Bien tost & tard venu dans sa Province,
_Saturne_ en _Libra_ en exaltation,
Maison de _Venus_ en descroissante force,
Dame en apres masculin soubs l’Escorce,
Pour maintenir l’heureux sang de _Bourbon_.
English.
From the round of a Lilly shall be born a great Prince,
Soon and late come into his Province,
_Saturn_ in _Libra_ being in exaltation,
The House of _Venus_ in a decreasing strength,
A Woman afterwards and a Male under the Bark,
To maintain the happy blood of _Bourbon_.
ANNOT.
This Prophecy was concerning _Lewis_ the XIII. King of _France_, son of
_Henry_ the IV. who was born under the Sign of _Libra_, and therefore
called the _Just_; the rest is easie.
V.
French.
Celuy qui la Principauté,
Tiendra par grande cruauté,
A la fin verra grand _Phalange_,
Par coup de feu tres dangereux,
Par accord pourroit faire mieux,
Autrement boira suc d’Orenge.
English.
He that the Principality,
Shall keep by great cruelty,
At last shall see a great Army,
By a fire blow most dangerous,
He should do better by agreement.
Otherways he shall drink juyce of Orenge.
ANNOT.
This is concerning a Governour of the Principality of _Orenge_, under the
authority of a Prince, which Governour having been long in possession
of that Government, and the Prince being busie in the Wars of the
_Netherlands_, the said Governour plaid _Rex_ in his absence, so that the
Prince was forced to have him made away privately.
VI.
French.
Quand de _Robin_ la traistreuse entreprise,
Mettra Seigneurs & en peine un grand Prince,
Sceu par _la Fin_, chef on luy tranchera,
La Plume au vent, amye dans _Espagne_,
Poste attrapé estant en la Campagne,
Et l’Escrivain dans l’eau se jettera.
English.
When the treacherous plot of _Robin_,
Shall put many Lords and a great Prince in trouble,
Being known by _la Fin_, his head shall be cut off,
The Feather in the Wind, friend to _Spain_,
Post overtaken in the Countrey,
And the Scrivener shall cast himself into the Water.
ANNOT.
Two notable Histories are contained in this Stanza, the first is of the
Marshal of _Biron_; the second is of _Nicolas_, High Secretary to the
Lord _Villeroy_, who himself was chief Secretary of State to _Henry_ the
IV. and because they are curious ones, and not to be met every where, we
shall set them down:
The first four Verses are concerning the Duke of _Biron_, who by
transposition of letters is called here _Robin_; this man by his Military
Valour and experience, had from a private Gentleman ascended to the
highest degrees of honour and preferment, that his condition was capable
of, for though he were not forty years old, he had attained unto the
greatest dignities of the Kingdom; being fourteen years old, he was made
Colonel of the _Switzers_ in _Flanders_; a little while after he was made
Marshal of Camp, and after Marshal General: he was admitted Admiral of
_France_ in the Parliament of _Tours_, and then Mareshal of _France_ in
that of _Paris_; at the Siege of _Amiens_ he was sole Lieutenant of his
Majesty, though there were many Princes of the Blood in the Army, and to
compleat his greatness, he was made Peer of _France_, and the Barony of
_Biron_ erected into a Dukedom, not contented with all that, he said,
he would not go to the retaking of the rest of the Towns in _Picardy_,
unless his Statue were erected in Brass before the _Louvre_; and in
conclusion, that he had rather die upon a Scaffold, undertaking some
great matters, then to live idle in his own House, and always among these
Bravadoes, he did mix some bold and dangerous words, which he would have
every body to approve of.
When he saw that after the Siege of _Amiens_ the War was at an end, that
_Britany_ was reduced, and that all the Swords were sheathed for a good
while, he thought that having no more occasion to exercise his valour, he
should grow out of credit, and that he should have no more that power,
by which he plaised the King and do without fear all what he did without
Justice. The fire of that great courage finding no work without, began to
work within, that burning desire of being always the first, did fill his
head with flames and smoak of a great design, he complained of the King,
and of the unequal reward of his deserts and services, did publish his
discontents, adding threatnings to his complaints, and spoke of the King
with little respect, that his most intimate friends did judge his words
insolent and dangerous.
It is true it was the vice of his nature, but there were also some of
Fortune, for finding himself filled with all the prosperities, that a
moderate man might wish for in his condition, he found that men loose
themselves by too much happiness. He began then to lend his Ears unto
flatterers, and when they told him that he was the greatest Captain in
_France_, he answered that he would die upon a scaffold, or he would go
beyond the condition of a single Gentleman, that the goodness of his
sword should give him what Fortune had denied; and the Astrologers to
whom he gave great credit, had foretold him in ambiguous terms, that
nothing could hinder him from being a Sovereign, but the blow of a sword
given by a _Burgundian_, and though all his life time he had shewed but
little Devotion and Zeal to Religion, yet from that time that he prepared
his soul to the motion of his ambition, he fained himself very devout and
zealous, and began to wear Beads, that the Baron of _Lux_ had given him
in a Tennis-Court, and to declare himself an irreconcilsable enemy to the
Protestants, seeking every where some discontented Spirits, whom he did
encourage with the hopes of a profitable change.
_La Nocle_ Lord of _la Fin_ was then for the troubles of _Provence_, and
for the quarrel he had with l’_Esdigvieres_, retired into his House,
threatened of ill usage by the King, enemy to some great ones, loaded
with debts and Sutes in Law. The discontented meet always, either by
design or by chance. The Duke of _Biron_ who knew that he had been
deeply engaged in the business of the late Duke of _Alecon_, that he had
Negotiated with the Ministers of the King of _Spain_, and of the Duke of
_Savoy_, during the Siege of _Amiens_, that he was full of discontents,
thought that such a one was seeking for a Master. They spoke together and
mixed their grievances, propounding to seek out of the Kingdom what they
could not find within, and to contract an intelligence with the Duke of
_Savoy_; thus after so many examples of unavoidable dangers, the Duke of
_Biron_ did venture upon a Journey full of Rocks and Shelves, under the
conduct of one who was yet wet with the Shipwrack he had lately made.
The Duke went into _Flanders_, for the execution of the Treaty of
_Vervins_, where one _Picoté_ of _Orleans_ spoke to him, and inspired
into him strange desires of raising his Fortune, with those that knew and
admired his defects. The Duke of _Biron_ did hearken to him, and told him
he would be glad to hear him some other time upon that subject. From that
time forwards the _Spaniards_ thought themselves sure of him, and grew
confident, either to have him, or to destroy him: a _French_ Gentleman,
who because of the Civil Wars was retired into _Flanders_, and had some
imployment in the Arch-Dukes Court, gave the first intelligence of it to
the King, who took it kindly, but sent him word, that the Duke of _Biron_
had too much courage and honesty to harbour such a wickedness; being come
back again from _Flanders_ the King wished him to Marry, but he shewed
that his inclinations tended to some other party, then that which was
offered unto him, and though he made shew to court the Daughter of my
Lady _Lucé_, he nevertheless intended to have the natural Sister of the
Duke of _Savoy_, of which the Knight _Breton_ had spoken to him. _La Fin_
had in charge from the Duke of _Biron_, to do all what he could for his
satisfaction. _Picoté_ had made a Journey into _Spain_, only to know and
receive the propositions. _Farges_ a Monk of the Order of _Fisteaux_,
went into _Savoy_, and from thence to _Milan_ to receive Orders how to
pluck of this Plant out of _France_. Things went very slowly; for the
_Spaniards_ do not easily believe the words of the _French_, unless they
be with great effects of rebellion and change; but the Duke of _Savoy_
being at _Paris_, did wholly put out the Flower de Luces he had in his
Heart, and did dispose him to disturb the King so much at home, that he
should have but little time to dispute him the Markdom of _Suluces_, upon
that hope the Duke of _Savoy_ neglected the Execution of the treaty of
Peace made at _Paris_, the War was proclaimed, and the Duke of _Biron_
took the chief places in _Bresse_. Being at _Pierre Chastet_ in the
beginning of _September_, _La Fin_ came to him, and by his order made two
Journeys to St. _Claude_, where _Roncas_ was. The King had notice of it,
but thought it better to dissemble it than to surprise a man he loved in
his infidelity, he thought enough to bid him come into _Savoy_, and to
rid himself of _La Fin_. He did believe that what the King said to him
out of his affection, proceeded from fear, and kept company still with
_La Fin_, and never went to see the King, but with great many attendants,
refusing to take his lodging near his, that he might have more liberty;
he perswaded the King being at _Annessy_, that he did desire to discover
some passages, and therefore desired to have some guides of the Countrey,
but it was to send safely _Renazé_, _La Fin_’s Secretary to the Duke
of _Savoy_, to give him intelligence in what state the Kings Army was,
and to bid d’_Albigny_ retreat, who otherwise had been defeated. This
was about the time that the Duke of _Biron_ did intreat the King to
bestow the Government of the Citadel of _Bourg_ on him, whom he should
name. It is the Nature of the great ones that serve Princes to believe
they deserve all, and to become more dangerous than Enemies if they are
refused what they ask for. The King did declare, that he would bestow the
place upon _de Boisses_. This denial did so trouble the mind of the Duke
of _Biron_, and put him upon such a strange and diabolical resolutions,
that he resolved one Morning, being yet in his Bed at _Chamont_, to kill
the King, as it is expressed in the depositions of _La Fin_ and _Renazé_,
but this took no effect, himself afterwards did abhor the thought of
it. _La Fin_ also went from the Army to conclude the Bargain with the
Duke of _Savoy_, and the Earl of _Fuentes_, he treated first with the
Duke of the _Spanish_ Embassador at _Yurée_, afterwards at _Thurin_ with
_Roncas_, where also came _Picoté_, bringing the answers of the Councel
of _Spain_, upon the propositions of the Duke of _Biron_, with order to
confer with _La Fin_, and to perswade him to make a Journey into _Spain_.
He said plainly, that the King of _Spain_ was resolved to have the Duke
of _Biron_ at any rate. The Duke of _Savoy_ and the Earl of _Fuentes_
appointed a day to be at _Some_ with _La Fin_ and _Picoté_; there the
minds of every one were clearly expressed and understood.
_La Fin_, who was acquainted with all his secret Councels, told the King,
that the Marriage of the third Daughter of the Duke of _Savoy_, was the
fodder and cement of all the treaty, with a promise of five hundred
thousand Crowns, and all the rights of Soveraignty in _Burgundy_.
While _La Fin_ treated in _Italy_ the capitulation of the Duke of
_Biron_, the treaty of Peace was concluded at _Lyons_.
The Duke of _Biron_ had been always against this Peace; when he saw that
it was concluded, and that the King had heard something of his dealings
with _La Fin_, he fained to be very penitent of it, and asked the King
forgiveness in the Cloister of the _Franciscan_ Friers at _Lyons_, and
intreated him most humbly to forgive the evil intentions that the denial
of the Citadel of _Bourg_ had put into his mind. The King did forgive
him, and told him, that he was glad he had trusted to his clemency, and
in the affection he bore to him, of which he would always give him such
tokens, that he should never have occasion to doubt of it. Leaving the
King, he met with the Duke of _Espernon_, and told him, that he would
impart unto him as unto his best friend, the best fortune that ever he
had in his life, which was, that he had discharged his Conscience to
the King, and that he had forgiven him all what was past. The Duke of
_Espernon_ told him, that he was glad of it, but that it was necessary
he should have his pardon in writing; for such faults could not be so
easily blotted out. What, said he, upon what can I rely better than upon
the Kings word; if the Duke of _Biron_ wanteth an abolition, what shall
others do? So they parted, one thinking that his Lyons Courage ought
not to be used so meanly; the other wiser, remembring that a Lyon is
never so well tamed, but one time or another he will prove still a Lyon,
and at last biteth the hand of him that hath wronged him so fiercely,
that he is for ever avenged of him. The Duke of _Espernon_ had reason
to advise him to take an abolition in writing, and the Duke of _Biron_
was not too blame to trust to the Kings Word, who certainly would have
forgiven that fault, if he had done nothing since to renew the Memory of
it. But here is once more to be observed a passage that containeth all
the signs of an implacable Spirit. The Duke of _Biron_ being sent for by
the King to receive his commands, and the effects of his clemency, went
from _Bourg_, and came to lie at _Vimy_. From thence he wrote a Letter
to _La Fin_ that was at _Milan_, and then went to _Lyons_, where he was
received by the King as the prodigal Son, he stayed some time at _Lyons_,
and went to _Vimy_ again, from whence he wrote another Letter to _La Fin_
by _Farges_. As soon as he came to _Bourg_, he sent to _Bosco_, cousin
of _Roncas_ to advance the business. This negotiation did continue at
_Some_ between the Duke of _Savoy_, the Earl of _Fuentes_, and _La Fin_.
The Earl of _Fuentes_ carryed _La Fin_ to _Milan_, and being desirous
to be better informed, upon some points, and finding _La Fin_ not so
firm in his answers, he thought it not good to trust him wholly with the
secret, and resolved to rid himself of him, therefore he sent him back,
and intreated him to see the Duke of _Savoy_ in his way. He had the
good fortune to go by the way of the _Grisons_, and so through _Basle_,
_Porentru_, and _Besancon_, for _Renazé_ his Secretary, that went through
_Savoy_, was there Arrested and made Prisoner. The work nevertheless
went on; _Alphonsus_, _Casal_, and _Roncas_, did continue it with the
Baron of _Lux_, and in the mean time the Duke of _Biron_ plaid his part,
having sent an express into _Spain_, though he were then with the King,
who loth to loose him, kept him near, carryed him to see the Frontier
Towns, and sent him Embassador into _England_, where he saw the head of
the Earl of _Essex_, a late example of justice upon those who will be
feared by their Masters, and abuse their favour. At his return he made a
Journey into _Gascony_, where he was visited and honoured by the Nobility
of the Countrey, as a Prince; and being come to _Dijon_, he went into
_Switzerland_, to make an end of the renewing of the Alliance between
the King and the _Switzers_, where he continued still his practises with
the Earl of _Fuentes_, to whom he sent his secretary, under pretence
to send his Pages into the Garrisons of _Palma_, for the _Venetians_.
Being come back from _Switzerland_, he came not to the King to give an
account of his negotiation, excusing himself upon the convocation of the
Estates in the Province. The King, that had some notice of these broils
by _Combelles_, was infinitely desirous to speak with _La Fin_ to know
the truth of it. _La Fin_, who was highly incensed, that the Baron of
_Lux_ would have all the fruit of this negotiation, and that _Renazée_
is kept Prisoner in _Savoy_, sent _Cerezat_ to the Duke of _Biron_ to
let him know that he could be no longer his Servant, if his Secretary
was not set at liberty, and that he could no longer defer to go to the
King, desiring also to know what he should say upon the things that were
past. He slighted the first of these propositions, and spoke of _Renazée_
as of one that was not to be reckoned among the living; concerning the
other, he told _Cerezat_ that he was of opinion he might go to the Court
with a small train, and that he should prepare himself at the first to
receive ill language and contempt from the King, which he should sweeten
by intreating him to believe, that the Journey he had made into _Italy_
had no other design than to visit our Lady of _Loretta_: And that passing
through _Milan_ and _Thurin_ he had been chared to propound the Marriage
between him and the third Daughter of _Savoy_, to which he would not
hearken, because the King would take care to provide for him. He did
intreat and adjure _Cerezat_ to tell _La Fin_, that he should rid himself
of all those that travailed with him, and chiefly of a Curate, and that
he should secure his Papers, if he had not rather to burn them. In a
word, to consider, his life, his fortune, his honour, were in his Hands.
_La Fin_ came to Court at the end of Lent, and saw the King at the
Wine-press of _Fountainbleau_, and after that at the mid way. He spake
first to the King, after to _Villeroy_, and after to the Chancellor
in his house at _Fontainbleau_, and with _Rhosny_ in the Forrest, and
with _Sillery_ in the Wine-press; all with horror saw the writings, and
heard his designs. The King could hardly believe such a wickedness; for
who could have believed that he, who had driven the _Spaniard_ from the
Frontiers of _Picardy_, would let him in again by that of _Burgundy_?
that he who had a hundred times beaten and defeated them, could contract
a friendship with them, and conspire with them against the service of his
Prince, and the love of his Countrey? that he who hated them to death,
would have trusted his life in their Hands? He had shewed himself so
much their Enemy, that seeing his Father would not charge the Prince of
_Parma_ in an advantagious place, said aloud, that if he were King for 24
hours, he would cause the head of the Marshall of _Biron_ to be cut off.
He pronounced against his Father the Sentence that was to be executed
once upon him.
_La Fin_ shewed the King so many true and undeniable tokens of this
conspiracy, that he was fained to believe more that he desired. He told
him all what did pass in his Journeys to the Duke of _Savoy_, and the
Earl of _Fuentes_ concerning the Duke of _Biron_, saying, that for his
part he would have been glad that the War had continued, that he might
have benifitted himself therein; but finding that his sacred person was
not excepted, and that there were cruel designs made against it, either
to kill him, or to carry him prisoner into _Spain_, he was resolved to
give him notice of it, choosing rather to disoblige the Servant than
the Master. The King full of clemency and goodness, was extreamly sorry
to see such an unnatural conspiracy: Nevertheless he said, that if the
Conspirators did their duty, and gave him means to prevent the designs of
his Enemies, he would forgive them. If they remember what they owe me, I
will not forget what I owe them; they shall find me as full of clemency,
as they are void of affection: I would not have the Duke of _Biron_ to
be the first example of my Justice, and to be the cause that my Reign,
which hitherto hath been like an Air, calm and pure, should upon a
sudden be disturbed with Clouds and Lightning, and so made a resolution,
that if the Duke of _Biron_ should tell him the truth, he would forgive
him, his Councel was of the same advice, provided he would shew himself
thenceforth as forward for his service against his Enemies, as he had
been earnest to do mischief.
Out of many Papers that _la Fin_ put into the Kings hands, there were
seven and twenty pickt out, which onely spoke of him; the King being
unwilling to discover the rest of the Conspirators, and intending that
the punishment of one should serve for example to all the rest.
The Chancellor kept those Papers with such care, that he caused them to
be sowed in his Doublet, that no body might have a sight of them till it
was time. The Baron of _Lux_ was yet at _Fountainbleau_, when _la Fin_
came thither.
The King told him that he was very well pleased, that _la Fin_ had spoken
to him so honourably and wisely of the Duke of _Biron_, and that he was
confident now, that the intentions of the Duke of _Biron_ were righteous
and sincere. The Baron of _Lux_ did not perceive the Kings anger, so much
the more dangerous that it was hidden; he went back again to _Dijon_
very well pleased, that the things were always in the same state. _La
Fin_ did write to the Duke of _Biron_ that he had satisfied the King
concerning his actions, and had told him onely what might serve for his
justification. The King did manage this business so prudently, that
the success of it was fortunate, he was well informed of all the Dukes
designs, and desired to hear them out of his own mouth, that he might
have occasion to forgive him, for that purpose he sent to him the Lord
d’_Escures_, bidding him to come, because he had a mind to trust him with
the Army that he was raising upon the Frontiers, he excused himself, and
said that the enemy being so near, it would be a shame to him to turn his
back, and that the States of the Province were convented at _Dijon_, and
therefore could not forsake neither the Frontiers nor the States. The
_Vidame_ of _Chartres_ made a Journey to him, and assured him that his
Uncle _la Fin_ had said nothing to his prejudice.
The persuasions of the President _Janin_ were more powerful for
flattering the Duke in his humour, he also made him sensible of the
Kings power and anger in case of refusal; his friends gave him contrary
advices, and desired him not to stir, and to make his peace afar off;
the _Bastille_ is a repairing said they, and the common talk is, that
it is for such one as less thinketh upon it: the King hath been heard
say, that they cut heads in _England_, and that some shall compel him
upon that example to change his wonted Clemency into a just severity:
in conclusion, they advise him to mistrust all things, and to beware of
those that persuaded him to come; others did assure him of the contrary,
and that his coming should dissipate all mistrusts, suspicions and
jealousies.
The Duke of _Biron_ holdeth here the Wolf by the ears, for let him come
or not, there is danger; by not coming he accuseth himself, and the King
swore he would fetch him himself; and in coming, his conscience was a
witness against him, that the same fault can hardly be forgiven twice. He
seeth _la Fin_ retired into his House and living in peace, and hath so
good an opinion of his own Valour, that he thinketh no body so bold as to
seize upon him. The discourses of reason, the discerning of the truth,
serve no more to a wicked and passionate man, then the Wings serve to a
Bird, when they are clogged with Bird-lime. But now we talk of Birds,
there were several ill _Omens_ of his journey, one Bird of Prey called
a Duck was found in his Closet, no body knowing which way it was come
in; he commanded it to be carefully kept and lookt to, but as soon as
the Duke was upon his journey the Bird died. Presently after the Horse
that the Arch-Duke had given him, called the _Pastrave_, became mad,
and killed himself, so did another that was given him by the Duke of
_Florence_, another that the Duke of _Lorrain_ had given him, fell into
a consumption. He came to _Fountainbleau_ when he was no more expected,
and the King was resolved to get on Horseback and to fetch him. As his
Majesty went about six of the Clock into the great Garden, he was heard
to say unto the Lord of _Souvray_, _he will not come_, he had no sooner
ended the words, but the Duke appeared among seven or eight, he drew
near, and being yet a pretty way off, he made three great Congies, the
King did embrace him, and the first words he spoke to the King, were
about the delaying of his coming. The King heard but few words of it,
and took him by the hand to walk, and to shew him his buildings; as he
passed from one Garden into another, the Duke of _Espernon_ took occasion
to salute him, and to whisper him in the ear, that in his coming he had
believed his courage more, then the Councel of his friends.