The Novels and Romances of Edward Bulwer Lytton (Volume 37) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VIII. How the Bastard of Burgundy prospered more in his Policy than with the Pole-axe--And how King Edward holds his Summer Chase in the fair Groves of Shene. It was some days after the celebrated encounter between the Bastard and Lord Scales, and the court had removed to the Palace of Shene. The Count de la Roche's favor with the Duchess of Bedford and the young princess had not rested upon his reputation for skill with the poleaxe, and it had now increased to a height that might well recompense the diplomatist for his discomfiture in the lists. In the meanwhile, the arts of Warwick's enemies had been attended with signal success. The final preparations for the alliance, now virtually concluded with Louis's brother, still detained the earl at Rouen, and fresh accounts of the French king's intimacy with the ambassador were carefully forwarded to Rivers, and transmitted to Edward. Now, we have Edward's own authority for stating that his first grudge against Warwick originated in this displeasing intimacy, but the English king was too clear-sighted to interpret such courtesies into the gloss given them by Rivers. He did not for a moment conceive that Lord Warwick was led into any absolute connection with Louis which could link him to the Lancastrians, for this was against common sense; but Edward, with all his good-humor, was implacable and vindictive, and he could not endure the thought that Warwick should gain the friendship of the man he deemed his foe. Putting aside his causes of hatred to Louis, in the encouragement which that king had formerly given to the Lancastrian exiles, Edward's pride as sovereign felt acutely the slighting disdain with which the French king had hitherto treated his royalty and his birth. The customary nickname with whic...