the desperation of this unhappy country,” he added, “have, been so often described to your Majesty that I have nothing to add.  I am hanging and garrotting my veterans everywhere, only because they have rebelled for want of pay without committing any excess.  Yet under these circumstances I am to march into France with twenty thousand troops—­the least number to effect anything withal.  I am confused and perplexed because the whole world is exclaiming against me, and protesting that through my desertion the country entrusted to my care will come to utter perdition.  On the other hand, the French cry out upon me that I am the cause that Paris is going to destruction, and with it the Catholic cause in France.  Every one is pursuing his private ends.  It is impossible to collect a force strong enough for the necessary work.  Paris has reached its extreme unction, and neither Mayenne nor any one of the confederates has given this invalid the slightest morsel to support her till your Majesty’s forces should arrive.”

He reminded his sovereign that the country around Paris was eaten bare of food and forage, and yet that it was quite out of the question for him to undertake the transportation of supplies for his army all the way—­supplies from the starving Netherlands to starving France.  Since the king was so peremptory, he had nothing for it but to obey, but he vehemently disclaimed all responsibility for the expedition, and, in case of his death, he called on his Majesty to vindicate his honour, which his enemies were sure to assail.

The messages from Mayenne becoming daily more pressing, Farnese hastened as much as possible those preparations which at best were so woefully inadequate, and avowed his determination not to fight the Bearnese if it were possible to avoid an action.  He feared, however, that with totally insufficient forces he should be obliged to accept the chances of an engagement.

With twelve thousand foot and three thousand horse Farnese left the Netherlands in the beginning of August, and arrived on the 3rd of that month at Valenciennes.  His little army, notwithstanding his bitter complaints, was of imposing appearance.  The archers and halberdiers of his bodyguard were magnificent in taffety and feathers and surcoats of cramoisy velvet.  Four hundred nobles served in the cavalry.  Arenberg and Barlaymont and Chimay, and other grandees of the Netherlands, in company with Ascoli and the sons of Terranova and Pastrana, and many more great lords of Italy and Spain were in immediate attendance on the illustrious captain.  The son of Philip’s Secretary of State, Idiaquez, and the nephew of the cardinal-legate, Gaetano, were among the marshals of the camp.