THE KEN NET 193 



is said to have been Marlborough's tirst name, and the 

 crest over the town arms still represents the Mound, 

 with a motto in Latin to " the bones of the wise 

 Merlin." * 



XXXIII 



When the traveller leaves Marlborough lie bids 

 good-bye, for many miles yet to come, to the pleasant 

 forest groves, the rich, low-lying pastures, and the 

 fishful streams that have bordered the road hitherto. 

 The valley of the Kennet is, it is true, near by, and 

 for the next six miles it may be glimpsed, on the left, 

 like some Promised Land of Plenty; but the road itself 

 is bare. The " green pastures and still waters " of the 

 Psalmist, indeed, you think when mounting gradually 

 out of Marlborough you see the pleasant water- 

 meadows afar off as you toil up the shoulder of 

 the downs, passing a picturesque roadside inn, the 



* It was about 1G30 that the town of Marlborough obtained a 

 new grant of arms in place of its old shield of a " Castle argeat, on 

 a field sable.'''' The new shield, still in use, is lieraldically de- 

 scribed as — " Per Saltire, gules and azure. In chief, a Bull 

 passant, argent, armed or. In fess, two Capons, argent. In 

 base, three greyhounds courant in pale, argent. On a chief, or, a 

 pale charged with a Tower triple-towered, or, between two Roses, 

 gules. Crest — On a wreath, a Mount, vert, culminated by a 

 Tower triple-towered, argent. Supporters : two Greyhounds, 

 argent." These arms are intended to perpetuate the memory of 

 the ancient custom in Marlborough of the aldermen and burgesses 

 presenting the mayor for the time being with a leash of white 

 greyhounds, a white bull, and two white capons. 







