TO THE KING

heavenly blessing, through the good order that you have already established there, it will soon recover its ancient fair face: The "ancient fair face" refers to the prosperity and beauty France enjoyed before the devastation of the Wars of Religion. so that all your subjects will have cause to pray to God for your long and prosperous life; and your neighbors, occasion to admire the greatness and excellence of your mind, and the invincible magnanimity of your courage; for having so well and so quickly restored and re-established things that were so desperately disordered. original: "destraquees." This term suggests a machine or system that has been knocked off its tracks or broken. These are evident testimonies of the singular favor of God toward you, who having established you upon this Royal Throne of your ancestors, will strengthen you and yours there for many years, blessing your wise conduct, the fame of which will be assured to posterity, and your days will be counted among the happiest of all the ages. As most humbly prays [your servant],

At Paris, this first day
of the month of March, 1600.