Page:Witty and entertaining exploits of George Buchanan (5).pdf/8

8 doing, they all refused till the dying hour was past, and then he took a protest against them, and by that means' saved his live. After this he was admitted to the Queen's favour and presence, and attended the court as formerly.

About this time the French King, in order to pick a quarrel with the court of Britain, sent a a letter to the king, desiring it to be read before the Parliament; and the writing was as follows: ' Will I come? Will I come? Will I come?'—This letter being read before the King and his courtiers, they all concluded that the French King designed to invade England; therefore, they ordered an answer to be wrote, upbraiding him with the breach of peace, and putting him in mind of the last treaty. The answer being read over before the King and his nobles, they all agreed that it should be sent off. But George, smiling and shaking his head, said,

Many men, many minds;

Who knows what he designs?

They then asked George what he thought the French King meant by such a letter? To which he answered, I suppose he wants an invitation to come over and dine with you, and then return in a friendly manner; but you are going to charge him with a breach of peace, before he has given any signal of offence. His letter is indeed dark and mystical, but send him an answer according to his question. Now, George being ordered to write the answer, it was as follows. "And ye come. — And ye come. — And ye come.' This being sent to the French King, he admired it beyond expression, saying, It was more valiant and daring than he expected. So the enmity he intended was extinguished and turned into love.

It happened once that a malignant party in