human
What news, my Lord Count? asked Charles.
gpt
I'm told there is a messenger from Ghent.
human
Ill news, my lord,
gpt
Out with it! cried the duke.
human
One should always swallow a bitter draught quickly.
gpt
We hear the Swiss are gathering their cantons in great numbers,
human
Let the sheep gather, said Charles, waving his hands.
gpt
The more they gather to the fold, the more we'll shear. He laughed as if pleased with the prospect, and continued,
human
Proceed, my Lord Count.
gpt
The Duke of Lorraine is again trying to muster his subjects against Your Grace, and sends a polite message asking and offering terms of agreement. Shall I read the missive, my lord?
human
No! cried the duke,
gpt
Curse his soft words. There is no bad news yet. Proceed.
human
It is rumored, Your Grace, continued the count,
gpt
With his advice? asked the duke.
human
The old pauper has nothing else to give, unless it be the bones of his ancestors.
gpt
It is said, Your Highness, that Würtemberg will also aid the Swiss, and that Duke Albert will try to bring about a coalition of the German states for the purpose of assisting the Swiss, aiding Lorraine, and overthrowing Burgundy. This purpose, our informant tells us, has been fostered by this same Duke Frederick of Styria.
human
This news, I suppose, is intended for our ears by the Duke of Styria. He probably wishes us to know that he is against us, said Charles.
gpt
He wanted our daughter for his clown of a son, and our contempt for his claims rankles in his heart. He cannot inflame Würtemberg, and Würtemberg cannot influence the other German princes.
human
The citizens of Ghent, my lord, petition Your Grace for the restoration of certain communal rights, and beg for the abolition of the hearth tax and the salt levy. They also desire the right to elect their own burgomaster and--
gpt
Give me the petition,
human
Send these to the dogs of Ghent, and tell them that for every scrap of parchment I'll take a score of heads when I return from Switzerland.
gpt
We hear also, my lord, said the Italian,
human
Edward wants more of King Louis' gold, answered Charles.
gpt
We'll let him get it. We care not how much he has from this crafty miser of the Seine. Louis will buy the English ministers, and the army will suddenly vanish. When King Edward grows scarce of gold, he musters an army, or pretends to do so, and Louis fills the English coffers. The French king would buy an apostle, or the devil, and would sell his soul to either to serve a purpose. Have you more in your budget, Sir Count?
human
I have delivered all, I believe, my lord,
gpt
It might have been worse,
human
One moment, my lord! There is another matter to which I wish to call Your Grace's attention before you rise, said the count.
gpt
I have for your signature the warrants for the execution of the Swiss spies, who, Your Highness may remember, were entrapped and arrested by the watchfulness of Your Grace's faithful servant, the noble Count Calli.
human
Give me the warrant, said the duke,