Cities had at length effected it that the French Arms were masters in all parts there The Infant King of Savoy is by our consent restored with his Mother to Turin out of which she had been long exiled Whatsoever the Dukes of Savoy do they reign but by permission being invested on this side by the French on that by the Spaniard It is the question to which side they should render their service yet had they better to the French since the Country of Savoy and Piemont almost lies within his Empire and he being the chief King who presently posts thither in person and not by Vice-Roys The account of the Dutchy of Millan is different that Power is less to be feared because less and managed by Deputies It was then judged convenient to carry up War not far from Rome not for the avenging of the Barberines as the common people thought nor for enlarging our Bounds but for the affrighting Innocent who had come surreptitiously into the Papacy against Mazarines will Therefore Thomaso with the French Army comes before Orvitello All things at the beginning prove lucky but the end sell out dishonourable for the Siege was raised Carlo Gatta making a stout defence Our Fleet under Breze their Admiral having happily scoured the Seas came thither to countenance the proceedings of Thomaso but Breze having the thred of his life cut off by a shot dies one of the two eyes of Richlien's Family being thus put out It is strange that the King being of an age unfit for the War and the discord of the Princes growing stronger Mazarine could of himself assume so much authority as that soon after he sent thithera new Army under the Command of Meilleray who obliged Piombino and Porto-Longone in the Island of Helbe to a Surrender within few days The Issand of Helbe is celebrated by the Ancients for having Mines of Lead Tin and Vitriol but especially producing Iron famous for its Spring which rates the measure of the days with its water being dry at the Winter Solstice and overflowing at Midsummer Catalaunia is a Principality in the hither Spain heretofore annexed to the Kingdom of Arragon that too following the Planet which then reigned but off its yoke and upon certain Conditions subjected it self to our King In the very times of Richlieu's the Mareschal la Motte was sent thither to be the first Governor of that Province many brave Services were done by him not only the whole Catalaunia having been subdued to us excepting Larida the bastle of Harcourt and Conde but also in having entred the Kingdom of Arragon by the seizing of Flix La Motte complaining that he was with too much difficulty supplied and thereupon could hardly hold out against the Castillian Assaults when our condition there began to decline was revoked being come to Lyons was secured in the Roche-Taillée which is a Castle there and afterwards upon occasion of the Civil disorders enlarged Harcourt substituted in his room lays a close Siege to Lerida and when the King of Spain approached the Borders of Catalaunia in Person attended by the Grandees of his Kingdoms the Siege was raised which disgraced Harcourt after so many glorious Actions Such is the Fate of Sieges that none are certain of the event So Alexander the Great hazarded his Fame before Tyre So Charles the Fifth at Metz received an utter rebuke So Soliman the Magnificent raised the Siege of Vienna not without a blot upon his Name The French Court accustomed to Victories and Triumphs ill resented the rebuke of Harcourt and to refund the disgrace upon the Spaniards deputed Conde his Successor as thinking he must conquer all by his bare Name Conde had the same luck as Harcourt He attempted Lerida and being obliged to withdraw then first took out the lesson of being Vincible Yet he gloriously chased away the Spaniards from the Siege of Constantine this is the only piece of Service that he performed in Catalaunia The King of Spain was in the neighbouring parts reclaiming the Rebels by promises and fair words and some by terrour Amidst all this Joseph Margaret who having been the Author of the defection did the French gallant Service was the only peremptory Refuser of returning to his Allegiance What was the mans fortune afterwards I shall elsewhere in short touch upon Envy it self cannot deny but that he was a stout and couragious man Flanders having been left by Orleans and Conde Gassion did readily command all that Tract having for the most part his Head-quarters at Courtray almost always prosperous in his Attempts Vanquished by the impetuousness of his Courage he would very often fling off the bridle of Reason but being puffed up with a happy multitude of successes thought nothing too hard for him to venture upon As he besiegeth Lentz and goeth to set a Palisado stuck loosly into the ground more fast his head was batter'd with a Canon bullet and not long after he died He was born in Bearn of no mean parentage having left France he went into Germany upon the fame of Gustavus and amongst his Voluntiers having served to the death of that great King not without Honour under the Conduct of Weymar returned home to us where he was taken into imployment first by Richlieu then by Mazarine he left no means unassay'd to advance his Fame Of a noble heart but unanswerable fortunes which yet he did openly aver honest men never want being himself remarkable for ancient indigence He ennobled his new-raised Dignity with making great enemies owning all the steps of his fortune to himself Towards the later end of his life he grew to be disgusted by the Court. Taxed of Cromwellism as though he had thoughts of passing into England and offering his Service to that Tyrant Some said to the Hollanders At last he died of his wound Perhaps it is better to die once in the atchieving of honourable Enterprises than to live longer at the mercy of others loaded with injuries About that time the Venetian Republick opprest by the Great Turk in vain implored the succours of Christian Princes This was the occasion of the War A Knight of Malta met a Galley of Rhodes in the Archipelago and made Prize of it In this there was a Sultaness who being carried off to Malta was original of these mischiefs The Musulman stormed complaining to our Ambassadors of the Affront received as though the Order of Malta were at our controul But his especial Complaint was to the Venetian Ambassador because the Venetian Gallies had not relieved his when it was in extremity He debates about invading Malta and when the difficulty of the Enterprise was suggested he thought of Sicily then of Calabria at length the fury of his vengeance flamed out upon poor Candy That Island heretofore called Creet was reduced by Metellus into a Province afterwards obeyed the Greek Emperors then the Saracens at last coming to be in the possession of Baldwin Count of Flanders and Emperor of Constantinople
Armies The Extent of the Kingdom Interest of Allies Posture of the City A Parallel between Richlieu and Mazarine HAving arrived at rest of mind from many dangers and troubles I am resolved to pass the residue of my days free from medling any more with State-affairs and lest I should spend my time in sloth or be constrained by servile dependencies to flatter great Ones and hang upon the Court amidst the lazy and obsequious Retainers on the Palace have undertaken to rescue from the injury of oblivion or mis-reports the most memorable occurrents in France and record them to posterity if that priviledge may be expected from my endeavours as may possibly the rather because my mind rallying against the insults of Fortune is now fully set at liberty from hope and fear and taking part with any of the Princes The retirement that I had determined could not appear under a more fair pretext nor did any subject occur either more copious for acquiring praise or more durable to transmit to late memory besides that the work appeared suitable to my Age now upon the declining and some expectations and favourable opinions of Foreigners concerning me although I am not ignorant how odious it is to repeat these matters whilst grudges are yet fresh whereupon I shall be suspected by some for a Flatterer and offend others by sullen Truth which always goeth to the quick when it proceeds with uncorrupted Faith and undaunted freedom of Speech Therefore I shall comprise in this Decade with as much indifference and courage as I shall be able the whole Ministry of Mazarine For that I appears to me for variety of Action sadness of Accidents strangeness of Dangers and at last for successfulness of Events most worthy to be recorded 1. After that Lewis XIII took Armand Richlien for prime Minister of State the Debates both of Peace and War were carried on more fortunately and with better faith The name of Armand was renowned all over Europe all business applied to him as Sharer in the Kingdom He was the only person in the eye of the City of the Provinces of the Armies not by secret workings but openly none contradicting The better any stood affected to him he was the more advanced in Wealth and Honours and the most eminent were the forwardest to be at his devotion All the world cryed never was such a rare Creature nor ever would be again Then were his Actions repeated in particular The crushing of the Rebels the frighting Rochel the Head-quarters of the Sectaries chaining up the Ocean and the Kingdom setled that by the relief of Casaille restoring the D. of Mantoua and bringing the Savoyard to extremities Laws were given to Italy that to the astonishment of the Spaniard he had ridden in Triumph over the Alpes and Pyrenaean had eased the German Princes from the incroachments of the Empire and broken the House of Austria in many Parts This was the Tamer of the Danube this of the Rhyne The Pale of France was the Ocean and remotest Rivers That the Armies Provinces Fleets all were compact within themselves by his means that Justice was planted amongst the Subjects and awfulness umidst the Confederates the City it self was improved in stately Buildings and enlarged Somewhat indeed had been carried with a high hand but only to keep the rest in quiet All this was reported of Richlieu and believed by the World But because things arrived at the highest pitch do not long hold there nor can prosperity ever support it self he begun to sink under his own greatness Then was death to have been called for when by Providence it came and by Fate preventing the turn of Fortune his last day obviated the dangers that were imminent A Fistula in the Fundament presented Armand this timely dâ—th To whose end before I come it will not be impertinent to premit a word or two Lewis being grown weary of a Favourite that lay so heavy upon him had without doubt made many and grievous complaints of the carriage and pride of Richlieu There was one Henry D'Effiat de Cinque-Mars in great Vogue at Court for the Kings special Favour and certain Qualities resembling Vertues He was obliging to his Friends with his interest and by relieving them with gifts towards strangers too affable and courteous He had also advantages of Fortune in a graceful presence But far from gravity of manners or staidnese He was airy and gallant as is ordinarily incident to that Age which had not yet arrived at twenty two Having therefore searched into the Kings jealousies of and distasts against Richlieu he several times had an inclination to have made an attempt upon him whether unguarded which was rarely or amidst attendance that were admirers of such a comely personage These thoughts spur'd on his youthful mind had not that which is the bane of all great undertakings a desire of passing unpunished amidst the sweets of Vice pulled him back And beside he durst not attempt that alone which some would censure for an hainous act others thers would magnifie as an excellent service Therefore he took in to his Counsel the Duke de Bouillon a person of an excellent Fame and temper of Spirit a mighty aid for so great a design drew in de Thou and others In the first place it was judged the safest way to truck with the Spaniard by the concurrence of whose Arms the Party in France against Richlieu begun greatly to advance Now when Affairs proved unsuccessful it was concluded the King would soon forsake and throw off a Minister sufficiently disgusted by him and there was no other means to ruine him safely That Lewis had so great an affection for his Kingdom as that he would never move him as long as his Estate prospered by his Service This Intrigue was soon discovered either by the practices of Richlieu or because the French can never keep Counsel and revealed to the King by Chavigny a great Creature of the Cardinals At that time was the King abroad at Narbo whither he had travelled in very stormy and rainy weather it being but the beginning of February The pretence was the Siege of Perpignan which Richlieu the prime Minister had advised to get the King out of the way and for diversion of the Enemy Close Guards being left at Paris to watch the Queen and the young Princes This Plot then was discovered to His Majesty when his Eminence not well in body but worse in mind was upon his way homeward The passage is strange and scarce to be credited by the Readers that the King displeased with Richlieu and bearing affection towards D'Effiat when once informed that he held intelligence with die Spaniard immediately putting away all tenderness consented to the death of his special Favourite such influence had either the love of his Kingdom or the fear of the Cardinal Thereupon were Cinque-Mars the Grand Constable and de Thou late Master of Requests apprehended at Narbo the very day that the King had
mortifying Fasts at that time because no leaf in the Old or New Testament enjoyns it And when the year renews and the floating humors begin again to work then to be tyrannized over two whole months and the youth of the year to be clouded with sadness and when Nature designs this that our bodies being purged from unwholesom humors should be replenished with new juyces that to have them corrupted with meer putrefactions and sâ—lt meats and that by the doting of them who touch no such things themselves but enjoyn solemn Fasts religiously abstaining This they say of our Lent In other things always pretend the Bible quote Scriptures in Disputes tire our strongest dissatisfie those of middle parts catch not a few Their Teachers they call Ministers not distinguished in habit from the Laity And because they have like passions as other men they allow them to marry wives of their own counting that better than for them to corrupt other mens which they malignantly charge upon the unmarried and chast Order Their Temples are naked and censed with Prayers They have their Communions with a crust of Bread and sip of Wine on certain days in memory of the Lords Supper That God being a pure Spirit is to be worshipped with a pure spirit not with Beads which they call in derision the Serpents eggs They dislike Monasteries where they say innumerable happy Wits are unhappily stifled and buried alive which might have been chosen Vessels of the Lord had they with judgment taken to a course agreeable to their nature thus they speak Geneva the Head of the Religion a City of the Allobroges was under the Government of their own Bishops but hath now flung off their yoke and continues as yet a free State Vnder the Walls the Rhosne runs free and with its own waters through the Lacus Lemanus A Lake of a vast compass like a Sea roars and raises billows The City is situate on high and strengthned with Works and Banks The Walls take in two Hills artificially bending or winding inwards of a pleasant prospect and delightful to the Beholders In that place men and women are alike obstinate and all do construe that they have so great assurance of God that they do not turn to truth even in adversity as if so be they should be forced to receive the Catholicks they would stand more in fear of life than death I have somewhat the more largely discoursed about that Sect because an opportunity hath offered and no others did more largely contribute heretofore to the Rebellion by the Example of Tacitus that digresses somewhat freely in the Religion of the Jews but especially of Polybius who being a chief Master in these cases slackens the reins of History with far greater digressions There is no more certain Argument of ignorance and childishness than to refuse knowledge and assume an ability of Judgment after such eminent men Therefore that Party which had so often been prevalent to the ruine of France after the death of Lewis XIII either subdued or quiet of themselves gave no disturbance although they had reason to be proud of Thurenne and Gassion being brave men both of whom had a worthy Name but with different success The former would wisely pitch upon the advantage of ground often gain a Victory without blood or mourning Curb the Enemy by delay seldom venturing a Battel with good advice for Peace or War by conduct and providence insatiable of glory and ingrossing to himself all the successes of the Battel would secretly charge upon his Fellow-Officers all the errours or misfortunes would protract Wars out of Art or design of continuing long in Commission Having a natural pride of his Nobility comparable to ancient Commanders far the chiefest of his own age Gassion out-â—â—â—ned the Line of his Ancestors though not mean with his own valour hasty to execute his hopes never making any long debate upon matters nothing could restrain his fiery courage with unwearied charges day and night would tire out the Enemy was able to discharge bdth duties of Souldier and Captain Joyful at the very dangers as others are at the rewards of dangers Both affected to the King neither under colour of Religion affected alteration of State 7. Our Armies survivors of so many dangers swollen with a long train of Victories thought nothing difficult Lewis Bourbon Enguien blaz'd like a Star dreadful to the Nations thwarting the French Interest Rocroy was the dawn of his rising Glory and a presage of his future Greatness All was prosperous and quiet France at concord and united reached over Almania from the Mazeliâ— brink to beyond the Rhine By the Victory at Norlingue the parts confining on the Danube were afterwards invaded and terrour struck on all sides In Spain by seizing Tortosa and Flix we were got to the River Iber. Our Fleets ranged over the Mediterranean and Ocean 9. All Italy from the Pope who was then Vrban VIII to the least Princes bore reverence The Dukes of Savoy Mantoua and Modena rather Instruments of French slavery than free Princes In Germany the Kings of Swethland and Denmaâ— boasted of our friendship the Pole-sued for it The Electors thought themselves hardly used unless they might be admitted to some room in our favour Portugal torn from Spain depended on the looks of France whose yoke Catalaunia had willingly put on being weary of the Spanish Dominion The Low-Countries stuck close to us The King of England that now discovered the seeds of Innovation and Civil War to spring up did sollicitously oblige us to him Europe with astonishment stood gazing at such a state of our Affairs nothing was wanting to compleat our happiness besides moderation and the Art of enjoying it Our Princes were in concord and stood in awe of the Queens look who supported by the counsels of Mazarine did so manage the Reins of the Publick Fate as that the Kingdom flourished and all Enterprises at home and in the field succeeded prosperously and even to envy She married young and having been bred strictly bore with an equal temper her Husbands knidness or slighting A Woman for holiness of life after the ancient manner A Queen couragious and not to be conquered by adversity of great judgment cunning to dissemble or to conceal in alterations would not discover any change This was resolved of stoutly to maintain her Children and Kingdom in the mean time during the Kings Minority not to exasperate the Princes but hold an even seal between them Being but newly abroad from her close mourning she cast out such expressions Faithful Armies shall defend the French Empire him point-at the King his own Majesty The Palace was free from those vices which are wont to grow rank in Courts The Kings Childhood shot up under the nurture and admonitions of Mazarine to whom was also taken on as a second Villeroy one well versed in our State-affairs skilled in the Court a quick foreseer of Interests likely to get uppermost Our Nobles
all of them wholly set upon what they could rake together or fish out before the King should come to be of Age to restrain their outragious greediness The French have this custom to think themselves dull and negligent of their Estates unless they get some Boon from a new Prince from whom they think they are to draw as from a Torrent that will not always run especially by reason of the Ministers foreignness which they were confidently perswaded they might easily baffle Even many private persons were craving Mazarine granted every one that for which he was importuned and spared for no cost so he might but render them engaged and faithful to the Queen won whomsoever he could at that time by gratifications In the mean while the poor Exchequer was pillag'd by Court-Leeches Mazarine foresaw much that time would be when the heaping up of money would occasion mischief Nothing at that time did so much perplex his thoughts The safety and Honour of the Kingdom he desired could not attain this without Arms nor Arms without pay nor pay without Taxes nor Taxes without vexation nor vexation long without complaints in a State condemning every thing and to be feared for its excess that is not to be satisfied but by ill practices which draw dangerous consequences Prosperity had already debauched their minds Wealth was in Honour poverty accounted a reproach After Riches Luxury and Covetousness its attendants with pride had broke in they tore they wasted they built Houses and Villa's like Cities What should I go on to mention that which will be scarce credible to posterity They so far abused their ill gotten riches that very many Receivers Partisans they call them the Wens of Mankind have levelled Mountains and raised Plains to Mountains have built them houses with which for habitation may compare neither Kings nor Emperors To furnish their Table they search all that may be got by Sea or Land They purchase luxury by gains Rapines by luxury and it is their highest value for an Estate to lavish an Estate Hereupon when their means fail they set upon Change of Government to get more to spend It was ordinarily pleaded That by the increase of the Kingdom private mens Estates were come to fuller growth That money is now at another rate than heretofore in the Kingdom when small where the houses were but little That nothing is over-much where is power all things are to answer the Possessors fortune A confession of Vices and the likeness of Delinquents easily was consented to under plausible names 10. Thus was it in the City fruitful for engendring mischiefs and that is of so great moment that whithersoever it lean thither do all things in a manner bend because in it the strength and hopes of the whole Kingdom are placed and because the Government divides from them all abroad It dispenseth to all the Provinces Officers intrusted with Arms and Laws it receives into its bosom all sorts of strangers and cherisheth mankind upon a commonty not like a Dame but Mother whom it receives it calls Denizens and obligeth to it self in a bond of natural affection those that are in the remote parts of the world Let not ancient Rome compare her self nor all the Illustrious Cities in the East It will issue out four Cities without any loss of the people exhausted it will set out 100000 Souldiers and yet the streets cram'd It will nobly entertain four Kings coming on a sudden and the Citizens have plenty being cut into parts by its Seine that carrieth on its back supplies sufficient to sustain whole Kingdomes Presently upon the death of Lewis it was quiet and joyful at its own condition but it was conjectured by no obscure signs that from it only a storm would rise that should discharge upon the whole Nation Mazarine was unable to satisfie so many lusts the Treasury being almost already drawn dry Every one thinks himself considerable for business and thereafter expects wages gaping after reward hence issue out Spies and Trapans the main concern of whose life is to know and to be unknown that Gang of Informers swarms in teachy times a Tribe insatiable subtle false that will at all times condemn and at the same times will be cherished Orleans Conde Mazarine Longueville Seguier Bryenne Bouthillier Chauvigny his Son and Servienne went for the Counsel of State But at that very time Fame gave out that Mazarine was all in all the rest but shadows that went along with him and moved at his motions for the Queen concluded with him all matters of importance as with her only Cabinet-Counsellor the rest taken to sit at the board for Pomps sake that they might debate things resolved before-hand and might please themselves with an empty appearance of Government And to say the truth Mazarine did then openly present Richlieu risen from the dead Which two because so lucky an occasion is offered I have not thought fit to pass over without declaring the Nature and Qualities of both as far as my weak parts can reach 11. In the much that I have read and have observed it is evident from the first foundations of the Kingdom to these present times that the excellent vertue of a few have done all the great Actions Among them two persons have been most eminent for their transcendent merits Armand Richlieu and this our Julius Mazarine differing in qualities differing in Country both of the same rank in the Church both of Illustrious Extraction Their Age Eloquence were alike Courage equal also their Glory but other advantages each had to himself in particular Armand was accounted great for his magnificent Works Julius surpassed him in splendour of life The formers severity made him awful The latters gentleness and mercy made him renowned Richlieu by lavishing and by punishing Mazarine by pardoning and wary dispensing obtained glory The ones easie and forward bounty was commended The others slackness in giving was condemned Those that offended Richlieu were certain to be destroyed Mazarines Enemies took Sanctuary in Mazarine himself That other carried all with a high hand This with an imperious stilness that was well versed in the French Kingdom This acquainted with the States of the World That dyed in the heat of Wars uncertain of events This after peace setled secure of success That to the joy of his King this while his King wept over him expired in his Arms. However the Relation contained in this Book is necessary and as I hope not ungrateful that What persons the Reader is to see engaged with variety of Fortune he may have their conditions also and temper and as it were picture before his eyes For whereas all History consists of Men and Actions I have judged it fit more to insist upon them than these because it hath more influence upon humane life in reference to the example for one to know what were the several dispositions of men than for heads to be filled with insignificant Stories The principal matter is
making haste 〈◊〉 midst things uncertain gape after the Present Caâ—â— at money upon all occasions so is Justice less observeâ— and offences they connive at for favour and fâ—â— granting Indulgences The Barberini were entertained in France couâ—teously Mazarine that had found them prouâ— helped them in distress But the Election of Panphilio did so displease him that having grievously censured Antonio Barberini for it out of discontent he fell dangerously sick so as to keep his Bed Wherupon many conceived greedy hopes especially Chavigny Some would obtrude upon the Queen Cardinal Grimaldi The Queen inclined to neither but waited how the Cardinal should do who recovering searched into the designs of his Rivals and kept them close in his memory especially for Chavigny whom for that time he always secretly undermined which when Chavigny perceived it was the occasion of putting him on to precipitate his Plots not fully ripe When the grave Brow of Innocent would not easily endure the presumptuous encroachments of the young Duke of Parma Arms are again taken up But the Forces of Parma were at the first Encounter totally cut off Their General Geoffray a French-man and Doctor of Physick who had insinuated into the late Prince Edwards favour it is uncertain by what practices the Incendiary of the division was put to death at Piacenza and made a State-sacrifice to repair the disgrace The Pacificator was the King of France by Bichi the Senese with Donghi a Genovese the Popes Commissioner for arbitrating the difference Which was Mazarines glory that the French Arms should triumph over Flanders Germany Catalaunia Turin and Piedmont as farther that the interposition of a King but six years old under the Guardianship of a foreign Woman should repress disquiets always working at home and prevail to establish Peace abroad France was if ever prudently governed yet those Secrets of State were taxed and carped at by the whispers and censures of men The truth it we are loth to be under Superiors and let one act never so well and faithfully to the Publick Interest yet this and that is condemned and there is ever somewhat which doth not please every body Thereupon were words thrown out amongst the Vulgar and iâ— Meetings But there is no more certain sign of Gallantry than to despise them when one is placed iâ— Power above the reach of Injury and in Glory above the Eclipse of Infamy Calmness of spirit becomes men in Authority and a patient bearing of reproaches is a great preservative of a Kingdoms Peace Mazarine that took satisfaction in repentance only never in punishment preferred and enriched those that had laid the greatest load of infamy upon him oftentimes using this language to the Queen Madam we have not time enough to busie our selves with these examinations if you once leave this door open you will have no other business and all mens quarrels under this colour will be made matter of information Enguien receiving the Command of Orleans and sent again into Flanders presentlâ— layes cloese Seige to Dunkirk Gassion and Rantzow being his Lieutenants Dunkirk heretofore a Town of Fishermen afterwards of Pirates having ever been an unsafe Road for Ships is become a most famous Harbour from whence Ancors are weighed for all parts of the World The terrour of the Sea moated on the one side by the Ocean on the other by a Moor renowned for Caesars Triumphs and proud of having been the place from whence he took Sh ipping when he went for Britain and at which he landed upon his return The Siege was obstinate by reason of the stout defence and strong situation all which the valour of Conde subdued The Government of the City after it was taken was committed to Rantzow which seemed impolitick Rantzow was by birth a Dane of the Country of Holstein of great personal valour and excellent conduct None could with more Eloquence advance his military Action But intemperate in drink thereupon desperate in fighting we have seen him cut all over no member without its wound When our State fell into Troubles afterwards the Danes faith faultred who was quietly conveyed out of Dunkirk and cast into prison a warning that strangers are not to be trusted Mary Gonzaga the eldest Daughter of Charles of Nevers after Duke of Mantua espoused to the King of Poland parts from the City and is conducted to her Husband through the Low-Countries and Germany in Royal State The King of Polands Ambassadors and their Followers in a long Train made a Cavaleade through Paris upon Horses with stately Trappings One might have seen the people running forth to gaze upon the Getes in Furs with Sable Caps as they passed along the crowded streets great matter for the discourse and vanity of Paris Charles Duke of Lorraine having more than once fallen from us and so often followed the Austrian Eagles and unhappy Standard at last left his Dukedom to our disposal when as Lorraine lying it seems near France was reduced into a Province but one fortified Town held out which was Motteâ— this must be reduced that nothing might remaiâ— unsubdued This Charge after the untimely deathâ— of Magalot was committed to the Marquess Villeroy that so he might grow into Reputation by such a Seige and acquire the Dignity of Mareschal the better to be qualified for the being the young Kings Governour The Prize was easie all hopes of succour being cut off from the Garrison of Motte About the expiring of the year 1646. Henry Bourbon Prince of Conde not yet sixty years old dyed an easie death Lamented by France in such a juncture of Affairs as one who by his Prudence and equal Justice did stay the State running into Confusions He was born at S. Egers in Xantoigne after his Fathers death who was poysoned by ill practices Henry IV. having no Issue had trained him up with all diligence as his future Heir having weaned his Spirit in his tender years from the new Religion which he had sucked in with his milk from his Father and Grandfather in hereditary descent He was so nurtured in the Catholick Rites that afterwards when he was grown up he affected the reputation of being a Capital Enemy to the Innovators in an empty ostentation which would have been useful as he conceived if occasion had served But this is always beneath a great Prince who ought not to love nor yet hate any such thing too much and whom a lofty and gallant Spirit becomes slighting matters of that nature His Marriage with Charlotte Mommorancy had almost been his ruine For to avoid the being rivalled by King Henry he fled into the Low-Countries for a Sanctuary of his Wives chastity From hence through Germany he travels to Millan with a small Retinue to Count Fuentes After that Henry was killed when the impious World did justly fear an eternal night Conde returning into France unhappily took the part of the Mutiners It is an ordinary practice in France thus to disturb the Minority of Kings by Rebellion
more hard and hasty the Master of the House grows and the whole Family the worse This hath been the sâ—nse of James and before him famous men have haâ— the same thoughts Erasmus Cassander Melancthonâ— and the latest de Dominis Archbishop of Spalattoâ— It hath always been dangerous to touch holy thingâ—â— as those who in the Old Testament are punished for a rash touch For what matter is it how the profession of Religion stand so that people by it worship God the giver of all good and be obedient to the Supreme Powers But lest I should against my resolution insensibly winde my self into a Whirl-pool my Boat shall coast along the shore leaving that best King of England as the following Book declares among the Essexes Fairfaxes and at length Cromwells brought to extremities impeached not only to have innovated in the Worship but under that pretence to have altered the established Form of Government that he might get no less absolute Authority than the King of France concerning whom what is his Power were a crime to question He only reigns truly What a malignant Star did then in all places influence Kingdoms You see at the same time the Fates of France you see of England Naples Catalaunia and Portugal which having broken its Allegiance hitherto kept to the Philips by instinct in a heat chose for their King the Duke of Braganza throwing off the Castillians How was it but by Fate that Philip. II. came into that Kingdom which seemed so established in multitude of Successors that there was no room nor crevise even for the most presumptuous hope Mark Emmanuel King of Portugal had married three Wives Thee first Isabella the eldest of the Daughters of Ferdinand and Isabella King and Queen of Spain His Issue by her Michael who if he had lived had been the undoubted Heir of Spain in the whole extent of his Empire he dyed a Child and his Mother in Child-bed Therefore he then took to Wife another Mary the third Daughter of Ferdinando and Isabella For Joan who was the second was given to Philip of Austria of which Match are the present Kings of Spain Of her Emmanued begets in truth a numerous Issue six Sons two Daughters Lastly of a third Match also which he contracted with Leonora Daughter of Philip of Austria and Joan he had two Children a Son and a Daughter This House was grounded upon so many Props Nonâ— to come to their Children what a Train twenty two were before Philip and the Succession and hindered the accrewment of this adventitious Estate And yet see whether the Fates invites us He came and succeeded in right of Isabella his Mother the Wife of Charles the V. which was the elder of Emmanuels Daughters passing by Catharine Daughter of Edward Duke of Guimarance who was the sixth Son of the same Emmanuel and Wife of John Duke of Braganza Bâ— the same Fates tacking about it is returned to the right Lords the Dukes of Braganza I know not by what secret cause besides the manifest these thingâ— thus fall out that whereas in other Arts men grow perfect by practice in this of Government it proves ordinarily quite contrary and Princes swerve rarely hold out in a straight path to the Goal From the Compliances of all they gather scornfulness Even that mighty weight of Empire may for some timâ—â— hardly always be sustained with an upright neck Men tire and bend where there is no other thing to restrain but the regard of a good Name and naked Vertue and especially Religion To this Corrupters 〈◊〉 contribute an evil connatural with Courts and such as commending ill actions give a biass that way 〈◊〉 turn Power into Licentiousness But there is some occasion too given by Subjects who are refractory and perverse and unthankeful towards the best Princes resent that with trouble and disdain and so by degrees take off their affections the more if there be Sedition or Rebellion or Plottings Then they think they have just title to oppress and afflict All smart for the guilt of the major part Blessed we who after so many provocations of severity have not seen the Sword drawn but against the Enemy For this reason the Publick Felicity seems to have singled out Mazarine to bring him to this Government who hath so principled the young King For how great mildness have we found in his life time how great do we enjoy since his death from the best and most just of Kings But neither did favours nor clemency work upon men to alter their minds The storm every day more furiously discharged upon Mazarine The Grandees rejoyced provided to be still craving who accounted former concessions not a stop but a step to farther Petitions A man of great importance and then admitted with favour to the Cardinals ear advised him to fortifie his Interest with potent Friendships and Alliances that he was therefore undervalued because he had not sure footing in France that he seemed as though he had thoughts of returning into his Country when he had made his Fortunes that these and the like words were given abroad that great sums of money were transmitted to Rome he had there bought and furnished a House forgetting our Estate had Banks of money out at use in Venice and Genoua Mazarine hearkened to the Counsel as appeared beneficial as the issue proved afflictive Therefore first of all he thought of matching his Nephew Mancini with the only Daughter of the Count d'Ales the Cousin Germain of Conde How much spirit did he think was in Conde whose Alliance he esteemed the remedy of his Troubles In truth Conde stood in Condes own light or else he might have carried all in France before him I am assured that it was the top of Mazarines ambition to have been serviceable to him as his Master The Princes mind in this particular mistaken refused the offer being able to acquire as he thought of himself more glory than if he should seem to depend on an odious Minister Not in this point only but every where else he forfeited great opportunities and equalled not his vast Successes with any prudence Conde seemed to slight such a Match which Mazarine made use of me to sue for Longueville being certified of the whole business as he was greedy to find occasions voluntarily interposes himself promising his effectual assistance not without a reward For he that needed nothing but quiet thought it a disparagement in troublesom times to get nothing and when a fire was kindled not to warm his own fingers And being seriously advised that in a bad Age he would dare to be good could never be brought to put off that humor of trassicking Whereas no sort dispositon stands upon so unsteady ground looking over with a readiness to precipitate into folly and vanity but it may easily be managed by the rein of prudence to return into the straight path only our Princes incapable of any but suborned advice draw against it Therefore did Longueville
thâ— minds of men They complain grievously tâ— Mazarine whom they did now obliquely reflect upon For the Grandees and Leading-men in the House drove at this to cast all the blame upon him out of a mischievous and bad design not to expeâ— him which was then scarce thought of by any but to over-awe him and render him subservient to their Interests I do not deny that some there were who wished him turned off through the fraiâ— temper of humane Spirit that always judgeth that best which it wants There was one Peter Broussel a Member of the Parliament of Paris most single in his carriage easie of access a vertuous and most honest man of no ill Principles but easie to be led by the designing party Therefore he seemed fit to be made the subject of the tinkling Cymbal to sound for the publick discontent The seeds of Civil discord are fomented every day more than other The Masters of Requests publish a Libel very derogatory to the Kings Authority They unite with the Parliament and joyn together in disobedience to the Kings Prohibition They agitate about the male-administration of the Kingdom That the publick money was misemployed to private uses thereupon there was no Treasury no Common-wealth that burdens were laid upon the people such as they were no longer able to bear That there was an end of the French Empire some person must be found out to relieve the distressed State Now if any one thought the Kings Revenue too small it would have the defect supplied not by oppressing the Subject but by good husbandry that every one should limit his expences not after his lusts which are unlimited but according to his means That it was but a pretended complaint that the Kings Revenue was not sufficient for his Disbursements whenas so many former Kings have lived upon them with credit and splendour have been renowned in the Field and terrible to their Enemies both in Peace and War The more strictly these Meetings were prohibited the more often were they held Blammeny Charton and Broussel speak more boldly than the rest That in the Minority of the King the Charge of the Kingdom lay upon the Parliament time would come as heretofore hath fallen out that the King coming to Age and entring himself upon managing the Government would call the Parliament to an account for the mis-government of the State of France Therefore they should provide to be found such as had the courage to be good Patriots in bad Times such would they be as should pity the publick misery and prevent future Troubles How it reflected upon the French Name and was scandalous in the face of Europe that none could be found within so famous a Kingdom worthy to be intrusted to set at the Helm of that State but they must be put to make use of a strangers head That it a hard a hard case cry they Country-men and if there were any drop of true French Blood running in our veins intolerable that a Spanish Woman and a Foreigner Roman be he or Sicilian should tread upon her Kingdoms That the Princes of the Blood should be so tame as that none of them should dare to open his mouth but let it be stopped with promises In the mean time the Common-wealth goes to wrack no man ventures with the publick Fortune but every one shifts for himself They make indeed say they many and fair offers but as soon as a crust is thrown before them they are still and sleep soundly over the publick Sufferings What have we to do with Italian Fidlers with Players and Comedians The Manners of France are of themselves more than enough corrupt and do not need Out-landish debaucheries These carry out our money and bring in their vices To what purpose are there so many Scenes and Operas to represent incestuous Amours whose subjects for the most part contain adulterous Acts A custom of seeing such sights grows into a boldness of imitating such practices Our young Gentry learns nothing from thence but names of new lusts and unbandsom Ribaldry Our Country-manners are by degrees abolished and utterly turned out by taking in lasciviousness from abroad so that whatever means of corrupting or being corrupted is any where had may be seen in the City and our Youth degenerates into foreign fashions by having no business wherein to be employed Nor is there only a liberty â—o all loosness but a kind of constraint For persons have been taken notice of that did not come to see Comedies Are they not likely to prove rare Judges that attend upon wanton Tunes and Melody of Voices That nights too farther were taken up with these disgraceful entertainments that so no time might be left to modesty but in a promiscuous Company what every debauched Wretch designed in the day he might take the boldness to effect in the night For Mazarine himself that he perhaps was of a blameless life and had a profound Wit but that it was through his indulgence that the Court swarmed with Italians the Streets â—rung of nothing but their unknown Gibbrish which grates upon our ears That the money is spent upon Plays whilst brave men are left to struggle with extreme indigence Where are those ancient Statesmen that assisted the needy that did not count the Church-Revenues their private Possessions but the reward of Vertue What is more shameful than for men of Honour to wait in the Ante-Chamber without any distinction from the mean Attenders day and night to stand to the mercy or scorn of Porters and discontented to take Coach left the babling Servant should unhappily blaze abroad the misadventure of a Visit attempted without success That Biragues the Milaâ—nite heretofore was intrusted with the Management of our Affairs but he was of integrity no Scholar indeed nor trained up to Arts or Sciences only supported the Person of Chancellour and no more And this practice was in good time used to win the Transalpine Galls to bear our yoke The Marquess d' Ancres never presided over our Counsels but was tolerated for the Queens particular favour which he enjoyed and had been longer if he had not so far forgot himseâ—â— and us as to turn all to his own ends and within left posterity this Caution not over-much to trust the deceitful Complements of French-men Now the master sounds far different abroad the world that 〈◊〉 have put our necks under a foreign yoke that 〈◊〉 France depends upon Julius Mazarine that he keep under the same Roof with the King is called Prime Minister a name unknown to us under that pretenâ—â— that he deals about War and Peace about the Exchequer the Dignities and Revenues of the Church the Principal Offices of the State as about his own Concernment without any controul That the King and Queen are not to be applied to but by his permission And what is more scandalous that the Italian Ministers carry them so loftily as that no man of any understanding can endure their
vain oppos'd the French stoutly maintain'd him It is strange in what credit the French were by reason of their prosperous successes In all this time differences grew high upon specious pretences which gave fuel to great animosities Fabio Chigi one of a mild temper did diligently remove all such things as he judg'd might obstruct or retard the business of Peace watchful on all particulars disgusted by none with his Humility and gentle Carriage did oblige the respects of the Grandees Contareni a man of able parts but passionate proceeded sometimes with more violence then wariness At the beginning of the Conference was a Requiem for the deceas'd Pope Vrbane news being brought of the Election of Innocent Te Deum was Sung And when the Assembly was fully met the beginning was made at good Prayers that God would prosper their pious Endeavours for putting an end to the War and a solemn procession perform'd for blessing the City so that all things were done which are reputed effectual for attoning God Never was it prov'd by more evident Demonstration that God who is the Author of Peace though call'd upon after the due Order did not preside in that Meeting for what was there practic'd in it but Jugling and Sophistry How much money How much time was idly thrown away How many Letters writ in Cyphers How many Decypher'd What insisting upon Punctilioes So that the Meeting might seem not to have been held about the Peace of Christendom but about the Place of Princes Never did Assembly more gloriously play the mad Men nor upon so serious an occasion were more egregious Children All the time of the Assembly nothing was more absurd then the quarrels between Avozzi and Servient who not remitting their differences for the Majesty of their Countrey nor out of respect to their Character nor the good of the Kingdom through frequent contradictions of the Council though well advis'd did by their private peevishness destroy whatever Authority they had Whereas it becomes all that consult about matters of moment to be unprejudic'd with any affection which does ill qualifie to all Administrations How undecent is it for men joyn'd in the highest Power for the Publick to be divided in private Animosities In the first place this is to be laid down for a certain truth that the Spaniards while the new King of Portugal claim'd his Right while the Kingdom of Naples waver'd while Catalaunia stood out in perfect Rebellion while their Treasury was not sufficient to defray the War and their Affairs in all parts distress'd did wholly despair of obtaining honourable conditions of Peace especially the French being puff'd up with so many Successes therefore they thought they must flye to Policies which is a part of wisdom Prevailing upon the opportunities in France where the minority of Kings is always accompanied with publick calamities they feed unquiet spirits with hope of Alterations which that Nation abundantly produces but their principal care is to separate their Confederates and Allies The Swedes they attaque by the Emperour who makes them large proffers so they would but quit the French Interest The Hollanders they practise colourably with an offer of undoubted Liberty freedom of Navigation and a quiet possession of all that they had already acquir'd The Swedes held firmly to their Principle and the Emperours Arts could make no impression upon a Nation always stuck to their Honour and Word The case of Holland was greatly debated not only in the Provinces but in Holland it self several Cities stood severally affected nor within the Cities were all of one judgment but every one led by the impulse of his proper Interest the most cogent Argument The French Commissioners before they came to Munster stay'd some time at the Hague to pry into whatever weak side or unsound part should appear especially the mind of Orange whose Wife was tax'd to be engaged The Prince now stricken in years and broken with Military Labours having but one Son and he not yet compleat Man thought it safe after so many gallant Services to sound a Retreat Most of the more discreet discours'd thus that the Charge could no longer be supported nor could the War be carried on with any fair hope nothing came by it but Damages that there was no necessity of it and it might be justly feared least the Common-People should take distaste at their Governours and deny the payment of Taxes Therefore that they should hearken to a Truce or rather a Peace Provided that their Liberty might be not upon condition or for a time but absolutely and for ever preserved entire Others on the contrary that Peace was not desired by the Spaniard but the having War at his own rather then his Confederates most convenient time or what is worse then War the vexing of their State by Divisions and corrupting them till the strength of their old Souldiers be worn off At length they concluded that at least no agreement should be admitted without the privity and in a sort the Warranty of the French These Discoursces passed at the Hague and all over the Low-Countries when the Mediators at Munster by their Prudential Addresses sustained hopes of the Peace and the Commissioners of the Kings to the frustrating one another spun out time in starting new exceptions All the Assembly no longer able with any patience to put up such prejudicial delays resolved by any means to determine the Treaty Seeing for so long time nothing was got but words of an ambiguous importance and such as every party interpreted at their pleasure according to the daily success of Army The French in their first Memorial require before any thing that the Archbishop of Tryers the occasion of the War be set at Liberty that all the Allies be satisfied and the possession of the conquered places remain The Commissioners of the Emperour reply As to the Tryers the Emperour is not â—â—rse but he will never digest that his Subjects should be equalled with him The Spaniards contended that all be restored to them as was at Camâ—â—ay and Vervin that the Duke of Braganza be not included in the Agreement as being a Rebel and an â—â—just Vsurper In the mean time a War breaking out between the Swede and Dane not so much for the customs of the Baltick Sound as that out of pretence of Hostility the Dane might be excluded from the whole Treaty In these matters eight months pass away without any result at Munster The swedish and Danish differences being composed by Thuillerte the French Embassadour the Treaty proceeds a fresh The Emperour releaseth and restores Tryers leaving Flesburgh to be in the French possession as it afterward remained In the mean time the French seize on the Sea-coast of Flanders and the Town of Dunkirk upon which the French greatness began to be suspected by the united Provinces and they began seriously to treat about separating from their Alliance which Mazarine was aware of thereupon it was thought fit to dispatch away
Presence-Chamber whither within a quarter of an hours time Conde being called in falls down at the Kings feet but was presently raised up as is usual on such an occasion the first word was most attentively watched for but instead of that was a courteous whispering that one would soon have imagined a hearty reconciliation After this having visited the Queen and Anjou he presented the choice Commanders of his Army Boutteville and Mersin and the rest not concealing the Vertues of each Marsin disfigured more then any else with scars received for Conde no less confounded with the Kings bounty as the memory of his own carriage and the publick hatred the cause of which was the more grievous in that it was just casting his eyes on the ground acquitted himself with only looking up to Conde In Conde there was no abjectness no pride no change of temper in a change of Condition his mind had on the sudden wheeled about from Banishment and Guilt to Majesty He admitted all mirth and plenty applyed himself to such as flocked about him and expatiated in Flatteries having a quick Wit in a graceful return of Complements Whatsoever he said or did although without Art delighted the ears and eyes of them that were present Further that he might allay the name of Souldier which sounds harsh amongst the idle Courtiers with other vertues he avowed his resolution of following a quiet and peaceful life One might have seen faces shining with a sudden cheerfulness the cloud of so many part troubles being in a short time scattered So much power had that brightness of blood that of successes and what is above all nothings being difficult to Conde's Fates Thus having spent about eight days he returns back the same way hearing as he came along the death of the Duke of Orleans of whom I shall speak afterwards He that in work and upon the march lately consorted with the Common-Souldier in Flanders reserving intire the Authority of a General at Paris vies with the most Courtly Lords in Ceremony and Complements As mens Affections were forward Conde's Wit increased his Reputation being adequate to any fortune whatsoever the gracefulness of his Countenance with a certain Majesty his prosperity mens minds bending towards him and instead of all his Fortune To have escaped so many imminent mischiefs be restored to his house advanced in glory One might see the Prinees Palace from early in the morning till late at night swarm with people Men come out of curiosity return with content cannot be satisfied with gazing admire the same vertue which lately they hated his youthful affections and which had been heretofore loose now â—â—rbed with heavy cares his conditions altered for the better and though he were but middle-aged as to years yet was he reported to have parallel'd the longest time of life as to Glory These things were heard at Court and believed to be more then in truth they were his Popularity was condemned and it was disliked that he had received Bishops with courtesie above the ordinary rate that he had nailed Mourning to the top of his Coach for the death of Orleans It is a Custom which is past into a Law that none may assume this to themselves besides the immediate issue of Kings He that had so often nailed Canons dares not now nail his Coach The Prince complains of mischief in the new Court equally grievous but not equally condemned yet modestly as amongst his Masters thanked Mazarine for giving him such advice For the avoiding these and the like jealousies he resolves to leave the City for a time and retire into Burgundy The Government of that Province which had been restored him was the Pretence nor to spread his sail any more to prejudicial Fame but seek a cure of his Troubles from lying still He takes along with him young Enguien already shewed to the Fates that he might produce him among the Peoples It will not be amiss to observe that the Lorrainers and Guises payed their respects to the Prince by Proxy lest they should walk lower-most and on the left hand in his house They complained that he observed this practice which his Father had neglected and remitted The Duke of Orleans born of Henry the Fourth and Mary Medices only Brother of Lewis XIII having laid down the Civil Arms would pass off the discontents that were risen in his Spirit for the ill success of his design with retiring to Blois No longer did he give himself over to be ruled by any of his Servants imparted his cares only to his Wife Margaret de Lorraine trusted her only with his secrets and the thoughts of his Soul Turned of the sudden Antiquary and Herbalist more exquisite then comported with the Quality of so High-born a Prince Delighted in Dogs and Hunting and ranging the Woods not for Venison but to save the Deer Set all the City of Bloâ—se into a Religious Humour Masses without end openly professed himself Devout Votary to use a new Term upon a new Subject when as God is to be adored in Spirit only not only to be served with that Ostentation Those that rise to that height in a phrensie of Zeal fearing not loving wrong him whom they worship Religion is to be used with moderation as all good things which cease to be such if that be wanting Amongst these and the like courses he fell sick and having Antimony unduely administred within a Week died of a Lethargy Having been a hopeful Child and passed his youth in pleasure always under the direction of his Servants never at his own disposal Margaret de Lorraine spends a few days to compose her spirit being transported with grief and impatient Then rides to Paris with her three Daughters and the Herse going before The Corps of Gaston is deposited at St. Denis among the Tombs of his Ancestours with a Private Burial at small Charges the Heralds scarce paid The Kings according to Agreement meet the French stays at St. John de Luz the Spaniard with his Daughter at Fuenterabie Thither is sent Ondedei Bishop of Friuli to make the Contract by a Proxy who performed the Ceremony with an unaffected Gravity At last broke forth that day which put an end to the War and consummateâ— the marriage The Island formerly confident of such high transactions how Spectatress receives the Majesties and the Nobles of both Kingdoms The French King flourishing in years the Spaniard declined This casting a great shadow with his Trunk that with his Leaves Maria Teresa keeping close under her Fathers wing wishes and fears the issue of what was to follow The two Kings having passed their interchangeable salutes there was time to imagine what they Would say There was for some space such a profound silence universally The Old King admires in his Son-in-law that valour could consist with so great comeliness Lewis and Mary dwelt in astonishment upon mutual contemplation of each other So in the whole company every one admired at that which
surprised the other with mutual admiration Equal years and in differing Faces the same Majesty The Gospels were laid on stands on both sides with a Crucifix The Kings kneeling swore upon them that they would religiously observe the Articles of the Peace concluded which were at the same moment read by the Secretaries on that side Fonseca Contrera in Spanish on this in French by Lewis H. Lomeny Count of Brienne It was his last publick Act who resigning the place so unblameably so worthily held by his Father and by his Grandfather before him sequestred himself to God giving an eminent Example in the flower of his youth and by the Mothers line of the Emperours Family The French King admitted the addresses of the Spaniards the Spanish of the French neither spoke to them when they came to kiss their hands Mazarine presented the French to Philip Haro the Spaniards to Lewis only at the name of Thurenne the Spaniard broke silence Him saith he I remember and have reason to remember The hour drew on of breaking up the Company when Philip framing occasions of delay at length gave his daughter a parting-kiss and bid her his last farewel The Queen Mother did almost throw her self into her Brothers Arms but he out of Spanish gravity would not admit her This was the order at the entring into the League of Peace Having left the Island whole memory will be grateful to all posterity they were thus parted never more to return to the sight of one another At S. John de Luz next day a solemn Wedding was kept with unusual Splendour withou any stay that barren Sea-coast and unhospitable Quarters are abandoned All greedily long after Paris It was thought convenient to stay a while at Fountainbelleau thereby giving the Parisians respit to provide for the pompous Solemnity Mazarine all the Journey long grown more morose than he used to be not cheared with any recreation not so much as with winning at Play discovered to the King several times that his time of dissolution approached The King could not forbear weeping In the mean while the Cardinals Indisposition delayed the coming to Town whose Infirmity at length abating and all things being prepared the King with the Queen Consort hastned his Entry into die City The Entry was next to a Triumph In a Domâ—â— set up in the Suburb of S. Anthony both their Majesties were congratulated by the several Orders coming forth decently marshalled First came the Ecclesiasticks in point of Honour they should have came last carrying Images with them and antick Gods of rude Workmanship After the Companies of Tradesmen proceeded the Magistrate then followed the Parliament in their Robes Afterwards the Chanellour laid all over with Gold the Masters of Requests guarding the Royal Seal charged upon a Horse loaded with Trappings The Souldiers and the Heralds in rich Coats All had spotted Plumes in their Hats The Captains marched in the Head of their Companies with the Ensigns All sort of Riches is displayed and the Ornaments of the City are fetched to grace the Publick Joy A Coach embellished with all the Badges of Majesy is brought to the Queen She is set in it alone The King would not go in a Coach but mounted on a gallant Steed rid before The Princes on Horse-back followed immediately after The joyful City thronging on both sides looked earnestly upon the Queen being aware that in her Chariot was the chiefest of all Victories Joyfulness at the Sight was provoked by variety of Sounds In the way all along as they came were Quires of excellent Musicians resounding cheerful Airs in Consorts of Instrumental and Vocal Melody The new-married Pair came amidst this Pomp to the City-Gate At the Entrance was set up aloft an Image of Peace holding forth in its right hand divers Verses They proceeded from the Port through the High-streets of the City to the Louvre even â—â—red with Joy Mazarine having performed this magnificent Solemnity proposed to ease the people of Taxes to succour the Allies to encourage Navigation for War and Merchandise to reform the French Fashions and Laws to beautifie the City with stately Buildings and finish the Louvre the most glorious Monument of this Age which being set accidentally on fire was warning and fore-runner of what what was approaching He did not continue in the blessed Light of this World cruel Fortune disappointing these Intentions Scarce were six months expired after the Entry of the King when taken desperately with all the Symptoms of extreamest pain he gave presages of his fatal hour In nothing slack but in Cure of his Infirmity His Liver and Lungs distempered causing a general feebleness in all his Limbs threw back somewhat impenetrable by the learned Faculty although what is strange the putrefaction scarce amounted to a Feaver After that it was clearly understood that there remained no hope in the Physicians the more skilful of whom gave their Judgment of his being dangerously ill he drew to Vincennes there to dye as though Fortune would be less taken notice of in committing the crime without than within the City The King commanded he should be left to his rest and disturbed with no business His Vertue stood always unwounded and never touched Having his Soul insensible of any evil he clearly shewed how vile the body is to them that have great glory in their eye Having his thoughts taken up about nothing more than the Glory of the Kingdom whose rise and growth one may say that he assisted he is reported to have suggested many things of the various Schemes of Policy to the King who generally sate by his Bed-side A long time they kept silence with mournful looks restraining tears before either begun the bitter discourse The King most obligingly commending his Merits deferred to him the success of his Arms. Our Victories saith he are your Work You have sweetned the hazard you the misfortunes you the labours of War You have preserved my Crown At length you fall a Sacrifice after so many propitious successes obtained for me Whilst I shall use my Estate restored by you I shall oftner remember all this hath been received from you than you ever thought that you gave it I will enjoy the goods gotten by your Counsel and shall understand from the use what you have bestowed upon me The Nobles standing round attended and shrowded most different thoughts under a common silence being prepared to sway their affections which way soever the Discourses of the King and Mazarine should incline them Mazarine although he supposed all this to be true which had been said answered as became his modesty That all must be put upon Account to the Kings Cause and Felicity that himself too had received an inestimable favour to have the Honour to meddle with his most holy Arms and Counsels Afterwards wisely admonished the King That himself would undertake the Government of his State and not create a publick Jealousie by ill chosen Favourites That he should have
Corps is interred amongst his Predecessors at S. Denis without any pomp or but very little Such directions had he given when he ordered concerning his Burial When Lewis was dead every one begun to entertain serious thoughts of his own estate I judge it therefore seasonable before I compile the intended story to declare how the Princes the Parliament the Ecclesiasticks the Provinces the Armies stood affected what were the Bounds of the Empire how firm the Allies and in sum what was the state of our Affairs what Parts in the Government were strong what again weak So that not only the Products and Events of Actions which ordinarily are but contingent but the reason too and causes of them may be known The Death of Lewis as it was joyfully taken at the first heat by those that were transported with it so did it stir up divers thoughts and affections not only in the City and Parliament but likewise in the Provinces and amidst the Armies and Officers The Followers and Friends of the Banished and Imprisoned begun to hold up their heads The King towards his later days whether stung in conscience or to throw an Odium upon Richlieu and that he might lay at his door the cruelty of all proceedings had recalled the Banished and release those that had long lain in prison 3. The Princes of the Blood were joyful as is usual upon change of Government resuming presently their liberty with intention to use their power more licentiously as having to do with a King but five years old a Spanish Woman and Mazarine an Italian For the Bishop of Beauvais did not long continue in favour as one insufficient to draw in such a yoke as his Rivals would make believe Gaston Duke of Orleans the Kings Uncle who had neither love nor hatred but as they were imprest all his life time subject to the Tuition of his Counsellors did at that time lead a life free from cares under the Conduct of the Abbot of Rivieres whose Counsels tending to Peace he did not always follow to his own great damage Then spent he his days in jollity his nights in dancing and drew money to bear these expences out of the Exchequer which as long as it stood open to him he never troubled himself about the Government Conde was a profound Politician He had a strange Art of living Men coming new from the Plough or Ship-broad might find him neither stately nor guarded and he would freely confer with them He was open to all and enquired into every thing know every thing He minded all affairs great and small and so by these ways more than the clashing of Arms raised his Estate to vast Wealth which he was the first Conde that every cared to heap up and in that being very considerable and abounding desired that nothing but the Honour of the Kingdom and the Publick Welfare with his private Gains Enguien his Son leaving all care either of State or Family to his Father then only affected Martial Glory And at that age a successful daring had in him the place of Valour but when his parts attain to maturity he shall come to the highest pitch of perfection What he came afterwards to be the order of the Story will inform His Brother Continewly come from School did scarce write man of an excellent disposition which afterwards inclined to Religion not that which consists in disputing but in living having the sap of good works in seriousness not out of ostentation Longueville Son in Law to Conde sailed in Condes Bottom yet would meddle with all but favoured none save the strongest Party if they came to be low would slip his neck out of the Collar After the Kings death he had proposed to get all the strong Holds in Normandy under his Power especially Havre de Grace that so secured against the Normans secured against the King he might play Rex in that Port. Vendosme the natural Son of Henry IV. by Gabrielle d'Estres having his Estate consumed by so long adversities solaced his mind grown savage by such continued Exile either with the single remembrance of his former Fortune or with the hopes of a better nor did he plot any thing else but how by all possible means to repair the Breaches of his decayed Family The Duke de Mercoeur his eldest Son lived in quiet Beaufort his younger did upon his own head prepare himself a way to the prime Ministry for which attempt he afterwards was imprisoned besides that he had somewhat to â—o with Mombazon I am certainly informed that his late Majesty before his death did very particularly recommend these Youths to the Queen The Duke of Guise resembling his Ancestors in Courage and Gallantry with different success came not up but sacrificed his time in the Low-Countries upon courting and following his Amours to the expence of Reputation The two younger Brothers inherited the popularity inherent to their Ancestors At this juncture of Affairs the remaining Progeny of so many Heroes that heretofore durst try for the Kingdom by Arms now finds not place for so much as a wish pretending to nothing more at this time than a thing very easie to compass that is not to stir A Branch of the House of the Guises Elboeuf and Harcourt depressed in their Estates had no designs This latter a stout and daring Souldier afterwards tossed in variety of Fortunes about whom I shall have occasion hereafter to speak not a little Those of Nemours made French from a Savoy stock of a numerous male Line were but two left the Elder of which had a great spirit in a small body but his thred of life being soon cut off left his Brother Successor who held nothing of that famous House but their blameless manners Such were our Princes not any either willing or able to work an Alteration All of them subscribed to the present Government beating their heads about many things to no effect This is the Quality of the French especially Courtier to make much stir that presently vanishes in the air To bind one another in deceitful bonds afterwards to flye off and betray one another A Crafts Master will easily break through such Cobwels 4. Now the Parliament of Paris they do not dislike the present State This is a great Body compounded of divers Humors At a certain sum of money which is undecent they purchase this Degree For themselves and their Heirs Most of them live above their Estates and having wasted their means either by their Wives or their Childrens or their own prodigality long after a Change Their Office if the matter be lightly scann'd is to preserve every mans propriety to compose differences to mitigate the increase of Taxes and retrench ways of Oppression that have been invented more grievous than Taxes to encourage Trade above all to advance the Kings Honour to teach the people that by their own good example never to clash with nor dispute the Kings Commands but humbly petition him and hold
to be read in men Fortune having taken much away from me hath left me the conversation of the French Natures which I do here in a manner limbe This in truth is more profitable than to be informed of bare particular occurrents I compose and write what another Age will read Our own disregarding it self as having left off to do commendable Actions thinks it impertinent to be praised or dispraised and defies Images because it dreads them As to Mazarine I speak not of his Fortune but of himself who was known to me not for any obligation but many wrongs that I received from him since my whole family is beholding to him singly for its calamities Nevertheless such is the power of truth that I cannot slothfully suppress the praises of so great a Personage but am over-ruled to give them their due Encomium leaving to others to dilate in flattering Discourses THE SECOND BOOK OF THE HISTORY OF FRANCE The CONTENTS Of the Actions at Home and in the Field during the happy five years under the most prudent Conduct as ever was from the Year 1643. wherein Lewis dyed to the Year 1648. when the Civil War was unfortunately commenced IN such a State of Affairs although flourishing there is no question to be made but that the House of Austria would have lifted up their head many amongst us having already plotted a Rebellion and got together by divers practices fuel for the Combustion had not Mazarine his Envyers carp at it the ends being secret obviated the imminent dangers by entertaining the quieter sort of men with hope gifts and the sweetness of ease and by scattering the active and military men through Germany Flanders Italy and Spain upon hard and desperate Services towaste and repel the Enemy lest he should be hindered by intestine dissensions to carry on his Plot at home and abroad What would have been the consequent if such a multitude of idle persons having got head under a minor King and casting of the Princes awe should have been sollicited to raise Civil Disturbances Before the pledges of the Kingdom were grown to full age and the dearness of their Soveraign which is made habitual by time had cemented their spirits The Estate not yet firmly setled would have been broke to pieces with discord which his gentle moderation did cherish for five years and brought to such perfection that being grown to full strength it could bear any shock though the malignancy of the French Fate should charge it never so furiously Therefore waving Occurrents rather ordinary than worthy the relating I shall write only those passages whose knowledge hath influence upon life counting it more eligible to edifie the Understanding than to feed the Fancy with an empty Narrative of Proceedings Here is not to be expected any Journal to give a particular account of Actions with their Circumstances but you will find secret Advices refined from vulgar Errours short and mystical so that I confess he had need have a piercing Judgment that can reach and fathom my meaning He that is not provided of that let him not offer to meddle with my Book but go about some other business The first Essay of the new King was the Expedition of Rocroy Roc-Roy or the Royal Rock is a Garrison at the Entrance of the Forest of Ardenne fortified with strong Works Hardly any foot of arable Land is near it All the parts round about it are over-run with Heath and Bryars The place is of such importance that the Garrison which holds it may freely march up as far as Paris and the vast Plain of Champaigne lies open to be scoured over by the Scouts from Rocroy Nothing was accounted more advisable among the Officers of the Army in the Low-Country after the death of Lewis than to reduce that Frontier Therefore May 12. 1643. Rocroy is closely beleaguered the Out-works are presently stormed the Defendents which were about 500 not being able to make good such a Line against so furious an Attaque The Spaniards lodge in the neighbouring Quarters more like Conquerors than Combatants Don Francisco Melo was Captain General The Count Issemburgh Duke Albuquerque and Count Fuentanon Lieutenants The Army consisted of 20000 men Intelligence being brought of this Enguien who was quartered in Picardy united his Infantry which lay upon the Ause with his Cavalry lying upon the Oyse and immediately sent away Gassion with 500 Horse to scout and do such farther Execution as the matter should require Gassion giving the Enemy perpetual Alarms whilst he and a Party are engaged conveys a 100 choice Musquetiers into the besieged Castle no small relief to the Garrison that was now sorely distressed Enguien with hard marches having drawn together the whole of his strength on the 17. of May quarters at Bossue a Town four miles distant from Roc-Roy Hither comes also Gassion A Counsel of War is called about the relieving of Rocroy There were some of opinion that they needed not give Battle but only send in succour the prevailing advice was to put it to a pitched Field There were narrow Lanes and By-paths to be got over before the Forces could come to draw up on even ground That part is gallantly performed and with notable success The French could hardly be kept in from running upon the Enemy even at the very break of day That was the fiery courage of the French yet there was this farther consideration that a French-man coming over from the Enemy had informed that Beke was upon his march drawing near with a Recruit to re-inforce the Spaniards Now Beke was of no mean esteem among both Wallons and French Such reward being given the Informer as his condition required all things are prepared for the hazard of a final decision And now the whole order of the future Engagement is brought under the eye All things are marshalled with exquisite care and providence on both sides and such preparations made that night as though a Battel had been bid against the next day Enguien judging it better to stay till broad day-light encouraged them and afterwards sent them to refresh themselves when this was done he went about the Companies standing to their Arms with the Field-Officers and his Attendants inspiring into the Troops of Souldiers a fortitude worthy of their ancient Glory and past Monuments He could neither endure to stand still nor would relieve his wearied body with sleep The Army had at no time seen the General so sprightly and did readily draw from his undaunted looks an assured conjecture of Victory At length when the clear light discovered ours and the Enemies Battalia Enguien rejecting the advice of his cautious friends clapt on a sleight Breast-plate and no Helmet that his face might be open and manifest to the Souldiers during the whole Engagement The Battel was thus set in array Gasston to command the right Wing Hospital the left with Seneterre The Wings were inforced with the reserve of Espenan Enguien turned his quick eyes to
Walks paved with bright Diamonds and bordered with the Green of Emraulds From the barren Land comes no Vintage but without bearing increase it blesses the Vine-dresser and never fails his hope being content with being gleaned by the eye only There was at this time a Staple so that many of our Merchants went over to Agra and came back in a blessed condition There were also Operas for Comical Scenes splendidly built and Actors fetched from all parts Nothing was happier than Paris at that time It triumphed abroad fearing nothing at home Nomischiefs of Factions no cruelty of Plots the serenity of the Court being clouded by no discontent The Queen-Mother not yet exercised by the Fates through their clemency found by experience that nothing was more delightful than her Government Mazarines Justice appeared in determining of Causes and his singular affability towards those who brought their Complaints and Requests to him Every hour he admitted to Audience without any surly Introducer would never interrupt any one in his Speech till the modesty of the Suitor warned him to be silent His glory was yet unspotted with any slander He healed whatever was wounded not rip'd up nor would examine strictly every trivial matter that he might be thought to have found and not made us good Money flew about him plentifully in the City for Julius was not yet given out to think of the hoarding up of it who though he were naturally tenacious acquired a reputation of bounty by a niggardly way of giving He had not as yet avowedly abandoned himself to a desire after Wealth He seemed to possess not to be possessed As malice and envy afterwards spoke falsely of the man Publick Charges Ecclesiastical and Secular Dignities not dismembred not with a large portion of them intercepted were the rewards of only vertue The faith of the Courtiers was not yet engaged by Bribes Who would think of such a sudden that all should change and this Summer-calm turn into storms more grievous than Winter-tempests First of all the Tribe of the Scholars to whom yet he had founded and dedicated his Library jear and defame Mazarine in divers Pamphlets but such as are not long-lived as most pieces of the French This hath been observed that almost nothing hath proceeded from the Wits of that Nation which promises immortality whereas in other things France is one of the most famous Countries of the whole World and fruitful in so many Commodities it is barren in this only Spirits naturally inclined to Drollery and Jest a faculty of talking extempore with some appearance perhaps of raillery They haunt great mens Tables wander about their Academies trick and trim their native tongue without end and boast of having refined their Language they trot about this way and that way to make Visits do not delight in secret solitude which is the only ferment of studies They contend in most barbarous Emulations whereupon ariseth unhandsom detraction and ridiculous saucines They are the very Ophiogenes and Psilli that 〈◊〉 out only the poyson of Books The Women following Scholars in tongue would use detraction upon their Couches and in their Circles they would curiously unravel the Government watch the words and actions of Mazarine study his Nature and more and more question the mans Honesty Some of them prostitute themselves to search our some State-secret infect their Husbands unawares with the malignancy These were the means that gave birth these that gave growth to the distempeâ— spreading through the Provinces for after our Example the Kingdom is fashioned At that time four not ill-humor'd but such as did more hurt by their life than good by their Wit set all France in a Combustion The far extended ugliness of the scandal should have been redressed by severity and had they been duely punished they would have brought as much credit to the State as by their ill government they wrought shame They afterwards when their designs failed as is usual precondemning themselves turned Nuns by a false dissembling of Religion and a gross superstition the door being shut to their vices grown out of season when rotten old age condemned by the Looking-glass by its own peremptory sentence doth dread it self It is a high task not to fight with but flye from sin nor to moderate but mortifie lusts The Parliament not of Paris only but of Rouen Bourdeaux and Britanny with others even murmured The people watching for Changes and Troubles follow their Examples as is common Openly that Mazarine must be removed by whom the work of Peace was obstructed that the subtle man loved War that so he might conceal his Robberies The Princes under-hand abetted him yet did the like by their Creatures and Emissaries nay even gave out that they would not have Mazarine removed but awed that so they might fish from him kept in fear what they listed that they could not have a more able Minister they must take heed lest banishing away the Italian they should come into the hands of some bold French-man who would restrain their unreasonable Suits which were infinite Mazarine took no notice of all this and by a prudent moderation withstood the storm Scattered all about embers covered with ashes upon which they like blind men and not well versed in Politicks walked as the issue proved I do not think that ever any Insurrection supported by so great preparation and strength did ever so vanish away â—n smoak nor a Faction discussed with such dexerity So many Nobles so many Princes the Parliaments of the whole Kingdom all the Capital Cities a great part of the Armies all not able to â—on-plus a Stranger Either must that man have â—xcelled in the Art of Government or sloth and Cowarâ—ise have reigned in these There were not wanting that took encouragement to enter upon these troubles from the English who prospered although they had revolted from their King Charles I. King of England ruled over three Kingdoms with the affections of his Subjects Not being contented with this happy state of Affairs he would innovate some things in Worship that so Calvinism which is sapless and slovenly might look fine in a handsom dress trimmed up with the Ceremonies Scotland first opposes the new Liturgy which the Parliament of England affirmed was bending towards the Catholick Religion Popery they call it the same way also did the Scotch Parliament lean These were the first beginnings of the Trouble Nothing is more certain then that neither the King nor Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of England had any inclination towards the turning Catholicks but leaving the Doctrine unaltered would have put a Pale of Reverence about the Church of England There had been thoughts perhaps about retaining the solemn Sacrifice as we call it retrenching the multitude of Masses which through the unpreparedness of the people and impurity of the Priests bring Scandal to Religion especially of barring it out of private Houses since it is clearly observed the oftner there is Massing in private the
the obtaining their Petitions as being now established by Law maketh the former Concessions but a step to higher Demands The Parliament not yet fully calmed boiled up with new designs The storm of Envy dischargeth it self upon Mazarine who in so suipicious a time jealous of every thing did certainly look for greater Troubles It is openly cryed out That the Aâ— must be laid to the root the Stranger must be expelled out of the Kingdom as though that were the only cure for the publick Distemper Reverence every day abated more than other every body would presume to advise and to be giving directions how to govern the State The confusion of impolitick Guides began to swell as high as the rage of the common People Approaching danger might be read in the faces of the Courtiers Violet a man full of self-confidence spoke boldly thus in the House That Mazarine wanted nothing of being King but the Title and Crown What was yet obtained was but a Preludium to his future Greatness He would every day trample more hard upon the weak years of an undiscerning Child Whâ—â— Peer â—aith he will be able to stand against him after he hath run out his full race of unbounded ambitiâ—â— and avance Then looking upon Orleance and Conde saith he This is your Concernment Coâ—â— disliked such a bold slander Chastillon had informed Violet that such Discourses would please thâ— Prince who had already visited Broussel and Longueville to advance his interest by popularity But whether Condes mind were wavering or whetheâ— upon change of judgment he esteemed it the better way to vindicate his Sacred Majesty whatever were the occasion he frowned at the words that were then thrown out against Mazarine That Fate was to be blamed not Mazarine He aimed chiefly at the Kingdoms happiness nor did proudly vaunt in so high a Fortune Why should it be matter of offence to any that the vertuous qualities of that Eminent Stranger might in their passage impart their lustre to France That the Queen by order of her deceased Husband had taken him on to sustain part of her cares seeing her own neck could not bear up under such a pressing load unless she found out this assistance Nothing could be condemned in him but his happiness He did not ground any strength upon Garrisons nor upon Castles did not interest his Majesties Treasure That the Queen did not so much recompense his past fidelity with Honours and Gifts as engage it for the future That the King could not without reproach abandon him to his Enemies but might maintain him with Honour and Conscience and without any danger to his Estate Mazarine answered several times That he would be gone so that he were neither way-laid nor assaulted That he longed for nothing more after so many obligations than a peaceful departure It began then to be questioned amongst some of the prime Nobility which way he might be most safely conveyed away and in what disguise A Lady of great Quality promised she would in the evening furnish him with a Habit proper to that purpose But all these passages were but ridiculous for he never intended to go away nor if he had was there need of any Mask or Disguise The Queen fearing to provoke the fierceness of the Times Enemies and Fates dealt warily Shâ— cleared Mazarine of all Censure only doubted this lest by his indulgence to the Grandees he might have exposed his Dignity to contempt and injuries It was evident that he had not occasioned the growing Troubles of France by any mis-government or misdemeanour of his Mazarine at the sight of the raw and angry sores of the Body Politick always looking at the main chance and end took care that the Kingdom might be restored to perfect and durable soundness and upon the breaking out afresh of so many cicatrized boyls having found in the malignant humor the strength of Fortune relying upon his skill never questioned a prosperous issue by patience gentle usage and lenitives At this time the Slingers press for performance of the promises made at S. Germans which being once yielded farewel his Majesties Prerogative It was weighed in a nice scale by what Expedient the Court might save it self from the new Billows that were rising Meilleray that loved to have no way but what was through smoak and Gun-powder nor cared so much to enter through open Ports as to force them advises That the King should reside in the Bastille and Magazine and having seized the Isle of the Louvre with a strong Party should batter the Town and invade the principal places of it to the executing which design he proffers his effectual service Michaâ—â— Tellier often to be mentioned counsels That the King should go out of Town and the passages stoppâ— for bringing in the bread from Gonesse if that were prevented the Rout would fall Upon the Heads of the Faction would pay obedience to their bellies not to them that an hungry people is tamer than a Victime knocked down Conde willing to approve his duty to his Majesty in such an Exigent of Affairs votes That the City should be close besieged and the Rebels broke by force Mazarine first disliking all these courses as full of hazardous consequence declares That many incurable evils may come from those courses That the Granaries even of private men were full in Paris the innocent too would be destroyed for the fault of the Delinquents Yet the Counsel of laying a Siege was not without apparent probability of good success Madame Longueville full of discontent and unable to endure with any patience that Conde was torn from her Party draws in to her Brother Conti free from Plots and not having a heart hardned in bad designs her Husband the Archbishop of Corinth with his Followers and Rochefoucault newly come from the Campagne This last was her chief Confident A Genius of Friendship had inspired them both in the House of the Palais which was embarqued in the same bottom Beaufort Elboeuf and innumerable others came into the Party The multitude of Slingers wat great both in the Parliament and in the principal Families of the City All which particulars I shall afterwards more fully handle It was the fifth day of the new year consecrated to the Festival of the Kings who came from the East to worship Christ lately born this day the City kept with great jollity and feasting after the usual manner when the Queen full of publick and private cares sate close with Mazarine in Consultation about carrying on the future War Thâ— Kings Majesty was more and more dishonoured by the shameless Rebellion Mazarine weighing thâ— disgrace justly apprehended lest his Majesty should every day be more undervalued Many ways hâ— considered being well assured such is the French temper as to measure all actions by the success and to attribute for the most part to Fortune what is due to Vertue Defeats are punished with them by contempt Upon the Disquisition at length this Vote
Dulmont Governor of the Castle of Sonmur loth to resign acquaints Rochefoucault that if he would send him in Auxiliary Forces into the Fort he would afterwards stoutly hold it for Condes Party Rochefoucault who was now preparing for his March into Guyenne having gathered out of his Lands at Poictiers and Engoulesme a Band of Gentlemen under pretence of solemnizing his Fathers Funerals marches away speedily for Saumur but the haste of Dulmont in resigning up the Castle prevented all their designs Rochefoucault failing of that hope turned his thoughts to the business of Guyenne and to Bourdeaux designing to gain to himself S. Simon the Governor of Blaye Who thinking with himself how much he was indebted to the late King upon which obligations he had promised an unspotted faithfulness to his Son and withal how full of hazard these attempts were stopped his ears Rochefoucault joyning with Bouillon having dextrously enchanted the Spirits of the Bourdelois enters the Town and presently all Visors are cast off and Enguien is declared Commander in Chief of all the Forces and Bouillon with Rochefoucault his Lieutenants The Spanish succour is openly implored by certain Commissioners and the fire of Civil War raised only Espernon and the Chevalier Valet being in Arms for the King For even la Force with his Children having long demurred not upon the matter but upon money at length took to the disaffected Party Hitherto have I related what past on the one and the other side after the imprisoning of the Princes in their favour Now to return to the Prisoners The first eight days past over them as though they had been buried alive From that time every hour were they informed of all passages either by a false Ink which was rendred legible by being held to the fire or by Notes put into Crown pieces which were by a rare Art made hollow for that purpose the metal being no ways conscious or by a Priest who whilst he was saying Mass instead of the Liturgy read them a new Gospel or whether it were that Barre did ignorantly deliver the Letters were on the back-side and innocently betray himself although he were very vigilant so as to enquire nicely into all the circumstances and free from any corruption only contenting himself with his Gaolers Fees The Cardinal and Slingers fell to be greatly at odds so as to betray one another and treat with the Prisoners about Marriages and in a manner sharing the whole Kingdom About this time such a Plot was discovered at Vincennes the Garrison consisted of 200 Souldiers forty of which did with one consent conspire against Barre As he was at prayer in the Church it was resolved to double-lock the door on the outside and shut in him and such part of the Garrison as is usually assistant with Barre at his devotionsâ— and then to kill such as were upon the Guard 〈◊〉 stood Sentinel in the Princes Chamber or befâ—â—â— the Chamber door to set the Prisoners free aâ—â— bring them to the out-wall of the Fort where pâ—â— of the Wall should be demolished and they received by a strong Party waiting upon the place 〈◊〉 convey them away All this design was impartâ—â—â— to Condes friends of whom no small sum of monâ—â— was gotten as a reward of the Action but all wâ—â—â— discovered by false Brothers The appointed dâ—â— too was revealed upon which Beaufort in the Head of a strong Party of Horse hovered about tâ—â— Country adjacent to Vincennes Barre having eâ—â— ecuted the Conspirators dismissed the French Garrison and took in Switzers of unquestionable faithfulness The King was removed to Compiegne either fâ—â— avoiding the insolence of the Slingers or to be at â—nearer Post for the repressing the insults of the Spaniard Thurenne having received the promised Forces passing through Heynault joyns with the Archdulâ—â— and Fuensaldaigne and having united theâ—â— strength and his enters France with an hostile Army After Chastelet unprovided of meat and money was in few days time reduced he layes Siegâ— to the City Guise The Power of Spain hath not these late times been more effectually shewed noâ—â— a greater train of War whether you regard the Experience of the Souldiers or the Leaders They fought stoutly on both sides but Mazarine who had so happily setled the State of Normandy Burâ—â—â—dy and Champaigne and had subdued the stoutest â—osers could not brook that Guise should be 〈◊〉 from France when the King was so near â—herefore laying aside all other business and levyâ—â—â— money in every part even disbursing of his â—â—wn private means he supported the publick Ocâ—sions and came into the Kings Camp that was â—dvanced as far as Vantacour which is a Village a â—ile distant from the besieged City in company with a gallant appearance of the Noblesse there he â—as received with great shouting and dispersed â—oney to every private Souldier often inculcating â—hat the French glory and honour of the Kingdom lay 〈◊〉 â—â—ake Himself would spy the Enemies quarters and dispatch Peasants into the place to advise the â—â—â—â—â—eged that were now reduced to extremity of â—â—ccour ready to be brought to them The Enemy had now mastered the Town pressing hard upon the Castle whether Brid had retired with some choice Souldiers resolved to hold it out to the last Mazarines first care was to cut off the Enemy from provision which being more than once ready to come in to them he intercepted There could no Convoys come but from Cambray all the ways to which were blocked up Plessis Praslin in the absence of Harcourt commanded in chief there were with him besides excellent men Hocquincourt Seâ—erres Villequier Manvissier Navaille and several others So great an Army already possessed of the City was obliged to raise the Siege and leaving their business undone to face about towards Cambray At which news the Slingers were ready to burst with envy And the rather because news begun already to come forth of the intended Expedition into Guyenne This thought came in their heads If after such successes Mazarine shâ—â—â— return too victorious from Bourdeaux what will 〈◊〉 come of us The Cardinal puffed up with prosperity and keeping in mind the Slingers boldness will mâ—â— it his first business to ruine them and perchance bâ— himself to release Conde who exasperated by his sufferings will fall fiercely upon the Occasioners 〈◊〉 them Mazarine so highly valued Bourdeaux thaâ— though the Spaniards were incamped upon the Edge of Picardy the Slingers enraged Paris waâ— vering Orleans who had refused the Expeditiâ—â— into Guyenne dissaffected and intending to stay behind in the City yet he resolved to carry thither the strength of the Army with the King Esperâ— receiving advice of the motion of the Court make preparation for them the like doth Meilleray whâ— had crushed or picked up the unhappy remains oâ— Rochefoucault at Poictiers to joyn all the Force theâ— could to the King coming in Person against thâ—â— Rebels The Chevalier Valet of a sudden surpriseth the Isle of S. George
and Fuensaldagne the valour of Conde can scarce be reach'd by the Pen who alone bore the French charge and brought off the trembling Spaniards It was resolv'd in the Counsel of Spain by change of Governours to relieve the distress'd estate of Flanders Leopoldus and Fuentsaldagne are revok'd in whose room with the Marquess of Caracene is put in Commission Don Juan of Austria the Kings natural Son famous for his great successes in restoring the settlement of Naples and obliging Barcellona to surrender in all undertakings fortunate He had scarce enter'd Flanders when he reliev'd Valenciennes besieg'd by the French where he beat up the quarter of Seneterre at midnight and made a mighty slaughter then through the Piles of the slain having taken the Marshal Prisoner enter'd victorious into the desolate City for the Scheld lying between Thurenne could not come in to the assistance of his Fellow-commander nor unite the two Camps The greatest part of the glory of that service was attributed to the valour of Conde was also the relief of Cambray whose Siege he rais'd by conveying Successors into the Town through the heart of the Enemy himself leading the party and facing danger Cambray in thankfulness for the action stamp'd Medals with this Inscription Sacred to the Virgin and Conde our Deliverer But these joyful beginnings of Don Juans Government were shortly after sunk into a lamentable issue in the Sands of Dunkirk of which in its proper place Mazarine always plotting for peace and being assur'd that the Spaniards would never condescend to any terms till they were cudgell'd into it engag'd Cromwell's affection with that dexterity by Bourdeaux that he rejected with scorn the repeated Embassies of the Spaniard and courted the friendship of the French using the negotiation of William Lockhart was to conclude the new confederacy This Lokhuart for his piercing parts so acceptable to Mazarine that he alone engross'd more of the publick business then all the Embassadors else that were then in Paris He maketh new Propositions to the Cardinal that the Forces of both Kingdoms might be united against the Spaniard the common Enemy Lionne which Lomeny Earl of Bryenne his Majesties Secretary Treats with Lockhart about the new Agreement the Articles of the Expedition are interchangably subscrib'd March 23. 1657. The substance of them was this Towards the forceing Peace from the Spaniards that were averse that the French and English forces be joyned together that Siege be laid to Gravelyn Dunkirk and Mardike and if they were taken Gravelin to be held by the French Dunkirk and Mardike by the English preserving entire the Profession of the Catholick Religion This League to endure a full year in which time no Treaty of Peace to be made with the Spaniard but by common consent But the Summer of that year proving too short retarded the Design only Mardike being then taken saving that the Spaniard alarm'd at so strong a Combination to suspect their own strength took special care to secure the places on that Sea-coast Then dyed Belleure prime President of the Parliament of Paris of great Authority in the gowned Assembly but growing more and more daily out of favour at Court He took much upon him delighted to wear about him a Train and many Lacquays kept Horses and Hounds for credit and pleasure having Furniture about him exceeding all bounds His Ancestors Seat that had been defaced with dust was gilt over by him yet these Braveries could not prevent the Owner from being scorched up with a Feaver Lamogny succeeded him being in high reputation for having well discharged the Office of Master of Requests and for integrity of conversation A person to that degree commendable as honesty can be understood Christina Queen of Swethland the Issue of the Great Gustavus having relinquished her Kingdoms and confirmed at Rome the knowledge of the Catholick Religion whose first foundations she had laid at Inspruck resolved for the satisfaction of her curiosity to travel to survey divers parts of Europe to inform her self of their Customs and Policies Inveigled with the delights of France returned this year pretending to some News she had to communicate and as though she were assured of the State of Naples proposed the hopes of that Kingdom to the Duke of Anjou Mazarine entertained her at the Court at Fountain-belleau and though he slighted the idle Report that the Queen had brought yet held her in Treaty by Letters and other Applications In the mean time casting behind her back the Reverence due to the Royal House she ordered one of her Retinue to be pistolled under pretence of his being a Traitor and Revealer of his Ladies Secrets though he in vain pleaded for the protection of that priviledged place It was debated whether she should be turned forth without coming into his Majesties Presence or whether the Fact should be questioned It seemed more adviseable to wave the seeking reparations Therefore his Majesty visits her without making any mention of the person slain and she having tartied a few days was honourably dismissed and returned to Rome The year following 1658. in the beginning of the Spring was the League renewed with the English Abel Servient Lord Treasurer and the Count of Bryenne concluding with Lockhart The Siege of Dunkird was resolved at Amiens and for a blind of it the King gave abroad that he had taken up an intention to reduce Hedin After the death of Bellebran the Governor Riviere and Forgan who were Officers is the Garrison having shaken off the yoke did alike disown both the French and Spanish Command The Court had drawn down thither to repress the Mutineers but they being neither deterred with the brightness of Majesty nor with a most powerful Army discharged their Guns and by all sort of Hostility filled up the full measure of Rebellion From thence the King marches straight for Calais Whither he was scarcely arrived but that he is certified of the investing Dunkirk by Thurenne accompanied with the English Arms under the Conduct of Lockhart to the admiration of all the Low-Countries that in the want of Forrage Wood Turfe Wheat their courage did not fail Herein as in other occasions the Providence of Mazarine was remarkable who by continual Convoys by Sea mastered the barrenness of the Soil and with industry supplied the defects of Nature The King and he visited Mardike to give the nearer countenance to the Expedition But it was judged safer for his Majesty to stay at Calais whilst the Event of the Enterprise was yet in doubt as doubtful it was Cromwell sent his Son-in-Law Falconbridge Embassadour Extraordinary to kiss the Kings Hand at Calais and acquaint him That he was grieved that by reason of hit age and the weight of his Affairs he could not come in person to wait upon his Majesty and give himself the satisfaction of seeing him The taking of Dunkirk he indeed wished more to advance by it the Kings Glory than for any profit or reputation to the English
released out of a dark Dungeon I left the Kingdom of my Ancestors obliged to secure my life by Arms. All the time my Fates and the Fortune of my Family have been put into your hand Now neither to inflame your affections any further to the love of me nor to excite your Spirits to give new proofs of your Valour for both are abundadtly manifest but I come hither to request of you an allay of your Courage and a moderation of your kindness towards me that is that you would be satisfied with the quiet that is already gotten mankind Nor that we should bandy your and other mens Fortunes restless between hope and fear seeing that we can perform no better service the Fates of France importing us The Peace of Nations and my own safety is secured with your safety and that of Flanders I do quietly possess in France both the Priviledges of my house and the dignities which I formerly possessed and the Fortunes left by my Honoured Father In a word my estate is in such condition that I neither need comfort nor revenge I and Fortune have tryed our strength we have contended a great while I will now shew the example of contending no further Others have been longer engaged in Civil Wars none hath come off more contentedly Should I suffer so many brave Armies so many Commanders to be again beaten down and without cause expose this Valour of yours to dangers Let this frame of spirit continue as though ye would dye for me but survive The more hope you show if I were willing to fight the braver will Peace be But when I see so many maimed Limbs so many Wounds that is it which afflicts my Heart Whether will your old years now when your blood is exhausted go for relief What shall be the settlement for you when past service What Assignments of Land after your fruitless Compagnes Since at the present I am dis-abled from requiting you according to your merits the one thing which I have in this juncture of Affairs I leave you eternal Gratitude and the example of my Life Time will be when perhaps my house may be able to afford a donative in the mean time receive these small monuments indeed but such as testifie our perpetual love Thereupon the remnant of money which he had was divided among the Souldiers in particular After that the Assembly had long murmured in uncertain Senses Marsin the Liegois in behalf of the Troops without any Rhetorical Artifice Souldier-like thus spoke Most Invincible Prince the greatest Commander of the French Nation Military Discipline consists more in obeying then questioning the Orders of our Officers we have Arms and Courage we leave to you Counsel and the conduct of our Valour It belongs not to us to enquire into the Causes of Peace nor to pry into the Breasts of Kings Our Truth and Reputation hath continued to this day unstained towards your Highness We have equally shared the hazards and uncertainties of War You always first beat the path of dangers we following your Colours have learned so often from you to dye The issue of Rebellions cometh upon us the glory of Battels upon you Our service with you hath been Gentle and Courteous You have vouchsafed Pardon to our Errors past by our slips and never called our Torments or Disgraces Discipline Take not care for our Rewards or whither we shall go Fortune will set us in a way We have a great monument of glory that you cannot complain of us Go your way Saint and Merciful Souldier and Invincible We do Eternally Love and pray for you The Immortal Gods grant you this Blessing that you may never have occasion to think of us Thus much said Marsin openly concerning himself these few words to him aside You know at what rate I have purchased you seek a name for the Action advise with the voice of the World if it be Rebellion I did it for your sake The Prince with a pleasing look gave good attention to all this and advised the younger with Authority the elder with entreaty The next day having called the Nobles of the Low-Countries to his House he declared to them the Motives of the Peace and the tetms Of himself he spoke little and cautiously of the Publick largely The Cities earnestly offered him Presents Praises Applause he refused all yet permitted thanks to be given him but nevertheless did not vain-gloriously provoke Fame attending rather till the heat of applauding was over his departure was graced with much Complement At that time he delivered up the Provinces in quiet and safety to Caracene And lest his Entry into great Cities should be remarkable for the Pomp and Multitude of such as came to meet him both in Flanders and especially in France he avoided them and the Attendances of his Friends but went with a small Retinue plain in Garb and courteous in discourse The Duke of Enguien never parted from his Fathers Company needing no stranger to be his Governour Through Vervin and Soissons and then Culmar which is a Town of Brie famous for a Seat of his Brother-in-Law Longueville he came through sharp Frosts and rugged Ways there he made some stay to mend his Tackle and recruit his Health None were admitted to see him but such as were sent for he had in company his Wife and Son with his only Daughter scarce three years old a part only of his Family ragged nasty and smelling of Dutchery Banishment and dreadful Wars It was judged fit for Longueville to go before to break the way for his access to the King The Prince having left his Wife and Enguien behind went after not in a loitering pace lest he might seem to be timerous nor yet hastily but letting the report of him grow by expectation he turns his course to Madam Chastillons for whom he ever had a kindness when he was young being his Kinswoman and handsom which gave him a double title of Love but that was no hinderance to the minding his business At length he comes to Aix which is the principal Town of Provence that was agreed upon to be the place for his waiting upon his Majesty to kiss his Hands They come in multitudes to meet him amongst the rest his brother Conti who having left the Monastery whither he had put himself and Married Mazarines Neice had left some good time since his brothers Army and Party Conde receives him affectionately Mazarine was put into some trouble at the coming of so great a suppliant yet attends him with a chearful countenance which was not usual with him Four miles off they send Coaches Horses and a Guard in show of Honour The Prince is received by Mazarine at the Stair-Head there were streight Embraces words heard by none divers discourses passed to and fro without permitting any to stand by Longueville and Conti himself although he shined with his Brothers image standing in the crowd among the Servants Mazarine went alone into the