They said, ‘First they found it very strange that so many tall men with long beards, strong and well armed, as it were about the Kings person [it is very likely they meant the Switzers of his guard] would submit themselves to obey a beardlesse childe, and that we did not rather chuse one amongst them to command the rest.’ Secondly (they have a manner of phrase whereby they call men but a moytie one of another.) ‘ They had perceived there were men amongst us full gorged with all sorts of commodities, and others which, hungerstarved and bare with need and povertie, begged at their gates: and found it strange these moyties so needy could endure such an injustice, and that they tooke not the others by the throate, or set fire on their houses.’ I talked a good while with one of them, but I had so bad an interpreter, who did so ill apprehend my meaning, and who through his foolishnesse was so troubled to conceive my imaginations, that I could draw no great matter from him.
They expressed surprise that many strong, well-armed men with long beards, likely referring to the king’s Swiss guards, would submit to obeying a beardless child rather than choosing one among themselves to lead. They also noted, using a phrase that describes people as halves of one another, that they observed some among us living in abundance while others suffered from hunger and poverty, begging at their doors. They found it strange that those in need tolerated such injustice and did not rise against the wealthy or set fire to their homes. I spoke at length with one of them, but my interpreter was poor, struggling to grasp my meaning and too confused to convey my thoughts effectively, so I gained little insight from the conversation.
They noted that it seemed odd that many tall men with long beards, who appeared strong and well-armed, would choose to follow a beardless child, likely referring to the Swiss guards of the king, instead of selecting one of their own to lead them. Additionally, they expressed surprise at the stark contrast between those among us who were well-fed and prosperous, and those who were starving and in need, begging at their doors. They found it strange that the needy did not confront the others or retaliate against them in some way. I had a lengthy conversation with one of them, but my interpreter struggled to understand my intentions and had difficulty conveying my thoughts, making it challenging to gain much insight from the discussion.
They said it was strange that so many tall, long-bearded men, who looked strong and well-armed, should follow a beardless child, probably the Swiss guards of the king, rather than choose one of their own to lead them. They also said they were amazed at the stark difference between those of us who were well fed and wealthy and those who were hungry and homeless, begging at their doors. They were puzzled that the poor did not attack the others or do something to them. I spoke to one of them for a long time, but my interpreter didn't understand what I was saying and couldn't translate what I was saying, so it was hard to get much out of the conversation.
They remarked that it was strange that so many tall men with long beards, who looked strong and well-armed, would follow a beardless child, probably the Swiss guards of the king, rather than one of their own. They were also astonished at the great difference between those of us who were well fed and rich, and those who were starving and begging at our doors. They were puzzled that the poor did not challenge the others or revenge themselves on them. I talked to one of them for a long time, but my interpreter couldn't understand what I wanted to say and couldn't express my thoughts well, so I couldn't get much out of the conversation.