The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-01-30
THE ADMIRAL'S PLAYERS.
A Scene in Coventry During the
Days of Good Queen Bess.
Master skylark.' by John Bennett. in. the Janu-
airy St. Nicholas.

The ancient city of Coventry stands upon
a little hill, with old ST. Michael steeple
and the spire of Holy Trinity church rising
above it against the sky; as the master
player and the boy came climbing upward
from the south, walls, towers chimneys,
and red Titled roofs were turned to gold by
the glow Of the setting sun.
To Nick it seemed as if halo overhung
the town-a ruddy glory and wonder
bright, for here the Grey Friars of the
great monastery had played their holy
mysteries and miracle-plays for over hun
dred years; here the trade-guilds had held
their pageants when the friars day was
done; here were all the wonders that old
men told by winter fires.
People were coming and going through
the gates like bees about hive; and in
the distance Nick could hear the sound of
many voices, the rush of feet, wheels and
hoofs. and the shrill pipe of music. Here
and there were little knots of country folk
making holiday 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 tapped on tall
ash slaves The suburbfelds and butts
for archery. The very air seemed eager
with the eve of holiday.
But what to Nick was breathless wond-
er was to Carew only twice-told tale; so
he pushed through the crowded thorough
fares, amid throng that made Nick 5
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 inn-keeper, with linen napkin fut-
tering on his arm, his cap half off, and in
his hot hand pewter hagon, from, which
the brown ale dripped in spatters on his fat
legs as he few
''They re here, said Carew, looking
shrewdly about; ''for there is Gregory
Goole, my groom, and Stephen Magelt,
the fireman. In with thee, Nicholas y
He put Nick before him with little
air of patronage, and pushed him into the
room.
It was large, low chamber, with heavy
beams overhead hung with leather jacks
and pewter tankards Around the walls
stood rough tables, at which medley Of
guests sat eating, drinking, dicing, playing
at cards, and talking loudly all at once,
while the tapster and the cook knave sped
wildly about
At great table in the midst of the riot
sat the Lord High Admiral $ players
score or more loud-swashing gallants, richly
clad in ruffs and bands, embroidered shirts,
Italian doublets slashed and laced, Vene-
tian hose, gay velvet caps with jeweled
bands, and every man poniard Or rapier
at his hip. Nick felt very much like a
little brown sparrow in a flock of gaudy
Indian birds
The board was loaded down with meat
and drink; and some of the players were
eating with forks, new trick from the
London court, which Nick had never seen
before. But all the diners looked up
when Carew's face was recognized, and
welcomed him with deafening shout.
He waved his hand for silence
''Thanks for these kind plaudits, gentle
friends, said he, with mocking air; L
have returned.
Eyes, we see that ye have, Castor, -
they all shouted, and laughed again
''Ay," said he, thrusting his hand into
his pouch, we fed, and left me to be
spoiled by the spoiler, but ye see l have
left the spoiler spoiled. -
Lifting hand triumphantly, he shook in
their faces the golden chain that the bur
gesses of Stratford had given him, aud
then, laying his hand upon Nick 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 Skylark, the
sweetest singer in all the kingdom of Eng
landp'
Nick cheeks flushed hotly, and his eyes
fell; for they all stared curiously, first at
him, and then at Carew standing up be-
hind him, and grinned several mockingly,
and winked in knowing way. He stole a
look at Carew; but the master player face
was frank and quite unmoved, so that Nick
felt treasured