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 sets forth the need of France for help; and, at her desire, he relates the tale of the recent misfortunes of his country, their origin, and the particulars of the massacre of St Bartholomew. This narrative occupies the second canto, which Voltaire is said to have composed entirely in the Bastille, retaining it in his memory, and which alone he found no occasion to revise.

In the third canto the oral history of precedent events is contained, including the wars of the League, the death of Charles IX., the murder of Guise, and the reconciliation of the two Henries, thus bringing matters down to the time of the interview. Elizabeth, in a gracious reply, such as she might be expected to make to so gallant a prince, promises men and money—influenced, however, rather by the desire to injure Philip of Spain than to help Valois; and this promise she redeemed by despatching Essex at the head of a considerable body of her troops to join in the siege of Paris.

In the fourth canto we return to the besiegers' camp. Valois finds himself helpless without Bourbon—the Leaguers, issuing from the gates of Paris, dismay him by their rapid successes. In these sallies one leader is conspicuous—the Hector of the League—who is thus described:—

Of all those champions, he whose valorous deed

Inspired most dread, spread horror widest round—

Proudest of heart and deadliest of hand—

'Twas thou, young prince, impetuous D'Aumale!

Born of Lorraine's rich blood, whence heroes spring—

Of kings, of laws, and of dull rest the foe!

The flower of all the youth his constant train,

With them he unrelaxing scours the field,