The first of men! the angels of the church!

I know them all, and most of them...Room, ho!
The Abbot of St. Winifred's-Room, room!

And most of them I call my friends.

SIDROC (aside to WULFSTAN.)

The newt

Lived much amongst the tadpoles, and averred
He was acquainted with all kinds of fish.

FIRST DEPUTY.

Here is the Abbot Morcar with one hand.
A woman kissed the other, for which cause
He chopped it off. He emulates St. Arnulph,
And wears a shirt of hedgehog skins. No need
To clear the way for him.

EMMA.

Sirs, push me not.

No, they fall back unbidden.

FIRST DEPUTY.

And here is Monn,

The Abbot of St. Clive's, that heals the sick

And makes the dumb to speak. From far and near

Thousands and thousands make resort to him,

And them that may not for infirmity

He sends his walking-stick, which does as well.

EMMA.

See how they press around him.

FIRST DEPUTY.

Room, I say,

Place for the Abbot of St. Clive's !—Lo, there
Cumba, the Priest of Sherborne ; more than twice
Hath he changed sides; but he's so mild and sweet,
That there are ever some to hold him up.

Betwixt the Monks and Secular Church, half-way
Stands Cumba, smiling upon both.

SIDROC (aside).

A chicken

Is good for breakfast; and an egg is good;

But something half-way 'twixt an egg and chicken Is vilely bad.

FIRST DEPUTY.

And, to say truth of him,

His faith is mounted on his charity

And sits it easy.

SIDROC (aside).

Cumba is my gauge,

And by the crown of his head I know the times.

Grow they ascetic, then his tonsure widens ;

Or free, it narrows in.

EMMA.

What man is this,

(pointing to WULFSTAN

With large round silvery head and fair round face,

And those lost eyes so lustrous that see nothing?
Tell me what man is he.

FIRST DEPUTY.

Some country priest;

A man one sees and makes no mention of.
He had his pass or I had questioned him ;
For with my will a priest so meanly clad

And slovenly, should take his rags

SIDROC (aside).

elsewhere.

Dogs take distinctions, learning from mankind

A worldly lesson; and the beggar's stayed

When lace and gawds go free.-What say you, Sir?

To you, Sir? nothing.

FIRST DEPUTY.

A cry without of " Place for the Archbishop." A flourish of trumpets, and enter divers officers of the Archbishop's

household in procession. Then the Archbishop, attired in splendid vestments, and preceded by SIGERIC, and BRIDFERTH, bearing his mass-book and crucifex. He is supported on the right by the Bishop of Lincoln, on the left by the Bishop of Lichfield, and followed by a long train of Officers and attendants.

ODO (returning the obeisances with which he is received as he passes through.)

The blessing of God's peace, my Sons, be on you;
And I beseech you, pray that by God's grace

Our counsels may be prospered to His glory.

[Exit with his train.

FIRST MONK.

The Primate is too ancient for the times;

He is too sudden when he 's choleric,

Too slow when he 's at ease.

SECOND MONK.

He is shaken both ways.

A THANE.

The Primate looks an inch or two less tall

Than he was wont, methinks; nor is his step
So firm as once it was.

AN ACOLYTE.

Time, Sir, and care.

SIDROC (aside).

Or peradventure Sin and Fear.-Good Father,
Saw you my Lord the Archbishop pass ?

Was it not he that passed in gold and purple?

Methinks the muster of the Seculars

Is stronger than was looked for. What is this?

Hark! Hist! A hum as of a multitude

Without the gates. Permit me, Sirs. He comes.