fexts, • came to fee the king, who lay in the litterj his head on a black cufhion, and his face Uncovered. Some pitied him, when they faw him in this ftate, but others did not, faying he had for a- long time deferved death. Now confider ye. kinjgs* lords, dukes, prelates, and earls, how very change-able the fortunes of this world are* This king Richard reigped twenty-two years in great prof-perity, and with much fplendour ; for there never was a king of England who expended fuch fums, by more than ope hundred thoufend florins, as king Richard did in keeping up his ftate, and his houfehold eftabliflbments. I, John Frotfart* canon and treafurer of Chimay, know it well, for I witneflcd and examined it, during my rçfidence with him, for a quarter of a year. He npde me good cheer, becaufc in my youth ' I had been fecretary ,to king Edward his grand-father, and the lady Philjppa of Hainault, queen of England. When I took my leave of hhji at Windfor, ' he prefented me» by one of Ms knights called fir John Golofre, a filvcr gilt goblet, weigh-ing full two marcs, filed with one hundred no-bles, which were then of fervice to me, and will be fo as long as. I live. I am bound to pray to God for him, and forry. am I to write of his death ; but, as I have dictated and augmented this hiftory to the utmoft of my power, it became ne-ceflky to mention it, that what became of him might be known. I faw 191