,A ,DREAM ( ,JOHN ,BALL 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,WILLIAM ,MORRIS 

,SECTIONS 7,T,O,C7 3 
     

O ,9TRODUCTION 

      #ba ,WORDS2 #afi ,*>ACT]S     

O ,*APT] #a 3 ,! ,M5 ( ,K5T 

      #b1#a#h#f ,WORDS2 #a#b1#a#d#e ,*>ACT]S     

O ,*APT] #b 3 ,! ,MAN FROM ,ESSEX 

      #b1#a#c#b ,WORDS2 #a#a1#h#g#h ,*>ACT]S     

O ,*APT] #c 3 ,!Y ,MEET AT ! ,CROSS 

      #a1#a#d#f ,WORDS2 #f1#b#b#g ,*>ACT]S     

O ,*APT] #d 3 ,! ,VOICE ( ,JOHN ,BALL 

      #c1#d#e#b ,WORDS2 #a#g1#i#c#g ,*>ACT]S     

O ,*APT] #e 3 ,!Y ,HE> ,TID+S ,( ,BATTLE ,& ,MAKE ,!M ,READY 

      #b1#d#g#c ,WORDS2 #a#c1#b#h ,*>ACT]S     

O ,*APT] #f 3 ,! ,BATTLE ,AT ,! ,T[N%IP'S ,5D 

      #c1#f#f#e ,WORDS2 #a#i1#h#g ,*>ACT]S     

O ,*APT] #g 3 ,MORE ,WORDS AT ! ,CROSS 

      #a1#c#h#h ,WORDS2 #g1#d#f#f ,*>ACT]S     

O ,*APT] #h 3 ,SUPP] AT ,WILL ,GRE5'S 

      #a1#f#h#b ,WORDS2 #i1#i#c ,*>ACT]S     

O ,*APT] #i 3 ,BETWIXT ! ,LIV+ & ! ,DEAD 

      #b1#b#f#d ,WORDS2 #a#a1#f#h#b ,*>ACT]S     

O ,*APT] #a 3 ,TWO ,TALKS ( ! ,DAYS TO ,COME 

      #b1#a#d#c ,WORDS2 #a#a1#b#f#f ,*>ACT]S     

O ,*APT] #aa 3 ,H>D ,IT ,IS ,= ,! ,OLD ,WORLD ,TO ,SEE ,! ,NEW 

      #b1#d#g ,WORDS2 #a1#g#c#b ,*>ACT]S     

O ,*APT] #ab 3 ,ILL ,W\LD ,*ANGE ,BE ,AT ,:ILES ,W]E ,IT ,NOT ,= ,! ,*ANGE ,BEYOND ,! ,*ANGE 

      #d1#a#h#f ,WORDS2 #b#a1#f#i#g ,*>ACT]S 

,SECTIONS 7,CONT5T7 3 

O ,9TRODUCTION 

      ,CONV]T$ TO ,X,H,T,M,L BY ,GRAHAM ,SEAMAN1 #a#h? ,MAY #b#c1 FROM ! TEXT FILE PRODUC$ BY ,PROJECT ,GUT5B]G 7ORIG9AL PR9T V]SION DATE UNKN[N74 
     

O ,*APT] #a 3 ,! ,M5 ( ,K5T 

,SOMETIMES ,I AM REW>D$ = FRETT+ MYSELF SO MU* AB\T PRES5T MATT]S BY A QUITE UNASK$-= PLEASANT DREAM4  ,I MEAN :5 ,I AM ASLEEP4  ,?IS DREAM IS AS IT W]E A PRES5T ( AN >*ITECTURAL PEEP-%[4  ,I SEE SOME BEAUTIFUL & NOBLE BUILD+ NEW MADE1 AS IT W]E = ! OCCASION1 AS CLE>LY AS IF ,I W]E AWAKE2 NOT VAGUELY OR ABSURDLY1 AS (T5 HAPP5S 9 DREAMS1 BUT ) ALL ! DETAIL CLE> & REASONABLE4  ,SOME ,ELIZABE?AN H\SE ) ITS SCRAP ( E>LI] F\RTE5?-C5TURY BUILD+1 & ITS LAT] DEGRADATIONS ( ,QUE5 ,ANNE & ,SILLY ,BILLY & ,VICTORIA1 M>R+ BUT NOT DE/ROY+ IT1 9 AN OLD VILLAGE ONCE A CLE>+ AMID ! S&Y WOODL&S ( ,SUSSEX4  ,OR AN OLD & UNUSUALLY CURI\S *UR*1 MU* *UR*W>D5$1 & BESIDE IT A FRAGM5T ( FIFTE5?-C5TURY DOME/IC >*ITECTURE AMONG ! NOT UNPICTURESQUE LA? & PLA/] ( AN ,ESSEX F>M1 & LOOK+ NATURAL 5\< AMONG ! SLEEPY ELMS & ! M$ITATIVE H5S SCRAT*+ AB\T 9 ! LITT] ( ! F>MY>D1 :OSE TRODD5 YELL[ /RAW COMES UP TO ! V]Y JAMBS ( ! RI*LY C>V$ ,NORMAN DOORWAY ( ! *UR*4  ,OR SOMETIMES 'TIS A SPL5DID COLLEGIATE *UR*1 UNT\*$ BY RE/OR+ P>SON & >*ITECT1 /&+ AMID AN ISL& ( %APELY TREES & FL[]-BESET COTTAGES ( ?AT*$ GRAY /ONE & COB1 AMID ! N>R[ /RET* ( BRI<T GRE5 WAT]-MEAD[S ?AT W9D BETWE5 ! SWEEP+ ,WILT%IRE D[NS1 SO WELL BELOV$ ( ,WILLIAM ,COBBETT4  ,OR SOME NEW-SE5 & YET FAMILI> CLU/] ( H\SES 9 A GRAY VILLAGE ( ! UPP] ,?AMES OV]TOPP$ BY ! DELICATE TRAC]Y ( A F\RTE5?-C5TURY *UR*2 OR EV5 SOMETIMES ! V]Y BUILD+S ( ! PA/ UNT\*$ BY ! DEGRADATION ( ! SORDID UTILIT>IANISM ?AT C>ES NOT & KN[S NOT ( BEAUTY & HI/ORY3 AS ONCE1 :5 ,I WAS J\RNEY+ 79 A DREAM ( ! NI<T7 D[N ! WELL-REMEMB]$ REA*ES ( ! ,?AMES BETWIXT ,/REATLEY & ,WALL+=D1 :]E ! FOO?ILLS ( ! ,:ITE ,HORSE FALL BACK FROM ! BROAD /REAM1 ,I CAME UPON A CLE>-SE5 M$IEVAL T[N /&+ UP ) RO( & T[] & SPIRE )9 ITS WALLS1 GRAY & ANCI5T1 BUT UNT\*$ FROM ! DAYS ( ITS BUILD]S ( OLD4  ,ALL ?IS ,I HAVE SE5 9 ! DREAMS ( ! NI<T CLE>] ?AN ,I CAN =CE MYSELF TO SEE !M 9 DREAMS ( ! DAY4  ,SO ?AT IT W\LD HAVE BE5 NO?+ NEW TO ME ! O!R NI<T TO FALL 9TO AN >*ITECTURAL DREAM IF ?AT W]E ALL1 & YET ,I HAVE TO TELL ( ?+S /RANGE & NEW ?AT BEFELL ME AFT] ,I HAD FALL5 ASLEEP4  ,I HAD BEGUN MY SOJ\RN 9 ! ,L& ( ,NOD BY A V]Y CONFUS$ ATTEMPT TO CONCLUDE ?AT IT WAS ALL RI<T = ME TO HAVE AN 5GAGEM5T TO LECTURE AT ,MAN*E/] & ,MIT*AM ,FAIR ,GRE5 AT HALF-PA/ ELEV5 AT NI<T ON ONE & ! SAME ,SUNDAY1 & ?AT ,I C\LD MANAGE PRETTY WELL4  ,& !N ,I HAD GONE ON TO TRY TO MAKE ! BE/ ( ADDRESS+ A L>GE OP5-AIR AUDI5CE 9 ! CO/UME ,I WAS REALLY !N WE>+--TO WIT1 MY NI<T-%IRT1 RE9=C$ = ! DREAM OCCASION BY A PAIR ( BRACELESS TR\S]S4  ,! CONSCI\SNESS ( ?IS FACT SO BO!R$ ME1 ?AT ! E>NE/ FACES ( MY AUDI5CE--:O W\LD ,N,O,T NOTICE IT1 BUT W]E CLE>LY PREP>+ T]RIBLE ANTI-,SOCIALI/ POS]S = ME--BEGAN TO FADE AWAY & MY DREAM GREW ?91 & ,I AWOKE 7AS ,I ?\<T7 TO F9D MYSELF LY+ ON A /RIP ( WAYSIDE WA/E BY AN OAK COPSE JU/ \TSIDE A C\NTRY VILLAGE4  

,I GOT UP & RUBB$ MY EYES & LOOK$ AB\T ME1 & ! L&SCAPE SEEM$ UNFAMILI> TO ME1 ?\< IT WAS1 AS TO ! LIE ( ! L&1 AN ORD9>Y ,5GLI% L[-C\NTRY1 SWELL+ 9TO RIS+ GR\ND H]E & !RE4  ,! ROAD WAS N>R[1 & ,I WAS CONV9C$ ?AT IT WAS A PIECE ( ,ROMAN ROAD FROM ITS /RAI<TNESS4  ,COPSES W]E SCATT]$ OV] ! C\NTRY1 & !RE W]E SIGNS ( TWO OR ?REE VILLAGES & HAMLETS 9 SI<T BESIDES ! ONE NE> ME1 BETWE5 :I* & ME !RE WAS SOME OR*>D- L&1 :]E ! E>LY APPLES W]E BEG9N+ TO R$D5 ON ! TREES4  ,ALSO1 JU/ ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! ROAD & ! DIT* :I* RAN ALONG IT1 WAS A SMALL CLOSE ( AB\T A QU>T] ( AN ACRE1 NEATLY H$G$ ) QUICK1 :I* WAS NE>LY FULL ( :ITE POPPIES1 &1 AS F> AS ,I C\LD SEE = ! H$GE1 HAD ALSO A GOOD FEW ROSE-BU%ES ( ! BRI<T-R$ NE>LY S+LE K9D1 :I* ,I HAD HE>D >E ! ONES FROM :I* ROSE-WAT] US$ TO BE DI/ILL$4  ,O!RWISE ! L& WAS QUITE UNH$G$1 BUT ALL UND] TILLAGE ( V>I\S K9DS1 MO/LY 9 SMALL /RIPS4  ,FROM ! O!R SIDE ( A COPSE NOT F> (F ROSE A TALL SPIRE :ITE & BR&- NEW1 BUT AT ONCE BOLD 9 \TL9E & UNAFFECT$LY GRACEFUL & ALSO DI/9CTLY ,5GLI% 9 *>ACT]4  ,?IS1 TOGE!R ) ! UNH$G$ TILLAGE & A C]TA9 UNWONT$ TRIMNESS & H&9ESS AB\T ! 5CLOSURES ( ! G>D5 & OR*>DS1 PUZZL$ ME = A M9UTE OR TWO1 AS ,I DID NOT UND]/&1 NEW AS ! SPIRE WAS1 H[ IT C\LD HAVE BE5 DESIGN$ BY A MOD]N >*ITECT2 & ,I WAS ( C\RSE US$ TO ! H$G$ TILLAGE & TUMBL$[N BANKRUPT-LOOK+ SURR\ND+S ( \R MOD]N AGRICULTURE4  ,SO ?AT ! G>D5-LIKE NEATNESS & TRIMNESS ( EV]Y?+ SURPRIS$ ME4  ,BUT AFT] A M9UTE OR TWO ?AT SURPRISE LEFT ME 5TIRELY2 & IF :AT ,I SAW & HE>D AFT]W>DS SEEMS /RANGE TO Y\1 REMEMB] ?AT IT DID NOT SEEM /RANGE TO ME AT ! TIME1 EXCEPT :]E N[ & AGA9 ,I %ALL TELL Y\ ( IT4  ,ALSO1 ONCE = ALL1 IF ,I W]E TO GIVE Y\ ! V]Y WORDS ( ?OSE :O SPOKE TO ME Y\ W\LD SC>CELY UND]/& !M1 AL?\< !IR LANGUAGE WAS ,5GLI% TOO1 & AT ! TIME ,I C\LD UND]/& !M AT ONCE4  

,WELL1 AS ,I /RET*$ MYSELF & TURN$ MY FACE T[>D ! VILLAGE1 ,I HE>D HORSE-HO(S ON ! ROAD1 & PRES5TLY A MAN & HORSE %[$ ON ! O!R 5D ( ! /RET* ( ROAD & DREW NE> AT A SW++ TROT ) PL5TY ( CLA% ( METAL4  ,! MAN SOON CAME UP TO ME1 BUT PAID ME NO MORE HE$ ?AN ?R[+ ME A NOD4  ,HE WAS CLAD 9 >MOR ( M+L$ /EEL & LEA!R1 A SWORD GIRT TO HIS SIDE1 & OV] HIS %\LD] A LONG-H&L$ BILL-HOOK4  

,HIS >MOR WAS FANTA/IC 9 =M & WELL WR\<T2 BUT BY ?IS TIME ,I WAS QUITE US$ TO ! /RANG5ESS ( HIM1 & M]ELY MUTT]$ TO MYSELF1 0,HE IS COM+ TO SUMMON ! SQUIRE TO ! LEET20 SO ,I TURN$ T[>D ! VILLAGE 9 GOOD E>NE/4  ,NOR1 AGA91 WAS ,I SURPRIS$ AT MY [N G>M5TS1 AL?\< ,I MI<T WELL HAVE BE5 FROM !IR UNWONT$NESS4  ,I WAS DRESS$ 9 A BLACK CLO? G[N REA*+ TO MY ANKLES1 NEATLY EMBROID]$ AB\T ! COLL> & CUFFS1 ) WIDE SLEEVES GA!R$ 9 AT ! WRI/S2 A HOOD ) A SORT ( BAG HANG+ D[N FROM IT WAS ON MY HEAD1 A BROAD R$ LEA!R GIRDLE R\ND MY WAI/1 ON ONE SIDE ( :I* HUNG A P\* EMBROID]$ V]Y PRETTILY & A CASE MADE ( H>D LEA!R *AS$ ) A HUNT+ SC5E1 :I* ,I KNEW TO BE A P5 & 9K CASE2 ON ! O!R SIDE A SMALL %EA?-KNIFE1 ONLY AN >M 9 CASE ( DIRE NECESSITY4  

,WELL1 ,I CAME 9TO ! VILLAGE1 :]E ,I DID NOT SEE 7NOR BY ?IS TIME EXPECT$ TO SEE7 A S+LE MOD]N BUILD+1 AL?\< MANY ( !M W]E NE>LY NEW1 NOTABLY ! *UR*1 :I* WAS L>GE1 & QUITE RAVI%$ MY HE>T ) ITS EXTREME BEAUTY1 ELEGANCE1 & FITNESS4  ,! *ANCEL ( ?IS WAS SO NEW ?AT ! DU/ ( ! /ONE /ILL LAY :ITE ON ! MIDSUMM] GRASS B5EA? ! C>V+S ( ! W9D[S4  ,! H\SES W]E ALMO/ ALL BUILT ( OAK FRAME- WORK FILL$ ) COB OR PLA/] WELL :ITEWA%$2 ?\< SOME HAD !IR L[] /ORIES ( RUBBLE-/ONE1 ) !IR W9D[S & DOORS ( WELL-MOLD$ FREE/ONE4  ,!RE WAS MU* CURI\S & 9V5TIVE C>V+ AB\T MO/ ( !M2 & ?\< SOME W]E OLD & MU* WORN1 !RE WAS ! SAME LOOK ( DEFTNESS & TRIMNESS1 & EV5 BEAUTY1 AB\T EV]Y DETAIL 9 !M :I* ,I NOTIC$ BE=E 9 ! FIELD-WORK4  ,!Y W]E ALL RO($ ) OAK %+LES1 MO/LY GR[N AS GRAY AS /ONE2 BUT ONE WAS SO NEWLY BUILT ?AT ITS RO( WAS YET PALE & YELL[4  ,?IS WAS A CORN] H\SE1 & ! CORN] PO/ ( IT HAD A C>V$ NI*E :]E9 /OOD A GAILY PA9T$ FIGURE HOLD+ AN AN*OR--,/4 ,CLEM5T TO WIT1 AS ! DWELL] 9 ! H\SE WAS A BLACKSMI?4  ,HALF A /ONE'S ?R[ FROM ! EA/ 5D ( ! *UR*Y>D WALL WAS A TALL CROSS ( /ONE1 NEW LIKE ! *UR*1 ! HEAD BEAUTIFULLY C>V$ ) A CRUCIFIX AMID LEAFAGE4  ,IT /OOD ON A SET ( WIDE /ONE /EPS1 OCTAGONAL 9 %APE1 :]E ?REE ROADS FROM O!R VILLAGES MET & =M$ A WIDE OP5 SPACE ON :I* A ?\S& PEOPLE OR MORE C\LD /& TOGE!R ) NO GREAT CR[D+4  

,ALL ?IS ,I SAW1 & ALSO ?AT !RE WAS A GOODI% MANY PEOPLE AB\T1 WOM5 & *ILDR51 & A FEW OLD M5 AT ! DOORS1 MANY ( !M SOME:AT GAILY CLAD1 & ?AT M5 W]E COM+ 9TO ! VILLAGE /REET BY ! O!R 5D TO ?AT BY :I* ,I HAD 5T]$1 BY TWOS & ?REES1 MO/ ( !M C>RY+ :AT ,I C\LD SEE W]E B[S 9 CASES ( L95 YELL[ ) WAX OR OIL2 !Y HAD QUIV]S AT !IR BACKS1 & MO/ ( !M A %ORT SWORD BY !IR LEFT SIDE1 & A P\* & KNIFE ON ! RI<T2 !Y W]E MO/LY DRESS$ 9 R$ OR BRI<TI% GRE5 OR BLUE CLO? J]K9S1 ) A HOOD ON ! HEAD G5]ALLY ( ANO!R COLOR4  ,AS !Y CAME NE>] ,I SAW ?AT ! CLO? ( !IR G>M5TS WAS SOME:AT CO>SE1 BUT /\T & S]VICEABLE4  ,I KNEW1 SOMEH[1 ?AT !Y HAD BE5 %OOT+ AT ! BUTTS1 &1 9DE$1 ,I C\LD /ILL HE> A NOISE ( M5 !REAB\T1 & EV5 N[ & AGA9 :5 ! W9D SET FROM ?AT QU>T] ! TWANG ( ! B[/R+ & ! PLUMP ( ! %AFT 9 ! T>GET4  

,I LEAN$ AGA9/ ! *UR*Y>D WALL & WAT*$ !SE M51 SOME ( :OM W5T /RAI<T 9TO !IR H\SES & SOME LOIT]$ AB\T /ILL2 !Y W]E R\<-LOOK+ FELL[S1 TALL & /\T1 V]Y BLACK SOME ( !M1 & SOME R$-HAIR$1 BUT MO/ HAD HAIR BURNT BY ! SUN 9TO ! COLOR ( T[2 &1 9DE$1 !Y W]E ALL BURN$ & TANN$ & FRECKL$ V>I\SLY4  ,!IR >MS & BUCKLES & BELTS & ! F9I%+S & HEMS ( !IR G>M5TS W]E ALL :AT WE %\LD N[ CALL BEAUTIFUL1 R\< AS ! M5 W]E2 NOR 9 !IR SPEE* WAS ANY ( ?AT DRAWL+ SN>L OR ?ICK VULG>ITY :I* ONE IS US$ TO HE> FROM LABOR]S 9 CIVILIZATION2 NOT ?AT !Y TALK$ LIKE G5TLEM5 EI!R1 BUT FULL & R\ND & BOLD1 & !Y W]E M]RY & GOOD-TEMP]$ 5\<2 ,I C\LD SEE ?AT1 ?\< ,I FELT %Y & TIMID AMONG !M4  

,ONE ( !M /RODE UP TO ME ACROSS ! ROAD1 A MAN SOME SIX FEET HI<1 ) A %ORT BLACK BE>D & BLACK EYES & B]RY-BR[N SK91 ) A HUGE B[ 9 HIS H& B>E ( ! CASE1 A KNIFE1 A P\*1 & A %ORT HAT*ET1 ALL CLATT]+ TOGE!R AT HIS GIRDLE4  

0,WELL1 FRI5D10 SAID HE1 0?\ LOOKE/ P>TLY MAZ$2 :AT TONGUE HA/ ?\ 9 ?9E HEAD80  

0,A TONGUE ?AT CAN TELL RHYMES10 SAID ,I4  

0,SO ,I ?\<T10 SAID HE4  0,?IR/E/ ?\ ANY80  

0,YEA1 & HUNG]10 SAID ,I4  

,& !RE) MY H& W5T 9TO MY PURSE1 & CAME \T AGA9 ) BUT A FEW SMALL & ?9 SILV] CO9S ) A CROSS /AMP$ ON EA*1 & ?REE PELLETS 9 EA* CORN] ( ! CROSS4  ,! MAN GR9N$4  

0,AHA60 SAID HE1 0IS IT SO8  ,NEV] HE$ IT1 MATE4  ,IT %ALL BE A SONG = A SUPP] ?IS FAIR ,SUNDAY EV5+4  ,BUT FIR/1 :OSE MAN >T ?\80  

0,NO ONE'S MAN10 SAID ,I1 R$D5+ ANGRILY2 0,I AM MY [N MA/]40  

,HE GR9N$ AGA94  

0,NAY1 ?AT'S NOT ! CU/OM ( ,5GL&1 AS ONE TIME BELIKE IT WILL BE4  ,ME?9KS ?\ COME/ FROM HEAV5 D[N1 & HA/ HAD A HI< PLACE !RE TOO40  

,HE SEEM$ TO HESITATE A MOM5T1 & !N LEANT =W>D & :ISP]$ 9 MY E>3  0,JOHN ! ,MILL]1 ?AT GR\ND SMALL1 SMALL1 SMALL10 & /OPP$ & W9K$ AT ME1 & FROM BETWE5 MY LIPS )\T MY M9D =M+ ANY MEAN+ CAME ! WORDS1 0,! K+'S SON ( HEAV5 %ALL PAY = ALL40  

,HE LET HIS B[ FALL ON TO HIS %\LD]1 CAU<T MY RI<T H& 9 HIS & GAVE IT A GREAT GRIP1 :ILE HIS LEFT H& FELL AMONG ! GE> AT HIS BELT1 & ,I C\LD SEE ?AT HE HALF DREW HIS KNIFE4  

0,WELL1 BRO!R10 SAID HE1 0/& NOT H]E HUNGRY 9 ! HI<WAY :5 !RE IS FLE% & BREAD 9 ! ,ROSE YOND]4  ,COME ON40  

,& ) ?AT HE DREW ME ALONG T[>D :AT WAS CLE>LY A TAV]N DOOR1 \TSIDE :I* M5 W]E SITT+ ON A C\PLE ( B5*ES & DR9K+ M$ITATIVELY FROM CURI\SLY %AP$ E>!N POTS GLAZ$ GRE5 & YELL[1 SOME ) QUA9T DEVICES ON !M4  

O ,*APT] #b 3 ,! ,MAN FROM ,ESSEX 

,I 5T]$ ! DOOR & />T$ AT FIR/ ) MY OLD A/ONI%M5T1 ) :I* ,I HAD WOKE UP1 SO /RANGE & BEAUTIFUL DID ?IS 9T]IOR SEEM TO ME1 ?\< IT WAS BUT A PO?\SE P>LOR4  ,A QUA9TLY-C>V$ SIDE BO>D HELD AN >RAY ( BRI<T PEWT] POTS & DI%ES & WOOD5 & E>!N B[LS2 A /\T OAK TABLE W5T UP & D[N ! ROOM1 & A C>V$ OAK *AIR /OOD BY ! *IMNEY-CORN]1 N[ FILL$ BY A V]Y OLD MAN DIM-EY$ & :ITE- BE>D$4  ,?AT1 EXCEPT ! R\< /OOLS & B5*ES ON :I* ! COMPANY SAT1 WAS ALL ! FURNITURE4  ,! WALLS W]E PANEL$ R\<LY 5\< ) OAK BO>DS TO AB\T SIX FEET FROM ! FLOOR1 & AB\T ?REE FEET ( PLA/] ABOVE ?AT WAS WR\<T 9 A PATT]N ( A ROSE /EM RUNN+ ALL R\ND ! ROOM1 FREELY & R\<LY DONE1 BUT ) 7AS IT SEEM$ TO MY UNUS$ EYES7 WOND]FUL SKILL & SPIRIT4  ,ON ! HOOD ( ! GREAT *IMNEY A HUGE ROSE WAS WR\<T 9 ! PLA/] & BRI<TLY PA9T$ 9 ITS PROP] COLORS4  ,!RE W]E A DOZ5 OR MORE ( ! M5 ,I HAD SE5 COM+ ALONG ! /REET SITT+ !RE1 SOME EAT+ & ALL DR9K+2 !IR CAS$ B[S LEAN$ AGA9/ ! WALL1 !IR QUIV]S HUNG ON PEGS 9 ! PANEL+1 & 9 A CORN] ( ! ROOM ,I SAW HALF-A- DOZ5 BILL-HOOKS ?AT LOOK$ MADE MORE = W> ?AN = H$GE- %E>+1 ) A%5 H&LES SOME SEV5 FOOT LONG4  ,?REE OR F\R *ILDR5 W]E RUNN+ AB\T AMONG ! LEGS ( ! M51 HE$+ !M MI<TY LITTLE 9 !IR BOLD PLAY1 & ! M5 SEEM$ LITTLE TR\BL$ BY IT1 AL?\< !Y W]E TALK+ E>NE/LY & S]I\SLY TOO4  ,A WELL-MADE COMELY GIRL LEAN$ UP AGA9/ ! *IMNEY CLOSE TO ! GAFF]'S *AIR1 & SEEM$ TO BE 9 WAIT+ ON ! COMPANY3 %E WAS CLAD 9 A CLOSE-FITT+ G[N ( BRI<T BLUE CLO?1 ) A BROAD SILV] GIRDLE DA9TILY WR\<T1 R\ND H] LO9S1 A ROSE WREA? WAS ON H] HEAD & H] HAIR HUNG D[N UNB\ND2 ! GAFF] GRUMBL$ A FEW WORDS TO H] FROM TIME TO TIME1 SO ?AT ,I JUDG$ HE WAS H] GR&FA!R4  

,! M5 ALL LOOK$ UP AS WE CAME 9TO ! ROOM1 MY MATE LEAD+ ME BY ! H&1 & HE CALL$ \T 9 HIS R\<1 GOOD-TEMP]$ VOICE1 0,H]E1 MY MA/]S1 ,I BR+ Y\ TID+S & A TALE2 GIVE IT MEAT & DR9K ?AT IT MAY BE /RONG & SWEET40  

0,:5CE >E ?Y TID+S1 ,WILL ,GRE580 SAID ONE4  

,MY MATE GR9N$ AGA9 ) ! PLEASURE ( MAK+ HIS JOKE ONCE MORE 9 A BIGG] COMPANY3  0,IT SEEME? FROM HEAV51 S9CE ?IS GOOD OLD LAD HA? NO MA/]10 SAID HE4  

0,! MORE FOOL HE TO COME H]E10 SAID A ?9 MAN ) A GRIZZL$ BE>D1 AMID ! LAU<T] ?AT FOLL[$1 0UNLESS HE HAD ! *OICE GIV5 HIM BETWE5 HELL & ,5GL&40  

0,NAY10 SAID ,I1 0,I COME NOT FROM HEAV51 BUT FROM ,ESSEX40  

,AS ,I SAID ! WORD A GREAT %\T SPRANG FROM ALL M\?S AT ONCE1 AS CLE> & SUDD5 AS A %OT FROM A GUN4  ,= ,I MU/ TELL Y\ ?AT ,I KNEW SOMEH[1 BUT ,I KN[ NOT H[1 ?AT ! M5 ( ,ESSEX W]E GA!R+ TO RISE AGA9/ ! POLL-GROAT BAILIFFS & ! LORDS ?AT W\LD TURN !M ALL 9TO VILLE9S AGA91 AS !IR GR&FA!RS HAD BE54  ,& ! PEOPLE WAS WEAK & ! LORDS W]E POOR2 = MANY A MO!R'S SON HAD FALL5 9 ! W> 9 ,FRANCE 9 ! OLD K+'S TIME1 & ! ,BLACK ,DEA? HAD SLA9 A MANY2 SO ?AT ! LORDS HAD BE?\<T !M3  0,WE >E GR[+ POOR]1 & !SE UPL&-BR$ VILLE9S >E GR[+ RI*]1 & ! GUILDS ( CRAFT >E WAX+ 9 ! T[NS1 & SOON :AT WILL !RE BE LEFT = US :O CANNOT WEAVE & WILL NOT DIG8  ,GOOD IT W]E IF WE FELL ON ALL :O >E NOT GUILDSM5 OR M5 ( FREE L&1 IF WE FELL ON SOCCAGE T5ANTS & O!RS1 & BR\<T BO? ! LAW & ! /RONG H& ON !M1 & MADE !M ALL VILLE9S 9 DE$ AS !Y >E N[ 9 NAME2 = N[ !SE RASCALS MAKE MORE ?AN !IR BELLIES NE$ ( BREAD1 & !IR BACKS ( HOMESPUN1 & ! OV]PLUS !Y KEEP TO !MSELVES2 & WE >E MORE WOR?Y ( IT ?AN !Y4  ,SO LET US GET ! COLL> ON !IR NECKS AGA91 & MAKE !IR DAY'S WORK LONG] & !IR BEV]-TIME %ORT]1 AS ! GOOD /ATUTE ( ! OLD K+ BADE4  ,& GOOD IT W]E IF ! ,HOLY ,*UR* W]E TO LOOK TO IT 7& ! ,LOLL>DS MI<T HELP H]E97 ?AT ALL !SE NAU<TY & WE>ISOME HOLIDAYS W]E DONE AWAY )2 OR ?AT IT %\LD BE UNLAWFUL = ANY MAN BEL[ ! DEGREE ( A SQUIRE TO KEEP ! HOLY DAYS ( ! *UR*1 EXCEPT 9 ! HE>T & ! SPIRIT ONLY1 & LET ! BODY LABOR MEAN:ILE2 = DOES NOT ! ,APO/LE SAY1 ^*,IF A MAN WORK NOT1 NEI!R %\LD HE EAT'8  ,& IF SU* ?+S W]E DONE1 & SU* AN E/ATE ( NOBLE RI* M5 & WOR?Y POOR M5 UPHOLD5 = EV]1 !N W\LD IT BE GOOD TIMES 9 ,5GL&1 & LIFE W]E WOR? ! LIV+40  

,ALL ?IS W]E ! LORDS AT WORK ON1 & SU* TALK ,I KNEW WAS COMMON NOT ONLY AMONG ! LORDS !MSELVES1 BUT ALSO AMONG !IR S]GEANTS & V]Y S]V+-M54  ,BUT ! PEOPLE W\LD NOT ABIDE IT2 !RE=E1 AS ,I SAID1 9 ,ESSEX !Y W]E ON ! PO9T ( RIS+1 & WORD HAD GONE H[ ?AT AT ,/4 ,ALBANS !Y W]E WELLNI< AT BL[S ) ! ,LORD ,ABBOT'S SOLDI]S2 ?AT NOR? AWAY AT ,NORWI* ,JOHN ,LIT/] WAS WIP+ ! WOAD FROM HIS >MS1 AS :O W\LD HAVE TO /A9 !M R$ AGA91 BUT NOT ) GRA9 OR MADD]2 & ?AT ! VALIANT TIL] ( ,D>T=D HAD SMITT5 A POLL-GROAT BAILIFF TO DEA? ) HIS LA?-R5D+ AX = MI%&L+ A Y\NG MAID1 HIS DAU<T]2 & ?AT ! M5 ( ,K5T W]E ON ! MOVE4  

,N[1 KN[+ ALL ?IS ,I WAS NOT A/ONI%$ ?AT !Y %\T$ AT ! ?\<T ( !IR FELL[S ! M5 ( ,ESSEX1 BUT RA!R ?AT !Y SAID LITTLE MORE AB\T IT2 ONLY ,WILL ,GRE5 SAY+ QUIETLY1 0,WELL1 ! TID+S %ALL BE TOLD :5 \R FELL[%IP IS GREAT]2 FALL-TO N[ ON ! MEAT1 BRO!R1 ?AT WE MAY ! SOON] HAVE ?Y TALE40  ,AS HE SPOKE ! BLUE-CLAD DAMSEL BE/IRR$ H]SELF & BR\<T ME A CLEAN TR5*]--?AT IS1 A SQU>E PIECE ( ?9 OAK BO>D SCRAP$ CLEAN--& A PEWT] POT ( LIQUOR4  ,SO )\T MORE ADO1 & AS ONE US$ TO IT1 ,I DREW MY KNIFE \T ( MY GIRDLE & CUT MYSELF :AT ,I W\LD ( ! FLE% & BREAD ON ! TABLE4  ,BUT ,WILL ,GRE5 MOCK$ AT ME AS ,I CUT1 & SAID1 0,C]TES1 BRO!R1 ?\ HA/ NOT BE5 A LORD'S C>V]1 ?\< BUT = ?Y WORD ?\ MI<TE/ HAVE BE5 HIS READ]4  ,HA/ ?\ SE5 ,OX=D1 S*OL>80  

,A VISION ( GRAY-RO($ H\SES & A LONG W9D+ /REET & ! S\ND ( MANY BELLS CAME OV] ME AT ?AT WORD AS ,I NODD$ 0,YES0 TO HIM1 MY M\? FULL ( SALT PORK & RYE-BREAD2 & !N ,I LIFT$ MY POT & WE MADE ! CLATT]+ MUGS KISS & ,I DRANK1 & ! FIRE ( ! GOOD ,K5TI% MEAD RAN ?R\< MY VE9S & DEEP5$ MY DREAM ( ?+S PA/1 PRES5T1 & TO COME1 AS ,I SAID3  0,N[ HE>K5 A TALE1 S9CE YE WILL HAVE IT SO4  ,= LA/ AUTUMN ,I WAS 9 ,SUFFOLK AT ! GOOD T[N ( ,DUNWI*1 & ?I!R CAME ! KEELS FROM ,ICEL&1 & ON !M W]E SOME M5 ( ,ICEL&1 & MANY A TALE !Y HAD ON !IR TONGUES2 & ) !SE M5 ,I =GA!R$1 = ,I AM 9 SOO? A GA!R] ( TALES1 & ?IS ?AT IS N[ AT MY TONGUE'S 5D IS ONE ( !M40  

,SO SU* A TALE ,I TOLD !M1 LONG FAMILI> TO ME2 BUT AS ,I TOLD IT ! WORDS SEEM$ TO QUICK5 & GR[1 SO ?AT ,I KNEW NOT ! S\ND ( MY [N VOICE1 & !Y RAN ALMO/ 9TO RHYME & MEASURE AS ,I TOLD IT2 & :5 ,I HAD DONE !RE WAS SIL5CE A:ILE1 TILL ONE MAN SPAKE1 BUT NOT L\DLY3  

0,YEA1 9 ?AT L& WAS ! SUMM] %ORT & ! W9T] LONG2 BUT M5 LIV$ BO? SUMM] & W9T]2 & IF ! TREES GREW ILL & ! CORN ?ROVE NOT1 YET DID ! PLANT CALL$ MAN ?RIVE & DO WELL4  ,GOD S5D US SU* M5 EV5 H]E40  

0,NAY10 SAID ANO!R1 0SU* M5 HAVE BE5 & WILL BE1 & BELIKE >E NOT F> FROM ?IS SAME DOOR EV5 N[40  

0,YEA10 SAID A ?IRD1 0HE>K5 A /AVE ( ,ROB9 ,HOOD2 MAYBE ?AT %ALL HA/5 ! COM+ ( ONE ,I WOT (40  ,& HE FELL TO S++ 9 A CLE> VOICE1 = HE WAS A Y\NG MAN1 & TO A SWEET WILD MELODY1 ONE ( ?OSE BALLADS :I* 9 AN 9COMPLETE & DEGRAD$ =M Y\ HAVE READ P]HAPS4  ,MY HE>T ROSE HI< AS ,I HE>D HIM1 = IT WAS CONC]N+ ! /RUGGLE AGA9/ TYRANNY = ! FRE$OM ( LIFE1 H[ ?AT ! WILDWOOD & ! HEA?1 DESPITE ( W9D & WEA!R1 W]E BETT] = A FREE MAN ?AN ! C\RT & ! *EAP+-T[N2 ( ! TAK+ FROM ! RI* TO GIVE TO ! POOR2 ( ! LIFE ( A MAN DO+ HIS [N WILL & NOT ! WILL ( ANO!R MAN COMM&+ HIM = ! COMM&M5T'S SAKE4  ,! M5 ALL LI/5$ EAG]LY1 & AT :ILES TOOK UP AS A REFRA9 A C\PLET AT ! 5D ( A /ANZA ) !IR /RONG & R\<1 BUT NOT UNMUSICAL VOICES4  ,AS !Y SANG1 A PICTURE ( ! WILD-WOODS PASS$ BY ME1 AS !Y W]E 9DE$1 NO P>K-LIKE DA9TY GLADES & LAWNS1 BUT R\< & TANGL$ ?ICKET & B>E WA/E & HEA?1 SOLEMN UND] ! MORN+ SUN1 & DRE>Y ) ! RIS+ ( ! EV5+ W9D & ! DRIFT ( ! NI<T-LONG RA94  

,:5 HE HAD DONE1 ANO!R BEGAN 9 SOME?+ ( ! SAME /RA91 BUT S++ MORE ( A SONG ?AN A /ORY BALLAD2 & ?US MU* ,I REMEMB] ( IT3  

  

        ,! ,%]IFF IS MADE A MI<TY LORD1   

            ,( GOODLY GOLD HE HA? 5[1   

        ,& MANY A S]GEANT GIRT ) SWORD2   

            ,BUT =? WILL WE & B5D ! B[4   

                ,WE %ALL B5D ! B[ ON ! LILY LEA   

                ,BETWIXT ! ?ORN & ! OAK5 TREE4   

        ,) /ONE & LIME IS ! BURG WALL BUILT1   

            ,& PIT & PRISON >E />K & /RONG1   

        ,& MANY A TRUE MAN !RE IS SPILL$1   

            ,& MANY A RI<T MAN DOOM$ BY WRONG4   

            ,SO =? %ALL WE & B5D ! B[   

                ,& ! K+'S WRIT NEV] ! ROAD %ALL KN[4   

        ,N[ YEOM5 WALK YE W>ILY1   

            ,& HE$ YE ! H\SES :]E YE GO1   

        ,= AS FAIR & AS F9E AS !Y MAY BE1   

            ,LE/ BEH9D Y\R HEELS ! DOOR CLAP TO4   

                ,F>E =? ) ! B[ TO ! LILY LEA   

                ,BETWIXT ! ?ORN & ! OAK5 TREE4   

        ,N[ BILLS & B[S ,I & \T A-GATE6   

            ,& TURN AB\T ON ! LILY LEA6   

        ,& ?\< !IR COMPANY BE GREAT   

            ,! GRAY-GOOSE W+ %ALL SET US FREE4   

                ,N[ B5T IS ! B[ 9 ! GRE5 ABODE   

                ,& ! K+'S WRIT KN[E? NOT ! ROAD4   

        ,SO OV] ! MEAD & OV] ! HI!1   

            ,& AWAY TO ! WILD-WOOD W5D WE =?2   

        ,!RE DWELL WE YEOM5 BOLD & BLI!   

            ,:]E ! ,%]IFF'S WORD IS NAU<T ( WOR?4   

                ,B5T IS ! B[ ON ! LILY LEA   

                ,BETWIXT ! ?ORN & ! OAK5 TREE4   

  

,BUT H]E ! SONG DROPP$ SUDD5LY1 & ONE ( ! M5 HELD UP HIS H& AS :O W\LD SAY1 ,HI/6  ,!N ?R\< ! OP5 W9D[ CAME ! S\ND ( ANO!R SONG1 GRADUALLY SWELL+ AS ?\< SUNG BY M5 ON ! M>*4  ,?IS TIME ! MELODY WAS A PIECE ( ! PLA9-SONG ( ! *UR*1 FAMILI> 5\< TO ME TO BR+ BACK TO MY M9D ! GREAT >*ES ( SOME CA!DRAL 9 ,FRANCE & ! CANONS S++ 9 ! *OIR4  

,ALL LEAP$ UP & HURRI$ TO TAKE !IR B[S FROM WALL & CORN]2 & SOME HAD BUCKL]S )AL1 CIRCLES ( LEA!R1 BOIL$ & !N MOLD$ 9TO %APE & H>D5$3 !SE W]E SOME TWO H&- BREAD?S ACROSS1 ) IRON OR BRASS BOSSES 9 ! C5T]4  ,WILL ,GRE5 W5T TO ! CORN] :]E ! BILLS LEAN$ AGA9/ ! WALL & H&$ !M R\ND TO ! FIR/-COM]S AS F> AS !Y W\LD GO1 & \T WE ALL W5T GRAVELY & QUIETLY 9TO ! VILLAGE /REET & ! FAIR SUNLI<T ( ! CALM AFT]NOON1 N[ BEG9N+ TO TURN T[>DS EV5+4  ,NONE HAD SAID ANY?+ S9CE WE FIR/ HE>D ! NEW-COME S++1 SAVE ?AT AS WE W5T \T ( ! DOOR ! BALLAD-S+] CLAPP$ ME ON ! %\LD] & SAID3 0,WAS IT NOT SOO? ?AT ,I SAID1 BRO!R1 ?AT ,ROB9 ,HOOD %\LD BR+ US ,JOHN ,BALL80  

O ,*APT] #c 3 ,!Y ,MEET AT ! ,CROSS 

,! /REET WAS PRETTY FULL ( M5 BY !N WE W]E \T 9 IT1 & ALL FACES TURN$ T[>D ! CROSS4  ,! SONG /ILL GREW NE>] & L\D]1 & EV5 AS WE LOOK$ WE SAW IT TURN+ ! CORN] ?R\< ! H$GES ( ! OR*>DS & CLOSES1 A GOOD CLUMP ( M51 MORE >M$1 AS IT W\LD SEEM1 ?AN \R VILLAG]S1 AS ! L[ SUN FLA%$ BACK FROM MANY PO9TS ( BRI<T IRON & /EEL4  ,! WORDS ( ! SONG C\LD N[ BE HE>D1 & AMID !M ,I C\LD PICK \T ,WILL ,GRE5'S LATE *ALL5GE TO ME & MY ANSW]2 BUT AS ,I WAS B5D+ ALL MY M9D TO DIS5TANGLE MORE WORDS FROM ! MUSIC1 SUDD5LY FROM ! NEW :ITE T[] BEH9D US CLA%$ \T ! *UR* BELLS1 H>% & HURRI$ AT FIR/1 BUT PRES5TLY FALL+ 9TO MEASUR$ *IME2 & AT ! FIR/ S\ND ( !M A GREAT %\T W5T UP FROM US & WAS E*O$ BY ! NEW- COM]S1 0,JOHN ,BALL HA? RUNG \R BELL60  ,!N WE PRESS$ ON1 & PRES5TLY WE W]E ALL M+L$ TOGE!R AT ! CROSS4  

,WILL ,GRE5 HAD GOOD-NATUR$LY ?RU/ & PULL$ ME =W>D1 SO ?AT ,I F\ND MYSELF /&+ ON ! L[E/ /EP ( ! CROSS1 HIS SEV5TY-TWO 9*ES ( MAN ON ONE SIDE ( ME4  ,HE *UCKL$ :ILE ,I PANT$1 & SAID3  

0,!RE'S = !E A GOOD HE>+ & SEE+ /EAD1 OLD LAD4  ,?\ >T TALL ACROSS ?Y BELLY & NOT O!RWISE1 & ?Y W9D1 BELIKE1 IS NONE ( ! BE/1 & BUT = ME ?\ W\LD/ HAVE BE5 AMID ! ?ICKE/ ( ! ?RONG1 & HAVE HE>D WORDS MUFFL$ BY ,K5TI% BELLIES & SE5 LITTLE BUT SW9KY WOOL5 ELB[S & GREASY PLATES & JACKS4  ,LOOK NO MORE ON ! GR\ND1 AS ?\< ?\ SAWE/ A H>E1 BUT LET ?9E EYES & ?9E E>S BE BUSY TO GA!R TID+S TO BE> BACK TO ,ESSEX--OR HEAV560  

,I GR9N$ GOOD-FELL[%IP AT HIM BUT SAID NO?+1 = 9 TRU? MY EYES & E>S W]E AS BUSY AS HE W\LD HAVE !M TO BE4  ,A BUZZ ( G5]AL TALK W5T UP FROM ! ?RONG AMID ! REGUL> CAD5CE ( ! BELLS1 :I* N[ SEEM$ F> AWAY & AS IT W]E ?AT !Y W]E NOT SWAY$ BY H&S1 BUT W]E LIV+ CREATURES MAK+ ?AT NOISE ( !IR [N WILLS4  

,I LOOK$ >\ND & SAW ?AT ! NEWCOM]S M+L$ ) US MU/ HAVE BE5 A REGUL> >M$ B&2 ALL HAD BUCKL]S SLUNG AT !IR BACKS1 FEW LACK$ A SWORD AT ! SIDE4  ,SOME HAD B[S1 SOME 0/AVES0--?AT IS1 BILLS1 POLE-AXES1 OR PIKES4  ,MOREOV]1 UNLIKE \R VILLAG]S1 !Y HAD DEF5SIVE >MS4  ,MO/ HAD /EEL-CAPS ON !IR HEADS1 & SOME HAD BODY >MOR1 G5]ALLY A 0JACK10 OR COAT 9TO :I* PIECES ( IRON OR HORN W]E QUILT$2 SOME HAD ALSO /EEL OR /EEL-&-LEA!R >M OR ?I< PIECES4  ,!RE W]E A FEW M\NT$ M5 AMONG !M1 !IR HORSES BE+ BIG-BON$ HAMM]-HEAD$ BEA/S1 ?AT LOOK$ AS IF !Y HAD BE5 TAK5 FROM PL[ OR WAGON1 BUT !IR RID]S W]E WELL >M$ ) /EEL >MOR ON !IR HEADS1 LEGS1 & >MS4  ,AMONG ! HORSEM5 ,I NOT$ ! MAN ?AT HAD RIDD5 PA/ ME :5 ,I FIR/ AWOKE2 BUT HE SEEM$ TO BE A PRISON]1 AS HE HAD A WOOL5 HOOD ON HIS HEAD 9/EAD ( HIS HELMET1 & C>RI$ NEI!R BILL1 SWORD1 NOR DAGG]4  ,HE SEEM$ BY NO MEANS ILL-AT-EASE1 H[EV]1 BUT WAS LAU<+ & TALK+ ) ! M5 :O /OOD NE> HIM4  

,ABOVE ! HEADS ( ! CR[D1 & N[ SL[LY WORK+ T[>DS ! CROSS1 WAS A BANN] ON A HI<-RAIS$ CROSS-POLE1 A PICTURE ( A MAN & WOMAN HALF-CLAD 9 SK9S ( BEA/S SE5 AGA9/ A BACKGR\ND ( GRE5 TREES1 ! MAN HOLD+ A SPADE & ! WOMAN A DI/AFF & SP9DLE RUDELY DONE 5\<1 BUT YET ) A C]TA9 SPIRIT & MU* MEAN+2 & UND]NEA? ?IS SYMBOL ( ! E>LY WORLD & MAN'S FIR/ CONTE/ ) NATURE W]E ! WRITT5 WORDS3  

  

            ,:5 ,ADAM DELV$ & ,EVE SPAN   

            ,:O WAS !N ! G5TLEMAN8   

  

,! BANN] CAME ON & ?R\< ! CR[D1 :I* AT LA/ OP5$ :]E WE /OOD = ITS PASSAGE1 & ! BANN]-BE>] TURN$ & FAC$ ! ?RONG & /OOD ON ! FIR/ /EP ( ! CROSS BESIDE ME4  

,A MAN FOLL[$ HIM1 CLAD 9 A LONG D>K-BR[N G[N ( CO>SE WOOL51 GIRT ) A CORD1 TO :I* HUNG A 0PAIR ( BEADS0 7OR ROS>Y1 AS WE %\LD CALL IT TO-DAY7 & A BOOK 9 A BAG4  ,! MAN WAS TALL & BIG-BON$1 A R+ ( D>K HAIR SURR\ND$ HIS PRIE/'S TONSURE2 HIS NOSE WAS BIG BUT CLE> CUT & ) WIDE NO/RILS2 HIS %AV5 FACE %[$ A LONGI% UPP] LIP & A BIG BUT BLUNT *92 HIS M\? WAS BIG & ! LIPS CLOS$ FIRMLY2 A FACE NOT V]Y NOTEWOR?Y BUT = HIS GRAY EYES WELL OP5$ & WIDE AP>T1 AT :ILES LI<T+ UP HIS :OLE FACE ) A K9DLY SMILE1 AT :ILES SET & /]N1 AT :ILES RE/+ 9 ?AT LOOK AS IF !Y W]E GAZ+ AT SOME?+ A LONG WAY (F1 :I* IS ! WONT ( ! EYES ( ! POET OR 5?USIA/4  

,HE W5T SL[LY UP ! /EPS ( ! CROSS & /OOD AT ! TOP ) ONE H& LAID ON ! %AFT1 & %\T UPON %\T BROKE =? FROM ! ?RONG4  ,:5 ! %\T+ DI$ AWAY 9TO A SIL5CE ( ! HUMAN VOICES1 ! BELLS W]E /ILL QUIETLY *IM+ ) ?AT F>-AWAY VOICE ( !IRS1 & ! LONG-W+$ DUSKY SWIFTS1 BY NO MEANS SC>$ BY ! CONC\RSE1 SWUNG R\ND AB\T ! CROSS ) !IR WILD SQUEALS2 & ! MAN /OOD /ILL = A LITTLE1 EYE+ ! ?RONG1 OR RA!R LOOK+ FIR/ AT ONE & !N ANO!R MAN 9 IT1 AS ?\< HE W]E TRY+ TO ?9K :AT SU* AN ONE WAS ?9K+ (1 OR :AT HE W]E FIT =4  ,SOMETIMES HE CAU<T ! EYE ( ONE OR O!R1 & !N ?AT K9DLY SMILE SPREAD OV] HIS FACE1 BUT FAD$ (F IT 9TO ! /]NNESS & SADNESS ( A MAN :O HAS HEAVY & GREAT ?\<TS HANG+ AB\T HIM4 ,BUT :5 ,JOHN ,BALL FIR/ M\NT$ ! /EPS ( ! CROSS A LAD AT SOME ONE'S BIDD+ HAD RUN (F TO /OP ! R+]S1 & SO PRES5TLY ! VOICE ( ! BELLS FELL DEAD1 LEAV+ ON M5'S M9DS ?AT S5SE ( BLANKNESS OR EV5 DISAPPO9TM5T :I* IS ALWAYS CAUS$ BY ! SUDD5 /OPP+ ( A S\ND ONE HAS GOT US$ TO & F\ND PLEASANT4  ,BUT A GREAT EXPECTATION HAD FALL5 BY N[ ON ALL ?AT ?RONG1 & NO WORD WAS SPOK5 EV5 9 A :ISP]1 & ALL M5'S HE>TS & EYES W]E FIX$ UPON ! D>K FIGURE /&+ /RAI<T UP N[ BY ! TALL :ITE %AFT ( ! CROSS1 HIS H&S /RET*$ \T BE=E HIM1 ONE PALM LAID UPON ! O!R4  

,& = ME1 AS ,I MADE READY TO HE>K51 ,I FELT A JOY 9 MY S\L ?AT ,I HAD NEV] YET FELT4  

O ,*APT] #d 3 ,! ,VOICE ( ,JOHN ,BALL 

,S,O N[ ,I HE>D ,JOHN ,BALL2 H[ HE LIFT$ UP HIS VOICE & SAID3  

0,HO1 ALL YE GOOD PEOPLE6  ,I AM A PRIE/ ( ,GOD1 & 9 MY DAY'S WORK IT COME? ?AT ,I %\LD TELL Y\ :AT YE %\LD DO1 & :AT YE %\LD =BE> DO+1 & TO ?AT 5D ,I AM COME HI!R3 YET FIR/1 IF ,I MYSELF HAVE WRONG$ ANY MAN H]E1 LET HIM SAY :]E9 MY WRONGDO+ LIE?1 ?AT ,I MAY ASK HIS P>DON & HIS PITY40  

,A GREAT HUM ( GOOD-WILL RAN ?R\< ! CR[D AS HE SPOKE2 !N HE SMIL$ AS 9 A K9D ( PRIDE1 & AGA9 HE SPOKE3  

0,:]E=E DID YE TAKE ME \T ( ! >*BI%OP'S PRISON BUT ?REE DAYS AGONE1 :5 YE LI<T$ ! >*BI%OP'S H\SE = ! C&LE ( ,CANT]BURY1 BUT ?AT ,I MI<T SPEAK TO Y\ & PRAY Y\3 !RE=E ,I WILL NOT KEEP SIL5CE1 :E!R ,I HAVE DONE ILL1 OR :E!R ,I HAVE DONE WELL4  ,& H]E91 GOOD FELL[S & MY V]Y BRE?R51 ,I W\LD HAVE Y\ TO FOLL[ ME2 & IF !RE BE SU* H]E1 AS ,I KN[ FULL WELL !RE BE SOME1 & MAY BE A GOOD MANY1 :O HAVE BE5 ROBB]S ( !IR NEI<BORS 7^*,& :O IS MY NEI<BOR8' QUO? ! RI* MAN71 OR LE*]S1 OR DESPITEFUL HAT]S1 OR TALEBE>]S1 OR FAWN]S ON RI* M5 = ! HURT ( ! POOR 7& ?AT IS ! WOR/ ( ALL7--,AH1 MY POOR BRE?R5 :O HAVE GONE A/RAY1 ,I SAY NOT TO Y\1 GO HOME & REP5T LE/ Y\ M> \R GREAT DE$S1 BUT RA!R COME AFIELD & !RE REP5T4  ,MANY A DAY HAVE YE BE5 FOOLS1 BUT HE>K5 UNTO ME & ,I %ALL MAKE Y\ WISE ABOVE ! WISDOM ( ! E>?2 & IF YE DIE 9 Y\R WISDOM1 AS ,GOD WOT YE WELL MAY1 S9CE ! FIELDS YE W5D TO BE> SWORDS = DAISIES1 & SPE>S = B5TS1 !N %ALL YE BE1 ?\< M5 CALL Y\ DEAD1 A P>T & P>CEL ( ! LIV+ WISDOM ( ALL ?+S1 V]Y /ONES ( ! PILL>S ?AT UPHOLD ! JOYFUL E>?4  

0,=SOO?1 YE HAVE HE>D IT SAID ?AT YE %ALL DO WELL 9 ?IS WORLD ?AT 9 ! WORLD TO COME YE MAY LIVE HAPPILY = EV]2 DO YE WELL !N1 & HAVE Y\R REW>D BO? ON E>? & 9 HEAV52 = ,I SAY TO Y\ ?AT E>? & HEAV5 >E NOT TWO BUT ONE2 & ?IS ONE IS ?AT :I* YE KN[1 & >E EA* ONE ( Y\ A P>T (1 TO WIT1 ! ,HOLY ,*UR*1 & 9 EA* ONE ( Y\ DWELLE? ! LIFE ( ! ,*UR*1 UNLESS YE SLAY IT4  ,=SOO?1 BRE?R51 WILL YE MURD] ! ,*UR* ANY ONE ( Y\1 & GO =? A W&]+ MAN & LONELY1 EV5 AS ,CA9 DID :O SLEW HIS BRO!R8  ,AH1 MY BRO!RS1 :AT AN EVIL DOOM IS ?IS1 TO BE AN \TCA/ FROM ! ,*UR*1 TO HAVE NONE TO LOVE Y\ & TO SPEAK ) Y\1 TO BE )\T FELL[%IP6  ,=SOO?1 BRO!RS1 FELL[%IP IS HEAV51 & LACK ( FELL[%IP IS HELL3 FELL[%IP IS LIFE1 & LACK ( FELL[%IP IS DEA?3 & ! DE$S ?AT YE DO UPON ! E>?1 IT IS = FELL[%IP'S SAKE ?AT YE DO !M1 & ! LIFE ?AT IS 9 IT1 ?AT %ALL LIVE ON & ON = EV]1 & EA* ONE ( Y\ P>T ( IT1 :ILE MANY A MAN'S LIFE UPON ! E>? FROM ! E>? %ALL WANE4  

0,!RE=E1 ,I BID Y\ NOT DWELL 9 HELL BUT 9 HEAV51 OR :ILE YE MU/1 UPON E>?1 :I* IS A P>T ( HEAV51 & =SOO? NO F\L P>T4  

0,=SOO?1 HE ?AT WAKE? 9 HELL & FEELE? HIS HE>T FAIL HIM1 %ALL HAVE MEMORY ( ! M]RY DAYS ( E>?1 & H[ ?AT :5 HIS HE>T FAIL$ HIM !RE1 HE CRI$ ON HIS FELL[1 W]E IT HIS WIFE OR HIS SON OR HIS BRO!R OR HIS GOSSIP OR HIS BRO!R SWORN 9 >MS1 & H[ ?AT HIS FELL[ HE>D HIM & CAME & !Y M\RN$ TOGE!R UND] ! SUN1 TILL AGA9 !Y LAU<$ TOGE!R & W]E BUT HALF SORRY BETWE5 !M4  ,?IS %ALL HE ?9K ON 9 HELL1 & CRY ON HIS FELL[ TO HELP HIM1 & %ALL F9D ?AT !RE9 IS NO HELP BECAUSE !RE IS NO FELL[%IP1 BUT EV]Y MAN = HIMSELF4  ,!RE=E1 ,I TELL Y\ ?AT ! PR\D1 DESPITE\S RI* MAN1 ?\< HE KN[E? IT NOT1 IS 9 HELL ALREADY1 BECAUSE HE HA? NO FELL[2 & HE ?AT HA? SO H>DY A HE>T ?AT 9 SORR[ HE ?9KE? ( FELL[%IP1 HIS SORR[ IS SOON BUT A /ORY ( SORR[--A LITTLE *ANGE 9 ! LIFE ?AT KN[S NOT ILL40  

,HE LEFT (F = A LITTLE2 & 9DE$ = SOME TIME HIS VOICE HAD FALL51 BUT IT WAS SO CLE> & ! SUMM] EV5+ SO S(T & /ILL1 & ! SIL5CE ( ! FOLK SO COMPLETE1 ?AT EV]Y WORD TOLD4  ,HIS EYES FELL D[N TO ! CR[D AS HE /OPP$ SPEAK+1 S9CE = SOME LITTLE :ILE !Y HAD BE5 LOOK+ F> AWAY 9TO ! BLUE DI/ANCE ( SUMM]2 & ! K9D EYES ( ! MAN HAD A CURI\S SI<T BE=E HIM 9 ?AT CR[D1 = AMONG !M W]E MANY :O BY ?IS TIME W]E NOT DRY-EY$1 & SOME WEPT \TRI<T 9 SPITE ( !IR BLACK BE>DS1 :ILE ALL HAD ?AT LOOK AS IF !Y W]E A%AM$ ( !MSELVES1 & DID NOT WANT O!RS TO SEE H[ DEEPLY !Y W]E MOV$1 AFT] ! FA%ION ( !IR RACE :5 !Y >E /RONGLY /IRR$4  ,I LOOK$ AT ,WILL ,GRE5 BESIDE ME3 HIS RI<T H& CLUT*$ HIS B[ SO TI<T1 ?AT ! KNUCKLES :IT5$2 HE WAS />+ /RAI<T BE=E HIM1 & ! TE>S W]E RUNN+ \T ( HIS EYES & D[N HIS BIG NOSE AS ?\< )\T HIS WILL1 = HIS FACE WAS /OLID & UNMOV$ ALL ! TIME TILL HE CAU<T MY EYE1 & !N HE SCREW$ UP ! /RANGE/ FACE1 ( SC[L+ BR[1 WEEP+ EYES1 & SMIL+ M\?1 :ILE HE DEALT ME A S\ND+ ?UMP 9 ! RIBS ) HIS LEFT ELB[1 :I*1 ?\< IT W\LD HAVE KNOCK$ ME D[N BUT = ! CR[D1 ,I TOOK AS AN ESQUIRE DOES ! ACCOLADE :I* MAKES A KNI<T ( HIM4  

,BUT :ILE ,I POND]$ ALL !SE ?+S1 & H[ M5 FI<T & LOSE ! BATTLE1 & ! ?+ ?AT !Y F\<T = COMES AB\T 9 SPITE ( !IR DEFEAT1 & :5 IT COMES TURNS \T NOT TO BE :AT !Y MEANT1 & O!R M5 HAVE TO FI<T = :AT !Y MEANT UND] ANO!R NAME--:ILE ,I POND]$ ALL ?IS1 ,JOHN ,BALL BEGAN TO SPEAK AGA9 9 ! SAME S(T & DE> VOICE ) :I* HE HAD LEFT (F4  

0,GOOD FELL[S1 IT WAS Y\R FELL[%IP & Y\R K9DNESS ?AT TOOK ME \T ( ! >*BI%OP'S PRISON ?REE DAYS AGONE1 ?\< ,GOD WOT YE HAD NAU<T TO GA9 BY IT SAVE \TLAWRY & ! GALL[S2 YET LACK$ ,I NOT Y\R FELL[%IP BE=E YE DREW NE> ME 9 ! BODY1 & :5 BETWE5 ME & ,CANT]BURY /REET WAS YET A /RONG WALL1 & ! TURNKEYS & S]GEANTS & BAILIFFS4  

0,= HE>K51 MY FRI5DS & HELP]S2 MANY DAYS AGO1 :5 ,APRIL WAS YET Y\NG1 ,I LAY !RE1 & ! HE>T ?AT ,I HAD /RUNG UP TO BE> ALL ?+S BECAUSE ( ! FELL[%IP ( M5 & ! BLESS$ SA9TS & ! ANGELS & ?OSE ?AT >E1 & ?OSE ?AT >E TO BE1 ?IS HE>T1 ?AT ,I HAD /RUNG UP LIKE A /RONG B[1 FELL 9TO FEEBL5ESS1 SO ?AT ,I LAY !RE A-LONG+ = ! GRE5 FIELDS & ! :ITE-?ORN BU%ES & ! L>K S++ OV] ! CORN1 & ! TALK ( GOOD FELL[S R\ND ! ALE-H\SE B5*1 & ! BABBLE ( ! LITTLE *ILDR51 & ! TEAM ON ! ROAD & ! BEA/S AFIELD1 & ALL ! LIFE ( E>?2 & ,I ALONE ALL ! :ILE1 NE> MY FOES & AF> FROM MY FRI5DS1 MOCK$ & FL\T$ & />V$ ) COLD & HUNG]2 & SO WEAK WAS MY HE>T ?AT ?\< ,I LONG$ = ALL !SE ?+S YET ,I SAW !M NOT1 NOR KNEW !M BUT AS NAMES2 & ,I LONG$ SO SORE TO BE GONE ?AT ,I *ID$ MYSELF ?AT ,I HAD ONCE DONE WELL2 & ,I SAID TO MYSELF3  

0,=SOO?1 HAD/ ?\ KEPT ?Y TONGUE BETWE5 ?Y TEE? ?\ MI<TE/ HAVE BE5 SOME?+1 IF IT HAD BE5 BUT A P>SON ( A T[N1 & COM=TABLE TO MANY A POOR MAN2 & !N MI<TE/ ?\ HAVE CLAD H]E & !RE ! NAK$ BACK1 & FILL$ ! EMPTY BELLY1 & HOLP5 MANY1 & M5 W\LD HAVE SPOK5 WELL ( !E1 & ( ?YSELF ?\ HAD/ ?\<T WELL2 & ALL ?IS HA/ ?\ LO/ = LACK ( A WORD H]E & !RE TO SOME GREAT MAN1 & A LITTLE W9K+ ( ! EYES AMID MURD] & WRONG & UNRU?2 & N[ ?\ >T NAU<T & HELPLESS1 & ! HEMP = !E IS S[N & GR[N & HECKL$ & SPUN1 & LO !RE1 ! ROPE = ?Y GALL[S-TREE6--ALL = NAU<T1 = NAU<T4  

0,=SOO?1 MY FRI5DS1 ?US ,I ?\<T & SORR[$ 9 MY FEEBL5ESS ?AT ,I HAD NOT BE5 A TRAITOR TO ! ,FELL[%IP ( ! ,*UR*1 = E'5 SO EVIL WAS MY FOOLI% IMAG9ATION4  

0,YET1 =SOO?1 AS ,I FELL A-POND]+ OV] ALL ! COM=T & HELP ?AT ,I MI<T HAVE BE5 & ?AT ,I MI<T HAVE HAD1 IF ,I HAD BE5 BUT A LITTLE ( A TREMBL+ CUR TO CREEP & CRAWL BE=E ABBOT & BI%OP & B>ON & BAILIFF1 CAME ! ?\<T OV] ME ( ! EVIL ( ! WORLD :]E) ,I1 ,JOHN ,BALL1 ! RASCAL H$GE-PRIE/1 HAD F\<T & /RIV5 9 ! ,FELL[%IP ( ! SA9TS 9 HEAV5 & POOR M5 UPON E>?4  

0,YEA1 =SOO?1 ONCE AGA9 ,I SAW AS ( OLD1 ! GREAT TREAD+ D[N ! LITTLE1 & ! /RONG BEAT+ D[N ! WEAK1 & CRUEL M5 FE>+ NOT1 & K9D M5 D>+ NOT1 & WISE M5 C>+ NOT2 & ! SA9TS 9 HEAV5 =BE>+ & YET BIDD+ ME NOT TO =BE>2 =SOO?1 ,I KNEW ONCE MORE ?AT HE :O DOE? WELL 9 FELL[%IP1 & BECAUSE ( FELL[%IP1 %ALL NOT FAIL ?\< HE SEEM TO FAIL TO-DAY1 BUT 9 DAYS H]EAFT] %ALL HE & HIS WORK YET BE ALIVE1 & M5 BE HOLP5 BY !M TO /RIVE AGA9 & YET AGA92 & YET 9DE$ EV5 ?AT WAS LITTLE1 S9CE1 =SOO?1 TO /RIVE WAS MY PLEASURE & MY LIFE4  

0,SO ,I BECAME A MAN ONCE MORE1 & ,I ROSE UP TO MY FEET & W5T UP & D[N MY PRISON :AT ,I C\LD = MY HOPPLES1 & 9TO MY M\? CAME WORDS ( GOOD *E]1 EV5 SU* AS WE TO-DAY HAVE SUNG1 & /\TLY ,I SANG !M1 EV5 AS WE N[ HAVE SUNG !M2 & !N DID ,I RE/ ME1 & ONCE MORE ?\<T ( ?OSE PLEASANT FIELDS :]E ,I W\LD BE1 & ALL ! LIFE ( MAN & BEA/ AB\T !M1 & ,I SAID TO MYSELF ?AT ,I %\LD SEE !M ONCE MORE BE=E ,I DI$1 IF BUT ONCE IT W]E4  

0,=SOO?1 ?IS WAS /RANGE1 ?AT :]EAS BE=E ,I LONG$ = !M & YET SAW !M NOT1 N[ ?AT MY LONG+ WAS SLAK$ MY VISION WAS CLE>$1 & ,I SAW !M AS ?\< ! PRISON WALLS OP5$ TO ME & ,I WAS \T ( ,CANT]BURY /REET & AMID ! GRE5 MEAD[S ( ,APRIL2 & !RE)AL ALONG ) ME FOLK ?AT ,I HAVE KN[N & :O >E DEAD1 & FOLK ?AT >E LIV+2 YEA1 & ALL ?OSE ( ! ,FELL[%IP ON E>? & 9 HEAV52 YEA1 & ALL ?AT >E H]E ?IS DAY4  ,OV]LONG W]E ! TALE TO TELL ( !M1 & ( ! TIME ?AT IS GONE4  

0,SO !NCE=W>D ,I WORE ?R\< ! DAYS ) NO SU* FA9T HE>T1 UNTIL ONE DAY ! PRISON OP5$ V]ILY & 9 ! DAYLI<T1 & !RE W]E YE1 MY FELL[S1 9 ! DOOR--Y\R FACES GLAD1 Y\R HE>TS LI<T ) HOPE1 & Y\R H&S HEAVY ) WRA?2 !N ,I SAW & UND]/OOD :AT WAS TO DO4  ,N[1 !RE=E1 DO YE UND]/& IT60  

,HIS VOICE WAS *ANG$1 & GREW L\D] ?AN L\D N[1 AS HE CA/ HIS H&S ABROAD T[>DS ?AT COMPANY ) ?OSE LA/ WORDS ( HIS2 & ,I C\LD FEEL ?AT ALL %AME & FE> WAS FALL+ FROM ?OSE M51 & ?AT M]E FI]Y MANHOOD WAS %9+ ?R\< !IR WONT$ ,5GLI% %AMEFA/ /UBBORNNESS1 & ?AT !Y W]E MOV$ 9DE$ & SAW ! ROAD BE=E !M4  ,YET NO MAN SPOKE1 RA!R ! SIL5CE ( ! M5-FOLK DEEP5$1 AS ! SUN'S RAYS GREW MORE LEVEL & MORE GOLD51 & ! SWIFTS :EEL$ AB\T %RILL] & L\D] ?AN BE=E4 ,!N AGA9 ,JOHN ,BALL SPOKE & SAID1 0,9 GOOD SOO?1 ,I DEEM YE WOT NO WORSE ?AN ,I DO :AT IS TO DO--& FIR/ ?AT SOME:AT WE %ALL DO--S9CE IT IS = HIM ?AT IS LONELY OR 9 PRISON TO DREAM ( FELL[%IP1 BUT = HIM ?AT IS ( A FELL[%IP TO DO & NOT TO DREAM4  

0,& NEXT1 YE KN[ :O IS ! FOEMAN1 & ?AT IS ! PR\D MAN1 ! OPPRESSOR1 :O SCORNE? FELL[%IP1 & HIMSELF IS A WORLD TO HIMSELF & NE$E? NO HELP] NOR HELPE? ANY1 BUT1 HE$+ NO LAW1 LAYE? LAW ON O!R M5 BECAUSE HE IS RI*2 & SURELY EV]Y ONE ?AT IS RI* IS SU* AN ONE1 NOR MAY BE O!R4  

0,=SOO?1 9 ! BELLY ( EV]Y RI* MAN DWELLE? A DEVIL ( HELL1 & :5 ! MAN W\LD GIVE HIS GOODS TO ! POOR1 ! DEVIL )9 HIM GA9SAYE? IT1 & SAI?1 ^*,WILT ?\ !N BE ( ! POOR1 & SUFF] COLD & HUNG] & MOCK+ AS !Y SUFF]1 !N GIVE ?\ ?Y GOODS TO !M1 & KEEP !M NOT4'  ,& :5 HE W\LD BE COMPASSIONATE1 AGA9 SAI? ! DEVIL TO HIM1 ^*,IF ?\ HE$ !SE LOSELS & TURN ON !M A FACE LIKE TO !IR FACES1 & DEEM ( !M AS M51 !N %ALL !Y SCORN !E1 & EVIL %ALL COME ( IT1 & EV5 ONE DAY !Y %ALL FALL ON !E TO SLAY !E :5 !Y HAVE LE>N$ ?AT ?\ >T BUT AS !Y BE4'  

0,AH1 WOE WOR? ! :ILE6 TOO (T HE SAYE? SOO?1 AS ! WONT ( ! DEVIL IS1 ?AT LIES MAY BE BORN ( ! B>R5 TRU?2 & SOO? IT IS ?AT ! POOR DEEME? ! RI* TO BE O!R ?AN HE1 & MEET TO BE HIS MA/]1 AS ?\<1 =SOO?1 ! POOR W]E COME ( ,ADAM1 & ! RI* ( HIM ?AT MADE ,ADAM1 ?AT IS ,GOD2 & ?US ! POOR MAN OPPRESSE? ! POOR MAN1 BECAUSE HE FE>E? ! OPPRESSOR4  ,NAU<T SU* >E YE1 MY BRE?R52 OR ELSE :Y >E YE GA!R$ H]E 9 H>NESS TO BID ALL BE> WITNESS ( Y\ ?AT YE >E ! SONS ( ONE MAN & ONE MO!R1 BEGOTT5 ( ! E>?80  

,AS HE SAID ! WORDS !RE CAME A /IR AMONG ! WEAPONS ( ! ?RONG1 & !Y PRESS$ CLOS] R\ND ! CROSS1 YET ) HELD ! %\T AS YET :I* SEEM$ GA!R+ 9 !IR BOSOMS4  

,& AGA9 HE SAID3  

0,=SOO?1 TOO MANY RI* M5 !RE >E 9 ?IS REALM2 & YET IF !RE W]E BUT ONE1 !RE W\LD BE ONE TOO MANY1 = ALL %\LD BE HIS ?RALLS4  ,HE>K51 !N1 YE M5 ( ,K5T4  ,= OV]LONG BELIKE HAVE ,I HELD Y\ ) WORDS2 BUT ! LOVE ( Y\ CON/RA9$ ME1 & ! JOY ?AT A MAN HA? TO BABBLE TO HIS FRI5DS & HIS FELL[S :OM HE HA? NOT SE5 = A LONG SEASON4  

0,N[1 HE>K51 ,I BID Y\3  ,TO ! RI* M5 ?AT EAT UP A REALM !RE COME? A TIME :5 !Y :OM !Y EAT UP1 ?AT IS ! POOR1 SEEM POOR] ?AN ( WONT1 & !IR COMPLA9T GOE? UP L\D] TO ! HEAV5S2 YET IT IS NO RIDDLE TO SAY ?AT (T AT SU* TIMES ! FELL[%IP ( ! POOR IS WAX+ /RONG]1 ELSE W\LD NO MAN HAVE HE>D HIS CRY4  ,ALSO AT SU* TIMES IS ! RI* MAN BECOME FE>FUL1 & SO WAXE? 9 CRUELTY1 & ( ?AT CRUELTY DO PEOPLE MISDEEM ?AT IT IS P[] & MI<T WAX+4  ,=SOO?1 YE >E /RONG] ?AN Y\R FA!RS1 BECAUSE YE >E MORE GRIEV$ ?AN !Y1 & YE %\LD HAVE BE5 LESS GRIEV$ ?AN !Y HAD YE BE5 HORSES & SW9E2 & !N1 =SOO?1 W\LD YE HAVE BE5 /RONG] TO BE>2 BUT YE1 YE >E NOT /RONG TO BE>1 BUT TO DO4  

0,& WOT YE :Y WE >E COME TO Y\ ?IS FAIR EVE ( HOLIDAY8 & WOT YE :Y ,I HAVE BE5 TELL+ ( FELL[%IP TO Y\8  ,YEA1 =SOO?1 ,I DEEM YE WOT WELL1 ?AT IT IS = ?IS CAUSE1 ?AT YE MI<T BE?9K Y\ ( Y\R FELL[%IP ) ! M5 ( ,ESSEX40  

,HIS LA/ WORD LET LOOSE ! %\T ?AT HAD BE5 LONG ON ALL M5'S LIPS1 & GREAT & FI]CE IT WAS AS IT RANG %ATT]+ ?R\< ! QUIET UPL& VILLAGE4  ,BUT ,JOHN ,BALL HELD UP HIS H&1 & ! %\T WAS ONE & NO MORE4  

,!N HE SPOKE AGA93  

0,M5 ( ,K5T1 ,I WOT WELL ?AT YE >E NOT SO H>D BE/$ AS ?OSE ( O!R %IRES1 BY ! TOK5 ( ! DAY :5 BEH9D ! SCRE5 ( LEAFY B\<S YE MET ,DUKE ,WILLIAM ) BILL & B[ AS HE W5D$ ,LONDONW>D FROM ?AT WOEFUL FIELD ( ,S5LAC2 BUT ,I HAVE TOLD ( FELL[%IP1 & YE HAVE HE>K5$ & UND]/OOD :AT ! ,HOLY ,*UR* IS1 :]EBY YE KN[ ?AT YE >E FELL[S ( ! SA9TS 9 HEAV5 & ! POOR M5 ( ,ESSEX2 & AS ONE DAY ! SA9TS %ALL CALL Y\ TO ! HEAV5LY FEA/1 SO N[ DO ! POOR M5 CALL Y\ TO ! BATTLE4  

0,M5 ( ,K5T1 YE DWELL FAIRLY H]E1 & Y\R H\SES >E FRAM$ ( /\T OAK BEAMS1 & Y\R [N L&S YE TILL2 UNLESS SOME ACCURS$ LAWY] ) HIS FALSE LY+ %EEPSK9 & =G$ CU/OM ( ! ,DEVIL'S ,MANOR HA? /OL5 IT FROM Y\2 BUT 9 ,ESSEX SLAVES !Y BE & VILLE9S1 & WORSE !Y %ALL BE1 & ! LORDS SWE> ?AT ]E A YE> BE OV] OX & HORSE %ALL GO FREE 9 ,ESSEX1 & MAN & WOMAN %ALL DRAW ! TEAM & ! PL[2 & NOR? AWAY 9 ! EA/ C\NTRIES DWELL M5 9 POOR HALLS ( WATTL$ RE$S & MUD1 & ! NOR?-EA/ W9D FROM (F ! F5 :I/LES ?R\< !M2 & POOR !Y BE TO ! LETT]2 & !RE HIM :OM ! LORD SP>E?1 ! BAILIFF SQUEEZE?1 & HIM :OM ! BAILIFF =GETTE?1 ! ,EA/]L+ ,*APMAN %E>E?2 YET BE !SE /\T M5 & VALIANT1 & Y\R V]Y BRE?R54  

0,& YET IF !RE BE ANY MAN H]E SO BASE AS TO ?9K ?AT A SMALL MATT]1 LET HIM LOOK TO IT ?AT IF !SE NECKS ABIDE UND] ! YOKE1 ,K5T %ALL SWEAT = IT ]E IT BE LONG2 & YE %ALL LOSE ACRE & CLOSE & WOODL&1 & BE S]VANTS 9 Y\R [N H\SES1 & Y\R SONS %ALL BE ! LORDS' LADS1 & Y\R DAU<T]S !IR LEMANS1 & YE %ALL BUY A BOLD WORD ) MANY /RIPES1 & AN HONE/ DE$ ) A LEAP FROM ! GALL[S-TREE4  

0,BE?9K YE1 TOO1 ?AT YE HAVE NO LONG] TO DEAL ) ,DUKE ,WILLIAM1 :O1 IF HE W]E A ?IEF & A CRUEL LORD1 WAS YET A PRUD5T MAN & A WISE W>RIOR2 BUT CRUEL >E !SE1 & HEAD/RONG1 YEA1 ?IEVES & FOOLS 9 ONE--& YE %ALL LAY !IR HEADS 9 ! DU/40  

,A %\T W\LD HAVE >IS5 AGA91 BUT HIS EAG] VOICE RIS+ HI<] YET1 RE/RA9$ IT AS HE SAID3  

0,& H[ %ALL IT BE !N :5 !SE >E GONE8  ,:AT ELSE %ALL YE LACK :5 YE LACK MA/]S8  ,YE %ALL NOT LACK = ! FIELDS YE HAVE TILL$1 NOR ! H\SES YE HAVE BUILT1 NOR ! CLO? YE HAVE WOV52 ALL !SE %ALL BE Y\RS1 & :ATSO YE WILL ( ALL ?AT ! E>? BE>E?2 !N %ALL NO MAN M[ ! DEEP GRASS = ANO!R1 :ILE HIS [N K9E LACK C[-MEAT2 & HE ?AT S[E? %ALL REAP1 & ! REAP] %ALL EAT 9 FELL[%IP ! H>VE/ ?AT 9 FELL[%IP HE HA? WON2 & HE ?AT BUILDE? A H\SE %ALL DWELL 9 IT ) ?OSE ?AT HE BIDDE? ( HIS FREE WILL2 & ! TI! B>N %ALL G>N] ! :EAT = ALL M5 TO EAT ( :5 ! SEASONS >E UNT[>D1 & ! RA9-DRIFT HIDE? ! %EAVES 9 ,AUGU/2 & ALL %ALL BE )\T MONEY & )\T PRICE4  ,FAI?FULLY & M]RILY !N %ALL ALL M5 KEEP ! HOLIDAYS ( ! ,*UR* 9 PEACE ( BODY & JOY ( HE>T4  ,& MAN %ALL HELP MAN1 & ! SA9TS 9 HEAV5 %ALL BE GLAD1 BECAUSE M5 NO MORE FE> EA* O!R2 & ! *URL %ALL BE A%AM$1 & %ALL HIDE HIS *URLI%NESS TILL IT BE GONE1 & HE BE NO MORE A *URL2 & FELL[%IP %ALL BE E/ABLI%$ 9 HEAV5 & ON ! E>?40  

O ,*APT] #e 3 ,!Y ,HE> ,TID+S ,( ,BATTLE ,& ,MAKE ,!M ,READY 

,HE LEFT (F AS ONE :O HAD YET SOME?+ ELSE TO SAY2 &1 9DE$1 ,I ?\<T HE W\LD GIVE US SOME WORD AS TO ! TRY/+- PLACE1 & :I!R ! >MY WAS TO GO FROM IT2 BECAUSE IT WAS N[ CLE> TO ME ?AT ?IS GA!R+ WAS BUT A B& ( AN >MY4  ,BUT MU* HAPP5$ BE=E ,JOHN ,BALL SPOKE AGA9 FROM ! CROSS1 & IT WAS ON ?IS WISE4  

,:5 !RE WAS SIL5CE AFT] ! LA/ %\T ?AT ! CR[D HAD RAIS$ A :ILE AGO1 ,I ?\<T ,I HE>D A ?9 %>P NOISE F> AWAY1 SOME:AT TO ! NOR? ( ! CROSS1 :I* ,I TOOK RA!R = ! S\ND ( A TRUMPET OR HORN1 ?AN = ! VOICE ( A MAN OR ANY BEA/4  ,WILL ,GRE5 ALSO SEEM$ TO HAVE HE>D IT1 = HE TURN$ HIS HEAD %>PLY & !N BACK AGA91 & LOOK$ KE5LY 9TO ! CR[D AS ?\< SEEK+ TO CAT* SOME ONE'S EYE4  ,!RE WAS A V]Y TALL MAN /&+ BY ! PRISON] ON ! HORSE NE> ! \TSKIRTS ( ! CR[D1 & HOLD+ HIS BRIDLE4  ,?IS MAN1 :O WAS WELL->M$1 ,I SAW LOOK UP & SAY SOME?+ TO ! PRISON]1 :O /OOP$ D[N & SEEM$ TO :ISP] HIM 9 TURN4  ,! TALL MAN NODD$ HIS HEAD & ! PRISON] GOT (F HIS HORSE1 :I* WAS A CLEAN]-LIMB$1 BETT]-BUILT BEA/ ?AN ! O!RS BELONG+ TO ! B&1 & ! TALL MAN QUIETLY L$ HIM A LITTLE WAY FROM ! CR[D1 M\NT$ HIM1 & RODE (F NOR?W>D AT A SM>T PACE4  

,WILL ,GRE5 LOOK$ ON %>PLY AT ALL ?IS1 & :5 ! MAN RODE (F1 SMIL$ AS ONE :O IS CONT5T1 & DEEMS ?AT ALL IS GO+ WELL1 & SETTL$ HIMSELF D[N AGA9 TO LI/5 TO ! PRIE/4  

,BUT N[ :5 ,JOHN ,BALL HAD CEAS$ SPEAK+1 & AFT] ANO!R %\T1 & A HUM ( EXCIT$ PLEASURE & HOPE ?AT FOLL[$ IT1 !RE WAS SIL5CE AGA91 & AS ! PRIE/ ADDRESS$ HIMSELF TO SPEAK+ ONCE MORE1 HE PAUS$ & TURN$ HIS HEAD T[>DS ! W9D1 AS IF HE HE>D SOME?+1 :I* C]TA9LY ,I HE>D1 & BELIKE EV]Y ONE 9 ! ?RONG1 ?\< IT WAS NOT OV]-L\D1 F> AS S\NDS C>RY 9 CLE> QUIET EV5+S4  ,IT WAS ! ?UMP-A- ?UMP ( A HORSE DRAW+ NE> AT A H&-GALLOP ALONG ! GRASSY UPL& ROAD2 & ,I KNEW WELL IT WAS ! TALL MAN COM+ BACK ) TID+S1 ! PURPORT ( :I* ,I C\LD WELL GUESS4  

,I LOOK$ UP AT ,WILL ,GRE5'S FACE4  ,HE WAS SMIL+ AS ONE PLEAS$1 & SAID S(TLY AS HE NODD$ TO ME1 0,YEA1 %ALL WE SEE ! GRAY- GOOSE FLY ?IS EVE80  

,BUT ,JOHN ,BALL SAID 9 A GREAT VOICE FROM ! CROSS1 0,HE> YE ! TID+S ON ! WAY1 FELL[S6  ,HOLD YE TOGE!R & LOOK TO Y\R GE>2 YET HURRY NOT1 = NO GREAT MATT] %ALL ?IS BE4  ,I WOT WELL !RE IS LITTLE =CE BETWE5 ,CANT]BURY & ,K+/ON1 = ! LORDS >E LOOK+ NOR? ( ,?AMES T[>D ,WAT ,TYL] & HIS M54  ,YET WELL IT IS1 WELL IT IS60  

,! CR[D OP5$ & SPREAD \T A LITTLE1 & ! M5 MOV$ AB\T 9 IT1 SOME TI<T5+ A GIRDLE1 SOME GETT+ !IR SIDE >MS MORE )9 REA* ( !IR RI<T H&S1 & ?OSE :O HAD B[S /R++ !M4  

,WILL ,GRE5 SET H& & FOOT TO ! GREAT %APELY PIECE ( POLI%$ R$ YEW1 ) ITS %9+ HORN TIPS1 :I* HE C>RI$1 & B5T IT ) NO SEEM+ EF=T2 !N HE REA*$ \T HIS H& OV] HIS %\LD] & DREW \T A LONG >R[1 SMOO?1 :ITE1 BEAUTIFULLY BALANC$1 ) A B>B$ IRON HEAD AT ONE 5D1 A HORN NOCK & ?REE /RONG GOOSE FEA!RS AT ! O!R4  ,HE HELD IT LOOSELY BETWE5 ! F+] & ?UMB ( HIS RI<T H&1 & !RE HE /OOD ) A ?\<TFUL LOOK ON HIS FACE1 & 9 HIS H&S ONE ( ! MO/ T]RIBLE WEAPONS :I* A /RONG MAN HAS EV] C>RI$1 ! ,5GLI% LONG-B[ & CLO?-Y>D %AFT4  

,BUT ALL ?IS :ILE ! S\ND ( ! HORSE'S HO(S WAS GR[+ NE>]1 & PRES5TLY FROM ! CORN] ( ! ROAD AMID ! OR*>DS BROKE \T \R LONG FRI5D1 HIS FACE R$ 9 ! SUN NE> S9K+ N[4  ,HE WAV$ HIS RI<T H& AS HE CAME 9 SI<T ( US1 & SANG \T1 0,BILLS & B[S6 BILLS & B[S60 & ! :OLE ?RONG TURN$ T[>DS HIM & RAIS$ A GREAT %\T4  

,HE RE9$ UP AT ! $GE ( ! ?RONG1 & SPOKE 9 A L\D VOICE1 SO ?AT ALL MI<T HE> HIM3  

0,FELL[S1 !SE >E ! TID+S2 EV5 :ILE \R PRIE/ WAS SPEAK+ WE HE>D A HORN BL[ F> (F2 SO ,I BADE ! S]GEANT WE HAVE TAK51 & :O IS N[ \R FELL[-9->MS1 TO TELL ME :]E AWAY IT WAS ?AT !RE W\LD BE FOLK A-GA!R+1 & :AT !Y W]E2 & HE DID ME TO WIT ?AT MAYHAPP5 ,SIR ,JOHN ,NEWTON WAS /IRR+ FROM ,RO*E/] ,CA/LE2 OR1 MAYBE1 IT WAS ! %]IFF & ,RAFE ,HOPTON ) HIM2 SO ,I RODE (F :AT ,I MI<T T[>DS ,H>TLIP1 & ,I RODE W>ILY1 & ?AT WAS WELL1 = AS ,I CAME ?R\< A LITTLE WOOD BETWE5 ,H>TLIP & ,GUILD/EAD1 ,I SAW BEYOND IT A GLEAM ( /EEL1 & LO 9 ! FIELD !RE A COMPANY1 & A P5NON ( ,RAFE ,HOPTON'S >MS1 & ?AT IS BLUE & !REON ?REE SILV] FI%3 & A P5NON ( ! %]IFF'S >MS1 & ?AT IS A GRE5 TREE2 & )AL ANO!R P5NON ( ?REE R$ K9E1 & :OSE !Y BE ,I KN[ NOT4.<#a.>  

.<#a.> ,PROBABLY ONE ( ! ,CALV]LYS1 A ,*E%IRE FAMILY1 ONE ( :OM WAS A NOT$ CAPTA9 9 ! ,FR5* W>S4  

0,!RE TI$ ,I MY HORSE 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! WOOD1 & MYSELF ,I CREPT ALONG ! DYKE TO SEE MORE & TO HE> SOME:AT2 & NO TALK ,I HE>D TO TELL ( SAVE AT :ILES A BIG KNI<T TALK+ TO FIVE OR SIX O!RS1 & SAY+ SOME:AT1 :]E9 CAME ! WORDS ,LONDON & ,NI*OLAS ,BRAMB]1 & ,K+ ,RI*>D2 BUT ,I SAW ?AT ( M5-AT->MS & S]GEANTS !RE MI<T BE A HUNDR$1 & ( B[S NOT MANY1 BUT ( ?OSE \TL& >BALE/S MAYBE A FIFTY2 & SO1 :AT ) ONE & ANO!R ( S]VANTS & TIP/AVES & LADS1 SOME ?REE HUNDR$1 WELL >M$1 & ! M5-AT->MS ( ! BE/4  ,=SOO?1 MY MA/]S1 !RE HAD ,I BE5 BUT A M9UTE1 ]E ! BIG KNI<T BROKE (F HIS TALK1 & CRI$ \T TO ! MUSIC TO BL[ UP1 ^*,& LET US GO LOOK ON !SE VILLE9S1' SAID HE2 & )AL ! M5 BEGAN TO GA!R 9 A DUE & ORD]$ COMPANY1 & !IR FACES TURN$ HI!RW>D2 =SOO?1 ,I GOT TO MY HORSE1 & L$ HIM \T ( ! WOOD ON ! O!R SIDE1 & SO TO SADDLE & AWAY ALONG ! GRE5 ROADS2 NEI!R WAS ,I SE5 OR *AS$4  ,SO LOOK YE TO IT1 MY MA/]S1 = !SE M5 WILL BE COM+ TO SPEAK ) US2 NOR IS !RE NE$ = HA/E1 BUT RA!R = GOOD SPE$2 = 9 SOME TW5TY OR ?IRTY M9UTES WILL BE MORE TID+S TO H&40  

,BY ?IS TIME ONE ( \R BE/->M$ M5 HAD GOT ?R\< ! ?RONG & WAS /&+ ON ! CROSS BESIDE ,JOHN ,BALL4  ,:5 ! LONG MAN HAD DONE1 !RE WAS CONFUS$ NOISE ( TALK = A :ILE1 & ! ?RONG SPREAD ITSELF \T MORE & MORE1 BUT NOT 9 A DISORD]LY MANN]2 ! B[M5 DRAW+ TOGE!R T[>D ! \TSIDE1 & ! BILLM5 =M+ BEH9D !M4  ,WILL ,GRE5 WAS /ILL /&+ BESIDE ME & HAD HOLD ( MY >M1 AS ?\< HE KNEW BO? :]E HE & ,I W]E TO GO4  

0,FELL[S10 QUO? ! CAPTA9 FROM ! CROSS1 0BELIKE ?IS /OR %ALL NOT LIVE TO BE OLD] ?AN ! DAY1 IF YE GET NOT 9TO A PLUMP TOGE!R = !IR >BALE/I]S TO %OOT BOLTS 9TO1 & !IR M5-AT->MS TO ?RU/ SPE>S 9TO4  ,GET Y\ TO ! $GE ( ! CR(TS & SPREAD \T !RE SIX FEET BETWE5 MAN & MAN1 & %OOT1 YE B[M51 FROM ! H$GES1 & YE ) ! /AVES KEEP Y\R HEADS BEL[ ! LEVEL ( ! H$GES1 OR ELSE = ALL !Y BE ?ICK A BOLT MAY W9 ITS WAY 940  

,HE GR9N$ AS HE SAID ?IS1 & !RE WAS LAU<T] 5\< 9 ! ?RONG TO HAVE DONE HONOR TO A BETT] JOKE4  

,!N HE SUNG \T1 0,HOB ,WRI<T1 ,RAFE ,WOOD1 ,JOHN ,P>GETT]1 & ?\ ,WILL ,GRE51 BE/IR YE & M>%AL ! B[%OT2 & ?\ ,NI*OLAS ,WOODY] %ALL BE UND] ME ,JACK ,/RAW 9 ORD]+ ( ! /AVES4  ,GREGORY ,TAILOR & ,JOHN ,CL]K1 FAIR & F9E >E YE CLAD 9 ! >MS ( ! ,CANT]BURY BAILIFFS2 YE %ALL %9E FROM AF>2 GO YE ) ! BANN] 9TO ! HI<WAY1 & ! B[S ON EI!R SIDE %ALL W>D Y\2 YET JUMP1 LADS1 & OV] ! H$GE ) Y\ :5 ! BOLTS BEG9 TO FLY Y\R WAY6  ,TAKE HE$1 GOOD FELL[S ALL1 ?AT \R BUS9ESS IS TO BE/RIDE ! HI<WAY1 & NOT LET !M GET 9 ON \R FLANK ! :ILE2 SO HALF TO ! RI<T1 HALF TO ! LEFT ( ! HI<WAY4  ,%OOT /RAI<T & /RONG1 & WA/E NO BREA? ) NOISE2 LET ! LOOSE ( ! B[/R+ CRY = Y\6 & LOOK Y\6 ?9K IT NO LOSS ( MANHOOD TO COV] Y\R BODIES ) TREE & BU%2 = ONE ( US :O KN[ IS WOR? A HUNDR$ ( ?OSE PR\D FOOLS4  ,TO IT1 LADS1 & LET !M SEE :AT ! GRAY GOOSE BE>S BETWE5 HIS W+S6  ,ABIDE US H]E1 BRO!R ,JOHN ,BALL1 & PRAY = US IF ?\ WILT2 BUT = ME1 IF ,GOD WILL NOT DO = ,JACK ,/RAW :AT ,JACK ,/RAW W\LD DO = ,GOD W]E HE 9 LIKE CASE1 ,I CAN SEE NO HELP = IT40  

0,YEA1 =SOO?10 SAID ! PRIE/1 0H]E WILL ,I ABIDE Y\ MY FELL[S IF YE COME BACK2 OR IF YE COME NOT BACK1 H]E WILL ,I ABIDE ! FOE4  ,DEP>T1 & ! BLESS+ ( ! ,FELL[%IP BE ) Y\40  

,D[N !N LEAP$ ,JACK ,/RAW FROM ! CROSS1 & ! :OLE ?RONG SET (F )\T NOISE OR HURRY1 SOB]LY & /EADILY 9 \TW>D SEEM+4  ,WILL ,GRE5 L$ ME BY ! H& AS IF ,I W]E A BOY1 YET NO?+ HE SAID1 BE+ =SOO? 9T5T ON HIS *>GE4  ,WE W]E SOME F\R HUNDR$ M5 9 ALL2 BUT ,I SAID TO MYSELF ?AT )\T SOME ADVANTAGE ( ! GR\ND WE W]E LO/ M5 BE=E ! M5-AT- >MS ?AT LONG ,GREGORY ,TAILOR HAD TOLD US (2 = ,I HAD NOT SE5 AS YET ! Y>D-LONG %AFT AT ITS WORK4  

,WE & SOME:AT MORE ?AN HALF ( \R B& TURN$ 9TO ! OR*>DS ON ! LEFT ( ! ROAD1 ?R\< :I* ! LEVEL RAYS ( ! L[ SUN %ONE BRI<TLY4  ,! O!RS TOOK UP !IR POSITION ON ! RI<T SIDE ( IT4  ,WE KEPT PRETTY NE> TO ! ROAD TILL WE HAD GOT ?R\< ALL ! CLOSES SAVE ! LA/1 :]E WE W]E BR\<T UP BY A H$GE & A DYKE1 BEYOND :I* LAY A WIDE-OP5 NE>LY TREELESS SPACE1 NOT ( TILLAGE1 AS AT ! O!R SIDE ( ! PLACE1 BUT ( PA/URE1 ! COMMON GRAZ+ GR\ND ( ! T[N%IP4  ,A LITTLE /REAM W\ND AB\T ?R\< ! GR\ND1 ) A FEW WILL[S H]E & !RE2 !RE WAS ONLY A ?READ ( WAT] 9 IT 9 ?IS HOT SUMM] TIDE1 BUT ITS C\RSE C\LD EASILY BE TRAC$ BY ! DEEP BLUE-GRE5 ( ! RU%ES ?AT GREW PL5TE\SLY 9 ! B$4  ,GEESE W]E LAZILY W&]+ AB\T & NE> ?IS BROOK1 & A H]D ( C[S1 ACCOMPANI$ BY ! T[N BULL1 W]E FE$+ ON QUIETLY1 !IR HEADS ALL TURN$ ONE WAY2 :ILE HALF A DOZ5 CALVES M>*$ CLOSE TOGE!R SIDE BY SIDE LIKE A PLUMP ( SOLDI]S1 !IR TAILS SW++ 9 A K9D ( MEASURE TO KEEP (F ! FLIES1 ( :I* !RE WAS GREAT PL5TY4  ,?REE OR F\R LADS & GIRLS W]E SAUNT]+ AB\T1 HE$+ OR NOT HE$+ ! CATTLE4  ,!Y LOOK$ UP T[>D US AS WE CR[D$ 9TO ! LA/ CLOSE1 & SL[LY LOIT]$ (F T[>D ! VILLAGE4  ,NO?+ LOOK$ LIKE BATTLE2 YET BATTLE S\ND$ 9 ! AIR2 = N[ WE HE>D ! BEAT ( ! HORSE-HO(S ( ! M5-AT->MS COM+ ON T[>DS US LIKE ! ROLL+ ( DI/ANT ?UND]1 & GR[+ L\D] & L\D] EV]Y M9UTE2 WE W]E NONE TOO SOON 9 TURN+ TO FACE !M4  ,JACK ,/RAW WAS ON \R SIDE ( ! ROAD1 & ) A FEW GE/URES & A WORD OR TWO HE GOT HIS M5 9TO !IR PLACES4  ,SIX >*]S L9$ ! H$GE ALONG ! ROAD :]E ! BANN] ( ,ADAM & ,EVE1 RIS+ ABOVE ! GRAY LEAVES ( ! APPLE-TREES1 *ALL5G$ ! NEW-COM]S2 & ( ! BILLM5 ALSO HE KEPT A GOOD FEW READY TO GU>D ! ROAD 9 CASE ! 5EMY %\LD TRY TO RU% IT ) ! HORSEM54  ,! ROAD1 NOT BE+ A ,ROMAN ONE1 WAS1 Y\ MU/ REMEMB]1 LITTLE LIKE ! FIRM SMOO? C\NTRY ROADS ?AT Y\ >E US$ TO2 IT WAS A M]E TRACK BETWE5 ! H$GES & FIELDS1 P>TLY GRASS-GR[N1 & CUT UP BY ! DEEP-SUNK RUTS H>D5$ BY ! DR\<T ( SUMM]4  ,!RE WAS A /ACK ( FAGOT & SMALL WOOD ON ! O!R SIDE1 & \R M5 ?REW !MSELVES UPON IT & SET TO WORK TO /AKE ! ROAD ACROSS = A R\< DEF5SE AGA9/ ! HORSEM54  

,:AT BEFELL MORE ON ! ROAD ITSELF ,I HAD NOT MU* TIME TO NOTE1 = \R B[M5 SPREAD !MSELVES \T ALONG ! H$GE ?AT LOOK$ 9TO ! PA/URE-FIELD1 LEAV+ SOME SIX FEET BETWE5 MAN & MAN2 ! RE/ ( ! BILLM5 W5T ALONG ) ! B[M51 & HALT$ 9 CLUMPS ( SOME HALF-DOZ5 ALONG !IR L9E1 HOLD+ !MSELVES READY TO HELP ! B[M5 IF ! 5EMY %\LD RUN UP UND] !IR %AFTS1 OR TO RUN ON TO L5G!N ! L9E 9 CASE !Y %\LD TRY TO BREAK 9 ON \R FLANK4  ,! H$GE 9 FRONT ( US WAS ( QUICK4  ,IT HAD BE5 /RONGLY PLA%$ 9 ! PA/ ,FEBRU>Y1 & WAS /IFF & /\T4  ,IT /OOD ON A L[ BANK2 MOREOV]1 ! LEVEL ( ! OR*>D WAS SOME ?IRTY 9*ES HI<] ?AN ?AT ( ! FIELD4  & ! DIT* SOME TWO FOOT DEEP] ?AN ! FACE ( ! FIELD4  ,! FIELD W5T W9D+ R\ND TO BEYOND ! *UR*1 MAK+ A QU>T] ( A CIRCLE AB\T ! VILLAGE1 & AT ! WE/]N 5D ( IT W]E ! BUTTS :5CE ! FOLK W]E COM+ FROM %OOT+ :5 ,I FIR/ CAME 9TO ! VILLAGE /REET4  

,ALTOGE!R1 TO ME :O KNEW NO?+ ( W> ! PLACE SEEM$ DEF5SIBLE 5\<4  ,I HAVE SAID ?AT ! ROAD D[N :I* ,LONG ,GREGORY CAME ) HIS TID+S W5T NOR?2 & ?AT WAS ITS G5]AL DIRECTION2 BUT ITS FIR/ REA* WAS NE>LY EA/1 SO ?AT ! L[ SUN WAS NOT 9 ! EYES ( ANY ( US1 & :]E ,WILL ,GRE5 TOOK HIS /&1 & ,I ) HIM1 IT WAS NE>LY AT \R BACKS4  

O ,*APT] #f 3 ,! ,BATTLE ,AT ,! ,T[N%IP'S ,5D 

,\R M5 HAD GOT 9TO !IR PLACES LEISURELY & COOLLY 5\<1 & ) NO LACK ( JE/+ & LAU<T]4  ,AS WE W5T ALONG ! H$GE BY ! ROAD1 ! LEAD]S TORE (F LEAFY TWIGS FROM ! L[ OAK BU%ES !RE91 & SET !M = A RALLY+ SIGN 9 !IR HATS & HEADPIECES1 & TWO OR ?REE ( !M HAD HORNS = BL[+4  

,WILL ,GRE51 :5 HE GOT 9TO HIS PLACE1 :I* WAS ?IRTY Y>DS FROM :]E ,JACK ,/RAW & ! BILLM5 /OOD 9 ! CORN] ( ! TWO H$GES1 ! ROAD H$GE & ! H$GE BETWE5 ! CLOSE & FIELD1 LOOK$ TO RI<T & LEFT ( HIM A MOM5T1 !N TURN$ TO ! MAN ON ! LEFT & SAID3  

0,LOOK Y\1 MATE1 :5 Y\ HE> \R HORNS BL[ ASK NO MORE QUE/IONS1 BUT %OOT /RAI<T & /RONG AT :ATSO COME? T[>DS US1 TILL YE HE> MORE TID+S FROM ,JACK ,/RAW OR FROM ME4  ,PASS ?AT WORD ONW>D40  

,!N HE LOOK$ AT ME & SAID3  

0,N[1 LAD FROM ,ESSEX1 ?\ HAD/ BE/ SIT D[N \T ( ! WAY AT ONCE3 =SOO? ,I WOT NOT :Y ,I BR\<T !E HI!R4  ,WILT ?\ NOT BACK TO ! CROSS1 = ?\ >T LITTLE ( A FI<T+-MAN80  

0,NAY10 SAID ,I1 0,I W\LD SEE ! PLAY4  ,:AT %ALL COME ( IT80  

0,LITTLE10 SAID HE2 0WE %ALL SLAY A HORSE OR TWA9 MAYBE4  ,I WILL TELL !E1 S9CE ?\ HA/ NOT SE5 A FI<T BELIKE1 AS ,I HAVE SE5 SOME1 ?AT !SE M5-AT->MS CANNOT RUN FA/ EI!R TO ! PLAY OR FROM IT1 IF !Y BE A-FOOT2 & IF !Y COME ON A- HORSEBACK1 :AT %ALL H9D] ME TO PUT A %AFT 9TO ! POOR BEA/8  ,BUT D[N ) !E ON ! DAISIES1 = SOME %OT !RE WILL BE FIR/40  

,AS HE SPOKE HE WAS PULL+ (F HIS BELTS & O!R GE>1 & HIS COAT1 :I* DONE1 HE LAID HIS QUIV] ON ! GR\ND1 GIRT HIM AGA91 DID HIS AX & BUCKL] ON TO HIS GIRDLE1 & HUNG UP HIS O!R ATTIRE ON ! NE>E/ TREE BEH9D US4  ,!N HE OP5$ HIS QUIV] & TOOK \T ( IT SOME TWO DOZ5 ( >R[S1 :I* HE /UCK 9 ! GR\ND BESIDE HIM READY TO HIS H&4  ,MO/ ( ! B[M5 )9 SI<T W]E DO+ ! LIKE4  

,AS ,I GLANC$ T[>D ! H\SES ,I SAW ?REE OR F\R BRI<T FIGURES MOV+ ?R\< ! OR*>DS1 & PRES5TLY NOT$ ?AT !Y W]E WOM51 ALL CLAD MORE OR LESS LIKE ! GIRL 9 ! ,ROSE1 EXCEPT ?AT TWO ( !M WORE :ITE COIFS ON !IR HEADS4  ,!IR ]R& !RE WAS CLE>1 = EA* C>RI$ A BUNDLE ( >R[S UND] H] >M4  

,ONE ( !M CAME /RAI<T UP TO ,WILL ,GRE51 & ,I C\LD SEE AT ONCE ?AT %E WAS HIS DAU<T]4  ,%E WAS TALL & /RONGLY MADE1 ) BLACK HAIR LIKE H] FA!R1 SOME:AT COMELY1 ?\< NO GREAT BEAUTY2 BUT AS !Y MET1 H] EYES SMIL$ EV5 MORE ?AN H] M\?1 & MADE H] FACE LOOK V]Y SWEET & K9D1 & ! SMILE WAS ANSW]$ BACK 9 A WAY SO QUA9TLY LIKE TO H] FA!R'S FACE1 ?AT ,I TOO SMIL$ = GOODWILL & PLEASURE4  

0,WELL1 WELL1 LASS10 SAID HE1 0DO/ ?\ ?9K ?AT H]E IS ,CRECY FIELD T[>D1 ?AT YE BR+ ALL ?IS >TILL]Y8  ,TURN BACK1 MY GIRL1 & SET ! POT ON ! FIRE2 = ?AT %ALL WE NE$ :5 WE COME HOME1 ,I & ?IS BALLAD-MAK] H]E40  

0,NAY10 %E SAID1 NODD+ K9DLY AT ME1 0IF ?IS IS TO BE NO ,CRECY1 !N MAY ,I /OP TO SEE1 AS WELL AS ! BALLAD-MAK]1 S9CE HE HA? NEI!R SWORD NOR /AFF80  

0,SWEETL+10 HE SAID1 0GET !E HOME 9 HA/E4  ,?IS PLAY IS BUT LITTLE1 YET MI<TE/ ?\ BE HURT 9 IT2 & TRU/ ME ! TIME MAY COME1 SWEE!>T1 :5 EV5 ?\ & SU* AS ?\ %ALT HOLD A SWORD OR A /AFF4  ,]E ! MOON ?R[S A %AD[ WE %ALL BE BACK40  

,%E TURN$ AWAY L+]+1 NOT )\T TE>S ON H] FACE1 LAID ! %EAF ( >R[S AT ! FOOT ( ! TREE1 & HA/5$ (F ?R\< ! OR*>D4  ,I WAS GO+ TO SAY SOME?+1 :5 ,WILL ,GRE5 HELD UP HIS H& AS :O W\LD BID US HE>K54  ,! NOISE ( ! HORSE-HO(S1 AFT] GR[+ NE>] & NE>]1 HAD CEAS$ SUDD5LY1 & A CONFUS$ MURMUR ( VOICES HAD TAK5 ! PLACE ( IT4  

0,GET !E D[N1 & TAKE COV]1 OLD LAD10 SAID ,WILL ,GRE52 0! DANCE WILL SOON BEG91 & YE %ALL HE> ! MUSIC PRES5TLY40  

,SURE 5\< AS ,I SLIPP$ D[N BY ! H$GE CLOSE TO :I* ,I HAD BE5 /&+1 ,I HE>D ! H>% TWANG ( ! B[-/R+S1 ONE1 TWO1 ?REE1 ALMO/ TOGE!R1 FROM ! ROAD1 & EV5 ! :EW ( ! %AFTS1 ?\< ?AT WAS DR[N$ 9 A MOM5T BY A CONFUS$ BUT L\D & ?REAT5+ %\T FROM ! O!R SIDE1 & AGA9 ! B[/R+S CLANG$1 & ?IS TIME A F>-(F CLA% ( >MS FOLL[$1 & !RE)AL ?AT CRY ( A /RONG MAN ?AT COMES )\T HIS WILL1 & IS SO DIFF]5T FROM HIS WONT$ VOICE ?AT ONE HAS A GUESS !REBY ( ! *ANGE ?AT DEA? IS4  ,!N = A :ILE WAS ALMO/ SIL5CE2 NOR DID \R HORNS BL[ UP1 ?\< SOME HALF-DOZ5 ( ! BILLM5 HAD LEAP$ 9TO ! ROAD :5 ! B[S FIR/ %OT4  ,BUT PRES5TLY CAME A GREAT BL>E ( TRUMPETS & HORNS FROM ! O!R SIDE1 & !RE) AS IT W]E A RIV] ( /EEL & BRI<T COATS P\R$ 9TO ! FIELD BE=E US1 & /ILL !IR HORNS BLEW AS !Y SPREAD \T T[>D ! LEFT ( \R L9E2 ! CATTLE 9 ! PA/URE-FIELD1 H]ET(ORE FE$+ QUIETLY1 SEEM$ FRI<T5$ SILLY BY ! SUDD5 NOISE1 & RAN AB\T TAIL 9 AIR & L[+ L\DLY2 ! OLD BULL ) HIS HEAD A LITTLE L[]$1 & HIS /UBBORN LEGS PLANT$ FIRMLY1 GR[L+ ?REAT5+LY2 :ILE ! GEESE AB\T ! BROOK WADDL$ AWAY GOBBL+ & SQUEAK+2 ALL :I* SEEM$ SO /RANGE TO US ALONG ) ! ?REAT ( SUDD5 DEA? ?AT RANG \T FROM ! BRI<T >RAY OV] AGA9/ US1 ?AT WE LAU<$ \TRI<T1 ! MO/ ( US1 & ,WILL ,GRE5 PUT D[N HIS HEAD 9 MOCK]Y ( ! BULL & GRUNT$ LIKE HIM1 :]EAT WE LAU<$ YET MORE4  ,HE TURN$ R\ND TO ME AS HE NOCK$ HIS >R[1 & SAID3  

0,I W\LD !Y W]E JU/ FIFTY PACES NI<]1 & !Y MOVE NOT4  ,HO6  ,JACK ,/RAW1 %ALL WE %OOT80  

,= ! LATT]-NAM$ WAS NI< US N[2 HE %OOK HIS HEAD & SAID NO?+ AS HE /OOD LOOK+ AT ! 5EMY'S L9E4  

0,FE> NOT BUT !Y >E ! RI<T FOLK1 ,JACK10 QUO? ,WILL ,GRE54  

0,YEA1 YEA10 SAID HE1 0BUT ABIDE A:ILE2 !Y C\LD MAKE NAU<T ( ! HI<WAY1 & TWO ( !IR S]GEANTS HAD A MESSAGE FROM ! GRAY-GOOSE FEA!R4  ,ABIDE1 = !Y HAVE NOT CROSS$ ! ROAD TO \R RI<T H&1 & BELIKE HAVE NOT SE5 \R FELL[S ON ! O!R SIDE1 :O >E N[ = A BU%M5T TO !M40  

,I LOOK$ H>D AT ! MAN4  ,HE WAS A TALL1 WIRY1 & BROAD- %\LD]$ FELL[1 CLAD 9 A H&SOME >MOR ( BRI<T /EEL ?AT C]TA9LY HAD NOT BE5 MADE = A YEOMAN1 BUT OV] IT HE HAD A COMMON L95 SMOCK-FROCK OR GAB]D9E1 LIKE \R FIELD WORKM5 WE> N[ OR US$ TO WE>1 & 9 HIS HELMET HE C>RI$ 9/EAD ( A FEA!R A WISP ( :EAT5 /RAW4  ,HE BORE A HEAVY AX 9 HIS H& BESIDES ! SWORD HE WAS GIRT )1 & R\ND HIS NECK HUNG A GREAT HORN = BL[+4  ,I %\LD SAY ?AT ,I KNEW ?AT !RE W]E AT LEA/ ?REE 0,JACK ,/RAWS0 AMONG ! FELL[%IP ( ! DISCONT5T$1 ONE ( :OM WAS OV] 9 ,ESSEX4  

,AS WE WAIT$ !RE1 EV]Y B[MAN ) HIS %AFT NOCK$ ON ! /R+1 !RE WAS A MOVEM5T 9 ! L9E OPPOSITE1 & PRES5TLY CAME FROM IT A LITTLE KNOT ( ?REE M51 ! MIDDLE ONE ON HORSEBACK1 ! O!R TWO >M$ ) LONG-H&L$ GLAIVES2 ALL ?REE WELL MUFFL$ UP 9 >MOR4  ,AS !Y CAME NE>] ,I C\LD SEE ?AT ! HORSEMAN HAD A TAB>D OV] HIS >MOR1 GAILY EMBROID]$ ) A GRE5 TREE ON A GOLD GR\ND1 & 9 HIS H& A TRUMPET4  

0,!Y >E COME TO SUMMON US4  ,WILT ?\ ?AT HE SPEAK1 ,JACK80 SAID ,WILL ,GRE54  

0,NAY10 SAID ! O!R2 0YET %ALL HE HAVE W>N+ FIR/4  ,%OOT :5 MY HORN BL[S60  

,& !RE) HE CAME UP TO ! H$GE1 CLIMB$ OV]1 SL[LY BECAUSE ( HIS >MOR1 & /OOD SOME DOZ5 Y>DS \T 9 ! FIELD4  ,! MAN ON HORSEBACK PUT HIS TRUMPET TO HIS M\? & BLEW A LONG BLA/1 & !N TOOK A SCROLL 9TO HIS H& & MADE AS IF HE W]E GO+ TO READ2 BUT ,JACK ,/RAW LIFT$ UP HIS VOICE & CRI$ \T3  

0,DO IT NOT1 OR ?\ >T BUT DEAD6  ,WE WILL HAVE NO ACCURS$ LAWY]S & !IR %EEP-SK9S H]E6  ,GO BACK TO ?OSE ?AT S5T !E----0  

,BUT ! MAN BROKE 9 9 A L\D H>% VOICE3  

0,HO6  ,Y,E ,P,E,O,P,L,E6 :AT WILL YE GA!R+ 9 >MS80  

,!N CRI$ ,JACK ,/RAW3  

0,SIR ,FOOL1 HOLD Y\R PEACE TILL YE HAVE HE>D ME1 OR ELSE WE %OOT AT ONCE4  ,GO BACK TO ?OSE ?AT S5T !E1 & TELL !M ?AT WE FREE M5 ( ,K5T >E ON ! WAY TO ,LONDON TO SPEAK ) ,K+ ,RI*>D1 & TO TELL HIM ?AT :I* HE WOTS NOT2 TO WIT1 ?AT !RE IS A C]TA9 SORT ( FOOLS & TRAITORS TO ! REALM :O W\LD PUT COLL>S ON \R NECKS & MAKE BEA/S ( US1 & ?AT IT IS HIS RI<T & HIS DEVOIR TO DO AS HE SWORE :5 HE WAS CR[N$ & ANO9T$ AT ,WE/M9/] ON ! ,/ONE ( ,DOOM1 & GA9SAY !SE ?IEVES & TRAITORS2 & IF HE BE TOO WEAK1 !N %ALL WE HELP HIM2 & IF HE WILL NOT BE K+1 !N %ALL WE HAVE ONE :O WILL BE1 & ?AT IS ! ,K+'S ,SON ( ,HEAV54  ,N[1 !RE=E1 IF ANY )/& US ON \R LAWFUL ]R& AS WE GO TO SPEAK ) \R [N K+ & LORD1 LET HIM LOOK TO IT4  ,BE> BACK ?IS WORD TO !M ?AT S5T !E4  ,BUT = !E1 HE>K51 ?\ BA/>D ( AN 9KY %EEP-SK96 GET !E GONE & T>RY NOT2 ?REE TIMES %ALL ,I LIFT UP MY H&1 & ! ?IRD TIME LOOK TO ?YSELF1 = !N %ALT ?\ HE> ! LOOSE ( \R B[/R+S1 & AFT] ?AT NAU<T ELSE TILL ?\ HE>E/ ! DEVIL BIDD+ !E WELCOME TO HELL60  

,\R FELL[S %\T$1 BUT ! SUMMON] BEGAN AGA91 YET 9 A QUAV]+ VOICE3  

0,HO6  ,Y,E ,P,E,O,P,L,E6 :AT WILL YE GA!R+ 9 >MS8  ,WOT YE NOT ?AT YE >E DO+ OR %ALL DO GREAT H>M1 LOSS1 & HURT TO ! K+'S LIEGES----0  

,HE /OPP$2 ,JACK ,/RAW'S H& WAS L[]$ = ! SECOND TIME4  ,HE LOOK$ TO HIS M5 RI<T & LEFT1 & !N TURN$ RE9 & TURN$ TAIL1 & SCUTTL$ BACK TO ! MA9 BODY AT HIS SWIFTE/4  ,HUGE LAU<T] RATTL$ \T ALL ALONG \R L9E AS ,JACK ,/RAW CLIMB$ BACK 9TO ! OR*>D GR9N+ ALSO4  

,!N WE NOT$ MORE MOVEM5T 9 ! 5EMY'S L9E4  ,!Y W]E SPREAD+ ! >*]S & >BALE/I]S TO \R LEFT1 & ! M5- AT->MS & O!RS ALSO SPREAD SOME1 :AT UND] ! ?REE P5NONS ( :I* ,LONG ,GREGORY HAD TOLD US1 & :I* W]E PLA9 5\< TO US 9 ! DE> EV5+4  ,PRES5TLY ! MOV+ L9E FAC$ US1 & ! >*]S SET (F AT A SM>T PACE T[>D US1 ! M5-AT->MS HOLD+ BACK A LITTLE BEH9D !M4  ,I KNEW N[ ?AT !Y HAD BE5 )9 B[%OT ALL ALONG1 BUT \R M5 W]E LOA! TO %OOT BE=E !IR FIR/ %OTS W\LD TELL1 LIKE ?OSE HALF-DOZ5 9 ! ROAD :51 AS !Y TOLD ME AFT]W>DS1 A PLUMP ( !IR M5-AT->MS HAD MADE A %[ ( FALL+ ON4  

,BUT N[ AS SOON AS ?OSE M5 BEGAN TO MOVE ON US DIRECTLY 9 FACE1 ,JACK ,/RAW PUT HIS HORN TO HIS LIPS & BLEW A L\D R\< BLA/ ?AT WAS E*O$ BY FIVE OR SIX O!RS ALONG ! OR*>D H$GE4  ,EV]Y MAN HAD HIS %AFT NOCK$ ON ! /R+2 ,I WAT*$ !M1 & ,WILL ,GRE5 SPECIALLY2 HE & HIS B[ & ITS /R+ SEEM$ ALL ( A PIECE1 SO EASILY BY SEEM+ DID HE DRAW ! NOCK ( ! >R[ TO HIS E>4  ,A MOM5T1 AS HE TOOK HIS AIM1 & !N--,O !N DID ,I UND]/& ! MEAN+ ( ! AWE ) :I* ! ANCI5T POET SPEAKS ( ! LOOSE ( ! GOD ,APOLLO'S B[2 = T]RIBLE 9DE$ WAS ! M+L$ S\ND ( ! TWANG+ B[/R+ & ! :IRR+ %AFT SO CLOSE TO ME4  

,I WAS N[ ON MY KNEES RI<T 9 FRONT ( ,WILL & SAW ALL CLE>LY2 ! >BALE/I]S 7= NO LONG-B[ M5 W]E OV] AGA9/ \R /EAD7 HAD ALL ( !M BRI<T HEADPIECES1 & /\T BODY->MOR ( BOIL$ LEA!R ) METAL /UDS1 & AS !Y CAME T[>DS US1 ,I C\LD SEE OV] !IR %\LD]S GREAT WOOD5 %IELDS HANG+ AT !IR BACKS4  ,FUR!R TO \R LEFT !IR LONG-B[ M5 HAD %OT ALMO/ AS SOON AS \RS1 & ,I HE>D OR SEEM$ TO HE> ! RU% ( ! >R[S ?R\< ! APPLE-B\<S & A MAN'S CRY !RE)2 BUT ) US ! LONG-B[ HAD BE5 BE=E ! CROSS-B[2 ONE ( ! >BALE/I]S FELL \TRI<T1 HIS GREAT %IELD CLATT]+ D[N ON HIM1 & MOV$ NO MORE2 :ILE ?REE O!RS W]E HIT & W]E CRAWL+ TO ! RE>4  ,! RE/ HAD %\LD]$ !IR B[S & W]E AIM+1 BUT ,I ?\<T UN/EADILY2 & BE=E ! TRIGG]S W]E DRAWN AGA9 ,WILL ,GRE5 HAD NOCK$ & LOOS$1 & NOT A FEW O!RS ( \R FOLK2 !N CAME ! WOOD5 HAIL ( ! BOLTS RATTL+ ?R\< ! B\<S1 BUT ALL OV]HEAD & NO ONE HIT4  

,! NEXT TIME ,WILL ,GRE5 NOCK$ HIS >R[ HE DREW ) A GREAT %\T1 :I* ALL \R FELL[S TOOK UP2 = ! >BALE/I]S 9/EAD ( TURN+ AB\T 9 !IR PLACES COV]$ BY !IR GREAT %IELDS & W9D+ UP !IR CROSS-B[S = A SECOND %OT1 AS IS ! CU/OM ( SU* SOLDI]S1 RAN HUDDL+ TOGE!R T[>D !IR M5-AT->MS1 \R >R[S DRIV+ ?UMP-?UMP 9TO !IR %IELDS AS !Y RAN3 ,I SAW F\R LY+ ON ! FIELD DEAD OR SORE W\ND$4  

,BUT \R >*]S %\T$ AGA91 & KEPT ON EA* PLUCK+ ! >R[S FROM ! GR\ND1 & NOCK+ & LOOS+ SWIFTLY BUT DELIB]ATELY AT ! L9E BE=E !M2 9DE$ N[ WAS ! TIME = !SE T]RIBLE B[M51 = AS ,WILL ,GRE5 TOLD ME AFT]W>DS !Y ALWAYS RECKON$ TO KILL ?R\< CLO? OR LEA!R AT FIVE HUNDR$ Y>DS1 & !Y HAD LET ! CROSS-B[ M5 COME NE>LY )9 ?REE HUNDR$1 & !SE W]E N[ ALL M+L$ & MUDDL$ UP ) ! M5-AT->MS AT SCANT FIVE HUNDR$ Y>DS' DI/ANCE2 & BELIKE1 TOO1 ! LATT] W]E NOT TREAT+ !M TOO WELL1 BUT SEEM$ TO BE BELABOR+ !M ) !IR SPE>-/AVES 9 !IR ANG] AT ! POORNESS ( ! PLAY2 SO ?AT AS ,WILL ,GRE5 SAID IT WAS LIKE %OOT+ AT HAY-RICKS4  

,ALL ?IS Y\ MU/ UND]/& LA/$ BUT A FEW M9UTES1 & :5 \R M5 HAD BE5 %OOT+ QUITE COOLLY1 LIKE GOOD WORKM5 AT PEACEFUL WORK1 = A FEW M9UTES MORE1 ! 5EMY'S L9E SEEM$ TO CLE> SOME:AT2 ! P5NON ) ! ?REE R$ K9E %[$ 9 FRONT & ?REE M5 >M$ FROM HEAD TO FOOT 9 GLEAM+ /EEL1 EXCEPT = !IR %ORT COATS BRI<T ) H]ALDRY1 W]E ) IT4  ,ONE ( !M 7& HE BORE ! ?REE K9E ON HIS COAT7 TURN$ R\ND & GAVE SOME WORD ( COMM&1 & AN ANGRY %\T W5T UP FROM !M1 & !Y CAME ON /EADILY T[>DS US1 ! MAN ) ! R$ K9E ON HIS COAT LEAD+ !M1 A GREAT NAK$ SWORD 9 HIS H&3 Y\ MU/ NOTE ?AT !Y W]E ALL ON FOOT2 BUT AS !Y DREW NE>] ,I SAW !IR HORSES L$ BY GROOMS & PAGES COM+ ON SL[LY BEH9D !M4  

,SOO? SAID ,WILL ,GRE5 ?AT ! M5-AT->MS RUN NOT FA/ EI!R TO OR FRO ! FRAY2 !Y CAME ON NO FA/] ?AN A HA/Y WALK1 !IR >MS CLA%+ AB\T !M & ! TWANG ( ! B[S & :I/LE ( ! >R[S NEV] FAIL+ ALL ! :ILE1 BUT GO+ ON LIKE ! PU% ( ! WE/]LY GALE1 AS FROM TIME TO TIME ! M5-AT->MS %\T$1 0,HA6 HA6 \T6 \T6  ,K5TI% ?IEVES60  

,BUT :5 !Y BEGAN TO FALL ON1 ,JACK ,/RAW %\T$ \T1 0,BILLS TO ! FIELD6 BILLS TO ! FIELD60  

,!N ALL \R BILLM5 RAN UP & LEAP$ OV] ! H$GE 9TO ! MEAD[ & /OOD /\TLY ALONG ! DIT* UND] \R B[S1 ,JACK ,/RAW 9 ! =EFRONT H&L+ HIS GREAT AX4  ,!N HE CA/ IT 9TO HIS LEFT H&1 CAU<T UP HIS HORN & W9D$ IT L\DLY4  ,! M5-AT->MS DREW NE> /EADILY1 SOME FELL UND] ! >R[-/ORM1 BUT NOT A MANY2 = ?\< ! T>GET WAS BIG1 IT WAS H>D1 S9CE NOT EV5 ! CLO?-Y>D %AFT C\LD PI]CE WELL-WR\<T >MOR ( PLATE1 & !RE WAS MU* >MOR AMONG !M4  ,)AL ! >BALE/I]S W]E %OOT+ AGA91 BUT HI< & AT A V5TURE1 SO !Y DID US NO HURT4  

,BUT AS !SE SOLDI]S MADE WISE BY ! ,FR5* W> W]E N[ DRAW+ NE>1 & \R B[M5 W]E CA/+ D[N !IR B[S & DRAW+ !IR %ORT SWORDS1 OR H&L+ !IR AXES1 AS DID ,WILL ,GRE51 MUTT]+1 0,N[ MU/ ,HOB ,WRI<T'S GE> 5D ?IS PLAY0-- :ILE ?IS WAS A-DO+1 LO1 ON A SUDD5 A FLI<T ( >R[S FROM \R RI<T ON ! FLANK ( ! S]GEANTS' >RAY1 :I* /AY$ !M SOME:AT2 NOT BECAUSE IT SLEW MANY M51 BUT BECAUSE !Y BEGAN TO BE?9K !M ?AT !IR FOES W]E MANY & ALL >\ND !M2 !N ! ROAD-H$GE ON ! RI<T SEEM$ ALIVE ) >M$ M51 = :ATEV] C\LD HOLD SWORD OR /AFF AMONG US WAS !RE2 EV]Y B[MAN ALSO LEAP$ \R OR*>D-H$GE SWORD OR AX 9 H&1 & ) A GREAT %\T1 BILLM51 >*]S1 & ALL1 RAN 9 ON !M2 HALF->M$1 YEA1 & HALF-NAK$ SOME ( !M2 /RONG & /\T & LI! & LI<T )AL1 ! WRA? ( BATTLE & ! HOPE ( BETT] TIMES LIFT+ UP !IR HE>TS TILL NO?+ C\LD )/& !M4  ,SO WAS ALL M+L$ TOGE!R1 & = A M9UTE OR TWO WAS A CONFUS$ CLAMOR OV] :I* ROSE A CLATT] LIKE ! RIVET+ ( IRON PLATES1 OR ! NOISE ( ! /REET ( COPP]SMI?S AT ,FLOR5CE2 !N ! ?RONG BUR/ OP5 & ! /EEL-CLAD S]GEANTS & SQUIRES & KNI<TS RAN HUDDL+ & %UFFL+ T[>DS !IR HORSES2 BUT SOME CA/ D[N !IR WEAPONS & ?REW UP !IR H&S & CRI$ = PEACE & RANSOM2 & SOME /OOD & F\<T DESP]ATELY1 & SLEW SOME TILL !Y W]E HAMM]$ D[N BY MANY /ROKES1 & ( !SE W]E ! BAILIFFS & TIP/AVES1 & ! LAWY]S & !IR M51 :O C\LD NOT RUN & HOP$ = NO M]CY4  

,I LOOK$ AS ON A PICTURE & WOND]$1 & MY M9D WAS AT /RA9 TO REMEMB] SOME?+ =GOTT51 :I* YET HAD LEFT ITS M>K ON IT4  ,I HE>D ! NOISE ( ! HORSE-HO(S ( ! FLEE+ M5-AT- >MS 7! >*]S & >BALE/I]S HAD SCATT]$ BE=E ! LA/ M9UTES ( ! PLAY71 ,I HE>D ! CONFUS$ S\ND ( LAU<T] & REJOIC+ D[N 9 ! MEAD[1 & CLOSE BY ME ! EV5+ W9D LIFT+ ! LI<T] TWIGS ( ! TREES1 & F> AWAY ! MANY NOISES ( ! QUIET C\NTRY1 TILL LI<T & S\ND BO? BEGAN TO FADE FROM ME & ,I SAW & HE>D NO?+4  

,I LEAP$ UP TO MY FEET PRES5TLY & !RE WAS ,WILL ,GRE5 BE=E ME AS ,I HAD FIR/ SE5 HIM 9 ! /REET ) COAT & HOOD & ! GE> AT HIS GIRDLE & HIS UN/RUNG B[ 9 HIS H&2 HIS FACE SMIL+ & K9D AGA91 BUT MAYBE A ?\<T SAD4  

0,WELL10 QUO? ,I1 0:AT IS ! TALE = ! BALLAD-MAK]80  

0,AS ,JACK ,/RAW SAID IT W\LD BE10 SAID HE1 0^*! 5D ( ! DAY & ! 5D ( ! FRAY2'0 & HE PO9T$ TO ! BRAVE %[ ( ! SKY OV] ! SUNK5 SUN2 0! KNI<TS FL$ & ! %]IFF DEAD3 TWO ( ! LAWY] K9D SLA9 AFIELD1 & ONE HANG$3 & CRUEL WAS HE TO MAKE !M CRUEL3 & ?REE BAILIFFS KNOCK$ ON ! HEAD--/\T M51 & SO WITLESS1 ?AT NONE F\ND !IR BRA9S 9 !IR SKULLS2 & FIVE >BALE/I]S & ONE >*] SLA91 & A SCORE & A HALF ( O!RS1 MO/LY M5 COME BACK FROM ! ,FR5* W>S1 M5 ( ! ,COMPANIONS !RE1 KN[+ NO O!R CRAFT ?AN FI<T+ = GOLD2 & ?IS IS ! 5D !Y >E PAID =4  ,WELL1 BRO!R1 SAV+ ! LAWY]S :O BELIKE HAD NO S\LS1 BUT ONLY P>*M5T DE$S & LIBELS ( ! SAME1 ,GOD RE/ !IR S\LS60  

,HE FELL A-MUS+2 BUT ,I SAID1 0,& ( \R ,FELL[%IP W]E ANY SLA980  

0,TWO GOOD M5 ( ! T[N%IP10 HE SAID1 0,HOB ,HORN] & ,ANTONY ,WEBB]1 W]E SLA9 \TRI<T1 ,HOB ) A %AFT & ,ANTONY 9 ! H&-PLAY1 & ,JOHN ,P>GETT] HURT V]Y SORE ON ! %\LD] ) A GLAIVE2 & FIVE MORE M5 ( ! ,FELL[%IP SLA9 9 ! H&-PLAY1 & SOME FEW HURT1 BUT NOT SORELY4  ,& AS TO ?OSE SLA91 IF ,GOD GIVE !IR S\LS RE/ IT IS WELL2 = LITTLE RE/ !Y HAD ON ! E>? BELIKE2 BUT = ME1 ,I DESIRE RE/ NO MORE40  

,I LOOK$ AT HIM & \R EYES MET ) NO LITTLE LOVE2 & ,I WOND]$ TO SEE H[ WRA? & GRIEF )9 HIM W]E CONT5D+ ) ! K9DNESS ( ! MAN1 & H[ CLE> ! TOK5S ( IT W]E 9 HIS FACE4  

0,COME N[1 OLD LAD10 SAID HE1 0= ,I DEEM ?AT ,JOHN ,BALL & ,JACK ,/RAW HAVE A WORD TO SAY TO US AT ! CROSS YET1 S9CE !SE M5 BROKE (F ! TELL+ ( ! TALE2 !RE %ALL WE KN[ :AT WE >E TO TAKE 9 H& TO-MORR[4  ,& AFT]W>DS ?\ %ALT EAT & DR9K 9 MY H\SE ?IS ONCE1 IF NEV] AGA9 0  

,SO WE W5T ?R\< ! OR*>D CLOSES AGA92 & O!RS W]E AB\T & ANI< US1 ALL TURN$ T[>DS ! CROSS AS WE W5T OV] ! DEWY GRASS1 :]EON ! MOON WAS JU/ BEG9N+ TO ?R[ %AD[S4  

O ,*APT] #g 3 ,MORE ,WORDS AT ! ,CROSS 

,I GOT 9TO MY OLD PLACE AGA9 ON ! /EPS ( ! CROSS1 ,WILL ,GRE5 BESIDE ME1 & ABOVE ME ,JOHN ,BALL & ,JACK ,/RAW AGA94  ,! MOON WAS HALF-WAY UP ! HEAV5S N[1 & ! %ORT SUMM] NI<T HAD BEGUN1 CALM & FRAGRANT1 ) JU/ SO MU* NOISE \TSIDE \R QUIET CIRCLE AS MADE ONE FEEL ! WORLD ALIVE & HAPPY4  

,WE WAIT$ SIL5TLY UNTIL WE HAD HE>D ,JOHN ,BALL & ! /ORY ( :AT WAS TO DO2 & PRES5TLY HE BEGAN TO SPEAK4  

0,GOOD PEOPLE1 IT IS BEGUN1 BUT NOT 5D$4  ,:I* ( Y\ IS H>DY 5\< TO W5D ! ROAD TO ,LONDON TO-MORR[80  

0,ALL6  ,ALL60 !Y %\T$4  

0,YEA10 SAID HE1 0EV5 SO ,I DEEM$ ( Y\4  ,YET =SOO? HE>K56  ,LONDON IS A GREAT & GRIEV\S CITY2 & MAYHAPP5 :5 YE COME ?I!R IT %ALL SEEM TO Y\ OV]GREAT TO DEAL )1 :5 YE REMEMB] ! LITTLE T[N%IPS & ! COTS YE CAME FROM4  

0,MOREOV]1 :5 YE DWELL H]E 9 ,K5T YE ?9K =SOO? ( Y\R BRE?R5 9 ,ESSEX OR ,SUFFOLK1 & !RE BELIKE AN 5D4  ,BUT FROM ,LONDON YE MAY HAVE AN 9KL+ ( ALL ! WORLD1 & OV]- BURD5SOME MAYBE %ALL ?AT SEEM TO Y\1 A FEW & A FEEBLE PEOPLE4  

0,NEV]!LESS ,I SAY TO Y\1 REMEMB] ! ,FELL[%IP1 9 ! HOPE ( :I* YE HAVE ?IS DAY CONQU]$2 & :5 YE COME TO ,LONDON BE WISE & W>Y2 & ?AT IS AS MU* AS TO SAY1 BE BOLD & H>DY2 = 9 !SE DAYS >E YE BUILD+ A H\SE :I* %ALL NOT BE OV]?R[N1 & ! WORLD %ALL NOT BE TOO GREAT OR TOO LITTLE TO HOLD IT3 = 9DE$ IT %ALL BE ! WORLD ITSELF1 SET FREE FROM EVIL-DO]S = FRI5DS TO DWELL 940  

,HE CEAS$ A:ILE1 BUT !Y HE>K5$ /ILL1 AS IF SOME?+ MORE WAS COM+4  ,!N HE SAID3  

0,TO-MORR[ WE %ALL TAKE ! ROAD = ,RO*E/]2 & MO/ LIKE IT W]E WELL TO SEE :AT ,SIR ,JOHN ,NEWTON 9 ! CA/LE MAY SAY TO US3 = ! MAN IS NO ILL MAN1 & HA? A TONGUE WELL-%AP5 = WORDS2 & IT W]E WELL ?AT WE HAD HIM \T ( ! CA/LE & AWAY ) US1 & ?AT WE PUT A WORD 9 HIS M\? TO SAY TO ! ,K+4  ,& WOT YE WELL1 GOOD FELL[S1 ?AT BY !N WE COME TO ,RO*E/] WE %ALL BE A GOODLY COMPANY1 & ]E WE COME TO ,BLACKHEA? A V]Y GREAT COMPANY2 & AT ,LONDON ,BRIDGE :O %ALL /AY \R HO/8  

0,!RE=E !RE IS NAU<T ?AT CAN UNDO US EXCEPT \R [N SELVES & \R HE>K5+ TO S(T WORDS FROM ?OSE :O W\LD SLAY US4  ,!Y %ALL BID US GO HOME & ABIDE PEACEFULLY ) \R WIVES & *ILDR5 :ILE !Y1 ! LORDS & C\NCILORS & LAWY]S1 IMAG9E C\NSEL & REM$Y = US2 & EV5 SO %ALL \R [N FOLLY BID US2 & IF WE HE>K5 !RETO WE >E UNDONE 9DE$2 = !Y %ALL FALL UPON \R PEACE ) W>1 & \R WIVES & *ILDR5 !Y %ALL TAKE FROM US1 & SOME ( US !Y %ALL HANG1 & SOME !Y %ALL SC\RGE1 & ! O!RS %ALL BE !IR YOKE- BEA/S--YEA1 & WORSE1 = !Y %ALL LACK MEAT MORE4  

0,TO FOOLS HE>K5 NOT1 :E!R !Y BE Y\RSELVES OR Y\R FOEM51 = EI!R %ALL LEAD Y\ A/RAY4  

0,) ! LORDS P>LEY NOT1 = YE KN[ ALREADY :AT !Y W\LD SAY TO Y\1 & ?AT IS1 ^*,*URL1 LET ME BRIDLE !E & SADDLE !E1 & EAT ?Y LIVELIHOOD ?AT ?\ W9NE/1 & CALL !E H>D NAMES BECAUSE ,I EAT !E UP2 & = !E1 SPEAK NOT & DO NOT1 SAVE AS ,I BID !E4'  

0,ALL ?AT IS ! 5D ( !IR P>LEY+4  

0,!RE=E BE YE BOLD1 & AGA9 BOLD1 & ?RICE BOLD6  ,GRIP ! B[1 H&LE ! /AFF1 DRAW ! SWORD1 & SET ON 9 ! NAME ( ! ,FELL[%IP60  

,HE 5D$ AMID L\D %\TS2 BUT /RAI<T-WAY ANSW]+ %\TS W]E HE>D1 & A GREAT NOISE ( ! W9D+ ( HORNS1 & ,I MISD\BT$ A NEW ONSLAU<T2 & SOME ( ?OSE 9 ! ?RONG BEGAN TO /R+ !IR B[S & H&LE !IR BILLS2 BUT ,WILL ,GRE5 PULL$ ME BY ! SLEEVE & SAID3  

0,FRI5DS >E !SE BY ! W9D+ ( !IR HORNS2 ?\ >T QUIT = ?IS NI<T1 OLD LAD40  ,& !N ,JACK ,/RAW CRI$ \T FROM ! CROSS3  0,FAIR & S(TLY1 MY MA/]S6  ,!SE BE M5 ( \R ,FELL[%IP1 & >E = Y\R GUE/S ?IS NI<T2 !Y >E FROM ! B5TS ?IS SIDE ( ,M$WAY1 & >E ) US H]E BECAUSE ( ! PILGRIMAGE ROAD1 & ?AT IS ! BE/ 9 !SE P>TS1 & SO ! %ORTE/ TO ,RO*E/]4  ,& D\BT YE NO?+ ( \R BE+ TAK5 UNAW>ES ?IS NI<T2 = ,I HAVE BIDD5 & S5T \T WAT*]S ( ! WAYS1 & NEI!R A MAN'S SON NOR A M>E'S SON MAY COME 9 ON US )\T ESPIAL4  ,N[ MAKE WE \R FRI5DS WELCOME4  ,=SOO?1 ,I LOOK$ = !M AN H\R LAT]2 & HAD !Y COME AN H\R E>LI] YET1 SOME HEADS W\LD N[ LIE ON ! COLD GRASS :I* %ALL LIE ON A FEA!R B$ TO-NI<T4  ,BUT LET BE1 S9CE ALL IS WELL6  

0,N[ GET WE HOME TO \R H\SES1 & EAT & DR9K & SLUMB] ?IS NI<T1 IF NEV] ONCE AGA91 AMID ! MULTITUDE ( FRI5DS & FELL[S2 & YET SOB]LY & )\T RIOT1 S9CE SO MU* WORK IS TO H&4  ,MOREOV] ! PRIE/ SAI?1 BE> YE ! DEAD M51 BO? FRI5DS & FOES1 9TO ! *ANCEL ( ! *UR*1 & !RE ?IS NI<T HE WILL WAKE !M3 BUT AFT] TO-MORR[ LET ! DEAD ABIDE TO BURY !IR DEAD60  

,!RE) HE LEAP$ D[N FROM ! CROSS1 & ,WILL & ,I BE/IRR$ \RSELVES & M+L$ ) ! NEW-COM]S4  ,!Y W]E SOME ?REE HUNDR$ /RONG1 CLAD & >M$ 9 ALL WAYS LIKE ! PEOPLE ( \R T[N%IP1 EXCEPT SOME HALF-DOZ5 :OSE >MOR %ONE COLD LIKE ICE UND] ! MOONBEAMS4  ,WILL ,GRE5 SOON HAD A DOZ5 ( !M BY ! SLEEVE TO COME HOME ) HIM TO BO>D & B$1 & !N ,I LO/ HIM = SOME M9UTES1 & TURN+ AB\T SAW ,JOHN ,BALL /&+ BEH9D ME1 LOOK+ P5SIVELY ON ALL ! /IR & M]RY HUMORS ( ! JOY\S UPL&]S4  

0,BRO!R FROM ,ESSEX10 SAID HE1 0%ALL ,I SEE !E AGA9 TO-NI<T8  ,I W]E FA9 ( SPEE* ) !E2 = ?\ SEEME/ LIKE ONE ?AT HAS SE5 MORE ?AN MO/40  

0,YEA10 SAID ,I1 0IF YE COME TO ,WILL ,GRE5'S H\SE1 = ?I!R AM ,I BIDD540  

0,?I!R %ALL ,I COME10 SAID HE1 SMIL+ K9DLY1 0OR NO MAN ,I KN[ 9 FIELD4  ,LO Y\1 ,WILL ,GRE5 LOOK+ = SOME?+1 & ?AT IS ME4  ,BUT 9 HIS H\SE WILL BE SONG & ! TALK ( MANY FRI5DS2 & =SOO? ,I HAVE WORDS 9 ME ?AT CRAVE TO COME \T 9 A QUIET PLACE :]E !Y MAY HAVE EA* ONE HIS [N ANSW]4  ,IF ?\ >T NOT AFRAID ( DEAD M5 :O W]E ALIVE & WICK$ ?IS MORN+1 COME ?\ TO ! *UR* :5 SUPP] IS DONE1 & !RE WE MAY TALK ALL WE WILL40  

,WILL ,GRE5 WAS /&+ BESIDE US BE=E HE HAD DONE1 ) HIS H& LAID ON ! PRIE/'S %\LD]1 WAIT+ TILL HE HAD SPOK5 \T2 & AS ,I NODD$ ,YEA TO ,JOHN ,BALL HE SAID3  

0,N[1 MA/] PRIE/1 ?\ HA/ SPOK5 5\< ?IS TWO OR ?REE H\RS1 & ?IS MY NEW BRO!R MU/ TELL & TALK 9 MY H\SE2 & !RE MY MAID WILL HE> HIS WISDOM :I* LAY /ILL UND] ! H$GE E'5 N[ :5 ! BOLTS W]E ABROAD4  ,SO COME YE1 & YE GOOD FELL[S1 COME60  

,SO WE TURN$ AWAY TOGE!R 9TO ! LITTLE /REET4  ,BUT :ILE ,JOHN ,BALL HAD BE5 SPEAK+ TO ME ,I FELT /RANGELY1 AS ?\< ,I HAD MORE ?+S TO SAY ?AN ! WORDS ,I KNEW C\LD MAKE CLE>3 AS IF ,I WANT$ TO GET FROM O!R PEOPLE A NEW SET ( WORDS4  ,MOREOV]1 AS WE PASS$ UP ! /REET AGA9 ,I WAS ONCE AGA9 SMITT5 ) ! GREAT BEAUTY ( ! SC5E2 ! H\SES1 ! *UR* ) ITS NEW *ANCEL & T[]1 SN[-:ITE 9 ! MOONBEAMS N[2 ! DRESSES & >MS ( ! PEOPLE1 M5 & WOM5 7= ! LATT] W]E N[ MIX$ UP ) ! M572 !IR GRAVE SONOR\S LANGUAGE1 & ! QUA9T & MEASUR$ =MS ( SPEE*1 W]E AGA9 BECOME A WOND] TO ME & AFFECT$ ME ALMO/ TO TE>S4  

O ,*APT] #h 3 ,SUPP] AT ,WILL ,GRE5'S 

,I WALK$ ALONG ) ! O!RS MUS+ AS IF ,I DID NOT BELONG TO !M1 TILL WE CAME TO ,WILL ,GRE5'S H\SE4  ,HE WAS ONE ( ! WEAL?I] ( ! YEOM51 & HIS H\SE WAS ONE ( ?OSE ,I TOLD Y\ (1 ! L[] /ORY ( :I* WAS BUILT ( /ONE4  ,IT HAD NOT BE5 BUILT LONG1 & WAS V]Y TRIM & NEAT4  ,! FIT ( WOND] HAD WORN (F ME AGA9 BY !N ,I REA*$ IT1 OR P]HAPS ,I %\LD GIVE Y\ A CLOS] DESCRIPTION ( IT1 = IT WAS A H&SOME YEOMAN'S DWELL+ ( ?AT DAY1 :I* IS AS MU* AS SAY+ IT WAS V]Y BEAUTIFUL4  ,! H\SE ON ! O!R SIDE ( IT1 ! LA/ H\SE 9 ! VILLAGE1 WAS OLD OR EV5 ANCI5T2 ALL BUILT ( /ONE1 & EXCEPT = A NEW] PIECE BUILT ON TO IT--A HALL1 IT SEEM$--HAD R\ND >*ES1 SOME ( !M H&SOMELY C>V$4  ,I KNEW ?AT ?IS WAS ! P>SON'S H\SE2 BUT HE WAS ANO!R SORT ( PRIE/ ?AN ,JOHN ,BALL1 & :AT = FE>1 :AT = HATR$1 HAD GONE BACK TO HIS MONA/]Y ) ! TWO O!R *ANTREY PRIE/S :O DWELT 9 ?AT H\SE2 SO ?AT ! M5 ( ! T[N%IP1 & MORE ESPECIALLY ! WOM51 W]E ?9K+ GLADLY H[ ,JOHN ,BALL %\LD SAY MASS 9 !IR NEW *ANCEL ON ! MORR[4  

,WILL ,GRE5'S DAU<T] WAS WAIT+ = HIM AT ! DOOR & GAVE HIM A CLOSE & EAG] HUG1 & HAD A KISS TO SP>E = EA* ( US )AL3 A /RONG GIRL %E WAS1 AS ,I HAVE SAID1 & SWEET & :OLESOME ALSO4  ,%E MADE M]RY ) H] FA!R2 YET IT WAS EASY TO SEE ?AT H] HE>T WAS 9 H] M\? ALL ALONG4  ,!RE WAS A Y\NG] GIRL SOME TWELVE SUMM]S OLD1 & A LAD ( T51 :O W]E EASILY TO BE KN[N = HIS *ILDR52 AN OLD WOMAN ALSO1 :O HAD H] LIVELIHOOD !RE1 & HELP$ ! H\SEHOLD2 & MOREOV] ?REE LONG Y\NG M51 :O CAME 9TO ! H\SE AFT] WE HAD SAT D[N1 TO :OM ,WILL NODD$ K9DLY4  ,!Y W]E BRISK LADS & SM>T1 BUT HAD BE5 AFIELD AFT] ! BEA/S ?AT EV5+1 & HAD NOT SE5 ! FRAY4  

,! ROOM WE CAME 9TO WAS 9DE$ ! H\SE1 = !RE WAS NO?+ BUT IT ON ! GR\ND FLOOR1 BUT A /AIR 9 ! CORN] W5T UP TO ! *AMB] OR L(T ABOVE4  ,IT WAS MU* LIKE ! ROOM AT ! ,ROSE1 BUT BIGG]2 ! CUPBO>D BETT] WR\<T1 & ) MORE VESSELS ON IT1 & H&SOM]4  ,ALSO ! WALLS1 9/EAD ( BE+ PANEL$1 W]E HUNG ) A CO>SE LOOSELY-WOV5 /UFF ( GRE5 WOR/$ ) BIRDS & TREES WOV5 9TO IT4  ,!RE W]E FL[]S 9 PL5TY /UCK AB\T ! ROOM1 MO/LY ( ! YELL[ BLOSSOM+ FLAG OR FL[]-DE-LUCE1 ( :I* ,I HAD SE5 PL5TY 9 ALL ! DIT*ES1 BUT 9 ! W9D[ NE> ! DOOR WAS A POT FULL ( ?OSE SAME :ITE POPPIES ,I HAD SE5 :5 ,I FIR/ WOKE UP2 & ! TABLE WAS ALL SET =? ) MEAT & DR9K1 A BIG SALT-CELL> ( PEWT] 9 ! MIDDLE1 COV]$ ) A :ITE CLO?4  

,WE SAT D[N1 ! PRIE/ BLESS$ ! MEAT 9 ! NAME ( ! ,TR9ITY1 & WE CROSS$ \RSELVES & FELL TO4  ,! VICTUAL WAS PL5TIFUL ( BRO? & FLE%-MEAT1 & BREAD & *]RIES1 SO WE ATE & DRANK1 & TALK$ LI<TLY TOGE!R :5 WE W]E FULL4  

,YET WAS NOT ! FEA/ SO GAY AS MI<T HAVE BE54  ,WILL ,GRE5 HAD ME TO SIT NEXT TO HIM1 & ON ! O!R SIDE SAT ,JOHN ,BALL2 BUT ! PRIE/ HAD GR[N SOME:AT DI/RAU<T1 & SAT AS ONE ?9K+ ( SOME:AT ?AT WAS LIKE TO ESCAPE HIS ?\<T4  ,WILL ,GRE5 LOOK$ AT HIS DAU<T] FROM TIME TO TIME1 & :ILES HIS EYES GLANC$ R\ND ! FAIR *AMB] AS ONE :O LOV$ IT1 & HIS K9D FACE GREW SAD1 YET NEV] SULL54  ,:5 ! H]DSM5 CAME 9TO ! HALL !Y FELL /RAI<TWAY TO ASK+ QUE/IONS CONC]N+ ?OSE ( ! ,FELL[%IP :O HAD BE5 SLA9 9 ! FRAY1 & ( !IR WIVES & *ILDR52 SO ?AT = A :ILE !REAFT] NO MAN C>$ TO JE/1 = !Y W]E A NEI<BORLY & K9D FOLK1 & W]E SORRY BO? = ! DEAD1 & ALSO = ! LIV+ ?AT %\LD SUFF] FROM ?AT DAY'S WORK4  

,SO !N WE SAT SIL5T A:ILE4  ,! UNSE5 MOON WAS BRI<T OV] ! RO( ( ! H\SE1 SO ?AT \TSIDE ALL WAS GLEAM+ BRI<T SAVE ! BLACK %AD[S1 ?\< ! MOON CAME NOT 9TO ! ROOM1 & ! :ITE WALL ( ! T[] WAS ! :ITE/ & ! BRI<TE/ ?+ WE C\LD SEE4  

,WIDE OP5 W]E ! W9D[S1 & ! SC5TS ( ! FRAGRANT NI<T FLOAT$ 9 UPON US1 & ! S\NDS ( ! M5 AT !IR MEAT OR MAK+ M]RY AB\T ! T[N%IP2 & :ILES WE HE>D ! GIBB] ( AN [L FROM ! TREES WE/W>D ( ! *UR*1 & ! %>P CRY ( A BLACKBIRD MADE FE>FUL BY ! PR[L+ /OAT1 OR ! F>-(F L[+ ( A C[ FROM ! UPL& PA/URES2 OR ! HO(S ( A HORSE TROTT+ ON ! PILGRIMAGE ROAD 7& ONE ( \R WAT*]S W\LD ?AT BE74  

,?US WE SAT A:ILE1 & ONCE AGA9 CAME ?AT FEEL+ OV] ME ( WOND] & PLEASURE AT ! /RANGE & BEAUTIFUL SI<TS1 M+L$4  

) ! SI<TS & S\NDS & SC5TS BEAUTIFUL 9DE$1 YET NOT /RANGE1 BUT RA!R LONG FAMILI> TO ME4  

,BUT N[ ,WILL ,GRE5 />T$ 9 HIS SEAT :]E HE SAT ) HIS DAU<T] HANG+ OV] HIS *AIR1 H] H& AMID HIS ?ICK BLACK CURLS1 & %E WEEP+ S(TLY1 ,I ?\<T2 & HIS R\< /RONG VOICE BROKE ! SIL5CE4  

0,:Y1 LADS & NEI<BORS1 :AT AILS US8  ,IF ! KNI<TS :O FL$ FROM US ?IS EVE W]E TO CREEP BACK HI!R & LOOK 9 AT ! W9D[1 !Y W\LD DEEM ?AT !Y HAD SLA9 US AFT] ALL1 & ?AT WE W]E BUT ! <O/S ( ! M5 :O F\<T !M4  ,YET1 =SOO?1 FAIR IT IS AT :ILES TO SIT ) FRI5DS & LET ! SUMM] NI<T SPEAK = US & TELL US ITS TALES4  ,BUT N[1 SWEETL+1 FET* ! MAZ] & ! W9E40 0,=SOO?10 SAID ,JOHN ,BALL1 0IF YE LAU< NOT OV]-MU* N[1 YE %ALL LAU< ! MORE ON ! MORR[ ( TO-MORR[1 AS YE DRAW NE>] TO ! PLAY ( PO9T & $GE40  

0,?AT IS SOO?10 SAID ONE ( ! UPL& GUE/S4  0,SO IT WAS SE5 9 ,FRANCE :5 WE F\<T !RE2 & ! EVE ( FI<T WAS SOB] & ! MORN WAS M]RY40  

0,YEA10 SAID ANO!R1 0BUT !RE1 =SOO?1 IT WAS = NO?+ YE F\<T2 & TO-MORR[ IT %ALL BE = A FAIR REW>D40  

0,IT WAS = LIFE WE F\<T10 SAID ! FIR/4  

0,YEA10 SAID ! SECOND1 0= LIFE2 & LEAVE TO GO HOME & F9D ! LAWY]S AT !IR FELL GAME4  ,HO1 ,WILL ,GRE51 CALL A HEAL? OV] ! CUP60  

,= N[ ,WILL ,GRE5 HAD A B[L ( W9E 9 HIS H&4  ,HE /OOD UP & SAID3  0,H]E1 N[1 ,I CALL A HEAL? TO ! WRI<TS ( ,K5T :O BE TURN+ \R PL[-%>ES 9TO SWORDS & \R PRUN+-HOOKS 9TO SPE>S6  ,DR9K >\ND1 MY MA/]S60  

,!N HE DRANK1 & HIS DAU<T] FILL$ ! B[L BRIMM+ AGA9 & HE PASS$ IT TO ME4  ,AS ,I TOOK IT ,I SAW ?AT IT WAS ( LI<T POLI%$ WOOD CURI\SLY SPECKL$1 ) A B& ( SILV] R\ND IT1 ON :I* WAS CUT ! LEG5D1 0,9 ! NAME ( ! ,TR9ITY FILL ! CUP & DR9K TO ME40  ,& BE=E ,I DRANK1 IT CAME UPON ME TO SAY1 0,TO-MORR[1 & ! FAIR DAYS AFT]W>DS60  

,!N ,I DRANK A GREAT DRAFT ( ! /RONG R$ W9E1 & PASS$ IT ON2 & EV]Y MAN SAID SOME?+ OV] IT1 AS 0,! ROAD TO ,LONDON ,BRIDGE60  0,HOB ,C>T] & HIS MATE60 & SO ON1 TILL LA/ ( ALL ,JOHN ,BALL DRANK1 SAY+3  

0,T5 YE>S H5CE1 & ! FRE$OM ( ! ,FELL[%IP60  ,!N HE SAID TO ,WILL ,GRE53  0,N[1 ,WILL1 MU/ ,I NE$S DEP>T TO GO & WAKE ! DEAD1 BO? FRI5D & FOE 9 ! *UR* YOND]2 & :OSO ( Y\ WILL BE %RIV5 LET HIM COME TO ME ?I!R 9 ! MORN1 NOR SP>E = AS LITTLE AFT] SUNRISE AS IT MAY BE4  ,& ?IS \R FRI5D & BRO!R FROM OV] ! WAT] ( ,?AMES1 HE HA? WILL TO TALK ) ME & ,I ) HIM2 SO N[ WILL ,I TAKE HIM BY ! H&3 & SO ,GOD KEEP Y\1 FELL[S60  

,I ROSE TO MEET HIM AS HE CAME R\ND ! HEAD ( ! TABLE1 & TOOK HIS H&4  ,WILL ,GRE5 TURN$ R\ND TO ME & SAID3  

0,?\ WILT COME BACK AGA9 TIMELY1 OLD LAD2 = BETIMES ON ! MORR[ MU/ WE RISE IF WE %ALL D9E AT ,RO*E/]40  

,I /AMM]$ AS ,I YEA-SAID HIM2 = ,JOHN ,BALL WAS LOOK+ /RANGELY AT ME ) A HALF-SMILE1 & MY HE>T BEAT ANXI\SLY & FE>FULLY3 BUT WE W5T QUIETLY TO ! DOOR & SO \T 9TO ! BRI<T MOONLI<T4  

,I L+]$ A LITTLE :5 WE HAD PASS$ ! ?RE%OLD1 & LOOK$ BACK AT ! YELL[-LI<T$ W9D[ & ! %APES ( ! M5 ?AT ,I SAW !RE9 ) A GRIEF & LONG+ ?AT ,I C\LD NOT GIVE MYSELF A REASON =1 S9CE ,I WAS TO COME BACK SO SOON4  ,JOHN ,BALL DID NOT PRESS ME TO MOVE =W>D1 BUT HELD UP HIS H& AS IF TO BID ME HE>K54  ,! FOLK & GUE/S !RE HAD ALREADY %AK5 !MSELVES D[N S9CE \R DEP>TURE1 & W]E GOTT5 TO BE REASONABLY M]RY IT SEEM$2 = ONE ( ! GUE/S1 HE :O HAD SPOK5 ( ,FRANCE BE=E1 HAD FALL5 TO S++ A BALLAD ( ! W> TO A WILD & MELAN*OLY TUNE4  ,I REMEMB] ! FIR/ RHYMES ( IT1 :I* ,I HE>D AS ,I TURN$ AWAY MY HEAD & WE MOV$ ON T[>D ! *UR*3  

  

        0,ON A FAIR FIELD ( ,FRANCE   

         ,WE F\<T ON A MORN+   

         ,SO LOVELY AS IT LIE?   

         ,ALONG BY ! WAT]4   

         ,!RE WAS MANY A LORD !RE   

         ,M[$ M5 9 ! M$LEY1   

         ',MID/ ! BANN]S ( ! B>ONS   

         ,& BOLD M5 ( ! KNI<?OOD1   

         ,& SPE>M5 & S]GEANTS   

         ,& %OOT]S ( ! %AFT40   

O ,*APT] #i 3 ,BETWIXT ! ,LIV+ & ! ,DEAD 

,WE 5T]$ ! *UR* ?R\< ! S\? POR* UND] A R\ND- >*$ DOOR C>V$ V]Y RI*LY1 & ) A SCULPTURE OV] ! DOORWAY & UND] ! >*1 :I*1 AS F> AS ,I C\LD SEE BY ! MOONLI<T1 FIGUR$ ,/4 ,MI*AEL & ! ,DRAGON4  ,AS ,I CAME 9TO ! RI* GLOOM ( ! NAVE ,I NOTIC$ = ! FIR/ TIME ?AT ,I HAD ONE ( ?OSE :ITE POPPIES 9 MY H&2 ,I MU/ HAVE TAK5 IT \T ( ! POT BY ! W9D[ AS ,I PASS$ \T ( ,WILL ,GRE5'S H\SE4  

,! NAVE WAS NOT V]Y L>GE1 BUT IT LOOK$ SPACI\S TOO2 IT WAS SOME:AT OLD1 BUT WELL-BUILT & H&SOME2 ! RO( ( CURV$ WOOD5 RAFT]S ) GREAT TIE-BEAMS GO+ FROM WALL TO WALL4  ,!RE WAS NO LI<T 9 IT BUT ?AT ( ! MOON /REAM+ ?R\< ! W9D[S1 :I* W]E BY NO MEANS L>GE1 & W]E GLAZ$ ) :ITE FRETWORK1 ) H]E & !RE A LITTLE FIGURE 9 V]Y DEEP RI* COLORS4  ,TWO L>G] W9D[S NE> ! EA/ 5D ( EA* AISLE HAD JU/ BE5 MADE SO ?AT ! *UR* GREW LI<T] T[>D ! EA/1 & ,I C\LD SEE ALL ! WORK ON ! GREAT SCRE5 BETWE5 ! NAVE & *ANCEL :I* GLITT]$ BRI<T 9 NEW PA9T & GILD+3 A C&LE GLIMM]$ 9 ! L(T ABOVE IT1 BE=E ! HUGE ROOD ?AT FILL$ UP ! :OLE SPACE BETWE5 ! L(T & ! *ANCEL >*4  ,!RE WAS AN ALT> AT ! EA/ 5D ( EA* AISLE1 ! ONE ON ! S\? SIDE /&+ AGA9/ ! \TSIDE WALL1 ! ONE ON ! NOR? AGA9/ A TRAC]I$ GAILY-PA9T$ SCRE51 = ?AT AISLE RAN ON ALONG ! *ANCEL4  ,!RE W]E A FEW OAK B5*ES NE> ?IS SECOND ALT>1 SEEM+LY JU/ MADE1 & WELL C>V$ & MOLD$2 O!RWISE ! FLOOR ( ! NAVE1 :I* WAS PAV$ ) A QUA9T PAVEM5T ( GLAZ$ TILES LIKE ! CROCKS ,I HAD SE5 \TSIDE AS TO W>E1 WAS QUITE CLE>1 & ! %AFTS ( ! >*ES ROSE \T ( IT :ITE & BEAUTIFUL UND] ! MOON AS ?\< \T ( A SEA1 D>K BUT ) GLEAMS /RUCK OV] IT4  

,! PRIE/ LET ME L+] & LOOK R\ND1 :5 HE HAD CROSS$ HIMSELF & GIV5 ME ! HOLY WAT]2 & !N ,I SAW ?AT ! WALLS W]E FIGUR$ ALL OV] ) /ORIES1 A HUGE ,/4 ,*RI/OPH] ) HIS BLACK BE>D LOOK+ LIKE ,WILL ,GRE51 BE+ CLOSE TO ! POR* BY :I* WE 5T]$1 & ABOVE ! *ANCEL >* ! ,DOOM ( ! LA/ ,DAY1 9 :I* ! PA9T] HAD NOT SP>$ EI!R K+S OR BI%OPS1 & 9 :I* A LAWY] ) HIS BLUE COIF WAS ONE ( ! *IEF FIGURES 9 ! GR\P :I* ! ,DEVIL WAS HAUL+ (F TO HELL4  

0,YEA10 SAID ,JOHN ,BALL1 0'TIS A GOODLY *UR* & FAIR AS Y\ MAY SEE 'TWIXT ,CANT]BURY & ,LONDON AS = ITS K9D2 & YET DO ,I MISD\BT ME :]E ?OSE :O >E DEAD >E H\S$1 & :]E ?OSE %ALL H\SE !M AFT] !Y >E DEAD1 :O BUILT ?IS H\SE = ,GOD TO DWELL 94  ,GOD GRANT !Y BE CLEANS$ AT LA/2 =SOO? ONE ( !M :O IS N[ ALIVE IS A F\L SW9E & A CRUEL WOLF4  ,>T ?\ ALL SO SURE1 S*OL>1 ?AT ALL SU* HAVE S\LS8 & IF IT BE SO1 WAS IT WELL DONE ( ,GOD TO MAKE !M8  ,I SPEAK TO !E ?US1 = ,I ?9K ?\ >T NO DELATOR2 & IF ?\ BE1 :Y %\LD ,I HE$ IT1 S9CE ,I ?9K NOT TO COME BACK FROM ?IS J\RNEY40  

,I LOOK$ AT HIM &1 AS IT W]E1 HAD SOME ADO TO ANSW] HIM2 BUT ,I SAID AT LA/1 0,FRI5D1 ,I NEV] SAW A S\L1 SAVE 9 ! BODY2 ,I CANNOT TELL40  

,HE CROSS$ HIMSELF & SAID1 0,YET DO ,I 9T5D ?AT ]E MANY DAYS >E GONE BY MY S\L %ALL BE 9 BLISS AMONG ! FELL[%IP ( ! SA9TS1 & M]RY %ALL IT BE1 EV5 BE=E MY BODY RISES FROM ! DEAD2 = WISELY ,I HAVE WR\<T 9 ! WORLD1 & ,I WOT WELL ( FRI5DS ?AT >E LONG AGO GONE FROM ! WORLD1 AS ,/4 ,M>T91 & ,/4 ,FRANCIS1 & ,/4 ,?OMAS ( ,CANT]BURY1 :O %ALL SPEAK WELL ( ME TO ! HEAV5LY ,FELL[%IP1 & ,I %ALL 9 NO WISE LOSE MY REW>D40  

,I LOOK$ %YLY AT HIM AS HE SPOKE2 HIS FACE LOOK$ SWEET & CALM & HAPPY1 & ,I W\LD HAVE SAID NO WORD TO GRIEVE HIM2 & YET BELIKE MY EYES LOOK$ WOND] ON HIM3 HE SEEM$ TO NOTE IT & HIS FACE GREW PUZZL$4  0,H[ DEEME/ ?\ ( !SE ?+S80 SAID HE3 0:Y DO M5 DIE ELSE1 IF IT BE O!RWISE ?AN ?IS80  

,I SMIL$3  0,:Y !N DO !Y LIVE80 SAID ,I4  

,EV5 9 ! :ITE MOONLI<T ,I SAW HIS FACE FLU%1 & HE CRI$ \T 9 A GREAT VOICE1 0,TO DO GREAT DE$S OR TO REP5T !M ?AT !Y EV] W]E BORN40 0,YEA10 SAID ,I1 0!Y LIVE TO LIVE BECAUSE ! WORLD LIVE?40  ,HE /RET*$ \T HIS H& TO ME & GRASP$ M9E1 BUT SAID NO MORE2 & W5T ON TILL WE CAME TO ! DOOR 9 ! ROOD-SCRE52 !N HE TURN$ TO ME ) HIS H& ON ! R+-LAT*1 & SAID1 0,HA/ ?\ SE5 MANY DEAD M580  

0,NAY1 BUT FEW10 SAID ,I4  

0,& ,I A MANY10 SAID HE2 0BUT COME N[ & LOOK ON !SE1 \R FRI5DS FIR/ & !N \R FOES1 SO ?AT YE MAY NOT LOOK TO SEE !M :ILE WE SIT & TALK ( ! DAYS ?AT >E TO BE ON ! E>? BE=E ! ,DAY ( ,DOOM COME?40  

,SO HE OP5$ ! DOOR1 & WE W5T 9TO ! *ANCEL2 A LI<T BURN$ ON ! HI< ALT> BE=E ! HO/1 & LOOK$ R$ & /RANGE 9 ! MOONLI<T ?AT CAME ?R\< ! WIDE TRAC]I$ W9D[S UN/A9$ BY ! PICTURES & BEFL[]+S ( ! GLAZ+2 !RE W]E NEW /ALLS = ! PRIE/S & VIC>S :]E WE 5T]$1 C>V$ MORE ABUNDANTLY & BEAUTIFULLY ?AN ANY ( ! WOODWORK ,I HAD YET SE51 & EV]Y:]E WAS RI* & FAIR COLOR & DELICATE & DA9TY =M4  ,\R DEAD LAY JU/ BE=E ! HI< ALT> ON L[ BI]S1 !IR FACES ALL COV]$ ) L95 CLO?S1 = SOME ( !M HAD BE5 SORE SMITT5 & HACK$ 9 ! FRAY4  ,WE W5T UP TO !M & ,JOHN ,BALL TOOK ! CLO? FROM ! FACE ( ONE2 HE HAD BE5 %OT TO ! HE>T ) A %AFT & HIS FACE WAS CALM & SMOO?4  ,HE HAD BE5 A Y\NG MAN FAIR & COMELY1 ) HAIR FLAX5 ALMO/ TO :IT5ESS2 HE LAY !RE 9 HIS CLO!S AS HE HAD FALL51 ! H&S CROSS$ OV] HIS BREA/ & HOLD+ A RU% CROSS4  ,HIS B[ LAY ON ONE SIDE ( HIM1 HIS QUIV] ( %AFTS & HIS SWORD ON ! O!R4  

,JOHN ,BALL SPAKE TO ME :ILE HE HELD ! CORN] ( ! %EET3  0,:AT SAYE/ ?\1 S*OL>8 FEELE/ ?\ SORR[ ( HE>T :5 ?\ LOOKE/ ON ?IS1 EI!R = ! MAN HIMSELF1 OR = ?YSELF & ! TIME :5 ?\ %ALT BE AS HE IS80  

,I SAID1 0,NAY1 ,I FEEL NO SORR[ = ?IS2 = ! MAN IS NOT H]E3 ?IS IS AN EMPTY H\SE1 & ! MA/] HAS GONE FROM IT4  ,=SOO?1 ?IS TO ME IS BUT AS A WAX5 IMAGE ( A MAN2 NAY1 NOT EV5 ?AT1 = IF IT W]E AN IMAGE1 IT W\LD BE AN IMAGE ( ! MAN AS HE WAS :5 HE WAS ALIVE4  ,BUT H]E IS NO LIFE NOR SEMBLANCE ( LIFE1 & ,I AM NOT MOV$ BY IT2 NAY1 ,I AM MORE MOV$ BY ! MAN'S CLO!S & W>-GE>--!RE IS MORE LIFE 9 !M ?AN 9 HIM40  

0,?\ SAYE/ SOO?10 SAID HE2 0BUT SORR[E/ ?\ NOT = ?9E [N DEA? :5 ?\ LOOKE/ ON HIM80  

,I SAID1 0,& H[ CAN ,I SORR[ = ?AT :I* ,I CANNOT SO MU* AS ?9K (8  ,BE?9K !E ?AT :ILE ,I AM ALIVE ,I CANNOT ?9K ?AT ,I %ALL DIE1 OR BELIEVE 9 DEA? AT ALL1 AL?\< ,I KN[ WELL ?AT ,I %ALL DIE--,I CAN BUT ?9K ( MYSELF AS LIV+ 9 SOME NEW WAY40  

,AGA9 HE LOOK$ ON ME AS IF PUZZL$2 !N HIS FACE CLE>$ AS HE SAID1 0,YEA1 =SOO?1 & ?AT IS :AT ! ,*UR* MEANE? BY DEA?1 & EV5 ?AT ,I LOOK =2 & ?AT H]EAFT] ,I %ALL SEE ALL ! DE$S ?AT ,I HAVE DONE 9 ! BODY1 & :AT !Y REALLY W]E1 & :AT %ALL COME ( !M2 & EV] %ALL ,I BE A MEMB] ( ! ,*UR*1 & ?AT IS ! ,FELL[%IP2 !N1 EV5 AS N[40  

,I SI<$ AS HE SPOKE2 !N ,I SAID1 0,YEA1 SOME:AT 9 ?IS FA%ION HAVE MO/ ( M5 ?\<T1 S9CE NO MAN ?AT IS CAN CONCEIVE ( NOT BE+2 & ,I M9D ME ?AT 9 ?OSE /ORIES ( ! OLD ,DANES1 !IR COMMON WORD = A MAN DY+ IS TO SAY1 ^*,HE *ANG$ HIS LIFE4'0  

0,& SO DEEME/ ?\80  

,I %OOK MY HEAD & SAID NO?+4  

0,:AT HA/ ?\ TO SAY H]EON80 SAID HE1 0= !RE SEEME? SOME?+ BETWIXT US TWA9 AS IT W]E A WALL ?AT P>TE? US40  

0,?IS10 SAID ,I1 0?AT ?\< ,I DIE & 5D1 YET MANK9D YET LIVE?1 !RE=E ,I 5D NOT1 S9CE ,I AM A MAN2 & EV5 SO ?\ DEEME/1 GOOD FRI5D2 OR AT ! LEA/ EV5 SO ?\ DOE/1 S9CE N[ ?\ >T READY TO DIE 9 GRIEF & TORM5T RA!R ?AN BE UNFAI?FUL TO ! ,FELL[%IP1 YEA RA!R ?AN FAIL TO WORK ?9E UTMO/ = IT2 :]EAS1 AS ?\ ?YSELF SAID/ AT ! CROSS1 ) A FEW WORDS SPOK5 & A LITTLE HUDDL+-UP ( ! TRU?1 ) A FEW P5NIES PAID1 & A FEW MASSES SUNG1 ?\ MI<TE/ HAVE HAD A GOOD PLACE ON ?IS E>? & 9 ?AT HEAV54  ,& AS ?\ DOE/1 SO N[ DO? MANY A POOR MAN UNNAM$ & UNKN[N1 & %ALL DO :ILE ! WORLD LA/E?3 & !Y ?AT DO LESS ?AN ?IS1 FAIL BECAUSE ( FE>1 & >E A%AM$ ( !IR C[>DICE1 & MAKE MANY TALES TO !MSELVES TO DECEIVE !MSELVES1 LE/ !Y %\LD GR[ TOO MU* A%AM$ TO LIVE4  ,& TRU/ ME IF ?IS W]E NOT SO1 ! WORLD W\LD NOT LIVE1 BUT W\LD DIE1 SMO!R$ BY ITS [N /9K4  ,IS ! WALL BETWIXT US GONE1 FRI5D80  

,HE SMIL$ AS HE LOOK$ AT ME1 K9DLY1 BUT SADLY & %AMEFA/1 & %OOK HIS HEAD4  

,!N 9 A :ILE HE SAID1 0,N[ YE HAVE SE5 ! IMAGES ( ?OSE :O W]E \R FRI5DS1 COME & SEE ! IMAGES ( ?OSE :O W]E ONCE \R FOES40  

,SO HE L$ ! WAY ?R\< ! SIDE SCRE5 9TO ! *ANCEL AISLE1 & !RE ON ! PAVEM5T LAY ! BODIES ( ! FOEM51 !IR WEAPONS TAK5 FROM !M & !Y /RIPP$ ( !IR >MOR1 BUT NOT O!RWISE ( !IR CLO!S1 & !IR FACES MO/LY1 BUT NOT ALL1 COV]$4  ,AT ! EA/ 5D ( ! AISLE WAS ANO!R ALT>1 COV]$ ) A RI* CLO? BEAUTIFULLY FIGUR$1 & ON ! WALL OV] IT WAS A DEAL ( TAB]NACLE WORK1 9 ! MIDMO/ NI*E ( IT AN IMAGE PA9T$ & GILT ( A GAY KNI<T ON HORSEBACK1 CUTT+ HIS [N CLOAK 9 TWO ) HIS SWORD TO GIVE A CANTLE ( IT TO A HALF-NAK$ BEGG>4 0,KN[E/ ?\ ANY ( !SE M580 SAID ,I4  

,HE SAID1 0,SOME ,I %\LD KN[1 C\LD ,I SEE !IR FACES2 BUT LET !M BE40  

0,W]E !Y EVIL M580 SAID ,I4  

0,YEA10 HE SAID1 0SOME TWO OR ?REE4  ,BUT ,I WILL NOT TELL !E ( !M2 LET ,/4 ,M>T91 :OSE H\SE ?IS IS1 TELL !IR /ORY IF HE WILL4  ,AS = ! RE/ !Y W]E HAPLESS FOOLS1 OR ELSE M5 :O MU/ E>N !IR BREAD SOMEH[1 & W]E DRIV5 TO ?IS BAD WAY ( E>N+ IT2 ,GOD RE/ !IR S\LS6  ,I WILL BE NO TALE-BE>]1 NOT EV5 TO ,GOD40  

,SO WE /OOD MUS+ A LITTLE :ILE1 ,I GAZ+ NOT ON ! DEAD M51 BUT ON ! /RANGE PICTURES ON ! WALL1 :I* W]E RI*] & DEEP] COLOR$ ?AN ?OSE 9 ! NAVE2 TILL AT LA/ ,JOHN ,BALL TURN$ TO ME & LAID HIS H& ON MY %\LD]4  ,I />T$ & SAID1 0,YEA1 BRO!R2 N[ MU/ ,I GET ME BACK TO ,WILL ,GRE5'S H\SE1 AS ,I PROMIS$ TO DO SO TIMELY40  

0,NOT YET1 BRO!R10 SAID HE2 0,I HAVE /ILL MU* TO SAY TO !E1 & ! NI<T IS YET Y\NG4  ,GO WE & SIT 9 ! /ALLS ( ! VIC>S1 & LET US ASK & ANSW] ON MATT]S CONC]N+ ! FA%ION ( ?IS WORLD ( M5FOLK1 & ( ?IS L& :]E9 WE DWELL2 = ONCE MORE ,I DEEM ( !E ?AT ?\ HA/ SE5 ?+S :I* ,I HAVE NOT SE51 & C\LD NOT HAVE SE540  ,) ?AT WORD HE L$ ME BACK 9TO ! *ANCEL1 & WE SAT D[N SIDE BY SIDE 9 ! /ALLS AT ! WE/ 5D ( IT1 FAC+ ! HI< ALT> & ! GREAT EA/ W9D[4  ,BY ?IS TIME ! *ANCEL WAS GETT+ DIMM] AS ! MOON W\ND R\ND ! HEAV5S2 BUT YET WAS !RE A TWILI<T ( ! MOON1 SO ?AT ,I C\LD /ILL SEE ! ?+S AB\T ME = ALL ! BRI<TNESS ( ! W9D[ ?AT FAC$ US2 & ?IS MOON TWILI<T W\LD LA/1 ,I KNEW1 UNTIL ! %ORT SUMM] NI<T %\LD WANE1 & ! TWILI<T ( ! DAWN BEG9 TO %[ US ! COLORS ( ALL ?+S AB\T US4  

,SO WE SAT1 & ,I GA!R$ MY ?\<TS TO HE> :AT HE W\LD SAY1 & ,I MYSELF WAS TRY+ TO ?9K :AT ,I %\LD ASK ( HIM2 = ,I ?\<T ( HIM AS HE ( ME1 ?AT HE HAD SE5 ?+S :I* ,I C\LD NOT HAVE SE54  

O ,*APT] #a 3 ,TWO ,TALKS ( ! ,DAYS TO ,COME 

0,BRO!R10 SAID ,JOHN ,BALL1 0H[ DEEME/ ?\ ( \R ADV5TURE8  ,I DO NOT ASK !E IF ?\ ?9KE/ WE >E RI<T TO PLAY ! PLAY LIKE M51 BUT :E!R PLAY+ LIKE M5 WE %ALL FAIL LIKE M540  

0,:Y DO/ ?\ ASK ME80 SAID ,I2 0H[ MU* FUR!R ?AN BEYOND ?IS *UR* CAN ,I SEE80 0,F> FUR!R10 QUO? HE1 0= ,I WOT ?AT ?\ >T A S*OL> & HA/ READ BOOKS2 & )AL1 9 SOME WAY ?AT ,I CANNOT NAME1 ?\ KN[E/ MORE ?AN WE2 AS ?\< ) !E ! WORLD HAD LIV$ LONG] ?AN ) US4  ,HIDE NOT1 !RE=E1 :AT ?\ HA/ 9 ?9E HE>T1 = ,I ?9K AFT] ?IS NI<T ,I %ALL SEE !E NO MORE1 UNTIL WE MEET 9 ! HEAV5LY ,FELL[%IP40  

0,FRI5D10 ,I SAID1 0ASK ME :AT ?\ WILT2 OR RA!R ASK ?\ ! YE>S TO COME TO TELL !E SOME LITTLE ( !IR TALE2 & YET ME?9KS ?\ ?YSELF MAYE/ HAVE SOME DEEM+ !RE(40  

,HE RAIS$ HIMSELF ON ! ELB[ ( ! /ALL & LOOK$ ME FULL 9 ! FACE1 & SAID TO ME3  0,IS IT SO AFT] ALL ?AT ?\ >T NO MAN 9 ! FLE%1 BUT >T S5T TO ME BY ! ,MA/] ( ! ,FELL[%IP1 & ! ,K+'S ,SON ( ,HEAV51 TO TELL ME :AT %ALL BE8  ,IF ?AT BE SO TELL ME /RAI<T \T1 S9CE ,I HAD SOME DEEM+ H]E( BE=E2 :]EAS ?Y SPEE* IS LIKE \RS & YET UNLIKE1 & ?Y FACE HA? SOME?+ 9 IT :I* IS NOT AFT] ! FA%ION ( \R DAY4  ,& YET TAKE HE$1 IF ?\ >T SU* AN ONE1 ,I FE> !E NOT1 NAY1 NOR HIM ?AT S5T !E2 NOR = ?Y BIDD+1 NOR = HIS1 WILL ,I TURN BACK FROM ,LONDON ,BRIDGE BUT WILL PRESS ON1 = ,I DO :AT IS MEET & RI<T40  

0,NAY10 SAID ,I1 0DID ,I NOT TELL !E E'5 N[ ?AT ,I KNEW LIFE BUT NOT DEA?8  ,I AM NOT DEAD2 & AS TO :O HA? S5T ME1 ,I SAY NOT ?AT ,I AM COME BY MY [N WILL2 = ,I KN[ NOT2 YET ALSO ,I KN[ NOT ! WILL ?AT HA? S5T ME HI!R4  ,& ?IS ,I SAY TO !E1 MOREOV]1 ?AT IF ,I KN[ MORE ?AN ?\1 ,I DO F> LESS2 !RE=E ?\ >T MY CAPTA9 & ,I ?Y M9/REL40  

,HE SI<$ AS ONE FROM :OM A WEI<T HAD BE5 LIFT$1 & SAID3  0,WELL1 !N1 S9CE ?\ >T ALIVE ON ! E>? & A MAN LIKE MYSELF1 TELL ME H[ DEEME/ ?\ ( \R ADV5TURE3 %ALL WE COME TO ,LONDON1 & H[ %ALL WE F>E !RE80  

,SAID ,I1 0,:AT %ALL H9D] Y\ TO COME TO ,LONDON1 & TO F>E !RE AS YE WILL8  ,= BE SURE ?AT ! ,FELL[%IP 9 ,ESSEX %ALL NOT FAIL Y\2 NOR %ALL ! ,LONDON]S :O HATE ! K+'S UNCLES )/& Y\2 NOR HA? ! ,C\RT ANY GREAT =CE TO MEET Y\ 9 ! FIELD2 YE %ALL CA/ FE> & TREMBL+ 9TO !IR HE>TS40  

0,EV5 SO1 ,I ?\<T10 SAID HE2 0BUT AFT]W>DS :AT %ALL BETIDE80  

,SAID ,I1 0,IT GRIEVES MY HE>T TO SAY ?AT :I* ,I ?9K4  ,YET HE>K52 MANY A MAN'S SON %ALL DIE :O IS N[ ALIVE & HAPPY1 & IF ! SOLDI]S BE SLA91 & ( !M MO/ NOT ON ! FIELD1 BUT BY ! LAWY]S1 H[ %ALL ! CAPTA9S ESCAPE8  ,SURELY ?\ GOE/ TO ?Y DEA?40  

,HE SMIL$ V]Y SWEETLY1 YET PR\DLY1 AS HE SAID3  0,YEA1 ! ROAD IS LONG1 BUT ! 5D COME? AT LA/4  ,FRI5D1 MANY A DAY HAVE ,I BE5 DY+2 = MY SI/]1 ) :OM ,I HAVE PLAY$ & BE5 M]RY 9 ! AUTUMN TIDE AB\T ! $GES ( ! /UBBLE-FIELDS2 & WE GA!R$ ! NUTS & BRAMBLE-B]RIES !RE1 & />T$ !NCE ! MISSEL-?RU%1 & WOND]$ AT HIS VOICE & ?\<T HIM BIG2 & ! SP>R[-HAWK :EEL$ & TURN$ OV] ! H$GES & ! WEASEL RAN ACROSS ! PA?1 & ! S\ND ( ! %EEP-BELLS CAME TO US FROM ! D[NS AS WE SAT HAPPY ON ! GRASS2 & %E IS DEAD & GONE FROM ! E>?1 = %E P9$ FROM FAM9E AFT] ! YE>S ( ! GREAT SICKNESS2 & MY BRO!R WAS SLA9 9 ! ,FR5* W>S1 & NONE ?ANK$ HIM = DY+ SAVE HE ?AT /RIPP$ HIM ( HIS GE>2 & MY UNW$D$ WIFE ) :OM ,I DWELT 9 LOVE AFT] ,I HAD TAK5 ! TONSURE1 & ALL M5 SAID %E WAS GOOD & FAIR1 & TRUE %E WAS & LOVELY2 %E ALSO IS DEAD & GONE FROM ! E>?2 & :Y %\LD ,I ABIDE SAVE = ! DE$S ( ! FLE% :I* MU/ BE DONE8  ,TRULY1 FRI5D1 ?IS IS BUT AN OLD TALE ?AT M5 MU/ DIE2 & ,I WILL TELL !E ANO!R1 TO WIT1 ?AT !Y LIVE3 & ,I LIVE N[ & %ALL LIVE4  ,TELL ME !N :AT %ALL BEFALL40  

,SOMEH[ ,I C\LD NOT HE$ HIM AS A LIV+ MAN AS MU* AS ,I HAD DONE1 & ! VOICE ?AT CAME FROM ME SEEM$ LESS ( ME AS ,I ANSW]$3  

0,!SE M5 >E /RONG & VALIANT AS ANY ?AT HAVE BE5 OR %ALL BE1 & GOOD FELL[S ALSO & K9DLY2 BUT !Y >E SIMPLE1 & SEE NO GREAT WAY BE=E !IR [N NOSES4  ,! VICTORY %ALL !Y HAVE & %ALL NOT KN[ :AT TO DO ) IT2 !Y %ALL FI<T & OV]COME1 BECAUSE ( !IR LACK ( KN[L$GE1 & BECAUSE ( !IR LACK ( KN[L$GE %ALL !Y BE COZ5$ & BETRAY$ :5 !IR CAPTA9S >E SLA91 & ALL %ALL COME TO NAU<T BY SEEM+2 & ! K+'S UNCLES %ALL PREVAIL1 ?AT BO? !Y & ! K+ MAY COME TO ! %AME ?AT IS APPO9T$ = !M4  ,& YET :5 ! LORDS HAVE VANQUI%$1 & ALL ,5GL& LIE? UND] !M AGA91 YET %ALL !IR VICTORY BE FRUITLESS2 = ! FREE M5 ?AT HOLD UNFREE L&S %ALL !Y NOT BR+ UND] ! COLL> AGA91 & VILLE9AGE %ALL SLIP FROM !IR H&S1 TILL !RE BE1 & NOT LONG AFT] YE >E DEAD1 BUT FEW UNFREE M5 9 ,5GL&2 SO ?AT Y\R LIVES & Y\R DEA?S BO? %ALL BE> FRUIT40  

0,SAID ,I NOT10 QUO? ,JOHN ,BALL1 0?AT ?\ W]T A S5D+ FROM O!R TIMES8  ,GOOD IS ?Y MESSAGE1 = ! L& %ALL BE FREE4  ,TELL ON N[40  

,HE SPOKE EAG]LY1 & ,I W5T ON SOME:AT SADLY3  0,! TIMES %ALL BETT]1 ?\< ! K+ & LORDS %ALL WORS51 ! ,GILDS ( ,CRAFT %ALL WAX & BECOME MI<TI]2 MORE REC\RSE %ALL !RE BE ( =EIGN M]*ANTS4  ,!RE %ALL BE PL5TY 9 ! L& & NOT FAM9E4  ,:]E A MAN N[ E>NE? TWO P5NIES HE %ALL E>N ?REE40  

0,YEA10 SAID HE1 0!N %ALL ?OSE ?AT LABOR BECOME /RONG & /RONG]1 & SO SOON %ALL IT COME AB\T ?AT ALL M5 %ALL WORK & NONE MAKE TO WORK1 & SO %ALL NONE BE ROBB$1 & AT LA/ %ALL ALL M5 LABOR & LIVE & BE HAPPY1 & HAVE ! GOODS ( ! E>? )\T MONEY & )\T PRICE40  

0,YEA10 SAID ,I1 0?AT %ALL 9DE$ COME TO PASS1 BUT NOT YET = A :ILE1 & BELIKE A LONG :ILE40  

,& ,I SAT = LONG )\T SPEAK+1 & ! *UR* GREW D>K] AS ! MOON WAN$ YET MORE4  

,!N ,I SAID3  0,BE?9K !E ?AT !SE M5 %ALL YET HAVE MA/]S OV] !M1 :O HAVE AT H& MANY A LAW & CU/OM = ! BEHO( ( MA/]S1 & BE+ MA/]S CAN MAKE YET MORE LAWS 9 ! SAME BEHO(2 & !Y %ALL SUFF] POOR PEOPLE TO ?RIVE JU/ SO LONG AS !IR ?RIV+ %ALL PR(IT ! MA/]%IP & NO LONG]2 & SO %ALL IT BE 9 ?OSE DAYS ,I TELL (2 = !RE %ALL BE K+ & LORDS & KNI<TS & SQUIRES /ILL1 ) S]VANTS TO DO !IR BIDD+1 & MAKE HONE/ M5 AFRAID2 & ALL !SE WILL MAKE NO?+ & EAT MU* AS A=ETIME1 & ! MORE ?AT IS MADE 9 ! L& ! MORE %ALL !Y CRAVE40  

0,YEA10 SAID HE1 0?AT WOT ,I WELL1 ?AT !SE >E ( ! K9 ( ! DAU<T]S ( ! HORSE-LEE*2 BUT H[ %ALL !Y SLAKE !IR GRE$1 SEE+ ?AT AS ?\ SAYE/ VILLE9AGE %ALL BE GONE8  ,BELIKE !IR M5 %ALL PAY !M QUIT-R5TS & DO !M S]VICE1 AS FREE M5 MAY1 BUT ALL ?IS ACCORD+ TO LAW & NOT BEYOND IT2 SO ?AT ?\< ! WORK]S %ALL BE RI*] ?AN !Y N[ BE1 ! LORDS %ALL BE NO RI*]1 & SO ALL %ALL BE ON ! ROAD TO BE+ FREE & EQUAL40  

,SAID ,I1 0,LOOK Y\1 FRI5D2 A=ETIME ! LORDS1 = ! MO/ P>T1 HELD ! L& & ALL ?AT WAS ON IT1 & ! M5 ?AT W]E ON IT WORK$ = !M AS !IR HORSES WORK$1 & AFT] !Y W]E F$ & H\S$ ALL WAS ! LORDS'2 BUT 9 ! TIME TO COME ! LORDS %ALL SEE !IR M5 ?RIV+ ON ! L& & %ALL SAY ONCE MORE1 ^*,!SE M5 HAVE MORE ?AN !Y NE$1 :Y HAVE WE NOT ! SURPLUS S9CE WE >E !IR LORDS8'  ,MOREOV]1 9 ?OSE DAYS %ALL BETIDE MU* *AFF]+ = W>ES BETWE5 MAN & MAN1 & C\NTRY & C\NTRY2 & ! LORDS %ALL NOTE ?AT IF !RE W]E LESS CORN & LESS M5 ON !IR L&S !RE W\LD BE MORE %EEP1 ?AT IS TO SAY MORE WOOL = *AFF]1 & ?AT !RE( !Y %\LD HAVE ABUNDANTLY MORE ?AN A=ETIME2 S9CE ALL ! L& !Y [N1 & IT PAYS !M QUIT-R5T OR S]VICE1 SAVE H]E & !RE A CR(T OR A CLOSE ( A YEOMAN2 & ALL ?IS MI<T GR[ WOOL = !M TO SELL TO ! ,EA/]L+S4  ,!N %ALL ,5GL& SEE A NEW ?+1 = :]EAS HI!RTO M5 HAVE LIV$ ON ! L& & BY IT1 ! L& %ALL NO LONG] NE$ !M1 BUT MANY %EEP & A FEW %EPH]DS %ALL MAKE WOOL GR[ TO BE SOLD = MONEY TO ! ,EA/]L+S1 & ?AT MONEY %ALL ! LORDS P\*3 =1 LOOK Y\1 !Y %ALL SET ! LAWY]S A-WORK & ! /RONG H& MOREOV]1 & ! L& !Y %ALL TAKE TO !MSELVES & !IR %EEP2 & EXCEPT = !SE LORDS ( L& FEW %ALL BE ! FREE M5 ?AT %ALL HOLD A ROOD ( L& :OM ! WORD ( !IR LORD MAY NOT TURN ADRIFT /RAI<TWAY40  

0,H[ MEAN Y\80 SAID ,JOHN ,BALL3 0%ALL ALL M5 BE VILLE9S AGA980  

0,NAY10 SAID ,I1 0!RE %ALL BE NO VILLE9S 9 ,5GL&40  

0,SURELY !N10 SAID HE1 0IT %ALL BE WORSE1 & ALL M5 SAVE A FEW %ALL BE ?RALLS TO BE B\<T & SOLD AT ! CROSS40  

0,GOOD FRI5D10 SAID ,I1 0IT %ALL NOT BE SO2 ALL M5 %ALL BE FREE EV5 AS YE W\LD HAVE IT2 YET1 AS ,I SAY1 FEW 9DE$ %ALL HAVE SO MU* L& AS !Y CAN /& UPON SAVE BY BUY+ SU* A GRACE ( !IR MA/]S40  

0,& N[10 SAID HE1 0,I WOT NOT :AT ?\ SAYE/4  ,I KN[ A ?RALL1 & HE IS HIS MA/]'S EV]Y H\R1 & NEV] HIS [N2 & A VILLE9 ,I KN[1 & :ILES HE IS HIS [N & :ILES HIS LORD'S2 & ,I KN[ A FREE MAN1 & HE IS HIS [N ALWAYS2 BUT H[ %ALL HE BE HIS [N IF HE HAVE NAU<T :]EBY TO MAKE HIS LIVELIHOOD8  ,OR %ALL HE BE A ?IEF & TAKE FROM O!RS8  ,!N IS HE AN \TLAW4  ,WOND]FUL IS ?IS ?\ TELLE/ ( A FREE MAN ) NAU<T :]EBY TO LIVE60  

0,YET SO IT %ALL BE10 SAID ,I1 0& BY SU* FREE M5 %ALL ALL W>ES BE MADE40  

0,NAY1 ?AT CANNOT BE2 ?\ >T TALK+ RIDDLES10 SAID HE2 0= H[ %ALL A WOODWRI<T MAKE A *E/ )\T ! WOOD & ! TOOLS80  

,SAID ,I1 0,HE MU/ NE$S BUY LEAVE TO LABOR ( !M ?AT [N ALL ?+S EXCEPT HIMSELF & SU* AS HIMSELF40  

0,YEA1 BUT :]E) %ALL HE BUY IT80 SAID ,JOHN ,BALL4  0,:AT HA? HE EXCEPT HIMSELF80  

0,) HIMSELF !N %ALL HE BUY IT10 QUO? ,I1 0) HIS BODY & ! P[] ( LABOR ?AT LIE? !RE92 ) ! PRICE ( HIS LABOR %ALL HE BUY LEAVE TO LABOR40  

0,RIDDLES AGA960 SAID HE2 0H[ CAN HE SELL HIS LABOR = AU<T ELSE BUT HIS DAILY BREAD8  ,HE MU/ W9 BY HIS LABOR MEAT & DR9K & CLO?+ & H\S+6  ,CAN HE SELL HIS LABOR TWICE OV]80  

0,NOT SO10 SAID ,I1 0BUT ?IS %ALL HE DO BELIKE2 HE %ALL SELL HIMSELF1 ?AT IS ! LABOR ?AT IS 9 HIM1 TO ! MA/] ?AT SUFF]S HIM TO WORK1 & ?AT MA/] %ALL GIVE TO HIM FROM \T ( ! W>ES HE MAKE? 5\< TO KEEP HIM ALIVE1 & TO BEGET *ILDR5 & N\RI% !M TILL !Y BE OLD 5\< TO BE SOLD LIKE HIMSELF1 & ! RESIDUE %ALL ! RI* MAN KEEP TO HIMSELF40  

,JOHN ,BALL LAU<$ AL\D1 & SAID3  0,WELL1 ,I P]CEIVE WE >E NOT YET \T ( ! L& ( RIDDLES4  ,! MAN MAY WELL DO :AT ?\ SAYE/ & LIVE1 BUT HE MAY NOT DO IT & LIVE A FREE MAN40  

0,?\ SAYE/ SOO?10 SAID ,I4  

O ,*APT] #aa 3 ,H>D ,IT ,IS ,= ,! ,OLD ,WORLD ,TO ,SEE ,! ,NEW 

,HE HELD HIS PEACE A:ILE1 & !N HE SAID3  0,BUT NO MAN SELLE? HIMSELF & HIS *ILDR5 9TO ?RALLDOM UNCOMPELL$2 NOR IS ANY FOOL SO GREAT A FOOL AS WILL+LY TO TAKE ! NAME ( FREEMAN & ! LIFE ( A ?RALL AS PAYM5T = ! V]Y LIFE ( A FREEMAN4  ,N[ W\LD ,I ASK !E SOME:AT ELSE2 & ,I AM ! READI] TO DO SO S9CE ,I P]CEIVE ?AT ?\ >T A WONDR\S SE]2 = SURELY NO MAN C\LD ( HIS [N WIT HAVE IMAG9$ A TALE ( SU* FOLLIES AS ?\ HA/ TOLD ME4  ,N[ WELL ,I WOT ?AT M5 HAV+ ONCE %AK5 !MSELVES CLE> ( ! BURD5 ( VILLE9AGE1 AS ?\ SAYE/ WE %ALL DO 7& ,I BLESS !E = ! WORD71 %ALL NEV] B[ D[N TO ?IS WORS] TYRANNY )\T SORE /RIFE 9 ! WORLD2 & SURELY SO SORE %ALL IT BE1 BE=E \R VALIANT SONS GIVE WAY1 ?AT MAIDS & LITTLE LADS %ALL TAKE ! SWORD & ! SPE>1 & 9 MANY A FIELD M5'S BLOOD & NOT WAT] %ALL TURN ! GRI/MILLS ( ,5GL&4  ,BUT :5 ALL ?IS IS OV]1 & ! TYRANNY IS E/ABLI%$1 BECAUSE !RE >E BUT FEW M5 9 ! L& AFT] ! GREAT W>1 H[ %ALL IT BE ) Y\ !N8  ,WILL !RE NOT BE MANY SOLDI]S & S]GEANTS & FEW WORK]S8  ,SURELY 9 EV]Y P>I% YE %ALL HAVE ! CON/ABLES TO SEE ?AT ! M5 WORK2 & !Y %ALL BE SAY+ EV]Y DAY1 ^*,SU* AN ONE1 HA/ ?\ YET SOLD ?YSELF = ?IS DAY OR ?IS WEEK OR ?IS YE>8  ,GO TO N[1 & GET ?Y B>GA9 DONE1 OR IT %ALL BE ! WORSE = !E4'  ,& :]ESOEV] WORK IS GO+ ON !RE %ALL BE CON/ABLES AGA91 & ?OSE ?AT LABOR %ALL LABOR UND] ! :IP LIKE ! ,HEBREWS 9 ! L& ( ,EGYPT4  ,& EV]Y MAN ?AT MAY1 WILL /EAL AS A DOG SNAT*ES AT A BONE2 & !RE AGA9 %ALL YE NE$ MORE SOLDI]S & MORE CON/ABLES TILL ! L& IS EAT5 UP BY !M2 NOR %ALL ! LORDS & ! MA/]S EV5 BE ABLE TO BE> ! BURD5 ( IT2 NOR WILL !IR GA9S BE SO GREAT1 S9CE ?AT :I* EA* MAN MAY DO 9 A DAY IS NOT RI<T GREAT :5 ALL IS SAID40  

0,FRI5D10 SAID ,I1 0FROM ?9E [N VALIANCY & HI< HE>T ?\ SPEAKE/1 :5 ?\ SAYE/ ?AT !Y :O FALL UND] ?IS TYRANNY %ALL FI<T TO ! DEA? AGA9/ IT4  ,W>S 9DE$ !RE %ALL BE 9 ! WORLD1 GREAT & GRIEV\S1 & YET FEW ON ?IS SCORE2 RA!R %ALL M5 FI<T AS !Y HAVE BE5 FI<T+ 9 ,FRANCE AT ! BIDD+ ( SOME LORD ( ! MANOR1 OR SOME K+1 OR AT LA/ AT ! BIDD+ ( SOME USUR] & =E/ALL] ( ! M>KET4  ,VALIANT M51 =SOO?1 %ALL >ISE 9 ! BEG9N+ ( !SE EVIL TIMES1 BUT ?\< !Y %ALL DIE AS YE %ALL1 YET %ALL NOT !IR DEA?S BE FRUITFUL AS Y\RS %ALL BE2 BECAUSE YE1 =SOO?1 >E FI<T+ AGA9/ VILLE9AGE :I* IS WAN+1 BUT !Y %ALL FI<T AGA9/ USURY :I* IS WAX+4  ,&1 MOREOV]1 ,I HAVE BE5 TELL+ !E H[ IT %ALL BE :5 ! MEASURE ( ! TIME IS FULL2 & WE1 LOOK+ AT !SE ?+S FROM AF>1 CAN SEE !M AS !Y >E 9DE$2 BUT !Y :O LIVE AT ! BEG9N+ ( ?OSE TIMES & AMID !M1 %ALL NOT KN[ :AT IS DO+ >\ND !M2 !Y %ALL 9DE$ FEEL ! PLAGUE & YET NOT KN[ ! REM$Y2 BY LITTLE & BY LITTLE !Y %ALL FALL FROM !IR BETT] LIVELIHOOD1 & WEAK & HELPLESS %ALL !Y GR[1 & HAVE NO MI<T TO )/& ! EVIL ( ?IS TYRANNY2 & !N AGA9 :5 ! TIMES M5D SOME:AT & !Y HAVE BUT A LITTLE MORE EASE1 !N %ALL IT BE TO !M LIKE ! K+DOM ( HEAV51 & !Y %ALL HAVE NO WILL TO )/& ANY TYRANNY1 BUT %ALL ?9K !MSELVES HAPPY ?AT !Y BE P9*$ SOME:AT LESS4  ,ALSO :]EAS ?\ SAYE/ ?AT !RE %ALL BE = EV] CON/ABLES & S]GEANTS GO+ TO & FRO TO DRIVE M5 TO WORK1 & ?AT !Y WILL NOT WORK SAVE UND] ! LA%1 ?\ >T WRONG & IT %ALL NOT BE SO2 = !RE %ALL EV] BE MORE WORK]S ?AN ! MA/]S MAY SET TO WORK1 SO ?AT M5 %ALL /RIVE EAG]LY = LEAVE TO WORK2 & :5 ONE SAYS1 ,I WILL SELL MY H\RS AT SU* & SU* A PRICE1 !N ANO!R WILL SAY1 & ,I = SO MU* LESS2 SO ?AT NEV] %ALL ! LORDS LACK SLAVES WILL+ TO WORK1 BUT (T5 ! SLAVES %ALL LACK LORDS TO BUY !M40  

0,?\ TELLE/ M>VELS 9DE$10 SAID HE2 0BUT H[ !N8 IF ALL ! *URLS WORK NOT1 %ALL !RE NOT BE FAM9E & LACK ( W>ES80  

0,FAM9E 5\<10 SAID ,I1 0YET NOT FROM LACK ( W>ES2 IT %ALL BE CLEAN CONTR>Y4  ,:AT WILT ?\ SAY :5 ,I TELL !E ?AT 9 ! LATT] DAYS !RE %ALL BE SU* TRAFFIC & SU* SPE$Y TRAVEL ACROSS ! SEAS ?AT MO/ W>ES %ALL BE GOOD *EAP1 & BREAD ( ALL ?+S ! *EAPE/80  

,QUO? HE3  0,I %\LD SAY ?AT !N !RE W\LD BE BETT] LIVELIHOOD = M51 = 9 TIMES ( PL5TY IT IS WELL2 = !N M5 EAT ?AT :I* !IR [N H&S HAVE H>VE/$1 & NE$ NOT TO SP5D ( !IR SUB/ANCE 9 BUY+ ( O!RS4  ,TRULY1 IT IS WELL = HONE/ M51 BUT NOT SO WELL = =E/ALL]S & REGRAT]S2.<#b.> BUT :O HE$S :AT BEFALLS SU* F\L SW9E1 :O FIL* ! MONEY FROM PEOPLE'S PURSES1 & DO NOT ONE HAIR'S TURN ( WORK TO HELP !M80  

.<#b.> ,=E/ALL]1 ONE :O BUYS UP GOODS :5 !Y >E *EAP1 & SO RAISES ! PRICE = HIS [N B5EFIT2 =E/ALLS ! DUE & REAL DEM&4  ,REGRAT]1 ONE :O BO? BUYS & SELLS 9 ! SAME M>KET1 OR )9 FIVE MILES !RE(2 BUYS1 SAY A TON ( *EESE AT #a ,A4,M4 & SELLS IT AT #e ,P4,M4 A P5NY A P\ND DE>] )\T MOV+ FROM HIS *AIR4  ,! WORD 0MONOPOLI/0 WILL COV] BO? SPECIES ( ?IEF4  

0,YEA1 FRI5D10 ,I SAID1 0BUT 9 ?OSE LATT] DAYS ALL P[] %ALL BE 9 ! H&S ( !SE F\L SW9E1 & !Y %ALL BE ! RUL]S ( ALL2 !RE=E1 HE>K51 = ,I TELL !E ?AT TIMES ( PL5TY %ALL 9 ?OSE DAYS BE ! TIMES ( FAM9E1 & ALL %ALL PRAY = ! PRICES ( W>ES TO RISE1 SO ?AT ! =E/ALL]S & REGRAT]S MAY ?RIVE1 & ?AT SOME ( !IR WELL-DO+ MAY OV]FL[ ON TO ?OSE ON :OM !Y LIVE40  

0,I AM WE>Y ( ?Y RIDDLES10 HE SAID4  0,YET AT LEA/ ,I HOPE ?AT !RE MAY BE FEW] & FEW] FOLK 9 ! L&2 AS MAY WELL BE1 IF LIFE IS !N SO F\L & WRET*$40  

0,ALAS1 POOR MAN60 ,I SAID2 0NOR MAY/ ?\ IMAG9E H[ F\L & WRET*$ IT MAY BE = MANY ( ! FOLK2 & YET ,I TELL !E ?AT M5 %ALL 9CREASE & MULTIPLY1 TILL :]E !RE IS ONE MAN 9 ! L& N[1 !RE %ALL BE TW5TY 9 ?OSE DAYS--YEA1 9 SOME PLACES T5 TIMES TW5TY40  

0,I HAVE BUT LITTLE HE>T TO ASK !E MORE QUE/IONS10 SAID HE2 0& :5 ?\ ANSW]E/1 ?Y WORDS >E PLA91 BUT ! ?+S !Y TELL ( ,I MAY SC>CE UND]/&4  ,BUT TELL ME ?IS3 9 ?OSE DAYS WILL M5 DEEM ?AT SO IT MU/ BE = EV]1 AS GREAT M5 EV5 N[ TELL US ( \R ILLS1 OR WILL !Y ?9K ( SOME REM$Y80  

,I LOOK$ AB\T ME4  ,!RE WAS BUT A GLIMM] ( LI<T 9 ! *UR* N[1 BUT :AT !RE WAS1 WAS NO LONG] ! /RANGE LI<T ( ! MOON1 BUT ! FIR/ COM+ ( ! K9DLY DAY4  

0,YEA10 SAID ,JOHN ,BALL1 0'TIS ! TWILI<T ( ! DAWN4  ,GOD & ,/4 ,*RI/OPH] S5D US A GOOD DAY60  

0,JOHN ,BALL10 SAID ,I1 0,I HAVE TOLD !E ?AT ?Y DEA? WILL BR+ AB\T ?AT :I* ?Y LIFE HAS /RIV5 =3 ?9KE/ ?\ ?AT ! ?+ :I* ?\ /RIVE/ = IS WOR? ! LABOR8 OR DO/ ?\ BELIEVE 9 ! TALE ,I HAVE TOLD !E ( ! DAYS TO COME80  

,HE SAID3  0,I TELL !E ONCE AGA9 ?AT ,I TRU/ !E = A SE]2 BECAUSE NO MAN C\LD MAKE UP SU* A TALE AS ?\2 ! ?+S :I* ?\ TELLE/ >E TOO WOND]FUL = A M9/REL1 ! TALE TOO GRIEV\S4  ,& :]EAS ?\ ASKE/ AS TO :E!R ,I C\NT MY LABOR LO/1 ,I SAY NAY2 IF SO BE ?AT 9 ?OSE LATT] TIMES 7& WORS] ?AN \RS !Y WILL BE7 M5 %ALL YET SEEK A REM$Y3 !RE=E AGA9 ,I ASK !E1 IS IT SO ?AT !Y %ALL80  

0,YEA10 SAID ,I1 0& !IR REM$Y %ALL BE ! SAME AS ?9E1 AL?\< ! DAYS BE DIFF]5T3 = IF ! FOLK BE 5?RALL$1 :AT REM$Y SAVE ?AT !Y BE SET FREE8 & IF !Y HAVE TRI$ MANY ROADS T[>DS FRE$OM1 & F\ND ?AT !Y L$ NO-:I!R1 !N %ALL !Y TRY YET ANO!R4  ,YET 9 ! DAYS TO COME !Y %ALL BE SLO?FUL TO TRY IT1 BECAUSE !IR MA/]S %ALL BE SO MU* MI<TI] ?AN ?9E1 ?AT !Y %ALL NOT NE$ TO %[ ! HI< H&1 & UNTIL ! DAYS GET TO !IR EVILE/1 M5 %ALL BE COZ5$ 9TO ?9K+ ?AT IT IS ( !IR [N FREE WILL ?AT !Y MU/ NE$S BUY LEAVE TO LABOR BY PAWN+ !IR LABOR ?AT IS TO BE4  ,MOREOV]1 Y\R LORDS & MA/]S SEEM V]Y MI<TY TO Y\1 EA* ONE ( !M1 & SO !Y >E1 BUT !Y >E FEW2 & ! MA/]S ( ! DAYS TO COME %ALL NOT EA* ONE ( !M SEEM V]Y MI<TY TO ! M5 ( ?OSE DAYS1 BUT !Y %ALL BE V]Y MANY1 & !Y %ALL BE ( ONE 9T5T 9 !SE MATT]S )\T KN[+ IT2 LIKE AS ONE SEES ! O>S ( A GALLEY :5 ! R[]S >E HIDD51 ?AT RISE & FALL AS IT W]E ) ONE WILL40  

0,& YET10 HE SAID1 0%ALL IT NOT BE ! SAME ) ?OSE ?AT !SE M5 DEV\R8 %ALL NOT !Y ALSO HAVE ONE WILL80  

0,FRI5D10 ,I SAID1 0!Y %ALL HAVE ! WILL TO LIVE1 AS ! WRET*$E/ ?+ LIV+ HAS3 !RE=E %ALL !Y SELL !MSELVES ?AT !Y MAY LIVE1 AS ,I TOLD !E2 & !IR H>D NE$ %ALL BE !IR LORD'S EASY LIVELIHOOD1 & BECAUSE ( IT HE %ALL SLEEP )\T FE>1 S9CE !IR NE$ COMPELLE? !M NOT TO LOIT] BY ! WAY TO LAM5T ) FRI5D OR BRO!R ?AT !Y >E P9*$ 9 !IR S]VITUDE1 OR TO DEVISE MEANS = 5D+ IT4  ,& YET 9DE$ ?\ SAYE/ IT3 !Y ALSO %ALL HAVE ONE WILL IF !Y BUT KNEW IT3 BUT = A LONG :ILE !Y %ALL HAVE BUT A GLIMM] ( KN[L$GE ( IT3 YET D\BT IT NOT ?AT 9 ! 5D !Y %ALL COME TO KN[ IT CLE>LY1 & !N %ALL !Y BR+ AB\T ! REM$Y2 & 9 ?OSE DAYS %ALL IT BE SE5 ?AT ?\ HA/ NOT WR\<T = NO?+1 BECAUSE ?\ HA/ SE5 BE=EH& :AT ! REM$Y %\LD BE1 EV5 AS ?OSE ( LAT] DAYS HAVE SE5 IT40  

,WE BO? SAT SIL5T A LITTLE :ILE4  ,! TWILI<T WAS GA9+ ON ! NI<T1 ?\< SL[LY4  ,I LOOK$ AT ! POPPY :I* ,I /ILL HELD 9 MY H&1 & BE?\<T ME ( ,WILL ,GRE51 & SAID3  

0,LO1 H[ ! LI<T IS SPREAD+3 N[ MU/ ,I GET ME BACK TO ,WILL ,GRE5'S H\SE AS ,I PROMIS$40  

0,GO1 !N10 SAID HE1 0IF ?\ WILT4  ,YET MESEEMS BE=E LONG HE %ALL COME TO US2 & !N MAY/ ?\ SLEEP AMONG ! TREES ON ! GRE5 GRASS TILL ! SUN IS HI<1 = ! HO/ %ALL NOT BE ON FOOT V]Y E>LY2 & SWEET IT IS TO SLEEP 9 %AD[ BY ! SUN 9 ! FULL MORN+ :5 ONE HAS BE5 AWAKE & TR\BL$ ?R\< ! NI<T-TIDE40  

0,YET ,I WILL GO N[10 SAID ,I2 0,I BID !E GOOD-NI<T1 OR RA!R GOOD-MORR[40  

,!RE) ,I HALF ROSE UP2 BUT AS ,I DID SO ! WILL TO DEP>T LEFT ME AS ?\< ,I HAD NEV] HAD IT1 & ,I SAT D[N AGA91 & HE>D ! VOICE ( ,JOHN ,BALL1 AT FIR/ AS ONE SPEAK+ FROM F> AWAY1 BUT LITTLE BY LITTLE GR[+ NE>] & MORE FAMILI> TO ME1 & AS IF ONCE MORE IT W]E COM+ FROM ! MAN HIMSELF :OM ,I HAD GOT TO KN[4  

O ,*APT] #ab 3 ,ILL ,W\LD ,*ANGE ,BE ,AT ,:ILES ,W]E ,IT ,NOT ,= ,! ,*ANGE ,BEYOND ,! ,*ANGE 

,HE SAID3  0,MANY /RANGE ?+S HA/ ?\ TOLD ME ?AT ,I C\LD NOT UND]/&2 YEA1 SOME MY WIT SO FAIL$ TO COMPASS1 ?AT ,I CANNOT SO MU* AS ASK !E QUE/IONS CONC]N+ !M2 BUT ( SOME MATT]S W\LD ,I ASK !E1 & ,I MU/ HA/51 = 9 V]Y SOO? ! NI<T IS WORN OLD & GRAY4  ,:]EAS ?\ SAYE/ ?AT 9 ! DAYS TO COME1 :5 !RE %ALL BE NO LABOR+ M5 :O >E NOT ?RALLS AFT] !IR NEW FA%ION1 ?AT !IR LORDS %ALL BE MANY & V]Y MANY1 IT SEEME? TO ME ?AT !SE SAME LORDS1 IF !Y BE MANY1 %ALL H>DLY BE RI*1 OR BUT V]Y FEW ( !M1 S9CE !Y MU/ V]ILY FE$ & CLO! & H\SE !IR ?RALLS1 SO ?AT ?AT :I* !Y TAKE FROM !M1 S9CE IT WILL HAVE TO BE DEALT \T AMONG MANY1 WILL NOT BE 5\< TO MAKE MANY RI*2 S9CE \T ( ONE MAN YE MAY GET BUT ONE MAN'S WORK2 & P9* HIM NEV] SO SORELY1 /ILL AS A=ESAID YE MAY NOT P9* HIM SO SORELY AS NOT TO FE$ HIM4  ,!RE=E1 ?\< ! EYES ( MY M9D MAY SEE A FEW LORDS & MANY SLAVES1 YET CAN !Y NOT SEE MANY LORDS AS WELL AS MANY SLAVES2 & IF ! SLAVES BE MANY & ! LORDS FEW1 !N SOME DAY %ALL ! SLAVES MAKE AN 5D ( ?AT MA/]Y BY ! =CE ( !IR BODIES4  ,H[ !N %ALL ?Y MA/]%IP ( ! LATT] DAYS 5DURE80  

0,JOHN ,BALL10 SAID ,I1 0MA/]%IP HA? MANY %IFTS :]EBY IT /RIVE? TO KEEP ITSELF ALIVE 9 ! WORLD4  ,& N[ HE> A M>VEL3 :]EAS ?\ SAYE/ !SE TWO TIMES ?AT \T ( ONE MAN YE MAY GET BUT ONE MAN'S WORK1 9 DAYS TO COME ONE MAN %ALL DO ! WORK ( A HUNDR$ M5--YEA1 ( A ?\S& OR MORE3 & ?IS IS ! %IFT ( MA/]%IP ?AT %ALL MAKE MANY MA/]S & MANY RI* M540  

,JOHN ,BALL LAU<$4  0,GREAT IS MY H>VE/ ( RIDDLES TO-NI<T10 SAID HE2 0= EV5 IF A MAN SLEEP NOT1 & EAT & DR9K :ILE HE IS A-WORK+1 YE %ALL BUT MAKE TWO M51 OR ?REE AT ! MO/1 \T ( HIM40  

,SAID ,I3  0,SAWE/ ?\ EV] A WEAV] AT HIS LOOM80  

0,YEA10 SAID HE1 0MANY A TIME40  

,HE WAS SIL5T A LITTLE1 & !N SAID3  0,YET ,I M>VEL$ NOT AT IT2 BUT N[ ,I M>VEL1 BECAUSE ,I KN[ :AT ?\ W\LD/ SAY4  ,TIME WAS :5 ! %UTTLE WAS ?RU/ 9 & \T ( ALL ! ?\S& ?READS ( ! W>P1 & IT WAS LONG TO DO2 BUT N[ ! SPR+- /AVES GO UP & D[N AS ! MAN'S FEET MOVE1 & ?IS & ?AT LEAF ( ! W>P COME? =W>D & ! %UTTLE GOE? 9 ONE %OT ?R\< ALL ! ?\S& W>PS4  ,YEA1 SO IT IS ?AT ?IS MULTIPLIE? A MAN MANY TIMES4  ,BUT LOOK Y\1 HE IS SO MULTIPLI$ ALREADY2 & SO HA? HE BE51 MESEEME?1 = MANY HUNDR$ YE>S40  

0,YEA10 SAID ,I1 0BUT :AT HI!RTO NE$$ ! MA/]S TO MULTIPLY HIM MORE8  ,= MANY HUNDR$ YE>S ! WORKMAN WAS A ?RALL B\<T & SOLD AT ! CROSS2 & = O!R HUNDR$S ( YE>S HE HA? BE5 A VILLE9--?AT IS1 A WORK+-BEA/ & A P>T ( ! /OCK ( ! MANOR ON :I* HE LIVE?2 BUT !N ?\ & ! LIKE ( !E %ALL FREE HIM1 & !N IS MA/]%IP PUT TO ITS %IFTS2 = :AT %\LD AVAIL ! MA/]Y !N1 :5 ! MA/] NO LONG] [NE? ! MAN BY LAW AS HIS *ATTEL1 NOR ANY LONG] BY LAW [NE? HIM AS /OCK ( HIS L&1 IF ! MA/] HA? NOT ?AT :I* HE ON :OM HE LIVE? MAY NOT LACK & LIVE )AL1 & CANNOT HAVE )\T SELL+ HIMSELF80  

,HE SAID NO?+1 BUT ,I SAW HIS BR[ KNITT$ & HIS LIPS PRESS$ TOGE!R AS ?\< 9 ANG]2 & AGA9 ,I SAID3  

0,?\ HA/ SE5 ! WEAV] AT HIS LOOM3 ?9K H[ IT %\LD BE IF HE SIT NO LONG] BE=E ! WEB & CA/ ! %UTTLE & DRAW HOME ! SLEY1 BUT IF ! %$ OP5 ( ITSELF & ! %UTTLE ( ITSELF SPE$ ?R\< IT AS SWIFT AS ! EYE CAN FOLL[1 & ! SLEY COME HOME ( ITSELF2 & ! WEAV] /&+ BY & :I/L+ ,! ,HUNT'S ,UP6 ! :ILE1 OR LOOK+ TO HALF-A-DOZ5 LOOMS & BIDD+ !M :AT TO DO4  ,& AS ) ! WEAV] SO ) ! POTT]1 & ! SMI?1 & EV]Y WORK] 9 METALS1 & ALL O!R CRAFTS1 ?AT IT %ALL BE = !M LOOK+ ON & T5D+1 AS ) ! MAN ?AT SITTE? 9 ! C>T :ILE ! HORSE DRAWS4  ,YEA1 AT LA/ SO %ALL IT BE EV5 ) ?OSE :O >E M]E HUSB&M52 & NO LONG] %ALL ! REAP] F>E AFIELD 9 ! MORN+ ) HIS HOOK OV] HIS %\LD]1 & SMITE & B9D & SMITE AGA9 TILL ! SUN IS D[N & ! MOON IS UP2 BUT HE %ALL DRAW A ?+ MADE BY M5 9TO ! FIELD ) ONE OR TWO HORSES1 & %ALL SAY ! WORD & ! HORSES %ALL GO UP & D[N1 & ! ?+ %ALL REAP & GA!R & B9D1 & DO ! WORK ( MANY M54  ,IMAG9E ALL ?IS 9 ?Y M9D IF ?\ CAN/1 AT LEA/ AS YE MAY IMAG9E A TALE ( 5*ANTM5T TOLD BY A M9/REL1 & !N TELL ME :AT %\LD/ ?\ DEEM ?AT ! LIFE ( M5 W\LD BE AMID ALL ?IS1 M5 SU* AS !SE M5 ( ! T[N%IP H]E1 OR ! M5 ( ! ,CANT]BURY GILDS40  

0,YEA10 SAID HE2 0BUT BE=E ,I TELL !E MY ?\<TS ( ?Y TALE ( WOND]1 ,I W\LD ASK !E ?IS3  ,9 ?OSE DAYS :5 M5 WORK SO EASILY1 SURELY !Y %ALL MAKE MORE W>ES ?AN !Y CAN USE 9 ONE C\NTRYSIDE1 OR ONE GOOD T[N1 :]EAS 9 ANO!R1 :]E ?+S HAVE NOT GONE AS WELL1 !Y %ALL HAVE LESS ?AN !Y NE$2 & EV5 SO IT IS ) US N[1 & !RE( COME? SC>CITY & FAM9E2 & IF PEOPLE MAY NOT COME AT EA* O!R'S GOODS1 IT AVAILE? ! :OLE L& LITTLE ?AT ONE C\NTRY-SIDE HA? MORE ?AN 5\< :ILE ANO!R HA? LESS2 = ! GOODS %ALL ABIDE !RE 9 ! /OREH\SES ( ! RI* PLACE TILL !Y P]I%4  ,SO IF ?AT BE SO 9 ! DAYS ( WOND] YE TELL ( 7& ,I SEE NOT H[ IT CAN BE O!RWISE71 !N %ALL M5 BE BUT LITTLE HOLP5 BY MAK+ ALL !IR W>ES SO EASILY & ) SO LITTLE LABOR40  

,I SMIL$ AGA9 & SAID3  0,YEA1 BUT IT %ALL NOT BE SO2 NOT ONLY %ALL M5 BE MULTIPLI$ A HUNDR$ & A ?\S& FOLD1 BUT ! DI/ANCE ( ONE PLACE FROM ANO!R %ALL BE AS NO?+2 SO ?AT ! W>ES :I* LIE READY = M>KET 9 ,DURHAM 9 ! EV5+ MAY BE 9 ,LONDON ON ! MORR[ MORN+2 & ! M5 ( ,WALES MAY EAT CORN ( ,ESSEX & ! M5 ( ,ESSEX WE> WOOL ( ,WALES2 SO ?AT1 SO F> AS ! FLITT+ ( GOODS TO M>KET GOES1 ALL ! L& %ALL BE AS ONE P>I%4  ,NAY1 :AT SAY ,I8  ,NOT AS TO ?IS L& ONLY %ALL IT BE SO1 BUT EV5 ! ,9DIES1 & F> C\NTRIES ( :I* ?\ KN[E/ NOT1 %ALL BE1 SO TO SAY1 AT EV]Y MAN'S DOOR1 & W>ES :I* N[ YE ACC\NT PRECI\S & DE>-B\<T1 %ALL !N BE COMMON ?+S B\<T & SOLD = LITTLE PRICE AT EV]Y HUCK/]'S /ALL4  ,SAY !N1 ,JOHN1 %ALL NOT ?OSE DAYS BE M]RY1 & PL5TIFUL ( EASE & CONT5TM5T = ALL M580  

0,BRO!R10 SAID HE1 0MESEEME? SOME DOLEFUL MOCK]Y LIE? UND] !SE JOYFUL TID+S ( ?9E2 S9CE ?\ HA/ ALREADY P>TLY TOLD ME TO MY SAD BEWILD]M5T :AT ! LIFE ( MAN %ALL BE 9 ?OSE DAYS4  ,YET WILL ,I N[ = A LITTLE SET ALL ?AT ASIDE TO CONSID] ?Y /RANGE TALE AS ( A M9/REL FROM OV] SEA1 EV5 AS ?\ BIDDE/ ME4  ,!RE=E ,I SAY1 ?AT IF M5 /ILL ABIDE M5 AS ,I HAVE KN[N !M1 & UNLESS !SE FOLK ( ,5GL& *ANGE AS1 ! L& *ANGE?--& =SOO? ( ! M51 = GOOD & = EVIL1 ,I CAN ?9K NO O!R ?AN ,I ?9K N[1 OR BEHOLD !M O!R ?AN ,I HAVE KN[N !M & LOV$ !M--,I SAY IF ! M5 BE /ILL M51 :AT WILL HAPP5 EXCEPT ?AT !RE %\LD BE ALL PL5TY 9 ! L&1 & NOT ONE POOR MAN !RE91 UNLESS ( HIS [N FREE WILL HE *OOSE TO LACK & BE POOR1 AS A MAN 9 RELIGION OR SU* LIKE2 = !RE W\LD !N BE SU* ABUNDANCE ( ALL GOOD ?+S1 ?AT1 AS GRE$Y AS ! LORDS MI<T BE1 !RE W\LD BE 5\< TO SATISFY !IR GRE$ & YET LEAVE GOOD LIV+ = ALL :O LABOR$ ) !IR H&S2 SO ?AT !SE %\LD LABOR F> LESS ?AN N[1 & !Y W\LD HAVE TIME TO LE>N KN[L$GE1 SO ?AT !RE %\LD BE NO LE>N$ OR UNLE>N$1 = ALL %\LD BE LE>N$2 & !Y W\LD HAVE TIME ALSO TO LE>N H[ TO ORD] ! MATT]S ( ! P>I% & ! HUNDR$1 & ( ! P>LIAM5T ( ! REALM1 SO ?AT ! K+ %\LD TAKE NO MORE ?AN HIS [N2 & TO ORD] ! RULE ( ! REALM1 SO ?AT ALL M51 RI* & UNRI*1 %\LD HAVE P>T !RE92 & SO BY UNDO+ ( EVIL LAWS & MAK+ ( GOOD ONES1 ?AT FA%ION W\LD COME TO AN 5D :]E( ?\ SPEAKE/1 ?AT RI* M5 MAKE LAWS = !IR [N BEHO(2 = !Y %\LD NO LONG] BE ABLE TO DO ?US :5 ALL HAD P>T 9 MAK+ ! LAWS2 :]EBY IT W\LD SOON COME AB\T ?AT !RE W\LD BE NO M5 RI* & TYRANN\S1 BUT ALL %\LD HAVE 5\< & TO SP>E ( ! 9CREASE ( ! E>? & ! WORK ( !IR [N H&S4  ,YEA SURELY1 BRO!R1 IF EV] IT COME? AB\T ?AT M5 %ALL BE ABLE TO MAKE ?+S1 & NOT M51 WORK = !IR SUP]FLUITIES1 & ?AT ! L5G? ( TRAVEL FROM ONE PLACE TO ANO!R BE MADE ( NO ACC\NT1 & ALL ! WORLD BE A M>KET = ALL ! WORLD1 !N ALL %ALL LIVE 9 HEAL? & WEAL?2 & 5VY & GRUDG+ %ALL P]I%4  ,= !N %ALL WE HAVE CONQU]$ ! E>? & IT %ALL BE 5\<2 & !N %ALL ! K+DOM ( HEAV5 BE COME D[N TO ! E>? 9 V]Y DE$4  ,:Y LOOKE/ ?\ SO SAD & SORRY8 :AT SAYE/ ?\80  

,I SAID3  0,HA/ ?\ =GOTT5 ALREADY :AT ,I TOLD !E1 ?AT 9 ?OSE LATT] DAYS A MAN :O HA? NAU<T SAVE HIS [N BODY 7& SU* M5 %ALL BE F> ! MO/ ( M57 MU/ NE$S PAWN HIS LABOR = LEAVE TO LABOR8  ,CAN SU* A MAN BE WEAL?Y8  ,HA/ ?\ NOT CALL$ HIM A ?RALL80  

0,YEA10 HE SAID2 0BUT H[ C\LD ,I DEEM ?AT SU* ?+S C\LD BE :5 ?OSE DAYS %\LD BE COME :]E9 M5 C\LD MAKE ?+S WORK = !M80  

0,POOR MAN60 SAID ,I4  0,LE>N ?AT 9 ?OSE V]Y DAYS1 :5 IT %ALL BE ) ! MAK+ ( ?+S AS ) ! C>T] 9 ! C>T1 ?AT !RE HE SITTE? & %AKE? ! RE9S & ! HORSE DRAWE? & ! C>T GOE?2 9 ?OSE DAYS1 ,I TELL !E1 MANY M5 %ALL BE AS POOR & WRET*$ ALWAYS1 YE> BY YE>1 AS !Y >E ) !E :5 !RE IS FAM9E 9 ! L&2 NOR %ALL ANY HAVE PL5TY & SURETY ( LIVELIHOOD SAVE ?OSE ?AT %ALL SIT BY & LOOK ON :ILE O!RS LABOR2 & !SE1 ,I TELL !E1 %ALL BE A MANY1 SO ?AT !Y %ALL SEE TO ! MAK+ ( ALL LAWS1 & 9 !IR H&S %ALL BE ALL P[]1 & ! LABOR]S %ALL ?9K ?AT !Y CANNOT DO )\T !SE M5 ?AT LIVE BY ROBB+ !M1 & %ALL PRAISE !M & WELLNI< PRAY TO !M AS YE PRAY TO ! SA9TS1 & ! BE/ WOR%IP$ MAN 9 ! L& %ALL BE HE :O BY =E/ALL+ & REGRAT+ HA? GOTT5 TO HIM ! MO/ MONEY40  

0,YEA10 SAID HE1 0& %ALL !Y :O SEE !MSELVES ROBB$ WOR%IP ! ROBB]8  ,!N 9DE$ %ALL M5 BE *ANG$ FROM :AT !Y >E N[1 & !Y %ALL BE SLUGG>DS1 DOLTS1 & C[>DS BEYOND ALL ! E>? HA? YET BORNE4  ,SU* >E NOT ! M5 ,I HAVE KN[N 9 MY LIFE-DAYS1 & ?AT N[ ,I LOVE 9 MY DEA?40  

0,NAY10 ,I SAID1 0BUT ! ROBB]Y %ALL !Y NOT SEE2 = HAVE ,I NOT TOLD !E ?AT !Y %ALL HOLD !MSELVES TO BE FREE M58  ,& = :Y8  ,I WILL TELL !E3 BUT FIR/ TELL ME H[ IT F>ES ) M5 N[2 MAY ! LABOR+ MAN BECOME A LORD80  

,HE SAID3  0,! ?+ HA? BE5 SE5 ?AT *URLS HAVE RIS5 FROM ! DORTOIR ( ! MONA/]Y TO ! ABBOT'S *AIR & ! BI%OP'S ?RONE2 YET NOT (T52 & :ILES HA? A BOLD S]GEANT BECOME A WISE CAPTA91 & !Y HAVE MADE HIM SQUIRE & KNI<T2 & YET BUT V]Y SELDOM4  ,& N[ ,I SUPPOSE ?\ WILT TELL ME ?AT ! ,*UR* WILL OP5 H] >MS WID] TO ?IS POOR PEOPLE1 & ?AT MANY ?R\< H] %ALL RISE 9TO LORD%IP4  ,BUT :AT AVAILE? ?AT8  ,NAU<T W]E IT TO ME IF ! ,ABBOT ( ,/4 ,ALBAN'S ) HIS GOLD5 MIT] SITT+ GU>D$ BY HIS KNI<TS & S]GEANTS1 OR ! ,PRIOR ( ,M]TON ) HIS HAWKS & HIS H\NDS1 HAD ONCE BE5 POOR M51 IF !Y W]E N[ TYRANTS ( POOR M52 NOR W\LD IT BETT] ! MATT] IF !RE W]E T5 TIMES AS MANY ,H\SES ( ,RELIGION 9 ! L& AS N[ >E1 & EA* ) A *URL'S SON = ABBOT OR PRIOR OV] IT40  

,I SMIL$ & SAID3  0,COM=T ?YSELF2 = 9 ?OSE DAYS %ALL !RE BE NEI!R ABBEY NOR PRIORY 9 ! L&1 NOR MONKS NOR FRI>S1 NOR ANY RELIGI\S40  7,HE />T$ AS ,I SPOKE47  0,BUT ?\ HA/ TOLD ME ?AT H>DLY 9 !SE DAYS MAY A POOR MAN RISE TO BE A LORD3 N[ ,I TELL !E ?AT 9 ! DAYS TO COME POOR M5 %ALL BE ABLE TO BECOME LORDS & MA/]S & DO-NO?+S2 & (T WILL IT BE SE5 ?AT !Y %ALL DO SO2 & IT %ALL BE EV5 = ?AT CAUSE ?AT !IR EYES %ALL BE BL9D$ TO ! ROBB+ ( !MSELVES BY O!RS1 BECAUSE !Y %ALL HOPE 9 !IR S\LS ?AT !Y MAY EA* LIVE TO ROB O!RS3 & ?IS %ALL BE ! V]Y SAFEGU>D ( ALL RULE & LAW 9 ?OSE DAYS40  

0,N[ AM ,I SORRI] ?AN ?\ HA/ YET MADE ME10 SAID HE2 0= :5 ONCE ?IS IS E/ABLI%$1 H[ !N CAN IT BE *ANG$8  ,/RONG %ALL BE ! TYRANNY ( ! LATT] DAYS4  ,& N[ MESEEMS1 IF ?\ SAYE/ SOO?1 ?IS TIME ( ! CONQUE/ ( ! E>? %ALL NOT BR+ HEAV5 D[N TO ! E>?1 AS ]/ ,I DEEM$ IT W\LD1 BUT RA!R ?AT IT %ALL BR+ HELL UP ON TO ! E>?4  ,WOE'S ME1 BRO!R1 = ?Y SAD & WE>Y =ETELL+6  ,& YET SAID/ ?\ ?AT ! M5 ( ?OSE DAYS W\LD SEEK A REM$Y4  ,CAN/ ?\ YET TELL ME1 BRO!R1 :AT ?AT REM$Y %ALL BE1 LE/ ! SUN RISE UPON ME MADE HOPELESS BY ?Y TALE ( :AT IS TO BE8  ,&1 LO Y\1 SOON %ALL %E RISE UPON ! E>?40  

,9 TRU? ! DAWN WAS WID5+ N[1 & ! COLORS COM+ 9TO ! PICTURES ON WALL & 9 W9D[2 & AS WELL AS ,I C\LD SEE ?R\< ! V>I$ GLAZ+ ( !SE LA/ 7& ONE W9D[ BE=E ME HAD AS YET NO?+ BUT :ITE GLASS 9 IT71 ! RUDDY GL[1 :I* HAD BUT SO LITTLE A :ILE QUITE DI$ \T 9 ! WE/1 WAS N[ BEG9N+ TO GA!R 9 ! EA/--! NEW DAY WAS BEG9N+4  ,I LOOK$ AT ! POPPY ?AT ,I /ILL C>RI$ 9 MY H&1 & IT SEEM$ TO ME TO HAVE WI!R$ & DW9DL$4  ,I FELT ANXI\S TO SPEAK TO MY COMPANION & TELL HIM MU*1 & )AL ,I FELT ?AT ,I MU/ HA/51 OR = SOME REASON OR O!R ,I %\LD BE TOO LATE2 SO ,I SPOKE AT LA/ L\D & HURRI$LY3  

0,JOHN ,BALL1 BE ( GOOD *E]2 = ONCE MORE ?\ KN[E/1 AS ,I KN[1 ?AT ! ,FELL[%IP ( ,M5 %ALL 5DURE1 H[EV] MANY TRIBULATIONS IT MAY HAVE TO WE> ?R\<4  ,LOOK Y\1 A :ILE AGO WAS ! LI<T BRI<T AB\T US2 BUT IT WAS BECAUSE ( ! MOON1 & ! NI<T WAS DEEP NOT)/&+1 & :5 ! MOONLI<T WAN$ & DI$1 & !RE WAS BUT A LITTLE GLIMM] 9 PLACE ( ! BRI<T LI<T1 YET WAS ! WORLD GLAD BECAUSE ALL ?+S KNEW ?AT ! GLIMM] WAS ( DAY & NOT ( NI<T4  ,LO Y\1 AN IMAGE ( ! TIMES TO BETIDE ! HOPE ( ! ,FELL[%IP ( ,M54  ,YET =SOO?1 IT MAY WELL BE ?AT ?IS BRI<T DAY ( SUMM] :I* IS N[ DAWN+ UPON US IS NO IMAGE ( ! BEG9N+ ( ! DAY ?AT %ALL BE2 BUT RA!R %ALL ?AT DAY-DAWN BE COLD & GRAY & SURLY2 & YET BY ITS LI<T %ALL M5 SEE ?+S AS !Y V]ILY >E1 & NO LONG] 5*ANT$ BY ! GLEAM ( ! MOON & ! GLAM\R ( ! DREAM-TIDE4  ,BY SU* GRAY LI<T %ALL WISE M5 & VALIANT S\LS SEE ! REM$Y1 & DEAL ) IT1 A REAL ?+ ?AT MAY BE T\*$ & H&L$1 & NO GLORY ( ! HEAV5S TO BE WOR%IP$ FROM AF> (F4  ,& :AT %ALL IT BE1 AS ,I TOLD !E BE=E1 SAVE ?AT M5 %ALL BE DET]M9$ TO BE FREE2 YEA1 FREE AS ?\ W\LD/ HAVE !M1 :5 ?9E HOPE RISES ! HI<E/1 & ?\ >T ?9K+ NOT ( ! K+'S UNCLES1 & POLL-GROAT BAILIFFS1 & ! VILLE9AGE ( ,ESSEX1 BUT ( ! 5D ( ALL1 :5 M5 %ALL HAVE ! FRUITS ( ! E>? & ! FRUITS ( !IR TOIL !REON1 )\T MONEY & )\T PRICE4  ,! TIME %ALL COME1 ,JOHN ,BALL1 :5 ?AT DREAM ( ?9E ?AT ?IS %ALL ONE DAY BE1 %ALL BE A ?+ ?AT M5 %ALL TALK ( SOB]LY1 & AS A ?+ SOON TO COME AB\T1 AS EV5 ) !E !Y TALK ( ! VILLE9S BECOM+ T5ANTS PAY+ !IR LORD QUIT-R5T2 !RE=E1 HA/ ?\ DONE WELL TO HOPE IT2 &1 IF ?\ HE$E/ ?IS ALSO1 AS ,I SUPPOSE ?\ HE$E/ IT LITTLE1 ?Y NAME %ALL ABIDE BY ?Y HOPE 9 ?OSE DAYS TO COME1 & ?\ %ALT NOT BE =GOTT540  

,I HE>D HIS VOICE COME \T ( ! TWILI<T1 SC>CELY SEE+ HIM1 ?\< N[ ! LI<T WAS GR[+ FA/1 AS HE SAID3  

0,BRO!R1 ?\ GIVE/ ME HE>T AGA92 YET S9CE N[ ,I WOT WELL ?AT ?\ >T A S5D+ FROM F>-(F TIMES & F>-(F ?+S3 TELL ?\1 IF ?\ MAYE/1 TO A MAN :O IS GO+ TO HIS DEA? H[ ?IS %ALL COME AB\T40  

0,ONLY ?IS MAY ,I TELL !E 0 SAID ,I2 0TO !E1 :5 ?\ DID/ TRY TO CONCEIVE ( !M1 ! WAYS ( ! DAYS TO COME SEEM$ FOLLIES SC>CE TO BE ?\<T (2 YET %ALL !Y COME TO BE FAMILI> ?+S1 & AN ORD] BY :I* EV]Y MAN LIVE?1 ILL AS HE LIVE?1 SO ?AT M5 %ALL DEEM ( !M1 ?AT ?US IT HA? BE5 S9CE ! BEG9N+ ( ! WORLD1 & ?AT ?US IT %ALL BE :ILE ! WORLD 5DURE?2 & 9 ?IS WISE SO %ALL !Y BE ?\<T ( A LONG :ILE2 & ! COMPLA9T ( ! POOR ! RI* MAN %ALL HE$1 EV5 AS MU* & NO MORE AS HE :O LIE? 9 PLEASURE UND] ! LIME-TREES 9 ! SUMM] HE$E? ! MURMUR ( HIS TOIL+ BEES4  ,YET 9 TIME %ALL ?IS ALSO GR[ OLD1 & D\BT %ALL CREEP 91 BECAUSE M5 %ALL SC>CE BE ABLE TO LIVE BY ?AT ORD]1 & ! COMPLA9T ( ! POOR %ALL BE HE>K5$1 NO LONG] AS A TALE NOT UTT]LY GRIEV\S1 BUT AS A ?REAT ( RU91 & A FE>4  ,!N %ALL !SE ?+S1 :I* TO !E SEEM FOLLIES1 & TO ! M5 BETWE5 !E & ME M]E WISDOM & ! BOND ( /ABILITY1 SEEM FOLLIES ONCE AGA92 YET1 :]EAS M5 HAVE SO LONG LIV$ BY !M1 !Y %ALL CL+ TO !M YET FROM BL9DNESS & FROM FE>2 & ?OSE ?AT SEE1 & ?AT HAVE ?US MU* CONQU]$ FE> ?AT !Y >E FUR!R+ ! REAL TIME ?AT COME? & NOT ! DREAM ?AT FAILE?1 !SE M5 %ALL ! BL9D & ! FE>FUL MOCK & MISSAY1 & TORM5T & MURD]3 & GREAT & GRIEV\S %ALL BE ! /RIFE 9 ?OSE DAYS1 & MANY ! FAILURES ( ! WISE1 & TOO (T SORE %ALL BE ! DESPAIR ( ! VALIANT2 & BACK-SLID+1 & D\BT1 & CONTE/ BETWE5 FRI5DS & FELL[S LACK+ TIME 9 ! HUBBUB TO UND]/& EA* O!R1 %ALL GRIEVE MANY HE>TS & H9D] ! ,HO/ ( ! ,FELL[%IP3 YET %ALL ALL BR+ AB\T ! 5D1 TILL ?Y DEEM+ ( FOLLY & \RS %ALL BE ONE1 & ?Y HOPE & \R HOPE2 & !N--! ,DAY WILL HAVE COME40  

,ONCE MORE ,I HE>D ! VOICE ( ,JOHN ,BALL3  0,N[1 BRO!R1 ,I SAY F>EWELL2 = N[ V]ILY HA? ! ,DAY ( ! ,E>? COME1 & ?\ & ,I >E LONELY ( EA* O!R AGA92 ?\ HA/ BE5 A DREAM TO ME AS ,I TO !E1 & SORRY & GLAD HAVE WE MADE EA* O!R1 AS TALES ( OLD TIME & ! LONG+ ( TIMES TO COME %ALL EV] MAKE M5 TO BE4  ,I GO TO LIFE & TO DEA?1 & LEAVE !E2 & SC>CE DO ,I KN[ :E!R TO WI% !E SOME DREAM ( ! DAYS BEYOND ?9E TO TELL :AT %ALL BE1 AS ?\ HA/ TOLD ME1 = ,I KN[ NOT IF ?AT %ALL HELP OR H9D] !E2 BUT S9CE WE HAVE BE5 K9D & V]Y FRI5DS1 ,I WILL NOT LEAVE !E )\T A WI% ( GOOD-WILL1 SO AT LEA/ ,I WI% !E :AT ?\ ?YSELF WI%E/ = ?YSELF1 & ?AT IS HOPEFUL /RIFE & BLAMELESS PEACE1 :I* IS TO SAY 9 ONE WORD1 LIFE4  ,F>EWELL1 FRI5D40  

,= SOME LITTLE TIME1 AL?\< ,I HAD KN[N ?AT ! DAYLI<T WAS GR[+ & :AT WAS >\ND ME1 ,I HAD SC>CE SE5 ! ?+S ,I HAD BE=E NOT$ SO KE5LY2 BUT N[ 9 A FLA% ,I SAW ALL--! EA/ CRIMSON ) SUNRISE ?R\< ! :ITE W9D[ ON MY RI<T H&2 ! RI*LY-C>V$ /ALLS & GILD$ SCRE5 WORK1 ! PICTURES ON ! WALLS1 ! LOVEL9ESS ( ! FAULTLESS COLOR ( ! MOSAIC W9D[ LI<TS1 ! ALT> & ! R$ LI<T OV] IT LOOK+ /RANGE 9 ! DAYLI<T1 & ! BI]S ) ! HIDD5 DEAD M5 UPON !M ?AT LAY BE=E ! HI< ALT>4  ,A GREAT PA9 FILL$ MY HE>T AT ! SI<T ( ALL ?AT BEAUTY1 & )AL ,I HE>D QUICK /EPS COM+ UP ! PAV$ *UR*-PA? TO ! POR*1 & ! L\D :I/LE ( A SWEET OLD TUNE !RE)2 !N ! FOOT/EPS /OPP$ AT ! DOOR2 ,I HE>D ! LAT* RATTLE1 & KNEW ?AT ,WILL ,GRE5'S H& WAS ON ! R+ ( IT4  

,!N ,I /ROVE TO RISE UP1 BUT FELL BACK AGA92 A :ITE LI<T1 EMPTY ( ALL SI<TS1 BROKE UPON ME = A MOM5T1 & LO ,I BEHOLD1 ,I WAS LY+ 9 MY FAMILI> B$1 ! S\?-WE/]LY GALE RATTL+ ! ,V5ETIAN BL9DS & MAK+ !IR HOLD-FA/S SQUEAK4  

,I GOT UP PRES5TLY1 & GO+ TO ! W9D[ LOOK$ \T ON ! W9T] MORN+2 ! RIV] WAS BE=E ME BROAD BETWE5 \T] BANK & BANK1 BUT IT WAS NE>LY DEAD EBB1 & !RE WAS A WIDE SPACE ( MUD ON EA* SIDE ( ! HURRY+ /REAM1 DRIV5 ON ! FA/] AS IT SEEM$ BY ! PU% ( ! S\?-WE/ W9D4  ,ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! WAT] ! FEW WILL[-TREES LEFT US BY ! ,?AMES ,CONS]VANCY LOOK$ D\BTFULLY ALIVE AGA9/ ! BLEAK SKY & ! R[ ( WRET*$-LOOK+ BLUE-SLAT$ H\SES1 AL?\<1 BY ! WAY1 ! LATT] W]E ! BACKS ( A SORT ( /REET ( 0VILLAS0 & NOT A SLUM2 ! ROAD 9 FRONT ( ! H\SE WAS SOOTY & MUDDY AT ONCE1 & 9 ! AIR WAS ?AT S5SE ( DIRTY DISCOM=T :I* ONE IS NEV] QUIT ( 9 ,LONDON4  ,! MORN+ WAS H>%1 TOO1 & ?\< ! W9D WAS FROM ! S\?-WE/ IT WAS AS COLD AS A NOR? W9D2 & YET AMID IT ALL1 ,I ?\<T ( ! CORN] ( ! NEXT BI<T ( ! RIV] :I* ,I C\LD NOT QUITE SEE FROM :]E ,I WAS1 BUT OV] :I* ONE CAN SEE CLE> ( H\SES & 9TO ,RI*MOND ,P>K1 LOOK+ LIKE ! OP5 C\NTRY2 & DIRTY AS ! RIV] WAS1 & H>% AS WAS ! ,JANU>Y W9D1 !Y SEEM$ TO WOO ME T[>D ! C\NTRY-SIDE1 :]E AWAY FROM ! MIS]IES ( ! 0,GREAT ,W50 ,I MI<T ( MY [N WILL C>RY ON A DAYDREAM ( ! FRI5DS ,I HAD MADE 9 ! DREAM ( ! NI<T & AGA9/ MY WILL4  

,BUT AS ,I TURN$ AWAY %IV]+ & D[NHE>T$1 ON A SUDD5 CAME ! FRI<TFUL NOISE ( ! 0HOOT]S10 ONE AFT] ! O!R1 ?AT CALL ! WORKM5 TO ! FACTORIES1 ?IS ONE ! AFT]-BREAKFA/ ONE1 MORE BY TOK54  ,SO ,I GR9N$ SURLILY1 & DRESS$ & GOT READY = MY DAY'S 0WORK0 AS ,I CALL IT1 BUT :I* MANY A MAN BESIDES ,JOHN ,RUSK9 7?\< NOT MANY 9 HIS POSITION7 W\LD CALL 0PLAY40  

,! ,5,D 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,FEBRU>Y #b#a1 #bba 3 ,A ,DREAM ( ,JOHN ,BALL -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #g1 #bbb 3 ,A ,DREAM ( ,JOHN ,BALL -- ,UPDAT$4 

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
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