第10章

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:

'Dost thou know thy father, child? 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 who would hurt thee; there is none here but loves thee.

Thou art better now; thy ill dream passeth- is't not so? And thou knowest 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 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!'

'Die? Talk not so, sweet prince- peace, peace, to thy troubled heart- thou shalt not die!'

Tom dropped upon his knees with a glad cry:

'God requite thy mercy, oh 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?'

'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 Imoved to seek again the kennel where I was born and bred to misery, yet which harboreth my mother and my sisters, and so is home to me;whereas these pomps and splendors whereunto I am not used- oh, please you, sir, to let me go!'

The king was silent and thoughtful awhile, and his face betrayed a growing distress and uneasiness. Presently he said, with something of hope in his voice:

'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.'

Then he asked Tom a question in Latin, and Tom answered him lamely in the same tongue. The King was delighted, 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 fatally. How say you, sir?'

The physician addressed bowed low, and replied:

'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 a moment, embarrassed by having so many eyes centered 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 nothing but a scurvy faintness. Raise me!