Are my companions in this expedition, and I hope to-morrow we fhall have fomething to do ; for the king of France, who is impatient to meet and fight with us, is quartered at Rofebecque. I therefore beg of you to be loyal, and not alarmed at any thing you fhall fee or hear; for we are combating in a just caufe, to preferve the franchifes of Flanders, and for our right. Admonifh your men to behave well, and draw them up in fuch manner that, by this mean* and our courage, we may obtain the victory. To-morrow, through God's grace, we fhall no ' find any lord to coiribat with us, or any who will dare take the field, unlefs he mean to re-main there, and we fhall gain greater honour than if we could have depended on the fupport of the Englifh ; for, ' if they had been with us, they alone would have gained all the reputation. The whole flower of the French nobility is with the king, for he has Hot left one behind: order, therefore, your men not to grant quarter to any one, but to kill all who fall in their way. By this means we fhall remain in peace*; for I will and command, under pain of death, that no prifoners be made, except it be the king of France. With regard to the king, I wifli to fupport him, as he is but a child and ought to be forgiven5 for he knows not what he does, and acts according as he is inftructed: we will carry him to Ghent and teach him Flemifh; but as for dukes, earls and other men at arms, kill them all. • The common people of France will never be angry with us for fo doing; for ' VOL. VI. P . they 409 .