Page:The reign of William Rufus and the accession of Henry the First.djvu/138

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once appealed in vain. The King is implored not to lay hands on one of Odo's holy calling, not to shed blood which was at once kindred and sacred. Let the Bishop of Bayeux at least be spared, and allowed to go back to his proper place in his Norman diocese. Count Eustace too was the son of his father's old ally and follower—the invasion which Eustace's father had once wrought in that very shire seems to be conveniently forgotten. Robert of Bellême had been loved and promoted by his father; he held no small part of Normandy; lord of many strong castles, he stood out foremost among the nobles of the duchy. It was no more than the bidding of prudence to win over such men by favours, and to have their friendship instead of their enmity. As for the rest, they were valiant knights, whose proffered services the King would do well not to despise. The King had shown how far he surpassed his enemies in power, riches, and valour; let him now show how far he surpassed them in mercy and greatness of soul.

The balancing clause was not called for.]*