The Entire Memoirs of Marguerite de Valois | Page 7

Preface with a letter from Marguerite to Brantome;
the first, he says, he received from her during her adversity ('son
adversite' are his words),--being, as he expresses it, so ambitious
('presomptueux') as to have sent to inquire concerning her health, as she
was the daughter and sister of the Kings, his masters. ("D'avoir envoye
scavoir de ses nouvelles, mais quoy elle estoit fille et soeur de mes
roys.")
The letter here follows: "From the attention and regard you have shown
me (which to me appears less strange than it is agreeable), I find you
still preserve that attachment you have ever had to my family, in a
recollection of these poor remains which have escaped its wreck. Such

as I am, you will find me always ready to do you service, since I am so
happy as to discover that my fortune has not been able to blot out my
name from the memory of my oldest friends, of which number you are
one. I have heard that, like me, you have chosen a life of retirement,
which I esteem those happy who can enjoy, as God, out of His great
mercy, has enabled me to do for these last five years; having placed me,
during these times of trouble, in an ark of safety, out of the reach, God
be thanked, of storms. If, in my present situation, I am able to serve my
friends, and you more especially, I shall be found entirely disposed to it,
and with the greatest good-will."
There is such an air of dignified majesty in the foregoing letter, and, at
the same time, such a spirit of genuine piety and resignation, that it
cannot but give an exalted idea of Marguerite's character, who appears
superior to ill-fortune and great even in her distress. If, as I doubt not,
the reader thinks the same, I shall not need to make an apology for
concluding this Preface with it.
The following Latin verses, or call them, if you please, epigram, are of
the composition of Barclay, or Barclaius, author of "Argenis," etc.
ON MARGUERITE DE VALOIS, QUEEN OF NAVARRE.
Dear native land! and you, proud castles! say (Where grandsire,[1]
father,[2] and three brothers[3] lay, Who each, in turn, the crown
imperial wore), Me will you own, your daughter whom you bore? Me,
once your greatest boast and chiefest pride, By Bourbon and
Lorraine,[4] when sought a bride; Now widowed wife,[5] a queen
without a throne, Midst rocks and mountains [6] wander I alone. Nor
yet hath Fortune vented all her spite, But sets one up,[7] who now
enjoys my right, Points to the boy,[8] who henceforth claims the throne
And crown, a son of mine should call his own. But ah, alas! for me 'tis
now too late [9] To strive 'gainst Fortune and contend with Fate; Of
those I slighted, can I beg relief [10] No; let me die the victim of my
grief. And can I then be justly said to live? Dead in estate, do I then yet
survive? Last of the name, I carry to the grave All the remains the
House of Valois have.
1. Francois I. 2. Henri II. 3. Francois II., Charles IX., and Henri III. 4.
Henri, King of Navarre, and Henri, Duc de Guise. 5. Alluding to her
divorce from Henri IV.. 6. The castle of Usson 7. Marie de' Medici,
whom Henri married after his divorce from Marguerite. 8. Louis XIII.,

the son of Henri and his queen, Marie de' Medici. 9. Alluding to the
differences betwixt Marguerite and Henri, her husband. 10.This is said
with allusion to the supposition that she was rather inclined to favour
the suit of the Due de Guise and reject Henri for a husband.

MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.

BOOK 1.
LETTER I.
Introduction.--Anecdotes of Marguerite's Infancy.--Endeavours Used to
Convert Her to the New Religion.--She Is Confirmed in Catholicism.--
The Court on a Progress.--A Grand Festivity Suddenly Interrupted.--
The Confusion in Consequence.
I should commend your work much more were I myself less praised in
it; but I am unwilling to do so, lest my praises should seem rather the
effect of self-love than to be founded on reason and justice. I am fearful
that, like Themistocles, I should appear to admire their eloquence the
most who are most forward to praise me. It is the usual frailty of our
sex to be fond of flattery. I blame this in other women, and should wish
not to be chargeable with it myself. Yet I confess that I take a pride in
being painted by the hand of so able a master, however flattering the
likeness may be. If I ever were possessed of the graces you have
assigned to me, trouble and vexation render them no longer visible, and
have even