The Lord Kensington to the Duke.

BEsides that joynt Letter to your Lordship from my Colleague, and my self, I think fit to add this particular account of what passed yesterday at Ruel betwixt Queen Mother, and me; whither going to give her double thanks; as for the libertie, she had given me of accesse at all times to Madam, to entertain her henceforth with a more free, and amorous kind of language from the Prince; so for having so readily condescended to an humble suit of mine in the behalf of my Lord of Carlile for a favourable Let∣ter for him to your Lordship; she was pleased to oblige me farther in relling me she did it meerly for my sake. I redoubled my thanks, and added, that I knew your Lordship would esteeme it one of the greatest happinesses that could befal you to have an occasion offer∣ed, whereby you might witnesse, how much you adored her Majesties royal virtues, and how infinitely you were her Servant, readie to receive law from her, whensoever by the least syllable of her blessed Lips or Penn, she should please to impose it. And this I did (as on the one side to gratifie my Colleague, who would be infinitely sensi∣ble of the disgrace he apprehends in the misse of the Ribbon, being thus brought upon the Stage for it) as also to help to mesnage that your Gratious favour which Mounsieur de Fiatts to my Lord represents unto him, by giving you meanes withal to oblige this sweet & blessed Queen, who hath your Lordship in a very high account, and would be glad to find occasions how she may witnesse it. The mention of my Lord of Carlile upon this occasion refreshed her remembrance of the late falling out betwixt the Cardinal and him; and though she were sufficiently informed of the particulars by the Cardinal himself, yet she would needs have a relation from me, who in a merrie kind of fashion obeyed her command, and salved every thing the best I could. She would needs know my opinion of the Cardinal, who so magni∣fied to her his wisdom, his courage, his courtesie, his fidelity to her service, his affection to our businesse as pleased her not a little. Nei∣ther did my heart and my tongue differ, for I esteem him such. This discourse she left to fall upon a better subject, the Prince, concern∣ing whose voyage into Spain, the censure of Italie (she said) was, that two Kings had therein committed two great errours. The one in adventuring so precious a pledge to so hazardous an enterprise, the other in badly using so brave a guest. The first, Madam, (answered I) may be excused from the end, the common good of all Christen∣dom, Page  289which then standing upon desperate tearmes, had need of a de∣sperate remedie. The second had need of a better advocate then I, to put any colour of defence upon it.

But his Highnesse had observed as great a weaknesse and follie as that, in that after they had used him so ill, they would suffer him to depart, which was one of the first speeches he uttered after he was en∣tred into the ship. But did he say so? said the Queen. Yes Madam I will assure you (quoth I) from the witnesse of my own eares. She smiled, and replyed, Indeed I heard he was used ill. So he was (an∣swered I) but not in his entertainement, for that was as splendid as that countrie could afford it, but in their frivolous delayes, and in the unreasonable conditions, which they propounded, and pressed (upon the advantage they had of his Princely Person.) And yet (smilingly added I) you here (Madam) use him far worse. And how so? presently demanded she? In that you presse (quoth I) upon that most worthie, and Noble Prince, (who hath with so much affection to your Majesties service, so much passion to Madam sought this Alliance.) The same, nay more unreasonable conditions then the other, and what they traced out for the breaking of the match you follow, pretending to conclude it very unseasonablely in this Con∣juncture of time, especiallie when the jealousies, that such great changes in state, are apt to beget, are cunningly fomented by the Spanish Embassadour in England, who vaunts it forth, that there is not so great a change in La Vievilles particular person, as there is in the general affections, which did but follow before the stream of his Greatnesse and credit.

Thus casting in the Kings mind the seed of doubts, whereunto the Conde de Olivares in Spain hath been willing to contribute by this braving speech to our Royal Masters Embassadour there, That if the Pope ever granted a dispensation for the match with France, the King of Spain would march with an armie towards Rome and sack it. Ʋrayement nons l'en empescherous bien (promptly answered She) Car nous lui taglierous assez de besongne ailleurs. Mais qu'est-ce qui vous presse le plus. I represented unto her the unfitnesse of the seventh Article (even qualified by that interpretationt, hat it is) and the im∣possibility of the last which requires, and prescribes an oath. And desired that the honour of the Prince (with whom she pretended a will to match her Daughter) might be dearer to her, then to be bal∣lanced with that, which could add nothing to their assurance. I also humbly besought her to imploy her Credit with the King her son, her authority to the Ministers for a reformation of those two Articles Page  290especially, and a friendly, and speedy dispatch of all.

And if we must come to that extreamitie, that more could not be altered, then already was, yet at least she would procure the allow∣ance of this protestation by the King our Master, when he should swear them, that he intended no further to oblige himself by that oath, then might well stand with the safety, peace, tranquility, and conveniency of his State. This shee thought reasonable, and pro∣mised to speak with the King and Cardinal about it. And if you speak as you can (replied I) I know it will be done, Though when all is done, I know not whether the King my Master will condescend so far yea, or no. Here I intreated I might weary her Majestie no further, but take the libertie she had pleased to give me in entertaining Madam with such Commandments as the Prince had charged me withall to her. She would needs know what I would say. Nay then (smi∣ling quoth I) your Majestie will impose upon me the like Law that they in Spain did upon his Highnesse. But the case is now different (said she) for there the Prince was in person, here is but his Deputie. But a Deputie (answered I) that represents his person. Mais pour tout cela (dit elle) qu' est ce que vous direz? Rien (dis-re) qui ne Soit digne des oreilles d'vne si vertueuse Princesse. Mais qu' est ce? redoubled she? Why then Madam (quoth I) if you will needs know, it shall be much to this effect; That your Majestie having given me the libertie of some freer Language then hereto∣fore, I obey the Prince his Command, in presenting to her his ser∣vice, not by way of Complement any longer, but out of passion, and affection, which both her outward, and her inward beauties (the ver∣tues of her mind) so kindled in him, as he was resolved to contribute the uttermost he could to the Alliance in question, and would think it the greatest happinesse in the world, if the successe thereof might minister occasion of expressing in a better, and more effectual man∣mer his devotion to her service; with some little other such like amorous Language. Allez, Allez, Il n'y a point de danger en tout cela (smilingly answered she) je me fie en vous, je me fie en vous. Nei∣ther did I abuse her trust, for I varied not much from it, in delivering it to Madam, save that I amplified it to her a little more, who drank it down with joy, and with a low Curtesie acknowledged it to the Prince; adding, that she was extreamly obliged to his Highnesse, and would think her self happie in the occasion, that should be pre∣sented of meriting the place shee had in his good Graces.

After that, I turned my speech to the old Ladies that attended, and •old them, That sith the Queen was pleased to give me this liberty, it Page  291would be henceforth fit for them to speak a suitable Language. I let them know that his Highnesse had her Picture, which he kept in his Cabinet, and fed his eyes many times with the sight, and contem∣plation of it; sith he could not have the happinesse to behold her person. All which and other such like speeches, she (standing by) took up without letting any one fall to the ground.

But I fear your Lordship will think I gather together too much to enlarge my Letter thus far: but it is, that by these Circumstances your Lordship may make a perfect judgment of the issue of our nego∣tiation, which I doubt not but will succeed to his Majesties, his High∣nesse, and your Lordships contentment: And so yeeld matter of triumph to you, and infinite joy to me