like a lioness." "The king and I seek nothing but
your welfare." "Excuse me, madame; I think it would be the contrary."
"My son, would you have the pains I have taken for the last six months
remain without fruit?" "Madame, it is not I who prevent you from resting
in your bed; it is you who prevent me from lying down in mine." "Shall I
be always at pains, I who ask for nothing but rest?" "Madame, the pains
please you and agree with you; if you were at rest you could not live
long." Catherine had brought with her what was called her flying
squadron of fair creatures of her court: but, "Madame," said Henry, as he
withdrew, "there is nothing here for me."

Before taking part in the war which was day by day becoming more and more
clearly and explicitly a war of religion, the Protestant princes of
Germany and the four great free cities of Strasbourg, Ulm, Nuremberg, and
Frankfort resolved to make, as the King of Navarre had made, a striking
move on behalf of peace and religious liberty. They sent to Henry III.
ambassadors, who, on the 11th of October, 1586, treated him to some frank
and bold speaking. "Our princes and masters," they said to him, "have
been moved with surprise and Christian compassion towards you, as
faithful friends and good neighbors of yours, on hearing that you, not
being pleased to suffer in your kingdom any person not of the Roman
religion, have broken the edict of peace which was so solemnly done and
based upon your Majesty's faith and promise, and which is the firm prop
of the tranquillity of your Majesty and your dominions; the which changes
have appeared to them strange, seeing that your royal person, your
dominions, your conscience, your honor, your reputation and good fame
happened to be very much concerned therewith." Shocked at so rude an
admonition, Henry III. answered, "It is God who made me king; and as I
bear the title of Most Christian King, I have ever been very zealous for
the preservation of the Catholic religion. . . . It appertains to me
alone to decide, according to my discernment, what may contribute to the
public weal, to make laws for to procure it, to interpret those laws, to
change them, and to abolish them, just as I find it expedient. I have
done so hitherto, and I shall still do so for the future;" and he
dismissed the ambassadors. That very evening, on reflecting upon his
words, and considering that his answer had not met the requirements of
the case, he wrote wi