of their Reys that belong to Sea affairs to consult the Oracle who said The French have Bombarded our City but it hath cost them dear they are come to demand a Peace and have appli'd a Golden plaister to our Wound and if we may believe them we have no better friend than their King shall we give them credit THE ORACLE There is no great difference between one Corsair and another XLIV The Czars of Moscovy having enter'd upon no considerable Action against the Turks since their Declaration of War notwithstanding all the Assurances given by their Ambassadors whom they sent into all the Courts of Europe came both together to consult the Oracle saying We have declar'd War against the Turks and altho' we have demanded Supplies of all the Christian Princes yet none comes to our Assistance insomuch that we are oblig'd to maintain this great War at our own Charges if this continues we shall be compell'd to make a Peace THE ORACLE Ye shall do no great good nor no great harm XLV The Reverend Society of the Jesuits deputed Father La Chaise and another English Father lately come from England to go and consult the Oracle in the Habit of Cavaliers lest they should meet with any of King William's Troops on the Road where they were no sooner arriv'd but they very confidently enter'd into the Temple and said Our Society is esteem'd as the Pillar of the Catholick Church for without it it would have fallen in several places and by our intercession we obtain'd a Catholick Successor in England nevertheless the Sins of Men have caus'd Heresie to prevail for a time but we are not discourag'd our Party always subsists there and another Revolution may put us in possession of what we have lost The City of Geneva was very near falling into our hands and we had already reckon'd it in the number of our Conquests It hath indeed escap'd out of the King's Power but a fair opportunity pretermitted is not irrecoverable We have had better success with the Emperor and have hitherto hinder'd him from making a Peace with the Turks The Martyrdoms that our Society hath suffer'd in England and China caus'd us justly to hope that we should have been regarded by the Holy See but it seems all our Pains and Zeal for the propagation of the Faith cannot as yet merit the esteem of the Venetians which hath in all times been of very bad consequence to us with respect to the Hereticks but if we can hope for no great matter on that side we may expect much from the Most Christian King who promiseth to himself a happy Issue of this War thro' the intercession of the grand Saint Ignatius and the Prayers of the whole Society We have entirely devoted our selves to France the King of Spain being a Saint that at present can do us neither good nor harm We had reason to hope for much from the King and Queen of England if Fortune had not been unkind to them but the whole Society labours for their Restauration Wilt thou therefore Re-establish them and us by their means THE ORACLE It is impossible to rise again after so great a fall XLVI The Right Reverend the Clergy of France being assembled together intended to depute the Arch-Bishop of Paris to go and consult the Oracle but when he was enjoin'd to speak the Truth he desir'd to be excus'd by reason that the King had promis'd him the first nomination to a Cardinal's Cap and therefore being under such Circumstances he durst not disoblige his Majesty whereupon they soon appointed the Bishop of Grenoble in his room to discharge that Office who being arrived at the Sacred Den spake to this effect I am come hither on the behalf of the most considerable Assembly in Europe I mean the Clergy of France and of the Gallicane Church to pour out our just Complaints into your Bosom The King in taking away our Revenues draws the most pure Blood out of our Veins by continual Taxes and Gratuities beyond our Ability and by a prodigious Usurpation this Monarch hath lately taken from us all the Ornaments of Gold and Silver belonging to the Sanctuary without the consent of our Holy Father the Pope under pretence of a War to be prosecuted against the Hereticks and of the Re-union of the Hugenots of his Kingdom with the Church insisting moreover that he hath been oblig'd to disburse vast Sums of Money in maintaining the Royal Mission that hath brought in great Revenues to the Church But that which most affects the Conscience of our Prelates is that they must believe every thing that the King requires them and accommodate their Faith according to the Affairs that intervene between the Court of France and that of Rome It would be great matter of Joy if by your wholsome Counsels this Venerable Assembly might be deliver'd from all these Vexations that we may peaceable enjoy our Benefices and not be compell'd to believe any thing but what are commanded by our Holy Mother the Church THE ORACLE Your Kings pretend that Religion may be adapted to their Ambition XLVII The Catholicks of England in their Exile went to consult the Oracle to know their Destiny saying We thought that as soon as our Zealous Monarch had ascended his Brother's Throne the time of our Restauration was at hand and that after a tedious Captivity we should have re-enter'd upon the possession of all our Rights and Prerogatives The Reverend Fathers the Jesuits gave us great hopes thereof but by a strange Revolution we find our selves further off than we were hitherto and by hoisting our Top-gallant too high we have overset our Vessel at the first Blast of Wind the Tempest soon dispers'd us on all sides like scatter'd Sheep at the Mercy of Foreigners without any prospect of returning at least of a New Revolution which we are forc'd to wait for without so rouch as being able to foresee the least Remedy for our Calamities Alass When shall we meet with a more favourable time THE ORACLE Patience is a great Vertue XLVIII The Marshal de la Feuillade having for a long time passionately wished for an opportunity freely to disclose his Mind went to the Temple and said I had foretold long ago that the Prince of Orange would at length create us much trouble but no credit was given to my Word and for speaking the Truth I was very near being disgrac'd by the King instead of serveing Him with my wholesome Advice He would no longer hearken to me because I knew not how to flatter and I was constrain'd to hold my Tongue but now that this Prince is become King of England and hath Power in His Hand He begins to Sing a very different Tune than he did before and if ever He should pass over into France we shall see Fine-work and the Post will find good Employment My Predictions were always true that with too much squeezing the Orange it would at last become bitter but I was not heard and when they shall be willing to give Ear perhaps then it will be too late Fear hath already seiz'd the Court and they have sent me to repair the old Forts in Dauphine lest the Prince marching at the head of the Vaudois should recover his Castle The King hath charg'd me to take great care thereof but I am very desirous to declare my Opinion to him THE ORACLE Thy Master hates the Truth FINIS
another Combat thô a King ought not to lose his Crown but with his life but I had rather see him running away than in my own possession his little courage is not capable of creating any fear of farther trouble on his behalf and all the treasons that he stirs up in my Kingdom are but as so many vapours coming from France which are soon dispers'd by my presence Several of my Subjects abuse my generosity but some of the Chief being punish'd as an example to the rest shall make it appear that I know how to Reign and that Justice and Mercy are the Basis on which my Throne is erected I am come to consult the Oracle that I may know to what side I ought to turn the force of my Arms. THE ORACLE Towards the Lion of the Gaulish Forest whose spoils shall serve as thy Trophy XVI The Queen of Great Britain having accompanied the King her Royal Consort to the Temple had a mind also to be inform'd of future events and the Priestess having render'd to her Majesty all the honours due to her Sex and Royal Person she spake thus I was born to Reign The enemies of my glory are dispers'd as the streams of water those Owls the wicked Counsellors of my Father have taken their flight at the approach of the King my Husband Heaven hath frustrated their flagitious designs truth hath triumph'd over falshood the counterfeit Heir hath follow'd his suppos'd Father and Mother and Heaven hath secur'd for me the Crown of my Ancestors which a Mother in Law with the assistance of her Owls would have caus'd to pass into another family the King's valour hath preserv'd my People from falling into this misfortune but to make both them and me happy there wants nothing but an heir to support my Crown THE ORACLE Heaven shall provide XVII The King of Spain having been a great while employ'd in solemnizing his second Marriage and in making preparations for the reception of his new Spouse and the Council having made several resolutions and debates relating to determine to what place his Majesty should go their Majesties came both together to the Temple to consult the Oracle and the King spake first as of right he ought and said Heaven hath deliver'd me from one that was a great friend and adherent to the King of France who is the declar'd enemy of the House of Austria Marriages with France are so many gins and snares that are laid for me on that side I have at last open'd my eyes thô somewhat late and therefore I have dispos'd of my Daughters on the side of Germany and I hope that being no longer spy'd even in my very Bed-chamber I shall soon find myself in a capacity to oppose my enemy and to pursue him with the assistance of my Allies Moreover if the deceas'd Queen had not compell'd me to restore to the French the money that was brought from my Indies on their account for prohibited Goods I should have been furnish'd with ready cash to prosecute the War with success my Wife given to me by France perswaded me to do this act against the opinion of my Privy Council but the business is done and there is no remedy Wherefore I come to know whether I shall get the Victory over my enemies now that I am within the armes of a Queen who is oblig'd by her interest to assist me with her wholsome counsels for the advantage of the good Party THE ORACLE Labour if thou canst to get a Successor for thy Countrey and that is the greatest Victory that thou canst gain over thy enemies XVIII The new Queen young and vigorous approaching spake thus with a gallant To so many Kingdomes lately bestow'd on my by Heaven the addition of an Heir seems to be altogether necessary without which my present possessions and enjoyments can be esteem'd but as lame and imperfect since all at last must devolve upon another Family Therefore I am come to this place to know whether Heaven will vouchsafe to grant a Successor to the King my Husband as for my part I shall use all possible means but THE ORACLE answer'd without permitting the Queen to proceed The enterprize is great XIX Lewes XIV King of France and Navarâ—e being employ'd day and night in debating in his Council concerning the most effectual means to withstand so many powerful enemies that had declar'd War against him could not well spare time to go and consult the Oracle However at last he resolved to set forward in his journey but being inform'd that King William intended to be there and understanding that he walks in the mid'st of fire and that he is even Canon-proof he was not willing to meet him wherefore he sent Madame de Maintenon before as a Scout in the habit of a Friar with a purse full of Louys d'Ors to observe the avenues and to enquire of the Priestess Pythonissa what might happen This faithful messinger being return'd and having made a report to the King that the danger which he fear'd was past his Majesty had much ado to take up a resolution for fear of some treachery or ambuscade Nevertheless to prevent all disasters and for a greater precaution he commanded all his Dragoons to serve as an Avant-guard giving them orders to surround the Temple and a strict charge to keep a strong guard at the Gate during the time that he remain'd within lest he should be taken away for a Saint He took also along with him the most able Fathers among the Jesuits that he might be preserv'd by the merit of their holy Prayers and for his Life-guard the Ban and Arriere-Ban of the City of Paris which the Marshal de la Feuillade undertook to command swearing by the Statue of the mighty Monarch erected in the Place des Victoires that for his Masters greater security he would put all Strangers that he should meet on the road to the edge of the Sword and would carry fire and destruction wheresoever he pass'd for fear of an Ambush Thus his most Christian Majesty being accompanied with so valiant a Champion enter'd into the Temple but he was not able to forbear casting an eye on all sides for fear of a surprize at last his spake very devoutly after this manner I thought that after I had extirpated all the Hugenots of my Kingdom the Catholic Princes according to the example of my Ally the King of England would have joyn'd with me and assisted in subduing the Hollanders and after them all the Heretical Potentates that I might be able to establish the Catholick Doctrine throughout all my Conquests but very far from that the whole World Catholicks and Hugonots have combin'd together against me and by a strange revolution have suffer'd my only Ally to be driven from his Countrey by the Prince of Orange Wherefore I have been constrain'd contrary to the Catholick Faith to enter into leagues for my own defence with the Grand Signior and the Corsairs of
Algier and compell'd to engage at the Ottoman Port to send the Dauphin with a great Army to the frontiers of Germany to harass the Emperor and to give his Highness my Collegue an opportunity by dividing the Forces of the Empire to respite and to gather his Forces together to invade Leopold lest the whole burden of the War should fall on my shoulders I flatter'd myself with the expectation of great succours from Rome after the general extirpation that I had caused of the Hugonots in my Kingdom and the submissions that I had made to the Holy See since the exaltation of this present Pope who was pleas'd more over to promise that by his Pastoral authority he would procure a reconciliation with the Catholick Princes on the account of some small restitution to the end that I might be in a capacity to oppose the Hugenot Potentates to which effect I had bent my chiefest forces nevertheless with an intent to restore all afterwards to the Catholicks which I would have readily granted to them for the accommodation of my affairs But the Venetian Policy is an impenetrable mystery to my Ministers of State they bawl'd aloud at Rome that the Prince of Orange is an Usurper and a more dangerous and formidable Heretick than Calvin himself who advanc'd his Conquests only with the tongue and the pen whereas this Prince makes use of his Sword and that a remedy ought to be provided in time but all my zeal for the Catholick Religion hath hitherto produc'd no effect and it is alledg'd to me that it is not a War maintain'd for the cause of Religion but for that of Ambition In the mean time thou know'st Oh Deity that presidest in this Place that I labour to reestablish the King of England on his Throne and that I have almost exhausted my treasury to preserve Ireland for him but instead of a recompense it hath been objected to me that it is my own interest that obligeth me to act and the Catholicks are so far from assisting me with Croisades that they sing Te Deum when the Hugenots are victorious this causeth me often to deliberate whether I ought to recall the later into my Kingdom to enrage my Catholic enemies but the mischief is they will give no credit to my word nor I to their The Union of the Allies is more closely knit together than the Gordian Knot and requires another Alexander to untie it but it is a Clock that always goes and never strikes it is a Lute on which some strings are always jarring or out of tune I have devis'd an Expedient to defend my self and not to fear them for I find them to be better Travellers than Soldiers I hope that if they always March as they have begun they will soon be ready to return into their Winter-quarters and then I shall have no longer any cause of Fear on the side of Germany My Cousin of Luxemburgh who is as subtil as a Fox hath promis'd to deceive the Prince of Waldeck once more I have drain'd my Subjects and Churches of all their Money because I knew it is the sinews of War and with this familiar Spirit all things may be effected with the help thereof I penetrate every where even into the most secret Counsels and it is my only Refuge my Life-guard and the best Ally that I have at this time It often performs the function of a General by gaining the Victory for me as well as that of an Orator amongst the Ladies and by its Vertue I subdue many Obstinate Enemies But alas it is my sad misfortune that this familiar Spirit could never tame the Prince of Orange who is the Enemy that I most dread above all others and I am very much afraid lest he should have a powerful party in my Kingdom as he hath had in England moreover I have been assur'd that he is Cannon-proof and that he fears no danger what course then shall I take to defend my self against him THE ORACLE Restore unto God and Men that which belongs to them otherwise thou shalt drink the Juice of ORANGE XX. MADAM de Maintonon who had accompanied the King into the Temple afterwards entreated the Priestess to conduct her to a convenient place and to set her in a decent posture that she might interrogate the Oracle which being accordingly done she said By the favour and assistance of the Reverend Father La Chaise I have quieted my Conscience and secur'd my Honour against all Obloquy and Slander never any poor Lady in France ascended to that high degree of Glory to which I have arriv'd only by my Intrigues I have refus'd the chief Honours of the Court but I have exercis'd in a manner all the functions of a Queen I had a respect for Madam the late Dauphiness because she preceeded me at Court but when another shall come I do not intend to give her the same Honour or Deference since I am at present the first in right Shall it be said that I who have attain'd to so great Intimacy and Familiarity with the King and his Female Counsellors should give place to an upstart this I confess would be a very great vexation to me therefore I come hither to consult thee on this occasion THE ORACLE Women and Fruits have their Flowers and Seasons XXI WHEN the King was gone out of the Temple the Dauphin succeeded in his place and said I fear lest being as yet Dauphin I should become greater than my Father which is a thing without a president in France but Woe to him that is to be the first Example Madam the late Dauphiness often reproach'd me by reason of the little share that I had in managing the Affairs of the Kingdom to whom it chiefly belong'd and because very often the pleasure of a Minister of State hath prevail'd over mine indeed it is their Conduit through which I have frequently receiv'd favours from the King who hath too much Ambition to suffer me to Rule during his Life and after the example of Charles the Fifth to put the Royal Authority into my hands Tho' the People have much inclination to me ever since the Troubles in which they are involv'd the Catholicks are desirous of me and the Hugenots wait for me with great Devotion notwithstanding that the Dauphiness as many others were to make her self to be regarded was accessary in tormenting them but they are perswaded that I was not engag'd in causing the Vexations that were offer'd to them and that the good Precepts of the Duke of Montausier my Governour were prevalent in me neither indeed could I ever approve of all the violent proceedings that have been promoted with respect to them because I well fore-saw that they would be attended by mischievous Consequences and would partly kindle all those Combustions that we see at this Day inflam'd in the Kingdom which cannot but produce most dangerous effects The King 's Evil Council hath rais'd up this vast number of Enemies
with whom we are now to contend and who are resolv'd not to hearken to any Peace till France be abased but it is my misfortune that in this abasement I shall find my own The King will not give Ear to my Counsel and perhaps when he shall have a mind to take my Advice it may then be too late He always thinks that he hath strength enough to break thro' the multitude of his Enemies and to make way for a favourable Peace but this account is very different from that of the Confederates who advance on all sides to enter into France Peradventure if I were Master and should make propositions to them they would hearken to me but the King will never consent to this till the last extremity Therefore I come hither to know to which Party I ought to adhere in case the Enemies should invade the Kingdom THE ORACLE The Success of the Campain of the Year 1691 shall shew it to thee XXII THE Duke of Orleans tir'd with doing nothing and vex'd to see himself rejected and despis'd went to consult the Oracle saying I have always very well discharg'd my Trust whensoever the King hath thought fit to require my Service witness the Battel and Taking of St. Omer and altho' his Majesty hath been pleas'd to express the satisfaction he receiv'd from the Glory that I had there obtain'd nevertheless I remain without Employment and the King neither talks nor takes no more notice of me than if there were no such Person in the World Whence does this proceed THE ORACLE The King would not have his Actions Eclips'd by thine neither doth he desire any other Glory but that which he acquires himself XXIII THE King of Sweden having declar'd that he is very willing to assist his Allies but withal to keep a Neutrality with France that he might thereby promote the Commerce of his Subjects whilst the most part of other Nations were engag'd in a tedious War went to consult the Oracle saying The King of France offers great advantages to hinder me from affording any Supplies to the Confederates and to induce me to stand Neuter He hath propounded an Expedient to stop the Vessels that I am oblig'd to send to the Hollanders by vertue of a Treaty made with the States General and if I have a mind to enter into Pomerania he will not only pay all arrears and summ's of money due to me but will also restore the Dutchy of Deux ponts and defray the charge of the War moreover he promiseth that the King of Denmark shall make no attempt upon my Countrey but shall likewise remayn neuter on my account and that we shall both enter into a Treaty of Commerce with France and make a league together to oppose all that shall endeavour to incommode or disturb us therein Whereas on the one side I am allur'd by the advantage of Traffic on the other the treachery and ill usage that I have receiv'd from France deters me all these fair propositions being only the product of that necessity with which he finds himself urg'd what then shall I do THE ORACLE Relye not on a reconcil'd enemy XXIV The King of Denmark being sollicited on the one side by the fair offers of France and detain'd on the other by the interest of Prince George who stands in need of King William's assistance to establish the Crown in the Family and knowing not what to determine to preserve both came to consult the Oracle on this occasion saying The present offers of the King of France are fair and good but they are not to be compar'd with the advantages that will hereafter accrue to my Countrey by a strict union with England for if the Princess of Denmark should ascend the Throne there would be a great and indissoluble band of unity between England and my Dominions besides that the assurances which the King of Great Britain now reigning hath given me at present of his amity and the sincerity that I have always found in the word of this Prince have oblig'd me to send Forces to assist him in finishing the Conquest of Ireland my own interest also exciteth me to afford him this supply against King James since the later design'd to exclude the Princesses his Daughters and their off-spring from the Crown to transfer it to a stranger whose extraction is unknown but I would willingly assist the King of England without leaving the King of France who considering his present circumstances will not be offended as he would have been heretofore at the aid that I have sent into Ireland since he is now as Meek as he was haughty in times past THE ORACLE Beware of the French disease for that of England had its original in France XXV The King of Poland being sufficiently disgusted at France when he had caus'd the Sieur Granville to depart out of his Dominions and having declar'd to the Queen that after the marriage of the Royal Prince his Son with the Princess of Nieubourg he would no longer hearken to the Ministers of France thô they were able even to bestow on him the same faculty as Midas had heretofore of turning every thing he should touch into Gold came in this resolution to consult the Oracle saying The French baits have caus'd me to lose the high reputation that I had acquir'd before Vienna I confess my weakness hitherto in placing my Summum bonum in a little yellow clay which I have kept more carefully than holy Relicks and I have often look'd on the effigies of the Louys d'Ors as a Tutelary God and the object of my happiness However I now begin to understand that these material goods are but froth in comparison of the worth of real glory which alone can set my Son on the Throne I know that the taking of Caminiec can at present contribute more thereto than all the treasure of France but on this occasion my Allies have at least this consolation that I have taken more from the French than from the Turks and that to exhaust is to weaken That War can be but of little moment where the danger and the honour are not great therefore for the future after the example of Hannibal I shall turn to the side of glory as soon as the marriage of the Royal Prince with the Princess of Nieubourg shall be accomplish'd and to that end I have stopt my ears against all the Syrens of France since I observe that their King will have enough to do to preserve his Crown for his own Son and that the Emperor alone can establish mine on the head of my heir I am come hither to receive your wholsom Counsel THE ORACLE Endeavour thy self by thy own valour to secure the Crown for thy posterity XXVI The King of Portugal after his Alliance with the House of Nieubourg thought himself also oblig'd to imbrace the interest of the Empire and the common cause of his Allies but the French who are alwais pregnant of politic contrivances
forseeing that this marriage especially at this present juncture of affairs might alienate that Kingdom from their interests to amuse the Portuguese Court propounded another between their Infanta and the Dauphin and that the issue of that Bed should succeed to the Crown of Portugal on condition nevertheless that the King of Portugal should declare War against Spain and that France should bear a part of the charge wherefore his Portuguese Majesty in this perplexity went to consult the Oracle and spake thus The Ministers of France continually represent to me how much both my Predecessor and my self have been oblig'd to them on the account of the Pyrenean peace insinuating that the Grandeur of Spain might hereafter produce my abasement but they would furnish me with means in this conjuncture whereby to deliver my self from all pretensions that that Court might make to my Countrey for the future Now since I have an oppertunity to serve France with my Commerce to remain neuter and to procure the Traffic of the other Princes engaged in War why should I not improve it to the enriching of my Subjects by furnishing the French with all manner of ammunitions that they shall want in this present War THE ORACLE Thou dost not yet know the force of Spiritus Gall. XXVII The Grand Signior after so many losses notwithstanding his affiance in Mehemet Rasoul and after the return of his Dervishes from Mecca not knowing any longer to which Saint of the Alcoran to make his addresses determin'd to go and consult the Oracle and to try if he could there find any hopes of deliverance Being arriv'd at the Sacred cave he spake after this manner I have offer'd to the Emperor of the Christians my enemy all that my Law allows me to give notwithstanding the perswasions of France without being able to obtain any thing I have lost my best Janizaries in battel and my Dervishes are weary with crying throughout all the Mosques my Treasures are exhausted and my People raise commotions in divers Places demanding Peace The Women with Child miscarry at the approach of the uncircumcised and I durst not venture to return to Constantinople with out a peace The Cham of Tartary indeed hath promis'd to come to my assistance and the great Sultan of France to pay him and that he will send the young Sultan his Son to the River Rhine to compel the Christians to depart out of my Dominions but especially he that will never make Peace till all my Territories that I have lost in Hungary be restor'd to me provided that I maintain the War as long as he But my Forces are broken the enemy stands at my gates and I am continually terrified with great alarms being doubtful whether I ought to give credit to this Sultant that bears the name of Christian He hath often abus'd me and the necessity of my affairs hath hitherto forc'd me to hearken to him He proffers to swear by my Alcoran that he will keep his word but since all his promises have had no effect what resolution shall I take and on whom shall I relye THE ORACLE On thy own Forces XXVIII The Deputies of the States General of the United Provinces being come to consult the Oracle said It was necessary for the security of our State to set the Prince of Orange on the Throne of Great Britain to secure us from the threats of France and the assurance that the count d' Avaux gave us of a strict alliance between the two Kings hath open'd our eyes to the end that we might take away from the King of France the means of being able to hurt us We have by our own aid disengag'd ourselves from a very great incumbrance and perplexity and by placing the Prince on the Throne we have well provided for our safety for the future by that indissoluble Union that will alwaies be maintain'd between the two States but since all things in this sublunary World are subject to variety of changes and revolutions what course must we take to preserve that high reputation which we have acquir'd to our selves in Europe THE ORACLE Be alwaies Masters of your own Forces XXIX The most Serene Doge of Venice being ready to return laden with the Laurels and Trophies of his Victories was extremely glad of an oppertunity to consult the Oracle and said The most Serene Republic having been hitherto the terror of the Infidels hath compell'd her haughty enemy to sue for a Peace but the advantage of have a Pope descended from her own loins obliges her to continue the War and not to separate from her Allies thô Poland stands as an idle Spectator therefore it is time to think of a Peace and so much the rather by reason that a great fire is kindl'd in the neighbourhood of this Republic that is capable of inflaming all Italy if it be not soon prevented What is most requisite to be done on this occasion THE ORACLE Make Peace and return from the farthest to succour the nearest XXX The Duke of Savoy having for some time amus'd the King of France who only sought to seize on his Countrey and having thoroughly penetrated into the subtil intreagues as well as the danger in which he was involv'd by confiding in the French remembred the example of the Duke of Lorrain and resolv'd to take new measures contrary to the interest of France and such as were only able to secure his preservation for the better pursuing of which he thought fit to consult the Oracle and coming to the Temple spake thus It was generally believ'd that I was so strictly united to Franc◠that I durst not separate my self nor undertake any thing without the consent of their King but the event hath shewn the contrary and that I knew my own true interest as well as the King's intentions but if I have dissembl'd for some time it was only that I might seek myown advantage and to engage my Allies neither the tears of the Royal Dutchess nor the fair promises of the Duke of Orleans could prevail with me to alter my resolution nor never shall the bowl is cast and cannot return again for if I had receiv'd the French troops into the Citadel of Turin I should have had nothing else to do but to go and keep my Country-house in France with the Prince of Utopia but not being willing for the future to depend on any but God and my Sword I have made it appear to the whole World that I 'm Master within my own Dominions by the return of my Subjects of Piedmont into their Valleys and without delay I have embrac'd the common cause of the Emperor and his Allies who will not abandon me nor invade my Territories And if the Cantons of Switzerland would do the same and shake off the yoak of France we should find employment for their Monarch on the side of Dauphine I am come hither to know what success will attend me THE ORACLE Pignerol shall open its Gates
to thy good fortune XXXI The Cantons of Switzerland being amaz'd at the suddain change that happen'd in their neighbourhood deputed soveral persons on the behalf of the Helvetian States to be inform'd by the Oracle of future contingencies who being arriv'd at the Sacred Den spake to this effect We have seen a great light in our Neighbourhood and have rejoyc'd in the brightness thereof The recalling of the Vaudois and the Declaration of the Duke of Savoye in favour of the Emperor and his Allies hath caus'd our heart to leap for joy moreover we never receiv'd so many caresses from France only to perswade us to remayn neuter but they do not as yet offer to demolish the Fortress of Hunninguen however if they do not set about it speedily we shall open a passage for the Germans thô as yet we divide a little spot of ground with the King of France but forasmuch as there is nothing now to be fear'd and since he can no longer bite if he do not himself begin to dismantle this Place we will apply our Batteries thereto We are in good earnest brave Switzers and will not be mock't for the future they must now deal plainly with us and set their hand to the work their Louys d'Ors are good but somewhat more must be done at this time since ours are now more currant money for by the vertue of hocus pocus Monsieur Amelot takes us for Block-heads and thinks to gull us as he hath done heretofore but we have no mind to let slip this opportunity and we will act our part before the Farce be ended We are heavy and corpulent therefore we march stowly In the mean time what shall we do THE ORACLE Follow the light that goes before you XXXII The Republic of Genoa being very glad to see so many dogs set on the wolf and all the Powers of Europe combin'd against France the most formidable enemy that she ever had sent to consult the Oracle to know what ought to be done in this conjuncture saying The whole World hath seen the submission that we have been forc'd to make to the King of France after he had bombarded our City we have been constrain'd to kiss the rod with which we were scourg'd without murmuring and the Senate hath been oblig'd to go in a body to Versailles to thank the King for his great justice but we hope that the time is now come wherein Heaven will avenge us on them and that the Allies will cause reparation to be made for the Dammage that we have sustain'd What means shall we now use to take some satisfaction our selves of our conceal'd enemy THE ORACLE Let not thine inhabitants furnish him with armes to beat thee XXXIII The late King James being oblig'd to abandon his Kingdoms a second time and to depart out of Ireland and not knowing what Saint to invocate nor of what materials to make weapons in France where the unfortunate are not at all welcome went very mournfully to consult the Oracle and said I now acknowledge my fault and that my misfortunes have had their original only from the wicked instigations of the Queen my Wife and her pernicious Counsels that induc'd me to seek for means to make my self absolute by vertue of an Arbitrary power independant of the Statutes of the Realm and authority of Parliaments and to abolish the Test and Penal Laws This model came from France and hath lead me to the precipice and to this unhappy Labyrinth My People could not endure neither an alteration in Religion nor in the Succession of the Crown but sent for a Competitor who easily got possession of my Kingdoms without hopes that I shall ever be able to reenter therein as long as he shall live The greatest part of my Subjects have forsaken me and my Friends durst not so much as lift up their head My Forces have abandon'd me and they of my own Family have turn'd their backs on me Thus am I left destitute in the hands of the French reduc'd to the necessity of imploring their aid and of making a most lamentable figure not knowing whither to betake my self when the King of France shall be weary of me Alass will my banishment from my Kingdoms continue much longer THE ORACLE Until thy Successor shall have a mind to abrogate the Laws as thou hast done XXXIV The Queen Jacomina having seen with much consternation the return of the King her Husband to Saint Germain went accompanied with Father Peters and the little Urchin her Son to the Temple of the Oracle to know the reason thereof and spake thus I have been alwaies very exact in my devotions to our Lady of Loretto and have made many vowes to her to the end that I might re-enter into my Kingdom nevertheless we are so far from approaching it by the way of Ireland as the King of France vainly promis'd that we are now driven back farther than ever by the retreat of the King who hath been totally defeated feated with his Army at the first shock of our enemies Whence to so many misfortunes proceed that have happen'd to us in this World THE ORACLE From thy self XXXV Father Peters having entreated the Queen to permit him to speak in his turn said I have incessantly labour'd day and night for the good of the Society and considering that a Prince of Wales created by our hand might hereafter be a very powerful instrument for the propagation of the Catholic Faith and the encreasing of our Revenues in England our good Lady of Loretto hath by a miracle brought this Prince to light which was very necessary to protect us after the King's death none but the Society know the depth of this Mystery but in the mean time some spiteful person dis-affected to our interest having discover'd the mine brought the storm on the King's person and all the Royal Family and at the same time on our Holy Society thus to avoid exposing our selves to the mercy of the Conqueror we were compell'd to follow the fortune of the King and Royal Family by retiring into a place of safety to the end that by our Prayers we might be able to merit our return into England as soon as possibly it can be effected for the consolation of the party that we have left there and which impatiently expects our coming Shall we be speedily re-establish'd for we are all ready to repass the Sea THE ORACLE Immediately send for all that thou hast left there XXXVI The Cardinal of Fustemberg having lost all hopes of obtaining the Electorate and having turn'd that Arch-Bishopric into an Abbacy went full of despair to consult the Oracle and said I have foolishly neglected the opportunity of advancing my fortune having voluntarily renounc'd my right of Coadjutorship to the Arch-Bishopric of Colen I have converted the money that I receiv'd from France to procure me friends to a very different use and not doubting but that I should certainly accomplish my design I
spent it in treating my dear Niece who by her fond caresses caus'd me to imitate the Crow in the Fable and that which torments me most of all is that the matter is irrecoverable since the Holy See hath again ratified all that was done in this affair and that my Competitor is younger than I Thus my fortune is limitted within the narrow bounds of the Abbey of Saint Germain However the King gives me hopes of obtaining an Arch-Bishopric in his Kingdom to sweeten the remorse that I might have for betraying my own lawful Soveraign but I cannot relye upon it The fear of some foul and unexpected chastisement caus'd me to withdraw from Rome incognito to take shelter under the Culverins of the great Lewes but in regard that the unfortunate are never welcome at the French Court I can make but a sorry figure and it will be yet so much the worse if the Emperor and his Allies should gain any considerable advantages over France for then I might serve as a Victime to a Peace not knowing whither to flye since all Europe only desires my ruin Thus on whatsoever side I turn I can see nothing but crosses and tribulation ready to attend me I am come therefore to know my destiny THE ORACLE It will follow the fortune of thy new Master XXXVII The King of Siam being disengag'd from the French and the Jesuits went to consult the Oracle and said my Predecessor was much addicted to the French that were brought to Siam by the Jesuits who having made themselves in a manner necessary by the profession of the Mathematics and Astrology with the study whereof they had amus'd him soon insinuated themselves into his favour and by that means got possession of the most principal Places in his Dominions with a prospect of becoming at length Masters of the whole Kingdom designing to set one of their own Creatures on the Throne and to seize on our Golden Gods that attract all their admiration neither would they have preach'd there Religion here but to that end however having perceiv'd their subtilty with the advice of my chief Mandarins I got rid of them as also of their principal abetters and adherents After the King's Death I took possession of the Kingdom lest it should fall together with our Gods into the hands of the French I am not ignorant that their King will make pretensions against me but I fear him not as long as I can maintain an Alliance and good correspondence with the Hollanders my neighbours at least if they do not come to demand the presents that they gave to my Predecessor and to Constantius his chief Minister of State who was the instrument of all their designs and the wheel that set the engine of the Jesuits on motion but the first that shall presume to enter into my Kingdom I will deliver as a prey to the wild Beasts for I can no longer suffer such vermin in my Dominions THE ORACLE Be alwaies Master XXXVIII The Republic of Geneva being deliver'd from those terrible alarms that the King of France continually caus'd in their neighbourhood on the occasion of the marching of that vast number of the enemies against whom he is now engag'd and of the great War in which he is involv'd sent two Syndics to consult the Oracle in the name of the whole City who spake after this manner Our condition being alter'd and the tempestuous Storm having pass'd over our Heads he that so lately threatn'd us begins now to caress us thus we breath in a clear and wholsom air and we may certainly affirm that King William is a great Physitian and that his most efficacious remedies operate at a very great distance but for asmuch as in all distempers relapses are very dangerous by what means shall we preserve the good health that we now enjoy THE ORACLE By the vertue of Spiritus Angliae XXXIX The City of Hambourgh being oblig'd to publish the Emperor's Avocatoria was not a little disgusted and in this perplexity sent two Licenciats to consult the Oracle who spake in the name of their Principals saying We hoped that all our neighbours being engag'd in War we might have monopoliz'd the greatest part of their Traffic by the means of a neutrality but since jealousy often creates violence insomuch that we have found an embrago laid on all our Vessels in England with the Emperor's consent we have been compell'd to submit to the Avocatoria and to cause the French Resident to depart from our Tertitories but the King may clearly see that we have been constrain'd thereto to avoid the ruin of our inhabitants for the King of England who knows not how to dally persists in obligng us to observe the Avocatoria Thus we are perplex'd being depriv'd of our Commerce with France and not knowing what party to adhere unto in this Conjuncture THE ORACLE Follow the strongest XL. The Princes of the House of Lunembourg spake thus to the Oracle We have had no regard to all the offers of France and they could not hinder us from cleving to the interest of the common Cause of Europe and from furnishing our Allies with Troops notwithstanding the vast summes of money offer'd to us by the most Christian King to prevent it but we have no mind to be harrass'd we would act as we think fit and be Masters of our own Forces we would willingly assist our Allies and especially the King of England for whose valour we have a particular esteem as our Friend and true Ally and we are ready to concur in any thing to the utmost of our Power that may tend to his satisfaction THE ORACLE Glory and Victory flye before him and Heaven is his Protector XLI The Marquess de Gastanaga Governor of the Spanish Neitherlands after the Battel of Fleury fearing lest the enemies might invade Flanders went immediately to consult the Oracle and said May the Heavens protect us in this Conjuncture for if the Hollanders should retreat my Master's Countrey is lost and if the French should enter therein they would spare neither Virgin nor Saint nor the most Sacred Relicks I have caus'd several Masses to be celebrated and have made several vows for the prosperity of the King's Aâ—ms but I hope that when the King of Great Britain shall come he will defend us from all disasters with the aid of our good Lady of Hal. THE ORACLE Help thy self and the Gods shall assist thee XLII The Prince of Waldeck after the same Battel of Fleury was also very glad of an oppertunity to consult the Oracle on this occasion saying I have been unfortunate in the last Battel althô at the same time the French have no reason to boast I did what I could nevertheless I know that I am not respected by the People Men give Battel but the event comes from Heaven whence then proceeds my misfortune THE ORACLE Consult thy strength and thy age and be a friend to Spies XLIII The Kingdom of Algers sent two