rather loft, confequently are poor : they therefore wifh to hazard an engagement, in hopes of gain ; and thofe who are bold, and anxious to obtain the property of others, fight valiantly, and are com* monly fortunate. The other reafon is, that the duke of Lancafter fees clearly he can never fucceed in winning the crown of Caftille, which he claims in right of his wife, but by a battle ; and that, if the day fhould be his, and the king defeated, die whole of Caftille would furrender, and tremble be* fore him. For this has he landed in Galicia, and given one of his daughters in marriage to the king of Portugal, who is to affift him with all his might in his claim. 1 mention this, becaufe fhould matters turn out unfortunate, you and fir William de Lig7 nac would be more blamed than any others/ ' € My lord,' anfwered fir Walter, € I return you many thanks for the advice you give me. I ought to follow what you fay ; for you are, at this day, the wifeft of Chriftian princes, and the moft fortu-nate in your affairs. But my companion and my-felf are under the duke of Bourbon, who is. our commander in chief ; and, until he be arrived in Caftille, we fhall not haften our march, and will not, for what any perfon may fay, prefs the engag* ing with our enemies/ Other converfation now took place, until the count de Foix called for wine. When it was brought/fir Walter and all prefent drank of it, and took leave of the count, who re-entered his chamr ber. Sir Walter returned to his lodging, accom* panied by the knights of the count's houfehold j and,