CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
THE "BEGGARS."
I do not think I shall ever get the sound of those clanging pumps out ofmy ears. Daylight returned, but a thick mist hung over the sea, andconcealed all objects from sight. The ocean was now calm; we wishedindeed that there had been more wind, that we might with greater speedfinish our voyage. At length, as the sun rose higher in the sky, hiswarm beams dispelled the mist, while a breeze from the south filled oursails, and once more we glided rapidly through the water. We lookedround for the _Falcon_. No vessel answering her description wasvisible, but in the south-west were two or three sail. The _Falcon_ wasnot likely to have been in that position. We only hoped that, shouldthey draw near to us, they might prove friends. Now we set all the sailthe vessel could carry; indeed, every one on board was anxious to takeher home in safety, knowing the reward they would receive for so doing.As the day advanced, two of the strangers drew nearer. They were tallships, their hulls being high out of the water, and their masts crowdedwith sail, towering above them. Our captain regarded them attentively.
"They may be friends," he observed; "but it is not impossible that theyare foes, and we shall do well to keep out of their way."
The wind now favoured us, coming still more astern; and long yards wererigged out on either side of the vessel, from which sails were hungclose down to the water. Active seamen went aloft and hoisted othermasts with yards and sails above those already set. To the extremeyard-arm also spars were run out, from which more canvas was hung.Thus, like some winged creature, we glided rapidly over the smooth sea.
We watched the strangers. The more our captain looked at them, the morehe was convinced that they were French. It was doubtful at firstwhether, with all our exertions, we were getting ahead of our pursuers.If taken, we should not only lose the wealth committed to our charge,but be ourselves placed in prison; and the French had a bad name for theway in which they treated their prisoners. The more anxious we appearedto be to escape, the more eager our pursuers evidently became toovertake us. They also, as they got the wind astern, set fresh sails;and it was evident that we no longer increased our distance from them,rather at times we feared the contrary. We ran on, and, had the shipbeen free of water, we might probably have distanced our pursuers.Still hope kept us up. At night we might have a better prospect ofescaping, but night was still far-distant. On looking ahead, weobserved in the horizon another sail. After looking at her for sometime, we were convinced that she was standing the same way that we were;therefore, even if a friend, she would not render us any assistance.
We stood on, but every hour showed that our pursuers were gaining on us.But we also were gaining on the vessel ahead. And now, as we looked,another appeared. She, too, was a tall ship. Though we saw her, ourpursuers did not; and thus, as I before said, we continued to run on,the chances of our escaping lessening every hour. At length, a flashand a puff of smoke were seen, and the sound of a gun came rolling overthe water.
"Your shot will not reach us yet, my friends!" exclaimed Captain Davis;"and while you are inclined to play at long bowls, we need not fearyou." Another and another followed, till the enemy ceased firing,seeing that their shot fell short. The sound, however, had the effectof calling the attention of the vessels ahead, and we now saw themcoming round to the wind and standing toward us. There were two tallships, and a third much smaller. As they approached, our pursuersseemed to think that they had followed us far enough. All their lightsails were taken in, and they now also hauled to the wind. The two tallships were evidently English men-of-war, while the third was, as I hadsupposed, the _Falcon_. As she passed us, Captain Rover hailed,desiring us to continue our course, saying that he would keep uscompany, while the men-of-war would pursue the enemy. We had now afriend near us; and although the leak gave us ample employment, we atlength safely entered the Thames.
The wind continuing favourable, we ran up, and came to an anchor off theTower.
The fugitives at once landed, and joined their countrymen who hadalready settled in England. The Government of the Queen had wisely andliberally made all possible arrangements for their accommodation;abodes, and places of worship where they might hold their servicesaccording to the Protestant form, being assigned to them.
I proceeded at once on board the _Falcon_, and was amply repaid for therisk I had run by the reception I met with from my kind patron.Aveline's welcome also was abundantly gratifying. I was on thisoccasion much struck by the way in which Captain Rover regarded theyoung lady.
"Yes," I heard him say to himself; "if it were not for the difference ofage, I could believe that one whom I know is now in heaven had returnedonce more to earth. Strange! most strange!"
He did not give me an opportunity of inquiring what he meant. Indeed,it was said only as we were about to leave the ship, and to proceed toSir Thomas Gresham's new house in Bishopsgate Street.
Lady Anne was at this time residing at Osterley. Sir Thomas thereforeremained at Gresham House only one day, in order that Richard's strengthmight be somewhat recruited. We then proceeded to Osterley House, abeautiful residence which Sir Thomas had lately purchased, ten miles outof London. On the approach of our cavalcade, Lady Anne hurried down towelcome her husband and son, as well as Aveline, with open arms. I sawher countenance fall as her eyes rested on Richard. She, at a glance,discovered, what his father had yet scarcely done, that he was greatlyaltered; for he had become daily weaker since we left Antwerp. The bestphysicians from London were called in, but they could give no hope tothe fond parents; and Sir Thomas became fully aware that he must beprepared to lose his only son. The blow was a heavy one. My patron wasa strong-minded man, accustomed to deal with characters of all sorts;but his diplomatic powers, his financial talents, could here avail himnothing. He almost succumbed under the heavy sorrow. Even before heexpected, Richard breathed his last. He knew, however, that the sameHand which had given him worldly prosperity had taken away his son, andhe submitted without murmuring. He said little, but he suffered nonethe less. The pleasant house had become a house of mourning. Aveline,with all a daughter's tenderness, endeavoured to soothe the sorrow ofher kind mistress; and when I next paid a visit to Osterley, I wasthankful to see that both my patron and his lady had regained theirusual tranquil manner. Sir Thomas had entertained the thought, commonto most men who have gained rank and honours, of building up a house.The death of his son altered all his projects. He now began to speak tome of the duty of public men, who have wealth at their command,undertaking works for the general benefit of their countrymen. Numerousprojects passed through his mind.
We had been one day in London, standing out in Lombard Street, where themerchants were wont to meet to transact business, and had been exposedto much damp and cold; the heavy rain frequently compelling us, withother persons, to seek shelter in the shops near where we happened to bestanding, when, on our return to Gresham House, Sir Thomas exclaimed:
"Why should not a great commercial city like London possess a Bourselike that of Antwerp? It would be a great benefit to our merchants; andyet I fear that unless some private person undertakes it, we may neversee such a building erected. The Government, provided they obtain themoney for their wants, can scarcely be expected to care how theirmerchants are lodged."
I, of course, agreed with Sir Thomas, that such a building was verydesirable; but that I scarcely expected that any one would be foundpublic-spirited enough to erect it at his own expense.
"Nay," he said, "but if a man has the means, and the thought is put intohis heart, it is his duty to carry it out."
To plan, with Sir Thomas, was in most cases to execute. At hisdictation, I wrote out a proposal, in which he offered to build aBourse, or Exchange, at his own expense, for the accommodation of themerchants, provided a site should be found on which the edifice might beconveniently erected. One of his principal clerks--Anthony Strynger--was directed the next day, the 4th of January, 1565, to make theproposal in due form before
the Court of Aldermen. At first it wasproposed to establish it in Leadenhall. But Sir Thomas wished to erecthis building in the close vicinity of Lombard Street, so that themerchants might not be moved to any distance from their original placeof meeting. His magnificent offer was at once accepted, and asubscription was entered into by the merchants for purchasing a piece ofground in the position he indicated. Some time, however, passed beforethe stone of the foundation was laid. The ceremony took place on the7th of June, 1567; but so diligently did the workmen perform their task,that the whole was finished by the end of November in the same year. Ishould say that during the period I have mentioned I was sent over toAntwerp--as was also one of my patron's apprentices, John Worrall--toassist Master Clough in purchasing materials for the Bourse. Thearchitect of the building was Flemish--Master Henryke by name. Weshipped large quantities of stone, as also much of the woodwork, fromthe Netherlands. All the wainscoting was made at Antwerp, as was alsothe glass for the windows. It was adorned with numerous statues. Mostof them were executed in England; but Sir Thomas desired to have one,superior to the rest, of the Queen's Majesty. This was executed inAntwerp, and received great commendation. We shipped iron also, and theslates with which the building was roofed. I now continued to reside inFlanders, where Sir Thomas only occasionally paid a visit, as businessof importance demanded his presence. Master Clough, having become wearyof a single life, had gone to his native country--Wales--and had therefound an amiable lady to his taste, and with her he had lately returnedto Antwerp, there to resume his office as Sir Thomas Gresham's chieffactor. My old friend A'Dale had been residing there ever since thetime I last spoke of him, and frequently I had letters from himdescribing events which had taken place. From these I have noted downthe more important points of interest by which my friends in after yearsmay be able to understand the state of the Low Countries at that time.
Before I commence that brief narrative, however, I must say that Avelinecontinued to reside with Lady Anne, and truly to act towards her thepart of a loving daughter. I had for some time entertained hopes thatthe young lady was not altogether indifferent to me. That I myselfloved her I had long since discovered. I had, however, as yet not themeans of supporting her in that state to which, through the kindness ofour friends, she had been accustomed. I spoke, it may be remembered, ofa document which had been placed in my hands by her martyred mother. Onexamination it was found that it related to an estate which wasrightfully the property of her father; but without his appearance toclaim it, she herself could not take possession of it. Sir Thomas hadexpressed his readiness to endeavour to obtain it for her; but onconsulting the lawyers they decided that this could not be done. Herfather--Master Radford--had been outlawed in the reign of King Henry forholding heretical opinions; and unless he should appear and obtain areversion of that outlawry, the estate would remain forfeited. Bypetitioning the Queen's Majesty, however, there would be no difficultyin obtaining this reversion. But Master Radford had not appeared; andgreat doubts were entertained whether he was still in existence.
Oftentimes I thought of expressing my wishes to Sir Thomas, andentreating him to place me in some position where my means would besufficient for the maintenance of a wife; but yet, owing everything as Idid to him, I felt that I ought to wait until he should propose toadvance me, being sure that, had I patience, this he would certainly doat some time. I may mention also that Captain Davis was continuallyemployed in the service of Sir Thomas, especially in bringing over thematerials for the Bourse. Of my friend Captain Rover, however, I invain attempted to gain tidings. He had again left England on a longvoyage; his ship, the _Falcon_, being employed by a company of merchantadventurers.
I have already spoken of the fearful persecutions to which theinhabitants of the Netherlands were subjected by the officers of theInquisition.
At length they could no longer submit to the tyranny under which theygroaned. Some of the principal nobles of the land resolved to opposethe bloody edicts of King Philip. Among the chief was Philip de Marnix,Lord of Sainte Aldegonde, a Protestant nobleman and a true patriot. Hehaving collected a number of other leading men of a similar character,they drew up a document called "The Compromise," by which all thesigners bound themselves to oppose the Inquisition, and to defend eachother against all the consequences of such a resistance. At the sametime they professed allegiance to the King, pretending to suppose thathe was unacquainted with the tyranny exercised over his subjects. Amongthose who first signed this document were Louis of Nassau, brother ofthe Prince of Orange, Henry de Brederode, the Counts of Culembourg andDe Berg. De Brederode at the commencement took the leading part in thismovement.
But all eyes were turned towards William of Nassau, Prince of Orange.He was nominally a minister of the Regent, and Governor of the Provincesof Holland and Zealand; but it was well-known that his heart was withhis fellow-countrymen. Some of the people, however, looked towardsLamoral Count Egmont, who was considered the best soldier of his time;and it was thought he would hasten to the relief of the country. CountHorn, Admiral of the Seas, noted for his bravery, was also considered apatriot likely to come forward in the cause of liberty.
At length, the Compromise having been signed by a large number ofnoblemen and gentlemen, it was resolved to present the petition to theRegent, then holding her court at Brussels. Master Clough, hearing whatwas about to take place, sent me over there to gain information. Iarrived on the 3rd of April, 1566.
On the evening of that day notice was given that a cavalcade of noblemenwas entering the city, and I, with many thousands of the citizens,hurried out to meet it. There were at least two hundred noblemen onhorseback, all magnificently dressed, with pistols in their holsters,and swords by their sides. Count Brederode rode at their head--a tall,stout man, with a soldier-like bearing and handsome features, his lightcurling locks hanging down over his shoulders. Close to him rode CountLouis of Nassau, one of the bravest and most gallant of knights. As thecavalcade advanced, slowly making its way through the streets, it wasgreeted from all sides with frequent demonstrations of applause. Thetwo Counts alighted at the house of the Prince of Orange, while the restof the company, with their numerous attendants, separated to other partsof the city. The following day the Counts Culembourg and De Bergentered the city with a hundred other cavaliers. The 5th of April wasthe day fixed for presenting the petition. The confederates assembledat the mansion of Count Culembourg, a short distance from the palacewhere the Duchess Margaret was prepared to receive them. It was a bravesight to see these three hundred young noblemen, arrayed in the mostmagnificent costumes, walking arm in arm through the street. There waslittle doubt of the risk they ran, but they had resolved to attempt thedeliverance of their country from Spanish tyranny. The daughter ofCharles the Fifth received them in the very hall where he had abdicatedhis throne, many of the nobles who appeared on that occasion beingpresent. Among them were Orange and Egmont. Brederode, advancing,addressed the Duchess, expressing his devotion both to her and to theKing, at the same time pointing out that the edicts and the Inquisitionwould certainly produce a general rebellion if continued. He stated,also, that there was not a man in the country, whatever his condition,who was not liable at any moment to lose his life under the edicts; andthat the life and property of each individual were in the power of thefirst man who desired to obtain his estate, and chose to denounce him toan Inquisitor. He requested, therefore, that her Highness woulddespatch an envoy to the King, and that in the meantime the Inquisitorsshould be directed no longer to exercise their functions. Among thosewho stood near the Duchess was the Baron Berlaymont, who, in a voicestifled with passion, though still loud enough for the petitioners tohear, exclaimed:
"Is it possible that your Highness can entertain fears of these beggars(gueux)? See! there is not one of them who has not outgrown hisestate!"
The same remark was repeated in the hearing of some of the confederates.On their meeting afterwards at a banquet prepared in the C
ulembourgmansion, after the wine had freely circulated, Brederode rose. He wellknew the feelings which the remark I have mentioned had excited in thebreasts of the confederates.
"They call us _beggars_!" he shouted, in a scornful tone. "The joke isa good one. Let us accept the name; we will contend with the abominableInquisition till compelled to wear the beggar's sack in reality!"
He then called one of his pages, who brought him a leathern wallet, suchas are worn by mendicants, and a large wooden bowl.
Hanging the wallet round his neck, he filled the bowl with wine, andlifting it with both hands, he drained it at a draught.
"Long live the beggars!" he cried, as he wiped his beard and put thebowl down.
"Long live the beggars!" resounded through the hall. The bowl wentround, and each noble, pushing his golden goblet aside, and filling thebowl to the brim, drank the same toast: "_Vivent les Gueux_!"
The wine continued to flow fast. While the conviviality was at itsheight, the Prince of Orange, with Counts Horn and Egmont, made theirappearance. Immediately they were surrounded by the nowhalf-intoxicated beggars, who compelled each of them to drink from thebowl, amid shouts of "_Vivent le Roi et les Gueux_!"
The Golden Grasshopper: A story of the days of Sir Thomas Gresham Page 18