'When Adam delved and Eve span,
Who was then'"—
but the gaoler went out, and slammed the door to with a loud noise.
'T was nigh a week after, and now mid July, when he spoke again to Stephen:—
“The King doth not yet stint to kill the men who sing that ribald rhyme concerning our forefather Adam.”
“But the King set villeins free!” cried Stephen, aroused.
“Free as a hawk is free when fowler tieth a thread to 's claw.”
“So?” said Stephen, “then all 's lost!” and very hastily: “Prythee, brother, tell me, was Will Langland, him they call Long Will,—was he taken,—a-a-and a-a-any ki-kinsfolk of his?”
“Nay, he 's loose in London streets, as crazed as ever he was. His wife 's slain in the riot, and now he 's free to mount in Holy Church an he will; but he 's a fool. Knows not to hold 's tongue. By the King's grace only, and Master Walworth, was he spared, and the yellow-haired maid, his daughter.”
“Ah!” sighed Stephen.
The gaoler grinned and grunted.