[Illustration: The Balue Cage----245]
He was still more pitiless towards a man more formidable and less
subordinate, both in character and origin, than Cardinal Balue. Louis of
Luxembourg, Count of St. Pol, had been from his youth up engaged in the
wars and intrigues of the sovereigns and great feudal lords of Western
Europe--France, England, Germany, Burgundy, Brittany, and Lorraine. From
1433 to 1475 he served and betrayed them all in turn, seeking and
obtaining favors, incurring and braving rancor, at one time on one side
and at another time on another, acting as constable of France and as
diplomatic agent for the Duke of Burgundy, raising troops and taking
towns for Louis XI., for Charles the Rash, for Edward IV., for the German
emperor, and trying nearly always to keep for himself what he had taken
on another's account. The truth is, that he was constantly occupied with
the idea of making for himself an independent dominion, and becoming a
great sovereign. "He was," says Duclos, "powerful from his possessions,
a great captain, more ambitious than politic, and, from his ingratitude
and his perfidies, worthy of his tragic end." His various patrons grew
tired at last of being incessantly taken up with and then abandoned,
served and then betrayed; and they mutually interchanged proofs of the
desertions and treasons to which they had been victims. In 1475 Louis
of Luxembourg saw a storm threatening; and he made application for a
safe-conduct to Charles the Rash, who had been the friend of his youth.
"Tell him," replied Charles to the messenger, "that he has forfeited his
paper and his hope as well;" and he gave orders to detain him. As soon
as Louis XI. knew whither the constable had retired, he demanded of the
Duke of Burgundy to give him up, as had been agreed between them. "I
have need," said he, "for my heavy business, of a head like his;" and he
added, with a ghastly smile, "it is only the head I want; the body may
stay where it is." On the 24th of November, 1475, the constable was,
accordingly, given up to the king; and on the 27th, was brought to Paris.
His trial, begun forthwith, was soon over; he himself acknowledged the
greater part of what was imputed to him; and on the 19th of December he
was brought up from the Bastille before the parliament. "My lord of St.
Pol," said the chancellor to him, "you have always passed for being the
firmest lord in the realm; you must not belie yourself to-day, when you
have more need than ever of firmness and courage;" and he read to him the
decree which sentenced him to lose his head that very day on the Place de
Greve. "That is a mighty hard sentence," said the constable; "I pray God
that I may see Him to-day." And he underwent execution with serene and
pious firmness. He was of an epoch when the most criminal enterprises
did not always preclude piety. Louis XI. did not look after the
constable's accomplices. "He flew at the heads," says Duclos, "and was
set on making great examples; he was convinced that noble blood, when it
is guilty, should be shed rather than common blood. Nevertheless there
was considered to be something indecent in the cession by the king to the
Duke of Burgundy of the constable's possessions. It seemed like the
price of the blood of an unhappy man, who, being rightfully sacrificed
only to justice and public tranquillity, appeared to be so to vengeance,
ambition, and avarice."
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