* 169 nay.' This fpeech of the lord de Coney was well attended to, and fupported by feveral for fome time : but the constable and mar (hais were more inclined to follow the courfe of the Lis, to feek a fhorter paffage, than to march to the right or left, by a longer road ; and they urged strong reafons . for it, faying, c If we look for any other road but the straight one, we do not fliew ourfelves good men at arms, at least it is our duty to examine if we cannot crofs the riyer above or below this pafs at Commines, which is guarded. Befides, if we retreat, our enemies will rejoice ahd be encouraged : their forces will encreafe, and they will fay that we My from them. There is alfo another point which ought to be confidered: we are ignorant what has been the fuccefs of the ambafiadors they fent to England ; for, if, by any treaty affistance fliould come to them from ihat quar-ter, they will give us much trouble. It is therefore better that we get rid of this bufinefs in Flanders as fpeedily as poffible, than be thus long in determining^upon it. Let us instantly, and with courage, march towards Commines, and God will aflistus. We have fo often croffed and recroffed larger rivers than this Lis, that it cannot long prevent us from paffing it. Hap-pen what may, when we are on its banks we can then form our opinions ; and when thofe of our company in the van-guard (who have for thefe twenty or thirty years feen many more dangerous pafies than this) have croffed this jiver, and gained the other fide, our enemies will le a hundred times more frightened than if