SIR , I willingly render into your hands , the charge which it pleased your Maiestie to honour mee withall ; and with the same countenance that I receiued it without demanding , I redeliuer without any griefe at all . The lawes had sufficiently instructed mee , what obedience I owe to your Maiestie ; so that you needed not send the Captaines of your Guard with twenty Archers to fetch me . Violence ought to be vsed but against such as resist , and not against mee that know how to obey my Prince , and haue euer thought this honour rather to bee an heauy burthen , then a Dignity , which neuerthelesse I did accept for the good of your seruice , because euery vertuous man doth owe his care and time to the publique good , and it had beene a shame to haue refused to die with the Sterne in my hand , being able either to hinder , or at the least to keepe off awhile the storme that threatens vs . God grant , Sir , that I be the Man that suffereth most by this disfauour , and that your Maiestie and the State be least interessed . I am not taken at vnawares in this accident , hauing euer foreseene , that as my best endeuours were stil emploied , to follow so neere as possible I could , the integritie and vertue of Monsieur de Villeroy , and the president Monsieur Iaunin , so ought I also to expect a fortune like to theirs . Your Maiesties commandement agreeth in that with the choice my selfe should haue made , if I had beene at mine owne disposing ; desiring , rather to be a companion of their disgrace , if I may so terme freedome from troublesome Employments , then to be vsed in the gouernment of the State , with those who now remaine , being subiect in time , by conuersing with them , to haue to touch of their bad tincture , whose prosperity I enuy not , nor the augmentation of their authoritie , which is giuen vnto them at my cost . For I haue neuer beene accustomed , to giue an account euery morning by stealth , neither will I suffer any man to prescribe me what I ought to doe , if the good of the State and reason doe not aduise me vnto it . It is more honorable for me , then the sealing of a bill of eight hundred thousand pounds , in this great penuriousnesse of th' Exchecquer , to furnish his turne that blusheth not at it : Nay , who besides this , is not ashamed to demand the Duchie of Alançon for a pawne , which is the portion of a sonne of France , and to pretend the office of Constable , which the deceased King would expressely haue suppressed , after the Death of the late Monsieur de Montmorency . Beleeue not , Sir , that because I would not consent to these things , I would oppose your Maiesties authoritie . I know , it hath no other limit then your owne will . Yet you are obliged to gouerne your selfe according to reason , and follow the counsell of those , that are entred into the managing of the State , by the choice of the deceased King , as being more capable to giue it vnto you then new-commers , drawn from the dregs of businesse and of the people . This exchange which is made from vs to them , is as Woolues vse sheepe , when the Dogges are absent . Doth not your Maiestie perceiue it ? dare you not remedy it for feare of disobedience ? Sir , by nature you owe it to them that preach it vnto you , but they owe the same to you , both by diuine and humane Lawes . When you shew them the least obedience , they haue giuen you but too much example . Remember if you please , that you are past fifteene yeres of age , and Kings are Maiors at fourteene , Isaac did follow his father Abraham willingly to be sacrificed , because he was not of yeres to feare any thing . I beleeue , that had he beene a perfect Man , and had foreseene the danger , hee would not haue carried the wood on his shoulders . These are but deceitfull sacrifices , I pray God keep your Maiestie in these occasions from the effect . For when I see that the authority of the Court is made to moue when they will , that they create and dispose of the Officers of the Crowne , and none seeke to hinder them ; The Princes of the bloud , some being imprisoned , and others retired for the securitie of their persons ; when I see that amongst the Lords those that are shewed but the shaddow of some better fortune , lend their hands to their owne seruitude . Those that haue attained to any establishment in this strangenesse , doe maintaine it for feare to returne to the misery of their first condition ; so that it seemeth , the people and Prouinces doe suffer together in this exchange , by the example of the great Ones , seeing that the helpe of Lawes are vnprofitable , all being in disorder , through bribes , through violences , and through corruption . The Louure it selfe hath taken a new face , as the Officers haue done . There is nought of the old Court remaining but the wals , the vse whereof is also changed , for they were wont to serue for the assurance of Princes , but now they serue for their prison , and ( it may be ) for yours , if I may freely say so . It is not without some plot , that they giue you when you goe forth , a company of light-horse-men chosen by a suspect hand . These are your Gards , after the manner of the Bastille : this distrust counselleth you sufficiently what you ought to doe , and there needs no other aduice . They hisse at me , they mock me and my discourse : so was Cassandra serued in Homer , when she fore-told the destruction of Troy . Sir , I haue nothing remaining to serue your Maiesty but my tongue . If I were so happy as to draw your Maiestie out of the errour wherein you are nourished , I would a thousand times blesse my disgrace , which had giuen me the boldnesse to speake freely , yea in a time when words themselues are punished . The falshood of the Alcoran is no otherwise authorised , then because it is forbidden to be spoken of on paine of death . Their vsurpation vpon your Maiesties authoritie hath no other footing , then the danger of telling you freely of it . Consider if you please , Sir , that those who vsurpe this power ouer your Maiestie , are of that Countrey , where euery one will Raigne , neither is there any towne on that side the Alpes that hath not his Republique or petty king : And if your Maiestie had somewhat yeerely looked into your Historie , you would haue learned , that the bloudiest Tragedies that euer haue been in France , came from those parts , the last furies are the subiect of a little booke that I published , of constancie and the consolation of publique calamities . I feare , that contrary to my intent , it wil be a worke for your Reigne , if God in his goodnes haue not mercy vpon vs . Thinke not , Sir , that sorrow to see my selfe depriued of emploiments , induced me to speake so boldly . If I had beene grieued for it , it is like married people , that weepe when they must go from their parents power , to enter into the equalitie of Marriage : neuerthelesse it is true , that owing my seruice vnto your Maiesty , I should haue receiued greater content to haue employed it in your Councell of State then in your Parliament , where matters are of lesse importance . For I suppose , that if the Carpenter who made the caruing worke for the Admirall , where Don Iohn of Austria commanded at the Battell of Lepanto , had knowne that it should haue serued for so important an occasion , whereon depended the safety of the rest of Europe , he would haue taken more delight in making of it , then if it had been a Vessell ordained for commers . Notwithstanding seeing your Maiesty commandeth me to retire , in a good houre be it . The lesser Starres are part of the perfection of the world , although they do contribute lesse then doth the Sunne and Moone . In what condition soeuer I liue , I will alwaies to the vttermost of my power , maintaine the good of your Maiesties seruice . But if there be any of those who are neere you , that lament my remoue , for my sake : I will tell them freely , Weepe for your Children of Ierusalem , that for want of courage suffered your Master to be betrayed , and not for me , that haue not offended , vnlesse , in being an honest Man . Wherefore I take my leaue of you , Sir , praying God that he will haue pittie of your State , and care of your education .

YOur most Humble and most Faithfull Subiects and Seruants , the Dukes , Peeres , ancient Officers of your Crown , and principal Lords of your Kingdome ; seeing the dangers which inviron you , and the euills which threaten your State with an inevitable subuersion , if speedy order be not taken , and that they are denied all accesse vnto your Person , wherewith they might freely , and securely , discouer the causes , and propound the remedies thereof ; doe in all humilitie beseech your Maiestie to take in good part , this their most humble Remonstrance , which cannot but well befit their mouthes , sithence it doth testifie nothing but fidelitie and affection vnto your seruice , to the conseruation of your Sacred Person , and the good of your States . And it is by so much the more conuenient , because they are thereunto obliged , both by Diuine and Humane Lawes , by the Oath which they haue taken , and the dutie which they owe vnto your Crowne . We are not ignorant , that the euill is disguised by those who doe it , and who labour by all possible meanes to couer it , as well as commit it , still indeuouring to make those distastfull vnto your Maiestie , who complaine thereof . And the vnhappinesse of France is such , that they hauing all the power of your Estate in their hands , they cause you to hold your faithfullest seruants for Enemies . But the violence of their Tyrannicall carriage is growne to that excesse , that it cannot longer be indured ; The complaints of it are generall ; euery one seeth it , and feeles the miserable effects ; And their Artifices can no longer hinder the cryes , and publique griefe from striking your Maiesties eares , and from mouing your compassion to releeue your People ; and your iustice against the Authours of so great miseries ; which euery one knoweth , and openly detesteth ; And by a common vow of your faithfull Subiects are destined to iust punishment , according to their demerits .

The insatiable ambition , and auarice , of the Marquesse of Anchre , and his Wife is the only cause of the euils we are sensible of ; of the disorders we see , and of that wee feare most .

This is the vlcer which hath festered , yea , spoyled the whole body of your State . It is of him only that men doe complaine , and of the Ministers and Executors of his violent and raging passions , and no other .

This is the complaint of the greatest part of your Subiects , who as yet haue true French hearts : who seeing themselues compassed about with feare and apprehensions , and exposed to all manner of dangers , by the intestine conspiracies which ayme at the ruine of your State , doe implore your Iustice , to protect them from the oppression and seruitude , vnto which those persons would make them subiect ; and for to free your Crowne from the many disasters , which now increase to the ouerthrow of the same .

The remedy ( SIR ) is in your own hands , and in your power , which if you doe not make vse of , the disease will shortly grow incurable : And therefore to shunne it , the cause must be taken away , which being knowne vnto you , there needeth now no other thing then your word only ; to giue order that the Marquesse of Anchre , with his Wife and Adherents , be chased from your Sacred Person , and from the Queene your Mother : And to giue way vnto Iustice , that it may duly punish them for those crymes whereof they are culpable touching your State .

Euery man well knoweth what deceit hee hath vsed , since the death of the last king of most happy memory , to draw vnto himselfe th' entire and absolute Administration of your Kingdome ; to make himselfe Master of your Councels , of your Treasure , of your Armes , and of your Fortresses , to dispose of your publique Offices , and Charges , your Fauours , and Pardons ; because hee would bee the sole Iudge of Honours , and Dignities , and dispose of the life and death of your Subiects . The courses hee hath taken to banish the Princes of the Bloud from the Court , and to breed discord betweene them , are not vnknowne ; and likewise of the rest of the Princes , Officers of your Crowne , and principall Lords of the Kingdome : The practizes and corruptions which he hath vsed to weaken and depresse the authoritie of your Parliaments , and violently to choke the lawfull freedome of their Remoustrances , imprison your chiefe Officers , and make a diuision through all the orders of your Kingdome ; that hee might haue the whole disposing of them , and raigne alone within the State , as he doth now with an insupportable presumption and insolency , supposing that nothing can resist his ambitious Dessignes , seeing that , through extreme wrong and iniustice , hee hath imprisoned the first Prince of your Bloud ; and by this audacious Action violated the publike faith of the Treatie of Loudun ; vpon the obseruation of which did depend the repose and tranquillity of your State , which he had rather plunge into the calamities of a Warre , then to haue the maske of your Royall Authority taken from him ; whereof hee makes his benefit , and vseth it as an Instrument , for the destruction of your most faithful Subiects .

These things are so manifest , & his proiects & guile so plainly discouer'd , that no doubt can bee made hereof . And the strange proceedings , and violence , which he vseth euery day vnder your Maiesties name , against the Duke of Neuers , vpon so notorious pretexts , and forged imputations , that euen the voice of the people serueth for proofe enough to refute them ; do witnes sufficiently , that the conspiracy is generall , against all the Princes and Nobles of your Kingdome ; who will not stoupe to his tyranny , and can resist his plots , which he continually puts in execution , thereby to subuert the State .

For what offence is the same Dukes , sauing only , that he is a Prince of the most renowned Houses of your Kingdomes , one that loues his Countrey , seekes the peace of it , and who hath alwaies testified his zeale vnto your seruice , and acknowledgeth no other Authority lawfull then your Maiesty ?

Hee complaineth of some iniurie done him by one of his Tenants ; and that in contempt of the dignity of his Office , he cannot freely exercise his charge in his Gouernment .

He hath prosecuted an execution of some feodal rights within his owne possessions , by the ordinary means of Iustice , as vnwilling to lose that which his Predecessors left him : Perceiuing some secret enterprises , ready to bee executed vpon his Houses , he prouided , as indeed he ought , for the securing , defence and keeping of them vnder your Authority , and for your seruice .

These lawfull and necessary causes are wrested to his rebuke ; nay , are imputed to him as a haynous crime and Rebellion .

We haue seen the Declaration that hath bin published against him , vnder your Maiesties name , and the reasonable conditions vnto which hee doth submit himselfe for his triall , and make his innocencie appeare , which being knowne vnto vs , we most humbly beseech your Maiesty to be pleased to protect the same , and not to suffer it to be oppressed & violenced by the Marquesse of Anchre , whose outrages and offences we can no longer dissemble , because our long patience hath not hitherto serued for ought else , then for to render it more audacious , and insolent ; that we be no more vpbraided , that our affection is so small vnto your Maiesty , that we are so ingratefull to our Country , so disloyal and vnprofitable vnto our selues and to our Posterity , as to be silent , when we behold the prodigious fauour of this Stranger , trampling thus insolently on the throate of your State , holding prisoner in his hands the first Prince of your Bloud , treading vnder foot both Lawes and Magistrates , emptying your Coffers by his profusions , consuming , your people with excessiue charges , and causing your Subiects to be trecherously murthered , without any punishment at all . And for recompence of such trechery and disloyalty , conferring vpon them the Gouernments of your places ; deposing and discharging the chief Officers of your Councels and Parlements , bereauing them of those Titles & Honors , which their Age , their Vertue , and their Deserts haue purchased them ; for to establish in their places his creatures , who are persons altogether vnworthy , and vnexperienced for the manageing of your State , being men borne in bondage , and therefore enemies to all honest men , and most proper to execute his passions , what detriment soeuer may ensue thereby to your seruice , holding nothing vnlawful which may aduance his passionate dessignes .

This is that which hath induced vs , thus humbly to beseech your Maiesty to consider the miserable estate wherinto your Kingdome is now brought , and to apply , by your Wisdome and Authority , the necessary remedy , which dependeth vpon your own wil , and not to suffer either your name , or your Armes to be employed to the effusion of your Subiects bloud , and oppression of your Domesticall seruants , for the maintaining of Strangers to their preiudice , but to banish them for euer from you : and by the chastisement and due punishment of the guiltie , reestablish confidence and security in your Kingdom , repaire the publike Faith , which hath bin broken , and set the Prince of Condé at liberty . And to the end that order may be taken by conuenient meanes , against the disorders of your State ; to cause the Treaty of Loudun to be obserued ; call againe vnto you , and into your Councels , the Princes of your Bloud , with the rest of the Princes , Dukes , Peeres , and the ancient Officers of your Crowne , and Counsellers of State , whom the deceased King vsed during his Raigne , who also by naturall affection , and as being particularly interessed , as strictly oblieged to the conseruation of your State . And then we shall haue the happinesse to render you in all securitie , euery 〈◊〉 according to his Ranke , Dignitie , and Place , that most humble seruice , and faithfull obedience which wee owe you , and which whilest we liue we will yeeld you , as being