ause of our
sentence; to whom I answered, `Sir, I have not yet been sentenced, but I
believe the cause of my prison to be that I do put faith in Saint Paul's
words, that when we do show forth the Lord's death in the Sacrament of
His Supper, it is bread the which we do eat.' Whereat he smiled
somewhat, but after scowled, and bade an officer have me thence. Of
whom I was taken down _into_ a cell or little dungeon, and there set by
myself. I asked of the officer where I was; and he laughed, and at
first would not tell me. But after he said, `Well, you are in Exeter,
but say not unto any that I told it you.' In the prison at Exeter
(where I was alone) I lay methinks over _two_ years. Ah!" pursued
Robin, dropping his voice, "it was hard work lying there! Men had
forgotten me, I thought; I began to marvel whether God had. I saw none
but my gaoler, that brought me meat [then the generic term for food]
morning and evening, but scarce ever spake to me: and I fell at times to
talking with myself, that I should not forget mine own tongue, nor be
affrighted at the sound of mine own voice. At last, just as the warm
days of Spring were coming, I was brought out, and again set on an
horse. We went north this time; and one even, after passing by certain
monastical buildings, we stayed at the door of a stately palace. Here I
was bidden to 'light, for that we should go no further. They carried me
away through many lobbies, and down stairs, and at length we came unto a
chamber where was a gaoler sitting, with his keys at his girdle. He and
my guide spake together, and he then bare me unto a cell, wherein I was
locked. I asked again where I was, but to no end beyond being bidden to
hold my peace, and stricken on the head with his keys. Here I passed
not many days, ere one even the gaoler came unto me, and bade me to
follow him. He led me down further stairs, and at the very bottom
opened a heavy door. I could see nothing within. `Go in,' said he,
gruffly, `and fall no further than you can help. You were best to slide
down.' I marvelled whither I were going; but I took his avisement, and
grasping the door-sill with mine hands, I slid down into the darkness.
At length my feet found firm ground, though I were a little bruised in
the descent; but I lighted on no floor, but a point only--all the walls
sloping away around me. `Are you there?' growls the gaoler--but his
voice sounded far above me. `I am some whither,' said I,