e, and will give him good wine; I can well give
it him, in sooth, I do assure you, for it costs me nothing.' Then the
herald departed, and returned to his lord, and told the news of this
company.

"So away rode Bertrand, and halted not; and he rode so far that he came
to the Grand Company, and then did greet them. 'God keep,' said he, 'the
companions I see yonder!' Then they bowed down; each abased himself. 'I
vow to God,' said Bertrand, 'whosoever will be pleased to believe me; I
will make you all rich.' And they answered, 'Right welcome here sir, we
will all do whatsoever is your pleasure.' 'Sirs,' said Bertrand, 'be
pleased to listen to me; wherefore I am come I will tell unto you. I
come by order of the king in whose keeping is France, and who would be
right glad, to save his people, that ye should come with me whither I
should be glad to go into good company I fain would bring ye. If we
would all of us look into our hearts, we might full truly consider that
we have done enough to damn our souls; think we but how we have dealt
with life, outraged ladies and burned houses, slain men, children, and
everybody set to ransom, how we have eaten up cows, oxen, and sheep,
drunk good wines, and done worse than robbers do. Let us do honor to God
and forsake the devil. Ask, if it may please you, all the companions,
all the knights, and all the barons; if you be of accord, we will go to
the king, and I will have the gold got ready which we do promise you I
would fain get together all my friends to make the journey we so strongly
desire.'"

Du Guesclin then explained, in broad terms which left the choice to the
Grand Company, what this journey was which was so much desired. He spoke
of the King of Cyprus, of the Saracens of Granada, of the Pope of
Avignon, and especially of Spain and the King of Castile, Pedro the
Cruel, "scoundrel-murderer of his wife (Blanche of Bourbon)," on whom,
above all, Du Gueselin wished to draw down the wrath of his hearers. "In
Spain," he said to them, we might largely profit, for the country is a
good one for leading a good life, and there are good wines which are neat
and clear." Nearly all present, whereof were twenty-five famous
captains, "confirmed what was said by Bertrand." "Sirs," said he to them
at last, "listen to me: I will go my way and speak to the King of the
Franks; I will get for you those two hundred thousand francs; you shall
come and dine with me at Paris, according t