The true prophecies or prognostications of Michael Nostradamus, physician to Henry II, Francis II, and Charles IX, kings of France and one of the best astronomers that ever were a work full of curiosity and learning / translated and commented by Theophilvs de Garencieres ...

OTHER PROPHECIES OF Michael Nostradamus For the Years of this Age 1600.

1. French.

SIecle nouveau, alliance nouvelle, Un Marquisat mis dedans la Nacelle, A qui plus fort des deux l'emportera, D'un Duc, d'un Roy, Gallere de Florence, Port de Marscille, Pucelle dans la France De Catherine Fort Chef on rasera.

English.

New Age, new Alliance, A Markdom put into a Boat, Who shall be the strongest of the two to carry it, Of a Duke or of a King, Galley of Florence, In the Port of Marseilles, a Maid in France, Of the Fort Catherine the Head shall be demolished.

ANNOT.

By New Age is meant the Age 1600. to the end of the Century, each age con∣taining a hundred years.

The new Alliance was the match between Henry the IV. and Catherine of Medicis, made and celebrated that year.

A Markdom put into a Boat, was the Markdom of Saluces in Italy, which the Duke of Savoy had surrepticiously taken from the Crown of France, in the time of the Civil Wars, and would not restore it, for which there was great Wars between the King of France and the Duke of Savoy, till at last they agreed that the Duke of Savoy

should give in exchange of it the Countrey of Brescia; and this is the sense of the second, third, and half the fourth Verse.

Galley of Florence in the Port of Marseilles, a Maid in France, signifieth the arri∣val of Mary of Medicis in the Galleys of France, and her Landing in the Port of Marseilles.

Of the Fort Catherine the head shall be demolished; the Duke of Savoy to plague and bridle those of Geneva, upon whom he hath had always pretentions, had built a strong Fort two leagues from Geneva, called the Fort St. Catherine, which did so annoy the Town, that they made their addresses to Henry the IV. who was then in War with the Duke of Savoy, representing to him that they were not able to re∣lieve his Army with Victuals, because of the said Fort, whereupon Henry the IV. took it, and demolished it to the ground.

II. French.

Que d'or, d'argent fera de pendre, Quand Comte voudra Ville prendre, Tant de mille & mille Soldats, Tuez, noiez, sans y rien faire, Dans plus forte mettra pied terre, Pigme'e aidé des Censuarts.

English.

How much Gold and Silver shall be spent, When Earl shall go about to take a Town, So many thousands and thousands of Soldiers, Killed, drowned, without doing any thing, In a stronger he shall put his foot on ground, A Pygmie helped by the Censuarts.

ANNOT.

This Stanza and the next are concerning the Town of Ostend, which was Besieged by the Arch-duke, and defended by the States of Holland, under the conduct of Earl Maurice of Nassaw.

In a stronger he shall put his foot on ground, signifieth that Earl Maurice during the said Siege, took the Sluys another Town of the Spaniards, thought stronger then Ostend. A Pygmie helpeld by the Censuarts, signifieth that Prince Maurice whom he calleth here a Pygmie in comparison of the Arch-duke, was helped by the French and English, whom he calleth here Censuarts, to rime with the word Soldats in the fore∣going Verse.

III. French.

La Ville sans dessus dessoubs, Renversée de mille coups, De Canons, & forts dessous Terre, Cinq ans tiendra, le tout remis, Et lasché a ses ennemis, L'eau leur fera apres la guerre.

English.

The Town shall be upside down, Overthrown by a thousands shot, Of Canons, and Forts under ground, Shall hold five years, all shall be returned, And surrendred to the enemies, Water after that shall make War against them.

ANNOT.

This Stanza is as well as the former concerning the Town of Ostend, which after three years Siege instead of five (which is falsly printed here) was surrendred to the Arch-Duke, and presently after like to be drowned by the Sea.

IV. French.

Du rond d'un Lis naistra un si grand Prince, Bien tost & tard venu dans sa Province, Saturne en Libra en exaltation, Maison de Venus en descroissante force, Dame en apres masculin soubs l'Escorce, Pour maintenir l'heureux sang de Bourbon:

English.

From the round of a Lilly shall be born a great Prince, Soon and late come into his Province, Saturn in Libra being in exaltation, The House of Venus in a decreasing strength, A Woman afterwards and a Male under the Bark, To maintain the happy blood of Bourbon.

ANNOT.

This Prophecy was concerning Lewis the XIII. King of France, son of Henry the IV. who was born under the Sign of Libra, and therefore called the Just; the rest is easie.

V. French.

Celuy qui la Principauté, Tiendra par grande cruanté, A la fin verra grand Phalange, Par coup de feu tresdangereux, Par accord pourroit faire mieux, Autrement boira suc d'Orenge.

English.

He that the Principality, Shall keep by great cruelty, At last shall see a great Army, By a fire blow most dangerous, He should do better by agreement. Otherways he shall drink juyce of Orenge.

ANNOT.

This is concerning a Governour of the Principality of Orenge, under the authority of a Prince, which Governour having been long in possession of that Government, and the Prince being busie in the Wars of the Netherlands, the said Governour plaid Rex in his absence, so that the Prince was forced to have him made away privately.

VI. French.

Quand de Robin la traistreuse entreprise, Mettra Seigneurs & en peine un grand Prince, Sceu par la Fin, chef on luy tranchera, La Plume au vent, amye dans Espagne, Poste attrapé estant en la Campagne, Et l'Escrivain dans l'eau se jettera.

English.

When the treacherous plot of Robin, Shall put many Lords and a great Prince in trouble, Being known by la Fin, his head shall be cut off, The Feather in the Wind, friend to Spain, Post overtaken in the Countrey, And the Scrivener shall cast himself into the Water.

ANNOT.

Two notable Histories are contained in this Stanza, the first is of the Marshal of Biron; the second is of Nicolas, High Secretary to the Lord Villeroy, who himself was chief Secretary of State to Henry the IV. and because they are curious ones, and not to be met every where, we shall set them down:

The first four Verses are concerning the Duke of Biron, who by transposition of letters is called here Robin; this man by his Military Valour and experience, had from a private Gentleman ascended to the highest degrees of honour and prefer∣ment, that his condition was capable of, for though he were not forty years old, he had attained unto the greatest dignities of the Kingdom; being fourteen years old, he was made Colonel of the Switzers in Flanders; a little while after he was made Marshal of Camp, and after Marshal General: he was admitted Admiral of France in the Parliament of Tours, and then Mareshal of France in that of Paris; at the Siege of Amiens he was sole Lieutenant of his Majesty, though there were many Princes of the Blood in the Army, and to compleat his greatness, he was made Peer of France, and the Barony of Biron erected into a Dukedom, not contented with all that, he said, he would not go to the retaking of the rest of the Towns in Picardy, un∣less his Statue were erected in Brass before the Louvre; and in conclusion, that he

had rather die upon a Scaffold, undertaking some great matters, then to live idle in his own House, and always among these Bravadoes, he did mix some bold and dange∣rous words, which he would have every body to approve of.

When he saw that after the Siege of Amiens the War was at an end, that Britany was reduced, and that all the Swords were sheathed for a good while, he thought that having no more occasion to exercise his valour, he should grow out of credit, and that he should have no more that power, by which he plaised the King, and do without fear all what he did without Justice. The fire of that great courage finding no work without, began to work within, that burning desire of being always the first, did fill his head with flames and smoak of a great design, he complained of the King, and of the unequal reward of his deserts and services, did publish his discontents, adding threatnings to his complaints, and spoke of the King with little respect, that his most intimate friends did judge his words insolent and dangerous.

It is true it was the vice of his nature, but there were also some of Fortune, for finding himself filled with all the prosperities, that a moderate man might wish for in his condition, he found that men loose themselves by too much happiness. He began then to lend his Ears unto flatterers, and when they told him that he was the greatest Captain in France, he answered that he would die upon a scaffold, or he would go beyond the condition of a single Gentleman, that the goodness of his sword should give him what Fortune had denied; and the Astrologers to whom he gave great credit, had foretold him in ambiguous terms, that nothing could hinder him from being a Sovereign, but the blow of a sword given by a Bargundian, and though all his life time he had shewed but little Devotion and Zeal to Religion, yet from that time that he prepared his soul to the motion of his ambition, he fained himself very devout and zealous, and began to wear beads, that the Baron of Lux had given him in a Tennis-Court, and to declare himself an irreconcilsable enemy to the Pro∣testants, seeking every where some discontented Spirits, whom he did encourage with the hopes of a profitable change.

La Nocle Lord of la Fin was then for the troubles of Prevence, and for the quarrel he had with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Esdigvieres, retired into his House, threatned of ill usage by the King, enemy to some great ones, loaded with debts and Sutes in Law. The discontented meet always, either by design or by chance. The Duke of Biron who knew that he had been deeply engaged in the business of the late Duke of Alencon, that he had Negotiated with the Ministers or the King of Spain, and of the Duke of Savoy, du∣ring the Siege of Amicns, that he was full of discontents, thought that such a one was seeking for a Master. They spoke together and mixed their grievances, propound∣ing to seek out of the Kingdom what they could not find within, and to contract an intelligence with the Duke of Savoy; thus after so many examples of unavoidable dangers, the Duke of Biron did venture upon a Journey full of Rocks and Shelves, under the conduct of one who was yet wet with the Shipwrack he had lately made.

The Duke went into Flanders, for the execution of the Treaty of Vervins, where one Picoté of Orleans spoke to him, and inspired into him strange desires of raising his Fortune, with those that knew and admired his deserts. The Duke of Biron did hearken to him, and told him he would be glad to hear him some other time upon that subject. From that time forwards the Spaniards thought themselves sure of him, and grew confident, either to have him, or to destroy him: a French Gentle∣man, who because of the Civil Wars was retired into Flanders, and had some imploy∣ment in the Arch-Dukes Court, gave the first intelligence of it to the King, who took it kindly, but sent him word that the Duke of Biron had too much courage and honesty to harbour such a wickedness; being come back again from Flanders the King wished him to Marry, but he shewed that his inclinations tended to some other party, then that which was offered unto him, and though he made shew to court the

Daughter of my Lady Lucé, he nevertheless intended to have the natural Sister of the Duke of Savoy, of which the Knight Breton had spoken to him. La Fin had in charge from the Duke of Biron, to do all what he could for his satisfaction. Picoté had made a Journey into Spain, only to know and receive the propositions. Farges a Monk of the Order of Fifteaux, went into Savoy, and from thence to Milan to re∣ceive Orders how to pluck of this Plant out of France. Things went very slowly; for the Spaniards do not easily believe the words of the French, unless they be with great effects of rebellion and change; but the Duke of Savoy being at Paris, did wholly put out the Flower de Luces he had in his Heart, and did dispose him to disturb the King so much at home, that he should have but little time to dispute him the Markdom of Suluces, upon that hope the Duke of Savoy neglected the Executi∣on of the treaty of Peace made at Paris, the War was proclaimed, and the Duke of Biron took the chief places in Bresse. Being at Pierre Chastel in the beginning of September, La Fin came to him, and by his order made two Journeys to St. Claude, where Roncas was. The King had notice of it, but thought it better to dissemble it than to surprise a man he loved in his infidelity, he thought enough to bid him come into Savoy, and to rid himself of La Fin. He did believe that what the King said to him out of his affection, proceeded from fear, and kept company still with La Fin, and never went to see the King, but with great many attendants, refusing to take his lodging near his, that he might have more liberty; he perswaded the King being at Annessy, that he did desire to discover some passages, and therefore desired to have some guides of the Countrey, but it was to send safely Renaze, La Fin's Secretary to the Duke of Savoy, to give him intelligence in what state the Kings Army was, and to bid d'Albigny retreat, who otherwise had been defeated. This was about the time that the Duke of Biron did intreat the King to bestow the Go∣vernment of the Citadel of Bourg on him, whom he should name. It is the Na∣ture of the great ones that serve Princes to believe they deserve all, and to become more dangerous than Enemies if they are refused what they ask for. The King did declare, that he would bestow the place upon de Boisses. This denial did so trouble the mind of the Duke of Biron, and put him upon such a strange and diabolical reso∣lutions, that he resolved one Morning, being yet in his Bed at Chamo••t, to kill the King, as it is expressed in the depositions of La Fin and Renazé, but this took no effect, himself afterwards did abhor the thought of it. La Fin also went from the Army to conclude the Bargain with the Duke of Savoy, and the Earl of Fuentes, he treated first with the Duke of the Spanish Embassador at Yurée, afterwards at Thurin with Roncas, where also came Picoté, bringing the answers of the Councel of Spain, upon the propositions of the Duke of Biron, with order to confer with La Fin, and to perswade him to make a Journey into Spain. He said plainly, that the King of Spain was resolved to have the Duke of Biron at any rate. The Duke of Savoy and the Earl of Fuentes appointed a day to be at Some with La Fin and Picoté; there the minds of every one were clearly expressed and understood.

La Fin, who was acquainted with all his secret Councels, told the King, that the Marriage of the third Daughter of the Duke of Savoy, was the sodder and cement of all the treaty, with a promise of five hundred thousand Crowns, and all the rights of Soveraignty in Burgundy.

While La Fin treated in Italy the capitulation of the Duke of Biron, the treaty of Peace was concluded at Lyons.

The Duke of Biron had been always against this Peace; when he saw that it was concluded, and that the King had heard something of his dealings with La Fin, he fained to be very penitent of it, and asked the King forgiveness in the Cloister of the Franciscan Friers at Lyons, and intreated him most humbly to forgive the evil inten∣tions that the denial of the Citadel of Bourg had put into his mind. The King did

forgive him, and told him, that he was glad he had trusted to his clemency, and in the affection he bore to him, of which he would always give him such tokens, that he should never have occasion to doubt of it. Leaving the King, he met with the Duke of Espernon, and told him, that he would impart unto him as unto his best friend, the best fortune that ever he had in his life, which was, that he had discharged his Conscience to the King, and that he had forgiven him all what was past. The Duke of Espernon told him, that he was glad of it, but that it was necessary he should have his pardon in writing; for such faults could not be so easily blotted out. What, said he, upon what can I rely better than upon the Kings word; if the Duke of Biron wanteth an abolition, what shall others do? So they parted, one thinking that his Lyons Courage ought not to be used so meanly; the other wiser, remem∣bring that a Lyon is never so well tamed, but one time or another he will prove still a Lyon, and at last biteth the hand of him that hath wronged him so fiercely, that he is for ever avenged of him. The Duke of Espernon had reason to advise him to take an abolition in writing, and the Duke of Biron was not too blame to trust to the Kings Word, who certainly would have forgiven that fault, if he had done nothing since to renew the Memory of it. But here is once more to be observed a passage that containeth all the signs of an implacable Spirit The Duke of Biron being sent for by the King to receive his commands, and the effects of his clemency, went from Bourg, and came to lie at Vimy. From thence he wrote a Letter to La Fin that was at Milan, and then went to Lyons, where he was received by the King as the pro∣digal Son, he stayed some time at Lyons, and went to Vimy again, from whence he wrote another Letter to La Fin by Farges. As soon as he came to Bourg, he sent to Bosco, cousin of Roncas to advance the business. This negotiation did continue at Some between the Duke of Savoy, the Earl of Fuentes, and La Fin. The Earl of Fuentes carryed La Fin to Milan, and being desirous to be better informed, upon some points, and finding La Fin not so firm in his answers, he thought it not good to trust him wholly with the secret, and resolved to rid himself of him, therefore he sent him back, and intreated him to see the Duke of Savoy in his way. He had the good fortune to go by the way of the Grisons, and so through Basle, Porentru, and Besancon, for Renazé his Secretary, that went through Savoy, was there Arrested and made Prisoner. The work nevertheless went on; Alphonsus, Casal, and Roncas, did continue it with the Baron of Lux, and in the mean time the Duke of Biron plaid his part, having sent an express into Spain, though he were then with the King, who loth to loose him, kept him near, carryed him to see the Frontier Towns, and sent him Embassador into England, where he saw the head of the Earl of Essex, a late example of justice upon those who will be feared by their Masters, and abuse their favour. At his return he made a Journey into Gascony, where he was visited and ho∣noured by the Nobility of the Countrey, as a Prince; and being come to Dijon, he went into Switzerland, to make an end of the renewing of the Alliance between the King and the Switzers, where he continued still his practises with the Earl of Fuen∣tes, to whom he sent his secretary, under pretence to send his Pages into the Garri∣sons of Palma, for the Venetians. Being come back from Switzerland, he came not to the King to give an account of his negotiation, excusing himself upon the convo∣cation of the Estates in the Province. The King, that had some notice of these broils by Combelles, was infinitely desirous to speak with La Fin to know the truth of it. La Fin, who was highly incensed, that the Baron of Lux would have all the fruit of this negotiation, and that Renazée is kept Prisoner in Savoy, sent Cerezat to the Duke of Biron to let him know that he could be no longer his Servant, if his Se∣cretary was not fet at liberty, and that he could no longer defer to go to the King, desiring also to know what he should say upon the things that were past. He slight∣ed the first of these propositions, and spoke of Renazée as of one that was not to be

reckoned among the living; concerning the other, he told Cerezat that he was of opinion he might go to the Court with a small train, and that he should prepare him∣self at the first to receive ill language and contempt from the King, which he should sweeten by intreating him to believe, that the Journey he had made into Italy had no other design than to visit our Lady of Loretta: And that passing through Milan and Thurin he had been charged to propound the Marriage between him and the third Daughter of Savoy, to which he would not hearken, because the King would take care to provide for him. He did intreat and adjure Cerezat to tell La Fin, that he should rid himself of all those that travailed with him, and chiefly of a Cu∣rate, and that he should secure his Papers, if he had not rather to burn them. In a word, to consider, his life, his fortune, his honour, were in his Hands.

La Fin came to Court at the end of Lent, and saw the King at the Wine-press of Fountainblea••, and after that at the mid way. He spake first to the King, after to Villeroy, and after to the Chancellor in his house at Fontainbleau, and with Rhosny in the For••est, and with Sillery in the Wine-press; all with horror saw the writings, and heard his designs. The King could hardly believe such a wickedness; for who could have believed that he, who had driven the Spaniard from the Frontiers of Picardy, would let him in again by that of Burgundy? that he who had a hundred times beaten and defeated them, could contract a friendship with them, and conspire with them against the service of his Prince, and the love of his Countrey? that he who hated them to death, would have trusted his life in their Hands? He had shew∣ed himself so much their Enemy, that seeing his Father would not charge the Prince of Parma in an advantagious place, said aloud, that if he were King for 24 hours, he would cause the head of the Marshall of Biron to be cut off. He pronounced against his Father the Sentence that was to be executed once upon him.

La Fin shewed the King so many true and undeniable tokens of this conspiracy, that he was fained to believe more than he desired. He told him all what did pass in his Journeys to the Duke of Savoy, and the Earl of Fuentes concerning the Duke of Biron, saying, that for his part he would have been glad that the War had continued, that he might have benifitted himself therein; but finding that his sacred person was not excepted, and that there were cruel designs made against it, either to kill him, or to carry him prisoner into Spain, he was resolved to give him notice of it, choosing rather to disoblige the Servant than the Master. The King full of clemency and goodness, was extreamly sorry to see such an unnatural conspiracy: Nevertheless he said, that if the Con pirators did their duty, and gave him means to prevent the de∣signs of his Enemies, he would forgive them. If they remember what they owe me, I will not forget what I owe them; they shall find me as full of clemency, as they are void of affection: I would not have the Duke of Biron to be the first exam∣ple of my Justice, and to be the cause that my Reign, which hitherto hath been like an Air, calm and pure, should upon a sudden be disturbed with Clouds and Light∣ning, and so made a resolution, that if the Duke of Biron should tell him the truth, he would forgive him, his Councel was of the same advice, provided he would shew himself thenceforth as forward for his service against his Enemies, as he had been earnest to do mischief.

Out of many Papers that la Fin put into the Kings hands, there were seven and twenty pickt out, which onely spoke of him; the King being unwilling to discover the rest of the Conspirators, and intending that the punishment of one should serve for example to all the rest.

The Chancellor kept those Papers with such care, that he caused them to be sowed in his Doublet, that no body might have a sight of them till it was time. The Baron of Lux was yet at Fountainbleau, when la Fin came thither.

The King told him that he was very well pleased, that la Fin had spoken to him so honourably and wisely of the Duke of Biron, and that he was confident now, that the intentions of the Duke of Biron were righteous and sincere. The Baron of Lux did not perceive the Kings anger, so much the more dangerous that it was hidden; he went back again to Dijon very well pleased, that the things were always in the same state. La Fin did write to the Duke of Biron that he had satisfied the King concern∣ing his actions, and had told him onely what might serve for his justification. The King did manage this business so prudently, that the success of it was fortunate, he was well informed of all the Dukes designs, and desired to hear them out of his own mouth, that he might have occasion to forgive him, for that purpose he sent to him the Lord d'Escures, bidding him to come, because he had a mind to trust him with the Army that he was raising upon the Frontiers, he excused himself, and said that the enemy being so near, it would be a shame to him to turn his back, and that the States of the Province were convented at Dijon, and therefore could not for sake neither the Frontiers nor the States. The Vidame of Chartres made a Journey to him, and assured him that his Uncle la Fin had said nothing to his prejudice.

The persuasions of the President Janin were more powerful for flattering the Duke in his humour, he also made him sensible of the Kings power and anger in case of refusal; his friends gave him contrary advices, and desired him not to stir, and to make his peace afar off; the Bastille is a repairing said they, and the common talk is, that it is for such one as less thinketh upon it: the King hath been heard say, that they cut heads in England, and that some shall compel him upon that example to change his wonted Clemency into a just severity: in conclusion, they advise him to mistrust all things, and to beware of those that persuaded him to come; others did assure him of the contrary, and that his coming should dissipate all mistrusts, suspicions and jealousies.

The Duke of Biron holdeth here the Wolf by the ears, for let him come or not, there is danger; by not coming he accuseth himself, and the King swore he would fetch him himself; and in coming, his conscience was a witness against him, that the same fault can hardly be forgiven twice. He seeth la Fin retired into his House and living in peace, and hath so good an opinion of his own Valour, that he thinketh no body so bold as to seize upon him. The discourses of reason, the discerning of the truth, serve no more to a wicked and passionate man, then the Wings serve to a Bird, when they are clogged with Bird-lime. But now we talk of Birds, there were se∣veral ill Omens of his journey, one Bird of Prey called a Duck was found in his Closet, no body knowing which way it was come in; he commanded it to be carefully kept and lookt to, but assoon as the Duke was upon his journey the Bird died. Presently after the Horse that the Arch-Duke had given him, called the Pastrave, became mad, and killed himself, so did another that was given him by the Duke of Florence, another that the Duke of Lorrain had given him, fell into a consumption. He came to Fountainbleau when he was no more expected, and the King was resolved to get on Horseback and to fetch him. As his Majesty went about six of the Clock into the great Garden, he was heard to say unto the Lord of Sonvray, he will not come, he had no sooner ended the words, but the Duke appeared among seven or eight, he drew near, and being yet a pretty way off, he made three great Congies, the King did embrace him, and the first words he spoke to the King, were about the delaying of his coming. The King heard but few words of it, and took him by the hand to walk, and to shew him his buildings; as he passed from one Garden into another, the Duke of Espernon took occasion to salute him, and to whisper him in the ear, that in his coming he had believed his courage more, then the Councel of his friends.

In all the discourse he had with the King, there was observed a great coldness in the Kings face, and a great deal of fire in the Dukes words. The King told him of

the evil way which he had taken, the end of which could be nothing but ruine, de∣spair and confusion. The Duke answered that he was not come to ask forgiveness, nor to justifie himself, with many other frivolous and impudent words, which the Kings presence and his own duty ought to have restrained. The time of dinner be∣ing come, he asked the Duke of Espernon to dine with him, because his Train was not yet come; this was the first fault of his carriage, for he ought to dine at the Table of the great Master, and to harbour in no other House then that of the King, seeing his own was not open.

After dinner they came to see the King, who having walked one turn or two about the dinning-room, entered into his Closet, bidding two or three to go in with him, and saying nothing to the Duke of Biron, who was at the corner of the Bed near the Chair, taking notice that he was not looked upon as formerly.

The Marquess of Rhosny went into the Closet, passing by the Duke of Biron with∣out taking notice of him, and after he had stayed there about half an hour, he came and saluted the Duke of Biron, and told him the King asked for him; there he was exhorted not to conceal what time would ere long discover, and of what he was so well informed, that the desire he had to know it from himself, was meerly because no body else should take notice of it. The Duke of Biron who thought that la Fin had revealed nothing, stood still upon the protestations of his own innocency, be∣seeching the King to do him justice, of those who went about to oppress him with unsufferable calumnies, or to permit him to do himself reason. The King carried him to the Tennis-court, where the Duke took upon him to order the match, and said that the Duke of Espernon and himself would hold it against the King and the Earl of Soisson, the Duke of Espernon answered presently: you play well, but you do not make your matches well; which was observed by the King and the standers by. Supper time being come, he did sup at the Table of the great Master, to repare the fault he had done in the morning. Every one did perceive that he was not content∣ed, for he eat little or nothing, and no body spoke to him, every one holding him already for a cast-away. The King in the mean while was walking in his Chamber, meditating some great resolution, and he was heard to say these words, be must either bow or break.

That evening past away so quietly, that many thought it would be a Thunder with much noise and little hurt. The King commanded the Earl of Soissons to go to the Duke of Biron, and to do his best to break the hardness of his heart, and to draw the truth out of him; he went and intreated him to satisfie the King in what he desired to know from him, and to be afraid of the Kings displeasure and indignation. The Duke of Biron for answer told him, that the King could not complain but of the good services he had done to him, and that he himself had great occasion to complain of the King who mistrusted him after so many trials and experiments of his faithfulness, and that he should never have more of him then he had at his first coming; the Earl of Soissons, seeing his obstinacy, left him.

The next day early the King walking in the little Garden, sent for the Duke of Biron, and spoke to him a great while, thinking to overcome his obstinacy, and to give him means to escape the danger he was running into; he was seen a great while with his Hat off, his eyes lifted up to Heaven, smiting his breast, and making great protestations to uphold his innocency; there appeared then in the Kings face a great deal of anger, and in that of the Duke of Biron a great deal of fire and violence, all his words were nothing but threatnings, lightnings, ruines, and Hell against those that had spoken ill of him; from thence he went to dinner, and met with a man who brought him a Letter, to advise him to look to himself, he shewed it to the Captain of his Guards, and made slight of it, and said, he would be beholding to his valour for his life, and not to a flight; all the afternoon the King stayed in the Gallery, and

spoke four hours to the Lord of la Curée; the Queen being present and speaking never a word; the King was in a great perplexity of mind, before he could resolve himself. The Lords of Vileroy, Sillery and Geure were seen often to go to and fro, which made some suspect, that it was to begin by the execution in so great a crime; but the King was against that, such proceedings had been blamed in his Predecessor, he would have every body to know that he had authority and power enough to ex∣terminate his enemies, according to the Laws.

The resolution was taken to have him arrested, and also the Earl of Auvergne, the King would not have them to be taken in the Castle, but in their own Lodgings; the Duke of Biron, who was in some suspicion of it, and had prepared himself to what he could, neither prevent nor hinder, did imagine that there was no fear of any thing in the Kings Chamber, and that all the danger should be at the going out, and there∣fore by time had provided himself with a short Sword, with which he promised to make himself room through all dangers. They represented to the King, that if he were Arrested any where but in the Castle, it could not be done without bloodshed, and that it was no matter where the Lyon was taken, so that profit might arise of his prize.

It was perceived that in the same Gallery the King sent for Vitry and Pralin, two Captains of his Guards, and gave them the order he would have to be observed for the execution of his commands, and then called for his Supper. The Duke of Biron was at supper in the Lord Montignys Lodging, where he spoke more highly and bravely then ever of his Deserts, and of the friends he had made lately in Switzerland; then began to fall upon the praises of the late King of Spain, extolling his Piety, Ju∣stice and liberality; Montigny stopt him, saying, that the greatest commendation that could be given to his memory, was, that he had put his own Son to death, for endeavouring to trouble his Estate; this word stopt those of the Duke of Biron, who answered only with his eyes, and thought upon it with some amazement. After sup∣per the Earl of Auvergne and the Duke of Biron came to the King, who was walking in the Garden, the King making an end of his walk did invite the Duke of Biron to play at Cards, they went into the Queens Chamb••r; the Earl of Auvergne passing by the Duke of Biron told him softly, we are undone; the Game begun at the primara, the Queen was one of the Gamsters, the Duke of Biron another, and two more. The King went into his Closet, divided between two contrary passions; the love he had formerly for the Duke of Biron, the knowledge he had of his valour, and the re∣membrance of his services, excluded all thoughts of his Justice; on the other side, the fear of troubles in his Estate, the hor••id effects of so unnatural a conspiracy did accuse his Clemency of cruelty, if he went about to prefer the particular good to the publick, he prayed to God to assist him with his Holy Spirit, to appease the troubles of his soul, and to strengthten him with a Holy resolution, that he might do what was for the good of his people, upon whom he Reigned by his only Grace; his prayer being ended, all the difficulties that troubled his soul vanished away, there remained only a firm resolution, to put the Duke into the hands of Justice, if he could not draw the truth out of him; the Game went on still, the King took sometimes the Queens Cards, expecting the appointed time. The Earl of Auvergne was gone to his Lodging, the King sent for him, and walked in the Chamber, while the Duke thought upon nothing but his play. De Varennes Lieutenant of his Troop faining to take up his Cloak, whispered him softly that he was undone; this word did trouble him so much, that he neglected his play, and oversaw himself, the Queen gave him notice of it; the King did bid them to give over playing, and commanded every one to retire, he went into his Closet, and took the Duke of Biron with him, whose good and bad fortune depended from an answer pleasing his Majesty, who bid him once for all to tell what he had done with the Duke of Savoy and the Earl of Fuentes,

assuring him, that his clemency should be greater than his fault. The Duke of Biron answered the King more proudly than eyer, that it was to pross an honest man too much, that he never had any other design, but what he had told him already. Would to God it were so, said the King. You will not tell me: Farewell, good night.

As he went out of the Closet, and had passed the Chamber door, he met Vitry, who with his right hand seized upon the Hilt of his Sword, and with his left upon his right Arm, saying, The King ••ath commanded me to give him an account of your Per∣son, give up your Sword. You jeer, said the Duke. No my Lord, he hath so com∣manded me. The Duke of Biron answered. I pray thee let me speak to the King. No my Lord, the King is gone to Bed. He saw the Duke of Monbazon, and de∣sired him to intreat the King, that he might surrender it into his own Hands. The King sent word to Vitry to obey his commands. The Duke was fained to suffer his Sword to be taken from him; saying. My Sword that hath done so many good ser∣vices! Yes my Lord, give me your Sword, said Vitry. To me, said the Duke, that have served the King so well, that my Sword should be taken from me, my Sword that hath made an end of the War, and given Peace to France, that my Sword, which could not be taken by my Enemies, should be taken away by my Friends. All these complaints availed nothing; he ungirted his Sword with his left hand, and gave it to Vitry, looking about if he could seize upon any other, out care was taken for that.

When he saw all the Guards in order in the Gallery, he thought he should have been Massacred upon the place, and cryed to them, fellow Souldiers give me a little time to pray to God, and let me have some Firebrand or Candlestick in my hand, that I may have the Honour to die desending my self. He was answered, that no Body would offend him, that his best defence was to obey the King, who com∣manded to lead him to Bed, you see said he, how the good Catholicks are used. He was carryed into the Arms Closet, where he neither slept nor lay down, but past the night in blasphemies against God, and reviling words against the King.

Pralin was staying for the Earl of Auvergne at the Castle Gate, and when he offer∣ed to go out to his lodging; stay my Lord, you are the Kings Prisoner. The Earl astonished, answered I, I? and Pralin answered, yes my Lord, you, I Arrest you by the King, and make you his Prisoner, give up your Sword, take it said the Earl it never killed any thing but Boars, if you had given me notice of this, I should have been in Bed and asleep two hours ago.

The next day about dinner time the Duke of Biron sent word to the King, that if he did not take care of the Province of Burgundy, it would be lost, because the Ba∣ron of Lux would let in the Spaniards as soon as he should have notice of his detenti∣on. The King was very much offended at this message, and said, see the impu∣dence and boldness of the Duke of Biron, who sendeth me word that Burgundy is lost, if I do not look to it. His obstinacy hath undone him, if he would have confessed the truth of a thing that I have under his hand, he should not be where he is. I wish I had paid 200000. Crowns, and he had given me the means to forgive him. I never loved any man so much, I would have trusted him with my Son and my Kingdom. 'Tis true, he hath served me well, but he cannot deny but that I have saved his life three times; I rescued him once from the hands of the Enemy at Fontain Francoise, so wounded and astonished with blows, that as I plaid the part of a Souldier to save him, I was also fained to make that of a Captain to make the re∣treat; for he told me he was not in a case to do it.

The Saturday next the prisoners were carryed to Paris by water, and put in∣to the Bastille in several Chambers. The Duke of Biron was put into that, called of the Saints famous, for the Prison of the Constable of Saint Paul,

executed in the time of Lewis the XI. and the Earl in the Chamber above him.

The care, the order and vigilancy, with which he was guarded, did put him in some amazement; for his Guards waited on him without Arms, and served him with a Knife without a point, which made him say, that it was the way to the Grave (the place of Execution.) But when he knew that the Hangman of Paris was a Bur∣gundian, he remembred that La Brosse an Astrologer had foretold him sometimes, seeing his Horoscope, which he fained to be that of one of his friends, that he should be beheaded, and Caesar a Magician, that a blow of a Burgundian given behind, should hinder him to attain the Kingdom

The Arch-Bishop of Bourges went to see him, and endeavoured to settle his Con∣science, and to disswade him from some Atheistical opinions that he had: Vil∣leroy and Sillery went also to see him, and by the Kings Command, and at his re∣quest.

Few days after, the King being at St. Mourder Fossez, the Lords la Force, the Earl of Roussy, Brother in Law to the Duke of Biron, Saint Blancard his Brother, Chasteau-neuf, Themines, Salignac, St. Angel, Longuac, Friends and Kinsmen of the Duke of Biron, went and cast themselves at the Kings feet, to implore his Mercy, and that he would be pleased to moderate the severity of his Justice, re∣questing that the same clemency which he had shewed to many others that had as grievously offended him, would at least save his life, and confine him into such a place, where he might do no harm, that their whole Kindred might not be branded with Insamy, and have a regard to his Fathers service and his, which though they were not equal to his offence, yet at least to consider, that he was only guilty for his intention.

The King bid them rise, and told them, that their requests were not displeasing to him. That he would not be like his Predecessors, who would not suffer any body to intercede for those that were guilty o high Treason. The King Francis II. would never give a hearing to the Wife of the Prince of Condé my Uncle. Concerning the clemency you would have me shew to the Duke of Biron; it should not be clemency but cruelty, if it were only my particular Interest, I would for∣give him, as I do now with all my heart; but my Kingdom and my Children, to whom I owe much, are concerned in it; or they might reproach me hence forwards, that I have tollerated an evil which I might have prevented; my Life, that of my Children, and the preservation of my Kingdom, are concerned in it. I will leave it to the course of Justice, you shall see what Judgement shall be given: I will con∣tribute what I can to his Innocency, I give you leave to do the same till he be found guilty of high Treason; for then the Father cannot intercede for the Son, nor the Son for the Father; the Wife for the Husband, nor the Brother for the Brother. Do not become odious to me for the love you bear him: As for the note of Infamy, there is none but himself. Have the Constable of St. Paul, from whom I derive my Pedigree, and the Duke of Nemours, of who I am Heir (both beheaded) left any note of Infamy upon their Posterity, should not the Prince of Condé my Uncle have been beheaded the next day, if King Francis the II. had not dyed? Therefore ye that are Kinsmen to the Duke of Biron, cannot be noted with Infamy, if you con∣tinue in your faithfulness, as (I assure my self) you will. And I am so far from depriving you of your Offices, that if any new one should fall, I would bestow them upon you: I am more sorry for his fault than you can be; but to conspire a∣gainst me that am his King and Benefactor, is a crime that I cannot forgive, with∣out losing my self, my Wife, my Son, and my Estate, I know you to be so good French men, that you would not have the last, and shall take Patience for the first. Thus the King dismissed him, and sent his Commission to the Court of Parliament,

to decide the business. The Process was framed in the Bastille, by the Lords of Achilles de Harlay, first President in the Court of Parliament of Paris, Nicolas Potier second President, Stephen Fleury, and Philibert of Thurin, Councellors in the same Court. They asked him if he did not write in Cyphers, he denyed it, then were shewed unto him several Letters, written and sealed with his own hand, which did witness his Intelligences with the Spaniard and the Duke of Savoy, and contained advices that he gave of the wants that were in the Kings Army; How little Money he had to maintain the War, and to satisfie the Switzers of the discontent of the French Nobility, and how several French Troops might easily be defeated, and that to divert the Kings forces it was necessary to invade Provence, and did much press upon the 50000. Crowns, and the 4000 men promised, or else said, all is lost. Some of these things he confessed, and did so intangle and contradict himself, that the Commissioners had pity on his indiscretion.

He was asked what opinion he had of La Fin; he said he took him for an honest Gentleman, his Friend and Kinsman, his Evidnces being read to him, and himself brought face to face, he did with the most horrid Imprecations and Blasphemies in the World deny them, and charged La Fin with the most horrid Crimes that can be Imagined, calling still God for a Witness of his Innocency: La Fin stood firm in the confirming of his Evidence, and did more particularly declare the whole con∣spiracy. The Duke answered, that if Renazé were there he would tell the contra∣ry, Renazé, who had a little while before escaped his Prison in Piemont, was brought before him, and confirmed all what La Fin had said.

Next to that was brought one of the Kings waiting men, who witnessed, that having lyen in his Chamber by the Kings command, the first night of his Imprison∣ment he had adjured him, by several offers and promises of rewards, to give notice to his secretaries to be out of the way for some days, and to tell the Earl of Roussy his Brother in Law, that he should send presently to Dijon, to give the same advice to those that were left there, and above all, that if they were examined; they should all constantly deny that ever he did write in Cyphers.

Thus the business having been thorowly examined, it remained only to proceed unto Judgment; but the Prisoner being a Peer of France, (the King having erected the Baroay of Biron into a Dukedom) by the Laws the Prisoner could not be judg∣ed, but by his Peers, which being summoned, and not appearing, the Court of Parlament being authorised by the Kings Commission, proceeded to Judg∣ment.

The 23 of July 1602. the Chancellor, with the Maisses and Pontcarré, Privy Councellors, went to the Parliament, where all the Chambers were assembled to∣gether. There he made known the Kings intention, in a business, wherein the good of the Kingdom was so much concerned, and represented on one part the qua∣lity of a Person, commendable for his services; but on the other, the soulness of the Crime, for the Judgment of which the King did rely upon the integrity and pru∣dence of the Court. The Kings Attorney, and Soliciter, having represented to the Court, that the Peers summoned, gave no appearance, and that the Prisoners petition (who asked for Councel, was not to be received. The Court proceeded to examine the Evidences, whereupon they sat three times, after which the Pri∣soner was brought from the Bastile, by Montigny Governour of Paris, and Vitry, Captain of the Kings Guards, in a close Barge, covered with Tapistry, and fol∣lowed by two other Barges full of Souldiers, and Switzers. He entred into the Palace, through the Garden of the first President, and rested himself in one of the Chambers, where he was offered a Breakfast.

The time being come, he was to be heard, the Recorder went and called him into the Guild-hall, where when he saw one Hundred and twelve Judges before his

face, he was some thing daunted, and was made to sit within the Bar upon a joint stool; where he sat in such a posture, as stretching forth his right foot, and having his Cloak under his arm, and his left hand upon his side, he kept the right one free, either to stretch it forth to Heaven, or to smite his brest, when occasion served. The Chancellor did so frame his discourse, that he never named him by his name, nor that of his qualities.

Of many evidences there was five chiefly urged against him.

• The first to have been conversant with one Picotée, born in Orleans, and refugied in Flanders, to keep intelligence with the Arch-duke, and to have give him 150. Crowns for two journeys to that end.
• The second to have treated with the Duke of Savoy, three days after his arrival to Paris without the Kings leave, and to have offered him all assistance and service against any person whatsoever, upon the hope or promiss of marrying his third daughter.
• The third to have kept intelligence with the said Duke in taking of the City of Bourg and other places, giving him advice how he might defeat the Kings Army, and destroy his person, with many other circumstances to that purpose.
• The fourth to have sent by Renazée a note to the Governour of the Fort of Saint Catherine, promising to bring the King before the said Fort, so near that he might be either killed or taken, telling what cloths he himself would wear, and what Horse he would ride, that he might be distinguished.

To have sent several times la Fin to treat with the Duke of Savoy, and the Earl of Fuentes against the Kings service.

These are the first confessions and acknowledgements that the Prisoner made be∣fore the Commissioners in the Bastille, but now he thinketh, he may as lightly deny them, as he had unadvisedly before confessed them.

Upon the first Article he answered, that Picoté being once his Prisoner, had offer∣ed his service for the reduction of the Town of Seurre in Burgundy, and that the King had approved of it, that it is true he had given him the said sum, but it was as a re∣ward for his pains and charges in this negotiation, which sum he hath charged upon the Kings account, with some other small ones, laid out by him for the King; that since the reduction of the said Town he had not seen Picoté but in Flanders, when he went thither Embassadour for the confirmation of the Peace, where the said Picotée came to him with many others, intreating him he would be pleased to mediate with the King, for the liberty of returning into their Countrey, and enjoying their Estates, and that he did wish them to go to the Lords Belieure and Sillery, who would pre∣scribe them what orders they were to follow in this business, and never had any other conversation with Picoté.

Upon the second, That he could not have treated with the Duke of Savoy three days after his arrival at Paris, seeing that himself did not come there but a formigh∣after, and that la Fin came but after him, that all his discourses with him were in pub∣lick and before witnesses, and therefore could not be suspected; that Roncas had sometimes mentioned to him the Marriage of the third daughter of the Duke, and that he did impart it to the King; that his Majesty having sent him word by la Force his Brother in Law, that he did not approve of it, he never thought of it since; that the intelligence he is accused to have kept with the Duke of Savoy, is confuted enough by what he did, for when the King had commanded him to wait and keep company to the Duke in his return from France, and to shew him the strongest places upon the Frontiers of Burgundy, he did humbly excuse himself to the King of it, saying, that he foresaw well enough that the Duke would not keep the Treaty of Peace, and that it would be a great grief to him to make War against a Prince, with whom he should have kept company, and made good cheer; and that he did advise the Baron of Lux to let him see only the weaker places, that he might not know the strength of the Countrey.

Upon the third, That if he had kept correspondence with the Duke of Savoy, he would not have undertaken the taking of Bourg, almost against the Kings will, with∣out any other help then of those that were ordinarily with him; that of fourty Con∣voys that were brought to relieve the Town, he had routed thirty seven, and the other three entered in his absence; that the King knoweth very well he was offered 200000. Crowns to let the succours enter into the Citadel of Bourg; that although his Majesty had commanded him in the time of a Truce made with the Duke of Sa∣voy, to let those of the Citadel of Bourg have every day 400. Loafs of Bread, 50. bottles of Wine, half an Oxe, and six Sheep, he did only let them have fifty bottles of Wine and one Sheep, by which means the Town was surrendred within the time promised▪ that if he had had any evil design against the King and Kingdom, he would not so freely and willingly put the Town into the hands of him that is now Governour of it; that the Governours of Places that were in the Duke's service, and are now in that of the King, can witness whether he shewed them any favour; that for his giving advice to the Duke to defeat the Regiment of Chambauld, he will prove that Chambauld did not come into the Army, but one Month after the time mentioned in his Calumny; besides that, this advice was without appearance of reason, for from Chambaula's quarters to his, there was at least six days journey, and as much to go to the Duke, and as much to come back, besides the time required for the marching of the Forces; therefore all that was a meer invention of la Fin.

Upon the fourth, That he intreated his Majesty to call to memory, that he was the onely man who dissuaded him to go and view the Fort, representing unto him that there was in it ••xtraordinary good Gunners, and that he could not view it with∣out great danger, and upon that he offered the King to bring him the next day the Plat-form of it, and to take it with 500. Musquettiers, and that himself would be in the Head of them.

Upon the fifth, That it was true all the evil he had done was in two Months time that la Fin had been with him, during which, he did hearken and write more then he ought: but that with the same he had written, he had so long served the King, that it was enough to prove the sincerity of his intentions; that the refusal of the Citadel of Bourg, which he thought the King had promised him, had put him into such a discontent, that he found himself in a capacity to hearken to any thing, and to do any thing; that if he had been a Protestant, it may be the place should have been refused him no more then it was to de Boaisse, who was such an one, as he told the King himself at Lyon; that la Fin had also once told him, that the King speaking of him, and of his Father, said, that God had done well for to take him out of this world when he was killed, for he was a very chargeable and unprofitable servant; and for the Son, it was not all Gold that shined; that these words had so much incensed him, that he could have found in his heart to be all covered with blood. Upon that the Chancellor asked him of what blood he meaned? he answered, of my own: de∣siring not to live any longer, after he had heard such reproches, as blemished the ser∣vices of his Father and his onw; that nevertheless his anger and discontent went ne∣ver so far, as to attempt upon the King; that his fault was only in words, and it may be little in Writting; that his Majesty seeing with how much ingenuity he did ac∣knowledge his fault, had forgiven him all what was past, in the presence of the Lords Villeroy and Sillery, and that if since that time he was found to have done any thing amiss, he would blame his Judges of Injustice, if they did not condemn him to death, that if he had done nothing amiss since, he thought the Kings pardon to be sufficient for what was, and if there was need to ask for it again, his knees were as supple and ply able as ever.

But a Letter, which he had written to la Fin since the pardon of Lyon, and the Birth of the Dolphin, did spoil all, for it was a manifest evidence of the continuati∣on

of his ill designs, and the Chancellor having produced it, he answered, he would never deny his hand, but that Imbert and Renazée Domestick Servants to la Fin could counterfeit it; that though he might have had some ill thoughts, he had always well done; that although the King would not forgive him this fault, it was not in the power of men to condemn him jus••ly for single words, which were contradicted by the effects; that his consolation was in his misfortune, his Judges were not ignorant of the services he had done to the Kingdom, which he had Sealed with five and thirty wounds; that his body whose life and death was in the disposition of their Ju∣stice, had not a vain but had bleeded for their service, and to restore them into their places, from whence the League had driven them; that the hand which had written the Letters produced against him, was the same that had done contrary to what it did write; that he had written and spoke more then he ought, but that it could not be proved he had ever ill done; that there was no Law that punished with death the lightness of a single word or motion of the thoughts; that anger and discontent had made him capable of saying and doing any thing, but that his reason had not given leave to say or to do, ought but what deserveth to be commended; which words were as carefully considered, as he repeated them often with several Oaths and Im∣precations.

Upon that the Chancellor having asked him why then he did not open himself more to the King, who desired him with great affection to do it at Fountain-bleau, seeing he knew in his conscience to have done nothing against his duty since his par∣don. There he cut himself in his answer, and said he thought la Fin had revealed nothing of what was between them, and that he had lately assured him so with Oaths and fearful imprecations, that he would never have thought la Fin had been such a damnable man, as to reveal that which with so many deep Oaths and Imprecations they had promised to keep secret between themselves; that having propounded the question to a Monk of the Order of Minimes at Lyon, whether he might with a safe conscience reveal what was between t••em, and what he had promised with Oath to la Fin to keep secret, because he suspected that la Fin would deceive him, and tell all to the King, and so ruine him. The Minime had answered, that seeing they had no more intention to put in execution the things they had projected, he was not to reveal them, and if la Fin did it, he should go to Hell, and himself to Heaven; that he did so firmly believe this, that although the Archbishop of Bourges had visited him in Prison, and alledged many reasons to the contrary, yet his soul was so settled in that belief, that he thought it was only the part of an Atheist to swear with int••ntion to deceive.

Upon this he begun to accuse la Fin of the most execrable crimes that a man is capable of, saying that he made use of Renazée for Sodomy that he was a Witch, and had ordinary communication with the Devils, that he had so be witched him with enchanted Waters and Wax Images, that spoke, that he was constrained to submit himself to all his will; that he never spoke to him but whispering, and in unknown words, and a••ter he had kissed him in the left eye, and he could not deny but he had shewed him a Wax Image, speaking and saying, Rex impie morieris, thou shalt die ungodly King, and called him continually his Master, Lord, Prince and King; that he was a false Coiner, and had persuaded him man•• times to attempt upon the King, but that he would never hearken to it; that the quality of the Accusators was to be considered, who not only were partners, but instigators of the Fact; that certainly the Duke of Savoy was his mortal enemy, for having since his pardon left of all his in∣telligences with him, and seeing that after a long detention he had released Renazée, to come and to be a witness against him; that the King had forgiven him at Lyon, and that upon his acknowledging many times to the King, that the refusal of the Ciradel of Bourg had very much incensed him, his Majesty did comfort him with these words:

Marshal never remember Bourg, and I will never remember what is past, that in 22 Months after he had not offended, that if he had continued his ill designs, he might have done it easily in England and Switzerland. That above 100. Gentlemen shall be Witnesses of his first Embassy, and for the second, he desireth no other Wit∣nesses than the Kings Embassadors themselves, that if they would be pleased to consider how he was come, and in what what case he had left the Province of Bur∣gundy, it was impossible to have an ill opinion of his designs; for there was not one Souldier in all the Countrey, and at his going away he gave no other charge to the Commanders and Captains, than to serve the King faithfully, that every one dis∣swaded him to come to Court, and in the way he received many Letters to that purpose, that he was come upon the Kings word, trusting upon his own Conscience and Innocency. If the King be not pleased to consider my services (said he to the Court) and those assurances he hath given me of his Mercy, I acknowledge my self guilty of Death, and do not expect my life from his Justice, but from yours, (my Lords) who will remember better than he what dangers I have undergone for his service. I confess I had a mind to do ill, but I never proceeded to effects: It would be a hard matter if I should be the first in whom thoughts should be punish∣ed; Great offences require great ciemency. I do implore that of the King, and nevertheless I am the onely one in France, that is made an example of his severity, and that can have no hope in his clemency, which he never denyed to those that had done worse: However I trust more in you my Lords, than I do in the King, who having heretofore looked upon me with his Eyes of love, looketh upon me now with those of his anger, and thinketh it a Vertue to be cruel unto me, and a Vice to excercise upon me the act of clemency.

Thus pleaded the Prisoner, with so much eloquency and boldness, that if his Judges had not seen evidently the truth of the fact, under his own Hand and Seal, the respect of his first condition might have perswaded them to believe his In∣nocency, and to take compassion of his ruined fortune.

The Court did hear him as long as he would speak, with so much patience, that never a man had the like audience. The Prisoner spoke so much, that his last reasons were found contrary to his first, his allegations did not shew his Innocency; for the Embassadors themselves which he took for Witnesses of his carryage in Switzer∣land, did report many words of his, which shewed his anger and passion. Besides the King had not given his word, that he might come in safety, and those Letters which he alleadged for his justification, did prove the continuation of his treacherous designs, seeing that he had sent la Fin and Hebert, to Turin and Milan, since the pardon, He could not then expect but Justice, in a case where neither passion nor favour could alter Judgment: Nevertheless he shewed himself much satisfied with his answers, and therefore being come back again to the Bastille, he passed the rest of that day, and the two next, to relate unto his Guards the questions of the Court, and his answers therereunto, counterfeiting the gesture and the words which he Ima∣gined the Chancellor had spoken after his going away, though that grave and vene∣rable old man neither said nor did any thing, but what was becoming to his Age and quality, having shewed himself as full of compassion, as the prisoner was of his vanity; for when he was nearer to death he thought less upon it, and thinking himself the only man capable of commanding an Army, he found some fault in those that were thought capable of it, saying, that one was unhappy in his undertakings, the other was not respected by the Souldiers, such a one was a brave man, but he wanted ex∣perience, and another that hath both was a Potestant. To conclude, he did so please himself with his own praise and deserts, that he thought no body could come near him, and that he was so useful to the Kingdom, that it would be a great Crime to think to undo him.

He had spoken so long the 27 of the Month, that there was no time left to gather the Voices: The Chancellor therefore went into the Palace the 29 following to gather the Voices of the Judges. Fleury the reporter of the Proces, did conform his opi∣nion to the conclusions of the Kings Attorney, all the rest agreed to it, either by Words or by Signs, and all the proofs necessary for the verification of a Crime meeting in this case, as his Answers, Confessions, Writings, Letters, Instructions; and Evidence of Witnesses not reproached; It was found, that the unnatural Con∣spiracy against the State, the detestable attempt upon the Kings Person, makes him guilty of high Treason in the first and second degree.

He confesseth he had evil intentions, it is enough, the Laws do punish the Coun∣cels, the resolutions, and the effects; for if the Traitor be not prevented, time may give him the opportunity to accomplish his Design and Will, and the Will of a Sub∣ject in point of State, doth depend immediately upon that of the Prince. He say∣eth moreover, that without the Kings Mercy he is undone, and that if he would have put in Execution the ill designs that were propounded to him against his Majesty, he should have been gone long ago: Did he ever give notice of them to the King or to any body else. If the Prisoner had brought to pass his intent, we might have said, farewell State, farewell Justice, it is too late to believe the Conspiracy a∣gainst Princes, when they are murdered by the Conspirators.

He hath well served the King, it is true; but his Offices and Dignities did call him to that Duty, he hath had notable rewards for it, and from the time that he hath shewed himself so unfaithfull, he hath diminished the lustre of his deserts. His deserts had made him capable of the first dignities of the Kingdom, but the me∣rit of them is vanished away, by the greatness of his Crime.

And what is the State beholding to him, if after he hath contributed so much for its restauration, he goeth about to turn up side down the Foundation of it, and to be∣tray it to the Enemies, It is nothing to begin well unless you end well, the actions are judged by the end: Those that have deserved best of the States, are the most severely punished when they fall into Sedition and Rebellion. There is many sheets of Paper in the Hands of the Court, containing in them one hun∣dred advices given to the Enemy, the least of which is capable to make him guilty.

The Prisoners quality is not considerable in this case; Justice is blind to all distin∣ctions, and rather considereth the offence according to the quality of the offender; Crimes of high Treason are not considered by things past, but by things present and that are to come; we must not put in an account what he hath done, but what he had a mind to do. The quality of a Duke and Peer of France, of Knight of the Kings Order, of Marshal, doth not exempt him from the Law, and from being judg∣ed as an Enemy to the State, and to the Majesty of the Prince, seeing he would have troubled the State, and attempted upon the Kings person. Who in France besides is more obliged to the King? the greater then is the Obligation, the greater the in∣gratitude. God forbid that the respect of the quality should stop the course of Justice: a Limb must be cut off to save all the body.

But his offence hath been forgiven: The pardon cannot extend but to the things that are confessed; but he acknowledgeth himself that he hath not told all, there∣fore he hath confessed as little as he could, his onw confessions Witness, he only asked forgiveness, that he might continue his Crimes with more security: Besides he would not acknowledge his fault to the King, for all the King promised to for∣give him, and lately he told the Court, he did not believe that la Fin had revealed what was secret between them; and thought he would have kept his word, which he had confirmed with so many Oaths, and that if he had doubted of it, he would have cast himself at his Majesties Feet as readily as he, and asked him forgiveness,

It followeth then that there was some thing left behind that was not confessed: Thus he accuseth himself, thinking to excuse his fault; besides, he mistaketh himself thinking to persuade the Court, that since the pardon he hath done nothing amiss, for the Pardon was in January 1600. and here be Letters of September last, by which he recalleth la Fin, telleth him, he will think no more upon the Vanities that were past since, God was pleased to have given the King a Dolphin. It is apparent then that he hath employed la Fin at least since the Pardon, till the birth of the Dolphin, and la Fin maintaineth that there was a note quite to the contrary, and that they did continue their intelligences and practises unknown to the King. That the Duke did recal him, fearing he should discover the Conspiracy, when a man continues in his faults and abuseth his Pardon, the last fault payeth for all.

Besides, the Court hath not seen that Pardon, he oughted to have produced it in writing under the Kings Hand and Seal, and to forgive him once more, would put him into such a condition, as to contrive always Treasons against the State; the re∣medy of a present evil is not to be neglected upon the hope of an uncertain good; he is in a case to be no more useful; nothing can be expected from his courage but re∣venge; he that can bring no profit by his virtue and faithfulness, must do it by being made an exemple.

Such were for the most part the reasons of the Court, according to which, and to the conclusions of the Attorney General, the Chancellor did pronounce Sentence of death against the Prisoner; some were of opinion that la Fin should be arrested, as one that could not justifie himself, for having concealed such a damnable Conspiracy, till he saw that the Spanish affairs went to wrack. The Chancellor did moderate these opinions, representing that the Conspiracy was not yet wholly discovered, and that such things would hinder the rest of those that knew some thing of it to reveal it; that a man that saveth the Kings Person and his Estate, ought rather to bere∣warded then punished. And in confirmation of this, the King sent Letters to la Fin, by which he assured him, that such a service done to him and his Kingdom, should never prove his ruine.

The Court stayed onely for the Kings intention upon the execution of the Sen∣tence, which Sillery had carried to St. Germain. The Scaffold was ready to be set up in the place of Greve, but the execution might have proved dangerous, in the middle of so much people of different humors and tempers; and already there was a rumour, as if some body should throw him a Sword, with which he should make him∣self a passage, or else have died with a blow less shameful then that of the Hangman; upon his friends intreaty the execution was ordered to be done in the Bastille.

The next day about noon, the people knowing that the Sentence was past, went some to the Greve, thinking that the execution should be done there, others to St. Antony street, to see the Prisoner pass by; he saw from his Chamber that multi∣tude, and guessed that he was to be the Spectacle of those Spectators; here the an∣guish of the Grave began to beset him, and drawing a consequence from the shadow of death, that the body was not far of; he sent Baranton a Scotish Gentleman to in∣treat the Marquess of Rhosny to come to see him, or if he could not come, to sue for his Pardon to the King. He sent him answer, he could do neither, and that he was extreamly sorry for his misfortune, that if he had believed him at his coming to to Court, he should have confessed what the King did desire to know of him, for by concealing of it, he did hinder the King to give him his life, and all his friends to sue for it.

The next day last of July 1602. the Chancellor, the first President, Sillery, three Masters of Requests, some Officers of the Chancery, Rapin Lieutenant of the short Gown, his Lieutenant, Daniel Voi••in Register of the Court of Parliament, six Ser∣geants, and seven or eight more went to the Bastille, about ten of the Clock in the

morning, as soon as they were come in the Chancellor commanded that the Priso∣ners Dinner should be carryed, without giving him notice of his coming, and in the mean time he and the first President made a List of those whom they would have to be present in that action. Some Presidents, three Masters of Requests, three Auditors, six Serjeants of the Parliament, the Lieutenant Civil, the Kings Attorney at the Chastelet, Rapin and his Lieutenant, the Knight of the Watch, the Prevost of the Merchants, four Aldermen, four Councellors of the City, and some few others, to the number of fifty.

About noon the Prisoner looking through the Grates of his Chamber Windows, perceived the Wife of Rumigny, Caption of the Castle, weeping with her hands up and guessed that those Tears were drawn by the compassion of his Fortune. Hewas confirmed in his opinion, when he saw the Chancellor followed by the Ser∣jeants, Rapin and his Lieutenant, and some others go through the Bastilles Yard into the Chappel, then he began to cry aloud, O my God I am a dead man, ah, what injustice it is to put an Innocent Person to death, thereupon he intreated Ru∣migny to tell his Brothers, Sisters and Kindred, that they should not be ashamed of his death, because he was Innocent of that he was accused.

The Chancellor commanded he should be brought down into the Chappel, where as soon as he saw the Chancellor, are you come, said he, to pronounce me my death: The Chancellor saluted him, then put on his Hat, the Prisoner stood bare headed, and began to speak first. Ah my Lord Chancellor, is there no pardon? is there no Mercy? such and such (whom he did name one after another) have committed such offences and yet have been pardoned. What? you that look like an honest man, have you suffered that I should be so miserably condemned? ah! my Lord, if you had not told the Court that the King would have me to die, they would not have condemned me so. My Lord, my Lord, you could have hindred that evil, and you have not done it, you shall answer for that injustice before all the rest of the Judges that have condemned me, and saying so, he stroke the Chancellor upon the Arm. Ah! what a great service the King doth this day to the King of Spain, to rid him of such an Enemy as I was, might I not have been kept within four Walls, till some occasion had offered where I might have been useful? Ah my Lord, have you forgot my fathers love to you so much, as not to give notice to the King of what I say, and what dammage he suffereth in loosing me. I am yet as willing as ever to do service to the Kingdom, you could let him know so much, he hath so good an opinion of you, I am sure he would believe you: A Messenger could quickly go thither ••ud back again, what shall a thousand Gentlemen my Kinsmen say? doth he think that a ter my death they can do him any service? and what if I had been guilty, would I have come upon those false assurances that President Janin that great Cheat gave me, when he told me, that businesses were so ill mannaged in France, that it was fit I should see the King and tell him of it, who at my perswasion would settle them in bettter order: I have neglected all the advices of my friends to hearken unto his perswasions. I have trusted to that cursed Traitor la Fin, who writ to me that I could eome in all safety, and that he had told the King nothing but of the Marriage that was propounded to me with a daughter of Savoy, that the King would receive me with all Kindness. What then? the goings to and fro of many, the reasons of those who advised me to come, and the Kings Letters, were they all baits to catch me: I am well served to have trusted to much upon his Word, I could have sought and got other securities, if I had not trusted to my Innocency; I am come upon the confidence of my integrity since his pardon. Ah! doth he not know that he hath forgiven me; I have h••d some evil designs, I have hearkened, I have written, I have spoken, I confessed them all at Lyon, he did assure me never to remember it, and did exhort me that from hence forwards I should commit no∣thing

that might compel me to have recourse to his clemency: Nevertheless I am now accused of things that are blotted out by his pardon; I have not offended him since, unless it be in that I desired War rather than Peace, because my humour is not peaceable, had not the King at that time reason to approve of it? if this Crime deserveth death I fly to his clemency, I implore his Mercy. The Queen of England told me, that if the Earl of Essex would have humbled himself, and asked forgive∣ness, he should have obtained it: I do, being Innocent, what he would not do being guilty. Ah! shall all Mercy be put out for me; those that have done worse have found Grace and Mercy: I perceive what it is, I am not the more guilty but the most unhappy, and the King, who hath been so sparing of his Subj••cts lives, hath a mind to be prodigal of mine.

To conclude, he forgot nother of what might be said by a Soul pierced with grief, spite, anger, and violent threatning, in exclamations and revilings against the King and his Parliament, in reproaches against the Chancellor, that he had more contri∣buted to his condemnation than to his absolution, in words that are not fit to be spo∣ken nor related.

His words ran so falt that the Chancellor could not stop them: Nevertheless he took occasion to tell him, his passion suggested him many things without appearance of reason, and against his own jadgment, that no body had known his deserts better than he, and that he could have wished his faults had been as unknown as dissembled, that the knowledge of them had been so visible and apparent, that his Judges had more ado to moderate his punishment than to inflict it. That S••ntence was given upon the proofs of several attemps he had made against the Kings Person and his Estate, and for having kept intelligence and correspondency with the Enemies of the Kingdom, of which he had been found guilty, that if he had concealed the truth in the answers to his accusations, he should now reveal it being so near to his end, and that for these causes the King did ask his Order of Knighthood, and his staff o•• Mar∣shal of France, with which he had formerly honoured him: He pulled the Order out of his Pocket and put it into the Chancellors hands, Protesting and Swearing upon the Salvation of his Soul, that he never had broken the Oath he made in receiving it; that (it is true) he had desired War more than Peace; because he could not pre∣serve in Peace, the reputation he had got in War, as for the Staff, he never carryed it: Nevertheless by the Oath that the Knights of the Holy Ghost take, they are bound to take no Pension, Wages nor Money from forrain Princes, and to engage themselves in no bodies service but the Kings, and faithfully to reveal what they shall know to be for or against the Kings service.

A••ter that the Chancellor exhorted him to lift up his thoughts from Earth to Heaven, to call upon God, and to hear patiently his Sentence.

My Lord (said he) I beseech you do not use me as other men; I know what my Sentence beareth, my accusations are false, I wonder the Court would Condemn me upon the Evidence of the most wicked and detestable man that is alive; he never came near me without Witchcraft, nor never went from me till he had bewitched me, he did bite my left ear off, and made me drink inchanted waters, and when he said, that the King had a mind to rid himself of me, he called me his King, his Benefactor, his Prince, his Lord, he hath communication with the Devils, and hath shewed me a Wax Image, speaking these words in Latine, Rex impie morieris, ungodly King thou shalt die. If he hath had so much power by his Magick, as to make an in∣animate body to speak, it is no wonder that he should make my Will conformable to his.

Here the Chancellor stopt him, and told him, that the Court had well considered his answers, and his Letters, that he ought not to find fault with his Sentence, that it had done him the same Justice as a Father should do to his son, if he had offended

in the like manner. He had scarce spoken these words when the other answered, what Judgment? I have been heard but once, and had no time to tell the fiftieth part of my justification; if I had been heard at large, I could have made it clearly appear that la Fin is such a one as I say; what Judgment upon the Evidence of a Bougerer? of a Rogue that hath forsaken his Wife, of a treacherous and perfidious man, that had Sworn so many times upon the Holy Sacrament, never to reveal what was between us, of a Knave that hath so often counterfeited my Hand and Seal: It is true, I have written some of those Letters that were shewed me, but I never intended to put them in Execution: and the rest are falsified: Is there not many that can counterfeit so well the Hand and Seal of others, that themselves can scarce distinguish them. It is well known that the Lady Marchioness of Vernevil hath lately acknowledged that to be her own hand, which she had never written. My Heart and my Actions have sufficiently countervailed the faults of my Hand, and of my Tongue. Besides, the King hath forgiven me, I do implore his Memory for a Witness. You say I have been found guilty to have attempted upon the Kings Per∣son; that is false, that never came into my mind, and I knew nothing of it till that la Fin did propose it to me before St. Katherines Fort, six or seven days after the Siege, if I had been thus minded, I could have easily brought it to pass; I was the only man that hindred the King to go before the Fort: If my services had been taken into consideration, I should not have been thus condemned: I believe that if you had not been present, the Parliament would not have judged me so rigorously; I wonder that you, whom I thought to be prudent and wise, have used me so cruelly; it would have been more honourable for your quality and old age to implore for me the Kings Mercy, than his Justice. There is Dungeons here where I might have been kept bound hand and foot; I should have at last that com∣fort to pray for those who should have got me that favour from the King. If I had been but a single Souldier, I should have been sent to the Galleys; but because I am a Marshal of France, I am thought to be as dangerous a man to the State, as I have been useful heretofore. My life is sought after, I see there is no Mercy for me; the King hath often forgiven those, who not only intended to do evil, but had done it; this Vertue is now forgotten, he giveth occasion now to the World to believe, that he never used clemency or forgiveness. but when he was afraid. I was of opinion, that if I had killed one of his Children he would have forgiven me. Is it not pity that my Father should have run so many dangers, and at last died in the field to keep the Crown upon his Head, and that now he should take my head off my Shoulders, is it possible he should forget the services I have done him? doth he not remember the conspiracy of Mantes, and the dangers he should have been in if I had taken the Conspirators part? Hath he forgotten the Siege of Amiens, where I have been so often among the fire and Bullets, neglecting my own life to preserve his, I have not a Vein but hath been open to preserve his own Blood, I have recei∣ved five and thirty wounds to save his life; he sheweth now that he never loved me but when he had need of me, he taketh away my head, but let him beware that the Justice of God doth not fall upon his. My Blood shall cry for revenge for the wrong that is done me to day, I call the King of Spain and the Duke of Savoy to Witness, if I know any thing what is laid to my charge. La Fin himself did shew me sometimes a Catholick List of about fourscore Gentlemen, who received Pension from the King of Spain, I had never so much curiosity as to read it; let him be put to the rack he shall tell many particularities of it; the King within a litttle while shall perceive what he getteth by my death; I sshall at last die a good Catholick, and constant in my Religion, I believe that's the cause of my death.

The Chancellor seeing that all his discourses were full of passion, vanity and repe∣titions, and void of reason, and were like an impetuous Torrent that cannot be stopt,

and that all his words were nothing but reproaches against the King and the Court of Parliament, blasphemies against God, and execrations against his Accusers; said that his business called him away, and that in his absence he would leave him two Divines to comfort him, and to dispose his soul to leave quietly this World, for the enjoying of a better.

As the Chancellor was going out, the Prisoner begged of him that he might have the liberty to make his Will, because he did owe much, and much was owing to him, and he desired to satisfie every body. The Chancellor answered, that the Recorder Voisin should stay with him to write his Will under the Kings good pleasure. And as the Chancellor spoke to Voisin, the Prisoner turning to Roissy, Master of Requests, asked him if he were, one of those that had condemned him: my Father hath loved you so much, that though you were one, yet should I forgive you. Roissy answer∣ed, my Lord, I pray God Almighty to comfort you.

They went out, and he with a quiet mind and free from passion, did dictate his Will in what form he would, with the same Garbe, as if he had been making a Speech at the head of an Army; he remembred his friends and servants, and did not forget the Baron of Lux, whom he loved above all the rest. He left eight hundred Livers a year to a Bastard of his, whom he begot of a woman that he left with Child of another, to which child he left a Mannor near Dijon that had cost him six thousand Crowns, he disposed all the rest of his Debts, and answered modestly, and without confusion to all the Notes and Bills that were brought him about his affairs. Took three Rings off his fingers, and intreated Baranton to give them to his Sisters, two to the Countess of Roussy, and the other to that of Saint Blancard, desiring they would wear them for his sake; he distributed in Alms about 200. Crowns that he had in his Pocket, fifty to the Capuchines, fifty to the F••eillants, fifty to the Minimes, and the rest to several poor people.

The Will being made, the Recorder put him in mind how my Lord Chancellor had told him he was condemned to death, and that according to the ordinary forms of the Law, he must have his Sentence read to him; that this action required humi∣lity, therefore willed him to kneel before the Altar, leaving off hence forth all thoughts of this World, to think upon the Father of Mercies; he kneeled with the right knee upon the first step of the Altar, and heard it read as followeth:

Seen by the Court, the Chambers being assembled together, the Process extraordinarily made by the Presidents and Councellors, appointed by the King under his Letters Patents, dated the 18 and 19 of June, at the request of the Kings Sollicitor General, against the Lord Charles of Gontault of Biron, Knight of both Orders, Duke of Biron, Peer and Marshal of France, Governour of Burgundy, Prisoner in the Castle of Bastille, accused of high Treason, Infor∣mations, Interrogations, Confessions and denials, Confrontations, and Witnesses, Letters, Ad∣vices, and Instructions given to the Enemies, and acknowledged by him, and all what the Solliciter General hath produced, Sentence of the 22 of this Month, by which it was ordered, that in the absence of the Peers of France summoned, it should be further proceeded to Judg∣ment Conclusions of the Kings Sollicitor, the accuser being heard and interrogated, all things being duly considered, hath been concluded, that the said Court hath declared, and declareth the said Duke of Biron, attainted and convicted of high Treason, for the conspiracies by him made against the Kings Person and Estates, Proditions and Treaties with his Enemies, when he was Marshal of the Army of the said King, for reparation of which Crime, the said Court hath deprived, and depriveth him of all his Estates, Honours and Dignities, and hath condemned, and condemneth him to be beheaded upon a Scaffold, which for that pur∣pose shall be erected in the place of Greve, hath declared, and declareth, all and every one of his Goods, moveable or unmoveable, in whatsoever places scituated and seated, to be ac∣quired and con••iscated to the King, the Manner of Biron, deprived for ever of the Title and

Dukedom and Peerage, and altogether all his other Goods▪ immediately holden from the King, reunited to the Crown again. Done in Parliament the last day of July 1602. Signed in the Original by de Belieure, Chancellor of France, Councellor in the Court, Re∣porter of the Process.

He was not moved at these words, attainted and convicted of high Treason, but at these, against the Person of the King, he fell into a rage, and Swearing as he had done many times before, and shall do hereafter with great Oaths and Imprecations, there is no such thing, said he to the Recorder, it is false, blot out that; he was also very angry, hearing that he was to be executed in the place of Greve, thinking that for several respects he was to be distinguished from the common sort of people, and Swore again, that he would not go thither, and that he had rather to be torn in pieces by wild Horses, and that it was not in the power of all those that stood by to carry him thither, then he was a little appeased, when Voisin told him, that the King had done him that favour to change the place of Execution, and that it was to be done in the Bastille. The confiscation of his Goods, and the revenues of the Dukedom of Biron to the Crown, was the last point of the Sentence that vexed him. What? said he, doth the King intend to grow rich out of my poverty? The Lordship of Biron cannot be confiscated, I only possessed it by substitution of my Brethren, what shall my Brethren do, the King ought to have been satisfied with the loss of my life,

The Sentence being pronounced, Voisin did exhort him again to renounce all the vanities of the world, to take no other care but of the Salvation of his Soul, which was to be first by reconciling himself to God Almighty, and that there was two Di∣vines for that purpose, and that according to the usual forms of Executions, he would be pleased to suffer himself to be bound▪ That word of Execution did seem so hor∣rid to him, that he fell into a new rage, Swearing, that he would never permit so infamous a person to touch him, otherwise than with the Sword, and that he had rather be hewen in pieces. To keep him from falling into a further despair, Vois〈…〉〈…〉 left him, with his Divines, viz. Garnier Almonec, and Confessor to the King, and after that Bishop of Montpelier, and Magnan, Curate of St. Nicolas in the fields at Paris, who began to talk boldly to him of his death, and to disvest himself of all his thoughts, as he had done of his Goods, and to take no other care than that of his Soul, whereupon he fell into a passion again. Let me alone (said he) it is I that must think upon my Soul, you have nothing to do with it, I had no need of you, you shall not be troubled to hear my confession; what I speak aloud is my confession, I have been these eight days a confessing my self, and the last night, me thought I saw the Heavens opened, and that God lent me his Hand; my Keepers heard me laugh for joy in my sleep. The Divines did not loose Courage for all that, but more and more intreated him to consider, that he was no more what he had been before, that within one or two hours he should be no more, that he must change to be for evermore, that his Soul was ready to appear before the fearfull Throne of the living God, to be rewarded with a more happy life than that he had hitherto passed, or be condemned to an Eternal pain, and that in comparison of that which he was to suffer now, it was no more than the slight pricking of a Pin, and having in some measure appeased him, they left him to examine his Conscience, while Voisin went to give notice of his refusing to be bound; the Chancellor doubted whether he should be compelled to it; the first President said, that it was dangerous to let him loose; Sellery having learned of Voisin that the Prisoner was at that time very quiet, said, that if they went about to bind him, he would break all the bonds of Patience, and should never be brought to Execution but in a rage and dispair; according to that opinion he was left free in his body, that he might be the more free in ••••is thoughts.

Which were more to the World, and to the setling of his affairs, than to the saving of his Soul, which he had neglected all his life time, and shewed himself utterly ignorant of the principles of his Religion, for which he said a little before, he was put to death, and those that were present related, that his Prayers made him appear more a Souldier than a Christian; he prayed in commanding, and com∣manded in praying.

His Confession being ended, he walked in the Chappel with one hand upon his side, and with the other holding the strings of his Shirt, did unbutton and button again his Doublet. Vois〈…〉〈…〉 being come back told him, that the Chancellor and the first President were very glad to hear of his Patience, and of his constant resolution to die. He talked much of the Money he had at Dijon, of the worth of his Jewels, and of what was owing to him, and what himself did owe, he desired that some Sums of Money should be paid to certain Gentlemen, that had no Obligation for it: But still he broke forth into exclamations concerning his Innocency, and execrations against la Fin, asking if it should not be lawfull for his Brothers to prosecute him, and to cause him to be burnt.

Upon this, those that kept him during his Imprisonment, came to take their leave of him, every one having his left hand upon the handle of his Sword, and Tears in his Eyes, he moved them to compassion by the sight of his present condition, and exhorted them to serve the King faithfully, against whom he had said he had done nothing amiss, and complained that he could find no Mercy at his Hands, intreated them to pray to God for him, and to oblige them to that, distributed among them all his Cloaths and linnen, and Watches; he desired also the Knight of the Watch to tell the King, that his Servants knew nothing of his Affairs, that the Earl of Auvergne was not to be questioned upon that account: He intreated much one ex∣empt of the Guards to go to the said Earl, and tell him he had laid nothing to his charge, and that he went to die without any grief, but of the loss of his friendship, and that the shortness of his life would not give him leave to shew in effect how much he was his servant. The Earl sent him word, that he did accept of his farewell, as of an intimate friend; and that he remained behind to lament all the days of his life the loss he suffered in him, intreated him to leave him his Bastard Son, to have him brought up with his own Children After this the Prisoner saw a Gentleman be∣longing to the Duke of Mayene, and entreated him to tell his Master, that if ever in his life he had given him some occasion not to love him, that he prayed to believe that he would die his servant, as also of the Duke of Aiguillon, and Earl of Som∣merive his Children; he likewise intreated Arnaut, Secretary to the Marquess of Rhosny, to remember his last commendations to his Master, and desire him to re∣member not so much him that went to die, as his Brethren whom he left behind, that he had him in opinion of a good and usefull servant to the King, and repented much he had not believed his Councel.

About three of the Clock the Chancellor and the first President went up again into the Chappel, and finding him in a good disposition, did fortifie his resolution by their discourses, and desiring to know more particularities from his own mouth, sent all the standers by away, except the Divines and the Recorder: They did ex∣hort him to consider, that the days of man are limited, that the end of his days de∣pended from the Providence of the Almighty, who would take him out of this world before some great and long misery should make him weary of it▪ He answer∣ed, no, no my Lords, do not trouble you about comforting me and strengthning me against the fear of death, I have not been afraid of it these 20 years; you have given me 40 days to study it, but I could not believe that having not been in the power of my Enemies to take away my life, I should be so miserable as to loose it by the consent of my friends; having said this they left him, and took their leaves

of him with Tears in their Eyes, he would not suffer them to depart till they had re∣ceived a new Protastation of his, that he never had attempted any thing against the King, Swearing, that if he would have done it, the King should not have been alive three years ago.

As they were going out of the Bastille with Sillery, he sent the Knight of the Watch to intreat the Chancellor, that his Body might be buried at Eiron, in the Sepulchre of his Ancestors, and that he would desire the King to give to his younger Brother some Office in the house of the Dolphin, and shewing by his Countenance, Carryage, and Words, to care as little for death as one that is a great way from it▪ gave cause to suspect, that he was not out of hope to obtain his pardon from the King, o〈…〉〈…〉 to escape by some extraordinary means.

The Divines did exhort him to keep nothing back of what might serve for the discharging of his Conscience, and to consider, that they could give him absolut〈…〉〈…〉 on for no more than what he did confess. Although, said he, the King causeth me to die unjustly, nevertheless I have served him with so much affection and obedi∣ence, and I have near my death so much good will and affection for him, that if I knew any thing against his Person or State, I would tell it freely, and upon that whispered some things to his Confessors, which Voisin did presently write.

Being about five of the Clock, Baranton was sent to tell him it was time to go; let us go said he, seeing I must die, and desired he would charge his Brothers from him, to remain faithful to the King, and not to go to Court, till time had blotted, or at least le〈…〉〈…〉ened the shame of his death. He kneeled before the Altar, and having ended his Prayer, he desired the Company to pray for him.

Coming out of the Chappel, he met the Executioner, who offered to follow him, and he thinking it was to bind him; keep off, (said he) and do not touch me till it be time; I shall go willingly to die without troubling any body; but it shall never be said that I am dead like a Slave, or a Thief, and swore by God that if he came near him he would strangle him. The Divines exhorted him going down the stairs to resist those impaciencies and temptations of the Devil, who striveth most to deviate the Soul from her Salvation, when as he hath most need of the Divine assistance to withstand his assaults, remonstrating also unto him, that all his violences and passions could not hinder the Soul to depart from a place where she was but a Tenant at Will. He hearkened to them, and saying three times ah, ah, ah, ra••sing his voice at every one, he said, is there no Mercy in the world, I see to day, that all the world hath forsaken me.

He came into the Yard, and seeing the Lieutenant of the City, in whose house the King had put la Fin, to secure him from all attempts, My Lord Lieutenant (said he) I am very much your friend, take heed to have any thing to do with that Witch and Magician that lyeth at your house, if you meddle with him he will undo you.

The Sc••••ffold was set up in the corner of the Yard, over against the Garden gate, six foot high, and seven long, without any Ornament ordistinction. He kneeled upon the first step; lifted up his Eyes to Heaven and made a short Prayer, like a Souldier, and went up as couragiously as if he had gone to an assault, clad in a Gray Taffety Suit, with a black Hat on his Head, but as soon as he saw the Execu∣tioner, he looked furiously upon him, and bid him staud aside till he were ready to receive the last stroke: He threw his Hat, his Handkarchief, and Doublet to the first that would take it, nevertheless one of the Executioners men was nimbler than all the rest, and looking upon the Souldiers that kept the Gate armed., with Musquets and Fire-locks. Ah! said he, mucst I die? is there no pardon? if at least some of those good fellows would shut me (opening his Breast) he should ob∣lige my very much, what pity is it to die so miserably, and of so shameful ablow,

then directing his speech to the Spectators, he said, I have put my Soul into such a state as she ought to be to appear before the race of Almighty God, but I pity that of the King▪ who causeth the to die unjustfy: I have erred I confess, but I never attempted any thing against the Kings Person, he should have been dead ten years ago if I would have believed the evil Councel that was given me concerning that. the trouble and distress of his Soul was so great, that a little while before he said three years, and now he says ten; the Divines having setled him a little once more, he received their absolution.

The Executioner then presented unto him a Frontler, but it proved to him a new wound, an increase of grief, and swore if he toucht him any other way than with the Sword he would strangle him, & thereupon he asked again for his own Handkarchief to make use of it, his hollow and gastly Eyes shewed he was not in his right mind. Voisin intreated him to be patient, and to raise his thoughts to the place where his Soul was to go, and to be attentive to the reading of his Sentence. He was unwilling to hear the repetition of his Crimes, and to have occasion to exclaim again against the Ini∣quitie, of those that had condemned him, against the Kings cruelty, as he called it, that would not grant him his pardon, and that this was to make him feel death be∣fore death. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Voisin answered, that it could not be done otherwise. He answered, that every body knew for what reason he was there and then as if it were by con∣session, he said, well, read, and thereupon held his Peace till Voisin came to these words, for having attempted against the Kings Person; for then he fell into a passion again, as he had done before, and said, that it was false, that this never came into his mind, that as God was his Judge, he would be for ever deprived of his Grace if it were true, that since two and twenty Months he had done nothing against the Kings service, that it is true he had written some Letters, but that the King had forgiven him, protesting and calling the Spectators to Witness, that it was the truth what he spoke, as he would answer it before God, and spoke so many words, and so fast, that neither he nor the Sheriff could be understood.

The Sentence being read, the Divines did admonish him to leave all Earthly thoughts, to implore the assistance of Heaven, and to resign his Soul to the Eternal providence of the Almighty, and his Body to what the Law had ordained of it, he made some Prayer to God, and bound his Eyes with his own Handkarchief, and asked the Executioner in what place he was to put himself, the Executioner pointing with his finger, said, there my Lord; he pulled off his Handkarchief in a rage, and where is that there, said he? thou seest I am blind fold, and thou shewest me as if I could ••ée••; he bound himself again, and bid the Executioner to dispatch quickly: The Ex∣ecutioner told him he ought to kneel, for fear he should do something amiss. No, no, said he, I shall not stir, if thou canst not do it at one blow do it at thirty, he was intreated again to kneel, which he did, and spoke these Imperious words, dispatch, dispatch, then rose up again, and untied his Handkarchief, and by casting his Eyes upon the Executioner, made the people believe, that either he had a mind to seize upon the Sword, or that he was terribly afrighted by the approaches of Death, and began again his former complaints, is there no pardon? must I die so miserably? after so many services. The Executioner intreated him to suffer his hairs behind to be cut off; he began to swear again fearfully, that if he toucht him otherwise than with the Sword, he would strangle him. The Divines told him that he was too carefull of his Body, he would hear no more of that, but fell into a rage, and swore, that he would not be toucht by so Infamous a Person as long as he was alive, that if they did provoke him too much, he would strangle half the Company, and oblige the other half to kill him, those that were upon the Scaffold went down and left him with the Executioner, who repented himself heartily that he had taken the care of him unbound.

The Divines went up again upon the scaffold, and desired him for the love of God to resolve to step over that pass, which was necessary for every man to do, and with some few other words, whispered into his ears, did calm him a little, and made him resolve to undergo the Execution, after he had made many complaints, and shewed great fears of dying. A strange thing that as stout and valiant a man as ever was born, who had so many times cast himself amongst the greatest dangers, without any fear or apprehension, as if there was no death for him, should shew himself now so fearful at the coming of it; we may judge by this, that the apprehension of death is incomparably greater when it cometh upon a cold blood, and those that know what his Chirurgion was wont to say, shall less wonder at it; for he said, that the Duke of Biron used to wonder at himself, that being not afraid of the thrust of a Sword, nevertheless he was very timerous at the pricking of a Launcet, when he had occasion to be let blood: Whereupon we must confess, that the greatest courage, and most undaunted stoutness of a man, is nothing in comparison of human Natures weakness.

The Divines judging him to be out of fear, gave him his last absolution, he kneeled again, and cried aloud three times, My God, my God, my God, have Mercy up∣on me, then turning to the Executioner, he took the headband that he had in his hand, and intreated Baranton to do him that last curtesie as to list up his hairs behind, which Baranton did, and the Duke himself did tie the Handkarchief about his Eyes. The Divines seeing him in that good disposition, did assure him that he was ready to go to Heaven, and to see God, and to enjoy his Glory. Yes, said he, Heaven is open to receive my Soul, and so stooped his neck for the Executioner to do his office. The Executioner considering, that he had untied himself three times before, and might do so again for the fourth, thought fitting to entertain him with fair words, to desire his forgiveness, and to put him in mind of saying his last Prayer, in the mean time he beckened to his man, who was at the foot of the Scaffold, to reach him the Sword, which no sooner was in his hand, but the Duke of Birons Head was off his Shoulders, it fell from the Scaffold to the ground, and was thrown again by the Executioners man upon the Scaffold, the Body was stript to its Shirt, and wrap∣ed in a Sheet, and the same day bur••ed, about nine of the Clock at night, i•• St. Pauls Church, without any shew or Ceremony. Thus ended the Tragical Histo∣ry of the Duke of Biron.

Now follows the two last Verses of this Prophecie.

A Post overtaken in the Countrey, And the Scrivener shall cast himself into the water.

Which as we have said before, were concerning Nicolas 〈…〉〈…〉ste, Secretary to the Lord Villeroy, chief Secretary of State. The History therefore is thus.

The French Embassador at Madrid, complained once to Henry a he IV. he was so ill informed, and so late of Affairs, that the King of Spains Ministers knew them before him: The King was a great while troubled before he could discover the spring of that infidelity, at last it came out in this manner. Vi••leroy that great O••a∣cle of France, and the most confident secretary to the King, had among his servants one Nicolas l'Oste, born at Orleans, in whom he did confide so much the more, be∣cause his Father had been the most part of his life in his service.

The Lord Rocbepot going Embassador into Spain, Oste desired to be admitted into his Family, to serve him as his secretary, that he might the better fit himself for publick employment. Villeroy's commendation got him easily that employment, by which in a few Months he became so capable of the Spanish Tongue an manners, that no body could have distinguished him from a natural Spaniard. The Embassa∣dor having sworn in the name of the most Christian King the treaty of Peace

made at Veruins, the King of Spain presented him with a rich Chain of Jewels, and with six other of Gold, valued at 150. Crowns a piece, to bestow upon as many o•• his own servants as he should think fit.

T••e pride and pre••umption of this young man was such as to perswade him he de∣served one of them, and chiefly because one of his fellows was thought worthy of it, but his Master did not think so, and thus he was neglected.

Thus en••y and jealousie were the Windows by which the Devil crept into his Soul; the vanity, lying, pride, and debauchery gave him a full admittance, he had spent all his Money to buy the love of a Courtisane, and wanted means to follow that course which he had no mind to leave off. His Masters neglecting of him, had extraordinarily vexed him, but he comforted himself that he knew his secrets, and that in revealing them to the King of Spains Ministers he shot two Birds with one shot; for he should avenge himself of that contempt he had received, and should have a way to continue his amorous expences. With that intention he made him∣self known to Don Franchese one of the Secretaries of State, and told him what means he had to serve the King of Spain, and to shew him proofs of that service and affection he had vowed to him long before, by imparting to him all the Letters that the Embassador did both send and receive from the King his Master.

Don Franchese heard this proposition as from a young man, whose Brains were not well settled, or perhaps did abhor such infidelity, therefore told him coldly, that the Catholick King was in so good amity with the most Christian one, that he desired to know no more of his business, than what his Embassador should tell him.

L'Oste did not despond for all this, but went to Don Ydiaques another Secretary of State, who knowing how important it is for a Prince to know the secrets of his Neighbours, and that the slighting of such an offer would be prejudicial to the King his Masters service, did hearken unto this Traitor, approved of his design, and ex∣horted him to persevere in the good affection he shewed to the King of Spains ser∣vice, promised to acquaint the King with it, and to procure him such a reward, as he should have reason to be satisfied with.

The Councel agreed that l'Oste should be incouraged, and Don Ydiaques, presented him to the Duke of Lerma, to whom he shewed the Alphabet of Cyphers, with which his Master writ his Letters into France, had sent. The Duke exhorted him to continue his good Will, gave him 1200. Crowns for an earnest of the Bargain, with a pro∣mise of as much for a yearly pension, besides a considerable gratification he was to expect from the King

Since that time the French Embassador received no Letters but they were pre∣sently imparted to the Spanish Councel: But the Lord la Rochepot being called back into France, l'Oste lost the conveniency of prosecuting his Treasons, and consequent∣ly the hopes of his promised reward, therefore sought means to come again into his first Masters, that is Villeroy's service, but he was a while kept back from it by rea∣son of a difference between his Mother and Villeroy, about some rest of Accounts; but l Oste had rather take that loss upon him than to be deprived of that occasion. The Embassador himself gave him a large Testimony of his ability and faithfulness, and was Instrumental for his re-admission into that service.

Thus being re-established, he became more diligent and sedulous than ever before, and not only writ more Letters than any of his fellows, but also offered them his ser∣vice to help them, that he might have a more perfect knowledge of all transactions, and so impart them to the Spaniard, and so visited and conferred with Taxis the Spanish Embassador at Paris, and after that with his successor, Don Baltazar de Cuniga, with so much cunning and secrecy, that the Councel of Spain received his Letters,

before des Barreaux the French Embassador at Madrid, could receive those of the King.

Des Barreaux sent word to the King, that when he propounded any thing, according to his Majesties command, to the Councel of Spain, he found them always pread∣vised, and could not find out by what means; certainly said the King, there must he some in my Councel that keep a strict intelligence with the Spaniard, and I can not tell whom to suspect. Providence doth often draw good eff••cts out of the worse causes, and permitteth that the wicked should disclose one anothers wickedness, as a Nail driveth out another. Loste had revealed himself familiarly to one Raffis, for∣merly Secretary to the Lord Lansac, a fugitive into Spain, for many Treasons, and exempted from pardon; but the Spaniard had begun to cut him short of his former Pensions, since the Treason of the Baron of Fontanc••••es, Governour of Dornavenest in Brittanny, in which the said Raffis had been a principal Actor, though in vain, so that since, the Councel of Spain looked upon him as an unprofitable servant, and withdrew their Pension.

Raffis finding himself near a great want and misery, thought this occasion might be a means to prevent it, and to procure his return into his native Countrey, by do∣ing so great a service to his Prince; therefore he went to one of the French Embassa∣dors most faithful servants, and told him his grief, for having had a share in so many Treasons and Rebellions in France, which he acknowledged God had into his parti∣cular protection, that he was resolved to blot out the memory of them by a notable service done to the King and Kingdom, but that could not be, unless he had first ob∣tained pardon for all his former misdemeanors.

This being told to the Embassadour, he heard Raffis, who told him in general that the King was betrayed, and his most secret Councel bewrayed, but that he could not name the Traitor, no not to his Majesty himself, before he had his pardon: that being done, he would wholly withdraw himself from those who•••• he knew certainly to be enemies to the Kingdom. The Embassadour sent an express to the King to give him notice of it. The King sent him full power to treat with Raffis, with pro∣miss to ratifie whatsoever he should promiss to Raffis; Raffis could not make good his accusation, but by two Letters written by Loste, to a great friend of his, named Blas, which Letters he knew to be in a Box of Blas, who lodged with him; there∣fore upon some pretext or another, they found means to send Blas ••s far as l'Escurial. In his absence Raffis and Descardes Secretary to the Embassadour, broke open the Box, and took out the Letters, by which Loste did much magnifie the liberalities of Spain, as being above his desert and expectation; with this proofs and the Embas∣sadors Letters, Raffis fained to go to a Monastery near Madrid, and there make his devotions upon Palm-Sunday, as he was wont to do, but he went directly to Bayone, where he met with Discardes upon a set day. Blas came back after Palm-Sunday, and finding his Box open, and his companion run away, he suspected the matter, and gave notice of it to the Spanish Ministers, who presently dispatched two Courriers to the Spanish Embassador at Paris, to give him notice that a man was gone from Madrid; who would discover Loste and his practises, therefore he should give him notice of it, and bid him look to himself, and that in case he should be taken, to keep secresie.

Descardes and Raffis came to Paris the Wensday after Easter, and carried themselves with all faithfulness in this occasion, but not with all the prudence that could have been desired. Villeroy was going the same day to lie at his own House, between Paris and Fountain-bleau, where the Court was then; they met with him at Juvisy, and waited on him as far as Villeroy, but told him nothing of the occasion of their coming by the way, till they presented him with the Embassadors Letters, which was a no∣table

fault, for he would certainly have neglected all other business to secure his man, who was then doing his devotions at the Charter-house of Paris.

The next day Villeroy was the first that told the King of the coming of Raffis, and of the perfidiousness of his own servant. As he was going back to his Lodging, notice was given him that two Spanish Courtiers were arrived at the Post-house; he commanded one of the Commissioners of the Post-house, that he should cause them to withdraw into a Room, and that no body should speak with them; he charged also Descardes, that he should spy the coming of Loste, that he should keep him close company, and send him presently notice of his arrival. The Commissioner and Des∣cardes did commit here another great fault, for Loste being come to the Post-house about noon, this silly Commissioner told him that there were arrived two Spanish Courtiers who asked for him, that they had Letters for him, and more then that, suffered him to go into their Chamber and see them, he saluted them, and one of them whispered him in the ear that he was undone if he did not save himself present∣ly, and that Raffis had discovered him; fear and astonishment with his guilty con∣science, persuaded him easily to look to himself.

Nevertheless, he settled his countenance the best he could, he went out with an intention to take his Horse again, which he had sent before, and so save himself; Descardes and Raffis perceived him, Descardes came and saluted him, and thinking perhaps that he was strong enough to give an account of him, neglected to send word to Villeroy, who was then in his Closet with the Bishop of Chartres; Descardes pre∣sence was a great thorn in Loste's foot, to be rid of him, he said he was going to his Master, who stayed for him; Descardes offered to accompany him: he answered, he had not dined, and that believing it was past Dinner time at home, he would go into some Cabaret to look for a Dinner, the other answered I have not dinned neither, we shall dine together. Loste found another excuse, and said my Boots hurt me, I pray give me leave that I may go and pull them off; Descardes answered, he must needs drink with him. Thus arguing together, they came to Villeroy's Lodging, where Descardes thinking to have him sure, left him in the Room, not knowing that the Spanish Courtiers had talked with him, and came near the Closet to give notice of it to Villeroy; but assoon as he saw himself rid of Descardes, he went down into the Stable, and finding his Horse yet Sadled he Mounted, and with all speed rid to Paris; Villeroy in the mean time having notice that his man was come, he commanded they should bring them in; but he was not to be found, nor his Horse neither, no body knowing which way he was gone. Villeroy told the King that his man was escaped, they sent after him on all sides, and Villeroy particularly sent all his Servants after into all the ways. Loste coming to Paris about nine of the Clock at night, went to take counsel of the Spanish Embassadour; and before day, went out habited like a Spa∣niard, with the Embassadors Steward, and took his way towards Meaux, with an in∣tent to get into Luxembourg by Poste.

That every one might endeavour the apprehending of that Traitor, it was spread abroad that one of Villeroy's Secretaries had attempted upon the Kings Person, and notice was given of his Stature, Age, Cloaths and Horse. The Sheriffs of every Countrey were in quest, and all Post Masters were forbidden to let out any Horses, but that of Meaux had notice of it too late; Loste was got on Horseback already, but assoon as he began to gallop, his Horse fell to the ground, and was an ill Omen to the Rider; he got up again, and shewed so much fearfulness in his Countenance, that the Postillion himself thought he had committed some notorious villany, which he did run for. Being come home, he gave notice of it to his Master, who suspecting him to be the man enquired off, he gave notice of it to the Sheriff, who presently made after him at the second Ferry of la Ferte soubs Jouare, where he was Crossing the River;

the Sheriff cried after the Ferry man to come back, but the fear of his life, which the two run aways put him into, prevailed upon him, above the Sheriffs commands, be∣ing got over, and judging that their Post-Horses should be quickly overtaken by those of the Sheriff, they forsook them and the Postillon; and trusted to their heels in the darkness of the night among the Bushes and Brambles that are upon the River Marne. The Sheriff scattered his men all about, caused fires to be made, and rai∣sed up all the Countrey people thereabout; the Spaniard ran over the Champion Countrey, and Loste went from Bush to Bush, and whether accidentally or wilfully he fell into the River Marne, where he was drowned; the next day his Hat was found between two posts, and his body two days after not far from that place.

Thus you may plainly see the full event of those two famous Prophecies, contain∣ed in this sixth Stanza.

VII. French.

La Sangsue au Loup se joindra, Lors qu'en Mer le bled defaudra, Mais le grand Prince sans envie, Par Ambassade luy donra, De son bled pour luy donner vie, Pour un besoing s'en pourvoira.

English.

The Leech will joyn it self to the Wolf, When in the Sea Corn shall be wanting, But the great Prince without envy, By Embassy shall give him, Of his Corn to give him life, Of which in his need he shall make provision.

ANNOT.

By the Leech is understood the Spaniard. By the Wolf is meant the French, by reason of the multitude of those Creatures in that Kingdom; the meaning therefore of this Prophecy is, that there should be a great famine in Spain, wherein the Spania 〈◊〉〈◊〉 should be constrained to make his application to the French for relief of Corn, which should be granted him. This happened in the year 1665 for you must understand that most of these last Prophecies were to be fulfilled in the Reign of Henry IV.

VIII. French.

Un peu devant l'ouvert commerce, Ambassadeur viendra de Perse, Nouvelle au Franc Pais porter, Mais non receu vaine esperance, A son grand Dieu sera l'offense, Feignant de le vouloir quitter.

English.

A little before that Trade shall be open, An Embassador shall come from Persia, To bring news into France, But he shall not be received, O vain hope! To his great God shall the offence be, Faining that he would leave him.

ANNOT.

In the year 1608. the year before the Truce was concluded between the Spaniard and the Hollanders, by which all free Commerce was opened through Europe. The King of Persia being then in War with the great Turk, sent an Embassador to all the Christian Princes, and chiefly into France, to move them to make a diversion in so fit a time, but he could prevail nothing, and went back again re infecta, which he thought to be a great injury done to his Prophet Mahomet.

IX. French.

Deux Estendars du costé de l'Auvergne, Senestre pris, pour un temps prison regne, Et un Dame enfant voudra mener, Au Censuart, mais discouvert l'affaire, Danger de mort, murmure sur la Terre, Germain, Bastille, Frere & Soeur prisonier.

English.

Two Standards in the County of Auvergne, The left one taken, for a while Prison shall reign, And a Lady shall endeavour to carry a child To the Censuart, but the plot being discovered, Danger of Death, murmur upon Earth, Own Brother, Bastille, Brother and Sister prisoners.

ANNOT.

This Stanza being most obscure and difficult, cannot be understood so well by parcels, as by laying down the whole Synopsis of it, which I do the more willingly, because I think it will be delightful to the Reader, and that the whole being known, the meaning of every particular will easily be understood.

Charles the IX. King of France, the last of the House of Valois left only one natu∣ral Son, called the Earl of Auvergne, who had a Sister by the Mothers side, that was called Henrietta de Balzac Duchess of Verneuil, once Mistriss to Henry the IV, by whom she had upon promiss of marriage one Son, at this time Duke of Vernueil, and Governour of Languedoc; but this promiss being made void by Act of Parlia∣ment, Henry IV. married Mary of Medicis, by which he had issue Lewis the XIII. and other children: now upon the discontent of the Marshal of Biron, the Dutchess of Verneuil, the Earl of Auvergne her Brother, and their party joyned with him for the promoting of the Duke of Verneuil's interest to the Crown, whereupon the King sent for the Earl of Auvergne, who was then in his County a hundred Leagues from Paris; but the Earl trusting more the good will of the Citizens of Clermont in Au∣vergne

who loved him, then to the Kings Clemency, neglected to come, whereupon the King sent again the Lord d'Escures, with a pardon for what was past; he pro∣mised to come when he should see his pardon Signed and Sealed in good form; the King was offended at his proceeding, and took it very ill that a Subject of his would capitulate with him, who intended to deal plainly and sincerely; the King never∣theless past that over for many considerations, one of them was that the Earl was of the blood of France, and brother by the Mother to one that had been his Mistress; besides that he was a Prince endowed with many good qualities, most of which did Sympathise with those of the King, thus the King sent him his Pardon as well for what was past, as for the present, but with this proviso that he should come; for all this, he did not stir out of Clermont; the King seeing that, did resolve to have him at any rate: there was several propositions made for to take him: at Hunting, at running of the Ring, at some Banquet, in the Fields, in the City; all these ways might be suspected by the Earl, but a new one was found out, of which he himself was the Author; the Troop of the Duke of Vendosme was preparing for to Muster, the Earl intreated d'Eurre Lieutenant of the said company, that it might be in the Fields by Clermont towards Nonnain, because he intended to take revenge in the be∣half of a Lady, upon the Inhabitants of that place. The King sent directions and orders to d'Eurre, how he should govern himself in that action, and gave him for Associates, la Boulaye, Lieutenant of the Marquess of Vernueil's Troop, and Nerestan Colonel of a Foot Regiment. By the Kings advice they imparted the business to the Viscount of Pont du Chasteau, to the Baron of Canillac and some others, that had authority in that Province, and were devoted to the Kings service, and all keeping religiously the Laws of silence. The 12 of November the Troop met at the Rendez∣vous; the Earl came thither by times with two only of his followers, thinking that the Troop should not be ready so soon, and so he should have pretext either to go back to Clermont, or to go on further to visit his Mistress. The prudence and dili∣gence of those that managed the business did prevent him, and begot a suspition in him, for he was seen to truss up his Cloak and to try whither his sword did not stick to the Scabbard. D'Eurre went to him, and having complemented him rode on his left hand, while the Troop was setting in order; Nerestan came to salute him on the other side, and rode on his right hand, being followed by three stout Souldiers, ha∣bited like Lackeys, and appointed for this action. The Viscount of du Pont du Chasteau and his brother rode out of the Troop and encompassed him on all sides. One of the Souldiers laid hold on the Horses Bridle; d'Eurre at the same time laid hold on his Swords Hilt, saying, my Lord, we are commanded by the King to give him an account of your person, and we intreat you to submit unto his Majesties good pleasure, that we may have no occasion to use you otherways then we desire. Maison-ville and Li••erne who were his two followers drew their Swords, thinking to make him way to escape, but some shot spent upon them, made them presently re∣tire and run away. He was put upon a Trumpeters Nag as far as Briare, and thence conducted to Montargis in a Coach, and afterwards by water to Paris and put in the Bastille.

By this History, and the explication of the word Censuart, which is an ancient word derived from the Latine word Censor) and taken here for the Kingly office, the whole Prophecy is easily understood, and obvious to the meanest capacity.

X. French.

Embassadeur pour une Dame, A son Vaissau mettra la rame, Pour prier le grand Medecin, Que de l'Oster de telle peine, Mais a ce s'opposera Roine, Grand peine avant qu'en voir la fin.

English.

An Embassador for a Lady, Shall set Oares to his Ship, To intreat the great Physition, To take her out of such pain, But a Queen shall oppose it, A great deal of trouble before the end of it.

ANNOT.

This Prophecy is concerning Mary Stuart Queen of Scots put in Prison by Queen Elizabeth, who is called here the opponant Queen, to the Embassy that the said Queen of Scots sent for relief to the King of France, called here the great Physitian.

XI. French.

Durant le Siecle on verra deux ruisseaux, Tout un terrouer inonder de leurs eaux, Et submerger par Ruisseaux & Fontaines, Coups, & Monfrein Beccoyran & Alais, Par le Gardon bien souvent travaillez, Six cens & quattre, Ales & trente Moines.

English.

In this Age two Rivolets shall be seen, To overflow a whole Countrey with their waters, And to drown by Rivolets and Fountains, Coups, and Monfrein, Beccoiran and Alais, By the Gardon often troubled, Six hundred and four Alais, and thirty Monks.

ANNOT.

An Age is the space of one hundred years, the meaning therefore of this is, that within the Age following, his Prophecies namely as he saith after, in the year 1664. there shall be great Inundation in Languedoc, caused by the overflowing of two small Rivers, besides that of Gardon, which Inundation shall drown these following places, Coups, Monfrein, Becoyran and Alais, besides, and Abbey wherein there was 30. Monks, but of this I could find nothing in the History, therefore those that live about those places must make it good.

XII. French.

Six cens & cinq tres grand nouvelle, De deux Seigneurs la grand querelle, Proche de Gevaudan sera, En une Eglise apres l'offrande, Meuttre commis, prestre de mande, Tremblant de peur se sauvera.

English:

In six hundred and five shall be great news, The quarrel of two great Lords, Shall be near Gevaudan, In a Church after the Offering, A murder committed, the Priest shall ask, And quaking for fear, shall save himself.

ANNOT.

This (like the former) is a particuler accident, of which the publick History taketh no notice; it seemeth that in the year 1665. in Gevaudan, a Province of France near Langnedoc, there was a great quarrel between two Lords who meeting at Church, did about the time of the Offering set one upon another, and one of them was killed, whereupon the Priest being terrified, ran away.

XIII. French.

L'aventurier, six cens, & six ou neuf, Sera surpris par fiel mis dans un Oeuf, Et peu apres sera hors de puissance, Par le puissant Empereur General, Qu'ou Monde nest an pereil ny esgal, Dont un chascun luy rend obeissance.

English.

The adventurer, six hundred, six or nine, Shall be surprised by Gall put into an Egge, And a little while after shall be out of power, By the potent Emperour General, To whom in the world there is not his like or equal, Wherefore every one yieldeth obedience to him.

ANNOT.

This Prophecie was concerning the Duke of Savoy and Henry the IV. for about that time mentioned by the Author, after the death of Marshal de Biron, who sided with the Duke of Savoy (which death is called here Gall put into an Egg;) the Duke of Savoy refused to perform the treaty concerning the restitution of the Marquisate of Saluces, wherefore Henry the IV went and subdued most of his Countrey, and compelled him to give the Province of Bresse instead of the said Marquisate.

XIV. French.

Au grand Siege encor grand forfaits, Recommenceant plus que jamais, Six cens & cinq sur la verdure, La prise & reprise sera, Soldats es Champs jusqu' en froidure, Puis apres recommencera.

English.

At the great Siege yet great misdemeanors, Beginning again more than ever, Six hundred and five about the Spring, The taking and retaking shall be, Souldiers in the fields till Winter, And after that shall begin again.

ANNOT.

This Stanza is about the same subject as the precedent. By the great Siege here is meant the Siege of Montpelian, the strongest place in Savoy, which Henry the IV. took, and by it compelled the Duke of Savoy to an agreement. The rest is ••a••••••.

XV. French.

Nouveau esleu Patron du grand Vaisseau, Verra long temps briller le grand flambeau Qui sert de Lampe a ce grand territoire, Et auquel temps Armées soubs son nom, Jointes a celles de l'heureux de Bourbon, Levant, Ponant, & Couchant sa memoire.

English.

The new elected Master of the great Ship, Shall a great while see the great light shine, Which serveth for a Lamp to this great Territory, And at which time Armies under his name, Joyned with those of happy of Bourbon, East, West, and North his memory shall be.

ANNOT.

The three first Verses are concerning Clement the VIII. who was elected Pope about that time, and was Instrumental to make a Peace between the King of France and the Duke of Savoy, and was Pope a good while.

By the great Ship is meant the Church, of which he is called Master. The rest is easie.

XVI. French.

En Octobre Six cens & cinq, Pourvoieur du MonstreMarin, Prendra duSouverain le cresme Ou en six cens & six en Juin, Grand joye aux Grands & au Commun, Grand faits apres ce grand Baptesme.

English.

In October six hundred and five, The Purveyor of the Sea Monster, Shall take the unction of the Sovereign, Or in six hundred and six in June, Great joy shall be to the Great ones, and to the Commons, Great feats shall be after this great Baptism.

ANNOT.

In the year 1606. the 14 of September, instead of which the Printer hath put Octo∣ber, the Dolphin of France, Lewis the XIII. son to Henry the IV. was Christened with his two Sisters at Fountainbleau, and because the Ceremonies were extraordina∣ry, and our Author calleth this a great Baptism, it will not be amiss for the satisfacti∣on of the curious Reader, to give here succinctly a description of it.

In the great quadrangle of the Castles Yard, was erected a great Theatre, all spread and hanged with most rich Carpets and Hangings, in the middle of which Theatre was a square of thirty foot on each side, with rails about it, all covered with Carpets, in the front of it was erected an Altar, adorned with the Ornaments be∣longing to the Order of the Holy Ghost, behind the Table was a Footstool of three steps, spread with Carpets, and in the middle of the Footstool was a kind of a Stand, covered with a Silver Cloth, upon which were the Fount, covered with a most ex∣quisite Towel, and a Canopy over it, on both sides of the Altars were two Scaf∣folds for two Quires of Musick, and a little lower on the right hand a Bench covered with Carpets for the Prelates to sit, among which were three Archbishops, nine Bishops and three Abbots, on the left hand were the Lords of the Councel, and be∣fore the Altar was the Cardinal of Gondy, encompassed with Almoners and Chap∣lains, and a great multitude of Spectators seated upon Benches, in form of a Theatre, round about the Theatre were the guard of Switzers, having every one a Torch in his hand

The Dolphin and his Sisters were in their Chambers upon Beds of State, with their Robes lined with Hermines, and were brought to the quadrangle, the waiting Gentlemen going before with Torches in their hands, with the Bed Chamber men, and Gentlemen of the Chamber, five Drums, Waits, and Trumpeters, Heralds, and the Knights of the Holy Ghost, with the three Honours; in the first, for the young∣est Daughter, the Ewer, the Bason, the Pillow, the Wax Taper, the Chrisme, the Saltseller, were carryed by the Baron, Son to Marshal de la Chastre, by the Lords Montigny, la Rochepot, Chemerand, Liencourt, Fervacques, and the Lady was carryed by the Marshal of Bois Dauphin, followed by Charles Duke of Lorrain Godfather, and of Don Juan de Medicis, Brother to the great Duke of Tuscaky, representing Christian, Daughter to the Duke of Lorrain, and Wife of the great Duke. After that followed

the Dutches of Guise, the Countesses of Guiche, of Saulx, the Marchioness Monlaur, and other Ladies.

The Marshals of Laverdin, and of la Chastre, the Dukes of Silly, of Monbazon, of Espernon, of Esguillon did the same office for the elder Lady. The Lord of Ragny carryed her for Diana Dutchess of Angoulesme, who did represent the Infanta, Clara, Eugenta, Eusabella, Archidutchess or Austria, followed by the Dutchess of Rohan, Montmorency, Mayenne.

The third Honour for the Dolphin was carried by the Earl of Vaudemont, the Knight of Vendosme his elder Brother, the Duke of Mensier, the Earl of Soissons, and the Prince of County, all three Princes of the Blood, and the Dolphin was carryed by the Lord Souvray his Governour, in the room of the Prince of Condé, first Prince of the Blood, who because of his sickness could do him no other service then to hold him by the hand. The Duke of Guise carryed his Train, and the Cardinal of Joy∣ouse followed him, representing the Pope Paul the V. then followed Eleonor Wife to Vincent Duke of Mantua, and the Princess of the Blood, all richly attired.

The Dolphin being brought upon the Table of the quadrangle, the Cardinal of Gondy appointed for this Ceremony, came near him, and having heard him answer pertinently to the questions asked by the Almoner according to the usual forms, and to say the Lords Prayer and the Creed in Latine, he was exercised, appointed, and by the Cardinal of Joyouse Legat, named Lewis.

The Ladies were afterwards brought upon the Table, and the eldest, named Elizabeth by the Dutchess of Angoulesme, representing the Archidutchess her God∣mother, without any Godfather:

The youngest was named by Don Juan of Medicis (representing the great Dutchess) Christierne.

At Supper the King was waited upon by the Princess of his Blood; the Prince of Condé served for Pantler, the Prince of Compty for Cupbearer, the Duke of Monpen∣fier for Squire Carver, the Earl of Soissons for high Steward, the Duke of Guise and the Earl of Vaudemont waited upon the Queen, and the Duke of Sully waited upon the Legat. The Godfathers sat, and after them the Princesses, Ladies and Lords of high quality, at the great Ball the Duke of Lorrain did precede by the Kings order, for the only consideration that he was Godfather.

The next day there was a runing at the Ring, and at night the Duke of Sully caused an artificial Castle to be assaulted with an innumerable quantity of Squibs, Chambers, Canon shots, and other Fire Works, but never any thing was seen more incredible or wonderful, then the beauty, ornament and lustre of the Princesses and Ladies of the Court; The Eyes could not stedfastly behold the splendor of the Gold, nor the brightness of the Silver, nor the glittering of Jewels; the Princes and Lords did out vie one another who should be most richly attired, among the rest the Duke of Espernon had a Sword valued at 30000. Crowns, and upon the Queens Gown were 32000. Pearls, and 3000. Diamonds.

XVII. French.

Au mesme temps un grand endurera, Joyeux, malsain, l'an complet ne verra, Et quelques uns qui seront de la feste, Feste pour un seulement, a ce jour, Mais peuapres sans faire long sejour, Deux se donront l'un l'autre de la teste.

English.

At the same time a great one shall suffer, Joyful, sickly, shall not see the year compleat, And some others who shall be of the feast. A ••east for one only at that day, But a little while after without long delay, Two shall knock one another in the head.

ANNOT.

This Stanza hath relation to the precedent, for about the time of, or a little be∣fore that famous Christning died Pope Leo the IX. formerly called Cardinal of Flo∣rence, who did not live a whole year in the Papacy, and is called here Joyful, Sickly, because though infirm, he did much rejoyce in the obtaining of it; those others that were of the Feast, were some Cardinals of his party, who died also within the same year.

The two last Verses signifie the differences that happened between Paul V. his Successor, and the Common-wealth of Venice presently after his death.

XVIII. French.

Considerant la triste Philomele, Qu'en pleurs & cris sa plainte renouvelle, Racourcissant par tel moyen ses jours, Six cens & cinq elle en verra l'yssue, De son tourment, ia la toile tissüe, Por son moien senestre aura secours.

English.

Considering the sad Philomela, Who in tears and cries reneweth her complaint, Shortning by such means her days, Six hundred and five shall see the end, Of her torment, then the Cloath Woven, By her finister means shall have help.

ANNOT.

This sad Philomela was Henrietta of Balzac Daughter to Francis of Balzac, Mar∣quess of Entragues, and Mistress to Henry the IV. who being found guilty of a Con∣spiracy against the State, was confined to the Abbey of the Nuns of Beaumont lez Tours, where she was seven Months, after which the King taking pitty of her, passed a Declaration, wherein in respect of his former Love, and of the Children that he had by her, he forgave her all what was past, did abolish and suppress for ever the Memory of the Crime that she was accused off, and did dispense her from appearing before the Parliament, who in her absence did Register her Letters of Pardon the 6. of September 1605. Thus Reader you may see how punctual was our Author in his Prognostications.

XIX. French.

Six cens & cinq, six cens & six & sept, Nous monstrera jusques l'an dixsept, Du boutefeu l'Ire, haine & envie, Soubs l'Olivier d'assez long temps caché, Le Crocodil sur la Terre a caché, Ce qui estoit mort sera pour lors en vie.

English.

Six hundred and five, six hundred and six and seven, Will shew us unto the year seventeen, The anger of the boutefeu, his hatred and envy, Under the Olive-Tree a great while hidden, The Crocodile upon the ground hath hidden, What was dead, shall then be alive.

ANNOT.

This Stanza is so difficult, signifieth nothing but the confusions that have happened in France from the year 1605. to the year 1917. which would be too tedious and prolix here to relate, the Reader may see them in the French History.

XX. French.

Celuy qui a par plusieurs fois, Tenu la Cage & puis les bois, Rentre a son premier estre, Vie sauve peu apres sortir, Ne se scachant encor cognoistre, Cherchera subject pour mourir.

English.

He that hath many times, Been in the Cage and in the Woods, Cometh again to his first being, And shall go out a little after with his life safe, And not able yet to know himself, Shall seek a subject to be put to death.

ANNOT.

This is yet concerning the Earl of Auvergne half Brother to the Dutchess of Ver∣neuil, who for his misdemeanours having been put several times in the Bastille, and set free again, nevertheless was attempting still some new thing, which might have endangered his life.

XXI. French.

L'Autheur des maux commencera Regner, En l'an six cens & sept sans espargner, Tous les subjects qui sont a la Sangsüe, Et puis apres s'en viendra peu a peu, Au franc Païs rallumer son feu, S'en retournant d'ou elle est issue.

English.

The Author of evils shall begin to Reign, In the year six hundred and seven, without sparing, All the subjects that belong to the Leech, And afterwards shall come by little and little, To the free Countrey to kindle again his fire, Going back again from whence it came.

ANNOT.

The Author being a zealous Roman Catholick, calls here the Hollanders the Au∣thors of evils, who in the year 1607. and 1608. made a grievous War, and had seve∣ral successes against the Spaniard, with the help of the French and English, till the year 1609. when by the mediation of the French and English Embassadors, the Truce was concluded at Antwerp, between the Arch-duke and the States of the United Pro∣vinces, the Articles of it to the number of 38. were solemnly proclaimed and pub∣lished the ninth of April, and ratified by the King of Spain in the Month of July next ensuing.

XXII French.

Cil qui dira descouvrisant l'affaire, Comme du mort, la mort pourra bien faire, Coups de Poniards par un qu'auront induits, Sa fin sera pis qu'il n'aura fait faire, La fin conduit les hommes sur la Terre, Gueté par tout, tant le jour que la nuit.

English.

He that shall say discovering the business, How of the dead, can make a death well, Strokes of a Dagger by one that hath been induced to it, His end shall be worse then he hath caused to be done, The end leadeth all men upon the Earth, Espied every where, as well by day as by night.

ANNOT.

This Stanza is wholly abstruse and Enigmatical, therefore I will not pretend to expound it, but leave the interpretation to those that have more time and leasure then I.

XXIII. French.

Quand la grand Nef, la prove & Gouvernail, Du franc Pais, & son Esprit vital, Descueils & flots par la Mer secovée, Six cens & sept & dix coeur assiegé, Et des reflux de son corps affiegé, Sa vie estant sur ce mal renovée.

English.

When the great Ship, the Prow, and Rudder, Of the French Countrey, and her vital Spirit, Being tossed by Baks and Waves, Six hundred and seven, and ten, a heart beset, And by the ebbing of his body afflicted, Her life being upon this, evil knotted again.

ANNOT.

This Stanza signisieth the great troubles that were in France from the year 1610. in which Henry the IV. died, to the year 1617. in which the Marshal d'Ancre was killed.

This man was named Concino Concini a Florentine born, who in a little time was grown very great, and from a base extraction had ascended to the dignity of Marshal of France, by the favour of the Queen Regent Mary of Medicis, and grew so rich, that he offered to the King to maintain at his own charge 6000. foot, and 800. Horses for four Months together; he had made himself Master of many strong Places in Picardy and Normandy, went about to buy the Government of several Provinces, did dispose of the Kings Exchequer at his pleasure, and spent vast sums of money at his Masters charge. His insolencies were the cause of his ruine, when he thought least of it; for he threatned every one with words and deeds, so far as to say, that he would cause them to eat up their fingérs, that should oppose his Will, and so caused many Officers and Souldiers of the contrary party to be put to death. The King Lewis the XIII. was particularly informed of the unsufferable pride and misdemea∣nors of this Marshal, and that his design was to keep up the War in France, to con∣tinue his Authority and Power; therefore the King commanded Vitry, the Captain of his Guards, to apprehend him. This was a difficult thing, because that the Mar∣shal (besides his Menial servants) had always twelve Guards wearing his Livery, that were desperate fellows; there was also another difficulty, because no body could tell, when or at what time he would come to the Louvre; nevertheless at last he came to it, upon the 24. of April 1617. attended with a great Train and his Guards; the great Gate was opened to him, and presently shut again, Vitry drew near to him, and holding his staff to him, said, I arrest you in the Kings name, upon these words the Marshal stept back, as if it were to make resistance, saying, Me? whereupon those that were with Vitry shot three Pistols at him, one did hit him in the Heart, the other in the Head, and the third in the Belly, so that he fell down dead immediately upon his left side, a certain Lord that was on his right hand speaking with him, fell down also without any hurt, but his followers seeing him dead run away.

This death was the cause of great alterations in the publick Government. The body of the said Marshal was buried at St. Germain de l'Auxerrois, but the people digged it out, and dragged it to the new Bridge, where they hanged it by the feet

upon a Gibbet, having cut off his Nose, his Ears and his privy parts, then they took him down, and dragged him through the Town, and afterwards burnt it. Thus did perish he that was worth about two Millions of Pounds Sterling, and pretended to make his house perpetual and Sovereign. The new Officers that had governed the State from the 24 of November to the 24 of April 1617. were arrested in their houses, and the old ones put in again, and the Princes called back again to the Court.

XXIV. French.

Le Mercurial non de trop longue vie, Six cens & huit & vingt, grand maladie, Et encor pis danger de feu & d'eau, Son grand amy lors luy sera contraire, De tels hazards se pourroit bien distraire, Mais bref, le fer luy fera son Tombeau.

English.

The Mercurial not too long lived, Six hundred and eight and twenty, a great sickness, And what is worse a danger of fire and water, His great friend then shall be against him, He might well avoid those dangers, But a little after, the Iron shall make his Sepulcher.

ANNOT.

This is concerning Lewis the XIII. King of France, who fell dangerously sick of the Plague at Lions, about the year 1628. after that went with his Army into Savoy, where he escaped many dangers of fire and water. As for the Verse it must not be understood, as if he had been killed, but that the cares he took about his Armies should shorten his days. The fourth Verse is to be understood of the Lord Belling∣ham, then favorite to the King, who forsook him in his sickness, for which he was afterwards disgraced, and could never come into favour again.

XXV. French.

Six cens & six, six cens & neuf, Un Chancelier gros comme un Boeuf Vieux comme le Phoenix du Monde, En ce Terroir plus ne luira, De la Nef doubly passera, Au Champs Elysiens faire ronde.

English.

Six hundred and six, six hundred and nine, A Chancellor big as an Oxe, Old as the Phoenix of the World, Shall shine no more in this Countrey, Shall pass from the Ship of forgetfulness, Into the Elysian Fields to go the round.

ANNOT.

Six and nine joyned together makes 15. the meaning of this therefore is, that a∣bout the year 1615. should die the Chancellor of France, who was then Nicolas Brulart Lord of Sillery a very corpulent man.

XXVI. French.

Deux freres sont de l'ordre Ecclesiastique, Dont l'un prendra pour la France la pique, Encor un coup si l'an six cens & six, N'est afflige d'une grand maladie, Les Armes en main jusques six cens & dix, Gueres plus loing ne s'estendant sa vie.

English.

Two Brothers are of the Ecclesiastical Order, One of which shall take up the Pike for France, Once more, if in the year six hundred and six, He be not afflicted with a great sickness, The Weapons in his hands till six hundred and ten, His Life shall reach not much further.

ANNOT.

In the year 1606. there was two Brothers of the House of Joyeuse, one called Francis Cardinal of Joyeuse, and the other a Capuchin Frier, the rest of the Brothers being dead without issue; Father Angel got a dispensation from the Pope to go out of his Covent, and to Marry, that the Family might not be extinguished, and so turn∣ed Courtier and Souldier again, till he had got a Daughter, who was afterwards married to the Duke of Guise; after that, remembring his Vows, he turned Capuchin again, and a little while while after died, coming from Rome to Paris.

XXVII. French.

Celeste feu du costé d'Occident, Et du Midy courir jusqu'au Levant, Vers demy morts sans point trouver racine, Troisiesme Age a Mars le Belliqueux, Des Escarboucles on verra briller feux, Age Escarbouclc, & a la fin famine.

English.

A Coelestial fire on the West side, And from the South shall run to the East, Warm, half dead, and incapable to find Roots, The third Age to Mars the Warriour, Out of Carbuncles fires shall be seen to shine, The Age shall be a Carbuncle, but in the end famine.

ANNOT.

This signifies nothing but the troubles that were all France over, from the year 1620. to the year 1628. when Rochel was taken, and the great famine that was in the year 1626.

XXVIII. French.

L'An mil six cens & neuf ou quatorziesme, Le vieux Charon fera Pasques en Caresme, Six cens & six par escrit le mettra, Le Medecin de tout cecy s'estonne, A mesme temps assigné en personne, Mais pour certain l'un deux comparoistra.

English.

In the year a thousand six hundred and nine or fourteen, The old Charon shall Celebrate Easter in Lent, Six hundred and six shall put it in writing, The Physician wondereth at all this, At the same time being Cited in person, But for certain, one of them shall appear.

ANNOT.

This signifieth that about the time mentioned by the Author, some great one should be very sick in Lent, and should eat flesh, which is called here to Celebrate Easter in Lent; and that his Physician wondering at it should fall sick himself, and that without fail, one of them two should die.

XXIX. French.

Le Griffon se peut apprester, Pour a l'ennemy resister, Er renforcer bien son Armée, Autrement l'Elephant viendra, Qui d'un abord le surprendra, Six cens & huit, Mer enflammée.

English.

The Griffin may prepare himself, To resist the Enemy, And to strengthen his Army, Otherways the Elephant shall come, Who on a sudden shall surprise him, Six hundred and eight, the Sea shall be inflamed.

ANNOT.

By the Griffin was meant the Hollanders, who were warned here to beware of the Elephant, that is, the Spaniard, and to strengthen their Army for fear of being sur∣prised.

The last Verse signifieth, that in the year 1608. there should be a notable Sea∣fight, which was then frequent enough between the said Hollanders and Spaniard.

XXX. French.

Dans peu de temps Medicin du grand mal, Et la Sangsue d'ordre & rang inegal, Mettront le feu a la branche d Olive, Poste courir d'un & d'autre costé, Et par tel feu leur Empire accosté, Se rallumant du franc finy salive.

English.

Within a little while the Physician of the great disease, And the Leech, of order and rank unequal, Shall set fire to the branch of Olive, Posts shall run to and fro, And with such fire their Empire acquainted, Shall kindle again with the French finished spittle.

ANNOT.

By the Physitian of the great disease is meant the King of France; and the Leech the King of Spain, so that it is foretold here, how they shall set fire to the branch of Olive, that is, shall break the Peace and fall to War, which in the year 1636. when upon the imprisoning of the Archbishop of Triers by the King of Spain, be∣cause he had put himself under the French Protection, the King of France sent an Army of 40000. men in the Low-Countreys, to come with the Prince of Orange at Mastrioht, which quarrel hath continued till the Marriage of the King of France with the Infanta of Spain, Daughter to Philip the IV. The last Verse is forced in, only to make up the time.

XXXI. French.

Celuy qui a les hazards surmouté, Qui fer, feu, eau, na jamais redouté, Et du Pais bien proche du Basacle, D'un coup de fer tout le Monde estonné, Par Crocodil estrangement donné, Peuple ravy de voir un tel spectacle.

English.

He that hath overcome the dangers, That hath never feared Iron, Fire nor Water, And of the Countrey near the Basacle, By a stroke of Iron (all the World being astonished,) By a Crocodile strangely given, People will wonder to see such a spectacle.

ANNOT.

This Prophecy may admit of two Interpretations; the first, that Henry the IV. who was born in the Province of Bearn, not far from Thoulonze, the cheif City of Languedoc, wherein there is a place upon the River called Basacle, where the Mills are, who was stobbed with a knife by Francis Ravillac in the year 1610.

The other is of the last Duke of Montmorency, who being Governour of Langue∣doc, took up Arms against the King, in the behalf of the Duke of Orleans, for which he was beheaded at Thoulouse at the solicitation of Cardinal Richclien, which happened about the year 1632.

XXXII. French.

Vin a foison tres-bon pour les Gendarmes, Pleurs & soupirs plaintes, cris, & alarmes, Le Ciel fer ses Tonnerres pleuvoir, Feu, eau, & sang le tout meslé ensemble, Le Ciel de Sol en fremit & en tremble, Vivant na veu ce quil pourra bien voir.

English.

Plenty of Wine, very good for Troopers, Tears, and sighs, complaints, cries, and alarums Heaven shall cause its Thunders to rain, Fire, water and blood, all mixed together, The Suns Heaven, quaketh and shaketh for it, No living man hath seen what he may see then.

ANNOT.

This great plenty of Wine happened in the year 1634. at which time there was in France such plenty of Grapes, that half of them perished for want of Vessels to put them in, and I remember very well, that then whosoever would bring a Poinchon Vessel, which is the third part of a Tun, might have it filled with Grapes for half a Crown, and that being my self at that time at a Town of Burgundy, called Beaune, where the best Wine of France groweth, four of us had one Pottle of Wine English measure for one half penny. The rest signifieth no more but the miseries that hap∣pened in Germany, by the Wars that the King of Sweden brought in about the same time.

XXXIII. French.

Bien peu apres sera tres-grand misere, De pou de Bled qui sera sur la Terre, De Dauphiné, Provence & Vivarois, Au Vivarois est un pauvre prefage, Pere du fils sera Antrophophage, Et mangeront Raeine & gland du Bois.

English.

A little after shall be a great misery, Of the scarcity of Corn that shall be upon the ground, Of Dauphine, Provence, and Vivarois, In Vivarois is a poor presage, Father of Son shall be Antropophage, And shall eat Roots and Acorns of the Wood.

ANNOT.

This came to pass when the Duke of Rohan headed the Protestant party, and made those Provinces the seat of the Civil Wars in France, about the year 1640. or 1642.

XXXIV. French.

Princes & Seigneurs tous se feront la guerre, Cousin Germain, le Frere avec le Frere, Finy l'Arby de l'heureux de Bourbon, De Hierusalem les Princes aimables, Du fait commis enorme & execrable, Se ressentiront sur la bourse sans fond.

English.

Princes and Lords shall war one against another, Cousin German, the Brother against the Brother, The Arby finished of the happy Bourbon, The Princes of Hierusalem so lovely, Of the enormous and execrable fact committed, Shall ressent upon the bottomless Purse.

ANNOT.

This foretelleth of the Wars that were to be between the Princes and Lords a little after the death of Henry the IV. when the Marshal d'Ancre took upon him the administration of affairs by the favour of the Queen Regent Mary of Medicis.

XXXV. French.

Dame par mort grandement atristée, Mere & tutrice au sang qui la quittée, Dame & Seigneurs faits enfants Orphelins, Par les Aspics & par les Crocodiles, Seront surpris forts bourgs, Chasteaux & Villes, Dieu tout puissant les garde des malins.

English.

A Lady by death greatly afflicted, Mother and Tutor to the Blood that hath left her, Ladies and Lords made Orphans, By Asps and by Crocodiles, Shall strong holds, Castles and Towns be surprised, God Almighty keep them from the wicked.

ANNOT.

That great Lady afflicted by death, and Mother and Tutor to the Blood that left her was Mary of Medicis, Wife to Henry the IV. who after the death of her Hus∣band was much troubled in her regency by her own Son Lewis the XIII. and several great Lords of his party whence did follow the Battle of Pont de Cé.

XXXVI. French.

La grand rumeur qui fera par la France, Les impuissans voudront avoir puissance, Langue emmiellée & vrais Cameleons, De boutefeus, allumeurs de chandelles, Pyes & Geais, rapporteurs de nouvelles, Dont la morsure semblera Scorpions.

English.

The great rumor that shall be through France, The impuissants would fain have power, Honey Tongues, and true Camelions, Boutefeux, and lighters of Candles, Magpies and Jays, carriers of news, Whose biting shall be like that of Scorpions.

ANNOT.

This hath a relation to the precedent, and expresseth further the misery of those times.

XXXVII. French.

Foible & puissant seront en grand discord, Plusieurs mourront avant faire l'accord, Foible ou puissant vainqueur se fera dire, Le plus puissant au jeune cedera, Et le plus vieux des deux decedera, Lors que l'un d'eux envahira l'Empire.

English.

The Weak and powerfull shall be at great variance, Many shall die before they agree, The weak shall cause the powerful to call him Victor, The most potent shall yield to the younger, And the older of the two shall die, When one of the two shall invade the Empire.

ANNOT.

This Prophecie is not come to pass yet (for all I know) therefore I leave the in∣terpretation to every ones liberty.

XXXVIII. French.

Par Eau, & par fer & par grand maladie, Le Pourvoieur a l'hazard de sa vie, Scaura combien vaut le Quintal de Bois, Six cens & quinze ou le dixneufiesme, On gravera d'un grand Prince cinquiesme, L'Immortel nom sur le pied de la Croix.

English.

By Water, by Fire, and by great sickness, The Purveyor to the hazard of his life, Shall know how much is worth the Quintal of Wood, Six hundred and ••ifteen, or the nineteen. There shall be graven of a great Prince the fifth, The immortal name upon the foot of the Cross.

ANNOT.

By the Purveyor is meant the King of France, as we have said before.

The great Prince the V. was Paul the V. who was foretold he should die about the year 1615. 1619.

XXXIX. French.

Le Pourvoieur de Monstre sans pareil, Se fera voir ainsy que le Soleil, Montant le long la ligne Meridienne, En poursuivant l'Elephant & le Loup, Nul Empereur ne fit jamais tel coup, Et rien plus pis a ce Prince n'avienne.

English.

The Purveyor of the Monster without equal, Shall shew himself like the Sun, Ascending in the Meridional line, In persecuting the Elephant and the Wolf. No Emperour did ever such an act, I wish nothing worse may happen to that Prince.

ANNOT.

This is a Prophecie of the glorious success that Lewis the XIII. was to have against the Spaniard in Italy, and the Protestant party at home.

XL. French.

Ce qu'en vivant le Pere n'avoit sceu, Il acquerra ou par guerre ou par feu, Et Combatra la sangsüe irritée, Ou jouira de son bien paternel, Et favory du grand Dieu Eternel, Aura bien tost sa Province heritée.

English.

That which while he lived the father did not know, He shall get it either by Water or by Fire, And shall fight with the angry Leech, Or shall enjoy his Paternal goods, And be favorised by the great Eternal God, Shall quickly become Heir of his Province.

ANNOT.

This concerneth the present King of France Lewis the XIV. who hath lately got by Fire and Sword those Provinces in the Low-Countreys, to which he laid claim by his Wives Title, which his father never knew nor attempted.

XLI French.

Vaisseaux Galeres avec leur Estendar, Sentrebattront pres du Mont Gilbatar, Et lors sera forfait a Pampelonne, Qui pour son bien souffrira mille maux, Par plusieurs fois soustiendra les assaux, Mais a la fin unie a la Coronne.

English.

Ships and Galleys with their Standard, Shall fight near the Mountain Gilbatar, And then shall be endeavoured against Pampelonne, Which for her good shall suffer a thousand evils, And many times shall resist the assaults; But at last shall be united to the Crown.

ANNOT.

This Prophecieth the reduction of the City of Pampelona, the chief City of the Kingdom of Navarre, under the obedience of the King of France and Na∣varre.

XLII French.

La grand Cité ou est le premier homme, Bien amplement la ville ie vous nomme, Tout en alarme, & le Soldat es Champs, Par Fer & Eau grandement affligée, Et a la fin des Francois soulagée, Mais ce sera des six cens & dix ans.

English.

The great City where the first man is, Fully I name the Town to you, Shall be alarmed and the Souldier in the field, Shall be by Fire and Water greatly afflicted, Aud at last shall be helped by the French, But it shall be from six hundred and ten years.

ANNOT.

That great City where the first man is, is Amsterdam, because the first Letter and the last Sylable of it maketh Adam: But of her affliction by Fire and Water, and of her being relieved by the French in the year 1610. I can find nothing in the History; those that are better furnished with Books than I am, may chance to satisfie them∣selves and others, better than I can do.

XLIII French.

Le petit coin Provinces mutinées, Par forts Chasteaux se verront dominées, Encor un coup par la gent Militaire, Dans bref seront fortement assiegez, Mais il seront d'un tresgrand soulagez, Qui aura sait entrée dans Beaucaire.

English.

The little corner, Provinces revolted, By strong Castles, shall see themselves commanded, Once more by the Military Troops, Within a little while shall be strongly Besieged, But shall be helped by a great one, That hath made his entry in Beaucaire.

ANNOT.

This little Corner and Provinces revolted are Holland, and the rest of the United Provinces, who are threatned here with many troubles, as they did suffer till the Peace of Munster.

That great man that helped them, was the King of France.

XLIV. French.

La belle Rose en la France admirée, D'un tres-grand Prince a la fin desirée, Six cens & dix lors naistront ses amours, Cinq ans apres sera d'un grand blessée, Du tract d'Amour elle sera enlassée, Si a quinze ans du Ciel recoit secours,

English.

The faire Rose admired in France, Shall at last be desired by a great Prince, Six hundred and ten, then shall her love begin, Five years after she shall be wounded, With the love of a great one she shall be intangled, If at five years she receiveth help from Heaven.

ANNOT.

This Prophecy was concerning the Match between Lewis the XIII. and Ann of Austria Infanta of Spain, who were both Married very young.

XLV. French.

De coup de fer tout le Monde estonné, Par Crocodil estrangement donné, A un bien grand, parent de la Sangsue, Et peu apres sera un autre coup, De guet a pens commis contre le Loup, Et de tels faits on en verra l'yssüe.

English.

All the World being astonished at a blow of Iron, Strangely given by a Crocodile, To a great one, kin to the Leech, And a little while after another blow On purpose given against the Wolf, And of such deeds the end shall be seen.

ANNOT.

I think this needeth no further explication, then that I have given upon the 31. Stanza.

XLVI. French.

Les Pourvoieux mettra tout en desroute, Sangsue & Loup, en mon dire escoute, Quand Mars sera au Signe du Mouton, Joint a Saturne, Saturne a la Lune, Alors sera ta plus grande infortune, Le Soleil lors en exaltation.

English.

The Purveyor shall put all in disorder, Leech and Wolf do ye hearken to me, When Mars shall be in the Sign of Aries, Joyned with Saturn, and Saturn with the Moon, Then shall be thy greatest misfortune, The Sun being then in its exaltation.

ANNOT.

This is plain, if you remember that by the Purveyor is meant the King of France, by the Leech the King of Spain, and by the Wolf the Duke of Savoy.

XLVII. French.

Le grand d'Hongrie ira dans la Nacelle, Le nouveau né fera guerre nouvelle, A son voisin, qu'il tiendra assiegé, Et le noireau avec son Altesse, Ne souffrira que par trop on le presse, Durant trois ans ses gens tiendra rangé.

English.

The great one of Hungary shall go in the Boat, The new born shall make a new War To his Neighbour, whom he shall Besiege, And the black one with his Highness, Shall not suffer to be overpressed, During three years he shall keep his Men in order.

ANNOT.

This is concerning the King of Bohemia, and his War with the Emperour, who is called here the great one of Hungary, because he is King of it; the black one with his Highness, is the Pals-grave, who after three years broils was defeated at the Battle of Prage.

XLVIII. French.

Du vieux Charon on verra le Phoenix, Estre premier & dernier des fils, Reluire en France, & d'un chascun aimable, Regner long temps, avec tous les honneurs, Qu'auront jamais eu ses Predecesseurs, Dont il rendra sa gloire memorable.

English.

The Phoenix of the old Charon shall be seen, To be the first and last of the Sons, To shine in France, beloved of every one, To Reign a great while with all the honours, That ever his Predecessors had, By which he shall make his glory memorable.

ANNOT.

No doubt but this is meant of some King of France, which is to come

XLIX. French.

Venus & Sol, Jupiter & Mercure, Augmenteront le genre de nature, Grande Alliance en France se fera, Et du Midy la Sangsue de mesme, Le feu esteint par ce remede extreme En Terre ferme Olivier plantera.

English.

Venus and So!, Jupiter and Mercury, Shall augment humane kind, A great Alliance shall be made in France, And on the South the Leech shall do the same, The fire extinguished by this extreme remedy, Shall plant the Olive-Tree in a firm ground.

ANNOT.

By the consent of all Astronomers, those four benigne Planets augment gene∣ration.

That great Alliance mentioned here, by which the fire was extinguished, and the Olive-Tree planted in a firm ground, is the Marriage of the present King of France, Lewis, the XIV. with the Infanta of Spain, by which all differences were composed, and the Peace firmly settled.

L. French.

Un peu devant ou apres l'Angleterre, Par mort de Loup mise aussy bas que terre, Verra le feu resister contre l'eau, Le rallumant avecque telle force, Du sang humain, dessus l'humaine escorce, Faute de pain, bondance de cousteau.

English.

A little while before or after, England, By the death of the Wolf being put as low as the ground, Shall sec the fire resist against the water, Kindling it again with such force, Of humane blood, upon the humane bark, That want of bread and abundance of knives shall be.

ANNOT.

The meaning is, that a little while after or before the said match mentioned in the foregoing: England was or should be brought as low as the ground, and that there should be abundance of humane blood spilled, and a great decay of Trade, with Wars, which is that he calleth, Want of Bread and abundance of knives.

LI. French.

La Ville qu'avoit en ses ans, Combatu l'Injure du temps, Qui de son Vainqueur tient la vie, Celuy qui premier la surprit, Que peu apres Francois reprit, Par Combats encore affoible.

English.

The City that had in her years, Resisted the injury of the times, And oweth her life to him that overcame her, Being the first that surprised it, Which a little while after Francis took again, Being yet we••kened with fightings,

LII. French.

La grand Cité qui n'a Pain a demy, Encor un coup la saint Barthelemy, Engravera au profond de son Ame, Nismes, Rochelle, Geneve & Montpelier, Castres, Lion, Mars entrant au Belier, S'entrebattront le tout pour une Dame.

English.

The great City that hath not bread half enough, Shall once more engrave In the bottom of her soul St. Bartholomew's day, Nismes, Rochel, Geneva and Montpelier, Castres, Lion, Mars coming into Aries, Shall fight one against another, and all for a Lady.

ANNOT.

That great City mentioned here, is Paris, which is threatned of another St. Bar∣tholomew's day, which was fatal to the Protestants in France, for upon that day in the year 1572. there was a general Massacre made of them through all France, inso∣much, that in Paris alone there was above ten thousand slain.

As for those Towns here named that are to fight about a Lady, I cannot guess what Lady it should be, unless he meaneth the Roman Church.

LIII. French.

Plusieurs mourront avant que Phoenix meure, Jusques six cens septante est sa demeure, Passé quinze ans, vingt & un, trente neus, Le premier est Subjet a maladie, Et le second au fer, danger de vie, Au seu a l'eau est subjet a trenteneus.

English.

Many shall die before that Phoenix dieth, Till six hundred and seventy he shall remain, Above fifteen years, one and twenty, thirty nine, The first shall be subject to sickness, And the second to Iron, a danger of life, Thirty nine shall be subject to fire and water.

ANNOT.

By the Phoenix is meant a Pope, because there is but one of that kind at once, the meaning of the rest is unknow to me.

LIV. French.

Six cens & quinze vingt, grand Dame mourra, Et peu apres un fort long temps pleuvra, Plusieurs Pais Flandres & l'Angleterre, Seront par seu & par fer affligez, De leurs Voisins longuement affiegez, Contraints seront de leur faire la Guerre.

English.

Six hundred and fifteen, and twenty, a great Lady shall die, And a little after it shall rain for a great while, Many Countreys as Flanders and England, Shall by fire and Iron be afflicted, And a good while Besieged by their Neighbours, So that they shall be constrained to make War against them.

ANNOT.

What that great Lady was, that should die in the year 635. is not easie to guess, there being many in every Countrey that died that year. The rest is easie, and we have seen the truth of it in our days, and may see it hereafter.

LV. French.

Un peu devant ou apres tres-grand Dame, Son ame au Ciel, & son corps soubs la lame, De plusieurs gens regretée sera, Tous ses parens seront en grand tristesse, Pleurs & souspirs d'une Dame en jeunesse, Et a deux grands le dueil delaissera.

English.

A little while before, or after, a very great Lady, Her soul in Heaven, and her body in the Grave, Shall be lamented by many, All her kindred shall be in great mourning, Tears and sighs of a Lady in her youth, And shall leave the mourning to two great ones.

ANNOT.

This may be understood of the death of Anna of Austria, Queen of France, who left in mourning two great ones, viz. her two Sons Lewis the XIV. King of France, and Philip of Bourbon Duke of Orleans.

Or of the death of the Queen Dowager of England, Henrietta Maria, who also was much lamented, and left in mourning two great ones, viz. Charles the II. King of England, and James Duke of York his Brother.

LVI. French.

Tost l'Elephant de toutes parts verra, Quand Pourvoyeur au Griffon se joindra, Sa ruine proche, & Mars qui tousiour gronde, Fera grands faits aupres de Terre Sainte, Grands Estendars sur la Terre & sur l'Onde, Si la Nef a esté, de deux frere enceinte.

English.

Shortly the Elephant on all sides shall see, When the Purveyor shall joyn with the Griffin, His ruine at hand, and Mars which always grumbleth, Shall do great feats near the Holy Land, Great Standarts upon the Earth and the Sea, If the Ship hath been with Child of two Brothers.

ANNOT.

The Elephant is the Emperor, the Purveyor the King of France, the Griffin the Hollanders; the meaning then is that the Emperor shall go to ruine, when the French and the Hollanders shall joyn together.

And that there shall be great Wars and Fightings in the Holy Lands, both by Sea and Land, when two Brothers of great quality shall go in one Ship.

LVII. French.

Peu apres l'Alliance faite, Avant solemnises la Feste, L'Empereur le tout troublera, Et la nouvelle Mariée, Au Franc Païs par sort liée, Dans peu de temps apres mourra.

English.

A little after the Alliance made, Before the Feast be Solemnized, The Emperor shall trouble all, And the new Bride, Being by fate tied to the French Countrey, A little while after shall die.

ANNOT.

This is concerning a match that shall be made between the French King, and some Lady of another Countrey, which Match shall be disturbed by the Emperour, and the Bride shall die a little while after her Marriage.

LVIII. French.

Sangsue en peu de temps mourra, Sa mort bon signe nous donra, Pour l'accroissement de la France, Alliances se trouveront, Deux grands Roiaumes se joindront, Francois aura sur eux puissance.

English.

The Leech within a little while shall die, His death shall be a good sign to us, For the augmentation of France, Alliances shall be found, Two great Kingdoms shall joyn together, The French shall have power over them.

ANNOT.

The Leech was Philip the IV. the last King of Spain, who died a little while after he had Married his Daughter to Lewis the XIV. now King of France, by which Mar∣riage the Peace was made between the two Kingdoms, in the Island of the Conference, upon the Borders of France and Spain. By his death and that Match is foretold the encrease and happy condition of the Kingdom of France.

FINIS.