The
king is ready to engage himself not to renew the truce, and to collect
an army, in readiness to act in concert with him, as soon as it is
terminated.
"The earl has sent, by his messenger, a ring; which, on being presented
at Dunbar, will gain for the person who carries it immediate access to
him; and I shall also give you my signet, in token that you are come
from me. You will carry, also, a slip of paper that can be easily
concealed, saying that you have my full authority to speak in my name.
You yourself can explain to him that I have selected you for the
mission because of your knowledge of border speech, and because a youth
of your age can pass unobserved, where a man might excite attention and
remark, and possibly be detained, until he could render a satisfactory
account of himself.
"Here are the conditions, set down upon paper. Take it, and commit them
to heart, and then tear the paper into shreds, and burn them. As far as
Roxburgh you can, of course, ride as my squire; but beyond, you must
travel in disguise. This you had better procure here, and take with
you; for although the Governor of Roxburgh is a trusty knight, it were
best that no soul should know that you go on a mission to March; and I
shall simply give you a letter to him, stating that you are engaged in
a venture in my service, and that your horse and armour are to be kept
for you, until your return.
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