[begin page 73]

Tom canty, left alone in the prince’s cabinet,Ⓐalteration in the MS made good use of his opportunity. He turned himself this way and that, before the greatⒶalteration in the MS mirror, admiring his finery; then walked away,Ⓐalteration in the MS imitatingⒶalteration in the MS the prince’s high-bred carriage, and still observing results in the glass. Next he drew the beautiful sword, and bowed, kissingⒶalteration in the MS the blade and laying it across his breast, as he had seen a noble knight do, by way of salute to the Lieutenant of the Tower, five or six weeks before, when deliveringⒶalteration in the MS the great lords of Norfolk andⒶalteration in the MS Surrey into his hands for captivity. Tom played with the jeweled dagger that hung upon his thigh; he examined the costly and exquisite ornaments of the room; he tried each of the sumptuous chairs, and thought howⒶalteration in the MS proud he would be if the Offal CourtⒶalteration in the MS herd could only peep in and see him in [begin page 74] his grandeur. He wondered if they would believe the marvelous tale he should tell when he got home, or if they would shake their heads and say his overtaxed imagination had at last upset his reason.

At the end of half an hour it suddenly occurred to him that the prince was gone a long time; then right away he began to feel lonely; very sóon he fell to listening and longing, and ceased to toy with the pretty things about him; he grewⒶalteration in the MS uneasy, then restless, then distressed. Suppose some one should come, and catch him in the prince’s clothes, and the prince not there to explain!Ⓐalteration in the MS Might they not hang him at once, and inquire into his case afterward? He had heard that the great were prompt about small matters. His fears rose higher and higher;Ⓐalteration in the MS and trembling he softly opened the door to the ante-chamber, resolved to fly and seek the prince, and through him protection and release. Six gorgeousⒶalteration in the MS gentlemen-servantsⒶalteration in the MS and two young pages of high degree,Ⓐalteration in the MS [begin page 75] clothed like butterflies,Ⓐalteration in the MS sprungⒶhistorical collation to their feet and bowed low before him. He stepped quickly back and shut the door. He said—

“O, they mock at me! They will go and tell!Ⓐalteration in the MS OⒶhistorical collation, why came I here to cast away my life!”

He walked up and down the floor, filled with nameless fears, listening, starting at every trifling sound.Ⓐalteration in the MS Presently the door swung open and a silken page said—

“The lady Jane Grey!”

The door closed, and a sweet young girl,Ⓐalteration in the MS richly clad, bounded toward him. But she stopped suddenly, and said in a distressed voice—

“OⒶhistorical collation, what aileth thee, my lord?”

Tom’s breath was nearly failing him, but he made shift to stammer out—

“Ah, be merciful, thou! In sooth I am no lord, but only poor Tom Canty of Offal CourtⒶemendation in the CityⒶalteration in the MS. Prithee let me see the prince, and he will of his grace restore to me my rags and let me hence unhurt. OⒶhistorical collation, be thou merciful and save me!”

[begin page 76]

By this time the boy was on his knees and supplicating with his eyesⒶalteration in the MS and uplifted hands as well as with his tongue. The young girl seemed horror-stricken. She cried out—

“O, my lord, on thy knees?—and to me! Ⓐalteration in the MS”

Then she fled away in fright, and Tom, smitten with despair, sank down, murmuring—

“There is no help, there is no hope. Now will they come and take me!”

Whilst he lay there benumbed with terror, dreadfulⒶalteration in the MS tidings were speeding through the palace. The whisper—for it was whispered always—flew from menial to menial, from lord to lady, down all the long corridors, from story to story, from saloon to saloon: “The prince hath gone mad, the prince hath gone mad!” Soon every saloon, every marble hall, had its groups of glittering lords and ladies, and other groups of dazzling lesser folk, talking earnestly together, in whispers, and every face had in it dismay. Presently a splendid official came marching by these groups, making solemn proclamation—

[begin page 77]

“ In the name of the king!Ⓐalteration in the MS Let none list to this false and foolish matter, uponⒶalteration in the MS pain of death; nor discuss the same nor carry it abroad. In the name of the king!”

The whisperings ceased as suddenly as if the whisperers had been stricken dumb.

SoonⒶalteration in the MS there was a general buzz along the corridors, of “The princeⒶemendation! See—the princeⒶemendation comes!”Ⓐalteration in the MS

Poor Tom came slowly walking past the low-bowing groups, tryingⒶalteration in the MS to bow in return, and meekly gazing upon his strange surroundings with bewildered and pathetic eyes. Great nobles walked upon each side of him, making him lean upon them,Ⓐalteration in the MS and so steady his steps. Behind him followed the court physicians and some servants.

Presently Tom found himself in a noble apartment of the palace, and heard the door close behind him. Around him stood those who had come with him. Before him, at a little distance, reclinedⒶalteration in the MS a very large and very fat man, with a wide, pulpy face, and a sternⒶalteration in the MS expression. HisⒶalteration in the MS large head was very gray, and his whiskers, which he wore only around his face,—likeⒶalteration in the MS a frame,—were gray also. His clothing was

[begin page 78] of rich stuff, but old, and slightly frayed in places. One of his swollenⒶalteration in the MS legs had a pillow under it and was wrapped in bandages. There was silence now;Ⓐalteration in the MS and there was no head there but was bent in reverence, exceptⒶalteration in the MS this man’s. This stern-countenanced invalid was the dread Henry VIII.Ⓐalteration in the MS He said—and his face grew gentle as he began to speak,—

“How now, my lord Edward, my prince?—Hast been minded to cozenⒶalteration in the MS me, the good king thy father, who loveth thee and kindlyⒶalteration in the MS useth thee, with a sorry jest?”

Poor Tom was listening as well as his dazed faculties would let him, to the beginning of this speech; but when the words “me, the good king” fell upon his ear, his face blanched and he dropped as

instantlyⒶalteration in the MS upon his knees, as if a shotⒶalteration in the MS had brought him there. LiftingⒶalteration in the MS up his hands,Ⓐalteration in the MS he exclaimed,—

“ThouⒶemendation the king Ⓐemendation?Ⓐalteration in the MS ThenⒶalteration in the MS am I undone indeed!”

This speech seemed to stun the king. His eyes wandered from face [begin page 79] to face, aimlessly, then rested, bewildered, upon the boy before him. Then he said in a tone of deep disappointment—

“Alack, I had believed the rumor disproportioned to the truth, but I fear me ’tis not so.” He breathed a heavy sigh, and said in a gentle voice—“Come to thy father, child, thou art not well.”Ⓐalteration in the MS

Tom was assisted to his feet, and approached the majesty of England, humble and trembling. The king took the frightened face between his hands, and gazed earnestly and lovingly into it a while, as if seeking some grateful sign of returning reason there, then pressed the curly head against his breast and patted it tenderly. Presently he said—

“Dost not know thy father, child?Ⓐalteration in the MS Break not mine old heart—say thou know’st me. Thou dost know me, dost thou not?”

“Yea, thou art my dread lord the king, whom God preserve!”

“True, true—that is well—be comforted, tremble not so; there is none here would hurt thee; there is none here but loves thee. Thou artⒶalteration in the MS better, now;Ⓐalteration in the MS thy ill dream passeth—is’t not so? And thou knowestⒶhistorical collation Ⓐemendation thyself now, also—is’t not so? Thou wilt not miscall thyself again, as they say thou didst a little while agone?”

“I pray thee of thy graceⒶalteration in the MS believe me, I did but speak the truth, most dread lord, for I am the meanest among thy subjects, beingⒶalteration in the MS a pauper born, and ’tis by a sore mischance and accident I am here, albeit I was therein nothing blameful.Ⓐalteration in the MS I amⒶalteration in the MS but young to die—and thou canst save me with one little word—OⒶhistorical collation speak it, sir!”

“Die? Talk not so, sweet prince—peace, peace to thy troubled heart—thou shalt not die!”

TomⒶalteration in the MS dropped upon his knees, with a glad cry,—Ⓐalteration in the MS

“God requite thy mercy, oh, my king, and save thee long to bless thy landⒶalteration in the MS!” Then springing up, he turned a joyful face toward the two lords in waiting and exclaimed, “Thou heard’st it! I am not to die—the king hath said it!” There was no movement, saveⒶalteration in the MS that all bowed, with graveⒶalteration in the MS respect—but no one spoke. He hesitated, a little confused,Ⓐalteration in the MS then turned timidlyⒶalteration in the MS toward the king, saying, “I may go now?”

“Go? Surely—if thou desirest. But why not tarry yet a little? Whither wouldst go?”

Tom dropped his eyes and answered humbly—

“Peradventure I mistook, but I did think me free—and so was I moved to seek again the kennel where I was born and bred to misery, [begin page 80] yet which harboreth my mother and my sisters, and so is home to me, whereas these pomps and splendors whereunto I am not used,Ⓐalteration in the MS—oh, please you sir, to let me go!”

The king was silent and thoughtful a while, and his face betrayed a growing distress and uneasiness. Presently he said, withⒶalteration in the MS something of hope in his voice—

“Perchance he is but mad upon this one strain, and hath his wits unmarred as toucheth other mattersⒶhistorical collation. God send it may be so!Ⓐemendation We will makeⒶhistorical collation trial.”

Then he asked Tom a question in Latin, and Tom answered him lamely in the same tongue. The king was delighted,Ⓐalteration in the MS and showed it. The lords and doctors manifested their gratification also. The king said—

“’Twas not according to his schooling and ability, but sheweth that his mind is but diseased, not strickenⒶalteration in the MS fatally. How say you, sir?”

The physician addressed bowed low and replied—

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“It jumpeth with mine own conviction, sire, that thou hast divined aright.”

The king looked pleased with this encouragement, coming as it did from so excellent authority, and continued with good heart—

“Now mark ye all—we will try him further.”

He put a question to Tom in French. Tom stood silentⒶalteration in the MS a moment, embarrassed by having so many eyes centred upon him, then said, diffidently—

“I have no knowledge of this tongue, so please your majesty.”

The king fell back upon his couch; the attendants flew to his assistance. But he put them aside and said—

“Trouble me not—it isⒶalteration in the MS nothing but a scurvyⒶalteration in the MS faintness. Raise me!Ⓐalteration in the MS—there, ’tis sufficient. Come hither, child; there, rest thy poor troubled head upon thy father’s heartⒶalteration in the MS and be at peace. Thou’ltⒶemendation soon be well—’tis but a passing fantasy—fear thou not; thou’ltⒶemendation soon be well.” Then [begin page 82]

he turned toward the company;Ⓐalteration in the MS his gentle manner changed, and baleful lightnings began to play from his eyes. He said—Ⓐalteration in the MS

“List ye all! This my son is mad—but it isⒶalteration in the MS not permanent. Over-study hath done this, and somewhat too much of confinement. Away with his books and teachers—see ye to itⒶalteration in the MS! Pleasure him with sports, beguile him in wholesome ways, so that his health come again.” He raised himself higher stillⒶalteration in the MS, and went on, with energy: “He is mad, but he is my son and England’s heir—and mad or sane, still shall he reign! And hearⒶalteration in the MS ye further and proclaim it—whoso speaketh of this his distemper, worketh against the peace and order of these realms, and shall to the gallows! . . . . . . Give me to drink—I burn; this sorrow sappeth my strength. . . . . . . There, take away the cup. . . . . . Support me—there, that is well. Mad, is he? Were he a thousand times mad, yet is he PrinceⒶalteration in the MS of Wales, and I the king will confirm it.Ⓐemendation Ⓐtextual note Ⓐalteration in the MS This very morrow shall he be installed in his princely dignity,Ⓐalteration in the MS in due and ancient form.Ⓐalteration in the MS Take instant order for it, my lord HertfordⒶtextual note.”Ⓐalteration in the MS

One of the nobles knelt at the royal couch and said—

“The king’s majesty knoweth that the Hereditary Great MarshalⒶalteration in the MS of England lieth attainted in the Tower. It were not meet that one attainted—”

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“Peace! Insult not mine ears with his hated name! Is this man to live forever? Am I to be balked of my will? is the prince to tarry uninstalled because, forsooth, the realm lacketh an earlⒶalteration in the MS marshal free of treasonable taint to investⒶalteration in the MS him with his honors? No, by the splendor of God! Warn my parliament to bring me Norfolk’s doom beforeⒶalteration in the MS the sun rise again, else shall they answer for it grievously!”*Ⓐemendation Ⓐalteration in the MS

Lord HertfordⒶalteration in the MS said—

“The king’s will is law;Ⓐalteration in the MS” and rising, returned to his former place.

Gradually the wrathⒶalteration in the MS faded out of the old king’s face, and he said—

“Kiss me,Ⓐalteration in the MS my prince. There . . . . what fearestⒶhistorical collation Ⓐemendation thou? Am I not thy loving father?”

“Thou art good to me, that am unworthy, ohⒶhistorical collation, mighty and gracious lord—that in truth I know. But—but—it grieveth me to think of him that is to die, and—”

“Ah, ’tis like thee, ’tis like thee!Ⓐalteration in the MS—I know thy heartⒶalteration in the MS is still the same, even thoughⒶalteration in the MS thy mind hath suffered hurt—for thou wertⒶalteration in the MS ever of a gentleⒶalteration in the MS spirit. But this duke standeth between thee and thine honors;

---

*See Note 3 at end ofⒶhistorical collation volumeⒶtextual note.Ⓐalteration in the MS [begin page 84] I will have another in his stead, that shall bring no taint to his great office. Comfort thee, my prince—trouble not thy poor head with this matter.”

“But is itⒶalteration in the MS not I that speed him hence, my liegeⒶalteration in the MS? How long might he not liveⒶalteration in the MS, but forⒶalteration in the MS me?”

“Take no thought of him, my prince, he is not worthy.Ⓐalteration in the MS Kiss me once again and go to thy trifles and amusements, for my malady distresseth me, I am aweary and would rest.Ⓐalteration in the MS Go with thine uncle Hertford andⒶalteration in the MS thy people, and come again when my body is refreshed.”

Tom, heavy-hearted, was conducted from the presence, for this last sentence was a death-blowⒶemendation to the hope he had cherished that now he would be set free. Once more he heard the buzz of low voices exclaiming, “The princeⒶemendation!—the princeⒶemendation comes!”Ⓐalteration in the MS

His spirits sank lower and lower as he moved between the glittering files of bowing courtiers, for he recognized that he was indeed a captive, now, and might remain foreverⒶalteration in the MS shut up in this gildedⒶhistorical collation Ⓐemendation cage, a forlorn and friendlessⒶalteration in the MS prince, except God in hisⒶalteration in the MS mercy take pity on him and set him free.

And turn where he would, he seemed to see, floating in the air, the severed head and the remembered face of the great Duke of Norfolk, the eyes fixed on him reproachfully.

His old dreams had been so pleasant; but this reality was so dreary!Ⓐalteration in the MS