This intelligence made king Henry return to Paris with his men at arms, where he had the woman drowned for her demerits, as well as some of her accomplices: he then returned to the king of France at Senlis. About this time, sir John and sir Anthony du Vergy gained the town of St Dizier in Pertois; but the Dauphinois-garrison retired to the castle, wherein they were instantly besieged. La Hire, and some other captains, hearing of it, assembled a body of men for their relief; but the two above mentioned lords, learning their intentions, collected as large a number of combatants as they could raise, and marched to oppose them; when they met, they attacked them so vigorously that they were defeated, with about forty slain on the field: the rest saved themselves by flight. After this, the lords du Vergy returned to the siege of the castle of St Dizier, which was soon surrendered to them; and they regarrisoned it with their people. HERE FOLLOW THE COMPLAININGS OF THE POOR COMMONALTY AND LABOURERS OF FRANCE. [_Translated by my Friend, the Rev. W. Shepherd, of Gateacre in the County of Lancaster._] 'Ah, princes, prelates, valiant lords, Lawyers and tradesfolk, small and great! Burghers and warriors girt with swords, Who fatten on our daily sweat! To labouring hinds some comfort give: Whate'er betide, we needs must live. But live we cannot long, we trow, If God deny his powerful aid Against the poor man's cruel foe, Who doth our goods by force invade, And, flouting us with pride and scorn, Beareth away our wine and corn. No corn is in our granary stored, No vintage cheers our heavy hearts, But once a week our wretched board Scant fare of oaten bread imparts; And when we raise the asking eye, The rich from our distresses fly. 'But fly not:--think how ye offend Who shut your ears against our cry. And oh! some gracious succour lend, Or else with want we surely die. Oh hear! and on our wasted frame Have pity, lords! in JESUS' name. Pity our faces, pale and wan, Our trembling limbs, our haggard eyes! Relieve the fainting husbandman, And Heaven will count you truly wise. For God declares to great and small, Who lacketh kindness, lacketh all. All hope is lost, all trust is gone! For when we beg from door to door, All cry, 'God bless you!' but not one Gives bread or meat to feed the poor. The dogs fare better far than we, Albeit we faithful Christians be. Yea, Christians, sons of God we be! Your brethren too, who trust in wealth, And think not that at Heaven's decree Gold disappears by force or stealth Rich tho' ye be, to death ye bow: Ye little wis, or when or how. 'How dare ye say, what oftentimes Ye utter in a thoughtless mood, That want we suffer for our crimes, That misery worketh for our good? For CHRIST his sake, no more say so, But look with pity on our woe.