'The King cried "Treason!" Draw your swords!'
Then the King cast his cap upon the ground.
'By God!' he said. 'What marlocking is this? Is it general joy that
emboldens ye to this license? God help me!' he said, and he stamped his
foot upon the ground--'Body of God!' And many other oaths he uttered.
Then, with a sudden clutching at his throat, he called out--
'Well! well! I pardon ye. For no doubt to some that be young--and to
some that be old too--it is an occasion for mummeries and japes when a
good man cometh home to his dame.'
He looked round upon Culpepper. The Queen's cousin stood, his jaw still
hanging wide, and his body crumpled back against the arras. He was
hidden from them all by wall and door, but Henry could not judge how
long he would there remain. Riding through the night he had conned a
speech that he would have said at the Queen's door, and at the times of
joy and graciousness he loved to deliver great speeches. But there he
said only--
'Why, God keep you. I thank such of you as were with me upon the
campaign and journey. Now this campaign and journey is ended--I dissolve
you each to his housing and bed. Farewell. Be as content as I be!'
And, with his great hand he swung to the heavy door.