Lustra Ludovici, or, The life of the late victorious King of France, Lewis the XIII (and of his Cardinall de Richelieu) divided into seven lustres / by Iames Howell, Esq.

THE LIFE OF ARMAND IOHN DE PLESSIS Cardinal of RICHELIEU.

HAving done with the Master, we will now de∣scend to his Minister, the Cardinal of Richelieu, a man so cryed up, that every corner of Chri∣stendom rang of his report for twenty yeers to∣gether, nay the walls of the Seraglio ecchoed with his fame, and fear of the mighty doings of France, which made the Turks to think oftner upon that famous Prophecy they have amongst them, that the Ottomans should at last get Kenzal almai the Red Apple, which they interpret to be Rome, but not long after, their Empire should be destroy'd by a Flower, by which they think are meant the Freinks. He was a Gentleman of very ancient descent, for in the Tree of his genealogie I find, that by the House of Dreux his Ancestors were allied to Lewis the gros, one of the Kings of France; and by a direct uninterrupted line he came for thirteene degrees from Father to Son, from William of Plessis who was a Gentleman of high account in Philip Augustus time, 1179. When his father Francis De Plessis died he was but five yeers old, and so remain'd under the tutele of his Mother Susanna de Porta, who gave him all the advantagious breeding that could be in Paris (where he was born) both in an Academy for riding, and handling of armes, and in the University for learning; he made choice of the Colledge of Sorbon to finish the course of his studies, where he took the profession of a Theologue, and so became a Sorbonist Doctor. He had two brothers, Francis, the eldest, was kill'd by the Marquis of Themines in duel; Alphonso, the second, being ele∣cted Bishop of Lusson forsook the pomp of the world, and betook himself to the austere life of a Carthusian (whose rule is never to eat flesh) and so resign'd the Bishoprick to his youngest brother Armand, whose life we write: But afterwards, by his meanes, the Carthusian Fryer was brought to accept of the Archbishoprick of Aix in Pro∣vence, then of Lions, and so ascended to be Cardinal. He had also two sisters, Frances, maried to the Baron of Pont de Curlay, who had of her the Duchesse of Esguillon: And Nicola, his second sister was ma∣ried

to the Marquis of Brezé Marshall of France, and first French-Viceroy of Catalonia in Spain, upon the late revolt; who hath a son and a daughter by her, Iohn Armand the son was Generall of the French Army in the West, and employ'd Ambassador extraordinary to congratulat the new King of Portugall; Clara Clemente the daughter was maried lately to the Duke of Anguiern eldest son to the Prince of Condé.

When his brother Alphonso had transmitted unto him the Bi∣shoprick of Lusson, he went to Rome for a Consecration, and Paul the Fifth dispenc'd w^th his incapacity of age, for he was but 21 yeers old; Some report that the Pope observing the height▪ and activity of his spirit, was overheard to say, That that young Prelat would overturn the world; being return'd to France from Rome, and brought to kisse Henry the Fourths hands, he was somewhat taken with him, telling him that he was come from that place, whence one day should descend upon him the greatest honor that Rome could affoord a Frenchman▪ and after∣wards he was us'd to call him his Bishop. For divers yeers he applied himself altogether to the function of his Ministery, and us'd to preach often in the Kings Chappell: In the Assembly of the three States he was chosen Orator for the Ecclesiastiques, where his pregnancy of wit first appeer'd publicly in matters of State: Where upon he got footing afterward at Court, and was made great Almoner: Then his abilities discovering themselfs more and more, he was nominated Ambassador extraordinary for Spain to accommode the differences then a foot 'twixt the Dukes of Savoy and Mantova; when the Prin∣ces started out in discontent, and put themselfs in armes to demolish the Marshall of Ancre, some Privy Counsellors were outed of their Offices at Court, amongst others Monsieur Villeray had his Writ of ease for being any more Secretary of State, and the Bishop of Lusson was thought the fittest man to succeed him, and to receive the Seales, which he did, and this diverted him from his forren employment to Spain.

When the Marquis of Ancre was Pistol'd, and his wife beheaded, there was a new face of things at Court, another generation of Offi∣cers grew out of the corruption of the old, among others, Villeroy steps in to be Secretary of State again in the room of the Bishop of Lusson, yet was the King willing he should sit still at the Counsell Table; and Monsieur de Vignobles brought him an intimation of the Kings pleasure to that purpose: But the Queen Mother retyring from Paris to Blois, he chose rather to go with his old Mistresse, then stay with a young Master as the pulse of the Court did beat then; By some ill offices that were done 'twixt the King and his Mother, by factious spirits, many jealousies were dayly fomented between them; Here∣upon the Bishop of Lusson, had order to withdraw himself from her Court; so he retir'd to his Priory of Caussay, but that distance being thought not sufficient, he betook himself to his Bishoprick at Lus∣son, and that place also being suspected to be too neer, he was sent to

Avignon the Popes Town, which might be call'd a banishment, for it was out of the Dominion of France. Discontents growing higher twixt the King and his Mother, till at last they broak out into a War, and there being Armies on both sides in motion, Luynes writ a Let∣ter to the Bishop to repaire to Angoulesme, to which Letter there was a Postscript annex'd all of the Kings own hand to the same effect. The Queen Mother was fled thither from the Castle of Blois, and by means of the Duke of Espernon with others had considerable forces a foot: Here was a brave opportunity offer'd for the Bishop to shew his head-peece in atoning matters 'twixt the Mother and the Son, for which end he was inordred to repaire thither: He negotiated the bu∣sines so succesfully by his dextrous addresses, and flexaminous strains of eloquence that he took away the inflamation of the wound, and so made it easily curable: A Treaty was agreed upon, and the Capitula∣tions being drawn he brought them to the King, who receiv'd him with much shew of grace; and so all matters were accommoded: But this accommodation did not heale quite and consolidat the wound, for it had not search'd it to the bottome, therefore it began to fester, and more putrified matter broak out of it then formerly: The Mother and the Son take up armes again, and the Bishop of Lusson was one of the prime Instruments to re-compose the busines, which was done at last very effectually. The merit of these high services got him a Red Hat, and the dignity of Cardinal, though some difficul∣ties, and many delayes interven'd before the finall dispatch came from Rome: Then was he chosen Provisor of the ancient Colledge of Sorbon; where he procur'd of the King that a new Chair of Contro∣versie should be erected. He also repair'd and much beautified that Colledge; Then, upon the instance, and by the advice of the Queen Mother, he was elected Prime Minister of State, and Director in chief under the King of all matters concerning the public Government of the Kingdome, so he came to be call'd the Argos of France.

The first great action that was performed by his guidance, when he was clim'd to this Plenipotentiary power was the Mariage with Eng∣land; the Marquis of Vieu ville had been employ'd in this great bu∣sines, but the Cardinal got some of the Capitulations better'd and more to the advantage of France, alledging that it was not fit his Ma∣ster being the Eldest Son of the Church should have conditions infe∣riour to those of Spain.

With this Match with England, there was an alliance also made about the same time with Holland for a summe of Money. These were the two first Coups d' estat, stroaks of State that he made, and it was done with this forecast, that France might be the better enabled to suppres them of the Religion, which the Cardinal found to be the greatest weaknes of that Kingdom: Some of them being Pensioners to other Princes to embroyle France upon all occasions.

He found then that the House of Austria had got some advantage, and encrease of power, by certain holds it had seiz'd upon in the Val∣tolin;

He adviseth his King to ligue with the Venetian and the Sa∣voyard, which he did and so spoil'd the design of the Spaniard that way.

The King being told that upon the beheading of the Count of Chalais, and the imprisonment of the Marquis of Ornano about Mon∣sieurs Mariage, his Cardinal had thereby got divers enemies, he ap∣pointed him a band of Soldiers for his guard; After this he was made Super-Intendent Generall of the Marine, a new Office, and such, that there was never any of the like latitud of power erected in France, for thereby he had authority to supervise not onely all the Sea Ports and shipping of in both the Seas, but to do any thing that might cōduce to the regulating and advance of Trade: so he fell presently to work, and fortified Haure de grace, Brouage, the Isle of Ré, Oleron, Verdun, with divers other. Afterwards happen'd the Siege of Rochell where in the Kings absence he was made General a while, and that famous Sea Dike was ascrib'd to his invention in chief, after fifteen moneths siege the town was reduc'd, having bin driven to the utmost extremities of want, as to eat nefandous meats, the leather of Coches which serv'd before for Instuments of pride, did now preserve them from starving; at last they petition'd the Cardinal to be their Intercessor to his Ma∣jestie for them, who got them more favourable conditions then was expected.

The King went thence to Italy with the same Army for the most part, and having cross'd the Alps, he took the passe of Susa, and rais'd the siege of Casal only with the fame of his Person and Armes, and so reliev'd the Duke of Mantova, having had besides some dispute with the Duke of Savoy about his passage, he left the Cardinal behind to see all things settled: Who returning afterwards to France found the King in Languedock having debell'd almost the whole body of them of the Religion, but the Plague being hot in that Province, he went to Paris, and left his Cardinal to perfect the work, which he did at Mountauban, which was the last Town that was surrendred, and so may be said to have bin the key of the whole work.

Being return'd to Paris there came news that the Duke of Savoy abetted by Imperial and Catholic armes poursued still his interests against the Duke of Mantova; In prejudice as was pretended, of the late Articles 'twixt him and France; The Cardinal was appointed Generalissimo of two Armies, wherewith he travers'd the Alps again, took the Town and Castle of Pignerol; and returning to Lion, to give account of his service he found the King sick, and powerfull enemies at Court, but especially he found the Queen Mother averse to him; He perceiv'd the faction so strong against him, that he fell on his knees before the King desiring that he would please to dispense with his attendance any more at Court, and that he might be permitted to retire to his devotions and the functions of his Ministery; the King being now indifferently wel recover'd, went to visit him the next day, and absolutly denied him leave to depart the Court, saying, There

was no reason he should forsake them who loved him, to humor the capri∣chios of those that did not love him.

The Kings Army which he had left in Italy under Schomberg was at this time at an extreme low ebb, and upon point of mutining if not disbanding for want of pay, and there was scarce one thousand pound then in the Kings Coffers; yet, notwithstanding the branling hazardous stand he was at, by reason of the Kings sicknes, and the potent combination which was a foot, and banded so eagerly against him, he, of his own store, sent two hundred thousand Franks to keep life in the Army, and this was before the Kings recovery, or assurance of the continuation of his favor.

He was afterwards made General of the Order of the Abbots of Premonstré, and he had also the attribut of Eminence given him, which was solemnly confirmed by Rome, to distinguish and pecu∣liarize him from other Cardinals, and Princes of the Church: nor would he receive any Letters, or speak with any Ambassadors un∣lesse they would give him that Title: The Queen Mother utterly mis∣liking his aimes of policy, which tended to put the Princes, her chil∣dren, together by the eares, forsook France, and Monsieur followed her. He return'd with a considerable strength of horse, and Monmo∣rency, the popular'st man of France, joyn'd with him, to reform the State, and to ruine the Cardinal, who was us'd to call the said Mon∣morency his son, but they miss'd of their ayme; Afterwards the Count of Soissons, joyn'd with the Duke of Bovillon attempted the like, and had Soissons liv'd it was probable they might have done something, for they had utterly routed the Kings Army, but Soissons being kill'd, it quail'd the whole plot. The last attempt to destroy him was by Monsieur le Grand, who had intelligence with the Spaniard, but it was detected, and so crush'd in the shell, and he with Monsieur de Thou beheaded. There were also divers privat attempts upon him, Alfeston would have pistoll'd him, Chavagnac and Barnard would have poison'd him, Gargan and Bouchard, who were reputed Magi∣tians, would have bewitch'd him, but they had all ropes for their re∣wards: so nature ran out her course in him without violence, for he died in his bed, and at his house in Paris about the dead of Winter in the beginning of December, a little after the King had visited him, and bad him his last adieu, having not reach'd 58. yeers; His right arme began to mortifie many moneths before, and his whole body was grown so lanke and thin as it look'd like an Anatomy.

He principally recommended to the King Cardinal Iulio Mazarini, to whom he had open'd all the boxes of his breast, together with Monsieur Chauvigny & Noyer, advising his Majesty to steer his cours by their Counsell, and he should still prosper and triumph: He be∣queath'd his body to the Colledge of Sorbon; And touching his estate, which was valued at neer upon sixty millions of Franks, he di∣vided it to sundry Legacies▪ he gave the Marquis of Pont de Courlay the Duchy of Richelieu together with the government of Brouage:

To the Marquis of Brezé the Duchy of Fronsac estimated at an hun∣dred thousand Franks yeerly rent, together with the government of Haure de grace: He bequeath'd to the Duchesse of Eguillon his House at Ruel with fifty thousand Franks rent. He gave Monsieur du Plessis Chinee twenty thousand crowns a yeer. His Cardinal Palace in Paris where he expir'd he bequeath'd to the King, with all the Plate and Housholdstuffe thereunto belonging, and a Jewel valued at two hundred thousand crowns: To the young Dauphin he gave his Li∣brary rated at fifty thousand crownes: To every one of his Praeto∣rian soldiers he bequeath'd two hundred crowns apeece, and preferr'd them all for a guard to the Dauphin; By this vast estate it appears that though he was so active in his Masters busines, yet he did not neglect his own, so that the Kings service was not the sole Center of his endea∣vours as he was usd to say often.

Such was the emigration out of this world of Armand Iohn du Plessis Cardinal of Richelieu, Duke, and Peer of France, Knight of the holy Spirit, and Super-Intendent Generall of the navigation and commerce of France, Principall Minister, and Director in chief of all affairs both of State and Warre, &c. having bin thrice General, and once Generalis∣simo of three Royall Armies.

Questionlesse he was a man had a rare talent, and rich intellectualls, of a notable vivacity of spirit, and constancy of resolution, of a prompt, yet profound imagination, of a subtill discours, yet solid judgement, (things which seldome meet in one subject under that Clime) of pressing and powerfull reason, and a tenacious memory, in so much that all the faculties of his soule being summond to con∣sult seriously upon any businesse, they were enough to make a com∣pleat Senat of themselfs. Add hereunto that he had an admirable gift of elocution attended with state and gravity, and very swaying as it went along: Many examples could be produc'd hereof, but we will instance in three only; In a Complement, in a Letter, and in an Oration of his, which may serve to make a judgement of the rest: For the first, when he had receiv'd the Cardinals Hat from Rome, he attended the Queen Mother and told her, as if he had been surpriz'd with a kind of amazement,

Madam, I want words to expresse the thankfulnes of my heart to your Majesty, all that I can say, is, that I will spend my best bloud, and all my spi∣rits in your service, and this Scarlet, which I weare by your goodnes, shall make me always remember this vow.

For the second, when the Queen mother was retir'd to the Nether∣lands out of a high displeasure against him, he writ to her this ensuing Letter.

Madame, I know my enemies, or rather the enemies of this State, not contented to have discredited me unto your Maiesty, do endeavour also to make my attendance neere the King, to be suspected; as if my neernes to his Person tended to remove him from you, and to separat what God and nature

hath so closely conjoyn'd: I hope by the goodnes of God that their malice will be discoverd, that my cariage will be shortly justified, and that my inno∣cence shall triumph over calumny.

Neverthelesse Madame, I shall account my self still infortunat, in that I am made to cease from pleasing your Majesty, and life it self is irksome unto me in the state I am in, finding my self depriv'd of the honor of your favor, and of that esteem which I valued more then all the greatnes of the earth, and as those which I possesse proceed from your liberall hand, so I cast and prostrat them all at your Royall feet. Excuse Madame your own work and creature, whatsoever shall proceed from your Majesties pleasure, shall be re∣ceiv'd by me without murmuring, and accepted with a thousand thanks. But Madame, out of that piety which is inhaerent in you, be pleased to spare the purple of the Church wherewith you have adorn'd me, which will lose its esteeme and lustre, if your Majesty cast upon it such black spots: How can it, be that the most oblig'd of men, should prove the most ingratefull? And that my conscience, my first inclination, and interest binding me to your service, I should now separat my self from it, and thereby draw upon my self the name of Traitor to the best and greatest Queen upon Earth?

This, Madame, well consider'd should absolve me from all crime, and free me from all suspition before your Majesties tribunal, where I am almost condemn'd without being heard: I appeal not from it, in regard of the per∣fect obedience I beare to your will, I only blame my misfortune, but will not dispute with my Soverain Mistresse, nor ask reason of her for what is pass'd, nor do I intend to make use of the Kings favour, or any ministers of his, or of the remembrance of my former services, against the bent of your indig∣nation: the very thoughts hereof would be a crime, and opposit to my hopes, which are to find glory in fidelity, and safety in innocence: I desire lesse to dragg my fortune in France, or to cary it to Rome, to see more lamentable ruines then mine own: Wheresoever your Majesty shall be, if I be not per∣mitted accesse, it will be death unto me; and wheresoever I go, it shall be to go out of the world; yet I desire for my reputes sake, and for the rank I hold in the House of God, that it might be after the vindication of my innocence, and, if it be not too great a boldnesse, after the recovery of your Majesties favor: If fortune afford me this, I shall little resent my going out of the Court, nor out of the world, because I die a thousand times a day, since your Majesty gives out, that I am not the same, I was, which is

Madame, Your Majesties most humble, most faithfull, and most obedient servant Armand. Card. of Richelieu.

Concerning the third which discovers more then any thing the abi∣lities of a Minister, this Oration shall serve which he pronounc'd in the great Convention of Notables, a new Court generated of the discon∣tinuance

of the old Assembly of the three Estates, the King himself sitting there in Majesty.

Sir; 'Tis needles in my judgemetnt to represent unto this Illustrious As∣sembly, the great Actions your Majesty hath perform'd within this yeer, as well in regard the Lord Keeper hath acquitted himself very worthily of that task, as also because they speak cleerly enough of themselfs; And there is no man but sees that God hath been pleas'd to make use of that piety, prudence and courage which he hath infus'd into your Majesty, to work those advantages to France in so small a time, which some held impossible to be done in an age: Nor is there any need to let them know the vast expence these high actions have caried with them, because every one knows, that in matters of State, great atchievements cannot be done with little charge, and the numerous troupes of Combatants which your Majesty hath bin enforc'd to entertain at one time in sundry places, as well within, as without your Kingdom, afford understanding men occasion to magnifie your power, as well as to admire your vast expence.

There is not any amongst you my Lords, who knows not with what pure∣nesse this treasure hath bin issued, and what necessity there was of it; the probity of those who manag'd the finances justifieth the first point: and the oppression of the Allies of this Crown, and the rebellion of them, who are Traytors to God in this Kingdom do sufficiently assert the truth of the second: the desseins of some having bin no sooner projected, then form'd, to inter∣rupt his Majesty in reducing France to her first splendor: In so much that this State considering the utility she receives thereby together with her Al∣lies, have more cause to approve, then complain of these charges.

Matters, thanks be to God, are now at a good point, but one cannot pro∣mise, that they will continue so alwaies, and it were to want judgement to think that they must not be push'd on further; Of necessity this Kingdom must be left expos'd to the attempts of those who daily meditat the abasing, if not the ruine thereof, or there must be means found to secure it. The Kings intentions are to rule it so, that his government may equall, if not surpasse any time pass'd, and serve for an example for the future. The mar∣vailous assistance which it hath pleased God to afford him hitherto, when his affairs were in the most deplor'd case, gives us hope that he will still per∣severe: Being seconded with the sage counsels of the Queen his Mother, with the concurrence of Monsieur his Brother, who I may truly say is so fastned to his Majesties will, and the interest of the State, that nothing can separat him: I see no reason at all to doubt of it, since none but God Almighty can produce things of nothing, therefore to come to so good ends, of pure necessity, either the ordinary expences of the Court must be diminish'd, or the public receits augmented, or perchance both must be done.

It is not fitting you'l say, to meddle with the necessary expences, for the con∣servation of the State, the very thought thereof were a crime: yet his Ma∣jesty preferring the public before the privat, is willing out of his own motion to retrench his House in things that touch his own Person, leaving you to judge how the rest will be employ'd.

One might think that such retrenchments were not seasonable at this time, because they use to alienat sometimes the affections of hearts: But as the bu∣sinesse will be carried, great and small shall find their account and therein their satisfaction; the most austere rules seem sweet unto the most tumul∣tuous spirits, when they have, not in appearance only but in reall effect, the public good and incolumity of the State for their sole aime.

Sir, the Queen your Mother, prayes that you would think it good to let her do that, which your piety towards her would not permit you as much as to think of your self, which is that she be reduc'd to a lower revenue then she had in the late Kings time; it being true that she had not better'd her condition then, when during your Majesties minority she rais'd the fortunes of others for the advantage of your Majesties service. Different times require different and sometimes contrary courses, that which is proper at one time may be im∣pertinent at another.

In great tempests one must share his goods with the Sea, to lighten the Vessell, and avoid shipwrack; prudence requires it, that the whole perish not, for casting away part: the interest of particulars obligeth no lesse then that of the public; there being nothing more true then what an ancient Prelat of this Kingdome said, That 'tis impossible the riches of private per∣sons can subsist when the State it self is poore and necessitous: By such husbandry the ordinary expences may be lessen'd by three millions.

It rests then to augment the receits, not by such impositions that the people are not able to beare, but by innocent means which gives place to the King to continue what he hath practis'd this yeer in easing his subjects by diminution of tallies. To this effect we must come to the redemption of lands, to Notaries, and Registers, and other morgag'd rights which amount to twenty millions, a thing not onely profitable but just and necessary.

If this dessein take effect, the people who contribut more of their bloud, then of their sweat to the expences of the State, shall be eas'd.

If there be need to resist a forren Invasion, or some intestine Insurrection, (if God for our sins permit any more) or to execute a dessein that's profitable and glorious for the State, want of money will be no losse of time; there will be no need to have recours to extraordinary wayes, to Court partisans, and put hands in their purses who have them oft times full of the Kings moneys: One shall not see the Soverain Courts busied to verifie new Edicts: Kings shall appear no more upon their beds of justice, unlesse it be to undo what they had done some other time: In fine, all things shall be at such a passe, that hath bin long since desir'd by all good men, and may continue so whole Ages.

One will say, and perchance I may think so my self, that 'tis easie to pro∣pose good desseins, and as pleasing a thing to speak of them, but the execution is difficult: Yet neverthelesse, I dare speak it in the presence of the King, having well thought of it, there may be expedients found whereby within the compas of six yeers one may see the end and perfection of this work: The King, my Lords and Gentlemen, hath Assembled you expresly, to search and find them out, to examine things, and concur with him in resolution, his

Majesty assuring you, that he will readily and religiously execute what shall be determin'd for the restauration of this State.

The sick sometimes die, by too many remedies, as well, as none at all; I am bound to tell you this by the by, that to restablish this State in its first splendor, ther's no need of many Ordinances, but real executions; by this means this Assembly may close more speedily, though she may be per∣petuall for the fruit she shall produce: few words and many deeds will testifie both the good intentions, and judgements of them whereof she is compos'd.

The King doubts not but you will do what concerns your duty in this oc∣currence: You shall know by the event that his Majesty will surpasse him∣self to procure the good of his Kingdome, the glory of reviving it, is re∣serv'd to the vertu of so great a Prince: you are much bound to his goodnes, that he hath vonchsaf'd to make you partakers thereof, and for my parti∣cular I should be much bound to God, if he presently took me out of the world upon the accomplishment of so high, so glorious, and holy a work.

As thus in things premeditated, so in ordinary extemporall dis∣cours, he had a pressing way of eloquence, and exaggeration of speech, which came from him in such a grave serious accent that it mov'd all along, In so much that by his garb he seem'd to be rather an Italian then French; seldom or never would reason thrust be out of her throne by any impetuous irregular motions; seldome would his passions make any furious sallies; the greatest fit of distemper that ever was discover'd in him was, at the news of Wallesteyns death, with whom he had held intelligence for betraying the Imperial Army, & so to pave a way for France to ascend the Empire: He would easily break out into tears, and tendernesse of spirit. The prime perfection in him was his forecast, he was quick-sighted and Eagle-ey'd in every cor∣ner of christendom; He had Ecchoes in every Court which sounded unto him all the affairs of State, in so much that he knew as well what was done in the Junta's of Spain, in the Consistory at Rome, in the Cabinet Counsels of England and Germany, as if he had bin Pre∣sident of all their Counsels; He had his beagles abroad every where, which were excellent to find the sent of things, and amongst others one de Lope a Jew was his chiefest Spy: A little before the revolt of Catalonia and Portugall, he was overheard to say, That shortly he would give the Spaniard such a bone to gnaw, that should shake all the teeth in his head: And touching the troubles of Scotland and England he was us'd to say, 'twas easie for one with half an eye to have fore∣seen them.

He had an excellent invention to devise wayes to get money, in so much that when the Cow slack'd, he had a way to presse her nipples, so that all the time of his sway the King never wanted Trea∣sure: he us'd France like Prospero Colunnas Goose, pluck the old fea∣thers and the new ones will grow the faster.

He gave her likewise all sorts of Physick, sometimes he would give

her a purge, sometimes a vomit, then would he often Phleboto∣mize her, and by sweating and fluxing do away the peccant humors: He held that Principle a vain thing, which calls the peoples hearts, the Kings best Exchequer: He verified the saying, that

La France est un beau pré, qu'on ton-doit trois fois l'année:

France is a medow, which if you do mow thrice every yeer, the grasse will better grow.

Or,

France's like your beard, which the more oft you shave, still the more thick and plusher hair you'l have.

He thought often upon that Maxim that populus aut humiliter servit, aut superbè dominatur The common people serve slavishly, or rule proudly; they are like fire and water, Good servants, but ill Masters; there∣fore he kept them under, by impositions and poverty: It was long, be∣fore the King took him into his bosome, though he had always a great conceit of his abilities: A good while when he saw him come to Court, he was us'd to say sometimes, Voycy venir le Fourbe, Here coms the cunning Companion; but afterwards he so fastned upon his affections, that whereas to others, Kings favours are but as Tenacies at wil, the Kings favor to him might be call'd a stable possession, 'twas not as brittle glasse, but as firm as Diamond: Thus for twenty yeers together he sayl'd securely upon the Ocean of Royall favour, which useth to be full of rocks, shelfs, and Quicksands, but he knew the use of the Compasse so well, that he avoyded them all.

He was marvailously constant to his ends, assiduous and sagacious, whereby he took off from the Frenchman that reprochfull saying, which defines him to be an animal sine praeterito et futuro. He fitted his projects so aptly to the means, and the means to the ends, that he sel∣dome fayl'd of his expectation: He stird all the Caecodaemons of hell against the House of Austria, and a little before he died he threat∣ned to pull the King of Spain out of his Escuriall; such was his forren Intelligence, that he did the Enemy more mischief by discovering of his Counsels, then by discomfiting his Armes. He had such a nim∣ble apprehension, that he oft times would find out truth at first search, the prime motions of his thoughts being so conclusive, that what discours he form'd upon them afterward, was but an approbation of the first Idaea, which needed no addition.

He was no great zelot in his own Religion, but as he made her sub∣servient to his politicall ends; nor would he ever employ Jesuit: he had a moderate opinion of the Reformists, which made him to be call'd the Huguenot Cardinal. And he would have often in his mouth this saying, Maneat moralis benevolentia, inter discordes sententia. Yet he writ a book against them, which is extant. He did them more mis∣chief

by complementing with them, then by combating; He was overheard to say that he had taken Rochell in despight of three Kings, meaning his own for one, for it was a great while before the King could be induc'd to that expedition: Saint Martin was beholding to him for his cloake, els the English had taken it away from him at the Isle of Ré: with which cloake 'twas said, Saint Martin cover'd him afterwards in many Battailes.

He was a great cherisher and promoter of vertuous men, and would find them out wheresoever they were, in so much that he gave every yeer in pensions little lesse then an hundred thousand Franks. He e∣rected two Universities, one in Paris call'd L'Academie de beaux Esprits, where the prime wits of the Kingdom met every Munday; and ano∣ther at Richelieu where the Mathematiques and other Sciences were read in the French Language: the difficulty of the Latin deterring many from the study of them in other places. He did so oblige all the wits of the Kingdom, that they strove who should magnifie him most; and there were never such hyperbolicall expressions of any man and not without some mixture of profanenes, which shews that there is no Inquisition in France. Some said, That God Almighty might put the government of the world into his hands: That France in God, and the Cardinals hands were too strong: that, What the soule was to the body, the same he was to France.

Si foret hic nullus, Gallia nulla foret.

Some appropriat, the reduction of the Rochellers soly to him, there∣fore to sooth him, one French Chronicler writes that in the taking of that Town Neither the King nor God Almighty himself had a share in the action, but the Cardinal himself. Thereupon another made this Distich.

Richelii adventu portae patuere Rupellae, Christo infernales ut patuere fores.

The gates of Rochell op'd to Richelieu, As those of Hell to Christ asunder flew.

Then another.

Cedite Richelio mortales, cedite Divi, Ille homines vincit, vincit et ille Deos.

Vayle mortalls, vayle ye gods to Richelieu, He mortals can, He can the gods subdue.

Another thus.

O Princeps delicte Deo, cui militat aequor, Et tempestates omnia laeta ferunt,

Magne pater patriae, quae saecla ingrata recusent Indigites inter te numerare Deos?

And in the French Language there are a world of such Hyperboles, we will instance only in two.

Et si nous faisons des ghirlandes, C'est pour en couronner un Dieu, Qui soubs le nom de Richelieu Recoit nos Vaeux & nos offrandes.

Another.

Heros a qui la France erige des Autels, Qui prevois, & qui fais le bonheur des Mortels, Qui scais mieux l'advenir, que les choses passeés, Penetre dans mon Ame, &c.

Another.

Si quelq'un dans ces vers parle de Richelieu Qui sous l'habit d'un homme il nous descrive un Dieu; Vous n'estes point suiet a l'humaine impuissance, &c.

He that's cryed up for the Cicero of France, speaking of his book a∣gainst them of Charenton, saith, that, that book might be the death of all other books, except the Bible.

Another, though a Royal Chronologer, attributs more to him then to his Master, the King himself. He calls him the gran Director, and most puissant Genius of France, the perfectest of men, which doth pe∣netrat things to come, and is ignorant of nothing, great and incom∣parable Cardinal, the most eminent among mortals; to whom the crabbedst and most mysterious affairs of State are but pastimes: Vi∣sible God, and tutelar Angel of the Univers, a spirit that moves the Heavens, and the stars, the blisse of the world, the supreme intelli∣gence, the Phoenix of the earth, who never had, nor ever shall have his parallell.

These strange evaporations and high strains of profanenes shew plainly, as I said before, that the Office of the Inquisition, hath no stroak in France, as in Italy, Spain, and elswhere it hath, to curb the extravagancies of mens brains.

As there were a number of such Sycophants amongst the Wits of France, that Idoliz'd him in that maner, so there wanted not others that threw dirt in his face; by Pasquils and Libells; one drop'd this Satyre in Rome, which flew thence to the streets of Paris.

Papa noster in-Urbanus, Réxque parum Christianus, Cardinalis Infernalis, Capucinus coaequalis, Replent mundum tot is malis.

Urban our Pope not much urbane, The King not too much Christian, With the Infernal Cardinall, And Capuchin his Coaequall, The world do fill, With thousand ills.

Another comes little short of this, by calling the Capuchin, the Cardinal, and the Devil, the three degrees of comparison.

In the yeer 1640. there were extraordinary Revellings and Tri∣umphs in Paris, and there were divers Masques and Balls in the Car∣ninals Palace: And one morning there was found nayl'd upon the gate this libell.

Tandis qu'en dance au Palais Cardinal, La mere de trois Rois vá a l' hospital.

While people dance 'ith Palace Cardinal, The mother of three Kings goes to the Hospital.

Amongst other peeces of Invention which were publish'd of him, there was one call'd the Chymerical Ambassador, which in regard 'tis a new way of fancy compos'd by a Person of quality, and very face∣tious, I will insert here; The Author makes him to employ Ambas∣sadors extraordinary not onely to Christian Princes, but other Pagan Potentates to enter into a Confederacy with them as followeth.

Master Iohn Sirmond shall take the qualitie of the Duke of Sabin, and of the Marquis of Cleonville; he shall clap a sword at his side, and take for his train five or six of the Gazetic Academy, which we have made hardy lyers: Above all things they shall be instructed in the prayses of my Lord the Cardinal Duke, and to that effect they shall cun by heart all the Poems, Epigrams, Acrostiques, Anagrams, Son∣nets, and other peeces made by the Latin and French Poets of the Times, which they shall disperse up and down gratis as they passe, but for fear that this Merchandize be not forestall'd, and this false money cryed down, we command the said Ambassador to depart as soon as possibly he can, because our affairs do presse us, & we may chance take our measures short in regard Duke Charles, terming himself Duke of Lorain, is nimble because of the nourture he hath had in France; and the Germans, being now tyr'd with the troubles we have brought

in amongst them may end the war; the Spaniard also resents our in∣juries more then ever, and those Devils the Crabats advance towards our Frontiers.

The Ambassador shall speak neither good nor ill of the King, be∣cause his Majesty knowing nothing of this Ambassy may chance dis∣advow it: He shall accommode himself to the beleef of all Princes, Republiques, and people, and shall make semblance to be of the Re∣ligion or Sect of them with whom he is to treat; He shall extoll the prayses of the most eminent among mortals, he shall call him a visi∣ble God, the tutelar Angel of the Univers, the Spirit that moves the heavens and stars, the happines of the world, the supreme intelli∣gence, the Phoenix of the earth who never had, nor is like to have his equall, &c. If he find that it be taken ill that we have injur'd all the Princes of Christendom, he shall study some reasons to make them digest all: If he find perhaps that any books have been printed in Flanders against my Lord the Cardinal, he shall avouch that they are abominable, and to be burnt by the hangman, if he speak with any that detest Magic, he shall assure them that these books are full of such stuff; If he find that Champagnie trembles, and that there is a dessein to shake off the yoak in Lorain and Alsatia, he shall swear and all his followers besides, that my Lord the Cardinal hath rais'd 150000. foot, 20000. horse, 10000. pioners, and so many cariage horses, 300. Canons, with a proportionable number of bul∣lets, 100. millions in gold to give the law to all Europe: That besides landforces he hath 500. Galeons of war at Sea laden with 50000. men more, and that there is bisket, beverage & fresh water which can∣not corrupt to nourish them for ten yeers: That there are engins which will reduce instantly to ashes any Town that resists; that there be Vessels that can sayle between two waters, and that can go under other ships to blow them up into the Air, or sink them: That he hath found out Archimedes his griping irons, whose vertue is to grapple a ship a thousand paces off: In fine, my Lord, the Ambassador shall omit nothing that may give security to Champagnie, and strike a terror into Lorain, and he shall cary the busines so, that the same argu∣ments may serve to raise fear and hopes.

He shall passe as speedily as he can by Strasburg, Frankfort, Nurem∣berg and other Imperiall Towns, which have not so much knowledge of the artifice of my Lord the Cardinal Duke, and if he thinks fitting he shall conceale his quality, and disadvow his Countrey, he may say he is an Englishman, to which effect he shall make use of his Latin, and counterfeit as well as he can the English accent.

If he is bound to enter into the states of the Duke of Saxe, and of the Marquis of Brandenburg, he shall passe as speedily as possibly he can, because those wretches have half spoild our mystery, in making their own peace, then, when we thought to have made them perish with us; and since they would not do so, they have rendred themselfs un∣worthy of the good grace of the most eminent amongst mortals, and let

them be assured that the Spirit which moves the stars will cast ill influ∣ences upon them.

Then shall he passe to Poland to find the King, whom he shall salute in the name of the most eminent among mortals, he shall assure him of his friendship, and swear unto him that he will hold good correspon∣dence with him, provided that he enter in person with his forces into Hungary and Germany to make war against his Uncle: It is here that my Lord Ambassador shall display all his eloquence to shew that to gain further security and further encrease of power ther's no kinred, and that amongst Soverains the Soverain law ought to be that which force of armes gives the weaker. The expedients requir'd to ruine the House of Austria, shall be propos'd in this maner: That the most eminent among mortals doth promise ten millions of gold to the King of Poland, assuring him of the Imperiall Crown: If he saith that we have no Electors on our side since the Archbishop of Triers was so un∣luckily taken away: my Lord Ambassador shall assure him, that we are so strong the t'other side of the Rhine, that we shall constrain the three Ecclesiastic Electors, and the Duke of Bavaria to do whatsoever we please. There is no question for that, but to afford us means by a no∣table diversion to settle our Kingdom of Austrasia, according to the Cart that Bertius made to the most eminent among mortals, and which is always at the ruel of his bed. It is an Empire that's design'd for his Eminence, who scorns to be call'd Cardinal Duke, and would be King at any rate. This Kingdom of Austrasia contains all the Country 'twixt the Mose and the Rhin, to begin at the French County, and to end at the source of both the Rivers. We have already Lorain, Alsatia, Monbeliard, some part of the lower Palatinat, Mentz, and something of Triers; we have when we will the French Conté, Luxemberg, Liege, Colen, Iuliers, Cleves, and Gueldres; we shall agree well enough with the Hollander for what they hold, and so we shall make a Kingdom for the most eminent among mortals of 160. Leagues long, rich and well peopled, which shall be given in mariage to the most accomplish'd Lady on earth the Neece of that spirit which moves the heavens, who calls her self Madame de Combalet. My Lord Ambassador may shew her picture to the King of Poland, and if he likes her, he may promise him for a dowry the Kingdom of Austrasia, the Duchy of Richelieu, thirty places more in France, and ten millions of good gold without the false money of the same allay which we gave the Swed.

If the King of Poland say, that the most eminent among mortals cosend the last King his father, and that in the yeer 1630. Charnassé came in the behalfe of his Eminence to treat of a Truce 'twixt the Kings of Poland and Swethland, to give thereby opportunity to the latter to en∣ter into Pomerland, and thence to Germany, as it appears by the Letter and Instructions of his Eminence in the moneth of Iuly of the same yeer: If it be alleg'd that the same time that Charnassé treated of these things in Poland and Swethland, Cormolin was in Moscovie for his Eminence, to invite the Russe against the Pole which he effected; If these

people, which are so simple as to give credit to any thing, do accuse us of perfidiousnes, he must then disclaime the actions of Cormolin, and swear that he had his head chop'd off for making the Muscovit arme against Poland.

If my Lord Ambassador advance nothing in Poland, where it's like∣ly we are too well known, he shall go to Russia, and let him take heed that the Barbarians treat him not ill among those woods: He shall go streight habited like an Englishman or a Hollander to Mosco to find out the Emperour, to tell him the reasons which hindred him to send in the yeer 1633. the supply of men and money which his Eminence had promis'd him, and that the Turk was not made to enter into Po∣land as the Basha of Buda made his Eminence beleeve: He shall pro∣pound that if he please to break the treaty of Peace with Poland, that Prince shall be engaged far in Germany: Besides my Lord Ambassa∣dor notwithstanding any denial shall sweare that the party is made and tyed already, and so the Moscovit shall have a brave time of it in Poland. If these savages cry out, that the most eminent among mortals is the cunning'st among mortals, and that he caus'd the Moscovit to lose his repute before Smolensko where they were beaten like so many dogs which made them part with two Provinces, and make a disho∣norable Peace; If they add that the Turk will attempt nothing on Poland because of the knowledge the Gran Signor hath of the gene∣rosity of that invincible King, then my Lord Ambassador shall with∣draw, for fear he receive some affront.

We do not judge it necessary that my Lord Ambassador go back to Buda to treat with the Basha, to make him surprise some places in Hungary, his Predecessor having had his head chopt off for having en∣terpriz'd some things against the intentions of the great Turk, and for receiving the moneys we sent him; It may be feared that he who commands at present may command two of his Janizaries to put my Lord Ambassador on his back and to give him an hundred stroaks with a Bulls pizzle upon his belly, as Monsieur de Saney was us'd in Constantinople for a peece of roguery he did. Besides we hope the great Turk will break the peace with Poland, and the truce with the Emperour, to which purpose we have employ'd Monsieur de Thou to Constantinople, whither he hath caried provision to make that great Army the Turke hath at Sea to descend into Sicily and Naples, or to Malta; he hath also in charge to interpose for a peace 'twixt the Turk and the Persian, and to unite them if he can that they may destroy Christendom.

We leave it to the discretion of my Lord Ambassador whether he see the Vayvod of Transylvania, but if he resolve to go thither, he shall represent unto him that the whole earth wonders that he attempts no∣thing against the Emperour, he shall exhort him to imitat his prede∣cessor the valiant Bethlem Gabor, and tell him that all the good Houses of France have his pourtrait in their Galleries, with that of the King of Swed, and that his Highnes should do well to send also his in doing

some act of courage; If he say that he hath an alliance with the Em∣perour, and friendship with Hungary, and that for a Picture he will not hazard the Originall, in this case the Lord Ambassador is to with∣draw himself hansomly.

Then shall he enter Tartary where 'tis probable we shall manage our busines better, because that people know us not so well, withall they are fitter for our turn, in regard they place all right, in Armes as we have hitherto done: That they stay not long in one place, like the most Eminent of mortals, my Lord Ambassador shall go visit Chamo∣cublay the great Cham, wheresoever he be. He shall not wonder at that faire Palace of Marble, Porphiry, and Jasper which hath half a league in every corner; He shall esteem it, but not in such a maner but that his Eminence hath Houses which approch in some kind those of Cambalu: Above all things the Duke of Sabin shall take heed that he pull off his hat very low before the great Cham; he must remember that Dracula caus'd three Turbans to be nail'd to the Turks Ambassa∣dours heads, which drive their Embassie out of their braines. He shall tell the gran Cham that the most eminent among mortals is desirous to keep good quarter and correspondence with him, and so shall present unto him his Credentiall Letters; and that 'tis fitting his great Tar∣tarian greatnes should do some gallant thing, the Field being now open for him in regard of the Cowardise of the Transylvanian, and the affairs of Poland with the Swed, and of the troubles 'twixt the Empe∣rour and some of his Vassals, in so much that 'tis easie to invade the estates of these three Princes, as also to restrain the Turk whom we have a long time engag'd in armes against the Christians. If the gran Cham, who is a Christian though of the Greek Church, doth imagin that by this last article we are enemies to Iesus Christ, the Duke of Sabin must endevour to perswade him, that Religion is but the Re∣publiques servant, and 'twill be expedient to translate for him a book entituled the Catholic of State compos'd by Monsieur Ferrier, if he be∣leeve it not, then the Ambassadour shall labour to gain by promise of vast sums the Governors of the twelve Provinces who are the prin∣cipall Counsellors, and represent unto them that they are within a Countrey too subject to thunder, snows, and sudden changes, in so much that oft times one shall feel the foure seasons of the yeer in one only day, whereas in Hungary and Austria there is for the most part a pleasant temperature, and that excellent Wines grow there.

In regard that the most eminent among mortals hath a curious spirit, and that he desires all the rarities of the world to embellish his House, Gardens and courts, the Ambassador shall procure from some Gar∣den in Tartary the Plant Boraneth, which is like a sheep, and eates round about him all the hearbs and grasse, so that there may be no need of a Gardner to make clean the circle of his Courts; And that would serve for an excellent Emblem, to shew what his Eminence hath done to all his neighbours in Richelieu, Paris and other places: He is also desirous to find out all the strange Birds and animals that

can be had, being resolv'd to make a faire lower court in the Horse Market, which he hath clos'd within Paris, together with the Sub∣urbs of Saint Honoré, which hath cost the public at least a million of gold: The Ambassador shall also cause a good number of those Tar∣tarian Hens to be bought, which in lieu of feathers are cover'd with black skins, and lay certain egges which are purgatif, whereof his Eminence hath much need to mitigate his heat, and clense the ordures of his blood.

When the Lord Ambassadour shall have taken order for all these rarities, he shall embarque himself for Cambalu, to go for China, he shall stay a while to observe the stupendous wall that is twixt Her and Tartary; he shall take all the dimensions of the wall very exactly, and send a survey thereof to his Eminence; that, if need be, he may raise such another in his Kingdom of Austrasia; and that, having already in his hands all the Ports and Havens of France, he may also erect such a wall from Calais to Bayon, and because he may want no workmen, he hath a purpose to employ all those that shall be found to speak ill of him to finish the work.

Then the Lord Ambassadour shall embark himself upon the great Chanel that goes to Peguin, the chief City of China, and so shall send notice of his arrivall to the Emperour: In his audience he shall entitle him, Son to Apollo, a Lion crown'd in the throne of the world, and King of thirty two Realmes: He shall say that of that people whom they call Caffres, or Spaniards, attempting to ravish him of these faire Titles, and having the Lion in his Scutcheon, the most eminent among mortals not enduring that this wrong should be done his Majesty, sends to offer him his power, and to propose him a way how to be reveng'd upon the Caffres in the East and West Indies, specially to take from them their Mines of gold and sylver.

Having visited all the Kings of the East, my Lord Ambassadour shall return by the road which Alexander the Great took to enter into the Indies: And in regard the most eminent among mortals is very cu∣rious in moveables and other exquisit things for the adornment of his Houses, my Lord Ambassadour shall procure what may be possibly had for that service; He must try whether in the ancient Town of Tazila, there be left any old peeces of Porus made by Zeuxis, Apelles, Polignot, or Euphranor: He shall endevour also to bring some of those savage Asses that are neer the River Hyphasis, which have a horn in the forehead, that his Eminence may make his entry upon one of them into his Kingdom of Austrasia, and then put her to breed in his stables at Mirebalais; He shall also endevour to enchant by Scarlet colour, and letters of gold certain Dragons, which are in that Countrey, and to that effect he shall cary that robe of red Sattin embroder'd with gold, which the Cardinal of Lion wore, then, when he beleeved him∣self to be God the Father. If we had a dozen of those Dragons we might draw a great advantage for the security of his Eminencies Person, be∣cause they say that in their heads there be certain stones found like

that which made Gyges invisible. The Lord Ambassadour shall in∣form himself also at Paruca, if the Inhabitants do yet understand the Language of Beasts, which would be advantagious to his Emi∣nence because he daily hears multitudes whom he hath transform'd to simple animals.

My Lord Ambassadour shall be carefull to informe himself of the Indian Brachmans, and know whether they are such great Magicians as they are reported to be; If they are so, he shall confer with them, and learn of them, which way to turn those strong places his Eminence holds into inchanted Castles, if he be constrain'd to retire to any of them; To this purpose he shall learn what were the enchantments of those Philosophers who overcame the Egipeans when they assaulted them, and made them leave behind them up and down the Rocks the pourtrait of their ill-favour'd faces, ugly beards, and double nayles.

If the Lord Ambassadour finds that he cannot do our busines with these kind of Philosophers because they are too austere & peaceful, he shall find out another Sect call'd the Oxidraques, who are Philoso∣phers which use to discompose the humours of men, and make them rush out every where into war, such are most fit for our purpose; If my Lord Ambassadour cannot dive into their mysteries, he must de∣boush one of them, and promise to make him compagnon of the Re∣verend Father Ioseph, who is already vers'd in some of the Max∣imes of this goodly Society, and useth to sow war every moneth, that he may gather something all the yeer long.

He must also make an exact research for the curious books of Me∣tagenes, wherein he teacheth how to compound a beuverage whereby to make a judiciary Astrologer, and take the Circle of the seven Pla∣nets, which knowledge would be very usefull for the most eminent a∣mong mortals to foresee what will become of him, and to be able the better to prevent his enemies; for the Europaean Astrologers have cousen'd him in divers praedictions, specially in that of the ruine of the House of Austria, and in the translation of the Empire; They had also assur'd him that in such a yeer he should be Pope, and in such a yeer King of Austrasia.

The Lord Ambassadour shall try to get the Beast Marticora which is of a red colour, and hath the head of a man lancing out sharpe pric∣kles from behind: The spirit which moves the stars shall take this for his Crest.

The Lord Ambassadour shall not faile to enquire if it be possible to recover the pourtrait of the Great Talamoque, or that huge Galeasse, which the Egiptiens sent two thousand yeers since to the Indian Seas, because the most eminent among mortals would build the like, having already cut down a good part of the Forests of Britany, to make such an Engine that may be able to crush the English Ships, by being higher deck'd then the tops of their Masts; It shall be call'd the Great Armand, which shall be able to swallow all the Bottomes on the Ocean: whereon the Picture of the most eminent among mortals shall

be put, who cannot live but amongst waves, amongst troubles and tossings and tumblings, besides he fears nothing more then the earth.

Then shall the Lord Ambassadour passe by the Persian Gulph, and then to the red Sea, and so through the Deserts of Lybia, he shall en∣ter into Egypt, and so advance to Ethiopia to see Prester Iohn; He shall endevour to perswade him that he being of the Race of the Q. of Sheba, he ought to have a curiosity to come to hear the wisdom of the most eminent among mortals, who knows more then Solomon.

If my Lord Ambassadour passe by Fez and Morocco, he shall en∣devour to incite them also against the Spaniard.

When his Excellence the Duke of Sabin, Ambassadour extraordi∣nary for the most eminent among mortals to all the Great Monarques of the World, shall be return'd to Christendom, he shall advertise all Princes as he passeth along, that his Eminence is resolv'd there shall be no Peace in Europe, specially 'twixt France and the House of Au∣stria (howsoever that there may be a way given for Treaties to amuse the world) untill both parties become equall in power, therefore as he shall passe through Italy, the foresaid Lord Ambassadour shall procure one of those Scales wherein Cosmo de Medici balanc'd all the Princes of the Western World, for the most eminent among mortals in∣tends to do the like most exactly, and weigh every State to the least grain, &c.

This was the substance of the rambling Instructions that were given the Chymericall Ambassadour, which kept more noise in Chri∣stendom then any thing that ever was written of him; Another com∣pares him to Hercules, and the Q. Mother to Iuno, whose animosity put Hercules to quell Monsters, and perform his twelve labours, which were held impossibilities in others; At Sea Hercules himself did not so many feats as he, for being High Admiral, his Galeon the great Armand broak often through his pillers; He rays'd every day new tempests, wherein Dolphin-like he lov'd to tumble and sport, and by this restles humour of motion, he drive his Master into a vast O∣cean of trouble and danger, his sayles having no other wind to fill them but ambition, and ayrie hopes of honor; And while he la∣bour'd thus to have his great Masters name and his own, to fill future story, some doubt, whether they were not expung'd out of the Book of life; in regard they pass'd to their last Port through a Red Sea, the one a young man upon the matter (being but 42.) the other not old, (being but 57.) and the reason may be drawn out of the Sacred Text, That the bloud-thirsty man shall not see half his dayes.

This Sanguinary humor in him, was sutable to the colour of his habit; which more incited, and praecipitated the French and others his Confederats to Armes; as we read it to be the custom of the In∣dians, to present Scarlet colours, and other bloody red objects be∣fore

their Elephants, to make them more furious when they are em∣ploy'd in the wars: This made him turn the very dust to soldiers as he pass'd, and make swarms follow him, as well for the colour of his coat, as also for that holines which some held to be inhaerent in it. I will conclude all kind of Satyrs of him with these Latin ones, which may be instar omnium, for they give a shrewd Character both of his nature, his actions, and of his whole life; and tis in forme of an Epi∣taph, and penn'd by one of the prime wits under that Clime.

Primùm quod a te postulo, Viator, est, ut Deum opt: max: laudes, quod haec in Gallia securus leges: Deinde miraberis tantillo spacio claudi mortuum, quem Terra non capiebat vivum: Illam ubi commovit, coelum movere vo∣luit is, qui hoc symbolum sibi arrogavit Mens sydera volvit: Ut intelligas qualis haec Intelligentia fuerit, industria fuit sagaci, sed inquieta, pacis publicae, & propriae tranquillitatis hostis: In magno, quod plurimi suspex∣erint, Ingenio, magnam pauci familiares deprehenderunt mixturam de∣mentiae: Animum ejus laedebant omnia, sanabat nihil: Potentissimi Regis, non tam benevolentia, quam authoritate diu stetit, Rerum exitu, non consiliorum prudentia foelix: Dei solius infelix indignatione, cum tur∣pibus morbis perpetuo conflictatus, locum ignoravit felicitatis, quam sua & aliorum infelicitate quaerebat: nunquam sibi visus beatus, ut nec iis pro∣bus qui beatum nuncupabant: Utrique bili, vitae carnificibus, obnoxi∣us, flavos ignes, at atras fuligines continuò passus est, sic venenum quod in aliorum perniciem effudit, non sine sua continuit: Supra omnes Mortales ambitione laboravit, supra plurimos avaritia; Regiae pecuniae prodigus, alienae parcus: Crudelis offensus, ubi offenderat crudelior extitit. Regiae Matris beneficiis ditatus, curis promotus, & potestate potentior factus, illam gratiâ regis, libertate, bonis, Galliâ, ac demum extorrem Coloniae vitâ privavit: ne mortuae parceret, supremas ejus voluntates rescindi, et inse∣pultum cadaver per quinque menses, post quos et Ipse extinctus est, in cubiculo relinqui voluit: Fratris Regis dignitatem violavit, & personam opprimere studuit: Non solùm a Matre filium, a fratre fratrem, sed ab uxore virum aliquando avertit; Marillacum cum summa injuria, Montmorentium summo jure, Saint Marcum jure cum injuria, Thuanum vel jure vel in∣juria capite plecti voluit: Magnates aliquot carcere perpetuo, plures ex∣ilio damnavit, multos ab Aula removit, innumeros proscripsit ne ipsius con∣siliis obessent; nec unquàm mitis Gallia tam frequentia supplicia vidit: Magni Regis, quem magno studio decepit, nixus potentia, & foecundi Regni opibus adjutus, infinitas sagittas perdidit, ut scopum praecipnum, a quo aber∣ravit, attingeret: Aliquos exitus secundos insanis conatibus pepererunt mentis actio vel agitatio continua, projecta est omnia tentans mentis au∣dacia, & rigida severitas; Brevi evertendus si inter hostes externos ali∣quos cautiores, & inter aversos Gallos ferè omnes, vel adversarium unum invenisset: Multùm illi favit, quod eum vix quis noverit, vel iis, qui nove∣rant, crediderit: Adeo fortunatus, ut qui illi infensi erant nobiles, & mi∣lites, pro illius gloria suum & alienum funderent sanguinem, dum ille regio jungeret suum: In quo consilio Sejanus periit, & ipse perierat, nisi Soisso∣nensem

Regium principem sustulisset: Tam noxiae potestatis vestigia, in∣tegro saeculo, Germania, Hispania, Italia, Belgium, sed maximè Gallia vix delebunt: Et Civium et vicinorum miseriis voluptatem captans; ut istis capillos velleret, illorum viscera laniaret: Nec Regis sui sacrae valetudini aliquid indulsit, illam agitavit, dum suam exhausit curis & vario animi pathemate: Illi primò divinae nemesis brachium corrupit, quod contra coe∣lum tetenderat, mox abstulit usum Dextrae, quae bellis ultro illatis sub∣scripserat; illud octo ante obitum mensibus computruit, unde haec exaruit: Quod dolendum, qui Deum ita Vindicem sensit, non agnovit: Id ex eo con∣jice, quod furorem in hostes privatos ardentiùs exercuit: Quod imminente morte, politica magis prudentia, quàm Christiana pietate, plus suos Regi, quam se Deo Comendavit: Quod paucis diebus ante vitae tragicae catastro∣phen, excogitatam a se fabulam, quam Europam triumphantem vocabat, exhiberi regia magnificentia voluit, non tamen spectare potuit: Quod Ec∣clesiam afflixit Cardinalis, sanguinem effudit Sacerdos, nullas injurias condonavit Christianus, nec Homo meminerit se esse mortalem, etiam cum ebullientes e multis ulceribus vermes admonerent, quam fragili, & faetidae corruptioni obnoxious esset: Ubi omnibus viis etiam impiis per 18. annos, ad privatum, dispendio publici, cucurrit finem, ad comnunem hominum, placida in speciem morte, sed multis quos praemisit, tardiore, tandem perve∣nit: Fato functus est Lutetiae ante 57. cum tribus mensibus: Galliam & Domum deserens, utramque incendere velle visus est, illam extorta in Regis fratrem declaratione, istam ad placitum foeminae condito testamento: Cae∣terum nec unquum dives Gallia tantum homini contulit, nec alium Natura satis impatiens tam diu pertulit, nec pacis amans, mortuum ullum tam hila∣riter extulit; Haec palam assero, quae tu clam suspicatus es sapiens Viator: si quem adhuc dubitantem invenis, roga, ne deceptis vel corruptis adulato∣ribus credat, sed mihi, vera ex intimis sincerisque promenti. Omnes verò Mortales, ut sibi persuadeant, velim, plus apud Deum valere justitiam vel minimam, quàm potestatem maximam, nec aestimandam tam latè diffusam, famam, sed bonam: Multa turbare non esse multum agere, turbata compo∣nere plus esse, ne turbentur impedire plurimum esse: Vulgus felicia scelera pro virtutibus ducit, tu contra, nihil infelicius felici scelere cogita: Frau∣dum egregius Artifex Richelius, plurimos ad momentum decepit, forte se∣ipsum in perpetuum: Heu, Universa, quae miscuit, non rediget in ordinem, qui pacem quae cum illius ingenio turbulento non conveniebat, etiam fortunae suae non convenire credebat. Inde tot mala quae Christianum Orbem a 15. annis afflixerunt: Ora ne sit Deus vindex aeternus in authorem, qui magna misericordiâ multisque miserationibus in magnis, multisque criminibus indi∣gebat: Tu Hospes Christiane seriò perpende quam nihil sit quicquid momen∣to praeterit; Nemo ex istis quos purpuratos vides ex hoc ipso felix est, non magis quàm ex illis quibus sceptrū & chlamydem in scena fabulae assignant, cum praesenti populo elati incesserunt, et cothurnati simul exierunt, excalce∣antur, & ad staturam suam redeant: Adde parvus cinis modo est, qui magnus Ignis fuit, teter fumus nunc est, qui nuper coruscans splendor om∣nium oculos perstringebat: Utinam non et fax illi in alio sit orbe, qui in hoc Europae fuit; Haec jam pacem, extincto bellorum fomite, sperat; Hor∣tarer

te Viator, ut tanto pacis etiam suae dum viveret, hosti pacem precareris, nisi vererer, ne illi molestus esses rem quam oderat illi apprecando; precare tamen quia juberis inimicos deligere: si ad illum non pervenerit pax, ad te revertetur: sic imperat Christus, in quo vive pacificus, ut in Illo placide con∣quiescas. Interim vale.

This Epitaphicall Invective being a kind of Character of the whole man and a Legend of his life, I thought worthy of rendring into Eng∣lish, for the concisenes and weight of the style.

First, O Passenger, I desire thee to praise Almighty God that thou mayst read this securely in France: Then admire, that he is coop'd up in so narrow a compasse, now dead, whom living, the whole Earth could scarce contain: when he mov'd Her, he also shook the Hea∣vens, arrogating to himself this Motto, Mens sydera volvit: That thou mayst know what an Intelligence this was; He was in point of industry sagacious, but turbulent; being an Enemy both to the pub∣lique peace and his own: In that great wit, which neverthelesse some suspected, some of his Familiars observ'd a great mixture of madnes: All things puzzled his mind, nothing settled it: He stood so long, not so much by the love of his great Master, but by authority, being more fortunat for the successe of things, then solidity of counsell: un∣happy onely in the wrath of God, being perpetually attended with foule diseases; He was subject to both Cholers the tormenters of mans life, black and yellow; so the poyson which he disgorg'd for others ruine, was felt by himself: He was ambitious above all men, covetous above most, prodigall of the Kings money, and sparing of his own: when cross'd, he was cruell, and more, when he intended to crosse: Being enrich'd by the Queen Mothers benefits, promoted by her care, and made potent by her power, he deprived Her both of the Kings grace, of her liberty, goods, and of France it self, and at last of life at Colen where she died an exile: He spar'd her not after death, but rescinded her last will, and kept her body five moneths after above ground in her chamber: He violated the Kings brothers honor, and sought to oppresse his Person; He separated not only Mother from Son, brother from brother, but wife from husband: He caus'd Marillac to be chop'd off by extreme wrong, Monmorency by extreme right, Saint Marc by right and wrong, and de Thou by right or wrong: Some Nobles he condemn'd to perpetuall imprisonment, he banish'd more, he drive most of them from Court, he proscrib'd numbers lest they might crosse his Counsells, mild France never saw so frequent punishments: the restlesse activity or agitation of his mind, his projecting and all-daring boldnes, and his severe rigidity produc'd some prosperous successes by such furious endevours: How easily had he fallen, if amongst his forren foes he had met with some more cunning, or but with one amongst his own Countrey men: It much advantag'd him, that any scarce knew him, or that he gave cre∣dit to any that did know him; He was so fortunat, that those Nobles,

and Commanders who mislik'd him, spent their own and others bloud, while he joyn'd his with the Kings: In the same Counsell Se∣janus fell, had he also fallen, had he not tane away the Royall Prince Soissons: The prints of so destructive a power, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, but France principally will scarce deface in a whole Age: He took pleasure in his own Countrey mens and his Neigh∣bours miseries, that he might pluck the hairs of the one, and teare the entrailes of the other: Neither was he tender of the Sacred health of his King, which he shook while he exhausted his own by cares, and various anxieties of mind: The Divine vengeance first corrupted his arm which he had lifted up against heaven, then he lost the use of his right hand, which had subscrib'd so many bloudy warrants, the one putrified in eight moneths, the other dried away: And, which is a fearefull thing, he who thus felt the revengefull hand of God, did scarce acknowledge him, which may be inferr'd out of this, because he exercis'd his fury more eagerly upon his privat enemies: And that upon the point of death by Politicall prudence rather then Christian piety he recommended his own to the King, more then himself to God: besides a few dayes before the catastrophe of his tragic life, he would have a Play acted of his, call'd Europa Triumphans in Royall magnificence though he himself could not be at it: Moreover he af∣flicted the Church being a Cardinal, he shed bloud being a Priest, he never forgat injuries being a Christian, he scarce thought himself mortall being a man, although those foule wormes which issued out of his ulcers might have warn'd him to what a fraile and faetid cor∣ruption he was subject unto: Having by all, even impious means run to his own privat ends for eighteen yeers, at last he came to the com∣mon end of mankind by a gentle death in shew, and slower far then was wish'd: He expir'd at Paris, where he was born, being 57. yeers and odd moneths old: Now leaving France, and his own House, he seem'd to have a will to set both on fire, the one by extorting a De∣claration against the Kings brother, the other, by making his last Will at the will of a woman: Never did plentifull France bestow upon any one so much, nor, being somewhat impatient by nature, did she endure any one longer; neither, being a lover of peace, did she ever cary any one to his grave more joyfully: Discreet Passenger this I openly avouch, which thou haply doest privatly suspect. If thou meetst with any yet doubting, entreat him, that he give no cre∣dit to flatterers either corrupted or deceived, but to me deriving truth from its true source: But I would have all mortals beleeve, that with God the least dram of Justice prevailes more then an Ocean of Great∣nesse, nor is true Fame esteem'd by the extent but by the goodnesse. That to embroyle many things, is not to do much; 'tis more, to com∣pose troubles, and more then that, to prevent they may not happen: The Vulgar give the names of vertues, to lucky villanies, but be thou of another mind, and think nothing more unhappy, then fortunat mischiefs: Richelieu the egregious Artist of fraud, deceiv'd many for a

time, but himself haply for ever: Alas, what he hath shatter'd, can never be put again in order, who thought that Peace which was con∣trary to his nature, was not convenient for his fortunes, hence issued all those mischiefs which have afflicted the Christian world so many yeers: pray, that God avenge not himself on the author, who wan∣ted mercy in so many great crimes: O Christian stranger do thou se∣riously consider, what a nothing 'tis, what passeth away in a moment; none of those whom thou beholdest purpled all over, are happy in that, no more then those that a stage assignes a Scepter or stately Robes unto, with the spectators they likewise go out, are unbuskin'd, and return to their old stature: Seneca. Behold what a few ashes he makes, who was so huge a fire, he is become now a black smoak, who lately like a coruscant lampe dazled all eyes: God grant he be not a firebrand to himself in the other world, who was such a one to poore Europe, which hath hopes of Peace, now, that the tinder is spent: I could with thee, O passenger, wish peace to so great an enemy of peace, even to his own, while he lived, if I feared not that thou would'st do him an ill office, to wish him that which he most dete∣sted: yet pray, because thou art commanded to love thine enemies, if peace go not to him, it will return to thee: So Christ commands, in whom live peacefully, that thou may'st rest in him eternally: In the interim farewell.

There is another which draws neerer to the nature of an Epitaph of as pressing and ponderous a style as this, but not falling so heavily upon him.

Adsta Viator, quò proper as? Quod nusquam videbis aut audies heic legitur, Armandus Iohannes de Plessis Cardinalis de Richelieu, Clarus origine, magnus ingenio, fortuna Eminentissimus, Quodque mirere, Sacerdos in Castris, Theologus in Aula, Episcopus sine plebe, Cardinalis sine titulo, Rex sine nomine, ••lnus tamen omnia: Naturam habuit in numerato, fortin••m in Consilio, AErarium in peculio, securitatem in bello, victoriam sub signis, Socios in praecinctu, Cives in servitute, Amicos in obsequio, inimicos in carcere, Hoc tamen uno miser, quod omnes miseros fecit, Tam saeculi sui tormentum, quàm ornamentum, Galliam subegit, Italtam terruit, Germaniam quassavit, Afflixit Hispaniā, coronavit Bragantiā, cepit Lotharingiam, Accepit Catalontam, fovit Suecram, truncavit Flandriam, Turbavit Angliam, lusit Europam. Poeta purpuratus, Cui scena Mundus, gloria stiparium, Regia gaza Choragium fuit, Tragicus maxime quam fabulam male solvit. Post Regnum Testamento suis distribatum, paupertatem populo imperatam,

Dissipatos Principes, Nobilitatem suppliciis exhaustam, Senatum authoritate spoliatum, exter as gentes bello & incendiis vastatos, Pacem terrâ marique profligatam, Cùm fatiscente corpore, animum gravioribus consiliis aegrè vegetaret Et nullius non interesset ipsum aut vivere aut mori, Iamque bona sui parte mortuus, aliorum tantum morte viveret, Derepente spirare desiit et timeri. O fluxa Mortalitatis! Quàm tenue momentum est inter Omnia et nihil? Mortui corpus rheda extulit, Sccuti Equites, peditesque magno numero. Faces praetulerunt Ephebi, crucem nemo, quia currus publicam ferebat: Denique hunc tumulum implet non totum, Quem tota Europa non implebat. Inter Theologos situs ingens disputandi argumentum, Quo migravit sacramemtum est. Haec te, Lector, volui, heic te metire, Et abi.

Stay Passenger, where hastne'st thou? Here may'st Thou read what thou shalt see, nor hear any where els: Armand Iohn du Plessis Cardinal of Richelieu, Noble by descent, great in wit, most eminent in fortune, And, what thou may'st admire, A Priest in the field, a Divine at Court, A Bishop without Cure, a Cardinal without Title, a King without name, Yet, One, who was all these: He had Nature in all her numbers, Fortune in his Counsels, The Royall treasure in possession, Security in war, Victory under his banner; He kept his Confoederats in compasse, his Countrey men in servitude, His Friends at a distance, his Enemies in prison, In this only wretched, that he made all men so, Being as well the torment, as the ornament of his times. He subdued France, he scar'd Italy, he shook the Empire, He afflicted Spain, he crown'd Bragantia, he took Lorain, He accepted of Catalonia, he fomented Swethland, he maim'd Flanders, He troubled England, he cousen'd all Europe: A purpled Poet, Whose stage was the world, glory his curtain, the Exchequer his ty∣ring-house: His subject for the most part tragicall, to w^ch he put an il Catastrophe: Having turn'd the Kingdom to Legacies, bequeath'd poverty to the people, Dissipated the Princes, exhausted the Nobility with punishments, Bereft the Parlement of power, destroy'd other Nations with fire and sword, driven away Peace by Sea, and Land;

His body now fainting, his mind not recreable for restles thoughts, when it concern'd every one that he should live or die, Being already mortified a good part, and living only in others death, He suddenly ceas'd to breath, and to be fear'd: O the frayl things of mortality! What a small moment is there, 'twixt something and nothing? The corps was caried in a Chariot, horse and foot follow'd in great numbers, Pages caried Torches, none the Crosse, for the Chariot carried the public Crosse: In fine he hardly fill'd up his grave, Whom all Europe could not fill: He lies among the Sorbonists, Of dispute a mighty argument; And where he is gone, 'tis a Sacrament: Reader, this is all, I would have with thee, Hereby measure thy self, and be gone.

Thus was this great man the subject of every mans censure, a thing incident and inevitable to all Favorits, and Minions of Princes, who like wooden popagayes fastned upon high poles, are marks for every one to shoot at; they are expos'd to unsavory, as well as to sweet breaths, to rough blasts, as to gentle brizes: But our Cardinal had taken such deep rooting in his Masters heart, that for many yeers no crosse winds, though never so impetuous and violent, were able to shake him: Add hereunto that he strongly fortified himself by alliances, and had in his hands the tenablest places of France, by Sea and Land; So that he seem'd to be like a tree planted upon the Mount Olympus, transcen∣ding all meteorologicall impressions, and those frog-vapors, and ma∣lignant ayres which use to hover in the lower Regions, and if there hung any, his Masters countenance, like the Orient Sun, would pre∣sently dispell them.

Considering, as the world knows, a directing minister of State was requisit in France, certainly the King could not light upon a more ido∣neous instrument, for he was cut out for a States-man, his brain was alwayes at work, and his thoughts still grinding something; his coun∣sels were oracles, and his desseins mysteries, till put in execution, and then they turn'd to exploits most commonly: He was not only wise but politic; Now, wisdome and policy (as it is taken in these times) though they both agree in their ends, yet they differ in the means con∣ducing to attain their ends; the first goes the plain direct high road, the other useth now and then some odd by-paths: Never any brought the principles of policy, which are generall and confus'd, to a greater certainty; they are easily prescrib'd, but practis'd with more difficul∣tie then those of any other Art; The Navigator directed by his Com∣passe is sure to come at such a height, and arrive to such a Port: the Mathematician can exemplifie, and really demonstrate the truth of any of his principles; The Architect by his Model and instruments can

exactly (having materials accordingly) raise such an edifice; The Musician scruing up his strings to such a height, is sure to hit upon such a tune; The Physitian knowing the vertue and operation of his drugs, is sure they will restringe or purge, open or obstruct; It is not so with the Polititian, who though he adapt and apply his principles never so dextrously, yet he cannot assure himselfe of the effects: which must be imputed to the world of contingencies, obstacles, and inexpected accidents which use to attend the negotiations of men, specially mat∣ters of State, and War: yet this great Minister brought them to as much certitude as could be; In so much, that before the breach with Spain, he was us'd to say, that the Almightie and irresistible hand of heaven was only able to ranverse his desseins, not any humane power; And it prov'd true, for the Austrian tree (which was the ayme of all his policies) was never so shaken: nor France never so secur'd; so that take the Theoric, and Practic part of policy together, Olivares & Ox∣enstern his contemporaries, yea Machiavil himself (taking him in the best sense) had he bin living, might have bin his apprentices. And it was the more easie for him to bring such things to passe, in regard that he had the power of disposing all things entire and so concentred in himself, that he met with no opposition, with no crosse counsels or contestation; for the King had resign'd not only his power, but his judgement, and all the faculties of his soul unto him alone, nor would he listen to any advis'd him otherwise; which was no small advan∣tage to the cariage of things, for, though in the multitude of Counsel∣lors there be safety, yet, in the conduct of State affaires (specially Mar∣tiall) wherein secrecy and speed are so essentially requisit, that they may be said to be the two poles whereon they move, I say, in the tracing and managery of such actions, where oft-times the ball must be ta'ne be∣fore the bound, too great a number (of Counsellors) is an encomber, and makes the dessein subject to discovery, or delay, to be retarded or re∣veal'd, and so to miscarry, and misse of the end: yet this solenesse and singlenesse of counsell may be thus qualified; Quod fieri debeat, cum multis tracta; quod facturus es, cum paucissimis. But whereas many cast in his dish, that being a Cardinal, and a Bishop Cardinal too, he was un∣fit to be a Captain generall, it may be answer'd that 'tis no new thing in the Roman Church, no not in France it self, where divers examples may be produc'd: Arnaud de Pelegrue, Clement the fifts kinsman, be∣ing Cardinal, was General of an Army in the yeer 1330. Andoin de la Roche Abbot of Cluny and Cardinal was the like 1360. The Cardi∣nal of Alby, otherwise call'd the Cardinal of Arras commanded in Chief the Army of Lewis the xj. Nor can Spain reproach him of this for Cardinal Albornost, Kimenes, and Carvaial, all three, were Ge∣nerals for the Kings of Spain, and Charles the fift employed Cardinal Pompeo Colonna often in that nature. And t'other day Cardinal Fer∣dinando this King of Spains brother, was his Generalissimo in the Ne∣therlands, having fought Norlinghen battell in his way. Nay, not only Cardinals, but we read of Popes themselves that personally command∣ed

their armies in chief, among others Iohn the tenth, Leo the ninth, Paschall the second, Urban the second, Victor the third, Lucius the se∣cond, Innocent the second, and Iulius the second.

But of all Cardinals I have read of, our present Cardinal may be most properly compar'd in disposition to Ximenes of Spain, and Wolsey of England; to the first, for his inclination to war, for Cardinal Xi∣menes was us'd to say, that Gunpowder gave as sweet an odor in the field, as incense at the altar. To the second, for his magnitude of mind: Wol∣sey had for his Motto

—non haec sine numine Divûm Eveniunt. Richelieu had—mens sydera volvit.

But in magnificence Wolsey surpass'd him, 'tis true this late Cardinal had a band of souldiers perpetually attending him, but nothing com∣parable to the other for domestic attendance; when Wolsey was mounting his Mule at White-hall gate to go sit at the Chancery, the first of his train all along would be by that time at Westminster Hall: He went to France with 1000. horse Ambassador, and was Arbiter of most of the Debates twixt the Emperour and Francis the first. Riche∣licu gave his King, his Cardinal-Palace for a gift; Wolsey, Hampton Court all furnish'd worth foure of the to'ther, a gift as one said, too great for a Subject to give, and a King to receive. Richelieu repair'd the Colledge of Sorbon, erected a few Schooles for reading the Sciences in the vulgar language: built the Cardinal-Palace in Paris, and the Palace of Riche∣lieu in the Countrey: Wolsey built Whitehall, Hampton Court, the huge Colledge at Ipswich, and Christ-church in Oxford, the greatest Monu∣ments of that kind in the world; besides a tombe he had intended and three quarterd finish'd for Henry the eight his Master at Winsor, which, had it been perfected Europe, had not had the like, nor would his sonne or any of his two daughters be at the charge of finishing it. And as in magnitude of mind, so in a constancy and fastnesse to himself he sympathiz'd with English Wolsey, (who amongst other properties was specially observed for that;) For when his affections fixed upon any thing, he would employ the whole man to compasse it; his mind was like a stone hurl'd into the water which never rest's till it comes to the bottome: So when he desir'd any thing he would leave no stone un∣stirr'd, (as they say) no wayes untry'd, but he would attain it: A Gen∣tleman of qualitie told me a passage of him, that a Marchant of Paris brought him a jewell of high price to shew and sell, he was so taken with it, that he offerd 50000. crownes for it, the Marchant demanded 15000. more and would not go a peny lesse: A few dayes after the Marchant carrying the jewell to a great Lady to see, was suddenly in some place of advantage surpriz'd, muffled and so unjewell'd: A lit∣tle after the Marchant going to the Cardinals Secretary upon some o∣ther businesse, the Cardinall hearing of his being there, sent for him, and making grievous mone for his jewell, the Cardinal fetch'd out of his Cabinet a box, and drew thence a jewell, and ask'd whether that was his; the Marchant in a kind of amazement answer'd, I dare not

say 'tis mine, because 'tis in your Eminencies hands, but were in it any other hand I would sweare it were mine: Go, saith he, and keep a bet∣ter conscience in your dealings hereafter, for I know what this jewell is worth as well as you, and out of that I have offerd you already, you may draw very faire gaines; so he gave order his 50000. crownes should be payd him, and the busines was hush'd up. We draw now to an end, and to bring our Cardinal with a sweet odour to his grave, and take away something of the ill favour of those Epitaphs that went before, we will adde this upon him in Sorbon.

Monumentum Eminentissimi Cardinalis Ducis Richelii.

StaViator; Mortale quod habuit Armandus Iohannes Plessaeus Cardinalis Dux Richelius Heic deposuit: Sta, si Gallus es, Ad Armandi cineres, cujus consiliis stetit Gallia: Sta, si Confoederatus es, Ad Cardinalis Monumentum, cujus cardine Innixa stetit Europa: Sta, si Hostis es, Ad Ducis Richelii trophaeum, cujus ad nutum Stetit Oceanus. Lege. Primum illi beneficium nasci, proximum agnosci, Majoribus ornatus, Majorum ornamentum, Episcopatum dignitate major omninò implevit: Edoctum in coelo, ad coelum opera demonstrârunt, Ad Statûs Secretariatum erectus est, qui Statum recturus erat, Regenti Matri adstitit, Regni Pater futurus, Volente Rege, cogentibus meritis sic Roma purpuram concessit, Ut dubitare liceat, An plus Eminentiae contulerit purpurae, quam ab ea retulerit; Eminentissimum fecerat prior virtus, quàm Roma: Ad fulgorem purpurae fremuit Aquila, rugiit Leo, Rosa palluit: Nec potuit purpuram fugere, Qui, si martyrum insignia non tulisset, Hostium sanguine tincta ferre potuit, qui tot abstulit: A Regina matre recessit cum Regina voluit esse, Non Mater: Publicae quietis amator, non fortunae; Odio fuit, quia satis non potuit amari: Nec in Aula, nec in Oceani fluctibus fluctuavit:

Immotus mansit, cujus ad obsequium commotae sunt Rupes,* 3.1 Et sub eo, conspiratione Rebellium cedente, Respiravit undi{que} Religio, Quae sine eo passim expiratura videbatur. Privatos hostes, cùm voluit, vicit, Regios semper: Sic sibi vacans, ut aliis non videretur intentus, Sic aliis, ut non sibi: Mirabilia fecit totius Orbis Miraculum, Felix quod Justo Regi placuerit; Felicior, quòd ita Regi Regnó{que} servierit, Ut utrum{que} servaret: Tandem, profligato Germano, caeso Hispano, Pacato Regno, Sé{que} ipso, omnibus majore, victo, Spretis umbratilibus terrae triumphis Immarcescibilem a Deo Coronam recepturus excessit, Incertum relinquens, An vixerit et rexerit feliciùs, an obierit sanctiùs: Ab Invidia planctum extorsit, Et, quo praesentem exercuerat, absentem luxit; Nec poterat ultra progredi, summum attigerat. Exuvias mortis Sorbonae dedit, quo vivo Sorbona fuerat animata. In Sorbona quam dilexit, tumulum elegit, Et in sinu ejus jacere voluit, Quam jacentem invenit et erexit, Etiam Sorbonae Genium, si jacuisset, solus erecturus: Debilitatis undi{que} Hostibus, Soli Morti cessit Mortis Victor, sui{que} superstes, Dum in omnium ore, animo{que} vivit: Ora et Vale. Obiit iv. Decem. 1642. aetat. 57. & 3. mens:

The Monument of the most eminent Cardinal Duke of Richelieu.

Stay Passenger, Armand Iohn du Plessis Cardinal Duke of Richelieu hath deposited here, whatsoever he had of mortalitie: Stay, if thou art French, at his ashes, by whose Counsels France stood; Stay, if thou art a Con∣federat, at the Cardinals tombe, on whom as upon a hinge all Europe mov'd: Stay, if thou art an Enemy, at the trophey of the Duke of Richelieu, at whose beck the Ocean stood: Read on, His first good was to have a being, his next to have a well-being; As he was adorn'd with Ancestors, so he was an ornament unto them; for his know∣ledge and actions, the one came from heaven, the other tended towards

heaven: He was promoted to be Secretary of State, who was after∣wards to rule the State; He was assistant to the Queen Mother, who was to be the Kingdoms Father: The King being willing, and his worth enforcing, Rome so granted him the purple, that it might be doubted, whether he gave or received more Eminence unto it: His vertue made him most eminent, before Rome; At the brightnesse of his purple the Eagle quak'd, the Lion roar'd, the Rose grew pale; nor could He avoyd the purple, which had he not worn as ensignes of Martyrs, yet, he might carry them died in the bloud of enemies: He withdrew himself from the Queen mother, when she would be more Queen then Mother; A lover of public Peace, not of fortune. Hated he was, because he could not be lov'd enough: He fluctuated neither at Court, nor in the Ocean floods: He stood immoveable, at whose nod the Rocks stirr'd, and under him the conspiration of Rebels being quash'd, Religion began to respire every where, which without him was ready to expire: he overcame his own foes when he listed, the Kings alwaies: He was so vacant to himself, as if he intended nothing else; so intent to others, as he seem'd to neglect himself: being the wonder of his age he did miracles; happy he was that he pleas'd a just King, and happier, that he so serv'd the King and Kingdom that he preserv'd both: At last, the German routed, the Spaniard slain, the Kingdom quieted, and having orecome himself the greatest of all, contemning the shadowy triumphs of the earth, being to receive an immarcescible crown of God, he expir'd; leaving it incertain whe∣ther he liv'd and rul'd more happily, or died more piously: He wrung teares from Envie herself, who poursuing him living, condol'd him dead; He could go no further, he had attain'd the highest: The spoiles of death he gave to Sorbon, who living animated Sorbon: In Sorbon whom he lov'd, he desir'd to lye, and to rest in her bosom whom find∣ing tottering, he took up, nay he only could have reviv'd the Genius of Sorbon, had it been like to faint: The foe enfeebled every where, he only yeelded to death, being deaths Conqueror, and Survivour of himself, while he lives in the mouths, and minds of all men. Pray, and farewell.

He died 4^th. of December 1642. the 57. yeer, and 3^th. moneth of his Age.

This Epitaph gives a full compensation for the tartnes of the two former, which were inserted expresly thereby to enfranchise the judgement of the Reader, to discover the impartiality of the story, and make truth more perspicuous, for it is a good rule in Logic, that Contraria juxta se posita magis elucescunt, the confrontation of con∣traries makes things appear more clearly; I know there is a saying in French, that vent coulis, a cranny wind is more hurtfull then an open; such are reproaches 'twixt prayses; But let not the Authour of this story be mistaken that he intended to derogat (but only for the ends above mentioned) from the merit of so brave a man whom his very

enemies admir'd for his fagacity, and cloquence, for his admirable forecast and penetrating judgement, for the vivacity of his spirit, and quicknes of apprehension, for his affiduity and indefatigable vigi∣lance, for his excellent addresse, and sinewy expressions, and dex∣trous way of dispatch, for his rare policy and prudentiall parts, and lastly for the stupendous succes of his counsels; These atributes, as it is no flattery to give him, so it were injury to deny him; By these he made France formidable to the world, he made his Master Arbiter of his own interests, an Avenger of all affronts, and supporter of his Confederats; by these he got him three keyes of invaluable advantage, Brisack, Pignerol, and Perpignan, the first to enter Germany, the second Italy, the third Spain at pleasure; By these he made him the most absolute and independent Monark that ever raign'd in that Kingdom, and freed him from all fears to receive the law from his subjects ever hereafter.

But by ascribing so much to the Minister, let us not derogat from the Master, who was as active in his way, and concurr'd to achieve all these things; We have an axiom in Philosophy, that Sol et Homo generant Hominem; The Sun and man beget man; the one by his Uni∣versall influx, being the fountain of heat, the other by Naturall organs; So we may say the King and Cardinal produc'd all these actions, the one by the influence of his high power and Regall authoritie, the o∣ther by his instrumentall activity.

The Cardinal de Richelieu's Armes were three Chevrons in a field argent, 2 plain and simple coat, therefore the more ancient; which Armes, with his Purple Hat (which supported that great Crown, and made the Lillies flourish and swell so many yeers) we will lay upon his Tomb, with this Distic for a finall farewell.

Aurea purpureo turgebant sceptra galero, Crescebant triplici Lilia fulta Trabe.

And now 'tis high time for us to put a period to the whole work, both to the History of this mighty Monark, as also to that of his great Minister; And though their memory be not like the Rose, and other fading flowers, which smell sweeter after they are pluck'd; yet the report of them shall ring in France, as long as the rayes of the Sun shall reverberat upon that faire Continent, and albeit Ghirlands of Olive be improper for them, yet they deserve to have Laurels upon their heads, and Palmes of victory in their hands to all posterity.

Crescet occulto velut Arbor aevo Nomen Armandi; Ludovicus, ingens Stella, fulgebit velut inter Ignes Luna minores.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 3.1

  Rochel.