Owing to the overcrowding of the little inn, the hall is arranged, for the night, as a common sleeping-room. Up stage, right, is a great canopied bedstead, with steps to climb into it. Along the right wall are truckle-beds. As the curtain rises, a clear bell is heard ringing outside, slow and musical. By the light of a single torch, the Pilgrims are seen, some putting on their cloaks and hoods, some peering from behind the bed-curtains, others taking links from a tap-boy, who distributes them. These, as they are lit, throw an ever stronger light upon the grouped faces and contrasted garbs of the company. The Parson is just waking the Ploughman, who drowses on a truckle-bed.
PARSON
Up, brother; yon’s the chapel bell.
PLOUGHMAN
It rings
For thee; thou art the parson, Jankin.
PARSON
Nay,
The preacher will be Wycliffe, old good Master
De Wycliffe.