The Heptameron (Machen)/Novel 17

There came to Dijon, in the duchy of Burgundy, a German count named William, of the House of Saxe, which is so near akin to the House of Savoy that of old they were one. This count, being esteemed the bravest and most handsome gentleman in Germany, having offered his service to the King of ​France, was so well received of him that not only did he accept him as a follower, but kept him close at hand as a servant of the Body. Now my lord de la Tremoille, governor of Burgundy, the same being an ancient knight and loyal servant to the King, was always jealous and fearful of his master, and had spies on all hands, that he might know the counsels of the enemies of the King, and so well did he conduct matters that few things were hid from him. And he was advertised by one of his friends that Count William had received a sum of money, with assurance of more, to the intent that he might in any way cause the King to be murdered. Whereupon my lord de la Tremoille did forthwith advise the King of it, and did not conceal it from his mother, Louise de Savoye, who forgetting that she and this German were akin, implored the King straightway to dismiss him. But the King would have her speak no more of it, saying it was impossible for so good and honourable a gentleman to have undertaken so evil an enterprise. At the end of some time there came a second tidings concerning him to the same intent as the first, at which the governor, burning with love for his master, demanded that he should be sent from his service and banished the realm, or that some manner of order should be taken with him. But the King straightly charged him that he should make no sign, being well persuaded that by some other means he should come to a knowledge of the truth.

And one day, on which he was going a hunting, he took out the best sword that he had, and bade Count William follow hard after him; and after chasing the stag for some time, the King, seeing that all his people were far off, and that the Count alone was with him, turned aside from all the tracks. And when he saw himself alone with the Count in the very depths of the forest, drawing his sword he said to him: "Does this sword seem to you both good to look upon and serviceable withal?" The Count, handling the point, said he had seen none to overmatch it. "You are in the right," said the King, "and methinks if a man was resolved to kill me, and knew the strength of my arm and the stoutness of my heart, and the goodness of this sword here, he would think twice before having at me; nevertheless, I should hold him for a pitiful scoundrel if we were all alone, without witnesses, and he durst ​not carry out what he durst conceive." To which Count William, with an astounded countenance, replied: "Sire, the wickedness of such an undertaking would be very great, but the folly of putting it into execution would be no less." The King, with a laugh, put back the sword into the sheath, and hearing the chase hard by, pricked after it as fast as he was able. When he was come up he spoke to no one on the matter, being assured that Count William, though a brave enough gentleman, was not competent for such an enterprise. But the Count, believing that he was found out or at the least suspected, came early on the next morning to Robertet, the King's, treasurer, saying that he had considered the privileges and pay the King was willing to give him to stay in his service, and they did not suffice him for the half of a year. And if it was not the King's pleasure to give him double, he should be constrained to depart. And he prayed the said Robertet to ascertain as soon as might be the will of the King, who said that he could do him no better service than go to the King forthwith. And he did this willingly, since he had seen the advices of the governor. So when the King was awake he failed not to tell him what the Count had said, my lord de la Tremoille and Admiral de Bonnivet being present. But they knew not that which the King had done the day before. So with a laugh the King said: "You were desirous of dismissing Count William, and behold he dismisses himself! Wherefore tell him that, since he is not content with the estate to which he agreed when he entered my service, than which estate many a man of a noble house desires nothing better, it is reasonable that he seek his fortune somewhere else. And as for me I will put no let nor hindrance in his way, but shall be glad if he find a place according to his deserts." Robertet was as quick to carry back this reply to the Count as he had been to carry the Count's complaint to the King. And the Count said that, with his good pleasure, he was determined immediately to set forth. And as one whom fear makes to begone, it was not more than twenty-four hours from thence that he took leave of the King, as he was sitting at table, feigning to regret greatly that his poverty forced him away. Likewise he took leave of the mother of the King, who gave him leave as joyful as her welcome, when he came to her as a kinsman and a friend; and so returned he to his own land. But the King, perceiving his ​mother and his followers astonished at this sudden parting, told them of the fright he had given him, saying that though he were innocent of what was laid against him, yet his fear was too great for him to stay with a master whose complexion he knew no longer.

"As for me, ladies, I see not what could have moved the heart of the King to make hazard of his life with a man of such repute at arms, except that, leaving the company and the places where Kings find none to give them battle, he wished to meet fairly and equally him whom he suspected for an enemy, in order to make trial of the stoutness of his own heart and the courage of it." "Without doubt," said Parlamente, "he was in the right, for the praises of all men cannot so well satisfy a good heart as the knowledge and experience that it hath indeed virtuousness implanted in it by God," "It is a long while ago," said Geburon, "since the men of old feigned that if any would attain the Temple of Renown, he must first pass through the Temple of Virtue. And I, who know the two persons, of whom you have made us this relation, am well persuaded that the King is one of the bravest men in his realm." "By my faith," said Hircan, "when Count William came to France I should have had more fear of his sword than that of the four shrewdest Italian gentlemen who were at Court." "We know well," said Ennasuitte, "so great is his renown that no praises of ours can equal his merit, and that the day would be too soon gone if each should speak his mind. Wherefore I pray you, mistress, to give your vote to one who will tell us some good of men, if there be any good to be told." Oisille said to Hircan: "Methinks you are so well accustomed to speak ill of women that you will be greatly pleased to tell us of some good story to the praise of men, wherefore to you I give my vote." "That will be an easy task," said Hircan, "for it is so short a time since a story was told me to the praise of a gentleman, his love, firmness, and long-suffering, that I fear not to lose the recollection of it."