AN
EXTRACT
out
of
the
Historie
of
the
last
French
King
HENRY
the
4.
of
famous
memory
.
THere
being
an
Vnion
of
Vertue
and
Fortune
in
the
person
of
this
French
K.H.
the
4
,
whose
life
I
will
onely
point
at
;
hath
iustly
gotten
him
all
the
eleuated
titles
of
an
immortall
glory
.
So
many
actions
of
his
person
are
as
so
many
miracles
,
and
may
safely
exempt
him
from
being
paralleld
either
in
the
difficultie
of
obtaining
,
or
happinesse
in
keeping
so
great
and
stirring
a
Kingdome
.
And
the
particulars
indeede
of
the
course
of
his
life
;
seeme
by
the
Diuine
prouidence
to
haue
bene
conducible
to
the
reseruation
of
that
State
;
which
otherwise
had
fallen
into
an
irrecouerable
consumption
.
His
birth
being
amongst
the
barren
rockes
:
and
his
education
comporting
with
the
asperitie
of
the
place
,
were
the
ingredients
with
which
his
youth
was
tempered
,
and
wherby
(
his
body
as
his
spirit
made
inuincible
)
he
was
prepared
fit
for
the
accomplishment
of
great
,
and
glorious
labours
.
Hee
had
not
drawen
the
breath
of
seuen
yeeres
in
this
world
;
but
his
qualitie
drewe
him
into
the
knowledge
of
the
world
:
where
,
his
royall
towardnesse
begot
him
estimation
,
and
that
estimation
(
euen
then
)
extended
it selfe
to
the
assured
hope
of
succeeding
greatnesse
.
By
the
Ciuil
warres
was
his
Father
,
(
the
Light
,
&
Conductor
of
his
Nature
,
and
fortunes
)
extinguisht
;
his
Mother
remoued
from
Court
;
his
Vncle
imprisoned
;
his
friends
in
disgrace
;
his
seruants
banished
;
and
his
owne
ruine
plotted
.
And
now
these
of
the
Religion
(
beeing
wrapped
in
like
extremities
,
disposing
their
eyes
to
heauen
,
&
their
bodies
to
the
earth
,
finding
no
other
hope
of
safetie
,
then
in
his
Armes
)
elected
him
their
Generall
;
the
abated
hopes
of
whom
,
by
the
losse
of
foure
Battels
,
could
not
bee
repaired
but
by
the
felicitie
of
his
Generous
courage
.
At
nineteene
yeere
old
he
was
inueigled
into
his
first
marriage
;
a
marriage
as
dangerous
,
as
illegitimate
;
for
celebration
of
which
direfull
Nuptials
;
Hymen
had
his
garment
not
sprinkled
;
but
daubed
all
ouer
with
the
blood
,
of
the
best
bloods
in
France
;
his
Mother
lost
her
life
,
his
friends
were
banished
,
himselfe
,
and
his
seruants
captiued
.
All
which
mischiefes
he
suffred
patiently
,
and
vnder-went
the
perils
,
inconueniencies
,
and
labours
,
(
though
a
Generall
)
euen
of
the
Common
souldier
,
vntill
the
time
;
that
his
wisdome
obtained
to
his
partie
,
some
relaxation
of
euils
;
and
breathing
from
toiles
,
by
the
meanes
of
a
fift
Edict
of
peace
.
But
suddenly
;
was
this
calme
conuerted
into
a
storme
,
which
powred
vpon
him
the
charge
of
ten
royall
Armies
in
lesse
then
foure
yeeres
.
At
the
battell
of
Coutray
,
his
name
was
made
terrible
to
the
enemie
;
who
,
but
by
so
apparant
merit
;
was
vnwilling
to
haue
acknowledged
his
Vertue
.
A
cruell
tragedie
ended
,
where
France
was
the
Theatre
,
strangers
the
Actors
,
the
Epilogue
of
which
was
closed
with
the
death
of
two
Princes
,
who
had
filled
the
Realme
with
fire
,
blood
and
confusion
.
The
King
then
reigning
Henry
the
3.
(
predecessor
to
this
King
,
as
well
in
being
murdered
,
as
in
rule
)
being
in
desperate
distresse
and
almost
surprised
at
Tours
,
was
happily
rescued
by
this
H.
the
4.
whose
approach
(
like
the
discouery
of
a
Land
to
men
long
at
sea
)
inspired
a
new
courage
into
the
Kings
drooping
and
disheartned
forces
,
and
had
conducted
him
to
the
vndoubted
conquest
of
PARIS
;
but
for
that
execrable
King-killing
-
Friar
,
whose
face
,
as
his
disseigne
was
mufled
with
the
veile
of
pietie
;
by
meanes
whereof
he
was
so
vntimely
rent
from
himselfe
,
his
fortunes
,
and
his
friends
:
The
true
naturall
French
men
(
being
thus
desolated
of
their
Prince
,
and
fearing
many
tyrant-Kings
in
stead
of
one-lawfull
)
cast
themselues
into
this
mans
armes
,
and
did
commit
to
his
vertue
and
valour
,
the
reuenge
of
their
slaughtered
King
,
and
the
saluation
of
their
State
.
Neuerthelesse
,
to
such
an
height
was
the
astonishment
of
the
fact
growen
,
and
to
such
an
ebbe
was
the
fidelitie
of
the
people
drawen
,
by
reason
of
diuersitie
in
Religion
:
that
many
did
shamefully
abandon
him
;
chusing
rather
to
be
idle
spectators
in
their
Countries
ruine
,
then
faithfull
Patriots
in
procuring
,
or
defending
the
Libertie
thereof
.
All
these
oppositions
augmented
his
resolution
,
and
were
but
as
so
many
darke
cloudes
,
in
which
his
fortunes
and
vertue
being
inuolued
,
might
in
their
due
time
breake
forth
with
the
more
astonishing
violence
.
The
insolent
obstinacie
of
his
rebellious
subiects
,
made
him
to
haue
as
many
combats
,
as
iourneyes
,
and
as
many
sieges
,
as
encampings
,
opposing
themselues
against
him
as
a
publique
enemie
to
entrappe
him
,
whilest
he
sought
them
as
a
father
his
children
,
to
gaine
them
.
Within
his
tent
were
nothing
but
griefes
&
anxieties
caused
by
vn-intermissiue
infidelities
,
and
pernitious
desseignes
,
discouered
euery
moment
against
his
person
and
the
State
:
euery
day
double
combat
,
double
victory
:
one
against
his
enemies
,
another
with
his
owne
,
and
himselfe
:
in
the
last
of
which
,
vsing
a
conniuent
lenitie
,
where
a
sharper
insight
into
the
offences
might
bring
domage
.
Diepe
serues
for
example
of
his
fidelity
.
Arques
the
scale
to
raise
his
glory
.
Paris
beleeuing
him
vanquished
,
was
amased
to
see
him
victorious
.
He
made
roades
into
diuers
prouinces
,
to
confirme
those
who
were
falling
off
.
In
his
passage
all
yeelded
to
him
,
and
an
infinite
number
of
taken-townes
receiued
a
happy
proofe
of
his
puissance
,
and
moderation
.
He
returned
with
the
same
successe
and
diligence
,
to
the
reliefe
of
Meulan
,
chasing
away
the
armie
,
and
the
Generall
of
the
enemies
,
that
held
it
besieged
:
who
a
litle
after
,
being
ioyned
with
the
Spanish
forces
,
instead
of
diminishing
their
former
shame
,
augmented
his
glory
,
giuing
him
new
triumphs
by
the
memorable
battaile
of
Yury
.
Following
this
happinesse
,
Vernon
,
Mante
,
Melun
,
and
many
other
places
,
were
brought
to
his
obedience
,
as
Chartresse
was
after
,
and
Paris
it selfe
had
also
bin
,
if
his
goodnesse
had
not
feared
her
ruine
and
desolation
.
To
recount
all
his
exployts
,
were
matter
enough
for
an
ample
Historie
,
and
a
taske
for
a
perfect
Historian
;
yet
through
these
small
lights
:
may
his
conduct
,
experience
,
diligence
,
constancie
,
patience
,
bountie
and
valour
(
the
essentiall
parts
of
a
Generall
)
be
discerned
.
At
Aumale
he
was
prodigall
of
his
own
blood
to
saue
others
.
Roan
brought
to
extremitie
,
saw
him
depart
from
her
to
encounter
Strangers
,
which
hee
put
to
flight
;
and
had
hee
not
bene
diswaded
by
the
counsell
of
others
from
the
chase
,
they
had
receiued
the
reward
of
Runne
awayes
.
Thus
neuer
beaten
,
alwayes
victorious
,
conducted
by
God
,
through
the
pikes
of
his
enemies
,
and
from
their
clandestine
machinations
,
(
which
a
false
deuotion
raised
incessantly
against
his
life
)
hee
discouered
and
ouerthrew
the
infernall
desseignes
of
those
,
who
(
to
the
attaining
of
their
licentious
and
cruell
purposes
)
had
made
Religion
their
vizard
.
But
,
at
length
the
hearts
of
the
wauering
were
fortified
,
and
the
eyes
of
the
ouer-violently-deuout
vnseeled
;
who
then
saw
the
vniust
causes
that
held
them
in
rebellion
:
Then
beganne
the
Townes
of
France
,
in
aemulation
one
of
another
,
to
contend
who
should
offer
first
,
or
most
their
Duetie
.
Meaux
,
Lyons
,
Orleans
and
Bourges
first
in
obedience
,
brought
him
the
first
honour
;
and
,
the
King
by
his
auspicious
entrance
into
Paris
,
got
an
immortall
glory
of
the
knowledge
of
Lawes
,
and
Armes
,
pardoning
,
as
well
as
vanquishing
,
forgiuing
in
a
day
so
many
people
,
and
rendring
and
confirming
life
and
libertie
to
so
many
Strangers
;
who
could
not
perswade
themselues
,
but
that
they
were
in
the
iawes
of
Death
and
Bondage
.
The
particular
sieges
of
Laon
,
and
La-Fere
,
the
scite
and
qualitie
of
the
garison
being
impregnable
,
the
voyage
of
the
Franch-comte
,
the
combats
of
Fountaine-François
,
the
taking
of
Dijon
,
and
other
Townes
of
Burgongne
,
the
submission
of
many
Princes
,
the
reduction
of
Roan
,
Newhauen
,
Amyens
,
Abbeuille
,
Peronne
,
Poitiers
,
Perigueux
,
Tholouse
,
Marseillis
,
Vienne
,
Valence
,
Troy
,
Sens
,
Rhejms
,
and
other
Townes
following
their
example
,
will
one
day
fill
many
volumes
,
and
conferre
vpon
this
Prince
the
Laurels
of
Alexander
,
the
triumphes
of
Caesar
,
and
the
felicities
of
Augustus
.
At
his
generall
assembly
held
at
Roane
,
he
furnisht
himselfe
by
the
aduise
of
some
,
for
the
Sauegard
of
all
;
and
authorised
those
edicts
which
assured
peace
and
rest
.
In
the
surprise
of
Amyens
,
in
liew
of
bearing
ill
will
,
the
successe
confirmed
the
diuine
assistance
,
the
fidelitie
of
the
French
,
the
courage
of
the
Prince
,
and
the
terror
of
the
Strangers
,
who
astonished
at
his
cariage
in
this
businesse
;
esteemed
themselues
fairely
blessed
,
to
haue
obtained
a
peace
from
him
.
The
obstinacie
of
Britanie
had
giuen
matter
for
his
powerfull
Iustice
to
worke
vpon
,
if
the
prayers
of
his
friends
,
and
the
teares
of
the
vanquished
,
had
not
diuerted
his
iust
displeasure
.
And
then
to
giue
France
an
honourable
and
glorious
repose
,
and
to
make
retribution
to
the
State
of
that
which
had
beene
taken
from
her
,
hee
displayed
his
Floure-de-lices
within
the
Alpes
,
ouerturning
all
interposed
obstacles
.
The
proude
rocke
of
Mountmeliend
(
which
the
people
thereabout
held
impregnable
)
looked
fearfull
at
his
presence
,
and
humbled
it selfe
to
the
force
of
his
Cannons
.
Piedmont
,
doubting
her
taking
,
and
Millaine
suffring
a
neighbour-feare
(
as
being
a
frontier
)
implored
the
Pope
by
perswasion
to
diuert
him
;
at
whose
sollicitation
he
was
content
to
desist
from
further
prosecution
;
and
to
consecrate
to
the
peace
and
good
of
that
part
of
Europe
,
his
iust
anger
&
conquests
,
if
he
had
followed
his
courage
,
his
puissance
,
and
good
fortune
.
To
make
all
perfect
,
hee
espoused
the
Princesse
Maria
de
Medices
,
whome
the
heauens
had
designed
to
be
the
ornament
of
Italy
,
the
glory
of
Florence
,
the
Lustre
of
her
house
,
and
the
hope
of
France
,
with
whome
he
made
his
royall
entrie
into
Paris
,
and
thinking
he
had
now
triumphed
ouer
all
the
enemies
of
the
State
,
he
disposed
himselfe
to
recompence
the
merits
and
vertues
of
those
,
who
had
formerly
wel
serued
him
;
howbeit
the
ingratitude
of
one
whome
he
had
mightily
raised
,
exasperating
his
nature
,
constrained
him
to
deliuer
him
to
the
punishment
of
death
,
whom
no
other
castigation
could
reduce
to
amendment
;
giuing
,
by
this
correction
of
one
;
feare
and
example
to
all
.
His
watchfulnesse
,
stirred
by
this
allarume
;
he
preuented
and
dissipated
the
remainders
of
that
treason
,
iniecting
a
sufficient
terrour
into
the
towne
of
Sedan
,
by
the
onely
clash
of
his
armour
,
who
found
in
their
teares
more
safetie
then
in
their
rampiers
;
and
so
were
assumed
into
his
fauour
.
By
this
excellent
example
he
confirmed
the
good
in
obedience
,
reduced
others
to
duetie
,
and
blotted
out
all
remembrance
of
their
former
enormous
offences
;
preferring
Mercie
before
Iustice
,
and
Clemencie
before
Profit
.
He
reestablisht
by
solemne
Edicts
,
such
as
were
condemned
,
and
banished
by
Arrest
,
and
rased
those
monuments
,
sacred
to
his
memorie
,
because
they
were
erected
to
the
infamie
of
others
.
So
strong
is
he
in
himselfe
,
and
in
the
opinion
of
the
world
,
that
the
conclaue
respects
him
:
England
is
in
perfect
amitie
with
him
,
Almany
and
Italy
honours
him
,
Spaine
feares
him
,
and
Belgia
seekes
him
.
And
now
hee
reioyceth
in
the
labour
of
his
handes
,
and
in
the
tranquility
which
hee
hath
made
with
the
price
of
his
blood
,
and
from
the
twentieth
yeere
of
his
age
purchased
with
his
laborious
and
dangerous
exercises
.
The
lawes
&
Arts
enioy
a
sweet
repose
,
and
large
increase
vnder
his
Empire
,
and
a
free
commerce
is
reestablished
throughout
his
Kingdome
;
he
hath
adorned
his
Cittie
of
Paris
with
many
and
excellent
buildings
,
besides
other
his
particular
workes
of
great
Magnificence
.
He
shewed
his
peacefull
prouidence
in
finances
,
his
iudgement
in
the
choise
of
men
,
&
his
viue-spirit
and
excellent
composition
of
mind
and
body
in
all
suddaine
accidents
;
And
since
he
was
a
King
,
his
greatest
enimies
cannot
iustly
vpbrayd
him
with
the
least
breach
of
contracted
friendship
with
any
of
his
neighbours
.
And
lastly
,
to
summe
vp
this
Man
of
men
,
this
princelike
souldier
,
and
souldier-like
Prince
:
whose
royall
face
is
white
with
Time
,
with
watchings
and
with
experience
,
and
the
Laurels
which
begirt
his
venerable
head
,
&
tooke
their
roote
in
his
Caske
,
haue
beene
gathered
in
the
grounds
of
three
pitched
fields
:
of
35.
encounters
of
armies
;
of
an
hundred
and
forty
combats
,
and
300.
sieges
of
places
;
in
all
which
;
his
person
striued
(
if
it
were
possible
)
to
haue
got
the
start
of
his
courage
:
For
these
causes
hath
the
Christian
world
reason
to
reioice
in
the
contemplation
of
so
able
a
champion
against
the
common
enimie
:
and
the
French
Nation
to
hold
themselues
happy
in
hauing
so
excellent
a
Prince
.
BVt
now
I
must
forsake
this
groue
of
Baies
and
Oliues
(
which
his
Valour
and
Wisdome
had
planted
for
my
Pen
to
walke
in
)
and
addresse
my selfe
to
speake
of
his
Death
;
in
which
the
liues
of
so
many
thousands
were
interessed
.
And
as
He
,
who
being
to
set
his
hand
to
a
Proscription
of
the
Death
of
others
,
wished
he
had
bene
ignorant
of
letters
,
rather
then
to
vse
them
in
such
a
funerall
affaire
:
So
I
protest
before
the
knower
of
all
Hearts
,
that
I
doe
vnfainedly
wish
,
not
onely
that
I
were
ignorant
of
letters
,
but
that
I
had
also
lost
that
hand
,
with
which
I
write
these
lines
,
so
that
hee
were
liuing
;
and
that
I
had
not
true
matter
to
write
of
his
inhumane
and
barbarous
slaughter
,
which
I
will
briefly
touch
in
the
maine
particulars
;
as
being
a
Subiect
in
which
my
spirits
languish
,
before
they
begin
to
enter
,
and
in
which
being
entred
,
I
haue
small
delight
to
continue
long
.
The
King
(
for
explanation
of
his
dearest
affection
to
his
Queene
;
and
for
satisfaction
of
his
owne
minde
)
had
(
before
his
intended
departure
for
this
Warre
)
inuested
Her
with
the
Crowne
and
Title
of
Queene
of
France
and
Nauarre
.
The
morrow
after
which
great
solemnitie
,
hee
appointed
to
goe
to
his
Arsenall
,
to
visite
the
Duke
d'
Suylly
his
Treasurer
,
who
at
that
time
was
in
some
indisposition
of
body
.
And
notwithstanding
(
as
it
is
written
from
good
place
)
that
hee
was
disswaded
from
going
abroad
that
day
by
some
,
as
a
day
markt
out
by
Astrologers
,
to
portend
danger
to
his
Person
:
yet
he
;
a
second
Caesar
as
well
in
the
course
of
his
life
as
of
his
death
,
was
little
swayed
with
their
disswasions
,
but
like
a
King
,
and
a
Christian
replied
,
That
it
was
an
offence
to
God
to
giue
credit
to
these
Prognostiques
;
and
that
hauing
God
to
his
Guard
,
he
feared
no
man
.
That
morning
,
walking
in
the
great
gallerie
at
the
Twilleries
,
hee
had
beene
slaine
by
this
villaine
,
(
who
to
that
purpose
pestered
somewhat
neere
his
Person
)
but
that
by
some
then
about
the
King
,
he
was
thrust
off
,
esteemed
onely
as
some
rude
rascall
.
After
dinner
,
about
foure
of
storie
of
the
new
King
,
by
whosoeuer
else
shall
write
it
:
Only
thus
much
,
the
Queene
was
proclaimed
Regent
;
during
the
Kings
minority
:
the
state
of
France
yet
enioyeth
her
former
Tranquility
,
and
Monsieur
Praslyne
was
dispatched
away
to
the
Armie
to
hold
some
discipline
vntill
the
comming
of
the
Dukes
of
Neuers
;
and
Bullion
.
The
peacefull
Plenty
,
and
Discipline
this
King
had
brought
France
vnto
:
the
great
affaire
of
warr
which
he
had
in
hand
,
the
sumptuous
crowning
of
his
Queene
which
he
had
finished
;
and
to
be
thus
snatched
away
from
these
,
and
in
these
,
by
a
second
Herostratus
;
who
hath
defaced
one
of
the
royallest
buildings
the
earth
bare
:
must
powre
a
myriad
of
the
worlds
curses
,
and
the
vengeance
of
God
in
full
vialls
vpon
the
Actor
and
deuisors
thereof
.
That
the
sacred
person
of
so
great
a
King
;
should
be
vndone
by
the
hands
of
an
vnholy
Villaine
,
and
his
owne
vassaile
:
that
a
Prince
of
the
sword
,
should
be
butchered
with
a
Knife
:
that
He
,
who
had
returned
victoriously
aliue
,
from
the
head
of
so
many
Armies
(
where
Death
keepes
his
open
shambles
)
should
now
be
robbed
of
his
life
,
by
the
hands
of
only
one
,
and
in
the
peacefull
streets
of
Paris
:
which
were
yet
warme
with
the
glory
of
his
Queenes
late
Coronation
:
is
a
villenie
;
that
exceeds
(
if
it
were
possible
)
the
merrit
of
damnation
.
I
demand
euen
of
the
Diuell
himselfe
(
in
whose
office
all
former
villenies
are
enrouled
)
whether
the
praeceding
Ages
haue
begot
so
stupendious
and
wicked
a
deed
:
Nay
I
will
demand
of
his
Astrologie
;
(
wherein
he
is
so
great
a
Master
)
whether
the
succeeding
Times
can
be
malignant
enough
to
produce
such
another
?
Truely
I
confesse
;
that
the
Intention
of
the
Pouder-treason
if
it
had
come
to
Act
:
(
by
which
our
entier
State
had
beene
entirely
ruined
in
an
instant
)
had
exceeded
this
:
(
for
as
yet
,
God
be
praised
the
State
of
France
goeth
on
in
her
former
and
euen
Course
:
)
I
confesse
that
Treason
;
blew
vp
all
other
treasons
,
as
it
would
haue
blowen
vp
all
vs
:
It
was
the
Diuells
Master-peece
;
deuised
by
himselfe
;
exceeding
all
Thought
,
all
Expression
;
all
Example
.
O
How
vnthankefull
then
are
we
to
God
for
that
his
miraculous
preseruation
of
our
King
for
the
States
sake
;
of
our
State
,
for
the
Kings
sake
:
Whose
Constancy
in
Religion
,
and
Iudicious
profoundnesse
in
the
controuersed
points
thereof
;
whose
temperance
in
gouernement
,
and
mercy
euen
to
greatest
Offenders
,
hath
giuen
vs
cause
to
confesse
the
valew
of
so
inestimable
a
King
,
and
with
publique
sacrifice
of
prayers
,
importune
God
for
the
continuance
of
his
safetie
.
How
can
we
heare
of
so
terrible
a
blow
but
on
the
other
side
of
the
wall
,
and
forbeare
to
fixe
our
eyes
and
hearts
on
him
,
that
disposeth
all
things
,
howsoeuer
man
propounds
.
And
whether
the
speech
proceeded
from
some
planetary
obseruation
in
forreine
parts
,
or
from
some
Intelligence
broken
forth
from
out
the
denne
of
these
lurking-assacinates
;
yet
sure
I
am
,
(
and
my
information
is
of
credit
)
that
euen
about
this
very
time
,
the
like
assault
was
said
should
bee
made
vpon
the
Person
of
our
Soueraigne
:
which
diuert
O
God
,
for
thy
Holy
Names
sake
,
who
art
King
of
kings
:
for
Religions
sake
,
he
is
the
nourice
and
protector
of
Religion
:
for
Nature
and
Humanities
sake
,
wee
are
borne
,
and
must
liue
vnder
him
:
preserue
him
O
God
,
as
thy
image
being
a
man
;
as
thy
vicegerent
being
a
King
;
that
as
thou
hast
with
a
miraculous
peace
brought
him
to
these
his
owne
Kingdomes
;
so
thou
wilt
euery
night
,
and
euery
morning
sprinckle
his
diademe
with
the
dew
of
Security
,
Peace
,
and
Plenty
;
that
posteritie
may
compare
his
reigne
,
with
the
reigne
of
Solomon
,
vntill
being
full
of
dayes
,
he
shall
quietly
lay
downe
his
life
and
resigne
his
precious
soule
into
thine
hands
,
and
deliver
his
Empires
into
the
hands
of
those
,
who
by
thy
Lawes
,
and
by
the
Lawes
of
Nature
are
borne
to
inherit
them
.