into the Sea makes a kind of Amphitheater It hath a great Haven and defended as well from the South-east-winds as exposed to the Northern at the head of which is a Ravelin founded in the Sea within which there is the space of above a thousand feet and the way thither is under the said Arch of Trajan This City is fortify'd with strong walls which are very well flank't and a Castle well built which seated on the Mountain commands the haven The houses and streets are somewhat narrow but of very good architecture and industriously order'd which make it fine and beautifull The Citizens are courteous and kinde particularly to Strangers the commodity of the Sea bringing thither good traffique and all sorts of merchandize The Queen was met on the confines by my Lord Gentile the Governour of Loretto who when he had complemented the Queen in his Holynesses name returned thence diligently to receive her at the gate of the City As soone as the Queen had discovered the top of the holy house she alighting out of her litter and kneeling with very great devotion kiss'd often the ground then return'd into her litter going on to the bending of the Mountain where afterwards she alighted again and walk'd to the Church The Queen arriving at the Gate of the City was receiv'd by the said Governor and the Magistrates all the Artillery being discharg'd from the walls and the Muskets which were all in rowes in the streets At the gate of the Church she was after the usuall manner receiv'd by the Chapter the Clergy and Bishop where her Majestie remained about half an hour praying with great humility and afterwards went to the Palace where having supp'd privately she retyr'd to her repose On the 8. of December in the morning she arising betimes went to Confession and heard Mass being afterwards present at high Mass sung at the high Altar with exquisite musick As soone as it was ended she presented at the feet of the holy Image a Crown and royal Scepter empailed with Jewels of great value This Princess could not perform the vowes of her Christian generosity with more proper and more significant representations 'T was fit that if she be sure of the true and weighty Kingdom of Heaven had renounced those on Earth should leave a rare remembrance of it in those tokens of royalty of which she had divested her self And since she had done all for Christs sake it was likewise necessary she should leave to his mother a dear and pretious memory of it After this she returned to her lodgings and dined in publique to satisfy the curiosity of the people flock't thither in great throngs out of the Mark and the neighbouring Countries Count Ferretti of Ancona presented the water for her hands and the Lord Bernard Spada Cardinall Spadas nephew the napkin Count Bonarelli of Ancona was her Sewer and Signior Urbane Rocci Nephew to Cardinall Rocci deceased her Cup-bearer After dinner Don Antonia della Cueva with the Lady his wife arriv'd there who as we said before stai'd behind in Ussulengo by reason of her sickness being seen by the Queen with a joy and content correspondent to the love she bare them Her Majesty went afterwards to the Sacristy where she admired the treasure kept there of the rich Presents made to that house by the religious Piety of severall Princes and Gentlemen As she pass'd by the great cupboord in which were the Scepter and Crown presented by her t' was open'd for her to behold them but with her usuall generous modesty she desir'd it might be shut she saying those trifles were unworthy to be seen When she had seen the treasure and the rest of the curious things there she return'd thence to her lodgings where she was entertained with Musique and the Conversation of the Nuntij supping privately afterwards The content joy and tenderness which her Majesty felt in that Sanctuary are incapable of expression These are gifts reserv'd by Heaven to let vs understand that God alone with his gracious mercies can give vs in this world a tast though it be little of the sweetness he instills into a soul enamoured of him In the mean time his Holinesse had received the letter she had written from Inspruch as was said before so as it being afterwards seconded with the news of the Acts of Piety performed in that place by the Queen his Beatitude was very much edified with those demonstrations The said letter was as followes Most Blessed Father Being arrived in the end to what I desired so much my reception into the lap of our holy mother the Roman Catholique Church I would not be wanting to impart it to your Holiness humbly thanking you for the honour I receiv'd of your loving Commands which are observ'd by me with all due respect to your Holiness I have manifested to the world that to obey your Holiness I have left with great gladness that Kingdome where to honour you is held an irremissible sin and have laid by all humane respect to make it appear I value more the glory of obeying your Holiness than that of the most deserving throne I beseech your Holiness to receive me thus devested as I am of all greatness with the fatherly and accustomed Kindness you have hitherto been pleased to shew me I have here nothing else to sacrifice to the holy feet of your Holiness but my selfe together with my blood and my life which I offer to your Holiness with that blind obedience that is due beseeching you to be pleased to dispose so of me as you shall judge best for the Publique good of our holy Church to which and to your Holiness as the onely and true head of the same I have dedicated the remainder of my life with a most ardent desire to imploy and spend it wholy to Gods greater glory To this end I wish your Holiness many fortunate yeares which are so necessary for the good and Common repose of Christianity beseeching our Lord to conserve in your Holiness the great gifts he hath given you and to make me so happy I may see the long'd for day in which I may fall at the holy feet of your Holiness which I humbly doe Kiss entreating you to impart unto me your holy and paternall benediction c. Your Holynesses most obedient Daughter CHRISTINA Inspruch the 5. of November 1655. The City of Loretto reduc'd into the Compass of a little Borough on the edge of a mountain is fruitfull It 's forme is somewhat long at the head of which towards the Sea is the Church nobly painted and in the midst of it the holy house of the Virgin Mary the most glorious Mother of Christ the redeemer of the world Before the gate of the said Temple is a handsome Piazza and in the middle of it a fountain which throwes up store of water On the right hand are the Governours Palace and their habitations who officiat
promoted by a Genius as noble as generous which made him desirous of glory and ambitious of greatness Prudence was still his companion eloquence and sagacity accompanying his discourses vivacity and affability his treaties and resolution and courage his enterprizes In great affairs he wanted not Providence readinesse and Constancy and the force of his wit and strength of his mind was still most resplendent in difficulties he nobly contemning the Lawrells and Palms which were not augmented by labours and water'd with pains Before the Battell he appear'd not so terrible and dreadfull as gentle mild and mercifull when he had obtain'd the victory being undaunted in dangers vigilant in occasions and wife in each affair A Prince in fine of great understanding and knowledge in all things He was followed with a greater affection and applause than any Commander before him He gave satisfaction to all with his praises hopes or mildnesse and especially his sincerity actions of vertue being written by him with indeleble Characters He never forgat services whether little or great but rewarded and valu'd them He was very wittie in his sayings and most affable in company still treating and speaking to all without pride and frequently asking when he pass'd by his People and Souldiers how they did what they would and desired To his Table and Court while he was in the field he admitted all Gentlemen and private Commanders he usually saying a table is the torment of a secret and a net to catch friendship and affection He could not abide ceremonies and complements affected and to those unacquainted with his Genius hee said or caused others to say they should reserve their Courtship for the Queens minds of honour for he was in the field to teach how to fight and not to lead a dance He was most severe in punishing the Souldiers offences and exact in providing for the peoples security He like a true souldier to give an essay of the greatness of his mind undertook not any enterprize which was without danger he that exhorted him to a care of his life acquiring his displeasure It seem'd to him undecent for a Prince of a warlike constitution to have the thoughts of death he thinking the counsell proceeded from fear which advis'd him to take heed of himself He called him happy that dy'd in his trade the volunteer death taking pay under him that feareth him not His designs were alwaies great but greater after the battell of Lipswick he aspiring to the Empire of Germany Even the Ottoman power began to reflect on the fortune and valour of this King who used to say he wondred the Ancients so easily obtain'd their victories and those of his time with such difficulty to whom when represented it proceeded from the difference in wâ—aring and now the expugnations of Cities and fortresses are harder he reply'd he did not value the difference of arms nor of times but that of the courage That the world was the same each age had it's Mines and Countermines offences and defences and that he could war like Alexander be victorious with Hanibal and equall Caesars Progresses who had the mind of Alexander the skilfulnesse of Hanibal and Caesars undauntednesse In the space of two years he drew to his party either by the force of arms or the motives of his power and reputation of Fortresses Cities and wall'd Town to the number of a hundred and ninety He won many battels in the field but crown'd with that of Lipswick his triumph having conquer'd the most experienc'd and most fortunate Commander of his age and an Army old in battels He passed the Seas and enter'd into Germany with a very little Army but as a small snowball rowling down a high Mountain becomes a great globe so he passing from one enterprise to another could number at his death above 100000 foot and 80000 horse which made up ten Armies together with other bodies all under his colours Nothing but the heresy of Luther eclipsed his high qualities who if he had follow'd the steps of his Ancestors not swerving from the path of the true faith would have been the Heroe of Kings He left no other Progeny than Christina his only Daughter born on the 16. of December in the year 1626 a Princesse of so noble enendowments and so elevated a spirit that 't is not any wonder if she representing in part the living image of her great Fathers vertues give cause to believe Gustavus yet remaines to the world in his specie although not in his individuo Now as their good education who are to have succession in Kingdoms and principalities is the chiefest foundation of the peoples felicity this Princesse us'd a diligent manuring of her mind bequeathing her self to the exercises of vertue to be afterwards able to outstrip with her years the duty of age 'T was therefore observ'd that from the first moments as it were of her life and understanding she began though a child to procure the enlightning of her intellect a command ore her reason limits to her will a curb to her affections a rule to her actions and strength â—o her body She was not seven years old when instructed in the elements of the Latin tongue and letters and having now discover'd what promise she could make to her self in the Progresses of her studies by the quicknesse of her spirit and most singular judgement she fell to the cultivating her mind with the most sublime sciences as those which administer the true lights not to erre in the Pilgrimage of the world and the gaining of Heaven In her minority five Ministers and Officers of the Crown which were the most conspicuous had the government of the Kingdom to wit the great Admirall bastar'd Brother co Gustavus her Father the great Chancellour Axellius Oxestern the great President Gabriel Oxestern the great Constable James of the Garde and the great Treasurer another Gabriel Oxestern In the mean time to her other applications aforesaid she added the instructing of her self in the knowledge of different tongues to make her self the fitter and more capaple for the management of the Kingdom in which she made most eminent Progresses And as the best books are incorrupt Counsellours and Oracles which without the least request even answer to our thoughts so she in reading there employing her best hours endeavour'd to learn there the way to govern well This Princesse advancing with her years in Vertues and Sciences measur'd every ones ability so well with the subtlety of her judgement that though a girle she penetrated the hidden designes of her principall Ministers of whom she made use to draw to her self the totall direction of the affairs of the Kingdom so as she gain'd great veneration free'd her self from the subjection in which some pretended to hold her and beginning to rule shew'd she had not any need to lay the Kingdoms weight on any others head than her own insomuch
that she began when seventeen years old to assist at the Council of the State and in the eighteenth year being out of her minority took upon her the Government on the very same day the War against Denmark was hy the Crown of Swedland declar'd notwithstanding that against the Emperour together with his confederates was most vigorously prosecuted She alwaies made use of knowing and able persons and when any one assum'd to himself more authority than was fitting she found out a way to moderate his animosity She alone did administer all the publique affairs and determin'd them with much ease and satisfaction She alone would treat with Ambassadours and the Ministers of Princes giving audience without the Secretaries of State or any of her Councellours she her self giving answer to the propositions made her as well by her subjects as forraign Princes This Queen though young knew at the same time how to make her self feared and belov'd by her people and strangers She secretly sounding the genius and thoughts of every one so us'd them to the bridle of obedience and respect that she saw her most formidable Commanders though accustom'd at the head of their Armies to make the world affraid to conserve still in her presence a reverence accompany'd with a fearfull obsequiouness On the other side with the nobleness of her mind she still so oblig'd them with offices of such love and affability that she animating their affections encreas'd still towards her self their respect and obedience the true props of a Kingdom She beheld every writing presented her and quickly and with a clear voice recited it in it's language and with her own hand wrote usually the Orders of importance being as shy and heedy in imparting the secrets of her mind as curious and cunning in penetrating those of others She generally affected all Natitions vertue alone being only the object of her love She sought to mend the bad with severity and make the good better with favours and rewards so as 't is no wonder that honour and the rarest conditions that sute with worthy men were seen to flourish more in her Palace than in any other Court No Prince ever favour'd more lovers of vertue than this Queen her Majesty taking very great delight to discourse with knowing Persons and endeavouring to have near her the learnedst of each Nation whom she highly rewarded She had her maids of honour in the Court for decorum and her own entertainment but they never withdrew her from her studies and exercises of vertue No extreamity of weather nor heat of the Sun nor Snow Wind Tempests and Rains nor any other injuries of the season or accidents could induce her to that care of her self which was due to her royal condition She supposed great actions walk'd not well with delights and the Soul had no greater impediment in the gaining of vertues than the body bred up and foster'd in them labour exercise sobriety and vigilance she counting as parts of her strong and vigorous mind The glorious enterprizes which seconded the felicity of her Majesties invincible arms are already eternall in Histories After eight months cruell War and the famous success of her arms she concluded a peace with his Majestie of Denmark to her great gain and honour and afterwards establisht that of Germany not without great advantages to Swedland and then too when she thought it convenient for the ends which she aim'd at in her mind She hath made renoun'd and famous the City of Stockholm with the rule of her directions and the happy remembrance of her government she having nothing more in her thoughts than the causing her Kingdom to abound with arts and wealth Her Throne was the Theater of Glory and Justice no Princess being ever beheld of so free a mind and a courage so undaunted But she thought in the mean time of her great retreat towards Heaven that she might not repent she had been in the World As her great and noble parts did charm the hearts of all that treated with her to the fame of them flying with speed to the most remote Nations produc'd soon the usuall effects of curiosity calling many of the curious and most knowing out of Italy and France to admire her 'T is impossible to express the Civility and Courtesie with which she received every one and particularly her great liberality in gratifying caressing and rewarding the vertuous All the Princes in Europe amaz'd at her famous prerogatives either in their own Persons or else by their Agents endeavour'd to reverence and serve her To her great and conspicuous endowments nothing was wanting but the light of true Religion but Heaven not suffering so beautifull a soul and so good a mind to wander in the darkness of falsehood was so kind to her in his influence to cause great and wonderfull effects Divine grace awaken'd her searching understanding and Heavenly inspirations began to alarum in her mind the Survay of the dissonancies falshoods and untruâ—hs of the Sect she profess'd But the business was nice and she thought it not good to trust her motives to those Ministers credit whose knowledge she had formerly measur'd with more accurateness and wariness She consider'd with her self that as God was still the same so his faith was the same and the foundation of all truth insomuch that with reason he could not suffer any thing to be alter'd and dissonant in the knowledge of that Individuum which should be only one and still uniform to it self She therefore began to discover the weakness of the reasons which Luther and others sustain'd their new opinions and fallacie with and began to discern that the sacred Scripture understood and respected with that Purity and Candour with which 't is received and taught in the Catholique Church furnisht her with clearest arguments to convince their untruths She perceiv'd some sacred books were refus'd by the followers of Luther for no other cause but their own meer capticiousness and only for condemning their errours That of those they retain and have in such esteem the greatest part they alter adulterate and falsifie and so variously interpret that 't is not any wonder amongst such dissentions confusions resembling so many Hydra's head innumerable Sects are multiply'd and produc'd yet all disagreeing and contrary to one another Nay that now the word of God was so vilify'd that each foolish tradesman or ignorant woman durst shamelesly interpret the highest mysteries of the faith which hardly the most knowing and most sublime wits understand That the Sects did encrease or decrease as assisted and fomented here on earth yet faith is a rare gift of Heaven insomuch as the followers of novelties having nothing of assurance nor probably the true sense t was surer to rely on the uniform and agreeing interpretation of so many Saints the Catholique Church hath had in all ages for doctrine and integrity of life so renowned and eminent 'T was therefore too evident
things and even in his younger years followed worthily the glory of his Eminence the Cardinal his Brother who to the integrity of his exempalr life hath joyn'd the greatest prudence an exquisite knowledge of all things deserving the nobleness of his thoughts he shewing to all the highest generosity and courtesie But returning to what was observed at the table the bibbs were presented to the Queen and the Cardinalls Their Eminences were in their rotchets and forbare very strictly to touch any meat till they saw what her Majesty liked and had eaten first of it The first discourse began here by the Queen was of the Painters at Rome she concluding in favour of Peter di Cortona and Cavalier Bernino She then spake of the Musitians and seemed well informed of all the treble voyces or Eunuchs saying Bonaventura was the best at that time and that Cavalier Loreto of Spoleti had taught to sing handsomly continuing a while in the praises of musick and calling it the ornament of Princes and delight of the chambers At the first draught the Queen drank three great pieces of artillery were discharged She discoursed then of the Temples of Europe and said three were great to wit St. Peter in Rome St. Paul in London and the Dome in Millan but that St. Peters was the fairest and greatest adding likewise as it were with a sigh St. Pauls Church in London was now become a stable and here she discoursed awhile of the English affaires Then feeling it grew hot she caused the glasse of the windows to be opened from the top to the botome and the people which stood about the table retired then a little When her Majesty had drank the second time she said she had never drank so much wine as in Italy where it was very excellent The Cardinal Bishop replyed your Majesty hath drank little of it for you put much water to it and we see you carry with you the vertue of the North which the Queen was pleased with In fine new dishes of meat still appearing her Majesty praised Italy as having every thing within it selfe except druggs the Cardinal Legate replyed what sugars Her Majesty answered you have them in Sicily And with these and such like discourses which use to be the pastimes of great persons in their recreations at table and feasts the meat was taken off and the Queen in the midst of the two Cardinals aforesaid retyred to her chamber where their Eminences stayed with her entertaining themselves with several discourses Her Majesty in her speeches shewed a great esteem of France and to be well informed of all the affaires of the world and especially of the Court of Rome and of the last Conclave That night they saw a Comedy at the charge of the Marquis Cornelius Bentivoglio a Cavalier of one of the chiefest families in Italy and who may deservingly be called a true lover of the vertuous This play where the honours of Boreas with Orithia were represented succeeded very well especially for the admirable beauty and finenesse of the machins Her Majesty very worthily esteeming so conspicuous a family honoured with the title of Gentleman of her Chamber and her Cupbearer the Marquis Hippolitus aforesaid who together with the Marquis Cornelus his father waited afterwards upon her to Rome as Donna Constanza Sforza likewise did a Lady of rare parts and great quality and wife to the said Marquis Cornelius who instead of Madam Cueva who staid behind sick as we said supplyed with equal spirit and decorum the charge of chief Lady of the chamber to the Queen attending on her all the rest of the journey to Rome The remainder of the night was solemnized with variety of artificial fireworks all the demonstrations of gladnesse and rejoycing which could proceed from hearts ambitious of conforming themselves to the generous and noble inclination of their Prince While the Queen staid in Ferrara the Count St. Vitale came thither a Cavalier of great quality sent by the Duke of Parma with the title of extraordinary Embassador to complement her Majesty Ferrara is a great and spacious City adorned with splendid and beautiful structures and many piazze inhabited by divers great families and washt on the East and South side with a branch of the river Po. It lyes in a plain low and humid soyle and therefore the aire is supposed a little unwholsome 'T is fortified with strong walls bastions and well flankt with very large and deep ditches being guarded by a cittadel of great strength and very regular in some parts inaccessible to the approaches by reason of the marish scituation on one side The Castle the habitation of the Cardinal Legate is magnificent and sumptuous and was the royal residence of the Dukes of Este the splendour of Italy for the greatnesse of their minds and eminent valour The Cardinal John Baptist Spada a Noble man of Lucca a person of great worth and rare parts preferred for his long services to the holy Sea of Rome to the purple on the second of March 1654. with the title of holy Susanna performed this legation to his very great glory and in this conjuncture acted nobly and abundantly his part On the 25. her Majesty departed from Ferrara being saluted by the Canon from the walls and the fortresse as at her coming thither and they saw all the streets full of souldiers The two Cardinals the Legate and Bishop accompanied her Majesty to the confines of their Legation which end at the river Reno a little way off from the Villa of Poggio appertaining to the Marquis Lambertini an ancient and noble family of Bologna Here at the entrance into the territory of Bologna she was met by my Lord Ranuccio Ricci the Vice-Legate with the traine of many Gentlemen all on horseback who complemented her Majesty in the name of his Eminence Cardinal John Jerome Lomellino the Legate and returned to Bologna leaving the troop of horse that had accompanied him thither to wait on the Queen Her Majesty lay that night in the Villa of St. Benedict in the Palace of the Senatour the Marquis John Nicholas Tanara then President of the Justice and a person highly qualified her train with the four Nuntii being lodged in the Palaces and neighbouring houses where they were treated splendidly The day after she continued her journey toward Bologna whence the Cardinal Legate issuing forth with above 40 coaches with six horses a piece which were filled with the Nobility and three troups of Horse went to meet her at the Villa of Funo distant five miles all the wayes being lined with souldiers and a numerous concourse of people to see this great Princesse She arriving ten paces near his Eminence who allighting before expected her in the midst of the way came out of her coach and received very affably and courteously the complement the Cardinal made her His Eminence after this was constrained to go back with all speed to
Pallettonio a Gentleman of much spirit and active with the assistance of whom and the Signior Vincent Pianciani Treasurer of Perugia and Nicholas Benedetti Treasurer of Spoleto all things were performed with good order and punctuality On the 15th in the Morning her Majesty attended by the Cardinall the Nuntij the Ambassadours Prelates Princes and all the Nobility went to the Cathedrall to hear Mass the Souldiers standing in rankes all along in the streets The porch of the Church was beautified with Figures Inscriptions Mottos and other ornaments done by the Cardinall in the name of the clergy of Spoleto When Mass was ended she returned to the Palace and dined in publique with the Cardinall Signior Maffeo Rosari Master of the Camp of the Province and Gentleman of the City presented her the napkin and the ancientest Magistrate in his habit the water for her hands The Nuntij the Spanish Ambassadour Count Montecuccoli and the other cheif persons of the Court dined at the same time in Gentlemens houses where they were well attended and had every thing in order Her Majesty resolved to goe after dinner to the Church of the Dominicans to see many reliques and particularly the holy naile of our Saviour but the great snow hindered all On Wednesday in the evening her Majesty was pleased to goe to the Town-house and hear there a play Sung in musique by some young Gentlemen of the City with severall machines changes of Scenes On the 16th after dinner her Majesty departed from Spoleto being attended by the Cardinall some miles without the City and the Governour to the confines of the Dioces of Terni When the Cardinall took his leave of the Queen hee told him she not onely was highly satisfied With the honours he had done her but extreamly well edified with the very great knowledg she discovered in his discourses with her This Cardinall is of Bologna and of the noble family of the Marquisses Fachenetti being Pope Innocent the ninth's nephew's sonne He was first Referendarius then Nuntio in Spain where he gave a great testimony of his understanding and capacity At his return to Rome he was for his eminent goodness and worth a little while after preferred to the purple on the 13th of July 1643. He is one of those Cardinalls which hold up the glory of the Sacred Colledg and the honour of the Church He hath a quick intellect a solid discourse a setled judgment and a refined prudence in the management of great affaires He hath a grace and sweetness in all his entertainments with which he attracts the encomiums and praises of all those that know him he having especially the generous mind of an Emperour The Citizens of Spoleto endeavour'd to welcome this great Queen with all the expressions of gladness and joy and though to comply with the genius of the Prince the subjects sometimes use to turn the sincerest and purest affection into flattery yet in this occasion the people of Spoleto very fully corresponded with their naturall ingenuity as well with a dutifull respect to second the good intention of his Holiness as to shew the partiality of their ancient inclinations towards this Princesses great name Those of Spoleto as the histories of greatest credit report are nobly descended and happily propagated of the reliques of the Goths who after the fall of their Kingdome in Italy remained in Spoleto as a City very nobly adorned and augmented by Theodorick their King And albeit the hostility of Totilas may diminish much less renew afterwards the least sense of gratitude yet the piety and other sublime qualities of this Queen are advantagiously sufficient to repair very fully whatsoever the deadly remembrance of the cruelties of that King had demolished and restore with ample recompence the memory of the benefits this Countrey so glories to have had from the North. Spoleto is a famous City and abounds with all things being seated at the head of a Plain towards the East partly at the foot of the Mountaines and for the greatest part on the Mountaines themselves It was in former times the residence of the Princes of Lumbardy and is now esteemed among the most conspicuous provinces of Vmbria Here they see the vast Palace of Theodorick the King of the Gothes as likewise the foundation of a very fair Theater and of the Temple of concord and without the City high and strong forms of aqueducts partly cut from the sides of Apenninus and partly raised from the bottome of the valley with arches of brick The high roofes of the Cathedrall are remarkable there the walls of marble the rock built in the Amphitheater and likewise the stone-bridg which supported with great art by 24. great pillars joyned the highest part of the City to the rock or to the Amphitheater seated on another hill Here her Majesty was entertained with musique and particularly being pleased with the skill of Francis Joseph Tomasini who plaid on the Violin received him into her service On the confines of Terni her Majesty was received by my Lord Bonfiglioli of Bologna the Governour of the City who came thither accompanied by forty Gentlemen on horseback with many Servants a foot in fine liveries he having with him many troops of horse and Companies of foot The Queen being come to the gate call'd Spoletana was met by the Nobility and among the rest by six Gentlemen who representing the Magistrates complemented her in the name of the publick and waited on her through the City all along as she passed the streets and windows being beautified with ornaments and lights At her arrivall at the Dome she saw erected before that Piazza a triumphall Arch with very fine Inscriptions and Figures in her praise The Frontispiece of the Church annexed to the Seminary and the Palace of the Bishop resembles a Theater and is beautify'd with thirty windowes which were splendidly adorn'd and most of them had two torches apiece with other lights At the gate of the said Cathedrall her Majestie was received as usually by the chief of the Clergie in the absence of the Cardinal Bishop the Church being richly set forth and illuminated with great store of torches and candles with quires of rare musick and a young man of the house of Sciamanna reciting a Sermon very handsomly The Functions of the Church being ended the Queen by the foresaid my Lord Bonfiglioli the Governour was conducted to the Palace of the Bishop very sumptuously furnish't by the Officers of the Cardinall Bishop her Majestie being pleas'd to heare in that fine Oratory a spirituall play recited to her with excellent musick Don Antonio della Cueva with the Lady his wife and their train were lodged too in that Palace The Nuntii with their retinue were accommodated in the Palace of Signior or Ferdinand Sciamanna the Spanish Ambassadour Pimentel in my Lord Ferentillis Count Montecuccoli in Count Jerome Spadas and the Marquis Bentivogli in Signior Antonio Manasseis
gravity resplendent which induced every one to a reverence and obsequiousness The Marquiss Rinuncini and Cavalier Baldeschi the masters of their Chambers with Sgnior Carlo Carcarasio the Second master of the ceremonies to the Pope went before them in the midst of whom was Cavalier Bellarmini the Captain of the guard to his Holiness After the Legates came the troop of light horsemen of his Holiness armed with cuirasses but without lances with Cassocks of red cloth fringed with gold The Legates coming out of the gate of the people took Coach as the Cavaliers likewise did that were with them the Pages and footmen and pursued their journey Each of the Cardinalls had five sumptuous Coaches with six horses apeice the Coachmen and grooms which were many having liveries like the Pages and trumpetters Before the Legates Coach went a Coach with the masters of the Chambers and another came after them full of noble Prelates being followed by thirty others with six horses a peice all rich and splendid belonging to the Princes Cavaliers Prelates and Gentlemen with forty others with 4 horses a peice At the Inne called la Storta eight mile off they found Don Antonio della Cueva her Majesties great Master of the horse accompanied by many Gentlemen with the Coaches of the Queen He complemented the Legates who went into her Majesties Coach made after the Dutch fashion covered with crimson velvet fringed with gold in which they arrived at Olgiata a mile beyond the said Inne The Queen at the entrance into the gate came down to the foot of the staires with wonderfull courtesy and kindness receiving the Legates and with so much honour than it may well be said this was a true argument of her piety and veneration towards the Vicar of Christ the holy Sea and the Sacred Apostolicall Colledg In the midst of the said Legates she ascended to her lodgings where they complemented her in the name of his Holiness in order to their instructions Her Majesty accepted the favour with all the terms of reverence and esteem towards his Holiness by declaring herself most highly obliged to the Pope for the many great honours he had done her It was somewhat late and therefore without further stay the Queen and the Legates descended and went all three into his Holinesses Coach sent thither for that purpose her Majesty sitting alone and the Legates together The Queen was clad plainly in grey with a hongerlin and black scarfe on her shoulders instead of a band without any ornament of Gold Silver Jewells Ribbonds or Flowers which she alwaies had abhor'd as a vain and idle thing one little Ring on her Finger being all the adorning she had But with her sprightly carriage and masculine and majestick aspect she discovered the greatness of her birth and the qualities of her rare and vertuous Prerogatives She hath a very quick and nimble body and is in her gestures and motion most comely and gracious of a proportionable stature a fresh colour and royall features And since her cheekes are careless of the deckings of roses and lilies her most comely face darts lightning from her eyes as which never nature made any so lively and resplendent She hath a high forehead and spatious with a fine and pleasing mouth her haire seeming curled and browne Her Majesty is supported with modesty and her sprightliness and smiling with gravity she having above all things a grace so attractive which together with the heart forces praises and applauses She eats not much drinkes little and almost continually water She sleeps but five hours and studies for the most part the books of Plato ancient Histories good Latine Poets and the sacred Scriptures being the Soul of her Majesties entertainments She hates mortally idleness and is adorned with so many vertues that every Queen may easily envie her but very hardly imitate her She is of a great and generous minde but her solid goodness hath nothing else to equall it but the glory of her great thoughts and incomparable resolutions She arrived in Rome after two hours in the night accompanyed by the light of an infinite number of Torches She came in at the gate Pertusa where she was met by the Captain of the Dutch-men with many of the Switzers of his Holinesses Guard who attended on her afterwards She alighted at the Vatican on the side of the Garden of Belvedere where by my Lord Farnese the Popes Steward and his Holinesses domestick Prelates she was met and received at the foot of the stairs in the plain of the Garden whence her Majesty was conducted to her appartament which was most richly furnisht with all things The people flockt thither in such throngs that they filled the very rooms that were above and the Queen beholding such a multitude said pleasantly jesting Use they thus to enter privately into Rome She no sooner had rested a little but she sent Don Antonio della Cueva to desire audience of his Holiness who speedily dispatched to her my Lord Bonvili the Master of his Chamber a Prelate of great quality attended by all of the Privy Chamber and severall other Gentlemen At the head of the Gregorian Gallery he met the Queen who was coming in hast between the two Cardinall Legates where he complemented her Majesty in the name of the Pope who returning the civility with all due respect went on towards his Holinesses lodgings many of the Popes train going before As she passed along through so many Lodgings Chambers and Galleries all illuminated with Torches she admiring the vastness of that great habitation said that short delay was more troublesome to her than all the journey she had gone since her Majesty desired nothing more than the time to see his Holiness When she came to the Popes anti-Chamber the door was set wide open and stood in that manner all the while she remained with his Holiness At the entrance into the Chamber where his Holiness expected her my Lord Fibei the chief Master of the Ceremonies instructing her so to do She kneeled the first time then the second and the third time with her hands acrosse on her breast and her eyes on the ground kissed first the foot and afterwards the hand of his Holiness who intimating with a smile an act of the kindest reception becken'd quickly to her with his hand she should rise which no sooner she had done but she sate down on a royall Chaire the Cushion and Leaner being of Crimson Velvet and sumptuously adorned with Gold They discoursed but little for his Holiness supposing she was weary with her journey cut off the entertainment and her Majesty returned to her appartament His Holiness afterwards to shew her the greater respect assigned her four Cavaliers all his Chamberlains of honour to the end they might continually be assistant in her Majesties anti Chamber which were Signior Dominick Jacovacci a Gentleman of Rome of known prudence and excellent behaviour Horatius Marquis Spada the deserving nephew of Cardinall Bernard
on the right hand and the others of the Quèen on the left with severall Mottos Hieroglyphicks and Inscriptions All the charges of this Frontispice amounting to three thousand Crownes as likewise the royall furniture of the Palace belonged to the magnificent and generous Duke of Parma whose order the Marquiss of Maria his Highnesses Resident observed very punctually and exactly Her Majesty was attended from the Vatican to the Palace aforesaid with a numerous Cavalcata of Princes Prelates and Gentlemen the windowes and streets through which they passed being hung with rich tapistries and resplendent with an infinite number of lights and the concourse of people so great that they could hardly pass with the said Cavalcata His Holiness in the honours he did this great Princess made his courtesy and civility very evidently appear to her Majesty which he seconded with expressions of his generosity and greatness in the Presents before mentioned of eight noble coursers a Coch Saddle furniture a Chaire and a Litter valued about two and twenty thousand Crownes In fine before her Majesty went to the said Palace of Farnese his Holiness commanded his officers should make her an abundant provision of all sorts of meats for the maintenance of her Majesty and train for many dayes A little before the Queen arrived in Rome the four Nuntii sent to meet and waite on her through the Churches Dominions came thither and incontinently fell at his Holinesses feet to inform him of their journey and functions whom the Pope with great kindness received and expressions of much satisfaction for what they had done The foresaid Baldocchi repaired likewise thither a little while after to give him an account of the monies disburst according to the orders he received which the Pope liking well declared he was fully content with his faithfull employment The Queen highly pleas'd with her commodious and royall habitation began to receive there the visits of the Cardinalls the Residents of Princes of the Prelates and other Grandees of the Court still giving to all clearer proofes of her rare and vertuous endowments She likewise omitted not to give abundant testimonies of her Piety by visiting the Principall Churches of which she went first to St. Peters though vately doing there her devotions She went afterwards to St. John Lateran and went in at the great gate where his Eminence Cardinall Colonna the Arch Priest and all the Chapter in their habits received her her Majesty kneeling down before the most holy Sacrament and hearing there Mass which was said by my Lord Serlupi after which she went to see the heads of St. Peter and St. Paul Her Majesty coming out of the sacristy went into San Giovanni in Fonte where Constantine the Emperour was baptized and thence went away accompanied and attended by the Cardinall aforesaid The Morning before her Majesty had been at the Church of St. James of the Spaniards in Piazza Navona where the feast was kept of the said Saints translation At the staires of the Church they found the two Spanish Abassadours the Duke of Terranuova and Don Antonio Pimentell who received and accompanied her to the high Altar which was richly adorned Don Francesco de Vides and Don Diego di Caravachal Overseers of the said Church and Persons of great quality met her Majesty at the gate which was decked with cloth of gold of great value In the great chappell was erected a Pavilion in the forme of a little Chamber which served for a cloth of state where her Majesty heard Mass which was celebrated by my Lord Sersale the Bishop of Bari a Neopolitan Gentleman after which she went round the Church observing the remarkablest things She taking Coach afterwards with Don Antonio Pimentel and Don Antonio della Cueva being followed by the Duke of Terranuova and the train went round the Piazza Navona to see the fine fountain built there by Pope Innocent the tenth of happy memory The greatness and beauty of this structure exceeds all in Rome of this kind It represents a very craggy rock on the summit of which is erected a fair pyramid At the four corners sit four Colóssusses representing the principall rivers of the four parts of the world From these cliffes flow divers streams of water which fall into a great marble cisterne in the midst of which all the Machine is seated The design of the work is of the renowned Cavalier Sir Laurence Bernini whose Carving Iron gives life to the marbles themselves which return him the eternall applauses of glory The water brought thither is part of that which comes from the great fountain of Trevi the most wholesome of Rome which emulating the happiness of this sighs one day to see finisht the designs begun by the artificer himself Her Majesty saw likewise the beautifull Palace with the Church in the form of the Rotonda erected by the foresaid Pope Innocent the tenth Her Majesty then continuing to make still her vertue more conspicuous with devotion the true ornament of great minds desired on new-yeares-day to visit the Church of Giesu and to doe it with the greater solemnity went thither after dinner with a noble Cavalcata being accompanied by many Cavaliers and Gentlemen of Rome She thought to have entered at the Principall gate of the Church but the concourse of the people flockt thither to see her was so great that she miss'd of her designe so as she went in at the door of the house where she met with some difficulty for the multitude of the people She was received by the father Generall Gosviri Nickel who was accompanied by the fathers the Assistents and all the gravest fathers not onely of the house of the professed but of the other places which they have in Rome Being entered the house she first of all went up into the Domestique Chappell of St. Ignatius which is the same roome where he lived and died where she honoured the remembrance of that Saint and saw the riches and beautifull ornaments answearable to that place From thence she was conducted to the closet towards the high Altar whence she might see all the Church and the very great multitude of people that were there but because from that place she could not hear very well the Musique with which they then sollemnly Sung the Vespers she went to another place more commodious and capacious which had been adorned before with rich Damasks Velvets and accommodated in that manner that before the place where the Queen stood with some few there was a little quire somewhat bigger which served for an anti-chamber The Queen remained here till Vespers were done feeding both her eyes with the noble and splendid furniture with which the high Altar was adorned and her eares with the excellent Musique which was made in severall quires composed by Signior Bonifacio Graziani the Master of the Chappell of that Church and a Person renowned for his workes which are in print When Vespers were ended her
be acted several times The composition of the words was by Signior Giouanni Lotti and the musick by Tenalia both persons very famous With such recreations the Prince entertained her Majesty till the last night of Carneval in which he made wonderfully appear his own wit and generosity for after a royal collation and abounding with all the new fruits they could get in despight of the harshness of the season he conducted the Queen into a great roome adorned with most splendid and inestimable furniture where she saw sitting under a state the furniture in a moment vanish out of the Chamber a fair Sea there appearing in a beautifull prospect and ingeniously contrived within that narrow place she saw then immediately Venus and Cupid descend from above in a Chariot drawn by two Pigeons without seeing what supported it in the aire insomuch as the Queen and all that were there were amazed and astonisht Venus being come to the earth with her Son heard Cupids complaints who accused the Ladies of Tybur for being too rigid and the authority of his Mother not appeasing his anger he shot some arrowes towards the Ladies and together with Venus returned to the Chariot both of them singing joyntly the praises of her Majesty As they vanished they sang a little song inviting some Ladies who formerly were followers of Cupid to give with a dance some refreshment to them he had subdued The machine vanishing away from the sides of the maritime scene issued forth eight Ladies of the Princess aforesaid most splendidly apparrel'd with lighted Torches in their hands and danced a rare dance establishing love with those unstable motions and securing the motions of the will with the measure of short distances After this the room was refurnisht as before and her Majesty was so highly contented that she publickly declared she had not seen any thing in Rome to her greater satisfaction The words were composed by the said Prince Don Camillo who presented her Majesty with a song made by him on her renouncing of her Kingdoms which was much commended by her she celebrating the Prince for a very vertuous person and deserving all praise and applause Still in all these actions the Princess of Rossano was accompanyed by many Princesses and Ladies and severall Princes and Cavaliers were with the Prince who had every day rich cloaths with strange and new inventions The same did the Princess who had Jewels of inestimable value This Princess with her prudence and most noble carriage made it evidently appear her mind is as illustrious and generous as her family is great she being the Niece of many Popes and allyed to many Potentates in Italy The Abbot Caesar Malvicino and Signior Carlo Centosiorini the former the Secretary and the latter the chief Gentleman of the horse to the Prince aforesaid still assisted at these functions as likewise Signior Mario Raviera his Excellences domestick Gentleman who applyed himself to it very earnestly In Carneval-time notwithstanding these vertuous entertainments her Majesty shewed her piety in visiting severall Churches and particularly that of Giesu where with a most splendid preparation the forty hours were exposed On a scaffold in fine order appeared six mountains the arms of his Holiness on the top of which according to the prophecie of Isaiah they saw the Church sitting in a beautifull manner who while with her left hand she supported the cross with the other pointed at the sublime throne of glory on which they discovered the Saviour of the VVorld On the two contiguous mountains were erected two figures representing Religion and contemplation while the theological vertues plac't on the three mountains below did court and attend her At the feet of the mountains they saw come from all parts throngs of people to do homage to that great Monarchess and captivate their understandings convinced in obedience to the Catholick Faith Those personages afterwards appeared who thought it a thing of glory and desert to preferre the reproach of the cross before worldly greatness They represented too the Princes Kings and Emperours who shewed they regarded not their titles but to have some worthy argument to make known to the VVorld their esteem of the true Religion while for the love of it they despised those dignities There were likewise Princesses and Queens whose piety was as generous and as the famous Painters had given life and eloquence with their pensills to the Pictures so they were all contented with their state but in a certain manner confessed they were conquered with the modern miracle of a couragious and masculine woman who remarkable in the midst of the rest with a countenance breathing majestick as well as devotion the more she endeavoured to obscure the titles of a Queen acquired them the more The three Crowns and Scepters the victimes offered up by her to the Catholick Faith she did not now behold but every one admired them and it seemed she would plant them in that mountain she judging it worthy to have Scepters for trees and Diadems for flowers where Monarchs and Princes excited by her singular example might instead of birds build their nests To this great Lady the supream Commandress of the mountain bowed her face as if she had said many daughters have heaped up riches and thou exceedest them all You would have thought in so pleasing a sight the holy Church sucking consolations with her eyes and milk as it were from so many breasts as there were triumphant soules encreased to the eyes of the beholders and with those mountains quickened with some invisible breath was raised much higher Behind the Mountains and Personages they discovered severall fine distances which was all in the low region But the eye looking upwards entered into a Paradise which being wide open while it would be a Spectator of what was done on earth became a delitious and fortunate spectacle to way-faring men It extended it self in many circles proportionably still greater and abounding with beautifull figures of knots Seraphins Cherubins Angels and Saints even to the top of the Arch and profundity of the royal Court the receptacle of glory which could not be bounded with limits fine knots appearing without the Arch. The most holy Sacrament the Ascendent and Horoscope of the holy Church was in the midst of Heaven as it were nor could they discern how or where it reposed and yet it stood fast The blessed soules adoring it as they shewed they enjoyed its glories so likewise presaged by vertue of its influences greater happiness to the Catholick VVorld and it seemed they heard them say to those mountains enjoy peace O Mountains at which tidings they shall skip for joy like Ramms for the hope they saw they had The Father eternall was Spectator of all whom we there represent as when he had finish'd the VVorld and said all was good so there he appeared supported in himself and joyning together the high with the low the Earth with the Heaven made one
appeared the Majesty and decorum of the Court of Rome The light horsemen of his Holinesses guard arm'd with breast-plates and having red Casocks trimed with gold twist and lances in their hands with colours at the points shut up the Cavalcata Behind the horses which shut up this royall Cavalcata came the travailing Coaches and the Coaches of the City of all the great Persons which were all noble sumptuous and enricht with rare furniture and most sprightly Coursers After her Majesties Coaches came three of Prince Panfilio which were very splendid and one among the rest as noble and Majestique as could be devised it being all of gold and embroydery with admirable metals and the armes of his family Two likewise appeared of the Prince of Pallestrina one of which was rich and stately of black velvet with golden fringe and lin'd with cloth of gold the Carvings Figures Nayle-work Iron-work and furniture of the horses being gilt most splendid and magnificent The gate of the people by order of the Pope was finisht before by Cavalier Bernino on the ancient design of Michael Angelo Bonaruota with some embellishments of the said Cavaliers own invention and an Inscription representing the happy and fortunate entrance of this Queen into Rome on the top of the gate aforesaid they saw appear in a great embossed work six Mountains and a starre on the top the Armes of his Holiness At all the ends of the streets of the course St. Mark Giesu della Valle Mount Jordan di Banchi the bridg of St. Angelo and the Suburbe through which the Cavalcata was to pass stood Souldiers in rankes and all Coaches were forbidden to stirre up and down and stand in those streets after 18. houres All the windows were hung with rich tapestries and full of Ladies and Cavaliers all the way being covered with a very great number of people At her Majesties entrance through the gate of the People she was welcomed by many Mortar-peices and Canon brought into the Garden of that convent the roaring of which was answered by all with an Echo of Prayses and blessings As she passed through so many peopl who were more desirous to see her than curious to contemplate the pompe of the Cavalcata she saluted every one with so cheerfull a countenance and a carriage so tempered with decorum and courtesy that she made it appear she could not stirre a foot but 't was measured with the compass of her vertue She often turn'd her self to speak with their Eminences Orsini and Costaguti and all her words breathed a gravity and sweetness As her Majesty pass'd the bridge of St. Angelo Count Jerome Gabrielli the Vice Governour of the Castle stood at the door of the grate of the fortress at the head of a hundred Musquetiers in array who took up all the drawbridges to the gate of the Castle Captain Decius Laurentini arm'd with a corselet and pike standing a little behind him towards the left hand and on the right Captain Rutilius Ferraccioli the Adjutant of the Fortress The Souldiers of the Garrison displayed their colours from the walls and as the Queen passed along she heard first from the Castle a pleasing harmony of fifes and Sackbuts which was afterwards seconded by a volley of Muskets accompanied immediately by the roaring of a hundred and fifty Mortar-peices and sixty peices of artillery On the top of the great Tower hung the arms of his Holiness and the Queen where likewise were prepared many squibs and great store of fireworkes which in the beginning of the night had admirable success the Mottos and Arms being handsomly seen and illuminated On the Piazza of St. Peter on this and that side of the Guglia two battalions of a thousand foot apeice stood in rankes with two other squadrons of cuirassiers 'Ore against the same Piazza near the fountain was squadroned the free Company of Dutchmen of Count Vidman aforesaid in the midst of two squadrons of Carabines The said Count Vidman was likewise a horseback with severall his Camerades at the head of the said Souldiers by whose good order and experienced understanding every thing was regular This Cavalier was assisted by Sergeant Major Molinati Captain Corradino and Grassi Count Baschi Buonfanti Captain Alphonsus Bartoi with the Militia of Frascati Castell Gandolfo and Rocca Priora Captain Anthony Torazzi with the Souldiers of Velletri and others commanders of that people who the Queen being alighted at the staires of St. Peter gave their last volley of shot which was seconded by twelve peices of Artillery brought to the said Piazza The end of the Sixth Book The History of the sacred and Royal Majestie of Christina Alessandra Queen of Swedland c. The Seventh Book The Argument THe Queen after the Cavalcata is received in St. Peters Church by that Clergy and afterwards in the Consistory by the Pope She visits the Church of St. Mary the greater She dines with the Pope From the Vatican she goes to the Palace Farnese and is there visited by the sacred Colledg and the Grandees of the City She visits the Churches of Saint Iohn Lateran St. James of the Spaniards Giesu and the Monasteries di Torre de Specchi and St. Sixtus she sees the Castle of St. Angelo la Sapienza the Monastery of St. Catharine of Siena the Greeks Church the Roman Colledg and that of Urban for the propagation of the Faith She is present at Academies and entertained with severall Musicall Comedies THE Queen come to St. Peters while the Cardinalls were dismoâ—nted before to goe and assist the Pope in the publique Consistory did likewise alight and their Eminences Orsini and Costaguti committed her to the Cardinalls Medici and Sforza they themselves going thence as the first Deacons to vest and serve his Holiness Being ascended the first steps and come through all that space to the last which arrive at the Portico of the Church she saw on the last step my Lord Scanarola the Bishop of Sidoma Vâ—car to his Eminence Cardinall Barberino the Arch Priest of St. Peter together with all the Chapter of the said Church which stood attending her The said Scanarola presented her the Cross to be kiss'd and she kissed it kneeling on a cushion of cloth of gold vnder which was spread a great carpet of the same In the mean time while a great quire of Musitians Sang the Anthem she is beautifull c. The Queen entred into the Church in the midst of the said Cardinalls Medici and Sforza The said Bishop gave her holy water and by all the quires of the Musitians was begun the hymne of Te Deum This sumptuous Temple was all hung with tapistries out of the wardrobe of Cardinall Barberino among which were fifty eight hangings for doores very splendidly embroydered with gold with the Armes of her Majesty in the middle ten of which were embellished with severall Mottos alluding to the glories of this renowned Princess So being preceded by the Clergy with the
Cross and the foresaid Bishop the Vicar she was conducted in the midst of the said Cardinalls before the most holy Sacrament exposed on the high Altar under the great Cupola where her Majesty prayed kneeling on a Cushion of cloth of gold with a carpet and the two Cardinalls on Cushions of crimson Velvet Having ended her Prayers she was carried to the Chappell of the most holy Sacrament and thence by the secret staires she went up being met at the foot of the staires of the royall hall by the two said Cardinalls the first Deacons to wit Orsini and Costaguti and eighâ— Bishops assistents as likewise by the Duke of Poli of the family of Conti Master of the Sacred lodgings and conducted to the consistory in the said royall hall Her Majesty advancing in the said royall hall and entring the consistory after kneeling three times kist the foot and then the hand of the Pope his Holiness receiving her in a very courteous manner Her Majesties words expressed her joy for her conversion to the Catholique Faith as likewise to see her self honoured with such demonstrations of his Holiness The Pope reply'd her conversion was of that great importance that in Heaven they feasted and rejoyced at it and expressed more joy than that she saw on earth after which the function being ended the Pope went to his appartament through the Ducal hall attended by all the Cardinalls the six Deacons excepted which staid to accompany the Queen who entring into the chappell of Sixtus and passing through the old appartament went to her own lodgings The Cardinalls were Medâ—ci Sforza Odescalchi Raggi the Landgrave and Charles Barberini On Friday in the evening the Vigil of our Saviours Nativity her Majesty went privately in her Chaire to see the Collation the Pope uses yearly to give at that time to the Cardinalls and she thought too that night to goe down into the Chappell to observe the functions of the Mattins celebrated by the Pope but being a little ill she forbare going out of her lodgings The following Morning she was publiquely present at the Mass Sung likewise by his Holiness Her Majesties place was without the circuit where his Holiness sits with the Sacred Colledg on the right hand a little way off from the steps of the high Altar within a kind of closet adorned without with crimson velvet with trimming of buttons and sloops of gold and within with cloth of gold with a chaire on a carpet three steps high from the ground The Pope with the Cardinalls and Prelates being come into the Church and ascending his throne behind the high Altar which was covered with a great pavillion of severall tapistries of silk and gold first prayed and then vesting himselfe went to the Altar and there sate down in a Chaire In the mean time the Queen left her place and was brought by the Cardinalls Medici and Sforza with four Bishops their assistents before his Beatitude where she kneeling on a Cushion of cloth of gold received by the hands of his Beatitude the Sacrament of holy confirmation The Cardinall of Medici was her Godfather in the name of the King of Spain and added to the name of Christina that likewise of Alessandra From thence she returned to her place accompanied by the Cardinalls aforesaid and the Bishops the assistents and the Pope began the Mass After the Communion of the Ministers of the Sacrifice the Queen did communicate before the Cardinall Deacons being brought to the feet of his Holiness by the foresaid Cardinalls Medici and Sforza with the four Bishops their assistents who carried her back After dinner her Majesty went in her Chaire to the Church St. Mary the greater attended by the guards of the Switzers the curiassiers and launciers of his Holiness with a numerous train of Princes Cavaliers and other Gentlemen among whom Don Anthonio della Cueva as her Majesties cheif Gentleman of her horse waited on her a foot near the Chair She was received at the door by Cardinall Bragadino in the place of Cardinall Anthony Barberino the Arch-Priest of the said Church where when she had adored the most holy Sacrament she was conducted to the Chappell of Sixtus Quintus to see the holy Cradle of the redeemer of the world which was with much devotion observed and honoured by her Majesty Thence after she had seen the other splendid Chappell of Paulus Quintus the Altar of which was richly adorned she returned to the Vatican The following Sunday she dined with his Holiness and the order there observed was as followes Two tables stood the one from the other about two hands breadth that for the Pope being four fingers higher than the Queens The Pope sate in the midst in a Chaire of red velvet with a great footstoole half a span high The Queen had a royall seate made on purpose on the right side under the cloth of state on the even floore on a Carpet Don Antonio della Cueva presented her Majesty the Napkin the Marquiss Hippolitus Bentivogli was her Cup-bearer and Count Francis Maria Santinelli her taster The dinner was sutable to the greatness of so great a Prince towards a Princess so great Father Oliva a Jesuit made a Sermon peculiar to his spirit and parts Her Majesty with her usuall erudition having observed that the Father could have brought in a certain place a passage of St Paul motioned it to his Holiness who was extreamly edified with the readiness and learned vivacity of so great a woman and the Father was likewise astonished when he heard it who highly commended this vertuous Queens wonderfull understanding After dinner her Majesty was diverted with a play represented in most excellent Musique and being the day following entertained a great while by the Pope she took her leave of him returning in the evening from the Vatican to her own habitation in the Palace Farnese and being highly satisfied and astonisht at the royall and well ordered entertainment she had there where she was well attended by the very good conduct of the officers with the direction of Signior Horatius Magalotti a Cavalier of Florence and Cosen to the deceased Cardinall Magalotti Bishop of Ferrara Brother to Donna Costanza Barberina Sister in Law to Pope Vrbane the eighth He had in this occasion the superintendency of all the said house by the orders of my Lord Farnese his Holinesses Steward under whom was the Abbot Alexander Magalotti Sonne to the said Signior Horatâ—o appointed to attend Don Antonio Pimentel the Spanish Ambassadour Captain John Baptist Massi who waited on Don Antonio della Cueva and Signior Giovanni Battista Minetti who attended Count Montecuccoli with many other Gentlemen deputed to the service of the other Cavaliers of her Majesties train At her arrivall there she was pleased to look on the front of the said Palace which abounded with torches was adorned and gilt with the Armes of her Majesty in the midst those of the Kingdome of Swedland