Chapter I: Front Matter

MASTER SKYLARK

A Story of Shakspere’s Time

BY

JOHN BENNETT

ILLUSTRATIONS BY REGINALD B. BIRCH

ALL THAT NICHOLAS ATTWOOD’S MOTHER
WAS TO HIM, AND MORE, MY OWN MOTHER HAS BEEN TO ME
AND TO HER HERE I INSCRIBE THIS BOOK
WITH A NEVER-FAILING LOVE

CONTENTS

I THE LORD ADMIRAL’S PLAYERS
II NICHOLAS ATTWOOD’S HOME
III THE LAST STRAW
IV OFF FOR COVENTRY
V IN THE WARWICK ROAD
VI THE MASTER-PLAYER
VII “WELL SUNG, MASTER SKYLARK!”
VIII THE ADMIRAL’S COMPANY
IX THE MAY-DAY PLAY
X AFTER THE PLAY
XI DISOWNED
XII A STRANGE RIDE
XIII A DASH FOR FREEDOM
XIV AT BAY
XV LONDON TOWN
XVI MA’M’SELLE CICELY CAREW
XVII CAREW’S OFFER
XVIII MASTER HEYWOOD PROTESTS
XIX THE ROSE PLAY-HOUSE
XX DISAPPOINTMENT
XXI “THE CHILDREN OF PAUL’S”
XXII THE SKYLARK’S SONG
XXIII A NEW LIFE
XXIV THE MAKING OF A PLAYER
XXV THE WANING OF THE YEAR
XXVI TO SING BEFORE THE QUEEN
XXVII THE QUEEN’S PLAISANCE
XXVIII CHRISTMAS WITH QUEEN BESS
XXIX BACK TO GASTON CAREW
XXX AT THE FALCON INN
XXXI IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE
XXXII THE LAST OF GASTON CAREW
XXXIII CICELY DISAPPEARS
XXXIV THE BANDY-LEGGED MAN
XXXV A SUDDEN RESOLVE
XXXVI WAYFARING HOME
XXXVII TURNED ADRIFT
XXXVIII A STRANGE DAY
XXXIX ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

“MASTER SKYLARK, THOU SHALT HAVE THY WISH,” SAID QUEEN ELIZABETH

THE LORD ADMIRAL’S PLAYERS. THE TRUMPETERS AND THE DRUMMERS LED, THEIR HORSES PRANCING, WHITE PLUMES WAVING IN THE BREEZE

“WHUR BE-EST GOING, NICK?” ASKED ROGER DAWSON

“WHAT! HOW NOW?” CRIED THE STRANGER, SHARPLY. “DOST LIKE OR LIKE ME NOT?”

“NICK THOUGHT OF HIS MOTHER’S SINGING ON A SUMMER’S EVENING—DREW A DEEP BREATH AND BEGAN TO SING

“NOBODY BREAKS NOBODY’S HEARTS IN OLD JO-OHN SMITHSES SHO-OP,” DRAWLED THE SMITH, IN HIS DEEP VOICE; “NOR STEALS NOBODY, NOTHER”

“DICCON HAD OFTEN MADE NICK WHISTLES FROM THE WILLOWS ALONG THE AVON WHEN NICK WAS A TODDLER”

NICK PUT ONE LEG OVER THE SILL AND LOOKED BACK

“OH, NICK, THOU ART MOST BEAUTIFUL TO SEE!” CRIED CICELY

“THAT VOICE, THAT VOICE!” NAT GILES PANTED TO HIMSELF

NICK GAVE THE SILVER BUCKLE FROM HIS CLOAK TO A BOY WHO STOOD CRYING WITH COLD AND HUNGER IN THE STREET

SO NICK RODE HOME UPON THE BACK OF THE EARL OF ARUNDEL’S MAN-AT-ARMS

“WHY, SIR, I’LL SING FOR THEE NOW,” SAID NICK, CHOKING

“DO NA THOU STRIKE ME AGAIN, THOU ROGUE!” SAID NICK

“OH, NICK, WHAT IS IT?” SHE CRIED

MASTER SHAKSPERE MET THEM WITH OUTSTRETCHED HANDS

MASTER SKYLARK