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with the king but only his brother, who hath no wish to 

 play because of sickness ? as though princes so young as 

 they be, could not play without their peers, or children 

 could not play without their kindred, with whom, for the 

 most part, they agree worse than with strangers ! " The 

 archbishop knew not what to say in answer, he liked not 

 to tell her that the protector was resolved to gain posses- 

 sion of the young prince, and he waited in the hope that 

 she might be inclined to accede to his request. At length 

 the queen, taking her son by the hand, said, in a com- 

 pressed and solemn tone, " My lord, and all my lords 

 now present, I will not be so suspicious as to mistrust 

 your truth. Lo here is this gentleman whom, I doubt not, 

 would be safely kept by me if I were permitted ; and 

 well do I know there be some such deadly enemies to my 

 blood, that if they wist where any lay, they would let it 

 out if they could. The desire of a kingdom knoweth 

 no kindred ; brothers have been brothers' bane, and may 

 the nephews be sure of the uncle ? Each of these chil- 

 dren are safe while they be asunder; notwithstanding, I 

 here deliver him, and his brother's life with him, into 

 your hands, and of you I shall require them before God 

 and man. Faithful ye be, I wot well, and power ye 

 have, if ye list, to keep them safe ; but if ye think I fear 

 too much, yet beware ye fear not too little ! Farewell, my 

 own sweet son ! God send you good keeping. Let me 

 kiss you once ere you go, for God knoweth when we shall 

 kiss together again." Tenderly embracing the afflicted 



