My lord of Salisbury, since by your aid

9.31696Mine enemy, Sir Charles of Blois, is slain

9.41697And I again am quietly possessed

9.51698In Brittany's dukedom, know that I resolve,

9.61699For this kind furtherance of your king and you,

9.71700To swear allegiance to his majesty.

9.81701In sign whereof receive this coronet;

9.91702Bear it unto him, and withal mine oath

9.101703Never to be but Edward's faithful friend.

I take it, Mountford; thus I hope ere long

9.121705The whole dominions of the realm of France

9.131706Will be surrendered to his conquering hand.

9.151707Now, if I knew but safely how to pass,

9.161708I would at Calais gladly meet his grace,

9.171709Whither I am by letters certified

9.181710That he intends to have his host removed.

9.191711It shall be so, this policy will serve. --

9.201712Ho, who's within? Bring Villiers to me.

9.221714Villiers, thou knowst thou art my prisoner,

9.231715And that I might for ransom, if I would,

9.241716Require of thee a hundred thousand francs,

9.251717Or else retain and keep thee captive still.

9.261718But so it is, that for a smaller charge,

9.271719Thou mayst be quit and if thou wilt thyself.

9.281720And this it is: procure me but a passport

9.291721Of Charles the Duke of Normandy, that I,

9.301722Without restraint, may have recourse to Calais

9.311723Through all the countries where he hath to do --

9.321724Which thou mayst easily obtain, I think,

9.331725By reason I have often heard thee say

9.341726He and thou were students once together.

9.351727And then thou shalt be set at liberty.

9.361728How sayst thou? Wilt thou undertake to do it?

I will, my lord, but I must speak with him.

Why, so thou shalt. Take horse and post from hence.

9.391731Only, before thou go'st, swear by thy faith

9.401732That if thou canst not compass my desire

9.411733Thou wilt return my prisoner back again,

9.421734And that shall be sufficient warrant for me.

To that condition I agree, my lord,

9.441736And will unfeignedly perform the same.

Farewell, Villiers.

9.471738Thus once I mean to try a Frenchman's faith.