fSad § # My lord, your fpeech requires much con-fideratkyi. I would be unwilling to begin an en-tcrprife and be forced to leave it trofinifhcd, for I well know, that unlefs by the means you propofe, it will be a long time before I return to England. I am loth to refort to this, for the king of France and his. nobles have paid me every honour and attention, and will continue fo to do, as long as I fhâll pleafe to live among them. Should I ac-cept of the offers and kind promifes whkh you and my good friends the citizens of London make, I muft fubjeft myfelf to their will, arreft king Richard, and put him to death. For this, I fhall be univèrfally blamed, and I would not willingly do fo, if any other means could be adopted.' f My lord/ replied the archbifhop, * I am fent hither with every good difpofition towards you. Call in your council, and lay before them the pro-pofirions I have made : I will alfo explain why I am deputed hither, and I do not think they will advife you to aft otherwife than to accept them.' 4 I confent/ faid the earl, c for fuch matters de-mand great confidcration.' The earl of Derby fent for thofe knights and fquires in whom he had the moft confidence, and in their prefence defired the archbifhop to repeat what he hadjuft told him ; which being done, he afked their • advice how he fhould aft. They unanimoufly anfwered,—c My lord, God has taken compaffion on you : be careful how you refiife fuch offers^ for you will never have more advantage-ous 118