Selected quad for the lemma: death_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
death_n	accuse_v	age_n	answer_v	17	3	6.7054	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A47710	Memorable accidents, and unheard of transactions containing an accout of several strange events: as the deposing of tyrants, lamentable shipwrecks, dismal misfortunes, stratagems of war, perilous adventures, happy deliverances, with other remarkable occurrences, and select historical events, which have happened in several countries in this last age. Translated from the French, printed at Brussels in 1691. and dedicated to his present Majesty William King of England, &c. Published in English by B.B.	B. B.; Léonard, T.	1693 (1693)	Wing L1100A; ESTC R217274	108,650	193

little fresh Gale which we had in our Poop would speedily drive us to Lemnos with the assistance of the brawny Arms of the Galley-Slaves Day did not yet appear when we hoised Sail with the most favourable Wind that Heaven could send or we desire but about Nine a Clock on a sudden the Air was darken'd and a cold shower falling at the same time it seem'd as if all the Winds had conspired against us The Pilot crying out amain commanded them to furl the Sails but all to no purpose the confus'd noise of Voices and whistling of the Winds hinder'd the Mariners from hearing and obeying him He call'd upon some to help him to Govern the Helm and others stood to observe the motions of the Waves and according as they saw them coming cry'd incessantly Orsa or Podgia which are Sea Terms signifying Steer to the right or to the left which he did very dextrously to break the force of the rolling Surges Mean while we who had no other imploy but fear and terror express'd the various motions that we felt within us The Ambassador in terms full of tenderness that would have softned the most flinty Hearts accus'd himself as the cause of our Ruine He bemoaned the tender Age of his Children and the Youth of the rest of the Gentlemen as if he had been guilty of their Deaths Some made Vows others curs'd the occasion that had engag'd them in this Voyage and amongst the rest there was a Noble Venetian of the Family of the Cornaro's between eighteen and twenty years of Age who freely and seriously offer'd 50000 Ducats to any that would save his life One might make a long Litany of the Saints that were invok'd and most certain it is That he that would learn to pray must go to Sea Whilst we were thus busied the Tempest increas'd and the Captain of the Galley sent to ask us whether we would come above Deck or stay below because he was oblig'd to close all the Port-holes that the Water might not enter into the Ship There were only two that resolv'd to dye without going to see their Graves For my part I plac'd my self in the Stern among the rest agitated with hope and fear according as I heard our Captain and the Mariners talk to one another who resisted the Tempest with incredible courage But this continued not long and the knowledge of their Language that sometimes gave me some comfort did quickly quash all my hopes and throw me into a violent despair when I heard the Captain say aloud That in the space of forty years wherein he had commanded that Vessel he had never seen such a Storm and that the fury of the Winds increased so vehemently that all we had hitherto felt were nothing but gentle breezes in comparison of the horrible Gusts that were ready to overwhelm us It was not enough that they had struck Sail they were forc'd to take down the Sail-yards and when he saw that one Wave had broke ten or twelve Oars he commanded the Rowers to forsake those that remain'd and all the Crew plac'd themselves on the Coursey of the Galley Till then the noise of the Slaves and Mariners had hinder'd us from being fully sensible of the Tempest but when it became the only object of our Eyes and Ears all having left off their useless labour and ceasing to resist the irresistible Storm Good God! what a Spectacle did we behold The very remembrance of it makes me quake when I think on it The furious whistling of the Winds the mountains of foamy Billows tumbling in heaps and threatning every moment to Bury us in the bottom of the dreadful Abyss the noise of the Cables and Tackling the cracking of the Galley the mournful shrieking and confused cries of so many persons every one in his own Tongue imploring the Aid of Heaven when the roaring Surges advanc'd to overwhelm us are things that cause motions which are not easily express'd We wholly abandon'd our selves to despair all but two or three that still kept by the Helm and the Captain who resisted the Tempest a great while He now caus'd the Throats of two Sheep to be cut and cast them into the Sea one on each side of the Vessel to appease the Angry Heavens and obtain their assistance by this Sacrifice He not only made them throw Clothes and Baggage over-board but resolv'd also to disburthen the Galley of part of the Company and would have decimated the Slaves if the Kodgia that was with him had not represented unto him that it was but folly to continue longer obstinate in resisting the Decrees of Fate and Laws of Providence which must necessarily be obey'd and that to persist in this vain opposition would offend God and incense him more against us The Captain yielding to the perswasions of the Kodgia commanded the Pilot and his companions to leave the Helm and abandon the Galley to the fury of the Storm and resigning himself to a certain Shipwrack and Death sate down upon his Ankles by the Kodgia In that posture joining their Hands before their Eyes and shaking their Heads over their Knees they mumbled out certain Prayers in which they often with fervent aspirations pronounc'd the Name of God If we had been capable of feeling new sorrows this last resolution of these men would have certainly touched us but it made no impression on our Souls for we were become altogether insensible and so hardened with the continuation of fear and danger that we calmly beheld the Death-threatning Waves approaching and without being mov'd look'd upon our foamy Grave as if we had been already Buried in it And it may be said that the continuation of a danger which is believ'd to be inevitable doth often cause a sort of firmness of Mind which may be call'd Courage but is at the bottom only a pure insensibility But whilst none of us thought either of escaping or perishing our Galley without Sails or Oars driven only by the violence of the stormy Gusts and rolling Waves running four and twenty miles in an hour approach'd so near to Lemnos that three men who had not abandon'd the Helm notwithstanding of the Captains orders began to entertain some hopes of a possibility of an escape Immediately they shouted out with a tone full of terror and boldness together Courage Courage but do you think that their crying could rouze our spirits out of that Lethargick Extasie in which they lay in a manner Entranc'd Not at all for we had so far lost all our Senses and our Hearts were benum'd with such a stupifying dullness that one of them was forc'd to justle the Captain very rudely before he answer'd him who seem'd by 〈…〉 Death to which he had resign'd himself They had great difficulty to make him take away his Hands from before his Eyes and much more to make him rise up and command the Mariners to their respective Duties All the company began now to breathe a little

and that he himself had the greatest cause to complain that his Loyalty should be suspected who had given so many and so great proofs thereof The Count of Soissons finding all his endeavours were fruitless against his obstinate temper left him and the next morning early the King sent for him into the little Garden and discours'd with him a long time he making still great protestations of his Innocency beating his Breast and casting up his Eyes to Heaven in confirmation thereof At their parting there appeared Anger in the Kings Countenance and by the Dukes carriage there seemed Fire in his Words From thence the Duke went to Dinner and had a Letter delivered him with Advice to retire himself but he laugh'd at all warnings and despised any Advertisement of his fall The King had an account of his Bravado's but took little notice of them at length upon consultation with some of the Lords of the Council it was resolved that he should be apprehended and likewise the Count of Auvergne the King would not have them taken in the Court but in their own Lodgings which the Duke of Biron was somewhat apprehensive of and therefore thought he need fear nothing in the Presence-Chamber but that his danger would be most in going forth to prevent which he had provided a short Sword wherewith to make his way by the Death of any Opposer The King was informed that if he were not seized in the Presence-Chamber it would occasion Blood-shed to prevent which it was convenient to pass by some unnecessary respects the King sent for Vitry and Pralin Captains of his Guards and ordered them in what manner to execute his commands The Duke of Biron sup'd at Montignys Lodgings where he discours'd more proudly and vainly than ever of his own Merits and his many Friends in Switzerland and proceeded highly to commend the Piety Justice and Liberality of the late King of Spain Montigny sudenly interrupted him saying The greatest commendation due to that Princes memory was That he put his own Son to Death for attempting to promote troubles and disturbances in the State This put an end to the Dukes Harangue who by his Eyes seemed to hear this sharp reply with much amazement and surprize After Supper the Duke of Biron and the Count of Auvergne waited on the King in the Garden with a greater Train of Guards than they expected The King invited the Duke to play in the Queens Lodgings they plaid at Chess and the King being perplex'd went often to and again to his Closet As they entred the Door of the Chamber the Count of Auvergne whispered the Duke in the Ear We are undone The King was much unresolved but at length he pray'd God to assist him with his Holy Spirit and to infuse such Resolutions into him as might be for his Glory and the good of his people over whom he Ruled only by his Grace His Prayer ended his doubts were satisfied and he concluded absolutely to deliver the Duke into the hands of Justice The Count of Auvergne was retir'd the King sent for him and walked about the Room while the Duke minded nothing but his Game Varennes Lieutenant of his Company pretending to take up his Cloak told him in his Ear He was undone This last word astonished him so that he neglected his Game which the Queen observing told him That he had misreckon'd himself to his own loss The King answered That they had plaid enough commanding every man to retire He took the Duke of Biron into his Cabinet and charged him once for all freely to declare what Transactions he had managed with the Duke of Savoy and the Count of Fuentes Governour for the King of Spain assuring him that his Clemency should surmount his Crimes The Duke though he was conscious to himself that he deserved Death yet had not the humility to desire his Life nor a Tongue to beg pardon but answered the King more resolutely than ever That they had contrived the overthrow of an honest Man and that he had no other design than what he had already discovered I wish to God it were so said the King but I find you will not acquaint me with it Adieu Good Night As the Duke was going out of the Cabinet and had passed the Chamber-Door he met Vitry who laid his Hand upon Birons Sword and demands the delivery of it by the Kings Order From me said the Duke What to take away my Sword who have so faithfully served the King My Sword Who have ended the War and have settled Peace in France That my Sword which my Enemies could never wrest from me should be now taken away by my Friends He intreated the Duke of Montbazon to beseech the King to give him leave to deliver it into his own hands the King ordered Vitry to do as he had commanded him The Duke was forced to suffer it to be taken from him and in delivering in cast his Eyes about to seize upon another but they prevented him When he saw all the Guard placed in the Gallery he thought they would have killed him and desired to have something in his Hand that he might have the Honour to dye in defending himself and some little time to pray to God They answered That no Man should hurt him they having Order from the King only to conduct him to his Lodgings You see said he in passing by how good Catholicks are Treated He was carried to the Closet of Arms but neither slept nor lay down Praliu was sent to the Count Auvergne to demand his Sword in the Kings Name I take it said the Count it hath never killed any but Wild Boars if thou hadst informed me of this I had been a Bed and asleep two hours ago These two Noble-men were like Torches in a Field of Corn able to inflame the Kingdom The Duke of Biron grew extreamly impatient scarce speaking a Word but it was either against God or the King and discovered all the rage and fury of a Mad-man but suddenly recollecting himself Well said he I find this is but Folly for all my passion and raving will do me no Service The King returned from Fountainbleau where the Conspiracy was discovered to Paris and was received with the Shouts and Acclamations of the people for his safe return and their Deliverance from Slavery The Prisoners were led to the Bastile the Duke of Biron was melancholly and dejected the Count of Auvergne merry and pleasant the first entred the Bastile as into his Grave the second as into a Palace imagining that no place could be a Prison to him They had the liberty of the House but fearing the Dukes desperation might make him destroy himself they suffered none that came near him to wear Arms and seeing himself served with a Knife without a point he said That this was to the Greve which is a place in Paris where great persons are Executed and speaking of Death with disdain said That it

Grief and Passion he spoke all that a Mind over-whelmed with Sorrow could utter reproaching the Chancellor that he was more desirous to condemn than save him and raved against the King in the most horrid expressions imaginable then shaking the Chancellor by the Arm You have Judged me said he but God will Absolve me he will lay open the Iniquities of those who have shut their Eyes because they would not see mine Innocency You my Lord shall answer for this Injustice before him whither I do Summon you within a year and a day I go before by the Judgment of Men but those that are the cause of my Death shall come after by the Judgment of God All which was spoke with the utmost fury and rage with other terrible Words both against the King and Parliament but his appeal was not answered for the Chancellor lived many years after And then proceeding in his discourse I see very well that I am not the most Wicked but the most Vnfortunate those that have done worse than I ever thought are favoured the Kings Clemency is dead towards me he doth not imitate the example of Caesar nor Augustus or of other great Princes who not only pardoned those that intended ill but that acted it too they were over-sparing of Blood yea of the meanest Wherein can the King shew himself greater than in Pardoning Mercy is a Princely Virtue every one can give Death but it belongs only to Soveraigns to give Life and Cruel that he is Does he not remember that he hath already pardoned me I had a bad Design and he graciously forgave me I demand it again and so you may inform him The Queen of England told me that if the Earl of Essex would have humbled himself and asked her Pardon she would have forgiven him but he grew obdurate and would never implore her Mercy and thereby deprived her of all means to show the effects of her Goodness she like a Generous Princess desired to pardon him as she hoped that God would pardon her He was Guilty I am Innocent he Sued for no Pardon for his Offence I desire it for mine Innocence Is it possible he should forget the Services I have done him Does he not remember the Conspiracy at Mantes and his great danger if I had not prevented it There is no vein in my Body that hath not bled for his Service he shews that he never loved me any longer than he thought himself to have need of me Has he forgotten the Siege of Amiens where I was often seen covered with Fire and Bullets ready to give or receive Death My Father exposed himself to a thousand Dangers and lost his Life to set the Crown upon his Head I have received thirty five Wounds in my Body to secure the Crown to him and for my Reward he takes my Head from my Shoulders Let him beware lest the Justice of God fall upon him he will find what profit my Death will bring him it will but impair the Reputation of his Justice He will lose this day a good Servant and the King of Spain a great Enemy I am not put to Death because I Treated with him my Courage raised me up and my Courage ruins me The Chancellor desired him not to torment himself any more about his Sentence since they had done him that Justice which a Father is bound to pronounce against his Son in such a case as his At which word his rage increased What Justice says he I was never heard but once I could not deliver the fiftieth part of my Justification What Justice upon the Evidence of La Fin the most wretched and execrable Villain in the World The Chancellor to divert his discourse told him that he had brought two Divines to comfort and prepare him for Death he replied That he was already prepared and had his Soul in that Tranquillity as the Night before he had spoken with God and that his Guards had heard him laugh in his Sleep He desired the Chancellor that he might have the last consolation of dying men that is Liberty to make his Will which was granted and he gave away several things to his Servants and the Guards attending him They then desired him to kneel and hear the Sentence read Read it says he and I will be as supple as a Glove but when mention was made that he had attempted against the Kings person he fell again into a Rage so that it was concluded he should be bound and delivered instantly into the hands of the Executioner He swore he would be drawn to pieces with four Horses before he would be carried to dye at the Greve but was told That the King had done him the favour to be Executed in the Bastile By the perswasion of the Divines he began to examine his Conscience continuing therein about an hour which ought to have been done with an humble penitent and contrite Mind but he seemed more careful of the affairs of his Family than of his Soul praying to God not as a devout Christian but like a Souldier His Confession being ended he walked about often crying out of his Innocency and cursing La Fin and asking if it were not lawful for his Brethren to cause him to be Burnt He desired to see some of his Relations and Friends whom he Named but was told That there were none of them in the City whereupon he mournfully said All the World hath forsaken me in these Crimes Friendship is dangerous Friends fail and the Disease is counted Infectious to Acquaintance he is Wisest that knows no Man nor any Man him Going out of the Chappel the Executioner presented himself to him he asked Voison who he was It is said he the Executioner of the Sentence Be gone said the Duke touch me not till it be time and doubting he should be bound he added I will go freely to Death I have no hands to defend my self against it but it shall never be said that I dye bound like a Thief or a Slave and turning towards the Hang-man he swore if he came near him he would pull out his Throat He at length came to the Scaffold and kneeling upon the first step made a short Prayer with his eyes lift up to Heaven when he came up he cast a furious look upon the Executioner Voison perswaded him it was not he Nay says he You think to deceive me but I know him well enough The Executioner offered him a Cloth to put before his Eyes but he refused it saying That if he touch'd him except only to give him the stroke of Death he would strangle him He open'd his Breast to the Guards and said he should be much obliged to them if they would shoot him with a Musket What pity is it said he to dye so miserably and of so infamous a stroke He asked then Is there no pardon Well I have made my Soul ready to present it before Almighty God but I pity the Kings