cat I;. 161 



" But what can I do with five thousand pounds of silver, 

 if I have neither lands nor a home ? " " Be patient," 

 rejoined the king, " and have trust in the Lord ; suffer 

 thy elder brothers to precede thee thy time will come 

 after theirs." On hearing this, Prince Henry hurried 

 off to secure the silver, which he weighed with great 

 care, and then provided himself with a strong coffer, 

 having locks and iron bindings to keep his treasure safe. 

 William, also, staid no longer by the bed-side of his 

 dying parent ; he called for his attendants, and hastened 

 to the coast, that he might pass over without delay to 

 take possession of his crown. He, whose sword had 

 made many childless, was thus deserted in his hour of 

 greatest need by his unnatural sons. 



The sun had scarcely risen over the plains of Rouen, 

 and scarcely had his beams lighted the lofty pinnacles 

 of the church and abbey, when the conqueror was 

 roused from his stupor by the sound of the church 

 bell. Eagerly inquiring what the sound meant, he was 

 answered that they were tolling the hour of prime, 

 in the church of St. Mary. On hearing this, he 

 seemed to revive for a few moments, and then sud- 

 denly lifting up his hands, he cried aloud, " I recom- 

 mend my soul to my Lady Mary, the holy mother of 

 our Lord ! " having thus said, he sunk back and ex- 

 pired. 



What busy meddling thoughts had power 

 To haunt him e'er that solemn hour, 



