He caught Rudolf's hand and spoke to him again in a low, broken voice, an unwonted softness transforming his harsh tones.
"Lad," he said, "don't say no.

Here's the finest lady alive sick for her lover, and the finest country in the world sick for its true king, and the best friends--ay, by Heaven, the best friends--man ever had, sick to call you master.

I know nothing about your conscience; but this I know: the king's dead, and the place is empty; and I don't see what Almighty God sent you here for unless it was to fill it.

Come, lad--for our love and her honor! While he was alive I'd have killed you sooner than let you take it.

He's dead.