I remembre it well .

Of late a rumoure was spread among the husbandmen of those quarters , that bysides this bridge ther walked a certaine Spirite , Sprite . whose miserable howlings were sundry tymes hearde : Soule . which they thought to be the soule of some man in those places tormented with most cruel punishments .

Who was the authour of this rumour ?

Who but Pole ? and this was the preface of his Enterlude .

What came in his mynde to fayne this .

I wot nere , but that such is the mans nature , desirous to deceiue the foolish people , by such sort of delusions . I will shew you what like prank he hath playd● of late . We rode a good companie of vs togither to Richmond , wherof there were some , whome you would haue sworne , Richmond . had ben both tall and stutdy fellows . The i. Acte The wether was very fayre , neither appered there any little clowde in the Skie . There Pole casting his eyes vp towardes heauen : blessed all his face and shoulders with the signe of the Crosse , and fayning in his countenance , as though he had ben afrayde , these words he spake to hym selfe : O immortall God , what doe I sée ? and beyng demaunded of those that rode next vnto him what it was : Agayne , makyng a greater crosse : O merciful God , I beséech thée ( quod he ) take away from myne eyes this terrible sight . When they desirous to know what it was , moste instantly required him to declare the vision , Vision . he castyng his eyes intentiuely vp agayn towardes heauen , and there with his fynger pointyng to one place : Sée you not yonder ( quod he ) an vgly Dragon , A Dragon . armed with light burning hornes , and a winding taile ? Which when they denied that they sawe it : againe he had they shoulde beholde more earnestly , ofte poyntyng with his finger also to the place , vntill at length an other of the company , lest he should séeme that he could sée but a little , sayd also that be sawe it . Lykewise did one or . ij . other , for they were ashamed not to sée that which was so euident . But what néede many words ? within . iij. dayes the rumour had persuaded all England that there appered such a Monster . England . A wonder it was howe the report of the people had augmented the fable , Monster . neyther lacked there such as wold in earnest expound what this horrible sight portended . Whose follie he much reioyced at , who was the Inuenter of the argument .

I know wel the mans wit , but returne againe to the Spirite .

In the meanewhile commodiously , there resorted vnto Pole , a certaine Priest named Fanne , Fanne . of the order which we can not wel call in Latin Regulares , Regulares , Regulars , vnlesse the greke name agrée also , a parishe Priest seruing the cure in one of the nexte Parishes . This same séemed vnto himselfe not meanlie learned , and especially in diuinitie .

I perceyue it well , he was founde chiefe doer in the matter .

About supper they fell in communication of this matter , or report of the spirite . When Pole perceiued that Fanne had not onely hearde of the rumour , but also beleued it to bée true , he beganne to intreate him , that bicause hée was a man both learned and godly , he woulde helpe that sielly soule so cruelly tourmented . And if you doubte any thing ( quod he ) trie the matter : Walke aboute ten of the clocke at nyght to the bridge , and you shall heare terrible howlyngs . Take vnto you what companie you lyste , so shall you heare more safely and surely .

What then ?

After supper Pole as he was wont or accustomed , a haukyng or hunting , Fanne walkyng vp and down euen then when the darknesse had taken away all sure iudgement of thinges , at lengthe heareth pitifull schritchinge fire out of their nostrils , who assayde also to enter into the Circle , but that by waightie wordes he draue them away with sorrowe : At which Fanne taking heart of grace , the day following being wel appointed , commeth to the Circle , and prouoketh the Diuell to appere by many charms & prayers . Charmes . And Pole with his companions shewing themselues a far off , sitting vpon black horses , with terrible noyses ( as who should say ) they would faine haue entred into the Circle .

Had they no fire ?

None at all , for that had chaunced vnto them not very well before : but here beginneth another tale . They brought with them a long rope which they dragged softly on the ground , eche of them holding an ende in their handes , dispersed themselues abroade as thoughe they had bene so enforced by the vehemencie of Fanne his inuocation : and therwithall they tombled ouer and ouer both the Priestes & also the Vessell of holie Water which they had .

Had the parish Priest such a rewarde for his good wil in furthering the matter ?

Yea truely , yet had he rather suffer all this and more too , than to forsake the pretended pastime . The. 3. Acte . This done , when they came to talk togither Fan declareth vnto Pole in what daunger he was , and how stoutely he draue away both the Spirites with his wordes , and that he had nowe taken such an opinion , that there was not one diuell in Hell , were he neuer so hurtfull or bolde , which durste or coulde come within the Circle .

That Fanne should séeme truelie to be almost a foole .

Yet haue ye heard in effect nothing . The matter thus far procéeding , in good time came Poles sonne in lawe , The commendation of Fanne his Sonne in lawe . who had taken to wife his eldest daughter , a yong man ( as you know ) of a maruellous witte and pleasaunte disposition .

I know it wel , neither doth