and what will the morrow bring on Br as secure. Ba ee long ran nde maintained agal us host which they beheld swarming fhe: pene G vd _ river, from the Church hing) upon the The city was likewise safe. No gate had yet been forc- But who could anawer ‘hat eminantuanes would not be thrown by the disaffected. Never be- are te ne on 2 a od ae on ines were no and s iy icture was who gazed Pia ne m the Samimiis of the ‘the White | tees on that beautiful summer revening. Fire and ag ord had do cpap: ‘their dread- work on the banks of t the smooth that of the set the —_ was a pa ey a rud dier glow than: Londo Bridge, ithe its tall houses, to i men, es out like a ——s aky. Lambeth rPelese, and of the still burn- ing hab on the Bankside, were re on the flected ey Bem tower and lofty s of St. Paul's, on W ster Hall on A rg Cle ona ae he Savoy, the Daaniinehs ta ee aw Duke of Lancaster. Bh LE eg erp win river, was so so brigthly | ighted. up tha —_ seemed on fire, a reddened with the reflecti was en re on of the burning rah, the sk of St. John of The contemplation of this striking ploture, fraugh ae tet a ies a ~4 or tee — d the'young King mu ayin Bhan ess, ae from the summit ofthe . mn; and without waiting for the — cere te - mother’s apart- ment in the Palace. ’ ll CHAPTER IV. EDITHA'S MISSION TO WAT TYLER. Tue Princess was conversing anxiously with Chaucer, ‘men, earousin who, {ft mayjbe remembered, was a prisoner at the Tower at the time, when the king abruptly entered. or tushing towards her with a distracted look, and regard- less of et We ag he exclaimed: Allis 1 * What mean you, my son?" she rues starting ae “Know you not that Wat Tyler is at the gates?” he re joined. “To-morrow he will enter London as aa con queror, and snatch the crown from my brow!” “ Heaven forbid!" she ejaculated. “* Much may be lost, but yourcrown, I trust, is safe.” ou would not thin 80, madame,” he cried, “if you had beheld the sight [ have witnessed—a countless host of rebels gathered on the banks of the Thames. Wat Ty- ler’s name resounced on all sides. He is omnipotent. Acrence he will; I have not the power to drive him ac fed , becoming aware of Chaucer's presence, he added, quickly: “You have great influence with this good Master Chaucer. , Exert it now, an ever beholden to bean “ Alas! my gracious llege, you mistake,” rejoined the poet. “Ihave no influence with him; but there is one i nt = present to whom he cannot refuse to listen— aughter.” Thus alluded to, Editha came forward, and addressing the King, said; “If your Majesty only expresses the wish, I will go to him at once.’ “The damsel cannot go alone, my liege,” said Chaucer. “Tam ready to attend her on the mission, which, ril- ous as it may seem, may, perchance, prove successful.’ ‘*T pray you let me go, sire,” said Editha. “Something tells me I shall preva with him." “Be it as you will,” replied Richard. “Should any harm come to you, I shall never forgive myself for per- mitting you to go on so dangerous an errand.” ' oer} taking her aside, he said in a low, significant on nif you, see Wat Tyler, tell him there is nothing I will not grant She made no reply, but looked at him fixedly. After a moment's pause, Richard went on: % be vr he to ask me to make you my queen I would as- sen A flush came over her fair face; but it instantly fled, and she replies in a low, firm tone “No liege, I will not delude him!"" e Rie + come Pre any rejoinder, she turned to werful rebel, make me for: rran “Tam Hoth to tp it,” replied the Princess. “Yet I cannot refuse. aoe yd to returnto me if you can.” “Your Grace need not doubt me,” she eapeined; earn- estly. “ Notime should be lost. Are you ready to set forth, Master Chaucer?” “On the instant,” he lied. “T trust to see Fb back atthe Tower,” sald Richard. “But understan are no Jonger a prisoner.” bis pk Editha withdrew to make some slight chan her attire, and put on a hood, Richard sent for the fot tenant and é him instantly pre ook ph a boat to convey er and a ‘com paaton across the river on a secret ™m ‘Without asking questions, the Lientenant el toexecute the command. pee Five minutes afterwards the gate beneath St. Thomas’ Peto was thrown open, anda boat propelled by four wh tg oarsmen, and containing two persons, shot w a lightning. swiftness across the river. t was now almost dark, the boat was not perceived and Cha rand Editha were safely landed at the wha por em St. Olave’s Church, about a bow-shot below n pe Gaal accomplished, the carumen epecded back fini anoth instant a d armed a pikes rushed Lup to thos toa who had Just steppe stepped asho re, and “Who wha” ‘what ‘are you? cried several al chreatening voices. *We' eae e from ‘the Tower,” replied pe Pricn ! and from: the Tower! That may scarce be,”’ “SS the foremost of the part nee een leas," rejoined Chaucer. *‘Take us Mie. " « Jot till we. ave further questioned you,” cried the man But Editha, who had recognized his voice, removed her hood and “Do ya unot know me, good Master Liripipe? " “ By St. Bridget! it is. Owhee nr: Tyler's ‘datighter Editha!” cried the person n addressed. thc vh certain?” observed Josbert Grouthead, who was near him. “As cert. certain as I am that this is Master Geoffrey Ohau- cer " replied Lirtpipe. ‘an it 80 we must take them forthwith to wat ler,” wee et rh oe | bt A oye ag good M r Curthose. You will be you pains,’ sald Editha. “She knows me!” exclaimed Curthose. “It must«be Editha. We will conduct the damsel to her father at once; he will be g to r." we ere i is your leader?™“in nired Chaucer. and,” Fopl are at ‘Tabard,’ in the b Street, cbeeie i grt Curthose, whose manner was now come “ Doubtless he is there now, since’ only jus soourhed from Lambeth. en pray conduct us to him arithout delay; for our heii 8 most important,” said the ng them fn thelr onidét i in order to protect them from the tumultuous crowd, the party proceeded towards the High Street. As they came forth from the back of St. diave's chereh, they cast a glance towards London Bridge, the gates of which were covered with archers and cross-bowmen. Hi a tee was full of armed rebels, and it was with d they could force their way along the crowded tnovolett are, Without the escort, t could never have got on. Many sights at- tracted attention; but they were chiefly struck by the ruins i ha great prisons—the Marshalsea and the NAC Iengthy after frequent stoppages, the party reached the * ‘The large courtyard of the Ph cal om was full of prinod? thet re maki — bps oe but it mp ae sared tha a r was in the ne est-cham- ber with John Ball, discussing his plans over a flask of Mi ‘geeing Editha and Chaucer, who were brought in ‘by Liripipe and the others, Wat Tyler started to his feet; but, instead of welcoming the Wan angry with the af- fection of a Manne ol he ut exclamation, that seem mee A bode Ill for the success mission. Searcely deigning to notice Chaucer, he snatched upa der ee ‘| “"TMs said light, and ordered Editha to follow him into an inner room Closing the door, he demanded, in a stern tone, why she had left the Tower. “You have interfered with my plans by coming hith- er!” he said. ‘T am sent by the King,” she rejoined. * Seeks he to make peace with me?” he demanded. ‘He does,” she replied. “ Will aught induce you to spare London, and retire?" “No!” he replied. * Were the Council to sue me in a body, I would not retire, [am master now! London Is at my feet! I shall spare none of his nables and rich men. But I shall not harm the King. I have other de- signs in regard to him. Thou shalt share his throne!” ares can you seriously indulge such a thought?" she sa “ Seriously~ay! Wherefore not? He will be glad to espouse thee to save his crown.’ But you do not deem it necessary to ask whether I will consent to such a scheme.” “Tut! Thou art not likely to object!” * You judge meby yourself; but you are mistaken! I am not a fitting consort for the King:” “Fitting or not, he shall wed thee! me Dismiss these throughts from your mind, I implore you,” she sald. “lam not to be dazzled by the splendor of the offer made me, and reject it!” * Reject it! ha! Do I hear aright?” cried , Wat Tyler, astounded. ‘You will wed whom! please “TI have already expressed my fixed etesiinesien. and shall abide by it,’’ she rejoined, calmly, but firndy, “Time will show, *said Wat. “You must return at once to the Tower." “ Will you not listen to what I have to say?” she cried. “To what end?" he rejoined, sternly. “I will grant nothing! Say to the ame that he may expect me, ere long, a at the Tower. And I will then propose my terms She Phe another effort to move him, but he contin- ued inflexible, and took her back to the large room, where he had left Chaucer and the others, All looked surprised; but the rebel leader's as was so stern that none dared to question him, Not even John Ball made a remark. “Take back this damsel to St. Olave'’s Wharf," he said to the men; “and find a boat to convey her to the Tow- ” “That will be difficult, if not impossible,” sald Liri- No o—a boat will be sent for her,” said Wat. “T will go with her,” cried Chaueer. “You can accompany her to the wharf,” rejoined Wat Tyler; “but you must return to me. You cannot re-en- ter the Tower.” Deeming it useless to remonstrate, Chaucer did not 1 the attempt. aa hing more was said. The party went back as they Wat Tyler was right. No sooner did Editha appear on the wharf, than the boat that had brought her over shot dda Sf across the river, and took her back to St. Thomas Tow Chaucer did note rk, and returned, in a very mel- ancholy frame of ,to the “ Tabard.” CHAPTER V. THE MEETING OF THE REBEL LEADERS AT LONDON BRIDGE. Ever since the outbreak of the insurrection, the weather had been uniformly fine; and morn more beautiful wees never beheld that Wich “heralded p the quaint h ¢ sunshine ted u abitations . eWuroliee, and hos of old ted up t d tag and voted with hintog: Ned men. t lighted ower. een powmen; St. Paul's, tof the hase Bo fi pn Ms re btacacudean poet” On tie spire, ana teen aT wae ruta end desola tion. asteries, poor ape prisons, churches, burnt'or demolished: Lambeth Palave still smoking. The whole of Southwark was filled with an armed host; and such was the terror of the inhabitants that they were compelled to join the rebels. But we must now see what had taken place on the oth- er side of London, At daybreak the Outlaw, flushed with success, a sared with hin host before Bis psagate, and sent Hoth- cane forward to sound a trumpet and demand admit- wnsmteauet Re tage smtp arrows Thereupon the O sora ded an immediate at- tack, but while ent hte Rees per. a party of d cep gcted citizens came up, and forcing away the guard, 3 the gate, and the ingurgents marched into the The men were disposed to indulge im triumph but their leader eee hem to meee on a Wat yk iat thoi order to effect a juncti fat Tyler, d th they proceeded Pyeng dobordiugty 4 thout meet- wit bn eee hi the orth gates ¢ of beer bridge were thrown insurgents w welcomed enthusiasti- ly'by'a amie fe perth of citizens veh tm a ~ whe the cause. nabieatio the pegh on street formed by ‘the fan ha eatery lin Bag: er side of the 1 a iaanesaat ir weapons, and making a niost C The gates on Mt ere, fa side of the bridge had been thro n, and in the open ce at the end 24 ay he High tree a meett ng took place between the rebet revat Ty lee, attended by John Ball, eye cy the Outlaw on his sticcess, and thanked him heartily nd yn: he had done; but his haughty manner did not al etic tines his brother ch chief. soeniede dine ro emen to possession ee 6 three leaders proc oo Taberd. where the breakfasted. is ceded tO th 4 As s00n as their hasty ig om concluded, Wat Tyler said to his brother chiefs, “ Before we attack the Tower we will preyee all that we belong not to John Gaunt py au pore ng down his Palace of the Savoy. How say you, will ig said the Outlaw. “ What a’ plun- pate ptr he eee ibe” pltmdered,” observed ‘Wat Tylor, rater and authoritatl r Not pl exclaimed Outlaw, tmastonish- ment. | ) (E@) (SiG (0) LOO)