human
Our neighbours the Scotch say, 'It is good fishing in muddy waters;' but he who fishes into the secrets of courts must bait with his head. What mischief doth that crafty queen, the proud duchess, devise? Um! They are thinking still to match the young princess with the hot Count of Charolois. Better for trade, it is true, to be hand in hand with the Flemings; but there are two sides to a loaf. If they play such a trick on the stout earl, he is not a man to sit down and do nothing. More food for the ravens, I fear,--more brown bills and bright lances in the green fields of poor England!--and King Louis is an awful carle to sow flax in his neighbour's house, when the torches are burning. Um! Where is fair Marmaduke. He looks brave in his gay super-tunic. Well, sir and foster-brother, how fare you at court?
gpt
My dear Nicholas, a merry welcome and hearty to your sharp, thoughtful face. Ah, man! we shall have a gay time for you venders of gewgaws. There are to be revels and jousts, revels in the Tower and jousts in Smithfield. We gentles are already hard at practice in the tilt-yard.
human
Sham battles are better than real ones, Master Nevile! But what is in the wind?
gpt
A sail, Nicholas! a sail bound to England! Know that the Count of Charolois has permitted Sir Anthony Count de la Roche, his bastard brother, to come over to London, to cross lances with our own Sir Anthony Lord Scales. It is an old challenge, and right royally will the encounter be held.
human
Um! muttered Alwyn,
gpt
said he, aloud,
human
Nay. What else? Plague on you craftsmen! You cannot even comprehend the pleasure and pastime two knights take in the storm of the lists!
gpt
I humbly avow it, Master Nevile. But it seemeth, indeed, strange to me that the Count of Charolois should take this very moment to send envoys of courtesy when so sharp a slight has been put on his pride, and so dangerous a blow struck at his interests, as the alliance between the French prince and the Lady Margaret. Bold Charles has some cunning, I trow, which your kinsman of Warwick is not here to detect.
human
Tush, man! Trade, I see, teaches ye all so to cheat and overreach, that ye suppose a knight's burgonet is as full of tricks and traps as a citizen's flat-cap. Would, though, that my kinsman of Warwick were here, added Marmaduke, in a low whisper,
gpt
Keep thyself clear of them all, Marmaduke, said Alwyn;
human
Eh, man?
gpt
Nay, nay, continued Nicholas, shaking his head,
human
I admire the great earl, and were I lord or gentle, the great earl should be my chief. But each to his order; and the trader's tree grows not out of a baron's walking-staff. King Edward may be a stern ruler, but he is a friend to the goldsmiths, and has just confirmed our charter. 'Let every man praise the bridge he goes over,' as the saw saith. Truce to this talk, Master Nevile. I hear that your young hostess--ehem!-- Mistress Sibyll, is greatly marvelled at among the court gallants, is it so?
gpt
Alas! dear foster-brother, he said, dropping the somewhat affected tone in which he had before spoken,
human
I must confess to my shame, that I cannot yet get the damsel out of my thoughts, which is what I consider it a point of manhood and spirit to achieve.
gpt
How so?
human
Because, when a maiden chooseth steadily to say nay to your wooing, to follow her heels, and whine and beg, is a dog's duty, not a man's.
gpt
What! exclaimed Alwyn, in a voice of great eagerness,
human
Verily, yes!
gpt
And failed?
human
And failed.
gpt
Poor Marmaduke!
human
There is no 'poor' in the matter, Nick Alwyn, returned Marmaduke, sturdily;
gpt
he added, after a short pause, and with a sigh,--
human
More's the pity!
gpt
I mean that she seems all the comelier for the court air. And beshrew me, I think the Lord Hastings, with his dulcet flatteries, hath made it a sort of frenzy for all the gallants to flock round her.
human
I should like to see Master Warner again, said Alwyn;
gpt
Yonder, by the little postern, on the third flight of the turret that flanks the corridor, [This description refers to that part of the Tower called the King's or Queen's Lodge, and long since destroyed.] next to Friar Bungey, the magician; but it is broad daylight, and therefore not so dangerous,--not but thou mayest as well patter an ave in going up stairs.
human
Farewell, Master Nevile, said Alwyn, smiling;
gpt
I will seek the mechanician, and if I find there Mistress Sibyll, what shall I say from thee?
human
That young bachelors in the reign of Edward IV. will never want fair feres,