第三章
不尚贤，使民不争；不贵难得之货，使民不为盗；不见可欲，使民心不乱。
是以圣人之治，虚其心，实其腹，弱其志，强其骨。常使民无知、无欲。使夫智者不敢为也，为无为，则无不治。
老子薄视时贤
第三章是将天地自然的法则，引申应用到人世间的治道的发挥。这章的文字，明白畅晓，都很容易懂得，很好解释。但其中有三个要点，须特别注意，那便是“不尚贤，使民不争；不贵难得之货，使民不为盗；不见可欲，使民心不乱。”
读秦汉以上的书，有关于这个“民”字，要小心求解，慎思明辨，不要以为“民”字就是老百姓，联想到现代语中“国民”的涵义。如果这样认定，观念就完全错了。古书上的“民”，就是现代语的“人们”，或者是“人类”的意思。那个时候辞汇不多，每有转注及假借的用法。其实“民”字是代表所有人们的一个代号。如果对这个观念认识不清，就很容易误会是上对下的一种称谓，而变成古代帝王统治者的口气了。
第二章讲到我们做人处世，要效法天道，“作焉而不辞，生而不有”，尽量地贡献出来，而不辞劳瘁。但是自己却绝不计较名利，功成而弗居为己有。这是秉承天地生生不已，长养万物万类的精神，只有施出，而没有丝毫占为己有的倾向，更没有相对地要求回报。人们如能效法天地存心而作人处事，这才是最高道德的风范。如果认为我所贡献的太多，别人所得的也太过便宜，而我收回的却太少了，这就是有辞于劳瘁，有怨天尤人的怨恨心理，即非效法天道自然的精神。
由于这一原理的发挥运用，而讲到人世间的人事治道，首先便提出“不尚贤，使民不争”这个原则。但我们须要了解，在老子那个时候，是春秋时代，那时的社会形态在改变。周朝初期的井田制度，已不适应于当时社会的发展。因此，春秋时代已经进入争权夺利，社会大动乱的时期。我们研究历史，很明显地看出，每当在乱变时代中的社会，所谓道德仁义，这些人伦的规范，必然会受影响，而惨遭破坏。相反地，乱世也是人才辈出，孕育学术思想的摇篮。拿西方的名辞来说，所谓“哲学家”与“思想家”，也都在这种变乱时代中产生，这几乎是古往今来历史上的通例。
同时，正当大动乱如春秋战国时期，每个国家的诸侯，每个地区的领导者，随时随地都在网罗人才，起用贤士，作为争权夺利，称王称霸的资本。所以那个时候的“士之贤者”——有才能、有学识、有了不起本领的人，当然受人重视。“尚”，就是重视推崇的意思。“贤”，就是才、德、学三者兼备的通称。
例如代表儒家的孔子，虽然不特别推重贤者，但却标榜“君于”。孔子笔下的“君子”观念，是否概括贤者，即难以遽下定论。但后来的孟子，非常明显地提出贤者与能者的重要。所谓“贤者在位，能者在职”便是他的名
老子为什么要有这样的主张？我们如果了解秦汉以上与道家、儒家并列的墨翟——墨子思想，自然容易领会其中的关键所在。
我们都知道，秦汉以前的中国文化，有巨大影响作用的，便是儒、墨、道等三家。而墨子对当时社会政治的哲学思想，是特别强调“尚贤”的。主张起用贤人来主政、当政。因为他所看到当时社会的衰乱，处处霸道横行，争权夺利而胡作非为，大多不是有道德、有学问的人来统领政治的治道，所以他主张要“尚贤”与“尚同”。他这个“同”，又与孔子记述在《礼运篇》中“大同”思想的“同”不尽相关，但也略有连带关系。他的“同”，与后世所讲的平等观念相类似。现代大家所侈言的平等主张，在中国上古文化中，战国初期的墨子，早已提出。但在印度，释迦牟尼则更早提出了一切众生平等的理论。
现在我们不是讨论墨子这个主题，而是在这里特别注意墨子的“尚贤”主张，为什么也与儒家孟子的观念很相近，而与道家老子的思想却完全相反呢？这就是因历史时代的演变，而刺激思想学术的异同。墨子是春秋战国时期的宋国人，宋国是殷商的后裔。而且以墨子当时宋国的国情来看，比照一般诸侯之国的衰乱，只有过之而无不及。但所以造成一个社会、一个国家、一个时代的变乱，在许多锗综复杂的原因当中。最大的乱源，便是人为的人事问题。尤其是主政或当政的人，都是小人而非君子，那么天下事，不问便可知矣。
此所以后世诗人有“自从鲁国潸然后，不是奸人即妇人”的深长叹息了！鲁国潸然，是指孔子眼见由三代而到“郁郁乎文哉”周代的中国文化大系，在他父母之邦的鲁国，已经开始变质而衰败，周公后裔的鲁国政权，又都操在奸党的手里，因此他无可奈何潸然含泪而身离祖国，远游他方。自此以后的历史，再也不能恢复如三代以上的太平景象。同样地，历代史实告诉我们，所有破坏社会的安定，引起历史文化一再变乱的，大概都是“不是奸人即妇人”所造成。因此，墨子的主张，是针对当时他所立身处地所知、所见、所感受到的结论，而大声疾呼要“尚贤”与“尚同”了。
而在老子呢？他所看到的春秋时代，正是开始衰乱的时期，乱象已蔚，人为之过。因此，他更进一层而深刻地指出，当时应病与药的“尚贤”偏方，其后果是有莫大的后遗症的。贤能的标准，千古难下定论。但是推崇贤者的结果，却会导致许多伪装的言行。当时各国的诸侯，为了争地称霸，不惜任何代价来网罗天下才能的智士。凡是才智之士，便统称为“贤者”。而这一类的贤者愈多，则天下的乱源也就愈难弭平。所以他指出“不尚贤，使民不争”的主张。
贤与不贤的君子小人之辨
讲到这里，让我们暂时推开老子，而另外介绍后世的三则故事，便更容易明白老子立言的用意了。一是南宋名儒张南轩（拭）和宋孝宗的对答：
宋孝宗言：难得办事之臣。右文殿修撰张拭对曰：陛下当求晓事之臣，不当求办事之臣。若但求办事少臣，则他日败陛下事者，未必非此人也。
晓事，是唐宋时代的白话，也就是现代语“懂事”的意思。张南轩对宋孝宗建议，要起用懂事的人，并非只用能办事而不懂事的人，的确是语重心长的名言。也是领导、为政者所必须了解的重点。
一是明人冯梦龙自叙《古今谭概》所记：
昔富平孙家串（孙丕扬，富平人，字叔孝，嘉靖进士，拜吏部尚书，追谥恭介）在位日，诸进士谒请，齐往受教。孙曰：做官无大难事，只莫作怪。真名臣之言，岂唯做官子！”
天下人才，贤士固然难得。贤而且能的人才，又具有高明晓事的智慧，不炫耀自己的所长，不标奇立异，针对危难的弊端，因势利导而致治平的大贤，实在难得。以诸葛亮之贤，一死即后继无人，永留遗憾。虽然魏廷、李严也是人才，但诸葛亮就是怕他们多作怪，因此不敢重用，此为明证。
一是清末刘鹗在所着《老残游记》中记述的一则故事。为了久仰一位清官的大名，不惜亲自出京去游览求证。但所得的结果，使他大失所望。因此他得一结论说：“天下事误于奸慝者，十有三四。误于不通世故之君子者，十有六七。”这又是从另一角度描述贤而且能的人才难得。
对于这个问题，清初乾隆时代的监察御史熊学鹏，就张拭（南轩）对宋孝宗的问答，写了一篇更深入的论文，可以暂借作为结案：
臣谨按：张拭立言之心，非不甚善。而其所谓“不当求办事之臣”数语，则未能无过也。
天下有欲办事而不晓事者，固足以启纷扰之患。天下有虽晓事而不办事者，尤足以贻废弛之忧。
盖人臣敬事后食，见事欲其明，而任事更欲其勇；明而不勇，则是任事时，先无敬事之心，又安望其事之有济，且以奏厥成效哉。
况“敬事”二字，有正有伪，不可不于办事求之也。在老成慎重通达治体之人，其于一事之是非曲直，前后左右，无不筹划万全，而后举而行之。官民胥受其福。朝廷因赖其功，以为晓事，是诚无愧于晓事之名矣。
若夫自负才智，睥睨一世者，当其未得进用，亦尝举在延之事业而权其轻重，酌其是非，每谓异日必当奋然有为。一旦身任其责，未几而观望之念生，未几而因循之念起，苟且迁就，漫无措置。
彼非不知事中之可否，而或有所惮而不敢发，或有所碍而不肯行，于是托晓事之说以自便其身家，而巧为文饰。
是人也，用之为小臣，在一邑则一邑之事因之而懈弛。在一郡，则一郡之事因之而囗茸。效奔走，则不能必其勇往而直前。司案牍，则不能必其综核而悉当。至用之为大臣，而其流弊更不可胜言矣。
夫大臣者，膺朝廷股脑心膂之寄，所当毅然以天下事为己责，与人君一德一心，以成泰交之盛者也。如不得实心办事之人，而但以敷衍塞责者，外示安静以为晓事，国家亦乌赖有是人为哉。
且以是人而当重任，任其相与附和者，必取疲懦软熟，平日再不敢直言正色之辈，而后引为同类，谬为荐扬，久而相习成风，率皆顽钝无耻，而士气因以扫地矣。
所以《易》曰：“王臣蹇蹇，匪躬之故”，“夙夜匪懈，以事一人”。夫为王臣，而至以匪躬自励，事一人，而必以夙夜自警，是岂徒晓事而不办事者所得与哉。
要之，事不外乎理。不审乎理之所当然，而妄逞意见，以事纷更者，乃生事之臣，究非办事之臣也。
所谓办事者，以其能办是事而不愧，则非不晓事之臣，明矣。
臣愚以为张拭恐宋孝宗误以生事之臣，为办事之臣，只当对曰：陛下固欲求办事之臣，更于办事之臣中，而求晓事之臣。则心足以晓事，而身足以办事。心与身皆为国用，于以共(襄力)政治，庶乎其得人矣。
由于前面引用了历史上这三则故事，更进一层，便可知对于“选贤与能”的贤能标准，很难遽下定义。以道德作标准吗？以仁义作标准吗？或以才能作标准呢？无论如何，结果都会被坏人所利用，有了正面标准的建立，就有反面作伪模式的出现。所以古人说：“一句合头语，千古系驴极。”说一句话，一个道理，就好比你打了一个固定的桩在那里，以为拴宝贵东西所用。但用来用去用惯了，无论是驴或是鹰犬，也都可以拴挂上去。那是事所必至，理有固然的。
实际上，我们晓得，“尚贤”、“不尚贤”到底哪一样好，都不是关键所在。它的重点在于一个领导阶层，不管对政治也好，对教育或任何事，如果不特别标榜某一个标准，某一个典型，那么有才智的人，会依着自然的趋势发展；才能不足的人，也就安安稳稳地过日子。倘使是标榜怎样作法才是好人，大家为了争取这种做好人的目标，终至不择手段去争取那个好人的模式。如果用手段而去争到好人的模式，在争的过程中，反而使人事起了紊乱。所以，老子提出来“不尚贤，使民不争”，并非是消极思想的讽刺。
此外，法家学说，出于道家的支流，它与老庄思想，也息息相通。法家最有名的韩非子，提出一个理论，可以说，相同于老子“不尚贤，使民不争”这个观念的引申发挥，但他提倡用法治领导社会，并不一定需要标榜圣贤道德的政治。他说：“相爱者则比周而相誉，相憎者则比党而相非，诽誉交争，则主威惑矣。家有常业，虽饥不饿；国有常法，虽危不亡。若舍法从私意，则臣不饰其智能，则法禁不立矣。”
他说，人类社会的心理很怪。彼此喜欢“比周”，大家在一起肩比肩（“比”字就好像一个人在前面走，我从后面跟上来，叫做“比”。“比”字方向相反的话，就成为“背”。你向这面走，我向那面走，便是“背道而驰”。懂了这个字的写法，便可了解后世称“朋比为奸”的意义。“周”是圈圈）。彼此两三个人情投意合的，就成为一个无形的小圈子。若有人问到自己的朋友说：“老张好吗？”就说：“我那个朋友不得了，好得很。”如果有人说他朋友不好，就会与人吵起架来。相反地，“相憎者，则比党而相非”，对自己所讨厌的人，就会联合其他人予以攻击。
其实，人类社会对人与人之间的是非毁誉，很难有绝对的标准。站在领导地位的人，对于互相怨憎的诽谤，和互相爱护的称誉，都要小心明辨，不可偏听而受其迷惑。如果先入为主，一落此偏差，“诽誉交争”，则人主惑矣。
过去有人批评我们中国人和华侨社会说：“两个中国人在一起，就有三派意见。由此可见中国民族性不团结的最大缺点。”我说：“这也不一定，只要是人类，两个人在一起，就会有三派意见。”譬如一对夫妻，有时就有几种不同的意见，只是为情为爱的牵就，以致调和，或一方舍弃自我的意见。又例如一个大家庭里有许多兄弟姊妹，有时意气用事，互相争吵，实在难以确定谁是谁非，只可引用一个原则。凡是相争者，双方都早已有过错了。因此法家主张领导地位的人，对左派右派之间的诽誉，只有依法专断，不受偏爱所惑，就算是秉公无私了。
韩非由家庭现象，扩而充之，推及一个国家，便说：“家有常业，虽饥不饿。国有常法，虽危不亡。若舍法从私意，则臣不饰其智能，则法禁不立矣。”这就是代表法家思想的一个关键，不特别标榜圣贤政治。他们认为人毕竟都是平常人，一律平等，应该以人治为根本才对。这种道理，正是与老子的“不尚贤，使民不争”互为表里，相互衬托。由此可知，法家思想确实出于道家。
道家与法家的辨贤
人文历史的演变，与学术思想相互并行，看来非常有趣，也的确是不可思议的事：有正必有反，有是就有非。正反是非，统统因时间、空间加上人事演变的不同而互有出入。同样也属于道家的鬻子——鬻熊，如果只依照传统的说法而不谈考证他的生平，那么，他比老子还要老了，应该属于周文王时代，与姜太公——吕尚齐名并驾的人物，也是周文王的军师或政略咨议的角色。但他却主张需要起用贤者，而且提出贤士的重要性。如说：“圣王在位，百里有一士，犹无有也。王道衰，千里有一士，则犹比肩也。”
他的意思是说，在上古的时代，人心都很朴实，不需要标榜什么道理等等名号。上古时代，圣王在位，纵然百里之内，有一个道德学问很好的人，也是枉自虚生，好比没有用的人一样。因为在那个时代，个个都是好人，人人都差不多，又何必特地请一些贤人来治世呢！好比说，一个社会，完全安分守法，既无作奸犯科的人和事，便不需要有防止、管理作奸犯科的警察了。但他又说，后来王道衰落，社会变乱，千里之外如有一贤士，也要立刻找来，与他并肩同事以治天下。
从鬻子的理论观点来看历史，一点也不错。例如生在盛唐时代的赵蕤，也是道家人物。他纵有一肚子的谋略学问，但生在升平时代，又有什么用处？只有著书立说，写了一部《长短经》传世，自己去修道当隐士。虽受朝廷征召，始终不肯出山，因此在历史上，称他赵征君。他虽然传了一个徒弟李白——诗人李太白，晚年用非其时，又用得不得当，结果几遭身首异处之祸。好在他年轻时帮忙过危难中的郭子仪，因此后来得郭子仪力保，才得不死。如果再迟一点，在安禄山、史思明以后的乱局，也许李白可与中唐拨乱反正的名相李泌并驾齐驱，各展所长，在历史上便不只属于诗人文士之流，或者可有名臣大臣的辉煌功业呢！
鬻子他本身，就是一个很好的例子：
昔文王见鬻子年九十。文王曰：嘻！老矣！鬻子曰：若使臣捕虎逐鹿，臣已老矣。坐策国事，臣年尚少。
其实，文王说的“老矣”，是一句故意说的笑话，而且也有些为自己感慨的味道。文王用姜太公时，吕尚的年龄，已过了八十岁。他与武王的年龄不相上下。当然，九十岁以外的人，明知兴邦大业，已非自己的年龄所能做到，有如清人赵翼的诗：“风云帐下奇儿在，鼓角灯前老泪多。”因此对鬻子开了一句玩笑——“嘻！老矣”。是鬻子老了？还是他感慨自己也老了？只有他自心知之。可是鬻子的答案，也正合文王的心意，彼此知心，一拍即合，一个是求贤若渴，一个是贤良待沽，因此而各取所需，各得其所。这岂不是“尚贤”的明证？况且法家如韩非，他虽然主张法治而不重人治，但用法者是人，不是法。人不用法，法是废物。韩非自荐，正是自认为是贤才，因此而求鬻卖于帝王。如果人主不“尚贤”，韩非又向哪里去卖弄他自己的贤能呢？
且让我们再来看看前汉时代，崇拜道家学术的淮南子，他提出了与法家主张相反的意见，如说：“乌穷则啄，兽穷则触，人穷则诈。峻刑严法，不可以禁奸。”
淮南子这里所提出的相反道理，正如老子所说：“长短相较，高下相倾。”有正面就有反面，淮南子是道家，他以道家的思想，又反对法家。而法家原也出于道家，这是一个颇为有趣的问题。
淮南子说：“鸟穷则啄，兽穷则触，人穷则诈。”鸟饿了抓不到虫吃的时候，看到木头，不管什么都啄来吃。野兽真的饿了，为了获得食物，管你是人或是别的什么都敢去碰。“人穷则诈”，人到穷的时候，就想尽办法，以谋生存，骗人也得要骗。如法家的韩非子说：“国有常法，虽危不亡。”淮南子却说不见得：“峻刑严法，不可以禁奸。”纵使法令非常严格，动不动就判死刑，然而众生业海，照样犯罪杀人。这就是“人穷志短，马瘦毛长”的道理，也是没有办法的事。真到穷凶极恶的时候，就胡作非为。因此而又否定法治的功能，还是要以道德的感化，才能够使天下真正地太平。
不管如何说，各家的思想，都有专长。尤其在春秋战国的时候，诸子百家的书籍，多得不可数计，有着说不完的意见。著作之多，多到令人真想推开不看了。往往我们觉得自己有一点聪明，想的道理颇有独到之处。但是，凑巧读到一本古书，脸就红了。因为自己想到的道理，古人已经说过了，几千年前就有了，自己现在才想到，实在不足为贵。总之，像上面讨论的这些正反资料，在书中多得很。
再回过来讲老子所说的“不尚贤，使民不争”。此处之贤，是指何种贤人而说？真正所标榜的贤人，又贤到何种程度？很难有标准。不论孔孟学说，或者老庄言论，各家所指的圣贤，要到达何种标准？那很难确定。所以，属于道家一派的抱朴子说：“白石似玉，奸佞似贤。”一方白色的好石头，晶莹剔透，看起来好像一块白玉，但是就它的质地来看，不论硬度、密度，都不够真玉的标准。如果拿世界宝石标准来评定，充其量只能叫它什么“石”。如“青田石”、“猫眼石”等，实际上只是一种质地较好的石头而已。至于人，也是如此，有时候大奸大恶的人，看起来却像个大好的贤人。所以贤与不贤很难鉴定。我们用这些观点来解释老子的“不尚贤，使民不争”的道理，对大家研究老子这句话的内涵，相信会更有帮助。
现代化好人与老人的表扬法
老子的这本书，毫无疑问，是经人重新整理过，但大体上，已整理得很好，把每一句话的含义性质分别归类。如果各抒己见，认为它原文排列有错误，那就各成一家之言，很难下一定论。
我在介绍第一章的时候，曾首先指出，老子往往将道的体相与作用，混合在一起讨论。而且在作用方面，所谓老庄的“道”，都是出世的修道，和入世的行道，相互掺杂，应用无方，妙用无穷，甚至妙不可言。所以，读老庄如读《孙子兵法》一样，所谓“运用之妙，在乎一心”。那么，要想把《老子》的内涵，完全表达出来，是很费事的。尤其在入世应用之道方面，常常牵涉到许多历史哲学。利用史实，加以选择，透过超越事实的表面层，寻求接近形而上道理的讨论。这在一般学府中应该属于一门专门课程。但是许多地方，牵涉到历史事实的时候，就很难畅所欲言了。比如说“不尚贤，使民不争”这句话，尚贤与不尚贤怎样才对，就很难定论。换一句话说，一个真正太平的盛世，就没有什么标榜好人的必要，我们只列举现代化的一两个故事，大概可以增加些许“不尚贤，使民不争”的趣味性。
几年前，台湾社会上发起一个“敬老会”，对老人，表扬其年高德劭。第一次举办时，我就发现，这简直是在玩弄老人，为老人早点送终的办法。叫年纪那么大的老人坐在那儿听训、领奖，还要带去各地游览。实际上，对于老人是一种辛苦的负担，我想那些老人可能累坏了，而且更因为这种风气一开之后，就有许多人也不免想进入被“敬老”的行列，这样就变成有所争了。岂不见老子说“不见可欲，使民心不乱”吗？又如，我们标榜好人，让好人受奖，开始动机没有什么不对，但是形成风气后，社会上就有人想办法去争取表扬。那么，表扬好人的原意，也就变质了。我每年也接到推荐好人好事的公文，但我看来，好人好事太多，推荐谁去好呢？而且征求一下，大家只对我一笑，摇摇头，摆摆手，谁也不肯接受推荐。我常常笑着说：有两个好人，我想推荐，可惜一个已经死了，一个还未投生。大概我还勉强像小半个好人，只是我也同大家一样，讨厌人家推荐我，更怕自己推荐自己。还是相应不理，让贤去吧（一笑）。我们由这两个故事，大概就可以知道，所谓“不尚贤，使民不争”，在老子当时的社会，在那个历史政治的形态中，“尚贤”已经是一种毛病，因此他提出这句话来。
闲话少说，书归正传。其实，人类历史上千古兴亡的人物，从作人与做事两个立场来讲，贤与不肖，君子与小人，忠与奸，在纯粹哲学的角度来看，很难下一确切的定论。如果单从用人行政的立场来讲，清初名臣孙嘉涂的“三习一弊”奏疏中，已经讲得相当透彻了！其中如说：
夫进君子而退小人，岂独三代以上知之哉！虽叔季之世（衰乱的末代时势）临政愿治，孰不思用君子？且自智之君（自信为很高明的领袖们），各贤其臣（各人都认为自己所选拔的干部都是贤者）。孰不以为吾所用者必君子，而决非小人。乃卒于小人进而君子退者，无他，用才而不用德故也。
德者，君子之所独。才则小人与君子共之，而且胜焉。语言奏对，君子讷而小人佞谀，则与耳习投矣。奔走周旋，君子拙而小人便辟，则与目习投矣。即课事（工作的考核）考劳（勤惰的审查），君子孤行其意而耻于言功，小人巧于迎合而工于显勤，则与心习又投矣。
小人扶其所长以善投，人君溺于所习而不觉。审听之而其言入耳，谛观之而其貌悦目，历试之而其才称乎心也。于是乎小人不约而自合，君子不逐而自离。夫至于小人合而君子离，其患岂可胜言哉！
盗机与哲学
其次，老子主张“不贵难得之货，使民不为盗”。这两句话，可说“文从字顺”，读来很容易了解。但说对于稀奇难得的财物，不要去珍重、宝贵它，便可使大家不会生起盗心，这就颇有问题。“盗”字有抢劫的强盗、偷窃的小盗等区别。要详细解释“盗”字，也不是容易的事。
如果以纯粹哲学的观念作解释，什么是盗贼行为的内涵？我们可以引用佛家的一个名词，凡是“不与取”的便是盗。广泛地说，“不与取”就是盗的行为，这种定义比世界上任何一种法律更为严密。所谓“与取”，是指必须得到对方的同意给予。“不与取”，就是没有经过对方的同意，就取为己有的意思。那么，我们就是在地下捡一块泥土回来，没有土地所有者在场，也已经属于“不与取”的行为，也犯了盗戒。所以，人要不犯盗戒，只有餐风饮露，享受江上之清风与山间之明月，才算是清白。
在道家的学术思想里，对于这一点，和佛学有同样意义，道家讲“道”便是“盗机”。《阴符经》说：“天地，万物之盗。万物，人之盗。人，万物之盗。”修道者也就是利用盗机。我们人活着是天地之盗，都是偷了天地自然的东西，偷太阳的光，偷土壤的功能，侵害万物的生命给自己当饭吃，把动物的肉和青菜萝卜吞到胃肠里去，自己还认为理所当然，这都是占了天地万物的便宜，便是盗机。所以说修道的人，也是偷盗天地的精华到我的身上来。好比用一个聚光的凸透镜，放在太阳光下，把阳光聚在一起，成一焦点，摆一根草在焦点上，到了某个程度，就烧起来，然后引火做熟食，这也是偷盗了太阳的热能来自利。修道人偷盗天地精华之机，也是如此，所以说“人，万物之盗”。但“天地，万物之盗”，人固然是偷取天地精华，天地也是偷了万物和我们的生命，才显现出天地存在的威德功能。
这样一来，照道家的看法，这个世界本来就是互相偷盗的世界，彼此相偷，互相混水摸鱼。然后又说自己很仁慈，这真是滑稽之至。比如，我们人叫人类，依上古传统文化中道家的看法，叫我们人是“倮虫”，老虎是“大虫”，蛇是“长虫”，小的爬行生物是“毛毛虫”。所谓“保虫”的人们，也只是天地间一个生物而已。但又大言不惭地拿其他生物来披毛遮羞，然后夸耀自己为万物之灵，有的是衣冠礼仪，岂非是大盗的行为。
但在老子以及庄子等道家人物的思想中，已经从上古传统广义的盗机理论，缩小范围，归到人文世界的范畴，只讲人类社会的盗机了。最明显地，无过于庄子《肤箧篇》中的危言耸听。同时也指出最稀有最难得之货是什么东西。他说：
然而田成子一旦杀齐君而盗其国，所盗者岂独其国耶！并与其圣知之法而盗之。故田成子有乎盗贼之名，而身处尧舜之安，小国不敢非，大国不敢诛，十二世有齐国。则是不乃窃齐国，并与其圣知之法以守其盗贼之身乎？
尝试论之，世俗之所谓至知者，有不为大盗积者乎！何以知其然耶？彼窃钩者诛，窃国者为诸侯，诸侯之门而仁义存焉。
同样地，生在多灾多难乱世中的释迦牟尼，在他所说的经典中，有的地方，也是“王贼”并称，揭穿人类贪嗔不已的变态心理。因为《(月去)箧篇》对人类历史的诛心之论太透彻了，比之孔子的着《春秋》而责备贤者，使乱臣贼子惧，还要来得干脆明白，所以使干古以下的帝王位，不敢面对，不能卒读，也不可以让别人去读，只能自己偷着来读。用为谋生。用之成功的如曹操，便是“(月去)箧”系的毕业生；用之失败的如桓温，便是“(月去)箧”系考试不及格，没有毕业的学生。
在历史的经验上，从唐末天下大乱，形成五代的纷争局面，便有道家哲学思想诗的小品出现，如说：“中原莫造生强盗，强盗生时不可除。一盗既除群盗起，功臣多是盗根株。”这首是唐末的白话诗，虽然说得很明白，到底缺乏诗人的“温柔敦厚”风格，因此我再三提到，非常欣赏近代诗人易实甫的“江山只合生名士，莫遣英雄作帝王”的含容浑厚。
历史上严禁工业科技发展的死结
有关大盗窃国、小盗窃货等的哲学观念，大概已如上述，暂时不必再加讨论，到此打住。从另一方面来看，我们三千年来的历史经验，素来朝儒道并不分家的传统思想方向施政，固守以农立国，兼及畜牧渔猎盐铁等天然资源的利用以外，一向都用重农轻商的政策，既不重视工业，当然蔑视科技的发展。甚至还严加禁止，对于科技的发明，认为是“奇技淫巧”，列为禁令。因此，近代和现代的知识分子，接触西方文化的科学、哲学等学识之外，眼见外国人富国强兵的成效，反观自己国家民族的积弱落后，便痛心疾首地抨击传统文化的一无是处。如代表儒家的孔孟伦理学说，与代表道家的老庄自然思想，尤其被认为是罪魁祸首，不值一顾。
从表面看来，这种思想的反动，并非完全不对。例如老子的“不贵难得之货，使民不为盗。不见可欲，使民心不乱”等等告诫，便是铁证如山，不可否认。而且由秦汉以后，历代的帝王政权，几乎都奉为圭桌，一直信守不渝。其实，大家都忘记了，如老子的这些说法，都是当时临病对症的药方，等于某一时期流行了哪种病症，时医就对症处方，构成病案。不幸后世的医生，不再研究医理病理，不问病源所在，只是照方抓药，死活全靠病人自己的命运。因此，便变成“单方气死名医”的因医致病了！
我们至少必须要了解自春秋、战国以来的历史社会，由周代初期所建立的文治政权，已经由于时代的迭更，人口的增加，公室社会的畸形膨胀，早已鞭长莫及，虚有其表了。这个时期，也正如太公望所说的“取天下者若逐野鹿，而天下共分其肉”。一般强权胜于公理的诸侯，个个想要称王称帝，达到独霸天下的目的，只顾政治权力上的斗争，财货取予的自恣。谁又管得了什么经纶天下，长治久安的真正策略。因此，如老子他们，针对这种自私自利的心理病态、社会病态，便说出“不尚贤，使民不争。不贵难得之货，使民不为盗。不见可欲，使民心不乱”的近似讽刺的名言。后来虽然变成犹如医药上的单方，但运用方伎的恰当与否，须由大政治家而兼哲学家的临机应变，对症抓药。至于一味地盲目信守成方，吃错了药，医错了病的责任，完全与药方药物无关。
例如我们过去历史上所讴歌颂扬的汉代文景之治，大家都知道，是熟读《老子》的汉文帝母子，信守道家的黄老之道的时代。老子传了三件法宝：“曰慈，曰俭，曰不敢为天下先。”汉文帝自始至终，都—一做到了。汉文帝的俭约是出了名的，“不贵难得之货”，也是有事实证明的。他自己穿了二十年的袍子，舍不得丢掉，还要补起来穿。从个人的行为道德来说，一个“贵为天子，富有四海”的皇帝，能够如此俭约，当然是难得可贵。又有人献上一匹千里马给皇帝，他便下了一道诏书，命令四方，再也不要来献难得的货物。这是他继承帝位的第二年，有献千里马者的历史名诏。他说：“鸾旗在前，凤车在后，吉行日五十里，师行三十里。朕乘千里马，独先安之？于是还其马，与道里费。”下诏曰：“朕不受献也，其令四方毋复来献。”
在我们的历史与辑着史书者的观念里，郑重记载其事的本意，就是极力宣扬汉文帝的个人行为道德，如此高尚而节俭，希望后世的帝王者效法。如用现代语体来表达这段史实，是说汉文帝知道了有人来献千里马，便说：此风不可长，此例不可开。我已经当了皇帝，要出去有所行动的时候，前面有擎着刺绣飞驾的旗队，正步开道。后面又跟着侍候的宫人们，坐着刻画祥凤的车队，带着御厨房，平平稳稳，浩浩荡荡地向前推进，大约每天只走五十华里就要休息了。如果带着警卫的部队，加上军事设备等后勤辎重车队，大约每天只走三十华里便要休息了。那么，我当皇帝的，单独一个人骑上千里马要到哪里去呢？
无论是达官显要，乃至贵为帝王，没有周围的排场，没有军警保护的威风，也只是一个普通的人而已，并无其他的奇特之处。甚至遇到危难，还很可能正如民间俗话所说“凤凰失势不如鸡”呢！因此，他退还了这匹奉献上来的千里马，并且交代下去，还要算还送马来的来回路费和开支。同时又下了一道命令（当时把皇帝的命令叫“诏书”）宣布说：“朕”（过去历史上皇帝们的自称）不接受任何名贵稀奇的奉献，要地方官们通知四方，以后不要打主意奉献什么东西上来。
这在汉文帝当时的政策作为，的确是很贤明的作风，不只是因为他的个性好尚节俭的关系。在那个时候，从战国以来到秦汉纷争的局面，长达两百余年，可以说中国的人民，长期生活在战争的苦难中。缩短来说，由秦始皇到楚汉分争以后，直到汉文帝的时代，也有五六十年的离乱岁月。这个时候的社会人民，极其需要的便是“休养生息”，其余都是不急之务。所以他的政策一上来便采用了道家无为之治，以“慈”、“俭”、“不敢为天下先”（不要主动去生事）为建国原则。首先建立宽厚的法治精神，废除一人犯罪，并坐全家的严刑。跟着便制定福利社会人民的制度，“诏定振穷、养老之令”。
诏曰：方春和时，草木群生之物，皆有以自乐。而吾百姓鳏寡孤独穷困之人，或阽于死亡而莫之省忧。为民父母将何如？其议所以振贷之。
又曰：老者非帛不暖，非肉不饱，今岁首不时（注：年初及随时的意思）使人存问长老。又无布帛酒肉之赐，将何以住天下子孙孝养其亲哉！具为令：八十以上，月赐米肉酒。九十以上，加赐帛絮。长吏阅视，丞若尉（丞、尉都是地方基层官职名称）致二千石（地区主政官职称谓）遣都吏循行，不称者督之。
学老子的汉文帝绝对没有错。但是后代有些假冒为善，画虎不成反类犬的帝王们，却错学了汉文帝。例如以欺诈起家，取天下于孤儿寡妇之手的晋武帝司马炎，在他篡位当上晋朝开国皇帝的第四年，有一位拍错马屁的太医司马程，特别精心设计，用精工绝巧的手工艺，制作了一件“雉头裘”，奉献上去。司马炎便立刻把它在殿前烧了，并且下了诏书，认为“奇技、异服，典礼（传统文化的精神）所禁。”敕令内外臣民，敢有再犯此禁令的，便是犯法，有罪。读中国的历史，姑且不论司马氏的天下是好是坏，以及对司马炎的个人道德和政治行为又作什么评价；但历来对奇技淫巧、精密工业以及科技发展的严禁，大体上，都是效法司马炎这一道命令的精神。因此，便使中国的学术思想，在工商科技发展上驻足不前，永远停留在靠天吃饭的农业社会的形态上。
劫灰和人类的物质文明
其实，回转来追溯我们在科学发展的学术思想史上，历代并非无人，只是都怕背上传统观念中玩弄“奇技淫巧”的恶名。同时，更受到混合儒道两家思想的“玩人丧德，玩物丧志”等似是而非的解释所限制。
姑且不说老祖宗黄帝如何发明指南针、指南车，或者更早的老祖宗们在天文和数学方面，又如何一马当先地居于世界科学史上的先导地位。至于战国时代，方士们的炼丹术，成为世界科学史上化学的鼻祖。甚至五行学说的运用，在天文、地理和克服沙漠与航海等困难上，也有相当的贡献。只以科技工业来说，在战国前期，最著名的便有墨子与公输般在军事武器上的彼此互相斗巧。除此之外，《墨子·鲁问篇》与《韩非子·外储篇》上，还分别记载着墨子曾经用木材制造一个飞鸟。公输般也有用竹子、木材制造一只鸟鹊，放在空中飞了三天不掉下来的记录。还有，南北朝时期，有一位和尚，也用木材造了一个飞鸟，在空中飞翔好几天，最后又回转原处降落。不幸的是，这些比发明飞机还早的发明，受到“奇技淫巧”观念的影响，被埋没了，没有受到如西洋思想中的重视，再加研究，再加改进而成为人类实用的科学技能。
至于明代初期郑和所制造远航的大楼船，以及宋、元时代在战争中运用的大炮，是否学自西洋，或是中国的发明，辗转传到欧洲而加以改良，考证起来，实在也很困难。因此，也不敢轻信一般的定论，贸然地认为自西洋传来。
总之，在我们的历史上，自战国以下，科技的发展，都被“奇技淫巧，典礼所禁”这个观念所扼杀，那也是事实。而这个观念，是否受老子的“不贵难得之货，使民不为盗”的思想所影响，却很难肯定。老子所指的“难得之货”，正如吕不韦思想中的“奇货可居”的大货。换言之，它的内涵，多半是指天下国家的名器——权力，并非狭小到像他自己——老子一样，只愿意骑上一条青牛过函谷关，决不肯坐大马车去西渡流沙。
因为讲到古代科学技术的发展、机械的发明，以及工商货品的开发，几乎每一样事物都和道家的方伎有关。例如在十九世纪最为重视的动力能源，便是煤炭。在我们的历史上，最初发现煤炭的趣话，是在汉武帝时代。汉武帝为了教练水师——海军而开凿昆明池。因为开凿昆明池这个大水库，便挖到煤炭。但是当时的人们不知道这块黑而发亮又坚硬的石头是什么古怪的东西，便呈献上来给皇帝。汉武帝看了当然也不知道，只好找以滑稽出名的东方朔来问。东方朔耍了一个关子，推说他自己也不知道，就顺水推舟说，正好西域来了一位胡僧，请他来，一定可以找到答案。这样一来，更引起汉武帝的兴趣了。找来了胡僧，问他这块黑石头一样的是什么东西，胡僧便说：“此乃前劫之劫灰也。”一块煤炭，叫它做“劫灰”，多么富有神秘性的文学笔调啊！
其实，劫灰的典故，出在佛经。佛说物质世界的存在，也和人的生命一样，有它固定的变化法则。在人的一生而到死亡，有四大过程，叫做“生、老、病、死”，谁也逃避不了。但就物质世界的地球和其他星球而言，它的存在寿命，虽然比人的身体寿命长，结果也免不了死亡的毁灭，不过把物质世界由存在到毁灭的四大过程，叫它“成、住、坏、空”。当上一次这个地球上的人类世界被毁灭的时候，火山爆发，天翻地覆，在高温高压下，经过长时间的化学变化，没有烧化的，还保有原来形状的，就是化石。至于烧成灰块的，就是煤矿、铁矿之类。熔成浆的，就是石油。佛学中的“前劫之劫灰”，也就是我们所说的煤炭。佛学的这种说法，是被现代科学——地质学的理论所认同的。但在西汉武帝的时代，这种理论就很新奇了。
那么，我们的古人，既然知道了煤炭，为什么不早早开发来应用，却始终上山打柴，拿草木来做燃料呢？这又是另一个有趣而具意义的问题。这个思想，也出在道家的学术思想。道家认为天地是一大宇宙，人身是一小天地。地球也是一个有生机的大生命，就如人身一样。人体有骨骼、血脉、五脏、六腑、耳目口鼻以及大小便等等，地球也是一样，它有生机，不可轻易毁伤它。不然，对人类的生存，反有大害。因此，虽然知道有“天材地宝”的矿藏，也决不肯轻易去挖掘。即使挖掘，也要祭告天地神祗，得到允许。不然，只有偷偷地在地层表面上捡点便宜。其实，哪个神祗又管得了那么多？但是人心即天心，人们的传统思想是如此，神祗的权威就起了作用了。
正因为这种思想，使得我们全国的丰富的煤矿等宝藏，才保留到现在，作为未来子孙们生存的资财。例如现在人所用的能源石油，在道家的观念来讲，是万万不敢轻易多用的。因为那是地球自身营卫的脂肪或者犹同人体的骨髓，如果挖掘过分了，这个地球生命受到危害，就会加速它的毁灭。
这种思想，这种观念，看来多么可笑，而且极富于儿童神话式的浓厚幽默感。因为我们现在是科技的时代，决不肯冒昧地轻信旧说。但是，我们不要不了解。现代真正的大科学家们，他们反而惊奇佩服我们的祖先，远在十几个世纪以前，早已有类似现代科学文明的地质学和矿藏学的理论和认识。
世上无如人欲险
接着“不尚贤”、“不贵难得之货”而来的，便是以“不见可欲，使民心不乱”作为总结。换言之，“不尚贤，使民不争”是消极的避免好名的争斗，“不贵难得之货，使民不为盗”是消极的避免争利的后果。名与利，本来就是权势的必要工具，名利是因，权势是果。权与势，是人性中占有欲与支配欲的扩展。虽是贤者，亦在所难免。司马迁所谓“君子疾没世而名不称焉”、“天下熙熙，皆为利来。天下攘攘，皆为利往”，真是不易的名言。固然也有人厌薄名利，唾责名利，认为不合于道，但“名利本为浮世重，古今能有几人抛”呢？除非真有如佛道两家混合思想的人，所谓“跳出三界外，不在五行中”，也许不在此例，也许是未能确定之词。因为照一般宗教家们所说的超越人类以外的世界，也仍然脱不了权力支配的偶像，那么，无论在这个世间或是超越于这个世界，照样还是跳不出权势的圈套。这样看来，人欲真是可悲的心理行为。不过，也许有人会说，人欲正是可爱的动力，人类如果没有占有支配的欲望，这个世界岂不沉寂得像死亡一样的没有生气吗？是与非，真难说。且让我们转一个方向来反映老子的“不见可欲，使民心不乱”的说法吧！
首先，我们要确定“欲”是什么？很明显的答案，“欲”有广义和狭义两层涵义。广义的“欲”，便是生命存在的动力，包括生存和生活的一切需要。狭义的“欲”，一般来说，都是指向男女两性的关系和饮食的需求。
例如代表儒家的孔子，在《周易·序卦传》便说：“有天地，然后有万物。有万物，然后有男女。有男女，然后有夫妇。有夫妇，然后有父子。有父子，然后有君臣。有君臣，然后有上下。有上下，然后礼义有所错。夫妇之道，不可以不久也。”他在《礼记》的说明中，又说：“男女饮食，人之大欲存焉。”孔子虽然不像后来的告子一样，强调“食、色，性也”。但很显然地，他把“喜、怒、哀、乐、爱、恶、欲”七情中的“欲”字，干脆了当地归到男女饮食的范围。人的生命的存在，除了吃饱喝足之外，跟着而来的，便是男女两性的关系了。因此，他删订《诗经》开端的第一篇，便采用了“关睢”。孔子并不讳言男女饮食，只是强调在男女饮食之际，须要建立人伦的伦理秩序，要“发乎情，止乎礼”。
上面的举例，就是把“欲”的涵义，归纳到狭义的色欲范畴。此外，历来儒道两家的著述，厌薄色欲，畏惧色欲攫人的可怕说法，多到不胜枚举。宋代五大儒中，程明道的“座中有妓，心中无妓”的名言，一直是后世儒者所赞扬的至高修养境界。乃至朱熹的“十年浮海一身轻，乍睹藜涡倍有情。世上无如人欲险，几人到此误平生”等等，似乎都是切合老子的“不见可欲，使民心不乱”的名言。
到了魏晋以后，随着佛家学说的输入，非常明显地，“欲”的涵义，扩充到广义的范畴，凡是对一切人世间或物质世界的事物，沾染执着，产生贪爱而留恋不舍的心理作用，都认为是欲。情欲、爱欲、物欲、色欲，以及贪名、贪利，凡有贪图的都算是欲。不过，它把欲剖析为善与恶的层次。善的欲行可与信愿并称，恶的欲行就与堕落衔接。对于欲乐的思辨分析，极其精详，在此暂且不论。尤其佛家的小乘戒律，视色欲、物欲如毒蛇猛兽，足以妨碍生命与道业，避之唯恐不及。与老子的“不见可欲，使民心不乱”又似如出一辙。因此，从魏晋以后，由儒释道三家文化的结合，汇成中国文化的主流，轻视物欲的发展，偏重乐天知命而安于自然生活的思想，便普遍生根。有人说，此所以儒道两家思想——老子、孔子的学说，历来都被聪明黠慧的帝王们，用作统治的工具。
反正人类总是一个很矛盾的生物，在道理上，都是要求别人能做到无欲无私，以符合圣人的标准。在行为上，自己总难免在私欲的缠缚中打转。不过，自己都有另一套理由可为自己辩白。如果老子的本意，真要人们做到“不见可欲，使民心不乱”，“虚其心，实其腹，弱其志，强其骨。常使民无知无欲”。事实上，在人世间的现实社会里，是绝不可能的事。除非天地再来一次混饨，人类重返原始的时代，如道家所说的“葛天氏之民，无怀氏之民”的初古时期，或者可以如此。
虚心实腹与鼓气
可是在秦汉以后修学神仙丹道的道家方士们，大多都遵守老子的告诫，要极力做到“绝嗜禁欲，所以除累”的功夫，以便具有学仙得道的资格。不过，请注意我所说的“大多”这个概念。当然不包括自认为是黄帝传承的“黄老之道”的全部道家神仙方术。这些大多数的学道的人们，在基本上，除了希望自己严谨地做到“离情弃欲”为入道之门以外，最重要的，便要做到如老子所说的“虚心实腹，弱志强骨”的实证境界。尤其发展到后世，修道学神仙的，都在修炼如何虚心，如何实腹，如何弱志，如何强骨。再配上老子在后面所说的“专气致柔，能婴儿乎”等等说法，不但使修道的人都致力于追求这种境况，即如练习拳术武功的人，乃至讲究读书做学问，注意修心养性的人们，也在或明或暗地，努力于虚心实腹的功夫。
最有趣的，大家明知“绝嗜禁欲”的涵义，如果这一步做不到，根本就没有办法再继续进修到什么“虚其心”的程度。既然心不能虚，下一步的“实其腹，弱其志，强其骨”的境界，岂非纯是一片空谈。可是谁又自肯承认不对呢？于是一概不管老子前言的“弃欲虚心”的先决条件，便只从“实其腹”的守神、练气、存想、守丹田等等五花八门的方法上去修炼，于是弄得大腹便便如富家翁，一副满面红光的发财相，就算有道之士，到了最后，仍然跳不出一般常人的规则，还不是落在高血压或心脏病等的老病死亡之列。
讲到这里，且让我们轻松一下，先来看看一些通人达士的说法，免得使一般学道修仙的人听了太过紧张，那就罪过不浅。其实，我也很相信幼年课外读物有关人道的升华，可以达到神仙的境界。这些当年幼少时期的读物，便有：“王子去求仙，丹成上九天。洞中方七日，世上已千年。”以及“三十三天天重天，白云里面出神仙。神仙本是凡人做，只怕凡人心不坚。”但到后来渐渐长大，又读过许多更深入的丹经道书，甚至全部《道藏》，真有如入“山阴道上，目不暇接”的气势。只是相反地，历观许多修道学仙人们的结果，以及一般通人达士的著作，那又不免会心一笑，黄粱梦醒，仍然回到人的本位里来。例如司马迁，曾经亲访修道学仙的人们，而有“山泽列仙之涛，其形清癯”的记载。可见并不是都像元朝以后画家们想象的八仙中的汉钟离，活像一个鱼翅燕窝吃多了的大腹贾的样子。此外，历代文人“反游仙”之类的诗词作品也很多。例如辛稼轩调寄“卜算子”的《饮酒》词，便是从人道的本位立言，不敢妄想成仙学佛：“一个去学仙，一个去学佛。仙饮干杯醉似泥，皮骨如金石？不饮便康强，佛寿须千百，八十余年入涅槃，且进杯中物。”读了辛稼轩这首词，真可使人仰天狂笑，浮一大白。不过，我们同时要知道，这是他的牢骚，借题发挥，借酒浇愁而已。同样地，他另有一首枉读圣贤书，不能发挥忠诚爱国抱负，而借酒抒杯的名词：“盗跖倘名丘，孔子如名跖，跖圣丘愚直到今，美恶无真实。简册写虚名，蝼蚁侵枯骨，千古光阴一霎时，且进杯中物。”其余如清人的反游仙诗也很多，如借用吕纯阳做题目的，“十年橐笔走神京，一遇钟离盖便倾。不是无心唐社稷，金丹一粒误先生”，“妾夫真薄命，不幸做神仙”等，到处可见。
道家虚心养气的真传
尽管历来的通人达士们，口头笔下，都在反对神仙佛道，但是遇到无可奈何之处，在潜在的意识里，何尝不懂憬超越人间，倘佯于天人的美景。所以练气行功，讲究气住丹田的人们，依旧多如过江之鲫，趋之若鹜。我常常碰到有些倾心修道的人来问，如何气住丹田等等问题。我总是反问，你为什么要气住丹田来作实腹的功夫？如照道家所说的“气”，有三种不同的写法和定义，必须知道。古代道书上的“气”写作“炁”。“炁”这个字的上半部“无”就是后世的“无”字，下面四点则代表了火。那么，无火之谓气，并非指空气的气，也不是呼吸的气。现在用的这个“氣”字，下面有一个米字，是指人们吃了米谷等食物后所化生的气。还有一个好像简体字的“气”，是指空气的气，姑且不管它是哪个气，一个人的身躯，犹如一具装有各种零件的皮囊。假如我们把气体打入一个皮袋里，然后要叫这股气呆板固定，永久停留在某一部位，是有可能吗？很明显的答案，气是不会凝固停留在某一部位的。如果说有可能，那已经不是气体，它已变化成为一个固体的东西。在我们的身躯内，另外装进一样固体的东西，那就太可怕了，岂不成了一个瘤吗？气，本来就是“流动不居，周流六虚”的能量，你要气住丹田，充实腹部的下丹田，那只能说“徒有空言，都无实义”。如果真有如此感觉，那是注意力集中，心理控制作用所引发的感受反应而已，并非真有一样东西。
那么，老子所讲的“虚其心，实其腹”就没有它的事实根据吗？其实，老子讲的是修养上的真实功夫，绝对是真有其事。但它的先决条件，便是从无欲虚心入门。一个人如能真做到“离情弃欲”，心如止水澄波，那么，自然而然就可达到吕纯阳《百字铭》的修养境界了：
养气忘言守，降心为不为。动静知宗祖，无事更寻谁。真常须应物，应物要不迷。不迷性自住，性住气自回。气回丹白结，壶中配坎离。阴阳生反复，普化一声雷。白云朝顶上，甘露酒须弥。自饮长生酒，逍遥谁得知。坐听无弦曲，明通造化机。都来二十句，端的上天梯。
事实上，难就难在无欲与虚心。正因为不能无欲，因此老子才教人一个消极的办法，只好尽量避免，“不见可欲，使民心不乱”。能够利用消极的办法做到也就不错。然后再求虚心，自然可以充实内体。养之既久，也就自然可以“弱其志，强其骨”了。如果有心求之，早已背道而驰，违反“道法自然”的原则了。因此唐宋以后禅宗大师们呵斥狂妄之徒的习惯语，便反用老子所说的“虚心实腹”，认为是“空腹高心”之辈，不足以言了。其实，要明白老子的“虚其心，实其腹”的真实功夫，不如引用孟子的“其生色也，猝然见于面，盎于背，施于四体，四体不言而喻”最为确实。我们现在不是专讲秦汉以后道家神仙派的丹道方术，只因老子本文的“虚心实腹，弱志强骨”的道理，牵涉到神仙丹道的养气、修气、练气等基本观念，略加说明，事关专题，不必细说，到此为止。
赵宋是再次的南北朝
至于由《老子》这章后半段所引起的：“是以圣人之治，虚其心，实其腹，弱其志，强其骨，常使民无知无欲。使夫智者不敢为也。为无为，则无不治”的无为之治的政治思想，在以往的历史上，常被误解，乃至被有些领导一个时代的帝王位，有意或无意地歪曲它的作用，那就不能完全倭过在老子身上了。这种历史上的过谬，最明显的事实，便是宋真宗的故事。
当五代的末期，由赵匡胤的陈桥兵变，黄袍加身，跃登皇帝的大位以后，历来的传统历史学者，秉承一贯的正统观念，都以宋朝为主。如果我们从历史统一大业的观点来说，整个南北宋三百年间的政权，只是与辽、金，乃至西夏等共天下，彼此分庭抗礼，等于东晋以后第二个南北朝的局面。如果从中国文化的立场来看，南北宋与辽金元，都是服膺在中国文化的大纛之下，各有千秋，辽金的文治，比起宋朝，并无太大的逊色。这一观点，也许是我对历史的看法不同，但大致不会太离谱。尤其希望青年学者们，不要忽略了当时辽金的文化与中国文化大系的关系。
在我们的历史上，宋朝的建国，版图很小，治权所及的地区，实在小得可怜。只是有宋一代，在学术文化上，比较重视文人政治，尊重儒家学术的地位，因此颇受历来学者的汇歌赞扬而已。其实，当宋太祖赵匡胤当皇帝开始，玉斧一挥，北方的燕云十六州，已非宋有。西南方的云南迤西、蒙自一带，又有以儒佛文化立国的大理国存在，也不尊奉赵宋的正朔，如果以汉唐的建国精神来讲，先武功而后文治，那么赵宋的天下，实在不无愧色。它的基本原因，因为宋太祖赵匡胤、宋太宗赵匡义两弟兄，天生本质，都是军人而兼爱好读书的学者，因此对于军机兵略，深知利害，不敢轻举妄动。从好的方面来讲，天性比较仁厚，雄长的气魄就比较薄弱，大有如唐代诗人黄松非战诗所谓“泽国江山入战图，生民何计乐樵苏。劝君寞话封侯事，一将功成万骨枯”的慈悲怀抱。
因此，宋太祖赵匡胤的初期策略，极力从事休养生息，在安定中求俭约，希望利用北人的贪得心理，以钱财来麻醉北辽，渐次买回燕云十六州的一半版图。如果我们用现代的名词来说，他是想利用财政经济的策略，来统一全国。不幸的是他的兄弟宋太宗赵匡义，没有全盘了解他哥哥的策略，继位不到几年，就把国库积存的财币，用去了大半。到了宋真宗手里，既不敢战，又不敢和，进退两难，非常棘手。好在肯接受名相寇准所坚持的决策，勉勉强强御驾亲征，博得“擅渊之役”一场军事外交的胜利战。但在当时，几乎已把宋真宗吓破了胆。这些事实，在历史的实录上，可以看得清清楚楚，明明白白。
寇准的胆识
讲到这里，再让我们多费些时间，稍微了解有关宋一代名臣寇准的表儒内道的大手笔。同时也可了解一下，道家“无为而无不为”的精神，用之在臣道的精彩一幕。寇准确是一位深信黄老之道的学者，在他担当军国大事的任内，家里还隐密地供养着一位专修神仙丹道的道人。他的作风，大胆而缜密，豪放而平实，的确是深得黄老之道的三昧。他在澶渊之役中，勉强着皇帝宋真宗御驾亲征，兵临前线，在枪杆下办外交，实在相当冒险。而且当时在宋真宗的旁边，政府内部还有势力相当的反对派。他却不顾一切，谋定而动。这比起三国时代，魏廷建议诸葛亮出兵子午谷，还要冒险十倍，但是他居然做了。在这一件史实上，宋真宗肯听寇准的意见，临事能够互相配合，固然也真的很可爱，但是他在前线，与敌人面对面的当时，却不免战战兢兢，实在也很害怕，很想知道寇准的行动究竟有多少把握。于是派人去侦察寇准在做什么，派去的人回来报告，这位身当重任的相爷，公然在这样危急的前方，正与一班幕僚宾客们喝酒赌钱，漫不在乎。真宗一听，总算放心了大半。寇准本来有好赌的习惯，但当时的赌局，真的是一场豪赌。他赌给敌人看，赌给宋真宗看，其实，他比诸葛亮在后花园钓鱼、五路退兵的心情，还更紧张沉重，只是不能不好整以暇而已。这就是道家的妙用，也就是老子的“欲取姑予”的姿态。因此，也就难怪他在政治上反对派的死对头王钦若，事后趁间在宋真宗面前用了一句挑拨的话，就使寇准再也不得重用，守真宗在澶渊之役以后，因为有事而回想起与寇准当时的冒险，颇有复杂的矛盾心理，所以王钦若趁机便说，寇准在增渊之役，不能算有大功，他只是拿陛下当一次大赌注而已。你看，只须一句便佞的口舌，就可害人不用刀，杀人不见血。好在赵宋的皇帝子孙们，本质上还很厚道，换了别的昏君，寇准的头，准会被他送到敌寇的手里去了。
宋真宗贿赂宰相
尽管未真宗不敢再用寇准，不敢再谈统一的大业，运用输款和谈的政策，以图苟且偷安。但是他知道全国的人心，朝野的士气，并不甘心媚敌，更非心悦诚服这种半投降式的策略。那么，若要做到“使民无知无欲，使夫智者不敢为也。为无为，则无不治”，就要另想办法。结果，他接受王钦若的建议，利用宗教来迷醉朝野，安定人心，同时也可以自我安慰，仰仗神力来保佑平安。于是他就假托天神在梦中来降，要他在正殿建“黄箓道场”一个月，当降天书、大中、祥符三篇等等诡话。又使人谎报得天书于泰山，要群臣上表，推尊道号，自称为“崇文广武仪天尊道宝应章感圣明仁孝皇帝”。从此以后，北宋的三百年天下，便与道教的神秘政策结了不解之缘。后来自称为“道君皇帝”的迷信大师宋徽宗的北狩，何尝不是宋真宗的前因所误。
一个国家的大政，绝对不能与宗教的作为混为一体，从古今中外人文历史的记录上去求证，凡是宗教与政治混合的时代，政教（宗教）不分的国土，结果没有一个不彻底失败的。不但污蔑了宗教，同时也断送了国家。政治，毕竟是现实智慧的实际成果。宗教，始终是升华现实的出世事业。如果强调宗教就是现实世间的事，那么不是别有用心，就非愚即狂了。所以，宋真宗要想利用宗教的迷信而“使民无知无欲，使夫智者不敢为也”的当时，最大的顾忌，就怕宰辅大臣——同平章事王旦不同意。开始是试探，结果没有办法沟通。于是一方面由王钦若来婉转疏通意见，一方面真宗派宫监夜里送重礼到王旦的相府上去，并不说明来意是为了什么要有这样重的赏赐。这是当皇帝的公然贿赂大臣的杰作。因此弄得公正持重的名臣王旦有口难言，只好随声附和。如果寇准不被挤出中朝政府，恐怕“神道设教”就无法作为这个豪赌的赌注。后来王旦在临终时，虽然宋真宗亲自到病床旁边探病，御手调药，每天还三四次派人询问病况，并由宫中送来薯蓣（山药）粥。但是王旦耿耿于怀的事，却无法因此释然。他在临死时，还吩咐家人要把他剃了须发，穿上和尚的僧衣，表示抗议，表示忏悔。自恨当时对“天书”的愚民政策，没有尽心竭力地劝谏，认为是一大罪过。
我们引用了这一段历史的事实，来说明《老子》这一章“使民无知无欲，使夫智者不敢为也。为无为，则无不治”被宋真宗反用的前因后果，当然并非老子的本意，更不可随便又给老子背上黑锅。
总之，我们不要忘了老子著述的本意，首重效法自然道德的原则，假如人们都在道德的生活中，既不尚贤，又无欲而不争，那当然合乎自然的规范，也就自然是太平无事的天下了。《礼记·礼运》一篇的记载，首先说明孔子的叹息，也是如此。时代到了后世，人人不能自修道德，人人不能善自整治争心和欲望，只拿老子那些叹古惜今的话来当教条，那当然是背道而驰，愈说愈远了。
2011-01-19
老子他说（上）第一章
第一章
道可道，非常道。名可名，非常名。无，名天地之始。有，名万物之母。故常无，欲以观其妙。常有，欲以观其徼。此两者，同出而异名，同谓之玄。玄之又玄，众妙之门。
本文第一章，首先提出老子《道德经》的“道”与“名”两个关键名词，也是连串贯通全书八十一章脉络的线索。而且也是千古以来，研究老子学术的争端之所在。
头头是道
现在我们也来凑热闹，讲《老子》，首先要不怕老子笑掉他的长眉，更要向研究老子的学者们，道歉万分，以外行人妄说内行话，滥竿充数，不足为凭。但是我们又不得不把传统文化中的“道”字与“天”字先讲清楚，才好开始。
读中国书，认中国字，不管时代怎样演变，对于中国文字的六书——象形、指事、会意、形声、转注、假借，不能不留意。至少，读古代文字章法所写成的古书，必须具备有《说文》六书的常识。
在古书中，“道”与“天”字，到处可以看到。但因上古文字以简化为原则，一个方块的中文字，便包涵人们意识思想中的一个整体观念；有时只用一个中文字，但透过假借、转注的作用，又另外包涵了好几个观念。不像外文或现代语文，用好几个，甚至一二十个字，才表达出一个观念。因此，以现代人来读古书，难免会增加不少思索和考据上的麻烦。同样地，我们用现代语体写出的文字，自以为很明白，恐怕将来也要增加后世人的许多麻烦。不过，人如不做这些琐碎的事，自找麻烦，那就也太无聊，会觉得活着没事可做似的。
例如“道”字。在传统的古书中，大约便有三种意义与用法。
（一）“道”就是道，也便是人世间所要行走的道路的道。犹如元人马致远在《秋思曲》中所写的“枯藤老树昏鸦，小桥流水人家，古道西风瘦马，夕阳西下，断肠人在天涯。”这个“古道西风瘦马”的道，便是道路的道。照《说文》意义的注释就是：“道者，径路也。”
（二）“道”是代表抽象的法则、规律，以及实际的规矩，也可以说是学理上或理论上不可变易的原则性的道。如子产在《左传》中所说的：“天道远，人道迩。”如子思在《中庸》首章中所说：“天命之谓性，率性之谓道。”孙子所说：“兵者，诡道也。”等等。
（三）“道”是指形而上的道。如《易·系传》所说：“形而上者谓之道，形而下者谓之器。”又如道书所说：“离有离无之谓道。”这便同于佛经上所说的：“即有即空，即空即有。”玄妙幽微，深不可测了！
有人解释《老子》第一章首句的第二个“道”字，便是一般所谓“常言道”的意思，也就是说话的意思。其实，这是不大合理的。因为把说话或话说用“道”字来代表，那是唐宋之间的口头语。如客家话、粤语中便保留着。至于唐宋间的著作，在语录中经常出现有：“道来！道来！”“速道！速道！”等句子。明人小说上，更多“某某道”或“某人说道”等用语。如果上溯到春秋战国时代，时隔几千年，口语完全与后世不同。那个时候表示说话的用字，都用“曰”字。如“子曰”、“孟子曰”等等，如此，《老子》原文“道可道”的第二个“道”字是否可作“说”字解释，诸位应可触类旁通，不待细说了。
讲到这里，顺便也把古书上的“天”字提一提。古书上的“天”字，大约也概括了五类内涵：（一）天文学上物理世界的天体之天，如《周易》乾卦卦辞“天行健”的“天”。（二）具有宗教色彩，信仰上的主宰之天，如《左传》所说的“吴天不吊”。（三）理性上的天，如《诗经》小节的“苍天苍天”。（四）心理性情上的天，如《泰誓》和《孟子》的“天视自我民视，天听自我民听”。（五）形而上的天，如《中庸》所谓“天命之谓性”。
首先了解了这些用字，那么，当我们看到古书的“道”与“天”，甚至在同一句中，有时把它当动词或形容词用，有时又把它当名词用，就不会混淆不清了。
假定我们要问，《老子》本书第一章首句中两个“道”字，应当作哪种解释才恰当？我只能说：只有亲见老子，来问个清楚。不然都是他说老子，或我说老子，姑且备此一格，别成一家一言，能说到理事通达，也就差不多了，何必固执成见，追究不休呢！你千万不要忘记老子自说的“道常无为”、“道常无名”，以及“道法自然”等的观念。
有无主宾
关于宇宙万物的“有生于无，无中生有”的形上与形下问题，以西洋哲学的治学习惯来说，其中就包涵了宗教哲学中宇宙万有的来源论，以及纯粹哲学的唯心、唯物、一元、多元、有神、无神等学说的寻探。
假定宇宙万物确是从本无中而生出万有万类。无中何以生有？便是一个莫大的问题。以宗教神学的立论，从无生有，是由第一因的主宰的神所发生。但在佛学中，既不承认神我是第一因，也不承认有一情绪化的权威主宰所能左右；可是又不否认形而下神我的存在。只说“因中有果，果即为因”的因果互变，万有的形成，有生于空，空即是有，因缘和合，“缘起性空，性空缘起”。因此，与老子的有、无互为因果论，恰恰相近。所以后来佛学输入中国，与老庄学说一拍即合，相互共存了。
这个有无互为生灭的观念，从周末而到现代，几千年来，一直成为中国文化中普遍平民化的哲学思想，在中国历代的文学诗词或学术史上，到处可见，尤其明、清以后有名的小说，如《红楼梦》、《西游记》等等。《红楼梦》开头的一僧一道的开场白，与有名的梦游太虚幻境，以及“假作真时真亦假，无为有处有还无”乃至假托林黛玉的笔下反骂贾宝玉：“无端弄笔是何人？剿袭南华庄子文。不悔自家无见识，却将丑语低他人”等等老庄与禅道思想，几乎俯拾皆是。难怪后人有强调《红楼梦》是一部道书。甚至赶上现代的时髦，又说是一部禅学了！
闲话不说，书归正传，由《老子》第一章的“有、无”与“有名、无名”问题告一段落。跟着而来的，便是“常无、常有”的附带问题。我们既已认可首章的“无”与“有”两个字各自标成一句，构成一个观念。当然文从字顺，下面句读，也使承认是“常无”与“常有”，而不照一般传习，读成“常无欲”与“常有欲”了。不过，以一般从事学习修道或专讲修心养性之道的立场来讲，认定“常无欲”与“常有欲”的句读才是对的。那也不错，反正增增减减，都在寻章摘句之间玩弄文字的把戏，如以老子看来，应当是“知者不言，言者不知”了！
前面已经说到本无是天地的原始，妙有是万物万有的来源。因此，他跟着就说：“故常无，欲以观其妙。常有，欲以观其檄。”“故”字，当然便是文章句法的介词，也就是现代语文惯用的“所以”的意思。老子这句话用白话文来说，就是——人们要想体认大道有无之际，必须要修养到常无的境界，才能观察——体察到有生于无的妙用。再说，如果要想体认到无中如何生有，又必须要加工，但从有处来观察这个“有”而终归于本来“无”的边际。“徼”字，就是边际的意思。
玄元之妙
好了，到此我们已经看出《老子》本书在第一章中的三段要点。真有一语中具备三玄门，一玄门具备三要义的深不可测。
首段，他提出“道”，同时提示我们，不可执着道是一般的常道。在后语中又附带说明，在不得已的表达中，提出了一个“道”字；接着又强调，不可执著名相而寻道。其次，便说到形而上道与形而下万有名器的关系，是有无相生，绵绵不断的。
第二段，告诉我们，在形而下的情况下而要体认形而上道，必须从常无的境界中去体认它的道体。但是如要更透彻精辟，又需要在常有之中领悟它的无边无际。
第三段，再反复说明有无之间的互为因果，如一呼一吸之自然往复。因此而说出：“此两者同出而异名，同谓之玄。玄之又玄，众妙之门。”讲到这里，又要让我们慢慢来，先解决其中一个字和一个句读的问题了。
古书的“玄”字，从唐、宋以后，往往与“元”字混用互见，很多年轻人大为困惑。其实，“玄”字是正写，“元”字是替代品，是通用字。因为在家族帝王专制时代的历史上，作兴对皇上名字和庙号的尊敬，人们不可随便直呼，也不可低写。不然，就犯了“大不敬”的律令，甚至会杀头。杀了头，当然不能说话吃饭了。唐明皇的庙号叫“玄宗”，所以在唐玄宗以后，所有书写“玄”字的地方，一律要改作“元”字，以免犯“大不敬”的忌讳。因此后世所见的古书，“玄”“元”不分，或者“玄”“元”同用了。
再者，有关这几句的句读，从前我有一位老师对我说：“此两者同”应读成一句，“出而异名”读成一句。不可读作“此两者同出而异名。”问老师为什么要这样读？他说，这种句读才能显出有无同源的妙用与深意，而且在文气来讲，透彻而有力。如此云云，当然有他的独到见解。后来，我也看到经古人圈点过的几本古本《老子》，也是这样句读。但我却认为这是习惯作古文文章的手法，意义并无太多差别。要同便同，要同出也可以。这里我没有固执定见，学老子的语气说一句：“无可无不可。”
交代了这些意见，再来讲老子首章原文的第三段。他再说明有无相生互用的道妙。便说“无”之与“有”，这两者是一体同源，因为作用与现象不同，所以从无名之始而到有名之际，必须要各以不同的命名加以分别。如果要追溯有无同体，究竟是怎样同中有异的？那便愈钻愈深，永远也说不完。所以，在它同体同源的异同妙用之际，给它下个形容词，便叫作“玄”。说了一个玄，又不是一元、两元可以究尽的，所以又再三反复地说，玄的里面还有玄，分析到空无的里面还有空无，妙有之中还有妙有。由这样去体认道的体用，有无相生，真是妙中有妙，妙到极点更有妙处。
但也有不走哲学思辨的路线，只从文字结构的内涵去了解，也就可通它的大意了！“玄”字的本身，它便是象形字，包括了会意的作用。
依照古写，它是宫形态，也等于一个环节接连一个环节，前因后果，互为因缘，永远是无始无终，无穷无尽。因此，后世由道家一变而成为道教的道士们，手里拿着一个囗连环圈在玩，等于佛教和尚们手里拿着的念佛珠，一念接着一念，同样都是代表如环之无端，永无穷尽的标记。
又有只从“玄”字训诂的内涵作解释，认为“玄”字是极其细小的生物，几乎细小到渺不可见的程度。因此又有加上现代的新观念，认为“玄”字的内涵，等于是细胞或微生物的形容字，便把已出函谷关以外的老子，轻轻一扯，向西方的唯物思想去归队，硬说老子的《道德经》基本上是建立在唯物哲学的基础上的。
第二章
天下皆知美之为美，斯恶矣。皆知善之为善，斯不善矣。故有无相生，难易相成，长短相较，高下相倾，音声相和，前后相随。是以圣人处无为之事，行不言之教，万物作焉而不辞。生而不有，为而不恃，功成而弗居。夫唯弗居，是以不去。
真善美的价值定论何在？
《老子》首章既提出“道”与“名”的涵义，但同时又相同于“因明”的法则，能建能破，自说了一个道，自又推翻了道的名相。也如同正反合的“逻辑”辩证，不自立于不变的肯定与否定形态。如珠走盘，无有方所。所谓的“道”，乃“至道”的定名，都是为了表达的方便，姑且名之为“道”而已。“道”是“变动不居，周流六虚”的，名相只是人为意识的塑造而已。叫它是“道”，已经是头上安头，早已着相了。要想明白这个不可见、不可得的“道”，只有在用上去体会，才能了解有无同出而异名的道妙。因此第二章便推出美与善的道理，加以阐发。
美与善，本来是古今中外人所景仰、崇拜，极力追求的境界。如西洋文化渊源的希腊哲学中，便以真善美为哲学的鸽的。中国的上古文化，也有同样的标榜，尤其对人生哲学的要求，必须达于至善，生活与行为，必须要求到至美的境界。甚至散于诸子百家的学术思想中，也都随处可见，不须—一列举，另加介绍。
现在从后世道家所标榜的修道，与学术思想上的应用两面来讲，也便可以知道它的大要。至于进而多方发明，以各种不同的角度来说明各个触角，那就在神而明之，无往而不自得了。
先从修道方面来讲，无论后世哪一种宗教，或教育哲学，都会树立一个美和善的架构（标的）。殊不知变生于定，二由一起。凡是人为所谓的美与善的道，一落痕迹，早已成为不美不善的先驱了。修道的人，大多数都把道的境界，先由自己的主观观念，建立起一个至真、至善、至美的构想。也可以说是自己首先建立起一个道的幻境，妄自追求。其实，一存此念，早已离道太远了。因此老子便说：“美之为美，斯恶矣。善之为善，斯不善矣。”
随老子之后，后来从印度传来的佛家学说，也同样有此理论。例如大乘佛学所谓道体的“真如”，这个名词本身便自说明只是名言的建立，不可认为确有一个固定不变的“真如”存在。真者如也，如其真也。如果把“真如”确定在美善的范畴，这个真也就不如如自在了。这是许多修道者在思想观念与见解上难以避免的大问题。因此佛学以解脱“见惑”——理解上的困扰；“思惑”——观念上的困扰，为无为法，为见道的重心所在。譬如五种“见惑”中的“见取见”与“禁戒取见”，就都属于思想见解上的迷惑。由此可见佛家学说与老子相提并论，并非偶然。老子是用归纳方法来简单指示，佛家则用演绎方法来精详分析。无怪宋儒中的反对派，就佛老并称，同时排斥了。
善反而不美
大道无名，并非如一般凡夫俗子们所认为的常道。什么是常道呢？便是平常人们为形而上道所建立起的至真、至善、至美的名相境界。这样一来，早已离道更远了。
有个真善美的天堂，便有丑陋、罪恶、虚伪的地狱与它对立。天堂固然好，但却有人偏要死也不厌地狱。极乐世界固然使人羡慕，心向往之，但却有人愿意永远沐浴在无边苦海中，以苦为乐。与其舍一而取一，早已背道而驰。不如两两相忘，不执着于真假、善恶、美丑，便可得其道妙而逍遥自在了。
如果从学术思想上的观点来讲，既然美与丑、善与恶，都是形而下人为的相对假立，根本即无绝对标准。那么，建立一个善的典型，那个善便会为人利用，成为作恶多端的挡箭牌了。建立一个美的标准，那个美便会闹出“东施效颦”的陋习。有两则历史故事，浓缩成四句名言，就可说明：“美之为美，斯恶矣。善之为善，斯不善矣”的道理，那就是“纣为长夜之饮，通国之人皆失日”，“楚王好细腰，宫人多饿死”。现在引用它来作为经验哲学的明确写照，说明为人上者，无论在哪一方面，都不可有偏好与偏爱的趋向。即使是偏重于仁义道德、自由民主，也会被人利用而假冒为善，变为造孽作恶的借口了。
同样地，爱美成癖，癖好便是大病。从历史经验的个人故事来说：
元朝末期的一位大名士——大画家倪云林。他非常爱美好洁。他自己使用的文房四宝——笔、墨、纸、砚，每天都要有两位专人来经管，随时负责擦洗干净。庭院前面栽的梧桐树，每天早晚也要派人挑水揩洗干净，因此硬把梧桐树干净死了。有一次，他留一位好朋友在家里住宿，但又怕那个朋友不干净，一夜之间，亲自起来视察三四次。忽然听到朋友在床上咳嗽了一声，于是担心得通宵不能成眠。等到天亮，便叫佣人寻找这位朋友吐的痰在哪里，要清理干净。佣人们找遍了所有地方，也找不出那位先生吐痰的痕迹，又怕他生气骂人，只好找了一片落叶，稍微有点脏的痕迹，拿给他看说找到了。他便立刻闭上眼睛，蒙住鼻子，叫佣人把这片树叶送到三里外去丢掉。
元末起义的张士诚的兄弟张士信，因为仰慕倪云林的画，特地派人送了绢和厚重的金币去，请他画一张画。谁知倪云林大发脾气说：“倪瓒（云林名）不能为王门画师。”当场撕裂了送来的绢。弄得士信大怒，怀恨在心。有一天，张士信和一班文人到太湖上游乐，泛舟中流，另外一只小船上传来一股特别的香味。张士信说：“这只船上，必有高人雅士。”立刻靠拢去看个清楚，不料正是倪云林。张士信一见，便叫从人抓他过来，要拔刀杀了他。经大家恳求请免，才大打一顿鞭子了事。倪云林被打得很痛，但却始终一声不吭。后来有人问他：“打得痛了，也应该叫一声。”倪云林便说：“一出声，便太俗了。”
倪云林因为太爱美好洁了，所以对于女色，平常很少接近。这正如清初名士袁枚所说的：“选诗如选色，总觉动心难。”但有一次，他忽然看中了金陵的一位姓赵的歌姬，就把她约到别墅来留宿。但是，又怕她不清洁，先叫她好好洗个澡。洗完了，上了床，用手从头摸到脚，一边摸，一边闻，始终认为她哪里不干净，要她再洗澡，洗好了又摸又闻，还是认为不干净，要再洗。洗来洗去，天也亮了，他也算了。
上面随便举例来说“美之为美，斯恶矣”的故事。现在再列举一则故事来说明“善之为善，斯不善矣”。
宋代的大儒程颐，在哲宗时代，出任讲官。有一天上殿为哲宗皇帝讲完了书，还未辞退，哲宗偶然站起休息一下，靠在栏杆上，看到柳条摇曳生姿，便顺手折了一枝柳条把玩。程颐看到了，立刻对哲宗说：“方春发生，不可无故推折。”弄得哲宗啼笑皆非，很不高兴，随即把柳条掷在地上，回到内宫去了。
因此后来有人说，讲孔门的道理，无论怎样说，也不致超过孟子。而孟子对齐宣王说，好色、好货也都无妨，只要扩充所好的心与天下同乐就对了。偏是倒霉的宋哲宗，遇到了程夫子，一根柳条也不许动。当了皇帝的，碰到如此这般的大儒，真是苦哉！
由于这些历史故事的启发，便可了解庄子所说的“为善无近名，为恶无近刑”的道理，也正是“善之为善，斯不善矣”的另一面引申了。
再从人类心态的广义来讲，爱美，是享受欲的必然趋向。向善，是要好心理的自然表现。“愿天常生好人，愿人常作好事”，那是理想国中所有真善美的愿望，可不可能在这个人文世界上出现，这是一个天大的问题。我们顺便翻开历史一看，秦始皇的阿房宫，隋场帝的迷楼和他所开启的运河两岸的隋堤，李后主的凤阁龙楼，以及他极力求工求美的词句，宋徽宗的良岳与他的书笔和书法，慈掉太后的圆明园和她的花鸟，罗马帝国盛极时期的雕刻、建筑，甚至驰名当世如纽约的摩天大厦，华盛顿的白宫，莫斯科的克里姆林宫，也都是被世人认为是一代的美或权利的标记，但从人类的历史经验来瞻前顾后，谁能保证将来是否还算是至善至美的尤物呢？唐人韩淙有一首柳枝词说：
梁苑隋堤事已空，万条犹舞旧春风。
何须思想千年事，谁见杨花入汉宫。
老子却用更深刻而尖锐的笔触指出：“故有无相生，难易相成，长短相较，高下相倾，音声相和，前后相随。是以圣人处无为之事，行不言之教，万物作焉而不辞。生而不有，为而不恃，功成而弗居。夫唯弗居，是以不去。”
由《老子》的首章而接连这一章的全段，很明显地看出他说自形而上道的无名开始，一直到形而下的名实相杂，再到“同出而异名”因果相对的道理，自始至终，是要人匆作祸首、莫为罪魁的教示。但是，他说归说，后世用归用，完全不是老子说的那样。
有无相生
从人类的经验来讲，天地万物的从有还无，是很自然的事实。但是要说到万物的有，是从无中出生，实在是一件不可思议的事。因此，古今中外的崇信唯物论者，除了绝对否定无中生有之外，便给老子加上顶“虚无主义”的帽子。尤有甚者，把老子归到唯物思想的范围。断定老子的“无”便是没有，更不管他“相生”两字的内涵。不过，真要指出有与无是怎样相生的道理，综合东西文化数千年的哲学，也实在作不了一个明确的结论。除非将来的理论物理与哲学汇合，或者会有个明确的交待。如果勉强用现代物理知识来解释，认为质能互变的原理，便是有无相生的说明，那也是并不透彻，而难以肯定的说明。况且物理学上的定律，还是未定之义，它随时在再求深入。
倘使只从传统道家观念来说明“有无相生”的原理，自庄子、列子等开始，都是用“神化”、“气化”来作说明。至于“神”与“气”的问题，究竟属于物质？或是物理功能的作用？便又牵涉到另一问题上去了，暂且不说。在道家中，比较接近理论物理思想的，应当以五代谭峭的《化书》为首。其中的《道化》说：
道之委也，虚化神，神化气，气化形，形生而万物所以塞也。
道之用也，形化气，气化神，神化虚，虚明而万物所以通也。
是以古圣人穷通塞之端，得造化之源，忘形以养气，忘气以养神，忘神以养虚，虚实相通，是谓大同。
故藏之为元精，用之为万灵，合之为太一，放之为太清。是以坎离消长于一身，风云发泄于七窍，真气薰蒸而时无寒暑，纯阳流注而民无死生，是谓神化之道者也。
谭子的“道化”学说，也可以说是代表了历来道家的一贯思想，如果说他是唯物论，但他所提出的神，非物理。神与物是有明显的界说。如果说他是唯心论，神与心的关系，究竟如何？神与心是一或二？亦成为后世佛道两家争端的症结。可是这些讲来讲去，到底都牵涉到“道通天地有形外，思入风云变态中”的形而上学，而且都是幸或不幸去做神仙们的大事。至于一般凡夫俗子们对老子的“有无相生”等道理，却老老实实反用为帝王术的万灵丹，因此千古以来，便使老子背上阴谋与欺世盗名的大黑锅，那是事实俱在，证据确切的。
老子背上历史的烂帐
现在我们再回转来看看这位先圣——老子的哲学大道理，如何被历世的大国手——帝王们用到大政治、大谋略上去。三代以上，历史久远，资料不太完全，姑且置而不论。三代以下，从商汤、周武的征诛开始，一直到秦汉以后，凡是创业的大国手——建立统一世系的帝王，没有哪个不深通老子、或暗合黄老之道“有无相生……前后相随”的路线的。
大舜起自田间，赤手空拳，以重孝道德行的成就，继承帝尧而有天下。大禹是以为父赎罪的心情，胼手胝足，治河治水的劳苦功高，又继大舜之后而有天下。这当然都是无中生有，“难易相成”白手创业的圣帝明王行道的大榜样。
跟着而来的，汤以一旅之师，文王以百里之地，以积德行仁为大谋略，因此而“难易相成，长短相较，高下相倾，音声相和，前后相随”而囗有天下，开启德治的长远规模。
从此以后，划分时代的春秋霸主们，都是走“有无相生，难易相成，长短相较，高下相倾，音声相和，前后相随”权术纷争的路线，互争雄长。所谓上古的道化与德治，早已成为历史上的陈迹，学术上的名词，徒有空言，皆无实义了。因此都享国不久，世系也屡易不定。
等次以降，秦始皇的蚕食吞并六国的谋略，汉高祖刘邦的手提三尺剑，起自草莽，降秦灭楚。甚至曹操父子的阴谋篡位，刘裕的效法曹瞒，以及唐太宗李世民的反隋，赵匡胤的黄袍加身，忽必烈的声东击西，朱元璋的奋起淮泗，多尔衮的乘机入关，康熙的帝王术，都是深明黄老，用作韬略的大原则，师承老子的“有无相生，难易相成”等原理而建立世系基业。
在这些历来大国手的创业名王当中，最坦率而肯说出老实话的，有两个人，一个是曹丕，一个是唐太宗的父亲李渊。当曹丕硬逼刘邦的末代子孙汉献帝禅位的时候，他志得意满地说：“舜禹受禅，我今方知。”我到现在，才真正知道上古舜禹的禅让是怎么回事。同一道理，当年李世民再三强迫他的父亲李渊起来造反，甚至不择手段利用女色迫使他父亲上当。李渊只好对李世民说：“破家亡躯，由汝为之。化家为国，亦由汝为之。”要把天下国家变成李氏的世系，只好由你去做主；或者把我们弄得家破人亡，也只好由你去负责了。
其实，老子虽然说的是天地间因果循环往复的大原则，但很不幸的，被聪明狡狯者用作欺世盗国的大阴谋，实在和老子毫不相干，老子实在不应负此责难的。
总之，历史上这些代代相仿的阴谋或大谋略的哲学内涵，早已由庄子的笔下揭穿。庄子说：“窃钩者诛，窃国者为诸侯，诸侯之门而仁义存焉。”“故曰：鱼不可脱于渊，国之利器，不可以示人。”
其次，在唐代诗人们的词章哲学中，也可见其梗概。如唐彦谦的《过长陵》：“耳闻明主提三尺，眼见愚民盗一杯。于古腐儒骑瘦马，灞陵残日重回头。”章褐的《焚书坑》：“竹帛烟销帝业虚，关河空锁祖龙居。坑灰未冷山东乱，刘项原来不读书。”又有《毗陵登高》：“尘土十分归举子，乾坤大半属偷儿。长扬羽猎须留本，开济重为阙下期。”
好的诗词文学，都富于哲学的启示，所以孔子要儿子孔鲤学诗，并非是要他钻牛角尖去做个诗人而已。了解了这些道理，当然也读通了《庄子·杂篇》中的《盗跖》篇，并非讽刺。同时也可知石达开的“起自匹夫方见异，遇非天子不为隆”的思想，同样都是“乾坤大半属偷儿”的偷儿哲学所演变出来的。
此外在西方如罗马的凯撒大帝、亚历山大大帝、屋大维大帝、拿破仑等，也都不出此例。虽然他们不知道东方有道家的老子，但东方有凡人，西方有几人，人同此心，心同此理，如出一辙。如果说这些都是人类历史的荣耀，或者认为是人文文化的悲哀，也都无可无不可。但总不能叫老子背此黑锅，加以欺世盗名的罪过吧！（一笑）
其实，由道的衍化而为德，德再衍化而为仁、义、礼、乐，再由仁义礼乐衍化而为权术，正表示人类的心路历程，每下愈况，陷溺愈深。但所谓“术化”的妙用，亦是“有无相生”，“同出而异名”。谭峭的《化书》论“术化”，便是很好的说明。如云：
水窦可以下溺，杵糠可以疗噎。斯物也，始制‘于人，又复用于人。法本无祖，术本无状，师之于心，得之于象。
阳为阴所伏，男为女所制，刚为柔所克，智为愚所得。以是用之则钟鼓可使之哑，车毂可使之斗，妻子可使之改易。君臣可使之离合。
万物本虚，万法本无，得虚无之窍者，知法术之要乎！
流水行云永不居
如果从中国传统文化思想的本义来看老子，他所说的，完全相同于周文王、周公（姬旦）、孔子等祖述传统文化的思想。在《周易》的卦、交辞中，再三申述宇宙的一切法则，始终不离循环往复的因果定律。
有与无，是彼此互为因果，相生互变的。它的重点，在相生的这个“生”字。当然也可以说是互为相灭，但我们的传统文化是采用生的一面，并不采用灭的一面。
难与易，本来互为成功的原则，它的重点在难易相成的这个“成”字。天下没有容易成就的事，但天下事当在成功的一刹那，是非常容易的，而且凡事的开始，看来都很容易，做来却都大难。但“图难于易”，却正是成功的要诀。
高与下，本来就是相倾而自然归于平等的。它的重点，在相倾的这个“倾”字。高高在上，低低在下，从表面看来，绝对不是齐一平等的。但天地宇宙，本来便在周圆旋转中。凡事崇高必有倾倒，复归于平。即使不倾倒而归于平，在弧形的回旋律中，高下本来同归于一律，佛说“是法平等，无有高下”也便是同此意义。《易经》泰卦九三交的交辞上说“无平不破，无往不复”也同此理。
音与声相和，才构成自然界和谐的音律。因此又有“禽无声，兽无音”的说法。《礼记》中的《乐经》说：“感于物而动，故形为声。声相应，故生变，变成方谓之音。”
前与后，本来是相随而来，相随而去，没有界限的，无论是时间的或空间的前后，都是人为的界别。它的重点，在这个相随的“随”字。前去后来，后来又前去，时空人物的脚步，永远是不断地追随回转，而无休止。
总之，老子指出无论有无、难易、高下、音声、前后等现象界的种种，都在自然回旋的规律中相互为用，互为因果。没有一个绝对的善或不善，美或不美的界限。因此，他教人要认识道的妙用，效法天地宇宙的自然法则，不执着，不落偏，不自私，不占有，为而无为。所以他便说：“是以圣人处无为之事，行不言之教。万物作焉而不辞。生而不有，为而不恃，功成而弗居。夫唯弗居，是以不去。”
所谓“处无为之事”是说为而无为的原则，一切作为，应如行云流水，义所当为，理所应为，作应当作的事。作过了，如雁过长空，风来竹面，不着丝毫痕迹，不有纤芥在胸中。
所谓“行不言之教”，是说万事以言教不如身教，光说不作，或作而后说，往往都是徒费唇舌而已。因此，如推崇道家、善学老子之教的司马子长（迁），在他的自序中，引用孔子之意说：“我欲载之空言，不如见之于行事之深切着明也。”都是同一道理。
引而申之，老子又说：“万物作焉而不辞，生而不有，为而不恃。”比如这个天地间的万物，它们都不辞劳瘁地在造作。但造作了以后，虽然生长不已而并不据为己有，作了也不自恃有功于人，或自恃有功于天地。它们总不把造作成功的成果据为己有。“弗居”的“居”字，便是占住的意思。正因为天地万物如此这般，不自占为己有的在作为，反而使人们更尊敬，更体任自然的伟大，始终不能离开它而另谋生存。所以上古圣人，悟到此理，便效法自然法则，用来处理人事，“处无为之事，行不言之教”，是为上智。
道可道，非常道。名可名，非常名。无，名天地之始。有，名万物之母。故常无，欲以观其妙。常有，欲以观其徼。此两者，同出而异名，同谓之玄。玄之又玄，众妙之门。
本文第一章，首先提出老子《道德经》的“道”与“名”两个关键名词，也是连串贯通全书八十一章脉络的线索。而且也是千古以来，研究老子学术的争端之所在。
头头是道
现在我们也来凑热闹，讲《老子》，首先要不怕老子笑掉他的长眉，更要向研究老子的学者们，道歉万分，以外行人妄说内行话，滥竿充数，不足为凭。但是我们又不得不把传统文化中的“道”字与“天”字先讲清楚，才好开始。
读中国书，认中国字，不管时代怎样演变，对于中国文字的六书——象形、指事、会意、形声、转注、假借，不能不留意。至少，读古代文字章法所写成的古书，必须具备有《说文》六书的常识。
在古书中，“道”与“天”字，到处可以看到。但因上古文字以简化为原则，一个方块的中文字，便包涵人们意识思想中的一个整体观念；有时只用一个中文字，但透过假借、转注的作用，又另外包涵了好几个观念。不像外文或现代语文，用好几个，甚至一二十个字，才表达出一个观念。因此，以现代人来读古书，难免会增加不少思索和考据上的麻烦。同样地，我们用现代语体写出的文字，自以为很明白，恐怕将来也要增加后世人的许多麻烦。不过，人如不做这些琐碎的事，自找麻烦，那就也太无聊，会觉得活着没事可做似的。
例如“道”字。在传统的古书中，大约便有三种意义与用法。
（一）“道”就是道，也便是人世间所要行走的道路的道。犹如元人马致远在《秋思曲》中所写的“枯藤老树昏鸦，小桥流水人家，古道西风瘦马，夕阳西下，断肠人在天涯。”这个“古道西风瘦马”的道，便是道路的道。照《说文》意义的注释就是：“道者，径路也。”
（二）“道”是代表抽象的法则、规律，以及实际的规矩，也可以说是学理上或理论上不可变易的原则性的道。如子产在《左传》中所说的：“天道远，人道迩。”如子思在《中庸》首章中所说：“天命之谓性，率性之谓道。”孙子所说：“兵者，诡道也。”等等。
（三）“道”是指形而上的道。如《易·系传》所说：“形而上者谓之道，形而下者谓之器。”又如道书所说：“离有离无之谓道。”这便同于佛经上所说的：“即有即空，即空即有。”玄妙幽微，深不可测了！
有人解释《老子》第一章首句的第二个“道”字，便是一般所谓“常言道”的意思，也就是说话的意思。其实，这是不大合理的。因为把说话或话说用“道”字来代表，那是唐宋之间的口头语。如客家话、粤语中便保留着。至于唐宋间的著作，在语录中经常出现有：“道来！道来！”“速道！速道！”等句子。明人小说上，更多“某某道”或“某人说道”等用语。如果上溯到春秋战国时代，时隔几千年，口语完全与后世不同。那个时候表示说话的用字，都用“曰”字。如“子曰”、“孟子曰”等等，如此，《老子》原文“道可道”的第二个“道”字是否可作“说”字解释，诸位应可触类旁通，不待细说了。
讲到这里，顺便也把古书上的“天”字提一提。古书上的“天”字，大约也概括了五类内涵：（一）天文学上物理世界的天体之天，如《周易》乾卦卦辞“天行健”的“天”。（二）具有宗教色彩，信仰上的主宰之天，如《左传》所说的“吴天不吊”。（三）理性上的天，如《诗经》小节的“苍天苍天”。（四）心理性情上的天，如《泰誓》和《孟子》的“天视自我民视，天听自我民听”。（五）形而上的天，如《中庸》所谓“天命之谓性”。
首先了解了这些用字，那么，当我们看到古书的“道”与“天”，甚至在同一句中，有时把它当动词或形容词用，有时又把它当名词用，就不会混淆不清了。
假定我们要问，《老子》本书第一章首句中两个“道”字，应当作哪种解释才恰当？我只能说：只有亲见老子，来问个清楚。不然都是他说老子，或我说老子，姑且备此一格，别成一家一言，能说到理事通达，也就差不多了，何必固执成见，追究不休呢！你千万不要忘记老子自说的“道常无为”、“道常无名”，以及“道法自然”等的观念。
有无主宾
关于宇宙万物的“有生于无，无中生有”的形上与形下问题，以西洋哲学的治学习惯来说，其中就包涵了宗教哲学中宇宙万有的来源论，以及纯粹哲学的唯心、唯物、一元、多元、有神、无神等学说的寻探。
假定宇宙万物确是从本无中而生出万有万类。无中何以生有？便是一个莫大的问题。以宗教神学的立论，从无生有，是由第一因的主宰的神所发生。但在佛学中，既不承认神我是第一因，也不承认有一情绪化的权威主宰所能左右；可是又不否认形而下神我的存在。只说“因中有果，果即为因”的因果互变，万有的形成，有生于空，空即是有，因缘和合，“缘起性空，性空缘起”。因此，与老子的有、无互为因果论，恰恰相近。所以后来佛学输入中国，与老庄学说一拍即合，相互共存了。
这个有无互为生灭的观念，从周末而到现代，几千年来，一直成为中国文化中普遍平民化的哲学思想，在中国历代的文学诗词或学术史上，到处可见，尤其明、清以后有名的小说，如《红楼梦》、《西游记》等等。《红楼梦》开头的一僧一道的开场白，与有名的梦游太虚幻境，以及“假作真时真亦假，无为有处有还无”乃至假托林黛玉的笔下反骂贾宝玉：“无端弄笔是何人？剿袭南华庄子文。不悔自家无见识，却将丑语低他人”等等老庄与禅道思想，几乎俯拾皆是。难怪后人有强调《红楼梦》是一部道书。甚至赶上现代的时髦，又说是一部禅学了！
闲话不说，书归正传，由《老子》第一章的“有、无”与“有名、无名”问题告一段落。跟着而来的，便是“常无、常有”的附带问题。我们既已认可首章的“无”与“有”两个字各自标成一句，构成一个观念。当然文从字顺，下面句读，也使承认是“常无”与“常有”，而不照一般传习，读成“常无欲”与“常有欲”了。不过，以一般从事学习修道或专讲修心养性之道的立场来讲，认定“常无欲”与“常有欲”的句读才是对的。那也不错，反正增增减减，都在寻章摘句之间玩弄文字的把戏，如以老子看来，应当是“知者不言，言者不知”了！
前面已经说到本无是天地的原始，妙有是万物万有的来源。因此，他跟着就说：“故常无，欲以观其妙。常有，欲以观其檄。”“故”字，当然便是文章句法的介词，也就是现代语文惯用的“所以”的意思。老子这句话用白话文来说，就是——人们要想体认大道有无之际，必须要修养到常无的境界，才能观察——体察到有生于无的妙用。再说，如果要想体认到无中如何生有，又必须要加工，但从有处来观察这个“有”而终归于本来“无”的边际。“徼”字，就是边际的意思。
玄元之妙
好了，到此我们已经看出《老子》本书在第一章中的三段要点。真有一语中具备三玄门，一玄门具备三要义的深不可测。
首段，他提出“道”，同时提示我们，不可执着道是一般的常道。在后语中又附带说明，在不得已的表达中，提出了一个“道”字；接着又强调，不可执著名相而寻道。其次，便说到形而上道与形而下万有名器的关系，是有无相生，绵绵不断的。
第二段，告诉我们，在形而下的情况下而要体认形而上道，必须从常无的境界中去体认它的道体。但是如要更透彻精辟，又需要在常有之中领悟它的无边无际。
第三段，再反复说明有无之间的互为因果，如一呼一吸之自然往复。因此而说出：“此两者同出而异名，同谓之玄。玄之又玄，众妙之门。”讲到这里，又要让我们慢慢来，先解决其中一个字和一个句读的问题了。
古书的“玄”字，从唐、宋以后，往往与“元”字混用互见，很多年轻人大为困惑。其实，“玄”字是正写，“元”字是替代品，是通用字。因为在家族帝王专制时代的历史上，作兴对皇上名字和庙号的尊敬，人们不可随便直呼，也不可低写。不然，就犯了“大不敬”的律令，甚至会杀头。杀了头，当然不能说话吃饭了。唐明皇的庙号叫“玄宗”，所以在唐玄宗以后，所有书写“玄”字的地方，一律要改作“元”字，以免犯“大不敬”的忌讳。因此后世所见的古书，“玄”“元”不分，或者“玄”“元”同用了。
再者，有关这几句的句读，从前我有一位老师对我说：“此两者同”应读成一句，“出而异名”读成一句。不可读作“此两者同出而异名。”问老师为什么要这样读？他说，这种句读才能显出有无同源的妙用与深意，而且在文气来讲，透彻而有力。如此云云，当然有他的独到见解。后来，我也看到经古人圈点过的几本古本《老子》，也是这样句读。但我却认为这是习惯作古文文章的手法，意义并无太多差别。要同便同，要同出也可以。这里我没有固执定见，学老子的语气说一句：“无可无不可。”
交代了这些意见，再来讲老子首章原文的第三段。他再说明有无相生互用的道妙。便说“无”之与“有”，这两者是一体同源，因为作用与现象不同，所以从无名之始而到有名之际，必须要各以不同的命名加以分别。如果要追溯有无同体，究竟是怎样同中有异的？那便愈钻愈深，永远也说不完。所以，在它同体同源的异同妙用之际，给它下个形容词，便叫作“玄”。说了一个玄，又不是一元、两元可以究尽的，所以又再三反复地说，玄的里面还有玄，分析到空无的里面还有空无，妙有之中还有妙有。由这样去体认道的体用，有无相生，真是妙中有妙，妙到极点更有妙处。
但也有不走哲学思辨的路线，只从文字结构的内涵去了解，也就可通它的大意了！“玄”字的本身，它便是象形字，包括了会意的作用。
依照古写，它是宫形态，也等于一个环节接连一个环节，前因后果，互为因缘，永远是无始无终，无穷无尽。因此，后世由道家一变而成为道教的道士们，手里拿着一个囗连环圈在玩，等于佛教和尚们手里拿着的念佛珠，一念接着一念，同样都是代表如环之无端，永无穷尽的标记。
又有只从“玄”字训诂的内涵作解释，认为“玄”字是极其细小的生物，几乎细小到渺不可见的程度。因此又有加上现代的新观念，认为“玄”字的内涵，等于是细胞或微生物的形容字，便把已出函谷关以外的老子，轻轻一扯，向西方的唯物思想去归队，硬说老子的《道德经》基本上是建立在唯物哲学的基础上的。
第二章
天下皆知美之为美，斯恶矣。皆知善之为善，斯不善矣。故有无相生，难易相成，长短相较，高下相倾，音声相和，前后相随。是以圣人处无为之事，行不言之教，万物作焉而不辞。生而不有，为而不恃，功成而弗居。夫唯弗居，是以不去。
真善美的价值定论何在？
《老子》首章既提出“道”与“名”的涵义，但同时又相同于“因明”的法则，能建能破，自说了一个道，自又推翻了道的名相。也如同正反合的“逻辑”辩证，不自立于不变的肯定与否定形态。如珠走盘，无有方所。所谓的“道”，乃“至道”的定名，都是为了表达的方便，姑且名之为“道”而已。“道”是“变动不居，周流六虚”的，名相只是人为意识的塑造而已。叫它是“道”，已经是头上安头，早已着相了。要想明白这个不可见、不可得的“道”，只有在用上去体会，才能了解有无同出而异名的道妙。因此第二章便推出美与善的道理，加以阐发。
美与善，本来是古今中外人所景仰、崇拜，极力追求的境界。如西洋文化渊源的希腊哲学中，便以真善美为哲学的鸽的。中国的上古文化，也有同样的标榜，尤其对人生哲学的要求，必须达于至善，生活与行为，必须要求到至美的境界。甚至散于诸子百家的学术思想中，也都随处可见，不须—一列举，另加介绍。
现在从后世道家所标榜的修道，与学术思想上的应用两面来讲，也便可以知道它的大要。至于进而多方发明，以各种不同的角度来说明各个触角，那就在神而明之，无往而不自得了。
先从修道方面来讲，无论后世哪一种宗教，或教育哲学，都会树立一个美和善的架构（标的）。殊不知变生于定，二由一起。凡是人为所谓的美与善的道，一落痕迹，早已成为不美不善的先驱了。修道的人，大多数都把道的境界，先由自己的主观观念，建立起一个至真、至善、至美的构想。也可以说是自己首先建立起一个道的幻境，妄自追求。其实，一存此念，早已离道太远了。因此老子便说：“美之为美，斯恶矣。善之为善，斯不善矣。”
随老子之后，后来从印度传来的佛家学说，也同样有此理论。例如大乘佛学所谓道体的“真如”，这个名词本身便自说明只是名言的建立，不可认为确有一个固定不变的“真如”存在。真者如也，如其真也。如果把“真如”确定在美善的范畴，这个真也就不如如自在了。这是许多修道者在思想观念与见解上难以避免的大问题。因此佛学以解脱“见惑”——理解上的困扰；“思惑”——观念上的困扰，为无为法，为见道的重心所在。譬如五种“见惑”中的“见取见”与“禁戒取见”，就都属于思想见解上的迷惑。由此可见佛家学说与老子相提并论，并非偶然。老子是用归纳方法来简单指示，佛家则用演绎方法来精详分析。无怪宋儒中的反对派，就佛老并称，同时排斥了。
善反而不美
大道无名，并非如一般凡夫俗子们所认为的常道。什么是常道呢？便是平常人们为形而上道所建立起的至真、至善、至美的名相境界。这样一来，早已离道更远了。
有个真善美的天堂，便有丑陋、罪恶、虚伪的地狱与它对立。天堂固然好，但却有人偏要死也不厌地狱。极乐世界固然使人羡慕，心向往之，但却有人愿意永远沐浴在无边苦海中，以苦为乐。与其舍一而取一，早已背道而驰。不如两两相忘，不执着于真假、善恶、美丑，便可得其道妙而逍遥自在了。
如果从学术思想上的观点来讲，既然美与丑、善与恶，都是形而下人为的相对假立，根本即无绝对标准。那么，建立一个善的典型，那个善便会为人利用，成为作恶多端的挡箭牌了。建立一个美的标准，那个美便会闹出“东施效颦”的陋习。有两则历史故事，浓缩成四句名言，就可说明：“美之为美，斯恶矣。善之为善，斯不善矣”的道理，那就是“纣为长夜之饮，通国之人皆失日”，“楚王好细腰，宫人多饿死”。现在引用它来作为经验哲学的明确写照，说明为人上者，无论在哪一方面，都不可有偏好与偏爱的趋向。即使是偏重于仁义道德、自由民主，也会被人利用而假冒为善，变为造孽作恶的借口了。
同样地，爱美成癖，癖好便是大病。从历史经验的个人故事来说：
元朝末期的一位大名士——大画家倪云林。他非常爱美好洁。他自己使用的文房四宝——笔、墨、纸、砚，每天都要有两位专人来经管，随时负责擦洗干净。庭院前面栽的梧桐树，每天早晚也要派人挑水揩洗干净，因此硬把梧桐树干净死了。有一次，他留一位好朋友在家里住宿，但又怕那个朋友不干净，一夜之间，亲自起来视察三四次。忽然听到朋友在床上咳嗽了一声，于是担心得通宵不能成眠。等到天亮，便叫佣人寻找这位朋友吐的痰在哪里，要清理干净。佣人们找遍了所有地方，也找不出那位先生吐痰的痕迹，又怕他生气骂人，只好找了一片落叶，稍微有点脏的痕迹，拿给他看说找到了。他便立刻闭上眼睛，蒙住鼻子，叫佣人把这片树叶送到三里外去丢掉。
元末起义的张士诚的兄弟张士信，因为仰慕倪云林的画，特地派人送了绢和厚重的金币去，请他画一张画。谁知倪云林大发脾气说：“倪瓒（云林名）不能为王门画师。”当场撕裂了送来的绢。弄得士信大怒，怀恨在心。有一天，张士信和一班文人到太湖上游乐，泛舟中流，另外一只小船上传来一股特别的香味。张士信说：“这只船上，必有高人雅士。”立刻靠拢去看个清楚，不料正是倪云林。张士信一见，便叫从人抓他过来，要拔刀杀了他。经大家恳求请免，才大打一顿鞭子了事。倪云林被打得很痛，但却始终一声不吭。后来有人问他：“打得痛了，也应该叫一声。”倪云林便说：“一出声，便太俗了。”
倪云林因为太爱美好洁了，所以对于女色，平常很少接近。这正如清初名士袁枚所说的：“选诗如选色，总觉动心难。”但有一次，他忽然看中了金陵的一位姓赵的歌姬，就把她约到别墅来留宿。但是，又怕她不清洁，先叫她好好洗个澡。洗完了，上了床，用手从头摸到脚，一边摸，一边闻，始终认为她哪里不干净，要她再洗澡，洗好了又摸又闻，还是认为不干净，要再洗。洗来洗去，天也亮了，他也算了。
上面随便举例来说“美之为美，斯恶矣”的故事。现在再列举一则故事来说明“善之为善，斯不善矣”。
宋代的大儒程颐，在哲宗时代，出任讲官。有一天上殿为哲宗皇帝讲完了书，还未辞退，哲宗偶然站起休息一下，靠在栏杆上，看到柳条摇曳生姿，便顺手折了一枝柳条把玩。程颐看到了，立刻对哲宗说：“方春发生，不可无故推折。”弄得哲宗啼笑皆非，很不高兴，随即把柳条掷在地上，回到内宫去了。
因此后来有人说，讲孔门的道理，无论怎样说，也不致超过孟子。而孟子对齐宣王说，好色、好货也都无妨，只要扩充所好的心与天下同乐就对了。偏是倒霉的宋哲宗，遇到了程夫子，一根柳条也不许动。当了皇帝的，碰到如此这般的大儒，真是苦哉！
由于这些历史故事的启发，便可了解庄子所说的“为善无近名，为恶无近刑”的道理，也正是“善之为善，斯不善矣”的另一面引申了。
再从人类心态的广义来讲，爱美，是享受欲的必然趋向。向善，是要好心理的自然表现。“愿天常生好人，愿人常作好事”，那是理想国中所有真善美的愿望，可不可能在这个人文世界上出现，这是一个天大的问题。我们顺便翻开历史一看，秦始皇的阿房宫，隋场帝的迷楼和他所开启的运河两岸的隋堤，李后主的凤阁龙楼，以及他极力求工求美的词句，宋徽宗的良岳与他的书笔和书法，慈掉太后的圆明园和她的花鸟，罗马帝国盛极时期的雕刻、建筑，甚至驰名当世如纽约的摩天大厦，华盛顿的白宫，莫斯科的克里姆林宫，也都是被世人认为是一代的美或权利的标记，但从人类的历史经验来瞻前顾后，谁能保证将来是否还算是至善至美的尤物呢？唐人韩淙有一首柳枝词说：
梁苑隋堤事已空，万条犹舞旧春风。
何须思想千年事，谁见杨花入汉宫。
老子却用更深刻而尖锐的笔触指出：“故有无相生，难易相成，长短相较，高下相倾，音声相和，前后相随。是以圣人处无为之事，行不言之教，万物作焉而不辞。生而不有，为而不恃，功成而弗居。夫唯弗居，是以不去。”
由《老子》的首章而接连这一章的全段，很明显地看出他说自形而上道的无名开始，一直到形而下的名实相杂，再到“同出而异名”因果相对的道理，自始至终，是要人匆作祸首、莫为罪魁的教示。但是，他说归说，后世用归用，完全不是老子说的那样。
有无相生
从人类的经验来讲，天地万物的从有还无，是很自然的事实。但是要说到万物的有，是从无中出生，实在是一件不可思议的事。因此，古今中外的崇信唯物论者，除了绝对否定无中生有之外，便给老子加上顶“虚无主义”的帽子。尤有甚者，把老子归到唯物思想的范围。断定老子的“无”便是没有，更不管他“相生”两字的内涵。不过，真要指出有与无是怎样相生的道理，综合东西文化数千年的哲学，也实在作不了一个明确的结论。除非将来的理论物理与哲学汇合，或者会有个明确的交待。如果勉强用现代物理知识来解释，认为质能互变的原理，便是有无相生的说明，那也是并不透彻，而难以肯定的说明。况且物理学上的定律，还是未定之义，它随时在再求深入。
倘使只从传统道家观念来说明“有无相生”的原理，自庄子、列子等开始，都是用“神化”、“气化”来作说明。至于“神”与“气”的问题，究竟属于物质？或是物理功能的作用？便又牵涉到另一问题上去了，暂且不说。在道家中，比较接近理论物理思想的，应当以五代谭峭的《化书》为首。其中的《道化》说：
道之委也，虚化神，神化气，气化形，形生而万物所以塞也。
道之用也，形化气，气化神，神化虚，虚明而万物所以通也。
是以古圣人穷通塞之端，得造化之源，忘形以养气，忘气以养神，忘神以养虚，虚实相通，是谓大同。
故藏之为元精，用之为万灵，合之为太一，放之为太清。是以坎离消长于一身，风云发泄于七窍，真气薰蒸而时无寒暑，纯阳流注而民无死生，是谓神化之道者也。
谭子的“道化”学说，也可以说是代表了历来道家的一贯思想，如果说他是唯物论，但他所提出的神，非物理。神与物是有明显的界说。如果说他是唯心论，神与心的关系，究竟如何？神与心是一或二？亦成为后世佛道两家争端的症结。可是这些讲来讲去，到底都牵涉到“道通天地有形外，思入风云变态中”的形而上学，而且都是幸或不幸去做神仙们的大事。至于一般凡夫俗子们对老子的“有无相生”等道理，却老老实实反用为帝王术的万灵丹，因此千古以来，便使老子背上阴谋与欺世盗名的大黑锅，那是事实俱在，证据确切的。
老子背上历史的烂帐
现在我们再回转来看看这位先圣——老子的哲学大道理，如何被历世的大国手——帝王们用到大政治、大谋略上去。三代以上，历史久远，资料不太完全，姑且置而不论。三代以下，从商汤、周武的征诛开始，一直到秦汉以后，凡是创业的大国手——建立统一世系的帝王，没有哪个不深通老子、或暗合黄老之道“有无相生……前后相随”的路线的。
大舜起自田间，赤手空拳，以重孝道德行的成就，继承帝尧而有天下。大禹是以为父赎罪的心情，胼手胝足，治河治水的劳苦功高，又继大舜之后而有天下。这当然都是无中生有，“难易相成”白手创业的圣帝明王行道的大榜样。
跟着而来的，汤以一旅之师，文王以百里之地，以积德行仁为大谋略，因此而“难易相成，长短相较，高下相倾，音声相和，前后相随”而囗有天下，开启德治的长远规模。
从此以后，划分时代的春秋霸主们，都是走“有无相生，难易相成，长短相较，高下相倾，音声相和，前后相随”权术纷争的路线，互争雄长。所谓上古的道化与德治，早已成为历史上的陈迹，学术上的名词，徒有空言，皆无实义了。因此都享国不久，世系也屡易不定。
等次以降，秦始皇的蚕食吞并六国的谋略，汉高祖刘邦的手提三尺剑，起自草莽，降秦灭楚。甚至曹操父子的阴谋篡位，刘裕的效法曹瞒，以及唐太宗李世民的反隋，赵匡胤的黄袍加身，忽必烈的声东击西，朱元璋的奋起淮泗，多尔衮的乘机入关，康熙的帝王术，都是深明黄老，用作韬略的大原则，师承老子的“有无相生，难易相成”等原理而建立世系基业。
在这些历来大国手的创业名王当中，最坦率而肯说出老实话的，有两个人，一个是曹丕，一个是唐太宗的父亲李渊。当曹丕硬逼刘邦的末代子孙汉献帝禅位的时候，他志得意满地说：“舜禹受禅，我今方知。”我到现在，才真正知道上古舜禹的禅让是怎么回事。同一道理，当年李世民再三强迫他的父亲李渊起来造反，甚至不择手段利用女色迫使他父亲上当。李渊只好对李世民说：“破家亡躯，由汝为之。化家为国，亦由汝为之。”要把天下国家变成李氏的世系，只好由你去做主；或者把我们弄得家破人亡，也只好由你去负责了。
其实，老子虽然说的是天地间因果循环往复的大原则，但很不幸的，被聪明狡狯者用作欺世盗国的大阴谋，实在和老子毫不相干，老子实在不应负此责难的。
总之，历史上这些代代相仿的阴谋或大谋略的哲学内涵，早已由庄子的笔下揭穿。庄子说：“窃钩者诛，窃国者为诸侯，诸侯之门而仁义存焉。”“故曰：鱼不可脱于渊，国之利器，不可以示人。”
其次，在唐代诗人们的词章哲学中，也可见其梗概。如唐彦谦的《过长陵》：“耳闻明主提三尺，眼见愚民盗一杯。于古腐儒骑瘦马，灞陵残日重回头。”章褐的《焚书坑》：“竹帛烟销帝业虚，关河空锁祖龙居。坑灰未冷山东乱，刘项原来不读书。”又有《毗陵登高》：“尘土十分归举子，乾坤大半属偷儿。长扬羽猎须留本，开济重为阙下期。”
好的诗词文学，都富于哲学的启示，所以孔子要儿子孔鲤学诗，并非是要他钻牛角尖去做个诗人而已。了解了这些道理，当然也读通了《庄子·杂篇》中的《盗跖》篇，并非讽刺。同时也可知石达开的“起自匹夫方见异，遇非天子不为隆”的思想，同样都是“乾坤大半属偷儿”的偷儿哲学所演变出来的。
此外在西方如罗马的凯撒大帝、亚历山大大帝、屋大维大帝、拿破仑等，也都不出此例。虽然他们不知道东方有道家的老子，但东方有凡人，西方有几人，人同此心，心同此理，如出一辙。如果说这些都是人类历史的荣耀，或者认为是人文文化的悲哀，也都无可无不可。但总不能叫老子背此黑锅，加以欺世盗名的罪过吧！（一笑）
其实，由道的衍化而为德，德再衍化而为仁、义、礼、乐，再由仁义礼乐衍化而为权术，正表示人类的心路历程，每下愈况，陷溺愈深。但所谓“术化”的妙用，亦是“有无相生”，“同出而异名”。谭峭的《化书》论“术化”，便是很好的说明。如云：
水窦可以下溺，杵糠可以疗噎。斯物也，始制‘于人，又复用于人。法本无祖，术本无状，师之于心，得之于象。
阳为阴所伏，男为女所制，刚为柔所克，智为愚所得。以是用之则钟鼓可使之哑，车毂可使之斗，妻子可使之改易。君臣可使之离合。
万物本虚，万法本无，得虚无之窍者，知法术之要乎！
流水行云永不居
如果从中国传统文化思想的本义来看老子，他所说的，完全相同于周文王、周公（姬旦）、孔子等祖述传统文化的思想。在《周易》的卦、交辞中，再三申述宇宙的一切法则，始终不离循环往复的因果定律。
有与无，是彼此互为因果，相生互变的。它的重点，在相生的这个“生”字。当然也可以说是互为相灭，但我们的传统文化是采用生的一面，并不采用灭的一面。
难与易，本来互为成功的原则，它的重点在难易相成的这个“成”字。天下没有容易成就的事，但天下事当在成功的一刹那，是非常容易的，而且凡事的开始，看来都很容易，做来却都大难。但“图难于易”，却正是成功的要诀。
高与下，本来就是相倾而自然归于平等的。它的重点，在相倾的这个“倾”字。高高在上，低低在下，从表面看来，绝对不是齐一平等的。但天地宇宙，本来便在周圆旋转中。凡事崇高必有倾倒，复归于平。即使不倾倒而归于平，在弧形的回旋律中，高下本来同归于一律，佛说“是法平等，无有高下”也便是同此意义。《易经》泰卦九三交的交辞上说“无平不破，无往不复”也同此理。
音与声相和，才构成自然界和谐的音律。因此又有“禽无声，兽无音”的说法。《礼记》中的《乐经》说：“感于物而动，故形为声。声相应，故生变，变成方谓之音。”
前与后，本来是相随而来，相随而去，没有界限的，无论是时间的或空间的前后，都是人为的界别。它的重点，在这个相随的“随”字。前去后来，后来又前去，时空人物的脚步，永远是不断地追随回转，而无休止。
总之，老子指出无论有无、难易、高下、音声、前后等现象界的种种，都在自然回旋的规律中相互为用，互为因果。没有一个绝对的善或不善，美或不美的界限。因此，他教人要认识道的妙用，效法天地宇宙的自然法则，不执着，不落偏，不自私，不占有，为而无为。所以他便说：“是以圣人处无为之事，行不言之教。万物作焉而不辞。生而不有，为而不恃，功成而弗居。夫唯弗居，是以不去。”
所谓“处无为之事”是说为而无为的原则，一切作为，应如行云流水，义所当为，理所应为，作应当作的事。作过了，如雁过长空，风来竹面，不着丝毫痕迹，不有纤芥在胸中。
所谓“行不言之教”，是说万事以言教不如身教，光说不作，或作而后说，往往都是徒费唇舌而已。因此，如推崇道家、善学老子之教的司马子长（迁），在他的自序中，引用孔子之意说：“我欲载之空言，不如见之于行事之深切着明也。”都是同一道理。
引而申之，老子又说：“万物作焉而不辞，生而不有，为而不恃。”比如这个天地间的万物，它们都不辞劳瘁地在造作。但造作了以后，虽然生长不已而并不据为己有，作了也不自恃有功于人，或自恃有功于天地。它们总不把造作成功的成果据为己有。“弗居”的“居”字，便是占住的意思。正因为天地万物如此这般，不自占为己有的在作为，反而使人们更尊敬，更体任自然的伟大，始终不能离开它而另谋生存。所以上古圣人，悟到此理，便效法自然法则，用来处理人事，“处无为之事，行不言之教”，是为上智。
Chapter VIII. The question of the Seal.
Chapter VIII. The question of the Seal.
About five o'clock Henry VIII. awoke out of an unrefreshing nap,
and muttered to himself, "Troublous dreams, troublous dreams!
Mine end is now at hand: so say these warnings, and my failing
pulses do confirm it." Presently a wicked light flamed up in his
eye, and he muttered, "Yet will not I die till HE go before."
His attendants perceiving that he was awake, one of them asked his
pleasure concerning the Lord Chancellor, who was waiting without.
"Admit him, admit him!" exclaimed the King eagerly.
The Lord Chancellor entered, and knelt by the King's couch,
saying--
"I have given order, and, according to the King's command, the
peers of the realm, in their robes, do now stand at the bar of the
House, where, having confirmed the Duke of Norfolk's doom, they
humbly wait his majesty's further pleasure in the matter."
The King's face lit up with a fierce joy. Said he--
"Lift me up! In mine own person will I go before my Parliament,
and with mine own hand will I seal the warrant that rids me of--"
His voice failed; an ashen pallor swept the flush from his cheeks;
and the attendants eased him back upon his pillows, and hurriedly
assisted him with restoratives. Presently he said sorrowfully--
"Alack, how have I longed for this sweet hour! and lo, too late it
cometh, and I am robbed of this so coveted chance. But speed ye,
speed ye! let others do this happy office sith 'tis denied to me.
I put my Great Seal in commission: choose thou the lords that
shall compose it, and get ye to your work. Speed ye, man! Before
the sun shall rise and set again, bring me his head that I may see
it."
"According to the King's command, so shall it be. Will't please
your majesty to order that the Seal be now restored to me, so that
I may forth upon the business?"
"The Seal? Who keepeth the Seal but thou?"
"Please your majesty, you did take it from me two days since,
saying it should no more do its office till your own royal hand
should use it upon the Duke of Norfolk's warrant."
"Why, so in sooth I did: I do remember . . . What did I with it?
. . . I am very feeble . . . So oft these days doth my memory play
the traitor with me . . . 'Tis strange, strange--"
The King dropped into inarticulate mumblings, shaking his grey
head weakly from time to time, and gropingly trying to recollect
what he had done with the Seal. At last my Lord Hertford ventured
to kneel and offer information--
"Sire, if that I may be so bold, here be several that do remember
with me how that you gave the Great Seal into the hands of his
highness the Prince of Wales to keep against the day that--"
"True, most true!" interrupted the King. "Fetch it! Go: time
flieth!"
Lord Hertford flew to Tom, but returned to the King before very
long, troubled and empty-handed. He delivered himself to this
effect--
"It grieveth me, my lord the King, to bear so heavy and unwelcome
tidings; but it is the will of God that the prince's affliction
abideth still, and he cannot recall to mind that he received the
Seal. So came I quickly to report, thinking it were waste of
precious time, and little worth withal, that any should attempt to
search the long array of chambers and saloons that belong unto his
royal high--"
A groan from the King interrupted the lord at this point. After a
little while his majesty said, with a deep sadness in his tone--
"Trouble him no more, poor child. The hand of God lieth heavy
upon him, and my heart goeth out in loving compassion for him, and
sorrow that I may not bear his burden on mine old trouble-weighted
shoulders, and so bring him peace."
He closed his eyes, fell to mumbling, and presently was silent.
After a time he opened his eyes again, and gazed vacantly around
until his glance rested upon the kneeling Lord Chancellor.
Instantly his face flushed with wrath--
"What, thou here yet! By the glory of God, an' thou gettest not
about that traitor's business, thy mitre shall have holiday the
morrow for lack of a head to grace withal!"
The trembling Chancellor answered--
"Good your Majesty, I cry you mercy! I but waited for the Seal."
"Man, hast lost thy wits? The small Seal which aforetime I was
wont to take with me abroad lieth in my treasury. And, since the
Great Seal hath flown away, shall not it suffice? Hast lost thy
wits? Begone! And hark ye--come no more till thou do bring his
head."
The poor Chancellor was not long in removing himself from this
dangerous vicinity; nor did the commission waste time in giving
the royal assent to the work of the slavish Parliament, and
appointing the morrow for the beheading of the premier peer of
England, the luckless Duke of Norfolk.
About five o'clock Henry VIII. awoke out of an unrefreshing nap,
and muttered to himself, "Troublous dreams, troublous dreams!
Mine end is now at hand: so say these warnings, and my failing
pulses do confirm it." Presently a wicked light flamed up in his
eye, and he muttered, "Yet will not I die till HE go before."
His attendants perceiving that he was awake, one of them asked his
pleasure concerning the Lord Chancellor, who was waiting without.
"Admit him, admit him!" exclaimed the King eagerly.
The Lord Chancellor entered, and knelt by the King's couch,
saying--
"I have given order, and, according to the King's command, the
peers of the realm, in their robes, do now stand at the bar of the
House, where, having confirmed the Duke of Norfolk's doom, they
humbly wait his majesty's further pleasure in the matter."
The King's face lit up with a fierce joy. Said he--
"Lift me up! In mine own person will I go before my Parliament,
and with mine own hand will I seal the warrant that rids me of--"
His voice failed; an ashen pallor swept the flush from his cheeks;
and the attendants eased him back upon his pillows, and hurriedly
assisted him with restoratives. Presently he said sorrowfully--
"Alack, how have I longed for this sweet hour! and lo, too late it
cometh, and I am robbed of this so coveted chance. But speed ye,
speed ye! let others do this happy office sith 'tis denied to me.
I put my Great Seal in commission: choose thou the lords that
shall compose it, and get ye to your work. Speed ye, man! Before
the sun shall rise and set again, bring me his head that I may see
it."
"According to the King's command, so shall it be. Will't please
your majesty to order that the Seal be now restored to me, so that
I may forth upon the business?"
"The Seal? Who keepeth the Seal but thou?"
"Please your majesty, you did take it from me two days since,
saying it should no more do its office till your own royal hand
should use it upon the Duke of Norfolk's warrant."
"Why, so in sooth I did: I do remember . . . What did I with it?
. . . I am very feeble . . . So oft these days doth my memory play
the traitor with me . . . 'Tis strange, strange--"
The King dropped into inarticulate mumblings, shaking his grey
head weakly from time to time, and gropingly trying to recollect
what he had done with the Seal. At last my Lord Hertford ventured
to kneel and offer information--
"Sire, if that I may be so bold, here be several that do remember
with me how that you gave the Great Seal into the hands of his
highness the Prince of Wales to keep against the day that--"
"True, most true!" interrupted the King. "Fetch it! Go: time
flieth!"
Lord Hertford flew to Tom, but returned to the King before very
long, troubled and empty-handed. He delivered himself to this
effect--
"It grieveth me, my lord the King, to bear so heavy and unwelcome
tidings; but it is the will of God that the prince's affliction
abideth still, and he cannot recall to mind that he received the
Seal. So came I quickly to report, thinking it were waste of
precious time, and little worth withal, that any should attempt to
search the long array of chambers and saloons that belong unto his
royal high--"
A groan from the King interrupted the lord at this point. After a
little while his majesty said, with a deep sadness in his tone--
"Trouble him no more, poor child. The hand of God lieth heavy
upon him, and my heart goeth out in loving compassion for him, and
sorrow that I may not bear his burden on mine old trouble-weighted
shoulders, and so bring him peace."
He closed his eyes, fell to mumbling, and presently was silent.
After a time he opened his eyes again, and gazed vacantly around
until his glance rested upon the kneeling Lord Chancellor.
Instantly his face flushed with wrath--
"What, thou here yet! By the glory of God, an' thou gettest not
about that traitor's business, thy mitre shall have holiday the
morrow for lack of a head to grace withal!"
The trembling Chancellor answered--
"Good your Majesty, I cry you mercy! I but waited for the Seal."
"Man, hast lost thy wits? The small Seal which aforetime I was
wont to take with me abroad lieth in my treasury. And, since the
Great Seal hath flown away, shall not it suffice? Hast lost thy
wits? Begone! And hark ye--come no more till thou do bring his
head."
The poor Chancellor was not long in removing himself from this
dangerous vicinity; nor did the commission waste time in giving
the royal assent to the work of the slavish Parliament, and
appointing the morrow for the beheading of the premier peer of
England, the luckless Duke of Norfolk.
Chapter VII. Tom's first royal dinner.
Chapter VII. Tom's first royal dinner.
Somewhat after one in the afternoon, Tom resignedly underwent the
ordeal of being dressed for dinner. He found himself as finely
clothed as before, but everything different, everything changed,
from his ruff to his stockings. He was presently conducted with
much state to a spacious and ornate apartment, where a table was
already set for one. Its furniture was all of massy gold, and
beautified with designs which well-nigh made it priceless, since
they were the work of Benvenuto. The room was half-filled with
noble servitors. A chaplain said grace, and Tom was about to fall
to, for hunger had long been constitutional with him, but was
interrupted by my lord the Earl of Berkeley, who fastened a napkin
about his neck; for the great post of Diaperers to the Prince of
Wales was hereditary in this nobleman's family. Tom's cupbearer
was present, and forestalled all his attempts to help himself to
wine. The Taster to his highness the Prince of Wales was there
also, prepared to taste any suspicious dish upon requirement, and
run the risk of being poisoned. He was only an ornamental
appendage at this time, and was seldom called upon to exercise his
function; but there had been times, not many generations past,
when the office of taster had its perils, and was not a grandeur
to be desired. Why they did not use a dog or a plumber seems
strange; but all the ways of royalty are strange. My Lord d'Arcy,
First Groom of the Chamber, was there, to do goodness knows what;
but there he was--let that suffice. The Lord Chief Butler was
there, and stood behind Tom's chair, overseeing the solemnities,
under command of the Lord Great Steward and the Lord Head Cook,
who stood near. Tom had three hundred and eighty-four servants
beside these; but they were not all in that room, of course, nor
the quarter of them; neither was Tom aware yet that they existed.
All those that were present had been well drilled within the hour
to remember that the prince was temporarily out of his head, and
to be careful to show no surprise at his vagaries. These
'vagaries' were soon on exhibition before them; but they only
moved their compassion and their sorrow, not their mirth. It was
a heavy affliction to them to see the beloved prince so stricken.
Poor Tom ate with his fingers mainly; but no one smiled at it, or
even seemed to observe it. He inspected his napkin curiously, and
with deep interest, for it was of a very dainty and beautiful
fabric, then said with simplicity--
"Prithee, take it away, lest in mine unheedfulness it be soiled."
The Hereditary Diaperer took it away with reverent manner, and
without word or protest of any sort.
Tom examined the turnips and the lettuce with interest, and asked
what they were, and if they were to be eaten; for it was only
recently that men had begun to raise these things in England in
place of importing them as luxuries from Holland. {1} His
question was answered with grave respect, and no surprise
manifested. When he had finished his dessert, he filled his
pockets with nuts; but nobody appeared to be aware of it, or
disturbed by it. But the next moment he was himself disturbed by
it, and showed discomposure; for this was the only service he had
been permitted to do with his own hands during the meal, and he
did not doubt that he had done a most improper and unprincely
thing. At that moment the muscles of his nose began to twitch,
and the end of that organ to lift and wrinkle. This continued,
and Tom began to evince a growing distress. He looked
appealingly, first at one and then another of the lords about him,
and tears came into his eyes. They sprang forward with dismay in
their faces, and begged to know his trouble. Tom said with
genuine anguish--
"I crave your indulgence: my nose itcheth cruelly. What is the
custom and usage in this emergence? Prithee, speed, for 'tis but
a little time that I can bear it."
None smiled; but all were sore perplexed, and looked one to the
other in deep tribulation for counsel. But behold, here was a
dead wall, and nothing in English history to tell how to get over
it. The Master of Ceremonies was not present: there was no one
who felt safe to venture upon this uncharted sea, or risk the
attempt to solve this solemn problem. Alas! there was no
Hereditary Scratcher. Meantime the tears had overflowed their
banks, and begun to trickle down Tom's cheeks. His twitching nose
was pleading more urgently than ever for relief. At last nature
broke down the barriers of etiquette: Tom lifted up an inward
prayer for pardon if he was doing wrong, and brought relief to the
burdened hearts of his court by scratching his nose himself.
His meal being ended, a lord came and held before him a broad,
shallow, golden dish with fragrant rosewater in it, to cleanse his
mouth and fingers with; and my lord the Hereditary Diaperer stood
by with a napkin for his use. Tom gazed at the dish a puzzled
moment or two, then raised it to his lips, and gravely took a
draught. Then he returned it to the waiting lord, and said--
"Nay, it likes me not, my lord: it hath a pretty flavour, but it
wanteth strength."
This new eccentricity of the prince's ruined mind made all the
hearts about him ache; but the sad sight moved none to merriment.
Tom's next unconscious blunder was to get up and leave the table
just when the chaplain had taken his stand behind his chair, and
with uplifted hands, and closed, uplifted eyes, was in the act of
beginning the blessing. Still nobody seemed to perceive that the
prince had done a thing unusual.
By his own request our small friend was now conducted to his
private cabinet, and left there alone to his own devices. Hanging
upon hooks in the oaken wainscoting were the several pieces of a
suit of shining steel armour, covered all over with beautiful
designs exquisitely inlaid in gold. This martial panoply belonged
to the true prince--a recent present from Madam Parr the Queen.
Tom put on the greaves, the gauntlets, the plumed helmet, and such
other pieces as he could don without assistance, and for a while
was minded to call for help and complete the matter, but bethought
him of the nuts he had brought away from dinner, and the joy it
would be to eat them with no crowd to eye him, and no Grand
Hereditaries to pester him with undesired services; so he restored
the pretty things to their several places, and soon was cracking
nuts, and feeling almost naturally happy for the first time since
God for his sins had made him a prince. When the nuts were all
gone, he stumbled upon some inviting books in a closet, among them
one about the etiquette of the English court. This was a prize.
He lay down upon a sumptuous divan, and proceeded to instruct
himself with honest zeal. Let us leave him there for the present.
Somewhat after one in the afternoon, Tom resignedly underwent the
ordeal of being dressed for dinner. He found himself as finely
clothed as before, but everything different, everything changed,
from his ruff to his stockings. He was presently conducted with
much state to a spacious and ornate apartment, where a table was
already set for one. Its furniture was all of massy gold, and
beautified with designs which well-nigh made it priceless, since
they were the work of Benvenuto. The room was half-filled with
noble servitors. A chaplain said grace, and Tom was about to fall
to, for hunger had long been constitutional with him, but was
interrupted by my lord the Earl of Berkeley, who fastened a napkin
about his neck; for the great post of Diaperers to the Prince of
Wales was hereditary in this nobleman's family. Tom's cupbearer
was present, and forestalled all his attempts to help himself to
wine. The Taster to his highness the Prince of Wales was there
also, prepared to taste any suspicious dish upon requirement, and
run the risk of being poisoned. He was only an ornamental
appendage at this time, and was seldom called upon to exercise his
function; but there had been times, not many generations past,
when the office of taster had its perils, and was not a grandeur
to be desired. Why they did not use a dog or a plumber seems
strange; but all the ways of royalty are strange. My Lord d'Arcy,
First Groom of the Chamber, was there, to do goodness knows what;
but there he was--let that suffice. The Lord Chief Butler was
there, and stood behind Tom's chair, overseeing the solemnities,
under command of the Lord Great Steward and the Lord Head Cook,
who stood near. Tom had three hundred and eighty-four servants
beside these; but they were not all in that room, of course, nor
the quarter of them; neither was Tom aware yet that they existed.
All those that were present had been well drilled within the hour
to remember that the prince was temporarily out of his head, and
to be careful to show no surprise at his vagaries. These
'vagaries' were soon on exhibition before them; but they only
moved their compassion and their sorrow, not their mirth. It was
a heavy affliction to them to see the beloved prince so stricken.
Poor Tom ate with his fingers mainly; but no one smiled at it, or
even seemed to observe it. He inspected his napkin curiously, and
with deep interest, for it was of a very dainty and beautiful
fabric, then said with simplicity--
"Prithee, take it away, lest in mine unheedfulness it be soiled."
The Hereditary Diaperer took it away with reverent manner, and
without word or protest of any sort.
Tom examined the turnips and the lettuce with interest, and asked
what they were, and if they were to be eaten; for it was only
recently that men had begun to raise these things in England in
place of importing them as luxuries from Holland. {1} His
question was answered with grave respect, and no surprise
manifested. When he had finished his dessert, he filled his
pockets with nuts; but nobody appeared to be aware of it, or
disturbed by it. But the next moment he was himself disturbed by
it, and showed discomposure; for this was the only service he had
been permitted to do with his own hands during the meal, and he
did not doubt that he had done a most improper and unprincely
thing. At that moment the muscles of his nose began to twitch,
and the end of that organ to lift and wrinkle. This continued,
and Tom began to evince a growing distress. He looked
appealingly, first at one and then another of the lords about him,
and tears came into his eyes. They sprang forward with dismay in
their faces, and begged to know his trouble. Tom said with
genuine anguish--
"I crave your indulgence: my nose itcheth cruelly. What is the
custom and usage in this emergence? Prithee, speed, for 'tis but
a little time that I can bear it."
None smiled; but all were sore perplexed, and looked one to the
other in deep tribulation for counsel. But behold, here was a
dead wall, and nothing in English history to tell how to get over
it. The Master of Ceremonies was not present: there was no one
who felt safe to venture upon this uncharted sea, or risk the
attempt to solve this solemn problem. Alas! there was no
Hereditary Scratcher. Meantime the tears had overflowed their
banks, and begun to trickle down Tom's cheeks. His twitching nose
was pleading more urgently than ever for relief. At last nature
broke down the barriers of etiquette: Tom lifted up an inward
prayer for pardon if he was doing wrong, and brought relief to the
burdened hearts of his court by scratching his nose himself.
His meal being ended, a lord came and held before him a broad,
shallow, golden dish with fragrant rosewater in it, to cleanse his
mouth and fingers with; and my lord the Hereditary Diaperer stood
by with a napkin for his use. Tom gazed at the dish a puzzled
moment or two, then raised it to his lips, and gravely took a
draught. Then he returned it to the waiting lord, and said--
"Nay, it likes me not, my lord: it hath a pretty flavour, but it
wanteth strength."
This new eccentricity of the prince's ruined mind made all the
hearts about him ache; but the sad sight moved none to merriment.
Tom's next unconscious blunder was to get up and leave the table
just when the chaplain had taken his stand behind his chair, and
with uplifted hands, and closed, uplifted eyes, was in the act of
beginning the blessing. Still nobody seemed to perceive that the
prince had done a thing unusual.
By his own request our small friend was now conducted to his
private cabinet, and left there alone to his own devices. Hanging
upon hooks in the oaken wainscoting were the several pieces of a
suit of shining steel armour, covered all over with beautiful
designs exquisitely inlaid in gold. This martial panoply belonged
to the true prince--a recent present from Madam Parr the Queen.
Tom put on the greaves, the gauntlets, the plumed helmet, and such
other pieces as he could don without assistance, and for a while
was minded to call for help and complete the matter, but bethought
him of the nuts he had brought away from dinner, and the joy it
would be to eat them with no crowd to eye him, and no Grand
Hereditaries to pester him with undesired services; so he restored
the pretty things to their several places, and soon was cracking
nuts, and feeling almost naturally happy for the first time since
God for his sins had made him a prince. When the nuts were all
gone, he stumbled upon some inviting books in a closet, among them
one about the etiquette of the English court. This was a prize.
He lay down upon a sumptuous divan, and proceeded to instruct
himself with honest zeal. Let us leave him there for the present.
Chapter VII. Tom's first royal dinner.
Chapter VII. Tom's first royal dinner.
Somewhat after one in the afternoon, Tom resignedly underwent the
ordeal of being dressed for dinner. He found himself as finely
clothed as before, but everything different, everything changed,
from his ruff to his stockings. He was presently conducted with
much state to a spacious and ornate apartment, where a table was
already set for one. Its furniture was all of massy gold, and
beautified with designs which well-nigh made it priceless, since
they were the work of Benvenuto. The room was half-filled with
noble servitors. A chaplain said grace, and Tom was about to fall
to, for hunger had long been constitutional with him, but was
interrupted by my lord the Earl of Berkeley, who fastened a napkin
about his neck; for the great post of Diaperers to the Prince of
Wales was hereditary in this nobleman's family. Tom's cupbearer
was present, and forestalled all his attempts to help himself to
wine. The Taster to his highness the Prince of Wales was there
also, prepared to taste any suspicious dish upon requirement, and
run the risk of being poisoned. He was only an ornamental
appendage at this time, and was seldom called upon to exercise his
function; but there had been times, not many generations past,
when the office of taster had its perils, and was not a grandeur
to be desired. Why they did not use a dog or a plumber seems
strange; but all the ways of royalty are strange. My Lord d'Arcy,
First Groom of the Chamber, was there, to do goodness knows what;
but there he was--let that suffice. The Lord Chief Butler was
there, and stood behind Tom's chair, overseeing the solemnities,
under command of the Lord Great Steward and the Lord Head Cook,
who stood near. Tom had three hundred and eighty-four servants
beside these; but they were not all in that room, of course, nor
the quarter of them; neither was Tom aware yet that they existed.
All those that were present had been well drilled within the hour
to remember that the prince was temporarily out of his head, and
to be careful to show no surprise at his vagaries. These
'vagaries' were soon on exhibition before them; but they only
moved their compassion and their sorrow, not their mirth. It was
a heavy affliction to them to see the beloved prince so stricken.
Poor Tom ate with his fingers mainly; but no one smiled at it, or
even seemed to observe it. He inspected his napkin curiously, and
with deep interest, for it was of a very dainty and beautiful
fabric, then said with simplicity--
"Prithee, take it away, lest in mine unheedfulness it be soiled."
The Hereditary Diaperer took it away with reverent manner, and
without word or protest of any sort.
Tom examined the turnips and the lettuce with interest, and asked
what they were, and if they were to be eaten; for it was only
recently that men had begun to raise these things in England in
place of importing them as luxuries from Holland. {1} His
question was answered with grave respect, and no surprise
manifested. When he had finished his dessert, he filled his
pockets with nuts; but nobody appeared to be aware of it, or
disturbed by it. But the next moment he was himself disturbed by
it, and showed discomposure; for this was the only service he had
been permitted to do with his own hands during the meal, and he
did not doubt that he had done a most improper and unprincely
thing. At that moment the muscles of his nose began to twitch,
and the end of that organ to lift and wrinkle. This continued,
and Tom began to evince a growing distress. He looked
appealingly, first at one and then another of the lords about him,
and tears came into his eyes. They sprang forward with dismay in
their faces, and begged to know his trouble. Tom said with
genuine anguish--
"I crave your indulgence: my nose itcheth cruelly. What is the
custom and usage in this emergence? Prithee, speed, for 'tis but
a little time that I can bear it."
None smiled; but all were sore perplexed, and looked one to the
other in deep tribulation for counsel. But behold, here was a
dead wall, and nothing in English history to tell how to get over
it. The Master of Ceremonies was not present: there was no one
who felt safe to venture upon this uncharted sea, or risk the
attempt to solve this solemn problem. Alas! there was no
Hereditary Scratcher. Meantime the tears had overflowed their
banks, and begun to trickle down Tom's cheeks. His twitching nose
was pleading more urgently than ever for relief. At last nature
broke down the barriers of etiquette: Tom lifted up an inward
prayer for pardon if he was doing wrong, and brought relief to the
burdened hearts of his court by scratching his nose himself.
His meal being ended, a lord came and held before him a broad,
shallow, golden dish with fragrant rosewater in it, to cleanse his
mouth and fingers with; and my lord the Hereditary Diaperer stood
by with a napkin for his use. Tom gazed at the dish a puzzled
moment or two, then raised it to his lips, and gravely took a
draught. Then he returned it to the waiting lord, and said--
"Nay, it likes me not, my lord: it hath a pretty flavour, but it
wanteth strength."
This new eccentricity of the prince's ruined mind made all the
hearts about him ache; but the sad sight moved none to merriment.
Tom's next unconscious blunder was to get up and leave the table
just when the chaplain had taken his stand behind his chair, and
with uplifted hands, and closed, uplifted eyes, was in the act of
beginning the blessing. Still nobody seemed to perceive that the
prince had done a thing unusual.
By his own request our small friend was now conducted to his
private cabinet, and left there alone to his own devices. Hanging
upon hooks in the oaken wainscoting were the several pieces of a
suit of shining steel armour, covered all over with beautiful
designs exquisitely inlaid in gold. This martial panoply belonged
to the true prince--a recent present from Madam Parr the Queen.
Tom put on the greaves, the gauntlets, the plumed helmet, and such
other pieces as he could don without assistance, and for a while
was minded to call for help and complete the matter, but bethought
him of the nuts he had brought away from dinner, and the joy it
would be to eat them with no crowd to eye him, and no Grand
Hereditaries to pester him with undesired services; so he restored
the pretty things to their several places, and soon was cracking
nuts, and feeling almost naturally happy for the first time since
God for his sins had made him a prince. When the nuts were all
gone, he stumbled upon some inviting books in a closet, among them
one about the etiquette of the English court. This was a prize.
He lay down upon a sumptuous divan, and proceeded to instruct
himself with honest zeal. Let us leave him there for the present.
Somewhat after one in the afternoon, Tom resignedly underwent the
ordeal of being dressed for dinner. He found himself as finely
clothed as before, but everything different, everything changed,
from his ruff to his stockings. He was presently conducted with
much state to a spacious and ornate apartment, where a table was
already set for one. Its furniture was all of massy gold, and
beautified with designs which well-nigh made it priceless, since
they were the work of Benvenuto. The room was half-filled with
noble servitors. A chaplain said grace, and Tom was about to fall
to, for hunger had long been constitutional with him, but was
interrupted by my lord the Earl of Berkeley, who fastened a napkin
about his neck; for the great post of Diaperers to the Prince of
Wales was hereditary in this nobleman's family. Tom's cupbearer
was present, and forestalled all his attempts to help himself to
wine. The Taster to his highness the Prince of Wales was there
also, prepared to taste any suspicious dish upon requirement, and
run the risk of being poisoned. He was only an ornamental
appendage at this time, and was seldom called upon to exercise his
function; but there had been times, not many generations past,
when the office of taster had its perils, and was not a grandeur
to be desired. Why they did not use a dog or a plumber seems
strange; but all the ways of royalty are strange. My Lord d'Arcy,
First Groom of the Chamber, was there, to do goodness knows what;
but there he was--let that suffice. The Lord Chief Butler was
there, and stood behind Tom's chair, overseeing the solemnities,
under command of the Lord Great Steward and the Lord Head Cook,
who stood near. Tom had three hundred and eighty-four servants
beside these; but they were not all in that room, of course, nor
the quarter of them; neither was Tom aware yet that they existed.
All those that were present had been well drilled within the hour
to remember that the prince was temporarily out of his head, and
to be careful to show no surprise at his vagaries. These
'vagaries' were soon on exhibition before them; but they only
moved their compassion and their sorrow, not their mirth. It was
a heavy affliction to them to see the beloved prince so stricken.
Poor Tom ate with his fingers mainly; but no one smiled at it, or
even seemed to observe it. He inspected his napkin curiously, and
with deep interest, for it was of a very dainty and beautiful
fabric, then said with simplicity--
"Prithee, take it away, lest in mine unheedfulness it be soiled."
The Hereditary Diaperer took it away with reverent manner, and
without word or protest of any sort.
Tom examined the turnips and the lettuce with interest, and asked
what they were, and if they were to be eaten; for it was only
recently that men had begun to raise these things in England in
place of importing them as luxuries from Holland. {1} His
question was answered with grave respect, and no surprise
manifested. When he had finished his dessert, he filled his
pockets with nuts; but nobody appeared to be aware of it, or
disturbed by it. But the next moment he was himself disturbed by
it, and showed discomposure; for this was the only service he had
been permitted to do with his own hands during the meal, and he
did not doubt that he had done a most improper and unprincely
thing. At that moment the muscles of his nose began to twitch,
and the end of that organ to lift and wrinkle. This continued,
and Tom began to evince a growing distress. He looked
appealingly, first at one and then another of the lords about him,
and tears came into his eyes. They sprang forward with dismay in
their faces, and begged to know his trouble. Tom said with
genuine anguish--
"I crave your indulgence: my nose itcheth cruelly. What is the
custom and usage in this emergence? Prithee, speed, for 'tis but
a little time that I can bear it."
None smiled; but all were sore perplexed, and looked one to the
other in deep tribulation for counsel. But behold, here was a
dead wall, and nothing in English history to tell how to get over
it. The Master of Ceremonies was not present: there was no one
who felt safe to venture upon this uncharted sea, or risk the
attempt to solve this solemn problem. Alas! there was no
Hereditary Scratcher. Meantime the tears had overflowed their
banks, and begun to trickle down Tom's cheeks. His twitching nose
was pleading more urgently than ever for relief. At last nature
broke down the barriers of etiquette: Tom lifted up an inward
prayer for pardon if he was doing wrong, and brought relief to the
burdened hearts of his court by scratching his nose himself.
His meal being ended, a lord came and held before him a broad,
shallow, golden dish with fragrant rosewater in it, to cleanse his
mouth and fingers with; and my lord the Hereditary Diaperer stood
by with a napkin for his use. Tom gazed at the dish a puzzled
moment or two, then raised it to his lips, and gravely took a
draught. Then he returned it to the waiting lord, and said--
"Nay, it likes me not, my lord: it hath a pretty flavour, but it
wanteth strength."
This new eccentricity of the prince's ruined mind made all the
hearts about him ache; but the sad sight moved none to merriment.
Tom's next unconscious blunder was to get up and leave the table
just when the chaplain had taken his stand behind his chair, and
with uplifted hands, and closed, uplifted eyes, was in the act of
beginning the blessing. Still nobody seemed to perceive that the
prince had done a thing unusual.
By his own request our small friend was now conducted to his
private cabinet, and left there alone to his own devices. Hanging
upon hooks in the oaken wainscoting were the several pieces of a
suit of shining steel armour, covered all over with beautiful
designs exquisitely inlaid in gold. This martial panoply belonged
to the true prince--a recent present from Madam Parr the Queen.
Tom put on the greaves, the gauntlets, the plumed helmet, and such
other pieces as he could don without assistance, and for a while
was minded to call for help and complete the matter, but bethought
him of the nuts he had brought away from dinner, and the joy it
would be to eat them with no crowd to eye him, and no Grand
Hereditaries to pester him with undesired services; so he restored
the pretty things to their several places, and soon was cracking
nuts, and feeling almost naturally happy for the first time since
God for his sins had made him a prince. When the nuts were all
gone, he stumbled upon some inviting books in a closet, among them
one about the etiquette of the English court. This was a prize.
He lay down upon a sumptuous divan, and proceeded to instruct
himself with honest zeal. Let us leave him there for the present.
Chapter VI. Tom receives instructions.
Chapter VI. Tom receives instructions.
Tom was conducted to the principal apartment of a noble suite, and
made to sit down--a thing which he was loth to do, since there
were elderly men and men of high degree about him. He begged them
to be seated also, but they only bowed their thanks or murmured
them, and remained standing. He would have insisted, but his
'uncle' the Earl of Hertford whispered in his ear--
"Prithee, insist not, my lord; it is not meet that they sit in thy
presence."
The Lord St. John was announced, and after making obeisance to
Tom, he said--
"I come upon the King's errand, concerning a matter which
requireth privacy. Will it please your royal highness to dismiss
all that attend you here, save my lord the Earl of Hertford?"
Observing that Tom did not seem to know how to proceed, Hertford
whispered him to make a sign with his hand, and not trouble
himself to speak unless he chose. When the waiting gentlemen had
retired, Lord St. John said--
"His majesty commandeth, that for due and weighty reasons of
state, the prince's grace shall hide his infirmity in all ways
that be within his power, till it be passed and he be as he was
before. To wit, that he shall deny to none that he is the true
prince, and heir to England's greatness; that he shall uphold his
princely dignity, and shall receive, without word or sign of
protest, that reverence and observance which unto it do appertain
of right and ancient usage; that he shall cease to speak to any of
that lowly birth and life his malady hath conjured out of the
unwholesome imaginings of o'er-wrought fancy; that he shall strive
with diligence to bring unto his memory again those faces which he
was wont to know--and where he faileth he shall hold his peace,
neither betraying by semblance of surprise or other sign that he
hath forgot; that upon occasions of state, whensoever any matter
shall perplex him as to the thing he should do or the utterance he
should make, he shall show nought of unrest to the curious that
look on, but take advice in that matter of the Lord Hertford, or
my humble self, which are commanded of the King to be upon this
service and close at call, till this commandment be dissolved.
Thus saith the King's majesty, who sendeth greeting to your royal
highness, and prayeth that God will of His mercy quickly heal you
and have you now and ever in His holy keeping."
The Lord St. John made reverence and stood aside. Tom replied
resignedly--
"The King hath said it. None may palter with the King's command,
or fit it to his ease, where it doth chafe, with deft evasions.
The King shall be obeyed."
Lord Hertford said--
"Touching the King's majesty's ordainment concerning books and
such like serious matters, it may peradventure please your
highness to ease your time with lightsome entertainment, lest you
go wearied to the banquet and suffer harm thereby."
Tom's face showed inquiring surprise; and a blush followed when he
saw Lord St. John's eyes bent sorrowfully upon him. His lordship
said--
"Thy memory still wrongeth thee, and thou hast shown surprise--but
suffer it not to trouble thee, for 'tis a matter that will not
bide, but depart with thy mending malady. My Lord of Hertford
speaketh of the city's banquet which the King's majesty did
promise, some two months flown, your highness should attend. Thou
recallest it now?"
"It grieves me to confess it had indeed escaped me," said Tom, in
a hesitating voice; and blushed again.
At this moment the Lady Elizabeth and the Lady Jane Grey were
announced. The two lords exchanged significant glances, and
Hertford stepped quickly toward the door. As the young girls
passed him, he said in a low voice--
"I pray ye, ladies, seem not to observe his humours, nor show
surprise when his memory doth lapse--it will grieve you to note
how it doth stick at every trifle."
Meantime Lord St. John was saying in Tom's ear--
"Please you, sir, keep diligently in mind his majesty's desire.
Remember all thou canst--SEEM to remember all else. Let them not
perceive that thou art much changed from thy wont, for thou
knowest how tenderly thy old play-fellows bear thee in their
hearts and how 'twould grieve them. Art willing, sir, that I
remain?--and thine uncle?"
Tom signified assent with a gesture and a murmured word, for he
was already learning, and in his simple heart was resolved to
acquit himself as best he might, according to the King's command.
In spite of every precaution, the conversation among the young
people became a little embarrassing at times. More than once, in
truth, Tom was near to breaking down and confessing himself
unequal to his tremendous part; but the tact of the Princess
Elizabeth saved him, or a word from one or the other of the
vigilant lords, thrown in apparently by chance, had the same happy
effect. Once the little Lady Jane turned to Tom and dismayed him
with this question,--
"Hast paid thy duty to the Queen's majesty to-day, my lord?"
Tom hesitated, looked distressed, and was about to stammer out
something at hazard, when Lord St. John took the word and answered
for him with the easy grace of a courtier accustomed to encounter
delicate difficulties and to be ready for them--
"He hath indeed, madam, and she did greatly hearten him, as
touching his majesty's condition; is it not so, your highness?"
Tom mumbled something that stood for assent, but felt that he was
getting upon dangerous ground. Somewhat later it was mentioned
that Tom was to study no more at present, whereupon her little
ladyship exclaimed--
"'Tis a pity, 'tis a pity! Thou wert proceeding bravely. But
bide thy time in patience: it will not be for long. Thou'lt yet
be graced with learning like thy father, and make thy tongue
master of as many languages as his, good my prince."
"My father!" cried Tom, off his guard for the moment. "I trow he
cannot speak his own so that any but the swine that kennel in the
styes may tell his meaning; and as for learning of any sort
soever--"
He looked up and encountered a solemn warning in my Lord St.
John's eyes.
He stopped, blushed, then continued low and sadly: "Ah, my malady
persecuteth me again, and my mind wandereth. I meant the King's
grace no irreverence."
"We know it, sir," said the Princess Elizabeth, taking her
'brother's' hand between her two palms, respectfully but
caressingly; "trouble not thyself as to that. The fault is none
of thine, but thy distemper's."
"Thou'rt a gentle comforter, sweet lady," said Tom, gratefully,
"and my heart moveth me to thank thee for't, an' I may be so
bold."
Once the giddy little Lady Jane fired a simple Greek phrase at
Tom. The Princess Elizabeth's quick eye saw by the serene
blankness of the target's front that the shaft was overshot; so
she tranquilly delivered a return volley of sounding Greek on
Tom's behalf, and then straightway changed the talk to other
matters.
Time wore on pleasantly, and likewise smoothly, on the whole.
Snags and sandbars grew less and less frequent, and Tom grew more
and more at his ease, seeing that all were so lovingly bent upon
helping him and overlooking his mistakes. When it came out that
the little ladies were to accompany him to the Lord Mayor's
banquet in the evening, his heart gave a bound of relief and
delight, for he felt that he should not be friendless, now, among
that multitude of strangers; whereas, an hour earlier, the idea of
their going with him would have been an insupportable terror to
him.
Tom's guardian angels, the two lords, had had less comfort in the
interview than the other parties to it. They felt much as if they
were piloting a great ship through a dangerous channel; they were
on the alert constantly, and found their office no child's play.
Wherefore, at last, when the ladies' visit was drawing to a close
and the Lord Guilford Dudley was announced, they not only felt
that their charge had been sufficiently taxed for the present, but
also that they themselves were not in the best condition to take
their ship back and make their anxious voyage all over again. So
they respectfully advised Tom to excuse himself, which he was very
glad to do, although a slight shade of disappointment might have
been observed upon my Lady Jane's face when she heard the splendid
stripling denied admittance.
There was a pause now, a sort of waiting silence which Tom could
not understand. He glanced at Lord Hertford, who gave him a sign-
-but he failed to understand that also. The ready Elizabeth came
to the rescue with her usual easy grace. She made reverence and
said--
"Have we leave of the prince's grace my brother to go?"
Tom said--
"Indeed your ladyships can have whatsoever of me they will, for
the asking; yet would I rather give them any other thing that in
my poor power lieth, than leave to take the light and blessing of
their presence hence. Give ye good den, and God be with ye!"
Then he smiled inwardly at the thought, "'Tis not for nought I
have dwelt but among princes in my reading, and taught my tongue
some slight trick of their broidered and gracious speech withal!"
When the illustrious maidens were gone, Tom turned wearily to his
keepers and said--
"May it please your lordships to grant me leave to go into some
corner and rest me?"
Lord Hertford said--
"So please your highness, it is for you to command, it is for us
to obey. That thou should'st rest is indeed a needful thing,
since thou must journey to the city presently."
He touched a bell, and a page appeared, who was ordered to desire
the presence of Sir William Herbert. This gentleman came
straightway, and conducted Tom to an inner apartment. Tom's first
movement there was to reach for a cup of water; but a silk-and-
velvet servitor seized it, dropped upon one knee, and offered it
to him on a golden salver.
Next the tired captive sat down and was going to take off his
buskins, timidly asking leave with his eye, but another silk-and-
velvet discomforter went down upon his knees and took the office
from him. He made two or three further efforts to help himself,
but being promptly forestalled each time, he finally gave up, with
a sigh of resignation and a murmured "Beshrew me, but I marvel
they do not require to breathe for me also!" Slippered, and
wrapped in a sumptuous robe, he laid himself down at last to rest,
but not to sleep, for his head was too full of thoughts and the
room too full of people. He could not dismiss the former, so they
stayed; he did not know enough to dismiss the latter, so they
stayed also, to his vast regret--and theirs.
Tom's departure had left his two noble guardians alone. They
mused a while, with much head-shaking and walking the floor, then
Lord St. John said--
"Plainly, what dost thou think?"
"Plainly, then, this. The King is near his end; my nephew is mad-
-mad will mount the throne, and mad remain. God protect England,
since she will need it!"
"Verily it promiseth so, indeed. But . . . have you no misgivings
as to . . . as to . . ."
The speaker hesitated, and finally stopped. He evidently felt
that he was upon delicate ground. Lord Hertford stopped before
him, looked into his face with a clear, frank eye, and said--
"Speak on--there is none to hear but me. Misgivings as to what?"
"I am full loth to word the thing that is in my mind, and thou so
near to him in blood, my lord. But craving pardon if I do offend,
seemeth it not strange that madness could so change his port and
manner?--not but that his port and speech are princely still, but
that they DIFFER, in one unweighty trifle or another, from what
his custom was aforetime. Seemeth it not strange that madness
should filch from his memory his father's very lineaments; the
customs and observances that are his due from such as be about
him; and, leaving him his Latin, strip him of his Greek and
French? My lord, be not offended, but ease my mind of its
disquiet and receive my grateful thanks. It haunteth me, his
saying he was not the prince, and so--"
"Peace, my lord, thou utterest treason! Hast forgot the King's
command? Remember I am party to thy crime if I but listen."
St. John paled, and hastened to say--
"I was in fault, I do confess it. Betray me not, grant me this
grace out of thy courtesy, and I will neither think nor speak of
this thing more. Deal not hardly with me, sir, else am I ruined."
"I am content, my lord. So thou offend not again, here or in the
ears of others, it shall be as though thou hadst not spoken. But
thou need'st not have misgivings. He is my sister's son; are not
his voice, his face, his form, familiar to me from his cradle?
Madness can do all the odd conflicting things thou seest in him,
and more. Dost not recall how that the old Baron Marley, being
mad, forgot the favour of his own countenance that he had known
for sixty years, and held it was another's; nay, even claimed he
was the son of Mary Magdalene, and that his head was made of
Spanish glass; and, sooth to say, he suffered none to touch it,
lest by mischance some heedless hand might shiver it? Give thy
misgivings easement, good my lord. This is the very prince--I
know him well--and soon will be thy king; it may advantage thee to
bear this in mind, and more dwell upon it than the other."
After some further talk, in which the Lord St. John covered up his
mistake as well as he could by repeated protests that his faith
was thoroughly grounded now, and could not be assailed by doubts
again, the Lord Hertford relieved his fellow-keeper, and sat down
to keep watch and ward alone. He was soon deep in meditation, and
evidently the longer he thought, the more he was bothered. By-
and-by he began to pace the floor and mutter.
"Tush, he MUST be the prince! Will any he in all the land
maintain there can be two, not of one blood and birth, so
marvellously twinned? And even were it so, 'twere yet a stranger
miracle that chance should cast the one into the other's place.
Nay, 'tis folly, folly, folly!"
Presently he said--
"Now were he impostor and called himself prince, look you THAT
would be natural; that would be reasonable. But lived ever an
impostor yet, who, being called prince by the king, prince by the
court, prince by all, DENIED his dignity and pleaded against his
exaltation? NO! By the soul of St. Swithin, no! This is the
true prince, gone mad!"
Tom was conducted to the principal apartment of a noble suite, and
made to sit down--a thing which he was loth to do, since there
were elderly men and men of high degree about him. He begged them
to be seated also, but they only bowed their thanks or murmured
them, and remained standing. He would have insisted, but his
'uncle' the Earl of Hertford whispered in his ear--
"Prithee, insist not, my lord; it is not meet that they sit in thy
presence."
The Lord St. John was announced, and after making obeisance to
Tom, he said--
"I come upon the King's errand, concerning a matter which
requireth privacy. Will it please your royal highness to dismiss
all that attend you here, save my lord the Earl of Hertford?"
Observing that Tom did not seem to know how to proceed, Hertford
whispered him to make a sign with his hand, and not trouble
himself to speak unless he chose. When the waiting gentlemen had
retired, Lord St. John said--
"His majesty commandeth, that for due and weighty reasons of
state, the prince's grace shall hide his infirmity in all ways
that be within his power, till it be passed and he be as he was
before. To wit, that he shall deny to none that he is the true
prince, and heir to England's greatness; that he shall uphold his
princely dignity, and shall receive, without word or sign of
protest, that reverence and observance which unto it do appertain
of right and ancient usage; that he shall cease to speak to any of
that lowly birth and life his malady hath conjured out of the
unwholesome imaginings of o'er-wrought fancy; that he shall strive
with diligence to bring unto his memory again those faces which he
was wont to know--and where he faileth he shall hold his peace,
neither betraying by semblance of surprise or other sign that he
hath forgot; that upon occasions of state, whensoever any matter
shall perplex him as to the thing he should do or the utterance he
should make, he shall show nought of unrest to the curious that
look on, but take advice in that matter of the Lord Hertford, or
my humble self, which are commanded of the King to be upon this
service and close at call, till this commandment be dissolved.
Thus saith the King's majesty, who sendeth greeting to your royal
highness, and prayeth that God will of His mercy quickly heal you
and have you now and ever in His holy keeping."
The Lord St. John made reverence and stood aside. Tom replied
resignedly--
"The King hath said it. None may palter with the King's command,
or fit it to his ease, where it doth chafe, with deft evasions.
The King shall be obeyed."
Lord Hertford said--
"Touching the King's majesty's ordainment concerning books and
such like serious matters, it may peradventure please your
highness to ease your time with lightsome entertainment, lest you
go wearied to the banquet and suffer harm thereby."
Tom's face showed inquiring surprise; and a blush followed when he
saw Lord St. John's eyes bent sorrowfully upon him. His lordship
said--
"Thy memory still wrongeth thee, and thou hast shown surprise--but
suffer it not to trouble thee, for 'tis a matter that will not
bide, but depart with thy mending malady. My Lord of Hertford
speaketh of the city's banquet which the King's majesty did
promise, some two months flown, your highness should attend. Thou
recallest it now?"
"It grieves me to confess it had indeed escaped me," said Tom, in
a hesitating voice; and blushed again.
At this moment the Lady Elizabeth and the Lady Jane Grey were
announced. The two lords exchanged significant glances, and
Hertford stepped quickly toward the door. As the young girls
passed him, he said in a low voice--
"I pray ye, ladies, seem not to observe his humours, nor show
surprise when his memory doth lapse--it will grieve you to note
how it doth stick at every trifle."
Meantime Lord St. John was saying in Tom's ear--
"Please you, sir, keep diligently in mind his majesty's desire.
Remember all thou canst--SEEM to remember all else. Let them not
perceive that thou art much changed from thy wont, for thou
knowest how tenderly thy old play-fellows bear thee in their
hearts and how 'twould grieve them. Art willing, sir, that I
remain?--and thine uncle?"
Tom signified assent with a gesture and a murmured word, for he
was already learning, and in his simple heart was resolved to
acquit himself as best he might, according to the King's command.
In spite of every precaution, the conversation among the young
people became a little embarrassing at times. More than once, in
truth, Tom was near to breaking down and confessing himself
unequal to his tremendous part; but the tact of the Princess
Elizabeth saved him, or a word from one or the other of the
vigilant lords, thrown in apparently by chance, had the same happy
effect. Once the little Lady Jane turned to Tom and dismayed him
with this question,--
"Hast paid thy duty to the Queen's majesty to-day, my lord?"
Tom hesitated, looked distressed, and was about to stammer out
something at hazard, when Lord St. John took the word and answered
for him with the easy grace of a courtier accustomed to encounter
delicate difficulties and to be ready for them--
"He hath indeed, madam, and she did greatly hearten him, as
touching his majesty's condition; is it not so, your highness?"
Tom mumbled something that stood for assent, but felt that he was
getting upon dangerous ground. Somewhat later it was mentioned
that Tom was to study no more at present, whereupon her little
ladyship exclaimed--
"'Tis a pity, 'tis a pity! Thou wert proceeding bravely. But
bide thy time in patience: it will not be for long. Thou'lt yet
be graced with learning like thy father, and make thy tongue
master of as many languages as his, good my prince."
"My father!" cried Tom, off his guard for the moment. "I trow he
cannot speak his own so that any but the swine that kennel in the
styes may tell his meaning; and as for learning of any sort
soever--"
He looked up and encountered a solemn warning in my Lord St.
John's eyes.
He stopped, blushed, then continued low and sadly: "Ah, my malady
persecuteth me again, and my mind wandereth. I meant the King's
grace no irreverence."
"We know it, sir," said the Princess Elizabeth, taking her
'brother's' hand between her two palms, respectfully but
caressingly; "trouble not thyself as to that. The fault is none
of thine, but thy distemper's."
"Thou'rt a gentle comforter, sweet lady," said Tom, gratefully,
"and my heart moveth me to thank thee for't, an' I may be so
bold."
Once the giddy little Lady Jane fired a simple Greek phrase at
Tom. The Princess Elizabeth's quick eye saw by the serene
blankness of the target's front that the shaft was overshot; so
she tranquilly delivered a return volley of sounding Greek on
Tom's behalf, and then straightway changed the talk to other
matters.
Time wore on pleasantly, and likewise smoothly, on the whole.
Snags and sandbars grew less and less frequent, and Tom grew more
and more at his ease, seeing that all were so lovingly bent upon
helping him and overlooking his mistakes. When it came out that
the little ladies were to accompany him to the Lord Mayor's
banquet in the evening, his heart gave a bound of relief and
delight, for he felt that he should not be friendless, now, among
that multitude of strangers; whereas, an hour earlier, the idea of
their going with him would have been an insupportable terror to
him.
Tom's guardian angels, the two lords, had had less comfort in the
interview than the other parties to it. They felt much as if they
were piloting a great ship through a dangerous channel; they were
on the alert constantly, and found their office no child's play.
Wherefore, at last, when the ladies' visit was drawing to a close
and the Lord Guilford Dudley was announced, they not only felt
that their charge had been sufficiently taxed for the present, but
also that they themselves were not in the best condition to take
their ship back and make their anxious voyage all over again. So
they respectfully advised Tom to excuse himself, which he was very
glad to do, although a slight shade of disappointment might have
been observed upon my Lady Jane's face when she heard the splendid
stripling denied admittance.
There was a pause now, a sort of waiting silence which Tom could
not understand. He glanced at Lord Hertford, who gave him a sign-
-but he failed to understand that also. The ready Elizabeth came
to the rescue with her usual easy grace. She made reverence and
said--
"Have we leave of the prince's grace my brother to go?"
Tom said--
"Indeed your ladyships can have whatsoever of me they will, for
the asking; yet would I rather give them any other thing that in
my poor power lieth, than leave to take the light and blessing of
their presence hence. Give ye good den, and God be with ye!"
Then he smiled inwardly at the thought, "'Tis not for nought I
have dwelt but among princes in my reading, and taught my tongue
some slight trick of their broidered and gracious speech withal!"
When the illustrious maidens were gone, Tom turned wearily to his
keepers and said--
"May it please your lordships to grant me leave to go into some
corner and rest me?"
Lord Hertford said--
"So please your highness, it is for you to command, it is for us
to obey. That thou should'st rest is indeed a needful thing,
since thou must journey to the city presently."
He touched a bell, and a page appeared, who was ordered to desire
the presence of Sir William Herbert. This gentleman came
straightway, and conducted Tom to an inner apartment. Tom's first
movement there was to reach for a cup of water; but a silk-and-
velvet servitor seized it, dropped upon one knee, and offered it
to him on a golden salver.
Next the tired captive sat down and was going to take off his
buskins, timidly asking leave with his eye, but another silk-and-
velvet discomforter went down upon his knees and took the office
from him. He made two or three further efforts to help himself,
but being promptly forestalled each time, he finally gave up, with
a sigh of resignation and a murmured "Beshrew me, but I marvel
they do not require to breathe for me also!" Slippered, and
wrapped in a sumptuous robe, he laid himself down at last to rest,
but not to sleep, for his head was too full of thoughts and the
room too full of people. He could not dismiss the former, so they
stayed; he did not know enough to dismiss the latter, so they
stayed also, to his vast regret--and theirs.
Tom's departure had left his two noble guardians alone. They
mused a while, with much head-shaking and walking the floor, then
Lord St. John said--
"Plainly, what dost thou think?"
"Plainly, then, this. The King is near his end; my nephew is mad-
-mad will mount the throne, and mad remain. God protect England,
since she will need it!"
"Verily it promiseth so, indeed. But . . . have you no misgivings
as to . . . as to . . ."
The speaker hesitated, and finally stopped. He evidently felt
that he was upon delicate ground. Lord Hertford stopped before
him, looked into his face with a clear, frank eye, and said--
"Speak on--there is none to hear but me. Misgivings as to what?"
"I am full loth to word the thing that is in my mind, and thou so
near to him in blood, my lord. But craving pardon if I do offend,
seemeth it not strange that madness could so change his port and
manner?--not but that his port and speech are princely still, but
that they DIFFER, in one unweighty trifle or another, from what
his custom was aforetime. Seemeth it not strange that madness
should filch from his memory his father's very lineaments; the
customs and observances that are his due from such as be about
him; and, leaving him his Latin, strip him of his Greek and
French? My lord, be not offended, but ease my mind of its
disquiet and receive my grateful thanks. It haunteth me, his
saying he was not the prince, and so--"
"Peace, my lord, thou utterest treason! Hast forgot the King's
command? Remember I am party to thy crime if I but listen."
St. John paled, and hastened to say--
"I was in fault, I do confess it. Betray me not, grant me this
grace out of thy courtesy, and I will neither think nor speak of
this thing more. Deal not hardly with me, sir, else am I ruined."
"I am content, my lord. So thou offend not again, here or in the
ears of others, it shall be as though thou hadst not spoken. But
thou need'st not have misgivings. He is my sister's son; are not
his voice, his face, his form, familiar to me from his cradle?
Madness can do all the odd conflicting things thou seest in him,
and more. Dost not recall how that the old Baron Marley, being
mad, forgot the favour of his own countenance that he had known
for sixty years, and held it was another's; nay, even claimed he
was the son of Mary Magdalene, and that his head was made of
Spanish glass; and, sooth to say, he suffered none to touch it,
lest by mischance some heedless hand might shiver it? Give thy
misgivings easement, good my lord. This is the very prince--I
know him well--and soon will be thy king; it may advantage thee to
bear this in mind, and more dwell upon it than the other."
After some further talk, in which the Lord St. John covered up his
mistake as well as he could by repeated protests that his faith
was thoroughly grounded now, and could not be assailed by doubts
again, the Lord Hertford relieved his fellow-keeper, and sat down
to keep watch and ward alone. He was soon deep in meditation, and
evidently the longer he thought, the more he was bothered. By-
and-by he began to pace the floor and mutter.
"Tush, he MUST be the prince! Will any he in all the land
maintain there can be two, not of one blood and birth, so
marvellously twinned? And even were it so, 'twere yet a stranger
miracle that chance should cast the one into the other's place.
Nay, 'tis folly, folly, folly!"
Presently he said--
"Now were he impostor and called himself prince, look you THAT
would be natural; that would be reasonable. But lived ever an
impostor yet, who, being called prince by the king, prince by the
court, prince by all, DENIED his dignity and pleaded against his
exaltation? NO! By the soul of St. Swithin, no! This is the
true prince, gone mad!"
2011-01-18
Chapter V. Tom as a patrician.
Chapter V. Tom as a patrician.
Tom Canty, left alone in the prince's cabinet, made good use of
his opportunity. He turned himself this way and that before the
great mirror, admiring his finery; then walked away, imitating the
prince's high-bred carriage, and still observing results in the
glass. Next he drew the beautiful sword, and bowed, kissing the
blade, and laying it across his breast, as he had seen a noble
knight do, by way of salute to the lieutenant of the Tower, five
or six weeks before, when delivering the great lords of Norfolk
and Surrey into his hands for captivity. Tom played with the
jewelled dagger that hung upon his thigh; he examined the costly
and exquisite ornaments of the room; he tried each of the
sumptuous chairs, and thought how proud he would be if the Offal
Court herd could only peep in and see him in his grandeur. He
wondered if they would believe the marvellous tale he should tell
when he got home, or if they would shake their heads, and say his
overtaxed imagination had at last upset his reason.
At the end of half an hour it suddenly occurred to him that the
prince was gone a long time; then right away he began to feel
lonely; very soon he fell to listening and longing, and ceased to
toy with the pretty things about him; he grew uneasy, then
restless, then distressed. Suppose some one should come, and
catch him in the prince's clothes, and the prince not there to
explain. Might they not hang him at once, and inquire into his
case afterward? He had heard that the great were prompt about
small matters. His fear rose higher and higher; and trembling he
softly opened the door to the antechamber, resolved to fly and
seek the prince, and, through him, protection and release. Six
gorgeous gentlemen-servants and two young pages of high degree,
clothed like butterflies, sprang to their feet and bowed low
before him. He stepped quickly back and shut the door. He said--
"Oh, they mock at me! They will go and tell. Oh! why came I here
to cast away my life?"
He walked up and down the floor, filled with nameless fears,
listening, starting at every trifling sound. Presently the door
swung open, and a silken page said--
"The Lady Jane Grey."
The door closed and a sweet young girl, richly clad, bounded
toward him. But she stopped suddenly, and said in a distressed
voice--
"Oh, what aileth thee, my lord?"
Tom's breath was nearly failing him; but he made shift to stammer
out--
"Ah, be merciful, thou! In sooth I am no lord, but only poor Tom
Canty of Offal Court in the city. Prithee let me see the prince,
and he will of his grace restore to me my rags, and let me hence
unhurt. Oh, be thou merciful, and save me!"
By this time the boy was on his knees, and supplicating with his
eyes and uplifted hands as well as with his tongue. The young
girl seemed horror-stricken. She cried out--
"O my lord, on thy knees?--and to ME!"
Then she fled away in fright; and Tom, smitten with despair, sank
down, murmuring--
"There is no help, there is no hope. Now will they come and take
me."
Whilst he lay there benumbed with terror, dreadful tidings were
speeding through the palace. The whisper--for it was whispered
always--flew from menial to menial, from lord to lady, down all
the long corridors, from story to story, from saloon to saloon,
"The prince hath gone mad, the prince hath gone mad!" Soon every
saloon, every marble hall, had its groups of glittering lords and
ladies, and other groups of dazzling lesser folk, talking
earnestly together in whispers, and every face had in it dismay.
Presently a splendid official came marching by these groups,
making solemn proclamation--
"IN THE NAME OF THE KING!
Let none list to this false and foolish matter, upon pain of
death, nor discuss the same, nor carry it abroad. In the name of
the King!"
The whisperings ceased as suddenly as if the whisperers had been
stricken dumb.
Soon there was a general buzz along the corridors, of "The prince!
See, the prince comes!"
Poor Tom came slowly walking past the low-bowing groups, trying to
bow in return, and meekly gazing upon his strange surroundings
with bewildered and pathetic eyes. Great nobles walked upon each
side of him, making him lean upon them, and so steady his steps.
Behind him followed the court-physicians and some servants.
Presently Tom found himself in a noble apartment of the palace and
heard the door close behind him. Around him stood those who had
come with him. Before him, at a little distance, reclined a very
large and very fat man, with a wide, pulpy face, and a stern
expression. His large head was very grey; and his whiskers, which
he wore only around his face, like a frame, were grey also. His
clothing was of rich stuff, but old, and slightly frayed in
places. One of his swollen legs had a pillow under it, and was
wrapped in bandages. There was silence now; and there was no head
there but was bent in reverence, except this man's. This stern-
countenanced invalid was the dread Henry VIII. He said--and his
face grew gentle as he began to speak--
"How now, my lord Edward, my prince? Hast been minded to cozen
me, the good King thy father, who loveth thee, and kindly useth
thee, with a sorry jest?"
Poor Tom was listening, as well as his dazed faculties would let
him, to the beginning of this speech; but when the words 'me, the
good King' fell upon his ear, his face blanched, and he dropped as
instantly upon his knees as if a shot had brought him there.
Lifting up his hands, he exclaimed--
"Thou the KING? Then am I undone indeed!"
This speech seemed to stun the King. His eyes wandered from face
to face aimlessly, then rested, bewildered, upon the boy before
him. Then he said in a tone of deep disappointment--
"Alack, I had believed the rumour disproportioned to the truth;
but I fear me 'tis not so." He breathed a heavy sigh, and said in
a gentle voice, "Come to thy father, child: thou art not well."
Tom was assisted to his feet, and approached the Majesty of
England, humble and trembling. The King took the frightened face
between his hands, and gazed earnestly and lovingly into it
awhile, as if seeking some grateful sign of returning reason
there, then pressed the curly head against his breast, and patted
it tenderly. Presently he said--
"Dost not know thy father, child? Break not mine old heart; say
thou know'st me. Thou DOST know me, dost thou not?"
"Yea: thou art my dread lord the King, whom God preserve!"
"True, true--that is well--be comforted, tremble not so; there is
none here would hurt thee; there is none here but loves thee.
Thou art better now; thy ill dream passeth--is't not so? Thou
wilt not miscall thyself again, as they say thou didst a little
while agone?"
"I pray thee of thy grace believe me, I did but speak the truth,
most dread lord; for I am the meanest among thy subjects, being a
pauper born, and 'tis by a sore mischance and accident I am here,
albeit I was therein nothing blameful. I am but young to die, and
thou canst save me with one little word. Oh speak it, sir!"
"Die? Talk not so, sweet prince--peace, peace, to thy troubled
heart--thou shalt not die!"
Tom dropped upon his knees with a glad cry--
"God requite thy mercy, O my King, and save thee long to bless thy
land!" Then springing up, he turned a joyful face toward the two
lords in waiting, and exclaimed, "Thou heard'st it! I am not to
die: the King hath said it!" There was no movement, save that
all bowed with grave respect; but no one spoke. He hesitated, a
little confused, then turned timidly toward the King, saying, "I
may go now?"
"Go? Surely, if thou desirest. But why not tarry yet a little?
Whither would'st go?"
Tom dropped his eyes, and answered humbly--
"Peradventure I mistook; but I did think me free, and so was I
moved to seek again the kennel where I was born and bred to
misery, yet which harboureth my mother and my sisters, and so is
home to me; whereas these pomps and splendours whereunto I am not
used--oh, please you, sir, to let me go!"
The King was silent and thoughtful a while, and his face betrayed
a growing distress and uneasiness. Presently he said, with
something of hope in his voice--
"Perchance he is but mad upon this one strain, and hath his wits
unmarred as toucheth other matter. God send it may be so! We
will make trial."
Then he asked Tom a question in Latin, and Tom answered him lamely
in the same tongue. The lords and doctors manifested their
gratification also. The King said--
"'Twas not according to his schooling and ability, but showeth
that his mind is but diseased, not stricken fatally. How say you,
sir?"
The physician addressed bowed low, and replied--
"It jumpeth with my own conviction, sire, that thou hast divined
aright."
The King looked pleased with this encouragement, coming as it did
from so excellent authority, and continued with good heart--
"Now mark ye all: we will try him further."
He put a question to Tom in French. Tom stood silent a moment,
embarrassed by having so many eyes centred upon him, then said
diffidently--
"I have no knowledge of this tongue, so please your majesty."
The King fell back upon his couch. The attendants flew to his
assistance; but he put them aside, and said--
"Trouble me not--it is nothing but a scurvy faintness. Raise me!
There, 'tis sufficient. Come hither, child; there, rest thy poor
troubled head upon thy father's heart, and be at peace. Thou'lt
soon be well: 'tis but a passing fantasy. Fear thou not; thou'lt
soon be well." Then he turned toward the company: his gentle
manner changed, and baleful lightnings began to play from his
eyes. He said--
"List ye all! This my son is mad; but it is not permanent. Over-
study hath done this, and somewhat too much of confinement. Away
with his books and teachers! see ye to it. Pleasure him with
sports, beguile him in wholesome ways, so that his health come
again." He raised himself higher still, and went on with energy,
"He is mad; but he is my son, and England's heir; and, mad or
sane, still shall he reign! And hear ye further, and proclaim it:
whoso speaketh of this his distemper worketh against the peace and
order of these realms, and shall to the gallows! . . . Give me to
drink--I burn: this sorrow sappeth my strength. . . . There, take
away the cup. . . . Support me. There, that is well. Mad, is he?
Were he a thousand times mad, yet is he Prince of Wales, and I the
King will confirm it. This very morrow shall he be installed in
his princely dignity in due and ancient form. Take instant order
for it, my lord Hertford."
One of the nobles knelt at the royal couch, and said--
"The King's majesty knoweth that the Hereditary Great Marshal of
England lieth attainted in the Tower. It were not meet that one
attainted--"
"Peace! Insult not mine ears with his hated name. Is this man to
live for ever? Am I to be baulked of my will? Is the prince to
tarry uninstalled, because, forsooth, the realm lacketh an Earl
Marshal free of treasonable taint to invest him with his honours?
No, by the splendour of God! Warn my Parliament to bring me
Norfolk's doom before the sun rise again, else shall they answer
for it grievously!" {1}
Lord Hertford said--
"The King's will is law;" and, rising, returned to his former
place.
Gradually the wrath faded out of the old King's face, and he said-
-
"Kiss me, my prince. There . . . what fearest thou? Am I not thy
loving father?"
"Thou art good to me that am unworthy, O mighty and gracious lord:
that in truth I know. But--but--it grieveth me to think of him
that is to die, and--"
"Ah, 'tis like thee, 'tis like thee! I know thy heart is still
the same, even though thy mind hath suffered hurt, for thou wert
ever of a gentle spirit. But this duke standeth between thee and
thine honours: I will have another in his stead that shall bring
no taint to his great office. Comfort thee, my prince: trouble
not thy poor head with this matter."
"But is it not I that speed him hence, my liege? How long might
he not live, but for me?"
"Take no thought of him, my prince: he is not worthy. Kiss me
once again, and go to thy trifles and amusements; for my malady
distresseth me. I am aweary, and would rest. Go with thine uncle
Hertford and thy people, and come again when my body is
refreshed."
Tom, heavy-hearted, was conducted from the presence, for this last
sentence was a death-blow to the hope he had cherished that now he
would be set free. Once more he heard the buzz of low voices
exclaiming, "The prince, the prince comes!"
His spirits sank lower and lower as he moved between the
glittering files of bowing courtiers; for he recognised that he
was indeed a captive now, and might remain for ever shut up in
this gilded cage, a forlorn and friendless prince, except God in
his mercy take pity on him and set him free.
And, turn where he would, he seemed to see floating in the air the
severed head and the remembered face of the great Duke of Norfolk,
the eyes fixed on him reproachfully.
His old dreams had been so pleasant; but this reality was so
dreary!
Tom Canty, left alone in the prince's cabinet, made good use of
his opportunity. He turned himself this way and that before the
great mirror, admiring his finery; then walked away, imitating the
prince's high-bred carriage, and still observing results in the
glass. Next he drew the beautiful sword, and bowed, kissing the
blade, and laying it across his breast, as he had seen a noble
knight do, by way of salute to the lieutenant of the Tower, five
or six weeks before, when delivering the great lords of Norfolk
and Surrey into his hands for captivity. Tom played with the
jewelled dagger that hung upon his thigh; he examined the costly
and exquisite ornaments of the room; he tried each of the
sumptuous chairs, and thought how proud he would be if the Offal
Court herd could only peep in and see him in his grandeur. He
wondered if they would believe the marvellous tale he should tell
when he got home, or if they would shake their heads, and say his
overtaxed imagination had at last upset his reason.
At the end of half an hour it suddenly occurred to him that the
prince was gone a long time; then right away he began to feel
lonely; very soon he fell to listening and longing, and ceased to
toy with the pretty things about him; he grew uneasy, then
restless, then distressed. Suppose some one should come, and
catch him in the prince's clothes, and the prince not there to
explain. Might they not hang him at once, and inquire into his
case afterward? He had heard that the great were prompt about
small matters. His fear rose higher and higher; and trembling he
softly opened the door to the antechamber, resolved to fly and
seek the prince, and, through him, protection and release. Six
gorgeous gentlemen-servants and two young pages of high degree,
clothed like butterflies, sprang to their feet and bowed low
before him. He stepped quickly back and shut the door. He said--
"Oh, they mock at me! They will go and tell. Oh! why came I here
to cast away my life?"
He walked up and down the floor, filled with nameless fears,
listening, starting at every trifling sound. Presently the door
swung open, and a silken page said--
"The Lady Jane Grey."
The door closed and a sweet young girl, richly clad, bounded
toward him. But she stopped suddenly, and said in a distressed
voice--
"Oh, what aileth thee, my lord?"
Tom's breath was nearly failing him; but he made shift to stammer
out--
"Ah, be merciful, thou! In sooth I am no lord, but only poor Tom
Canty of Offal Court in the city. Prithee let me see the prince,
and he will of his grace restore to me my rags, and let me hence
unhurt. Oh, be thou merciful, and save me!"
By this time the boy was on his knees, and supplicating with his
eyes and uplifted hands as well as with his tongue. The young
girl seemed horror-stricken. She cried out--
"O my lord, on thy knees?--and to ME!"
Then she fled away in fright; and Tom, smitten with despair, sank
down, murmuring--
"There is no help, there is no hope. Now will they come and take
me."
Whilst he lay there benumbed with terror, dreadful tidings were
speeding through the palace. The whisper--for it was whispered
always--flew from menial to menial, from lord to lady, down all
the long corridors, from story to story, from saloon to saloon,
"The prince hath gone mad, the prince hath gone mad!" Soon every
saloon, every marble hall, had its groups of glittering lords and
ladies, and other groups of dazzling lesser folk, talking
earnestly together in whispers, and every face had in it dismay.
Presently a splendid official came marching by these groups,
making solemn proclamation--
"IN THE NAME OF THE KING!
Let none list to this false and foolish matter, upon pain of
death, nor discuss the same, nor carry it abroad. In the name of
the King!"
The whisperings ceased as suddenly as if the whisperers had been
stricken dumb.
Soon there was a general buzz along the corridors, of "The prince!
See, the prince comes!"
Poor Tom came slowly walking past the low-bowing groups, trying to
bow in return, and meekly gazing upon his strange surroundings
with bewildered and pathetic eyes. Great nobles walked upon each
side of him, making him lean upon them, and so steady his steps.
Behind him followed the court-physicians and some servants.
Presently Tom found himself in a noble apartment of the palace and
heard the door close behind him. Around him stood those who had
come with him. Before him, at a little distance, reclined a very
large and very fat man, with a wide, pulpy face, and a stern
expression. His large head was very grey; and his whiskers, which
he wore only around his face, like a frame, were grey also. His
clothing was of rich stuff, but old, and slightly frayed in
places. One of his swollen legs had a pillow under it, and was
wrapped in bandages. There was silence now; and there was no head
there but was bent in reverence, except this man's. This stern-
countenanced invalid was the dread Henry VIII. He said--and his
face grew gentle as he began to speak--
"How now, my lord Edward, my prince? Hast been minded to cozen
me, the good King thy father, who loveth thee, and kindly useth
thee, with a sorry jest?"
Poor Tom was listening, as well as his dazed faculties would let
him, to the beginning of this speech; but when the words 'me, the
good King' fell upon his ear, his face blanched, and he dropped as
instantly upon his knees as if a shot had brought him there.
Lifting up his hands, he exclaimed--
"Thou the KING? Then am I undone indeed!"
This speech seemed to stun the King. His eyes wandered from face
to face aimlessly, then rested, bewildered, upon the boy before
him. Then he said in a tone of deep disappointment--
"Alack, I had believed the rumour disproportioned to the truth;
but I fear me 'tis not so." He breathed a heavy sigh, and said in
a gentle voice, "Come to thy father, child: thou art not well."
Tom was assisted to his feet, and approached the Majesty of
England, humble and trembling. The King took the frightened face
between his hands, and gazed earnestly and lovingly into it
awhile, as if seeking some grateful sign of returning reason
there, then pressed the curly head against his breast, and patted
it tenderly. Presently he said--
"Dost not know thy father, child? Break not mine old heart; say
thou know'st me. Thou DOST know me, dost thou not?"
"Yea: thou art my dread lord the King, whom God preserve!"
"True, true--that is well--be comforted, tremble not so; there is
none here would hurt thee; there is none here but loves thee.
Thou art better now; thy ill dream passeth--is't not so? Thou
wilt not miscall thyself again, as they say thou didst a little
while agone?"
"I pray thee of thy grace believe me, I did but speak the truth,
most dread lord; for I am the meanest among thy subjects, being a
pauper born, and 'tis by a sore mischance and accident I am here,
albeit I was therein nothing blameful. I am but young to die, and
thou canst save me with one little word. Oh speak it, sir!"
"Die? Talk not so, sweet prince--peace, peace, to thy troubled
heart--thou shalt not die!"
Tom dropped upon his knees with a glad cry--
"God requite thy mercy, O my King, and save thee long to bless thy
land!" Then springing up, he turned a joyful face toward the two
lords in waiting, and exclaimed, "Thou heard'st it! I am not to
die: the King hath said it!" There was no movement, save that
all bowed with grave respect; but no one spoke. He hesitated, a
little confused, then turned timidly toward the King, saying, "I
may go now?"
"Go? Surely, if thou desirest. But why not tarry yet a little?
Whither would'st go?"
Tom dropped his eyes, and answered humbly--
"Peradventure I mistook; but I did think me free, and so was I
moved to seek again the kennel where I was born and bred to
misery, yet which harboureth my mother and my sisters, and so is
home to me; whereas these pomps and splendours whereunto I am not
used--oh, please you, sir, to let me go!"
The King was silent and thoughtful a while, and his face betrayed
a growing distress and uneasiness. Presently he said, with
something of hope in his voice--
"Perchance he is but mad upon this one strain, and hath his wits
unmarred as toucheth other matter. God send it may be so! We
will make trial."
Then he asked Tom a question in Latin, and Tom answered him lamely
in the same tongue. The lords and doctors manifested their
gratification also. The King said--
"'Twas not according to his schooling and ability, but showeth
that his mind is but diseased, not stricken fatally. How say you,
sir?"
The physician addressed bowed low, and replied--
"It jumpeth with my own conviction, sire, that thou hast divined
aright."
The King looked pleased with this encouragement, coming as it did
from so excellent authority, and continued with good heart--
"Now mark ye all: we will try him further."
He put a question to Tom in French. Tom stood silent a moment,
embarrassed by having so many eyes centred upon him, then said
diffidently--
"I have no knowledge of this tongue, so please your majesty."
The King fell back upon his couch. The attendants flew to his
assistance; but he put them aside, and said--
"Trouble me not--it is nothing but a scurvy faintness. Raise me!
There, 'tis sufficient. Come hither, child; there, rest thy poor
troubled head upon thy father's heart, and be at peace. Thou'lt
soon be well: 'tis but a passing fantasy. Fear thou not; thou'lt
soon be well." Then he turned toward the company: his gentle
manner changed, and baleful lightnings began to play from his
eyes. He said--
"List ye all! This my son is mad; but it is not permanent. Over-
study hath done this, and somewhat too much of confinement. Away
with his books and teachers! see ye to it. Pleasure him with
sports, beguile him in wholesome ways, so that his health come
again." He raised himself higher still, and went on with energy,
"He is mad; but he is my son, and England's heir; and, mad or
sane, still shall he reign! And hear ye further, and proclaim it:
whoso speaketh of this his distemper worketh against the peace and
order of these realms, and shall to the gallows! . . . Give me to
drink--I burn: this sorrow sappeth my strength. . . . There, take
away the cup. . . . Support me. There, that is well. Mad, is he?
Were he a thousand times mad, yet is he Prince of Wales, and I the
King will confirm it. This very morrow shall he be installed in
his princely dignity in due and ancient form. Take instant order
for it, my lord Hertford."
One of the nobles knelt at the royal couch, and said--
"The King's majesty knoweth that the Hereditary Great Marshal of
England lieth attainted in the Tower. It were not meet that one
attainted--"
"Peace! Insult not mine ears with his hated name. Is this man to
live for ever? Am I to be baulked of my will? Is the prince to
tarry uninstalled, because, forsooth, the realm lacketh an Earl
Marshal free of treasonable taint to invest him with his honours?
No, by the splendour of God! Warn my Parliament to bring me
Norfolk's doom before the sun rise again, else shall they answer
for it grievously!" {1}
Lord Hertford said--
"The King's will is law;" and, rising, returned to his former
place.
Gradually the wrath faded out of the old King's face, and he said-
-
"Kiss me, my prince. There . . . what fearest thou? Am I not thy
loving father?"
"Thou art good to me that am unworthy, O mighty and gracious lord:
that in truth I know. But--but--it grieveth me to think of him
that is to die, and--"
"Ah, 'tis like thee, 'tis like thee! I know thy heart is still
the same, even though thy mind hath suffered hurt, for thou wert
ever of a gentle spirit. But this duke standeth between thee and
thine honours: I will have another in his stead that shall bring
no taint to his great office. Comfort thee, my prince: trouble
not thy poor head with this matter."
"But is it not I that speed him hence, my liege? How long might
he not live, but for me?"
"Take no thought of him, my prince: he is not worthy. Kiss me
once again, and go to thy trifles and amusements; for my malady
distresseth me. I am aweary, and would rest. Go with thine uncle
Hertford and thy people, and come again when my body is
refreshed."
Tom, heavy-hearted, was conducted from the presence, for this last
sentence was a death-blow to the hope he had cherished that now he
would be set free. Once more he heard the buzz of low voices
exclaiming, "The prince, the prince comes!"
His spirits sank lower and lower as he moved between the
glittering files of bowing courtiers; for he recognised that he
was indeed a captive now, and might remain for ever shut up in
this gilded cage, a forlorn and friendless prince, except God in
his mercy take pity on him and set him free.
And, turn where he would, he seemed to see floating in the air the
severed head and the remembered face of the great Duke of Norfolk,
the eyes fixed on him reproachfully.
His old dreams had been so pleasant; but this reality was so
dreary!
Chapter IV. The Prince's troubles begin.
Chapter IV. The Prince's troubles begin.
After hours of persistent pursuit and persecution, the little
prince was at last deserted by the rabble and left to himself. As
long as he had been able to rage against the mob, and threaten it
royally, and royally utter commands that were good stuff to laugh
at, he was very entertaining; but when weariness finally forced
him to be silent, he was no longer of use to his tormentors, and
they sought amusement elsewhere. He looked about him, now, but
could not recognise the locality. He was within the city of
London--that was all he knew. He moved on, aimlessly, and in a
little while the houses thinned, and the passers-by were
infrequent. He bathed his bleeding feet in the brook which flowed
then where Farringdon Street now is; rested a few moments, then
passed on, and presently came upon a great space with only a few
scattered houses in it, and a prodigious church. He recognised
this church. Scaffoldings were about, everywhere, and swarms of
workmen; for it was undergoing elaborate repairs. The prince took
heart at once--he felt that his troubles were at an end, now. He
said to himself, "It is the ancient Grey Friars' Church, which the
king my father hath taken from the monks and given for a home for
ever for poor and forsaken children, and new-named it Christ's
Church. Right gladly will they serve the son of him who hath done
so generously by them--and the more that that son is himself as
poor and as forlorn as any that be sheltered here this day, or
ever shall be."
He was soon in the midst of a crowd of boys who were running,
jumping, playing at ball and leap-frog, and otherwise disporting
themselves, and right noisily, too. They were all dressed alike,
and in the fashion which in that day prevailed among serving-men
and 'prentices{1}--that is to say, each had on the crown of his
head a flat black cap about the size of a saucer, which was not
useful as a covering, it being of such scanty dimensions, neither
was it ornamental; from beneath it the hair fell, unparted, to the
middle of the forehead, and was cropped straight around; a
clerical band at the neck; a blue gown that fitted closely and
hung as low as the knees or lower; full sleeves; a broad red belt;
bright yellow stockings, gartered above the knees; low shoes with
large metal buckles. It was a sufficiently ugly costume.
The boys stopped their play and flocked about the prince, who said
with native dignity--
"Good lads, say to your master that Edward Prince of Wales
desireth speech with him."
A great shout went up at this, and one rude fellow said--
"Marry, art thou his grace's messenger, beggar?"
The prince's face flushed with anger, and his ready hand flew to
his hip, but there was nothing there. There was a storm of
laughter, and one boy said--
"Didst mark that? He fancied he had a sword--belike he is the
prince himself."
This sally brought more laughter. Poor Edward drew himself up
proudly and said--
"I am the prince; and it ill beseemeth you that feed upon the king
my father's bounty to use me so."
This was vastly enjoyed, as the laughter testified. The youth who
had first spoken, shouted to his comrades--
"Ho, swine, slaves, pensioners of his grace's princely father,
where be your manners? Down on your marrow bones, all of ye, and
do reverence to his kingly port and royal rags!"
With boisterous mirth they dropped upon their knees in a body and
did mock homage to their prey. The prince spurned the nearest boy
with his foot, and said fiercely--
"Take thou that, till the morrow come and I build thee a gibbet!"
Ah, but this was not a joke--this was going beyond fun. The
laughter ceased on the instant, and fury took its place. A dozen
shouted--
"Hale him forth! To the horse-pond, to the horse-pond! Where be
the dogs? Ho, there, Lion! ho, Fangs!"
Then followed such a thing as England had never seen before--the
sacred person of the heir to the throne rudely buffeted by
plebeian hands, and set upon and torn by dogs.
As night drew to a close that day, the prince found himself far
down in the close-built portion of the city. His body was
bruised, his hands were bleeding, and his rags were all besmirched
with mud. He wandered on and on, and grew more and more
bewildered, and so tired and faint he could hardly drag one foot
after the other. He had ceased to ask questions of anyone, since
they brought him only insult instead of information. He kept
muttering to himself, "Offal Court--that is the name; if I can but
find it before my strength is wholly spent and I drop, then am I
saved--for his people will take me to the palace and prove that I
am none of theirs, but the true prince, and I shall have mine own
again." And now and then his mind reverted to his treatment by
those rude Christ's Hospital boys, and he said, "When I am king,
they shall not have bread and shelter only, but also teachings out
of books; for a full belly is little worth where the mind is
starved, and the heart. I will keep this diligently in my
remembrance, that this day's lesson be not lost upon me, and my
people suffer thereby; for learning softeneth the heart and
breedeth gentleness and charity. {1}
The lights began to twinkle, it came on to rain, the wind rose,
and a raw and gusty night set in. The houseless prince, the
homeless heir to the throne of England, still moved on, drifting
deeper into the maze of squalid alleys where the swarming hives of
poverty and misery were massed together.
Suddenly a great drunken ruffian collared him and said--
"Out to this time of night again, and hast not brought a farthing
home, I warrant me! If it be so, an' I do not break all the bones
in thy lean body, then am I not John Canty, but some other."
The prince twisted himself loose, unconsciously brushed his
profaned shoulder, and eagerly said--
"Oh, art HIS father, truly? Sweet heaven grant it be so--then
wilt thou fetch him away and restore me!"
"HIS father? I know not what thou mean'st; I but know I am THY
father, as thou shalt soon have cause to--"
"Oh, jest not, palter not, delay not!--I am worn, I am wounded, I
can bear no more. Take me to the king my father, and he will make
thee rich beyond thy wildest dreams. Believe me, man, believe
me!--I speak no lie, but only the truth!--put forth thy hand and
save me! I am indeed the Prince of Wales!"
The man stared down, stupefied, upon the lad, then shook his head
and muttered--
"Gone stark mad as any Tom o' Bedlam!"--then collared him once
more, and said with a coarse laugh and an oath, "But mad or no
mad, I and thy Gammer Canty will soon find where the soft places
in thy bones lie, or I'm no true man!"
With this he dragged the frantic and struggling prince away, and
disappeared up a front court followed by a delighted and noisy
swarm of human vermin.
After hours of persistent pursuit and persecution, the little
prince was at last deserted by the rabble and left to himself. As
long as he had been able to rage against the mob, and threaten it
royally, and royally utter commands that were good stuff to laugh
at, he was very entertaining; but when weariness finally forced
him to be silent, he was no longer of use to his tormentors, and
they sought amusement elsewhere. He looked about him, now, but
could not recognise the locality. He was within the city of
London--that was all he knew. He moved on, aimlessly, and in a
little while the houses thinned, and the passers-by were
infrequent. He bathed his bleeding feet in the brook which flowed
then where Farringdon Street now is; rested a few moments, then
passed on, and presently came upon a great space with only a few
scattered houses in it, and a prodigious church. He recognised
this church. Scaffoldings were about, everywhere, and swarms of
workmen; for it was undergoing elaborate repairs. The prince took
heart at once--he felt that his troubles were at an end, now. He
said to himself, "It is the ancient Grey Friars' Church, which the
king my father hath taken from the monks and given for a home for
ever for poor and forsaken children, and new-named it Christ's
Church. Right gladly will they serve the son of him who hath done
so generously by them--and the more that that son is himself as
poor and as forlorn as any that be sheltered here this day, or
ever shall be."
He was soon in the midst of a crowd of boys who were running,
jumping, playing at ball and leap-frog, and otherwise disporting
themselves, and right noisily, too. They were all dressed alike,
and in the fashion which in that day prevailed among serving-men
and 'prentices{1}--that is to say, each had on the crown of his
head a flat black cap about the size of a saucer, which was not
useful as a covering, it being of such scanty dimensions, neither
was it ornamental; from beneath it the hair fell, unparted, to the
middle of the forehead, and was cropped straight around; a
clerical band at the neck; a blue gown that fitted closely and
hung as low as the knees or lower; full sleeves; a broad red belt;
bright yellow stockings, gartered above the knees; low shoes with
large metal buckles. It was a sufficiently ugly costume.
The boys stopped their play and flocked about the prince, who said
with native dignity--
"Good lads, say to your master that Edward Prince of Wales
desireth speech with him."
A great shout went up at this, and one rude fellow said--
"Marry, art thou his grace's messenger, beggar?"
The prince's face flushed with anger, and his ready hand flew to
his hip, but there was nothing there. There was a storm of
laughter, and one boy said--
"Didst mark that? He fancied he had a sword--belike he is the
prince himself."
This sally brought more laughter. Poor Edward drew himself up
proudly and said--
"I am the prince; and it ill beseemeth you that feed upon the king
my father's bounty to use me so."
This was vastly enjoyed, as the laughter testified. The youth who
had first spoken, shouted to his comrades--
"Ho, swine, slaves, pensioners of his grace's princely father,
where be your manners? Down on your marrow bones, all of ye, and
do reverence to his kingly port and royal rags!"
With boisterous mirth they dropped upon their knees in a body and
did mock homage to their prey. The prince spurned the nearest boy
with his foot, and said fiercely--
"Take thou that, till the morrow come and I build thee a gibbet!"
Ah, but this was not a joke--this was going beyond fun. The
laughter ceased on the instant, and fury took its place. A dozen
shouted--
"Hale him forth! To the horse-pond, to the horse-pond! Where be
the dogs? Ho, there, Lion! ho, Fangs!"
Then followed such a thing as England had never seen before--the
sacred person of the heir to the throne rudely buffeted by
plebeian hands, and set upon and torn by dogs.
As night drew to a close that day, the prince found himself far
down in the close-built portion of the city. His body was
bruised, his hands were bleeding, and his rags were all besmirched
with mud. He wandered on and on, and grew more and more
bewildered, and so tired and faint he could hardly drag one foot
after the other. He had ceased to ask questions of anyone, since
they brought him only insult instead of information. He kept
muttering to himself, "Offal Court--that is the name; if I can but
find it before my strength is wholly spent and I drop, then am I
saved--for his people will take me to the palace and prove that I
am none of theirs, but the true prince, and I shall have mine own
again." And now and then his mind reverted to his treatment by
those rude Christ's Hospital boys, and he said, "When I am king,
they shall not have bread and shelter only, but also teachings out
of books; for a full belly is little worth where the mind is
starved, and the heart. I will keep this diligently in my
remembrance, that this day's lesson be not lost upon me, and my
people suffer thereby; for learning softeneth the heart and
breedeth gentleness and charity. {1}
The lights began to twinkle, it came on to rain, the wind rose,
and a raw and gusty night set in. The houseless prince, the
homeless heir to the throne of England, still moved on, drifting
deeper into the maze of squalid alleys where the swarming hives of
poverty and misery were massed together.
Suddenly a great drunken ruffian collared him and said--
"Out to this time of night again, and hast not brought a farthing
home, I warrant me! If it be so, an' I do not break all the bones
in thy lean body, then am I not John Canty, but some other."
The prince twisted himself loose, unconsciously brushed his
profaned shoulder, and eagerly said--
"Oh, art HIS father, truly? Sweet heaven grant it be so--then
wilt thou fetch him away and restore me!"
"HIS father? I know not what thou mean'st; I but know I am THY
father, as thou shalt soon have cause to--"
"Oh, jest not, palter not, delay not!--I am worn, I am wounded, I
can bear no more. Take me to the king my father, and he will make
thee rich beyond thy wildest dreams. Believe me, man, believe
me!--I speak no lie, but only the truth!--put forth thy hand and
save me! I am indeed the Prince of Wales!"
The man stared down, stupefied, upon the lad, then shook his head
and muttered--
"Gone stark mad as any Tom o' Bedlam!"--then collared him once
more, and said with a coarse laugh and an oath, "But mad or no
mad, I and thy Gammer Canty will soon find where the soft places
in thy bones lie, or I'm no true man!"
With this he dragged the frantic and struggling prince away, and
disappeared up a front court followed by a delighted and noisy
swarm of human vermin.
訂閱：
意見 (Atom)