Page:Margaret of Angoulême, Queen of Navarre (Robinson 1886).djvu/152

Rh against Catholic Spain, against the convictions of the Emperor. Charles appears to have understood the matter better. He, also, determined to have a device, and sent to Clément Marot, begging him to translate for him the Psalm "Confitemini Domino." If the duel between France and the Empire was to be fought with psalms, Charles would not neglect his weapons. But Charles took a surer means to outwit his adversary. Francis must not be permitted to throw his clemency and tolerance, like dust, into German eyes. Convoking a diet at Spires, the Emperor bid them look around and observe the deeds of this king, so clement in words. In the harbour at Marseilles, a Turkish fleet rode at anchor. Let them ask themselves what convictions inspired this psalm-singing monarch? He was ready to sacrifice St. Peter and Luther alike to Mahomet.

Germany listened; the Emperor's speech, with its caustic sarcasm, could not be refuted. It was almost a truth. For the Turk had revenged on Francis his many vacillations and infidelities. Soliman had indeed sent the promised fleet, for the Turk keeps his word; but the fleet was composed of Algerian pirate-ships, and their Admiral was the dreaded Barbarossa.

Such aid did Francis more harm than good. True, the Algerian pirates were brave and hardy, they filled Marseilles with trade and with gold; but they were lawless and insatiable. From Provence itself, they kidnapped boys and girls for the harems of Constantinople. When the fleet of Francis and the fleet of Barbarossa sailed side by side to the bombardment of Nice, the Germans remembered that old lie of Charles. "Germany for the Turks," they said to themselves. And forgetting a hundred cruelties and persecutions, they rallied round the Imperial standard.