The Old English Baron | Page 6

sense of smelling with its fragrance. He arose, paid his
devotions to Heaven, and then carefully descended the narrow stairs,
and went out at the door of the cottage. There he saw the industrious
wife and daughter of old Wyatt at their morning work, the one milking
her cow, the other feeding her poultry. He asked for a draught of milk,
which, with a slice of rye bread, served to break his fast. He walked
about the fields alone; for old Wyatt and his two sons were gone out to
their daily labour. He was soon called back by the good woman, who
told him that a servant from the Baron waited to conduct him to the
Castle. He took leave of Wyatt's wife, telling her he would see her
again before he left the country. The daughter fetched his horse, which
he mounted, and set forward with the servant, of whom he asked many
questions concerning his master's family.
"How long have you lived with the Baron?"
"Ten years."
"Is he a good master?"
"Yes, Sir, and also a good husband and father."
"What family has he?"
"Three sons and a daughter."
"What age are they of?"
"The eldest son is in his seventeenth year, the second in his sixteenth,
the others several years younger; but beside these my Lord has several
young gentlemen brought up with his own sons, two of which are his
nephews; he keeps in his house a learned clerk to teach them languages;
and as for all bodily exercises, none come near them; there is a fletcher
to teach them the use of the cross-bow; a master to teach them to ride;

another the use of the sword; another learns them to dance; and then
they wrestle and run, and have such activity in all their motions, that it
does one good to see them; and my Lord thinks nothing too much to
bestow on their education."
"Truly," says Sir Philip, "he does the part of a good parent, and I
honour him greatly for it; but are the young gentlemen of a promising
disposition?"
"Yes indeed, Sir," answered the servant; "the young gentlemen, my
Lord's sons, are hopeful youths; but yet there is one who is thought to
exceed them all, though he is the son of a poor labourer."
"And who is he?" said the knight.
"One Edmund Twyford, the son of a cottager in our village; he is to be
sure as fine a youth as ever the sun shone upon, and of so sweet a
disposition that nobody envies his good fortune."
"What good fortune does he enjoy?"
"Why, Sir, about two years ago, my lord, at his sons request, took him
into his own family, and gives him the same education as his own
children; the young lords doat upon him, especially Master William,
who is about his own age: It is supposed that he will attend the young
Lords when they go to the wars, which my Lord intends they shall by
and by."
"What you tell me," said Sir Philip, "increases every minute my respect
for your Lord; he is an excellent father and master, he seeks out merit
in obscurity; he distinguishes and rewards it, -- I honour him with all
my heart."
In this manner they conversed together till they came within view of
the castle. In a field near the house they saw a company of youths, with
crossbows in their hands, shooting at a mark.
"There," said the servant, "are our young gentlemen at their exercises."
Sir Philip stopped his horse to observe them; he heard two or three of
them cry out, "Edmund is the victor! He wins the prize!"
"I must," said Sir Philip, "take a view of this Edmund."
He jumped off his horse, gave the bridle to the servant, and walked into
the field. The young gentlemen came up, and paid their respects to him;
he apologized for intruding upon their sports, and asked which was the
victor? Upon which the youth he spoke to beckoned to another, who
immediately advanced, and made his obeisance; As he drew near, Sir

Philip fixed his eyes upon him, with so much attention, that he seemed
not to observe his courtesy and address. At length he recollected
himself, and said, "What is your name, young man?"
"Edmund Twyford," replied the youth; "and I have the honour to attend
upon the Lord Fitz-Owen's sons."
"Pray, noble sir," said the youth who first addressed Sir Philip, "are not
you the stranger who is expected by my father?"
"I am, sir," answered he, "and I go to pay my respects to him."
"Will you excuse our attendance, Sir? We have not yet finished our
exercises."
"My dear youth," said Sir Philip, "no apology is necessary; but will