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Whereupon he ordered his horſe and armour (which were overlaid with gold) to be got ready againſt morning light; alſo all his friends and ſervants, together with as many as made up two thouſand ſpearmen, to be muſtered without letting them know what deſign he had in hand. However, they diſputed not to obey him, having, next the King, the chief command of the kingdom.
The Earl of Northumberland, tho' in an enemy's country, and far from any ſuccour, yet relying on his own and the courage of his men (the choiceſt archers of England) was ſo far from being daunted, tho he might reaſonably expect a greater number againſt him, he ordered the tables to be ſpread a ſecond time, and ſtore of wine went round, which they had brought with them in great plenty. Healths went round, to the King, the Earl, and to the proſperity of their ſport the next days and then, ſetting ſcouts for their protection thro' the night, repoſed themſelves.
The ſun no ſooner gilded the horizon with his rays, and the early lark mounted on high, tuned her melodious notes, than the ſport was renewed; and the woods, foreſt, plains and hills, reſounded with the pleaſing noiſe of hounds, ſo that, altogether, they made a curious harmony!
