Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 4.djvu/177

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1545.]
THE INVASION.
157

October.The campaign being over, the King of France now signified his readiness to treat for a peace; and, though little confidence could be placed in his good faith, something might be expected from his exhaustion. The Germans on the one side, and the Emperor on the other, offered their services to assist an arrangement; and the two factions in the French and English councils were indulged in their several sympathies, and were allowed to contend with each other for

    puntos mas. El primero, que para la honestidad y excusa de Vuestra Majestad, el Rey haria paz con el Ingles con las mejores condiciones que el pudiese, estando seguro que despues la Iglesia mandaria a todos los Reys Christianos que castigasen al Inglese y segun el derecho commun le privasen de sus bienes como a cismatico y herege; y que entonces seria la causa commun y ygual a todos; y con esto Vuestra Majestad no seria mas notado que los otros, pues todos ygualmente ternian paz con el Rey de Inglaterra; y complir los mandamientos de Iglesia, en cosa tan sancta y pia, no es contra la palabra ni juramento, pues nadie puede prometer contra la obediencia de la Iglesia; y en esta expedition seria contento contribuir ygualmente, y se contentara con Gales, Guinas y Bologna y la renunciacion del derecho pretenso al reyno, y pension por el dicho Ingles; y que todo lo demas quedase a la disposition y voluntad de sua Majestad.' The second point refers to the efforts of the Duke of Orleans, and is unimportant.

    The pious Catholics, it seems, however, distrusted the sincerity of Francis in his perfidy. 'Vuestra Majestad,' sighs De Guzman, in conclusion, 'crea que tiene tanta gana y necessidad de hazer paz con el Ingles que temo sy Dios no le alumbra que haga alguna cequedad tal como la llamada del Turco. Nuestro Señor la provea por su sancta bondad, y de a Vuestra Majestad la salud y vida que su Iglesia a menester.'
    To what schemes, to what treacheries, must not Charles have been a party, before a confidential servant could address such a letter to him; and yet it perhaps required even greater effrontery to make use of it for political capital. He sent an emissary into England, 'and to the intent that the King's Majesty should perceive the Emperor's good meaning and affection towards his Highness, the said emissary brought with him a certain letter, to be shewed to his Majesty, written to the Emperor, for a practice against the King's Majesty of great importance.'—State Papers, vol. x. p. 619.