forbore meeting his Mistress that Night for fear of being surpriz'd and rightly judging that it would be impossible to continue his amorous commerce unless he could get rid of the spy that was set to watch him order'd St. Coâ—â—â—â—e to have him assassinated Thereupon St. Columbe riggl'd himself into the acquaintance of the Scotch Soldier and having carry'd him to a Tavern after they had done drinking led him through a blind street where he had posted half a dozen desperate Raskels that fell upon him and laid him dead upon the pavement One of the Duke of Tremovilles Lacqueys who was a kin to the Scotch Soldier seeing him attack'd went to call some of his comrades and came to his rescue but too late for the business was done and the Murderers were dispers'd However in regard that several persons in the Duke of Tremouilles Livery were seen about the body the Duke himself was accus'd to have been the author of the Assasination The Dauphin was the only person that would not be surpriz'd by these appearances as guessing right that the Murther was committed by the order of Chabane Nevertheless he would not take any notice of it to any body least the fear of danger should dishearten those that he design'd to employ in the farther espial of these secret rendezvouses to serve him according to his desires Therefore he said no more but set other spies to work and caus'd the Countess to be so narrowly watch'd that word was brought him that Châ—bane was enter'd her Chamber in the disguise of a Stationer with a great bundle of Books under his Arm. Immediately he went to inform the King What said he merrily I hope 't is not la Trimoâ—â—le but tho' the Dauphin knew well enougâ— 't was Chabane he answer'd his Father that he could not tell who it was but that his Majesty would be soon satisfi'd The Dauphin also had order'd all the Avenues to be so well guarded that it was impossible for the Count of Dammartin to escape But the Countess having timely notice by Mortaigne who kept diligent watch and ward lockt him up in a Closet by the side of the Bed which the King had never observ'd as being cover'd with the Hangings So that the King found his Mistress a Bed and while he was examing the Books that lay by her the Dauphin askt her between jest and earnest what was become of the Bookseller that sold her the Books To whom the Countess with a countenance no way concern'd made answer that he was gone but that he could not be out of call if his Highness had any thing to say to him The Dauphin took a Flambeau himself and finding nothing after he had sought all about retir'd without saying a word full of vexation and shame for the ill success of his enterprize The King on the otherside made a thousand excuses to the Countess and the better to make his peace would needs lye with her that night Nor durst the Countess give him the least denyal tho' she was sure to spend the night in a strange intermixture of pleasure and disquiet Nor was Chabane in a better condition he was so near the Bed that he durst not breath and which was worse he was forc'd to lye patient while his own Ears told him that another was enjoying those pleasures which were appointed for himself But at length the King rose and left him at liberty to make himself amends for his past sufferings The Countess who lookt upon the Dauphin as the Author of all her vexations no longer had the patience to carry fair with him as she had done before They had frequent quarrels together and one day such was the heat of passion on both sides that the Dauphin gave her a whirret o' the Ear. Of which she made her complaints to the King but not receiving that satisfaction which she expected despite and vexation threw her into a languishing disease of which she died in six weeks after and was buri'd in the Collegiate Church She had two Daughters by the King Charlote marry'd Lewis de Brezè Seneschal of Normandy who surprizing her in the act of Adultery stabd ' her to death and Mary who espous'd Oliver de Coitiny Lord of Rochefort Anno 1455. After the Death of the Countess of Ponthieure the King engag'd with Madam de Villequiers her Neice a Lady no less charming then she and who inherited her hatred of the Dauphin and perswaded Charles that the Dauphin had caus'd her Ant to be poyson'd On the otherside the Dauphin employ'd all the inventions of a crafty wit to set the King at variance with Madam de Villequiers but not being able to accomplish his design he withdrew into the Dauphinate whither all the male-contents resorted to him by his own incouragement The King after he had made use of all gentle means to reduce him to his duty commanded Chabane to march against him and to apprehend his person of which the Dauphin having intelligence left Grenoble privately and retir'd to the Duke of Burgundy The King seeing his Son in the hands of his mortal Enemy began to mistrust every body that came near him and imagining every moment that there was a design to poyson him continu'd without eating eight days together and weakn'd his natural heat by that long abstinence in such a manner that afterwards when he came to eat again 't was impossible for him to digest his nourishment which brought him to his Grave Such was the tragical end of the Amours of this Prince The Intreagues of the Court of France under the Reign of Lewis XI Anno 1469. LEWIS XI who had always great designs sent the Cardinal d'Albret into Spain to negotiate a marriage between the Duke of Guienne his Brother with Isabell of Castile the Sister of Henry IV. and presumptive heir of that Kingdom But that Princess rather chose to unite Castille to Aragon by the marriage of Ferdinand eldest Son of Don Juan II. This negotiation therefore proving unsuccessful Lewis XI cast his Eyes upon the Princess Joane which Joane of Castille had had by one of her favourites and which King Henry had acknowledg'd for his Daughter notwithstanding he was impotent in hopes to set up the rights of that Princess against Isabell But the Duke of Guienne to whom the King made the proposal would not so much as hear of a match that must have engag'd him in a bloody War with the King of Aragon and privately sent to demand Mary the only Daughter and heiress of Charles Duke of Burgundy But the Duke who saw that the greatest Princes in Europe sought his Daughter would not determin so suddenly upon the choice of a Son in Law but without engaging his promise to any one kept 'em all in suspence The Duke of Guyenne vex'd at this hesitation of the Duke took his leave of the King at Orleans to go and drive away his melancholy in his own Government At Amboise he had a
sparkling Glances which she darted from her eyes but was very officious in paying his assiduities to her never valuing the trouble it might be to Madam de Beaufort The Counstable also took delight in her disturbances and jeasted about 'em with Marshal de Biron who solely possess'd the Kings Inclinations But Fortune soon after delivered the Marchioness from so dangerouss a Rivaless for she dy'd in Childbed leaving the Constable two Children Henry afterwards Duke of Montmorancy and Charlote Margarite who was marri'd to Henry of Bourbon Prince of Condè which was the occasion of a very great Intreague towards the end of this Raign Madam de Beaufort had also by the King Katherine Henrietta legitimated of France whom in 1619 marry'd Charles of Lorrain Duke of Elbeuf and Alexander de Vendosme commonly call'd the Grand Prior who ended his days in the Dungeon of the Castle of Vincennes where he had been confin'd by the order of Lewis XIII But the Marchioness was not brought to bed of this Prince till after the Queen was unmarry'd and then it was that finding her self at liberty she made use of all her wit to oblige the King to set the Crown upon her Head The King also over whom she had an absolute ascendant left nothing omitted on his part to have gratifi'd her desires and banish'd Nicholas de Neuville Lord of Villeroy and Secretary of State for presuming with too much liberty to condemn his design Now in regard the King was certain to obtain whenever he pleas'd the consent of Queen Margaret there remain'd no more to do but only to get the Court of Rome to allow the Divorce To which purpose he sent with the Character of his extraordinary Embassador Nicholas Brulard Lord of Sileri then President of the Parliament and afterwards Chancellor of France He was one of the most able Ministers the King had and in regard he was no less Zealous for his Masters Interests then for those of the Marchioness to whom he was beholding for a good part of his Fortune 't was to be presum'd that he would leave nothing uneffected to render his Embassie successful But before we relate the success of his Negotiation it will not be amiss to shew upon what grounds the King demanded the Dissolution of his marriage which cannot be better understood then by the Manifesto that he publish'd upon that occasion The Manifesto of Hen. IV. upon his Divorce from Queen Margaret I Thought my self exempt from giving an accompt to the Publick of the motives that induc'd me after twenty years being wedded together to separate my self from the Sister of the Kings my Predecessors under pretence of being too near in Blood And indeed being above the Laws I did not think my self oblig'd to give an account of my actions to any but God only But in regard that Strangers and several of the French Nation take an occasion from thence to blame my Conduct some calling me Voluptuous others Atheistical and both tother condemning me for ingrateful I thought my self concern'd in honour to satisfie those who have suffer'd themselves to be abus'd and to confound the malice of my secret Enemies by exposing to the Eyes of the World the true causes of the Divorce which I desire For considering the high Station to which God has rais'd me 't is not sufficient that my life should be without reproach it behoves me also to render it free from suspition and to draw the Curtain with which I endeavour to hide the disorder of my Family 'Ts said that Heaven sends admonitions to those who are born to command over others of the misfortunes that will be fall ' em If the bloody Rain that fell at Rome before the Battle of Cannae were a presage of the loss which the Republick was shortly to sustain I may say that the Blood that was shed upon the day of my Nuptials seem'd to foretel the cruel Afflictions that should befall me by reason of this fatal Union But I never minded that unlucky Omen nor the words of Charles the Ninth Brother to this unchast Woman who being better acquainted with her then my self said by way of Raillery that he did not give his Megg for a Wife to the King of Navarr only but to all the Hereticks in his Kingdom I interpreted his meaning another way and imagin'd that he lookt upon it as a knot that would for the future inevitably bind to his Service all the Huguenots nevertheless time has but too plainly discoverd to me the mistery of that Oracle I was so little acquainted with that Princess that I knew not that she had been sensible of love ever since Eleven years of Age that Entragues and Charrins both boasted that they had obtain'd her chiefest favours at that Age. I know not whither a Generous Emulation to dispute the Conquest or the Transports of his Pleasure caus'd Entragues to go beyond his strength but certain it is that his efforts brought him within two fingers breadth of the Grave and made him relinquish his bargain to take a Wife less beautiful but more prudent and reserv'd The Prince of Martignes supplyâ—d the place which Entragues left vacant and having discarded Charrins for whom she had no great kindness he remain'd the sole master of her heart That Prince being naturally vain glorious was so far from making a mistery of his good fortune that there Intreague after it had been the discourse of the whole Court was divulg'd in the Army and passing from mouth to mouth afforded ample matter of Raillery to all the Foot Souldiers of which Martignes was Collonel That indiscreet Lover upon all occasions of greatest danger wore an Embroider'd Scarf and carried with him a little Dog that she had given him which he kept to his dying day as a Pledge of her Friendship The loss of this Favorite drew tears from her which the King endeavour'd to wipe away by marrying her to the King of Portugal But the Duke of Guise who pretended by espousing her to give some colour to his Ambitious Designs cross'd that Match by the cunning of the Cardinal of Lorrain her Uncle who was sent to the King of Spain to condole the Death of Elizabeth of France his Wife In the mean time the Duke insinuated himself into the favours of that Princess by means of the kind Offices which he did Madam de Carnavalet 'T is said that the Dukes of Alenson and Anjou broke off that Intreague and that she had those complacencies for 'em that propinquity of Blood did no way authorize but I cannot believe that her Debauchery ran up to that excess However it were the mark had been hit several times before our marriage and all men will be easily convinc'd that I had no need of any great strength to carry the Ring at the first Course So soon as we were marry'd they who had right to pretend to her familiarity discarded themselves and oblig'd her by their withdrawing themselves to stoop to
Thibaut Count of Blois But some time after she was brought to Bed the King being inform'd of all Eleonor's Galantries resolv'd to vacate his Marriage To which purpose he assembl'd the Clergy of France at Boisgency where Alegrin his Chancellor set forth the reasons that mov'd the King to desire a separation and easily obtain'd what his Master desir'd because the Queen made no opposition However Lewis that he might come off with Honour surrendred back to her the Dutchy of Aquitaine and the Earldom of Peitou which she brought him in Dowry and only kept the two Daughters which He had by her Eleonor after this Divorce retir'd to Poitiers where she was visited by Henry Duke of Normandy the King of England's Son Who thô he were a Prince whose Person was no way inviting and had the worst colour'd Hair in the world yet she fail'd not to admit of his sedulities and to hearken to the proposals of Marriage which he made her because he was Heir presumptive to the Crown of England Henry was well inform'd of all the disorders of her past life but his eager desire to joyn Guyenne and Peitou to the rest of those Dominions which he was to inherit prevail'd over all other Considerations He espous'd Eleonor which so enrag'd Lewis that he suffer'd no opportunity of Revenge to escape him So that a War was kindl'd between the two Princes so soon as Henry came to the Crown which lasted till an end was put to it by the Marriage of Henry the King of England's eldest Son with Margaret the Daughter of Lewis and Elisabeth of Castille his second Wife And thô the affianc'd Princess were but five years of Age she was put into the hands of the King of England for a farther confirmation of the Alliance When she came to be of age proper for the consummation of the Nuptials the King of England refus'd to deliver her to his Son for fear he should become too potent and go about to dethrone him with the assistance of France Thereupon Henry impatient to enjoy his youthful Spouse that was to secure him his Succession to the Crown of England the Princess being design'd to the Heir of the Kingdom he stole her away and fled into France to the King his Father-in law From thence he wrote to his own Father demanding England or the Dutchy of Normandy as an Earnest of his Succession and upon the King's refusal resolv'd to obtain his Pretensions by force of Arms. Queen Eleonor also engag'd Richard Duke of Aquitain and Jeoffrey Duke of Bretagne her Brothers to take part with Henry and Lewis oblig'd William King of Scotland to invade England on that side while he sent Robert Earl of Leicester with a powerful Army to make a descent into the Island out of France So that a Man would have thought that the King of England assail'd on every side must have been overwhelmed by so many Enemies But Heaven protected him His Son Henry dy'd in a short time after and Peace was concluded between England and France and the Marriage of Richard who was become Heir to the Crown by the death of Henry with Alice the Daughter of Lewis was the Seal of that Union But in regard the Princess was very young she was put into the hands of the King of England as her Sister had been till she came to years of maturity and Queen Eleonor was shut up in close imprisonment to prevent her contriving new troubles at Court. In the mean time King Henry shew'd himself so extreamly complaisant to the Princess Alice that it was look'd upon to be an effect of love and the Princess answer'd him with a frankness pardonable as her years however Richard grew jealous to that degree that he could not find in his heart to marry her when he came to the Crown Queen Eleonor also whom he set at liberty so soon as he saw himself seated upon the Throne confirm'd him in his aversion and negotiated a Match between him and Beranguelle the Daughter of Don Garcias King of Navarre whom she carry'd to Richard then in Palestine where he espous'd her This anger'd Philip surnam'd the August King of France who at the same time had made a voyage to the Holy Land but he would not shew his resentment there for the injury done his Sister because he would not give the Infidels an opportunity to take advantage of the division of the Christians But so soon as he return'd into France he enter'd the Territories of the King of England in revenge At length Eleonor after she had been the cause of many mischiefs in both Kingdoms where she had worn the Crown ended her days at Poitiers in the Fourscore and fourth year of her age Mary of Moravia Mistress to Philip surnamed the August Anno 1192. PHILIP the August after the death of Isabella of Hainault his first Wife marry'd Isembourg or Eudelberge the Daughter of Waldemar the Great King of Denmark but found so little pleasure in the enjoyment of her that after the first Night he never would Bed her again However he endeavour'd a long time to combat this aversion but not being able to surmount it he imparted the secret of his disgust to William Bishop of Beauvais who told him that in regard there was a near affinity between him and the Queen it would be no difficult thing for him to disannul the Marriage if he would summon an Assembly of the Prelats of his Kingdom The King relish'd this Proposal and having sent for all the Bishops of France and amongst the rest for the Archbishop of Rheims who presided in the Assembly the sentence of Separation was pronounc'd Some time before the King had seen the Portraicture of Mary Agnes the Daughter of Bertol Duke of Moravis which appear'd so charming to him that he had always the Idea of her in his sight Therefore when he saw himself at liberty he sent to demand her in Marriage and having obtain'd his desires he espous'd her with a more then ordinary Magnificence Anno. 1198. Isemburg would not be present at the Nuptial Ceremony but secretly left the Court with a design to retire into Denmark But when she came to the Frontiers of France she bethought her self of the fault she was about to commit in abandoning the Justice of her Cause she return'd back again and shutting her self up in a Convent sent an account of her misfortune to King Conuie her Brother He being astonish'd at Philip's inconstancy sent to his Ambassador then residing in Rome to make his complaints to Pope Celestin and to demand Justice of him Celestin immediately dispatch'd away two Cardinals the one a Priest and the other a Deacon to make inquiry into what had past in the dissolution of the Marriage and to make use of all the Authority of the Holy See to oblige the King to take Isemburg again in case he had no lawful cause of separation So soon as the two Legates arriv'd at Paris
Daughter was sent away by that private conveyance during his Sickness Nor was he ignorant how prejudicial the conjunction of Bretagne to the Dominions of Spain would be to France which was the reason that without many more to do he resolv'd to cross a contrivance so dangerous notwithstanding he was assur'd that the Queen would never forgive him should the King happen to die of his Sickness Thereupon he stopt the Princess with most respectful protestations of his sorrow for being constrain'd to come to that extremity This action of the Marshal was commended by the King and all good French men and the Queen her self feign'd to applaud it however when the King was recover'd she made use of her credit to ruin that faithful subject Nevertheless she could not prevent the marriage of her Daughter with the Count of Angoulême because it was generally desir'd But it was such an inward vexation to her that sinking under the weight of her corroding anguish she dy'd in the thirty seven Year of her age 'T is true the King did not express that sorrow for her death as 't is thought he would have done considering the passion he had for her as long as she liv'd whither it were that his mind was taken up with his cares of the Wars of Italy or that the Queen's attempts against his authority had cool'd the heat of his Love However after that he liv'd such a reserv'd life that no body believ'd he would ever have thought of a third Marriage but the Duke of Longueville was the occasion of reviving that desire in him That Prince having rashly engag'd himself in a battle against the English year 1514 lost the battle of Spurs and became a prisoner to Henry VIII of England To repair this fault he undertook during his imprisonment to bring off that Prince from his confederacy with the Emperor nor did he find any great trouble to perswade him to it For thô he were very young he was very thrifty and he was a weary of paying the Emperours Troops who was extreamly poor and of furnishing him a hundred Crowns a day for his table There only wanted therefore a plausible pretence to break the Confederacy and there was not a better at that time to be found then a more strict alliance between France and England Henry VIII had a Sister whose beauty was a domestick mischief to him as we shall find in the sequel of this history She was born after another Daughter so much unprovided of the graces of the body that the King of Scotland had never marry'd her but because the King would not marry the youngest before the eldest The youngest being come of Age the Duke of Milan and several other Sovereign Princes sought her in vain because 't was not then the custom to marry the King's Daughter out of the Island This custome which had not been alter'd for four Ages together had infus'd into the young English Lords of the highest Quality a confidence to pretend to the Princess and the King gave way to it lest he should be accus'd of too much severity toward his Sister tho' he had no design to have marry'd her to any of his subjects for fear of drawing a civil War upon himself not unlike to those wherein several of his predecessors had miscarry'd Nevertheless in regard it is a difficult thing for a Woman to hold out any long time against Love when she makes it her business to allure the Princess of England after she had entangl'd in the snares of Love all those that could give any cause of jealousy to her Brother was her self smitten with one whom he had little reason to fear There was introduc'd into the Court of England a young English Gentleman whose name was Charles Brandon without any other recommendation then that of the King's Nurse whose Son he was He was extreamly handsome well proportion'd in his person and very active in all manner of exercises He had the air of a person of Quality and there was observ'd in him that sweetness of temper and that discretion that he was welcome into all societies and chiefly into the Ladies company who were altogether prevalent at Court The King took him for his second in all his matches at Tenis and made him the confident of all his most secret pleasures He conferr'd upon him the office of his chief Huntsman and lest his name should remind the Courtiers of the meaness of his Birth he caus'd him to assume the title of the Counts of Suffolk illustrious for the merit and quality of the persons who had born it for above two hundred years It is not certainly known whether this new title had convinc'd the Princess that she might bestow her affection without any dishonour upon the person whom the King her Brother had honour'd with it since the English Histories are full of presidents of several Earls of Suffolk that have pretended to the marriage of the Sisters and Daughters of their King 's or whether the Love which she already had for him had imprinted that Idea in her mind in his favour but it was observ'd that in a short time after the Princess lookt upon Suffolk with a more passionate glance then she was wont to do Nor wat it so much to be wonder'd at that the Earle should make her suitable returns with Eyes no less inflam'd and sparkling And the Courtiers in a little time were so us'd to it that they took little notice of it whether it were the custome at that time to love at well beneath as above their quality or whether it were that the Courtiers thought it not proper to be more concern'd about it then the King himself was who only laught at the business and made himself merry with the two lovers so soon as he discover'd their reciprocal affection Not that he approv'd it in the main or that he had so high a value for Suffolk as to make him his Brother in Law thô he had a greater kindness for him then for the rest of his Courtiers But he was in hopes to draw some advantage from the inequality of this Amour which he thought would exasperate the English Lords against her and cause 'em to desist from looking any more after her besides that he assur'd himself that he should be so much the master of his Sister and Suffolk that nothing should be acted between them two but by his consent This was the posture of the Court of England when the Duke of Longueville made a proposal as from himself of a match between the Princess and Lewis XII The King of England listen'd to him with those marks of respect and approbation which suficiently discover'd what he had in his Heart He was importun'd to bestow his Sister out of the way and he met with the most lucky means that Fortune ever could have offer'd him 'T is true he could not without some trouble to himself put an end to a War so advantageous to him
King found the Marchioness more reluctant then he imagin'd and was so far from offering her any violence that he was so charm'd with her Beauty that he had some thoughts to have maâ—â—â— d her But the cares of the War eâ—â—orcing him to absent himself from her long absence abâ—ted his Passion and suffer'd him to be surprized by the Charms of another Beauty While he was tak'n up with the Siege of Paris Maâ—â—â— de Beauvilliers Daughter to the Count of St. Agnan and Abbess of Montmartre sent to him for a safe conduct which he granted after a most obliging manner She came to return him thanks and made her addresses so Gracefully that being a Woman of a comly Presence he could not consent that she should be lockt up in a Convent But being oblig'd in a short time after to raise his Siege he order'd her to be conducted to Senlis which was under his obedience where he paid her those respects and sedulities of which she could not be insensible She had been cloyster'd by force and for the private interest of the Family and she lookt upon the affection of the Prince as a kindness of Fortune to release her out of Prison But tho the King were extremly devoted to her yet could he not forget Madam de Guercheville and knowing her deserts he resolv'd to make her amends for the loss of his heart by helping her to a Husband upon whom he might heap his Favours He cast his eye upon Charles du Pâ—essis Lord of Liancourt in whose favour he wrote to the Marchionoss and so soon as he had marri'd her he gave him the Employment of Grand Squire One evening the King discoursing of the Beauty of the Court Ladies cri'd â—p extreamly the Abbess of Montmartre and said more over that he never saw a person so charming Upon which the Duke of Bellegard the present told him that he would soon be of another opinion if once he saw Mademoâ—selle d'Estrees and made him so lively a description of her Beauty that the King had a great desire to be acquainted with her Some days after the Court remov'd to Mante where the King divertis'd himself extreamly with the Ladies of the neighbourhood but Mademoiselle d'Estrees never appear'd After that he went to Senlis to visit his Admirable Abbess where he gave here all the divertisments that his small stay would admit him to prepare for her When he return'd to Mante the Duke of Bellegarde begg'd leave of his Majesty that he might go to Coeuvres where Gabriella d' Estrees then resided with whom he was deeply in love and for whose sake he had quitted Madam d'Humieres tho she had taken great care of him during a sickness that had held him for some time at Mante and had also sacrafic'd for his sake the Admiral de Villars who had left nothing omitted to gain her affections However the King would not suffer him to take his journey but upon condition that he might go a long with him Bellegard would have been glad to have been rid of such a Companion but in regard it became him not to dispute with his Master he was constrain'd to take the King along with him and which was more had the misfortune to see that his Soveraign found her much more amiable then he had imagin'd her to be The King ingag'd her to come to Maâ—te where she made a new Conquest and deprived Madam de Humieres of a Lover that is to say of Henry of Orleans Duke of Langueville That Prince who had endeavoured to chear up her heart for the loss of the Duke of Bellegard prov'd as unfaithful as he and went to dash himself against the same Rock leaving nothing omitted to gain the affection of Mademoiselle d'Estrees during the King's absence who was forc'd to take the Field to compleate the ruin of the Leaguers and was detain'd in Action longer then he expected Upon his return he apply'd himself more sedulously to Mademoiselle d'Estrees then ever and declar d openly in the tone of a Master that he would have no Companion If the Duke Of Longueville were not a little disconsolate Bellegard was much more who was to renounce a Heart of which he had been in possession whereas Longueville built upon a foundation of ill grounded hopes Nevertheless he promis'd obedience and contented himself with expressing himself to his Mistress after so sensible a manner that she could not forbear to share in his grief But she was not so moderate herself for she flew out against the King and told him with an extraordinary resolution that she would be free in her inclinations and that he would but incur her Hatred if he hinder'd her from marrying Bellegard which was a match that had been agreed upon with the goodliking of her Relations She also departed from Mâ—nte without taking her leave and return'd to Coeuvres Her Anger and her departure equally afflicted the King and he resolv'd to make use of the greatest Submission that might be to gain her Favour The main difficulty was which way to get to Coeuvres in regard he was to travel seven Leagues in the Enemies Country nor could he march with a numerous Convoy without making his Passion known and giving his Mistress a new occasion of Distast so that he ran a great Hazard with a few Men For that the Country was cover'd with the Enemies Forces and there was a necessity for him to cross a very dangerous Forrest However he took the last Resolution love causing him to shut his Eyes against all other considerations Thereupon he got a Horseback with five or six of his Officers in whom he most confided whom he dismis'd when he came within three Leagues of the Castle of Coeuvres and when he was alone he allighted disguiz'd himself in the Habit of a Peasant and taking a sack full of Straw upon his back trud'g on with his Burden till he came to his journeys end Mademoiselle d' Estrees who together with her Sister Madam de Villars stood at the Window of a Gallery that over look't the Country saw the Countreyman at a distance but never dreaming of such a Fantastick adventure n'ere examin'd his Face When the King came into the Court of the Castle he threw down his Burthen and going directly up Staires without taking notice of any body to the place where he had seen her stand who was the cause of his Disguise he accosted her after a most submissive manner But he surpriz'd her extreamly when she perceiv'd him in a Garb so little conformable to his dignity and far from being oblig'd to him for what he had done for her sake she receiv'd him with a disdainful look which was more suitable to the Habit which he wore then the Luster of his Birth So strangely does hatred Impoyson the most Heroick Actions Had Bellegard done as much for her sake she would have valu'd it at a high Rate because she lov'd him but she took it ill at the
consent tho for no other reason but that she could not brook without disdain to see that room which they would perswade her to quit supply'd by a person so much her Inferiour But tho the Marchioness of Beaufort understood to her sorrow the ill success of that Negotiation the new importunities of the Duke of Bellegarde made her amends for it who felt his almost extinguish'd Fires rekindle'd by that augmentation of her Grandeur He took care to justifie himself and was favourably heard because people readily believe whatever they desire Tho Bellegarde had made his peace with the Marchioness he no less assiduously pay'd his services to Madamoiselle de Guise and made her such frequent Visits that her Brother began to take it amiss But all this while that he blam'd the Duke's Temerity he committed the same error in reference to Madame and spoke of him after so a disobliging a manner that Bellegarde believing himself oblig'd to resent it labour'd to remove him from the Court. To that purpose he gave the King to understand by the Duke of Nevers that the Duke of Guise's Courting his Sister without his Permission was a wounding of his Authority and that it would be convenient to Banish him into some remote Province under pretence of some Honourable Employment It so fell out also that the Government of Province was then vacant and therefore the Marchioness of Beaufort begg'd it for him Nor could the King refuse such a Boon to his Favourite and Mistress So that the Duke of Guise had the Government confered upon him before he was aware and was constrain'd to depart without having time hardly to take his leave of Madame She poor Princess was strangely surpriz'd when she heard that her Lover was remov'd from her without any hopes of seeing him in a long time in so much that she had not the power to bid him adieu However she endeavour'd to find out who had drawn this misfortune upon her but not being able to discover any thing after she had storm'd for some days against her evil destiny she suffer'd amends to be made her for that loss by John Lewis de Nogaret de la Valette Duke of Espernon and tho he were neither so handsome nor so young as the Duke of Guise she kept a good Correspondence with him till her Marriage with the Duke of Barr with Whom she went to live in his own Territories and by her departure deliver'd the Marchioness of Beaufort from a world of vexation for being forc'd to pay many times ill receiv'd deferences to the Birth and Quality rather then to the person of that Princess Bellegarde on the other side knew how to make the best advantage of the Marchiness of Beauforts good Humour upon the departure of the Dutchess of Barr to dispose her to a reconciliation with Mademoiselle de Guise he also wrought her to consent that he should marry that Princess as being the only means to cure the King's Jealousie which began to revive again more and more every day On the other side Madam de Guise put it forward as much as lay in her power knowing the advantage of such a Match at a time when the Marchioness of Beaufort dispos'd of all the King's Favours From that time forward therefore those two Ladys perfectly understood one another were never a sunder and affected the same Habits and the same Dresses Which reconciliation deceiv'd the King to that degree that he no longer suspected Bellegarde to have any familiarity with the Marchioness and he had been the Lord knows how long wrapt up in that error but for an unexpected accident that awaken'd all his suspitions at once For Bellegarde one evening had written a very tender Billet to the Marchioness which Arphure forgot under her Toylet not having taken care to lock it up by reason of some little indisposition of her Mistress Now it so fell out that Peter Beringhon First Valet de Chambre to the King going betimes in the morning by the King's order to know how the Marchioness did perceiv'd the fatal Billet took it up and carri'd it to his Master Upon that the King commanded him to keep a vigilant watch upon those two Lovers and Beringhon was so faithfull in the discharge of his Trust that seeing the Duke one Evening enter the Marchionesses Chamber he gave the King notice of it who presently commanded Charles de Choisul Marquis of Pralin Captain of the Guards of his Body to go and Stabb that insolent Fellow in his Mistresses Arms. The Marquiss was at his wits end to be charg'd with an order so rigorous against two Persons that had oblig'd him upon several occasions However he obey'd and passing through the Guard-hall made a sign to five or six to follow him but he went so far about and made such a noise that when he came into the Chamber he found no body but the Marchioness alone to whom he unfolded his Commission The Marchioness took so kindly the Service he had done her that she promis'd him never to forget it And it was upon her recommendation and Mademoiselle de Guises together who was no less concern'd in the preservation of Bellegarde then the Marchioness that Pralin obtain'd the Battoon of Marshall of France and afterwards they wrought him so deeply into the King's favour as thereby to raise him to that high degree of Fortune wherein he appear'd toward the end of Henry the Greats Raign In the mean time the Marchioness upbraided the King with his unjust suspitions nor had the King any thing else to support the Transports of his Indignation then the Letter that Beringhon brought him But as to that she swore that she never read it and easily justifi'd herself because she had a Plenipotentiary Power to make her Credulous Lover believe whatever she pleas'd to impose upon him So that there wanted nothing to compleat the Cure of the King's jealousie but her consent to Bellegarde's Banishment who receiv'd an Order to depart the Court and not to return till he was married and brought his Wife along with The Duke departed and because it was impossible to stay long from the Mansion of Pleasure he marri'd Ann de Beuil the Daughter of Honore de Beuil Sister to Fontaine who was slain at the Siege of St. Malo's when that City declar'd for the League With her he return'd to Paris but there he found a new Beauty who never before had appear'd at Court this was Louise de Budo's Daughter to James de Budoss and Katherine de Claremont marry'd but a little while to the Constable Montmorency This young Lady made all that pretended to be successful in Gallantry tremble and not without reason for that there never was any Lover whose Fidelity could be proof against her Charms But she was so haughty withall that she scorn'd the love of the one and the jealousies of the other Nor could the King defend himself any better then his Courtiers defended themselves from the
Marchioness naturally confident was no way dasht out of Countenance but manag'd the Queen so many ways that she obligd her at length to speak to her Nevertheless because this visit prov d not so successful as the King expected the King laid all the blame upon the Dutchess of Nemours who was no less sourely lookt upon by the Queen Which makes it manifest that how prudently soever people may carry themselves in Court-Intreagues 't is a difficult thing many times to prevent disgraces But some days after a favourable occasion presented it self which surceas'd the exasperation that appear'd between the Queen and the King's Mistress Eleanor who had already made several fruitless efforts to get her self confirm d in the Office of chief Dresser which the Queen had bestow'd upon her address'd herself to the Marchioness and by her means obtain'd what would never have been granted her by any other means The King therefore finding the Queen somewhat appeas'd sent for his Mistress lodg'd her in the Louvre and furnish'd an Appartment on purpose for her Soon after she happen'd to be with Child almost as soon as the â—ueen and all the time of their great Bellies the King diverted himself in a manner equally betwen 'em tho his assiduities were sâ—mowhat more Partial to the Marchioness Elâ—â—nor who still made fair wâ—ather with the Marchioness by the â—ueens coâ—sent still stood in need of her Protection to â—â—tain the King s approbation of her Marriage with Comini who sought it not so much for her Beauty or for any other Ornaments of her mind but because he thought her advantagious to the raising his Fortune and Eleanor had prefer'd him before all her other Suitors because that being born of the dreggs of the people she was glad to marry a Man that had the reputation of a Gentleman in his own Country Nevertheless the King had no kindness for her and all the Queen's Household hated her so that the Queen her self durst not speak for fear of being deny'd and therefore there was a necessity for a Credit no less powerful then the Marchionesses to surmont those obstacles Comini made the first Overture but was rejected Madam de Vennueil also was very unwilling to take the Office upon her because she knew the aversion which the King had for both the persons Nevertheless after Eleanor had besought her and had told her that the Queen would speak to her about it she resolv'd to bring the business to perfection The Queen being inform'd of the assurances which the Marchioness had given Eleanor return'd her a Thousand Civilities and after that time she never receiv'd any Present which she did not share with her and treated her with that signal respect that she made no distinction betwen the Marchiness and the rest of the Princesses which pleas'd the King extreamly Nevertheless there was a necessity for deferring the Marriage till the Queen was brought to bed who was deliver'd of a Dauphin whose Birth was attended with that of the Marchionesses Son who was Henry of Bourbon Duke of Vernueil and dy'd within these few years This enlargement of the Kings Family was solomniz'd with several testimonies of Joy and exultation The Queen gave order for a grand Ball which took up two or three months to practise it and would needs have the Marchioness to dance an Entry with which the King was so highly satifi d that he caus'd the Marriage of Eleanor and Comini to be consummated and regald the new marri'd Couple with several magnificent Presents There was nothing minded but which way to divertise themselves the remainder of the Winter and good part of the Summer and the King was glad to procure his Mistresses content at any rate But an accident happn'd that for some time interrupted the good correspondence of those two Lovers The King had some kind of inclination toward the Dutchess of Villars the Dutchess of Beaufonts Sister and tho there was nothing beautiful about her but her Hair accompani d with a certain lusture of Youth yet she thought the Power of her Charms sufficient to make good for no small time the Illustrious Conquest she had made But when she saw that the King stuck close to the Dutchess of Vernueil it begat within her a violent animosity that grew still the more implacable as the Kings favour to her Rivaless increas'd The Queen on the other side perceiving Madam Villars's jealousie fomented it to the end it might prove serviceable to her Revenge yet so as she might not be seen to be any way contributary toward it Eleanor in whose power it was to have broken the Plot had no knowledge of it and Comini who discover'd something was afraid of medding for fear of drawing some trouble upon himself that might be injurious to his advancement The Dutchess of Villars therefore seeing her self supported by the Queen began to set her hand to the Plough The Prince of Joyinville had â—e the good luck to have won the favour of Madam Vernueil and had receiv'd several tender Letters from her wherein there were some expressions that reflected somewhat too disrespectfull upon the King However the Prince was not so faithful to a person so amiable and so deserving but that he had cast his eyes upon Madam de Vilkars who taking the advantage of his dotage wheedl'd him in to deliver up the Letters of her Rivaless So soon as she had 'em in her Power she went and shew'd 'em to the Queen who importun'd her extreamly to let the King see ' em She made some scruple at first for fear of incurring the dipleasure of so formidable an Enemy as the Marchioness of Vernueil But the Queen prest her so hard to a thing that her own interests sufficiently prompted her to that she could notwithstand her importunities All this while Mademoiselle ' de Guise who had introduc'd Madam de Villars to the Queen could not devise from whence this strict correspondence should proceed because they had not brought her into the Plot for that the discovery of such a secret would have infallibly drawn upon her the whole weight of the Marchioness of Vernueil s hatred a d revenge Madam de Villars then being willing to obey the Queens orders sought all opportunities to discourse the King in private and to that purpose went to find him out at Church whither he was gone to Mass under pretence of speaking to him about some private concern After the sacrifice was over she told him she had had something of importance to communicate to him Upon that every body withdrew and then the Dutchess finding her self alone with the King deliver'd into his hands her Rivalesse's Letters Adding withall that as she had receiv'd a thousand favours from his Majesty and had always a great love for his Person she could not find in her heart to conceal any longer the injury done him by her whom of all Women in the World he had the most oblig'd never considering how much
understand that there was nothing to be got but by fair and lawful means so that the Prince whose Passion resistance augmented gave his consent at length and marry'd her Upon that St. German who was acquainted with his former engagements earnestly remonstrated to him the heinousness of such a scandalous Wedlock and told him withal that the Church would never approve his incestuous familiarity therefore be exhorted him to break it and divorce himself from Fame-Rafle and not being able to gain any thing by fair means he had recourse to Anathema's and banish'd those two Lovers from the communion of the Faithful Veneranda thô sensibly nettl'd at Gentran's Infidelity had a long time patiently undergone her misfortune yet not daring to exert her Revenge upon her unconstant Lover because he was her Sovereign nor upon her Rivalless whom she could not ruine without violating the Law of Nature Nevertheless she alter'd her opinion when she saw her Excommunicated for then no longer looking upon her as a Sister but as an Abominable Person whose life lay at the mercy of any one that would take it away she gave her a dose of Poison and sent her out of the World However she was never the more happy for so doing for she could never regain the King's Affection the heat of whose Passion was quite extinguish'd Nor was she less perplex'd to see him so prodigal of his amorous Sedulities to Theodegild who after the death of the King her Husband was fled for Sanctuary to Gentran's Court. That Princesse made him proposals of Marriage to which he gave ear immediately more out Ambition then Love in hopes by that means to joyn the Kingdom of Paris to that of Orleans Nevertheless reflecting upon the Troubles which the Marriage of Fame-Rafle had brought upon his Shoulders he was unwilling to engage himself in a second Incestuous Wedlock for fear of emboldning his Subjects to revolt and furnishing his Brothers with a pretence to invade his Dominions He therefore contented himself with making the best of his Sister in-law's confidence in trusting him to lay violent hands upon her Treasure which done he banish'd her into Provence and thrust her into a Nunnery Upon Theodegild's retirement he espous'd Marcatrude the Daughter of Duke Magnacaire and this new Queen had a Maid of Honour whose name was Austrigild a Lady of surpassing Beauty with whom Gontran fell in love and having gain'd her Affections had two Children by her who dy'd both before him Fredegond Mistress to Chilperic King of Neustria and Paris CHILPERIC the Brother of Cherebert and Gontran to whoss lot fell the Kingdom of Paris and Neustria had for his first Wife one Audouaire whose Original is not known only 't is said that she was the Daughter of one of his Subjects and that by her he had three Sons Theodibert Meroveus and Clovis together with a Daughter whose name was Basina who took upon her the habit of a Nun in the Convent of St. Crosse's in Poiters of which St. Radegond was then the Abbess But while Queen Audonaire liv'd she had a Maid of Honour of mean extraction that resided with her who was born in the Village of Auancourt in Picardy but whose Beauty Wit and other endowments render'd her worthy of high esteem and her name was Frâ—degond She had ingenuity enough to gain at the same time the affection both of her Master and Mistress and withal she knew so well which way to conceal her fain'd commerce Chilperic that no body at the Court perceiv'd it but the King's passion for her was near a whit the less violent for being secret and Fredegoud on the other side who had a piercing Wit conjectur'd shrewdly that it would be no impossible thing for to see her self seated in the Throne if she could preserve that ascendant which she had over the Queen who being a good honest downright simple Woman and consequently never mistrusting Fredegond's tricks and artifices easily fell into the snares which she laid for her About that time it was that Chilperic left Paris to make War upon his Brother Sigebert King of Austrasia leaving Audouaire big with Child nor was it not long after his departure that she was brought to Bed of a Daughter to which by Fredegond's advice she stood for one of the Godmothers her self who perswaded her that would it be a means to render her more acceptable to her Husband Chilperick being return'd she inflam'd his Love by affected Refusals and seeing him one day at her feet protesting that he lov'd no body but her self and that nothing in the world could equal the delicacy of his passion she answer'd him with a cold indifferency that if his protestations were sincere he would not every day as he did share his caresses between her and a Princess whom the laws forbad to look upon as a Wife since she was become so near a kin to him by being God-mother to the Young Basina Chilperick was at first surpriz'd at this discourse but at length suffering himself to be prepossess d by the artifices of Fredegond he was made believe that he committed Incest in performing the duty of a Husband to Audouaire and therefore to avoyd all occasions of committing so foul a crime he shut up his Wife in a Nunnery Fredegond having thus remov'd the main obstable believ'd that nothing else could prevent her being Queen only one politick reason crossed her designs For Sigebert had Marry'd Brunebant the Daughter of Athanagild King of Spain Now Childerick fearing least that allyance should render him too Potent sent to demand for himself Galsuind the sister of that Princess and to oblige Athanagild the more easily to give his confent he offer'd to affiance Basina to the Prince his Son But that was more then he could perform in regard the King could not procure the consent of the States of his Kingdom that his Daughter should Marry with the Prince of Spain because he was an Arrian Which denyal tho' it was enough to have incens'd Athanagild nevertheless it infus'd into him no occasion of resentment against Chilperic as being well acquainted with his sincerity and for that he knew 't was none of Chilperic's fault that he could not be as good as his word so that he consented to his demand of Galsuiud and gave her to him without any scruple But in that Marriage Chilperic met not with those sweets of Wedlock which he expected Galsuiud was proud and haughty as all the Spanish women are and not of a humour to brook that her Husband should share-with another Heart and that affection which she believ'd to be only due to her self she soon perceiv'd the Love which her unfaithful Husband had for Fredegond and display'd her resentment with a vengeance Chilperic accustom'd only to the patience of Audonaire could not submit himself to Galsuinds outragious transports and Fredegond left nothing omitted to exasperate the King against her For in regard she beheld her certain ruin before
at Portiers where the Prince was excommunicated again But Philip over-constant in his affections set so many Engines at work in Rome that the Pope sent other Legats to rehear the merits of the cause They to that purpose assembled a Council at Bougency where the two Lovers made their appearance and promis'd to separate till they had obtain'd a dispensation from his Holiness Which at length was granted 'em after long sollicitations by Pope Paschat II. who was more indulgent then his predecessors The nuptials also being solemniz'd anew by virtue of that dispensation the King and Bertrade went to pay Foulques a visit who regal'd 'em at Angiers withal the divertisements that could be devis'd Soon after Philip dying Bertrade retir'd to Angiers to the Son of Foulques who had also ended his days and renouncing all manner of amorous courtship apply'd her self to adorn the Castle of that City and caus'd the Church of St. Maurice which was gone very much to decay to be repair'd In a word she employ'd the remainder of her days in acts of Piety to make an attonement for the sins of her Youth Eleoner of Acquitaine the Wife of Lewis the Young KING Lewis the Young year 1148 had marry'd Eleonor the Daughter of William V. Duke of Aquitaine a Princess of surpassing beauty of a lively and sparkling Wit but wanton in her humour and addicted to coquettry The King who as yet had not espy'd that defect in her lov'd her so tenderly that he could not find in his Heart to leave her in France when he undertook his expedition to the Holy-land but engag'd her to be the companion of all his dangers They embarqu'd together at Aigues-Mortes and after several hardships arriv'd at length at Antiossia where Hugo Raymund the Queen's Uncle and Brother to Duke William had obtain'd the Principality He gave the King a most magnificent reception and left nothing omitted to oblige him to make a stop there He laid before him the Noradin the Soldan of Damascus made frequent incursions to the very gates of the City and that 't was greatly to be fear'd that that same place of so great importance would fall into the hands of the Infidels if he were not powerfully assisted by His Majesty But it was not only interest of State and Religion that prevail'd with Raymund to wish that the Court of France might reside for some time at Antioch He had been bred up with Eleonor and he was her Uncle yet was he not much Older then she â—and long familiarity had bred and foster'd in both a passion more tender then became two persons so nearly related neither had Raymund undertaken his voyage to Palestine but to cure himself of his amorous passion when he saw his Neice espous'd to the King of France But the presence of the beloved object rekindl'd his first flames and in regard he found the Queen as favourable to his desires as she was at Bourdeaux he could not find in his Heart to part with her so suddenly However all his artifices prov'd fruitless he could not detain the King but very few days at Antioch Lewis therefore impatient to be at Jerusalem pursu'd his journey notwithstanding all the reasons that could be alledg'd to him neither was Eleonor so sorry as Raymund For she was altogether for present objects and forgot the Prince of Antiochia so soon as she had lost sight of him She had several others that would not permit her to shed tears for his absence and as she never repuls'd any one that sigh'd for Love of her her Court was always well fill'd but tho' in the Court of a Queen yet because it was in a Camp among none but Soldiers the discourse was generally Military and the warlike atchievments of every day produc'd sufficient matter for every days entertainment Nor did they forget their Enemies the Turks whom were signal either for their Birth or Valor so that 't was impossible to pass in silence the noble qualities of Saladin the Soldan of Damascus's Nephew 'T was said of him that he was aâ— person well shap'd nimble in all manners of exercises Valiant Generous Liberal Courtly and in a word that he was endu'd withal the French manners There were also some who added that he was descended from the Count of Ponthieu whose Daughter being taken at Sea was presented to the Soldan of Aleppo the Brother of Moradin who receiving her into the number of his Wives had this Prince by her Now thô ' this story were a meer fable yet it fail'd not to augment the curiosity which the Queen had for Saladin she sought for opportunities and for a beginning to enter into a correspondence with him she wrote to him in the behalf of Sandebrevil Lord of Sauzay who had been taken some days before by a party which that Mahometan Prince commanded Saladin granted the Queen whatever she desir'd and sent her back the Prisoner without Ransome Eleonor had several conferences with Sandebrevil on purpose to inform her self of several circumstances which she desir'd to know concerning the person of Saladin She also made use of him to procure an interview between Saladin and her To that purpose she appointed a Hunting match about two Leagues from Jerusalem where Saladin met her with thirty Horse-Men only So soon as he saw the Queen appear he left his Troop that had made a halt and advancing an easie hand Gallop toward her presently alighted to salute her he made her a compliment in the Italian Tongue which the Queen understood very well and after such a manner as nothing savour'd of the barbarity of the Nation nor was she less taken with his Wit then with his deportment She oblig'd him to mount his Course and so they rode softly together into a Wood of Palm-trees close adjoyning where they were a long time in discourse together Eleonor return'd him thanks in a most obliging manner for what he had done for Sandebrevil at her request and pulling off an embroider'd Scarf that serv'd her instead of a girdle presented it to him desiring him to keep it as a testimony of her esteem and acknowledgment which Saladin afterwards wore upon all occasions of danger But she was discover'd by some Courtiers who gave an accompt of the whole story to the King and others assur'd him that the Queen had given Saladin several other meetings Now tho' there were more of vanity on both sides in this same courtly correspondence the King was extreamly troubl'd at it and would stay no longer at Jerusalem So that after he had taken his leave of King Baldwin he set Sail withal his Fleet but was oblig'd to put into Sicily to refit his Ships which had been but ill handled by Manuel the Emperor of Constantinople's Navy 'T is very probable that the Queen had made her peace in that Island for she grew bigg with Child and lay in upon her return into France of a Daughter nam'd Alice who was marry'd afterwards to
they call'd together an Assembly of the Clergy wherein the Motives to the annulling the King's Marriage with the Princess of Denmark were strictly examin'd But tho' the Prelates assembl'd saw well that the sentence of Separation that had been pronounc'd was slight enough yet they durst not attempt to revoke it for fear of the King's Indignation However Pope Celestin being dead Innocent III. his successor at the solicitation of the Danish Ambassador sent into France the Cardinal Sta Sabina with order to make use of all the most effectual means to oblige the King to a reconciliation with Isemburg When the Legate arriv'd he assembl'd a Council at Lyon and cited the King together with all those that had pronounc'd the sentence of Separation to make their appearance but Philip instead of appearing sent a Herald to Protest the Nullitie of whatever should be done to his prejudice and to appeal as from an improper Judge to the Pope or the next General Council But for all that the Legate went on and by advice of the Prelats assembl'd Excommunicated the King and Interdicted the whole Kingdom Philip enrag'd at these violent Proceedings caus'd the sentence of the Assembly to be declar'd void by a Decree of his Parliament of Paris upon the motion of the Advocate-General and to punish the Bishops who had been so daring as to deal so unworthily by him he seiz'd upon their Temporalties In the mean time well understanding that Isemburg had been the occasion of all these troubles he sent her to the Castle of Estampes with a prohibition not to stir from thence upon pain of being declar'd Guilty of High Treason Mary of Moravia who was a Woman of great virtue and very nice in her sentiments was afraid that all Europe would look upon her as the cause of the Divorce in regard the King had so often given her in publick such transcendent marks of his affection She was desirous therefore to be gratefull and willingly would have resign'd her own Life to have appeas'd these troubles provided that the King her Husband's honour might not be wounded by the accommodation She besought him therefore several times that he would permit her to retire into a Convent But his passion for her was too violent to consent to such a separation and he was too haughty to give his Enemies an occasion to think that he submitted out of any sentiments of fear But as it impossible for Princes long to conceal the most secret emotions of their Souls the favourers of Isemburg had found out that the violent proceeding of the Legat had not a little contributed to exasperate Philip against any reconciliation with that unfortunate Princess Presently therefore they acquainted the Pope with the King's inclinations who yielding to their reasons sent into France two new Legats Octavian Bishop of Ostia and John Bishop of Velitri with Orders to make use of gentler means Those two Legats after they had assembl'd another Council at Soissons immediately took off the excommunication that had been thunder'd out against Philip. Mary likewise laid hold upon this opportunity to beseech His Majesty to take Isembergh again and she assail'd him with arguments so pathetically moving and so judicious that at length he consented Thereupon he sent for Isemburgh to his Palace but the more generous Mary had appear'd to him the more it griev'd him to have separated from her So that after he had remain'd about forty days with Isemburg he sent her to a Monastery The two Legats having notice of this so sudden and unexpected change summon'd a new assembly to meet at Soissons Mary therefore afraid of the fresh troubles into which the King was about to precipitate himself would return to him no more and press'd him so earnestly that she might have leave to retire that at last with his consent she betook her self to the Abby of Boissy But it was not without an extream violence upon her self that she took this resolution She lov'd Philip sincerely and it was meerly to procure him that repose of which he was going to deprive himself for her sake that she could prevail upon her self to loose him for ever And the combat she had in her mind before she could obtain this victory over her self reduc'd her to such a low condition of Health that at length she sunk under the weight of her affliction and dy'd within a Month after her retirement from Court Just before her death she wrote to Philip beseeching him to take Isemburg again and to live lovingly with her The King not able to refuse her this complacency at a time when she gave him such transcending marks of her Love took Horse and rode alone to the Convent where Isemburg lay He sent for her out of the Abby and taking her up behind him carry'd her back to his Palace where he liv'd with her after that in perfect Conjugal society nor did she die till many years after in the Reign of St. Lewis The Pope was also so glad of this reconciliation that to comfort Philip for the loss of Mary he legitimated the two Children he had by her The Intreagues of the Court of France under the Reign of Philip the Fair. PHILIP the Fair had Three Sons who reign'd successively after him Lewis whom he made King of Navarre in his life time and who marry'd Margaret the Daughter of Robert Duke of Burgundy Philip Count of Poitou who marry'd Joan the Daughter of Otheliu Count of Burgundy and Charles de la marche who marry'd Blanche the Daughter of the same Count. These three Princesses were endow'd with all the Graces both of Body and Mind and being of a gay Humor their Courts were always full They drew to 'em all the young Persons of Noble Rank and Quality and their usual divertisement was Hunting whither they went sometimes with the Princes their Husbands but generally alone with the Officers of their Houshold and such Ladies as were wont to be the companions of their Pastimes more especially Philip and Walter de Launoy of whom the one was Squire to the King of Navarre the other to the Count de la March never left 'em upon these occasions They might well be lookt upon for two of the most compleat and handsomest Lords in the Court and they were persons of that brisk and lively Wit that 't was impossible to be tir'd with their Conversation The two Princesses Margaret and Blanche so well lik'd their jolly Humours that without stopping at Esteem they proceeded even to Love The two Lords who had great experience in that Passion and had met with very few hard-hearted Ladies easily perceiv'd the progress they had made in the Hearts of those two Ladies and the Conquest was so illustrious that without reflecting upon the fatal consequences of Intreagues of that Nature they thought of nothing so much as to pursue and preserve it They dextrously wrought upon the Princes to declare their Minds and having drawn from their own Lips
the important Secret they engag'd 'em to facilitate the means to make 'em happy Nor was it a difficult thing to gain the Usher of the Chamber and the Princesses Ladies of Honour who introduc'd 'em into their Mistresses Chambers at a time when all the world was withdrawn to Rest Every thing favour'd their desires Their Mistresses were the first movers and 't is easie to guess how easie it was to prosper in Rendevouzes of that nature However the Princesses afraid of being at last surpriz'd by their Husbands begg'd leave of 'em to spend the Summer season at Maubuison near Pontoise where they admitted none but persons that were privy to the Intreague and abandon'd themselves wholly to the pleasure of Loving and being Belov'd The two Lovers every night got over the walls of the Garden and slipt into the Chambers of Delight without being seen of any body 'T is true the Princesses had not imparted any thing of their Love to their Maids of Honour in regard that being young they mistrusted their discretion Nevertheless the secret which it so much concern'd 'em to conceal was at length discover'd by her that was able to make the most mischievous use of it Mademoiselle de Morfontaine Maid of Honour to the Queen of Navarr had been a long time intreagu'd with Philip de Launoy who had also promis'd her Marriage but being assur'd of her Mistress he began to neglect her Morfontaine perceiving his coldness and imagining he was become inamour'd of some of her companions resolv'd to watch him more narrowly to the end she might find out her Rivalless There was belonging to the Apartment of the Maids of Honour a pair of Back-stairs that led into the Garden One Evening therefore she slipt down those Back stairs and walk'd the Rounds to see whether or no her perfidious AEneas did not go to visit some of her companions in the night time Nor had she long stood Centinel before she perceiv'd somebody jump over the Wall She accoasted him softly and thô the Moon did not shine she knew or else she fancy'd she knew him to be Launoy whom she follow'd without any noise to the Queen of Navarr's Apartment Upon the sight of this she stood as motionless as a Statue and was sstill more embarrass'd then before not being able to persuade her self that he durst make his Addresses to a Person so far superiour to him She saw the Maid of Honour open the door to him and when he was enter'd she listen'd to try whether she could discover what he was gone to do in that Apartment 'T is easie to guess at her surprize when she understood by the Queen of Navarr's expressions that 't was she her self whom Launoy sought for and that he was belov'd Presently her jealousie chang'd into fury and infus'd into her nothing but desire of Revenge But after the first transports of her Rage were over when she sought in cool blood the ways to satisfie it she found 'em encompass'd with a thousand dangers 'T was as much as her life was worth to accuse her Mistriss without convincing Proofs and it was to be fear'd that in taking measures to prove the Intreague she might give her Mistriss an occasion to suspect her design and expose her to the dire effects of her anger She floated several days in this uncertainty but finding her self at length with Child she thought it her duty to sacrifice every thing to the revenge of her injur'd Honour She had a Kinswoman a Nun at Maubuisson whom she entrusted with the deplorable Estate to which she was reduc'd and so well aggravated the honor of the crime which the two Lovers committed in prophaning the place that enclos'd the Spouses of Jesus Christ that she engag'd the Nun to assist her in surprizing the impious Couple together And they took their measures so truly that the two Launoy's were surpriz'd in Bed with the two Princesses and were stopt in the Convent till the King was inform'd of it They were both sent to prison and upon their impeachment in Parliament their crime being sufficiently prov'd they were both condemn'd to be Flea'd alive to have their guilty Members cut off to be ty'd to the Tails of two wild Horses and in that condition to be dragg'd through a new mow'd Meadow The two Princesses were shut up in Castle Gaillard where the King of Navarr caus'd his Wife in a short time after to be strangl'd with a Sheet The Countess of March obtain'd her liberty after the Prince her Husband had dissolv'd the Marriage under pretence that he was the Godson of Mand of Artois the Mother of that Princess The Usher of the Queen of Navarr's Chamber who was privy to the Intreague was hang'd The Countess of Poitou was also apprehended but in regard there was nothing material prov'd against her the Prince her Husband went himself to fetch her out of prison and by 3 thousand Caresses endeavour'd to make her amends for the Affront she had receiv'd As for Morfontaine after she had thus fully satisfy'd her Revenge she was tormented with most cruel remorses of Conscience that ne'er would suffer her to rest either day or night Every Minute she thought she saw before her Eyes her Lover in the same deplorable condition wherein he lay under the tortures of the Hangman and after she had languish'd in misery for above a year she ended her days detesting with a sincere repentance the disorders of her past Life The Intreagues of the Court of France under the Reign of Charles VI. year 1339 CHARLES VI. who fell mad during the journey that he made into Flanders having recover'd his health gave order for a sumptuous Ball which was danc'd at Queen Blanche's Palace in the Fauxbourg St. Marcell upon occasion of the Nuptials of one of that Princesses Maids of Honour The King would make one of the number and danc'd an entry of Savages with five Lords of the Court who were ty'd together with Ropes of Silk The King as he was dancing accoasted the Duchess of Berry whom he caress'd with somewhat a more then ordinary freedom at what time his Brother entering the room and being over curious to know who that person was in Masquerade so familiar with the Countess drew near with his Flambeau and set Fire to the Habit of one of the Savages The flame immediately ran from one to the other so that in an instant they were all in a blaze Charles of Poitiers Count of Valentinois and Hongrinant de Jansay di'd upon the spot The Count of Nantouillet ran to the Cupboard and throwing himself into a Charger full of Water quench'd the Fire that surrounded him The Count Jony and Yves de Foix di'd after they had lain for two days together in a languishing condition But the Duchess of Berry knowing the King threw the skirt of her Gown over him and sav'd him by that means Dureing the confusion which this accident had occasion'd in the assembly the Duke of Orleans
found himself near a Lady who was ready to be stifl'd in the croud he took care of her and put her into the hands of one of his Gentlemen who threw Water in her Face and after he had fetch'd her again from the swoon into which she was fallen carry'd her home to his own house Some few days after the Duke calling the Lady to mind ask'd his Gentleman what was become of her and understood that she was the Wife of Raoulet d'Auteville who had been Treasurer of France upon the recommendation of Philip Duke of Burgundy With that he remember'd that he had been the occasion of displacing him from his employment for several misdeameanors and believ'd that the little service he had done his Wife would not countervail to extinguish that aversion which without question she had for him Nevertheless in these contrarieties it is that Love takes delight to shew his capricious humours as the Duke soon after found by experience For one day that he was at Mass in St. Pauls Church he there observ'd the fame Lady who as she pass'd by saluted him with an obliging smile The Duke was too much a Courtier to be ignorant what that meant and he was too great a Lover of adventures to fall of the opportunity of making the best of ' em Thereupon he sent a Page to delite Madam d'Auteville to meet him in the Evening in the Garden of the Palais des Touruelles where he should be glad to speak with her and the Lady accepting the Assignation fail'd not to meet him at the time appointed And then it was that in her melting Breast the Duke soon met with sentiments far opposite to those of that same hatred with which he thought her prepossess'd against him and engag'd her without much trouble to come to him to his Palace the next Morning Nor did she fail of being punctual to her hour and being introduc'd into the Princes Chamber by a back pair of stairs she gave him no cause to complain of her cruelty This visit was attended by several others by means of which the Duke of Orleans understood that she was very intimate with the Duchess of Burgundy and that she had understood by her discourses that 't was none of her fault if he were not belov'd by her The Duke open'd his Ears to this Proposal For besides that the Princess had charms sufficient to inflame his amorous desires she might prove advantageous to him in the rearing of his Fortune by drawing from her Lips the secrets of the Duke her Husband who was declar'd Regent of the Kingdom during the King's distemper and with whom he thought he had a right to dispute the Government of the Realm He therefore left Madam de Auteville to manage the intreague who carry'd it on with so much address that in a short time she accomplish'd his desires year 1406 This Intreague lasted several Years and was carry'd with that privacy that no body had the least inkling of it but at length it was discover'd through the imprudence of the Duke himself For he had hung up in his Cabinet the Portraitures of all his Mistresses and he was wont to say that all those whose pictures were there to be seen had never been cruel to him The Duke of Burgundy likewise had often heard him say the same thing tho' he never minded it at first But one day coming into that fatal Cabinet he there beheld his Wife's picture and then calling to mind the Dukes unlucky rallery it gave him no small disturbance Thereupon he resov'd to be satisfy'd in his suspitions and at last discover'd that the Duke had frequent meetings with his Wife by the means of Madam d' Autevil1e whom she had made her confident but then the jealousie of Love joyning Forces with the jealousie of hatred he thought it behov'd him to be reveng'd upon a Prince who was doubly his Rival To this purpose he discover'd his design to d' Auteville who having a share in the affront was easily induc'd to have a part in the revenge and promis'd to serve the Duke according to his intentions Next Morning therefore the prâ—fligate undertaker corrupted several Ruffians needing only the temptation of Money and among others William and Thomas Courtois and John de la Mothe who promis'd him upon their words to second his pernicious design to the utmost of their power He also gain'd one of the King 's Valet's de Chambre who was sent to tell the Duke of Orleans at that time gone to the Palais de Tournelles to visit the Queen it being St. Cecilia's day in the Evening that the King desir'd to speake with him at the Hostel de St. Paul Immediately the Duke got a Horseback attended only by some of his Lacqueys without any weapons and one that carry'd a Flambeau before him But when he came to the gate Barbette before the house of Marshal d' Eurex out comes d' Auteville from a Tavern where he waited the Dukes coming with about fifteen or twenty of his accomplices and flew upon him with his drawn sword and having cut off his Bridle hand threw him off his Horse and deliver'd him to the rest of his Confederates who stab'd him in several places When they had done they set fire to a house adjoyning on purpose to amuse the People and made their escapes through by Lanes and Alleys The Duke was carry'd into the Marshal de Fires house where he expir'd and thence to the Benedictin's Convent The Parliament took cognisance of this Murder and order'd a Councellor to take the Informations He presently issu'd forth a Warrant against the squire of the Duke of Burgundy's Kitchin who was charg'd by the witnesses and in regard he never stir'd out of the Hostel d' Artois where the Duke lodg'd and whence they could not fetch him out by force without his Masters permission the Councellor who had took the Information went to demand him of the Duke at the Hostel de Nesle where the Duke of Berry lay and where the Council was kept Louis de Anjon King of Sierly being then present when the Councellor made his compliment to the Duke of Burgundy took notice that he turn'd pale and that a sudden disturbance seiz'd upon his mind Upon which he drew him aside and having made him confess that the Duke of Orleans had been assasinated by his order he advis'd him to retire The Duke took his advice and departing the Hostel de Nesle without any noise went home took horse and never stop'd till he came to Dâ—jon However he could not escape the punishment that Heaven had prepar'd for him The Dauphin resolv'd to revenge the Death of the Duke of Orleans year 1419 and contended for the regency during his Fathers sickness On the otherside the Duke of Burgundy enter'd into a League with the King of England and France was in a strange combustion Persons of high quality interpos'd to accommodate the difference and the Duke was
sollicited to do homage for the Dukedom of Burgundy He felt strange combats in his breaâ—t and struggl'd with more then one single passion upon this accompt and before he would positively determin he would needs take advice of Madam de Gyac with whom he had a long time had an Intreague That Lady who was still young and handsome did not suit with the Kings age who was already going down the hill of his years and would willingly have been reconcil'd to the Court in hopes of smiting the Dauphin in the Eye for whom she felt some kind of amorous inclination and with that design she advis'd the Duke to do what was demanded from him The place appointed for the Ceremony was Monterault where a large room of hoards was erected upon the Bridge with three bars that were let down as the Duke pass'd forward But when he was upon his knees in order to do his homage a pretence was taken from hence that he laid his hand upon the hilt of his Sword upon which Tonnequi du Chastel who stood next the Dauphin fell'd the Duke with a blow upon his Chin with his battle ax and the rest of the Courtiers compleated the Murder However his death was reveng'd by his Children who introduc'd the English into France nor had the Dauphin who in a short time after came to the Crown by the name of Charles VII sav'd the Kingdome but by a particular assistance that Heaven miraculously sent him The Intreagues of the Court of France under the Reign of Charles VII year 1424 JAQVELINE of Haynault Countess of Holland had espous'd for her first Husband John Dauphin of France the Son of Charles VI. and after his death was marry'd to John of Burgundy the Son of Anthony Duke of Brabant his cousin He was a Prince both old and gouty who avoided the World and sought retirement only Jaqueline was quite of another humour and could not find in her heart to shut her self up in the Country with her Husband However she was bound to obedience and was constrain'd to consine her self with him in a Castle whither he had withdrawn himself from the hurry of business Nor had she any other consolation then to bemoan in private with her Women the fantastick humour of her Husband Her Maid of honour had formerly made a voyage into England attending at that time upon Katherine of France who had marry'd Henry V. and she was return'd with all the Officers of the Houshold of that Princess whom the King her Husband had sent back some Months after Now tho' that Lady had made but a short stay in London nevertheless she had seen all the magnificence of that Court of which she made so pleasing a description to her Mistress that she infus'd into her a desire to cross the Sea's and taste her share of the pleasures which that Court afforded The Lady also spoke to her so advantagiously of Humphrey Duke of Glocester the King's Brother that she caus'd her to conceive an esteem for that Prince which did not a little disquiet her repose She desir'd also to see his Picture and open'd her mind to her Maid of Honour who found a way to satisfy her curiosity And the Portraicture and the Persuasions of her Woman increas'd her Chimerical Passion to that degree that she resolv'd to cross over into England She imparted her design to none but such Officers whom she could not avoid entrusting with her Secret and having made choice of a day for her departure she got a Horse-back with a small Train carrying all her Jewels along with her She got to Dunkirke whence she embark'd for Dover and so for London She was well receiv'd by the King of England and better by the Duke of Gloucester who had been inform'd how much he was concern'd in the voyage which she had undertaken And he knew so well how to make the best of her preventing him that he oblig'd her to yield her fell up to him upon the faith of a Marriage which she could not contract in regard she had a Husband living But the King of England's complacency in indulging her idle Passion had like to have broken the good correspondence between him and the Duke of Burgundy Cousin to the Duke of Brabant his kinsman but reason af State prevail'd above that frivilous Disgust Sometime after John of Bavaria Duke of Luxembourg Governor of the Counties of Holland and Zealand ordain'd his Heir Philip Duke of Burgundy his Sisters Son without making any mention in his Will of Jaqueline his Neece by the Father's side which oblig'd her to return into Haynault where the Duke of Gloucester would needs accompany her She was receiv'd by her Subjects with extraordinary Magnificence notwithstanding the opposition of the Counts of Conversano and Anguien who sided with the Duke of Brabant The Duke of Gloucester also endeavour'd to make himself Master of such places as he pretended were fall'n to Jaqueline by the death of the Duke of Luxembourg But he was constrain'd to quit his enterprize and her whole Rights he maintain'd because Pope Martin V. threaten'd him with Ecclesiastical Censures if he did not restore the Duke of Brabant his disloyal Wife The Duke obey'd without any reluctance and was glad of that pretence to abandon Jaqueline that she might not perceive he was become unfaithful and paid his Vows to another Shrine For Jaqueline had taken along with her into Haynault an English Lady who was call'd Madam Shelton and the Duke was soon aware of the advantage which that Lady had over her Mistress as well for the Graces of her Body as for the fineness of her Wit and delicacy of her Sentiments Nor could he withstand so many charms and finding they concurr'd with his Sedulities he was glad to find himself at liberty that he might follow his own inclinations He therefore left the Dutchess at Mons and return'd into England where he marry'd Madam Shelton But the Duke of Gloucester's infidelity was not the only thing which troubl'd the Dutchess she fear'd the effects of her Husband 's just resentment and she imagin'd every moment that she saw him invading her Territories with an armed Force But the death of the Duke deliver'd her from these Fears news being brought her in the midst of her disturbanbances that a Feaver which seaz'd him at Brussels had put an end both to his Life and his Jealousies Réne de Anjou Duke of Barr having had a contest with the Count of Vandemoâ— who should succeed to Charles Duke of Lorrain they disputed their Right by dint of Arms. The Count had recourse to the Duke of Burgundy a sworn Enemy to the House of Anjou who assisted him with Men and Money and after he had obtain'd that reinforcement he march'd to find out his Enemy meeting him in the Plain of Bullenville near Neuchatel in Lorrain he gave him Battle defeated his Army and took him prisoner Nor could the Duke obtain his liberty till the death
of Joan Queen of Sicily call'd him to the succession of that â—ingdom Isabell of Lorraine his Wife Niece to Mary of Anjou Queen of France us'd all her Credit to mollifie the Count and perswade him to deliver her Husband To which purpose she address'd her self to Charles VII at Vienne in the Dauphinate beseeching him to make use of his Authority with the Duke to oblige him to gratifie her Request The King who was naturally prone to Acts of kindness comply'd with the Dutchess and was desirous to serve her but the cruel Wars which he had at that time with the English so busily employ'd his time and thoughts that the Dutchess would have receiv'd but little satisfaction from him had not another motive more pressing then that of Generosity spurr'd him forward The Dutchess had brought along with her Agnes Forelle who was one of her Maids of Honour and the King being charm'd with her Beauty engag'd himself to serve the Duke of Barr to the utmost of his Power and in short he did oblige the Count to set him at liberty Agnes acknowledg'd the King's Favour with all Respect that was due to his Person and shew'd him all the complacency that became her Modesty And now the Duchess having done her business prepar'd for her voyage into Sicily with the King her Husband and according to all outward appearnces Agnes was to have waited upon her But the King that he might oblige her to abide at Court made use of Merlin the famous Astrologer One day that Charles was alone with Agnes Merlin enter'd the Room at what time the King as had been concerted between 'em ask'd him what he thought of the Fortune of that fair Lady Sir reply'd Merlin either there is no Truth in the Stars or else she will be the Mistress of some Great King Agnes who presently perceiv'd the Artifice made answer with a smile If it be so Sir I beseech your Majesty to give me leave to cross over into England to the end my destiny may be accomplish'd there being no likelyhood that the Prediction concerns your Majesty who have hardly a Third part of your Kingdom left ye Charles understood Raillerie and joak'd with Agnes upon her Repartee but he made his advantage of it however And 't is said that his eager desire to render himself worthy the Affections of that Virgin exalted his Courage to perform those noble Atchievements afterwards that made his Reign so Illustrious Agnes tho' she had treated him like a King despoil'd of his Dominions yet could she not chuse but applaud her self for the conquest she had made of his Heart which she was no less covetous of preserving to her self and therefore was as willing as he to second the means of which he had bethought himself to stop her journey She feign'd her self sick and the King's Physitians that visited her confirm'd it by the King's Order and gave it for their Opinion that she could not travel without endangering her Life the Queen also promising the Duchess to take particular care of her and to send her after her so soon as she had recover'd her health Now tho' the Dutchess well knew that Agnes was not so sick as she made her self and that she suspected the best part of the Truth she took little notice of it believing that if the Queen who had most reason to concern her self were so free to give her consent 't was not for her to make any opposition After she was gone Agnes grew better and better every day and soon after quitted her bed of Sickness And then she appear'd at Court with new Charms and the King's Passion for her became so strong that he heap'd upon her new Favours every day He gave her the County of Ponthieure and finding her to be a Woman of a solid Judgment he consulted her in Affairs of the greatest importance and she was the Conduit-pipe through which he convey'd all his Favours All the Court look'd upon the King's kindness to her with Envy but more especially the Dauphin who being already of age sufficient to have a share in the Government stomach'd to see that his Father imparted none of his designs to him Thô Agnes let no occasion of doing him good offices escape her he look'd upon all Kindnesses all Favours which he receiv'd upon her recommendation as so many empoison'd Presents Therefore he made it his continual study by what means he could to destroy her in the King's Affection amd in regrrd there was no way to do it but by representing her disloyal to the King's Bed he made it his business to put a Gallant upon her who as he was sufficiently devoted to his Interests so he had merit enough to kindle the King's jealousie To this purpose he cast his eyes upon Chabane the Count of Dammartin who of all the Persons at Court was the most accomplish'd for Beauty and Parts and broke the proposal to him The Count trembl'd at the first overture that was made him and told the Prince that thô he ow'd him all the services that lay in his power he could not resolve to engage in an affair which would infallibly draw upon him his ruine whether the King thought his Passion sincere or whether he suspected that his love for Agnes was but counterfeited on purpose to undoe her The Dauphin encourag'd him and told him that so far from running any hazard he would rather preserve the King's Favour by sacrificing his pretended Passion in giving him an account of all the marks of tenderness which he had receiv'd from the Countess of Ponthieure and promising never to visit her more Chabane over-rul'd by the Dauphin's Reasons apply'd himself wholly to the business and made it his study to bring about his design He had a Valet de chamber a crafty nimble youngster nam'd St. Colombe whom he entrusted with the false shew of his Love for the Countess and engag'd him to court Mortaigne who of all her Waiting Women was the person in whom she put the greatest confidence St. Columbe was easily perswaded to undertake the business and in regard he was very handsome he found little resistance in Mortaigne's tender Heart who quickly gave him all the most particular marks of her Affection When St. Columbe had obtain'd his desires he insinuated into his Mistriss that it would be more easie for 'em to continue their amorous Commerce if she could engage the Countess in an intreague with Chabane Mortaigne approv'd her Lovers advice and from that very Evening she labour'd to bring it about Being alone with her Mistriss when she was going to Bed she began to talk of all the Lords of the Court and after she had given her opinion of every one she nam'd to her after a careless manner the Count of Dammartin Upon the hearing of that name only the Ladies countenance chang'd and she shew'd such an aversion for him that Mortaigne durst nor speak a word more However she gave an
sight of Magdalen who had been the Widow of Lewis d' Amboise about six months who had marry'd her for her beauty but had no Children by her The Duke was so pleas'd with her conversation that he forgot for some time that he had left the Court to retire to his Government of Bourdeaux and made a proposal to Madam d' Amboise to go along with him but she excus'd her self alledging the injury it would be to her reputation The Duke therefore to vanquish her scruples confer'd upon her the County of St. Severe and oblig'd her by that same generous present to answer his passion The pretence then for her going was to take possession of certain Lands which as she gave out she had purchas'd of the Duke and this serv'd to conceal the Intreague that was between him and her They arriv'd together at Bourdeaux very well satisfi'd with each other and Madam d' Amboise who was not ungratefull for the favours she and receiv'd from the Duke made use of all talents that Heaven had bestow'd upon her to preserve his affection She sung with art and had a charming voice she plaid upon several instruments and had a delicate vain in Poetry so that the hours they spent together ne'r seem'd tedious But in regard that Love is not always satisfi'd with these innocent pastimes Madam d' Amboise was deliver'd of a Daughter that after the death of the Duke her Father was Abbess of St. Paroux in Perigort The Dukes affection for his Mistress also daily increas'd and their happiness would have been a subject worthy of envy had not ambition interrupted their felicities For the Duke of Guyenne held correspondences all a long at Court which made the King jealous He was afraid least his Brother should grow too potent and therefore suborn'd Jourdain Fanre Abbot of St. John de Angeli to poyson him That traytor upon whom the Duke of Guyenne had heap'd his favours readily undertook to sacrifice his life for the hopes of a pitiful reward To which purpose he presented a lovely Peach to Madam d' Amboise which he had envenom'd the Lady gave it her Lover who sliceing it into a cup of wine they eat it both together Madam d' Amboise di'd the same day but the Duke lay languishing for some Months Nevertheless the violence of the poyson was so strong that it fetch'd off his hair the nails of his hands and depriv'd him of the use of his limbs Jourdain was apprehended and the Bishop of Angiers was ioyn'd in Commission with Lewis d' Amboise afterwards Bishop of Albi to prosecute him But the King put a stop to the prosecution and order'd that the impeachment as well as the informations should be sent to him which discover'd to the World the share which he had in the fact But Heaven would not permit so enormous a crime to go unpunish'd for the villain was consum'd by a flash of Lightning that burnt him to ashes at the bottom of the dungeon where he lay in Fetters year 1474 THE Duke of Burgundy took the Field to revenge the death of the Duke of Guyenne and entring Picardy committed great havock in the Country The King on the other side muster'd what Forces he could together to defend the Province and arriving at a Village near Amiens call'd Gigon was accoasted by a Woman all beblubber'd with tears who falling at his feet demanded justice against his Soldiers who making their way by violence to quarter in the Village of which her Husband was the Lord had slain him The King cast his Eyes upon the Widow and perceiv'd so many charms in her countenance that he was dazl'd with the sight of ' em He rais'd her from the ground and assur'd her he would punish the guilty so soon as he came to a place where he made any stay Soon after the King made a Truce with the Duke of Burgundy and returning to Paris carri'd Madam de Gigon along with him he discover'd to her the Passion he had for her and heap'd so many Favours upon her that he soon made her forget her loss Nor was she ungrateful but signaliz'd her acknowledgment at the expence of her Honour She had one Daughter that was afterwards marry'd to the Bastard of Bourbon The custom of that time was for Ladies to adorn themselves with Jewels and they wore Chains of Precious Stones that came three or four times about their Necks The King gave Order to a famous Jeweller whose name was Passefilon to make one of those Chains for Madam Gigon and the Jeweller's Wife carry'd it home to the King's Mistress so soon as it was finish'd The King was then by accident in her Chamber and found the Jewellers Wife so lovely that his Love for Madam Gigon could not protect his Heart against her Charms However he could not discover his Passion in his Mistresses Presence but commanded Landais his Treasurer to send her to him when she came to be paid for the Chain telling him that he would drive the bargain himself which was a usual thing for him to do in regard that being very covetous he would be taking notice of the meanest trifles to hinder his Officers from making any advantage of their Places Mrs. Passefilon then was admitted into his Cabinet and observing her but in an ordinary Dress he told her in plain terms without fetching any great compass about that if she would comply with his Passion she should gain more by him in a year then she could get as long as she liv'd in her Shop The Jewellers Wife who lov'd Money and had been a witness of the raising of Madam de Gigon easily surrender'd to this Royal Temptation and the bargain was presenly concluded In a short time she grew big with Child and brought the King another Daughter that was afterwards marry'd to Anthony de Bueil Count of Sancerre But when Passefilon saw that she had wherewithal to live like a Lady she was as willing as others to tast some high sauce with her amorous Pleasures and was resolv'd to perswade her Royal Paramour to go more neatly drest then he was wont to do One day therefore that the King came to pay her a visit in a homely Suit and a foul Shirt Sir said she When I surrender'd my Heart to a King of France I thought to have sound in the Courtly commerce wherein I had embark'd my self all the Gayeties of Ornament and Gallantry that the Magnificence of the most noble Court in Europe could have afforded nevertheless 't is my grief that when I have an eager desire to abandon my self to to the transports of a tender Passion I smell nothing but slovenly Grease where nothing but Muske and Amber should perfume my Nose In truth should one of my Apprentices accoast me in that same Garb that you are in I would kick him out of my sight What must Forreign Ministers say that see you so ill support the Majesty of your Royal Dignity What Lampoons
did the Spaniards make between your Majesty and the King of Castille upon your thread-bare Cap and your Leaden Agnus Dei instead of one beset with Diamonds The King was so amaz'd at this Curtain Lecture that he had not the power to interrupt her However as he was a great dissembler he did not discover his disgust tho he thought it high time to get him a more complaisant Mistress To that purpose having heard much talk of a young Lady of Dijon whose name was Huguette de Jaqueline that was well descended but very poor he sent for her to Court and having taken her for his Mistriss he had a Third Daughter by her whom he bestow'd upon Amà nd of Poitiers Lord of St. Valier Intreagues of the Court of France under the Reign of Charles VIII Anno 1483. LEWIS Duke of Orleans had the misfortune to be belov'd by Ann of France the Daughter of Lewis XI I say the misfortune because the Passion of that Princess was in good part the cause of all the crosses that befell him during his life She gave him to understand her Inclinations toward him and thô the Duke did not comply with her but in terms rather of Respect then Tenderness yet she surceas'd not to interpret 'em favourably and to believe she was belov'd because she deserv'd to be so She refus'd for love of the Duke of Orleans a Match which her Father would have made for her with Nicholas of Anjou Duke of Lorrain and acknowledg'd to that Prince that it was the only reason of her refusal He answer'd with so much indifferency to what she spoke to him the most obligingly in the world upon that occasion that she began at length to open her Eyes and to understand that she had flatter'd her self to little purpose when she thought he had comply'd with her tenderness which was the reason that she resolv'd to marry Peter of Bourbon Duke of Beaujou Upon the first proposal of it that the King her Father made her as she was unwilling to be unfortunate alone she perswaded Lewis XI over whom she had a powerful Ascendant to marry the Duke of Orleans to Joan of France his Daughter who was neither beautiful nor of an agreeable temper The Duke would fain have excus'd himself but the King laid his Commands upon him so imperiously that he was forc'd to obey 'T is true that the Marriage was not consummated whether it were that he had an aversion for the Princess or that she had some natural defects as it was afterwards pretended which hinder'd her having of Children After the death of Lewis XI the Duke of Orleans demanded the Regency during the minority of Charles VIII who was not above Thirteen years of age but the Dutchess of Beaujou carry'd it before him But thô she had got this advantage yet for all that she could not chuse but seek the Duke of Orleans's friendship whom she had not the power to hate notwithstanding his indifferency and she offer'd him a share in the Government if he would but live in a friendly correspondence with her but he return'd those Answers that ill became him to her civilities Thereupon the Dutchess exasperated by his Contempt studied nothing so much as which way to be reveng'd She grounded her pretence upon a quarrel which the Duke of Orleans had had with the Duke of Lorraine while he was playing at Tennis with him and would have had the Duke apprehended but he withdrew to the Duke of Bretagne In whose Court while the Duke of Orleans resided he waited most sedulously upon the Princess Ann his Daughter and fell so deeply in love with her that he preserv'd his Passion for her till his death In the mean time he enter'd into a strict confederacy against the Duchess Regent of which himself and the Duke of Bretagne were the Heads They betook themselves to Arms on both sides and they came to the decision of a Battle in the Plain of St. Aubin where the Confederate Princes were defeated and the Duke of Orleans being taken pris'ner was afterwards lock'd up in the Tower of Bourges nor was he releas'd till after Charles VIII had espous'd Ann of Bretagne and at the same time that the King was preparing for his expedition into Italy Intreagues of the Court of France under the Reign of Lewis XII LEWIS of Orleans being come to the Crown made it his whole study to marry the Princess Ann Widow of Charles VIII his Predecessor He caus'd the Reasons for the dissolving of his Marriage with the Princess Joan to be laid before Pope Julius as being uncapable of ever bringing forth Successors to the Crown and desir'd a Dispensation from his Holiness to marry the fair Queen whom he dearly lov'd Nor would his impatience permit him to stay till he receiv'd the Dispensation 't was enough to hear by the Legate's Secretary whom he had gain'd to his side that it was allow'd and drawing up Yet for all this the love of that Princess surceas'd not to cause him new disturbances She became jealous of Louise of Savoy Countess of Angoulesme Mother of Francis the First and their hatred brake forth to that degree of exasperation that it divided the whole Court into Parties Lewis XII had a design to marry the Princess Claudia his Daughter with the young Count of Angoulême whom he look'd upon as his Successor but the Queen oppos'd it to the utmost of her power Therefore to cross this design she resolv'd to marry her with Charles of Austria who was already call'd Prince of Spain and to give him Bretagne in favour of that Alliance To this purpose she sent privately a Gentleman of the House of Rieux into Flanders and thence into Germany This Gentleman made the Proposal to the Emperor Maximilian the Prince's Grandfather by the Father's side and to Chieuvres his Governour They agreed upon the Articles which were Sign'd and there remain'd nothing but the Ceremony of the Nuptials which had been solemniz'd unknown to the King had not the tender age of the Parties been an obstacle to the Consummation and had it been in the power of the Queen to have dispos'd of her Daughter as she would her self to which end fortune sometime after gave her an opportunity of which she try'd to make her advantage The King falling sick at Paris his distemper increas'd to that degree that the Physicians gave him over for lost and while the whole Court was in a consternation upon the desperate condition of the King's health the Queen took her opportunity privately to send away her Daughter by water down the River Loire to Nantes But passing through Angiers she was stop'd by the Marshal de Gi◠who was Governor of that place The Marshal was one that took part with the Countess of Angoulême and in regard he was not ignorant that the Queen oppos'd the King's design of marrying Claudia with the Son of that Princess he soon conjectur'd the reason that his masters
however it would have been no less a vexation to him to separate from his new Mistress who would have been unwilling to cross the Seas and follow him in his Armies In the mean time he was engag'd to repass into France upon the return of the Spring not doubting but that if he fail'd in his promise both his Enemies and his own Souldiers would accuse him of Cowardice There was nothing but a Peace that could handsomly disingage him from that excessive expence which he would be oblig'd to be at if he intended to keep the Emperors Army in pay the next Spring In short he grew weary of contributing to the ambitious designs of the King of Spain his Brother in Law yet getting nothing by it and contented himself with having been twice deceiv'd by as many Treaties sign'd by his Ambassador Quintana as suttle a Fox of a Castilian as ever was born Nevertheless the King of England being haughty told the Duke of Longueville that it would be time enough to think of his Sister when she should be demanded in due form As much as to say that it was not from the mouth of a Prisoner that the King was to take notice of any proposal of that nature The Duke of Longueville gave a shrewd guess at the King's thoughts and sent into France under pretence of sending for his ransome a Gentleman who assur'd Lewis XII that it would be his own fault if he did not make a Peace with England upon reasonable conditions and marry the King's Sister who was the most lovely Woman in Europe Lewis who had always an amourous inclination willingly entertain'd the proposal and the portraiture of the Princess that was sent him was too powerful a charm to let his affection for the Female Sex lie dormant He flatter'd himself also with the hopes of having a Son and casting off all his former fears of the inconveniencies that might befall him if Bretagne were separated from the Crown he dispatcht into England the General of Normandy who concluded both the Peace and the Match in fifteen days and carry'd the Princess to Boulogne where the Count of Angoulême had Orders to go and receive her The Count most gladly undertook and discharg'd his trust thô the marriage which he solemniz'd by procuration from the King was the way in all probability to deprive him of the Crown However Francines the King 's chief Physician assur'd him that the King was very unlikely to have any more Children So that he appear'd at Boulogne like a Prince who only minded his divertisement at what time he could not forbear falling in Love with her whom he marry'd for his Father in Law as she could not chuse but wish that Heaven had ordain'd the Count for her Husband And the convenience which they had to entertain each other with private Conversation might perhaps have prompted 'em to have taken a far greater liberty if the Prothonotary du Pont who was plac'd near the Prince to moderate in some measure the transports of his youth had not put it into his head that 't was not the new Queen's interest to keep her self very cbast because that in regard she was going to a Husband by whom as all People said she would never have any Children 't was to be fear'd she would submit to a temptation that might help her to a Child for the preservation of her race in France when she came to he a Widow and dispence with her return into England under subjection to her Brother but that as for himself it concern'd him above all Men to take care of the Queen's living chastily as being a thing far remote from his Interest to sollicite her to incontinence for that if she had a Son by him that Son would hinder him from coming to the Crown and reduce him to be contented with Bretagne which his Wife had brought him while he contrary to the order of nature must be forc'd to do Homage to a Bastard This reason cool'd the Count of Angoulême's courage and caus'd him to look upon the Queen with no other then jealous Eyes and he watch'd her so narrowly that at length he discover'd the kindness she had for Suffolk He follow'd her with the character of her Champion of Honour but carry'd himself with that discretion that they could have never penetrated into his affairs had they not been already discover'd in England The Count understood every thing so well that the slightest circumstances were not conceal'd from him and because it was no less then either the loss or gaining of a Crown that was now in agitation he sought an opportunity to speak with Suffolk in private He told him that he was well acquainted with his good correspondence with the Queen and that he was so far from breaking it off that he would countenance him in it provided he might be no looser by it that the King was not in â—ondition to have Children nor to live long that Suffolk could never think of making any progresses in the Queen's favour without exposing himself to the danger of being discover'd by a multitude of spies that would never loose sight of him so that if he took never so little liberty he was a lost Man past all redemption On the otherside if he would give him assurance to contain himself within the bounds of respect he would engage never to cross his good fortune after the King's death nay he would connive at his marrying the Queen in private and allow him an establishment in France as good as he could desire till he could make his peace with the King of England Thô the Duke of Angoulême never consider'd at the time of his making those proposals whither he could be as good as his word when he came to the Crown Suffolke found 'em so advantageous that he was charm'd with 'em and accepted of 'em as real performances He promis'd more then the Duke demanded and offer'd to be himself a Spy upon the Queen But in regard it would have been a piece of imprudence to have wholly confided in his Word Precautions were taken to hinder him from breach of Faith should he have gone about to have violated his promise The Baroness of Aumont was made of Honour to the Queen and became her most intimate Confident And it was by the advice of the Queen that she enlarg'd the functions of her Office beyond the usual bounds and that knowing the Queen to be fearful and unwilling to lie alone she pretended that the Honour of lying with the Queen in the King's absence belong'd to her and carry'd it to the exclusion of all the Ladies which the Queen brought with her out of England Now because the Count of Angoulême's Friends thought it absolutely necessary that he should have secret and faithful Spies about the Queen Madame and the Baroness d'Aumont undertook that Province and divided their time so exactly between 'em that either the one or the other was always by her nor
the Count not having any longer before his Eyes the only beloved object that Dayly begg'd the t'others Pardon thought of nothing more but his Revenge To which purpose he enter'd his Wives Chamber with Six Men in disguise and two Chirurgeons who open'd the Veins in her Feet and Legs and so left her to Bleed to Death The King upon his return was all for making examples of the guilty but a new Amour soon blotted out the remembrance of the first Nor was the Count forgetful of his own safety in the excesses to which his jealousy had transported him for he prevented the prosecutions of justice by a voluntary exile and liv'd in Forreign Countries so long as the House of Foix was in a condition to prosecute him At length he address'd himself to the Constable Montmorency who was become a greater Favourite then before by the Death of Bonnivet and Monchenu who shar'd with him in the King 's good will The Count offer'd him a deed of gift of his Royalty provided he could get him out of his Troubles and Montmorency chose rather to purchase Chasteau-Brian by that means then by a Confiscation which would have engag'd him in perpetual quarrels which the House of Laval from whence the Count was decended Some Critiques have pretended that M. de Varillas from whom I drew these Memoirs was ill inform'd and that the Countess of Chasteau-Brian was reconcil'd to her Husband and that she did not Die till ten Years after the King's return But these objections are so well answer'd that I am convinc'd of the Countess's tragical end so that I made no scruple to follow that famous Historian word for word No sooner was Francis I. deliver'd out of the hands of the Spaniards bat he re-enter'd into a new imprisonment which thô more easie and pleasant yet was do less dangerous The Countess of Angoulême going to meet him as far as Mont de Marsan carry'd along with her the young Ann de Pisseleu who was call'd Mademoiselle de Hellé who was entertain'd as a Maid of Honour into the Houshold of that Princess The King found her so amiable that he was not able to defend his liberty against her Charms He marry'd her in a short time to the Duke d' Estampes who conniv'd at her conduct neither willing to approve it for fear of injuring his Reputation nor to condemn her lest he should bring himself into trouble The Dutchess finding her self at liberty to make the best of her good fortune to please the King ne'er minded any longer the avoiding any occasion that might advance her prosperity She had got so much experience at Court as to know that the most dangerous Rock that the King's Mistresses could hazard their Fortune against was to quarrel with the Favourites or Ministers who having often the Prince's Ear may take the advantage of certain moments of disgust and petty fallings out between Lovers to exasperate 'em and perswade 'em to an absolute Rupture This consideration made her resolve to unite Interests with the Constable Montmorency the Admiral Chabot and the Chancellor du Prat who by the Authority of their Imployments and by the King's Indulgence had got possession of the prime Ministry Those three Officers very obligingly corresponded with the first movements which the Duchess made toward the Quadruple League well knowing that notwithstanding the Greatness of their Credit yet it might be shaken if the King's Mistress understood how to make the best of those Favourable Minutes when a Lover can deny nothing to the person upon whom he doats This correspondence between these four Persons prov'd successful during the remainder of time that the Chancellor liv'd because that cunning Minister by his experience and diligence provided so well for all the exigencies of the State that the Favourites had no other care upon 'em but to divertise their Master But after his death the Council wanting a Director the Constable and the Admiral who took no heed to instruct themselves appear'd such Novices in the Government that the King was constrain'd to call up the President Poyet He was one of the most able Magistrates in the Kingdom and his Capacity was equally the same to manage as well great as small Affairs only his Genius led him rather to put things into confusion then bring 'em to a final end So soon as he had taken his place in the Council he propos'd the removal of the two Favourites that only serv'd to fill up the number because the haughtiness of the first was become insupportable to him and he fear'd the resentment of the second by reason of a Suit of great consequence wherein he had caus'd him to be overthrown Fortune seem'd to favour his Designs for the King disgusted at the ill success of his Enterprizes had it put into his Head that he might justify his ill Conduct to posterity if he laid the blame of it upon his Favourites and that their downfal would render 'em guilty of all the false steps which he had trode in the publick management of Affairs The Admiral was the first that was to feel the effects of his ill humour thô he were in friendship vvith the Dutchess of Estampes They who did not dive into the King's more secret Thoughts ascrib'd the Fall of Chabot to his imprudence which had hinder'd his Majesty from utterly despoiling the Duke of Savoy of his Territories The King intrusted Poyet whom he had invested in the Office of Chancellor with his Indignation against the Admiral and consulted with him the best way to proceed against him in due form of Law The Chancellor was overjoy'd to find the King so well dispos'd to favour his designs and made him those Proposals that gave him great satisfaction Nevertheless because he stood in awe of the Dutchess d' Estampes's Anger whose Power he well knew he sought the Protection of Diana of Poictiers Wife to the Seneschal of Normandy and the Dauphin's Mistress That Lady was the Daughter of John of Poictiers Lord of St. Valliere who had preferr'd her very young to the Countess of Angouléme after which she was advanc'd to the service of Queen Claudia as one of her Maids of Honour Neither was St. Valliere deceiv'd in his design of getting some Protection at Court through the power of his Daughter's Charms for it may be said that she sav'd his Life by the secret Engines that she set at work St. Vallier had had a hand in the revolt of the Constable of Bourbon and the misfortune to be apprehended For which he had been Arraign'd and was condemn'd to lose his Head Diana was so astonish'd when she heard the news that she thought her self oblig'd to do her utmost to save her Father from such a threatning danger Thereupon she went and threw her self at the King's Feet all in Tears and begg'd pardon for him to whom she was beholding for her Life And she appear'd to the King in that deplorable condition so amiable and so
length allow'd him to beg of the King the Cardinal of Tournon and Admiral Chabot to redeem his Life and Liberty at the price of the vast Wealth which he had acquir'd Nothing more manifestly prov'd him unworthy of his high fortune then his extream desire to survive his disgrace His carriage quite chang'd that fear and aversion which People had against his Person into a contempt which was no way advantageous to him seeing that they left him for some years in the Tower of Bourges without so much as thinking of him At ength he was so importunate with the Ministers of State that they order'd him to be brought to his Trial but not after such a method as he expected For they appointed Commissioners to try him chosen out of all the Parliaments of the Kingdom However they did him this justice to make choice of the most able and the most honest Nor were there ever in France any Judges whose Probitie and Abilities were more universally known then those of Peter Raymund President of the Parliament of Rouen who was order'd to draw up the Informations They were willing to give him that satisfaction whether it were that his enemies thought that they had more prooâ—s then they needed to ruin him or that the King who had no mind to pardon him as he had forgiven Admiral Chabot had taken all the precautions requisite to prevent any thing that might be spoken against the severity which he intended to inflict upon the chief Magistrate of the Kingdom However it were the Process lasted till the year 1545. because the Party accus'd finding himself abandon'd by all the world and ready to sink unrder the same Artifices with which he had oppress'd others made use of all the tricks that long experience had taught him and summon'd up all his cunning and his parts to defend himself He led his Judges through all the by-paths of Subterfuge and Evasion that Cavil could invent to elude or at least to delay his Condemnation He puzzl'd alike both his Judges and his Witnesses that were brought Face to Face against him and made so good a defence that he sav'd his Life whither it were that his Judges after a long debate did not find reasons enough to condemn him to Death or that the too open animosity of the prosecutors had infus'd compassion into those Magistrats by perswading 'em he was Innocent because his Enemies were so violent in seeking his ruin He heard bare-Headed the Decree pronounc'd that depriv'd him of his Dignities and Estate and confin'd him to perpetual Imprisonment for having Rob'd the Treasury fold Offices and traffick'd in several bargains misbecoming his quality The King surpriz'd at the mildness of the Decree could nor forbear testifying his resentment against the Judges and threw upon 'em those reproaches that extended even to accusations of being corrupted However his Majesty remitted the punishment of Imprisonment and Poyet was constrain'd for a Livelyhood to resume his first employment of Chamber-Counsellor in the Palace deeming himself happy that he had got himself out of the Bryars at any rate before Judges of approv'd integrity for that indeed there was as many persons convinc'd that he deserv'd Death as there were People that knew him The Dutchess d' Estampes after she had ruin'd all those that dar'd to obstruct her credit year 1587 seem'd to fear nothing but the Death of the King which was the only disturbance of her mind For thô the Duke d' Estampes her Husband had made a judicial enquiry into her behaviour since her Marriage yet she was well assur'd that he could make no use of it so long as the King liv'd however he was not immortal and the time would come when that cruel separation would happen The Dutchess also to her sorrow beheld the misfortune at a distrance and was sensible of the approaches of it For Francis I. decay'd insensibly in his Health and whither it were that his Physicians were ignorant of the true cause of his disease or whither they durst not discover it or whither they despair'd that His Majesty would submit to violent Remedies which could only correct the malignity of it they only put a stop in some measure to the outward effects which were most incommodious without ever going to the root of the Disease So that the King perceiving himself grow more unweildy every Day then other and loosing that vigour and Address which had formerly been the cause that he delighted with so much passion in the sports of Hunting and other laborious exercises liv'd a kind of morose Life of which the Dutchess was forc'd to bear all the inconveniencies at the same time that on the otherside she was afflicted and disturb'd to think what would become of her after the King's Death who in all probability could not be long Liv'd She was in some hopes of reassuming that place in her Husbands affection from whence jealousy had expel'd her in regard she was yet young and was the Mistress still of that same ravishing Beauty which had formerly charm'd him Nor was it unlikely but that compassion might overrule her Husbands Heart after the King's death had extinguish'd the cause of his jealousy by producing these effects therein which are expected from Love However it were Diana of Normandy's hatred seem'd to be much more formidable to her she was to be what she her self had been and it was to be presum'd that she would make use of all her credit to ruin her Enemy Diana was the Dauphin's Mistress as the Dutchess was the King's but there was no other resemblance between 'em either in their persons or their Wit The Dutchess was never more Beautiful then she was at that time nor had she lost any thing of that lustre which had caus'd her to be look'd upon by the most curious Eyes even by the Emperor himself as the most accomplish'd Beauty in Europe whereas the she-Seneschal had none of those Allurements which at one and twenty Years of Age had sav'd the Life of her Father Sr. Valier The Dutchess was not above thirty and the she Seneschal was suspected to be above threescore for she had caus'd her name to be torn out of the Register of the Christ'nings The Dutchess commanded naturally Diana of Poictiers by art and those different Empires were preserv'd by opposite means The Dutchess who fear'd not her being degraded till the King began to decay in his health stood less upon her guard and never laid any constraint upon her self when she spoke of Diana whereas the other conceal'd under feign'd demonstrations of respect and compliance the despite to see her self contemn'd and was in company when that terrible expression fell from the Dutchess's Lips that she was born the same Day that the Seneschal's Wife was marry'd Nevertheless she dissembled her resentment so long as the King was strong and lusty but she no sooner perceiv'd that His Majesty began to decline but she began to make the Dutchess sensible
that the time of her revenge was drawing on The Dutchess being oblig'd by this ill usage to reflect upon the irregularity of her Tongue was so much the more afâ—aid of the effects of Diana's hatred by how much the less she was in a condition to avoidx'em For instead of managing to her advantage the Duke d' Estampes her Husband whose humour insensible and little subject to the pleasures of Love might have been amus'd by slight marks of the King's liberality and vain employments provided he had receiv'd 'em when he stood in need of 'em she had displeas'd him to that degree as to incense him beyond the bounds of decency out of the strangest capricio's that ever jealousy infus'd to publish his own dishonour by a judicial enquiry into the behaviour of his Wife as we have already said This way of proceeding put the Dutchess out of all hopes of ever returning to her Husband and reduc'd her to that misery that the Seneschal's Wife after the King's Death made use of the jealous Duke as an instrument to torment her till her revenge was fully satiated These inducements of terror that could not be either more powerful nor more probably grounded oblig'd the Dutchess to seek out for an expedient to secure her from the impending storm And that which seem'd to her to be best and the most easie altogether was to shroud her self under the Duke of Orleance's protection and to set up a faction at Court so powerful in his favour as to equal that which Diana had form'd for the Dauphin The Dutches's aim was to seek for some great establishment for the Duke of Orleance without the Kingdom where she might find that repose and security which she stood in need of Nor was there any other establishment which he could pretend to then what the Emperor had so many times propos'd which was the investiture of the Dutchy of Milan or the Low Countries upon two conditions The one was that he should marry the Emperors Daughters or his Niece The other was to prevent the Reunion of what ever should be given in favour of either of these two Matches to the Crown of France All the difficulty lay in the last Condition to which the pretended sterility of the Dauphiness was an invincible obstacle That Princess had been marry'd ten Years yet never had any signs of a great Belly and let the cause be what it would from whence the defect proceeded the Duke of Orleance would be ne'er the less presumptive Heir to the Crown nor by consequence less capable in the Emperors judgment to hold the fiefs of Milan and the Low Countries Fernelius the Physitian after he had sounded the Dauphinesses temper took a fancy that he could cure her indisposition and whither it were that the Physick that he gave her wrought effectually or that his secret consisted only in revealing to the Dauphin the particular minutes wherein his Wife was most capable to conceive the whole Court perceiv'd in a few Months after that the Dauphiness was big with Child The Dutchess's surprizing joy upon the news would not allow her so much liberty of thought at first as to know the advantages that she might draw from thence but afterwards she order'd the Emperor to be sounded whether he had any mind to engage the Duke of Orleans to his Interests or no. He that was entrusted with a Commission so nice as this had all the qualities sufficient to begin so great an affair but not those that were proper to bring it to a conclusion He was of the Illustrious House of Longueval and Count of Bâ—ssu and he had insinuated himself into the friendship of the Dutchess by the care which he took to improve her Estate and give her notice of such opportunities as offer'd themselves to encrease it by begging vacant gratifications of the King And in regard he had Lands in the Low Countries as well as in Picardy he might without being suspected hold a correspondence in both Provinces He had both Wit and Address Resolution and Reservedness but he was extreamly felt interested and in regard he had a greater Estate in Flanders then in France that which he mainly aim'd at was to establish himself in the first of those Countries where his posterity afterwards fix'd themselves and grew numerous This inducement made him accept of the Order to negotiate for the Dutchess because it would render him more considerable to the House of Austria and the Emperor overjoy'd to see so potent a faction among his Enemies that sought to correspond with him look't upon this conjuncture as a favour that Fortune offer'd him for the resettlement of his affairs in the Low-Countries He assur'd the Dutchess that he would give the Duke of Orleance the Duthy of Milan with his Niece or the Low-Countries with his Daughter and for sear she should mistrust he would deceive her because he granted her demand so soon and so readily he added that he reserv'd to himself the choice of the alternative and that he would not be oblig'd to explain himself nor to perform his promise till he should have made an agreement with the King that is to say till he should reap all the effects of that friendship which the Dutchess and her faction could procure him for those remote promises the performance of which depended upon his sincerity The Count of Bossu had understanding sufficient to perceive that the Engagement was not reciprocal but he shut his Eyes and the Dutchess from whom the Allurement of a retreating place took away the sight of the Serpent that lay under the flowers perform'd her part in forming so strict a League with the Emperor that nothing past either at the Court or in the Council of France which was not immediatly conveigh'd to his knowledge In short the first Letter that he receiv'd by the Counts means did him so signal a piece of service that it sav'd both his person and his whole Army And the Emperor knew so well to make his advantage of the intelligence that she gave him that he reduc'd France within two Fingers breadth of utter ruin But Fortune having balanc'd his first successes the Dutchess took an occasion from thence to manage a peace between the two Crowns The reciprocal fears of Francis I. and Charles V. were the foundation of a new intreague between Queen Elenor's and the Emperors Confessors both of 'em Dominican Fryars The first was cal'd Diegos Chiavez and the second Gabriel de Gusman Chiavez by virtue of a private Order which he conceal'd wrote to Gusman as if he had pretended only to impart to him a thought that was come into his Head that the greatest good they could do both the one and the other was to try whither Divine Providence would make use of 'em as Instruments to confound the Wisdom of Men by employing 'em to make that Peace which so many great personages could not conclude Gusman presently apprehended what lay conceal'd in his
Brothers Letter and shew'd it to Queen Eleonor The Queen held a correspondence with the Dutchess d' Estampes because not having any Issue by the King she expected to be sent back so soon as she should be a Widow and consequently she took no other care but to deserve a favourable reception from the Emperor her Brother when she should return to reside with him by doing him good Service in an Enemies Court whither she had been banish'd under the specious pretence of Matrimony Gusman and the two Ladies labour'd so successfully with Francis I. that that they caus'd him to patch up a Peace very advantageous to the Emperor and to sacrifice to the expectation of an imaginary Alliance several considerable places which enlarg'd the Emperors Frontiers and secur'd 'em in such a manner that for a long time there was no danger on that side 'T is true that the course which the Dauphin took in causing the Constable to be recall'd and putting him at the head of the Army contributed not a little to make the King resolve upon a Peace out of his aversion to the chief Officer of the Crown But the Death of the Duke of Orleans which happen'd some time after disingag'd the Emperor from his promise at a time when he saw himself oblig'd in pursuance of the Treaty of Crepi to resolve upon the giving him his Daughter with the Low-Countries or his Niece with the Dutchy of Milan In the mean time Francis I after he had spun out his Distemper in several places felt his Feaver gather such strength upon him at Rambouilleâ— that he could not reach St. Germains where he thought to repose himself so that after he had lain in a languishing condition for some Days in that House he gave up the Ghost leaving the Seneschal of Normandy's Wife in full power to execute her premeditated revenge upon the Dutchess d' Estampes by means of her Ascendant over the new King The Intreagues of the Court of France under the Reign of Henry II. THE Face of the Court was wholly chang'd after the Death of Francis I. The Cardinal of Tournon and Marshal d' Annebaut who had the supream management of affairs under the preceeding Reign were turn'd out of the Council and â—he Constable who was recal'd from his Exile was admitted in their Room Francis Count of Aumale who was Duke of Guise after the Death of his Father and James d' Albon St. Andrè were the King's Favourites But the chief Authority remain'd in the hands of Diana of Poictiers the Widow of Lewis de Brezé Seneschal of Normandy who was made Dutchess of Valentiuois The Dutchess d' Estampes fearing the effects of her Enemies revenge retir'd to Ville Martin a House of pleasure within a League of the City which bore the Name of her Dutchy There she liv'd for some Years in the exercise of the new Religion which she had embrac'd and to which her example and her Liberality drew a great number of People of both Sexes But thô the Dutchess of Valentinois had reason to be contented with the excess of confidence and affection which the King shew'd her yet could not she not continue faithful to him She was charm'd with the goodly presence of Charles de Cosse Brissac she struggl'd for some time with her sentiments of tenderness for him and at length not being able to extinguish 'em after she had consulted her mirror which perswaded her that she had still beauty enough notwithstanding the alteration that Age had made to her Face to engage that Lord to comply with her passion she resolv'd to that purpose to let him understand what past in her Hearâ— She took an opportunity to do it when he came to congratulate her upon the removal of Madam d' Estampes Are your protestations sincere said she and may I be assur'd that you have a real devotion for my person After he had sworn that she might put him upon the Tryal and that he was ready to sacrifice his Life for her Interests I know pursu'd she that the credit I have at Court engages all those who have any Ambition to offer me their service but I require from you more disinterested sentiments I would have it that you should only Love in me what I hold from nature without considering what I owe to the King's favours I shall not be ungrateful for I will take care of your fortune provided you let me follow my own inclinations and wholly confide in me She accompany'd those words with looks so passionate that Brissac who was no novice in Love readily understood that it would be his fault if he did not enter into a particular Intreague with the Dutchess He was in great danger of incurring the King's displeasure if a familiarity of that nature should come to be discover'd but more of falling under Diana's indignation if she found her self contemn'd after she had met him so far above half the way Thereupon he never scrupl'd which course to take and judging it became him not to neglect so fair an opportunity he made no other answer then by a most passionate kiss which he imprinted upon one of the Dutchesses hands 'T is not known whither Brissac had any real passion for her or whether he feign'd a true affection that he might make the best of her credit but certain it is that they had several meetings Some time after the Court remov'd to Chasteau de Chambert which Francis the I. had built The Dutchess was lodg'd in an Apartment by it self at the end of the Park whither the King went the next Evening when all People had left his Chamber through a Gallery made under Ground and staid all the Night with her One Evening that Brissac had tarry'd somwhat later then ordinary word was brought by some of the Attendants that they had spi'd a light at the entrance into the Vault and that most certainly the King was at hand At which the Dutchess being alarm'd presently sent away Brissac who not far from the separate Apartment met Claude Tais Grand Master of the Ordinance whether it were upon any Assignation hard by or whether his musing thoughts had led him so far that way However it were he knew Brissac and mistrusting the occasion of his Nocturnal visit he accosted him and jested too close upon him Brissac no way pleas'd with his discourse acquainted the Dutchess with it next Day who presently caus'd the indiscreet Frumper to be discarded and obtain'd his employment for her Favourite Tais knew well from whence his misfortune came but durst not speak a word of it to any Living Soul for fear of a worse trouble From Chambort the Court remov'd to Joinville where the Queen was seiz'd with a purple Feaver which swell'd her Tongue to that decree that she lost her speech Immediatly the poor Queen was forsaken by all her Officers who thought her Disease had been Mortal nor did any body remain with her but the Cardinal of Chatillon The
Dutchess was extreamly allarum'd at her being so ill fearing lest it the Queen should dye the King would Marry some young Person whose Charms might â—oâ— her of his Affection But the distemper which had been so violent at first was but of short continuance for that in eight days the Queen was past danger and her recovery resâ—or'd tranquillity of Mind to all that were concern'd in her preservation year 1549 The Chancellor Olivier because he could not comply with the Dutchess as he ought to have done to preserve himself in the Ministry fell into disgrace Nevertheless because they could not deprive him of his Imployment without taking away his life and for that his integrity would not permit 'em to fasten any accusation upon him the Dutches to suspend him from the execution of his imployment caus'd the King to deliver the Seals into the custody of Commissioners Bertrand whom she had already advanc'd to be first President of Paris and Giles le Maitre a Creature of her own And now the Dutchess to secure her self a Protection both within and without the Kingdom marry'd her two Daughters that she had by the King the eldest who was call'd Diana to Heratio Farnese Duke of Castro the youngest Son of Pope Paul III. and the youngest to Claudius of Lorrain Duke of Aumale she also procur'd the Battoon of Marshal of France for Brissae for whom she had still the same tenderness year 1556 Pope Paul III having embroil'd himself with Philip II. King of Spain sent into France Cardinal Carâ—ffa his Nephew to engage King Henry II. in a League against the Spaniards The Affair was debated in Council where the Duke of Guise maintain'd with great hear that 't was requisite to give assistance to his Holiness with a design to make advantage of it He was in hopes that by sending Forces into Italy he might be able to advance his Brother the Cardinal of Guise to the Pontificate so soon as the See should become vacant and in the mean time to make himself Master of the Kingdom of Naples which as he said belong'd to him as Heir to the House of Anjou The Queen upheld his Opinion in hopes to procure the Command of the Army for her Kinsman Marshal Frotzi The Dutchess of Valentinoiâ— who was in a strict Union with the Guises was of the same Opinion nor durst the Constable Montmoranci oppose her for fear of displeasing her and in hopes that the Guises going into Italy would give him an opportunity in their absence to fix his Credit more stedfastly at Court Thus the League with the Pope being resolv'd upon a numerous Army was rais'd to be sent to the Pope but Davaâ—son the King's Ambassador at Rome a Creature of the Guises who was acquainted with this Intreague explain'd himself so openly upon it that the King who was inform'd of it alter'd his opinion for fear of contributing to their ambitious designs Their credit also receiv'd a kind of check but they recover'd themselves in a short time by the marriage which they negotiated between the Dauphin and Mary Stuart Queen of Scotland their Kinswoman The Dutchess of Valentinois who began to grow jealous of their advancement cross'd this Match as much as in her lay but not being able to prevent it resolv'd to unite her self more strictly with the Constable by marrying her Daughter to his eldest Son she being now the Duke of Castro's Widow who was slain at the Siege of Hedin There was one obstacle in the way which she had much ado to surmount For the young Montmoranci privately and without his Father's consent had marry'd Mademoiselle de Pienne of the House of Alvin The Constable sent his Son to Rome in order to get his Marriage declar'd void by the Rota But Montmoranci after the Affair had been examin'd at several Sittings could obtain no definitive Sentence for the Pope was desirous to make the best of the Dutchess and to tye her to his Interests by keeping her in hopes of a favourable Judgment But the Dutchess tir'd out with these delays took a shorter way obliging the King to make a Law by which all Marriages contracted by Infants under Age without the consent of their Parents were declar'd void After this Ordinance was verify'd upon Montmorancy's averrment that he never gave his Faith to Madana de Prenne but upon condition that his Father would give his consent the Parlament cancell'd all the Engagements that were between 'em and then the young Lord marry'd the Dutchess of Castro The Guises seeing that the Dutchess of Valentinois treated 'em but very coldly and trusted no body but the Constable who was of kin to the Marshal de Brissac her Favourite endeavour'd to revenge themselves The Queen of Scotland had brought along with her into France Madam Hamilton a kinswoman of hers who was Mistriss of all the Graces both of Body and Mind Presently they spread abroad the fame of her Beauty and by their Emissaries cunningly and neatly gave her such frequent commendations in the in the King's Ear that he desirous to know whether her applauders did not flatter her found so much sweetness so much life and gaiety in her Conversation that he could not chuse but love her He had aleady for some time taken some disgust against the Dutchess but she had such an ascendant over him that he durst not give her the least offence and he took as much care to conceal from her his Intreague with Madam Hamilton as if she had been his Wife Moreover his new Mistress proving big with Child he provided for her Lying in with so much privacy that no body at Court knew any thing of it The Prince that she brought into the World was Christen'd Henry and under the ensuing Reigns was Grand Prior of France and Governor of Provence The King that he might shew his activity to Mrs. Hamilton for whom his Passion was much increas'd since she had brought him a Son would needs make one in the Turnaments that were prepar'd in Honour of the Nuptials of Elisabeth the King's Daughter with Philip II. which was a Match concluded in pursuance of the Treaty of Chateau Cambresis Toward the end of the third Day which was the 30th of June 1559 the King who had already broken several Lances with good success would needs Tilt with his Beaver up against the Count of Montgomery the Son of Lorge Captain of the Guards of his Body The Count did all be could to excuse himself but he was at last constrain'd to obey his Master and that Course prov'd so unfortunate that Montgomery's Lance being broken into shivers the Truncheon that remain'd in his hand struck the King above the Brow of the right Eye with that terrible force that the King fell to the ground without either Motion or Sense in which condition they carry'd him to his Bed and notwithstanding all the remedies they could apply to him for eleven days together that Life remain'd in him they
Protestant Religion and having obtain'd from the Pope a nullity of the Engagements he had made her He marry'd the Widow of the Duke of Guise who was Murder'd by Poltrot before Orleance some Months before After Queen Katherine de Medicis had caus'd the majority of her Son to be declar'd by the Parliament of Rouen all the Court Ladies strove which should most powerfully enthral his Heart but he delighted more in Hunting and other violent exercises then in Courtship and making Love Nevertheless one Day Madam de Montpensier taxing him for his insensibility he swore to her that if once he went about to turn Coquet he should so harass all the Ladies that they would repent of having wak'd a sleeping Lyon In a word for some time he lay'd about him to the right and left without ever engaging himself in any Intreagues But sometime after going to Orleance he spy'd a young Virgin that came out of curiosity to see him at Dinner and having enquir'd who she was he learnt that her name was Marie Touchet an Apothecary's Daughter i' the Town Thereupon he commanded la Tour Master of the Wardrobe to talk to her and to perswade her to come to his Chamber La Tour with very little trouble succeeded in his Negotiation and the next night brought Madam Touchet to the King who obtain'd of her whatever he desir'd thô she had already engag'd her Affection to Monlue the Bishop of Valence's Brother whom she could not forget neither whatever marks she receiv'd of Charles the Ninths Love The King requested Madam Margaret his Sister to entertain her as her waiting Woman that she might have some pretence to follow the Court. However he was forc'd to take her away from that Lady when he return'd to Paris because she prov'd with Child and he provided so well for her lying Inn that she was brought to Bed of a Prince who was call'd Charles by his Father's name and honour'd with the title of Count of Auvergne But Madam Touchet for all this kept a dayly correspondence with Monlue and frequently receiv'd Billet Douxes from him The King being inform'd that she had put one of 'em up in her purse invited a great many Ladies to Supper of which number was his faithless Mistress Withal he commanded the Captain of a Company of Gypsies to bring along with him about a dozen of the most exquisite Cut-purses he could pick out of the whole gang to cut all the Ladies purses while they were Eating and faithfully to bring 'em all to him at his going to Bed When the Meat was upon the Table he plac'd Madam Touchet next to himself for fear she should make away the Billet which be had a mind to have The Cutpurses did their business exactly and la Chambre fail'd not to carry to the King all the booty according to order The King had no great trouble to distinguish his Mistress's purse from the rest and therefore opening it in very great hast found there the Billet already mention'd The next Day he shew'd it his disloyal Minioness who disown'd it was directed to her because there was no Superscription bur she could not disavow several other things that were in the Purse together with the Billet so that having no other course to take she confest her fault and beg'd pardon The King also promis'd to think no more of it provided she had no more to do with Monlue and to separate her the more certainly from him His Majesty Marry'd her to Balzac d'Entragues Bayliff of Orleance Some time after the discourse was very hot about marrying the King to Elizabeth of Austria the Emperor Ferdinand's Daughter Madam d'Entragues having seen her Picture consulted her Looking-glass and then told one of her Maids that stood by her that 't was the least of her fears that ever that Princess would rob her of the King's Affection and indeed he lov'd her to his Dying Day tho' he had a great respect for the Queen his Wife The King was extreamly haughty and could not brook the ambition of the Duke of Guise He took it hainously when he understood that the Duke had been so bold as to aspire to Madam Margaret his Sister as also to make her a formal Declaration of his Love So that in the first transports of his wrath he order'd the Grand Prior the Son of Hen. II. and Madam Hamilton to stab the insolent Pretender Of which the Duke being inform'd by Madam d'Entragues avoided the Hunting match which was appointed on purpose for the execution of the design that was laid against his life And to let the King know that he was not guilty of the crime that was laid to his charge by the advice of his Mother he marry'd Katherine of Cleves the Widow of Prince Portiano and by that means asswag'd his Masters anger In the mean time he endeavour'd to secure to himself the protection of the Duke of Anjou and the better to gain his good Will he offer'd to be serviceable to him in his passion for the Princess of Condè his Sister-in-law So violent was the Duke of Anjou's love for that Princess that he was very near refusing the Crown of Poland as not enduring a removal from her However he endeavour'd to cure himself by seeking other divertisements and made his applications to Madam Chasteau-neuf one of the Queen Mother's Maids of Honour who did not long withstand his importunities and in regard she perceiv'd her self to be not the sole Mistress of his Heart she made no scruple to engage her self in an Intreague with Lignerolet the Duke's Favourite But Ligneroles s who devoted himself to her onely out of vanity was so indiscreet as to boast to his Master of his good Fortune and receiv'd the punishment which his insolence deserv'd being stabb'd be Villequier by the Duke's Order They who were ignorant of this circumstance ascrib'd his death to his indiscretion in talking of the Massacre that was to be made of the Huguenots upon St. Bartholomews day which his Master had reveal'd to him but certain it is that the Duke had no other aim then to punish the Vain-glory of his Favourite The Duke finding that the Princess of Condè's Virtue was not to be stirr'd set forward at length for Poland where they would fain have marry'd him to Ann Jaqueline the Daughter of the last King But the news that he receiv'd in a short time after of the death of Chales IX oblig'd him to quit his new Subjects and return into France The King at the very last minutes of his life could not forget Madam d'Entragues but order'd La Tour to tell her that nothing griev'd him so much as that death had snatch'd him from her before he had done any thing for her to advance her Fortune The End of the First Part. INTEAGUES OF THE Court of FRANCE Under the Reign of HENRY III. PART II. Anno 1574. NEither Fame nor Absence could extinguish that Love which Henry III. had conceiv'd in
his Heart for the Princess of Conde and in regard he was assur'd that he should not obtain any favour from her but by lawful means he endeavour'd to perswade her to consent that he should dissolve his Marriage under pretence that his Wife was a Heretick not doubting but he should easily obtain his desires at Rome The Queen Mother having notice of the King her Son s design was extreamly alarum'd at it afraid least if the Princess of Conde who was an Ambitious Woman and one that had a Genius above the common sort should come to be Queen she would altogether govern the King and be mistress of all that authority which she had acquir'd in his Councils Therefore to send off this blow she set all the most charming Ladies of the Court at work to inveigle her Sons affections Mademoiselle de Chateauncuf amus'd him for some time but was oblig'd to give way to Mademoiselle de Eâ—â—oâ—â—f who neither had the happiness to retain him long fetter'd in her Chains Madam de Sauve the Secretary of States Widow was she that triumph'd at last over all the Rivalesses The King gave himself solely up to Her but the engagement was not reciprocal because she lov d the King of Navarr Their Intreague first began while Navarr and the Duke of Alenson were Prisoners together and Madam de Sauve was wont to go and bear 'em company meerly to divert 'em and alleviate the vexations of their imprisonment These two Princess fell equally in love with her but she had not the same kind sentiments for both She hated the Duke of Alenson but she made favouraable returns to the tender addresses of the King of Navarr When that Prince was set at liberty the interests of the Party that acknowledg'd him for their Head obliged to absent himself from his Mistress but his absence nothing abated the Passion which she had kindl'd in his heart nor did she omit any opportunity to let him understand that she was still the same when Henry III. began to cast an eye of Favour upon her But she made no other use of his complacency then to second the Queen Mothers design which was to revive in his heart that tenderness which he had formerly had for Mademoiselle de Vaudemont and to perswade him to seat her by him upon the Throne But this was not all for 〈◊〉 more powerful reason over-rul'd Madam de Sauve to infuse into him the same sentiments The Duke of Guise was become an inamor'd Servant of hers and had insensibly banish'd from his heart the tenderness which he had for the Queen of Navarr and she thought to do him a great piece of service by advancing his Kinswoman to that high degree of honour which would oblige him to love her the more And the death of the Princess of Conde which happen'd about the same time gave Madam de Sauve a fair opportunity to engage him with Mademoiselle de Vaudemont The King saw her as he was going to be Crown'd at Rheims and finding in her face the same Allurements that had formerly charm'd him he resolv'd at length to marry her Francis of Luxemburgh of the House of Brienne had made his addresses to her before the Lorrain Princes had any hopes of making her Queen Henry III. who knew it had a desire to marry him to Mademoiselle de Chasteauneuf and whether he thought it became him to take care of the Fortune of a Person whom he had once lov'd or that he took some kind of Pleasure to change Mistresses with Luxemburgh he propos'd it to him upon his Coronation Day To which the Lord made answer that he had so great a value for whatever concern'd the Queen that he could but be highly overjoy'd at the advantage which fortune had procur'd her and that he applauded her for having made so happy a change of her Lover But in regard there was not so much to be got by him in marrying Mademoiselle de Chasteauneuf he besought his Majesty to allow him time to consider The King repli'd that it was not for him to hesitate upon what he had propropos'd to him and therefore he expect'd to be forthwith obey'd Luxemburgh finding himself so vigorously press'd upon desired eight days to prepare himself and obtain'd three which serv'd him to find a way to quit the Court and retire in a place where he might shelter himself from the King's displeasure Nor did the King whose first transports were only to be fear'd think any more of him after he was once got out of his sight The pleasures which he tasted in his conversation with the Queen put Luxemburghs disobedience quite out of his mind For he had so much complacency for that Princess that he acted the person of a Lover rather then of a Husbahd in her company Now in regard that Age was an Age of Licetiousness several Lampoons were made upon all these passages that would not have been endurâ—d at another time and as they had also a great veneration for the Queen Mother an Edict was made in railliery against Faithless Lovers which began in these words Henry by the Grace of God unprofitable King of France and imaginary King of Poland Turnâ—â—y of the Lovre Church-warden of St. Germans de Lauxerrois Son in Law to Colas First Valet of his Wives Chamber Pedler of the Palace Gaurdian of Four-Beggars Protector of Penitents and Capuchins By this Satyr it may be seen that the King affected to appear devout in publick but in private abandond himself to all manner of voluptuous sensuality without any moderation and the Queen-mother was so far from restraining him that she indulg'd him in his humours that she might have the greater share in the Government One day he gave a great Entertainment at Cheâ—â—nceaux where the Ladies appear'd like Nymphs half naked to their Wasts and with their hair dishevell'd about their Shoulders Not long after the King went in Masquerade to Hostel de Guise where the Duke presented the Company with a Ball to honour the Nuptials of Mademoiselle Marcel with the Baron de Vâ—erâ—eâ— and where the confusion and disorder was so great that the Candles were blown out and the Chastity of the Ladies suffer'd no small detriment in the Dark The King also to make himself popular frequently went to divertise himself among the men of the Long Robe especially to the President Boncharts House whither he was drawn by Mademoiselle de Bussy his Daughter-in-Law All the Courtiers in imitation of their Master thought of nothing but making love and knowing well that wild passion never seeks after equality but makes all equal they address'd their vows to persons as well superior as inferior to 'em in Rank and Dignity never considering the consequences of such ill concerted Intreagues St. Megrin a Gascoine Gentleman had the confidence to make choice of the Dutches of Guise for the Object of his Tenderness and was well receiv'd But notwithstanding all the caution he had taken to conceal
his Amorous Commerce he was discover'd and it cost him his Life One evening returning from the Loâ—â—â—re at eleven a Clock at Night thirty men in Vizards fell upon him in the Street St. Honore stab'd him in a thousand places and laid him dead upon the Stones where he expir'd soon after The King caus'd his Body to be carry'd to 〈◊〉 House ne'r the Bastille from whence he was born in great Pomp to St. Pâ—â—d's Church and there buri'd But there was no pursuite after the Murderers because the Duke of Maâ—â— was known to be at the Head of 'em and for that the King was not ignorant that St. Megrin had drawn that misfortune upon himself by his own imprudence tho his Majesty was wont to make him a familiar Companion of his Pleasures Nor was Bussy dâ—Amâ—oise the Duke of Alenson's Favorite more happy then St. Megrin He lov'd Mademoiselle de Manteran for tho he had engag'd himself in a strict Intreague and private enough too with that Lady by the means of the Lieutenant Criminal of Saumur his Confident who took care to manage their Randevoâ—zes whither she thought by such an act to conceal the dishonour of her miscarriage of whither she began to disgust her Lover However she sent for Bussy to meet her in her Castle where she would be alone but as soon as he was arriv'd there the Marquis of Monteraâ— who kept himself private in the next Room fell upon him with ten more of his Friends Bussy who was stout and brave defended himself like a Lyon while his Sword was whole but when they had broken it he threw a way the Hilâ— and with Barrs and Stools such as he could lay hands on wounded three or four of his Enemies When he had nothing to defend himself he bethought himself of taking his Heels and as he was preparing of leap out of the Window he receiv'd a mortal wound which laid him weltering upon the Floor The Duke of Aâ—â—nson was no way concern'd for his death because his excessive Pride and Vanity had disgusted him Some months after there was great rejoying at Court upon the Marriage of the Queens Sister Mademoiselle de Vaudemont with d'Argues whom the King had made Duke of Joyeuse All the Ladies made their appearances in the place most magnificently adorn'd there were Masquerades Balls Runnings at the Ring and Tournaments Ransard and Baif had each of 'em a thousand Crowns a piece for Epithalamiums and Verses upon the Subject of that Festival All the Princes to collogue with the King treated the new marri'd Couple every one in their turn The Cardinal of Bourbon who lodgd in the Abby of St. Germans prepar'd a great entertainment in that place the 10th of October 1581. He had order'd a most stately Gallery to be erected for their Majesties to pass to the Pre aux Clercâ—â— It was to have been drawn by four and twenty small Boates that were to have been cover'd with painted Skins which were to have made 'em appear at a distance like so many Sea Mousters and they were to have carry'd Trumpets Hautboys and Violins which were to have founded and strook up successively several Consorts of Warlike and Rural Musick But this Machine did not take effect So that the King was forc'd to go in his Coach to the Abby But this defect was repair'd by several other Gallantries among which there was an Artificial Garden adorn'd with all the beautiful products of the Spring tho it were in the depth of Winter When the King treated the same Company at the Louvre he caus'd a Ball to be daunc'd which represented the divertisements of Ceres and her Nymphs This Ball was attented by a Carrousel wherein the Horses trampl'd to the sound of several Instruments and an Artificial Firework which darted forth Rockets that as they fell form'd the Cifers of the Duke and Dutches. The next year upon Shrove Tuesday the King ran in Masquerade till six a Clock the next morning committing a thousand Follies For which the Preachers tax'd him in their Sermons with too much freedom Henry the Third being offended at it seal for Rose a Doctor of the Sorâ—onne who had declar'd against that Cavalcade with more heat then any of the rest nevertheless got off at the expence of a sight reprimand For said the King to him Doctor Rose I have suffer'd you for these ten years together to râ—n roaring about the Streets and never said any thing to ye yet here for one fegary at the end of the Carnaval you have mangled my Reputation in your Sacred Pulpit pray be more discreet another time and do so no more The King was also so good natur'd that sending for him again within a few days after he gave him four hunder'd Crowns and ask'd him whither that â—â—m would suffice to buy him Sugar enough to sweeten the bitterness of his Sermons When Hen. III. took his Progress into Guyenne the King of Navarr who went to meet him at Bourdeaux entred into an acquaintance there with the Countess of Gâ—iche the Widow of Philibert Count of Gramont who was Slain at the Siege of la Fere. He found her very Amiable and paid her several visits during his stay in that Province and her company made him a mends for the infiedlity of Madam de Sauve For he found her altogether as sensible of his affection as his first Mistress when he parted from Bourbeaux and besought her not to take it amiss if he â—et her hear from him by Parabese whom he had taken into his Service and whose Sister who was one of the same Province was one of his great Friends The Countess was overâ—oy'd at her having an opportunity to keep a correspondence with the King of Navarr and continu'd it till he came to the Crown As for Henry III. most certain it is that notwithstanding these irregularities of his youth his Subjects would have liv'd happily under his Reign had he not found 'em divided into two Factions extreamly exaâ—perated one against the other when he succeeded his Brother For he was Couragious Eloquent and Liberal even to profusion he lov'd men of Merit and was so naturally inclin'd to mildness that 't was alwaies a Grief to him when he punish'd Intreagues of the Court of France under the Raign of Hen. IV. THE first Person to whâ—m over Heâ—ry IV gave any mark of his affection 〈◊〉 Antonetta de Ponâ— Marchionesâ— of Gâ—erâ—◠〈◊〉 Widow of Henry de Silly Count of Roâ—â—â—â—guyen He saw her in Normandy and fell so passionately in love with her that he altogether forgot the Countess of Guich◠〈◊〉 whom nevertheless he had always a high esteem and never refuâ—'d 〈◊〉 any Kindness when it lay in his Power There was 〈◊〉 difference between those two Ladies thaâ— the first was a Country Lady that had never been at Court and that the seâ—ond had all the delicacy of Wit and Conversation which usually distinguishes persons of the Highest Quality from others The
King's Hands because she had no kindness for him She bid him with a Scornful Aire go and shift his Cloaths if he intended to stay with Her and so somewhat rudely flung out of the Room leaving her Sister to excuse her incivility While the King took this unprofitable Journney the whole Court was in a strange disorder nor did they come to themselves till the King's return disperc'd all their fears He stay'd not at all at Coeuvres finding it in vain to tarry since he could not oblige Mademoiselle d' Estrees to shew him the least Favour However he appear'd for some time with such a Melancholy Countenance that they who saw him so disconsolate thought verily he had lost the half of his Kingdom But coming at length too himself he applied himself to Publick business as he was wont to doe yet not being able to banish from his Heart the ungrateful Mademoiselle d' Estrees he sent word to her Father that 't was his pleasure to admit him into his Privy Council on purpose to oblige him to come to Mante with his whole Family The favour 's which were bestow'd upon the Father oblig'd the Daughter to use the King a little more civily But in regard he was oblig'd to be every hour on Horseback either to execute some Enterprize upon his Enemies or to prevent their Designs he could not be constantly with her During the King's Absence Mademoiselle d' Estrees continu'd her Familiarity with Bellegard nor did she surcease giving an Ear to the Duke of Longueville nor to write to him not to receive Letters from him But as soon as the King had appeas'd the Troubles of his Kingdom he remov'd all his Rivals The Duke of Longueville sacrificing his Love to the Care of his Fortune desir'd his Mistress to put an end to an Intreague which could not but be attended with unluckey Consequences and inconvenient as well for the one as the other he also demanded his own Lâ—tters and offer'd to return those which she had written Mademoiselle d' Estrees was nothing troubl d to consent to this Rupture and appointed the place where to make the exchange And indeed she was very sincere in bringing all the Letters which she had received from the Duke but the Duke was not so ingenious as to bring all the Letters she had written to him but kept the most tender by that same pledge to keep her as it were under a kind of dependency But she was extreamly incens'd at his perfidiousness and to revenge he self did the Duke of Langueville so many ill Offices with the King that finding the Court a place where he receiv'd nothing but new Affronts every day he engaged himself in a treasonable League and was slain making his entry into Dourlans with a Musket from a Volley of Honour that was given him by the Garrison Some there were who accus'd Madam d' Estrees to have hir'd a Soldier to take away his Life who made use of that opportunity nor was it without some probability But notwithstanding all the care which the King took to oblige the Marquiss de Coeuvres by his Favours he could not win him to like well his sedulities to his Daughter fearing least she should compleat the dishonor of his Family of which the Marchioness his Wife had already began to stain the reputation For she like a shameless Woman had follow'd the Marquiss d' Allegre into Auvergne and there liv d with him in a publick Concubinage not minding the scandal or what the world said of her The Marquiss therefore fearing least it should be laid to his charge if Madam d' Estrees should come to lead a Licentious Life resolv'd to marry her to free himself from the trouble of keeping a watch upon her Actions and for a Husband he made choice of Nicholas Damarsal Lord of Liancourt a Gentleman of an Illustrious descent and who had a great Estate but whose mind and disposition were as crooked as his Body Madam d' Estrees was well inform'd of all his defects however she consented to the marriage to free her self from the Tyranny of her Father upon the King's word that he would never permit the Marriage to be consummated But the King being engag'd in an Enterprize which held him longer then he expected could not be present at the Nuptials The new marry'd Lady perceiving the fatal hour approach wherein she was to be deliver'd to the Monster which her Father had made choice of for her Husband and no Galaunt appearing to rescue her from the danger to which she was just ready to be expos'd after she had storm'd a hundr'd times against his negligence and sworn as many times to be reveng'd of him she prepar'd her self to bear the brunt with all the vigour she was capable to shew And finding she was to expect no other assistance but what her own resolution afforded her she so well oppos'd her own reluctancy to the importunities of her Husband that he could not engage her to go to bed with him that night The next day he carry'd her home in hopes he might more easily overcome her obstinacy in a place where he was absolute Master But she took along with her all her kindred that had been invited to the Nuptials and retain'd 'em with her tell the King came to set her at liberty Henry IV. Being arriv'd at the next Village sent for Liancourt to come to him and the convenient Husband went immediately taking his Wife along with him in hopes of drawing some advantage for the raising of his fortune from the King's love for his Wife But alas the King without taking any notice of him set forward in order to the Seige of Chartres Madam de Liancourt went along with him accompani d by her Sister and one of her kinswomen Tho Siege was long which gave the King an opportunity to send for Elizabeth Babou to the Camp She was the Wife of Francis de Escoubleau Marquiss of Sourdis and Aunt to Gabriella d' Estrees and the King was resolv'd to make use of her to be her Neices Governess To very good purpose as it fell out For the Marchioness who was greatly experienc'd in Amorous Affairs gave her Neice such good instruction that she became mistress of all the Kings Affections by her Compliances and obtain'd for the Marquiss of Sourdis the Government of Chartres after the place was taken Hen. IV. Before his Intreague with Mademoiselle d' Estrees had perswaded Queen Margaret his Wife Sister to the three last Kings his Predecessors but somewhat loose in her behaviour to consent to a dissolution of their Marriage under certain conditions Nay the Qâ—een her self was already retir'd to the Castle of Vsson in Auvergne seated upon a steep Mountain and to which she had added all the Fortifications that could render it Impregnable But the King 's Amour delay'd the conclusion of this affair as being afraid least when he was at liberty his Subjects should press him to
Marry her which he could not find in his heart to do in regard it was not lawful for him because she had a Husband Under these circumstances finding it impossible for him to have a Successor he bethought himself of maraying Madam Catherine his Sister with a Prince of the Blood With this design he sent for her to come to him and going as far as the Loire to meet her He presented the Duke of Montpensier to kiss her hand whom he design'd her for a Husband The Princess gave him but a very cold reception whither it were that she did not like his person or that having already surrender'd her heart to the Count of Soissons she could not find room in her breast for another She arriv'd at Dieppe where she met with Madam Gabriella for so was Mademoiselle d Estrees call'd after her Marriage and the more she found her worthy of the Love which her Brother shew'd her the more she hated her She beheld her being in Favour with Envy and to humble her treated her with so much scorn and loftiness that had it been any other person 〈◊〉 could never have bore it However Madam Gabriella complain'd of her contempt to the King and besought him to part ' em But all that the King could do to satisfie his Mistress without disobliging his Sister was to carry Madam Gabriella along with him where-ever he march'd to compleat the Conquest of his Kingdom and to leave his Sister at Dieppe Madam Gabriella who seldom or never stirred from the King began to inform her self in the management of Publick Affairs by the advice of Madam de Sourdis and shew d so quick a Penetration and Judgment in matters of the highest importance that she procured to her self an entrance into the King's Counsels Nor did the Chancellor Chinconi contribute a little to procure her that favour He had conceiv'd a most violent Passion for her nor could he refrain from letting her understand it notwithstanding the gravity which the dignity of his Office exacted from him but doing himself that justice as to be convinc'd that there was no such Charms in his Person that could engage Madam Gabriella to endure his Courtship he had recourse to other means and made himself useful to her in giving her opportunities to satisfie her Ambition But her extraordinary joy to see her self mounted to such a high degree of honour was somewhat allai'd by the news which she receiv'd of her Mothers death who was massaker'd at Issoire in Aâ—vergne by the people that mutini'd against her Lover the Marquiss d' Allegre But she endeavour'd to repair that loss by her Correspondence with Bellegard whom she met in Private yet so warily that the King could never tax her of infidelity tho he had frequent jealousies which she made a shift to dissipate with her Caresses and her Protestations of being insensible to any but himself Nevertheless Fortune found away to discover this mistery notwithstanding all the Precautions which those two Lovers took to avoi'd surprisal The King having lain with Madam Gabriella one night rose very early the next morning to execute some enterprize that he had in his thoughts and left his Mistress a bed where she lay under pretence of some little Indisposition while Bellegard the better to conceal his Game gave out that he was return'd to Mante But so soon as the King was gone Arphure a Confident of Madam Gabriella's commonly call'd la Rouse introduc'd the Duke into a Cabinet of which she her self had only the Key and let him out again so soon as her Mistress was rid of all such persons as were any way suspected to her But while these two Lovers were tasting all the Pleasures that a tender Passion could afford 'em dreaming of no disaster the King who mist his design return'd and by his hasty return put 'em into a strange Confussion However a bad shift was better then none Arphure presently slipt the Duke into her Cabinet where she hid him at first the Door of which was next the Bedside and the Window lookt into the Garden The King had a mind to eat some Sweetmeats and knowing that Arphure kept her Mistresses junkets in that Closet he call'd for the Key Madam Gabriella made answer that la Rousse had it in her Pocket and that she was gone to visit a kinswoman of hers in the Town Upon that the King whose suspitions were but the more exasperated by such a refusal threatend to break open the door and was going to work tho she complain'd that the noise would offend her Head But the King who was resolv'd to be satisfi'd of his doubts made as if he had not heard what Madam Gabriella said and laid on with his Foot against the Dore that Bellegard finding he should be forc'd in his Sanctuary thought it became him to venture Body and Soul to get out of the Bryars and therefore opening the Window out he got and jump'd into the Garden tho he thought it a little to dear to buy his Pleasure at the price of such Catts leaps But fortune happen'd to favour him so far that he got no harm by the fall whether it were that the Ground were moist and yielding or that this fear had dispos'd his body for the danger Arphure who stood Sentinal to see what would become of the business no sooner beheld the Jump and the fair Escape but in she comes sweating and wiping her face with her Handkercher and crying Lord Madam I never dreamt you would have had any occasion for me With that the Crafty Confident open'd the Closet and gave the King what Sweetmeats he desir'd But then surpriz'd to find no body in the Closet he concluded that Bellegard was become invisible while Madam Gabriella embolden'd by his astonishment lay reproaching him and deriding his jealousie at such a rate that she made an absolute triumph of it She told him that surely his love began to coole and that he only sought a pretence to be rid of her but that she would not give him the advantage of quitting her first for that she would e'en prove an honest Wife at length and go home to her Husband The King scar'd with these menaces threw himself at her feet begg'd her Pardon a thousand time and promis'd never to have an ill thought of her more Nor durst he for a long time after shew the least mark of Jealosie for fear she should in earnest take a whimsey so contrary to his Repose While the Court was in this posture the Dutchess of Guise who stay'd at Paris with the Heads of the League sent to desire a Pasport of the King to go to one of her Houses in the Country which the King granted freely and also gave her leave to pass through the Town where he lay Mademoiselle de Guise was glad of the Journey not so much out of Curiosity an Infirmity natural to persons of her Sex as to satifie two opposite Passions She lov'd Bellegard
and hated Madam Gabriella because he was belov'd by her She had a mind to the one in hopes to reingage him and observe the other in hopes to find out some way to be reveng'd of her But for the better understanding of this intreague we must go a little backward for the beginning of this Story While Paris was Beseig'd by the King's Army there were frequent Truces during which all the Courtly Cavaliers met by the sides of the Trenches to discourse and entain the Ladies who to that purpose appear'd upon the Ramparts Annas d' Anglurre Lord of Giury who was in love with Mademoiselle de Guise still made her acquainted with it or else did her some other Civility But she never return'd him any favourable answer because she had some pretentions to the King's heart who had desir'd her Picture and testifi'd an inclination to marry her provided that Marriage would engage the Heads of the League to return to their obedience These hopes of a Crown made her despise all those that durst declare themselves her Lovers But she could not always keep in that haughty mind One day Bellegard suffering himself to be haul'd a long by some of his Friends to one of the most convenient Posts for conversing with the â—â—dies took notice of Mademoiselle de Guise who appear'd so amiable to him that 〈◊〉 could not forbear fixing his eyes a long 〈◊〉 upon her Nor was the Dutchess insensible of it and therefore explaining his staring upon her to her advantage made no question of an absolute Victory over the Dukes Heart She examin'd him afterwards her self and finding him a person worthy to be belov'd she thought it might not be Impossible for her to comfort her self for the loss of those grandeurs to which she had aspired provided she might spend the rest of her days with person for whom she had already so great an inclination Bellegard had been accus'd to have contributed formery to the death the of the Duke of Guise who was murder'd at Blois and Madam de Guise who had been inform'd of it represented Bellegard to her self as a person whom it behov d her to hate but the more she incens'd her heart to hate him the less she found it disposed to obey her but with a strange confusion found that her sentiments for him were quite of another sort Thus Mother and Daughter fell both in love with a Person whom a thousand reasons supported by decency and point of honour oblig'd to detest Mademiselle de Guise well understood that her Mother was her Rivaless and resolved to combat her growing passion or at least to conceal the disorder it had made in her Breast Bellegard on the other side thought it behov'd him to extinguish those thoughts of tenderness which he felt budding in his heart for Mademiselle de Guise or at least to make as if he knew nothing of any such thing for fear least Madam Gabriella who had been the principal support of his fortune should go about to ruin him when she came to understand his unconstancy He knew that Princess had been informâ—d of the reports that ran about to his prejudice concerning the murder at Blois and not being able to indure she should be his enemy tho he gave over all thoughts of being belov'd by her he employ'd some of his friends who kept good Correspondence in the House of Guise to speak in his justification as well to the Mother as to the Daughter Those excuses were so well receiv'd that the Dutchess declar'd to those that spoke in his behalf that she never gave Credit to those Calumnies and forbid her Daughter to accuse the Duke for the future of being concern'd in her Fathers death Nor did Mademoiselle de Guise shew the least reluctancy to obey so pleasing a command so agreeable to reason and experience is the Proverb that Love justifies all things The Dutchesses civilities put Billegard to a new non plus he call'd to mind how Mademoiselle de Guise had answer'd his passionate looks and judg d that it would not be impossible for him to be belov d by her On the other side he laid before himself what a fowl piece of ingratitude it would be to fail in his Fidelity to a Person that prefer'd him before a King greater for his vertue then for the Throne to which his birth had advanc'd him Nevertheless tho Reason Ambition and Honour condemn'd his change he could not find in his heart to extingish a Passion supported by such pleasing hopes nor would he renounce either the one or the other of his Mistresses but took a resolution to serve 'em both at the same time With this design he thought it behovâ—d him to make the best of the Affection which the Dutchess of Guise had for him and to that purpose he frequently sent her Letters or Messages and always receivâ—d obliging answers The Duke of Guise having made his escape out of Prison where he had been confin'd since the death of his Father Bellegard who knew it particularly sent away a Trumpeter to congratulate him and withal gave him two Letters to deliver to both the Princesses The Trumpeter who understood his business slipt into Mademoiselle de Guises hand the Letter that was directed to her unperceiv'd by any body And she because she could not speak to the Messenger as being too strictly observâ—d gave him to understand by an obliging sign that his message no way displeas'd her Of which Bellegard being inform'd by his Trumpeter he receiv'd the news with as much joy as if some considerable happiness had befall'n him This was the condition of these three persons when Madam de' Guise requested the Passport already mention'd Bellegard therefore understanding that the Dutchess was upon the Road intending for Maâ—te perswaded the King to send some body to meet her and obtain'd that permission himself I shall say nothing of what pass'd at that enterview But 't is easie to guess that the Mother let slip no favourable opportunity to give the Duke a full understanding of her Passion and that the Daughter answer'd the Duke's more passionate looks with glances no less tender tho her modesty somewhat ecclips'd the vivacity of ' em When the Dutchess arriv'd at Court she could not forbear praising Madam Gabriella's Beauty but the Princess tho she agreed in her thoughts to every thing her Mother said could not find in her heart to applaud those Charms that disputed with her the possession of an Affection to which she had such great Pretentions On the otherside Madam Gabriella after she had cast her eyes sometimes upon Bellegard sometimes upon Mademoiselle de Guise felt in her self a kind of secret vexation to find the Princess so lovely So that the two Rivalesses shew'd as much coldness one for the other as it was possible for 'em to express without failing in those Civilities which it behov'd 'em to pay each other mutually to avoid rudeness More then that Mademoiselle
de Guise being in the Circle toward Evening told Bellegard whom she perceiv d attending her Chair after she had sometime consider'd Madam Gabriella that she did not believe her so Beautiful as Fame had publish'd her To which the Duke durst return no answer for fear of being over-heard by his former Mistress who was not far from him The King who was inform'd of the love which the Dutchess of Guise had for Bellegard readily apprehended that if he had any complaisance for her 't was only for fear least she should perceive the Passion which he had for her Daughter And this judgement which the King made of his Amours prov d two ways to the Dukes advantage For it dissipated the jealous sentiments which the King had of Madam Gabriella for whom he had a greater kindness then ever and it made him utterly renounce his design of marrying Mademoiselle de Guise So that Bellegard was at liberty to continue unmolested in his Intreague with both his Mistresses He would have been too happy could he but have cur'd Madam Gabriella of her jealousie as well the King But she was too quicksighted and had too much interest to pry into his Conduct to be so easily deceiv'd She was soon sensible of the Services which he paid to Mademoisselle de Guise and the disgust she took would not permit her to taste the Pleasure which the King's credulity would otherwise have afforded her if her thoughts had been more at liberty Mademoiselle de Guise obsev'd in her turn the restlessness of Madam Gabriella and whither it were that she thought by augumenting it to oblige her to an absolute Repture with Bellegard or that out of meer vanity she took delight to make known the Power of her Charms she no longer kept her self within Bounds but affected before her Rivallessees face to give the Duke all the marks of affection that could foment her Jealousie 'T is true that she thought she did her no unjustice in depriving her of the Duke since she had taken the King's heart from her Nevertheless things were not equal For it is certain that Madam Gabriella would have renounc'd with little trouble all the interests of Fortune provided she might have met with her satisfaction in point of Love The Dutchess of Guise after she had stay'd a day at Court and obtain'd a Neutrality for the House where she desir'd to spend the Summer took her leave of his Majesty But Madam Gabriella could not pardon her Daughter for the attempt she made upon her Lovers Heart so that she would not see either the one or the other at their departure under pretence of being indispos'd Bellegard and the Chiefest part of the Grandees of the Court attended her a great way nor did they return till next morning Madam Gabriella gave the Duke a very cold reception which did not a little perplex him for he knew well that it would be a difficult thing to enter into so strict a Correspondence with Mademoiselle de Guise so long as the War continu d and that consideration made him fear the loss of his former Mistress the satisfaction of whose company would make him some amends for the absence of his new Mistress He upbraided himself with his own indiscretion and he had sometimes the leisure to repent of his being unfaithful to little purpose But if Bellegard felt a Tempest in his Breast the Dutchess of Guise enjoy'd as little Tranquility She could not live remote from him who took up all her thoughts and therefore to remove all obstacles that kept her from his Company she perswaded her Son to treat with the King of which she gave advice to the King by a Courrier sent on purpose Hen. IV. who desierd nothing so much as to bring back his Subjects to their Duty by acts of Mildness especially this young Prince for whom he had a value and whom he knew to have a great interest among the Leaguers accepted the Proposal and made choice of Bellegard to negotiate with the Dutchess Of which Madam Gabriella having notice she endeavour'd to get another appointed in his Room representing to the King that the Duke was a young man without experience who would never be able to carry on such an Employment besides that his Mediation would not be so pleasing to the Son as to the Mother On the other side Bellegard who passionately desir'd to see his new Mistress Mademoiselle de Guise made use of all his Credit with the Dâ—ke of Neverse President of the King's Council to confirm the King in his first design Nor did the Duke stand in need of much Eloquence to perswade the King to it for inregard the King well knew that Madam Gabriella acted upon the account of jealousie the same Passion hinder'd him from yielding to her Reasons Well at length the Duke set forward but his Journey prov'd not so successful as he promis'd to himself For Paris being return'd to her obedience the King who saw the Leagures Party utterly ruin'd refus'd to grant the Duke of Guise those Conditions which he demanded However Bellegarde would not be discourag'd and being well seconded by the Duke of Nevers he oblig d the King to grant the Duke of Guise a very advantagious accommodation Which being concluded the Duke came to kiss the King's hand at Mante and was graciously receivâ—d Afterwards he went to Madams Apartment in whose eye he appear'd so handsome that she thought she could do no less then prefer him before the Count of Soisson's 1596. Madam Gabriella finding that Bellegarde had made an accomodation for the Duke would needs make another for the Duke of Main in hâ—pes he might be useful to her in a design which she had to marry the King To that purpose she caus'd an offer to be made him of her Service and he promis'd to employ'd all the Credit of the League to advance her to the Throne The first thing she did was the obtaining leave for the Duke to retire to Chalonâ— together with a General Truce for all his Party and having gain'd the President Jeannin who by the King's order negotiated that Accommodation she caus'd the King to pass a good number of Articâ—oâ— that would have been very hardly admitted without her recommendation Sometime after the King set forward in order to besiege Laon and during his absence Madam Gabriella was brought to â—ed of Caesar Duke of Vendosme Of which when the King receiv'd the news at the Camp he was pleas d to testifie his joy for the Birth of a Son by Creating his Mistress Marchâ—o less of Beaufort Upon his Return Madam Gabriella labour'd in good earnest to encline him to the Marriage which she desir'd And because that in order to bring it to pass there was a necessity of breaking the Contract which the King had made with Queen Margaret she endeavour d to gain the Consent of that Princess But they who spoke to her about it found her no way dispos'd to give her
whether I have added or diminish'd in any thing choosing rather to omit some Circumstances then to repeat all her Follies For such is the real name that ought to be given to her jealousies and her Extravagant Amorous furies which began with Bonnivet and have continu'd ever since Who could ever have suspected the Daughter of one of the greatest and wisest King 's upon the Earth to have been guilty of so much unworthiness Nevertheless of a Queen she is become a Dutchess and of the Lawful Wife of a King of France a Passionate Lover of one of her meanest Officers But tho' she observes no measures in satisfying her inordinate desires she thinks to dazle the Eyes of the world by prophaneing the most August Mistery of our Religion Three times a Week she approaches the Holy Table with Lipps as much adulterated as her Heart with a Countenance daub'd with Black and Red and her Neck lay'd bare down to her Shouldâ—rs Her Dotage upon Pomeni was attributed to some Charm because she always wore between her Skin and her Shift a Blew Silk Purse hanging in a string from her Neck wherein was a Silver Box upon which several unknown Characters were Engrav'd She opend it in the Presence of some her Friends who saw her own Picture at one end and the Tinker's at the other She told them with Tears in her Eyes that she was never to open it but at such certain Times and to keep it till her death Nor is this the first time that extraordinary things of which we can give no true Reason have been ascrib'd to Supernatural Causes The same thing is reported of the Dutchess of Valentinois that she was only beholding to Magick for the great Ascendant which she had over Henry II. the Queen of Navarrs Father No body knows it better then this Lascivious Woman They who read these Heroick Actions of Hers for she will never want Historians will admire her obstinacy in Vice which neither Age nor the abatement of her Charmes nor the Affronts which she receiv'd could ever vanquish They will agree that so vertuous a Life ought to be enregister'd in the Temple of Paphos to serve as a Model to those who desire to enrol themselves in the Famous Corporation of the Daughters of Cyprus 'T is true that some there were who thinking she had the Purse and soul of a Queen Dedicated Books to her and in their Panegyries ascrib'd those Virtues to her which she never had But they had as good have let 'em alone for long Tradition far more like to last from Father to Son for many Ages will give 'em the lye and convince the world not only of their sordid flattery but their vile Imposture besides the reproach that they are like to undergo from those that shall read their Writings after their Decease But which was worse they did but labour in vain in this Life as being all of 'em frustrated of their great Hopes and Expectations for that never any body boast of her Liberality but all Men complain'd of her Ingratitude Her most favour'd Paramours were never enrich d with her presents and the Prisons are full of those that she has Ruind She has been sometimes seen to have been Prodigal of her Almes but never willingly paid her Debts she had always so little respect for Religion that she never was at a Sermon but she slept at Vespers but she talk'd all the while never at Mass without a Paramour by her side She gives away to my cost the Tenths of her Rents and Pensions to the next Monasteries but she detaines the Wages of her Servants and the price of the Goods which People trust her with for the support of her House-keeping She minds nothing but outward shew and Vanity but in her heart she has not the least Sence either of Honour or Piety I thought to have finish'd this Manifesto with a Description of her Inclinations but Bajomon stops me and enforces me to give him a dash of my Pencil This fellow the greatest sot that ever appear'd at Court was introduc d by Madam Danglure instructed by Madam Roland and Le Maire compleated the Polishing of him This Man she had made her Idol tho' He had been cuft by de Lone the Son of a Procter of Bourdeaux and she had taken care of his fortune to prevent his ending his days in an Hospital I shall not enter any farther into the particulars of their Amours there being nothing in 'em to be observ'd but what is base and below the honour of a Queen It behoves me now to draw the Curtain out of a remainder of value for her and so end this Story that I may not be tedious to the Reader I shall only pray to God to touch their hearts and shed down upon em his effectual Grace without which they can never hope to be recoverd from that blindness which now obscures their understandings Tho' we may well judge by this Manifesto that the King could not be refus'd the Divorce which he demanded yet in regard they are very slow at Rome in the dispatch of Affairs therefore the King to oblige the Countess of Beaufort to awaite the success of that Negotiation with more Patience he erected the Signioriy which bore that Name in a Dukedome and Peerage Sometime after this the new Dutchess became a fourth time quick with Child which encreas'd the King's Love for her and his Impatience to enjoy her under the Justifications of the Law For which reason he wrote very earnestly to Silleri not to omit any thing that might contribute to a quick dispatch of the Affair whe rewith he was intrusted year 1598 Tho' the King had utterly ruin'd the Party of the Leaguers yet the Duke of Mercoeur would not make his Accomodation but throwing himself into the Arms of the Spaniards he headed a Powerful Party in Bretaign where he propos'd to make himself Soveraign but most of his strong holds being reduc d he found there was no way for him to escape but by imploring the Kings Clemency Therefore to obtain his Pardon he had recourse to the Dutchess Beaufort who offer'd him her Protection provided he would give his Daughter to the Young Duke of Vendome her Eldest Son Thereupon the Duke of Mercoeur who expected a higher match for his Daughter sent Mary of Luxemburgh his Wife to Court with orders to offer His Majesty full power to dispose of his Daughter to what Prince he pleas'd in hopes by that Artifice to elude the Pretensions of the Dutchess but she was too cunning to fall into that Snare and prevail d with the King not to give eare to Madam de Mercoeur till the Marriage was concluded Which done she made the Dukes Accomodation who came to kiss the Kingâ—s Hands at Anger 's where the Cardinal de Joyeuse perform'd the Ceremony of Betrothing the Young Couple with great Pomp and Magnificence So soon as the Dutchess had so lay'd her design that she was in
to come and repose himself at her House in his Return from Hunting The King who had heard much talk of Mademoiselle d' Entragues's Beauty willingly fell into the Snare which was laid for his Liberty and accepted the Marchionesse's Offer He found the Eldest of her Daughters to be a Thousand times handsomer then she was represented and therefore not being able to quit her so soon he remain'd for some days at Malherbe with those that were his chiefest Considents During his stay the two Young Mademoiselle's Sate at his Table and lay near his Apartment This little Court remov'd afterwards to Hallier and Madam d' Entragues to Chenaut whether the King went to Visit her every day that he might have the pleasing Opportunity to discourse his new Mistress After the Marchioness was return'd to Paris the King went to Orleans where he arriv'd upon St. John's Eve There he met the Marshal de la Chastre's Lady with her two Daughters but tho thy were very lovely they could not stop him any longer then two days He took post for Paris and alitt at the Hostel de Gondy that he might be so much the nearer to Mademoiselle de Entragues who lodg'd at the Hostel de Lyon The King often sent his Compliments to her by the Count de Ludâ— but the Father and her Brother who had not so much Complacency for the King's Affection as the Mother told his Agent very surlily that they took amiss his bringing messages to their House that dishonour'd their Family and desir'd him to forbear coming anymore Nor did the Marquiss think it sufficient to have quarrel'd with the Count he order'd his Horses to be put in the Coach and carry'd away his Daughters to Marcoussis The King being inform'd of it rode post thither some few days after faining to take that Rode in his way to Blois now in regard his journey to Blois was only a pretence to cover his journey to Marcoussis the King staid their but a very few days and return d Post to Paris He alitt at the President Verdun's where he call'd for a bed but he was no sooner retir'd to his Chamber but Bourigueux who lay in his Chamber rose and committed a thousand extravagances for the heat of the Sun had lain upon his head all day as he rode with his Majesty and had turn'd his Brains The King surpriz d at his ravings would have lockt him up in his Chamber but not finding himself strong enough he call d for help and after they had got the madman out of the Room he went to Bed retaining la Roquelaure with him all night Now in regard the King had no attendants at Paris he din'd at the Presidents and sup'd with some Prince or other Lord of the Court as the fancy led him never giving 'em notice of his coming to avoid expences But his Ministers fearing least a fancy should take him to marry Mademoiselle de Entragues who was no less ambitious then the Dutchess of Beaufort perswaded him to mind only his Interest and the good of the Kingdom in the choice of a Wife To that purpose they propos'd to him Marie de Medicis the Grand Dukes Daughter and he consented that they should demand her in Marriage giving Silleri Commission to mannage the business with the Pope During this Negotiation they endeavour'd to bring him off from Medamoiselle de Entragues who disputed her Ground with him Inch by Inch. Nor had he obtain d any other then slight favours hitherto whither he could not find an opportunity to compleat his Conquest or whither she thought to make him the more eager and inflame him the more by affected resistance to find his affection employment They perswaded him to spend one night at Zamet with Mademoiselle de Glandee whose vertue was not so morose as that of Madam de Entragues Bâ—t fortune would not let him long quietly enjoy â—he pleasure which they had procur'd him For he was no sooner laid in his Bed but he heard the clattering of Swords upon the Stairs He presently call'd and Bassompirre went to him whom he ask d the reason of that noise and understood that Bellegarade and the Prince of Joynville afterwards call'd Duke of Cheureuse had quarrell'd about some pretences and discourses which the latter pretended that Bellegarde had had with his Majesty about Mademoiselle de Entragues and him That they had drawn their Swords that the Prince of Jonyville had receiv'd a wound in his Buttocks and that the Vidam Dumans was dangerously wounded in going about to part ' em Upon that the King rose in his night Gown and taking his Sword in his hand hasten'd down Stairs preceded by Bassompierre who carri'd a light before him But he met with no body but Praslin who had shut the doors of the Houfe the two duellers being retir'd The King was extremely offended and sent the same night for the first President to come to him the next morning together with the Parlament Accordingly that Illustrious Body attended the King the next morning at Zamet House where they receivd orders to take the Quarrel into examination and to do Justice Flessevin and de Turin Counsellours of the great Chamber were appointed to draw up the Informations and took the Depositions of Cramail Bazaut Chasseran and Bassompierre But the Dutchess of Guise and the Princess her Daughter being informd of these Proceedings made use of all their Credit to put a stop to em and obtain d a Supersedeas from the King during which time the Constable made up the accommodation at Constans Sometime after the King return d to Blois fro whence he pass'd on to Chenonceaux to give Queen Louise a visit and there he saw Mademoiselle de Bourdaisiere Maid of Honour to that Princess who found some work for his Heart Madâ—â—â—â—â—â—lle de Entragues having notice fo all these Intreagues and fearing least the King should escape her at length resolv'd to be less severe The King frequently visited her at Malherbe where he obtain d the full of his desires and lodg'd her in the Horâ— d' Aâ—chand When he return'd to Paris towardâ— the end of Autumn she became big with Child and went to lye in at Monceaux whither the King carry d her himself protesting that he lov d her so well as to Marry her But she hurt her self by an unlucky accident so that a dead Child being torn from her Body she lay a long time in a very sad condition But at length she recoverd her health through the care which the King took of her hardly ever leaving her till he saw the effects of the remedies which were given her When she was in a condition to go abroad she understood there was a Treaty going on at Rome for the Marriage of the King with Marie de Medecis which put her into such a violent Rage that forgetting all her obligations to the King and all the marks of friendship which she had rcceiv'd from him she treated him with
that indignity which no other Lover would have brook'd But he was so far from finding his Passion for her abated by such her extravagant behaviour that he heap'd new favours upon her and made her Marchioness of Vernueil While the King was labouring to pacifie his Mistress the Duke of Savoy arriv'd at Court He had engag'd himself when the Dutchess of Beaufort was living to take that journey in hopes by her Mediation to put an advantageous end to the differences between him and his Majesty concerning the Marquisate of Saluces But when he heard of the Dutchesses death which broke all his measures he would fain have excus'd himself but then it was too late because he had made too far a Progress to go back He was well receiv'd by the King and in regard he knew the Ladys had a prevailing power in a Court so amorosly inclin'd as that of France he made most Magnificent Presents to the Fairest as well as to the Courtiers who were their Masters greatest Confidents which gave a beginning to a Conspiracy that brake forth afterwards However his Artifices took no effect so that he was constrain'd to return without obtaining any thing The King who was absolutely resolv'd to recover the Marquisate of Saluces gave orders for his Forces to march toward the Frontiers of Savoy and after he had taken his leave of the Ladys at Paris he went to Lyon In the mean time seeing his Marriage with Marie de Medicis had been solomniz'd by vertue of his procuration which Bellegarde carried and for that Viego de Vrsini Duke of Bracciano had Espousd her in the Kings name the Princess was brought to Marseilles whither she was conducted by Elizabeth de Medicis her Aunt the same Dukes Wife and Eleanor de Medicis Wife of Vincent I. Duke of Mantoua and Jordano de Vrsini her Cousin-German 'T is reported that Jordan had had those tender sentiments of Affection for her which no way became so near a Relation She was receiv'd at her landing by the Cardinals of Joyeuse Gondy Giury and Sourdis by the Constable Montmorancy by the Chancellor Bellieure and by the Duke of Guise Governour of the Province by the Dutchesses Dowager of Nemours and Guise and by several other Ladys The Marchionses of Vernueil had always follow'd the Court but when she understoâ—d that the Queen was arriv'd at Lyon she return'd to Paris because she would not be present at a Ceremony that ruin'd all her hopes The Constables two Daughters were at the Marriage and the Dutchess of Ventadour who was the youngest kindl'd a Flame made no long stay at Court this new Passion extinguisht assoon as that which he had for tâ—e Queen being obligd to separate from both without any hopes of ever seeing 'em again Nor was Vrsini the only person that fell in Love with that Charming Dutchess The Dukes of Guise and Epernon offer d their Sevices to her at the same time and quarrell'd so violently dnring that Rivalship that the King was constrain'd to interpose in order to make an accommodation between 'em tho he had somthing of an inclination to have become their Rival himself There was also â— quarrel about precedency between Madam de Ventadour and Mademoselle de Guise and tho' expedients were found to satisfie the Pretensions of both Parties yet it was impossible to sweeten that same tartness which the jealousie of Beauty had created between ' em The King publickly declar'd that he was very well fatisfi'd with his marriage but the change of his condition had not alter'd his sentiments for Madam de Vernucil to whom be sent frequent Messages And those marks of friendship which she receiv'd at a time when she had the least reason to expect 'em made her so proud that she could not forbear talking of the Queen in terms that were no way conformable to that respect which she ow d her Of which the Princess was inform'd and declar'd her self to be extremely sensible of the Affront And this hatred of Madam Vernevil which she publickly discover'd form'd two factions at the Court the one declaring for the Queen and the other for the King's Mistress An. 1600. The King after he had conquer'd alll Savoy and concluded an Accommodation with the Duke by the exchange of la Bresse for the Marquisate of Saluces through the Mediation of the Legate who was come to Lyon to give the second Nuptial Benediction took Post Horses for Paris Nevertheless he took Barge Rouanne and went by Water down the Loire as far as Briare from whence he came to lie at Fontain Bleau the next day din'd at Ville Neuve St. George from whence crossing the Sâ—ine below the Tuilleries for the red Bridge was not then built he lay at Vernueil accompanid only by four persons but he stai'd not there above three days and then return'd to Paris He lodg'd at Monglas's in the Cloyster of St. Nicholas du Leuvre where he had always the Ladies at Supper with five or Six Princes and his Favorites The Queen departed from Lyon almost as soon as he but she travelle'd more slowly and met by the way the Ladies that were to serve her in the imployments of her Houshould The Dutchess of Nenours was made Superintendent Madam de Guerckeville Lady of Honour and Madam de Richlieu Lady Dresser But the Queen would by no means permit the latter to do her duty as having already design'd Eleanor Galigay for that Employment who had serv'd her along time and to whom she had promis'd the Place However the business was to remain undetermin'd till the King should put an end to the dispute which however was no small vexation to the Queen But it caus'd a far grater Heart-burning within her when she was constrain'd to send back into Italy all the Persons that had accompanid her so that the Ladys who were plac'd about her were soon sensible of the effects of her disquieted humour Upon which Madermoiselle de Guise who had no kindness for the Marchioness of Vernueil endeavour'd to perswade the Queen that it was an effect of her Counsels and pretended to share so deeply in the Queens discontents that she insinuated her self by that means into her favour The King rode to meet the Queen as far as Nemours changing Horses threescore times He carry'd her to Fontain Bleau where after he had stai'd five or six days he accompani'd her to Paris where he lodg'd her in Gondy House because the Loure was not then in a condition to receive her The same day the King commanded the Dutchess of Nemours to waite upon the Marchioness of Vernueil at her Lodgings and present her to the Queen Fain would that prudent Princess have excus'd her self from such an ungrateful Office which was the only way to incur the loss of her Credit with her Mistress but the King would be obey'd Thereupon she carried her to the Queen who was surpriz'd to see her and gave her but a very cold Reception The
his Heroick Vertues his Birth and Soveraign Dignity had rais'd him above all other Men. The good King who suffer'd himself to be easily over-rul d by persons that offer'd to him the Incense of flattery return'd Madam Villars a thousand thanks and promis'd her the acknowledgment of so great a piece of Service So soon as she was gone he sent the Count de Lude to Madam de Vernucil with orders to upbraid her with her Infidelity and to tell her in his name that he never intended to see her more She was extreamly surprâ—z'd at this Compliment yet in the midst of her inward disorders shew d no sign of any outward discomposure She answerd with a kind of indifferency that as she had done nothing to offend the King she could not divine the reason for incurring his displeasure only she hop'd that Heaven would do her justice by bringing the mistery to light and revenging her upon those who had infus'd into his Majesty a bad opinon of her conduct and so saying she withdrew into her Cabinet to hide the confusion of her thoughts Some days after Bellegarde having discover'd the prejudice which Madam de Villars had done the Marchioness of Vernueil bent all his thoughts which way to salve the business not so much out of any value for that Lady or the Prince of Joyinville for whom he had no kindness but for the sake of his Sisters interest and thus he went about it He knew that the Duke of Guise had a Secretary that counterfeited all manner of Characters perfectly well and therefore he agreed with the Prince of Joyinville that he should acknowledge he had made use of that mans Art to counterfeit Madam de Vernueils hand by concert with Madam de Villars who mortally hated the Marchioness The King's Mistress having notice of this design sent to beseech his Majesty that she might be permitted to justifie her self which he scrupl'd at first to do as not imagining which way she could be innocent Nevertheless he gave her a visit at what time the Marchioness express'd her self so movingly and gave him those plausible reasons for the proof of her Loyalty that he suffer'd himself to be deluded by outward appearances He sent the Prince of Joyinville to serve against the Turks in Hungary banish d Madam de Villars into the Country where he confin'd her to one of her own Mannours and sent the Secretary to Prison This is that which many times befalls people that will be officiously busying themselves to make discoveries to their Masters when they never desire it Madam de Villars was separated from a Lover whom she tenderly Lov d and shamefully banish'd from the Court at a time that she thought to have tryumph'd over her Rivaless During these Broyls the Queens hatred of the Marchioness of Vernucil publickly brake out for in regard she thought she had been utterly lost in the Kings Affection she left nothing omitted to compleat her Ruin nor could they ever from that time forward be reconcil'd again The Marchioness did the Queen all the ill Offices she could devise and the Queen who was inform'd of it spair'd not in all places to manifest the Marks of her Resentment which divided the whole Court. On the Otherside the King tyr'd out with these Dissentions began to pay his Visits again to Mademoiselle de Bourdaistere whith whom he had been formerly in Love but he was soon a weary of her and therefore marry d her to the Count d' Estampes After that he took to Jaqueline de Bueil Countess of Moret who had been bred up in the Princess of Conde s House 1602. The Marchioness of Vernueil being inform'd of all these Intreagues was so terribly incens'd that the suffer'd herself to be perswaded into a Treaty with Spain and a Conspiracy against the King with the Count of Anvergne her Brother by the Mother's side Which Negotiation could not be carry'd so secret but that the King had knowledge of it nevertheless he would not presently make use of the Rigour of Justice He offer d the Count of Anvergne his Pardon provided he would come to Court and acknowledge his Crime But the Count refus'd to confide in his Clemency which was the reason that the King order'd him to be Apprehended D Eâ—re Murat and Norestan who had the Kings Warrant stopt him at Clermont in Anvergne under pretence of shewing him a Review of the Duke of Vendomes Reigment and there Seiz'd him A certain Lay that Lov'd him was so afflicted for him that she made use of all her Artifice and Cunning to have procur'd his Escape as they carry d' him by water to Paris but her designs took no Effect The Marquiss d' Entragues was clapt into the Conciergiere and Madam de Vernueil was arested by the Chavalier Daguet in Audicourt House in St. Pauls Street were she lodg'd and was kept under Guard These three Persons were also Impeach'd and the Proofs being found sufficient Madam de Vernueil was Condemn'd to be strongly guarded to the Abby of Beaumont les Tours there to spend the rest of her days and her Father and Brother to have their Heads cut off which Sentence was afterwards chang'd into perpetual Imprisonment During the Disgrace of the Marchioness of Vernueil Hen. IV. had a greater kindness for the Queen and liv'd very lovingly with her â— Mademoiselle de Guise also who was become his Favorite took advantage of this favourable Conjuncture to procure an Establishment of her Fortune and wrought with His Majesty to consent to her Marriage with Francis of Bourbon Prince of Conti. And soon after the King who could meet with no body at Court that was worthy of his Affections renew'd his Friendship with the Marchioness of Vernâ—â—l whom he Visited with that Privacy that the Queen had no knowledge of it but so soon as she discoverd the new Familiarity she carry'd her Râ—â—â—tment so high that she forbad all the Lady's that should offer to visit the Marchioness to come to her Court The King to asswage her Transports forbore Visiting Madam de Vernueil for some time and in the mean time to imploy his Amorous Heart he Courted Catherine de Lorrain the Duke of Maines Daughter and Wife to Charles Duke of Nevers a Princess of great Virtue who had a very great Honour for His Person but would by no means comply with his Passion The King that he might detain her at Court took for his Pretence the Christning of the Dauphin to whom the Dutchess of Montoua and Nevers were Cousin Germans Nor could the Dutchess of Nevers in point of Decency refuse to be present at the Ceremony But the more the King sought opportunity 's to discourse her in Private the more she took care to avoy'd 'em tho' sometimes her precautions prov d fruitless by reason of that respect which she was oblig'd to bear to a Lover of his Quality The King however thought he might bring about his design if he did but remove
the Duke of Nevers and therefore sent him to Rome to obtain his Absolution but the Dutchess would follow him notwithstanding all that the King could do to hinder her And because the Duke was forc d to stay at Rome about a Year he had time to Cure himself of his Passion and publickly declar'd at the return of the Dutchess that he found her very much alter'd for the worse Nor was she troubl'd in the least at the King 's ill opinion of her Beauty but pay'd him the same Civility s as she had done before 1604. After her departure the King finding himself constrain d to return to his Mistress divided his Heart between the Marchioness of Vernueil and the Countess of Moret and in regard they had each of 'em Favorites the one being belov'd by the Duke of Guise the other by the Prince of Joyinvâ—lle they suffer d the Partition without any Jealousie The King being arriv d at Buzanci after he had reduc d Sedad dispatch d Bassompierre to Queen Margaret to compliment her upon the death of Juliendat whom she tenderly loy'd and withal gave the Marquiss two Letters to his two Mistresses Bassompierre in the discharge of his Trust began with the Marchioness of Vernueil because her Sister with whom he had an Intreague lay at her House and was so indiscreet as to tell her that he had a Letter for the Countess of Moret The Marchioness curious as all Women are would needs see it and order'd Mademoiselle d' Entragues to lay her Commands upon him to give it her What can a Man deny a Woman that he loves Bassompierre therefore betray'd his Master to gratifie his Mistress and deliverd into her hands the Letter which he had for Madam de Moret The Marchioness after she had read it return'd it to him again and told him he might easily save himself from any trouble by causing a Seal to be made like the King 's and so closing up the Letter as it was before Bassompierre follow'd her advice and sent his Valet de Chambre betimes next Morning to a Graver to make a new Seal But as illuck would have it the Servant apply d himself to the very same Workman who had made the King's The Graver suspecting there was some great Mistery in the Business took the Letter under pretence of examining the Impression and at the same time falling upon the Lad took him by the Collor in order to stop him but the Boy being too strong for Turpin that was the Gravers Name rescu'd himself out of his hands and leaving his Hat and Cloak behind him ran away as fast as his Legs could carry him afraid he should have been hang'd had he been taken Bassampierre order'd his Valet to be hid out of the way and immediately hastning too the Countess of Moret told her that he had inadvertently open'd a Letter which he brought her from the King mistaking it for a Billet which he had receiv'd from a Lady and therefore fearing to be accus'd either of design or Curiosity he intended to have Seal'd it again with the imitation of the King's Signet and then up with the story of Tarpin and his Servant and desir'd her to send to the Graver and demand the Letter The Countess never diving farther into the Matter only laught at the Accident and immediately sent to Turpin for the King's Letter but he sent her word that he had parted from it and deliver d it to the President Seguier who was President of the Criminal Court Now in regard that neither the Countess nor Bassumpierre could tell how to deal with the President in whom they had no Interest and astern man besides they thought it convenient to address themselves to Madam Lomenie to the end that by her Credit she might stiffle the business either by getting the Letter out of the Presidents Hands or by obliging her Husband who was then Secretary of State to give such an account of it to the King as might excuse the Marquiss Bassompierre having taken his leave of the King went to Madam de Lomenie whom he found very busie in preparing dispatches for the Court She pray'd him therefore to sit down till she had finish d a Letter which she was writing to her Husband The Marquiss suspecting that that same very Letter might relate to Turpin's Adventure ask'd her if there had happen'd any thing new and so urgent that she could not give him a Minuites time to speak with her to whom Madam de Lomenie made answer that some body had been attempting to Counterfit the King's Signet but that by misfortune the Criminal had made his escape and that all that could be done was to secure the Letter which was Writt'n with the King 's own Hand that she was writing to her Husband that he would understand from the King's Lips to whom it was dire ed and with whom he had entrusted it by which means the mistery would be easily unfolded adding withal that she would have given 2000 Crowns to have had a more certain khowledg of the Truth Bassompierre tell a laughing to see her make such a mighty business of such a Trifle as that wash and told her that he would satisfie her at a cheaper Rate and with that he told her the whole story as he had related it to the Countess of Moret Madam de Lomenie who was Bâ—ssompierre's intimate Friend as well as her Husband promis d to pacifie the Business provided he would go to Villiers Cotret where the King was to be the next Morning and trouble himself with another dispatch which she was sending to her Husband upon the same Subject to give him a particular account of what she had heard Bassompierre accepted the Condition and having got an answer to the Letter which he had deliver'd to Madam Vernueil and to that which the Countess had not receiv'd he departed for Villiers Coâ—ret and found the King already arriv'd and laughing with the Coyntess at the Adventure and the trouble she had put the Marquiss to Some days after the King went to St. Germains with the Queen the Princess of Conti and the Duke of Montpensier and as they were crossing the Water in the Ferry-Boat of Neuilli the Coach overturn'd in the River The King and the Duke escap'd drenching because they leap'd in time out of the Boot but the Ladys were in great danger of being Drown d. The Marchioness of Vernueil being inform'd of the accident told the King by way of Raillery the first time he came to Visit her that so soon as she had seen the King's Person safe she would have cry'd out The Queen Drinks Which unlucky flowt being carry'd to the Queen She was so incens'd at it that in fifteen Days she would not speak to the King so that there was much ado to reconcile ' em After their reconciliation there was a Ball propos d wherein the Queen was desirous to be one of the Masquers herself but upon the King's
Request that the Marchioness might Dance amongst the rest the Queen broke off the Match But the Friendship between the King and the Countess was not of long continuance Her Intreague with the Prince of Joyinville with which his Majesty had been acquainted having set 'em at Variance only when she had nothing else to say for herself she endeavour d to excuse it by saying the Prince had promis'd her Marriage Of which the King desirous to be satisfy'd sent for the Dutchess of Guise and blaming the Imprudence of her Son threaten'd to punish him if he relaps'd into the same miscarriage and if he did not repair the fault he had commited by marrying the Countess adding withal that he could well endure the having his Mistresse's sought for in Marriage but that he would not permit the covering of Criminal Intreagues under that Vaile and that if he were any thing indulgent to the Prince of Joyinville t was for love of her that was his Mother But the Dutchess naturally haughty took amiss the King's Civilities and answer'd him in such a manner as highly provoak'd him In that ill humour he commanded the Prince of Joyinville to be seiz'd but he made his Escape upon notice that had been given him of the King's Anger His Parents endeavour'd to pacifie His Maiesty but they could obtain nothing more but only that his rash Miscarriage should be pardon'd provided he departed the Kingdom never to return again Which Order he obey'd nor was he recal'd from his Exile till the next Reign And now the King to make himself amends for the Disloyalty of the Countess of Moret would needs knit an Intreague with the Dutchess of Montpensier who had been a Widow some few months And because she was then in the Countrey he order'd the Count of Cramail her Neighbour to make her the first Overture The Count sounded the foard but with a design to make himself the advantage of it but finding her no way inclin'd to act any thing contrary to her Honour he said nothing at all to her All that he could do for the King s satisfaction was to engage her to come to Court Nor was the King more successful and therefore seeing no hopes of prospering in his Enterprize he gave it â—â—ite over Madam de Vernueil knew so well how to make her best advantage of the King 's Melancholy upon the ill success of his other Amours that she triumph d over all her Rivals tho' the Countess of Moret within a few dayes after was brought to Bed of a Son who was the same Antony of Bourbon Count of Moret who in the next Reign was slain at the Battel of Castelnauari fighting in the Duke of Montmorency s Army More then this the Marchioness thinking to increase the King's Passion by rowsing his jealousie spread abroad a Report that the Duke of Guise had a desire to Marry her and had caus'd the Banes to be publish'd unknown to that Prince who never thought of her but address'd all his Vows to Madam d' Entragues her Sister Nevertheless he was not at all belov d by Her For Bassompierre who was the sole possessor of all her Affections spent whole Nights with her almost every four and twenty Hours He ascended through a Private Door that open d into the Cutlter's Street in the third Story of his House which he had caus'd an unknown Friend to hire and she met him by a back pair of Stairs when Her Mother was a Sleep 1607. The King being inform'd that some body slipt in every Night into Madam d' Entragues's Lodgings thought it had been the Duke of Guise and that he went to Visit the Marchioness of Vernueil Thereupon he spoke to the Prince about it who appear'd so astonishd that the King perceiving his Innocence by the marks of Amazement which he discover'd in his Countenance and entrusted him to make the Discovery Upon that the Duke of Guise set his Spies to work the same Night who saw Bassompierre make his Entrance but could not tell who he was because he was wrapt up in his Cloak upon which nevertheless they could discern the Order of the Holy Ghost upon it That Cloak belong'd to Bellegard only he had lent it to the Marquiss by reason of a showre of Rain that fell just after they had sup'd The Spies therefore abus'd by that appearance reported to the Duke of Guise that they had seen a Young Chevalier whip in at the back Door before which they watch'd The Duke of Guise not being able togather any thing from this blind Relation sent two of his own Servants to the same place to watch his happy Rival at his coming out But Bassompierre observing that he had Sentinels upon him took the more care of himself which was the Reason that they could inform the Duke nothing but what confirm'd him in his mistake so that after he had made a thousand Reflections upon this Adventure he fix'd upon Bellegarde who was the only Young Knight that could pretend to so much good Fortune On the otherside Bassompierre acquainted Mademoiselle d' Entragues as soon as she was awake of what had happen'd to the end she might be ready with her Answer to the Duke of Guise That Jealous Lover eager after the Discovery of this same hidden Secret went the next Morning to give Bellegard a Visit but he could not be admitted They told him the Marquiss had been troubled all Night with the Toothach and that he would not be seen till the Evening Which confirm'd the Duke of Guise in his Suspitions imagining that Bellegard lay a bed all day to fetch up the Sleep he had lost in the Night From thence he went to Bassompierre and finding him abed desir'd him to rise and put on his Night-Gown that they might have a little Discourse together The Marquiss believing he had been discover'd rose immediately to hear what his Rival had to say to him But all his Alarums ceas'd as soon as he heard the Duke deliver himself in the following manner What would you say Marquiss said He if the Grand Squire should be better belov d then you or all the World beside by Madam d' Entragues I would say reply'd Bassompierre very coldly that cannot be and that neither He nor She have any design one upon another How easily are Lovers deceiv'd reply'd the Duke I would have sworn as well as you that she had been as chast as Diana yet 't is very true that the Grand Squire was with her all Night and that he did not leave her till four a Clock in the morning He was seen to go in and my Valets de Chambre saw him go along fo carelesly and minding so little the Discovery of his happiness that he never so much as took care to hide the Star upon His Cloak During this Discourse the Duke and the Marquiss walk'd together very fast at what time the latter perceiv'd the Cloak which the Duke had taken for Bellegardes
folded up in such a manner that the Cross appear'd outermost Presently he clap'd himself down upon it for fear a Testimony so clear beyond all contradicton should betray his Secret nor would he be perswaded to rise tho' the Duke Importunately press'd him to walk on till one of his Valets to whom he had made a sign had carry d it out of the Room when his Rivals back was turn'd In the mean time he made a shew of being very much troubled and storm'd with a good Grace against the inconstancy of Mademoiselle d' Entragues and when the Cloak was out of danger he rose up and walk'd on with the Duke as long as he stay d. So soon as the Duke was gone Bassompierre gave notice to Madam d' Entragues of the Dukes mistake and that same Young Wanton the more to confirm him in it treated Bellegarde before his Face as if they had been the most Intimate Persons in the World The next Morning the Duke of Guise wag d War with the Grand Squire who unwilling to dissabuse him return'd him Ambiguous Answers Bellegarde gave an account of all that Discourse to Madam d' Entragues who approv'd his Conduct and desir'd him to continue it by which means all the Kings and the Dukes Suspicious fell upon the Grand-Squire Thereupon they inform'd Madam d' Entragues of her Daughter's Familiarity with him which was the reason that she watch d her more narrowly One Morning as she drew the Curtain to Spit she observ d that Mademoiselle's Bed who lay in the Room was thrown open and that the Bird was Flown she presently suspected the Truth and rising went softly into the Wardrobe where seeing the Door belonging to the Private Staires open she call'd out at what time her Daughter hearing her Voice rose with all speed from Bassompierre and went to her Madam d' Entragues after she had given her Daughter two or three Wherets o' th' Ear in the Transports of her Passion caus'd the Door of the Privy Staires to be broke open because Bassompierre had bolted it within side that he might have leisure to dress himself When 't was open up she ran in great hast three Stories high but she was strangely surpriz d to find no body there but much more to see the Randevouze-Chamber furnish'd with Zamet's best Furniture and trick'd up with Silver Sconces and Candlesticks Thus ended this Intercourse But Love which is Ingenious provided other ways for those two Lovers to meet one another at Mademoiselle Dazi's whom they made their Confident Nevertheless this hurly-burly totally extidguish'd all the King s Suspitions of the Duke of Guise's having an Intreague with the Marchioness of Vernueil There was some Discourse of Marrying Mademoiselle d' Entragues to the Count d' Achè in Anvergne But that Match was broken off upon examination of the Articles after which the Marchioness of Vernueil and her Sister went to pass away the fair Season at the Marchioness of Conflans's near Charenton about whose House the Duke of Guise and Bassompierre walk'd their Rounds every Night But at last Bassompierre broke off altogether with Mademoiselle d' Entragues aspiring to a more Advantageous Alliance and beg'd leave of the King to marry Mademoiselle de Montmorency and to treat with the Duke of Bouillon for his Employment of first Gentleman of his Chamber Nor did the King believe it only enough to grant him what he ask'd but consented also in favour of the Match that the Constable who was out of Favour should return to Court The next morning at the King 's rising he was admitted to kiss his Hands had a Gracious Reception and in the afternoon the King went to visit the Dutchess of Angolesme where Mademoiselle de Montmorancy Lodg'd and where he saw Madam d' Essars with whom he presently embarqu'd and had two Daughters by her who betook themselves to Religious lives the Eldest being made Abbess of Fonteleraut But after the death of her Husband she privately marri'd Lewis Cardinal of Guise the Brother of Charles Duke of Guise The Cardinal had obtain'd a dispensation from the Pope for holding two Benefices notwithstanding his marriage but after his death the Duke seiz'd upon the Contract and the Dispensation which was the reason that Mademoiselle de Essars was never accounted any other then his Concubine However she had three Children by that Conjunction the Eldest who dy'd Bishop of Condom the Marquiss of Romorantin and a Daughter marri'd to the Marquiss of Rhodes But notwithstanding the affronts that were put upon her under the next Raign she marri'd the Marquiss du Hallier afterwards Marshal de l' Hopital Her Marriage with the Cardinal de Guise and the Dispensation after they had happen'd into the custody of several at length fell into the Hands of Mademoiselle de Guise who dyd in 1608. The Marchioness of Romorantin understanding that she was drawing toward her end caus'd her Confessor to lay it home to her Conscience and make her sensible that it would be a piece of injustice to detain those Writings that might be serviceable to reestablish the low Estate of her Children and preserve their claim of Succession to the House of Guise Upon which the dying Princess was over-rul'd and sent the requested Papers in a Box by an unknown hand to Madam de Romorantin Who immediately went to Court and throwing herself at the King's Feet besought his Protection To whom that Great Prince whose profound wisdom appear d in his meanest Actions made answer that she must address her self to his Parliament whose business it was to take Cognizance of those Differences But to return to Madam de Montmorancy The Duke of Bouillon who was Brother-in-Law to the Constable took it ill that a Match should be treated of and he not be acquainted with it and therefore he resolv'd to cross it One day that the King had been visiting Madam de Montmorancy at the Queens lodgings and was very passionately crying up her Beauty the Duke drew him aside and told him that he wonder'd he had given his consent to the marriage of that Lady with Bassompierre since there were no other matches that were fit for his Nephew the Prince of Conde but either she or the Dutchess of Main and seeing Policy would not admit him to suffer the Head of the League too powerfull already to advance his Credit by an Alliance he was oblig'd to give Madam de Montmorency to the Prince The King heard his advice without making any answer but the next day going to see the Practice of a Ball that was to be danc'd at the Louvre Bellegard cry'd up the Charmes of that Lady to such a degree that the King resolv'd to undertake the Conquest of her himself And in regard that for the better bringing about his Design 't was convenient she should marry a Man for whom she had no kindness he was desirous of being satisfi'd what opinion she had of Bassompierre To this purpose an Opportunity offer'd it self within a
s affairs happen'd to pass by and taking the dying person for the Varquiss knockt at his door call'd out his Servants and bid 'em go and help their Master if he were capable of relief or remove him if he were dead The Marquisses Servants were easily perswaded to believe the story which the Gentleman told 'em because their Master went out that Evening in disguise in prosecution of some happy adventure as he was often wont to do They ran without any consideration to the place where the body by this time almost breathless lay and alltogether carri d it into their Masters House tho when the Candles came and that they perceiv'd their error they carry'd it away to a Surgeon Neverthless the noise of this accident being spread about all over the City gave an occasion to several Joakes and Jeasts which reflected all upon Mademoiselles Honour This new vexation hinder'd the Marquiss from being fully sensible of that Affliction into which the Nuptials of the Prince of Conde solemniz'd at Chantilli would otherwise have plung'd him The King would fain have marri d him to Mademoiselle de Chantilli and to that purpose would have erected the Lorship of Beauprez into a Dukedom and Peerage for his sake But the Marquiss's heart was not at liberty to think of new engagements 1670. The King by Marrying Madam de Montmorency with the Prince for whom she had no Conjugal affection verily thought to find less difficulty in the prosecuting of his Amours but they had made such a noise that the Young Prince did not think it behov'd him to brook the continuance of the Kings Courtship without making himself the Table talk of the whole Court He therefore resolv'd to break off that Intercourse by retiring privately from Fontain Bleau where the Court then lay and withdrawing into the Low Country's And preparing all things in a readiness for his retreate He took Horse one morning with Rochefort Touray an Esquire who took up Madam the Princess behind him Mademoiselle de Certeaux and a waiting Woman call'd Philâ—pette He lay at Muret and thence continu'd his Journy to Landrecy As for the King he was then playing in his little Cabinet where d' Elboeuf brought him the Tidings which were confirm'd immediately after by the Captain of the Watch. Upon which the King cry'd out to Bassompierre that stood nearest to him with a transport not easie to be exprest My dear Friend I am undone This Man is carrying away his Wife into a Wood I know not whether it be to kill her or to hurry her out of France have a care of my money and play on the Game while I go and examin the particulars of this Escape And so saying he went up into another Chamber beckning to the Marquiss of Coeuvres the Count of Cramail d' Elboeuf and Lomenie to follow him and asking their advice in a strange Confusion and Hurry furiously grasp'd at the first proposal and commanded de Lomenie to make dispatches for the prosecution of it but the next moment considering the impossibility of it he alter d his Opinion One advis'd him to send the Captain of the Watch with his Archers alter the Prince with orders to stop him another to give the same Commission to Balagny and Bouvin and a third to post away Vaubecourt then at Court to the Frontiers of Lorrain to hinder his Passage But the King well understanding how little solidity there was in any of those Projects sent for his principal Ministers to understand their Opinions upon a matter wherein his heart was so deeply concern'd The Chancellor arriv'd first of all who after the King had set forth the matter of Fact made answer with a Gravity becoming his Dignity that the Prince of Condè had not taken the Right Course that it was to be wish'd he had been better advis'd that he ought to have moderated his Heart The King impatient of this Discourse and interrupting him in a great Passion this is not the business said he that I ask yee 't is your Advice Monsieur Chancellor that I require Then the same Minister resuming his Oration Be it so added He then I think the best way is to issue forth effectual and strong Declarations against him and all that shall follow him or lend him any Assistance While the Chancellor was delivering his formal hum drum Villeroy enter'd the Room to whom the King who began to be tyr'd with the Chancellors flegme address'd himself and after he had in few words declar'd the business in hand demanded his opinion Villeroy after he had twice shrug'd up his Shoulders to signifie his astonishment made answer that it behov'd His Majesty to send his Curriers to all his Embasdors at the Courts of Foreign Princes to give 'em notice of the Princes departure without his leave nay and against his prohibition to the end they might take all such courses as were requisite in the Courts where they resided and represent to the Soveraigns to whom they were sent that they ought not admit the Prince into their Territory's but rather send him back to his Majesty After Villeroy had done speaking the King turn d toward the President Jeannin and bid him give his Advice which he did without any Hesitation Sir said He I think you cannot do better then to send after him one of the Captains of your Guards to try whether they can bring him back by force with orders in case his endeaveurs prove unsuccesful to go to the Prince in whose Dominions he shelters himself and threaten him with a War if he refuses to deliver him In my opinion his departure was not premeditated nor has lie done any preceding Act that may deserve Reception or Protection Without question he has betaken himself into the Low Countries and the Archduke who neither knows him nor has receiv'd any express Order from Spain to support him and who dreads your Majesty as much as he honours your Person will never for his sake incur the anger of the greatest Monarch in Europe and abide the effects of it but either oblige the Prince to depart his Dominions or deliver him up into your Majesties Hands The King relish'd this expedient but he would not positively determin upon any thing till he had taken the advice of the Duke of Sully who came not in till a long time after the rest with a morose Air and a frowning Countenance To whom the King advancing toward him Sir said he my Nephew is gone and has carry'd away his Wife along with him Sir reply'd the Duke I do not wonder at it at all 't is no more then what I foresaw and I told you some while since that he would commit this piece of Folly Had you follow'd the counsel I gave you when he went to Muret you would have put him in the Bastile and you would have found him now where I would have been sure to have kept him safe What is done cannot be undone but give me
your advice what course I shall now take by way of redress By my Troth Sir I cannot tell reply'd the Duke but let me return to the Arsenal where I will Sup and go to Bed and then as I lye musing in the night I shall think upon some expedient which I will communicate to your Majesty to morrow morning No pursu'd the King I will have you tell me your thoughts presently I must then consider a little reply'd Sully and at the same time turning himself to the Window that lookt into the Court after he had stood drumming a while with his Fingers upon the Board he return'd to the King who ask'd him whither he had thought upon the business and what he ought to do Nothing reply'd the Duke How nothing reply'd the King very much surpriz'd I say nothing at all added Sully If you do nothing at all and thereby shew that you do not value the Prince but rather contemn him no body will assist him no not his dearest friends nor the most zealous of the Officers he has left here and within three months pinch d by necessity and tyr'd with the flouts and scoffs that will be put upon him he will return and implore your Clemency On the other side if you are eager to recall him you will put a value upon him he will be with Money assisted by several persons of your Court and he will find those that will protect him on purpose to create you trouble who would have abandon'd him had they been convinc'd how little you minded his absence But the King whose thoughts were in too great a ferment to relish such judicious advice resolv'd upon what the President Jeannin had given him which as it was more blunt and harsh so it flatter'd his Passion the more and the next morning dispatch'd away the Marquiss of Pralin as well to the Prince as to the Archduke The Marquiss could not overtake the Prince of Conde and therefore repair'd to Marimont to the Archduke of whom he immediately demanded Audience and went with the Ordinary Embassador He lay'd before the Archduke that Henry of Bourbon Prince of Conde making his Wife the occasion of his Pretence to cover his design of raising troubles in France had withdrawn himself into the Territories under his Government and therefore he desir'd him in his Masters name to cause him to be apprehended To which the Archduke reply'd that he thought he had done enough in not receiving the Prince but that he could not refuse him free passage and that it should not be long of him that he did not return into France as one that zealously wish'd the King's particular satisfaction and the Tranquility of the Kingdom 'T is true that the Prince of Conde did not stay in the Low Countries for he pass'd forward to Cologne and had left the Princess his Wife at Breda with the Princess of Orange his Sister who carry'd her afterwards to Brussels whether the Prince her Husband came in a short time after Thither also went the the Archduke to receive the Ladies and pay'd 'em a visit so soon as they were arriv'd The Marquiss of Spinola General of the Spanish Forces who was then in the same City complain d to the Archduke and blam'd him for not allowing the Prince of Conde refuge and so continually persecuted him with his importunities that he oblig'd him to send a Gentleman to the Prince on purpose to invite him to return Spinola also wrote by the same Courrier and causâ—d the Spanish Embassador to write to him also to the same effect 'T is true that the Archduke did nâ—t act with the same thoughts as the Ministers of that Crown for that he wish'd an Accommodation as much as they desir'd Peace But soon after he was no longer Master of the differences for the Catholick King sent his orders wherein he declar'd that 't was his Pleasure to grant his Protection to the Prince of Conde This Declaration so enflam'd his Courage that he made it his business to justifie his departure out of the Kingdom and publish'd some matters of Fact of which the greatest part were suppos d. To the same purpose also he wrote to Pope Clement VII and Cardinal Borghese his Nephew in terms that might make his Letters pass for so many Manifestos Now in regard the King had given no order to Pralin to enter into any Negotiation with his Nephew so soon as he heard that he was return'd to Brussels he sent the Marquiss of Couvres with the Character of his Extraordinary Ambassador who as soon as he arriv'd press'd the Archduke to deliver the Princess of Conde either into the Hands of the Constable her Father or of the Dutchess of Angouleme her Aunt But the Archduke declar d that he would never dispose of her Person but with the consent of her Husband So that Couvrs finding his Negtiation did not take effect bethought himself of carrying away the Princess by force There was some sort of coldness in Affection between her and the Prince whither it were out of a Natural Antipathy or out of vexation to see her self so far remote from the Court of France and the French had taken care to cherish this embitterment to bring about the King's designes The Marquiss of Coeuvres being inform'd of her Inclinations endeavour'd to perswade her to suffer her self to be taken forcibly away to which proposal she could not a long time tell what answer she should give On the other side she was not satisfi'd with the Prince her Husband she saw herself to her great grief under the Tyranny of the Spaniards The Archdukes Court by no means pleas'd her seeing nothing there that came near the Magificence of that of France and besides she most passionately desir d to be with her Father and her Aunt who by their Letters signifi d the same earnestness on their part But on the other side she durst not forsake her Husband to put her self into the hands of a Person who was bound by no tye to her interest and she was equally afraid of falling into the hands of a Incens'd Husband and of giving Obloquy an occasion to blame her Conduct Nevertheless after she had a long time revolv'd these different reflections in her mind the desire of seeing her Family once again and of returning into France prevail'd above all other considerations Coeuvres's design was to carry her away from Brussels in the Night and to get so far upon the Roade while it continu d dark that when her flight was discover'd it should be impossible to overtake ' em But for the bringing this about there was a necessity of taking several precautions which way to climb or break thro' the Walls of the City to have Horses ready upon the Ramparts to have Horses laid in several places with Horsemen to oppose all such as should go about to stop em Now in regard there was a necessity of employing several persons in the execution of â—his
Project it could not be kept so secret â—â—t that the persons concern'd had an inkling of it The first person who had notice of it was the Count of Buquoy Grand Master of the Ordinace in Flanders who carri'd the news to the Archduke and Spinola Immediately a Council was held wherein it was resolv'd that under some fair pretence the Princess should be invited to lodge in the Palace with the Archduke and the Infanta This was propos'd to the Prince of Conde without discovering the mistery to him withall they insinuated into him that in regard there was some unkindness between him and his Wife 't would be the best way to separate a while that he might have time to recover himself from his disgust To which the Prince consented without any scruple upon those assurances that the Archduke and the Infanta gave him not to part with her out of their Custody without his Consent Nor durst the Princess nor Coeuvres oppose it not having any manifest pretence to excuse themselves besides that hey were in hopes of executing their designs before the change of her lodging Nevertheless because they could not adjust all their Measures during the time that the Princess was to stay in the Prince of Orange's Palace therefore 't was thought convenient for the gaining of three or four days more that the Princess her self with whom he faign'd to be in Love should entreat Spinola to give her a Ball at his House the but crafty Genoese who smelt the design excus'd himself neatly However Coeuvres no ways discourag'd by this unlucky accident resolv'd to carry away the Princess upon Saturday night being the 13th of Feb. 1610. because she was to remove into the Palace the next day being Sunday She pretended she was ill for fear her Husband should lye with her which was a thing that very rarely happen'd and hinder from making her Escape The Archduke who was inform'd of every thing by Buquoy gave notice of it by Spinola to the Prince of Conde to whom they had never made any discovery till then for fear he should make a noise to no purpose and it was resolv'd that the Archduke should be requested to order the Prince of Orange's House to be guarded all the Night Conde was so alarum d at what Spinola had told him that not being able to keep the secret after he had taken sufficient care to disappoint the enterprize he brake out into frivolous complaints As for Coeuvres he deny'd every thing because he had as yet done nothing to convict him and because there was nothing more to be done he dispatch'd away a Courrier to the King for new Orders upon this unexpected Change The King perceiving that Artifice had nothing avail'd him resolv'd to make use of Force to get the Princess of Conde out of the hands of the Archduke and to declare War against the most Catholick King To which purpose he sounded James VI. who after the Death of Queen Elizabeth succeeded to the Crowns of England Ireland and Scotland and endeavour'd to oblige him to break with the Spaniards But he being already grown in years was unwilling to engage in a War of that consequence Upon which Hen. IV. made a League with the Duke of Savoy the Venetians and the States of the United Provinces who were most concern'd to humble the Pride of the House of Austria The Death of the Duke of Cleves upon which a difference arose between the Elector of Brandenbourgh and the Duke of Newburgh about the Succession furnish'd the Most Christian King with a specious pretence to take Armes and he began to send his Forces toward the Low Countries but the tragical end of that Prince disappointed all his vast designs For Hen. IV. going in his Coach to the Arsenal with the Dukes of Montbason and Epernon Ravaillac attempted to kill him as he went out of the Louvre but could not execute his design in that place because he found himself posted on that side where the Duke of Epernon sate The King moreover had not order'd his Guards to follow him as he was wont to do so that when his Coach enter'd into the Ironmongers Street and that his Footmen passâ—d through St. Innocents Church-yard by reason of a stop that hinder'd the Coachman from driving on the Ruffian had an opportunity to get upon the fore-wheel and give the King two Stabs with a broad Knife the first between the second and third Rib which was of little consequence the second between the fifth and sixth Rib which peirc'd his Lungs and cutt the veiny Artery near the left Valvule of the Heart which last wound prov'd Mortal Thus this great Monarch ended his days when he was about to have made all Europe Tremble The Intreagues of France under the Reign of Lewis XIII THE Amours of Lewis XIII afford but little matter because that if he cast a particular eye upon any Lady of the Court 't was rather a Pastime then any real Passion Nevertheless there were Intreagues wherein the Ladies bore a part which I shall endeavour to relate with as much conciseness and clearness as the Thing will give me leave The Duke of Buckingham a Favorite of Charles I. King of Great Britain was come to Paris to conduct Madam Henrietta of France whom his Master had marri'd into England but intruth to set up a Faction in the Kingdom which might prevent the King from putting his design against the Hereticks in execution To which purpose he thought it necessary to acquire some familiarity among the Lady's who had most Credit at Court as being perswaded that 't was a difficult thing for persons of their Sex to conceal the greatest secrecies from those who are once so happy as to have touch'd their Hearts The Daughter of the Duke of Montbason who after the death of the Constable de Luynes marry'd in second Wedlock to the Prince of Joyinville and who was then call'd the Duke of Chevreuse was she whom Buckingham deem'd the most proper to second his designs Her Beauty had purchas'd her an absolute power over all the great Lords of the Kingdom She had a most persuasive Eloquence a boundless Ambition and a wanton Humour which made her covet the Conquest of all those whom she thought worthy of particular distinction Buckingham who had a penetrating judgment quickly understood her Character and perceiv'd that the Grand Prior natural Son to Henry IV. and the Count of Chalais were the most assiduous to pay her homage and the two persons likewise for whom she had the greatest value but that she treated 'em with so much equality that they could not discover which way her heart most enclin'd Buckingham having insinuated himself into their confidence offer d 'em to make the Dutchess explain her self and tho a man would have thought a Confident so lovely as the Duke a very improper person to fulfill the Trust which they had repos'd in him yet they never suspected any thing because that being a
Stranger and one that was but to make a short stay in France they did not believe he would engage in an Intreague with Madam de Chevreuse The Duke of Orleans the King's Brother was then at Limours and the Dutchess at Dampierre that lye not above ten Leagues a sunder The Grand Prior and Chalais who were the Duke of Orleans's principal Favorites carry'd Buckingham to Limours from whence they went every Afternoon to Diampierre During Buckingham's stay there he invented every day some new Courtly feast to divertise the Dutchess to which he always invited the two Lovers for fear they should grow jealouss In the Evening he had the honour to converse in private with the Dutchess by the means of Madam de Vernet her good friend whom he had engag'd in his Interests by his liberality Now when he had receiv'd such sufficient proofs of the Dutchess of Chevreuses Compliance that he could no longer doubt but that she lov d him in good earnest he told her that to conceal their correspondece from his Rivals there was a necessity of engaging em in a Conspiracy against Cardinal Richlieu who was at that time Chief Minister and perswade 'em that tho they were alone together yet they never spoke of any thing but of State Affairs The Grand Prior and Chalais easily fell into this Snare and whereas they saw to their great vexation that the Duke of Orleans their Master had no share in the Government they immediately rellsh'd the proposal which was made 'em to perswade the Prince to declare himself Head of the Faction that they would set up upon the assurance which Buckingham gave em of the King of Great Britain's Protection This Intreague could not be carri'd so secretly but that Cardinal Richlieu had notice of it However he would not presently fly out against the Dutchess not being well assur'd that she was in the Plot So that he only procur'd the Banishment of Madam de Vernet This menace which one would have thought should have made the Conspirators afraid of a more severe punishment did not make 'em give over their clandestin Practises The Marshal d' Ornano Monsieur's Governour headed 'em afraid if his Master should marry Mademoiselle de Montpensier as the King desir'd least she who was a notable Lady should get the upper-hand of the Duke and put him out of his favour Therefore the principal aim of the Malecontents was to break off this Match and perswade the Duke of Orleans to marry Mademoiselle de Bourbon the Prince of Conde s Sister and by that match to unite those two Houses in a strict Alliance or to put him upon looking out for some forraign Princess from whom he might have great Assistance and a Powerful Protection As for Mademoiselle de Montpensier they design'd to marry her to the Count of Soissons thereby to tye the House of Guise to that of Bourbon Cardinal Richlieu who had every day advice of this Negatiation that he might find out the Bottom of it went to take the Air for three days at Bassompierre â—s House who was the Count of Chalais's Father-in-Law and had the knack of flattering the Count so ticklingly that he fetch'd the whole plot out of his very Soul Some days after the Marshal d' Ornano was arrested at Fontain Bleau and carri'd to the Castle of Vincennes they also secur'd the Duke of Vendosm and the Grand Prior his Brother at Blois But it cost them nothing but their being put in a world of bodily fear for the real Punishment fell up Chalais who lost his Head Madam de Chevreuse who foresaw the Tempest betimes secur'd her life and liberty by Flight and retir'd into Lorrain from whence she went to Brussells There were other Intreagues at Court after the death of Mademoiselle the Duke of Orleans first Wife For this same Prince being fallen in love with Maria de Gonzaga the Duke of Montoua's Daughter had a design to marry her and the King himself no way seem'd to dislike the Match But the Queen Mother whose aim it was to marry Monsieur to the Princess of Florence after she had made use in vain of all her perswasions and all her authority to make him consent to the Match had recourse to violence and at Columniers caus'd that Princess to be seiz'd together with the Dutchess Dowager of Longueville Monsieur being touch d to the quick with this ill-usage of a person so dear to him withdrew into Lorrain where nevertheless he prov'd unfaithful and being charm'd with the person of the Princess Margaret the Dukes Sister to the burying in Oblivion of his first Affections he marri d her without his Majesties consent The King incens'd at this match sent a Powerful Army into Lorrain under the Conduct of the Marquiss of St. Chaumont There upon the Princess Margaret seeing that the security of her Country depended upon her Liberty departed the City by four a Clock in the morning in mans Apparel well mounted and attended only by a Gentleman whose name was Dause who had serv'd Madam de Remiremont and two other Ladies and after they had rode thirteen Leagues without drawing bit and hid themselves in a Wood to avoid some Swedish Troops which they descri'd at a distance she arriv'd very much tyr d at Thimville into which place she had much ado to get admittance Presently she gave Monsieur who was retir'd into the Low Countries advice of her arrival who immediately sent to her de Fontaines Chalandray de Rames de Laveauport the Duke d' Elboeuf and Puis Laurens afterwards he went to meet her as far as Marche en famine understanding she was to take that Roade from Namur and carri d her to Brussells where the Magistrates came to kiss her hands and by the Infanta she was conducted to the Queen Mother who as well as a good part of the Grandees of the Kingdom were constrain'd to seek for Sanctuary in that City against the Persecutions of Cardinal Richlieu Now in regard the greatest part of the Court of France was at Brussells I do not believe it will be any deviation from my Subject to give some account of the Gallantries of the French Princes and Ladies that were retir'd thither Monsieur whose amorous humour could not lie idle while he waited the arrival of the Princess Margaret pai'd his assiduities to the Countess of Rennebourgh but she being so austerely vertuous that she was commonly stil'd the Savage he went to refresh himself with the Company of a Spanish Lady call'd Dona Blanca whose humour was altogether as morose Madam de Chevreuse lai'd all her Snares to entrap Archduke Leopold the Emperors Brother to whom the Catholick King had given the Government of the Low Countries and the Duke d' Elboeuf made addresses to Madam de Grincalberque but all these Amours were only transitory Gallantries there was no body but the Duke of Guise that embark'd himself in Intreagues of any long continuance and such indeed as prov d
in good part the occasion of most of the misfortunes of his Life This Prince being the youngest Brother of his Family was design'd for the Church and was promoted to the Archbishoprick of Rheims but after his Brothers death he quitted his Benefices and courted Anna de Gonzaga Sister to the Princess Marie of whom we have already made mention Cardinal Richlieu finding this Alliance to be contrary to the good of the State made use of the King's authority to prevent it and order'd the Princess to be shut up in a Convent The Duke of Guise enrag d to see his Passion cross'd departed the Kingdom and withdrew to Cologne whither his Mistress having made her escape follow'd him in Mans Apparel but he oblig'd her to return and went to Brussells where he met with the rest of the Exiles Now in regard there was no good Company there to his mind he spent the greatest part of the Afternoons with the Dutchess of Chevreuse his Kinswoman who fearing least his assiduities should create a jealousie in the Archduke endeavour d to engage him other where and brought him acquainted with the Countess of Bossu She was a young Widow of a sweet and blithe humour and the Dutchess's great friend It was so order'd that she should be of the Dukes side in a match at Cards and she put her self to forward that he coulde not choose but return her an answer 'T is true that for fear she should make a wrong judgment of his Conduct she presently spoke to him about marriage and the Duke declar'd to her that he desir'd nothing so much as to share destinies with her but in such terms as sufficiently shew'd that he only sought to divertise himself during his Exile But tho the Countess had sounded his drift yet she made as if she hade never perceiv'd it hoping the more easily to engage him by her faigned Ingenuity One day she carry'd him to a very stately House of her's about a League from Brussells and treated him with all the divertisements that were proper for the Season which was the most pleasant in all the whole year for which the Duke could not choose but testifie his acknowledgment to her and talk to her of love as he was us d to do The Countess told him that if he were so amorous as he would seem to make her believe he should shew himself more eanestly desirous of their Marriage The Duke swore to her that there was nothing that he more Passinonately wish'd for then to spend the rest of his life with so amaible a person as she was and that it was her fault if she did not put it to the Tryal The Countess taking him at his word reply'd that she should soon see whither his Protestations were sincere since she had both a Notary and a Priest in the House to marry ' em The Duke was surpriz'd at this discourse but made as if he had not been so and thought he might take his liberty without running any hazard while he made the Dutchess the Cully of her own cunning seeing that a Marriage of that nature wanting the formalities prescrib'd by the Canon and without the Kings consent was voyd in Law The Dutchess therefore seeing the Duke ready to do what she desir'd sent for Manfele Almoner to the Army who gave 'em the Nuptial Benediction and dispens'd with asking the Baines as if he had the same authority with the Bishop of Malines Thus the Duke stay'd all that night with his new Spouse to whom he shew'd so much kindness and affection that she was extreamly satisfi'd with the happy success of her designs The next day he return'd back after he had desir'd the â—hew Dutchess that she would keep their Marriage private till he got the consent of the Court and his own Relations But notwithstanding all the care they took to conceal this Adventure from publick knowledge it reach'd the Ears of the Duke d' Elboeuf and the Dutchess of Chevreuse who both upbraided him with it as a piece of the foulest Treachery imaginable The respect he ahd for Laides curb'd him from flying out against the Dutchess but the Duke d' Elbouf and he had such high words together that they had drawn their Swords if the Archduke had no pacifi'd ' em The Duke of Guise finding he could not revenge himself by his Sword sought out for otherways to plague the two persons that had affronted him and thought he could not find a better than to bring the Countess home to his House and treat her there publickly as his Wife This was the course he took and from that time he liv'd with her very lovingly so long as she remain'd at Brussels But we must now return to France with the Duke of Orleance who having obtain'd of the King to approve his Marriage went to waite vpon him at St. Germains together with Madam 1640 While the King was busily employ'd in reducing the Huguenots of his Kingdom and defending his Allies against the enterprizes fo the House of Austria he was govern'd altogether by his Favorites never minding the Conversation of Ladies The Marquiss de Paradas succeeded the Constable de Luynes and the Duke of S. Sâ—nogi succeeded him After that Duke was thrown out of favour Cadinal Richlieu Iâ— obtain'd the sole ascendant over his Majesty without any Companion either in his favour or in the Ministry But after the Peace had given the King a little liberty to converse among the Ladies 't was soon perceiv'd that he cast a more particular eye upon Mademorselle de Fayeâ—ro tho that same application was wholly Platonick for he bounded his desires within the limits of Conversation never caring to have any particular pastime with her and never spoke to her but publickly in the Queen's Chamber This Love however as innocent as it was created a jealousie in the Gardinal and it seem'd to him so much the more dangerous and prejudicial to his favour because Madam de la Fayette was in a strict union with the Queen and for that the Marchioness of Senesay a Lady of Honour and the Queen's Creature was the Confident entrust d with the Secret The Cardinal therefore us'd all his endeavours to break that Union and at length obtain d an order from the King to banish those two Ladies which was carry'd to 'em by Cavigny Secretary of State and within a little while after the Marquiss of St. Ange Master of the Queens Household underwent the same desgrace Which very much incens'd the Queen against the Cardinal but in regard he was assur'd of the King has Master freindship he took little notice of it Mademoiselle d' Hautefort soon suceeded in the room of Madam de lu Fayette and the Cardinal suffer'd that growing Passion without any jealousie because that Lady had neither judgment nor with to carry on Intreagues equal to the Kings first Mistress But when he discover'd that she was solely guided by the Counsels of Mademoiselle de Chennerault
from her own mouth he let fall all his jealousie upon Emeri Controller of the Finances who visited her some times Nay it made him so â—horn mad that he resolv d to dudgel his Rival and told his mind to Coquerell Lieutenant to the Grand Provist of the Household Coquerell gave Emeri notice of it who to divert the Storm that threatned him for bore to visit Marion and broke off all intercourse with her In the mean time St. Mars's jealousie redoubl'd his passion for his Mistress whom he visited every day and Incognith and in disguise not withstanding the Kings Prohibitions His assiduities also were so signal that 't was reported he had marry'd her Lewis XIII had notice of it from all parts and St. Mars's Relations who were afraid least he should be so much a fool as to match himself so unequally were the first that complain d of it to his Majesty Upon which the Ingratitude and Obstinacy of this Favourtie so sensibly affected the King that he kept his Bed for some days feigning himself sick on purpose to avoid the sight of that unthankful Officer to whom he could not forbear shewing his resentment On the other side St. Mars an enemy of restraint grew weary of being cuâ—â—â—'d by his Master in his Pleasures and in a sit of discontent gave ear to the proposals of the Count of Soisons who offerd him for a Wife his Neice Mademoislle de Longueville with several other advantages if he would enter into a League against the Cardinal 'T is true that the Death of the Count of Soisons which happen'd within a little while ater the Battle of Sedan discompos'd this Conspiracy for some time but it was renew'd again with the Duke of Bouillon by the meanes of Madam de Thou After St. Mars was once engag'd in this Intreague he forgot to give intelligence to the Cardinal as he was wont to do of what the King said of him when he found any fault with his Ministry On the other side the Cardinal who had plac'd that Favorite near the King s person and had supported him in that Station only to be a faithful Spy to inform him of his most secret thoughts no sooner saw him fail of his sincerity but he began to grow cold in his kindness for him till at last those reciprocal disgusts degenerated into an irreconcileable hatred One of the principal causes of St. Mars's antipathy against the Cardinal was his obstructing the King's design to have made him one of his Privy Council One day at Reâ—el as all the Courtiers were quitting the King's Chamber to leave it free for the chief Minsters the King took St. Mars by the Arm and stopping him said he to the Cardinal 't is necessary that our Friend for so he call'd his Favorite should be well instructed in Our affairs to the end he may be able to serve Us usefully The Cardinal who was perfectly well acquainted with the King's humour would not withstand the King's design but suffer d St. Mars to take his place in the Council however he would not permit any matter of consequence to be debated there and the next day being in private with his Majesty he neatly represented to him how dangerous it would be to impart his secrets to so young a man as St. Mars who might be easily wrought to reveal ' em The King approv'd his Eminencies reasons and never after that call'd his Favourite into his Council Which coming with ease to St. Mars's ear he could never be induc'd to pardon the Cardinal Upon that the Minister and the Favourite never afterwards observ'd any measures of Decorum but display'd their Hatred so publickly that the King had much ado to keep 'em quiet St. Mars being one day with the King when a Gentleman who came from Marshal de la Mothe to bring his Majesty the news of the Relief which the Spaniards had put into Tarragon by Sea endeavour'd to lay all the fault upon the Arch-Bishop of Bourdeaux who commanded the French Fleet this Favourite left nothing omitted to justifie the Archbishop and blame the Marshals conduct who was a Kinsman of Noiers the Secretary of State and consequently the Cardinals Creature Nor did he stop there for understanding that the Cardinal had accus'd him to the King for having shew'd but little Courage at the Siege of Arras where he commanded the Voluntiers he slyly put it into the King's Head finding him enclin'd to Peace that the Cardinal prolong'd the War for his own particular ends and started every day new obstacles to hinder an Accomodation of the differences between the two Crowns In short he omitted nothing to put his Majesty out of conceite with the Cardinal And the little kindness which the King shew'd the Cardinal for some days afforded St. Mars whose Reputation was plainly discern'd to increase as the Cardinal began to wain and loose his Masters favour a means to draw to his party several persons whom it would have been in vain for him to have attempted at any other time The Cardinal on the other side who had notice of all these practices engag'd the King to leave Paris in order to besiege Perpignan himself and compleat the conquest of Rousillon in hopes that the cares of the War would divert the King from familiar Discourses at what time his Minions took their opportunity to cry down his Ministry This Journey infus'd a Jealousie into St. Mars who fearing least the Cardinal during the Campaign should work himself again into the King's favour and make use of it to his ruin deem'd it convenient to secure a place of refuge for himself Nor could he think of any more convenient then Sedan the Soveraignty of which City belong'd to the Duke of Bouillon He opend his mind to Madam de Thou who promis'd him to obtain from the Duke all requisite Assurances of the Sanctuary which he desir'd In short he went to wait upon the Duke at Sedan to perswade him to come to Paris and he got thither at the same time that the Duke was press'd by the Cardinal to undertake the same Journey to receive his Commission for command of the Army in Italy which the King intended to confer upon him The Duke finding himself solicited on both sides set forward at length and went to Court and was at first at a great puzzle which party to adhear to not knowing which would be most for his advantage to joyn with the Cardinal of the Favourite But at length his inveterate Hatred against the Cardinal and the perswasions of Madam de Thou over-rul'd him to engage with St. Mars However he did not refuse the Command of the Army in Italy and they drew from him a promise that he should admit into Sedan the King's Brother who had already declar'd himself head of the Party But in regard there were several particulars that were to be agreed upon they assign'd the Hostel de Venise for the place of their Rendevouz where Monsieur had
his Stables There met St. Mars and the Duke of Bouillon who sent for the Counts of Aubijoux de Brion and de Fonterailles There it was propos d whither they should put themselves under the Protection of the King of Spain upon which there happen'd great Disputes but at last it past in the Affirmative Fonterailles was entrusted with that Negotiation by reason of his Address and Cunning. Besides that being not so considerable for his Quality as the rest it was to be presum'd that his absence from Court would be the less taken notice off 'T was a good while before he would undertake the business but at length away he went and arrived at Madrid concluded a Treaty with the Duke d' Olivarez the Catholick King 's chief Minister It had been resolv'd upon that the Cardinal should have been Assassinated at Briare but St. Mars durst not put it in execution excusing himself that it was requisite to stay till Monsieur's Arrival to the end his presence might warrant those that should commit the Murder from daâ—ger For Monsieur remain'd at Paris to strengthen his Party and sent the Count of Montresor to draw in the Duke of Beaufort but he could not prevail During the King's Expedition St. Mars instead of preserving the Kings friendship by complying with him did all that he could do to loose it so far from closing with his Sentiments that he made it his business still to thwart him and when his Majesty desirâ—d him near his Person he affected to be absent from him Insomuch that when his friends reprov'd him and told him how he did himself an Injury by his behaviour he excusâ—d himself by telling 'em that the King's Breath was so offensive that 't was impossible to endure it This Language of his was carri'd to the King and contributed not a little to lessen the kindness which till then he had shew'd his Favourite But St Mars who thought of nothing so much as the death of the Cardinal took no notice of the King 's growing disaffection imagining it would be easie for him to regain his Masters favour if once he were rid of his Enemy Nevertheless the design of killing the chief Minister was delayâ—d by reason of a terrible Sickness that seiz'd him at Narbonne St. Mars seeing that the Physitians lookt upon it as very dangerous thought it a piece of Imprudence to go about to take away by violent means the Life of a Man whom the had condition of his Constitution threatned with a speedy death So that it may be said that the Cardinals Sickness preserv'd him from the danger that attended his Life Monsieur de Thou leaving Paris and going to the Court at Carcassonne met Foâ—terailles who imparted to him the Treaty which he had concluded with Spain Which surpriz d de Thou because he had not been at the Conference at the Hostel de Venise and had never approv'd the design the Negotiation of which they had for that reason conceal d from him Fonterailles had cary d this Treaty to St. Mars who having made a Copy of it had sent the Original to Monsieur by the Count d' Aubijous De Thou having taken his leave of Fonterailles went to the King who was march'd from Narbonne and already sat down before Perpignan There he met St. Mars who had so strengthen'd his Party that the Army was divided into two Factions the one of which call'd themselves Royalists the other Cardinalists and the Animosity was so great between 'em that they were every foot ready to go together by the Ears However in regard that St. Mars had no more then the outward appearances of the King's Favour he press'd Monsieur to declare himself and repair to Sedan Upon which his Royal Highness demanded with whom the Duke of 〈◊〉 had left orders for his being admitted into the Town Thereupon the Malecontents who had not been so wise as to procure one from him before his departure sent away Monmior into Italy to get an Order from the Duke with a letter of Credence to desire it of him But the Duke who knew not Monmior would not entrust him with a Secret of that Importance So that Monsieur was forc'd to send to him d' Aubijous disguizâ—d in the Habit of a Capuchin And these Journyâ—s to and fro caus'd 'em to loose so much time that at last the Conspiracy was discover'd The Cardinal who during the King's Absence thought himself not safe in Narbonne of which Marshal Sehomberg who had but little kindness for him was Governour resolv'd to remave into the Dauphinate or Provence for that the Counts of Sault and Alais who were in possession of both those Governments were his intimate Friends Thereupon he pretended to go and drink the Waters at Tarascon and coming to Agdâ— in order to go by Water from thence to Beaucaire by the way he receiv'd a Pacquet wherein he found a Copy of the Treaty made with Spain not knowing from whence the Intelligence should come and presently order'd Chavigni to carry it to the King who could hardly find in his heart to cause St. Mars to be arrested believing it to have been an Artifice of the Cardinal to ruin his Favourite Thereupon he consulted Father Simon upon the News which he had receiv'd and finding his Sentiments to be the same that Chavigni had vainly endeavour'd to infuse into him he resolv'd at last to make the foul Offender a severe Example of his Justice But because it was a difficult thing to secure all the Conspirators in the Army the King return'd to Narbonne pretending himself sick of an Ague of which he had already had some fits So soon as he arriv'd there he caus'd the Gates to be shut and gave all requisite Orders for the seizing all those that had any share in the Conspiracy Fonterailles had already made his Escape some days before shrewdly suspecting that the Treaty was discover'd To which purpose he had feign'd a Quarrel with the Camp-Marshal d' Epernon to the end that when his flight should be known it might be imagin'd that he was only stept aside to avoid the Rigour of Justice which punish d Duels very severely The King had commanded the Count de Charost Captain of the Guards of his Body to secure the Person of St. Mars but those orders could not be given out so privately but that the Favourite had secret notice of it He was then debaushing with some of his Friends when the Intimation was given him However he was so much the master of himself that he never chang'd Countenance for the matter but presently causing his Boots to be pull'd off and feigning the Headache he slipt out of his Apartiment which was in the Archbishops House near the Kings Lodgings and hearing that all the Gates of the City were shut he betook himself to Madam Bourgeois's House whose Husband who made Gunpowder was out of Town He there got admittance by means of a Silver Key and thought himself safe
because no body saw him go in In the mean while the Count of Charost repair'd to St. Mars's Apartiment at the Hour appointed by the King but found no body there but the Surgeon and two of the Favourites Valets de Chambre who could tell no tidings of their Master Them however he carryâ—d to the King who understanding from their Lips that they knew not what was become of their Master order'd the Count to go the next morning with the Deputy Governour and the Consuls and search all the Houses Charost perform d all his Orders exactly but to no purpose which oblig'd the King to leave Naâ—bonne to go to Beziers withall commanding the Deputy Governour and the Consuls to continue their search and to set forth a Proclamation forbidding all Persons whatever to conceal St. Mars under the Penalty of Death By which time Bourgeois where the offender had hid himself being return'd home his Wife told him that there was a Man in the House whom she believ'd to be the Person sought for by the description given of him Within a little while after St. Mars himself discover'd who he was to his Landlord in hopes by confiding in him to oblige him to secresie But Bourgeois afraid of his life and hazarding the Repose of his Family gave notice by some of his friends to the Archdishop and the Deputy Governour that St. Mars was in his House Presently away went the Deputy with the Consuls and a Division of his Company and Civilly accoasting the Favourite told him he had Orders from the King to arrest him and demanded his Sword The Deputy Governour carry'd him to a Chamber in the Archbishops House where he left him in the Custody of an Exempt of the Guards of the Body whom the King had left on purpose At the same time that St. Mars was secur'd at Narbonne de Thou and Savignac were arrested in the Army and all three carry'd to several Places D' Ozonville Lieutennant in the Duke of Bouillon â—s Guards who stay d with St. Mars to give Intelligence no sooner understood that the Marquiss was taken up but he took Post for Piemont to tell his Master what had fallen out to the end he might look to himslf passing through Monfrin he there found Vicount Turrenne his Master's Brother and imparted to him the misfortune of the Favourite The Vicount not knowing that his Brother was engag'd in the Conspiracy thought it his duty to give the Cardinal notice of a piece of News that so much concern'd his Repose and sent him word withall that he had it from Ozonville who was going into Piemont about other Affaires Upon which Advice the Cardinal immediately commanded his under Chamberlain to take Post and get before Ozonville with Orders to the Governours of all the Frontier Towns to stop him and to waylay all the Passes into Piemont to hinder the Duke of Bouillon from the knowledg of a thing that so much concern'd him Thus was Vicount Turenne by his Imprudence the cause of his Brothers Imprisonment Ozonville was stopt at Valence and Saladin carry'd an Order to the Marquiss of Plessis-Pralin to arrest the Duke Who rightly deeming that it would be no easie thing to execute such an Order in an Army of which he was General made a Proposal to him to Visit Casal before the opening of the Campaigne and while they were upon the way he sent a Messenger to Cominges Governour of the Place to give him notice of the Order which he had receiv'd to the end he might be prepar'd to put it in Execution Upon that Cominges invited the Duke to Supper in the Citidel and so order'd it that not above four Persons were to set at his Table The Dukes Train were treated in Rooms apart so that the Duke being alone with Cominges he demanded his Sword The Duke no way concern'd told him he was ready to obey provided he shew'd him an Order in writing otherwise he would not suffer him self to be arrested Cominges answerâ—d that he had it not about him but he would go and fetch it In the mean time the Duke slipt out of the Chamber down staires and passing all the Centries got into the City before he was mist Cominges not finding him at his return was in a heavy Toss as making no doubt but that his Head must have answer'd for the loss of his Prisoner Presently therefore he order'd the Drums to beat an Alarum and made the Souldiers run some one way some another after the Duke who to prevent falling into the snare a second time got into a by-street with one Laquey that always attended him where he spent the whole Night leaning against a Wall vvithout being discover'd By break of Day he got into a House feigning that he was pursu'd for fighting a Duel and upon the promise of a good reward perswaded the Man that open'd the Door to hide him in a Hay-loft where he remain'd for some Hours But the Soldiers that look't after him entring the House two among the rest got into the Loft and Poking with their Halber'ds miss'd him very narrowly However he would not stir from his Post till he was discover'd and arrested Cominges overjoy'd that he had recover'd his Prisoner took care to keep him safe from making a second Escape till he was carry'd by the King's Ordâ—r to Lion and there shut up close in the Castle of Pierre-Encise St. Mars and de Thou were also carry'd thither and Commissioners were chosen out of the King s Council and the Parliament of Grenoble of whom the Chancellor Sigâ—ier was President to try â—em These Commissioners condemn'd 'em to loose their Heads but the Duke of Bouilion bought his Life with the loss of his Principality of Sedan which he surrender d to the King The Cardinal however did not long enjoy the pleasure of having triumphd over his Enemies nor did the King himself long survive his Chief Minister But enough of these Tragical Stories Let us now for a little recreation see what became of Marion de Lorme She endeavour'd to comfort her self for the loss of St. Mars by keeping d' Emery company who wholly devoted himself to her and was at such profuse Expences to gain her Affections that when he came to make up his Accounts with Martial the famous Persumer from whom that Lady furnish'd herself with Gloves Fanns Pomatums Essences and such like Toys he found she had taken up in one year as much as came to fifty thousand Crowns La Guillaumine whom she had advanc'd from being her Laquey to be her Valet de Chambre enrich'd himself to that degree by the Liberality of this same Super-intendent that he afterwards gave four hundred and fifty thousand Livers for a Prothonotaries Place in the Council Yet was not this Lady true to her Paramour for all this She kept Company every day with Desbarreaux who return d to Paris after the death of the Cardinal besides several others to boot So far was she imitating
such notable Tryals of her skill she thought it impossible for that same Prime Minister to deny her any thing and therefore she propounded to him the restoration of Madam de Chastetau-Neuf but in regard he could not consent to it without prejudice to his own particular interests he absolutely refus'd to gratifie her which occasion'd a Rupture so that afterwards there was never any sincere correspondence or reconciliation between ' em Chasteau-Neuf had been for some time already at Monrouge where he happen'd to arrive the same day that the Dutchess return'd to Paris by another Roade And perhaps if he had not stopt there but had come directly to Court without capitulating with the Queen he had oblig'd her by that frankness to have stuck close to him But being desirous to follow the example of Madam de Sensay who refus'd to return to Paris till she was resettl'd in her Employment he gave the Queen time to understand his temper without desiring his nearer approach But his case was not the same with that of Madam de Sensay who had no body to oppose her but a person for whom the Queen had no kindness whereas Chastau-Neuf besides that Monsieur the Prince's whole Family oppos'd him gave an occasion of jealousie to the Prime Minister and had no other way but by Addresses and by degrees to gain what the Lady of Honour obtain'd upon her first motion The Duke of Beaufort also lost himself by the same error for he thought the Queen so prepossess'd with an affection to him that he imagin'd he might be able to ruin Mazarin by shewing himself somewhat cold to that same Princess But that behaviour of his alter'd all the measures that had been taken for his advancement He had been already in nomination for a Cardinals Cap but when it was seen that he shew'd so little acknowledgment orders were sent away privately to Rome to desist from any farther sollicitation in his behalf Neither did the Duke of Vendome his Father carry himself with more prudence for he scrupl'd to accept of the Office of High-Admiral without the Anchorage not considering that it became him first of all at any rate to have worm'd himself into the Employment and then he might easily afterwards have extended his Priviledges He was so much at variance with himself what course to take that he made his addresses sometimes to the Cardinal and acknowledg'd himself beholding to him for his Preferment the next moment he sought an opportunity to get the Marshal d' Etrees to speak to de la Riviere and conjure him to bring about his designs and no sooner was he out of his sight but he endeavour d by indirect ways to engage Monsieur the Prince to serve him In short there was hardly an hour past over his head but he chang'd both his sentiments and his Party The Duke of Beaufort therefore seeing his measures broken by the removal of Chasteau-Neuf resolv'd to rid himself of the Cardinal and subordain'd certain persons to kill him as he went to the Palace Royal where the Queen then lay or else as he return'd But the Cardinal having an inkling of what was contriving against him immediatly went to the Palace Royal tho he knew the Queen was not there and sent for all his friends The Duke of Beaufort who narrowly watch'd him took notice of the swarm he had got about him and rightly guest from thence that his project had taken air which oblig'd him to defer the execution of it till the next day when he might have a better opportunity as he believ'd because the Cardinal was to go that day to Maisons and consequently to pass by the Hostle de Vendome However he was still disappointed for the Cardinal meeting the Duke of Orleance by the way the Duke took him into his Coach and the respect which they bore to the King's Uncle hinder'd the Conspirators from making any attempt In the Mean time the Queen being inform'd of the Duke of Beaufort's designs caus d him to be arrested and sent him away Prisoner to the Castle of Vincennes The Dutchess imagining that Monsieur the Prince had been the principle cause of the Duke of Beaufort's imprisonment and of Chastâ—au-Neufs misfortune resolv'd to be reveng'd Now tho Ladies are apt to flatter themselves in the opinion of their Beauty yet her Mirror had already several times inform'd her that her Charmes half worn away stood in need of some younger person to strengthen her party nor was she constrainâ—d to look out farther then her own Family The Daughter of the Countess of Vertus whom the Duke of Monbason her Father had married was as we have said already the most lovely Woman in France besides she had a secret despite against Monsieur the Prince's Sister who having marri'd the Duke of Longueville had depriv'd her of a Lover and therefore it was no hard matter for the Dutchess of Cheuvreux to win her into a Confederacy with her The Duke of Guise also who since his return had declar'd for that fair Dutchess engag'd all the Lorrain Princes to embrace his Party to which they were already well enclin'd out of respect to the Duke of Cheuvreux who was of the same Family These two Ladies having contracted a strict friendship resolv'd to satisfie their revenge by attacking the reputation of Madam de Longueviâ—â—e To that purpose they publisht the Letters which that Princess had written to the Duke of Beaufort They also counterfeited others which as they said had been written by Madam de Longueville to Coligni The Princess of Conde therefore understanding that the Dutchess of Monbason had spread abroad this report displaid her resentment and engag'd all her Friends to assist her in doing her self justice This quarrel divided the whole Court and made the Queen afraid least it should revive the ancient feud between the two Houses of Bourbon and Guise These two parties were equally matched because the Duke of Lorrain who had marri'd into the House of Guise had declar'd for Madam de Monbason and so this difference might be attended with pernicious consequences And tho the Queen were concern'd to hinder the Duke of Orleance from uniting too closely with the Prince of Conde for fear least their authority should prove prejudicial to hers yet in regard there was more danger in suffering 'em to push things on to the last extremity she laboured to reconcile the Ladies To which purpose she engag'd the Princess of Conde and the Dutchess of Longueville to accept of the satisfaction which Madam de Monbason was ready to give ' em Thereupon the Dutchess was wrought to declare in the Queen's presence to the two Princesses that she had no share in spreading the reports and that she utterly disown'd ' em On the other side the two Princesses as it had been agreed upon before declar'd that they were willing to believe her because Madam de Monbason said it It was also convenanted by the same accommodation that the
Dutchess of Monbason should avoid all occasions of meeting the two Princesses which in the conclusion she never took care to observe For the Dutchess of Cheuvreux having invited the Queen to a Collation which she had provided for hâ—r at Renard s House carri'd her Mother-in-Law with her to assist her in the management of the Solemnity On the other side the Queen took a long with her the Princess of Conde who seeing the Dutchess of Monbason would have gone back again but the Queen bid her stay and desir'd the Dutchess for her sake to to walk off and divertise her self some where else Which she did after such an unmannerly fashion that the Queen was highly offended insomuch that when she return'd to the Palace Royal she sent her an Order by Guenegaud the Secretary of State to retire forthwith to her House at Rochefort 'T was thought there would have been an end of this quarrel by the removal of the Dutchess but Coligny who did not think himself sufficiently reveng'd upon 'em for designing to create a difference with the House of Bourbon to which he had the honour to be alli'd sent a Challenge to the Duke of Guise by the Marquiss d' Estrades The Duke accepted the Challenge and took for his second the Marquiss de Brideu The Duel was fought in the Royal Piazza where the Duke of Guise had absolutely the better as having disarm'd and dangerously wounded his Adversary after which he went to part the Seconds who fought with great courage but without any harm done on either side This Duel got the Duke of Guise a great reputation and would have augmented the value which his Mistress already had for him had he persever'd in that engagement but his heart gave way to other impressions in a short time afterwards The Queens six Maids of Honour were all of 'em beautiful and wanton except Mademoiselle de Segur upon whom the following Couplet was made But how unjust is young Segur Flaxen her Hair Complexion pure But Heart so hard that no Addresses Can gain her Amorous Caresses But the Lady whose Beauty had made the greatest noise was Mademoiselle de Pons of an Illustrious Family in Guyenne Her adorers were the principal Gallants of the Court and among the rest the Duke of Candale the Son of the Duke of Espernon admitted by Surviviourship to the Command of Collonel General of the Infantry Mareschal Schomburg Collonel General of the Swisses the Marquiss of Villeâ—â—ier Captain of the Guards of the Body the Marquiss of Moissans Lieutenant of the King's Gens-de-Arms and the Duke Joyuse Great Chamberlain Brother to the Duke of Guise This Latter had caus'd Madam de Pons's Picture to be drawn in Miniature but had not taken it away from the Painter in the mean time the Duke of Guise happen'd to go by chance to the Painters house where he saw the Picture and was so charm'd with it that he put it in his Poket and carri'd it away notwithstanding all that the Painter could say to him only he was so just as to pay him thirty Pistoles for his work The Picture infus'd a desire into him to make his addresses to the Original he discours'd Mademoiselle de Pons discover'd his Passion to her and was so assidous in his addresses that he dispeirc'd the greatest part of her Lovers The Duke of Candale engag'd himself with the Marchioness of Castellana which was the cause of his death she having given him too violent marks of her Love when he pass'd through Avignon where usually she liv'd in his return from Catalogna where he comanded the Kings Army The Duke of Joyeuse made his addresses to Mademoiselle de Guerchi a great Companion of Madam de Pons's who sacrific'd him aferwards to the Commander de Jars of the House of Roche Chouard The Duke therefore to be reveng d of his Brother for depriving him of his former Mistress endeavour d to put a formidable Rival upon him and to that intent so highly cri'd up the Charms of Madam de Pons to the Duke of Orleance that he set him a gog to get the sole possession of her Presently he became her most diligent Servant and for some time was a great disturbance to the Duke of Guise who understanding that his Brother had rais'd him up that Rival to perplex him endeavour'd to pay him in his own Coyn. Understanding therefore that the Duke of Joyeuse made his addresses to Mademoeselle de St. Megrin who was also one of the Queen's Maids of Honour he perswaded that Lady that Monsieur was in Love with her and knowing there was to be a Ball within an Evening or two at the Regents Lodgings he desir'd her in Monsieur's name to give him a Blew Ribband that she wore upon her Sleive assuring her that the Duke desir'd to wear that favour of hers when he came to the meeting The Lady being easily entreated gave Guise the Ribband who presently carri'd it Monsieur and requested him in the Ladies name to wear it that Evening at the Ball which he did accordingly After which to Monsieur who began to be a weary of the great croud that usually environ'd Madam de Pons left her and stuck to Mad. de St. Megrin who had not so numerous a throng about her and by that means deliver'd the Duke of Guise from the vexation of his Rivalship The time being come for the Army to take the Field the Duke of Orleance went to command the Army in Flanders and was accompani d thither by the greatest part of the Mettl'd Nobility that belong'd to the Court The Duke of Guise and Marquiss of Villequiers went as Voluntiers and at the same time to give proofs of their Valour and their love for their Mistresses they resolv'd at the Siege of Dixmude to venture so far in the Trenches that whoever of the two lost his life the survivour might be so happy as to enjoy Mad. de Pons without a Rival The same day the Besieg'd made a Salley where the two Lovers gave signal marks of their Courage but tho neither the one nor the other were any way sparing of their persons yet they both came off without so much as being wounded Upon which the Duke of Guise who was very sincere wrote a Letter to Mad. de Pons wherein he highly extoll'd the undaunted Bravery of his Rival When they reurn'd from the Campaign the Court remov'd to Fontain Bleau where happen'd a great quarrel who should have the King's Musick which Villequier had bespoke to give Madam de Pons an entertainment upon the Canal and which the Duke of Guise would have had for the same design insomuch that the Queen was forc'd to make use of her authority to deside the difference There also happen'd another quarrel between the Duke and Marshal Schomburg about a certain Lampoon which had been made upon the Queens Maids of Honour wherein the Duke of Guise was severely nipt and Copies were carri'd to him under the hand of the
Marshal's Secretary which was the reason that the Master was accus'd to be the Author But the Duke d' Elbeauf having notice of the quarrel made up the business and reconciled ' em However the Duke of Guise being desirous to free himself from the competition of all his Revals begg'd leave of the Queen that he might Court his Mistress upon the account of Matrimony which having obtain d he sent to her Chamber her Dyet ready drest from his own House and order'd his own Officers to attend her which created an extraordinary jealousie among his Competitours 1645. But because the Duke of Guise could not marry Madam de Pons till he had dissolv'd his Marriage with the Countess of Bossu he resolv'd to go to Rome to Prosecute the Divorce before the Tribunal of the Ruota The Action also was already commenc'd and his Mother sent two Gentlemen thither to farther it But when she understood her Son's Affection for Madam de Pons she sent to her Agent to desist At length the Duke himself departed and after he had escap'd the dangers of the Sea arriv'd safely at Florence where he oblig'd the Grand Duke to write in his behalf to Innocent X. then newly advanc'd to the Pontificate When he arriv'd at Rome he was kindly receiv'd by the Pope who also at his request granted the Cardinals Cap to Mazarins Brother For the Duke was in hopes that such a Piece of Service would have engag'd the Prime Minister to have favour'd his Design but he was so far from it that the French Embassador had Order to cross and frustrate his Proceedings After the Departure of the Prince Mademoiselle de Pons not being satisfy d with her usage at Court retir'd to the Convent of Chassemidi where her Lovers Officers waited upon her every day in the House belonging to the Convent whether she went at the Hours of Dinner and Supper through a long Gallery which joyn'd the seperate Apartment and the Convent together On the other side the Duke being inform'd of her Persecutions lent an Ear to a Proposal that Touti made him to put himself into Naples and command the Army of the Rebels He wrote therefore to the Cardinal to give him notice of this Proposal and having obtain'd leave he Embarqu'd in a Shallop and passing through the midst of the Spanish Fleet got safe into Naples where he met with great difficulties to be surmounted For before his Arrival the sole Authority was in the hands of Jennaro who was no more then a Sword-Cutler at first but he was constrain'd at last to give way to the Duke So soon as the Duke had the Power in his Hands he forbid any more Plundring of Houses which Jenuaro suffer'd every day to enrich himself Upon which that Brute of a Commander conceiv d so great an Enmity against the Duke that he would never after pardon him but joyning with the Magistrate most popular among the Revolters and no less vex d then himself to miss his share of the Plunder they both together fram'd several contrivances against the Dukes Life Besides he had neither Provision nor Amunition in the City nor money to buy any for that the Captain of the Rebels till then had mentain'd his Men by the Plunder of the Houses only so that the Duke was constrain'd to supply all his Exigencies by his own Credit For he receiv'd no Succor from France because the Cardinal imagin'd as it was true enough that the Duke had a design to make himself King of Naples that he might set a Crown upon the Head of Mademoiselle de Pons The Kings Fleet that came to an Anchor before the Haven of the City serv'd to no other purpose but to debase his Reputation among the people because they brought neither Men nor Ammunition Yet for all these dissasters nothing abated the Dukes Courage nor lessend his Affection for his Mistress For after he had driven the Spaniards from their Principal Posts and taken diverse considerable Prisoners he thought he might then act like a King so that he sent a Procuration to the Marquiss of Brancas his Kinsman to marry Mademoiselle de Pons in his name The Marquiss inform'd the Cardinal of all this who to assure himself of the Dukes Fidelity thought it convenient to shut up Mademoiselle de Pons in a Convent whether she was sent by the Queen's Order But the Lady having notice of the design against her Liberty resolv'd to fly with two of her Lovers to whom she had imparted the reason of the Alarums and who had promis'd both to facilitate her flight and to bear her company Thereupon she stole out of the Convent leaving behind her the two Maids that were wont to attend her but she got no farther then St. Clou. For the two Lovers not being able to agree among themselves who should have the greatest share in her advis'd her to return to the Convent All this while they had been so long contending one with another till it was Night and the Nunns were retir'd to their Cells nevertheless her Maids having notice of her return caus'd the Gates of the Convent to be open'd pretending their was a Courrier arriv'd from the Duke of Guise that was to speak with their Mistress By which means she got into the House where he was accustom'd to eat and so return d to her Apartment without any discovery being made of her absence However the Queen who had some inkling of her Escape had sent whlle she was at St. Clou to the Convent an Exempt of the Guards of the Body to know whether she were there or no and to speak with her Upon which one of her Maids that most resembl'd her in tallness and shape came to the Grate of the speaking-place with her face wrapt in her Handkerchif feigning to have the â—oothach The Exempt brought back word again to the Queen that he had spoken to a certain Person that was like her but could not say it ' twast Mademoiselle de Pons because he could not see her Face The Queen therefore sent the next day the Dutchesses of Eguillon and Lyancourt with Orders to carry her to the Convent of Nunns of the Visitation of the Holy Virgin in St. Anthonies Street which they did with so much severity that they would neither suffer her to take her Maids along with her nor to speak with any body Of all which she inform d the Duke of Guise by a Letter who wrought with so much vehemence back again to the Queen and the Cardinal that for fear of exasperating his dispaire and forcing him to treat with the Spaniards they set Mademoiselle de Pons at liberty and gave her leave to retire to Angloises upon St. Victor's Mote where she was visited by all her Friends The same Year there fell out another Accident which had like to have reviv'd the ancient feuds between the Houses of Bourbon and Lorrain The Marquiss of Chabet a Favourite of Monsieur the Prince had marry'd the
Heiress of the House of Rohan without the consent of the Dutchess of Rohan her Mother who to be reveng'd of her set up a Brother of whom as she said she lay in privately at Paris the 18 of December 1630 upon her return from Paris in the presence only of two Women and her Apothecary She pretended also that she had caus'd him to be Baptiz'd under Counterfeit Names because her Husband was then at variance with the Court that she had nam'd him Tancrede and that she had caus'd him to be bred up by a Lady of her acquaintance call'd Mademoiselle Millet That the Duke of Rhoan returning to Paris in 1634 saw this Son of his several times with great satisfaction That the Spaniards having taken Corbie in 1636. and the Parisians having taken the Alarum she sent away Tancrede into Normandy to the Father of Temon her Steward to secure his Person till she could take him along with her out of France That this Son was stolen away by people unknown the 2d of February 1638. That seven Years after she discover'd that Tancrede had been stollen away by the order of Mademoiselle de Rohan and carri'd to Leyden in Holland where his Pension was paid to a Merchant by his Sister However it were the Dutchess of Rohan sent for this Son whether real or supposed to Paris and the Duke of Guise at the Request of M. de Pons who was a particular friend of the Dutchesses went to meet him took him into his Coach carry'd him to his House and declar'd himself his Protector while Monsieur the Prince with great heat supported Chabet's Interest but Tancrede was kill d in the Civil Wars and so put an end to that Controversie The Duke of Guise understanding what effect his Letters had produc'd resolv'd to make one fair push for it to open the Passages and make way for Provisions to come to the City To which purpose he went and laid Siege to a little Island within a League of Naples and within a few hours reduced the Spaniards that were in the Fort to Capitulate Now in regard the place was not to be deliver'd till the next day the Duke was forc'd to stay there all Night and in that time Gennaro together with the chief Magistrate of the People and the rest of the Dukes Enemies sign'd the Treaty which they had made with the Spaniards and deliver'd the Principal Posts of tne City into their hands So that when the Duke would have return'd he found the Gates shut and an Enemy fireing upon him He sought then to make his Escape with some Squadrons that stook to him but all the Passes were so well guarded that he was forc'd to yeild himself a Prisoner Don John of Austria who at that time commanded the Spanish Army in the Kingdom of Naples after he had kept him some for time in the Castle of Puzzuolo sent him to Segovià in Spain where he remain'd some years and ran a great hazard of his Life becuse he had not been own'd by France During his Imprisonment Mademoiselle de Pons became unfaithful to him for having at a Ball at Chauron the Presidents Wife 's House beheld Malicorne the Chavalier de Hautefort's Brother who seated himself at her Feet to discourse of Love she took an Affection to him and forgot all that the Duke of Guise had done for her However this Passion was thwarted by Malicorm's Family who did all they could to break off this Engagement but all their Obstacles serv'd only to unite 'em more closely together nor could the return of the Duke of Guise oblige 'em to a separation But before we speak of the Revolutions that happen'd the next Year 't is requisite we should say something of the rest of the Queen's Maids of Honour Mademoiselle de Chemeraut had marry'd La Basiniere Treasurer of the Privy Purse and Mademoiselle de St. Louis was wedded to the Marquiss of Flavacour Mademoiselle de St. Megrin after she had harken'd a while to the Marquiss of St. Meme the Monsieur 's first Esquire broke off with him to engage herself with the Marquiss de Broutte Collonel of the Regiment of Navarr whom she took for her Husband when the Civil Wars were at an end Mademoiselle de Nevillan made choice of the Duke of Novailles who at the conclusion of the Troubles made her his Wife So that there was only Mademoiselle de Guerchi that could not meet with a Husband She had quitted the Commander de Jaret wholly to give her self up to Jeannin of Castille the King's Treasurer and she carry'd herself with so little reserv'dness that the Queen expell'd her the Court. However the Duke of Vitry engag d with her for all that and treated her with as much respect as if she had been a Lucretia tho' she had had four or five Children by several Fathers More then that she grew with Child a sixth time and the Duke being desirous to preserve her Reputation which he would not believe to be quite so much lost as it was nothing would serve his turn but that she must come before her Time 'T was in vain to cry she should be overjoy'd to have such a Pledge of their Friendship he was absolutely resolv'd she should destroy the fruit of their Amours and sent her a Midwife whose name was Constantine who would needs deliver her by force but she dy'd in the Operation and Constantine was hang d. The Duke of Vitry was a long time a comfortless bemoaner of her death and preserv'd the Memory of her so charily that he afterwards engag d himself with a common Harlot because the Strumpet resembl'd her And that Woman being enrich'd by his Liberality marry'd afterwards the Marquiss of Goudron a younger Brother to the House of Gamache 1649. The Duke of Beaufort having made his Escape out of the Castle of Vincennes enter'd into a new League with the Princes of the House of Lorrain the Parliament and the People who had taken Arms upon the Imprisonment of the President Blanc-Menil and Broussel a Councellor in the same Body which enforc'd the Queen to besiege Paris Monsieur the Prince who then adhear'd to her Interests commanded the King's Army and constrain'd the Mutineers to Capitulate But the pretentions of the Prince whose extraordinary service had augmented his Reputation were so great that Mazarin fearing least he should grow too Powerful resolv'd together with the Queen to arrest not only him but the Prince of Conti his Brother and the Duke of Longueville his Brother-in-Law The Marquiss of Miossans had the Warrant and did this business with so much address that in recompence of his service he obtain'd a Marshâ—l of France's Battoon and was afterwards call'd Marshal d' Albret The three Princes were carry'd to the Castle of Vincennes Guarded by the Marquiss of Barr thence remov d to the Castle or Marcousins and from thence to Havre de Grace The Princess of Conde and the Dutchess of Longueville not being able to
Liberty However the Duke was desirous to have her company by all manner of ways nor had she any pretence to avoid this dangerous voyage but only that she staid to perswade her Brother to quit the Court in a fury and prepare himself for a Civil War The Prince of Conti aim'd at nothing certain nevertheless he folow'd his Sisters sentiments not knowing what they were and was desirous of a War as being that which would give him an opportunity to quit his Breviary for which he had no kindness The Duke of Nemours also most earnestly advis'd it tho his sentiments proceeded not so much from his Ambition as from his jealousie of Mounsieur the Prince For he was fallen most violently in love with the Dutchess of Chatillon who had been a long time before intreagu'd with the Prince of Conde and in regard he could not break off their familiarity but by separating 'em forever he knew no other way to succed but by a War and that was the only motive which induc'd him to desire it The Conduct of the Court and the Prince's behaviour soon furnish'd both sides with occasion of mistrust and both parties prepar'd a like for a Rupture The Prince of Conde sent the Marquiss of Silleri into Flanders under pretence of disingaging Madam de Logueville and Marshal Turenne from the Treaties they had made with the Spaniards to procure his Liberty but in truth he had orders to take measures with the Count of Fuensalida Governour of the Low Countries and to sound him before hand what assistance the Prince might expect if he were constrain'd to a War The Count return'd his answer to the proposal according to the usual custom of the Spaniards and promising much more then could reasonably be expected from him left nothing omitted to engage the Prince to take Arms. The Prince also by means of Vinueil negotiated with Mademoiselle de Pons to engage the Duke of Guise in his party obliging himself when he treated with Spain to procure his liberty which he did effectually Moreover upon notice of a intended design to arrest him he withdrew to St. Maur and by the Duke of Rochefoucaut gave notice to the Duke of Orleance of the occasion of his withdrawing out of the way He refus'd to speak in private with Marshal Gramont who came in the King's name to demand the cause of his withdrawing and to invite him to return to Paris with a promise of all security But the Prince return'd him an answer in the hearing of all the company that were present That thâ— Cardinal Mazarin were remov'd from the Court his Spirit and his Maxims raign'd there still and therefore there could be no safety in that place for his person The Prince of Conti also and Madam de Longueville repaird to St. Maur as soon as the Prince arriv'd there and for the first days there was a Court no less numerous nor less crouded with persons of Quality then the Kings with all divertisements serviceable to Politics as Balls Comedies Play and Hunting and the welcome entertainment drew an iâ—finite number of fickle people that always offer their Service at the beginning of parties dividing themselves and which either betray or abandon 'em according to their fears or their interests Thus Mounsieur the Prince believing he was in a condition to support himself at Paâ—is against the Court repair'd thither and sent Madam the Princess the Duke of Enguien and Madam de Longueville to Montrond with a design to pass soon after into Gâ—yenne where the whole Province was prepar d to receive him But when he arriv'd in the Capital City of the Kingdom he found that the Cabal of Slingers were absolutely against him in hopes that the Court would protect 'em in their opposition to him The Coadjutor who was the head of 'em openly declar'd himself his Enemy and never went to the Palace without a great number of armed Men at his heels which oblig'd the Prince to do the same nay one day the two parties were ready to have drawn upon one anoher in the great Hall The Prince therefore fearing least the Slingers should be too strong for him at Paris passed into Guyenne where fortune was as little favourable to him the Count de Harcourt having always the advantage over him On the other side the Duke of Nemours who commanded the Army that came out of Flanders and the Duke of Beaufort who led the Duke of Orleance's Troops being ready to joyn near the River Loire corresponded so ill together that the Prince of Conde thought it necessary to take the command of both together to prevent the unlucky consequences that might attend the misunderstandings of the Chieftains To that purpose he at length departed leaving the Count of Marsin in Bourdeaux to keep that City with the whole Province under his obedience and to hinder his enemies from taking any advantage of the differences between the Prince of Conti and Madam de Longueville For the Prince of Conti could not endure she should have any Lover and display'd those transports of his jealousie which no way became a Brother At length the Prince of Conde arriv'd in the Army with a small train after he had escap'd many daâ—gers beat Marshal d' Hoquincourt and had some advantage over Marshal Turenne but tho fortune was favourable to him in both those enterprises however he was desirous of Peace and was willing to enter into a Negotiation with the Court. To which purpose he sent away Gourville with an Instrument drawn up in the presence of the Dutchess of Chatillon and the Dukes of Nemours and Rochefoucaut Presently the greatest part of the Propositions made by the Prince were granted nor had the Treaty been broken off but upon the pretentions of the Duke of Bouillon who desir d that the Dutchy of Albret might be taken from the Prince and settl d upon him in lieu of what had been promis'd him for the loss of Sedan The Dutchess of Ghatillon seeing the Negotiation broken off would needs undertake the accommodation her self and perswaded the Prince to give his consent For she most passionately desir'd Peace out of a design to despite Madam de Longueville whose interest it was to hinder a Pacification that she might not be oblig'd to return to her Husband The Emulation which Beauty and Courtship frequently causes among Ladies had occasion'd an extraordinary feud between the two Dutchesses and they had a long time conceal'd their animosity but at length it broke out with a vengence on both sides Nor did Madam de Chatillon confine her Victory to the obligation she had laid upon Nemours to breake of all familiarity with Madam de Longueville upon circumstances no less entrenching upon her Honour then publickly known she would also deprive him of the knowledge of Affairs and have the Conduct and Interests of the Prince solely at her disposal The Duke of Nemours who was deeply engag'd with her approv'd this design and thought that
being able to govern and manage Madam de Chatillon's Behaviour toward the Prince she would infuse into him those sentiments that He should inspire into Her and by that means that he should over-rule the Prince by that power which he had over Madam de Chatillen But tho' the Dutchess appeard at Court with more then ordinary splendour the Negotiation came to nothing she being the only Person that prov'd a gainer by it while the Prince bestow'd upon her the Lordship of Morlon in recompence of the pains she had taken The Prince of Conde's Army being repuls'd by the King 's was constrain'd to retreat into St. Anthonies Subburbs where the Marshal Turenne fell upon it and where a great number of Valliant Men fell on both sides and among the rest the Duke of Chatillon and indeed all the Princess Forces had been defeated had not the Parisians opend St. Anthonies-Gate and suffer'd 'em to march through the City Nevertheless the cares of the War did not hinder the Generals from making Love For the Duke of Nemours understanding that the Duke of Beaufort had an Intreague with a Woman of Quality whose name we know not endeavour'd to deprive him of that Conquest and his endeavours prov'd successful the Lady appointing to meet him at a certain place assign'd in the night time But as he was going thither he found a Door open where some body becken'd to him to come in Up went he into the first apartment and there found the Wife of an Advocate handsome enough and nothing at all squemish tho' she perceiv'd the mistake of her Chamber-maid who had introduc'd the Duke of Nemours instead of another Advocate who was her Mistresses Gallant However whether it were that the Woman 's easie Condescention disgusted the Duke or that his imagination was full of the Person that he sought for he prov'd such another Person as Petronius represents Polyenus to be in Company of Circe He did all that he could to reinliven his languishing Vigour and spent so much time in reinforcing his wasted Ammunition that he mist his opportunity of the other meeting However being desirous to make his excuse to the disappointed Lady he went to her and engag'd her to meet him the next day in the Labyrinth belonging to the Physick Garden in the Suburbs of St. Victor Now it happen'd that the Duke of Beaufort going t ither the same day and the same hour heard through a thick Hedge the voice of these two Lovers With that he fell a listning and understood enough to convince him that the Duke of Nemours with whom he was but too much embroyl'd already had made his Mistress unfaithful to him Thereupon the Duke of Beaufort challeng'd the Duke of Nemours who accepted the Challenge and tho Brothers-in-Law they met in the Horse-Market The Duke of Nemours discharg d his Pistol first with more fury then good aim and having mist his Blow the Duke of Beaufort discharg'd his so well to the purpose in his adversaries Head that he lay d him weltring at his feet The death of this Duke having deliver'd the Prince from a Rival his affection for Madam de Chatillon began to grow cold and being over-rul'd by the Spaniards he pass'd into Flanders On the other side the Dutchess strove to comfort her self up for the loss that her disloyalty had brought upon her with the Abbot Toquet who fell passionatly in love with her at the Conferences they had together about the Peace this Abbot being entrusted by Cardinal Mazarin with the management of his interests 1653. The Duke of Guise being releas'd from the Castle of Segovia in pursuance of the Treaty which the Prince of Conde had made with the Spaniards prov'd not so generous as to take his Benefactors side but return'd to Paris more in love with Mademoiselle de Pons then he was before his imprisonment but he met not in her with the same sentiments for himself Her inclinations were altogether for Malicorne and in regard she made it her business to find out all the ways imaginable to be in his company without giving the Duke of Guise any cause of suspicion she engag'd the Prince to take his Rival into his service faigning that she was highly obligd to the Gentlemans Father and that he had assisted her with an extraordinary affection during the Dukes absence and that she might have the more easie opportunities to enjoy Malicorne she desir'd the credulous Prince never to visit her but in the Evening alleadging that their intreague had made a great noise and therefore 't was requisite they should manage their familiarity with so much the more discretion by which means she had her full liberty to enjoy her Favourite in the Afternoons Nor did these scruples serve to any other end then to encrease the Duke of Guise's love who being resolv'd to accomplish his Marriage with Madam de Pons without minding his former engagements propos'd to her the spending some months in Guyenne there to purchase a little House where she might publish the Banes of Matrimony with more privacy while he on the other side retir'd into his County of Eu with the same design Mademoiselle de Pons having accepted this proposal he provided for her a magnificent Equipage and accompani'd her as far as Estampes Malicorne having notice which Roade she took road privately before and staid for her upon the Bank of the River Loire where she took him into her Coach and drove away for Blois But crossing through that City upon the Bridge they perceiv'd the Duke of Orleance who retir'd thither after the majority of the King Mademoiselle de Pons unwilling to be known kept on her Mask tho she were oblig'd to have pull'd it off out of respect to a Prince of the Blood The Duke of Orleance no less surpriz'd at her rudeness then the magnificence of her Equipage sent a Gentleman after her as far as Amboise with orders to enquire the names of the persons that were in the Coach which as it was no difficult thing to learn so the Duke was fully inform'd the same Evening Now the Duke had a secret Grudge against the Duke of Guise and was glad of the opportunity to let the whole Court understand that the Duke was the Cully to carry on his Mistresses Intreague To that purpose he wrote to all his Friends what he had seen and the news was soon spread abroad Thereupon the Duke of Guise's kindred consulted together which way to make him sensible of his Mistresses infidelity so that he might be fully convinc'd but no body would undertake this affair because they fearâ—d the transports of the Dukes fury and knew it was a difficult thing to infuse into him the belief of any thing to the prejudice of a person who as he was fully perswaded was never guilty of any miscariage of that nature However the Duke of Cheuvreuse was pitch'd upon as being the most proper person of any other to act that part by reason
his advanc'd years would incline the Duke of Guise to listen to him with so much the more patience and he was willing to undertake the business The Duke of Guise had much ado at first to believe what Aged Cheuvreuse told him however it fixt some kind of jealousie in his mind Now Mademoiselle de Pons who was oblig'd to part with Malicorne upon her entrance into Guyenne not being able to live absent from him wrote to the Duke of Guise and desir'd he would be pleas'd that she might return to Paris The Duke well understanding the cause of her impatience desir'd her on the other side to stay for some time longer with her Parents but she without any respect to his request set forward and away she came When she was arriv'e the Duke of Guise brib'd one of her Chambermaids and by her means got into his hands the little Box wherein she lockt up all her Lovers Billet douxes and there he found a great number of Letters which plainly made out a form'd Intreague besides some other Letters from the Marshal de Aumont and Marshal d' Albert that spoke the Language of fortunate Lovers which drove him to his wits end Upon this he broke off with Mademoiselle de Pons and us d her very unworthily for he su'd her at Common-Law for a pair of Pendants valu'd at 50000 Crowns and a rich suit of Tapestry which he had given her but with very ill success So that the loss of his Suite redoubld his indignation and he resolv'd to assault her in her own house of which she having notice sent for the Marshal d'Aumont and Marshal d' Albert to protect her the one being Captain of the Guards the other Lieutenant of the King 's Light Horse Presently they hastn'd to her aid with a Body of Cavalry which was the reason that the Duke of Guise made no farther attempt Fain would Marshal d' Albert have made his Market of this piece of service and exacted compliances from Mademoiselle de Pons which she could not find in her heart to grant because she doated altogether upon Malicorne Thereupon that jealous Lover resolv'd to be reveng'd upon her for her ingratitude and entring to that purpose into a League with the Duke of Guise they resolv'd to get an Order from the King to take her away by force and send her into an Abby in the Pyreneans of which a Kinswoman of the Marshals was Abbess Madam de Pons having notice of this Conspiracy stole out of Paris in the habit of a Country market-woman with only two of her waiting women and went to Brussels under pretence of pursuing her Steward who having robb'd her was fled the same way At her departure she left the fatal Box wherein were all her Love Letters with Mademoiselle de Tieure who had been a Pensioner with her at Chassemidi with orders to deliver it to no person living but her self which was afterwards the cause of her breaking off with Malicorne as we shall relate in due place As for the Duke of Guise he being inform'd of her departure resolv'd to make a second voyage to Naples and to that purpose embark'd himself aboard the King 's Fleet. 1654. Nor was the Duke the only Person that prov'd unfortunate in his Amours for the Abbot Touquet who was no less violently in love with the Dutchess of Chatillon left nothing omitted to gain her affection but all the complacency she had for him was only in order to coaxe him out of considerable presents One day that he went to visit her he found her upon the Bed in a sullen moody humour nor could all that he could say to her put her out of it Thereupon he ask'd her chief woman what he should do to divert her and propounded several ways that were not accepted But at length the cunning Ouistrel who was acquainted with all her Mistresses knacks put it into the Abbots head to carry her to St. Germons Fair and the Maid and the Mistress acted their parts so well together that they got out of the incontinent Abbot a Service of Gilt Plate valu'd at above Fifty Thousand Crowns However she had other Admirers that came off at a cheaper rate among the rest Bouchu Intendant in Burgundy and Cambiac Canon in the Cathedral of Albi who was above fifty years of Age. As for Mademoiselle de Pons she made as great a Hurlyburly at the Court of Brusselles as she had done in France The Marquiss of Bouteville a Favourite of the Prince of Conde's and the Marquiss of Fuenclara a Captain under Don John of Austria both offer'd her their Services and to the first she lent a favourable ear The Prince himself also paid her some sedulities but finding more resistance then he expected he quitted her Lodgings full of Choller and Indignation Some days after he understood that Bouteville had not been so unkindly repuls'd which put him into such a Chafe that he swore to him he would never pardon him if he did not quit her forever offering on his part never to have any more to do with her Moreover to let him see that he would be exact to his word he obtain'd an order from Don John by which Madam de Pons was commanded to leave Brussells in twenty four hours and within eight days to depart the King of Spains Territories Howerver Bouteville paid her several private visits after she had receiv'd this Order and they agreed together that she should make a shew of departing and that after she had travell'd about four Leagues from Brussells she should return in the night time to a Chamber which he would hire for her in a by corner of the Town Nor was she worse then her word to Bouteville and for fifteen days together they enjoyâ—d each other in great tranquility But by misfortune Fuenclara having espi'd one of Madam de Depons's Chamber-maids looking out at the Window he learnt by her that her Mistress lay in that Lodging Incognito for it was not the first time that that same damsel had tasted of his liberality Mademoiselle de Pons finding her self discover'd would stay no longer at Brussells for fear of being affronted but withdrew to the Hague where she stay'd all the while that the Spaniards kept the field But after they had taken up their Winter Quarters Bouteville sent for his Mistress to Antwerp whither she was coming but he sent her word by one of the Trumpeters of his Rement to miss Antwerp and return to Brussells in regard the Prince of Conde was gone to give instructions about some thing to be done in the former City Madam de Pons no sooner receiv'd these tydings but she set forward and by an unlucky mischance met the Prince of Conde in a narrow hollow way in his return form visiting the Frontier Garrisons who thought he knew her but Lainett and the President Viole perswaded him to the contrary After this happy escape Madam de Pons arriv'd at Brussells and alighted at
wherein Love had a geeat share which tho' it began before the Year 1657 and held on for a good while after I thought it the best way to put it altogether The two Persons that were most entrusted by Cardinal Mazarin and who were employ d in his most secret Negotiations were Gourville who had been in the Service of the Duke of Rochefoucaut as we have already said and Langlade whom he had made Secretary of his Cabinet These two Men for some time were jealous one of another and did all they could to prejudice each other but understanding that neither of 'em was able to prejudice his Companion they thought it convenient to reunite and act by concert To which purpose they covenanted together equally to share all the profits of their Employments at Court Langlade had been a long time in Love with Madam de St. Loup the Widow of a Collonel of Horse who had been in good request at Court She had set her first Affections upon the Duke of Candale whom she improv'd to that Politeness which afterwards he shew'd in Company for he had but a very ill favour'd Air when he first appear'd at Court but she took care to fashion him These two reconcil'd Enemies thought it convenient to make use of her in the discovery of such matters as it concern'd 'em to know they gave her Money to play with the Queen Mother and engag'd her to give 'em a faithful Account of what she heard that Princess say in reference to their Business Now tho these two Men acted with sincerity enough after their Reconciliation Langlade soon perceiv'd that Gourvilles fortune advanc'd swifter then his which made him covet a more strict Union with him He had a Sister handsome enough which he propos'd to Gourville for a Wife and Gourville would have gladly accepted his Offer had his Heart been at Liberty but he had been privately along time in love with Madam de Parville who had all the Qualities proper to engage the most scrupulous Lover so that he could not find in his Heart to quit her On the other side it was his Interest by no means to disgust Langlade So that he sought for some plausible pretence to avoid the Marriage which wss propos'd to him The most assured and the most agreeable to his Intentions was privately to marry Madam de Parville and he strove to gain her consent But tho' she really lov'd him she could not bring herself to that submission out of a Fantastick Humour common to Persons of her Sex Nevertheless as she was willing to help him out of the Labirinth he was in she gave him leave to tell Langlade they were marry d and to make good this lye she took a Journey into the Country pretending she went to lye in never minding the Prejudice she might do her Reputation Langlade deceiv'd by his Artifice never thought any more of the Marriage of Gourville to his Sistter and some after he also broke off with Madam de Loup whom he found guilty of much Infidelity Before he came to Court he had fallen in Love with a Damsel of Quality in his Country call'd Mademoiselle de Campagnol and tho' he durst not propose Matrimony to her yet he exacted from her a promise never to marry any but himself assuring her that he would send her word so soon as he should have rais'd his Fortune to that degree as to make her happy Langlade entrusted Gourville with the assurance which he had given the Damsel and declar'd with something of Sorrow and Vexation mixt together that he thought himself not rich enough to pretend to that Allyance as not being worth in all above forty thousand Crowns Gourville bid him not be troubled for that and to encourage him to go and accomplish his marriage promis'd to give him as much more Upon that assurance away went Langlade and marri'd Madam de Campagnol who was overjoy'd to see him so faithful to his promise After the Nuptial solemnities were over Langlade returns with his new Wife to Paris where he found that Gourville had hir'd 'em a handsome house and richly furnish'd it The moveables he gave to Langlade and a considerable quantity of Plate and Jewels to his Wife besides the Forty thousand Crowns and Madam de Parville took great care to bring the young Provanssal into good company Thus settl'd together these two fortunate lovers liv'd a long time contented one with the other but poor Gourville lost his Mistress by sickness in the full vigour of his amorous heat That Lady had been so happy as to be violently belov'd by several more especially by â—refortaine the Brother of Lemy Chief Commissary under M. le Tellier Secretary of State who refus'd a pension of sixteen thousand Livres which Mademoiselle de Monpensier offer'd him if he would but have wholly devoted himself to her service But he could not find in his heart to sacrifice to that Princess the Minutes which he desir'd to spend with her that was the sole Soveraigness of his heart tho she had not the same affection for him and corresponded with him only upon the bare account of esteem and friendship 1658. The kindness which the King had for Mazarins two Neices for the Countess of Soissons and her Sister ought rather to be lookt upon as pastimes then any real passion and therefore I shall pass 'em by Mademoiselle de Mancini was convinc'd of the truth of this when she was marri'd to the Constable Colonna Therefore said she to his Majesty You say you love me you are King yet you and I must part Toward the end of the year 1659 the Court remov'd to Lyon under pretence of a marriage in Negotiation between the King and the Princess Margaret of Savoy The Duke repair'd thither with all his Court and great were the rejoycings for a month but the Duke of Savoy having discover'd that while they were amusing him with hopes of that Puissant Alliance Pimantel had concluded the King's marriage with the Infanta of Spain he took post and return'd to Chamberi where he solac'd himself in the Arms of Mademoiselle de Tercesson for the affront which he had receiv'd But tho he had heap'd his Favours upon her she was ne're the more Loyal to him for that for the Marquiss of Fleuri had corrupted the fruit of her first affections and she gave him frequent meetings which the Duke suspecting commanded one of his Lacqueys to attend her with orders never to quit her But the Marquiss to rid himself of that same Spy caus'd him to be thrown into the Po which confirm'd the Dukes suspitions so that he caus'd the Marquiss of Fleuri to be arrested and arraign'd for the death of the Lacquey but all that he pai'd for his folly was a long imprisonment After which the Duke being reconcil'd to Mademoiselle de Tercesson marri'd her to the Marquiss of Cohourre who enjoy d one of the principal Offices in his Household but she shew'd him so
many scurvy tricks that he was forc'd to send her into France where she met with several adventures that deserve a particular History The King's Marriage with the Infanta was solemiz'd in the year 1660 and Cardinal Mazarin dy'd at the beginning of the year 1661. Intreagues of the Court of France under the Raign of Lewis XIV from the death of Cardinal Mazarin to this present time IF the King's affection were no more then his pastime before his marriage 't was not afterwards the same He felt a real passion and that passion took possession of him after an extraordinary manner Madamoiselle de la Valiere who was one of Madam's Maids of Honour perceiv'd the Monarchs humour so agreeable to hers that she fell desperately in love with him She imparted the secret of her inclination to one of her intimate friends and this friend not heing able long to keep the secret with which she was intrusted there were so many persons at Court who were acquainted with it that they made a sport of it to the King Now in regard there is nothing more natural then for a man to know the persons that love and admire him besides that the King was naturally amorous 't was not long before he admitted himself into la Valieres company The first sight of her wrought no great effect for that there was nothing extraordinary in her aspect besides that she limpt a little in a word she had nothing of handsome shape However it cannot be deny'd but that from the very moment that he saw her he had something of an inclination for her yet so limited as only to think of well bestowing her upon some Lord of the Court but he could not resist his Stars Three days after he went to visit Madam who was somewhat indispos'd but there stopping with la Valiere he was so charm'd with her wit that he could no longer curb the violent passion that forc'd him to fall in love with her He stay'd but a little while with Madam but he return'd the next day and continu'd his visits for a month together which made most people believe that he was fallen in love with Madam and Madam to say truth flatter'd herself as if the Conquest had been hers These visits plainly shew'd that the King was passionately in love nevertheless in regard he durst not discover his Passion and for that it was contrary to the rules of decency to be every day at Madams Apartment and never see her he found a way to give it out all over the Court that he was in love with her He talk'd of her continually he extold her Air and her Beauty to the Skies and spoke it openly that since Mancini's departure he had never spent a happy minute but in the company of Madam Nevertheless 't is certain that all the Proofs he gave of his being in love with that Princess were only his being continually with her and his always whispering her in the ear before company when at the same time he talk'd to her only of things indifferent or of la Valiere after which he fell into most dreadful dumps Nor did Madam know what to think not dreaming that the King could ever love a Damsel so far from beautiful that she was the daily subject of the Duke of Roquelaure's jokes and Lampoons But as passionately in love as the King was he was a long time before he durst make known his affection nor did he do it but after an indirect manner One day that he was walking in the Park of Versailles he bemoan'd himself after a manner most extreamly tender that he had not found himself well for some time La Valiere who was present shew'd her self to be very much afflicted at it and gave marks of an extraordinary tenderness The King who perceiv'd it took her aside He told her that she was extremely obliging to be concern'd for his health and at the same time declar'd to her that she was the absolute Mistress of his Life his Death and his Repose La Valiere was at a stand and for a while profoundly silent The King upbraided her with insensiblity But then she made him an answer that altogether charm'd him Their conversation lasted three hours and was only interrupted by a showre of Rain All the rest of the day la Valiere mov'd with a pensive air and the King appear'd to be no less restless in his thoughts The next day they met again and their discourse was still of the same nature The same day the King sent her some Jewels of very great value together with the following Billet D' ye desire my death tell me sincerely Madam It behoves me to satisfie your longing All the World most earnestly seeks my disturbance 'T is given out that Madam is not cruel and that fortune wishes me well but all this while they neither say that I love ye nor that you reduce me to dispair You bear me a kind of tender affection that overwhelmes me For the love of God change your manner of dealing with a Prince that dies for your sake Either be altogether Compassionate or altogether Cruel The King was not satisfi'd with this Billet wherein he had displai d all his tenderness but the next day in the most magnificent apparel that ever he put on in his life he went to visit her at Madams Apartment at what time the Maids of Honour that were with la Valiere withdrew out of respect On the other side the King resolving to know his destiny and to push on his good fortune accosted her in a kind of trembling posture In conclusion he told her all that a tender and violent love could infuse into a person of wit inspir'd by an amorous passion But then Mademoiselle de la Valiere who was already in love with him could no longer hold out against so strong a Battery so that the King return'd happy He went to visit her the next day this familiarity lasted for fifteen days But an accident having discover'd the Intreague the two Lovers no longer dissembled which extreamly perplext Madam who really imagin'd that the King had had a kindness for her Her vexation therefore to see that the King had prefer d on of her Maids before her caus'd her to speak of it to both the Queens however she forbore to signifie any thing of her resentment The Queen Mother who was well acquainted with the King's humour in this particular was terribly alarm'd and resolv'd forthwith to speak of it to la Valiere which she did with so much embitterment that two days after she put her self into a Convent The King who knew nothing of this Adventure was extremely surpriz'd when he heard of it He presently got a Horseback and commanded a Coach to follow him So soon as he came to the House where she was inclos'd he demanded to see her She appear d at the Grate whereafter he had made her a thousand tender Vows and Protestations he bid her immediately come
forth She excus'd her self at first alledging the ill usage of both the Queens To which the King reply'd that he was King and that he would fain see who they were that durst controule his Actions At length therefore she came forth and put her self into the King s Coach Upon the Roade the King propos d to provide a House and a Train for her But that seeming too glorious she avoided it for that time by only returning him submissive thanks Thereupon the King carry'd her himself to Madam and recommended her to her care which redoubl'd the Princesses Despite Besides that the King continu'd his Visits with more assiduity then before He openly sent her Presents the most magnificent that Soveraignty could purchase All this while the King continually urging her to take a House she at last consented and he gave her Biron-House which he went himself to see furnish'd with the Richest movables that were in France The Queen was almost at Deaths Door for Grief but her Amends lay in her own hands what could not be avoyded was to be endur'd At the same time also the King fell sick at Versailles La Valiere was more prudent then to visit him However his Indisposition not proving dangerous at the same instant that Liberty was allow'd for Persons of Quality to pay him their Devoirs she wrote to him the following Lines 'T is the General Report that You are very ill It may be 't is only to afflict me 'T is likewise said that You are disturb'd at this last Rumour In the midst of these Perplexities I begg the Life of my Lover and then am ready to abandon the Kingdom and all the World besides Wherefore if You love me will you not permit me to pay You the Duty of a Visit Adieu send for me to morrow that is to say if my Disquiet will suffer me to live till then The King kiss'd the Billet a thousand times and order'd Madam de St. Agnan to bring Mademoiselle la Valiere to him His Orders were obey'd he saw her with a thousand Transports of joy and exceeded so far in his Amorous Caresses with his Mistress that he fell into a Relaps But that Excess of his produc'd no bad effect in regard that la Valiere nine Months after was brought to Bed of a Young Princess that prov'd a most enchanting Beauty The King's Love was so violent that some time after he became jealous of his Mistress He went to Visit her every day but he only mus'd or fell a reading all the while he was there and sometimes left her without so much as hardly speaking to her His jealousie became so prevelent that he fell into a dreadful fit of Melancholy However in regard that jealousie most commonly proceeds from an excess of Passion he was taken one Evening with so violnet a Pain in his Head and such frequent Vomitings that the Duke of St. Agnan to whom the King had imparted his jealousie thought it convenient to give la Valiere notice of it He also put her in mind that it became her to leave nothing omitted that might contribute to his Cure La Valiere made answer that the Kings Humour had extremely afflicted her but that she could not condesend to begg Pardon for that she was never Guilty of that in a word she had reason to complain of the King but that His Majesty had no reason to blame her The Kings Indisposition redoubl d but as violent as his Headake was his Love was yet far more impetuous He bid the Duke of St. Agnan go immediately to his Mistress and acquaint her with his Malady who presently return'd with the following Billet Did I but know the cause of your Pains I would apply a Remedy tho' it cost me my Life But Good God! how much in vain it is to tell you what I say 'T is not I that can dispose of Your Majesties happy or unlucky Dayes The King was charm'd with the manner of his Mistresses writing who presently after came to see him together with Madam de Montauzier who retir'd out of respect to the end of the Room with the Duke of St. Agnan while la Valiere sate upon the King's Bed Where she carress'd him with a thousand tender expressions which so enchanted the King that he beg'd her Pardon a thousand times This their Conversation lasted five hours and then they parted after they had reciprocally vow'd to Love each other Eternally The two Queens were at their witts end to see the King 's excessive Devotion to la Valiere nor was their any thing which they left omitted to take him off from this extream Passion But when they found that all their Efforts prov d fruitless they thought there was no other way but for Father Anat who was his Confessor to interpose his Spiritual Authority Which he did and that too after so severe a manner that the King thank'd him for his good Counsel and his Service but told him withal that for the future he would have no other Confessor but his Curate Thus was Poor Father Anat turn'd out of favour to the great grief of his Brethren whom he forgot to consult upon this ticklish point Sometime after it came into the Kings head that he would have both the Queens receive la Valiere into their favour To which purpose he spoke of it to Madam de Montauzier who went at the same Instant by his Order to the Young Queen's Chamber Madam de Montauzier was very much perplexed about the complaint she had to deliver however she ventur'd upon her message but the Queen would by no means listen to her Three days after she miscarry'd which had like to have cost her her life The King appear'd to be very much afflicted at it and one day as he stood by the Queens Bed side she desir'd him in the presence of the Queen Mother and a Clergyman of Note to bestow la Valiere in Marriage To which the King made answer that if la Valiere were so dispos'd he would not be against it and presently bethought himself of the Marquiss of Vardes for her Husband But the Marquess who was in love with Madam de Soissons and had no mind to any of the Kings Mistresses laught at the Proposal And afterwards the Marquiss of Vardes and Count de Guiche made such bold Lampoons upon the King's Amours that they were both banisht the Court. The King who had a vehement affection for la Valiere and understood how terribly she was discompos'd upon the Proposal of Marriage went to see her three times a day La Valiere however could not forbear upbraiding the King with the little love he had for her since he could consent so easily to resign her into the Embraces of another But the King gave her such potent Reasons for what he did that his Mistriss was satisfied The Kings Assiduitie and Affection for la Valiere thus redoubling they who approv'd not his Familiarity would needs proceed to violence One night
certain Persons in Vizards got into her Chamber by the help of Ladders made of Cords But she avoided the danger I know not how and the King appointed her Guards and a Steward to tast all the Meat that was carryed to her Table People discours'd according to their Fancies upon this Adventure but 't is an easie thing to understand from whence the Blow came without being a Conjurer Nevertheless la Valieres Enemies were not at all discourag'd there was nothing which they did not attempt to deprive her of the Kings Affection The Duke of Mazarin who pretended to a world of devotion demanded of him a Particular and private Audience which was granted him â—he Subject of their whole discourse was upon a Vision which the Duke had seen that the Kingdom should be quite ruin'd if the King did not utterly abandon la Valiere 's Company withal he told his Majesty at length that he had a Commission from God himself to give him that fair warning And I reply'd the King advise ye from my self to take a great care of your Brains which are in a deplorable condition and to restore like a Good Christian what your Uncle the Cardinal has robb'd from the Kingdom Upon which the Duke made him a low Bow and withdrew full of shame and confusion Two or three Months after the Queen would needs make her last Efforts She talk'd to him her self of the scandal which he brought upon his Kingdom by a familiarity that was the sport of all the Courts of Christendom To which the King reply'd that Kings and Queens had always been the talk of the world and that she knew by experience that she her self had not been spar'd Which so netled the Queen to hear him touch upon that string that she never after open'd her Lips to reprove him for his Amours The next day la Valiere was brought to bed of a Prince The King who was almost all alone with her when her Pains came upon her was at a loss and it may be said that he was half her Midwife Soon after he made her a Dutchess and still the King continued his Visits to her and one day he found her in a deep Melancholly For as for her Beauty it was never very charming so she was grown so lean after her last lying in that it was a great mortification to her Now in regard she perceiv'd that the King was sensible of her Pensiveness she confest to him that she was afraid he had not the same Affection for her which formerly he had For added she do you think that my Looking Glasses does not inform me that I have almost lost those allurements that render Mistresses agreeable to their Lovers Yet this I dare say that you will never meet with otherwhere what you have found in me I understand ye reply'd the King But wherefore do you thus by your unjust suspicions affront a Prince that adores and ever will adore ye as long as he lives This Protestation charm'd la Valiere Nevertheless 't is certain that the King began to miss those charms which he had found in her till then tho' he was convinced that he lov'd her when he consulted his own thoughts In a word he was never taken with her Beauty but with her Wit and her Behaviour and somthing I know not what which it is impossible for a Man to express About this time it was that Madam de Montespan appear'd at Court And in regard she was a Person of a Transcending Beauty she laid great designs to insnare the Kings heart But as yet la Valiere possess'd it so intirely that all her Plots prov'd ineffectual So that finding the King so little inclin'd to entertain her she cast her eyes upon Monsieur and he comply'd however he had another Mistress who disgusted Madam de Montespan It may be said that the King had still some little inclination for la Valiere But for all that at the same time that Madam de Montespan display'd all her temptations at Court to render him sensible of her Charms he had some little kindness for the Princess of Monaco That new Mistress was nothing cruel However the King grew weary of her in a very little time M. de Lausun who at first had no small share in the Princess of Monaco was so enrag'd at the Infidelity of his Mistress that he payd all his vows to Madam de Montespan Nor was he long before he obtain'd her last favours Thus M. de Lausun's Happiness became the publick discourse of the Court and the King reflecting upon the good fortune of his Fovourite of whom all people gave out that he was belov'd by the most beautiful Woman of France this made him look upon Madam de Montespan as a Person that had all those perfections which really she had And from that time forward it was that he began to fall off from his affection to la Valiere for she was still call'd by that name tho' she had the Title of Dutchess conferr'd upon her Madam de Montespan on the otherside had too watchful an eye not to perceive as soon that the King began to have a growing kindness for her and from that very time she endeavour d to the utmost of her power to settle her self at Court. This she thought she might be able to do â— once she could but wind her self into a strict amity with Madam de la Valiere Nor did she attempt it in vain while Madam de la Valiere sought on her side to disburthen into the bosome of some sincere friend her sorrow for the extinguishing flames of her Lover And the forwardness of Madam de Montespan so highly pleas'd la Valiere that they became great friends in outward appearance especially on Madam de Montespan's part who had her aim and hated at the bottom of her heart a Rivaless whose favour with the King she was labouring might and main to undermine On the otherside the King who began already to feel something of tenderness for Madam de Montespan was overjoyd to find her everyday with la Valiere For which reason he was the more assiduous in his visits But Madam de la Valiere soon perceiv'd that 't was not for her sake that the King so frequently came to see her but that Madam de Montespan possess'd his Inclinations She complain'd to the King therefore after a most tender manner and the King without evasion and as obligingly as he could told her that Madam de Montespan was one of the most beautiful women that ever he saw and that he verily believeâ—d she had a passion for him To this the King added that she had no reason to be surprisâ—d at it that the change should be no prejudice to her that he would always preserve a particuliar esteem for her and that he thought she had no cause to be disatisfied Madam de la Valiere melted into tears But then the King repeated what he had said He declar'd to her that he desir'd she
procur'd great Preferments and advantages to those for whom she had a kindness Madam de Montespan who saw that no body could be ignorant any longer of the Kings extream Affection for his new Mistress became so highly exasperated that she began to rail against it openly which very much offended the King Some time after Madenâ—oiselle de Fontange was brought to bed but her Lying-in prov'd mortal to her She fell into such a Consumption that they who knew her before hardly knew her when they saw her which was still attended with such a Flux of Blood that every body gave her over for lost All people believ'd her to have been Poyson'd and all people accus'd Montespan So far were all the Remedy's from doing her good that her languishment continu'd every day The King Visited her duly and manifested after a most tender manner the excess of his Grief to see her reduc'd to that condition But in regard she knew there was no cure for her Distemper she besought the King that she might retire from the Court adding with tears in her Eyes that she had nothing more to do in this world but to prepare herself for Death The King who was sensibly touch'd and disorder'd by his being present with her in her affliction granted her Request Thereupon she retir'd into a Convent in St. James's Subburbs where the Duke of Fueillade went to Visit her from the King two or three times a Week But in a little time after she dyd leaving after her death more visible marks of her being Poyson'd then were to be discover'd during her sickness by the report of the Physâ—tians The King's Grief was so extream that he could not refrain from shewing it and certain it is that he had taken his revenge upon Madam de Montespan after a more then ordinary manner had he not had prevailing Reasons to dissemble his Resentment For he was fully convinc'd that Madam de Fontange had been sacrific'd to the Jealousie and despair of that Ambitious Woman who had flatter'd herself that she should still enjoy the King's Affection In the mean time to let the world see that he was really sorry for the loss of Fontange and that the Esteem and Tenderness he had for her was not extinguish'd by her Death he gave a rich Abby to one of her Brothers marry'd one of her Sisters to great advantage and did an infinite number of other things in favour of her Family which did not a little mortifie Madam de Montespan who imagin'd that she being deliver'd from her Rivaless the King might take a new Fancy to her But she deceiv'd herself The King never went to see her but upon a Politick Accompt and resolv'd for the future to renounce all manner of Amorous Intreagues A little time after Madam Fontange's death Mademoiselle de Monpensâ—â—r who was still in love with the Court of Lansan threw herself at the Kingâ—s feet and obtain'd her Lover's Liberty after ten Years Imprisonment 'T would be a hard matter to express the joy of that Princess when the understood from the King 's own Mouth that Lansan was at Liberty nor the Extasies she was in when he arriv'd at Paris However he did not lodge in her House tho' he were permitted to go when he pleas'd to see her So that he was wich her from Morning till Night This Familiarity continu'd for some Month's and Madam de Montpensier was so charm'd with him that she settl'd upon him two considerable Lordships with the King's consent Nor could Lausun be more assiduous then he was in waiting upon her But in regard he lov'd that Princess in hopes of espousing her when he found it impossible for him to marry her because the King had positively declar'd against it he took a distast against his Mistress and he took himself to a Lady that wanted neither Youth nor Beauty and whom he found to be nothing flinty hearted Mademoiselle de Montpensier was not long before she found that Lausun was unfaithful to her Presently therefore she set Spies upon him in the Country and was soon inform'd that he frequently Visited a Young Widow with whom several Persons of Quality in Paris were deeply in Love She complain'd to him of his Insidelity nor did Lausun altogether disown it and whereas Mademoiselle upbraided him that tho' a Princess she had debas'd herself to a willingness to make him her Husband he vow'd to her after he had begg'd her a thousand Pardons that he would never see the Lady more and he was as good as his wordâ— for for five or six Weeks he was her most diligent Servant But one Evening as he was walking alone in one of the Allies of Luxembâ—â—gh Garden while Mademoiselle was in another talking about some affaires with a Minister a Lacquiey without a Livery deliver'd him a Billet wherein he was desir'd in the name of a Lady of great Quality to meet her the next day at eleven a Clock in such a Church Monsieur de Lausun fail'd not to meet and the Lacquey who waited for him at the Church door carry'd him to a House that was not unknown to him Presently he understood the Mistery The Lady receiv'd him blushing but immediatly recovering herself she told him that being endow d with such extraordinary Qualities he ought no to wonder that others made the first advances and that she should esteem her self happy if she had not been so forward in vain The Lady had so much wit and so many Charms that M. de Lausun who never dreamt of such good Fortune stood like one in a Trance But being recover'd from his surprize he spoke as the Lady desir'd and swore a thousand Oaths that he had been enchanted with her Person above six Weeks together but that the profound respect he had for all Persons of her Sex and for those especially that held that Rank in the world as she did had kept him from declaring his Passion Some days after Lausun gave the Lady a Visit But Mademoiselle who was become extreamly jealous and watch'd him where ever he 〈◊〉 had presently discover'd this new Intreague which he must renounce or else there was no longer Peace with Her It may be said that Lausun was got clear of one dreadful Prison to be confin'd to another mo less loathsome for in short he had no longer any kindness for Mademoiselle but there was a necessity for him to live in torment upon more then one account He was at his wits end with his unhappy rate However he was resolv'd to torment himself and to ingage himself no more in Amorous Intreagues This Resolution lasted for some Weeks and Mademoiselle was proud of her self that she had fix'd him at length Never had he appear'd so full of Passion nor so affectionate to her The Princess never stept a step but Lausun follow'd her He was with her at her uprising and he never parted from her till Midnight and he shew'd her so many testimonies of his
what you were would do you a great deal of good 'T is requisite to put you in mind of it for you look as if you had quite and clean forgot it All the World knows Madam that when Monsieur Scarron talk'd of Marriage all his friends laugh'd at him They told him that for such a Decrepit Creature as he was to Marry was to list himself in the Family of Acteon and that because they should not reproach him with any thing of that nature he made choice of a cracke Vessel By good Fortune Scarron lit upon your self he marry'd ye Publickly which made him say very wittily that they could not lay it in his dish that his weakness was the cause of his Wives Wantonness and no doubt but he was in the Right As he was a man of Wit and Sence be left yee to your own Conduct and all the World knows how you behav'd yourself Should the Good Man return from the other world how heartily would he laugh to behold your Metamorphosis And as he was a Man of a good humour I make no question but he would bring such an Action against the King as would puzzle the Parliament who could not but do him Justice and sentence you to quit Royal Honours and reassume your old Titles of Mistress and Gooddy such an one Adieu Beldam take my advice and remember what you were I give you wholsome Counsell Madam de Maintenon was not much puzzled to know from whence the Letter came so sfoon as she had read it She burnt it in cold Blood as she did all the rest of the same nature which she receiv'd without making the least complaint to the King and for others that were so full of grating particulars she shew d 'em to her Monarch to make him sport and those sort of Confidences tho' indeed they were but Trifles never fail d of success In a word Madam de Maintenon has manag'd her business so well that she triumphs over all those that envy'd her The King has a friendship a value an esteem for her and should the Monarch dye before her she has an apartment in St. Lewise's House at St. Cyr where she is to reside as long as she lives and to be maintain d with all the Persons that belong to her Traine by the Revenues belonging to the Foundation of that House and to enjoy all the Honours due to a Foundress Care is also taken to canonize her before hand for notwithstanding all the Inventions of Obloquy she has met with Panegyrists who have made it out that tho' Scarron who marry'd her at Sixteen Years of Age made choice of her to solace and refresh his Eye-sight and to discourse with her when he had no other Company rather then for any Carnal Society yet the indisposition of her Husband was no injury to her Virtue They have own'd that those Persons who fell in Love with her were not the Richest or of the best Quality in the Kingdom yet that she has merited a universal Esteem among all Men for the prudence of her Conduct and that she ought to have this Justice done her that she observ'd a fair Conjugal Amity without practising the Principal Actions that belong to it As for Madam de la Valiere and Madam de Montespan they have as much reason to be satisfy'd as Madam de Maintenon It may be said that when they were Favourites the King idoliz'd 'em and tho' he grew weary of 'em at length he never forgot that they had been his Mistresses Both the one and the other have been always lookt upon with distinction and the Children which the King had by 'em have been advanc'd to Dignities and Matches the most Illustrous in the Kingdom The Count of Vermandoise the Son of la Valiere was made High Admiral oâ— France and Mademoiseâ—â—e de Blois his Sister was marry'd to the Prince of Conti last deceas'd The Prince of Conde who was retir'd to Chantilli at that time and who by that means approv'd not that match in his heart was constrain'd to undergo the trouble and vexation to see the Title of High and Potent Lord which was always allowed him left out in the Contract of Marriage which he was to sign Colbert presented him the Contract but he refused to set his hand and went with his Complaints to the King but the King after a rough manner bid him sign it so that he was forc'd to do it tho' enrag'd to the Soul at the contempt that was put upon him which was not the only Affront which had been put upon that Prince after this Retirement Mademoiselle de Tours the daughter of Madam de Montespan and the Count of Tholouze dy'd before they were Marry'd but Maidemoiselle de Nantes and Bloise their Sisters were as advantagiously bestow'd as Madam the Princess of Conti the first to the Duke of Bourbon and the other to the Duke of Chartres Lastly the Duke of Maine M. de Montespan's eldest Son Duke of Aumale Prince of Dombes Count d' Eu Peer of France Collonel General of the Swisses and Grisons Governour of the Province of Languedoc Collonel of a Regiment of Foot Knight of the Kings Orders and Officer General of his Armes Married Mademoiselle de Charolois the third Daughter of the Prince of Conde that now is and the Nuptials were Solemniz'd upon the 9th of March 'T is not to be express d what Respect the whole Court is oblig'd to give to the Kings Natural Children even the Princes of the Blood are constrain'd to do the same which Posterity will hardly believe One day that the Prince of Conde was discoursing with some Courtiers the Duke of Maine who was then very Young and some other Noblemen s Children of the same age made such a noise that they interrupted their discourse which was very serious so that the Prince was constrain d to bid the Children be quiet Which the Duke of Maine hearing made answer that he thought his Highness had not been afraid of noise he that had made so much in the world Immediately the Prince went and repeated these words to the King with the same gayety to outward appearance as if he had been to have repeated some witty Expression or genteel Act of the Duke of Burgundy Nay the Prince finding it was a Course which of necessity it behov'd him to take carryed his deference a little farther for when he went to the Count of Vermandois to let him know how much he was pleas'd with the Marriage of M. de Blois his Sister to the Prince of Conti he durst not presume to take an Elbow Chair that was presented him but sat him down upon a Plain Chair because the Count made use of such another Nevertheless all these deferences cannot hinder the whole Court from making private Comments and Censures upon these odd kind of mixtures which is the reason that many are turn'd out of favour In a word they who have bestow'd the highest applauses upon the