Chapter 6

TOM MEETS THE KING

At last Tom found himself in a large room. Before him he saw a very fat man, who was lying in bed. He had a big face and cruel eyes. His hair was grey.

There was silence in the room. This man with the cruel face was Henry VIII, King of England. His face became kind as he began to speak:

" Come to your father, child. You are not well. "

Tom went up to the King of England, full of fear. The king took Tom's face between his hands and looked kindly into it. Then he said:

" Do you know your father the king? Do not break my old heart; say that you do. "

" Yes, you are my lord, the king. "

" True, true — all is well — do not be afraid of me. Everybody loves you. You are better now; your bad dream has passed. "

" Please believe me, my lord. I spoke the truth. I am a pauper, and it is only by mistake that I am here. But I am too young to die, and you can save me with one little word. Oh, speak it, sir! "

" Die? Do not talk so, dear prince, you shall not die. "

Tom fell on his knees thanking the king. Then he said:

" May I go now? "

" Of course, if you wish. But where will you go? "

" I wanted to go home to my mother and sisters. Please let me go, sir. "

The king was silent for a moment, then he said with some hope in his voice:

" Perhaps he is mad upon this matter only. Let us talk to him and we shall see. "

Then he asked Tom a question in Latin, and Tom was able to answer him in the same language.

The king was very much pleased, and continued the examination. He put a question to Tom in French. Tom stood silent a moment, then said:

" I don't know French, your majesty. "

The king said:

" Come here, child. Put your poor head upon your father's heart. You will soon be well, indeed you will. "

Then he turned to the lords and said: " Listen to me. My son is mad, but it is not for long. He has studied too much. No books and no teachers any more! He is mad, but he is my son, and he will be the king of England. "

Then the old king turned to Tom and said: " Kiss me, my prince. What are you afraid of? Am I not your father who loves you? Now go with your uncle Lord Hertford and come back later. I want to rest now. "

1. Answer the questions.

1) Soon Tom found himself in a large room, didn’t he?

2) Whom did Tom see in the large room?

3) What did Tom tell the king?

4) Did the king believe Tom’s words?

5) What did the king say to the lords?

2. Put the words in the sentences in the right order:

1) Tom / himself / At / a large / found / last / room / in……………………………………….

2) аs / he / to speak / kind / face / His / began / became……………………………………

3) Tom / put / in / He / French / a question / to……………………………………………….

4) father’s / Put / head / poor / your / heart / upon / your…………………………………….

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