the Princefs in particular was greatly affected at this accumulation of her forrows, and viewed, with redoubled horror, the approaching diminution of her family; this lofs appeared as a prelude to one of more importance, and the wept at the fame time the prefent and expected evil.

It was judged neceffary, by the Prince of Wales's phyficians, that he should try the efficacy of his native air on his decaying conftitution; he therefore prepared to fet

out for England. The command of the fleet appointed for his convoy he gave to his Brother the Earl of Cambridge, and left the Duke of Lancaster to fucceed him in the government of his principality. Before his departure he fummoned all the Barons and Knights of Gafcoigné and Poitou that retained their loyalty, and took his leave of them in the most pathetic and, friendly manner; he conjured them, by that attention to their interest which he had unceafingly fhewn during a refidence of ten years,

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by that courtefy and friendship with which he had always treated them, and by that duty which they owed him as their Lord, to continue ftedfaft in their fidelity; he defired they would cheerfully transfer the refpectful homage they had ever paid him to his Brother the Duke of Lancafter, and unite in opposing the common enemy; then in a foftened tone of voice, and with a graceful air, in which dignity and affection were mingled, giving way to the effufions of his humane and princely heart, he concluded with benevolent wishes for their welfare, and affurances of his continued regard. His whole court were moved with this folemn adieu, which the Prince's vifible decline gave too fure a profpect of being an eternal one with one voice the Barons affured him of their loyalty, and, to confirm their vows, did fealty and homage in his presence to the Duke his reprefentative. This done, his Highness embarked at Bourdeaux in January, with the

Princefs

Princefs and their fon Richard, and arrived at Plymouth in a few days.

The Prince was conveyed in a litter to Windfor, where King Edward then held his court: he was there received with great affection by his royal parents, whose hearts felt unutterable pangs at the fad reverse they now beheld. Inftead of the blooming Son they had parted from a few years before, full of health and crowned with glory, to receive again to their arms only a faint refemblance of him, forced by the fell Deftroyer to relinquish thofe territories, he had bravely won, was one of Fate's feverest strokes, and probably haftened Queen Philippa's death, which happened fhortly after. Had he died on the bed of honour, they would not have repined; but thus to fall by a lingering disease, perhaps by perfidy, excited even murmurs.

He foon after retired to his palace at Berkhampstead, and from the falubrity of the

the air recovered a fmall degree of health; but the accounts he frequently received from Acquitain of the success of the French, and the increafing fpirit of defection among his Gafcon Nobles (for fince his departure, many who had given him affurances of their loyalty had been either intimidated or feduced from their allegiance) gave him continual vexation, and retarded his recovery.

A great part of those who remained faithful to him being pent up in Thouars by Sir Bertrand du Guefclin, and feeing no poffibility of withstanding that General, they agreed to furrender themselves pri'foners if they were nct fuccoured by a certain time a ceffation of arms accordingly took place, when they gave the Prince of Wales intelligence of their capitulation, and desired some affiftance. King Edward, exafperated at this reverfe of fortune, and unwilling to have the laurels he had gathered in his youth blafted on his hoary brow,

brow, fitted out a formidable fleet and raised a large army, determined not only to relieve his Gafcon fubjects, but to carry his arms into the dominions of his enemy. The Prince of Wales, though still weak and emaciated, refolved to accompany his Father; his great foul would not fubmit to the infirmities of the body, or fuffer him to remain inactive while glorious deeds were to be atchieved.

It was the latter end of Auguft before the neceffary preparations could be made, when this armament failed for Rochelle; but the winds proving contrary, it was kept at sea six weeks without being able to make that port. The King now found that however flattering Fortune may be for a while, the often proves fickle and inconstant even to her greateft favourites. In all the affairs of life, though the tide for a time flows fmoothly, and the gale proves favourable, yet a reflux may be expected, and adverse ftorms will furely arise. During the prof perous