
with a cap, having around it more than one bell, about the size of those
attached to hawks, which jingled as he turned his head to one side or other; and
as he seldom remained a minute in the same posture, the sound might be
considered as incessant. Around the edge of this cap was a stiff bandeau of
leather, cut at the top into open work, resembling a coronet, while a prolonged
bag arose from within it, and fell down on one shoulder like an old-fashioned
nightcap, or a jelly-bag, or the head-gear of a modern hussar. It was to this
part of the cap that the bells were attached; which circumstance, as well as the
shape of his head-dress, and his own half-crazed, half-cunning expression of
countenance, sufficiently pointed him out as belonging to the race of domestic
clowns or jesters, maintained in the houses of the wealthy, to help away the
tedium of those lingering hours which they were obliged to spend within doors.
He bore, like his companion, a scrip, attached to his belt, but had neither horn
nor knife, being probably considered as belonging to a class whom it is esteemed
dangerous to intrust with edge-tools. In place of these he was equipped with a
sort of sword of lath, resembling that with which Harlequin operates his wonders
upon the modern stage.
    The outward appearance of these two men formed scarce a stronger contrast
than their look and demeanour. That of the serf, or bondsman, was sad and
sullen; his aspect was bent on the ground with an appearance of deep dejection,
which might be almost construed into apathy, had not the fire which occasionally
sparkled in his red eye manifested that there slumbered, under the appearance of
sullen despondency, a sense of oppression, and a disposition to resistance. The
looks of Wamba, on the other hand, indicated, as usual with his class, a sort of
vacant curiosity, and fidgetty impatience of any posture of repose, together
with the utmost self-satisfaction respecting his own situation, and the
appearance which he made. The dialogue which they maintained between them was
carried on in Anglo-Saxon, which, as we said before, was universally spoken by
the inferior classes, excepting the Norman soldiers, and the immediate personal
dependants of the great feudal nobles. But to give their conversation in the
original would convey but little information to the modern reader, for whose
benefit we beg to offer the following translation.
    »The curse of St. Withold upon these infernal porkers!« said the swineherd
