December 10, 1788,
Talleyrand’s Elevation
to the Bishopric of
Autun; His Consecration,
January 16, 1789
If one were looking for a throne tres bon,
The bishopric of Autun could be worse.
It came with titles (old) , Baron Tuillon,
Baron d’Issay-Levecque…and, not averse
To being called the Baron Lucenay
And Baron Grosme, Talleyrand settled
Himself in the see much to the dismay
Of all concerned. He must have felt kettled
Up. It was just a small town. Thirty-four
Is far too fierce an age to find yourself
Relegated to such a paltry, poor
Place. Autun was far too humble a shelf.
But still, this bishopric made him the prime
Man for Lyons—a would-be bigger crime.