Bâ—itieres who a little before the rumor of the Battel had been recall'd from his own house and we should fight together in the Vantguard the Battel was to be conducted by Monsieur d' Anguien having under his Cornet all the young Lords that came from Court and the Rear-guard was commanded by Monsieur d' Ampierre wherein were four thousand Friâ—ourgers and three thousand Italians led by the Sieur de Dros and des Cros together with all the Guidons and Archers of Companies Now there was a little Eminence that dipt towards Cerizolles and Sommerive which was all on a little Copse but not very thick The first of the Enemy that we saw enter into the Plain to come towards us were the seven thousand Italians conducted by the Prince of Salerna and in the â—lank of them three hundred Launciers commanded by Rodolpho Baglione who belonged to the great Duke of Florence The Skirmish began by this little Hill on the descent whereof the Enemy had made a halt just over against us and so soon as the skirmish was begun I gave one Squadron to Captain Brueille being that which was nearest to me and the hindmost to Captain Gasquet about two hundred paces distant the one from the other and of my own I gave forty or fifty Harquebusiers to a Serjeant of mine called Arnaâ—t de St. Clair a valiant man and one that very well understood his business and I my self stood for a reserve Being at the foresaid little house I discover'd three or four Companies of Spanish Harquebusiers who came full drive to possess themselves of the house and in the mean time Favas and Lienard fought the Italians in the valley on the right hand The skirmish grew hot on both sides the Enemy one while beating me up to the house and I again other whiles driving them back to their own party for they had another that was come up to second the first and it seem'd as if we had been playing at Base but in the end I was constrain'd to call Captain Brueille up to me for I saw all their Foot embody tâ—gether with a Troop of Horse to sâ—ank them Now had I not so much as one horse with me notwithstanding that I had advertised Monsieur'd Anguien that their Cavalry was also with the Harquebusiers that came up to me Let it suffice that of a long time no body came insomuch that I was constrained to quit the house but not without a great dispute which continued for a very great space I then sent back Captain Brueille to his place the skirmish continued for almost four fours without intermission and never did men acquit themselves better Monsieur d' Anguien then sent Monsieur d' Aussun unto me commanding me to repossess my self of the house which was neither of advantage nor disadvantage to me to whom I made answer Go and tell Monsieur d' Anguien that he must then send me some Horse to fight these Horse that slank their Harquebusiers which he also saw as well as I for I am not to fight Horse and Foot together in the open field He then said to me It is enough for me that I have told you and so return'd to carry back my answer to Monsieur d' Anguien who thereupon sent Monsieur de Moneins to tell me that one way or another he would that I should regain it with whom also came the Seigneur Cabry Brother to Seigneur Mauré bringing with him threescore Horse all Launciers and Monsieur de Moneins might have about some five and twenty he being then but beginning to raise his Troop To whom I return'd the same answer I had given before to Monsieur d' Aussun and that I would not be cause of the loss of the Battel but that if they would go charge those Horse that slank'd the Harquebusiers I would quickly regain the house They then answer'd that I had reason and that they were ready to do it Whereupon I presently sent to Captain Brueil to come up to me and to Captain Gasquet to advance to his place and immediately Captain Brueil coming up on the right hand and the Horse in the middle we march'd at a good round â—rot directly up to them for we were not above three hundred paces distant from one another All this while the skirmish never ceased and as we drew within a hundred or six score paces off them we began to fire upon which the Cavalry fac'd about and their Foot also and I saw their Launciers turn their backs retreating to their Troops Monsieur de Moneins and Seigneur Cabry went immediately hereupon to Monsieur d' Anguien to tell him what they had seen their Cavalry do and that if he did not send me up Horse to second me I could not choose but be routed I sent back Captain Brueil and Gasquet into their places Now there was a little Marish near unto Cerizolles and a great hollow way which hindred the Enemy that they could not come up to us drawn up in Battalia and the Marquis de Guast had caused six pieces of Artillery to pass over this marish and they were already advanc'd a good way on this side when seeing their people driven back they were afraid that the whole Army followed the pursuit and that they should lose their Canon Wherefore they presently made the Germans to passover this marish and thorough the said hollow way who so soon as they came into the plain drew up again into Battalia for it was not possible for them to pass but in great disorder and in the mean time the Cavalry and Spanish Harquebusiers came up to me as before insomuch that having no Horse with me I was necessitated to quit them the place and to retire to the place from whence I came Now I had discover'd their German Foot and their Artillery and as I was retiring Monsieur de Termes and Signior Francisco â—ernardin caâ—e and plac'd themselves on the right hand of our Battaillon and upon the skirt of the Hill which was very straight and over against the Battaillon of the Italians for their Launciers were exactly opposite to our Pikes Monsieur de Boitieres with his Company and that of the Count de Tande advanc'd on the left hand of our Battail and the Swisse were three or four score paces behind us and a little on the one side In the mean time our Harquebusiers that were conducted by Lienard and Captain Favas sometimes beat back the Enemy as far as their main Battalia and sometimes the Enemy repell'd them up to ours I saw then that I must of necessity disarm our Battaillon of the Harquebusiers that made our slank on that side where Monsieur de Boitieres stood and give them to them wherewith to make a Charge which they did and with great fury beat them up to their Battail and it was high time for their Harquebusiers had almost gain'd the flank of our Horse I therefore ran up to them
little Castle in the mid way that serv'd them for a retreat The Marescal then sent for me to Montcallier whither six weeks after my fall I had caused my self to be conveyed in a litter upon whose summons I made my self to be set upon a little Mule and with extreme pain arrived at Quiers every day striving by little and little to walk Behold these were the successes of the taking of Quiers and St. Damian and I will now give an account of the taking of Lans The Mareschal then and all the Camp wherein were all the above-named Princes and Lords march't directly to Lans and because there are some of them yet living who love me and others that have an unkindness for me I will come as near to truth as my memory will give me leave to the end that those who hate me may have no occasion to reprehend me speaking the truth and that the rest who love me may take delight in reading what I have done and call me to their remembrance for the Historians I see mince the matter The Mareschal with all the Camp went before leaving me with five Ensigns of foot and the Masters of the Ordnace Messieurs de Caillac and du Noguy who were also at the taking of Quiers to conduct the Artillery The day after he departed from Quiers he arriv'd at Lans about noon and we with the Artillery came up in the beginnging of the night The Bourg of Lans is large and enclosed with scurvey wall the Mareschal took up his quarter in another Bourge about a mile distant from the said Lans and round about him the Gens d' Arms and all the Cavalry All the Princes and Lords would be quarter'd in the Bourg of Lans with some French and Italian Companies of foot and particularly Monsieur de Bonivet with his Colonel Company At their arrival they went to the foot of the Mountain on the right hand as you come out of the Bourg The Sergeant Major had already got to the top of the said Mountain behind the Castle round about which were very great precipices and especially behind it where the Mareschal was of necessity to go to take a view of the Place There is nothing but precipice saving in the front of the Castle which looks towards the Town and there were two great Bulwarks and the Gate of the Castle between them To plant the Artillery there was only to lose so much time and to place it on that side by which we came we should be enforc't to point the Mussel of the Canon upward so that it could batter but one half of the wall and besides we were to climb above a thousand paces with the greatest difficulty imaginable before we could come to the foot of the said wall On the right hand it was the same and behind the worst of all for â—alling thence a man should tumble headlong a quarter of a mile down into the River By reason of which great difficulty of bringing up Canon behind the said Castle where there was a little even plot of some twenty or five and twenty paces broad the Enemy had made no other fortification on that side saving that they had cut a paltry Ditch of about half a pikes depth in the Rock with two Ravelins on either side that slanckt the Ditch and it had not been above three moneths before that two of the Emperors Engineers had been there and had declar'd that it was not possible for all mankind to bring up Artillery either by this side or any of the others if they did not plant it on the Town side before the Gate of the Castle which also would be so much labour lost The Mareschal at his fiâ—st arrival with all the Prince and Lords and the Engineers he had with him went to take a view of the backside of the Castle up an ascent of above 300 paces and as uneasie ones as ever they went in their lives where after they had discover'd and remain'd above two hours upon the place they all concluded it impossible to be taken At night I came with the Artillery when it was presently told me that the next day we were to return back again at which I was very much dasht but was so intolerably tormented with my hip that I presently threw my self upon a Matrice and saw not the Mareschal that night for he was gone back to his Quarters very much displeased with some who before had represented the Enterprise so easie to him and would undertake to bring it about and yet when it came to the push concluded it impossible In the morning he came again and again went to view the place but the more they lookt the worse they like't and still discovered greater difficulties than before Just as I had din'd Messieurs de Piquigny de Touchepeid and de Vinu came to seek me out and told me that the resolution was concluded to return and that I would not be unwilling to it if I had seen the place putting so many whimsies into my head that they got me upon my little Mule and carried me behind the ridge of the Mountain where Harquebuz shots were very good cheap unless a man took on the right hand towards the River and there it was hard to pass and more hard to discover any thing and both the Mareschal and all the Princes had gone up and come down at the mercy of the Eâ—emies shot Whom God defends is well defended I have seen the time when a thousand Harquebuz shot have been discharg'd within an hundred paces of me and done me no harm but we all four made such shift that at last we got up to the top and they led me the same way by which the Mareschal and all his Company had ascended and descended before I will here set down for an exemple to those that shall follow after us how I found the thing feasible and which way Canon was to be got up to this level not however without very great difficulty but how hard soever it appear'd to be we concluded to bring up the Artillery to the top of the Mountain and there to plant it in Battery In the first place to look up from the foot of the Mountain to the height of it was a perpendicular the Angels themselves would have enough to do to climb but I began to take notice that making one advance of about an hundred paces to a little place which might be some ten paces in circumference that there we might have conveniency to rest the Piece for the little place was almost even I then conceived that we might make another Stage crossing over on the left hand towards the Castle to another little even spot that was sufficient to repose the Canon and afterwards that we were to make another Stage crossing again to the right hand to another level spot and from thence indeed we had the ascent something steep to the backside of
more perfect account Whereupon Monsieur d' Alvare said you are quarter'd within four Harquebuz shot of one another excepting the Infantry which lies at Ver from whence 't is a league and a half to St. Andras where Monsieur de Duras is quarter'd and whose Quarters take up all the space betwixt St. Andras and this place Well said Monsieur de Burie I see we are engag'd to a Battel and seeing it is so we must fight it as well as we can Whereupon I saw joy sparkle in his eyes which I was exceeding glad of and taking him in my arms said to him these words Sir if we must die we cannot honor our deaths more than by dying in a Battel for the service of our Prince to which he made answer and said that is the least of my concern 't is no matter what becomes of me but I fear to loose the Country I then entreated him that by break of day every one might be on horseback and that we must say with the Italian Qui assalta vince and thereupon bad him good night and retir'd to my own Quarters leaving him very well resolv'd to fight All night we remain'd in arms and our horses sadled their Centinels and ours being so near that they could hear one another talk and by break of day we were on horseback when I sent to see if Monsieur de Burie was ready and to tell him that it was his way to pass by my Quarters He sent me word that as soon as ever the Army could be got ready to march he would immediately come away and in the mean time I marcht directly to St. Andras where I found that Monsieur de Duras was already dislodg'd and gone to Vâ—r. I then sent Monsieur de Fontenilles with five and twenty horse upon the Foâ—lorn giving him order to halt at the entrance into a little Wood there is under Ver and telling him that I would halt at a little Village four or five Harquebuz shots on this side till Monsieur de Buire should come up to me Monsieur de Duras this while made no haste at all believing that our Camp was yet upon the Vezere and that those who over-night had taken Salignac were only some Avant-Coureurs of the Army Monsieur de Fontenillâ—s sent me word that he had sent out two Light-horse to discover the Enemy who had brought word back that their Camp was drawn up in Battalia in the Meadow of Ver. Whereupon I sent to Monsieur de Burie to make haste and to hasten away four Field-pieces he brought along with him which he did when so soon as I was advertised that he was within half a mâ—le of me I marcht up to Monsieur de Fontenilles and the three Companies of Gens d'arms namely that of Monsieur de Burie and those of Messieurs de Randan and de la Vauguyon advanced to come up and joyn with me But they mist their way and went by the Chesnut Trees directly into the view of Ver thinking that I was already at Vâ—r and never perceiv'd their error till they were just upon the Enemy having with them also a Company of Light-horse which Captain Pechié of Perigort commanded So soon as I came to the Wood I commanded Monsieur de Fontenilles to advance which he did and it was well for us he did so for he came just in the nick of a charge that Captain Bordet made upon the Companies with a hundred or sixscore Horse Launceers all which so soon as Captain Pechie's Light-horse saw coming upon them they fac'd about and fled aâ—most into the three Companies The Charge was so rude that all our three Companies were once disordeâ—'d and there Monsieur d' Argence bravely signaliz'd himself but for whom as I was told they had all run away Monsieur de Fontenilles then with only five and twenty Launces that he had with him charg'd desperately in amongst the Enemy and so fortunaâ—ely that he made them retire three hundred paces where they made a halt as ours did also Upon this I came in seeing which the Enemy clos'd up with the other Troops of horse There were above twenty Launces broken in this charge and all the Enemies Camp made a halt I then took Monsieur de Montferran only and went to discover the Enemy at my ease where I saw that they began to march wiâ—h Drums beating that they had left in a corner of the field on the left hand Harquebuzeers both on foot and on horseback and in a little Wood on the right hand Harquebuzeers on foot In the mean time Monsieur de Burie arriv'd where I acquainted him with all I had seen entreating him to cause his Field-pieces to advance to the brink of a Ditch and to shoot at those people in the Corner which approving of my advice he did I then spoke to Monsieur du Masses to place himself on the right hand by the side of a little hill there was there and placed the King of Navarre's Company and my own on the left hand towards that Corner as I also did the three Companies of Messieurs de Burie de Randan and de Vauguyon in the Meadow betwixt them Monsieur de Burie then began to make his Artilleâ—y play and so soon as we had put our selves into this posture all our foot came up together the Gascons before and the Spaniards after within fourscore or a hundred paces of one another I then rid up to the Spaniards where addressing my self to Don Lewis de Carbajac and the rest I spoke to them in Spanish after the best manner I could for during the time of the War I had learn't something of their language and you Gentlemen who have Estates to allow your Children a liberal education take it from me that it is a very good thing to make them if possible acquainted with forreign Languages which will be of great use to them both upon the account of Travel Escapes and Negotiations and also to gain the hearts of Strangers I spoke to them then after this manner which I had been hammering in my head the night before and God has given me a gift though I am no great Clerk that I can express my self well enough upon occasion Remember Fellows in arms for so I may now call you since we fight together under the same Ensigns remember the great and noble reputation wherewith your Nation have at all times signaliz'd themselves throughout the whole world where they have obtein'd so many famous Victories as well over the Turks Moors and Barbarâ—ans as against those of our own Faith You have often made us feel the valour of the Spanish Infantry which throughout the Universe are allow'd to have the precedence of all others and since it has pleased God that we who not above three dayes ago were Enemies are now assembled to â—ight under one and the same Standard make it appear that the opinion we have ever had of your
consent unto through the obstinacy of the Swisse quite contrary to his own judgment A Nation whose wilfulness I have seen occasion the loss of several places cause great inconveniences in his Majesties affairs They are to speak the trute a very warlike people and serve as it were for Bullwarks to an Army but then they must never want either money or victuals for they are not to be paid with words After the unfortunate loss of this fair Dutchy of Millan all the forces returned back into France and with them the Company of the said Mareschal de Foix wherein I then had not only the place of a Man at armes but moreover an Assignation of an Archers pay Sometime after the Emperour set another Army on foot to recover Fontarabie whereupon our Company and several others were ordered to repair to Bayonne to Monsieur de Lautrec who was his Majesties Lieutenant in Guienne The said Sieur de Lautrec that he might the better make head against the enemy who made a shew of attempting something upon the Frontier made a suddain leavy of fourteen or fifteen Ensigns of Foot which was the occasion that I who ever had an inclination for foot service entreated leave of Captain Sayas who carryed the Cornette in the absence of Captain Carbon his brother for three months only that I might accept of an Ensign offer'd to me by Captain Clotte who at last very unwillingly granted my suite although he himself had first sent to Captain Carbon to sollicite it in my behalf Suddainly after this the Enemy being dayly reinforced with fresh suplies la Clotte was commanded away to Bayonne a few days after that Captain Carbon took the Companies of Monsieur de Lautrec and the Mareschal his brother with two Companies of Foot to wit that of Megrin Comenge and la Clotte to conduct us thorough the Woods straight to St. Iean de Luz where the enemies Camp at that time lay So soon as we were arrived at the top of a little Hill about half a quarter of a League distant from Luz having already pass'd a little River by a wooden bridge another half quarter of a League behind this little hill at the â—oot whereof and before us there ran a rivolet of fifteen or twenty paces broad and deep to a mans girdle joyning to which there is also a plain which extends it self in an easie descent down to the said Rivolet from whence one may easily discover St. Iean de Luz one of the finest Bourgs in all France and seated upon the Margent of the Ocean Sea Captain Carbon who commanded the Party leaving two Cornets upon this little hill the one whereof was carried by Captain Sayas which was ours and the other by Captain d' Andouins which was that of Monsicur de Lautrec but both of them onely in the absence the one of Captain Carbon the other of Captain Artiquiloube and only twenty horse with each together with our two Companies of foot took the rest of the Gens-d ' armes and with them Monsieur Gramont the same who afterwards dyed in the Kingdom of Naples and who was at this time Lieutenant to the Company belonging to Monsieur de Lautrec With this Party Captain Carbon pass'd over the little River and having divided his men into three squadrons as one might easily discern from the Hill where we stood trotted along the plain directly towards St. Iean de Luz Being come to the middle of the plain he there made a halt for an hour or more whilst a Trumpet went twice and sounded the Fanfare to the Enemy after which being about to retreat as not believing any one would stir out of the Enemies Camp the forlorn which he had sent out towards the utmost skirts of the plain return'd back upon the spur to acquaint him that all the Enemies Camp began to move and suddenly after we began to discover three of their Squadrons of Horse appearing upon their march one upon the heels of another and making directly towards Monsieur de Carbon Of these the first that came up presently and smartly charg'd the foremost of ours where there were many Launces broken on both sides but more of ours than theirs for as much as in those times the Spaniards carried but few Launces and those very slender long and pointed at both ends During this charge Captain Carbon was leisurely drawing off the other two Squadrons towards the place where we were when the second of the Enemies squadrons coming up and uniting with the first beat up our first to our second squadron commanded by Monsieur Gramont where the skirmish was very hot and a great many men thrown to ground both on the one side and other amongst whom were the Seigneurs de Gramont who had his horse kill'd under him de Luppe Standard-bearer to Monsieur de Lautrec de Poigreffi who is since turn'd Hugonot de la Fay de Xaintonge who is yet living and divers others At the same instant we discover'd another great Party of Horse advancing towards us a little on our left hand at the sight of which the Captains who carried our Colours came both of them running to me and saying we are all lost whereupon I told them that it were better than so to conclude to hazard fourscore or an hundred Foot to bring off our Horse who were engag'd To which la Clotte and Megrin made answer that that venture would only occasion a greater loss and that moreover they very much doubted the Souldiers would hardly be perswaded to go down seeing death so manifest before their eyes Now you must understand there was no one present at this discourse saving the two forementioned Captains and my self our Foot standing drawn up fourteen or fifteen paces behind and it was not amiss for I make a great question had they heard what we said and seeing the Gensâ— d' armes in manifest danger to be lost whether I should have been so chearfully followed as I was And it is a good rule as much as a man can to conceal from the Souldier the danger of any enterprize if you intend to have them go briskly to their work To this last objection of the two Captains I made answer that I would run the hazard to lead them on and that lost or lost not it was better to hazard and to lose fourscore or an hundred Foot than all our Geus-d'armes And thereupon without further deliberation for long consultations are often the ruine of brave attempts I return'd back to the Souldiers and the Captains with me for the business requir'd hast saying to them only these few words Come on come on Comrades let us go and relieve our Gens-d ' armes and was thereupon follow'd by an hundred Foot of our own Company who with very great resolution descended with me to the foot of the Hill where at the head of my men I passed over the brook and there deliver'd twenty of my men to be led by
the Bastard of Auzan a Gentleman who has nothing blemish'd the legitimate Sons of his race though all of them men of singular bravery and remarkeable valour Now you must know that â— the Company I commanded was no other than Cross-bows for at this time the use of the Harquâ—buze had not as yet been introducâ—d amongst us only three or four days before six Gascon Harquebusiers came over to us from the Enemy which I had received into my Company having by good â—ortune been that day upon the Guard at the great Gate of the City and of those six one was a native of the Territory of Monâ—luc Would to heaven that this accursed engine had never been invented I had not then receiv'd those wounds which I now languish under neither had so many valiant men been slain for the most part by the most pitiful fellows and the greatest Cowards Poltrons that had not dar'd to look those men in the face at hand which at distance they laid dead with their confounded bullets but it was the Devil's invention to make us murther one another Being thus past the River I order'd the Bastard d' Auzâ—n not to suffer his men to shoot but only to present as if they intended to do it to the end that he might favour mine and give them time to discharge and retire again into their order Now when I was under the foot of the Hill I could not possibly see what our men did but being advanc'd a little further into the plain I saw all the Enemies three Squadrons drawn up into one body and the great party on the left hand marching upon a good round trot directly towards ours who were rallyed and stood firm without being able either to advance forwards or to retire back by reason of some great stones that lay scatter'd in their Rear Here it was that Captain Carbon who had no Arms on having before been wounded in his left arm by an Arquebuze shot seeing me so nâ—aâ— him came up to me and said Oh Montluc my dear friend charge up boldly I will never forsake thee Captain said I take you only care to save your self and your Gens-d ' Armes at the same instant crying out shoot Comrades at the head of these Horse I was not above a dozen paces distant from the Enemy when I gave them this Volley by which as it appear'd by the testimony of the Prisoners who were taken a few days after above fifty Horses were kill'd and wounded and two Troopers slain an execution that a little cool'd their courage and caus'd their Troops to make a halt In the mean time Captain Carbon had leisure with his party to retire full gallop towards the brook I had pass'd over to relieve him where such as had their horses lost taking hold of the others horse tayls sav'd themselves also and all together pass'd over the River Which hast they were necâ—ssitated to make or otherwise the great party of horse on the left hand had charg'd them in the Flank had they drawn more leisurely off In the mean time under favour of the twenty Cross-bows of d' Auzan who sustain'd us we rallied again and gave another volley So soon as Captain Carbon had passed the River with his Horse remounted Monsieur de Gramont on another horse and mounted the rest â—n Crouppe he commanded the said Siâ—ur de Gramont to ride to the top of the hill and in all hast to draw off the Ensigns both of horse and foot at a round trot directly to the other River where the bridg was that leads towards Bayonne Which order being given he suddenly turned back again towards me having in his company an Italian call'd Signior Diomedâ— and the Siâ—ur de Mainaâ—aâ—t where he found me retreating towards a ditch upon the edg of a Marish and of which I might be within some twelve or fourteen paces which not only hindred him from getting up to me but moreover gave him enough to do to save himself I notwithstanding in spite of the Enemy recovered the ditch of the Marish being still sheltred by d' Auzâ—n whom I commanded to climb over in great diligence and there to make head which he accordingly performed The Spaniards in the mean time made a shew as if they meant to charge but they durst not attempt to break into me neither were my six Harquebusiâ—rs idle all this while but did wonders with their shot when having at last retreated my men within five or six paâ—â—s of the ditch I caused them all in an instant to throw themselves into it and under favour of d' Auzan almost as suddainly to mount the ditch bank on the other side over which we all got safe and sound saving three Soldiers who were slain with Harquebuze shot for not having been so nimble as the rest and here it was that as in a little sort I made head against the Enemy Now you must know that that party of the Enemy which came up on the left hand made a halt at the bank of the River when they saw our Horse were already got half way up the hill and those who had fought and to whom I had given a stop at the ditch bank were now upon their retreat home when seeing three Squadrons of Harquebusiers coming along the plain and making towards them with all the speed they could it reviv'd their spirits and inspir'd them with new courage to face about again I in the mean time having also discover'd these fresh succours began to shift along by the ditch till being by the return of a corner of it slipt out of their sight I drew my men into a very narrow meadow from whence at full speed I gain'd the â—oot of the hill I had descended before and having repass'd the River soon recovered the top of the mountain The danger wherein I saw my self to be as well of the Horse I had pressing upon my Rear as of the Battaillon of Inâ—antry which I saw fast advancing towards me did not however make me loose my Judgment in a time of so great need nor hinder me from discerning and taking this opportunity for my retreat during which I made the little handful of men I had march very close together and by turnes encouraging and speaking to them made them often face about and salute the Cavalry who pursued me both with Cross-bow and Harquebuze shot when having gain'd the top of the hill I drew into an Orchard making fast the Gate on the inside that the Horse might not so suddainly enter and by the favour of that and several others planted with Apples still made on towards the Bridge till I came to a little Church call'd Hâ—itée from whence I perceived the great road to be all covered over with the Enemies Horse there being nevertheless a great ditch betwixt them and me from whence I bestow'd upon them some Arquebuze and Cross-bow shot which also very seldom fail'd of their effect and compell'd them seeing
easily to run away and therefore gave them leave to come up close to us where I then charg'd them and we thought they ran away with greater facility than before I therefore retir'd once more before the Church but then there fell such a furious storm of Rain that it seem'd as if God Almighty had been disposed to drown us all during which shower there came up ten or twelve Ensigns of ours from one of the breaches at which they had entred not having above six Soldiers with them and I might have about as many Ensigns with me One of the Ensigns then told me that the Breaches were all taken and that the Captains were fled away Which having heard I desir'd the two Italian Captains that they should a while make good that Canton where the Church stood for there was a wall before the door of it and I would go dispute the Breach by which I had entred which so soon as I should recover I would send them word that they might draw off and come to me and if peradventure the Enemy in the mean time should come up to them that then they should remember what they had seen me do and boldly charge them I then went to the breach where I saw already ten or twelve English got thither two of which stood upon their defence but of the rest some leap'd over the Breach and others slipt on the right hand along the inside of the wall and so soon as we were got out we saw moreover fifteen or twenty that came running towards us along on the outside the wall and seeing us turn'd on the right hand towards the other breaches by which our people before had entred I then entreated a Gentleman of Burgundy whose name I have forgot who was mounted upon a horse he had taken that he would go to Caesar Porto and Hieronimo Megrin to call them away which he was very willing to do provided I would promise to stay for him which I assured him upon my life I would do and that dead or alive he should find me at this Breach The Rain still continued more and more violent when the said Gentleman returning told me that he could not possibly get to them and that they were either retreated into the Church or all dead when behold on a suddain three or four hundred English came at a good round trot directly upon us all along by the wall just as we were upon the point to enter again to go relieve the Italians but seeing them come full drive upon us we were constrained to alter that resolution Messieurs d' Andelot de Novailles this Burgundian Gentleman and three or four others had never stirred from my side from the time they had first met me before the Church and it was well for them for if they had they had gone to pot with the rest and as the English came on in this fury there arose a hubub amongst us some crying out to me to fly towards the River and others towards the Mountain but upon the instant I resolv'd ro remonstrate to them What have you to do to go to the Mountain in our way thither we must of necessity pass close by the higher Town for to go directly to the River do you not see that it is rising and got so high already that we shall be all drown'd let no one therefore think any more of that but let us make our selves ready for we must fight these people Whereupon Monsieur d' Andâ—lot cryed out aloud I I Captain Montluc I pray you let us fight them for that is the best He was a man of very great courage and 't is great pity he afterwards turn'd Huguenot for I do believe he was one of the bravest Gentlemen in the Kingdom We therefore march'd directly up to them when so soon as we came within four or five Pikes length of them they let fly a great shower of Arrows upon us and we ran up to them to push a Pike for there were but two Harquebuze shot fired and immediately they faced about and fled the same way they came We follow'd after and very close and when they came to the Canton of the Town towards their own people who kept almost all our Ensigns enclosed they seeing them come and we pursuing in the rear of them quitted the Breaches to relieve their own men and rallying all together came running directly upon us who were all at the foot of the Mountain of the Tower of Ordre I then cryed to Monsieur d' Andelot and to all the Ensigns and Soldâ—ers Get away as fast as you can and climb the Mountain for I for my own part with four or five Pikes would stay to see the event of all retiring towards a Rivolet which was by the Artillery So soon as the English had quitted the breach to come to us our Ensigns leap'd out of the Town towards the valley by which they had come and being got to the foot of the Mountain where Monsieur d' Andelot and the Ensigns were marching up the Enemy saw that our Ensigns were again pass'd over the Breaches and that the said Andelot with the other Ensigns were got half way up the Hill they then thought to turn after the others as they did but could never overtake above eight or ten Soldiers at the most whom they cut all to pieces Five or six English then came up to me and I pass'd the Rivolet where the Water was more than knee deep above the Banks They bestow'd some Arrows upon me and shot them into the Targuet and another thorough a sleeve of Mail I wore upon my right arm which for my part of the Booty I carried home to my Quarters and having received them went to mount the Hill on the backside of the Tower of Ordre Monsieur le Dauphin having with him Monsieur d' Orleans and the Admiral made his Lansquenets to march to relieve us within the Town but before they could come near the disorder was already hapned and they found Messieurs d' Andelot and de Novailles with the Ensigns who were got up to the top of the Mountain In the interim of this confusion the Vidame of Chartres and my Brother Monsieur de Lieux advanc'd as far as the bottom of the Hill to see if they could learn any news of me but they were sent back with a vengeance and told the Dauphin that they did certainly believe I was slain within the Town forasmuch as they had seen all the Captains me only excepted and whilst they were in this discourse Monsieur d' Andelot arrived of whom the Dauphin demanded if he knew what was become of me to whom he made answer that I had been the preservation of him and all those that were with him but that it seem'd I had not known how to save my self which I might have done if I had so pleased as well as the rest The said Sieur d'
that we could see all along the breach About noon they gave over their Battery below and began to batter the middle of the wall when so soon as I saw them begin to let in light I left Signior Cornelio who continually went up and down from place to place and took Monsieur de Bassompâ—erre with whom I went to the Fort Camoglia from whence we could plainly see into the recoyle of their Canon but I shall leave this disconrse to finish the Order I left a French Company at the Fort Camoglia another at the Citadel there being already two Companies of Siennois at each more than two Companies of Germans at the place each a part by themselves one of Italians at the Port St. Mark and all along the wall towards Fonde-brando Siennois and towards Porto Novo the same having given the word to the two French Companies that in case I should stand in need I would send for them leaving the Siennois still in the Citadel and in the Fort. The same Instructions I left with the Germans and had taken order that from six hours to six hours we would change the word as well by day as by night to the end that whilst every one lay close at his post if there should be any Traytor amongst us he might go to no place where he might have any Intelligence with the Enemy to draw men from that part to weaken that Post to carry them to another but that no one should be believ'd if he did not bring the word in changing of which it should be carried to the Siennois by two of the Council of Eight by the one to the one half and by the other to the other so that unless those themselves brought the word they were not to stir from their Post. I was ever afraid that the Marquis had some intelligence in the City which made me take this course to prevent him The Germans who were at the great place had the same command and moreover that an Officer or a Serjeant of the others should come to fetch them to which end there were six Serjeants chosen out of our Italian and French Companies who had in charge that during the time of the Battery or of an Assault they should continually be moving along the Curtain of the Wall to the Quarters I had appointed and never to abandon their Quarter It was also ordain'd that no one upon pain of death of what Nation soever not so much as the Siennois themselves should dare to abandon the Retirade being of the number of those who were there appointed for the fight and the same was carried quite round the walls of the City It was also order'd that oâ— eight of the Council of War four were continually to remain with me and Signior Cornelio to the end that the two who remain'd with him might go continually on horseback with the word to fetch such succours as Signior Cornelio should send for to relieve him if occasion should be and my two the like that is to say of the Captains of the City and the other four should go to the places where the six Serjeants were appointed to be to the end that they might joyntly encourage the Soldiers to fight if necessity should require And there where there was no business to be done and that any came to them with the word for succours they should deliver him the one half and keep the rest to defend that Post. That the Officers of the King as Controulers Commissaries of victual Treasurers or their Deputies should ordinarily be part by day and part by night still on horseback riding up and down the streets of the City and that from hour to hour one of them should bring me news how all things stood in the body of the City and about the Walls bringing us still some token or another that they had spoke with the four of the Council and the Serjeants who were deputed with them This was the order I gave at least as much as I remember never failing my self every day to visit the Companies and to encourage the Inhabitants to do well I now return to what we did at the Fort Camoglia Monsieur de Bassompierre ran to fetch a Canon we had in the Ciâ—adel but as he went out to remove it the Carriage broke so that instead of it he brought a Demy-Canon which a Siennois the said Bassompierre had entertein'd in the quality of a Canoneer evermore shot in and so well that he could hit with it as small a mark as if it had been a Harquebuz He was assisted by some Italian and French Soldiers of the Citadel to bring it whilst I was making ready a Platform with the Soldiers of the Fort till my Company of Pioneers came which I had sent for in all haste and in less than an hour and a half we dispatcht it where I mounted my Demy-Canon I gave ten Crowns to our Siennois that he might make some good shots with that Piece here as he had done several at the Citadel before The Enemy had plac't Gabions on the Flanck of their Battery towards us Bassompierre and I went a little on the right hand and observ'd the Bullet in the air like a hat on fire flying very wide on the right hand and the second as much on the left which made me ready to eat my own flesh for rage Monsieur de Bassompierre always assur'd me that he would presently take his level right and still went and came to and fro betwixt him and me The third shot light upon the bottom of the Gabions and the fourth playd directly into their Artillery and there kill'd a great many of their men whereupon all those that assisted fled behind a little house which was in the rear of their Canon At which I ran and took him in my arms and seeing him with his Linstock ready to fire again said to him Fradel â—io da li da seno per dio facio ti presente daâ—teri dieci scoâ—di d'une biechier de vino Graeco I then left him the French Captain who had the Guard of the Fort to furnish him continually with such things as he stood in need of and Monsieur Bassompierre and I return'd to our Post. There then advanc't a German Ensign to the Enemies battery who came along by the other Gabionade with his colours flying and this might be about four of the clock in the afternoon we could see him march from behind the Observance and was no sooner come to the Artillery but our Piece fir'd and kill'd the Ensign upon which the Germans immediately fled away retiring to the place from whence they came And this Sienuois made so many brave shots that he dismounted them six pieces of Canon and their Artillery remain'd totally abandon'd till the beginning of the night without playing any more than two pieces of Canon that were covered with Gabions and â—lanckt towards the Fort Camoglia which our Artillery could not
great complaints saying that Monsiâ—ur de Strozzy reduc'd him to the greatest extremities and that it was impossible for him to get away without being defeated but that he would however speak to his Officers which he did and which begot a very great dispute amongst them At length one of them in whom he reposed the greatest confidence and who serv'd him in the quality of Camp-Master remonstrated to him that he had much better hazard with his sword in his hand to make his way through the Marâ—uis his Camp than stay to die of famine or by a Capitulation to surrender himself to the Enemies discretion which however in a few dayes he must of necessity do for there was nothing left to eat and their Soldiers began to murmur insomuch that they evermore expected when a great part of them should go give themselves up to the Enemy which made them resolve to depart The Rhinecroc was not much to be blam'd for his unwillingness it being a very perilous Journey for at the very â—allying out of the Gate he was of necessity to fight several Spanish Guards and half a mile from thence another at a Trench the Enemy had cast up near unto a certain Mill which was in his way Upon their determination to depart I gave express charge that no one living should speak of this sally causing the Gates of the City to be close shut and at the beginning of the night they all came with their Baggage to the great place before Porto Novo The Siennois who understood nothing of all this at the seeing the Germans in this marching posture began in all haste to repair to the Pallace in very great despair I then caus'd three Companies to sally out two of French and one of Italians the first whereof was led by Captain Charry the second by Captain Blacon who since dyed a Hugonot at â—â—â—tonge and the third by the Count de Gayas Captain Charry had order to fight the first Court of Guard which was in a great street of the Suburbs the second was at the Augustins in the same street and the third at S. Lazaro They had in command from me never to give over â—ill they had fought all the three Courts of Guards and the Count de Gayas took the way on the outside of the Suburbs on the right hand all along by the houses still marching softly on to rally our men together as they should be separated and scatter'd by the fight The Tertia of Sicily lay at the Charter-house consisting of very good Soldiers and the Rhinecroc at the going out of the Gate took on the right hand entring into a valley and the Count de Gayas remain'd upon the eminence moving still softly on which produc'd two effects for the relief of our people the one as has been said by gathering our squandred men together and the other to succour the Rhinecroc also if he should stand 〈◊〉 need and so we began to open the Gate it being about one of the clock in the night Captain Charry marched out first for it was he who alwayes led the dance Blacon after him the Count de Gayas next and then the Germans who in a trice put themselves into the Valley We immediately heard the fight betwixt our French and the Spaniards Captain Charry routed the two Courts of Guards the one after the other and beat them up as far as that of St. Lazaro whereupon those of the Charter-house came out to relieve their people and came to the Augustins where Blacon had made a halt expecting Captain Charry and there clapt in betwixt them Captain Charry having done his business thought to return hearing very well that they were fighting with Blacon and met the Enemy which redoubled the fight The Count de Gayas could not come to assist him by reason that I had expresly forbid him to engage in the fight till he should first be sure that the Germans were out of danger but in the end he was constrain'd to do as the rest did our two French Companies being driven upon him The Fight continued above a long hour Signior Cornelio and I were without the Gate by the Portcullis and nothing was open but the wicket and there as the Soldiers came one after another we put them in when on a sudden we heard the fight coming towards us some crying France and others Spain when at last they all came up pel mel together to the Portcullis We had torches within the Gates and through the wicket saw a little light by wich we drew the Soldiers in I must needs say there were very valiant men both on the one side and the other for not so much as either French or Italian ever once ran furiously upon us but still fac'd about at the Portcullis and never retir'd but step by step till we pull'd them in All the three Captains were wounded and we there lost what slain and wounded above forty of the best Soldiers we had both French and Italians and in the end we got in all the rest of our people And because before the Sally the Siennois were astonish'd at the departure of the Germans I made Signior Cornelio to go about to the several Guards and to the Forts to reassure our men for no one knew that the Germans were to go away and I my self went to the Palace where I found all the Senate in a very great distraction to whom I spoke as followeth I see well Gentlemen that you have here assembled your selves upon the occasion of the Germans departure and that you are enter'd into some apprehension and jealousie that by that means your City will be lost But I must tell you it is the conservation and not the loss of your City for those six Ensigns devour'd more than the twelve of the Italians and French On the other side I know you must have heard that the said Germans already began to mutiny being no longer able to endure I also discover'd well enough that even their Captains were not like to govern them themselves apprehending that they would go over to the Enemy and you your selves have for five or six days last past heard the Enemy call out to us at the very foot of our walls that we were lost and that our Germans would soon be with them Yet did not this proceed from any default in their Officers but from the impatience of the common Soldiers who were no longer able to suffer Now Gentlemen should you appear dejected upon their departure the world would say that both your courage and ours depended only upon theirs and so we should dishonor our selves to honor them to which I shall never give my consent for you knew all the great fights that have hapned in this siege have been perform'd by you and us only and they have never so much as sallied out of the Town save once only that in spite of me the Rhinecroc would send out his
that he should not stir vvith his tvvo Companies from Beaumont de Lâ—maigne and the places adjacent to Monsieur de Terride to vvhom I vvrit also to put himself into Grenade vvith his Company and that I had left Captain Bazordan to be near him I sent in like manner to Monsieuâ— de Gondrin that he should gather to him his Relations and Neighbours and some Souldiers to put himself into Euse and that I vvas going to relieve Monsieur de Burie at Bourdeaux I vvas not the Kings Lieutenant and yet every one obey'd me as chearfully as they could have done any man in the vvorld by vvhich you may see vvhat it is for a man to get the love of the Gentry as I did and vvho does not so shall never perform any thing vvorth speaking of for upon them almost all things depend especially considering hovv Gascony and Armaignac abound in Gentry The fift day after Raze's departure there came to me Monsieur de Courre Nephevv to Monsieur de Burie and Lieutenant of his Company vvho came again to solicite my haste by vvhom the said Sieur de Burie sent me vvord that if in six days he vvas not reliev'd the City vvould be lost The Sieur de Courre told me also that although he had only travell'd by night he had nevertheless met vvith the Enemy almost at every step and that all the Country vvas up in arms against us either voluntarily or by force I sent back the said Sieur de Courre by les Landes he having vvith him five and tvventy Launces compleatly arm'd recommending him to houses of Gentlemen of my relations and the next day assembling all my men both Horse and Foot I began to set forvvards directly to Bourdeaux The first days march vvas to Bruch vvhich belongs to Monsieur de Gondrin and another Vâ—llage a quarter of a League from thence call'd Fougarolles appertaining to the Queen of Navarre vvhere I lodg'd the Companies of Monsieur de Termes and that of Monsieur de Saint Salvy Brother to Monsieur de Terride vvhich vvas nevvly rais'd and so soon as ever their Quarters vvere made there came three Ensigns of Nerac led by one Captain Dâ—uâ—zan vvhich might be in all betvvixt five and six hundred men I had not eaten six bits vvhen they came to tell me that at a Castle hard by call'd Castel-Vieille there were some people who defended the place whereupon I presently went thither commanding Captain Bardachin that with a hundred of his Musketeers he should go and set fire to the gates and give an assault which he did and we carried the place when as we were entring there came an Alarm from Fougarolles that the Enemy were fighting with the Companies of Messieurs de Termes and de Saint Salvy whereupon I left the Castle and ran to Fougarolles sending to Captain Charry who was quarter'd with his men close by me I never suffer'd him to be very far off for if it came to striking he would always give the first blow that he should advance with his men to come to the fight I had some Gentlemen with me and but a few forasmuch as they durst not as yet declare seeing the Enemy to have the upper hand and amongst others the Governor de la Mothe-Rouge Captain Poy and fifteen or twenty others I gave Captain Bardachin order to make the Soldiers give over the sack and follow after me as fast as he could but he left the charge thereof to his Lieutenant and went along with me with five or six horse more of his Now from Castel Vieiâ—le to Fougarolles it is no more than a quarter of a League when so soon as I came thither I found Monsieur de Termes his Company in Battalia by the Bourg and that of Monsieur de Saint Salvy also close by one another The Enemy were at the other end of the Bourg who saw us coming and began to face about and retire Whereupon I bid Captain Masses take ten of his Launces and that the rest should quarter themselves with the Company of Monsieur de Saint Salvy for we had made a long march on'â— and would be going an hour before day by reason of the excessive heat Captain Charry also came up to me with five or six horse and the rest were coming after as fast as they could for I put my self in the Rear of the Enemy Close by the Village on that side towards Nerac there is an ascent and when we were at the foot of the Hill they were in the middle and upon the top and there they fac'd about I had no great mind to fight because my design was to relieve Bourdeaux and therefore was unwilling to engage fearing some disaster might happen and that then I could not relieve the City Nevertheless seeing them upon the top of the Hill I followed after and when I came to the top saw them in the great High-way betwixt two Copses marching softly on and in very good order this Captain Douazan with four or five horse and ten or twelve Harquebuzeers bringing up the Rear We might be in all with the ten Launces some five and fifty horse good and bad I made the Harquebuzeers alight and to put themselves in their Rear whereupon I perceiv'd them to make a little more haste than before which made me cry to the Governor la Mothe Rouge Monsieur de Sainctorens Captain Charry and the rest of the Gentlemen follow them close for upon my life these people are afraid I see it by their march they have a long retreat to make and I will second you with Captain Masses Captain Bardachin then sent to his Musqueâ—eers that they should run as fast as ever they could and we had not march'd after this manner above two hundred paces but that I saw our Avantâ—Coureâ—rs were fallen in pell-mell amongst them and our Harquebuzeers began to make a little more haste when seeing their horse pass thorough the files of the foot to recover the Van which was because Douazans horse was shot I rid up to the head of our men and shew'd them that the Enemies horse gain'd the Front of their own people either with intention to make them face about and fight or else they ran away for fear But I rather think said I it is for fear for their foot also begin to mend their pace let us charge them but first let Captain Masses come up to us who might be about some two hundred paces behind to whom I sent that he should gallop away but as soon as ever they saw our people coming upon the gallop they began to ply their march and gave over shooting and then I cried let us fall on let us fall on for they are afraid which we did and without resistance charg'd them through and through over the very bellies of them Their horse fled full speed towards Nerac and the foot like cowardly rascals crept into the Copses and squat in the ditches where our
ten Ensigns We attaqu'd the Castle in the Front of it for we could batter it in no other place it being very strong both in structure and situation and there we made above three hundred Canon shot They had here a great Terrass cast up within and in the Terrass had made a Trench where the Soldiers lay to defend the Breach which also was of very difficult access because we were to mount by ladders from the Breach up to the Terrass Novv vve had the first night taken the Town for Captain Charry and his Companions had set fire to the Gates which the besieged having long and bravely defended in vain they all retir'd into the Castle They might be within it about three hundred men and I went to discover the Breach by the Houses on the right hand which I caused to be pierc'd thorough passing from one to another till I came to the last which was so near to the Castle that there was no more than the way betwixt them from whence I perceived an out-jut of stone at the flanck on the right hand in the Wall and sent a Soldier creeping on all four to discover this place He went up the half-way and found that it was made as if they had purposely left steps to go up by in that place which having done he came back to me and upon his report I went immediately to Monsieur d' Ortoble where we drew a piece of Canon a little on the right hand this place We had enough to do to lodg it there by reason that it was a very great Precipice that went down to the River and from thence we shot side-wayes at this Wall which being not very strong was in four shots pierc'd quite thorough so that one might see thorough the hole into their Trenches whereupon I immediately went down and made the same Soldier climb up by those steps so far as to discover if the hole was over against the Trench bidding him in no wise to discover himself which he accordingly did and brought me word that they stood all in Battalia in the Trench and that there was a great number of Corslets as it was true I then caused the Ladders to be brought which I had made to be sought for in every place and which might be some twelve or fifteen in all Monsieur de Burie was with the Artillery whither I went to conclude the Assault before him entreating him that the Gascons might go on first and the Spaniards after but Don Lewis desir'd they might fall on together which was also granted In the mean time I made choice of four Harquebuzeers to mount these steps for more could not stand upon the top to shoot thorough the hole into the Trench when ours should give the assault to the Front of the Castle and so I committed to them the assault The Soldiers themselves took the Ladders and I went to the forementioned steps with my four Harquebuzeers when as the one were rearing their Ladders the four went up by the steps and at the same instant that the Spanish and Gascon Foot mounted the Ladder the four Harquebuzeers fir'd into the Trench They kill'd one of them who tumbled down dead at my feet and I sent up another in his room but when the Enemy saw themselves kill'd thorough this hole they retir'd into another Fortress where they defended themselves above three long hours and twice repuls'd our people to the very Breach Where I perceiv'd two things though I had very well observ'd them before the one that the Spaniards are not more valiant than the Gascons and the other that the brisk disputes are alwayes made by the Gentlemen for above five hundred Spaniards and Gascons were overturn'd either upon the Ladders or down to the ground yet must we not deprive those of their due honor who worthily atchieved it for though the Gascon Captains and the Gentlemen of their Companies all day bore the brunt of the fight I will not say but that the Spanish Captains very bravely behav'd themselves but in truth their Soldiers did very little In the end I encourag'd our people making them again to mount the Ladders encouraging some and threatning others for I had my sword drawn in my hand ready to have given them a cast of my Office had I perceived any Polâ—rons But they all now began to do better both Spaniards and Gascons insomuch that they gain'd the second Fort. The Enemy then divided themselves into two other Forts namely the great Tower and another quarter of the house on the left hand Now we were to go up a pair of stone steps into a base Court betwixt the said Tower and the other Fort so that our people were constrain'd to set fire to the Gate of the said Base-Court On the top of these steps and close by the Gate there was a corner on the left hand where fifteen oâ— sixteen men had room to stand Captain Charry and the Baron de Clermont were in this place encouraging the men to shoot thorough the Gate into the Base-Court and so soon as the Gate was burnt it fell down just in the Passage I was upon the middle of the steps when seeing the Gate fall'n down I call'd to Captain Charry that they should leap in thorough the fiâ—e which they did without disputing the business a man needed not to bid him twice he fear'd not death I pusht forwards those who were upon the steps before me whether they would or no and so we all entred in fury but found no body in the Base-Court save Women and Maids of which it was all full even to the very Stables Those of the Tower of the other Fort on the left hand shot at us in the Court and kill'd five or six Soldiers Captain Charry was there a little hurt and the Sieur de Bardachin also We made the Women go down by those stone steps where the Spaniards who were at the foot of the stairs in the great Base-Court below kill'd them saying they were Lutherans disguis'd We redoubled the assault upon this Fort on the left hand both by a door and by two windows that went into it which we carried putting all we found within it to the Sword Now we were afterwards to assault the great Tower and the Gate that was between I there left the Captains who were not hurt in this Fort on the left had and in the Stables to keep them penn'd in and as fortune would have it they had all their provisions in this Fort on the left hand and none at all in the great Tower and that was the reason that in the close of the Evening they surrendred themselves to the Captains upon Quarter for lifâ— The Spaniards were lodg'd in the Town who knew they were surrendred and that in the morning our Captains were to bring them to Monsieur de Burie and me who were quarter'd in the House of Monsieur de Cathus a Harquebuz shot from
taken an Archer of Monsieur de Randan's Company whom they led prisoner near unto this Tree and there gave him two Pâ—stol shot in cold blood and being not yet dead demanded of hiâ— who was in our Camp and who commanded in chief To which he he return'd â—hem answer that I was come to the Army and that I commanded Monsieur de Burie having referr'd all things to my conduct which he said as knowing very well that news would startle them Captain Peyralonguâ— then went to Monsieur de Duras vvho vvas under the forementioned Tree about some ten paces from the Archer who himself came to him and again demanded of him if I was in the Camp to which he answered that I was and was come thither the night before having taken Lectoure at which they were basely down in the mouth They thereupon return'd roundly to their men vvho vvere marching a foot pace only and vvere not yet got clear of the Meadow vvhere I percieved that upon their coming the Foot began to double their pace and said to Monsieur de Monferran do you see these five horse that were under the Tree they are run to make their people mend thâ—ir pace do you not see what long strides they take which having said I turn'd upon the spur to the Troop vvhere Monsieur d' Argence was and said to him these vvords O Monsieur d'Argence my Camrade see see the Enemy are in fear upon my life the day 's our own and cried out aloud O Gentlemen let us think of nothing but killing for the Enemy is afraid and will never this day make head against us Let us only go boldly to the fight they are our own I have a hundred times had experience of the same they are only endeavouring to steal off the Field I then embraced the Captains and return'd to Captain Masses and said as much to him after which I return'd to Captain Arne and the Gentlemen vvho rid under my ovvn Corneâ— being come along vvith my Company and we began to march at a false trot I then galloped towards the Enemy being my self very hot and my horse all of a foam having only Monsieur de Monferran with me vvhen being come very near them I observ'd their countenance and saw their design vvas to make all the haste they could to recover a little hill that was hard by and on the other side our own men coming on in great fury I observ'd also their Cornets of horse and saw one marching and another facing about I took notice likewise of three or four Horse amongst the Foot and perciev'd by their gesture that they vvere hasting their people forward and thereupon turn'd back to our own Horse crying out to them they are afraid they are afraid let us take them at their word Camrades let us take them at their word that they fly not back These are Poltrons they tremble at the very sight of us I then sent to Monsieur de Burie to leave the Artillery and advance to put himself into the Squadron of the three Companies of Gensâ—d'arms and vve began to march at a good round trot towards them Some there were who call'd out to me to stay for the Foot but I made answer that vve must not suffer them to recover the Mountain for they would make head against us and fight at their advantage I evermore remembred Targon where they had made head against us upon the Hill so that we were constrain'd to charge them against the ascent of the Mountain vvhere had they come down upon us we had infâ—llibly been defeated Our Foot made all the haste that Foot could possibly make and when the Enemy savv they could not recover the Mountain they rallied a thousand or twelve hundred old Soldiers they had left in the corner of the field whom Monsieur de Burie had plaid upon vvith his Artillery and so all their Forces march't side by side at a good round trot when so soon as we came vvithin two hundred paces of one another I began to cry out charge charge vvhich I had no sooner said but that we all fell in pell-mell amongst their Horse and Foot except Captain Masses who at the same time that he saw their people overthrown saw also another great party of them hard by the Hill who did not offer to move and therefore did not charge till he came up to the party and then flew in fâ—riously amâ—ngst them Monsieur de Fontenilles vvho had rallied â—ome few of our men vvas in this second charge also and there they were all defeated and their Artillery taken We pursued the Victory all along the Plain and thorough the Vineyards vvhere many of them threw themselves into a Wood on the left hand and swarm'd up the Châ—snut Trees vvhere the Spanish and Gascon Foot shot at them as they do at Rooks. It vvas vvell for me that I vvas vvell arm'd for three pikes had enclosed me amongst them and put me to my Trumps but Captain Baretnau the younger and two others had dâ—sengag'd me vvhere the said Captain Baretnau had his horse kill'd under him and mâ—ne was hurt in the nose and in the head with two thrusts of Pikes for my horse had carried me whether I would or no into their Battalion and I never knew that he had an ill mouth till then that it had like to have cost me my life the Captains Arne and Bourdillâ—n were both wounded close by me My being thus engag'd was the reason that I could not rally with the Cavalry for they vvere following the Chace on the left hand and I vvith fifteen or tâ—enty horse that vvere rallied pursued the Victory on the right hand towards a little Village vvhere thirty or forty vvere slain I there made a little halt to take breath after vvhich I returned to the Artillery vve had taken vvhere I found Monsieur de Burie and vvhere vve staid the return of our people vvho vvere yet pursuing the Chace and rallied our men We found that some of ours had followed the pursuit for above two long leagues from the Field of Battel and about two a clock in the afternoon return'd to quarter at Ver from whence vve sent Oxen to fetch in the Artillerie vve had taken and all the next day continued there The Runawayes failed but a very little of meeting vvith Monsieur de Montpensier vvho vvent to put himself into Mussidan thinking to joyn vvith us which had it pleased God that it had so fall'n out the business had been done though he had but very few Forces vvith him for men that â—ly seldom or never face about and are so afraid of every thing that they take Bushes for Squadrons Those vvho escaped of their Foot vvhich vvere very few rallied to their horse and marcht all the rest of the day and the night following towards Xaintonge to carry the good news to their Brethren Of three and twenty Ensigns that they
had made him a very eloquent Oration at Orleans whose name he had set down in his List and in pure Gift gave him the place He likewise did the same in all Employments and I have seen the same way practised by that great Odet de Foix under whom I serv'd in the beginning of my Arms he knew the names of all the Captains and remarkable persons and when any one had perform'd any signal Exploit he presently bookt him down But Sir withal you must oft turn over this Book and not content your self with taking the names of such persons only but employ and advance them according to their quality and desert and encourage them by some gracious expressions in their favour or if he be a poor Gentleman give him money which if you please to do with your own hand five hundred Crowns will be better taken than two thousand from the hands of a Treasurer for something will evermore stick to their fingers One time King Henry your Royal Father and my good Master whom God absolve had order'd me two thousand Crowns and he that was to pay it was not asham'd to detein five hundred but he met with a Gascon that was not wont to be so serv'd nor to pay such large Fees He knew I would complain of him to the King and was more overjoyed that he could perswade me to receive it than I was of the receipt If your Majestie would give with your own hand these tricks would not be put upon men of desert It was said in your Grandfathers time that his Predecessor alwaies did so and had a Chest full of Baggs stuft with Crowns in some more in some less which he himself distributed according to the quality of the person or of the service he had perform'd I know some will tell you that this is too much below a King but Sir do not believe them for these are the people that would have the moulding of all the Paste and would that your liberality should pass thorough their hands to the end that they might nim from your bounty Only one thing give me leave to tell your Majestie you should not give all to one nor to a few persons I beseech you Sir pardon my plainness you have given one Gentleman of Guienne enough to have satisfied fifty pretenders I will not say but that the man was brave and valiant but there were who deserv'd it as well or better than he and who notwithstanding had nothing at all Your Majestie may please to take what I say in good part I have one foot in the Grave and 't is the affection I bear to your Crown that prompts me to say what I do I am Neighbour to the Spaniard but he never had other than Flours-de-Lis from me I could say a great deal more if I durst for in truth there is but too much to say and but too many things to be reform'd I must now speak a little with your Majesties permission to the Monsieur your Brother your new Chancellor in arms 'T is to you then my Lord that I address my self and I should be sorry this Book should go out of my hands without some honorable testimonie of your Grandeur You are descended from the greatest Family in the world there is no Record but that these ten last descents have ever been hardie and warlike and but very few from the first Christian King have been otherwise although Races have gone out and that others have seiz'd upon the Crown which is exceedingly admirable for of four Generations of Gentlemen you shall hardly find two Descents together valâ—ant Which ought to make us believe that God has a particular providence over this Kingdom seeing he has given so great Gifts and Graces to those who are his Vicegerents as to the Kings your Grandfather and Father And although you are no King you nevertheless share in the blessing that God has so liberally conferred upon your Royal Family O my Lord you have great reason to think and to assure your self that Almighty God has design'd you for great ends as is already discern'd by the victories he has given you in your younger years which are such as therein his Almighty arm has been manifestly seen and that you have obtein'd them more thorough his Divine Will than any power of man Every one must therefore of necessitie confess that this Kingdom is the Care of Heaven that the King your Brother is God's Lieutenant and that You are his Behold what fair and honouâ—able Titles I must now take the boldness to talk a little to you You are my Lord the prop upon whom he reposes and relies you are he who are to command the Arms which are â—o carry him into all hazards perils and fortunes You are the Trumpet which is to give us the signal what we are to do You are our refuge and our hope by whose testimonie we are to expect from the King the recompence of all our services 'T is you who are to recommend us to his Majesties knowledg and who as a true Chancellor of the Sword are to make him a true Report of what we have done for his service and who when we are dead and gone ought to present our Children to him if we have behav'd our selves as men of honor ought to do Finally you have all the eyes of France upon you upon you my Lord who command Armies and who have so often bang'd and bang'd again the Rebellious Hugonots All Christendom knows that it is you for the King is constrain'd since his Council will have it so to make war in his Cabineâ— Since then you hold so high a place upon which all other Offiâ—es and Commands that concern Arms depend and that we are all to stand or fall by you for the Kings service and your own your Highness ought to repose your entire confidence and to lay out your whole care upon us who follow Arms for all other conditions of men participate nothing with yours forasmuch as all the rest depend upon men of the long Robe Of such there are a great many in the Kings Council you have nothing to do with these people neither indeed is it proper you should for too many irons in the fire never do well and it is an old saying All covet all lose If your Highness will please a little to reflect upon what I take the boldness to represent before you you will find that it will be necessary seeing you are in so high a Station to weigh and consider what it is that may help to maintain and support you in so great and so honorable a Command than which nothing can be greater Shall it be from these young Captains that you are to expect it no certainly for in these kind of people theâ—e is no manner of experience but rather levity and folly Shall it be from men of the long Robe You are yet less to expect it from them than from the other They will
I have not implor'd his Divine assistance and never passed over day of my life since I arriv'd at the age of man without calling upon his Name and asking pardon for my sins And many times I can say with truth that upon sight of the Enemy I have found my self so possest with fear that I have felt my heart beat and my limbs tremble let us not make our selves braver than we are for every man upon earth apprehends death when he sees it before his eyes but so soon as I had made my prayer to God I felt my spirits and my strength return The prayer which I continually used from my fiâ—st entring into Arms was in these very words My God who hast created me I most humbly beseech thee to preserve my Iudgment entire that this day I may not lose it for it is thou that gavest it me and I hold it from no other but thee alone If thou hast this day appointed me to die grant that I may fall with the resolution of a man of honor which I have sought for through so many dangers I ask thee not my life for I desire nothing but what pleases thee Thy will be done I resigne all things to thy divine wisdom and bounty After which having said my little Latin prayers I declare and protest in the presence of God and men that I suddenly felt a heat creep over my heart and members so that I had no sooner made an end but that I found my self quite another man than when I began I was no more afraid and my understanding again return'd to perform its Office so that with promptitude and judgment I discern'd what I had to do without ever losing it after in any Engagement wherein I have ever been How many are departed this life who were they now living could witness if ever they saw me astonisht or lose my judgment in any action of war whether at an Assault or in any other Rencounter or Battel Messieurs de Lautrec de l' Escut de Barbezieux de Monpezat de Termes du Bié de Strozzy de Bourdillon de Brissac d' Anguâ—en de Boitieres and de Guise could have given testimony of me for they had all had me under their Command and have all seen me in a thousand and a thousand dangers without the least sign of fear or amazement Who could they again return to life would be good witness of the truth of what I have deliver'd and yet they are not all dead under whom and by whom I had the honor to serve and to be commanded who although they were much younger Captains than I it was nevertheless fit I should obey them Monsieur le Duc d' Aumale and the Mareschaux de Cossé and de Vielle Ville are of this number and I beseech you my noble Lords if my Book peradventure fall into your hands to do me right and declare whether what I have here deliver'd be true or false for you have been eye-witnesses of part of it and I fancie that after my death you will be curious to see what I have writ There are others also who are able to give me the lye if I have said ought but true namely Signior Ludovico de Biraga and Monsieur le President de Birague who never abandoned that brave Mareschal de Brissac Several others are yet living who have been my Companions in Arms and many others who have serv'd under my Command all which are able to affirm the truth of what I have said and whether whenever there was a debate about any Execution I did not alwayes think nothing impossible but on the contrary concluded things feasible which others concluded impossible to be effected I undertook it and brought it about having evermore that stedfast assurance in God that he would not forsake me but open the eyes of my understanding to see what was to be done to make my Enterprize succeed I never thought any thing impossible but the taking of Thionville of which the honor is to be attributed to Monsieur de Guise alone and in truth there was more of fortune than reason in that success though the said Sieur de Guise was ever confident he should carry it and so he did Fellows in arms how many and how great things shall you perform if you put your whole trust in God and set honor continually before your eyes discoursing with your selves that if it be determin'd you shall end your dayes in a Breach ' t is to much purpose to stay behind in the Graffe Vn bel morir sayes the Italian tuta la vita honora 'T is to die like a beast for a man to leave no memory behind him Never go about to deprive another man of his honor nor ever set avarice and ambition in your prospect for you will find that it will all come to nought and end in misery and disgrace I do not say this that I have any mind to play the Preacher but meerly out of respect to truth How many are there in the world who are yet living and whom I shall forbear to name that have had the reputation of valiant men and yet have been very unfortunate in their undertaking Believe me the hand of God was in this and though they might implore his divine ayd their devotion was not right which made the Almighty adverse to them If therefore you would have God to be assisting to you you must strip your selves of ambition avarice and rancour and be full of the love and loyaltie we all owe to our Prince And in so doing although his quarrel should not be just God will not for all that withdraw his assistance from you for it is not for us to ask our King if his cause be good or evil but only to obey him And if you are not rewarded for the services you have performed you will not stomack your being neglected by reason it was not your intention nor design to fight upon the score of ambition and greatness nor out of a thirst of riches but upon the account of fidelity and duty that God has commanded you to bear to your Prince and Sovereign You will rejoyce to find your selves esteem'd and belov'd by all the world which is the greatest Treasure a man of honor ought to coveâ— For great Estates and high Titles perish with the body but a good Reputation and Renown are immortal as the Soul I now see my self drawing towards my end and languishing in my bed towards my dissolution and 't is a great consolation to me that in spite of Death my name shall live and flourish not only in Gascony but moreover in foreign Nations This then is the end of my Book and of thus far of my life which if God shall please longer to continue to me some other may write the rest if ever I shall again be in place where I shall perform any thing worthy of my self which nevertheless I do not hope for finding