Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/141

 THE RISING OF THE NORTH. 127 ancient altar- stone was taken from a rubbish heap where it had been thrown, and solemnly replaced, and the holy water vessel was restored at the west door ; and then, amidst tears, embraces, prayers, and thanksgivings, the organ pealed out, the candles and torches were lighted, and mass was heard once more in the long- desecrated edifice. ' Tell your master what you have seen/ Northum- berland said to the messenger, when it was over. ' Bid him use no further persuasions ; our lives are in danger, and if we are to lose them, we will lose them in the field/ 1 The first step once ventured there was no more hesi- tation. On Monday morning they moved south, to Darlington, gathering force like a snow-ball, and with herald's voice and written proclamation, at cross road and village green, in town hall and pulpit, they made known their intentions to the world, and appealed to the religious conscience of the people. l They intended no hurt to the Queen's Majesty nor her good subjects/ they said ; ' but inasmuch as the order of things in the Church and matters of religion were set forth and used contrary to the ancient and Catholic faith, their purpose was to reduce all the said causes of religion to the ancient custom and usage, and therein they desired all good people to take their part/ 2 Sussex could do nothing to 1 Sussex to Elizabeth, Novem- ber 15 : JfSS. Border. 2 Proclamation of the Earls, November 15 : Memorials of the Re- bellion. The form was afterwards slightly varied, running thus : ' We, the Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland, the Queen's true and faithful subjects, to all the same of the old Roman Catholic faith. Know ye that we with many others well disposed, as well of the