LOUIS

That so I mean, I swear before you all On this same Altar, and by heavens power, Theres not and English traitor of them all, John once dispatched, and I fair England's King, Shall on his shoulders bear his head one day, But I will crop it for their guilts desert: Nor shall their heirs enjoy their Signory, But perish by their parents foul amiss. This have I sworn, and this will I perform, If ere I come unto the height I hope. Lay down your hands, and swear the same with me. Why so, now call them in, and speak them fair, A smile of France will feed and English fool. Bear them in hand as friends, for so they be: But in the heart Like traitors as they are. Now famous followers, chieftains of the world, Have we solicited with hearty prayer The heaven in favour of our high attempt. Leave we this place, and march we with our power To rouse the tyrant from his chiefest hold: And when our labours have a prosperous end, Each man shall reap the fruit of his desert. And so resolved, brave followers let us hence. Thus John, thou art absolved from all thy sins, And freed by order from our Father's curse. Receive thy Crown again, with this proviso, That thou remain true liegeman to the Pope, And carry arms in right of holy Room. Pandulph, as gave his Holiness in charge, So hath the Dolphin mustered up his troops, And won the greatest partly of all this Land. But ill becomes your Grace Lord Cardinal, Thus to converse with John that is accursed. But all's not done that Lews came to do. Why Pandulph, hath king Philip sent his son And been at such excessive charge in wars, To be dismissed with words? king John shall know, England is mine, and he usurps my right. Thus victory in bloody Laurel clad, Follows the fortune of young Lodowick, The Englishmen as daunted at our sighed, Fallen as the fowl before the Eagles eyes, Only two crosses of contrary change Do nip my heart, and vex me with unrest. Lord Meluns death, the one partly of my soul, A braver man did never live in France. The other grief, I that's a gall indeed, To think that Dover Castle should hold out Gainst all assaults, and rest impregnable. Ye warlike raze of Francus Hector's son, Triumph in conquest of that tyrant John, The better half of England is our own: And towards the conquest of the other partly, We have the face of all the English Lords, What then remains but overrun the land? Be resolute my warlike followers, And if good fortune serve as she begins, The poorest peasant of the realm of France Shall be a master over and English Lord. Fellow, what news? More news? say on. Was ever herd such unexpected news? Brave Frenchmen armed with magnanimity, March after Lews, who will lead you on To chase the Barons power that wants a head, For John is drowned, and I am England's King. Though our munition and our men be lost, Philip of France will send us fresh supplies. Henry of England, now that John is dead, That was the chiefest enemy to France, I may the rather be inducde to peace. But Salsbury, and you Barons of the Realm, This strange revolt agrees not with the oath That you on Bury Altar lately sware. Fair Lords of England, Lewis salutes you all As friends, and firm wellwillers of his weal, At whose request, from plenty flowing France, Crossing the Ocean with a Southern gale, He is in person come at your commands, To undertake and gratify withal, The fullness of your favours proffered him. But world's brave men, omitting promises, Till time be minister of more amends, I must acquaint you with our Fortune's course. The heavens dewing favours on my head, Have in their conduct safe with victory, Brought me along your well manured bounds, With small repulse, and little cross of chance, Your City Rochester, with great applause, By some divine instinct laid arms aside: And from the hollow holes of Thamesis, Echo apace replied, Vive la Roy. From thence, along the wanton rolling glade To Troynovant, your fair Metropolis, With luck came Lewis, to show his troops of France, Waving our Ensigns with the dallying winds, The fearful object of fell frowning war; Where after some assault, and small defence, Heavens may I say, and not my warlike troop, Tempered their hearts to take a friendly foe Within the compass of their high built walls, Giving me title, as it seemed they wish. Thus fortune (Lords) acts to your forwardness, Means of content, in lieu of former grief: And may I live but to requite you all, World's wish were mine, in dying noted yours. Thanks to you all of this religious league, A holy knot of Catholic consent. I cannot name you Lordings, man by man, But Like a stranger unacquainted yet, In general I promise faithful love: Lord Bigot brought me to S. Edmunds shrine, Giving me warrant of a Christian oath That this assembly came To swear according as your p ckets showed, Homage and loyal service to our self, I needs not doubt the surety of your wills, Since well I know, for many of your sakes, The towns have yielded on their own accords: Yet for a fashion, not for misbelief, My eyes must witness, and these ears must hear Your oath upon the holy Altar sworn, And after march, to end our comings cause. I rest assured on your holy oath, And on this Altar in Like sort I swear Love to you all, and princely recompense To guerdon your good wills unto the full. And since I am at this religious shrine, My good wellwillers give us leave awhile, To use some orisons our selves apart, To all the holy company of heaven, That they will smile upon our purposes, And bring them to a fortunate event. Now Viscount Melon, what remains behind? Trust me these traitors to their Sovereign State, Are not to be believed in any sort. Well Melon, well, let's smooth with the ̄ awhile, Until we have as much as they can do: And when their virtue is exhaled dry, I'll hang them for the guerdon of their help: Mean while we'll use them as a precious poison, To undertake the issue of our hope. Pandulph, our swords shall bless our selves again: Prepare thee John, Lords follow me your King. That shall we think upon by more advice. Faith Philip this I say: It boots not me, Nor any Prince, nor power of Christendom To seek to win this Island Albion, Unless he have a party in the Realm By treason for to help him in his wars. The Peers which were the party on my side, Are fled from me: then boots not me to fight, But on conditions, as mine honour wills, I am contented to depart the Realm.