 Section 1 of Rewards and Fairies. A Charm. Take of English earth as much as either hand may rightly clutch. In the taking of it breathe, prayer for all who lie beneath. Not the great, nor well bespoke, but the mere uncounted folk of whose life and death is none, report, or lamentation. Lay that earth upon thy heart, and thy sickness shall depart. It shall sweeten and make whole, fevered breath and festered soul. It shall mightily restrain over busy hand and brain. It shall ease thy mortal strife against the mortal woe of life, till thyself restored shall prove by what grace the heavens do move. Take of English flowers these, springs full-faced spring-roses, summer's wild wide-hearted rose, autumn's wall-flower of the clothes, and thy darkness to allume winter's be-thronged ivy bloom. Seek and serve them where they bide from candle-mass to Christmas-tide, for these symbols used to write shall restore a failing sight. These shall cleanse and purify, webbed and inward-turning eye. These shall show thee treasure-hid, thy familiar fields amid, at thy threshold on thy hearth, or about thy daily path, and reveal, which is thy need, every man a king indeed. Introduction Once upon a time Dan and Una, brother and sister, living in the English country, had the good fortune to meet with Puck, alias Robin Goodfellow, alias Nick O'Lincoln, alias Lob Lie by the Fire, the last survivor in England of those whom mortals call fairies. Their proper name, of course, is The People of the Hills. This Puck, by means of the magic of oak, ash, and thorn, gave the children power to see what they should see and hear what they should hear, though it should have happened three thousand year. The result was that from time to time and in different places on the farm and in the fields and in the country about, they saw and talked to some rather interesting people. One of these, for instance, was a knight of the Norman Conquest, another a young centurion of a Roman legion stationed in England, another a builder and decorator of King Henry the Seventh's time, and so on and so forth, as I have tried to explain in a book called Puck of Pooks Hill. A year or so later the children met Puck once more, and though they were then older and wiser, and wore boots regularly instead of going barefooted when they got the chance, Puck was as kind to them as ever and introduced them to more people of the old days. He was careful, of course, to take away their memory of their walks and conversations afterwards, but otherwise he did not interfere, and Dan and Una would find the strangest sort of persons in their gardens or woods. In the stories that follow I am trying to tell something about those people. Section 2 of rewards and fairies. 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 Sage Turtle. Rewards and fairies by Rudyard Kipling. Section 2. Cold iron. When Dan and Una had arranged to go out before breakfast, they did not remember that it was mid-summer morning. They only wanted to see the otter, which old Hobbden said had been fishing their brook for weeks, and early morning was the time to surprise him. As they tiptoed out of the house into the wonderful stillness the church clock struck five, Dan took a few steps across the dooblob lawn and looked at his black footprints. I think we ought to be kind to our poor boots, he said. They'll get horrid wet. It was their first summer in boots and they hated them, so they took them off and slung them around their necks and paddled joyfully over the dripping turf where the shadows lay the wrong way like evening in the east. The sun was well up and warm, but by the brook the last of the night mist still fumed off the water. They picked up the chain of otter's footprints on the mud and followed it from the bank between the weeds and the drenched mowing while the birds shouted with surprise. Then the track left the brook and became a smear as though a log had been dragged along. They traced it into three cows meadow over the mills loose to the forge round Hobbden's garden and then up the slope till it ran out on the short turf and fern of Pooks Hill and they heard the cockfizzants crowing in the woods behind them. No use, said Dan, questing like a puzzled hound. The deuce drawing off and old Hobbden says otters will travel for miles. I'm sure we've traveled miles. Una fanned herself with her hat. How still it is. It's going to be a regular roaster. She looked down at the valley where no chimney yet smoked. Hobbden's up, Dan pointed to the open door of the forge cottage. What do you suppose he has for breakfast? One of them. He says they eat good all times of the year. Una jerked her head at some stately pheasants going down to the brook for a drink. A few steps farther on, a fox broke almost under their bare feet, yapped and trotted off. Ah, must Reynolds, must Reynolds. Dan was quoting from old Hobbden. If I knowed all you knowed, I know something. See, the winged hats in Puck of Pooks Hill. I say, Una lowered her voice. You know that funny feeling of things having happened before. I felt it when you said must Reynolds. So did I. Dan began. What is it? They faced each other stammering with excitement. Wait a shake. I'll remember in a minute. Wasn't it something about a fox last year? Oh, I nearly had it then. Dan cried. Be quiet. Said Una, prancing excitedly. There was something happened before we met the fox last year. Hills, broken hills, the play at the theater. See what you see. I remember now. Dan shouted. It's as plain as the nose on your face. Pooks Hill, Puck's Hill, Puck. I remember too. Said Una. And it's Midsummer's Day again. The young fern on a knoll rustled and Puck walked out chewing a green topped rush. Good Midsummer morning to you. Here's a happy meeting. Said he. They shook hands all round and asked questions. You've wintered well, he said after a while and looked them up and down. Nothing much wrong with you seemingly. They've put us into boots. Said Una. Look at my feet. They're all pale white and my toes are squished together awfully. Yes, boots make a difference. Puck wiggled his brown square hairy foot and cropped a dandelion flower between the big toe and the next. I could do that last year. Dan said dismally as he tried and failed. And boots simply ruin ones climbing. There must be some advantage to them, I suppose. Said Puck or folk wouldn't wear them. So we come this way. They sauntered along side by side. So they reached the gate at the far end of the hillside. Here they halted just like cattle and let the sun warm their backs while they listened to the flies in the wood. Little Lindon's is awake. Said Una as she hung with her chin on the top rail. See the chimney smoke? Today's Thursday, isn't it? Puck turned to look at the old pink farmhouse across the little valley. Mrs. Vincy's baking day. Brad should rise well this weather. He yawned and that set them both yawning. The bracken about rustled and ticked and shook in every direction. They felt that little crowds were stealing past. Doesn't that sound like the people of the hills? Said Una. It's the birds and wild things drawing up to the woods before people get about. Said Puck as though he were ridley the keeper. Oh, we know that. I only said it sounded like as I remember them. The people of the hills used to make more noise. They'd settle down for the day rather like small birds settling down for the night. But that was in the days when they carried the high hand. Oh me. The deeds that I've had act and pardon you'd scarcely believe. I like that. Said Dan. After all, you told us last year too. Only the minute you went away, you made us forget everything. Said Una. Puck laughed and shook his head. I shall this year too. I've given you season of old England and I've taken away your doubt and fear but your memory and remembrance between wilds I'll keep where old Billy Trot kept his nightlines and that's where he could draw him up and hide him at need. Does that suit? He twinkled mischievously. It's got to suit said Una and laughed. We can't magic back at you. She folded her arms and leaned against the gate. Suppose now you wanted to magic me into something an odder. Could you not with those boots round your neck? I'll take them off. She threw them on the turf. Dan's followed immediately. Now, she said, less than ever now you've trusted me. Where there's true faith, there's no call for magic. Puck's slow smile broadened all over his face. But what have boots to do with it? Said Una perching on the gate. There's cold iron in them. Said Puck and settled beside her nails in the souls I mean. It makes a difference. How can't you feel it does? You wouldn't like to go back to bare feet again. Same as last year, would you? Not really. No, I suppose I shouldn't. Not for always. I'm growing up, you know, said Una. But you told us last year in the long slip at the theater that you didn't mind cold iron, said Dan. I don't. But folks in housing, as the people of the hills call them, must be ruled by cold iron. Folk in housing are born on the near side of cold iron. There's iron in every man's house. Isn't there? They handle cold iron every day of their lives and their fortunes made or spoiled by cold iron in some shape or other. That's how it goes with flesh and blood and one can't prevent it. I don't quite see how do you mean? Said Dan. It would take me some time to tell you. Oh, it's ever so long to breakfast, said Dan. We looked in the larder before we came out. He un-pocketed one big hunk of bread and Una another which they shared with Puck. That's little Linden's baking, he said as his white teeth sunk in it. I know Mrs. Vincy's hand. He ate with a slow sideways thrust and grind just like old Hobdon and like Hobdon hardly dropped a crumb. Sun flashed on little Linden's windows and the cloudless sky grew stiller and hotter in the valley. Ah, cold iron, he said at last to the impatient children. Folk in housing, as the people of the hills say, grow careless about cold iron. They'll nail the horseshoe over the front door and forget to put it over the back. Then some time or other the people of the hills slip in. Find the cradle babe in the corner and oh, I know, steal it and leave a changeling. Una cried. No, said Puck firmly. All that talk of changelings is people's excuse for their own neglect. Never believe him. I'd whip him at the cart tail through three perishes if I had my way. But they don't do it now, said Una. Whip or neglect children. Some folks in some fields never alter. But the people of the hills didn't work any changeling tricks. They'd tiptoe in and whisper and weave round the cradle babe in the chimney corner. A fag end of a charm here or half a spell there like kettles singing. But when the babe's mind came to bud out afterwards, it would act differently from other people in its station. That's no advantage to man or maid. So I wouldn't allow it with my folks' babies here. I told Sir Huon so once. Who was Sir Huon? Dan asked and Puck turned on him in quiet astonishment. Sir Huon of Bordeaux. He succeeded King Oberon. He had been a bold knight once, but he was lost on the road to Babylon a long while back. Have you ever heard how many miles to Babylon? Of course, said Dan, fleshing. Well, Sir Huon was young when that song was new. But about tricks on mortal babies, I said to Sir Huon in the fern here, on just such a morning as this, if you crave to act an influence on Folkenhausen, which I know is your desire, why don't you take some human cradle babe by fair dealing and bring him up among yourselves on the far side of cold iron as Oberon did in time past. Then you could make him a splendid fortune and send him out into the world. I'm past as past time. Says Sir Huon. I doubt if we could do it. For one thing, the babe would have to be taken without wronging man, woman or child. For another, he'd have to be born on the far side of cold iron in the same house where no cold iron ever stood. And for yet the third, he'd have to be kept from cold iron all his days till we let him find his fortune. No, it's not easy, he said. And he wrote off thinking, you see, Sir Huon had been a man once. I happened to attend Lou's Market next Woden's Day even, and watch the slaves being sold there, same as pigs are sold at Roberts Bridge Market nowadays. Only the pigs have rings in their noses and the slaves had rings around their necks. What sort of rings, said Dan, a ring of cold iron four fingers wide and some thick just like a queat, but with a snap to it for to snap around the slave's neck. They used to do a big trade in slave rings at the forge here and ship them to all parts of old England packed in oak sawdust. But as I was saying, there was a farmer out of the wheel who had bought a woman with a babe in her arms. And he didn't want any encumbrances to her, driving his beasts home for him. Beasts himself, said Una and kicked her bare heel on the gate. So he blamed the auctioneer. It's none of my baby, the wench puts in. I took it off a woman in our gang who died on terrible down yesterday. I'll take it off to the church then, says the farmer. Mother Church will make a monk of it and we'll step along home. It was dusk then. He slipped down to Saint Pancras's Church and laid the babe at the cold chapel door. I breathed on the neck of his stooping neck and I've heard he never could be warm at any fire afterwards. I should have been surprised if he could. Then I whipped up the babe and came flying home here like a bat to his belfry. On the dewy break of morning on Thor's own day, just such a day as this, I laid the babe outside the hill here and the people flocked up and wondered at the site. You've bought him men, Sir Hewan said, staring like any mortal man. Yes, and he's brought his mouth with him too, I said. The babe was crying loud for his breakfast. What is he? says Sir Hewan when the woman folk had drawn him under to feed him. Full moon and morning star may know, I says. I don't. By what I could make out of him in the moonlight he's without brand or blemish. I'll answer for it that he's born on the far side of cold iron. For he was born under a shaw on terrible down and I've wronged neither man, woman nor child in taking him for he is the son of a dead slave woman. All to the good Robin, Sir Hewan said, he'll be less anxious to leave us. Oh, we'll give him a splendid fortune and we shall act in influence on folk and housing as we have always craved. His lady came up then and drew him under to watch the babes wonderful doings. Who is his lady? said Dan. The lady Esklemond. She had been a woman once till she followed Sir Hewan across the fern as we say. Babies are no special treat to me. I've watched too many of them. So I stayed on the hill. Presently I heard hammering down at the forge there. Puck pointed toward Hobdons cottage. It was too early for any workmen but it passed through my mind that the breaking day was Thor's own day. A slow northeast wind blew up and set the oaks sawing and fretting in a way I remembered. So I slipped over to see what I could see. And what did you see? A smith forging something or other out of cold iron. When it was finished, he weighed it in his hand. His back was toward me and tossed it from him a longish quite throw down the valley. I saw cold iron flash in the sun, but I couldn't quite make out where it fell. That didn't trouble me. I knew it would be found sooner or later by someone. How did you know? Dan went on. Because I knew the Smith that made it said Puck quietly. Whalen Smith, Eunice suggested. See Whalen's sword in Puck of Pooks Hill. No, I should have passed the time a day with Whalen Smith, of course. This other was different. So Puck made a queer crescent in the air with his finger. I counted the blades of grass under my nose until the wind dropped and he had gone. He and his hammer. Was it sore then? Una murmured under her breath. Who else? It was Thor's own day. Puck repeated the sign. I didn't tell Sir Hewan or his lady what I'd seen. Varo trouble for yourself if that's your nature, but don't lend it to your neighbors. Moreover, I might have been mistaken about the Smith's work. He might have been making things for mere amusement, though it wasn't like him. Or he might have thrown away an old piece of made iron. One can never be sure. So I held my tongue and enjoyed the babe. He was a wonderful child and the people of the hills were so set on him, they wouldn't have believed me. He took to me wonderfully. As soon as he could walk, he'd putter forth with me all about my hill here. Fern makes soft falling. He knew when day broke on earth above for he'd thump, thump, thump like an old buck rabbit in a burry. And I'd hear him say, Opie. So someone who knew the charm let him out. And then it would be Robin, Robin, all round Robin Hood's barn, as we say, till he'd found me. That's here, said Una. I'd like to have seen him. Yes, he was a boy. And when it came to learning his words, spells and such like he'd sit on the hill in the long shadows, worrying out bits of charm to try on pass or by. And when the bird flew to him or the tree bowed to him for pure love's sake, like everything else on my hill, he'd shout, Robin, look see, look see Robin, and sputter out some spell or other that they had taught him all wrong and first. So I hadn't the heart to tell him it was his own dear self and not the words that worked the wonder. When he got more abreast of his words and could cast spells for sure, as we say, he took more and more notice of things and people in the world. People, of course, always drew him for he was mortal all through. Seeing that he was free to move among folk and housing under or over cold iron, I used to take him along with me night walking where he could watch folk and I could keep him from touching cold iron. That wasn't so difficult as it sounds because there are plenty of things besides cold iron and housing to catch a boy's fancy. He was a handful, though. I shan't forget when I took him to Little Linden's as first night under a roof, the smell of the rush lights and the bacon on the beams, they were stuffing a feather bed too, and it was a drizzling warm night got into his head. Before I could stop him, we were hiding in the bakehouse. He'd whipped up a storm of wildfire with flashlights and voices, which sent the folk shrieking into the garden. And a girl overset a hive there. And of course he didn't know till then such things could touch him. He got badly stung and came home with his face looking like kidney potatoes. You can imagine how angry Sir Hewan and Lady Esklemond were with poor Robin. They said the boy was never to be trusted with me night walking anymore. And he took about as much notice of their order as he did of the bee stings. Night after night, as soon as it was dark, I'd pick up his whistle in the wet fern and off we'd flit together among folk and housing till break of day. He asking questions and I answering according to my knowledge. Then we fell into mischief again. Puck shook till the gate rattled. We came across a man about Breitling who was beating his wife with a bat in the garden. I was just going to toss the man over his own wood lump when the boy jumped the hedge and ran at him. Of course the woman took her husband's part and while the man beat him, the woman's scratch at his face. It wasn't until I danced among the cabbages like Breitling beacon all ablaze that they gave up and ran indoors. The boys fine green and gold clothes were torn all to pieces and he had been welted in 20 places with the man's bat and scradded by the woman's nails to pieces. He looked like a Robertsbridge hopper on a Monday morning. Robin said he while I was trying to clean him down with a bunch of hay. I don't quite understand folk and housing. I went to help that old woman and she hit me Robin. What else did you expect? I said that was the one time when you might have worked one of your charms instead of running into three times your weight. I didn't think he says but I caught the man one on the head that was as good as any charm. Did you see it work Robin? Mind your nose. I said bleed it on a dock leaf not your sleeve for pity's sake. I knew what Lady Esplermond would say. He didn't care. He was as happy as a gypsy with a stolen pony and the front part of his gold coat all blood and grass stains looked like ancient sacrifices. Of course the people of the hills laid the blame on me. The boy could do nothing wrong in their eyes. You are bringing him up to act an influence on folk and housing when you're ready to let him go I said. Now he's begun to do it. Why do you cry shame on me? That's no shame. It's his nature drawing him to his kind. But we don't want him to begin that way. The Lady Esplermond said we intend a splendid fortune for him not your flitter by night head jumping gypsy work. I don't blame you Robin says Sir Hewan. But I do think he might look after the boy more closely. I've kept him away from cold iron these 16 years I said you know as well as I do the first time he touches cold iron he'll find his own fortune in spite of everything you intend for him you owe me something for that Sir Hewan having been a man was going to allow me the right of it but the Lady Esplermond being the mother of all mothers over persuaded him we're very grateful Sir Hewan said but we think that just for the present you are about too much with him on the hill though you have said it I said I will give you a second chance I did not like being called to account for my doings on my own hill I wouldn't have stood it even that far except I loved the boy no no says the Lady Esplermond he's never any trouble when he's left to me and himself it's your fault you have said it I answered hear me from now on till the boy has found his fortune whatever that may be I vow to you all on my hill by oak and ash and thorn and by hammer of Asia Thor again puck made that curious double cut in the air then you may leave me out of all your accounts and reckonings then I went out he snapped his fingers like the puff of a candle and though they called and cried they made nothing by it I didn't promise not to keep an eye on the boy though I watched him close close close when he found what his people had forced me to do he gave them a piece of his mind but they all kissed and cried around him and being only a boy he came over to their way of thinking I don't blame him and called himself unkind and ungrateful and it all ended in fresh shows and plays and magics to distract him from folk and housing dear heart alive how he used to call and call on me and I couldn't answer or even let him know that I was near said if he was very lonely no he couldn't said Dan who had been thinking didn't you swear by the hammer of Thor that you wouldn't puck by that hammer was the deep rumbled reply then he came back to his soft speaking voice and the boy was lonely when he couldn't see me anymore he began to try to learn all learning he had good teachers but I saw him lift his eyes from the big black books toward folk and housing all the time he studied song making good teachers he had to but he sang those songs with his back toward the hill and his face toward folk I know I have sat and grieved over him grieving within a rabbit jump of him then he studied the high low and middle magic he had promised the lady Esklemon that he would never go near folk and housing so he had to make shows and shadows for his mind to chew on what sort of shows said Dan just boys magic as we say I'll show you some sometime it pleased him for the while and it didn't hurt anyone in particular except a few men coming home late from the taverns but I knew what it was a sign of and I followed him like a weasel follows a rabbit as good a boy was ever lived I've seen him with Sir Hewan and the Lady Esklemon stepping just as they stepped to avoid the track of cold iron in a furrow or walking wide of some old ash tot because a man had left his swap hook or spade there and all his heart aching to go straight forward among folk and housing all the time oh a good boy they always intended a fine fortune for him but they could never find it in their heart to let him begin I've heard that many warned them but they wouldn't be warned so it happened as it happened one night I saw the boy roving about here wrapped in his flaming discontents there was flash on flash against the clouds and rush on rush of shadows down the valley till the shaws were full of his hounds giving tongue and the woodways were packed with his knights and armor riding down into the water mists all his own magic of course behind them you could see great castles lifting slow and splendid on arches of moonshine with maidens waving their hands the windows which all turned into roaring rivers and then would come the darkness of his own young heart wiping out the whole slate full but boy's magic doesn't trouble me or Merlin's either for that matter I followed the boy by the flashes and the whirling wildfire of his discontent and oh but I grieved for him oh but I grieved for him he pounded back and forth like a bullock in a strange pasture sometimes alone sometimes waist deep among his shadow hounds sometimes leading his shadow knights on a hawk winged horse to rescue his shadow girls I never guessed he had such magic at his command but it's often that way with boys just when the owl comes home for the second time I saw Sir Hewan and the lady ride down my hill where there's not much magic allowed mine they were very pleased at the boy's magic the valley flared with it and I heard them settling his splendid fortune when they should find it in their hearts to let him go act and influence among folk and housing Sir Hewan was for making him a great king somewhere or other and the lady was for making him a marvelous wise man whom all should praise for his skill and kindness she was very kind hearted of a sudden we saw the flashes of his discontents turn back on the clouds and his shadow hounds stopped baying there's magic fighting magic over yonder the lady esclamon cried raining up who is against him I could have told her but I did not count it any of my business to speak of Asia sores comings and goings how did you know said una a slow northeast wind blew up sawing and fretting through the oaks in a way I remembered the wildfire roared up one last time in one sheet and snuffed out like a rush light and a bucket full of stinging hail fell we heard the boy walking in the long slip where I first met you here oh come here said the lady esclamon and stretched out her arms in the dark he was coming slowly but he stumbled in the footpath being of course mortal man why what's this he said to himself we three heard him hold lad hold where cold iron said sir he on and they two swept down like nightjars crying as they rode I ran at their stirrups but it was too late we felt that the boy had touched cold iron somewhere in the dark for the horses of the hill shied off and whipped round snorting then I judged it was time for me to show myself in my own shape so I did whatever it is I said he has taken hold of it now we must find out whatever it is that he has taken hold of for that will be his fortune come here Robin the boy shouted as soon as he heard my voice I don't know what I've hold of it is in your hands I called back tell us if it is hard and cold with jewels atop for that will be a king's scepter not by a fur along he said and stooped and tugged in the dark we heard him has it a handle into cutting edges I called for that will be a night's sword no it hasn't he says it's neither plowsher whittle hook nor crook nor odd I've seen men yet handle by this time he was scratching in the dirt to prize it up whatever it is you know who put it there Robin said sir he on to me or you would not ask these questions you should have told me as soon as you knew what could you or I have done against the smith that made it and laid it for him to find I said and I whispered sir he on what I had seen at the forge on Thor's day when the babe was first brought to the hill oh goodbye our dreams said sir he on it's neither scepter sword nor plow maybe yet it's a book full of learning bound with iron clasps there's a chance for a splendid fortune in that sometimes but we knew we were only speaking to comfort ourselves and the lady Eskilermon having been a woman said so Thuray Thor help us the boy cried it is round without end cold iron four fingers wide and a thumb thick and there was writing on the breath of it the darkness had lifted by then and the owl was out over the fern again he called back reading the runes on the iron view can see farther forth than when the child meets the cold iron and there he stood in clear starlight with a new heavy shining slave ring round his proud neck is this how it goes he asked well the lady Eskilermon cried that is how it goes I said he hadn't snapped the catch home yet though what fortune does it mean for him said sir he won while the boy fingered the ring you who walk under cold iron you must tell us and teach us tell I can but teach I cannot I said the virtue of the ring is only that he must go among folk in house and hence forward doing what they want done or what he knows they need all old England over never will he be his own master nor yet ever any man's he will get half he gives and give twice what he gets till his life's last breath and if he lays aside his load before he draws that last breath all his work will go for not oh cruel wicked Thor cried the lady Eskilermon ah look see all of you the catch is still open he hasn't locked it he can still take it off he can still come back come back she went as near as she dared but she could not lay hands on cold iron the boy would have taken it off yes we waited to see if he would but he put his hand and the snap locked home what else could I have done said he surely then you will do I said morning's coming and if you three have any farewells to make make them now for after sunrise cold iron must be your master so the three sat down cheek by wet cheek telling over their farewells till morning as good a boy as ever lived he was and what happened to him asked Dan when morning came cold iron was master of him and his fortune and he went to work among folk and housing presently he came across a maid like minded with himself and they were wedded and had bushels of children as the saying is perhaps you'll meet some of his breed this year thank you said una but what did the poor lady esclamon do what can you do when asia thor lays the cold iron in a lad's path she and sir hewan were comforted to think that they had given the boy good store of learning to act and influence on folk and housing for he was a good boy isn't it getting on for breakfast time I'll walk with you a piece when they were well in the center of the bone dry fern Dan nudged una who stopped and put on a boot as quickly as she could now she said you can't get any oak ash and thorn leaves from here and she balanced wildly on one leg I'm standing on cold iron what do you do if we don't go away of all mortal impudence said puck as Dan also in one boot grabbed his sister's hand to steady himself he walked around them shaking with delight you think I can only work with a handful of dead leaves this comes of taking away your doubt and fear I'll show you a minute later they charged into old hobdon at a simple breakfast of cold roast pheasant shouting that there was a wasps nest in the fern where they had nearly stepped on and asking him to come and smoke it out it's too early for a wasps nest and I don't go digging in the hill not for shillings said the old man placidly you've thorn in your foot miss una sit down put on show the boot you're too old to be caper and barefoot on an empty stomach stay with this chicken of mine cold iron gold is for the mistress silver for the maid copper for the craftsman cunning at his trade good said the baron sitting in his hall but iron cold iron is master of them all so he made rebellion against the king his leash can't before his citadel and summoned it's a siege nay said the cannoner on the castle wall but iron cold iron shall be master of you all whoa for the baron and his night so strong when the cruel cannonballs laid them all along he was taken prisoner he was cast in thrall and iron cold iron was master of it all yet his kings fake kindly oh how kind a lord what if I release thee now and give thee back thy sword nay said the baron mock not at my fall for iron cold iron is master of men all tears are for the craven prayers are for the crown halters for the silly neck that cannot keep a crown as my loss is grievous so my hope is small for iron cold iron must be master of men all yet his king made answer few such kings there be here is bread and here is wine sit and sup with me eat and drink and marry's name the wiles I do recall how iron cold iron can be master of men all he took the wine and blessed it he blessed and break the bread with his own hands he served them and presently he said look these hands they pierced with nails outside my city wall show iron cold iron to be master of men all wounds are for the desperate blows are for the strong balm and oil for weary hearts all cut and bruised with wrong I forgive thy treason I redeem thy fall for iron cold iron must be master of men all crowns are for the valiant sceptres for the bold thrones and powers for mighty men who dare to take and hold nay said the baron kneeling in his hall but iron cold iron is master of men all iron out of calvary is master of men all end of section two recording by sage turtle of quirky nomads dot com section three of rewards and fairies by redgird kippling this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to find out how you can volunteer please visit LibriVox.org rewards and fairies by redgird kippling section three gloriana the two cousins valor and innocence have latterly gone hence to certain death by certain shame attended envy ah even to tears the fortune of their years which though so few yet so divinely ended scarce had they lifted up life's full and fiery cup then they had set it down untouched before them before their day arose they beckoned it to close close in destruction and confusion or them they did not stay to ask what prize should crown their task well sure that prize was such as no man strives for but passed into eclipse her kiss upon their lips even belph Phoebes whom they gave their lives for gloriana willow Shaw the little fenced wood where the hop poles are stacked like indian wigwams had been given to Dan and una for their very own kingdom when they were quite small as they grew older they contrived to keep it most particularly private even philips the gardener told them every time he came in to take a hop pole for his beans and old hobdon would no more have thought of setting his rabbit wires there without leave given fresh each spring then he would have torn down the calico and marking ink notice on the big willow which said grownups not allowed in the kingdom unless brought now you can understand their indignation when one blowy july afternoon as they were going up for a potato roast they saw somebody moving among the trees they hurled themselves over the gate dropping half the potatoes and while they were picking them up puck came out of a wigwam oh it's you is it said una we thought it was people us all you were angry from your legs he answered with a grin well it's our own kingdom not counting you of course that's rather why i came a lady here wants to see you what about said dan cautiously out just kingdoms and things she knows about kingdoms there was a lady near the fence dressed in a long dark cloak that hid everything except her high red-heeled shoes her face was half covered by a black silk fringed mask without goggles and yet she did not look in the least as if she motored puck led them up to her and bowed solemnly una made the best dancing lesson curtsy she could remember the lady answered with a long deep slow billowy one since it seems that you are a queen of this kingdom she said i can do no less than acknowledge your sovereignty she turned sharply on staring dan what's in your head lad manners i was thinking how wonderfully you did that curtsy he answered she laughed a rather shrill laugh you're a curtier already do you know anything of dances wench or queen must i say i've had some lessons but i can't really dance a bit serena you should learn then the lady moved forward as though she would teach her at once it gives a woman alone among men or her enemies time to think how she shall win or lose a woman can only work in man's playtime hey oh she sat down on the bank old middenborough the lawnmower pony stumped across the paddock and hung his sorrowful head over the fence a pleasant kingdom said the lady looking round well enclosed and how does your majesty govern it who is your minister una did not quite understand we don't play that she said play the lady threw up her hands and laughed we have it for our own together dan explained and do you never quarrel young burley sometimes but then we don't tell the lady nodded i've no brats of my own but i understand keeping a secret between queens and their ministers hi to me but with no disrespect to present majesty me thinks your realm is small and therefore likely to be coveted by man and beast for example she pointed to middenborough yonder old horse with a face of a spanish friar does he never break in he can't old hobbit stops all our gaps for us said una and we let hobdon kept rabbits in the shaw the lady laughed like a man i see hobdon catches conies rabbits for himself and guards your defenses for you does he make a profit out of his cony catching we never ask said una hobdons a particular friend of ours hoity toity the lady began angrily then she laughed but i forget it is your kingdom i knew a maid once that had a larger one than this to defend and so long as her men kept the fences stopped she asked them no questions either was she trying to grow flowers said una no trees perjurable trees her flowers all withered the lady leaned her head on her hand they do if you don't look after them we've got a few would you like to see i'll fetch you some una ran off to the rank grass in the shade behind the wigwam and came back with a handful of red flowers aren't they pretty she said they're virginia stock virginia said the lady and lifted them to the fringe of her mask yes they come from virginia did you made ever plant any not herself but her men adventured all over the earth to pluck or to plant flowers for her crown they judged her worthy of them and was she said dan cheerfully quien sabe who knows but at least while her men toiled abroad she toiled in england that they might find a safe home to come back to and what was she called gloria na belphi be elizabeth of england her voice changed at each word you mean queen best the lady bowed her head a little towards dan you name her lightly enough young burley what might you know of her said she well i i've seen the little green shoes she left at brickwall house down the road you know they're in a glass case awfully tiny things oh burley burley she laughed you are a courtier too soon but they are dan insisted as little as doll's shoes did you really know her well well she was a woman i've been at her court all my life yes i remember when she danced after the banquet at brickwall they say she danced philip of spain out of a brand new kingdom that day worth the price of a pair of old jews hey she thrust out one foot and stooped forward to look at its broad flashing buckle you've heard of philip of spain long suffering philip she said her eyes still on the shining stones faith what some men will endure at some women's hands passes belief if i had been a man and a woman had played with me as elizabeth played with philip i would have she nipped off one of the virginia stocks and held it up between finger and thumb but for all that she began to strip the leaves one by one they say and i am persuaded that philip loved her she tossed her head sideways i don't quite understand said una the high heavens forbid that you should wench she swept the flowers from her lap and stood up in the rush of shadows that the wind chased through the wood i should like to know about the shoes said dan so you shall burly so you shall if you watch me it will be as good as a play we've never been to a play said una the lady looked at her and laughed i'll make one for you watch you are to imagine that she gloriana belphiebe elizabeth has gone on a progress to rye to comfort her sad heart maids are often melancholic and while she halts at brickwall house the village what was its name she pushed puck with her foot norghum he croaked and squatted by the wigwam norghum village loyally entertain her with a mask or play and a latin oration spoken by the parson for whose false quantities if i'd made him in my girlhood i should have been whipped you whipped said dan soundly sirah soundly she stomachs the affront to her scholarship makes her grateful gracious thanks from the teeth outwards thus the lady yawned oh a queen may love her subjects in her heart and yet be dug worried of him and body and mind and so sits down her skirts foamed about her as she sat to a banquet beneath brickwall oak here for her sins she is weighted upon by what were the young cockerels names that served gloriana at table fluent's court hopes fellas hussies puck began she held up her long jeweled hand spare her the rest they were the best blood of sussex and by so much the more clumsy in handling the dishes and plates wherefore she looked funnily over her shoulder you are to think of gloria in a green and gold-laced habit dreadfully expecting that the jostling youths behind her would have pure jealousy or devotion spatter it with sauces and wines the gown was phillips gift too at this happy juncture a queen's messenger mounted and mired spurs up the rye road and delivers her a letter she giggled a letter from a good simple frantic spanish gentleman called don philip that wasn't philip king of spain dan asked truly it was tricked you and me and the bedpost young burley these kings and queens are very like men and women and i've heard they write each other fond foolish letters that none of their ministers should open did her ministers ever open queen elizabeth's letters seruna faith yes but she'd have done as much for theirs any day you are to think of gloria then they say she had a pretty hand excusing herself thus to the company for the queen's time is never her own and while the music strikes up reading philip's letter as i do she drew a real letter from her pocket and held it out almost at arm's length like the old postmistress in the village when she reads telegrams philip writes as ever most lovingly he says his gloria is cold for which reason he burns for her through a fair written page she turned it with a snap what's here philip complains that certain of her gentleman have fought against his generals in the low countries he prays her to hang them when they re-enter her realms that's his maybe here's a list of burnt shipping slipped between two vows of burning adoration oh poor philip his admirals at sea no less than three of them have been boarded sacked and scuttled on their lawful voyages by certain english mariners gentlemen he will not call them who are now at large and working more piracies in his american ocean which the pope gave him he and the pope should guard it then philip hears but his devout ears will not credit it that gloria in some fashion countenances these villains misdeeds shares in their booty and oh shame has even lent them ships royal for their sinful thefts therefore he requires which is a word gloria loves not requires that she shall hang them when they return to england and afterwards shall account to him for all the goods and golds they have plundered most loving request if gloria will not be philip's bride she shall be his broker and his butcher should she still be stiff-necked he writes see where the pen digged the innocent paper that he hath both the means and the intention to be revenged on her aha now we come to the spanyard in his shirt she waved the letter merrily listen here philip will prepare for gloria a destruction from the west a destruction from the west far exceeding that which pedro de avila rocked upon the huganots and he rests and remains kissing her feet and her hands her slave her enemy or her conqueror as he shall find that she uses him she thrust back the letter under her cloak and went on acting but in a softer voice all this while hark to it the wind blows through brick wall oak the music plays and with the company's eyes upon her the queen of england must think what this means she cannot remember the name of pedro de avila nor what he did to the huganots nor when nor where she can only see darkly some dark motion moving in philip's dark mind for he hath never written before in this fashion she must smile above the letter as though it were good news from her ministers the smile that tires the mouth and the poor heart what shall she do again her voice changed you are to fancy that the music of a sudden wavers away chris hatton captain of her bodyguard quits the table all red and ruffled and gloria's virgin ear catches the clash of swords at work behind a wall the mothers of sussex look round to count their chicks i mean those young gamecocks that waited on her two dainty youths have stepped aside into brick wall garden with rapier and dagger on a private point of honor they are hailed out through the gate disarmed and glaring the lively image of a brace of young cupids transformed into pale panting canes a hem gloria beckons awfully thus they come up for judgment their lives and estates lie at her mercy whom they have doubly offended both as queen and woman but la what will not foolish young men do for a beautiful maid why what did she do what had they done said una sh you mar the play gloria had guessed the cause of the trouble they were handsome lads so she frowns a while and tells them not to be bigger fools than their mothers had made them and warns them if they do not kiss and be friends on the instant she'll have chris hatton horse and bircham in the style of the new school at harrow chris looks sour at that lastly because she needed time to think on phillips letter burning in her pocket she signifies her pleasure to dance with them and teach them better manners where at the revived company call down heaven's blessing on her gracious head chris and the others prepare brickwall house for a dance and she walks in the clipped garden between those two lovely young sinners who are both ready to sink for shame they confess their fault it appears that midway in the banquet the elder they were cousins conceived that the queen looked upon him with special favor the younger taking the look to himself after some words gives the elder the lie hence as she guessed the duel and which had she really looked at dan asked neither except to wish them farther off she was afraid all the while they'd spilled dishes on her gown she tells him this poor chicks and it completes their abasement when they had grilled long enough she says and so you would have fleshed your maiden swords for me for me faith they would have been at it again if she'd egged them on but their swords oh critically they said it had been drawn for her once or twice already and where says she on your hobby horses before you were breached on my own ship says the elder my cousin was vice admiral of our venture in his pinnness we would not have you think of us as brawling children no no says the younger and flames like a very tutor rose at least the spaniards know us better admiral boy vice admiral babe says gloria I cry your pardon the heat of these present times ripens childhood to age more quickly than I can follow but we are at peace with Spain where did you break your queen's peace on the sea called the Spanish main though tis no more Spanish than my doublet says the elder guess how that warmed gloria on his already melting heart she would never suffer any sea to be called Spanish in her private hearing and why was I not told what booty got you and where have you hid it disclose says she you stand in some danger of the gallows for pirates the axe most gracious lady says the elder for we are gentleborn he spoke truth but no woman can brook contradiction hi to ity says she and but that she remembered that she was a queen she'd have cuffed the pair of them it shall be gallows hurdle and dunk heart if I choose had our queen known of our going beforehand Philip might have held her to blame for some small things we did on the seas the younger lists as for treasure says the elder we brought back but our bear lives we were wrecked on the gas gond's graveyard where our sole company for three months was the bleached bones of day Avila's men gloria on his mind jumped back to Philip's last letter day Avila that destroyed the Huguenots what do you know of him she says the music called from the house here and they three turned back between the use simply that day Avila broke in upon a plantation of Frenchmen on that coast and very spaniardly hung them all for heretics eight hundred or so the next year Dominique to Gorge a gas gun broke in upon day Avila's men and very justly hung them all for murderers five hundred or so no Christians inhabit there now says the elder lad though it is a goodly land north of Florida how far is it from England asks prudent gloria with a fair wind six weeks they say that Philip will plant it again soon this was the younger and he looked at her out of the corner of his innocent eye Chris Hatton fuming meets and leads her into brick wall hall where she dances thus a woman can think while she dances can think i'll show you watch she took off her cloak slowly and stood forth in dove colored satin worked over with pearls that trembled like running water in the running shadows of the trees still talking more to herself than to the children she swam into a majestical dance of the stateliest balancing the haughtiest wheelings and turning aside the most dignified sinkings the gravest risings all joined together by the elaboratest interlacing steps and circles they leaned forward breathlessly to watch the splendid acting would a Spaniard she began looking on the ground speak of his revenge till his revenge were ripe no yet a man who loved a woman might threaten her in the hope that his threats would make her love him such things have been she moved slowly across a bar of sunlight a destruction from the west may signify that philip means to descend on ireland but then my irish spies would have had some warning the irish keep no secrets no it is not ireland now why why why the red shoes clicked and paused does philip name Pedro Melendez de Avila a general in his americas unless she turns more quickly unless he intends to work his destruction from the americas did he say de Avila only to put her off her guard or for this once has his black pen betrayed his black heart we she raised herself to her full height england must first all master philip that's not openly she sank again we cannot fight spain openly not yet not yet she stepped three paces as though she were pegging down some snare with her twinkling shoe buckles the queen's mad gentleman may fight philip's poor admirals where they find him but england gloriana harry's daughter must keep the peace perhaps after all philip loves her as many men and boys do that may help england oh what shall help england she raised her head the masked head that seemed to have nothing to do with a busy feet and stared straight at the children i think this is rather creepy said una with a shiver i wish she'd stop the lady held out her jeweled hand as though she were taking someone else's hand in the grand chain can a ship go down into the gascon's graveyard and wait there she asked into the air and passed on rustling she's pretending to ask one of the cousins isn't she said dan and puck nodded back she came in the silent swaying ghostly dance they saw she was smiling beneath the mask and they could hear her breathing hard i cannot lend you any my ships for the venture philip would hear of it she whispered over her shoulder but as much guns and powder as you ask if you do not ask to her voice shut up and she stamped her foot thrice louder louder the music in the gallery oh me but i have burst out of my shoe she gathered her skirts in each hand and began a curtsy you will go at your own charges she whispered straight before her oh enviable and adorable age of youth her eyes shone through the mask holes but i warn you you'll repent it put not your trust in princes or queens philips ships will blow you out of water you'll not be frightened well we'll talk on it again when i return from rye dear lads the wonderful curtsy ended she stood up nothing stirred on her except the rush of the shadows and so it was finished she said to the children why do you not applaud what was finished said una the dance the lady replied offendedly and a pair of green shoes i don't understand a bit said una huh what did you make of it young burley i'm not quite sure dan began but you never can be with a woman but but i thought gloriana meant the cousins to go back to the gascon's graveyard wherever that was twas virginia afterwards her plantation of virginia virginia afterwards and stopped philip from taking it didn't she say she'd lend them guns right so but not ships then and i thought you meant they must have told her they'd do it off their own back without getting her into a row with philip was i right near enough for a minister of the queen but remember she gave the lads full time to change their minds she was three long days at rye royal nighting of fat mayors when she came back to brickwall they met her a mile down the road and she could feel their eyes burned through her riding mask chris hatton poor fool was vexed at it you would not birch them when i gave you the chance says she to chris now you must get me half an hour's private speech with them in brickwall garden eve tempted adam in a garden quick man or i may repent she was a queen why did she not send for them herself said una the lady shook her head that was never her way i've seen her walk to her own mirror by bayans and the woman that cannot walk straight there is past praying for yet i would have you pray for her what else what else in england's name could she have done she lifted her hand to her throat for a moment faith she cried i'd forgotten the little green shoes she left him at brickwall so she did and i remember she gave the norgem parson john withers was he a text for his sermon over edam have i cast out my shoe neat if he'd understood i don't understand said una what about the two cousins you are as cruel as a woman the lady answered i was not to blame i told you i gave him time to change their minds on my honor i did me she asked no more of them at first than to wait a while off that coast the gascon's graveyard to hover a little if their ships chanced to pass that way they had only one tall ship and a penis only to watch and bring me word of philip's doings one must watch philip always what a marine right had he to make any plantation there a hundred leagues north of his spanish main and only six weeks from england by my dread father's soul i tell you he had none none she stamped her red foot again and the two children shrunk back for a second nay nay you must not turn from me too she laid it all fairly before the lads in brickwall garden between the use i told him that if philip sent a fleet and to make a plantation he could not well send less their poor little cock boats could not sink it they answered that with submission the fight would be their own concern she showed him again that there could only be one end to it quick death on the sea or slow death in philip's prisons they asked no more than to embrace death for my sake many men have prayed to me for life i've refused him and slept none the worse after but when my men my tall fantastical young men beseech me on their knees for leave to die for me it shakes me ah it shakes me to the marrow of my old bones her chest sounded like a board as she hit it she showed them all i told him that this was no time for open war with spain if by miracle inconceivable they prevailed against philip's fleet philip would hold me accountable for england's sake to save war i should even be forced i told him so to give him up their young lives if they failed and again by some miracle escaped philip's hand and crept back to england with their bare lives they must lie oh i told them all under my sovereign displeasure she could not know them see them nor hear their names nor stretch out a finger to save them from the gallows if philip chose to ask it be at the gallows then says the elder i could have wept but that my face was made for that day either way anyway this venture is death which i know you fear not but it is death with a short dishonor i cried yet our queen will know in her heart what we have done says the younger sweetheart i said a queen has no heart but she is a woman and a woman would not forget says the elder we will go they knelt at my feet nay dear lads but here i said and i opened my arms to them and i kissed them be ruled by me i said we'll hire some ill-featured old tarry breaks of an admiral to watch the graveyard and you shall come to court hire whom you please says the elder we are ruled by you body and soul and the younger who shook most when i kissed him says between his white lips i think you have power to make a god of a man come to court and be sure of it i says they shook their heads and i knew i knew that go they would if i had not kissed them perhaps i might have prevailed then why did you do it said una i don't think you knew really what you wanted done may it please your majesty the lady bowed her head low this gloriaana whom i have represented for your pleasure was a woman and a queen remember her when you come to your kingdom but did the cousins go to the gascon's graveyard said dan as una frowned they went said the lady did they ever come back una began but did they stop king phillips fleet dan interrupted the lady turned to him eagerly do you think they did right to go she asked i don't see what else they could have done dan replied after thinking it over do you think she did right to send them the lady's voice rose a little well said dan i don't see what else she could have done either do you how did they stop king phillip from getting virginia there's the sad part of it they sailed out that autumn from rye royal and there never came back so much as a single rope yarn to show what had befallen them the winds blew and they were not does that make you alter your mind young burley i expect they were drowned then anyhow phillip didn't score did he gloriaana wiped out her score with phillip later but if phillip had won would you have blamed gloriaana for wasting those lads lives of course not she was bound to try to stop him the lady coughed you'll have the root of the matter in you where i queen i'd make you minister we don't play that game said una who felt that she disliked the lady as much as she disliked the noise the high wind made tearing through willow shaw play said the lady with a laugh and threw up her hands effectively the sunshine caught the jewels on her many rings and made them flash till una's eyes dazzled and she had to rub them then she saw dan on his knees picking up the potatoes they had spilled at the gate there wasn't anybody in the shaw after all he said didn't you think you saw someone i'm most awfully glad there isn't said una then they went on with the potato roast the looking glass queen bes was harry's daughter the queen was in her chamber and she was middling old her petticoat was sat in and her stomacher was gold backwards and forwards and sideways did she pass making up her mind to face the cruel looking glass the cruel looking glass that will never show a laugh as comely or as kindly or as young as once she was the queen was in her chamber a combing of her hair there came queen mary's spirit and it stood behind her chair singing backwards and forwards and sideways may you pass but i will stand behind you till you face the looking glass the cruel looking glass that will never show a laugh as lovely or unlucky or as lonely as i was the queen was in her chamber a weeping very sore there came lord lester's spirit and it scratched upon the door singing backwards and forwards and sideways may you pass but i will walk beside you till you face the looking glass the cruel looking glass that will never show a laugh as hard and unforgiving or as wicked as you was the queen was in her chamber her sins were on her head she looked the spirits up and down and statelessly she said backwards and forwards and sideways though i've been yet i am harry's daughter and i am england's queen and she faced the looking glass and whatever else there was and she saw her day was over and she saw her beauty pass in the cruel looking glass that can always hurt a laugh more hard than any ghost there is or any man there was end of section three