AS _Francis_ the first of _France_ was one winterly night warming
himself over the embers of a wood fire, and talking with his first
minister of sundry things for the good of the state[16]—It would not be
amiss, said the king, stirring up the embers with his cane, if this
good understanding betwixt ourselves and _Switzerland_ was a little
strengthened.—There is no end, Sire, replied the minister, in giving
money to these people—they would swallow up the treasury of
_France._—Poo! poo! answered the king—there are more ways, Mons. _le
Premier_, of bribing states, besides that of giving money—I’ll pay
_Switzerland_ the honour of standing godfather for my next child.——Your
majesty, said the minister, in so doing, would have all the grammarians
in _Europe_ upon your back;——_Switzerland_, as a republic, being a
female, can in no construction be godfather.—She may be godmother,
replied _Francis_ hastily—so announce my intentions by a courier
to-morrow morning.
I am astonished, said _Francis_ the First, (that day fortnight)
speaking to his minister as he entered the closet, that we have had no
answer from _Switzerland._——Sire, I wait upon you this moment, said
Mons. _le Premier_, to lay before you my dispatches upon that
business.—They take it kindly, said the king.—They do, Sire, replied
the minister, and have the highest sense of the honour your majesty has
done them——but the republick, as godmother, claims her right, in this
case, of naming the child.
In all reason, quoth the king—she will christen him _Francis_, or
_Henry_, or _Lewis_, or some name that she knows will be agreeable to
us. Your majesty is deceived, replied the minister——I have this hour
received a dispatch from our resident, with the determination of the
republic on that point also.——And what name has the republick fixed
upon for the Dauphin?——_Shadrach, Mesech, Abed-nego_, replied the
minister.—By Saint _Peter_’s girdle, I will have nothing to do with the
_Swiss_, cried _Francis_ the First, pulling up his breeches and walking
hastily across the floor.
Your majesty, replied the minister calmly, cannot bring yourself off.
We’ll pay them in money——said the king.
Sire, there are not sixty thousand crowns in the treasury, answered the
minister.——I’ll pawn the best jewel in my crown, quoth _Francis_ the
First.
Your honour stands pawn’d already in this matter, answered Monsieur _le
Premier._
Then, Mons. _le Premier_, said the king, by——we’ll go to war with ’em.
[16] Vide Menagiana, Vol. I.