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diff --git a/old/orig1837-h/p2.htm b/old/orig1837-h/p2.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3edaf0f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/orig1837-h/p2.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1093 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER, By Mark Twain, Part 2.</title> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {background:#faebd7; margin:10%; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; text-align: center; } + blockquote {font-size: 97% } + .figleft {float: left;} + .figright {float: right;} + .toc { margin-left: 15%; margin-bottom: 0em;} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + // --> +</style> + +</head> +<body> + + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=4 border=3> +<tr><td> + <a href="p1.htm">Previous Part</a> +</td><td> + <a href="1837-h.htm">Main Index</a> +</td><td> + <a href="p3.htm">Next Part</a> + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + +<br><br><br><br> + + + +<center> +<h1>THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER</h1> +<br><br> +<h2>by Mark Twain +<br><br><br><br>Part Two +</h2> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> +<center> +<img alt="bookcover.jpg (148K)" src="images/bookcover.jpg" height="1018" width="948"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> +<center> +<img alt="frontispiece1.jpg (135K)" src="images/frontispiece1.jpg" height="1067" width="745"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> +<center> +<img alt="frontispiece2.jpg (123K)" src="images/frontispiece2.jpg" height="939" width="747"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> +<center> +<img alt="titlepage.jpg (62K)" src="images/titlepage.jpg" height="1083" width="815"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> +<center> +<img alt="greatseal.jpg (68K)" src="images/greatseal.jpg" height="438" width="711"> +<br>The Great Seal +</center> +<br><br><br><br> +<center> +<img alt="dedication.jpg (21K)" src="images/dedication.jpg" height="420" width="663"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> +<center> +<img alt="inscription.jpg (16K)" src="images/inscription.jpg" height="219" width="601"> +</center> + + +<br><br><br><br> + +<br><br> +<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><blockquote> +<b> +I will set down a tale as it was told to me by one who had it of his +father, which latter had it of HIS father, this last having in like +manner had it of HIS father—and so on, back and still back, three +hundred years and more, the fathers transmitting it to the sons and so +preserving it. It may be history, it may be only a legend, a tradition. +It may have happened, it may not have happened: but it COULD have +happened. It may be that the wise and the learned believed it in the old +days; it may be that only the unlearned and the simple loved it and +credited it.</b> +</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote> + +<br><br><br><br> + + + + +<center><h2> +CONTENTS</h2> + +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + +V.</td><td> <a href="#c5">Tom as a patrician.</a><br></td></tr><tr><td> +VI.</td><td><a href="#c6">Tom receives instructions.</a><br></td></tr><tr><td> +VII. </td><td><a href="#c7">Tom's first royal dinner.</a><br></td></tr> + + + +</table> +</center> + + + + + + + +<br><br><br><br> + +<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + + + + +<a href="#05-055">TOM AS A PATRICIAN</a><br><br> +<a href="#05-057">"NEXT HE DREW THE SWORD"</a><br><br> +<a href="#05-058">"RESOLVED TO FLY"</a><br><br> +<a href="#05-059">"THE BOY WAS ON HIS KNEES"</a><br><br> +<a href="#05-061">"NOBLES WALKED UPON EACH SIDE OF HIM"</a><br><br> +<a href="#05-062">"HE DROPPED UPON HIS KNEES"</a><br><br> +<a href="#05-064">"HE TURNED WITH JOYFUL FACE"</a><br><br> +<a href="#05-065">"THE PHYSICIAN BOWED LOW"</a><br><br> +<a href="#05-067">"THE KING FELL BACK UPON HIS COUCH"</a><br><br> +<a href="#05-068">"IS THIS MAN TO LIVE FOREVER?"</a><br><br> + +<a href="#06-071">TOM RECEIVES INSTRUCTIONS</a><br><br> +<a href="#06-073">"PRITHEE, INSIST NOT"</a><br><br> +<a href="#06-075">"THE LORD ST. JOHN MADE REVERENCE"</a><br><br> +<a href="#06-077">HERTFORD AND THE PRINCESSES</a><br><br> +<a href="#06-079">"SHE MADE REVERENCE"</a><br><br> +<a href="#06-080">"OFFERED IT TO HIM ON A GOLDEN SALVER"</a><br><br> +<a href="#06-082">"THEY MUSED A WHILE"</a><br><br> +<a href="#06-083">"PEACE MY LORD, THOU UTTEREST TREASON!"</a><br><br> +<a href="#06-084">"HE BEGAN TO PACE THE FLOOR"</a><br><br> + +<a href="#07-087">TOM'S FIRST ROYAL DINNER</a><br><br> +<a href="#07-089">"FASTENED A NAPKIN ABOUT HIS NECK"</a><br><br> +<a href="#07-091">"TOM ATE WITH HIS FINGERS"</a><br><br> +<a href="#07-092">"HE GRAVELY TOOK A DRAUGHT"</a><br><br> +<a href="#07-093">"TOM PUT ON THE GREAVES"</a><br><br> + + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + +</center> + + + +<br><br><hr><br> +<br><br> +<a name="c5"></a> +<a name="05-055"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="05-055.jpg (73K)" src="images/05-055.jpg" height="660" width="714"> +</center> +<br><br> +<a name="05-057"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="05-057.jpg (129K)" src="images/05-057.jpg" height="866" width="747"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<p>Chapter V. Tom as a patrician.</p> + +<p>Tom Canty, left alone in the prince's cabinet, made good use of his +opportunity. He turned himself this way and that before the great +mirror, admiring his finery; then walked away, imitating the prince's +high-bred carriage, and still observing results in the glass. Next he +drew the beautiful sword, and bowed, kissing 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 +the great lords of Norfolk and Surrey into his hands for captivity. Tom +played with the jewelled 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 proud he would be if the Offal Court +herd could only peep in and see him in his grandeur. He wondered if they +would believe the marvellous 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.</p> + +<p>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 soon +he fell to listening and longing, and ceased to toy with the pretty +things about him; he grew 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. 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 fear rose higher and higher; and trembling he +softly opened the door to the antechamber, resolved to fly and seek the +prince, and, through him, protection and release. Six gorgeous +gentlemen-servants and two young pages of high degree, clothed like +butterflies, sprang to their feet and bowed low before him. He stepped +quickly back and shut the door. He said—</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="05-058"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="05-058.jpg (138K)" src="images/05-058.jpg" height="843" width="717"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<p>"Oh, they mock at me! They will go and tell. Oh! why came I here to +cast away my life?"</p> + +<p>He walked up and down the floor, filled with nameless fears, listening, +starting at every trifling sound. Presently the door swung open, and a +silken page said—</p> + +<p>"The Lady Jane Grey."</p> + +<p>The door closed and a sweet young girl, richly clad, bounded toward him. +But she stopped suddenly, and said in a distressed voice—</p> + +<p>"Oh, what aileth thee, my lord?"</p> + +<p>Tom's breath was nearly failing him; but he made shift to stammer out—</p> + +<p>"Ah, be merciful, thou! In sooth I am no lord, but only poor Tom Canty +of Offal Court in the city. Prithee let me see the prince, and he will +of his grace restore to me my rags, and let me hence unhurt. Oh, be thou +merciful, and save me!"</p> + +<p>By this time the boy was on his knees, and supplicating with his eyes and +uplifted hands as well as with his tongue. The young girl seemed +horror-stricken. She cried out—</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="05-059"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="05-059.jpg (104K)" src="images/05-059.jpg" height="655" width="708"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<p>"O my lord, on thy knees?—and to ME!"</p> + +<p>Then she fled away in fright; and Tom, smitten with despair, sank down, +murmuring—</p> + +<p>"There is no help, there is no hope. Now will they come and take me."</p> + +<p>Whilst he lay there benumbed with terror, dreadful 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—</p> + +<p>"IN THE NAME OF THE KING!</p> + +<p>Let none list to this false and foolish matter, upon pain of death, nor +discuss the same, nor carry it abroad. In the name of the King!"</p> + +<p>The whisperings ceased as suddenly as if the whisperers had been stricken +dumb.</p> + +<p>Soon there was a general buzz along the corridors, of "The prince! See, +the prince comes!"</p> + +<p>Poor Tom came slowly walking past the low-bowing groups, trying 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, and so steady his steps. Behind him followed the +court-physicians and some servants.</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="05-061"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="05-061.jpg (144K)" src="images/05-061.jpg" height="807" width="735"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + +<p>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 a very large and very fat man, +with a wide, pulpy face, and a stern expression. His large head was very +grey; and his whiskers, which he wore only around his face, like a frame, +were grey also. His clothing was of rich stuff, but old, and slightly +frayed in places. One of his swollen legs had a pillow under it, and was +wrapped in bandages. There was silence now; and there was no head there +but was bent in reverence, except this man's. This stern-countenanced +invalid was the dread Henry VIII. He said—and his face grew gentle as +he began to speak—</p> + +<p>"How now, my lord Edward, my prince? Hast been minded to cozen me, the +good King thy father, who loveth thee, and kindly useth thee, with a +sorry jest?"</p> + +<p>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 upon his +knees as if a shot had brought him there. Lifting up his hands, he +exclaimed—</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="05-062"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="05-062.jpg (111K)" src="images/05-062.jpg" height="589" width="708"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + +<p>"Thou the KING? Then am I undone indeed!"</p> + +<p>This speech seemed to stun the King. His eyes wandered from face to face +aimlessly, then rested, bewildered, upon the boy before him. Then he +said in a tone of deep disappointment—</p> + +<p>"Alack, I had believed the rumour 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."</p> + +<p>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 awhile, 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—</p> + +<p>"Dost not know thy father, child? Break not mine old heart; say thou +know'st me. Thou DOST know me, dost thou not?"</p> + +<p>"Yea: thou art my dread lord the King, whom God preserve!"</p> + +<p>"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 better +now; thy ill dream passeth—is't not so? Thou wilt not miscall thyself +again, as they say thou didst a little while agone?"</p> + +<p>"I pray thee of thy grace believe me, I did but speak the truth, most +dread lord; for I am the meanest among thy subjects, being a pauper born, +and 'tis by a sore mischance and accident I am here, albeit I was therein +nothing blameful. I am but young to die, and thou canst save me with one +little word. Oh speak it, sir!"</p> + +<p>"Die? Talk not so, sweet prince—peace, peace, to thy troubled +heart—thou shalt not die!"</p> + +<p>Tom dropped upon his knees with a glad cry—</p> + +<p>"God requite thy mercy, O my King, and save thee long to bless thy land!" +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 that all bowed with grave +respect; but no one spoke. He hesitated, a little confused, then turned +timidly toward the King, saying, "I may go now?"</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="05-064"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="05-064.jpg (126K)" src="images/05-064.jpg" height="669" width="718"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + +<p>"Go? Surely, if thou desirest. But why not tarry yet a little? Whither +would'st go?"</p> + +<p>Tom dropped his eyes, and answered humbly—</p> + +<p>"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, yet which +harboureth my mother and my sisters, and so is home to me; whereas these +pomps and splendours whereunto I am not used—oh, please you, sir, to let +me go!"</p> + +<p>The King was silent and thoughtful a while, and his face betrayed a +growing distress and uneasiness. Presently he said, with something of +hope in his voice—</p> + +<p>"Perchance he is but mad upon this one strain, and hath his wits unmarred +as toucheth other matter. God send it may be so! We will make trial."</p> + +<p>Then he asked Tom a question in Latin, and Tom answered him lamely in the +same tongue. The lords and doctors manifested their gratification also. +The King said—</p> + +<p>"'Twas not according to his schooling and ability, but showeth that his +mind is but diseased, not stricken fatally. How say you, sir?"</p> + +<p>The physician addressed bowed low, and replied—</p> + +<p>"It jumpeth with my own conviction, sire, that thou hast divined aright."</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="05-065"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="05-065.jpg (123K)" src="images/05-065.jpg" height="659" width="706"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + +<p>The King looked pleased with this encouragement, coming as it did from so +excellent authority, and continued with good heart—</p> + +<p>"Now mark ye all: we will try him further."</p> + +<p>He put a question to Tom in French. Tom stood silent a moment, +embarrassed by having so many eyes centred upon him, then said +diffidently—</p> + +<p>"I have no knowledge of this tongue, so please your majesty."</p> + +<p>The King fell back upon his couch. The attendants flew to his +assistance; but he put them aside, and said—</p> + +<p>"Trouble me not—it is nothing but a scurvy faintness. Raise me! There, +'tis sufficient. Come hither, child; there, rest thy poor troubled head +upon thy father's heart, and be at peace. Thou'lt soon be well: 'tis +but a passing fantasy. Fear thou not; thou'lt soon be well." Then he +turned toward the company: his gentle manner changed, and baleful +lightnings began to play from his eyes. He said—</p> + +<p>"List ye all! This my son is mad; but it is not permanent. Over-study +hath done this, and somewhat too much of confinement. Away with his +books and teachers! see ye to it. Pleasure him with sports, beguile him +in wholesome ways, so that his health come again." He raised himself +higher still, 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 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 of Wales, and I the +King will confirm it. This very morrow shall he be installed in his +princely dignity in due and ancient form. Take instant order for it, my +lord Hertford."</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="05-067"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="05-067.jpg (162K)" src="images/05-067.jpg" height="1037" width="736"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<p>One of the nobles knelt at the royal couch, and said—</p> + +<p>"The King's majesty knoweth that the Hereditary Great Marshal of England +lieth attainted in the Tower. It were not meet that one attainted—"</p> + +<p>"Peace! Insult not mine ears with his hated name. Is this man to live +for ever? Am I to be baulked of my will? Is the prince to tarry +uninstalled, because, forsooth, the realm lacketh an Earl Marshal free of +treasonable taint to invest him with his honours? No, by the splendour of +God! Warn my Parliament to bring me Norfolk's doom before the sun rise +again, else shall they answer for it grievously!" {1}</p> + +<p>Lord Hertford said—</p> + +<p>"The King's will is law;" and, rising, returned to his former place.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="05-068"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="05-068.jpg (114K)" src="images/05-068.jpg" height="663" width="732"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + +<p>Gradually the wrath faded out of the old King's face, and he said—</p> + +<p>"Kiss me, my prince. There . . . what fearest thou? Am I not thy loving +father?"</p> + +<p>"Thou art good to me that am unworthy, O mighty and gracious lord: that +in truth I know. But—but—it grieveth me to think of him that is to +die, and—"</p> + +<p>"Ah, 'tis like thee, 'tis like thee! I know thy heart is still the same, +even though thy mind hath suffered hurt, for thou wert ever of a gentle +spirit. But this duke standeth between thee and thine honours: 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."</p> + +<p>"But is it not I that speed him hence, my liege? How long might he not +live, but for me?"</p> + +<p>"Take no thought of him, my prince: he is not worthy. Kiss me once +again, and go to thy trifles and amusements; for my malady distresseth +me. I am aweary, and would rest. Go with thine uncle Hertford and thy +people, and come again when my body is refreshed."</p> + +<p>Tom, heavy-hearted, was conducted from the presence, for this last +sentence was a death-blow 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, the prince comes!"</p> + +<p>His spirits sank lower and lower as he moved between the glittering files +of bowing courtiers; for he recognised that he was indeed a captive now, +and might remain for ever shut up in this gilded cage, a forlorn and +friendless prince, except God in his mercy take pity on him and set him +free.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>His old dreams had been so pleasant; but this reality was so dreary!</p> + + +<br><br><hr><br> +<br><br> +<a name="c6"></a> +<a name="06-071"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="06-071.jpg (65K)" src="images/06-071.jpg" height="627" width="721"> +</center> +<br><br> +<a name="06-073"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="06-073.jpg (136K)" src="images/06-073.jpg" height="901" width="740"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<p>Chapter VI. Tom receives instructions.</p> + +<p>Tom was conducted to the principal apartment of a noble suite, and made +to sit down—a thing which he was loth to do, since there were elderly +men and men of high degree about him. He begged them to be seated also, +but they only bowed their thanks or murmured them, and remained standing. +He would have insisted, but his 'uncle' the Earl of Hertford whispered in +his ear—</p> + +<p>"Prithee, insist not, my lord; it is not meet that they sit in thy +presence."</p> + +<p>The Lord St. John was announced, and after making obeisance to Tom, he +said—</p> + +<p>"I come upon the King's errand, concerning a matter which requireth +privacy. Will it please your royal highness to dismiss all that attend +you here, save my lord the Earl of Hertford?"</p> + +<p>Observing that Tom did not seem to know how to proceed, Hertford +whispered him to make a sign with his hand, and not trouble himself to +speak unless he chose. When the waiting gentlemen had retired, Lord St. +John said—</p> + +<p>"His majesty commandeth, that for due and weighty reasons of state, the +prince's grace shall hide his infirmity in all ways that be within his +power, till it be passed and he be as he was before. To wit, that he +shall deny to none that he is the true prince, and heir to England's +greatness; that he shall uphold his princely dignity, and shall receive, +without word or sign of protest, that reverence and observance which unto +it do appertain of right and ancient usage; that he shall cease to speak +to any of that lowly birth and life his malady hath conjured out of the +unwholesome imaginings of o'er-wrought fancy; that he shall strive with +diligence to bring unto his memory again those faces which he was wont to +know—and where he faileth he shall hold his peace, neither betraying by +semblance of surprise or other sign that he hath forgot; that upon +occasions of state, whensoever any matter shall perplex him as to the +thing he should do or the utterance he should make, he shall show nought +of unrest to the curious that look on, but take advice in that matter of +the Lord Hertford, or my humble self, which are commanded of the King to +be upon this service and close at call, till this commandment be +dissolved. Thus saith the King's majesty, who sendeth greeting to your +royal highness, and prayeth that God will of His mercy quickly heal you +and have you now and ever in His holy keeping."</p> + +<p>The Lord St. John made reverence and stood aside. Tom replied +resignedly—</p> + + + +<br><br> +<a name="06-075"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="06-075.jpg (97K)" src="images/06-075.jpg" height="540" width="702"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<p>"The King hath said it. None may palter with the King's command, or fit +it to his ease, where it doth chafe, with deft evasions. The King shall +be obeyed."</p> + +<p>Lord Hertford said—</p> + +<p>"Touching the King's majesty's ordainment concerning books and such like +serious matters, it may peradventure please your highness to ease your +time with lightsome entertainment, lest you go wearied to the banquet and +suffer harm thereby."</p> + +<p>Tom's face showed inquiring surprise; and a blush followed when he saw +Lord St. John's eyes bent sorrowfully upon him. His lordship said—</p> + +<p>"Thy memory still wrongeth thee, and thou hast shown surprise—but suffer +it not to trouble thee, for 'tis a matter that will not bide, but depart +with thy mending malady. My Lord of Hertford speaketh of the city's +banquet which the King's majesty did promise, some two months flown, your +highness should attend. Thou recallest it now?"</p> + +<p>"It grieves me to confess it had indeed escaped me," said Tom, in a +hesitating voice; and blushed again.</p> + +<p>At this moment the Lady Elizabeth and the Lady Jane Grey were announced. +The two lords exchanged significant glances, and Hertford stepped quickly +toward the door. As the young girls passed him, he said in a low voice—</p> + +<p>"I pray ye, ladies, seem not to observe his humours, nor show surprise +when his memory doth lapse—it will grieve you to note how it doth stick +at every trifle."</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="06-077"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="06-077.jpg (101K)" src="images/06-077.jpg" height="616" width="707"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<p>Meantime Lord St. John was saying in Tom's ear—</p> + +<p>"Please you, sir, keep diligently in mind his majesty's desire. Remember +all thou canst—SEEM to remember all else. Let them not perceive that +thou art much changed from thy wont, for thou knowest how tenderly thy +old play-fellows bear thee in their hearts and how 'twould grieve them. +Art willing, sir, that I remain?—and thine uncle?"</p> + +<p>Tom signified assent with a gesture and a murmured word, for he was +already learning, and in his simple heart was resolved to acquit himself +as best he might, according to the King's command.</p> + +<p>In spite of every precaution, the conversation among the young people +became a little embarrassing at times. More than once, in truth, Tom was +near to breaking down and confessing himself unequal to his tremendous +part; but the tact of the Princess Elizabeth saved him, or a word from +one or the other of the vigilant lords, thrown in apparently by chance, +had the same happy effect. Once the little Lady Jane turned to Tom and +dismayed him with this question,—</p> + +<p>"Hast paid thy duty to the Queen's majesty to-day, my lord?"</p> + +<p>Tom hesitated, looked distressed, and was about to stammer out something +at hazard, when Lord St. John took the word and answered for him with the +easy grace of a courtier accustomed to encounter delicate difficulties +and to be ready for them—</p> + +<p>"He hath indeed, madam, and she did greatly hearten him, as touching his +majesty's condition; is it not so, your highness?"</p> + +<p>Tom mumbled something that stood for assent, but felt that he was getting +upon dangerous ground. Somewhat later it was mentioned that Tom was to +study no more at present, whereupon her little ladyship exclaimed—</p> + +<p>"'Tis a pity, 'tis a pity! Thou wert proceeding bravely. But bide thy +time in patience: it will not be for long. Thou'lt yet be graced with +learning like thy father, and make thy tongue master of as many languages +as his, good my prince."</p> + +<p>"My father!" cried Tom, off his guard for the moment. "I trow he cannot +speak his own so that any but the swine that kennel in the styes may tell +his meaning; and as for learning of any sort soever—"</p> + +<p>He looked up and encountered a solemn warning in my Lord St. John's eyes.</p> + +<p>He stopped, blushed, then continued low and sadly: "Ah, my malady +persecuteth me again, and my mind wandereth. I meant the King's grace no +irreverence."</p> + +<p>"We know it, sir," said the Princess Elizabeth, taking her 'brother's' +hand between her two palms, respectfully but caressingly; "trouble not +thyself as to that. The fault is none of thine, but thy distemper's."</p> + +<p>"Thou'rt a gentle comforter, sweet lady," said Tom, gratefully, "and my +heart moveth me to thank thee for't, an' I may be so bold."</p> + +<p>Once the giddy little Lady Jane fired a simple Greek phrase at Tom. The +Princess Elizabeth's quick eye saw by the serene blankness of the +target's front that the shaft was overshot; so she tranquilly delivered a +return volley of sounding Greek on Tom's behalf, and then straightway +changed the talk to other matters.</p> + +<p>Time wore on pleasantly, and likewise smoothly, on the whole. Snags and +sandbars grew less and less frequent, and Tom grew more and more at his +ease, seeing that all were so lovingly bent upon helping him and +overlooking his mistakes. When it came out that the little ladies were +to accompany him to the Lord Mayor's banquet in the evening, his heart +gave a bound of relief and delight, for he felt that he should not be +friendless, now, among that multitude of strangers; whereas, an hour +earlier, the idea of their going with him would have been an +insupportable terror to him.</p> + +<p>Tom's guardian angels, the two lords, had had less comfort in the +interview than the other parties to it. They felt much as if they were +piloting a great ship through a dangerous channel; they were on the alert +constantly, and found their office no child's play. Wherefore, at last, +when the ladies' visit was drawing to a close and the Lord Guilford +Dudley was announced, they not only felt that their charge had been +sufficiently taxed for the present, but also that they themselves were +not in the best condition to take their ship back and make their anxious +voyage all over again. So they respectfully advised Tom to excuse +himself, which he was very glad to do, although a slight shade of +disappointment might have been observed upon my Lady Jane's face when she +heard the splendid stripling denied admittance.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="06-079"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="06-079.jpg (89K)" src="images/06-079.jpg" height="435" width="666"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<p>There was a pause now, a sort of waiting silence which Tom could not +understand. He glanced at Lord Hertford, who gave him a sign—but he +failed to understand that also. The ready Elizabeth came to the rescue +with her usual easy grace. She made reverence and said—</p> + +<p>"Have we leave of the prince's grace my brother to go?"</p> + +<p>Tom said—</p> + +<p>"Indeed your ladyships can have whatsoever of me they will, for the +asking; yet would I rather give them any other thing that in my poor +power lieth, than leave to take the light and blessing of their presence +hence. Give ye good den, and God be with ye!" Then he smiled inwardly at +the thought, "'Tis not for nought I have dwelt but among princes in my +reading, and taught my tongue some slight trick of their broidered and +gracious speech withal!"</p> + +<p>When the illustrious maidens were gone, Tom turned wearily to his keepers +and said—</p> + +<p>"May it please your lordships to grant me leave to go into some corner +and rest me?"</p> + +<p>Lord Hertford said—</p> + +<p>"So please your highness, it is for you to command, it is for us to obey. +That thou should'st rest is indeed a needful thing, since thou must +journey to the city presently."</p> + +<p>He touched a bell, and a page appeared, who was ordered to desire the +presence of Sir William Herbert. This gentleman came straightway, and +conducted Tom to an inner apartment. Tom's first movement there was to +reach for a cup of water; but a silk-and-velvet servitor seized it, +dropped upon one knee, and offered it to him on a golden salver.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="06-080"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="06-080.jpg (154K)" src="images/06-080.jpg" height="948" width="732"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<p>Next the tired captive sat down and was going to take off his buskins, +timidly asking leave with his eye, but another silk-and-velvet +discomforter went down upon his knees and took the office from him. He +made two or three further efforts to help himself, but being promptly +forestalled each time, he finally gave up, with a sigh of resignation and +a murmured "Beshrew me, but I marvel they do not require to breathe for +me also!" Slippered, and wrapped in a sumptuous robe, he laid himself +down at last to rest, but not to sleep, for his head was too full of +thoughts and the room too full of people. He could not dismiss the +former, so they stayed; he did not know enough to dismiss the latter, so +they stayed also, to his vast regret—and theirs.</p> + +<p> +Tom's departure had left his two noble guardians alone. They mused a +while, with much head-shaking and walking the floor, then Lord St. John +said—</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="06-082"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="06-082.jpg (83K)" src="images/06-082.jpg" height="522" width="641"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<p>"Plainly, what dost thou think?"</p> + +<p>"Plainly, then, this. The King is near his end; my nephew is mad—mad +will mount the throne, and mad remain. God protect England, since she +will need it!"</p> + +<p>"Verily it promiseth so, indeed. But . . . have you no misgivings as to +. . . as to . . ."</p> + +<p>The speaker hesitated, and finally stopped. He evidently felt that he +was upon delicate ground. Lord Hertford stopped before him, looked into +his face with a clear, frank eye, and said—</p> + +<p>"Speak on—there is none to hear but me. Misgivings as to what?"</p> + +<p>"I am full loth to word the thing that is in my mind, and thou so near to +him in blood, my lord. But craving pardon if I do offend, seemeth it not +strange that madness could so change his port and manner?—not but that +his port and speech are princely still, but that they DIFFER, in one +unweighty trifle or another, from what his custom was aforetime. Seemeth +it not strange that madness should filch from his memory his father's +very lineaments; the customs and observances that are his due from such +as be about him; and, leaving him his Latin, strip him of his Greek and +French? My lord, be not offended, but ease my mind of its disquiet and +receive my grateful thanks. It haunteth me, his saying he was not the +prince, and so—"</p> + +<p>"Peace, my lord, thou utterest treason! Hast forgot the King's command? +Remember I am party to thy crime if I but listen."</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="06-083"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="06-083.jpg (108K)" src="images/06-083.jpg" height="580" width="718"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<p>St. John paled, and hastened to say—</p> + +<p>"I was in fault, I do confess it. Betray me not, grant me this grace out +of thy courtesy, and I will neither think nor speak of this thing more. +Deal not hardly with me, sir, else am I ruined."</p> + +<p>"I am content, my lord. So thou offend not again, here or in the ears of +others, it shall be as though thou hadst not spoken. But thou need'st +not have misgivings. He is my sister's son; are not his voice, his face, +his form, familiar to me from his cradle? Madness can do all the odd +conflicting things thou seest in him, and more. Dost not recall how that +the old Baron Marley, being mad, forgot the favour of his own countenance +that he had known for sixty years, and held it was another's; nay, even +claimed he was the son of Mary Magdalene, and that his head was made of +Spanish glass; and, sooth to say, he suffered none to touch it, lest by +mischance some heedless hand might shiver it? Give thy misgivings +easement, good my lord. This is the very prince—I know him well—and +soon will be thy king; it may advantage thee to bear this in mind, and +more dwell upon it than the other."</p> + +<p>After some further talk, in which the Lord St. John covered up his +mistake as well as he could by repeated protests that his faith was +thoroughly grounded now, and could not be assailed by doubts again, the +Lord Hertford relieved his fellow-keeper, and sat down to keep watch and +ward alone. He was soon deep in meditation, and evidently the longer he +thought, the more he was bothered. By-and-by he began to pace the floor +and mutter.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="06-084"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="06-084.jpg (61K)" src="images/06-084.jpg" height="724" width="365"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<p>"Tush, he MUST be the prince! Will any be in all the land maintain there +can be two, not of one blood and birth, so marvellously twinned? And +even were it so, 'twere yet a stranger miracle that chance should cast +the one into the other's place. Nay, 'tis folly, folly, folly!"</p> + +<p>Presently he said—</p> + +<p>"Now were he impostor and called himself prince, look you THAT would be +natural; that would be reasonable. But lived ever an impostor yet, who, +being called prince by the king, prince by the court, prince by all, +DENIED his dignity and pleaded against his exaltation? NO! By the soul +of St. Swithin, no! This is the true prince, gone mad!"</p> + +<br><br><hr><br> +<br><br> +<a name="c7"></a> +<a name="07-087"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="07-087.jpg (90K)" src="images/07-087.jpg" height="663" width="757"> +</center> +<br><br> +<a name="07-089"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="07-089.jpg (133K)" src="images/07-089.jpg" height="869" width="743"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + +<p>Chapter VII. Tom's first royal dinner.</p> + +<p>Somewhat after one in the afternoon, Tom resignedly underwent the ordeal +of being dressed for dinner. He found himself as finely clothed as +before, but everything different, everything changed, from his ruff to +his stockings. He was presently conducted with much state to a spacious +and ornate apartment, where a table was already set for one. Its +furniture was all of massy gold, and beautified with designs which +well-nigh made it priceless, since they were the work of Benvenuto. The room +was half-filled with noble servitors. A chaplain said grace, and Tom was +about to fall to, for hunger had long been constitutional with him, but +was interrupted by my lord the Earl of Berkeley, who fastened a napkin +about his neck; for the great post of Diaperers to the Prince of Wales +was hereditary in this nobleman's family. Tom's cupbearer was present, +and forestalled all his attempts to help himself to wine. The Taster to +his highness the Prince of Wales was there also, prepared to taste any +suspicious dish upon requirement, and run the risk of being poisoned. He +was only an ornamental appendage at this time, and was seldom called upon +to exercise his function; but there had been times, not many generations +past, when the office of taster had its perils, and was not a grandeur to +be desired. Why they did not use a dog or a plumber seems strange; but +all the ways of royalty are strange. My Lord d'Arcy, First Groom of the +Chamber, was there, to do goodness knows what; but there he was—let that +suffice. The Lord Chief Butler was there, and stood behind Tom's chair, +overseeing the solemnities, under command of the Lord Great Steward and +the Lord Head Cook, who stood near. Tom had three hundred and +eighty-four servants beside these; but they were not all in that room, of +course, nor the quarter of them; neither was Tom aware yet that they +existed.</p> + +<p>All those that were present had been well drilled within the hour to +remember that the prince was temporarily out of his head, and to be +careful to show no surprise at his vagaries. These 'vagaries' were soon +on exhibition before them; but they only moved their compassion and their +sorrow, not their mirth. It was a heavy affliction to them to see the +beloved prince so stricken.</p> + +<p>Poor Tom ate with his fingers mainly; but no one smiled at it, or even +seemed to observe it. He inspected his napkin curiously, and with deep +interest, for it was of a very dainty and beautiful fabric, then said +with simplicity—</p> + +<p>"Prithee, take it away, lest in mine unheedfulness it be soiled."</p> + +<p>The Hereditary Diaperer took it away with reverent manner, and without +word or protest of any sort.</p> + + +<br><br> +<a name="07-091"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="07-091.jpg (156K)" src="images/07-091.jpg" height="913" width="735"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + + +<p>Tom examined the turnips and the lettuce with interest, and asked what +they were, and if they were to be eaten; for it was only recently that +men had begun to raise these things in England in place of importing them +as luxuries from Holland. {1} His question was answered with grave +respect, and no surprise manifested. When he had finished his dessert, +he filled his pockets with nuts; but nobody appeared to be aware of it, +or disturbed by it. But the next moment he was himself disturbed by it, +and showed discomposure; for this was the only service he had been +permitted to do with his own hands during the meal, and he did not doubt +that he had done a most improper and unprincely thing. At that moment +the muscles of his nose began to twitch, and the end of that organ to +lift and wrinkle. This continued, and Tom began to evince a growing +distress. He looked appealingly, first at one and then another of the +lords about him, and tears came into his eyes. They sprang forward with +dismay in their faces, and begged to know his trouble. Tom said with +genuine anguish—</p> + +<p>"I crave your indulgence: my nose itcheth cruelly. What is the custom +and usage in this emergence? Prithee, speed, for 'tis but a little time +that I can bear it."</p> + +<p>None smiled; but all were sore perplexed, and looked one to the other in +deep tribulation for counsel. But behold, here was a dead wall, and +nothing in English history to tell how to get over it. The Master of +Ceremonies was not present: there was no one who felt safe to venture +upon this uncharted sea, or risk the attempt to solve this solemn +problem. Alas! there was no Hereditary Scratcher. Meantime the tears +had overflowed their banks, and begun to trickle down Tom's cheeks. His +twitching nose was pleading more urgently than ever for relief. At last +nature broke down the barriers of etiquette: Tom lifted up an inward +prayer for pardon if he was doing wrong, and brought relief to the +burdened hearts of his court by scratching his nose himself.</p> + +<p>His meal being ended, a lord came and held before him a broad, shallow, +golden dish with fragrant rosewater in it, to cleanse his mouth and +fingers with; and my lord the Hereditary Diaperer stood by with a napkin +for his use. Tom gazed at the dish a puzzled moment or two, then raised +it to his lips, and gravely took a draught. Then he returned it to the +waiting lord, and said—</p> + +<p>"Nay, it likes me not, my lord: it hath a pretty flavour, but it wanteth +strength."</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="07-092"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="07-092.jpg (87K)" src="images/07-092.jpg" height="518" width="699"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + +<p>This new eccentricity of the prince's ruined mind made all the hearts +about him ache; but the sad sight moved none to merriment.</p> + +<p>Tom's next unconscious blunder was to get up and leave the table just +when the chaplain had taken his stand behind his chair, and with uplifted +hands, and closed, uplifted eyes, was in the act of beginning the +blessing. Still nobody seemed to perceive that the prince had done a +thing unusual.</p> + +<br><br> +<a name="07-093"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="07-093.jpg (179K)" src="images/07-093.jpg" height="1015" width="737"> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + +<p>By his own request our small friend was now conducted to his private +cabinet, and left there alone to his own devices. Hanging upon hooks in +the oaken wainscoting were the several pieces of a suit of shining steel +armour, covered all over with beautiful designs exquisitely inlaid in +gold. This martial panoply belonged to the true prince—a recent present +from Madam Parr the Queen. Tom put on the greaves, the gauntlets, the +plumed helmet, and such other pieces as he could don without assistance, +and for a while was minded to call for help and complete the matter, but +bethought him of the nuts he had brought away from dinner, and the joy it +would be to eat them with no crowd to eye him, and no Grand Hereditaries +to pester him with undesired services; so he restored the pretty things +to their several places, and soon was cracking nuts, and feeling almost +naturally happy for the first time since God for his sins had made him a +prince. When the nuts were all gone, he stumbled upon some inviting +books in a closet, among them one about the etiquette of the English +court. This was a prize. He lay down upon a sumptuous divan, and +proceeded to instruct himself with honest zeal. Let us leave him there +for the present.</p> + + + +<br> +<br> + + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=4 border=3> +<tr><td> + <a href="p1.htm">Previous Part</a> +</td><td> + <a href="1837-h.htm">Main Index</a> +</td><td> + <a href="p3.htm">Next Part</a> + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + +</body> +</html> + |