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.