"And so thou shalt, Edmund," said Blount. "In faith I am glad thou

thinkest my garb well-fancied, for all Mr. Wittypate here; for when one

does a foolish thing, it is right to do it handsomely."

So saying, Blount cocked his beaver, threw out his leg, and marched

manfully forward, as if at the head of his brigade of pikemen, ever and

anon looking with complaisance on his crimson stockings, and the huge

yellow roses which blossomed on his shoes. Tressilian followed, wrapt

in his own sad thoughts, and scarce minding Raleigh, whose quick fancy,

amused by the awkward vanity of his respectable friend, vented itself in

jests, which he whispered into Tressilian's ear.

In this manner they crossed the long bridge, or tilt-yard, and took

their station, with other gentlemen of quality, before the outer gate

of the Gallery, or Entrance-tower. The whole amounted to about forty

persons, all selected as of the first rank under that of knighthood, and

were disposed in double rows on either side of the gate, like a guard of

honour, within the close hedge of pikes and partisans which was formed

by Leicester's retainers, wearing his liveries. The gentlemen carried no

arms save their swords and daggers. These gallants were as gaily dressed

as imagination could devise; and as the garb of the time permitted

a great display of expensive magnificence, nought was to be seen but

velvet and cloth of gold and silver, ribbons, leathers, gems, and golden

chains. In spite of his more serious subjects of distress, Tressilian

could not help feeling that he, with his riding-suit, however handsome

it might be, made rather an unworthy figure among these "fierce

vanities," and the rather because he saw that his deshabille was

the subject of wonder among his own friends, and of scorn among the

partisans of Leicester.

We could not suppress this fact, though it may seem something at

variance with the gravity of Tressilian's character; but the truth is,

that a regard for personal appearance is a species of self-love,

from which the wisest are not exempt, and to which the mind clings so

instinctively that not only the soldier advancing to almost inevitable

death, but even the doomed criminal who goes to certain execution, shows

an anxiety to array his person to the best advantage. But this is a

digression.

It was the twilight of a summer night (9th July, 1575), the sun having

for some time set, and all were in anxious expectation of the Queen's

immediate approach. The multitude had remained assembled for many

hours, and their numbers were still rather on the increase. A profuse

distribution of refreshments, together with roasted oxen, and barrels of

ale set a-broach in different places of the road, had kept the populace

in perfect love and loyalty towards the Queen and her favourite, which

might have somewhat abated had fasting been added to watching. They

passed away the time, therefore, with the usual popular amusements of

whooping, hallooing, shrieking, and playing rude tricks upon each other,

forming the chorus of discordant sounds usual on such occasions. These

prevailed all through the crowded roads and fields, and especially

beyond the gate of the Chase, where the greater number of the common

sort were stationed; when, all of a sudden, a single rocket was seen to

shoot into the atmosphere, and, at the instant, far heard over flood and

field, the great bell of the Castle tolled.




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