CHAPTERXV,Youloggerheadedandunpolish\'dgrooms,What,noattendance,noregard,noduty?
WhereisthefoolishknaveIsentbefore?TAMINGOFTHESHREW。
Thereisnoperiodatwhichmenlookworseintheeyesofeachother,orfeelmoreuncomfortable,thanwhenthefirstdawnofdaylightfindsthemwatchers。Evenabeautyofthefirstorder,afterthevigilsofaballareinterruptedbythedawn,woulddowiselytowithdrawherselffromthegazeofherfondestandmostpartialadmirers。Suchwasthepale,inauspicious,andungratefullightwhichbegantobeamuponthosewhokeptwatchallnightinthehallatSayesCourt,andwhichmingleditscold,pale,bluediffusionwiththered,yellow,andsmokybeamsofexpiringlampsandtorches。Theyounggallant,whomwenoticedinourlastchapter,hadlefttheroomforafewminutes,tolearnthecauseofaknockingattheoutwardgate,andonhisreturnwassostruckwiththeforlornandghastlyaspectsofhiscompanionsofthewatchthatheexclaimed,\"Pityofmyheart,mymasters,howlikeowlsyoulook!Methinks,whenthesunrises,I
shallseeyouflutteroffwithyoureyesdazzled,tostickyourselvesintothenextivy—todorruinedsteeple。\"
\"Holdthypeace,thougibingfool,\"saidBlount;\"holdthypeace。
Isthisatimeforjeering,whenthemanhoodofEnglandisperchancedyingwithinawall\'sbreadthofthee?\"
\"Therethouliest,\"repliedthegallant。
\"How,lie!\"exclaimedBlount,startingup,\"lie!andtome?\"
\"Why,sothoudidst,thoupeevishfool,\"answeredtheyouth;
\"thoudidstlieonthatbenchevennow,didstthounot?Butartthounotahastycoxcombtopickupawrywordsowrathfully?
Nevertheless,lovingand,honouringmylordastrulyasthou,oranyone,Idosaythat,shouldHeaventakehimfromus,allEngland\'smanhooddiesnotwithhim。\"
\"Ay,\"repliedBlount,\"agoodportionwillsurvivewiththee,doubtless。\"
\"Andagoodportionwiththyself,Blount,andwithstoutMarkhamhere,andTracy,andallofus。ButIamhewillbestemploythetalentHeavenhasgiventousall。\"
\"Ashow,Iprithee?\"saidBlount;\"tellusyourmysteryofmultiplying。\"
\"Why,sirs,\"answeredtheyouth,\"yearelikegoodlyland,whichbearsnocropbecauseitisnotquickenedbymanure;butIhavethatrisingspiritinmewhichwillmakemypoorfacultieslabourtokeeppacewithit。Myambitionwillkeepmybrainatwork,I
warrantthee。\"
\"IpraytoGoditdoesnotdrivetheemad,\"saidBlount;\"formypart,ifweloseournoblelord,Ibidadieutothecourtandtothecampboth。IhavefivehundredfoulacresinNorfolk,andthitherwillI,andchangethecourtpantoufleforthecountryhobnail。\"
\"Obasetransmutation!\"exclaimedhisantagonist;\"thouhastalreadygotthetruerusticslouch——thyshouldersstoop,asifthinehandswereatthestiltsoftheplough;andthouhastakindofearthysmellaboutthee,insteadofbeingperfumedwithessence,asagallantandcourtiershould。Onmysoul,thouhaststolenouttorollthyselfonahaymow!Thyonlyexcusewillbetoswearbythyhiltsthatthefarmerhadafairdaughter。\"
\"Ipraythee,Walter,\"saidanotherofthecompany,\"ceasethyraillery,whichsuitsneithertimenorplace,andtelluswhowasatthegatejustnow。\"
\"DoctorMasters,physiciantoherGraceinordinary,sentbyherespecialorderstoinquireaftertheEarl\'shealth,\"answeredWalter。
\"Ha!what?\"exclaimedTracy;\"thatwasnoslightmarkoffavour。IftheEarlcanbutcomethrough,hewillmatchwithLeicesteryet。IsMasterswithmylordatpresent?\"
\"Nay,\"repliedWalter,\"heishalfwaybacktoGreenwichbythistime,andinhighdudgeon。\"
\"Thoudidstnotrefusehimadmittance?\"exclaimedTracy。
\"Thouwertnot,surely,somad?\"ejaculatedBlount。
\"Irefusedhimadmittanceasflatly,Blount,asyouwouldrefuseapennytoablindbeggar——asobstinately,Tracy,asthoudidsteverdenyaccesstoadun。\"
\"Why,inthefiend\'sname,didstthoutrusthimtogotothegate?\"saidBlounttoTracy。
\"Itsuitedhisyearsbetterthanmine,\"answeredTracy;\"buthehasundoneusallnowthoroughly。Mylordmayliveordie,hewillneverhavealookoffavourfromherMajestyagain。\"
\"Northemeansofmakingfortunesforhisfollowers,\"saidtheyounggallant,smilingcontemptuously;——\"thereliesthesorepointthatwillbrooknohandling。Mygoodsirs,Isoundedmylamentationsovermylordsomewhatlessloudlythansomeofyou;
butwhenthepointcomesofdoinghimservice,Iwillyieldtononeofyou。Hadthislearnedleechentered,think\'stthounottherehadbeensuchacoilbetwixthimandTressilian\'smediciner,thatnotthesleeperonly,buttheverydeadmighthaveawakened?Iknowwhatlarurmbelongstothediscordofdoctors。\"
\"AndwhoistotaketheblameofopposingtheQueen\'sorders?\"
saidTracy;\"for,undeniably,DoctorMasterscamewithherGrace\'spositivecommandstocuretheEarl。\"
\"I,whohavedonethewrong,willbeartheblame,\"saidWalter。
\"Thus,then,offflythedreamsofcourtfavourthouhastnourished,\"saidBlount,\"anddespiteallthyboastedartandambition,Devonshirewillseetheeshineatrueyoungerbrother,fittositlowattheboard,carveturnaboutwiththechaplain,lookthatthehoundsbefed,andseethesquire\'sgirthsdrawnwhenhegoesa—hunting。\"
\"Notso,\"saidtheyoungman,colouring,\"notwhileIrelandandtheNetherlandshavewars,andnotwhiletheseahathpathlesswaves。TherichWesthathlandsundreamedof,andBritaincontainsboldheartstoventureonthequestofthem。Adieuforaspace,mymasters。Igotowalkinthecourtandlooktothesentinels。\"
\"Theladhathquicksilverinhisveins,thatiscertain,\"saidBlount,lookingatMarkham。
\"Hehaththatbothinbrainandblood,\"saidMarkham,\"whichmayeithermakeormarhim。ButinclosingthedooragainstMasters,hehathdoneadaringandlovingpieceofservice;forTressilian\'sfellowhatheveraverredthattowaketheEarlweredeath,andMasterswouldwaketheSevenSleepersthemselves,ifhethoughttheysleptnotbytheregularordinanceofmedicine。\"
MorningwaswelladvancedwhenTressilian,fatiguedandover—
watched,camedowntothehallwiththejoyfulintelligencethattheEarlhadawakenedofhimself,thathefoundhisinternalcomplaintsmuchmitigated,andspokewithacheerfulness,andlookedroundwithavivacity,whichofthemselvesshowedamaterialandfavourablechangehadtakenplace。Tressilianatthesametimecommandedtheattendanceofoneortwoofhisfollowers,toreportwhathadpassedduringthenight,andtorelievethewatchersintheEarl\'schamber。
WhenthemessageoftheQueenwascommunicatedtotheEarlofSussex,heatfirstsmiledattherepulsewhichthephysicianhadreceivedfromhiszealousyoungfollower;butinstantlyrecollectinghimself,hecommandedBlount,hismasterofthehorse,instantlytotakeboat,andgodowntherivertothePalaceofGreenwich,takingyoungWalterandTracywithhim,andmakeasuitablecompliment,expressinghisgratefulthankstohisSovereign,andmentioningthecausewhyhehadnotbeenenabledtoprofitbytheassistanceofthewiseandlearnedDoctorMasters。
\"Aplagueonit!\"saidBlount,ashedescendedthestairs;\"hadhesentmewithacarteltoLeicesterIthinkIshouldhavedonehiserrandindifferentlywell。ButtogotoourgraciousSovereign,beforewhomallwordsmustbelacqueredovereitherwithgildingorwithsugar,issuchaconfectionarymatterascleanbafflesmypooroldEnglishbrain。——Comewithme,Tracy,andcomeyoutoo,MasterWalterWittypate,thatartthecauseofourhavingallthisado。Letusseeifthyneatbrain,thatframessomanyflashyfireworks,canhelpoutaplainfellowatneedwithsomeofthyshrewddevices。\"
\"Neverfear,neverfear,\"exclaimedtheyouth,\"itisIwillhelpyouthrough;letmebutfetchmycloak。\"
\"Why,thouhastitonthyshoulders,\"saidBlount,——\"theladismazed,\"
\"No,No,thisisTracy\'soldmantle,\"answeredWalter。\"Igonotwiththeetocourtunlessasagentlemanshould。\"
\"Why,\"SaidBlount,\"thybraveriesareliketodazzletheeyesofnonebutsomepoorgroomorporter。\"
\"Iknowthat,\"saidtheyouth;\"butIamresolvedIwillhavemyowncloak,ay,andbrushmydoublettoboot,ereIstirforthwithyou。\"
\"Well,well,\"saidBlount,\"hereisacoilaboutadoubletandacloak。Getthyselfready,aGod\'sname!\"
TheyweresoonlaunchedontheprincelybosomofthebroadThames,uponwhichthesunnowshoneforthinallitssplendour。
\"Therearetwothingsscarcematchedintheuniverse,\"saidWaltertoBlount——\"thesuninheaven,andtheThamesontheearth。\"
\"TheonewilllightustoGreenwichwellenough,\"saidBlount,\"andtheotherwouldtakeustherealittlefasterifitwereebb—tide。\"
\"Andthisisallthouthinkest——allthoucarest——allthoudeemesttheuseoftheKingofElementsandtheKingofRivers——toguidethreesuchpoorcaitiffsasthyself,andme,andTracy,uponanidlejourneyofcourtlyceremony!\"
\"Itisnoerrandofmyseeking,faith,\"repliedBlount,\"andI
couldexcuseboththesunandtheThamesthetroubleofcarryingmewhereIhavenogreatmindtogo,andwhereIexpectbutdog\'swagesformytrouble——andbymyhonour,\"headded,lookingoutfromtheheadoftheboat,\"itseemstomeasifourmessagewereasortoflabourinvain,for,see,theQueen\'sbargeliesatthestairsasifherMajestywereabouttotakewater。\"
Itwasevenso。Theroyalbarge,mannedwiththeQueen\'swatermenrichlyattiredintheregalliveries,andhavingtheBannerofEnglanddisplayed,didindeedlieatthegreatstairswhichascendedfromtheriver,andalongwithittwoorthreeotherboatsfortransportingsuchpartofherretinueaswerenotinimmediateattendanceontheroyalperson。Theyeomenoftheguard,thetallestandmosthandsomemenwhomEnglandcouldproduce,guardedwiththeirhalberdsthepassagefromthepalace—
gatetotheriverside,andallseemedinreadinessfortheQueen\'scomingforth,althoughthedaywasyetsoearly。
\"Bymyfaith,thisbodesusnogood,\"saidBlount;\"itmustbesomeperilouscauseputsherGraceinmotionthusuntimeously,Bymycounsel,wewerebestputbackagain,andtelltheEarlwhatwehaveseen。\"
\"TelltheEarlwhatwehaveseen!\"saidWalter;\"whywhathaveweseenbutaboat,andmenwithscarletjerkins,andhalberdsintheirhands?Letusdohiserrand,andtellhimwhattheQueensaysinreply。\"
Sosaying,hecausedtheboattobepulledtowardsalanding—
placeatsomedistancefromtheprincipalone,whichitwouldnot,atthatmoment,havebeenthoughtrespectfultoapproach,andjumpedonshore,followed,thoughwithreluctance,byhiscautiousandtimidcompanions。Astheyapproachedthegateofthepalace,oneofthesergeantporterstoldthemtheycouldnotatpresententer,asherMajestywasintheactofcomingforth。
ThegentlemenusedthenameoftheEarlofSussex;butitprovednocharmtosubduetheofficer,whoalleged,inreply,thatitwasasmuchashispostwasworthtodisobeyintheleasttittlethecommandswhichhehadreceived。
\"Nay,Itoldyouasmuchbefore,\"saidBlount;\"do,Iprayyou,mydearWalter,letustakeboatandreturn。\"
\"NottillIseetheQueencomeforth,\"returnedtheyouthcomposedly。
\"Thouartmad,starkmad,bytheMass!\"answeredBlount。
\"Andthou,\"saidWalter,\"artturnedcowardofthesudden。I
haveseentheefacehalfascoreofshag—headedIrishkernstothyownshareofthem;andnowthouwouldstblinkandgobacktoshunthefrownofafairlady!\"
Atthismomentthegatesopened,andushersbegantoissueforthinarray,precededandflankedbythebandofGentlemenPensioners。Afterthis,amidacrowdoflordsandladies,yetsodisposedaroundherthatshecouldseeandbeseenonallsides,cameElizabethherself,thenintheprimeofwomanhood,andinthefullglowofwhatinaSovereignwascalledbeauty,andwhowouldinthelowestrankoflifehavebeentrulyjudgedanoblefigure,joinedtoastrikingandcommandingphysiognomy。SheleantonthearmofLordHunsdon,whoserelationtoherbyhermother\'ssideoftenprocuredhimsuchdistinguishedmarksofElizabeth\'sintimacy。
TheyoungcavalierwehavesooftenmentionedhadprobablyneveryetapproachedsonearthepersonofhisSovereign,andhepressedforwardasfarasthelineofwarderspermitted,inordertoavailhimselfofthepresentopportunity。Hiscompanion,onthecontrary,cursinghisimprudence,keptpullinghimbackwards,tillWaltershookhimoffimpatiently,andlettinghisrichcloakdropcarelesslyfromoneshoulder;anaturalaction,whichserved,however,todisplaytothebestadvantagehiswell—
proportionedperson。Unbonnetingatthesametime,hefixedhiseagergazeontheQueen\'sapproach,withamixtureofrespectfulcuriosityandmodestyetardentadmiration,whichsuitedsowellwithhisfinefeaturesthatthewarders,struckwithhisrichattireandnoblecountenance,sufferedhimtoapproachthegroundoverwhichtheQueenwastopass,somewhatcloserthanwaspermittedtoordinaryspectators。ThustheadventurousyouthstoodfullinElizabeth\'seye——aneyeneverindifferenttotheadmirationwhichshedeservedlyexcitedamonghersubjects,ortothefairproportionsofexternalformwhichchancedtodistinguishanyofhercourtiers。
Accordingly,shefixedherkeenglanceontheyouth,assheapproachedtheplacewherehestood,withalookinwhichsurpriseathisboldnessseemedtobeunmingledwithresentment,whileatriflingaccidenthappenedwhichattractedherattentiontowardshimyetmorestrongly。Thenighthadbeenrainy,andjustwheretheyounggentlemanstoodasmallquantityofmudinterruptedtheQueen\'spassage。Asshehesitatedtopasson,thegallant,throwinghiscloakfromhisshoulders,laiditonthemiryspot,soastoensurehersteppingoveritdry—shod。
Elizabethlookedattheyoungman,whoaccompaniedthisactofdevotedcourtesywithaprofoundreverence,andablushthatoverspreadhiswholecountenance。TheQueenwasconfused,andblushedinherturn,noddedherhead,hastilypassedon,andembarkedinherbargewithoutsayingaword。
\"Comealong,SirCoxcomb,\"saidBlount;\"yourgaycloakwillneedthebrushto—day,Iwot。Nay,ifyouhadmeanttomakeafootclothofyourmantle,betterhavekeptTracy\'solddrab—de—
bure,whichdespisesallcolours。\"
\"Thiscloak,\"saidtheyouth,takingitupandfoldingit,\"shallneverbebrushedwhileinmypossession。\"
\"Andthatwillnotbelong,ifyoulearnnotalittlemoreeconomy;weshallhaveyouinCUERPOsoon,astheSpaniardsays。\"
TheirdiscoursewashereinterruptedbyoneofthebandofPensioners。
\"Iwassent,\"saidhe,afterlookingatthemattentively,\"toagentlemanwhohathnocloak,oramuddyone。——You,sir,Ithink,\"
addressingtheyoungercavalier,\"aretheman;youwillpleasetofollowme。\"
\"Heisinattendanceonme,\"saidBlount——\"onme,thenobleEarlofSussex\'smasterofhorse。\"
\"Ihavenothingtosaytothat,\"answeredthemessenger;\"myordersaredirectlyfromherMajesty,andconcernthisgentlemanonly。\"
Sosaying,hewalkedaway,followedbyWalter,leavingtheothersbehind,Blount\'seyesalmoststartingfromhisheadwiththeexcessofhisastonishment。Atlengthhegaveventtoitinanexclamation,\"Whothegoodjerewouldhavethoughtthis!\"Andshakinghisheadwithamysteriousair,hewalkedtohisownboat,embarked,andreturnedtoDeptford。
Theyoungcavalierwasinthemeanwhileguidedtothewater—sidebythePensioner,whoshowedhimconsiderablerespect;acircumstancewhich,topersonsinhissituation,maybeconsideredasanauguryofnosmallconsequence。HeusheredhimintooneofthewherrieswhichlayreadytoattendtheQueen\'sbarge,whichwasalreadyproceeding;uptheriver,withtheadvantageofthatflood—tideofwhich,inthecourseoftheirdescent,Blounthadcomplainedtohisassociates。
ThetworowersusedtheiroarswithsuchexpeditionatthesignaloftheGentlemanPensioner,thattheyverysoonbroughttheirlittleskiffunderthesternoftheQueen\'sboat,whereshesatbeneathanawning,attendedbytwoorthreeladies,andthenoblesofherhousehold。Shelookedmorethanonceatthewherryinwhichtheyoungadventurerwasseated,spoketothosearoundher,andseemedtolaugh。Atlengthoneoftheattendants,bytheQueen\'sorderapparently,madeasignforthewherrytocomealongside,andtheyoungmanwasdesiredtostepfromhisownskiffintotheQueen\'sbarge,whichheperformedwithgracefulagilityattheforepartoftheboat,andwasbroughtafttotheQueen\'spresence,thewherryatthesametimedroppingintotherear。TheyouthunderwentthegazeofMajesty,notthelessgracefullythathisself—possessionwasmingledwithembarrassment。Themuddledcloakstillhunguponhisarm,andformedthenaturaltopicwithwhichtheQueenintroducedtheconversation。
\"Youhavethisdayspoiledagaymantleinourbehalf,youngman。
Wethankyouforyourservice,thoughthemannerofofferingitwasunusual,andsomethingbold。\"
\"Inasovereign\'sneed,\"answeredtheyouth,\"itiseachliege—
man\'sdutytobebold。\"
\"God\'spity!thatwaswellsaid,mylord,\"saidtheQueen,turningtoagravepersonwhosatbyher,andansweredwithagraveinclinationofthehead,andsomethingofamumbledassent。——\"Well,youngman,yourgallantryshallnotgounrewarded。Gotothewardrobekeeper,andheshallhaveorderstosupplythesuitwhichyouhavecastawayinourservice。Thoushalthaveasuit,andthatofthenewestcut,Ipromisethee,onthewordofaprincess。\"
\"MayitpleaseyourGrace,\"saidWalter,hesitating,\"itisnotforsohumbleaservantofyourMajestytomeasureoutyourbounties;butifitbecamemetochoose——\"
\"Thouwouldsthavegold,Iwarrantme,\"saidtheQueen,interruptinghim。\"Fie,youngman!Itakeshametosaythatinourcapitalsuchandsovariousarethemeansofthriftlessfolly,thattogivegoldtoyouthisgivingfueltofire,andfurnishingthemwiththemeansofself—destruction。IfIliveandreign,thesemeansofunchristianexcessshallbeabridged。
Yetthoumayestbepoor,\"sheadded,\"orthyparentsmaybe。Itshallbegold,ifthouwilt,butthoushaltanswertomefortheuseon\'t。\"
WalterwaitedpatientlyuntiltheQueenhaddone,andthenmodestlyassuredherthatgoldwasstilllessinhiswishthantheraimentherMajestyhadbeforeoffered。
\"How,boy!\"saidtheQueen,\"neithergoldnorgarment?Whatisitthouwouldsthaveofme,then?\"
\"Onlypermission,madam——ifitisnotaskingtoohighanhonour——permissiontowearthecloakwhichdidyouthistriflingservice。\"
\"Permissiontowearthineowncloak,thousillyboy!\"saidtheQueen。
\"Itisnolongermine,\"saidWalter;\"whenyourMajesty\'sfoottouchedit,itbecameafitmantleforaprince,butfartoorichaoneforitsformerowner。\"
TheQueenagainblushed,andendeavouredtocover,bylaughing,aslightdegreeofnotunpleasingsurpriseandconfusion。
\"Heardyoueverthelike,mylords?Theyouth\'sheadisturnedwithreadingromances。Imustknowsomethingofhim,thatImaysendhimsafetohisfriends。——Whatartthou?\"
\"AgentlemanofthehouseholdoftheEarlofSussex,sopleaseyourGrace,senthitherwithhismasterofhorseuponmessagetoyourMajesty。\"
InamomentthegraciousexpressionwhichElizabeth\'sfacehadhithertomaintained,gavewaytoanexpressionofhaughtinessandseverity。
\"MyLordofSussex,\"shesaid,\"hastaughtushowtoregardhismessagesbythevalueheplacesuponours。Wesentbutthismorningthephysicianinordinaryofourchamber,andthatatnousualtime,understandinghislordship\'sillnesstobemoredangerousthanwehadbeforeapprehended。ThereisatnocourtinEuropeamanmoreskilledinthisholyandmostusefulsciencethanDoctorMasters,andhecamefromUstooursubject。
Nevertheless,hefoundthegateofSayesCourtdefendedbymenwithculverins,asifithadbeenonthebordersofScotland,notinthevicinityofourcourt;andwhenhedemandedadmittanceinourname,itwasstubbornlyrefused。Forthisslightofakindness,whichhadbuttoomuchofcondescensioninit,wewillreceive,atpresentatleast,noexcuse;andsomesuchwesupposetohavebeenthepurportofmyLordofSussex\'smessage。\"
ThiswasutteredinatoneandwithagesturewhichmadeLordSussex\'sfriendswhowerewithinhearingtremble。Hetowhomthespeechwasaddressed,however,tremblednot;butwithgreatdeferenceandhumility,assoonastheQueen\'spassiongavehimanopportunity,hereplied,\"SopleaseyourmostgraciousMajesty,IwaschargedwithnoapologyfromtheEarlofSussex。\"
\"Withwhatwereyouthencharged,sir?\"saidtheQueen,withtheimpetuositywhich,amidnoblerqualities,stronglymarkedhercharacter。\"Wasitwithajustification?——or,God\'sdeath!withadefiance?\"
\"Madam,\"saidtheyoungman,\"myLordofSussexknewtheoffenceapproachedtowardstreason,andcouldthinkofnothingsaveofsecuringtheoffender,andplacinghiminyourMajesty\'shands,andatyourmercy。ThenobleEarlwasfastasleepwhenyourmostgraciousmessagereachedhim,apotionhavingbeenadministeredtothatpurposebyhisphysician;andhisLordshipknewnotoftheungraciousrepulseyourMajesty\'sroyalandmostcomfortablemessagehadreceived,untilafterheawokethismorning。\"
\"Andwhichofhisdomestics,then,inthenameofHeaven,presumedtorejectmymessage,withoutevenadmittingmyownphysiciantothepresenceofhimwhomIsenthimtoattend?\"
saidtheQueen,muchsurprised。
\"Theoffender,madam,isbeforeyou,\"repliedWalter,bowingverylow;\"thefullandsoleblameismine;andmylordhasmostjustlysentmetoabyetheconsequencesofafault,ofwhichheisasinnocentasasleepingman\'sdreamscanbeofawakingman\'sactions。\"
\"What!wasitthou?——thouthyself,thatrepelledmymessengerandmyphysicianfromSayesCourt?\"saidtheQueen。\"Whatcouldoccasionsuchboldnessinonewhoseemsdevoted——thatis,whoseexteriorbearingshowsdevotion——tohisSovereign?\"
\"Madam,\"saidtheyouth——who,notwithstandinganassumedappearanceofseverity,thoughtthathesawsomethingintheQueen\'sfacethatresemblednotimplacability——\"wesayinourcountry,thatthephysicianisforthetimetheliegesovereignofhispatient。Now,mynoblemasterwasthenunderdominionofaleech,bywhoseadvicehehathgreatlyprofited,whohadissuedhiscommandsthathispatientshouldnotthatnightbedisturbed,ontheveryperilofhislife。\"
\"Thymasterhathtrustedsomefalsevarletofanempiric,\"saidtheQueen。
\"Iknownot,madam,butbythefactthatheisnow——thisverymorning——awakenedmuchrefreshedandstrengthenedfromtheonlysleephehathhadformanyhours。\"
Thenobleslookedateachother,butmorewiththepurposetoseewhateachthoughtofthisnews,thantoexchangeanyremarksonwhathadhappened。TheQueenansweredhastily,andwithoutaffectingtodisguisehersatisfaction,\"Bymyword,Iamgladheisbetter。Butthouwertover—boldtodenytheaccessofmyDoctorMasters。KnowestthounottheHolyWritsaith,\'Inthemultitudeofcounselthereissafety\'?\"
\"Ay,madam,\"saidWalter;\"butIhaveheardlearnedmensaythatthesafetyspokenofisforthephysicians,notforthepatient。\"
\"Bymyfaith,child,thouhastpushedmehome,\"saidtheQueen,laughing;\"formyHebrewlearningdoesnotcomequiteatacall。
——Howsayyou,myLordofLincoln?Haththeladgivenajustinterpretationofthetext?\"
\"ThewordSAFETY,mostgraciousmadam,\"saidtheBishopofLincoln,\"forsohathbeentranslated,itmaybesomewhathastily,theHebrewword,being——\"
\"Mylord,\"saidtheQueen,interruptinghim,\"wesaidwehadforgottenourHebrew。——Butforthee,youngman,whatisthynameandbirth?\"
\"Raleighismyname,mostgraciousQueen,theyoungestsonofalargebuthonourablefamilyofDevonshire。\"
\"Raleigh?\"saidElizabeth,afteramoment\'srecollection。\"HavewenotheardofyourserviceinIreland?\"
\"Ihavebeensofortunateastodosomeservicethere,madam,\"
repliedRaleigh;\"scarce,however,ofconsequencesufficienttoreachyourGrace\'sears。\"
\"Theyhearfartherthanyouthinkof,\"saidtheQueengraciously,\"andhaveheardofayouthwhodefendedafordinShannonagainstawholebandofwildIrishrebels,untilthestreamranpurplewiththeirbloodandhisown。\"
\"SomebloodImayhavelost,\"saidtheyouth,lookingdown,\"butitwaswheremybestisdue,andthatisinyourMajesty\'sservice。\"
TheQueenpaused,andthensaidhastily,\"Youareveryyoungtohavefoughtsowell,andtospeaksowell。ButyoumustnotescapeyourpenanceforturningbackMasters。ThepoormanhathcaughtcoldontheriverforourorderreachedhimwhenhewasjustreturnedfromcertainvisitsinLondon,andhehelditmatterofloyaltyandconscienceinstantlytosetforthagain。
Soharkye,MasterRaleigh,seethoufailnottowearthymuddycloak,intokenofpenitence,tillourpleasurebefurtherknown。
Andhere,\"sheadded,givinghimajewelofgold,intheformofachess—man,\"Igivetheethistowearatthecollar。\"
Raleigh,towhomnaturehadtaughtintuitively,asitwere,thosecourtlyartswhichmanyscarceacquirefromlongexperience,knelt,and,ashetookfromherhandthejewel,kissedthefingerswhichgaveit。Heknew,perhaps,betterthanalmostanyofthecourtierswhosurroundedher,howtominglethedevotionclaimedbytheQueenwiththegallantryduetoherpersonalbeauty;andinthis,hisfirstattempttounitethem,hesucceededsowellasatoncetogratifyElizabeth\'spersonalvanityandherloveofpower。[SeeNote5。CourtfavourofSirWalterRaleigh。]
Hismaster,theEarlofSussex,hadthefulladvantageofthesatisfactionwhichRaleighhadaffordedElizabeth,ontheirfirstinterview。
\"Mylordsandladies,\"saidtheQueen,lookingaroundtotheretinuebywhomshewasattended,\"methinks,sinceweareupontheriver,itwerewelltorenounceourpresentpurposeofgoingtothecity,andsurprisethispoorEarlofSussexwithavisit。
Heisill,andsufferingdoubtlessunderthefearofourdispleasure,fromwhichhehathbeenhonestlyclearedbythefrankavowalofthismalapertboy。Whatthinkye?wereitnotanactofcharitytogivehimsuchconsolationasthethanksofaQueen,muchboundtohimforhisloyalservice,mayperchancebestminister?\"
Itmaybereadilysupposedthatnonetowhomthisspeechwasaddressedventuredtoopposeitspurport。
\"YourGrace,\"saidtheBishopofLincoln,\"isthebreathofournostrils。\"ThemenofwaraverredthatthefaceoftheSovereignwasawhetstonetothesoldier\'ssword;whilethemenofstatewerenotlessofopinionthatthelightoftheQueen\'scountenancewasalamptothepathsofhercouncillors;andtheladiesagreed,withonevoice,thatnonobleinEnglandsowelldeservedtheregardofEngland\'sRoyalMistressastheEarlofSussex——theEarlofLeicester\'srightbeingreservedentire,sosomeofthemorepoliticwordedtheirassent,anexceptiontowhichElizabethpaidnoapparentattention。Thebargehad,therefore,orderstodeposititsroyalfreightatDeptford,atthenearestandmostconvenientpointofcommunicationwithSayesCourt,inorderthattheQueenmightsatisfyherroyalandmaternalsolicitude,bymakingpersonalinquiriesafterthehealthoftheEarlofSussex。
Raleigh,whoseacutespiritforesawandanticipatedimportantconsequencesfromthemosttriflingevents,hastenedtoasktheQueen\'spermissiontogointheskiff;andannouncetheroyalvisittohismaster;ingeniouslysuggestingthatthejoyfulsurprisemightproveprejudicialtohishealth,sincetherichestandmostgenerouscordialsmaysometimesbefataltothosewhohavebeenlonginalanguishingstate。