The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-30
THE ADMIRAL'S PLAYERS,
L Scene in Coventry During the
Days of Good Queen Bess

The ancient city of Coventry stands upor
a Ettle hill, with old st. Michael's steeple and
the spire OF Holy Trinity church rising above
1t against the sky; and. us the master player
and the boy came climbing upward from the
SOUTH walls, towers, chimneys and rcd tiled
Iosfs were turned 10 gold ny the glow Of
the setting sun, writes John Bennett IN the
St. Mel N'as.
To Nick it seemed as if a halo overhung
the town-a ruddy glory and a wonder
bright, for here the Grey Friars of the great
monastery had played their holy mysteries
and miracle plays for over "a hundred wears
here the trade guilds had held their pageants
when the fnar's day was done; here were all
fires
People were coming and going through the
gates like bees about hive; and in the dis
lance Nick could hear the sound of many
voices, the rush of feet, wheels and hoofs
and the Shrill pipe Of music. Here and there
We're little knots of country folk making
holiday-a father and mother with a group
OF rosy children; lad and his lass spruce
in new finery, and gay with bits Of ribbon
merry groups that were ever changing Gay
banners Mapped on tall ash slaves. The sub
urb fields were filled with booths and tents
and stalls and butts for archery. The very
air seemed eager with the eve of holiday
But what to Nick was breathless wonder was
to CarewNDnly twice-told tale so he pushed
through the crowded thoroughfares amid a
throng that made Ncks head spin round
and came quickly to the Blue Boar inn.
The court was crowded to the gates with
horses, travellers and serving men: and here
and there and everywhere rushed the busy
lnnkeeper, with a linen napkin fluttering on
MS arm, his cap half off. and in his hot hand
a pewter fagon. from which the brown ale
dripped in spatters on his fat legs as he
few.
They're tere." said Carew, look ng -shrewd-
ly about, for there is Gregory Goole. nv
groom. and Stephen Magelt, the fireman. In
with thee. Nicholas"
He put Nick before with a little air of
patronage, and pushed him into the room.
large. chamber with
beams overhead. hung with leather Jacks
and pewter tankards. Around the walls
guests sat eating. drinking dicng, PLAYING at
cards. and talking loudly all at once while
the tapster and the cooks knave sped wildly
about
At great table in the midst Of the riot SAT
the lord high admirals players-a score or
more loud-swashing gallants. richly clad in
rufus and bands, embroidered shirts. Italian
doublets slashed and laced Venetian hose
gay velvet caps with jeweled bands. and every
man a poniard or rapier at his hip. Nick
felt very much like little brown sparrow
in flock of gaudy Italian birds
The board was loaded down with meat and
drink; and some of the players were eating
with FORKS, new trick from the London
all the diners looked up when Carew's face
was recognized, and welcomed him with deaf
ening shouts.
He waved his hand for silence.
Thanks for these kind plaudits. gentle
friends said he, with hooking air; Il
have returned"
Eyes, we see that We have. CASTOR" they
all shouted. and laughed again.
AYE" said he, thrusting his hand into his
pouch; I'VE fled and left me to be spoiled by
the spoiler, but We see l have left the spoiler
spoiled
Lifting his hand trimphantly, he shook in
their faces the golden chain that the burgesses
to Stratford had given him, and then laying
his hand upon Nick's shoulder, bowed to them
all and to him with courtly grace and said:
''Be known be known all! Gentlemen, my
lord admiral's players, Master Nicholas Sky
lark. the sweetest singer in all the kingdom
of England"
Nick's cheeks flushed hotly and his eyes
fell for they all stared curiously, first at him
and then at Carew, standing upF behind bin,
and several grinned mockingly, and winked In
a knowing way. He stole a look at Carew;
but the masterpieces face was franie and
quite unmoved, so that Nick felt reassured.