the field of Hexham, I chanced to fall, when alone, amongst a band of
roving and fierce Lancastrian outlaws. Thou, their leader,
recognizing the crest on my helm, and mindful of some slight
indulgence once shown to thy strange notions of republican liberty,
didst save me from the swords of thy followers: from that time I have
sought in vain to mend thy fortunes. Thou hast rejected all mine
offers, and I know well that thou hast lent thy service to the fatal
cause of Lancaster. Many a time I might have given thee to the law;
but gratitude for thy aid in the needful strait, and to speak sooth,
my disdain of all individual efforts to restore a fallen House, made
me turn my eyes from transgressions which, once made known to the
king, had placed thee beyond pardon. I see now that thou art a man of
head and arm to bring great danger upon nations; and though this time
Warwick bids thee escape and live, if once more thou offend, know me
only as the king's minister. The debt between us is now cancelled.
Yonder lies the path that conducts to the forest. Farewell. Yet
stay!--poverty may have led thee into treason?"

"Poverty," interrupted Hilyard,--"poverty, Lord Warwick, leads men to
sympathize with the poor, and therefore I have done with riches." He
paused, and his breast heaved. "Yet," he added sadly, "now that I
have seen the cowardice and ingratitude of men, my calling seems over,
and my spirit crushed."

"Alas!" said Warwick, "whether man be rich or poor, ingratitude is the
vice of men; and you, who have felt it from the mob, menace me with it
from the king. But each must carve out his own way through this
earth, without over care for applause or blame; and the tomb is the
sole judge of mortal memory."