put them into an Equipage suitable to her retinue yet there was no sight there comparable to the fair Ann Bullen who went over into France with the Princess of England when she was Married to Lewis XII and continued there till now She Eclipsed all the Beauties there and King Henry who till then had never sighed for any Lady but Blunt felt at the sight of Ann Bullen that his Soul was too great to be Limited to one single passion he found something so sweet and Charming in her eyes that in spight of Blunts Jealousie he abandoned himself to the pleasure of beholding her Wolsey who studied all his actions soon perceived this Passion and at the same instant contrives a design to oppose her to Blunt whose esteem began to disquiet him But as Ann of Bullen was of the Queen of France's Retinue and as there could be no pretence to withdraw her thence so suddenly she returned to Paris and Henry was much troubled to part with her There were then many Persons of quality who passed from England to France and from France to England curiosity transporting some and love enforcing others Henry Percy Son to the Earl of Northumberland followed the Court of France or rather Ann of Bullen of whom he was most passionately amorous he was perfectly handsom and of very great Merit although he was young he had already shewn much Valour against the Britans and had followed the Marquis of Dorset with much Honour in the affair of Navarre he now only reserved the Honour to gain the heart of Ann Bullen who had resisted the suits of the most Illustrious persons of France And it was in this Voyage that Piercy first acquainted her with the Passion he had conceived for her at the interview of Guines He had submission and heat perseverance and a certain sweet and agreeable temper of Wit easy to insinuate Ann Bullen was tender and courteous her Eyes found him worthy of her heart and he found no difficulty in gaining her love after he had assured her of his But whilest they thâ—… passionately engaged each other Fortune changed their Scene There happened some things in England which did precipitate the designs of Wolsey The Duke of Buckingham who had a Soul both great and generous as generally all those of his name ever had supported the Pride of Wolsey with much impatience he explained himself hereupon a little too high and his Franckness was the cause of his Ruin The Cardinal who knew the importance of so great an Enemy resolved to overthrow him speedily and began by removing his most particular friends The Earl of Surrey his Son in Law was upon some slight pretence imprisoned and the Earl of Northumberland his Father in Law was sent into Ireland Wolsey's ill nature took the advantage of that Power his favour had raised him to and by his under-hand labouring Buckingham was Condemned to be Beheaded The Crimes whereof he was accused were inconsiderable and he had assuredly obtain'd his Pardon if he had asked it but he had so much Courage as to prefer death before a base submission Blunt made so strong an opposition in this Affair against Wolsey that he often feared he should not be able to compass his designs herein She perceived he had no good intentions for her and therefore she took contrary Measures in her conduct to what she did formerly in respect of him As he was the most penetrating of all men he disintricated all the designs of Blunt and waver'd no longer to mannage the return of Ann Bullen whom he well knew the King remembred with much tenderness in hopes to have an entire power over a Person whom he pretended to raise above Blunt The arrival of Ann Bullen was a most agreeable surprize to the King who had conserved a vigorous Passion for her her absence had only produced in him pressing desires to see her again and now found her more fair and abandoned himself intirely to her Charms but whether he feared Blunt or had some respect for the Queen he was a little cautious of shewing his Change Piercy who went into France only for the love of Ann Bullen stayd not there after her return at her arrival she was preferred to the Queen where the King had opportunity to see her and discourse with her without difficulty Wolsey was now wholly bent to put her in the place of Blunt who in a short time perceived the Kings inconstancy She was ready to dye with grief and doubted not but it was the Cardinal's doings only which made her conceive an irreconcileable hatred against him Ann Bullen although she perceived what effects her Beauty had produced upon the Kings heart became nothing proud thereof and found nothing but subject of perplexity in this advantage Piercy had smitten her in such an effectual and tender manner that nothing was capable to remove him from her and as this was not the first time she had sacrificed considerable Conquests to him she easily determined to hear the King no farther then her condition obliged her to and to answer him no otherwise then with respect and indifferency The Rank she held with the Queen was considerable being descended from the ancient Earls of Ormond by the Fathers side and from the great House of Norfolk by the Mothers her wit which was Modeled in the most gallant Court of Europe created her many Friends and Blunt whose jealousie encreased against her at the same measure that the Kings flames were declared in her favour was the only person who sought not her friendship notwithstanding she durst not permit her first Fury to act openly against her but contented her self to search into and instruct her self in the affairs of Ann Bullen Fortune facilitated her way hereunto This fair Ann had a Brother whose great Merit made a considerable figure in King Henry's Court but whose wicked Destiny inspired him with a Passion for Blunt The Kings Constancy to her had hindred his discovery of it but the levity which he now observed in him emboldened him He took Blunt in one of those moments of despight wherein she passionately desired to be revenged on the King and hoping for great advantages from such a lover as young Bullen who could not probably be ignorant of his Sisters Secrets she bound him in a commerce of Gallantry She learnt of him the Engagement betwixt Piercy and Ann Bullen this knowledge was joyful to her hoping that a Marriage between these two persons would traverse the pretentions of Wolsey and would heal the heart of the King whom â—he did not renounce The Cardinal had Prospects quite opposite to Blunt he pretended to govern this Prince always by the means of Ann Bullen whose Beauty engaged him more and more but he did not foresee the obstacle which Piercy's Merit had brought to his Pretentions The King naturally unconstant neglected not only Blunt who before had so great power over him but began also to have some sentiments of
and that from her only she had learnt to Praise Piercy his thoughts were mightily discomposed and being sensible of nothing but love and jealousie he looked upon the loss of Ann Bullen as the greatest of evils which could possibly befall him He could not hide his trouble from the Princess whom he desired to speak no more of this affair for some important reasons whereof he would one day give her an account But he enquired of her whether Piercy was beloved and having learnt the truth he immediately quitted the Dutchess of Suffolk and sent to find Woolsey whom he commanded to think no more of the Dutchess of Alencon for his Queen but to employ all his Art to preserve Ann Bullen for him The Cardinal wished heartily that the King's Passion had been a little more moderated but considering it was an epidimical distemper and that in making Ann Bullen Queen he should gain her absolutely he did not believe that a person of her Age and condition could have Constancy proof against a Crown So he assured the King of all that might flatter him and took upon himself the Charge to let Piercy know that he must heal himself till such time as the King should declare his intentions for Ann Bullen In the mean time they began to labour for the Divorce and the Queen who had secret advice thereof expected those succours she stood in need of for the justice of her cause Blunt who believed the Marriage of Piercy and Ann Bullen was concluded flattered by her ambitious prospects conspired the Rupture of the Kings Marriage with the Dutchess of Alencon She was big with great hopes of her young Son for whom the Infanta of Portugal with the Dutchy of Milan for her Portion were already designed and she doubted not one day to raise her self by this fortune to something more considerable As Woolsey was busied in the important Affairs of this Kingdom and Piercy gave himself up intirely to his love the Cardinal could not acquit himself so soon of his promise to the King The Prince did not delay so long to explain himself to Ann Bullen It was not many days after the Dutchess of Suffolk had spoke to him that he stopt Ann Bullen as she was passing through the Gallery into the Queens Lodgings and taking her aside to a Window I demand of you said he a moments Audience I have something to tell you of importance enough to oblige you to grant it me Although my duty calls me to attend the Queen said she I know the Obedience I owe to your Majesty and am ready to hear whatever your Majesty shall please to say to me The King replyed Is it true that you would render Piercy the most happy of all men I thought I had sufficiently made known to you that I loved you so well as never to consent to it you have an absolute power over my heart give me some small part in yours and I will make you a present far more glorious than Piercy Although Ann Bullen hearkened well to what the King told her she could not refrain sighing the happiness of her life was founded upon her Passion for Piercy she preferred him above all the Fortunes of the Universe If your Majesty said she had in the least intimated to me that I should not love Piercy at the time when my heart was at liberty I had done all that was in my power to have prevented it but it is now a long time since I declared my inclinations in his favour I will oppose it all my life time said the King extreamly moved you know he is my Subject and I can remove him from you when I list She replied boldly You can do something yet more unjust but in Banishing Piercy from your Kingdoms or exposing him to any disgrace you will not find the way to chace him from my heart and any misfortune that he suffers for my sake will but render me the more sensible for him Your Majesty obliges me to speak with that freedom which perhaps you may condemn but I had rather commit that error then betray my just sentiments A more passionate man than I the King replied would punish Piercy for the Injustice you have done me I hope that a little reflection upon my proceedings will make you sensible you are in the wrong abuse not my moderation I am not exempt from some transports I would willingly avoid I love you enough to Sacrifice all things to you and I would not give place to the highest Powers in the Vniverse for you the life of Piercy shall answer for what you make me suffer therefore I leave it to you to manage my hopes Ann Bullen enter'd the Quens Presence much tormented at the King 's last words In the mean time Woolsey entertain'd Piercy and put his patience upon the Anvil It is a long time said he to him that I have sought for an occasion to let you know that I love you I am persuaded of your exceeding great Merit and should be sensibly displeased if you should give the least occasion to Fortune to declare her self against you I must give that advice which I would not have you neglect You love Ann Bullen the King hath some designs which agree not with your Passion endeavour to free your self from it and merit the Kings esteem by this effort What designs soever the King may have answered Piercy I see nothing that can hinder me from loving the person you speak of and it is not my humour to renounce the least of my hopes I know that you can love in spite of all the World reply'd Woolsey but I know better that the King can Command you not to look upon a person for whom he hath a particular esteem and that it were better for you to remove your self from her then to expose your self to the indignation of your Prince I know not by what Motive you Act said Piercy whether in zeal for him or Pitty for me but I declare to you That neither all the Powers of Earth nor a whole Age of Reflection can ever be able to make me change Woolsey added I thought you had not been so strictly engaged but since you resolve so blindly to destroy your self I must leave you to your Passion And I will follow the Inclinations of it with Pleasure said Piercy and I feel my self determined to a Constancy thaâ— is Proof against all things Woolsey left him enraged with a foolish Stability and resolved to punish him for it His Ambition which every body flattered could not see himself dispised without Indignation but he hid it from the King and did not tell him the truth of things to spare him the trouble Piercy recounted to his Mistriss the discourse he had had with Woolsey and she told him what had passed between the King and her and as these Lovers were Allarmed at the crosses preparing for them so the pleasure of loving each other with such Constancy did
Comfort them Woolsey who was Confident of the King's Passion and knew all its violence hearkning no longer to Reason which at first hindred him from indulging it now only studies Piercy's Misfortune Blunt who looked upon the Cardinal as the principal Athor of the King's infidelity discover'd to him her Resentments of it upon all occasions The Cardinal knew her fierceness and was not ignorant of her Artifices and as he feared her credit though much diminished he resolved to ruin her to advance the Fortune of Ann Bullen He aâ—…seth the King to recall the old Earl of Northumberland out of Ireland and oblige him to marry his Son Piercy at the same time that these orders were given Henry declares openly the intention he had for the Divorce The Queen in vain employs the aid of her tears and tenderness but nothing spoke in her favour and Brian and Vane were sent to Româ— to proceed in it Blunt doubted not but this great design was Woolsey's Inspiration and judged that he laboured to elevate her Rival The Queen who was upon the very point to receive so sensible an injury was not less enraged against him and although she had more Moderation them Blunt her Hatred for the Cardinal aspired 〈◊〉 less to Vengeance Ann Bullen's Favour which began to appear openly and the care of the Queen and Blunt to decry her began to make the people murmur The King was obliged to explain himself to an Assembly of his Lords at his Palace of Bridewell where he Protested that it was purely out of Conscience and the desire he had to give them a Successor to the Crown which moved him to this design of divorcing the Queen Some of them appear'd satisfied herewith but many of them were not contented at it The subtil Woolsey who feared some dangerous troubles might befall him upon â—…it persuaded the King That whatsoever Pleasure he took to see Ann Bullen it was of vast importance for him to remove her for some time That reasons of State as well as those of love obliged him to it That it was to separate her from Piercy and to facilitate the design he had to recall his Father That the Queen murmured and that the discontent of the People which was managed by the jealousy of Revengeful Blunt was not less to be feared and that this retirement of Ann Bullen would infallibly calm all things The King approved Woolsey's Reasons but found it difficult to consent to them but the Cardinal left him not till he made him determine this Exile which he went immediately to denounce to Ann Bullen Madam said Woolsey to her I come to offer a Petition to you from the King which will be surprizing since the Contents thereof is to Banish your self from the Court for no other Crime then that you have appeared therein too Beautiful 'T is not without much regret that he removes you since all the happiness of his life depends upon seeing and pleasing you But the present state of Affairs have so Ordered it and it shall be for so short a time as would not be discernable but that all Eyes are upon you Ann Bullen was fierce and sensible of the least thing that concern'd her Honour she took some offence at her undeserved Exile â—nd their endeavour to Banish â—er from the love of Piercy exâ—iting her Passion she told Woolsey she should readily quit that place where she received so little satisfaction I pitty His Majesties weakness said she and and I shall joyfully depart from a Court where I am often forced to hear those things that displease me to retire into a solitude where I may with liberty entertain my self with those thoughts that please me You may there make just reflections replied Woolsey upon the grand Advantages which Fortune has decreed you Her Favours said she are so unsolid that I will wholly bend my self to despise them tell the King I will be gone to morrow and that I am extreamly obliged to him for ordering me that thing which I desired with my whole heart She would have no longer Converse with him but shut her self up in her Chamber and feigned an Indisposition The Cardinal returned to the King and as he had made himself a necessary familiarity to flatter him he concealed the Rage of Ann Bullen from him and setled his mind in a peaceable Condition Piercy received this News of Ann Bullens Banishment with unspeakable grief She exhorted him to support this beginning of their crosses with constancy and said a thousand tender things to him which something allay'd his torment but their parting extracted many tears from both Piercy had a great Courage but could not refrain this weakness Ann Bullen retired some two days Journey from London to one of her Fathers Houses where she was only accompanied by her Mother The place was very agreeable and proper to flatter her melancholy her absence astonished every body Blunt who knew not the true causes hereof was joyful at it and believed it to be the beginning of her disgrace and that she was withdrawn by rigour But the Queen more penetrating plainly perceived That her Banishment was only to appease the peoples murmuring and to facilitate the King's designs At this juncture the old Earl of Northumberland return'd from Ireland and was received with extraordinary Testimonies of Esteem and Friendship The King gave him new Offices augmented his Revenues and pleasantly surprized him by the addition of Favours even beyond his hopes Woolsey who had advised with the King upon the Conduct which ought to be observed in this Affair expressed to him on his own part how strong a desire he had to serve him and gave him Counsel how he might yet farther sustain and enlarge his Fortunes he convinced him at last that the Alliance of Ann Bullen would be â—o ways advantagions to his â—on and proposed by the By â—he only Daughter to the Earl â—f Shrewsbury for him and made â—im easily apprehend how great 〈◊〉 Credit this Marriage would â—rocure to his Family The onâ—y thing that made him pause â—as to find a means whereby 〈◊〉 oblige his Son who was aâ—…orous and passionately beloâ—ed to commit an Infidelity Woolsey more crafty and less â—arful told him That with a â—…tle Affront or foul play it â—…ight easily be brought to pass â—…d that it was no hard matter 〈◊〉 obstruct the most tender Enâ—…gements Although the Earl loved his â—n with a Fatherly Passion â—d was persuaded of his conâ—ncy yet he followed the Carâ—…nal's Counsel and proposed the Earl of Shrewsbury's Daughter to Piercy who Answered his Father with great emotion and protested he would sooner seek his Death in the utmost parts of the World then renounce his love The Earl passed by this his first rashness but whilest Piercy by a happy intelligence entertained a Commerce with Ann Bullen which cherished him there was a Treachery of cruel effects preparing for them both It was acknowledged that Ann Bullen was the only
Ornament of the Court ever since her first arrival The King was insensible of all pleasures but those of love and Woolsey was obliged to hasten those Affairâ— which might recall Ann Bullen Old Bullen who was flattered with the hopes of seeing his Daughter a Queen did willingly assist to deceive her and whilest his more indulgent Wife suffered her to continue her correspondence with Piercy he engages with Woolsey and the Earls of Northumberland and Shrewsbury Ann Bullen lived contentedly in her Solitude and shewed a strong resolution to continue in it but her Father went himself to pull her out of it and made use of all his Authority to make her return to the Court She obeyed but would not return to the Queen and it was with great grief that she saw herself constrained to suffer the King's Visits You fly from me said the King to her the first time he saw her will you always in this manner answer a Passion which makes me undertakâ— such extraordinary things Yoâ— have explained it she repli'd iâ— so extraordinary a manner thaâ— I have great reason to doubt oâ— it and there are but few Loverâ— who would signalize their passioâ— in Banishing the Creature theâ— love The Violence I acteâ— on my self the King returned in Banishing you hence oughâ— to oblige you to pitty me anâ— not to reserve so unjust resentments against me I would labour securely for my reposâ— and your Fortune For yoâ— alone I have engaged my selâ— in this Divorce which now so much surprizeth all Europe In one word I will make you Queen It is a condition she repli'd interrupting him too glorious for me and I am noâ— in a conditition to accept You owe your heart to the Queen who is a Princess deserving all your Affection do not in abandoning her draw upon your self those miseries which usually attend Infidelity How cruel is your Generosity said the King or rather how unjust is your perseverance for Piercy he is not so worthy as you esteem him and time shall shew you who is most amorous he or I. In this manner the King explained himself and Ann Bullen continued stedfast to the Passion she had for her Lover who had left London to shun the Persecution of his Father and was absent at her Arrival but soon came up at the News of her return and she soon perceived she had committed an irreparable oversight in leaving the Queens House Her Father forbid her to see Piercy and sent him word of it that so he might avoid the refusal which would be given him at the Gate This Prohibition troubled her extreamly but she was necessitated to make use of her Courage She dissembled before her Father and told him with great indifferency that she would obey his Commands but that she hoped in doing this Injustice to Piercy it was not in his resolution to employ the Authority he had over her in favor of any other Person As those whom I would serve in your behalf said he have more power then I I shall easily promise you to do nothing for them At length he retired and as she doubted not but Piercy's impatience would soon bring him to her she Writ to him her Fathers Orders To PIERCY It is forbidden me to see you it is a cruel Necessity unto which I am forced to obey but my dear Piercy they cannot hinder me from loving you I Conjure you to submit your self to those that have Authority over me avoid those rash carriages that may render us meritorious of our sufferings I shall not see you but I shall Sacrifice to you what considerable thing soever Fortune can offer me attending the opportunity to give you more forceable demonstrations of my tenderness He that delivered this Letter to Piercy was an Eye-Witness of his transports caused by it he presently thought upon revenge and to begin with Woolsey first whom he looked upon as the principal cause of his misfortune but considering he was forewarned not to follow the motions of his Wrath he was content to Afflict himself and thus he answer'd the Letter of Ann Bullen To ANN BULLEN No Considerations could hinder my Resentment if the Injustice of my Enemies could have made me lose your heart continue your bounty to me which I prefer above all things it would be unnecessary for me to repeat here how well I love you and what I suffer for you I will hope with you that the times may change pitty me and believe that my Passion shall never end but with my life The Messenger whom Ann Bullen entrusted with her Letter to Piercy was perfideous and being corrupted by her Father never delivered her the Answer he had sent she was surprized at Piercy's coldness notwithstanding she did not accuse him but attributed this silence to his grief She feigned herself indisposed for a long time as foreseeing that since she was forbidden to see Piercy at home she could not be permitted to see him elsewhere And to avoid all occasions of giving her Father cause to complain of her disobedience and the World to give her trouble she appear'd not in any place and Piercy sought after her in vain in the mean time he was exposed to all the bad effects that a violent Passion cruelly thwarted could possibly cause The King had other like Priviledges and saw Ann Bullen every day Piercy was not long ignorant thereof he knew well enough that her indisposition was feigned and believing that she had received his Answer bewails himself that her first Bounties should have so short a continuance In this sort he passed away one Month Ann Bullen being always retired the King saw her as he was wont and Piercy could do nothing but figure a thousand cruel things to himself his Jealousie began to make him fear that the King was more happy then he and the event of things confirmed him in his first suspicions The Earl of Northumberland and old Bullen were equally agreed with Woolsey the one aspired to see his Daughter Crowned and the other to see his Son matched into the most considerable Family in England Piercy had a Constancy which amazed them and to remove it Wolsey contrives with them a Letter from old Bullen to the Earl of Northumberland which was in these Terms To the Earl of Northumberland THE Obstacle which your Son's Passion for my Daughter hath hitherto put to the Marriage you so much desire is now wholly removed I open my very heart and impart my joy to you Our persuasions have shaken Ann Bullen and the Kings Perseverance hath conquered her the appearances of a Divorce have flattered her Ambition and she hath now surrendred her self to the Interest of her Fortune after a long Fight she maintain'd for Piercy If things succeed according to our hopes a short time shall assure you that no Person in the World has a higher Value for you then my self Thomas Bullen The Earl of Northumberland laid this Letter upon the Table in his
Closet where his Son usually came to speak with him and left the dore open Fate acted what he desired Piercy having some business with the Earl went into his Closet and there found this Artificial Letter which caused the loss of his Repose He read it often and would have persuaded himself that it was not real but appearances joyned with so powerful an evidence left him no place to doubt of his misfortune The faithless Creature has surrendred cry'd he and whilest I despise real advantages she hearkens to an unconstant man who himself will soon punish her for the injury she hath done me He paused a long time upon this Letter and confirmed himself in his thoughts that he was betrayed By these reflections he concluded that Ann Bullens Letter to him was only an Artifice to hinder him from seeing her and that she agreeing with her Father had consented to the writing of this to the Earl of Northumberland who at this moment came in and judged by the great consternation he found his Son in that he had found Bullen's Letter He asked him remisly if he had any thing to say to him Yes my Lord replyed Piercy I come to beg your permission that I may go for some time to suck in a more agreeable Air then this of London Why will you said the Earl leave it when all things require your continuance here you are sensible of my designs and of the complaisance I have hitherto shewed to your repugnancy of them but in short Piercy it is high time you should now satisfie me you bear an illustrious name my years are far spent and the Interest of our House solicits me to establish you I know my Lord said Piercy sighing that I ought indisputably to act what ever you please but you have known my weakness and I still crave your Honours Pardon for it Your Perseverance is so little merited the Earl interrupted him that I blush to see you sigh for a Woman who does abandon you and pays those favours she only hopes from the King with such shameful advances I beseech you my Lord repli'd Piercy dolefully to spare Ann Bullen she may have some levity but can never fail of being Virtuous and I am persuaded she will never sacrifice me but to the Crown of England There is no likelyhood of what you say continued the Earl the Divorce cannot be made Campeius is preparing to go for Rome and the Queen has more hopes then ever Notwithstanding the King Visits Ann Bullen every day and at all hours he is very well satisfied with her and has quite deserted Blunt Some persons that came to pay a Visit to the Earl interrupted this conversation which continued long enough to put Piercy upon cruel Tryals his Father would not in policy speak to him of this Letter as not doubting but he had seen it but gave him liberty to go and make doleful Reflections thereupon He passed one of those terrible nights where sensible disquiets take up the place of repose and far from finding relief he found on the morrow that the King had Created Ann Bullen Marchioness of Pembrook old Bullen Earl of Ormond and Wilton and his Son Viscount Rochfort He doubted not then that these favours from the King were recompences for the favours he received from Ann Bullen and in spight of himself he fell into unjust suspicions of her The Earl of Northumberland quickly perceived the disorder of his mind and the impression that all these things had made upon it he neglected not so favourable a Conjuncture Piercy's constancy was attacked in many different places they made him apprehend that he ought to engage himself before the intrigue of the King and Ann Bullen was made publick The Earl of Shrewsbury's Daughter was young and beautiful he believed he might find some repose with a person so amiable and marryed her after he had so long resisted the Commands of his Father but time made him know his love was only hid under a resentment of short continuance In the mean time the business of Divorce did not advance the Cardinal Campeius who was Mediator for Rome had orders to proceed slowly the King's love made him impatient Ann Bullen was not of the same Character with Blunt but stuck much faster to her honour But how great was her surprize when she heard of Piercy's Marriage although she had murmured at his silence she did not fear his fidelity she gave no credit of a great while to this News and thought it was only a Tryal they had put her upon but at length she was forced to yield and persuade her self of that thing which all the World confirmed Her own Conduct did nothing reproach her yet she believed his distrust of her constancy had been the cause of his change She employed all her care to hide her grief but she succeeded not so well therein but the King perceived it and reproach'd her with the kindness she conserv'd for so faithless a man in fine all her spight was turned upon Wolsey she had not the power to wish Piercy any harm to avenge her self Blunt was not less enraged against Wolsey then she she understood by her correspondence with Vis-Count Rochefort that Piercy had not been deceived but by the Cardinal These two redoubted Enemies undertook a thing that seemed impossible that is to say the utter overthrow of Wolsey's Fortune The Queen who had a much more just subject to hate him had the same intentions to ruin him laboured on her part to destroy this audacious favourite Piercy found not that tranquility in his Marriage which he expected although he believed the Marchioness of Pembrook was unconstant and that all things obliged him to withdraw his affections from her he found a greater disposition in himself to love her now then ever The perplexity of finding himself every day sensible of his first Passion occasioned him a dangerous fit of sickness in the height of his Fever it was discoverable that he retained the same passion but his Youth and the great care that was taken of him surmounted that Distemper which every body judged to be Mortal But he continued in a languish which time could hardly wear out As angry as Ann Bullen was with him she could not forbear to make some Vows for him his Crime appear'd most detestable to her but she thought upon his Person with pleasure They had not seen one the other from the time His Majesty had commanded her to retire from London till they accidentally met one day by the side of the River Thames with equal emotion of Spirit she could hardly know him he was grown so pale and cast down that he moved rather pitty then wrath She gave a screek when she perceived it was he who took her surprize to be her aversion Madam said he to her I did not design to give you any trouble here my grief conducted me hither as a place proper for no other Company but it self at
a more happy time perhaps you might have seen me with less Horror In a more happy time repli'd the Marchioness with looks which expressed more of sorrow then wrath I should certainly have found the most sensible of all Pleasures to have seen the faithful and genourous Piercy but I ought to have nothing but horror for a man who after his dearness to me is become unconstant perfidious and in one word the Son-in-Law to the Earl of Shrewsbury You have taught me to change answerd Piercy dolefully but unfortunately for me my condition is only changed my heart is altogether the same it was You are Married she added can you say that I have given you Examples of levity I whom neither King Father Favourite nor Fortune herself could be ever able to shake nay even since you have betray'd me And have not you said Piercy repaid the King those Dignities he hath shower'd on your whole Family with that same heart you stole from me No unjust Piercy said she I have not done what you say I have loved you with too wuch perseverance and if I ought to be reproached with any thing it iâ— that I have writ you a Letter full of tenderness which you would noâ— vouchsafe to answer Have not you received my Answer cry'd he I am betray'd Madam I am too courteous not to acknowledge the Honour yoâ— did me I have watched a thousand times to see you since but you did not appear the King has been continually in your company has overwhelmed you with his favours and all thâ— world spoke of his good fortune your Father has confirm'd it and despair has precipitated me into this state I am in at present I see said the Marchioness we owe all our miseries to the Artifices of Woolsey and without reproaching your weakness I shall be content to comfort my self with that Liberty I have preserved I merit much greater evils then those I have and I well see that time has destin'd me enough of them But as for you Madam said Piercy put an end to those which may menace you forget an ungrateful man who ought not to give you a moments trouble and no longer refuse that glory the King offers you Marry him if he can make you Queen you shall have in me a most unfortunate Subject who will retain for you Sentiments of Respect and adoration to the last minute of his life and who shall find comfort in any condition when he shall see you in a state worthy of your self I conjure you to this continued he in prostrating himself at her feet if a truly sincere penitence can merit any thing of you She interupted him shedding some Tears Go Piercy and let it suffice you to have caused me the chief of all evils do not solicit me to render it yet greater You have been more dear to me than fortune and you are still too much let us put a period to this conversation which afflicts us and can give us no other Subject but that of repentance conserve your self for those persons to whom you stand obliged and endeavour to forget me for your own quiet sake At these words the Marchioness parted from him and he had not force enough to detain her she never apear'd more beautiful to him and he never found himself more amorous He continued some time after upon the place he murmured against his Father detested Woolsey accused the Earl of Ormond made a thousand reproaches to himself and returned to his house full of grief and reluctancy This discourse of Anne Bullen and Piercy gave them knowledge of their misfortunes and incensed them against the Cardinal The Popes sickness which hapned at this time made him neglect the divorce and labour secretly to be elected by all the powerful intrigues he had at Rome The King perceived something and pressed the two Cardinals earnestly to determine this famous affair because they had full power to do it But the Pope recovering this sickness recals Campejus without giveing him leasure to satisfie the King The King notwithstanding resolves to appear in Court with the Queen before the Judges nothing was more smart and touching then what the Queen pleaded in her defence she implored justice of the King and went out of Court in despair and made her appeal from the Cardinals to the Pope The King accus'd Woolsey of his delay and that he had betray'd him secretly but the Cardinal moderated his Indignation by his Rhetorick who nevertheless looked upon him as a man of little Sincerity Cardinal Campejus departed from London and the King who knew the Pope and the Emperour were reconciled feared his Designs Queen Katherine being Aunt to the Emperour who interessed himself strongly in her Cause Woolsey's slackness whilst he was in prospect of being elected Pope caused much disquiet to the King who ordered Campejus to be stopt at the Sea side under pretence of searching his Goods but in effect it was to see if there could be found amongst them any Writings concerning these Affairs His departure raised the Queens hopes but gave fear to those that were interessed for the Marchioness of Pembrook Blunt was not dissatisfied with these delays knowing the Kings present Inclinations And Anne Bullen was joyful thereat in hopes to be revenged of Woolsey which followed soon after The King had murmured against him with high Displeasure every one perceived his favour was nip'd and the Enemies his haughtiness had rais'd him now observ'd no measures the people cryed out upon his Injustice the Lords of his pride the Queen of the sorrows he had caused her Blunt that he had made her to lose the Kings heart and the Marchioness of Pembroke that he had occasioned the loss of her repose The Queen proved that he designed to betray the King keeping secret intelligences with the Pope and the Emperour it was made clearly to appear that he oppressed the Nation by his vanity which he supported by tyrannizing over the people Anne Bullen was too much incensed against him not to second the multitude and vindictive Blunt acted with no less resentments He was then accused and arraigned according to the usual forms of Justice yet he continued to sit as Chancellour hoping by his presence to disperse this storm but the King was acquainted that a person accused as a criminal ought not to officiate the most important charge of the Kingdom Who sent the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk to him to demand the great Seal from him which he refused fiercely telling them his Majesty had honoured him with the Office of Chancellor for his life but the King wrote to him on the morrow to send it him and to quit London He obey'd the order of his Prince returned the Seal and immediately went to Asher a very fair House that he built after he had given Hampton Court to the King commanding his Steward to deliver up to the King or his Orders all his moveables which were the richest that ever any
how great was the joy of Blunt when she saw the disgrace of her Rival she promised her self that the Queens first going out of the Tower should be to the Scaffold and she prepared her self to act a terrible part in this Tragedy Immediately were published some of the Reasons which the King said he had to complain against the Queen whereupon she was severely examined but nothing could be found capable to condemn her She looked upon this as a return of the same fortune that had raised her to that height and saw that it was the King's inconstancy alone that had caused it The affection she had retained for Piercy was innocent enough to hinder her from blushing though all the World were privy to it and as for her Brother and Norris she could not comprehend the meaning of it She submitted to the King's Orders without suffering the least murmur against his injustice to escape out of her mouth and protesting that she was innocent she was careful to spare him only accusing her own misfortune of her ill treatment But although she appeared so reserv'd to the publick she did not forbear to give her grief a liberal current when the Lords arrested and carried her to the Tower The remembrance of her first Engagements with Piercy and the sweet correspondence that created them so many happy days now returned fresh into her Imagination she considered that the King had been the only interrupter of that blessed Estate and that his Love in pretending to raise her to a Throne had been the sole foundation of all her miseries she detested the condition of a Queen and the memory of Woolsey who had ruined her by his Artifices The Viscount Rochefort could not in the least imagine what should be the cause of his imprisonment he accused the Kings new passion of it and judged that his Sisters misfortune was only the effect of her Husbands levity and that fortune who had made him participate in her favour would involve him in her troubles The Intricacies he had had with Blunt and his knowledge of her aversion to the Queen made him dispair of her assistance neither did she employ her cruelty against him for his own sake As for Norris who some days before saw himself in that happy State that contracted the envy of all the Courtiers and having himself carried on the Intrigue betwixt Seymour and the King much less apprehended such a return as should wholly overwhelm him at one instant not imagining that a Letter which he had written to an old Confident of his concerning his secret passion for the Queen should happen into the Kings hands however that was not the only cause of his disgrace for the King in reading that called to mind what he had heard him speak in going from the Ball at Callais But whilst these three persons expected the event of this Affair all the Court interessed themselves herein differently The King possessed with his new amours gave himself up intirely to those pleasures wherewith his inconstancy flatter'd him and the Queens imprisonment hindred him not from prostrating himself at Seymours feet Blunt would have sacrifized all things to have recall'd him to her she employ'd all her Charms and Craft to succeed herein but seeing all was labour lost and although she knew that in destroying the Queen she did but labour to advance Seymour yet she chose rather to serve that Rival of hers that revenged her than she who stole the King's Heart from her without this there had not been the least appearance of justice in her cruelty and her bloody incompassionate Soul furnished her with means for the most black and horrid infidelities As the Viscount Rochefort had most passionately loved her he often wrote to her in the height of their Correspondence but to hide that commerce which some lost Letter might discover he styl'd her Sister She conveys two of the most tender of these Letters into the Queen's Closet in seducing by her interest those who had opportunity to do it and never hesitated to destroy a person whom she had adored to be revenged of her Rival The King searched all the Queen's papers amongst which he found these two Letters of Blunt's which were written in these terms LETTER I. You know well dearest Sister that I love you in so passionate a manner that I should prefer the advantage of pleasing you above all the Fortunes of the Universe and I shall esteem my self the most happy of all men if I could but one day make you forget the King I possess neither his rank nor his merit but I have more love and more fidelity than he make tryal thereof and you shall find my words are as sincere as my heart LETTER II. The King beheld you yesterday with so great application that I am allarm'd thereat you promised that you would have no amorous aspects for any person but my self and yet I see you seek his with too much diligence I avow to you dearest Sister that I am jealous of you have I deserv'd that you should break your word with me and will you renounce those bounties which I have had reason to praise Manage your self with the King since Fortune will have it so but remember that all your tenderness is due to me and that a few happy minutes are not sufficient for the repose of my life and that I expect a continuance of your favours to assure me of the possession of your heart All that was in these two Letters might very well be supposed as written to the Queen and the King had no sooner read them but felt himself transported with present revenge but considering at length that he was obliged to keep some measures herein he gave order that the Queen's Process Viscount Rochefort's and Norris's should be drawn up according to the usual forms His passion for Seymour and some little remorse for Queen Katherine destroyed all the small pity wherewith Anne Bullen could inspire him and though she was much more amiable than any thing that he could ever love nothing interceded more for her but that destiny which caused her loss created greater woes and suffered them to Reign As soon as the Queen had notice that her Process was forming she wrote to the King not thinking to make him relent but in some measure to justifie her self she had much stability and was little desirous of life and considering how much fortune had travers'd her and what a train of miseries were mix'd with her favours she found that death was a slight pain and an assured refuge from all sorts of misfortunes and in this meditation she wrote thus to the King TO THE KING SIR I Write not to your Majesty in hopes of obtaining any favour for my self but I am obliged to assure you before I dye that I am much more sensible at the remembrance of your favours than the injuries you do me at present and though you treat me as a Criminal I do
not forbear to acknowledge my obligations to you and to call to mind that I once had the advantage to enjoy your heart and participate your Throne that from a condition much inferior to yours you have exalted me to a fortune worthy the highest persons in the world and now at last you are going to place me in that glorious state from which all the Furies of envy shall never be able to remove me No Sir the utmost you can do can never put it out of the memory of man that I have been a woman most passionately Loved by the greatest Prince of the Universe 'T is this advantage that secures my Constancy which has been proof against all my disgraces Complete then what you have resolved I shall dye without complaining of you but upon the Tryal you expose me to suffer not my Adversaries to be my Judges I leave you a young Princess who perhaps one day may be as unhappy as I am if you take not compassion on her Remember that I was dear unto you when she came into the world and that she deserves not with so much innocency to inherit the hatred you have at present for me After this live happily I do earnestly desire that the knowledge of my innocent Conduct may never interrupt or disturb your tranquillity and for a recompence of those felicities you are now going to procure me I heartily pray you may enjoy perpetual ones Adieu Sir Once more I recommend to your Bounty the Princess Elizabeth Anne Bullen This Letter which in all appearance ought to have made some impression upon the King's heart wrought no such effect he was wholly occupied with the desire of possessing Seymour and the Queen was now forced to despair of his Heart he shut his eyes to every thing might favour her and fixed them only on what could ruine her he was perswaded that Piercy was passionately loved by her and the Letters which the perfidious Blunt had produced left him no place to doubt of her guilt he believed that jealousie was the only cause that made Piercy engage with the Viscount Rochefort and that their design in coming to the solemn Justs was to fight in earnest Norris his Letter was yet a farther subject of disquiet and if the Queen was kind to Piercy and received her own Brother into the number of her Gallants it might justly be believed that Norris being young handsom and extreme amorous was not ill treated by her These persons that were friends to Seymour Confederates with Blunt and some ingrateful ones whom the Queen had favoured conspir'd together to destroy her She was accused before the Dukes of Norfolk Suffolk and some other Peers and constrained to plead for her self all the world having thus abandon'd her She defended her innocence in a most perswasive manner and explained her self with extraordinary moderation in respect of the King and testified an intire resignation to his pleasure But notwithstanding the force of her defences she was brought in guilty and condemned to lose her Head together with the Viscount Rochefort and Norris who in a few days saw all his favour and the fairest hopes in the world to expire in a shameful death The Queen heard her Sentence with a most surprising constancy and no woman did ever manifest a greater grandeur of Soul insomuch that they who would have comforted her had greater need of consolation themselves I receive this Death to which my Judges said she to them by his Majesties Will have condemn'd me as an addition to his former bounties and I have lived long enough to learn to die with Constancy I do protest that I quit this life without regret and that it has been too grievous to me to make it desirable Tell his Majesty if you please that he has no reason to blush for having loved me that I have acted nothing to render me unworthy that honour to which he was pleased to raise me Tell him that I have honoured him as my Prince and loved him as my Husband and I call Heaven to witness before you that I have never failed in my duty to him neither as his Subject nor as his Wife Add to this I conjure you that I am so far from murmuring at his severity that I believe him too just to have hated me without cause and condemned me without reason and I only accuse those enemies which his former bounties have raised me of my misfortunes I leave him a Daughter which is most dear to me because she has the honour to be of his blood I hope he will take pity on her youth that my misfortunes will not disturb her Infancy and that besides the tenderness he owes to her she may still find in him what she loses in me I retain neither hatred nor resentment against any of those who have betrayed me and if any thing can trouble the tranquility of my soul 't is the grief I have for being the cause of my Brother 's death After these words and some tokens of remembrance for those that had served her she disposed her self for Death with the same courage The Viscount Rochefort shewed a little more weakness and inveighed against the King and the Judges he had truly loved the Queen his Sister but no farther than the tyes of blood and her vertue oblig'd him he deplor'd the misfortune of this Princess and moved the hearts of people that heard him Nothing appeared in Norris but passion and despair but who can express that of Piercy for from the time of the Turnaments at Greenwich he had heard nothing of what passed till one of his Servants indiscreetly told him of this dismal adventure of the Queens at which his Wounds opened again and a torrent of blood issued out at this emotion which put him into a relapse of his first weakness to which a Fever joyning made him light-headed and thinking he always saw the Queen dying he spake many things which testified the condition of his heart and the disorder of his reason he would fain have leaped out of his bed and run to the succour of this Princess but if they had not opposed this design he had not strength to execute it In the mean time the King was not without some opposition the affair in agitation caused him some troubles which he could in no wise avoid but his passion for Seymour soon dispersed them and no sooner was he touched with some remorse but his fickle heart extinguished all its force The Queen was beheaded in the Tower to avoid that murmur which pity often excites amongst the multitude upon those sad occasions But although this cruel Action was executed in a private manner there were many persons whom a barbarous curiosity obliged to be Spectators Blunt failed not to be present at the place where she promised her self so great pleasure she appeared there with the same splendor as if it had been a gallant Festival she was so obdurate as to display the