"Now scornest thou at me," saith he. "How can I be perfect, that am wedded man? [Note 2.] Thou wist well enough that perfect men be only found among the contemplative, not among them that dwell in the world. Yet soothly, I reckon man may dwell in the world and love Christ, or he may dwell in cloister and be none of His." Well, I know not how that may be; but this do I know, that never was there any Jack even to my Jack; and I am sore afraid that if I ever win into Heaven, I shall never be able to see Jack, for he shall be ten thousand mile nearer the Throne than I Cicely am ever like to be. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Note 1. At this time it was high treason for any subject to march with banners displayed, unless he acted as the King's representative by his distinct commission. Note 2. The best men then living looked on the life of idle contemplation as the highest type of Christian life, to which no married man could attain. PART ONE, CHAPTER 4. THE GLAMOUR OF THE QUEEN. "Hast thou beheld thyself, and couldst thou stain So rare perfection? Even for love of thee I do profoundly hate thee." Lady Elizabeth Carew. So I was got into the Annals of Cicely, was I? Well then, have back. Dear heart! but what a way have I to go back ere I can find where I was in my story! Well the King left the Tower for Wallingford, and with him Sir Hugh Le Despenser, and Hugh his young son, Archdeacon Baldok, Edward de Bohun the King's nephew, and divers of his following. I know not whether he had with him also his daughters, the young Ladies Alianora and Joan, or if they were brought to him later. By Saint Denis' Eve [October 7th] he had reached Wallingford.