按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
to bee at rest in his owne Lodging； and all else sleeping in their
bed； closely he steals into the Gallery； where alighting his Taper；
with the Tinder purposely brought thither； the Mantle folded about
him； and the Wand in his hand； valiantly he adventures upon his
lives perill。 Twice hee knockt softly at the doore； which a wayting
woman immediately opened； and receyving the Light； went forth into the
Gallery； while the supposed King； was conversing with the Queene。
Alas good Queene； heere is a sinne commited without any guiltie
thought in thee； as （within a while after） it plainely appeared。
For； the Querry having compassed what he most coveted； and fearing
to forfelte his life by delay； when his amorous desire was
indifferently satisfied： returned backe as he came； the sleepy waiting
woman not so much as looking on him； but rather glad； that she might
get her to rest againe。 Scarcely was the Querrie stept into his bed；
unheard or discerned by any of his fellowes； divers of them lodging
both in that and the next Chamber： but it pleased the King to visite
the Queene； according to his wonted manner； to the no little
mervaile of the drowsie wayting woman； who was never twice troubled in
a night before。 The King being in bed； whereas alwayes till then；
his resort to the Queene； was altogether in sadnesse and
melancholly； both comming and departing without speaking one word： now
his Majestie was become more pleasantly disposing； whereat the
Queene began not a little to mervaile。 Now trust mee Sir； quoth
shee； this hath beene a long wished； and now most welcome
alteration； vouchsafing twice in a night to visite me； and both within
the compasse of one houre； for it cannot be much more； since your
being here； and now comming againe。
The King hearing these words； sodainely presumed； that by some
counterfeit person or other； the Queene had beene this night beguiled：
wherefore （very advisedly） hee considered； that in regard the party
was unknowne to her； and all the women about her； to make no outward
appearance of knowing it； but rather concealed it to himselfe。 Farre
from the indiscretion of some haire…braind men； who presently would
have answered and sworne； I came hither this night； till now。
Whereupon many dangers might ensue； to the dishonour and prejudice
of the Queene： beside； her error being discovered to her； might
afterward be an occasion； to urge a wandring in her appetite； and to
covet after change againe。 But by this silence； no shame redounded
to him or her； whereas prating； must needs be the publisher of open
infamie： yet was hee much vexed in his minde； which neither by
lookes or words hee would discover； but pleasantly said to the Queene；
Why Madam； although I was once heere before to night； I hope you
mislike not my second seeing you； nor if I should please to come
againe。 No truly Sir； quoth she； I onely desire you to have care of
your health。 Well； said the King； I will follow your counsaile； and
now returne to mine owne lodging againe； committing my Queene to her
good rest。
His blood boyling with rage and distemper； by such a monstrous
injurie offered him； he wrapt his night…mantle about out and leaving
his Chamber； imagining； that whatsoever he was； needs he must be one
of his owne house： he tooke a light in his hand； and convayed it
into a little Lanthorne； purposing to be resolved in his suspition。 No
guests or strangers were now in his Court； but onely such as
belonged to his houshold； who lodged altogether about the Escurie
and Stables； being there appointed to divers beds。 Now； this was his
conceite； that whosoever had beene so lately familiar with the Queene；
his heart and his pulse could （as yet） be hardly at rest； but rather
would be troubled with apparant agitation； as discovering the guilt of
so great an offender。 Many Chambers had he passed thorow； where all
were soundly sleeping； and yet he felt both their brests and pulses。
At last he came to the lodging of the man indeede； that had so
impudently usurped his place； who could not as yet sleepe； for joy
of atchieved adventure。 When he espied the King come in； knowing
well the occasion of his search； he began to waxe very doubtfull； so
that his heart and pulse beating extreamely； he felt a further
addition of feare； as being confidently perswaded； that there was
now no other way but death； especially if the King discovered his
agony。 And although many considerations were in his braine； yet
because he saw that the King was unarmed； his best refuge was； to make
shew of sleepe； in expectation what the King intended to doe。 Among
them all he had sought； yet could not find any likelihood； whereby
to gather a grounded probability； he came to this Querry； whose
heart and pulses laboured so strongly； that he said to himselfe； Yea
mary； this is th man that did the deede。
Nevertheless； purposing to make no apparance of his further
intention； he did nothing else to him； but drawing forth a paire of
sheares； which purposely he brought thither with him； he clipped
away a part of his lockes； which （in those times） they used to weare
very long； to the end that he might the better know him the next
morning； and so returned backe to his lodging againe。 The Querry；
who partly saw； but felt what was done to him； perceived plainely
（being a subtill ingenious fellow） for what intent he was thus marked。
Wherefore； without any longer dallying； up he rose； and taking a paire
of sheares； wherewith they used to trim their Horses； softly he went
from bed to bed； where they all lay yet soundly sleeping； and clipt
away each mans locke from his right eare； in the selfe same manner
as the King had done his； and being not perceived by any one of
them； quietly he laide him downe againe。
In the morning； when the King was risen； he gave command that before
the Pallace gates were opened； all his whole Family should come before
him； as instantly his will was fulfilled。 Standing all uncovered in
his presence； he began to consider with himselfe； which of them was
the man that he had marked。 And seeing the most part of them to have
their lockes cut； all after one and the selfe same manner；
marvailing greatly； he saide to himselfe。 The man whom I seeke for；
though he be but of meane and base condition； yet it plainely
appeareth； that he is of no deject or common understanding。 And
seeing； that without further clamour and noyse； he could not find
out the party he looked for； he concluded； not to win eternall
shame； by compassing a poore revenge： but rather （by way of
admonition） to let the offender know in a word； that he was both noted
and observed。 So turning to them all； he saide； He that hath done
it； let him be silent； and doe so no more； and now depart about your
businesse。
Some other turbulent spirited man； no imprisonments； tortures；
examinations； and interrogations； could have served his turne； by
which course of proceeding； he makes the shame to be publikely knowne；
which reason requireth to keepe concealed。 But admit that condigne
vengeance were taken； it diminisheth not one tittle of the shame；
neither qualifieth the peoples bad affections； who will lash out as
libe