Thus far James went; but he hesitated to go
further, hesitated to carry out the sentence. Sir Walter had too
many friends in England then; the memory of his glorious deeds
was still too fresh in the public mind, and execution might have
been attended by serious consequences for King James. Besides,
one at least of the main objects was achieved. Sir Walter's broad
acres were confiscate by virtue of that sentence, and King James
wanted the land--filched thus from one who was England's pride--
to bestow it upon one of those golden calves of his who were
England's shame.
"I maun hae the land for Carr. I maun hae it," was his brazen and
peevish answer to an appeal against the confiscation.
For thirteen years Sir Walter lay in the Tower, under that
sentence of death passed in 1603, enjoying after a season a
certain liberty, visited there by his dear lady and his friends,
among whom was Henry, Prince of Wales, who did not hesitate to
publish that no man but his father--whom he detested--would keep
such a bird in a cage. He beguiled the time in literary and
scientific pursuits, distilling his essences and writing that
stupendous work of his, "The History of the World." Thus old age
crept upon him; but far from quenching the fires of enterprise
within his adventurer's soul, it brought a restlessness that
urged him at last to make a bid for liberty.
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