Gentleman of France

The death of the Prince of Conde, which occurred in the spring of 1588, by depriving me of my only patron, reduced me to such straits that the winter of that year, which saw the King of Navarre come to spend his Christmas at St. Jean d''Angely, saw also the nadir of my fortunes. I did not know at this time - I may confess it to-day without shame - wither to turn for a gold crown or a new scabbard,...