Library of the Worlds Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 6 | Page 5

the bravest and most valiant soldiers of his time. Although he was my
brother, I must praise him, for the record he made in the wars brought
him fame. He was the gentilhomme de France who stood first in the
science and gallantry of arms. He was killed during the last siege of
Hesdin. My brother's parents had destined him for the career of letters,
and accordingly sent him at the age of eighteen to study in Italy, where
he settled in Ferrara because of Madame Renée de France, Duchess of
Ferrara, who ardently loved my mother. He enjoyed life at her court,
and soon fell deeply in love with a young French
widow,--Mademoiselle de La Roche,--who was in the suite of Madame
de Ferrara.
They remained there in the service of love, until my father, seeing that
his son was not following literature, ordered him home. She, who loved
him, begged him to take her with him to France and to the court of
Marguerite of Navarre, whom she had served, and who had given her to
Madame Renée when she went to Italy upon her marriage. My brother,
who was young, was greatly charmed to have her companionship, and
conducted her to Pau. The Queen was glad to welcome her, for the
young widow was handsome and accomplished, and indeed considered
superior in esprit to the other ladies of the court.
After remaining a few days with my mother and grandmother, who
were there, my brother visited his father. In a short time he declared
that he was disgusted with letters, and joined the army, serving in the
wars of Piedmont and Parma, where he acquired much honor in the
space of five or six months; during which time he did not revisit his
home. At the end of this period he went to see his mother at Pau. He
made his reverence to the Queen of Navarre as she returned from
vespers; and she, who was the best princess in the world, received him
cordially, and taking his hand, led him about the church for an hour or
two. She demanded news regarding the wars of Piedmont and Italy, and
many other particulars, to which my brother replied so well that she
was greatly pleased with him. He was a very handsome young man of

twenty-four years. After talking gravely and engaging him in earnest
conversation, walking up and down the church, she directed her steps
toward the tomb of Mademoiselle de La Roche, who had been dead for
three months. She stopped here, and again took his hand, saying, "My
cousin" (thus addressing him because a daughter of D'Albret was
married into our family of Bourdeille; but of this I do not boast, for it
has not helped me particularly), "do you not feel something move
below your feet?"
"No, Madame," he replied.
"But reflect again, my cousin," she insisted.
My brother answered, "Madame, I feel nothing move. I stand upon a
solid stone."
"Then I will explain," said the Queen, "without keeping you longer in
suspense, that you stand upon the tomb and over the body of your poor
dearly-loved Mademoiselle de La Roche, who is interred here; and that
our friends may have sentiment for us at our death, render a pious
homage here. You cannot doubt that the gentle creature, dying so
recently, must have been affected when you approached. In
remembrance I beg you to say a paternoster and an Ave Maria and a de
profundis, and sprinkle holy water. Thus you will win the name of a
very faithful lover and a good Christian."
* * * * *
M. LE CONSTABLE ANNE DE MONTMORENCY
From 'Lives of Distinguished Men and Great Captains'
He never failed to say and keep up his paternosters every morning,
whether he remained in the house, or mounted his horse and went out
to the field to join the army. It was a common saying among the
soldiers that one must "beware the paternosters of the Constable." For
as disorders were very frequent, he would say, while mumbling and
muttering his paternosters all the time, "Go and fetch that fellow and

hang me him up to this tree;" "Out with a file of harquebusiers here
before me this instant, for the execution of this man!" "Burn me this
village instantly!" "Cut me to pieces at once all these villain peasants,
who have dared to hold this church against the king!" All this without
ever ceasing from his paternosters till he had finished them--thinking
that he would have done very wrong to put them off to another time; so
conscientious was he!
* * * * *
TWO FAMOUS ENTERTAINMENTS
From 'Lives of Courtly Women'
I have read in a Spanish book called 'El Viaje del Principe' (The
Voyage