A.D. 1215.] "yVANDF.UINGS OF KING JOHN'. pure, supplies of troops in those parts, promising them lands, ample possessions, and no small sum of money ; and the more to secure the fidelity of the people there, he ordered (hem if necessary to give warrants of security for their pay to all the soldiers who would join them; and he arranged that, at Michaelmas, they should come to him at Dover with all whom they could allure to them. He moreover sent letters to all the governors of his eastles throughout Kngland, ordering them each and all to furnish their castles with all kinds of provisions and arms, and to strengthen their garrisons with soldiers so as to be able to defend them at a day's notice. He himself in the meantime, with a few followers whom he had begged from the retinue of the bishop of Norwich, took on himself the business of a pirate, and emploved himself in gaining the good-will of the sailors of the cinque-ports; and thus, hiding as it were in the open air in the island and near the sea-coasts, withou; any regal show, be for three months led a solitary life on the water and in the company of sailors, for he preferred to die rather than to live long nnrevenged for the insults of the barons. All this time different reports were circulated by different people concerning him ; and by some he was said to have turned fisherman, by others a trader and a pirate, and by proceeding further. Hut as there is nothing done in secret which is not discovered, these dangerous preparations and designs were soon made known to the nobles by pnsseis-by ; on which some of the more prudent of them went to the king to find out if what had been told them was true,and if si, to endeavour by wholesome representations and advice to dispel his anger, and to recall him from his unjust purpose before it was commenced. The king however, in the presence of his nobles, concealed his inward bitterness under a caini countenance, and boldly swore by the feet of God that hedesigned nothing underhanded ; and thus by false assertions he deceitfully lulled the report which had arisen. Nevertheless, ns it is difficult for a furious man to restrain himself, these nobles discovered bv manv indications, before the interview was broken oil, that the atl'cction of the king was estranged from them, and that his look was dejected, and they pondered the event in their minds, using tinse words: ' Wo e to us, yea to all England, since it has not a true king, but is oppressed by a tyrant who endeavours to make bis people miserable. He has already placed us in subjection to Rome and the Roman court, that we might obtain protection from it ; it is to be feared that we shall find the assistance from that place iuj.irioui to our posterity. W e never heard of any king who was unwilling to withdraw his neck from slavery ; but this one willingly succumbs to it.' And with these sorrowful reflection! they left the king and departed."