SIEGE OF CALAIS
1.EDWARD III.，after the battle of Crecy，laid siege to Calais.He had fortified his camp in so impregnable a manner，that all the efforts of France proved ineffectual to raise the siege，or throw succors into the city.The citizens，under Count Vienne，their gallant governor，made an admirable defense.France had now put the sickle into her second harvest，since Edward，with his victorious army，sat down before the town.The eyes of all Europe were intent on the issue.
2.At length，famine did more for Edward than arms.After suffering unheard-of calamities，the French resolved to attempt the enemy‘s camp.They boldly sallied forth；the English joined battle；and after a long and desperate engagement，Count Vienne was taken prisoner，and the citizens who survived the slaughter retired within their gates.The command devolving upon Eustace St.Pierre，a man of mean birth，but of exalted virtue，he offered to capitulate with Edward，provided he permitted them to depart with life and liberty.
3.Edward，to avoid the imputation of cruelty，consented to spare the bulk of the plebeians，provided they delivered up to him six of their principal citizens with halters about their necks，as victims of due atonement for that spirit of rebellion with which they had inflamed the vulgar.When his messenger，Sir Walter Mauny，delivered the terms，consternation and pale dismay were impressed on every countenance.
4.To a long and dead silence deep sighs and groans succeeded，till Eustace St.Pierre，getting up on a little eminence，thus addressed the assembly：“My friends，we are brought to great straits this day.Wemust either yield to the terms of our cruel and ensnaring conqueror，or give up our tender infants，our wives and daughters，to the bloody hands of the enraged soldiers.
5.”Is there any expedient left，whereby we may avoid the guilt and infamy of delivering up those who have suffered every misery with you，on the one hand，or the desolation and horror of a sacked city on the other？There is，my friends；there is one expedient left！a gracious，an excellent，a godlike expedient left！Is there any here to whom v ir tue is dearer than life？Let him offer himself an oblation for the safety of his people！
He shall not fail of a blessed approbation from that Power who offered up his only Son for thesalvation of mankind.“The French defeated before Calais by Edward III6.He spoke；but a universal silence ensued.Each man looked around for the example of that virtue and magnanimity which all wished to approve in themselves though they wanted the resolution.At length St.Pierre resumed：“I doubt not but there are many here as ready，nay，more zealous of this martyrdom，than I can be；though the station to which I am raised by the captivity of Lord Vienne imparts a right to be the first in giving my life for your sakes.I give it freely；I give it cheerfully.Who comes next？”
7.“Your son！”exclaimed a youth not yet come to maturity.“Ah！my child！”cried St.Pierre；“I am，then，twice sacrificed.But no；I have rather begotten thee a second time.Thy years are few，but full，my son.The victim of virtue has reached the utmost purpose and goal ofmortality！Who next，my friends？This is the hour of heroes.”“Your kinsman，”cried John de Aire.“Your kinsman，”cried James Wissant.“Your kinsman，”cried Peter Wissant.“Ah！”exclaimed Sir Walter Mauny，bursting into tears，“why was not I a citizen of Calais？”
8.The sixth victim was still wanting，but was quickly supplied by lot from numbers who were now emulous of so ennobling an example.The keys of the city were then delivered to Sir Walter.He took the six prisoners into his custody；then ordered the gates to be opened，and gave charge to his attendants to conduct the remaining citizens，with their families，through the camp of the English.Before they departed，however，they desired permission to take a last adieu of their deliverers.
9.What a parting！What a scene！They crowded with their wives and children about St.Pierre and his fellow prisoners.They embraced；they clung around；they fell prostrate before them；they groaned；they wept aloud；and the joint clamor of their mourning passed the gates of the city，and was heard throughout the English camp.
10.The English，by this time，were apprised of what passed within Calais.They heard the voice of lamentation，and their souls were touched with compassion.Each of the soldiers prepared a portion of his own victuals，to welcome and entertain the half-famished inhabitants；and they loaded them with as much as their present weakness was able to bear，in order to supply them with sustenance by the way.
11.At length，St.Pierre and his fellow-victims appeared，under conduct of Sir Walter and a guard.All the tents of the English were instantly emptied.The soldiers poured from all parts，and arranged themselves on each side，to behold，to contemplate，to admire，this little band of patriots，as they passed.They bowed to them on all sides；they murmured their applause of that virtue which they could not but revere，even in enemies；and they regarded those ropes，which they had voluntarily assumed about their necks，as ensigns of greater dignity than that of the British garter.
12.As soon as they had reached the presence，“Mauny，”says the monarch，“are these the principal inhabitants of Calais？”“They are，”says Mauny；“they are not only the principal men of Calais，they are the principal men of France，my lord，if virtue has any share in the act of ennobling.”“Were they delivered peaceably？”says Edward；“was there no resistance，no commotion among the people？”“Not in the least，my lord；the people would all have perished rather than have delivered the least of these to your Majesty.They are self-delivered and self-devoted；and come to offer up their inestimable heads as an ample equivalent for the ransom of thousands.”