She dwelt “upon the inconveniences Henry suffered during the war.”  “I bear them patiently, madame,” said Henry, “since you burden me with them in order to unburden yourself of them.”  She reproached him with not doing as he pleased in Rochelle.  “Pardon me, madame,” said he, “I please only as I ought.”  The Duke of Nevers, who was present at the interview, was bold enough to tell him that he could not impose a tax upon Rochelle.  “That is true,” said Henry:  “and so we have no Italian amongst us.”  He took leave of the queen-mother, who repeated what she had said to Viscount de Turenne, “charging him to make it known to the noblesse who were of his following.”  “It is just eighteen months, madame,” said he, “since I ceased to obey the king.  He has made war upon me like a wolf, you like a lioness.”  “The king and I seek nothing but your welfare.”  “Excuse me, madame; I think it would be the contrary.”  “My son, would you have the pains I have taken for the last six months remain without fruit?” “Madame, it is not I who prevent you from resting in your bed; it is you who prevent me from lying down in mine.”  “Shall I be always at pains, I who ask for nothing but rest?” “Madame, the pains please you and agree with you; if you were at rest you could not live long.”  Catherine had brought with her what was called her flying squadron of fair creatures of her court:  but, “Madame,” said Henry, as he withdrew, “there is nothing here for me.”

Before taking part in the war which was day by day becoming more and more clearly and explicitly a war of religion, the Protestant princes of Germany and the four great free cities of Strasbourg, Ulm, Nuremberg, and Frankfort resolved to make, as the King of Navarre had made, a striking move on behalf of peace and religious liberty.  They sent to Henry III. ambassadors, who, on the 11th of October, 1586, treated him to some frank and bold speaking.  “Our princes and masters,” they said to him, “have been moved with surprise and Christian compassion towards you, as faithful friends and good neighbors of yours, on hearing that you, not being pleased to suffer in your kingdom any person not of the Roman religion, have broken the edict of peace which was so solemnly done and based upon your Majesty’s faith and promise, and which is the firm prop of the tranquillity of your Majesty and your dominions; the which changes have appeared to them strange, seeing that your royal person, your dominions, your conscience, your honor, your reputation and good fame happened to be very much concerned therewith.”  Shocked at so rude an admonition, Henry III. answered, “It is God who made me king; and as I bear the title of Most Christian King, I have ever been very zealous for the preservation of the Catholic religion. . . .  It appertains to me alone to decide, according to my discernment, what may contribute to the public weal, to make laws for to procure it, to interpret those laws, to change them, and to abolish them, just