1476. The general sketch of this prince's life and fortunes (which de Comines has given in a very spirited manner) affords a striking proof of the vanity of seeking enjoyment, felicity, and peace, by any other course than that of piety, virtue, and benevolence. "Charles Duke of Burgundy: what ease, what pleasure had he, more than our master aforesaid? True it is, in his youth, his trouble was not much; for he attempted nothing till he was two and twenty years old; so that before then he was quiet and at ease. But then he began to quarrel with his father's great officers; and his father defending them, he absented from his court, and retired in a huff into Holland, where he being well received, fell immediately into intelligence with Gaunt, and went and visited them. no allowance from his father; but Holland being a rich country, they made him great presents; as several other great towns did, hoping thereby to insinuate into his favour, and reap the advantage in time to come. And 'tis the common custom of the world to adore the rising sun; and court him whose autho He had rity will be greater, rather than him who is already at the height, and can never be higher. For this reason, when it was told Duke Philip that the Gauntois had great kindness for his son, and he understood how to manage it, the Duke answered, they love him always who shall be their sovereign; but, as soon as he is invested, they hate him as much. And his saying was true; for, from the time that Duke Philip was dead, and Charles in possession, their love began to decline; and he, on the other side, had as little for them: yet they did more mischief to his posterity, than they could do to him. But, to go on with my story: from the time Duke Charles undertook his war for the towns in Piccardy, (which our master had redeemed from Duke Philip,) and joined himself with the lords of the kingdom, in the war called Public Good; what ease, what tranquillity had he? He had perpetual trouble and labour, without the least intermission or refreshment, either to his body or mind; for glory having got the possession of his heart, and egged him on to the conquest of whatever he thought for his convenience; all the summer time he was in the field; his person in great danger, the care of the whole army lying entirely upon him; and yet he thought it too little. He was the first up, and the last down; and took as much pains as the poorest foot-soldier in the army. When in winter he lay still, his mind was busily employed in raising of money. Six hours, every morning, he set apart for conferences, and audience of ambassadors: and in this perpetual hubbub he ended his days; and was killed by the Swissers, at Nancy, as you have heard before; so that it cannot be said he had one good day, from the time he began to exalt himself, to the hour of his death. And then, what got he by all his labour? or what necessity was there of it? seeing he had towns and territories enough already to have made him happy, if he could have been contented."* Such is royalty: “Princes have but their titles for their glories, "They often feel a world of restless cares: "So that between their titles, and low name, "There's nothing differs but the outward fame.” * Comines, 408. OLIVER LE DAIN. The mention of this redoubtable instrument of Louis's dark and intricate politics occurs very frequently in the Memoirs of de Comines. In his fifth book he gives us the following outline of his character, and of a difficult embassy in which he was employed by "Monsieur his master Louis at Ghent : Oliver was gone to Gaunt with letters to Mademoiselle de Bourgongue, the daughter of Duke Charles, and commissioned (by the by) to make certain overtures to her, if she would put herself under the protection of the king. This, however, was not his principal business; for he knew it would be hard to speak with her alone, and if he did, it would be no easy matter to persuade her. His main design was, to work some innovation in the town, to which it had been always inclinable, being kept under, during the reigns of Duke Philip and Charles, by their fear; for they had lost several of their privileges, in their wars with Duke Philip, and been forced to consent to their loss, in the articles of peace. Besides, another of their privileges was taken from them by Duke Charles, (and that was about election of their magistrates,) upon occasion of an offence they committed, the first day he entered into their town as duke. These passages added much confidence to Monsieur Oliver, the barber; who, following his instructions, spake with some persons he judged most tractable, and offered them, not only that all their old privileges should be restored, but what new ones they pleased to demand. These things were not spoken in their senate, nor publicly, but in private, as I said before, for he had had a mind to see what he could do with the young princess; but they guessed his design. After Monsieur Oliver had been some days in Gaunt, he was conducted to his audience, in the best garb he could possibly procure. Mademoiselle was in her chair of state, the Duke of Cleves on one hand, the Bishop of Liege on the other, and many other great persons attending. Monsieur Oliver presented his credentials; which the lady having read, bid him deliver his message. He answered, his instructions were to deliver them |