anxious indeed for the king's liberty, but not at their own pecuniary loss: for earl Gilbert had taken William of Salisbury: and William de Ipres, Humphry de Bohun; and others had made such captures as they could, at Winchester, greedily expecting large sums for their ransom.
Next attacking the earl another way, they were anxious to allure him with magnificent promises, if so they might effect their purpose. Would he go over to the king's side, and dismiss his sister, he should govern the whole country: all things should await his decision : the crown should be the only distinction between him and the king: over all others he should rule as he pleased. The earl rejected these unbounded promises, with a memorable reply, which I wish posterity to hear, and to admire: "I am not my own master," said he, "but am in another's power; when I shall see myself at my own disposal, I promise to do every thing which reason dictates on the matter you propound."
Irritated and incensed at this, when they could do nothing by fair means, they began to menace, that they would send him over sea to Boulogne, and keep him in perpetual bondage till death. Still, however, with a serene countenance, dispelling their threats, he firmly and truly protested, that he feared nothing less. For he relied on the spirit of his wife, the countess, and the courage of his partizans, who would immediately send the king into Ireland, if they heard of any foul deed perpetrated against himself
A month elapsed in these transactions; so difficult a work was it to effect the liberation of princes whom fortune had fettered with her chain.[1] But, at length, the supporters of the empress having conferred together, entreated the earl by divers messages, that "as he could not do what he would," according to the comic writer, "he would do what he could:" he should allow therefore, the king and himself to be set at liberty, on equal terms, "otherwise," said they, "we fear lest the earls, inspirited by the consciousness of their great and most distinguished exploit in making you captive, should attack us one by one, reduce our castles, and even make an attempt upon your sister."
Robert, wrought upon at length, assented to the proposal of the legate and archbishop, but still on condition that none
- ↑ Virgil, Æn. i 33.
