Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651
Page 75
CHAPTER III.
WHAT PASSED IN THE BARBER'S SHOP AT CIRENCESTER.
The storm having now entirely passed away, the sun came forth again.Though the district through which they were travelling was exceedinglywild, it was solitary, and that gave it a special charm in the eyes ofthe fugitive monarch and his attendants. Occasionally a large flock ofsheep could be seen among the wolds, with a shepherd tending them, butnothing more formidable.
As they approached Cirencester, which was to be the term of their day'sjourney, the aspect of the country improved, and they passed two orthree large mansions surrounded by parks.
Far more important, and infinitely more picturesque in appearance, wasthis ancient town in the middle of the seventeenth century, than atthe present time. The castle, celebrated for many historical events,had been demolished, but the walls surrounding the town were stillstanding, and the streets were full of old timber houses, most ofwhich, we regret to say, have since disappeared. Even the old inn,where Charles and his companions rested for the night, has vanished.Notwithstanding these changes, which some may deem improvements, thoughwe cannot regard them in that light, Cirencester (_vulgo_, Ciceter)is a quiet, clean-looking country town, possessing a half-antique,half-modern air, and boasts the finest parochial church, with the mostelaborately ornamented porch, in Gloucestershire. Let us mention thatthe interior of this stately fabric has been admirably restored of lateyears.
Passing through the gate without hindrance of any kind, our travellersrode along a narrow street to the market-place. The king was struck bythe dull and deserted appearance of the town, but its quietude pleasedhim.
On reaching the market-place, he halted for a moment to gaze at therichly-decorated church porch we have just mentioned. Not far fromthe church stood the Chequers--the inn at which they intended toput up--and proceeding thither, the party alighted, and were warmlywelcomed by the hostess, Dame Meynell, who was delighted to see Jane,and conducted her and Dame Gives into the house, where every attentionwas shown them.
After partaking of a light repast they retired to rest. Charles andCareless were of course treated according to their supposed condition,but no guest, whatever might be his degree, fared badly at theChequers, and they were supplied with some marrow-puddings and friedeels and a pottle of excellent sack. Not caring to sit among the otherguests, they went out, after supper, to take a stroll through the town.
Night having now come on, they could not see much, so after ramblingabout for half an hour they returned to the market-place, and entered abarber's shop which Charles had noticed near the inn.
Not expecting any more customers at that hour, the barber, asharp-looking middle-aged man, was about to shut up his shop, but hedeferred his purpose when the two grooms came in, and one of them--itwas the king--seated himself in the chair ordinarily assigned tocustomers, and desired to be shaved.
"'Tis getting late," observed the barber; "cannot you come in themorning?"
"No," replied Charles, "my young mistress starts early. I must beshaved now."
Trimming a lamp that hung overhead, the barber made all necessarypreparations for the task.
While he was thus occupied, Careless, who was seated on a bench,observed the man look inquisitively at his customer, and began toregret that they had entered the shop.
"You have been accustomed to wear moustaches and a pointed beard, Iperceive, friend," remarked the barber, as he covered the king's cheeksand chin with lather; "and I am of opinion that the fashion must havesuited you." And as Charles made no reply, he went on: "Yours is a facethat requires a beard--a pointed beard, I mean, such as the Cavalierswear----"
"But Will Jones is not a Cavalier any more than I am," interruptedCareless.
"'Tis not an ill compliment, methinks, to say that both of you--despiteyour attire--might pass for Cavaliers," said the barber.
"We do not desire to be taken for other than we are--simple grooms,"said Careless. "Prithee, hold thy peace, unless thou canst talk more tothe purpose, and proceed with thy task."
"Nay, I meant no offence," said the barber. "I only wish you tounderstand that you need make no mystery with me. I am a true man, andnot a Roundhead."
He then plied his razor so expeditiously that in a trice he hadfinished shaving the king.
As he handed Charles a napkin and ewer, he said, in a tone of profoundrespect:
"I ought to know that face."
"Where canst thou have seen me, master?" rejoined the king. "I havenever been in thy shop before."
"'Tis not in Ciceter that I have seen you," said the barber, still inthe same profoundly respectful tone; "but in a far different spot, andunder far different circumstances. Little did I think that I should bethus honoured."
"No great honour in shaving a groom," cried Charles.
The barber shook his head.
"No groom has entered my shop this night," he said, "and no groom willleave it. Whatever opinion may be formed of me, let it be understoodthat I am no traitor."
"Nay, thou art an honest fellow, I am sure of that," observed Charles.
"I am a loyal subject of the king," said the barber, "and were hismajesty to come hither I would aid him to the best of my power."
"Were thy suspicions correct, friend," said Charles, "thou must feelthat I could not satisfy them. Think what thou wilt, but keep silence."
He was about to place a pistole on the table, but the poor man lookedso pained that he stretched out his hand to him. The barber sprangforward, and pressed the king's hand to his lips.
At a very early hour next morning all the party quitted Cirencester,and again tracked the old Roman road across the plain.
They had a long day's journey before them, Bristol being thirty-onemiles distant from Cirencester, while Abbots Leigh was four milesbeyond Bristol. The morning was delightfully fresh, and the woodydistrict they were traversing offered charming views.
After awhile they left the Roman way, and pursued a road at the foot ofa range of low hills, and in less than two hours arrived at Tetbury,where they halted. As they had been unable to breakfast at Cirencester,owing to the early hour at which they started, they were now very gladto repair the omission. Jane and Dame Gives, of course, breakfastedin private, but the two grooms, after seeing to the horses, repairedto the kitchen, where they astonished the host by their prowess astrencher-men.
After an hour's halt at Tetbury the party set forth again. PassingHigh Grove and Doughton, and then riding on to Westonbirt Bottom,they skirted Silk Wood, and continued their course till they reachedDidmarton.
During this part of the journey they had met with no interruption.Indeed, there seemed no troopers on the road. On quitting Didmartonthey passed Badminton Park, in which, at a subsequent period, themagnificent mansion belonging to the Duke of Beaufort has been erected,and rode on through the woods and past the fine old manor-house ofLittle Sodbury to Chipping-Sodbury, where they again halted to refreshthemselves and rest their steeds.
Their road now led them past Yate, and through Wapley Bushes toWesterleigh. Thence they proceeded by Hanborow and Stapleton, andcrossing an old stone bridge over the river Frome, rode on to Bristol.