“But what says Paris?”—­“She is deaf and dumb.”

“Dares she not speak?”—­“Nor she, nor parliament.”

“The clergy?”—­“O! the clergy are kept mum.”

“Upon your oath?”—­“Yes, on the sacrament.”

“The nobles, then?”—­“The nobles are still worse.”

“And justice?”—­“Hath nor balances nor weights.”

“Who, then, may hope to mitigate this curse?”

“Who? prithee, who?”—­“Why, France’s three estates.”

“Be pleased, O prince, to grant alleviation . . .”

“To whom?”—­“To the good citizen who waits . . .”

“For what?”—­“The right of governing the nation . . .”

“Through whom? pray, whom?”—­“Why, France’s three estates.”

In the face of the evil Louis felt no fear of the remedy.  He summoned the states-general to a meeting at Tours on the 1st of April, 1468.  Twenty-eight lords in person, besides representatives of several others who were unable to be there themselves, and a hundred and ninety-two deputies elected by sixty-four towns, met in session.  The chancellor, Juvenal des Ursins, explained, in presence of the king, the object of the meeting:  “It is to take cognizance of the differences which have arisen between the king and Sir Charles, his brother, in respect of the duchy of Normandy and the appanage of the said Sir Charles; likewise the great excesses and encroachments which the Duke of Brittany hath committed against the king by seizing his places and subjects, and making open war upon him; and thirdly, the communication which is said to be kept up by the Duke of Brittany with the English, in order to bring them down upon this country, and hand over to them the places he doth hold in Normandy.  Whereupon we are of opinion that the people of the three estates should give their good advice and council.”  After this official programme, the king and his councillors withdrew.  The estates deliberated during seven or eight sessions, and came to an agreement “without any opposition or difficulty whatever, that as touching the duchy of Normandy it ought not to and cannot be separated from the crown in any way whatsoever, but must remain united, annexed, and conjoined thereto inseparably.  Further, any arrangement of the Duke of Brittany with the English is a thing damnable, pernicious, and of most evil consequences, and one which is not to be permitted, suffered, or tolerated in any way.  Lastly, if Sir Charles, the Duke of Brittany, or others, did make war on the king our sovereign lord, or have any treaty or connection with his enemies, the king is bound to proceed against them who should do so, according to what must be done in such case for the tranquillity and security of the realm . . . .  And as often soever as the said cases may occur, the people of the estates have agreed and consented, do agree and consent, that, without waiting for other assemblage or congregation of the estates, the king have power to do all that comports with order and justice; the said estates promising and agreeing to serve and aid the king touching these matters, to obey him with all their might, and to live and die with him in this quarrel.”