realms could not travel in safety, unless he were surrounded by this guard of mercenaries.

When that I was at length brought before the council, I was full closely questioned upon all points; as well those affecting mine adventure at Bermondsey, as those regarding mine own lineage and quality. But as I was now no longer under the wild rule of sudden passion, I deemed it might be anything save wisdom to insist on mine high estate and royal blood; yet from love unto truth I might not unsay what I had already declared, the which was not slightly noted by the council, and methought I was the more harshly dealt with because I had too openly avowed myself the issue of one who had worn England's crown: but, peradventure, this was only a phantasy of mine own. Howbeit, as none of the charges against me did seem to amount unto treason or to touch my life, the wily Harry was minded rather to court unto his interest such of the house of York and its favourers as were yet remaining. He himself averred, that he sought not the death of obscure foes or silly and misled souls, but used his rigour only to bring low and abate, the high stomachs of such wild people as were bred up in seditious factions and civil rebellions. Whereupon it seemed from mine after-fate, as if himself and his council had resolved rather to suppress all knowledge of me and let me slide out of memory, than presently to persecute me; for I was ordered to be removed for a brief space until other witnesses should be sought for, and other proofs brought up against me, when, peradventure, it was alway intended to keep me an unknown captive, like

my cousin Edward Plantagenet, and upon fitting occasion to put me to death.

When I did thus appear before Henry in his council, I looked upon him for the last time, and I had not beheld him afore, since the fatal day when I wandered up to his guard in the battle of Bosworth-field; for I saw him not at his Queen's coronation. And, now, there was, in truth, a great and sad alteration in him; for whereas he was noted of all to have a fair complexion, and a countenance merry and smiling, methought his visage looked pale and thin, and so worn by care and pain, that I could not but pity him. His eyes were already dim of sight, and the pangs of that mistaken disease, in the fierce agonies whereof he departed, had even at this time come upon him, and marked him with the furrows of tooearly old age.

From the chamber of council I was forthwith returned unto my prison-room, where he who had me in keeping, one Walter Bolte, admonished me to be of good courage, seeing that it had fared no worse with me; for he said, had not the king been gracious, or matters showed somewhat in my favour, I had never returned with such respite. The manner of this fellow was blunt but kindly, and though I deemed it not altogether fitting for one of my sort to hold much converse with a person of his degree, yet did I not scruple to do so at this time; and I thereupon demanded of him, wherefore he augured so favourably of my condition.

"Truly," answered he, "because it hath full rarely chanced, that they who have not had money

to make large fine unto his Grace for the weal of his people, have been retained for any second hearing before the council; and I shrewdly guess that your purse is not deep enow to buy such delay."

Small profit," rejoined I, "is likely to arise from that delay unto me, if my second trial, as you term it, should be no better than the first: it may, perchance, somewhat put off the hour of my fall, but I trow well that 'twill scarcely prevent it."

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Nay," replied Walter, thereupon, " and 'twere unreason to hope for it, so I prithee deem not that I would so mislead you, as to cause you to think that your life may be saved; I meant but to show that you should take comfort in this pause."

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"Alas!" did I exclaim then, as if speaking unto myself, my fate is but as I weened it must be; and at all events I must be deprived of life."

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Yea, even so," responded the jailer, “as I judge."

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Why, then," demanded I," would you give me such false comfort, and wherefore do you deem that I have cause for rejoicing, inasmuch the council hath not yet condemned me?"

"Why, in chief," answered Walter, "because it looked unto me that you are in much favour in having space to make up your peace with heaven, which hath not oft been granted I promise you;and then, because I thought even your death might be made somewhat more supportable than the same hath been in many other cases; the which I can overname for your edification and comfort, an you list to hear them."

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But, notwithstanding all," returned I there

unto, "you still tell me that I must certainly die."

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Ay, truly," added Walter, as if in surprise at my speech, "that did I ever think must be the end of all; nor doubted that you would do the like. For, to say nought of your sacrilege, you could little expect that the avowed son of the evil duke of Gloucester would be let live when so many mock princes have been disturbing the realm by their lawless uprisings."

"Then in heaven's name! thou quibbling knave," questioned I, "what was the goodly abatement of penalty you held out to me, wherein you deemed I stood so fair, and whence I might hope

so much?"

"Good words, master Plantagenet," responded the wearisome keeper, "good words, and I care not if I tell you that too. And so you may first note, if indeed you know it not already, that to die is what none 'scape, it being every man's lot; argal, the evil or sorrow, of death, in one condemned thereunto for his misdoings, ariseth not from taking of his life, but from the sad array and doleful circumstance of execution: perceive ye me herein? Now, since your matters have taken so fair a turn, it may be that the king in his great clemency, he being convinced that you are in truth of royal blood,-may put you to death in the pleasant manner that one of your house was by king Edward the Fourth, as I well remember, and so drown you in a butt of good Sherris-sack!" "And is that all the mercy," said I, "which I may look for at your king's hand?”

"All! quotha," replied the amazed Walter

Bolte," to see, now, how unthankful are some men! But gramercy! good friend, I pray thee tell no man that I promised thee such goodly chance! I spake but of what might happen, an thy good luck continued; yet would I not have thee too cheerfully hope therefore."

"Truly," responded I, "'tis not coveted by me, if such be all the clemency I may look to."

"Why this is well," added Walter, "moderate desires bring fewest disappointments, and thou mightest at last look in vain for so princely and merry a death; yet still would I comfort thee with the knowledge that, at the worst, thou wilt but lose thy life by a stout cord and a high gibbet; or that, in consideration of all doubts, his grace, ever merciful and most gentle, will show thee the special favour of taking thine head by a sharp axe and a sure headsman."

"Since it must be so, then," said I once more, “I trust his grace will not refuse me the attendance of one of the good friars from the monastery here at Sheen, to take my confession and prepare me for death. Therefore, if you will furnish me with the means, I will eftsoons write this most reasonable request unto the privy-council.”

"Not by mine avisement or aid, Master Plantagenet," rejoined the good Walter Bolte, as methought in some alarm, "'tis ever best to let great folks have their own way, and if the king and council forget you, why, do you forget them, and so be even. And for your soul, I warrant that you and I can guard it without ever a barefooted friar coming hither; for when such visiters come unto my guests, I have noted that they tarry not