De Gueuse de toute façon,"
to declare open war, and to banish the Parliament.
The Laces assemble at the fair of St. Germain, there to be reviewed by General Luxe.
The muster-roll is called over by Colonel Sotte Depense. Dentelles de Moresse, Escadrons de Neige, Dentelles de Hâvre, Escrues, Soies noires, and Points d'Espagne, etc., march forth in warlike array, to conquer or to die. At the first approach of the artillery they all take to their heels, and are condemned by a council of war—the Points to be made into tinder, for the sole use of the King's Mousquetaires; the Laces to be converted into paper; the Dentelles, Escrues, Gueuses, Passemens, and Silk Lace to be made into cordage and sent to the galleys; the Gold and Silver Laces, the original authors of the sedition, to be "burned alive."
Finally, through the intercession of Love—
"Le petit dieu plein de finesse,"
they are again pardoned and restored to court favour.
The poem is curious, as giving an account of the various kinds of lace, and as a specimen of the taste of the time, but the "ton précieux" of the Hôtel Rambouillet pervades throughout.
The lace trade, up to this period, was entirely in the hands of pedlars, who carried their wares to the principal towns and large country-houses.
"One Madame La Boord," says Evelyn, "a French peddling-woman, served Queen Katherine with petticoats, fans, and foreign laces." These hawkers attended the great fairs[[136]] of Europe, where all purchases were made.[[137]]