INSULTS AND INJURIES. 105

My doing so exposed me to the wrath of King Henry,
my kinsman and liege lord, who took from me my
earldom and all my substance. This, however, he
did judicially, not im his anger, or any violence of
celf-will; and I do not blame him. But I came
hither with my countrymen, and we have fought as
faithfully for God’s cause as any man in your army.
Nevertheless we have been exposed to insults and
injuries which brave men cannot long tolerate. The
chief offender is your brother, the Count of Artois.
I lay my complaint before you, and I ask you to
judge between us. I promise to abide by your
decision, and, if I am found to be in the wrong, to
render every satisfaction for my fault. So help me
God, and good St. George !’

Louis listened with attention to the earl’s speech.
Indeed, the grandeur of Longsword’s aspect, and his
eloquence, so frank and so manly, produced a strong
impression both on the king and the assemblage,
and many of the French, notwithstanding their
prejudices, murmured approbation.

‘This English earl, said they, ‘speaks words of
truth and soberness, and he asks nothing more than
the justice that ought not to be denied to the meanest
man in the army of pilgrims.’

Louis, however, paused, and appeared to be in
extreme perplexity.

‘William Longsword,’ he said, at length, ‘you
have spoken boldly; and I do not deny that you
have spoken the truth. The Lord, who is ignorant
of nothing, is aware of the injuries you have suffered.
But what can I do? You know how serious an