Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-05
CHAPTER TX.
Those that save themselves and fly,
Go halves, at least, tn victory -.


seemed already to have declared for Wyatt
and his fellows. Successful beyond their
desires In the Kentish country (but chiefly
at Rochester. where they had thrown down
the bridge and possessed themselves OF the
castle) the rebels marched upon London
with a good courage begotten of the peo-
pies welcome: and every house being open
to them. and the. cause proclaimed IN
every township. they thought surely that
the end was won. and all their hardlhooo
thus early rewarded, when my Lord OF
Norfolk, with so of the train hands. met
them at hartford, and Wyatt, their leader
made bold TO speak for them. Such good
wit he had, says the story, and SO ready
was he In the argument, that the very
arduebussiers. come out to destroy them,
must throw their caps and cry, "A Wyatt,
a Wyatt" 1t has been written that they
were an army Of draggletails, very muddy
and weary of their journey. Nevertheless
they burned with zeal. believing the Span
ish husband the queen had chosen intended
the undoing of the realm, great hurt TO
the Protestant faith. What profit OF sue
cess came to them they judged to be the
gift Of God and sign OF dlvlne couhte-
nance. In this spirit they prevailed with
the sailors upon her majesty's ships then
lying in the river; and when they mad
manned others with right good seamen,
none might gainsay their exultatloH nor ex-
claim upon it. a days march now would
carry them to the goal OF their desires. IN
London they might look for the support OF
great names and great houses. Thomas
Grey, my Lord Of Devon, my Lord OF sur
foIk-all these had abetted that conspiracy,
and would presently acknowledge 1t. The
very banners bore a noble escutcheon. Inc
rebels had the joy of victory already in
their hearts.
Now. all this had befallen upon the day
which brought news Of my Lord of Nor
folks dilemma to those who waited III st.
James: and thereafter the panic which fell
upon London did not a little to justify the
rebel boast. So near was the peril, IN
truth that every house was barred and
suffered. while the river herself could
show a Thousand willing hands to throw
down the bridge by which Wyatt must en-
ter in. Lacking a leader where many led,
believing that the rebel hosts We're mes
sengers of God the timorous citizens asked
vainly for that wisdom of defense OF when
fear had robbed her councillors What Wit
was that, men asked, which LETT London
bridge for a rebe! highway. when every
other gate was closed? Had Sir Henry
Bedingfield and those with him no Gull
verins Their. that Wyatt should mock him
so? Who was this outlaw, this prisoner OF
the White Tower, set free to trounce his
betters and do that which the queen cap
tains had not done? He was Roy, the King
of Calverton. the knowing ones answered.
AS men CiutChlng at a straw, the humorous
prayed God that he might yet save the city.
They said that the outlaw was free, and
this a true saying. The queen had
spoken promise, and neither complaint
nor argument would turn her from il. She,
too had found man that day; she, too,
would stake all upon womans Judgment.
Il deliver to You one to whom you snail
hearken." she had cried when many pro
tested that safety lay here. and others cried,
Nav YOUR wits are lost, for there fS the
road" And now Roy of CaIverton, who but
an hour ago had been the servant of the
jaiIers went boldly before them all to
mock their dOleful hesitation and to awake
them from their stupor-
MY lords he cried. and the irony was
not to be held back. my lords 1t is plain
that ye strike good blow for your queen
this night Do We stand here long enough /
myself will crave mercy of this rebel for
YOU Nay, sirs. seeing that he must come
in We show right good wisdom to let down
the bridge for him Put away your culver
ms beseach YOU lest they be an offense in
his ewes, Ye have good pikemen here, and
archers I see; let them cast their pixies INTO
the river and break their calivers- Would
We have this Wyatt find We with arms IN
ycu- hands2 God forbid If We would keep
heads on your shoulders! Let the bridge
b.. lowered and the sackbutts made ready;
We will need a merry fanfare when Sir
Thomas rides jni'
His scorn. says the old chronicle, was a
just rebuke upon their lethargy. Those
who erstwhile had dawdled with their IFS
obey him willingly If ne would but show
them the way. Sir Henry Bedingfield him
self, exclaimins upon his folly, called hal
berdiers to him and commanded them to
the work. Where there had been but NUT
tered complaint and womanish foreboding,
brave words were heard and bold resolution.
Faithful servants OF the queen were there.
but they had lacked a leader; and now one
came TO them out OF the night. noble
figure IN the torches light, this sturdy
Iforthman. with his curly faxen hair tum-
bling upon his splendid shoulders, with his
doublet Of Lincoln green and his high boots
OF leather, and the good sword they had
returned to him. this man came out to them
as he whom they sought, the master of
their salvation. Timidly, at first, in twos
and threes, anon IN larger groups, and Ill
timately as an army accaiming a chief
they pressed about him in the inner room
Halberdters. pIkemen, sergeants OF the
guard. sturdy troopers, in caps and cOrse-
lets Of steel heralds with blazOned tabards,
galantS whose yelVets were glittering with
gems, serving men from the kitchens, even
priests from the chapels, acclaimed his
right, while pixies were uphfted and pen
mons fiurtered IN the wind. and the fam
beaux cast their glamour on the scene. No
voice diSSeuted when the cry was raised
Lead and We follow
Now, II was nothing 70 Roy OF CalvertOn
that men should thus acclaim him. for ne
had ever won the obedience Of his fellows
when the need arose, and this sovereignty
was no new thing TO him. PerChaHce, he
could not wholly put of some qualification
that my Lord Gardiner, who would have
bartered with him that day, must be the
witness OF his victory; and there was a
mans pride IN his remembrance that my
lady watched him from her window-per-
chance, that the queen stood with her
These things, nevertheless, he made haste
10 forget, while he answered the troopers
as they wished.
Men Of London" he said. ''be It not for
me 10 tell ye how this Wyatt is at your
gates and knocks that he may enter We
have heard the tidlngs Of yester eve and OF
this night; but never would l have We for
get that he who rides rebel into London
city. shall lack head when he would ride
out again Is there any among you so ig-
nOrant that he hath not heard the story of |
Jack Straw, and OF how Watt Tyler with
one hundred thousand. came In to take the
king at Smithheld? Went he home again
j ask you? Aye, with Walworth's dagger
In his heart! Fared Jack Cade any better
whom lden killed that his head might grin |
on yon bridge for your fathers security?
Was II well with my Lord Audley who rode
TO Blackheath for Warbecks sake? We
know the legend: Let it be for our exam
pie and content! Ye have cast down the |
bridges by which this man would pass
Name me fifty who will hold the gate at
Southwark. and your task shall be we'll be-
gun. Thereafter I will pick my own for
the work allotted to me. But, II We do not
hold the bridge sirs then Is 10