my Imagination that I flatter my self to have already obliged you to some kind of acknowledgment Having so said he held his peace and the Princess by his silence being put to a plunge knew not what to answer till after some little force that she put upon her self at length she spake to him in these terms It is needless Sir to render me all the services whereof you speak to engage me to that which I owe you and considering the way how you have behaved your self towards me I must needs be very ungrateful if I acknowledged not my obligations to you Time will afford me means to give you Testimonies of my gratitude In the mean time believe it Prince I have no such inclinations as can move me to forget the favours I have received The Duke thanked the Princess for the Marks she gave him of her goodness and having told her a thousand things concerning his passion he took his leave that he might go and bestir himself about the matters he had promised He omitted nothing and wrought so well upon the minds of those with whom he had to do that the English having added new demands to those which they had already made in the beginning of the conference it was finally broken up Afterward both parties prepared themselves for all the Acts of Hostility that War can admit of and the Duke of Glocester having seen the Princess and given her new protestations of Love followed the English Camp Our Lovers being thus delivered from the disquiets into which these long Negotiations had put them consulted what measures to take for their future security and after much deliberation they thought that to set them above fear they should Essay all means to make their designs approved and then agreed betwixt themselves about the course they should take to accomplish what they projected So that at length it was resolved that Tudor should use his utmost endeavours to get into favour with Madam de Giack who was one that had the ascendant upon the Duke of Burgundy and whose friendship the Dolphin courted also secretly Tudor found no difficulty in gaining the good Opinion of that Lady but she thought it not convenient to speak of his Love as yet the times seemed unfit for Marriages whilst all the Kingdom was in Confusion And she had reason indeed for what ground was there to give new occasions of fury to the King of England Would not that have been to have put all France in Fire which was but already too much Harassed by giving Catharine in Marriage after she had been refused to a Prince whose Love had perhaps contributed as much to the War as his Ambition Madam de Giack brought Tudor to consent to her Opinion and promised to him that so long as she had any credit with the great men there should be nothing done in prejudice of his interests These Assurances gave the Prince some comfort who acquainted Catharine with the success he had had with that Lady They rested both satisfied finding that it was impossible for them to do better but the small tranquillity which they enjoyed was shortly disturbed by great troubles Tudor who persisted in rendering Visits to Madam de Giack and in the prospect of his Affairs omitted nothing that might oblige her did suddenly in the Opinion of Catharine do too much To encrease the Jealousie of the Princess she was told also that the Prince was in Love with that Lady but that he lost no labour and that she had at least as great a kindness for him as he could have for her These reports wrought the effect that one may expect and seeing the Princess had a tender Love for Tudor she resented cruelly his pretended infidelity He quickly percieved that something troubled her mind and being conscious to himself of no Disloyalty he accosted her with a Countenance that spake the Integrity of his proceedings How Madam said he are not we crossed enough by Fortune And must we during this small Interval of Tranquility create to our selves troubles and afflictions Whence arises this change that I observe in the Looks of my Princess and knows she not that the least sign of melancholy that Tudor percieves there is enough to embitter the greatest felicity of his Life He said no more nor expected any thing less than reproaches when the Princess with a fierce aspect Do you still pretend said she to abuse me and do you think that I am so ill informed of your treacheries as to believe your words How Madam replied Tudor does my Princess accuse me and can she suspect me guilty of any thing contrary to my Love Ah! Madam continued he then is all my comfort gone and it is enough that I have once displeased you to deprive me of all Joy for the rest of my Life These words which he feelingly uttered put Catharine into some trouble and seeing she earnestly desired that he might Justifie himself she was willing to give him the occasion so that resuming her Discourse How Prince said she I am in the wrong then and do you take it to be a great sign of Love to forsake me for Madam de Giack Is not she the cause that you have almost forgot a Princess who had it been at her own choice would have left all to have followed you There is nevertheless I think a great difference between her and me and the most indifferent heart would make distinction betwixt a Frisking Lady and a Princess who knows not what cunning is Tudor had much ado to forbear interrupting the Princess but perceiving that she had ended her Discourse How Madam said he all in surprise do I Love Madam de Giack then Upon what ground I pray you have you conceived such a suspicion Have I so much as a thought but for my Princess and the indifference which is observed in me for the rest of Woman-kind makes it not sufficiently appear that you are the sole Mistress of my Soul You know Madam continued he that you obliged me to Visit Madam de Giack and though you were not in my Eyes the Loveliest Princess that ever was Do you believe that I could be smitten with a Lady who is known to be otherwayes engaged and that Tudor is not so ambitious as to despise a Heart which he must share with the Duke of Burgundy A great deal of Policy with a little Love replied Catharine are many times ingredients in the Actions of Princes and you shall see one that appears in the Eyes of many to be very passionate who at the Heart is only filled with ambition Banish that Opinion answered Tudor no body can answer that Article better than my self I know all your greatness but if I suspected that you gave Ear to any one who might speak of Love to you I should value you no more and in the lowness of your Soul should find enough to make me forget the perfections of your person Why then replied the Princess do
TUDOR A PRINCE OF WALES An Historical Novel In TWO PARTS LONDON Printed by H. H. for Jonathan Edwin at the Sign of the Three Roses on Ludgatehill 1678. Licensed Feb. 1. 1678. ROGER L'ESTRANGE TUDOR A PRINCE of WALES An Historical Novel The First Part. IT was about the Time when the War which had continued for so many Ages between the English and Welsh seemed to be put to an end and that these latter were believed for ever unable to retrive their losses or defend their pretensisions That Owen Tudor one of their Princes and whose Lineage they deduced from Cadwalladar an ancient British King endeavoured to mount the Throne He found it no difficult matter to perswade the Welsh to rise in Arms and that people dissatisfied with their new Masters were ready to shed the last drop of their Blood in attempting to shake off that Yoke Tudor was glad to find them so well inclined to the Execution of his desires but their Aid seeming too weak fully to support his hopes he betook himself to the Protection of the Kings of France and Scotland who resolved to second him in his enterprises Henry the Fourth newly Crowned King of England no sooner understood of the powerfull League that was formed against him but that he on his part prepared vigorously for War and having raised an Army of Forty thousand men he marched towards Scotland at the head of it where he met the enemy drawn up on the Borders He offered them Battel which was accepted but the Scots had the worst of the day Tudor was fain to flie for it and the Earl of Doughlas who commanded the Scots was made Prisoner by Henry The loss of that Battel put the Affairs of the Welsh Prince into a bad condition and finding no other support but in the friendship of Charles the Sixth King of France he retreated into his Dominions where that Monarch received him more favourably than he could have expected in his adversity The Grandee's of the Kingdom imitated their Prince and had so great respect for the merit of Tudor that their civilities were sufficient to have made him forget all his losses if he had proposed to himself any thing but Glory But it is very hard for such Souls as are born to command to find satisfaction any other way than in the submission and obedience of Provinces and that Prince would have willingly preferred the Crown of Wales to all the Favours and Civilities which he received at the Court of Charles Wherefore he did all he could to procure from him assistance But France was not at that time what before it had been and after the unlucky accident which befell their King and is mentioned in History the Kingdom was so rent by the different interests of the Princes of the Blood that it had enough to do to maintain it self Tudor thus crossed in his designs bore his misfortune but not without much impatience yet that was not all Fate had new troubles in reserve for him and he had never been sensible of the utmost effects of ill fortune if he had not felt the pains which commonly attend a great but hopeless Love Charles had several Children by his Queen Isabell of Bavaria and Catharine his youngest Daughter was justly esteemed one of the greatest Beauties and most lovely persons that hath ever been The Lustre of her presence surprized all that beheld her and her Actions were accompanied with so many Charms that no heart was proof against her merit Her Body was not inferiour to the Beauties of her Countenance and in a word she seemed to have been framed on purpose to inspire into Hearts the tenderest of Passions Tudor at first beheld her with admiration but seeing his Fortune had no Conformity with high designs his reason at that time retained its authority and that Princes thoughts were taken up as much at least with the sense of his Calamities as with the Consideration of the perfections of Catharine However he had a Heart like other Men and he must needs have been of a very savage disposition if seeing daily the Princess he had not been affected by her Beauty He began to be a little more Melancholick than he used to be or to say better he changed his Melancholy into a sweet and restless pensiveness and such as men commonly fall into when a great passion begins to seize them He well percieved in himself this change of humour and was displeased thereat yet not so much as he would have been had he fully known the cause of it However he made some reflexions on the complaisance that he had for the Princess and seemed indeed to have touched the right string when he helped to beguile himself In effect after so many marks of goodness as Catharine had shewed him he thought there could be no great danger in those little offices which he rendred her and which he believed to be rather testimonies of Gratitude than Love but the effects which great obligations produce are easily known and though they make deep impression on generous Souls yet all things have their limits and it is no hard matter to distinguish that which flows from Love from the effects of a Heart that is only grateful Neither did Tudor long continue in his error and the earnest desire he had to be in all places where Catharine was convinced him that civility did not commonly lead men so far but that some extraordinary matter must needs have invaded his thoughts That consideration made him afraid so that endeavouring to prevent the troublesome consequences that might ensue from it He employed all means to stifle his Affection in the Birth and proposed to his own Imagination every thing that might represent to him the fatal effects of that attempt But none but such as have never been in Love can think that from such like enterprises any success is to be expected and experience does too plainly evince that Love is like to those snares wherein the more men strive to get out the more they entangle themselves Tudor had the same Fate as others have had and all his reasonings served only to render him more Amorous The Charms of Catharine presenting themselves in vast numbers to his memory he conceived so agreeable an Idea of the Princesses perfections as suddenly got the absolute Victory over his weakness He found a Thousand delights in the conversation of that fair one and in her Company he so much forgot the thoughts os all his misfortunes that his greatest care was how he might appear agreeable to her Eyes He was no more Tudor whom ambition tormented Day and Night and that Passion which had so cruelly racked his Heart since the first time that he had given way to it gave place to those Sentiments which to tender and affectionate Souls have far greater charms than the most glorious and magnificent Crowns But how said that Prince sometimes to himself Dost thou consider Tudor what thou art about
to do what course is this thou art like to follow Do Conquerours propose to thee this way to subdue thine enemies what a shame is it for a Prince continued he to give way to his pleasures when his chief care should be to remount the Throne and what a Joy will it be to Henry when he shall understand that Tudor delights in servitude at the same time when all his endeavours should be to shake off his Fetters But thou art mistaken Owen replied he immediately thy desires are not to be condemned and may not there be as much Policy as weakness in them if they be rightly considered is it not natural to implore the assistance of Neighbours when strength is wanting at home and where canst thou imagine to find greater support than in an Alliance with Charles if thou couldst be so happy as to obtain it But these thoughts were not so well confirmed in his mind as to banish all his troubles and distrust He began to reflect on the greatness of Catharine and his own misery and was not so blinded with self-love but that he knew very well that such a Princess as she was merited all that he could pretend to though he had been actually possessed of Ten Provinces each of them as great as that for which he had taken Arms. He resolved therefore to suffer without speaking and as there is nothing so bitter as desires without hopes so it is not easie to conceive the pitiful estate to which he was reduced He resolved oftner than once to retire from Court but having cast his Eyes upon all the places whither he might convey his wretched Fortune he found every where so little security for his person that necessity obliged him to remain where he was It was soon perceived that his sadness was extraordinary but every one knew the condition of his Affairs and they were desperate enough to hinder any from suspecting other grounds of his discontents than what were visible to all men All made it their business to comfort him and Catharine her self who felt a kind of affectionate pitie for that Prince which she had never before felt for any told him that one should not be so much dejected at the accidents of Fortune seeing daily experience made appear that nothing was more fickle and unconstant and that he should be perswaded that she often heaped her favours on him whom she had immediately before oppressed with afflictions Tudor answered as he ought to that obliging Discourse of the Princess but being resolved not to discover to her the secrets of his heart thought it enough to hint to her in the general that his troubles were far different from what she believed and that the greater ambition one had for high matters the more lamentable it was to see ones self out of hopes of attaining to them Their conversation was not very long but as it served to poyson the wounds of Tudor so it began to work strange effects in the Heart of Catharine for seeing pitie does insensibly accustom us to tender Sentiments that Princess did habituate her self to a gentle compassion for Tudor and thought her self only affected with his misfortunes when she became sensible of his merit That Prince was indeed endowed with most engaging qualities for besides the excellent Beauty and Comeliness of Body he possessed a gentile and pleasant Wit which easily insinuates and contributes as much to the Conquest of Hearts as all the sparkling Lustre of the World The Princess on her part fell likewise into a kind of pensiveness and if Tudor had taken that opportunity to speak to her of his Love she would certainly have heard him with pleasure and that wretched Prince would have found some comfort to his miseries in the kind usage that he might have received from her But he flattered not himself so much as to venture on speaking and thought it enough to give evidence of his passion by his Assiduities and Services In the mean while the Princess took particular notice of his deportment and I cannot tell whether Tudor were more amorous or Catharine more grateful But their procedure added more than one half to their affliction and they had long felt all the pains of Love without tasting of it's sweetness if the death of the King of England had not given them occasion by that which happened afterward to make known to one another their mutual Sentiments After the death of that Prince his Son Henry the Fifth succeeded to the Crown He set himself at first to the procuring of his Subjects quiet and having ordered all things at home resolved to make War or else to establish a good and solid peace with France He sent Ambassadors to Charles with propositions of some accommodation betwixt them concerning the differences that his Father had always had with him during his Reign and at the same time demanded the Princess Catharine his Daughter in Marriage The Ambassadors were no sooner arrived at Paris but that all people knew the cause of their coming Tudor took the alarm very hot and the Princess was so troubled at the overture that she could not forbear to make appear her aversion to the Marriage She was observed to weep incessantly and one day when Tudor went to pay her a visit he found her upon the Bed overwhelmed with such grief as could not be matched He saluted her with much respect and drawing near What is the reason Madam said he of so great dejection and do these lovely Eyes think it time to look sad when they ought to sparkle with the glory of their Conquests It is true continued he all the Crowns of the Earth have nothing that comes near your merit Nevertheless there are Charms in a Diadem and a Princess may rest satisfied with the Crown of England without fear of being suspected to want a noble Ambition Were I like Tudor answered she coldly I know very well that I should sacrifice all other interests to Ambition and that the concerns which one ought to have for Relations should not much perplex me But seeing my temper is different from his neither can I agree with him in opinion and perhaps Mine Ah how are you mistaken Madam in thinking so said the Prince interrupting her and how little do you know Tudor if you think that the desire of Reigning is all his Passion I confess continued he the time has been when I was only ambitious but there happen many changes in ones life and it is very hard amidst the Beauties which are to be found at the Court of France to entertain no other desires but for glory or rather it is very difficult not to forget it absolutely when one begins to feel an inclination for a lovely Lady You do indeed surprise me answered the Princess and I should never have suspected that you were in love One is often mistaken replied Tudor but I intend to undeceive you and make you acknowledg that I am much more to be
pitied than you think of You know Madam continued the Prince that the misfortune of War having obliged me to flie for refuge to the Court of the King your Father I was no sooner arrived here but that I found what I had never seen elsewhere The men appeared to me extreamly civil and well bred and the Ladies to my Fancie performed all they set about with so good Air that I thought other Countries destitute of the Politeness which was to be found in France I made it my work to observe things more narrowly that I might from them frame to my self a pattern for my conduct but how dangerous is it so attentively to consider objects of great worth I saw a lovely Brown who ravished me with her charms and robbed me of my Heart Pardon me Madam if I tell you not all her Amiable qualities for it is above my power and nothing but my Heart is able to tell it self how many are her charming perfections I will only assure you by the by that never was Lady more Beautiful nor Witty and that as there is none in the World so accomplished so never was Passion more respectful and sincere than the Love I have for her With these words the Prince held his peace and the Princess who had Love enough for him to make her conceive some jealousie by that Discourse being desirous to discover who that Rival was I perceive said she Tudor you are discreet in your Amours for having told us the perfections of your Mistress you are pleased to conceal from us her name and your own happiness It is not for the reason that you imagine Madam answered Tudor that I tell you no more I understand my self and that was enough to keep me from having farther proceeded with the person of whom I spake In effect so great is the difference betwixt her merit and the defects of Tudor that I think he will never so much mistake himself as to dare speak to her of his passion That Lady must needs be of great quality replied Catharine being desirous to engage him to declare himself that a Prince stands in so great awe of her and for my part I know none that should oblige him to so great a reserve I am not of your opinion Madam replied Tudor and to my grief I know one who deserves that one should do greater matters for her But what do you mean by that replyed the Princess I mean Madam answered Tudor that my actions should make her sensible of my Love rather than my words and my satisfaction would be great if by all the ways of respect and submission I might ever engage that fair one to pitie me The Princess who imagined not before that Tudor designed her by his Discourse began now to suspect it and being willing to inform her self Prince said she this way of reasoning is not just if I were in your place I should take another course and a Lover that by his silence can work upon his Mistress never disobliges her by declaring his Love when he does it with all civility and respect In this Madam answered the Prince I have some doubts of your sincerity and perhaps you would be the first to take it ill if such a thing happened These words confirmed the Princess more and more in her suspicion she was desirous to have no more ground of doubting and speaking again Tudor said she I perceive you know me not I never speak but what I think and the aversion that I have made appear to the Marriage lately proposed to the King my Father ought to convince you that I am an Enemy to all kind of dissimulation That Discourse made Tudor change his design of concealing his Love he found that he could never meet with so fair an occasion of declaring himself and laying hold of the opportunity offered him by Fortune Well then Madam replied he I must believe you for indeed it would be too hard for me to keep my self longer under constraint and it is my duty to acknowledg my rashness in declaring that I adore you and that none but the Princess Catharine could ever touch the Heart of the Prince of Wales Believe it Madam this Heart is immoveable to all but your self and it is my Fate that a King of England should strip me of all my felicities but let him freely enjoy the fruits of my overthrow provided he suffer me to enjoy the sight of my dearest Princess Tudor said no more but made appear to Catharine so much Love in his Looks that she could no longer listen to the residue of an expiring stateliness which would have obliged her to disguise her Sentiments She made known to him by a Glance the Flame that was in her Heart and at length overcoming her own humour Alas why did you not speak sooner said she and why have you delayed so long to discover to me a matter which at another time would have pleased me so well Believe it Prince continued she I would willingly have heard you and perhaps had I never known you I should not have had so great an Aversion to match with England But after so free a confession entertain no sinister Judgment of me make use of it only to break off my Marriage consult your Friends and so manage Affairs that there may be a stop put to an Alliance which if it take effect will cost me the quiet of my whole Life Ah! Madam answered Tudor how happy do you make me by the goodness which you shew me but how short will this happiness prove by the obstacles I foresee therein For in a word what can I do in this conjuncture you know that the House of Orleans has at present the advantage of that of Burgundy to which I have addicted my self and that I have no authority with those that determine Affairs of that nature But have you your self no power left continued he to oppose that which thwarts your inclinations and must you demand assistance from one who expects his relief from you What would you have me do replyed the Princess and are you so ignorant of the duty of Persons of my Quality as not to know my Inability No Tudor expect no more from me I have an esteem and perhaps something more for you but I shall suffer my self to be led to the Sacrifice if it be so resolved and I had rather have it said that Catharine is Unfortunate than that she should be accused of failing in her duty Well then Madam replied Tudor it is your pleasure that I die I must obey you and that is indeed the only ease I find in my calamities Oppress me no more replied the Princess it is not well done to encrease my sorrows Bestir your self rather if you Love me Love has many secret ways of succeeding in enterprises and there is nothing impossible to those who truly feel it Here ended the Conversation of those two Amorous Persons they parted fully satisfied with
one another but with small hopes of a better Fortune In the mean time Tudor spread reports at Court that the Marriage of Henry and Catharine was no wayes advantageous for France That that Prince was but the Son of an Usurper that the House of York which was dispossessed of the Crown was still strong enough to regain the Scepter and that in Fine the last words of the dying King to his Son should make him rather think of giving back what he had gotten than of demanding such ridiculous matters as were proposed by his Ambassadours I cannot tell whether these rumours that were in every bodies mouth made any impression on the Counsel or that the pretensions of the King of England seemed not very reasonable But in a word his Ministers returned without effectuating any thing It is hard to imagine how great the joy of our Lovers was but they failed not to make it known to one another in its full extent and by mutual assurances of Love began to forget their past troubles when of a sudden they found themselves more than ever exposed to the cruelty of Fortune Henry incensed at the refusal of giving him Catharine in Marriage leavied a powerful Army He landed in Normandy where he put all to Fire and Sword and having taken some places by the way he marched towards Callis He fought a great Battel at Agincourt and obtained the Victory afterward he wasted all Picardy laid Siege to the Citie of Roan and there was no doubt but that he would have carried it had not they who had the Administration of the Affairs of France being surprized at so many Conquests endeavoured in good earnest to find means to put a stop to that Victorious Prince And finding no more ready remedy for the Calamities that threatned their Country than to appease the Rage of the Conquerour Ambassadours were sent to his Camp to beg Peace of him and to offer him Catharine This was a cruel Blow for our Lovers and the sorrow that appeared on their Countenance gave signs enough if it had been observed that both were extreamly troubled Well then Princess said Tudor one day to Catharine now is the time come that I must lose you and Fate has only given me a little Reprieve to let me know the greatness of that felicitie which it had appointed for another Why have you not been altogether Cruel Continued he or rather why are you but kind by halves and how can it be that one tenderly Loves as you profess and in the mean time resolves to forsake the beloved object Ah! Tudor be sparing in your censures replied the Princess my afflictions are too great that I should need other pressures and your reproaches are too unjust that I should suffer them and survive my grief Let us be unhappy if Heaven hath so decreed but let us not contribute any thing that may make us lose the esteem which we have for one another You in giving me Counsels that go against my Reputation and I in listening to them I am already but too much enclined to believe you continued she to make me distrust my strength and I have so often represented to my self the pleasure that I might have had in living with you that I am much afraid I shall project to my self nothing but horrours with all besides your self if you still persist to bring them to my mind Help me rather to overcome my self and believe Prince that this is the occasion wherein one really deserves pity seeing after all the effects of my Virtue I stand in need still of assistance to overcome my weakness I confess Madam answered the Prince I must admire you for these Sentiments and grant them to proceed from the most generous Princess that ever was but grant me likewise that if I have not so great a Soul yet I have perhaps more tenderness than you have I am in the wrong added he to press you so much and it is misbecoming a Prince who has no other Fortune but in his hopes to desire to snatch from a Princess a Crown which is in her offer it has certainly more charms than one is aware of and it must needs be of small value if it were to be forsaken for the forlorn estate of Tudor These words which he uttered with some sullenness made the Princess sensible he was jealous she was willing to cure him of that fatal passion and looking on him with an obliging Aspect What is it Prince said she that you suspect me of and what signs of Ambition have I given you that you should think me so much inclined to it as you make me to be Banish such thoughts far from you if you love your own repose and if you will give your self any trouble for mine hinder the success of that Treaty which is to be set on foot at the interview of the two Kings You may do somewhat in that matter and you are in so good terms with the House of Burgundy which is now again restored to the Government of the State that with the help of that Family you may hope to succeed in your undertaking These words reassured the Prince who casting himself at her feet Pardon Madam said he an Unfortunate Lover who knows not whom to blame for his Calamities and consider that it is very difficult to be deeply in Love and not to be a little jealous Believe me my dear Princess I shall employ all the Friends I have to hinder that fatal Marriage and I have so great interest in it as may I think make you believe that I shall omit nothing which may contribute to it's repture At the same time he took leave of her and went straight to the Palace of the Duke of Burgundy where he found that Prince more afflicted for the Calamities of France than he expected and perceiving him resolved to employ his utmost endeavours to hinder its ruin I rejoyce my Lord said he at your good intentions and doubt not of the Kingdoms safety now that you make it your care But remember that there depends much on diligence in preventing a disadvantageous Treaty to which the weakness of the King will it may be oblige him and which will not be easily remedied if once concluded You have reason Prince answered the Duke of Burgundy but there are many things to be done before I can be in a condition to act as I should What greater matters are to be done then replied Tudor and if you were reconciled with the Dolphin might ye not Unite your Forces and make head against the common Enemy of your Country Yes answered the Duke but the difficulty will be to bring us to good terms together I shall endeavour it if you please replied Tudor and am perswaded that I shall not meet with so many Lets in it as you imagine You will thereby oblige me replied the Duke and I shall be always ready to do all that my honour and duty can allow Tudor thereupon
left him that he might go to the Dolphin and having found him in the same disposition that he had left the Duke of Burgundy in he made them Friends in appearance and retarded for some time at least his own misfortune The reconciliation of these two Princes put France in some hopes again Yet it hindered not but that the two Kings upon a cessation of Arms attended by the chief of their Court met in the Park of Meulan where they resolved to have a conference for facilitating the peace The Queen followed after and carried the Princess with her The English beheld her with admiration and there were but few of them that found not by experience how dangerous it is too narrowly to consider an amiable person But amongst all those who admired her Beauty no man was certainly more sensibly smitten than the Duke of Glocester that Prince who was Brother to the King of England and by his Rank and Quality at Court had the greatest share in the management of Affairs no sooner viewed Catharine but was charmed by her perfections He resolved at first to acquaint her with the Sentiments he entertained for her and seeing the marriage of the Princess was to be one of the first Articles of the Treaty then in agitation he thought he had no time to lose in taking a good resolution And therefore having rendred a visit to the Queen he discoursed with Catharine in a place where their conversation could not be overheard It is so hard Madam said he to her to see you and not to feel some particular emotion that I think I shall not much surprise you when I tell you that you have before you a Prince who is absolutely at your disposal It is not added he by the multitude of words that I pretend to make good what I say my actions shall far better make known to you my Sentiments than all the discourses that I can make Consider only Madam wherein you think fit to employ me and believe that I have so much authority in the Conference that is held to day as to sway matters to what side I shall incline The Princess was surprised at that Compliment and having expected no such thing nor well understood the meaning of it she was for some time put to a plunge what answer to make to the Duke But having at length paused upon it a little Really Prince said she you are the most obliging person alive It is seldom found that enemies offer to turn their arms against themselves however you run no Risk on this occasion I am none of those that will to your cost make advantage of your civilities and study the interest of my Country by an action which would somewhat diminish your glory I perceive Madam answered the Duke that I have not expressed my self so as to be understood It is not in favour of the King your Father that I have offered you my Services in this place and I am less concerned for the Interests of my Princes Crown than for those of his heart It is needless I think to explain my self more clearly consult about that which may affect yours and if the designs which Henry hath on your person have nothing in them that can flatter you I make no difficulty Madam to tell you I know how to satisfie you and a Prince who would give his life to contribute in the least to your content will not find great difficulty to divert the blow which may render you unhappy I am still more obliged to you than I thought replied the Princess since you confine to me alone the Sentiments which I extended to others But in fine Prince though my inclinations were contrary to the Alliance that is in agitation to day you know that it would be undecent for me to discover them and that a Princess of my quality ought with pleasure sacrifice her self to the publick good Have a care Madam of being mistaken replyed the Prince and embrace not the shadow of virtue for virtue it self I know very well added he that when one hath once made a choice all pains are to be endured rather than to give any mark of repentance but the case is not a like in a matter that is not as yet concluded and untill it be finally ended we may forbear such things as would cost us the repose of our Life if we did them contrary to our inclination There is nothing Sir an-answered Catharine which is inconsistent with the inclination of a Princess and the hearts of Persons of that quality should be of the nature of Wax whereon Princes may stamp all that they judge advantageous for the grandure of their Crowns These are indeed brave Sentiments Madam replied the Duke of Glocester but Destiny sometimes opposes so great generosity and seeing it inspires into us Love and Aversion according as it pleases we find often in our selves hatred for that which is appointed for us and have often also an inclination for the thing we are denied It were far better Madam added he to render your self Mistress of your own fortune and without seeming to affect any thing in particular as you may do to day to make use of the assistance that is offered you that you may perhaps thereby prevent your own misfortune How Prince replied Catharine have I nothing but appearances to answer for and can a Princess be satisfied with her self when she can upbraid her self with such an escape In fine Madam answered the Duke I see you are not to be convinced by my reasons and that it is as easie for you to overcome me in conversation as it was to triumph on my heart but consider a little what I have said to you and think not that so small a matter from which you are to expect all the happiness or misery of your Life As he made an end of these words he rose and having made a low reverence retired to the Camp and left Catharine in a musing fit into which the discourse of that Prince had cast her She bethought her self what it might be that could make him speak in that manner and making no doubt but that it was some small esteem that he had for her She found her self in great perplexity what course to take in that conjuncture For on the one hand she would not have been vexed if there had been no progress made in the Conference and on the other she would have been glad to have had no obligation to the Duke and not to have been exposed to a complaisance which he would certainly have expected from her if he had once found himself in a condition of doing her service She would not trust her own Judgment as to the resolution which she ought to take concerning that but writ an account to Tudor who was obliged to stay at Paris of the conference she had had with the Duke Though that Lover had ground to praise the carriage of Catharine yet he could not forbear at
it then unsafe to trust that Prince but Madam de Giack came in purposely to dissipate all his apprehensions She gave him to understand that he would be accountable for all the Evils that might happen to France if upon idle apprehensions he refused an Interview which would be of great advantage to the publick and that in fine he did wrong to distrust the Dolphins word who being reconciled to him in good earnest might probably break off again when he percieved that he had to do with a Jealous and diffident Prince These words wrought more upon him than all the Counsels that his friends gave him to shun the Resentment of that Prince He sent him a Courier by whom he gave him advice that he would not fail to come to Montereau-faut-yonne the day prefixed in effect it was his destiny which he could not avoid and with some Guards he took his Journey but it was sadly fatal to him for he was killed by some of the Dolphins Servants just as he alighted to Salute that Prince who waited for him on thc Bridge All France was surprised at the death of the Duke of Burgundy for which the Dolphin was generally blamed by all and by the great disturbances that upon that occasion happened shortly after he well percieved how dear it cost him for having followed so bad Counsels Madam de Giack was ravished to hear that her revenge had so well succeeded but Unfortunate Tudor who foresaw the consequences of that accident was no sooner informed of it but that it struck him to the Heart he had not left the Duke of Burgundy untill he went to Montereau and he took that time to go see the Princess to whom he had written twice without receiving any answer He could not Imagine the reason of that silence and desiring to know the cause of it he went to her Apartment so soon as he came to Troyes where the Court was then He found the Princess alone in her Closet and expected his usual Reception when Catharine looking fiercely on him with eyes that darted out the anger that she was in Begone Traitour said she and go take your advantage of the death of the Duke of Burgundy He will no more now interrupt your Amorous engagements and I am much afraid that the hinderance he gave to your pleasures has cost him his Life It is impossible to express the effect that these words had on the Soul of Unfortunate Tudor He was long without knowing where he was or what was become of him but coming a little to himself again he desired to know of the Princess what she had to lay to his charge but she gave him no time to ask the question for rising from her Couch Once more begone said she and know that I will reason the Case no more with you At the instant she opened the Door and that passionate Lover seeing himself thus banished by his Mistress was obliged to obey her without being able to perswade her to hear one word for his Justification The truth is the sad condition that he was in spoke enough to have convinced the Princess of his Innocence had she not been prepossessed with an Opinion of his Infidelity but she had by her that which was enough to overcome all the Scruples that she might have had on that matter and on a time when she was a little too much urged by him she pulled out of her Pocket the fatal Letter that we have spoken of and casting her Eyes upon it All this said she is written to my sincere Lover and at the same time that he gives me the greatest Protestations of kindness he endeavours to perswade another that all his Carriage with me is but a design of Policy No no Traitour you shall deceive me no more and least I may be again surprised by your Artifices I know I should distrust my own weakness and that the surest way to Guard against it is to break off all farther commerce with thee Whilst the Princess persisted in such like Discourses and Tudor gave way to despair Philip Duke of Burgundy who succeeded his Father contrived a terrible revenge against the Dolphin He called together all that he thought favoured him and having taken Counsel of the most judicious he sent one of his confidents to the King of England to negotiate the League with him which put France within a Fingers breadth of utter ruin Most of the Grandees sided that way and were the more easily inclined to it in that the Duke made use of the Kings name to authorise his actions The truth is he disposed of that Prince according to his pleasure and made it very well appear by what he undertook and accomplished sometime after For he not only concluded the Marriage of Henry with Catharine but was likewise the cause that the King declared the Dolphin incapable of succeeding to the Crown and to compleat the Dukes revenge that King banished his own Son by a Decree of Parliament and acknowledged the King of England for his lawful Heir After these astonishing and furious proceedings Henry came to Troyes where the Court was he took upon him the Government made sure of Paris and the chief Cities of the Kingdom and afterward prepared for the Marriage of the Princess who procured him so much grandure Tudor sometime before was advertised by the Duke of Burgundy of all that passed and knowing how little power he had to hinder it he desired to be comprehended in the Treatie and seeing as he lost the hopes of his Love he set no value upon all the advantages of Fortune he chose rather to remit his pretensions than to see himself obliged to leave those places where he might still hope to enjoy the sight of his Lovely Princess He led as sorrowful a Life as can be imagined but when he himself was a witness of the Marriage of Henry and Catharine at Troyes no despair was like to his and all that I can say of it would be far short of the severity of his sufferings He was almost dead for grief and he had never out-lived his affliction if it were not evident by daily experience that the greatest Crosses have indeed power enough to over-burthen us but seldome the force to end our days In the mean time Catharine was in as bad a Condition as Tudor and though she was haughty enough to Curb the Sentiments that she still entertained for him yet she could not look upon him when they met without speaking many things in his favour Yea and sometimes she thought that she had done amiss in judging him guilty and to her it seemed that the Melancholy he was in since the time that she had used him so ill might serve far more to justifie him than the Letter we have spoken of was able to condemn him But she was much more confirmed in her thoughts when she saw that that Prince continued no more commerce with Madam de Giack and that so far