Chapter 10

[Enter Lord Mountford with a Coronet in his hand; with him the Earl of Salisbury.]

MOUNTFORD. My Lord of Salisbury, since by your aide Mine enemy Sir Charles of Blois is slain, And I again am quietly possessed In Brittain’s Dukedom, know that I resolve, For this kind furtherance of your king and you, To swear allegiance to his majesty: In sign whereof receive this Coronet, Bear it unto him, and, withal, mine oath, Never to be but Edward’s faithful friend.

SALISBURY. I take it, Mountfort. Thus, I hope, ere long The whole Dominions of the Realm of France Will be surrendered to his conquering hand.

[Exit Mountford.]

Now, if I knew but safely how to pass, I would at Calice gladly meet his Grace, Whether I am by letters certified That he intends to have his host removed. It shall be so, this policy will serve:— Ho, whose within? Bring Villiers to me.

[Enter Villiers.]

Villiers, thou knowest, thou art my prisoner, And that I might for ransom, if I would, Require of thee a hundred thousand Francs, Or else retain and keep thee captive still: But so it is, that for a smaller charge Thou maist be quit, and if thou wilt thy self. And this it is: Procure me but a passport Of Charles, the Duke of Normandy, that I Without restraint may have recourse to Callis Through all the Countries where he hath to do; Which thou maist easily obtain, I think, By reason I have often heard thee say, He and thou were students once together: And then thou shalt be set at liberty. How saiest thou? wilt thou undertake to do it?

VILLIERS. I will, my Lord; but I must speak with him.

SALISBURY. Why, so thou shalt; take Horse, and post from hence: Only before thou goest, swear by thy faith, That, if thou canst not compass my desire, Thou wilt return my prisoner back again; And that shall be sufficient warrant for me.

VILLIERS. To that condition I agree, my Lord, And will unfainedly perform the same.

[Exit.]

SALISBURY. Farewell, Villiers.— Thus once i mean to try a French man’s faith.

[Exit.]