grievances Robin of Redesdale hath set forth, with a view to speedy
and complete redress. Nor is this all. His highness, laying aside
his purpose of war with France, will have less need of impost on his
subjects, and the burdens and taxes will be reduced. Lastly, his
grace, ever anxious to content his people, hath most benignly
empowered me to promise that, whether or not ye rightly judge the
queen's kindred, they will no longer have part or weight in the king's
councils. The Duchess of Bedford, as beseems a lady so sorrowfully
widowed, will retire to her own home; and the Lord Scales will fulfil
a mission to the court of Spain. Thus, then, assenting to all
reasonable demands, promising to heal all true grievances, proffering
you gracious pardon, I discharge my duty to king and to people. I
pray that these unhappy sores may be healed evermore, under the
blessing of God and our patron saint; and in the name of Edward IV.,
Lord Suzerain of England and of France, I break up this truncheon and
disband this army!"

Among those present, this moderate and wise address produced a general
sensation of relief; for the earl's disavowal of the revolt took away
all hope of its success. But the common approbation was not shared by
Hilyard. He sprang upon the table, and, seizing the broken fragments
of the truncheon, which the earl had snapped as a willow twig,
exclaimed, "And thus, in the name of the people, I seize the command
that ye unworthily resign! Oh, yes, what fools were yonder drudges of
the hard hand and the grimed brow and the leathern jerkin, to expect
succour from knight and noble!"

So saying, he bounded from the tent, and rushed towards the multitude
at the distance.