ing watched two gownsmen
into a cyprian temple in the neighbourhood of Saint Thomas, circulated a
false report that they had carried thither the wives of two respectable
mechanics. Without taking the trouble to inquire into the truth or
falsehood of the accusation, the door was immediately beset; the old
cry of Town and Gown vociferated in every direction; and the unfortunate
wights compelled to seek their safety by an ignominious flight through a
back door and over the meadows. The tumult once raised, it was not to be
appeased without some victim, and for this purpose they thought proper
to attack a party of the _togati_, who were returning home from a little
private sport with a well-known fancy lecturer: the opportunity was
a good one to show-off, a regular fight commenced, and the raff were
floored in every direction, until their numbers increasing beyond all

7 The highly respected and learned head-master of Eton
College.

~262 comparison, the university men were compelled to raise the cry of
Gown, and fly for succour and defence to the High-street: in this way
had a few mischievous boys contrived to embroil the town and university
in one of the most severe intestine struggles ever remembered.

[Illustration: page262]

_A true chronicle of ye bloodie fighte betweene the Clerkes
of and Scholairs of Oxenforde, and the Townsmen of the
Citie, who were crowdinge rounde the Easterne Gaite to see
the Kinge enter in his progresse wostwarde._

~263~~

Sir Gierke of Oxenforde, prepare Your robis riche, and noble cheere. Ye
kinge with alle his courtlie trane Is spurring on your plaice to gane.
And heere ye trumpet's merrie note, His neare approache proclaims, I
wote; Ye doctors, proctors, scholairs, go, And fore youre sovereigne
bend ye lowe. Now comes the kinge in grande arraie; And the scholairs
presse alonge the waye, Till ye Easterne gaite was thronged so rounde,
That passage coulde no where be founde. Then the sheriffe's men their
upraised speares Did plye about the people's eares. And woe the day;
the rabble route Their speares did breake like glasse aboute. Then the
doctors, proctors, for the kinge, Most lustilie for roome did singe; But
thoughe theye bawled out amaine, No passage throughe the crowde coulde
gane. Ye Northern gownsmen, a bold race, Now swore they'd quicklie free
the plaice; With stalwart gripe, and beadle's staffe Theye clefte the
townsmen's sculls in half.

~264~~