Compare 1577 edition: 1 This rumor so inflated his mind, that in maner disdeining to heare speake of so small a companie,K. Richard contemneth the earle and his power. he determined at the first to take little or no regard to this so small a sparkle, declaring the earle to be in|nocent and vnwise, bicause that he rashly attempted such a great enterprise with so small and thin a num|ber of warlike persons: and therefore he gaue a defi|nitiue sentence, that when he came to that point that he should be compelled to fight against his will, hée either should be apprehended aliue, or else by all like|lihood he should of necessitie come to a shamefull con|fusion: and that he trusted to be shortlie doone by sir Walter Herbert, and Rice ap Thomas, which then ruled Wales with equall power and like authoritie.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 But yet reuoluing and casting in his mind, that a small war begun and winked at, and not regarded, maie turne to a great broile and trouble; and that it was prudent policie not to contemne and disdeine the little power and small weakenesse of the enimie (be it neuer so small) thought it necessarie to prouide for afterclaps that might happen & chance. [For vic|torie dooth not alwaies follow the greatest multitude, neither is it a necessarie consequent, that the biggest bodie is indued with most force. For we see that the small viper is the huge buls deadlie bane, and a little curre dooth catch a bore boisterous and big; as the poet properlie (and to the purpose) verie well saith:

Ouid.Parua necat morsu spatiosum vipera taurum,

A cane non mag no saepè tenetur aper.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Wherefore he sent to Iohn duke of Norffolke, Henrie earle of Northumberland,The king sen|deth to his friends for a chosen power of men. Thomas earle of Surrie, and to other of his especiall & trustie friends of the nobilitie, which he iudged more to preferre and estéeme his wealth and honour, than their owne ri|ches and priuate commoditie; willing them to mu|ster and view all their seruants and tenants, and to elect and choose the most couragious and actiue per|sons of the whole number, and with them to repaire to his presence with all spéed and diligence. Also hée wrote to Robert Brakenberie lieutenant of the Tower, commanding him with his power to come to his armie, and to bring with him (as fellowes in armes) sir Thomas Bourchier, & sir Walter Hun|gerford, and diuerse other knights and esquiers, in whom he cast no small suspicion.