Wat Tyler and Jack Straw whispered together of certain oppression committed of late by Earl Percy and his retainers, and hinted at what should hap when the people claimed freedom for itself, and put down all such packed Parliaments as this was like to be.
“But, Wat,” said Calote, who paid more heed to these two than to Hobbe and his pranks; “in my father's Vision nobles and common folk laboured side by side in amity. Dost not mind the fine lady with the veil, how she sewed sacking and garments, and broidered altar-cloths? And the knight came to Piers in friendly wise to know what he might do. Yet thou wilt have it that the people is to do all, and moreover they will cast down the nobles from their place, with hatred. How can this be when Christ the Lord is Leech of Love? Why wilt thou not have the nobles into thy counsel; speak to them as they were thy brothers, and gain their love?”
Wat Tyler laughed aloud, and Jack Straw set his finger beneath Calote's chin and smiled upon her.
“Sweet preaching lips,” quoth he, and would have kissed her; but she struck him, and Wat said:—
“Let be! Why tease the maid?”
But they ceased their whispering, for the crowd was making a great roar, and some said they could see the Prince. So many rude folk clambered up the steps of the Cross that Calote was pressed upon and well-nigh breathless, and she could see naught but the broad backs of men and the wide caps of women; so Jack Straw made as to lift her in his arms; but she, in haste, cried:—
“Wat shall hold me; he 's taller.”
And Wat, laughing, swung her to his shoulder, for she was but a slip of a child.
“I 've a maid of mine own in Kent rides often thus,” said tall Wat. And Jack Straw smiled; yet, though he smiled, he cursed.
Now there came by trumpeters, and gentlemen in arms, a-many; and this and that and the other great lord. And then there came a little lad on a great horse.