, one only finds respectful praise, such as the humble
courtier may fittingly offer to his patroness. There is nothing
whatever, adds M. Le Roux de Lincy, to promote the suspicion that a
passion, either unfortunate or favoured, inspired a single one of these
compositions.
The campaign in which Francis I. was engaged at the time when Marot's
connection with Margaret began, and concerning which the poet supplied
her with information, was destined to influence the whole reign, since
it furnished the occasion of the first open quarrel between Francis
I. and the companion of his childhood, Charles de Bourbon, Count of
Montpensier, and Constable of France. Yielding too readily on this
occasion to the persuasions of his mother, Francis intrusted to
Margaret's husband the command of the vanguard, a post which the
Constable considered his own by virtue of his office. He felt mortally
offended at the preference given to the Duke of Alencon, and from that
day forward he and Francis were enemies for ever.
Whilst the King was secretly jealous of Bourbon, who was one of the
handsomest, richest, and bravest men in the kingdom, Louise of Savoy,
although forty-four years of age, was in love with him.
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