carried away he falls a crying and roaring and running after the Coach cryeth out to all that he knew His Master is carrying away to all that he did not know Broussel wâ—â— made Prisoner Never did Sedition rage in such menacing terms Never was the Vulgar so cruelly inflamed A Boys crying within a quarter of an hours time put 100000 men in Arms. O frail Mortality frail Mortals what are we A transient Scene a vain shadow without substance With â—how great successes did the French Glory then exalt it self What blessed times did shine How many Gallantries at home and in the field To what purpose are these Commotions of Spirits and so great Discords Great happiness cannot sustain it self but sinks under its own weight Such is the Divine pleasure when it is decreed to overthrow States and Empires to send effectual Causes for humane Errours Charton upon some foreknowledge escaped out of the way Blammeny is carried to Vincennes without any noise Only Broussel is called after It was openly talked That the best Patriots for standing up for their Laws and Liberties were hurried away on a day of Feasting in times of Peace That the time designed for publick mirth was stained the joy of the Townsmen disturbed the serenity of the City clouded Their forwardness to merriment was turned into sadness before any cause heard without legal tryal The King being attended by none of the Princes only a few of the Life-Guards the Parliament incensed the Commons incensed with fresh discontents All the Court-party were accused of Treason The most loose men were most desirous after Stirs in hopes to reap their particular Advantages The factious Tumult carried along with it the compliance of the better-meaning men Those that resisted the Sedition were stoned as they went along The Streets were â—npaved the Houses untiled stones flew about ears fury turning every thing that came next to hand into Weapons It was uncertain which weâ—â— best to tarry and be taken or to disperse and 〈◊〉 away Sometimes courage was pretended anoâ— fear discovered and as it falls out when mind are stir'd up to sedition they did fear and werâ— feared The Nobles in all parts laying aside theâ— rich Habits and forbearing the train of Servants went into remote streets of the Town Feâ— would keep in their own houses but the moâ—â— lodged at their friends or lay incognito in obscurâ— Corners Many scaped out of Town by diverâ— means some in Servants Cloaths others conveyed by those that depended on them Not a few took courage for their concealment Meillerâ—y Mareschal of France rode stoutly through the City most remarkable amongst all On every side weâ—â— Arms and Threats the streets being barricado'd by Hogshead and Iron Chains Their minds enâ—ged with blind fury now against the Nobles whâ— would imagine it anon against the Senate And because they could not design any one in particular to their anger they were bold withal in general The violence of the Commons was scarely restrained by the doors of the Royal Palace from breaking in They demand to have Broussel shewed them fain they would see the face and look of Broussel Lamentable was the face of the City Every man run mad without any Leader receive Warrant from himself to forbid whatever is commanded to command whatever is forbiddeâ— Soon that which falls out in desperate cases every one commands and none executes The Life Guards kept not the use of tongue nor heart no ears The besieged in the Louvre and the Besiegers had their different fears The Citizens threatned by their Arms what the Spaniard durst not have presumed The Spirits of the honest party were overwhelmed with pity and care but what is always wont to fall out in so great Consternation every one would be giving of counsel few would undertake what had danger This menacing night and offering to break out into some horrid outrage the carefulness of Mazarine did allay He walked the Rounds undaunted not in Robes suited to his Dignity but having disguised the gracefulness of his looks in a Perruque Sets Sentinels and Guards at several places here and there giving this charge Neither to fright nor be frighted but watching all motions to restrain violence not provoke it When it was day Peter Seguier Chancellour of France is dispatched to the Parliament to carry them the Kings Orders or in truth to try what was their intention The Common-people did not go forth in duty and respect to meet and wait upon him but received him with sowre menaces and looks that declared more of obstinacy than repentance The Chancellour passed on with a countenance formed to gentleness beckning all the way as he went to the people to keep silence They roared with fierce exclamations Rascals thronged about the Coach sometimes there was a confused murmuring other times a terrible out-cry as their passions varied in height they beset the Coach examining him Whither he was going that he too might cross the peoples interests after his old wont At once they rush upon him and threaten to tear up the stones that the streets are paved with And he was now ready to be crowded to death with the violence of the press when he was sheltred by getting to the Hostel de Luyne which as it was the place of his Birth was his Mother and almost his Grave These being concealed from the fury of the Rout which filled the House with swaggering and menaces he escaped through the goodness of God by the errour of the Searcher How nearly you may judge by this that he had no longer thoughts or coming off with life but how to die decently Thus was that place ennobled by having concealed him who is worthy to be shewed to all posterity Through the singular favour of Fortune which permitted the hope of the Laws over-born by corrupt Manners to lie hid in safety When the Court came to hear of this the Queen was much concerned left the life of such an excellent Person should fall into the hands of base Fellows So Meilleray on Horse-back with Dort break through the seditious Crew and having rescued the Chancellor from that imminent danger convey him back safe to the Queen in a Coach half torn the Guard being frighted and some of them slain The Sedition breaks out farther and the madness of the people rises to higher exasperation F. Paul Gondy designed Archbishop of Paris commonly styled Coadjutor in his Pontifical Robes carrying with him a Veneration as he passed along the streets moderated the people with Language and Gesture He would treat about their Proposals the King was neither without clemency nor yet severity Some there were that taxed Gondy as if his heart he had been somewhat favouring Alterations However the matters were in truth that was the first day of Gondy's withdrawing and the cause of all those evils which that Prelate eminent in mind birth and merits fell into afterwards from this time he shall be ever after called the Archbishop of
appeared the best to fall on the Faction while it is unprovided and immediately to turâ— the Power against them And lest words should be rumoured by delay that very day it was resolved in the Palais Royal to depart secretly and at midnight leave the City immersed in wine and good chear Besides the Queen and Mazarine Orleans Coude Meilleray Villeroy Grammont Telleir and the Abbot of Rivieres agreed in this resolve Grammont had given him in charge to convey away the King Queen and the Duke of Anjou which he carried happily for with his usual Policy he escaped the strict Watches of the Faction at a Postern Orleans with Mazarine was got clear by another by-Road At the midst of Queens Course on the way to Chaliot was the general Rendez-vous Through sharp frosts and rugged ways having travelled alt the dark night by break of day they arrive safe at S. Germans Conde tarried a little behind to bring off with him his Mother Brother and Sister His Mother and Conti sets forth in compliance with him the Dutchess of Longueville refused alledging for excuse her fear of miscarrying in that she was near her time but in truth keeping in mind the engagement at the meeting of Noes she had far other designs in her head The Guards early in the morning march out to overtake and wait upon the King Not a few Nobles go speedily after whether out of Duty or Policy Orleans is made General du Plessis Praslin takes up Quarters at S. Denis three miles out of the City Grammont at S. Clouds Corbeil is immediately invaded The Queen rejoycing that all her designs through the Divine blessing succeeded and that forces to take her part were coming up from every place treats Conde courteously in remembrance of his past Services and the sense of her present necessity to make use of him doubling all expressions of kindness towards him Nor was he wanting to deserve her good word behaving himself with all reverence to the Queen in a becoming modesty In the Town of Poissie and the neighbouring places a strict prohibition is made that no Victuals should be carried into the City The Country about Paris is made wast by the rude Souldiers Hostility is acted openly all dangers and shapes of Fortune appear terrible The City is frighted lest taken in her actual Rebellion she should suffer condigne punishment they were constrained by fear that had not been wrought upon by favours The miscarriage of a few threatning destruction to all whilst punishment was inflicted upon the far extended Body of the spreading Delinquency By the shortned supplies of one day it was seen that mans life is sustained by fresh meats and Cities be the bringing in provisions from abroad Troops are in all parts levied Raising Souldiers is imposed upon Priests and Magistrates nothing is excused from Contributions the Authors of the disorders being but few the consequent destruction involved all At the same time the Seyne swelling upon Rains and a sudden Thaw had overflowed the flat parts of the City Several houses were born down and men drowned That inundation was looked upon as a Prodigy as if the very Rivers assaulted Paris Fools taking that which is Chance or Nature for Fate or the Divine Wrath. In the mean time spreading same had dispersed all abroad the News of the Cities calamity The most faithful Peers in their mutual Conference did not touch upon the wretchedness of the times Her Majesty keeping all passages carefully in memory distinguished from the rest such as were worthy for her to trust alone The King by Letter to the Provost of the Merchants that is an Office at Paris recites cursorily the causes of his Retirement the fickleness of the Faction Plots laid against his Person and that he could not with safety continue any longer in the City Orleans and Conde under their hand profess themselves to have been the Advisers of the Kings Retirement The Parliament is charged by the Kings Writ to adjourn to Montargie The City was affrighted at that which is in a night of darkness unless the King and Parliament shine upon them The Archbishop of Corinth summoned by the Kings Letter shews himself ready to obey Gets into his Coach as if he were just upon quitting the Town The common people flock about him offering to stop his Horses by the reins He had before engaged the affections of all to him The throng was violently moved with earnest passion towards him All kissed his Hand or his Scarlet Gown He chose rather to follow the Caresses land Applauses of the common People than the Kings Commands In such distress to attract the minds of the Vulgar must needs require Art and Industry Talor Bignon and Melian which are called the Kings Proctors in the Parliament are sent Commissioners to his Majesty They come back again without having Audience or so much as being admitted into his Majesties presence Conde chiefly laboured it might be so upon design to advance his glory by the Troubles then in being Such things as were suitable to the present occasion were conveyed to Paris It is scarce credible what a plenty of all manner of provision flowed in and with what scarcity they struggled in the Leagure without The Peasants run any hazard so they may but succour the besieged Every one had full liberty to come in all are stopped from going out again to the end sure that the Court might relent at so many pledges and relations Several persons in disguises slip away from the destruction of the ruined City for they expected no less The Kings Souldiers and Officers are by express Act of Parliament prohibited from entring into Towns Cities and Castles they are to be repulsed from all parts as Enemies of their Country A Proclamation is put out That none should relieve the Mazarinists so were the Royalists called with Provision Arms or other Ammunition or if any should presume so to do they should be liable to the same punishment as Mazarine An unreconcileable rage of malice appeared upon this turn of Fighting or Treating A few days passed on after this rate still remarkable by some new emergency At length the Thunder-clap broke over the head of Mazarine He is voted in a full House guilty of high Treason and the Disturber of the publick Peace Every Age Condition Sex is commanded to assault shoot or stab him whoever harboured him in the same house with them should be guilty of the same Crime with him He comforted himself in the conscience of his Vertue which can neither deserve disgrace nor it was should happen can ever be overthrown but went on in the practice of his former gentleness with a resolution impaired by no violence always so putting up injuries that he might be thought not to have resented them Never did courage more undauntedly perform her part then in that the heighth of his Spirit disowning to regard affronts nay or just fears I am certainly informed it was the advice of
Corps is interred amongst his Predecessors at S. Denis without any pomp or but very little Such directions had he given when he ordered concerning his Burial When Lewis was dead every one begun to entertain serious thoughts of his own estate I judge it therefore seasonable before I compile the intended story to declare how the Princes the Parliament the Ecclesiasticks the Provinces the Armies stood affected what were the Bounds of the Empire how firm the Allies and in sum what was the state of our Affairs what Parts in the Government were strong what again weak So that not only the Products and Events of Actions which ordinarily are but contingent but the reason too and causes of them may be known The Death of Lewis as it was joyfully taken at the first heat by those that were transported with it so did it stir up divers thoughts and affections not only in the City and Parliament but likewise in the Provinces and amidst the Armies and Officers The Followers and Friends of the Banished and Imprisoned begun to hold up their heads The King towards his later days whether stung in conscience or to throw an Odium upon Richlieu and that he might lay at his door the cruelty of all proceedings had recalled the Banished and release those that had long lain in prison 3. The Princes of the Blood were joyful as is usual upon change of Government resuming presently their liberty with intention to use their power more licentiously as having to do with a King but five years old a Spanish Woman and Mazarine an Italian For the Bishop of Beauvais did not long continue in favour as one insufficient to draw in such a yoke as his Rivals would make believe Gaston Duke of Orleans the Kings Uncle who had neither love nor hatred but as they were imprest all his life time subject to the Tuition of his Counsellors did at that time lead a life free from cares under the Conduct of the Abbot of Rivieres whose Counsels tending to Peace he did not always follow to his own great damage Then spent he his days in jollity his nights in dancing and drew money to bear these expences out of the Exchequer which as long as it stood open to him he never troubled himself about the Government Conde was a profound Politician He had a strange Art of living Men coming new from the Plough or Ship-broad might find him neither stately nor guarded and he would freely confer with them He was open to all and enquired into every thing know every thing He minded all affairs great and small and so by these ways more than the clashing of Arms raised his Estate to vast Wealth which he was the first Conde that every cared to heap up and in that being very considerable and abounding desired that nothing but the Honour of the Kingdom and the Publick Welfare with his private Gains Enguien his Son leaving all care either of State or Family to his Father then only affected Martial Glory And at that age a successful daring had in him the place of Valour but when his parts attain to maturity he shall come to the highest pitch of perfection What he came afterwards to be the order of the Story will inform His Brother Continewly come from School did scarce write man of an excellent disposition which afterwards inclined to Religion not that which consists in disputing but in living having the sap of good works in seriousness not out of ostentation Longueville Son in Law to Conde sailed in Condes Bottom yet would meddle with all but favoured none save the strongest Party if they came to be low would slip his neck out of the Collar After the Kings death he had proposed to get all the strong Holds in Normandy under his Power especially Havre de Grace that so secured against the Normans secured against the King he might play Rex in that Port. Vendosme the natural Son of Henry IV. by Gabrielle d'Estres having his Estate consumed by so long adversities solaced his mind grown savage by such continued Exile either with the single remembrance of his former Fortune or with the hopes of a better nor did he plot any thing else but how by all possible means to repair the Breaches of his decayed Family The Duke de Mercoeur his eldest Son lived in quiet Beaufort his younger did upon his own head prepare himself a way to the prime Ministry for which attempt he afterwards was imprisoned besides that he had somewhat to â—o with Mombazon I am certainly informed that his late Majesty before his death did very particularly recommend these Youths to the Queen The Duke of Guise resembling his Ancestors in Courage and Gallantry with different success came not up but sacrificed his time in the Low-Countries upon courting and following his Amours to the expence of Reputation The two younger Brothers inherited the popularity inherent to their Ancestors At this juncture of Affairs the remaining Progeny of so many Heroes that heretofore durst try for the Kingdom by Arms now finds not place for so much as a wish pretending to nothing more at this time than a thing very easie to compass that is not to stir A Branch of the House of the Guises Elboeuf and Harcourt depressed in their Estates had no designs This latter a stout and daring Souldier afterwards tossed in variety of Fortunes about whom I shall have occasion hereafter to speak not a little Those of Nemours made French from a Savoy stock of a numerous male Line were but two left the Elder of which had a great spirit in a small body but his thred of life being soon cut off left his Brother Successor who held nothing of that famous House but their blameless manners Such were our Princes not any either willing or able to work an Alteration All of them subscribed to the present Government beating their heads about many things to no effect This is the Quality of the French especially Courtier to make much stir that presently vanishes in the air To bind one another in deceitful bonds afterwards to flye off and betray one another A Crafts Master will easily break through such Cobwels 4. Now the Parliament of Paris they do not dislike the present State This is a great Body compounded of divers Humors At a certain sum of money which is undecent they purchase this Degree For themselves and their Heirs Most of them live above their Estates and having wasted their means either by their Wives or their Childrens or their own prodigality long after a Change Their Office if the matter be lightly scann'd is to preserve every mans propriety to compose differences to mitigate the increase of Taxes and retrench ways of Oppression that have been invented more grievous than Taxes to encourage Trade above all to advance the Kings Honour to teach the people that by their own good example never to clash with nor dispute the Kings Commands but humbly petition him and hold
security But that Conde who was opeâ—â—â— contrary to the Publick Good must be represt all 〈◊〉 advantages upon the confidence of which he carrieâ— himself so high were to be retrenched therefoâ—â— Espernon must be preserved from falling under thâ— Rebels and rather than afterwards Guyenne 〈◊〉 important to whatsoever Party it takes should be 〈◊〉 wholly at the devotion of Conde That the Proveâ—â—zals must not be abandoned to the revenge of Ales 〈◊〉 would joyn with his Cousin Conde and grow proud 〈◊〉 having mastered his Adversaries That Orleans 〈◊〉 to be won over to the Royal Cause and linked to it 〈◊〉 means of the Abbot de la Riviere that was to be 〈◊〉 in band with expectation of a Cardinals Cap 〈◊〉 Beaufort was to be bought off by Mombazon That Corinth was to be inveigled with variety of hopes by Madame Chevreuse The Parliament to be preserved in their Allegiance by any means That some gifts were to be scattered amongst the busie and turbulent Spirits to keep them quiet that all were to be wrought over by hopes promises preferments and all that during this two years all which time his Majesty could not take the Government himself by reason of the established Laws and his Minority This was the Queens sense who conducted all in safety amidst the high billows it is not to be imagined with how calm a spirit the Divine favour presiding over her most holy Counsels Orleans thath had no design but what was iâ—sinuated into him partly by his Wife who had taken up an opinion that the King would marry her Daughter and partly by the instinct of the Abbot of Riviere who expected a Cap by the favour of the Court resolved to stick to the Queen and that mainly for this reason to oppose Conde that was tacked about Conde Conti and Longueville whose Lady was Condes Sister and had her Followers too though dissenting in other matters yet concurred in this That they would not have Mazarine removed but taken down so as to promote their Suits which were no small ones And to have his wings clipped that he might not sore too high and that the beginnings of an immoderate favour and greatness might be obviated upon the remembrance of their slavery under Richlieu Without doubt Mazarine might have had such persons at his devotion so he could but have stooped to their humors and have relaxed any thing 〈◊〉 his rigorous loyalty towards the King his Master 〈◊〉 in a constant tenour of which he persevered undaunted maugre all Conspiracies and Threats to the contrary The design of Beaufort and Corinth was to acquire a greatness that might make them dreaded and considerable so that which way they should bend they might turn the scale especially of Câ—rinth who bore in mind his Predecessors that had umpired in the State of France Therefore did he cherish the commotions particularly in Bourdeaux and aimed at bringing the Queen Regent at length to that pass as to renouunce Mazarine and take in either himself or Chasteaunoeuf to the prime Ministry In the mean while poor Guyenne always averse from quiet courses was torn with intestine rage Nor did the violence of displeasure against Espernon abate They fell one upon another with all extremity and the Kings Souldiers plundered the neighbouring Towns as if it had been the Spaniards or Enemies Country The Bourdelois would restrain them from pillaging and sometimes pillage themselves they engaged oftentimes with success always couragiously although the giddy multitude had divers Leaders How tough the hatred was you may learn by this that the Peasants upon the places adjacent to the City besieged in their Castles chose rather to be burnt alive than to come by Surrender into the hands of the Royalists Whosover from a moderate principle bethought themselves how great a crime was acted were adjudged Enemies of the State and banished out of Town Letters from the Parliament of Paris scattered seeds of War who promised all help to the Assembly of the Parliament of Bourdeaux Tholouse that was ever unspotted with treasonable designs being invited to an Union stoutly denied but promised its utmost service to appear as an Interceder in procuring a Pacification and that by the approbation too of Candale But all this was fruitless nor was it easie to part men desirous to fight and vaunting the strength of their Party Nor did they any longer contest with Declarations but came to blows Argenson is sent thither to treat as Commissioner who after divers endeavours when he thought he had brought all into safe Harbour was driven back by new billows again into the open Sea I will not be prolix nor dwell any longer upon this Whirlpool of Sedition whenas very many have delivered these things out of vanity in too tedious repetitions Argenson first went to visit Espernon at Cardillac a pleasant Seat of the Espernons though Bourdeaux was not well pleased at his so doing There what was said in Conference was to this purpose That he must relieve the Garrison at Trompet with provision which they stood in much need of The Bourdelois had so closely blocked it up that nothing could be conveyed into it That the Fort begun at Libourne must be compleated from thence sprung the Revolt and all those troubles that ensued were upon that occasion Argenson passing between the hostile Troops on the one side and the other begged of them both to return home nor to crush the hopeful beginnings of composing matters with too hasty counsels They promise they will obey his Majesties Commands Espernon declared he required nothing but the settlement of the Country Not a word of all which was true Yet by the consent of both Parties these Articles were signed Neither Party to revenge past wrong neither to instigate their followers to fight neither advisedly to violate the Articles of Peace no Quarrels to be permitted between the Townsmen and Souldiers which ordinarily break out against the will of their Superiors The Bourdelois grown more moderate kept within the terms prescribed and according to agreement Meal was conveyed into the Garrison at Trompette Espernon thought he had well ordered the present state of Affairs so that the Castle of Trompette were preserved from taking and the Fort at Libourne were built up to curb the Bourdelois Therefore he sees that the Work be hastened forward a Garrison and two great Guns with store of Powder and Bullet be put in Whereupon the violence of the Faction which was abating broke out afâ—esh Nor did Argenson escape censure being openly cryed out against as one of Espernons party and an Enemy of Bourdeaux Never were Spirits more embittered This is observable that as in the Parliament of Paris the worshipful old men were carried away with the stream of the young so on the contrary in that of Bourdeaux the Elders in the Assembly hurried away the Youth implanting ill principles in them Espernon having now set the Castle of Trompette in safety which was relieved with Provision
care as I was going away Conde speaks to me to desire Longueville to come thither because the apprehending of Conture being under deliberation he might appease the rising if any should be by means of his Cousin and friend Corinth I went to Chaliot a little way out of Town where Longueville lived to keep at distance from his Wife When I had plainly told him my observation of the approaching danger he answered me calmly That it was possible Prince might be apprehended but it was to no purpose to warn him that would not as well as his Sister take 〈◊〉 advice as for himself having but the day before made his peace with the Cardinal he feared nothing We came to Paris whither he was bound in all haste at the request of Beveron who had desired Longuvilles intercession to Mazarine for his Son to succeed in the Government of Normandy Towards the evening Conde waits upon the Queen after his usual manner and having heard of Riviere unacquainted with the design that the Duke of Orelans would not be there somewhat startled at it he soon conceived that the defence of his cause in the Parliament was deserted He did advisedly absent himself either with intention of composing the storm that was expected or that he might not look on the Fact Conti and Longueville meet in the Council-Chamber where was present the Chancellor Servienne Tellier and some other honourable Personages of his Majesties Privy Council Mazarine was retired into his Chamber having carried off the Abbot Riviere with him Guitalil Captain of his Majesties Guards came earnestly into the Council-Chamber and bowing himself to Condes ear charges him in the Queens Name to go along with him as his Prisoner Cominges doth the like to Conti Cressy to Longueville Conde at first seemed to laugh at it Afterwards finding Guit ald to speak in earnest he then turned to the persons present and said The Queen arrests me by this Guitald my dutifulness my loyalty hath 〈◊〉 deserved this not to mention my services I have not only hopes but assurance in her Majesies Justice I desire you to bear witness of my moderation Hereupon he intreats the Chancellor to go to the Queen in his behalf and obtain if it were possible a Conference of her for him He desires Servienne to do the same with Mazariâ—â— in his favour Both of them obey the Prince The Chancellor returns having in vain attempted to speak with her Majesty Servienne came no more back Mazarine being certified by him that the work was done declares it to Riviere who muttering as if Orleans would take it ill was then plainly told that nothing was done but by the approbation of Orleans He went away much stomaching it and when he offered to speak to Orleans after his usual manner he had a flat denial And then was he confidently assured of his being undone In the mean time Guitald returns bringing with him twenty Souldiers who scouling upon Conde looked as though they were prepared for some bold attempt The Prince goes along quietly but Conti could not digest the disgrace but fretted and well-nigh threatned Conde pacified his Brothers impatience with advice and his own example Being carried down the Privy Stairs without any stir they are put in a Coach Conde Conti and Longueville Cominges the Nephew of Guitald never stirring from beside them a few of the Kings Horse being at first in company Miossain waited at the Porti Richlieu with a more numerous Troop Thus are they conveyed through by-ways and in the dead of night to Vincennes without any commotion appearing although the Coach overturned and threw the Prisoners to the ground rather frighted at their dangerous fall than thinking to make any escape I am not ignorant that it will seem like a Fable that there should have been so much courage in Mazarine as that in a City greedy after dissensions where the friends of the Princes were so powerful he should take the boldness not only to design but to put in execution a work so full of nice hazard and that he laid all his project with so subtle and shrewd forecast as that there was no disturbance in the effect That so many Dependents of Conde so many of Conti so many of Longueville should all be wrapped up in such darkness as to sleep sluggishly over their miseries not once daring to stir after having so often vapoured of the strength of their Party The Slingers run in scattering Troops about the City as though they had obtained a great Prize Beaufort with the principal The streets were all over light with Bonfires in token of the publick Joy in memory they would be thought of the Siege of Paris whenas Conde unaware of the Fates without any presage of mind girt in with a straight Leagure so friendly so favouring a City and wasted the neighbour Villages driving all the Pastures and laying the Country desolate The Queen sitting up till late that night waited for the issue of the Action and reckoned upon every movement as being in a doubtful state betwixt hope and fear The same did Orleans When the work was done the greatness of its nature was perceived At length comes News of their safe arrival at Vincennes where being thrust into a Tower all three Princes in one Chamber had lain all night supperless on the floor unless Rantzow thrown thither before by Condes means forgetting the old grudge had sent them in some Bottles of Wine store of which he never was without and some Victuals or other Walls on the left hand damp and of a loathsom scent to make the place of a strength not to be forced The Vault is bound with stone Arches hideous for darkness the room nasty and horrible The Princes lying awake as is usual in such a case held divers discourses How Mazarine had put a trick upon their credulity not only that the imprisonment was grievous but the disgrace joyned with the restraint so many hopes cut short and the insultation of their Enemies Here Longueville put in a true prophecy The Sling saith he hath thrown as in hither and the Sling will fetch us out again The same night was John Perauld taken and shortly after cast into the same Dungeon suffered for his unspotted faithfulness having this accession of glory that having been a true Servant of the Royal Family whose Interest he had always made his own sharing in their fortune he was involved in the same Fate My self too I suppose escaped because I was beneath their anger while they were taken up in Actions of the highest nature When word was brought to Condes Mother of her Sons disgrace she was overwhelmed with such passion of heart as she almost fell down dead in the hands of the standers-by A Lady born of the great Montmorancyâ—â— carried about her the haughtiness of their Spirits having been exercised with variety of Fortunes because she could not have looked for such a Cross neither could she stand up under
Corinth At length the Parliament sent the choicest part of their Body to his Majesty to request the release of their Fellow-members They proceeded marshalled two and two in long Files on foot graciously nodding upon the Commoners as they passed along Mole the prime President of the Parliament who never wanted a dextrous application in managing any business with freedom and gravity thus addrest to her Majesty That those had been evil Counsels to rend out of the Parliament honest men and good Patriots charged only for maintaining the Liberties of their Country and that on a day of most solemn Rejoycing all suspicion of it being blinded by occasion of the publick Festival That nothing is more pernicious nor to the dishonour of the French Nation than to handle violently what with time and gentleness hath always found good success in our State That those who gave such advice were the men that raised the Tumults and continued so to do day after day That here was no need of long deliberation but the Prisoners to be released nor must the Kings Honour or Authority be pretended but that the safety of the Kingdom is the supreme Law That what he says were no illusions or pretences that 100000 men in Arms attended for Monsieur Broussel That when men had Arms in their hands they were allowed anything when before they were denied reason For Allegiance Duty Reverence there was an end of them These were all trodden under foot He trembled to relate the sad courses that he saw taken To this the Queen answered in short the Chancellor somewhat larger That the Privy Council would take care that their Proposals should be satisfied c. As they went back in the same Rank and File as they came the people meets them and asks What was done in the bussinss Then Mole nodding signified all was well When one hot-headed Fellow flying out presents his Sword to his breast and bids him Go back again Is this the setting Broussel at liberty Are our Requests thus disappointed Are you thus returned without obtaining leave to do us any good Some of the Parliament men slipt away for fear Mole not at all affrighted returns back again to the Court and presseth earnestly that the Prisoners must be immediately released or else all given for lost Upon so great a distraction the Queen having summoned her Counsel inquires what Expedient could be found in this so great difficulty It is debated on both sides by violent speeches that it would be a dangerous severity or pernicious clemency if either nothing or if all were granted the people yet Reasons being then weighed one against the other it was resolved to set at liberty Blammeny and Broussel at that time the Darling of the common people and an empty shadow of their liberty The Parliament a thing never before heard of being assembled in the Gallery of the Louvre and giving their Votes Letters are written for the releasing Broussel and Blammeny whereupon the Rings Coaches are instantly lent to bring them thither of so great importance is the safety of the State in extremity Mazarine who had stoutly withstood the former bad proceedings did more stoutly oppose these very low concessions But what could he do when affairs were in a condition rolling down-hill Warily he considers all things and looks forward upon the future Maintains the Honour of his Majesty as much as the irregularity of the times and ill success of business admit The Sedition was a little pacified yet they continue to keep to their Arms out of a proud Bravado secretly giving out as if there were some design in the bottom Oh! how miserable are those that live without the compass of Religion and Law what once they have deserved they always expect That evening Blammeny returned Broussel came home the next morning with joyful acclamations to see his rejoycing Children and dear Friends From that day forward he lived as before in a constant tenour of honest conversation innocent in his carriage that heat of popular affection being somewhat cold one bounded within his rank A person of no ill design over-born by the stream of the Factious through the publick storm to run upon Shelves and Sands To teach posterity how vain and failing a stay it is to lean upon such Props as will always be condemned and continued to the perpetual ruine both of high and low It was a shame for the King in a manner beleaguer'd to tarry any longer in the City Therefore Mazarine took care to have him conveyed to Ruel two miles out of Town upon pretence of taking the air The Ring-leaders of the Sedition fretted and could not digest to have the King rescued from their fury And now there began to be a great alteration in the Rout for after there came certain news that succours were coming which had been drawn out of Condes Army and were on the way marching thither hastily many were frighted into their Wits again Then they began soberly to reflect how presumptuously they had carried themselves against the King An apprehension seized them under this fright that there were now come those who would call them to an account for their high Treason And this consternation of spirit found grievous tokens of ensuing misery in all even those of the meaner sort What increased these fears was a wondrous cheerfulness in Mazarine who had great assurance of his Majesties Forces Here I first begun to be acquainted with divers transactions as being employed in them but having been carried away by the dissenting Party did many things upon which I reflect with grief The more credit ought to be given me who shall offer to Posterity nothing but what I have been an Eye and Ear-Witness of free from inclination to flattery as from ill affection to the Governours Whatever hath been transacted in secret and coloured over with an artificial gloss as far as cometh within the reach of my knowledge I shall expose to the open view of the noon-day light The Ages to come disengaged from hope and fear will applaud the good and hiss out the contrary actions That so great a Body of the Mutineers should be shaken by so very few was the sport of Fortune Blammeny and Violet were then the principal Leaders The injury of their late Imprisonment sunk deep into their spirits and particularly the great fall of their Uncle the Bishop of Beavais What could Fortune have added to Violet He had a plentiful Estate an honourable place in the Parliament although he could not obtain the Office of being the Queens Chancellor Only that restless spirit of his strived to compass by means of the troubles what he could not presume to hope for in peaceable times The first remarkable act of the retirement to Ruel was the imprisonment and banishment of Chavigny He was apprehended at Vincennes and conveyed over through by-Lanes and wild Forests to Havre de Grace There a strict Watch attended upon him when he was asleep This was