Why, ho, there! Alwyn--I say, Nicholas Alwyn!--who would have thought to see thee with that bow, a good half-ell taller than thyself?
Methought thou wert too sober and studious for such man-at-arms sort of devilry." "An' it please you, Master Heyford," answered the person thus addressed,--a young man, pale and lean, though sinewy and large-boned, with a countenance of great intelligence, but a slow and somewhat formal manner of speech, and a strong provincial accent,--"an' it please you, King Edward's edict ordains every Englishman to have a bow of his own height; and he who neglects the shaft on a holiday forfeiteth one halfpenny and some honour.

For the rest, methinks that the citizens of London will become of more worth and potency every year; and it shall not be my fault if I do not, though but a humble headman to your worshipful mastership, help to make them so." "Why, that's well said, lad; but if the Londoners prosper, it is because they have nobles in their gipsires, [a kind of pouch worn at the girdle] not bows in their hands." "Thinkest thou then, Master Heyford, that any king at a pinch would leave them the gipsire, if they could not protect it with the bow?
That Age may have gold, let not Youth despise iron." "Body o' me!" cried Master Heyford, "but thou hadst better curb in thy tongue.

Though I have my jest,--as a rich man and a corpulent,--a lad who has his way to make good should be silent and--But he's gone." "Where hooked you up that young jack fish ?" said Master Stokton, the thin mercer, who had reminded the goldsmith of the fate of the grocer.
"Why, he was meant for the cowl, but his mother, a widow, at his own wish, let him make choice of the flat cap.

He was the best 'prentice ever I had.

By the blood of Saint Thomas, he will push his way in good time; he has a head, Master Stokton,--a head, and an ear; and a great big pair of eyes always looking out for something to his proper advantage." In the mean while, the goldsmith's headman had walked leisurely up to the archery-ground; and even in his gait and walk, as he thus repaired to a pastime, there was something steady, staid, and business-like.
The youths of his class and calling were at that day very different from their equals in this.