rbw (as they fully expected a battle) and that, for the day tmly, the lord de Coucy was to take his place, and fir Oliver remain near the king?s perfon : fo that when the conftable was taking his leave, the king faid to him, " as he had been inftructed, in a courteous and agree-able manner; ' Conftable, we will that you re-fign to us, for to-morrow only, your office; for we have appointed another, and you fhall remain near our perfon/ . . Tlfefe words, which were new to the gallant conftable, furprifed him fo much, that he re-plied; ' Moft dear lord, I well know that I never can be more highly honoured than in guarding your perfon ; but, dear lord, it will give great difpleafure to my companions, and thofe of the van-guard, if they do. pot fee me with them : and we may lofe more than we can gain by it. I do iot pretend that I am fo valiant, that the bufinefs will be done by me alone; but I declare, dear lord, under the cor-rection of your noble council,, that for thefe laft fifteen days, I have been folély occupied how I could add to your honour, to that of your army, and to my own office. I have inftructed the army in the manner in which they were to be drawn up : and if, to-morrow, under the guidance of God, we engage, and they do not fee me ; or, if I fail m giving them advice and fupport, I whQ have always been accuftomed • in fuch cafes fo to do, they will be thunder-ftruck ;• fome may fay I am a hypocrite, and have done this flily, in order to efcape from Jkhe firft blows. I • therefore entreat. of you, mst . • dear §16