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It chanced well for the Countess's purpose that Wayland Smith；
whose previous wandering and unsettled life had made him
acquainted with almost all England； was intimate with all the by…
roads； as well as direct communications； through the beautiful
county of Warwick。 For such and so great was the throng which
flocked in all directions towards Kenilworth； to see the entry of
Elizabeth into that splendid mansion of her prime favourite； that
the principal roads were actually blocked up and interrupted； and
it was only by circuitous by…paths that the travellers could
proceed on their journey。
The Queen's purveyors had been abroad； sweeping the farms and
villages of those articles usually exacted during a royal
Progress； and for which the owners were afterwards to obtain a
tardy payment from the Board of Green Cloth。 The Earl of
Leicester's household officers had been scouring the country for
the same purpose； and many of his friends and allies； both near
and remote； took this opportunity of ingratiating themselves by
sending large quantities of provisions and delicacies of all
kinds； with game in huge numbers； and whole tuns of the best
liquors； foreign and domestic。 Thus the highroads were filled
with droves of bullocks； sheep； calves； and hogs； and choked with
loaded wains； whose axle…trees cracked under their burdens of
wine…casks and hogsheads of ale； and huge hampers of grocery
goods； and slaughtered game； and salted provisions； and sacks of
flour。 Perpetual stoppages took place as these wains became
entangled； and their rude drivers； swearing and brawling till
their wild passions were fully raised； began to debate precedence
with their wagon…whips and quarterstaves； which occasional riots
were usually quieted by a purveyor； deputy…marshal's man； or some
other person in authority； breaking the heads of both parties。
Here were； besides； players and mummers； jugglers and showmen； of
every description； traversing in joyous bands the paths which led
to the Palace of Princely Pleasure； for so the travelling
minstrels had termed Kenilworth in the songs which already had
come forth in anticipation of the revels which were there
expected。 In the midst of this motley show； mendicants were
exhibiting their real or pretended miseries； forming a strange
though common contrast betwixt the vanities and the sorrows of
human existence。 All these floated along with the immense tide
of population whom mere curiosity had drawn together； and where
the mechanic； in his leathern apron； elbowed the dink and dainty
dame； his city mistress； where clowns； with hobnailed shoes； were
treading on the kibes of substantial burghers and gentlemen of
worship； and where Joan of the dairy； with robust pace； and red；
sturdy arms； rowed her way unward； amongst those prim and pretty
moppets whose sires were knights and squires。
The throng and confusion was； however； of a gay and cheerful
character。 All came forth to see and to enjoy； and all laughed
at the trifling inconveniences which at another time might have
chafed their temper。 Excepting the occasional brawls which we
have mentioned among that irritable race the carmen； the mingled
sounds which arose from the multitude were those of light…hearted
mirth and tiptoe jollity。 The musicians preluded on their
instrumentsthe minstrels hummed their songsthe licensed
jester whooped betwixt mirth and madness； as he brandished his
baublethe morrice…dancers jangled their bellsthe rustics
hallooed and whistled…men laughed loud； and maidens giggled
shrill； while many a broad jest flew like a shuttlecock from one
party； to be caught in the air and returned from the opposite
side of the road by another； at which it was aimed。
No infliction can be so distressing to a mind absorbed in
melancholy； as being plunged into a scene of mirth and revelry；
forming an accompaniment so dissonant from its own feelings。
Yet； in the case of the Countess of Leicester； the noise and
tumult of this giddy scene distracted her thoughts； and rendered
her this sad service； that it became impossible for her to brood
on her own misery； or to form terrible anticipations of her
approaching fate。 She travelled on like one in a dream；
following implicitly the guidance of Wayland； who； with great
address； now threaded his way through the general throng of
passengers； now stood still until a favourable opportunity
occurred of again moving forward； and frequently turning
altogether out of the direct road； followed some circuitous by…
path； which brought them into the highway again； after having
given them the opportunity of traversing a considerable way with
greater ease and rapidity。
It was thus he avoided Warwick； within whose Castle （that fairest
monument of ancient and chivalrous splendour which yet remains
uninjured by time） Elizabeth had passed the previous night； and
where she was to tarry until past noon； at that time the general
hour of dinner throughout England； after which repast she was to
proceed to Kenilworth； In the meanwhile； each passing group had
something to say in the Sovereign's praise； though not absolutely
without the usual mixture of satire which qualifies more or less
our estimate of our neighbours； especially if they chance to be
also our betters。
〃Heard you；〃 said。 one； 〃how graciously she spoke to Master
Bailiff and the Recorder； and to good Master Griffin the
preacher； as they kneeled down at her coach…window？〃
〃Ay； and how she said to little Aglionby； 'Master Recorder； men
would have persuaded me that you were afraid of me； but truly I
think； so well did you reckon up to me the virtues of a
sovereign； that I have more reason to be afraid of you。' and then
with what grace she took the fair…wrought purse with the twenty
gold sovereigns； seeming as though she would not willingly handle
it； and yet taking it withal。〃
〃Ay； ay；〃 said another； 〃her fingers closed on it pretty
willingly methought； when all was done； and methought； too； she
weighed them for a second in her hand； as she would say； I hope
they be avoirdupois。〃
〃She needed not； neighbour；〃 said a third； 〃it is only when the
corporation pay the accounts of a poor handicraft like me； that
they put him off with clipped coin。 Well； there is a God above
alllittle Master Recorder； since that is the word； will be
greater now than ever。〃
〃Come； good neighbour；〃 said the first speaker 〃be not envious。
She is a good Queen； and a generous； she gave the purse to the
Earl of Leicester。〃
〃I envious？beshrew thy heart for the word！〃 replied the
handicraft。 〃But she will give all to the Earl of Leicester
anon； methinks。〃
〃You are turning ill； lady；〃 said Wayland Smith to the Countess
of Leicester； and proposed that she should draw off from the
road； and halt till she recovered。 But； subduing her feelings at
this and different speeches to the same purpose； which caught her
ear as they passed on； she insisted that her guide should proceed
to Kenilworth with all the haste which the numerous impediments
of their journey permitted。 Meanwhile； Wayland's anxiety at her
repeated fits of indisposition； and her obvious distraction of
mind； was