her good servants yonder, and, especially, to have thanks given
therefor to God, whom I pray to have you in His holy keeping.

"HENRY.
"From the camp at Rosny, this 14th day of March, 1590."

[Illustration: Rosny Castle----30]

History is not bound to be so reserved and so modest as the king was
about himself. It was not only as able captain and valiant soldier that
Henry IV. distinguished himself at Ivry; there the man was as conspicuous
for the strength of his better feelings, as generous and as affectionate
as the king was farsighted and bold. When the word was given to march
from Dreux, Count Schomberg, colonel of the German auxiliaries called
reiters, had asked for the pay of his troops, letting it be understood
that they would not fight if their claims were not satisfied. Henry had
replied harshly, "People don't ask for money on the eve of a battle." At
Ivry, just as the battle was on the point of beginning, he went up to
Schomberg. "Colonel," said he, "I hurt your feelings. This may be the
last day of my life. I can't bear to take away the honor of a brave and
honest gentleman like you. Pray forgive me and embrace me." "Sir,"
answered Schomberg, "the other day your Majesty wounded me, to-day you
kill me." He gave up the command of the reiters in order to fight in the
king's own squadron, and was killed in action. As he passed along the
front of his own squadron, Henry halted; and, "Comrades," said he, "if
you run my risks, I also run yours. I will conquer or die with you.
Keep your ranks well, I beg. If the heat of battle disperse you for a
while, rally as soon as you can under those three pear trees you see up
yonder to my right; and if you lose your standards, do not lose sight of
my white plume; you will always find it in the path of honor, and, I
hope, of victory too."

[Illustration: "Do not lose Sight of my White Plume."----30]

Having galloped along the whole line of his army, he halted again, threw
his horse's reins over his arm, and clasped his hands, exclaiming, "O
God, Thou knowest my thoughts, and Thou dost see to the very bottom of my
heart; if it be for my people's good that I keep the crown, favor Thou my
cause and uphold my arms. But if Thy holy will have otherwise ordained,
at least let me die, O God, in the midst of these brave soldiers who give
their lives for me!" When the battle was over and won, he heard that
Rosny had been severely wounded in it; and when he was removed t