"ItoldhimthatIcouldtakeittotheriver，providedIcouldbutgetthreeorfourmentohelpme；whereuponhesaidthatifIcouldbutgetthevesseltothewaterhewouldgivemeanythingIasked，andearnestlybeggedmetocomethenextmorning，ifpossible。I
didcomewiththeladandfourhorses。Iwentbeforetheteam，andsetthementoworktobreakaholethroughagreatoldwall，whichstoodasitwerebeforetheship。Wethenlaidapieceoftimberacrosstheholefromwhichwasachain，towhichthetackle，thatistheropeandpulleys，washooked。Wethenhookedoneendoftheropetotheship，andsetthehorsestopullattheother。Theshipcameoutoftheholeprosperouslyenough，andthenwehadtohookthetackletoatree，whichwasgrowingnear，andbythismeanswegottheshipforward；butwhenwecametosoftgroundwewereobligedtoputplanksunderthewheelstopreventtheirsinkingundertheimmenseweight；whenwecametotheendoftheforemostplanksweputthehinderonesbefore，andsoon；whentherewasnotreeathandtowhichwecouldhookthetackle，wewereobligedtodriveapostdowntohookitto。Sofromtreetopostitgotdowntotheriverinafewdays。Iwaspromisednoblewagesbythemerchant，butInevergotanythingfromhimbutpromisesandpraises。Somepeoplecametolookatus，andgaveusmoneytogetale，andthatwasall。"
Themerchantsubsequentlyturnedoutaverygreatknave，cheatingTomonvariousoccasions，andfinallybrokeverymuchinhisdebt。
Tomwasobligedtoselloffeverything，andleftSouthWaleswithouthorsesorwaggon；hisoldfriendtheMuse，however，stoodhimingoodstead。
"BeforeIleft，"sayshe，"IwenttoBrecon，andprintedthe’InterludeoftheKing，theJustice，theBishop，andtheHusbandman，’andgotanoldacquaintanceofminetoplayitwithme，andhelpmetosellthebooks。Ilikewisebusiedmyselfingettingsubscriberstoabookofsongscalledthe’GardenofMinstrelsy。’ItwasprintedatTrefecca。Theexpenseattendingtheprintingamountedtofifty—twopounds，butIwasfortunateenoughtodisposeoftwothousandcopies。Isubsequentlycomposedaninterludecalled’PleasureandCare，’andprintedit；andafterthatImadeaninterludecalledthe’ThreePowerfulOnesoftheWorld：Poverty，Love，andDeath。’"
Thepoet’sdaughterswerenotsuccessfulinthetavernspeculationatLlandeilo，andfollowedtheirfatherintoNorthWales。Thesecondheapprenticedtoamilliner，theothertwolivedwithhimtillthedayofhisdeath。HesettledatDenbighinasmallhousewhichhewasenabledtofurnishbymeansoftwoorthreesmallsumswhichherecoveredforworkdonealongtimebefore。Shortlyafterhisreturn，hisfatherdied，andthelawyerseizedthelittleproperty"fortheoldcurse，"andturnedTom’smotherout。
AfterhisreturnfromtheSouthTomwentaboutforsometimeplayinginterludes，andthenturnedhishandtomanythings。Helearntthetradeofstonemason，tookjobs，andkeptworkmen。Hethenwentamongstcertainbricklayers，andinducedthemtoteachhimtheircraft；"andshortly，"ashesays，"becameaverylionatbricklaying。Forthelastfourorfiveyears，"sayshe，towardstheconclusionofhishistory，"myworkhasbeentoputupironovensandlikewisefurnacesofallkinds，alsogrates，stovesandboilers，andnotunfrequentlyIhavepractisedasasmokedoctor。"
ThefollowingfeatsofstrengthheperformedafterhisreturnfromSouthWales，whenhewasprobablyaboutsixtyyearsofage：—
"AboutayearaftermyreturnfromtheSouth，"sayshe，"Imetwithanoldcarrierofwood，whohadmanyatimeworkedalongwithme。
HeandIwereattheHandatRuthynalongwithvariousothers，andinthecourseofdiscoursemyfriendsaidtome：’Tom，thouartmuchweakerthanthouwastwhenwecartedwoodtogether。’I
answeredthatinmyopinionIwasnotabitweakerthanIwasthen。
NowithappenedthatatthemomentweweretalkingthereweresomesacksofwheatinthehallwhichweregoingtoChesterbythecarrier’swaggon。Theymightholdaboutthreebushelseach，andI
saidthatifIcouldgetthreeofthesacksuponthetable，andhadthemtiedtogether，Iwouldcarrythemintothestreetandbackagain；andsoIdid；manywhowerepresenttriedtodothesamething，butallfailed。
"AnothertimewhenIwasatChesterIliftedabarrelofporterfromthestreettothehinderpartofthewaggonsolelybystrengthofbackandarms。"
Hewasoncerunoverbyaloadedwaggon，butstrangetosayescapedwithouttheslightestinjury。
Towardsthecloseofhislifehehadstrongreligiousconvictions，andfeltaloathingforthesinswhichhehadcommitted。"Ontheiraccount，"saysheintheconcludingpageofhisbiography，"thereisastrongnecessityformetoconsidermywaysandtoinquireaboutaSaviour，sinceitisutterlyimpossibleformetosavemyselfwithoutobtainingknowledgeofthemeritsoftheMediator，inwhichIhopeIshallterminatemyshorttimeonearthinthepeaceofGodenduringuntoalleternity。"
Hediedintheyear1810，attheageof71，shortlyafterthedeathofhiswife，whoseemstohavebeenafaithful，lovingpartner。ByhersidehewasburiedintheearthofthegraveyardoftheWhiteChurch，nearDenbigh。Therecanbelittledoubtthatthesoulsofbothwillbeacceptedonthegreatdaywhen，asGronwyOwensays：—
"Likecornfromthebellyoftheploughedfield，inathickcrop，thoseburiedintheearthshallarise，andtheseashallcastforthathousandmyriadsofdeadabovethedeepbillowyway。"
CHAPTERLX
MysteryPlays—TheTwoPrimeOpponents—AnalysisofInterlude—
RichesandPoverty—Tom’sGrandQualities。
INtheprecedingchapterIhavegivenanabstractofthelifeofTomO’theDingle；Iwillnowgiveananalysisofhisinterlude；
first，however，afewwordsoninterludesingeneral。Itisdifficulttosaywithanythinglikecertaintywhatisthemeaningofthewordinterlude。Itmaymean，asWartonsupposesinhishistoryofEnglishPoetry，ashortplayperformedbetweenthecoursesofabanquetorfestival；oritmaymeantheplayingofsomethingbytwoormoreparties，theinterchangeofplayingoractingwhichoccurswhentwoormorepeopleact。ItwasaboutthemiddleofthefifteenthcenturythatdramaticpiecesbeganinEnglandtobecalledInterludes；forsometimeprevioustheyhadbeenstyledMoralities；buttheearliestnamebywhichtheywereknownwasMysteries。ThefirstMysteriescomposedinEnglandwerebyoneRanald，orRanulf，amonkofChester，whoflourishedabout1322，whoseversesarementionedratherirreverentlyinoneofthevisionsofPiersPlowman，whoputstheminthesamerankastheballadsaboutRobinHoodandMaidMarion，makingSlothsay：
"IcannonperfitlymyPaternosterasthepriestitsingeth，ButIcanrhymesofRobinHoodandRanaldofChester。"
Long，however，beforethetimeofthisRanaldMysterieshadbeencomposedandrepresentedbothinItalyandFrance。TheMysterieswereveryrudecompositions，littlemore，asWartonsays，thanliteralrepresentationsofportionsofScripture。TheyderivedtheirnameofMysteriesfrombeinggenerallyfoundedonthemoremysteriouspartsofHolyWrit，forexampletheIncarnation，theAtonement，andtheResurrection。TheMoralitiesdisplayedsomethingmoreofartandinventionthantheMysteries；inthemvirtues，vicesandqualitieswerepersonified，andsomethinglikeaplotwasfrequentlytobediscovered。TheyweretermedMoralitiesbecauseeachhaditsmoral，whichwasspokenattheendofthepiecebyapersoncalledtheDoctor。（7）Muchthathasbeensaidaboutthemoralitiesholdsgoodwithrespecttotheinterludes。
Indeed，forsometimedramaticpieceswerecalledmoralitiesandinterludesindifferently。Inboththereisamixtureofallegoryandreality。Thelatterinterludes，however，displaymoreofevery—daylifethanwaseverobservableinthemoralities；andmorecloselyapproximatetomodernplays。Severalwritersofgeniushavewritteninterludes，amongstwhomaretheEnglishSkeltonandtheScottishLindsay，thelatterofwhomwroteeightpiecesofthatkind，themostcelebratedofwhichiscalled"ThePuirManandthePardoner。"Bothofthesewritersflourishedaboutthesameperiod，andmadeuseoftheinterludeasameansofsatirizingthevicesofthepopishclergy。InthetimeofCharlestheFirsttheinterludewentmuchoutoffashioninEngland；infact，theplayorregulardramahadsupersededit。InWales，however，itcontinuedtothebeginningofthepresentcentury，whenityieldedtotheinfluenceofMethodism。OfallWelshinterludecomposersTwmO’rNantorTomoftheDinglewasthemostfamous。Herefollowsthepromisedanalysisofhis"RichesandPoverty。"
Theentiretitleoftheinterludeistothiseffect。ThetwoprimeopponentsRichesandPoverty。Abriefexpositionoftheircontraryeffectsontheworld；withshortandappropriateexplanationsoftheirqualityandsubstanceaccordingtotheruleofthefourelements，Water，Fire，Earth，andAir。
FirstofallenterFool，SirJemantWamal，whoinratherafoolishspeechtellstheaudiencethattheyareabouttohearapiececomposedbyTomthepoet。ThenappearsCaptainRiches，whomakesalongspeechabouthisinfluenceintheworldandthegeneralcontemptinwhichPovertyisheld；heis，however，presentlycheckedbytheFool，whotellshimsomehometruths，andaskshim，amongotherquestions，whetherSolomondidnotsaythatitisnotmeettodespiseapoorman，whoconductshimselfrationally。ThenappearsHowelTightbelly，themiser，whoincapitalverse，withveryconsiderablegleeandexultation，givesanaccountofhismanifoldrascalities。Thencomeshiswife，EstherSteady，homefromthemarket，betweenwhomandherhusbandthereisapithydialogue。CaptainRichesandCaptainPovertythenmeet，withoutrancour，however，andhavealongdiscourseabouttheprovidenceofGod，whoseagentstheyownthemselvestobe。EnterthenanoldworthlessscoundrelcalledDiogynTrwstan，orLucklessLazybones，whoisupontheparish，andwho，inaveryentertainingaccountofhislife，confessesthathewasnevergoodforanything，butwasaliarandanidlerfromhisinfancy。EnteragaintheMiseralongwithpoorLowry，whoaskstheMiserformealandotherarticles，butgetsnothingbutthreateninglanguage。ThereisthenaveryedifyingdialoguebetweenMrContemplationandMrTruth，who，whentheyretire，aresucceededonthestagebytheMiserandJohntheTavern—keeper。ThepublicanowestheMisermoney，andbegsthathewillbemercifultohim。TheMiser，however，swearsthathewillbesatisfiedwithnothingbutbondandjudgmentonhiseffects。
Thepublicanveryhumblysaysthathewillgotoafriendofhisinordertogetthebondmadeout；almostinstantlycomestheFoolwhoreadsaninventoryofthepublican’seffects。TheMiserthensingsforverygladness，becauseeverythingintheworldhashithertogonewellwithhim；turninground，however，whatishishorrorandastonishmenttobeholdMrDeath，closebyhim。DeathhaulstheMiseraway，andthenappearstheFooltomoraliseanddismisstheaudience。
Theappropriateexplanationsmentionedinthetitlearegiveninvarioussongswhichthevariouscharacterssingafterdescribingthemselves，orafterdialogueswitheachother。Theannouncementthatthewholeexposition，etc。，willbeaftertheruleofthefourelements，isratherstartling；thedialogue，however，betweenCaptainRichesandCaptainPovertyshowsthatTomwasequaltohissubject，andpromisednothingthathecouldnotperform。
ENTERCAPTAINPOVERTY
ORiches，thyfigureischarmingandbright，Andtospeakinthypraisealltheworlddothdelight，ButI’mapoorfellowalltatter’dandtorn，Whomalltheworldtreatethwithinsultandscorn。
RICHES
HowevermistakenthejudgmentmaybeOftheworldwhichisneverfromignorancefree，Thepartswemustplay，whichtousareassign’d，AccordingasGodhasenlightenedourmind。
OfelementsfourdidourMastercreateTheearthandallinitwithskillthemostgreat；
NeedItheworld’sfourmaterialsdeclare—
Aretheynotwater，fire，earth，andair？
ToowisewasthemightyCreatortoframeAworldfromoneelement，waterorflame；
Theoneisfullmoistandtheotherfullhot，Andaworldmadeofeitherwereuseless，Iwot。
Andifithadallofmereearthbeencompos’dAndnowaternorfirebeenwithinitenclos’d，Itcouldne’erhaveproduc’dforahugemultitudeOfallkindsoflivingthingssuitablefood。
AndifGodwhatwaswantedhadnotfullyknown，Butcreatedtheworldofthesethreethingsalone，Howwouldanycreaturetheheavenbeneath，Withouttheblestairhavebeenabletobreathe？
Thusallthingscreated，theGodofallgrace，Offourprimematerials，eachgoodinitsplace。
TheworkofHishands，whencompleted，Heview’d，Andsawandpronounc’dthat’twasseemlyandgood。
POVERTY
Inthemarvellousthings，whichtomethouhasttoldThewisdomofGodImostclearlybehold，AnddidHenotalsomakemanofthesameMaterialsHeus’dwhentheworldHedidframe？
RICHES
Creationisall，asthesagesagree，Oftheelementsfourinman’sbodythatbe；
Water’stheblood，andfireisthenature，Whichpromptsgenerationineverycreature。
TheearthisthefleshwhichwithbeautyisrifeTheairisthebreath，withoutwhichisnolife；
SomanmustbealwaysaccountedthesameAsthesubstancesfourwhichexistinhisframe。
Andasintheircreationdistinctionthere’snone’Twixtmanandtheworld，sotheInfiniteOneUntomanaclearwisdomdidbounteouslygiveThenatureofeverythingtoperceive。
POVERTY
ButonethingtomepassingstrangedothappearSincethewisdomofmanissobrightandsoclearHowcomestheresuchjarringandwarringtobeIntheworldbetwixtRichesandPoverty？
RICHES
Thatpointwe’lldiscusswithoutpassionorfearWiththeaimofinstructingthelistenershere；
AndhaplysomefewwhoinstructionrequireMayprofitderivelikethebeefromthebriar。
Manasthouknowest，inhisgenerationIsatypeoftheworldandofallthecreation；
Differencethere’snoneinthemannerofbirth’Twixtthelowliesthindsandthelordsoftheearth。
TheworldwhichthesamethingasmanweaccountInoneplaceissea，inanotherismount；
Apartofitrock，andapartofitdale—
God’swisdomhasmadeeveryplacetoavail。
ThereexistprecioustreasuresofeverykindProfoundlyinearth’squietbosomenshrin’d；
There’ssearchingaboutthem，andeverhasbeen，Andbysometheyarefound，andbysomeneverseen。
WithwonderfulwisdomtheLordGodonhighHascontriv’dthetwolightswhichexistinthesky；
Thesun’shotasfire，anditsraybrightasgold，Butthemoon’severpale，andbynatureiscold。
Thesun，whichresemblesahugeworldoffire，WouldburnupfullquicklycreationentireSavethemoonwithitstemp’ramentcooldidassuageOfitsbrightercompanionthefuryandrage。
NowIbegyouthesunandthemoontobehold，Theonethat’ssobrightandtheothersocold。
AndsayiftwothingsincreationtherebeBetteremblemsofRichesandPoverty。
POVERTY
Inmannermostbrief，yetconvincingandclear，Youhavetoldthewholetruthtomywond’ringear，AndIseethat’twasGod，whoinallthingsisfair，Hasassign’dustheforms，inthisworldwhichwebear。
InthesightoftheworlddoththewealthymanseemLikethesunwhichdothwarmeverythingwithitsbeam；
WhilstthepoorneedywightwithhispitiablecaseResemblesthemoonwhichdothchillwithitsface。
RICHES
Youknowthatfulloft，intheircourseastheyrun，Aneclipsecomethoverthemoonorthesun；
CertainhillsoftheearthwiththeirsummitsofprideThefaceoftheonefromtheotherdohide。
Thesundothuplifthismagnificenthead，Andilluminesthemoon，whichwereotherwisedead，EvenasWealthfromitsstationonhigh，GivethworkandprovisiontoPoverty。
POVERTY
Iknow，andthethoughtmightysorrowinstils，ThesinsoftheworldaretheterriblehillsAneclipsewhichdocause，oradreadobscuration，Tooneoranotherineveryvocation。
RICHES
ItistruethatGodgivesuntoeachfromhisbirthSometasktoperformwhilehewendsuponearth，ButHegivescorrespondentwisdomandforceTotheweightofthetask，andthelengthofthecourse。
[Exit。
POVERTY
Ihopetherearesome，who’twixtmeandtheyouthHaveheardthisdiscourse，whosesoleaimisthetruth，Willseeandacknowledge，ashomewardtheyplod，Eachthingisarrang’dbythewisdomofGod。
TherecanbenodoubtthatTomwasapoet，orhecouldneverhavetreatedthehackneyedsubjectsofRichesandPovertyinamannersooriginalandatthesametimesomasterlyashehasdoneintheinterludeaboveanalyzed：Icannot，however，helpthinkingthathewasgreaterasamanthanapoet，andthathisfamedependsmoreonthecleverness，courageandenergy，whichitisevidentbyhisbiographythathepossessed，thanonhisinterludes。Atimewillcomewhenhisinterludeswillceasetoberead，buthismakinginkoutofelderberries，hisbattlewiththe"cruelfighter，"histeachinghishorsestoturnthecrane，andhisgettingtheshiptothewater，willbetalkedofinWalestillthepeakofSnowdonshallfalldown。
CHAPTERLXI
SetoutforWrexham—CraigyForwyn—Uncertainty—TheCollier—
CadoganHall—MethodisticalVolume。
HAVINGlearntfromanewspaperthataWelshbookonWelshMethodismhadbeenjustpublishedatWrexham，Ideterminedtowalktothatplaceandpurchaseit。IcouldeasilyhaveprocuredtheworkthroughabookselleratLlangollen，butIwishedtoexplorethehill—roadwhichledtoWrexham，whatthefarmerundertheEglwysigrockshadsaidofitswildnesshavingexcitedmycuriosity，whichtheprocuringofthebookaffordedmeaplausibleexcuseforgratifying。Ifonewantstotakeanyparticularwalkitisalwayswelltohavesomebusiness，howevertrifling，totransactattheendofit；sohavingdeterminedtogotoWrexhambythemountainroad，IsetoutontheSaturdaynextaftertheoneonwhichIhadmetthefarmerwhohadtoldmeofit。
Thedaywasgloomy，withsometendencytorain。IpassedunderthehillofDinasBran。AboutafurlongfromitswesternbaseIturnedroundandsurveyedit—andperhapsthebestviewofthenoblemountainistobeobtainedfromtheplacewhereIturnedround。
Howgrandthoughsadfromthereitlooked，thatgreymorning，withitsfineruinonitsbrowabovewhichalittlecloudhovered！Itputmeinmindofsomeoldking，unfortunateandmelancholybutakingstill，withthelookofaking，andtheancestralcrownstillonhisfurrowedforehead。Iproceededonmyway，allwaswildandsolitary，andtheyellowleaveswerefallingfromthetreesofthegroves。Ipassedbythefarmyard，whereIhadhelddiscoursewiththefarmerontheprecedingSaturday，andsoonenteredtheglen，theappearanceofwhichhadsomuchattractedmycuriosity。A
torrent，rushingdownfromthenorth，wasonmyright。Itsoonbegantodrizzle，andmistsofilledtheglenthatIcouldonlydistinguishobjectsashortwaybeforeme，andoneitherside。I
wanderedonaconsiderableway，crossingthetorrentseveraltimesbyrusticbridges。Ipassedtwolonefarm—housesandatlastsawanotheronmylefthand。Themisthadnowclearedup，butitstillslightlyrained—thescenerywaswildtoadegree—alittlewaybeforemewasatremendouspass，nearitanenormouscragofastrangeformrisingtotheveryheavens，theupperpartofitofadullwhitecolour。Seeingarespectable—lookingmannearthehouseIwentuptohim。
"AmIintherightwaytoWrexham？"saidI，addressinghiminEnglish。
"YoucangettoWrexhamthisway，sir，"hereplied。
"Canyoutellmethenameofthatcrag？"saidI，pointingtothelargeone。
"Thatcrag，sir，iscalledCraigyForwyn。"
"Themaiden’scrag，"saidI；"whyisitcalledso？"
"Idonotknowsir；somepeoplesaythatitiscalledsobecauseitsheadislikethatofawoman，othersbecauseayounggirlinloveleapedfromthetopofitandwaskilled。"
"Andwhatisthenameofthishouse？"saidI。
"Thishouse，sir，iscalledPlasUchaf。"
"IsitcalledPlasUchaf，"saidI，"becauseitisthehighesthouseinthevalley？"
"Itis，sir；itisthehighestofthreehomesteads；thenextbelowitisPlasCanol—andtheonebelowthatPlasIsaf。"
"Middleplaceandlowerplace，"saidI。"ItisveryoddthatI
knowinEnglandthreepeoplewhoderivetheirnamesfromplacessosituated。OneisHoughton，anotherMiddleton，andthethirdLowdon；inmodernEnglish，Hightown，Middletown，andLowtown。"
"Youappeartobeapersonofgreatintelligence，sir。"
"No，Iamnot—butIamratherfondofanalysingwords，particularlythenamesofpersonsandplaces。IstheroadtoWrexhamhardtofind？"
"Notvery，sir；thatis，intheday—time。DoyouliveatWrexham？"
"No，"Ireplied，"IamstoppingatLlangollen。"
"Butyouwon’treturnthereto—night？"
"Ohyes，Ishall！"
"Bythisroad？"
"No，bythecommonroad。Thisisnotaroadtotravelbynight。"
"Noristhecommonroad，sir，forarespectablepersononfoot；
thatis，onaSaturdaynight。Youwillperhapsmeetdrunkencollierswhomayknockyoudown。"
"Iwilltakemychanceforthat，"saidI，andbadehimfarewell。I
enteredthepass，passingunderthestrange—lookingcrag。AfterI
hadwalkedabouthalfamilethepasswidenedconsiderablyandalittlewayfurtherondebauchedonsomewildmooryground。Heretheroadbecameveryindistinct。AtlengthIstoppedinastateofuncertainty。Awell—definedpathpresenteditself，leadingtotheeast，whilstnorthwardbeforemethereseemedscarcelyanypathatall。AftersomehesitationIturnedtotheeastbythewell—
definedpath，andbysodoingwentwrong，asIsoonfound。
Imountedthesideofabrownhillcoveredwithmoss—likegrass，andhereandthereheather。BythetimeIarrivedatthetopofthehillthesunshoneout，andIsawRhiwabonandCefnMawrbeforemeinthedistance。"Iamgoingwrong，"saidI；"Ishouldhavekeptonduenorth。However，Iwillnotgoback，butwillsteeple—
chaseitacrossthecountrytoWrexham，whichmustbetowardsthenorth—east。"Soturningasidefromthepath，Idashedacrossthehillsinthatdirection；sometimestheheatherwasuptomyknees，andsometimesIwasuptothekneesinquags。AtlengthIcametoadeepravinewhichIdescended；atthebottomwasaquagmire，which，however，Icontrivedtocrossbymeansofcertainstepping—
stones，andcametoacartpathupaheatheryhillwhichI
followed。Isoonreachedthetopofthehill，andthepathstillcontinuing，IfollowedittillIsawsomesmallgrimy—lookinghuts，whichIsupposedwerethoseofcolliers。AtthedoorofthefirstIsawagirl。IspoketoherinWelsh，andfoundshehadlittleornone。Ipassedon，andseeingthedoorofacabinopenIlookedin—andsawnoadultperson，butseveralgrimybutchubbychildren。
IspoketotheminEnglish，andfoundtheycouldonlyspeakWelsh。
PresentlyIobservedarobustwomanadvancingtowardsme；shewasbarefootedandboreonherheadanimmenselumpofcoal。IspoketoherinWelsh，andfoundshecouldonlyspeakEnglish。"Truly，"
saidItomyself，"Iamontheborders。Whatamixtureofracesandlanguages！"ThenextpersonImetwasamaninacollier’sdress；hewasastout—builtfellowofthemiddleage，withacoal—