THE deuoire of a Gentleman, making profession of vertue, consisteth (first of all) in so well ordering and digesting his acti­ons, that himselfe may receyue in them contentment: After­ward hee ought to make such a splendour of them, and to iustifie them in such sorte, as the well minded may bee satisfied, and the ill dis­posed rayse no suggestion to condemne them. And seeing it is so, that honour (which is the re­warde of the fairest workes) proceedeth from such, who after they haue examined and finde them worthie, will approue them: he then that is desirous to be honoured, ought to be very care­full that his owne actions (if it be possible) bee not blemished with any spot or staine: and espe­cially such as deale with persons of great and highest qualitie, herein stand bound with chie­fest regard. Admit they should incurre but one­ly the detection of slaunder, which is so cōmon [Page 4] in this vnhappy age, when wee see that blamed which is most modestly doone, and the contra­ry to passe with commendation: may not this then serue as a liuely touch or feeling, to admo­nish such to render a publique account, of the principall carriage of their liues? What I haue determined to doo at this present, shall be some discourse of mine owne: to the ende it may bee truely knowne, what causes haue mooued mee, after so long rest, and euen among the bonds of some particular promises, to take these Armes for defence of the Townes of Sedan & Iametz, auncient frontiers of the Realme, against such as haue assayled them.

To many it is well knowne, in what miserable captiuitie I haue beene deteyned the space of fiue yeares and a halfe, by those who haue got­ten little praise for such rigour, wherein happily I had longer continued, if they had not proo­ued the vncertaintie of humane affaires: but God is to bee bountifully blessed for this bitter aduersitie, wherein I haue learned that, which the most sweetest prosperitie would haue made me misconceiue.

The time beeing nowe come of my deliue­rance, I was taken foorth of my darke habitati­on, to be brought to the place, where I receiued the sentence of my libertie: but with conditi­ons, no lesse hard then mine imprisonment had [Page 5] beene: notwithstanding I accepted them ioy­fully, in respect they surceased my long heaui­nes. I must say then, that the first cause of this so desired benefit, was the bountie of God, who now remembred mine affliction. The second, the prisoner that I tooke, for whome I was ex­chaunged, and who was of greater price then I. And the third, the bond of one hundred thou­sand crownes made by the King of Nauarre on his goods in Flaunders, for the assurance of my promises, not to beare Armes against the King of Spayne in his countryes.

This accomplished, I was deliuered, & then I went towards Nancy, to make proofe of satis­fiyng certaine other points, which are couched within mine Articles: to vnderstand if my Lord the Duke of Lorraine, (ouer and beside the a­forenamed suretie) would be likewise bo [...]nd for me to the King of Spaine, in the said sum of one hundred thousand crownes, & if he fayled, one Prince of Allemaigne, or one Canton of the Zwitzers. That I should also dēliuer my second Son, to be one yeere as an hostage in his Court. Beside, that the said Duke, & my Lord the Duke of Guyse, shuld promise by writing a part, signed with their hands: that I should not beare Armes against the King of Spayne. In all these bondes these Spaniards boūd me, as if they had receiued occasiō of feare, that so slender a Solidiour as my [Page 6] selfe, should come soone or late to hinder the course of their victory: from which thought I was most furthest off, for my desire stretched no otherwise, than to gohome to my house, there to repose my selfe, and giue God thanks for sauing me from the shadow of death and the graue.

Beeing arriued in Lorrayne, I spake with the said Princes, to know if they would fauour mee with this bond: whereto they very liberally cō ­discended: prouided, that his most Christian Maiestie agreed thereto. To him I went, and could not obtaine his consent, except I would promise him, that I would not enter Armes without his expresse commaundement: this I likewise graunted. Soone after he wrote to my Lord the Duke of Lorrayne, that he might an­swere for me to the King of Spayne: which hee did, vnder these conditions, that I should bee bound to him in a hundred thousand crownes, with all my goodes, as a gage of his bond, for the satisfaction: afterward, I should promise, not to beare Armes against him, nor his estate. Like promise I made him also, in case it went not a­gainst my dutifull obeysance, of seruice and fi­delitie to the Crowne of Fraunce, and to the King my Souereigne Lord. All these matters ended, I departed from the saide Princes, ha­uing beene very curteously entertayned by thē, and then I went to Geneua, where I made my [Page 7] choise of aboade, during the time of this mise­rable warre. At the ende of two moneths, my Sonne, whome I sent for from the King of Na­uarre, came to me, and I sent him in hostage to Nancy, here he was gently intreated while he there remayned.

See heere successiuely the pure truth of all my promises and bonds, and the causes of my liber­tie discouered in due order. Which I haue doone, to the ende that many, who are ouer ha­stie in censuring the actions of others, either by humours, ignorance, or bad information: should be better aduised, & not to condemne me with­out they first had heard me, as I know diuers al­ready haue doone, within more than six mo­neths: at which time (with all their vigilancie) they could not reprooue me of any speeches, that happily might be thought woorthie repre­hension. But these good censurers doo not in the meane while forethinke themselues, howe they rashly attempt in causes against their Soue­reigne Lord, and likewise against their natiue countrey.

In sooth, if I would haue shrunke from my wordes, beeing pressed thereto by mine owne particular interests, I should haue beene an handsome subiect. As for the straunge Armie raysed, if I would haue gone therin, I could haue had no meane place or authoritie: seeing that [Page 8] Monsieur de Buillon, and my cheefest frendes, who were imploied in the conduct therof, called me, and would haue deferred more to me, then I could well couet or desire. But I excused my selfe, and would not outgo the limits of my pro­mises, because I could not with credit doo it. And many Gentlemen yet liuing, who were at the preparation of the said Army, knowe, that I went so farre as Strasbrough, through the instāt intreaties then made to me, by letters from the Lord of Buy, that I should parle with my Lords the Dukes of Lorraine and Cazimire, chiefly with Monsieur de Segur, to compound for their passage thorow Lorrayne, and that all had agre­ed (because it was giuen mee) that I should bee admitted to this busines, where the one nor the other should be circumuented. But being there arriued, & not finding the letters of the Princes before named, and contrariwise, seeing on both sides courage enkindled, and hatred increase, the Armies on foote, and their swordes ready drawne, I thought that the time for me to bee imployed was past, and agreement should now be subiect to obseruation: wherefore I would not wrap my selfe betweene these two tempests, least my reputation should bee impeached by fortune. And I did write to my Lord the Baron of Ausonuille, who was then at Phaltz-bourgh, the cause that then did withhold me.

[Page 9]Within a while after the saide Army beeing ouerthrowne, more through themselues then the strength of the contrary part, the remainder driuen backe towards the Alpes, and Monsieur de Bouillon, who was the chiefe, ouerwearyed with so great trauayle, came to rest himselfe at Geneua, where an exceeding feuer tooke holde on him, whereof he dyed ten dayes after. And being yet in perfect memory, he disposed him­selfe to make his testament, whereby (among o­ther things) he ordayned, that his chiefe coun­tries should remaine vnder the protection and seruice of the Crowne of Fraunce, and desired that his Maiestie would maintaine them vnder such conditions, as they had beene in former times. And after he had named Monsieur de Montpensier tutour and gouernour of Mada­moiselle de Bouillon his sister, whom he left his sole and onely heyre: he charged me also with her wardship of her chiefe countries, with po­wer there to vse and commaund. Which I ac­cepted, for the desire I had to be imployed in matters profitable to the Realme, & forthwith I went into Allemaigne, to passe thence to Se­dan. But being aduertised, that my Lord the Duke of Lorraine had brought his siege before Iametz, I staied, and that for twoo reasons: The first, because I would not trauayle alone in dan­ger of so many armed men, and loose my selfe [Page 10] against my will. The other, seeing the said Duke had begun this warre contrary to the opinion of many, and of my selfe likewise: I should bee thought (in respect of what I had promised) scant maister of my sences, to goe cast my selfe downe headlong, and so with the councell of my Lords the Duke Cazimire & Deux-ponts, and other my good freendes, I embraced the way of negotiation, rather then that of force.

Beeing then returned to Geneua, I sent to his Maiestie, to aduertise him of my charge, and how my intent stretched to the benefite of his seruice, hoping hee would not misconceiue of mine enterprise: humbly desiring his highnes, to wish my Lord the Duke of Lorrayne, not to whet his anger vpon an innocent ward, and to forbeare to touch Sedan and Iametz, frontiers of his Realme. He wrote to me againe, that he would send the Lord de Rieux, to cause the siege to be raysed from Iametz, and that Mon­sieur de Montpensier should goe with speed to Sedan, for the better disposing of the affayres there: beside, he thought good that I should not need to goe, because order should be taken by these meanes. For the rest, hee commended mine intent, and would assure himselfe of my vndoubted affection to his seruice, & the gene­rall good of my country, whose safetie I would euermore seeke by all lawfull meanes.

[Page 11]This letter receyued, I paused thereon, for the opinion I held, that the commendation, intreaty, and prouision of so great a King, would suffise to remedie a mischiefe that pressed so farre. But ha­uing attended for the space of three moneths, & seene that the wordes of his Maiestie were dis­dained, and that one of the Townes was now to be defended from a furious assault that the other likewise would go forth in Armes, against them that made their fieldes voyde and desolate, and that my Lord the Duke of Montpensier could not (for good considerations) proceed so farre as to these places: Seeing likewise (on the other side) many good Frenchmen, and others of the Religion, not onely to write to mee, but to tell me, that in respect of the charge I had taken on me, I should receyue reproche, and bee accused to haue fayled in honour, and against the fide­litie I owe to my Souereigne Lord: if I would not trauayle with hand and heart, for the con­seruation of these oppressed Townes, which were vnder the protection of the King, & how I might sufficiently behold, that against effects of such puissance, it were in vaine to bring vn­necessary helps, but rather matter of like conse­quence. This being vndoubtedly true, I should so acknowledge: yet I imagined, that law­full and reasonable proceedinges, ought to outgoe such as are gouerned by violence, es­pecially [Page 12] for mine owne particular regard.

In this sort I prepared my selfe to go into Al­lemaigne, where I discoursed with certaine Princes, freendes to this Realme: to see by what meanes they could warrant, that which it see­med the Frenchmen would loose, and strangers occupy. They pleaded that this difference arose on small occasion, and could no way be so bold­ly decided as by Armes: since that to a Countie of Monbelliard, who had receyued as great an iniury, they would deny to make satisfaction. Now as eche one knowes, that the Allemaigne iron will not bee mooued without a straungers golde, and that the one being not seene to glister aboundantly, the other stands still without mo­tion of stir [...]ing: This made mee resolute to tra­uaile to Sedan, which I perfourmed, passing o­uerthwart Lorrayne and Fraunce, with no small store of daungerous perils, and beeing there ar­riued, I vnderstood the truth of the state of Ia­metz, (the defenders of which place are woor­thie great prayse) which rather stood in neede of fauour, then now to come to the sharpest tearmes: yet was I aduised to attempt the like­liest and sweetest course, causing to be proposed to my Lord of Ansonuille, a most auncient and honorable stay in actions of hostilitie, for cer­taine moneths, as well to win time in woorking on the entraunces, made by Madame of Aram­berg, [Page 13] neere kinswoman to Madamoyselle of Bo­uillon: as also the better to dispose affections in seeking the means of agreement, rather then to follow these threatnings of ruine. These con­ditions would be no lesse for the assaulters, then for the people assayled, nor of lesse honour to ei­ther: But they hauing examined them, would neither make any account thereof, or answere, happily for some opinion they holde, in staying on their aduauntage and hope, rather then in their consenting: which will be an occasion, to giue a long course to the euils that this little warre hath ingendred, and daily will do. Which to preuent, Monsieur de la Ferté, who hath of­ten come to Sedan about busines, shall be wit­nesse, how I haue twise sayde vnto him, that my Lord the Duke of Lorrayne shall gather no great fruite by this warre: little gayne shall hee get, and that vncertaine, but store of charge and trauayle certaine. The Towne of lametz, which yet resisteth, hath cost him foure times more then it is woorth: yet should not hee set himselfe agaynst an Orphane Princesse, who demaundeth nothing but peace, whereto shee will attaine by dilligent search: otherwise her country must suffer, and in such sort as it were to begin agayne. As could I declare vnto him by what meanes, and hee should bee suffi­sed therewith, when I speake that which is true, [Page 14] rather as a seruant to his deserts then an enemy, and as one that loueth quiet, vnwilling to vse my Armes against him. This likewise I wil­lingly alleadge, to the ende it may be knowne, that I haue attempted all courteous wayes not to enter Armes: as well for the good of both partyes, as alfo for mine owne contentment. Certainly, I am very desirous, not to bee con­strayned to drawe my swoord, which for these eight yeares hath continued idle, and chiefly a­gainst a Prince, to whome I finde my selfe be­holding. Yet (in my iudgement) he is brought into these newfoūd conceits, by the bad & euill disposed councell of others, rather then by his owne naturall disposition: but I may not goe contrary to that which reason willeth, who commandeth me when question is made of two bondes, to preferre the cause of nature before that of getting, because it is a matter most ho­nest, and among these acquisitions, after I haue iudged of the difference betweene them, I will stay my selfe vpon the strongest.

Among all Nations, naturall dutie hath euer­more beene, and yet is most commendable, and the first (after God) is that wherewith wee re­gard our country, which comprehendeth in it all the other, and bindeth vs so straitly to her, that it is (as it were) sacrilege, to fayle in the due performance therof; none of all the other may [Page 15] be equalled with this. As for the fathers & mo­thers themselues, who haue giuen life to their children, when the father shall be imployed in the right of his country: they must be constrai­ned to holde him excused, howsoeuer deuoted in affection he be to them. Much more ought such doo, as holde any one bound onely for a good turne or a simple promise: for it is a neces­sary consequence, that a greater matter must be preferred before a lesse. I haue heere before de­clared, that which I promised to my Lord the Duke of Lorrayne, but yet with an exception, which although it had not beene made, ought euermore to take place, and I thinke that few people would make doubt thereof, (albeit wee lyue in such a season, wherin all things are deba­ted and disguised) that the dutie to the Prince, must go before that is due to any benefactour: who happily may say; Seeing I haue beene the cause of your libertie, why will you offend me with Armes, which you promised not to beare against me? Truly I cannot deny, that my Lord the Duke of Lorrayne hath ayded mee to de­fend the same more entiere and happy: but I should not haue recouered the same (which I speake not as ingratefull for his good turne) by the three meanes that I haue rehearsed, before hee bound mee to him: not hauing so small a thing to promise in preiudice of my present [Page 16] bond, whereto nature, the lawes, and men of vertue, will that I cause it to holde due degree.

I know well it will bee obiected to mee, that the party which I make to sound so high, ought to enter into consideration, to see what is at­tempted against it: which I would with all my heart. But what is this then, to assayle Sedan & Iametz, Townes vnder the protection, frontiers of the Realme, faithfull to the Crowne, peopled with Frenchmen? is not this to touch Fraunce it selfe? Truely a Romane Ambassadour that re­turned from Hanniball, sayd most well & wisely before the Senate, that the Carthaginians in beating of the walles of Sagunt, a confederate Cittie, battered the walles of Rome. And with as good right it may be sayde, when with their Cannons they beat on Iametz, they might doo the like against them of Paris.

I haue beene patient so long time, that I haue iust occasion to feare, least I bee reprooued of sloth and breach of fayth (hauing a lawfull cal­ling for the defence of the said Towns) if I should longer deferre to imploy my selfe in their safe­gard from ruine. King Frauncis the great durst hazard his person and forces, not to haue the dishonor of the losse of Landrecy, a little towne that was not of his Realme, but gotten in the countrey of another. The like did the deceassed Duke of Guyze, for the defence of Metz, at the [Page 17] new entraunce thereof into the protection of Fraunce. Should I then fayle, that am but a most simple subiect, yet retayned for those that are incorporate with vs, and where there is not one house, but the Flowers de Luces floorish therein?

I shall bee accused as ingratefull towards my benefactour, because I beare these Armes a­gainst him: but it is in such a defence as I may not forsake, without beeing conuinced of more great ingratitude towardes my Countrey and King.

You haue broken (saith one) your promise, which vpon so woorthy a good turne you harti­ly plighted. If things were in like estate as when I promysed, I should bee restrayned within my bounds: but one hath chaunged them, in doo­ing that which I haue shewed, and vnlawfull beside to be doone.

Let vs now come vnto the second bond, that the Tutour is to procure the best for his warde, and ayd her so farre as need shall require. The Ciuilians holde thus much, that they place this next after the father to his owne childe: and will that the officer shall run to the maintenance of his wardes right, so soone as to that belongeth to his Prince. This also reason requireth: the one being more destitute of a stay or helpe, then the other, and this bond fulfilled, is so much the [Page 18] more of force, in that it is ioyned next vnto that of nature. So that I am not to be thought woorthy of blame, if I haue preferred this be­fore the other vnto my Lord the Duke of Lor­rayne: namely in this respect, because it is to defend, and not to assayle, the defence beeing more iust then the offence: seeing also, that this charge was deferred to mee, before my Lord of Lorrayne assayled Madamoyselle de Bouillon.

And that which hath fortifyed me in this re­solution, is in hauing examined the cause of the warre, I finde that the assaulter hath very slender right to doo so: for if it were about any auncient difference, hee ought then to shewe his titles, and to haue them disputed by reason. If hee haue proceeded on any iuiurie receyued by the deceassed Lord of Bouillon: why dooth he not as much to the King of Nauarre, to the Allemaigns, Zwitzers & Frenchmen, who haue all sacked and burned within the countrey of Lorraine? It is not reasonable, that this little e­state should satisfie for a common domage.

Ought wee not rather imitate that course, that serued for the wrongs doone to the Coun­tie of Mont-belliart, to wit, a freendly composi­tion, which was proposed for feare of the Alle­maigns: who notwithstanding euermore denied helpe to this ward, left desolate in sight of euery [Page 19] one? In meane while, God will woorke for the oppressed, and succour them in time needfull.

In fine, it is in vayne to flatter, but rather speake the truth: doth it not appeare, that this is for the dissipatiō of the realme, when they make such shouldering, where the one side is percey­ued, & the other masqued? What is this but as the Parisians did, and as the attempt against Bo­longne sometime, and on the Marquisate of Sa­luce not long since? Is not this rather to run af­ter a pray, then it can any way seeme for the Kings seruice, when they pill and poll, & make such outrage? I will auouch that his wisedome is great, & yet greater is the constraint that one maketh of his will, in pressing it to resolue on a war, wherein depends the ruine of France espe­cially in one that hath a spirite of sweetnes and peace. In this case, what ought an honest min­ded man, couragious, and a louer of his country doo? euen to imitate the auncient Frenchmen, braue heads & Captaines, as the Bastard of Or­leaunce, the Hire and Poton, they seeing King Charles the seuenth to despaire of his affaires, being assailed with most puissant enemies in the very entrailes of his Realme, whome he quietly suffered, as vnable to remedie the same: yet would not these (for all this) let fall their vncon­querable hope, but with a feruēt affectiō would venture thēselues in this imminēt dāger, to find [Page 20] some meane to exempt the same. And as for the apprehension of the present euill, some holde, it may be that the King enclosed, will giue a com­maundement to his subiect, not to aid his estate now perishing: shall this default bee an excuse for the subiect? We owe loue, obeisance, sub­iection and fidelitie to our King, who notwith­standing may die: but wee owe so much to our countrey as cannot dye.

Truely I should be quit of my promise to his Maiestie, not to beare Armes against his seruice (albeit I must perseuer heerein, if I be vsed as an enemy) seeing the horrible confusions that are in the estate: for all is corrupted, force ruleth, the lawes are without strength, and euen alrea­dy (by some) our houses are diuided, and our liues prescribed, so that we haue no right of the one or other. As for the roiall authoritie, in what manner is it reuyled, despited by the people, when butcheries shall be made of the subiects of the Realme? Solon said, that in a diuision a good Citizen ought not to stand still, but to take the better parte, in respect of his bond to the com­monwealth. But our countrey is not onely diui­ded, but ouerthrowne; not in perill, but already lost. And in the middest of so great disorder, is it wisedome to sit with our armes crosse folded, when reason bids vs throw them abroad? Shall I attend the rest of the misfortunes of the [Page 21] Frenchmen, to depend on our warres, hauing bowed their knees before the angry conqueror, or before a straunger, to the end that afterward I may receiue what Silla presented to his hoast at Praeneste? This cannot bee doone but once, vnwoorthy is it to doo it twise. But when I con­sider things to come, in how miserable estate we shall be, if God should call away our King, (to whom I wish a long life, conioined with a iust & peaceable raigne) wee should not suffer to rise these factiōs of Burgundie and Orleance, which now prepare themselues, the one to assaile, & the other to defend: euen that will happen which is publikely spoken, and the blind themselues may see, that this warre begun, is rather for the state then any Religion: but from what euill shall we then escape free, and of what goodes shall we not be depriued?

But now to escape these daungerous rockes, let vs turne our selues to God, who sendes these plagues for our incorrigible behauiour. Let vs weepe for our countrey, and succour her in this generall shipwracke: let vs euery one helpe to saue her with our armes, and not with our legs, [Page 22] according as the Romaine saide: who forsooke Caesars part being his benefactour, to embrace that of the common good.

I pray God, that in this generall assembly of the Estates, some one will craue remedie for our insupportable euils: which may bee throughly holpen by ceassing these Armes, and remaine in­curable by the continuance.

This is an heretique that speaketh (some zea­lous will say) beleeue them not, rather account them blasphemers. My Lords, be not offended at these wordes, which may serue you to colour the warre you would prolong. Truely I am no heretique, for I will liue and die in this excellent and renowned fayth of the Romaine Church, a member of the Catholike: euen the same that Saint Paul (who was the first Bishop thereof) instituted, as it appeareth by his sacred registers. But shall I tell you who he is that wee ought to account an heretique, in these times wherin we liue? It is the man that desireth not any peace or concord in the estate: that wisheth the chāge thereof: that strengtheneth himselfe with the e­nemies of the Realme: that expecteth the fall thereof, because he might gather the pieces; who hath equitie and holines in his mouth, and iniustice and hypocrisie in his hart. On the con­trary, the true Catholique is hee that pursueth peace and vnanimitie: that suffereth paciently [Page 23] the temporall gouernment established by God ouer him: that holdes in suspition those straun­gers who would procure our ruine: that would haue the estate preserued: and that sheweth in all his actions how he loueth order, iustice, and pietie.

For conclusion, I will loue my country which hath brought me vp, I will reuerence my Soue­reigne Lord, although he would pursue mee, I will defend my libertie, goodes, and life, if any would take them from me. I will aid the French shamefully afflicted, in as much as I may ho­nestly doo, I will garde my warde, as the lawes commaund mee, and I will oppose my selfe a­gainst straungers (whatsoeuer particular bond they hold of mee) who would against all right possesse themselues with the Towns of the Realme, for I am a true Frenchman. Inough is said, the time requires I should doo it, in respect it is followed true­ly and iustly.