The Golden Grasshopper | Page 5

eggs,
after having cooled, had been sewed into their skins, and thus looked
almost as if they were alive. There were two pair of cocks which had
been roasted, and then covered, one with gold, and the other with silver
foil. There was also venison, a swan boiled, roasted pheasant and
roasted bittern, with fish of various sorts--pike and perch. A variety of
ornaments, too, made their appearance, subtilties, they were called, and
ornamental devices in pastry. One was a lofty castle, covered with
silver, flags of gold waving on its summit. However, it would take up
too much space to describe the numberless dishes which appeared at
this banquet.
The musicians at intervals played for the amusement of the guests, and
toward the end, lest they might have become weary of too many sweet
sounds, the doors of the hall opened, and a band of maskers entered
habited in various grotesque costumes. With a deep obeisance to the
master of the feast, as well as to the lady and their visitors, the leader of
the party commenced an oration the subject of which Ernst Verner was
too young at the time to note down, and has long since forgotten. It was
followed by the representation of a Morality, the subject of which also,
for the same reason, is not noted in this diary. Ernst, with his young
companion, little Richard Gresham, were running about the hall hand in
hand, watching the maskers, and amusing themselves by observing the
guests. One of the former, wearing a huge cloak which completely

concealed his form, during the performance separated himself from his
companions. His eye was fixed on the two boys. It might have been
that he supposed no one observed him; but, even though attending to
her guests, the mother's glance was following her young Richard. With
cautious steps the masker slowly moved up towards where the little
boys were standing, their attention occupied with one of the most
exciting portions of the mystery. At length the masker stood close to
the boys. And now the eyes of every one in the hall were riveted on the
performers. On a sudden, the cloak was thrown round the boys. No cry
was heard, and the masker glided rapidly towards the door of the hall,
still left open. So quick were his movements, that he would have
escaped unobserved had not Lady Anne's voice been heard, exclaiming,
"Stop him! Stop him! He has carried off the children!" Richard Clough
started from his seat, and drawing his dagger, rushed after the abductor.
The man, turning his head at the cry, saw that he was pursued, and
letting go one of the children--it was the little Richard--fled more
rapidly. Honest Master Clough, however, with the excited feelings of a
warm-hearted Welshman, pursued him. The man had just reached the
door, when Master Clough caught him by the cloak, and would have
struck his dagger into his neck, had he not loosened the garment and let
go the little Ernst, whose head had been so muffled in a cloth that he
had been unable to cry out. The man sprang from the door before
Master Clough could again seize him, exhibiting, now deprived of his
cloak, the dark dress of an ecclesiastic, though his head, still concealed
by his large mask, prevented his features being visible. A number of
persons were at the time passing, and the stranger was thus able to
make his escape. Indeed, honest Master Clough, having gained his
object of rescuing the children, probably considered that it might be
wise not to continue the pursuit in the open street, where perchance he
might have found more enemies than friends.
As may be supposed, after this Master Gresham was chary of letting his
young charge go without his doors, unless with a strong escort. But one
day, having to pay a visit of ceremony to an important person at the
farther end of the city, he set forth on horseback, attended by Master
Clough, two of his other secretaries, and several attendants, all
well-armed. Ernst, as the Lady Anne thought, having suffered from

being deprived of the free air, was carried along with the party, being
placed on the saddle in front of one of the serving-men. Ernst gazed
about him, enjoying the free air and the warm sun, which shone down
from the blue sky. The scene in the streets, however, was at no time
lively; the dresses both of men and women being of a sombre hue, the
latter wearing the large dark cloaks with hoods which had been
introduced from Spain, while a gloomy expression sat generally on the
countenances of the men. The visit was paid, Ernst remaining in the
hall with the attendants, while Master Gresham with his secretaries
proceeded