Yet now this young man’s voice, calm, decisive above the tumult and the anguish, swayed them all. They caught desperately at his words, and trusted themselves to the power of his dominant will.
For he alone stood resolute and undaunted before such dire straits as could cause the guardians of the State to weep aloud.
He spoke again. If he had been schooled to silence all his life he did not lack expression now, nor a natural eloquence and passionate force.
Some of the fire that animated him crept into his listeners’ hearts; they could not listen to him and still despair.
“Are ye afraid of war? What greater ills can it bring than this peace that makes us slaves?
“Is your trust in God so little that ye fear He will forsake us?
“This is not our downfall, but rather the downfall of the French. They, intoxicated with success, have refused the concessions we made them; and now they shall have no concessions, but lose all they ever gained.
“We have still enough men to defend the frontiers of Holland; Spain and Brandenburg hasten to our aid.
“Break off these negotiations, my lords! They degrade us and dishearten our allies. Shall we feed the pride of France by considering these high mounting terms?
“By my honour, there is nothing I would not rather do than subscribe to such a peace as this offered us!