of Italy, he hath deep purpose in all he doth; and among his projects
is the destruction of the nobles here, as it was whilome effected in
Florence, the depriving us of all offices and posts, with other
changes, wild to think of and long to name."

"And we would have suffered this man to triumph!" exclaimed De Fulke:
"we have been to blame."

"Under fair pretence he has gathered numbers, and now wields an army.
I have reason to know that, had he succeeded in estranging ye from
Edward, and had the king fallen, dead or alive, into his hands, his
object would have been to restore Henry of Windsor, but on conditions
that would have left king and baron little more than pageants in the
state. I knew this man years ago. I have watched him since; and,
strange though it may seem to you, he hath much in him that I admire
as a subject and should fear were I a king. Brief, thus runs my
counsel: For our sake and the realm's safety, we must see this armed
multitude disbanded; that done, we must see the grievances they with
truth complain of fairly redressed. Think not, my lords, I avenge my
own wrongs alone, when I go with you in your resolve to banish from
the king's councils the baleful influence of the queen's kin. Till
that be compassed, no peace for England. As a leprosy, their avarice
crawls over the nobler parts of the state, and devours while it
sullies. Leave this to me; and, though we will redress ourselves, let
us now assist our king!"

With one voice the unruly officers clamoured their assent to all the
earl urged, and expressed their readiness to sally at once from the
gates, and attack the rebels.