Part 22 (2/2)
The picture that my mind nos is sad, 'tis true But verily do I tell thee, Bradley,is there so sweet as that which telleth to our hearts a tale of woe?”
Again doth Richard triuh the water, brushi+ng aside the difficulties that would iress
Gloucester steps o'er the rail and takes possession of the cargo
Thus, after the disgraceful scene in the Cathedral of St Paul, when Doctor Shaw preached his now notorious ser Edward and his brother, and after the Lord Mayor and the Duke of Buckingha of London's citizens an unwilling consent to the crown being placed upon the head of Richard, instead of on our gentle, rightful, boyish King, Richard was croith great pohtful heir by birth, whilst his young nephew lay within the Tower, uncrowned, a stain atte upon his name, and treated as a land
Richard's court was now removed to Crosby Place, where the boar bedecked hiaudy finery, of which he was so fond
Then whisperings began to circulate, to the effect that both of the little Princes (for the people all believed that little York was also there) had been eneral court gossip, was never contradicted by the friends of our new King Richard, and therefore it soon came to be believed about the court, from whence the people had it, and believed So, went to the Tower and took full charge thereof for but one night That with hi Princes slept, senerally believed, and, to my mind, it indeed seemeth a likely tale, in so far, of course, as it refers to young Edward; for well did my friend and I know that little York was far froh where he e knew not We dreaded telling to the Queen this news, and therefore waited for soth we did go, ere saved fro torture on this poor woman Lord Stanley, who had been released from his imprisonment but a few days previous and now had been appointed to the office of Steward at the Palace, had been there before us and told the Queen the whole sad story of how her son had, in the night, been murdered whilst he slept
This tined nor stupefied Bold detere were imprinted on her features
When I look back to those harsh, cruel days of misery for that woe tribes which dwell in that distant land beyond the seas, discovered by that Genoese sailor 'Twas told to me, by Cabot and his son, that they, when injured, show but little spleen; but with deliberation and the greatest care they plan, onderous skill, soe in the most complete and properest of ways
Cold and deliberate was the ex-Queen, as she informed us that she had sent her son, Dorset (which had returned, after leaving the little Duke of York in a Sanctuary in France) with a letter to the Earl of Richmond, who then resided, in exile, at the court of Brittany, asking hi Richard, with the crown of England as the stake
”I have decided on this course,” said the ex-Queen, ”because I realize thatas Richard lives
If Richmond doth accept mine offer, and if he wins the croay fro the minority of my little Richard All this I have set forth distinctly in hter Elizabeth's hand in e Such offers, methinks, no sane man would refuse, unless he be a coward, which 'tis not possible for his to the Lancastrian party, which hath ever been our enemies; but, under the circumstances in which I now find myself placed, I cannot choose, but must accept that which is best for my poor son's welfare Therefore I have asked for Richmond's aid”
”Mada, ”I pray that thou wilt pardon the liberty I a a re so is that thou,mine advice”
”Speak out, Sir Frederick,” said Elizabeth ”Well dost thou know that no word of thine, intended for my help, will be considered as impertinent”
”Then, madam, I would ask if thou dost consider it as safe to thus invite the Earl of Richmond to your aid? Dost thou not fear that he--should he be successful--will claiht of conquest by the sword? 'Tis but a possibility, madam, but methinks 'tis worthy of consideration”
”But how could he claiht thereto?”
”Richard hath taken it”
”Ay, true, true, true!” wailed the poor Queen, as she walked about the roo her hands
”Dost thou not think, madam,” continued Harleston, ”that it would be better if thou wert to try and win over Buckingham to thy cause?”
”He is the friend of Richard”
”Ay, madam; but he is also a agree Richard e with the people will be too great No doubt some jealousy doth exist already Have Lord Stanley, in thy behalf, offer to the Duke so hinant at the murder of thy son, could soon be te force; drive forth the Usurper frohtful head”
”But how shall I prevent the Earl of Rich to mine aid, now that I have once invited him?”