The gallery of heroick women written in French by Peter Le Moyne of the Society of Jesus ; translated into English by the Marquesse of Winchester.

[illustration]

PORCIE a••••le des charbons ardens, pour aller apres son Mary: et par la hardiesse et 〈◊〉〈◊〉 de sa mort, egale la reputation de Cat••n et la gloire de Brutus. 〈…〉〈…〉

Porcia.

THE defeat of Brutus could not be concealed from Porcia. The noise and mourning for it are great everywhere: The Publik as well as Particulars regret it equally and in common: and I believe that the very Statues in the Senate and Tribune have lamented a Citizen with whom in fine the Republike and Liberty of Rome even then expired. This generous woman did not receive this loss with outcryes and fainting fits; she did not violate her Cheeks and Hair; she did not accuse Heaven, nor reproach Fortune for it; and one may say that the news of Brutus Death found Brutus living and victorious in Porcia. Nevertheless, with all this Fortitude and Courage, she took a resolution to die: and you need not doubt but she will execute the resolution she hath taken.

Nothing of Cowardize ought to be expected from the Daughter of Cato; nothing of weakness from the widdow of Brutus. She is couragious from her Race, and a Philoso∣pher by Alliance: and her Death will be as Stoicall as that of her Husband and Father: Her kindred and friends being willing to preserve this fair remainder of the ancient Vertue,

did in vain set guards upon her: she made them understand that they might inchain her body, but could never fetter her soul: That she could pass through a thousand Chains, and as many closed Gates: and that if her Fathers Vertue was able to free him from the power of Caesar; and that of her Husband, to preserve himself from the victory of Anthony; Hers would not remain captive to their importune cha∣rity and troublesome offices. In fine, whether she had per∣swaded or prevailed with them, you see her out of their hands: And how little soever their cares are retarded, it is much to be feared they will come too late, and not finde her alive.

A slave who had broken his Chains, and freed himself from a long imprisonment, could not be more joyfull then you behold her. Her joy notwithstanding is modest and se∣vere: As her heart never changes place, so her face never alters colour: and her Death from this very instant will be as quiet and serene, as her Contentments were heretofore. She represents not to her self the place to which she goeth, nor the way she takes. She hath nothing but Brutus in her thoughts, and before her eyes, and provided she go to him, it is indifferent to her whither she go by Sword, Precipice, or Poyson. The shortest way is the best in her opinion: and the nearest Gate, what spectre or terrifying object soever hath the guard of it, will be fitter for her purpose then one more free and remote.

But all wayes appear to her equally barred up, and the di∣ligence of her servants removed from about her, all that could open any passage unto death. She pretends that this cha∣rity is a violence offered her, she is vexed and angry at it; yet this vexation is without trouble, and this anger ascends not to her face. All her thoughts are busied to deceive these officious Importunes, and not to take revenge of them. There are no offensive arms which she doth not try upon her self in imagination. Her Fancy puts into her mouth, and to her throat all it can compound of Poysons, or forge into Swords. She attempts to strangle her self with the Scarf you see in he

hand: she tryed in vain to do it with her Neck-lace and one of her Bracelets: And nothing remains but to tear off her Hair, and work it into a Cord. Surely to commit a mur∣ther with such instruments, is to inrage Beauty, and render the Graces cruel. But all means of getting out of prison seems lawfull and honest to a Captive.

VVith this thought she entred into her Closet; she found an opportunity to dye more couragiously, and without vio∣lating such ••nnocent things. She found there a pan of Coa••s which little Cupids, the Authors of fair Couples, and Super∣intendents of vertuous Amities have prepared for the ea••e of her affection. I doubt not but she sees them by the light of the fire within her Soul, which is mingled with that of their Torches. And you may behold them as well as she, if your eyes were purified from the vapors which arise from Matter: The two least present to her the pan of Coals, which they carry upon their heads. They render her this last office, with smiles and serene countenances: You would say that they animate her with their sparkling eyes, and with the joy of their looks; and that their mouthes half open, seem to promise her the acclamations of Fame, and the applauses of all Ages. A third Cupid, greater and stronger then the two other, and hanging in the ayre, lights with his Torch the Coals which are in the Pan: I believe notwithstanding that his Torch, what vertue soever it hath, contributes less there∣unto then his presence. And if some one might say, that by only touching a Tree with the end of his Finger, he cou••d set a whole Forrest on fire; it is apparent that this Cupid might in passing by, and with his bare shadow infire Mountains, even frozen Mountains, and covered over with Snow.

Do you not observe upon the face of Porcia the pleasing mixture which proceeds from the light of this Torch, added to the fire of her eyes, and that which her heart spreads upon her Cheeks? There truly it is where confusion appears no∣ble, and where delight and glory enters. Painters and Dyers could invent nothing like this. And the concurrence is not so lovely upon a Rose freshly blown, when the first rayes

of the day newly flaming, and still red from its birth, adds an artificial Purple to that which is natural to it. You have a sight piercing enough to sever the brightness of the fire from the fair dye of blood, and to distinguish the lustre which ap∣pears outward, from that which Courage begets, and is re∣flected from the bottom of the Soul.

But you are too attentive in contemplating the action of Porcia: And her heart is more visible by that then her face. VVith one hand she puts a burning Coal into her mouth; with the other she takes a second, as if she needed many to conclude her life: And whether the grief for her loss hath suppressed all other sorrows; whether she hath no sence re∣maining but in her heart, where her soul contracts it self a∣bout the Image of Brutus; you would say that they are Ru∣bies which she handles; you would say that they are Leaves of Roses which she swallows. But whether it be insensibili∣ty or resolution, whether it be Love or Philosophy, it doth not hinder the fire she had within, fortified with an exteriour flame, from burning the tyes of her soul.

I conceive them already consumed, and this generous soul speedily departing out of her fair prison, will joyn it self with her likeness which is come to receive it. Her Guards affrighted and surprized, hasten with tears in their eyes, and complaints in their mouthes. But their tears will not quench this fire, nor will their complaints terrifie Death, or chase it away from the place into which it is entred. This fire will shine in the eyes of all Nations and Ages, and give an eter∣nall lustre to the memory of Porcia: This Death will be pa∣ralleld with that of Cato and Brutus: And this Closet will be as fair a Perspective in History as the City of Vtica, and the Philippian Field.

SONNET.

PORCIA speaks.

LEss worthy of regret, then envy'd praise, I by a Death which Nature did amaze, Equal'd a Father's Glory, and the Fame Of a dear Husband, who their Fates ore-came.

Their Vertue, which I trac'd, did me attend When they were gone, to guide me to my end; But envious Fortune in revenge, did strive By cross Designs, to keep me still alive.

My cruel Friends amidst this hot alarm, By their offensive cares my hands disarm; Therein obstructing, like inhumane foes, My passage to sweet Death, whose gates they close.

But Love, to give my Soul desired room, Came with his Shafts to open me my Tomb; And I, for want of weapons, to expire, Swallow'd the Coals his Torch had set on fire.

The Elogy of Porcia.

THis Picture is of a magnanimous Woman, who dies of Grief and Love, and resolutely like a Stoick. It is the famous Porcia who was the Rival of a Father Defender of the Publick Li∣berty, and of a Husband the destroyer of Tyrannie: And who renewed in the Age of Riot and Pleasure, the Vertue and Severity of the Primitive Republick. She was the daughter of Cato, and the wise of Brutus: Of the one she was born constant and invincible: she became wise and learned from the other: and had Vertue for her inheritance, and Philosophy for her Dowry. Her Husband ruminating upon the death of Caesar, and the Deliverance of the oppressed Republick: she deserv••d to be admitted to the communication of this fatal secret, and to assist his high thoug••ts busied in contriving the Destiny of the Empire. She con∣spired with him in heart and spirit; she promised to send at least her de∣sires, her vows and zeal to the execution. And since her Husband seemed to mistrust her silence and fidelity, she made by one stroke of a dagger a great and painful wound in her thigh: And thereby she shewed him what she was able to do against torments, and gave him some of her blood in Hostage for her Constancy and Loyaltie.

After the death of Caesar, and the ruine of Pompey's Faction; Brutus having slain himself upon the bloody Body of the Republick, defeated in the Philippian Plain; Porcia d••ed not like him, blaspheming against Ver∣tue, and repenting her self for having ever served it. She continued her reverence to it to the last; and honoured it with her last words. Seeing her self besieged by her kindred, which took from her all means of cut∣ting asunder the tyes of her soul, she resolved to kindle there a fire with burning Coals, which she swallowed down. Thus she set at liberty what remained of her Father and Husband: And by her death the blood of the one, and the heart of the other, once more overcame Tyrannie.

MORAL REFLECTION.

WOmen ought to learn from this example, that the fault cannot be charged upon their Sex that they are not valiant: That their in∣firmities are vices of Custom, and not any defect of Nature: And that a great heart is no more discomposed by a tender body, then is a great Intelligence by a beautiful Planet. Doves would have the boldness of Eagles, and Erins the courage of Lyons, if their souls were of the same Species.

One may gather out of the same Example, another instruction for Husbands: Brutus was a man honest enough, and a Philosopher able enough to read them a Lecture. And they should not be ashamed to learn of him, that Wives are given them for Assistants and Co-adjutresses,

that they ought to have a place for them as well in their Closets as Beds; and to share with them in affairs no less then at Table: And that capacity grows from imployment, and fidelity from confidence. Judgement pro∣ceeds from the head which is not changeable from the variety of that which covers it. Augustus proposed nothing to the Senate, upon which he had not deliberated with Li••ia who was as his Associate in the Empire, and if one may say so, his Domestick Colleague. The Holyest of our Kings being a Prisoner to the Saracens, would conclude nothing about his Free∣dom but with the consent of the Queen his Wife: And under the Reign of Ferdinand, Spain was not happy and victorious, but by the prudence and courage of Isabella. The ensuing Question will inform us, whether Porcia were endued with generosity? And whether women be capable thereof?

MORAL QVESTION.

VVhether VVomen be capable of an Eminent Generosity?

I Have been present at some Disputes undertaken upon this Question: And sometimes it hath caused me to have innocent and pleasing quar∣rels with my Friends. I have seen some who could not endure that a Woman should be commended for Generosity: It is, said they, as if one should praise her for having a good seat on horse-back, and for well handling her Arms: It is as if one would set her forth with a Helmet or the skin of a Lion: It were to confound the bounds which sever us, and place disorder in Morality. And a generous Woman is no less a Solecism then a Woman Doctor, and a Woman Cavalier. It is an incongruity al∣most as undecent as a bearded Woman.

To this I did Answer, that Vertues having their seat in the Soul, and need∣ing only a good disposition of the Soul to operate, belong to both Sexes; That Generosity is one of those Vertues: That the office of the Body and the action of its Members are not necessary to it; That all its Functions are interiour and performed in the heart: And that the heart of Man and Woman is of the same Matter and Form. I added thereunto, that the Comparison of Arms and Military Exercises concluded nothing against the Generosity of Women: That all things are becoming to well-shaped persons and of a handsom aspect: That Semiram••••, H••psicrates and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were as gracefully set forth with Helmets as with Crowns: And that ano∣ther as well known in Fables, was not found unhandsom in the Lions skin, which Hercules wore. That besides that, there have been women seen who knew how to manage a horse, to throw a dart, & use their swords with a good grace. No just comparison can be made, nor a right consequence drawn from the exercises of the Body in reference to the Habits of the Soul. That a Woman Doctor and a Woman Cavalier were but Errors of

Grammar which do not violate Morality. That Generosity not being fa∣stened to the heart of a man as a beard is to his face, it might belong with∣out any incongruity or undecency to both Sexes.

To these Reasons which came to my minde, and which I alledged tu∣multuary and without choice in like Disputes, others of more weight and better prepared may be added upon meditation. Generosity, to define it rightly▪ is a heighth of courage, or an Elevation of minde, whereby a soul raised above interest and profit, is led inviolably and without deviation unto Duty which is labourious, and to Gallantry which is painful and diffi∣cult in appearance. And because this disposition taken in its usual foyle, and in respect of matter, scarce belongs to any but Great and Noble Persons: the name of Generosity hath been given to it, which is a name of Great∣ness and Nobility. Whether then that we take Generosity materially, and for that cream of good blood and pure Spirits which nourish and sustain it: Whether we take it Morally for an immutable and constant resolution to pursue Duty and Gallantry, even to the contempt of Interest, and with the loss of benefit, it will appear that in either sense, Women are no less capable thereof then Men.

First, it was never said, that Nobility appertained only to one Sex, and that the cream of good blood was all on the one side, & all the dregs on the other. The distribution of it is equally made, and according to natural Justice. Sisters possess it in common and without distinction with their Brothers▪ And it is with noble Races as with Pomegranate Trees, which bare no Flowers without Purple, nor Fruit without Crowns: And it is the like with Palm Trees, whole Males and Females are of equal Noble∣ness. Wherefore a noble minde belonging no less to Women then Men, and the pure blood dispersing its self equally through the veins from their Birth: it remains that Generosity should have on either part an equal stock, and that the matter of which it is composed should be common.

Secondly, The true form and proper spirit of Generosity proceeds from the Intention, and pursuit of that pure and laborious Good which is its object And this object is not so difficult, nor placed in so high a Re∣gion as women cannot pretend to it. They are not so meanly born that they cannot raise themselves above what is pleasing and profitable: they may have higher a••ms and more noble desires; Nature hath given them as well as to us, the rellish and appetite of acting gallantly: And in History the foot-steps remain still fresh, of those who have arrived to this vertue through thorny passages and precipices, even through flames and tortures. The frequent toyls they have undergone to run after a luminous and de∣ceitful Fantome, testifie their disposition and forces, shewing what they are able to do herein. and when Queens and Princesses shall be exposed, who have cast themselves from their Thrones, who have mounted upon flaming Piles, who have passed through Swords, to follow a seeming and imaginary Good, who will be so incredulous and obstinate as to deny that Women have a Natural inclination to an effective and real Good?

Thirdly, as Princes and great Persons have their Duties and a Gallantry

which is proper to their Fortunes: So Princesses and great Ladies, besides the Duties and Gallantry of their Sex, have second Duties, and a particular Gallantry, which appertains to the Decency of their condition. Now if these Duties be laborious, if this Gallantry be difficult and environed with dangers; if one cannot arrive to it but with trouble and ruines? If to at∣tain to it one must abandon certain Interest, and ruine a present Fortune? If one must part with his blood, and expose his life, what will a Couragious Woman and of qua••••ty do, and to what side will she betake her self? Can any one wish that she should submit to fear and conjectures▪ That she should expose her honour to preserve her Fortunes? That she should fail in her Duty, not to prejudice her estate? That she should suffer her blood to be stained, rather then part with one drop of it▪ This truly would be very poor, and unworthy of a Noble Soul. She must then renounce the pleasure and profit; she must trample upon the Mines of her Interests: she must renounce Fortune, and reject her Parents; she must expose her self even to death and punishments, to advance 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and with de∣cency to Duty.

Since this cannot be effected without an Heroick Generosity, one must of necessity either grant this Generosity to Women, or allow that they may be Covetous and Interessed out of Duty; that they be lazy and disloyal, handsomly and with decency, ungrateful and treacherous by the right of Nature, and the priviledge of their Sex.

But Nature hath not conferred on them so bad a Right, no•• so scanda∣lous a Priviledge. On the contrary, she would have them all born with an inclination to what is glorious: And whether she hath infused some Ray into their souls; or whether their hearts in their very Birth have re∣ceived in Impression of it, like to that which Iron receives from the Load stone: the•• hearts adhere unto this lustre, in what matter soeve•••• is found: And their souls at the first Idea, which excite•• the rage 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they have received of it, turn to it by their own instinct, and without ex••pecting any extrinsical motion which presseth them to it. From thence it comes that Women are generally curious in what is fair and glorious, di∣ligently seeking after all the Species of it, and observing all the Rules and Formes thereof. And if upon their Bodies, and in their Garments, in their Moveables, and all things else they so pas••ionatly affect, a materiall and sensible Beauty, which is of the lowest Order▪ It is not credible, that they have less inclination to the Intellectual Beauty; and of the first Or∣der, which is the Beauty of what is Noble and Gallant. From hence we may conclude regularly, and in good form, that the inclination to this Splendo•• being, as truly it is, the Fountain of true Generosity, one cannot deprive them of it without taking from them thereby that inclination which is most Natural to them; it being the second spirit of their hearts, and the first property of their Sex.

But why should we take it from them? Hath Nature made them les•• Noble then the Females of other Animals, to whom she hath given ano∣ther kind of Generosity, which she hath not bestowed on the 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ I know

not whether any man hath made this observation before me; yet it ought to be made, and Women may draw instruction, and advantage from thence. Lions and Tygers, Leopards, Male-Eagles, and all other beasts which are naturally so fierce and couragious, never fight but for Interest, and Prey: And their whole Courage, to express it well, is but a violen•• greediness; Their Valour is but for necessity and Rapine: Hunger is the only Punctilio of Honour which sets them on, and without this provo∣cation their fierceness pines away, and their mettal grows dull. It is not the same with Females, their mettal is more Noble, and their valour less In∣terested. They fight not only for their proper necessities, and do it as cou∣ragiously as the Males: But they fight also for others wants, for the defence and preservation of their young ones, which the Males use not to do; even to that heighth, that they expose themselves to fire and sword for this Du∣ty, which is the only Duty and Good they are capable of. Hath Nature then given Generosity to Lions and Eagles, hath she given it to Turtles and Doves, and shall it not be in her power to give it to Women, to whom she hath given a Soul of the same form, a Heart of the same temper. Blood and Spirits of the same tincture as she hath given to Men? Let us conceive her to be more regular and exact in her Works: We will believe nothing of it gratis, no•• out of complacency: We ground our belief upon Na∣tural Reasons, and the Morality which Philosophy alledges for it. We be∣lieve upon ancient Examples, and those Modern ones, which History hath conceived of it: And if all others were forgotten, we should have enough of this which is of our Nation; which is present before our eyes; which hath begotten astonishment in our Age, and will give emulation to all Posterity.

EXAMPLE.

Francis Cezely the Lady of Barry.

THere are some froward persons, who never esteem any but stran∣gers, and can approve nothing but Antiquity: who generally dis∣like all that is of their own Country, and have always a quarrel to the Age they live in. These kind of People adore▪ Demy-Caesars of Plaister, and Pompeys of Marble, who time hath maimed; and scarce cast their eyes upon entire and living Hero's of their own Age. They shew us Tamber∣l••••s and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as a wonder, who are the Divinities of their Galleries and Closets. They alledge to us Alphonsos and G••smans, not without an Elogy; and incessantly Preach to us of Granadian vertues, of a Moorish Wisdom. As for French Vertues, which speak their own Language, and are born in their sight, they cite them not but with a spirit of contradiction, and to reprehend them. These Gentlemen think much to endure the Aire and Soyle of their own Country: And if they bear any respect to the Sun which inlightens them, the reason is, because it comes from the Indies,

and was in being before the Deluge. We ought to harbour more reason∣able thoughts, and judge of things more discreetly, and with more equity. Vertues are not National, nor tyed to differences of Time: There are some of all Countreys and Ages: And I may say, that it is the same with those of these dayes, as with our Sun, which is as Great as in the time of our Progenitors, and as luminous as that which produces the gold and precious stones of the Indies. This will appear in the subsequent Example: It is Modern, and of France, and more to be valued then all that Antiquity, whether Grecian or Roman hath ever seen most Generous and Illustrious.

Whilst Henry the Third fought against the Head of the League about Paris, the Provinces being torn in pieces by their own Members, received dangerous wounds. His strongest Attempts were upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉, where the Confederates had either taken by force, or gained by practice all the best Places. They only wanted La••cate to become absolute Masters of that Pro∣vince; and to have free Commerce with Spain, which was a great suppor∣ter of the League. Being out of hope to possess it by open Hostility, and to enter it like Lions & by a Breach, they had recourse to a Stratagem of ill ex∣ample, and sought out by-wayes to enter in like Foxes. This Device being dexterously managed, took effect as they had Designed. And Monsieur de Barry who held La••cate for the King, being gone out with no sinister in∣tention upon the Liberty, which a short Cessation of Arms had given him, fell into an Ambuscado which was laid for him.

The Confederates of the League conceived La••cate to the taken with the Governour: but they had neither taken his Fidelity nor Constancy: And in case his Fidelity and Constancy should have been taken; he had in∣trusted the place with another Constancy, and a second Fidelity, which were better fortified, and harder to be taken then its Bulwarks and Half-moons. I speak of his Wife, whom he privately advertized of his mishap, injoyning her by a few words, written with a coal upon his Handkercher, to repair as soon as possibly she could to La••cate. This Gallant and Gene∣rous Woman did not deliberate upon the Orders which required the con∣duct and courage of the best experienced Captain: And because expedi∣tion was particularly recommended to her, she immediatly put to Sea and exposed her self to the dangers of Water and Fire, to Tempests, and the Frigots of the Enemy. And God who reserved her for a far more Heroick and exemplar combat, ordained that she should happily arrive at La••cate.

Mean while Monsieur de Barry was carryed prisoner to Narb••••••: And La••cate was there a••taqu'd by continual Assaults given to his Courage and Fidelity. There was neither fire nor sword imployed in these Assaults. A man of so much Honour and Courage, who had contemned two thou∣sand Pikes, and as many Muskets upon a Breach, could not fear a Dagger or a Pistol in a Chamber. He was batterd only with large Offers and mag∣nificent Promises, with Governments and Pensions: Unto which, to Bat∣ter him on all sides, words of terrour, and threats of death were added against his Children and Wife, in case he provided not for their safety, by the rendition of the Place.

In all these Assaults Monsieur de Barry shewed himself a dis-interessed Servant, a Couragious Husband, and undaunted Father. His Answer was,

That he had never known other Interest to preserve, then his Honour; not pretended to any other Fortune, then the discharge of his Duty: That Governments & Pensions were too weak Arms to vanquish him. That an innocent and unspotted Poverty would be more glorious to him, and give him better content, then criminal and sullyed Riches: That the death of his Wife and Children, which they placed before his eyes, was a Fantome which did no wayes affright him: that he owed much to his own Blood and Nature, but far more to his Loyalty and Prince. That his Reputation was never to him then his Family, and his Conscience more interiour, and of an older date then his Posterity: That a fit of the Cholick might to morrow take away his Wife, that his Children might be as soon hurryed away by a Feaver; and that it should not be said, that to reserve his Wife for the Cholick, and his Children for a Feaver, he had robbed his Prince of his Right, his Coun∣try of Repose, his Name and Race of their Honours.

When La••cate was Battered in this manner at Narb••••••, the Confederates of the League battered it at a neerer distance, in a place which they conceived less Naturally strong: And it was done with weapons from which they expected more effect, then by Mines and Canons. They presented them∣selves before La••••ate, and demanded to speak with Madam de Barry, who was prepared for all the sad events which so dismal a beginning might produce

They acquainted her that her Husband was their Prisoner: That after his lost Liberty, he was still in the Eve of loosing his life: that both nevertheless depended on her: That an easie ransom should be set upon him: And that without alienating his Lands, without empty∣ing his Coffers or pawning his Jewels; in a word, he should be restored to her for the bare keys of La••cate.

This Lady was of a Family which a Canonized Saint, and a Pope esteemed Blessed, had in some kinde Sanctifyed. By her Father she was of the Race of St. Ro••••. By his Mother who was of the House of the Earl of Ro••••••, she came to be allyed to Vrban the fift. Besides this Heri∣ditary Sanctity, and belonging to her Family, she had much Piety of her own, and was very vertuous by her own Acquisitions. Her Piety never∣theless was not tepide and timerous: her Vertues were none of those idle and Antick ones, which amuse the most part of Women. They were strong and couragious; they acted continually and with vigour; and this vigour was supported by a Generosity which might make a life Heroick, if it had been placed in another Sex, and in a Soveraign Condition.

She needed no less courage to resist the Assault, and to acquit her self with honour of so perilous an Attempt which was made upon her. She made answer to those that proposed to her an exchange of La••cate, and her Loyaltie for her husband:

That she owed her first and highest affections to her King and Fidelity: And that she would not take them off to give them to her husband, to whom she owed but second and inferiour

ones. That she loved him intirely, and had great tenderness for him, yet loved him in his degree and with order, and that there was nothing remiss or weak in her tenderness. That she understood better then any body the worth of her Husband: That were he to be sold innocently, and to be put to a Lawful ransom, she would not only alienate her Lands and pawn her Jewels to redeem him, but even rent out the labour of her hands, and make money of her blood and death, if she could compass it by her sweat and pains. That nevertheless for this, she would never alienate her Fidelity, nor engage therein one single point of her Con∣science: And that if she should make so ill a bargain, her husband would be the first breaker of it. That he would never be perswaded to depart out of Prison without his honour; nay he would never descend from a Scaffold, nor ascend unto a Throne without it. But should he forget his honour (went she on) yet I will never be unmindfull of mine: I know too well the value of it, nor will I ever dispossess my self thereof for any gain or loss which may arise from it. I understand very well to what Marriage obligeth me; and what I owe to my Fami∣ly: But I was not born a marryed Person, as I am born a French-Woman. And it shall never be said that to preserve a Family, which was but yesterday, and peradventure will not be to morrow, I have laid open a Fort to Rebellion, and contributed to the ruine of my Countrey.

The Confederates of the League being overcome and repulsed at this first Assault, did not yet retire: they continued the Battery for the space of seven weeks: And every day they gave some new onset upon the Place, through the heart of this generous Woman. Sometimes they sware to make her Husband suffer all sorts of torments: And they made her endure them all in her imagination with terrifying looks, and far more frightfull words. Sometimes they threatned to render him back to her by piece-meal: And these threats were worse then Canon shots, or Granadoes, but they fell upon a heart which was stronger then the strong∣est Bulwarks; and which would not have yielded either for Canon shot, or for all their Granadoes. In fine, the Confederates of the League despair∣ed of taking La••cate by so well guarded a place: and the dolefull and tra∣gick execution which followed their despair, clearly shewed that they spake in good earnest; and that their threats were reall. Monsieur de Barry was strangled in his Chamber by the hand of an Executioner: And neither the Cord nor Engine wherewith he was strangled, could not draw from his mouth any sign of irresolution, nor one single word of weak∣ness. In History there are more glorious and famous Deaths then this; but a more magnanimous & heroick one hath not been seen. Remarkable Deaths are not made so, by the Grandeur of the Armes which destroy; they arise from the greatness of Courage, and the force of resolution: and there are enough which will not yield before two hundred Piles, and a battery of twelve Canon. But there are few which render not themselves to the Rope of an Executioner. Surely it were to be wished, for the good of the

State, that we might have many Copies of this gallant Man, and of this generous Woman: If there were but one in every Town of the Kingdom, it would be at least impregnable through coveteousness or fear.

The sending back the body of Monsieur de Barry, did in a strange man∣ner incense the Garrison. In the first heat of anger and compassion, the Soldiers transported by both, ran unto the Governors house, with a reso∣lution to kill Monsieur de Loupian, who was a Gentleman of quality, and a particular Confident of the house of ••oye••••e. Monsieur Mont••••rancy, who kept him Prisoner, being advertised of the taking of Monsieur de Barry, had given him in charge to his wife, that he might be responsible to her for the life of her husband; and that by the right of Reprisals he might make satisfaction with his own life if the other miscarryed. Doubtless there had been an end of him, and all the credit of the League could not have saved him in this tumult, if Madam de Barry had not been more ge∣nerous and humane then is observed in the single order of Nature. But she was so after a more pure and sublime manner: and there was in her heart another kind of spirit, and other principles, differing from the spirit of the world, and the Maximes of Morality.

She presented her self before this irritated Troop, and spake so efficaciously, and with so powerfull and perswasive a grace of Monsieur de Loupians Innocence, of the Crime they would commit, in making him undergo the penalty of a murther, whereof he was not guilty; of the punishment God would infallibly inflict upon this offence; that she appeased their spirits, and removed all spite and rage from their grief. Addressing her self afterwards to her Son He••••d••s, whom the soldiers had followed, she proposed to him the Heroick constancy, and the inviolable Fidelity of his Father; The Patrimony of Glory which his death had purchased to their Family; the stain which the unjustly spilt blood of Monsieur de Loupian would bring upon this still-fresh Glory: the repentance which follows pre∣cipitated Anger and unlawful Revenges: The Protection they ought to expect from him, who makes himself to be called the Father of Or∣phans, and the Defender of Widows.

And by these reasons, fortifyed by her example, and animated by a spirit of Vertue and Authority, she saved this poor Gentleman, and sent him back to Monsieur Mont••••rancy, with a Convoy.

The History of Spain makes a great deal of noise about the Generosity of G••••••an the Good, who being summoned by the Moors either to de∣liver up Terissa, which he defended, or to be a Spectator of his Sons death, who was a Prisoner in their hands, would not become a Traitor to re∣main a Father, and chose rather to preserve his Honour then his Race. Truly this Generosity was Heroick: And Spain, so magnificent in great words, and in vast and high expressions, hath no words so great, nor ex∣pressions so vast which can equal it. Nevertheless the action of a Woman, and a French Woman hath surpassed it: And the Loyaltie of Madam de Barry was so much the more Gallant and Generous then that of Gu••man, in as much as a dearer pledge, and a more irreparable and sensible loss was

to be hazarded thereby. The Spaniard consented to the loss of a young Plant which was dear to him, and made one part of himself: But per∣chance this young plant was not single: This part was served from him; And besides others might grow up in its place. The French Woman came not off at so cheap a rate; she was to undergo the loss of the Stem, and of all the Roots. She was to suffer the Incision of a part which was in∣herent in her; which stuck to her flesh and bones, which was flesh of her flesh, and bone of her bone, which made up the mo••ty of her heart and spirit. And the chiefest matter is, that this so difficult and costly fideli∣ty was exercised in a time of trouble and tumult; In a time when Laws were in disorder, and Duties in confusion: when Rebellion was Cano∣nized by the People, and Loyaltie made an Hackny: when Soveraignty was L••tigious, and brought into Dispute, when the oppressed Crown seemed ready to be torn in pieces, or to change its Master.

The Command of La••cate continued to this generous Widow: And for the space of seven years she performed the Functions of it with so much courage, and with so laborious an Assiduity, as she left nothing more to be desired in point of her care and conduct. By her presence she gave incouragement to the labours and exercises of the Souldiers: She was as∣sisting in their Duties, and kept them in an exact Order, and under a regu∣lar Discipline: She Commanded pleasingly, and with Dignity; and she her self added example, and the shew of action to her Commands: And whatsoever an active and vigilant Captain, Armed with Authority, could have done in a Garrison Town, this gallant Woman did it generously and with success, she did it with comeliness and a pleasing grace.

The deceased King Henry the Great, who esteemed nothing rashly and out of fancy, highly prized this Generosity: And when some Cour∣tiers affecting the Government of La••cate, represented to him, that a Place of such importance was not safe in the hands of a Woman: He often An∣swered,

That he reposed more Trust in this Woman, then in the ablest Man of his Kingdom: That he knew not any one, who could give so gallant an Earnest, or so precious a Pledge of their Fidelity, as she had done: And that above all, it concerned the honour of France, to have it known, that there were Ladies of that Nation, not inferiour to Captains.

Nothing could be added to these few words: They spake more then our longest Elogies can do. They Crown the Memory of this Generous Woman, and are a greater Honour to her then a triumphant Arch, and many Statues.