Conclusion according to Ancient Histories CHAP. LXXI The Gift the Cavalier gave Olivaires YOU have given me however happy Couple your Son and your Treasure lo I restore you him again For over-insupportable are the dolours which are felt for Children and the nine months grievings of a Mother while she bears her Infant in the Womb. I very well know what powerful influence Fidelity has on thy breast since thou hast not shunn'd to wound thy Soul to maintain thy faithful Promise O Olivaires the Deity prosper thee the Deity bless thee the Deity increase thy State thy Kingdom and propagate thy Seed eternally Surely thou art worthy of Universal Empire thou art full of all goodness and all noble indowments of mind do appear and are resplendant in all thy Actions Olivaires taking assurance by reason of the Gift receiv'd and Helena having recover'd her fainting Spirits seeing her Son before her face return'd to her desire they undertook to demand of the Cavalier that of love he would be pleased to manifest himself unto them And by that Power that created the Heavens and the Earth they begged of him he would permit them to know to whom they were so strangely obliged O Olivaires I am that Master John Talbot I am that Cavalier whom thou didst conduct to his Native Country that Gentleman I am whom being excommunicated for a large Debt thou didst at thy own Expences discharging the Sum cause to be re-blessed and have Christian burial God for such Charity Brotherly love and thy goodness did command me to do such kindnesses for the Possessor of so honest an heart He delivered thee in all thy Distresses he at length hath tried and fully known that precious Soul which he has given thee That Elemosinary Pity which thou shew'd unto me shall also prepare thee a Mansion in the Heavens My giving the Black Habit signify'd my being in the state of damnation the Red Livery intimated the ardent Fire of Purgatory which hath purged away my sins the White Vestment manifested the Celestial Country which was opened unto me I served thee therefore with Arms Horses and Men I directed Arthur to the place and made him take thee out of Prison At that instant I seized the City I gave the Lion for a Companion to Arthur who killed the Monster and who fought like an Army in the Campaign I healed his Wound I gave the Ring of the King thy Father to Helena and I begged of the Lady to act with hers for giving thee her to Wife Therefore thou hast had every thing through me but acknowledge all from God as the Author And let each of you render infinite thanks unto him who hath delivered you out of so great Afflictions and who for the future will fill your hearts with joy and gladness All these words spoke the Cavalier and at last being surrounded with a Divine Splendor said Peace be with you fare you well for I mount to Eternal Life and vanished CHAP. LXXII The King and Queen pay their gratitude unto God and of the coming of the King of Dalgarve with the Espousals of Clarisia THE King and Queen rendered infinite thanks to Almighty God ever amazed and admiring at so strange a matter and terrible Accident as had befall'n them and they ordered that a solemn Thanksgiving should be made throughout the whole Kingdom unto the Lord Jesus Christ Arthur having in this time setled his Realm of Dalgarve went to the Court of Olivaires his Brother-in-Law where he could never enough satisfy himself with looking on Clarisia both for her Beauty and Behaviour and in consideration that it was her Blood out of her own Veins that had cur'd him for which he every day gave thanks unto God One day Olivaires call'd to him and said My Brother who art ever in my heart and who hast done so much for me I much desire that you should marry if you fancy such a state I like your Majesty's Proposal very well reply'd Arthur but whom may you bestow upon me whom might it be convenient that you should give me my Clarisia who hath saved your life she shall be your right Eye your Soul and dear Companion for by your good deeds and carriages towards me you have deserved her And as they were designing to make this Alliance four Lords came post from England to signify to Olivaires that the King had been seiz'd with an Apoplexy whereof he died in a day's time which news made a melancholy Court and they all went into mourning The Funeral was ordered and the solemn Ceremonies duly performed After some time the Nuptials of Arthur and Clarisia were concluded on and all things prepared and fitted for the celebration and Arthur was crowned King of England by Olivaires The report whereof spread suddenly all over the Realm Whereupon Counts Knights and Barons came to the Feasts and Justs and all the Cities sent to make congratulation then after a convenient time's stay Arthur went to England and gave the Government of Dalgarve to his Natural Son and constituted him Vice-roy a person of a gentle virtuous valiant and admirable Genius CHAP. LXXIII Arthur King of England goes to London and Henry is made Commander of an Army against the Infidels HE who would have taken a true estimate of the love between Olivaires and Arthur should have been present to see their parting when he went from Spain For I believe his heart was well nigh burst with sorrow and Helena seeing her Daughter go away was fill'd with extream grief at last they took leave and departed with a great comely and honourable Train A few days after an Embassy from the King of Cyprus arrived to Olivaires to demand Aid of him against the Enemies of the Catholick Faith and Olivaires designed to go suddenly himself in person for such an Enterprize But his young Son Henry hearing of it begged of his Father to leave the conduct and management of his Forces to him for that he desired to get a name and honourable repute among famous Cavaliers which favour though with difficulty he obtained Having made him then General Royal he gave him Twenty five thousand well armed Men and when he had put them all in right order and had made ready their Ammunition and all things necessary for the War and their March he departed for Cyprus 'T was a grand affliction to Helena to see her self deprived of both her Children at once At his going away a great number of Spanish Cavaliers accompanied him and some went with him to Cyprus others joined with him in battel and assisted him When Prince Henry was arrived in the Kingdom of Cyprus he united his with the other Army and with mighty fury fell on the Enemy and got a glorious Victory Wherefore all following and adhering to him as a prudent and valorous Prince he resolved to give them a total rout and destroy them all and take many Countries before he made his return into Spain The news of this
his so successful first Attempt was brought to Olivaires and Hâ—â—ena which wonderfully pleased them and rejoyced the whole Kingdom CHAP. LXXIV Arthur 's Entry into England and of the Feasts Triumphs and other Justings made for the Nuptials and of a Rebellion of the Kingdom WHEN King Arthur made his Entry into England a thousand Lances and a thousand Men on Horseback all clad in Silk came to meet him Cavaliers Counts Marquesses and an infinite number of Knights and Gentlemen received and attended on him with his Consort Clarisia and they admired her for being the Daughter of so beautiful a Lady the Daughter of one of their Kings and fancied they had got Helena again so much she resembled her Thither to the Nuptials was concourse of all the most valiant Knights that were in the whole Kingdom and infinite Turney and Justing they made and many days the Court was abroad After that Arthur was publickly inaugurated and with the assistance of Excellent Counsellors he put in good order his whole state and disposed every thing for the best it pleased God that Clarisia conceived and at the due time brought forth a lovely Boy and they gave him the name of the late King of England Now the fame of this Foreign Heir of the Kingdom beginning to spread wide certain Princes were moved with envy at his great Felicity and inviting the Irish Kings to their assistance they caused a part of the State to rise in rebellion Wherefore Arthur was forced upon a new Adventure who thought he enjoy'd the Kingdom in perfect peace Fitting then as many Forces as he judged sufficient to repress the insolence of his Subjects he went on the Design The Duke of Glocester headed the Rebels for being Cousin to the old King he imagin'd he had so some Title to the Crown Arthur engaging Battel with him in few days space destroyed the whole Army and taking the Duke Prisoner he would have slain him but he begging of him for the Lineage sake of which he was descended he gave him his Life and set him at liberty and he renounced all his Pretences to the Realm of England but within a few days died of grief Arthur returning after lived in peace and quietness and was blessed with a Daughter who prov'd an occasion of an Illustrious Alliance for maintaining the Tranquillity of the State CHAP. LXXV The Alliance Arthur made with his Daughter by the Counsel of Olivaires and of his Son Henry OLivaires having understood of Arthur's Journey proffered him supply of Men and Horses but Arthur had no need of any Hearing afterward of his Victory he made great Rejoicing And having knowledge of the Nativity of his Daughter he writ to him to seek to contract Alliance with some potent Prince that his State might not be in fear of War or Rebellion any more Wherefore calling together his Council he read to them Olivaires's Letter who all approved of his Advice and so designed to make trial on the King of Portugal And when some Months had passed Ambassadors were sent to treat of the Match and it was concluded that Arthur's Daughter should be given to the King of Portugal's Eldest Son who was a few Years elder than her and the Dowry was referred to Olivaires's Determining Now Arthur's Son being dead who governed for him the State of Dalgarve Olivaires Arbitrated that the Kingdom of Dalgarve should be given in Dowry to the King of Portugal Wherefore that State hath ever since continued under the Jurisdiction of the Portuguese Crown Arthur was much troubled for the loss of his Son but bore it the better for that his Legitimate Daughter succeeded him So in fit time according as Histories write she went to her Husband Arthur's Son growing up imitated his Father's Valour and all his Vertues which gave mighty Content and Satisfaction to Olivaires also who was continually inquiring after him Henry Olivaires's Son gave also consent to this Alliance to whom Messengers were ordered who found him in his Camp before a strongly fortified City and he had already conquered and taken many and he kindly received them and they returned satisfied Arthur understanding the great Soul and Prowess of Henry was infinitely delighted and did by Letters much Congratulate on his account his Brother Olivaires who lived in great Pleasure by continual hearing of his Son 's brave and honourable Exploits CHAP. LXXVI Of an infirmity happening to Olivaires and of Henry who was assaulted and almost slain whom Arthur goes to recover OLivaires by reason of uninterrupted Harrassings and Fatigues in his Youth and also his so many Months Imprisonment in Ireland in Age became more sensible of his before better supported Mishaps and Afflictions and their sculking Effects and waiting an Advantage proved over-match for his infirm Years and so he must truckle under their severe Pressure His Stomach then is become so infeebled that nothing that he eats will Digest with him and he is tormented with continual and intolerable pain in his Head and unto his Malady and to increase his Grief an unlucky Accident was added which was That his Son Henry pushing forward with some Cavaliers more couragiously than their Strength and Ability to come off well could second was thrust into the throng and main of his Enemies from whence it was impossible without great difficulty and hazard to save himself and get back to his Army again so that as was thought he was mortally Wounded When Olivaires heard this ill News he writ to Arthur to desire him to go and relieve his Nephew who did not stand to make much Preparation but with a Choice and Valiant Detachment march'd away This gave some satisfaction to Olivaires reckoning himself was there in Person if Arthur were When Arthur arrived he found Henry very bad however he gave notice to Olivaires that it was much better with him and taking extraordinary care of him he in a few days see him well again In the mean time the Enemy-Army felt the Forces of Arthur who oft vigorously assaulted them and with a vast Destruction made Mountains of the slain When Henry was recovered Arthur returned and went speedily to give his Olivaires a Visit who was much afflicted with his infirmity Helena was mightily overjoy'd at his coming and she perceived that Arthur's presence did somewhat recruit Olivaires Arthur discoursed to him the whole Matter concerning Henry spoke of the Beauty of his Daughter and by degrees gave him an account of his Son how as he grew up he imitated Olivaires in all Noble and Virtuous Indowments of Mind And having rested for some Days with his honourable Cavaliers he return'd into England to enjoy his Rich and Beautiful State and Nation CHAP. LXXVII What is Recorded by English Historians Spanish and others concerning these Kings HEnry conquered many and many Countries and at last died Fighting for Holy Mother Church a true doubly Militant Son and Member thereof The same foresaid infirmity after a long Life brought Olivaires to his Grave When he died Helena took on so sadly that she also Expired on Olivaires's Face and they were both Buried together Arthur was Crowned King of Castile and his Son Married and had Children and so likewise had his Daughter So for many Years flourished the Fame of all these mighty Kings But the Heavens which give an end to every thing not to the Grandees only but to us who have writ this present History and also shall to all the Readers thereof bring our destined Periods about that after the Fatigue of a miserable Pilgrimage we may find some Quietude and that leaving behind them for a time but not long the yet mortal Garments Nature accommodated them with our Spirits may return into the Hands of the Lord who gave them of him to receive Good or Evil Rewards or Punishments according as we have deserved and behaved our selves Let us therefore make humble request unto the Almighty with sincere and cordial Affections that he would please to look on his Mercy not our Merit his Grace not our Works and that for those he would bring us unto and make us Partakers of his Kingdom that which is not Transitory that which no Tyrant how potent soever can usurp or molest that wherein no Vice dwells which none can enter or approach wherein no wicked Persons have share place or residence which they may not unless to increase their Torment behold but where have their Source and Origin where for ever are Nourished where for evermore Inhabit are Secure and Established Goodness Vertue Wisdom Peace and Felicity through him who is all these Supreamly and Essentially And that he would bestow these also upon us whilst in this World to the end that washed and purified from the pollution of Sin we may joyfully go hence to enjoy revere and adore Him and Face to Face eternally gaze on the Beatifick Vision Amen FINIS
been by her she would have appear'd like Cynthia before the rays of the Sun When she was come into the midst the Dukes returned her Hands then she kissed her Father's Hand and her Father took hers and gave it to Olivaires who kneeling kissed it and spoke very high Expressions to her yet not Complements which were not ungrateful only because he said them So the one was fetter'd and fast Prisoner in Venus's Tramels and the other was deep smitten with the Darts of Cupid CHAP. XXXII Olivaires has the first place by the King for the love he bore him for his Combating according to the judgment of the King and the Overseers of the Turnament THE King taking Helena with the one hand and Olivaires with the other made them sit down placing himself betwixt them immediately the Musick struck up and a brisk and gallant Dancing there was but not long After which lo the Judges of the Turnament coming to know of the King if they must give Sentence and the reward to him most merited it to whom he gave order to do so then they retired and went for the honourable Prize of the Tilting The mean while the King turning to his Daughter Helena spoke plainly enough to her Who dear Child appeared to you the most Valorous in this Combat Helena reply'd I minded them Sir all alike and every one seemed to perform well Understand Governess of my Soul said the King that the Present will quickly be brought and given to him whom the Judges shall sentence the most deserving and that he is also to be your Husband and the Heir of the Kingdom Wherefore I desire to know how your Inclications are Him whom your Majesty shall think of and whom your Royal Judgment shall most approve and him in short whom you shall name and recommend to me I shall willing accept of for my Spouse Lord and Guardian of my Life If the Black Red and White Cavalier subjoin'd the King we should make choice of for his Merits would you be so satisfy'd although we yet be ignorant who he is If my Sovereign and Father the Judges shall think him worthy of the Prize to defraud him of it would be high injustice however your Majesty's Will and Pleasure shall intirely be mine CHAP. XXXIII Of the words the King spoke and the Reward that was given to Olivaires THE King of Ireland of Scotland and of other Dominions with the Dukes Princes and Barons of their Realms were set down when the King order'd silence and then thus said Signories High Empires States and Kingdoms presently will the Judges and Lords be here with the Reward of the Turnament and to whom my small Present shall be given the same also shall espouse my Daughter and only Child and have all England for her Dowry but I will that that Prince Lord or King remain some time in my Court that I may have experience of his Valour in all Exploits and after understand his Lineage and Descent and then may he enjoy the Crown Let now then the Prize be brought and adjudged to him who got the greatest Honour and was Victor of the Turnament First came 30 Pages with lighted Torches in their hands and after 30 most noble Cavaliers then followed 10 Pages in gold Embroidery with Torches also in midst of which were 6 Knights clad in Cloth of Gold and in the midst of them a Duke all in Armour who carried a golden Bason and in it a Neck-chain of Gold interwoven with Jewels and so wonderfully wrought that the very sight of it alone was a transport for all Humane kind and it might be said to have been one of the Wonders of the World nor could the value of those Jewels be estimated and after followed the Judges with an infinite number of Knights and Gentlemen and being so placed that every one might conveniently be a Spectator they came before the King speaking to this effect CHAP. XXXIV The rich Neck-chain is given to the Valiant Olivaires at which many of the Kings are filled with disdain it appearing to them that an unknown Knight was not worthy of such a Present MAY it please your Majesty Dread Sovereign we were appointed by your Majesty to be Judges for the Victor at Tilting and at the Combats on Horseback and on foot which Province we willingly accepted of and have diligently observed according to our skill the Blows the Hardiness the Valour and Force of every King Duke Prince and Lord and we freely give witness that every one of them has made honourable proof of right Chivalry but to our thinking the Flower of all and he who has merited your Majesty's peculiar Favour and Present is that Cavalier who was clad the first day in Black the second in Red and the third in White which valorous Knight is the same that sits by your Majesty the deservedly designed Heir of your Kingdom and although we be ignorant of his Country and Name yet we are ascertain'd he is come of a Royal Race and has Illustrious Blood in his Veins because such kind of Valour does not lodge in any other Personages save those who by such Extraction can appear thus worthy of a Crown wherefore with your Majesty's leave and good liking we will present the Gift to him The King being well contented made sign to them to do so the Duke then turning to Olivaires took the Chain and put it about his Neck saying unto him Your Valour which has conquered so many Couragious Knights adorns you with this Gift a Testimony of the King of England's Kindness and when his Majesty shall think convenient time you are to espouse Helena his only Daughter and be crown'd King of the Realm Believe me reply'd Olivaires I do not seem to my self to have done any thing to merit this but since it is the King's Bounty I am very well pleased So he accepted of the Present and Promise and bowing low to the King and Helena in a most eloquent Speech he returned them large thanks for their Liberality And to the Judges and to the whole Hall he also gave infinite Thanks and 't was judged by all that heard him that he was the finest Courtier of the World and every one considering his comely Regal Aspect his Martial Valour Boon Grace Deportment Mein and Eloquence even wept for very joy the King taking him by the Hand and kissing his Forehead set him in his place again then a thousand Instruments began again to play making infinite delight and festivity CHAP. XXXV The Cavalier who was Olivaires so great Friend and furnished him with Arms at the Justing appears in a Dream to Helena and of a Vision the King had THE morning after about break of day the King had this Vision He dream'd he saw Olivaires crown'd King of his Realm and that he had given him his Daughter then he beheld another Crown come over his Head and settle upon that much greater than the former he had given him