Chapter X: Evil Times bring Evil Crimes

I love not to think of that Year: still less of those which followed after it! In _July_, _Philip_ of _Spain_ landed on our Shores, and as he placed his Foot for the first Time on _British_ Ground, he drew his Sword, and carried it a little Way naked in his Hand; which, if it meant Anything, certes did mean no Good. The Mayor of _Southampton_ brought him the Keys of the Town, which he took and gave back without the least Token of Good-will or Civility for the Respect. Five Days thereafter, his Marriage with the Queen was solemnized at _Winchester_, he being seven and twenty, and she eight and thirty; and thereon they were together proclaimed as King and Queen of _England_. An Evil Song to _English_ Ears! But oh! the Shews and Pageants that were got up to welcome them in _London_! Giants, offering Addresses; our Condyts running Wine; and what not?

Thereafter, the Queen and her King behoved to go to _Hampton Court_; where, I will just observe, the Hall-door was continually kept shut, so as no Man might enter, unless his Errand were first known; which might perhaps be the Fashion in _Spain_, but to plain, honest _Englishmen_, seemed very strange.

About this Time there were so many _Spaniards_ in _London_, that for one _Englishman_ in the Stretes thou mightest meet four _Spaniards_, with their long, sly Slits of Eyes, and hairy Faces; so that it behoved _us_ to keep our Hall-doors shut and look to our Spoons, for I never heard the King Consort undertook to stand Bail for them. About _September_ they went their Ways; not entirely paying their Bills.

About this Time, the Disaffection of the Body Politic was betrayed by a small Rising in _Suffolk_, soon put down. Howbeit, it gave Occasion for a Talk of twelve thousand _Spaniards_ coming over to strengthen the Crown. Also, from the Queen's common Ordinary of her Household was struck off twenty-two Messes of Meat; which was considered to be paring the Cheese rather close.

Also, the new Coins were issued: them that we call the Double-face. The _Spanish_ Prince, to buy good Opinion, had brought over Heaps of Gold with him. In one Day, there came to the Tower twenty Carts guarded by _Spaniards_, each containing twenty-seven Chests of Treasure, matted about with Mats. But Gold won't buy Love: the common Talk was how he held himself close, and lived sullen, without ever an _English_ Lord at Court save only the Bishop of _Winchester_.

Then Bishop _Bonner_ began his Visitation, to see the old Service set up, and paint out the Scripture Texts on the Church-walls, and set up the Images. They say that, in conducting this Matter, he was little short of a raging Madman, whenever he met with any, the least Opposition.... I think thou mayst believe it of him, when thou hearest what I have presently to say.

Master _Hewet's_ Shrievalty was out; and never was Man better pleased to slip his Neck out of the Collar. We were sitting peaceably together, when a Woman comes in to him all in Tears. 'Twas _Tomkins'_ Wife, poor _Dinah_, to do us to wit that _Tomkins_, with sundry others, had been apprehended by Bishop _Bonner_, and taken for Examination to his Palace at _Fulham_. "And, unless their Manhood fail them," quo' she, weeping, "we may give them up for lost; for he makes the Real Presence a Net for catching Small and Great." We comforted her all we could; but she spake too true a Word.

The Constancy of this poor Weaver, _Hew_, shewn under Examination, was very notable. There were six Prisoners in all; but _Tomkins_, perhaps on Account of his being the elder of them, was brought most forward. To intimidate these poor Men the more, Bishop _Bonner_ had got together a goodly Muster of his Clergy and Friends, Dr. _Chedsey_, Master _Harpsfield_, and others. Beginning the Attack, according to his Wont, with the Real Presence, he put it to _Tomkins_ whether or no he believed in Transubstantiation. On _Tomkins'_ meekly but firmly confessing he did not, and giving his Reasons for that Confession, _Bonner_ struck him on the Face with his Fist, and violently tore out a Handful of his Beard. _Tomkins_ bare this in Silence, remembering Him who stood before _Caiaphas_. Then _Bonner_, lashing himself up, began anew to question him; and being still unable to catch him in his Talk, he seized him by the Wrist; and holding his Hand over a lighted Candle of three or four Wicks that stood on the Table, savagely kept it there till the Veins shrank and the Sinews burst.

"But, _Ned_," quoth this meek Martyr, telling me of it in _Newgate_, "though one of the Bishop's own Friends that stood by turned so sick that he cried, 'Hold! enough!' I affirm unto you that I was so rapt, and in such immediate Communion with my GOD and SAVIOUR, that, _at that Time_, I felt or was sensible of no Pain! I say not I felt none afterwards: I feel it now. But ne'er-theless, I tell thee, _Ned_, I am ready not only to suffer this, but also to die for the Name of the LORD JESUS, if it be his Will."

And many other such godly and comfortable Words he spake, both then and during the next six Months; for I was continually with him. And, during all that Time, his Courage never waxed faint, but he bare that long Probation and Suspense patiently and cheerfully; never rising into Rapture, but full of Love and Hope; and grateful exceedingly unto Master _Hewet_, for keeping his Wife and Child in Bread all that Time.

Then saw I, how diverse, yea, how inferior is that Sort of instinctive animal Courage which made me leap from _London Bridge_, from that moral Courage which enableth a Man kept low, and contumeliously treated, to support, by the Space of half an Year, the Prospect of a cruel and lingering Death.

—Ah, Boy, thou mayest say what thou listest:—thou art a young Soldier.—Besides, thou hast _both_ Sorts; one, maybe, from me; and one from _her_.

And now, to crown all, came over Cardinal _Pole_, whom our _Spanish_ King came down to the Water-side to meet, so soon as he had learned he had shot the Bridge. But in Faith, _Hew_, he was not so evil as the others. He was no longer the Man for whom Queens might die in Love; still less the Youth that had bandied Jests with _More_ and _Erasmus_:—he had known Sorrow, I wot!—his Mother, his Brother, his Cousin, had been brought with Sorrow to their Graves; and albeit his Friends did say of him he should be called _non Polus Anglus, sed Polus angelus_, he carried his Sadness in his Face.

And now, the Church and Realm of _England_ were proclaimed reconciled to the Pope of _Rome_, the slavish Parliament put its Neck under the Queen's Foot, there was great singing of _Te Deum_, and great kindling of Bone-fires;—Alas! there were to be other Bone-fires soon.

The New Year opened ominously. About thirty Citizens, Men and Women, privately receiving the Communion of Mr. _Rose_, their Minister, in a House in _Bow Churchyard_, were haled to Prison. For thou seest, _Hew_, Romanism had now, through the Slavishness of our Parliament, been re-established as _the Law of the Land_, which all Friends of good Order were bounden to uphold; wherefore those were constrained to break it and be classed as bad Citizens who chose rather to abide by _the Law of_ GOD—a Dilemma that ought never to have happened. They that are set in foremost Places are bounden to stand in the Breach, that Evil ensew not unto them whose Place is behind them.

Now, see in what a Strait was Master _Hewet_. He and every other Alderman had to attend _Paul's_ Church on _Paul's_ Day, where the King and Cardinal came in great State, to give Thanks for the Re-conversion of the Realm to the Roman Catholic Church. This was on the 25_th_; and on the 28_th_, the Bishops had Commission from the Cardinal to try all such Preachers and Heretics as lay in Prison. By Virtue whereof, _Gardiner_ and the other Bishops had up before them that very Day, Bishop _Hooper_, Mr. ROGERS, Mr. _Cardmaker_, and others, in the Church of St. _Mary Overy_. I stood, with others, at the Church Door, to see the Prisoners come out. They were remanded to the Compter in _Southwark_ about four o' the Clock, just as 'twas growing dark, till nine the next Morning; and as they came forth, I saw good Bishop _Hooper_ look back and wait a little for Master _Rogers_, whom, when he came up, he cheerfully addressed with, "Come, Brother _Rogers_, must we two take this Matter first in Hand, and begin to fry these Fagots?" "By GOD'S Grace, Sir," quod _Rogers_, "we will." "Doubt not," returns the good Bishop, "but GOD will give us that." And so passed on, Hand in Hand, much cheered and pressed on by the People.

Next Day, they were re-examined and condemned and degraded. The Sheriffs had much ado to guard them to the _Clink_ in _Southwark_, where they kept them in Ward till Dark, hoping the Throng would disperse or ere they brought them across the Bridge to _Newgate_. Howbeit, about eight o' the Clock, I being alone and busied, heard a great Rumour, followed by sharp, shrill Cries along the Bridge, and Master _Hewet_, stepping in, all in a Heat, sayth, "Lights! Lights!" I mutely gave him mine, and fetched another, and we stood at the Door, protecting the Candles from the Wind with our Hands. Others were hastily bringing Candles to their Doors; and still we could hear Men and 'Prentices running forward and crying "Lights!"

"They thought to do a Deed of Darkness in the dark," quod Master _Hewet_, wiping his Brow, "and to smuggle them across to _Newgate_ under cover of the Night; and so sent forward to have all the Candles at the Costermongers' Stalls extinguished ... but, if they're ashamed of their Work, let them abye it!... GOD speed you, Master _Hooper_! GOD save you, Master _Rogers_! The Blessing of GOD be on you and on all like you!"

"The same to you all, dear Friends!" responded the cheerful Voice of the good Bishop as he passed. "The LORD have you all evermore in his keeping."

And then Master _Hewet_ went in and covered his Face and wept.