HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII. 203 



great difference between the courtesies received from 

 their master, and the duke of Britain : for that the 

 duke s might have ends of utility and bargain ; 

 whereas their master s could not have proceeded but 

 out of entire affection ; for that, if it had been 

 measured by a politic line, it had been better for his 

 affairs, that a tyrant should have reigned in England, 

 troubled and hated, than such a prince, whose vir 

 tues could not fail to make him great and potent, 

 whensoever he was come to be master of his affairs. 

 But howsoever it stood for the point of obligation 

 which the king might owe to the duke of Britain, 

 yet their master was well assured, it would not 

 divert King Henry of England from doing that that 

 was just, nor ever embark him in so ill-grounded a 

 quarrel. Therefore, since this war, which their master 

 was now to make, was but to deliver himself from 

 imminent dangers, their king hoped the king would 

 show the like affection to the conservation of their 

 master s estate, as their master had, when time was, 

 shewed to the king s acquisition of his kingdom. At 

 the least, that according to the inclination which 

 the king had ever professed of peace, he would look 

 on, and stand neutral ; for that their master could 

 not with reason press him to undertake part in the 

 war, being so newly settled and recovered from 

 intestine seditions. But touching the mystery of 

 re-annexing of the duchy of Britain to the crown of 

 France, either by war, or by marriage with the 

 daughter of Britain, the ambassadors bare aloof 

 from it as from a rock, knowing that it made most 

 VOL. 3. M 



