"The whole world struck with awe!" that could not be. Surely Bossuet ought to have said "with the exception of England"—a sad omission on his part.
"Who is it Bossuet is speaking of?" once remarked a good little patriot, on hearing this sentence.
"Louis XIV."
"Louis XIV.?"
"Yes; never heard of him?"
I don't think he had.
Bayard they all liked. His personal deeds of valor appealed to their young imaginations. His athletic powers especially stirred their hearts with admiration.
Besides, his exploits took place such a long time ago that they felt ready to be lenient towards him.
We once came across the name of Louis VI. of France in some French text, and I was unfortunate enough to mention in class that, at the battle of Brenneville, an English soldier came up to the French king, and called upon him to surrender, when Louis VI. remarked: "Don't you know that, at chess, the king cannot be taken prisoner?" and immediately struck the English soldier dead on the spot.