Portugal and earl of Cambridge, who had let them remain idle the nine months they had now been in Portugal, without having formed any expedi-tion but the one for which they had been blamed/ They determined to fend to ând remonftratë with the earl of Cambridge on this fubject : I believe the envoy was the fouldich de la Trane-He came to Eftrfemoz, where the earl was quar-tered, and faid to him,—€ My lord, my compa-nions fend me to you, to know what you would wifti them to do ; for they much wonder why they have been brought to this country, to re-main fo long in indolence, which difpleafes therri much. You will let me know what you would have them do, for they are very defirous of making an exeurfion/ * Souldich/ replied the earl/ you know, that when I left England, my lord and brother the duke of Lancafter promifed me, on his faitb, that on his return from Scotland, whither hé was then going, he would join us with men at arms, to the amount of thrçe thoufand, and as many archers. Upon this engagement, I came merely to reconnoitre the country. In a fhort time wè fhall have intelligence from him; for it is equally unpleafant to me to have remained fo long in this country. You will therefore faluta your companions in my name, and tell^them what I have juft faid to you. I cannot wifh to prevent them from making an excurfion, fince theyhavefuch ah inclination for it ; but you know the king of Portugal gives us our pay, and there-fore we ought to conform to his orders.' \ . * % my faith, my lord,' anfwered the fouldich, che 45