e Emperor
Maximilian had either not influence enough or no inclination to send to
it a single one from Germany; and, in a word, there was not to be seen in
this assembly anything that savored of the majesty of a general council,
and it was understood to be held for political purposes." [Bossuet,
_Abrege de l'Histoire de France pour l'Education du dauphin_; _OEuvres
completes_ (1828), t. xvii. pp. 541, 545.] Bossuet had good grounds
for speaking so. Louis XII. himself said, in 1511, to the ambassador of
Spain, that "this pretended council was only a scarecrow which he had no
idea of employing save for the purpose of bringing the pope to reason."
Amidst these vain attempts at ecclesiastical influence the war was
continued with passionateness on the part of Julius II., with hesitation
on the part of Louis XII., and with some disquietude on the part of the
French commanders, although with their wonted bravery and loyalty.
Chaumont d'Amboise, the cardinal's nephew, held the command-in-chief in
the king's army. He fell ill: the pope had excommunicated him; and
Chaumont sent to beg him, with instance, to give him absolution, which
did not arrive until he was on his death-bed. "This is the worst," says
Bossuet, "of wars against the Church; they cause scruples not only in
weak minds, but even, at certain moments, in the very strongest."
Alphonso d' Este, Duke of Ferrara, was almost the only great Italian lord
who remained faithful to France. Julius II., who was besieging Ferrara,
tried to win over the duke, who rejected all his offers, and, instead,
won over the negotiator, who offered his services to poison the pope.
Bayard, when informed of this proposal, indignantly declared that he
would go and have the traitor hanged, and warning sent to the pope.
"Why," said the duke, "he would have been very glad to do as much for you
and me." "That is no odds to me," said the knight; "he is God's
lieutenant on earth, and, as for having him put to death in such sort, I
will never consent to it." The duke shrugged his shoulders, and spitting
on the ground, said, 'Od's body, Sir Bayard, I would like to get rid of
all my enemies in that way; but, since you do not think it well, the
matter shall stand over; whereof, unless God apply a remedy, both you and
I will repent us." Assuredly Bayard did not repent of his honest
indignation; but, finding about the same time (January, 1511) an
opportunity of surprising and carrying off the pop