That reasons which are rank in Burgundy

Have been transplanted to the soil of France,

That fits them not.

BURGUNDY.

In Jacques Bonhomme's throat

I'll tell him that he slanders me and lies.
No soil in Christendom but fits my reasons;
No soil where virtue, chivalry, and honour
Are fed and flourish, but shall fit them well.
When honour and nobility fall prone

In Flanders, think you they stand fast in France?
Or losing ground in France, have hope elsewhere?
This by no narrow bound is circumscribed:

It is the cause of chivalry at large.

Though heir to Flanders I am Frenchman born,
And nearer have at heart the weal of France
Than my far off inheritance. Go to ;
Lay we before the council the sad truth

Of these distractions that so rock the realm,—
Paris possessed by Nicholas le Flamand

Where law's a nothing and the king a name;
Armies with mallets but beginning there,

And gathering like the snow wreaths in a storm
Before a man hath time to get him hous'd,

At Chalons on the Marne, Champagne, Beauvoisin,

At Orleans, at Rheims, at Blois, and Rouen,
And every reach of road from Paris south:
Then point we to the North, where Artevelde
Wields at his single will the Flemish force,
Five hundred thousand swords; and ask what fate
Awaits our France, if those with these unite,
Bold villains both, and ripe for riving down
All royalty, thereafter or therewith
Nobility! Then strike whiles yet apart
Each single foe.

As fair as false.

BOURBON.

But Philip speaks us fair.

BURGUNDY.

SIR FLEUREANT.

My lords, there's proof of that

Here close at hand; a yeoman from Tournesis,
But now arrived with news of ravage done

On the French frontier.

BURGUNDY.

There, good brother, there!

There's Flemish friendship, Flemish love of peace!

Shall we make nought of this?

Enter the KING with a Hawk on his hand.

BURGUNDY.

How now, my royal cousin, have you done?

Can you repeat the speech?

KING.

Oh yes, good uncle.

[Exit.

Right noble our liege councillors all, We greet you!

We have required your—

BURGUNDY.

Presence here this day.

KING.

'We have required your presence here this day

On matters of high import, which surcharge
Our royal mind that still affects the weal

Of our beloved lieges. Much to peace
Our tender years incline us, but-but-but-'

I'll fly my hawk, good uncle, now; to-morrow

I'll say the rest. Come, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry!

He is a Marzarolt, uncle, just reclaimed ;
The best in France for flying at the fur.
Whew! Jerry, Jerry, Jerry!

Here, worthy yeoman, you shall kiss our hand.

Get off there, Jerry.

(The YEOMAN kneels and kisses his hand.)

BOURBON.

Now, sir, from what place

In France or Flanders, com'st thou ?

YEOMAN.

Please your Highness,

'Twas a small holding from my lord of Vergues

Close to the liberties of Fontenoy.

BOURBON.

This side the bourn?

YEOMAN.

Three miles, my lord, and long ones.

BURGUNDY.

Three miles in France.

BOURBON.

And what befell thee there?

YEOMAN.

My lord, my wife and I, on Wednesday night,
Saw fires to the north and westward, up by Orcq
And round to Beau-Renard, and knew by that

The Flemish commons had been there, that late
Have roamed through Flanders, burning where they came
The houses of the gentlemen and knights.

Then said my wife, (Pierilla, if it please you,)
'Tis well we're yeomen and of poor estate,

And that we're lieges of a mightier lord

Than was the Count of Flanders: 'tis God's mercy !
Or else might they that look from Beau-Renard
To the south and eastward, see this house on fire
To-morrow night, as we this night see theirs!'
But hardly had she said it, when due south
The sky was all on fire; and then we knew