"Well," saith Master Hewet, after a little Thought, "the Course is uncommon, for we mainly like to prove a Youth and see whether he be likely to do Good at the Trade, and be a profitable and desirable Apprentice before we bind him; but since your Case is in some Respects singular, it shall be as you say; for, as it happens, this is one of the Days on which the Court and Master sit to bind and enroll 'Prentices." So forth we went: he making Way for my Mother, and I following last.
On our Way to Mincheon Lane, we fell in with an uproarious Rabble, that, with Shouts, were haling Somewhat through the Mud, which proved to be a Church Image; doubtless, just pulled down from its Niche. The Head was rare carven, and floridly painted after the Life; but the Trunk was nothing but a squared Block, with a Cross-piece for the Shoulders, and looked pitiful enow, now 'twas despoiled of its rich Clothing. An Ale-house Keeper at the Bridge end turned in-doors with Disgust at the Sight, which some of the Rabblement noting, they cried out, "Here's a Bone for you to pick, Sir Tobias!" and beset his Door. I afterwards learned he was an ejected Roman Catholic Parson.
When we reached the Clothworkers' Hall, the Clerk made out my Indentures; and then I was taken before the Master to be enrolled.
My Mother having paid the Fee, (Spoon-silver they jocosely called it,) unto Master Hewet, he did not pocket it, but put it into the Common-box: and the Business was done; my Master exchanging some pleasant Words with the Master of the Company, and the latter bidding me (in the only Sentence he spoke to me), mind the Clothworkers' Motto,—"My Trust is in God alone."
Then, my Mother and I took Leave of one another, aside, as 'twere, in the Doorway; for she was to lie that Night in Temstrete, at her Cousin Hale's, (who was a Broughton,) and return to Ashford on the Morrow. And she kissed me and wept sore, and sayth, "Ah Son, thou art full young to be cast out of the Nest ... fain I were to keep thee: but what though? Thou canst not always be at mine Apron-string, and thou hast a brave Spirit and a good Heart; wherefore, like Hannah, Wife of Elkanah, I will entrust my First-born unto the Lord, and see what he will do for thee.... And remember, Ned, thou art the Son of a Gentleman, and think the Eye of thy Father still upon thee."
Then quod I, in answer to my Mother, "Cheer up, sweet Mother, I will never disgrace him nor thee: so give over thy weeping, lest they should deem the Tears on my Face to be mine instead of thine ... don't melt me, Mother, lest they count me but a Boy, and make light of our Country Breeding."
"A Boy, indeed! What art thou more?" quod she, smiling through her Tears; and with one hearty Kiss and her Blessing, went her Ways.
On our Return to my Master's House, he, noting my Hair to be too long for a 'Prentice, (for, indeed, my Mother was rather vain of it,) gave me a Penny, and sent me to Master Soper the Barbitonsor, across the Bridge, to have it clipt. Here found I a Man having his Beard trimmed, and another, waiting for his Turn, playing a Mandoline. Seeing me look forth of the Lattice on the River, boiling and splashing below, and the Boats shooting the Arches and nearly pitching Head foremost down the Fall, he stayed his Hand, and told me how many Lives were lost in those Rapids by the Year. Then I made bold to ask him what was that great Fortress with Towers, on the north Bank.
"Thou art a Stranger in London, then," saith he, "for every Cockney knows the Tower, whose foundation Stones were cemented, they say, with Mortar tempered with Blood. And truly, Blood enow hath been spilt within it to bring a Judgment on its Walls. Henry the Sixth was murdered in the Tower, George of Clarence was drowned in the Tower, Edward the Fifth and Richard Duke of York, those pretty Innocents, were smothered in the Tower, Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard were beheaded in the Tower. And, for all it hath held a King's Parliament, and is our Citadel of Defence, a royal Palace for Assemblies, a Council-house for Treaties, a Treasury of Crown Jewels, the royal Mint of Coinage, the prime Conservator of Records, and the Armoury of warlike Provisions, yet, for the Tears and the Blood that have been shed in it, I could say, Down with it, down with it even unto the Ground! And methinks its evil Story is not yet wound up, but that a dark Cloud hangs over it e'en now. We shall see! we shall see! Many an ignoble Man rises aloft, many a proud Man is brought low. 'Tis time enough at one's Life's end to sing Gloria. Ah! our Bridge Tower, whereof I am Gate-keeper, hath another guess Foundation than Cæsar's; for on every one of its four Corner-stones is graven the Name of Jesus; deep, but out of Sight."
And he peered into my Face as he spake that Saying, to wit if I felt its Force.