[1] [2] The cardinals séeing them so farre in sunder, min|ded not to dispute their titles, but offered them reaso|nable conditions of truce and peace for a season, which notwithstanding, either of frowardnesse, or of disdaine on both parts, were openlie refused. Inso|much that the Englishmen in great displeasure, de|parted to Calis, and so into England. ¶One writer affirmeth, that they being warned of a secret conspi|racie mooued against them, suddenlie departed from Arras, and so returned into their countrie. But what cause so euer hindered their accord and vnitie (sith this and that may be surmized) certeine it is, Abr. Fl. that the onelie and principall cause was, for that the God of peace and loue was not among them, without whom no discord is quenched, no knot of concord faste|ned, no bond of peace confirmed, no distracted minds reconciled, no true fréendship mainteined: for had he beene among them, their dissenting and waiward willes had sounded the swéet harmonie of amiable peace, which of all things that God hath bestowed vpon man is the verie best, and more to be set by than manie triumphs, as the poet excellentlie well saith:

—pax optima rerumSil. Ital. lib. 11.

Quas homini nouisse datum: pax vna triumphis

Innumeris potior, pax custodire salutem

Et ciues aequare potens.