Edward the Fourth, and to difpoffefs the English of what they held in France; and, as usual, outwitted that Nation, who (as Philip de Comines fays) have a common proverb amongst them, that in all or most of their battles and engagements with the French, the English have the better, but in their capitulations and treaties of peace, they are ever deceived and outwitted by them. Amiens was the town appointed for an interview between Louis and Edward. Louis fent the King of England three hundred cart-loads of the beft wine. which France produced; " and I think," says that Hiftorian," that the carts made as magnificent an "appearance as the whole English army." Louis ordered two tables to be fet on each fide of the great ftreet of Amiens, which were covered with difhes of food, adds Comines, "that was fitteft to

make the English relish their wine, of which there was great plenty, and of the richest that "France afforded; and a great number of the "King's fervants waited upon the English, and " gave them what they wanted to eat and to drink, "but it was observed that they never once called "for a drop of water. At each of the tables were

placed five or fix jolly companions, perfons of rank and condition, to entertain the ftrangers, and take a hearty glafs with them. At the gates *of the town, perfons were ftationed who took

s the

"the horfes of the English by their bridles, and "led them to the tables, where every man fat "down in his turn."

The barrier for the interview being finished, the two Kings met at it on the 29th of August 1475. "The King of France," fays Comines, "came firft, attended by eight hundred men at "arms, and by twelve perfons of the first quality

in France, amongft which were John Duke of "Bourbon, and the Cardinal of that name, his "brother. The King of England advanced along

the causeway built for the occafion, with a "noble train, and with the air and prefence of a "King. There were with him his brother the " Duke of Clarence, the Earl of Northumberland, "his Chamberlain (called Lord Haftings), his "Chancellor, and other Peers of the realm; "amongst whom there were not above four "perfons dreft in cloth of gold like himself. The "King of England wore a black velvet cap upon "his head, with a large fleur de lys made of "precious ftones upon it. He was a Prince of a "noble majestic prefence, in perfon straight and "well made, but a little inclining to be fat. (I "had feen him," adds Comines," when the Earl "of Warwick drove him out of his kingdom; "I thought him much handsomer then, and to the "beft of my remembrance, my eyes had never

<< beheld

"beheld a more beautiful perfon.) When he cc came within a little diftance of the rail of the "barrier, he pulled off his cap, and bowed him"felf within half a foot of the ground; and the “King of France, who was then leaning over "the barrier, received him with great reverence " and refpect. They then embraced each other, " and the King of England making another low "bow, the King of France thus addreffed him: "Coufin, you are heartily welcome; there is no "perfon living that I was fo anxious to fee as cr yourself; and God be thanked that we meet "upon fo happy an occafion as the prefent. "The King of England returned the compliment "in very good French; and afterwards, the "Chancellor of England, the Bishop of Lincoln, "began a speech with a prophecy (with which "the English are always provided), that at "Pequigny a memorable peace was to be con"cluded between the English and the French.

"After the two Kings had fworn to observe "the treaty, Louis (who had always words at

will, fays Comines) told the King of England ❝in a jocular manner, how glad he should be to "fee him at Paris; and that if he would come and "amufe himself there with the ladies, he would "affign him the Cardinal de Bourbon for his "Confeffor, who he was well affured would ab

"the horses of the English by their bridles, and "led them to the tables, where every man fat "down in his turn."

The barrier for the interview being finished, the two Kings met at it on the 29th of August 1475. "The King of France," fays Comines, "came firft, attended by eight hundred men at "arms, and by twelve perfons of the first quality

in France, amongst which were John Duke of "Bourbon, and the Cardinal of that name, his

brother. The King of England advanced along "the causeway built for the occafion, with a "noble train, and with the air and presence of a "King. There were with him his brother the "Duke of Clarence, the Earl of Northumberland, "his Chamberlain (called Lord Haftings), his "Chancellor, and other Peers of the realm; "amongst whom there were not above four "perfons dreft in cloth of gold like himself. The "King of England wore a black velvet cap upon "his head, with a large fleur de lys made of "precious ftones upon it. He was a Prince of a "noble majestic prefence, in perfon straight and "well made, but a little inclining to be fat.. (I "had feen him," adds Comines," when the Earl "of Warwick drove him out of his kingdom; "I thought him much handfomer then, and to the

beft of my remembrance, my eyes had never

"beheld

beheld a more beautiful perfon.) When he "came within a little distance of the rail of the "barrier, he pulled off his cap, and bowed him"felf within half a foot of the ground; and the "King of France, who was then leaning over "the barrier, received him with great reverence " and refpect. They then embraced each other, "and the King of England making another low "bow, the King of France thus addressed him: "Coufin, you are heartily welcome; there is no "perfon living that I was fo anxious to fee as "yourself; and God be thanked that we meet 66 upon fo happy an occafion as the present. "The King of England returned the compliment "in very good French; and afterwards, the "Chancellor of England, the Bishop of Lincoln, "began a speech with a prophecy (with which "the English are always provided), that at "Pequigny a memorable peace was to be con"cluded between the English and the French.

"After the two Kings had fworn to obferve "the treaty, Louis (who had always words at

will, fays Comines) told the King of England "in a jocular manner, how glad he fhould be to "fee him at Paris; and that if he would come and "amufe himself there with the ladies, he would "affign him the Cardinal de Bourbon for his "Confeffor, who he was well afsured would ab