and would furely have executed it, if the ëarl of Derby, his coufin, had not remonftrated, and (hewed in council fuch good reafons, as, for the fake of his own perfonal honour, induced him to refrain from this revenge. He added, My. lord, if that king Philip has, through ralhnefs, had the villany to put to death fuch valiant knights as thefe were, do not fuffer your courage to be tainted by it; for in truth, if you will but confider a little, your prifoner has nothing to do with this outrage: have a goodnefs^ therefore, to give him his liberty, at a reasonable ranfom/ The king ordered the captivé knight to be brought before him, and faid, ' Ha, fir Hervé, fir Hervé, my adverfary, Philip de Valois, has fliewn his treachery in top cruel a manner, when he put to death fo many knights. It has given me much difpleafure ; and it appears as it were done in de* fpig^ht of us. If I were to take his conduft for my example, I ought to do the like to you ; for you have done me more harm in Brittany than any other; but I (hall endure it, and let him aél accord-» ingto his own will. I will preferve my own honour unfpotted, and (hall allow you your liberty at a . trifling ranfom, out of my love for the earl of Derby, who has requefied it ; but upon condi-tion, that you perform what I am going to aik of you.* . The knight replied, € Dear fir, I will do, to the befi of my power, whatever you £hall command/ The king faid, ' I know, fir Hervé, that you are one of the richeft knights in Brittany ; and, if I were 48