tir . ttor have î any fuch inclinations. It is for this caufe I have affembled you, to explain to you the dangers that might happen if you fhould be de-firous for him to remain with me/ They anfwered uhânimoufly $ f My lord, We do toifh him to remain with you i and we know not that prince* however great he may be who fhould refolve to make war upon'youj but who would find in your earldom of Flanders two hundred thoufand men completely armed.' ' This reply, was very agreeable to the earl of Flanders* who faid, c My good children, 1 thank you/ The aflembly now broke up ; and the carl Was fo well pleafed that he gave them permiffion to return to their own homes in peace. ' The earl, at a proper time, returned to Bruges in company with the duke of Brittany. Things remained in this fituatiom The earl was very popular with his fubjefts, and the country continued in peace and profperity : this* however, did not laft long, through extraordinary wkkednefs, which brought on great tribulation, as you will hear related in this hiftory. CHAR