Illustrated Article. THE AYMSTRIE NIGHTE BELL. BY THE REV. E. BAINES, M. A. Beware from ire, that in thy bosom slepeth, Ware fro' the serpent, that so slily crepeth, Under the grass, and stingeth subtilly, trie. CHAUCER. THEY have but small information of the faire bewties of merrie Englande, who know not the pleasaunte vale of AymsI stode, with mine auncient fere Hugh Maurice, beside the river Lugge, that watereth that goodlie valley, and caste mine eyes round on so swete a variete of prospecte as ye may travelle farre and long, and yet behold none to compare with it. For, before us, there was a steep and rockie bank, shooting out with bold front from the water side, whereon tall trees nodded, all bedecked with their spring braverie of blossome; undernethe which was the river, rolling over the stones with a prettie din, and with so pure and clere a torrent, that ye might see the shadoed images of the portlie oke and 23-VOL. IV. 2 A large-limbed popler, dauncing as it were amid the brauling gurglets. Afar, where the highe ridge doth slope and decline into the plaine, there be sprede riche and flowerie pastures, amid which the streame, featlie garnished with alder and hazle, doth, in trickes and giddie turns, wanton like a childish impe. And there ye may espie the graye tower of the church of Aymstrie, looking forthe like a hoary gyant from his leafie palais; and manie a goodlie mansion, and manie a lowlie cotage bordering the rode, which folkes do report was laide by the old Roman. And far away, where the earthe and skye do meet, there is a duskie wall of hugeous hills, which be the beginning of the lande of Wales. I stode with Hugh Maurice by the river's brim, and we discoursed gravelie and intentlie of the manie turnes and prankes of fortune, that had befel usin the wayward passage of long yeres sithins we had been nurtured together in our careless and joious prime amid the grim halls of Oxenford. Certes I cannot call to mind a time wherein I founde more pleasaunce than whiles I thus communed 107 in soe lovely a spot with the friend of my younge daies, now, breaking off our talke to watch the gambols of the finnie people in the clere pools and eddies-now beguiling the busie sadness of overtasked memorie with listing to the songes of those nimble minstrels of the heven and forest, that warble forth such curious ditties as the conynge of no human musician can compasse. It was the last time that ever I met that kinde and courteouse friend; but mine eye hath sith watered his monumental stone, when I looked to embrace his living bodie. Sodenlie, whiles we thus held pleasing converse, there broke out from that olde church-tower the sounde of a bell, unlike aught I had heretofore hearde to come from tower or steepel. For it tolled not like for one dead, or for a passing sprite, and for the curfue chime it was yet too soone. I turned me, enquiring-wise, to good Hugh Maurice; "I marvel not,' quoth he," that ye be somewhat astonied at the noyse of yon bell. In soothe, at my first coming into this countrie, I marvelled much what it might intend; and if ye care to list to an olde historie, that hath been delivered to me as worthy of credence, I will repeat to you the cause of the ringing whereat ye wonder.” we "That would I heare with much delyte," I answered. Whereupon tooke seate on a felled tree, where a flowering blacke-thorne fenced off the red glare of the dazzling sunset. And he began, with a right merry chere, If ye caste your eye athwart the vally, ye plainlie perceve a highe stack of stout chimnies, peering from betwene the chestnut trees. They appertane to an auncient dwelling, stronge and castle-fashioned, and fenced with a mote, the which ye will be curiose to inspect ere that ye remove hence, for it is such as is now rarelie to be sene. Wherefore and by whom it was builded, there is not, that I wot of, record or tradition; neyther doth it concern this historie to knowe. But certes it was whilome held by one Robin A'Court, headreve and trustie steward to one of the bygone Lord Lacies, who swayed no small portion of these goodlie landes. A man was this Robin, that heard not wel of the countrie round, for it was seyd in common that let gold and silver but come, and he was not greatlie concerned how it was gotten. Sorelie he wrunge the yeomen and cottagers, ay, oftentimes ere the reckoning should have been made; specialie when his lord, who was over seas, heading of a troope of chivalrie against the heathenesse, was pressing for supplies. And the hindes, and herdegrooms, and baylifs, and such like, who looked to the kine and tilth, had a sore time under Reve Robin, and dreded him as deth, and loved him as soure beere. And now, if ye looke witherward my finger directeth, ye shall see on the slope of the hill-side, at the margent of the wood, a long and lowtopped dwellinge, that seemeth as it would spare them that be within, the cost and paines of pulling it downe. In the time of the which I speke, was abiding there an old cherl, of no smal repute for sobtil and readie wit, who, out of the depe and stubbern soyl of experience, had digged great store of wisdom. And whether the keen-witted Reve inclined not to strive with a wighte that wielded wepons no worse than his own, or whether he prized the strong abilitie and discrete judgment of so practised a counciller, certes he laid on Keneth Peatfield a lighter hande than he was wont; and oftentimes would he wend unto The Hollies, as the old man's place is yet named, and debate with him respecting the breding of kine and shepe, and the dressing of landes, over a browne bowle of no ordinarie cyder. And if there were less kindness atwene them, of a suretie there was no lack of courtesie. It happed on a November morn, as olde Keneth was coming forth from his house, after the breaking of his faste, that he saw the Reve riding towards him at a briske pace. "Keneth," quoth he, when he came up, "I wolde have a word with thee," So they turned backe together to the house. "Here is a goodlie to do," quoth the Reve. My lorde hath sent over Syr Oswald Blake, his man-at-arms, with tydings that his soldyers be in sore plighte for maintenance thro lacke of monie; and that I be instant in urging the tenantrie to paye up all arrearage forthwith, and somewhat in advance moreover, for the pressing necessityes of the winter encamping." "And is your errand with me to that end?" asked the franklein. 66 Naye, goode Peatfield," replied Robin A'Court," I sholde be lothe to ill convenience so fair and regular a pay man as thou. Arreres thou owest nought, and advance of thee I require not. But I woulde faine have thy counsel how to conduct this matter. For wel I know that I, who do but act as I am bidden by him whose servant I am, was looked hardlie on at the last levie of rentage; and there was no smal uncontent and murmuring thereat; moreover they talke grievouslie of the hurt which the graine hath had fro' the much wet, and the murrain that hath maltreted their beasts. And I deny not that my lorde hath pressed more heavilie on them than may litelie be borne. So woulde I blythelie deal with them in this case, that their and my master's behest be fulfilled with as litel injurie and grievance as may be.” Now olde Keneth was 'ware that this was but to fishe forthe how the passion of the countrie-folk stode affected. For the Reve knew full well, that men spoke not softlie respecting his exactions and distresses; and that some had not stinted threates, as though they woulde not longer have a cherle lording it over them, and wringing from them the winnings of longe and harde toyle; nay, they scrupled not to utter their beliefe, that Lord Lacie's needes were but a cloke of pretence to cover Robin's base gaines, and other like bruits, which sounded unwelcome in his ears, betokening his office about to prove aught but smoothe and featlie. You may opine, then, that Keneth needed discretion in replying to his queries, least he should fix suspicion on anie, for being the blowers of the coales of discontent. He talked of the ill harvesting of the late croppes; and the peril that utter starvation shold be rife among the peasantrie, if their slender stocke were 'minished by unlooked-for charges. And Robin A'Court turned from him, after that he had communed a long houre, little comforted, but rather more adrede of what he had in hande. How he fared with other his tenants, or how manie louring brows and muttering lips he met withal, in his round about, I know not, but guess them not to have been few. The last he went unto, and with somewhat of unwillingness, was Blacke Johne o' the Marsh. Blacke Jobne was a stalwart clowne, of a strong bodie and stiffe spirit; wel noted in the wrestling grounde, and the cudgel ringe, in pitching of the bar, and baiting of the bull. Na'theless he was one that worked no worse than he played, and strove hard against an unkindlie soyle, and manie crosses. For in the late untoward season, no wighte in those parts had suffered losses comparable with him o' the Marsh. The river had thrice over flowed, first to the destruction of his new born lamkins, and again, in the summer, most of his cockes of hay took them a voiage to Hereforde and Rosse, whither they were shortlie folloed by sundrie shockes of Johne's wheate. Yet he sunk not neathe such greefes as wolde have bowed manie to the dust; but strave on with harte and hande, bating not a jot of manful hope; onlie that he obtained of Robin A'Court, that the paiment of his quarterage should be put aside till such time as his ill fortunes shoulde be repaired by a more smiling season. And he now stode beside his fold-yerd gate, musing wistfulie on his troublous course. The Reve opeened his errand, not without mani gulpings and stintings; for Blacke Johne had a name for a sprighte easilie roused to do a hastie dede in wrath. And ye mote ha' seen by the glances of Johne's eye, and the redening cloude athwart his fronte, that so unlooked for a demand liked him not. And when he had listed him his tale thro', he pondered awhile, and sayd, "And what doth this matter concern me, master Robin? Ye know ful wel, that not out of anie ill doing of mine own, but by the honde of God, I have been sore visited in my substance; and I have thy plighted worde that thou wouldest not look for the rentage until I had somewhat mended these disastrous hindrances." "Yea, good felloe," said the Reve, " and I would fain have had it soe; but this demaunde of thy lorde's and mine, hath alone driven me per force from my pre-ordered purposes; and there stronge neede that the gold be had from all by whomsoever it is due." 18 "My need is stronger," quoth Johne; "for, as ye may have learned, I have it not; and if thou wouldest aught from me, thou must e'en send thy baylifs and drivers to make them and thee riche with a paire of wheezie olde oxen, three cowes drie in the udder, a score, it may be, of mangie sheep, and a faire bevie of younge swine-brave squeakers and fat-whom I this morning thought to hange by the heeles myself. But do thy best, and make goode speede, or the market time will be paste, and ye will lose the daie." "Now jape not, Johne, I pr'ythee," sayd the Reve, "for I swere by Saynte Bottel it grieves me sore to be instant with bruised men; howbeit, if folk sayn soothe, thou mayest do that is fitting for thy landlorde, and kepe thy stock no less." "How so, my jolie master?" quo' Johne. "Then did not thy brother, who was slaine by the knave Welshmen, in the fight of Leintwardine, leave thee a bequesta faire pouche of coin, and ringes of price? Speak I aright, Johne ?" Now, by the blessed roode," seyd the yeoman, and the red blode mounted thro' his face," they mote have finished their tale that told you of that same bequest from the valiantest man that ever fought for an unmindful master. Know ye not, that gallant soldier bequeathed me more legacies than one ?" And he straitwai hied him to the house, and speedily brought out, leading in his hande, a fayre may de childe, of wondrous bewtie, who had scant seene seven summers of childholde. 66 There," sayd Johne, "there is the other bequest; and, by the breade I eat, they shall not be sundered; they shal go together while I live, and upon none other condition did I receive them. What Syr Reve, do ye sinile, with that sneering twist upon your irou jaws? Hark ye, my master, it may be a lyghte thinge to such as those, that fatherless bearne be reved of a father's gifte, and sent forthe naked to the wide world; but ere yield ye that, your catchipoles and ne'er-do-good fellowes shall work their luste amonge my farm beastes, to make awaie withal, even as ye wil; and, peradventure, there may be more than one worde ere that come to pass." "How, knave, do ye threaten?" sayd the Reve, who had begun alredie to wax furiouse," thou shalt be informed, anon.' "Pece, catif," interrupted Johne, "thou wilt cause me do that I may rewe, may hap. Awaie with thee, and see if thou canst not find somewhat among the stores of thine own garners, thou fause loon, that would paye thy lord with what was but his own, and come not to grinde thy grist from the faces of the poor." Then he hyed him in, and shut to the door. Marvel not that Robin A'Court was in hugeouse choler when he heard so tarte a speeche; certes, he grint his teethe, and looked a while as one wode or demoniak; and, as he rode past The Hollies, but one word did he bide to say to Keneth Peatfield-" They that sow scorne, shal reap sorrowe," and pricked on at a furiouse rate. And the hint was instant, for, with two followers at his backe, he was on the road to Lemstor towne, doubtless to bring such holpe from the auctorities thereof, as should give safe conduct both to his greediness and ire. Now, when this fame was noised abroad, and came to the ears of Blacke Johne, ye mighte deme he was not a man to stonde with his righte hande in his bosom at such a time; and, in less than an houre after that the Reve had departed, there was gathered at the hostelrie, which bore the sign of the Dronken Piper, no smal troope of the peasantrie, with dogged and sterne visages, debating sadlie, one with another, in doubting and discomfortable talk. And, pacing back and forward, even from one to another, with vehement and earnest bearing, was Johne o' the Marsh, wrangling, swearing, and exhorting. And, after a space, he strode forward, and seyd, "We are agreed, then, my masters!" 66 Agrede!" answered all; "he shal die a dog's deth." "His accursed neck shal know the taste of a cart rope," seyd stronge Wat, the smithe. "Ay, if there were no tree in the parish but the holie roode to hang him on," shouted Will Simpkin, the taylor, and shook his scithern aloft. "Be stil, ye knaves," seyd old Peatfield; 66 ye are mad, and devil-ridden to boot. There shal be no lyfe spilt in this matter if ye wil have counsel of me." Then he went on to shew, by discrete and plaine reson, how that their evils would be tenfold multiplied should they cut off the Reve by violence. But they would by no means hear him thro, but wel nigh all at once broke in upon his speche, and begon to make noyse, and seyd, Let him be a [warning and a drede to all after Reves that shall gather rentage in this lordshippe." When Keneth fonde, therefore, that he availed nought, he held his pece, and listed to all that went on, being purposed in his harte that soe outrageous and vain an emprize shoulde by no means be brought about. And, after much talke and consulting, it was accorded, that at the middle of the nighte they sholde gather them at the church; and, being there marshalled, should make assaulte upon the domicile of Robin A'Court; and, if they shoulde faile to win entrance, then shoulde they brenn with fyre both it and all therein. And the parish clerke did undertake to ring out the biggest bell at the time fore-named, at whose sounde they were all to hie them to the tryste. Thus conspired these hastie, and irous men to awreke them of their wronges. And then they separated, eche to his home, till the time of blode and vengeance sholde be present. With Johne o' the Marsh walked homeward, Keneth Peatfield, reasoning much with him that he sholde save the life of the tyrannous Reve, after that he mote have put him in so grete drede and affrite that he sholde perceve now daungerouse a game he pleyed with life and propertie. But with this woulde Blacke Johnie by no means accord. "For, deme ye not, wise Keneth, that the wolfe will be wode to use his loosened clawes agenst them that bound them? Trust me, his rage and ire woulde spare nor friend nor fae, after soe bitter and heavie an affront. No, he hath wel earned the doome we purpose for him, and to the uttermost shal it be paid." Then parted they companie; and Johne, entering his dore, sat him down by the ingleside, and leaning over the dul embers of a huge log, he pondered deeplie and fiercelie. But, ever and anon, he cast a softer look at the cradel wherein laye his litel faire neece smiling lie aslepe, by the bedside of his aunciente mother. And he sighed sore when he thought of what may befal that tender babe and that feble dame, if the chaunce of the nighte should strike him off from the boke of the living. Amid these darke musings, there sodenlie broke upon him the sounde of a bell, deeply bellowing with hoarse voice, through the silence of the nighte. Up he sterted, all astonied "Quene of heven! what sholde this be? Why, the orloge hath scant told seven, and midnighte sholde have herde that chime.— There is some error or mishap.-I must needes looke to it." Soe he seized a broad-axe, and hied him thro the darkness unto the church. There founde he manie alreadie there assembled, with such wepons as they coulde in their hast, looking on each other in doubt and amaze. "How now, my feres," seyd Johne, "what meaneth this newe game?" 66 By Synt Martin," answered Wat the smith, "we trow not; we herden the bell, and came with all spede, deming thou hadst taken up some new counsel.' "Not I, by my troth," seyd he. "But come, let us see who pulleth this lastie peal. They tried at the churche dore-it was fast locked; whereupon the more part were sore aghaste. This is some sorrie jape of the knave clerk," muttered Johne. "Where is he? where is Hezekiah Twange?" "Here," seyd the clerke, who for verie haste had come in his doublet, withouten hose or shirt; "here be I, and here be the keyes; and who, maugre them or me, hath gotten within to pull the ropes to this tune I marvel much. "That shal be quicklie seepe," seyd he of the Marsh. Open us the dore, good Twange, and we will disturb this |