MY Lord , Sith I am borne your subiect , and that nature and reason doe binde me to serue and obey you : also that next vnto the seruice of God , I am to frame and direct whatsoeuer my actions and thoughts to the preseruation of your estate , the greatnesse and prosperitie thereof , and the peace and benefite of all that are likewise borne vnder your obedience : I can not in this late entrie into the warre which your highnesse do begin , but bring for my part such seruice and abilitie as I may , as well to auoide idlenesse whilest other are busied , as to shew some proofe of my fidelitie , and to beare witnesse of those benefites and commodities which all your subiects , as also my selfe , haue hitherto receiued and made triall of vnder your gouernement . Some one will bring in his weapons and valiancie : some other wil contribute his coine and commodities : some other his arte and industrie : and all generally , whatsoeuer may aduaunce and set forward your enterprise . But I , contrarie to the rest , doe come with a most humble admonition , conteining the most apparant reasons which on a sudden I could imagine , to withstande and contrarie them , so farre as in me lieth , and peraduenture as a new Cassandra , in fewe wordes to set before you , the importance and weight of that matter wherein you nowe shippe your selfe : as being steadfastly perswaded , that by diswading you , I shall doe more then all your captaines and armie , whether for your highnesse particularly , either for the benefite and quiet of your poore subiects , who stand amazed at the motion , mistrust the continuance , but especially doe doubt and feare some great mishappe and calamitie in the ende : and indeed I might well thinke my selfe periured and a traitour to that seruice which I owe to your highnesse , in case I shoulde not also contribute , and purposing to doe well , I should not , at the least , stay the mischiefe and annoiance , to my power . Your highnesse , whether of your owne motion to extende your limittes , and by the right of good scituation and commoditie to appropriate vnto your selfe sundrie countries , holdes and townes , so to purchase reputation , and after the example of your predecessours to atchieue notable and immortall memorie : either else by the perswasion and inducement of others , haue seised and gotten possession of Rauell , Carmagnolle , and generally the whole Marquisate of Saluces : also of Brianson and some other fortresses in Daulphine : and now with the like full winde , doe thither leade a great and mightie armie , in hope to multiplie your conquests and annexe this prouince of Daulphine ( which for the greatnesse and importance thereof haue long since beene dedicated to the eldest sonne of the house of France ) to your territories of Piedmont and Sauoy . You finde all things requisite for the intertainment of this armie , as you woulde wish : the hearts of your souldiers & men of warre well disposed : your treasurie and storehouses well furnished : France so diuided , turmoiled and fleshed in and against it selfe , that in your owne iudgement , you haue no cause to feare , and , which is more , sundrie of the greatest and most mightie with weapon in hand doe call and fauor you : assurance also of all helpe & succor from the Catholike maiestie & our holy father , whose authoritie , power , weapons & means , are terrible to the whole worlde : with great apparance and coniectures you foresee a dissipation and partition of the state and crowne of France , and that euerie man will carrie away his morsell : and you presuppose that you haue as good right as the rest , as beeing sonne and husband to Princesses of the blood of Fraunce and house of Valois : finally mooued and led by a holy and religious intent , you purpose to preuent the ruine and subuersion of the holie , Catholike & Apostolike Religion in this prouince , which is halfe banished and cannot long subsist without speedie remedie . Thus doe you find your purpose to bee both honest and easie : The successe hitherto doeth also put you in great hope of as happie an ende : and that at the least by the lawe of shipwracke and waste , so much as maie lie nearest your coast must belong to you . These indeede are great and mightie motions , sufficient to encourage the most fearefull , to stirre vp the least ambicious and to moue euen the slowest and most duetifull : sithe such facilitie is found to concurre with honour and commoditie : as also it is the cause of worldly matters and the naturall order of generation that springeth of corruption : and in such cases especially the taking holde of fitte occasion is it that woorketh the fairest and most permanent effectes . Yea , I will graunt that the Gangrene hauing seised vpon the middest of this great bodie ( as it hath ) the members and outwarde partes maie well bee cut off for the preseruation of the rest : But yet , if your Highnesse will consider and weigh such reasons , difficulties , and empeachments as are therein , I am assured you shall finde them to bee of farre greater importaunce then all that haue yet beene propounded .

First , it is but too certaine that all changes from a long peace into a sudden and great warre are most dangerous , the rather because the peaceable person is lesse trained to warre ▪ lesse accustomed to suffer and beare , and lesse fit to endure anie tedious enterprise : and this if it be true in states that are in strength and power equall , which through a certaine mutuall feare doe mainteine and vpholde themselues , much rather then among vnequall Lordshippes , of whome the lesser most looke to keepe and maintaine themselues , rather then to enterprise against or assaile the greater . This is the verie lawe of nature imprinted euen in all creatures , among whom the small doe yeeld to the great , and are to account it a fauour and courtesie that they bee not bruised and euen swalowed vp . Nowe therefore what proportion is there betweene your highnesse power and the power of Fraunce : which is twentie or thirtie times greater then all that you possesse : peopled and abounding accordingly : trayned and exercised in warres these thirtie yeares continuallie ? Haue not wee ( without seeking anie further ) an example , euen of late , of the losse of all the landes that you possesse , as well on this side , as beyonde the Alpes : also of the extremitie whereto your late father of happie memorie was for a long time brought , onely in hauing too mightie an enemie of the Frenchman ? Doe not the sounde of the warres of Piemont , which the passage of the power and troopes through this countrie still ring in our eares ? Is there any thing more easie or commodious for the French man , then to bound and limit the confines of his realme euen with the Alpes : & as it were by the way to tame end subdue vs ? If therefore the example of your parents ruine & ouerthrow should restraine you , much more the quiet enioying of his estate after hee hath recouered it , wherein himselfe inuiolably remained , ought to instruct and diuert you from so rash an enterprise . He had purchased ( and that iustly ) the fame to be one of the wisest and most staied princes of Europe , but especially for that among so manie his neighbours troubles & warres , he had abstained from warre and kept his countries in peace : and yet had great experience in warlike affaires : wanted no intelligences , or partakers in France , and saw it in as great diuisions and flame of warres , as nowe it is in : and as for wealth hee hath left you so much as maie suffice to furnish the entertainment of a verie great armie : as wiselie foreseeing the incertaine ende of warres , which for the most part are sweete at the beginning , but difficult in the prosecution , and most bitter and hurtfull in the ende . Yea , and the same aduice and counsaile did he giue the French king nowe raigning , when at his returne out of Polelande hee passed through his Countrie : and for want of following it , his affaires haue had so badde successe . This is and ought to bee vnto you a patterne and rule of conduct for your estate , which by this meanes hee hath assured and left vnto you , flourishing and full of all wealth and commoditie : his instructions and domestical precepts , proceeding of so great and tried a iudgement , ought with you to preuaile aboue all other either gracious or flattering counsailes . Yea , hee neuer attempted any thing against the Switzers , who in power are nothing equall with Fraunce , but contrariwise , choose rather to leaue and abandon vnto them part of the lands that they had vsurped vpon him , then to attempt the euents of warre against that so warlike a nation . Haue not our selues , and that of late yeeres , seene what happened to the king and kingdome of Portugall , which had so long flourished in a happie peace , and euen in a moment is perished and extinct through rash enterprising to assaile a mightier then him selfe vpon a vaine shew and hope , which neuerthelesse seemed to be very well grounded , yea euen vpon pietie and religion .

All histories are ●ull of like examples , neither neede I any further to delate the reasons : for in the end , if the lesser will warre vpon the greater , he must doe it onely by practises and drifts , by corruption and rewardes , and by a politike discretion which the wisest did alwaies practise : that is , still to nourish the warres and diuisions , if there be any : and still to feede the fire , not to quench it , that they may haue neither leasure nor power to thinke vpon any other then them selues and for them selues . The Catholike Maiestie hath aboue all thinges very well obserued and practised this remedie , yea and that so happely , that France , which heretofore vpon lesse occasion and pretence would haue inuaded and set foote in his lands , hath now refused them when they were offered : as finding it selfe brought to that passe , that it was time to imploy all endeuours to quench the fire of ciuil warres which were kindled euerie where . True it is that England , which is as mightie in respect of Spaine , as you in respect of France , hath in part returned it to him , and for these twentie yeares & more , haue very cunningly entertained and nourished the warres in the low countries , and therby hath warranted it selfe from a threatned inuasion and ruine . What els then doe you in departing from these domesticall and fresh examples , other then the contrarie ? You weake , doe assaile one strong : you in peace and assured in your State , do hazard it to the perill of an vncertaine warre : you that hold your estate of France , stand greatly bound vnto her , and of late of meere courtesie haue receiued Sauiglian and Pignerothes , through so great an offence as is the assailing and seising vpon her townes and territories , doe incurre so notable a blemish of ingratitude , which can not be cloaked vnder whatsoeuer pretence : If iniuries and offences be aggrauated and accounted of according to the vnworthinesse of the offender , together with the qualitie and quantitie of the offence . If wrong done to an afflicted person , be accounted greater then that which is done to one in prosperitie : If the misdemeanors of parents towards parents , of friendes towards friends , of seruants towards their maisters , of children towards their parents , and of subiectes towarde their Lords , haue euermore beene accounted execrable , & they punished as paricides . With what reason or colour may your enterprise be manteined , sith you can not alledge any necessitie , or offence before giuen ? But contrariewise that you leauy warre against him that had gotten all your countrie , and hath giuen it you againe : that hath bound you by oth , and hath kept it with you : whose vassall through some of your Lordships you are , and vnto whom , as vnto the mightiest , without comparison , you owe all duetie and feare . There is ( said a certaine auncient ) no warre iust , but that which is necessarie : but you seeke this of a iolitie , and that not without some spot of impietie and ingratitude , whether against God , who is the God of hostes , sith against your own conscience and religion , you assault a most Catholike king : whether against your honor and commoditie : either els against the peace and calamitie of your poore subiects , who can not expect any other then the miserable ruin and losse of all their goodes : for ( to bee briefe ) doe you thinke , that a king of France will put vp such an iniurie , at a Duke of Sauoyes hand ? Either if he would , that so many princes of his bloud , so many great Lords and officers of his crowne : so many braue and couragious Captaines : so warlike nobilitie : so many townes and so much people , in whose harts and affections the Floure de Luce hath taken roote so many worlds agoe , wil brooke such an inuasion , and will not speedely be reuenged , and with a miserable spoile , force and confine you into your Piedmont , and so we in these partes remaine a pray to the conquerors ? What profit shall you then reape of all your conquests , except according to the prouerbe , in fishing for some small fish , to lose a golden hooke of farre greater value . What may you els haue done but quenched that fire which you should haue kindled , vnited those whom you shoulde haue set at debate , strengthened the members of a most mightie bodie , in the weakening whereof it had beene your profit to haue imploied all your industrie : In summe , ceased their warres and diuisions , the continuation whereof is your good and preseruation . It is too common a prouerbe , yet to some purpose : That dogges do often fight together , yet so soone as they spye the woolfe , they leaue their brawles , and together runne against the common enimie : so likewise brethren and kinsmen otherwise at strife and deuided , vpon the touching of the honour of their familie and house , laying aside all rancor and enimitie , or at the least , deferring it , doe defende them selues , in and against all : and naturall affection surmounteth that which is but accidentall : the generall interest reclaimeth and forceth them to forget the particular . Against you , the consideration of your smalnesse , and the greatnesse of the iniurie , being done in so wofull a time , which alwaies will be imputed to a bragge , insolencie , and rashnesse , will the more prouoke all France , and breede in them a speedie vnion and league : and the wisest will be very glad of such an occasion to ende their diuisions and partialities , as , surely there is no better way or certainer remedie against ciuill warres , then to set vppon the enemies subiects . We read that the Romanes being on a time at iarre , the enemie came into the towne and tooke the Capitoll , but they suddenly agreed to driue him away : The like did they against the Veients , and the princes & people of Thuscane , who during their ciuill warres had assailed them , and in lieu of getting anie thing from them , remained vanquished & brought into subiection . The like did the Spanish nations when they so farre reuolted against the Emperour Charles the fift , as to force the D. of Calaber to take the crowne : for beeing in armes one against another , king Frances the first sent an armie and recouered the realme of Nauarre and Fontarabie : but the Spanish troubles being suddenly appeased , with one common consent thy fell vpon the French , and driue them out of all the land that they had conquered , and neuer after thought vpon their factions and reuolts : and we see ordinarilie that in townes and communalties the enuies , enmities and ielousies of particular persons are trode vnder foote so soone as the enemie doeth appeare , and all , euen they which before would haue slaine each other , doe with one mind run to defend the breach .

Let vs not then deceiue our selues in too much flattering and reioycing in our forces and commodities , neither let vs perswade our selues that the Frenchmens diuisions are so rooted and grauen in them , that they cannot be soone taken away and appeased . The long continuance of their mischiefes , the extremities of the peoples miseries , the experience of that which is past , the small effect of their ciuill warres these 25 , or 30. yeres , and especially these last troubles , longer and more pernitious than the rest , which doe as it were vndermine the verie foundations of this Monarchie and estate , together with the obiect of an enemie , will prouoke them to vnitie & agreement . It is well knowen that in the estates now assembled , most of the prouinces do require peace , that there be a great number of Catholike Lords that doe bewaile the miseries of the estate , and with great impaciencie doe beare these ambitious commotions and proud innouations .

Would you thinke that men do iudge it to be the Catholike Maiestie , vnder whose aduow , and with whose helpe you enterprise this warre , and that without such assurance you would not meddle . The Spaniard then , the hereditarie enemie of France , is he that assaileth it : hee it is that seeketh to swallow vp the whole world vnder his Empire , & to become the sole and only Monarch thereof : he it is whose mortal hatred is naturally grauen in euery true French hart , whose dominion is accounted cruell and intollerable , against whome the inhabitants of the low countries are reuolted , choosing rather to venture vpon so manie extremities , then againe to fall vnder his dominion : and now to this Spanish Cornet shal not the French eares bee open , their haires stand vpright , their hands be armed , neither the hearts of so manie princes , Lords , gentlemen , and others , both warlike and couragious , be puffed vp with a desire of reuenge , and the iust defence of their fellow citizens ? or will they incurre so great a blemish of infamie and cowardlinesse , as to suffer themselues to bee wronged and prouoked by so weake and impatient an enemie as you ? To be briefe and without dissimulation , would the Catholike Maiestie forsake and abandon the recouerie of his countries to the end to denounce a new war vnto France ? Hee who with all his power and strength hath not beene able in twentie yeares to reduce two small prouinces , Holland and Zealand into his obedience , and of late hath incurred so great and notable a losse of noble Spanish Lords , captaines , and vessels , yea euen of his reputation in that great ouerthrow and dissipation of his nauie , in the preparation wherof he had employed all his power for the conquest of England , will nowe enterprise against France which hath so oft withstood him , and whose armies to his losse hee hath so often felt and tried ? Againe , who is ignorant of the great practises and intelligences of the king of Portugall , whose estate hath forciblie and by violence beene deteined by the Spaniard , who hath farre more interest in the preseruation of his conquests , and greater cause to preuent the losse and reuolts thereof , then to dreame else where ? This consideration therefore must not amaze them , but they may be assured that hee will still employ his forces and meanes vppon his first purposes , which are more necessarie and honourable for him , besides that , it is well knowen that ordinarilie hee is crazed , and as it were in a manner at his ende : which if it should happen , his estates coulde not eschew great dissention , sedition and reuoltes , the sparkes whereof doe alreadie appeare in Spaine and else where , and then will it peraduenture bee too late for you to repent your ouer rash counsels .

But admit you were assured of his succour and helpe , yet doe you not both see and heare the clashing of your neighbours the Switzers armes , who feare nothing so much as your prosperitie , and alone are sufficient to withstande you : who alreadie beginne to stirre : who doe inuite and counsaile the French to whom they are bound and confederate , to withstand your purposes , and to force you to restore and yeeld vp that which you haue vsurped : you haue of late yeeres prouoked them , and yet through their discretion and vsuall forbearance , they haue bene desirous by treaties and capitulations to bring you to peace , and to withdraw your forces , rather then to enter into a daungerous warre : they know your meanes and pretences , also that to this day they detaine the Bailiwikes from you : and that your prosperitie or power is their ruine and hinderance : and therefore you maie be sure , that for their honour and reputation , whereof they are wonderfull iealous , together with their duetie to France , they wil withstand your purposes , & being wel vnited together , will part among them this miserable countrie , wherin your self haue no want of such subiects , both great & smal , as bearing you but holow harts , would gladly shake of the yoke of your obedience , so to obteine liberty , & to free themselues from such taxes and impositions you as haue laid vpon them . True it is that the Switzers are at iarre among them selues , also that you may haue many partakers , but the protestant Cantons are still the strongest , and will speedely lend all aide and succours to the Huguenotes of Daulphine their neighbours , with whom they haue of long time had ordinarie familiaritie .

In the meane time , we shall see whether the tongues and pennes of the wiser sorte at Geneua , whose interest herein is greatest , will be quiet : yea and in France , where there is aboundance of braue and good wits , whether they will not both in wordes and writing stirre vp euery true French hart against you and your ingratitudes , which they will exagerate , so that if heretofore thousands of Lordes and gentlemen tooke vpon them the crosse for the conquering of such farre countries from the Sarazens , will they now suffer you to inuade their owne realme ? Either will not this house of Bourbon , which after the kings discease that now raigneth , is called to the crowne : which also euermore haue brought forth such warlike and valiant princes , take hart and aduice how to maintaine and preserue that which iustly is their due ? To be briefe , shall this noble bloud of France be as it were blemished and tainted with such cowardlinesse and want of courage , as to suffer that Prouince of France which hath the particular prerogatiue and priuiledge still to bee dedicated to the eldest sonne of the crowne and nearest heire thereof , be lost and vsurped by a straunger ? will they not in such a case be touched with ielousie , and particularly with iust sorrow , which may prouoke and moue them to preserue their owne , sith at this day the crowne returneth to them : I speake generally , leauing all questions of law , and election of persons , and cleaue onely to the Salicque fondamentall law , inuiolably obserued by the French , who aboue all nations haue euermore beene highly commended and renowned for their most faithfull obedience & loue to their kinges and the princes of their bloud .

Together with the Switzers , the State of Venice , and the Duke of Mantua , who aboue all other doe feare the mightinesse of the Spaniard and you , and are most desirous of the reestablishment and preseruation of the State of France , will not faile to admonish the French king of the consequence and importance of your enterprises , and , if need be , to contribute and enter confederacie for the hindering and breaking of them off .

Thus of all your pretences and apparent inductions there remaineth no more but your intelligences and partakers , which you may haue in France , togither with the Catholike Apostolike , and Romish Religion , to the vpholding whereof , you take all faithfull Princes and Christians to be called and bound : How then ? Who is more inclined , more bent , or more earnestly giuen thereto , then the French king nowe reigning , who vnder the reigne of his brother Charles , emploied all his youth therein , and hath tried all wayes & forces , secretly and openly , and all clemencie , for the rooting out of the contrarie religion , and euen now for the same end holdeth his estates ? who also is so desirous to compasse it , that hee hath forgotten all particular friendship and hatred , and is purposed and resolued vpon no other thing , to the end afterward most happilie to end his dayes . This notwithstanding , hee is still king , hee is endued with great gifts of the minde , and zealous of his honour : and as all other men , hee is capable of iust sorow when hee is prouoked and offended : will he then suffer his memorie to bee taxed in all posteritie and spotted with such ignominie , as to suffer the Duke of Sauoy to bereaue him of the Marquisate of Saluces , and therein to rauish and take from him all tokens , reliques and monuments of the kings his predecessours conquests in the realme of Naples and prouince of Italie ? To seise vpon Carmagnolles the Arsenoll of France ? Now euen during his life to take an othe of fidelitie of his subiects , and to cause himselfe to be acknowledged as Lorde , dispatching all things in his owne name ? And afterwarde by force of armes to enter his Realme , and to put garrison into his townes .

In those extremities which vndoubtedly doe oppresse him , he will hasten against him that dismembreth , his estate , and as alreadie he hath sundrie times experimented , he will grant peace to his subiects , rather then in his dayes see his garments rent in sunder . So in the time of king Charles , in the yeare 1562. the troubles ceased almost as soone as the English set foote in France , and had gotten New hauen : and his subiects agreed together to fall vpon the common enemie . True it is , that his princes , nobilitie , townes & communalties are now at greater diuision , and more fleshed each against other then they were then : that now there is more in their power and possession which helpe you , and togither with you do purpose the sharing of this realme . That these Lords your partakers are as it were masters of the state , and haue the strength and Metropolitane towne of the realme in their hands : That it is vnpossible to reunite the harts that are thus alienated , and to regenerate and reduce into the hearts of the princes of the blood & mightie Catholike Lords , princes , gentlemen and subiects of the contrarie part , which are many , a confidence and loue of their king , and therefore the fire which still shall , be kindled in the heart of the realme , wil greatly let them from being able to succour the outwarde bounds . But what ? The king , who by force & at the inducement of his Lords , once made an edict of reunion with them , whereby they be bound to abandon all leagues and associations either within or without the realme , being ( as he is ) dulie aduertised of your intelligences with them , of the portion that they graunt you of Prouince and D'aulphine , so as you also bind your selfe to expell those of the contrarie religion , and afterwarde to helpe them with your power and meanes , to make them likewise masters of their parts & portions . The king , I say , who besides infinite others hath receiued two iniuries and displeasures : this , the most shamefullest that euer Prince receyued : namely , to bee expelled out of his seate , the Parliament and principall towne of his realme , and afterwarde to be so farre iniuried as to be driuen to thrust from about him his most auncient and most faithfull seruaunts and officers of the Crowne , to the ende him selfe to bee serued and possessed by them , not that hee chose but that were prescribed and presented vnto him : shall hee not both iustlie and honestlie goe from anie othe or woorde that hee maie haue promised vnto them without breach of fayth and promise ? Shall not the Princes of the blood , the officers of the Crowne , the Parliaments , Nobilitie and Townes , the moste whereof doe see and knowe the euident inconueniences and domages of the continuation of the warres , admonish him to stay no longer in this so straunge bondage , but to ridde and free himselfe from this tyrannie of these maisters of the Palace : to whose passions and ambitions hee is vtterly subiect . To be briefe , shall not the States , which represent the soundest part of the Realme , and are assembled togither to preuent the calamities and ruines which threaten it , seeing so great a mischiefe to happen during their assemblie , conclude vppon a mutuall confederacie agaynst the authours thereof and all forreine enemies ? Either shall not the king togither with them call to minde their originall aduauncement , and progression , togither with the bondes wherein they are bound to Fraunce , which in the meane time they nowe rent in sunder and dismember ? These children be they not worse then their fathers , who with the like tyrannous ambition possessed and brideled king Frances the second , & vnder his name and authoritie , did enterprise to put to death the chiefe princes of the blood of France , and fathers to the princes now liuing , albeit neither acknowledged , neither mainteined in their degrees and dignities vnto them due ? Be not these they who through their sleights , haue alwayes mainteyned the warres of France , & had intelligence with the king of Spain , the sworne enemie of France , and of late receyued his coine , sought to deliuer Marseilles & diuers places into his hands : solicited the Prince of Parma with his Spanish power to enter into Fraunce , and to make warre vppon their king , that hath so raysed and exalted them , that nowe they goe about to abase himselfe , whome they haue forced contrarie to all lawe both of God and man , and contrarie to all order in Fraunce , to name a successour : at this day doe forciblie detaine diuerse great Townes and Castels , yea euen the principall Citie of the Realme , and vse all those reasons whereof your discouerie shall furnish a verie large campe ? Shall not the king and princes awake out of their slumber and sleepe , to the ende to see and iudge what is prepared for them ? I can not denie but there bee paricides in Realmes and Empires : also that the wofull and heauie destinie doe seeme to thrust and hale Fraunce to her ende : Neuerthelesse , were they no more but the king of Nauarres faction that withstoode you in Daulphine or else where , I say and aduowe that they are more then enowe to thrust you backe into Piedmont , and to make you returne with shame and losse . These thirtie yeares well neare haue the French kings employed all their power and strength , which were without comparison greater then at this day , and better vnited , against them : yet see we them still shoote vp againe and encrease more then euer , namely since the last commotions in France , they haue taken more towns , woonne more battels , fortified more holdes , and more strengthened their partie then before : you are therefore to consider particularly against which part of them you bende your selfe : viz. to those that are strong in townes , & multitude of warlike gentrie , if there be anie throughout the world , yea , and furnished with captaines of more experience : that is , those that tooke Montlimart , Ambrune , Die , Cap , and sundrie other : that defeated the armie of the Lord of Vins , and another at Montlimar , that inhabite a countrie by nature strong , of accesse difficult , for ambushes and stratagemes , wherin they are most excellent , verie conuenient : and that at need shall be succoured by their neighbors of Languedoc . Repose not therefore so much trust in the promises and power of your partakers , who with a good wil , wil helpe themselues with your means , men , and money , to establish their power and authoritie , whose behauiours doe alreadie make them odious and misliked of the most part of France , which sigheth and groneth vnder the calamities that are sprung out of their ambition . The king now reigning is no elder then they , whose speedie ende wee are neither to feare , neither to hope for : if it should happen also , that all good French Catholikes should feare to fal into the obedience of a prince of contrarie religion , yet the continuance of the calamities and mischiefs that vndermine them : the long proofe and tedious experience of the inabilitie of force and violence to force the minds to beleeue other then they would : the examples of the Germains and Switzers , which notwithstanding the pluralitie of religions doe liue peaceably inough : and the assurance that they haue of the clemencie and mildnesse of the king of Nauarre , who is he that chalengeth to be presumptiue heire and eldest of the crowne , will still draw them to acknowledge him , and to yeeld vnto him the duties of faithfull and obedient subiects , rather then to stoupe to the dominion of these new and forraine princes . They know the king of Nauarre to be gentle and mercifull , naturally not to be ambitious or a tyrant : they are not ignorant how often he hath desired and requested to be instructed by a free counsell : that hee is a prince of his faith and word , and that by force and constraint hee was driuen and compelled to take weapon , which he now hath in hande , whose equitie hath appeared in the happie successe that God hath giuen him against the armies of the Duke of Maine , the Marshall of Biron , and the Duke of Ioieuse , who thought to haue deuoured and swallowed him vp , yet hath he still had the victorie . If then with these vertues and perfections farre different from the cruelties and tragicall passions of his enemies , he get the crowne , what are you to hope or feare of so warlike a Prince ? So sore bent against the Catholike Maiestie , which detaineth his kingdome , and so well beloued among your neighbors the Switzers ? Consider therefore earnestly that the shortest follies are the best : that then your partakers shall be but small warrant vnto you , sith they no whit subsist of their owne forces , but of other mens onely , and that with so extreeme violence as it cannot continue : for in the ende what foundation haue they of their power , other then of a broken reede : of the mutable minds of inconstant people , which forsake him whom before they fauoured so soone as they see his good hap abandon him , yea , and that doe not onely forsake him , but for the most part driue away , punish , or most shamefully murther him . Such there haue bin both in Athens and Rome , and being this day exalted to the heauens , haue bene to morow banished and cast down headlong . And alredie it is verie likely that the Parisians wil shortly shake off that yoke which a while they thought so sweete , because they see themselues depriued of the presence of their king , which bred their great commoditie and profite , vpon the ceasing whereof will also cease their amitie and good will that they bare to the procurers of the ceassing of their profit and traficke . The same people ( and iustly ) doe feare the indignation of their king whom they haue offended , and who is iustly wroth against them : as also they may iudge that hee dissembleth his wrath for a season , and that for this present he is content with this punishment , viz. That he will not come at Paris . Euen this onely reason alreadie breedeth a repentance in the Parisians hearts , and a hatred of the authours , who haue offended and prouoked against themselues a number of the principall , the richest , & the best alied inhabitants . How will it be when the king shall so manifestly reueale his hatred , that hee shall take from them part of the extent of their Parliament ( as is alreadie forecast ) of the chamber of accounts of aides and other iurisdictions which are the cause that Paris is maintained in such resort & greatnesse ? How wil it be when openly he shall bend himselfe against them , and take from them ( as he may ) so manie priueledges which by the kings his predecessors haue beene graunted them , and by himselfe confirmed ? How will it be , when they shall peraduenture see themselues brought into like estate , as at this day are Gaunt , Lisbourne , Diieon , and manie other townes heretofore most flourishing ? Shall they not then remember that it is because of their rebellions ? Shall they not call to minde that the authours of the miseries of France , are also the authours of the miseries of Paris , and of all the countrie round about which is vtterly vndone , ruinated and wasted alreadie ? Alreadie they taste and know that the ciuill warres haue debarred them of halfe their traficke , haunt and concourse of people , and most of them doe curse the authours . Other townes by them detained , which also doe proue the like miseries , yea , and farre greater , which are subdued by Citadels and great garrisons , will after the example of Paris , seeke after alteration of gouernours & their former libertie .

If at this day the king shew them anie fauour , yet is it a question whether it be but in appearance , or in truth , considering what offences and iniuries they haue wrought him ▪ so that , albeit for a while he dissemble , yet he will find a time when to punish them , euen so soone as he shall see time and oportunitie : and then shall you be destitute of all such support as you hoped of , for the defence of your wrongfull enterprise : But admit they obtaine that fauour in deede and without dissimulation , yet can you bee assured that it will continue ? Men are in all things variable , and especiallie in amities , and among men , the greatest are so when they perceiue that his greatnesse whom they fauour may be hurtfull and preiudiciall to their owne estate : for there is nothing so subiect to iealousie as dominion : For that doe men forsake all diuinitie and humanitie : and gouernement can brooke no companion .

Againe , the manifest diuision among them ought to stay , yea vtterlie to breake off your enterprise , sith it is but ouer likely that their particular quarels will sufficientlie debarre them from helping of others : further that within these three yeares they haue vsed and layde all their endeuours , and haue sought , yet could not attaine to inuade the Duke of Bouillons souereigne territories , whereof they bee at this day in extreeme anguish . Their behauiour doe sufficientlie shew it . Hardly could they finde one generall to vndertake the conduct of their armie into Poytou : They are extremelie indebted , vrged and tormented by their creditors : They owe more then they are woorth , and that is the cause that they hazard , not their owne , but France : They haue procured the king of Nauarre to be moued to accorde , which if they could obteine , they would thinke themselues reasonablie safe : and when their enterprises shall bee ( as it is verie likelie ) brought to nought , themselues shall withall fall euen groueling to the ground . Here you see the pillars and bulwarkes of your enterprise . Contrariwise , the king of Nauarre is grounded vpon a match made long since of great patrimoniall goods : of the lawe of France , which calleth him before all others to the crowne , and especially of an incredible loue of his subiects , and all other his followers , which is the fairest and mightiest fortresse that princes may haue , and which maketh their memorie most famous and happie with the posteritie : He is , I say , like vnto a second Traian euen among the Catholikes , beloued , no lesse for his goodnesse and clemencie , then for his valiancie .

Thus in my opinion I haue sufficiently answered concerning the pretence of Religion which they might make you take hold of , which also beareth more semblance then truth , how much wiselier haue your late father and your selfe dealt in forbearing forciblie , and by constraint to reclaime your poore inhabitants of the valley of Angrongne and other their neighbours , who neuerthelesse are but one handfull of people in respect of these of Daulphine whome you doe assaile . Content your selfe therefore with the same estate wherin hitherto your selfe , and before you your late father found ease . For vnder what colour would you at this day , in a forreine land , fight against a Religion which these thirtie yeares haue beene tollerated in your owne Countries . Rather bee you a beholder of the storme that beateth and tormenteth the sea of France : expect the issue of that tragedie : either , if you bee so desirous to purchase reputation , conuert your meanes and forces towarde your father in lawe the king of Spaine , for the recouerie of the low Countries : and , resembling the phisition , which comming to the ende of the sickenesse , is vsually the happiest , and carieth away the credite of the cure , sith the Duke of Alua , the great commaunder , and the prince of Parma could not yet atchieue the victorie , get you the honour of finishing it : so doing you shall trauaile in a better title , and your weapons shall bee more honourablie and better employed , besides that you shall not incurre the vice and reputation of ingratitude to your benefactors : you shall warrant your poore subiects from the affliction and oppression that warres doe vsuallie bring . And if zeale of Religion doth lead and so mightilie mooue you , you may there fight against contrarie Religions which haue beene long there , and are in diuerse points different from yours . There shall you find the English , against whom the Catholike Maiestie is at open warre , who durst fauor and vndertake the protection of the Hollanders and Zealanders , who first offering themselues to the French king ( who was more religious and carefull in keeping his league and peace with Spaine ) were refused . For my part I will pray vnto the Creator for the prosperitie and encrease of your highnesse , as