“Send some one with a dagger to visit him,” said another.
“Throw him into the river to be king of the fishes,” said a third.
King John liked the idea of the dagger. He told William de Bray, a Norman knight, that if he would stab the young prince he should be richly rewarded with lands and gold. But Sir William turned on his heel and left the king, saying, “I am a gentleman and not a murderer.”
Then the king thought of putting out the boy’s eyes. He found two ruffians who were willing to do the deed for pay, and sent them down to Falaise. They took with them the king’s order, which they gave to Hubert:
You are commanded to burn the boy’s eyes out with red-hot irons. See that you fail not. The men who carry this to you will do your bidding in the matter.
Hubert read it and then showed it to the prince.
“Arthur,” he said, “I have a message from you uncle. I pray you look it over and tell me what you think of it;” and then he turned away while the prince read.
“Hubert!” said Arthur.
“Well, my prince!”
“Shall I tell you what I think of it? I think that you will not burn out my eyes.”
“But the king commands, and I must obey. He will take my life if I refuse.”
“Then do it, dear Hubert, to save yourself. But how can you? These eyes never harmed you. They never so much as frowned upon you, nor never shall they. Is there no other way?”