“By my faith!  Picquet has made a beginning which in my opinion promises a good end.”  Then, turning to the Sire de Ligny, he added:  “My cousin, I never in my life made you so good a present as when I gave him to you.”  “Sire,” was the reply, “if he proves himself a worthy knight it will be more to your honour than mine, for it is your kind praise which has encouraged him to undertake such a feat of arms as this.  May God give him grace to continue as he has begun.”  Then the General added, turning round with a smile to the assembled company: 

“But we all know that his uncle, the Abbe of Ainay, does not take great pleasure in the youth’s exploits, for it was at the old gentleman’s expense that he procured his accoutrements.”  This remark was received with a roar of laughter, in which the King himself joined, for he had already heard the story and was very much amused at it.  Soon after the tournament the Sire de Ligny sent for young Bayard one morning and said to him:  “Picquet, my friend, you have begun with rare good fortune; you must carry on the pursuit of arms, and I retain you in my service with three hundred francs a year and three war-horses, for I have placed you in my company.  Now I wish you to go to the garrison and meet your companions, assuring you that you will find as gallant men-at-arms there as any in Christendom; they often have jousts and tournaments to keep in practice of arms and acquire honour.  It seems to me that while awaiting any rumour of war you cannot do better than stay there.”

Bayard, who desired nothing more, replied:  “My lord, for all the goods and honours which you have bestowed upon me I can only at this present time return you thanks....  My greatest desire is to go and join the company which you speak of, and if it is your good pleasure I will start to-morrow.”  “I am quite willing,” said the Sire de Ligny; “but you must first take leave of the King, and I will bring you to him after dinner.”  Which was done, and the youth was thus presented:  “Sire, here is your Picquet, who is going to see his companions in Picardy, and he is come to say good-bye to you.”  Young Bayard knelt before the King, who said to him with a smile:  “Picquet, my friend, may God continue in you that which I have seen begun, and you will be a gallant knight; you are going into a country where there are fair ladies, be courteous and chivalrous to them, and farewell, my friend.”  After this, all the princes and lords crowded round to take leave of the young soldier, with much affection and regret at losing him.  When he reached his lodging, he found that the King had sent him a purse of three hundred crowns, and also one of the finest war-horses in the royal stable.  With his usual impulsive generosity Bayard gave handsome presents to the messengers, and then went to spend the evening with the Sire de Ligny, who treated him as though he were his own son, giving him wise advice for his future life, and above all bidding him keep honour always before his eyes.  This command did he keep in very truth until his death.  At last, when it grew late, de Ligny said to him:  “Picquet, my friend, I think you will be starting to-morrow morning before I have risen, may God bless you!” and embraced him with tears, while Bayard on his knees said good-bye to his kind master.