The History of Richard Raynal, SolitaryBenson, Robert Hugh
History
The History of Richard Raynal, Solitary
Benson, Robert Hugh
Great Britain -- History -- Henry VI, 1422-1461 -- Fiction; Hermits -- Fiction; Historical fiction
I went round presently to the other side, the King going with me, and
there I saw Master Richard's face. I cannot tell you all that I saw in
it, for there are no words that can tell of its peace; his eyes were
closed below the little healed scar that he had taken in the monastery,
and his lips were open and smiling; they moved two or three times as I
looked, as if he were talking with some man, and then they ceased and
smiled again. But all was very little, as if the soul were far down in
some secret chamber with company that it loved.
I asked presently if he had received his Maker, and the King told me
Yes, and shrift too, and anointing--all the night before when he had
come to himself for a while and called for a priest. He had spoken my
name, too, at that time and they had told him that one was gone to
bring me and at that he seemed content.
Master Blytchett told me soon that I could be gone for a while, to take
some meat, and that he would send for me if Master Richard awoke. But I
said No to that; until the King bade me go, saying that he, too, would
remain, and pledging his word that I should be called.
So I went away into a parlour, and washed myself, and took some food,
and after a while the old clerk that had written the letter to me, came
in and saluted me.
I was desirous to know how all had come about, so we sat there a great
while in the window seat, with the door a little open into the
bed-chamber, and he told me the tale. I did not speak one word till he
had done.
This was how it came about.
* * * * *
Master Richard was sent for from his cell to the parlour of my lord
cardinal, but my lord was not ready for him, and he had to stand a
great while in the court to wait his pleasure. The rumour ran about as
to who it was, and a great number of persons assembled from all parts,
some from the palace, and some from the streets. These had so cried out
against the young man, that the billmen were sent for from the
guard-room to keep him from their violence. This priest had looked out
from a window at the noise, and seeing the crowd, had entreated my lord
to have the prisoner in without any more delay. So he was brought in,
and one was left to keep the little door that led to the privy stairs up
which he came.
It was then that this priest had seen him face to face, and I will try
to write down his words as he told them me.
"I came into the parlour," he said, "through the door behind my lord's
chair, as Master Raynal was brought in by the other door.
"I have never seen such a sight, Sir John, as I saw then. He was in his
white kirtle only, with the five wounds upon his breast, and he had on
his sandals. But his face was as that of a dead man: his eyelids were
sunk upon his cheek, and his lips hung open so that I could see his bare
teeth.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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