The eyght dayes iourney, being Munday of the fourth weeke.
On Munday morning I daunst to Rockland ere I rested, and comming to my Inne, where the Hoast was a very boone companion, I desired to see him; but in no case he would be spoken with till he had shifted himselfe from his working dayes sute. Being armed at all poyntes, from the cap to the codpeece, his blacke shooes shining and made straght with copper buckles of the best, his garters in the fashion, and euery garment fitting Corremsquandam (to use his owne word), hee enters the Hall, with his bonnet in his hand, began to crye out:
“O Kemp, deere Master Kemp! you are euen as welcome as—as—as—,” and so stammering he began to study for a fit comparison, and, I thanke him, at last he fitted me; for saith he, “thou art euen as welcome as the Queenes best grey-hound.” After this dogged yet well-meaning salutation, the Carrowses were called in; and my friendly Hoast of Rockland [began withall this, blessing] the houre vppon his knees, that any of the Queenes Maiesties well-willers or friends would vouchsafe to come within his house; as if neuer any such had been within his doores before.
I tooke his good meaning, and gaue him great thankes for his kindenesse; and hauing rested mee well, began to take my course for Hingham, whether my honest Hoast of Rockland would needs be my guide: but, good true fat-belly, he had not followed mee two fieldes, but he lyes all along, and cryes after me to come backe and speake with him. I fulfild his request: and comming to him, “Dauncer,” quoth hee, “if thou daunce a Gods name, God speede thee! I cannot follow thee a foote farther; but adieu, good dauncer; God speed thee, if thou daunce a Gods name!”
I, hauing haste of my way, and he being able to keep no way, there wee parted. Farewell he: he was a kinde good fellow, a true Troyan; and if euer be my lucke to meete him at more leasure, Ile make him full amendes with a Cup full of Canarie. But nowe I am a little better aduis’d, wee must not thus let my madde Hoast passe; for my friend, late mentioned before, that made the odde rime on my Maide-marian, would needes remember my Hoast. Such as it is, He bluntly set downe.
[He was a man] not ouer spare;
In his eyebals dwelt no care.
“Anon, anon,” and “[Welcome], friend,”
Were the most words he vsde to spend,
Saue sometime he would sit and tell
[What wonders once in Bullayne fell],
Closing each Period of his tale
With a full cup of Nut-browne Ale.
[Turwin and Turneys siedge were hot],
Yet all my Hoast remembers not:
[Kets field] and [Muscleborough fray]
Were battles fought but yesterday.
“O, ’twas a goodly matter then
To see your sword and buckler men!
They would lye heere, and here and there,
But I would meete them euery where:
And now a man is but a pricke;
A boy, arm’d with a [poating sticke],
Will dare to challenge [Cutting Dicke].
O [’tis a world] the world to see!
But twill not mend for thee nor mee.”
By this some guest cryes “Ho, the house!”
A fresh friend hath a fresh carouse:
Still he will drinke, and still be dry,
And quaffe with euery company.
Saint Martin send him merry mates,
To enter at his hostree gates!
For a blither lad than he
Cannot an Inkeeper be.
Well, once againe farewell mine Hoast at Rockland. After all these farewels, I am sure to Hingham I found a foule way, as before I had done from Thetford to Rockland.
Yet, besides the deep way, I was much hindred by the desire people had to see me. For euen as our Shop-keepers will hayle and pull a man with “[Lack ye? what do you lack, Gentlemen?]” “My ware is best,” cryes one, “Mine best in England,” sayes an other, “Heere shall you haue choyse,” saith the third; so was the dyuers voyces of the young men and Maydens, which I should meete at euerie myles ende, thronging by twentie, and sometime fortie, yea, hundreths in a companie; one crying “The fayrest way was thorow their Village,” another, “This is the nearest and fayrest way, when you haue past but a myle and a halfe;” an other [sort] crie “Turne on the left hand,” some “On the right hand;” that I was so amazed I knewe not sometime which way I might best take; but haphazard, the people still accompanying me, wherewith I was much comforted, though the wayes were badde; but as I said before at last I ouertooke it.