INTRODUCTION
Acertaindegreeofsuccess，realorsupposed，inthedelineationofQueenMary，naturallyinducedtheauthortoattemptsomethingsimilarrespecting"hersisterandherfoe，"thecelebratedElizabeth。Hewillnot，however，pretendtohaveapproachedthetaskwiththesamefeelings;forthecandidRobertsonhimselfconfesseshavingfelttheprejudiceswithwhichaScottishmanistemptedtoregardthesubject;andwhatsoliberalahistorianavows，apoorromance—writerdaresnotdisown。Buthehopestheinfluenceofaprejudice，almostasnaturaltohimashisnativeair，willnotbefoundtohavegreatlyaffectedthesketchhehasattemptedofEngland'sElizabeth。Ihaveendeavouredtodescribeherasatonceahigh—mindedsovereign，andafemaleofpassionatefeelings，hesitatingbetwixtthesenseofherrankandthedutysheowedhersubjectsontheonehand，andontheotherherattachmenttoanobleman，who，inexternalqualificationsatleast，amplymeritedherfavour。TheinterestofthestoryisthrownuponthatperiodwhenthesuddendeathofthefirstCountessofLeicesterseemedtoopentotheambitionofherhusbandtheopportunityofsharingthecrownofhissovereign。
Itispossiblethatslander，whichveryseldomfavoursthememoriesofpersonsinexaltedstations，mayhaveblackenedthecharacterofLeicesterwithdarkershadesthanreallybelongedtoit。ButthealmostgeneralvoiceofthetimesattachedthemostfoulsuspicionstothedeathoftheunfortunateCountess，moreespeciallyasittookplacesoveryopportunelyfortheindulgenceofherlover'sambition。IfwecantrustAshmole'sAntiquitiesofBerkshire，therewasbuttoomuchgroundforthetraditionswhichchargeLeicesterwiththemurderofhiswife。
Inthefollowingextractofthepassage，thereaderwillfindtheauthorityIhadforthestoryoftheromance:——
"Atthewestendofthechurcharetheruinsofamanor，ancientlybelonging（asacell，orplaceofremoval，assomereport）tothemonksofAbington。AttheDissolution，thesaidmanor，orlordship，wasconveyedtoone——Owen（Ibelieve），thepossessorofGodstowthen。
"Inthehall，overthechimney，IfindAbingtonarmscutinstone——namely，apatoneebetweenfourmartletts;andalsoanotherescutcheon——namely，alionrampant，andseveralmitrescutinstoneaboutthehouse。ThereisalsointhesaidhouseachambercalledDudley'schamber，wheretheEarlofLeicester'swifewasmurdered，ofwhichthisisthestoryfollowing:——
"RobertDudley，EarlofLeicester，averygoodlypersonage，andsingularlywellfeatured，beingagreatfavouritetoQueenElizabeth，itwasthought，andcommonlyreported，thathadhebeenabachelororwidower，theQueenwouldhavemadehimherhusband;tothisend，tofreehimselfofallobstacles，hecommands，orperhaps，withfairflatteringentreaties，desireshiswifetoreposeherselfhereathisservantAnthonyForster'shouse，whothenlivedintheaforesaidmanor—house;andalsoprescribestoSirRichardVarney（apromptertothisdesign），athiscominghither，thatheshouldfirstattempttopoisonher，andifthatdidnottakeeffect，thenbyanyotherwaywhatsoevertodispatchher。This，itseems，wasprovedbythereportofDr。
WalterBayly，sometimefellowofNewCollege，thenlivinginOxford，andprofessorofphysicinthatuniversity;whom，becausehewouldnotconsenttotakeawayherlifebypoison，theEarlendeavouredtodisplacehimthecourt。Thisman，itseems，reportedformostcertainthattherewasapracticeinCumnoramongtheconspirators，tohavepoisonedthispoorinnocentlady，alittlebeforeshewaskilled，whichwasattemptedafterthismanner:——Theyseeingthegoodladysadandheavy（asonethatwellknew，byherotherhandling，thatherdeathwasnotfaroff），begantopersuadeherthatherpresentdiseasewasabundanceofmelancholyandotherhumours，etc。，andthereforewouldneedscounselhertotakesomepotion，whichsheabsolutelyrefusingtodo，asstillsuspectingtheworst;whereupontheysentamessengeronaday（unawarestoher）forDr。Bayly，andentreatedhimtopersuadehertotakesomelittlepotionbyhisdirection，andtheywouldfetchthesameatOxford;meaningtohaveaddedsomethingoftheirownforhercomfort，asthedoctoruponjustcauseandconsiderationdidsuspect，seeingtheirgreatimportunity，andthesmallneedtheladyhadofphysic，andthereforeheperemptorilydeniedtheirrequest;misdoubting（asheafterwardsreported）lest，iftheyhadpoisonedherunderthenameofhispotion，hemightafterhavebeenhangedforacolouroftheirsin，andthedoctorremainedstillwellassuredthatthiswaytakingnoeffect，shewouldnotlongescapetheirviolence，whichafterwardshappenedthus。ForSirRichardVarneyabovesaid（thechiefprojectorinthisdesign），who，bytheEarl'sorder，remainedthatdayofherdeathalonewithher，withonemanonlyandForster，whohadthatdayforciblysentawayallherservantsfromhertoAbingtonmarket，aboutthreemilesdistantfromthisplace;they（Isay，whetherfirststiflingher，orelsestranglingher）afterwardsflungherdownapairofstairsandbrokeherneck，usingmuchviolenceuponher;but，however，thoughitwasvulgarlyreportedthatshebychancefelldownstairs（butstillwithouthurtingherhoodthatwasuponherhead），yettheinhabitantswilltellyoutherethatshewasconveyedfromherusualchamberwhereshelay，toanotherwherethebed'sheadofthechamberstoodclosetoaprivyposterndoor，wheretheyinthenightcameandstifledherinherbed，bruisedherheadverymuchbrokeherneck，andatlengthflungherdownstairs，therebybelievingtheworldwouldhavethoughtitamischance，andsohaveblindedtheirvillainy。ButbeholdthemercyandjusticeofGodinrevenginganddiscoveringthislady'smurder;foroneofthepersonsthatwasacoadjutorinthismurderwasafterwardstakenforafelonyinthemarchesofWales，andofferingtopublishthemanneroftheaforesaidmurder，wasprivatelymadeawayintheprisonbytheEarl'sappointment;andSirRichardVarneytheother，dyingaboutthesametimeinLondon，criedmiserably，andblasphemedGod，andsaidtoapersonofnote（whohathrelatedthesametootherssince），notlongbeforehisdeath，thatallthedevilsinhelldidtearhiminpieces。Forster，likewise，afterthisfact，beingamanformerlyaddictedtohospitality，company，mirth，andmusic，wasafterwardsobservedtoforsakeallthis，andwithmuchmelancholyandpensiveness（somesaywithmadness）pinedanddroopedaway。ThewifealsoofBaldButter，kinsmantotheEarl，gaveoutthewholefactalittlebeforeherdeath。Neitherarethesefollowingpassagestobeforgotten，thatassoonasevershewasmurdered，theymadegreathastetoburyherbeforethecoronerhadgiveninhisinquest（whichtheEarlhimselfcondemnedasnotdoneadvisedly），whichherfather，orSirJohnRobertsett（asIsuppose），hearingof，camewithallspeedhither，causedhercorpsetobetakenup，thecoronertosituponher，andfurtherinquirytobemadeconcerningthisbusinesstothefull;butitwasgenerallythoughtthattheEarlstoppedhismouth，andmadeupthebusinessbetwixtthem;andthegoodEarl，tomakeplaintotheworldthegreatlovehebaretoherwhilealive，andwhatagriefthelossofsovirtuousaladywastohistenderheart，caused（thoughthething，bytheseandothermeans，wasbeatenintotheheadsoftheprincipalmenoftheUniversityofOxford）herbodytobereburiedinSt，Mary'sChurchinOxford，withgreatpompandsolemnity。Itisremarkable，whenDr。Babington，theEarl'schaplain，didpreachthefuneralsermon，hetriptonceortwiceinhisspeech，byrecommendingtotheirmemoriesthatvirtuousladysopitifullymurdered，insteadofsayingpitifullyslain。ThisEarl，afterallhismurdersandpoisonings，washimselfpoisonedbythatwhichwaspreparedforothers（somesaybyhiswifeatCornburyLodgebeforementioned），thoughBakerinhisChroniclewouldhaveitatKillingworth;anno1588。"[Ashmole'sAntiquitiesofBerkshire，vol。i。，p。149。ThetraditionastoLeicester'sdeathwasthuscommunicatedbyBenJonsontoDrummondofHawthornden:——"TheEarlofLeicestergaveabottleofliquortohisLady，whichhewilledhertouseinanyfaintness，whichshe，afterhisreturnefromcourt，notknowingitwaspoison，gavehim，andsohedied。"——BENJONSON'S
INFORMATIONTODRUMMONDOFHAWTHORNDEN，MS。，SIRROBERTSIBBALD'S
COPY。]
ThesameaccusationhasbeenadoptedandcirculatedbytheauthorofLeicester'sCommonwealth，asatirewrittendirectlyagainsttheEarlofLeicester，whichloadedhimwiththemosthorridcrimes，and，amongtherest，withthemurderofhisfirstwife。
ItwasalludedtointheYorkshireTragedy，aplayerroneouslyascribedtoShakespeare，whereabaker，whodeterminestodestroyallhisfamily，throwshiswifedownstairs，withthisallusiontothesupposedmurderofLeicester'slady，——
"Theonlywaytocharmawoman'stongueIs，breakherneck——apoliticiandidit。"
ThereaderwillfindIhaveborrowedseveralincidentsaswellasnamesfromAshmole，andthemoreearlyauthorities;butmyfirstacquaintancewiththehistorywasthroughthemorepleasingmediumofverse。Thereisaperiodinyouthwhenthemerepowerofnumbershasamorestrongeffectonearandimaginationthaninmoreadvancedlife。Atthisseasonofimmaturetaste，theauthorwasgreatlydelightedwiththepoemsofMickleandLanghorne，poetswho，thoughbynomeansdeficientinthehigherbranchesoftheirart，wereeminentfortheirpowersofverbalmelodyabovemostwhohavepractisedthisdepartmentofpoetry。
OneofthosepiecesofMickle，whichtheauthorwasparticularlypleasedwith，isaballad，orratheraspeciesofelegy，onthesubjectofCumnorHall，which，withothersbythesameauthor，wastobefoundinEvans'sAncientBallads（vol。iv。，page130），towhichworkMicklemadeliberalcontributions。Thefirststanzaespeciallyhadapeculiarspeciesofenchantmentfortheyouthfulearoftheauthor，theforceofwhichisnotevennowentirelyspent;someothersaresufficientlyprosaic。
CUMNORHALL。
Thedewsofsummernightdidfall;
Themoon，sweetregentofthesky，Silver'dthewallsofCumnorHall，Andmanyanoakthatgrewthereby，Nownoughtwasheardbeneaththeskies，Thesoundsofbusylifewerestill，Saveanunhappylady'ssighs，Thatissuedfromthatlonelypile。
"Leicester，"shecried，"isthisthyloveThatthousoofthastsworntome，Toleavemeinthislonelygrove，Immuredinshamefulprivity？
"Nomorethoucom'stwithlover'sspeed，Thyoncebelovedbridetosee;
Butbeshealive，orbeshedead，Ifear，sternEarl，'sthesametothee。
"NotsotheusageIreceivedWhenhappyinmyfather'shall;
Nofaithlesshusbandthenmegrieved，Nochillingfearsdidmeappal。
"Iroseupwiththecheerfulmorn，Nolarkmoreblithe，noflowermoregay;
Andlikethebirdthathauntsthethorn，Somerrilysungthelivelongday。
"Ifthatmybeautyisbutsmall，Amongcourtladiesalldespised，Whydidstthourenditfromthathall，Where，scornfulEarl，itwellwasprized？
"Andwhenyoufirsttomemadesuit，HowfairIwasyouoftwouldsay！
Andproudofconquest，pluck'dthefruit，Thenlefttheblossomtodecay。
"Yes！nowneglectedanddespised，Theroseispale，thelily'sdead;
Buthethatoncetheircharmssoprized，Issurethecausethosecharmsarefled。
"Forknow，whensick'ninggriefdothprey，Andtenderlove'srepaidwithscorn，Thesweetestbeautywilldecay，——
Whatfloweretcanendurethestorm？
"Atcourt，I'mtold，isbeauty'sthrone，Whereeverylady'spassingrare，ThatEasternflowers，thatshamethesun，Arenotsoglowing，notsofair。
"Then，Earl，whydidstthouleavethebedsWhererosesandwhereliliesvie，Toseekaprimrose，whosepaleshadesMustsickenwhenthosegaudsareby？
"'MongruralbeautiesIwasone，Amongthefieldswildflowersarefair;
Somecountryswainmightmehavewon，Andthoughtmybeautypassingrare。
"But，Leicester（orImuchamwrong），Or'tisnotbeautyluresthyvows;
Ratherambition'sgildedcrownMakestheeforgetthyhumblespouse。
"Then，Leicester，why，againIplead（Theinjuredsurelymayrepine）——
Whydidstthouwedacountrymaid，Whensomefairprincessmightbethine？
"Whydidstthoupraisemyhum'blecharms，And，oh！thenleavethemtodecay？
Whydidstthouwinmetothyarms，Thenleavetomournthelivelongday？
"ThevillagemaidensoftheplainSalutemelowlyastheygo;
Envioustheymarkmysilkentrain，NorthinkaCountesscanhavewoe。
"Thesimplenymphs！theylittleknowHowfarmorehappy'stheirestate;
Tosmileforjoy，thansighforwoe——
Tobecontent，thantobegreat。
"HowfarlessblestamIthanthem？
Dailytopineandwastewithcare！
Likethepoorplantthat，fromitsstemDivided，feelsthechillingair。
"Nor，cruelEarl！canIenjoyThehumblecharmsofsolitude;
Yourminionsproudmypeacedestroy，Bysullenfrownsorpratingsrude。
"Lastnight，assadIchancedtostray，Thevillagedeath—bellsmotemyear;
Theywink'daside，andseemedtosay，'Countess，prepare，thyendisnear！'
"Andnow，whilehappypeasantssleep，HereIsitlonelyandforlorn;
NoonetosoothemeasIweep，SavePhilomelonyonderthorn。
"Myspiritsflag——myhopesdecay——
Stillthatdreaddeath—bellsmitesmyear;
Andmanyabodingseemstosay，'Countess，prepare，thyendisnear！'"
Thussoreandsadthatladygrieved，InCumnorHall，soloneanddrear;
Andmanyaheartfeltsighsheheaved，Andletfallmanyabittertear。
Anderethedawnofdayappear'd，InCumnorHall，soloneanddrear，Fullmanyapiercingscreamwasheard，Andmanyacryofmortalfear。
Thedeath—bellthricewasheardtoring，Anaerialvoicewasheardtocall，Andthricetheravenflapp'ditswingAroundthetowersofCumnorHall。
Themastiffhowl'datvillagedoor，Theoakswereshatter'donthegreen;
Woewasthehour——fornevermoreThathaplessCountesse'erwasseen！
AndinthatManornownomoreIscheerfulfeastandsprightlyball;
ForeversincethatdrearyhourHavespiritshauntedCumnorHall。
Thevillagemaids，withfearfulglance，Avoidtheancientmoss—grownwall;
Noreverleadthemerrydance，AmongthegrovesofCumnorHall。
Fullmanyatravellerofthathsigh'd，AndpensivewepttheCountess'fall，Aswand'ringonwardthey'veespiedThehauntedtowersofCumnorHall。
ARBOTSFORD，1stMarch1831。
*
KENILWORTH
CHAPTERI。
Iamaninnkeeper，andknowmygrounds，Andstudythem;Braino'man，Istudythem。
Imusthavejovialgueststodrivemyploughs，Andwhistlingboystobringmyharvestshome，OrIshallhearnoflailsthwack。THENEWINN。
Itistheprivilegeoftale—tellerstoopentheirstoryinaninn，thefreerendezvousofalltravellers，andwherethehumourofeachdisplaysitselfwithoutceremonyorrestraint。ThisisspeciallysuitablewhenthesceneislaidduringtheolddaysofmerryEngland，whentheguestswereinsomesortnotmerelytheinmates，butthemessmatesandtemporarycompanionsofmineHost，whowasusuallyapersonageofprivilegedfreedom，comelypresence，andgood—humour。Patronizedbyhimthecharactersofthecompanywereplacedinreadycontrast;andtheyseldomfailed，duringtheemptyingofasix—hoopedpot，tothrowoffreserve，andpresentthemselvestoeachother，andtotheirlandlord，withthefreedomofoldacquaintance。
ThevillageofCumnor，withinthreeorfourmilesofOxford，boasted，duringtheeighteenthofQueenElizabeth，anexcellentinnoftheoldstamp，conducted，orratherruled，byGilesGosling，amanofagoodlyperson，andofsomewhatroundbelly;
fiftyyearsofageandupwards，moderateinhisreckonings，promptinhispayments，havingacellarofsoundliquor，areadywit，andaprettydaughter。SincethedaysofoldHarryBaillieoftheTabardinSouthwark，noonehadexcelledGilesGoslinginthepowerofpleasinghisguestsofeverydescription;andsogreatwashisfame，thattohavebeeninCumnorwithoutwettingacupatthebonnyBlackBear，wouldhavebeentoavouchone's—selfutterlyindifferenttoreputationasatraveller。AcountryfellowmightaswellreturnfromLondonwithoutlookinginthefaceofmajesty。ThemenofCumnorwereproudoftheirHost，andtheirHostwasproudofhishouse，hisliquor，hisdaughter，andhimself。
Itwasinthecourtyardoftheinnwhichcalledthishonestfellowlandlord，thatatravelleralightedinthecloseoftheevening，gavehishorse，whichseemedtohavemadealongjourney，tothehostler，andmadesomeinquiry，whichproducedthefollowingdialoguebetwixtthemyrmidonsofthebonnyBlackBear。
"What，ho！JohnTapster。"
"Athand，WillHostler，"repliedthemanofthespigot，showinghimselfinhiscostumeofloosejacket，linenbreeches，andgreenapron，halfwithinandhalfwithoutadoor，whichappearedtodescendtoanoutercellar。
"Hereisagentlemanasksifyoudrawgoodale，"continuedthehostler。
"Beshrewmyheartelse，"answeredthetapster，"sincetherearebutfourmilesbetwixtusandOxford。Marry，ifmyaledidnotconvincetheheadsofthescholars，theywouldsoonconvincemypatewiththepewterflagon。"
"CallyouthatOxfordlogic？"saidthestranger，whohadnowquittedthereinofhishorse，andwasadvancingtowardstheinn—
door，whenhewasencounteredbythegoodlyformofGilesGoslinghimself。
"Isitlogicyoutalkof，SirGuest？"saidthehost;"why，then，haveatyouwithadownrightconsequence——
'Thehorsetotherack，Andtofirewiththesack。'"
"Amen！withallmyheart，mygoodhost，"saidthestranger;"letitbeaquartofyourbestCanaries，andgivemeyourgoodhelptodrinkit。"
"Nay，youarebutinyouraccidenceyet，SirTraveller，ifyoucallonyourhostforhelpforsuchasippingmatterasaquartofsack;Wereitagallon，youmightlacksomeneighbouringaidatmyhand，andyetcallyourselfatoper。"
"Fearmenot。"saidtheguest，"IwilldomydevoirasbecomesamanwhofindshimselfwithinfivemilesofOxford;forIamnotcomefromthefieldofMarstodiscreditmyselfamongstthefollowersofMinerva。"
Ashespokethus，thelandlord，withmuchsemblanceofheartywelcome，usheredhisguestintoalarge，lowchamber，whereseveralpersonswereseatedtogetherindifferentparties——somedrinking，someplayingatcards，someconversing，andsome，whosebusinesscalledthemtobeearlyrisersonthemorrow，concludingtheireveningmeal，andconferringwiththechamberlainabouttheirnight'squarters。
Theentranceofastrangerprocuredhimthatgeneralandcarelesssortofattentionwhichisusuallypaidonsuchoccasions，fromwhichthefollowingresultswerededuced:——Theguestwasoneofthosewho，withawell—madeperson，andfeaturesnotinthemselvesunpleasing，areneverthelesssofarfromhandsomethat，whetherfromtheexpressionoftheirfeatures，orthetoneoftheirvoice，orfromtheirgaitandmanner，therearises，onthewhole，adisinclinationtotheirsociety。Thestranger'saddresswasbold，withoutbeingfrank，andseemedeagerlyandhastilytoclaimforhimadegreeofattentionanddeferencewhichhefearedwouldberefused，ifnotinstantlyvindicatedashisright。Hisattirewasariding—cloak，which，whenopen，displayedahandsomejerkinoverlaidwithlace，andbeltedwithabuffgirdle，whichsustainedabroadswordandapairofpistols。
"Youridewellprovided，sir，"saidthehost，lookingattheweaponsasheplacedonthetablethemulledsackwhichthetravellerhadordered。
"Yes，minehost;Ihavefoundtheuseon'tindangeroustimes，andIdonot，likeyourmoderngrandees，turnoffmyfollowerstheinstanttheyareuseless。"
"Ay，sir？"saidGilesGosling;"thenyouarefromtheLowCountries，thelandofpikeandcaliver？"
"Ihavebeenhighandlow，myfriend，broadandwide，farandnear。Buthereistotheeinacupofthysack;fillthyselfanothertopledgeme，and，ifitislessthansuperlative，e'endrinkasyouhavebrewed。"
"Lessthansuperlative？"saidGilesGosling，drinkingoffthecup，andsmackinghislipswithanairofineffablerelish，——"I
knownothingofsuperlative，noristheresuchawineattheThreeCranes，intheVintry，tomyknowledge;butifyoufindbettersackthanthatintheSheres，orintheCanarieseither，I
wouldImaynevertoucheitherpotorpennymore。Why，holditupbetwixtyouandthelight，youshallseethelittlemotesdanceinthegoldenliquorlikedustinthesunbeam。ButIwouldratherdrawwinefortenclownsthanonetraveller。——Itrustyourhonourlikesthewine？"
"Itisneatandcomfortable，minehost;buttoknowgoodliquor，youshoulddrinkwherethevinegrows。Trustme，yourSpaniardistoowiseamantosendyoutheverysoulofthegrape。Why，thisnow，whichyouaccountsochoice，werecountedbutasacupofbastardattheGroyne，oratPortSt。Mary's。Youshouldtravel，minehost，ifyouwouldbedeepinthemysteriesofthebuttandpottle—pot。"
"Introth，SigniorGuest，"saidGilesGosling，"ifIweretotravelonlythatImightbediscontentedwiththatwhichIcangetathome，methinksIshouldgobutonafool'serrand。
Besides，Iwarrantyou，thereismanyafoolcanturnhisnoseupatgooddrinkwithouteverhavingbeenoutofthesmokeofOldEngland;andsoevergramercymineownfireside。"
"Thisisbutameanmindofyours，minehost，"saidthestranger;
"Iwarrantme，allyourtown'sfolkdonotthinksobasely。Youhavegallantsamongyou，Idareundertake，thathavemadetheVirginiavoyage，ortakenaturnintheLowCountriesatleast。
Come，cudgelyourmemory。Haveyounofriendsinforeignpartsthatyouwouldgladlyhavetidingsof？"
"Troth，sir，notI，"answeredthehost，"sincerantingRobinofDrysandfordwasshotatthesiegeoftheBrill。Thedeviltakethecaliverthatfiredtheball，forablitherladneverfilledacupatmidnight！Butheisdeadandgone，andIknownotasoldier，oratraveller，whoisasoldier'smate，thatIwouldgiveapeeledcodlingfor。"
"BytheMass，thatisstrange。What！somanyofourbraveEnglishheartsareabroad，andyou，whoseemtobeamanofmark，havenofriend，nokinsmanamongthem？"
"Nay，ifyouspeakofkinsmen，"answeredGosling，"Ihaveonewildslipofakinsman，wholeftusinthelastyearofQueenMary;butheisbetterlostthanfound。"
"Donotsayso，friend，unlessyouhaveheardillofhimlately。
Manyawildcolthasturnedoutanoblesteed。——Hisname，Iprayyou？"
"MichaelLambourne，"answeredthelandlordoftheBlackBear;"asonofmysister's——thereislittlepleasureinrecollectingeitherthenameortheconnection。"
"MichaelLambourne！"saidthestranger，asifendeavouringtorecollecthimself——"what，norelationtoMichaelLambourne，thegallantcavalierwhobehavedsobravelyatthesiegeofVenlothatGraveMauricethankedhimattheheadofthearmy？MensaidhewasanEnglishcavalier，andofnohighextraction。"
"Itcouldscarcelybemynephew，"saidGilesGosling，"forhehadnotthecourageofahen—partridgeforaughtbutmischief。"
"Oh，manyamanfindscourageinthewars，"repliedthestranger。
"Itmaybe，"saidthelandlord;"butIwouldhavethoughtourMikemorelikelytolosethelittlehehad。"
"TheMichaelLambournewhomIknew，"continuedthetraveller，"wasalikelyfellow——wentalwaysgayandwellattired，andhadahawk'seyeafteraprettywench。"
"OurMichael，"repliedthehost，"hadthelookofadogwithabottleatitstail，andworeacoat，everyragofwhichwasbiddinggood—daytotherest。"
"Oh，menpickupgoodapparelinthewars，"repliedtheguest。
"OurMike，"answeredthelandlord，"wasmoreliketopickitupinafripperywarehouse，whilethebrokerwaslookinganotherway;and，forthehawk'seyeyoutalkof，hiswasalwaysaftermystrayspoons。Hewastapster'sboyhereinthisblessedhouseforaquarterofayear;andbetweenmisreckonings，miscarriages，mistakes，andmisdemeanours，hadhedweltwithmeforthreemonthslonger，Imighthavepulleddownsign，shutuphouse，andgiventhedevilthekeytokeep。"
"Youwouldbesorry，afterall，"continuedthetraveller，"wereI
totellyoupoorMikeLambournewasshotattheheadofhisregimentatthetakingofasconcenearMaestricht？"
"Sorry！——itwouldbetheblithestnewsIeverheardofhim，sinceitwouldensuremehewasnothanged。Butlethimpass——Idoubthisendwillneverdosuchcredittohisfriends。Wereitso，I
shouldsay"——（takinganothercupofsack）——"Here'sGodresthim，withallmyheart。"
"Tush，man，"repliedthetraveller，"neverfearbutyouwillhavecreditbyyournephewyet，especiallyifhebetheMichaelLambournewhomIknew，andlovedverynearly，oraltogether，aswellasmyself。CanyoutellmenomarkbywhichIcouldjudgewhethertheybethesame？"
"Faith，nonethatIcanthinkof，"answeredGilesGosling，"unlessthatourMikehadthegallowsbrandedonhisleftshoulderforstealingasilvercaudle—cupfromDameSnortofHogsditch。"
"Nay，thereyoulielikeaknave，uncle，"saidthestranger，slippingasidehisruff;andturningdownthesleeveofhisdoubletfromhisneckandshoulder;"bythisgoodday，myshoulderisasunscarredasthineown。
"What，Mike，boy——Mike！"exclaimedthehost;——"andisitthou，ingoodearnest？Nay，Ihavejudgedsoforthishalf—hour;forI
knewnootherpersonwouldhaveta'enhalftheinterestinthee。
But，Mike，anthyshoulderbeunscathedasthousayest，thoumustownthatGoodmanThong，thehangman，wasmercifulinhisoffice，andstampedtheewithacoldiron。"
"Tush，uncle——trucewithyourjests。Keepthemtoseasonyoursourale，andletusseewhatheartywelcomethouwiltgiveakinsmanwhohasrolledtheworldaroundforeighteenyears;whohasseenthesunsetwhereitrises，andhastravelledtillthewesthasbecometheeast。"
"Thouhastbroughtbackonetraveller'sgiftwiththee，Mike，asIwellsee;andthatwaswhatthouleastdidst:needtotravelfor。Irememberwell，amongthineotherqualities，therewasnocreditingawordwhichcamefromthymouth。"
"Here'sanunbelievingpaganforyou，gentlemen！"saidMichaelLambourne，turningtothosewhowitnessedthisstrangeinterviewbetwixtuncleandnephew，someofwhom，beingnativesofthevillage，werenostrangerstohisjuvenilewildness。"ThismaybecalledslayingaCumnorfattedcalfformewithavengeance。——
But，uncle，Icomenotfromthehusksandtheswine—trough，andI
carenotforthywelcomeornowelcome;Icarrythatwithmewillmakemewelcome，wendwhereIwill。"
Sosaying，hepulledoutapurseofgoldindifferentlywellfilled，thesightofwhichproducedavisibleeffectuponthecompany。Someshooktheirheadsandwhisperedtoeachother，whileoneortwoofthelessscrupulousspeedilybegantorecollecthimasaschool—companion，atownsman，orsoforth。Ontheotherhand，twoorthreegrave，sedate—lookingpersonsshooktheirheads，andlefttheinn，hintingthat，ifGilesGoslingwishedtocontinuetothrive，heshouldturnhisthriftless，godlessnephewadriftagain，assoonashecould。Goslingdemeanedhimselfasifheweremuchofthesameopinion，foreventhesightofthegoldmadelessimpressiononthehonestgentlemanthanitusuallydothupononeofhiscalling。
"KinsmanMichael，"hesaid，"putupthypurse。Mysister'ssonshallbecalledtonoreckoninginmyhouseforsupperorlodging;andIreckonthouwilthardlywishtostaylongerwherethouarte'enbuttoowellknown。"
"Forthatmatter，uncle，"repliedthetraveller，"Ishallconsultmyownneedsandconveniences。MeantimeIwishtogivethesupperandsleepingcuptothosegoodtownsmenwhoarenottooproudtorememberMikeLambourne，thetapster'sboy。Ifyouwillletmehaveentertainmentformymoney，so;ifnot，itisbutashorttwominutes'walktotheHareandTabor，andItrustourneighbourswillnotgrudgegoingthusfarwithme。"
"Nay，Mike，"repliedhisuncle，"aseighteenyearshavegoneoverthyhead，andItrustthouartsomewhatamendedinthyconditions，thoushaltnotleavemyhouseatthishour，andshalte'enhavewhateverinreasonyoulisttocallfor。ButIwouldI
knewthatthatpurseofthine，whichthouvapourestof，wereaswellcomebyasitseemswellfilled。"
"Hereisaninfidelforyou，mygoodneighbours！"saidLambourne，againappealingtotheaudience。"Here'safellowwillripuphiskinsman'sfolliesofagoodscoreofyears'
standing。Andforthegold，why，sirs，Ihavebeenwhereitgrew，andwastobehadforthegathering。IntheNewWorldhaveIbeen，man——intheEldorado，whereurchinsplayatcherry—pitwithdiamonds，andcountrywenchesthreadrubiesfornecklaces，insteadofrowan—treeberries;wherethepantilesaremadeofpuregold，andthepaving—stonesofvirginsilver。"
"Bymycredit，friendMike，"saidyoungLaurenceGoldthred，thecuttingmercerofAbingdon，"thatwerealikelycoasttotradeto。Andwhatmaylawns，cypruses，andribandsfetch，wheregoldissoplenty？"
"Oh，theprofitwereunutterable，"repliedLambourne，"especiallywhenahandsomeyoungmerchantbearsthepackhimself;fortheladiesofthatclimearebona—robas，andbeingthemselvessomewhatsunburnt，theycatchfireliketinderatafreshcomplexionlikethine，withaheadofhairincliningtobered。"
"IwouldImighttradethither，"saidthemercer，chuckling。
"Why，andsothoumayest，"saidMichael——"thatis，ifthouartthesamebriskboywhowaspartnerwithmeatrobbingtheAbbot'sorchard。'Tisbutalittletouchofalchemytodecoctthyhouseandlandintoreadymoney，andthatreadymoneyintoatallship，withsails，anchors，cordage，andallthingsconforming;thenclapthywarehouseofgoodsunderhatches，putfiftygoodfellowsondeck，withmyselftocommandthem，andsohoisttopsails，andheyfortheNewWorld！"
"Thouhasttaughthimasecret，kinsman，"saidGilesGosling，"todecoct，anthatbetheword，hispoundintoapennyandhiswebsintoathread。——Takeafool'sadvice，neighbourGoldthred。Temptnotthesea，forsheisadevourer。Letcardsandcockatricesdotheirworst，thyfather'sbalesmaybideabangingforayearortwoerethoucomesttotheSpital;buttheseahathabottomlessappetite，——shewouldswallowthewealthofLombardStreetinamorning，aseasilyasIwouldapoachedeggandacupofclary。
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