human
And yet, he added, with an engaging smile, as Annys wrung his hand heartily,
gpt
Ay! returned Annys,
human
I would have ye none other than sorry for that--but sorry to some purpose. What good will it do to rise up and rule the land for a day? Shall we not rather by patience and fortitude hold what we gain for unborn generations, so that our children's children need not fight the great fight over again, but may start where we leave off?
gpt
That my children's children have full bellies easeth not the wind in mine,
human
He who works only for to-day will starve to-morrow.
gpt
When dost think the whole country will be ready?
human
Plenty yet to do, plenty to do, was the reply.
gpt
There are counties where they await but the word, but there are others where they are none too ready to loose hand from the plough.
human
Ay, those are the counties where the plough yet yields a living somewhat better than a dog's.
gpt
Yea, there are places in the land where the Black Death but took away enough mouths to fill those that remain. There the men have a cold heart and an unready ear, and it is hard enough to beat into them a sense of fellowship for those who are suffering and a-hungering afar off. It is slow work getting from east to west and from south to north, yet the good work prospers surely. Steadily the people are coming to right knowledge. More and more Holy Writ is being placed into their hands, and it taketh but small wit to see there is something awry with a world which matcheth so ill with its Word.
human
Ay! cried one lustily,
gpt
Yes, spoke up Richard Meryl,
human
Hast heard of the new law which the Commons have passed?
gpt
Let them pass their laws at Westminster, exclaimed one man, passionately,
human
What have they done now?
gpt
They have declared that 'carters, ploughmen, plough drivers, shepherds, swineherds, deyes, and other servants should be content with such liveries and wages as they received in the twentieth year of King Edward's reign.'
human
mocked Tim the needle-maker.
gpt
Have they so, indeed! Then rising, he addressed the others in a loud voice.
human
Fellows, the law hath declared that we be content. Why then so we must be--by Westminster law which can call the sky green if it take a notion--it must be so.
gpt
Content then, broke in Ralph Rugge, with a laugh,
human
Next they will fill our empty stomachs with parchment sheets,
gpt
But that is not all, said the first speaker.
human
They will not that one should depart from one part of the country to another to serve, or reside elsewhere, or under pretence of going to a pilgrimage, without a letter patent, specifying cause of his departure and time of his return, granted at discretion of the justice of the peace.
gpt
Yea, continued Ralph Rugge, taking the words out of the other's mouth,
human
Curse their insolence! muttered one whose face was flushed with liquor and whose hands trembled with something other than indignation.
gpt
Curse their insolence! Next they will seek to plant us in the soil with a spade chained to our arms!
human
Yea, it is hard, spoke up Annys, with a sigh;