"The Priory at Christ church was a noble pile, but it was cold and bare, methinks, by one of these, with their frettings, and their carvings, and their traceries, as though some great ivy-plant of stone had curled and wantoned over the walls." "And hark to the speech of the folk!" said Ford.

"Was ever such a hissing and clacking?
I wonder that they have not wit to learn English now that they have come under the English crown.

By Richard of Hampole! there are fair faces amongst them.

See the wench with the brown whimple! Out on you, Alleyne, that you would rather gaze upon dead stone than on living flesh!" It was little wonder that the richness and ornament, not only of church and of stall, but of every private house as well, should have impressed itself upon the young squires.

The town was now at the height of its fortunes.