第 58 节
作者:
辛苦 更新:2021-02-20 15:26 字数:9321
jesty for removing Cardinal Mazarin; and most humbly to entreat the King to return to his good city of Paris。
On the 26th they also registered the King's amnesty; or royal pardon; granted to all that had taken up arms against him; but with such restrictions that very few could think themselves safe by it。
The King acquainted the Duc d'Orleans that he wondered that; since Mazarin was removed; he should delay; according to his own declaration and promise; to lay down his arms; to renounce all associations and treaties; and to cause the foreign troops to withdraw; and that when this was done; those deputies that should come to his Majesty from him should be very welcome。
On the 3d of September the Parliament resolved that their deputies should wait upon the King with their thanks for removing Cardinal Mazarin; and to beseech his Majesty to return to Paris; that the Duc d'Orleans and the Prince de Conde should be desired to write to the King and assure him they would lay down their arms as soon as his Majesty would be pleased to send the passports for the safe retreat of the foreigners; together with an amnesty in due form; registered in all the Parliaments of the kingdom; and that his Majesty should be petitioned to receive the deputies of the Princes。
Pray indulge me with a short pause here to consider the scandalous arts which ministers palliate with the name and sacred word of a great King; and with which the most august Parliament of the kingdomthe Court of Peersexpose themselves to ridicule by such manifest inconsistencies as are more becoming the levity of a college than the majesty of a senate。 In short; persons are not sensible of what they do in these State paroxysms; which savour somewhat of frenzy。 I knew in those days some very honest men; who were so fully satisfied of the justice of the cause of the Princes that; upon occasion; they would have laid down their lives for it; and I also knew some eminently virtuous and disinterested men who would as gladly have been martyrs for the Court。 The ambition of great men manages such dispositions just as it suits their own interests; they help to blind the rest of mankind; and they even become blinder themselves than other people。
Honest M。 de Fontenay; who had been twice ambassador at Rome; a man of great experience and good sense and a hearty well…wisher to his country; daily condoled with me on the lethargy into which the intestine divisions had lulled the best citizens and patriots。 We saw the Spanish colours and standards displayed upon the Pont…Neuf; the yellow sashes of Lorraine appeared at Paris with the same liberty as the Isabelles and blue ones。 People were so accustomed to these spectacles and to the news of provinces; towns; and battles lost; that they were become insolent and stupid。 Several of my friends blamed my inactivity; and desired me to bestir myself。 They bid me save the kingdom; save the city; or else I should fall from the greatest love to the greatest hatred of the people。 The Frondeurs suspected me of favouring Mazarin's party; and the Mazarins thought I was too partial to the Frondeurs。
I was touched to the quick with a pathetic speech made to me by M。 de Fontenay。 〃You see;〃 said he; 〃that Mazarin; like a Jack…in…the…bog; plays at Bo…peep; but you see that; whether he appears or disappears; the wire by which the puppet is drawn on or off the stage is the royal authority; which is not likely to be broken by the measures now on foot。 Abundance of those that appear to be his greatest opponents would be very sorry to see him crushed; many others would be very glad to see him get off; not one endeavours to ruin him entirely。 You may get clear of the difficulty that embarrasses you by a door which opens into a field of honour and liberty。 Paris; whose archbishop you are; groans under a heavy load。 The Parliament there is but a mere phantom; and the Hotel de Ville a desert。 The Duc d'Orleans and the Prince have no more authority than what the rascally mob is pleased to allow them。 The Spaniards; Germans; and Lorrainers are in the suburbs laying waste the very gardens。 You that have rescued them more than once; and are their pastor; have been forced to keep guards in your own house for three weeks。 And you know that at this day your friends are under great apprehension if they see you in the streets without arms。 Do you count it a slight thing to put an end to all these miseries? And will you neglect the only opportunity Providence puts a into your hands to obtain the honour of it? Take your clergy with you to Compiegne; thank the King for removing Mazarin; and beg his Majesty to return to Paris。 Keep up a good correspondence with those bodies who have no other design but the common good; who are already almost all your particular friends; and who look upon you as their head by reason of your dignity。 And if the King actually returns to the city; the people of Paris will be obliged to you for it; if you meet with a refusal; you will have still their acknowledgments for your good intention。 If you can get the Duc d'Orleans to join with you; you will save the realm; for I am persuaded that if he knew how to act his part in this juncture it would be in his power to bring the King back to Paris and to prevent Mazarin ever returning again。 You are a cardinal; you are Archbishop of Paris; you have the good…will of the public; and are but thirty…seven years old: Save the city; save the kingdom。〃
In short; the Duc d'Orleans approved of my scheme; and ordered me to convene a general assembly of the ecclesiastical communities; and to get deputies chosen out of them all; and go with them to Court; there to present the deputation; which should request the King to give peace to his people and return to his good city of Paris。 I was also to endeavour by the aid of my friends to induce the other corporate bodies of the city to do likewise。 I was to tell the Queen that she could not but be sensible that the Duke was in good earnest for peace; which the public engagements he was under to oppose Mazarin had not suffered him to conclude; or even to propose; while the Cardinal continued at Court; that he renounced all private views and interests with relation to himself or friends; that he desired nothing but the security of the public; and that after he had the satisfaction of seeing the King at the Louvre he would then with joy retire to Blois; fully resolved to live in peace and prepare for eternity。
I set out immediately with the deputies of all the ecclesiastical bodies of Paris; nearly two hundred gentlemen; accompanied by fifty men of the Duke's Guards。 The number of my attendants gave such umbrage at Court; where it was ridiculously exaggerated; that the Queen sent me word I should only have accommodation for eighty horses; whereas I had no less than one hundred and twelve for the coaches alone。 If I had known as much when I went as I heard after I returned; I should have hesitated about going; for I was told that some moved for arresting me; and others for killing me。 However; the Queen received me very well; the King gave me the cardinal's hat and a public audience。
I told the Queen; in a private audience; that I was not come only as a deputy from the Church of Paris; but that I had another commission which I valued much more; because I took it to be more for her service than the other;that of an envoy from the Duc d'Orleans; who had charged me to assure her Majesty that he was resolved to serve her effectually and without delay; as he had promised by a note under his own hand; which I then pulled out of my pocket。 The Queen expressed a great deal of joy; and said; 〃I knew very well; M。 le Cardinal; that you would at last give some particular marks of your affection for me。〃
The Queen told me that she thanked the Duke; and was very much obliged to him; that she hoped and desired he would contribute towards making the necessary dispositions for the King's return to Paris; and that she would not take one step but in concert with him。 At the same time I heard that the Queen spoke disdainfully of me; whom she dreaded; to my enemies at Court; pretended that I had owned Mazarin was an honest man; and ridiculed me for the expense I had put myself to on the journey; which; indeed; was immense for so short a time; because I kept seven open tables; and spent 800 crowns a day。
When I returned to Paris I was received with incredible applause。 The King also came thither on the 21st of October; and was welcomed by the acclamations of the people。 The Queen received me with wonderful respect; and bade the King embrace me; as one to whom he chiefly owed his return to Paris; but orders were sent to the Duc d'Orleans to retire next morning to Limours。
When I went to see him; he was panic…struck; and imagined it was only a feint to try his temper。 He was in an inconceivable agony; and fancied that every musket which was let off by way of rejoicing for his Majesty's return was fired by the soldiers coming to invest his palace。 Every messenger that he sent out brought him word that all was quiet; but he would believe nobody; and looked continually out of the window to hear if the drums were beating the march。 At last he took courage