"
The trembling hearers were, afraid to answer--their lips quivered, and
each tongue seemed to refuse its office. Gamel proceeded:----
"What! come ye to fawn and whine out my purpose? Now will I make your
chastisement ten times hotter for this intent. Lodge these knaves,
Nicholas, i' the further dungeon, till they be reprieved by the rogues
who are yet at large and defying our power:--they hold it somewhat
cheap, methinks, when they value it less than the pampering of their own
wantonness and sport."
Nicholas was herald, bedellus, or chief crier, to the lord of the manor,
his office being to make proclamations at the court and the cross, where
the use of his capacious lungs was oft in request. He was hangman, too,
upon occasion, being never so well pleased as when employed in the due
chastisement of his master's lieges. He was, moreover, a man of infinite
humour, generally consoling his dear unfortunates under their
visitations by some coarse and galling jest.
"Now, Adam of Hunersfield, art thou at thy prayers already?--I'll shrive
thee quick. Master, shall I give the rogues any victuals? They'll not
keep else till hanging time;--best finish now--needless to waste
provender.
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