your hands, your
fortunes depend upon our throne. If religion is overthrown, the hands
you allow to do it will be laid next upon the throne and then upon you.
I no longer care to fight ideas with weapons that cannot touch them.
Let us see now if Protestantism will make progress when left to itself;
above all, I would like to see with whom and what the spirit of that
faction will wrestle. The admiral, God rest his soul! was not my enemy;
he swore to me to restrain the revolt within spiritual limits, and
to leave the ruling of the kingdom to the monarch, his master, with
submissive subjects. Gentlemen, if the matter be still within your
power, set that example now; help your sovereign to put down a spirit
of rebellion which takes tranquillity from each and all of us. War is
depriving us of revenue; it is ruining the kingdom. I am weary of these
constant troubles; so weary, that if it is absolutely necessary I will
sacrifice my mother. Nay, I will go farther; I will keep an equal number
of Protestants and Catholics about me, and I will hold the axe of
Louis XI. above their heads to force them to be on good terms. If
the Messieurs de Guise plot a Holy Alliance to attack our crown, the
executioner shall begin with their heads. I see the miseries of my
people, and I will make short work of the great lords who care little
for consciences,--let them hold what opinions they like; what I want in
future is submissive subjects, who will work, according to my will, for
the prosperity of the State. Gentlemen, I give you ten days to negotiate
with your friends, to break off your plots, and to return to me who will
be your father. If you refuse you will see great changes. I shall use
the mass of the people, who will rise at my voice against the lords.
I will make myself a king who pacificates his kingdom by striking down
those who are more powerful even than you, and who dare defy him. If
the troops fail me, I have my brother of Spain, on whom I shall call
to defend our menaced thrones, and if I lack a minister to carry out my
will, he can lend me the Duke of Alba."

"But in that case, sire, we should have Germans to oppose to your
Spaniards," said one of his hearers.

"Cousin," replied Charles IX., coldly, "my wife's name is Elizabeth of
Austria; support might fail you on the German side. But, for Heaven's
sake, let us fight, if fight we must, alone, without the help of
foreigners. You are the object of my mother's hatred, and you s