\"RICARDE，\"saidthepreceptor，\"youmustforthwith（whichisPROFECTO）setforthsofarasthetopofthehill，andshowthismanofworshipWaylandSmith\'sworkshop。\"
\"Apropererrandofamorning，\"saidtheboy，inbetterlanguagethanTressilianexpected;\"andwhoknowsbutthedevilmayflyawaywithmebeforeIcomeback？\"
\"Ay，marrymayun，\"saidDameSludge;\"andyoumighthavethoughttwice，MasterDomine，ereyousentmydaintydarlingonarrowsucherrand。ItisnotforsuchdoingsIfeedyourbellyandclotheyourback，Iwarrantyou！\"
\"Pshaw——NUGAE，goodGammerSludge，\"answeredthepreceptor;\"I
ensureyouthatSatan，iftherebeSataninthecase，shallnottouchathreadofhisgarment;forDickiecansayhisPATERwiththebest，andmaydefythefoulfiend——EUMENIDES，STYGIUMQUE
NEFAS。\"
\"Ay，andI，asIsaidbefore，havesewedasprigofthemountain—
ashintohiscollar，\"saidthegoodwoman，\"whichwillavailmorethanyourclerkship，Iwus;butforallthat，itisilltoseekthedevilorhismateseither。\"
\"Mygoodboy，\"saidTressilian，whosaw，fromagrotesquesneeronDickie\'sface，thathewasmorelikelytoactuponhisownbottomthanbytheinstructionsofhiselders，\"Iwillgivetheeasilvergroat，myprettyfellow，ifyouwillbutguidemetothisman\'sforge。\"
Theboygavehimaknowingside—look，whichseemedtopromiseacquiescence，whileatthesametimeheexclaimed，\"IbeyourguidetoWaylandSmith\'s！Why，man，didInotsaythatthedevilmightflyoffwithme，justasthekitethere\"（lookingtothewindow）\"isflyingoffwithoneofgrandam\'schicks？\"
\"Thekite！thekite！\"exclaimedtheoldwomaninreturn，andforgettingallothermattersinheralarm，hastenedtotherescueofherchickensasfastasheroldlegscouldcarryher。
\"Nowforit，\"saidtheurchintoTressilian;\"snatchyourbeaver，getoutyourhorse，andhaveatthesilvergroatyouspokeof。\"
\"Nay，buttarry，tarry，\"saidthepreceptor——\"SUFFLAMINA，RICARDE！\"
\"Tarryyourself，\"saidDickie，\"andthinkwhatansweryouaretomaketogrannyforsendingmeposttothedevil。\"
Theteacher，awareoftheresponsibilityhewasincurring，bustledupingreathastetolayholdoftheurchinandtopreventhisdeparture;butDickieslippedthroughhisfingers，boltedfromthecottage，andspedhimtothetopofaneighbouringrisingground，whilethepreceptor，despairing，bywell—taughtexperience，ofrecoveringhispupilbyspeedoffoot，hadrecoursetothemosthoniedepithetstheLatinvocabularyaffordstopersuadehisreturn。ButtoMIANIME，CORCULUMMEUM，andallsuchclassicalendearments，thetruantturnedadeafear，andkeptfriskingonthetopoftherisinggroundlikeagoblinbymoonlight，makingsignstohisnewacquaintance，Tressilian，tofollowhim。
Thetravellerlostnotimeingettingouthishorseanddepartingtojoinhiselvishguide，afterhalf—forcingonthepoor，desertedteacherarecompensefortheentertainmenthehadreceived，whichpartlyallayedthatterrorhehadforfacingthereturnoftheoldladyofthemansion。Apparentlythistookplacesoonafterwards;forereTressilianandhisguidehadproceededfarontheirjourney，theyheardthescreamsofacrackedfemalevoice，intermingledwiththeclassicalobjurgationsofMasterErasmusHoliday。ButDickieSludge，equallydeaftothevoiceofmaternaltendernessandofmagisterialauthority，skippedonunconsciouslybeforeTressilian，onlyobservingthat\"iftheycriedthemselveshoarse，theymightgolickthehoney—pot，forhehadeatenupallthehoney—combhimselfonyesterdayeven。\"
CHAPTERX。
Thereenteringin，theyfoundthegoodmanselfeFullbusylieuntohisworkybent，Whowastoweetawretchedwearishelf，Withholloweyesandrawbonecheeksforspent，Asifhehadbeenlonginprisonpent。THEFAERYQUEENE。
\"Arewefarfromthedwellingofthissmith，myprettylad？\"
saidTressiliantohisyoungguide。
\"Howisityoucallme？\"saidtheboy，lookingaskewathimwithhissharp，greyeyes。
\"Icallyoumyprettylad——isthereanyoffenceinthat，myboy？\"
\"No;butwereyouwithmygrandamandDominieHoliday，youmightsingchorustotheoldsongof\'WethreeTom—foolsbe。\'\"
\"Andwhyso，mylittleman？\"saidTressilian。
\"Because，\"answeredtheuglyurchin，\"youaretheonlythreeevercalledmeprettylad。Nowmygrandamdoesitbecausesheisparcelblindbyage，andwholeblindbykindred;andmymaster，thepoorDominie，doesittocurryfavour，andhavethefullestplatteroffurmityandthewarmestseatbythefire。Butwhatyoucallmeprettyladfor，youknowbestyourself。\"
\"Thouartasharpwagatleast，ifnotaprettyone。Butwhatdothyplayfellowscallthee？\"
\"Hobgoblin，\"answeredtheboyreadily;\"butforallthat，Iwouldratherhavemyownuglyviznomythananyoftheirjolter—heads，thathavenomorebrainsinthemthanabrick—bat。\"
\"Thenyoufearnotthissmithwhomyouaregoingtosee？\"
\"Mefearhim！\"answeredtheboy。\"Ifhewerethedevilfolkthinkhim，Iwouldnotfearhim;butthoughthereissomethingqueerabouthim，he\'snomoreadevilthanyouare，andthat\'swhatIwouldnottelltoeveryone。\"
\"Andwhydoyoutellittome，then，myboy？\"saidTressilian。
\"Becauseyouareanotherguessgentlemanthanthoseweseehereeveryday，\"repliedDickie;\"andthoughIamasuglyassin，I
wouldnothaveyouthinkmeanass，especiallyasImayhaveaboontoaskofyouoneday。\"
\"Andwhatisthat，mylad，whomImustnotcallpretty？\"repliedTressilian。
\"Oh，ifIweretoaskitjustnow，\"saidtheboy，\"youwoulddenyitme;butIwillwaittillwemeetatcourt。\"
\"Atcourt，Richard！areyouboundforcourt？\"saidTressilian。
\"Ay，ay，that\'sjustliketherestofthem，\"repliedtheboy。\"I
warrantme，youthink，whatshouldsuchanill—favoured，scramblingurchindoatcourt？ButletRichardSludgealone;I
havenotbeencockoftheroostherefornothing。Iwillmakesharpwitmendfoulfeature。\"
\"Butwhatwillyourgrandamsay，andyourtutor，DominieHoliday？\"
\"E\'enwhattheylike，\"repliedDickie;\"theonehasherchickenstoreckon，andtheotherhashisboystowhip。Iwouldhavegiventhemthecandletoholdlongsince，andshownthistrumperyhamletafairpairofheels，butthatDominiepromisesIshouldgowithhimtobearshareinthenextpageantheistosetforth，andtheysaytherearetobegreatrevelsshortly。\"
\"Andwhereaboutsaretheytobeheld，mylittlefriend？\"saidTressilian。
\"Oh，atsomecastlefarinthenorth，\"answeredhisguide——\"aworld\'sbreadthfromBerkshire。ButouroldDominieholdsthattheycannotgoforwardwithouthim;anditmaybeheisright，forhehasputinordermanyafairpageant。Heisnothalfthefoolyouwouldtakehimfor，whenhegetstoworkheunderstands;
andsohecanspoutverseslikeaplay—actor，when，Godwot，ifyousethimtostealagoose\'segg，hewouldbedrubbedbythegander。\"
\"Andyouaretoplayapartinhisnextshow？\"saidTressilian，somewhatinterestedbytheboy\'sboldnessofconversationandshrewdestimateofcharacter。
\"Infaith，\"saidRichardSludge，inanswer，\"hehathsopromisedme;andifhebreakhisword，itwillbetheworseforhim，forletmetakethebitbetweenmyteeth，andturnmyheaddownhill，andIwillshakehimoffwithafallthatmayharmhisbones。
AndIshouldnotlikemuchtohurthimneither，\"saidhe，\"forthetiresomeoldfoolhaspainfullylabouredtoteachmeallhecould。Butenoughofthat——hereareweatWaylandSmith\'sforge—
door。\"
\"Youjest，mylittlefriend，\"saidTressilian;\"hereisnothingbutabaremoor，andthatringofstones，withagreatoneinthemidst，likeaCornishbarrow。\"
\"Ay，andthatgreatflatstoneinthemidst，whichliesacrossthetopoftheseuprights，\"saidtheboy，\"isWaylandSmith\'scounter，thatyoumusttelldownyourmoneyupon。\"
\"Whatdoyoumeanbysuchfolly？\"saidthetraveller，beginningtobeangrywiththeboy，andvexedwithhimselfforhavingtrustedsuchahare—brainedguide。
\"Why，\"saidDickie，withagrin，\"youmusttieyourhorsetothatuprightstonethathastheringin\'t，andthenyoumustwhistlethreetimes，andlaymedownyoursilvergroatonthatotherflatstone，walkoutofthecircle，sitdownonthewestsideofthatlittlethicketofbushes，andtakeheedyoulookneithertorightnortoleftfortenminutes，orsolongasyoushallhearthehammerclink，andwheneveritceases，sayyourprayersforthespaceyoucouldtellahundred——orcountoverahundred，whichwilldoaswell——andthencomeintothecircle;youwillfindyourmoneygoneandyourhorseshod。\"
\"Mymoneygonetoacertainty！\"saidTressilian;\"butasfortherest——Harkye，mylad，Iamnotyourschool—master，butifyouplayoffyourwaggeryonme，Iwilltakeapartofhistaskoffhishands，andpunishyoutopurpose。\"
\"Ay，whenyoucatchme！\"saidtheboy;andpresentlytooktohisheelsacrosstheheath，withavelocitywhichbaffledeveryattemptofTressiliantoovertakehim，loadedashewaswithhisheavyboots。Norwasittheleastprovokingpartoftheurchin\'sconduct，thathedidnotexerthisutmostspeed，likeonewhofindshimselfindanger，orwhoisfrightened，butpreservedjustsucharateastoencourageTressiliantocontinuethechase，andthendartedawayfromhimwiththeswiftnessofthewind，whenhispursuersupposedhehadnearlyrunhimdown，doublingatthesametime，andwinding，soasalwaystokeepneartheplacefromwhichhestarted。
ThislasteduntilTressilian，fromveryweariness，stoodstill，andwasabouttoabandonthepursuitwithaheartycurseontheill—favouredurchin，whohadengagedhiminanexercisesoridiculous。Buttheboy，whohad，asformerly，plantedhimselfonthetopofahillockcloseinfront，begantoclaphislong，thinhands，pointwithhisskinnyfingers，andtwisthiswildanduglyfeaturesintosuchanextravagantexpressionoflaughterandderision，thatTressilianbeganhalftodoubtwhetherhehadnotinviewanactualhobgoblin。
Provokedextremely，yetatthesametimefeelinganirresistibledesiretolaugh，soveryoddweretheboy\'sgrimacesandgesticulations，theCornishmanreturnedtohishorse，andmountedhimwiththepurposeofpursuingDickieatmoreadvantage。
Theboynosoonersawhimmounthishorse，thanheholloedouttohimthat，ratherthanheshouldspoilhiswhite—footednag，hewouldcometohim，onconditionhewouldkeephisfingerstohimself。
\"Iwillmakenoconditionswiththee，thouuglyvarlet！\"saidTressilian;\"Iwillhavetheeatmymercyinamoment。\"
\"Aha，MasterTraveller，\"saidtheboy，\"thereisamarshhardbywouldswallowallthehorsesoftheQueen\'sguard。Iwillintoit，andseewhereyouwillgothen。Youshallhearthebitternbump，andthewild—drakequack，ereyougetholdofmewithoutmyconsent，Ipromiseyou。\"
Tressilianlookedout，and，fromtheappearanceofthegroundbehindthehillock，believeditmightbeastheboysaid，andaccordinglydeterminedtostrikeupapeacewithsolight—footedandready—wittedanenemy。\"Comedown，\"hesaid，\"thoumischievousbrat！Leavethymoppingandmowing，and，comehither。
Iwilldotheenoharm，asIamagentleman。\"
Theboyansweredhisinvitationwiththeutmostconfidence，anddanceddownfromhisstancewithagalliardsortofstep，keepinghiseyeatthesametimefixedonTressilian\'s，who，oncemoredismounted，stoodwithhishorse\'sbridleinhishand，breathless，andhalfexhaustedwithhisfruitlessexercise，thoughnotonedropofmoistureappearedonthefreckledforeheadoftheurchin，whichlookedlikeapieceofdryanddiscolouredparchment，drawntightacrossthebrowofafleshlessskull。
\"Andtellme，\"saidTressilian，\"whyyouusemethus，thoumischievousimp？orwhatyourmeaningisbytellingmesoabsurdalegendasyouwishedbutnowtoputonme？Orrathershowme，ingoodearnest，thissmith\'sforge，andIwillgivetheewhatwillbuytheeapplesthroughthewholewinter。\"
\"Wereyoutogivemeanorchardofapples，\"saidDickieSludge，\"IcanguidetheenobetterthanIhavedone。Laydownthesilvertokenontheflatstone——whistlethreetimes——thencomesitdownonthewesternsideofthethicketofgorse。Iwillsitbyyou，andgiveyoufreeleavetowringmyheadoff，unlessyouhearthesmithatworkwithintwominutesafterweareseated。\"
\"Imaybetemptedtotaketheeatthyword，\"saidTressilian，\"ifyoumakemedoaughthalfsoridiculousforyourownmischievoussport;however，Iwillproveyourspell。Here，then，Itiemyhorsetothisuprightstone。Imustlaymysilvergroathere，andwhistlethreetimes，sayestthou？\"
\"Ay，butthoumustwhistlelouderthananunfledgedousel，\"saidtheboy，asTressilian，havinglaiddownhismoney，andhalfashamedofthefollyhepractised，madeacarelesswhistle——\"youmustwhistlelouderthanthat，forwhoknowswherethesmithisthatyoucallfor？HemaybeintheKingofFrance\'sstablesforwhatIknow。\"
\"Why，yousaidbutnowhewasnodevil，\"repliedTressilian。
\"Manordevil，\"saidDickie，\"IseethatImustsummonhimforyou;\"andtherewithalhewhistledsharpandshrill，withanacutenessofsoundthatalmostthrilledthroughTressilian\'sbrain。\"ThatiswhatIcallwhistling，\"saidhe，afterhehadrepeatedthesignalthrice;\"andnowtocover，tocover，orWhitefootwillnotbeshodthisday。\"
Tressilian，musingwhattheupshotofthismummerywastobe，yetsatisfiedtherewastobesomeseriousresult，bytheconfidencewithwhichtheboyhadputhimselfinhispower，sufferedhimselftobeconductedtothatsideofthelittlethicketofgorseandbrushwoodwhichwasfarthestfromthecircleofstones，andtheresatdown;andasitoccurredtohimthat，afterall，thismightbeatrickforstealinghishorse，hekepthishandontheboy\'scollar，determinedtomakehimhostageforitssafety。
\"Now，hushandlisten，\"saidDickie，inalowwhisper;\"youwillsoonhearthetackofahammerthatwasneverforgedofearthlyiron，forthestoneitwasmadeofwasshotfromthemoon。\"AndineffectTressiliandidimmediatelyhearthelightstrokeofahammer，aswhenafarrierisatwork。Thesingularityofsuchasound，insoverylonelyaplace，madehiminvoluntarilystart;
butlookingattheboy，anddiscovering，bythearchmaliciousexpressionofhiscountenance，thattheurchinsawandenjoyedhisslighttremor，hebecameconvincedthatthewholewasaconcertedstratagem，anddeterminedtoknowbywhom，orforwhatpurpose，thetrickwasplayedoff。
Accordingly，heremainedperfectlyquietallthetimethatthehammercontinuedtosound，beingaboutthespaceusuallyemployedinfixingahorse—shoe。Buttheinstantthesoundceased，Tressilian，insteadofinterposingthespaceoftimewhichhisguidehadrequired，startedupwithhisswordinhishand，ranroundthethicket，andconfrontedamaninafarrier\'sleathernapron，butotherwisefantasticallyattiredinabear—skindressedwiththefuron，andacapofthesame，whichalmosthidthesootyandbegrimedfeaturesofthewearer。\"Comeback，comeback！\"criedtheboytoTressilian，\"oryouwillbetorntopieces;nomanlivesthatlooksonhim。\"Infact，theinvisiblesmith（nowfullyvisible）heaveduphishammer，andshowedsymptomsofdoingbattle。
ButwhentheboyobservedthatneitherhisownentreatiesnorthemenacesofthefarrierappearedtochangeTressilian\'spurpose，butthat，onthecontrary，heconfrontedthehammerwithhisdrawnsword，heexclaimedtothesmithinturn，\"Wayland，touchhimnot，oryouwillcomebytheworse！——thegentlemanisatruegentleman，andabold。\"
\"Sothouhastbetrayedme，Flibbertigibbet？\"saidthesmith;\"itshallbetheworseforthee！\"
\"Bewhothouwilt，\"saidTressilian，\"thouartinnodangerfromme，sothoutellmethemeaningofthispractice，andwhythoudrivestthytradeinthismysteriousfashion。\"
Thesmith，however，turningtoTressilian，exclaimed，inathreateningtone，\"WhoquestionstheKeeperoftheCrystalCastleofLight，theLordoftheGreenLion，theRideroftheRedDragon？Hence！——avoidthee，ereIsummonTalpackwithhisfierylance，toquell，crush，andconsume！\"Thesewordsheutteredwithviolentgesticulation，mouthing，andflourishinghishammer。
\"Peace，thouvilecozener，withthygipsycant！\"repliedTressilianscornfully，\"andfollowmetothenextmagistrate，orIwillcuttheeoverthepate。\"
\"Peace，Ipraythee，goodWayland！\"saidtheboy。\"Creditme，theswaggeringveinwillnotpasshere;youmustcutboonwhids。\"
[\"Givegoodwords。\"——SLANGDIALECT。]
\"Ithink，worshipfulsir，\"saidthesmith，sinkinghishammer，andassumingamoregentleandsubmissivetoneofvoice，\"thatwhensopooramandoeshisday\'sjob，hemightbepermittedtoworkitoutafterhisownfashion。Yourhorseisshod，andyourfarrierpaid——whatneedyoucumberyourselffurtherthantomountandpursueyourjourney？\"
\"Nay，friend，youaremistaken，\"repliedTressilian;\"everymanhasarighttotakethemaskfromthefaceofacheatandajuggler;andyourmodeoflivingraisessuspicionthatyouareboth。\"
\"Ifyouaresodetermined;sir，\"saidthesmith，\"Icannothelpmyselfsavebyforce，whichIwereunwillingtousetowardsyou，MasterTressilian;notthatIfearyourweapon，butbecauseI
knowyoutobeaworthy，kind，andwell—accomplishedgentleman，whowouldratherhelpthanharmapoormanthatisinastrait。\"
\"Wellsaid，Wayland，\"saidtheboy，whohadanxiouslyawaitedtheissueoftheirconference。\"Butletustothyden，man，foritisillforthyhealthtostandheretalkingintheopenair。\"
\"Thouartright，Hobgoblin，\"repliedthesmith;andgoingtothelittlethicketofgorseonthesidenearesttothecircle，andoppositetothatatwhichhiscustomerhadsolatelycrouched，hediscoveredatrap—doorcuriouslycoveredwithbushes，raisedit，and，descendingintotheearth，vanishedfromtheireyes。
NotwithstandingTressilian\'scuriosity，hehadsomehesitationatfollowingthefellowintowhatmightbeadenofrobbers，especiallywhenheheardthesmith\'svoice，issuingfromthebowelsoftheearth，callout，\"Flibertigibbet，doyoucomelast，andbesuretofastenthetrap！\"
\"HaveyouseenenoughofWaylandSmithnow？\"whisperedtheurchintoTressilian，withanarchsneer，asifmarkinghiscompanion\'suncertainty。
\"Notyet，\"saidTressilianfirmly;andshakingoffhismomentaryirresolution，hedescendedintothenarrowstaircase，towhichtheentranceled，andwasfollowedbyDickieSludge，whomadefastthetrap—doorbehindhim，andthusexcludedeveryglimmerofdaylight。Thedescent，however，wasonlyafewsteps，andledtoalevelpassageofafewyards\'length，attheendofwhichappearedthereflectionofaluridandredlight。Arrivedatthispoint，withhisdrawnswordinhishand，TressilianfoundthataturntotheleftadmittedhimandHobgoblin，whofollowedclosely，intoasmall，squarevault，containingasmith\'sforge，glowingwithcharcoal，thevapourofwhichfilledtheapartmentwithanoppressivesmell，whichwouldhavebeenaltogethersuffocating，butthatbysomeconcealedventthesmithycommunicatedwiththeupperair。Thelightaffordedbytheredfuel，andbyalampsuspendedinanironchain，servedtoshowthat，besidesananvil，bellows，tongs，hammers，aquantityofready—madehorse—shoes，andotherarticlespropertotheprofessionofafarrier，therewerealsostoves，alembics，crucibles，retorts，andotherinstrumentsofalchemy。Thegrotesquefigureofthesmith，andtheuglybutwhimsicalfeaturesoftheboy，seenbythegloomyandimperfectlightofthecharcoalfireandthedyinglamp，accordedverywellwithallthismysticalapparatus，andinthatageofsuperstitionwouldhavemadesomeimpressiononthecourageofmostmen。
ButnaturehadendowedTressilianwithfirmnerves，andhiseducation，originallygood，hadbeentoosedulouslyimprovedbysubsequentstudytogivewaytoanyimaginaryterrors;andaftergivingaglancearoundhim，heagaindemandedoftheartistwhohewas，andbywhataccidenthecametoknowandaddresshimbyhisname。
\"Yourworshipcannotbutremember，\"saidthesmith，\"thataboutthreeyearssince，uponSaintLucy\'sEve，therecameatravellingjugglertoacertainhallinDevonshire，andexhibitedhisskillbeforeaworshipfulknightandafaircompany。——Iseefromyourworship\'scountenance，darkasthisplaceis，thatmymemoryhasnotdonemewrong。\"
\"Thouhastsaidenough，\"saidTressilian，turningaway，aswishingtohidefromthespeakerthepainfultrainofrecollectionswhichhisdiscoursehadunconsciouslyawakened。
\"Thejuggler，\"saidthesmith，\"playedhispartsobravelythattheclownsandclown—likesquiresinthecompanyheldhisarttobelittlelessthanmagical;buttherewasonemaidenoffifteen，orthereby，withthefairestfaceIeverlookedupon，whoserosycheekgrewpale，andherbrighteyesdim，atthesightofthewondersexhibited。\"
\"Peace，Icommandthee，peace！\"saidTressilian。
\"Imeanyourworshipnooffence，\"saidthefellow;\"butIhavecausetorememberhow，torelievetheyoungmaiden\'sfears，youcondescendedtopointoutthemodeinwhichthesedeceptionswerepractised，andtobafflethepoorjugglerbylayingbarethemysteriesofhisart，asablyasifyouhadbeenabrotherofhisorder。——Shewasindeedsofairamaidenthat，towinasmileofher，amanmightwell——\"
\"Notawordmoreofher，Ichargethee！\"saidTressilian。\"Idowellrememberthenightyouspeakof——oneofthefewhappyeveningsmylifehasknown。\"
\"Sheisgone，then，\"saidthesmith，interpretingafterhisownfashionthesighwithwhichTressilianutteredthesewords——\"sheisgone，young，beautiful，andbelovedasshewas！——Icraveyourworship\'spardon——Ishouldhavehammeredonanothertheme。IseeIhaveunwarilydriventhenailtothequick。\"
ThisspeechwasmadewithamixtureofrudefeelingwhichinclinedTressilianfavourablytothepoorartisan，ofwhombeforehewasinclinedtojudgeveryharshly。Butnothingcansosoonattracttheunfortunateasrealorseemingsympathywiththeirsorrows。
\"Ithink，\"proceededTressilian，afteraminute\'ssilence，\"thouwertinthosedaysajovialfellow，whocouldkeepacompanymerrybysong，andtale，andrebeck，aswellasbythyjugglingtricks——whydoIfindtheealaborioushandicraftsman，plyingthytradeinsomelancholyadwellingandundersuchextraordinarycircumstances？\"
\"Mystoryisnotlong，\"saidtheartist，\"butyourhonourhadbettersitwhileyoulistentoit。\"Sosaying，heapproachedtothefireathree—footedstool，andtookanotherhimself;whileDickieSludge，orFlibbertigibbet，ashecalledtheboy，drewacrickettothesmith\'sfeet，andlookedupinhisfacewithfeatureswhich，asilluminatedbytheglowoftheforge，seemedconvulsedwithintensecuriosity。\"Thoutoo，\"saidthesmithtohim，\"shaltlearn，asthouwelldeservestatmyhand，thebriefhistoryofmylife;and，introth，itwereaswelltellittheeasleavetheetoferretitout，sinceNatureneverpackedashrewderwitintoamoreungainlycasket。——Well，sir，ifmypoorstorymaypleasureyou，itisatyourcommand，Butwillyounottasteastoupofliquor？IpromiseyouthateveninthispoorcellIhavesomeinstore。\"
\"Speaknotofit，\"saidTressilian，\"butgoonwiththystory，formyleisureisbrief。\"
\"Youshallhavenocausetoruethedelay，\"saidthesmith，\"foryourhorseshallbebetterfedinthemeantimethanhehathbeenthismorning，andmadefitterfortravel。\"
Withthattheartistleftthevault，andreturnedafterafewminutes\'interval。Here，also，wepause，thatthenarrativemaycommenceinanotherchapter。
CHAPTERXI。
Isay，mylord，cansuchasubtilty（Butallhiscraftyemustnotwotofme，AndsomewhathelpIyettohisworking），Thatallthegroundonwhichwebenriding，TillthatwecometoCanterburytown，Hecanallcleanturnensoupsodown，Andpaveitallofsilverandofgold。
THECANON\'SYEOMAN\'SPROLOGUE，CANTERBURYTALES。
THEartistcommencedhisnarrativeinthefollowingterms:——
\"Iwasbredablacksmith，andknewmyartaswellase\'erablack—thumbed，leathern—aproned，swart—facedknaveofthatnoblemystery。ButItiredofringinghammer—tunesonironstithies，andwentoutintotheworld，whereIbecameacquaintedwithacelebratedjuggler，whosefingershadbecomerathertoostiffforlegerdemain，andwhowishedtohavetheaidofanapprenticeinhisnoblemystery。Iservedhimforsixyears，untilIwasmasterofmytrade——Irefermyselftoyourworship，whosejudgmentcannotbedisputed，whetherIdidnotlearntoplythecraftindifferentlywell？\"
\"Excellently，\"saidTressilian;\"butbebrief。\"
\"ItwasnotlongafterIhadperformedatSirHughRobsart\'s，inyourworship\'spresence，\"saidtheartist，\"thatItookmyselftothestage，andhaveswaggeredwiththebravestofthemall，bothattheBlackBull，theGlobe，theFortune，andelsewhere;butI
knownothow——applesweresoplentythatyearthattheladsinthetwopennygallerynevertookmorethanonebiteoutofthem，andthrewtherestofthepippinatwhateveractorchancedtobeonthestage。SoItiredofit——renouncedmyhalfshareinthecompany，gavemyfoiltomycomrade，mybuskinstothewardrobe，andshowedthetheatreacleanpairofheels。\"
\"Well，friend，andwhat，\"saidTressilian，\"wasyournextshift？\"
\"Ibecame，\"saidthesmith，\"halfpartner，halfdomestictoamanofmuchskillandlittlesubstance，whopractisedthetradeofaphysicianer。\"
\"Inotherwords，\"saidTressilian，\"youwereJackPuddingtoaquacksalver。\"
\"Somethingbeyondthat，letmehope，mygoodMasterTressilian，\"
repliedtheartist;\"andyettosaytruth，ourpracticewasofanadventurousdescription，andthepharmacywhichIhadacquiredinmyfirststudiesforthebenefitofhorseswasfrequentlyappliedtoourhumanpatients。Buttheseedsofallmaladiesarethesame;andifturpentine，tar，pitch，andbeef—suet，mingledwithturmerick，gum—mastick，andonebeadofgarlick，cancurethehorsethathathbeengrievedwithanail，Iseenotbutwhatitmaybenefitthemanthathathbeenprickedwithasword。Butmymaster\'spractice，aswellashisskill，wentfarbeyondmine，anddealtinmoredangerousconcerns。Hewasnotonlyabold，adventurouspractitionerinphysic，butalso，ifyourpleasuresochancedtobe，anadeptwhoreadthestars，andexpoundedthefortunesofmankind，genethliacally，ashecalledit，orotherwise。Hewasalearneddistillerofsimples，andaprofoundchemist——madeseveraleffortstofixmercury，andjudgedhimselftohavemadeafairhitatthephilosopher\'sstone。Ihaveyetaprogrammeofhisonthatsubject，which，ifyourhonourunderstandeth，Ibelieveyouhavethebetter，notonlyofallwhoread，butalsoofhimwhowroteit。\"
HegaveTressilianascrollofparchment，bearingattopandbottom，anddownthemargin，thesignsofthesevenplanets，curiouslyintermingledwithtalismanicalcharactersandscrapsofGreekandHebrew。InthemidstweresomeLatinversesfromacabalisticalauthor，writtenoutsofairly，thateventhegloomoftheplacedidnotpreventTressilianfromreadingthem。Thetenoroftheoriginalranasfollows:—
\"Sifixumsolvas，faciasquevolaresolutum，Etvolucremfigas，facientteviveretutum;
Sipariatventum，valetauriponderecentum;
Ventusubivultspirat——Capiatquicaperepotest。\"
\"Iprotesttoyou，\"saidTressilian，\"allIunderstandofthisjargonisthatthelastwordsseemtomean\'Catchwhocatchcan。\'\"