The Irish standard., 1901-02-16

with all. Whereupon the king COM
manded the houses in the woods to be
burned, which was Immediately done
"a Ia Kitchener fashion) and many vii
lagos first The king with his army,
being lodged at the entrance to the
wood, commanded $500 of the country
people to cut down the wood that his
way might be made passable, which
was then overgrown with trees, and
guarded with the enemy, and it was
besides so boggy that in diverse places,
as the soldiers marched, they sank up
to the horses reins in mire, where they
could not overtake the Irish in their re-
treat. An open place being made, the
irish i'll our passage through it, made
such clamor as might be heard a
league off, but still avoiding us for
fear of our archers. Yet they assailed
us often both in van and rear, casting
their darts with such might as no hab-
ergeon or coats of mail were of sutfi-
cient proof to resist; their darts, pierre
ing them through both sides. Our for
ayers that strayed from their fellows
were slaughtered by the Irish, for they
were so nimble and swift of foot, that
like unto stays they could run over
mountains and valleys, whereby we re-
ceived great annoyance and danger.
The king sent word to Marlborough
to submit, and ask his mercy, and he.
the king, would bestow upon him cas-
ties, cities and ample territories. Mac
Morrough made no other answer to the
kings messengers but this, 'that for
all the gold in the world he would not
submit himself fhis sounds like brave
De Vets answer) but he would contin-
ue the war and endanger the king in
all that he might" The kings army
was then pressed for want Of victuals,
and for eleven days the soldiers had
nothing but what they could get in
country already wasted. A biscuit a
day between five was thought good
allowance. And some in five days to-
gether had not bit of bread. knights,
squires and gentlemen all felt this mi
sery. For my own part wished my
self without penny in my purse, in
Paris. At last the king dislodged and
marched towards Dublin. Hereupon
the enemy attended us with fearful
outcries and skirmished with us fire.
quently."
A parley was proposed by MacMor-
rough designedly to retard the flight of
the king. The Frenchman's narrative
proceeds thus:
'The news brought great joy to the
English camp and the king by advice
Of his council sent the duke Of Glouster
attended with 200 lancers and 1000
good archers. Among other gentlemen
was one that went with them to see
Marlborough, and what the issue
might be. Between two woods not far
from the sea, Marlborough, attended
by large number of Irish, descended
mountain mounted on horse with
out saddle, which cost him, as it was
reported, 400 cows, for in that country
cows were used as money. His horse
was fair, and in his descent to us he
ran as swiftly as any stag. hare, or the
swiftest beast that ever saw. In his
right hand he bore a great long dart,
which he cast from him with great
dexterity. At the woodside his men
stayed behind him, and he met the earl
at little ford. He was tall of stature
well formed, strong and active, and his
countenance fierce and severe. Much
speech passed between him and the
earl, but the parley produced no effect.
| marlborough returned to his men, and
the earl to the. king, who was much en-
| ragged at the report, and swore by st.
Edward he would never leave Ireland
till he had marlborough in his hands,
dead or alive. Next day the king
marched to Dublin, which is a fair
| city, and was able to supply food for
the great army of the king without in
the least raising the price Of victuals." )"
\ Now here was an English king with
an army Of fully 10000 men, the flower
of that kingdom, baffled for two years
and finally forced to fly before one
Irish chieftain, with an army Of only
5000 men! How little could England s
cutthroats have done in that country
! had all the Irish chiefs joined hands
against the common enemy, But alas,
| that could not have been.
In Dublin, King Richard divided his
army into three parts and sent them
forth to harass Marlborough, and
promised large reward in gold to any
who should bring him that chieftain's