[234] It was at a most trying moment--when M. de Soubise, the Protestant governor, found that only two weeks' provisions remained in the city, and therefore felt compelled to issue an order to force some 7,000 non-combatants--women, children, and the poor--to leave Lyons, that Viret, the Huguenot pastor, had an opportunity to display the great ascendancy which his eminent piety and discretion had secured him over all ranks in society. According to the newly published Memoirs of Soubise, Viret boldly remonstrated against an act which was equivalent to a surrender of thousands of defenceless persons to certain butchery, and declared that the ordinary rules of military necessity did not apply to a war like this, "in which the poorest has an interest, since we are fighting for the liberty of our consciences," adding his own assurance that help would come from some other quarter. Finally the governor yielded, saying: "Even should it turn out ill and my reputation suffer, as though I had not done my duty as a captain, yet, at your word, I will do as you ask, being well assured that God will bless my act." Bulletin, xxiii. (1874), 497. It will be remembered that Pierre Viret had been the able coadjutor of Farel in the reformation of Geneva, twenty-eight years before. The siege of Lyons was made the subject of a lengthy song by Antoine Du Plain (reprinted in the Chansonnier Huguenot, 220 seq.), containing not a few historical data of importance. [235] "Nous venons maintenans d'estre advertyz de Lion par M. de Soubize, comme le Baron des Adrez, ayant este practique par M. de Nemours, avoit complote de faire entrer quelque gendarmerie et gens de pied de M. de Nemours dedans Rommans, ville du Daulphine: dont il a este empesche par le sieur de Mouvans, et par la noblesse du pays; qui se sont saisiz de sa personne, et le ont mene prisonnier a Valence, pour le envoyer en Languedoc devers mon frere, nagueres cardinal de Chastillon, et Monsieur de Crussol (qui ont presque delivre tout le dict pays de Languedoc de la tyrannie des ennemys de Dieu et du Roy) a fin de le faire punir, et servir d'exemple aux autres deserteurs de Dieu, de leur debvoir, et de la patrie." Admiral Coligny to Queen Elizabeth, Orleans, January 29, 1562/3, Forbes, ii. 320. [236] The gloomy picture is painted by Henri Martin, x. 158, etc. [237] This statement does not rest upon any documentary proof that I am aware of. It is, however, vouched for by the Hist. eccles. des egl. ref., ii. 162. Moreover, Admiral Coligny, in his later defence, expressly states, "on the testimony of men worthy of belief," that Guise "was accustomed to boast that, on the capture of the city, he would spare none of the inhabitants, and that no respect would be paid to age or sex." Jean de Serres, iii. 29; Mem. de Conde, iv. 348. [238] Mem. de Soubise, Bulletin, xxiii. (1874) 499.