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Transcriber's Note.
Apparent typographical errors have been corrected. The use of hyphenshas been rationalised.
A list of the author's works, at the front of the text, has beenmoved to join related material at the back.
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The Colloquies of Edward Osborne
Citizen and Clothworker of London
Illustrations by John Jellicoe]
J Jellicoe "Surely thou art the Widow Osborne"]
THE COLLOQUIES OF
EDWARD OSBORNE
CITIZEN AND CLOTHWORKER OF LONDON
By
The Author of "Mary Powell," "The Household of Sir Thos. More," "Cherry & Violet" and "The Old Chelsea Bun-Shop," etc.
_WITH TEN ILLUSTRATIONS BY_
JOHN JELLICOE
LONDON JOHN C. NIMMO NEW YORK: CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS MDCCCC
Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO. At the Ballantyne Press
CONTENTS
CHAP. PAGE
I.—_A Country Lad cometh to Town_ 1
II.—_First Day of a London 'Prentice his Life_ 27
III.—_Ye Disposition & Economy of Master Hewet's House_ 45
IV.—_Noteworthy Deed of a Boy taught of a Woman_ 58
V.—_Edward Convalesceth i' the Green Lattice_ 77
VI.—_Tib's Malpractyzes_ 102
VII.—_Early Setting of a young Morning Star_ 117
VIII.—_The Defence of the Bridge_ 133
IX.—_Osborne is out of his Time_ 167
X.—_Evil Times bring Evil Crimes_ 181
XI.—_The Blood of the Martyrs, y? Seed of y? Church_ 194
XII.—_A Snake among y? Flowers_ 207
XIII.—_Master Hewet ordereth Things discretely_ 231
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
_From Drawings by_ JOHN JELLICOE
"SURELY THOU ART THE WIDOW OSBORNE" _Frontispiece_
PAGE
"HELD THE OAR TO HIM" _To face_ 40
"AND TOOK A LEAP" " 60
TRYPHENA AND TRYPHOSA " 88
"EATING CURDS AND CREAM" " 120
"MAKE WAY FOR THE SHERIFF'S DAUGHTER" " 140
"RODE OVER THE BRIDGE" " 152
"COVERED HIS FACE AND WEPT" " 192
"PROFFERED ME A PIECE OF MONEY" " 240
THE MASQUE " 272
THE COLLOQUIES OF EDWARD OSBORNE
CHAPTER I
_A Country Lad cometh to Town_
So we left the old grey Horse at the _Tabard_, and set forth a-foot, myMother and me, for _London Bridge_: I looking right and left for aGlimpse of the great, broad River. But no Water could we see; and theWays were thronged with Men, Horses, Carts, Wagons, Flocks of Sheep, andDroves of Oxen, pressing along between Stalls set out with all manner ofCates. Anon we come to a big Gateway, with its Portcullis-teeth grinningover our Heads; and a-top of this Gateway, that was flanked withTurrets, and spanned the Road, were ever so many round, dark Objects,set on Poles, leaning this Way and that; and my Mother shuddered whenshe saw them, and told me they were Traitors' Heads. But between us andthis Gateway lay a Draw-bridge, the which, as we crossed, gave us aGlimpse of the broad _Thames_, all a-blaze in the Sun. I pluckt at myMother's Sleeve, without speaking, and we looked over the Parapet, andcould see Boats ducking and diving under a Row of Houses right acrossthe River, some of 'em six Stories high, with Balconies and projectingGables, looking ready to topple into the Water, that rushed onward withtremendous Force, eddying and foaming among the Arches. Then I noted atthe Foot of each Pier, strange Projections of Timber-work, and askt myMother what they were, and she could not tell me. But a Man thatoverheard me said they were called Sterlings, and were strong Piles ofWood driven into the Bed of the River. Also he told me the Bridge wassixty Feet above the Water, and that its Founder, _Peter_ of_Colechurch_, lay y-buried in the Chapel on the Bridge; and more hewould have added but for the Interposure of my Mother, who said, "Come,Child, we linger," and drew me away. Then we passed under the Gateway,which was also a Kind of Guard-house, and Toll-gate; and, quod she, "Nowthou art on _London Bridge_." But I should never have found it out; forto all Seeming, we were in midst of an ill-paved, exceeding narrowStrete, only some twelve Feet across, with Frippery-shops, and such-likeon either Side. A great, o'erloaded Wagon that went first, cleared theWay for us, filling the Space all across; but anon it meeteth anotherWagon, even higher than itself, with a Terrier barking a-top; and, theone essaying to pass the other, their Headgear got entangled in theOutworks of the upper Stories of two opposite Houses, and I saw theTerrier jump into an Attick Window, and presently run forth of the Shopbelow. Then the Wagoners chode and reviled, for one of 'em must needsback off the Bridge, and some Sheep and Oxen were coming up behind; andthe Foot-passengers jostled and jibed, and Shopkeepers looked forth oftheir Doors, and Wives and Maids from their Lattices, and Swarms ofquick-eyed mischievous favoured Lads peered forth of every Bulk; and myMother cried, "Oh! weary on them! we may bide here all Night!" ... when,looking hard on the Shop to our left, she sayth, "Why here's the _GoldenFleece_!"
And so we made bold to enter, between a few Rolls of brown and grayCloth; and found Master _Hewet_ seated behind a Desk, holding a Pen, butnot using it, discoursing with a sober-apparelled Friend, and ever andanon casting a quiet amused Look at the Turmoil on the Bridge. He waswhat I then counted a middle-aged, but should now reckon a youngish Man,somewhere betwixt thirty and forty Years of Age, of a good Presence anda piercing but pleasant Eye; and with that in his Carriage and Looksthat discovered he had Something within him beyond the common, thattended to excite Affection and Veneration. So soon as his Eye lightedpleasantly upon us, "Surely, thou art the Widow _Osborne_!" quod he tomy Mother, "and this, by his Favour, I am sure is the Son of mine oldSchool-mate. He will, I trust, prove of as good Conditions."
And, putting down his Pen, he quickly led the Way into a pleasantChamber at the Back, o'erlooking the River, wherein, a watering of someFlowers on the Window-sill, was a middle-aged Gentlewoman, clad inBlack, of a benign Aspect, a mild hazel Eye, and a Tinct that had moreof the Pearl than the Peach in it. "Sister _Fraunces_," quod Master_Hewet_, "here is Mistress _Osborne_;" whereon the Gentlewoman turnedabout and spake courteouslie unto my Mother, whom she made to sit downand take Wine and Spiced-bread; while I, as a mannerly Youth, stood inPresence of mine Elders. Then sayth my Mother to Master _Hewet_, "Icome, Sir, in answer to your considerate Letter, to put my Boy in yourCharge:—he's but country-bred, though a good Lad, and come of a goodStock ... not only born of a Woman, but taught of a Woman, alasthat I should say so! save for his School-teaching." "Marry, hisBrother-prentice, then, is one of another Feather," saith Master_
Hewet_, smiling, "we shall see which turns out best. Leave your Sonwith me; and at the End of a Month or so, when he hath looked at theTrade a little, we will decide whether or no to have him bound." "Alas,Sir!" saith my Mother, with lengthened Face, "may not all be done now? Ihave two small Children at Home, mine Absence is untimeous, andTravelling is strange to me—I have the Fee ready, the Boy is willing,and you cannot choose but be satisfied with his Conditions, for the Ladis a good Lad, though 'tis his Mother that says so."
"Well," saith Master _Hewet_, after a little Thought, "the Course isuncommon, for we mainly like to prove a Youth and see whether he belikely to do Good at the Trade, and be a profitable and desirableApprentice before we bind him; but since your Case is in some Respectssingular, it shall be as you say; for, as it happens, this is one of theDays on which the Court and Master sit to bind and enroll 'Prentices."So forth we went: he making Way for my Mother, and I following last.
On our Way to _Mincheon Lane_, we fell in with an uproarious Rabble,that, with Shouts, were haling Somewhat through the Mud, which proved tobe a Church Image; doubtless, just pulled down from its Niche. The Headwas rare carven, and floridly painted after the Life; but the Trunk wasnothing but a squared Block, with a Cross-piece for the Shoulders, andlooked pitiful enow, now 'twas despoiled of its rich Clothing. AnAle-house Keeper at the Bridge end turned in-doors with Disgust at theSight, which some of the Rabblement noting, they cried out, "Here's aBone for you to pick, Sir _Tobias_!" and beset his Door. I afterwardslearned he was an ejected Roman Catholic Parson.
When we reached the _Clothworkers' Hall_, the Clerk made out myIndentures; and then I was taken before the Master to be enrolled.
My Mother having paid the Fee, (Spoon-silver they jocosely called it,)unto Master _Hewet_, he did not pocket it, but put it into theCommon-box: and the Business was done; my Master exchanging somepleasant Words with the Master of the Company, and the latter bidding me(in the only Sentence he spoke to me), mind the Clothworkers'Motto,—"_My Trust is in God alone_."
Then, my Mother and I took Leave of one another, aside, as 'twere, inthe Doorway; for she was to lie that Night in _Temstrete_, at her Cousin_Hale's_, (who was a _Broughton_,) and return to _Ashford_ on theMorrow. And she kissed me and wept sore, and sayth, "Ah Son, thou artfull young to be cast out of the Nest ... fain I were to keep thee: butwhat though? Thou canst not always be at mine Apron-string, and thouhast a brave Spirit and a good Heart; wherefore, like _Hannah_, Wife of_Elkanah_, I will entrust my First-born unto the LORD, and see what hewill do for thee.... And remember, _Ned_, thou art the Son of aGentleman, and think the Eye of thy Father still upon thee."
Then quod I, in answer to my Mother, "Cheer up, sweet _Mother_, I willnever disgrace him nor thee: so give over thy weeping, lest they shoulddeem the Tears on my Face to be mine instead of thine ... don't melt me,_Mother_, lest they count me but a Boy, and make light of our CountryBreeding."
"A Boy, indeed! What art thou more?" quod she, smiling through herTears; and with one hearty Kiss and her Blessing, went her Ways.
On our Return to my Master's House, he, noting my Hair to be too longfor a 'Prentice, (for, indeed, my Mother was rather vain of it,) gave mea Penny, and sent me to Master _Soper_ the Barbitonsor, across theBridge, to have it clipt. Here found I a Man having his Beard trimmed,and another, waiting for his Turn, playing a Mandoline. Seeing me lookforth of the Lattice on the River, boiling and splashing below, and theBoats shooting the Arches and nearly pitching Head foremost down theFall, he stayed his Hand, and told me how many Lives were lost in thoseRapids by the Year. Then I made bold to ask him what was that greatFortress with Towers, on the north Bank.
"Thou art a Stranger in _London_, then," saith he, "for every Cockneyknows the _Tower_, whose foundation Stones were cemented, they say, withMortar tempered with Blood. And truly, Blood enow hath been spilt withinit to bring a Judgment on its Walls. _Henry_ the _Sixth_ was murdered inthe _Tower_, _George_ of _Clarence_ was drowned in the _Tower_, _Edward_the _Fifth_ and _Richard_ Duke of _York_, those pretty Innocents, weresmothered in the _Tower_, _Anne Boleyn_ and _Katherine Howard_ werebeheaded in the _Tower_. And, for all it hath held a King's Parliament,and is our Citadel of Defence, a royal Palace for Assemblies, aCouncil-house for Treaties, a Treasury of Crown Jewels, the royal Mintof Coinage, the prime Conservator of Records, and the Armoury of warlikeProvisions, yet, for the Tears and the Blood that have been shed in it,I could say, Down with it, down with it even unto the Ground! Andmethinks its evil Story is not yet wound up, but that a dark Cloud hangsover it e'en now. We shall see! we shall see! Many an ignoble Man risesaloft, many a proud Man is brought low. 'Tis time enough at one's Life'send to sing Gloria. Ah! our Bridge Tower, whereof I am Gate-keeper, hathanother guess Foundation than _Cæsar's_; for on every one of its fourCorner-stones is graven the Name of JESUS; _deep, but out of Sight_."
And he peered into my Face as he spake that Saying, to wit if I felt itsForce.
"And now my Turn hath come to be trimmed," quod he, "so thou mayst thrumthe Mandoline."
When I went back, there was a Man with a Burthen leaving the Shop; andmy Master saith, "Follow this Porter to Master _Askew's_ in_Candlewickstrete_, and bring home my little Daughter, who hath beenspending the Forenoon at her Godfather's." So I went with thePorter, and on reaching _Candlewickstrete_, which was not full ofTallow-chandlers' Shops, but of Drapers, he shewed me Master _Askew's_House; and I entered and found him in Parley with a Man in a red Coat.Quod he, "Well, I suppose my Lord must have it, but I like not theSecurity;" and handed him over a heavy Bag that seemed full of Money.Said the Man in Red, stowing the Bag under his Coat, "You were best notoffend my Lord, for I warrant the Loss of his Custom would make you theworse by a pretty Penny." "Tut!" cries the other, "we could betterafford to lose the Court than the Court to lose the City." On which,they parted. "Who art thou, my Lad?" quod he. "I'm my Master's new'Prentice," quod I, "come to fetch Mistress _Anne_." "Ah!" quod he,"then you're from Master _Hewet_, though you speak as if there were butone Master in the World.... _Anne!_ sweet _Anne_!"
And, at his Call, there runneth in a fair little Gentlewoman, about sixYears of Age. Sure, never was seen so sweet a Child! Master _Askew_caught her up in his Arms and gave her many Kisses, and told her shemust return with me; whereon she came and placed her Hand in mine, infull Assurance of Faith. A Gentlewoman, not much turned of thirty,personable, and of the Complexion they call sanguine, followed herforth, with many Injunctions to tell her Father how good she had been,and giving her, at parting, a Piece of sweet Marchpane.
In the Strete, we were so beshoved about, that Mistress _Anne_ presentlymade Request of me to carry her. So I took her up and set her on myShoulder, and bade her hold on by my Hair; which she was pleased to saywas shorter than mine Ears, or even than mine Eyelashes. And, in seekingto admeasure them, she nearly toppled down; so then I said if she weregoing to be unruly, besides blinding me with the Crumbs of herMarchpane, I must set her in the Stokkes. To which she made Answer,"Then you must put both my Feet into one Hole; and even then I shallslip them out." Thus prettily she prattled all the Way, till I told herI thought my Hair was at least shorter than her Tongue. When we reachedmy Master's Door, I was passing it unawares, when she lugged at mineHair and cried, "Stop, Boy, stop; you must set me down." I said, "Thenyou must give me a Kiss." She sayth, "Humph, I've no Objection;" which Ithought very funny and very pretty in so young a little Gentlewoman.
It was now Supper-time; and, my Fellow-'prentice being out, Mistress_Fraunces_ shewed me how to lay the Cloth, set forth the Spoons, &c.,and told me that London 'Prentices stood behind their Master's Chair atMeal Times. Just as _Tib_ the Cook had set the Dishes on the Table,there entereth a hale, aged Man, white headed, with a merry Eye, and athin Cheek besprent with lively red. My Master hailed him with Zest,crying, "Ha! Master _Cheke_! 'tis of long Time since we met! How farethit with thee, Master _Cheke_? Come in, Man, come in and sup with us,and, if thou wilt, lie to-night in the Green Lattice; there's the oldBed m
ade up."
"Old Bed!" quod the other, jocularly; is anything old fit to be offeredto me that am so young and so fine? What though I'm from the Country,have I not Friends at Court? Marry, Man, my Kinsman is the King'sSub-tutor, and I've had Speech of him this Day."
"If you are too fine for old Friends, I have no more to say to you,"quod Master _Hewet_, heartily, and taking his Place at Table, while hisVisitor and Mistress _Fraunces_ did the same. "You can't be _our_ Master_Cheke_.... Now then, Sir, boiled or roast? You see, though 'tis_Friday_, we are not quite so scrupulous as we were wont of old Time, inregard to a broiled Bone or so ... here's nothing from salt Water save aDish of Prawns."
"And very pretty Picking," sayth Master _Cheke_, "for a Man that hathhad one Supper already off a King's Leavings ... for, you see, thepretty Boy goes to Bed at eight o' the Clock. What a young Miracle 'tis!A very Saint, Sir! excelling any _Edward_ hath been canonized. Marry, myKinsman said I should have seene the sweet Child blush, when 'twas toldhim he was King; and then fall a weeping for his Father, whom,peradventure, none other loved soe purely; for Love kindles Love, theysay, and, of a Surety, if the old King loved any one, he loved _him_."
"Then, his Grace's Speech on his Crownation-day," quod Mistress_Fraunces_. "They brought him the three Swords, for the three Kingdoms.'There ought to be yet another,' quod he, looking about; 'bring me aBible.' When 'twas brought,—'This,' saith he, 'is the Sword of theSpirit; as the other three are the Swords of our Temporal Dominions: bythem we govern, by this we must be governed, and under this we ought tolive, to fight, to rule, and to guide all our Affairs.' A marvellousSaying for a Boy of nine Year old!"
"Ah! I dare say my Kinsman put him up to it," said Master _Cheke_, "butindeed 'twas well rehearsed and well remembered."
"Nay, I like not to hear the Credit of a good Thing taken away from itsproper Owner in that Way," quod Mistress _Fraunces_ somewhat warmly."Why should we say, 'Such an One was prompted?' 'such a Thing wasforecast?' Doubtless, we all get our Teaching ... from ourselves orothers; and some few, I think, be Heaven-taught."
"Well, well," quod Master _Cheke_, shelling his Prawns; "'twas a prettyWord, we all must own. How he chode with his Nurse, e'en in the Nursery,for standing on a Bible to reach Somewhat off a Shelf!"
"And that was before he learned Lip wisdom of Master _Cheke_," quodMistress _Fraunces_. "However, Sir, I disparage not your Kinsman, thoughI will not hear you disparage the King. Honour to whom Honour is due."
I saw an almost imperceptible uprising of Master _Cheke's_ Eyebrows atthis, as though he were inwardly saying, "Place to Ladies:" howbeit,Mistress _Fraunces_ kept her Ground, and, I thought, becomingly. Shethought so too, and mentioned afterwards that she had given it to himroundly.
Master _Hewet_ was diverting the Discourse, when a Cry without of"Clubs! Clubs!" was followed by a Shrilling and Screaming like Swiftsround a Steeple, and an uproarious Hallooing and Whooping all along theBridge. Master _Cheke_ started up, and then re-seated himself,muttering, "Young Rascallions!"
"And yet," quod Master _Hewet_, "they are the Stuff our sobersubstantial Citizens are made of. Oh, Sir, I don't mind speaking freelybefore my 'Prentice Lads. They will hear no dangerous Matter from me,and cannot be too early made to feel that we are all one Family. Letthem be merry and wise; the Error is in aiming to be one without theother."
I would I could call to Mind othermuch that was said: howbeit, I wasyoung and new to Service, and had not yet attained unto the Facilitywhich practised Servitors have of noting each Thing said, hinted, or somuch as looked at Table, while attending to such Orders as "The Mustard,_Osborne_" ... and so forth.
But, or ever they had well sate down, Mistress _Anne_ had run in to wishgood Night; and, contriving to tarry, had remained awhile at Master_Hewet's_ Knee, noting all was done and said. And when, referring tosome of the King's Council, Master _Cheke_ said, "They are new to theirWork, but will take kindly to it presently," she softly sayth, "Like ournew 'Prentice!" which made all laugh.
When Master _Cheke_ had departed, and the Day's Work and Prayer wereended, Mistress _Fraunces_ said she would sit up for _MilesHackathrift_, who was out too late, and bade me go to Bed, for that shesaw I was weary: (and indeed I had ridden the Pillion twenty Mile thatMorning.) Wherefore I thankfully crept up to the Loft a-top of theHouse, wherein were two Tressel-beds; and no sooner lay down than I wasasleep; and might have slept all Night without so much as turning; butby and by I was arouzed by the Light of a Lanthorn held close to mineEyes, which opened, somewhat dazed, on a red, swollen Face, that had toolittle Brow and too much Cheek and Chin. Then a surly Voice sayth, "Sothou's the new 'Prentice, it seemeth! Good so! how prettily thy Motherin the Country hath had thine Hair cut!" I said, "It was cut in Town,not in the Country.—Go away, and take the Light out of mine Eyes, Ipr'ythee.... I think thou hast been drinking Something stronger thansmall Ale, and hast broken thine Indenture." ... "Then I'll brakeSomething else," quod he; and gave me a Bang on the Head with hisLanthorn, that put the Candle out. Thereafter he had to go to Bed in theDark; but I wot not if he grumbled thereat, so soon fell I again onSleep, too weary to resent his Malefices.