they choose. They know that their deeds have so far committed them that
they will not dare to draw back, and must follow Wat's leadership
implicitly. You will see erelong that from murdering lawyers they will
take to murdering lords."

"If the council here is taking no steps to summon the knights of the shire
and the feudal lords to hasten hither with their levies and retainers, how
do they think to arrest the course of the ill-doers?" Edgar asked.

"Their opinion is that the king has but to ride out and meet the rebels,
and that they will all, on seeing him, fall on their knees and crave
pardon, whereupon he will promise to redress their grievances, and they
will disperse to their homes. I have no such hope. Is it likely that they
will quietly go home, having once worked themselves up to fight for what
they call their rights, and with the thought of taking vengeance on those
they consider their enemies, and of unlimited drinking and feasting, and,
on the part of some, of rich plunder in London, when they see that there
is no one to prevent their taking this satisfaction? Nothing but force
will avail, and though something might be done that way, it is more
difficult than it looks.

"The knights of the shire could hardly raise their levies, for most of
those who would be called out are already with the mob, and of the others
few would venture to answer to the summons. When they returned they might
find their houses burned and their families slain. You see we know not how
far this fire may spread. We hear that both in Suffolk and Hertfordshire
men are assembling and parties marching away to join those of Essex. In
truth, lads, the thing is far more formidable than I deemed it at first,
for they say that two hundred thousand men will march on London."