Insomuch that he reioined vpon their talke, and said: Well then, sith yee thinke it good, I and mine will go, not doubting of your fidelitie to the queenes EEBO page image 1086 maiestie, which now I leaue in your custodie. So that night he sent for both lords, knights, and other that should go with him, and caused all things to be pre|pared accordinglie. Then went the councell in to the ladie Iane, and told hir of their conclusion, who hum|blie thanked the duke for reseruing hir father at home, and beséeched him to vse his diligence: where|to he answered, that he would doo what in him laie. The morrow following, great preparation was made, the duke earlie in the morning called for his owne harnesse, and saw it made readie at Durham place, where he appointed all his retinue to méet. The same daie carts were laden with munition and ar|tillerie,C [...]rts laden [...] munitiõ. and field péeces were set forward.

The same forenoone the duke mooued eftsoones the councell to send their powers after him, as it was before determined, the same to méet with him at Newmarket, and they promised they would. He said further to some of them: My lords, I and these other noble personages,The dukes [...] to the [...] of the councell. with the whole armie that now go foorth, as well for the behalfe of you & yours, as for the establishing of the quéenes highnesse, shall not onelie aduenture our bodies and liues amongst the bloudie strokes and cruell assaults of our aduer|saries in the open fields: but also we doo leaue the conseruation of our selues, children, and families at home here with you, as altogither committed to your truth and fidelities: whome, if we thought ye would through malice, conspiracie, or dissention leane vs your fréends in the briers, and betraie vs; we could as well sundrie waies foresee and prouide for our owne safegards, as anie of you by betraieng vs can doo for yours. But now vpon the onelie trust and faithfulnesse of your honors, whereof we thinke our selues most assured, we doo hazzard our liues. Which trust and promise if yée shall violate, hoping thereby of life and promotion: yet shall not God count you innocent of our blouds, neither acquite you of the sacred and holie oth of allegiance, made fréelie by you to this vertuous ladie the queenes highnesse, [...] meaneth [...] new quéen [...] depriued [...] executed. who by your and our intisement is rather of force placed therein, than by hir owne séeking and request. Consider also, that Gods cause, which is the preferment of his word, & feare of papists entrance, hath beene (as ye haue here before alwaies laid) the originall ground wherevpon ye euen at the first mo|tion granted your goodwils and consents therevnto, as by your handwritings appeareth; and thinke not the contrarie, but if ye meane deceit, though not foorthwith, yet hereafter God will reuenge the same.

I can saie no more, but in this troublesome time wish you to vse constant hearts, abandoning all ma|lice, enuie, and priuat affections. And therewithall the first course for the lords came vp, wherefore the duke shut vp his talke with these words. I haue not spoken to you in this sort vpon anie mistrust I haue of your truths,The conclusi| [...] of the [...] talke [...] the lords. of which alwaies I haue euer hither|to conceiued a trustie confidence, but I haue put you in remembrance thereof, what chance of variance so euer might grow amongst you in mine absence: and this I praie you, wish me not worsse good spéed in this iorneie, than yée would haue to your selues. My lord, saith one of them, if yee mistrust anie of vs in this matter, your grace is farre deceiued, for which of vs can wash his hands cleane thereof? And if we should shrinke from you as from one that were cul|pable, which of vs can excuse himselfe to be giltlesse? Therefore herein your doubt is too farre cast. I praie God it be (quoth the duke) let vs go to dinner: and so they sat downe. After dinner the duke went in to the quéene, where his commission was by that time sealed, for his lieutenantship of the armie, and then tooke his leaue of hir, and so did certeine other lords also.