CVrious Gentlemen, that spend your time and take pleasure to recreate your spirits with the consideration of the Tragedies that are acted vpon the Theater of this World; I cannot be perswaded but that you haue heretofore read that which learned Aesope rehearseth in his Fables, of certain Hares, who running away when they heard the hounds open, by chance past along by the side of a ditch, where there were great store of frogs vpon the grasse, who as soone as they saw the hares, leapt as fast as they could into the water. This action being noted by the timorous hares, did in such maner encourage them, that the same onely sufficed to make them stay their running any further; at which time, one of them (who it may be had studied the French eloquence, practised by Master William du Vair) told them, that from thence forward it behoued them to esteeme more of their valours then euer they had done before; that it was a shame for them alwayes to haue bin held & esteemed to be fearfull, and a signe of reprochfull dastardlinesse vnto their auncestors, continually to haue vsed to runne away, and neuer durst looke in their ene­mies faces, seeing they were capable to ouercome and sub­due others, as they might well perceiue by experience of these croaking frogs, whose onely presence had put them [Page 2] [...], without any stroke given.

[...] his notable oration, (as plausibly pronounced, as that which my Lord Constable made to those of Thoulonze) so much encouraged his companions, that presently they resolved, not to set vpon Montaubon, but in time to come to shew themselues more valiant, and to magnifie and ex­alt their generositie, and from thenceforward determi­ned to act some glorious enterprise against those accur­sed hounds, and to turne their faces against their enemies to assaile them: which counsell put in execution, tooke so bad effect, and fell out so vnfortunately for the authors thereof, that thereby they were not onely taken, but torne in peeces, to serve for a prey unto their enemies, and a jest unto other more judicious and subtill beasts.

This fable, in my opinion, may properly be applied un­to the levying of armes at this time, whereinto so impro­vidently we have bin led by the plausible inducements of certaine prating companions, that have so much advan­ced and magnified the Favourite Hares, that they have made them to busie their braines about the ambitious reach of their prowd fortunes.

Every man knowes what discontentment the great personages of this Realme have had, to beholde the Crowne of France within these foure yeares to be as it were besieged by Luynes and his brethren; who to the great prejudice of the Kings affaires and the Common­wealth, absolutely disposed both of the ordinarie and ca­suall matters of State, to the great desolation of the whole monarchie: which to oppose and prevent, the greatest part of the Princes and principall Officers of the Realme in Anno 1620. made a kinde of league. But the number of the Leaguers being extreme great, the businesse could not be so securely managed as the case required: whereupon it fell out so, that it was presently discovered, by the in­fidelitie of certaine persons that betrayed them. In pur­suite whereof, the vanquishers had the victorie without [Page 3] combat, and the vanquished ouerthrew themselues.

Now appropriating the sence of this fable to my pre­sent discourse, I must tell you that my Masters the Favo­rite Hares, the last yeare being made afraid and abashed with the apprehension that they conceived of so many yong Princes that sought to overthrow and crosse their insolent fortune, they were constrained to abandon the delights of the Court, to seeke and finde out some meanes to shadow and cover themselves from the great tempest which as then seemed to menace them. And so shaking and trembling with feare, they went into Normandie, where by good fortune they met with certaine people, that like true frogs, hid themselves in the reedes, at the noise of their horses feete. Which made the Favorites set up their eares, and from that time forwards to conceive a wonderfull opinion of their affaires. But when they en­tred into the medowes in Angers, and perceived that at their onely presence, the frogs of Pont de See slipt downe from off the bridge of Pont to hide themselves in the wa­ter, they did then begin upon that occasion to conceive so great an opinion of their valours, that they were of the minde presently in a maner to set forward to fight against the great Turke, without once staying till the Duke de Nevers vessels were made readie, or the new Knights of the Christian warre were prepared to fight, imagining themselves to be three Caesars, able to over­come and rule over all men, whereupon they resolved to lay hold vpon all occasions, and to command all, and so farre, as to presume to make, not onely the Princes of the blood, but also the Regall authoritie, to serve them for a footstoole or a step unto their greatnesse.

Whereupon our neighbours (hauing Argus eyes) be­ing alwayes vigilant, and neuer sleepe, and with their spe­ctacles continually beholding our proceedings, to draw some profit from thence, accommodating them to the interest of their affaires, perceiving the haughty deseignes [Page 4] of the Favorite Hares; and that the pride which they con­ceived in their hearts of those ridiculous victories, was available to thrust them forward and embarke them into some great enterprise, how dangerous soever it were, so the perill that should be ministred were well gilded over: they advised with themselves that a civill warre in France would fall out well to the purpose, to be a meanes for them to attaine to the end of the Germane revolts, and of the vsurpation which they pretended to make vpon the Palatinate, Inlliers and Valtolina.

And to make them the more eagerly and easily to catch at the baite, they practised to re-assemble all the old rags and peeces of the holy league, therewith to make a faire cloake of religion, finely sowed by the fathers of the Ie­suiticall societie, and thereof to make a rich present unto the eldest Favorite, shewing him what a glorie it would be vnto him to weare the same, as in times past a certaine Duke of Guise had done; and that the onely way for him, without any trouble to attaine the Constables office, was to gild the scabberd of his sword with the spoiles of the foolish hare-braind heretickes, without speaking of the great summes of mony that he might by that meanes le­vie of the people, vnder pretence of so pious a quarrell, as that of religion would be; besides the hazard that he incurred to be canonized, according to the ordinarie ma­ner, with the Cardinals de Ioyense, and the Earle de Fi­esque.

This glorious advice, presented with as plausible words as those of father Cotton, moved our new warriers to a desire and great appetite to be doing somewhat: and their deseigne was presently confirmed by the Archbishop of Sens, and the Keeper of the Seales, to whom were shew­ed red Hats, woven by the hand of an Archangell, with a letter written by Pontchartrain, containing an assurance that those Hats were for them: for the which the Cardi­nals de la Rochefoucault and de Rets were sureties, upon [Page 5] the certificate of father Berule, and of the Marquis de Maignelay.

Touching the execution of the ruin of the heretickes, it was solemnly sworne by a Catholick Councell holden in Fontainebleau by divers great persons of the Realme, where the future Constable sat as President, apparelled like another Alexander, holding a sword of damaske of Genes in his hand, about the which was graven, He that kils with the sword, shall die by the sheath. Now with more ease to bring this enterprise to effect, Luynes like an ex­pert falconer, esteemed it requifite for him to haue a Duke to draw the simpler sort of birds to the lure: and for that certaine yeares together he had fixed both his eyes upon the office of Constable, although long before hee had made an offer thereof to the Duke de Lesdiguieres, to see what the great personages would say to the reestablish­ment of that office; he purposed to renew that proposi­tion unto him againe, and caused him to come to the Court, not with an intent to honour him with that dig­nitie, but on the contrary, to make him desist from it, for his owne advantage, and ciuilly to hold him as a prisoner, by his wives meanes, who vnder pretence of some par­ticular profit, hath exposed her husbands honour to the open view of the world. Thus the said Lord Marshall be­ing fallen into the nets that were laid abroad for him, pre­sently father Arnoux was seene to sweate water & blood, to procure the conversion of the poore Huguenots; who paying him well, he did happily bring into the lap of the Church, thereby to warme and encourage the spirits of those that were zealous, and to animate them with more crueltie against the heretickes. While the Earle de Schom­berg had commission given unto him to furnish a masse of treasure, to defray the charges which should be conve­nient (at what price soever it should cost) to seeke both on hils and in valleys for the band which in times past had so often and victoriously bin borne against the Sara­cins, [Page 6] that it might once againe be displayed in so holy a warre. And because it could not be found, what dili­gent search soeuer the fathers made, they were forced to have recourse unto some other expedient thing, agreeable to the greatnesse of that enterprise. And behold, for want of the banner, unexpectedly the Constables sword rose up, which Luynes had long time hidden in the breasts of the Dukes de Guise, and de Mayenne, and de Lesdiguieres, from whence he puld it artificially, to lay hold on it. And it is to be noted, that the first time that he hung it by his side, he held it a while naked in his hand, admiring his owne valour, esteeming it equall unto that of Caesar; and without further consideration of the difficulties of that warre, cried out for joy, and said like another Alexander, Nodos virtute resolvo, and then put the sword into the scabberd, from whence it neuer came out againe, by the advice of Cadnet and de Branthe, that they might not be reproched, that one of them was more valiant then the other. In the meane time, it was resolved to go directly to Saumur, there to do homage for that warlike sword, to our good Ladie de Ardvilliers, for the first fruites of his militarie actions, to sacrifice vnto her the breaking vp of blinde Monsieur du Plessis Mornays Librarie, who for that he was as ill sighted as the Countesse de Moret, was decei­ved by the intercession of Villarnoud his sonne in law; so it may well be said, that it was the first match that set fire, not onely in the Temples of the Huguenots, du Plessis and les Touers, but also in all the Cantons of the Realme, for that upon the good successe of the yeelding up of that place, the Favorite Hares resolved to adde the conquest of S. Iohn d' Angely unto their triumphs, into the which Towne they had sent Lo [...]drieres to betray his compani­ons, and in recompence thereof they promised to dis­charge him of 1000 crownes yearely rent that he ought to the Treasurer Moran, besides 15000 crownes which they gaue him in ready mony. Thus from place to place [Page 7] their conquests extended so farre, till they came before Montauban, which my Lord Constable thought to take as easily as hee could take up his Ladies smocke, as hee made knowne by his letters sent to diuers places, by the which he assured his friends, that he had sowed so good corne in that accursed place, as he made no doubt but that it would take roote. That was the cause that Te Deum was sung in Boulogne, Lyons and many other pla­ces for the yeelding up thereof, grounding upon the in­fallible assurance y ^t some men had, that he would take it, because he tooke all other places but onely Montauban. But therein he was not to be blamed, for he had sent Sau­uage into the Towne, who had promised to deliuer that Towne into his hands, as he had done Clerac: but the traitor deceiued my Lord Constable, and standing on the walls, mockt him.

This device failing, divers batteries were erected, sup­posing by that meanes to put the inhabitants thereof in some feare. Trenches were cast up, and furious skirmishes were made. Father Arnoux to encourage the souldiers, as­sured them by his part of Paradise, that all those that died in so holy a quarrell, should neuer go into Purgatorie. Whereupon euery man sought and strove to shew forth his valour. Branthe and Cadnet made a goodly shew with their great plumes of fethers, a great many of brave gen­tlemen were kild, and every day more and more were slaine.

The report of this siege was spread abroad throughout all Europe; and the late deceased King Henrie the fourth had newes thereof caried unto him in the Elizian fields: so that as when he liued he did tenderly and fatherly loue and nourish France; the care of the quietnesse, together with the desire he had to know the state thereof continu­ally vexed his soule. For which cause he sent messengers into every place, to discover whether any French men had past over the river of Styx. The late Baron de Villeroy [Page 8] brought him newes, that by chance he had met with a Spaniard of his old acquaintance, who had told him for certaine, that the Constable of France had begun a glo­rious warre against the heretickes, wherein he had pro­ceeded so happily, that in lesse then two moneths he had reduced threescore Townes vnder his obedience, batte­red, taken and unwalled S. Iohn, Pont Nerac, Bergerac and Clerac, and that as then he lay before Montauban with fortie great peeces of cannon. That the Marquis de Villars and divers others had bin burnt before it, though they were no heretickes. That the Marquis de Themines and the Duke de Mayenne also had bin slaine there, besides 400 gentlemen of name and qualitie, and aboue 15000 souldiers kild. That touching the raising up of the siege, he could say nothing, for that the reverend father Domi­nique de Iesus Maria had there lost the subtiltie of his re­velations; and that there was none but the Duke de Bran­the, the Duke de Cadmet, and the Duke de Luynes that were capable to take it: but they were not men to ex­pose their bodies in all enterprises, because of the im­portance of their persons.

Are they Spaniards? said the King. They are, said Ville­roy, the onely faithfull Counsellers to the King your son, by whose advice all the Realme is governed. Wherewith King Henrie the fourth scratching his head, stood as if he had bin in a dreame, and staying a great while with­out speaking a word, at last sighing with a sad counte­nance and sorrowfull voice, he said: Alas, now I see well that these men by litle and litle will vndoe my sonne, and that that which my enemies could not do while I li­ved, they will enforce themselues to effect it in his life time, by the meanes of those three petie Kings. Let search be made in every place, to kuow if there be any of my old servants to be found, among all those that have bin kild before S. Iohn, Clerac and Montauban, that I may discourse with them touching those lamentable things [Page 9] that are done in my poore countrey of France.

Truly, said the Chancellor de Belieure, euen now I saw almost 20000 persons of all sorts and qualities, which stand on the other side of the river of Stix, desiring to passe over; but the Boate-man Caron refused them all, vn­till they have bin purged in the [...] of Purgatorie. They maintaining and constantly aff [...]ing, that they were ex­empted from it, because they ha [...] [...]ost their lives before the heretiks forts, according to the assurance given them in the other world, by the Iesuites [...]f Thoulouse and Bour­deaux, and namely by father Russelay.

That grieves me much, said the King, I could be con­tent to haue given 100000 crownes to marry the Nunnes in Paris, vpon condition that this contention were ended, I haue so great a desire to see some one Frenchman or o­ther, that might ease me of my care, for the apprehension that I haue conceived of the troubles of the King my son, of the Queene my wife, and of my children.

Therewith the Baron de Liencourt stept forth and said to the King: Sir, your Grace is much troubled to know the truth of the affaires in the other world, you need but direct your selfe vnto some Iesuites, for they haue letters from all places. I came but now from speaking with fa­ther Gontrie, hee cannot chuse but know something; if you will haue me enquire of him, it may be my wife hath written him a word or two thereof. No, no, said Samet, those kind of people are too craftie and subtill, the truth neuer comes directly out of their mouthes, you shal know nothing that way; I know a better way, Caron the boat­man is my friend, he and I haue many times dranke to­gether, I will deale so well with him, that for my sake he shall not make difficultie to suffer some Frenchmen (upon my recommendation) to passe over, or else let me go over to them, to heare what they can say touching your Graces desire. Venture S. Gry, said the King, your invention is very good. Wherewith M. Guilliaume, [Page 10] who in the meane time stood attentively to heare that dis­course, began to say unto the King: My Lord, if you thinke it good, I will gladly beare Sebastian Zamet com­panie, and will aide him finely to passe over, as the suc­cours did into Montauban, while he stands speaking with old Caron, and then I will speedily make a journey to Louviers, to know how [...]ll fares there, and whether the Normands are well co [...]t to be bowles of Quillibeuf, in recompence of their service. I will not have you stirre from thence, said the King, you shall stand sentinell on the South side, and onely marke when the Archduke Albertus shall leane off his Monks cowle. Zamet dis­patched away, went to the river side, where being arived, he heard newes that the Cardinall de Guise was come thi­ther with buls, to cause all those to passe over, that died as he did in that holy warre, but that there was some dis­pute happened among those that stayed to passe over; for which cause Caron would not let them passe, for feare lest they should fight together while they were in his boate. Thereupon Zamet to further the businesse, gaue his ad­vice, that it was convenient to sprinkle all those that qua­relled together, with water of oblivion, before they entred into the boate, that so forgetting their quarels, they might passe over peaceably. This counsell was instantly follow­ed; but as things are full of crosses, another controversie hapned after that, betweene the said Cardinall and the Duke de Mayenne, who should first go into the boate. The strife was long, which much displeased Zamet, because it staid him from returning backe unto the King. The dis­pute was maintained by reasons on either side. The Car­dinall said, he died first, and by consequence y ^t he ought to go first. The Duke denied not that, but said, hee was to be preferred before him, because he had bin slaine in the Kings service, and that the Cardinal died onely of sick­nes. The Cardinall replied, that for Gods sake he had a­bandoned both wife and children; and to proue it, desired [Page 11] no other witnes but the Duke de Nevers; and that he had not done so. At last they stood vpon the difference of their degrees and qualities; and for that the Church al­wayes hath the preheminence, it was iudged that the Car­dinall should enter first into the boate, as also because he had brought the buls to free them to passe over the river, without going into Purgatorie; and so all of them past o­ver with this decree, that those who thereafter should come from the siege of Montauban, should enioy the like pri­viledge.

When they were set on shore on the banks of the Elizian fields, Zamet recived and saluted them, with both his arms about their middles, jesting and sporting with them, and assuring them that King Henrie the great would be ex­ceeding glad to see them, because of the desire he had to vnderstand the state of the affaires of France.

The impatience that troubled the spirit of that good Prince, had moved him to walke with the greatest part of his old servitors to the side of the riuer, to meete with Za­met the late Baron de la Guiche, because he was very tall, was he that first afarre off discouered that French troupe, and said to the King S. Fiacre: Sir, I thinke these are the men of Montauban before vs, they are a great number, I wonder how so many brave men have suffred themselves to be made nestle-birds; you will say, that it is a great ar­mie, and I marvell that your Majestie doth not see the foule dust which they cause to rise up into the aire with their feete. I perceive it well, said the King, let us stay here for them; in the meane time take your prospective glasse (as the Constable did at Piquerox) the better to know them afarre off.

And as the King walked somewhat aside, the Marshall d' Aumont said: Sir, we shall speedily heare some newes, for I see a carrabin among the mirtle trees, that runs as fast as he can, to get before his fellowes; he seemes to be some harbinger or quarter master, that seekes to come to [Page 12] the campe before the rest, that he may take vp the best lodging: but coming nearer, they knew him to be a Ie­suite, that was sent in great haste by his Generall, to per­swade the King, not to beleeue all that should be told him touching the lamentable state whereinto the affaires of France are now reduced: and he was no sooner come to the King, but on the other side Hautefontaine suddenly was at his heeles, who had slipt out of the company, that he might excuse himselfe touching the miserable disorder hapned in S. Iohn d' Angely. And as soone as he spied the Iesuite, he suddenly cried out, and said: What doth this Iannisarie here? doth it not suffice his Societie to haue supported the authors of the diuision between the mother and the sonne, but must he come hither also, to trouble and disturbe the peace of the blessed? What noise is that which I heare, said the King? Varenne made answer: It is Hautefontaine that quarrels with this good father which even now came to your Majestie. Hautefontaine, said the King, bid him come hither that I may speake with him. Who coming to the King-presence, he asked him, who had sent him into these quarters? By the Lord, Sir, (ex­cuse me, said he, if I do not sweare as the Huguenots do, for I am angrie) I am not come hither for mine owne pleasure, it is true that I make no account of my life, but I am halfe mad to see this Spanish Iannisarie presume to speake unto you, after they have dealt with you as they have done, and Catholikly set fire in the foure quarters of your sonnes Realme. Why do you call them Ianni­saries, said the King? Do not you know, said Hautefon­taine, y ^t the Turks Ianisaries haue neither father nor native country, acknowledging no Lord but the great Turke: so the Iesuites neither respect their country nor their pa­rents, but onely bend their mindes and all their studies to accomplish the will and desire of Yo el Rey, their Sove­raigne Lord; and the better to effect his will and pleasure they haue troubled all Christendome, and are the cause [Page 13] of the death of all these brave Knights which are now coming hither to your Majestie.

The King looking backe saw all those that had past over the river, who all together began to kneele downe. Are these moale-catchers or takers of Montauban, said the late Admiral d' Anvile? The King therwith sharply repro­ved him, saying, Hold you your peace, this is no spectacle to be laught at; and therewith his heart was so much grie­ved, that he could hardly speake, yet he refrained not to entertain them friendly; and then particularly embracing the Cardinall de Guise, the Duke de Mayenne, and the rest of the Lords, he prayed them to go and rest themselves; and hauing eased their bodies awhile, he would conferre with them at leisure; and therewith he commanded Za­met to entertain them wel, and so drew himself aside with his most confident friends untill the next day. While the King spake unto them, Hautefontaine stood talking with Beringhen touching the motives of the secret mysteries of Bearn, and entred into so profound a discourse with him, that they past over a great part of the night therein. At last the King desiring to take some rest, asked for Beringhen; and answer being made, That he was without, walking with Hautefontaine. He commanded that they should both come to him. And turning to Hautefonte, he asked him, what occasions had moved them to rebell against the King his sonne? saying hide nothing from me, but speake boldly like a true Huguenot. Sir said he, if I should die once againe by a musket shot at me from the wall by a false brother of the companie, I will tell you our affaires truly how they past, and wil not lie in any point. It is long time since we perceived that the Spaniard doubting the end of the truce betweene him and the Hollanders, and that for the good of his affairs he sought to trouble France by some civill warre, finding no better meanes then to make us wrangle among our selves with blowes of Pater nosters and Clement Marots Psalms, his device from y ^t time [Page 14] effected what it could; and to give us matter and subject to enter into the field, many things which your Majestie had formerly granted unto us by your Edicts, were de­nied us. The affaires of Bearn were brought in question, as a countrey neare bordering upon Spaine; his principall agents there dispersed a certaine quantitie of Medales, for marks of Catholikes, on the backe side having Iulius se­cundus.

The Marquis d' Ancre was no sooner slaine, but du Vair Keeper of the Seales, author of the assembly of speciall persons, holden in Roane in the beginning of an. 1618. caused that notable decree of the privie Councell for the restoring of the temporall goods and lands unto the spi­rituall persons in Bearn to be pronounced; but the great difficulties touching this restitution, caused the execution thereof to be delayed. The Spaniard, that stil sought to set fire on France, caused the Bishop to trot up and downe Paris, to have an end and order of their suite. Thereupon our Ministers made a generall assembly in Loudun, in the meane time we were undermined by all the malcontents in the Realme, but yet they could not win us in any sort to estrange our selves from the fidelitie which we owe unto our King. Luynes and his brethren fearing lest we should make a scape, promised us in the Kings name, that within six moneths the speciall points of our complaints should be answered, and that in the meane time nothing should be innovated in the country of Bearn. Vpon this assurāce we brake up our assembly, with promise by word of mouth that we should have leave to reassemble if that were not performed within the said time which was pro­mised unto us. But that word was not held with us, but on the contrary we were mockt; and without staying till the six moneths were expired, your old servant de la Salle was driven out of Navarrens and at the same [...]me the Ie­suites were established in P [...] hereupon w [...] presented our most humble supplications to the King your sonne, [Page 15] and in stead of an answer thereunto, we had a flat deniall. Whereupon wee assembled the Deputies to renew our complaint, but without giuing them audience, we were proclaimed Traitors. Then we saw all the Transmontaine faction to arise; and the better to disguise the action, in stead of speaking openly against the heretickes, because that would have savoured too much of the old league, it was reported in all places that we were not good common wealths men, and that we had called the virgin Marie, la Guimbard, thereby to move all the Catholicks vnder that pretence to seeke revenge against all those that aided you against the leaguers. And in truth, Sir, your Majestie may well note and perceive, and so may all good Frenchmen likewise, that they have assailed and spoiled none but those Townes which in time past served your Majestie for a re­traict in the time of your greatest troubles, witnes S. Iohn, Nerac, Clerac, and the Towne Burbon de Montauban, which beares the name of your house, to shew how much they that caused it to be built, were affected to your blood. This in few words, Sir, is the history of France and Spaine.

I haue heard you well, said the King, but who thrust Luynes forward to destroy that which I haue made? A designe to make himselfe great by our ruines, and the decay of your state, said Hautefontaine. There is a great apparence thereof, said the King; call Vair unto me, said he, let me heare his reasons; Beaulide-ruze go you and seeke him out. That's to no end, said the Marshall d' Or­nano, for I haue heard that he is out of his wits for griefe that he had to have bin so unfortunate, that he could not be at the funerall of the Chancellor de Sillery. Let that Stoick school-master to Veron alone, you have all these Lords and Gentlemen here, Sir, who will truly and plainly tell you the truth of the desolations of France, to morrow in the morning, saluting your Grace, they will let you know more, then you would know. You say true, said the King. The next day the Marquis de Termes was the [Page 16] first that shewed himselfe when the King came out of his chamber, who with a smiling countenance bad him wel­come, and then asked him for Monsieur le Grand, and what Lords and gentlemen had past over the river with the Duke de Mayenne, as also how many men were slaine in those brave enterprises made by the bucklers of France.

Sir, said the Marquis, my brother hath alwayes bin a most humble servant to your Majestie, and so he is still unto the King your sonne, and to all the blood Royall▪ Luynes hath put him backe from deling with the affaires of the State, and therefore he meddles not therewith. Touching those that came with the Duke de Mayenne, they are 400 gentlemen of good qualitie, and about 2000 souldiers.

Shew me particularly the originall of so many mis­chiefes? Sir, said he, the pride of three Falconers, whom you placed about your sonne upon the recommendation of Varenne, who stands there behind you, are and will be the cause of the dissipation of your Crowne, they haue won the King your sonnes fauour, they do not tell him of the affaires of his Realmes, but cleane contrary, and as they would have him know it; they have cleane altered the whole Court; the Court is filled with their brethren, bro­thers and sisters in law, nephewes, nieces, cousins and al­lies, and all sorts of rascals, having driven out all your old servitors, and those of the Queene mother, it being most true, that no man (what, or whosoeuer) can haue accesse to his Maiestie, but onely by their meanes; they keepe the Prince brother to the King your sonne, as their servant; they haue laid hold upon the forces of the State, drawne the treasures thereof cleane drie, and in a word they go­verne all. What, said the King, doe not the Councell speake against those disorders? In truth, Sir, said de Ter­mes, they have changed both the Councel and the Coun­sellors. Doth my wife endure that? why doth she not oppose her selfe against it? said the King. Oppose against [Page 17] it, said the Marquis; if she should but once opē her mouth to speake against it, they would presently clap her up in hold, like the Descomans. You iest, said the King; if I were she, I would let them know that I am the Queene­mother. Alas, Sir, said the Marquis, if you knew how they have used her within these foure yeares and a halfe, there is no slave but wold rather enjoy his condition then hers; they have driven her shamefully out of Paris, they limited her two yeares together to stay in the castle of Blois, they pursued her by force of armes, they haue made her follow their armie like a Lanceknights wife; to con­clude, they haue in such maner made her subiect to their dominion, that she dares not once complain of the rigor which they vse against her. Doth the King my sonne know that? said the King. No, Sir, said the Marquis, they are warie enough to let him know it; on the contrary, they seeke all the meanes they can to divert from her all the good affection that the King beares unto her, still whis­pering him in the eare, that she hates him, that she seekes to make his brother King, that she is an Italian, and other diabolicall inventions to feare him, without once putting him in minde that she is his mother, or what love she doth beare unto him in that respect. Those are three villanies, said the King, I would that Rapin had them under his hands in the place of execution: but I wonder why the Pope doth not take on him to stop the courses of such so­wers of diuision betweene the mother and the sonne; it would be a great good for Christendome, and an honour unto him. It is hard, said the Marquis, to make an answer thereunto, Sir; yet I wil shew you what I have heard from father Raude a Charterux Monke, a great friend to our house, your Maiestie shall understand, if it please you, that at such time as those three brethren usurped upon the au­thoritie Royall, they also ioyned with the body of the So­cietie of the name of Iesus for two causes, and the Iesuites for two causes entred into league with them. Luynes useth [Page 18] their helpe, to get in the mony belonging to the Marquis d' Ancre, which was in the Mount de Prete in Rome, and in requitall thereof he promised to reestablish them in their colledge in Paris, in despight of the Court of Parliament, as he hath done; and further he hath sent the Marquis de Quemere Ambassadour to Rome, in the Kings name, to so­licite their reestablishment in Venice. The Iesuites in re­compence promised him, that they would aide him in all things and in every place, and that they would in such sort obtaine his Holinesse good will towards them, that hee should be favourable unto them during their usurpation; and that neither the Pope nor they would exclame in any sort against the bad dealing which they should offer un­to the Queene mother: and it is certaine that his Holi­nesse never wrote any thing thereof, neither makes any complant against the insolencies of those Favorites. On the contrary, the Nuncius Bentivole resident in Paris, is wholy for Luynes, who hath made him Cardinall, and Comprotector of the French nation in Rome, to the preju­dice of the Prince Cardinall of Savoy, to whom the King had given that protection. Thus Luynes is upholden on that side. And to the end that the King of Spaine should not be offended to see the Queene his sister governed by Luynes and his wife, he hath consented to let him lay hold upon the Grisons, the Palatinate and Iuliers, which is under the protection of France, and which the Queene mother following your designe, hath kept out of the Spa­niards clawes; whereas on the contrary, that villaine suffers so important a country bordering upon the Realme, to be lost. He hath alienated 120000 crowns yearely rent of the Church, whereof he hath imbursed 200000 crownes for his part: of your sonnes revenues, he and his brethren possesse at the least 500000 franks yearely rent, without disbursing one penie for it.

How this discourse grieves me, said the King, I would you had neuer spoken to me thereof, let us leave for this [Page 19] time; here comes the Duke de Mayenne, and a great num­ber of Noblemen to visit me. All these, said the Mar­quis de Termes, will confirme that which I have said un­to your Majestie, and you may know of them what hath past since I left them at Clerac.

The Duke de Mayenne coming neare with all his com­panie, made humble obeysance to the King; and his Ma­jestie bowing his head, welcomed them with teares in his eyes: Cousin, said the King, and all you my faithfull ser­vants, it grieves me that you have bin deceived by three villaines, who, as I heare, untill this time have abused the favour and bountie of my sonne, and generally your free spirits. The Duke speaking for them all, said, Sir, I know not who hath made your Grace so wel acquainted with the pride of those three Falconers, that have used all the meanes they can, to put all men both great and meane out of the King your sonnes favour by their devices, sold all France by their covetousnes, and brought all the realm into disorder by their monstrous ambition. All men know how litle cause I have to speake wel of the Marquis d' An­cre, but I may well say, that he was an Angell in respect of these three divels incarnate, enemies both to men and all valour, and such as never employed them but to their overthrow: all they that have past over the river with me, know what they are; besides that for mine owne part I have every way tried and proved their divellish malice in that respect. It is true, that Marquis d' Ancre was wic­ked as wel as they, but yet he had some humanitie in him, he did good to many, hee was a man of his word, if hee crost some great persons, he made much of others: but these three plagiaries have bin a scourge to them all, thinking it a glory by their dissembling salutations to de­ceive all the world with brazen faces. I will not trouble your Majestie with the rehearsall of their detestable acti­ons, nor put you in minde of the rude dealing that they have shewed to the Queene your wife, neither how they [Page 20] have scorned my Lord the Prince, nor of their ingrati­tude against my Lady the Countesse, nor what trickes they have played with all the Nobilitie: it suffiseth, Sir, that you generally know their proud proceedings, they have fully gotten the government of the King your son and of the authoritie royall into their hands, making him beleeve, that they three onely held the Crowne upon his head, as if those of his blood had conspired the usurpation thereof. For the space of foure yeares they have caused all the affaires of importance to passe under their hands; they have made the King march with them in all places for their owne particular interest; vpon the frontiers of the Realme Luynes hath bin so proud as to make his entrie in­to townes, accompanied with a Prince of the blood, and in rhe presence of the King his Soveraigne; he sent his brother Cadnet into Flanders, under pretence to go seeke his wife, where he spake with Marquis Spinola; and after that, with a most incomparable pride, covered with pre­cious stones appertaining to the Crowne, he hath bene in England, not one of the Kings Councell knowing the se­cret of his embassage; after that voyage he undertooke to make himselfe Duke of Britaigne; and it is not knowne whether since he hath bin keeper of the Seales, hee hath dispatched letters patents for the same. In favour of Ca­stille he hath neglected all ancient alliances of the Crown; he hath suffered the Palatinate and the Grisons to be lost, to make the Spaniard favourable to him. The Queene mo­ther preserved Iuliers, under the protection of the King your sonnes forces, and those three villaines have suffered it to be besieged by Spinola. To the disgrace of your glo­rious memorie, Branthe a meane fellow, that never had 200 franks yearely rent, hath bin so audacious as to ravish the heire of Luxeburg, and to force that yong Princesse being but eleuen yeares old, and at such a time when all France was in armes by their meanes; and if the ravishing of a maide be punishable, as it is, her action in all circum­stances [Page 21] is much more punishable. Luynes hath exposed the King and the Prince his brother into the inconveni­ences of a long voyage, and into the perils of the bad aire in the armie, in such maner that the Prince was there sick and like to die, and yet he would not suffer him to be car­ried out of the infections of the campe: he hath resolved upon the warre against the Huguenots, without taking, yea and against the advice of your old Councellers: hee hath bin so audacious as to keepe the Kings seales in his hands, to promise them to many, but gives them to no man, busying himselfe during the dangers of the siege be­fore Montauban, with sealing expeditions, in stead of go­ing to the warre, for which cause the souldiers made these foure verses of him:

In such maner, that if there be any capitall crime that may be objected against a bad servant, that is one of the most notorious and greatest. All the mony appointed for pay­ing of the souldiers in the armie, he stayed in Blayes, in such sort, that more souldiers have died of want and ne­cessitie, then of wounds, for want of reliefe. To be short, their covetousnes and villanies are the cause of all the bad successe hapned as wel during that siege as in other pub­licke affaires. That which I finde to be most strange, said Balagny, is, that not one of them hath bin hurt in a­ny of the exploits of their conquests. I will shew you a pertinent reason for that, said the Duke, it is because they neuer sought after blowes, and blowes never met with them; and that is it which Luynes Surgeon wrote to his wife, that was in doubt lest her husband was slaine in the armie: Wife, take no care for me, but be quiet, & feare nothing, for I incurre no danger, my Lord Constable doth me that honour to affect me much, and to keep still [Page 22] neare unto his person. Thus you see how those gallants are miraculously preserved and kept out of the danger of blowes, while they cause others to lose their lives.

Our posteritie, said the King, will hardly beleeue, that men of no degree, and voide of all valour, should in so short a time lay hold upon the government of France. Sir, said Pluninel, I did neuer so easily with bit and bridle manage your Graces great horses in the stable, (without comparison) as I have seene them manage all the Prin­ces of your Realme.

What, said the Marshall de Brisac, was not Cadnet so bold as to threaten the Prince, that he should not go out of Bois de Vincennes, if he did not consent to give him the Princesse of Orange to be his wife, who died for griefe thereof? You iest, said the King. He hath done more then that, said he, for he was so presumptuous as to presse the Earle de Soyssons to give over the office of high Stew­ard unto him. The late Earle taking the word out of his mouth, said, If my sonne had bin wise, he should have caused him to be well beaten for his impudencie. You haue reason, said old Courtenay, if he had Rambure, or such another Knight as he for his governer, but he hath a blocke to be his schoole-master, that knowes not what belongs to honour and courage; and therefore those com­panions know with whom they have to do.

Let us enter into some other discourse, said the King; as I remember, one of you told me, that during all these businesses, Luynes and his brethren carried their wives with them unto the warre, and that they were with them during the important siege of Montauban; if it were so, it is very likely that their intent was no other but onely to make their battery under curtains. At that word M. Wil­liam gave a nod, and said to the King, Indeed my Lord, you have often bin told, that they play the Kings, and that I acknowledge, they have heretofore sitting by the fire heard how you in times past rid upon the League, and [Page 23] those gallants would imitate you, and thinke by riding their wives, to ride upon the Huguenots: but those wic­ked heretickes have knavishly ridden upon them before Montauban. Whereat all of them began to laugh. But the King enquired of the miracle of the Spie, and much desired to know it, and speaking thereof, askt, why, after he had escaped in such maner, he was not sent into the Towne, to convert the inhabitants. Faith of a gentle­man, said de Loppe, that had bin no safetie for him, for so the people might have hangd him up in good earnest. God is strong every where, said the King, and can defend those that are his, at all times and in all places: but tell me who sent father Dominicke de Iesus Maria into France? what maner of man is he? And it please your Majestie, said the Earle de Fiefque, he is a holy man, I yet have a portatise cloake that he gave me; your Majestie will not beleeve what honour the Parisians did unto him, and yet know not wherefore; every woman cut off a peece of his gowne; and he came thither onely to shew us that all the Spaniards are not Saracins, and that there are some holy men among them. If I had bin of the Kings Councell, said the Abbot du Bois, I would in counter-change have sent father Berule to Madril, I am sure that the women of Castile would also have cut his fustian. That were good, said the Marshall de Fervaques, if French cloth were as fine as Spanish cloth; but if I were of the Coun­cell, as the Cardinall de Rets is, and as forward as the Earle de Chomberg, (who is capable to redresse all Luynes faults, so that he doth not joyne with forreine faction) I would make the Spaniard know, that he is not a better Catholik then I my selfe am, and would keepe him from having secret intelligences with our Favorites, to the great de­triment of the Kings service and the Realme, which goes to decay, if remedy be not speedily had therein.

I confesse, said the King, that since I have heard of all the bad and perfidious practises which that gallant and his [Page 24] brethren have done and performed, my son never know­ing thereof, my spirit hath bin in continuall perplexitie, fearing lest they should destroy their good maister and great benefactor. Sir, said the Marquis de Villars, the earth never bare more traiterous and ambitious villaines then they are; they have bin so bold the last yeare to cause a Maske to be made in Burbon hall, wherein they presented divers mysticall figures, and among the rest, a great Lady and divers Giants chained, whom Luynes ap­parelled like Phebus, drew after him, whereof the greatest resembled the Duke de Mayenne, upon whose head Luy­nes set his foote, for a signe of servitude. Truly, said the Baron de Plancy, he made another more impudent in the Castle of Piquerox, for there perceiving the King to be grieved for the losse he had received by the death of the Duke de Mayenne, he devised a litle Comedie to make his Majestie merrie, wherein hee presented a great Moore making divers strange jestures; and for that he resembled the Duke de Mayenne, the King commanded them to leave and act no more. Why? said Luynes. Because, said the King, that this man in all respects resembles the Duke de Mayenne; I cannot endure to see it. Truly Sir, said he, his death needs not minister cause of sadnesse to your Majestie, for he was a turbulent fellow, that troubled all your affaires; you were no King as long as he lived; we haue discovered and found out that he made a third par­tie, and since his death we have found all his practises.

Thus this villaine alwayes sought to divert all the good opinion that his Majestie had of his servants, and of all those of his blood. He did another matter, said the Se­cretarie of State for the Seales, he was so impudent as to write vnto the Pope, that the Queen mother was the cause that Montauban was not taken, thereby thinking to cover his owne cowardlinesse; from whence it may be con­jectured how many false reports he hath made to the king your sonne, seeing he was so bold to send such a message [Page 25] to his Holinesse. You shall never have done Sir, said the Earle de Lude, if you will hearken unto all their arrogant actions, who knowes them better then my selfe that brought them up? as long as any of that race are neare a­bout the King your sonne, they will spoile all, there being no kind of wickednes whereof they are not capable: and aboue all things beleeve it, Sir, my Lord the Prince may well offer a great candle unto God when he shall escape out of their hands; your Majestie must foresee these things.

As the King was discoursing with the Lords touching the sorrowfull state of the affaires of France, and about the meanes to remedie the same, all the assistants partaking with the griefe of that good Prince, on a sudden Mon­sieur de Vury breaking through the prease came to his Ma­jestie, and to comfort him, said, Corbien Sir, you have sufficiently lamented the miseries of the time, I must now make you merry a while, by telling you that which I pre­sently saw: as I was hawking after a partridge along by the river side, by chance I came to as merrie a combat as ever was acted upon the Theater de Tabarim in the place Dauphine. Betweene whom said the King. Your Ma­jestie must know, said Vitry, that Marshall d' Ancre walk­ing along by the river side with Dole, when Charon set on shore the new Constable of France, with his sword of say.

What, said the King, is he here? Corbien said he, he is there, I assure your Grace, I haue seene him, and when I saw him, I laught for ioy, he hath the countenance of as notable a rascall as ever I saw. But before I proceed fur­ther, I must tell you of the pleasant salutation of these two combattants: Marshall d' Ancre walking as I said be­fore, stood still to contemplate the proud gestvre of that new come guest, and beholding his face, he knew it was Luynes; wherewith suddenly the blood rose in his face, and he said to Dole, Behold the traitor that caused me to be kild, I will now kill him; and without speaking any [Page 26] more words, casting his cloake over his face, went to meet with him; and as soone as he got to him, he gave him a great bob on the nose, saying, Traitor, now Ile make thee pay for thy villanie. The Constable abasht thereat, said, You are deceived, you mistake me for another, I under­stand no Italian. Pardieus, I undestand French well. Lay hand on thy sword, said the Marquis. Are not single combats forbidden here, said the Constable? Villaine, said the Marquis, thou art afraid; and saying so, he fell upon the Constable, and gave him divers great blowes with the flat side of his sword, in such maner, that never any curtall jade was so well beaten. The Archbishop of Sens that stood hard by them, had a great desire to helpe him, but he durst not go betweene them, still remembring the blowes with spits which were given him in Tours by the Marquis de Noirmontiers cookes, when he was Solici­ter of his house; and so for want of aide, the villanous Constable was as well beaten as ever was Dieret Chiury, when he imagined that the blowes with a cudgell which were given him, were pistols shot: for Marquis d' Ancre still laid on like Rovillac, and Luynes cried out as loud as he could, like Ronsselay. at S. Germains Fayre: which was the cause that Radamanthus Lackeys ran thither, and laid hold upon those two champions, intending to carry them before the ludge to be punished for their insolencies.

Marquis d' Ancre alledged that he was not the man that first brake the peace, and spake them so faire, that they let him go; in the meane time du Travail came thither, who fiercely laid hold on the Constables coller, in such maner that I thought he would have strangled him; but when he had set his foote vpon his belly, and taken his sword from him, he ran away, leaving him there in a maner halfe dead, saying nothing to him, but onely, Remember thy selfe Provinciall. I that tooke pitie to see that Rodomond fa­vorite so hardly used, found the meanes, that without ta­king the advice of de Modenne or de Contade, I puld him [Page 27] slily out of their clawes, and brought the gallant hither to make your Maiestie some sport. Truly, said the King, you have done me good service, let him come in, that we may see that great Warrier and great Statesman all in one. Whereupon Colonell Galatis with a das tich Gods sacra­ment, caused the prease to open, and therewith Vitry brought him in, every man as well as he could fixing their eyes upon him to behold his physiognomie. The Poet Desportes at his entring, giving him a welcome ac­cording to his Art, and speaking aloud, said:

Being in the middle of the companie, all of them began to crie, saying, The fox, the fox, wherewith you never saw villaine more ashamed; and after silence was made, the King askt him, who he was, I am, said he, the Constable of France, your most humble subiect and servant. Con­stable? said the King; by what title got you that office? it is not aboue foure yeares since you were but a Falconer, and in so short a time have you attained to so high a de­gree? you have made great haste. You must not muse thereat, Sir, said Haeren, if hee had not put me out of countenance, I had had as good fortune as he. Hold your tongue, said the King. Parmafe, and it please your Maiestie, said M. William, I could be well content to pay his breech with a whip full of points to be revenged on him for the pension that he tooke from me, to give it un­to de Mons his brother in law. Truly M. William, said Saroque, you are misinformed to beleeve such things, my Lord Constable was not so foolish to imagine that he could make that small matter of Province greater then it is, notwithstanding that he is the most valiant man of them all, for he alone tooke Montauban, or else they of Montauban tooke him. What extravagant words are [Page 26] [...] [Page 27] [...] [Page 28] these, said the King? give us leave quietly to hearken un­to the mysticall discourse of this new conquerour. Sir, said the Duke de Mayenne, he will but abuse you with words, he is a perfect lyer, command him to go directly to the matter, otherwise I cannot abstain from giving him a blow on the lips at the first lie he makes. With that the King turning to the champion, said briefly unto him, Heare you my Lord Constable made in haste, abuse not my leisure, tell me all your notable proceedings, without dissimulation, if you desire to finde mercie at my hands for your misdeeds: all these gentlemen know your acti­ons, and the Earle de Lude that stands here, is wholy ac­quainted with your life, go directly to worke, otherwise you shall finde Lugoly ready to give you your hire.

Sir, said Luynes, now I perceive well that I am undone, In manus tuas commendo spiritum meum, my processe is made, and further all these noble gentlemen that are here, will never pardon me, for that as many Lords as are here about your Majesty, are as many witnesses to convince me of all the perfidious actions that I have committed both against the one and the other, and the worst is, that I haue not the authoritie Royall to cover my faults any more, nor to support my insolencies; I must needs con­fesse, that I haue offended God, the King my master, and all men, and that there is no punishment great enough to recompence my deserts: but I will gladly say with Cae­sar, Si violandum est ius, regnandi causa; all that I haue done, was not effected by any wicked inclination that was in me, but onely by a generous ambition to raigne. I knew how easily Marquis d' Ancre obtained the govern­ment of the State, I beleeved and was verily perswaded, that in that point I could doe more then a stranger, that onely had a woman to support him, and that I possessing the Kings heart, was the more able to dispossesse all men, and to possesse all things: for my designe was to sur­mount that Italian; and if any of my good friends sought [Page 29] to divert me from that generous enterprise, presently du Agent, Contade and Ronsselay, cried out in mine eares, say­ing, What are you afraid of? If Marquis d' Ancre could make the Frenchmen cullions, why should not you be­ing a great Falconer take them for birds? Audaces fortuna invat, said my father in law; we must draw water when we are at the well side, said my wife; we are of the same kind of wood whereof men make Princes, said my bre­thren; and I said Modene, of the same that the Marshals of France are made. All these motions encouraged me, and in truth my first bringing up to fowling taught me so well to flie, that in foure yeares space I surpast all those that medled with the affaires of State before me.

I caused Marquis d' Ancre to be kild, to haue his place; I vrged the Parliament to put his wife to death, that I might haue his goods. I kept the Queene mother as much as I could from the presence and favour of the King her sonne, that I might onely enioy it. I kept the Prince of Conde prisoner, and let him not come forth, but then when I thought he could no more hurt me, and that he might serve my turne. I vsed charmes to trouble the spi­rit of the King and of the Queene, employing Boisgandrie to that effect, whom I caused to be committed prisoner in the Bastile, because he would have disclosed me. I set division among the Princes, and estranged them all from the Kings favour. I abused all those that had any thing to do with me, with promises and faire words. All places that were voide, I got into my hands. With the Kings mony I bought all the governments that I could get; and constrained some to yeeld theirs unto me. I had whole Provinces under my obedience; there is no part of the Realme, but therein I have townes. I have drawne France drie of mony. The greatest part of the Kings domaines is mine, or my brethrens. I did absolutely dispose of the sale of offices; and as I disanulled the annuall right, I also e­stablished it. I made all mine enemies stoupe, and as much [Page 30] as I could, I made all the world know what power I had over the genius of the King, that men might addresse themselves vnto me, and be perswaded that the King could do nothing without me. This, Sir, is that whereof I may be accused: but he that will consider of that which resteth, without passion, he shall finde that these are not actions of a dull spirit, but of a brave courage, which ra­ther deserve commendation then blame, and for the which I was never reproved by my Confessor.

Marquis d' Ancre could never equalize himselfe with me in this respect; his designes were base in regard of mine; he could not attaine to any degree, but onely to be Mar­shall of France, and I for my part made at least twelve Marshals. He could neither make himselfe Knight of the Order of the holy Ghost, nor Duke; and all you my Lords that are here know well, that I gaue that Order to whom I would, and that I made more Dukes then there are sparrow-hawkes in the Kings Mewes, and so many, that the Parliament of Paris was forced to say, it was too much. But those foure cornerd caps know not, that my intent was to extirpe the heretickes; and that for so dan­gerous a warre I had need of many Dukes, Marshals and Knights, to honour the Constables sword which I reser­ved for my selfe, by the Iesuites counsel, and his Holinesse himselfe, who assured me by his Nuncius, that if I under­tooke that Catholicke designe, that heauen would reserve the diademe and the purple for me, as in effect I wanted not the latter; and if I had not bin constrained to leaue the siege before that cursed towne of Montauban, the ac­complishment of destinie had given me the Scepter.

I doubt not, Sir, but you haue bin entertained with a thousand iests touching the impertinent proceedings of my militarie exploits, and specially upon the subiect of my approches made before ville Burbon. I take not upon me to defend my selfe against bad speeches, it sufficeth me that my actions seemed to be heroicall, and my de­signes [Page 31] haughtie. Further, I care li [...]e what the world can say, and that is it which I wrote for an answer to a let­ter sent us by our most deare vncle the Duke de Modene in France, touching the slanders that were published in Toulouse against me and my qualitie; I could easily haue restrained and punished the libertie of such tongues, but like an old Courtier, I use not to be afraid of reports, as I made it well appeare in the strongest assaults of the siege before that filthy towne, where I refrained not from slee­ping sweetly in my bed, notwithstanding the roaring of the cannons, upon the assurance that I had that they could not hurt me. Did not the souldiers call my quar­ter, the place of villanie? but for all that I never made lesse cheare. They also mockt my wife as often as she came to visit me in the campe, in mockery saying, that she went oftener to combat with me, then I did with the enemie: but such reproches moved me not, seeing that my wife and I had no other intent but to do well, as we alwayes did well, thankes be to God; and beleeue me, Sir, that those malicious evill speakers spake but of envie, as grie­ved to see us take our pleasures, while they were at blowes, and by the eares together in the trenches like rascals, suf­fering themselves to be beaten, which made them vomit out their rage, not onely against me, but also against my brethren and their wives, who like true Amazons never fainted in all the combats wherein they happened to be, encouraged thereunto by the wise discourses of Madame de Guimbarde and of my sister du Vernet the true mirrour of chastitie, of whom I learned never to be angry for that which men said, so I do well. This also that I shew you, Sir, is not to give you cause to thinke that such things grieved me not much, but onely to make my great pati­ence, my exceeding bountie, the force of my spirit, and the gentlenesse of my courage apparent. Who but my selfe (except the Duke de Vzes) would not haue sunke under the burthen of the continual watchings and paines [Page 32] which I endured in the conduction of this warre? Like another Atlas, I was forced to beare all the burthen of the Realme vpon my shoulders, ordaine all, provide for all, resolve upon all, and besides that was charged not onely with the affaires of the Realme, but also with Gods cause, which particularly was to be respected in that holy en­terprise, as father Arnoux assured me, and the holy Earle of Fiasque that stands there, who oftentimes told me in my eares, that it was revealed unto him when hee was a Capucin, which was the cause that made him leave the ha­bit, once againe to employ his sword, and weare temporal apparell, and for my particuler that was the cause that made me imbarke my selfe therein, with so much more zeale as I saw the successe to be easie, the conquest glori­ous, and the spoiles profitable for my glorie.

What better beginning could your Maiestie have wish­ed, then the first progresse of our victories? Blinde Morney at our first arrivall did obedience unto us; we did rigo­rously punish the rebellion of those of S. Iohn; we powred our curse upon Pons; we cast the arrowes of our anger upon Clerac, where we had that good lucke to rid our selves of that brave Marquis de Termes, upon which sub­iect father Arnoux and I wrote two comfortable letters to Monsieur le Grand in most eloquent maner. In every place they brought us the keyes of the townes. They of Toulonze came in great haste to offer us their armes and their lives, with a good summe of money, to move us in all haste to besiege that execrable towne of Montauban, which at my first arivall I thought to take with a lure, like a hungrie sparrow-hawke; and I wil confidently tell your Maiestie, that I had determined to have erected it in a Du­chie for my sonne, as to seale the letters patents my selfe, with an addition of the Earledomes of Armagnac and Al­bert; that was the cause that I could not consent to the ruine of the brave fortifications of that place, desiring to make use of them for my selfe. And to minister some [Page 33] comfort to those of Toulouse for their mony which I had sent to the Castle of Blaye, I and my brethren had devi­sed to take the Hugonet throne out of their feete, and to place another Catholicke therein, which we had happily done, if those of Montauban would have beleeved us, or at least have suffered us to do as la Faydeau.

To conclude, Sir, what have I not done to have an honorable issue of that miserable siege, all the inventions in the world were there put in practise. What have I not promised to the third and fourth? What can men reproch me of, but onely that I was not at the trenches? Alas, it was my onely desire not to stirre; but these gentlemen here present know, that it ws impossible for me, in respect of the continuall employments that I had about the Seales. I trusted touching the warre, to the generositie of this valiant Duke de Mayenne, whom we have thereby caused to see the ioyes of Paradise, and in recompence thereof he hath made us heires of that hee left in the camp.

It is true, that to lure the world like a hawke, we caused the government of Guyenne to fall into the Prince the Kings brothers hands, but I would never seale his letters patents for the same, that he might still be like Lent, and my brother Branthe like Shrovetide, that is, Lent taking her beginning. Thus we made our profit a thousand ways, by the hurt and disgrace of others. If we had a care of our owne lives, we had no lesse of the soldiers; having sought as much as possibly we might, all gentle meanes and pra­ctises to overcome those rebels, before we would proceed unto extremities.

Did not I with great care and diligence cause father Dominicke de Iesus Maria to come into the armie, belee­ving that his holy prayers would make the taking of that place the more easie, and that he would make a second S. Bartholmewes day of the Huguenots in Paris. And if he hath thought much to doe as much for France before [Page 34] Montauban, as he did for Spaine before Prague, I could not do withall; I did the best I could to keep him there, that his presence might animate the souldiers, and con­vert those headstrong heretickes, which father Arnoux a true spirituall mirror did not well like of, alledging that it was sufficient to have one Charlatan in the Court, in the meane time all is laid upon me, although I am innocent of the unfortunate successe of the siege.

What shall I say more, did I not invent a subtill stra­tageme, therewith to mollifie the hearts of those rebels, that is the miraculous hanging of that villanous spie, that brake the rope three times upon the gallowes? nevertheles they within the towne, as also a great part of the armie, would not beleeve that miracle, because he rather com­mended himselfe to our Lady of Monferrat in Spaine, then to the good Lady de Liesse in France. Further, my brethren and I made provision of a great number of invisible re­giments, but it was reported that we would put them in­to our owne purses, whereas our designe was to serve our turnes with them, to cast them invisibly into the towne, thereby to take it the easier. And if we failed therein, I am no more the cause thereof, then of the raine and sicknesse which continually troubled the soldiers, and which made an end of setting us forth. No, Sir, I cannot warrant men against the works of God, no more then I can from those which are imputed unto me, by meanes of my ambition and villanie; but if I had lived a litle longer, I would haue made all the world see and perceiue that I intended to be a souldier.

I confesse that I was but a new beginner in the Art, when I made my selfe Constable, and that I had never seene siege nor battell, but I was resolved this Winter to learne the military Art with all perfection, in stead of pra­ctising to dance. The Baron de Caban, otherwise called de Maine, having promised me in three moneths space to make me as good a Captain as himself, who of a Musition [Page 35] in two yeares became a great warrier, whatsoever the Marshall de Roquelauere said, who in despight that I em­ployed him in the siege of Monheur, sware, cap de Bions, that he would not go to the warre with a Musition: and being taught by so good a maister, this Spring time I wold have paid those of Montauban, but God did prevent me in all my designes.

Truly, said the King, your discourses are notable, but your actions are not much worth, such men as you are alwayes punished by the hand of God; get you away out of my presence, and let me see you no more.

After that, the King taking the advice of his old ser­vants, ordained, that as Luynes had plaid with great per­sonages in his life time, he would haue him serve to make them sport after his death, and therefore appointed him to carrie fourmes every time that they ran at the Ring, or with their Lances; and to begin his prentiseship, that he should be delivered into the hands of the Duke de May­ennes pages.

According to this decree he was presently laid hold on, who then speaking to the Cardinall de Guise, shewed him that he died without confession and receiving of the Sa­crament, praying him to give him absolution for his sins.

To whom do you speake, said the Cardinall? do you not know that I am no Priest? Then he turned to the Bi­shop of Marselles, to whom he made the like request. And he made him the like answer that the Cardinall had done, adding further & saying, Before you went out of the other world you should have caused your selfe to be absolved by the Cardinall de Rets your creature, or rather by the Bishop of Lusson your kinsman, hee would never have denied you his blessing, notwithstanding that you put him beside the Cardinals hat, so you had promised him upon the securitie of Marillac and le Seq. to abstaine from making pernicious reports unto the King, thereby to alienate the good will which his Maiestie beareth to [Page 36] the Queene his mother; as for me, I cannot helpe you, save your selfe as well as you can. With that the late Marshall de Rets went to Luynes, and speaking unto him in his eare, said, Alas poore foole, thou shouldst have pluckt the goose without crying like me; if with humi­litie thou hast honored the great personages, they would have upholden thee, and thou hadst enioyed thy fortunes with securitie. Then turning his head here and there about him, hee perceived the late Earle de Lude, which three times he called his good maister, of whom hee as­ked pardon for the ducale perfidiousnes which he offered unto him being in Touraine. Then he said to the Bishop of Carcassone, Monsieur my good benefactor, if ever you tooke pitie on the affliction of a miserable person, I con­iure you to take the paines to advertise my brethren to take example by me, that they may governe themselves more wisely then I have done, if they desire to escape the shipwracke that I have endured, and before all things that they suffer not my bodie to passe through Paris, lest it should receive the same entertainment that the body of the Marquis d' Ancre had.

As he spake those last words, Losieres Themines sonne came unto him, and said, Comfort your selfe in your mis­fortunes, your brethren labour for their conservation, they yeeld not themselves, I bring you great store of news, you are not the Keeper of the Seales, Monsieur de Virg hath your place: all shall go well, it seemes that he & his are in some sort bound to support your house; but if the chance should turne, I advise you in good time that I will be suretie no longer. Further, since your departure, the King hath benignely entertained all his friends, and loo­keth on his servants with a kinde countenance; there is free accesse unto his Maiestie, he goes every day to sit with the Councell; I could tell you more, but I must go to sa­lute the King; farewell, and remember that for want of balme they have your body with long barks of trees.

[Page 37] The Pages that as then layd hold on the necke and breeches of their apprentice, would suffer him to speake no more, every one of them teaching him a lesson as they thought good. The Parisians never tooke greater pleasure to see the Marquis d' Ancres body drawne about the citie, then all the spirits in the Elizian fields had to see that brave Constable so instructed and taught by those good schoole-masters, who in lesse then an houres space made him a martyr at least twentie times, and yet kild him not. To conclude, du Bourdet brought him a writing to set vpon his backe, containing these words:

The iudgement given, all the Lords tooke their leave of the King, and as they returned with Zamet their guide, the Marquis de Termes espied a man that sate writing vn­der a great olive tree: wherewith hee asked, if in that country there were any Sollicitors or Attourneys, that li­ved by pleading other mens causes. None at all, said Za­met. What then, said he, doth this writer here? And go­ing neare unto him, they knew it was Marshall de Beron, who was so earnestly studying, that he thought upon no­thing else. De Termes seeing him to be in that humour, went softly behind him, after the maner of great persona­ges in the Court, and laid his hand upon his shoulder. Wherewith the Marshall in great choler, said, What is he that toucheth me? and looking backe, saw the Marquis. Wherewith changing his choler into gladnesse, he em­braced him friendly, asking him, if he were one of those gentlemen of Montauban. No, said de Termes, I am of Clerac. What in Gods name make you here? said the Marshall. And what goodly passion, said de Termes, ra­visheth [Page 38] you into such an extasie? Cap de Bions, said he, I was in a deepe humour of Poetrie, and was studying to make verses for an Epitaph to be set vpon your tombes.

What, are you a Poet, said de Termes? No, said Biron, but there being no warre in this country, sometimes I have a conceit to passe the time in Poetry, like my Lady de Ro­sau. I pray you then, said de Termes, let us see something of your doing, as well as my Lady d'Entragues. Pardions I am content, said the Marshall, I was but beginning; see here is that which I have done; I pray you tell me truly whether I have done it fitly or no, and heare it without passion.

Truly, said de Termes, you use us unworthily. Morbions, said the Marshall, what, do I not say the truth? Are you not great fooles, that suffered your selves to be slaine for a companie of dastards that serve their owne turnes, under pretence of religion, to establish their future greatnesse at your costs and charges. Cap de Bions, what blowes with my sword would I have laid about their eares, if I had bin in their places. Monsieur d'Espernon is a subtill Catholik, he besieged Rochell afarre off, and upon Pont neuf there were more overthrowes given by him, then by any o­ther in France; but tell me, I pray you, are not the Iesuites ashamed that they preacht against him during the league, in their pulpits calling him Astarot and Arch-hereticke, and yet in the meane time they must confesse, that at this day he is one of the pilars of the faith, although he be the same that he was, were they exclaimed against his per­son, onely that in those times he was none of the com­panie, as he is at this present. Mafoy, said the Marquis, I must confesse that Mousieur d'Espernon is a Mathos, and one that can manage his affaires better then any other [Page 39] in the Court; it is true that Luynes hath given him many bad nights, but the fathers have recompenced all that.

While these things past, the King withdrew himselfe into his chamber, where having wept long time for the griefe that he had for the miseries of France, praying un­to God to divert the stormes thereof from it; he calld for his most confident servants, with whom he conferred touching the disorders of the Realme, and then said with a loud voice, God helpe the bountie of my sonne, and give him grace speedily to roote out the pernicious facti­ons of such Favorites. Now I am truly informed of the lamentable affaires, into the extremitie whereof his Crowne is plunged, I can speake pertinently with the experience that I have of things past.

This then is that which me thinkes the King my sonne should do, as well for his owne preservation, as for the tranquillitie of his subiects. First, he ought to respect those that give him good counsell, which is the soule of every monarchie. I am not of opinion, that he should give my wife the sole direction of his affaires; neither that my ne­phew the Prince of Cende should have it, in that respect he ought to shun iealousie: it is requisite that euery one, as neare as may be, should participate both in the honors and in the care, and that every one in generall should con­tribute towards the relieving of the Flowers de Lis.

My iudgement, to prevent and withstand the continual disorders that have troubled France since my death, is, That my sonne should make a Councell, not of Favorites, but of those who by blood and affection have a particular interest in the preservation of his person and of his State. That he commit part of the managing of the State affairs, to the Queene his mother. That he shall hold her in good correspondence with himselfe, and my nephewes de Con­de and de Soissons neare unto him. That he should manage all things by order of the Councell, and with pluralitie of voices. That he shall referre himselfe to the prudent ad­vice [Page 40] of the old [...] and officers of the Crowne, that served me. That he shall commit the ordering of his con­science to some good Doctor. That he should embrace the ancient Sorbonites, and put the new Transmontaine Theologians from him. That by litle & litle he shall lessen his great charges. That he shall protect those of his blood. That he shall not neglect his Parliaments. That he shall take Luynes lands and goods to supply his necessities, and for the comfort of the poore people. That he shall cause the citadell of Amiens to be opened on that side towards the Town, to prevent the inconveniences which one day that fort may cause, and take an Inventorie of the great riches which are in that place, as also in La Fere, Calais, and Blaye. That he shall give all the governments which the three brethren have, unto his old & faithful servants. That he shall drive all their kindred from the Court. That he shall by absolute authoritie hold and maintaine the E­dicts of Parliament. That he shall conserve the ancient al­liances of the Crowne. That he shall stop his eares against factious strangers. That he shal call to mind the dangerous publick happened within these foure yeares within Paris, as signes sent by God to warne us of the scourges that threaten France. That he shall take heed of, and shun civil warre, which cannot chuse but procure the ruine of his affaires and of his people, while his neighbour seeks all the meanes he can to preiudice his Realme. That he must call to minde the Ambassage of Bassompiere in Spaine, and of the breach of promise made touching Valtolina. That he must have an eye unto the designes of strangers, who un­der pretence of religion, aspire unto the dissipation of his state. That he shall procure peace unto his people. That he must recompence those that deserve it, and punish those that are wicked. And doing so, God will blesse him, the Crowne shall flourish, his country will be enriched, his friends will love him, his subiects serve him, and his neigbours feare him.