this fine he was obliged to pay ; after which , he was permitted to plead his cause before the council of the grand destrehan , when he spoke to the following effect : ye stars of justice , abyss of sciences , mirrors of truth , who have the weight of lead , the hardness of iron , the splendor of the diamond , and many of the properties of gold ; since i am permitted to speak before this august assembly , i swear to you by oromazes , that i have never seen the queens respectable bitch , nor the sacred horse of the king of kings .