Seeing a puzzled and astonished
look in the woman's face, he added, excitedly:
'Never fear- thou shalt be blameless. More- thou shalt go free-
none shall touch thee. Exert thy power.'
'O, my lord the king, I have it not- I have been falsely accused.'
'Thy fears stay thee. Be of good heart, thou shalt suffer no harm.
Make a storm- it mattereth not how small a one- I require naught great
or harmful, but indeed prefer the opposite- do this and thy life is
spared- thou shalt go out free, with thy child, bearing the king's
pardon, and safe from hurt or malice from any in the realm.'
The woman prostrated herself, and protested, with tears, that
she had no power to do the miracle, else she would gladly win her
child's life alone, and be content to lose her own, if by obedience to
the king's command so precious a grace might be acquired.
Tom urged- the woman still adhered to her declarations. Finally,
he said:
'I think the woman hath said true. An my mother were in her
place and gifted with the devil's functions, she had not stayed a
moment to call her storms and lay the whole land in ruins, if the
saving of my forfeit life were the price she got! It is argument
that other mothers are made in like mold. Thou art free, good wife-
thou and thy child- for I do think thee innocent. Now thou'st naught
to fear, being pardoned- pull off thy stockings!- an thou canst make
me a storm, thou shalt be rich!'
The redeemed creature was loud in her gratitude, and proceeded
to obey, while Tom looked on with eager expectancy, a little marred by
apprehension; the courtiers at the same time manifesting decided
discomfort and uneasiness.
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