t leave or licence.

Woodc. By token, thou'rt a deer-stealer?

Peas. Stealer, quoth he? I have dominion. I do what I like with
mine own.

Woodc. Thine own?

Peas. Yea, marry--for, saith the priest, man has dominion over the
beast of the field and the fowl of the air: so I, being as I am a
man, as men go, have dominion over the deer in my trade, as you have
in yours over sleep-mice and woodpeckers.

Woodc. Then every man has a right to be a poacher.

Peas. Every man has his gift, and the tools go to him that can use
them. Some are born workmen; some have souls above work. I'm one
of that metal. I was meant to own land, and do nothing; but the
angel that deals out babies' souls, mistook the cradles, and spoilt
a gallant gentleman! Well--I forgive him! there were many born the
same night--and work wears the wits.

Woodc. I had sooner draw in a yoke than hunt in a halter.
Hadst best repent and mend thy ways.

Peas. The way-warden may do that: I wear out no ways, I go across
country. Mend! saith he? Why I can but starve at worst, or groan
with the rheumatism, which you do already. And who would reek and
wallow o' nights in the same straw, like a stalled cow, when he may
have his choice of all the clean holly bushes in the forest? Who
would grub out his life in the same croft, when he has free-warren
of all fields between this and Rhine? Not I. I have dirtied my
share of spades myself; but I slipped my leash and went self-
hunting.

Woodc. But what if thou be caught and brought up before the Prince?

Peas. He don't care for game. He has put down his kennel, and
keeps a tame saint instead: and when I am driven in, I shall ask my
pardon of her in St. John's name. They say that for his sake she'll
give away the shoes off her feet.

Woodc. I would not stand in your shoes for all the top and lop in
the forest. Murder! Here comes a ghost! Run up the bank--shove
the jackass into the ditch.

[A white figure comes up the path with lights.]

Peas. A ghost or a watchman, and one's as bad as the other--so we
may take to cover for the time.

[Elizabeth enters, meanly clad, carrying her new-born infant;
Isentrudis following with a taper and gold pieces on a salver.
Elizabeth passes, singing.]

Deep in the warm vale the village is sleeping,
Sleeping the firs on the bleak rock above;
Nought wakes, save grateful hearts, silently creeping
Up to the Lord in the might of their love.

What T