[1] [2] In the meane time the earle of Penbroke appro|ched towards London, Polydor. purposing to assaile the citie now in this opportunitie of time, letting passe no oc|casion that might further his procéedings, night and day studieng how to recouer the realme wholie out of the Frenchmens hands, and to set the same at li|bertie:The diligence of the earle of Penbroke. so that what was to be deuised, he did deuise, and what was to be doone, that he did, not forslowing anie occasion or opportunitie that might be offered. The English barons also calling to mind the benefit which they had receiued at the Frenchmens hands in time of their most need, sought now by all means pos|sible, some waie how to procure a peace betwixt king Henrie and the said Lewes, thinking by that means to benefit themselues, and to gratifie him in lieu of his former courtesie bountifullie shewed in a case of extremitie, which bicause it was obteined in a wished time was the more acceptable, whereas being linge|red it had beene the lesse welcome, as one saith,

Gratia quae tarda est ingrata est, gratia nám

Anson in epig.Quùm fieri properat, gratia grata magis.