Then recalling a vulgar phrase, the old Frenchman, hardly escaped from the rough life of persecution, inquired of the Genevese what they complained of,--they who were ‘like rats in straw,’ that is to say, were folk greatly at their ease, possessing everything they could wish and in want of nothing.[604] In another passage, rising to a higher strain, and recalling the image of Nebuchadnezzar, with its head of gold and its feet part of iron and part of clay, fragile and broken by a little stone, he predicted to the syndics and councils that as intrigue had placed them in office they would not long retain their power. ‘You, gentlemen of the government,’ said he, ‘you have feet of wax.’ These feet, in his opinion, would soon melt in the sunshine of their victory and prosperity. This comparison, imitative of Biblical style, was not unbefitting to a preacher, and the prophecy which it contained did not fail of accomplishment. At the news of this minister preaching in defiance of the prohibition, and at the report of his sayings, which were most likely misrepresented, the government felt that they were insulted, and determined to act rigorously. Officers of state went to the old man’s house, arrested and took him to prison. It was the eve of Easter Day. It was customary to make presents at that period; and this was the present which was bestowed on the aged, noble, but free-spoken minister and confessor of Christ, who had already experienced treatment too rough at the hands of the adherents of the pope in the kingdom of France.[605] [Sidenote: PROTEST AGAINST HIS IMPRISONMENT.]