respect of the prowesse wherein you excell: but yet if you stand vpon
nobilitie, for my part, being the sonne and nephue of a king, ought not
I to be preferred? If vpon valiance, here are manie verie worthie men,
afore whom there is not one aliue that may chalenge any prerogatiue. But
another reason moueth me most chieflie to be the formost. The king, who
contrarie to his oth made to my sister, hath cruellie vsurped the
kingdoms, and setting all in trouble, hath beene the cause of manie
thousand mens deaths, and distributed lands and liuings to such as haue
no right to the same, which he hath violentlie taken from the rightfull
owners, who are quite disherited. This king (I saie) is first to be
assailed with the assistance of the righteous iudge, who prepareth
punishment for wicked dooers. For almightie God, who iudgeth his people
with equitie, will looke downe from his heauenlie habitation, and will
not leaue vs comfortlesse in this so great a necessitie. One thing there
is, most valiant capteines, and all you right hardie souldiers, which I
would haue you to consider, that through the fennes, which much adoo you
haue passed, there is no waie to escape by flight. [Sidenote: The
necessitie to fight valientlie.] Here must we either vanquish the
enimies, or else die in the field: for no hope of safegard remaineth in
fléeing awaie. This onelie resteth (I saie) that you make waie for you
to enter the citie with force of your weapons. If I be not deceiued in
that which my mind giueth me to coniecture, the lacke of meanes to
escape, otherwise than by shewing your selues valiant men, by Gods helpe
will bring vs the victorie. For he must néeds plaie the man, who hath
not other succor to auoid the danger of destruction The citizens of
Lincolne, who shall fight so néere their houses as you shall sée, will
not staie long to get them thither for their refuge. And herewith
consider and weie (I beseech you) against whom you shall match in this
battell. [Sidenote: Alaine duke of Brittanie.] There is Alane duke of
Britaine, who commeth armed against you, yea rather against God, a