Henry IV, when besieging Paris, had loaves and provisions thrown over the walls. The cardinal had little notes thrown over in which he represented to the Rochellais how unjust, selfish, and barbarous was the conduct of their leaders. These leaders had corn in abundance, and would not let them partake of it; they adopted as a maxim--for they, too, had maxims--that it was of very little consequence that women, children, and old men should die, so long as the men who were to defend the walls remained strong and healthy.
Henri IV, assiégeant Paris, faisait jeter par-dessus les murailles du pain et des vivres; le cardinal fit jeter des petits billets par lesquels il représentait aux Rochelois combien la conduite de leurs chefs était injuste, égoïste et barbare; ces chefs avaient du blé en abondance, et ne le partageaient pas; ils adoptaient cette maxime, car eux aussi avaient des maximes, que peu importait que les femmes, les enfants et les vieillards mourussent, pourvu que les hommes qui devaient défendre leurs murailles restassent forts et bien portants.