“I have found several willing, Sir John,” replied Nicholas; “but as to their ability that is another question.  However, one of them may do as a make-shift.  They are all in the base court, and shall wait on you when you please, and then you can make your election.”

“So far well,” replied Finett; “it may be that we shall have Ben Jonson here to-day—­rare Ben, the prince of poets and masque-writers.  Sir Richard Hoghton expects him.  Ben is preparing a masque for Christmas, to be called ‘The Vision of Delight,’ in which his highness the prince is to be a principal actor, and some verses which have been recited to me are amongst the daintiest ever indited by the bard.”

“It will be a singular pleasure to me to see him,” said Nicholas; “for I hold Ben Jonson in the highest esteem as a poet—­ay, above them all, unless it be Will Shakspeare.”

“Ay, you do well to except Shakspeare,” rejoined Sir John Finett.  “Great as Ben Jonson is, and for wit and learning no man surpasses him, he is not to be compared with Shakspeare, who for profound knowledge of nature, and of all the highest qualities of dramatic art, is unapproachable.  But ours is a learned court, Master Nicholas, and therefore we have a learned poet; but a right good fellow is Ben Jonson, and a boon companion, though somewhat prone to sarcasm, as you will find if you drink with him.  Over his cups he will rail at courts and courtiers in good set terms, I promise you, and I myself have come in for his gibes.  However, I love him none the less for his quips, for I know it is his humour to utter them, and so overlook what in another and less deserving person I should assuredly resent.  But is not that young man, who is now going forth, your cousin, Richard Assheton?  I thought so.  The King has had a strange tale whispered in his ear, that the youth has been bewitched by a maiden—­Alizon Nutter, I think she is named—­of whom he is enamoured.  I know not what truth may be in the charge, but the youth himself seems to warrant it, for he looks ghastly ill.  A letter was sent to his Majesty at Myerscough, communicating this and certain other particulars with which I am not acquainted; but I know they relate to some professors of the black art in your country, the soil of which seems favourable to the growth of such noxious weeds, and at first he was much disturbed by it, but in the end decided that both parties should be brought hither without being made aware of his design, that he might see and judge for himself in the matter.  Accordingly a messenger was sent over to Middleton Hall as from Sir Richard Hoghton, inviting the whole family to the Tower, and giving Sir Richard Assheton to understand it was the King’s pleasure he should bring with him a certain young damsel, named Alizon Nutter, of whom mention had been made to him.  Sir Richard had no choice but to obey, and promised compliance with his Majesty’s injunctions.  An officer, however, was left on the watch, and this very morning reported to his Majesty that young Richard Assheton had already set out with the intention of going to Preston, but had passed the night at Walton-le-Dale, and that Sir Richard, his daughter Dorothy, and Alizon Nutter, would be here before noon.”