French prisoners more in number then the English
Souldiers._]

For that his Souldiers tyred in the fight,
Their Prisoners more in number then they were,
He thought it for a thing of too much weight,
T'oppose freshe forces, and to guard them there.
The Daulphins Powers, yet standing in their sight,
And Burbons Forces of the field not cleere.
These yearning cryes, that from the Caridge came,
His bloud yet hott, more highly doth inflame

[Stanza 300]

And in his rage he instantly commands,
That euery English should his prisoner kill,
Except some fewe in some great Captaines hands
Whose Ransomes might his emptyed Cofers fill,
Alls one whose loose, or who is nowe in bonds,
Both must one way, it is the Conquerers will.
Those who late thought, small Ransoms them might free
Saw onely death their Ransomes now must be.

[Stanza 301: _The English kill their prisoners._]

[_Expostulation._]

Accursed French, and could it not suffize,
That ye but now bath'd in your natiue gore;
But yee must thus infortunately rise,
To drawe more plagues vpon yee then before,
And gainst your selfe more mischeife to diuise,
Then th'English could haue, and set wide the dore.
To vtter ruine, and to make an end
Of that your selues, which others would not spend.

[Stanza 302]

Their vtmost rage the English now had breath'd,
And their proud heartes gan somewhat to relent,
Their bloody swords they quietly had sheath'd,
And their strong bowes already were vnbent,
To easefull rest their bodies they bequeath'd,
Nor farther harme at all to you they ment,
And to that paynes must yee them needsly putt,
To draw their kniues once more your throats to cutt.

[Stanza 303: _The French cause of their own massechre._]

[_A discriptyon of the Massachre in the foure following stanzas._]

That French who lately by the English stood,
And freely ask'd what ransome he should pay,
Whoe somwhat coold, and in a calmer moode,
Agreed with him both of the some and day,
Nowe findes his flesh must be the present foode,
For wolues and Rauens, for the same that stay.
And sees his blood on th'others sword to flowe,
E'r his quicke sense could aprehend the blowe.

[Stanza 304]

Whilst one is asking what the bus'nesse is,
Hearing (in French) his Country-man to crye:
He who detaines him prisoner, answers this:
Mounsier, the King commands that you must dye;