INTRODUCTION
Acertaindegreeofsuccess，realorsupposed，inthedelineationofQueenMary，naturallyinducedtheauthortoattemptsomethingsimilarrespecting\"hersisterandherfoe，\"thecelebratedElizabeth。Hewillnot，however，pretendtohaveapproachedthetaskwiththesamefeelings;forthecandidRobertsonhimselfconfesseshavingfelttheprejudiceswithwhichaScottishmanistemptedtoregardthesubject;andwhatsoliberalahistorianavows，apoorromance—writerdaresnotdisown。Buthehopestheinfluenceofaprejudice，almostasnaturaltohimashisnativeair，willnotbefoundtohavegreatlyaffectedthesketchhehasattemptedofEngland\'sElizabeth。Ihaveendeavouredtodescribeherasatonceahigh—mindedsovereign，andafemaleofpassionatefeelings，hesitatingbetwixtthesenseofherrankandthedutysheowedhersubjectsontheonehand，andontheotherherattachmenttoanobleman，who，inexternalqualificationsatleast，amplymeritedherfavour。TheinterestofthestoryisthrownuponthatperiodwhenthesuddendeathofthefirstCountessofLeicesterseemedtoopentotheambitionofherhusbandtheopportunityofsharingthecrownofhissovereign。
Itispossiblethatslander，whichveryseldomfavoursthememoriesofpersonsinexaltedstations，mayhaveblackenedthecharacterofLeicesterwithdarkershadesthanreallybelongedtoit。ButthealmostgeneralvoiceofthetimesattachedthemostfoulsuspicionstothedeathoftheunfortunateCountess，moreespeciallyasittookplacesoveryopportunelyfortheindulgenceofherlover\'sambition。IfwecantrustAshmole\'sAntiquitiesofBerkshire，therewasbuttoomuchgroundforthetraditionswhichchargeLeicesterwiththemurderofhiswife。
Inthefollowingextractofthepassage，thereaderwillfindtheauthorityIhadforthestoryoftheromance:——
\"Atthewestendofthechurcharetheruinsofamanor，ancientlybelonging（asacell，orplaceofremoval，assomereport）tothemonksofAbington。AttheDissolution，thesaidmanor，orlordship，wasconveyedtoone——Owen（Ibelieve），thepossessorofGodstowthen。
\"Inthehall，overthechimney，IfindAbingtonarmscutinstone——namely，apatoneebetweenfourmartletts;andalsoanotherescutcheon——namely，alionrampant，andseveralmitrescutinstoneaboutthehouse。ThereisalsointhesaidhouseachambercalledDudley\'schamber，wheretheEarlofLeicester\'swifewasmurdered，ofwhichthisisthestoryfollowing:——
\"RobertDudley，EarlofLeicester，averygoodlypersonage，andsingularlywellfeatured，beingagreatfavouritetoQueenElizabeth，itwasthought，andcommonlyreported，thathadhebeenabachelororwidower，theQueenwouldhavemadehimherhusband;tothisend，tofreehimselfofallobstacles，hecommands，orperhaps，withfairflatteringentreaties，desireshiswifetoreposeherselfhereathisservantAnthonyForster\'shouse，whothenlivedintheaforesaidmanor—house;andalsoprescribestoSirRichardVarney（apromptertothisdesign），athiscominghither，thatheshouldfirstattempttopoisonher，andifthatdidnottakeeffect，thenbyanyotherwaywhatsoevertodispatchher。This，itseems，wasprovedbythereportofDr。
WalterBayly，sometimefellowofNewCollege，thenlivinginOxford，andprofessorofphysicinthatuniversity;whom，becausehewouldnotconsenttotakeawayherlifebypoison，theEarlendeavouredtodisplacehimthecourt。Thisman，itseems，reportedformostcertainthattherewasapracticeinCumnoramongtheconspirators，tohavepoisonedthispoorinnocentlady，alittlebeforeshewaskilled，whichwasattemptedafterthismanner:——Theyseeingthegoodladysadandheavy（asonethatwellknew，byherotherhandling，thatherdeathwasnotfaroff），begantopersuadeherthatherpresentdiseasewasabundanceofmelancholyandotherhumours，etc。，andthereforewouldneedscounselhertotakesomepotion，whichsheabsolutelyrefusingtodo，asstillsuspectingtheworst;whereupontheysentamessengeronaday（unawarestoher）forDr。Bayly，andentreatedhimtopersuadehertotakesomelittlepotionbyhisdirection，andtheywouldfetchthesameatOxford;meaningtohaveaddedsomethingoftheirownforhercomfort，asthedoctoruponjustcauseandconsiderationdidsuspect，seeingtheirgreatimportunity，andthesmallneedtheladyhadofphysic，andthereforeheperemptorilydeniedtheirrequest;misdoubting（asheafterwardsreported）lest，iftheyhadpoisonedherunderthenameofhispotion，hemightafterhavebeenhangedforacolouroftheirsin，andthedoctorremainedstillwellassuredthatthiswaytakingnoeffect，shewouldnotlongescapetheirviolence，whichafterwardshappenedthus。ForSirRichardVarneyabovesaid（thechiefprojectorinthisdesign），who，bytheEarl\'sorder，remainedthatdayofherdeathalonewithher，withonemanonlyandForster，whohadthatdayforciblysentawayallherservantsfromhertoAbingtonmarket，aboutthreemilesdistantfromthisplace;they（Isay，whetherfirststiflingher，orelsestranglingher）afterwardsflungherdownapairofstairsandbrokeherneck，usingmuchviolenceuponher;but，however，thoughitwasvulgarlyreportedthatshebychancefelldownstairs（butstillwithouthurtingherhoodthatwasuponherhead），yettheinhabitantswilltellyoutherethatshewasconveyedfromherusualchamberwhereshelay，toanotherwherethebed\'sheadofthechamberstoodclosetoaprivyposterndoor，wheretheyinthenightcameandstifledherinherbed，bruisedherheadverymuchbrokeherneck，andatlengthflungherdownstairs，therebybelievingtheworldwouldhavethoughtitamischance，andsohaveblindedtheirvillainy。ButbeholdthemercyandjusticeofGodinrevenginganddiscoveringthislady\'smurder;foroneofthepersonsthatwasacoadjutorinthismurderwasafterwardstakenforafelonyinthemarchesofWales，andofferingtopublishthemanneroftheaforesaidmurder，wasprivatelymadeawayintheprisonbytheEarl\'sappointment;andSirRichardVarneytheother，dyingaboutthesametimeinLondon，criedmiserably，andblasphemedGod，andsaidtoapersonofnote（whohathrelatedthesametootherssince），notlongbeforehisdeath，thatallthedevilsinhelldidtearhiminpieces。Forster，likewise，afterthisfact，beingamanformerlyaddictedtohospitality，company，mirth，andmusic，wasafterwardsobservedtoforsakeallthis，andwithmuchmelancholyandpensiveness（somesaywithmadness）pinedanddroopedaway。ThewifealsoofBaldButter，kinsmantotheEarl，gaveoutthewholefactalittlebeforeherdeath。Neitherarethesefollowingpassagestobeforgotten，thatassoonasevershewasmurdered，theymadegreathastetoburyherbeforethecoronerhadgiveninhisinquest（whichtheEarlhimselfcondemnedasnotdoneadvisedly），whichherfather，orSirJohnRobertsett（asIsuppose），hearingof，camewithallspeedhither，causedhercorpsetobetakenup，thecoronertosituponher，andfurtherinquirytobemadeconcerningthisbusinesstothefull;butitwasgenerallythoughtthattheEarlstoppedhismouth，andmadeupthebusinessbetwixtthem;andthegoodEarl，tomakeplaintotheworldthegreatlovehebaretoherwhilealive，andwhatagriefthelossofsovirtuousaladywastohistenderheart，caused（thoughthething，bytheseandothermeans，wasbeatenintotheheadsoftheprincipalmenoftheUniversityofOxford）herbodytobereburiedinSt，Mary\'sChurchinOxford，withgreatpompandsolemnity。Itisremarkable，whenDr。Babington，theEarl\'schaplain，didpreachthefuneralsermon，hetriptonceortwiceinhisspeech，byrecommendingtotheirmemoriesthatvirtuousladysopitifullymurdered，insteadofsayingpitifullyslain。ThisEarl，afterallhismurdersandpoisonings，washimselfpoisonedbythatwhichwaspreparedforothers（somesaybyhiswifeatCornburyLodgebeforementioned），thoughBakerinhisChroniclewouldhaveitatKillingworth;anno1588。\"[Ashmole\'sAntiquitiesofBerkshire，vol。i。，p。149。ThetraditionastoLeicester\'sdeathwasthuscommunicatedbyBenJonsontoDrummondofHawthornden:——\"TheEarlofLeicestergaveabottleofliquortohisLady，whichhewilledhertouseinanyfaintness，whichshe，afterhisreturnefromcourt，notknowingitwaspoison，gavehim，andsohedied。\"——BENJONSON\'S
INFORMATIONTODRUMMONDOFHAWTHORNDEN，MS。，SIRROBERTSIBBALD\'S
COPY。]
ThesameaccusationhasbeenadoptedandcirculatedbytheauthorofLeicester\'sCommonwealth，asatirewrittendirectlyagainsttheEarlofLeicester，whichloadedhimwiththemosthorridcrimes，and，amongtherest，withthemurderofhisfirstwife。
ItwasalludedtointheYorkshireTragedy，aplayerroneouslyascribedtoShakespeare，whereabaker，whodeterminestodestroyallhisfamily，throwshiswifedownstairs，withthisallusiontothesupposedmurderofLeicester\'slady，——
\"Theonlywaytocharmawoman\'stongueIs，breakherneck——apoliticiandidit。\"
ThereaderwillfindIhaveborrowedseveralincidentsaswellasnamesfromAshmole，andthemoreearlyauthorities;butmyfirstacquaintancewiththehistorywasthroughthemorepleasingmediumofverse。Thereisaperiodinyouthwhenthemerepowerofnumbershasamorestrongeffectonearandimaginationthaninmoreadvancedlife。Atthisseasonofimmaturetaste，theauthorwasgreatlydelightedwiththepoemsofMickleandLanghorne，poetswho，thoughbynomeansdeficientinthehigherbranchesoftheirart，wereeminentfortheirpowersofverbalmelodyabovemostwhohavepractisedthisdepartmentofpoetry。
OneofthosepiecesofMickle，whichtheauthorwasparticularlypleasedwith，isaballad，orratheraspeciesofelegy，onthesubjectofCumnorHall，which，withothersbythesameauthor，wastobefoundinEvans\'sAncientBallads（vol。iv。，page130），towhichworkMicklemadeliberalcontributions。Thefirststanzaespeciallyhadapeculiarspeciesofenchantmentfortheyouthfulearoftheauthor，theforceofwhichisnotevennowentirelyspent;someothersaresufficientlyprosaic。
CUMNORHALL。
Thedewsofsummernightdidfall;
Themoon，sweetregentofthesky，Silver\'dthewallsofCumnorHall，Andmanyanoakthatgrewthereby，Nownoughtwasheardbeneaththeskies，Thesoundsofbusylifewerestill，Saveanunhappylady\'ssighs，Thatissuedfromthatlonelypile。
\"Leicester，\"shecried，\"isthisthyloveThatthousoofthastsworntome，Toleavemeinthislonelygrove，Immuredinshamefulprivity？
\"Nomorethoucom\'stwithlover\'sspeed，Thyoncebelovedbridetosee;
Butbeshealive，orbeshedead，Ifear，sternEarl，\'sthesametothee。
\"NotsotheusageIreceivedWhenhappyinmyfather\'shall;
Nofaithlesshusbandthenmegrieved，Nochillingfearsdidmeappal。
\"Iroseupwiththecheerfulmorn，Nolarkmoreblithe，noflowermoregay;
Andlikethebirdthathauntsthethorn，Somerrilysungthelivelongday。
\"Ifthatmybeautyisbutsmall，Amongcourtladiesalldespised，Whydidstthourenditfromthathall，Where，scornfulEarl，itwellwasprized？
\"Andwhenyoufirsttomemadesuit，HowfairIwasyouoftwouldsay！
Andproudofconquest，pluck\'dthefruit，Thenlefttheblossomtodecay。
\"Yes！nowneglectedanddespised，Theroseispale，thelily\'sdead;
Buthethatoncetheircharmssoprized，Issurethecausethosecharmsarefled。
\"Forknow，whensick\'ninggriefdothprey，Andtenderlove\'srepaidwithscorn，Thesweetestbeautywilldecay，——
Whatfloweretcanendurethestorm？
\"Atcourt，I\'mtold，isbeauty\'sthrone，Whereeverylady\'spassingrare，ThatEasternflowers，thatshamethesun，Arenotsoglowing，notsofair。
\"Then，Earl，whydidstthouleavethebedsWhererosesandwhereliliesvie，Toseekaprimrose，whosepaleshadesMustsickenwhenthosegaudsareby？
\"\'MongruralbeautiesIwasone，Amongthefieldswildflowersarefair;
Somecountryswainmightmehavewon，Andthoughtmybeautypassingrare。
\"But，Leicester（orImuchamwrong），Or\'tisnotbeautyluresthyvows;
Ratherambition\'sgildedcrownMakestheeforgetthyhumblespouse。
\"Then，Leicester，why，againIplead（Theinjuredsurelymayrepine）——
Whydidstthouwedacountrymaid，Whensomefairprincessmightbethine？
\"Whydidstthoupraisemyhum\'blecharms，And，oh！thenleavethemtodecay？
Whydidstthouwinmetothyarms，Thenleavetomournthelivelongday？
\"ThevillagemaidensoftheplainSalutemelowlyastheygo;
Envioustheymarkmysilkentrain，NorthinkaCountesscanhavewoe。
\"Thesimplenymphs！theylittleknowHowfarmorehappy\'stheirestate;
Tosmileforjoy，thansighforwoe——
Tobecontent，thantobegreat。
\"HowfarlessblestamIthanthem？
Dailytopineandwastewithcare！
Likethepoorplantthat，fromitsstemDivided，feelsthechillingair。
\"Nor，cruelEarl！canIenjoyThehumblecharmsofsolitude;
Yourminionsproudmypeacedestroy，Bysullenfrownsorpratingsrude。
\"Lastnight，assadIchancedtostray，Thevillagedeath—bellsmotemyear;
Theywink\'daside，andseemedtosay，\'Countess，prepare，thyendisnear！\'
\"Andnow，whilehappypeasantssleep，HereIsitlonelyandforlorn;
NoonetosoothemeasIweep，SavePhilomelonyonderthorn。
\"Myspiritsflag——myhopesdecay——
Stillthatdreaddeath—bellsmitesmyear;
Andmanyabodingseemstosay，\'Countess，prepare，thyendisnear！\'\"
Thussoreandsadthatladygrieved，InCumnorHall，soloneanddrear;
Andmanyaheartfeltsighsheheaved，Andletfallmanyabittertear。
Anderethedawnofdayappear\'d，InCumnorHall，soloneanddrear，Fullmanyapiercingscreamwasheard，Andmanyacryofmortalfear。
Thedeath—bellthricewasheardtoring，Anaerialvoicewasheardtocall，Andthricetheravenflapp\'ditswingAroundthetowersofCumnorHall。
Themastiffhowl\'datvillagedoor，Theoakswereshatter\'donthegreen;
Woewasthehour——fornevermoreThathaplessCountesse\'erwasseen！
AndinthatManornownomoreIscheerfulfeastandsprightlyball;
ForeversincethatdrearyhourHavespiritshauntedCumnorHall。
Thevillagemaids，withfearfulglance，Avoidtheancientmoss—grownwall;
Noreverleadthemerrydance，AmongthegrovesofCumnorHall。
Fullmanyatravellerofthathsigh\'d，AndpensivewepttheCountess\'fall，Aswand\'ringonwardthey\'veespiedThehauntedtowersofCumnorHall。
ARBOTSFORD，1stMarch1831。
*
KENILWORTH
CHAPTERI。
Iamaninnkeeper，andknowmygrounds，Andstudythem;Braino\'man，Istudythem。
Imusthavejovialgueststodrivemyploughs，Andwhistlingboystobringmyharvestshome，OrIshallhearnoflailsthwack。THENEWINN。
Itistheprivilegeoftale—tellerstoopentheirstoryinaninn，thefreerendezvousofalltravellers，andwherethehumourofeachdisplaysitselfwithoutceremonyorrestraint。ThisisspeciallysuitablewhenthesceneislaidduringtheolddaysofmerryEngland，whentheguestswereinsomesortnotmerelytheinmates，butthemessmatesandtemporarycompanionsofmineHost，whowasusuallyapersonageofprivilegedfreedom，comelypresence，andgood—humour。Patronizedbyhimthecharactersofthecompanywereplacedinreadycontrast;andtheyseldomfailed，duringtheemptyingofasix—hoopedpot，tothrowoffreserve，andpresentthemselvestoeachother，andtotheirlandlord，withthefreedomofoldacquaintance。
ThevillageofCumnor，withinthreeorfourmilesofOxford，boasted，duringtheeighteenthofQueenElizabeth，anexcellentinnoftheoldstamp，conducted，orratherruled，byGilesGosling，amanofagoodlyperson，andofsomewhatroundbelly;
fiftyyearsofageandupwards，moderateinhisreckonings，promptinhispayments，havingacellarofsoundliquor，areadywit，andaprettydaughter。SincethedaysofoldHarryBaillieoftheTabardinSouthwark，noonehadexcelledGilesGoslinginthepowerofpleasinghisguestsofeverydescription;andsogreatwashisfame，thattohavebeeninCumnorwithoutwettingacupatthebonnyBlackBear，wouldhavebeentoavouchone\'s—selfutterlyindifferenttoreputationasatraveller。AcountryfellowmightaswellreturnfromLondonwithoutlookinginthefaceofmajesty。ThemenofCumnorwereproudoftheirHost，andtheirHostwasproudofhishouse，hisliquor，hisdaughter，andhimself。
Itwasinthecourtyardoftheinnwhichcalledthishonestfellowlandlord，thatatravelleralightedinthecloseoftheevening，gavehishorse，whichseemedtohavemadealongjourney，tothehostler，andmadesomeinquiry，whichproducedthefollowingdialoguebetwixtthemyrmidonsofthebonnyBlackBear。
\"What，ho！JohnTapster。\"
\"Athand，WillHostler，\"repliedthemanofthespigot，showinghimselfinhiscostumeofloosejacket，linenbreeches，andgreenapron，halfwithinandhalfwithoutadoor，whichappearedtodescendtoanoutercellar。
\"Hereisagentlemanasksifyoudrawgoodale，\"continuedthehostler。
\"Beshrewmyheartelse，\"answeredthetapster，\"sincetherearebutfourmilesbetwixtusandOxford。Marry，ifmyaledidnotconvincetheheadsofthescholars，theywouldsoonconvincemypatewiththepewterflagon。\"
\"CallyouthatOxfordlogic？\"saidthestranger，whohadnowquittedthereinofhishorse，andwasadvancingtowardstheinn—
door，whenhewasencounteredbythegoodlyformofGilesGoslinghimself。
\"Isitlogicyoutalkof，SirGuest？\"saidthehost;\"why，then，haveatyouwithadownrightconsequence——
\'Thehorsetotherack，Andtofirewiththesack。\'\"
\"Amen！withallmyheart，mygoodhost，\"saidthestranger;\"letitbeaquartofyourbestCanaries，andgivemeyourgoodhelptodrinkit。\"
\"Nay，youarebutinyouraccidenceyet，SirTraveller，ifyoucallonyourhostforhelpforsuchasippingmatterasaquartofsack;Wereitagallon，youmightlacksomeneighbouringaidatmyhand，andyetcallyourselfatoper。\"
\"Fearmenot。\"saidtheguest，\"IwilldomydevoirasbecomesamanwhofindshimselfwithinfivemilesofOxford;forIamnotcomefromthefieldofMarstodiscreditmyselfamongstthefollowersofMinerva。\"
Ashespokethus，thelandlord，withmuchsemblanceofheartywelcome，usheredhisguestintoalarge，lowchamber，whereseveralpersonswereseatedtogetherindifferentparties——somedrinking，someplayingatcards，someconversing，andsome，whosebusinesscalledthemtobeearlyrisersonthemorrow，concludingtheireveningmeal，andconferringwiththechamberlainabouttheirnight\'squarters。
Theentranceofastrangerprocuredhimthatgeneralandcarelesssortofattentionwhichisusuallypaidonsuchoccasions，fromwhichthefollowingresultswerededuced:——Theguestwasoneofthosewho，withawell—madeperson，andfeaturesnotinthemselvesunpleasing，areneverthelesssofarfromhandsomethat，whetherfromtheexpressionoftheirfeatures，orthetoneoftheirvoice，orfromtheirgaitandmanner，therearises，onthewhole，adisinclinationtotheirsociety。Thestranger\'saddresswasbold，withoutbeingfrank，andseemedeagerlyandhastilytoclaimforhimadegreeofattentionanddeferencewhichhefearedwouldberefused，ifnotinstantlyvindicatedashisright。Hisattirewasariding—cloak，which，whenopen，displayedahandsomejerkinoverlaidwithlace，andbeltedwithabuffgirdle，whichsustainedabroadswordandapairofpistols。
\"Youridewellprovided，sir，\"saidthehost，lookingattheweaponsasheplacedonthetablethemulledsackwhichthetravellerhadordered。
\"Yes，minehost;Ihavefoundtheuseon\'tindangeroustimes，andIdonot，likeyourmoderngrandees，turnoffmyfollowerstheinstanttheyareuseless。\"
\"Ay，sir？\"saidGilesGosling;\"thenyouarefromtheLowCountries，thelandofpikeandcaliver？\"
\"Ihavebeenhighandlow，myfriend，broadandwide，farandnear。Buthereistotheeinacupofthysack;fillthyselfanothertopledgeme，and，ifitislessthansuperlative，e\'endrinkasyouhavebrewed。\"
\"Lessthansuperlative？\"saidGilesGosling，drinkingoffthecup，andsmackinghislipswithanairofineffablerelish，——\"I
knownothingofsuperlative，noristheresuchawineattheThreeCranes，intheVintry，tomyknowledge;butifyoufindbettersackthanthatintheSheres，orintheCanarieseither，I
wouldImaynevertoucheitherpotorpennymore。Why，holditupbetwixtyouandthelight，youshallseethelittlemotesdanceinthegoldenliquorlikedustinthesunbeam。ButIwouldratherdrawwinefortenclownsthanonetraveller。——Itrustyourhonourlikesthewine？\"
\"Itisneatandcomfortable，minehost;buttoknowgoodliquor，youshoulddrinkwherethevinegrows。Trustme，yourSpaniardistoowiseamantosendyoutheverysoulofthegrape。Why，thisnow，whichyouaccountsochoice，werecountedbutasacupofbastardattheGroyne，oratPortSt。Mary\'s。Youshouldtravel，minehost，ifyouwouldbedeepinthemysteriesofthebuttandpottle—pot。\"
\"Introth，SigniorGuest，\"saidGilesGosling，\"ifIweretotravelonlythatImightbediscontentedwiththatwhichIcangetathome，methinksIshouldgobutonafool\'serrand。
Besides，Iwarrantyou，thereismanyafoolcanturnhisnoseupatgooddrinkwithouteverhavingbeenoutofthesmokeofOldEngland;andsoevergramercymineownfireside。\"
\"Thisisbutameanmindofyours，minehost，\"saidthestranger;
\"Iwarrantme，allyourtown\'sfolkdonotthinksobasely。Youhavegallantsamongyou，Idareundertake，thathavemadetheVirginiavoyage，ortakenaturnintheLowCountriesatleast。
Come，cudgelyourmemory。Haveyounofriendsinforeignpartsthatyouwouldgladlyhavetidingsof？\"
\"Troth，sir，notI，\"answeredthehost，\"sincerantingRobinofDrysandfordwasshotatthesiegeoftheBrill。Thedeviltakethecaliverthatfiredtheball，forablitherladneverfilledacupatmidnight！Butheisdeadandgone，andIknownotasoldier，oratraveller，whoisasoldier\'smate，thatIwouldgiveapeeledcodlingfor。\"
\"BytheMass，thatisstrange。What！somanyofourbraveEnglishheartsareabroad，andyou，whoseemtobeamanofmark，havenofriend，nokinsmanamongthem？\"
\"Nay，ifyouspeakofkinsmen，\"answeredGosling，\"Ihaveonewildslipofakinsman，wholeftusinthelastyearofQueenMary;butheisbetterlostthanfound。\"
\"Donotsayso，friend，unlessyouhaveheardillofhimlately。
Manyawildcolthasturnedoutanoblesteed。——Hisname，Iprayyou？\"
\"MichaelLambourne，\"answeredthelandlordoftheBlackBear;\"asonofmysister\'s——thereislittlepleasureinrecollectingeitherthenameortheconnection。\"
\"MichaelLambourne！\"saidthestranger，asifendeavouringtorecollecthimself——\"what，norelationtoMichaelLambourne，thegallantcavalierwhobehavedsobravelyatthesiegeofVenlothatGraveMauricethankedhimattheheadofthearmy？MensaidhewasanEnglishcavalier，andofnohighextraction。\"
\"Itcouldscarcelybemynephew，\"saidGilesGosling，\"forhehadnotthecourageofahen—partridgeforaughtbutmischief。\"
\"Oh，manyamanfindscourageinthewars，\"repliedthestranger。
\"Itmaybe，\"saidthelandlord;\"butIwouldhavethoughtourMikemorelikelytolosethelittlehehad。\"
\"TheMichaelLambournewhomIknew，\"continuedthetraveller，\"wasalikelyfellow——wentalwaysgayandwellattired，andhadahawk\'seyeafteraprettywench。\"
\"OurMichael，\"repliedthehost，\"hadthelookofadogwithabottleatitstail，andworeacoat，everyragofwhichwasbiddinggood—daytotherest。\"
\"Oh，menpickupgoodapparelinthewars，\"repliedtheguest。
\"OurMike，\"answeredthelandlord，\"wasmoreliketopickitupinafripperywarehouse，whilethebrokerwaslookinganotherway;and，forthehawk\'seyeyoutalkof，hiswasalwaysaftermystrayspoons。Hewastapster\'sboyhereinthisblessedhouseforaquarterofayear;andbetweenmisreckonings，miscarriages，mistakes，andmisdemeanours，hadhedweltwithmeforthreemonthslonger，Imighthavepulleddownsign，shutuphouse，andgiventhedevilthekeytokeep。\"
\"Youwouldbesorry，afterall，\"continuedthetraveller，\"wereI
totellyoupoorMikeLambournewasshotattheheadofhisregimentatthetakingofasconcenearMaestricht？\"
\"Sorry！——itwouldbetheblithestnewsIeverheardofhim，sinceitwouldensuremehewasnothanged。Butlethimpass——Idoubthisendwillneverdosuchcredittohisfriends。Wereitso，I
shouldsay\"——（takinganothercupofsack）——\"Here\'sGodresthim，withallmyheart。\"
\"Tush，man，\"repliedthetraveller，\"neverfearbutyouwillhavecreditbyyournephewyet，especiallyifhebetheMichaelLambournewhomIknew，andlovedverynearly，oraltogether，aswellasmyself。CanyoutellmenomarkbywhichIcouldjudgewhethertheybethesame？\"
\"Faith，nonethatIcanthinkof，\"answeredGilesGosling，\"unlessthatourMikehadthegallowsbrandedonhisleftshoulderforstealingasilvercaudle—cupfromDameSnortofHogsditch。\"
\"Nay，thereyoulielikeaknave，uncle，\"saidthestranger，slippingasidehisruff;andturningdownthesleeveofhisdoubletfromhisneckandshoulder;\"bythisgoodday，myshoulderisasunscarredasthineown。
\"What，Mike，boy——Mike！\"exclaimedthehost;——\"andisitthou，ingoodearnest？Nay，Ihavejudgedsoforthishalf—hour;forI
knewnootherpersonwouldhaveta\'enhalftheinterestinthee。
But，Mike，anthyshoulderbeunscathedasthousayest，thoumustownthatGoodmanThong，thehangman，wasmercifulinhisoffice，andstampedtheewithacoldiron。\"
\"Tush，uncle——trucewithyourjests。Keepthemtoseasonyoursourale，andletusseewhatheartywelcomethouwiltgiveakinsmanwhohasrolledtheworldaroundforeighteenyears;whohasseenthesunsetwhereitrises，andhastravelledtillthewesthasbecometheeast。\"
\"Thouhastbroughtbackonetraveller\'sgiftwiththee，Mike，asIwellsee;andthatwaswhatthouleastdidst:needtotravelfor。Irememberwell，amongthineotherqualities，therewasnocreditingawordwhichcamefromthymouth。\"
\"Here\'sanunbelievingpaganforyou，gentlemen！\"saidMichaelLambourne，turningtothosewhowitnessedthisstrangeinterviewbetwixtuncleandnephew，someofwhom，beingnativesofthevillage，werenostrangerstohisjuvenilewildness。\"ThismaybecalledslayingaCumnorfattedcalfformewithavengeance。——
But，uncle，Icomenotfromthehusksandtheswine—trough，andI
carenotforthywelcomeornowelcome;Icarrythatwithmewillmakemewelcome，wendwhereIwill。\"
Sosaying，hepulledoutapurseofgoldindifferentlywellfilled，thesightofwhichproducedavisibleeffectuponthecompany。Someshooktheirheadsandwhisperedtoeachother，whileoneortwoofthelessscrupulousspeedilybegantorecollecthimasaschool—companion，atownsman，orsoforth。Ontheotherhand，twoorthreegrave，sedate—lookingpersonsshooktheirheads，andlefttheinn，hintingthat，ifGilesGoslingwishedtocontinuetothrive，heshouldturnhisthriftless，godlessnephewadriftagain，assoonashecould。Goslingdemeanedhimselfasifheweremuchofthesameopinion，foreventhesightofthegoldmadelessimpressiononthehonestgentlemanthanitusuallydothupononeofhiscalling。
\"KinsmanMichael，\"hesaid，\"putupthypurse。Mysister\'ssonshallbecalledtonoreckoninginmyhouseforsupperorlodging;andIreckonthouwilthardlywishtostaylongerwherethouarte\'enbuttoowellknown。\"
\"Forthatmatter，uncle，\"repliedthetraveller，\"Ishallconsultmyownneedsandconveniences。MeantimeIwishtogivethesupperandsleepingcuptothosegoodtownsmenwhoarenottooproudtorememberMikeLambourne，thetapster\'sboy。Ifyouwillletmehaveentertainmentformymoney，so;ifnot，itisbutashorttwominutes\'walktotheHareandTabor，andItrustourneighbourswillnotgrudgegoingthusfarwithme。\"
\"Nay，Mike，\"repliedhisuncle，\"aseighteenyearshavegoneoverthyhead，andItrustthouartsomewhatamendedinthyconditions，thoushaltnotleavemyhouseatthishour，andshalte\'enhavewhateverinreasonyoulisttocallfor。ButIwouldI
knewthatthatpurseofthine，whichthouvapourestof，wereaswellcomebyasitseemswellfilled。\"
\"Hereisaninfidelforyou，mygoodneighbours！\"saidLambourne，againappealingtotheaudience。\"Here\'safellowwillripuphiskinsman\'sfolliesofagoodscoreofyears\'
standing。Andforthegold，why，sirs，Ihavebeenwhereitgrew，andwastobehadforthegathering。IntheNewWorldhaveIbeen，man——intheEldorado，whereurchinsplayatcherry—pitwithdiamonds，andcountrywenchesthreadrubiesfornecklaces，insteadofrowan—treeberries;wherethepantilesaremadeofpuregold，andthepaving—stonesofvirginsilver。\"
\"Bymycredit，friendMike，\"saidyoungLaurenceGoldthred，thecuttingmercerofAbingdon，\"thatwerealikelycoasttotradeto。Andwhatmaylawns，cypruses，andribandsfetch，wheregoldissoplenty？\"
\"Oh，theprofitwereunutterable，\"repliedLambourne，\"especiallywhenahandsomeyoungmerchantbearsthepackhimself;fortheladiesofthatclimearebona—robas，andbeingthemselvessomewhatsunburnt，theycatchfireliketinderatafreshcomplexionlikethine，withaheadofhairincliningtobered。\"
\"IwouldImighttradethither，\"saidthemercer，chuckling。
\"Why，andsothoumayest，\"saidMichael——\"thatis，ifthouartthesamebriskboywhowaspartnerwithmeatrobbingtheAbbot\'sorchard。\'Tisbutalittletouchofalchemytodecoctthyhouseandlandintoreadymoney，andthatreadymoneyintoatallship，withsails，anchors，cordage，andallthingsconforming;thenclapthywarehouseofgoodsunderhatches，putfiftygoodfellowsondeck，withmyselftocommandthem，andsohoisttopsails，andheyfortheNewWorld！\"
\"Thouhasttaughthimasecret，kinsman，\"saidGilesGosling，\"todecoct，anthatbetheword，hispoundintoapennyandhiswebsintoathread。——Takeafool\'sadvice，neighbourGoldthred。Temptnotthesea，forsheisadevourer。Letcardsandcockatricesdotheirworst，thyfather\'sbalesmaybideabangingforayearortwoerethoucomesttotheSpital;buttheseahathabottomlessappetite，——shewouldswallowthewealthofLombardStreetinamorning，aseasilyasIwouldapoachedeggandacupofclary。