e naked corpses
of Soubise, of Guerchy, of Beaudine, d'Acier's brother, and of others,
were dragged from all quarters to the square in front of the Louvre.
There, as an indignant contemporary writes, extended in a long row, they
lay exposed to the view of the varlets, of whom when alive they had been
the terror.[1024] Cruelty and lust are twin sisters: when the one is at
hand, the other is generally not far distant. The court of Catharine de'
Medici was noted for its impurity, as it was infamous for its recklessness
of human life. It was not out of keeping with its general reputation that
toward evening a bevy of ladies--among them the queen mother--tripped down
the palace stairs to feast their eyes upon the sight of the uncovered
dead.[1025] Indeed, the king, the queen mother, and their intimate friends
seemed to be in an ecstasy of joy. They indulged in boisterous
laughter[1026] as the successive reports of the municipal authorities,
from hour to hour, brought in tidings of the extent of the massacre.[1027]
"The war is now ended in reality," they were heard to say, "and we shall
henceforth live in peace."[1028] The Duke of Anjou took a more active
part. In the street and on the Pont de Notre Dame he was to be seen
encouraging the assassins.[1029] The Duke of Montpensier was surpassed by
no one in his zealous advocacy of the murderous work. "Let every man exert
himself to the utmost," he cried, as he rode through the streets, "if he
wishes to prove himself a good servant to the king."[1030] Tavannes, if we
may believe Brantome's account, endeavored to rival him, and, all day
long, as he rode about amid the carnage, amused himself by facetiously
crying to the people: "Bleed! Bleed! The doctors say that bleeding is as
good in the month of August as in May."[1031]
Of the Duke of Alencon it was noticed that, alone of Catharine's sons, he
took no part in the massacre. The Protestants even regarded him as their
friend, and the rumor was current that the pity he exhibited excited the
indignation of his mother and brothers. Indeed, Catharine, it was said,
openly told him that, if he ventured to meddle with her plans, she would
put him in a sack and throw him into the river.[1032]
[Sidenote: Wonderful escapes.]
Of the pastors of the Church of Paris, it was noticed as a remarkable
circumstance that but two--Buirette and Desgorris--were killed; for it was
certain that no lives were more eagerly sought than theirs.[1033] But
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