Трое в лодке не считая собаки

           Andalltheeveninglongthetimidtownsmen’sdoorshavehadtobequickopenedtoletinroughgroupsofsoldiers,forwhomtheremustbefoundbothboardandlodging,andthebestofboth,orwoebetidethehouseandallwithin; fortheswordisjudgeandjury,plaintiffandexecutioner,inthesetempestuoustimes,andpaysforwhatittakesbysparingthosefromwhomittakesit,ifitpleasesittodoso. 

           Roundthecamp-fireinthemarket-placegatherstillmoreoftheBarons’troops,andeatanddrinkdeep,andbellowforthroysteringdrinkingsongs,andgambleandquarrelastheeveninggrowsanddeepensintonight. Thefirelightshedsquaintshadowsontheirpiled-uparmsandontheiruncouthforms. Thechildrenofthetownstealroundtowatchthem,wondering;andbrawnycountrywenches,laughing,drawneartobandyale-housejestandjibewiththeswaggeringtroopers,sounlikethevillageswains,who,nowdespised,standapartbehind,withvacantgrinsupontheirbroad,peeringfaces. Andoutfromthefieldsaround,glitterthefaintlightsofmoredistantcamps,asheresomegreatlord’sfollowersliemustered,andtherefalseJohn’sFrenchmercenarieshoverlikecrouchingwolveswithoutthetown. 

           Andso,withsentinelineachdarkstreet,andtwinklingwatch-firesoneachheightaround,thenighthaswornaway,andoverthisfairvalleyofoldThamehasbrokenthemorningofthegreatdaythatistoclosesobigwiththefateofagesyetunborn.