the father and his two sons upon clean straw. Sir Philip's bed was of a
better kind, and yet much inferior to his usual accommodations;
nevertheless the good knight slept as well in Wyatt's cottage, as he
could have done in a palace.

During his sleep, many strange and incoherent dreams arose to his
imagination. He thought he received a message from his friend Lord
Lovel, to come to him at the castle; that he stood at the gate and
received him, that he strove to embrace him, but could not; but that he
spoke to this effect: -- "Though I have been dead these fifteen years,
I still command here, and none can enter these gates without my
permission; know that it is I that invite, and bid you welcome; the
hopes of my house rest upon you." Upon this he bid Sir Philip follow
him; he led him through many rooms, till at last he sunk down, and Sir
Philip thought he still followed him, till he came into a dark and
frightful cave, where he disappeared, and in his stead he beheld a
complete suit of armour stained with blood, which belonged to his
friend, and he thought he heard dismal groans from beneath. Presently
after, he thought he was hurried away by an invisible hand, and led
into a wild heath, where the people were inclosing the ground, and
making preparations for two combatants; the trumpet sounded, and a
voice called out still louder, "Forbear! It is not permitted to be
revealed till the time is ripe for the event; wait with patience on the
decrees of heaven." He was then transported to his own house, where,
going into an unfrequented room, he was again met by his friend, who
was living, and in all the bloom of youth, as when he first knew him:
He started at the sight, and awoke. The sun shone upon his curtains,
and, perceiving it was day, he sat up, and recollected where he was.
The images that impressed his sleeping fancy remained strongly on his
mind waking; but his reason strove to disperse them; it was natural