saint george for england-第3章
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s men； and it was he； I believe； who brought Sir Roland Somers to that side。 He was slain on the same night as Mortimer； and his lands； like those of Sir Roland； have been seized by the crown。 The child upstairs is by right heir to both estates； seeing that his uncle died unmarried。 They will doubtless be conferred upon those who have aided the young king in freeing himself from his mother's domination； for which； indeed； although I lament that Lady Alice should have suffered so sorely in the doing of it； I blame him not at all。 He is a noble prince and will make us a great king； and the doings of his mother have been a shame to us all。 However； I meddle not in politics。 If the poor lady dies； as methinks is well…nigh certain； Bertha and I will bring up the boy as our own。 I have talked it over with my wife； and so far she and I are not of one mind。 I think it will be best to keep him in ignorance of his birth and lineage； since the knowledge cannot benefit him； and will but render him discontented with his lot and make him disinclined to take to my calling； in which he might otherwise earn a living and rise to be a respected citizen。 But Bertha hath notions。 You have not taken a wife to yourself； Master Geoffrey； or you would know that women oft have fancies which wander widely from hard facts； and she says she would have him brought up as a man…at…arms； so that he may do valiant deeds； and win back some day the title and honour of his family。〃
Geoffrey Ward laughed。 〃Trust a woman for being romantic；〃 he said。 〃However； Master Fletcher； you need not for the present trouble about the child's calling； even should its mother die。 At any rate； whether he follows your trade； or whether the blood in his veins leads him to take to martial deeds； the knowledge of arms may well be of use to him； and I promise you that such skill as I have I will teach him when he grows old enough to wield sword and battle…axe。 As you know I may； without boasting； say that he could scarce have a better master； seeing that I have for three years carried away the prize for the best sword… player at the sports。 Methinks the boy will grow up into a strong and stalwart man； for he is truly a splendid lad。 As to archery； he need not go far to learn it； since your apprentice； Will Parker； last year won the prize as the best marksman in the city bounds。 Trust me； if his tastes lie that way we will between us turn him out a rare man…at…arms。 But I must stand gossiping no longer； the rumours that we are likely ere long to have war with France； have rarely bettered my trade。 Since the wars in Scotland men's arms have rusted somewhat； and my two men are hard at work mending armour and fitting swords to hilts； and forging pike…heads。 You see I am a citizen though I dwell outside the bounds； because house rent is cheaper and I get my charcoal without paying the city dues。 So I can work somewhat lower than those in the walls； and I have good custom from many in Kent； who know that my arms are of as good temper as those turned out by any craftsman in the city。〃
Giles Fletcher's anticipations as to the result of his guest's illness turned out to be well founded。 The fever abated； but left her prostrate in strength。 For a few weeks she lingered； but she seemed to have little hold of life； and to care not whether she lived or died。 So； gradually she faded away。
〃I know you will take care of my boy as if he were your own； Bertha；〃 she said one day； 〃and you and your husband will be far better protectors for him than I should have been had I lived。 Teach him to be honest and true。 It were better； methinks； that he grew up thinking you his father and mother； for otherwise he may grow discontented with his lot； but this I leave with you； and you must speak or keep silent according as you see his disposition and mind。 If he is content to settle down to a peaceful life here； say nought to him which would unsettle his mind； but if Walter turn out to have an adventurous disposition； then tell him as much as you think fit of his history； not encouraging him to hope to recover his father's lands and mine； for that can never be； seeing that before that time can come they would have been enjoyed for many years by others； but that he may learn to bear himself bravely and gently as becomes one of good blood。〃
A few days later Lady Alice breathed her last； and at her own request was buried quietly and without pomp； as if she had been a child of the bowman； a plain stone； with the name 〃Dame Alice Somers〃； marking the grave。
The boy grew and throve until at fourteen years old there was no stronger or sturdier lad of his age within the city bounds。 Giles had caused him to be taught to read and write； accomplishments which were common among the citizens； although they were until long afterwards rare among the warlike barons。 The greater part of his time； however； was spent in sports with lads of his own age in Moorfields beyond the walls。 The war with France was now raging； and； as was natural； the boys in their games imitated the doings of their elders； and mimic battles； ofttimes growing into earnest； were fought between the lads of the different wards。 Walter Fletcher； as he was known among his play…fellows； had by his strength and courage won for himself the proud position of captain of the boys of the ward of Aldgate。
Geoffrey Ward had kept his word； and had already begun to give the lad lessons in the use of arms。 When not engaged otherwise Walter would； almost every afternoon； cross London Bridge and would spend hours in the armourer's forge。 Geoffrey's business had grown； for the war had caused a great demand for arms； and he had now six men working in the forge。 As soon as the boy could handle a light tool Geoffrey allowed him to work； and although not able to wield the heavy sledge Walter was able to do much of the finer work。 Geoffrey encouraged him in this； as； in the first place； the use of the tools greatly strengthened the boy's muscles； and gave him an acquaintance with arms。 Moreover； Geoffrey was still a bachelor； and he thought that the boy； whom he as well as Giles had come to love as a son； might； should he not take up the trade of war； prefer the occupation of an armourer to that of a bowmaker； in which case he would take him some day as his partner in the forge。 After work was over and the men had gone away； Geoffrey would give the lad instructions in the use of the arms at which he had been at work； and so quick and strong was he that he rapidly acquired their use； and Geoffrey foresaw that he would one day； should his thoughts turn that way； prove a mighty man…at…arms。
It was the knowledge which he acquired from Geoffrey which had much to do with Walter's position among his comrades。 The skill and strength which he had acquired in wielding the hammer； and by practice with the sword rendered him a formidable opponent with the sticks； which formed the weapons in the mimic battles； and indeed not a few were the complaints which were brought before Giles Fletcher of bruises and hurts caused by him。
〃You are too turbulent； Walter；〃 the bowyer said one day when a haberdasher from the ward of Aldersgate came to complain that his son's head had been badly cut by a blow with a club from Walter Fletcher。 〃You are always getting into trouble； and are becoming the terror of other boys。 Why do you not play more quietly？ The feuds between the boys of different wards are becoming a serious nuisance； and many injuries have been inflicted。 I hear that the matter has been mentioned in the Common Council； and that there is a talk of issuing an order that no boy not yet apprenticed to a trade shall be allowed to carry a club； and that any found doing so shall be publicly whipped。〃
〃I don't want to be turbulent；〃 Walter said； 〃but if the Aldersgate boys will defy us； what are we to do？ I don't hit harder than I can help； and if Jonah Harris would leave his head unguarded I could not help hitting it。〃
〃I tell you it won't do； Walter；〃 Giles said。 〃You will be getting yourself into sore trouble。 You are growing too masterful altogether； and have none of the quiet demeanour and peaceful air which becomes an honest citizen。 In another six months you will be appr
