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TOM AS A PATRICIAN.
67
One of the nobles knelt at the royal couch, and said,—
"The King's majesty knoweth that the Hereditary Great Marshal of England lieth attainted in the Tower. It were not meet that one attainted"—
"THE KING FELL BACK UPON HIS COUCH.""Peace! Insult not mine ears with his hated name. Is this man to live forever? Am I to be balked of my will? Is the prince to tarry uninstalled, because, forsooth, the realm lacketh an earl marshal free of treasonable taint to invest him with his honors? No, by the splendor of God! Warn my parliament to bring me Norfolk's doom before the sun rise again, else shall they answer for it grievously!"[1]
Lord Hertford said,—
"The King's will is law;" and, rising, returned to his former place.
