The letters being dictated, signed, and sealed, Grangousier
ordained that Ulric Gallet, master of the requests,
a very wise and discreet man, of whose prudence and
sound judgment he had made trial in several difficult
and debateful matters, (should) go unto Picrochole,
to show what had been decreed amongst them.
At the same hour departed the good man Gallet, and
having passed the ford, asked at the miller that dwelt
there in what condition Picrochole was: who
answered him that his soldiers had left him neither
cock nor hen, that they were retired and shut up into
the rock Clermond, and that he would not advise him
to go any further for fear of the scouts, because
they were enormously furious. Which he easily
believed, and therefore lodged that night with the
miller.
The next morning he went with a trumpeter to the gate
of the castle, and required the guards he might be
admitted to speak with the king of somewhat that concerned
him. These words being told unto the king, he
would by no means consent that they should open the
gate; but, getting upon the top of the bulwark, said
unto the ambassador, What is the news, what have you
to say? Then the ambassador began to speak as
followeth.
Chapter 1.XXXI.
The speech made by Gallet to Picrochole.
There cannot arise amongst men a juster cause of grief
than when they receive hurt and damage where they
may justly expect for favour and good will; and not
without cause, though without reason, have many, after
they had fallen into such a calamitous accident, esteemed
this indignity less supportable than the loss of their
own lives, in such sort that, if they have not been
able by force of arms nor any other means, by reach
of wit or subtlety, to stop them in their course and
restrain their fury, they have fallen into desperation,
and utterly deprived themselves of this light.
It is therefore no wonder if King Grangousier, my
master, be full of high displeasure and much disquieted
in mind upon thy outrageous and hostile coming; but
truly it would be a marvel if he were not sensible
of and moved with the incomparable abuses and injuries
perpetrated by thee and thine upon those of his country,
towards whom there hath been no example of inhumanity
omitted. Which in itself is to him so grievous,
for the cordial affection wherewith he hath always
cherished his subjects, that more it cannot be to
any mortal man; yet in this, above human apprehension,
is it to him the more grievous that these wrongs and
sad offences have been committed by thee and thine,
who, time out of mind, from all antiquity, thou and
thy predecessors have been in a continual league and
amity with him and all his ancestors; which, even
until this time, you have as sacred together inviolably
preserved, kept, and entertained, so well, that not
he and his only, but the very barbarous nations of
the Poictevins, Bretons, Manceaux, and those that
