The ready Elizabeth came to the
rescue with her usual easy grace. She made reverence and said:
'Have we leave of the prince's grace my brother to go?'
Tom said:
'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 naught I have dwelt
but among princes in my reading, and taught my tongue some slight
trick of their broidered and gracious speech withal!'
When the illustrious maidens were gone, Tom turned wearily to
his keepers and said:
'May it please your lordships to grant me leave to go into some
corner and rest me!'
Lord Hertford said:
'So please your highness, it is for you to command, it is for us
to obey. That thou shouldst rest, is indeed a needful thing, since
thou must journey to the city presently.'
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.
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.
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