Thus the high-roads were filled with droves of bullocks,
sheep, calves and hogs, and choked with loaded wains, whose
axle-trees creaked under their burdens of wine-casks and hogsheads of
ale, and huge hampers of grocery goods, and slaughtered game, and
salted provisions, and sacks of flour. Perpetual stoppages took place
as these wains became entangled; and their rude drivers, swearing and
brawling till their wild passions were fully raised, began to debate
precedence with their wagon-whips and quarter-staves, which
occasional riots were usually quieted by a purveyor, deputy-marshal's
man, or some other person in authority breaking the heads of both
parties. Here were, besides, players and mummers, jugglers and
showmen, of every description, traversing in joyous bands the paths
which led to the Palace of Princely Pleasure; for so the travelling
minstrels had termed Kenilworth in the songs which already had come
forth in anticipation of the revels, which were there expected. In
the midst of this motley show, mendicants were exhibiting their real
or pretended miseries, forming a strange though common contrast
betwixt the vanities and the sorrows of human existence.
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