pend on your friendihips, for you have made me king ; but you muft perceive that great num-bers of my fubjects refufe me thçir affiftance in this time of need, and will not take the field. I muft own I fhould have been truly happy to have feen them as well difpofed as myfelf to meet our enemies ; but, alas ! it is otherwife, for they draw back and difTemble. I folic it • your advice on this bufinefs, how I had beft act, and beg of you to give me your opinions.* Sir Gomme de Tarbefton, a Portuguefe knight, then fpoke : c Sir, I advife, for your own honour, that you inftantly take the field, with as many men as you can collect, and hazard the event : we will affift you until death, for we hold you king and lord of this town ; and, if there be any rebels or difcontented perfons in Portugal, it is, I fay (and in this I am joined by many in the town), beqaufe you have never yet attacked nor fhewed yourfelf to your enemies. You have had hitherto the renown of being a valiant man at arms, but on this occ^fion you have not acted like one. , This has encouraged your enemies, and Checked the ardour of your fubjects ; for* when once you fhew courage and refolution, they will fear you, as well as your enemies.' 6 By my. head/ faid the king, c fir Gomme, you fpeak well : and now order our men to be made ready, and every other preparation • to haflen our march, for we will meet our enemies, and gain all or lofe all.' . • . c My lord/ replied the knight, c it fhall be jipne ; if #God fend you good fuccefs, and the S3 " day •261