a return for the dogs lately sent him
by the Prince; for St. Anthoine tells me, that he cannot
gratify the Prince more, than by sending him a suit of
armour well gilt and enamelled, together with pistols and a
sword of the same kind; and if he will add to these a couple
of horses, one of which goes well, and the other a barb, it
will be a singular favor done to the Prince.[69]

The Spanish ambassador, hearing of this present, instantly tried to
curry favor with the boy by telling him that a number of horses were
coming to him from the court of Spain--for young as he was, this wily
statesman saw the important part the Prince might play in the fortunes
of Europe.

But Henry was loyal in his friendship to France, and waited with great
eagerness for the Dauphin's horses and armour, which speedily arrived.
Monsieur de la Boderie writing again to France about the Prince, says:

None of his pleasures savour the least of a child. He is a
particular lover of horses and what belongs to them; but is
not fond of hunting; and when he goes to it, it is rather
for the pleasure of galloping, than that which the dogs give
him. He plays willingly enough at Tennis. . . . . but this
always with persons elder than himself, as if he despised
those of his own age. He studies two hours a day, and
employs the rest of his time in tossing the pike, or
leaping, or shooting with the bow, or throwing the bar, or
vaulting, or some other exercise of that kind; and he is
never idle. He shows himself likewise very good natured to
his dependants, and supports their interests against any
persons whatever; and he pushes what he undertakes for them
or others with such zeal as gives success to it. For beside
his exerting his whole strength to compass what he desires,
he is already feared by those who have the management of
affairs, and especially the Earl of Salisbury, who appears
to be greatly apprehensive of the Prince's ascendant; as the
Prince, on the other hand, shows little esteem for his
Lordship.[70]

Here we have a fair picture of this twelve-year-old boy who had already
seen how to choose the good, and reject the evil. And everything we
learn of him as he grew older only serves to confirm the French
ambassador's estimate of his character.

He was a fine, brave child, regardless of pain and danger; liking an old
suit of Welsh freize, bet