Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/117

 last the monk gat out over men's heads, with the boy in his cowl, and, for a great while, felt no weight or burden.

At the last, when he was somewhat more come to himself, and did shake his shoulders, feeling his cowl heavier than it was accustomed to be, and also hearing the voice of one speaking behind in his cowl; he was more afraid than he was before when he was in the throng: thinking, in very deed, that the evil spirit which had set the church on fire had flown into his cowl. By and by he began to play the exorcist: "In the name of GOD," said he, "and all saints, I command thee to declare what thou art, that art behind at my back!" To whom the boy answered, "I am BERTRAM'S boy," said he; for that was his name. "But I," said the monk, "adjure thee, in the name of the unseparable Trinity, that thou, wicked spirit! do tell me who thou art, from whence thou eomest, and that thou get thee hence!" "I am BERTRAM'S boy," said he, "Good Master! let me go!" and with that his cowl began, with the weight, to crack upon his shoulders. The monk when he perceived the matter; took the boy out, and discharged his cowl. The boy took to his legs, and ran away as fast as he could.

Among others, one wiser than the rest ran with the church-door key, beating upon the stone walls; thinking therewith to break a hole through to escape out.

In the meantime those that were in the street, looking diligently about them, and perceiving all things to be without fear; marvelled at this sudden outrage, and made signs and tokens to them that were in the church to keep themselves quiet, crying to them that there was no danger.

But, forasmuch as no word could be heard by reason of the noise that was within the church, those signs made them much more afraid than they were before, interpreting the matter as though all had been on fire without the church; and for the dropping of the lead and falling of other things, they should rather tarry still within the church, and not to venture out. This trouble continued in this manner by the space of certain hours.

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The next day, and also the week following, there was an incredible number of bills [written notices] set upon the church doors, to inquire for things that were lost in such variety