But, I say,
they were willing to lend him what strength they could, not knowing
what need they might have of him, when they should engage for
themselves, as he. Wherefore they fell to advising about the next
thing propounded, namely, what soldiers they were, and also how
many, with whom Diabolus should go against the town of Mansoul to
take it; and after some debate, it was concluded, according as in
the letter the Diabolonians had suggested, that none were more fit
for that expedition than an army of terrible doubters. They
therefore concluded to send against Mansoul an army of sturdy
doubters. The number thought fit to be employed in that service
was between twenty and thirty thousand. So then the result of that
great council of those high and mighty lords was--That Diabolus
should even now, out of hand, beat up his drum for men in the land
of Doubting, which land lieth upon the confines of the place called
Hell-Gate Hill, for men that might be employed by him against the
miserable town of Mansoul. It was also concluded, that these lords
themselves should help him in the war, and that they would to that
end head and manage his men.
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