thereupon he came into France, with Monster de Vignaltes, with whom he
had served in those warres, and being come to the passe of Su[unr], he was known among
many others, to be a most couragious and valiant Gent. and though all this
while he was but an ordinary Trooper, yet at last he had the place of a Cornet bestowed
upon him, in the Company of Captain Philips, who served in the French
Army: whereupon an accomodation being made between his Majesty and the Duke
of Savoy, and by that meanes those forces being to be disbanded. this brave spirit,
who could not remaine idle at home, did no sooner heate of the brave exploits, and
great atcheivements performed by the King of Sweden, since his breaking into Germany,
which was at that time the only seat of warre, that thereupon he prevailed
so much with those of his Troop, that he inticed some twenty to goe along with
him in to Germany.
Where he was no sooner come, but very fortunately he came to speake with the
King of Sweden who happened to be very near unto the place of his landing; the
King being within a small distance from thence, having saluted the King, and done
all things sit for a Gentleman to do, the King demanded of him in the latine tongue,
which was frequent to him, as also our Gassion had not forgotten it having moreover
learned the high and low Dutch tongues, together with the Spanish and Italian,
so that he was soone received into the Kings favour; who was by nature of a meek
and gentle disposition, ready to cherish and imbrace those whom he thought worthy
of it, so that a great deale of discourse passed between them, most of it being about
the affaires of France. One dry among all the rest, the King demanded of
him whether or no he could raise him a Troop of horse in France, to be imployed
for his service which was accepted by Gassion straight wayes, and promised the King
with all speed to see the same executed, and there being a French Gentleman in those
parts, who promised to advance the moneys for setting out the Troop, he took that
proffer, and with all speed that could be, cometh to Paris, where in six dayes he had
his Troop raised, consisting of fourescore and ten men, all able lusty men, and fit
for service, which he carried with him into Germany, having in his way to Hamburgh
found some horses for to mount his men, according to the K. speciall command
to that purpose, and a summe of money also, wherewith he repaid the money unto
him that had advanced it for defraying of his men, and besides, for an acknowledgment,
made him his Lieutenant.
Doe not here wonder if a man who can use such diligence, which is a principal
secret in warres hath in so short a time raised his fortunes to that height as now
it is: No Reader, the diligence is that stratagem, where with the Roman husbandman
seemed to transport, and reape the harvest which was, in the fields of his
sluggish nighbours, it is that to which nothing is impossible: yet all this is but a beginning,
see what followeth: being near the King of Sweden, he was observed to be
to carefull, and punctual in putting in execution those Orders which were sent him
from time to time, and by his valour, and prudence, which were alwaies inseparable,
and did never for sake hm, only upon occasions, the former seemed to oversway the
letter, whereby he grew in great esteeme among the Swedish forces and there
did learne so pefectly the Military discipline (it being then the only to schoole to attaine
unto it: he was alwaies the first of his Troop on horseback, and his men the
first of all the rest: so that the King asking him one day, in what part of his Army
he would quarter, and under what Officer he would be, he replyed, and prayed his
Majesty that he might be pleased to do him the favour, as that he might not receive