Note 391 — Chapter III · Repose at Lavaur, and Embassy to Charles V

Although convened in 1542, the first session of the Council of Trent was only opened in December, 1545; the final one, after many breaks, one of which lasted ten years, took place in 1563. A famous bon-mot is recorded of Danès when assisting at the conferences. As one of the French representatives was declaiming against the delinquencies of the Papal Court, the Bishop of Orvieto exclaimed scornfully, Gallus cantat. Instantly Danès replied, Utinam ad Galli cantum Petrus resipiscerat! (Quoted by Sismondi, “Hist. des Français,” tom. xi., page 380.)