His Majesties entrance into Nancy, and the Orders therein established.

THe Duke of Lorrain seeing his Artifices availed little, and that he must think of nothing but performing his promise, did at last, upon the 24 of Sept. com∣mand the Gates of Nancy to be opened for his Majesties forces. The Mar∣shals of his lodgings went to prepare his Quarters, and the Garison of Lorrain being marched out, in number 2300 foot, and 230 horse only, which was not enough, by a third part, to make good the fortifications: His Majesties Army en∣tred Page  572the place, and divided themselves into the several quarters of the City, accord∣ing as they were commanded. The 25 the King accompanied by the Cardinal of Lorrain, and all the persons of quality, who had followed him in that expedition, made his entrance. The people indeed at first, seemed but ill satisfied; but when they saw the admirable Order which his Majesty had prescribed, to prevent their receiving any injury, they made Bonfires before their doors; the morning follow∣ing, the Queen came thither to partake of the Kings joy, for having mastred one of the strongest places of Europe in so little time, and without losse of blood. The King went to receive her, at the Port of St. John, where the Regiment of Picardy was im∣battelled; and shortly after her arrival, the Duke de Lorrain, accompanied by the Cardinal his brother, and the Princess de Falsbourg, went to do their devoirs to her, with more civility then joy: And thus was Nancy the Metropolitan City of Lor∣rain, whom the force of her Bastions, and the largenesse of three great Motes see∣med to render impregnable, taken as soon as besieg'd. It might have held out at least two years; but his Majesty assisted by the sage advices of the Cardinal, as he himself hath testified, took it in fourteen days. The address of this grand Minister, forced the Duke to keep his word, and to Deposit Nancy for some time, fearing lest he might have lost it for ever. Hardly had fame published this siege, but she was oblig'd to make known the taking of it, confirming the custom of Poets and Pain∣ters, who represent victory with wings, to signifie that the actions of fortunate Princes, are as swift as the wings of birds. Conquests have been atchieved beyond hope, and the dispatch wherewith the King hath obtained, some rendreth those example of History now credible, which before were thought miraculous. Nor was the Order which his Majesty took to keep this place, the least considerable thing in this expedition: He committed the Government of it to the Sieur de Brassac, a Gentleman of quality, newly return'd from an Embassie from Rome, whose sweet∣ness and modesty was as capable of perswading the Inhabitants not to mislike the change of their Master, as his fidelity and vigilance of assuring his Majesty of his well keeping it. He assign'd him between seven and eight thousand men to guard it, chosen out of the best Regiments of his Army, with express command to keep them in such order, that the inhabitants might receive no discontent from them. He commanded the Magazeens to be stored with Ammunitions of all sorts, he converted the fortifications which served for a Communication between the new and the old Town into a Cittadel, where the Garison might be secure, in case the inhabitants should mutiny, for the preventing of which he disarm'd them. His Majesties presence being of no longer use in that place, he return'd towards Paris, not with that State and Pride, wherewith the ancient Emperours caused themselves to be ador'd by the people, at least honoured with costly triumphs, after the obtain∣ing of their victories, but with much modesty, though it was his glory never to have undertaken any expedition, so without acquiring new Palms.