 section 38 of England this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by April 6 0 9 0 California United States of America the world's story volume 9 England edited by Eva March Tappan section 38 the archery contest about 1194 by Sir Walter Scott loxley is the famous outlaw Robin Hood who has come in disguise to witness the great tournament at Ashby De La Juche the editor the sound of the trumpets soon recalled those spectators who had already begun to leave the field and proclamation was made that Prince John suddenly called by high and preemptory public duties held himself obliged to discontinue the entertainments of tomorrow's festival nevertheless that unwilling so many good yeoman should depart without a trial of skill he was pleased to appoint them before leaving the ground presently to execute the competition of archery intended for the morrow to the best archer a prize was to be awarded being a buglehorn mounted with silver and a silk and Baldrick richly ornamented with the medallion of St. Hubert the patron of Sylvan sport more than 30 yeoman at first presented themselves as competitors several of whom were Rangers and underkeepers in the royal forests of Needwood and Charmwood when however the archers understood with whom they were to be matched upwards of 20 withdrew themselves from the contest unwilling to encounter the dishonor of almost certain defeat for in those days the skill of each celebrated marksman was as well known for many miles around him as the qualities of a horse trained at Newmarket are familiar to those who frequent that well-known meeting the diminished list of competitors for Sylvan fame still amounted to eight Prince John stepped from his royal seat to view more nearly the persons of these chosen yeoman several of whom wore the royal livery having satisfied his curiosity by this investigation he looked for the object of his resentment whom he observed standing on the same spot and with the same composed accountants which he had exhibited upon the preceding day fellow said Prince John I guessed by the insolent babble thou were to no true lover of the longbow and I see thou darest not adventure thy skill among such merry men as stand yonder under favor sir replied the yeoman I have another reason for refraining to shoot besides the fearing discomforture and disgrace and what is thy other reason said Prince John who for some cause which perhaps he could not himself have explained felt a painful curiosity respecting this individual because replied the woodsmen I know not if these yeoman and I are used to shoot at the same marks and because moreover I know not how your grace might relish the winning of a third prize by one who has unwittingly fallen under your displeasure Prince John colored as he put the question what is thy name yeoman loxley answered the yeoman then loxley said Prince John thou shalt shoot in thy turn when these yeoman have displayed their skill if thou curious to the prize I will add to it twenty nobles but if thou loses it thou shalt be stripped of thy Lincoln green and scourged out of the lists with bow strings for a wordy and insolent braggart and how if I refuse to shoot on such a weager said the yeoman your grace's power supported as it is by so many men at arms may indeed easily strip and scourge me but cannot compel me to bend or to draw my bow if thou refuses my fair proffer said the Prince the provost of the lists shall cut thy bow string break thy bow and arrows and expel thee from the presence of as a faint hearted craven this is no fair chance you put on me proud Prince said the yeoman to compel me to peril myself against of the best archers of life teacher and Staffordshire under the penalty of infamy if they should overshoot me nevertheless I will obey your pleasure look to him close men at arms said Prince John his heart is sinking I am jealous lest he attempt to escape the trial and do you good fellows shoot boldly around a buck any butt of wine or ready for your refreshment in yonder tent when the prize is one a target was placed at the upper end of the southern Avenue which led to the lists the contending archers took their station in turn at the bottom of the southern access the distance between that station and the mark allowing full distance for what was called a shot at rovers the archers having previously determined by lot their order of precedence were to shoot each three shafts in succession the sports were regulated by an officer of inferior rank termed the provost of the games for the high rank of the marshals of the lists would have been degraded had they condescended to super intend the sport of the yeomanry one by one the archers stepping forward delivered their shafts yeoman like and bravely of 24 arrows shot in succession 10 were fixed in the target and the others ranged so near it that considering the distance of the mark it was accounted good archery of the 10 shafts which hit the target to within the inner ring were shot by Hubert a forester in the service of Malvoisen who was accordingly pronounced victorious now loxley said Prince John to the bold yeoman with a bitter smile will thou try conclusions with Hubert or wilt thou yield up bow balderic and quiver to the provost of the sports sit did be no better said loxley I'm content to try my fortune on condition that when I have shot two shafts at yonder mark of Hubert's he shall be bound to shoot one at that which I shall propose that is but fair answered Prince John and it shall not be refused thee if thou dust beat this braggart Hubert I will fill the bugle with silver pennies for thee a man can but do his best answered Hubert but my grandson drew a long bow at Hastings and I trust not to dishonor his memory the former target was now removed and a fresh one of the same size placed in its room Hubert who as Victor in the first trial of skill had the right to shoot first took his aim with great deliberation long measuring the distance with his eye while he held in his hand his bended bow with the arrow placed on the string at length he made a step forward and raising the bow at the full stretch of his left arm till the center or grasping place was nigh level with his face he drew his bow string to his ear the arrow whistled through the air and lighted within the inner ring of the target but not exactly in the center you have not allowed for the wind Hubert said his antagonist bending his bow or that had been a better shot so saying without showing the least anxiety to pause upon his aim loxley stepped to the appointed station and shot his arrow as carelessly in appearance as if he had not even looked at the mark he was speaking almost at the instant that the shaft left the bow string yet it alighted in the target two inches near to the white spot which marked the center than that of Hubert by the light of heaven said Prince John to Hubert and thou suffer that run a good nave to overcome thee thou art worthy of the gallows Hubert had but one set speech for all occasions and your highness were to hang me he said a man can but do his best nevertheless my grand sire drew a good bow the foul fiends on thy grand sire and all his generations interrupted John shoot nave and shoot thy best or it shall be the worst for thee thus exhorted Hubert resumed his place and not neglecting the caution which he had received from his adversary he made the necessary allowance for a very light air of wind which had just arisen and shot so successfully that his arrow alighted in the very center of the target a Hubert a Hubert shouted the populace more interested in a known person than in a stranger in the clout in the clout a Hubert forever thou canst not mend that shot loxley said the prince with an insulting smile I will not to shaft for him however replied loxley and letting his arrow fly with a little more precaution than before it lighted right upon that of his competitor which is split to shivers the people who stood around were so astonished at his wonderful dexterity that they could not even give vent to their surprise in their usual clamor this must be the devil and no man of flesh and blood whispered the yeomen to each other such archery was never seen since it bow was first bent in Britain and now said loxley I will crave your grace's permission to plant such a mark as it is used in the North country and welcome every brave yeomen who shall try a shot at it to win a smile from the Bonnie lass he loves best he then turned to leave the lists let your guards attend me he said if you please I go but to cut a rod from the next willow bush Prince John made a signal that some attendants should follow him in case of his escape but the cry of shame shame which burst from the multitude induced him to alter his ungenerous purpose loxley returned almost instantly with a willow wand about six feet in length perfectly straight and rather thicker than a man's thumb he began to peel this with great composure observing at the same time that to ask a good woodsman to shoot at a target so broad as had hit the robe been used was to put shame upon his skill for his own part he said and in the land where he is bred men would as soon take for their mark King Arthur's round table which held 60 nights around it a child of seven years old he said might hit yonder target with the headless shaft but said he walking deliberately to the other end of the lists and sticking the willow wand upright in the ground he that hits that rod at five score yards I call him an archer fit to bear both bow and quiver before a king and it were the stout King Richard himself my grand sire said Hubert drew a good bow about the battle of Hastings and never shot at such a mark in his life and neither will I if this yeoman can cleave that rod I give him the bucklers or rather I yield to the devil that is in his jerken and not to any human skill a man can but do his best and I will not shoot where I am sure to miss I might as well shoot at the edge of our person's whittle or at a weed of straw or at a sunbeam as at a twinkling white street which I can hardly see cowardly dog said Prince John Sirloxley do thou shoot but if thou hitst such a mark I will say thou art the first man ever did so however it be thou shalt not crow over us with a mere show of superior skill I will do my best as Hubert says answered loxley no man can do more so saying he again bent his bow but on the present occasion looked with attention to his weapon and changed the string which he thought was no longer truly round having been freed a little by the two former shots he then took his aim with some deliberation and the multitude awaited the event in breathless silence the archer vindicated their opinion of his skill his arrow split the will rod against which it was aimed a jubilee of acclamations followed and even Prince John in admiration of loxley's skill lost for an instant his dislike to his person these twenty nobles he said which with the bugle thou hast fairly won our thine own we will make them fifty if thou wilt take livery and service with us as a yeoman of our bodyguard and be near to our person for never did so strong a hand bend a bow or so true an eye direct a shaft pardon me noble prince said loxley but I have vowed that if ever I take service it should be with your royal brother King Richard these twenty nobles I leave to Hubert who has this day drawn as brave a bow as his grandsire did at Hastings had his modesty not refused to the trial he would have hit the wand as well as I Hubert shook his head as he received with the reluctance the bounty of the stranger and loxley anxious to escape further observation mixed with the crowd and was seen no more end of section thirty eight this recording is in the public domain section thirty nine of England this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the world's story volume nine England edited by Eva March Tappen section thirty nine a trial by single combat about eleven ninety four by Sir Walter Scott the Jewish maiden Rebecca has been accused of witchcraft and condemned to be burned at the stake her one chance of escape is that someone shall act as her champion and win in single contest there was nothing unusual in this decision for trial by combat was a customary method of deciding questions of guilt or innocence another method was the ordeal one form of which was the bearing of hot irons in the naked hands a certain number of paces the accepted belief was that God would grant safety to the innocent the editor at length the drawbridge fell the gates opened and a knight bearing the great standard of the order sallied from the castle preceded by six trumpets and followed by the knight's preceptors two and two the grand master coming last mounted on a stately horse whose furniture was of the simplest kind behind him came Brighton de Bois-Gilbert armed cappapier in bright armour but without his lance shield and sword which were borne by his two esquires behind him his face though partly hidden by a long plume which floated down from his barret cap bore a strong and mingled expression of passion in which pride seemed to contend with the resolution he looked ghastly pale as if he had not slept for several nights yet reigned his pawing warhorse with the habitual ease and grace proper to the best lance of the order of the temple his general appearance was grand and commanding but looking at him with attention men read that in his dark features from which they willingly withdrew their eyes on either side rode Conrad of Mont-Fichier and Albert de Malvoisin who acted as godfathers to the champion they were in their robes of peace the white dress of the order behind them followed other companions of the temple with a long train of esquires and pages clad in black aspirants to the honor of being one day knights of the order after these neophytes came a guard of warders on foot in the same sable livery amidst whose partisans might be seen the pale form of the accuser moving with a slow but undismayed step towards the scene of her fate she was stripped of all her ornaments lest perchance there should be among them some of those amulets which Seton was supposed to bestow upon his victims to deprive them of the power of confession even when under the torture a coarse white dress of the simplest form had been substituted for her oriental garments yet there was such an exquisite mixture of courage and resignation in her look that even in this garb and with no other ornament than her long black tresses each eye wept that looked upon her and the most hardened bigot regretted the fate that had converted a creature so goodly into a vessel of wrath and a waged slave of the devil a crowd of inferior personages belonging to the preceptory followed the victim all moving with the utmost order with arms folded and looks bent upon the ground this slow procession moved up the gentle eminence on the summit of which was the tiltyard and entering the lists marched once around them from right to left and when they had completed the circle made a halt there was then a momentary bustle while the grandmaster and all his attendants accepting the champion and his godfathers dismounted from their horses which were immediately removed out of the lists by the esquires who were in attendance for that purpose the unfortunate rebecca was conducted to the black chair placed near the pile on her first glance at the terrible spot where preparations were making for a death alike dismaying to the mind and painful to the body she was observed to shudder and shut her eyes praying internally doubtless for her lips moved though no speech was heard in the space of a minute she opened her eyes looked fixedly on the pile as if to familiarize her mind with the object and then slowly and naturally turned away her head meanwhile the grandmaster had assumed his seat and when the chivalry of his order was placed around and behind him each in his due rank a loud and long flourish of the trumpets announced that the court was seated for judgment malversin then acting as godfather of the champion stepped forward and laid the glove of the duos which was the pledge of battle at the feet of the grandmaster valourous lord and reverend father said he here standeth the good night brian de boise you bear knight preceptor of the order of the temple who by accepting the pledge of battle which i now lay at your reverence's feet hath become bound to do his dévoit in combat this day to maintain that this Jewish maiden by name rebecca hath justly deserved the doom passed upon her in a chapter of this most holy order of the temple of Zion condemning her to die as a sorceress here i say he standeth such battle to do nightly and honorable if such be your noble and sanctified pleasure hath he made oath said the grandmaster that his quarrel is just and honorable bring forward the crucifix and the te itita footnote thou therefore a book of religious service upon which oaths were taken end of footnote sir and most reverend father answered malversin readily our brother here present hath already sworn to the truth of his accusation in the hand of the good night conrad de mon fichier and otherwise he ought not to be sworn seeing that his adversary is an unbeliever and may take no oath this explanation was satisfactory to albert's great joy for the wily night had foreseen the great difficulty or rather impossibility of prevailing upon briand wajil bear to take such an oath before the assembly and had invented this excuse to escape the necessity of his doing so the grandmaster having allowed the apology of albert malversin commanded the herald to stand forth and do his devoid the trumpets then again flourished and a herald stepping forward proclaimed aloud oye oye oye here standeth the good night sir brian de boijil bear ready to do battle with any night of free blood who will sustain the quarrel allowed and allotted to the jewelless rebecca to try by champion in respect of lawful assign of her own body and to such champion the reverend and valorous grandmaster here present allows a fair field and equal partition of sun and wind and whatever else appetines to a fair combat the trumpets again sounded and there was a dead pause of many minutes no champion appears for the appellant said the grandmaster go herald and ask her whether she expects anyone to do battle for her in this her cause the herald went to the chair in which rebecca was seated and boijil bear suddenly turning his horse's head toward that end of the lists in spite of hints on either side from malversin mon fichet was by the side of rebecca's chair as soon as the herald is this regular and according to the law of combat said malversin looking to the grandmaster albert to malversin it is answered boh man war for in this appeal to the judgment of god we may not prohibit parties from having that communication with each other which may best tend to bring forth the truth of the quarrel in the meantime the herald spoke to rebecca in these terms damsel the honorable and reverend the grandmaster demands of thee if thou art prepared with a champion to do battle this day in thy behalf or if thou dost yield thee as one justly condemned to a deserved doom say to the grandmaster replied rebecca that i maintain my innocence and do not yield me as justly condemned lest i become guilty of mine own blood say to him that i challenge such delay as his forms will permit to see if god whose opportunity is in man's extremity will raise me up a deliverer and when such uttermost space is passed may his holy will be done the herald retired to carry this answer to the grandmaster god forbid said lucas boh man war that jew or pagan should impeach us of injustice until the shadows be cast from the west to the eastward will we wait to see if a champion shall appear for this unfortunate woman when the day is so far past let her prepare for death the herald communicated the words of the grandmaster to rebecca who bowed her head submissively folded her arms and looking up towards heaven seemed to expect that aid from above which she could scarce promise herself from man during this awful pause the voice of guage ill bear broke upon her ear it was but a whisper yet it startled her more than the summons of the herald had appeared to do rebecca said the templar does thou hear me i have no portion in the cruel heart-hearted man said the unfortunate maiden i but does thou understand my words said the templar for the sound of my voice is frightful in mine own ears i scarce know on what ground we stand or for what purpose they have brought us hither this listed space that chair these faggots i know their purpose and yet it appears to me like something unreal the fearful picture of a vision which appalls my sense with hideous fantasies but convinces not my reason my mind and senses keep touch and time answered rebecca and tell me alike that these faggots are destined to consume my earthly body and open a painful but a brief passage to a better world dreams rebecca dreams answered the templar idle visions rejected by the wisdom of your own wiser saducees hear me rebecca he said proceeding with animation a better chance has thou for life and liberty than yonder naves and doted dream of mount thee behind me on my steed on zamor the gallant horse that never failed his rider i won him in single fight from the sultan of trebizond mount i say behind me in one short hour is pursuit an inquiry far behind a new world of pleasure opens to thee to me a new career of fame let them speak the doom which i despise and erase the name of boyes you'll bear from their list of monastic slaves i will wash out with blood whatever blot they may dare to cast on my scotchin tempter said rebecca be gone not in this last extremity canst thou move me one hair's breadth from my resting place surrounded as i am by foes i hold thee as my worst and most deadly enemy avoid thee in the name of god albert malphoza alarmed and impatient at the duration of their conference now advanced to interrupted have the maiden acknowledged her guilt he demanded of boyes you'll bear or is she resolute in her denial she is indeed resolute said boyes you'll bear then said malphoza must thou noble brother resume thy place to attend the issue the shades are changing on the circle of the dial come brave boyes you'll bear come thou hope of our holy order and soon to be its head as he spoke in this soothing tone he laid his hand on the night's bridle as if to lead him back to his station false villain what means thou by thy hand on my reign said so brian angrily and shaking off his companion's grasp he rode back to the upper end of the lists there is yet spirit in him said malphoza apart to mon fichet where it well directed but like the greek fire it burns whatever approaches it the judges had now been two hours in the lists awaiting in vain the appearance of a champion and reason good said fryer tuck seeing she is a jewess and yet by mine order it is hard that so young and beautiful a creature should perish without one blow being struck in her behalf were she ten times a witch provided she were but the least bit of a christian my quarter staff should ring noon on the steel cap beyond a fiat's template ere he carried the mutter off thus it was however the general belief that no one could or would appear for a jewess accused of sorcery and the nights instigated by malphoza whispered to each other that it was time to declare the pledge of rebecca forfeited at this instant a knight urging his horse to speed appeared on the plane advancing towards the lists a hundred voices exclaimed a champion a champion and despite the prepositions and prejudices of the multitude they shouted unanimously as the night rode into the tilt yard the second glance however served to destroy the hope that his timely arrival had excited his horse urged for many miles to its utmost speed appeared to reel from fatigue and the rider however undoubtedly he presented himself in the lists either from weakness we're in us or both seemed scarce able to support himself in the saddle to the summons of the herald who demanded his rank his name and purpose the stranger knight answered riddly and boldly i am good knight and noble come hither to sustain with lance and sword the just and lawful quarrel of this damsel rebecca daughter of isaac of york to uphold the doom pronounced her to be false and truthless and to defy the ryan de boigilbert as a traitor murderer and liar as i will prove in this field with my body against his by the aid of god of our lady and of more senors st george the good knight the stranger must first show said malvois that he is good knight and of honorable lineage the temple sendeth not forth her champions against nameless men my name said the knight raising his helmet is better known my lineage more pure malvois than than thine own i am wilfred of ivon hoe i will not fight with thee at present said the templar in a changed and hollow voice get thy wounds healed purvey thee a better horse and it may be i will hold it worth my while to scourge out of the this boyish spirit of bravado ha proud templar said ivon hoe has thou forgotten that twice did thou fall before this lance remember the lists at aca remember the passage of arms at ashby remember thy proud warrant in the halls of rotherwood and the gauge of your gold chain against my reliquary that thou wouldst do battle with wilfred of ivon hoe and recover the honor thou hadst lost by that reliquary and the holy relic it contains i will proclaim the templar a coward in every court in europe in every preceptory of thine order unless thou do battle without further delay poise will bear turned his countenance irresolutely towards rebecca and then exclaimed looking fiercely at ivon hoe dog of a saxon take thy lance and prepare for the death thou has to drawn upon thee does the grand master allow me the combat said ivon hoe i may not deny what thou has challenged said the grand master provided the maiden except thee as her champion yet i would thou were in better plight to do battle an enemy of our order has thou ever been yet would i have thee honorably met with thus thus i am and not otherwise said ivon hoe it is the judgment of god to his keeping i commend myself rebecca said he riding up to the fatal chair does thou accept of me for thy champion i do she said i do fluttered by an emotion which the fear of death had been unable to produce i do accept thee as the champion whom heaven has sent me yet no no thy wounds are uncured meet not that proud man why should still perish also but ivon hoe was already at his post and had closed his visor and assumed his lance why she'll bear did the same and his esquire remarked as he clasped his visor that his face which had notwithstanding the variety of emotions by which he had been agitated continued during the whole morning of an ashy paleness was now becoming suddenly very much flushed the herald then seeing each champion in his place uplifted his voice repeating thrice fit for de boire pro chevalier footnote do your duty brave knights end of footnote after the third cry he withdrew to one side of the lists and again proclaimed that none on peril of instant death should dare by word cry or action to interfere with or disturb this fair field of combat the grand master who held in his hand the gauge of battle rebecca's glove now threw it into the lists and pronounced the fatal signal words let's say a leg the trumpets sounded and the knights charged each other in full career the wearied horse of ivon hoe and its no less exhausted rider went down as all had expected before the well-aimed lance and vigorous steed of the template this issue of the combat all had foreseen but although the spear of ivon hoe did but in comparison touch the shield of boire gilbert that champion to the astonishment of all who beheld it reeled in his saddle lost his stirrups and fell in the lists ivon hoe extricating himself from his fallen horse was soon on foot hastening to mend his fortune with his sword but his antagonist arose not wilfred placing his foot on his breast and the swords point to his throat commanded him to yield him or die on the spot what she'll bear returned no answer slay him not so knight cried the grand master unshriven and unabsolved kill not body and soul we allow him vanquished he descended into the lists and commanded them to unhelm the conquered champion his eyes were closed the dark red flush was still on his brow as they looked on him in astonishment the eyes opened but they were fixed and glazed the flush passed from his brow and gave way to the pallid hue of death unscathed by the lance of his enemy he had died a victim to the violence of his own contending passions this is indeed the judgment of god said the grand master looking upwards fiat voluntas tuar footnote they will be done end of footnote when the first moments of surprise were over wilfred of ivon hoe demanded of the grand master as judge of the field if he had manfully and rightfully done his duty in the combat manfully and rightfully hath it been done said the grand master i pronounced the maiden free and guiltless the arms and body of the deceased knight are at the will of the victor end of section 39 recording by jane benet section 40 of england this is a libra vox recording all libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libra vox.org the world story volume nine england edited by eva march tappan section 40 robin hood and little john latter part of the 12th century whether robin hood was a real person or not he figures in english history as a man outlawed for shooting the king's deer he and his friends love the free life of the forest and they are eager to help those who are in need the many ballads about robin and his men and their numerous pranks were composed to please the common folk and they represent the feelings of the english in the early years of their forced submission to norman rule the editor when robin hood was about 20 years old with a hay down down and a down he happened to meet little john a jolly brisk blade right fit for the trade for he was a lusty young man though he was called little his limbs they were large and his stature was seven foot high wherever he came they quaked at his name for soon he would make them to fly how they came acquainted i'll tell you in brief if you will but listen a while for this very jest amongst all the rest i think it may cause you to smile bold robin hood said to his jolly bow men pray tarry you here in this grove and see that you all observe well my call while through the forest i rove we've had no sport for these 14 long days therefore now abroad will i go now should i be beat and cannot retreat my horn i will presently blow then did he shake hands with his merry men all and bid them at present goodbye then as near a brook his journey he took a stranger he chanced to a spy they happened to meet on a long narrow bridge and neither of them would give way quoth bold robin hood and sturdily stood i'll show you right nottingham play with that from his quiver an arrow he drew a broad arrow with a goose wing the stranger applied i'll lick a thigh hide if they're office to touch the string quoth bold robin hood thou dost pray like an ass for were i to bend but my bow i could send a dart quite through thy proud heart before thou couldst strike me one blow our talks like a coward the stranger applied well armed with a long bow you stand to shoot at my breast while i i protest have not but a staff in my hand the name of a coward quoth robin i scorn wherefore my long bow i'll lay by and now for thy sake a staff will i take the truth of thy manhood to try then robin hood stepped to a thicket of trees and chose him a staff of ground oak now this being done away he did run to the stranger and merrily spoke lo see my staff it is lusty and tough now here on the bridge we will play whoever falls in the other shall win the battle and so will away with all my whole heart the stranger applied i scorn in the least to give out this set they felt it without more dispute and their staffs they did flourish about and first robin he gave the stranger a bang so hard that it made his bones ring the stranger he said this must be repaid i'll give you as good as you bring so long as i'm able to handle my staff to die in your debt friend i scorn then two at each goes and followed their blows as if they had been threching of corn the stranger gave robin a crack on the crown which caused the blood to appear then robin enraged more fiercely engaged and followed his blows more severe so thick and so fast did he lay it on him with a passionate fury and ire at every stroke he made him to smoke as if he had been all on fire oh then into fury the stranger he grew and gave him a damnable look and with it a blow that laid him full low and tumbled him into the brook i pretty good fellow oh where art thou now the stranger in laughter he cried quoth bold robin hood good faith in the flood and floating along with the tide i needs must acknowledge thou art a brave soul with thee i'll no longer contend for needs must i say thou hast got the day our battle shall be at an end then unto the bank he did presently wait and pulled himself out by a thorn which done at the last he blowed a loud blast straight way on his fine bugle horn the echo of which through the valleys did fly at which his stout bowman appeared all clothed in green most gay to be seen so up to their master they steered oh what's the matter quoth william stutley good master you're wet to the skin no matter quoth he the lad which you see in fighting hath tumbled me in he shall not go scot-free the others replied so straight they were seizing him there to duck him likewise but robin hood cries he's a stout fellow for bear there's no one shall wrong thee friend be not afraid these bowmen upon me do wait there's three scorer nine if thou wilt be mine thou shalt have my livery straight and other accoutrements fit for a man speak up jolly blade never fear i'll teach you also the use of the bow to shoot at the fat fellow deer oh here is my hand the stranger applied i'll serve you with all my whole heart my name is john little a man of good metal near doubt me for i'll play my heart his name shall be altered quoth william stutley and i will his godfather be prepare then a feast and none of the least for we will be merry quoth he they presently fetched in a brace of fat does with humming strong liquor likewise they loved what was good so in the green wood this pretty sweet babe they baptize he was i must tell you but seven foot high and maybe an l in the waist a pretty sweet lad much feasting they had bold robin the christening grazed with all his bowmen which stood in a ring and were of the knottingham breed brave stutley comes then with seven yo men and did in this manner proceed this infant was called john little quoth he which name shall be changed and on the words will transpose so wherever he goes his name shall be called little john they all with a shout made the elements ring so soon as the office was ore to feasting they went with true merriment and tippled strong liquor galore then robin he took the pretty sweet babe and clothed him from top to the toe in garments of green most gay to be seen and gave him a curious long bow thou shalt be an archer as well as the best and range in the greenwood with us where we'll not want gold nor silver behold while bishops have ought in the air purse we live here like squires or lords of renown without air a foot of free land we feast on good cheer with wine ale and beer and everything at our command then music and dancing did finish the day at length when the sun waxed low then all the whole train the grove did refrain and under their caves they did go and so ever after as long as he lived although he was proper and tall yet nevertheless the truth to express still little john they did him call end of section 40 read by jane bennett section 41 of england this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Sonia as the narrator Jim Locke as Hubert Devorah Allen as first executioner and Thomas Peter as Arthur the world's story volume nine england edited by Eva March Teppen section 41 Prince Arthur and the Keeper Hubert about 1200 by William Shakespeare the following scene from Shakespeare's King John shows how one of John's attempts to get rid of his little nephew was foiled by the kindness and daring of the Keeper Hubert the editor a room in a castle and a Hubert and executioners heat me these irons hot and look thou stand within the heiress when I strike my foot upon the bosom of the ground rush forth and bind the boy which you shall find with me fast to the chair be heedful hence and watch I hope your warrant will bear out the deed uncleanly scruples fear not you look to it excellent executioners young lad come forth I have to say with you enter Arthur good morrow Hubert good morrow little prince as little prince having so great a title to be more princess may be you are sad indeed I have been merrier mercy on me me thinks nobody should be sad but I yet I remember when I was in France young gentlemen would be as sad as night only for wantoness by my christened him so I were out of prison and kept sheep I should be as merry as the day is long and so I would be here but that I doubt my uncle practice is more harm to me he is afraid of me and I of him is it my fault that I was Jeffrey's son no indeed it is not that I would to heaven I were your son so you would love me Hubert Hubert aside if I talk to him with his innocent prey he will awake my mercy which lies dead therefore I will be sudden and dispatch are you sick Hubert you look pale today ensouce I would you were a little sick that I might sit all night and watch with you I warned I love you more than you do me Hubert aside his words do take possession of my bosom read here young Arthur showing a paper aside how now foolish room turning despiteous torture out of door I must be brief lest resolution drop out at mine eyes in tender womanish tears can you not read it is it not fair writ too fairly Hubert for so foul effect must you with hot irons burn out both my eyes young boy I must and will you and I will have you the heart when your head but ache I knit my handkerchief about your brows the best I had a princess rotted me and I didn't never ask at you again and with my hand at midnight held your head and like the watchful minutes to the hour still and an on sheared up the heavy time saying what lack you and will I so grief or what good love may I perform for you many a poor man's son would have lined still and ne'er have spoke a loving word to you but you were your sixth service head of prince nay you may think my love was crafty love and call it cunning do and if you will if heavenly please that you must use me ill why then you must will you put out my eyes these eyes that never did no never shall so much as frown on you I've sworn to do it and with hot irons must I burn them out none but in this iron age would do it the iron of itself though heat red hot approaching near these eyes would drink my tears and quench his fiery indignation even in the mad of my innocence nay after that consume away in rust but for containing fire to harm my nigh are you more stubborn harder than hammered iron and if an angel should have come to me and told me hubert should put out of my eyes I would not have believed him no tongue but huberts come forth stamps re-enter executioners with accord irons etc do as I bid you do save me hubert save me my eyes are out even with the fierce looks of these bloody men give me the iron I say and bind him here alas what need you be so boisterous rough I will not struggle I will stand stone still the heavens say hubert let me not be bound nay hear me hubert to drive these men away and I will sit as quiet as a lamb I will not stir no winds no speaker word no look upon the iron angrily thrust but these men away I'll forgive you whatever torment you do put me to go stand within let me alone with him I am best pleased to be from such a deed excellent executioners alas I then have chill away my friend he had this dirt look but a gentle heart let him come back that his compassion may give life to yours come boy prepare yourself is there no remedy none but to lose your eyes oh heaven there will but a mote and yours a grain a dust a net a wandering hair any annoyance in that precious sense then feeling what small things are boisterous there your violent tent must need seem horrible is this your promise go to hold your tongue hubert the utterance of a brace of tongues must needs want pleading for a pair of eyes let me not hold my tongue let me not hubert or hubert if you will cut out my tongue so I may keep my eyes spare my eyes though to no use but still to look on you look by my trough the instrument is cold and will not harm me I can heed it boy no in good sooth the fire is dead with grief being create for comfort to be used in undeserved extremes see us yourself there is no malice in this burning coal the breath of heaven hath blown his spirit out and strewed repentant ashes on his head but with my breath I can revive it boy and if you do you will but make it blush and glow with shame of your proceedings hubert nay the chance will sparkle in your eyes and like a dog that is compelled to fight snatch at his master that doth tar him on all things that you should use to do me wrong deny their office only you do lack that mercy which face fire and iron extends creatures of note for mercy lacking uses well see to live I will not touch thine eye for all the treasure that thine uncle owes yet am I sworn and I did propose boy with this same very iron to burn them out now you look like hubert hold this while you were disguised peace no more adieu your uncle must not know but you are dead I'll fill these dogged spies with false reports and pretty child sleep doubtless and secure that hubert for the wealth of all the world will not offend thee oh heaven I thank you hubert silence no more go closely in with me much danger do I undergo for thee axiond end of section 41 this recording is in the public domain section 42 of england this is a leverbox recording all leverbox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit leverbox.org the world's story volume 9 england edited by eve march tappan section 42 fryer bacon's brazen head 13th century by abbey sage richardson fryer bacon was an english scientist and science in the 13th century was a dangerous calling whatever men did not understand was looked upon as witchcraft and the punishment for witchcraft was severe and prompt this learned student is believed to have known how to make gunpowder and to have understood the principles of the telescope indeed he was two or three centuries ahead of his times and he was fortunate to have escaped with no worse penalty for his superior knowledge than persecution and imprisonment and making of a brazen head with the power of speech was described to several philosophers of the olden days but the work of fryer bacon is most famous of them all the following story is a paraphrase of a play written by robert green the english dramatist the editor in a vast and ancient room whose appliances denoted the abode of the scholar and philosopher sat the learned and famous fryer roger bacon beside him a dusty table was thickly strewn with scrolls of parchment rich with age and erudition while a large chest heavily barred and bolted was filled with other treasures and manuscript each worth more than its weight in virgin gold at the father end of the room a vast chimney with smoky furnaces and crucibles containing crude and half-smelted ores and all the various properties of the alchemist occupied one side of the apartment in one corner a huge iron mortar shielded by screens of metal from contact with any spark which might fly from the furnaces was filled with an in odorous mixture of brimstone and salt peter and the black dust which looked like powdered charcoal everywhere on floor and table stood such rude instruments to aid in chemistry and astronomy as the time afforded while all about were such evidences of work and study has made the play seem as much like the workshop of the artisan as the library of the scholar stretched across the upper end of the apartment a heavy green curtain fell in broken folds over some object which it was intended to conceal before this curtain sat the great necromancer of whose art all england spoke in whispered wonder and with bated breath the learned flier bacon of oxford no longer an inmate of the college from whose walls his suspected magic had caused him to be driven forth he dwelt solitary among the surrounding rustics who feared and shunned him and in secret wrought those mysterious works which made him dreaded among men he was now only a little past middle life a man of commanding figure and noble head which seemed heavy with the weight of knowledge he carried and now dropped weirdly upon his hands as he sat steeped in thought his reverie was broken by the entrance of his servant miles the only retainer he could keep about him a half-witted faithful fellow who climbed gratefully to the hand which fed him i cry you mercy good master said miles hastily entering but i could not stay upon ceremony a lord is without the door asking entrance to you it is a fellow in a scarlet coat and wonderful fine otherwise he declares that he is from oxford and will have speech with you and although i said nobody could enter he will come in whether i will or no at which i fearing he might be the evil one himself took to my heels to tell thee about him let him come in answered the friar roused by the servant's long speech from his deep abstraction it is clement the cardinal the pope's legate to england stay miles throw a cloth over the pile of manuscripts yonder pull out that curtain straight now give me the book of the gospels it is enough show the cardinal hither a moment later and the cardinal clement himself the next successor to the papal throne entered the apartment well friar at last we have found your secret hiding place it is no easy journey hither and the road is as hard and narrow as that which leads to paradise i'm sorry for the trouble your lordship took in coming and should have been happy if it might have been spared to you which means so i take it good friar that you are not glad at my coming but believe me i come with no evil intent nor for anything except friendship i know how they have treated the ed oxford and in good earnest i've been always sorry for it learning is not so plenty that it should be put down and from what i know of thy wonderful inventions they are not those that the devil teaches his followers but always of good service to the cause of truth and the true church i pray they do not distrust my motive i come in friendly guise and attended as they'll see as them with no desire but to be instructed in some of that magic discoveries and see what they may avail to science my discoveries are not and to the friar still keeping up the reserve manner he had won since the entrance of his visitor thou hast heard of the magic powder which has so frightened the learned magnets of the college that they drove me outside their walls it is but a composition of simple substances which without any magic art when touched with a spark will give forth a semblance of lightning and thunder if thou wishest i can in a few minutes show thee the secret of it no no good friar return the cardinal shrinking away a little uneasily from the mortar in the corner which bacon approached i trust that word and i am no fool to believe stories of any wizards craft but there is another matter of which i come to inquire of thee thou hast a huge head they tell me of which they'll make you stuff familiar that tells the strange secrets and foretells events they can affect the fate of nations tell me of this on the faith of a priest and a gentleman i ask but for love of science and hear the priest voice sank lower thou hast heard that pope urban grows feeble it is in all men's mouths in Rome that the cardinal legate of england will be the next high pontiff of the church i trust thy honor in telling this until the also that if clement of narban be made the holy father of the church it will be his first mission to do away with the narrow bigotry regarding science and with his own royal hand confer honors on those who make learning their mysteries now do you trust my friendship good friar bacon my lord cardinal i do trust you answered bacon who's keen i had closely scanned the features of the priest while he had spoken but it become a us men of letters to be mistrustful we remember that many who were not heretics have been invited into the presence of the inquisition and have not returned from dance but i trust your word and i will betray to you my mystery rising hastily the friar drew aside the green curtain which had hitherto concealed some object from the view the cardinal turned to face it and then stepped back awestruck at the site which the withdrawing of the drapery revealed placed on a rude pedestal which stood several feet above the floor stood a massive brazen head with grand impassive face and an expression of such dignified grandeur such commanding repose that it was as if the hearty features of some greece and god had been revealed to the awestruck gaze of the cardinal as he gazed from the deep set but luminous eyes true jovain lightning seemed to issue and a deep rumbling sound like distant thunder shook the floor on which they stood the legged involuntarily crossed himself and then looking at bacon who slowly dropped the curtain which concealed the head he asked in a half whisper is this that were mine and one other cherished brother in science master bungay of oxford answered the monk this is the slow work of seven years my lord cardinal and as thou mayest guess wrought for no common purpose this head is formed without most care and skill by direction which i found ripped out in parchments more ancient than the church we worship if my work have no flaw when all is done this head will speak and tell me how i may encircle my england with a wall of brass which now and hereafter will hold her invulnerable to the assaults of all enemies think of such a feat set back in his face growing with enthusiasm is it not worth my work to leave my name on such a monument to my country's greatness truly good friar answer clement a little coldly i doubt whether it be for the good of our mother church and her power over the nations which are gathered under her wings to have one of her children so walled about but for thy good intentions i do not doubt them and for thy learning i have nothing but respect no doubt thy brazen head if perchance it should ever speak will tell the other wondrous things thou shalt not repent if thou let us me have such advantage as may come of its teachings but i confess i should not like to see this little island so girt with brass suppose she might then take it into her head to defy papal authority as armed with such power she might erect in impossibilities my lord exclaimed bacon in so impious a case the wall which should guard england from enemies would topple down to crush her i pray thee put such a charm as that into thy conjurations good friar said clement rising to the park but whatever betide count on me as thy patron and remember that in telling me of my ambition i have left my secret in thy keeping as thine lies in my hands fairly well my son peace remain with thee and with a gesture blessing the cardinal left the apartment it was night and in friar bacon study the faint glean of one solitary rush light made the deep shadows which lurked in every corner more apparent and more awful the curtains which screened the head were withdrawn and it loomed up in the dimness to a gigantic size bending over the table on which the little candle burned with a mania script spread out before him sat friar bacon his face worn and pinched as of one who suffers for want of repose and proper nourishment the marks upon the hourglass beside him showed that it had been turned six times since sunset and the sands of the last hour before midnight were swiftly slipping through the glass ever an anon the friar took up the little timekeeper and shook it gently as if to hasten the passage of the slow hours and often amid his watching and study his head sank lower and lower towards the table as if tired nature would assert her rights and steep him in the sweet oblivion of sleep against his own powerful will all at once he started up and striking a symbol with a little silver hammer he waited till the summons was answered by his servant miles who came in sleepily rubbing his eyes that he might be sufficiently awake to answer his master the friar sat honestly regarding miles till he had rubbed and stretched himself awake are you ready to do me a great service miles he asked at length when the serving man's attention had been riveted by his own fixed gaze anything which thou canst ask good master return miles accept it be to go on errands to the evil one that i would rather excuse myself from such service as i require has no such conditions listen miles thou see as the head yonder miles look cautiously over his shoulder at the awful presence and not at ascent thou know as that for nine and thirty nights friar bungay and i have watched by day and night waiting to hear that which sooner or late its lips are sure to utter if it should speak and its speech be unheeded will be tied the makers and will be tied our hopes of encircling our fair country with the wall which will make her forever invincible tonight i have waited for friar bungay till my eyelids are heavy and i would pain take a brief rest but i dare not leave the head unguarded lest in my sleep it should utter that which i must heed can i trust you to wait here in my sleep and if the head gives signs of speech to wake me suddenly that i may follow its magical instruction it is about four an hour or two and then i will again resume my watch i will watch here as bravely as if i never knew what fear meant good master answered miles i warrant the head will do me no harm and i will repeat so many avais and pauteurs that not a falfine will venture to come near me so good night into sleep let me forget my trusty state which sets without that i may arm myself if anyone entered to do me any hurt and in a trice i will be here to guard thy wondrous handiwork so saying miles brought in a huge bludgeon which he carried on his shoulder in true soldierly fashion the fire rose and pouring a small glass of strong liquor from a flask he handed it to miles saying drink that it will keep thee from growing timorous in thy watch remember that all night wakefulness rests all my hopes and that a moment slumber may wreck them good night and benedictity thus saying the fire who could hardly speak from weariness passed through the door which led into a small inner chamber where he slapped miles was doubly brave from the effect of the potent liquor the friar had given him which now seemed to course through his veins like a swift serpent of flame he glanced defiantly at the head which hitherto he had only regarded the profound awe with drawing himself as far as possible from the mortar in which he knew his master was want to mix the terrible powder whose production had branded him as one in league with satan he sat down near the brazen image to wait for any event which would break up the tedium of his watch the minutes before midnight moved slowly on and the last sands were dropping through the glass already in the adjoining chamber the heavy breathing of the friar told how quickly sleep had seized upon his weary senses sleep away good master said miles approvingly i will take as good care of matters here as if thou were brought awake for my own part i see little sense in so much watching other head which for all we know was made out of an old kettle or a pair of battered helmets as for my master wise as he is he must have a crack in his headpiece else instead of starving me and himself on bread crusts and spring water he would call to his aid some of the brief spirits his art can commend and order good smoking hot meats and wine as good as the king uses and have rich raiment and soft beds instead of a such poor accommodation as he keeps now if thou can't tell him anything to better his conditions good master brazen paid when our miles looking up at the gloomy features which in the dim light seemed to found upon him do so and i'll set the up for an oracle as he spoke these last words a low sound of thunder muttered through the room and shook gently the pedestal on which the head rested a single flash of light lit up the immovable features for one brief instant and from the lips a voice scarcely louder than a whisper yet distinctly audible uttered the words time is is that the beginning of your speech old brazen nose said miles coolly regarding the head as if it were the most natural thing in the world for it to speak thus go on I pray thee and let me hear if thou intendest to say anything worth noting I will not wake my master for so slight a matter as that thou has just announced time is for sooth as if that would be news to any such scholar as fire bacon thou hats best speak sense if thou wits have him listened to thee again the thunder muttered but louder than at first again the lightning gleamed over the impassive features and the voice murmured time was on my life so miles scornfully to think that my master and his friend should spend seven good years in making a head which says no more wonderful thing than any fish monger could tell us time was I am but a fool and I hope I know as much as that why not say something in greek or latin or any of the learned tongues that master bacon knows as well as he knows his breviary or if thou can't speak nothing but common english tell us something more strange than this does think I shall wake up my master to know better entertainment of conversation than thou hast to offer him out upon before a bracket that promises that thy looks more than thy tongue can ever perform for thee while he was speaking a sudden light lit up the head with a brightness like that of day the terrible features were afround so dreadful that the glance struck dismay to the heart of the swaggering miles as he stood motionless with awful accent and in the voice of thunder the head cried out time is past then came a lightning flash so vivid that the serving man fell prone to earth and with a fearful crash the grand head fell a shattered mass of fragments without shape or semblance amidst the dark noise far bacon started up and rushed to his doorway at his feet was the work of seven years of blasted ruin groveling among the fragments laid the wretched miles uttering loud screams of fear peace fool commanded the far raising him to his feet silence and tell me how this happened did the head speak I sir he spake answered miles blubbering loudly but he said not worth noting did stout not say it would utter strange words of learning yet it said at first only two words what words why at first it said time is and I knowing that was no news of consequence waited for something better before I woke thee again it said time was and then with a loud cry it said time has passed and toppled over giving my head many a hard bump with the fragments red idiot villain cried the friar seizing the frightened man as if he would have strangled him that foolishness has cost me the work of years the hopes of a lifetime no words can reveal what that it is see has lost me but go leave my sight miserable vagabond I could kill myself in shame for having trusted thee and releasing his hold of miles the friar sank into a chair and buried his face in his hands it is the last demerit henceforth I bid farewell to magic from this moment I will close my study and burn my books hereafter only to religion will I devote myself and dying I shall leave not even my poor name to add to my country's glory in section 42 section 43 of england read for LibriVox.org by Jane Bennett the later Plantagenet Kings historical note the great charter had done much for the freedom of the English but the barons and prelates still made up the council the extravagance and falseness of Henry III 1216 to 1272 brought into life a strong party pledged for popular rights Earl Simon de Montfort was its leader in 1265 he forced the king to issue rits for a parliament to which two knights from each shire and also two representatives from each city and borough were summoned this was the first representative parliament the beginning of the house of commons civil war arose and in the battle of evesham de Montfort was slain his ideas however lived and during the following reign that of Edward the first 1272 to 1307 what was known as the model parliament was formed Edward the third who came to the throne in 1327 laid claim to the crown of France and thus england became involved in the hundred years war in order to get money for this war and for the crusades many privileges were granted to towns the scarcity of labour brought about by the black death a terrible plague which is said to have swept away half the population of england increased its value and the success of the omen in the war showed them the needlessness of their dependence upon the knights for protection throughout the land there was dissatisfaction and discontent there was also a longing for the religious aid and comfort which the prelates of the church had often failed to make manifest a reformer arose John Wycliffe he instituted an order of poor priests whose work it was to go about through the land preaching to the poor Wycliffe's democratic teachings were believed to be responsible in part for the peasants revolt of 1381 which is said to have been punished by the execution of some 1500 persons Wycliffe himself died peacefully in 1384 but his followers the lolards as they were called suffered severe persecution end of section 43 this recording is in the public domain