THE Deplorable death of Henry the fourth, the French King.

IF PEACE MAKE Kingdomes and Estates happy, France, which hath enioyed it twelue yeares vnder the shadow of her Kings palme and lawrell-branches, may say, that heauen could adde nothing to her felicitie but Constancy, which is more desired then enioyed in humaine affaires. The seeds of diuision are rooted out, dis­trust doth no more trouble mens mindes, there is no cause of factions and alterati­ons, and priuate miseries are couered with publike prosperities.

[Page 2] Neuer Prince was more beloued nor better obeyed at home, none more re-doubted nor admired abroade. The Prin­ces of Christendome seeke and respect his allyance, he gouernes the courages of the greatest, and the willes of the meanest at his pleasure: his affaires are freed from the iniuries of necessitie or confusion. Hee hath seene treasons against his Estate, as soone preuented as conceiued, these fu­rious torrents are crept into the earth, which they would haue swallowed vp: he demands nothing from heauen but hee obtaines it: his neighbours dare not refuse him any thing. What feares hee? and of whom is he not feared?

In the middest of these contents, he pre­pares a mighty army, the which the first day seems to promise victory, and to sing the triumph: euery man desires to vnder­stand whether it goes, his friends growe iealous, and his enimies tremble. They see the sword drawn, which threatens to haue [Page 3] reason of them that will not doe it, but no man knowes to whom it speakes; force and valour are ready to charge, but we see no enemy; there is no peace broken, no warre proclaimed.

The restitution of Iuliers, the liberty of Germany, the new alliance with the duke of Sauoy, were the apparant causes of this arming, few men knew his secret intenti­ons. If it bee lawfull to iudge of the great­nesse of a desseigne by the preparation, wee must of force say that France could not but hope for great & glorious effects, and that hauing not of long time made a greater preparation, he had not attempted any thing of greater moment.

The Arsenal of Paris had within 25. years seene foure great prouisions, but this last was mightier & more then any of the rest: the Duke of Suylly did shew by demon­stration, that the first of this equipage should bee at Chalons, when as the last should goe out of Saint Martins suburbes [Page 4] at Paris. The brauest resolutions came as to an Accademie of valour and vertue. The Princes of Germanie brought both their swords and hopes. Count Maurice, who hath euer cōmanded, came thether to obay, and the King without doubt did adde vnto those glorious titles of Restorer of France, and Protector of the quiet of Chri­stendom, that of Arbitrator of the Empire.

The Rendezuous for the Armie was in Champagne; the Duke of Neuers, as Go­uernor of the Prouince, and supplying the place of Collonell of the light horse of France, commanding it: It was fortified with 6000. Suisses, well appointed and well armed, of the which the Duke of Rohan was Colonel; The Kings arriuall might haue augmented it with 4000. gen­tlemen, and the regiment of his gardes. It strooke such a terror and amazement in­to his neighbours, as these words were publikely spoken at Colen. It were a madnesse to thinke to resist a Prince which [Page 5] hath these great quallities, of Valiant, Power­full and Fortunate. Many doubted that it would trouble the peace of Christendom, and that the succours which hee had promised to a Protestant Prince, would be a scandall to religion. The King told the Popes Nuncio, That hee informed him­selfe onely, whether they that demanded succours were his firme friends, and if their cause were iust, as for Religion it should be no way wronged. Time, and the Capitulation of Iuliers haue verified this promise.

The indiscreet and burning zeale of many, transported mens minds with these strange apprehensions. Hee told one of the bad offices which his enemies did him in blemishing the integritie of his thoughts towards Religion, and with­drawing the fidelitie of his subiects from his seruice. Hauing vsed great words vp­on this subiect, which would be as orient Pearles in his History, if hee had not for­bidden [Page 6] them to bee published; hee ended with these words. The first thing whereof I haue spoken, is for the assurance of the Catho­like religion in the country of Cleues. I will neuer endure, that it complaine neither of my armies, nor of my intentions. I told the Duke of Suylly the other day that if all the Princes of Germany were resolued to make a protestant Emperour, I would hinder it.

He had a great desire to see his armie, and nothing stayed him but the Queenes Coronation, the only action which wan­ted in the prosperities of peace, and the wishes of France. This duty had beene neglected ten yeares, by them that should do it, and by her that should receiue it. France, thinking she could performe no­thing equall to the merrits of this Prin­cesse, confest, that disability made her vnthankfull: The Queene had her spirits glutted with so many other sorts of con­tent; her Pietie entertained her so sweetly with the hope of crownes which are [Page 7] giuen in heauen, as shee cared not for any earthly one, although her courage thought it selfe wronged, to be exempted from an honor which had beene com­mon to the Queenes of France.

That which other Kings had giuen vnto them by way of ceremony, this King was bound to yeeld vnto her, who did crowne all the graces which hee re­ceiued from heauen, and did eternize the Flowers de Luz in her Royall posteritie: Hee granted it sooner then shee made shew to desire it, and presently com­manded the Citty of Paris to thinke vp­on the honors which were done vnto him at his entry presently after his Coronati­on. They set 800. men on worke about the preparation of this pompe, they imploied many excellent wits, to giue life vnto their statues and marble: If the triumph had bin ended, Europe had not seene any thing to equall it. And to iudge of the whole by a part, the cloth of gold & siluer which was [Page 8] distributed came to a hundred and fiftie thousand crownes. It seemed they had gathered together all the Pearle of the In­dies, and all the treasures of Asia vpon this occasion; but as desseignes, prest for­ward with diuerse passions, worke power­fully in the mindes of men, the King lan­guishing on the one side with a desire to goe vnto his Armie, and not willing to part before the Queenes Coronation, it held his will and affection in suspence.

It was propounded to deferre this cere­monie vntill September; Sanguin, a coun­cellor of the court of Parliament, and Prouost of Marchants at Paris, gaue him to vnderstand, that this delay would make the charge vnprofitable, and that what was done would no more serue, if it stood long exposed to the ayre. VVherevpon the King said to the Duke of Guise, That hee lamented the time which was lost in this expectation: Nothing is performed with dilligence in their opinions which desire [Page 9] and attend. The Duke of Guise seeming to haue no other ambition, then not to be last that came vnto the feast, said that hee did languish vntill he were in the Armie, that he would serue him better there then at the Queenes Coronation; that he was the meanest Captaine, but the best soldier of his realme.

On the Monday, the King was hunt­ing at Saint Germaine, and disposing of the dayes which hee meant to spend at Paris, hee said: King dispo­seth of the time. On twesday I will goe, and lye at Saint Denis on wednesday; thurs­day I will returne: on Friday I will dispose of my affaires; Saterday I will runne; on Sonday shall bee my wiues entrie; Monday the marriage of my daughter of Vendosme; Tuesday the feast, and Wednesday to horse. And although hee knew well, both by the reasons of his Iudgement, and by those of his beliefe, that the time past was no more his, and that of the present hee had but an instant, yet his thoughts and cogitations extended [Page 10] to future things, saying, that He prepared woorke for Me to augment his History: and beeing on the Twesday at masse, the Dauphin deliuering him a Crowne for his offring, he said vnto the Marshall of Feruaques, and to Saint Geran, Gouer­nour of Bourbonois. My Sonne doth now carry a Crowne, I hope within six yeares he will carry a sword after me.

He was much troubled to resolue all dif­ficulties touching the rankes, Difficulties for prece­dence. places and honours of the coronation. D'Rhodes master of the ceremony, did often present vnto him the order that was obserued at the Coronation of Queene Elenor, wife to Francis 1. of Katherine wife to Henry 2. of Elizabeth wife to Charles 9. but in euery thing his will did serue for a rule and law. There was some difficulty for the orna­ments of mantles: The same differences which they giue in the Armes of Princes howses, to distinguish the elder from the younger, are obserued in the ornaments which are giuen at mariages and funerals. [Page 11] For we haue seen vpon the mantles of Or­leance the Lambeaux gueles with the flow­ers de Luce. Vpon those of Arthois, the Lambeaux castelled or, vpon those of An­iou Lambeaux moouing in cheefe: in like maner they of Valois, of Berry, of Alençō, haue caried borders either plain or engrai­led, or charged with besans: they of Eure­ux bastons Or and Argent, and they of Bourbon bastons gueles.

The Queenes Mantle was pouldered with flowers de Luce, Descripti­on of the Queenes Mantle. without number, as meerly royall & belonging soly vnto Ma­iesty. The Kings daughter and Queene Marguerite had 4. flower de luces pure vp­on the border of their mantles. The Prin­cesses of the bloud, demanded three, with the differences of armes, to the end that as there was a destinctiō of the Kings daugh­ters mantle from theirs, so should there be of theirs from those of other Princesses. The Earle of Soison said, that the flowers de luce were the markes of their house, that their marriages and funeralls were honored [Page 12] therewith, that the Princesses of the bloud had alwayes carried them, with the differences of the branches and royall families from whence they were descended. The Princesse of Conde at the entrie of Queene Elizabeth; The Lady Douager, Mother to the Princesse of Conde, at his mariage. The Princesse his mother, and the Duke of Montpensier at their Interments, as honors and prerogatiues inseperable from the quality of their birth; without the which the Princesses of the bloud should not bee di­stinguished from the rest. But finding that this distinction was not pleasing vnto the King, Eatle of Soissons re­tires him­selfe discon­tented. hee retired himselfe to his house at Montigny, and the Countesse of Soisson came not to the ceremonie. This depar­ture did afflict him, and this affliction ap­peared in his countenance, on Twesday the xi. of May, and in the words which he spake vpon that subiect, to his most confi­dent seruants. At the end of his dinner he was aduertised, that some troupes of horse which were in the armie, came and liued [Page 13] at discretion, and did not obey the Duke of Neuers; hee was offended with the Captaines, and told them they should bee with their charges; Then directing his speech to the Constable and other Noble­men, hee said. When my subiects shall bee rui­ned, who shall feed mee? who shall pay you your pensions and entertainments? They that serue mee must rest satisfied with what I giue them. I haue taken an order to deduct that out of the taxes which the people hath giuen vnto the men of warre, and to account vpon the souldi­ers musters what they haue receiued of the peo­ple. This equality beeing obserued, the disci­pline which they thinke so difficult, shall bee kept in despight of the most insolent and incor­rigible. The Captaines should preuent these disorders, if they were in the army, but they will see Coronations and Triumphes; Curiosity should not make them remisse and carelesse of their duties. I would goe a hundred leagues to a battell, but I assure you I would not steppe a foote for this; & if it were not necessary, they [Page 14] should not see mee there.

All difficulties were determined with so great toile & contention, King and Queene came to S. Denis. as if the Queene had beene at the beginning of this enter­prize, she would haue bin distasted, & lost all desire to pursue it; Their Maiesties came on wednesday being the 12. Of May to S. Denis. The King at his arriuall re­membred that he had not bin in the Ab­bey since his conuersion, and this remem­brance made him to speake these words. The last time I was heere I had no heire, and did not looke to haue any, I thanke God now for that which hee hath giuen mee.

The Queenes chiefest care was to pre­pare hir selfe to receiue the grace which shee expected the next day. The King see­ing hir enter into hir deuotions to confes­sion, he retired himself, and kissing hir, he said, My loue, make a confession for vs both. Vitry being then in quarter, as Captaine of the gard of the Kings person, had caused the doores of S. Denis church to be walled [Page 15] vp, reseruing onely one which did not o­pen but to such as had a ticket from him, or were well knowne. It was opened pre­sently after mid-night, euery one beeing placed at ease to see, or to bee seene: the scaffolds being built after that manner, as notwithstanding that the assembly were of seauen or eight thousand persons, yet the last were no way hindred by them that were before them. Nothing did trou­ble the beholders sight, nor the officers who appointed what should be done.

The Kings Oratory being on the side of the Altar towards Dagoberts tombe, Preparation of S. Denis church. the founder of that Church, had two doores, one to the Altar, the other to the Queenes Theater. He came thether presently after dinner, & it seemed he had laid aside ma­iesty for that day, & had resigned it wholy vnto the Queene, to haue but the remain­der of the honors which were done her. He made a turne about the Church, vntill she were ready, giuing order for all things [Page 16] necessary. His iudgement did determine the difficultie betwixt the two Captaines of the hundred Gentlemen, and that which fell out betwixt the Archers of the garde of the Kings body, and the hundred Gentlemen. Hee aduised the last to looke vnto themselues, saying, That hee had neuer seene but in such ceremonies one would out­strip another. All that serued for the pompe and state of this action, marching before the Queene, about two of the clock shee was conducted to the Church, Manner of the Queene going to her Coro­nation. and did ascend the great Theater: The Dauphin, the Duke of Aniou, (by reason of the in­disposition of the Duke of Orleans) and for them Souvray and Bethunes their go­uernours carried the folds of her Mantle. The Cardinals of Gondy and Sourdy led her, the Prince of Conty carried the Crowne, the duke of Vendosme the Scep­ter, the Cheualier of Vendosme the hand of Iustice. The Lady Elisabeth the Kings daughter, & Queene Marguerite followed [Page 17] the Queene; the Princesse of Conde, the Princesse of Conty, and the Duchesse of Monpensier carried the traine of her roy­all mantle, Chasteauvieux, her knight of honour did helpe to support it, by her Maiesties expresse commandement

The beauty of this pompe was admira­ble to all men: Queene Marguerite carried an ornament, as shee whose mother had beene crowned vpon the same Theater. The Marguerites of France come after the flower de luce of florence. Marguerite of Valois did serue Katherine de Medicis in the like occasion. Other Queenes haue affected solitarines, to conceale their greefes and complaints for the change of their condition. She came to Court to let the world see the contentment which shee receiues in the iustice of that which hath beene prosecuted at her intreaty, ad­uanced with her desires, and followed with her quiet. Shee yeelds all honours and respect to this Queene: Shee doth [Page 18] acknowledge so many merits and perfec­tions to bee in her, as she doth not thinke one crown sufficient for so many vertues.

We must confesse that there was neuer seene, neither could there be seene any thing that did equall the order, the beau­ty, and maiesty of this action. They were amazed at such a silence in so great a multitude, at so great reuerence done to holy misteries among men of different religions: so great order and constancy among spirits whose patience is present­ly spent, and cannot force themselues to ceremonies of long expectation, some being there from the beginning of the night, others from the breake of day. When as the King saw the Queene ap­proach, he sayed that he had neuer seene her so beautyfull. And although it seemed that the care of rising early, and the troble of so forced and ceremonious a day should haue bene preiudiciall, yet her complex­ion was neuer cleerer nor more fresh.

[Page 19] I did carefully obserue all the Kings dis­course; Kings car­riage at the Ceremony the quicknes and viuacity of his spirit did worke more actiuely then his eies, & did peirce into things which they must diuine. At the same instant he carri­ed his eies vpon one, and did iudge of the actions of another being farre off. The Duke of Espernon saied vnto him, Sir, Doe you not see the Popes Nuncio who laughs at the countnance of his neighbor? No (said the king) it is to see la Force & father Cotton in discourse. It was true he did iudge of their thoughts and words, by their eies & coun­tenance, and sodenly he did obserue a La­dy in one place & a nobleman in another, & did let the farthest of them vnderstand that he knew them. Euery motion was an action, he spake to the noblemē that were about him, to the Archbi. of Rheims, the Duke of Espernon Montbason & Rais, to Bellegard maister of his horse, to the lords of Pralin, la Force, du Bellay & de Vic; he commanded the Marquis of Vernueill to [Page 20] obserue what was done, he spake to them that were below; hee pittied the Cardi­nall of Ioyeuse for that they kept him so long fasting, and Queene Margueret for that shee had risen too soone; hee did pre­sently answere all difficulties which grew for precedence. His spirit was euery where, and yet no where but in himselfe.

They had prepared a chaire for him, but the ioy which hee conceiued made him to leaue it, and to lay by both hatte and cloake, still changing his place, and alwaies speaking eyther of that which he saw, or of what was done. He was very attentiue to the Coronation, the which hee would haue performed with all reuerence and silence: hee was sorry to see the glasse of the winddowes (which the Duke of Montbason brake, to haue a more free veiw) fall vppon the Prelats which were set at the foote of his Orato­rie before the Altar. I obserue this to stop their mouthes which haue said, that it [Page 21] was done by his commandement.

The Queene was brought before the Altar, there to be crowned. The forme of Coronations requires, that the Inferior be crowned by the superior. Augustus gaue the Diadem to Herod, Tiberius to Tigranes King of Armenia; Nero to Tiridates, Domi­tian to Decebalus, and Traian to Parthania; Princes which acknowledge no superior, receiue it from God by the hands of their Ministers; and Queenes, which haue no light but from the beames of Kings their orient Sunne, should bee crowned by Kings. Esther was crowned by Assuerus. Ptolomee, marrying his sister, did set a Crowne vpon her head in the face of the armie. Mitridates gaue it to Milesia, Hera­clius to Eudoxia. Constantin the yonger to Theodora, Phocas to Leontia, and in our dayes Christina of Lorraine was crowned by Ferdinand great Duke of Tuscane. But the pietie of the house of France, to shew that her Kings and Queenes haue no ma­iestie [Page 22] but what comes from God, bindes them to receiue the Crowne by his Mini­sters, and before his Altars, confessing that these supreme honors depend meer­ly of his grace. Kings haue beene present at the Coronation of Queenes, as Lewis the yong at that of Isabell of Henault, and Philip Augustus at that of Alix of Blois, not to authorise, but to adorne the action; the onely presence of God, by that of his seruants, beeing necessary. Crownes are equall, there is no disparitie, Iupiter hath no more beames in his then Iuno. That wherewith the Queene is crowned, is the same the King receiues at his annointing. Reason, which makes of two hearts one, and the persons consorts of one life, to di­uide equally their crosses & cōforts, doth neither allow of the difference of crowns obserued at the coronation of the Empres of Constantinople, nor the forme of crow­ning them, the Emperor receiuing the crowne from the Patriarke, the which he sets vpon his wiues head.

[Page 23] The Queene then being before the Al­tar, kneeling, Coronation of the Queene. her hands ioyned, and her head humbled, they made a prayer, that it would please God to blesse that action of the Ministery, and humility of his Mini­sters, and poure vpon her the effects of his grace and vertue. The Bishop of Paris hauing beene appointed to present the sa­cred oyles, the Queenes head and brest was annointed. The Bishop of Beziers, chiefe Almoner to the Queene, by reason of the indisposition of Cardinall du Peron, chiefe Almoner of France, presented the crowne, which the Cardinall of Ioyeuse did set vpon hir Maiesties head. The Pre­lats presented the honors, the Scepter, the hand of Iustice, and the Ring; The kisse, whereof women are dispenced in homa­ges ended this mistery, and the generall si­lence made it more venerable and stately. The Queene returning from the Altar to the Throne, the crowne of Stones which was set on in the place of the greater, had [Page 24] almost fallen off, but she staied it present­ly with her hand, and set it fast. A predicti­on of good fortune which her wisedome and gouernment should bring vnto our miseries. It seemed that her heart was not pleased with so great ioy, honor, and con­tentment as that day did giue her, for shee was sad and troubled, as a Prophetesse of some disaster. During this melancholy, she spake these words. I consider that I can receiue but two honors in this Church, this is the first, the other shall be at my funerall, when it pleaseth God.

This great Queene did imitate the Empe­rors of Constantinople, who on the day of their Coronations did choose Marble & Porphery for their tombes. This was to haue the spirit toucht with the same moti­ons of that great light of the Easterne Church, who commanded his friends to put him in mind to finish his tombe, when they should see him most ioyfull. Shee re­membred her whose name shee beares, [Page 25] who paied vnto her sonne the great vsu­rie of the ioy, which shee had had at his birth, who did not apprehend so great glory to be exalted aboue the Thrones of Angels, as shee felt griefe and sorrow to see him tied vpon the Grosse betwixt two theeues.

The King hauing obserued all this cere­mony, said, That it was a great marke of the dignitie of the Church, for that it had parti­cular formes and ceremonies to honor a royal­tie, where as other Religions had not any thing like to anoynt their Kings, nor ministers ap­pointed to that end. Some one said vnto him, that vnder the barke of ceremonies they found great mysteries; that the simplest and lightest had their reasons and grounds, that euen the smoake on Incense bad hirs, represen­ting the prayers and intentions of the faithfull sent vp to heauen. This caused him to re­member an excellent discourse which Cardinall du Perron had made vnto him vpon that subiect, speaking as all the East [Page 26] hath spoken of the writings of Gregorie Nazianzen, whose authority was so great, as they were neuer reprehended nor con­tradicted. Hee also tooke great delight in the discourse which Father Cotton made to the Marquis of la Force, vpon the ex­plication of the ceremonies of the masse and the Coronation.

This being ended, he setled himselfe to heare the rest of the seruice, and setting him downe in his chaire, hee came to his first admiration, why the Ambassador of Spaine did not vncouer himselfe. Cicogne told him that the deceased King of Spaine did but mooue his hat at the eleuation, and put it on presently againe, as if he had saluted a very meane Gentleman. Where­vpon the King said, If wee had that feeling of Religion which wee should haue, we would doe more reuerence to those mysteries, for wee must beleeue, that after the words of consecra­tion pronounced vntill the Communion, Iesus Christ is alwayes present vpon the Altar. [Page 27] These were his very words, there wants nothing but the grace and zeale where­with he deliuered them. I obserued them curiously for the beautifying of his Hi­story, and the honor of his pietie. In acts of religion, humility is no lesse requisite in Princes then in subiects. Deuotion doth no wrong to Maiesty. That which seemes vnfitting for grauity, is honorable in reli­gion. Dauid danced among the rest be­fore the Arke, and did not disdaine to ac­knowledge, among them all, him that had aduanced him aboue all. The most fruitfull and necessary lesson for Kings, is humility; their birth and quality makes them disposed to pride. Humilitie is the true caracter of grace. All vertues are commendable in great Princes, but hu­mility is necessary: many are aduised, but this is commanded.

Hee that hath not all may saue him­selfe, but hee that hath not this is vn­done.

[Page 28] With this humility the Queene receiued the booke of the Gospell and kist it, ac­knoledging that it is the rule of saluation, the compasse of faith, the Doctrine of eternall wisdome, which makes Kings to raigne. That which it teacheth is truth without deceyte, that which it comman­deth is bounty without mallice, and that which it promiseth is felicity without misery,. But when shee did rise from her throne to come vnto the offering, humi­lity retyred vnto her heart, and left no­thing but sweetnesse in her eyes: Ma­iesty appeared vppon her, and about her, after a stately and reuerent manner, so as in marching shee seemed, not a Queene, but a Goddesse, and then it was that the King said, that this was rightly to play the Queene.

All things were answerable. She came in the same order that she had beene con­ducted to the Coronation; Queene goes to the offring. the offrings beeing carried vppon rich cushions with [Page 29] towels of white damaske fringed with gold. She receiued them from the hands of the Princesses of Conty, of Montpen­sier and of Guise, and offered them her­selfe vppon the Altar; the wine in two little barrils of siluer and guilt, a loafe of siluer, and a loafe of gold, with a purse and thirteene peeces of gold, euery peece beeing worth thirteene crownes.

The preface beeing begonne, the King followed the Cardinall of Ioyeuzes voice who was at the Altar. It is an ancient marke of piety in the Kings of France, to mingle their vowes and voyces with the Ministers of God. Charlemaigne, Robert, and St. Lewis did sing in the Church, and King Charles the 9. had beene heard sing. Hee carried so great reuerence and re­spect to holy Mysteries, as his eyes disco­uered the zeale of his heart. The Popes Nuncio obseruing this feruency, and these pure and free motions of his spirit, reioyced with the the other Prelates, [Page 30] saying that the Pope would receiue great contentment therewith.

To al this dayes honors, which were the greatest that the earth could produce, it was fit to adde the perfection of all the graces which we can receiue from hea­uen, the full summe of all benefits, the a­bridgment of wonders, the eternall gage of the loue of God; wherefore the Queen was led the third time toward the Altar, where she did kneele downe vpon a Cush­on which the Duke of Elbeuf presented to her, and receiued the holy Sacrament, hauing, for greater reuerence, set by the Crowne which she had vpon her head. A sollemne declaration that the Crownes of Princes submit themselues to our Sa­uiours Crowne of thornes, that all their maiesty depends of his power, their greatnesse hath no brightnesse but from that light, and it seemes like vnto the Enamell which doth not shew about a Pidgeons neck, if the Sunne [Page 31] doth not shine vppon it.

The Ceremony ended, about 4. of the Clocke the Heralds cast a largesse vnto the people of a great number of pee­ces of gold and siluer. All the Church did sound againe with cryes and accla­mations of ioy and happinesse.

I haue not described it so perticular­lye and exactlie as some may wish: This is a History, not a Ceremoni­all.

If the Noblemen which serued in this action take it ill that they haue beene forgotten in this discourse, they must remember that their names are written else-where, and that the ha­zards of battells, and not the pompes of Ceremonies are their ture Thea­ters.

The Queene was conducted backe a­gaine to her Chamber by the Duke of Guise, and the Cheualier of Guise his brother: The King receiued her in [Page 32] the presence Chamber, and in that in­counter the great feruencie of his heart did euaporate it selfe by the teares of his eyes, with such tendernesse and affection, as one would haue thought he had giuen his last imbrasing. Hee told her that she was to thanke God, for that all things had past so well: That neuer any thing had beene perfor­med with more order and honor; and seeing her to haue more desire to rest then to dine, hee commanded euery one to de­part the Chamber.

He was so well pleased with her royall Mantle, as he presently told Sancerre, Con­trowler generall of his plate, and maister of the Queenes roabes, that hee would haue a Cassock of the same fashion, be­sides three others of diuerse coullers, im­brodered and inricht with diuers Ciphers, to carry vpon his armes; and for that hee could not haue them before his depar­ture, hee commanded him to follow in post, and to bring it as soone as it should [Page 33] bee made, recommending the solliciting thereof vnto the Queene.

Hee supt at Saint Denis, and they told him during supper, that the Ambassadors of Spaine and Venice had a quarrell. Hee had foreseene it, and knowing that their spirits were altered by the forgetting of some complement which the one thought should haue beene done by the other, they might discouer their discon­tents vpon the first occasion, hee recom­mended it to the Popes Nuncio, to haue a care least they should do anything vn­worthy the respect which was due to that occasion. This was handled so discreet­ly, as the solemnitie was not troubled. The Ambassador of Venice did some­times cast forth words to draw on others. The Ambassador of Spaine who had promised that hee would not offend him, if hee were not first offended, fore-seeing that if in this discourse, he gaue him sieg­neurie or Lordship, insteed of Excellency, [Page 34] (termes which were the onely cause of the iarre which was betwixt them) hee should be forced to breake out into some passio­nate speech, hee remained silent, and kept his grauity, hauing much paine to com­mand him-selfe, so as his countenance could not dissemble the trouble and per­turbation of his mind; At the returne from the Ceremony they did accompany the Nuncio, and did attend vntill he was entred into his Caroch to returne to Pa­ris. At the very instant of his departure they fell to words and then to blowes. The King would needes see the keeper of the house and his wife, to vnder­stand the manner, the aduantage, and the issue of this Combate.

After supper hee sent Chasteauvieux to tell the Queene that if shee had a will to goe to Paris hee would stay for her; who answered, that shee was readie. They came backe together in one Caroche, and the King made a discourse vnto [Page 35] her of this quarrell, with the dis­criptions and exaggerations, which he could enrich exceeding well, and the ioy wherein hee was gaue it much grace. Two leasters of the Court, to entertayne him in this humor fell to words and blowes before him vpon the way. The enseigne of his gard seeing this sport on horse-backe and with swords drawne to bee too neere his Carroche, hee caused them to re­tyre, but the King commanded them to let them alone, for that hee tooke delight in it.

All that euening hee spake of no­thing but of that which hee had seene and obserued, and could not sufficient­ly admire the Maiestie, grace, and royall behauiour of the Queene. Here-vpon La Brosse a learned Phisition and Ma­thematician, sayd vnto the Duke of Vendosme, after a long discourse, that if the King could auoyde an accident [Page 36] which did threaten him, he might liue yet thir­ty yeares. Predictions of the kings death. No man is willing to let Kings vnderstand that which may troble them; the Duke of vendosme thinking it more conuenient that la Brosse should be the re­porter of this aduise, besought the King to heare him; the king demanded what he would. At these words the Duke of Ven­dosme held his peace, his silence made the King more desirous to know it, he prest him, and hee excused himselfe, in the end the Kings commandement drew from him that which la Brosse had spoken: You are a foole, said the King you beleeue it; Sir answered the Duke of Vendosme, in these matters beleefe is forbidden, but not feare; your maiesties preseruation binds all the world, and me more then all men not to contemne any thing: I beseech you most humbly to be pleased to beare him; the King would not, but for­bad him to speake of it. I cannot, said the Duke, doe lesse then aduertize the Queene. [Page 37] The King replied twise, that if he spake of it he would neuer loue him; And so la Brosse was sent away. This discourse I had word by word from the Duke of Vendosme.

At the same time the Queene did rest at an other prediction, which did assure her that she should not passe those dayes of ioy and triumph without some wonder­full crosse and afliction. At her returne from Saint Denis she saw him that had told her, whom she let vnderstand that all things had succeeded hapily at her Co­ronation, and that there was more like­lyhood to hope for good then to feare any euill. Madame, said he, your entry is made, if I haue not spoken the truth, I will burne my Bookes.

It is true that she had beene long before aduertized that in May 1610. she should haue a great Crosse. But as she is as little curious of these obseruations, as any Prin­cesse of Europe, so there is not any one [Page 38] liuing that doth contemne them more, not that giues them lesse credit. Shee did noe more esteeme this Prediction, then the threats of the Astrologians, who said, that shee should dye vpon the deliuery of the Lady Christina her second daughter.

At that time they spake generally of some great accident that should happen. They called to minde many predictions vpon Commets, the Eclypses and Con­iunction of superiour Planets. Leouicius had coniured all Kings that were borne vnder Aries and Libra, to haue a care of themselues.

The Starre which was seene the yeare before at noone-day, had beene conside­red by the Mathematicians as a signe of some sinister effect, The riuer of Loire had ouer-flowed with the like furie at the time of the violent deaths of Henry the second, and Henry the third. The seasons peruerted the extreame cold, the violent heat, and those mountaines of Ice which [Page 39] were seene vpon the riuers of Loire and Saone filled mens heads with like appre­hensions. They had divulged about Pa­ris verses of the Samaritaine vppon the new bridge, in imitation of Nostra­damus, which spake plainly of the Kings death.

It is a great rashnesse to presume to fore­tell that which no man but God knowes. The knowledge of future things is ouer­cast with darknesse, so as humaine iudge­ments cannot pierce into it. If future things might bee knowne by the starres, men had no need of Prophets to fore­tell before so many ages, of their Re­demption, of the estate of the Church, and of the latter day.

But for my part I hold, that if the starres giue not some knowledge of these great disasters which fall vpon Princes, it were a folly for priuate men to consult vppon their influences, and to diuine what shall happen.

[Page 40] The religious contempt which this Prince made of all these obseruations, is so much the more commendable in him, for that curiositie doth insensibly settle a beliefe in the spirits of great men, by the incounter of some truth, as it is impossible that in ayming still at one marke, they should not sometimes hit it. The Court, which hath alwayes idlenesse to make mens minds delicate, and vanity to make them curious is the element of these di­uiners, they adore them when they speake truth, and they excuse them when they are mistaken, they remember if they haue deliuered any thing truly, and forget their lyes. God doth also suffer a mischief to fall vpon him that did beleeue it, not to giue countenance and authority to the Impostor, but to punish his lightnesse that gaue eare to the Impostor.

Hee was told in the beginning of his raigne, that hee should bee interred eight or ten dayes after King Henry the third, [Page 41] whose hearse was laid in deposito, at Com­peigne: That hee should bee slaine in the 57. yeare of his age, and that this mischief should happen at a great ceremonie, with a hundred other fantasies, which hee re­garded not, saying alwayes, That God only knew the accoumpt, and could number the daies of man. And although that by the euents of that which they had foretold him of his greatest aduentures, yea of his com­ming to the Crowne, his beliefe should haue bin tempted to hearken to such pre­dictions, yet it remained alwaies constant in the contempt which he had made.

In Germany they had made his Horos­cope, the which ended his life in the 57. yeare of his age, by a violent blow: Bum­baste a great Mathematician had publi­shed by the trumpet of the Imperiall Knight, that this Prince went happily and triumphantly to the Monarchie of Eu­rope, if a terrible accident which did threa­ten him in the middest of his great & glo­rious [Page 42] desseignes did not hinder him.

He that had fore-told the Duke of Guise of the issue of the estates of Blois, and the Duke of Mayenne, the losse of the battle of Yury, had said, he should dye this yeare of a violent death. A great Preacher told the Duke of Guise and his mother, that this ioy should be troubled with great sorrow and hea­uinesse. They had found vpon an Altar at Montargis, a prediction of this disastrous day. An Image they said, had cast forth teares at Bolleyn; many other signes more curious then considerable. The Marshall of Raiz wife hath bin heard say, that Queene Katherine beeing desirous to know what should become of her chil­dren, and who should succeed them, the party which vndertooke to assure her, let her see a glasse, representing a hall, in the which either of them made so many turns as he should raigne yeares, & that K. Henry the 3. making his, the Duke of Guise crost him like a flash of lightning, after which [Page 43] the Prince of Nauarre presented himselfe, and made 22. turnes, and then vanished.

Whilest they made all things ready for the Coronation, they shewed him a Pre­diction come out of Spaine, telling that a great King which had beene prisoner in his youth, should dye in the moneth of May, but he said, that that was the pollicy of the Spaniard to trouble that coronation, and that they should send the ball back with the like aduise. It semed that he himself was the Sybile of his owne misfortune: he told the duke of Suylly that he had something lying at his heart, so as hee could not bee merry, and that hee apprehended some accident. Hee said often, that he should not continue long, and that good men should want him. They told him that by reason of the continual rain in the spring, the streets of Paris were all couered with mire, and that if they were not clensed, the Queenes entry would bee very incommodious for the Noblemen that were appointed to attend about her Litter, whereto hee [Page 44] answered, It concernes not mee, I shall not see it. The tree planted in the Court of the Lovure fel of it selfe the first day of May, without any force or violence, and be­yond all apparence the head towards the lesser stayrs▪ Bossompiere seeing this, tould the Duke of Guise, with whome hee leaned vpon the barres of iron of the little walke before the Queenes Chamber, that in Germanie and Italy they would hold the fall of this tree to bee ominous, whose shadow did serue all the world. The King supposing they had some other talke, leaning his head easely vnto theirs, heard all this dis­course, and sayd vnto them, My eares haue beene filled these twenty yeares with these Pre­dictions, but there shall nothing happen but what pleaseth God.

On Saterday the eight of May he came to see the Queene, being set at dinner, as­king her if the Coronation should be on Twes­day, but shee held her peace, for that her answer could not satisfie his desire. Then [Page 45] he said vnto her, Why? you speake nothing vnto me. I would be glad (said the Queene) it were tomorrow, but Sancerre tells me it cannot be before Thursday; where-vpon he sent for Sancerre, and grew in choller at these delaies, lamenting more the losse of time and occasions then two hundred thousand crownes which this stay did cost him, and therevpon he said vnto the Queene, My loue, if it be not on Thursday, I assure you that Fryday once past you shall see mee noe more. The Queene smyling, you will be glad (said she) to see the entry. No (an­swered the King) On Fryday I will bid you far-well. Man speakes words after his owne sence, and the destynies makes them to bee vnderstood, and to fall out after an other manner.

Walking at the Tuilleries on the Wed­nes-day, he sayd vnto Montigny and Ci­congne, I would I weere dead; And when as they tould him that hee had noe cause to wish for death, He wisheth him selfe dead. his life being full of all [Page 46] prosperity and content, hee answered, you are more happy then I am, which words hee spake often and to many. His ser­uants were afflicted, for that hee did af­flict him-selfe without subiect, for at that time hee had so great prosperity in his af­faiers, so much reputation in his des­seines, as nothing did oppose it selfe a­gainst his wil, but to augment the glory of his power. He had so many blessings in his house, as he might like to that wise King of Egypt, His great blessing & happines. shew the Queene his wife, and the Princes his children, as his treasors, and the greatest graces which fauora­ble heauen may giue vnto a great Prince.

In matters that were most declyning and in a manner desperat, God did al­waies assist him with great courrage, and with an inuincible constancy, which bred admiration in his seruants and amaze­ment in his enemies, who saw him reco­uer new force like Anteus when as they thought he had beene quite vanquished, [Page 47] but in the dissentions and quarrells of his Court, hee could not but shew his disqui­etnesse and impatience, at the motion whereof hee did some-times wish to change his condition, hee commended sollitarinesse, wherein hee found the true tranquillity of the mind. There is nothing wanting; Manna falls there, the rauens bring bread from Heauen. If the waters be bitter, there is wood to sweeten them. If the combat of Amalec and Edom be ther, the triumph of Moses and Iosua is likewise there. But this kind of life is not fit for Princes, who are not borne for them-selues, but for their Estates, and for the people ouer whom they are set. In this sea ther is no other hauen but the graue, and they must die in action.

When as his cheese seruants, who could not yeeld vnto a lie, nor dissemble the truth, did acquaint him with any disor­der in his affaiers, and that vsing the power which hee had giuen them, they [Page 48] did lay open with all freedome and since­ritie, the things that were not generally liked of: hee promised to take a time to reforme them, gaue his reasons, represen­ted inconueniences, and consequences, there concluding, coldly, without any al­teration of choller, which is ordinarie in Princes that are contradicted, hee said, When I am dead they shal then know my worth. Desiring that the Queene should bee in­formed of affaires; hee did often instruct her, and aduised her to know them whom hee did most trust, saying, That shee might one day haue need of them, and seeing her estrange her thoughts from that businesse, hee added, that by the order and course of na­ture hee should goe first, and that hee would leaue her France in that estate, and all things so well setled and assured, as shee should not bee troubled like other Queenes to maintaine them.

A little before the Queenes coronation, passing with her from her Chamber to the [Page 49] Cabinet, hee stayed at the doore to speake to one, and seeing her stay vntill hee had done, he said smiling vnto her, Passe on, passe on Lady Regent. Hee did then allow that which the heauens had resolued to doe, and men haue since confirmed, that which God and the King had ordained. Hee had neuer called the Dauphin King. It is the last word that Kings speake; the iealousie of Soueraigne command doth not pronounce it, but in extremity, and I remember that a Nobleman saying vnto him, that he wisht that my Lord the Dauphin had a dozen of his yeares, hee answered; I would not that hee bad one. And the day of the coronation, as if God would that in so great an assembly hee should make the last disposition of his estate: he said vnto his Garde; Behold your King.

Going on a time out of his Carroch, he told the Prince of Conde and the Baron of Saint Chaumont, that hee had beene aduertised he should die in a Carroch of a [Page 50] violent death. The last time he came from Monceaux, hee past by Saint Maur des Fossez to see the Dauphin, going from thence after supper to Paris to his bed: Beeing aduised by some to take his horse, and that it was dangerous to go by night in a Carroche, hee answered, If any one should feare it is I, for I haue beene told I should dye in a Carroche. Hee had escaped great dangers in Carroch, which should haue made him apprehend the truth of this prediction. France shall ne­uer remember the ouer-throwing of the Carroch into the riuer of Seine at Port de Neuilly, and of that which was in it, but she will acknowledge her selfe bound to praise God, who preserued the King, and retired the Queene from out the middest of the shaddows of death, and saued her from this shipwrack, to saue France at need. Wee haue spoken it before, and wee will say againe in the continuance of the History, that the deepe waters [Page 51] were not able to quench the liuely and eternall flames of loue which shee bare vnto the King; for the first words shee pronounced were, Where is the King? A Mathematician did aduertise him at the siege of la Fere, that hee should not passe such a day without danger of his life; In despight of these dreames, he shewed him­selfe vnto the walles, and to the enemies Cannon, and supping that night at Tra­uessy, hee praised GOD for that the day which had beene noted vnto him to bee vnfortunate, had past happily. Hee did accompany the Duchesse of Beaufort to Mouy, where she was lodged by Torche­light, the horses stumbled in a bad passage, and drew the Carroche after them into a precipice or downe-fall, all that were in it were in great danger, the Carroche was torn in peeces, & the horses slain or lamed. This accident following presently after the threat, should haue beene of force to make him leaue the vse of Carroches, [Page 52] but hee made a iest at it, and would neuer beleeue that this was an effect of the Ma­thematicians Prediction.

It is true, there is no worse lodging for a Prince which goes in publike then a Car­roche. The King of Chyna goes in one, but besides his ordinary gards, which are about him, hee hath alwayes fiue or sixe attired like himselfe, to the end he should not be distinguished nor knowne. When as they propounded vnto the Earle of Fu­entes a desseigne to trouble France, and to kindle a new ciuill warre, hee said, it was impossible whilest the King liued, and that first of all bee must be made away. When as he that did manage this businesse, did re­present vnto him the difficulty therof, the Earle answered, that ther was nothing more easie, seeing that he went often in a Carroche.

Wee must neither beleeue confidently nor wholy neglect all kindes of dreames. Those of great Princes are not vaine vppon great resolutions, after which [Page 53] we find that they haue beene diuinely in­spired. Few great accidents haue happned vnto the Queene without some prece­dent dreame. The Queens dreames. She drempt of the death of Pope Leo the tenth, and that Cardinall Aldobrandino said vnto her, that his suc­cessor should be noe lesse affected to her house. She saw the death of the great Duke Fer­nand her vnkle in a dreame, and the next day sending for his Agent, she demanded what newes he had last receiued. To whom he answered; that he had none but good; then shee replied, that the first hee should receiue should not be so.

Some few daies before this fatall acci­dent shee had two dreames, the which were true predictions, when as the Iew­elers and Lapidaries prepared her crowne she drempt that the great diamonds and all the goodly stones which shee had gi­uen them to inrich it were turned into Pearles, the which the interpreters of dreames take for teares. The second [Page 54] dreame made her to start as one terrified; where at the King did wonder, and asked her what she ayled, the which at the first she would not discouer, saying onely, that dreames were lies, and that she gaue no credit to them: neither doe I, said the King, but what was your dreame? being prest and in­treated; I drempt, said shee, that one stabd you with a knife vpon the little staires. God be thanked, answered the King, it is but a dreame: she asked if she should call vp Re­nouilliere, who was the first woman of her Chamber, but the king tould her ther was no need and so fell presently a sleepe. He was a Prince of so good a constitution, as he had two things equally at his dispositi­on, to sleepe & wake when it pleased him.

Many things were obserued at S. Denis and taken for a bad presage: the King and Queene said that their sleepes had beene in­teruped by a Scrike oule, a night bird which betokens funerals, which had made a cro­king all night at their Chamber window. The stone which lies vppon the vault [Page 55] whereas the Kings are intered was found open. Curiosity, which obserues euery slight circumstance, tooke it for an il figne that the Queenes taper went out of it self, and that if shee had not layed hand to her Crowne, it had fallen twise. I know not what to thinke when as the same day this Prince, beholding the Theaters so well peopled and in so good order, said; that it made him remember the day of iudgement, and that they would bee much amazed to see the iudge come. This yeare before this accident two Gentlemen, the one of Bearne, the o­ther of Condome of diuers relligions, yet both seruants to the king, brought two vi­sions which did aduertise him of this lat­ter day, he of Condome, had seen nothing but in a dreame; the other said, that wal­king a great man had appered vnto him, carrying the kings picture vpon his hart, and had said vnto him; Goe vnto Fon­tainbleau whereas the King shall enter e­uen as thou shalt arriue, tell him this and that on the behalfe of God. Hee obayed [Page 56] and theking heard him, who remembring that many cossenors had couered their deceits with the like aduertisments to get mony, and seeing this gentleman refuse three hundred crownes which he had ap­pointed for his Iorney, saying that hee had noe other desseine therein but to obey God, and to serue the King, hee did not contemne this aduice, and was well conceited of it.

Many after the blow will say that they had spoken well, euery man will deale with diuining, and say that Cassandra hath spoken truly, but shee was vnfortunate, noe man beleeued her, wee will not goe farre, to morrow wee will confesse that all these predictions were too true. The King came to see the Queene, who supt in her secret Cabinet, and was atended on by her women. He talked vnto her, and drank twise the remainders of that which she had left in her glasse, more for pleasure then for any thirst, and then he went pre­sently to his bed, And as his army was the [Page 57] continuall obiect of his thoughts, being in his great Cabinet ready to goe to his rest, he tooke Pralin by the arme, and lea­ning vpon him, hee spake these words; Many thinke ill of my voiage, but by the grace of God, from a cause which in their opinions is bad, and in my iudgement most iust, wee will draw good effects.

The Queene was still in her Cabinet when hee went to bed, where shee remay­ned long, entertayning her selfe with that which was done, and that which was to be done. Her good seruants were bound for many respects to remember that day, but she would haue the remembrance of her Coronation accompanied with that of her affection, and therefore she sent vn­to them in particular Medalles, of peeces of gold and siluer, which the largesse had made publike at Saint Denis, and com­manded Dargouge, her Tresorer, to giue them vnto all the officers of her house­hold: these peeces had on the one side her [Page 58] picture wonderfully well cut, and on the other a great Crowne, out of the which sprong three branches, a Lawrell, a Palme and an Oliue, with this Inscription after an Antike manner, appointed by the Chancellor; Seculi Felicitas. Shee also disposed of many things that might serue for the finishing of her entry. Wee may well speake now for to morrow at this time wee shall speake no more of this. Wee might haue seene Arcades, Thea­ters, Arbors and Statues set vp to this end, with the goodly troupes of horse and foote of the Citty. But that which remained to bee seene, was such, as they might vse the like words vnto the behol­ders, as they did vnto such as were inuited vnto the secular games; Come and see that which was neuer seene, and which no man li­uing shall euer see.

Of all the ceremonies of the house of France, the goodliest and most sumptu­ous are at the Coronations and entry of [Page 59] Queenes. The Ornaments, the long ha­bits, the sexe, adde particular graces and beauty to the Pompe, and hold the eyes, hearts, and spirits of men suspended, be­twixt ioy and admiration.

We should haue seene the Queene in hir litter, Descripti­on of the Queenes entry. made like a triumphant Chariot, couered both within and without with cloth of tissue of gold & siluer, the chaire, pillers, and euery part of it, with the cano­pie ouer it of the same; the Daulphin on horseback, the Lady Elizabeth & Queene Marguerite also in a litter, ten Princesses or Duchesses, attired after a royall manner, with crownes on their heads, vpon white horses with saddle-clothes of cloth of sil­uer, the traines of their mantles being car­ried vp by Squiers; the Lady of honor, & the Dame d'Atour, with the chiefe Ladies of the Court in gownes of cloth of tissue, gold and siluer, with double traines vpon white hackneys; twelue of the Queenes Maides attyred in cloth of siluer, in [Page 60] three Chariots couered with cloth of gold and siluer, the Knights of the Order, the Noblemen of the Court, the Knight of honor, the Maister of her Horse, foure Squires, foure Gentlemen seruants, hee that carried the cloake-bag, ten Pages, foureteene footmen, fiue horses of shew, a horse which caried the casket of Iewels, the Queenes hackney, her double geld­ing, and with all this a great number of men richly appointed, to answer the ex­cellencie of the equipage. The Queene had giuen liueries to the Captaines of the gardes, to the foure companies, to the hundred Suisses, to the great Prouost, and to the Captaine of the Port, to their Ar­chers, to the vshers of the Chamber car­rying Maces, to the Herald at Armes, Trumpets, Houbois, Drums and Phifes.

They had erected a Theater at Saint Lazare, where the Queene should haue receiued the reuerences, homages, and orations which should haue beene made [Page 61] vnto her, in the behalfe of the body, and all the orders of the citty, of the Soue­raigne companies, and the faculties of the Vniuersity. And to that end the Chancel­lor was appointed to bee neere vnto her Maiestie, attired in a roabe of tawnie vel­uet in graine, lined with vnshorne veluet, his cassock of satten of the same coulour, and his hatt of tawnie veluet. His prede­cessors at such ceremonies were attired in cloth of tissue, gold and siluer, but hee would go more modestly.

All this was ready for Sonday, there was no delay, nothing wanting: the Queene was wonderfully well pleased that the King had no more cause to bee discontented for the stay of his voyage. Nothing could hinder the perfecting of this ioy, but that which no man thought could happen. But the thoughts of men are but winde, their resolutions but Chi­mera's, their contents but illusions, Prin­ces are often-times entertained with [Page 62] fables when they watch, they tell them tales to make them sleepe, and some thing must bee said whilst they sleepe to reuiue their seruants, whome a continuall care afflicts, least this great ioy should bee crost with great sor­row.

Iupiter commanded Pleasure to re­tyre to Heauen, for that hee was so well followed and serued by men, as hee did no more care to leaue the earth. To returne more purely, hee disrobed him-selfe. Greefe, who all the time of his aboad on earth had beene bani­shed, found those cloathes and disgui­sed him-selfe. Since shee hath al­waies deceiued the world, which vn­der the shewes of ioy incounters sor­row: the greatest ioyes beeing but meere vexations couered with little plea­sure.

Behold the fourteenth day of May which had beene so famous in the try­umphes [Page 63] of France for the happie vic­tory which King Lewis the twelfth obtayned on that day in the yeare one thousand fiue hundreth and nine, at Ghiradadda, is now so tragicall and lamentable in the memorie of the French, as the yeares of many ages shall neuer bring it about, but it shall renewe in their hearts the immor­tall wounds where-with it hath galled them.

The King did ryse early to end the day betimes, The Kings actions the day of his death. and past into his priuat Ca­binet to apparrell him-selfe. I will note many small circumstances; I will ob­serue all his words curiously; I will report all his actions diligently; both for that they were his last, and the last duties which the History oweth him; as also to represent them all together as in a table, whereas mens iudgements shall find diuers obiects to busie them-selues withall. Being in his Cabinet he sent for [Page 64] Rambure, who was arriued the night be­fore, and whome he would imploy in his army about the Duke of Vendosme; hee spake to de Barraut touching the quarrell betwixt the Ambassadors of Spaine and Venice. About sixe of the clocke he went to bed againe, to giue him-selfe more li­berty to doe the homage of his heart vnto God, and to spend some time in the exer­cises of piety, the which noe occasions, noe not in alarmes could make him neg­lect. Hearing some one at the doore, he said, It is Mounsieur de Villeroy, for hee had sent for him by la Varenne. He discoursed much with him of affaires, and referring the rest vnto the Tuilleries, he comman­ded him to draw the curtaine, and so continued his prayers, staying for his clothes.

He did long to see the Noblemen which had not beene at Saint Denis, to make them partakers of the contentment which he had receiued. Such a contentment as [Page 65] might bee that of a triumphant King, of a most happy husband, and of a ioyfull father; hauing seene vpon the theater of glory, that which hee held most deere in this world, & in a word his wife crowned, serued, and followed by his children. But this content did no wayes with-draw him from his affaires; he caused that morning the expeditions to bee sealed for all that which he had granted to the Duke of Sa­uoy, making it knowne that he was very well pleased, that his will had beene fol­lowed and effected at Brussoles, where as the Marshall d'Esdiquieres had seene that Prince vpon the cleering of his desseignes, and of the meanes to execute them. The Duke of Bouillon Councellor of State, ha­uing made three iourneys into Piedmont about that businesse, had brought the arti­cles of the league, offensiue and defensiue, signed in that conference.

The ioy he had conceiued thereof, sate on his face all that morning, as he walked [Page 66] in the Tuilleries, whether my lord the Dau­phin came to see him. He spake to the Car­dinall Ioyeuse, & to diuers other Lords, & related the excellency & beauty of the co­ronation. He was carefull to appease the strife betwixt the ambassadors of Spain & Venice. This spirit which in war would be euery where, & in peace did execute all the offices of his subiects, would needs know of the harbingers, what order was taken in S. Denis street, the number of those who were to be lodged, & what lets were made by perticular persons, and where his own lodging was; it was appointed neere to S. Iames his hospitall. He went to the mona­stery of the Fueillans, and heard out masse without any interruption. The antient or­der of Gods seruice in the house of the French Kings, forbiddeth any man to vn­dertake to speake to the King concerning businesse when he is hearing masse. He is only to be enterteined with discourses of piety. His custome was to cause the gospel [Page 67] for that day to be expounded to him.

When hee came thether after none, his Maiesty vsed some excuses to the Prelats, saying; Businesses haue made our deuotions slow: It is true, that when I labor for the com­mon-wealth, I pray, and by reason thereof I doe some times on working dayes loose masse. This is to leaue God, for God. In the same church he saw the Chappell which the family of Bassompierre had builded, and reading this verse of the Psalme, which was set down for an Emblem, Quid retribuam Domino pro omnibus quae retribuit mihi? he said, Bassom­pierre as a Germaine should haue added, Cali­cem accipiam. This so sharpe and ready re­ply, drawne from the thing it self, was ad­mired, and the Duke of Guyse therevpon hauing broken a witty iest, the King ad­ded, You know me not: when you shal misse me, then you will know me, and that will be shortly.

Before he would sit down to meat, he did in his Cabinet heare D'escures concerning the iourny he made by his comandement, [Page 68] to discouer the passage of the riuer Semoy. By his report hee was assured of that which others held doubtfull; hee did re­present it easie, safe, and commodious, thorow the countrey of Castle-Renaud, which belongeth in soueraignty to the Princesse of Conty at the foord of Fillouer a little beneath Linchamp.

He was much pleased with this resolu­tion, for it was told him that the Marquis Spinola had seazed on those places to stop his passage. His content was augmented, when as hee certified him of the state and goodly disposition of his Armie, of the Swisses arriuall, of the equipage of the ar­tillery, and of the good order which the Duke of Neuers did there obserue, of the ioy which the forraine troopes conceiued for his comming, of the generall amaze­ment of the countrey of Luxembourg, and of other Prouinces of the Low coun­tries, which made this Prince inuincible, and which at the very first, would cause [Page 69] weapons to fall out of the hands, and con­fidence from the hearts of the most re­solute.

The desire to behold it, was redoubled in his soule, when as hee considered how his desseignes, did as it were out-goe his desires; that all things were conformable to his will, and that Fortune did seeme to present him with Townes and Prouinces, taken in nets: Hee was so opportunely and faithfully serued, as he caused places of great importance to be discouered, be­fore they who commanded them had any inckling thereof, and he was more confi­dent to take them, then resolute to assaile them.

All the officers of the Crowne, all the chiefe Lords of the kingdom, all the gal­lantry of the Prouinces were neere about him, & albeit they did not certainly know whether the winde would carry them, they were content to bee imbarked in a shipp, whose Pilot was not onely skilfull [Page 70] in guiding the Helme, but had beene al­waies beloued and fauored of Neptune.

He said, that he would haue foure thousand Gentlemen; that out of the same number, hee would choose two thousand, and would cause them to serue with pikes, with a thousand mus­keteiers, chosen out of all the infantery, and that vnder the conduct of a good Captaine, hee would present them at the head of the ene­mies army, and would cause them to skirmish.

Then hee added in fauor of the French Nobility, of whose force, courrage, and sufficiency hee had made good proofe. What is their in the whole world that is able to resist it? what can not two thousand French Gentlemen doe in their Kings pre­sence? They will ouer-turne Mountaines. Hee shewed. twelue petronels for twelue foote-man, saying, that it was to salute fiue hundred paces off, those galants who should come to play the Carabines at any time when he went to make discouery.

Hee made account in his absence to [Page 71] commit al royal authority to the Queene, leauing the Constable and the Chancel­lor with her, hee determined to take the President Ianin along with him, in praise of whose wisdome and integrity he said, I haue euer giuen him good wordes, but no deeds. Hee is old and hath still done me good seruice.

He was highly pleased with the aduer­tisement which the Marshall Bouillon had sent him, concerning the state of the fron­tiers, and for that the Marquis Spinola made shew to meete him halfe-way, and to hinder his passage into the county of Liege, but that all the people cryed out Viue la France.

At his dinner hee called Nerastang, and told him what delight he tooke, in that his re­giment was one of the brauest and best armed, and for that hee had so speedily caused it to march to the Rendezvous, that the number did exceed their entertainment, assuring him that hee would remember his Captaines. Ne­restang replied, that the honour to be first em­ployed [Page 72] in the execution of his commandements did oblige them to thinke more how to seeke oc­casions to serue him well, then on the meanes of recompence: being assured that they would ne­uer bee poore vnder so great and fortunat a Prince. Thus ought you to speak & in this man­ner wil I be serued quoth the king. It is for sub­iects to forget their seruices, & for Princes to remember them. My seruants shold trust to me, and to the care I haue of them. Those vnto whome I haue done more good then to your selfe doe not acknowledge it so much as you doe, and of great benifits are made the grea­test ingratitudes.

Herevpon he perceiued the Princesse and the Lady Christina his daughters com­ming towards him, hee kissed them, and asked if they had dyned. The Lady of Mon­glas, their gouernesse, said that they had dined at Saint Denis before they came forth, and that they had there seene the relikes and the treasor. The Lady of Vendosme added that the Duke of Aniou looking stedfastly [Page 73] on a too mbe, one had told him that it was the Papa, and how that at that speech hee did nothing but weepe and cry. That is because he loues mee, (said the King) for yesterday while the ceremony lasted he neuer gaue-ouer crying Papa. He saw a master of requests of his house-hold standing by, and from a martiall discourse which he had ended, he fell into an other of religion, witnes­sing the desire which hee had at his re­turne to labour in the reunion of his sub­iects, by such certaine and iust remedies as they should not bee reiected but by those, who loued the disease better then the cure. They are the most ardent vowes and purest sighes of good mindes, whose daies in this schisme are but careers of troubles and discontent.

Hee amply enlarged his discourse thereon, and of the meanes to worke the couersion of a Gouernor of a Prouince and one of his most confident and faith­full seruants. This man wondering at [Page 74] such thoughts in those great deseignes of armes and affaires, did twise protest, and that very zealously that his minde was euer ready and disposed therevnto. He gratiously receiued the booke of the Auant-Victor which hee presented to him: who-so-euer is desirous to know the Au­thor therof, to admire his wit, let him read the French Soldier.

After dinner hee talked long with the president Ianin, and with Arnauld, the superintendent of his treasures, telling them that hee was resolued to labour in the reformation of his state in euery part thereof, to releeue the miseries and oppressions of his people, and no more to endure here-after, that gold should bee of more power in his King­dome then vertue or desert, nor that the sale of offices should prophane sa­cred things, coniuring all his good ser­uants to second his good intents, with resolution and courage.

[Page 75] Hee came into the Queenes chamber attended onely by the Marquis of la For­ce, and albeit they said that hee was in a pleasant humour, I found his counte­nance other-wise disposed, neither did his minde agree with his words. Hee passed on to the Queenes Cabinet, who was busie in giuing order for all things necessary for the pompe and magnifi­cence of her entry, hauing commanded the Bishoppe of Bezeirs, her cheefe Alm­ner, to goe to the Conciergery of the Pallace, together with two or three mai­sters of requests, to consult about the enlargment of the prisoners. Hee per­ceiued the Dutchesse of Guyse to bee desirous to goe into the Citty, and said vnto hir, Cosin, tarry here still wee will laugh and bee merry, shee excused her selfe by reason of an assembly made by certaine Aduocates of the court of Parlament, at which she must needs be. He said, he would go visit the Princesse of [Page 76] Conty who kept her chamber, being wearied with the former daies toyle: Hee could not tarry in one place & much lesse conceale his irresolutions, in the sundry agitati­ons whereof, hee told the Queene that he knew not what to doe; that hee was desirous to goe to the Arcenall; and because hee grew some-what cholericke, the Queene there­vpon said to him, Sir doe not goe your selfe, send some one thither, you are now in a good humor, and you will goe and disquiet your selfe.

At his comming foorth of the Queenes Cabinet hee shut him-selfe into his owne for to write, and at the fifth line, as his spirits where neuer so attentiue to any one businesse, but that hee had still force and vigor to thinke of many more, hee called in Clauary, whome hee had sent to the Venetian Ambassador, to know in what humor hee found him vpon the composing of his quarrell.

After he had written, & giuen the letter to [Page 77] one that waited for it, he came to the win­dow, and laying his hand vpon his fore­head, he spake these words. O God! there is something lying heere that doth much trouble mee. They were noted by Castelnaud, with whom he confidently talked a long time, hauing told him three dayes before, that three kind of greefes did perplex him.

Cares are inseparable accidents to roy­alty. These high regions are neuer with­out stormes; great states, like vnto great ships, are euer laden with troubles and cares. This Princes minde was tossed too and fro with sundry thoughts; and besides all that, a prisoner hauing told him of great matters contrary to his seruice, hee was sorry that hee was enforced to dissemble them till his returne. His iudge­ment, which knew vnto what point of greatnesse he ought to raise mens mindes and courages, would not dispose of the office of Marshall generall of the army, at their pleasures who desired it.

[Page 78] Hee was discontented for that his army was not employed, and for that they of Coloigne, like to those of Liege, had not beene dealt with concerning victuals. His fore-sight, going before all necessities, made him resolue not to march but in safety, with considerations worthy his ex­periences and reputation. In regard wher­of he determined to make three lodgings for his army, the first at the passage of the riuer of Semy: the other two farther on in a neutrall countrey, and not to stir from thence till hee had fortified them, with cauallery and foote-forces, and with all sorts of defences; and therefore aboue all things he would be assured of that, whose want breaketh greatest desseignes, and weakneth the mightiest armies.

Comming forth of his Cabinet, he en­tred into the Queenes chamber, where he talked with the Chancellor about graue, serious and important businesse, which touched the future, more then the present [Page 79] time: as though God would not haue him to leaue the world, before he had opened his last intents to the first and chiefe offi­cer of his iustice, and the last with whom he conferred about businesse. This dis­course being ended, the Chancellor obser­uing that he made no hast to goe into the city, said vnto him; Sir, I must go and assem­ble your Councell. The King embracing him replied; Go your way, I will go and bid my wife farewell, Hee spake to the Lords there pre­sent, and said; Yee know very wel how Queene Marguerite said, that my wife hath done won­ders at her Coronation. This had respect to some Ladies, who because they would bee present at that solemnity had forced their yeares and infirmities, and as they were telling of certaine fooleries committed at S. Denis, wherat they al did laugh, he said; Let vs not laugh so much on Friday, least wee weepe on Sonday. Hee did mock at that su­perstitious opinion, beleeuing that on that day all hearts would wholy giue them­selues ouer to mirth.

[Page 80] Hee came into the Queenes Cabinet: And heerein I did obserue what power the presence of this Princesse had, to sweeten the discontents, and to scatter the cloudes of this Prince his minde: for as though he had no more felt the sorrow, whereof hee euen now complained, he did fashion his countenance, speech and gesture, to what­soeuer might make shew of a supreame content of minde. Hee plaid the part of a father with his children, the Dukes of Or­leance and Anjou. But in the middest of all this it was discerned, that his desire was to go abroad and yet could not. Hee said to the Queene: I know not what I ayle, I am not able to go from hence: shee coniur'd him to stay still. He commanded Frontenac to go to the Pallace to giue or­der for the royall feast, and told him that hee himselfe would be there by sixe of the clock the next morning, to see how all things were prepared.

Within a while after hee sent de Vitry [Page 81] likewise, willing him to haue a speciall care that hee might there receiue as great content, as hee had done at S. Denis, and that he should finde Frontenac and Forcy there. Vitry replied, Sir, you shall see other matters there, but seeing your Maiesty doth command mee to goe thither, it may please you to remember, that I cannot bee in two places at once: For when I see you hunting, or walking smally accompanied, my minde is then at quiet, and I am not afraid of your person, as I now am in this great Citty, which is full of incredi­ble numbers of vnknowne strangers. Get you hence, quoth the King, you are a Prater, and would faine tarry heere to chat with these wo­men. Do that I bid you; fifty and odde yeares are past, since I haue kept my selfe without a Captaine of my Garde, I can yet well enough keepe my selfe alone. To this Vitry replyed, You need not Sir to be alone: for all your garde stand ready, expecting when your Maiesty will come abroad.

All the grace, excellencie, and charmes [Page 82] of eloquency could not perswade him in peace to care for that which he had neg­lected in warre. His courage hauing so of­ten engaged him in danger among his e­nemies, would not suffer him to distrust among his subiects. That braue Alexander thought it dishonor not to hazard him­self at the passage of the riuer Granick, ha­uing crossed the arme of the sea of Heles­pont. This generous Palme hath brought forth fruite at all seasons of his life, and his History doth furnish so many exam­ples thereof, as wonder stealeth away be­leefe. As the starres do goe contrary to the course of the world, euen so doe his acti­ons against base and vulgar opinions, and doe throwe dust in their eyes, which thinke to follow the high pitch of his valour.

From the first day that hee went to the war, he forgat the greatnesse of his birth, the necessity of his affaires, the fruite of his hopes, to sacrifice his owne particular [Page 83] safety to that of the generall. Neuer did Captaine of a troope of Carabines beare himselfe more brauely, freely, and with more courage in dangers. Dangers in cit­ties, dangers in the field, dangers at the passage of riuers, dangers at incounters, skirmishes, battailes, and retreate.

Death was euery where presented before his eyes, euery where did hee braue and contemne it. Of a thousand examples which may be found in his history, I will mention two or three to cleere this truth, and to make it apparent that neuer Prince hath incurd more danger to de­serue the name of valiant, nor neuer vsed greater discretion to purchase that of Fortunate.

He attempts to take Eaux with seauen or eight men: a seditious fellow, sets his harquebuze at his brest, saying, That hee could hitte the white; because this Prince aboue all those of his troope did weare a white doublet.

[Page 84] The Citty beeing assured; his seruants in the heate, caused him to bee hanged forth at a window, the rope brake, hee vnder­stood that one of his followers had giuen him a stab with a Poinard in the brest, hee turned him away, and would no more see him, saying, That hee who had escaped the Rope, ought to incurre no farther danger.

At the taking of Cahors, as hee passed ouer the bridge, the shot of an harquebuze from the citty, slue him that was next him. The fight lasted more then thirty houres, and without his example, in contempt of dangers, the most resolued courages would haue growne cold. His presence did heate them, as they say liquid Bitumen doth enflame the ayre which is round about it.

He commeth forth of Nerac with nine or ten horsse, to view the army of the Marshall Matignon, who in a brauery was comming thither. Hee was discouered by those, whom he went to discouer, and on a [Page 85] sodaine was saluted with a furious charge. He retires without disorder, and without enforcing his horse more then his ordina­ry pace. They reckoned fiue hundred poles or stakes which supporred the Vines to be broken & crackt a sunder with shot, by whose couert he returned to the citty.

If any man say that at the same time hee was but King of a part of Nauarre, and chiefe of a party, for whose fortune hee was enforced to hazard his owne, his hurt at Aumale doth testifie, that being King of France he did not spare his flesh. The last of his military actions is sufficient to iudge of all the former.

His army being in the Tarentaise made shew to assaile a bridge, to discouer the enemies order, and to engage them in the fight. He commanded the Count of Soys­sons to goe thither, and perceiuing the souldiers to grow warme, that the heate of the fight did draw them farther on then hee would haue had them, that they were [Page 86] angry because they might not be suffered to end the matter, he him selfe would goe thither, contrary to the aduice of his cheefe seruants, who said, that by thrusting him-selfe so freely into danger, he was not on­ly carelesse of his owne life, but of al those like­wise whose safety depended vpon him; that the cheefe duty of a Generall of an army was to preserue him who was to preserue all the rest. The Prince trespaseth against the pub­like safety, which contemneth his owne parti­cular. The noblest and valiantest Grecians were those who were best armed, supposing that they who came to the warres badly armed, had no desire to fight. Their lawes puni­shed him who did forsake his target, and not his sword. The reason was that a man ought cheefely to prouide for his owne defence be­fore hee attempt to offend his enemy, especially those who haue the gouernment and command, of a state or army.

But he would shew, that age doth not wea­ken courage, that the dignity of a Crowne [Page 87] doth not dispence a Prince from dangers, that the Laurel doth not defend him from the lightnings of warre, and that he desi­red to haue no part in the glory of incoun­ters, vnlesse he had a share in the danger. He mounted a horse which the Marshall Desdiguieres gaue him, hee went bee-yond the formost to hold them backe and to bring them off from the danger whither the excesse of valour did carry them,

When the enemies saw him with his truncheon in his hand, a white beard on a face fired by the heate of his courage, & the contempt of dangers, they protested that nothing could bee done with more glory, grauity, iudgement, nor boldnesse. In this action hee performed three char­ges; that of a King, shewing the autho­rity and fortunatenesse of his presence: that of a Captaine, ordring all matters speedily, iudiciously, without disor­der and without daunger: and that of a soldiour by being in those places where [Page 88] the shotte of muskets and hargubuzes, were liberally bestowed.

Let them that please, terme these ex­ploits by the name of happy rashnesse; blame hee that list that generall who be­ing aduertized of the threatnings of his death, answered, that Sparta did not depend vpon one man alone: let who will magni­fie the opinion of those which say, that a good and discreet Captaine ought to die of olde-age, or at least wise old: Praise life they that please, as the most pretious guift of Heauen, which all the gold that the Sunne hath made, and shall make, can ne­uer bee able to buy: this Prince thought that there was nothing so great nor so generous, as the contempt of life, and that the Caesars and Alexanders would haue ne­uer bin crowned with so many Lawrells if they had basely retired from dangers.

As hee did not respect present perills, so he did mocke those which were far of, Elizabeth Queene of England aduertized [Page 89] him that a strange Gentleman who was one of his followers had no good mea­ning towards his person, reason would that hee should haue beene apprehended, or at least dismissed. He neuer shewed him bad countenance for it, hee continued for a time wel entertained in his court, moun­ted out of his owne stable, honored with his commandements, til his owne consci­ence enforced him to get him thence, and no longer to abuse that royall bounty.

This noble disposition could not be­leeue that to bee in an other man, which was not in it selfe, and he did neuer disqui­et his owne rest with suspitions and distrusts. Some foure yeares since, slaun­der did inuent against a worthy Gen­tleman of Brettaigne, an odious and cru­ell accusation of treason and disloyalty, and did colour it with such strong circum­stances, as were sufficient to alter the pulse and complexion of innocency it selfe. He was aduertised thereof, and for to shew [Page 90] that he could not distrust those whose ser­uices had deserued his trust, hee called for the Gentleman, he discouered this accusa­tion vnto him, and hauing assured him that no impression thereof remayned in him, he willed him to confere therof with one of his principall ministers, who being amazed at this freenesse and bounty in af­faires of so great importance, wherein a man could not erre twise, where rigor was commendable, distrust reasonable, secrecy necessary, and simple suspitions taken for accusations; after hee had told him that which was past, with all circumstances and presumptions, hee confessed that the kings generous disposition had no Para­lell but that of great Alexander, who did re­ceiue with one hand the drinke which his Phisitian Philip brought him, & with the other shewed him the letter by which hee was aduertised that Darius had promised him great rewards to poison him. He was aduertised at the same time that ther were [Page 91] deseignes against his person, and hee sup­posed that in such assemblies the executi­on therof might be more boldly done: but if during the fury of the wars hee had dis­pised such admonishments, how could he apprehend them in time of peace? It was told him in the month of Octob. that one was come forth of a certaine country with such a curssed and damnable intent, but when hee was informed of the fashion of the man, and how that he had a marke on the face, a beard of such a collour, and his clothing after the Walloone cut, he said, that the aduertisment was not good, and that such a man was very easie to be known.

His trusty seruants neuerthelesse did not giue ouer their discouery of him: he was aduertised besides of another who came conducted by the same spirit, but by another way, and was to come to Paris in in Nouember, but he was not discouered.

Hee did wholy resigne himselfe to the will of God, beleeuing that what-so-uer hee had appoynted was in euitable [Page 92] that a man ought cheerefully to follow his destiny without fearing. He said vnto those who did beseech him to haue more care of his owne preseruation. He that shall feare death shall enterprize nothing against me. He that shall dispise his own life shall make attempts on mine, and I shall not be able to hin­der them: It is your parts to looke to it. A life that is continually in this feare is worse then death. When I go to bed I recommend my selfe to GOD, and when I rise I beseech him to pre­serue me: the rest is in his power. He wil defend me from fooles, and as for wise-men I feare them not. Besides I liue in such fashion as I may not enter into these distrusts; It is for Tyrants to be euer in feare & dread; valiant shepheards sleepe in safety; cowards are euer feareful. That religious Numa would not distrust those who trusted to him. Magnanimous as Cesar, grea­ter in Clemency then Caesar, is destroyed like to Caesar, for that he did more regard his greate and innocent bounty then an other mans extreame fury & wickednes.

[Page 93] The manner of his life, the condition of the times, the state of his affaires, the reli­gious obseruation of treaties of Peace, and Edicts, would not suffer him to tor­ment his minde with the apprehension of these attempts. The vlcers of the minde were healed, the wildest hearts were ta­med, pretences amazed, discontents repai­red, and enemies so changed, as they de­tested such conspiracies against a Prince, whose life was so fruitfull and necessary for all Christendom.

A desperate fellow borne at Negre-pelisse went into Spaine to prostitute him selfe to this damnable desseigne, he disco­uered himselfe to one of the King of Spaines Esquires, named by the place of his birth Valdemoro. De Barraut, Ambassa­dor there for the King, had some inckling thereof, and complained to the Popes Nuncio, to the end hee should consider the impiety of those who giue eare to such monsters: The Duke of Lerma assured [Page 94] him that diuerse of that humor had offe­red themselues, and were still repulsed, protesting that those impious and execra­ble thoughts, vnworthy of the minde of a King, were not in that of his maister, and that he was amazed to see a nation, which was so much praised for their fidelity and affection to their Kings, so much to dege­nerate, and to produce such vnnaturall monsters. He commanded Valdemoro to relate the whole course of that bargaine to the Ambassador. Valdemoro came to him and told him; how that this wretch came vnto him, boasting that hee knew the meanes how to kill the King. It is not needfull to lay open that meanes, vnlesse we should doe like those, who reproouing superstition and inchantments, doe learne the rules and charmes thereof. Hee con­fest that hee had listned to that propositi­on, but his conscience representing vnto him the heinousnesse of such an attempt, hee had imparted the matter to a Iesuit, [Page 95] who did very much diuert him from such a cursed practise, and had exhorted him to aduertise the Ambassador thereof, to the end they might haue a care of the safety of the Kings person.

De Barraut aduertised his Maiesty here­of. Hee often spake of it, hee praised the wisedom of his Ambassador, the integrity of the Duke of Lerma, and the duty which the Iesuit had done to truth and to his owne conscience. The praise had been more perfect, and the merit more plaine and euident for the Spaniards, if they had punished this traytor. Hee ought not to haue come forth of Spaine vnchastised. All Kings are brothers, and all kingdoms interessed in these attempts. This act of Iustice was reserued for De Verdun first President of Languedoc, to annex it to the other great examples which he hath shewed in that Prouince.

This wretch comming to Tholouse, was vpon the Ambassadors aduertisment [Page 69] apprehended. From prison he was sent to execution, and his fellow to the gallies.

Now to continue the discourse of this generous contempt of death, it is certaine, that this great confidence which this Prince chiefly had in the protection of God, then in his owne conscience, which did not enforce him to feare his enemies, nor to distrust his owne subiects, did much hasten the storme which will now pre­sently fall vpon him. If he had erected in France as many Trophies and Monu­ments of the seuerity of his iustice, as wonders of his clemency, attempts would not haue beene so freely framed in weake spirits. The Lybian Lions do not come neere those citties on whose walles their spoiles are hung, Woolues flie from the sound of those drummes that are made of their skinnes.

It is not long since, that it pleased him to make a large discourse vnto mee of the dangers, which by the singuler prouidence [Page 97] of God hee had escaped, saying, That his pleasure was to haue them remembred in his History, euen as his heart did retaine the ac­knowledgment of them, and vpon his relati­on of his discontent, for that his Court of Parliament at Tours had condemned a man to dye, who for to escape from his enemies had promised to kill him, his heart neuer consenting to his mouth; I told him, that those who were to administer Iustice, could not vse too much seuerity for the preseruation of his person, that so many heads depended on his head, so many liues on his life, that not onely consents, but thoughts, not onely thoughts, but dreames to attempt against a Princes life, were punishable, and had euer beene punished.

Hee continued his discourse, how that if he had sent that mad fellow to his court of Parliament, who incountred him on the new bridge, and who saying, That hee was descended from the first King of France, demanded to haue the Crowne restored vnto [Page 98] him, he did not doubt but that they would haue put him to death for which hee should haue been very sorry, because they should haue punished a poore Ideot, who to the first questiō that the President Ianin asked him concerning his birth and qual­lities, replied, that he could extract himselfe from Pharamond. He was knowne (quoth the King) to be so farre beside himselfe, and so troubled with melancholy, as I being one day at the Bastill, and he espying me a farre off, cri­ed out aloud, deliuer me my kingdome. I told him madnesse did not excuse attempts of that nature, how Caboche, for drawing his sword vpon King Henry the second like a mad man without effect and vio­lence was condemned to dye. That ano­ther mad-man had vndergon the like pu­nishment who assayled Ferdinand King of Arragon the yeare. 1492. and gaue him a wound with a sword from the eare downe to the neck, who beeing impriso­ned and tormented with all kind of tor­tures, [Page 99] confessed nothing but that the di­uell had willed him so to doe, promising to giue him Ferdinands Crowne. This folly did not excuse him. They did cut off his feete and his hands, they pluckt out his eyes foorth of his head, hee was torne in peeces with burning tongues, his body was consumed with a lingring fire, and hee gaue vp the ghost droppe by drop. And albeit the saying is that mad men are sufficiently tormented by their owne madnesse, and that it is not lawfull to augment the affliction of the afflicted, yet neuer-the-lesse, there is nothing which doth sooner make those who are out of their wits to become temperate then the punishment which is inflicted vppon them.

The King did interrupt my speech with this word, truely royall, and truely his owne, Mercy pardoneth those who haue not deserued it, and the iuster that wrath is, the more commendable is mercy.

[Page 100] This good Prince did still endeuour to sweeten the sharpnesse and rigour of the commandements of his lawes: and as Nu­ma would haue sooner appeased Iupiter with heads of Garlick then of men, so hee had rather like Alexander, execute the ri­gor of his vow on the Asse, then on his keeper.

This free and generous minde disday­ning all these feares and cautions, and contemning all coniurements to haue re­spect to his owne safety, would not for feare of the future, abate any thing of the time present, and beeing satisfied with the mishap which euery day produceth with­out adding by preuention that of to mor­row, said to the Queene, That hee was resol­ued to goe into the Citty, and going forward to the staires before the Queenes cham­ber, hee asked, if his Caroche were beneath. The villaine which had vndertaken this execrable deed heard these words, and grumbled betwixt his teeth, Thou art [Page 101] mine, thou art vndone.

Before he departed, he bad the Queene farewell three seuerall times and kissed her, as if his heart had testified his greefe to bee separated and diuided from hers, the Marshal of la Chastres wife perceiuing these imbracements told him, that hee be­ganne euery day to loue the Queene better and better, that his good seruants did receiue great content thereby, and did dayly hope for more, but shee hoped hee did not flatter her. At his going forth he met with the Dutch esse of Mercure who was the last Princesse that e­uer he spake to.

In comming down the lesser stayres he commanded the Marshal Bois Dauphin to make him-selfe readie to goe along and beeing come downe into the Court hee spake to the Duke of Anjou and shewed him Bassompier, asking him, if hee knew him. Hee tooke his Caroch about three quarters of an houre past three, hee satte in the cheefe place thereof, and hauing [Page 102] asked the Duke Espernon if he had any bu­sinesse in the towne, he placed him on his right hand. In the boote of the same side, was the Marshall Lauardin, and de Roque­laure. The Duke of Mombason and the Marquis de la Force sate in the fore-part of the Caroche with Liancour his chiefe Quiery, and the Marquis of Mirebeau.

The Coach-man intreated the Quirie whose turne was then to waite, to aske the King whether hee went, and hee an­swered, Carry mee from this house. Beeing vnder the Arche of the first gate, hee cau­sed his Caroche to bee opened on euery side; when hee came as farre as the Hos­tell of Longueuill, hee sent backe all those which followed. They asked him once againe whether the Caroche should goe, hee said, to the Tirouer Crosse and when he was there hee said. Let vs goe to S. Inno­cents Church-yard. Hee went to the Ar­cenall to acquaint the Duke of Suylli with the great content hee receaued by [Page 103] D'Escures iourney, and how that those doubts which hee had made to him were cleered.

And now doth mine ignorance and humility cause mee to shutte mine eyes against those radiant beames of that soue­raigne power which disposeth of second causes as he pleaseth. My thoughts doe loose themselues in the gulphes of this in­euitable power called Destiny, which this Prince accounted for an ordinance of God, drawne to a necessity, and whereof he made admirable obseruations. About three yeares since, a gentleman, one of his hunts-men, hauing waited out his quar­ter, craued leaue of him to go home, intē ­ding to depart the same day. His Maiesty hauing giuen him leaue, hee vnderstan­ding that the King would hunt, staied his iourney, and said, that he had a great de­sire to see the Stag. He came, and saw it sonie, as being strickē into the belly with on of the braūcklers, he fell down dead in the [Page 104] place. You may see (quoth the King, retur­ning from hunting) what destinies is, hee craued leaue of mee to depart, and I granted it, and hauing no businesse to stay him he would needes seeke his owne death by hunting. His houre was come, hee was not able to bold it backe a minute, there-vpon he made a large discourse of such like obseruations.

But when I consider how he did labour to haue all things meete together with this accursed moment, how that he goeth abroade with some vn-willingnesse of minde, which is euer the secret Oracle of good or euill aduentures; how that the Queene, to diuert him from going into the Citty, did the same as Calphurnia did to keepe Caesar from going to the Se­nate house; how that hee made hast to gette him forth of the Lovuere; how that he would not suffer his Garde to follow him; how hee sent away the Cap­taine thereof to the Pallace; how the Lieutenant is very sicke, the Enseigne [Page 105] gone to visit the first President de Harlay; how that hee causeth his Caroche to bee opened on euery side, putteth of his cloke the better to lay open his side, how the footmen take an other way and leaue the Caroch; how the street is stopped vp with a Cart, I am enforced to say, that destiny coupleth together all things, to the same end, to make them fall out euen as it plea­seth, that all things seeme to fauour this damnable enterprize, that misfortune blindeth those whom she will ouer-throw, and vseth Pittacus his stratagem, who fighting a combate with Phrinon, did so cunningly intangle him in the snares which he had hidden in his buckler, as be­ing fast he easily slew him.

The force of man was weake and fear­full to attempt on the person of this Prince: Hell spewed foorth the author from hir bottomlesse pitte. This wretch had lead a bad life, and among those who knew him, was accounted a cast-away, [Page 106] and a desperate fellow. He had a long time followed a sute in law about a succes­sion, and hauing lost it, misery enforced his father and mother to begge, necessary pouerty made his resolution voluntary: He threw himselfe into the monastery of the Fueillants, and was throwne out again by reason of the weaknesse of his braine. Those who lodged him told me since that he was wholy subuerted, and that the word Huguenot would turne his folly in­to madnesse. His mind was still amazed, wauering and superstitious, susceptible of all impressions, and euer resenting the deprauation of his humors. He that wal­keth madde a mile neuer cometh home wise. The more his folly was aparent the more he thought it was hidden, and the duller he was the more he presumed of wisdome, and not accounting himselfe to be sick, he did not care for health, Af­terwards he returned home into his owne contry where he continued a whole yeare [Page 107] in prisō for a murther. He became a knaue in the Pallace, a foole in the cloyster, and desperate in prison, in which place he had vizions and fancies, whereon, and vpon the false reports which he went vp and downe gathering against the Kings iustest and sincerest actions, or vpon those false impressions which were giuen him, and which he greedily receiued, he framed this execrable and damnable resolution to kill him. His courage would not suffer him to execute it so sodainly as he had resolued it: he did three whole yeares nourish the vipers of his thoughts in his bosome; he was affraid of it, & con­fessed, that at the very first motion his hair stood vpright, that sweat dropped downe from his fore-head, and a shaking ouer all his members. In this fury he made some iourneies from Angoulesme to Paris, the last was in the Easter-hollidayes, inten­ding to execute his purpose, but he would first haue the Qu. to be crowned, because [Page 108] (as he said) hee would not haue her to bee depriued of so iust and well-deserued an honor. If hee had stayed but one day lon­ger, want would haue enforced him to haue gone home againe; for hee had but three quartescus left of all his money.

Resoluing then not to let this cursed day slip without executing his cruell de­signe; he did drinke more freely then hee was wont, and continued a long time at the Louure, sitting on the stones at the gate, where the Laqueis attend for their Maisters. Hee thought to haue giuen the blowe betwixt the two gates: the place where hee stood gaue him some aduan­tage, but hee found the Duke Espernon to sitte in that place where hee thought the King would haue beene, and cutting a shorter way, hee tarried for him at one of the little shops which are towards the In­nocents Church-yard, in the street called La Ferronnerie. In that street are many small houses and shopps which ioyne to [Page 109] the wall of the Innocents Church-yarde. King Henry the second beeing at Com­peigne the yeare 1554. the 14. of May, a fatall marke of the first yeare, and last day of this great Princes life, considering that this street was a crosse way in the City of Paris, and the Kings ordinary passage from the castle of Louuer to their house of Tournelles, and that the shoppes made it more narrow and vneasie, hee comman­ded that they should bee taken downe. The Edict was allowed in Parliament, and the execution neglected to our woe. This wretch sweating and in a heat, glides along by these shoppes.

At the entry into the street, the King saw Montigni in his Caroche, and accor­ding to his vsuall affability, culled vnto him, Seruant Montigni, Seruant Montigni. The Caroche entring into this street met with two carts on the right hand, the one loaden with wine, the other with hay: and that was the cause, that it tooke towards [Page 110] the left hand, staying still and stopping euery moment. The foot-men were gone ouer Saint Innocents Church-yard; the Gentlemen could not come neere the Ca­roche, diuers men passed along betwixt the Caroche and the shoppes; this Tiger came the same way, his cloke hanging on the left shoulder, the knife in his hand, and his hat vppon it to hide it. The Kings sit­ting embouldened him. If his face had not beene from him, I thinke that the re­uerence and maiesty which Gods finger hath imprinted on the face of Kinges would haue kept him back. His right arme was about Duke Espernons necke, vnto whom he had giuen a paper to read, his left arme leaned on the Duke Mom­basons shoulder, who turned away his head because hee would not seeme too cu­riously to hearken to that which the King spake softly: For hee gaue himselfe for­ward to speake to the Duke of Espernon, and the Marshall Lauardin these words. [Page 111] At my returne from the Arcenall, I will shew you D'Escures his deseigne for the passage of mine Armie, you will be pleased therewith, and it hath much contented me.

At these words, this fury perceiuing that the King lay open with all his side, and that one of the foote-men, who alone might haue hindred him, tarried behind to tie his garter, gaue him two stabs with a knife ouer the wheele, & thought to haue giuen him more, but the Duke of Mom­bason receiued the third on his doublet sleeue. The first stabbe was betwixt the second and third ribbe, a fingers bredth gliding vnder the muskle pectorall, not hurting the Thorax. The second a little lower in the middest of the side betwixt the fifth and sixth ribbe the bredth of two fingers and past beyond one of the lippets of the lunges, euen to the very arterie, the which hee did cut a sunder beneath the left auricle of the hart. The King fee­ling the first hurt, did lift vp his arme, [Page 112] and gaue more ouerture to the second. It was perceiued afterwards that the out­ward part of his doublet sleeue toward the hand, was stricken through in two places, and his shirt in three by reason it was foul­ded and this confirmeth the murtherers speech, who said to diuers, that hee had gi­uen three stabbes, but one alone did the deed.

At rhe first the King said, I am hurt, but the second followed so sodainely as hee could hardly make an end of this word, It is nothing. For the blood ranne forth of his mouth like streames. Duke Espernon presently ariseth to lift him vppe, and be­sought him to thinke vppon God. Hee clasped his hands together and lifted vp his eyes towards Heauen. His soule ba­thed in the blood of the innocent lambe who was slaine from the beginning of the world doth gently leaue this body, ree­king with bloud of wounds innocently receiued.

The Caroche stood still: the way was [Page 113] stopt, the street full of people, all things in amazement, and the Coach-man so af­frighted, as hee could neither go forward nor backward. Saint Michell, one of his ordinary Gentlemen, drew his sword vp­on this wretch, to haue slaine him, the Duke Espernon cried out, that hee should not touch him, that it was as much as his life was worth, and that the King had no harme. Hee drew the knife forth of his hand. The Count of Curson strake him on the throat with the pommell of his sword. La Pierre, one of the exempt Captains of the guards, seazed on him, and deliuered him into the hands of the footmen, who committed him to Montigni. De Liancour came forth­with out of the Caroche, and went to the towne-house to take order for that which belonged to his charge. Others went to looke to the safety of my Lord the Dau­phin. The Baron of Courtomer by a letter written by his owne hand, hath assured mee, that at the same instant, and in the [Page 114] same streete, the Marquis of la Force re­quested him to goe to the Arcenall to ad­uertize the Duke of Suilly of that acci­dent, that going thitherwards he met with eight or ten men on foote, and two on horse-back, who saying to them-selues with blasphemies; Hee must dye, went for­ward toward this Tyger to assaile him: that he went before them with his drawne sword, and crossing their weapons, told them that the King was well, and had commanded that no man should hurt him. The first President beeing aduertised hereof, sent his sonne the Count of Beau­mont vnto him, to demand whether hee could tell what maner of men they were, hee answered that they were lost in the throng, and that in such a matter hee ought not to propound any incertainty.

This lamentable and perfidious stab was giuen so sodainly as no man perceiued it, the confusion was so great, that if this monster had thrown away his knife from [Page 115] him, he would not haue beene knowne in that amazement, for it was common: nor by the palenesse of his countenance, for he confessed, that he entred the Kings bo­dy as easily as into a bottle of hay. At that instant the diuell tooke from him all sorts of apprehensions, of respect, and iudge­ment.

After that the Caroche was turned back, the King was carried to the Louure. At the entring into the Court, they called for wine and Chyrurgians, but there was no need either of the one or other. The report of the hurt was already brought thither, but his death was not knowne till the comming of the Caroch, out of which they drew the dead King. He was carried and layd vppon the bed of the little Ca­binet by the Duke of Mombason, de Vitry, the Marquis of Nermonstier, Sul­ly one of the Squires, and certaine others whose names I could not learne.

Petit his chiefe Phisition told me, that he [Page 116] gaue not vp the ghost till he was laid vp­on the bed, and that hee hauing said vnto him, Sir, remember God, say in your heart, Ie­sus thou sonne of Dauid haue pitty vpon mee, he opened his eyes thrice: Another Gen­tleman told me the same thing. But it is to be doubted whether the nature of the hurt did affoord him so much life, without be­ing strangled with the bloud. De Vic, Councellor of State, going vp with the Chancellor and the other Lords of the councell, was there present, and tarried there all the night, shewing by that last duty, with what affection hee had carried all the former. The Archbishop of Am­brun came thither, said the prayers and suffrages of the Church for his soules health.

It is reported that a Duke of Bourgondy had like to haue died for feare at the sight of the nine Worthies which a Magician shewed him. Greefe had like to haue cho­ked in the place, those who in the turning [Page 117] of an hand did see this King of worthies lye dead.

Albeit that I saw his shirt bloudy, his stomach swelled with the aboundance of bloud, his fore-head beginning to waxe yellow, his eyes shut, his mouth open, the crosse of his order lying vpon it, it seemed vnto me that it was an illusion, mine ima­gination contradicting mine eyes, beeing not able to figure vnto me that I saw him dead, who an houre before spake of no­thing but to fight, vanquish, and triumph.

I said as other men did, is this that victo­rious Prince vnto whom the whole world hath giuen the title of Great and Inuincible: who by remoouing himselfe gaue motion to the whole world, whose deseignes ele­uated & discontents abated mēs courages, whose menaces affrighted his enemies, & lawes assured his subiects? This Prince who susteined Christendom in hir weak­nesses, did comfort it in her afflictions, as­sured it in her feares, who by the force of [Page 118] his wit, by the light of his iudgement, by the happines of his memory, by the proof of his experience, and by these three eyes of prudence, knowledge, foresight, & remem­brance, knew how to doe, and did so well performe the hardest profession of all o­thers, which is that of commanding men.

This Prince, so constant in affaires, so watchfull for occasions, so foreseeing in doubtfull matters, so moderate in prospe­rous, so discreet in difficult, who was ne­uer daunted in fight, was not troubled in dangers, & did not giue place to fortune, who knew what ought to bee feared and contemned, what was to bee desired and sought after. This Prince who did reason to al mē, who would know it in all things, so ready to diuert euill and aduance good, enuironed with al kinds of contentments, with glory and felicity aspiring to great maters, for the increase of Gods glory, the reputation of France, determining to re­forme that which was yet in disorder, to [Page 119] mend those great peeces of workes which are equal to the proudest buildings, which haue carried the name of wonders, and euident workes; and resoluing to cause learning and knowledge to reflorish in the vniuersity of Paris, and Piety euery where, the Great Henry vnto whome the destinies, merits, and vertues, did promise the Monarchy of the whole world, dieth vpon the point of executing his promises. All the Princes, the Cardinalls, the Prelats and the Lords of the Court came to see him vpon the bed of his Cabinet; one kis­sed his fore-head, another his hand, diuers fell downe at his feete, all melted into teares. The Constable came thither like­wise, and did much augment the sorrow of that spectacle, for complaining vnto God that hee had suffered him to liue so long and had taken away a Prince so necessary for Christendom, his speech & legs failed him. Their harts were cleft a sunder with complaints, their eies melted into teares, [Page 120] perceiuing those eyes to bee for euer ex­tinct, which were the delights of all the Court, whose beames were so ardently and carefully desired and pursued as di­uerse thought they had lost that day wherein they had not deserued some glance thereof.

Portrature in times past could not re­present the sorrow of a father for the sacrifize of his daughter, eloquence could not expresse the Queenes greefe for the death of the King her House­band. If that bee not the subiect of most iust teares nature hath none, sorrow fin­deth none, reason ordayneth none.

But after that eyes had paid such iust tribute to greefe, and that this Princesse had spent nine nights without sleeping, to giue satisfaction to her teares, and to keepe this mischiefe from spreding forth any further, shee shewed that God had reserued her to clame the violence of our miseries.

[Page 121] By this will wee beginne the History of hir Regency, and of the King her Sonnes raigne, where wee shall see how their Maiesties entertaind these disastrous newes, and with what greatnesse of cou­rage, affection and fidelity, they were ser­ued by the Princes and officers of the Crowne, Lords of the Councell, Gouer­nors of Prouinces, and by the Citty of Paris, and by all the rest, where matters haue passed on in such sort, as France hath had matter to bee amazed in her a­mazement.

These discourses are like peeces forth of frame, if they bee represented out of time. All this merits a new volume: The History of Henry the fourth passeth no farther then his last gaspe, and where that endeth, there beginneth that of Lewis the thirteenth, the most happy sonne of a fa­ther, who was the ornament of ages past, and the admiration of succeeding times.

But it is against reason to put off till [Page 122] an other time the duties which were ren­dred to the greatnesse of his memory, to the honour of his buriall, to the reuenge of his death.

His History began at his Cradle, it must end at his hearse. Vpon Friday at midnight the Kings body being disrobed of a blacke sattin sute raced, without lace, was reuested with a white sattin doublet, and laid vpon the bed of his chamber, where he was seene, considered, wept for, and lamented by all the Citty of Paris. The heate of the season, and the bloud which was gathered together in his belly would not permit any longer to defer his opening. It was done on Satterday about foure of clocke, in the presence of foure­teene of the kings Phisitians, of whom the cheefe were, Petit, Milon, de Dorme, Hero­uan, foure Phisitians of Paris, eleuen of the Kings Chirurgians Martel, Pigray, Guille­meau, Regnaude, &c. They found, him so healthfull, and all his partes so sound, as [Page 123] had not this stab beene hee might haue atayned to a long and happy old age. They were likewise of opinion, that if he had beene trrasparent to the view of this parricide, he could not haue hurt him in a more deadly place. His bowells were sent to Saint Denis, by one of the gard, with sixe soldiers, and buried without any ce­remony.

The Kings hart was shut vp in an hart of siluer. La Varenne, gouernor of Angiers, and Post-master of France, came to the Queene to put her in minde, that the Kings intention was, to haue it lye at la Flesche, where it was first formed; and to commit the keeping thereof to the Col­ledge of Iesuists. At this word, of the kings hart, the Queene receiued a new wound in her own, it being impossible that a wife should without greefe endure to haue her husbands hart demanded of her: She an­swered that seeing God had done his will, her desire was to haue the Kings performed, [Page 124] shee commanded that the same hart should bee consigned into the hands of the father Iesuits, to carry it to la Flesche, and gaue charge of the conduct thereof to the Duke of Mombason. The Prince of Conty deliuered it Father Iaquinot, Rector of the professed house of Saint Lewis: Father Cotton gaue thankes in the name of the whole company. De Vitry caused foure and twenty Archers to march neere to the Caroche, and twelue torches, euen to their Church wherein this precious pawne remained certaine dayes. From thence it was carried well ac­companied, and receiued with great pompe and magnificence into the towne of la Flesche, by La Varenne, his sonne the Baron of Saint Susanne, all the orders of the Citty, and after sundry honours, dis­courses and funerall Poems, it was set down in the church of the Iesuits colledge

The Kings body being enbalmed was laid in a coffin of lead, couered [Page 125] with a biere of wood, vpon which was spred a great cloath of golde, and the Herse ouer that; two Altars vpon each side, where eighteene daies together mas­ses were said in the morning, and the suf­frages at all houres, day and night, with­out intermission.

Prayers were made for him in all the Churches of France. Those whose do­ctrine suppose it to be vnprofitable for the dead, were not insensible of the publicke griefe of this accident, for, iudging it to be an effect of Gods anger vpon France, did ordaine thorow all the Prouinces where they haue Churches, a Generall fast, whose lawes dispense with no man, and it is performed with such discipline, as the bodies endure hunger all the day, and the soules are fed, either in speaking to God, or hearing his word.

From the Chamber it was carried to the Presence, where was yeelded to his effigie, at dinner and supper times, the seruices [Page 126] due to the originall when it was liuing. Herevpon the Queene was councelled to enterre King Henry the third, King of France and Poland, and to yeeld vnto him those duties which the liuing owe to the dead, and which for sundry great re­spects had not beene performed in their due time. The Duke of Espernon, Belle­gard maister of the horse, were comman­ded to go to Compeigne, to cause the cof­fin to bee brought to S. Denis. The dis­course of his funerall shall be seene in the end of his history. Wee must not make a story heere, but onely to consider, how that France in eight dayes space, hath seene two Kings interred, vniustly and perfidiously slaine by two stabbes of a knife.

Eight dayes after, the funerall pompe was solemnized. The enterments of the French Kings, since Charles the eight, haue euer held one selfe same order, hee that seeth the picture of the one, beholdeth [Page 127] that of all the rest, there is nothing to bee added therevnto, but the noting of times and places, and mens names. If in it there hath beene any alteration at all, it is onely in more or lesse sumptuousnesse. But as this great Prince did in so many sorts sur­passe his predecessors, the Queene like­wise would haue his obsequies in expence and magnificence, to out-goe all that had beene before.

The effigie hauing remained tenne or twelue dayes in the presence, for the ma­ner is not to let it stay there any longer, was taken thence, the body laide vppon Tressels, and the Chamber hung with black. The King clothed with a royall mantle of purple, came thither with my Lords his bretheren, the Princes of his bloud, and the Lords of the Court, and be­sprinckled it with holy-water. The Soue­raigne companies performed the same ce­remony on other dayes.

The Chancelor with the aduice of the [Page 128] Councell decreed that in the proclamati­on he should be surnamed, Henry the great, Incomparable in Magnanimity and Clemency. Titles which he had deserued, as well for the quallity of his person, as for the fa­uours of his fortunes, and the merits of his vertues.

That great extent of persons and ho­nors, which reached from the gate of Pa­ris to that of Saint Denis, may as well be comprehended by imagination as dis­course, if we will figure to our selues great numbers of burning torches, fiue hun­dred poore persons, diuers lame soldiers clad in black, and if we adde thervnto all the Clergie of Paris, for all Congregations regular and secular went along the Char­treux & the Celestins exepted. The Iesuits presented themselues to go with it. All the Soueraigne companies, the ordinary Iust­ice of Paris, all the faculties of the vniuer­sity. The houshould, the Milicia, and the Kings Stable. All this was the conuoy.

[Page 129] That which followeth, was ordained for the pompe. The Chariot of armes drawne with sixe horse, wherein lay the Kings body. His effigie enuironed with the Court of Parliament in scarlet gowns, the Canopy carried ouer it by the Prouost of Marchants and Sheriffes of the citty of Paris. The hand of Iustice, the Scepter, and Crowne. The Kings Armor was car­ried, the Sword sheathed, the Helme cre­sted with the Mantelet, the coate Armor, Shield, Gantlet, Spurres, the Pennons, Banners and Ensignes of all the compa­nies cresped with black. The horse of ho­nor, twelue horses mounted by twelue Pages. The Bishops, Archbishops, Am­bassadors and Cardinalls.

After followed the mourning, wherein were my Lord the Prince of Conty, my Lord the Count of Soyssons, the Lords of Guise, Ioinuille, Elbaeuf, the Dukes of E­spernon, and Mombason, the Knights of the order, and diuerse Lords. At other [Page 130] times the Kings Children did mourne. The body of Clotaire was conducted by his foure Children from Compeigne to Soisons, Lewis the grosse, yeelded that duty to Phillip the first, his brother. Lewis the 8. to Phillip Augustus, Phillip the 3. to Lewis 9. Charles the 5. to Iohn. Charles Duke of Orleance, and Henry Duke of Aniou, mourned at the obsequies of Henry the se­cond their father.

The Ceremonies which vpon such oc­casions ought to be certaine, are altred ac­cording to the times. That which seemeth to be fit in one season, is not so at another. Because saith Du Tillet, that they haue not any certainty. At other times the effigie was laid vpon the coffin, to mooue the people to honour the body which was within it, and for to shew that the King dyeth not; and that the administration of Iustice, the first and principall office of a King ceaseth not, the court of Parlia­ment hath euer enuironed it. At the Fune­rall [Page 131] of King Francis the first it was diuided from the coffin, and from that seperation proceedeth the disputation concerning the place which the Bishop of Paris is to hold in that Ceremony,

On Tuesday the 29. of Iune, the Coffin was conducted to our Ladies Church, and placed vnder the burning Chappell. The Princes of the bloud, and the Lords that mourned sate downe on the right side of the Quier, the court of Parlament placed it selfe on the left. On wednesday after the seruice, the funerall oration being pro­nounced by the Bishop of Ayre, and din­ner ended, it was conducted in the same order to Saint Denis. Beyond the suburbe the rankes were broken, those that were on foot mounted their horses and Caro­ches, this graue and goodly order vanish­ed. Montespan, Vitry, and Pralin, Captains of the Guards, did not leaue the chariot of armes, hauing declared that their charge obliged them to serue the body and not the effigie.

[Page 132] The Monks of Saint Denis came to receiue it at the hanging crosse, they made some doubt that the King was buried, and that the body was not in the coffin, the great and excessiue heat not permitting to keepe him any longer in his Chamber, where it was soone knowne that he had not beene well enbalmed. Vitry assured them that it was the kings very body, that there was no deceit, and that the greatest Kings are made of none other mettall then the meanest men on earth.

The Ceremony needed no borrowed weepers, nor hired teares. Euery one did affoord them with aboundance, those which had not their eyes ful of teares, had their hearts voyd of pitty and commise­ration. Sorrowes were strangely redou­bled and brake forth into great cryes, as he was layd into the graue with the ho­nours that were done vnto it. When the Count Saint Paul, executing in that action the office of great maister, told them [Page 133] that the King was dead, and when after him the Heralds thrice proclaimed ouer the graue The King is dead, al harts follow­ed him in thought and many in desire. Teares, which constancy and grauity held in, that they might not appeare, were no lesse bitter then those which common greife did cast forth to be seene. If any one had strength to resist teares, it was wan­ting to fight with sorrow.

To tell now what the lamentation of Paris was, is to goe about to perswade a matter incredible to him that hath not seene it; in all places fountaines of teares were discerned to flow forth; in all places cries & gronings of the people wer heard▪ they seemed to be knockt downe, so great­ly had the violence of sorrow danted and amazed them. If it be demanded from whence this extreame greefe came, the answere is ready From loue, From whence this loue? from the Kings goodnesse. Paris beareth the immortall proofs of his great [Page 134] and immense goodnesse. Who did more offend him then Paris? vnto whom hath hee shewed more loue then to Paris? For­getting all his riots and debauches, hee taketh Paris, sets it at liberty, dealeth by those like a Father, who before his en­trance called him Tyrant. Since then hee hath still laboured to restore her ruines, and to cause it to forget both the remem­brance and feeling thereof, to the end it might say, that it had beene plunged in a gulphe of miseries, onely to come forth there­of more happy and more mighty.

Paris did neuer more flourish then vnder his reigne, hauing in that Cittie builded other Citties to embellish and in­ritch it. If I were assured (said hee) of as much time as would suffice mee for two great peeces of worke, I would build the Louvre, and enclose the Suburbes of Paris with walles, and then I would vaunt to haue built the goodliest House, and the grea­test Citty in the world.

[Page 135] All other Citties, in comparison of Paris, seemed vnto him but Pyes-nests, and held for a fable whatsoeuer was spoken of Quinzey, grand Cairo, Cambalu, and Cassagale.

Hee tooke a pride in shewing to stran­gers the wealth, and the publick and par­ticuler commodities of this abridgement of the world, and tooke no delight in new inuentions to charge it. Goodly and Royally ingenious was the answer which hee made to the Prouost of Marchants and Sheriffes of Parts, who besought him to allow of some small taxe vppon the conduit-pipes of the Citty, to help them to beare the charge of feasts and presents which they were to make to the fortie deputies of the Suisses and their traine. Hee heard them concerning this new inuention, and then answered. Finde out some other matter, it belongeth onely to IESVS CHRIST to turne water in­to wine.

[Page 134] When men spake of the insolencies and ryots of that Citty during the troubles, he had rather to lay the fault on those that ledde them, then to brand his fore-head with the shame of her sedition and diso­bedience. The people of Paris (said hee) is good, it goeth as it is ledde. Mischiefe com­meth from those that goe before, and not from their simplicity which follow after, and grow bad by infection.

These torrents of teares did ouer-flow the whole countrey, It was pitty to behold thorow all the Prouinces of France the poore countrey-people to be gathered to­gether in troopes on the high wayes all amazed, their armes folded, to learne of those that passed by this disastrous newes, and when that they were assured thereof, a man might see them to scatter them­selues like sheepe without a shepheard, not simply weeping, but crying out and roaring as mad-men about the fields. This sorrow sprang from this Princes [Page 135] care to haue them liue in peace.

He was extreamely displeased with the exactions which the poore people endu­red by vsury and petti-fogging by law; Hee was not insensible of their miseries: Hee did not beare them as the high Preist did the names of the twelue Tribes with­out, hee had them imprinted in the bot­tom of his heart, with a wonderfull dis­content for that the necessity of his af­faires would not permit to ease them; and considering on a time that the taxes were excessiue in sondry places of the king­dome hee said, my people are made to pay a double taxe, one to Mee and another to my Officers. The second makes the first insup­portable, for the expences of the officers a­mount to more then the taxe; It is a hard mat­ter to keepe my selfe vnrobd, and almost im­possible but that my people should be so: When hee rode about the country, hee would stay to speake to the people, to question with those that passed by, whence they [Page 136] came, whether they went, what commo­dities they carried, what the price of e­uery thing was, with other particula­rities; and obseruing that it seemed vn­to diuers, that this popular facility did offend his Kingly grauity, he said, The Kings my predecessors held it dishonor to know the worth of a Teston, but as for me, I would I knew the value of a farthing, and with how much labour these poore people vse to get it; to the end they might not be charged aboue their ability.

The great numbers of Orations and Funerall Poems which were made in sundry places vpon his death, are so many proofes how deare this Princes life was, and his losse lamentable to the whole world.

The Vniuersity of Paris hath shew­ed it selfe to be the Nurse of gallant wits, the Queene of Europes Athens. The Schooles and Academies of those of the Religion haue produced diuers goodly [Page 137] and excellent writings in sundry Lan­guages vppon the same subiect: lear­ned men of forraine Countries haue not beene silent in this generall afliction.

As this great Kings actions haue euer beene more admired then followed, more followed then equalled: euen so haue we seene discourses therevppon, which can neither be surmounted nor imitated.

If passion did not carry away matters with the selfe same hatred that it beareth to the places and persons from whence they come, it would allow of that which is publikely rehearsed in a cōmon wealth which hath not breathed but vnder this Princes protection, deserueth to be recko­ned among the rarest and excellentest peeces. But his triumph needeth not our lawrels, his memory contemneth our marbles, his merits surpasse our discourses, his happinesse derideth our Complaints, and his thoughtes [Page 138] are not ours. The report of this death was forth-with spred ouer all the world, and did out-goe the accident in sundry places.

This is not the first time that these terrible blowes haue beene sooner publi­shed then felt. Diuerse Kings of Chri­stendome entertained these newes with sorrow, all with amazement, hauing but too much subiect to deplore their misery, whom they accounted so happy. It hath beene a stratagem of nature, to bring forth men incapable of reason, for if they had any they would neuer accept the en­trance into this world. If the soules of great Princes knew their fortunes and dangers, and lastly the violent deaths wherevnto their bodies are subiect, they would neuer animate them. If they had any choyce, they would sooner enter into those of shepheards; to bee if not more happy, at least more contented.

[Page 139] The King of England had the first newes thereof beeing on hunting. His feeling was such, as hee presently dispatcht mes­sengers to his Councell at London, and maintained that words were not capaple to expresse his griefe, adding this verse in Latin, which saith, That light griefes speake, and great ones are dumbe. Hee renued the Edicts against the Catholicks, and fearing least the ceremony of the declaration of the Prince of Wales might bee disturbed by some sinister accident, he commanded them not to come within ten miles of the assembly, and Priests to depart forth of the Realme.

Before then, hee had sent the King word by De Vitry, that hee desired to oblige himselfe to him by a reciprocall and solemne oath, that the children of him that should first dye, should remaine in the suruiuers protection, who should take vpon him the defence of them and their states towards all men, and against [Page 140] all men, hee remembred it, did make a new oath to keepe his word, and to em­ploy all his meanes to reuenge the death of so good a brother, and so great a King.

All the feelings of Princes were but shadowes compared to the sorrow and complaints of the Duke of Sauoy: Hee lost both his rest and dyet, and held that for a piercing and sensible offence which the Spanish Ambassador said vnto him: That of a certaine, God did loue the house of Sauoy; for without this death, the Duke had beene ruined.

The Pope could not sleepe all that night; hee prayed for the soule of this great Prince; said that this losse was common to the Church, and to all Chri­stendome; hee caused certaine yong men to bee condemned to the Galleys, who thinking that this death would free their Prince and Countrey of a redoub­ted enemy, had termed that Parricide [Page 141] their Restorer, and had drunke to his health.

Hee felt to the quick the Queenes sor­row, and the wrong which was done to the King, hee did forth-with dispatch letters to the principall officers of the kingdome, to coniure them to conti­nue towards the sonne those proofes of loue and fidelity which they had ren­dred to the father. And though Popes are sildome present at Funeralls, hee would needes bee there, and heard the Funerall Oration pronounced by Ia­ques Seguier, who gaue vnto this great Prince the true titles of his vertues and merits, stiling him, Protector of the pub­lick tranquility; The ornament of the Catho­lick Church, the Vmpier of Christian Prin­ces, the Delight of the world. An Elogie which not satisfying the Popes loue, hee sent him word, that hee had not sayd enough.

The King of Spaine was sodainly [Page 142] awaked when this newes was brought him, & not knowing what it was, deman­ded, if the king had denounced warre a­gainst him: he will neuer do it, for he is slaine, answered the marquis of Velada. At that word he said, being pressed with truth and sorrow, That the greatest Captaine of the world was dead, he remained for a time speechlesse, and the Queene wept with warme teares. When he vnderstood that he which had done the deed was in prison and aliue, he praised God for it, to the end that they might be knowne who had set him a worke, and that slander might not preuaile ouer the innocent,

The Archduke resoluing to giue him all kind of content, being assured that the storme should not fal vpon his Countries, vnlesse he did prouoke him, did not in his priuat sorrow disemble the publique losse. That generous Princesse borne of a flow­er de luce of France, did more cleerely e­uaporate the fier of her thoughtes, and [Page 143] said, That Christendome had lost the glory and ornament of Kings.

The Kings of Poland, Sueuia and Den­marke, bewailed his death, cherishing his Pictures with an eternall loue, and recom­mending to their children the admiration and imitation of the heroick actions of his life.

The Emperors domestick discontents did not keepe back this sorrow from en­tring into his solitude, nor himselfe from considering where-vnto worldly great­nesses doe tend. The going vp to them is sharpe and slippery, the top trembling, the downe-fall fearefull, wee ascend to them with great difficulty, they cannot be kept but with feare, and the descent from them is a Precipice. The Princes of Germanie sayd, That the burning torche of Kings was extinct: Hee was lamented and bewailed by the Suisses, and by the States of the Netherlands, as a Father by his Orphane children. The Lords of [Page 144] Venice, said with teares in their eyes, Our King is dead.

Wee cannot expresse the griefe of other Countries, which sweetly liued at quiet vnder the shadow of the victories and prosperities of this great Prince, and which were couered vnder his protecti­on, as the Chicken pursued by the Kite couereth it selfe vnder the wing of the damme. The great Turkes account all Christian Princes but dung, they thinke nothing to bee worthy to bee equalled with them. It was wondered that Maho­met endured the comparison betwixt himselfe and Mathias Coruin, but as Amu­rath and Mahomet haue admired the great and warlick actions of this Prince, euen so Acmet their successor hauing notice of this death, thought that the Columne which vpheld the Christian Empire was dead.

We haue already heretofore obserued, how that the report of his death, did in [Page 145] diuerse places fore-runne the certainty thereof. D' Arsens Ambassador to the States told me, that he could produce before the Queene, hundreds of persons, who affirmed this report to hee published in Flanders before the arriuall of the Posts. I haue heard the Queene say, That her Ieweller had receiued letters from thence, written at the same time, whereby hee was entreated to write back whe­ther it were true that the King was slaine. The report often-times of these great ac­cidents are spred abroad among the peo­ple without any certaine Author, and when wee go about to seeke out the cause, they are lost among the throng like waues in a vast sea.

Demons and Sorcerers do vndertake to bring speedy newes from farre. The late King hath often told the tale of a spirit belonging to a foot-man of an Earle of Foix, who perceiuing that his Maister could not sleepe, beeing troubled with the incertainty of the successe of a matter [Page 146] either of some siege or battaile, did on a sodaine bring him all the particularities thereof, so as this Prince, without stirring from his house at Coraze, (where this spi­rit is yet to be heard), knew whatsoeuer was done ouer all Europe. In this manner did Apollonius Thyaneus, see at Ephesus how Domitian was slaine at Rome, and Cajus Cornelius tarrying in Padua was at the battaile of Pharsalia.

This doth not exclude the beleeefe of the truth of Visions and Reuelations which God giueth to his seruants, nor of the care which the Angells haue that are appointed guardians and defenders of states, to cause people to know these great and important motions. The Christians in Palestine, had notice of the resolution of releefe which the Christian princes had promised them vpon the very same day that the decree was concluded in the coū ­cell of Clermont.

This is memorable. A secular priest of [Page 147] Doway, who, for his religious and holy life, hath merrited the common report to haue dyed happily, had before his death three extacies: after the two first he spake of things, which, because they were not vnderstood, were not considered; beeing come againe to himselfe from the third as from a profound rapture, he cried out, that they were killing the greatest Monarch of the Earth. It is obserued that this word was spoken at the very same time that the stabbe with the knife was giuen,

We must goe on no farther without astonishment, because that on the very same fourteenth day of May, which shal euer be marked with blacke in the Kalen­ders of France, a Nunne of the Abbey of Saint Paul in Picardy, sister to Villers-ho­dan Gouernour of Diepe, being not very wel, was visited in her chamber by hir ab­besse, sister to the Cardinall Sourdy, and after that they had entertained one an o­ther with discourses fit for their condition [Page 148] she cried out without any trouble, or such agitations and feare proper to En­thousiasts, Madam, pray vnto God for the King, for they are killing him, and within a while after, Alas, he is dead! By confer­ring the wordes with the deed, it was found that all this was done in one how­er, The piety and simplicity of this Nunne, doth not permit this to be re­ferred to any other power then that of God, who causeth his seruants to see thinges a farre off, as though they were present.

This manner of death, so sodaine, so smally preuented did amaze the whole world, euery man thought vpon his con­science, and diuers Lords of the Court by putting on mourning habit for this death, did likewise take vppon them the resolutions of the contempt of this life, and said for a while, that which a great Trompet of the Church said euer, O life, which hast deceiued so many, Seduced [Page 149] so many, blinded so many, thou art nothing at thy beginning, thy light is but a shaddow, thou art but smoke at thy height, thou art sweet to fooles, thou art bitter to wise men, who lo­ueth thee knowes thee not, who knoweth thee contemnes thee.

The great ones who all their life long runne after the dreames and vapors of the world, whose thoughtes are wholly anchored vpon the earth, and their hopes haue no farther extent then the earth, did in the picture of this death behold that of the vanity of their greatnes and ambiti­on, things so vaine and fraile, as when they seeme to glister and twinkle like Di­amonds, they vanish from our sight, and breake them-selues in peeces like glasse.

Their spirits beeing touched with this death as with an Adamant, should without ceassing turne towards the firme and fixed Pole of that trueth,

That what-so-euer is vnder Heauen [Page 150] is nothing but vanity, and that the world pas­seth away with his couetousnesse. The report of this accident was a mighty voyce, which awaked them, to make them con­sider, that the earth is not their dwelling-place, but the passage to an happier a­boad: that the pleasures, delights, and con­tentations of the Pallaces wherein they dwell in this world, doe oblige them to take care to bee well lodged in an other, because it is yrkesome to depart forth of a faire and goodly house, and to enter for euer into a foule and lothsome cottage.

It resteth now to see how publick Iu­stice, being transgressed by this enormous crime, hath beene satisfied by the vile and wretched sacrifice of this Parricide. By and by after this mischiefe, the Queene sent the President Ianin, Lomenie, Secretary of State, & de Bullion, Councellor of State, to the House of Raiz, to examine him, and to know what would follow this de­testable blow. What hee then told them [Page 151] was the selfe-same that hee afterwards spake, and their censure was the same of all other wise-men, who haue held this wretch for a melancholick fellow; They made a shew that the King was not dead, nor his hurt mortal, supposing with more ease to draw from him the truth of this instigation, and that the lesser the mis­chiefe was, the easier would bee the con­fession: but hee told them, That hee knew well enough that hee was dead. A while be­fore, hee had said, That the knife entred so farre into him, as his fist touched the Kings doublet.

They found certaine Papers about him, and among others, verses for one that is to be carried to execution: hee said that an Apothicary of Angoulesme made them, who had shewed it him to haue his opinion thereof, because that hee had vsed to make verses. I noted that hee had written it with passion and attention, as if hee did meane to make vse of it him-selfe, [Page 152] for the words which he did set down for the last violent leaps of a soule in that taking, were written more curiously, and in different letters from the other, and because he said that he had euer bin desirous to tell the King that hee ought to make warre vpon those of the Religion, they askt him, who had giuen him that counsell; he answe­red, that they were not to know it, and that hee would tel it to his Confessor. This I haue seen in the originall. I saw him within a while after in the Hostell of Raiz, where telling mee that hee had beene a Fueillan, and that hee was expulsed from that company for composing writings concerning certaine visions and meditations vppon Gods iudg­ments.

I then perceiued that melancholy had troubled his spirits with her fumes, had made him capable of diabolicall sug­gestions and impressions, that torture would sooner make trial of his obstina­cie, then enforce his conscience.

[Page 153] Hee had imprinted in his imagination a beleefe cleane contrary to the Kings pi­ety and Iustice. He had in times before beene called in question for a murther, and Sanguin, Councellor in the court of Parliament, had drawne his processe. Thervpon, an other councellor told him, that it had bin good for him & all France that he had beene punished for it, for then he should not haue slaine the Lords anointed and the most Christian King. He answered. It is a Question to know whether he were the most Christian king. From the time that this cursed resolution was framed in his mind he did (like the viper) conuert into poi­son what-soeuer he heard to be well spo­ken of this Prince.

Many, hauing iudiciously considered his manners and motions, haue thought that those visions which had so much tro­bled him in his sleepe and waking, the in­terior voyces which affrighted him day and night, and a number of other violent [Page 154] impulsions were manifest tokens of the obsession of the Diuell. A fellow that of­ten lay with him said, That a spirit did a­wake and torment him in the night, and when he was askt who it was, he answered, It is mine Vncle which craueth some ease of his paines.

He had besides his disposition to such fooleries, a proud and furious conceit of witt aboue all other men, an arrogant pre­sumption to haue a share in Gods Coun­cells, to be able to decipher his wills, and to be chosen to execute them. Therevpon he did brutishly declaime against higher powers, and said, that it was necessary they should be chastised. From this damnable Thesis, That it was lawfull to kill a Tyrant, he went on to this false hypothesis, that the King was worse, and his chiefe tyrany was, for that he would not make war vpon the Huguenots, which is as much to say, as, because he did not kill them, to make them to beleeue, and did not set his king­dome [Page 155] on fier, to clense it. It is certaine that in this deluge of wordes, and among so many slanderous speeches, which he vttered, Truth, nor his owne Conscience would not permit him to call the King a Tyrant. Whatsoeuer he spake against the life of this Prince was inspired into his soule, by the same councell that had practised his death, He that did the first murther told the first lye.

But it was impossible to perswade the people but that this blow had some other setter on then the Diuill, and to be certaine thereof they impatiently desired that this Schelme (France hath no word horrible e­nough to expresse so many abhominati­ons) might be deliuered ouer to the Parli­ament, that in so extraordinary a matter there was no need to stand scrupulously vpon all the ordinary formes, that all his kindred were to be seazed vpon, with all those whom he had conferred with, and that forth-with the truth would bee knowne.

[Page 156] But those high spheres doe not gouerne their motions by that of the inferior.

On Saterday, the xv. of May at night hee was brought to the Conciergery of the pallace. The first President du Harley, the President de Blasmenil, the councellors Boin and Courtin, did dilligently and ex­actly labour to frame his Processe. The Queene did often-times send the Marquis of Ancre to acquaint them more confi­dently with her intentions, and how desi­rous shee was to haue the truth knowne. Shee sent them word, how that a But­cher had offered to flea that wretch a­liue, promising, to cause him to hold out a long time, and to reserue strength enough in him to endure the execution after that his skinne should bee flead off.

The Court imputed this proposition to the zeale of a great Princesse, who would haue the whole world to know, that Iustice had omitted nothing for the [Page 157] reparation of that publike offence, nor for the discouery of the branches and springs thereof. It did commend the affection of a widdow, pierced thorow with griefe, who pursued the iust reuenge of her husbands death, and the care of a charitable mother that feared for the King her sonne, not thinking, but that if this blow was deuised for the father, the like was meant towards the Princes his children.

Hir Maiesty supposing that if this wretch could bee brought to repent him of his crime, hee would more freely de­clare who had set him on to do it: thought it fit that hee should be visited by Doctors and religious persons, who should so dis­pose his soule, as it might apprehend eter­nall torments rather then temporall.

Diuerse particular persons spake to him in the Conciergery and vnto all of them he told one tale, how that no man liuing had concelled or vrged him there vnto.

[Page 158] Hee that should take vpon him to set downe all his speeches vpon this subiect, with all the escapes of his fury and mad­nesse, might augment this volume with superfluities: wee must keepe our selues to his answers before his Iudges, who haue obserued that (his brutish speeches against higher powers excepted) in all other matters hee was ignorant and blockish.

The question was not of knowing who had committed the mischiefe, but who had councelled and willed it to bee done, Seruin, Le Bret, the Kings Aduocates, Du­ret the first substitute to the Atturney Ge­nerall, did therein vse whatsoeuer wise­dome, iudgment and sharpnesse of witte might conceiue. They called before them all those with whom the offender had conferred, they examined two Iacobins, and finding great sincerity and simplicity in them, sent them away. They vsed a young Friar with the same gentlenesse, of [Page 159] whom the offender had askt this questi­on. Whether a Penetenciary ought to reueale the confession of one, who should tell him that hee had beene tempted to kill a King: This yong Frier, either thorough insufficiency or amazment, made him no answer. They deliuered him ouer to his superiors, wish­ing them to vse meanes, if, by the forme of Regular discipline, they could draw any farther light from him; and because the Iacobins said, that vppon the same question they had sent him to father Au­bigni the Iesuist, who was a man much v­sed in the resolutions of cases of consci­ence, they sent for him likewise, and exa­mined him exactly therevpon. Hee told Seruin in particular that since by the dis­posing of his superiours hee had giuen ouer preaching, to apply him-selfe alto­gether to Confessions, God had giuen him that singular grace, presently to forget whatsouer had beene told him vnder the seale of Confession.

[Page 160] The offender answering before the Com­missioners, nothing would euer be drawn from him, which might giue any know­ledge of those who had councelled or hartned him to this deed; he would neuer reueale the setter on, protesting that hee had not bin induced nor councelled ther­vnto by any man, and that in confession hee had neuer bewrayed his designe, fea­ring least it should bee reuealed, and him-selfe put to death, as well for the will as for the deed. Hee said that the resolution of his attempt, which hee termed a tempta­tion, proceeded from certaine visions and meditations which hee had had watching, and because that he had beene made to beleeue that the Kings Armie was appointed to march against the Pope.

That a certaine man of Angoulesme had told him how that the King had said, That his predecessors had raised vp Popes, & that it was in his power to hurle them downe: [Page 161] That a Soldier, speaking of the Kings de­signes, said, that hee would serue him, though against the Pope, beeing not bound to enquire of the causes or motions of the warre. That these reports had made him to resolue vpon the deed, beleeuing; that to make warre vpon the Pope, was to doe it against God: That the Hu­guenots hauing attempted in the Christmas holy-dayes to kill the Catholicks, the King had not punished them. That in this opinion he had beene desirous to speake to the King, making meanes for that purpose to diuerse persons, who iudging of his witte by his dis­course had still councelled him to returne home to his house. That at the beginning of the yeare hee came to the Louure, offered him-selfe to speake to the King, and was kept back by the guardes:

That hee had onely once spoken to Father Aubigni the Iesuit, concerning his Visi­ons and Meditations, and had shewed him a broken Knife, where-vpon was engra­uen a Hart and a Crosse, telling him, that hee [Page 162] thought that the King ought to conuert those of the Religion to the Catholick Church: That Aubigni had exhorted him to haue recourse vnto God, and to make meanes to some great man to come to speake with the King, and to vse broths to settle his braine. Aubigni being heard, and confronted by the offender, said, that it was all false and counterfeit.

All men laboured to know the Author, and desired to bee inuentors of new tor­ments to pluck it forth of the vilans bo­some, euery man thought that if they vsed him gently, they should vse all other men cruelly. Balbany Inuentor of the new Ce­sternes, made offer, and did make an en­gin in manner of a butter-churne, or Obe­liske turned vpside down, which he shew­ed to Seruin. The body beeing put into it, slided downe with its owne weight, was thrust hard together, as the churne shrunk in, and did sinke downe, in such sort as the shoulders were fastned to the heeles with torments slowly cruell, the body notwith­standing [Page 163] loosing none of it strength, for in foure houres after it might bee made to endure the same torment againe.

The violentest tortures are not the cru­ellest, those who suffer them can not long endure them, and the extremity of paine dulleth the sences Those that are most long and languishing, are most bitter and sharpe. The court of Parliament thought it not fit to apply any other torments then vsuall.

But it was a question whether the offen­der should be tortured before his con­demnation. The antient manner would not permit it, for tortures are appli'd but in two cases, the one before iudgement to draw forth proofe of the fact, the other after to know the complices and authors. It was not needfull to know the truth of the matter, for the offender confessed it, and was taken with the manner. They found a decree, wherby one who had at­tempted to poison King Lewis the ele­uenth, [Page 164] was tortured sondry times and on sondry dayes before his condem­nation.

Heerevpon the Parlament decreed that he should be tortured three sondry times and on three sondry dayes, but because he endured the first with so great certainty and continuance of his answers, without varying or change, and fearing least his strength being weakned hee would not haue force enough to endure the executi­on, they did not continew the tortures; they did likewise perceiue, that all the tor­ments which he had endured, with those which he was to suffer, were not of force to alter his speech.

La Guesle the Kings Atturney gene­rall, striuing with his sicknesse, caused him-selfe to bee carried to the Court of Parlament to take his conclusions with the Kings Aduocates, and considering that so great and horrible a mischeefe, [Page 165] whose like was not to be found in ages past, and which brought feare and scandall to posterity, ought to be pu­nished with torments extreamely se­uere, he craued, with their consents, besides the tearing with pincers and the dismembring of that wretched bo­dy, a new kind of torture by adding to the burning pincers, molten lead, skal­ding oyle, burning pitch, wax, and brimstone incorporated together. Man could not inuent a payne more sensible and pearcing.

The Parlaments of France haue ne­uer vsed the like, in antient time they haue beene vsed apart in great executi­ons, and in most seuere reuenges, but this Parricide was the first who felt the mixture of all those ingredients.

It was great reason by vnknowne meanes to seek satisfaction for so vnreco­uerable a losse.

The conclusions being taken the people [Page 166] of Paris did greatly desire to see the exe­cution of that man, borne for the ruine and desolation of men, who had slaine the noblest man liuing, and because they feared that if his health did impaire, as it was likely it would, he should endure lesse then hee ought, the first President be­sought the Queene that it might please hir to make an end of him. Hir Maiesty who had desired this delay, in hope that time would giue light to this darknes, referred the matter to the discretion of the court.

The great Chamber, the Tournelle, & that of the edict, being assembled, they proceeded to the iudgment of the Indict­ment: whatsoeuer had beene done before the Commissioners being read and noted the offender was heard. He reserued one trick of his folly to tell being vpon his stoole. Being in the Church of viuona be­yond Poitiers, he saw in a vision a Moore in a triangle. He entreated a painter (who lay with him) to lend him his pen and Ink [Page 167] to set it downe in writing. The Painter gaue him one made in forme of a triangle and shewed him the picture of a Moore. His imagination beeing wakened, and heated with these obiects, obserued them and tooke them for interpreters of what he vnder-stood not. His minde, euer prompt and ready to his hate against the King, made him thinke that this Moore was like him, that all the water in the sea would not wash him cleane, and there­vpon he framed strange Chimeraes. This was the reuelation which he kept so secret and misterious as he neuer reuealed it till at last.

His furious speeches against the King made men beleeue that his mind had beene pre-occupied with bad impressions and his wicked and scelerous resolution strenghened and maintained by the doc­trine to kill Kings. Therefore the Court in iudging his processe decreed, that the Colledge of Sorbone should be assembled [Page 168] to renew their antient decree of the yeare 1413. confirmed in the councell of Con­stance the yeare 1415. declaring this opi­nion to murther Princes vnder collour of Tyranny to bee hereticall and impious, opening a dore to all sorts of disloyaltyes and rebellions, the foundation of that fu­rious Anarchy, published in times past in Bohemia, Germany, Scotland and France in the times of trouble and confusion, and reuiued in Spaine in time of peace, af­ter the death of Phillip the second. This craueth a large discourse, which belongeth to the History of the new raigne, wherein shall be seene how this cursed doctrine, the cut-throate of Kings hath been detes­ted and thundred against.

The fact being apparent, the offender conuicted, they had no more to doe but to ordaine a punishment as great as the deed was heinous. They consulted whe­ther they ought to inuent a new. But the court hauing euer detested punishments [Page 169] of extreame rigor, they thought that those who were already inuented were sufficient to punish the fact; that they ought to bor­row none of strangers, nor leaue their vsu­all custome, considering that it did punish men of flesh, not of brasse, Christians and not Turks: and because those who had at­tempted against the life of Kings without effect had beene drawne with foure horse and torne with pincers, and that heere the attempt was followed by the execution, they thought it reason to adde thereunto (following the conclusions of the Kings learned councell) lead, wax, oyle and pitch melted together. Heerevpon there were some who said that in the ptunishment of offences men ought not so much to respect the time past as that to come; that offenders were not only punished because they should perish but to keepe others from perrishing, that punishments were not so much ordained to put the guilty to death, as to leaue behind an example and detestation of the fact: that there were [Page 170] penalties in the lawes of the Romans which had neuer beene executed, as that which permitted creditors to cut in peeces the bodies of their debtors, that pouring hot lead into the wounds, made with the pinsors, it was to be feared that the priso­ner would presently faint and dye, and that the residue of the punishment would be ended on a dead body. That therefore they were of opinion to referre it to the sight and discretion of the executioner, whether the ofender had strength enough to endure the molten lead; if not, to pour some other liquor which should not haue the same sense and feeling on the mem­bers of the offender, and yet neuerthelesse for example should worke the same effect in the peoples sight.

All matters being well considered by the courts-decree he was declared to be worthely attainted and conuicted of di­uine and humane treason in the highest degree, for the most mischeeuous, most [Page 171] abhominable & most detestable murther, committed on the person of the King of most happy and famous memory.

And for satisfaction thereof, it condem­ned him to make an honorable amends before the great gate of the Cathedrall Church of Paris, naked in his shirt, hold­ing a burning torche in his hand of two pound weight, and to declare, that wick­edly and treacherously he did kil the King with two stabs of a knife in the body: from thence beeing brought to the Greue, vp­pon a Scaffold, his pappes, brawnes of his armes, and calues of his legges, to bee torne with burning Pincers, his right-hand holding in it the knife where­with hee committed the murther to bee burnt off with fire of Brimstone, and on the places where hee shall bee torne with Pincers, molten lead to bee cast, scalding oyle, burning pitch and rosin, wax and brimstone melted together. That done, his body to bee drawne and dismembred [Page 172] with foure horse, his members and body consumed with fire, and scattered in the wind, his goods confiscate, the house where hee was borne to bee raced downe to the ground, his father and mo­ther to be banished forth of the realme of France, and his other kinsfolkes enforced to change their names.

The Decree followed word for word the conclusions of the kings Atturney. All the differences was in three things which hee requested, but were not decreed. The first, that after the tearing with Pincers and the molten lead, the parracide should be let a­lone one houre before he were dismēbred with horses. The second, that after the ra­zing of the house where he was borne, salt should be sowne in that place, in signe of a perpetuall cursse. The third, that for to a­bolish the name of so execrable a murthe­rer, and to purge France from such an ab­hominable race, his father, mother, bre­theren, sisters, & other kinsfolke bearing [Page 173] that cursed surname, should for euer be ba­nished out of the realme of France, and haue but fifteen dayes allotted them with­out further delay, to dispose of their goods

The Court considering how that all offences, of what nature soeuer, did not extend farther then the persons who com­mitted them, held back the punishment of his father and mothers banishment, and altered it by causing his other kinsfolkes to change their names.

Murther in time past hath bin so odious & detestable, as the punishment extended to the ninth generation. I did demand one day of an Atturney of Suizerland, why tre­son was so sildome seene among them? Because (quoth he) that we vse to punish traitors rigo­rously, & we do wholy root out their generation. It is better that a few houses bee desolate thē a whole country. They would haue in­nocent children to bear their fathers fault, because that fatherly affectiō was of more force to hold back an attempt, & to breake the execution thereof, then the feare [Page 174] of punishment. Guntran includeth in the punishment of murtherers, all his kins­folkes that were conuicted of the crime. Seruin on a time told this to the late King, who accounted this extreame iustice, ex­treame wrong. His mercy which did euer striue with his iustice, saw no proportion of reason, why the innocent should suffer for the guilty, and said, That the soule of such a King went a boot-haling in an other world.

The abolishment of this accursed name was most iustly decreed. It hath not ap­peared in all this discourse to haue had the honor to enter into the History; the mur­therer ought to bee satisfied with that which his cruell and barbarous ambition made him hope for, thinking by setting fire, not to one Temple, but to the foure corners, and in the middest of the king­dome, to consecrate it to eternity.

The name of Manlius was famous in Rome, one sleight suspition of state, a­gainst the State did wholy deface it. The [Page 175] names of these detestable wretches neuer ought to dishonor an Historie; they must bee smothered in obliuion, and if at any time we chance to name them, it must be with curses and execrations. The name of this parricide must be giuen to the diuell, wee must giue to this parricide the name of Diuell.

The sentence was executed the same day it was pronounced, and for to see the execution, all the Princes, Lords, officers of the Crowne, and Councellors of state, came to the Towne-house, and the whole citty of Paris almost, to the Greue. The Execution was not thought fit to be done all in one place, for if his hand had beene cut off there where hee slew the King, the place was so narrow as the punishment would haue beene seene but of a few, and paine would haue diminished his strength which was necessary to endure other pu­nishments.

Before the prisoner was brought to the [Page 176] Greue, they gaue him the buskins, which drew from his mouth the former words, but farre greater cryes then the first tor­ture. It appeared by him, that although he had the charme of silence, so much boa­sted of by sorcerers, yet hee had none a­gainst paine. At the first wedging he cried out, O my God take pitty on my soule, and for­giue mee this offence, but not if I haue concea­led ought. The second wedging ended the torment, for a sownding seased on his hart and within a while after the hang-man on his body,

Diuers saw him in the Chappell, where hee was assisted by two Doctors of Sor­bonne, Filsac and Gamache, to settle his conscience and to make it fit and capable of Gods mercy, and perceiuing certaine Princesses and other Ladies to come in, he said that he would speake with the Reges­ter. It was an excuse to rid them thence that were there, and to be freed from their sight, because they should adde no more shame to his sorrow, for hee told him no [Page 177] more then hee had done at former times.

The Doctors could get no more of him: but I wonder how hee had the discretion to tell them that his desire was to haue his confession reuealed and published, to the end the whole world might know that hee had not done that deed by the instigation of any man. The Doctors made this rela­tion, and the Regester caused it to bee en­roled. He thought that the people would haue thanked him for the deed: and when the Archers that guarded him to executiō were cōmanded to take heed that no hurt were done him in the streets, this proud slaue answered, no body meanes to hurt mee, but he was amazed when at the gate of the Concergery, in the Court of the Pallace, and in all streets, hee heard horrible cries made against him. He perceiued the peo­ple not onely desirous of the punishment of his body, but of the destruction of his soule, all men wishing him in hell, curssing his birth and life. The Antients in times past vsed wordes of straunge force [Page 176] against those who were exposed, and as it were vowed to execution, and to the pub­lick hate, Goe wretched soule, goe damned soule, soule the most desperate vpon earth, let the earth denie thee succour, refuse thee her nourishment, and Heauen her light.

He made an honorable amends before our Ladies Church, falling prostrate on the earth, he kissed the end of the Torch, and seemed to haue his heart broken in peeces with repentance. In prison he had vttered diuerse blasphemous speeches, a­gainst the piety, iustice, mercy, and other good intents of the King. The Queene commanded Testu, Knight of the watch, to looke to him that hee did not so in the streets; but already, before he came forth of the Concergery, he had testified an ex­treame greefe, for hauing held so bad and impious opinions of this great King.

Being pressed with remorse of his owne conscience, hee did detest his crime, for when doctor Filsac would haue giuen him [Page 179] absolution, & willed him to lift vp his eyes to heauen, he answered, I will not do so, for I am vnworthy to looke thereon, and he was contented that this absolution should be conuerted to his eternall damnation, if he had concealed ought of the truth.

The people would not giue him the comfort which they neuer denied to any in that case. None but the Doctor sung the suffrages vsuall at the execution of offenders. All pitty lay in the Hangman who promised diuers times quickly to dispatch him, so as he would reueale the truth. The most tender and compassio­nate hearts, had none for him, and diuers were sorry that he was absolued.

I obserued how those that were most gentle and pittifull, tooke no pitty on this man, and were so lost in their sorrow, as notwithstanding they knew that Iesus Christ dyed for him, yet they thought they should not transgresse against chari­ty, to bid the diuell take him. Heerepvon [Page 180] I cal to mind how the fathers of the coun­cell of Toledo making a decree to bind Christians to desire the safety of King Cin­thillus the Goth; and to attempt nothing against him, added there-vnto these words. Anathematized and cursed be he who shall despise our decree, or enterprize to offend the King, in any sort, or vpon any occasion what-soeuer: In all Christian congregations let him be abhorred and condemned by a soue­raigne iudgement, execrable to all Catholikes, abhominable to the holy angels, and to all those whom God hath ordained for his ministers, let him be destroyed in this world and damned in the next, & without remedy let him be held for dāned, at the day of euerlasting damnation.

Perseuering in this confession he recea­ued absolution, on condition to bee damned if he had not told the truth.

He was laid along on the scaffold, horses are tyed to his hands and feet, his right hand being striken through with a knife, was burned in a fier of brimstone. I noted [Page 181] that it was not the same knife, wherewith he slew the king, for after the hangman had shewed it to the people, who by a ge­nerall crie did testifie how they abhorred that infernall instrument, he threw it to one of his men, who put it into a bagge.

This wretch to behold how his cursed hand did broile, had the courage to lift vp his head, and to shake off a sparke of fier which was in his beard. This vnproffita­ble care to saue it being noted, afforded matter to diuers to praise the custome ob­serued in Germany, Suisserland, & diuers other places, to shaue off and then to burn all the haire from all parts of the bodies of those who are conuicted for any noto­rious crimes, but the court of Parliament holds this for superstitious.

When they had pinched him with the pincers he cast forth greeuous cryes: Then they poured molten lead, scalding oyle, burning pitch, wax, and brim­stone on those places burnt by the pincers [Page 182] This paine was the most sensible and per­cing of all his punishment, and he shewed it by the lifting vp of his whole body, the beating with his leggs, the panting of his flesh. All this was not sufficient to mooue the people to pitty; when all was done, they wished it might beginne againe.

I saw a young man in the Hall of the Towne-house in danger to haue beene badly dealt with, for a word, which by in­discretion and not of malice, escaped from him, when he saw them poure the oyle on the places burnt with the pincers, he was amazed and in steed of saying what tor­ment, he said what cruelty is this, this word was forthwith taken, and if the fellow had not slipt a-way in the throng, hearing them beginne to murmure and threaten him, hee had beene taught how to call that cruelty which was pure and perfect Iustice.

If in this torment they vsed any pause, it was to giue the hangman time to breath [Page 176] and to the prisoner to feele himself to die, to the diuines to exhort him to tell the truth. He said that he knew none other then what hee had so often before vttered, and that he should be very foolish, perceauing his body in that lamentable case to abandon his soule to a worsse.

The horses begunne to draw, but not fast enough to the people minds, where­vpon diuers to helpe them beganne to pluck the ropes. No man thought it shame to execute the hangmans office on him who had slaine their father. A horse-courser perceiuing one of the horses out of breath alighted from his owne, tooke off the bridle and saddle, and did put it in the place of the tired one. This horse held out better then any of the other, and gaue such strong pulls to his right thigh as it forthwith losed all the ioynts.

If the people might haue beene let alone the Hangman should not haue medled with him, diuers offered themselues, to [Page 184] make his punishment last longer, and himselfe to liue many dayes dying, An Hart pierced through with greefe for wrong offred to one it loueth, cannot be satisfied, but by some great testimony of sorrow and reuenge. A Iew dwelling in the Citty of Aix in Prouence, was con­demned to be flead aliue before his owne house for vttering blasphemous speeches against the Virgin Mary: Certaine gentle­men would needs bee executioners of so iust a punishmēt, & with vizards on their faces, they came vpon the scaffold, made the hangman to come downe; and flead the Iew, to saue whom the Sinagog ofred to Renatus King of Sicille 11000. Florins.

The ropes, whereto the body was tyed betwixt two posts set vp in the midest of the scaffold, being loosed, it was a long time haled and pulled foreward and on euery side: His sides being dasht against those posts, some ribb was still crackt in pieces, so as it was thought that without this and the greeuous infusion of lead, [Page 185] life, which was strong and vigorous in him, (and so strong as plucking back at one time one of his leggs he stayed the horse which drew it) would haue lasted and continnued longer,

The Executioner peceiuing that all his members were broken & crushed in pei­ces, that the horses were tyred, & that he was in the agony of death, would haue cut him in foure quarters, but at the first stroke, the impatient people snatched him forth of his handes, the lackeis gaue him a hundred blowes with swords, euery one gat a peece, and dragd it through the Citty. A woman was seene with strange reuenge to set hir nailes and teeth in that murtherers flesh. The hangman was a­mazed when hee saw nothing of him left but the shirt to finnish the executi­on, meaning to haue burnt the body to ashes. The people drag'd these wretched relicks vp and down the citty, in the same manner as the Menades did teare the body of Orpheus.

[Page 179] At the last, it beeing deuided almost in as many peeces as there bee streets in Paris, diuers fiers were made in sundry places, and chiefly there where the King was slaine: The Suisses burnt one peece of it before the Lovure. Little children were seene in the streets to carry straw & wood to the fire. There were some who hauing drawne certaine peeces of that body vp and downe the citty, gathered them toge­ther on the Greue, and by burning them, made an end of the execution.

It seemed that this so iust and exempla­ry punishment would in some sort haue comforted the publicke griefe; but the sa­tisfaction was not equall to the offence, nor the comfort to the sorrow. The wounds of hearts were opened againe when men remembred that the causes of this death were wrapped vp in impenetra­ble darknesse, and when many cryed out, That this murtherer at his death had retained some after-thought.

[Page 180] The opinion neuerthelesse of those who thought that this detestable deed had none other motion, but from his owne mad and phrantick spirit, is maintained by great likelyhoods. No stirres haue bin within or without the realme. Nothing ensued this mishap. All Princes are gree­ued for it, and haue made offer of their forces to reuenge it. Wee must not thinke but that the prosperity of this Crowne hath had great enemies, and that disloyall minds haue offered themselues to disturbe the quiet thereof. But if the law of God did not tye Princes to detest such conspi­racies, that of honor would suffer them to thinke thereon. The History of Lewis the eleuenth declareth, what praise all Europe gaue him for aduertizing his e­nemy the Duke of Burgondy of an at­tempt against his person.

A Prince who seekes to make away his enemy, otherwise then by iustice, and by the euent of warre, shewes a minde full of [Page 188] feare, voyde of courage, and seemes to feare that which it should contemne. It was a generous deed of Fabricius, who deliuered into Pyrrhus hands the fellow who offered to poyson him: so noble a deed as Tiberius perceiuing a certaine Prince of the Celtes to make offer to kill Ariminius by poison, answered: that Rome did not vse to be reuenged of hir enemies secretly and by deceit, but openly and by Armes.

By how much this act did adde glory and honor to the reputation of the Ro­mans, by so much more was that of Titus Flaminius odious, who put Haniball to death, who was retired to the Court of Prusias King of Bithinia. When Titus Liuius notes that, hee considereth the great alteration of the mindes and coura­ges of the Romans. The fathers of these men aduertised Pyrrhus, who entred Italy in armes, to looke to himselfe, that some would poyson him, These men (saith he) [Page 189] send an Ambassador to Prusias, to perswade him to violate the lawes of Hospitallity with Haniball. Plutarche to take away this blemish of the Romans reputation, lay­eth the blame on Flaminius, and saith, that the Senate did repute that fact ouer cruell, and proceeding from couetous­nesse of glory, to the end that in Histo­ries hee might bee named the cause and Author of Hannibals death, whome Rome left aliue, like a Birde whose plumes and feathers were all falne off with age.

How often hath offer beene made to our King of certaine and infallible meanes to dispatch his enemies? How often hath hee reiected them, as vnwor­thy the Religion and magnanimity of a Christian Prince? abhorring to em­ploy against them any other thing then the right of Armes. His valour car­ryed him into dangers without feare, [Page 183] gaue him victories without cruelty, Tri­umphes without insolency, and changed his lance into Lawrel, like that of Amphia­raus. This braue Alexander did neuer know how to steale victories, nor to van­quish by trechery. He would like Marcel­lus haue the Sunne alwaies to be witnesse without reproch of all his triumphes.

It is some comfort to vs that this prince was so well beloued, so much feared of all Christian princes, as none had a hand in this damnable deed. But that doth not as­swage our greefe, for the more we consi­der how farre the greatnesse and felicity of this Prince extended, the more is the remembrance thereof sorrowfull, the more sensible the losse. But if our soules, in admiring the immortall reputation which he hath left behind him, are not comforted, the light thereof is but smoak, the glory an illusion, and vertue but a Chimera.

Neuer Prince died more sodainly. [Page 184] Heere is greefe. neuer did any Prince liue in greater glory, Heere is comfort. He enter­tains death in the great designes of his courage, in the amazement and admira­tion of the world; who euer made a more glorious end? Of what death could he haue dyed, to haue beene more bewailed, or to haue lesse sence of death?

This sunne of Christendome setting in the west, doth augment the force of his beames. He dyeth like a torch, which gi­ueth greatest light when it is almost ex­tinct, redoubling his flame and darting forth his last sparks in the body of his light. The same wherein he procureth sighs is so high, so full, and perfect, as if his death were not so well knowne and bewailed as it is, Posterity being amazed at the heroicall actions of his life, should haue more reason to thinke him immor­rall, then the Oracle had to doubt whe­ther Lycurgus were a man.

Greece being so much obliged to the [Page 185] labours of Hercules, thought it folly not to praise him: whosoeuer shall know what this prince hath done to establish peace in Europe, will thinke it want of discretion not to admire the strokes of his sword, and the excellency of his iudgment. The Greekes neuer made Triumph wherein the statue of Hercules was not carried a­bout. Neuer shall any great enterprise be attempted but by the example of his great actions; posterity wil hardly beleeue that our age hath brought forth a Prince who before him had none that could be equal­led with him in the greatnesse of his cou­rage, and will leaue none after him but will hardly imitate that which he hath fortunately executed both in warre and peace.

For so much glory purchased with so much toyle, for so many Trophees e­rected with so much glory, for so many prosperities which did crowne all his de­seignes, his mind was no higher eleuated, [Page 186] nor his presence more estranged from his subiects.

He did not thinke that his body yeelded a greater shaddow after, then before his victories, and he did not cause the heads of the Collosses of the Gods to be taken off, to sett on his owne. His maiesty was kind and gentle to all men, and was ter­rible only to proud and rash persons, speaking often a latin verse, That he knew how to pardon the humble and to tame the proud. He had ioyned two things together which commonly are seperable, Greatnes and Moderation, and like Theopompus, King of Sparta, giuing way to whatsoeuer was to stiffe and boisterous in power absolute, he made his commandements easie, and the obedience to them without la­bour and murmuring.

In a word, we cannot speake ill of a Prince who hath euer done so well, Truth shall for euer be victorious, it is immoo­ueable, and as gold and glasse cannot [Page 187] bee turned into any other substance, be­cause the one is the sunnes last workman­ship, and the other that of the fire: Truth which is as faire as gold, and as cleere as glasse, may well bee molten in the fire of slander, may well be broken in peeces by lyes, but the essence thereof can neuer be changed. In despight of Hel, the forge of slander, and of all those hell-hounds who some and fret against the memory of this great King, hee shall haue the glory of a Prince, religious, merciful, valorous, mag­nanimous, gentle and wise. What his ene­mies shall speake of him in secret, will not much differ from that which his faithfull seruants say of him publickly.

But if he vnderstand what wee speake of him, and if hee doe yet entertaine that curiosity which in times past hee had of the truth of his History, I am certaine, that he will not take it well, if we disroabe him of humaine weaknesses: hee did not loue flattery, which taketh away moates, [Page 188] and leaueth spots on the garment, deligh­ting to be praised of those, who beleeued those praises which they gaue him, but if hee obserued any clawing, hee would no more taste it. Princes pay flattery with her owne money, Flatterers dissemble the vices of Princes, and Princes dissemble the lyes of flatterers.

True it is, that two scarres remaine on the face of his reputation. Hee brought the one into the world with him, the other came with him to the Crowne. For the first. This violent fault of his eyes did ma­nifest, that his heart was not invulnerable against the shafts of loue, as it was inuin­cible against those of Fortune. Hee would not abstaine from louing that which was faire, & of the most imperious passions of his soule, this did vsurpe the soueraignty; but, it did neuer make him to neglect the offices & duties of a great King. Pleasure, which in many subiects ouerthroweth wisedom, debaucheth reason, smothercth [Page 189] valour, did no wrong to his affaires, to his wisedome, nor to his courage.

For the second. Hee was not displeased to be thought hard to grant excessiue gifts, neere and very considerate in recompen­ses, neuer desirous to preuent demands, nor to surprise hopes, albeit that hee had a desire to giue, that he well knew that there was no money better deserued, then in the following of his Court and Armies, that to giue speedily is to giue twice, that long hopes consume patience, and that it is a kinde of contentment for a man to come to his iourneys end before he be weary.

Recompences were demanded by so many men, as not beeing able to giue to all those who thought they deserued them, those who still remained disconten­ted, and gaue him the name of couetous, were very many: albeit, neuer King of France, did scatter his bounty into more hands.

To conclude, his vertues were generall, [Page 190] and his defects perticular, which were not discerned, but as inuisible and needlesse Attomes in the large extent of his fame. Europe neuer bred a greater Prince, and the Idaeaes of a better King remaine in heauen, the originall and eternall aboade of that royall soule, where it enioyeth most perfect happinesse, and knows what the vantage is of neuer ceasing to liue, though it heere ceased to Reigne.