" Eustace, Eustace," said he, " I bear in mind the days



316 Sir Nigel

when you were oz great heart and high enterprise, but since
King Edward gave you yonder chaplet of pearls you have
ever been backward against the English I "

" My Lord Clermont," said de Ribeaumont sternly, " it
is not for me to brawl at the King's council and in the face
of the enemy, but we will go further into this matter at some
other time. Meanwhile, the King has asked me for my
advice and I have given it as best I might/ 9

" It had been better for your honor, Sir Eustace, had you
held your peace," said the Duke of Orleans. " Shall we let
them slip from our fingers when we have them here and are
fourfold their number? I know not where we should dwell
afterwards, for I am very sure that we should be ashamed
to ride back to Paris, or to look our ladies in the eyes again."

" Indeed, Eustace, you have done well to say what is in
your mind," said the King; "but I have already said that
we shall join battle this morning, so that there is no room
here for further talk. But I would fain have heard from
you how it would be wisest and best that we attack them? "

" I will advise you, sire, to the best of my power. Upon
their right is a river with marshes around it, and upon their
left a great wood, so that we can advance only upon the
center. Along their front is a thick hedge, and behind it
I saw the green jerkins of their archers, as thick as the
sedges by the river. It is broken by one road where only
four horsemen could ride abreast, which leads through the
position. It is clear then that if we are to drive them back
we must cross the great hedge, and I am very sure that the
horses will not face it with such a storm of arrows beating
from behind it. 