Presently he said sorrowfully:
'Alack, how have I longed for this sweet hour! and lo, too late it
cometh, and I am robbed of this so coveted chance. But speed ye, speed
ye! let others do this happy office sith 'tis denied to me. I put my
great seal in commission: choose thou the lords that shall compose it,
and get ye to your work. Speed ye, man! Before the sun shall rise
and set again, bring me his head that I may see it.'
'According to the king's command, so shall it be. Will't please
your majesty to order that the Seal be now restored to me, so that I
may forth upon the business?'
'The Seal! Who keepeth the Seal but thou?'
'Please your majesty, you did take it from me two days since,
saying it should no more do its office till your own royal hand should
use it upon the Duke of Norfolk's warrant.'
'Why, so in sooth I did; I do remember it.... What did I with
it!... I am very feeble.... So oft these days doth my memory play
the traitor with me.... 'Tis strange, strange-'
The king dropped into inarticulate mumblings, shaking his gray
head weakly from time to time, and gropingly trying to recollect
what he had done with the Seal. At last my Lord Hertford ventured to
kneel and offer information-
'Sire, if that I may be so bold, here be several that do
remember with me how that you gave the Great Seal into the hands of
his Highness the Prince of Wales to keep against the day that-'
'True, most true!' interrupted the king. 'Fetch it! Go: time
flieth!'
Lord Hertford flew to Tom, but returned to the king before very
long, troubled and empty-handed.
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