The Last Of The Barons, Volume 4.

und the lake, some in the tents, some again in the arbours; here and there the forms of dame and cavalier might be seen, ste

nce their sports, and listening to the laughter that came in frequent peals from the royal tent. Within feasted Edward, the Count de la Roche, the Lord Rivers; while

wrought with gems, and passed it to Anthony the Bastard,-"here, coun

e goblet, and the wi

king," said he, "we b

Woe to

s from this huckster Louis. By Heaven! I shall not rest in peace till York hath regained what Lancaster hath lost! and out of the parings of the realm wh

ning himself, "I did but thin

ooth to say, Count Anthony, I think if the earl we

Roche, sneeringly, "usually dress

Howbeit, let him come,-our realm is at peace, we want no more his battle-axe; and in our new designs on France,

kirts of the scene of revel, where the king's guards were stationed, there arose a long, loud shout. Nearer and nearer came the h

of the pavilion; and as he uttered a name that paled the cheeks

esty of his mien, the grandeur of his stature, suddenly De Roche, Rivers, even the gorgeous Edward himself, seemed dwarfed into common men! About the man-his air, his eye, his form, his attitude-there was THAT which, in the earlier times, made kings by the

one to the other, till it rested full upon De la Roche, who, after vainly striving not to quail beneath th

urbon and the Archbishop of Narbonne are on their way to your metropolis. Alliance between the two great monarchies of Europe is concluded on terms that insure the weal of England and augment the lustre of your crown. Your claims on Normandy and Guienne King Louis consents to submit to the arbitrement of the Roman Pontiff, [The Pope, moreover, was to

are ever welcome, no matter what your news; but I marvel much that so deft a statesman should

openly of that which hath been done nobly; and this truth has ceased to be matter of council, since the meanest citizen who has ea

emained silent; but De la Roche, impatient to humble his brother's f

d the Archbishop of Narbonne that if he desire to see a fairer show than even the palaces of Westminster and the

ispered the king, "For Christ's sake, sire, select some

ice, and hopeful that some burst from Warwick would give him more excuse than

coldly, "he who now accosts me is

errupted De la Roche,- "brother to the betroth

Warwick, who had seated himself

plied, "Cousin, thy question lacketh courtesy to our noble guest: since thy departure, reasons of state, which we will impart to t

, greater than kings, have built thrones and toppled them! I tell thee, thou hast misused mine honour, and belied thine own; thou hast debased t

s fierce than Warwick's,-"thou abusest, false lord, my mercy and our kin

head which thy whole house, thy guards, and thine armies could dare to touch. ME to the Tower! Send me,-and

aimed Edward, stamping

f the pavilion was ha

ntered, followed by Lor

and Anthon

Clarence, Lord High Constable of England, arrest yon h

ough even softer than usual, had in it more command over those who heard than when it rolled in thunder along the ranks of Barnet

ess crowd that seem to have followed the earl's steps have already pierced the chase, and can scarcely be kept from the spot, so great is their desire to behold him. Beware!"- and Richard's quick ear catching these whispered words, the duke suddenly backed them by again drawing aside the curtain of the tent. Along the sward, the guard of the king, summoned from their unseen but neighbouring post within the wood, were drawn up as if to keep back an immense multitude,-men, women, children, who swayed and rustle

they shouted. "God ble

hast, drew sullenly int

man, he hastily advanced, and drew the curtain. "Shall varlets," he

eekly; his purpose was effected, and leaning on

nature, as if the affection of the people had reconciled him to the ingratitude of the king. A tear started to his proud eye; but he twinkled it away, and appro

mine honour hath led my words to an excess which my heart repents. I grieve that your Grace's highne

nsay it?" exclai

self to their king. And now, ere I depart for my hall of Middleham, I alone here, unarmed and unattended, save at least by a single squire, I, Richard Nevile, say, that if any man, peer or knight, can be found to

om this day Edward IV. reigns alo

r, it misdemeans you not. You are still the son of th

ing with knightly grace as the earl passed. And scarcely was Warwick in the open space than the crowd fairl

finger on his brother's arm, "forgive me if I offen

e right. But is this t

calm; for the age is your best ally, and the age is o

d w

either refrains from listening, or is married to Isabel Nevile, and hath quarre

e king; "why, Richard, thou h

d stay. It is by laughing at the mountebanks that your