A chat with you and your companion would give me much pleasure, but I would not purchase that pleasure by the least poltroonery.

You know what I mean by that; and so I abide in peace and wait patiently for God to make known to this perfect prince that he has not in his kingdom a subject more loyal, more zealous for his true glory, and, if I dare say so, loving him with a love more pure and more free from all interest.

That is why I should not bring myself to take a single step to obtain liberty to see my friends, unless it were to my prince alone that I could be indebted for it." Fenelon and the great Arnauld held the same language, independent and submissive, proud and modest, at the same time.

Only their conscience spoke louder than their respect for the king.
[Illustration: Racine----646] At the time when Racine was thus praising at the Academy the king and the great Corneille, his own dramatic career was already ended.

He was born, in 1639, at La Ferte-Milon; he had made his first appearance on the stage in 1664 with the _Freres ennemis,_ and had taken leave of it in 1673 with _Phedre_.