The Golden Grasshopper: A story of the days of Sir Thomas Gresham

by William Henry Giles Kingston

  CHAPTER SEVEN.

  DELIVERANCE.

  Ernst and A'Dale were led through many passages, in which the air wasclose and heavy, and their nostrils were assailed with many foul odours.At length the jailer unlocked a door at the end of a long passage, and,pointing to the inside of the room, told them they might walk in. Withsinking hearts they entered, and the man, without more ado, turned thelock upon them.

  The room was almost destitute of furniture, and dirty in the extreme,evidently not having been cleaned out since its last occupant wasdismissed. In one corner was a truckle bed, covered with a cloth and apile of loose straw. There was a rickety table of rough boards, withthree legs, and a couple of stools of the same character. The windowwas long and narrow, with bars across it; though a moderately stout mancould not have squeezed through, even had the bars been wanting. It wasonly by standing on one of the stools they could look out of the window,whence, as the warden had told them, they could see the muddy waters ofthe Fleet flowing by, with Fleet Street beyond, winding its way toTemple Bar.

  "This is a scurvy place to put us in," observed A'Dale, "we who areinnocent of any crime."

  "Better men have been placed in a worse situation," answered Ernst. "Inmy country hundreds, nay thousands, of persons, for no crime but that ofworshipping God according to their consciences, have been not onlycommitted to prison and tortured, but burned, and otherwise put todeath."

  "Surely the people of England would never submit to such tyranny asthat!" exclaimed A'Dale.

  "I know not," observed Ernst; "may be they will have no choice. Hadthere been more men of true heart among them, they would have rescuedthat sweet Lady Jane Grey and her young and handsome husband. When Ifound that the Queen had the heart to allow them to be put to death, Ifelt sure that she would not hesitate to destroy all who might opposeher will."

  "I hope we may escape from her power," observed A'Dale. "Who was thegallant gentleman who spoke to you? Do you think he can help us?"

  Ernst told his friend. "I know little of him," he added; "but he seemsto be a man of influence, and kindly disposed towards me."

  The warden fulfilled his promise to the lads, though not exactly as theydesired. A mattress was brought them, and a coarse and not over-cleancovering; food also on a trencher, and a mug of ale was sent in, but thefood was badly cooked, and the ale was none of the best. There was,however, a sufficiency to satisfy hunger and thirst; and they hoped forlittle more than that. They had been on foot all day. They were glad,when it grew dark, to throw themselves on their rough bed, and there ina short time they forgot their anxiety in sleep. The next day theywaited anxiously for news from Sir John De Leigh, but none came. Ernsthoped also that some messenger might arrive from Lady Anne, trustingthat Sir John had fulfilled his promise by informing her what hadhappened to them. They were doomed, however, to be disappointed.Towards evening, Master Babbington, the sub-warden, failed not to makehis appearance.

  "You remember my remark of yesterday evening, my young masters," heobserved. "I have to demand a further payment, or I must place anotherperson in this chamber instead of you, and remove you to one below,which may not be so pleasant."

  "We are willing to pay yet further, Master Warden," answered Ernst; "butI would beg you also to give us more liberty. We neither desire norhave the power of quitting the prison, having reason to believe that ourfriends will intercede in our behalf; but to be shut up all day in thisroom is far from pleasant; and we will pass our words not to escape forthe next week, should we be confined as long."

  The warden laughed grimly. "That were a pretty way of looking afterprisoners," he observed. "However, on payment of another mark each, youmay perchance obtain the liberty of taking the air, on passing your wordthat you will make no attempt to leave the prison."

  The money and the promise were at once given, and the boys were toldthat at certain hours of the day they would have liberty to take the airin the courtyard below.

  The very thought of this gave the boys considerable satisfaction. Theydid not sleep soundly that night, and both were awoke, it might havebeen about midnight, by hearing groans, as of a person in pain,proceeding apparently from the chamber below them. They listenedattentively, and now they heard a human voice; it seemed lifted up inprayer. Getting out of bed, and putting their ears to the floor, theycould distinguish the very words. Fervent and earnest was the prayer.It was addressed neither to the Virgin nor to saints, but to One alwaysready to hear prayer--to One who "so loved the world that He gave Hisonly begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,but have everlasting life." The voice was deep-toned and earnest.Sometimes it trembled like that of a man advanced in life, or sufferingfrom great bodily sickness. The boys felt almost that they had no rightto listen to words which were spoken to God alone. Still they felttheir own spirits revive, and their courage strengthened. The speakerseemed to think that the hour of his death was fast approaching, that hemight have to stand before a tribunal of his fellow-men, and he prayedthat strength might be given him to make a good confession, to hold fastto the faith. At length the prayer ceased, and once more the boys laydown in their beds, and were soon again asleep.

  The following day, at the hour of noon, the door of their ward opened,and the red nose of Master Babbington appeared at it.

  "You may go forth, young masters," he observed; "but remember you arewatched, and if you are seen spying about, instead of the leniency youhave hitherto experienced, you will be treated with no small amount ofrigour." Saying this, the warden went on his way to visit otherprisoners.

  The boys, glad to find themselves in the enjoyment of even such limitedliberty as was given them, hastened from the room and found their wayinto the courtyard. There were several other persons brought into theprison, for slight offences probably. Most of them were engaged invarious games, some of ball or tennis, while others were content to walkup and down, to stretch their legs and to inhale such air, close andimpure as it was, as they were allowed to breathe.

  As Ernst and A'Dale were on their way back to their chamber, the hour oftheir liberty having expired, they met a venerable personage,accompanied by a guard, proceeding along the passage. He stopped andgazed at them with an air of commiseration, and inquired for what cause,they, so young and innocent-looking, had been committed to prison.

  "On a false accusation, sir," answered Ernst; and in a few words heexplained what had happened to them.

  "There are many who are brought here on false accusations," observed thevenerable-looking stranger. "However, you are young, and may, I hope,bear your imprisonment with less suffering than I do. Better far thatyou should be brought here innocent than guilty; and yet, my youngfriends, let me ask you--How do you stand before God, innocent orguilty?"

  "Very guilty, I am afraid, sir," answered Ernst, looking up.

  "If you are judged by your own merits, yes," answered the stranger; "butif by faith you have put on Christ's righteousness, you stand free andguiltless in the sight of the Judge of all things."

  "Oh yes, sir! yes!" answered Ernst; "I know that the just shall live byfaith."

  "Well answered, my boy," replied the stranger. "Trust not to works, notto ordinances, not to forms, not to creeds, but simply to theall-sufficient merit of Christ. You must take Him as your own Saviour,as He offers salvation, and rely on Him, and Him alone through faith.It is an important truth; and happy are you that you have been broughtinto this prison if you accept it."

  "Come, move on, move on!" exclaimed a rough voice. "We cannot let youteach your heresy to these boys, albeit the fire will probably purge youand them of it ere long."

  Ernst, looking round, saw the burly form of Master Babbington, thewarden of the prison, approaching.

  He and A'Dale, respectfully wishing the old man farewell, hurried on,that they might avoid an encounter with the jailer. The stranger was noother than the venerable John Hooper, late Bishop of Worcester andGloucester. Ernst afterwards learned much about
him from one who wrotethe lives of many martyrs of the true faith. It was his prayer whichthey had heard on the second night of their coming to the prison. Theroom in which he was lodged was foul and damp; and there he was kept formany months suffering from disease, till he was finally led forth andcarried to Gloucester, where he was cruelly put to death by fire,holding to the true faith to the last moment of his life.

  Ernst and A'Dale, in consequence of their speaking to the good bishop,were deprived of their liberty; but it mattered little, for in two daysofficers arrived at the prison to carry up numerous persons to beexamined before the Bishop of Winchester. Among others, Ernst andA'Dale were summoned. They went willingly, thinking that they couldsurely with ease free themselves.

  Many of the prisoners as they were led forth looked sick and pale, as ifthey had been kept in unwholesome wards, with scanty food. Some wereweeping, not knowing what might be the result of their trial. It wasrumoured, not without reason, that the Queen proposed to crush out theReformed religion with fire and sword; and they remembered that in KingHenry's time, that sweet young lady--Anne Askew--had been burned atSmithfield; and it was evident that Queen Mary had much of the nature ofher father. The prisoners were led over London Bridge to the Church ofSaint Mary Overy--the very place in which the priest declared that Ernsthad been seen with other rioters attacking the altar.

  The Bishop of Winchester and other bishops, among whom was Bonner,Bishop of London, were seated in great state, when the prisoners werebrought up before them. A few were faint-hearted, and when asked theiropinions on the supremacy of the Pope, on transubstantiation and otherpoints, declared themselves believers in the doctrine of Rome. Others,however, boldly denied that the Pope had any authority in this realm ofEngland, while they as bravely asserted the Protestant doctrine forwhich they had been cast into prison. Many of them, of all ranks, somepoor and illiterate, did in no wise shrink from the abuse heaped on themby Gardiner and Bonner especially.

  And now the priest who had accused Ernst and A'Dale appeared in court.He fixed his eyes sternly on them, as if he would frighten them intosubmission, and pointing at them a finger of scorn, declared that theywere among the worst of those present, having committed sacrilege androbbery, as he could clearly show. In vain the boys looked round forany one to plead their cause.

  "Off with them to prison!" shouted Gardiner; "they are fit food for theflames, which ere long they must be given to feed."

  The rest of the accused were sent back to their prison, King Philipbeing still in the country, and the Queen not being, as yet, willing tocommence the burning of her loving subjects. It was not till she wasleft alone, deserted by her husband, that she gave full way to thespirit of bigotry which dwelt in her heart.

  "As for these lads," exclaimed the bishop, "let them be put in thefoulest dungeon in the Fleet, and that, I wot, is bad enough! In a fewdays they will have the means of drying their clothes and limbs too, ifI mistake not."

  The hearts of the two boys, which had hitherto held up bravely, now sunkvery low; but just at that moment, as Ernst cast one more imploringglance round the court, a gentleman in a rich suit entered, and at oncegoing up to the lads, led them before Gardiner, the Chancellor. Heexchanged a few words with him, and seemed, by his gestures and theexpression of his countenance, to be pleading hard in their favour.

  "Well, well, Sir John, you must have your way," answered the Bishop."If I mistake not, they will very soon be again within the power of thecourt; and another time, remember, they will not escape so easily." Thepriest, seeing that his victims were about to escape him, addressed theChancellor, but was quickly silenced; and Sir John De Leigh, in triumph,led the boys out of the building. The priest scowled fiercely at themas they passed.

  "I know that Father Overton--he will try to work you mischief," observedSir John; "but you must keep out of his way. These vultures, when oncethey fix their talons on their prey, like not to have it torn away fromthem, and will follow it eagerly, in the hopes of regaining it."

  Ernst and A'Dale found a horse in readiness, held by a groom, on whichSir John told them to mount; and together they rode back over LondonBridge, between the row of houses which rose up above them on eitherside.

  On their arrival at the house in Lombard Street, the Lady Anne hurrieddownstairs, cordially welcoming Ernst, while little Richard followed,and threw his arms round his neck in his joy at his recovery.

  "I cannot thank you enough, Sir John, for all you have done for us," shesaid, as the knight saluted her. "My husband desires to see you, and tothank you also. Our young friend here must also come up, though, as heis older than Ernst, we cannot help being angry with him, believing thathe may have led his companion into mischief."

  "No, no, I led him!" exclaimed Ernst, quickly and boldly. "I am readyto suffer punishment, but blame not him, for I deserve it more than hedoes."

  "We will not talk of punishment," said Sir John, smiling. "Most peoplewould think that you had had enough, with a week's sojourn in the FleetPrison. I hope that you may never again in the course of your lives seethe inside of it. It is difficult in the present time for even honestmen to keep outside, if there are any who have a desire to put them in."

  These words were spoken as they were proceeding upstairs. Lady Anneopened the door of the usual sitting-room, and there, reclining in achair, suffering apparently somewhat from sickness, they beheld MasterGresham himself. He rose to welcome Sir John, and to thank him for thefavour which he had done him. It was no less, indeed, than havingprocured his acquittal from the charges which Lord Winchester and othershad brought against him. Not only this, but the Queen's Council,finding their affairs in the Netherlands greatly disordered, and itbeing necessary to raise further loans, had looked about for a fitperson to fill the post of Royal agent, and none was found in whom allcould confide so completely as in Master Gresham. Instead, therefore,of being committed to the Fleet, and perchance left to die there ofdisease, he had received this honourable appointment, the notice ofwhich had only just before been sent him by Sir John De Leigh.

  Master Gresham received Ernst very kindly, but admonished him to becareful in future, and on no account to allow himself to be led away byhis feelings, or to mingle in any popular disturbance. "Patience andforbearance will, in the end, gain more than haste and violence," heobserved. "It is seldom that a short road can be found to any greatobject--at least, if that object is to be secured permanently. I do notsay that there are not times and seasons when men must fight for objectsthey hold dear, but in most cases those objects are most likely to besecured with the sword sheathed--by perseverance and firm language."

  Ernst expected to be sent back to Saint Paul's School, to which A'Dalehad to return; but, by the advice of Sir John De Leigh, Master Greshamagreed to take him back to Antwerp.

  "He will be no longer recognised there," observed the knight; "but thatpriest, whom I know well, and who has accused him, will not rest till hehas again got him into trouble. Why he has thus marked him down I knownot, but that he has done so I am certain. Till you commence yourjourney, I would advise that he remains in the house, or only goes forthunder your charge, and no one will now dare molest you. Had they notrequired your services, I fear that my influence would have availedlittle; but, being fully aware of your value, they are too wise to cutdown the tree from which they hope to pluck golden fruit. Now,farewell, my friend; I must hie me back to court, there to attend on myloving sovereign." The knight spoke in a somewhat satirical tone.

  "Remember, my good friend, that there are some persons from whomfaithful service obtains but a scant recompense," observed MasterGresham. "As a tree, too, is known by its fruit, surely, judging by itsproduce, the Church of Rome must be of a very bitter nature, and notsuch as a man like you would desire to support."

  "I was brought up a faithful son of the Church of Rome; and as thatappears to have the upper hand at present, I see no reason why I shouldquit it," answered the knight; "and if I did so, I should have l
ittlechance of helping myself, much less my friends; so you, at all events,should not advise me to take any such step."

  Master Gresham sighed.

  "Such principles as these will soon bring ruin on our country," he saidto himself; for he could not utter such thoughts aloud. The knightseemed to divine them, however.

  "It is well that all people do not think as Bishops Gardiner and Bonner,or, forsooth, as the Queen's majesty herself, or perchance there mightbe as many burnings and hangings in fair England as there have been inthe Netherlands. We cannot stop the tide altogether, but we can help toquell its fury. However, farewell, honest friend; I am glad to havedone thee a service."

  Saying this, the knight took a cordial farewell of Master Gresham and ofLady Anne, giving Ernst a kind shake of the hand.