EMPEROR BY PHILIP.
About a month must now be allowed to elapse. During this time, the whole of the conspirators1, with the exception of Osbert Clinton, had suffered death on Tower Hill. But though Osbert’s execution was thus delayed, no hope of pardon was held out to him. On the contrary, he was told by Sir Henry Bedingfeld, who visited him almost daily, that his sentence would infallibly be carried out, and that he ought to be prepared for a sudden summons to the scaffold. “I will give you notice when I am sent for by his Majesty2,” he said. “That will be an intimation to you that the hour is at hand.”
The Queen’s accouchement being now daily expected, great preparations were made for the important event; religious processions thronged3 the streets, prayers were offered for her Majesty’s safe deliverance, and couriers kept in constant readiness to bear the gladsome tidings to 399foreign courts. While all were on the tenter-hooks of expectation, the Romanists were gratified, and the Protestants deeply chagrined4, by the sudden and, as it turned out, unfounded intelligence that her Majesty had given birth to a son. The news spread with extraordinary rapidity, not only in London, but throughout the whole kingdom. Public rejoicings were made. Bonfires were lighted in the streets. Te Deum was sung in the churches, and one preacher—the priest of St. Anne’s in Aldersgate—went so far as to describe the personal appearance of the new-born Prince, depicting5 him as a miracle of beauty and proportion. But next day all was changed. The Romanists were mortified6 by the authoritative7 contradiction of the report, whilst the Protestants exulted8. Other rumours10 were then circulated, and it was said that the Queen had died in child-bed. But this statement was soon discovered to be false, and it eventually became known that the disease under which her Majesty was labouring, and which had deceived her physicians, was dropsy.
For some days Mary continued in a very precarious11 state, and serious apprehensions12 of a fatal result were entertained; but these dangerous symptoms abated13, and in less than a week she was pronounced out of danger. During her illness she had been sedulously14 attended by Constance Tyrrell, for whom she had sent when she supposed herself sinking, and it was to Constance’s unwearying attentions that she mainly attributed her recovery.
Naturally, the Queen’s state of health had been a source of the deepest anxiety to Cardinal15 Pole, and the news of her amendment16 was a proportionate relief to him. Having received permission to wait upon her, he immediately repaired to Whitehall, and on arriving at the palace he was met by Doctor Ford17, the Queen’s physician, who conducted him to her Majesty’s presence.
Mary was in her cabinet, reclining in a large easy-chair, propped18 up by cushions, wrapped in a loose gown of purple velvet19, lined with miniver, and with her feet supported by a tabouret. Her features were swollen20, and her complexion21 turbid22, and she had an air of extreme lassitude and debility. The only person by whom she was attended 400was Constance Tyrrell, who likewise looked extremely pale and ill.
Having accompanied the Cardinal to the door of the cabinet, Doctor Ford retired23.
“I am glad to see your Eminence24,” said Mary, as the Cardinal approached her. “Sit down beside me, I pray you. At one time I feared I should never behold25 you again; but I am better, and I owe my preservation26, under Heaven, to the ministry27 of this damsel. Without her I believe I should have died, and I never can forget the services she has rendered me—never sufficiently28 requite29 them.”
“Your Majesty overrates my poor services,” said Constance.
“She has poured balm into my wounded heart, as well as helped me to sustain my bodily sufferings,” pursued Mary. “Oh, my good Lord Cardinal, how can I have so deeply offended Heaven that I should be thus severely30 afflicted31!—that the boon32 I have so earnestly prayed for should be denied me. What have I done to merit this chastisement33?—how have I sinned? I have searched my breast, but can discover no wickedness therein. I have swerved34 from no duty. It cannot be a crime to love the King my husband—though, perchance, I have made him an idol35. But enjoin36 me any penance37 you please. I will perform it.”
“I enjoin you only resignation to the decrees of Heaven, gracious Madam,” returned Pole. “Your afflictions have been given you for some wise but inscrutable purpose, and must be patiently borne.”
“I have borne them with patience,” rejoined Mary; “yet it is hard to be deprived of blessings38 which are vouchsafed40 to the meanest of my subjects. How many a poor cottager’s wife can clasp her offspring to her breast!—while I, alas41! am childless.”
“Your grief is shared by all your subjects, Madam,” observed the Cardinal.
“Not by all,” rejoined Mary, with asperity42. “There are many who exult9 in my distress43, who have prayed that I might have no issue, but that the sceptre might pass from my hands to those of my sister Elizabeth. And their 401prayers would seem to be heard, while mine are rejected. Oh, what happiness would have been mine had a son been granted me, for I feel all a mother’s tenderness in my breast. A son would have compensated44 me for all my troubles—for the neglect I have experienced, and for the desertion which will ensue—but now I shall go to my grave broken-hearted.”
“Be comforted, Madam, be comforted,” said Pole. “All will yet be well. The King will not leave you.”
“He will leave me, that is certain,” rejoined Mary. “And then will come the severest part of my trial. When he is gone, all will be a blank to me. I would fain bury my woes45 in a cloister46.”
“No, Madam, you must rouse yourself,” said Pole. “You must not give way to this excess of grief. It has pleased the Supreme47 Disposer of events to deprive you, and the country placed under your governance, of a great blessing39; but do not repine on that account. Rather rejoice that you have been afflicted. Devote all your energies to the welfare of your kingdom, and to the maintenance of religion. Peace will then be restored to your breast—peace, which nothing can disturb.”
“I do not expect to find peace on this side of the grave,” sighed Mary; “but I will try to follow your Eminence’s counsel.”
“In time your wounds will be healed,” rejoined Pole; “and you will then understand why they have been inflicted48.”
“I humbly49 resign myself to Heaven’s decrees,” said Mary. “Fiat voluntas tua.”
At this juncture50, without being announced, the King entered the cabinet, followed by Count D’Egmont. His Majesty’s features did not wear their customary sombre expression, but were radiant with joy, and his deportment evinced considerable excitement.
Advancing quickly towards the Queen, and bowing reverently51 to the Cardinal, he said,—
“Count D’Egmont has just brought me a most important letter from the Emperor, and I lose not a moment in laying its contents before your Majesty.”
Then, turning to Pole, who was about to withdraw, he 402added, “I pray your Eminence not to retire. The matter is one that will interest you. Not to keep you in suspense52, I will state at once, and in a word, the purport53 of the dispatch. The Emperor is about to abdicate54, and resign his hereditary55 dominions56 to me.”
“What do I hear?” exclaimed Mary, in extremity57 of surprise. “The Emperor about to abdicate!”
“’Tis exactly as I have stated, Madam,” cried Philip. “I have it here under his own hand.”
“His Imperial Majesty has for some months meditated58 this step, gracious Madam,” interposed D’Egmont, bowing to the Queen, “but it is only recently that his final resolution has been taken. Of late a profound melancholy59 has seized upon him, which he finds it impossible to shake off. Tired of pomp and state, sated with glory and conquest, wearied with the cares of government, racked by a cruel disease, which allows him little respite60 from suffering, his august Majesty is about to put off the purple robe and crown, and, clothing himself in the lowly garb61 of a monk62, to pass the remainder of his days in seclusion63. I have been sent by the Emperor to announce his determination to his royal son, into whose hands he designs to relinquish64 his vast dominions.”
“You hear, Madam—you hear what my father intends,” cried Philip, with irrepressible delight.
“Yes, I hear it,” rejoined Mary, mournfully.
“The solemn ceremony of abdication65 will take place at Brussels,” pursued D’Egmont, “in the presence of all the nobles and deputies of Flanders, who, at the Emperor’s request, will transfer their allegiance to his son. Subsequently, the sovereignty of Castile and Aragon will be ceded66 to King Philip.”
“And what of the crown of Germany?” demanded Philip.
“That will deck the brows of your uncle Ferdinand, King of the Romans,” said D’Egmont. “The Empire of Germany will be resigned in his favour.”
“Is such my father’s intent?” said Philip.
“I believe so, Sire—nay67, I am sure,” returned D’Egmont. “To prove the motives68 by which your august sire is actuated in his retirement69, it will be enough to state, that out of his 403immense revenues he only intends to reserve himself a pension of a hundred thousand ducats.”
“Only so much,” cried Mary. “Why, ’tis less than a noble’s revenue.”
“It is more than the Emperor will need, Madam, in the solitary70 life he designs to lead,” observed D’Egmont.
“I am filled with amazement,” observed Pole. “That Charles V., the foremost monarch71 of Christendom, the greatest warrior72 of the age, who holds in his hands the destinies of Europe, should retire in the plenitude of his power, is indeed a wondrous73 circumstance, to which there is no parallel, save in the instance of Diocletian. May the Christian74 monarch be as happy in his retirement as was the heathen Emperor in his garden at Salona. Heavy, indeed, must be the weight of a crown, since its wearer desires to put it off thus.”
“In his letter to me, the Emperor explains the motives of his intent to abdicate,” said Philip. “Referring to the troubled and agitated75 life he has led, to his great fatigues76 and exposure, his frequent travels in Europe and Africa, the constant warfare77 in which he has been engaged, and his incessant78 labours for the public welfare and for religion, he observes: ‘As long as my strength would allow me, I have fulfilled my duties, but now my infirmities counsel—nay, command—repose. Ambition, and the desire to rule, no longer sway my breast. The remainder of my days will be consecrated79 to holy thought and preparation for eternity80. To you, my son, and to your care, I shall resign my vast possessions, conjuring81 you never to relax in your efforts for the welfare of the people committed to your charge. The time may come when, exhausted82, loaded with infirmities, and praying for release, you may desire to imitate your father’s example.’”
“May that day be long distant!” cried D’Egmont. “A brilliant career is before your Majesty.”
“Yet let the Emperor’s words never be forgotten, Sire,” remarked Pole, solemnly. “Lay them to heart, and be guided by them; and so, when you arrive at that period which your august sire has reached, when earthly glories shall fade away and become as nothing in your sight, you will derive83 comfort from the happiness and prosperity you 404have conferred upon your people. Rarely has a crown been similarly bestowed84. Never could crown be more richly graced. Wear it, Sire, as it has hitherto been worn—wear it as your great father has worn it, and when you put it off, you will do so, like him, without a sigh.”
“Once mine, I shall be in no haste to part with it,” observed Philip. “But have I no congratulations from your Majesty?” he added to the Queen. “Do you not rejoice with me on my good luck?”
“Your good luck is my misfortune,” rejoined Mary. “This unlooked-for act of the Emperor must cause our separation.”
“Only for a season,” returned Philip. “I must needs obey my father’s summons to Brussels; but I shall speedily return.”
“Impossible!” cried Mary. “As King of Spain, you will have much to do, and cannot quit your dominions, even if you should be so minded. No! I am not to be deceived. I cannot go to Spain, or to Flanders, and you will not come to England. Henceforward we must dwell apart.”
“Nay, nay, you are wrong, Madam—by my faith, you are!” cried Philip. “I shall return before three months have elapsed. Meantime, I confide85 you to the care of his Eminence, who, I trust, will be rarely absent from you. It is my wish,” he added, “that the Lord Cardinal be appointed chief of the Privy86 Council, and that nothing concerning the government of the realm be concluded without his sanction.”
“All shall be done as you desire,” rejoined Mary.
“Nay, Sire, I must decline a post for which I am unfitted,” said Pole, “and which, as it would necessarily engage me in concerns of the world, is little suited to the spiritual character with which I am invested.”
“But I will take no refusal,” said Philip. “You must, at least, accept the post till her Majesty is perfectly87 restored to health.”
“I shall have only your Eminence to look to when the King is gone,” said Mary. “If need be, I must lay my positive commands upon you.”
“In that case I have no alternative but submission,” rejoined the Cardinal. “The sole condition I would annex88 405to my consent is, that I may be allowed to exercise my religious functions as heretofore.”
“Far be it from me to interfere89 with them,” said Mary. “Apartments shall be assigned you in the palace, so that I may have an opportunity of seeing you more frequently, and profiting by your counsels.”
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1
conspirators
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| n.共谋者，阴谋家( conspirator的名词复数 ) | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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thronged
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| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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chagrined
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| adj.懊恼的，苦恼的v.使懊恼，使懊丧，使悔恨( chagrin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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depicting
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| 描绘，描画( depict的现在分词 )； 描述 | |
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mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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authoritative
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| adj.有权威的，可相信的；命令式的；官方的 | |
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exulted
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| 狂喜，欢跃( exult的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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exult
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| v.狂喜，欢腾；欢欣鼓舞 | |
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rumours
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| n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 )；风闻；谣言；谣传 | |
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precarious
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| adj.不安定的，靠不住的；根据不足的 | |
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apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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abated
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| 减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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sedulously
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| ad.孜孜不倦地 | |
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cardinal
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| n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的 | |
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amendment
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| n.改正，修正，改善，修正案 | |
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Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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propped
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| 支撑，支持，维持( prop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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turbid
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| adj.混浊的，泥水的，浓的 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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requite
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| v.报酬，报答 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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chastisement
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| n.惩罚 | |
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swerved
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| v.（使）改变方向，改变目的( swerve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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idol
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| n.偶像，红人，宠儿 | |
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enjoin
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| v.命令；吩咐；禁止 | |
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penance
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| n.（赎罪的）惩罪 | |
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blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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vouchsafed
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| v.给予，赐予( vouchsafe的过去式和过去分词 )；允诺 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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asperity
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| n.粗鲁，艰苦 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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compensated
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| 补偿，报酬( compensate的过去式和过去分词 )； 给（某人）赔偿（或赔款） | |
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woes
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| 困境( woe的名词复数 )； 悲伤； 我好苦哇； 某人就要倒霉 | |
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cloister
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| n.修道院；v.隐退，使与世隔绝 | |
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supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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48
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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49
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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50
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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51
reverently
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| adv.虔诚地 | |
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52
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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purport
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| n.意义，要旨，大要；v.意味著，做为...要旨，要领是... | |
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54
abdicate
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| v.让位，辞职，放弃 | |
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hereditary
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| adj.遗传的，遗传性的，可继承的，世袭的 | |
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56
dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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meditated
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| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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respite
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| n.休息，中止，暂缓 | |
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garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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relinquish
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| v.放弃，撤回，让与，放手 | |
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abdication
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| n.辞职；退位 | |
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ceded
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| v.让给，割让，放弃( cede的过去式 ) | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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fatigues
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| n.疲劳( fatigue的名词复数 )；杂役；厌倦；（士兵穿的）工作服 | |
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77
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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78
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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79
consecrated
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| adj.神圣的，被视为神圣的v.把…奉为神圣，给…祝圣( consecrate的过去式和过去分词 )；奉献 | |
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80
eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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81
conjuring
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| n.魔术 | |
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82
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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83
derive
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| v.取得；导出；引申；来自；源自；出自 | |
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84
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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85
confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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86
privy
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| adj.私用的；隐密的 | |
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87
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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88
annex
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| vt.兼并，吞并；n.附属建筑物 | |
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89
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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