of the meeting between og and lilias on tower-green.
precisely at the time that lilias was expected, the king paid a visit to the tower. he came from whitehall by water, and was attended by sir john gage and sir henry jerningham. on landing, he was received by the lieutenant of the tower, sir henry bedingfeld, and a guard, among whom were the gigantic warders, and by his own desire was at once conducted to the jewel house, where his chests of bullion were deposited.
this building was situated in a court belonging to the old palace, its precise position being on the south of the white tower, between the queen’s lodgings and the cold harbour tower. at the door of the jewel tower, the king was received by master thomas lovel, the keeper, who seemed to expect his majesty, and took him forthwith to the strong-room containing the treasure. after satisfying himself that the coffers were safe, philip informed lovel that he was about to place them in the exchequer, and gave him some directions respecting their removal.
before leaving the jewel house, the king had some private converse with lovel, who, it appeared, had an important communication to make to him. having given further instructions in secret to the keeper, philip proceeded to the white tower, where he ascended to the great council-chamber, and after surveying it with much curiosity, repaired to the ancient norman chapel dedicated to saint john the evangelist, and passed some time in devotion within it.
369his examination of the white tower ended, the king was proceeding with sir henry bedingfeld towards the lieutenant’s lodgings, and they had just reached the tower green, which was then, as now, shaded by noble trees, when lively strains greeted their ears, and other joyous sounds proclaimed that some festivities were going on. turning to sir henry bedingfeld, philip inquired the cause of this rejoicing, but the latter looked perplexed, and being unable to obtain any information from those about him, despatched a warder to ascertain the meaning of the gleeful sounds. while the man was gone on his errand, philip occupied himself in examining the exterior of the beauchamp tower, opposite which he had halted. in another minute the warder returned, with a broad grin upon his face, and imparted something to sir henry bedingfeld, which at once caused a corresponding smile to illumine the lieutenant’s grave countenance.
“an please your majesty,” said sir henry, addressing philip, “i have just ascertained that those sounds of rejoicing are occasioned by the arrival from southampton of the destined bride of one of our gigantic warders, og—there he stands to answer for himself, if your majesty will deign to question him.”
“from southampton!” exclaimed philip. “i should not be surprised if it were the fair damsel i beheld there at the time of my arrival, who enacted the part of the princess, when the giant himself personated the redoubted sir bevis.”
“’tis the very same, sire,” replied og, advancing towards the king, and making a profound obeisance. “’tis lilias ringwood, whom your majesty deigns to remember. it would appear she has just arrived, though i myself have not had the gratification of beholding her.”
“thou shalt have the gratification anon,” returned philip; “but where are thy brothers? they were with thee just now. are they with lilias?”
“i conclude so, sire,” replied og. “while your majesty was in the white tower, they were summoned by xit, with what intent i knew not then, though i can guess it now. they are giving lilias a joyful welcome preparatory to our meeting. under these circumstances, may i crave your gracious permission to join my intended bride?”
370“control thine impatience for a moment, and answer me one question,” said philip. “how long is it since thou hast seen her?”
“not since your majesty was espoused to the queen at winchester,” replied og.
“and she has not changed her mind during that long interval? by my faith, she is a very model of constancy!” exclaimed philip, laughing. “sir henry bedingfeld,” he added to the lieutenant, “i would fain witness the meeting between this loving pair. let the damsel be brought hither.”
whereupon an order to that effect was instantly given by bedingfeld.
shortly afterwards the sound of a tabour and fife were heard, while the trampling of feet and other confused noises announced that a number of persons were coming up the road leading from the bloody tower to the green, and in another moment a little procession came in view.
at the head of the train strutted xit, in a jerkin and mantle of crimson velvet, embroidered with gold, and carrying in his hand a pole decorated with ribbons of various colours, and hung with bells. behind the mannikin marched gog and magog, sustaining between them a chair, in which sat lilias ringwood, arrayed in a very becoming green kirtle, and her pretty countenance suffused with blushes. some twenty or thirty persons in holiday attire followed the bride, amongst whom were rodomont bittern, and his friends nick simnel and jack holiday. besides lady le grand and magog’s wife, dame placida, there was a troop of young damsels, several of whom had considerable pretensions to beauty.
as soon as the procession reached the green it came to a halt, and xit advancing alone towards the king, and making a very ceremonious obeisance to his majesty, desired to know his pleasure.
“let the damsel approach,” said philip.
whereupon xit signed to the two giants to advance with their fair burden, and as they drew near, the king bade og go forward and help her to alight. it is needless to say that the command was promptly obeyed. with a few mighty strides og cleared the space between him and his mistress, 371while his brothers elevated the chair on which she was seated, as if to place her out of his reach. lilias, however, did not hesitate to spring from the giddy height into her gigantic lover’s outstretched arms, and was instantly clasped to his mighty breast. after gazing on her rapturously for a moment, and uttering a few passionate words, he deposited her gently on the ground, amid the shouts and laughter of the beholders.
“welcome!—thrice welcome!” he cried. “this moment amply repays me for all the misery i have endured.”
“and have you really been unhappy without me?” inquired lilias.
“unhappy!” exclaimed og; “i have been so wretched that it is a marvel i didn’t drown myself in the tower moat. however, it’s all right now.”
“to be sure it is,” interposed xit. “you will have plenty of time for explanations hereafter. your first business is to present your bride to his majesty.”
“come, then,” said the giant, taking her hand, and leading her towards the king.
lilias displayed no bashfulness, but tripped gracefully by the side of her gigantic admirer, and made a profound reverence to his majesty as she was presented to him.
“by my faith, good fellow, thou art to be envied,” said philip. “i would not advise thee to let this fair creature out of thy sight in future.”
“i do not intend to give him the opportunity, sire,” replied lilias, demurely.
“wisely resolved,” rejoined philip, laughing. “as i chanced to witness the commencement of your love affair, i am glad to see it brought to such a satisfactory conclusion. make merry with your friends, and that you may do so without scruple, here is that shall help to pay for the wedding feast.”
so saying, he took a well-filled purse from the velvet pouch depending from his girdle, and gave it to sir henry bedingfeld, by whom it was handed to og.
“we thank you most heartily for your bounty, sire,” said og, bowing as he received the princely gift, “and shall not fail to drink long life to your majesty.”
“ay, long life to his majesty,” cried gog, in a stentorian 372voice, “and may heaven shower its choicest blessings on his head. shout, friends, shout!” he added, turning to the others, who instantly responded by loud cries of “long live the king!”
bowing graciously in acknowledgment, philip moved away with his attendants, and proceeding to the lower end of the green, entered the lieutenant’s lodgings, where he remained for some little time.
no sooner was the king gone, then xit called out, in his shrillest tones,—
“a dance! a dance! let us not separate without some mirthful pastime suited to the occasion. a dance, i say, and as the merriest and best, let us begin with a brawl.”
the proposition meeting with general concurrence, the minstrels began to play a very lively air, while the entire assemblage, with three exceptions, took hands, and formed an immense ring. the three persons excepted were the giants, whose stature forbade them to join in the dance; but as the others wheeled round them, they found it impossible to keep their limbs quiet, and began to execute such grotesque movements that the dancers were scarcely able to proceed for laughter.
