Page:Life and transactions of Mrs. Jane Shore, concubine to K. Edward IV.pdf/17

 behaved in a moſt courteous manner.

Her power was ſo great with the King, that when his courtiers durſt not intercede for the poor and miſerable that lay under his diſpleaſure, ſhe, with her wit, would ſo abate his anger, that ſhe ſaved the lives of very many, both poor and rich. And though ſhe could in a manner do all with him, yet it was never known ſhe uſed her influence to the prejudice of any. And both in London, and the progreſſes ſhe made in the country, ſhe would cauſe poor people to be ſought for, and relieve their neceſſities, inducing and perſuading others, who expected any good offices from the King by her means, to do the ſame, never ſelling her favours; and by her ready wit, ſhe ſo baffled the court-ladies, who envied her aſpiring that they found themſelves unable to repartes. And though the King had another miſtreſs before her, Lady Beſſy, yet he preferred our heroine much above her, and would often merrily ſay, I have two miſtreſes