With tattered hose and doublet, with coat that scarce held together at my back, with no cap to my head, and scarce one shoe to divide betwixt my two feet, 'twas little wonder if no man but the watch heeded me, still less suspected me to be the once famous captain of the clubs without Temple Bar.
My way into the city led by Finsbury Fields, where were many 'prentices at their sports, and citizens taking their sweethearts to sniff the sweet spring air.

No one wanted me there.

The lads bade me make way for my betters, and the maids held back their skirts as they swept by.
So I left them and wandered citywards.
I marvelled to see all so little changed, forgetting how short a time I had been away.

There stood Stationers' Hall, as lordly as ever, and Timothy Ryder, the beadle, taking his fees at the compter.

There, too, was the great Cathedral with its crowd of loungers, and Fleet Street full of swaggering 'prentices, and the River sparkling in the sun.
Then, as I came near Temple Bar, my heart fell a thumping.