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1587

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Sir I know and well wot, that the king of Eng|land your maister, is neither descended in these parts of his owne frée motion, nor yet of vs required; but onelie entised and prouoked by the duke of Burgog|nie, and somewhat inforced by the commons of his realme. But now you may sée that the season of the yeare passeth, and the duke of Burgognie is in poore estate, returning from Nusse almost discomforted. The constable also, with whome the king your soue|reigne lord (I am sure) hath some intelligence, for fa|uour that your maister hath maried his néece, is not so sure a freend as he is taken for. And if all the world knew how I haue promoted him, and what I haue doone for him, they would little thinke, that he would so vntrulie handle me as he dooth. For I assure you, he is a déepe dissembler, & in continuall dissimulati|on EEBO page image 695 intendeth to lead his life, interteining all men for his owne profit. And although the king your mai|ster be vnsure of all his other promises, yet of one thing he shall be sure, that is, he shall be euer dissem|bled withall. And therefore I saie to you, and not to your maister, that he were better haue a peace with an old enimie, than the promises and familiaritie of a new dissembling fréend, which peace most pleaseth God, and is the thing that I most doo desire.]

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 When he had thus said, he gaue the herald thrée hun|dred crownes, promising him a thousand crownes if anie good appointment came to passe. This herald was borne in Normandie, who being more couetous of the crownes than secret (according as of dutie by his office he ought to haue béene) promised to doo all things that in him laie,The office of [...] herald. and further shewed waies by the which the French king might enter into the port of treatie for peace, the which he doubted not would sort to a good conclusion. The French king glad to heare these things, gaue to the herald when he should depart, beside the other reward, a péece of crimson veluet of thirtie yards long. The lord Scales, com|ming to the duke of Burgognie before Nusse, could not persuade him to raise his field, and (as it stood him vpon) to come and ioine with king Edward, till at length constreined thereto by other means, he left Nusse vnconquered,The duke of Burgognie commeth to king Edward and sending the most part of his armie into Lorraine, came with a small companie to king Edward lieng before Calis.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 King Edward at the first comming of the duke vnto him, seemed much to reprooue his vnwise dea|ling, in making so slow hast to ioine with him at this time, sith for his sake, and at his sute, he had passed the seas with his armie, to the intent to make wars in France in reuenge of both their iniuries; the time seruing their turnes so well as they could wish or desire, the opportunitie whereof could neuer happilie be recouered againe. The duke after he had excused himselfe, with alledging the dishonour that should haue redounded to him, if he had left the siege of Nusse without meane of some shew of composition, incouraged king Edward to aduance forward with manie golden promises, aswell of his owne part, as of the constable. The king agréed to the dukes per|suasion, and so set forward.

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