The Sons of William the Conqueror

by James Baldwin

　　

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There was once a great king of England who was called Wil-liam theCon-quer-or, and he had three sons.One day King Wil-liam seemed to be thinking of something that made himfeel very sad; and the wise men who were about him asked him whatwas the matter."I am thinking," he said, "of what my sons may do after I am dead.For, unless they are wise and strong, they cannot keep the kingdomwhich I have won for them. Indeed, I am at a loss to know which one ofthe three ought to be the king when I am gone.""O king!" said the wise men, "if we only knew what things your sonsadmire the most, we might then be able to tell what kind of men theywill be. Perhaps, by asking each one of them a few ques-tions, we canfind out which one of them will be best fitted to rule in your place.""The plan is well worth trying, at least," said the king. "Have theboys come before you, and then ask them what you please."The wise men talked with one another for a little while, and thenagreed that the young princes should be brought in, one at a time, andthat the same ques-tions should be put to each.The first who came into the room was Robert. He was a tall, willfullad, and was nick-named Short Stocking."Fair sir," said one of the men, "answer me this question: If, insteadof being a boy, it had pleased God that you should be a bird, whatkind of a bird would you rather be?""A hawk," answered Robert. "I would rather be a hawk, for no otherbird reminds one so much of a bold and gallant knight."The next who came was young William, his father's name-sake and pet.His face was jolly and round, and because he had red hair he wasnicknamed Rufus, or the Red."Fair sir," said the wise man, "answer me this question: If, insteadof being a boy, it had pleased God that you should be a bird, whatkind of a bird would you rather be?""An eagle," answered William. "I would rather be an eagle, because itis strong and brave. It is feared by all other birds, and isthere-fore the king of them all."Lastly came the youngest brother, Henry, with quiet steps and a sober,thought-ful look. He had been taught to read and write, and for thatreason he was nick-named Beau-clerc, or the Hand-some Schol-ar."Fair sir," said the wise man, "answer me this question: If, insteadof being a boy, it had pleased God that you should be a bird, whatkind of a bird would you rather be?""A star-ling," said Henry. "I would rather be a star-ling, because itis good-mannered and kind and a joy to every one who sees it, and itnever tries to rob or abuse its neigh-bor."Then the wise men talked with one another for a little while, and whenthey had agreed among themselves, they spoke to the king."We find," said they, "that your eldest son, Robert, will be bold andgallant. He will do some great deeds, and make a name for himself; butin the end he will be over-come by his foes, and will die in prison."The second son, William, will be as brave and strong as the eagle;but he will be feared and hated for his cruel deeds. He will lead awicked life, and will die a shameful death."The youngest son, Henry, will be wise and prudent and peaceful. Hewill go to war only when he is forced to do so by his enemies. He willbe loved at home, and re-spect-ed abroad; and he will die in peaceafter having gained great pos-ses-sions."Years passed by, and the three boys had grown up to be men. KingWilliam lay upon his death-bed, and again he thought of what wouldbecome of his sons when he was gone. Then he re-mem-bered what thewise men had told him; and so he de-clared that Robert should have thelands which he held in France, that William should be the King ofEngland, and that Henry should have no land at all, but only a chestof gold.So it hap-pened in the end very much as the wise men had fore-told.Robert, the Short Stocking, was bold and reckless, like the hawk whichhe so much admired. He lost all the lands that his father had lefthim, and was at last shut up in prison, where he was kept until hedied.William Rufus was so over-bear-ing and cruel that he was feared andhated by all his people. He led a wicked life, and was killed by oneof his own men while hunting in the forest.And Henry, the Handsome Scholar, had not only the chest of gold forhis own, but he became by and by the King of England and the ruler ofall the lands that his father had had in France.

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