It had been printed at Hamburg, and sent across the sea to "The Sign of the Golden Fleece," and Master Monmouth had sent on these three copies and a letter he had received from Tyndale, telling him how he had fared, and asking for some money that had been left in the charge of the merchant when he left London.
But the letter was almost overlooked for the present in the delight of seeing and reading the actual words of the Lord Jesus Christ plainly printed in English. Although the two friends had talked of this again and again, yet now that it was really before them, it seemed almost too wonderful to be realised.
"The coming of the New Testament of Master Erasmus was as the dawn of a new day to England, though it was in Greek; but this—this English Gospel, that every matron and maiden can read for herself, is the sun in its noon-day splendour for our Merry England," said Master Clark, and he actually hugged the book to his breast as he spoke.
Sir Miles kissed it as reverently as he used to kiss the crucifix at his mother's knee; and then, having yielded to the first feelings of joy, the two men each sat down with a copy of the book, and began to read it critically and carefully—for both were able to do this, being excellent Greek and Latin scholars; and as they read they could only wonder the more at the purity of the diction, and the excellence of the grand, yet simple Saxon language that had been used by the translator to make the Word of God known to his readers.
Of course after this the fair had lost its charms for Sir Miles, and he was only eager to complete his purchases, and carry home his treasure for his wife and sister to see.
One of the three copies he gave to Master Clark, but bade him be careful to whom he showed it, for as yet it was by no means certain how the Cardinal would take this matter; and so, until the whole of the New Testament was received in England, it would be the duty of all to keep the matter to themselves, lest the translator should be hindered in his work.
As soon as the plenishings could be got together, Sir Miles set out on his return, and reached home several days before his wife and sister expected him.
[CHAPTER XXII.]
A PRECIOUS CARGO.
THE sight of the Gospels printed in English, made Margery Paton more eager than ever to teach some of the girls and boys of the village to read. There had been a school at the Monastery, where one or two of the monks undertook the task of teaching those who liked to come and learn; but it was closed when the tenants left their holdings, and the brethren did not seem disposed to re-open it again, although Sir Miles and his wife had both asked if it could not be done, now that so many had returned.