o for the exploit was subsequently rewarded with the hand of a
natural daughter of the Cardinal of Lorraine. Cosseins, Attin, Sarlaboux,
and others, were behind him. "Is not this the admiral?" said Besme of the
wounded man, whom he found quietly seated and awaiting his coming. "I am
he," Coligny calmly replied. "Young man, thou oughtest to have respect for
my old age and my feebleness; but thou shalt not, nevertheless, shorten my
life."[987] There were those who asserted that he added: "At least, would
that some man, and not this blackguard, put me to death." But most of the
murderers--and among them Attin, who confessed that never had he seen any
one more assured in the presence of death--affirmed that Coligny said
nothing beyond the words first mentioned. No sooner had Besme heard the
admiral's reply, than, with a curse, he struck him with his sword, first
in the breast, and then on the head.[988] The rest took part, and quickly
despatched him.

In the court below, Guise was impatiently waiting to hear that his mortal
enemy was dead. "Besme," he cried out at last, "have you finished?" "It is
done," the assassin replied. "Monsieur le Chevalier (the Bastard of
Angouleme) will not believe it," again said Guise, "unless he sees him
with his own eyes. Throw him out of the window!" Besme and Sarlaboux
promptly obeyed the command. When the lifeless remains lay upon the
pavement of the court, Henry of Guise stooped down and with his
handkerchief wiped away the blood from the admiral's face. "I recognize
him," he said; "it is he himself!" Then, after ignobly kicking the face of
his fallen antagonist, he went out gayly encouraging his followers: "Come,
soldiers, take courage; we have begun well. Let us go on to the others,
for so the king commands!" And often through the day Guise repeated the
words, "The king commands; it is the king's pleasure; it is his express
command!" Just then a bell was heard, and the cry was raised that the
Huguenots were in arms to kill the king.[989]

As for Admiral Coligny's body, after the head had been cut off by an
Italian of the guard of the Duke de Nevers, the trunk was treated with
every indignity. The hands were cut off, and it was otherwise mutilated in
a shameless manner. Three days was it dragged about the streets by a band
of inhuman boys.[990] Meantime the head had been carried to the Louvre,
where, after Catharine and Charles had sufficiently feasted their eyes on
the spectacle, it was