Not,he said,that I am above your kindness,madam,being but a poor fellow,who have been forced,God help me!to live by worse shifts than the bounty of such a person as you.But,as my old master the farrier used to say to his customers,'No cure,no pay.'We are not yet in Kenilworth Castle,and it is time enough to discharge your guide,as they say,when you take your boots off.I trust in God your ladyship is as well assured of fitting reception when you arrive,as you may hold yourself certain of my best endeavours to conduct you thither safely.I go to get the horses;meantime,let me pray you once more,as your poor physician as well as guide,to take some sustenance.I will--I will,said the lady hastily.Begone,begone instantly!--It is in vain I assume audacity,said she,when he left the room;even this poor groom sees through my affectation of courage,and fathoms the very ground of my fears.She then attempted to follow her guide's advice by taking some food,but was compelled to desist,as the effort to swallow even a single morsel gave her so much uneasiness as amounted well-nigh to suffocation.A moment afterwards the horses appeared at the latticed window.The lady mounted,and found that relief from the free air and change of place which is frequently experienced in similar circumstances.
It chanced well for the Countess's purpose that Wayland Smith,whose previous wandering and unsettled life had made him acquainted with almost all England,was intimate with all the by-roads,as well as direct communications,through the beautiful county of Warwick.For such and so great was the throng which flocked in all directions towards Kenilworth,to see the entry of Elizabeth into that splendid mansion of her prime favourite,that the principal roads were actually blocked up and interrupted,and it was only by circuitous by-paths that the travellers could proceed on their journey.
The Queen's purveyors had been abroad,sweeping the farms and villages of those articles usually exacted during a royal Progress,and for which the owners were afterwards to obtain a tardy payment from the Board of Green Cloth.The Earl of Leicester's household officers had been scouring the country for the same purpose;and many of his friends and allies,both near and remote,took this opportunity of ingratiating themselves by sending large quantities of provisions and delicacies of all kinds,with game in huge numbers,and whole tuns of the best liquors,foreign and domestic.Thus the highroads were filled with droves of bullocks,sheep,calves,and hogs,and choked with loaded wains,whose axle-trees cracked under their burdens of wine-casks and hogsheads of ale,and huge hampers of grocery goods,and slaughtered game,and salted provisions,and sacks of flour.Perpetual stoppages took place as these wains became entangled;and their rude drivers,swearing and brawling till their wild passions were fully raised,began to debate precedence with their wagon-whips and quarterstaves,which occasional riots were usually quieted by a purveyor,deputy-marshal's man,or some other person in authority,breaking the heads of both parties.
Here were,besides,players and mummers,jugglers and showmen,of every description,traversing in joyous bands the paths which led to the Palace of Princely Pleasure;for so the travelling minstrels had termed Kenilworth in the songs which already had come forth in anticipation of the revels which were there expected.In the midst of this motley show,mendicants were exhibiting their real or pretended miseries,forming a strange though common contrast betwixt the vanities and the sorrows of human existence.All these floated along with the immense tide of population whom mere curiosity had drawn together;and where the mechanic,in his leathern apron,elbowed the dink and dainty dame,his city mistress;where clowns,with hobnailed shoes,were treading on the kibes of substantial burghers and gentlemen of worship;and where Joan of the dairy,with robust pace,and red,sturdy arms,rowed her way unward,amongst those prim and pretty moppets whose sires were knights and squires.
The throng and confusion was,however,of a gay and cheerful character.All came forth to see and to enjoy,and all laughed at the trifling inconveniences which at another time might have chafed their temper.Excepting the occasional brawls which we have mentioned among that irritable race the carmen,the mingled sounds which arose from the multitude were those of light-hearted mirth and tiptoe jollity.The musicians preluded on their instruments--the minstrels hummed their songs--the licensed jester whooped betwixt mirth and madness,as he brandished his bauble--the morrice-dancers jangled their bells--the rustics hallooed and whistled-men laughed loud,and maidens giggled shrill;while many a broad jest flew like a shuttlecock from one party,to be caught in the air and returned from the opposite side of the road by another,at which it was aimed.
No infliction can be so distressing to a mind absorbed in melancholy,as being plunged into a scene of mirth and revelry,forming an accompaniment so dissonant from its own feelings.
Yet,in the case of the Countess of Leicester,the noise and tumult of this giddy scene distracted her thoughts,and rendered her this sad service,that it became impossible for her to brood on her own misery,or to form terrible anticipations of her approaching fate.She travelled on like one in a dream,following implicitly the guidance of Wayland,who,with great address,now threaded his way through the general throng of passengers,now stood still until a favourable opportunity occurred of again moving forward,and frequently turning altogether out of the direct road,followed some circuitous by-path,which brought them into the highway again,after having given them the opportunity of traversing a considerable way with greater ease and rapidity.
