weary of hearing them longer and to hear the insolent reproaches which they made him he answer'd them That they had Chastity in their Convent and at Rome the Cardinals had Wenches and the eonvenience of diverting themselves and therefore he did not wonder at their speaking to him in that manner And as one of them replyed something that toucht the reputation of the Countess who as I have already said was behind the door she came into the room and interrupted their discourse and pretending to speak low she said to the Duke so that these good Fathers heard her well enough Send these Fathers to the Convent and for us let us go to Casal After that his Highness taking his well-beloved by the hand began to say These Fathers would have Us wiser than the Princes and Patriarchs of the old time who had at least one wife and one Concubine not to speak of a great number besides of both the one and the other To which one of the Capuchins replyed But your Higheness does not see that we are now in the times where the Gospel is to be observed and that it is indisputable for us to act like Jews now we are Catholicks The Prince touch'd to the quick by these words answer'd them with a threatning and fierce air My Fathers without any other consideration I will throw you out of the Window and so we will use like Jews those people that understand not how no treat with Catholike Princes Having said that he presently called one of his Gentlemen and commanded them to conduct those Religious men out of the Palace after that he turn'd his back upon them and went into a Chamber with the Countess who being in great wrath at these Fathers protested in grinding her teeth that she would never give alms to a Capuchin and she did not onely say so but do so so that some people said That the tast of the Capuchins of Genes had taken away the power of eating from the Capuchins of Casal and that these last did penance for the faults those others had committed Truly if these holy Fathers had had to do with some other Prince it might have been fear'd that they had not come off at so cheap a rate but for good luck to them they spoke to a very good Prince who was of no ill nature preferr'd quiet above all things The Duke entertain'd himself often with the proceeding of the Capuchins in his return to Casal and particularly one night in the Inn at Saravalla where he was lodg'd he said to her My Heart if I have loved thee hitherto to satisfie my Love which would have it so I will love thee henceforward to make them mad that would not have it so Upon that the Countess taking her time replyed If your Highness should cease loving me you would let people see you are afraid of Monks All this was done to turn the Duke from the love of this crafty woman but in vain for all the trouble the Monks gave themselves who came as Embassadors from Rome served for no end but to enflame the hearts of these two Lovers the more for since the Countess apprehended the loss of the Dukes favour fearing that some time or other he might suffer himself to be touch'd by some remorse of Conscience she imploy'd all her Caresses that her Love could devise and such Charms she made use of that they were assuredly powerful enough to have provok'd our Pope Alexander himself to have committed the sin of adultery with her although he is a man whose life is without reproach so that the Duke who was tender in his love and loved to be made much of seemed to melt as lead in the Fire and appear'd in that encounter as if he would have sooner consented to lose his State than his Mistress After that Voyage the Duke left her at Casal whilst he went to Mantua about some particular affairs he said there above a Moneth without going to see the Countess who was so afflicted for not seeing him that possest her heart not satisfied with his Letters which she received from him every week she went out very early one Morning towards Mantua to find his Highness but her good fortune hastning her joy she met the Duke upon the way who went with her to Casal renewing her caresses and making amends for the time lost Some moneths after it happened to the great displeasure of the Duke and resentment of the Countess that many Copies of a Manuscript intituled Whoredom in form of Letters under the name of an unknown Author were sent to divers of the chief Nobility of Casal and Mantua and also into the Convents the Duke was much troubled being describ'd there as the Prince of Whores and chief of the bandy-houses and that which inrag'd him the more was That it spoke of the other Princes of Italy with Elogies and Expressions of respect That Satyre said more than it is possible to imagine against the house of the Countess and it was impossible to speak with more infamy and it was the more so because it mingled truth and lyes together but in such a manner that it all lookt like truth and certainly it was reasonable enough for they were a Family of Six persons whole life was the horrour of all the World In the mean time these Earls and Countesses had no great reason to be angry at what was there said if they had been Lovers of truth For their house had for certain been a perfect bandy-house there being Six Ladies in that Family who lived almost publikely like common Whores I say almost because there were three of them who carried it with more discretion which were the two wives of the brothers to the Countess and one of the Countess Lovizes daughters who acted their parts more privately and yet nevertheless would not suffer a Friend to die but as for the rest which were the Countess Margaret and Lovize and another of their sisters kept by a Mantua Lord they kept no measures neither in their speeches nor manner of Life so that they did all that they fancied was lawful and so their house merited the name was given it This good and jolly company were present with the Duke in all his divertizements which the more anger'd all Persons of Honour and gave a great scandal to all the people of the Duchy of Mantua and also to all Italy This Prince led this dissolute and licentious life with the Countess fifteen year and so gave example to other Gentlemen of his Court to pass their time with the other Ladies which I have told you of so that with reason her house was called a bandy-house there being no other discourses heard there but what were impudent and dishonest every one taking a pride in speaking as wickedly as they could This oblig'd all the other Ladies of the Town that were of Honour and Quality to avoid this abominable Company and fly from those beastly women as
life prejudiciable to his Person or Fortune and so while all this past she shut her eyes and took no notice at all and though one day she hid her self to watch their actions yet she could discover nothing between them but testimonies of a Friendship which reason allows of But since the Love of these two persons was become the general discourse the Duchess consulted many times very seriously with the Marquis Arigone who very farre from approving this too violent inclination as many others did who were well enough pleas'd to let the Duke freely pursue his inclinations He on the contrary forgot nothing to let them see they ought to have prevented him the Marquess was press'd on by these reasons In Mantua there dwelt a widow that was one of the most considerable women of that place who was mother to one of the most fair and agreeable young Ladys of all that State This woman who was not very rich in worldly goods suiting her self to her fortune liv'd onely in the quality of a Gentlewoman and not like a great Lady The Marquis who had a passionate kindness for her let no occasion pass of diverting his melancholly hours at her house and as she was not very cruel to him she granted him willingly those Favours that Love demands without expecting interest imagining that the Marquess who was naturally very grateful would not fail for the Mothers sake who granted him all things to serve the Daughter to his Highness the Duke and this opportunity pleas'd the Marquess very well of shewing himself grateful to the kind Widow in procuring the Love of the Duke for her Daughter and also of testifying his Affection to his Prince in bringing to him one of the most Accomplish'd young Women amongst his Subjects but since he fear'd it a thing impossible to do so long as this passion of the Dukes to the Lady Margaret continued he tryed all wayes to stifle it but unprofitably because the Duke was so insensible for all other Women as well Maids as Wives that neither the handsome nor ugly work'd any effect upon him for he us'd them both so indifferently they had no reason to be jealous of one another The Lady Margaret was the only Favourite and the most lov'd and what beauty soever hapned to be in the Dukes presence he had eyes for none but she One day the Marquess imagining that it was impossible for the Duke to see that fine young Lady of his Acquaintance and not fall in love with her carryed him to her Mothers house who had invited him to that purpose and had spar'd for no Cost nor Ornament to set off the Beauty of her Daughter but all was to no purpose and though the Marquess and the Mother left this young Lady and the Duke alone two houres together in a Chamber the Duke sate by her as if she had not been there without speaking one obliging word to her The insensibility of this Duke was as a Dagger to the heart of this young Lady and in truth What is more vexatious to a Woman then to see that all the arts she has us'd to gain a heart signifie so little in the end The Marquiss quickly perceiv'd that the Duke was not very well pleas'd in the place where he had brought him therefore in returning home to the Palace he begun to praise her extreamly the Duke although he seemed to take no notice and yet nevertheless forc't by the Marquess to speak of that Ladies Beauty he came from said to the Marquess My Lord This Lady is faire enough for you who sees her every day but not for me who never saw her before and looks not upon her so often as you do The Marquess reply'd Your Highness must then see her often that you may think her fairer than now you do The Duke answer'd smiling If I should see her once more certainly I should think her more ugly then I do now The poor Marquess was mad at this and especially when the Duke whil'st they were talking turn'd about and shew'd him the Lady Margaret who they met in the Street See there my Lord Marquess said he there is the fairest amongst all that are faire Whil'st these things past the Dutchess growing angry to see her Son so far gone in Love with the Lady Margaret carryed by some unknown Politick reasons and perhaps at the earnest Solicitations of the Marquess sent the Mother and the Daughter away to Casal yet with all the Civility imaginable and with a particular Promise to Marry her very suddenly as indeed it happen'd soon after The Duke express'd no great signs publickly of resentment for her going away hiding his trouble without all doubt very prudently to take all suspition from the Court Till then it was believ'd by most that nothing but vertue had pass'd between this Lady and the Duke but others that lookt nearer into the business and could see farther into matters of Love believ'd the contrary not being able to imagine how Vertue could subsist with so great a Liberty and that a young Girle who desir'd nothing more then the heart of a Prince could refuse him any thing The Duke certainly was not without desires nor the young Lady without a good will the youth of them both and the great liberty allowed them gave strange causes of suspition In fine believe who will that all their time was spent in saying their Chapelets and their Pater-nosters for my part I never will Some time before the parture 〈◊〉 the Lady Margaret the Duke had â—…y long and private Conferences with 〈◊〉 where there wanted no Tears on bâ—â—h sides at that cruel separation as a Wâ—â—ting-Woman observ'd he could â—â—t forbear promising to Write to her till he had the opportunity of going to visit her at Casal which he gave her his Word should be very suddenly These Protestations of the Dukes rais'd her Heart a little which was so sunk with the Fears and Troubles of a cruel Absence she was to suffer and gave her courage to ask his Highness a word or two under his Hand every moneth at least which Favour she demanded of him in these Words If your Highness will please to Write to me once every moneth it will give me every day a Paradice The Duke embracing her said with all the tenderness of a passionate heart go and believe that nothing in the World shall ever be capable to carry me from loving you She was scarce arriv'd at Casal but the Duke writ a Letter to her as well for his own satisfaction as for the contentment of her he Lov'd it was thâ—… MARGARET My Heart THis is the first Letter which I write to you with one of those Pens that are guided by Love I address to you whom I alone adore as the onely and first object of my Love To tell you how sensible I am of your absence you must aske this Heart which thinks more of you then of it self I do not sware it to
that the Crimes of his Wife and his own misfortune was so publick his melancholly grew to that height that he saw not any body that Saluted him in the Streets and he fancyed every minute that People were making Hornes at him behind his back The Countess who had a good Nose smelt out the reason of the Change in her Husbands Humour and redoubled her Caresses to him fearing least this jealousie which he appear'd so insensible of before his Marriage might produce some unhappy effect for it is certain that had she known him to be of a jealous humour she would never have Marryed him In the mean time as the Earle and his Countess walked one evening after Supper upon the Town Walls the Earl ask'd his Wife Did his Highness waite upon you often As he was wont reply'd she seeing to what end he spoke it And What did you do together said the Earle to which she answer'd The same that you did with the Dutchess at Mantua Thus they both rallyed one another The Husband perceiving what it was to have such a Wife and the wife lamented the trouble of having such a Husband yet nevertheless the Earles jealousies had some intermissions his Melancholly often giving place to his Joy so that his Wife and Brothers in-Law felt some time the effects of the one and then of the other Whil'st these things pass'd in the Year 1652 the Dutchess was brought to bed of a Son which is now the onely Prop of the House of Gonzague the Consolation of his Mother the Glory and Hope of the State to which he gives great hopes promising very much shewing himself a great and brave Prince and expressing aversion for an idle lazy life and on the contrary a great inclination for all the exercises of Warr It is believed that since the Birth of that young Prince the Duke convers'd not with the Dutchess as his Wife the reason of this opinion is his assiduous love to the Countess as also because the Dutchess has not been with Child from that time This indifference of the Duke towards the Dutchess was also imputed to two other causes the first to her Natural coldness the other to I know not what strange devise of the Countess the last scarce is doubted of for as report has said this Woman fearing to lose the Dukes Friendship after his Marriage and seeking to injoy alone a good without which she despis'd all others resolv'd to tempt all wayes to prevent that which she thought an obstacle to her design to that end having told her thoughts to one of her Sisters she by her meanes became acquainted with it certain Magician who dwelt at St. Sauveur near to Casal the Countess went to him and obtain'd some words from him That he bid her be confident she should enjoy the Dukes Friendship alone but because this Sorcerer was of an intelligence with a certain Religious Dominican that Lady gain'd him by his meanes she rewarding him by not refusing him the satisfaction he requir'd of her so after that this Charme succeeded so well by the help of this Reverend Father that by their Diabolical Inventions the Duke had that knot tyed usually so fatal to Marriage Others have believ'd that this was a false report and that this Witchcraft took no effect but that the Duke made it a pretext to avoid the Dutchess whom he lov'd not and devote himself to the Countess whom he ador'd in which there is no likelihood For let any body imagine how it can be possible for a young Prince to live in the company of his Wife without touching her if there had not been some reason diabolical or supernatural to hinder him so that it must certainly be believ'd that the Countess did bewitch the Duke The old Dutchess troubled at the Dukes infirmity told him he should make use of some spiritual or natural remedies to cure him but what was very strange he laught at her advice which made people believe that it was done by his own consent It has been said that that natural coldness of the young Duchess compar'd to the Constitution so contrary of the Countess contributed very much for the small affection he had for her but how could the Duchess leave off that purity so rare and commendable which she had alwayes made the ornament of her life to comply with the Dukes desires and which he found in another There is no doubt but that she lov'd as much as any other woman could do but with a sincere true and real love for to say truth she was not in the number of those that onely made a shew of love but she lov'd her husband from the bottom of her heart so that all her affection was within having not those little foolish fondnesses which some other wives study with so much affectation to shew their loves In a word her affection was truly great though she did not make shew of it but to clear all this I think it to some purpose to say something by the way to discover what the Dukes inclinations were naturally and also of that of the Countess Margaret All men naturally take great delight in the Caresses they receive it is certain that the Duke was more inclin'd to that satisfaction than any man so that it may almost be said that weakness was a fault of nature in him who so desired to be courted by the women without which it is thought the Duke would have been insensible for them they say that this inclination of the Dukes was caus'd by the Conversation of the Ladies of the Court amongst whom he was brought up and spent most of his youth having alwayes been caress'd by one or other of those Ladies that waited on his Mother who lov'd nothing more than to see the women make much of him and to be under the conduct of that sex and particularly the Lady Margaret who had so us'd him to her carresses that he could not think of carressing his wife if he were hot prepar'd by hers which is a thing that seldom happens but what the one could not do the other was perfect in and exercis'd her art so to the humour of the Duke that he could not defend himself from her Charms though he had a mind to it also the Countess was liberal enough of her Courtships to him mov'd rather by ambition to domineer and govern the Duke than by any sentiment of nature which is believ'd by the little care she took to court her husband at that rate and certainly the very Sirenes and Circes were never capable of more inticements and flattering carresses than she us'd to please the Duke See here the poison of this Marriage see here the Fall of the Dukes reputation a Princess too modest and little sensible of Carresses and a Prince too desirous of those kind of Charms and on the other side a woman experienc'd in all the crafts of Love to gain the heart of this Prince and take it from the
writ this Letter My Heart IF I thought that thy Marriage would deprive me of those Priviledges I have hitherto injoyed with thee for certain I should rejoyce very little at it but I do rejoyce because I assure my self thou marriest with a resolution to give thy Husband but the leavings of our love heretofore we have been forc'd to do all things secretly to hide them from all the world but from this day we shall find it more easie to conceal our actions from onely one man give him the appearances but do thou be sure to keep thy heart for me and remember that I am wholly thine Charles The Duke let slip no occasion of being present at all the Balls that were presented to the Bride in several places and one day he was in a dress that disguized him so much that he had never been discovered but by his great Familiarity with the Bride The Duke having taken notice of a Diamond upon the Bridegrooms finger in the fashion of a Heart which himself had given his Lady Margaret when she was a maid and was esteemed worth a thousand Crowns was so extreamly angry to see the Earl wear it that he resolv'd to go away from Casal without speaking to her but she having smoakt him us'd all her endeavour to appease him and bring him back again protesting he was in a mistake to believe she had given that Ring to her Husband which she esteem'd so much for his Highness sake as the pledge of his affection that it was more dear to her than any thing in the world The Duke softned by her tears dried them up not with a handkercher but with his kisses and after that staid in her Chamber with her for some hours that day The wedding was kept with so great pomp and magnificence that there wanted nothing but the publick presence of the Duke who though he refus'd to appear there in person yet to shew how much he honour'd them he sent the Bride a Medal of gold in which was a Daizy which signifies Margaret set round with twelve Diamonds and two Chains of great value which he accompanied with this note I advise thee to be cautious in the captivating thy self and consider if thou art a prisoner to two persons it will not be easie to cheat both thy keepers The love of the Duke to the Countess seem'd after this wedding to grow by little and little something cool but it was but a feigned coldness For he often found his opportunities of entertaining her in private during his stay at Casal The Earl us'd all the art he was capable of to surprize his wife in her private conferences with the Duke but in vain so that at last he began to believe she had been slander'd and so rested in peace giving her all kind of Liberty who had wit enough to make the right use of it and contented the Husband in publick and the Gallant in private but since now the Time and Necessity of the State seem'd to demand a Successour to the Duke so to conserve that rich Patrimony still in the same House where it had long continued and there being no other branch left of the house of Gonzague but himself The whole State begun now to think in good earnest of marrying him to some Princess worthy of so great a Prince many matches were propos'd but heaven that ordinarily takes care of making marriages ordain'd the Archduchess Isabella Clare a Princess worthy of a Crown to be this Dukes wife and should by her Life and Patience adde a new lustre to the house of Gonzague some other woman perhaps would have brought the same disorder into that house and it may be a worse than that which the house of Lorraine experimented in the love which the Duke Charles of Lorraine express'd for the Countess of Cantecroy to the prejudice of that affection which he owed to his wife Nicola The Duchess who notwithstanding all the indifferency which she saw in her husband towards her she express'd not the least jealousie of the Countess and although she saw in a little time her husband absolutely estranged from her and engag'd altogether in the love of that woman yet she look'd no less kindly upon the Duke her husband even whil'st the Countess endeavoured to keep him from her by all the wayes possible having writ this Letter to him notwithstanding she knew his Marriage with the Duchess was concluded Great Prince I Am not ignorant that the marriage of your Highness with the Archduchess Isabella Clare will bring an increase to your Family a glory to your State and a comfort to your servants but as fast as â—he joy of possessing so great a Prince does grow in the heart of the Archduchess that of my heart will diminish in the loss I am â—o suffer of a heart that was alwayes the â—bject of my love and all my desires I hope your Highness will pardon me for writing to you in this manner but in the â—ondition I am in of loosing what I adore I can be no longer any thing else but an extravagant without conduct or â—eason but if your Highness has been â—leased to honour me hitherto by loving me as a Friend I desire you will at least â—ontinue your grace and favour to me â—n loving for the time to come as your most humble servant Margaret The Duke who lov'd the Countess above his own reputation after he haâ— read her Letter two or three time over sighing in the presence of a brother of hers who brought it to him tore it after he had answer'd it witâ— much tenderness in these words Countess ALl Princes are accustomed to marry themselves more by reason 〈◊〉 State then Love so they love theâ—… wives more by reason of State than 〈◊〉 affection If the interest of my house dâ— not oblige me to marry nothing shouâ—… hinder me from being alwayes thinâ—… whose I shall be in despight of all thoâ—… that would oppose it and since thâ—… hast deceiv'd thy husband to content mâ— why cannot I deceive my wife for thy satisfaction trouble thy self for nothing and love thy Charles Although the furious warres in the year 1629. had very much exhausted â—he treasure of that State yet the Duchess in this time of the marrying â—f her son spar'd for no cost to render â—t very splendid and magnificent all â—he Ladies of Honour that had liv'd in â—hat Court were invited to make the â—ntry of the new Princess into Mantua more glorious There was none exâ—epted in that invitation but the Countess who the Duchess would not â—nvite to that Ceremony for some reaâ—ons which mortification to the Countess she soon after complain'd of â—o the Duke and her resentment was â—eightned by her being as it were â—anish'd from the Court in a time when the Earl her husband had reâ—eiv'd one of the chiefest Imployments or the Ceremony of that Entry of â—hich place he very well acquitted â—imself to the Contentment of the
often heard him profess his considerable Obligations to that illustrious Republick with which he held great Correspondence for the interest and consideration of his own State Therefore she took the occasion of petitioning that Senate in private to interpose their authority to deliver her from her troubles and to take the Duke from his scandalous way of life with the Countess That Senate who does nothing without great Caution and Prudence did not think this a necessary business for the whole body of the Counsel to take notice of therefore they order'd Monsieur Justiniani to undertake it as a particular man and to use all possible diligence in the affair That Lord did not fail to receive that Commission with much respect and submission but he was not without fear that he should be able to effect nothing to the satisfaction of the Senate nor of the Archduchess he nevertheless omitted no opportunity of surprizing the Duke to talk to him about it and having found an hour fit for his purpose he begun to talk of this Commission with an admirable Eloquence back'd with Reasons so solid as never yet was seen come from the tongue of that Excellent Oratour but all his Eloquence and strong Reasons were unprofitable all the Discourses of this Illustrious Lord producing no effect and made no impression in the heart of the Duke who answer'd resolutely to that Oracle of the Senate that there was but one remedy to cure so great a sickness and that was To send for an Executioner from Venice to cut his heart out of his breast because as long as it staid there it must of necessity be the Countesses and without depriving him of his heart it was impossible to take from him the love he bore to the Countess After that reply Justiniani found it to no purpose to press him further and to undertake any more against so great a wilfulness as he discover'd in the Duke That Prince then shutting his eyes to all kind of Considerations lived with the Countess like a Husband with his Wife he carried her along with him when he went a Hunting and also to the Palace royal of Mantua where his wife the Archduchess also lay he eat with the Countess slept with her and caressed her in the presence of all his Courtiers almost before the face of that poor Princess his wife who although she saw not what they ordinarily did did not fail to hear of it having the story of what passed between those two Lovers brought to her every day all the Embassadours the Gentlemen Noblemen as also all the Ladies of Mantua admired the great Goodness of this Princess to suffer with so much Patience so great an injury or to say better such an affliction of heart for to say the truth that dishonest love of the Dukes brought more glory to the Duchess than any disgrace because she in that Patience expressed so great a vertue in despising jealousie and mocking at all those carnal pleasures of Matrimony and letting the world see that all her trouble and mortification proceeded onely from no other cause than the sin her Husband committed and therefore we are not to call that Patience of hers a corporeal injury but an affliction of Spirit There wanted no Ladies nor Gentlemen about the Court who counsell'd the Duchess from time to time to revenge her self of that Prostitute by one of those Draughts so common in Italy as the onely remedy to put an end not onely to her own affliction but also the Duke her husbands adultery and to take away the dishonour of the Countesses Family besides the depriving the Court of its great trouble Amongst the rest there were two persons of very large Consciences as one may say wide as a Friars sleeve offered themselves voluntarily to do this deed the one was a Tailor who proffered to end the Countesses life with the Shot of a Harquebuz which he would in private Shoot at her and no body should know of it and that he would take great care in chusing his time asking for recompence of that action but two hundred Pistols to keep him in any place he should be forc'd to fly to it not being possible after doing that to think of returning back to his own house or if they thought that summe too much for him he askt no more than a good Recommendation to the Archduke to be favourably treated with him The other person that offered to dispatch the Countess was a Lady and her kinswoman honourable by reason of her age who believing her self interested in the dis-reputation the Countess had brought upon her Family and touched with shame and compassion for the Archduchess offered her self also to poison this adulterous Countess so privately that none should ever know it But that poor Princess who lookt upon all those Miseries as being by the permission of Heaven and receiving them as coming from the hands of God did not onely blame those bloudy resolutions and tragical designes of those murtherers but she also forbid them for ever the presenting themselves before her with those Propositions and it is said that one day as she was discoursing with her Confessour in the presence of the Governess of her house of the scandalous life the Duke liv'd with that Countess and the Proposals had been offered her of revenging that adultery That Confessour told her That great persons might commit a small evil to deliver themselves from a greater Which the Duchess scarce heard him say but guessing well his design which was onely to carry her to revenge she quickly replyed We had rather suffer the Countess to live with her sin than to let her die with ours These words sufficiently testified the great goodness and admirable vertue of that excellent Princess with which she indured all her disgrace so well that she took more delight in suffering whil'st others were pleas'd than she could have taken satisfaction amongst all kind of prosperities whil'st other people had been unhappy also she never went about to buy her own repose by a Crime and satisfie the desires of her body by an offence so prejudiciall to her soul which makes me believe that God will take her into his particular care during her Regency and so much the more because she prefers the interest of her Maker before all those of the world The Emperour and the Archduke sent by their Ambassadours a desire to the Duke of Mantua that he would a little open his eyes an consider the great scandal he liv'd in even in the fight of all the Princes of Italy protesting that they propounded this to him not out of resentment but were press'd to it out of the tender affection they bore to his person They also assur'd him that they had not been solicited to this motion by the Princess their kinswoman who complain'd not in the least to them of ill treatment but on the contrary protested to them that the Duke her Husband honour'd her very much
of both sexes who crouded one another to behold with how great a grace the Duke led the Countess by the hand in the sight of all the people It is confidently spoken that this Prince spent in this Voyage more than three thousand Pistols in many Presents which he made he gave amongst the Ladies of his troop five hundred Crowns and the rest to the Countess who coveted all that she saw in every shop amongst the Merchants and when she took notice of any rarity which was commended in that Countrey she spared no caresses nor flatteries to the Duke to perswade him to buy that knack upon which she had set her heart It is certainly believ'd that the Duke till that hour had not found any sign of covetousness in the Countess and till then she had never express'd a desire of any thing besides the love of her Gallant but the Air of Venice alter'd her nature and what ever she had a mind to the Duke never contradicted her desires he was so far from denying her any thing that one day as they past by a Jewellers shop they shew'd this fair Lady a great number of precious stones amongst which there was a little Rose of Diamonds round beset with little Golden Eaglets which held out their Bills to kiss one another which seem'd almost the arms of the house of Gonzague the Countess then looking stedfastly upon that Jewel and with great desires without daring to ask it for fear of being too importunate the price being more than four thousand Crowns with some caresses and flatteries without once opening her mouth to beg it she oblig'd her loving captive to give it her with these words I shall not be much troubled to part with all my money to her to whom I have given all my heart In returning home they went to Padua where by chance that day the Comedy of Joseph was acted in musick which the Duke would see he went thither with the Countess followed by all his people and placed himself with the other Ladies of his company in a Box over against the Stage where he always held his Mistress in his arms imbracing her in the face of the whole Assembly who took not their eyes of them one moment In the mean time when the Scene where the wife of Potiphar is represented forcing of Joseph to sleep with her and particularly at that place where that example of Chastity refuses her and flying away leaves her his Cloak The Countess turning to the Duke said I cannot praise this young man for having thus left an affamish'd Lady to which the Duke answer'd All the world is not so charitable nor so complaisant as I am for thee The scandal which all Lombardy suffer'd by this Voyage displeased the Duchess very much and she could not refrain the expressing her resentments to the Duke but since her words accompanied with her ordinary Mildness had nothing of indignation in them they made no impressions upon the heart of her husband who had intirely sacrific'd her to the Countess with whom he liv'd in such a manner that the world were almost perswaded that there had pass'd some Clandestine Marriage between them which was the Cause of no small displeasure amongst the people who were very much afflicted to see their Prince so effeminated In the mean time the Court of Rome murmur'd and bore with much impatience not onely the life which the Duke led with the Countess but also were more troubled at the Popes silence who sought not to remedy these scandals this noise and these impatiencies increas'd by the return of Cardinal Leomelini who came from this Legation at Bologne who having had some contests with the Duke sought a revenge and since we are come to speak of that particular I think it will no be from the purpose to touch in passing by upon it as briefly as I can possible The Nobility of Bologne had invited the Duke to see some Comical representations that were to be in the Town with a magnificence and preparation extraordinary and because the Duke could not longer live without his Countess nor scarce go four steps without having her in his Company he carried her again with him as if she had been his wife to see those shews aforesaid The Gentlemen that belong'd to the Legate Cardinal Leomelini could not refrain from murmuring with some kind of scorn and mocks to the Dukes actions who with an universal scandal carried along with him an Adulteress even into the Towns of the resort of the Ecclesiastical State on the other side those who belong'd to the Duke seeing themselves oblig'd to defend the reputation of their Sovereign after many injurious words on both sides came to blows to the great displeasure of the Nobility in that Town who saw themselves oblig'd in that conjuncture to take the Dukes part against those of the Cardinal so that the Duke seeing himself affronted sent to complain to his Eminence who in stead of satisfaction in punishing the beginners protected his men and threatned the Duke himself The Duke went out then from Bologne all in rage with design to cause the Cardinal to be murder'd in his Coach and to that end he sent upon Good Friday twenty four men well armed who being enter'd the Town discharg'd at the same time many Pistols into the Legates Windows not that they had designs to kill but affront him all the inhabitants were in a maze at the boldness of those Cavaliers who hazarded their lives with so such confidence they saved themselves nevertheless without receiving any hurt although they were pursued by the Guards The Gentlemen of Bologne and particularly those who had invited his Highness to Bologne perceiving that the Duke was very angry and to prevent any further mischief that might happen through this disorder sent word to Pope Alexander to the end that the might hinder it who making use of his ordinary prudence by a Maxime of Policy took that employment from the Cardinal pretending he would give him one more sutable to his Estate and put in his place the Cardinal Farnese who was of the last creation and friend to the Duke Leomelini knew presently from whence this change came and therefore without loosing time returned to Rome to be revenged of this injury which to speak truth was an affront to arrive at this design he began presently to inform all the Conclave of the Cardinals and his Holiness also of that shameful life which the Duke lived with the Countess and the great scandal which it gave to all Lombardy That song which the Courtiers sung quickly spread over the whole Town of Rome so that in the streets no other thing was talked on That Cardinal was very importunate to have this Duke proceeded against by way of Excommunication giving them to understand with his usual authority that if they suffered such an adultery to be unpunished the Hereticks without doubt would prevail and the holy Chair would suffer a
That he found the Whores of Casal very obliging The Newes of the Arrival of this Lady into the Camp and of the Liberty which she afforded every one to offer her their Service as well as the goodness she had shew'd to that Commander we mention'd before quickly spread it self into the French Camp so that it afforded the best sport in the World and there was a person who discoursing with the Duke of Modena of this Fair Curtisan said in derision of her Li Frances Fanno Le Puttane egli spagnoli le godono The French create the Whores and the Spaniards injoy them This he said in reflection upon her first Gallantry with the French Monsieur which I have already told you of In fine The French Army rais'd the Siege from before Alexandria in the night the 16th of August after they had besieged it three Moneths and they dislodg'd themselves with so little noise and so secretly that their Enemies themselves that were round about them perceived it not until morning after the Sun was up and that from the Town Walls there was no Tents nor any thing else to be seen The News was presently carryed to the Duke who was yet in Bed with his Goddess he expressed no small displeasure of this unexpected depart of his Enemies chiefly having resolved to give them Battel the day following believing the Victory would certainly have been his if he could have once dsiputed it with them So as soon as he was up he went to visit the Batteries that the French had made against the Town having no body in his company but his Countess her Sister the Countess Louize being gone in other Company they staid nine dayes at Alexandria and in the evening of the last day the Duke went away accompanied by some of the chief Commanders amongst the Spaniards and after he had given the necessary Orders for the conservation of that place and recommended the care of the Army to his Lieutenant he return'd to Casal with his Lady The joy of his arrival at Casal was Celebrated that Town indeavouring to shew him all the Honour imaginable in acknowledgment that they lookt upon him as the Deliverer of a place of that importance but after all those Feasts were kept with much modesty The greatest pleasure of the Duke was to pass the best and greatest part of the day in going here and there with the Countess thinking no moâ—e of the Army than of any thing else to the great astonishmâ—nt of all the World who could not enough admire how a Man could be â—o much devoted to the love of that Woman for he was quite contrary to other men who love change and often turn their backs not only to Whores but even to their Wives after they have Marry'd them My dear Reader I believe thou very well understandest me and that it is not necessary I should explain my self further and therefore I will only tell thee That this Prince the more he injoy'd his Well-Beloved the more his desire was kindled towards her and in the Mornings whâ—n he rose out of bed he was moâ—e pâ—ssionately in Love with her then at night when he went to bed to this Countâ—ss the Fire of his Amorous passion was te-kindled at those times that otheâ—s make use of for their repose From that time the â—uke fail'd not one day of that Summer to Vâ—sit his Countess at her own house and when they were alone they made no scruple to pull off their Cloaths and go to Bed together without any more Complements The one as if he were a Prince without a Principality the other as if she were one of those Curtizans of Rome that are alwayes in their Smockes waiting for their Braves And although the Duke did often force himself to give Audience to all the World that came to his Court yet it was in such a way it was easily seen that he did it with Chagrin and against his mind and carry'd himself like an extravagant and it is not hard for me to believe it since that all his thoughts his soul and heart breath'd nothing else but his love of the Countess But for to give more convincing Proofes of this and to assure the whole World and chiefly his own Subjects that the Countess was absolutely his and possest all his Affections he appointed her two Men for Guards who wore the same Livery of his own Footmen with order to follow this Lady whereever she went and to Guard her House night and day this so publick testimony of the Dukes love made her be respected and more esteem'd than ever and also fear'd by every one so much it would have been lookt upon as Sacriledge to have given her the least displeasure or discontent and there were at that time four persons condemn'd to Banishment for having their Tongues a little too long and had talk'd too lewdly against this beloved Lady There was also another had the like ill Fortune but he rather out of Raillery then for any thing else hearing the Barrenness of the Countess talk'd on who had no Children neither by her Husband nor the Duke began to laugh and said Che non Faceva Fancialli Perche voleva esser troppo seminata This poor Babler carry'd not his words to Purgatory for they put him in Prison for some dayes and he had staid there longer but for the Intercession of that person whom he chiefly had offended by his words and was not inclin'd to Revenge although what had been said had not much pleas'd her Certainly that Lady deserv'd the affections of so great a Prince very much being adorn'd with all the advantagious qualities which she possess'd she had a way of speaking so gentle and so attractive that she captivated all hearts and oblig'd them to love her I do not mean here of her extraordinary and charming way with which she caressed the Duke having no expressions capable to describe them but she was inclin'd to oblige every body so it were not to injure her self nor as one may say pick her own pocket for in that case she had no memory being like other women who are sparing not to say covetous Pride never set his foot in her Carriage but on the contrary the more she saw her self in the Princes Favour the more did the desire in her increase to Speak Familiarly with all People and to converse modestly with every one The Balls Feasts and Recreations of taking the Air alwayes took up her thoughts and her minde went no further then those noble Divertisements and nevertheless when she chanc'd to meet the Duke in any place she express'd a carelesness of all things else besides the pleasing sight of his person which she esteem'd above all Anger nor Vanity never transported her and if sometimes she had occasion to Chide the Servants of her House she did it without those transports so ordinary to other Ladies and also those Cloaths she had so rich above the other Ladies of her
quality in the Court she wore them without vanity pride or scorn and contempt to those that had not the like It is true she frequented the Churches more through Custome then any other reason and if she went to the Masse it was only to be seen and to see Yet I must tell you that she went thither sometimes being Invited to it on purpose by the Ecclesiastical Men to the end of giving more Lustre to the Solemnities which were at that time Celebrated in the Church and also to shew her the great esteem they had of her Person with which nevertheless she was not satisfied And although she had a Face Faire and agreeable enough yet there is nothing very lascivious but whil'st the Duke was living when she was near him she lookt upon him as if she would have devour'd him with her Eyes her looks at that time being the Effects of which her Impudent Love was the Cause But above all this there was some light of Prudence shin'd in her carriage which appear'd in effect a Miracle because this Faire one was not like those Women that affect the Trade of St. Placidia to please their Friends that is to say For all her great power over the Duke and that was so absolute she could dispose of his Authority as she pleas'd without the fear of displeasing him she yet kept her self for all that within the bounds of an humble modesty giving his Highness thanks for all the Favours he did her assuring him That she was more then satisfied to injoy alone the Loves of so great a Prince And the more the Duke offer'd his Service to her and desir'd her to make use of his Authority as she pleas'd the less did she importune him with Requests so that when the Duke press'd her to ask some Favour at his hands she usually made answer His Highness granted her Favour great enough to let her injoy his Person After all this she Favour'd whom she pleas'd and who were recommended to her which were without number their being none ignorant how great her power was with the Prince whose heart she possess'd and govern'd his whole will and for that reason every one made Addresses to her to help them in their Affaires according as they needed her Favour but on her side she knew very well what kind of Favours she was to demand of his Highness not to displease him and she very rarely press'd him to grant any extraordinary matter if she had been of an humour to inrich her self she wanted no opportunities of doing it and the Duke would never have hinder'd her on the contrary he advis'd her to do it and gave her all the meanes possible for it so far that when any one addrest to himself to obtain a Request he us'd to say For that you must Petition none but the Countess and that was the onely way to obtain their end That Charitable Countess had never yet the Repute of doing any thing out of Interest but it has alwayes been thought that all she did was to purchase to her self Friends rather then through hopes of any gain expressing alwayes her aversion to that Lucre It is true notwithstanding that when any one offer'd her some Fine thing or considerable Summ of Money she would do as those who laying their hands upon the Present offer'd them usually say There is no need of this and yet take it willingly enough The greatest care of this Lady and what she sought after with all the Passion imaginable was the Advancement of her Brother which put the Duke to a stand what more to give him having already Honour'd him with Imployments and Offices very considerable and much above his deserts or at least if he did any way Merit them it was very little nevertheless the Countess never ceas'd begging for him and could have wish'd her Brother rais'd above all the Princes of that Court. The Arch-Duchess heard this news with a great heart-breaking and notwithstanding all the efforts of which her vertue was capable she could not hinder her self from being extreamly displeas'd at the Advancing of that young Lord who never had a pretending Merit but that which occasionâ—d her greatest Afflâ—ction was to see her chiefest Servants rather cast down then rais'd in the least and us'd with scorn that deserv'd to be treated with Honour which caus'd these pâ—or unfortunate Persons to say That the Duke shew'd more favour to the Brother of an Adulterous Countess then to the Servants of a Princess his lawful and true Wife and amongst other things witness many Libels and Satyrs which I omit Although this innocent Princess receiv'd some kind of Mortification from all this however she never had a resentment against the Duke because in the first place she plainly saw that he did nothing out of malice but only to satisfie that blind passion which had inslav'd him in the Chaines of that Concubine And Secondly she esteem'd it not just nor reasonable to compare these Gentlemen persons of great Merit with that Earle that was a Man of no Honour In the mean time this Countess possest all the Favour of this Prince and kept alone the two Keys of his Treasures That of his Heart by Love injoying him without interruption and the other his Favours since the Duke was so well pleas'd when his Mistriss made any Request to him that she knowing him of that humour made pretensions to him only for his satisfaction as it is easily to be known by this Letter following My little Heart CAEsar comes to tell me that thou hast an intention to ask some Favour of me in behalf of a Person that address'd to thy Courtesie and because thou wert apprehensive of displeasing me thou didst not mention it yesterday in the afternoon that we were together This way of thine of being bashful makes me believe that thou dost not love me for certainly if thou didst love me thou wouldest act as freely with me as I do with thee also if I had ever yet refused thee any thing I confess thou mightest with reason ask me nothing but since I am so glad to grant thee all things why art thou unwilling to ask me any thing To what end is Love painted blind and naked if it is not to teach Lovers Familiarity one with the other The Principality is mine and I am thine but the authority is common to us both that is to say thou maist make use of me and I of the State if thou lovest me then ask command and love thy Charles But notwithstanding all these Protestations and Testimonies of love from the Duke this Fair One would never importune him by asking any favour that would bring the least disquiet to his Highness having wit enough to discern between those favours she was to ask for his consideration and those she was to demand for her self That for which she importun'd him the most and rung in his ears from Morning until night was That he would carry her