"I do, monk, and I will fulfil my vow. Stephen Holgrave, to you I give the charge of collecting all my bondmen;—see that they are assembled here to-morrow morning. They shall be freed; and from henceforth, as I vowed, there shall be no more bondage in Sudley; and, by my faith! I believe I shall be better served by freemen than serfs."
"And, my Lord de Boteler, we feel much inclined to follow your example," said Richard. "The shire of Hereford is our royal patrimony—have ye a scribe here who can draw up a charter?"
Oakley was called upon, and desired to prepare an instrument, to the effect of freeing the bondmen of Hereford.
John Ball, who had looked on and listened with a deep interest, now approached the king, and knelt before him.
"The work that I strove for has begun, and it will finish; but mine eyes will not live to see that day. From the hour that blood was shed I forsook the cause; but I hid myself from the snares that were laid for me;—for I said, surely the light shall yet rise up in darkness! and it has risen; and it will grow brighter and brighter;—but John Ball's task is done, and he gives himself up to the death that awaits him."
De Boteler said something in a low tone to Richard, who turned to the monk.
"Retire!" said he, "we shall consider of your punishment."
As the monk withdrew, Oakley, who had retired, for the purpose of transcribing the charter, re-entered; and the instrument being presented to Richard, received the royal signature. While this was being done, Oakley, under the impression that the affording a proof of Calverley's guilt, more tangible in its nature than mere assertions, could not possibly injure himself, and might turn to his permanent advantage, approached De Boteler, and, producing the prohibitory writ,—
"Please you, my lord," said he, "while searching among Thomas Calverley's writings for parchment, I discovered this."
"Discovered this among my steward's writings!" said the baron as, biting his lip with vexation, he spread open the parchment on the table.