The disgrace must be divided between Edward I.and Edward III., who enforced their domination over a free country, and the Scots, who were compelled to take compulsory oaths, without any purpose of keeping them.] "Thou didst, De Vaux; thou wast right, and I confess it," said Richard.
"I should have known him better--I should have remembered how the fox William deceived me touching this Crusade." "My lord," said Sir Kenneth, "William of Scotland never deceived; but circumstances prevented his bringing his forces." "Peace, shameless!" said the King; "thou sulliest the name of a prince, even by speaking it .-- And yet, De Vaux, it is strange," he added, "to see the bearing of the man.

Coward or traitor he must be, yet he abode the blow of Richard Plantagenet as our arm had been raised to lay knighthood on his shoulder.

Had he shown the slightest sign of fear, had but a joint trembled or an eyelid quivered, I had shattered his head like a crystal goblet.

But I cannot strike where there is neither fear nor resistance." There was a pause.
"My lord," said Kenneth-- "Ha!" replied Richard, interrupting him, "hast thou found thy speech?
Ask grace from Heaven, but none from me; for England is dishonoured through thy fault, and wert thou mine own and only brother, there is no pardon for thy fault." "I speak not to demand grace of mortal man," said the Scot; "it is in your Grace's pleasure to give or refuse me time for Christian shrift--if man denies it, may God grant me the absolution which I would otherwise ask of His church! But whether I die on the instant, or half an hour hence, I equally beseech your Grace for one moment's opportunity to speak that to your royal person which highly concerns your fame as a Christian king." "Say on," said the King, making no doubt that he was about to hear some confession concerning the loss of the Banner.
"What I have to speak," said Sir Kenneth, "touches the royalty of England, and must be said to no ears but thine own." "Begone with yourselves, sirs," said the King to Neville and De Vaux.
The first obeyed, but the latter would not stir from the King's presence.
"If you said I was in the right," replied De Vaux to his sovereign, "I will be treated as one should be who hath been found to be right--that is, I will have my own will.

I leave you not with this false Scot." "How! De Vaux," said Richard angrily, and stamping slightly, "darest thou not venture our person with one traitor ?" "It is in vain you frown and stamp, my lord," said De Vaux; "I venture not a sick man with a sound one, a naked man with one armed in proof." "It matters not," said the Scottish knight; "I seek no excuse to put off time.