History of the Reformation in Europe in the Time of Calvin. Vol. 1 (of 8)Merle d'Aubigné, J. H. (Jean Henri)
History
History of the Reformation in Europe in the Time of Calvin. Vol. 1 (of 8)
Merle d'Aubigné, J. H. (Jean Henri)
Reformation
The look of the generous citizen, the animation of his whole person,
the eloquence of his appeal, inflamed every heart. Their eyes were
filled with tears, and the men of Friburg laid their hands upon their
swords.[240] A regiment, fully armed, marched out immediately for
Geneva: and that was not all; the flower of the young men flocked
in from every quarter, and the army soon amounted to 5,000 or 6,000
men. Having entered the Pays de Vaud, they seized his Highness’s
governor, the Sire de Lullins. ‘Write to your master,’ said the chiefs
of Friburg, ‘that he do no harm to our fellow-citizens; your head
shall answer for theirs: besides, we are going to give him a treat at
Geneva.’ Their liberating flags soon floated on the hills above the
lake. A great number of the young men of the Pays de Vaud joined them,
and the army mustered before Morges 13,000 to 14,000 strong. At their
approach, the terrified inhabitants of that town, who were devoted to
the duke, threw themselves into their boats, and fled to Savoy. The
Friburgers entered their deserted houses, and waited for his Highness’s
answer.[241]
Governor de Lullins failed not to warn his master, and it was this
message that had interrupted the proclamation. The duke, at once
violent and pusillanimous, was frightened, and suddenly became as
humble as he had been insolent before. Sending for the ambassador of
Friburg, he spoke to him as to a dear friend: ‘Haste to the camp at
Morges,’ he said, ‘and stop this: prevail upon your lords to return.’
Marti, who had not forgotten Charles’s gross insult, answered him
bitterly: ‘Do you think that a ---- like me can make an army retreat?
Commission your own people to carry your lies.’[242] Then the duke,
still more terrified, sent M. de Maglian, a captain of cavalry, to
guard the pass at Nyon, and, ‘changing his song,’ he had it cried
through all the city ‘that no one should dare do harm or displeasure
to any person of Geneva, under pain of the gallows.’ At the same time,
the Sieur de Saleneuve and another of his Highness’s councillors went
to the general council, but this time without riding-whips or wands,
and with a benevolent smile upon their faces. There, after assuring
the people of the love the duke bore them, they were asked to send
two citizens to Morges to declare to the Friburgers that the duke
would do no injury to Geneva. Two mamelukes, Taccon and De Lestilley,
departed.[243]
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