Garden gate, six foot high, and seven long, without any Ornament or
distinction. He kneeled upon the first step, lifted up his Eyes to Heaven
and made a short Prayer, like a Souldier, and went up as couragiously
as if he had gone to an assault, clad in a Gray Taffety Suit, with a
black Hat on his Head, but as soon as he saw the Executioner, he looked
furiously upon him, and bid him stand aside till he were ready to receive
the last stroke: He threw his Hat, his Handkarchief, and Doublet to the
first that would take it, nevertheless one of the Executioners men was
nimbler than all the rest, and looking upon the Souldiers that kept the
Gate armed, with Musquets and Fire-locks. Ah! said he, must I die? is
there no pardon? if at least some of those good fellows would shut me
(opening his Breast) he should oblige my very much, what pity is it to
die so miserably, and of so shameful a blow, then directing his speech
to the Spectators, he said, I have put my Soul into such a state as she
ought to be to appear before the face of Almighty God, but I pity that
of the King, who causeth me to die unjustly: I have erred I confess,
but I never attempted anything against the Kings Person, he should have
been dead ten years ago if I would have believed the evil Councel that
was given me concerning that the trouble and distress of his Soul was so
great, that a little while before he said three years, and now he says
ten; the Divines having setled him a little once more, he received their
absolution.
The Executioner then presented unto him a Frontlet, but it proved to him
a new wound, an increase of grief, and swore if he toucht him any other
way than with the Sword he would strangle him, & thereupon he asked
again for his own Handkarchief to make use of it, his hollow and gastly
Eyes shewed he was not in his right mind. _Voisin_ intreated him to be
patient, and to raise his thoughts to the place where his Soul was to go,
and to be attentive to the reading of his Sentence. He was unwilling to
hear the repetition of his Crimes, and to have occasion to exclaim again
against the Iniquitie, of those that had condemned him, against the Kings
cruelty, as he called it, that would not grant him his pardon, and that
this was to make him feel death before death. _Voisin_ answered, that it
could not be done otherwise. He answered that every body knew for what
reason he was there and then as if it were by confession, he said, _well,
read_, and thereupon held his Peace till _Voisin_ came to these words,
_for having attempted against the Kings Person_; for then he fell into a
passion again, as he had done before, and said, that it was false, that
this never came into his mind, that as God was his Judge, he would be for
ever deprived of his Grace if it were true, that since two and twenty
Months he had done nothing against the Kings service, that it is true he
had written some Letters, but that the King had forgiven him, protesting
and calling the Spectators to Witness, that it was the truth what he
spoke, as he would answer it before God, and spoke so many words, and so
fast that neither he nor the Sheriff could be understood.
The Sentence being read, the Divines did admonish him to leave all
Earthly thoughts, to implore the assistance of Heaven, and to resign his
Soul to the Eternal providence of the Almighty, and his Body to what the
Law had ordained of it, he made some Prayer to God, and bound his Eyes
with his own Handkarchief, and asked the Executioner in what place he was
to put himself, the Executioner pointing with his finger, said, there
my Lord; he pulled off his Handkarchief in a rage, and where is that
there, said he? thou seest I am blind fold, and thou shewest me as if I
could see; he bound himself again, and bid the Executioner to dispatch
quickly: The Executioner told him he ought to kneel, for fear he should
do something amiss. No, no, said he, I shall not stir, if thou canst not
do it at one blow do it at thirty, he was intreated again to kneel, which
he did, and spoke these Imperious words, dispatch, dispatch, then rose
up again, and untied his Handkarchief, and by casting his Eyes upon the
Executioner, made the people believe, that either he had a mind to seize
upon the Sword, or that he was terribly afrighted by the approaches of
Death, and began again his former complaints, is there no pardon? must
I die so miserably? after so many services. The Executioner intreated
him to suffer his hairs behind to be cut off; he began to swear again
fearfully, that if he toucht him otherwise than with the Sword, he would
strangle him. The Divines told him that he was too carefull of his Body,
he would hear no more of that, but fell into a rage, and swore, that he
would not be toucht by so Infamous a Person as long as he was alive, that
if they did provoke him too much, he would strangle half the Company, and
oblige the other half to kill him, those that were upon the Scaffold went
down and left him with the Executioner, who repented himself heartily
that he had taken the care of him unbound.
The Divines went up again upon the Scaffold, and desired him for the
love of God to resolve to step over that pass, which was necessary for
every man to do, and with some few other words, whispered into his ears,
did calm him a little, and made him resolve to undergo the Execution,
after he had made many complaints, and shewed great fears of dying. A
strange thing that as stout and valiant a man as ever was born, who had
so many times cast himself amongst the greatest dangers, without any fear
or apprehension, as if there was no death for him, should shew himself
now so fearful at the coming of it; we may judge by this, that the
apprehension of death is incomparably greater when it cometh upon a cold
blood, and those that know what his Chirurgion was wont to say, shall
less wonder at it; for he said, that the Duke of _Biron_ used to wonder
at himself, that being not afraid of the thrust of a Sword, nevertheless
he was very timerous at the pricking of a Launcet, when he had occasion
to be let blood: Whereupon we must confess, that the greatest courage,
and most undaunted stoutness of a man, is nothing in comparison of human
Natures weakness.
The Divines judging him to be out of fear, gave him his last absolution,
he kneeled again, and cried aloud three times, _My God, my God, my
God, have Mercy upon me_, then turning to the Executioner, he took the
headband that he had in his hand, and intreated _Baranton_ to do him
that last curtesie as to lift up his hairs behind, which _Baranton_
did, and the Duke himself did tie the Handkarchief about his Eyes. The
Divines seeing him in that good disposition, did assure him, that he
was ready to go to Heaven, and to see God, and to enjoy his Glory. Yes,
said he, Heaven is open to receive my Soul, and so stooped his neck for
the Executioner to do his office. The Executioner considering, that he
had untied himself three times before, and might do so again for the
fourth, thought fitting to entertain him with fair words, to desire his
forgiveness, and to put him in mind of saying his last Prayer, in the
mean time he beckened to his man, who was at the foot of the Scaffold,
to reach him the Sword, which no sooner was in his hand, but the Duke of
_Birons_ Head was off his Shoulders, it fell from the Scaffold to the
ground, and was thrown again by the Executioners man upon the Scaffold,
the Body was stript to its Shirt, and wraped in a Sheet, and the same day
buried, about nine of the Clock at night, in St. _Pauls_ Church, without
any shew or Ceremony. Thus ended the Tragical History of the Duke of
_Biron_.
Now follows the two last Verses of this Prophecie.
_A Post overtaken in the Countrey,_
_And the Scrivener shall cast himself into the Water._
Which as we have said before, were concerning _Nicolas L’oste_, Secretary
to the Lord _Villeroy_, chief Secretary of State. The History therefore
is thus.
The _French_ Embassador at _Madrid_, complained once to _Henry_ the
IV. he was so ill informed, and so late of Affairs, that the King of
_Spain_’s Ministers knew them before him: The King was a great while
troubled before he could discover the spring of that infidelity, at last
it came out in this manner. _Villeroy_ that great Oracle of _France_,
and the most confident Secretary to the King, had among his servants
one _Nicolas l’Oste_, born at _Orleans_, in whom he did confide so much
the more, because his Father had been the most part of his life in his
service.
The Lord _Rochepot_ going Embassador into _Spain_, _Oste_ desired to be
admitted into his Family, to serve him as his secretary, that he might
the better fit himself for publick employment. _Villeroy_’s commendation
got him easily that employment, by which in a few Months he became so
capable of the _Spanish_ Tongue and manners, that no body could have
distinguished him from a natural _Spaniard_. The Embassador having sworn
in the name of the most Christian King the treaty of Peace made at
_Veruins_, the King of _Spain_ presented him with a rich Chain of Jewels,
and with six other of Gold, valued at 150. Crowns apiece, to bestow upon
as many of his own servants as he should think fit.
The pride and presumption of this young man was such as to perswade him
he deserved one of them, and chiefly because one of his fellows was
thought worthy of it, but his Master did not think so, and thus he was
neglected.
Thus envy and jealousie were the Windows by which the Devil crept into
his soul; the vanity, lying, pride, and debauchery gave him a full
admittance, he had spent all his Money to buy the love of a Courtisane,
and wanted means to follow that course which he had no mind to leave off.
His Masters neglecting of him, had extraordinarily vexed him, but he
comforted himself that he knew his secrets, and that in revealing them to
the King of _Spains_ Ministers he shot two Birds with one shot; for he
should avenge himself of that contempt he had received, and should have a
way to continue his amorous expences. With that intention he made himself
known to _Don Franchese_ one of the Secretaries of State, and told him
what means he had to serve the King of _Spain_, and to shew him proofs of
that service and affection he had vowed to him long before, by imparting
to him all the Letters that the Embassador did both send and receive from
the King his Master.
_Don Franchese_ heard this proposition as from a young man, whose Brains
were not well settled, or perhaps did abhor such infidelity, therefore
told him coldly, that the Catholick King was in so good amity with the
most Christian one, that he desired to know no more of his business, than
what his Embassador should tell him.
L’_Oste_ did not despond for all this, but went to _Don Ydiaques_ another
Secretary of State, who knowing how important it is for a Prince to know
the secrets of his Neighbours, and that the slighting of such an offer
would be prejudicial to the King his Masters Service, did hearken unto
this Traitor, approved of his design, and exhorted him to persevere in
the good affection he shewed to the King of _Spains_ service, promised to
acquaint the King with it, and to procure him such a reward, as he should
have reason to be satisfied with.
The Councel agreed that L’_Oste_ should be incouraged, and _Don
Ydiaques_, presented him to the Duke of _Lerma_, to whom he shewed
the Alphabet of Cyphers, with which his Master writ his Letters into
_France_, and for a further proof unciphered the last Letter that the
King of _France_ had sent. The Duke exhorted him to continue his good
Will, gave him 1200. Crowns for an earnest of the Bargain, with a promise
of as much for a yearly pension, besides a considerable gratification he
was to expect from the King.
Since that time the _French_ Embassador received no Letters but they
were presently imparted to the _Spanish_ Councel: But the Lord _la
Rochepot_ being called back into _France_, L’_Oste_ lost the conveniency
of prosecuting his Treasons, and consequently the hopes of his promised
reward, therefore sought means to come again into his first Masters,
that is, _Villeroy_’s service, but he was a while kept back from it by
reason of a difference between his Mother and _Villeroy_, about some
rest of Accounts; but L’_Oste_ had rather take that loss upon him than
to be deprived of that occasion. The Embassador himself gave him a large
Testimony Of his ability and faithfulness, and was Instrumental for his
re-admission into that service.
Thus being re-established, he became more diligent and sedulous than ever
before, and not only writ more Letters than any of his fellows, but also
offered them his service to help them, that he might have a more perfect
knowledge of all transactions, and so impart them to the _Spaniard_,
and so visited and conferred with _Taxis_ the _Spanish_ Embassador at
_Paris_, and after that with his successor, _Don Baltazar de Cuniga_,
with so much cunning and secrecy, that the Councel of _Spain_ received
his Letters, before _des Barreaux_ the _French_ Embassador at _Madrid_,
could receive those of the King.
_Des Barreaux_ sent word to the King, that when he propounded any thing,
according to his Majesties command, to the Councel of _Spain_, he found
them always preadvised, and could not find out by what means; certainly
said the King, there must be some in my Councel that keep a strict
intelligence with the _Spaniard_, and I can not tell whom to suspect.
Providence doth often draw good effects out of the worse causes, and
permitteth that the wicked should disclose one anothers wickedness, as
a Nail driveth out another. _Loste_ had revealed himself familiarly to
one _Raffis_, formerly Secretary to the Lord _Lansac_, a fugitive into
_Spain_, for many Treasons, and exempted from pardon; but the _Spaniard_
had begun to cut him short of his former Pensions, since the Treason of
the Baron of _Fontanelles_, Governour of _Dornavenest_ in _Brittanny_,
in which the said _Raffis_ had been a principal Actor, though in vain,
so that since, the Councel of _Spain_ looked upon him as an unprofitable
servant, and withdrew their Pension.
_Raffis_ finding himself near a great want and misery, thought this
occasion might be a means to prevent it, and to procure his return into
his native Countrey, by doing so great a service to his Prince; therefore
he went to one of the _French_ Embassadors most faithful servants, and
told him his grief, for having had a share in so many Treasons and
Rebellions in _France_, which he acknowledged God had into his particular
protection, that he was resolved to blot out the memory of them by a
notable service done to the King and Kingdom, but that could not be,
unless he had first obtained pardon for all his former misdemeanors.
This being told to the Embassadour, he heard _Raffis_, who told him in
general that the King was betrayed, and his most secret Councel bewrayed,
but that he could not name the Traitor, no not to his Majesty himself,
before he had his pardon: that being done, he would wholly withdraw
himself from those whom he knew certainly to be enemies to the Kingdom.
The Embassadour sent an express to the King to give him notice of it. The
King sent him full power to treat with _Raffis_, with promiss to ratifie
whatsoever he should promiss to _Raffis_; _Raffis_ could not make good
his accusation, but by two Letters written by _Loste_, to a great friend
of his, named _Blas_, which Letters he knew to be in a Box of _Blas_,
who lodged with him; therefore upon some pretext or another, they found
means to send _Blas_ as far as l’_Escurial_. In his absence _Raffis_ and
_Descardes_ Secretary to the Embassadour, broke open the Box, and took
out the Letters, by which _Loste_ did much magnifie the liberalities of
_Spain_, as being above his desert and expectation; with this proofs
and the Embassadors Letters, _Raffis_ fained to go to a Monastery near
_Madrid_, and there make his devotions upon Palm-Sunday, as he was wont
to do, but he went directly to _Bayone_, where he met with _Discardes_
upon a set day. _Blas_ came back after Palm-Sunday, and finding his Box
open, and his companion run away, he suspected the matter, and gave
notice of it to the _Spanish_ Ministers, who presently dispatched two
Courriers to the _Spanish_ Embassador at _Paris_, to give him notice
that a man was gone from _Madrid_; who would discover _Loste_ and his
practises, therefore he should give him notice of it, and bid him look to
himself, and that in case he should be taken, to keep secresie.
_Descardes_ and _Raffis_ came to _Paris_ the _Wensday_ after Easter, and
carried themselves with all faithfulness in this occasion, but not with
all the prudence that could have been desired. _Villeroy_ was going the
same day to lie at his own House, between _Paris_ and _Fountain-bleau_,
where the Court was then; they met with him at _Juvisy_, and waited on
him as far as _Villeroy_, but told him nothing of the occasion of their
coming by the way, till they presented him with the Embassadors Letters,
which was a notable fault, for he would certainly have neglected all
other business to secure his man, who was then doing his devotions at the
Charter-house of _Paris_.
The next day _Villeroy_ was the first that told the King of the coming of
_Raffis_, and of the perfidiousness of his own servant. As he was going
back to his Lodging, notice was given him that two _Spanish_ Courtiers
were arrived at the Post-house; he commanded one of the Commissioners
of the Post-house, that he should cause them to withdraw into a Room,
and that no body should speak with them; he charged also _Descardes_,
that he should spy the coming of _Loste_, that he should keep him close
company, and send him presently notice of his arrival. The Commissioner
and _Descardes_ did commit here another great fault, for _Loste_ being
come to the Post-house about noon, this silly Commissioner told him that
there were arrived two _Spanish_ Courtiers who asked for him, that they
had Letters for him, and more then that, suffered him to go into their
Chamber and see them, he saluted them, and one of them whispered him in
the ear that he was undone if he did not save himself presently, and
that _Raffis_ had discovered him; fear and astonishment with his guilty
conscience, persuaded him easily to look to himself.
Nevertheless, he settled his countenance the best he could, he went out
with an intention to take his Horse again, which he had sent before, and
so save himself; _Descardes_ and _Raffis_ perceived him, _Descardes_ came
and saluted him, and thinking perhaps that he was strong enough to give
an account of him, neglected to send word to _Villeroy_, who was then
in his Closet with the Bishop of _Chartres_; _Descardes_ presence was a
great thorn in _Loste_’s foot, to be rid of him, he said he was going to
his Master, who stayed for him; _Descardes_ offered to accompany him: he
answered, he had not dined, and that believing it was past Dinner time
at home, he would go into some Cabaret to look for a Dinner, the other
answered I have not dinned neither, we shall dine together. _Loste_ found
another excuse, and said my Boots hurt me, I pray give me leave that
I may go and pull them off; _Descardes_ answered, he must needs drink
with him. Thus arguing together, they came to _Villeroy_’s Lodging,
where _Descardes_ thinking to have him sure, left him in the Room, not
knowing that the _Spanish_ Courtiers had talked with him, and came near
the Closet to give notice of it to _Villeroy_; but as soon as he saw
himself rid of _Descardes_, he went down into the Stable, and finding
his Horse yet Sadled he Mounted, and with all speed rid to _Paris_;
_Villeroy_ in the mean time having notice that his man was come, he
commanded they should bring them in; but he was not to be found, nor his
Horse neither, no body knowing which way he was gone. _Villeroy_ told
the King that his man was escaped, they sent after him on all sides, and
_Villeroy_ particularly sent all his Servants after into all the ways.
_Loste_ coming to _Paris_ about nine of the Clock at night, went to take
counsel of the _Spanish_ Embassadour, and before day, went out habited
like a _Spaniard_, with the Embassadors Steward, and took his way towards
_Meaux_, with an intent to get into _Luxembourg_ by Poste.
That every one might endeavour the apprehending of that Traitor, it was
spread abroad that one of _Villeroy_’s Secretaries had attempted upon
the Kings Person, and notice was given of his Stature, Age, Cloaths and
Horse. The Sheriffs of every Countrey were in quest, and all Post-Masters
were forbidden to let out any Horses, but that of _Meaux_ had notice
of it too late; _Loste_ was got on Horseback already, but assoon as he
began to gallop, his Horse fell to the ground, and was an ill _Omen_
to the Rider; he got up again, and shewed so much fearfulness in his
Countenance, that the Postillion himself thought he had committed some
notorious villany, which he did run for. Being come home, he gave
notice of it to his Master, who suspecting him to be the man enquired
off, he gave notice of it to the Sheriff, who presently made after him
at the second Ferry of _la Ferte soubs Jouare_, where he was Crossing
the River; the Sheriff cried after the Ferry man to come back, but
the fear of his life, which the two run aways put him into, prevailed
upon him, above the Sheriffs commands, being got over, and judging that
their Post-Horses should be quickly overtaken by those of the Sheriff,
they forsook them and the Postillion; and trusted to their heels in the
darkness of the night among the Bushes and Brambles that are upon the
River _Marne_. The Sheriff scattered his men all about, caused fires to
be made, and raised up all the Countrey people thereabout; the _Spaniard_
ran over the Champion Countrey, and _Loste_ went from Bush to Bush, and
whether accidentally or wilfully he fell into the River _Marne_, where he
was drowned; the next day his Hat was found between two posts, and his
body two days after not far from that place.
Thus you may plainly see the full event of those two famous Prophecies,
contained in this sixth Stanza.
VII.
French.
La Sangsue au Loup se joindra,
Lors qu’en Mer le bled defaudra,
Mais le grand Prince sans envie,
Par Ambassade luy donra,
De son bled pour luy donner vie,
Pour un besoing s’en pourvoira.
English.
The Leech will joyn it self to the Wolf,
When in the Sea Corn shall be wanting,
But the great Prince without envy,
By Embassy shall give him,
Of his Corn to give him life,
Of which in his need he shall make provision.
ANNOT.
By the _Leech_ is understood the _Spaniard_. By the _Wolf_ is meant the
_French_, by reason of the multitude of those Creatures in that Kingdom;
the meaning therefore of this Prophecy is, that there should be a great
famine in _Spain_, wherein the _Spaniard_ should be constrained to
make his application to the _French_ for relief of Corn, which should
be granted him. This happened in the year 1665 for you must understand
that most of these last Prophecies were to be fulfilled in the Reign of
_Henry_ IV.
VIII.
French.
Un peu devant l’ouvert commerce,
Ambassadeur viendra de _Perse_,
Nouvelle au Franc Pais porter,
Mais non receu vaine esperance,
A son grand Dieu sera l’offense,
Feignant de le vouloir quitter.
English.
A little before that Trade shall be open,
An Embassador shall come from _Persia_,
To bring news into _France_,
But he shall not be received, O vain hope!
To his great God shall the offence be,
Faining that he would leave him.
ANNOT.
In the year 1608. the year before the Truce was concluded between the
_Spaniard_ and the _Hollanders_, by which all free Commerce was opened
through _Europe_. The King of _Persia_ being then in War with the great
_Turk_, sent an Embassador to all the Christian Princes, and chiefly into
_France_, to move them to make a diversion in so fit a time, but he could
prevail nothing, and went back again _re infecta_, which he thought to be
a great injury done to his Prophet _Mahomet_.
IX.
French.
Deux Estendars du costé de l’_Auvergne_,
Senestre pris, pour un temps prison regne,
Et un Dame enfant voudra mener,
An Censuart, mais discouvert l’affaire,
Danger de mort, murmure sur la Terre,
Germain, _Bastille_, Frere & Sœur prisonier.
English.
Two Standards in the County of _Auvergne_,
The left one taken, for a while Prison shall reign,
And a Lady shall endeavour to carry a child
To the Censuart, but the plot being discovered,
Danger of Death, murmur upon Earth,
Own Brother, _Bastille_, Brother and Sister prisoners.
ANNOT.
This Stanza being most obscure and difficult, cannot be understood so
well by parcels, as by laying down the whole _Synopsis_ of it, which I do
the more willingly, because I think it will be delightful to the Reader,
and that the whole being known, the meaning of every particular will
easily be understood.