a little lower on the right hand a Bench covered with Carpets for the Prelates to sit among which were three Archbishops nine Bishops and three Abbots on the left hand were the Lords of the Councel and before the Altar was the Cardinal of Gondy encompassed with Almoners and Chaplains and a great multitude of Spectators seated upon Benches in form of a Theatre round about the Theatre were the guard of Switzers having every one a Torch in his hand The Dolphin and his Sisters were in their Chambers upon Beds of State with their Robes lined with Hermines and were brought to the quadrangle the waiting Gentlemen going before with Torches in their hands with the Bed Chamber men and Gentlemen of the Chamber five Drums Waits and Trumpeters Heralds and the Knights of the Holy Ghost with the three Honours in the first for the youngest Daughter the Ewer the Bason the Pillow the Wax Taper the Chrisme the Saltseller were carryed by the Baron Son to Marshal de la Chastre by the Lords Montigny la Rochepot Chemerand Liencourt Fervacques and the Lady was carryed by the Marshal of Bois Dauphin followed by Charles Duke of Lorrain Godfather and of Don Juan de Medicis Brother to the great Duke of Tuscaky representing Christian Daughter to the Duke of Lorrain and Wife of the great Duke After that followed the Dutches of Guise the Countesses of Guiche of Saulx the Marchioness Monlaur and other Ladies The Marshals of Laverdin and of la Chastre the Dukes of Silly of Monbazon of Espernon of Esguillon did the same office for the elder Lady The Lord of Ragny carryed her for Diana Dutchess of Angoulesme who did represent the Infanta Clara Eugenta Eusabella Archidutchess or Austria followed by the Dutchess of Rohan Montmorency Mayenne The third Honour for the Dolphin was carried by the Earl of Vaudemont the Knight of Vendosme his elder Brother the Duke of Mensier the Earl of Soissons and the Prince of County all three Princes of the Blood and the Dolphin was carryed by the Lord Souvray his Governour in the room of the Prince of Condé first Prince of the Blood who because of his sickness could do him no other service then to hold him by the hand The Duke of Guise carryed his Train and the Cardinal of Joyouse followed him representing the Pope Paul the V. then followed Eleonor Wife to Vincent Duke of Mantua and the Princess of the Blood all richly attired The Dolphin being brought upon the Table of the quadrangle the Cardinal of Gondy appointed for this Ceremony came near him and having heard him answer pertinently to the questions asked by the Almoner according to the usual forms and to say the Lords Prayer and the Creed in Latine he was exercised appointed and by the Cardinal of Joyouse Legat named Lewis The Ladies were afterwards brought upon the Table and the eldest named Elizabeth by the Dutchess of Angoulesme representing the Archidutchess her Godmother without any Godfather The youngest was named by Don Juan of Medicis representing the great Dutchess Christierne At Supper the King was waited upon by the Princess of his Blood the Prince of Condé served for Pantler the Prince of Compty for Cupbearer the Duke of Monpenfier for Squire Carver the Earl of Soissons for high Steward the Duke of Guise and the Earl of Vaudemont waited upon the Queen and the Duke of Sully waited upon the Legat. The Godfathers sat and after them the Princesses Ladies and Lords of high quality at the great Ball the Duke of Lorrain did precede by the Kings order for the only consideration that he was Godfather The next day there was a runing at the Ring and at night the Duke of Sully caused an artificial Castle to be assaulted with an innumerable quantity of Squibs Chambers Canon shots and other Fire Works but never any thing was seen more incredible or wonderful then the beauty ornament and lustre of the Princesses and Ladies of the Court The Eyes could not stedfastly behold the splendor of the Gold nor the brightness of the Silver nor the glittering of Jewels the Princes and Lords did out vie one another who should be most richly attired among the rest the Duke of Espernon had a Sword valued at 30000. Crowns and upon the Queens Gown were 32000. Pearls and 3000. Diamonds XVII French Au mesme temps un grand endurera Joyeux malsain l'an complet ne verra Et quelques uns qui seront de la feste Feste pour un seulement a ce jour Mais peuapres sans faire long sejour Deux se donront l'un l'autre de la teste English At the same time a great one shall suffer Joyful sickly shall not see the year compleat And some others who shall be of the feast A â—east for one only at that day But a little while after without long delay Two shall knock one another in the head ANNOT. This Stanza hath relation to the precedent for about the time of or a little before that famous Christning died Pope Leo the IX formerly called Cardinal of Florence who did not live a whole year in the Papacy and is called here Joyful Sickly because though infirm he did much rejoyce in the obtaining of it those others that were of the Feast were some Cardinals of his party who died also within the same year The two last Verses signifie the differences that happened between Paul V. his Successor and the Common-wealth of Venice presently after his death XVIII French Considerant la triste Philomele Qu'en pleurs cris sa plainte renouvelle Racourcissant par tel moyen ses jours Six cens cinq elle en verra l'yssue De son tourment ia la toile tissüe Por son moien senestre aura secours English Considering the sad Philomela Who in tears and cries reneweth her complaint Shortning by such means her days Six hundred and five shall see the end Of her torment then the Cloath Woven By her finister means shall have help ANNOT. This sad Philomela was Henrietta of Balzac Daughter to Francis of Balzac Marquess of Entragues and Mistress to Henry the IV. who being found guilty of a Conspiracy against the State was confined to the Abbey of the Nuns of Beaumont lez Tours where she was seven Months after which the King taking pitty of her passed a Declaration wherein in respect of his former Love and of the Children that he had by her he forgave her all what was past did abolish and suppress for ever the Memory of the Crime that she was accused off and did dispense her from appearing before the Parliament who in her absence did Register her Letters of Pardon the 6. of September 1605. Thus Reader you may see how punctual was our Author in his Prognostications XIX French Six cens cinq six cens six sept Nous monstrera jusques l'an dixsept Du boutefeu l'Ire haine envie Soubs l'Olivier d'assez long temps caché Le Crocodil
the East shall come the African heart To vex Adria and the Heirs of Romulus Accompanied with the Libian feet Melites shall tremble and the Neighbouring Islands be empty ANNOT. This was a clear and true Prognostication of that famous Invasion made upon Maltha by the grand Signor Solyman the magnificent in the year of our Lord 1565. and just ten years after the writing of this Prophecy wherein that Island and some of the Neighbouring ones were wholly depopulated by the Turks to the terror of Venice called here Adria and of all the Islands of the Adriatick Sea For the better understanding of this the Reader must observe that Punicas in Larin signifieth Africa so that the African heart signifieth the help the Turk had from Tunis Tripoly and Algier Cities seated in Africa and under the Turkish Dominion by which not only Maltha which in Latin is Melita but Venice and Rome were put into a great fright the conclusion of this Siege was that after six weeks time and the loss of 26000. Men the Turks were constrained shamefully to retire Vide the Turkish History French X. French Sergens transmis dans la Cage de Fer Ou les Enfans septains du Roy sont pris Les vieux Peres sortiront bas d'Enfer Ains mourir voir de son fruit mort cris English Sergeants sent into an Iron Cage Where the seven Children of the King are The old Men and Fathers shall come out of Hell And before they die shall see the death and cries of their fruit ANNOT. This Prophecy signifieth that some Sergeants or Executioners shall be sent into a Prison to put to death seven Children servants of a King that were Imprisoned there and that some old Men their Fathers shall see their death and hear their cries XI French Le mouvement de Sens Coeur Pieds Mains Seront d'accord Naples Leon Sicile Glaives Feux Eaux puis au Noble Romains Plongez Tuez Morts par cerveau debile English The motion of the Sense Heart Feet and Hands Shall agree Naples Leon Sicily Swords Fires Waters then to the noble Romans Dipt Killed Dead by a weak-brain ANNOT. The two first Verses signifie the concord that shall be among the Spanish dominions expressed here by Sense Heart Feet and Hands After which the Romans or those of Rome shall be evilly intreated being drewned killed and put to death by a weak brain I guess this to have come to pass when the Emperour Charles the V. his Army sacked Rome under the command of the Duke of Bourbon who was killed at the Assault and of the Prince of Orange who permitted licentiousness to his Souldiers and suffered them to commit more violence than ever the Goths or Vandales did and therefore is called here weak brain This Prince of Orange was of the House of Chalon after which came that of Nassau XII French Dans peu ira fauce brute fragile De bas en haut eslevé promptement Puis en estant desloyal labile Qui de Verone aura gouvernment English Within a little while a false frail brute shall go From low to high being quickly raised By reason that he shall have the Government of Verona Shall be unfaithful and slippery ANNOT. This foretelleth of a wicked person who in a short time shall be from a low degree exalted to a high one by reason that those that have the Government of Verona shall be unfaithful and slippery That person seemeth to be some Pope who from a low degree shall be exalted to that dignity by the unfaithfulness and slipperiness of the Venetians who are now Lords of the City Verona in Italy XIII French Les exiles par ire haine intestine Feront au Roy grand conjuration Secret mettront ennemis par la mine Et les vieux siens contre eux sedition English The banished by choler and intestine hatred Shall make against the King a great conspiracy They shall put secret enemies in the mine And the old his own against them sedition ANNOT. Although this Prophecie seemeth to be indefinitely spoken because in every Countrey or Kingdom where there is banished people they most commonly plot against their King and Countrey nevertheless I find two remarkable Histories to make this good one in France and the other in England That of France is thus The Cardinal of Lorrain and the Duke of Guise his Brother being in great favour with Henry II. the Queen Mother promoted them in the beginning of the Reign of Francis II. his successor so that the Cardinal was made Lord high Treasurer and the Duke General of the Armies to the prejudice of the Constable of Montmorency Those two favourites fearing the persecution that is raised by envy did remove all the great ones from the Court whether they were commanded to do so or whether they had any other pretences The Princes of Condé and of la Roche sur yon were sent into Flanders to Philip 11. Condé to confirm the alliance between the two Crowns and la Roche sur yon to carry the Order of France Diana of Poitiers Dutchess of Valentenois was banished from Court and compelled to surrender to the Queen all the Jewels she had extorted from the King besides the Castle of Chenonceaux which the Queen took for her self The Marshal St. Andrew was likewise banished from the Court The King of Navarre was in Bearn The Constable took also his leave and surrendred to the King the Seal of his Office On the other side the Protestants began to stir notably having on their part many Princes as that of Condé of Porcien Gaspard of Coligny Admiral of France d'Andelot and the Cardinal of Chastillon his brothers Magdalene of Mailly their Sister Lady of Roye the King of Navarre All these discontented persons and the Protestants made a great conspiracy under pretence of Religion and of freeing the King from the tyranny of the Guisians They did by Choler the Protestants because they had been so ill used in the time of Francis I. and Henry II. and lately by the Guisians And the discontented for to pull down their power it was also by an intestine hatred because the Constable could not brook to be dispossessed of his Office of great Master which was given to the Duke of Guise and the others to see themselves from the management of Affairs and the Protestants by the spirit of a Contrary Religion Their conspiracy tended to expel the Guisians and to seise upon the Queen the King and his Brothers To compass their end they secretly sent some trusty persons of their own who nevertheless feigned to be their Enemies insomuch that the King of Navarre sent them word that he would be always of their party though apparently he took the Courts part But the old his own saith the fourth Verse that is to say the Kings old friends shall raise Sedition against them which happened in the year 1650. when the Guisians having discovered the conspiracy that was
in Land and Water called by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall be cast upon the Sand by a storm then a little while after that Town which lieth near to that place where the Fish was cast shall be Besieged by her Enemies who shall come by Sea XXX La Nef estrange par le tourment Marin Abordera ptes le Port incognu Nonobstant signs du rameau palmerin Apres mort pille bon advis tard venu English The Outlandish Ship by a Sea storm Shall come near the unknown Haven Notwitstanding the signs given to it with Bows It shall die be plundered a good advice come too late ANNOT. It is a Forrein Ship which by a storm shall be driven to an unknown Harbour and notwithstanding the signs that shall be made to it with Branches by those that are upon the Land to beware of the entrance of the Harbour it shall be cast away and plundered thus a good advice shall come too late XXXI French Tant d'ans les guerres en Gaule dureront Outre la course du Castulon Monarque Victoire incerte trois grands couroneront Aigle Coq Lune Lion Soleil en marque English So many years the Wars shall last in France Beyond the course of the Castulon Monarque An uncertain Victory three great ones shall Crown The Eagle the Cock the Moon the Lion having the Sun in its mark ANNOT. That is the Wars shall last so long in France after the death of one King of Spain till three great ones shall challenge an uncertain Victory these three great ones are the Emperour designed by the Aigle the King of France by the Cock and the Turk by the Moon and this shall happen when the Sun is in the sign of the Lion I suppose that came to pass in the time of Charles the V. Henry the II. and Soliman For the Turk had no great odds upon the Emperour nor he upon the King of France XXXII French La grand Empire sera tost translaté En lieu petit qui bien tost viendra croistre Lieu bien infime d'exigue Comté Ou au milieu viendra poser son Scepter English The great Empire shall soon be translated Into a little place which shall soon grow afterwards An inferiour place of a small County In the middle of which he shall come to lay down his Scepter ANNOT. This is concernig the same Charles the V. Emperour who about three years before his death being weary of the World resigned his Dominions of Spain and of the Low-Countries to his Son Philip the II. and his Empire to his Brother Ferdinand and retired himself into a Monastery of Castile called l'Escurial which after his death was much enlarged and beautified by his Son Philip and that is the meaning of our Author when he saith Into a little place which shall soon grow afterwards An inferiour place of a small County For this Escurial being seated in a Desert place of a County of Spain called Castilia which the Spanish vanity calleth a Kingdom whose Use Fruit or Revenues the said Charles only reserved for his maintenance is now by the Spaniards accounted to be the eight wonder of the World XXXIII French Pres d'un grand Pont de plaine spacieuse Le grand Lion par force Cesarées Fera abatre hors Cité rigoureuse Par effroy portes luy seront reserrées English A great Bridge near a spacious Plain The great Lion by Caesarean Forces Shall cause to be pulled down without the rigorous City For fear of which the Gates shall be shut to him ANNOT. The meaning of this is that a great Captain Commander of the Imperial Forces shall cause a Bridge that was built near a spacious Plain to be thrown down The City near the Bridge being terrified at it shall shut up their Gates against him XXXIV French L'Oiseau de proye volant a la Fenestre Avant conflict fait au Francois parure L'un bon prendra l'autre ambigue sinistre La partie foible tiendra pour bonne augure English The Bird of Prey flying to the Window Before Battle shall appear to the French One shall take a good omen of it the other a bad one The weaker part shall hold it for a good sign ANNOT. It is a Hawk which in presence of two Armies ready to give Battle shall fly to a window and perch upon it in the presence of them all one of the Armies shall take it for a good sign and the other for an ambiguous and sinister one In Conclusion the weaker party shall get the Victory XXXV French Le Lion jeune le vieux surmontera En champ bellique par singulier Duelle Dans Cage dor Loeil il lui crevera Deux playes une puis mourir mort cruelle English The young Lion shall overcome the old one In Martial field by a single Duel In a Golden Cage he shall put out his Eye Two wounds from one then he shall die a cruel death ANNOT. This is one of the Prophecies that hath put our Author in credit as well for the clearness as for the true event of it Caessar No stradamus our Authors son in his History of Provence writeth that by this Stanza his father intended to foretell the manner of Henry the second 's death The French Histories relate that this great Prince desiring to honour the Nuptial of his Daughter Elizabeth married to Philip II. King of Spain did appoint a Tournament to be kept in St. Anthony's street in Paris where himself would be one of the Defendants against all comers and for that purpose chose for his companions and associates Don Alfonso d'Este Duke of Ferrara and Francis of Lorrain Duke of Guise The Tornament being almost ended in which the King had shewed much Valour being mounted upon a Horse of the Duke of Savoy Philibert's Emanuel his Brother in Law this Duke intreated the King to leave off because he had got the Victory and the weather was hot and the night drawing on But this Martial King would need break one Launce more and commanded the Captain Gabriel de Lorges to be called a young and valiant Lord and Captain of the Scottish Guard Being come the King commanded him to run against him which he refused a great while but the King waxing angry he obeyed and set Spurs to his Horse he did hit the King in the lower part of his Beaver the Launce was broken into shivers and the mean stump lifting up the Beaver a splinter got in and wounded the King a little above the right Eye where finding the Bone too hard it went very deep under the said Eye and broke some Veins belonging to the Membrane called Pia Mater The blow was so violent that the King bended his head towards the lists and fell into a Swound being presently disarmed they perceived the splinter of the Launce in his Eye and his face all bloody He lived ten days after and died with great Convulsions because the Sinews were offended whereupon
Conquestes meurtrira innocens English In the year that Saturn in Aquarius shall be in conjunction With Sol the King being strong and powerful Shall be received and Anointed at Rheines and Aix After Conquest he shall murder innocent persons ANNOT. This Prophecy is remarkable for the things that it foretelleth viz. that in the year that Saturn shall be in conjunction with sol in the Sign of Aquarius a King of France shall be annointed both at Rhemes and Aix for Rheme◠is a City in France where the Kings use to be Annointed and Crowned and Aix is another in Germany where the Emperours use to be so But the last Verse is ominous where he saith that after his Conquests he shall murder innocent persons LXXXVII French Un fils de Roy tant de Langues apprins A son Aisné au Regne different Son Pere beau au plus grand fils comprins Fera perir principal adherent English A son of a King having learned divers Languages Shall fall out with his elder Brother for the Kingdom His father in Law being more concerned with his elder son Shall cause the principal adherent to perish ANNOT. One King shall have two Sons the eldest shall succeed him in the Kingdom the youngest having been well brought up and educated shall raise troubles against the King his Brother but he shall be destroyed by the means of his own Father in Law LXXXVIII French La grand Antoine du nom de fait sordide De Phtyriase a son dernier rongé Un qui de plomb voudra este cupide Passant le port d'Esleu sera plongé English The great Antony by name but in effect sordid Of Phtyriasis shall at last be eaten up One that shall be covetous of Lead Going upon Port d'Esleu shall fall into the Water ANNOT. Phtyriasis in Greek is the disease called by the Latines Morbus pedicularis when one is devour 〈…〉 by Lice as were Herodes Sylla Pherecydes and Philip II. King of Spain c. As for Port d'Esleu the question is whether it be the proper name of a place or the name of a man that shall throw another in the water LXXXIX French Trente de Londres secret conjureront Contre Leur Roy sur le pont l'Entreprise Les Satellites la mort desgouteront Uu Roy esseu blond natif de Frize English Thirty of London shall secretly conspire Against their King upon the Bridge the Plot shall be made These Satellites shall taste of death A King shall be elected fair and born in Friezeland ANNOT. Here may be alleadged that passage of Scripture There is nothing so secret but shall be revealed for here is plainly told the number of those wicked persons who conspired against their lawful Sovereign King Charles I. of blessed memory as also the place where the Plot was first laid for it is well known that they used to assemble at the Bear at the Bridge foot XC French Les deux copies au murs ne pourront joindre Dans cet instant trembler Milan Thesin Faim soif doutance si fort les viendront prendre Chair pain ne vivres nauront un seul boucin English The two Armies shall not be able to joyn by the Walls At that instant Milan and Thesin shall tremble Hunger thirst and fear shall so seize upon them They shall not have a bit of meat bread nor victuals ANNOT. Milan is a City in Italy and Thesin is the River that passeth by it XCI French Au Duc Gaulois contraint battre au Duelle La nef de Mole Monech naprochera Tort accuse prison perpetuelle Son Fils regner a vant mort taschera English A French Duke compelled to fight a Ducl The Ship of Mole shall not come near Monaco Wrongfully accused shall have a perpetual Prison His son shall endeavour to Reign before his death ANNOT. To understand this Stanza we must suppose four Histories Paradin relateth the first which is that the French and Spanish Armies having their Winter quarters in the Dukedome of Milan Anno 1555. The Marquess of Pescaire sent word to the Duke of Nemours by a French Gentleman that he and three more desired to break a Lance with him upon the borders of Ast The Duke accepted the challenge without giving notice to the Marquess of Brissac then General of the French Army who was very angry at it nevertheless he advised the Duke to go but not with a Guilt and light Armour but with a wrong one such as became a Cavaliero which he did not do nor the other three that went with him whence it came that the Lord Classe a French man running against Malespine was wounded to death in the shoulder nevertheless one of the seconds to the Duke of Nemours the Lord Moncha killed upon the place Caraffa Nephew to Pope Marcel II. and the Lord Manoa one of the Duke of Nemours party falling from his Horse a little wounded broke his neck As for the Duke of Nemours he ran twice against the said Marquess without hiting one another but at the third time they both brake their Lances without doing any harm Thus the French Duke was compelled to fight a Duel We have the second History from Turpin and many others which is that the Marquess of Masseran having put himself into the King of France's service in hopes to have the Government of Bielais and proving a Traitor the Marshal of Brissac who had discovered his perfidiousness resolved to take him in his house of Gaillany which he had fortified to secure his retreat after his Treason The Lord de Termes was commanded to do it which he did so dexterously that he took him into his house after dinner and then compelled him presently to surrender the Castle of Jamaglia the Marquess obeying sent thither presently his son Claudius to put it into the hands of the Lords de la Mante and of Villars These two viewing the Castle to observe the places that might be fortified and going from room to room heard a lamentable voice crying Have mercy upon me They caused presently the Prison doors to be opened and found a poor Gentleman of Vercelle whom the Marquess had detained there 18 years for endeavouring to serve an execution against him in the Duke of Savoy's behalf And it is remarkable that his Imprisonment was all this while concealed so that no body ever heard of it in so much that his friends suspecting he had been killed by one of his enemies they prosecuted him so hard that after much tortering he confessed what he had not done and was consequently put to death in the presence of the said Marquess of Masseran who knew the Countrey Thus we see one wrongfully accused that was executed and this Gentlemans Imprisonment which was to be perpetual After this they carryed the poor Gentleman almost all naked and being nothing but skin and bones to the Lord of Termes who caused him to be clothed and gave him Money to go back to his friends The third
the Turkish Empire where three of the great Turks Concubines which in Latine are called Pellices shall make War one against another the great Turk himself favouring neither party LIV. French Née en ce Monde par Concubine furtive A deux hault mise par les tristes nouvelles Entre Ennemis sera prinse Captive Et amenée a Malines Bruxelles English Born in this world from a stollen Concubine Set up at two heights by the sad news Shall be taken Prisoner among the Enemies And brought to Malines and Bruxelles ANNOT. This is concerning some Lady of quality born of a Concubine who shall be set up by reason of some sad news that shall be brought and afterwards shall be taken Prisoner and carryed to Malines and Bruxelles two Cities of the Low-Countreys LV. French Les malheureuses Nopces celebreront En grande joye mais la fin malheureuse Mary Mere Nore desdaigneront Le Phibe mort Nore plus piteuse English The unhappy Nuptials shall be celebrated With great joy but the end shall be unhappy Husband and Mother shall scorn Nore The Phybe dead and Nore more pitifull ANNOT. If by Phybe we understand the Admiral of Chastillon and by Nore Queen Margaret of Valois the rest will be easie For in the year 1572. a Match was made between Henry the IV. then King of Navarre chief of the Protestant party and Margaret of Valois Sister to Charles the IX to this Wedding were the chief of the Protestant party invited who were there Massacred and among the rest Gaspard of Coligny Lord of Chastillon and Admiral of France whom he calleth here Phybe And when he saith that Husband and Mother shall scorn Nore he sheweth the slight Opinion and regard that the Queen Mother had for her Daughter and Henry the IV. for his Wife whom he after repudiated LVI French Prelat Roial soy baissant trop tiré Grand Flux de Sang sortira par sa bouche Le Regne Anglicque par Regne respire Long temps mort vif en Tunis comme souche English Royal Prelate bowing himself too much A great flood of Blood shall come out of his mouth The English Reign by Reign respited A great while dead alive in Tunis like a Log. ANNOT. A Prelate is a man of eminent dignity in the Church the Royal Prelate must be a Churchman of the Royal Blood who bowing himself too much shall fall into an Haemorhagie or Flux of Blood at his Mouth The third Verse signifieth that the Kingdom of England shall be relieved from some distress by another Kingdom or Prince that had been a Slave a great while at Tunis and lyen there dead alive like a Log of Wood. LVII French Le sublevé ne cognoistra son Sceptre Les enfans jeunes des plus grands honnira Oncques ne fut un plus ord cruel estre Pour leur Espouses a mort noir bannera English The exalted shall not know his Scepter He shall put to shame the young Children of the greatest Never was one more dirty and cruel He shall banish to Black death their Spouses ANNOT. This is concerning a great Tyrant who being exalted to the dignity of a King shall not know how to govern but shall slight and put to shame the Children of the greatest Nobility and shall banish their Wives out of the Land this hath a relation to the late Tyrant Cromwell LVIII French Au temps du dueil que le Selin Monarque â—uerroiera le jeune Aemathien Gaule bransler pericliter la barque Tenter Phocens au ponant entretien English In the time of mourning when the Monarch Selin Shall make War against the young Aemathien France shall quake the Ship shall be in danger Phocens shall be attempted the business shall be in the West ANNOT. You must observe here that by Aemathien the Author meaneth the King of France as he doth in many other places and by Selin he meaneth the great Turk because such was the name of him that lived in his time this being presupposed the meaning of this is that the great Turk shall fight against the King of France and shall attempt Phocens which is Marseilles as being a Colony of the old Phocenses in Graecia which shall cause all France to quake and the Ship to be in danger which is Paris who beareth a Ship for its Arms. LIX French Dedans Lion vingt cinq d'une haleine Cinq Citoyens Germains Bressans Latines Par dessous Noble conduiront longue traine Et descouvers par abboy de Mastins English In Lyons five and twenty of a breadth Five Citizens Germans Bressans Latines Under Noblemen shall conduct a long Train And shall be discovered by the barking of Mastiffs ANNOT. The Marshal of St. André Governour of Lyon being absent the Protestants undertook the taking of it at the sollicitation of some principal Lords at Court among whom were named the Prince of Condé and the Vidame of Chartres Francis of Vendosme Knight of the Order The Abbot of Savigny who did supply the place of the Governour and was named Antony of Albon since that Archbishop of Arles having discovered this Conspiracy went to surprise the undertakers but as he was going upon the night of the 5 of September he met with some of the confederates upon the Bridge of Saone which made him retreat with some loss The next day having gathered moreForces he took three of them that were strangers and young the rest escaping those three were hanged the next Saturday which was the 7 of that Month. The Marshal being come to Town there was Execution made upon some of the Inhabitants to the number of 4 that were hanged After that there were informations made concerning the Authors and Abettors of the said conspiracy and many other Citizens and strangers were put to Prison and besides them the Vidame of Chartres who was carryed to Paris and put into the Bastille and after that in the Tournelles where he died before his process was ended the 23 December 1560. It is what our Author saith in this stanza in the first Verse he saith that there were five and twenty of a breadth of whose five and twenty there was five Citizens of the Town and the rest were Germans Bressans and Italians of these Citizens 4 were hanged and three of the strangers Those 25 undertakers of which the Author saith that under Noblemen they shall conduct a long Train that is that under the support and favour of many Noblemen they would undertake a thing that should not end so soon as it proved afterwards for although this enterprise did fail yet was the beginning of horrid combustions that followed afterwards This enterprise it seemeth was discovered by barking of Mastiffs The Apology for the City of Lyon treateth at large of this and nameth all those conspirators who for the most part were of Germany and Geneva LX French Je pleure Nice Monaco Pise Genes Savone Sienne Capoue Modene Malthe Le dessus
killed The Order is such at Geneva that in all extraordinary accidents every Citizen knoweth the place of his Randezvous and there goeth with his Arms and the Town House is never destitute of Souldiers In the mean time the Magistrate cryeth He that loveth me let him follow me Some Countrey Fellows of the Neighbouring Towns who kept their Watch by turns being led by some Captains and Citizens did present themselves at the New Gate where they were stoutly received and beaten back and yet the first shot of theirs killed the Petard-Master who was much troubled with his Tools This first Charge would not have driven them back if the body of the Citizens had not come and Charged them so furiously that they lost all their Courage Necessity which strengthens even those that want Courage did so animate the Citizens to their defence that the undertakers were fained to give back The more nimble went again to their Ladders which proved useless because the Canon that was Planted in the Fort of Loye near the Ditch had broken them so that they left four and fifty dead upon the place and upon the Curtain of the Corraterie and thirteen that were taken alive If the Town had had Souldiers in readiness to make a Sally in that Andâ—bâ—tism the night being sometimes favourable to such expeditions those that were at Plain Palais would not have retreated in so good an Order There were thirteen taken alive among whom were the Baron of Attignac the Lord Sonas the Lord Chaffardon upon promise of their Lives and to be Prisoners of War or else they had preserved an Honourable death to all the promises to be spared in laying down their Arms among them was d'Attignac who fought valiantly and gave his Order of St. Maurice to his man bidding him save himself being resolved to die with his Sword in his hand The Lords of Geneva would not use them as Prisoners of War but as Thieves and Robbers come into the City over the Walls They said that the Duke was too generous a Prince for so wicked and perfidious an action there was several Opinions concerning their Sentence of Death the more moderate would have them be put to Ransom others would have them be kept Prisoners that they might serve for exchange if some of the Town were taken in the continuation of the War but the more violent did stir the people in representing unto them the loss of their Religion the ravishing of their Wives and Maids the Massacre the Sack and Plunder of the Town and their perpetual slavery and the complaints of the Widows and Children of those that had been killed were so much considered that the more moderate Opinions did not appear injust but in how much they tended to Death They were Condemned to be Hanged which is thought the most Ignominious Death they desired to have their Heads cut off as Gentlemen which was granted but it was after they were Hanged Fifty nine were found killed and wounded who had all their Heads cut off In the Ditch there were some Arms found thirty dead and four wounded all their Heads were cut off and set with the rest upon the Gallows Of the Citizens of the Town there were seventeen found dead most of them killed by their Companions in the dark Their Names were John Canal one of the Lords of the Councel Lewis Baudiere John Vandel Lewis Galatin Peter Cabriol Mark Cambiagua Nicolas Baâ—gueret James Mercier Abraham de Baptista Daniel Humbert Martin de Bolo Michael Monard Philip Potier Francis Bouzesel John Buignet James Petit Gerrard Muzy and about twenty wounded The Sunday after Dinner about two of the Clock 67 Heads as well of those that were killed as of those that were Hanged were fastened upon the Gallows and the Bodies thrown into the Rhosne The next Tuesday there was a solemn Fasting day kept and they began to publish every where the wonders of this Deliverance Here followeth the Copy of their Letter to the Governour of Lion My Lord You have known before this by many of your Letters how his Highness of Savoy notwithstanding he knew and had confessed that we were included in the Peace made in the year 1600 between his Royal Majesty of France and him hath neverthless divers times oppressed us by detaining our Rents prohibiting of Trade other violences and extorsions refusing to hearken to the just and pressing remanstrances which his Majesty hath made him several times in our behalf but hath also contrived many defigns to surprise us in time of Peace Now it is so that for the encompasing his pernicious design the Lord d'Albigny Saturday last the Eleventh of this Month did bring before our Town on the side of Plain Palais about two Thousand men Horse and Foot all choice men and hath caused to pass about 200. of them over our Ditch by the Corraterie and having set up Ladders one within another hatb caused them to come into our Town about three of the Clock in the Morning upon Sunday the Twelfth of this Month encouraging them himself bâ—ing in the Ditch so that being come down into the Town some went towards our New Gate to force it open and give entrance to their Companions who were in the â—lain of Plain Palais others went towards the Mint Gate that they might by this means come into the middle of the Town But iâ— hath pleased God to look upon us with his favourable Eye and to give such a Heart to the Citizens that they beat them back and killed the best part of them taken upon the place the rest hath been taken and since that Hanged by our Order the rest threw themselves down from the wall so that we hear many of them are either dead or grievously wounded It is a wonderfull deliverance of our God for which we are particularly bound to Praise him But as it is probable that the said Lord d'Albigny will continue his ill designs by so much the more that we hear his Highness is not far from us we do intreat and request by all our affection that you would be pleased to consider what prejudice the taking of this place would be to his Majesty and to continue us your favour and assist us with our wise and prudent advise c. Many did judge of the success of this enterprise by the beginning and were more forward to write than to perform well The King had notice that the Duke was Master of the Town and the manner of doing was represented with so much felicity and facility that there was less reason to doubt of it than believe it The Truth was not known but by the advise of the Governour of Lion which came before any discourse that the Town did publish after its deliverance The Duke went Post back again over the Mountains and left his Troops within three miles of Geneva in three places at Tournon Fossigny and Ternier he caused his Embassadours to say to the Lords of Beâ—ne that he
hitherto hath been like an Air calm and pure should upon a sudden be disturbed with Clouds and Lightning and so made a resolution that if the Duke of Biron should tell him the truth he would forgive him his Councel was of the same advice provided he would shew himself thenceforth as forward for his service against his Enemies as he had been earnest to do mischief Out of many Papers that la Fin put into the Kings hands there were seven and twenty pickt out which onely spoke of him the King being unwilling to discover the rest of the Conspirators and intending that the punishment of one should serve for example to all the rest The Chancellor kept those Papers with such care that he caused them to be sowed in his Doublet that no body might have a sight of them till it was time The Baron of Lux was yet at Fountainbleau when la Fin came thither The King told him that he was very well pleased that la Fin had spoken to him so honourably and wisely of the Duke of Biron and that he was confident now that the intentions of the Duke of Biron were righteous and sincere The Baron of Lux did not perceive the Kings anger so much the more dangerous that it was hidden he went back again to Dijon very well pleased that the things were always in the same state La Fin did write to the Duke of Biron that he had satisfied the King concerning his actions and had told him onely what might serve for his justification The King did manage this business so prudently that the success of it was fortunate he was well informed of all the Dukes designs and desired to hear them out of his own mouth that he might have occasion to forgive him for that purpose he sent to him the Lord d'Escures bidding him to come because he had a mind to trust him with the Army that he was raising upon the Frontiers he excused himself and said that the enemy being so near it would be a shame to him to turn his back and that the States of the Province were convented at Dijon and therefore could not for sake neither the Frontiers nor the States The Vidame of Chartres made a Journey to him and assured him that his Uncle la Fin had said nothing to his prejudice The persuasions of the President Janin were more powerful for flattering the Duke in his humour he also made him sensible of the Kings power and anger in case of refusal his friends gave him contrary advices and desired him not to stir and to make his peace afar off the Bastille is a repairing said they and the common talk is that it is for such one as less thinketh upon it the King hath been heard say that they cut heads in England and that some shall compel him upon that example to change his wonted Clemency into a just severity in conclusion they advise him to mistrust all things and to beware of those that persuaded him to come others did assure him of the contrary and that his coming should dissipate all mistrusts suspicions and jealousies The Duke of Biron holdeth here the Wolf by the ears for let him come or not there is danger by not coming he accuseth himself and the King swore he would fetch him himself and in coming his conscience was a witness against him that the same fault can hardly be forgiven twice He seeth la Fin retired into his House and living in peace and hath so good an opinion of his own Valour that he thinketh no body so bold as to seize upon him The discourses of reason the discerning of the truth serve no more to a wicked and passionate man then the Wings serve to a Bird when they are clogged with Bird-lime But now we talk of Birds there were several ill Omens of his journey one Bird of Prey called a Duck was found in his Closet no body knowing which way it was come in he commanded it to be carefully kept and lookt to but assoon as the Duke was upon his journey the Bird died Presently after the Horse that the Arch-Duke had given him called the Pastrave became mad and killed himself so did another that was given him by the Duke of Florence another that the Duke of Lorrain had given him fell into a consumption He came to Fountainbleau when he was no more expected and the King was resolved to get on Horseback and to fetch him As his Majesty went about six of the Clock into the great Garden he was heard to say unto the Lord of Sonvray he will not come he had no sooner ended the words but the Duke appeared among seven or eight he drew near and being yet a pretty way off he made three great Congies the King did embrace him and the first words he spoke to the King were about the delaying of his coming The King heard but few words of it and took him by the hand to walk and to shew him his buildings as he passed from one Garden into another the Duke of Espernon took occasion to salute him and to whisper him in the ear that in his coming he had believed his courage more then the Councel of his friends In all the discourse he had with the King there was observed a great coldness in the Kings face and a great deal of fire in the Dukes words The King told him of the evil way which he had taken the end of which could be nothing but ruine despair and confusion The Duke answered that he was not come to ask forgiveness nor to justifie himself with many other frivolous and impudent words which the Kings presence and his own duty ought to have restrained The time of dinner being come he asked the Duke of Espernon to dine with him because his Train was not yet come this was the first fault of his carriage for he ought to dine at the Table of the great Master and to harbour in no other House then that of the King seeing his own was not open After dinner they came to see the King who having walked one turn or two about the dinning-room entered into his Closet bidding two or three to go in with him and saying nothing to the Duke of Biron who was at the corner of the Bed near the Chair taking notice that he was not looked upon as formerly The Marquess of Rhosny went into the Closet passing by the Duke of Biron without taking notice of him and after he had stayed there about half an hour he came and saluted the Duke of Biron and told him the King asked for him there he was exhorted not to conceal what time would ere long discover and of what he was so well informed that the desire he had to know it from himself was meerly because no body else should take notice of it The Duke of Biron who thought that la Fin had revealed nothing stood still upon the protestations of his own innocency
beseeching the King to do him justice of those who went about to oppress him with unsufferable calumnies or to permit him to do himself reason The King carried him to the Tennis-court where the Duke took upon him to order the match and said that the Duke of Espernon and himself would hold it against the King and the Earl of Soisson the Duke of Espernon answered presently you play well but you do not make your matches well which was observed by the King and the standers by Supper time being come he did sup at the Table of the great Master to repare the fault he had done in the morning Every one did perceive that he was not contented for he eat little or nothing and no body spoke to him every one holding him already for a cast-away The King in the mean while was walking in his Chamber meditating some great resolution and he was heard to say these words be must either bow or break That evening past away so quietly that many thought it would be a Thunder with much noise and little hurt The King commanded the Earl of Soissons to go to the Duke of Biron and to do his best to break the hardness of his heart and to draw the truth out of him he went and intreated him to satisfie the King in what he desired to know from him and to be afraid of the Kings displeasure and indignation The Duke of Biron for answer told him that the King could not complain but of the good services he had done to him and that he himself had great occasion to complain of the King who mistrusted him after so many trials and experiments of his faithfulness and that he should never have more of him then he had at his first coming the Earl of Soissons seeing his obstinacy left him The next day early the King walking in the little Garden sent for the Duke of Biron and spoke to him a great while thinking to overcome his obstinacy and to give him means to escape the danger he was running into he was seen a great while with his Hat off his eyes lifted up to Heaven smiting his breast and making great protestations to uphold his innocency there appeared then in the Kings face a great deal of anger and in that of the Duke of Biron a great deal of fire and violence all his words were nothing but threatnings lightnings ruines and Hell against those that had spoken ill of him from thence he went to dinner and met with a man who brought him a Letter to advise him to look to himself he shewed it to the Captain of his Guards and made slight of it and said he would be beholding to his valour for his life and not to a flight all the afternoon the King stayed in the Gallery and spoke four hours to the Lord of la Curée the Queen being present and speaking never a word the King was in a great perplexity of mind before he could resolve himself The Lords of Vileroy Sillery and Geure were seen often to go to and fro which made some suspect that it was to begin by the execution in so great a crime but the King was against that such proceedings had been blamed in his Predecessor he would have every body to know that he had authority and power enough to exterminate his enemies according to the Laws The resolution was taken to have him arrested and also the Earl of Auvergne the King would not have them to be taken in the Castle but in their own Lodgings the Duke of Biron who was in some suspicion of it and had prepared himself to what he could neither prevent nor hinder did imagine that there was no fear of any thing in the Kings Chamber and that all the danger should be at the going out and therefore by time had provided himself with a short Sword with which he promised to make himself room through all dangers They represented to the King that if he were Arrested any where but in the Castle it could not be done without bloodshed and that it was no matter where the Lyon was taken so that profit might arise of his prize It was perceived that in the same Gallery the King sent for Vitry and Pralin two Captains of his Guards and gave them the order he would have to be observed for the execution of his commands and then called for his Supper The Duke of Biron was at supper in the Lord Montignys Lodging where he spoke more highly and bravely then ever of his Deserts and of the friends he had made lately in Switzerland then began to fall upon the praises of the late King of Spain extolling his Piety Justice and liberality Montigny stopt him saying that the greatest commendation that could be given to his memory was that he had put his own Son to death for endeavouring to trouble his Estate this word stopt those of the Duke of Biron who answered only with his eyes and thought upon it with some amazement After supper the Earl of Auvergne and the Duke of Biron came to the King who was walking in the Garden the King making an end of his walk did invite the Duke of Biron to play at Cards they went into the Queens Chambâ—r the Earl of Auvergne passing by the Duke of Biron told him softly we are undone the Game begun at the primara the Queen was one of the Gamsters the Duke of Biron another and two more The King went into his Closet divided between two contrary passions the love he had formerly for the Duke of Biron the knowledge he had of his valour and the remembrance of his services excluded all thoughts of his Justice on the other side the fear of troubles in his Estate the horâ—id effects of so unnatural a conspiracy did accuse his Clemency of cruelty if he went about to prefer the particular good to the publick he prayed to God to assist him with his Holy Spirit to appease the troubles of his soul and to strengthten him with a Holy resolution that he might do what was for the good of his people upon whom he Reigned by his only Grace his prayer being ended all the difficulties that troubled his soul vanished away there remained only a firm resolution to put the Duke into the hands of Justice if he could not draw the truth out of him the Game went on still the King took sometimes the Queens Cards expecting the appointed time The Earl of Auvergne was gone to his Lodging the King sent for him and walked in the Chamber while the Duke thought upon nothing but his play De Varennes Lieutenant of his Troop faining to take up his Cloak whispered him softly that he was undone this word did trouble him so much that he neglected his play and oversaw himself the Queen gave him notice of it the King did bid them to give over playing and commanded every one to retire he went into his Closet and took the Duke of Biron
with him whose good and bad fortune depended from an answer pleasing his Majesty who bid him once for all to tell what he had done with the Duke of Savoy and the Earl of Fuentes assuring him that his clemency should be greater than his fault The Duke of Biron answered the King more proudly than eyer that it was to pross an honest man too much that he never had any other design but what he had told him already Would to God it were so said the King You will not tell me Farewell good night As he went out of the Closet and had passed the Chamber door he met Vitry who with his right hand seized upon the Hilt of his Sword and with his left upon his right Arm saying The King â—ath commanded me to give him an account of your Person give up your Sword You jeer said the Duke No my Lord he hath so commanded me The Duke of Biron answered I pray thee let me speak to the King No my Lord the King is gone to Bed He saw the Duke of Monbazon and desired him to intreat the King that he might surrender it into his own Hands The King sent word to Vitry to obey his commands The Duke was fained to suffer his Sword to be taken from him saying My Sword that hath done so many good services Yes my Lord give me your Sword said Vitry To me said the Duke that have served the King so well that my Sword should be taken from me my Sword that hath made an end of the War and given Peace to France that my Sword which could not be taken by my Enemies should be taken away by my Friends All these complaints availed nothing he ungirted his Sword with his left hand and gave it to Vitry looking about if he could seize upon any other out care was taken for that When he saw all the Guards in order in the Gallery he thought he should have been Massacred upon the place and cryed to them fellow Souldiers give me a little time to pray to God and let me have some Firebrand or Candlestick in my hand that I may have the Honour to die desending my self He was answered that no Body would offend him that his best defence was to obey the King who commanded to lead him to Bed you see said he how the good Catholicks are used He was carryed into the Arms Closet where he neither slept nor lay down but past the night in blasphemies against God and reviling words against the King Pralin was staying for the Earl of Auvergne at the Castle Gate and when he offered to go out to his lodging stay my Lord you are the Kings Prisoner The Earl astonished answered I I and Pralin answered yes my Lord you I Arrest you by the King and make you his Prisoner give up your Sword take it said the Earl it never killed any thing but Boars if you had given me notice of this I should have been in Bed and asleep two hours ago The next day about dinner time the Duke of Biron sent word to the King that if he did not take care of the Province of Burgundy it would be lost because the Baron of Lux would let in the Spaniards as soon as he should have notice of his detention The King was very much offended at this message and said see the impudence and boldness of the Duke of Biron who sendeth me word that Burgundy is lost if I do not look to it His obstinacy hath undone him if he would have confessed the truth of a thing that I have under his hand he should not be where he is I wish I had paid 200000. Crowns and he had given me the means to forgive him I never loved any man so much I would have trusted him with my Son and my Kingdom 'T is true he hath served me well but he cannot deny but that I have saved his life three times I rescued him once from the hands of the Enemy at Fontain Francoise so wounded and astonished with blows that as I plaid the part of a Souldier to save him I was also fained to make that of a Captain to make the retreat for he told me he was not in a case to do it The Saturday next the prisoners were carryed to Paris by water and put into the Bastille in several Chambers The Duke of Biron was put into that called of the Saints famous for the Prison of the Constable of Saint Paul executed in the time of Lewis the XI and the Earl in the Chamber above him The care the order and vigilancy with which he was guarded did put him in some amazement for his Guards waited on him without Arms and served him with a Knife without a point which made him say that it was the way to the Grave the place of Execution But when he knew that the Hangman of Paris was a Burgundian he remembred that La Brosse an Astrologer had foretold him sometimes seeing his Horoscope which he fained to be that of one of his friends that he should be beheaded and Caesar a Magician that a blow of a Burgundian given behind should hinder him to attain the Kingdom The Arch-Bishop of Bourges went to see him and endeavoured to settle his Conscience and to disswade him from some Atheistical opinions that he had Villeroy and Sillery went also to see him and by the Kings Command and at his request Few days after the King being at St. Mourder Fossez the Lords la Force the Earl of Roussy Brother in Law to the Duke of Biron Saint Blancard his Brother Chasteau-neuf Themines Salignac St. Angel Longuac Friends and Kinsmen of the Duke of Biron went and cast themselves at the Kings feet to implore his Mercy and that he would be pleased to moderate the severity of his Justice requesting that the same clemency which he had shewed to many others that had as grievously offended him would at least save his life and confine him into such a place where he might do no harm that their whole Kindred might not be branded with Insamy and have a regard to his Fathers service and his which though they were not equal to his offence yet at least to consider that he was only guilty for his intention The King bid them rise and told them that their requests were not displeasing to him That he would not be like his Predecessors who would not suffer any body to intercede for those that were guilty o high Treason The King Francis II. would never give a hearing to the Wife of the Prince of Condé my Uncle Concerning the clemency you would have me shew to the Duke of Biron it should not be clemency but cruelty if it were only my particular Interest I would forgive him as I do now with all my heart but my Kingdom and my Children to whom I owe much are concerned in it or they might reproach me hence forwards that I have tollerated an evil which I might have
where I might have been kept bound hand and foot I should have at last that comfort to pray for those who should have got me that favour from the King If I had been but a single Souldier I should have been sent to the Galleys but because I am a Marshal of France I am thought to be as dangerous a man to the State as I have been useful heretofore My life is sought after I see there is no Mercy for me the King hath often forgiven those who not only intended to do evil but had done it this Vertue is now forgotten he giveth occasion now to the World to believe that he never used clemency or forgiveness but when he was afraid I was of opinion that if I had killed one of his Children he would have forgiven me Is it not pity that my Father should have run so many dangers and at last died in the field to keep the Crown upon his Head and that now he should take my head off my Shoulders is it possible he should forget the services I have done him doth he not remember the conspiracy of Mantes and the dangers he should have been in if I had taken the Conspirators part Hath he forgotten the Siege of Amiens where I have been so often among the fire and Bullets neglecting my own life to preserve his I have not a Vein but hath been open to preserve his own Blood I have received five and thirty wounds to save his life he sheweth now that he never loved me but when he had need of me he taketh away my head but let him beware that the Justice of God doth not fall upon his My Blood shall cry for revenge for the wrong that is done me to day I call the King of Spain and the Duke of Savoy to Witness if I know any thing what is laid to my charge La Fin himself did shew me sometimes a Catholick List of about fourscore Gentlemen who received Pension from the King of Spain I had never so much curiosity as to read it let him be put to the rack he shall tell many particularities of it the King within a litttle while shall perceive what he getteth by my death I sshall at last die a good Catholick and constant in my Religion I believe that 's the cause of my death The Chancellor seeing that all his discourses were full of passion vanity and repetitions and void of reason and were like an impetuous Torrent that cannot be stopt and that all his words were nothing but reproaches against the King and the Court of Parliament blasphemies against God and execrations against his Accusers said that his business called him away and that in his absence he would leave him two Divines to comfort him and to dispose his soul to leave quietly this World for the enjoying of a better As the Chancellor was going out the Prisoner begged of him that he might have the liberty to make his Will because he did owe much and much was owing to him and he desired to satisfie every body The Chancellor answered that the Recorder Voisin should stay with him to write his Will under the Kings good pleasure And as the Chancellor spoke to Voisin the Prisoner turning to Roissy Master of Requests asked him if he were one of those that had condemned him my Father hath loved you so much that though you were one yet should I forgive you Roissy answered my Lord I pray God Almighty to comfort you They went out and he with a quiet mind and free from passion did dictate his Will in what form he would with the same Garbe as if he had been making a Speech at the head of an Army he remembred his friends and servants and did not forget the Baron of Lux whom he loved above all the rest He left eight hundred Livers a year to a Bastard of his whom he begot of a woman that he left with Child of another to which child he left a Mannor near Dijon that had cost him six thousand Crowns he disposed all the rest of his Debts and answered modestly and without confusion to all the Notes and Bills that were brought him about his affairs Took three Rings off his fingers and intreated Baranton to give them to his Sisters two to the Countess of Roussy and the other to that of Saint Blancard desiring they would wear them for his sake he distributed in Alms about 200. Crowns that he had in his Pocket fifty to the Capuchines fifty to the Fâ—eillants fifty to the Minimes and the rest to several poor people The Will being made the Recorder put him in mind how my Lord Chancellor had told him he was condemned to death and that according to the ordinary forms of the Law he must have his Sentence read to him that this action required humility therefore willed him to kneel before the Altar leaving off hence forth all thoughts of this World to think upon the Father of Mercies he kneeled with the right knee upon the first step of the Altar and heard it read as followeth Seen by the Court the Chambers being assembled together the Process extraordinarily made by the Presidents and Councellors appointed by the King under his Letters Patents dated the 18 and 19 of June at the request of the Kings Sollicitor General against the Lord Charles of Gontault of Biron Knight of both Orders Duke of Biron Peer and Marshal of France Governour of Burgundy Prisoner in the Castle of Bastille accused of high Treason Informations Interrogations Confessions and denials Confrontations and Witnesses Letters Advices and Instructions given to the Enemies and acknowledged by him and all what the Solliciter General hath produced Sentence of the 22 of this Month by which it was ordered that in the absence of the Peers of France summoned it should be further proceeded to Judgment Conclusions of the Kings Sollicitor the accuser being heard and interrogated all things being duly considered hath been concluded that the said Court hath declared and declareth the said Duke of Biron attainted and convicted of high Treason for the conspiracies by him made against the Kings Person and Estates Proditions and Treaties with his Enemies when he was Marshal of the Army of the said King for reparation of which Crime the said Court hath deprived and depriveth him of all his Estates Honours and Dignities and hath condemned and condemneth him to be beheaded upon a Scaffold which for that purpose shall be erected in the place of Greve hath declared and declareth all and every one of his Goods moveable or unmoveable in whatsoever places scituated and seated to be acquired and conâ—iscated to the King the Manner of Biron deprived for ever of the Title and Dukedom and Peerage and altogether all his other Goods immediately holden from the King reunited to the Crown again Done in Parliament the last day of July 1602. Signed in the Original by de Belieure Chancellor of France Councellor in the Court
of those that had condemned him against the Kings cruelty as he called it that would not grant him his pardon and that this was to make him feel death before death 〈◊〉 Voisin answered that it could not be done otherwise He answered that every body knew for what reason he was there and then as if it were by consession he said well read and thereupon held his Peace till Voisin came to these words for having attempted against the Kings Person for then he fell into a passion again as he had done before and said that it was false that this never came into his mind that as God was his Judge he would be for ever deprived of his Grace if it were true that since two and twenty Months he had done nothing against the Kings service that it is true he had written some Letters but that the King had forgiven him protesting and calling the Spectators to Witness that it was the truth what he spoke as he would answer it before God and spoke so many words and so fast that neither he nor the Sheriff could be understood The Sentence being read the Divines did admonish him to leave all Earthly thoughts to implore the assistance of Heaven and to resign his Soul to the Eternal providence of the Almighty and his Body to what the Law had ordained of it he made some Prayer to God and bound his Eyes with his own Handkarchief and asked the Executioner in what place he was to put himself the Executioner pointing with his finger said there my Lord he pulled off his Handkarchief in a rage and where is that there said he thou seest I am blind fold and thou shewest me as if I could â—éeâ— he bound himself again and bid the Executioner to dispatch quickly The Executioner told him he ought to kneel for fear he should do something amiss No no said he I shall not stir if thou canst not do it at one blow do it at thirty he was intreated again to kneel which he did and spoke these Imperious words dispatch dispatch then rose up again and untied his Handkarchief and by casting his Eyes upon the Executioner made the people believe that either he had a mind to seize upon the Sword or that he was terribly afrighted by the approaches of Death and began again his former complaints is there no pardon must I die so miserably after so many services The Executioner intreated him to suffer his hairs behind to be cut off he began to swear again fearfully that if he toucht him otherwise than with the Sword he would strangle him The Divines told him that he was too carefull of his Body he would hear no more of that but fell into a rage and swore that he would not be toucht by so Infamous a Person as long as he was alive that if they did provoke him too much he would strangle half the Company and oblige the other half to kill him those that were upon the Scaffold went down and left him with the Executioner who repented himself heartily that he had taken the care of him unbound The Divines went up again upon the scaffold and desired him for the love of God to resolve to step over that pass which was necessary for every man to do and with some few other words whispered into his ears did calm him a little and made him resolve to undergo the Execution after he had made many complaints and shewed great fears of dying A strange thing that as stout and valiant a man as ever was born who had so many times cast himself amongst the greatest dangers without any fear or apprehension as if there was no death for him should shew himself now so fearful at the coming of it we may judge by this that the apprehension of death is incomparably greater when it cometh upon a cold blood and those that know what his Chirurgion was wont to say shall less wonder at it for he said that the Duke of Biron used to wonder at himself that being not afraid of the thrust of a Sword nevertheless he was very timerous at the pricking of a Launcet when he had occasion to be let blood Whereupon we must confess that the greatest courage and most undaunted stoutness of a man is nothing in comparison of human Natures weakness The Divines judging him to be out of fear gave him his last absolution he kneeled again and cried aloud three times My God my God my God have Mercy upon me then turning to the Executioner he took the headband that he had in his hand and intreated Baranton to do him that last curtesie as to list up his hairs behind which Baranton did and the Duke himself did tie the Handkarchief about his Eyes The Divines seeing him in that good disposition did assure him that he was ready to go to Heaven and to see God and to enjoy his Glory Yes said he Heaven is open to receive my Soul and so stooped his neck for the Executioner to do his office The Executioner considering that he had untied himself three times before and might do so again for the fourth thought fitting to entertain him with fair words to desire his forgiveness and to put him in mind of saying his last Prayer in the mean time he beckened to his man who was at the foot of the Scaffold to reach him the Sword which no sooner was in his hand but the Duke of Birons Head was off his Shoulders it fell from the Scaffold to the ground and was thrown again by the Executioners man upon the Scaffold the Body was stript to its Shirt and wraped in a Sheet and the same day burâ—ed about nine of the Clock at night iâ— St. Pauls Church without any shew or Ceremony Thus ended the Tragical History of the Duke of Biron Now follows the two last Verses of this Prophecie A Post overtaken in the Countrey And the Scrivener shall cast himself into the water Which as we have said before were concerning Nicolas 〈…〉 ste Secretary to the Lord Villeroy chief Secretary of State The History therefore is thus The French Embassador at Madrid complained once to Henry a he IV. he was so ill informed and so late of Affairs that the King of Spains Ministers knew them before him The King was a great while troubled before he could discover the spring of that infidelity at last it came out in this manner Viâ—leroy that great Oâ—acle of France and the most confident secretary to the King had among his servants one Nicolas l'Oste born at Orleans in whom he did confide so much the more because his Father had been the most part of his life in his service The Lord Rocbepot going Embassador into Spain Oste desired to be admitted into his Family to serve him as his secretary that he might the better fit himself for publick employment Villeroy's commendation got him easily that employment by which in a few Months he became so capable of the Spanish