the honour of her person as because she being there independent of any other Potentate whatsoever in Christendom might employ the endowments of her mind in the service of God and his Church by her Majesties interposing in many affairs of Christendom for the which without doubt there was no want at all of ability in her Majestie She sent then the Father to Rome in the Month of May of the year aforesaid but omitted at that time to make any motion to the Pope because she was not able to renounce so soon her Kingdom and in the mean time they had no suspition at all of those resolutions with which Pope Innocent was assistent to the business But Father Malines remained in Swedland well treated by the Queen while her Majesty disposed and so ordered her affairs that by the States of Swedland Charles Prince Palatine deputed before to the Crown after her was after her renouncing it admitted to the Kingdom which done she might securely depart In fine when she was to discover her mind and compleat her resolutions she began then by declaring her intentions to Monsieur Bordolot a French man and now Abbot of Massay her trusty Physitian to the end he repayring to the Court of France and making no mention at all of the business of religion might onely treat there if after her renouncing the Kingdom she might sojourn in France as likewise she had thoughts of dispatching Father Malines to Rome with her letters to the Pope While Bordolot and Malines prepared to be gone the Queen having made a discovery of the exquisite judgement and great prudence of Don Antonio Pimentel who with the Title of Gentleman sent from the Catholique King to complement the Queen and procure between their Majesties a good correspondence had been some Months before in that Court where he had with his rare parts purchas'd very great credit and fame resolv'd to trust him with her thoughts and make use of his assistance and counsell in a business of that consequence This Gentleman heard attentitively the Queen and was as much comforted as astonisht at the strangeness of the news And when he had considered how meritorious in Heaven how famous in the world and beneficiall to Christianity so glorious an action would be he represented to the Queen the necessity of supporting it by a Prince no less powerfull than pious that he accompanying with her dispatches the letter she sent to the Pope might make authentick the credit of so great and so heroique an act for the compassing of which the Catholique King seem'd fit to her Majesty The Queen therefore consigned to Father Malines letters for his Holiness Cardinall Chigi then Secretary of State to the Pope and for Father Nikei the Generall of the Jesuits and likewise gave him order that as secretly as he could he should go into Spain to procure the dispatches of his Catholique Majesty to the Pope in order to which she gave the said Father letters for the Catholique King and Don Lewes de Aro supposing besides besides that Don Antonio Pimentel being come to Madrid whither he was called might adde credit to her letters and solicit the effecting their Contents And as the greatest thing that troubled her Majestie consisted in secresy to remove every shadow of suspition she desir'd that the Father might go another way and not embarque himself with Pimentel For the very same reason it seemed not good to the Queen that Father Casati returned to Hamburg from Rome should repass into Swedland to avoid the renewing of the jealousies and suspitions had formerly of them especially she knowing some letters had been intercepted which Casati had written to Malines by which they understood that they were both engag'd in the very same business and had common interests Father Malines departed from Stockholm on the 3d. of May 1653. having stayed there something more than a year and two months The length of his voyage from Swedland to Lubeck occasioned by the contrary winds and his not finding suddenly shipping in England whither he went for that purpose out of Flanders were the cause he arrived not at Madrid till the second of August where he stayd certain months without having any news of Pimentel or negotiating any thing since his order was not to begin till he had first received her Majesties letters which were to be sent after Don Antonio aforesaid departed from Stockholm in the following August and embarquing at Gottembourg advanced not far when the Ship that sprang a leak constrain'd him back thither while the Vessell was repairing he went to the Court which then was removed to Vesten where he received order from Spain to stay there yet a while The Queen hinder'd by that accident to make use of Pimentel substituted in his place Father John Baptist Guemes a Dominican who was in Denmark with the Earl of Rebogliedo the Spanish Ambassadour to that King and being to negotiate some business appertaining unto the said Earl in the Court of Madrid was to have and expect the conveniency of embarquing himself with Pimentel to which end in the month of July 1653 he arrived at Gottembourg but the Ship as aforesaid coming back and he being commanded by Pimentel to continue with him went thence with him to Vesten The Queen knowing he was a man of great prudence and other rare qualities and considering she could give no suspition by his going into Spain since they knew long before he went for the affairs of Rebogliedo she lost not the conjuncture of making use of him for the treating of that in Madrid which she had design'd should be done by Pimentel She therefore informed him of the matter and wrote to Father Malines whom before she had order'd to make no attempt of any thing without new advice which he was to expect before he promoted any busâ—ness Father Guemes departed with her Majesties dispatches and Pimentel's on the ninth of October and after many troubles and impediments arriving in the Catholique Court in the month of March 1654 very earnestly sollicited there the Kings letters to the Pope to accompany the Queens and so honourably so faithfully proceeded in this business of consequence that her Majestie afterwards declaring she was infinitely satisfied was most confident of him by making him her Confessour and using him in her hardest and most scrupulous resolutions Though not onely by the mouths of the foresaid two Fathers Malines and Casati together with the Dominican and the letters of Pimentel himself his Majestie was fully inform'd and assured of all things yet he could do no less than remain surpriz'd a while at the news of so great and so strange a resolution it seeming to him a difficult thing that a Princess of that spirit and of so sublime a judgement could abandon her Kingdoms her Country and subjects whom she loved so tenderly and protected to lead a private life without that great Command for this only
Prince of Pellestrina The Colledge of the English The noble Church of Minerva The great Conquests of Gustavus King of Swedland D. THe Queens discourse with Father Macedo the Jesuits Her Majesties demand of the Generall of the Jesuits The deliberation of the States of Swedland in substituting Count Charles Gustavus Palatine King after the Queen of Swedland Politick discourses The King of Denmark endeavours to meet and receive the Queen of Swedland The differences between the Crown of Swedland and the City of Bremen The description of Munster The discourse of the Queen of Swedland with my Lord Holstenius Donavert and the quality of the Place The description of some Towns in Tirole The discourse of the Queen at a publick dinner in Ferrara The description of Ferrara The description of Bologna The description of Faenza The description of Rimini The description of Pesaro The description of Fano The description of Ancona The devotion of her Majestie at Loretto The description of Loretto The description of Recanati The description of Macerata The description of Tolentino The description of Camerino The description of Foligno The description of Assisi The description of Spoleto The description of Terni The description of Gallese The Duke of Terranuova Embassadour of Spain in Rome goes to complement the Queen in Caprarola The description of Caprarola The description of Bracciano The dispatching of the Nuntii and Baldocchi E. THe education of the Queen of Swedland The entrance of the Queen of Swedland into Bruxels The Elector Palatine waits on her Majestie and invites her to Heydelberg Her entrance into Inspruch The weighty examples with which the Queen of Swedland gives nourishment to her good inclinations Her Majesties entrance into Tyrole Her Majesties publick entrance into Rome with a solemne Cavalcata Her Majesties entrance into the Ecclesiastical state The great esteem all the Princes of Europe have of the Queen of Swedland F. FRanckfort and its description The forme of the subscription of the publick Act of the profession of the Faith made by the Queen of Swedland Figarolo and the quality of the place S. Francis of Assisi visited by the Queen The sumptuous Fountain in Piazza Navona G. THe Generall of the Jesuits sends two Fathers of the Society into Swedland Father Francis John Baptist Guemes a Dominican arrives in Swedland The Queen imparts to him her motives to be a Catholick and sends him to the Court of Spain The Duke of Glocester visits her Majestie Baron Ghirardi chief Minister of the Arch-Duke of Inspruch visited by my Lord Holstenius The wonderfull generosity of the Queen of Swedland The generosity of the Prince of Trent The Prince of St. Gregory complements the Queen H HAmbourg and its description The Honours done to the Queen by the Landgrave of Hessen The Honours done her Majesty by the Duke of Bavaria The Honours done her Majestie by the Arch-Dukes of Inspruch My Lord Holstenius goes to Mantoua and Trent The Honours done her Majesty by the Bishop of Bressanon The Honours done her Majesty by the Duke of Mantoua in his state The Honours done her Majesty in Bologna The Honours done her Majesty in Pesaro The Honours done her Majesty in Ancona The Honours done her Majesty by the Pope The Honours done her Majesty as she passed by the Castle of St. Angelo I. THe holy inspirations of her Majesty of Swedland The instances made by the States of Swedland to the Queen The Island of Oland and the quality of the place Inspruch the residence of the Arch-Dukes of Austria The invitation made the Queen by the Baron of Fermiano in the name of the Prince of Trent The invitation made her Majesty by the Duke of Mantoua The joy in Inspruch for the profession made by the Queen of Swedland The death of Pope Innocent the tenth K. THe King of Spain writes to the Pope The King of Spain hears with great joy the pious resolutions of the Queen of Swedland and furthers them affectionately The King of Scotland visits the Queen The life and qualities of King Gustavus of Swedland his stature his remarkable sayings and conquests L. HEr Majesties letter to Pope Alexander the seventh Limbourg and its description Her Majesties letter to the Arch-Duke of Inspruch Landsperg and its Scâ—tuation My Lord Luke Holstenius dispatcht from his Holiness to Inspruch My Lord Luke Holstenius communicates to the Embassadour Pimentel the intention of his Holyness Her Majesties letter written from Inspruch to the King of Swedland Her Majesties Letter to the Prince of Trent Cardinall Barberines letter to Cardinal Rossetti The Legates a Latere dispatcht from the Pope to receive her Majesty The famous Library in the Roman Colledge M. HEr Majestie of Swedland is met by the Officers of the Duke of Bavaria Her Majestie is met by the Prince of Trent Her Majesty is met by the Duke of Mantoua Her Majesty is met by Cardinal Donghi Her Majesty is met by Cardinal Rossetti Her Majesty is met by Cardinal Acquaviva Legate of Romagna Her Majesty is met and royally received by Cardinal Homoâ—ei Legate of Urbin Her Majesty is met by my Lord Visconte Governour of Patrimony Her Majesty is met by the Duke of Bracciano Her Majesty is met at Porta del Popolo by the sacred Colledge of the Cardinals Her Majesty is met solemnely at Bruxels Father Macedo the Jesuit is dispatcht by her Majesty to Rome Father Malines dispatcht by her Majesty to the Court of Spain The marriage of the Queen of Swedland with the Princess of Holstein The manner observed by her Majesty in her government Minden and its description Count Montecuccoli dispatcht from the Emperour into Flandres to complement her Majesty The death of Maria Eleonora Queen of Swedland Count Montecuccoli dispatcht from her Majesty to Rome Father Malines the Jesuit dispatcht to discover the inclination of the Queen Madam della Cueva remains sick in Ussulengo Count Montecuccoli returns from Rome to the Queen The manner of the Queens sitting at table with the Cardinals The Monastery of St. Catharine of Siena The musical Playes acted before her Majesty in Inspruch The musical Play acted in the German Colledge N NOrdlinghen and its description The Nuntii elected by the Pope to receive the Queeen of Swedland on the Confines of the Churches Dominions The names of the Cavaliers that were the tilters in Bologna The names of the Cavaliers in the Cavalcata of the Queen The names of the Gentlemen of the Queens Academy in Rome O OBservations of importance The order of the Cavalcata of the Cardinal Legates The order of the Cavalcata of the Governour of Rome The order of the Cavalcata from the Capitol to the Bridge Molle The Order of her Majesties Cavalcata from the Vatican to the Bridge Molle The order of her Majesties Cavalcata from the Bridge Molle to the Vineyard of Pope Julius The Order of the Queens solemne Cavalcata from the Bridge Molle to the Vatican P THe progress of the Queen
of Christianity may best of all others give a happy long and fit entertainment to her Majesties glorious fortunes FINIS The life and qualities of Gustavus Adolphus of Swedland His stature The Turk was jealous of his fortune His remarkable sayings His Conquests With what Army he pass'd the Sea Christina his only daughter succeeds in the Kingdom The education of this Princesse Her wonderfull wit On whom the Government of the Kingdom depended on her minority She learnt diverse tongues She makes great Progresse in learning She begins to assist at the Council of State and afterwards takes the Government upon her She administers her self the greatest affairs She makes her self belov'd and fear'd She contemns all delicacy She makes war and then peace with Denmark to her advantage She is honour'd by all the Princes of the world Heavens is propitious to her The reasons which give motives to the true knowledge Important observations Her own vertue makes her see the truth She examines the life and conditions of Martin Luther She perceives the falsities and untruths spread by him She fortifies them with some important examples She detests heresie She resolves to turn Catholique She sends a Jesuit to Rome In her letter to the Father General of the Society She desires two Fathers of the Society may be sent to her The Father Generall receives her letters very gladly He sends two Fathers into Swedland Their journey Their arrivall They are courteously receiv'd She treats secretly with them and determines to inform the Pope of her resolution Don Antonio Pimentel is in Swedland for his Catholique Majesty The Queen imparts to him her thoughts And resolves to rely on the Catholique King Father Malines the Jesuit is dispatcht to the Court of Spain for that effect Father Guemes a Dominican arrives in Swedland and her Majesty makes use of him She informs him of the business and sends him into Spain Her negotiations The King of Spains sense of the news The King of Spain's perplexity With great piety he undertakes the business and writes to the Pope The States of Swedland make instance to the Queen Her Majesties answer Charles Gstavus Palatine is declared and substituted in the Kingdom after the death of the Queen She trusts wholly in God She resolves to forgoe her Kingdoms She is disswaded but without effect The renouncing follows The ceremonies of this action A generous act of her Majesty She gives some advertisements to the King her Successour The Prince Palatine is anointed King of Swedland The Queens return to Stockholm and her departure She makes them believe she will go into the Island of Holland The affliction of the people for her departure Her Majesties journey She visits the Queen her Mother She gives out she will change her journey She dimisses divâ—rse of the Court. She puts on mans cloaths to pass unknown She passes the straight of the Sound She comes to Hambourg She speaks with the Prince of Holsteria and concludes the marriage of his daughter with the King of Sweden She is Visited in Hambourg by diverse Princes of Germany She is feasted abroad by the Landgrace of Hessen She departs on the suddaine from Hambourg Differences between the Crown of Swedland and the City of Bremen Her Majesties journey from Hambourg to Antwerp She is known in Munster She arrives in Antwerp The applauses with which she is seen in that City The Arch-Duke sends to complement her The Prince of Condes pretences not admited He visits the Queen as a private Gentlemen Many Iricys and great Lods come to â—isit the Queen The Emperour sends Earle Montecucoli to complement her Majesty She goes conceal'd to Bruxells The King of Spaine sends Don Antony Pimentel extraordinary Ambassadour to the Queen The Aâ—ch-Duke returns to Antwerp to invite the Queen to Bruxells Her Majesties entrance into Bruxells The rejoycings with which she is publickly received in Bruxells She makes secretly profession of the Catholick faith She eats in publick She is alwaeis inclin'd to Noble and worthy entertainments The Queen her Mother dies The death of Pope Innocent Cardinall Chigi is assum'd to the Papacy With the applause of all Christianity The Queen gives an account to the Pope of her desire to come to Rome Letters from the King of Spaine to his Holiness Presents made by her Majestie to the Arch-Duke in Flanders and others Her departure from Bruxells The quality of her Majesties Traine The persons of quality that accompanied the Queen Her reception in Ruremond She passes through Cullen The continuation of her journey She is visited by the King of Scotland And by the Elector Palatine Afterwards by Prince Robert She goes from Steinhaim She arrives in Rotemburg She comes to Nordlinguen To Donavert Earle Montecuccoli returnes dispatcht again to the Queen from the Emperour The Queens letter to the Arch-Duke of Inspruch She goes privately to Auspurge to see the most remarkable things The Queen is met by the Officers of the Elector of Bavaria She is treated sumptuously in Landsperg She enters Tyrole The Arch-Dukes of Inspruch go to visit the Queen privately in Seefelt Her Majesties entrance into Inspruch The honours done her by their Highnesses the Arch-Dukes His Holinesse resolves to dispatch to Inspruch my Lord Luke Holstenius He elects four Nuntii to receive the Queen on the Confines of the State Ecclesiastical Breifes consignâ—d to my Lord Holstenius Father Malines the Jusuit goes with the said Holstenius to Inspruch The Breife to his Eminence Lomellino Cardinall Legate of Bologna My Lord Holstenius arrives at Mantoua The Popes Breifâ— to the Prince of Trent The Breife to the Arch-Duke Charles Ferdinand My Lord Holstenius is received by the Arch-Duke with much Courtesie The honours done to my Lord Holstenius Father Malines is sent to discover the will of the Queen The Popes Breife to the Arch-Dutchness of Inspruch My Lord Holstenius visits the Baron Ghirardi The expressions of the said Baron My Lord Holsténius visits the Ambassador Pimentel He imparts to him his Holinesses intention And he to the Queen who submits to the Popes pleasure My Lord Holstenius hath audience of her Majestie Her Majestie discourse with my Lord Holstenius His Holineses Breif to the Queen The Queen dines publickly with their Highnâ—sses the Arch-Dukes Her Majesty visits the Palace of Ambre She goes into the Church publickly The Order of the Church for performing the function of the Catholick profession The contents of the Popes Brief to my Lord Holstenius The Act of the Catholick Profession made by the Queen The Queens great generosity The absolution given to the Queen by my Lord Holstenius The joy for this profession The Recreations and plays recited before her Majestie The forme of the subscription of the act of profession Her Majesties departure from Inspruch The Arch-Duke sends a Gentleman to visit the Queen Her Majesty returnes the Arch-Dukes Complement The honors done her Majesty by the Bishop of Bressanon The Baron of Fermiano comes to
reason to live quietly in the Catholique religion his Majesty discoursing with himself that though the said Queen was not able in publique at least she could have exercis'd in private the true faith in her own Kingdom and perhaps with more advantages to the Catholique religion especially since surrendring the Scepter unto a new King who might be of a turbulent and warlike disposition was to open peradventure the way to some of those enterprizes which in the afflictions of Christianity might cause greater dammages to the interests of Catholiques than among the applauses of the world get glory and repose to the Queen He consider'd too wisely that the things of the world have nothing that is constant but inconstancy and that women particularly notwithstanding they have courage and spirit are subject to change so as he was not able with his solid Intellect to judge securely of a single appearance nor thought he it agreeable to his gravity and decorum to engage himself in any thing without sounding more fully the business and reaching the bottom of the motives from which a resolution so great and so little in use was deriv'd But afterwards assur'd that many heroicall vertues and eminent parts abounded in the Queen with the motive of which she knew the world was one of those enemies that is conquer'd by flying and albeit a woman had strength to trample under her feet its forces allurements and charms and conquer her self The King was so taken with her Majesties magnanimous action that out of his most pious zeal to the honour of God and the Catholique Church he not onely with great fervour accompanied her Majesties letter to the Pope but exhibited all his protection for the journey and entire satisfaction of so noble and so vertuous a Princesse After the peace of Germany the States of Swedland having soon bent their thoughts for the settlement of the Kingdom had likewise found it necessary to provide that the Masculine succession fayling in the blood Royall some one might ascend the Throne quietly and peaceably and the rather since the recalling the suffrages of the ancient elections did not seem good to them they knowing by experience that kind of dominion as not very durable and unsafe had often been replenisht with tumults and calamities whereupon they unanimously agreed that her Majesty pleasing her self with a husband that was not of a different religion nor suspected by the States should establish in her Progeny the security of succession They therefore made severall instances to the Queen and often sollicited the effect of their desires The Queen who in her mind had greater designs making use of the pretence of being unwilling by marriage to subject her own liberty to any declar'd that as she had been born free so she likewise would live and die free She boastingly said all the Kingdoms of the world were a price below the value of liberty which onely was the pretiousest Gem in her Crown That she knew the chast wits were still the most vigilant most lively and the fittest for all things which require understanding spirit and prudence The States seeing her firm in resolving not to marry pretended at least to appoint her a Successour to the end that she fayling there might be no difficulty in a new Kings election And because whatsoever we can most of all wish for in a Prince consists in his valour his prudence and goodness in the meeting of all the four Orders of the Kingdom the qualities and parts of the most conspicuous personage being maturely examin'd all gave their votes and applauses to the foresaid Prince Charles Gustavus Palalatine as one who descending by Birth from Emperours and Kings and having till that time commanded the Swedish Amies had given in all occasions great experiments of his valour and prudence Besides he being passionately belov'd by the people and souldiers could desire no clearer arguments of his merit for his exaltation to the Crown establisht in his Person by his substitution in the Kingdom if Christina should fail Some Polititians divulged to meddle in their discourses with so great an affair the Queen was not pleased the gate of dominion should be opend to this Princes desire since this being the most sensible of humane affections and that which soonest toucheth the quick they might see again acted on the Stage the offences of those times in which many men thinking nothing to be villanous and wicked have trampled under foot to compasse soon their ends all respects obligations honour and conscience But the said Polititians have fail'd in the conceit which perhaps they imagin'd their discourses would have rais'd while that they measur'd her Majesties thoughts and resolutions with their own ordinary rule of the interest of State The Queen's designs had solider motives and deeper foundations She sought to gain a Kingdom where Angells inhabit and therefore lost that willingly where men have their residence The Queen could not erre in the reason of State who secur'd to her selfe that of God She labour'd to know God in true greatnesse and felicity and God made himself known to her by giving her judgement and vigour to seek what few did desire and to despise that which all covet after For what concern'd humane reputation and glory she had learnt she could not better make happy and prolong the short periods of her life than with the report of one of the most glorious resolutions that had ever been heard She therefore very charitably and freely agreeing to surrender her Scepter to the foresaid Prince Palatine contrived a way with which without discovering her thoughts she frankly might renounce the possession of those States which were no longer hers because by her Majesty exchang'd for those of Heaven She thought that she had not the lustre of any vertue while she sate on that Throne which was not illustrated with the splendour of true faith The Queen lov'd God and therefore could no longer love the world To mount to the greatnesse of Heaven 't was necessary she should fall from the height of terrestriall felicity This her Majesties resolution discovered to some she most trusted it seem'd strange to them she would abandon voluntarily the dominion of a Kingdom than which there is not any thing more desired on the earth as in the change of a Prince both the Cities and Inhabitants are oftentimes subject to hurtfull alterations so with the apprehension of future events and the want of the happinesse they enjoy'd they particularly were troubled and discontented and labour'd to remove her from that her opinion with very strong reasons and resembling the quality of the matter of which they discours'd They knew the new Kings â—enius and the martiall inclinations of his Captains so as they were â—ffraid it might prove one of those punishments which with the appearance of a blessing is cast upon them whom God will chastise They doubted though the Queen loved peace and
Canonesses of Nivelles When she was return'd to Antwerp Mounsieur De Chenut the then French Ambassadour to the States of Holland came thence to waite upon her He had been before as we said Ambassadour of the most Christian King to her Majestie in Swedland so as he was treated by her with the greatest demonstrations of affection and esteeme being knowne by her Majestie to be of great abilityes and experience in affaires of greatest moment The Catholique King now inform'd the Queen was gone towards Flanders with the thoughts of staying there some little time remanded into the low Countreys Don Antony Pimentel Diprado master of the camp of the Spanish foot and Governour of Newport with the title of extraordinary Ambassadour to this Princess to assist her in all things as likewise to honour with such a demonstration her heroique resolutions Don Antony departed from Bruxells for Spaine on the eighth of June 1654. going thither to give an account of his negotiations in Swedland and pass'd with a passeport through France being mett defray'd lodged and all his charges borne by order of Cardinall Mazarine not so much in regard of his merits though he was much esteemed in France as in token of the said Cardinalls gratitude who in his retreat out of France into Germany was honourably treated in the Spanish Dominions The care of accompanying him was committed to Mounsieur De Touchanpre The said Pimentel embarquing at Biscaglia arriv'd at Mardick on the twenty ninth of October and from thence went towards Antwerp whither he came on the fourth of December He went to his first audience with a most noble traine being a Gentleman very splendid and generous and naturally affable and courteous Here the Queen stay'd till all things were prepar'd for her reception in Bruxells which was to be sumptuous according to the orders the Catholique King had given expressly unto the Arch-Duke and the rest of his minsters who fayl'd not of punctually fulfilling the generous minde of his Majestie While the Queen remained in Antwerp Earle Todt pass'd by there sent by the King of Swedland to the Court of France who by order of his King was to complement her Majestie which he did with expressions corresponding with the gratitude that was due from his master for so great and extraordinary a benefit In the meane time Count Pontus Della Garda arriv'd too from Paris in Antwerp and going to wait on her Majestie was detain'd awhile by her as likewise Monsieur Palpitzky who resident in France for the Crown of Swedland had order from his King to assist her and serve her she remanded into Swedland the Earle of Shemberg to return the Kings complement and come to some agreement about the lands appointed for her maintenance When all things in fine were in readiness for her Majesties reception in Bruxells on the 13. of December the Arch-Duke came to Antwerp to invite her to Bruxells in the name of the King of Spaine he himself returning thither the day after where 't was appointed the Queen leaving Antwerp on the 23. should arrive the same Evening as she did Her Majestie departed that day very privately by Coach being attended and accompany'd by the foresaid Earle Pontus and Palpitzky by Messieurs di Lillicerou Wolfe and Wrangel Gentlemen of her Chamber Monsieur Silvekron her Steward Baron Carock Messieurs d' Eberling Bukoven Varenne and other Gentlemen with six Pages eight Grooms and others of her Court Being come half way she was welcom'd by all the Canons and Musketts in Wiâ—brouch a Castle indifferently strong seated on the Channell that runs to Bruxells where the Arch-Duke met her who came with his Guards and a Noble and numerous attendance as well of his Court as the principall Gentlemen of the Countrey He represented to her Majestie with much Courtesie and respect the great satisfaction he receiv'd for her arrivall conducting her into a house where a very sumptuous dinner was provided and they sate down to the Table the Queen at the upper end under a cloth of state the Arch-Duke on her right hand a little below on the other side of the Table but under the same Cloth of state the Marquest Mattei being her Cup-bearer and the Marquess of Beralau a Flemming her Carver Some two hours after her Majestie continu'd her journey on the Channell towardes Bruxells in a Bucentoro most richly adorn'd and guilded within and without which carry'd twelve peices of Canon and was drawn by twelve horses of which was the Captaine the Admirall of Antwerp In this ship there went none but the Queen the Arch-Duke and the cheife of their Courts the remainder being carry'd in oâ—her Barques which staying now and then in the sluces which keep up the water did satisfie in part the Curiosity of the people which flockt in hâ—ge throngs for beholding this Princess all the bankes of the Channell all the houses and the neighbouring fields abounding with Persons of all kinds From Wilbrouch they advancing to the bridge called Lac which was a league forward here the City of Bruxells began to appear in a very fine prospect for the Countrey being open they so freely saw the Towers that the aire now being dusky by the absence of the Sun and they full of great lights it seem'd a new Sun was risen again in the night and really the light was so great which with artificiall mixtures illuminated all the barks of the Channell that they saw as in the day All along the said banks stood the Souldiers in armes who now anon with reiterated volleys saluted her Majestie Being come near the City about three hours in the Night all the Canon Mortarpeices and Muskets saluted her Majestie with a tuneable noyse and when she arriv'd at the gate she saw it adorn'd with a fine artificiall fire-work representing two Angels which held the name of Christina crowned with lawrell with diverse inscriptions above and below On the bridge where her Majestie was to land stood the Earle of Fuensaldagna a Gentleman of most eminent qualitie as high Steward to his Catholick Majestie accompany'd by the senatours of the City and all the Nobilitie and Officers of that Court with above 200. Coaches and an incredible multitude of people Her Majestie being enter'd her Coach took in the Arch-Duke and she sitting in the end and his Imperiall Highnesse in the boote they went towards the Town-house which was proudly adorn'd with various Armes Mottos and Inscriptions in praise of her Majestie and illuminated with above three thousand lights and likewise the streets through which they passed were all full of lights and hung with tapistry with so great a concourse of Ladies Gentlemen Citizens and People that Bruxells never saw such a number drawn by curiousity to see a Princesse of so great same and such vertuous and eminent parts All the City contributed to her happy arrivall with the sensiblest expressions a reall and reverent heart is capable of with
Bonefires discharging of Canons Mortarpeices and ringing of the Bells which being in that Countrey well tun'd use to make a gratefull harmony Her Majestie lighting at the Palace the Arch-Duke accompany'd her to the lodgings assign'd her which she found hung with the most excellent and pretiousest Tapestries that are made in that Countrey And because 't was somewhat late the Arch-Duke soon dismissed himself leaving her to her repose and so they all did The rest of the night and the two other following many Bonefires were made with discharging of the Ordinance and ringing of the Bells The same Evening the Prince of Conde Francis Duke of Lorraine and the greatest of the Court came to waite uppon her privately and because t was Christmas Eve they suspended other Ceremonies to give no disturbance to devotion On the said 24. of December towards the Evening the Queen accompany'd by his imperiall Highnesse went into the Arch-Dukes farthest Chamber and there in the presence of him of Earle Fuensaldagna the Ambassadour Pimentel the Earle of Montecuccolâ— and Don Agostino Boreno Navarra the Secretary of State made secretly profession of the Roman Catholick Faith before Father Guemes a Dominican This Religious man came from Spain into Flanders with the Ambassadour Pimentel in the quality of his Secretary and as he before had been privy to the businesse so was chosen for this function to keep it the more secret since occasion so requir'd In the foresaid action a thing of some reflection succeeded which was as the Queen had made an end of professing her Faith while Father Guemes said the word I absolve c. all the Ordinance of the City were discharg'd to the wonder of all that assisted at the Function without notice given to the Magistrates who onely had order to have them shot off indeterminately neare the time On Christmas day the Queen accompany'd by the Arch-Duke and all the Grandees of the Court went to the Chapell where there was most rare Musick and an excellent Sermon Her Majestie past afterwards into a great hall where she dined in Publick together with the Arch-Duke where the order held at Wilbrouch was observed in sitting The Earle of Castelmendo a Portugese and Gentleman of the Chamber to his imperiall Highnesse was Cup-bearer to the Queen and Count Atemis a Dutchman Sewer The ambassadour Pimentel the Grandees of Spain assisted standing at the Table but with their hats on All the rest which were many and the chief of the City stood uncover'd On St. Stephens day the Queen likewise dined in publick and afterwards went in Coach to the Court where the Princesses and Ladies of qualitie were proudly adorned for the purpose In her Majesties return to the Palace all the Coaches waited on her one by one in a row and the greatest part alighted to attend her who receiv'd them with courtesie and singular affability to answer the esteeme very highly deserv'd by those Ladies who usually intermeddle with Masculine spirits in the management of the greatest affaires That evening an extraordinary fire-worke being to play the Queen went to see it invited thither by the Arch-Duke Seven weeks together she remained in the Palace treated with all magnificence by his Highness nor was there any want of entertainments of various exercises and vertuous and noble Passetimes among which in the last dayes of Carneval a Play was recited in Musick which was the noblest thing could be seen On the Tenth of February she went from the Arch-Dukes Palace to lodge in the Duke of Egmonts at her Majesties own charge where she was some time employ'd in receiving the visits not onely of the Princes Princesses Ladies and Gentlemen but of many learned Persons which came from all parts either as lines to the centre or as rivers to the Sea Here her Majestie twice a week used some vertuous exercises for the entertainment of her noble and elevated mind which she did continue till the death of Queen Mary Eleonora her Mother which happen'd on the twelfth of March 1655. in Stockholm This so sad news she receiv'd by the Baron of Spaur a Gentleman formerly of her Chamber and Resident in France dispatched to her by the King of Swedland At this sorrowfull advice she quickly retir'd to a house without Bruxells call'd Tervoren and remain'd there three weeks to divert her afflictions returning thence afterwards to the City where all did condole with her Majestie she likewise put on Mourning in her mind depriving it of all recreation and Passetime Now Father Malines was return'd from Spain to Rome with the Letters of the Catholick King to Pope Innocent to accompany the Queens but it being thought afterwards the conjunctures then were not altogether proportionable to the quality and convenience of so weighty and important a businesse they deferr'd the presenting them for the reasons we shall register more diffusely in its place in the universall History Things pass'd in this manner for some months the Queen entertaining still her self in Flanders in the mean time Innocent the tenth having reigned ten years three months and twenty two daies gave up his soul to God in the age of eighty and one year on the 7. of January 1655. The sacred Colledge after the obsequies and usuall congregations went into the Conclave on the 18th of the foresaid Month and at last came out gloriously on the 7. of the following Aprill with having assum'd to the Papaly Cardinaâ—l Fabius Chigi of Sienna who with the name he took renew'd the immortall and still more happy memory of Pope Alexander the third his Countreyman and Kinsman I cannot expresse the joy and applause with which by all Christianity his election was receiv'd as made with quietnesse liberty and an exact balance of his merits The Heretiques themselves who by reason of the length of the Conclave occasion'd by the power ana discord of the factions were not wanting to murmur when they heard of so worthy an election commended it with opinions of esteem respect and reverence and all was but due to the merit of a Person and name so plausible and Majestick who with the fame of great presag'd a Principality full of Zeal and Christian edification and therefore most sutable to the necessities of Christianity The Queen was glad of this so happy newes justly hoping to find in the new shepheard of Christs flock that charity and resolution her necessities could promise themselves from a heart remov'd from all private interest and wholly intent to the honour alone of God the exaltatation of his Church and the happinesse security and repose of all Christendome The Queen then determining to give an account out of hand to his Holinesse of all that had succeeded as well of the profession she had made as the reasons that had mov'd her to conceale it of her desire to goe to Rome to give him all obedience and kisse his Holinesses foot quickly wrote to the foresaid Father Malines now
horsemen full of chief Ladies and the rest of the Queens Court. At the entrance into the City she was welcomed with the discharging of fifty pieces of Ordinance many Mortarpieces and thick Squadrons of Musqueteers who wiâ—h many other Souldiers stood in ranks in the streets the houses being adorned wiâ—h rich furniture and the concourse of people very great Her Majesty was lodged in the Arch-Dukes Palace his Highnesse accompanying her to the lodgings designed her where he presently left her to her rest But the Citizens in the darknesse of the night made every where resplendent with bonefires the joy and content of their hearts for having with them a Princesse of so high a condition The End of the Second Book The History of the sacred and Royal Majestie of Christina Alessandra Queen of Swedland c. The Third Book The Argument THe Pope receiving advice of the Queens departure from Bruxells towards Italy declares foure Nuntii to receive her on the confines of the Churches Dominions His Beatitude dispatches to her my Lord Luke Holstenius She continues her journey through Germany Holstenius arrives in Inspruch where her Majestie is royally received There she makes publick profession of the Catholick faith performed with great solemnity She departs from Inspruch with great satisfaction She arrives at Trent and is magnificently served by the Prince the Bishop She passes through the State of Venice and is regally received in the Territory of the Duke of Manrova She departs thence and enters the Churches dominions AS soon as the Pope had advice of the Queens departure from Bruxells his Holinesse on the sixth of October sent for my Lord Luke Holstenius principal Apostolical Notary Canon of St. Peters Church and Keeper of the Vatican Library a person very famous for his learning and erudition and a Gentleman of the City of Hembourg To him he imparted the purpose he had of sending him to be assistant at the profession of Faith his Holinesse understood should be made by the Queen ere she came into Italy or at least into the Churches Dominions He therefore gave him order to prepare with all diligence for his journey and when his Beatitude had declared four extraordinary Nuntii to receive her on the confines of the Ecclesiastical State to wit my Lord Hanibal Bentivogli Arch-Bishop of Thebes my Lord Torreggiani Arch-Bishop of Ravenna my Lord Carraccioli Dean of the Clark of the Chamber and my Lord Cesarini Clark of the Chamber persons of great vertue and nobility he consigned them their instructions and two briefs each of which was to them of the following tenor To the Reverend Bretheren Hanibal of Thebes and Luke of Ravenna Arch-Bishops as also to our beloved Sonnes Mr. Innico Carraccioli and Philip Cesarini Clarkes of our Apostolicall Chamber Alexander the VIIth Pope REverend Brethren and beloved Sons Greeting and Apostolicall benediction Your approved wisdom in acting affairs and singular faithfulnesse and devotion to us and the Apostolicall Sea with other deserving vertues accompanied with the noblenesse of your Families with which we know you manifoldly adorned by the Lord are the cause we use gladly your help in a businesse of great weight firmly hoping in the Lord that in the execution thereof you abundantly will satisfie our expectation Wherefore through our Apostolicall authority by vertue of these presents we create constitute and depute you extraordinary Nuntii of us and the Sea Apostolâ—call aforesaid to receive in the name both of us and the same Apostolicall Sea our most dear Daughter in Christ Christina the Illustrious Queen of Swedland in her journey to this our renowned City any thing to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding Dated at Rome at St. Maries the greater under the ring of the fisher on the XXIXth day of October 1655. In the first year of our Papacy G. Gualterius On the 10th of October in the evening the Breifs with the letters and instructions were consignd'd to my Lord Luke Holstenius by my Lord Julius Rospigliosi Arch-Bishop of Tarsus Secretary of state to his Holiness One of the Breifs was for the Queens Majestie which by us shall be register'd in it's place the other for their Highnesses the Arch-Duke Charles Ferdinand the Arch-Duchess Charles the second Duke of Mantoua the Prince the Bishop of Trent and the Bishop of Bâ—essanon On the 10th then of October the foresaid Holstenius departed from Rome with all secresy accompany'd by order of the Pope with Father Mâ—lines the Jusuit a man of great ability and withall well inform'd of the Genius as well of the Queen as her Court he haveing been in Swedland as aforesaid for a while with particular satisfaction to her Majestie He arriving in Bologna on the 19th of October had advice that the Queen was at Franckfort on the 6th so as fearing she might get to Inspruch before him he resolv'd to send before him by post as he did the said Father Malines to the end at all adventures he might beseech the Queen to be pleas'd to stay in Inspruch till he came Conferring in Bologna with Cardinall Lomellino the Legate he consigned to him the Popes Breif of the following tenor To our beloved Son Cardinal Lomellino of the holy Church of Rome Legate of Bologna OUr beloved Son greeting and Apostolicall benediction Our beloved Son Luke Holstenius of our houshould principall Apostolicall Notary Canon of the Church of St. Peter and Keeper of our Vatican Library is going into Germany to act by our command affairs of high concern appertaining to this holy Sea whom as famous for his piety as his various and solid learning and esteemed by us for his faithfulnesse if you shall with all courtesie receive you will do a thing worthy of our love towards you and becomming your own inclination to such men And we impart to you our Apostolicall benediction Given at Rome at Saint Maries the greater under the ring of the fisher on the 10th of October 1655. in the first year of our Papacy Natalis Rondininus He went afterwards to Mantoua on the 21th but found not there his Highness who was gone to Casal The same evening he visited her Highness the Dutchess Mary in the Monastery of S. Vrsula but told her not the business that carry'd him into Germany for her Highness haveing many Nunns about her and being thick of hearing he could not tell her of it without speaking loud and discovering it to many other persons there present Here the Marquis Octavius Gonzaga gave him a particular relation of what had past in Franckfort about the Queens journey and her traine and he quickly sent the newes of it to Rome and to the Cardinall Legates He going thence to Trent arriv'd on the 24th and waited on the Prince the Bishop presenting to him the Apostolicall Breife the contents of which were To our Reverend Brother the Bishop of Trent Alexander the VIIth Pope REverend Brother greeting and Apostolicall benediction
of their charge who going easie journeys through Umbria Marca and Romagna were come to Ferrara His Holinesse made choice of this Officer of the Chamber that he by his conduct and integrity might look to the charges of the lodgings which were to be defrayed by the Chamber and see that all things were in very good order as indeed they were alwaies when directed by him And because his Beatitude was extreamly concerned that every thing should be done very splendidly and punctually his Holinesse with a Note of his hand directed to my Lord Franzoni Treasurer general gave order on the 23 of October of the year 1655 that to the said Baldocci he should cause to be paid without any limitation what money he should use and to the said Baldocci he likewise gave authority to make the reckonings even of himself without the accustomed Congregation of accounts And because the charge of Computist of the Chamber is an Office of great weight in the absence of Signior Nuntiato Baldocci aforesaid Signiore Giovanni his Brother had the place who had given many honourable and very worthy proofes of his experience in the employment of Computist of his Holinesses Souldiers in the siege of Castro and likewise in Dalmatia in that of Collateral for the souldiers which warred for the Republick of Venice against the Turke where he was four years exercising besides for two years together the Paymasters place in the absence of the other The said Baldocci as a Minister very zealous for his Holinesses good service arriving at Civita Castallana took Post and rode in great haste to speak with all the Legates and Governors of the places appointed for her Majesties lodgings presenting to them the Popes note aforesaid as likewise the letters of the Secretary of State and the Lord Treasurer general with leaving money every where according to their need and adding by word of mouth what seemed to him fit for a businesse of that nature and wholly agreeable to his Holinesses intention and thus he did all along to Ferrara whither he came six dayes before the arrival of the Nuntii and just in a time when they had not the least information that the Queen was departed from Inspruch insomuch as the time was commodious for preparing of all things for her Majesties reception To Ferrara came likewise opportunely the Coach sent by his Holinesse the Litter and Chaire with the Quartermasters and Harbenger for ordering of the lodgings with two noble beds both alike with Chaires of the same to the end that her Majestie should lye all the journey in her usual beds and one might go before unto the other lodging The cloath of state the carpet and many other things were sent from Rome even the table to eat on the gilt furniture of the Cup-board with divers other Officers all under the command of Baldocci While the Queen staid in Inspruch there arrived the Baron Giovanni Georgio di Fermiano a Gentleman of great spirit and parts dispatcht from the Prince Charles Emanuel Madruzzi the Bishop of Trent and Count of Chiullant to invite her to that City with expressions of obsequiousnesse and respect Her Majesty seeming to like the invitation replyed with her accustomed civility that her passage was granted her by the Republick of Venice with this expresse condition that she should not stay in Trent nor Roveredo and therefore she could not have the honour of his invitation The Baron soon informed the Prince of all who very desirous to serve her in his state sent back without delay a Courier with letters to the Embassadour Pimentel to Don Antonio della Cueva to Count Montecuccoli and my Lord Holstenius entreating them to use their authority with her Majesty for obtaining his desire in order to her lodging in Trent since the supposition of the plague was most false they enjoying perfect health in that City These Gentlemen employed themselves joyntly to comply with the said Princes desire and the Baron of Fermiano had a very courteous audience of the Queen in Bolgiano where he reinvited her receiving this answer from her Majesty that out of the confidence she promised her self she could have in the kindnesse of the Prince though she had not been invited by him she would have invited her self but that the forementioned oppositions to her great displeasure were her hinderance yet that howsoever she was much obliged to the courtesie of the Prince The Baron advised him of all and he with greater vigour persisting in his courteous earnestness the shortness of the time not permitting him to write unto Venice wrote incontinently to the Governours of Verona to have leave to lodge her Majesty in Trent But doubting in the mean time he should not have a favourable answer or if it were favourable it would come too late he gave order again to the Baron aforesaid if he could not have the honour of receiving her Majesty in Trent to procure she would be pleased at least to accept of some refreshing in the town of Lavis the last of the Dioces of Trent and which divides the confines of Italy from those of Germany The Baron performed every thing with his powerful endeavours and the Queen was contented to accept the oblation The Queen departing from Bolgiano on the thirteenth of the month lay at Egna that night a town not long before with another place called Salorno bought by Signior Zenobi di Verona a Nobleman of Venice Here arrived a Courier from the Duke of Mantoua with letters to her Majesty to invite her to that City His Highness had sent to that end the Marquess Andreasi Captain of his guard but because the passages were shut he had been constrained to stay at Volargna a village belonging to Verona a little way distant from Chiusa which is a narrow passage and strong where there is a constant Garrison of souldiers and albeit the Queen refused his invitation excusing her self that she could not go out of the way she going directly to Rome and was not then certain where she should have leave to passe by the Venetians yet she reserved her self to accept of his favour in case she should passe through his Highnesses dominions On the fourteenth her Majesty came to Lavis before fifteen houres and there in the name of the said Prince of Trent she was again invited to stay at least and dine in that City since they had gotten leave from Verona to receive her The Queen then resolved to accept the invitation and went the next morning to Masse in the Cathedral Church and dined in the Palace Madruzzo a very pleasant place called Belvedere which was a Musquet shot without the town At four houres in the night she resolved to dine there the next day so as they immediately sent the Prince notice of it who to his great content understanding the good news caused all things to be presently prepared for the splendid reception of so noble a Princesse
sumptuously adorned Her Highnesse alighted in a convenient place to pay her respects to the Queen who would use her Highnesse in the very same fashion she had done the Duke coming out of her Coach though in the durt and receiving her with a sweetness full of Majesty and the greatestaffability After their reciprocal Complements the Queen her into the Coach advanced to the Po whose banks on both sides were all beset as far as they could see with souldiers on foot and a horseback the harmony of Trumpets and Drums which were seconded with the noyse of the Canon and Musquets and because now the night did approach many fires were lighted along the banks of the river and divided into very fit spaces which made in the dark with their well ordered splendour the prospect delightfull to their great admiration and curiosity Here her Majesty passed the Po to the opposite bank of Revere on three ferry-boates joyned together which by reason the river was low served instead of a bridge three others remaining apart for the greater conveniency of their train The Port was illuminated with 24 great torches carried by 24 Pages of his Highnesse with very rich liveris In their alighting out of the coach and entering into the Port the Duke led the Queen who was carried from the banks to the water side in a sumptuous chaire being followed by the Arch-Dutches who leaned on the arme of the Embassador Pimentel In this manner all the Ladies passed over one after another as likewise the Cavaliers of the Court with the rest of both trains The town of Revere hath one long street among the rest extended along the Po with houses on both sides Through this which was beautified with lights the Queen was carried in her chair to the Palace of the Duke the 24 Pages aforesaid preceding with torches in their hands and a company of the Guard another company like that following the Arch-Dutchesse and the Ladies in the coach The Duke with his Cavaliers went through a shorter way to the Palace which besides being furnisht most richly was kept by the foot-guards of his Highnesse in their liveâ—y and adorned with a most noble and most beautifull row of Ladies who with the lustre of the jewells and gold with which they were docked augmented the splendour of the infinite number of lights which were burning every where Her Majesty alighted out of her chaire in the great hall of the Palace being led by the Duke who carried her to her lodgings Her Highnesse the Arch-Dutchesse followed her and the Ladies staying in the anti-chamber a little while after introducted to wait on her Majesty who received them all with her usual civility They returning into the anti-chamber her Majesty remained alone with the Duke and Arch-Dutchesse discoursing with them for some time His Highnesses Musitians being afterwards brought into that roome entertained them most nobly at the portalls rowled up with several songs now with one now more voyces intermingling divers harmonies of Instruments with which her Majesty was very highly pleased In the mean time they made ready the table in the same antichamber abounding with Nobility which fillâ—d too the great Hall that was perâ—it many Gentlemen of the neighbouring Cities besides the Cavaliers of the Countrey flocking thither in great numbers attracted not only by a laudable curiosity but out of their own inclination to wait on that Prince who with the atraction of his most sweet carriage commanded the obsequiousnesse of the most remote persons not onely of his neighbours Her Majesty sate at table under a cloath of state in perspective on a carpet raised four fingers from the ground and over against her the Duke and Arch-Dutchesse Don Antonio Pimentel though invited was not there he finding himself not very well The table was adorned so artificially that the eye was not satisfied with seeing nor the mind in admiring that natural beauty The quantity and delicacy of the meats shewed the greatest imaginable magnificence and generosity Yet all was observed without wonder for every one that knows what a mind that Prince hath which even in little things is still great to be answerable to the greatness of the house of Gonzaga admired it not at all Her Majesties Cupbearer was Count Luigi Canossa brother to the Marquis Horatio both Cavaliers of high quality of greatest esteem but this Cavalier had no great trouble given him in choosing the wines which there were very pretious and exquisite since this vertuous Princess was so temperate that she drank only two draughts of wine to drink to his Highnesses health she afterwards quenching her thirst with pure water The Musick continued as long as the supper and every thing was most pleasing to her Majesty who afterwards retired to her lodgings as the Princess and all the rest did On the following day which was the 21 when her Majesty had dined in the very same order and magnificence she passed again the Po and went into her Coach and the Arch-Dutchess with her who would wait upon her to the confines The Duke went a horseback with all his Cavaliers notwithstanding the ill weather the troops of the Mantouan horse and the Guards of his Highnesse preceding and following her Majesties Coach In this manner they marched very near to Melara where alighting after some courteous complements they dispersed themselves those Princes returning thence towards Mantoua and the Queen continuing her journey towards Figarolo The four Nunâ—ii with the Master of the Ceremonies and Don Innocentio Conti de Duchi de Poli a Roman Campmaster general of the souldiers of the Ecclesiastical state and Commander in Ferrara departed on the twentieth in the morning betimes with same troops of horse one of which of the Guard was commanded by the Marquis Carlo Theodoli a person of eminent quality with the Coach Litter and chaire which his Holinesse had sent for the meeting of her Majestie on the confines but by reason of the shortnesse of the time and the ill way they could only advance two miles farther than Calto where discovering her Majesties Coach they alighted and the Queen did the same when she was near to them The Nuntii here complemented her in the name of his Holiness and presented her the Brief which her Majesty with great reverence received kissing it and opened it in the open fields though it rained which was of the following tenor To our dearest Daughter in Christ Christina the illustrious Queen of Swedland Alexander the VIIth Pope OUr most dear Daughter in Christ Greeting and Apostolical benediction In what great expectation we are of your Majesties arrival our venerable Brothers Hannibal of Thebes and Luke of Ravenna Arch-Bishops and our beloved sons Mr. Inico Caraccioli Dean of the Apostolical Chamber and Philip Cesarini Clerk of the same our extraordinary Nuntii to your Majesty will evidently declare For in this excesse of joy we could scarce contain our selves that the interpreters
Joseph Bologna a Neopolitan Cavalier and the generous Governour of Rimini came out with a numerous Company of Gentlemen very richly apparrelled and well mounted before whom went 400. Souldiers on horseback and presented his respects on the confines She entring the City on horseback was met with the Magistrate at the gate accompanied by many Gentlemen with fine liveries Doctor Hannibal Nanni the Principall Person did Complement her Majesty and in every place about them they saw squadrons and rankes of Souldiers with whom all the walls did abound as likewise the streets through which she passed werehung with rich tapestries The Queen travers'd the City on horseback and alighted at the publick Palace prepared for her in the great Piazza which was beautify'd and illuminated with fine artificiall fire-workes succeeding with great wonder and praise At the gate of the Palace stood twelve Pages nobly cloath'd and with Torches in their hands Her Majesty ascended the stairs accompany'd by the Legate to her lodgings A numerous company of faire and sprightly Ladies very finely adorn'd complemented her Majesty at the top of the stairs and a little while after made a very solemne musick with regular and fine dances A fine Academy was held likewise there and among the variety of compositions Signior Philip Marchesselli and Signior Lodowick Tingoli aforesaid made their fruitfull wit appeare The Queen with Majestick gravity and sweet affability was highly pleas'd with every thing Her Majesty sup't privately and retiring to her rest left the night to enjoy the splendour of the lights and the bone-fires that beautifull City had kindled in Testimony of their joy This City is ancient though now not very great Towards the Sea some remains of a great Theater may be seen which was there long ago Towards the gate that goes to Pesaro stands an arch of marble erected in honour of Augustus Caesar and without the said gate is the river Arimino now called the Marecchia ore which is a Bridge 200. paces long fifteen broad with five arches the sides of which are of thick marble-stones of Dorick work which joyned the City to the Borough built in honor of Octavian Augustus There are likewise some markes of the old Port now only of use for little Boats the greatest part thereof being fill'd up with earth The said City is adorn'd with commodious Fabricks among which appear nobly some Palaces built by the family of Malatista who sway'd there many years and the Church of St. Francis all of marble within and without with noble statues embossed works and infinite cuts of Greeke marble built by Sigismond Pandolphus of the said Family of Malatista many other noble Families do likewise there conserve their antient splendour The place of this City is remarkable now with a very faire remembrance of her Majesties passage erected in marble with the Arms of Pope Alexander the 7. and the Queens by Doctor Angelino Angelâ—ni of the following tenor In the reign of Pope Alexander the seventh Christina Queen of Swedland embracing the Catholick Religion of her owne accord and devesting herself of her Kingdoms in her journey to Rome to yield obedience to the Pope passed through Rimini in the year of our Lord 1655 in the month of December in perpetuall memory of the thing Angelinus de Angelinis I. C. Arim. The next morning though it rained her Majesty departed from Rimini accompanied as she alwayes had been by the Cardinall Legate to Cattolica a place on the confines between Romagna and the Dukedome of Vrbin where she staid and here the said Cardinall gave her Majesty a collation of sweet meats and took leave of her who left him highly satisfied of her courteous acceptance Cardinal Acquaviva is of very noble birth and one of the cheif families in Naples who as he is composed of honour and a sweet disposition so abounds with all courtesy and generosity After severall Prelaticall dignities and Governments performed with much praise he was worthily advanced to the purple on the 2. of March 1654. The Queen was met at Cattolica by my Lord Gaspan Lascari a Gentleman of Nizza full of honour and courtesy nephew to the great Master of Malta vice-Legat of Urbin He appeared attended by a Company of Curiassers commanded by Count Alphonsus Santinelli the Principall Cavalier of the City of Pesaro who afterwards waited on her through all that state Here a good body of souldiers reduc'd into order gave her Majesty many voleys of shot in her passage From hence she advancing to Salicata was met by his Eminence Cardinall Lewis Homodei of Millan the Legat of Urbin with 12. Coaches with 6. Horses a peice full of principall Gentlemen fifty Switzers afoot of his guard and above a hundred eminent Gentlemen a horseback with rich and splendid cloathes fine liveries Among these were Count Hanibal Thiene a Cavalier of Vienna Count Hippolitus Santinelli Cosen to the said Count Alphonsus the Counts Francis Maria and Lodovick Santinelli brothers and in fine the Counts Bernardino Ubardâ—ni Francis Maria Lunardi Lutiâ— as likewise Signior Francis Maria Bonamini all persons very nobly descended sprightly generous and lively The Cardinall alighting out of his Coach did complement her Majesty who likewise coming out of her own received him with great courtesy and affection Every one returning to their Coaches they continued their journey towards the City At the gate they found Signior Giulius Caesar Vattielli and Iohn Andrew Olivieri Gentlemen of good grace and both cheif Standard-bearers with six other Seniors of the Magistrates who came on horseback in their usuall long robes of black velvet like Consuls accompani'd by twenty Gentlemen clothed likewise very honourably in black with 4 trumpets and 24. Groomes with very fine liveries of Carnation Cloath trimm'd with great gards of white velvet When the Queen approached they alighted from their horses advanced to the Coach and complemented her Majesty who stood up and answered them very courteously The Queen entered into Pesaro about the evening and welcomed with many vollies of Ordnance and Muskets alighted at the Dome where the Legat expected her who in hast went the shortest way before her She descended at the chaines before the Church and Kneeling on a cushion prepared for her Kissed reverently the Cross presented to her by the Bishop and thence went into the Church under a Canopy carried by the principall Gentlemen of the City while the clergy that went before began the usuall Anthem She is beautifull c. Which ended the Musitians sang Te Deum with a very rare consort of voyces and instruments which her Majesty heard kneeling near whom on a great Cushion the Cardinall Legate was kneeling and a little more distant from him the four Nuntij and Spanish Embassadour When the Te Deum was ended the Cardinall descended the steps of the Altar and gave the sollemn blessing after which the Legate putting off his cope waited on
the Queen leading her by the arme to her chair in which she was carried to the Palace his Eminence with the Nuntij aforesaid going before her in his Coach At the staires stood eight Pages with lighted torches and on the top at the entrance into the hall a very fair Company of the principall Ladies met and paid their respects to her Majesty who encompassing her did reverence and attend her to her lodgings whither the Cardinall conducted them who taking his leave she was left to her repose In the mean time the artificiall fire-workes began to Play in the Piazza which with admirable order was light all the night and the streets too abounded with lights The same evening the Gentlemen and Ladies had a ball in the Queens Chamber where the foresaid Counts Francis Maria and Lodowick Santinelli Brothers danced a galliard with the Lady Mary Camilla Disploratatii but because they danced with their Cloakes and their swords the Queen desir'd them for her greater satisfaction to lay them aside to the end she might the better observe them which accordingly they did danced a galliard which so pleased her Majesty that she seemed desirous to see them Dance the Canaries so as they with the Lady Emilia Vrbani performed it smoothly and with admirable grace Before they began the said ball the Cardinall Legate presented to the Queen to whom it was dedicated a Printed booke of severall verses composed by Count Francis Maria Santinelli the greatest part of which were in praise of her Majesty who was much taken with it and kindly accepted it commending it as the birth of a great spirit and eminent wit as it generally was held Her Majesty sup't afterwards privately in her Chamber where she heard most rare consorts of instruments among which was a violin and arch-lute which delighted her extreamly whereupon she received one of them into her service called Anthony Maria Ciacchi of Sienna The next Morning she went to the Monastery of St. Catharine heard Mass in that Church where she heard the rare Musique of those Nunns two of which are reputed very exquisite The went afterwards into the Monastery to the great consolation and extraordinary content of the Nuns who could not praise enough her Majestyes affability and courtesie That day she din'd in publick with the Cardinall sitting under a cloth of State in the same manner they had us'd in other places Count Francis Maria Santinelli was her Sewer of honour after the fashion of Germany as the Prince of St. Gregory had been in Ferrara and Count Bernardin Ubaldini her Cupbearer Count Hanibal Thiene presented her the napkin and Signior Francesco Maria Bonamini chang'd her plates After dinner her Majesty took pleasure in beholding a Spanish Ciaeona which was danc'd with a grace agility and incomparable dexterity by Count Lodowick Santinelli and she was likewise pleas'd to like certain Playes call'd the forces of Hercules perform'd by some persons most nimbly and handsomely Having afterwards been abroad to see some other Churches and Monasteryes of Nuns in her return to the Palace she was introduced to behold some Academical and Comicall representations the extravagancy and novelty of which pleas'd wonderfully the Genius and gust of her Majesty so as 't is no wonder this Princess said afterwards in publick at Rome that of all the great honours she receiv'd in the places where she pass'd none arriv'd to the excess of her satisfaction but those that were done her in Pesaro All the compositions were the fruits of the wit and the Pen of the foresaid Count Francesco Maria Santinelli a Cavalier as conspicuous for his ancient Nobility as esteem'd for the vivacity of his spirit and rare parts These actions were ended about seven hours in the night at what time her Majesty supp'd privately and went to her rest On the following morning the fifth of the month the Queen with her accustomed civility honoured the Nuns of St. Mary Magdalen with her presence hearing Mass in their Church and the excellent Musick they made her After dinner she departed to Sinigaglia attended by the Cardinall in Coach with the same traine of Coaches Gentlemen on horseback and guards of the Switzers the foot Souldiers standing within and without the City in squadrons and files and discharging from the walls many Canon Morter-pieces and Muskets as they had done at her Majesties entrance Pesaro is a noble City populous full of Traffick and abounding with Gentlemen of great worth and civility 'T is seated on the Sea in a chearfull Scituation and very pleasant Prospect all in a plain and for many miles severed from the Hills and the Mountains The walls are good with rampards and strong Bullwarks besides a fine rock built by Giouanni Sforza long since who at other times was Master of the Place The Port though decay'd is of use to little Boats carrying Merchandize to Venice and other parts This City was last of all possest by the noble Family of Rovere but it fayling in our dayes of male issue return'd to the Church as feudatory to it Here for 9. months in the year the Dukes us'd to dwell who had for that purpose built a Palace truly royall The Queen took the way of Fano on the Confines of which she found my Lord Bargellini of Bologna a Person of great worth and Governour of the City accompany'd by Signior Luigi Rixadducci and Count Hanibal Montevecchio the principal Gentlemen The other stay'd behind to waite on the Magistrates of which Signior Scipio Forastieri was chief and the Prior Alexander Castracani and Cavalier Peter Soldati To receive her with more honour a Gate wall'd up was open'd and beautify'd with severall Ornaments and among other things they saw under his Holynesses arms the following inscription D. T. V. His Holyness Alexander the seventh ruling P. O. M. Peter Bargellinus the Governour in the year 1655. that Chrâ—stina Queen of Swedland in her passage through the City might have a nobler entrance caus'd the Gate to be open'd for her Majesties reception Here she was receiv'd by the Magistrates accompany'd by a noble and numerous traine and attended to the Palace of the Governour where the Coaches standing round in the Court her Majesty not alighting rare sweet meats were presented her in many silver Basons of which she tasting some gave two Basons to Count Hanibal Thiene giving order the rest should be distributed among the Cavaliers that accompany'd her Fano is a little City encompass'd with strong walls partly antique and partly moderne towards the Seas with a Bulwark erected by Pope Julius the third in a plain Scituation on the shore famous for the Temple of Fortune who there was ador'd and for the remains of the Arch of Augustus Not far off runs the river Metaurus and there are yet the relicks of some memorable places for the accidents occurr'd in times past There Asdruball the brother of Hanibal of Carthage was kill'd and Totila King of the
Gothes overcome and wounded by Narsetes dying afterwards in the Mountains of Appenninus near the Fountains where the noble river Tyber hath its source This City abounds with a sprightly Nobility and very faire structures and here the two Countesses Martinozzi were borne neeces to his Eminence Cardinall Mazarine Ann and Mary the wife of his Highness Prince Armand of Conty of the royal blood of France and Laura marry'd to the Pâ—ince of Este eldest Son to the Duke of Modena The Family of Martâ—nozzi is ancient and noble having formerly been one of the four noble Families of Sienna renown'd in history as it hath likewise been for the space of 300. years esteem'd the principal in Fano 'T is evident in writings and publick inscriptions in marble seen by me that in the year 1364. Julius Martonozzi as chief of his Countrey accompany'd in the name of the publick to Rimini the Nephew of the Emperour of Constantinople as it likewise more particularly appears in the proofs of nobility made by Vincent Rinalducci of that City a Cavalier of Malta ally'd to the said Family of Martinozzi in the person of Laura sister to Count Vincent Martonozzi Grandfather on the Fathers side to the said Princesses and Grandmother to the said Cavalier The Queen leaving Fano and saluted by the Canon Mortar-pieces and Muskets and reverenâ— t by all the Militia continu'd her journey towards Sinigaglia where she arriv'd after the setting of the Sun in such rainy and windy weather that in hinder'd the volley's of Shot for her welcome to the City whose Gates Walls and Streets abounded with armes She went directly to the Palace of the Signior Bavieri the principal Gentlemen there prepar'd for her lodgings the traine being quarter'd in other neighbouring houses Here she was met by the Ladyes of the City among whom was a Neece of his Eminence Cardinall Chembini who being unable to wait on her Majestie by reason he was sick in Montalbotto his Countrey gave seasonable orders for accommodating that lodging Here besides the bonfires and lights which that evening were seen for her Majesties entertainment a ridiculous short Comedy was acted in her Chamber by the Count Francis Maria Santinelli and Lodowick his Brother which was order'd in one night by Count Francis Maria for the pleasure of her Majestie who seem'd desirous of it After the Comedy she likewise desired to see the agility of these two Cavaliers which they shewed in vaulting and their skilfulness in fencing insomuch that as vertue accompany'd with nobility not only disposes but forces the minds of great Personages to affection so this Princess with her generosity and refin'd understanding reflected on these Gentlemens qualityes and abilityes to serve her Having therefore had full information by the Cardinall of the antient nobility of their Family in which in each age they have had men of eminent valour as Count Sforza Santinelli Kt. of Michael under Charles the 8. King of France which was then the first order and Count Julius Caesar Santinelli great Prior of Mâ—ssiâ—a for the noble Knights of Malta she first by Holstenius and afterwards by the Ambassadour Pimentel desir'd them to serve her whereupon they glorying in the honour of her Majesties service shew'd a readines to obey her a little while after overtook her in her journey Sinigaglia is a City of small compass but fortify'd with strong Bulwarks ditches and breast-works on the side towards Fano having a chanel which divides it and serves for a haven to little barkes It hath likewise an old rock towards the Sea fortify'd with thick and strong Towers for its greater security The Queen departing hence in her Coach with the Cardinall Legate and attended by all the foresaid traine arriv'd at the Confines of the legation where she found Signior Giorgi of Fano master of the Camp of Pesaro with a very good body of foot in array who welcom'd her Majesty with a very faire volley of shot where she thank'd the said Legate for her noble entertainment declareing herself highly satisfy'd with him We may truly say this Cardinall is the Idea of valour and goodness it self He is of a joviall presence of a noble behaviour most courteous and sincere and justly reputed for his wisdom prudence and experience in business very capable of any great employment He is called by the title of St. Alexius was Clerke and Deane of the Chamber had many offices under Pope Urbane and in that of Commissary Generall of the Army in the Ecclesiasticall state gave great testimonie of his zeale and his valour In the Reign of Pope Innocent he exercis'd his qualityes with that vertue and freeness that compassing the ends of his great undertakings without suffering a sword to be drawne he deservedly was preferr'd to the purple oh the 19. of February 1652. This eminent dignity hath illustrated his Person but he with his candid behaviour hath very well answer'd its greatness In his Legation of Urbin he acted entirely the parts of a good Prince He every where hath scatter'd the treasures of his generosity and being Protector of the Church of St. Charles in the place call'd the Course hath been at great charge in beautifying and adorning it most splendidly Between the burnt houses and Flumicino the Confines of the marches with the state of Urbin they met with the Marquis Tassoni Governour of that Province a Cavalier of Ferrara of try'd valour who had with him many Officers of War and Gentlemen his friends richly cloth'd together with a troop of horse for his guard whose souldiers besides being very well arm'd mounted had Cassocks with four wings of fine blue cloath with four white Crosses hemm'd with Gold-lace Here likewise they found my Lord Francis Lucini of Millan the Governor of Ancona with a traine of many Gentlemen a horseback with sutable rich clothes Both the one and the other alighting with the Gentlemen their Camrades did their duties to the Queen Lucini was receiv'd into the Coach of the Nuntii and the Marquis rode before towards the City As the Queen pass'd along she was welcom'd by a body of four thousand foot set in array by the Marquis aforesaid with five troops of horse flancking them in a fine and martiall manner The rock of Flumicino saluted her Majestie with many tires of Mortar-pieces Captain Anthony Fasat with a troop of horse of the City of Ancona and Captain Magagnini with the troop of Jest preceding all the traine The Queen arriving at the Gate the artillery of the fortress and the walls of the City began to be discharg'd which continu'd till her Majestie was alighted at the Palace The Magistrates on horseback met her at the Gate and complemented her Majesty in their black Velvet Gowns with their foot cloaths of the same richly trimmed with Gold being follow'd by a traine of many Gentlemen on horseback with twelve Pages all Gentlemen of Ancona very finely adorn'd and 24. Groomes in the livery of
Cross and the foresaid Bishop the Vicar she was conducted in the midst of the said Cardinalls before the most holy Sacrament exposed on the high Altar under the great Cupola where her Majesty prayed kneeling on a Cushion of cloth of gold with a carpet and the two Cardinalls on Cushions of crimson Velvet Having ended her Prayers she was carried to the Chappell of the most holy Sacrament and thence by the secret staires she went up being met at the foot of the staires of the royall hall by the two said Cardinalls the first Deacons to wit Orsini and Costaguti and eighâ— Bishops assistents as likewise by the Duke of Poli of the family of Conti Master of the Sacred lodgings and conducted to the consistory in the said royall hall Her Majesty advancing in the said royall hall and entring the consistory after kneeling three times kist the foot and then the hand of the Pope his Holiness receiving her in a very courteous manner Her Majesties words expressed her joy for her conversion to the Catholique Faith as likewise to see her self honoured with such demonstrations of his Holiness The Pope reply'd her conversion was of that great importance that in Heaven they feasted and rejoyced at it and expressed more joy than that she saw on earth after which the function being ended the Pope went to his appartament through the Ducal hall attended by all the Cardinalls the six Deacons excepted which staid to accompany the Queen who entring into the chappell of Sixtus and passing through the old appartament went to her own lodgings The Cardinalls were Medâ—ci Sforza Odescalchi Raggi the Landgrave and Charles Barberini On Friday in the evening the Vigil of our Saviours Nativity her Majesty went privately in her Chaire to see the Collation the Pope uses yearly to give at that time to the Cardinalls and she thought too that night to goe down into the Chappell to observe the functions of the Mattins celebrated by the Pope but being a little ill she forbare going out of her lodgings The following Morning she was publiquely present at the Mass Sung likewise by his Holiness Her Majesties place was without the circuit where his Holiness sits with the Sacred Colledg on the right hand a little way off from the steps of the high Altar within a kind of closet adorned without with crimson velvet with trimming of buttons and sloops of gold and within with cloth of gold with a chaire on a carpet three steps high from the ground The Pope with the Cardinalls and Prelates being come into the Church and ascending his throne behind the high Altar which was covered with a great pavillion of severall tapistries of silk and gold first prayed and then vesting himselfe went to the Altar and there sate down in a Chaire In the mean time the Queen left her place and was brought by the Cardinalls Medici and Sforza with four Bishops their assistents before his Beatitude where she kneeling on a Cushion of cloth of gold received by the hands of his Beatitude the Sacrament of holy confirmation The Cardinall of Medici was her Godfather in the name of the King of Spain and added to the name of Christina that likewise of Alessandra From thence she returned to her place accompanied by the Cardinalls aforesaid and the Bishops the assistents and the Pope began the Mass After the Communion of the Ministers of the Sacrifice the Queen did communicate before the Cardinall Deacons being brought to the feet of his Holiness by the foresaid Cardinalls Medici and Sforza with the four Bishops their assistents who carried her back After dinner her Majesty went in her Chaire to the Church St. Mary the greater attended by the guards of the Switzers the curiassiers and launciers of his Holiness with a numerous train of Princes Cavaliers and other Gentlemen among whom Don Anthonio della Cueva as her Majesties cheif Gentleman of her horse waited on her a foot near the Chair She was received at the door by Cardinall Bragadino in the place of Cardinall Anthony Barberino the Arch-Priest of the said Church where when she had adored the most holy Sacrament she was conducted to the Chappell of Sixtus Quintus to see the holy Cradle of the redeemer of the world which was with much devotion observed and honoured by her Majesty Thence after she had seen the other splendid Chappell of Paulus Quintus the Altar of which was richly adorned she returned to the Vatican The following Sunday she dined with his Holiness and the order there observed was as followes Two tables stood the one from the other about two hands breadth that for the Pope being four fingers higher than the Queens The Pope sate in the midst in a Chaire of red velvet with a great footstoole half a span high The Queen had a royall seate made on purpose on the right side under the cloth of state on the even floore on a Carpet Don Antonio della Cueva presented her Majesty the Napkin the Marquiss Hippolitus Bentivogli was her Cup-bearer and Count Francis Maria Santinelli her taster The dinner was sutable to the greatness of so great a Prince towards a Princess so great Father Oliva a Jesuit made a Sermon peculiar to his spirit and parts Her Majesty with her usuall erudition having observed that the Father could have brought in a certain place a passage of St Paul motioned it to his Holiness who was extreamly edified with the readiness and learned vivacity of so great a woman and the Father was likewise astonished when he heard it who highly commended this vertuous Queens wonderfull understanding After dinner her Majesty was diverted with a play represented in most excellent Musique and being the day following entertained a great while by the Pope she took her leave of him returning in the evening from the Vatican to her own habitation in the Palace Farnese and being highly satisfied and astonisht at the royall and well ordered entertainment she had there where she was well attended by the very good conduct of the officers with the direction of Signior Horatius Magalotti a Cavalier of Florence and Cosen to the deceased Cardinall Magalotti Bishop of Ferrara Brother to Donna Costanza Barberina Sister in Law to Pope Vrbane the eighth He had in this occasion the superintendency of all the said house by the orders of my Lord Farnese his Holinesses Steward under whom was the Abbot Alexander Magalotti Sonne to the said Signior Horatâ—o appointed to attend Don Antonio Pimentel the Spanish Ambassadour Captain John Baptist Massi who waited on Don Antonio della Cueva and Signior Giovanni Battista Minetti who attended Count Montecuccoli with many other Gentlemen deputed to the service of the other Cavaliers of her Majesties train At her arrivall there she was pleased to look on the front of the said Palace which abounded with torches was adorned and gilt with the Armes of her Majesty in the midst those of the Kingdome of Swedland
on the right hand and the others of the Quèen on the left with severall Mottos Hieroglyphicks and Inscriptions All the charges of this Frontispice amounting to three thousand Crownes as likewise the royall furniture of the Palace belonged to the magnificent and generous Duke of Parma whose order the Marquiss of Maria his Highnesses Resident observed very punctually and exactly Her Majesty was attended from the Vatican to the Palace aforesaid with a numerous Cavalcata of Princes Prelates and Gentlemen the windowes and streets through which they passed being hung with rich tapistries and resplendent with an infinite number of lights and the concourse of people so great that they could hardly pass with the said Cavalcata His Holiness in the honours he did this great Princess made his courtesy and civility very evidently appear to her Majesty which he seconded with expressions of his generosity and greatness in the Presents before mentioned of eight noble coursers a Coch Saddle furniture a Chaire and a Litter valued about two and twenty thousand Crownes In fine before her Majesty went to the said Palace of Farnese his Holiness commanded his officers should make her an abundant provision of all sorts of meats for the maintenance of her Majesty and train for many dayes A little before the Queen arrived in Rome the four Nuntii sent to meet and waite on her through the Churches Dominions came thither and incontinently fell at his Holinesses feet to inform him of their journey and functions whom the Pope with great kindness received and expressions of much satisfaction for what they had done The foresaid Baldocchi repaired likewise thither a little while after to give him an account of the monies disburst according to the orders he received which the Pope liking well declared he was fully content with his faithfull employment The Queen highly pleas'd with her commodious and royall habitation began to receive there the visits of the Cardinalls the Residents of Princes of the Prelates and other Grandees of the Court still giving to all clearer proofes of her rare and vertuous endowments She likewise omitted not to give abundant testimonies of her Piety by visiting the Principall Churches of which she went first to St. Peters though vately doing there her devotions She went afterwards to St. John Lateran and went in at the great gate where his Eminence Cardinall Colonna the Arch Priest and all the Chapter in their habits received her her Majesty kneeling down before the most holy Sacrament and hearing there Mass which was said by my Lord Serlupi after which she went to see the heads of St. Peter and St. Paul Her Majesty coming out of the sacristy went into San Giovanni in Fonte where Constantine the Emperour was baptized and thence went away accompanied and attended by the Cardinall aforesaid The Morning before her Majesty had been at the Church of St. James of the Spaniards in Piazza Navona where the feast was kept of the said Saints translation At the staires of the Church they found the two Spanish Abassadours the Duke of Terranuova and Don Antonio Pimentell who received and accompanied her to the high Altar which was richly adorned Don Francesco de Vides and Don Diego di Caravachal Overseers of the said Church and Persons of great quality met her Majesty at the gate which was decked with cloth of gold of great value In the great chappell was erected a Pavilion in the forme of a little Chamber which served for a cloth of state where her Majesty heard Mass which was celebrated by my Lord Sersale the Bishop of Bari a Neopolitan Gentleman after which she went round the Church observing the remarkablest things She taking Coach afterwards with Don Antonio Pimentel and Don Antonio della Cueva being followed by the Duke of Terranuova and the train went round the Piazza Navona to see the fine fountain built there by Pope Innocent the tenth of happy memory The greatness and beauty of this structure exceeds all in Rome of this kind It represents a very craggy rock on the summit of which is erected a fair pyramid At the four corners sit four Colóssusses representing the principall rivers of the four parts of the world From these cliffes flow divers streams of water which fall into a great marble cisterne in the midst of which all the Machine is seated The design of the work is of the renowned Cavalier Sir Laurence Bernini whose Carving Iron gives life to the marbles themselves which return him the eternall applauses of glory The water brought thither is part of that which comes from the great fountain of Trevi the most wholesome of Rome which emulating the happiness of this sighs one day to see finisht the designs begun by the artificer himself Her Majesty saw likewise the beautifull Palace with the Church in the form of the Rotonda erected by the foresaid Pope Innocent the tenth Her Majesty then continuing to make still her vertue more conspicuous with devotion the true ornament of great minds desired on new-yeares-day to visit the Church of Giesu and to doe it with the greater solemnity went thither after dinner with a noble Cavalcata being accompanied by many Cavaliers and Gentlemen of Rome She thought to have entered at the Principall gate of the Church but the concourse of the people flockt thither to see her was so great that she miss'd of her designe so as she went in at the door of the house where she met with some difficulty for the multitude of the people She was received by the father Generall Gosviri Nickel who was accompanied by the fathers the Assistents and all the gravest fathers not onely of the house of the professed but of the other places which they have in Rome Being entered the house she first of all went up into the Domestique Chappell of St. Ignatius which is the same roome where he lived and died where she honoured the remembrance of that Saint and saw the riches and beautifull ornaments answearable to that place From thence she was conducted to the closet towards the high Altar whence she might see all the Church and the very great multitude of people that were there but because from that place she could not hear very well the Musique with which they then sollemnly Sung the Vespers she went to another place more commodious and capacious which had been adorned before with rich Damasks Velvets and accommodated in that manner that before the place where the Queen stood with some few there was a little quire somewhat bigger which served for an anti-chamber The Queen remained here till Vespers were done feeding both her eyes with the noble and splendid furniture with which the high Altar was adorned and her eares with the excellent Musique which was made in severall quires composed by Signior Bonifacio Graziani the Master of the Chappell of that Church and a Person renowned for his workes which are in print When Vespers were ended her
which is a noble Palace or Lyceum design'd for publick studies She was met at the Gate and attended by Cardinall Rapaccioli the Vice-Chamberlain in the place of Cardinall Anthony Barberino who as Chamberlain is the head of that University being accompany'd by my Lord Richi Auditor di Rota as Lieutenant of the Cardinall Chamberlain and all the Advocates of the Consistory The great Hall and the less the antecedent were very richly furnish't o're the door of the first stood her Majesties picture at length and in the said Hall was erected a cloth of state in the midst of which sate the Queen and the Cardinall on her left hand The Advocates stood on one side and at the bottom of the royall seat all the Professors in a ring and the Bedells with maces of Silver in their hands On the right hand was prepared a chair for the Professors whom her Majesty would hear speak First she desired to hear a Divine which place was performed by Doctor Peter Maria Passarino of Modena Procurator General of the Order of St Dominique who made his rare parts and deep learning appear after whom a Phisitian was desired by her Majesty so as Signior Giouanni Benedetto Sinibaldi most learnedly and to his great praise discharged his part Then Signior Henrico Chifellio a Humanist was call'd who though a long time blind shew'd he hâd seen much in the knowledge of Humanity Her Majesty seem'd afterwards desirous to hear a Philosopher and Dr. John Baptist di Lezana a Carmelite was not wanting to give laudable testimonies of his knowledge whom Signior Giacomo Cincio a Canonist succeeded who rarely performed his part and gave the Queen great satisfaction The Mathematician Don Antonio Santini did the like who in his demonstration on paper came down from the chair to satisfie her Majesties curiosity who desired to see it nearer her The Queen was askt afterwards if she pleased to hear the Professors of tongues and she seeming content severall of them went into the chaire one after the other fully satisfying the genius of her Majesty The first was Signior Giouanni Battista Giona Galileo who in the Hebrew tongue explained a passage in Genesis the second Signior Gulielmo Artio who discoursed in Greeke of Philosophy the third Signior Abramo Ecchlensio who in the Syriaqâ—é tongue displayed some points relating to the knowledge of it and the fourth Don Philippo Guaâ—agnolo who in the Arabick and Chaldean tongue disputed against some points of the Alcoran of Mahomet This royall entertainment being ended the Advocates of the Consistory presented her Majesty in a hundred and twelve volumes the works in print of the Professors of that study as well of those now living as the others lately dead which volumes were all bound richly in Gold with the Arms of her Majesty she had too a Catalogue in print of the works aforesaid with an elogie composed by Count Charles Emanuel Vizzani one of the Advocates of the Consistory and a person of great fame Thus ended the visit with extraordinary satisfaction to her Majesty for the nourishment which with her rare understanding she had found in the qualities of such eminent Persons this Princess being likewise astonisht as well at the various and solid literature and learning as the other great parts which with her refined judgement she discovered in the said Cardinall Rapaccioli Her Majesty had likewise a desire to see the noble Monasterie of the Nuns of St. Catharine of Sienna of the order of St. Dominick seated on the Mountain Magnanapoli in which they receive only Ladies of great quality At the Gate of the said Monasterie she was received by the Prioress sister Emilia Cenci with other Nuns which stood in rankes on both sides with the Queen went in the Father Generall of the Dominicans of the Family of the Marquisses Marini of Genova a person much esteem'd for the nobleness of his birth his good life and great learning Father Guemes her Majesties Confessor the Arch-Bishop Forregiani and four others of the most eminent Fathers of the Order of St. Dominique She went presently into the Quire where she was welcomed with a consort of severall musical instruments and heard with much pleasure a Moletto sung most exquisitely From thence she was conducted under a Canopie to the Hall where two tables were furnisht with a noble collation Here staying a little she afterwards went up into the Tower from which she discovering not only all Rome but much of the Countrey there abouts was so pleased with the prospect that she staid there two hours with great satisfaction coming afterwards down into the Church and hearing there Mass she return'd from thence to her Palace whither the Nuns sent her Majesty many pretty devises with a little Cofer of Carnation sattin embroydered with Gold in which was a relique of St. Catharine and another of San Romano with a relique of St. Nicholas da Bari in christall and six viols of Manna of the said Saint all embroydered with Silver with severall flowers of ambre and silke which her Majesty most kindly accepted as a testimony of the generous respect of those Ladies towards her person She was pleased too to visit the Convent of the Nuns of St. Sixtus of the most noble order of St. Dominick seated in Quirinale on the Mountain Magnanapoli for nobleness and beauty equall to the other there contiguous of St. Catharine of Sienna of the same order Her Majestie went in accompany'd by my Lord Forregiani the Father Generall the Father Procurator and her Majesties Confessour all Dominicans The Prioress sister Raimonda Colonna assisted by the rest of the Nuns received her at the Gate and waited on her throughout all the Monastery and Garden the fineness and neatness of which buildings together with the beauty of the seat pleased highly her Majesty who had there a noble Collation On the 16. of January her Majesty going into the Coach which his Holiness gave her accompanyed by the Princes Prelates and other Cavaliers went to the Greeks Church which was adorned with very rich Hangings especially the Cloyster called Sancta Sanctorum as also the door of the Sacristy where a throne was erected for her Majestie to the end she might see the better the Ceremonies they did within the Sancta Sanctorum She was received in the Church by Father John Rho Provinciall of the Society of Jesus and Father Octavius Massa Rector of the Greeke Colledge At her Majesties arrivall they began the Greek Mass which was sung by my Lord Laurence Constantino Arch-Bishop of Cassandra with three Priests a Deacon and Subdeacon they using the same ceremonies the Greek Church is accustomed to do when the Bishop does solemnly celebrate the said Prelate vesting himself in a pontifical habit in the midst of the Quire on a little throne Her Majestie was much pleased with this ceremony and shewing she understood well those rites discoursed of them with Signior Allatio of the City of Scio a person of
instant some sheets printed in eight languages in which were the following words May Christina live for ever The languages were Latin Greek Syriaque Arabick Hebrew Caldean Coptick and Armenian She went afterwards into the great Hall which was hung with crimson damask with twisted Gold where her Majesty sate under a cloth of state in a chair raised two steps from the ground the Cardinall sitting on her left hand in a lower chair On the four corners of the said Hall were fastned four Epigramms on the four parts of the VVorld At her entrance she was welcom'd by the Scholars in two and twenty languages none of them exceeding two periods which were afterwards presented her in print in a book with this title The agreement of tongues in celebrating the praises of Christina Queen of Swedland This action ended with an invitation of one of the Scholars to the rest to contract in the Latin tongue alone what could be expressed in the rest by all the Colledge to wit the said words that were printed may Christina live for ever which were seconded not only by the Scholars but all the standers by to her Majesties great content She then accompanyed by the said Cardinall went into the Library in which all the printed books are kept and here they found six Scholars with six great basons of Silver in which in stead of sweet-meats seventy two volumes of severall works in two and twenty languages were presented to her which pleased her extreamly At her Majesties going out of the Library she had some compositions presented her likewise in print in severall tongues in her praise to whom they also shewed a great store-house full of volumes printed for the service of the apostolical missionaries all in severall languages her Majestie confessing that in no other part of the World there was the like printing-house for variety of tongues All the order aforesaid was by the direction of my Lord Dionysius Massari the Secretary of the said Congregation Her Majesty unable for the great throngs of people to see at her ease and as she desired the many Compositions Pictures Mottos and Inscriptions set out in the said Roman Colledge resolved to go thither again and privately entered there at the back door being received by the General Father Rho the Provincial and Father Lodovick Bompiani the Rector and many others of the Society She quickly went into the Library which besides a vast number of choyce volumes is beautifully adorned with the Pictures of all the Cardinalls of the Society others that are famous for their writings as likewise of their noble benefactors among which was more remarkable than the rest the Picture of the deceased my Lord John Baptist Coccino a Venetian who thought he could not better establish the memorie of his glories his immortall pains and incomparable deserts as well towards the service of the apostolicall Sea as all learned men than by leaving to the said Roman Colledge his most pretious and copious Library with all his choice Manuscripts Here her Majesty entertaining her self for some time in viewing the many volumes took pleasure too in looking on the Modell and Platforme of the City of Jerusalem which was left by Father Villal-pando with the description of the streets and holy places consecrated by the journeys and passions of our Lord Jesus Christ She then going about the other sides discovered some Greek and Latin Manuscripts lying open on a Table and could judge of the Authors shewing very great learning She went thence into the gallery that was near where Father Athanasius Nircherius the great Mathematician had prepared many curious and remarkable things as well in nature as art which were in so great a number that her Majesty said more time was required and less company to consider them with due attention However she stayed some time to consider the herb called Phoenix which resembling the Phoenix grew up in the waters perpetually out of its own ashes She saw the fountains and clocks which by vertue of the load stone turn about with secret force Then passing through the Hall where she looked on some Pictures well done she went through the walkes and the garden into the Apothecaries shop where she saw the preparation of the ingredients of herbs plants metalls gemms and other rare things for the making of treacle and balsome of life She saw them distill with the fire of the same furnace sixty five sorts of herbs in as many distinct limbecks She saw the philosophical calcination of ivorie and the like She saw extracted the spirits of Vitriol Salt and Aqua-fortis as likewise a jarre of pure water which with two single drops of the quintessence of milke was turned into true milk the only medicine for the shortness of the breath and affections of the breast In fine being presented with treacle and pretious oyles she went into the sacristy where they opened all the presses vvhere they keep the Plate and reliques of the Church vvith the great candlesticks and vases given them by the deceased Cardinall Lodowick Lodovisio the founder of the Church She honoured particularly the blood of St. Esuperantia a Virgin and Martyr which after a thousand and three hundred years is as liquid as if newly shed Then going into the Church she heard Mass and at her departure gave testimonies to the Fathers of her great satisfaction and content Among these entertainments whither sacred or curious the Queen forgat not those of her mind in the recreations of learning Some principal Gentlemen of the Academy of Rome invited to comply with her Majesties desire very willingly concurr'd with their vertuous attendance and talents to obey her holding once a week an Academy before her They were Don Pompeo Colonna Prince of Gallicano the Prince of St. Gregory Marquis Scipio Santa Croce the Marquis Frederick Miroli Count Lodowick Santinelli Count Vlderick Fiumi Count Francis Maria Santinelli Signior Carlo Rapaccioli Signior Ottavio Falconieri the Marquis Francis Ricci the Abbot Francis Cesis Signior Giouanni Lotti Signior Sebastiano Baldini Signior Gio. Francesco Melosio Signior Antonio Abbati Signior Camillo Rubiera Signior Tiberio Cevoli the Abbot Vincenzo Maculani Cavalier Marke Antonio Meniconi Don Caesare Colonna and Signior Gio. Francesco Sinibaldi The first Academy began in the evening on the 24. of January in which the Prince of Gallicano made appear his solid learning and wit with a lecture in honor of the Pope Alexander the 7th the other Academians seconding with their compositions the applauses due to him who for the fair union of piety and learning makes the Vatican throne resplendent In the second Academy the Prince of St. Gregory discoursed sprightly proving that the rigour and discourtesies of Ladies are sometimes the arguments and subtilties of love In the third the Marquis Frederick Miroli made the problem who gave abundant testimonies he was no less conspicuous in the knowledge of the sciences than in valour and armes He
Pane the Actor of guilt Signior Lodowick Lenzi of the understanding Signior Francesco de Rossi of pleasure and Signior Gioseppe Sorilli of the prologue all exquisite Musitians and very fine Actors In the mean time the Queen on the 18. of February visited the Church of St. Peter all the Clergie receiving her at the Gate Thirty Canons in their rotchets coaps and white skins with 38. Priests and 26. benefic'd Clerks waited on her Majesty who when she had ador'd the most holy Sacrament went down into the grots below the Church where her Majesty heard Mass in a Chappell near the bodies of St. Peter and St. Paul she saw afterwards the records that are there of the shrines of the ancient Popes and in her return was conducted by my Lord Farnese my Lord Fibei and my Lord Marescotti all three Canons of St. Peter to see the famous reliques of the lance which pierc'd the side of Christ a part of the Cross on which he was crucifyed and the print of our Saviours face on a handkerchief the Volto Santo reliques so highly esteem'd and kept with such care that they cannot be seen near at hand by any one albeit he were a Cardinall unless he be a Canon of the said Church without the speciall leave of the Pope who issues forth a Brief in such cases as he did to the Queen with this clause let her alone see them Her Majesty admired the said reliques vvith particular devotion and vvent thence to see all the rest of the things kept there for the greater decorum within a Chappell of the Sacristy Two dayes after her Majesty went to the Church of the Conventualls of St. Francis dedicated to the holy Apostles where she was met and attended by Father Felâ—x d' Ascoli the Generall of that Order and the most qualifyed Fathers of the Convent At her Majesties entrance into the Church they gave signes of joy with ringing the Bells and playing on the Organs and Musick and the Father aforesaid gave her the holy water when she had ador'd the blessed Sacrament and visited the two Altars of St. Francis and St. Anthony of Padoua in the arch-confraternity of which she desired to be register'd she heard Mass and departed On the following Sunday her Majesty went the second time to the Benedictine Nuns of the conception of St. Mary in Campo Martio and as the first time she saw only the Church she now would see the monasterie into which she entered accompanyed by the Deputy and received and attended at the Gate by Dame Tecla Rotolante the Abbesse Dame Deodata Baccini the Prioress and the rest of the Nuns Her Majesty was conducted into the quire and heard Mass a motetto being sung by the angelical voyce of Dame Maria Alessandro Galvani she went afterwards into a great roome furnisht with crimson damask fringed with Gold with her state chair and footstool of the same where she heard without offence to her modesty a very fine motetto which was sung in her praise though she was better pleased when she heard divers others the sweetness of which diminished the bitterness instilled into her by the first After this they gave her Majesâ—â— a noble collation which was seconded with a present of seven basons full of severall fine devises sent her to her lodging which her Majesty most kindly accepted On the fifteenth of February her Majesty extreamly desirous to see the most remarkable things of the great City of Rome went to view the Vineyard of the Prince Don Camillo Panfilio called Belrespiro near San Pancratio where she found the said Prince accompanyed by my Lord Torreggiani and many Cavaliers the Camrades of his Excellence who waited on her all about the Garden and the appartaments of the Palace putting into her hand a stick all gilt and beset with pretious stones When her Majesty accompanyed by the Prince whom she would never suffer to be uncovered had with great content walked all about the Garden which is one of the fairest and most lovely of Rome and the Prince had caused to be made with designe and vast charge she went into the Palace adorn'd with the pretiousest furniture giving lustre and magnificence to a house where she found prepared a royall collation of most exquisite sweet-meats and remained some time the Prince presenting her the Cup and the Duke of Ceri the napkin Then observing the pictures which are there in great abundance and most excellent she liked amongst others a Danae done by Hanibal Caracci which the Prince perceiving without speaking any thing caused to be presented to her with another of his best Pieces just as she returned to her Palace having at her departure from the Vineyard given her the said stick beset with Jewels The Prince some dayes before having heard she would make a little Coach for her own use sent her one of crimson Velvet and Silver wrought majestickly and artificially in the gallery of the great Duke of Florence The Carneval afterwards approaching which in Rome begins only ten dayes before Lent the Queen some few dayes before had intimated to the Prince she would come to his house to see the maskings and horseraces used at that time His Excellency very glad of the honour the night before the Saturday on which they begin caused a handsome long scaffold to be reared before his Palace in all hast It represented a long pulpet supported by Pillars and on the sides had two arms bending inwards a little the one for the Cavaliers of her Majesties traine and the other for the Ladies In the middle with a fine row of pillars and little chapters of Gold and cornishes of mettall the history of Alexander the great was epitomized in fine and noble painting The box appointed for her Majesty had gilt parapets of iron with the arms of Swedland and was defended from the aire with long windowes of fine glass wrought with gold with the arms of her Majesty Within it was hung with embroydery in Gold on blew Velvet with a throne and royall state and the arms of her Majesty and her Kingdoms in the richest purled twist This as each thing else that was done in such an occasion was by the designe and architecture of his Excellence himself a Prince of a sprightly and admirable understanding in all things Every time her Majesty repaired to the Palace of this Prince she with her train had a noble collation of sweet-meats and he kept open house Every evening the boxes abounded with Torches of white wax and the first three nights they made very fine bon-fires The entertainment the Queen had the first evening was a musicall Play acted by three waiting women of the Princess of Rossano his Excellences wife which pleased so her Majesty she desired to see it again the next night though the Princess had prepared another divertisment like it which was deferred till the third evening and liked by her Majesty with the same good fortune to
be acted several times The composition of the words was by Signior Giouanni Lotti and the musick by Tenalia both persons very famous With such recreations the Prince entertained her Majesty till the last night of Carneval in which he made wonderfully appear his own wit and generosity for after a royal collation and abounding with all the new fruits they could get in despight of the harshness of the season he conducted the Queen into a great roome adorned with most splendid and inestimable furniture where she saw sitting under a state the furniture in a moment vanish out of the Chamber a fair Sea there appearing in a beautifull prospect and ingeniously contrived within that narrow place she saw then immediately Venus and Cupid descend from above in a Chariot drawn by two Pigeons without seeing what supported it in the aire insomuch as the Queen and all that were there were amazed and astonisht Venus being come to the earth with her Son heard Cupids complaints who accused the Ladies of Tybur for being too rigid and the authority of his Mother not appeasing his anger he shot some arrowes towards the Ladies and together with Venus returned to the Chariot both of them singing joyntly the praises of her Majesty As they vanished they sang a little song inviting some Ladies who formerly were followers of Cupid to give with a dance some refreshment to them he had subdued The machine vanishing away from the sides of the maritime scene issued forth eight Ladies of the Princess aforesaid most splendidly apparrel'd with lighted Torches in their hands and danced a rare dance establishing love with those unstable motions and securing the motions of the will with the measure of short distances After this the room was refurnisht as before and her Majesty was so highly contented that she publickly declared she had not seen any thing in Rome to her greater satisfaction The words were composed by the said Prince Don Camillo who presented her Majesty with a song made by him on her renouncing of her Kingdoms which was much commended by her she celebrating the Prince for a very vertuous person and deserving all praise and applause Still in all these actions the Princess of Rossano was accompanyed by many Princesses and Ladies and severall Princes and Cavaliers were with the Prince who had every day rich cloaths with strange and new inventions The same did the Princess who had Jewels of inestimable value This Princess with her prudence and most noble carriage made it evidently appear her mind is as illustrious and generous as her family is great she being the Niece of many Popes and allyed to many Potentates in Italy The Abbot Caesar Malvicino and Signior Carlo Centosiorini the former the Secretary and the latter the chief Gentleman of the horse to the Prince aforesaid still assisted at these functions as likewise Signior Mario Raviera his Excellences domestick Gentleman who applyed himself to it very earnestly In Carneval-time notwithstanding these vertuous entertainments her Majesty shewed her piety in visiting severall Churches and particularly that of Giesu where with a most splendid preparation the forty hours were exposed On a scaffold in fine order appeared six mountains the arms of his Holiness on the top of which according to the prophecie of Isaiah they saw the Church sitting in a beautifull manner who while with her left hand she supported the cross with the other pointed at the sublime throne of glory on which they discovered the Saviour of the VVorld On the two contiguous mountains were erected two figures representing Religion and contemplation while the theological vertues plac't on the three mountains below did court and attend her At the feet of the mountains they saw come from all parts throngs of people to do homage to that great Monarchess and captivate their understandings convinced in obedience to the Catholick Faith Those personages afterwards appeared who thought it a thing of glory and desert to preferre the reproach of the cross before worldly greatness They represented too the Princes Kings and Emperours who shewed they regarded not their titles but to have some worthy argument to make known to the VVorld their esteem of the true Religion while for the love of it they despised those dignities There were likewise Princesses and Queens whose piety was as generous and as the famous Painters had given life and eloquence with their pensills to the Pictures so they were all contented with their state but in a certain manner confessed they were conquered with the modern miracle of a couragious and masculine woman who remarkable in the midst of the rest with a countenance breathing majestick as well as devotion the more she endeavoured to obscure the titles of a Queen acquired them the more The three Crowns and Scepters the victimes offered up by her to the Catholick Faith she did not now behold but every one admired them and it seemed she would plant them in that mountain she judging it worthy to have Scepters for trees and Diadems for flowers where Monarchs and Princes excited by her singular example might instead of birds build their nests To this great Lady the supream Commandress of the mountain bowed her face as if she had said many daughters have heaped up riches and thou exceedest them all You would have thought in so pleasing a sight the holy Church sucking consolations with her eyes and milk as it were from so many breasts as there were triumphant soules encreased to the eyes of the beholders and with those mountains quickened with some invisible breath was raised much higher Behind the Mountains and Personages they discovered severall fine distances which was all in the low region But the eye looking upwards entered into a Paradise which being wide open while it would be a Spectator of what was done on earth became a delitious and fortunate spectacle to way-faring men It extended it self in many circles proportionably still greater and abounding with beautifull figures of knots Seraphins Cherubins Angels and Saints even to the top of the Arch and profundity of the royal Court the receptacle of glory which could not be bounded with limits fine knots appearing without the Arch. The most holy Sacrament the Ascendent and Horoscope of the holy Church was in the midst of Heaven as it were nor could they discern how or where it reposed and yet it stood fast The blessed soules adoring it as they shewed they enjoyed its glories so likewise presaged by vertue of its influences greater happiness to the Catholick VVorld and it seemed they heard them say to those mountains enjoy peace O Mountains at which tidings they shall skip for joy like Ramms for the hope they saw they had The Father eternall was Spectator of all whom we there represent as when he had finish'd the VVorld and said all was good so there he appeared supported in himself and joyning together the high with the low the Earth with the Heaven made one
single Region as it were How then that noble machine was illuminated we may guess by the starres that are still resplendent though the Sun the Fountain of light be not seen in the scene of Heaven The machine was every where bright but they could not discover from whence the light came nor tell if it was in the Pictures or borrowed from some Sun assembled by art so with many very pleasing deceits of near distances and distant nearness fixed flights and endings without end they sweetly lost their curiosity and had their devotion free so as they might employ themselves wholy in those holy exercises At that time on the Theater aforesaid of the Signior Barberini two other fine musical Playes vvere represented vvith rare changes of scenes intermediums of dances and most exquisite musick the subject of both being handsomly translated out of Spanish The one was intituled Armes and Love containing the many amorous and warlike events which usually accompany by turnes the fortunes of the followers of Mars and Venus The other called the good of evill contained too a knot of various amorous accidents in which vertue and love intermixing by chance made appear oftentimes out of evill comes good and frequently from disasters better fortune proceeds allowing the saying we should have been in danger if we had not been in danger The Queen was still present at these actions entertaining and delighting her mind which was given and applyed to vertuous and noble things The German Colledge desired too the occasion of paying their dutifull respects to the Queen in a musical Play called the sacrifice of Isaack the contents of which were that God the supream King of victories and fountain of all power loves above all victimes the rationall and above all sacrifices the unbloody of obedience where there is a contrition of the heart a captivating of a faithfull understanding and a pious will subjected to his pleasure The intermedium was the valorous and fortunate act of Judith and all did allude to the glories of the Queen for renouncing her Kingdoms and professing the Catholique Faith A Father of the Society composed the words and the musick was done by Signior Carissimi master formerly of the Chappell of that Church of Apollâ—nare On the 28. of February in the evening in the foresaid Palace of the Signior Barberini at the four fountains Which as for the appearances and machines deserved an universall applause so obliges me to relate it succinctly I leaving the severall particulars to be published by a learneder penne and more happy The great Court of the said Palace which is long and spatious was designed for the Theater These Gentlemen by demolishing some houses of their own that were contiguous caused two large and commodious ascents of degrees to be erected on the left side capable of about 3000. Persons in the midst of which a magnificent great gate was built o're against the Queens place adorned with various figures which being about the Queens armes made a very fine prospect On the top of the said great Gate in four great windowes with lettises before them was the Quire for the Musitians who with various instruments made most exquisite musick In the side of the Palace two rowes of scaffolds were erected the one o're the other covered with rich tapistries and so with proportionable symmetrie from both the sides two other ranges answerable were extended so as by an ingenious industry that Court was reduced into the forme of a beautifull Theater To give light to the field besides the thick Torches of white wax and artificiall materialls which burnt on severall rowes of the Pillars on the ascents of the degrees and at the head of the lists there were sixteen great starres artificially composed of iron wire each of which being set up very high in the aire with a new invention not seen before in the middle of the field held sixteen great Torches so as by commutation the lights alone cost above a thousand Crowns In the midst of the side aforesaid on the first floore of the appartaments a very capacious box was erected for her Majesty adorned within and without with most rich cloth of Gold with her state of crimson velvet bordered and fringed with Gold All those royall appartaments were very richly furnished and altogether answerable to the greatness and generosity of the minds of the Barberini Near her Majesty were four Cardinalls to wit Retz Imperiale Borromeo and Azzolino and all the Gentlemen of her Court The other Cardinalls had their places somewhat higher than the Queens and likewise all the windowes were nobly adorned and abounded with other eminent Persons On the second scaffolds were the Princesses and Ladies most finely attired and resplendent to augment with the splendour of their beauty and ornaments the lustre and Jewels of so handsome a spectacle The pompe and majesty of this shew made all Rome curious to behold it together with the neighbouring Countreys so as though the concourse of the people to get in was very great yet all civill persons were let in without confusion by the excellent order of Cardinall Barberin with whose good direction all things were regulated After 3. hours in the night they began The 24. Cavaliers each one of which was most splendidly set out were divided into two squadrons In the first appearance were Signior Lorenzo Roberti the Marquiss Tarquinius Santa Croce Captain Giuseppe Marino Rasponi Baron Augustine del Nero Signior Fabio de Massimi Colonel Lodovick Casale Signior Carlo Rapaccioli the Marquis John Peter del Drago Signior Guido Rasponi Signior Mar. Antonio Verospi Signior Ferdinando Vecchiarelli a Knight of Malta and Signior Paola Francesco Falconieri all which were on generous steeds barded with blew furniture embroydered with Silver to which their sutes were answerable and cloakes of the same colour with very rich embroyderies representing shining Pearls with plumes of feathers so large and stately that 't is hard to say how they could with the waving of the aire support on their heads so spatious and heavy a machine the feathers costing each of them above two hundred Crowns Eight Trumpetters went before and a hundred and twenty grooms all cloath'd in a Livery embroyder'd with Silver on blew and great blew and white feathers on their heads each of them carrying a great lighted Torch in their hands which greatly augmented the lustre and splendour all marching very orderly After the twelve Cavaliers came at last a most beautifull Chariot most rarely designed which was of blew and silver adorn'd with figures and admirable devises of embossed work It was so high it reached to the box of the Queen and was drawn by three Musitians habited like Goddesses and representing the three Graces one concealed within it moving it secretly and with great agility In it sate joyfull Rome in a most majestick manner who desirous to discover her joy for the arrival of a Princess so great seemed to look like love which
promoted by a Genius as noble as generous which made him desirous of glory and ambitious of greatness Prudence was still his companion eloquence and sagacity accompanying his discourses vivacity and affability his treaties and resolution and courage his enterprizes In great affairs he wanted not Providence readinesse and Constancy and the force of his wit and strength of his mind was still most resplendent in difficulties he nobly contemning the Lawrells and Palms which were not augmented by labours and water'd with pains Before the Battell he appear'd not so terrible and dreadfull as gentle mild and mercifull when he had obtain'd the victory being undaunted in dangers vigilant in occasions and wife in each affair A Prince in fine of great understanding and knowledge in all things He was followed with a greater affection and applause than any Commander before him He gave satisfaction to all with his praises hopes or mildnesse and especially his sincerity actions of vertue being written by him with indeleble Characters He never forgat services whether little or great but rewarded and valu'd them He was very wittie in his sayings and most affable in company still treating and speaking to all without pride and frequently asking when he pass'd by his People and Souldiers how they did what they would and desired To his Table and Court while he was in the field he admitted all Gentlemen and private Commanders he usually saying a table is the torment of a secret and a net to catch friendship and affection He could not abide ceremonies and complements affected and to those unacquainted with his Genius hee said or caused others to say they should reserve their Courtship for the Queens minds of honour for he was in the field to teach how to fight and not to lead a dance He was most severe in punishing the Souldiers offences and exact in providing for the peoples security He like a true souldier to give an essay of the greatness of his mind undertook not any enterprize which was without danger he that exhorted him to a care of his life acquiring his displeasure It seem'd to him undecent for a Prince of a warlike constitution to have the thoughts of death he thinking the counsell proceeded from fear which advis'd him to take heed of himself He called him happy that dy'd in his trade the volunteer death taking pay under him that feareth him not His designs were alwaies great but greater after the battell of Lipswick he aspiring to the Empire of Germany Even the Ottoman power began to reflect on the fortune and valour of this King who used to say he wondred the Ancients so easily obtain'd their victories and those of his time with such difficulty to whom when represented it proceeded from the difference in wâ—aring and now the expugnations of Cities and fortresses are harder he reply'd he did not value the difference of arms nor of times but that of the courage That the world was the same each age had it's Mines and Countermines offences and defences and that he could war like Alexander be victorious with Hanibal and equall Caesars Progresses who had the mind of Alexander the skilfulnesse of Hanibal and Caesars undauntednesse In the space of two years he drew to his party either by the force of arms or the motives of his power and reputation of Fortresses Cities and wall'd Town to the number of a hundred and ninety He won many battels in the field but crown'd with that of Lipswick his triumph having conquer'd the most experienc'd and most fortunate Commander of his age and an Army old in battels He passed the Seas and enter'd into Germany with a very little Army but as a small snowball rowling down a high Mountain becomes a great globe so he passing from one enterprise to another could number at his death above 100000 foot and 80000 horse which made up ten Armies together with other bodies all under his colours Nothing but the heresy of Luther eclipsed his high qualities who if he had follow'd the steps of his Ancestors not swerving from the path of the true faith would have been the Heroe of Kings He left no other Progeny than Christina his only Daughter born on the 16. of December in the year 1626 a Princesse of so noble enendowments and so elevated a spirit that 't is not any wonder if she representing in part the living image of her great Fathers vertues give cause to believe Gustavus yet remaines to the world in his specie although not in his individuo Now as their good education who are to have succession in Kingdoms and principalities is the chiefest foundation of the peoples felicity this Princesse us'd a diligent manuring of her mind bequeathing her self to the exercises of vertue to be afterwards able to outstrip with her years the duty of age 'T was therefore observ'd that from the first moments as it were of her life and understanding she began though a child to procure the enlightning of her intellect a command ore her reason limits to her will a curb to her affections a rule to her actions and strength â—o her body She was not seven years old when instructed in the elements of the Latin tongue and letters and having now discover'd what promise she could make to her self in the Progresses of her studies by the quicknesse of her spirit and most singular judgement she fell to the cultivating her mind with the most sublime sciences as those which administer the true lights not to erre in the Pilgrimage of the world and the gaining of Heaven In her minority five Ministers and Officers of the Crown which were the most conspicuous had the government of the Kingdom to wit the great Admirall bastar'd Brother co Gustavus her Father the great Chancellour Axellius Oxestern the great President Gabriel Oxestern the great Constable James of the Garde and the great Treasurer another Gabriel Oxestern In the mean time to her other applications aforesaid she added the instructing of her self in the knowledge of different tongues to make her self the fitter and more capaple for the management of the Kingdom in which she made most eminent Progresses And as the best books are incorrupt Counsellours and Oracles which without the least request even answer to our thoughts so she in reading there employing her best hours endeavour'd to learn there the way to govern well This Princesse advancing with her years in Vertues and Sciences measur'd every ones ability so well with the subtlety of her judgement that though a girle she penetrated the hidden designes of her principall Ministers of whom she made use to draw to her self the totall direction of the affairs of the Kingdom so as she gain'd great veneration free'd her self from the subjection in which some pretended to hold her and beginning to rule shew'd she had not any need to lay the Kingdoms weight on any others head than her own insomuch
that she began when seventeen years old to assist at the Council of the State and in the eighteenth year being out of her minority took upon her the Government on the very same day the War against Denmark was hy the Crown of Swedland declar'd notwithstanding that against the Emperour together with his confederates was most vigorously prosecuted She alwaies made use of knowing and able persons and when any one assum'd to himself more authority than was fitting she found out a way to moderate his animosity She alone did administer all the publique affairs and determin'd them with much ease and satisfaction She alone would treat with Ambassadours and the Ministers of Princes giving audience without the Secretaries of State or any of her Councellours she her self giving answer to the propositions made her as well by her subjects as forraign Princes This Queen though young knew at the same time how to make her self feared and belov'd by her people and strangers She secretly sounding the genius and thoughts of every one so us'd them to the bridle of obedience and respect that she saw her most formidable Commanders though accustom'd at the head of their Armies to make the world affraid to conserve still in her presence a reverence accompany'd with a fearfull obsequiouness On the other side with the nobleness of her mind she still so oblig'd them with offices of such love and affability that she animating their affections encreas'd still towards her self their respect and obedience the true props of a Kingdom She beheld every writing presented her and quickly and with a clear voice recited it in it's language and with her own hand wrote usually the Orders of importance being as shy and heedy in imparting the secrets of her mind as curious and cunning in penetrating those of others She generally affected all Natitions vertue alone being only the object of her love She sought to mend the bad with severity and make the good better with favours and rewards so as 't is no wonder that honour and the rarest conditions that sute with worthy men were seen to flourish more in her Palace than in any other Court No Prince ever favour'd more lovers of vertue than this Queen her Majesty taking very great delight to discourse with knowing Persons and endeavouring to have near her the learnedst of each Nation whom she highly rewarded She had her maids of honour in the Court for decorum and her own entertainment but they never withdrew her from her studies and exercises of vertue No extreamity of weather nor heat of the Sun nor Snow Wind Tempests and Rains nor any other injuries of the season or accidents could induce her to that care of her self which was due to her royal condition She supposed great actions walk'd not well with delights and the Soul had no greater impediment in the gaining of vertues than the body bred up and foster'd in them labour exercise sobriety and vigilance she counting as parts of her strong and vigorous mind The glorious enterprizes which seconded the felicity of her Majesties invincible arms are already eternall in Histories After eight months cruell War and the famous success of her arms she concluded a peace with his Majestie of Denmark to her great gain and honour and afterwards establisht that of Germany not without great advantages to Swedland and then too when she thought it convenient for the ends which she aim'd at in her mind She hath made renoun'd and famous the City of Stockholm with the rule of her directions and the happy remembrance of her government she having nothing more in her thoughts than the causing her Kingdom to abound with arts and wealth Her Throne was the Theater of Glory and Justice no Princess being ever beheld of so free a mind and a courage so undaunted But she thought in the mean time of her great retreat towards Heaven that she might not repent she had been in the World As her great and noble parts did charm the hearts of all that treated with her to the fame of them flying with speed to the most remote Nations produc'd soon the usuall effects of curiosity calling many of the curious and most knowing out of Italy and France to admire her 'T is impossible to express the Civility and Courtesie with which she received every one and particularly her great liberality in gratifying caressing and rewarding the vertuous All the Princes in Europe amaz'd at her famous prerogatives either in their own Persons or else by their Agents endeavour'd to reverence and serve her To her great and conspicuous endowments nothing was wanting but the light of true Religion but Heaven not suffering so beautifull a soul and so good a mind to wander in the darkness of falsehood was so kind to her in his influence to cause great and wonderfull effects Divine grace awaken'd her searching understanding and Heavenly inspirations began to alarum in her mind the Survay of the dissonancies falshoods and untruâ—hs of the Sect she profess'd But the business was nice and she thought it not good to trust her motives to those Ministers credit whose knowledge she had formerly measur'd with more accurateness and wariness She consider'd with her self that as God was still the same so his faith was the same and the foundation of all truth insomuch that with reason he could not suffer any thing to be alter'd and dissonant in the knowledge of that Individuum which should be only one and still uniform to it self She therefore began to discover the weakness of the reasons which Luther and others sustain'd their new opinions and fallacie with and began to discern that the sacred Scripture understood and respected with that Purity and Candour with which 't is received and taught in the Catholique Church furnisht her with clearest arguments to convince their untruths She perceiv'd some sacred books were refus'd by the followers of Luther for no other cause but their own meer capticiousness and only for condemning their errours That of those they retain and have in such esteem the greatest part they alter adulterate and falsifie and so variously interpret that 't is not any wonder amongst such dissentions confusions resembling so many Hydra's head innumerable Sects are multiply'd and produc'd yet all disagreeing and contrary to one another Nay that now the word of God was so vilify'd that each foolish tradesman or ignorant woman durst shamelesly interpret the highest mysteries of the faith which hardly the most knowing and most sublime wits understand That the Sects did encrease or decrease as assisted and fomented here on earth yet faith is a rare gift of Heaven insomuch as the followers of novelties having nothing of assurance nor probably the true sense t was surer to rely on the uniform and agreeing interpretation of so many Saints the Catholique Church hath had in all ages for doctrine and integrity of life so renowned and eminent 'T was therefore too evident