THE FAVOURITES CHRONICLE. * ⁎ *  
Printed according to the French Copy. M.DC.XXI.   

THE FAVOURITES CHRONICLE.  
CVrious Gentlemen, that spend your time and take pleasure to recreate your spirits with the consideration of the Tragedies that are acted upon the Theatre of this World; I cannot be persuaded but that you have heretofore read that which learned Aesop rehearseth in his Fables, of certain Hares, who running away when they heard the hounds open, by chance passed along by the side of a ditch, where there were great store of frogs upon the grass, who as soon 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 manner encourage them, that the same only 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 behoved them to esteem more of their valours then ever they had done before; that it was a shame for them always to have been held & esteemed to be fearful, and a sign of reproachful dastardliness unto their ancestors, continually to have used to run away, and never durst look in their enemy's faces, seeing they were capable to overcome and subdue others, as they might well perceive by experience of these croaking frogs, whose only presence had put them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 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 upon Montaubon, but in time to come to show themselves more valiant, and to magnify and exalt their generosity, and from thenceforward determined to act some glorious enterprise against those accursed hounds, and to turn their faces against their enemies to assail them: which counsel put in execution, took so bad effect, and fell out so unfortunately for the authors thereof, that thereby they were not only taken, but torn in pieces, to serve for a prey unto their enemies, and a jest unto other more judicious and subtle beasts.  
This fable, in my opinion, may properly be applied unto the levying of arms at this time, whereinto so improvidently we have been led by the plausible inducements of certain prating companions, that have so much advanced and magnified the Favourite Hares, that they have made them to busy their brains about the ambitious reach of their proud fortunes.  
Every man knows what discontentment the great personages of this Realm have had, to behold the Crown of France within these four years to be as it were besieged by Luynes and his brethren; who to the great prejudice of the King's affairs and the Commonwealth, absolutely disposed both of the ordinary and casual matters of State, to the great desolation of the whole monarchy: which to oppose and prevent, the greatest part of the Princes and principal Officers of the Realm in Anno 1620. made a kind of league. But the number of the Leaguers being extreme great, the business could not be so securely managed as the case required: whereupon it fell out so, that it was presently discovered, by the infidelity of certain persons that betrayed them. In pursuit whereof, the vanquishers had the victory without combat, and the vanquished overthrew themselves.  
Now appropriating the sense of this fable to my present discourse, I must tell you that my Masters the Favourite Hares, the last year being made afraid and abashed with the apprehension that they conceived of so many young Princes that sought to overthrow and cross their insolent fortune, they were constrained to abandon the delights of the Court, to seek and find out some means to shadow and cover themselves from the great tempest which as then seemed to menace them. And so shaking and trembling with fear, they went into Normandy, where by good fortune they met with certain people, that like true frogs, hid themselves in the reeds, at the noise of their horses feet. Which made the Favourites set up their ears, and from that time forwards to conceive a wonderful opinion of their affairs. But when they entered into the meadows in Angers, and perceived that at their only presence, the frogs of Pont de See slipped down 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 mind presently in a manner to set forward to fight against the great Turk, without once staying till the Duke de Nevers vessels were made ready, or the new Knights of the Christian war were prepared to fight, imagining themselves to be three Caesars, able to overcome and rule over all men, whereupon they resolved to lay hold upon all occasions, and to command all, and so far, as to presume to make, not only the Princes of the blood, but also the Regal authority, to serve them for a footstool or a step unto their greatness.  
Whereupon our neighbours (having Argus' eyes) being always vigilant, and never sleep, and with their spectacles continually beholding our proceedings, to draw some profit from thence, accommodating them to the interest of their affairs, perceiving the haughty designs of the Favourite Hares; and that the pride which they conceived in their hearts of those ridiculous victories, was available to thrust them forward and embark them into some great enterprise, how dangerous soever it were, so the peril that should be ministered were well gilded over: they advised with themselves that a civil war in France would fall out well to the purpose, to be a means for them to attain to the end of the German revolts, and of the usurpation which they pretended to make upon the Palatinate, Inlliers and Valtolina.  
And to make them the more eagerly and easily to catch at the bait, they practised to re-assemble all the old rags and pieces of the holy league, therewith to make a fair cloak of religion, finely sowed by the fathers of the jesuitical society, and thereof to make a rich present unto the eldest Favourite, showing him what a glory it would be unto him to wear the same, as in times past a certain Duke of Guise had done; and that the only way for him, without any trouble to attain the Constable's office, was to gild the scabbard of his sword with the spoils of the foolish harebrained heretics, without speaking of the great sums of money that he might by that means levy of the people, under pretence of so pious a quarrel, as that of religion would be; besides the hazard that he incurred to be canonised, according to the ordinary manner, with the Cardinals de joyense, and the Earl de Fiesque.  
This glorious advice, presented with as plausible words as those of father Cotton, moved our new warriors to a desire and great appetite to be doing somewhat: and their design was presently confirmed by the Archbishop of Sens, and the Keeper of the Seals, to whom were showed red Hats, woven by the hand of an Archangel, with a letter written by Pontchartrain, containing an assurance that those Hats were for them: for the which the Cardinals de la Rochefoucault and the Rets were sureties, upon the certificate of father Berule, and of the Marquis de Maignelay.  
Touching the execution of the ruin of the heretics, it was solemnly sworn by a Catholic Council holden in Fontainebleau by diverse great persons of the Realm, where the future Constable sat as Precedent, apparelled like another Alexander, holding a sword of damask of Genes in his hand, about the which was graven, He that kills 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 have a Duke to draw the simpler sort of birds to the lure: and for that certain years together he had fixed both his eyes upon the office of Constable, although long before he 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 again, and caused him to come to the Court, not with an intent to honour him with that dignity, but on the contrary, to make him desist from it, for his own advantage, and civilly to hold him as a prisoner, by his wife's means, who under pretence of some particular profit, hath exposed her husband's honour to the open view of the world. Thus the said Lord Martial being fallen into the nets that were laid abroad for him, presently father Arnoux was seen to sweat water & blood, to procure the conversion of the poor Huguenots; who paying him well, he did happily bring into the lap of the Church, thereby to warm and encourage the spirits of those that were zealous, and to animate them with more cruelty against the heretics. While the Earl de Schomberg had commission given unto him to furnish a mass of treasure, to defray the charges which should be convenient (at what price soever it should cost) to seek both on hills and in valleys for the band which in times past had so often and victoriously been borne against the Saracins, that it might once again be displayed in so holy a war. And because it could not be found, what diligent search soever the fathers made, they were forced to have recourse unto some other expedient thing, agreeable to the greatness of that enterprise. And behold, for want of the banner, unexpectedly the Constable's 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 pulled 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 own valour, esteeming it equal unto that of Caesar; and without further consideration of the difficulties of that war, cried out for joy, and said like another Alexander, Nodos virtute resolvo, and then put the sword into the scabbard, from whence it never came out again, by the advice of Cadnet and de Branthe, that they might not be reproached, that one of them was more valiant than the other. In the mean time, it was resolved to go directly to Saumur, there to do homage for that warlike sword, to our good Lady de Ardvilliers, for the first fruits of his military actions, to sacrifice unto her the breaking up of blind Monsieur du Plessis Mornays' Library, who for that he was as ill sighted as the Countess de Moret, was deceived by the intercession of Villarnoud his son in law; so it may well be said, that it was the first match that set fire, not only in the Temples of the Huguenots, du Plessis and les Touers, but also in all the Cantons of the Realm, for that upon the good success of the yielding up of that place, the Favourite Hares resolved to add the conquest of S. john d' Angely unto their triumphs, into the which Town they had sent Lo●drieres to betray his companions, and in recompense thereof they promised to discharge him of 1000 crowns yearly rent that he ought to the Treasurer Moran, besides 15000 crowns which they gave him in ready money. Thus from place to place their conquests extended so far, till they came before Montauban, which my Lord Constable thought to take as easily as he could take up his Lady's smock, as he made known by his letters sent to diverse places, by the which he assured his friends, that he had sowed so good corn in that accursed place, as he made no doubt but that it would take root. That was the cause that Te Deum was sung in Boulogne, Lions and many other places for the yielding up thereof, grounding upon the infallible assurance that some men had, that he would take it, because he took all other places but only Montauban. But therein he was not to be blamed, for he had sent Sawage into the Town, who had promised to deliver that Town into his hands, as he had done Clerac: but the traitor deceived my Lord Constable, and standing on the walls, mocked him.  
This device failing, diverse batteries were erected, supposing by that means to put the inhabitants thereof in some fear. Trenches were cast up, and furious skirmishes were made. Father Arnoux to encourage the soldiers, assured them by his part of Paradise, that all those that died in so holy a quarrel, should never go into Purgatory. Whereupon every man sought and strove to show forth his valour. Branthe and Cadnet made a goodly show with their great plumes of feathers, a great many of brave gentlemen were killed, and every day more and more were slain.  
The report of this siege was spread abroad throughout all Europe; and the late deceased King Henry the fourth had news thereof carried unto him in the Elysian fields: so that as when he lived he did tenderly and fatherly love and nourish France; the care of the quietness, together with the desire he had to know the state thereof continually vexed his soul. For which cause he sent messengers into every place, to discover whether any French men had passed over the river of Styx. The late Baron de Villeroy brought him news, that by chance he had met with a Spaniard of his old acquaintance, who had told him for certain, that the Constable of France had begun a glorious war against the heretics, wherein he had proceeded so happily, that in less than two months he had reduced threescore Towns under his obedience, battered, taken and unwalled S. john, Pont Nerac, Bergerac and Clerac, and that as than he lay before Montauban with forty great pieces of cannon. That the Marquis de Villars and diverse others had been burnt before it, though they were no heretics. That the Marquis de Themines and the Duke de Mayenne also had been slain there, besides 400 gentlemen of name and quality, and above 15000 soldiers killed. That touching the raising up of the siege, he could say nothing, for that the reverend father Dominique de jesus Maria had there lost the subtlety 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 only faithful Counsellors to the King your son, by whose advice all the Realm is governed. Wherewith King Henry the fourth scratching his head, stood as if he had been in a dream, and staying a great while without speaking a word, at last sighing with a sad countenance and sorrowful voice, he said: Alas, now I see well that these men by little and little will undo my son, and that that which my enemies could not do while I lived, they will enforce themselves to effect it in his life time, by the means of those three petty 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 been killed before S. john, Clerac and Montauban, that I may discourse with them touching those lamentable things that are done in my poor country of France.  
Truly, said the Chancellor de Belieure, even now I saw almost 20000 persons of all sorts and qualities, which stand on the other side of the river of Styx, desiring to pass over; but the Boatman Charon refused them all, until they have been purged in the 〈◊〉 of Purgatory. They maintaining and constantly aff●●…ing, that they were exempted from it, because they ha●…●ost their lives before the heretics forts, according to the assurance given them in the other world, by the Jesuits ●f Thoulouse and Bourdeaux, and namely by father Russelay.  
That grieves me much, said the King, I could be content to have given 100000 crowns to marry the Nuns in Paris, upon condition that this contention were ended, I have so great a desire to see some one Frenchman or other, that might ease me of my care, for the apprehension that I have conceived of the troubles of the King my son, of the Queen my wife, and of my children.  
Therewith the Baron de Liencourt stepped forth and said to the King: Sir, your Grace is much troubled to know the truth of the affairs in the other world, you need but direct yourself unto some Jesuits, for they have letters from all places. I came but now from speaking with father Gontrie, he cannot choose but know something; if you will have me inquire 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 crafty and subtle, the truth never comes directly out of their mouths, you shall know nothing that way; I know a better way, Charon the boatman is my friend, he and I have many times drank together, I will deal so well with him, that for my sake he shall not make difficulty to suffer some Frenchmen (upon my recommendation) to pass over, or else let me go over to them, to hear what they can say touching your Grace's desire. Venture S. Gry, said the King, your invention is very good. Wherewith M. Guilliaume, who in the mean time stood attentively to hear that discourse, began to say unto the King: My Lord, if you think it good, I will gladly bear Sebastian Zamet company, and will aid him finely to pass over, as the succours did into Montauban, while he stands speaking with old Charon, 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 bowls of Quillibeuf, in recompense of their service. I will not have you stir from thence, said the King, you shall stand sentinel on the South side, and only mark when the Archduke Albertus shall lean off his Monk's cowl. Zamet dispatched away, went to the river side, where being arrived, he heard news that the Cardinal de Guise was come thither with bulls, to cause all those to pass over, that died as he did in that holy war, but that there was some dispute happened among those that stayed to pass over; for which cause Charon would not let them pass, for fear lest they should fight together while they were in his boat. Thereupon Zamet to further the business, gave his advice, that it was convenient to sprinkle all those that quarrelled together, with water of oblivion, before they entered into the boat, that so forgetting their quarrels, they might pass over peaceably. This counsel was instantly followed; but as things are full of crosses, another controversy happened after that, between the said Cardinal and the Duke de Mayenne, who should first go into the boat. The strife was long, which much displeased Zamet, because it stayed him from returning back unto the King. The dispute was maintained by reasons on either side. The Cardinal said, he died first, and by consequence that he ought to go first. The Duke denied not that, but said, he was to be preferred before him, because he had been slain in the King's service, and that the Cardinal died only of sickness. The Cardinal replied, that for God's sake he had abandoned both wife and children; and to prove it, desired no other witness but the Duke de Nevers; and that he had not done so. At last they stood upon the difference of their degrees and qualities; and for that the Church always hath the pre-eminence, it was judged that the Cardinal should enter first into the boat, as also because he had brought the bulls to free them to pass over the river, without going into Purgatory; and so all of them past over with this decree, that those who thereafter should come from the siege of Montauban, should enjoy the like privilege.  
When they were set on shore on the banks of the Elysian fields, Zamet received and saluted them, with both his arms about their middles, jesting and sporting with them, and assuring them that King Henry the great would be exceeding glad to see them, because of the desire he had to understand the state of the affairs of France.  
The impatience that troubled the spirit of that good Prince, had moved him to walk with the greatest part of his old servitors to the side of the river, to meet with Zamet the late Baron de la Guiche, because he was very tall, was he that first afar off discovered that French troop, and said to the King S. Fiacre: Sir, I think these are the men of Montauban before us, they are a great number, I wonder how so many brave men have suffered themselves to be made nestle-birds; you will say, that it is a great army, and I marvel that your Majesty doth not see the foul dust which they cause to rise up into the air with their feet. I perceive it well, said the King, let us stay here for them; in the mean time take your prospective glass (as the Constable did at Piquerox) the better to know them afar off.  
And as the King walked somewhat aside, the Marshal d' Aumont said: Sir, we shall speedily hear some news, for I see a carrabin among the myrtle trees, that runs as fast as he can, to get before his fellows; he seems to be some harbinger or quarter master, that seeks to come to the camp before the rest, that he may take up the best lodging: but coming nearer, they knew him to be a jesuit, that was sent in great haste by his General, to persuade the King, not to believe all that should be told him touching the lamentable state whereinto the affairs of France are now reduced: and he was no sooner come to the King, but on the other side Hautefontaine suddenly was at his heels, who had slipped out of the company, that he might excuse himself touching the miserable disorder happened in S. john d' Angely. And as soon as he spied the jesuit, he suddenly cried out, and said: What doth this jannisarie here? doth it not suffice his Society to have supported the authors of the division between the mother and the son, but must he come hither also, to trouble and disturb the peace of the blessed? What noise is that which I hear, said the King? Varenne made answer: It is Hautefontaine that quarrels with this good father which even now came to your Majesty. Hautefontaine, said the King, bid him come hither that I may speak 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 swear as the Huguenots do, for I am angry) I am not come hither for mine own pleasure, it is true that I make no account of my life, but I am half mad to see this Spanish jannisarie presume to speak unto you, after they have dealt with you as they have done, and Catholikly set fire in the four quarters of your son's Realm. Why do you call them jannisaries, said the King? Do not you know, said Hautefontaine, that the Turks janissaries have neither father nor native country, acknowledging no Lord but the great Turk: so the Jesuits neither respect their country nor their parents, but only bend their minds and all their studies to accomplish the will and desire of Yo el Rey, their Sovereign Lord; and the better to effect his will and pleasure they have troubled all Christendom, and are the cause of the death of all these brave Knights which are now coming hither to your Majesty.  
The King looking back saw all those that had passed over the river, who all together began to kneel down. Are these moale-catchers or takers of Montauban, said the late Admiral d' Anvil? The King therewith sharply reproved him, saying, Hold you your peace, this is no spectacle to be laughed at; and therewith his heart was so much grieved, that he could hardly speak, yet he refrained not to entertain them friendly; and then particularly embracing the Cardinal de Guise, the Duke de Mayenne, and the rest of the Lords, he prayed them to go and rest themselves; and having eased their bodies awhile, he would confer with them at leisure; and therewith he commanded Zamet to entertain them well, and so drew himself aside with his most confident friends until the next day. While the King spoke unto them, Hautefontaine stood talking with Beringhen touching the motives of the secret mysteries of Bearn, and entered into so profound a discourse with him, that they passed 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 rebel against the King his son? saying hide nothing from me, but speak boldly like a true Huguenot. Sir said he, if I should die once again by a musket shot at me from the wall by a false brother of the company, I will tell you our affairs truly how they passed, and will not lie in any point. It is long time since we perceived that the Spaniard doubting the end of the truce between him and the Hollanders, and that for the good of his affairs he sought to trouble France by some civil war, finding no better means then to make us wrangle among ourselves with blows of Pater nosters and Clement marot's Psalms, his device from that time effected what it could; and to give us matter and subject to enter into the field, many things which your Majesty had formerly granted unto us by your Edicts, were denied us. The affairs of Bearn were brought in question, as a country near bordering upon Spain; his principal agents there dispersed a certain quantity of Medales, for marks of Catholics, on the back side having julius secundus.  
The Marquis d' Ancre was no sooner slain, but du Vair Keeper of the Seals, author of the assembly of special persons, holden in Roan in the beginning of an. 1618. caused that notable decree of the privy Council for the restoring of the temporal goods and lands unto the spiritual persons in Bearn to be pronounced; but the great difficulties touching this restitution, caused the execution thereof to be delayed. The Spaniard, that still sought to set fire on France, caused the Bishop to troth up and down Paris, to have an end and order of their suit. Thereupon our Ministers made a general assembly in Loudun, in the mean time we were undermined by all the malcontents in the Realm, but yet they could not win us in any sort to estrange ourselves from the fidelity which we owe unto our King. Luynes and his brethren fearing lest we should make a escape, promised us in the King's name, that within six months the special points of our complaints should be answered, and that in the mean time nothing should be innovated in the country of Bearn. Upon this assurance we broke 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 mocked; and without staying till the six months were expired, your old servant de la Salle was driven out of Navarrens and at the same ●●me the Jesuits were established in P 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hereupon w● presented our most humble supplications to the King your son, and in stead of an answer thereunto, we had a flat denial. Whereupon we assembled the Deputies to renew our complaint, but without giving 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 heretics, because that would have savoured too much of the old league, it was reported in all places that we were not good common wealth's men, and that we had called the virgin Marie, lafoy Guimbard, thereby to move all the Catholics under that pretence to seek revenge against all those that aided you against the leaguers. And in truth, Sir, your Majesty may well note and perceive, and so may all good Frenchmen likewise, that they have assailed and spoiled none but those Towns which in time passed served your Majesty for a retreat in the time of your greatest troubles, witness S. john, Nerac, Clerac, and the Town Bourbon de Montauban, which bears the name of your house, to show 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 Spain.  
I have heard you well, said the King, but who thrust Luynes forward to destroy that which I have made? A design to make himself great by our ruins, and the decay of your state, said Hautefontaine. There is a great appearance thereof, said the King; call Vair unto me, said he, let me hear his reasons; Beaulide-ruze go you and seek him out. That's to no end, said the Marshal d' Ornano, for I have heard that he is out of his wits for grief that he had to have been so unfortunate, that he could not be at the funeral of the Chancellor de Sillery. Let that Stoic schoolmaster 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, than you would know. You say true, said the King. The next day the Marquis de Termes was the first that showed himself when the King came out of his chamber, who with a smiling countenance bade him welcome, and then asked him for Monsieur le Grand, and what Lords and gentlemen had passed over the river with the Duke de Mayenne, as also how many men were slain in those brave enterprises made by the bucklers of France.  
Sir, said the Marquis, my brother hath always been a most humble servant to your Majesty, and so he is still unto the King your son, and to all the blood Royal▪ Luynes hath put him back from dealing with the affairs of the State, and therefore he meddles not therewith. Touching those that came with the Duke de Mayenne, they are 400 gentlemen of good quality, and about 2000 soldiers.  
Show me particularly the original of so many mischiefs? Sir, said he, the pride of three Falconers, whom you placed about your son upon the recommendation of Varenne, who stands there behind you, are and will be the cause of the dissipation of your Crown, they have won the King your son's favour, they do not tell him of the affairs of his Realms, but clean contrary, and as they would have him know it; they have clean altered the whole Court; the Court is filled with their brethren, brothers and sisters in law, nephews, nieces, cousins and allies, and all sorts of rascals, having driven out all your old servitors, and those of the Queen mother, it being most true, that no man (what, or whosoever) can have access to his Majesty, but only by their means; they keep the Prince brother to the King your son, as their servant; they have laid hold upon the forces of the State, drawn the treasures thereof clean dry, and in a word they govern all. What, said the King, do not the Council speak against those disorders? In truth, Sir, said the Terms, they have changed both the Council and the Counsellors. Doth my wife endure that? why doth she not oppose herself against it? said the King. Oppose against it, said the Marquis; if she should but once open her mouth to speak against it, they would presently clap her up in hold, like the Descomans. You jest, said the King; if I were she, I would let them know that I am the Queen-mother. Alas, Sir, said the Marquis, if you knew how they have used her within these four years and a half, there is no slave but would rather enjoy his condition than hers; they have driven her shamefully out of Paris, they limited her two years together to stay in the castle of Blois, they pursued her by force of arms, they have made her follow their army like a Lanceknights wife; to conclude, they have in such manner made her subject to their dominion, that she dares not once complain of the rigour which they use against her. Doth the King my son know that? said the King. No, Sir, said the Marquis, they are wary enough to let him know it; on the contrary, they seek all the means they can to divert from her all the good affection that the King bears unto her, still whispering him in the ear, that she hates him, that she seeks to make his brother King, that she is an Italian, and other diabolical inventions to fear him, without once putting him in mind that she is his mother, or what love she doth bear unto him in that respect. Those are three villainies, said the King, I would that Rapine 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 division between the mother and the son; it would be a great good for Christendom, and an honour unto him. It is hard, said the Marquis, to make an answer thereunto, Sir; yet I will show you what I have heard from father Raude a Charterux Monk, a great friend to our house, your Majesty shall understand, if it please you, that at such time as those three brethren usurped upon the authority Royal, they also joined with the body of the Society of the name of jesus for two causes, and the Jesuits for two causes entered into league with them. Luynes useth their help, to get in the money belonging to the Marquis d' Ancre, which was in the Mount de Prete in Rome, and in requital thereof he promised to re-establish them in their college in Paris, in despite of the Court of Parliament, as he hath done; and further he hath sent the Marquis de Quemere Ambassador to Rome, in the King's name, to solicit their reestablishment in Venice. The Jesuits in recompense promised him, that they would aid him in all things and in every place, and that they would in such sort obtain his Holiness good will towards them, that he should be favourable unto them during their usurpation; and that neither the Pope nor they would exclaim in any sort against the bad dealing which they should offer unto the Queen mother: and it is certain that his Holiness never wrote any thing thereof, neither makes any complant against the insolences of those Favourites. On the contrary, the Nuntius Bentivole resident in Paris, is wholly for Luynes, who hath made him Cardinal, and Comprotector of the French nation in Rome, to the prejudice of the Prince Cardinal 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 Spain should not be offended to see the Queen his sister governed by Luynes and his wife, he hath consented to let him lay hold upon the Grisons, the Palatinate and juliers, which is under the protection of France, and which the Queen mother following your design, hath kept out of the Spaniards claws; whereas on the contrary, that villain suffers so important a country bordering upon the Realm, to be lost. He hath alienated 120000 crowns yearly rent of the Church, whereof he hath imbursed 200000 crowns for his part: of your son's revenues, he and his brethren possess at the least 500000 franks yearly rent, without disbursing one penny for it.  
How this discourse grieves me, said the King, I would you had never spoken to me thereof, let us leave for this time; here comes the Duke de Mayenne, and a great number of Noblemen to visit me. All these, said the Marquis de Termes, will confirm that which I have said unto your Majesty, and you may know of them what hath past since I left them at Clerac.  
The Duke de Mayenne coming near with all his company, made humble obeisance to the King; and his Majesty bowing his head, welcomed them with tears in his eyes: Cousin, said the King, and all you my faithful servants, it grieves me that you have been deceived by three villains, who, as I hear, until this time have abused the favour and bounty of my son, and generally your free spirits. The Duke speaking for them all, said, Sir, I know not who hath made your Grace so well acquainted with the pride of those three Falconers, that have used all the means they can, to put all men both great and mean out of the King your son's favour by their devices, sold all France by their covetousness, and brought all the realm into disorder by their monstrous ambition. All men know how little cause I have to speak well of the Marquis d' Ancre, but I may well say, that he was an Angel in respect of these three devils incarnate, enemies both to men and all valour, and such as never employed them but to their overthrow: all they that have passed over the river with me, know what they are; besides that for mine own part I have every way tried and proved their devilish malice in that respect. It is true, that Marquis d' Ancre was wicked as well as they, but yet he had some humanity in him, he did good to many, he was a man of his word, if he crossed some great persons, he made much of others: but these three plagiaries have been 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 Majesty with the rehearsal of their detestable actions, nor put you in mind of the rude dealing that they have showed to the Queen your wife, neither how they have scorned my Lord the Prince, nor of their ingratitude against my Lady the Countess, nor what tricks they have played with all the Nobility: it sufficeth, Sir, that you generally know their proud proceedings, they have fully gotten the government of the King your son and of the authority royal into their hands, making him believe, that they three only held the Crown upon his head, as if those of his blood had conspired the usurpation thereof. For the space of four years they have caused all the affairs of importance to pass under their hands; they have made the King march with them in all places for their own particular interest; upon the frontiers of the Realm Luynes hath been so proud as to make his entry into towns, accompanied with a Prince of the blood, and in the presence of the King his Sovereign; he sent his brother Cadnet into Flanders, under pretence to go seek his wife, where he spoke with Marquis Spinola; and after that, with a most incomparable pride, covered with precious stones appertaining to the Crown, he hath been in England, not one of the King's Council knowing the secret of his embassage; after that voyage he undertook to make himself Duke of Britain; and it is not known whether since he hath been keeper of the Seals, he 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 Queen mother preserved juliers, under the protection of the King your son's forces, and those three villains have suffered it to be besieged by Spinola. To the disgrace of your glorious memory, Branthe a mean fellow, that never had 200 franks yearly rent, hath been so audacious as to ravish the heir of Luxeburg, and to force that young Princess being but eleven years old, and at such a time when all France was in arms by their means; and if the ravishing of a maid be punishable, as it is, her action in all circumstances 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 air in the army, in such manner 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 camp: he hath resolved upon the war against the Huguenots, without taking, yea and against the advice of your old Councillors: he hath been so audacious as to keep the King's seals in his hands, to promise them to many, but gives them to no man, busying himself during the dangers of the siege before Montauban, with sealing expeditions, in stead of going to the war, for which cause the soldiers made these four verses of him: 
What shall we of this valiant Warrior say,  
That useth us like slaves both night and day?  
He that in peace the Constable's office high,  
And in war doth the Chancellers place supply.  In such manner, that if there be any capital crime that may be objected against a bad servant, that is one of the most notorious and greatest. All the money appointed for paying of the soldiers in the army, he stayed in Blayes, in such sort, that more soldiers have died of want and necessity, then of wounds, for want of relief. To be short, their covetousness and villainies are the cause of all the bad success happened as well during that siege as in other public affairs. That which I find to be most strange, said Balagny, is, that not one of them hath been hurt in any of the exploits of their conquests. I will show you a pertinent reason for that, said the Duke, it is because they never sought after blows, and blows never met with them; and that is it which Luynes Surgeon wrote to his wife, that was in doubt lest her husband was slain in the army: Wife, take no care for me, but be quiet, & fear nothing, for I incur no danger, my Lord Constable doth me that honour to affect me much, and to keep still near unto his person. Thus you see how those gallants are miraculously preserved and kept out of the danger of blows, while they cause others to lose their lives.  
Our posterity, said the King, will hardly believe, that men of no degree, and void of all valour, should in so short a time lay hold upon the government of France. Sir, said Pluninel, I did never so easily with bit and bridle manage your Grace's great horses in the stable, (without comparison) as I have seen them manage all the Princes of your Realm.  
What, said the Marshal 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 Princess of Orange to be his wife, who died for grief thereof? You jest, said the King. He hath done more than that, said he, for he was so presumptuous as to press the Earl de Soyssons to give over the office of high Steward unto him. The late Earl taking the word out of his mouth, said, If my son had been wise, he should have caused him to be well beaten for his impudency. You have reason, said old Courtenay, if he had Rambure, or such another Knight as he for his governor, but he hath a block to be his schoolmaster, that knows 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 war, 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 only 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 been 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 those gallants would imitate you, and think by riding their wives, to ride upon the Huguenots: but those wicked heretics have knavishly ridden upon them before Montauban. Whereat all of them began to laugh. But the King enquired of the miracle of the Spy, and much desired to know it, and speaking thereof, asked, why, after he had escaped in such manner, he was not sent into the Town, to convert the inhabitants. Faith of a gentleman, said the Lop, that had been no safety for him, for so the people might have hanged 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 jesus Maria into France? what manner of man is he? And it please your Majesty, said the Earl de Fiefque, he is a holy man, I yet have a portatise cloak that he gave me; your Majesty will not believe what honour the Parisians did unto him, and yet know not wherefore; every woman cut off a piece of his gown; and he came thither only to show us that all the Spaniards are not Saracins, and that there are some holy men among them. If I had been of the King's Council, said the Abbot du Bois, I would in counterchange have sent father Berule to Madril, I am sure that the women of Castille would also have cut his fustian. That were good, said the Marshal de Fervaques, if French cloth were as fine as Spanish cloth; but if I were of the Council, as the Cardinal de Rets is, and as forward as the Earl de Chomberg, (who is capable to redress all Luynes faults, so that he doth not join with foreign faction) I would make the Spaniard know, that he is not a better Catholic than I myself am, and would keep him from having secret intelligences with our Favourites, to the great detriment of the King's service and the Realm, which goes to decay, if remedy be not speedily had therein.  
I confess, said the King, that since I have heard of all the bad and perfidious practices which that gallant and his brethren have done and performed, my son never knowing thereof, my spirit hath been in continual perplexity, fearing lest they should destroy their good master and great benefactor. Sir, said the Marquis de Villars, the earth never bore more traitorous and ambitious villains than they are; they have been so bold the last year to cause a Mask to be made in Bourbon hall, wherein they presented diverse mystical figures, and among the rest, a great Lady and diverse Giants chained, whom Luynes apparelled like Phoebus, drew after him, whereof the greatest resembled the Duke de Mayenne, upon whose head Luynes set his foot, for a sign 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 loss he had received by the death of the Duke de Mayenne, he devised a little Comedy to make his Majesty merry, wherein he presented a great Moor making diverse 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 sadness to your Majesty, for he was a turbulent fellow, that troubled all your affairs; you were no King as long as he lived; we have discovered and found out that he made a third party, and since his death we have found all his practices.  
Thus this villain always sought to divert all the good opinion that his Majesty had of his servants, and of all those of his blood. He did another matter, said the Secretary of State for the Seals, he was so impudent as to write unto the Pope, that the Queen mother was the cause that Montauban was not taken, thereby thinking to cover his own cowardliness; from whence it may be conjectured how many false reports he hath made to the king your son, seeing he was so bold to send such a message to his Holiness. You shall never have done Sir, said the Earl de Lude, if you will hearken unto all their arrogant actions, who knows them better than myself that brought them up? as long as any of that race are near about the King your son, they will spoil all, there being no kind of wickedness whereof they are not capable: and above all things believe it, Sir, my Lord the Prince may well offer a great candle unto God when he shall escape out of their hands; your Majesty must foresee these things.  
As the King was discoursing with the Lords touching the sorrowful state of the affairs of France, and about the means to remedy the same, all the assistants partaking with the grief of that good Prince, on a sudden Monsieur de Vury breaking through the press came to his Majesty, 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 merry a combat as ever was acted upon the Theatre de Tabarim in the place Dauphine. Between whom said the King. Your Majesty must know, said Vitry, that Marshal 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 have seen him, and when I saw him, I laughed for joy, he hath the countenance of as notable a rascal as ever I saw. But before I proceed further, I must tell you of the pleasant salutation of these two combatants: Martial d' Ancre walking as I said before, stood still to contemplate the proud gesture 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 killed, I will now kill him; and without speaking any more words, casting his cloak over his face, went to meet with him; and as soon as he got to him, he gave him a great bob on the nose, saying, Traitor, now I'll make thee pay for thy villainy. The Constable abashed 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? Villain, said the Marquis, thou art afraid; and saying so, he fell upon the Constable, and gave him diverse great blows with the flat side of his sword, in such manner, that never any curtal jade was so well beaten. The Archbishop of Sens that stood hard by them, had a great desire to help him, but he durst not go between them, still remembering the blows with spits which were given him in Tours by the Marquis de Noirmontiers cooks, when he was Solicitor of his house; and so for want of aid, the villainous Constable was as well beaten as ever was Dieret Chiury, when he imagined that the blows with a cudgel 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 Fair: which was the cause that Radamanthus' Lackeys ran thither, and laid hold upon those two champions, intending to carry them before the Iudge to be punished for their insolences.  
Marquis d' Ancre alleged that he was not the man that first broke the peace, and spoke them so fair, that they let him go; in the mean time du Travail came thither, who fiercely laid hold on the Constable's collar, in such manner that I thought he would have strangled him; but when he had set his foot upon his belly, and taken his sword from him, he ran away, leaving him there in a manner half dead, saying nothing to him, but only, Remember thyself Provincial. I that took pity to see that Rodomond favourite so hardly used, found the means, that without taking the advice of de Modenne or de Contade, I pulled him slily out of their claws, and brought the gallant hither to make your Majesty some sport. Truly, said the King, you have done me good service, let him come in, that we may see that great Warrior and great Statesman all in one. Whereupon Colonel Galatis with a das tich God's sacrament, caused the press to open, and therewith Vitry brought him in, every man as well as he could fixing their eyes upon him to behold his physiognomy. The Poet Desportes at his entering, giving him a welcome according to his Art, and speaking aloud, said: 
Give place, give place to this companion,  
Who while he lived was like a great Monarchus:  
But being borne in Champianion,  
In Poiteiou he was cut off by Parcus.  Being in the middle of the company, all of them began to cry, saying, The fox, the fox, wherewith you never saw villain more ashamed; and after silence was made, the King asked him, who he was, I am, said he, the Constable of France, your most humble subject and servant. Constable? said the King; by what title got you that office? it is not above four years 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 he 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 Majesty, 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 took from me, to give it unto de Mons his brother in law. Truly M. William, said Saroque, you are misinformed to believe such things, my Lord Constable was not so foolish to imagine that he could make that small matter of Province greater than it is, notwithstanding that he is the most valiant man of them all, for he alone took Montauban, or else they of Montauban took him. What extravagant words are these, said the King? give us leave quietly to hearken unto the mystical discourse of this new conqueror. Sir, said the Duke de Mayenne, he will but abuse you with words, he is a perfect liar, 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, Hear you my Lord Constable made in haste, abuse not my leisure, tell me all your notable proceedings, without dissimulation, if you desire to find mercy at my hands for your misdeeds: all these gentlemen know your actions, and the Earl de Lude that stands here, is wholly acquainted with your life, go directly to work, otherwise you shall find 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 process 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 have not the authority Royal to cover my faults any more, nor to support my insolences; I must needs confess, that I have offended God, the King my master, and all men, and that there is no punishment great enough to recompense my deserts: but I will gladly say with Caesar, Si violandum est ius, regnandi causa; all that I have done, was not effected by any wicked inclination that was in me, but only by a generous ambition to reign. I knew how easily Marquis d' Ancre obtained the government of the State, I believed and was verily persuaded, that in that point I could do more than a stranger, that only had a woman to support him, and that I possessing the King's heart, was the more able to dispossess all men, and to possess all things: for my design was to surmount that Italian; and if any of my good friends sought to divert me from that generous enterprise, presently du Agent, Contade and Ronsselay, cried out in mine ears, 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 fly, that in four years' space I surpassed all those that meddled with the affairs of State before me.  
I caused Marquis d' Ancre to be killed, to have his place; I urged the Parliament to put his wife to death, that I might have his goods. I kept the Queen mother as much as I could from the presence and favour of the King her son, that I might only enjoy 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 turn. I used charms to trouble the spirit of the King and of the Queen, 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 King's favour. I abused all those that had any thing to do with me, with promises and fair words. All places that were void, I got into my hands. With the King's money I bought all the governments that I could get; and constrained some to yield theirs unto me. I had whole Provinces under my obedience; there is no part of the Realm, but therein I have towns. I have drawn France dry of money. The greatest part of the Kings domaines is mine, or my brethren's. I did absolutely dispose of the sale of offices; and as I disannulled the annual right, I also established it. I made all mine enemies stoop, and as much as I could, I made all the world know what power I had over the genius of the King, that men might address themselves unto me, and be persuaded 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 find 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 equalise himself with me in this respect; his designs were base in regard of mine; he could not attain to any degree, but only to be Marshal of France, and I for my part made at least twelve Marshals. He could neither make himself Knight of the Order of the holy Ghost, nor Duke; and all you my Lords that are here know well, that I gave that Order to whom I would, and that I made more Dukes than there are sparrowhawkes in the King's Mews, and so many, that the Parliament of Paris was forced to say, it was too much. But those four cornered caps know not, that my intent was to extirp the heretics; and that for so dangerous a war I had need of many Dukes, Marshals and Knights, to honour the Constable's sword which I reserved for myself, by the Jesuits counsel, and his Holiness himself, who assured me by his Nuntius, that if I undertook that Catholic design, that heaven would reserve the diadem and the purple for me, as in effect I wanted not the latter; and if I had not been constrained to leave the siege before that cursed town of Montauban, the accomplishment of destiny had given me the Sceptre.  
I doubt not, Sir, but you have been entertained with a thousand jests touching the impertinent proceedings of my military exploits, and specially upon the subject of my approaches made before ville Bourbon. I take not upon me to defend myself against bad speeches, it sufficeth me that my actions seemed to be heroical, and my designs haughty. 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 dear uncle the Duke de Modene in France, touching the slanders that were published in Toulouse against me and my quality; I could easily have restrained and punished the liberty of such tongues, but like an old Courtier, I use not to be afraid of reports, as I made it well appear in the strongest assaults of the siege before that filthy town, 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 soldiers call my quarter, the place of villainy? but for all that I never made less cheer. They also mocked my wife as often as she came to visit me in the camp, in mockery saying, that she went oftener to combat with me, than I did with the enemy: but such reproaches moved me not, seeing that my wife and I had no other intent but to do well, as we always did well, thanks be to God; and believe me, Sir, that those malicious evil speakers spoke but of envy, as grieved to see us take our pleasures, while they were at blows, and by the ears together in the trenches like rascals, suffering themselves to be beaten, which made them vomit out their rage, not only 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 mirror of chastity, of whom I learned never to be angry for that which men said, so I do well. This also that I show you, Sir, is not to give you cause to think that such things grieved me not much, but only to make my great patience, my exceeding bounty, the force of my spirit, and the gentleness of my courage apparent. Who but myself (except the Duke de Vzes) would not have sunk under the burden of the continual watchings and pains which I endured in the conduction of this war? Like another Atlas, I was forced to bear all the burden of the Realm upon my shoulders, ordain all, provide for all, resolve upon all, and besides that was charged not only with the affairs of the Realm, but also with God's cause, which particularly was to be respected in that holy enterprise, as father Arnoux assured me, and the holy Earl of Fiasque that stands there, who oftentimes told me in my ears, that it was revealed unto him when he was a Capucin, which was the cause that made him leave the habit, once again to employ his sword, and wear temporal apparel, and for my particular that was the cause that made me embark myself therein, with so much more zeal as I saw the success to be easy, the conquest glorious, and the spoils profitable for my glory.  
What better beginning could your Majesty have wished, than the first progress of our victories? Blind Morney at our first arrival did obedience unto us; we did rigorously punish the rebellion of those of S. john; we poured our curse upon Pons; we cast the arrows of our anger upon Clerac, where we had that good luck to rid ourselves of that brave Marquis de Termes, upon which subject father Arnoux and I wrote two comfortable letters to Monsieur le Grand in most eloquent manner. In every place they brought us the keys of the towns. They of Toulonze came in great haste to offer us their arms and their lives, with a good sum of money, to move us in all haste to besiege that execrable town of Montauban, which at my first arrival I thought to take with a lure, like a hungry sparrow-hawk; and I will confidently tell your Majesty, that I had determined to have erected it in a Duchy for my son, as to seal the letters patents myself, with an addition of the Earldoms of Armagnac and Albert; that was the cause that I could not consent to the ruin of the brave fortifications of that place, desiring to make use of them for myself. And to minister some comfort to those of Toulouse for their money which I had sent to the Castle of Blaye, I and my brethren had devised to take the Huguenot throne out of their feet, and to place another Catholic therein, which we had happily done, if those of Montauban would have believed us, or at least have suffered us to do as la Faydeau.  
To conclude, Sir, what have I not done to have an honourable issue of that miserable siege, all the inventions in the world were there put in practice. What have I not promised to the third and fourth? What can men reproach me of, but only that I was not at the trenches? Alas, it was my only desire not to stir; but these gentlemen here present know, that it was impossible for me, in respect of the continual employments that I had about the Seals. I trusted touching the war, to the generosity of this valiant Duke de Mayenne, whom we have thereby caused to see the joys of Paradise, and in recompense thereof he hath made us heirs of that he left in the camp.  
It is true, that to lure the world like a hawk, we caused the government of Guyenne to fall into the Prince the King's brother's hands, but I would never seal 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 own lives, we had no less of the soldiers; having sought as much as possibly we might, all gentle means and practices to overcome those rebels, before we would proceed unto extremities.  
Did not I with great care and diligence cause father Dominicke de jesus Maria to come into the army, believing that his holy prayers would make the taking of that place the more easy, and that he would make a second S. Bartholomew's day of the Huguenots in Paris. And if he hath thought much to do as much for France before Montauban, as he did for Spain before Prague, I could not do withal; I did the best I could to keep him there, that his presence might animate the soldiers, and convert those headstrong heretics, which father Arnoux a true spiritual mirror did not well like of, alleging that it was sufficient to have one Charlatan in the Court, in the mean time all is laid upon me, although I am innocent of the unfortunate success of the siege.  
What shall I say more, did I not invent a subtle stratagem, therewith to mollify the hearts of those rebels, that is the miraculous hanging of that villainous spy, that broke the rope three times upon the gallows? nevertheless they within the town, as also a great part of the army, would not believe that miracle, because he rather commended himself to our Lady of Monferrat in Spain, 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 own purses, whereas our design was to serve our turns with them, to cast them invisibly into the town, thereby to take it the easier. And if we failed therein, I am no more the cause thereof, then of the rain and sickness 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 than I can from those which are imputed unto me, by means of my ambition and villainy; but if I had lived a little longer, I would have made all the world see and perceive that I intended to be a soldier.  
I confess that I was but a new beginner in the Art, when I made myself Constable, and that I had never seen siege nor battle, but I was resolved this Winter to learn the military Art with all perfection, in stead of practising to dance. The Baron de Caban, otherwise called the Main, having promised me in three months space to make me as good a Captain as himself, who of a Musician in two years became a great warrior, whatsoever the Marshal de Roquelavere said, who in despite that I employed him in the siege of Monheur, swore, cap de bion's, that he would not go to the war with a Musician: and being taught by so good a master, this Spring time I would have paid those of Montauban, but God did prevent me in all my designs.  
Truly, said the King, your discourses are notable, but your actions are not much worth, such men as you are always 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 played with great personages in his life time, he would have him serve to make them sport after his death, and therefore appointed him to carry forms 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 Cardinal de Guise, showed him that he died without confession and receiving of the Sacrament, praying him to give him absolution for his sins.  
To whom do you speak, said the Cardinal? 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 Cardinal had done, adding further & saying, Before you went out of the other world you should have caused yourself to be absolved by the Cardinal de Rets your creature, or rather by the Bishop of Lusson your kinsman, he would never have denied you his blessing, notwithstanding that you put him beside the Cardinal's hat, so you had promised him upon the security of Marillac and le Seq. to abstain from making pernicious reports unto the King, thereby to alienate the good will which his Majesty beareth to the Queen his mother; as for me, I cannot help you, save yourself as well as you can. With that the late Marshal the Rets went to Luynes, and speaking unto him in his ear, said, Alas poor fool, thou shouldst have plucked the goose without crying like me; if with humility thou hast honoured the great personages, they would have upholden thee, and thou hadst enjoyed thy fortunes with security. Then turning his head here and there about him, he perceived the late Earl de Lude, which three times he called his good master, of whom he asked pardon for the ducal perfidiousness which he offered unto him being in Touraine. Then he said to the Bishop of Carcassone, Monsieur my good benefactor, if ever you took pity on the affliction of a miserable person, I conjure you to take the pains to advertise my brethren to take example by me, that they may govern themselves more wisely than I have done, if they desire to escape the shipwreck that I have endured, and before all things that they suffer not my body to pass through Paris, lest it should receive the same entertainment that the body of the Marquis d' Ancre had.  
As he spoke those last words, Losieres Themines son came unto him, and said, Comfort yourself in your misfortunes, your brethren labour for their conservation, they yield not themselves, I bring you great store of news, you are not the Keeper of the Seals, Monsieur de Virg hath your place: all shall go well, it seems that he & his are in some sort bound to support your house; but if the chance should turn, I advise you in good time that I will be surety no longer. Further, since your departure, the King hath benignly entertained all his friends, and looketh on his servants with a kind countenance; there is free access unto his Majesty, he goes every day to sit with the Council; I could tell you more, but I must go to salute the King; farewell, and remember that for want of balm they have your body with long barks of trees.  
The Pages that as then laid hold on the neck and breeches of their apprentice, would suffer him to speak no more, every one of them teaching him a lesson as they thought good. The Parisians never took greater pleasure to see the Marquis d' Anchors body drawn about the city, than all the spirits in the Elysian fields had to see that brave Constable so instructed and taught by those good schoolmasters, who in less than an hour's space made him a martyr at least twenty times, and yet killed him not. To conclude, du Bourdet brought him a writing to set upon his back, containing these words: 
Long be this apprentice lived,  
Whose spirit hath not deceived  
The hope of our progenitors:  
He is fit for a Porter, without doubt,  
And in short time it will fall out,  
He will be capable to teach his brothers.   
The judgement given, all the Lords took their leave of the King, and as they returned with Zamet their guide, the Marquis de Termes espied a man that sat writing under a great olive tree: wherewith he asked, if in that country there were any Solicitors or Attorneys, that lived by pleading other men's causes. None at all, said Zamet. What then, said he, doth this writer here? And going near unto him, they knew it was Marshal 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 manner of great personages in the Court, and laid his hand upon his shoulder. Wherewith the Marshal in great choler, said, What is he that toucheth me? and looking back, saw the Marquis. Wherewith changing his choler into gladness, he embraced him friendly, ask him, if he were one of those gentlemen of Montauban. No, said the Terms, I am of Clerac. What in God's name make you here? said the Marshal. And what goodly passion, said the Terms, ravisheth you into such an ecstasy? Cap de bion's, said he, I was in a deep humour of Poetry, and was studying to make verses for an Epitaph to be set upon your tombs.  
What, are you a Poet, said the Terms? No, said Byron, but there being no war in this country, sometimes I have a conceit to pass the time in Poetry, like my Lady de Rosau. I pray you then, said the Terms, let us see something of your doing, as well as my Lady d'Entragues. Pardions I am content, said the Marshal, 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 hear it without passion.  
Here lieth a company of fools, in respect of warriors brave,  
That in the middle of their foes did lose their lives,  
While three cowards, authors of the war we have,  
Merely past the time in riding of their wives.  
Truly, said the Terms, you use us unworthily. Morbions', said the Marshal, what, do I not say the truth? Are you not great fools, that suffered yourselves to be slain for a company of dastards that serve their own turns, under pretence of religion, to establish their future greatness at your costs and charges. Cap de bion's, what blows with my sword would I have laid about their ears, if I had been in their places. Monsieur d'Espernon is a subtle Catholic, he besieged Rochel afar off, and upon Pont neuf there were more overthrows given by him, then by any other in France; but tell me, I pray you, are not the Jesuits ashamed that they preached against him during the league, in their pulpits calling him Astarot and Archhereticke, and yet in the mean time they must confess, that at this day he is one of the pillars of the faith, although he be the same that he was, were they exclaimed against his person, only that in those times he was none of the company, as he is at this present. Mafoy, said the Marquis, I must confess that Mousieur d'Espernon is a Matho, and one that can manage his affairs better than any other in the Court; it is true that Luynes hath given him many bad nights, but the fathers have recompensed all that.  
While these things past, the King withdrew himself into his chamber, where having wept long time for the grief that he had for the miseries of France, praying unto God to divert the storms thereof from it; he called for his most confident servants, with whom he conferred touching the disorders of the Realm, and then said with a loud voice, God help the bounty of my son, and give him grace speedily to root out the pernicious factions of such Favourites. Now I am truly informed of the lamentable affairs, into the extremity whereof his Crown is plunged, I can speak pertinently with the experience that I have of things past.  
This then is that which me thinks the King my son should do, as well for his own preservation, as for the tranquillity of his subjects. First, he ought to respect those that give him good counsel, which is the soul of every monarchy. I am not of opinion, that he should give my wife the sole direction of his affairs; neither that my nephew the Prince of Cende should have it, in that respect he ought to shun jealousy: it is requisite that every one, as near as may be, should participate both in the honours and in the care, and that every one in general should contribute towards the relieving of the Flowers de Lis.  
My judgement, to prevent and withstand the continual disorders that have troubled France since my death, is, That my son should make a Council, not of Favourites, 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 Queen his mother. That he shall hold her in good correspondence with himself, and my nephews de Conde and de Soissons near unto him. That he should manage all things by order of the Council, and with plurality of voices. That he shall refer himself to the prudent advice of the old 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and officers of the Crown, 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 little & little 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 poor people. That he shall cause the citadel 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 Inventory 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 authority hold and maintain the Edicts of Parliament. That he shall conserve the ancient alliances of the Crown. That he shall stop his ears against factious strangers. That he shall call to mind the dangerous public happened within these four years within Paris, as signs sent by God to warn us of the scourges that threaten France. That he shall take heed of, and shun civil war, which cannot choose but procure the ruin of his affairs and of his people, while his neighbour seeks all the means he can to prejudice his Realm. That he must call to mind the Ambassage of Bassompiere in Spain, and of the breach of promise made touching Valtolina. That he must have an eye unto the designs 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 recompense those that deserve it, and punish those that are wicked. And doing so, God will bless him, the Crown shall flourish, his country will be enriched, his friends will love him, his subjects serve him, and his neighbours fear him.  
There's nothing in the world that perfe●●●…  
For if 'twere so, nothing would be amiss:  
This book is not so perfect as 'tis true,  
Which you shall find, if you give it the due.  
FINIS.