KENILWORTH - Penn State University

KenilworthCHAPTER X.“And why so, my little man?” said Tressilian.“Because,” answered the ugly urchin, “you are the only threeThere entering in, they found the goodman selfe ever called me pretty lad. Now my grandam does it because sheFull busylie unto his work ybent,is parcel blind by age, and whole blind by kindred; and myWho was to weet a wretched wearish elf,master, the poor Dominie, does it to curry favour, and have theWith hollow eyes and rawbone cheeks forspent, fullest platter of furmity and the warmest seat by the fire. ButAs if he had been long in prison pent.what you call me pretty lad for, you know best yourself.”“Thou art a sharp wag at least, if not a pretty one. But whatThe Faery Queene. do thy playfellows call thee?”“Hobgoblin,” answered the boy readily; “but for all that, I would“ARE WE FAR from the dwelling of this smith, my pretty lad?” rather have my own ugly viznomy than any of their jolter-heads,said Tressilian to his young guide.that have no more brains in them than a brick-bat.”“How is it you call me?” said the boy, looking askew at him “Then you fear not this smith whom you are going to see?”with his sharp, grey eyes.“Me fear him!” answered the boy. “If he were the devil folk“I call you my pretty lad—is there any offence in that, my think him, I would not fear him; but though there is somethingqueer about him, he’s no more a devil than you are, andboy?”“No; but were you with my grandam and Dominie Holiday,you might sing chorus to the old song of“And why do you tell it to me, then, my boy?” said Tressilian.that’s what I would not tell to every one.”“Because you are another guess gentleman than those we‘We threesee here every day,” replied Dickie; “and though I am as uglyTom-fools be.’”as sin, I would not have you think me an ass, especially as I120