ONE THOUSAND FAMOUS THINGS 219
Thomas had curiosity to know what book the man read, and, looking
into it, found it to be Latin. Hereupon he examined him, and
finding he pretty well understood that language, inquired how he
came by his learning. Thereupon the man told him, as he had been a
good master to him, that he was boarded with a Latin schoolmaster,
without knowing who his parents were, till he was fifteen or sixteen ;
a gentleman came once a quarter and paid for Ms board, and took
care to see that he wanted nothing. One day this gentleman took
him to a fine great house^ where he passed through several stately
rooms, in one of which he left him, bidding him stay there.
Then a mans finely dressed, with a star and garter, came to him,
asked him some questionss talked kindly to him, and gave him
some money.
Some time after the gentleman came to him again and told him
he must take a journey into the country. They went into Leicester-
shire and came to Bosworth Field ; and he was carried to King
Richard's tent. The king embraced him and told him he was his
son. " But, child," says he, " tomorrow I must fight for my crown.
And, assure yourself, if I lose that, I will lose my life too : but I hope
to preserve both. Do you stand in such a place (directing him to a
particular place) where you may see the battle, out of danger, and
when I have gained the victory, come to me ; I will then own you
to be mine, and take care of you. But if I should be so unfortunate
as to lose the battle, then shift as well as you can, and take care to let
nobody know that I am your father ; for no mercy will be shown to
any one so nearly related to me." Then the king gave Mm a purse of
gold, and dismissed him.
He followed the king's directions ; and when he saw the battle
was lost, and the king killed, he hasted to London, sold his horse and
fine clothes, and, the better to conceal himself from all suspicion of
being son to a king, and that he might have means to live by his
honest labour, put himself apprentice to a bricklayer. But, having a
competent skill in the Latin tongue, he was unwilling to lose it; and
having an inclination also to reading, and no delight in the conversa-
tion of those he was obliged to work with, he generally spent all the
time he had in reading by himself.
Sir Thomas said, " You are now old, and almost past your labour;
I will give you the running of my Mtchen as long as you live." He
answered, " Sir, you have a numerous family ; I have been used to
live retired ; give me leave to build a house of one room for myself,
in such a field, and there, with your good leave, I will live and die."
Sir Thomas granted Ms request; he built his house, and there
continued to his death.
From a Letter written in 1733 by Dr Thomas Brett to Dr
William Warren and published in Peck's Desiderata Curiosa