"It chanced the king of that same place, With all his lords a hunting was, And seeing me weep, upon the same Askt who I was, and whence I came.
"Then to His Grace I did reply, "I am a poor and friendless boy, Though n.o.bly born, now forc"d to be A serving man of low degree."
""Stand up, fair youth," the king reply"d, For thee a service I"ll provide; But tell me first what thou canst do Thou shall be fitted thereunto.
""Chuse, gentle youth," said he, "thy place,"
Then I reply"d, "If it please Your Grace, To show such favor unto me, Your chamberlain I fain would be."
"Now mark what fortune did provide; The king he would a hunting ride With all his lords and n.o.ble train, Sweet Williame must at home remain.
"And meeting with a ladye"s vest, Within the same myself I drest; With silken robes and jewels rare, I deckt me as a lady faire.
"And taking up a lute straitway, Upon the same I strove to play; And sweetly to the same did sing, As made both hall and chamber ring:
""My father was as brave a lord, As ever Europe might afford; My mother was a lady bright: My husband was a valiant knight.
""But now, alas! my husband"s dead, And all my friends are from me fled, My former days are past and gone, And I am now a serving man."
"The king who had a hunting gone, Grew weary of his sport anon, And leaving all his gallant train, Turn"d on the sudden home again.
"And when he reached his statlye tower, Hearing one sing within his bower, He stopt to listen and to see Who sang there so melodiouslie.
"A crimson dye my face orespred, I blush"d for shame and hung my head, To find my s.e.x and story known, When as I thought I was alone.
""Faire ladye, pardon me," says he, "Thy virtue shall rewarded be.
And since it is so fairly tryde, Thou shall become my royal bride."
"Then strait to end his loving strife He took Sweet Williame for his wife.
The like before was never seen, A serving man become a queen."
Francis laughed merrily when he finished.
"Poor Williame! but it ended well after all. Well, my days for man"s attire will soon be o"er."
""Tis to be hoped so," answered her father. "Though the dress well becomes thee."
At length, though they had returned by easier stages than they had performed the journey to Stafford, Lyndhurst was reached, and soon the turrets of Stafford Hall became visible.
"Home again, my child," spoke Lord Stafford cheerily. "Right glad am I to enter its gates once more. How is it with thee, Francis? Thou hast fared widely. Dost still revere thy home?"
"More than ever, my father. Never have I seen it look so beautiful. Even the stones seem to smile a welcome."
"Marry, there stands my lady wife! Look, she sees us."
With a cry of joy the lady ran to greet them.
"Ye are safe," she cried embracing them. "Ah, but it hath been long, long since ye left. Methought something had befallen you."
"No; my sweet wife. Weary we may be with the journey, and ready for the good cheer which we know awaits us, but well otherwise. How now, sweet chuck? Thou art pale, and even though thou hast us safe with thee, yet doth thy lip still quiver, and thy form tremble. What is it? Speak, madam, I beseech thee."
"My lord, I wot not what to think of it, but to-day a messenger came from the queen saying that Elizabeth in her royal progress through Hampshire would honor us with a visit."
"Elizabeth here?" cried Lord Stafford in astonishment. "Art sure?"
"Sure, my lord. What doth it portend? Is there hidden menace in the fact?
Doth she suspect, think you, that Ballard hath been here? My lord, what can it mean?"
"Madam, I know not. We are her subjects. If Her Majesty chooses to visit us we can but receive her. But look not so pale. "Tis but a matter of a few days" entertainment, and surely we would do ill to be churlish of them. It is not the first time that royalty hath honored Stafford. Right well do I remember that Henry, Elizabeth"s bluff old father, favored us with a visit. With his own hand he brought down many a fat buck in yon forest park. Right well pleased was my father with that visit."
"True, my lord; but he had favor with Henry, and had naught to fear."
"And what is there to fear from his daughter? We must bestir ourselves to give the queen most royal welcome. Here she will not find the "princely pleasures of Kenilworth," but nathless! hearty welcome and good cheer are much even to a queen. How now, girl! Thou dost not look displeased?"
"Neither am I, good my father," spoke Francis quickly. With the natural instinct of youth she delighted at the prospect of the pleasures in store. "Glad will I be to see the queen even though she be old and not so beautiful as Mary."
"Beshrew me, girl! let no such words pa.s.s thy lips," cried her father in consternation. ""Twere treason, forsooth."
"Have no fear. I will speak naught of that order to any save thee and my lady mother. Discreet am I and full of matter, but nothing will I disclose."
"Thou hast need to be discreet," replied her mother. "Be not malapert and froward, child."
"Said the messenger when she was coming?" now asked the n.o.bleman.
"On the third day from this, my lord."
""Tis but short notice for what must be done," mused Lord Stafford.
"Supplies must be obtained for the queen"s retinue, and pageants prepared to amuse her. Call Greville, my wife. Bid him hasten to the presence chamber. Francis, repair to thy chamber and rest. Thou dost merit it. It will be thy part, madam, to attend to the ordering of the royal apartments. As for me there will be much to employ me during the next few days. Pray Heaven, that Ballard come not during the festivities."
CHAPTER IX
THE COMING OF ELIZABETH
The days that followed were full of bustle and activity. The officers of the household scoured the country far and near to secure provisions and delicacies sufficient for the queen and her retinue. Game, droves of bullocks, sheep, hogs and great hampers of groceries filled the larders to overflowing. Near and remote neighbors and kinsmen embraced the opportunity to send contributions. No man knew when his own time might come and sympathized accordingly. The queen was not tolerant of any but a royal reception, and a visit, while an honor, was not always an unmixed blessing; as many an impoverished n.o.bleman could testify.
Hugh Greville, the tutor, was overjoyed at her coming, and, as master of the pageants preparing for the amus.e.m.e.nt of the queen, a.s.sumed a pompous importance greatly at variance with his usual manner.
"We must have a play, my lord," he said to Lord Stafford who was for the moment idle. "Her Majesty doth take delight in a play. This to be preceded by an address in Latin. Latin, my lord, because the queen is learned, and deference should be paid to her knowledge. The welcome to be spoken by a boy."
"Have what thou wilt, Greville, so that it will please the queen,"
returned the n.o.bleman. "I had word from my Lord of Leicester this morning that his mummers accompanied Elizabeth in her progress. They will give the play with more of satisfaction, I trow, than any of the strolling players who have come hither. The address of welcome could be managed, but what boy couldst thou get to deliver it? Boys there be in plenty, but boys with Latinity----" and he shrugged his shoulders.
"Had your lordship only a son," sighed Greville regretfully, "it would be right fitting for him to give the speech. I myself would write it.
"Twould only need to be conned well. Ah, would that thou hadst a son!"