第10章

"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。\'"