[From This World to the Next by Henry Fielding]@TWC D-Link book
From This World to the Next

CHAPTER XX
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When I represented to the king the indecency of conferring such an honor on such a fellow, he answered me that he was the archbishop's relation.

'Then, sir,' replied I, 'he is related to your enemy.' Nothing more passed at that time; but I soon perceived, by the archbishop's behavior, that the king had acquainted him with our private discourse; a sufficient assurance of his confidence in him and neglect of me.
"The favor of princes, when once lost, is recoverable only by the gaining a situation which may make you terrible to them.

As I had no doubt of having lost all credit with this king, which indeed had been originally founded and constantly supported by his fear, so I took the method of terror to regain it.
"The earl of Boulogne coming over to visit the king gave me an opportunity of breaking out into open opposition; for, as the earl was on his return to France, one of his servants, who was sent before to procure lodgings at Dover, and insisted on having them in the house of a private man in spite of the owner's teeth, was, in a fray which ensued, killed on the spot; and the earl himself, arriving there soon after, very narrowly escaped with his life.

The earl, enraged at this affront, returned to the king at Gloucester with loud complaints and demands of satisfaction.

Edward consented to his demands, and ordered me to chastise the rioters, who were under my government as earl of Kent: but, instead of obeying these orders, I answered, with some warmth, that the English were not used to punish people unheard, nor ought their rights and privileges to be violated; that the accused should be first summoned--if guilty, should make satisfaction both with body and estate, but, if innocent, should be discharged.


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