much as their present weakness was able to bear, in order to supply them with provisions by the way. 12. At length St. Pierre and his fellowvictims appeared, under the conduct of Sir Walter and a guard. All the tents of the English were instantly emptied. The soldiers. poured from all parts, and arranged themselves on each side, to behold, to contemplate, to admire this little band of patriots as they passed. 13. They bowed down to them on all sides. They murmured their applause of that virtue which they could not but revere, even in enemies; and they regarded those ropes which the devoted men had themselves put about their necks, as marks of greater dignity than that of the British garter. 14. As soon as they had reached the presence, "Mauny," says the monarch, "are these the principal inhabitants of Calais?" "They are," says Mauny. "They are not only the principal men of Calais-they are the principal men of France, my lord, if virtue has any share in the act of ennobling." 15. "Were they delivered peaceably?" asks Edward; "was there no resistance, no commotion, among the people?" "Not in the least, my lord. The people would all have perished. rather than have delivered the least of these to your majesty. They are self-delivered, self-devoted, and come to offer up their in estimable heads as an ample equivalent for the ransom of thousands." 16. Edward was secretly vexed at this reply of Sir Walter; but he knew the privilege of a British subject, and kept down his anger. Experience," says he, " has ever shown that kindness only serves to invite people to new crimes. Severity, at times, is most necessary to compel subjects to submission, by punishment and example. Go," he cried to an officer, "lead these men to execution." 17. At this instant a sound of triumph was heard throughout the camp. The queen had just arrived, with a powerful reinforcement of gallant troops. Sir Walter flew to receive her majesty, and briefly informed her of the particulars respecting the six victims. As soon as she had been welcomed by Edward and his court, she desired a private audience. 18. "My lord," said she, "the question I am to enter upon is not touching the lives of a few mechanics-it respects the honour of the English nation; it respects the glory of my Edward, my husband, my king. You think you have sentenced six of your enemies to death. No, my lord, they have sentenced themselves, and their execution would be the execution of their own orders, not the orders of Edward. The stage on which they would suffer would be to them a stage of honour, but a stage of shame to Edward, a reproach on his conquests, an indelible disgrace to his name. 19. "Let us rather disappoint these haughty burghers, who wish to invest themselves with glory at our expense. We cannot wholly deprive them of the merit of a sacrifice so nobly intended, but we may cut them short of their desires. 20. "In the place of that death by which their glory would be complete, let us bury them under gifts; let us put them to confusion with applauses. We shall thereby defeat them of that popular opinion which never fails to attend those who suffer in the cause of virtue." 21. "I am convinced; you have prevailed; be it so!" replied Edward. "Prevent the execution; have them instantly before us." They came; when Queen Philippa, with an aspect and accent diffusing sweetness, thus bespoke them: 22. "Natives of France, and inhabitants of Calais! You have put us to a vast expense of blood and treasure in the recovery of our just and natural inheritance. But But you have acted up to the best of an erring judgment; and we admire and honour in you that valour and virtue by which we have so long been kept out of our rightful possessions. 23. "You noble burghers! You excellent citizens! Though you were tenfold the enemies of our person and our throne, we can feel for you nothing on our part save respect and affection. 24. "You have been sufficiently tested. We loose your chains; we snatch you from the scaffold; and we thank you for that lesson of humiliation which you teach us, when you show us that excellence is not of blood, of title, or of station; that virtue gives a dignity superior to that of kings; and that those whom the Almighty informs with feelings like yours are justly and eminently raised above all human distinctions. 25. "You are now free to depart to your kinsfolk, to your countrymen, to all those whose lives and liberties you have so nobly redeemed, provided you refuse not the tokens of our esteem. 26. "Yet we would rather bind you to ourselves by every endearing obligation; and for this purpose we offer to you your choice of the gifts and honours that Edward has to bestow. Rivals for fame, but always friends to virtue, we wish that England were entitled to call you her sons." 27. "Ah, my country!" exclaimed St. Pierre; "it is now that I tremble for you. Edward only wins our cities; but Philippa conquers our hearts!" THE SURRENDER OF CALAIS. stal-wart, brave. ac-cord, grant. burgh-ers, people of the town or borough. Sir John de Vienne, the governor of Calais. noble, a coin worth 6s. 8d. 1. Edward the Third of England, N |