the Cloaths that were upon him: where being suddenly scalded and drowned, he was never able to cry or speake one Word. Then had they a little Ladder ever standing ready in the Kitchen, by the which they presently mounted into the said Chamber, and there closely take away the Mans Apparell, as also his Money, in his Male or Cap-case: and then lifting up the said Falling-Floore, which hung by Hinges, they made it fast as before. The dead Body would they take presently out of the Caldron and throw it downe the River, which ran neere unto their House, whereby they escaped all Danger. Now if in the Morning any of the Rest of the Guests that had talkt with the murdered Man ore Eve, chanst to aske for him, as having Occasion to ride the same Way that he should have done, the Good-man would answere, that he tooke Horse a good while before Day, and that he himselfe did set him forward: the Horse the Good-man would also take out of the Stable, & convey him by a Haybarne of his, that stood from his House a Mile or Two, whereof himself did alwaies keepe the Keies full charily, and when any Hay was to be brought from thence, with his owne Hands he would deliver it: it: then before the Horse should goe from thence, he would dismarke him: as if he ware a long Taile, he would make him curtall: or else crop his Eares, or cut his Mane, or put out One of his Eies; and by this Meanes hee kept himselfe unknowne. Now, Thomas of Reading, as I said before, being markt, & kept for a fat Pig, he was laid in the same Chamber of Death, but by Reason Gray of Glocester chanced also to come that Night, he escaped scalding. The next Time he came, he was laid there againe, but before he fell asleepe, or was warme in his Bed, one came riding thorow the Towne and cryed piteously, that London was all on a Fire, and that it had burned downe Thomas Beckets House in West-cheape, and a great Number more in the same Street, and yet (quoth he) the Fire is not quencht. Which tidings when Thomas of Reading heard, he was very sorrowfull, for of the same Becket that Day he had received a great Peece of Money, and had left in his House many of his Writings, and some that appertained to the King also: therefore there was no way but he would ride backe againe to London presently, to see how the Matter stood: thereupon making himselfe ready, departed. This crosse crosse Fortune caused his Oast to frowne, nevertheless the next Time (qd. he) will pay for all. Notwithstanding God so wrought that they were prevented then likewise, by Reason of a great Fray that hapned in the House betwixt a Couple that fell out at Dice, insomuch as the Murderers themselves were inforced to call him up, being Man in great Authority, that he might set the House in Quietnesse, out of the which, by Meanes of this Quarrell, they doubted to lose many Things. Another Time, when hee should have beene laid in the same Place, he fell so sicke, that he requested to have some body to watch with him, whereby also they could not bring their vile Purpose to passe. But hard it is to escape the ill Fortunes whereunto a Man is allotted: for albeit that the next Time that he came to London, his Horse stumbled & broke One of his Legs as he should ride homeward, yet hired he another to hasten his owne Death; for there is no Remedy but he should goe to Colebrooke that Night: but by the Way he was heavy asleepe, that he could scant keepe himselfe in the Saddle; and when he came neere unto the Towne, his Nose burst out suddenly a Bleeding. Well, Well, to his Inne he came, and so heavy was his Heart that he could eate no Meat: his Oast and Oastesse hearing he was so melancholy, came up to cheare him, saying, Jesus, Master Cole, what ayles you to-night? never did we see you thus sad before: will it please you to have a Quart of burnt Sacke? With a good Will (quoth he) and would to God Tom Dove were here, he would surely make me merry, and we should lacke no Musicke: but I am sorry for the Man with all my Heart, that he is come so farre behind Hand: but, alas, so much can every Man say, but what Good doth it him? No, no, it is not Words can helpe a Man in this Case, the Man had need of other Reliefe then so. Let me see: I have but one Child in the World, and that is my Daughter, and Half that I have is hers, the other Halfe my Wifes. What then? Shall I be good to no body but them? In Conscience, my Wealth is too much for a Couple to possesse, and what is our Religion without Charity? And to whom is Charity more to be shewne, then to decaid House-holders? Good my Oast, lend me a Pen and Inke, and some Paper, for I will write a Letter unto the poore Man straight; & Something I will give him: That Almes which a Man bestowes with his owne Hands, he he shall be sure to have delivered, and God knowes how long I shall live. With that, his Oastesse dissemblingly answered, saying, Doubt not, Master Cole, you are like enough by the Course of Nature to live many Yeeres. God Knowes (quoth he) I never found my Heart so heavy before. By this Time Pen, Inke, and Paper was brought, setting himselfe in writing as followeth. IN the Name of God, Amen. I bequeath my Soule to God, and my Body to the Ground, Ha, how say you, Oast, (qd. he) is not this well? I pray you reade it. His Oast looking thereon, said, Why, Master Cole, what have you written here? you said you would write a Letter, but me thinks you have made a Will; what neede have you to doe thus? Thanks be to God, you may live many |
