d helm, and
you will have crowns enough to crack around you. What follows?--Master
Stokton hath said it: pillage and rape for the city, gibbet and cord for
mayor and aldermen. Do I say this, loving the House of Lancaster? No; as
Heaven shall judge me, I think that the policy King Edward hath chosen,
and which costs him his crown to-day, ought to make the House of York
dear to burgess and trader. He hath sought to break up the iron rule of
the great barons,--and never peace to England till that be done. He has
failed; but for a day. He has yielded for a time; so must we. 'There's a
time to squint, and a time to look even.' I advise that we march out
to the earl, that we make honourable terms for the city, that we take
advantage of one faction to gain what we have not gained with the
other; that we fight for our profit, not with swords, where we shall
be worsted, but in council and parliament, by speech and petition.
New power is ever gentle and douce. What matters to us York or
Lancaster?--all we want is good laws. Get the best we can from
Lancaster, and when King Edward returns, as return he will, let him bid
higher than Henry for our love. Worshipful my lords and brethren, while
barons and knaves go to loggerheads, honest men get their own. Time
grows under us like grass. York and Lancaster may pull down each
other,--and what is left? Why, three things that thrive in all
weather,--London, industry; and the people! We have fallen on a rough
time. Well, what says the proverb? 'Boil stones in butter, and you may
sup the broth.' I have done."

This characteristic harangue, which was fortunate enough to accord with
the selfishness of each one, and yet give the manly excuse of sound
sense and wise policy to all, was the more decisive in its effect,
inasmuch as the young Alwyn, from his own determined courage, and his
avowed distaste to the Lancaster faction, had been expected to favour
warlike counsels. The mayor himself, who was faithfully and personally
attached to Edward, with a deep sigh gave way to the feeling of the
assembly. And the resolution being once come to, Henry Lee was the first
to give it whatever advantage could be derived from prompt and speedy
action.

"Go we forth at once," said he,--"go, as becomes us, in our robes of
state, and with the insignia of the city. Never be it said that the
guardians of the city of London could neither defend with spirit, nor
make terms with honour. We give entrance to Lord