encreas'd to vanquish his Indifference She pray'd Montmorency to walk with him that evening in a part of the Garden she told him where she would be undiscover'd and endeavour to see the Duke without being seen by him saying she chose that way because she had not seen the Queen since her arrival at Anet who might justly complain of her if she perceiv'd her well enough to receive the Visits of a Stranger but feign'd an indisposition whe she ought to wait on her Majesty though the truth is the Dutchess thought there was somewhat more Gallantry to see him this way than in her Chamber Montmorency was so much obliged to her that she durst have communicated it to him though it had been a more guilty design 'T was to her he owed his return to the Court and the Kings favour for 't is publickly known the deceased King Francis upon his Death-bed commanded his Son never to suffer his return But Diana was so powerfull with this Monarch that neither his Fathers commands the counsels of his most faithfull Friends nor the Queens most private designs could ever prevail against the intreaties of his Mistress Therefore Montmorency thought himself highly honour'd in her choice of him to do her that little service and went immediately to look the Duke whom he found coming from his own Apartment where he had been to Visit him thither they return'd and the Duke asking him what the King had resolv'd in his affairs was informed that obliging Prince prepar'd to protect him with all his Power and for that intent had given out Commissions for the raising new Troops so that in a little time he might see Forty Thousand men armed for his defence This happy news put the Duke in so good a humour as made him twice more lovely than before he thank'd the King with such a Grace as absolutely gain'd him and was so pleasant all that day with the Queen and the Ladies that they talkt of nothing but him Evening being come Montmorency pretended some new Questions with him concerning the Forces with which Gonsagnes took Placentia some time before also what Intelligence he had in Italy to discourse this more conveniently he led him into a private Walk which abutted upon a green Arbor from whence without being discern'd one might see who walk'd in the Alley 'T was in this Bower the Dutchess stayd accompanied with one of her Women who she trusted above any call'd Saint-Brune and follow'd by a little Polander lately presented her who commonly carried her Mantle When Montmorency came within hearing of the Arbor With your permission said he to the Duke how d' ye find your Indifference I thought all day I had something to ask you and it slipt out of my memory till now I beseech you reply'd Octavo let it alwayes do so for I can make you but the same answer I have already that is I never did love do not now nor if I can help it never will the revenge of my Fathers death with the re-establishment of my Fortune possesses my whole Soul and besides I have so great a love for Glory that I dare promise my self my heart will never change it for any other passion Truely very fine sentiments said Montmorency and worthy the Son of Lewis Farnese But Octavo Love and Glory are not inconsistent in a brave mind for both possess'd Alexanders You may rather say answer'd the Duke they both flourish in the mind of your brave Henry who is the best of Kings yet I know he adores the fair Diana but all these examples dont convince me for those great men who give way to Love understand the strength of their own Reason and know their passion shall ever be subjected to it therefore looking upon Love as a divertisement lay themselves open to it without fearing its evil consequence but as for me my power is not so Soveraign over my self for I understand so well that if I did Love at all I should do it to excess that rather than hazard Loving too much I will not Love at all Alas said Montmorency clapping him upon the shoulder with his hand Love is not so excessive as you imagine 't is a Monster to you only because you look upon it at a distance but if ever you grow familiar with it you will find it makes no such havock as you think of when like you we are young well made and fit to be loved we esteem our selves more than we love others and if pleasure make us quit our Reason self-love knows the art to reduce us into the limits of necessity and usefulness That which you say may be real reply'd Octavo but your Truths perswade me not Fortune shall do what she pleases with my heart I leave it to her but as for Love with your permission I must forbid it to my Grave If I could ever have entertain'd it 't would have been for the beautifull Princess of Milan who is certainly one of the loveliest persons in the World and whose Allyance would have prevented the calamities of our Family The fair Princess of Florence with whom I was bred had vanquish'd my Insensibility were it possible to be overcome and I need not have come so far to present a heart to your French Ladies which perhaps they may think unworthy of their charms since I shall see them but as a Pilgrim in a Voyage The Dutchess who heard this discourse was exceedingly jealous of her Beauty and suffer'd with impatience those praises which Octavo gave the Princesses of Milan and Florence Montmorency knew the Dutchess well enough to understand her jealousie and turning himself briskly to the Duke Go said he I find you a thousand times more guilty than I thought you were I look'd upon you as a bashfull young man who had more fear his first amours might not succeed than antipathy to essay it but since your Indifference is a wilfull hardning of your self I declare to you that you are not according to my humour and that I esteem you not half so much as I did Montmorency was upon these terms only to complement the Dutchess who heard them but the Duke not knowing his design and perceiving his earnestness in the discourse thought the King had given him some private orders to discover his true sentiments which made him the more resolute to defend his Insensibility and made him draw such a pourtract of all the evils of Love as would have smother'd desire in a heart the most inclinable to that passion so passing from Reasoning to Examples he enlarg'd upon the weakness of Mark Anthony and several other places in History that fitted his subject in such a manner as made the fair Diana think she had never seen a man so pleasing and so witty as the Duke of Parma in the heat of their discourse they walk'd between whiles and the night not being very dark Madam de Valentinois saw the Dukes Stature and majestick Mine then joyning the charms of
that which seems the most difficult is many times the most easily accomplished we are in a business where our Interest is great enough to foretell you a happy Issue As the Dutchess said this by the by so he suspecting those about him made no other answer than with his Eyes but pleased himself with the thoughts that he was understood The Sixth Day HOw pleasant was the Night that followed this happy Day the fair Dutchess of Valentinois was continually in Octavo's Imagination anticipating his Discourse and in some sort his desires See what a great Soul is said he to himself thus all women of sincerity and wit should do and if the rest of women-kind knew so well the value of each Moment we need not spend half our lives making pittiful faces and useless sighs These reflections gave him such an Idea of the Pleasures to come as made him enjoy one little less for the present his pleasing thoughts making him forget he was alone and the extravagance of talking when there 's none to answer how Lovely she is continu'd he and how Charming is this Procedure to a man of a generous Mind these thoughts entertaining him the greatest part of the Night he wak'd so late the next morning that Montmorency and the Marquess of Jarnac who came to fetch him to Dinner with the Duke D'aumale where the Scotch Earl also was found him in Bed Ha! cry'd Montmorency entring the Chamber pray sâ—e how Loves Enemies imploy their time they seem to be i' th World for nothing but to sleep and the Suns Rising is a Beauty of Nature too Precious for their Sight Why then reply'd the Duke of Parma smiling d' you think sleep so great an evil that you reproach it to my Indifference as a Crime Yes said Montmorency smartly whatever comes from a bad Cause can produce no good effect and consequently you must either resolve to quit your Insensibility or I must be no longer of your Friends Ha Sir answer'd the Duke taking Montmorency by the hand if you please then do not deprive me of your Friendship His new Passion forc'd this from him against his Will and fearing the Marquess de Jarnac might take notice of it he added But stay till Love constrain me to complain of him and do not make him Persecute me before hand by being the Author of your aversion for me The Marquess helpt the Duke to defend the freedom of the Mind and Inclinations when passing from this Discourse to the arrival of the Scotch Ambassador Montmorency told Octovo that this Scotch Prince praised Madam de Valentinois so excessively as made the whole Court believe he would soon be in love with her if he were not already This News made Octavo feel a secret envy and shew'd him the fair Diana's Charms had left a deeper impression in his Heart than he imagined Montmorency going into the Gallery of Pictures that the Duke might dress himself with the more conveniency whither he follow'd him with the soonest then they went together to the Duke D'aumales whose good Cheer took up a part of the day From thence all the Company went to the King where he was seeing some Horses rid which the Queen of Scots had presented him The Duke Octavo perceiving the Court so well imploy'd thought he could never find a time more favourable to visit the Dutchess therefore privately withdrew himself from the Company and repair'd to Madant de Valentinois he knew she was in an Arbor of Rock-work that adjoyned to her Summer apartment which doubtless was one of the most agreeable places in the World All its Furniture was little Boles of Fountains Cushions of Cloth of Gold and China Flower-pots fill'd with Flowers a Venus of White Marble form'd a Grotto the length of the Arbor and Eight or Ten Cupids some sleeping others imploy'd in the Goddesses service made as many various spouts of water which reflecting upon several looking-Glasses that adorn'd this Bower glid away with a delicious murmur through small Leaden Pipes At the End of the Arbor was a Couch made Portugal fashion and by a cornish of Rock-work that jetted out hung a thousand branches of Greens intermixt with Flowers which made a Canopy over the Dutchess head who lay under it The Duke thought her so Lovely in this posture that he stood like one in a maze Diana knowing perfectly the effects of her Beauty felt a secret joy for Octavo's Trouble which made her yet more Charming 'T is so customary with Love to produce bashfulness in young Lovers that if Madam de Valentinois had not had more resolution than the Duke of Parma this interview so commodious and worthy to be well imploy'd had been lost in silence and admiration but the fair Dutchess growing weary of this Dumb Musick asked the Duke how his Affairs proceeded A man more experienc'd in these occasions would have answer'd that she knew better than himself since on her only depended his destiny but 't is so true that the most Ingenuous amongst young people are but Asses in the beginnings of their first Loves that our respectfull youth durst not speak one word to discover his Passion but chang'd his Countenance and hesitated as if he was troubled to find something to say the Dutchess pittying his little experience would give him time to come to himself and fell to playing with the Flowers as if she had forgot the Duke was there till remembring she had heard Octavo was a great Traveller for a man of his Age she chang'd their conversation to the subject of his Travels In the mean time the Duke recollected himself he wanted neither wit nor courage to undertake a great enterprize and his timidity which proceeded from Surprize or Transport did but serve to quicken his wit He told the Dutchess he had seen nothing finer in his Voyages than a Statue of the Sultaness Asteria the Mistress of Solyman the second which the Venetian Ambassador at Constantinople since Duke of Venice had caused to be made for her Madam de Valentinois though she was very curious remembring not that she had ever heard of this Statue was surpriz'd that a thing he spoke so admirable should scape her curiosity and earnestly desired the Duke to tell the parcuticulars of this Raritie the witty Italian was not silent to her demands but continued the Fable with as much freedom of wit as if his own memory and not his invention had furnish'd him with it and begun his Discourse in these terms The History of the Sultaness Asteria MAdam the History which you command me to recount is so secret and seems so strange that the Venetian Ambassador should get entrance into the Seraglio of the Emperors Women as if the Statue I told you of did not confirm it and the people of whom I learnt it were not as well known to me as my self I should hardly believe their recital Solyman was one of the greatest Princes in the World he was generous and magnificent
to surpass all mine so that I can no longer boast of writing kinder things than you if it had been a Letter of five or six pages I could be better satisfi'd but in five or six lines to say all the sweetest things love can inspire Well I know how to be revenge for this injury And like another Artemisia I won't make an end of dressing my self before I make you confess I love you a thousand times better than you do me You may come with assurance to our rendezvouz for I am not capable of deceit there you shall find me without other company than St. Brune The jealous Earl found his jealousie very much augmented when he had read this Letter and according to the conduct of all Lovers felt an extreme Joy to see that there which for his life he would not have found He ran to the Queen agitated by two or three several passions crying Victory Victory at her Closet door and shewing her the Letter he had intercepted she felt a purer joy to see it than the Earls was immediately resolving to follow the success she hop'd from it sending for an Officer of the Kings Guards who was absolutely at her devotion whom she commanded so to order it that the King might see the Letter and not imagine there was any design to shew it him For this intent 't was agreed amongst them the Officer should pretend it dropt ouâ— of the Duke Octavo's pocket and presenting it him again in the Kings presence should let his Majesty see the hand The Queen knew his humour well enough to be assured that if he saw a part of it he would read it all and as that jealousie is most violent that is gotten by chance so by these means she hop'd to undoe the Duke and Dutchess without being suspected to be the Author of their ruine while these things were transacting the Duke was in his Chamber as much wondring at the cause of the Dutchesses silence as she at his neglect He was informed by his servant whom he ordered to fetch his Letters there was none in the usual place And not knowing the true reason he thought of twenty false ones which exceedingly perplext him On the other side the fair Diana being told her Lover was in the Kings bed-Chamber and intended to go with him a Hunting that day was so enraged at his proceedings that immediately she repented all her kindness to the Duke calling him ungrateful insensible nay Traytor it self and to Punish him for all her former indulgencies seigned herself not well and would not see him at his return this niceness increas'd Octavo's suspitions and made him accuse the Dutchess of the same inconstancy she thought him guilty The Thirteenth Day THe next day they were both in the Queens Lodgings and look'd very coldly upon each other speaking nothing of their discontent Saint Brune was imploy'd again to interpret the business which was soon done on the Dukes part for when he had protested he saw no Letter he was no longer faulty They call'd the little Polander who after his manner assur'd them he put the Letter in the usual place the Dukes Servant said he found none there and backing the assurance of his fidelity with all the Oathes he could think on put out two Lovers in a great perplexity Madam de Valentinois knew she had written an Assignation very kind and passionate the Duke was sure he receiv'd none so that they could not suspect any body but the Scotch Ambassador and the Dutchess was so vex'd to find her favours left to the discretion of a man of his humour that she could not be satisfi'd If to interest him in the same intrigue would have charm'd his tongue she had soon resolv'd upon it but she thought not this way so certain as 't was easie knowing those favours seldom teach Gallants the faculty of silence Diana having a thousand thoughts in her head and not knowing which to chuse put the Duke in an unconceivable despair though he needed not have been so dejected Love taking the care of their preservation without their knowledge for whilst the Dutchess thought her self Ruin'd and the Queen Reveng'd the Officer that should have been the Minister of her fury was kill'd at the Castle-gates he had a Quarrel with one of his Camerades which could not be determin'd but by their Swords Fate would have the lot fall upon the Queens Agent and since the Marquess of Jarnac's dispute Duels were severely forbidden which made the Friends of the deceased carry him two miles from Anet where in a pit they cover'd him with Chalk and with him the Letters which caus's so much trouble and were to produce such wonders You may easily think what effect this had upon the Queen and the Earl they abhorr'd their former precaution and ever and anon twitted each other with the loss of that advantage being like to have parted Interests when they had most need of a stricter Union The Dutchess knew not yet what cause she had to thank Love for this Murther so necessary to her safety but still look'd upon the Earl as the undertaker of her ruine which robb'd her of all quiet some nipping words he often let fall confirm'd her opinion augmented her fears and made her change countenance whenever he began to speak One day above the rest when the Dutchess follow'd the Queen who walk'd in the Castle Garden with the whole Court a sudden showr made them take shelter in a Gallery that lay between the Apartments of the Duke Farnese and Montmorency the Pictures in it being admirable and representing several effects of the Gods Justice upon the wicked were the subject of their discourse One of them shew'd the torment of Ixion for letting his desires aspire to the Wife of Jupiter another the burning of Semele and this the Queen lik'd best but the Duke of Parma was the most pleas'd with the adventure of Diana and Actaeon the Goddess was drawn so lovely the Landskip so natural and the conformity between the Names of Diana and Madam de Valentinois made him esteem it so much that he could not grow weary of commending it But when from the praise of the Painter they came to the story of the Picture For my part said he pleasantly I must beg pardon of the Ladies severity if I esteem not this so great an example of it as they believe I think it but equity to punish a Lover for undertaking an enterprise contrary to his Mistresses commands for 't is just disobedience should have its due correction but to imagine it unlawfull to take the advantage of chance or that a man may not enjoy the Caresses of Fortune when she flings her self in his armes is past my understanding This discourse putting the Dutchess in mind of the Kiss in the Grotto and several other occurrences where he had practic'd what he preach'd made her smile which pass'd not unobserv'd But pray reply'd a grave austere Lady of the Court
Loves Journal A ROMANCE Made of the COURT of HENRY the II. OF FRANCE Printed with License at Paris 1670. And now made English LONDON Printed by Thomas Ratcliff and Mary Daniel and are to be sold by Booksellers in London 1671. Licensed Roger L'estrange March 22. 1670 1. TO THE READER ALthough there be many Illustrious Names in this History which wou'd make you believe it true yet you ought to look on it no otherwise than it really is as a little Romance made of the Reign of Henry the 2d as you have already seen of those of Alexander and Augustus in which we have made use of Names so well known only the more agreeably to flatter your Imagination The Princess of Montpensier which seem'd to Interest so many Persons who yet hold the chief rank in France for this very reason has not concern'd any of them And this Journal being a meer Fancy and the Author having no design but your Divertisement he confidently hopes you will not draw thence any consequence contrary to his Intent Loves Journal The First Day THE Poets say the Spring is the season of Love let us begin with it Loves Journal for 't was then the young Duke Octavo arrived in France so famous by his own Exploits and for the misfortunes of his Family He came to entreat the Assistance of Henry the Second against Andrea Doria and Ferdinando de Gonsagues who by the support of the Emperor Charles the 5th had inhumanely Murther'd his Father Lewis de Farnese one of the greatest men of his time and a particular Friend of our Henry's Octavo being come to that extreme Calamity which seems to be its period and after which Fortune could not choose but grow weary all things cast a more favourable aspect The weather during his Voyage was as propitious as his wishes and he arrived at Court upon a great Hunting day which succeeding happily put the King into a more pleasant humour than ordinary He loved the sport exceedingly or to say truly he loved all Pleasures with excess so that his Court was the centre of all Delights the Queen feign'd a complyance Diana of Poitiers Dutchess of Valentinois his Mistress was beautifull and ayrie and all the Courtiers devoted to pleasure But as Octavo knew well the intrigues of the Court so he resolv'd not to learn any of their dispositions He was young and admirably well made wise but unfortunate his grand design was to revenge his Fathers Murther and not to enjoy the pleasures of his Youth therefore would not be seen at Anet where the King then was but disguis'd like a Traveller and leaving all his Equipage at Lyons that might discover him resolv'd to go himself and understand his Interest and the Kings inclinations His way lead him insensibly into a Forest where all things seemed to inspire Love he thought the Birds made a more exquisite Consort than otherwhere and the Winds breathed a more Amorous murmur than i th' neighbouring Fields Venus being represented in so various and charming forms that were it in the times of Idolatry he had believed the Goddess took pleasure to have those Copies drawn by the Divine Original Octavo stopt a while to consider these rarities and having been inform'd at his arrival the King was a Hunting he was extremely pleased to pass in so delicious a place that time the Court spent in their divertisement He sate him down upon the Rimme of an Oval Fountain where the Goddess was represented leaning upon a Bed of black Marble a Rock of the same unpolished supporting her head which gently besprinkled her body with a thousand spinning streams her Armes were spread as it were to receive embraces and that part of the Statue which represented the source of Pleasure in a bubling water cast forth the loveliest spout in the whole World The young Duke found his griefs so much alleviated by the consideration of this Statue that he had continued his contemplation much longer had he not been interrupted by one of the Hunters who came to refresh himself at the Fountain Octavo was so delicately made that our unknown Hunter could not look upon him without admiring his excellent Mine he asked him what Adventure drew him to that Quarter and ofter'd him his Interest at Court in such a manner that he easily perceived him very considerable there The Duke generously gave him thanks for his obliging offers at which instant many of the Hunters coming near he knew by their Respect 't was the King he had been discoursing with You had reason said the Duke pleasantly to offer me your Interest in the Court for I am much deceived if you have not a very considerable one there and without injuring the Respect due to the King I am assured you have as great a Power there as himself The King was going to confirm his opinion when Montmorency the dearest of his Favorites approach'd them and shouted for joy at the sight of Octavo which caused the King to turn his face towards him I humbly beg your Majesties pardon said Montmorency that I could not command my transport at the sight of this Stranger 't is the brave Octavo Son to the Duke of Parma and Placentia of whom I have told so many wonders and who is now come to confirm those praises your Majesty heard me give him after my return from Italy The King having understood by this discourse the birth of Octavo did him all the civilities he could expect from an obliging and generous Prince And knowing the practices of Andrea Doria imagin'd Octavo came to desire his Protection from his Fathers Murtherers therefore preventing his Addresses promised him his assistance with an unparallel'd goodness Montmorency contributed all his power to this promise having a very great esteem for Octavo For in the time of his exile under the Reign of Francis the last of that name he sheltred himself in Italy and there contracted a very strict Friendship with the House of the Farneses so that there was not any thing he would not do to evince its reality This first day being almost spent in Complements between the Duke and the Court they left him to his freedom that he might give the remainder to his rest Montmorency conducting him to a Majestick Apartment where he was attended with a pomp suitable to the French Magnificence and the Interest he took in his affairs The Second Day OCtavo was scarce awake when Montmorency entred his Chamber The Friendship this great man bore the late Duke of Parma was so great and his compassion for the afflictions of his Son so generous that he consulted his heart and not his grandeur in all that concern'd the young Duke and accordingly prevented his intentions of thanking him at his own Apartment for the obligations of the precedent Evening and interrupting him upon the first Complement he made him upon that account Octavo said he let us banish all Ceremonies they are neither according to my humour nor
the friendship I vow'd your Father you are young a Stranger and in a refin'd and amorous Court where Love reigns in various forms therefore I will give you some necessary instructions how to quit your self bravely in all intrigues Let us walk into the Garden the morning is fair and the King not yet stirring upon this they went through a Gallery adorned with excellent Pictures from whence by a Terrass with Balisters they came into the Garden and so into a close Walk where they might discern ten or a dozen spouts of water of different forms which made a very pleasing object As they walked Octavo told Montmorency some circumstances of his Fathers death which he knew not before and also the particulars of Doria's Rage of the Authority of Gonsagues and the troubles of Parma this was their discourse till they entred the Alley when Montmorency turning himself suddenly to the Duke said smiling What you have said informs me of the state of your House but Octavo that of your heart who shall tell me 't is by that we must know the man nor can I engage for you to the King but as for a Stranger while I know no more of you than all Europe may do Octavo knew the intrigues of the Court better than Montmorency imagin'd he was not ignorant that the King excessively loved the beautifull Diana and that 't was for her he built the magnificent House of Anet where the greatest Artists in Christendom were then compleating this Master-piece and as 't is natural for Subjects to follow their Princes example so he knew Love was the surest means to get his favour yet he also knew the Kings jealousie of Diana and her little care to make it dye therefore resolv'd to prevent those inconveniences his good Mine might cause And with a look extreamly melancholly said to Montmorency Alas the affairs of my Family are all those of my heart I have so small an inclination to Love as though had I nothing else to do but Love I could not resolve to quit my Indifference Judge then how that can be receiv'd in a heart fill'd with revenge and ambition which could not tempt me in my peacefull leasure Ah! Octavo reply'd Montmorency you have given me the pourtract of your sentiments but not in the French dress you must Love in this Court or resolve to be hated by all our Courtiers the King loves the Duke D'aumale loves St. Andre Farnae and Chastaigneraise feel its flames Strossi as brave a Captain as he is has the same concerns and I for my part assure you my Gray hairs should not countermand my Love knew I any Fair one would accept me as I am In saying this he was accosted by several persons who brought him word the King was awake he took the Duke with him to his Majesties Apartment where the expectation of the Queen the indisposition of Madam de Valentinois who had kept her bed three dayes and the misfortunes of the Duke were the mornings News till unawares they fell upon the Chapter of Love which at those times never missed the King not seeing the Duke D'aumale there said pleasantly he was dressing himself fine against the Ladies came Montmorency answer'd the Princess Claudia his Majesties Sister would be interess'd in his Gallantry the King reply'd he knew not whether the young Princess Margaret his Daughter would not dispute it with her Aunt passing from one thing to another never a Lord in the company but had a touch of Raillery upon the Royal Troop they expected According to what I understand said Octavo to Montmorency I am happy in my Insensibility for by his Majesties description I should find those places I would possess Garrison'd by another The King desiring to hear what the Duke said Montmorency repeated it and telling the subject of their discourse charg'd Octavo so home with his Indifference that he was forc'd to use all his wit to maintain it the King saying the Ladies beauties and not the Mens perswasions must cure his distemper went immediately to meet the Queen and the whole Court who were just arrived which being composed of very beautifull Women Montmorency saw not one without asking the Duke if he were still Insensible alwayes the same answer'd Octavo I see nothing there can convince me though I know the Court of France is admirable every one of her Ladies are a Feast to my eyes without concerning my heart Montmorency saying he must leave him to be convinc'd by time and the pleasure of seeing his affairs in a better condition took him to Dinner and afterwards shew'd him his Stables the Kings Hounds with the Carving and Painting which so much adorned that stately House when hearing the King was at the Counsell he conducted Octavo to the Queens Apartment where having told the Princess Claudia who was ingenuous and ayrie he had brought an Enemy of Love to be converted by her charms he went to negotiate for him at the Counsell Octavo was so well made and so pleasing that never a Lady in the Court but secretly reproach'd her eyes for leaving his liberty so long in his own power But as he knew there was never a one but had some Gallant of Quality so he knew in the present juncture of his affairs he had need of all helps therefore said so many things to perswade his Indifference that the whole Court believ'd him and he was already call'd as much the Insensible as Duke Octavo In the evening he had the honour to lead the Queen a walking and to hear with her a Consort of Haubois which the King placed upon the water that adjoyned to the fair Diana's Lodgings This Consort was follow'd by Artificial Fireworks all the Figures representing Half-moons and streams of Fire And the Duke Farnese not â—nding a conveniency to speak with Montmorency all that evening understood not what the Counsell had â—one in his favour but stayd to be â—nform'd till the next morning The Third Day THe fair Dutchess of Valentinois having known by the King and some others who had the liberty to see her in bed the arrival of the young Duke of Parma and what was already said of his Indifference for the Ladies beauty pleas'd her self with the thoughts that 〈◊〉 he had seen her he would soon change his mind and being alwayes proud of her own had shewn by 〈◊〉 hundred circumstances she esteem'd it above all she felt such a desire to triumph over the Indifference oâ— this rash Youth that she could hardly brook her slow amendment for retarding her Victory but sent for Montmorency who was absolutely hers and discoursing oâ— the Duke of Parma's Insensibility as of a wonder attributed it to so many different defects that she ingenuously obliged him to make her Octavo's Pourtract as that he was infinitely well made of a quick wit and his Indifference could not be attributed to any want of good humour or knowledge the more questions the Dutchess asked the more her desire
and seemed to be a Monument of the fidelity of the â—ultanesses to the Ottoman Emperors but Love is an odd kind of 〈◊〉 fellow to whom every ordinary â—ccident becomes formidable and â—e will alwayes have Wonder and Romance in his intrigues 't is enough to make a man execrable who finds an invincible necessity to Love him The Duke spoke these words with so much earnestness that the Dutchess could not forbear smiling to observe it and making him remember he spoke to the Mistress of a great King Let us proceed to the Sultaness my Lord Duke said she and leave the Sultan He seemed to be somewhat confus'd at his digression and returning to his Story with as much seriousness as if it had been real he continued Madam she was so â—ovely that whatever I can tell you of her beauty is infinitely less than those Ideas I have of her in my own mind she had such a Stature and Mine as inspir'd respect and admiration her hair was a shining black which exceedingly set off the whiteness of her skin and her complexion bright and dazling her mouth haâ— a thousand charms that cannot bâ— express'd and her fair eyes which with the sparkling of the black haâ— the languishing of the blue spokâ— such a passionate language thaâ— 't was impossible to meet the glances and not understand them or without being transported with love for whatsoever they said The pourtract of the Sultaness Asteria so perfectly resembled the Dutchess of Valentinois and the Duke look'd upon her with 〈◊〉 much passion while he made it that she was like to interrupt him in that part of it but her curiosity over coming her impatience she let him go on in this manner The happy Venetian saw her upon a day of the Sultans triumph and though he selt his heart wounded by her at first sight yet he hop'd she took notice of it This person thought himself Insensible till that day and took a pride to appear so Fortune was his only Divinity and Policy seemed to rule all his Actions but Love never triumphs more than â—n the midst of great difficulties This dangerous Seraglio which would have frighted any but a Lover seemed not worthy our Ambassadors consideration the desires to please and the fear of not pleasing were the only things that merited his reflections and having found the secret to discover his love and that he was not hated the easily found a way to be introduced to the fair Asteria's Apartment having engaged an Eunuch who was privy to the adventure and who disguis'd him so well that he was not suspected by any of the Guards He found his beautiful Sultaness alone upon a bed of Flowers and took her for the Goddess of Pleasure her fair eyes shew'd him nothing of cruelty and thâ—â— amorous Venetian's spoke the greatest passion in the world What shall I tell you further Madam iâ— short he was so tempted to steal 〈◊〉 kiss from her fair lips that he had much ado to overcome his transport Does this presumption make you blush Madam said the Duke earnestly looking upon the Dutchess who indeed blusht and if the incomparable Madam de Valentinois had been the Sultaness Astevia the Ambassador could never have been so favoured by Love as in this occasion That was according to the excess of his passion and the Idea which the Lady conceiv'd of it reply'd the Dutchess looking on the ground Ah Madam cry'd the Duke in rising and stealing a kiss from the Dutchess how well the Venetian understood Love and the divine Sultaness him The fair Diana shew'd all necessary signs to make the Duke believe he stole that kiss against her will But the cunning Farnese easily perceiv'd the appearance from the truth and continuing his History as if it had not been interrupted was going to make his pretended Ambassador so happy that Octavo would have been glad to participate his good fortune but the Dutchess perceiving this History to be a Fable after what had happen'd Not so fast my Lord Duke said she to him I have heard enough of this Adventure for the first day we may know the rest in good time but a History of this nature requires more warning than I have leasure to take now Ah Madam reply'd the Duke with an unparallel'd fervency those who told me this story assur'd me that which made the Venetian so fortunate was that he perswaded the Sultaness they ought to make use of all occasions who meet with them but seldom I 'le warrant you said the Dutchess smiling they who imploy the first opportunity so well can easily find a second As the Dutchess spake these words the King entred the Garden follow'd by the Scotch Earl and the whole Court the Ambassador did so many extravagant actions in Madam de Valentinois sight that the Duke thought it convenient to follow his example and retir'd into his Closet so fill'd with Love and flattering hopes that these inchanting thoughts imploy'd all the rest of the day and part of the following night The Seventh Day 'T Is so much the property of Love to inspire young Lovers with Poetry that our Duke could not be dispenc'd with from this general Law he made an Italian Madrigal and repeated it the next day to the Queen as a piece of Gallantry sent him from his own Countrey who being an Italian and knowing all the delicacies of that tongue lik'd it so well that several French Poets were ambitious to translate it and 't was done so happily that the King who loved Musick commanding an Ayre should be composed to these words he and all the Court sung no other Song Madrigal FOr ev'ry Blessing double thanks we owe First for the simple Gift we are in debt Then from those petty sums much larger grow To th' interest of our joys no bounds are set No Laws controll that Usurie Nor will it stinted be But addes and still without controll addes more And then it doubles what it gave before 2. Though millions for my happiness are due That balmy Kiss which has my wounded soul But one apply'd half cur'd They are but few But very few compar'd with that vast scroul Which the blest Interest does fill And with much more yet will The dreams the pleasing thoughts and extasies The sweet remembrance of 't has given and give 3. Ah wou'd my Fair one grant another Boon Or but the very same she gave before In spight of envious fate which does so soon Destroy e'en what she gives and makes us poor By the same hand of Time which brings The store I 'le clip his wings And make him stay or I 'le beg if 'twont be Then I my self will giv 't Eternitie It shall for ever live live in my memorie 4. Nature in vain thou striv'st to guard the heart In vain 's the prudent care that wall'd it in Though one would think it safe on ev'ry part In vain alas thy care and cost has been Love has a passage found he has
But t'other day it was When to my grief he shew'd his powerfull art He storm'd my mouth and by it gain'd my heart The Tune that was made to this Madrigal prov'd so sweet that every body learnt it But the pleasantest thing was the Ambassador of Scotland delighting exceedingly in Musick as generally all his Countreymen do sung it continually He had a good voice and thinking to please the Dutchess with that quality was the first that sung to her the Madrigal upon the Kiss and quavering so long upon the passionate words and with so much affectation that the Dutchess could not forbear laughing when she observ'd it he looking with such languishing eyes when he sung balmy Kiss and another Boon made his error seem so pleasing to Madam de Valentinois that not unlikely the happy Farnese ow'd to that circumstance the consequence of this divertisement It may be some may think that according to this Journal Love makes great advances in a small time but we mean it not for a Register of the dayes of our lives but a List of Amorous affairs therefore you must think that all the principal Actions were attended by such circumstances as were necessary to produce them The Eighth Day THe Queen who loved not the Dutchess having a private Alliance with Scotland had less Friendship for the Duke of Parma than the Scotch Earl she being then laying the Foundation of the Alliance between the Dolphin of France and the Queen of Scotland and this particular Interest making her have one more General for the concerns of the Ambassador she was the first that observed his Love for Madam de Valentinois and we may believe was not the last that strengthned his Hopes She lookt upon the fair Diana's disloyalty as the only Rock on which the Kings Love could be wreckt and thought the Earl a fit Person to make her fall into the Snare so often laid wherefore she made all her Servants whom she thought capable of serving her in this Design flatter his Passion and gave the Earl all opportunities she could to see Madam de Valentinois the Queens jealousie made all feasible she appearing so favourable to the Earls Amorous desires that he could not be accused of presumption for cherishing his Hopes by her incouragement and pursuing his Amour by her Assistance but the fair Diana had no inclination to him And besides that grand Obstacle she was as politick as those who undertook to insnare her she knew as perfectly the Queens Intentions as if she had been of the Privy-Counsel of her Revenge and resolving to turn the mischief prepared for herself upon her enemies she complained to the King of the Earls boldness as an extreme jnjury to his Majesties Honour he was almost overcome with Joy to see his Mistresses Fidelity in so nice a business she drew a thousand benefits from this Affair and so powerfully strengthned his Love that she absolutely gain'd his belief and assurance of her The King lov'd the Dutchess excessively and being naturally jealous advised with Montmorency how to remedy this Ambassadors extravagance without violating the Law of Nations Montmorency commended His Majesties moderation and desiring to make the Duke Octavo necessary mentioned him as a fit Person for the reducing the Earl to his proper Duty The Duke was politick and witty and whatever was done of his part could not be suspected to come from the King for by the Queens advice who endeavoured to hinder the Dutchess of all important friends the unwary Earl had made several overtures of friendship with the Duke Therefore His Majesty resolv'd upon Montmorency's advice We see now the Duke Honour'd and made the Confident of the King his Rival and intrusted to be reveng'd of one who begun to be so You may imagine he fail'd not to use so favourable an oportunity but insinuated himself into the Kings Favour with so much art and success that this Monarch could not live without him and adding the pleasures of the advancement of his concerns to that of loving Madam de Valentinois without the Kings suspition he so well reconciled his Politicks with his Love that he was equally happy in both at least we have Reason to think so for 't is certain the King hastned the raising of those Troops he designed him and there were some Verses abroad about this time which were thought to be his by which we may judge he succeeded as well in the art of pleasing as in that of negotiation Some of these Verses are put here for form sake but are left to your choice whether you will read them or not The Enjoyment IN a cool shady Bow'r to lie Where th' kind embracing of the lovÃng bowes ' Gainst ev'ry envious eye A sure defence allows And modestly what humane Lovers ought too shews 2. There at his belov'd Mistress feet to lie View and consider well The many charmes make up that mighty spell For great and many too they needs must be Since man so much unwilling to obey we see That mighty spell whereby She first enslav'd him as yet free And then for ever bound him to her Tyrannie 3. Then on a sudden in her eyes to find Those gentle spirits move Which are the Harbingers of Love And take possession of the mind One sooner cou'd deny A mighty Prince than this kind language of the eye When Beauty bids it on ber Errand flie 4. And then to feel what none cou'd e're express And none but Lovers ever guess To feel the sweet Infection spread With a soft tickling pain Through ev'ry vein And seize the heart as well as head 5. Then when the body like the nobler soul Warm'd with a hot desire Becomes all fire Within her armes to lie and cool Th' excessive heats now dang'rous grown And from her panting breasts her dying eye And melting sighs which from her bosome flie Take new flames and more kindly than his own 6. How long alas the learned grave and wise Have sought with vain and fruitless toyl The blessed seat of Paradise These are the joys which make that happy soyl And that blest Bow'r the place Which if my Mistress grace And but as kind as yesterday she was will be In spight of Fate each day is Paradise to me As sweet as that sooth'd Mankinds harmless Infancy The Ninth Day THe Dutchess was building a Monastery some distance from Anet which she visited often the way to it lying near a part of the Forrest the Duke who knew how to Create pretexts managed his time and Circumstances so well that seldom a day past wherein he saw not Madam de Valentinois in her walk to the Covent she went ordinarily without any other Company than St. Brunes and a little Polander who knew not a word of French nor understood any thing but his Mistresses signs so that he was imploy'd in all those Mysterious Affairs which required such an ignorant Officer One day when the King Hunted the wild Boar in the Forrest the
Dutchess being gone her wonted Pilgrimage Octavo whose new Favour obliged him to be near his Majesties Person cunningly stole from the Company to a place where she enjoy'd the coolness of the shade she rise at first sight of him and striking him upon the Shoulder with a branch of Orange tree she held in her hand You 're very bold my Lord Duke said she thus to interrupt a Ladies Privacy ev'n withdraw your self continued she and flung a handfull of Orange Flowers in his Hair the Adventure is more dangerous than you think for shewing him a little Hillock shadowed by a Sloe-bush in Blossom The Duke began this piece of Gallantry bravely and taking her by the hand to conduct her to the place she had shewn him You have very little Charity for poor strangers reply'd he in a drolling tone thus to lie in Ambush for them upon the Kings High-way who could ever have imagin'd this attaque go Madam you deserve to be Chastised and I hope to quit my self of your Ambuscado like a brave Fellow Without question a Discourse so well begun was carried on as pleasantly for although St. Brune went such a distance from them that she could not hear their Discourse the substance of the Entertainment may be guess'd by the Verses made in that solitude Madrigal 2. HArk how the murm'ring Woods my Fair one do complain Since you and I the other day they spy'd That unkind Nature has to them deny'd Those sweeter pleasures which by Love we gain It vexes 'um to see Their glorious Progenie So trim and gay adorn the smiling Field Yet not th' remembrance of one sweet pleasure yield 2. Whilst spend-thrift like she so profusely wasts Such mighty sums on her dear Fav'rite Man That e'en whilst he his Duty payes he tasts Those pleasures which they never knew nor can Devouring Time destroy The sweets which we enjoy When age depraves our taste in a Childe we Then enjoy and in a Grand-childe chew o're our Leacherie Clor. Thus the short pleasure we enjoy In getting of one lovely Boy Still multiplies it self and we Enjoy it still in our posteritie For when he mates we cry Ah so did Phillis once and I. Ah so c. If the Duke of Parma had contributed only the subject to this Song yet he writ it with his own hand and being 't was with a Pencil in a Table-book it not being so easie to make lettters upon Ivory as upon Paper his were so difficult to be known that the Dutchess thought it needless to wipe them out but put them in her pocket and return'd to the Castle much satisfied with her happy encounter The Duke follow'd the Hunters though he could hardly overtake them yet when he found them was outwardly sorry for the losing their Company Montmorency comforted him as well as he could telling him the King was very much concern'd for his absence The Duke having a mind for to droll Had I been in Love said he pleasantly I need not complain of being so long alone but I confess solitude is very Melancholy and dull to a man that 's Insensible You see answer'd the Ambassador that sometimes Love is very usefull I begin to think so too reply'd the Duke smiling and two or three such accidents as I met with to day will make me hate my Indifference These Discourses continued till they came to the Castle where the remaining part of the day was spent in telling the success of their Hunting which having been somewhat violent they went early to bed and eas'd themselves of the labours of the day The Tenth Day THe next day the Court went a Fishing and the Ladies were in a dress suitable to the Recreation the King shew'd his magnificence in the expensiveness of the Banquets and the rich adorning of the Boats where they were served After the return from Fishing there was an Italian Comedy at the Queens apartment and the Dutchess having some private reasons to love that Language was one of the first at that divertisement The Scotch Earl having the opportunity to place himself behind her chair his Passion being always the Mistress of his Politicks resolv'd to give her some new mark of that Love he could not overcome Madam de Valentinois lifting up her hand to put something of her dress in order the Earl spy'd a Ribband at the entrance of her Pocket which he thought was her Table-book softly drew it out whilst she was looking another way and thinking to make some advantage of that adventure went to write some Gallantry in it but casting his eyes upon that of the foregoing day was surprized to find that Character in the Dutchesses Table-book and the reading it raised in him so great a Jealousie as made him fetch a deep sigh the fair Diana hearing it lookt towards him and perceiving her Table-book nimbly snach'd it away letting him see by her angry looks that she was displeas'd at this presumption he lookt earnestly upon her when he saw her anger and fetching another sigh as deep as the former Ah! Madam said he what have I seen At these words he left the Room the Dutchess perceiving by them he had read the Madrigal resolv'd to prevent the evil these Verses might cause if they were known she read them first and faining she believ'd the Ambassador writ them complained to the King of this affront and told him with all the appearances of a real grief that she was very unhappy in being an object for the insolencies of strangers because she was loyal to his Love This way of changing the business made the King so angry with the Earl that if the private Treaty of the Marriage which he carried on had not caus'd the Queen to raise all her Interest to support him the King had sent him word he might return He Protested and 't was true that he never so much as thought to write those Verses and that he had never seen them except in the Dutchesses Table-book but circumstances being against him and Madam de Valentinois having rub'd them out as soon as the King had seen them with a pretence of being asham'd of them 't was impossible to know the Character so that the Earl was tax'd with an Iniquity he was nothing guilty of The Eleventh Day LOvers cannot live long in good Intelligence the excess of Love makes them capricious the most inflam'd hearts being the most inclinable to anger and we had rather betray our own happiness than to Love alwayes without clashing The Duke and Dutchess on the sudden look'd not so kindly upon each other as they were used to do and Octavo being highly displeas'd with her disdainfull usage was almost resolv'd to sacrifice his Interest to his Love and return into Italy Those who in that time heard of Farnese's discontent judged it caus'd by Montmorency's proposing of him to marry the young Princess Diana Madam de Valentinois Daughter by the King to which they say he could never be perswaded but
't is not like the Dutchess who knew very well the reasons he had to scruple that Allyance could be displeas'd with him for opposing it and having since in his stead given her his Brother Horatio she had no reason to be dissatisfi'd upon that score 'T was Love only could separate hearts so firmly united he only caus'd their disagreement and he alone must reconcile it The fair Diana tax'd the Duke with not being tender enough in the effects of his passion and for retaining too soveraign a power over the faculties of his soul in a time when pleasure should set free all its functions ONe Ev'ning at a happy Lover lay In his dear Ladies bosome at a bay Finding her Am'rous flames begin to dye And a thick mist o're spread her twinckling eye ' Must these sweet Pleasures too enrag'd eryes he ' Must these thus fleeting and thus short-liv'd be ' Use all those pow'rfull Names which Love inspires ' And with thy breath rowse these expiring fires Then lest he wanting to 's own Laws shou'd prove ' My dear he cryes my pretty rogue my Love With thousands more that witty Loves invent Which though the sottish world what they meant Ne're knew Yet well by Lovers known they be Who understand Love's wond'rous mysterie And feel the pow'r which in their charm do lye And s e the mighty wonders wrought thereby Then with a dying eye speaking disdain With Love and Anger mixt thus did complain The Fair one ' Ingratefull thee now I hate ' Hast thou yet strength to waste in idle prate ' And whilst I in thy armes thus drooping lye ' Thou Love or courage wantst with me to dye These are all the Memoirs are left of that great controversie which divided the opinions of the greatest Wits in Europe and which made the Pope resolve to joyn with the Duke of Milan against the Duke of Parma which he dar'd not have done had he not hoped the unkindness grown between him and Madam de Valentinois would cause the King of France to withdraw his assistance But 't is not in this affair only that things have been attributed to the Policy and Interest of Princes which were wholly caus'd by Love Octavo's Crime will seem but a small fault to those who are commonly call'd the men of Reason but Love is govern'd by his own Laws and according to them this Lover was exceeding guilty Therefore the Dutchess could no more be perswaded to pardon him than he to confess himself in a fault witty Saint Brune did eminent service in the appeasing this disorder she entreated and begg'd but the business being matter of Fact the Dukes Reasons must lye in the proof and 't is thought the skilfull Italian perswaded Saint Brune by her own experience that she might with more facility convince her Mistress 't is further believ'd that this Knowledge strengthned her Eloquence and not perceiving the Dukes silence material in that affair it help'd her to inform the Dutchess that it was no Crime not to observe her opinions however 't was our quarelling Lovers grew Friends again But as these picques are generally the wrack of the Lovers Prudence the Duke could not hide his grief so well as he had conceal'd his happiness the ordinary Judgements attributed his Melancholy to the Popes Allyance with Gonsagues but the Scotch Earl discern'd what the Court could not He had a faint remembrance of the Letters in the Madrigal and finding them to have some likeness with Farness's writing and adding this suspicion to several actions of the Duke in the time of this difference with the fair Diana he compar'd the melancholy of that time with the gayety of this and weighing in his mind the Dukes advice concerning his conduct he took that for the effects of his passion which was only in pursuance of the Kings orders and no longer doubted that Octavo was his Rival and what was more beloved So that the Friendship he had feign'd the Earl was a new motive to augment his fury which grew to an unparallel'd excess He discover'd his Jealousie to the Queen as he had also done his Love this Princess was extremely glad of it confirm'd it and advis'd him wholly to imploy himself in the interception of some Letter which might evidently clear their suspicion The Twelfth Day THere was no great difficulty to accomplish their design the fidelity of Domesticks is too weak of it self to resist the power of an angry Queen and a man of Quality in Love and liberall the Earl corrupted that servant of the Dukes who used to carry his Letters to the Dutchess and bring him back her answers He knew of him that the little Polander always left them in a hole which was in the Pedestal of a Marble Mercury in a cross-way of the Forrest whither the Duke sent him for them and made him carry the answers You may easily think the Earl fail'd not to be there the next morning being informed by the bribed servant of the time he should carry his Masters Letters where he found this in Italian the Earl understood not the Language well enough to know the meaning exactly but the Queen was his interpreter and explain'd it to him in these terms HOw I love your anger for to it I own all my happiness Favour me with another Picque I beseech you Madam for you have more reason than you imagine since I am yet alive and our last conversation has not yet made me Loves Martyr Punish this procedure unworthy the excess of my Passion and that you may find a punishment equal to my crime forbid me these ravishing joys when I shall see you again This Letter produced such a mixture of joy and grief in the mind of the jealous Ambassador as was like to have made him lose his wits He would have run to the King and by shewing him Octavo's treachery revenge himself of the Dutchess by the loss of her Lover but the Queen being less transported and consequently more prudent was of opinion to have a Letter of Madam de Valentinois's own writing before they undertook her ruine The fair Diana had so prodigious a wit and the King so much possest to her advantage that she had withdrawn herself from two or three as dangerous plots as this And the Queen â—earing her cunning might disappoint them would not hazard any thing but what might be effectual Therefore she only took a coppy of the Dukes Letter and sealing it up again as well as she could made the Earl carry it to the place from whence he brought it He had hardly obey'd her commands when the Polander came to quit himself of his ordinary commission and some hours after during which you may imagine the Post was watch'd he brought this answer I Have yet a quarrel with you if you love them for I resolve to gratifie your desire What made you write me a Letter so passionate and full of transport fond Lover as you are thus
hardly clear them The two Rivals hated each other to that extremity as ever and anon made them ready to cut one anothers throat the Duke knew the Earl was the author or at least the instrument of whatever happened contrary to Madam de Valentinois interest and the Earl knowing perfectly his Rivals happiness would have given his life to hinder his enjoyment One day when they were both in the Kings Chamber attending the refult of the Counsel concerning their affairs Octavo having made the Earl a reply to something he spoke as Ambassador and which principally concern'd him there pass'd several sharp words concerning their different qualities which at last caus'd a quarrel They went down the back stairs into the Forrest as if they had gone to walk where they presently drew and so furiously began the fight as might justly have presag'd a dangerous event if the Marquess de Jarnac and the Earl of St. Andre advertis'd by an Officer of the Chamber had not run to part them 'T is not imaginable what a noise this Duel made in the Court two men of their quality to go together by the ears at the Kings Chamber door and in a time whilst they were managing affairs of so great importance seem'd a thing too strange to be believ'd but the Queen and her faction made nothing of it attributing that to Love which appear'd to others an effect of their ambition saying 't was no new thing for Rivals to quarrel This so powerfully awak'd the Kings jealousie as oblig'd the Dutchess to absent her self for some time from the Court to cure his suspicions she retir'd to a little house she had upon a River which runs a French League from Anet this place being design'd for Bathing she fain'd her self not well and to have need of that remedy The Sixteenth Day THis complyance with what Madam de Valentinois call'd the Kings infirmities so calm'd this Princes mind that it seem'd impossible to trouble it any more His Mistress left the Court without repugnance the Duke and the Earl were with him and under a pretence of honouring the Dutchess she was so straightly guarded that he durst have answer'd for her as for himself But of what use are Guards when Love undertakes to deceive them the Duke saw the beautifull Diana every night witty St. Brune having found so great a convenience to remedy the troubles of their absence that neither all the Kings precautions nor the Queens snares interrupted any of their enjoyments The place where Madam de Valentinois absented her self was distant from any other habitation being built after the Model of the old Roman Baths and which as we said before serv'd for no other use and accordingly had a private way into the River that one might wash there when 't was fair weather Through this Passage the happy Farnese was brought into the Dutchesses Chamber every night He always shew'd himself at the Kings Supper and Bed-times as if he had nothing to do but give his attendance as soon as the King was in bed he went to a place in the Forrest where his Horse was ready and from thence he went to the River side St. Brune having a morning Gown ready on the other side where he past through the Vault and entertain'd the fair Diana two hours These nocturnal adventures lasted ten or a dozen nights with a success for which our Lovers could not give Love thanks enough The King perfectly satisfied with his Mistresses proceedings began to propose her return the Queens jealousie being somewhat appeased by the Dutchesses absence seem'd weary of persecuting her but the jealous Earl fed not himself with these vain appearances the Letters he had seen taught him more of their affairs than to imagine our true Lovers kindness could be unactive And the more the Duke was indifferent for Madam de Valentinois absence the more the Ambassador was perswaded it took nothing from their pleasures therefore he renewed his bribes and his promises to Octavo's Servant that helpt him to intercept the Letters and although since that accident he was not so much in his Masters favour as before yet by him he discover'd our Lovers private Journeys and resolv'd to watch him and not trust the conduct of his affairs to any but himself and following him at a distance to the place where he put off his Clothes he saw him swim over the River and enter the Vault which led to Diana's Chamber How unpleasantly the jealous Ambassador spent that time his Rival past so agreeably He had a hundred temptations to follow him and either participate the Dukes good fortune or stab him in those Armes where he imagin'd him But besides that it was doubtfull whether the door were not shut after Octavo came in this rash enterprize was difficult to be executed the Earl being alone without other Armes than his Sword And though it had been possible to kill his Rival as he thought what he had experienc'd of Madam de Valentinois Policy made him fear the effect of what he had no witness to prove he therefore went softly back again and rowling a thousand different thoughts in his head chose that he judg'd most profitable He resolv'd then to be at the Dutchesses apartment the next night in Octavo's stead and threaten her to tell the King all he had seen if she would not grant him the same favour with his Rival and as it neither became the respect he ow'd the Queen nor favour'd her revenge to communicate to her this resolution so he kept it from her as a great secret and taking no Counsel but of his Love he expected the following night with unspeakable impatience The Seventeenth Day WHen jealousie is dissembled 't is not half had being an evaporation whose first beginnings are hard to suppress but when it hath once o'recome it self with ease vanquisheth the distrusts of others The Earl appear'd so calm at the King 's rising as if his mind had not been in the greatest perplexity that possible could be and having liv'd quietly with the Duke of Parma since the King reconciâ—ed them he took him to dinner that day and when they rose from â—able went to the Duke D'aumales who kept his Chamber for a hurt he had received in his foot the last Hunting When the ordinary time of going to the Queens apartment was come they went together and follow'd her a walking then saw her sup The Duke was going his usual Voyage when the Earl found a trick to stop him whispering the Queen that for some reasons he would make known to her the next day 't was necessary to the Dutchesses ruine that she should retain the Duke near her the greatest part of the night This jealous Princess embracing this occasion oâ— revenge without knowing more oâ— the Ambassadors design after Supper proposed falling to Play and desired the Duke to make one this proposition caus'd so much trouble to the amorous Octavo as it might be observed in his face