But the sentence is pronounced; even our Henry IV.

could not change it.

Under his reign the Langue d'Oil became for ever the French language, and the Langue d'Oc remained but a patois.
"Popular poet as you are, you sing to posterity in the language of the past.

This language, which you recite so well, you have restored and perhaps even created; yet you do not feel that it is the national language; this powerful instrument of a new era, which invades and besieges yours on all sides like the last fortress of an obsolete civilisation." Jasmin was cut to the quick by this severe letter of his friend, and he lost not a moment in publishing a defence of the language condemned to death by his opponent.

He even displayed the force and harmony of the language which had been denounced by M.Dumon as a patois.