"Dieu tu nous as mis à l'épreuve,
Et tu nous as examinés;
Comme l'argent que l'on épreuve,
Par feu tu nous as affinés."[7]
Again the clerk resumed his deadly summons,—
"Robert Jean René Briquemaut, Comte de Villemongis, guilty of heresy, of the crime of lèse-majesté, and of a criminal attempt against the king's person."
Villemongis bathed his hands in De Raunay's blood; and raising them toward heaven, he cried,—
"Heavenly Father, Thou seest the blood of Thy children! Thou wilt avenge them!"
He fell lifeless as he spoke.
Castelnau, left quite alone, still sang,—
"Tu nous as fait entrer et joindre
Aux pièges de nos ennemis;
Tu nous as fait les reins astreindre
Des filets où tu nous as mis."[8]
The Duc de Nemours had been lavish with his gold in furtherance of his hope of saving Castelnau. The clerk and even the executioners were interested in his salvation. The first executioner said that he was exhausted; and there was a necessary interruption while the other was preparing to relieve him.
Gabriel took advantage of it to urge the duke to renewed efforts.