Selected quad for the lemma: prince_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
prince_n	duke_n	king_n	portugal_n	3,685	5	10.6982	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

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

Memorable Accidents AND Unheard of Transactions CONTAINING An Account of several Strange Events As the Deposing of Tyrants Lamentable Shipwrecks Dismal Misfortunes Stratagems of War Perilous Adventures Happy Deliverances with other remarkable Occurrences and Select Historical Events which have happened in several Countries in this last Age. Translated from the French Printed at Brussels in 1691. and Dedicated to His present Majesty William King of England c. Published in English by R. B. LONDON Printed for Nath. Crouch at the Bell in the Poultrey near Cheapside 1693. THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY TO HIS Brittanick Majesty SIR THough Your Majesty be wholly busied in the greatest Affairs of State in the most Illustrious Assembly that was ever held I presume nevertheless to believe that You will not be offended that I take the liberty to interrupt You for a moment and offer unto Your Majesty this small Treatise the reading of which can only surprize those that are ignorant of Your Majesties Life for since this containeth the most celebrated Events of History extracted out of the Writings of the most famous Authors all the World will own that the Miracles which make Your Character surpass the greatest and most astonishing Exploits here related It is for this cause Sir that my silence will better express the profound Veneration that I have for the Grandeur of Your Majesties Actions than all the Elogies wherewith the ardor of my Zeal were able to Inspire me Nevertheless Sir if I may be perswaded to judge of Your Intentions by Your Proceedings all that Glory which shineth so bright in the Eyes of Men is not that which dost most affect You by so many Great and Heroick Actions You aspire to something yet greater You know Sir that Kings who are truly so esteem not Soveraign Power but as a thing ever ready to furnish them with opportunities of meriting the Love of Nations by being Authors of the Publick Happiness Your Majesty hath this Great Truth Ingraven upon Your Heart and if in the beginning of Your Reign we have admired in Your Majesty the Hero and the Conqueror we hope ever to Adore the Restorer of the Common Liberty of Europe I am with a profound respect SIR Your Majesties Most Humble and Most Obedient Servant T. LEONARD TO THE READER HOW great soever the Diversion and Pleasure be that we find in Reading Romances nevertheless true History hath all the advantage over it that Truth hath over a Fable If we search Books for Examples whereby to regulate our Behaviour those that we know to be false can they ever gain any Empire over our Minds For Example Can the Heroical Actions that we read in Cleopatra have so great Authority over us as to engage us to imitate them And shall we set imaginary Persons for a Model before us It is not so with History and the reading thereof produceth more certain Effects When a Man whose Inclinations are Warlike observeth there that a private Soldier hath by his Valour rais'd himself to the greatest Dignities he conceiveth as high an Idea of the Success as a great Merit is capable of he perswadeth himself that he may Atchieve the like Adventures since they have been before really perform'd and this thought authoriz'd by the Truth of History is able to determine him to the boldest Exploits This is it Reader which hath oblig'd me to publish this Collection the Events of which I have selected out of the General and Particular Histories Memoirs Voyages and other most famous Works that have lately appeared I hope it will meet with a favourable acceptation because it containeth Adventures as rare as any that are to be found in Romances here you are entertain'd with Shipwracks overthrown Fortunes Revolutions of Kingdoms and the surprizing Effects of the Commotions of all the Passions In fine this Collection evidenceth that Virtue is of both Sexes of all Ages Countries and Conditions Memorable Accidents AND Unheard of Transactions In several Nations in this last Age. The Shipwrack THE King of Portugal had sent to the King of Siam a very splendid Embassy To answer the civility of this European Prince the King deputed three great Mandarins in Quality of his Ambassadors with six other younger Mandarins and a considerable Retinue to go to the Court of Portugal We embark'd for Goa in the year 1684. where we abode eleven months and departed thence for Europe in a Portugal Vessel Jan. 27. 1686. but on the 27th of April we unhappily run aground on the Cape of the Needles and that in this manner That very day several Mariners were order'd to ascend the Masts to observe the Land that we descry'd a little towards the right hand by their relations the Captain and Pilot judg'd that it was the Cape of Good Hope so without observing themselves whether the Mariners spoke truth or not they continu'd their course till two or three hours after Sun-set when they believ'd they had already past the Land we had before discover'd then changing the course they bore a little more towards the North. I know not what presage of the misfortune that threatned us had so fill'd me with restless thoughts that I could not so much as close my eyes to sleep I then came out of my Cabbin and amus'd my self with beholding the Ship that seem'd to fly on the top of the waters Casting my eyes a little further I perceiv'd on a sudden a very dark shadow near our right side this sight struck me with terror and immediately I said to the Pilot Is it not the Land that I see As he approach'd to look we heard them crying out in the Fore-castle Land Land before us we are lost The Pilot run to the Helm to change the course but we were so near the shore that the Ship in veering struck thrice with her Poop upon a Rock which made her stand still without any manner of motion They run to the Poop but not one drop of water had yet enter'd Immediately they made all efforts possible to save themselves from Imminent ruine by felling the Masts by the board and unloading the Vessel but they had not time for the Wind drove the Ship upon the shore These Mountains of Water breaking into foamy Billows upon the points of the Rocks that jutted out into the Sea lifted up the Vessel to the Clouds letting her fall on a sudden upon the Cliffs with such violence that she could not hold out long You might have heard her already cracking on all sides some parts of her falling off from the rest and at last this great Mass of Wood being for a while thus dreadfully shaken and toss'd from Wave to Rock was dash'd to pieces with a horrible noise The Poop bore the first shock and accordingly was the first part that bulg'd To no purpose they cut down the Masts and threw over-board the Guns and all that lay in their way all their precautions were in vain for the ship struck upon the Rocks so often and

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

could never come unlook'd for to a Man well resolved nor strange to him that doth foresee it nor shameful to a Generous Mind He continued some time after his Imprisonment without eating or sleeping and the violent motions of his Heart cast him into a Fever yet would take no Physick but what his Physicians tasted first for fear he should be Poysoned yet the fire of his Courage was not smothered with his Distemper what did he say or what did he not say Fury and Choler made him utter senceless Speeches If they will put me to Death says he Why do they not dispatch me that they may not boast they have made me afraid of Death And then let them drink themselves Drunk with the Blood which remains of five and thirty Wounds that I have received in the Service of France To pacifie his furious discontent the Archbishop of Bourges was sent to him to rectifie his conscience and to remove some Atheistical Opinions that he had imbraced and to assure him that if he did heartily repent and confess his Crimes he might yet expect forgiveness both from God and the King As soon as he was a Prisoner every one said he was a Dead man and seeing himself so strictly Guarded he said They did not put Birds of his kind into a Cage to suffer them to escape for when once a Man of Courage and Faction comes to be Imprisoned it is more dangerous to absolve than to condemn him The King sent to the Parliament of Paris to proceed against him and Commissioners were appointed who took Informations in the Bastile The Prisoner at first was a little ceremonious in his answers but being entred into discourse he gave the Commissioners matter enough to work upon confessing in a manner all he was accused of so that from his own Mouth they might have justly condemned him to lose as many Lives as he had Years He had so ill governed his Judgment in Prosperity that it was prejudicial to him in his Adversity yielding sometimes to Grief then to Rage and always to Indiscretion speaking as much to Ruine as Discharge himself he was confronted with the Witnesses face to face but when he saw La Fin he fell into an extream trembling The President asked him if he would except against La Fin he replied That he judged him a Gentleman of Honour and his Friend and Kinsman But when he had heard his Deposition he cried out against him as the most execrable Villain in the World appealing to all the Powers of Heaven and Earth to justifie his Innocency La Fin being disturbed to hear himself thus accused told him That he was sorry they were in a place where one was allowed to speak all and the other to hear all he justified all he had said against the Duke and made a more full discovery of the conspiracy than before The Prisoner said That if Renaze were there he would aver the contrary This was another of the Conspirators who was instantly brought before him at which he was extreamly surprized believing that he had been dead in Savoy long before He then alledged that the Duke of Savoy had set him at Liberty to Ruine him and seemed confounded to find all things conspire to his destruction for Renaze was made a Prisoner in Piedmont to prevent him from discovering this Treason but making his escape he came just now by an admirable Providence to fortify the Testimony of his Master La Fin who else had been but a single Witness He had many friends but the King represented his crime to be so detestable and odious to the Princes and Nobility that none of them had the courage to intercede for him his Process being finished he is called to make his defence He is Charged to have Treated with the Duke of Savoy about the Betraying of Bourg and other places and advising him to attempt against the Kings Army and his own Person discovering to him many things of Importance and offering him his Service and Assistance against all Men in hope of Marrying his Daughter That he would have perswaded the King to appear before St. Katherines Fort on purpose that he might be Slain and had writ to the Governor how he should distinguish His Majesty from others These and several Articles more were alledged against him but the Duke denied all and renounced the Confession he had made at his first Examination alledging That La Fin had bewitched him that he bit him by the Ear and made him drink Inchanted Waters calling him his King his Prince his Lord that he shewed him an Image of Wax which spake these Words Thou shalt dye Witched King and if he had such power over a senseless Image what might he not do upon him whom he had wholly bewitched to do what he pleased He made a bold and resolute Defence and concluded it in these words My fault is great but it was only in thought and conception and not Executed in desire but not in effect great Offences must have great Pardons I am he alone in France who feel the Rigor of Justice and cannot hope for the Merit of Mercy whatever happens I rely more upon you Gentlemen then on the King who having formerly regarded me with an Eye of Love looks no more on me now but with Indignation and holds it a Virtue to be cruel to me and a Vice to shew any act of Clemency towards me it had been better for me if he had not pardoned me at first then to give me Life and now to make me lose it with Shame and Dishonour His discourse was so long that the Judges had not time to give their Opinions so he was remanded to the Bastile full of hopes of being discharged boasting to the Captains of the Guard that he had defended himself so bravely and discreetly as doubtless he had fully satisfied them all adding That if he were Dead no Man was able to supply his place and saying Is it possible that the King should be so vain as to think to frighten me with the apprehension of Death or that he is able to terrify me with it Three days after the Judges met and upon Consultation concluded him to be Guilty of High Treason and the Chancellor with the first President of Parliament with some others went into the Bastile to acquaint him with the Sentence of the Court The Duke looking out of a Window at that time he heard a Womans cries and lamentations which he instantly apprehended were made upon his account and somewhat disturbed him but espying the Chancellor coming towards him cross the Court he cried out that he was Dead You come said he to pronounce my Sentence I am unjustly Condemned tell my Relations that I dye innocent and coming near he said O my Lord Chancellor is there no Pardon Is there no Mercy The Chancellor Saluted him and put on his Hat the Duke continued bare and having abandoned all the Powers of his Soul to