to do what course is this thou art like to follow Do Conquerours propose to thee this way to subdue thine enemies what a shame is it for a Prince continued he to give way to his pleasures when his chief care should be to remount the Throne and what a Joy will it be to Henry when he shall understand that Tudor delights in servitude at the same time when all his endeavours should be to shake off his Fetters But thou art mistaken Owen replied he immediately thy desires are not to be condemned and may not there be as much Policy as weakness in them if they be rightly considered is it not natural to implore the assistance of Neighbours when strength is wanting at home and where canst thou imagine to find greater support than in an Alliance with Charles if thou couldst be so happy as to obtain it But these thoughts were not so well confirmed in his mind as to banish all his troubles and distrust He began to reflect on the greatness of Catharine and his own misery and was not so blinded with self-love but that he knew very well that such a Princess as she was merited all that he could pretend to though he had been actually possessed of Ten Provinces each of them as great as that for which he had taken Arms. He resolved therefore to suffer without speaking and as there is nothing so bitter as desires without hopes so it is not easie to conceive the pitiful estate to which he was reduced He resolved oftner than once to retire from Court but having cast his Eyes upon all the places whither he might convey his wretched Fortune he found every where so little security for his person that necessity obliged him to remain where he was It was soon perceived that his sadness was extraordinary but every one knew the condition of his Affairs and they were desperate enough to hinder any from suspecting other grounds of his discontents than what were visible to all men All made it their business to comfort him and Catharine her self who felt a kind of affectionate pitie for that Prince which she had never before felt for any told him that one should not be so much dejected at the accidents of Fortune seeing daily experience made appear that nothing was more fickle and unconstant and that he should be perswaded that she often heaped her favours on him whom she had immediately before oppressed with afflictions Tudor answered as he ought to that obliging Discourse of the Princess but being resolved not to discover to her the secrets of his heart thought it enough to hint to her in the general that his troubles were far different from what she believed and that the greater ambition one had for high matters the more lamentable it was to see ones self out of hopes of attaining to them Their conversation was not very long but as it served to poyson the wounds of Tudor so it began to work strange effects in the Heart of Catharine for seeing pitie does insensibly accustom us to tender Sentiments that Princess did habituate her self to a gentle compassion for Tudor and thought her self only affected with his misfortunes when she became sensible of his merit That Prince was indeed endowed with most engaging qualities for besides the excellent Beauty and Comeliness of Body he possessed a gentile and pleasant Wit which easily insinuates and contributes as much to the Conquest of Hearts as all the sparkling Lustre of the World The Princess on her part fell likewise into a kind of pensiveness and if Tudor had taken that opportunity to speak to her of his Love she would certainly have heard him with pleasure and that wretched Prince would have found some comfort to his miseries in the kind usage that he might have received from her But he flattered not himself so much as to venture on speaking and thought it enough to give evidence of his passion by his Assiduities and Services In the mean while the Princess took particular notice of his deportment and I cannot tell whether Tudor were more amorous or Catharine more grateful But their procedure added more than one half to their affliction and they had long felt all the pains of Love without tasting of it's sweetness if the death of the King of England had not given them occasion by that which happened afterward to make known to one another their mutual Sentiments After the death of that Prince his Son Henry the Fifth succeeded to the Crown He set himself at first to the procuring of his Subjects quiet and having ordered all things at home resolved to make War or else to establish a good and solid peace with France He sent Ambassadors to Charles with propositions of some accommodation betwixt them concerning the differences that his Father had always had with him during his Reign and at the same time demanded the Princess Catharine his Daughter in Marriage The Ambassadors were no sooner arrived at Paris but that all people knew the cause of their coming Tudor took the alarm very hot and the Princess was so troubled at the overture that she could not forbear to make appear her aversion to the Marriage She was observed to weep incessantly and one day when Tudor went to pay her a visit he found her upon the Bed overwhelmed with such grief as could not be matched He saluted her with much respect and drawing near What is the reason Madam said he of so great dejection and do these lovely Eyes think it time to look sad when they ought to sparkle with the glory of their Conquests It is true continued he all the Crowns of the Earth have nothing that comes near your merit Nevertheless there are Charms in a Diadem and a Princess may rest satisfied with the Crown of England without fear of being suspected to want a noble Ambition Were I like Tudor answered she coldly I know very well that I should sacrifice all other interests to Ambition and that the concerns which one ought to have for Relations should not much perplex me But seeing my temper is different from his neither can I agree with him in opinion and perhaps Mine Ah how are you mistaken Madam in thinking so said the Prince interrupting her and how little do you know Tudor if you think that the desire of Reigning is all his Passion I confess continued he the time has been when I was only ambitious but there happen many changes in ones life and it is very hard amidst the Beauties which are to be found at the Court of France to entertain no other desires but for glory or rather it is very difficult not to forget it absolutely when one begins to feel an inclination for a lovely Lady You do indeed surprise me answered the Princess and I should never have suspected that you were in love One is often mistaken replied Tudor but I intend to undeceive you and make you acknowledg that I am much more to be
pitied than you think of You know Madam continued the Prince that the misfortune of War having obliged me to flie for refuge to the Court of the King your Father I was no sooner arrived here but that I found what I had never seen elsewhere The men appeared to me extreamly civil and well bred and the Ladies to my Fancie performed all they set about with so good Air that I thought other Countries destitute of the Politeness which was to be found in France I made it my work to observe things more narrowly that I might from them frame to my self a pattern for my conduct but how dangerous is it so attentively to consider objects of great worth I saw a lovely Brown who ravished me with her charms and robbed me of my Heart Pardon me Madam if I tell you not all her Amiable qualities for it is above my power and nothing but my Heart is able to tell it self how many are her charming perfections I will only assure you by the by that never was Lady more Beautiful nor Witty and that as there is none in the World so accomplished so never was Passion more respectful and sincere than the Love I have for her With these words the Prince held his peace and the Princess who had Love enough for him to make her conceive some jealousie by that Discourse being desirous to discover who that Rival was I perceive said she Tudor you are discreet in your Amours for having told us the perfections of your Mistress you are pleased to conceal from us her name and your own happiness It is not for the reason that you imagine Madam answered Tudor that I tell you no more I understand my self and that was enough to keep me from having farther proceeded with the person of whom I spake In effect so great is the difference betwixt her merit and the defects of Tudor that I think he will never so much mistake himself as to dare speak to her of his passion That Lady must needs be of great quality replied Catharine being desirous to engage him to declare himself that a Prince stands in so great awe of her and for my part I know none that should oblige him to so great a reserve I am not of your opinion Madam replied Tudor and to my grief I know one who deserves that one should do greater matters for her But what do you mean by that replyed the Princess I mean Madam answered Tudor that my actions should make her sensible of my Love rather than my words and my satisfaction would be great if by all the ways of respect and submission I might ever engage that fair one to pitie me The Princess who imagined not before that Tudor designed her by his Discourse began now to suspect it and being willing to inform her self Prince said she this way of reasoning is not just if I were in your place I should take another course and a Lover that by his silence can work upon his Mistress never disobliges her by declaring his Love when he does it with all civility and respect In this Madam answered the Prince I have some doubts of your sincerity and perhaps you would be the first to take it ill if such a thing happened These words confirmed the Princess more and more in her suspicion she was desirous to have no more ground of doubting and speaking again Tudor said she I perceive you know me not I never speak but what I think and the aversion that I have made appear to the Marriage lately proposed to the King my Father ought to convince you that I am an Enemy to all kind of dissimulation That Discourse made Tudor change his design of concealing his Love he found that he could never meet with so fair an occasion of declaring himself and laying hold of the opportunity offered him by Fortune Well then Madam replied he I must believe you for indeed it would be too hard for me to keep my self longer under constraint and it is my duty to acknowledg my rashness in declaring that I adore you and that none but the Princess Catharine could ever touch the Heart of the Prince of Wales Believe it Madam this Heart is immoveable to all but your self and it is my Fate that a King of England should strip me of all my felicities but let him freely enjoy the fruits of my overthrow provided he suffer me to enjoy the sight of my dearest Princess Tudor said no more but made appear to Catharine so much Love in his Looks that she could no longer listen to the residue of an expiring stateliness which would have obliged her to disguise her Sentiments She made known to him by a Glance the Flame that was in her Heart and at length overcoming her own humour Alas why did you not speak sooner said she and why have you delayed so long to discover to me a matter which at another time would have pleased me so well Believe it Prince continued she I would willingly have heard you and perhaps had I never known you I should not have had so great an Aversion to match with England But after so free a confession entertain no sinister Judgment of me make use of it only to break off my Marriage consult your Friends and so manage Affairs that there may be a stop put to an Alliance which if it take effect will cost me the quiet of my whole Life Ah! Madam answered Tudor how happy do you make me by the goodness which you shew me but how short will this happiness prove by the obstacles I foresee therein For in a word what can I do in this conjuncture you know that the House of Orleans has at present the advantage of that of Burgundy to which I have addicted my self and that I have no authority with those that determine Affairs of that nature But have you your self no power left continued he to oppose that which thwarts your inclinations and must you demand assistance from one who expects his relief from you What would you have me do replyed the Princess and are you so ignorant of the duty of Persons of my Quality as not to know my Inability No Tudor expect no more from me I have an esteem and perhaps something more for you but I shall suffer my self to be led to the Sacrifice if it be so resolved and I had rather have it said that Catharine is Unfortunate than that she should be accused of failing in her duty Well then Madam replied Tudor it is your pleasure that I die I must obey you and that is indeed the only ease I find in my calamities Oppress me no more replied the Princess it is not well done to encrease my sorrows Bestir your self rather if you Love me Love has many secret ways of succeeding in enterprises and there is nothing impossible to those who truly feel it Here ended the Conversation of those two Amorous Persons they parted fully satisfied with
from retaining any esteem for her he could not hear her named but with horrour All these considerations put her many times in trouble but virtue at length triumphs over weakness and at least it contributed to make her reject her resolutions which sometimes she had to listen to a clear information In the mean time Unfortunate Tudor found by degrees that his Crosses were too hard for him and there is nothing truer than that at length they would have ended his days had not an accident happened which revived in him some small hopes For some Moneths there had been at Court an Italian called Pavini who ventured at Fortune-telling and whose Reputation was in so much Vogue by many surprising things he had told to most part of the Nobility that he was lookt upon as a person of extraordinary knowledge He cast the Horoscope of the King of Enggland but that Prince had no cause to be pleased with it and that I may not trouble you with all the accidents of his Fortune it is enough I tell you that he assured him his Life would prove short his death extraordinary and that though he should not be killed yet he should have thousands of enemies to fight with who should never leave him till they put him in his Grave The Duke of Florence Brother to the King had the same curiosity as his Brother had had and his Fate was not more happy than Henry's he was to lose his Life in the first Battel that he should fight These Princes were not well pleased with such fatal predictions But as the Prophecy of the Italian concerning the Kings death seemed foolish so they were not much troubled thereat and they had no great apprehensions but when they considered that most of the things which he had foretold others were fulfilled But in a short time Pavini was fully believed for the Duke of Clarence was killed in an engagement which happened in Anjou between his Forces and the Troops of the Dolphin commanded by the Earl of Buchan whom that Prince had made Constable of France That accident made the knowledg of the Italian to be admired all people consulted him and Tudor who had slighted him was one of the first that heard him with greatest confidence This man encreased the confidence that Prince Tudor had in him by some particular things which he told him for being together in a Chamber and he having cast his figures and done all that his art required Seigneur said he I know not what to think of this figure you must needs be naturally inconstant and Fortune is pleased to treat you according to the disposition of your temper For I find that at this very instant there is a considerable Cross which puts you into despair and I see that you forget it immediately though no extraordinary alteration happen in your Affairs but there is an odder thing still that I must tell you you are betrayed by a person who loves you and who is so far from forsaking your concerns that that person cleaves as close to them as ever Pavini made some pawse afterward before he spake again but then renewing his Discourse Here is a thing Seigneur said he which much abates my wonder you have lately had a great Cross and yet not from your enemies for the person that is the cause of it takes it as ill as you do Unriddle this your self added he if you can for I confess for my part I understand nothing of it all that I can tell you plainly is that you are much in Love with some thing and that though you have lost all hopes of possessing it yet you shall though you expect no such matter But by that you are in danger of shortning your Life and have a care also that your death be not fatal Pavini told Tudor no more but what he said was enough to make him ponder matters for who could not be surprised and setting aside the point of Treason was not the rest so conform to that which had already happened that it might be easily understood He began then to promise himself better Fortune and that faint beam of hope finding a place in his mind it was quickly percieved that he had lost one half of his Melancholy Queen Catharine took notice of it as well as the rest She would needs know the cause thereof and having information that Pavini told all people that he had no more Skill in the Stars and that he lost all his measures in the Case of Tudor the Queen was curious to know what he had told that Prince thinking that it must of necessity be from that that he had taken comfort She sent for Pavini when she was all alone and having commanded him to inform her of that Princes Fortune he frankly confessed that it put him to a puzle and that he found great difficulty to conceive the meaning of the Figure he had cast for him He told her likewise all that he had said to Tudor and she could have interpreted a great part of it her self if she had pleased but she discovered not her thoughts to him and having employed him in something upon her own account she dismissed him Her Conversation with Pavini gave her occasion to reflect on his great Skill and perswading her self that he was infallible She found her self divided between discontent of having unjustly accused that Prince and Joy of knowing that he was not to be always Unfortunate But there were a great many things that suddenly thwarted that weak satisfaction She called to mind the Letter which she had and finding therein more appearance than in all the Skill of Pavini she reckoned his art sometime foppery and many times accused her self of too much credulity However she was in danger of taking the Princes part before she could wholly Sacrifice him to her suspicions if her virtue had not come to her Assistance and had not made her somewhat scrupulous in all that concerned him That thought alone made her absolutely condemn Tudor she was willing for her own Repose to think him guilty and for that bout she resisted all temptations that she had to come to a clearing with him But Pavini gave her suddenly occasion of obtaining another Victory over her self He cast the Horoscope of that Princess as she had ordered him he had a Mind to discourse with her and taking his opportunity for an audience without interruption Madam said he to her if I was amazed at the strange accidents that I found in the Fortune of Tudor I must freely tell you that I know not what to say of the things I have observed in yours for every thing in it appears to me more extraordinary than another But who would not be surprised as well as I when I see the greatest Princess in the World unhappy amidst her Grandures Yet that is nothing continued he and there are so many others who in a Condition not far from that you are in have had the
the fame mutual affection for one another without proceeding farther and that I should by that means preserve one who is dear unto me and not expose him to the destiny wherewith he is threatned by my embraces Ah! Madam replied the Prince if any of the two ought to tremble it should only be Tudor and he it is that must die but he sets no such value on Life as to refuse to give it if it be by that Sacrifice alone that he can deserve so great a Blessing as that which you have promised him and I should not pay enough for that I prise though I should end my days an hour after that you had given me real proofs of your kindness Ah! Tudor answered the Queen put me not in mind that I am to lose you that is a thing that represents it self so cruelly to me that I cannot but at present feel the sensible effects of it and can one be separated from what they Love and survive their grief Have you still these thoughts Madam and do you believe the predictions of Pavini replied Tudor Do you not remember that you are not to be the least troubled at my death I am not so unjust to my Princess as to believe it and considering the goodness she has been pleased to testifie to me I am perswaded on the contrary that her Fate would depend on mine and that if she should not die by the same blow that sent me to my grave she would at least lye under so great affliction and sorrow that such a Life as she would afterward lead should be reckoned a real death You do me right Tudor answered the Queen and what you have now said to me fully confirms me No Pavini is Dim-sighted as to the future and the Prince of Wales cannot meet with the least misfortune but that I shall resent it as bitterly as he Let us compleat what Destiny intends for us and let us endeavour to render our Fortune happy by preventing those things which may replunge us into Crosses such as those that we have lately past Whilst the Queen was so well disposed for Tudor Fortune prepared new impediments to their Love The Duke of Glocester who was still taken up in the Wars since the conference at Meulan was chosen for the Command and Government of Affairs in England during the minority of Henry the Sixth his Nephew who was but as yet an Infant in the Cradle That Prince accepted the Commission with Joy and the more willingly inclined to the Journey in that he retained still for the Queen the same Sentiments that he felt at first sight of her In effect he no sooner saw her again but that his flames were powerfully revived in his Breast She seemed more beautiful to him than all that ever he had seen and seeing his quality of Regent obliged him to speak frequently with her these many Conversations made him quickly passionately in Love He prevented that Princess in granting all that he thought she might desire and became in a word so civil and obliging that it was very hard not to entertain an esteem for him Nevertheless the Queen was so far from being pleased with that complaisance that she was much troubled at it so soon as she discovered the cause and she observed such a Conduct with him that she always endeavoured to avoid the occasions which he sought to discourse to her of his Love But all that Circumspection was unprofitable and on a day when they had had a conference concerning some matters of State wherein the Queen told the Duke that he had very well discharged his duty You give me said he Madam praises which are not due to me and I have contributed far less than you to the success of what I have told you The Queen not knowing what to make of that How Prince replied she unfold to me that Riddle and what hand can I have had in a matter whereof I did not so much as know That hindered not Madam answered the Duke but that you wished that it might succeed as it did and it was enough for the Duke of Glocester knowing your intentions fully to comply with them I am much obliged to you replied the Queen but I shall refer all that if you please to the Zeal which you have for the Service of the King and I shall like it as well You are in the wrong Madam answered the Duke not to take it as done for your sake alone and you should believe that Love will be always more powerful in my Heart than all the Sentiments of Nature and Duty I am forced to tell you continued he that I am nothing changed from what you saw me at Meulan But be not alarmed at this Madam I have no thoughts that may give you cause of complaint and I know very well that that which hath happened since my fatal departure hinders me from having any thing to pretend to more However I Love you not with less Sincerity than if I had ground to believe that you would one day render me happy Pitie so wretched a Lover Madam who though his Passion be so violent yet is still so respectful as to conceive nothing contrary to the virtue of a Princess whom I shall adore with such Sentiments as long as I live These words gave the Queen some comfort and having considered a little what answer she should give him she at length in this manner broke her silence You ought not to doubt Sir but that the knowledg you give me of your passion causes me much trouble and you oblige me to have so great an esteem for you that I cannot forbear to wish you a better Fortune than that to which you expose your self Consider what it is to Love without hope and I am assured that if you reflect upon it as you ought you will ease your self of a great many troubles that you are about to create both to your self and me if you persist in that unhappy passion I am not now Madam replied the Duke to make that reflection I have used all arguments with my self to overcome my own weakness But to be short it is too hard for me and after a Thousand attempts all that I can gain upon my self is to admire you as a Lover full of tender affection and to speak to you as a man who is hindered by sacred ties to tell you all he thinks Believe it Madam I can reconcile most respectful words with most languishing looks and nothing but my Eyes shall ever testifie to my Princess that the Unfortunate Duke of Glocester is born to love her with extream Passion Ah! Prince answered the Queen banish those Sentiments which abuse you and do you not percieve that you already begin a discourse contrary to the resolution you have taken and that you declare your Love at the same time you promise me never to speak more of it I had not been aware of it Madam replied the Duke if you
TUDOR A PRINCE OF WALES An Historical Novel In TWO PARTS LONDON Printed by H. H. for Jonathan Edwin at the Sign of the Three Roses on Ludgatehill 1678. Licensed Feb. 1. 1678. ROGER L'ESTRANGE TUDOR A PRINCE of WALES An Historical Novel The First Part. IT was about the Time when the War which had continued for so many Ages between the English and Welsh seemed to be put to an end and that these latter were believed for ever unable to retrive their losses or defend their pretensisions That Owen Tudor one of their Princes and whose Lineage they deduced from Cadwalladar an ancient British King endeavoured to mount the Throne He found it no difficult matter to perswade the Welsh to rise in Arms and that people dissatisfied with their new Masters were ready to shed the last drop of their Blood in attempting to shake off that Yoke Tudor was glad to find them so well inclined to the Execution of his desires but their Aid seeming too weak fully to support his hopes he betook himself to the Protection of the Kings of France and Scotland who resolved to second him in his enterprises Henry the Fourth newly Crowned King of England no sooner understood of the powerfull League that was formed against him but that he on his part prepared vigorously for War and having raised an Army of Forty thousand men he marched towards Scotland at the head of it where he met the enemy drawn up on the Borders He offered them Battel which was accepted but the Scots had the worst of the day Tudor was fain to flie for it and the Earl of Doughlas who commanded the Scots was made Prisoner by Henry The loss of that Battel put the Affairs of the Welsh Prince into a bad condition and finding no other support but in the friendship of Charles the Sixth King of France he retreated into his Dominions where that Monarch received him more favourably than he could have expected in his adversity The Grandee's of the Kingdom imitated their Prince and had so great respect for the merit of Tudor that their civilities were sufficient to have made him forget all his losses if he had proposed to himself any thing but Glory But it is very hard for such Souls as are born to command to find satisfaction any other way than in the submission and obedience of Provinces and that Prince would have willingly preferred the Crown of Wales to all the Favours and Civilities which he received at the Court of Charles Wherefore he did all he could to procure from him assistance But France was not at that time what before it had been and after the unlucky accident which befell their King and is mentioned in History the Kingdom was so rent by the different interests of the Princes of the Blood that it had enough to do to maintain it self Tudor thus crossed in his designs bore his misfortune but not without much impatience yet that was not all Fate had new troubles in reserve for him and he had never been sensible of the utmost effects of ill fortune if he had not felt the pains which commonly attend a great but hopeless Love Charles had several Children by his Queen Isabell of Bavaria and Catharine his youngest Daughter was justly esteemed one of the greatest Beauties and most lovely persons that hath ever been The Lustre of her presence surprized all that beheld her and her Actions were accompanied with so many Charms that no heart was proof against her merit Her Body was not inferiour to the Beauties of her Countenance and in a word she seemed to have been framed on purpose to inspire into Hearts the tenderest of Passions Tudor at first beheld her with admiration but seeing his Fortune had no Conformity with high designs his reason at that time retained its authority and that Princes thoughts were taken up as much at least with the sense of his Calamities as with the Consideration of the perfections of Catharine However he had a Heart like other Men and he must needs have been of a very savage disposition if seeing daily the Princess he had not been affected by her Beauty He began to be a little more Melancholick than he used to be or to say better he changed his Melancholy into a sweet and restless pensiveness and such as men commonly fall into when a great passion begins to seize them He well percieved in himself this change of humour and was displeased thereat yet not so much as he would have been had he fully known the cause of it However he made some reflexions on the complaisance that he had for the Princess and seemed indeed to have touched the right string when he helped to beguile himself In effect after so many marks of goodness as Catharine had shewed him he thought there could be no great danger in those little offices which he rendred her and which he believed to be rather testimonies of Gratitude than Love but the effects which great obligations produce are easily known and though they make deep impression on generous Souls yet all things have their limits and it is no hard matter to distinguish that which flows from Love from the effects of a Heart that is only grateful Neither did Tudor long continue in his error and the earnest desire he had to be in all places where Catharine was convinced him that civility did not commonly lead men so far but that some extraordinary matter must needs have invaded his thoughts That consideration made him afraid so that endeavouring to prevent the troublesome consequences that might ensue from it He employed all means to stifle his Affection in the Birth and proposed to his own Imagination every thing that might represent to him the fatal effects of that attempt But none but such as have never been in Love can think that from such like enterprises any success is to be expected and experience does too plainly evince that Love is like to those snares wherein the more men strive to get out the more they entangle themselves Tudor had the same Fate as others have had and all his reasonings served only to render him more Amorous The Charms of Catharine presenting themselves in vast numbers to his memory he conceived so agreeable an Idea of the Princesses perfections as suddenly got the absolute Victory over his weakness He found a Thousand delights in the conversation of that fair one and in her Company he so much forgot the thoughts os all his misfortunes that his greatest care was how he might appear agreeable to her Eyes He was no more Tudor whom ambition tormented Day and Night and that Passion which had so cruelly racked his Heart since the first time that he had given way to it gave place to those Sentiments which to tender and affectionate Souls have far greater charms than the most glorious and magnificent Crowns But how said that Prince sometimes to himself Dost thou consider Tudor what thou art about
like thoughts that I should not much trouble my self with that Circumstance if it were not accompanied with many others which seem to me directly opposite to common sense For who will not blame you Madam for contributing alone more to your own Crosses than all others that are conconcerned in them Yet after all that you endeavour not your own ease and I percieve that you oppose the means which might give you satisfaction Yet you will not be alwayes in the same opinion and one day or other you will leave off to be cruel to your self but as it is fatal to you to do evil to that which affects you most you shall be the cause of the death of the only person whom you passionately Love and which puts me in amazement without recovery you shall not have the least trouble at it The Queen would hear him no longer she retired into her Closet and there was she forced to struggle with her humour that she might stifle a Thousand thoughts which declared in favour of Tudor All that Pavini had told her seemed to furnish her with weapons against her self but at length she conquered her own weakness and began to taste the quiet that she had acquired by her virtue when she found her troubles again renewed by a superveening accident The King her Husband made War vigorously against the Dolphin he took from him the Towns of Meaux and Compiegne and was going to the relief of Cosne which was Besieged by the Army of that Prince when he was taken sick at Melun and was forced to stop But his Disease rather encreasing than abateing he went to the Castle of Vincennes where he was hardly arrived but that his distemper fulfilled the prediction of Pavini and carried him out of this World So terrible a death occasioned certainly much grief to the Queen but it is not to be thought that she was so much afflicted as she would have been had she married that Prince for Love In the mean time Tudor was not in the least sorry for it on the contrary he thought that by that means his troubles might come to an end and trusting as much to the prediction of Pavini as to his own Innocence he flattered himself with the hopes that the Queen would reflect on his Love and that at length after so many Crosses she would perhaps reward him for all the pains that she had made him unjustly suffer He was not altogether mistaken for that Princess who had nothing now to object against the passion which she felt for him suffered her self gently to listen to every thing that spake in his favour and if she desired some little clearing it was only because she Judged it necessary to convince that Prince that she had reason to treat him as she had done Matters being so well disposed on either side the Queen went to England Tudor followed her and these Lovers began then to look on one another with so passionate Eyes that it was easie for them to percieve that their reconciliation would not be difficult But though Tudor knew that the Queen was all sweetness yet he could not so far prevail upon himself as to speak his mind And he had already found many occasions to discourse to her of his Love without being so bold as to venture on it yea and he had long pined away under the pain of a bashful and constrained passion if that Princess had not afforded him the means of disburdening his Heart On a day when he was alone with her and after a long discourse concerning the State of the War I believe said that Princess to him that when all is done we shall very shortly lose the hope of preserving the Kingdom of France and the Fortune of War is so favourable for the Dolphin that there is but little appearance we can long resist his progresses I daily hear that those who Espoused the Interest of the Late King my Husband forforsake us and I see nothing but Treachery on all hands There is no Trust to be given now adays Madam answered Tudor but to such as we know perfectly well and yet we see that for most part the very same fail in their promises as well as others and there is so little sincerity in the World that they who make most Protestations are commonly the people who least mind their word You are well acquainted with some of that Character replied the Queen but though you seem to disapprove their procedure yet I am confident you are too much a friend to them to wish them any punishment You have reason answered Tudor with a sigh and for all the Crosses I have met with yet I find that my Heart is so tender as to adore those who have cruelly used me That is to say replied the Queen that you have so good an Opinion of your own Conduct as not to be willing to Condemn your self It is to say Madam answered Tudor that notwithstanding your Rigour you are in my Eyes still the same as you were when you were no more but Princess Catharine and that then I might have flattered my self that to her I was not altogether a thing indifferent Put me not in mind replied the Queen of the ground you gave me to be displeased with you and none but one of my goodness would look upon you after all that you have done to me Say rather Madam answered Tudor that none but one of so much cruelty as your self would punish people with so great severity and still conceal from them the Pretext which you take to render them miserable Pretexts are never used replied the Queen but when reasons are wanting and it is to no purpose to invent when one hath so good proofs as you have furnished me with Ah! Madam replied Tudor not to offend you I have not the gift of knowing thoughts and I ought indeed to be guilty to find out the cause that makes you accuse me I know answered the Queen that Tudor will not be convinced without evidence The must be satisfied and here it is continued she giving him the Letter that we have spoken of what can he object against this the Prince took the Letter and having read it all over Well then Madam replied he and what is this to me How Prince said the Queen should you ask me that question and is it not your part to declare to me how far your Intrigues went with Madam de Giack if you think fit that I should know any thing of it I am not at all concerned Madam said he in what you see nor can I give you any account of it And you know better than I added he giving her back the Letter that this concerns the Affair that the Duke of Burgundy had with that Lady However she wrote that Letter to you answered the Princess and I had it from the Gentleman of your Horse The Gentleman of my Horse had no Letter for me replied Tudor and when I pray
always to decieve a Lover and a Lover that is Unfortunate the Duke began to suspect that Tudor had a greater share than he in the favours of the Queen and though that Prince knew nothing but what his suspicions made him conjecture yet he grew fearfully Jealous He never met Tudor but that he beheld him with threatning looks and at length he observed so few measures in his Resentment that our Lovers easily percieving it redoubled their Circumspection to conceal their Marriage But Fortune which delights in Inconstancy was weary of showring her Favours on them and resolved to make them feel her cruelty after that she had Crowned them with her kindness The Duke of Glocester entertained many spies in the Countrey and these Blades who observed all things with great care could not hitherto find any thing that might confirm their Master in his thoughts Sometimes he upbraided them with Carelesness sometimes with Treachery and that they conspired with the Queen to deceive him In the mean time all these Reproaches being unprofitable he resolved to set to Work himself and laboured to corrupt the Loyalty of those whom he knew to be most Privie to the Secrets of the Queen But he found them all so firm to their duty that he began to lose hopes of succeeding in his designs when Fate alone in a Trice compleated that which the Duke could not perform with the Assistance of all whom he had employed The Queen made use of one of the Chamberlains of her House to send her Letters by to Tudor she had intrusted him to carry one to him and that faithful Servant who was glad punctually to discharge what he was ordered to do by the Queen waited till Night that he might go securely to the House of Tudor and so soon as it grew Duskish he took his Journey that he might perform his Message He was not far from the House when he found himself set upon by Six Robbers He defended himself as well as he could but the Foot-man that was with him having forsaken him he received suddenly several wounds which made him fall dead upon the place In the mean time that murther was committed with much Rumour and the Lackey who fled called together a great many for his Masters Assistance with whom he came back but too late for the Murtherers had already saved themselves Some went in pursuit of them and the rest carried the Body of the Gentleman into the next House where making an Inventory according to the good Custome of some of all that the dead Man had about him they found there the Letter which he carried to Tudor They presently knew the Queens Signet and seeing the Letter had no address and that they doubted not but that it was of consequence The Constable took the charge of it and went instantly with it to the Regent to whom he told what had happened The Duke presently dismissed him and having looked upon that Letter Three or Four times without daring to open it at length he broke it up and found these words in it THE QUEENS LETTER TO TUDOR ALL that can be done is done to discover if I love you and there is nothing omitted to draw from my Servants a Confession of what they might know of our Secrets but they have not falsified the Opinion that I had of their fidelity and our Jealous observer shall keep watch long in vain if I mistake not At present I find some abatement of my fears come as soon as you can my Dear and make your advantage of the Serenity we now enjoy and I shall give my Dear Tudor proofs that I Love him more than my self THe Duke grew stark staring mad upon reading of that Letter he was sometime before he would resolve what to do but at length having uttered great threats against these two Unfortunate Lovers he resolved to shew them what a slight was able to produce in the Breast of a Man prepossessed with a strong passion He imagined every thing that might animate him to revenge and when he found that some remains of Affection put a stop to his rage Is it for that infamous Princess then that thou dost solicite me and art thou still so base as to be willing to observe measures with one who not content to put me into despair stains likewise the honour of the Royal Family by a shamefull Commerce which she holds with a Prince so far beneath her Ah! too happy Tudor cried he immediately afterward thy death must expiate the Crimes that thou committest against the Memory of thy Prince and the Duke of Glocester shall revenge him at the same time that he resents the Indignity that you offer to his Love He was at least an hour in making such useless complaints and thinking that he would receive great ease if he might utter in the Queens presence what he had been saying all alone he went to her appartment The Queen was surprised to see him at that time but she had far greater reason to be so when that Prince after a terrible look I am not at all amazed Madam said he to her at the trouble I put you in when one expects to see a Lover and finds a furious man one has reason to change colour but I shall be exceedingly changed my self if I produce not shortly more surprising revolutions and I hope that the deceitful Eyes which I behold shall shortly weep for the same things that have hitherto made them laugh What do you mean Prince replied the Queen half angry at that discourse and half shaking for fear I mean Madam answered the Duke that to see you one would never have believed that you could Joyn such modest looks with so bad and Irregular a Conduct But I know your secret practices and it is no time to dissemble when I have so good proofs to confound you Here is the thing continued he showing her the Letter that we have mentioned that will put you out of your measures and ought you not to blush at these shameless words whereby you express your passion If the Queen was astonished at the Dukes discourse ye may Judge what case she was in when she saw her Letter in his hand She stood sometime speechless but finding that it was no longer time to dissemble By what means Prince said she have you come by my Letter I see not what right you have to censure my actions and may not I write to my Husband what I think good but that the Duke of Glocester must find fault with it Tudor your Husband Madam said the Duke immediately interrupting her Yes Prince replied the Queen Tudor is my Husband and I would have you know besides that I have Three Children by him These words almost killed the Duke with despair and renewing his discourse after he had made some reflexion on what the Queen had told him A Queen of England said he Daughter of a King of France has Married Tudor and has Three Children
by him Ah! Madam added he think not by that Pretext to abuse me it will be to no purpose for you to think to stop my revenge and let it be as you will have it that too happy Tudor shall die and he shall pay for the freakishness of Fortune that appoints some to so much happiness whilest others wrestle with the Torments of a wretched life He presently went out with the Mine and Gate of a Man who was to be feared The Queen could not behold him in that condition without Trembling for Tudor and at this instant she felt a shivering that never left her till she died In the mean time the Duke of Glocester sent some of the Guards to apprehend that Prince but they narrowly miss'd him for he was gone a little before to wait upon the Queen upon the news he had received that their Confident was Assassinated He entered her apartment unseen of any and finding the Princess in a Posture that might have drawn Tears from the most obdured hearts it was long before he gave any sign of sorrow by words but instead of that he made appear in his Countenance the utmost effects of extream affliction Afterward he looked tenderly on that amiable Princess and speaking to her fully as much with his Eyes as Mouth What is the news then said he my dear Queen and what should I think of the cruel condition wherein I see you Ah! Prince we are undone answered the Queen and the Duke of Glocester has discovered our secret he hath intercepted a Letter which I sent you to day by my Chamberlain and in a word we are betrayed That faithful Servant is dead Madam replied Tudor and was murthered hard by my house I am come purposely hither to pay my duty to my Princess and to know of her if she had heard of that fatal accident Alas no answered the Queen and I began almost to suspect him of Treachery but at length I am convinced of his innocence and who have been his murtherers There is no doubt but the Duke has committed that crime and not satisfied with the death of that Wretch he threatens also the Life of my dear Tudor At the same time she told him all that had passed between the Duke and her and had no strength to speak any more about the end of her discourse she fainted away and came not to her self again till half an hour after but was feised on with so burning a Feaver that she alarmed all that were with her In the mean time Tudor was in no better condition and he could not behold these sad Marks of kindness which his Princess shewed him without the bitterest Agonies of grief but he had shortly occasion to be overwhelmed with sorrow For the Queen understanding that the Duke of Glocester's Guards had been at the Princes house to apprehend him and that he was sought after in all places she thought him utterly undone and that nothing could save him from his rage She obliged him to suffer himself to be shut up in a Closet behind her Bed but that circumspection delivered her not from her fears and her Feaver got immediately up into her Brain and made her Light-headed which in two days time brought her to the last extremity It is hard to tell the sufferings of Tudor when he saw the Queen in that condition nor can I even tell which of the two was most to be pitied he looked upon her with all imaginable tenderness and had no other way to express his grief but by a flood of Tears which streamed from his Eyes The Queen was sensibly affected at his pains and striving against her distemper that she might again speak to him Prince said she if you would oblige me be not so much afflicted consider you have Children and that for them you owe your preservation Take no care of the Mother and reserve for these dear pledges which I leave to you of my kindness the Testimonies that now you give me of your Love Having so said she embraced Tudor and mingling together the Memorie of his pains and Love breathed out her last between his Arms leaving all in an uncertainty whether she died for Joy or Grief The Unfortunate Tudor melting in Tears stretched himself upon the Body which he endeavored to warm again by his embraces but finding it cold and past all sense he was at length convinced of his misery He continued long in a fearful extasie but so soon as he came to himself he resigned all his contents to despair Ah! Pavini cried he your knowledg is great and you have to the least circumstances foretold my unhappiness My Queen will not now be troubled at my death seeing that Illustrious Princess is gone He said no more but leaving the Chamber went streight to the Duke of Glocester He accosted that Duke with the resolution of a Man that fears not death and having cast a disdainful look upon him Make an end barbarous man said he of the Tragedy you have so well begun and seeing my lovely Princess is by your cruelties now expired why are you so slow to make me feel the same measure of Injustice and to reunite above what was so well Joyned here below The Queen is dead replied the Duke in a great surprise is it possible good God! do I hear that fatal news and do not I die for grief With that he fetched several sighs and turning to Tudor in the height of rage Yes yes Traitour said he I shall speedily grant your desire and your blood shall supply the Tears that you have made me shed He called his Guards immediately and having ordered them to carry him to Prison he lockt himself up in his Chamber where he mournfully lamented his destiny But he quickly changed his Love into fury for within a few days he caused a Scaffold to be erected where he commanded Tudor to be put to death The poor Prince was led to Execution as if he had been guilty but instead of complaining of the Dukes cruelty he prayed a certain friend to thank him in his name for the favour he did him because by his means he hoped shortly to see his lovely Queen again He laid down his head to the Executioner who having by one blow divided it from his Body shewed the Spectators by that Memorable Catastrophe how little there is between the highest bliss and the lowest misery FINIS A Catalogue of some Books Printed for and Sold by Jonathan Edwin at the Three Roses in Ludgate-street THe Commentaries of C. Julius Cesar of his Wars in Gallia and the Civil Wars betwixt him and Pompey Translated into English with many excellent and judicious Observations thereupon as also the Art of our Modern Training or Tactick Practice by Clement Edmunds Esquire Remembrancer of the City of London Whereunto is adjoyned the Eighth Commentary of the Wars in Gallia with some short Observations upon it together with the Life of Caesar and an account of his Medals Revised Corrected and Enlarged in Fol. The History of the Reigns of Henry the VII Henry the VIII Edward the VI. and Queen Mary the first Written by the Right Honourable Francis Lord Verulam Viscount St. Alban the other Three by the Right Honourable and Right Reverend Father in God Francis Godwyn Lord Bishop of Hereford in Fol. The Countess of Pembrokes Arcadia written by Sir Philip Sidney Knight the Thirteenth Edition with his Life and Death a brief Table of the principal Heads and some other new Additions in Fol. The French way of Exercising their Infantry as it is now used in the Armies of his Most Christian Majesty in Fol. stitcht Parthenissa that most Fam'd Romance the Six Volumes compleat composed by the Right Honorable the Earl of Orrory in Fol. Roman Forgeries or a true Account of false Records Discovering the Impostures and Counterfeit Antiquities of the Church of Rome in Octav. The Comparison of Plato and Aristotle with the Opinions of the Fathers on their Doctrines and some Christian Reflections together with judgment on Alexander and Caesar as also on Seneca Plutarch and Petronius in Octav. Observations on the Poems of Homer and Virgil A discourse representing the Excellencies of those works and the perfections in general of all Heroick Actions in Octav. The Causes and Remedies of the Distempers of the Times in certain Discourses of Obedience and Disobedience in Octav. Songs and Poems by Thomas Flatman the Second Edition in Octav. Gallantry A-la-Mode a Satyrical Poem in Three parts representing the Vanities of several humors of this present Age in Octav. Wit at a Venture or Clio's Privy Garden containing Songs and Poems never before in Print in Octav. The Mercury Gallant containing many true and pleasant relations of what hath passed at Paris from the first of January 1672. till the Kings departure thence in Octav.