These men were the best of courtiers to the hand which fed them--they would lick it; but for the hand that struck them, oh! the bite that followed! A little gold on the lace of their cloaks, a slender stomach in their _hauts-de-chausses_, a little sparkling of gray in their dry hair, and you will behold the handsome dukes and peers, the haughty _marechaux_ of France.

But why should I tell you all this?
The king is master; he wills that I should make verses, he wills that I should polish the mosaics of his ante-chambers with satin shoes.

_Mordioux!_ that is difficult, but I have got over greater difficulties.

I will do it.

Why should I do it?
Because I love money ?--I have enough.