'Twas Sunday Morning; and maybe, a Day of much Prayer, if of little Church-going: but scarcely a Day of Rest. A Banner of Defiance was unfurled a-top of the Tower, and a heavy Piece of Ordnance discharged when they changed the Watch.
Lord Howard was walking to and fro on the Bridge, his Sword clanking at every firm, heavy Tread; and anon he goeth to the Gate at the Southwark End, and calleth in a loud, determined Voice, "Wyat!"
Presently some one makes Answer, "What would ye with him?"
"I would speak with him," sayth my Lord.
Answereth the other, "Our Captain is busy; if ye have any Message for him, I will bear it."
"Marry," sayth my Lord, "ask of him what he meaneth by this Invasion; and whether he continue in his Purpose or no."
The Messenger departed; and in about three Quarters of an Hour returned with a weighted Purse, containing Master Wyat's Answer; which, being flung over the Gate, was received and read by my Lord, who tare it up, as good for Nought. On the Saturday Afternoon, all Boats had been brought to the City Side of the River, not to be taken therefrom on Pain of Death.
My Lord Howard turning in to our House about Noon, for Refreshment, looketh fixedly on Miles, and sayth, "So you are young Osborne." "No, my Lord," quod I, stepping forward, "I am he;" thinking he had Somewhat to say unto me; but he only looked hard at me, and said "Oh."
At Table, my Master helping him to Wine, he sayth, "That is a rare Brilliant on your little Finger, Master Hewet—may I be favoured with a nearer View of it?" "My Lord," sayth Master Hewet, "it is a Token-ring: I never take it off.—However," quod he presently, "you shall see it, and read the Posy inside; connecting it with the Matter we spake of just now." I noted a singular Smile on my Lord Howard's Face as he returned it.
That Night, like the last, was spent in Harness, but passed not, like the last, without Event. The Weather was piercing cold; and a good Watch-fire was kept up just within the Gate, whereat my Lord Howard, Sir Andrew Judd, the Lord Mayor, Master Hewet, and others, stood and warmed themselves. Meantime, Master Wyat, anxious to reconnoitre, breaks down the Wall of a House adjoining the Gate on his side the Draw-bridge, by which Breach he ascendeth the Leads of the Gate-house, and thence coming down into the Porter's Lodge, it being about eleven o' the Clock, he findeth the Porter sleeping, but his Wife, with sundry others, watching over a Fire of Coals. On beholding Wyat they suddenly started; but he commanded them to keep quiet as they valued their Lives, and they should sustain no Hurt; so they having no Courage to oppose him, he went forth of the other Side the Gate-house to look across to the Bridge. There, beyond the Chasm, within the second Gate, he noteth my Lord Deputy, the Lord Mayor, and the Rest standing about the Fire in their Clokes. After noting them well, and seeing there was no Hope of taking them by Surprise, he returneth whence he came, and doeth his Party to wit how the City strengthened itself and is on the Alert. Peradventure to make farther Proof thereof, the Men of Kent thereon made an Uproar as it were in Sign of assaulting the Bridge, and fired two Field Pieces. Whereat we were all alive and to Arms in an Instant; and the Cries that ran along the Bridge shewed the Insurgents we were ready for them.