Spake Stedman

**Spake Stedman**
In the beginning, there was only the SILENCE, and the Silence was oppressive unto the people. And from the people arose a group who were appointed as RINGERS, and they vowed unto themselves that they would no longer abide the oppression of the Silence. And they built for all the people a TOWER, such that could be seen from a great distance and the people did come unto the Tower with Ropes and Bells, and they built unto themselves a ringing chamber. And the Ringers entered, and took possession thereof, and grabbing hold upon the Ropes they rang upon the BELLS whereupon the Silence was broken forevermore by the RINGING. In the first days of Ringing there was nothing but Rounds, and Call Changes. And when well struck it was Good. But after a time, it seemed monotonous to the ringers and they longed for variety. Then there arose among the Ringers one who was called STEDMAN, and addressing the discontent of the Ringers, he spake, saying, “The hour of reform has come. The time has come to change things around here.” And the ringers were sore afraid, for that they knew not of these changes of which Stedman spake. And they murmured among themselves, saying, “Now what?” And Stedman spake unto the Ringers, “'Let there be places made, and dodges.” And he separated the places from the dodges and put them in groups of six. Then spake Stedman, saying, “Let there be hunting between the places and the dodges.” And so it was. And there was “Go.” and there was “That's all.” And the first plain course was rung. And then came the call, "Stand." And Stedman saw that it was Good and it was True. And he spake, saying, "Let it be called after me." And so it was spoken, and so it was done. Then spake Stedman, saying, "Let there be Bobs and Singles, and let them exist at the 6-ends. And they shall be called by the CONDUCTOR, and let none other speak these words." And so it was spoken, and so it was done. And Stedman heard that it was Good. And he said, "Let it continue 1250 or more times." And so was the first quarter rung. And it was True as well as Good, so that the conductor did not stand it up early. But the First CONDUCTOR spake unto himself and sayeth thusly, "Why should this thing which is Good and True be halted after so short a time as 1250 changes occupies? Is there no more Truth than that? Why may I not continue beyond that which Stedman has started?" And so began the search for yet more Truth. And behold, the Truth was found, even unto 5040 changes, and there was "Go." and there was "That's all," and it was Good and True, and the CONDUCTOR said, "Stand. Let us call this a PEAL." And so it was spoken, so it was done. Then spake the Band, and they sayeth, "Call it whatever you like sunshine, but let us speak further of it over a beer at the pub!" And thus was begun the peal, and the pub post-mortem afterwards. And so it was and so it shall ever be hereafter.