"If it is your will, Sire, I will write to him, and pray that he will give you time to be a great friend to art, since you have proved to him ere this that you are a mighty captain."
"Pray, do you know Charles V.?" inquired the King of Navarre.
"Four years since, Sire, I had the honor, being then at Rome, to present a missal of my making to his sacred Majesty, and make a speech to him which seemed to touch him nearly."
"What said his sacred Majesty to you?"
"He said that he already knew me from having seen upon the Pope's cope, three years before, a carved stud, which did me honor."
"Ah! I see that you are spoiled for royal compliments," said François I.
"Sire, 't is true that I have had the fortune to please many cardinals, grand dukes, princes, and kings."
"Prithee, show me your beautiful designs, that I may see if I shall not be a harder judge to please than others."
"Sire, I have had very little time; however, here are a vase and silver basin which I have commenced, and which are perhaps not too unworthy of your Majesty's attention."
The king examined the two works of art for five minutes without a word. It seemed that the handiwork made him forget the workman. At last, as the ladies gathered curiously about him, he spoke.