Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/579

 1585.3 THE BOND OF ASSOCIATION: 563 Of him however there was but little hope. He had no love for his cousin of Guise, and those who knew your authority ? I marvel to see you thus betrayed by your council, and so blind as to tolerate their villany. Pardon the affection which emboldens me to speak thus freely to you. I protest before God, I do it only for the honour and the love I bear you. Alas ! think you the cloke of religion in which they wrap themselves is so thick that their design cannot be seen through it? their design, I say, to have France ruled, in your name indeed, but at their devotion. And I pray God that be all. I do not think it will be. Princes conquered by their subjects are rarely of long continuance. God defend you ! be not yourself an example of this. ' Wake up your kingly spirit, and you shall see that we two, if it please you to use my aid, will put them to the greatest shame that ever rebels knew. If your loyal subjects see you put to your hand, if they have not cause to suspect, as mauy do, that you are yourself in league with these men, seeing the small heed you take of them, doubt not they will so stand by you, that you shall have your rebels alive or dead in your hands, to your eternal honour. A King like you should choose rather to risk his life in battle than endure the shame which is coming upon you. Better far to lose twice ten thousand men than reign at the will of traitors. You will soon end this business if you do not beg for peace ere you have taught them to know their places. Who and what are these men that are so hardy as to give the law to their King, and with strange requests and monstrous conditions would make you break your plighted word ? Jesus ! was it ever seen that a Prince was so awed by traitors that he had neither heart nor council to defy them ? If a Queen in two weeks brought into the field 30,000 men to chastise two dreaming fools, who were set on by another prince, and were not seeking their own advancement,* what should not a King of France do against men who claim precedence of the House of Valois, and pretend prior descent from Charlemagne, and to colour their doings call themsclTes champions of the faith, and gird at you as less devout than themselves ? Awake, for the love of God. You have slept too long. Trust to me. I will help you if you do not abandon yourself. I hear you have a few day* respite. Use the time and make yourself strong. Beware of con- ditions which will bring you to shame and ruin. I have been so ill handled by your gallant Duke of Aumale, that I can send you no more special ministers ; but I beg you write freely to me. Tell me what you will do, and care not for other men's pleasure, but think of your own need. The Creator aid you with his grace and The Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland.