登陆注册
15313700000074

第74章 CARDINAL WOLSEY(10)

It was not unusual with Henry to visit the different offices of the castle and converse freely and familiarly with the members of his household, but it was by no means safe to trust to the continuance of his good humour, or in the slightest degree to presume upon it.It is well known that his taste for variety of character often led him, like the renowned Caliph Haroun Al Raschid, to mix with the lower classes of his subjects in disguise, at which times many extraordinary adventures are said to have befallen him.His present visit to the kitchen, therefore, would have occasioned no surprise to its occupants if it had not occurred so soon after the cardinal's arrival.But it was this circumstance, in fact, that sent him thither.The intelligence brought by Wolsey of the adjournment of the court for three days, under the plea of giving the queen time for her allegations, was so unlooked for by Henry that he quitted the cardinal in high displeasure, and was about to repair to Anne Boleyn, when he encountered Bouchier, who told him that Mabel Lyndwood had been brought to the castle, and her grandsire arrested.

The information changed Henry's intentions at once, and he proceeded with Bouchier and some other attendants to the kitchen, where he was given to understand he should find the damsel.

Many a furtive glance was thrown at the king, for no one dared openly to regard him as he approached the forester's fair granddaughter.But he tarried only a moment beside her, chucked her under the chin, and, whispering a word or two in her ear that heightened her blushes, passed on to the spot where the two jesters were standing.

"What dost thou here, knave?" he said to Will Sommers.

"I might rather ask that question of your majesty," replied Will; "and Iwould do so but that I require not to be told""I have come to see what passeth in my household," replied the king, throwing himself into the chair lately occupied by the chief cook."Ah, Hob and Nob, my merry rascals," he cried, patting the turnspits, who ran towards him and thrust their noses against his hand, " ye are as gamesome and loving as ever, I see.Give me a manchet for them, Master Cook, and let not the proceedings in the kitchen be stayed for my presence.I would not have my supper delayed, or the roasts spoiled, for any false ceremony.And now, Will, what hast thou to say that thou lookest so hard at me?""I have a heavy charge to bring against this knave, an' please your majesty," replied Will Sommers, pointing to Patch.

"What! hath he retorted upon thee too sharply? "replied the king, laughing."If so, challenge him to the combat, and settle the grievance with thy lathen dagger.But refer not the matter to me.I am no judge in fools' quarrels.""Your own excepted," muttered Will."This is not a quarrel that can be so adjusted," he added aloud."I charge this rascal Patch with speaking disrespectfully of your highness in the hearing of the whole kitchen.And I also charge his master the cardinal with having secreted in his cellars at Hampton a vast amount of treasure, obtained by extortion, privy dealings with foreign powers, and other iniquitous practices, and which ought of right to find its way to your royal exchequer.""'And which shall find its way thither, if thou dost not avouch a fable,"replied the king.

"Your majesty shall judge," rejoined Will.And he repeated the story which he had just before related.

"Can this be true?" exclaimed Henry at its close.

"It is false, your highness, every word of it," cried Patch, throwing himself at the king's feet, "except so far as relates to our visits to the cellar, where, I shame to speak it, we drank so much that our senses clean forsook us.As to my indiscreet speech touching your majesty, neither disrespect nor disloyalty were intended by it.I was goaded to the rejoinder by the sharp sting of this hornet.""The matter of the treasure shall be inquired into without delay," said Henry."As to the quarrel, it shall be settled thus.Get both of you upon that table.A flour-bag shall be given to each; and he who is first knocked off shall be held vanquished."The king's judgment was received with as much applause as dared be exhibited by the hearers; and in an instant the board was cleared, and a couple of flour-bags partly filled delivered to the combatants by Simon Quanden, who bestirred himself with unwonted activity on the occasion.

Leaping upon the table, amid the smothered mirth of the assemblage, the two jesters placed themselves opposite each other, and grinned such comical defiance that the king roared with laughter.After a variety of odd movements and feints on either side, Patch tried to bring down his adversary by a tremendous two-handed blow; but in dealing it, the weight of the hag dragged him forward, and well-nigh pitched him head foremost upon the floor.As it was, he fell on his face upon the table, and in this position received several heavy blows upon the prominent part of his back from Will Sommers.Ere long, however, he managed to regain his legs, and, smarting with pain, attacked his opponent furiously in his turn.For a short space fortune seemed to favour him.His bag had slightly burst, and the flour, showering from it with every blow, well-nigh blinded his adversary, whom he drove to the very edge of the table.At this critical juncture Will managed to bring down his bag full upon his opponent's sconce, and the force of the blow bursting it, Patch was covered from crown to foot with flour, and blinded in his turn.The appearance of the combatants was now so exquisitely ridiculous, that the king leaned back in his chair to indulge his laughter, and the mirth of the spectators could no longer be kept within decorous limits.The very turnspits barked in laughing concert.

同类推荐
  • 画鉴

    画鉴

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 陈书

    陈书

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 无相思尘论

    无相思尘论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 太极图说

    太极图说

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • Beacon Lights of History-III

    Beacon Lights of History-III

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 妖孽冷王腹黑妃

    妖孽冷王腹黑妃

    他,是不近女色的绝色王爷。她,是被人用一整个城市作为代价杀死的异能杀手。她们,是她一生中最好的姐妹,为她而亡,与她一起来到这个世界,却散落在了世界不同的角落中。她,是丞相府的嫡女,紫若离,却懦弱无能,被庶妹陷害而亡。但当她代替了她,一切都会改变。而当她,遇到了他,又会碰撞出什么样的火花?一天,某女无聊,上山劫色,却被某个色男给劫了个色。某女说:“劫财有什么好玩的,不如来劫色吧。”当她准备就绪时,却没想到,被一个下人的一句话,差点儿摔了下来。“你不是南锡国里传说中的空有一副好皮囊却无才无德的废材丞相府嫡女吗?”某男挑眉。从此,某女开始了一生一世一双人的修炼生活。
  • 天下无双之天命医妃

    天下无双之天命医妃

    她苦练神农心经,为他解毒,让他重新站起来,他腹黑冷漠,很辣无比,却唯独对她宠溺无双,她和他演绎了一段可歌可泣的爱情,她斗无情的父亲却始终留有一线余地;斗一心要置自己于死地的庶妹庶母却从不赶尽杀绝;斗皇帝、上战场不畏皇权,为轩王出谋献策;斗天、斗地斗死神,天要灭我,我便弑天,神阻杀神,魔挡弑魔;她说:“君耀轩,你是我莫轻舞的人,我不让你死,就是阎王也不行!除了我,谁敢欺负你,我便让他求生不成,求死无门!”,他说:“你要皇位,本王抢来给你,你做女皇;你要灭世,本王化身为魔,屠尽天下!”她以自己高超的医术和毒术陪轩王一路高歌,走出天启大陆,风云神眷,触摸神的领域,突破神的桎梏。
  • 福妻驾到

    福妻驾到

    现代饭店彪悍老板娘魂穿古代。不分是非的极品婆婆?三年未归生死不明的丈夫?心狠手辣的阴毒亲戚?贪婪而好色的地主老财?吃上顿没下顿的贫困宭境?不怕不怕,神仙相助,一技在手,天下我有!且看现代张悦娘,如何身带福气玩转古代,开面馆、收小弟、左纳财富,右傍美男,共绘幸福生活大好蓝图!!!!快本新书《天媒地聘》已经上架开始销售,只要3.99元即可将整本书抱回家,你还等什么哪,赶紧点击下面的直通车,享受乐乐精心为您准备的美食盛宴吧!)
  • 与庄共舞就这几招

    与庄共舞就这几招

    《与庄共舞就这几招》主要讲述作者的看盘跟庄技术分析理论和投资理念,这些新的理论观点相信会让你耳目一新。只要用心苦读,细心体会每一句话的含义,你便完全可以独立对一只股票进行客观地研判,这些都是作者近十年沉浮股海的经验精华。一本书可以改变一个人的命运。《与庄共舞就这几招》特别适合那些致力于金融(股票、期货、外汇)投资的有理想、有抱负的年轻人士学习和阅读,相信《与庄共舞就这几招》一定会让你少走许多弯路。用心做一件事,做你喜欢的一件事,坚持下去,成功只是迟早的事。请相信自己:心中无敌,无敌于天下!
  • 大灰狼的传奇经历

    大灰狼的传奇经历

    想知道小红帽中大灰狼的后面的传奇经历吗?我靠,它竟然在一口枯井中活了下来,还成了一只狼妖,并成为儿童国的守护者,还因为儿童国的原因成为一只狼仙,并收服了牛,猴,虎,蛇,鹰这五大妖王........
  • 纵横乱世之无邪帝王

    纵横乱世之无邪帝王

    秦都,为了生存而被迫叛逃秦国。为了生存而受尽人间险恶,为了心中不灭的信仰!一个人带着一群追随他的伙伴踏上纵横霸业,他誓要征服这华夏大地,让众人在他的脚下俯首称臣,开创一个新的纪元。然而更多的苦难和艰辛正在路上等着他这位无邪帝王。
  • 十六局

    十六局

    一朝风云起,一局定天下。少年穿越进一片崭新的世界,大陆诸侯纷争,作为第一个王朝皇子的他,誓要打败宿命中的对手,一统大陆。我要赢得这十六局。为梦想!为复仇!为命运!一切,都是因为生存!
  • 传奇之热血法师

    传奇之热血法师

    起点四组签约作品,请大家放心收藏!特别感谢四组红茶编辑!————————————————————六年,可以成就一份梦想,六年,可以造就一段传奇!曾经挥汗如雨,在僵尸洞刨矿,曾经,站在土城安全区几个小时喊:中蓝换中红!曾经在土,一整晚上线光喊:帮人超重,4000一捆!就为了赚那点差价。如果你是这曾经的一员,就让我们一起来翻开遗忘在角落里的相片,一同回忆那激荡人心的岁月!
  • 千金仙女

    千金仙女

    洛羽,二十一世纪隐世的修真者,与敌人同归于尽,灵魂穿越到穆兰大陆程洛羽身上,身体孱弱可胜在爹疼娘爱,体弱咱不怕,打坐打坐修炼修炼就好。嗯?身体里竟然多了个空间,还有个九尾狐,是它将洛羽带来,还主动要求契约,好吧,原来前世只能聚集灵气的七角法宝竟然是个神器。那说话怎么说来着,“神器在手,天下我有。”没错,五灵根废材身体能改造,灵魂力神识能增加。可谁来告诉她,这‘煞神’是怎么回事?只是在俗世中多看了你一眼,从此就赖上她了?你在别人面前狂傲冷酷吊炸天的形象呢?眼前这个笑的一脸春花灿烂的男人真的没有被夺舍?(本文纯属虚构,请勿模仿。)
  • 百万路

    百万路

    长篇小说百万路作者/丽华简介一位妙龄少女,在一次机遇中挣得了一百万,这一百万就如附了魔法似的把她拖进了深渊。一百万翻了个身又压在了她的头顶。她头顶一百万何去何从,读者自己做个了断。故事曲折委婉、哭笑偷换,揭示了男女主人翁的心理路程——观念与世俗的抗争。整篇中充溢着道德与金钱的较量;法理与邪恶的比拼。正能量尽在情理之中。赠给读者喜欢简介吗?那就开始吧!劳作之余——她帮您舒筋揉背!孤寂无聊——她撒点逍遥兴趣!胸闷烦躁——她献上青山绿水!宏伟壮丽——她帮您牵马慎足!畅游其中——或许您捧腹大笑?梦中回荡——别为她悲伤流涕!带上她——伴您走进初春的晨曦!历史的我——可能给您留下点回忆?