There is both pleasure and profit to be had in discerning well the doings of the great, whereby battles are won or lost, and whereby thrones are builded or are overturned. Richard thought within himself that day and other days: "I do grow older as we march, and men have often said that war is a great school for such as will be taught. There be those who learn not anything. I will not be one of them."
On pressed the army, plundering as it went, and great spoil went back to England, but in its division the king cared for the lowly as well as for the great, and there was no murmuring or dissatisfaction among the men in the rants.
Again and again was the river Seine approached by the detachments of the left wing. Truly, every bridge had been broken with care, to prevent a crossing of the English. Richard had also many talks with Ben of Coventry and with men who were brought by him. These also were presented, a dozen at a time, to Sir Geoffrey and the Earl of Warwick, for the two marshals were of one accord in this matter. No tools were dealt out, however, nor was any work set the workmen, until a day when the vanguard halted at a place called Poissy. There was no French army here to meet them, and yet the city of Paris itself was but a few miles farther on.
It was a gay sight, the lances and the pennons that rode out with the van. Next came the royal standard, and under it, in full armor and with his crowned helmet on, full knightly rode the king.
"Poissy!" he said. "Their last bridge, and it shall be for me, although they have broken it down. Where is that London shipwright? Ha, man, look yonder! What sayest thou?"
A short man, sturdy of build, was the shipwright, for he had already been brought.
"My Lord the King," he responded, "I did go on with the young Neville and that man of his from Coventry. The bridge is good enough. The French took off the planks and some timbers, but they forgot to burn."
"Little on this side the river, but much on the other," said the shipwright. "All that is lacking we can make from these trees."
"Time!" exclaimed the king. "I must have the bridge forthwith! To your axes!"
"Boats first," said the shipwright. "There be many on the far bank."
"Sire," interposed the Earl of Warwick, "I pray thee have patience. Richard of Wartmont hath sent word to me concerning boats. I shall hear again shortly."