Page:The Chronicle of Clemendy.pdf/84

 that were afoot. Thus with a suit of armor and a mask their designs were accomplished with great ease, and to ward off suspicion one of the company would now and again pretend the Knight had visited him; and some were for prolonging the trickery after Sir Jenkin had been burned, but 'twas judged wise to stop there for fear lest some one should pluck up a heart and tackle the demon with the carnal arm. And John de Ferula (some called him plain John Rodd) says that this waggish invention was engendered in the brain of one Sir Peter de Fontibus who was also of the Society called the Cwrw Dda (qui erat quoque Socius Societatis Bonæ Cervisiæ q. v. Cwrw Dda). But the exact annalist says openly that all this was mere rumour, not talked of or noised about till long after Sir Jenkin was burnt, and believed by very few and not at all by himself for, says he, I know that the Devil is very strong in Burgavenny, and to his malice there are no bounds. And the only circumstance that at all confirms this story is that Sir Peter de Fontibus aforesaid, who was a gentleman of consideration in the town, and was present at the famous trial of Sir Jenkin, was heard all the while to gurgle and make a clicking noise to himself, when the more curious circumstances were recited, but he was known to be tormented by defluctions of rheum to the teeth which caused him great anguish, and as at that time to grow purple in the face and twist his body to and fro. But I believe that it is true that this gentleman was of our Sokage: what say you Master Bamfylde, is it not so?