Note 1. Psalm seventy-two, verses 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19; Hereford and
Purvey's version, 1381-8.

Note 2. Romans six, verse 16; Wycliffe's version, 1382.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

ON THE TERRACE.

"Where we disavow
Being keeper to our brother, we're his Cain."

Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

"Hylton, thou art weary gear!"

"What ails me?"

"What ails thee, forsooth? Marry, but that's as good a jest as I heard
this year! I lack thee to tell me that. For what ails me at thee, that
were other matter, and I can give thee to wit, an' thou wilt. Thou art
as heavy as lead, and as dull as ditch-water, and as flat as dowled
[flat] ale. I would I were but mine own master, and I'd mount my horse,
and ride away from the whole sort of you!"

"From your father and mother, Matthew?"

"Certes. Where's the good of fathers and mothers, save to crimp and
cramp young folks that would fain stretch their wings and be off into
the sunlight? Mine never do nought else."

"Think you not the fathers and mothers might reasonably ask, Where's the
good of sons and daughters? How much have you cost yours, Matthew,
since you were born?"

Matthew Foljambe turned round with a light laugh, and gazed half
contemptuously at the speaker.

"Gentlemen never reckon," said he. "'Tis a mean business, only fit for
tradesfolk."

"You might reckon that sum, Matthew, without damage to your gentle
blood. The King himself reckoneth up the troops he shall lack, and the
convention-subsidy due from each man to furnish them. You shall scantly
go above him, I count."

"I would I were but a king! Wouldn't I lead a brave life!"

"That would not I be for all the riches in Christendom."

"The which speech showeth thine unwisdom. Why, a king can have his
purveyor to pick of the finest in the market ere any other be serven; he
can lay tax on his people whenas it shall please him [this was true at
that time]; he can have a whole pig or goose to his table every morrow;
and as for the gifts that be brought him, they be without number.
Marry, but if I were a king, wouldn't I have a long gown of blue velvet,
all o'er broidered of seed-pearl, and a cap of cramoisie [crimson
velvet], with golden broidery! And a summer jack [the garment of which
jacket is the diminutive] of samitelle would I have--let me see--green,
I reckon, bound with gold ribbon; and fair winter hoods of miniver and
ermine, and buttons of gold by the score. Who so bravely app