第14章

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。