ADVERTISEMENTS

...convenience of making syrup for half of the Court. These are the "hairs" of my fountains The author likely refers to water-moss or aquatic plants (capillary herbs) growing in his springs, which were used in medicinal syrups, which grow back almost as soon as they are pulled out or shorn.

That was not all; for pleasure being converted into devotion, the Chapel—which is located within a natural grotto—was found to be so devout in the opinion of many, that several Lords and Gentlemen gave gold coins pistolles: Spanish gold coins widely used in France at the time to the priests of the village where the King was lodged, so that they might come there to say Mass and give them Communion. Many accomplished this as holily as if it had been a pilgrimage or a solemn vow, and they will remember all their lives having been to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Holy Cross of the Mount, for it bears that name.

There was nothing left for me to desire, except that this Royal visit or happy encounter had been accompanied by the eye of the Master of the house. I was then in the city of Bordeaux, cursing and despiteful of a furious and violent gout (which visits me importunately whenever it pleases) which deprived me of the good and honor of seeing my King, and my Sovereign Prince (something I can never hope for again) in the Mount Parnassus of my Muses A classical reference to his estate as a home for poetry and the arts. And although many in a similar situation would perhaps desire to avoid the crowd of a Court as large and populous as it then was, I have no other displeasure more stinging than that one. So much so that I have placed a Tablet, containing a very devout and pious Prayer, at the entrance of my Chapel, to witness my regret to posterity, and to oblige all those who enter hereafter to pray to God for his prosperity and health, to the end that it may please Him to bless his days, his designs, his arms, and his victories, and to push them so far upon the earth, that he may one day be lodged in Heaven, the third in rank after the great Saint Louis, King of France, and the second Saint...