Two hours before noon
demanded the king , as his pen ceased in its task . `` Sir Stephen Fitzjohn , my liege , sent by the Earl of Berwick with the warrant , for which he waits . '' `` He need wait no longer then , for it is there . Two hours before noon the traitor dies ; we give him grace till then , that our good subjects of Berwick may take warning by his fate , and our bird in the cage witness the end of the gallant so devoted to her cause . Bid the knight begone , my Lord of Arundel ; he hath too long waited our pleasure . Ha ! whom have we here ?