Part 55 (2/2)
”Master Fitzwarine,” made answer the Mayor, ”give up thy sword and yield thee prisoner, for that thou defendest traitors and murderers, disturbers of the King's peace. This man hath slain the Archbishop of Canterbury.”
”'T is very true, if Wat Tyler is traitor then am I likewise,” said Stephen, and gave up his sword. And one of the aldermen bound him with a rope to lead him away. Then did Mayor Walworth take Wat Tyler's body by the heels, and dragged it forth into Smithfield and hewed the head from the trunk. This he did with Stephen's sword. After, he gave the head to that other alderman, not him that bound Stephen, and bade him take down the Archbishop's head from London Bridge and set Wat Tyler's where that one had hung; and these things were done. But Stephen was cast into a dungeon in the Tower.
CHAPTER X
The Old Fetters
On the Sunday when Long Will and Calote were come from the burial of Kitte, they were met at their door by Walworth and certain of the King's officers, who said:--
”Knowest aught concerning that arch-traitor, Jack Straw? 'T is believed he lieth hid in the city.--In the King's name, open thy door!”
”Name him not!” cried Will, and crossed himself. ”I am a clerk; I may not venge mine own wrong!--Natheless his name breeds murder in my heart.” He groaned and covered his face. Those others stared in amaze.
”Heard ye not?” said Calote then. ”'T was Friday he came into our cot by night, and he would have slain one slept there, but my mother ran in between.--My mother was slain.”
”Alack, sweet maid, here 's news!” exclaimed the Mayor. ”I 've been busied propping the kingdom.” And to the men he said: ”On! he is not here.”
But one of the men answered him: ”The fellow was seen o' Cornhill within the hour. Is a most arrant knave. This house were safest in all London, seeing he hath shed blood in it. Let us enter!”
So they went in and threw wide the window and the doors, for that the room was dark. And some mounted to the chamber under the roof. Then the man that craved leave to enter went and stood by the great chest in the lower room; and presently he had lifted the lid and thrust in his hand, and all they heard a terrible squawk. The man had Jack Straw by the leg, and flung him out on the floor.
”O thou vile murderer!” cried Calote. ”Coward, without shame! Dost shelter thee on this hearth thou hast defiled? O craven dog!”
There were deep shadows in the eyes of Calote. This horror of her mother's death was yet upon her. Moreover, she knew what it was to fail.
”Do not let the clerk come at me!” Jack Straw prayed the Mayor. He s.h.i.+vered; he was all of a sweat. ”Wherefore do ye take me? Thrust thy fingers in my breast, the King's pardon is there. Hark ye,--I 'll say it. I have it by heart. 'Know that of our special grace we have manumitted'--hearken, 'freed him of all bondage, and made him quit by these presents.' I be free man, pardoned of all felonies, treasons, transgressions, and extortions. Look ye, masters,--'t is writ here.--Bind not my hands! Read!--'And a.s.sure him of our summa pax.' I 'm free man. Read!--'Dated June the fourteenth, anno regni quarto.' I had it of yonder clerk, learned me the Latin the while he writ. I 'm free man. Will,--speak for me! Will!--Will!--I meant no harm,--she came between and I knew 't not. Will, thou knowest I meant no harm to Kitte. Speak! Is 't for this I 'm ta'en? The Lord is leech of love, Will, forgiveth his enemies. I 'm thy friend, Will;--was ever.”
”Have him forth!” shouted Langland above this din. ”Have him forth swift,--else must ye bind me likewise. O Christ--give me leave!--Avenge her, Christ Jesus!”
Then Jack Straw, being 'ware that here was no hope, turned him at the threshold and said:--
”There be others, prisoners, mistress, and thy peddler is one. I saw him borne to Tower yester e'en. Thy fine esquire 's like to lose his head as soon as I.”
”Set a gag twixt his teeth,” said Walworth. So they did, and bore him through London streets. And if any man was his friend, he went and hid himself.
Meanwhile, the King took counsel with his lords in the great chamber in the Tower. His cheeks were pale, his eyes heavy. He pressed his hand oft to his brow, where sat a frown.
”Sire,” said Buckingham, ”'t is very certain these knaves ought to be punished, else shall we never have done with uprisings and rebellions that do endanger the kingdom.”
”Where is Etienne Fitzwarine?” asked Richard, fretful. ”Let him mix my cup! There 's a fever inward, parcheth my throat.”
My Lord of Buckingham looked uneasy on my Lord of Salisbury. Then Sir John Holland behind the King's back said: ”No doubt he consorteth with those low fellows, his friends, and maketh merry that the King is cozened.”
”Ribaude!” cried the boy starting from his seat. ”I cozened?--I?--I?”
He choked and turned half round, his hand on his sword.
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