Car l'autre jour oy maistre Martin,[78] Qui racontoit le roy est mendre d'ans,[79] Et qu'il estoit une loy[80] en Latin Qui deffendoit[81] rien vendre des enfans.[82] En Guyenne sont deux mille et cinq cens Villes, chasteauls,[83] qu'Angleis veulent qu'on doingne.[84] Et grant tas[85] d'or, et que le roy esloigne[86] De roy en duc l'ommaige[87] qui est fais." "Qui fera ce?" respon sote Caroingne;[88] "Paix n'avez jà s'ilz ne rendent Calays." Guichars si bruns, qui fu nez à Seclin,[89] Dist que cilz faiz est doubreux et pesans:[90] Voire, et qu'Englès y pensent mal engin[91] De retenir ce port, qui est constans. "Se ce ne fust bien se fussent rendans:[92] Mais ils pensent barat,[93] guerre, et alloingne[94] Faire au derrain.[95] Ne le duc de Bourgoingne Et de Berry ne feroient jamais Tel paix à eux. Qui voulra si me perdoingne,[96] Paix n'avez jà s'ilz ne rendent Calays." ENVOY. Princes, là fu Bertrisons, et Hersans, Et Alizons, qui moult orent de sens;[97] Et jugierent, quand li parlers fu fait, Que telle paix seroit orde et meschans;[98] Et concluirent aux bergiers eulx disans:[99] "Paix n'avez jà s'ilz ne rendent Calays." FOOTNOTES: [55] Between. [56] Month. [57] When they reap the wheat. [58] I went to enjoy myself. [59] I saw shepherds and shepherdesses. [60] Very great talk. [61] Stout. [62] People were going. [63] By the faith I owe the Magdalene, you will never have peace unless they restore Calais. [64] For I do not dare rise from bed. [65] But I have heard say this ten years gone. [66] That underneath they seek always delay. [67] In order to cover. [68] Overrun. [69] Rapidity. [70] Many have seen it. [71] In great rage. [72] It is high time for it. [73] Contention. [74] Who does not fear it. [75] Is not worth an onion. [76] Deformed. [77] Everyone will still have to take his cuirass. [78] I heard Master Martin. [79] A minor. [80] Law. [81] Prohibited. [82] Children's property. [83] Castles. [84] Will give. [85] Heap. [86] Alienate. [87] Homage. [88] Caroingue the fool. [89] Guichard the brown, who was born at Seclin. [90] Grave. [91] It is true that the English have an ill design in their thoughts. [92] They would restore it. [93] Strife. [94] Delay. [95] To make it last. [96] Who will, let him pardon me. [97] Who had much sense. [98] Disgraceful and injurious. [99] Saying to them. SUPPOSED PLOTS (1397). SOURCE.--Froissart's _Chronicle_ (Hafod Press, 1803), iv. 546, 552, 553. [This story, given by Froissart and the Monk of St. Denis, both admirers of Richard, seems to be absolutely unfounded.] The Duke of Gloucester would gladly have seen this nephew, called John, Earl of March, on the throne of England, and King Richard deposed from it, saying he was neither worthy nor capable to hold the government of England; and this opinion he made no secret of to those who were in his confidence.