The Duke of Lorrain sendeth to assure the King of his Service.

IN vain do the Stars endeavour to twinkle in the Sun's presence, who ushered in by the morning, darkens them at his only sight. In vain do the great Ri∣vers (which astonish the world by the impetuousness of their waters) endea∣vour to contest with the Ocean, which forceth them to pour all their store in∣to his Bosome, as a Tribute due to his greatness: And in vain doth a petty Prince make a muster of his Forces, in presence of those of a great King, before whom he is only esteemed as a small star, which hath neither light nor luster, when the Sun comes in view. The Duke of Lorrain was forced to confess as much, though against his Will, both in consideration of the defeat of his Forces, and loss of his Towns: In fine, he was necessitated to send the Sieur de Courtrisson to offer all sort of satisfaction unto his Majesty. The King amidst the greatest Victories, was ever wont to prefer peace before war; yet because Infidelities are a just cause of distrust, he could not believe that the Duke had any cordial intention to conclude the war, his Word and Actions being disconsonant: Whereupon be Proceeded on Wednesday June 23. to invest Nancy, and accordingly he came with his Army two days after unto Liverdun, which is only two Leagues distant from it, and sent an∣other part of his Army within half a league from it. The Duke well perceived Page  489that the King was resolved in good earnest to chastise him for all his ill designs a∣gainst France, and finding himself press'd by the near approaches of the Army, sent the Sieur de Ville, chief Gentleman of his Bed-chamber, and Janin; Secretary of State, once more to offer him all manner of content, giving them likewise full li∣berty to treat. They testified unto his Majesty, that their Master was very much afflicted for having inconsiderately suffered himself to be ingaged with Monsieur, They protested that in future he would continue immovable in his Devoir; That he would pay him the Fealty and Homage due for the Dutchy of Bar; That he would inviolably adhere to the Interests of France, particularly offering to joyn his For∣ces with his, to be employed in any expedition whatever; and withal, that he would deposite part of his Towns in his Majesty's hands, as a gage of his perform∣ance. The King received them very curteously, knowing it to be more glorious to receive the submissions of his Enemies, confessing themselves vanquished, then to destroy them, despoil them, and insult upon them; and then, as if he would set no bounds to his clemency, he promised to pardon him a second time, and that he would not be against any accomodation that reasonably could be desired, provided there might be any assurance of his promises. But it being requisite to find out some other kind of security for performance of his engagement, then what had formerly been, whereby he might be deprived of the means of running any more into his former designs, his Majesty remitted them to the Cardinal to conclude the Articles of the Treaty.