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SIR JOHN FROISSART
Chronicles of England, France, Spain and the adjoining countries
from the latter part of the reign of Edward II to the coronation of Henry IV. Vol.5
page 330
will liftcn tome, and follow my advjce, I will make you the greateft man in Flanders/ f How will you do this ?' replied Philip.. f I will tell you how,' faid Peter : c you fhall have the fole government of Ghent : for we are at this moment in the utmoft want of a leader of a good name and fair charafter ; by this means we fhall roufe the men of Ghent through remembrance • of your father's fame ; for every one fays that Flanders was never fo flourifh-ing, nor fo much feared, as during his lifetime. I will eafily place you, if you be willing, in his fituation ; and, when there, you will govern accord-ing to my advice until you fhalj find yourfelf mafter of the bufinefs, which you will foon acquire.* - - Philip, who was arrived at manhood and natu-rally wifhed to advance himfelf in honour and wealth- more than he then poffefTed, replied,— * Peter, you offer me great things ; and, if I be placed in the fituation you fay, I fwear on my faith, that I will never aft without your advice.'
Peter afked,—c Can you be cruel and proud ? for a great man among the commonalty, and in particular among fuch as we fhall have to do with, will not be thought any thing worth if he be not feared and dreaded, and at times renowned for his cruelty. It is thus the Flemings wifh to be go-verned; and, among them, mens lives fhould be no more valued, nor fhould they have more pity fhewn "of them, than fwallows or larks, which are caught in the proper feafon for the table.'
c By my troth,' anfwered Philip, f I, know well how to aft this part,' c All then goes well,' laid
" N Peteh
• • ' 319
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