Auriol

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Auriol
William Harrison Ainsworth
PROLOGUE -- 1599 DOCTOR LAMB
The Sixteenth Century drew to a close. It was the last day of the last
year, and two hours only were wanting to the birth of another year and
of another century.
The night was solemn and beautiful. Myriads of stars paved the deep
vault of heaven; the crescent moon hung like a silver lamp in the midst
of them; a stream of rosy and quivering light issuing from the north
traversed the sky, like the tail of some stupendous comet; while from
its point of effluence broke forth, ever and anon, coruscations rivalling
in splendour and variety of hue the most brilliant discharge of
fireworks.
A sharp frost prevailed; but the atmosphere was clear and dry, and
neither wind nor snow aggravated the wholesome rigour of the season.
The water lay in thick congealed masses around the conduits and wells,
and the buckets were frozen on their stands. The thoroughfares were
sheeted with ice, and dangerous to horsemen and vehicles; but the

footways were firm and pleasant to the tread.
Here and there, a fire was lighted in the streets, round which ragged
urchins and mendicants were collected, roasting fragments of meat
stuck upon iron prongs; or quaffing deep draughts of metheglin and ale,
out of leathern cups. Crowds were collected in the open places,
watching the wonders in the heavens, and drawing auguries from them,
chiefly sinister, for most of the beholders thought the signs portended
the speedy death of the queen, and the advent of a new monarch from
the north a safe and easy interpretation, considering the advanced age
and declining health of the illustrious Elizabeth, together with the
known appointment of her successor, James of Scotland.
Notwithstanding the early habits of the times, few persons had retired
to rest, a universal wish prevailing among the citizens to see the new
year in, and welcome the century accompanying it. Lights glimmered
in most windows, revealing the holly-sprigs and laurel leaves stuck
thickly in their diamond panes; while, whenever a door was opened, a
ruddy gleam burst across the street; and a glance inside the dwelling
showed its inmates either gathered round the glowing hearth, occupied
in mirthful sports -- fox-i'-th'-hole, blind-man's-buff, or shoe-the-mare
-- or seated at the ample board groaning with Christmas cheer.
Music and singing were heard at every comer, and bands of comely
damsels, escorted by their sweethearts, went from house to house,
bearing huge brown bowls dressed with ribands and rosemary, and
filled with a drink called "lamb's-wool", composed of sturdy ale,
sweetened with sugar, spiced with nutmeg, and having toasts and burnt
crabs floating within it, -- a draught from which seldom brought its
pretty bearers less than a groat, and occasionally a more valuable coin.
Such was the vigil of the year 1600.
On this night, and at the tenth hour, a man of striking and venerable
appearance was seen to emerge upon a small wooden balcony,
projecting from a bay-window near the top of a picturesque structure
situated at the southern extremity of London-bridge.
The old man's beard and hair were as white as snow -- the former

descending almost to his girdle; so were the thick over- hanging brows
that shaded his still piercing eyes. His forehead, was high, bald, and
ploughed by innumerable wrinkles. His countenance, despite its
death-like paleness, had a noble and majestic cast, and his figure,
though worn to the bone by a life of the severest study, and bent by the
weight of years, must have been once lofty and commanding. His dress
consisted of a doublet and hose of sad-coloured cloth, over which he
wore a loose gown of black silk. His head was covered by a square
black cap, from beneath which his silver locks strayed over his
shoulders.
Known by the name of Doctor Lamb, and addicted to alchemical and
philosophical pursuits, this venerable personage was esteemed by the
vulgar as little better than a wizard. Strange tales were reported and
believed of him. Amongst others, it was said that he possessed a
familiar, because he chanced to employ a deformed, crack-brained
dwarf, who assisted him in his operations, and whom he appropriately
enough denominated Flapdragon.
Doctor Lamb's gaze was fixed intently upon the heavens, and he
seemed to be noting the position of the moon with reference to some
particular star.
After remaining in this posture for a few minutes, he was about to retire,
when a loud crash arrested him, and he turned to see whence it
proceeded.
Immediately before him stood the Southwark Gateway -- a square stone
building, with a round, embattled turret at each corner, and a flat,
leaden roof, planted