CHAPTER XXI

As _Francis_ the first of _France_ was one winterly night warming himself over the embers of a wood fire, and talking with his first minister of sundry things for the good of the state[4.9] --It would not be amiss, said the king, stirring up the embers with his cane, if this good understanding betwixt ourselves and _Switzerland_ was a little strengthened. --There is no end, Sire, replied the minister, in giving money to these people--they would swallow up the treasury of _France_. --Poo! poo! answered the king--there are more ways, Mons. _le Premier_, of bribing states, besides that of giving money --I’ll pay _Switzerland_ the honour of standing godfather for my next child. ----Your majesty, said the minister, in so doing, would have all the grammarians in _Europe_ upon your back; ----_Switzerland_, as a republick, being a female, can in no construction be godfather. --She may be godmother, replied _Francis_ hastily--so announce my intentions by a courier to-morrow morning.

I am astonished, said _Francis_ the First, (that day fortnight) speaking to his minister as he entered the closet, that we have had no answer from _Switzerland_. ----Sire, I wait upon you this moment, said Mons. _le Premier_, to lay before you my dispatches upon that business. --They take it kindly, said the king. --They do, Sire, replied the minister, and have the highest sense of the honour your majesty has done them----but the republick, as godmother, claims her right, in this case, of naming the child.

In all reason, quoth the king----she will christen him _Francis_, or _Henry_, or _Lewis_, or some name that she knows will be agreeable to us. Your majesty is deceived, replied the minister ----I have this hour received a dispatch from our resident, with the determination of the republick on that point also. ----And what name has the republick fixed upon for the Dauphin? ----_Shadrach_, _Meshech_, _Abed-nego_, replied the minister. --By Saint _Peter’s_ girdle, I will have nothing to do with the _Swiss_, cried _Francis_ the First, pulling up his breeches and walking hastily across the floor.

Your majesty, replied the minister calmly, cannot bring yourself off.

We’ll pay them in money------said the king.

Sire, there are not sixty thousand crowns in the treasury, answered the minister. ----I’ll pawn the best jewel in my crown, quoth _Francis_ the First.

Your honour stands pawn’d already in this matter, answered Monsieur _le Premier_.

Then, Mons. _le Premier_, said the king, by------we’ll go to war with ’em.

[Footnote 4.9: Vide Menagiana, Vol. I.]

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