THE ROYAL MISTRESSES OF FRANCE OR The Secret History OF THE AMOURS Of all the FRENCH KINGS From PHARAMOND the First Monarch Anno 418. to this present Time Made English from the French Original London Printed for Henry Rhodes at the Star the corner of Bride-lane in Fleet-street and John Harris at the Harrow in the Poultry 1695. To the READER MAny are those Excellent Observations and Instructive Admonitions that might be drawn from the following Sheets but lest the Men should take amiss my going about to descant upon their Follies and the Women be offended with me for unfolding the Arcana's of their Empire the Reader is left to make his own Reflexions himself I am none of those Enthusiast's who dream of Fifth Monarchies but I cannot tell what to think of it when I find the Women in so fair a way to erect One Some perhaps there are who may think these Stories Fabulous but such People display their Ignorance For certain it is that in the Main these short Stories agree exactly with what they call the Truth of History and as for the Circumstances which are added they may be justly thought rather to illustrate the Stories and discover the Causes of those odd Events which others only barely and obscurely relate For example 't is assuredly true that a Prince committed such and such miscarriages that such and such Persons of no Worth or Merit were advanced to high Prefernâ—â—ts and that others greatly deserving of their Prince and Country fell into disgrace while the True Historian as they call him is at a loss for the Reason of these Whimseys of Fortune But here the Riddle is unfolded Let no Man therefore censure that for fabulous which in the least he cannot taxe to savour either of Romance or Improbability THE AMOURS OF THE Kings of FRANCE c. The Amours of Pharamond First King of France THEY who apply themselves to the reading or History to the end they may reap Benefit by it ought to understand the true Causes of the most remarkable Events and this is that which cannot be known without being perfectly acquainted with the Intreagues of the Courts wherein they were acted For many times what is attributed to Policy has no other foundation then an erroneons Indulgence of Princes to their Mistresses or their Favourites And at the same time that they were believ'd â—o have in their Thoughts nothing more then the welfare of their Dominions t was only a burning Desire to revenge the quarrels wherein the Amours had engag'd ' em This is that which will be found in the sequel of this History wherein I have endeavour'd as much as lay within my Power to clear and give light to matters of â—act that seem'd obscure in regard the contemporary Historians were either ignorant or willing to conceal the weaknesses of those Princes under whose Reigns they liv'd I have very little to say of our first Kings not only because the Authors disagree among themselves touching the most memorable Events but also because the Princes themselves being oblig'd to be continually on Horseback for the preservation and establishment of their Dominions never minded Love but only as a trifling business to pass away time and were ignorant of the Delicacies of that passion which is the refinement of all Pleasure All Historians agree that we ought begin with * Anne 418. Pharamond when we go about to recount the extended series of Kings that have rul'd the â—â—ourishing Kingdom of France which is justify'd by a Medal that represents the Ceremony of his Coronation We shall say nothing of the Atchievements of that Prince which relate to the story of his Reign because they nothing concern our subject And for his Amours we are ignorant of 'em as also of the very name of his Wife and tho' It be very probable that such a Prince as he could not chuse but be engag'd in amorous Adventures worthy to have been transferr'd to Posterity yet in regard Historians make no mention of 'em neither can we deliver any thing of certainty concerning ' em No body doubts but what is said by the Author of the Romance which hears the Title of Pharamond was very ingeniously invented and thither it is that we refer all those who are Lovers of Fictions 'T is concluded on all hands that Pharamond was He who first introduc'd into France the Sallck Law which excludes Women from the Succession to the Crown At length after he had establish'd his Empire by several Conquests and Reign'd about 14 years he dy'd and left his Son Clodion to succeed him The Amours of Clodion CLODION the Son of Pharamond was call'd by the French to succeed his Father He was surnamed the Hairy because he wore his Locks very long which was at that time a mark of free Dominion But we are no more inform'd of his amorous Intreagues then of those of Pharamond Historians only report that the Queen his Wife walking one day upon the Sea stoâ—e was surpriz'd by a Monster that flung himself of a suddain out of the Salt water and that she had a Son by him who was call'd Meroveuâ— and was his Successor 'T is thought this Fable was invented by Meroveus to conceal the loose Amours of his Mother and to imprint Respect and Awe into the Minds of his Subjects by attributing to himself a birth so extraordinaâ—y The Amours of Childerick * Anno 459 or 460. CHILDERICK at his first coming to the Crown by no means follow'd the example of his Father M coveus's Virtues For he debauch'd the Wives and Daughters of his Subjects so notoriously and openly that he drew the Hatred of the whole Kingdom upon him and constrain'd 'em to depose him Upon which he retir'd into Turingia where King Basin at that time reign'd Now in regard he was of a very amorous Complexion and for that his misfortune had not cool'd the heat of his lustful Desires he soon became enamour'd of the King of Turingia's Wife who was a most lovely Princesse As for himself he was handsome in his Person and very pleasing in his Conversation so that it was not long before he reap'd the fruit of his Sighs The Queen Basina corresponded with his Affection in a most tender manner insomuch that his banishment became a pleasure to him But at length his Subjects having recall'd him home to the re-possession of his Throne his Love was forc'd to give way to his Ambition and he was constrain'd to quit his Fair Queen Who not being able to raze from her Heart the remembrance of Childerick follow'd him into France where he was re-settâ—d in his Kingdom neither regarding her Honour nor her Husband Childerick admiring to see her ask'd her what reason had induc'd her to leave her Husband Basin to follow him Thy Modesty answer'd she Thy Valour and thy noble Carriage have in a manner constrain'd me to come and seek thee for my Husband I am only in love with thy Virrtue and
upon Hugo gave him several mortal Stabs before the King's Face thô he made himself known to 'em on purpose to stop their fury out of that respect which was due to his Person and when they had done they threw themselves into a Forrest adjoyning and soon became invisible Several Months find away before the King could discover the Authors of so dating an enterprize but at 〈◊〉 he understood that the Murder was committed by the Queens Order and so far he was from shewing himself either griev'd or displeas'd at it that he lov'd her the more ever after and wholly fortook Almafrede who out of despair retired to a Convent and veil'd her self As for Foulqueâ— he underwent a severe Penance for having contributed to the Homicide being at Jerusalem whither he accompany'd Godfrey of Benillon and others of the Croisado For he caus'd himself to be drawn naked upon a Hurdle with a Rope about his Neck and to be whipp'd till the Blood came crying out with a loud voice Have mercy Lord upon the treacherous and perjur'd Foulques Bertrade Mistress to Philip. Anno 1086. Foulques Rechin going to pay a visit to Amaney Lord of Montfort and condole with him upon the death of his Mother fell in love with his Sister Bertrade He left nothing omitted to procure her Affection during the stay that he made at Montfort and not being able to obtain any Favour from her he resolv'd to marry her thô he were already marry'd to Ermengard the Daughter of Archambaut Lord of Bourbon and that he had a Son by her who was afterwards call'd Jeoffrey Martell To which effect he caus'd his Marriage with Ermengard to be declar'd null under pretence of being near akin and took Bertrade to Wife by whom he had a Son that bore his Fathers Name and who going to the Holy Land was King of Jerusalem In the mean time Foulques Rechin having had a Quarrel with his Brother Jeoffrey about sharing the Succession of their Father Foulques Nera the contest came to a Battle near Brochelac where Jeoffrey was overthrown and taken prisoner but took his being detain'd in Prison so hainously that for meer vexation he run mad Pope Gregory VII being inform'd how hardly Foulques had us'd his Brother and of the unlawfull Marriage which he had contracted with Bartrade excommunicated him Jeffery Martell who by this time was arriv'd to years of maturity taking advantage of the excommunication thunder'd out against his Father took Arms to revenge this Mothers Quarrel and set his Uncle at liberty Bertrade seeing her self so dangerously threatn'd by the ambitious Youth who was already become the head of a potent party sought which way to rid him out of the World and caus'd him to be poyson'd Pope Gregory being dead Foulques sent Embassadors to Vrban VI. who succeeded him to obtain his absolution offering to set his Brother at Liberty and to quit Bertrade Upon which the Pope empower'd Hugo Archbishop of Lion to take off the censure provided the Count perform'd what he had promis'd In the mean time Phillip coming to Tours to give Foulques a visit year 1093 and settle affairs between 'em in reference to the County of Gatinois which the Count had mortgag'd to him during the Wat with his Brother saw Bertrade who appear'd to him most charmingly beautiful notwithstanding those Clouds of sorrow that hung upon her countenance because her Husband was just going to put her away The King therefore having engag'd her to entrust him with the cause of her grief offer'd her his service and promis'd to marry her having under pretence of consanguinity vacated his Marriage with Bertha the Daughter of the Count of Frise whom he had banish'd to Montrevil upon the Sea Bertrade suffer'd her self to be surpriz'd with these alluring hopes and consented to be conveigh'd away by force The King thus satisfy'd after he and Bertrade had consulted upon the ways and means which way to effect their designe departed for Orleans and left behind him at Tours a Gentleman whose name was William Rechin to put the project in execution Bertrade and the Knight having conserted together how to manage the business she her self went to hear Mass at St. Martin's upon Easter-eve and after she had sent away the persons that attended her upon several errands slipt into a by Street where Rechin waited for her with two Horses She made choice of that which went most easily and being got a little way out of the City they met with laid Horses fresh and fresh every six Leagues and made such hast that before Night they reach'd Orleans where the King who had notice of every thing receiv'd 'em with those transports of joy that are hardly to be express'd He carry'd Bertrade to his Palace and by a thousand caresses endeavour'd to alleviate the Fatigues of her journey As for Foulques he did not much trouble himself for the loss of his Wife whom he lookt upon as an obstacle of his reconciliation with the holy See and finding himself well stricken in years he wholly gave off his debauchery Some time after Philip publickly espous'd Bertrade and caus'd her to be Crown'd with extraordinary magnificence He had two Sons by her Philip to whom he gave the Barony of Mang upon the Lâ—ire and whom he Marry'd to the Daughter of Gontier Lord of Montbery Henry who was design'd for the Church and a Daughter named Cecilia who was first marry'd to Tancrede Son of the Sister of Bremond Prince of Antiochia and after his death to Ponce the Son of Beritand Count of Tiral in Stiria descended from the Counts of Thoulouse However several Bishops who where present at the nuptials to which they were invited according to the custom of the Kingdom remonstrated to the King that the Church could not approve a Marriage directly contrary to all the Canons as well by reason of the proximity of Blood between him and Bertrade as for that Bertha was still living as well as Count Foulques But none of 'em took upon 'em to speak with more freedom then Yves Bishop of Chartres which exasperated the King to that degree that he caus'd him to be apprehended However in a short time after he releas'd him again at the sollicitation of the Clergy Pope Vrban VI. being inform'd of these disorders sent away on purpose a Legat into France who assembl'd a Council at Auâ—uâ— where it was decreed that Philip should be excomunicated But the Pope suspended the effect of the Decree till the next Year and then he thunder'd out his Anathema's against the King in the Council of Clermont The King terrifi'd with these censures parted from Bertrade for some time but he recall'd her shortly after by the consent of her Husband Foulques himself over whom she had so powerfull an ascendant that he sigh'd at her feet like the most passionate of Lovers The Popes Legats perceiving that the King had renewâ—d his crminal familiarity assembled another Councill
length allow'd him to beg of the King the Cardinal of Tournon and Admiral Chabot to redeem his Life and Liberty at the price of the vast Wealth which he had acquir'd Nothing more manifestly prov'd him unworthy of his high fortune then his extream desire to survive his disgrace His carriage quite chang'd that fear and aversion which People had against his Person into a contempt which was no way advantageous to him seeing that they left him for some years in the Tower of Bourges without so much as thinking of him At ength he was so importunate with the Ministers of State that they order'd him to be brought to his Trial but not after such a method as he expected For they appointed Commissioners to try him chosen out of all the Parliaments of the Kingdom However they did him this justice to make choice of the most able and the most honest Nor were there ever in France any Judges whose Probitie and Abilities were more universally known then those of Peter Raymund President of the Parliament of Rouen who was order'd to draw up the Informations They were willing to give him that satisfaction whether it were that his enemies thought that they had more prooâ—s then they needed to ruin him or that the King who had no mind to pardon him as he had forgiven Admiral Chabot had taken all the precautions requisite to prevent any thing that might be spoken against the severity which he intended to inflict upon the chief Magistrate of the Kingdom However it were the Process lasted till the year 1545. because the Party accus'd finding himself abandon'd by all the world and ready to sink unrder the same Artifices with which he had oppress'd others made use of all the tricks that long experience had taught him and summon'd up all his cunning and his parts to defend himself He led his Judges through all the by-paths of Subterfuge and Evasion that Cavil could invent to elude or at least to delay his Condemnation He puzzl'd alike both his Judges and his Witnesses that were brought Face to Face against him and made so good a defence that he sav'd his Life whither it were that his Judges after a long debate did not find reasons enough to condemn him to Death or that the too open animosity of the prosecutors had infus'd compassion into those Magistrats by perswading 'em he was Innocent because his Enemies were so violent in seeking his ruin He heard bare-Headed the Decree pronounc'd that depriv'd him of his Dignities and Estate and confin'd him to perpetual Imprisonment for having Rob'd the Treasury fold Offices and traffick'd in several bargains misbecoming his quality The King surpriz'd at the mildness of the Decree could nor forbear testifying his resentment against the Judges and threw upon 'em those reproaches that extended even to accusations of being corrupted However his Majesty remitted the punishment of Imprisonment and Poyet was constrain'd for a Livelyhood to resume his first employment of Chamber-Counsellor in the Palace deeming himself happy that he had got himself out of the Bryars at any rate before Judges of approv'd integrity for that indeed there was as many persons convinc'd that he deserv'd Death as there were People that knew him The Dutchess d' Estampes after she had ruin'd all those that dar'd to obstruct her credit year 1587 seem'd to fear nothing but the Death of the King which was the only disturbance of her mind For thô the Duke d' Estampes her Husband had made a judicial enquiry into her behaviour since her Marriage yet she was well assur'd that he could make no use of it so long as the King liv'd however he was not immortal and the time would come when that cruel separation would happen The Dutchess also to her sorrow beheld the misfortune at a distrance and was sensible of the approaches of it For Francis I. decay'd insensibly in his Health and whither it were that his Physicians were ignorant of the true cause of his disease or whither they durst not discover it or whither they despair'd that His Majesty would submit to violent Remedies which could only correct the malignity of it they only put a stop in some measure to the outward effects which were most incommodious without ever going to the root of the Disease So that the King perceiving himself grow more unweildy every Day then other and loosing that vigour and Address which had formerly been the cause that he delighted with so much passion in the sports of Hunting and other laborious exercises liv'd a kind of morose Life of which the Dutchess was forc'd to bear all the inconveniencies at the same time that on the otherside she was afflicted and disturb'd to think what would become of her after the King's Death who in all probability could not be long Liv'd She was in some hopes of reassuming that place in her Husbands affection from whence jealousy had expel'd her in regard she was yet young and was the Mistress still of that same ravishing Beauty which had formerly charm'd him Nor was it unlikely but that compassion might overrule her Husbands Heart after the King's death had extinguish'd the cause of his jealousy by producing these effects therein which are expected from Love However it were Diana of Normandy's hatred seem'd to be much more formidable to her she was to be what she her self had been and it was to be presum'd that she would make use of all her credit to ruin her Enemy Diana was the Dauphin's Mistress as the Dutchess was the King's but there was no other resemblance between 'em either in their persons or their Wit The Dutchess was never more Beautiful then she was at that time nor had she lost any thing of that lustre which had caus'd her to be look'd upon by the most curious Eyes even by the Emperor himself as the most accomplish'd Beauty in Europe whereas the she-Seneschal had none of those Allurements which at one and twenty Years of Age had sav'd the Life of her Father Sr. Valier The Dutchess was not above thirty and the she Seneschal was suspected to be above threescore for she had caus'd her name to be torn out of the Register of the Christ'nings The Dutchess commanded naturally Diana of Poictiers by art and those different Empires were preserv'd by opposite means The Dutchess who fear'd not her being degraded till the King began to decay in his health stood less upon her guard and never laid any constraint upon her self when she spoke of Diana whereas the other conceal'd under feign'd demonstrations of respect and compliance the despite to see her self contemn'd and was in company when that terrible expression fell from the Dutchess's Lips that she was born the same Day that the Seneschal's Wife was marry'd Nevertheless she dissembled her resentment so long as the King was strong and lusty but she no sooner perceiv'd that His Majesty began to decline but she began to make the Dutchess sensible
such notable Tryals of her skill she thought it impossible for that same Prime Minister to deny her any thing and therefore she propounded to him the restoration of Madam de Chastetau-Neuf but in regard he could not consent to it without prejudice to his own particular interests he absolutely refus'd to gratifie her which occasion'd a Rupture so that afterwards there was never any sincere correspondence or reconciliation between ' em Chasteau-Neuf had been for some time already at Monrouge where he happen'd to arrive the same day that the Dutchess return'd to Paris by another Roade And perhaps if he had not stopt there but had come directly to Court without capitulating with the Queen he had oblig'd her by that frankness to have stuck close to him But being desirous to follow the example of Madam de Sensay who refus'd to return to Paris till she was resettl'd in her Employment he gave the Queen time to understand his temper without desiring his nearer approach But his case was not the same with that of Madam de Sensay who had no body to oppose her but a person for whom the Queen had no kindness whereas Chastau-Neuf besides that Monsieur the Prince's whole Family oppos'd him gave an occasion of jealousie to the Prime Minister and had no other way but by Addresses and by degrees to gain what the Lady of Honour obtain'd upon her first motion The Duke of Beaufort also lost himself by the same error for he thought the Queen so prepossess'd with an affection to him that he imagin'd he might be able to ruin Mazarin by shewing himself somewhat cold to that same Princess But that behaviour of his alter'd all the measures that had been taken for his advancement He had been already in nomination for a Cardinals Cap but when it was seen that he shew'd so little acknowledgment orders were sent away privately to Rome to desist from any farther sollicitation in his behalf Neither did the Duke of Vendome his Father carry himself with more prudence for he scrupl'd to accept of the Office of High-Admiral without the Anchorage not considering that it became him first of all at any rate to have worm'd himself into the Employment and then he might easily afterwards have extended his Priviledges He was so much at variance with himself what course to take that he made his addresses sometimes to the Cardinal and acknowledg'd himself beholding to him for his Preferment the next moment he sought an opportunity to get the Marshal d' Etrees to speak to de la Riviere and conjure him to bring about his designs and no sooner was he out of his sight but he endeavour d by indirect ways to engage Monsieur the Prince to serve him In short there was hardly an hour past over his head but he chang'd both his sentiments and his Party The Duke of Beaufort therefore seeing his measures broken by the removal of Chasteau-Neuf resolv'd to rid himself of the Cardinal and subordain'd certain persons to kill him as he went to the Palace Royal where the Queen then lay or else as he return'd But the Cardinal having an inkling of what was contriving against him immediatly went to the Palace Royal tho he knew the Queen was not there and sent for all his friends The Duke of Beaufort who narrowly watch'd him took notice of the swarm he had got about him and rightly guest from thence that his project had taken air which oblig'd him to defer the execution of it till the next day when he might have a better opportunity as he believ'd because the Cardinal was to go that day to Maisons and consequently to pass by the Hostle de Vendome However he was still disappointed for the Cardinal meeting the Duke of Orleance by the way the Duke took him into his Coach and the respect which they bore to the King's Uncle hinder'd the Conspirators from making any attempt In the Mean time the Queen being inform'd of the Duke of Beaufort's designs caus d him to be arrested and sent him away Prisoner to the Castle of Vincennes The Dutchess imagining that Monsieur the Prince had been the principle cause of the Duke of Beaufort's imprisonment and of Chastâ—au-Neufs misfortune resolv'd to be reveng'd Now tho Ladies are apt to flatter themselves in the opinion of their Beauty yet her Mirror had already several times inform'd her that her Charmes half worn away stood in need of some younger person to strengthen her party nor was she constrainâ—d to look out farther then her own Family The Daughter of the Countess of Vertus whom the Duke of Monbason her Father had married was as we have said already the most lovely Woman in France besides she had a secret despite against Monsieur the Prince's Sister who having marri'd the Duke of Longueville had depriv'd her of a Lover and therefore it was no hard matter for the Dutchess of Cheuvreux to win her into a Confederacy with her The Duke of Guise also who since his return had declar'd for that fair Dutchess engag'd all the Lorrain Princes to embrace his Party to which they were already well enclin'd out of respect to the Duke of Cheuvreux who was of the same Family These two Ladies having contracted a strict friendship resolv'd to satisfie their revenge by attacking the reputation of Madam de Longueviâ—â—e To that purpose they publisht the Letters which that Princess had written to the Duke of Beaufort They also counterfeited others which as they said had been written by Madam de Longueville to Coligni The Princess of Conde therefore understanding that the Dutchess of Monbason had spread abroad this report displaid her resentment and engag'd all her Friends to assist her in doing her self justice This quarrel divided the whole Court and made the Queen afraid least it should revive the ancient feud between the two Houses of Bourbon and Guise These two parties were equally matched because the Duke of Lorrain who had marri'd into the House of Guise had declar'd for Madam de Monbason and so this difference might be attended with pernicious consequences And tho the Queen were concern'd to hinder the Duke of Orleance from uniting too closely with the Prince of Conde for fear least their authority should prove prejudicial to hers yet in regard there was more danger in suffering 'em to push things on to the last extremity she laboured to reconcile the Ladies To which purpose she engag'd the Princess of Conde and the Dutchess of Longueville to accept of the satisfaction which Madam de Monbason was ready to give ' em Thereupon the Dutchess was wrought to declare in the Queen's presence to the two Princesses that she had no share in spreading the reports and that she utterly disown'd ' em On the other side the two Princesses as it had been agreed upon before declar'd that they were willing to believe her because Madam de Monbason said it It was also convenanted by the same accommodation that the
the King she never su'd to him for any favour for any of her acquaintance Therefore Marshal Grammont told her very well to the purpose one day when she complain'd to him that every body had forsaken her since her Rivalless came into credit That while she had an opportunity to be merry her self she should have taken care to make others merry if she had had a mind that others should have pitty'd her when she her self had an occasion to mourn But Madam de Montespan took a quite different course No considerable Employment was conferr'd but upon her solicitation and by her intercession She it was to speak properly that bestow'd every thing even to the very Ecclesiastical Benefices She advanc'd all her kindred to that degree of Grandeur to which otherwise they could never have attain'd In short she procur'd for her Brother who was no more then the Count of Vironne the Dignities of Duke and Peer and General of the Gallies and the Battoon of Marshal of France Which caus'd a Person of the First Quality in France to say speaking of Marshal de la Fueiltade and her Brother that one was Marshal of the Sword and the other Marshal of the Scabbard Never did Mistriss better understand to manage her Lovers humour then she did and that too when the King had not all that kindness for her that people imagin'd for 't is said that Madam de Lude who was but a * A Virgin that lives like a Nun but makes no vox nor renounces her Estate Canoness of Lorrain frequently shar'd with her the favours of the French Monarch which gave an occasion to the following Epigram Valiere was a Commoner Of Noble Race fair Montespan Du Lude had in the Church her Place And all the Three to serve one Man But would you know the main design Of the most great of Potentates The thing 's as clear as Noon-Sunshine He would unite the Three Estates Certain it is that la Valiere was of no very Noble Extraction Her Enemies were therefore wont to say after the King had made her a Dutchess that 't was but a few months ago that she was hardly a Gentlewoman and Madam who had been disapointed by the King upon her account never call'd her otherwise then the little Cittizens Daughter of Tours However it were the Canoness of Lorrain was the cause that Madam de Montespan spent many a night without closing her eyes Yet this was not the Rivalless that caus'd the change of the Kings Affection At the same time that M. de Montespan thought her Affairs in the most setl'd condition and that she lookt upon her self to be most solidly fix'd in the King s Affections a young Damsel surprizingly Beautiful was preferr'd to serve the Mounsieur's Dutchess as one of her Maids of Honour This was Mademoiselle de Fontange who might be said to be a Master-peice of Nature But before M. de Fontange appear'd M. de Montespan's Enemies made use of all their Artifices to set the King against her They told him a thousand stories to put him out of conceit with her But all their Artifices failing they thought there was no other way but to give him a home stroke upon the Conscienceside The Confessor who succeeded Anat had more wit then to undertake the Employmeut He knew what it had cost his Predecessor and the reproaches it had brought upon that silly Jesuit However they found out a Preacher who had the courage one day in his Pulpit before the King to tell him the story of David and Bathsheba 'T is true he seem'd to turn his matter another way but all men easily perceiv'd what he aim d at But after he came out of his Pulpit the King said the Preacher had made a very good Sermon and away he went to visit Madam de Montespan This pious fraud not succeeding it came into their heads to show him something of reality which might infuse into him an Aversion and Contempt of his Mistriss And the treachery of a Serving Maid gave 'em a favourable opportunity This Maid being brib'd deliver'd into their hands a Billet of M. de Montespan's hand writing which they counterfeited so well that by adding one single word there was a necessity for the King to fall into the snare and to acknowledge himself betrayd The Billet was given to the King as if it had been found by accident He read it nor was it possible for him to distinguish the difference of the Character That which was added though spoken after an Ambiguous manner presently gall'd him and put him into such a rage that he resolv'd forthwith to find out the Mystery Away he flung to Madam de Montespan whom he found reading a Courtly Novel What! Madam said the King with a kind ofscornful Air have you not left of these trifles yet T is true replyed Madam de Montespan that there is nothing of Solidity in these sort of books and I must acknowledge that they are no more then the Dreams and Visions of others that create in us either joy or sadness Nevertheless I am so weak sometimes as to suffer my self to be seduc'd and I could not read the Infidelity of a Mistriss mention'd in this little Story without paying some tears to the misfortune of her Lover I wonder reply'd the King that a thing so customary to your Sex should raise your passion to that degree He went on with his discourse in the same tune and carry'd it on so far that Madam de Montespan began to suspect some mystery Alas Sir said she such a Prince so rarely endow'd as your self have no reason to fear any such thing had he to do with the most fickle and inconstant of Women In a word they who possess a Merit so Illustrious as Yours are above these suspicions I so flatter'd my self hitherto reply'd the King but Kings are deceiv'd as well as other men This Conversation not a little troubl'd M. Montespan who was altogether innocent of what the King believ'd her Guilty of and therefore knowing herself to be free from all reproach she answer'd only with tenderness and tears Which so mollifi'd the King that without seeking any farther for the satisfaction which he desir'd he withdrew after he had privately conveigh'd the Billet into Madam de Montespan's Pocket The King had no sooner left her but M. de Montespan pulling out her Handkerchief to wipe her Eyes saw the fatal cause of her misfortune fall at her feet She took it up open'd it read it and soon perceiv d the soul play of her Enemies Now it was of that Importance for her to prevent as soon as might be the Kings first Impressions from sinking too deep into his mind that she went to him immediately and having made it out to him that something had been added the King was convinc'd and discours'd her with a thousand obliging tendernesses It never could be discover'd who the Authors of this Artifice were The Billet was so dextrously
at Portiers where the Prince was excommunicated again But Philip over-constant in his affections set so many Engines at work in Rome that the Pope sent other Legats to rehear the merits of the cause They to that purpose assembled a Council at Bougency where the two Lovers made their appearance and promis'd to separate till they had obtain'd a dispensation from his Holiness Which at length was granted 'em after long sollicitations by Pope Paschat II. who was more indulgent then his predecessors The nuptials also being solemniz'd anew by virtue of that dispensation the King and Bertrade went to pay Foulques a visit who regal'd 'em at Angiers withal the divertisements that could be devis'd Soon after Philip dying Bertrade retir'd to Angiers to the Son of Foulques who had also ended his days and renouncing all manner of amorous courtship apply'd her self to adorn the Castle of that City and caus'd the Church of St. Maurice which was gone very much to decay to be repair'd In a word she employ'd the remainder of her days in acts of Piety to make an attonement for the sins of her Youth Eleoner of Acquitaine the Wife of Lewis the Young KING Lewis the Young year 1148 had marry'd Eleonor the Daughter of William V. Duke of Aquitaine a Princess of surpassing beauty of a lively and sparkling Wit but wanton in her humour and addicted to coquettry The King who as yet had not espy'd that defect in her lov'd her so tenderly that he could not find in his Heart to leave her in France when he undertook his expedition to the Holy-land but engag'd her to be the companion of all his dangers They embarqu'd together at Aigues-Mortes and after several hardships arriv'd at length at Antiossia where Hugo Raymund the Queen's Uncle and Brother to Duke William had obtain'd the Principality He gave the King a most magnificent reception and left nothing omitted to oblige him to make a stop there He laid before him the Noradin the Soldan of Damascus made frequent incursions to the very gates of the City and that 't was greatly to be fear'd that that same place of so great importance would fall into the hands of the Infidels if he were not powerfully assisted by His Majesty But it was not only interest of State and Religion that prevail'd with Raymund to wish that the Court of France might reside for some time at Antioch He had been bred up with Eleonor and he was her Uncle yet was he not much Older then she â—and long familiarity had bred and foster'd in both a passion more tender then became two persons so nearly related neither had Raymund undertaken his voyage to Palestine but to cure himself of his amorous passion when he saw his Neice espous'd to the King of France But the presence of the beloved object rekindl'd his first flames and in regard he found the Queen as favourable to his desires as she was at Bourdeaux he could not find in his Heart to part with her so suddenly However all his artifices prov'd fruitless he could not detain the King but very few days at Antioch Lewis therefore impatient to be at Jerusalem pursu'd his journey notwithstanding all the reasons that could be alledg'd to him neither was Eleonor so sorry as Raymund For she was altogether for present objects and forgot the Prince of Antiochia so soon as she had lost sight of him She had several others that would not permit her to shed tears for his absence and as she never repuls'd any one that sigh'd for Love of her her Court was always well fill'd but tho' in the Court of a Queen yet because it was in a Camp among none but Soldiers the discourse was generally Military and the warlike atchievments of every day produc'd sufficient matter for every days entertainment Nor did they forget their Enemies the Turks whom were signal either for their Birth or Valor so that 't was impossible to pass in silence the noble qualities of Saladin the Soldan of Damascus's Nephew 'T was said of him that he was aâ— person well shap'd nimble in all manners of exercises Valiant Generous Liberal Courtly and in a word that he was endu'd withal the French manners There were also some who added that he was descended from the Count of Ponthieu whose Daughter being taken at Sea was presented to the Soldan of Aleppo the Brother of Moradin who receiving her into the number of his Wives had this Prince by her Now thô ' this story were a meer fable yet it fail'd not to augment the curiosity which the Queen had for Saladin she sought for opportunities and for a beginning to enter into a correspondence with him she wrote to him in the behalf of Sandebrevil Lord of Sauzay who had been taken some days before by a party which that Mahometan Prince commanded Saladin granted the Queen whatever she desir'd and sent her back the Prisoner without Ransome Eleonor had several conferences with Sandebrevil on purpose to inform her self of several circumstances which she desir'd to know concerning the person of Saladin She also made use of him to procure an interview between Saladin and her To that purpose she appointed a Hunting match about two Leagues from Jerusalem where Saladin met her with thirty Horse-Men only So soon as he saw the Queen appear he left his Troop that had made a halt and advancing an easie hand Gallop toward her presently alighted to salute her he made her a compliment in the Italian Tongue which the Queen understood very well and after such a manner as nothing savour'd of the barbarity of the Nation nor was she less taken with his Wit then with his deportment She oblig'd him to mount his Course and so they rode softly together into a Wood of Palm-trees close adjoyning where they were a long time in discourse together Eleonor return'd him thanks in a most obliging manner for what he had done for Sandebrevil at her request and pulling off an embroider'd Scarf that serv'd her instead of a girdle presented it to him desiring him to keep it as a testimony of her esteem and acknowledgment which Saladin afterwards wore upon all occasions of danger But she was discover'd by some Courtiers who gave an accompt of the whole story to the King and others assur'd him that the Queen had given Saladin several other meetings Now tho' there were more of vanity on both sides in this same courtly correspondence the King was extreamly troubl'd at it and would stay no longer at Jerusalem So that after he had taken his leave of King Baldwin he set Sail withal his Fleet but was oblig'd to put into Sicily to refit his Ships which had been but ill handled by Manuel the Emperor of Constantinople's Navy 'T is very probable that the Queen had made her peace in that Island for she grew bigg with Child and lay in upon her return into France of a Daughter nam'd Alice who was marry'd afterwards to
Thibaut Count of Blois But some time after she was brought to Bed the King being inform'd of all Eleonor's Galantries resolv'd to vacate his Marriage To which purpose he assembl'd the Clergy of France at Boisgency where Alegrin his Chancellor set forth the reasons that mov'd the King to desire a separation and easily obtain'd what his Master desir'd because the Queen made no opposition However Lewis that he might come off with Honour surrendred back to her the Dutchy of Aquitaine and the Earldom of Peitou which she brought him in Dowry and only kept the two Daughters which He had by her Eleonor after this Divorce retir'd to Poitiers where she was visited by Henry Duke of Normandy the King of England's Son Who thô he were a Prince whose Person was no way inviting and had the worst colour'd Hair in the world yet she fail'd not to admit of his sedulities and to hearken to the proposals of Marriage which he made her because he was Heir presumptive to the Crown of England Henry was well inform'd of all the disorders of her past life but his eager desire to joyn Guyenne and Peitou to the rest of those Dominions which he was to inherit prevail'd over all other Considerations He espous'd Eleonor which so enrag'd Lewis that he suffer'd no opportunity of Revenge to escape him So that a War was kindl'd between the two Princes so soon as Henry came to the Crown which lasted till an end was put to it by the Marriage of Henry the King of England's eldest Son with Margaret the Daughter of Lewis and Elisabeth of Castille his second Wife And thô the affianc'd Princess were but five years of Age she was put into the hands of the King of England for a farther confirmation of the Alliance When she came to be of age proper for the consummation of the Nuptials the King of England refus'd to deliver her to his Son for fear he should become too potent and go about to dethrone him with the assistance of France Thereupon Henry impatient to enjoy his youthful Spouse that was to secure him his Succession to the Crown of England the Princess being design'd to the Heir of the Kingdom he stole her away and fled into France to the King his Father-in law From thence he wrote to his own Father demanding England or the Dutchy of Normandy as an Earnest of his Succession and upon the King's refusal resolv'd to obtain his Pretensions by force of Arms. Queen Eleonor also engag'd Richard Duke of Aquitain and Jeoffrey Duke of Bretagne her Brothers to take part with Henry and Lewis oblig'd William King of Scotland to invade England on that side while he sent Robert Earl of Leicester with a powerful Army to make a descent into the Island out of France So that a Man would have thought that the King of England assail'd on every side must have been overwhelmed by so many Enemies But Heaven protected him His Son Henry dy'd in a short time after and Peace was concluded between England and France and the Marriage of Richard who was become Heir to the Crown by the death of Henry with Alice the Daughter of Lewis was the Seal of that Union But in regard the Princess was very young she was put into the hands of the King of England as her Sister had been till she came to years of maturity and Queen Eleonor was shut up in close imprisonment to prevent her contriving new troubles at Court. In the mean time King Henry shew'd himself so extreamly complaisant to the Princess Alice that it was look'd upon to be an effect of love and the Princess answer'd him with a frankness pardonable as her years however Richard grew jealous to that degree that he could not find in his heart to marry her when he came to the Crown Queen Eleonor also whom he set at liberty so soon as he saw himself seated upon the Throne confirm'd him in his aversion and negotiated a Match between him and Beranguelle the Daughter of Don Garcias King of Navarre whom she carry'd to Richard then in Palestine where he espous'd her This anger'd Philip surnam'd the August King of France who at the same time had made a voyage to the Holy Land but he would not shew his resentment there for the injury done his Sister because he would not give the Infidels an opportunity to take advantage of the division of the Christians But so soon as he return'd into France he enter'd the Territories of the King of England in revenge At length Eleonor after she had been the cause of many mischiefs in both Kingdoms where she had worn the Crown ended her days at Poitiers in the Fourscore and fourth year of her age Mary of Moravia Mistress to Philip surnamed the August Anno 1192. PHILIP the August after the death of Isabella of Hainault his first Wife marry'd Isembourg or Eudelberge the Daughter of Waldemar the Great King of Denmark but found so little pleasure in the enjoyment of her that after the first Night he never would Bed her again However he endeavour'd a long time to combat this aversion but not being able to surmount it he imparted the secret of his disgust to William Bishop of Beauvais who told him that in regard there was a near affinity between him and the Queen it would be no difficult thing for him to disannul the Marriage if he would summon an Assembly of the Prelats of his Kingdom The King relish'd this Proposal and having sent for all the Bishops of France and amongst the rest for the Archbishop of Rheims who presided in the Assembly the sentence of Separation was pronounc'd Some time before the King had seen the Portraicture of Mary Agnes the Daughter of Bertol Duke of Moravis which appear'd so charming to him that he had always the Idea of her in his sight Therefore when he saw himself at liberty he sent to demand her in Marriage and having obtain'd his desires he espous'd her with a more then ordinary Magnificence Anno. 1198. Isemburg would not be present at the Nuptial Ceremony but secretly left the Court with a design to retire into Denmark But when she came to the Frontiers of France she bethought her self of the fault she was about to commit in abandoning the Justice of her Cause she return'd back again and shutting her self up in a Convent sent an account of her misfortune to King Conuie her Brother He being astonish'd at Philip's inconstancy sent to his Ambassador then residing in Rome to make his complaints to Pope Celestin and to demand Justice of him Celestin immediately dispatch'd away two Cardinals the one a Priest and the other a Deacon to make inquiry into what had past in the dissolution of the Marriage and to make use of all the Authority of the Holy See to oblige the King to take Isemburg again in case he had no lawful cause of separation So soon as the two Legates arriv'd at Paris
to pay him at Milan To which Lautrec reply'd that he had not receiv'd a doite either of the one or the t'other Sum which put the King into a passion no less just then it was violent Semblançay was sent for while the King in the mean while seeking to pick a quarrel with Lautrec told him after an insulting manner that Colonna and Pescara were no better assisted with Men and Money then he yet they had found a way to drive him before 'em and therefore why could not he find a way to defend himself without Money which was the easier thing of the two Lautrec answer'd very modestly that to make the comparison true t was requisite that the Milaneses should have no more kindness for one party then another Which might so fall out under the Reign of Lewis XII when the French being exactly paid liv'd civily and peaceably among ' em But the Army being grown licentious for want of pay the Italians had conceiv'd such a hatred of 'em that was only to be satisfi'd by opening their Bellies and tearing out their Hearts as had happen'd in Navarr and other places Immediately upon these words Semblançay came into the Council Room but the King instead of calling him Father as he was wont to do look'd askew upon him and ask'd him why he had not paid Lautrec the 300000 Crowns which he had so solemnly promis'd Semblançay who knew not the danger he was in answer'd with that Ingenuity which was natural to him that the same Day the Assignations for Milanois were drawn up His Majesties Mother came to the Treasury and demanded to be paid for all that was due to her till that very time as well for Pensions and Gratifications as for the Dutchy of Valois Tourcine and Anjou of which she was the Donee that he represented to her that by the paying away so great a Sum all at a time the Royal Treasury would be exhausted and the Funds appointed for the Dutchy of Milan be deliver'd another way contrary to what the King had order'd that Morning in her hearing and to which she had consented yet the Princess continu'd obstinate in her pretensions and threatned to ruin him if he did not let her have what she demanded and whereas he declar'd to her that it was as much as his head was worth if Lautrec did not find the Money ready upon his arrival at Milan she reply'd that she had credit enough with the King to secure him from any prosecution and that if he should be call'd to an accompt for the payment of the Money another way that was design'd for Italy he should say that 't was done by her Order Thereupon the King to clear the dispute sent for his Mother and Semblançay repeated in her hearing what he had said which put her into such a rage that the respect which she ow'd to her Son could not restrain her from giving the Treasurer the lye and demanding justice of the King against a hair brain'd Fellow that went about to make her guilty of High Treason But in regard they had the Acquittances which she left in the Treasury to justify her receite of the Money design'd for Lautrec she confess'd that she demanded the payment of her Pensions but she stood it out that Semblançay when he gave her the Money never told her that it was order'd for Milan She deni'd all the rest that Semblançay had said and demanded his Imprisonment with so much heat that the King was forc'd to cause him to be arrested in the Antichamber The business being thus clear'd up it appear'd that Lautrec was Innocent and all the blame fell upon Semblançay upon which the Chancellor du Prat a Creature of the Countesses the President Gentil and certain Counsellor who were the Chancellors Friends being appointed to try the Treasurer condemn'd him to Death and he was publickly Executed But the King never recover'd the places which he lost in Italy the Marshal de Foix also who was left in Crâ—mona to defend that City surrenderd it up to Colonna upon very easy term These were the fatal effects which the jealousy of the King's mother lest she should be supplanted by the King's Mistress produc'd But she did a far more considerable prejudice to France by her transports against the Constable of Bourbon for she constrain'd him to depart the Kingdom and treat with the Enemies of the State she compleated the ruin of the King's affairs in Italy and was the principal cause of the King 's being taken Prisoner The story was thus Charles of Bourbon Constable of France was the second of Three Sons of Gilbert Montpensier and Clarice Gonzaga that is to say he descended from the only branch of Bourbon that was unfortunate His Father had lost his Life and reputation in the Kingdom of Naples where Charles the VIII had left him Viceroy His eldest Brother expir'd for grief upon his Fathers Tomb and the youngest was slain at the Battle of Marignon As for himself he appear'd at Court toward the end of the Reign of Lewis XII when Claudia of France was marry'd The turnament matches and the divertisements at that time gave him an opportunity to signalize his Strengh and Activity but it was his misfortune in despite of himself to be the object of the Countess of Angoulêmeâ— affection who could not be insensible of the rare endowments that render'd him so worthy to be belov'd He was extreamly Beautiful Discreet Liberal and Valiant nor did his frank humour which came near that of the ancient Gauls hinder him from being successful in all manner of Intreagues For thô he seem'd to be very open yet he govern'd himself so well in all Negotiations and manag'd what he had to say with so much art that he tyr'd the patience of the most refin'd Politicians The sweetness of his manners had acquir'd him the Friendship of the French and the exact discipline which he kept among his Souldiers produc'd him the esteem of his own Enemies It seem'd as if fortune had been unavoidably bound to follow him because that eversince he bore Arms the French had been always victorious wherever he was and were vanquisht whereever he was not He was beholding only to his own deserts for the dignity of Constable and it may be said that he wanted nothing to accomplish him for the Hero of his Age but a little more complacency for the person that lov'd him or a little less resentment of the injury she did him when she saw her self slighted That haughty Princess made no opposition either to the growth or progress of her passion whither she were weary of living a Widow or that she was unwilling in changing her condition to be forc'd to leave France where she was assur'd of being in great credit when her Son the presumptive Heir to the Crown should come to Reigne But this Love was not reciprocal whither it were that the Count of Montpensier for so was the Constable call'd at first
on when he pleas'd that he never envy'd the present that Fortune had made to so charming a person that the Ring belong'd to her by an inviolable Law of the Empire which was so far from permitting the Emperors to take back again what had fallen from their hands how great so e'er the value of it were that he ordain'd it to remain with the person that should find it as a testimony of the Adventure 'T was no difficult thing to find out the place from whence this Law was taken nor to bring examples to justify that it had been in use The Dutchess therefore made use of all her alluring language to perswade the Emperor to receive the Jewel back again and the King press'd him withal the civility that could be imagin'd But the Emperor who had too well begun his artifice to leave it off imperfect persisted so obstinately in his resolution that the Jewel should remain with the Dutchess that the King was constrain'd to let her keep it The effect of this Jewel was that the Dutchess who wanted no Wit reflecting upon the Emperors courtship and upon his suttlety to make her accept of a magnificent present at the only conjuncture wherein the King could consent to her acceptance of it found her self engag'd to defer her revenge upon the Constable for fear least the disgrace of that Favourite should reflect upon a Prince so liberal as the Emperor The Court remov'd afterwards to Paris where his Imperial Majesty staid only so long as was necessary to give the King some time to empty his Coffers by a supersluous magnificence From thence he went to Chantilli where the Constable treated him in his turn The King also conducted the Emperor as far as St. Quentin and commanded the Dauphin and the Duke of Orleans to accompany him as far as Valenciennes A Man would hardly believe the caresses which the Emperor bestow'd upon the Youngest of those two Princes under pretence of his being charm'd with his pleasant humour He treated him like one that was to be his Son-in-Law and put him in hopes that the fief of Milan was not the only favour which he was to expect After the Emperor was got within his own territories the Constable and the Bishop of Vabres the French Ambassador demanded Audience and prest him to perform his promise The Emperor durst not disgust 'em at first because the King might succor the Inhabitants of Gaunt and therefore he only return'd 'em for answer that the King of the Romans his Brother was upon the road for Flanders and that it was necessary to stay for his arrival to the end there might remain no dispute about the investiture which he had promis'd without acquainting him who was to succeed in the Empire with his design The Constable upon that return'd to the King his Master but the Bishop of Vabres who folow'd the Emperor continu'd his importunities so vigorously that he constrain'd him at last to pull off his Maske and to disown all that he had said to the Constable The King so much the more nettl'd at this piece of Infidelity by how much it equally concern'd both his Honour and his Interests acknowledg'd his fault in not demanding a writing from the Emperor and because there is nothing so usual as for Princes to lay the blame of their own mis-failings upon others when they have the least pretence he complain'd of his being deceiv'd for no other reason but that he might have an occasion to punish the Constable whom he upbraided with all the faults he had committed he confin'd him to his House of Chentilly and people made no question but the Dutchess d'Estampes was the cause of his Disgrace And the proof of what was alledg'd was grounded upon this that the Dauphin after he had made use of all his power to support his Gossip for so he call'd the Constable not only could not prevail with the King but drew upon himself severe Reprimands which he thought he no way deserv'd year 1540 Nor was the Constable the only person upon whom the Dutchess's wrath fell heavy for the Chancellor Poyet felt those effects of it which were much more violent The pretence that she took to ruin him was occasion'd by John du Tillet chief Prothonotary of the Parliament of Paris and John de la Renaudy Gentleman of Perigord who was afterwards the Principal Author of the Civil Wars of France The credit of the Parties or the difficulties of the Questions that were to be decided had remov'd the Affair to several Tribunals from whence it was summon'd to be heard before the Council and at last transmitted to the Parliament of Dijon La Renaudie fearing lest he should be overthrown obtain'd the King's Letters by the favour of the Dutchess d'Estampes whom he had engag'd in his Interests to delay giving Sentence that he might have time to perplex the Cause anew Gilbert Bayard the King's Secretary presented the Letters to the Seal and fail'd not to advertise the Chancellor that it was by his Majesties express Order who could not refuse that Favour upon the sollicitations of the Dutchess d'Estampes 'T is not known whether the Chancellour examin'd those Letters to the end he might acquit himself in his Office like a person of Sincerity or whether it were out of any secret reluctancy to follow the Capticio's of the Dutchess with a blind adherency or whether it were that he favour'd du Tillet's Cause but certain it is that he refus'd to seal the Letters till he had alter'd 'em in several places La Renaudie not finding 'em then fit for his purpose carry'd 'em to the Dutchess not a little already incens'd against the Chancellor since the Admirals arraignment and quicken'd her to Revenge under pretence of maintaining her Honour Nor did she delay it any longer then the Evening of the same day at what time she presented la Renaudie holding the Letters in his hand to the King as he rose from the Table That Gentleman naturally eloquent as he made it afterwards appear in the conspiracy of Amboise aggravated the importance of the words which the Chancellor had alter'd and endeavour'd to exasperate the King against him by reason of that opposition which he adventur'd to make aginst his absolute Power The King who for a long time had had a desire to disgrace the Chancellor could not have met with a more plausible pretence He was hated by all the Court and it was well known that no body would be sorry for him nevertheless for important Reasons his downfal was delaid The King only order'd La Renaudie to carry back the Letters to the Chancellor and to command him peremptorily in his Name to dispatch 'em without any qualifications La Renaudie return'd to Poyet and deliver'd his Message with an arrogant Tone in the presence of the Queen of Navarr who at the same time solicited for a Servant of hers who was convicted for having stoll'n a wealthy Heiress The Chancellor was
King found the Marchioness more reluctant then he imagin'd and was so far from offering her any violence that he was so charm'd with her Beauty that he had some thoughts to have maâ—â—â— d her But the cares of the War eâ—â—orcing him to absent himself from her long absence abâ—ted his Passion and suffer'd him to be surprized by the Charms of another Beauty While he was tak'n up with the Siege of Paris Maâ—â—â— de Beauvilliers Daughter to the Count of St. Agnan and Abbess of Montmartre sent to him for a safe conduct which he granted after a most obliging manner She came to return him thanks and made her addresses so Gracefully that being a Woman of a comly Presence he could not consent that she should be lockt up in a Convent But being oblig'd in a short time after to raise his Siege he order'd her to be conducted to Senlis which was under his obedience where he paid her those respects and sedulities of which she could not be insensible She had been cloyster'd by force and for the private interest of the Family and she lookt upon the affection of the Prince as a kindness of Fortune to release her out of Prison But tho the King were extremly devoted to her yet could he not forget Madam de Guercheville and knowing her deserts he resolv'd to make her amends for the loss of his heart by helping her to a Husband upon whom he might heap his Favours He cast his eye upon Charles du Pâ—essis Lord of Liancourt in whose favour he wrote to the Marchionoss and so soon as he had marri'd her he gave him the Employment of Grand Squire One evening the King discoursing of the Beauty of the Court Ladies cri'd â—p extreamly the Abbess of Montmartre and said more over that he never saw a person so charming Upon which the Duke of Bellegard the present told him that he would soon be of another opinion if once he saw Mademoâ—selle d'Estrees and made him so lively a description of her Beauty that the King had a great desire to be acquainted with her Some days after the Court remov'd to Mante where the King divertis'd himself extreamly with the Ladies of the neighbourhood but Mademoiselle d'Estrees never appear'd After that he went to Senlis to visit his Admirable Abbess where he gave here all the divertisments that his small stay would admit him to prepare for her When he return'd to Mante the Duke of Bellegarde begg'd leave of his Majesty that he might go to Coeuvres where Gabriella d' Estrees then resided with whom he was deeply in love and for whose sake he had quitted Madam d'Humieres tho she had taken great care of him during a sickness that had held him for some time at Mante and had also sacrafic'd for his sake the Admiral de Villars who had left nothing omitted to gain her affections However the King would not suffer him to take his journey but upon condition that he might go a long with him Bellegard would have been glad to have been rid of such a Companion but in regard it became him not to dispute with his Master he was constrain'd to take the King along with him and which was more had the misfortune to see that his Soveraign found her much more amiable then he had imagin'd her to be The King ingag'd her to come to Maâ—te where she made a new Conquest and deprived Madam de Humieres of a Lover that is to say of Henry of Orleans Duke of Langueville That Prince who had endeavoured to chear up her heart for the loss of the Duke of Bellegard prov'd as unfaithful as he and went to dash himself against the same Rock leaving nothing omitted to gain the affection of Mademoiselle d'Estrees during the King's absence who was forc'd to take the Field to compleate the ruin of the Leaguers and was detain'd in Action longer then he expected Upon his return he apply'd himself more sedulously to Mademoiselle d'Estrees then ever and declar d openly in the tone of a Master that he would have no Companion If the Duke Of Longueville were not a little disconsolate Bellegard was much more who was to renounce a Heart of which he had been in possession whereas Longueville built upon a foundation of ill grounded hopes Nevertheless he promis'd obedience and contented himself with expressing himself to his Mistress after so sensible a manner that she could not forbear to share in his grief But she was not so moderate herself for she flew out against the King and told him with an extraordinary resolution that she would be free in her inclinations and that he would but incur her Hatred if he hinder'd her from marrying Bellegard which was a match that had been agreed upon with the goodliking of her Relations She also departed from Mâ—nte without taking her leave and return'd to Coeuvres Her Anger and her departure equally afflicted the King and he resolv'd to make use of the greatest Submission that might be to gain her Favour The main difficulty was which way to get to Coeuvres in regard he was to travel seven Leagues in the Enemies Country nor could he march with a numerous Convoy without making his Passion known and giving his Mistress a new occasion of Distast so that he ran a great Hazard with a few Men For that the Country was cover'd with the Enemies Forces and there was a necessity for him to cross a very dangerous Forrest However he took the last Resolution love causing him to shut his Eyes against all other considerations Thereupon he got a Horseback with five or six of his Officers in whom he most confided whom he dismis'd when he came within three Leagues of the Castle of Coeuvres and when he was alone he allighted disguiz'd himself in the Habit of a Peasant and taking a sack full of Straw upon his back trud'g on with his Burden till he came to his journeys end Mademoiselle d' Estrees who together with her Sister Madam de Villars stood at the Window of a Gallery that over look't the Country saw the Countreyman at a distance but never dreaming of such a Fantastick adventure n'ere examin'd his Face When the King came into the Court of the Castle he threw down his Burthen and going directly up Staires without taking notice of any body to the place where he had seen her stand who was the cause of his Disguise he accosted her after a most submissive manner But he surpriz'd her extreamly when she perceiv'd him in a Garb so little conformable to his dignity and far from being oblig'd to him for what he had done for her sake she receiv'd him with a disdainful look which was more suitable to the Habit which he wore then the Luster of his Birth So strangely does hatred Impoyson the most Heroick Actions Had Bellegard done as much for her sake she would have valu'd it at a high Rate because she lov'd him but she took it ill at the
his Stables There met St. Mars and the Duke of Bouillon who sent for the Counts of Aubijoux de Brion and de Fonterailles There it was propos d whither they should put themselves under the Protection of the King of Spain upon which there happen'd great Disputes but at last it past in the Affirmative Fonterailles was entrusted with that Negotiation by reason of his Address and Cunning. Besides that being not so considerable for his Quality as the rest it was to be presum'd that his absence from Court would be the less taken notice off 'T was a good while before he would undertake the business but at length away he went and arrived at Madrid concluded a Treaty with the Duke d' Olivarez the Catholick King 's chief Minister It had been resolv'd upon that the Cardinal should have been Assassinated at Briare but St. Mars durst not put it in execution excusing himself that it was requisite to stay till Monsieur's Arrival to the end his presence might warrant those that should commit the Murder from daâ—ger For Monsieur remain'd at Paris to strengthen his Party and sent the Count of Montresor to draw in the Duke of Beaufort but he could not prevail During the King's Expedition St. Mars instead of preserving the Kings friendship by complying with him did all that he could do to loose it so far from closing with his Sentiments that he made it his business still to thwart him and when his Majesty desirâ—d him near his Person he affected to be absent from him Insomuch that when his friends reprov'd him and told him how he did himself an Injury by his behaviour he excusâ—d himself by telling 'em that the King's Breath was so offensive that 't was impossible to endure it This Language of his was carri'd to the King and contributed not a little to lessen the kindness which till then he had shew'd his Favourite But St Mars who thought of nothing so much as the death of the Cardinal took no notice of the King 's growing disaffection imagining it would be easie for him to regain his Masters favour if once he were rid of his Enemy Nevertheless the design of killing the chief Minister was delayâ—d by reason of a terrible Sickness that seiz'd him at Narbonne St. Mars seeing that the Physitians lookt upon it as very dangerous thought it a piece of Imprudence to go about to take away by violent means the Life of a Man whom the had condition of his Constitution threatned with a speedy death So that it may be said that the Cardinals Sickness preserv'd him from the danger that attended his Life Monsieur de Thou leaving Paris and going to the Court at Carcassonne met Foâ—terailles who imparted to him the Treaty which he had concluded with Spain Which surpriz d de Thou because he had not been at the Conference at the Hostel de Venise and had never approv'd the design the Negotiation of which they had for that reason conceal d from him Fonterailles had cary d this Treaty to St. Mars who having made a Copy of it had sent the Original to Monsieur by the Count d' Aubijous De Thou having taken his leave of Fonterailles went to the King who was march'd from Narbonne and already sat down before Perpignan There he met St. Mars who had so strengthen'd his Party that the Army was divided into two Factions the one of which call'd themselves Royalists the other Cardinalists and the Animosity was so great between 'em that they were every foot ready to go together by the Ears However in regard that St. Mars had no more then the outward appearances of the King's Favour he press'd Monsieur to declare himself and repair to Sedan Upon which his Royal Highness demanded with whom the Duke of 〈◊〉 had left orders for his being admitted into the Town Thereupon the Malecontents who had not been so wise as to procure one from him before his departure sent away Monmior into Italy to get an Order from the Duke with a letter of Credence to desire it of him But the Duke who knew not Monmior would not entrust him with a Secret of that Importance So that Monsieur was forc'd to send to him d' Aubijous disguizâ—d in the Habit of a Capuchin And these Journyâ—s to and fro caus'd 'em to loose so much time that at last the Conspiracy was discover'd The Cardinal who during the King's Absence thought himself not safe in Narbonne of which Marshal Sehomberg who had but little kindness for him was Governour resolv'd to remave into the Dauphinate or Provence for that the Counts of Sault and Alais who were in possession of both those Governments were his intimate Friends Thereupon he pretended to go and drink the Waters at Tarascon and coming to Agdâ— in order to go by Water from thence to Beaucaire by the way he receiv'd a Pacquet wherein he found a Copy of the Treaty made with Spain not knowing from whence the Intelligence should come and presently order'd Chavigni to carry it to the King who could hardly find in his heart to cause St. Mars to be arrested believing it to have been an Artifice of the Cardinal to ruin his Favourite Thereupon he consulted Father Simon upon the News which he had receiv'd and finding his Sentiments to be the same that Chavigni had vainly endeavour'd to infuse into him he resolv'd at last to make the foul Offender a severe Example of his Justice But because it was a difficult thing to secure all the Conspirators in the Army the King return'd to Narbonne pretending himself sick of an Ague of which he had already had some fits So soon as he arriv'd there he caus'd the Gates to be shut and gave all requisite Orders for the seizing all those that had any share in the Conspiracy Fonterailles had already made his Escape some days before shrewdly suspecting that the Treaty was discover'd To which purpose he had feign'd a Quarrel with the Camp-Marshal d' Epernon to the end that when his flight should be known it might be imagin'd that he was only stept aside to avoid the Rigour of Justice which punish d Duels very severely The King had commanded the Count de Charost Captain of the Guards of his Body to secure the Person of St. Mars but those orders could not be given out so privately but that the Favourite had secret notice of it He was then debaushing with some of his Friends when the Intimation was given him However he was so much the master of himself that he never chang'd Countenance for the matter but presently causing his Boots to be pull'd off and feigning the Headache he slipt out of his Apartiment which was in the Archbishops House near the Kings Lodgings and hearing that all the Gates of the City were shut he betook himself to Madam Bourgeois's House whose Husband who made Gunpowder was out of Town He there got admittance by means of a Silver Key and thought himself safe
Liberty However the Duke was desirous to have her company by all manner of ways nor had she any pretence to avoid this dangerous voyage but only that she staid to perswade her Brother to quit the Court in a fury and prepare himself for a Civil War The Prince of Conti aim'd at nothing certain nevertheless he folow'd his Sisters sentiments not knowing what they were and was desirous of a War as being that which would give him an opportunity to quit his Breviary for which he had no kindness The Duke of Nemours also most earnestly advis'd it tho his sentiments proceeded not so much from his Ambition as from his jealousie of Mounsieur the Prince For he was fallen most violently in love with the Dutchess of Chatillon who had been a long time before intreagu'd with the Prince of Conde and in regard he could not break off their familiarity but by separating 'em forever he knew no other way to succed but by a War and that was the only motive which induc'd him to desire it The Conduct of the Court and the Prince's behaviour soon furnish'd both sides with occasion of mistrust and both parties prepar'd a like for a Rupture The Prince of Conde sent the Marquiss of Silleri into Flanders under pretence of disingaging Madam de Logueville and Marshal Turenne from the Treaties they had made with the Spaniards to procure his Liberty but in truth he had orders to take measures with the Count of Fuensalida Governour of the Low Countries and to sound him before hand what assistance the Prince might expect if he were constrain'd to a War The Count return'd his answer to the proposal according to the usual custom of the Spaniards and promising much more then could reasonably be expected from him left nothing omitted to engage the Prince to take Arms. The Prince also by means of Vinueil negotiated with Mademoiselle de Pons to engage the Duke of Guise in his party obliging himself when he treated with Spain to procure his liberty which he did effectually Moreover upon notice of a intended design to arrest him he withdrew to St. Maur and by the Duke of Rochefoucaut gave notice to the Duke of Orleance of the occasion of his withdrawing out of the way He refus'd to speak in private with Marshal Gramont who came in the King's name to demand the cause of his withdrawing and to invite him to return to Paris with a promise of all security But the Prince return'd him an answer in the hearing of all the company that were present That thâ— Cardinal Mazarin were remov'd from the Court his Spirit and his Maxims raign'd there still and therefore there could be no safety in that place for his person The Prince of Conti also and Madam de Longueville repaird to St. Maur as soon as the Prince arriv'd there and for the first days there was a Court no less numerous nor less crouded with persons of Quality then the Kings with all divertisements serviceable to Politics as Balls Comedies Play and Hunting and the welcome entertainment drew an iâ—finite number of fickle people that always offer their Service at the beginning of parties dividing themselves and which either betray or abandon 'em according to their fears or their interests Thus Mounsieur the Prince believing he was in a condition to support himself at Paâ—is against the Court repair'd thither and sent Madam the Princess the Duke of Enguien and Madam de Longueville to Montrond with a design to pass soon after into Gâ—yenne where the whole Province was prepar d to receive him But when he arriv'd in the Capital City of the Kingdom he found that the Cabal of Slingers were absolutely against him in hopes that the Court would protect 'em in their opposition to him The Coadjutor who was the head of 'em openly declar'd himself his Enemy and never went to the Palace without a great number of armed Men at his heels which oblig'd the Prince to do the same nay one day the two parties were ready to have drawn upon one anoher in the great Hall The Prince therefore fearing least the Slingers should be too strong for him at Paris passed into Guyenne where fortune was as little favourable to him the Count de Harcourt having always the advantage over him On the other side the Duke of Nemours who commanded the Army that came out of Flanders and the Duke of Beaufort who led the Duke of Orleance's Troops being ready to joyn near the River Loire corresponded so ill together that the Prince of Conde thought it necessary to take the command of both together to prevent the unlucky consequences that might attend the misunderstandings of the Chieftains To that purpose he at length departed leaving the Count of Marsin in Bourdeaux to keep that City with the whole Province under his obedience and to hinder his enemies from taking any advantage of the differences between the Prince of Conti and Madam de Longueville For the Prince of Conti could not endure she should have any Lover and display'd those transports of his jealousie which no way became a Brother At length the Prince of Conde arriv'd in the Army with a small train after he had escap'd many daâ—gers beat Marshal d' Hoquincourt and had some advantage over Marshal Turenne but tho fortune was favourable to him in both those enterprises however he was desirous of Peace and was willing to enter into a Negotiation with the Court. To which purpose he sent away Gourville with an Instrument drawn up in the presence of the Dutchess of Chatillon and the Dukes of Nemours and Rochefoucaut Presently the greatest part of the Propositions made by the Prince were granted nor had the Treaty been broken off but upon the pretentions of the Duke of Bouillon who desir d that the Dutchy of Albret might be taken from the Prince and settl d upon him in lieu of what had been promis'd him for the loss of Sedan The Dutchess of Ghatillon seeing the Negotiation broken off would needs undertake the accommodation her self and perswaded the Prince to give his consent For she most passionately desir'd Peace out of a design to despite Madam de Longueville whose interest it was to hinder a Pacification that she might not be oblig'd to return to her Husband The Emulation which Beauty and Courtship frequently causes among Ladies had occasion'd an extraordinary feud between the two Dutchesses and they had a long time conceal'd their animosity but at length it broke out with a vengence on both sides Nor did Madam de Chatillon confine her Victory to the obligation she had laid upon Nemours to breake of all familiarity with Madam de Longueville upon circumstances no less entrenching upon her Honour then publickly known she would also deprive him of the knowledge of Affairs and have the Conduct and Interests of the Prince solely at her disposal The Duke of Nemours who was deeply engag'd with her approv'd this design and thought that
his advanc'd years would incline the Duke of Guise to listen to him with so much the more patience and he was willing to undertake the business The Duke of Guise had much ado at first to believe what Aged Cheuvreuse told him however it fixt some kind of jealousie in his mind Now Mademoiselle de Pons who was oblig'd to part with Malicorne upon her entrance into Guyenne not being able to live absent from him wrote to the Duke of Guise and desir'd he would be pleas'd that she might return to Paris The Duke well understanding the cause of her impatience desir'd her on the other side to stay for some time longer with her Parents but she without any respect to his request set forward and away she came When she was arriv'e the Duke of Guise brib'd one of her Chambermaids and by her means got into his hands the little Box wherein she lockt up all her Lovers Billet douxes and there he found a great number of Letters which plainly made out a form'd Intreague besides some other Letters from the Marshal de Aumont and Marshal d' Albert that spoke the Language of fortunate Lovers which drove him to his wits end Upon this he broke off with Mademoiselle de Pons and us d her very unworthily for he su'd her at Common-Law for a pair of Pendants valu'd at 50000 Crowns and a rich suit of Tapestry which he had given her but with very ill success So that the loss of his Suite redoubld his indignation and he resolv'd to assault her in her own house of which she having notice sent for the Marshal d'Aumont and Marshal d' Albert to protect her the one being Captain of the Guards the other Lieutenant of the King 's Light Horse Presently they hastn'd to her aid with a Body of Cavalry which was the reason that the Duke of Guise made no farther attempt Fain would Marshal d' Albert have made his Market of this piece of service and exacted compliances from Mademoiselle de Pons which she could not find in her heart to grant because she doated altogether upon Malicorne Thereupon that jealous Lover resolv'd to be reveng'd upon her for her ingratitude and entring to that purpose into a League with the Duke of Guise they resolv'd to get an Order from the King to take her away by force and send her into an Abby in the Pyreneans of which a Kinswoman of the Marshals was Abbess Madam de Pons having notice of this Conspiracy stole out of Paris in the habit of a Country market-woman with only two of her waiting women and went to Brussels under pretence of pursuing her Steward who having robb'd her was fled the same way At her departure she left the fatal Box wherein were all her Love Letters with Mademoiselle de Tieure who had been a Pensioner with her at Chassemidi with orders to deliver it to no person living but her self which was afterwards the cause of her breaking off with Malicorne as we shall relate in due place As for the Duke of Guise he being inform'd of her departure resolv'd to make a second voyage to Naples and to that purpose embark'd himself aboard the King 's Fleet. 1654. Nor was the Duke the only Person that prov'd unfortunate in his Amours for the Abbot Touquet who was no less violently in love with the Dutchess of Chatillon left nothing omitted to gain her affection but all the complacency she had for him was only in order to coaxe him out of considerable presents One day that he went to visit her he found her upon the Bed in a sullen moody humour nor could all that he could say to her put her out of it Thereupon he ask'd her chief woman what he should do to divert her and propounded several ways that were not accepted But at length the cunning Ouistrel who was acquainted with all her Mistresses knacks put it into the Abbots head to carry her to St. Germons Fair and the Maid and the Mistress acted their parts so well together that they got out of the incontinent Abbot a Service of Gilt Plate valu'd at above Fifty Thousand Crowns However she had other Admirers that came off at a cheaper rate among the rest Bouchu Intendant in Burgundy and Cambiac Canon in the Cathedral of Albi who was above fifty years of Age. As for Mademoiselle de Pons she made as great a Hurlyburly at the Court of Brusselles as she had done in France The Marquiss of Bouteville a Favourite of the Prince of Conde's and the Marquiss of Fuenclara a Captain under Don John of Austria both offer'd her their Services and to the first she lent a favourable ear The Prince himself also paid her some sedulities but finding more resistance then he expected he quitted her Lodgings full of Choller and Indignation Some days after he understood that Bouteville had not been so unkindly repuls'd which put him into such a Chafe that he swore to him he would never pardon him if he did not quit her forever offering on his part never to have any more to do with her Moreover to let him see that he would be exact to his word he obtain'd an order from Don John by which Madam de Pons was commanded to leave Brussells in twenty four hours and within eight days to depart the King of Spains Territories Howerver Bouteville paid her several private visits after she had receiv'd this Order and they agreed together that she should make a shew of departing and that after she had travell'd about four Leagues from Brussells she should return in the night time to a Chamber which he would hire for her in a by corner of the Town Nor was she worse then her word to Bouteville and for fifteen days together they enjoyâ—d each other in great tranquility But by misfortune Fuenclara having espi'd one of Madam de Depons's Chamber-maids looking out at the Window he learnt by her that her Mistress lay in that Lodging Incognito for it was not the first time that that same damsel had tasted of his liberality Mademoiselle de Pons finding her self discover'd would stay no longer at Brussells for fear of being affronted but withdrew to the Hague where she stay'd all the while that the Spaniards kept the field But after they had taken up their Winter Quarters Bouteville sent for his Mistress to Antwerp whither she was coming but he sent her word by one of the Trumpeters of his Rement to miss Antwerp and return to Brussells in regard the Prince of Conde was gone to give instructions about some thing to be done in the former City Madam de Pons no sooner receiv'd these tydings but she set forward and by an unlucky mischance met the Prince of Conde in a narrow hollow way in his return form visiting the Frontier Garrisons who thought he knew her but Lainett and the President Viole perswaded him to the contrary After this happy escape Madam de Pons arriv'd at Brussells and alighted at
forth She excus'd her self at first alledging the ill usage of both the Queens To which the King reply'd that he was King and that he would fain see who they were that durst controule his Actions At length therefore she came forth and put her self into the King s Coach Upon the Roade the King propos d to provide a House and a Train for her But that seeming too glorious she avoided it for that time by only returning him submissive thanks Thereupon the King carry'd her himself to Madam and recommended her to her care which redoubl'd the Princesses Despite Besides that the King continu'd his Visits with more assiduity then before He openly sent her Presents the most magnificent that Soveraignty could purchase All this while the King continually urging her to take a House she at last consented and he gave her Biron-House which he went himself to see furnish'd with the Richest movables that were in France The Queen was almost at Deaths Door for Grief but her Amends lay in her own hands what could not be avoyded was to be endur'd At the same time also the King fell sick at Versailles La Valiere was more prudent then to visit him However his Indisposition not proving dangerous at the same instant that Liberty was allow'd for Persons of Quality to pay him their Devoirs she wrote to him the following Lines 'T is the General Report that You are very ill It may be 't is only to afflict me 'T is likewise said that You are disturb'd at this last Rumour In the midst of these Perplexities I begg the Life of my Lover and then am ready to abandon the Kingdom and all the World besides Wherefore if You love me will you not permit me to pay You the Duty of a Visit Adieu send for me to morrow that is to say if my Disquiet will suffer me to live till then The King kiss'd the Billet a thousand times and order'd Madam de St. Agnan to bring Mademoiselle la Valiere to him His Orders were obey'd he saw her with a thousand Transports of joy and exceeded so far in his Amorous Caresses with his Mistress that he fell into a Relaps But that Excess of his produc'd no bad effect in regard that la Valiere nine Months after was brought to Bed of a Young Princess that prov'd a most enchanting Beauty The King's Love was so violent that some time after he became jealous of his Mistress He went to Visit her every day but he only mus'd or fell a reading all the while he was there and sometimes left her without so much as hardly speaking to her His jealousie became so prevelent that he fell into a dreadful fit of Melancholy However in regard that jealousie most commonly proceeds from an excess of Passion he was taken one Evening with so violnet a Pain in his Head and such frequent Vomitings that the Duke of St. Agnan to whom the King had imparted his jealousie thought it convenient to give la Valiere notice of it He also put her in mind that it became her to leave nothing omitted that might contribute to his Cure La Valiere made answer that the Kings Humour had extremely afflicted her but that she could not condesend to begg Pardon for that she was never Guilty of that in a word she had reason to complain of the King but that His Majesty had no reason to blame her The Kings Indisposition redoubl d but as violent as his Headake was his Love was yet far more impetuous He bid the Duke of St. Agnan go immediately to his Mistress and acquaint her with his Malady who presently return'd with the following Billet Did I but know the cause of your Pains I would apply a Remedy tho' it cost me my Life But Good God! how much in vain it is to tell you what I say 'T is not I that can dispose of Your Majesties happy or unlucky Dayes The King was charm'd with the manner of his Mistresses writing who presently after came to see him together with Madam de Montauzier who retir'd out of respect to the end of the Room with the Duke of St. Agnan while la Valiere sate upon the King's Bed Where she carress'd him with a thousand tender expressions which so enchanted the King that he beg'd her Pardon a thousand times This their Conversation lasted five hours and then they parted after they had reciprocally vow'd to Love each other Eternally The two Queens were at their witts end to see the King 's excessive Devotion to la Valiere nor was their any thing which they left omitted to take him off from this extream Passion But when they found that all their Efforts prov d fruitless they thought there was no other way but for Father Anat who was his Confessor to interpose his Spiritual Authority Which he did and that too after so severe a manner that the King thank'd him for his good Counsel and his Service but told him withal that for the future he would have no other Confessor but his Curate Thus was Poor Father Anat turn'd out of favour to the great grief of his Brethren whom he forgot to consult upon this ticklish point Sometime after it came into the Kings head that he would have both the Queens receive la Valiere into their favour To which purpose he spoke of it to Madam de Montauzier who went at the same Instant by his Order to the Young Queen's Chamber Madam de Montauzier was very much perplexed about the complaint she had to deliver however she ventur'd upon her message but the Queen would by no means listen to her Three days after she miscarry'd which had like to have cost her her life The King appear'd to be very much afflicted at it and one day as he stood by the Queens Bed side she desir'd him in the presence of the Queen Mother and a Clergyman of Note to bestow la Valiere in Marriage To which the King made answer that if la Valiere were so dispos'd he would not be against it and presently bethought himself of the Marquiss of Vardes for her Husband But the Marquess who was in love with Madam de Soissons and had no mind to any of the Kings Mistresses laught at the Proposal And afterwards the Marquiss of Vardes and Count de Guiche made such bold Lampoons upon the King's Amours that they were both banisht the Court. The King who had a vehement affection for la Valiere and understood how terribly she was discompos'd upon the Proposal of Marriage went to see her three times a day La Valiere however could not forbear upbraiding the King with the little love he had for her since he could consent so easily to resign her into the Embraces of another But the King gave her such potent Reasons for what he did that his Mistriss was satisfied The Kings Assiduitie and Affection for la Valiere thus redoubling they who approv'd not his Familiarity would needs proceed to violence One night
certain Persons in Vizards got into her Chamber by the help of Ladders made of Cords But she avoided the danger I know not how and the King appointed her Guards and a Steward to tast all the Meat that was carryed to her Table People discours'd according to their Fancies upon this Adventure but 't is an easie thing to understand from whence the Blow came without being a Conjurer Nevertheless la Valieres Enemies were not at all discourag'd there was nothing which they did not attempt to deprive her of the Kings Affection The Duke of Mazarin who pretended to a world of devotion demanded of him a Particular and private Audience which was granted him â—he Subject of their whole discourse was upon a Vision which the Duke had seen that the Kingdom should be quite ruin'd if the King did not utterly abandon la Valiere 's Company withal he told his Majesty at length that he had a Commission from God himself to give him that fair warning And I reply'd the King advise ye from my self to take a great care of your Brains which are in a deplorable condition and to restore like a Good Christian what your Uncle the Cardinal has robb'd from the Kingdom Upon which the Duke made him a low Bow and withdrew full of shame and confusion Two or three Months after the Queen would needs make her last Efforts She talk'd to him her self of the scandal which he brought upon his Kingdom by a familiarity that was the sport of all the Courts of Christendom To which the King reply'd that Kings and Queens had always been the talk of the world and that she knew by experience that she her self had not been spar'd Which so netled the Queen to hear him touch upon that string that she never after open'd her Lips to reprove him for his Amours The next day la Valiere was brought to bed of a Prince The King who was almost all alone with her when her Pains came upon her was at a loss and it may be said that he was half her Midwife Soon after he made her a Dutchess and still the King continued his Visits to her and one day he found her in a deep Melancholly For as for her Beauty it was never very charming so she was grown so lean after her last lying in that it was a great mortification to her Now in regard she perceiv'd that the King was sensible of her Pensiveness she confest to him that she was afraid he had not the same Affection for her which formerly he had For added she do you think that my Looking Glasses does not inform me that I have almost lost those allurements that render Mistresses agreeable to their Lovers Yet this I dare say that you will never meet with otherwhere what you have found in me I understand ye reply'd the King But wherefore do you thus by your unjust suspicions affront a Prince that adores and ever will adore ye as long as he lives This Protestation charm'd la Valiere Nevertheless 't is certain that the King began to miss those charms which he had found in her till then tho' he was convinced that he lov'd her when he consulted his own thoughts In a word he was never taken with her Beauty but with her Wit and her Behaviour and somthing I know not what which it is impossible for a Man to express About this time it was that Madam de Montespan appear'd at Court And in regard she was a Person of a Transcending Beauty she laid great designs to insnare the Kings heart But as yet la Valiere possess'd it so intirely that all her Plots prov'd ineffectual So that finding the King so little inclin'd to entertain her she cast her eyes upon Monsieur and he comply'd however he had another Mistress who disgusted Madam de Montespan It may be said that the King had still some little inclination for la Valiere But for all that at the same time that Madam de Montespan display'd all her temptations at Court to render him sensible of her Charms he had some little kindness for the Princess of Monaco That new Mistress was nothing cruel However the King grew weary of her in a very little time M. de Lausun who at first had no small share in the Princess of Monaco was so enrag'd at the Infidelity of his Mistress that he payd all his vows to Madam de Montespan Nor was he long before he obtain'd her last favours Thus M. de Lausun's Happiness became the publick discourse of the Court and the King reflecting upon the good fortune of his Fovourite of whom all people gave out that he was belov'd by the most beautiful Woman of France this made him look upon Madam de Montespan as a Person that had all those perfections which really she had And from that time forward it was that he began to fall off from his affection to la Valiere for she was still call'd by that name tho' she had the Title of Dutchess conferr'd upon her Madam de Montespan on the otherside had too watchful an eye not to perceive as soon that the King began to have a growing kindness for her and from that very time she endeavour d to the utmost of her power to settle her self at Court. This she thought she might be able to do â— once she could but wind her self into a strict amity with Madam de la Valiere Nor did she attempt it in vain while Madam de la Valiere sought on her side to disburthen into the bosome of some sincere friend her sorrow for the extinguishing flames of her Lover And the forwardness of Madam de Montespan so highly pleas'd la Valiere that they became great friends in outward appearance especially on Madam de Montespan's part who had her aim and hated at the bottom of her heart a Rivaless whose favour with the King she was labouring might and main to undermine On the otherside the King who began already to feel something of tenderness for Madam de Montespan was overjoyd to find her everyday with la Valiere For which reason he was the more assiduous in his visits But Madam de la Valiere soon perceiv'd that 't was not for her sake that the King so frequently came to see her but that Madam de Montespan possess'd his Inclinations She complain'd to the King therefore after a most tender manner and the King without evasion and as obligingly as he could told her that Madam de Montespan was one of the most beautiful women that ever he saw and that he verily believeâ—d she had a passion for him To this the King added that she had no reason to be surprisâ—d at it that the change should be no prejudice to her that he would always preserve a particuliar esteem for her and that he thought she had no cause to be disatisfied Madam de la Valiere melted into tears But then the King repeated what he had said He declar'd to her that he desir'd she
de Fontange made her appearance in more then ordinary Splendor The King never left her and after he had given her the pleasure of seeing the Hunted Deer run just before her they went aside into the thickest part of the Wood where they stay'd for some time and from that day forward it was that M. de Fontange still found her self somewhat indispos'd She had on an Embroider'd Justtaucore of very great value which the King had presented her and wore a little flat Shepherdesses Hat cover'd with a Carnation and white Plume of Feathers which wrought a wonderful effect 'T was a most lovely day but toward the evening when the King was returning home there was a gentle Breeze which forc'd M. de Fontange to leave off her Hatt After which she ty'd her Head Attire with a Ribband the Knots of which hung down a little upon her Forehead and that same dress so highly pleas'd the King that he desirâ—d her not to dress her self otherwise all that evening The next day all the Ladies appearâ—d with their Heads drest after the same manner And this was the Original of those large Towers that Women still wear a Fashion that deriv d it self from the Court of France over all the Courts of Europe The next day after the Hunting March Madam de Fontange was troubled with extraordinary pains in her head and faintings of her heart so violent and sharp that she could not forbear complaining nor would the King stil from her overwhelmed with grief to see her in that condition At what time all of a suddain casting her Eyes upon the King with a tender and languishing Utterance Dear Prince said she was there a necessity that such great Pains should so speedily follow such great Pleasures But 't is no matter added she immediately I love the cause of 'em and shall do while I live The Passionate manner of her delivering these words rais'd the Kings Pity and his Love withall to that degree that he Embrac'd her with those Transports that he never had shown for any of his other Mistresses He vow'd to her that he never lov'd any one before so dearly as he lov'd her and that he would love her eternally After the King had declar'd himself for his new Mistress he so little observed any Measures that the whole Court knew within two Hours after all that had passed upon this occasion Madam who had as great an aversion for Madam Fontange as she had for La Valiere and who was no less vext to the heart and the Soul for having supply'd the King with two Mistresses that had quite baulk'd her of the King's Affection made it the subject of a thousand Nipping Taunts and Jokes Nor could Madam de Montespan forbear from doing very near the same thing So that one Evening the King found the following Verses under his Toilete Trouble not thus Great Pince your Brains nor Breast A Hero like your self too much of weakness shews Thus to disturb your rest And labour under Female throws To see Fontange in a Fainting-Fitt For Fainting-Fitts ne'r kill'd a Mistress yet How Kings themselves the loss of Reason prove When once submitted to the Laws of Love Then curb yoâ— Sighs and Lamentations cease For this is not the only time in short That your Fontange's Heart Has been tourmoil'd with Fainting-Fitts like these The King who had been told some days before that Madam had asserted in Company that M. de Fontange had been guilty of Intreagues in the Province from whence she came made no question but the Verses proceeded from her hand on of some of her Friends Upon which he declar'd that the affront touch'd him so much the more to the quick because the Attack was made upon his Mistresses Honour the most sensible part of a woman On the otherside M. de Fontange desir'd Justice to be done her for the Calumny that was thrown upon her and presently let fall a deluge of Tears But the King told her the best Justice he could do her was to despise the Lampoons and Satyrs of her Enemies and she agreed and Satyrs that 't was the best course they could take wherein she acted very prudently In the mean time the King refus'd no favour that Mademoiselle de Fontange desir'd of him She could but speak and have and more then that she obtain'd what he refus'd to several Princes He grunted Pensions to the greatest part of her friends and conferr'd upon one of her Sisters the Abby of Chelle very considerable for the yearly Revenue And that new Abbess was Conscecrated with that Pomp and Magnificence as it would be a difficult matter to describe The Ceremony was honour'd by a great number of Prelates almost all the Court was present and M. de Fontange appear'd with so much splendor that she drew upon her the Eyes of all the Spectators as much as the Abbess who was consecrated The faintings of the Heart which Madam de Fontange complain'd of continu'd till she declar'd herself to be big with Child which oblig'd the King to confer upon her the Title of Dutchess as he had done upon la Valiere and to provide her a House for the maintenance of which he allow'd her a hundred thousand Crowns a Month. But in regard she was extreamly liberal the Duke of Nouailles was made choice of to regulate her Expences to the end the Sum might hold out And then they began to call her Madam So soon as Madam de Montespan was fully convinc'd that she was to make room for her Rivaless she began to think of retiring and gave it out openly 'T was thought at first that she would have encreased the number of the Nunns at Fonterault because she had made some journey 's thither but she never had any thoughts of confining her self to such a Melancholy Life She withdrew indeed but was so far from removing from the Court as her Predecessor had done that she tarri'd there paid her Visits as she was wont to do and order d her Affairs after such a manner that she had always some little share in the Cabinet Intreagues This Retirement was better understood then Madam de la Valieres but she had reason without doubt for what she did However it were the King forbore not his Visits to Montespan but went to see her sometimes which made her give out that her Credit with the King was still greater then ever it was That the King's Love for Fontange was but a Transitory unsteady Affecttion from which he would recall himself as soon as he did from that which he had for Madam de Lude which lasted but for a few days lastly that she had reason to believe that her Lover would return to her again more enamour'd then ever he had been her Favourites also and Friends at Court endeavour'd to give a Reputation to these Reports But the more cleare-sighted finding that the King abandon'd himself wholly to Madam de Fontange began to seek her favour who still