ANTIQUITIES OF SELBORNE. 



291 



that, whatever might be the occasions of Ken's first fall, the sub- 

 sequent ones seem to have been designed. The scullion appears 

 to have been an artful fellow, and to have seen the king's foible, 

 which furnishes an early specimen of that his easy softness and 

 facility of temper, of which the infamous Gaveston took such 

 advantages, as brought innumerable calamities on the nation, and 

 involved the prince at last in misfortunes and sufferings too deplor- 

 able to be mentioned, without horror and amazement. 



