One Frenchman, that is the nation; one uniform, that is the army.

Suppose, sire, for example, that, sooner or later, you should have war with Holland, which, sooner or later, will certainly happen; or with Spain, which will perhaps ensue if your marriage fails" (Mazarin stole a furtive glance at the king), "and there are a thousand causes that might yet make your marriage fail,--well, would you approve of England's sending to the United Provinces or to Spain a regiment, a company, a squadron even, of English gentlemen?
Would you think that they kept within the limits of their treaty of alliance ?" Louis listened; it seemed so strange to him that Mazarin should invoke good faith, and he the author of so many political tricks, called Mazarinades.

"And yet," said the king, "without any manifest authorization, I cannot prevent gentlemen of my states from passing over into England, if such should be their good pleasure." "You should compel them to return, sire, or at least protest against their presence as enemies in an allied country." "But come, my lord cardinal, you who are so profound a genius, try if you cannot find means to assist this poor king, without compromising ourselves." "And that is exactly what I am not willing to do, my dear sire," said Mazarin.

"If England were to act exactly according to my wishes, she could not act better than she does; if I directed the policy of England from this place, I should not direct it otherwise.

Governed as she is governed, England is an eternal nest of contention for all Europe.
Holland protects Charles II., let Holland do so; they will quarrel, they will fight.