Miller. I'm not bound to believe this, friend. Pray, who are you? What's your name ?

King. Name!

Miller. Name: yes, name! Why, you have a name, have you not? Where do you come from? What is your business here?

King. These are questions I have not been used to, honest man.

Miller. May be so, honest man; but they are questions no honest man would be afraid to answer, I think: so, if you can give no better account of yourself, I shall make bold to take you along with me, if you please.

King. With you! what authority have you to—

Miller. The king's authority; if I must give you an account, sir, I am John Cockle, the miller of Mansfield, one of his Majesty's keepers in this forest of Sherwood; and I will let no suspected fellow pass this way that cannot give a better account of himself than you have done, I promise you.

King (aside). I must submit to my own authority.Very well, sir, I am glad to hear the king has so good an officer; and since I find you have his authority, I will give you a better account of myself, if you will do me the favor to hear it.

Miller. It's more than you deserve, I believe; but let's hear what you can say for yourself.

King. I have the honor to belong to the king as well as you, and, perhaps, should be as unwilling to see any wrong done him. I came down with him to hunt in this forest; and, the chase leading us to-day a great way from home, I am benighted in this wood, and have lost my way. Miller. This does not sound well. If you have been a hunting, pray where is your horse?

King. I have tired my horse so much that he lay down under me id I was obliged to leave him.

Miller. f I thought I might believe this now,

King. I am not used to lie, honest man.

THE KING AND THE MILLER OF MANSFIELD.

83

Miller. What do you live at court, and not lie? That's a likely story indeed!

King. Be that as it will, I speak truth now, I assure you. To convince you of it, if you will attend me to Nottingham, if I am near it, or give me a night's lodging in your own house, here is something to pay you for your trouble (giving a purse). If that is not sufficient, I will satisfy you in the morning to your utmost desire.

Miller. Ay, now I am convinced you are a courtier; here is a little bribe for to-day, and a large promise for tomorrow, both in a breath! Here, take it again, and take this along with it, John Cockle is no courtier; he can do what he ought without a bribe.

King. Thou art a very extraordinary man, I must own, and I should be glad, methinks, to be further acquainted with thee.

Miller. Thee and thou! prithee don't thee-and-thou me; I believe I am as good a man as yourself, at least. King. Sir, I beg your pardon.

Miller. Nay, I am not angry, friend: only I don't love to be too familiar with anybody before I know whether or not he deserves it.

King. You are in the right. But what am I to do? Miller. You may do what you please. do what you please. You are twelve miles from Nottingham, and all the way through a thick wood; but if you are resolved upon going thither to-night, I will put you in the road, and direct you the best I can; or, if you will accept of such poor entertainment as a miller can give, you will be welcome to stay all night, and in the morning I shall go with you myself.

King. And cannot you go with me to-night?

Miller. I would not go with you to-night, if you were the king.

King. Then I must go with you, I think.

(Enter a c

ir in haste.)

Cou. tier. Ah! is your Majesty safe? Whave hunted

Miller. How! Are you the king? (Kneels.) Your Majesty will pardon the ill-usage you have received. (The King draws his sword.) His Majesty will not kill a servant for doing his duty too faithfully!

King. No, my good fellow. So far from having anything to pardon, I am much your debtor. I cannot think but so good and honest a man will make a worthy and honorable knight. Rise, Sir John Cockle, and receive this sword as a badge of knighthood, and a pledge of my protection; and to support your nobility, and in some measure requite you for the pleasure you have given us, a thousand crowns a year shall be your revenue!

Dodsley.

THE SCOTCH WOMAN AND HER TWO SONS.

85

XXII. THE SCOTCH WOMAN AND HER TWO SONS.

ANY years ago an old Scotch woman sat alone,

M spinning by the kitchen fire, in her little cottage.

The room was adorned with the spoils of the chase, and many implements of war and hunting. There were spears, bows and arrows, swords, and shields; and against the side of the room hung a pair of huge antlers, on which were suspended skins, plaids, bonnets, and one or two ponderous battle-axes.

2. The table in the middle of the floor was spread for supper, and some oatmeal cakes were baking before the fire. But the dame was not thinking of any of these things, nor of her two manly sons, who, in an adjoining room, were busily preparing for the next day's sport.

3. She was thinking of the distracted state of her native land, and of the good king, Robert Bruce, a fugitive in his own kingdom, beset on every hand by open enemies and secret traitors. "Alas!" thought she, "to-night I dwell here in peace, while to-morrow may see me driven out into the heath; and even our king is a wanderer, with no shelter for his weary limbs."

4. A loud knock at the door broke in upon her musings, She rose, trembling with fear, to unbar the entrance, and beheld a man closely muffled in a cloak. "My good woman," said he, "will you grant a poor traveller the shelter of your roof to-night?"

5. "Right willingly will I," said she; "for the love of one for whose sake all travellers are welcome here."

6. "For whose sake is it that you make all wanderers welcome?" asked the stranger.

7. "For the sake of our good king, Robert Bruce, who, though he is now hunted like a wild beast, with horn and hound, I trust yet to see on the throne of Scotland."

I

8. "Nay, then, my good woman," replied the man, "since you love him so well, know that you see him now. am Robert Bruce."

9. "You? Are you our king?" she inquired, sinking on her knees, and reverently kissing his hand. "Where, then, are your followers, and why are you thus alone?”

10. "I have no followers now," replied Bruce, “ and am, therefore, compelled to travel alone.”

11. "Nay, my liege," exclaimed the loyal dame, “that you shall do no longer; for here are my two sons, whom I give to you, and may they long live to serve and defend your Majesty!"

12. The Scottish youths bent their knees, and took the oath of fealty; and then, sitting beside the fire, the king entered into conversation with his new retainers, while their mother was busied in preparing the evening meal.

13. Suddenly they were startled by the tramp of horses' hoofs, and the voices of men. ""Tis the English!" shouted the matron; "fight to the last, my sons, and defend your king!" But, at this moment, the king recognized the voices of Lord James, of Douglas, and of Edward Bruce, and bade them have no fear.

14. Bruce was overjoyed at meeting with his brother and his faithful friend Douglas, who had with them a band of one hundred and fifty men. He bade farewell to the brave and loyal woman, and, taking with him her two sons, left the place.

15. The two young Scots served Bruce well and faithfully, and were high officers in his service, when at the head of a conquering army he drove the English invaders from the soil of Scotland, and rendered her again a free and independent kingdom.

EXERCISE.

1. The room was adorned with the spoils of the chase, and many implements of war and hunting.

2. Against the sides of the room hung a pair of huge antlers, and one or two ponderous battle-axes.

3. The dame thought of her sons who were in an adjoining room. 4. Our king is a wanderer, with no shelter for his weary limbs.

5. A loud knock at the door broke in upon her musings.