But in any case, I and Surrey will visit
Herne's Oak to-night."
The remonstrances of both ladies were interrupted by the sudden
appearance of Will Sommers.
"What ho! my lords--to your places! to your places!" cried the jester, in a
shrill angry voice. "See ye not we are close upon Datchet Bridge? Ye
can converse with these fair dames at a more fitting season; but it is
the king's pleasure that the cavalcade should make a goodly show. To
your places, I say!"
Laughing at the jester's peremptory injunction, the two young nobles
nevertheless obeyed it, and, bending almost to the saddle-bow to the
ladies, resumed their posts.
The concourse assembled on Datchet Bridge welcomed Anne Boleyn's
arrival with loud acclamations, while joyous strains proceeded from
sackbut and psaltery, and echoing blasts from the trumpets. Caps
were flung into the air, and a piece of ordnance was fired from the
barge, which was presently afterwards answered by the castle guns.
Having paid his homage to Anne Boleyn, the mayor rejoined the
company of bailiffs and burgesses, and the whole cavalcade crossed
the bridge, winding their way slowly along the banks of the river, the
barge, with the minstrels playing in it, accompanying them the while.
Pages:
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68