42 ACCOUNT OF THE DERBYSHIRE REGIMENT IN 1 7 45. 



" So they assembled and came to Derby even as he had said 

 unto them. And they drew out into a plain called the Holmes 

 (the same is encompassed by the River Derwent), and were 

 reviewed there. 



" And Devonshire looked, and behold many of them were 

 striplings, and not able to wield the sword. 



" And he shook his head and said, 'Are those thy mighty men, 

 O Derby ? The Lord protect thee, for vain is the help of 

 these men.' 



" And whilst they were yet in the field, tidings were brought, 

 saying, ' Issachar is at Ashbourne, and he will be with you on 

 the morrow.' 



" And when Devonshire heard these words his wrath was 

 kindled, and he said, ' Surely their advance guard cannot exceed 

 six hundred men ? Why then should we be afraid ? So let 

 every man be of good cheer, and prepare himself for battle. 

 Let us meet them on the Plains of Shirley, for I trust in the Lord 

 we shall discomfit them.' 



" Albeit fear came upon them and sorrow, so that they 

 hearkened not unto the voice of Devonshire, for they said : 

 ' Should we be slain, our wives would weep and our daughters 

 would make lamentations.' So every man took up his weapon 

 and prepared to flee. 



"And when Devonshire saw that he prevailed not, he reasoned 

 with them, saying, 'If you are determined to go, let us join 

 ourselves to William, the King's son, who lieth in Staffordshire, 

 or unto Wade, the General, who is in the province of York; 

 peradventure we may serve our country.' 



" And they communed among themselves, saying, ' If we join 

 ourselves to William we shall be in great danger, but if we join 

 ourselves to Wade, then shall we be safe, for behold he is a 

 peaceable man.' 



" So they went forward to Nottingham under covert of the 

 night. And Devonshire said : ' Go, refresh yourselves, lest you 

 faint by the way, and lest you be slain on empty stomachs.' 



" And there was given to each man a portion of bread and 

 cheese; moreover, they had strung drink in abundance. 



