HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII. 279 



common, that were fit for a child s memory^until 

 the death of King Edward. Then she added the 

 particulars of the time from the king s death, until 

 he and his brother were committed to the Tower, as 

 well during the time he was abroad, as while he was 

 in sanctuary. As for the times while he was in the 

 Tower, and the manner of his brother s death, and 

 his own escape ; she knew they were things that a 

 very few could controul. And therefore she taught 

 him only to tell a smooth arid likely tale of those 

 matters ; warning him not to vary from it. It was 

 agreed likewise between them, what account he 

 should give of his peregrination abroad, intermixing 

 many things which were true, and such as they knew 

 others could testify, for the credit of the rest ; but 

 still making them to hang together with the part he 

 was to pla\. She taught him likewise how to avoid 

 sundry captious and tempting questions, which were 

 like to be asked of him. But in this she found him 

 of himself so nimble and shifting, as she trusted 

 much to his own wit and readiness ; and therefore 

 laboured the less in it. Lastly, she raised his 

 thoughts with some present rewards, and further 

 promises ; setting before him chiefly the glory and 

 fortune of a crown, if things went well, and a sure 

 refuge to her court, if the worst should fall. After 

 such time as she thought he was perfect in his 

 lesson, she began to cast with herself from what 

 coast this blazing star should first appear, and at 

 what time it must be upon the horizon of Ireland ; 

 for there had the like meteor strong influence before. 



