Then at sight of those tears and that white young face of his King, Will Langland groaned, and a rage seized upon him so that he turned about, and lifting up his arm in menace of all that company, he cried out:—
“Cursed be ye, defilers! Cursed, cursed,—betrayers of children!—Ye that corrupt kings! I hear ye weep and pray for mercy,—and the people shall pour out your wealth like water, the river shall swallow it up. The sky is red!—Lo, fire,—fire!—And the riches of the nobles, and the thievings of the merchants, are smoke and ashes! Woe unto you, lawyers,—your wise-heads shall hop, but your feet shall lie still upon the stones. Woe unto you, priests, bishops,—the people have found you out!—Cursed”—
“Blasphemer!” cried the Archbishop; and at this word there broke out a torrent of sounds; men crying, “Madman!”—“Seize him!‘—’Traitor!”—and women screaming.
Calote came up close to her father and clasped her hands about his arm; and he, shaking as with a palsy, drew one hand across his eyes as he would dispart a mist.
“I have spoken,” he said, and swayed uncertain.
Then Calote was 'ware of Master Chaucer on his other hand, who steadied him that he should not fall.
“Sire,” said the Archbishop, “this man hath cursed Holy Church and impeached the counsellors of the King. He is a traitor to God and to England. He is mine to”—
But now Mayor Walworth was come in great haste to the dais, and kneeled down, and “Pray you, mercy, sire,” he cried. “This man is well-beloved in the city; and is this a time to stir up London? He is a little mad, but I know him for an honest fellow,—the prentices will not brook”—
“Peace!” said Richard. “Wherefore shall I bear him malice that is become my champion? Peace, gentles! My Lord Archbishop, let 's chaffer:—do thou give me thy blasphemer, and I 'll sign the parchment.”
For answer Simon, still red and breathing noisily, knelt and gave up the roll, whereupon the King set it open on the stool again and dipped pen in penner. Afore him kneeled Etienne Fitzwarine, and steadied the stool, for that one leg was shorter than other two. Then said Etienne, very low:—