d, on condition of
their swearing allegiance to Henry as regent for, and heir of, Charles
VI.

To this the deputies consented, and the next day was fixed for the
surrender. The difficulty was, as Henry had found at Harfleur, Rouen,
and many other places, to enforce forbearance on his soldiery, who
regarded plunder as their lawful prey, the enemy as their natural game,
and the trouble a city had given them as a cause for unmercifulness. The
more time changed his army from the feudal gathering of English country
gentlemen and yeomen to mercenary bands of men-at-arms, the mere greedy,
rapacious, and insubordinate became their temper. Well knowing the
greatness of the peril, and that the very best of his captains had
scarcely the will, if they had the power, to restrain the license that
soon became barbarity unimaginable, he spoke sadly overnight of his dread
of the day of surrender, when it might prove impossible to prevent deeds
that would be not merely a blot on his scutcheon, but a shame to human
nature; looking back to the exultation with which he had entered Harfleur
as a mere effect of boyish ignorance and thoughtlessness.

Having taken all possible precautions, he stood in his full armour, with
the fox's brush in his helmet, under the great elm in the market-place,
received the keys, accepted the sword of the captain commissioned by
Charles with royal courtesy, gave his hand to be kissed by the mayor; and
then, with grave inexorable air, like a statue of steel, watched as the
freebooter Vaurus and his two chief companions were led down with their
hands tied, halters round their necks, and priests at their sides,
preparing them to be hung on that very tree. They were proud hard men,
and uttered no entreaty for grace. They had hung too many travellers
upon these same branches not to expect their own turn, and they were no
cravens to abase themselves.

That act of justice ended, Henry mounted his warhorse and rode in at the
gates. His wont was to go straight to the principal church, and there
attend a solemn mass of thanksgiving; but experience had taught him that
his devotions were the very opportunity of his men's rapine: he had
therefore arranged that as soon as he should have arrived in the choir of
the cathedral, James should take his place, and he slip out by a side
door, so as to return to the scene of action.

In full procession he and his suite reached the chief door, and there
dismounted in an immen