The First Day.

THE Poets say, the Spring is the sea­son of Love; let us begin with it Loves Journal: for 'twas then the young Duke Octavo arrived in France, so famous by his own Exploits, and for the misfortunes of his Family. He came to entreat the Assistance of Henry the Second, against Andrea Doria, and Ferdinando de Gonsagues, who by the support of the Empe­ror [Page 2] Charles the 5th. had inhumane­ly Murther'd his. Father Lewis de Farnese, one of the greatest men of his time, and a particular Friend of our Henry's. Octavo being come to that extreme Calamity, which seems to be its period, and after which Fortune could not choose but grow weary; all things cast a more favourable aspect. The wea­ther during his Voyage was as pro­pitious as his wishes; and he arrived at Court upon a great Hunting day, which succeeding happily, put the King into a more pleasant humour than ordinary. He loved the sport exceedingly, or to say truly, he loved all Pleasures with excess, so that his Court was the centre of all Delights: the Queen feign'd a complyance, Diana of Poitiers Dut­chess of Valentinois, his Mistress, was beautifull and ayrie, and all the Courtiers devoted to pleasure. But as Octavo knew well the in­trigues [Page 3]of the Court, so he resolv'd not to learn any of their dispositi­ons. He was young and admirably well made, wise, but unfortunate; his grand design was to revenge his Fathers Murther, and not to enjoy the pleasures of his Youth; there­fore would not be seen at Anet, where the King then was, but dis­guis'd like a Traveller, and leaving all his Equipage at Lyons that might discover him, resolv'd to go him­self and understand his Interest and the Kings inclinations. His way lead him insensibly into a Forest, where all things seemed to inspire Love; he thought the Birds made a more exquisite Consort than otherwhere, and the Winds brea­thed a more Amorous murmur than ith' neighbouring Fields. Venus being represented in so various and charming forms, that were it in the times of Idolatry, he had believed the Goddess took pleasure to have [Page 4]those Copies drawn by the Divine Original.

Octavo stopt a while to consider these rarities, and having been in­form'd at his arrival, the King was a Hunting, he was extremely plea­sed, to pass in so delicious a place that time the Court spent in their divertisement. He sate him down upon the Rimme of an Oval Foun­tain, where the Goddess was repre­sented leaning upon a Bed of black Marble, a Rock of the same unpolished supporting her head, which gently besprinkled her body with a thousand spinning streams; her Armes were spread, as it were to receive embraces, and that part of the Statue which represented the source of Pleasure, in a bubling wa­ter, cast forth the loveliest spout in the whole World.

The young Duke found his griefs so much alleviated, by the conside­ration of this Statue, that he had [Page 5]continued his contemplation much longer, had he not been interrupted by one of the Hunters, who came to refresh himself at the Fountain. Octavo was so delicately made, that our unknown Hunter could not look upon him without admiring his ex­cellent Mine; he asked him what Adventure drew him to that Quar­ter, and ofter'd him his Interest at Court in such a manner, that he easily perceived him very conside­rable there. The Duke generously gave him thanks for his obliging offers; at which instant many of the Hunters coming near, he knew by their Respect, 'twas the King he had been discoursing with. You had reason, said the Duke plea­santly, to offer me your Interest in the Court, for I am much deceived if you have not a very considerable one there; and without injuring the Respect due to the King, I am assured you have as great a Power [Page 6]there as himself. The King was going to confirm his opinion, when Montmorency the dearest of his Favo­rites approach'd them, and shouted for joy at the sight of Octavo, which caused the King to turn his face to­wards him: I humbly beg your Majesties pardon said Montmorency, that I could not command my trans­port at the sight of this Stranger; 'tis the brave Octavo Son to the Duke of Parma and Placentia, of whom I have told so many wonders, and who is now come to confirm those praises your Majesty heard me give him after my return from Italy. The King having under­stood by this discourse the birth of Octavo, did him all the civilities he could expect from an obliging and generous Prince: And knowing the practices of Andrea Doria, ima­gin'd Octavo came to desire his Protection from his Fathers Mur­therers; therefore preventing his [Page 7]Addresses, promised him his assi­stance with an unparallel'd good­ness. Montmorency contributed all his power to this promise, having a very great esteem for Octavo: For in the time of his exile under the Reign of Francis the last of that name, he sheltred himself in Italy, and there contracted a very strict Friendship with the House of the Farneses, so that there was not any thing he would not do to evince its reality. This first day being almost spent in Complements between the Duke and the Court, they left him to his freedom, that he might give the remainder to his rest, Mont­morency conducting him to a Ma­jestick Apartment, where he was attended with a pomp suitable to the French Magnificence, and the Interest he took in his affairs.

The Second Day.

OCtavo was scarce awake when Montmorency entred his Chamber. The Friendship this great man bore the late Duke of Parma was so great, and his com­passion for the afflictions of his Son so generous, that he consulted his heart and not his grandeur, in all that concern'd the young Duke; and accordingly prevented his in­tentions, of thanking him at his own Apartment, for the obliga­tions of the precedent Evening; and interrupting him upon the first Complement he made him upon that account, Octavo, said he, let us banish all Ceremonies, they are neither according to my humour, nor the friendship I vow'd your Fa­ther; you are young, a Stranger, and in a refin'd and amorous Court, where Love reigns in various forms, [Page 9]therefore I will give you some ne­cessary instructions how to quit your self bravely in all intrigues. Let us walk into the Garden, the morning is fair, and the King not yet stir­ring: upon this they went through a Gallery adorned with excellent Pictures, from whence by a Terrass with Balisters, they came into the Garden, and so into a close Walk, where they might discern ten or a dozen spouts of water of different forms, which made a very pleasing object. As they walked, Octavo told Montmorency some circum­stances of his Fathers death, which he knew not before, and also the particulars of Doria's Rage, of the Authority of Gonsagues, and the troubles of Parma; this was their discourse till they entred the Alley, when Montmorency turning himself suddenly to the Duke, said smiling. What you have said informs me of the state of your House, but Octavo [Page 10]that of your heart who shall tell me? 'tis by that we must know the man; nor can I engage for you to the King, but as for a Stranger, while I know no more of you than all Eu­rope may do. Octavo knew the in­trigues of the Court better than Montmorency imagin'd; he was not ignorant that the King excessively loved the beautifull Diana, and that 'twas for her he built the magni­ficent House of Anet, where the greatest Artists in Christendom were then compleating this Master­piece; and as 'tis natural for Sub­jects to follow their Princes exam­ple, so he knew Love was the surest means to get his favour: yet he also knew the Kings jealousie of Diana, and her little care to make it dye, therefore resolv'd to pre­vent those inconveniences his good Mine might cause. And with a look extreamly melancholly, said to Montmorency, Alas! the affairs [Page 11]of my Family are all those of my heart; I have so small an inclina­tion to Love, as though had I no­thing else to do but Love, I could not resolve to quit my Indifference. Judge then how that can be re­ceiv'd in a heart fill'd with revenge and ambition, which could not tempt me in my peacefull leasure. Ah! Octavo, reply'd Montmorency, you have given me the pourtract of your sentiments, but not in the French dress; you must Love in this Court, or resolve to be hated by all our Courtiers; the King loves, the Duke D'aumale loves, St. Andre, Farnae, and Chastaigne­raise feel its flames.

Strossi as brave a Captain as he is, has the same concerns, and I for my part assure you my Gray hairs should not countermand my Love, knew I any Fair one would accept me as I am. In saying this, he was accosted by several persons, [Page 12]who brought him word the King was awake; he took the Duke with him to his Majesties Apart­ment, where the expectation of the Queen, the indisposition of Madam de Valentinois, who had kept her bed three dayes, and the mis­fortunes of the Duke, were the mornings News, till unawares they fell upon the Chapter of Love, which at those times never missed; the King not seeing the Duke D'aumale there, said pleasantly, he was dressing himself fine against the Ladies came: Montmorency an­swer'd, the Princess Claudia his Majesties Sister would be interess'd in his Gallantry; the King re­ply'd, he knew not whether the young Princess Margaret his Daugh­ter would not dispute it with her Aunt; passing from one thing to another, never a Lord in the com­pany but had a touch of Raillery upon the Royal Troop they ex­pected. [Page 13]According to what I un­derstand, said Octavo to Montmo­rency, I am happy in my Insensibi­lity, for by his Majesties descrip­tion, I should find those places I would possess Garrison'd by ano­ther. The King desiring to hear what the Duke said, Montmorency repeated it, and telling the subject of their discourse, charg'd Octavo so home with his Indifference, that he was forc'd to use all his wit to maintain it; the King saying, the Ladies beauties and not the Mens perswasions must cure his distem­per, went immediately to meet the Queen, and the whole Court, who were just arrived; which being composed of very beautifull Wo­men, Montmorency saw not one without asking the Duke if he were still Insensible; alwayes the same, answer'd Octavo, I see no­thing there can convince me, though I know the Court of France [Page 14]is admirable, every one of her La­dies are a Feast to my eyes, with­out concerning my heart. Mont­morency saying, he must leave him to be convinc'd by time, and the pleasure of seeing his affairs in a better condition, took him to Dinner, and afterwards shew'd him his Stables, the Kings Hounds, with the Carving and Painting which so much adorned that state­ly House; when hearing the King was at the Counsell, he conducted Octavo to the Queens Apartment, where having told the Princess Claudia, (who was ingenuous and ayrie) he had brought an Enemy of Love to be converted by her charms, he went to negotiate for him at the Counsell. Octavo was so well made and so pleasing, that never a Lady in the Court, but secretly reproach'd her eyes for leaving his liberty so long in his own power. But as he knew there [Page 15]was never a one but had some Gal­lant of Quality, so he knew in the present juncture of his affairs, he had need of all helps, therefore said so many things to perswade his In­difference, that the whole Court be­liev'd him, and he was already call'd as much the Insensible, as Duke Octa­vo. In the evening he had the ho­nour to lead the Queen a walking, and to hear with her a Consort of Haubois, which the King placed upon the water, that adjoyned to the fair Diana's Lodgings: This Consort was follow'd by Artificial Fireworks, all the Figures repre­senting Half-moons, and streams of Fire. And the Duke Farnese not [...]nding a conveniency to speak with Montmorency all that evening, un­derstood not what the Counsell had [...]one in his favour, but stayd to be [...]nform'd till the next morning.

The Third Day.

THe fair Dutchess of Valenti­nois having known by the King, and some others who had the liberty to see her in bed, the arrival of the young Duke of Parma, and what was already said of his Indiffe­rence for the Ladies beauty, pleas'd her self with the thoughts that [...] he had seen her, he would soon change his mind, and being alwayes proud of her own, had shewn by [...] hundred circumstances she esteem'd it above all; she felt such a desire to triumph over the Indifference o [...] this rash Youth, that she could hardly brook her slow amendment for retarding her Victory; but sent for Montmorency, (who was absolutely hers) and discoursing o [...] the Duke of Parma's Insensibility as of a wonder, attributed it to so many different defects, that she in­genuously [Page 17]obliged him to make her Octavo's Pourtract, as that he was infinitely well made, of a quick wit, and his Indifference could not be attributed to any want of good humour or knowledge; the more questions the Dutchess asked, the more her desire encreas'd to van­quish his Indifference. She pray'd Montmorency to walk with him that evening, in a part of the Garden she told him, where she would be undiscover'd, and endeavour to see the Duke without being seen by him; saying she chose that way, because she had not seen the Queen since her arrival at Anet, who might justly complain of her, if she per­ceiv'd her well enough to receive the Visits of a Stranger, but feign'd an indisposition whe she ought to wait on her Majesty; though the truth is, the Dutchess thought there was somewhat more Gallan­try to see him this way, than in her [Page 18]Chamber. Montmorency was so much obliged to her, that she durst have communicated it to him though it had been a more guilty design. 'Twas to her he owed his return to the Court, and the Kings favour; for 'tis publickly known, the deceased King Francis upon his Death-bed, commanded his Son never to suffer his return: But Diana was so powerfull with this Monarch, that neither his Fathers commands, the counsels of his most faithfull Friends, nor the Queens most private designs, could ever prevail against the intreaties of his Mistress. Therefore Montmorency thought himself highly honour'd in her choice of him to do her that little service, and went immediate­ly to look the Duke, whom he found coming from his own Apart­ment, where he had been to Visit him; thither they return'd, and the Duke asking him what the [Page 19]King had resolv'd in his affairs, was informed that obliging. Prince prepar'd to protect him with all his Power, and for that intent had given out Commissions for the raising new Troops, so that in a little time, he might see Forty Thousand men armed for his de­fence. This happy news put the Duke in so good a humour, as made him twice more lovely than before; he thank'd the King with such a Grace, as absolutely gain'd him, and was so pleasant all that day with the Queen and the La­dies, that they talkt of nothing but him. Evening being come, Mont­morency pretended some new Que­stions with him, concerning the Forces with which Gonsagnes took Placentia some time before, also what Intelligence he had in Italy; to discourse this more convenient­ly, he led him into a private Walk, which abutted upon a green Arbor, [Page 20]from whence without being dis­cern'd one might see who walk'd in the Alley. 'Twas in this Bower the Dutchess stayd, accompanied with one of her Women who she trusted above any, call'd Saint-Brune, and follow'd by a little Polander lately presented her, who common­ly carried her Mantle. When Mont­morency came within hearing of the Arbor, With your permission, said he to the Duke, how d'ye find your Indifference? I thought all day I had something to ask you, and it slipt out of my memory till now: I beseech you, reply'd Octavo, let it alwayes do so, for I can make you but the same answer I have already, that is, I never did love, do not now, nor if I can help it never will; the revenge of my Fathers death, with the re-establishment of my Fortune, possesses my whole Soul; and besides, I have so great a love for Glory, that I dare pro­mise [Page 21]my self my heart will never change it for any other passion. Truely very fine sentiments, said Montmorency, and worthy the Son of Lewis Farnese: But Octavo, Love and Glory are not inconsistent in a brave mind, for both possess'd Alexanders. You may rather say, answer'd the Duke, they both flou­rish in the mind of your brave Henry, who is the best of Kings, yet I know he adores the fair Diana; but all these examples dont convince me, for those great men who give way to Love, under­stand the strength of their own Reason, and know their passion shall ever be subjected to it; therefore looking upon Love as a divertise­ment, lay themselves open to it, without fearing its evil conse­quence; but as for me, my power is not so Soveraign over my self, for I understand so well that if I did Love at all, I should do it to [Page 22]excess; that rather than hazard Loving too much, I will not Love at all. Alas, said Montmorency, clapping him upon the shoulder with his hand, Love is not so ex­cessive as you imagine; 'tis a Mon­ster to you, only because you look upon it at a distance, but if ever you grow familiar with it, you will find it makes no such havock as you think of; when like you we are young, well made, and fit to be loved, we esteem our selves more than we love others; and if plea­sure make us quit our Reason, self-love knows the art to reduce us into the limits of necessity and use­fulness. That which you say may be real, reply'd Octavo, but your Truths perswade me not; Fortune shall do what she pleases with my heart, I leave it to her; but as for Love, with your permission I must forbid it to my Grave.

If I could ever have entertain'd [Page 23]it, 'twould have been for the beau­tifull Princess of Milan, who is cer­tainly one of the loveliest persons in the World, and whose Allyance would have prevented the calami­ties of our Family: The fair Prin­cess of Florence, with whom I was bred, had vanquish'd my Insensibi­lity were it possible to be over­come, and I need not have come so far to present a heart to your French Ladies, which perhaps they may think unworthy of their charms, since I shall see them but as a Pil­grim in a Voyage. The Dutchess who heard this discourse, was ex­ceedingly jealous of her Beauty, and suffer'd with impatience those praises which Octavo gave the Princesses of Milan and Florence. Montmorency knew the Dutchess well enough to understand her jea­lousie, and turning himself briskly to the Duke, Go, said he, I find you a thousand times more guilty [Page 24]than I thought you were; I look'd upon you as a bashfull young man, who had more fear his first amours might not succeed, than antipathy to essay it; but since your Indiffe­rence is a wilfull hardning of your self, I declare to you, that you are not according to my humour, and that I esteem you not half so much as I did. Montmorency was upon these terms only to complement the Dutchess, who heard them; but the Duke not knowing his design, and perceiving his earnestness in the discourse, thought the King had given him some private orders, to discover his true sentiments, which made him the more resolute to de­fend his Insensibility, and made him draw such a pourtract of all the evils of Love, as would have smother'd desire, in a heart the most inclinable to that passion; so passing from Reasoning to Exam­ples, he enlarg'd upon the weakness [Page 25]of Mark Anthony, and several other places in History that fitted his subject, in such a manner as made the fair Diana think she had never seen a man so pleasing and so witty as the Duke of Parma; in the heat of their discourse, they walk'd be­tween whiles, and the night not be­ing very dark, Madam de Valenti­nois saw the Dukes Stature and ma­jestick Mine; then joyning the charms of his wit, to those she ob­serv'd in his person, she had such an extreme desire to know him more particularly, that if it might not be call'd Love, 'twas at least a great inclination to become so.

The Fourth Day.

'TIs not to be imagined how desirous the Dutchess was to shew the Duke, the Princesses he had so much praised, were not the fairest in the World; upon her first sight of the King, she assured him she found her self well enough to take the air that day, his Majesty telling her he expected a Scotch Prince, who came to desire his assistance for the young Queen, whom the English would take by force for Edward their King; she being desirous to see his Reception, there needed no more to make his Majesty comply with her inclina­tion. He ordered they should cause the Earl to pass by a Terrass, built the length of her Apartment, and deferr'd his Audience till Di­ana could conveniently be upon it, from whence she not only [Page 27]saw the Ambassador, but all the persons of Quality of the Court, (who were commanded to receive and conduct him to his Audience) as they passed in order before the place where she was seated. The fair Diana was in a careless dress, but exceeding magnificent and well contrived, her natural beauty of it self assuredly charming, was ador­ned with so many Jewels as dazled the Duke of Parma, (who saw her several times as he pass'd by) and the Earl was pierced to the very hearts, stopping at the sight of her, as if he had been Planet struck. The Dutchess observing with plea­sure this effect of her beauty, re­doubled such piercing glances, as made him from that very moment the most passionate of all Lovers; but perceived with grief, her charms were not so powerfull upon the Duke Octavo's heart: For al­though he thought her admirably [Page 28]fair, the Kings goodness was so con­tinually before him, that he shun'd her eyes as some dangerous Rock. This cunning woman, who under­stood the dumb language of the eyes, and who was experienced in all the little gestures and motions of the body, with displeasure re­markt the Duke Farneses. In the evening she told the King, she would be glad to see some com­pany, who brought her the Duke of Parma, and the Scotch Earl, whom she received leaning upon a Couch strewed with Flowers where she pretended her indisposi­tion caus'd her to rest. This posture and the Dutchesses amorous carri­age, touched our Insensible to the quick, so that the fair Diana per­ceived, he was not so much a Phi­losopher as the night before.

The Fifth Day.

SHe would be assured the next day, and commanded Saint Brune to satisfie her desire; this apt [...]irle, who had Wit, and as they say, experience in Amorous affairs, quit­ [...]ed her self worthy the trust reposed [...] her. She went to the Kings Masse, and chose her Seat so well, that with­out shewing any design, she was be­ [...]ide the Duke of Parma, who took notice of her, by the respect was [...]hewn her, and had the curiosity to [...]sk who she was; being informed [...] was St. Brune, the best beloved by Madam de Valentinois of all her wo­men, he whisper'd in her ear some Gallantries upon her seeming Devo­tion: All France knew so well what an absolute power the fair Diana had with the King, as had the Duke only consulted his Politicks, he ought not to have slipt that opportunity [Page 30]of being acquainted with her Fa­vourite. But beside this conside­ration, St. Brune was exceeding Lovely, yet the great Motive was he thought her Mistress the Even­ing before, the most charming Person in the whole world; all these reasons made him say a thou­sand kind things to her woman during Masse; this crafty Favou­rite answer'd him so wittily, and wholly engaging, that without h [...] suspecting any hidden design, she insensibly obliged him to lead her to her Chamber; as they went, the Duke could not forbear praising her Wit and Beauty; when she was past the danger of being over heard, she turn'd suddenly to him and said, my Lord Duke I know to whom you address your Com­pliments; you tell them me only to say them over again, and the reward you expect for your kindnes­ses, is that I assure the Dutchess [Page 31]you know how to distribute them. Octavo thought he should have fallen down at this discourse; he did but just believe himself that Madam de Valentinois was Beautifull, nor had he reveal'd it to any, and look­ing upon this as a design to ruine him with the King; who I! cry'd [...]e, I love Madam Valentinois! yes, yes, you do love her, reply'd St. Brune, (counterfeiting a great free­dom) and gave her a hundred looks yesterday that assured her of it, and 'tis by her Order, I inform you she takes notice on't, and is exceeding­ly surpriz'd to see so wise a man as you seem to be, should thus preferre his desires before his Interest: She sayes, she thinks boldness becomes young folks very well, but thought you not capable of what she obser­ved; and in fine, she conjures you not to give way to this Passion. The King being with the Dutchess, St. Brune was fain to run into her Mi­stresses [Page 32]Chamber, to carry her some Spanish Gloves, which she knew she would present his Majesty, and left the Duke in the greatest con­fusion he ever was in. He had too much wit, not to perceive St. Brunes precise remonstrance to be an inge­nuons Lesson what he should do, and not a reproach for what he had already done; and this advance from one of the Loveliest persons in the World, and beloved by a Great King, pleasingly flattred his Vanity; his first emotion was a trans­port of Joy, which appear'd in his Eyes and Face; then again, that respect which he owed to the King, and the fear of losing so necessary an assistance, should he disagree with France, made him look upon that as ill Fortune, which just be­fore he thought the greatest happi­ness; his mind was so full of vari­ous thoughts, that to hinder the Knowledge of his disturbance from [Page 33]any curious Eyes, he walkt alone into a Wood, there two whole hours going backwards and forwards at a great rate; then stopping on a sudden, without knowing positively what to determine: but in the end Love remain'd Victorious. The Duke being of an Age wherein 'tis hard to be Cruel, when Beauty makes the first overtures, and be­sides, he knew a woman contemn'd, is capable of the greatest Cruelty Revenge can inspire. He went to the Queens Lodgings, where St. Brune wittily informed him, the Dutchess would spend a part of that day, and there counterfeiting an ex­treme distraction and languishing, had a thousand private Assurances he was observ'd; the Dutchess several times asked the Ladies and the Courtiers, if the Duke used to be so Melancholy; and being told they ne­ver saw him so gloomy before, she seem'd to think it was the unhap­py [Page 34]state of his Affairs that made him so out of Humour, and shewing an obliging Compassion for his misfor­tunes, Courage my Lord Duke, said she, we should not be dismay'd by the blows of Fortune; that which seems the most difficult, is many times the most easily accom­plished; we are in a business where our Interest is great enough to fore­tell you a happy Issue. As the Dutchess said this by the by, so he suspecting those about him, made no other answer than with his Eyes but pleased himself with the thoughts that he was understood.

The Sixth Day.

HOw pleasant was the Night that followed this happy Day? the fair Dutchess of Valenti­nois was continually in Octavo's Ima­gination, anticipating his Dis­course, and in some sort his desires. See what a great Soul is, said he to himself, thus all women of sinceri­ty and wit should do; and if the rest of women-kind knew so well the value of each Moment, we need not spend half our lives, making pittiful faces and useless sighs. These reflections gave him such an Idea of the Pleasures to come, as made him enjoy one little less for the present; (his pleasing thoughts making him forget he was alone, and the extrava­gance of talking when there's none to answer:) how Lovely she is! con­tinu'd he, and how Charming is this Procedure to a man of a generous [Page 36]Mind? these thoughts entertaining him the greatest part of the Night, he wak'd so late the next morning, that Montmorency and the Marquess of Jarnac, (who came to fetch him to Dinner with the Duke D'au­male, where the Scotch Earl also was) found him in Bed. ‘Ha! cry'd Montmorency, (entring the Cham­ber) pray s [...]e how Loves Ene­mies imploy their time; they seem to be i'th World for nothing but to sleep, and the Suns Rising is a Beauty of Nature too Precious for their Sight. Why then, (re­ply'd the Duke of Parma, smiling) d'you think sleep so great an evil, that you reproach it to my Indiffe­rence as a Crime? Yes, said Mont­morency smartly, whatever comes from a bad Cause, can produce no good effect; and consequently you must either resolve to quit your In­sensibility, or I must be no longer of your Friends. Ha Sir, (answer'd [Page 37]the Duke, taking Montmorency by the hand) if you please then do not deprive me of your Friendship.’ His new Passion forc'd this from him against his Will: and fearing the Marquess de Jarnac might take notice of it, he added. ‘But stay till Love constrain me to complain of him, and do not make him Per­secute me before hand, by being the Author of your aversion for me.’ The Marquess helpt the Duke to defend the freedom of the Mind and Inclinations: when passing from this Discourse, to the arrival of the Scotch Ambassador, Montmorency told Octovo, that this Scotch Prince praised Madam de Valentinois so ex­cessively, as made the whole Court believe he would soon be in love with her, if he were not already. This News made Octavo feel a se­cret envy, and shew'd him the fair Diana's Charms had left a deeper impression in his Heart than he ima­gined. [Page 38] Montmorency going into the Gallery of Pictures, that the Duke might dress himself with the more conveniency, whither he follow'd him with the soonest; then they went together to the Duke D'aumales, whose good Cheer took up a part of the day. From thence all the Compa­ny went to the King, where he was seeing some Horses rid, which the Queen of Scots had presented him. The Duke Octavo perceiving the Court so well imploy'd, thought he could never find a time more favou­rable to visit the Dutchess; therefore privately withdrew himself from the Company, and repair'd to Ma­dant de Valentinois; he knew she was in an Arbor of Rock-work that adjoyned to her Summer apart­ment, which doubtless was one of the most agreeable places in the World. All its Furniture was lit­tle Boles of Fountains, Cushions of Cloth of Gold, and China Flower­pots [Page 39]fill'd with Flowers; a Venus of White Marble, form'd a Grotto the length of the Arbor, and Eight or Ten Cupids, some sleeping, o­thers imploy'd in the Goddesses ser­vice, made as many various spouts of water, which reflecting upon seve­ral looking-Glasses that adorn'd this Bower, glid away with a delici­ous murmur through small Leaden Pipes. At the End of the Arbor was a Couch made Portugal fashion, and by a cornish of Rock-work that jetted out, hung a thousand branches of Greens intermixt with Flowers, which made a Canopy over the Dutchess head, who lay under it. The Duke thought her so Lovely in this posture, that he stood like one in a maze; Diana knowing perfectly the effects of her Beauty, felt a secret joy for Octavo's Trouble, which made her yet more Charm­ing. 'Tis so customary with Love to produce bashfulness in young Lo­vers, [Page 40]that if Madam de Valentinois had not had more resolution than the Duke of Parma, this interview so commodious and worthy to be well imploy'd, had been lost in silence and admiration: but the fair Dut­chess growing weary of this Dumb Musick, asked the Duke, how his Affairs proceeded? A man more experienc'd in these occasions would have answer'd, that she knew bet­ter than himself, since on her only depended his destiny; but 'tis so true, that the most Ingenuous a­mongst young people, are but Asses in the beginnings of their first Loves, that our respectfull youth durst not speak one word to disco­ver his Passion, but chang'd his Coun­tenance, and hesitated, as if he was troubled to find something to say; the Dutchess pittying his little ex­perience, would give him time to come to himself, and fell to play­ing with the Flowers, as if she had [Page 41]forgot the Duke was there; till re­membring she had heard Octavo was a great Traveller for a man of his Age, she chang'd their conversa­tion to the subject of his Travels. In the mean time the Duke recol­lected himself; he wanted neither wit nor courage to undertake a great enterprize; and his timidity, which proceeded from Surprize or Transport, did but serve to quicken his wit. He told the Dutchess, he had seen nothing finer in his Voy­ages, than a Statue of the Sultaness Asteria, the Mistress of Solyman the second, which the Venetian Ambassa­dor at Constantinople, (since Duke of Venice) had caused to be made for her. Madam de Valentinois, though she was very curious, remembring not that she had ever heard of this Statue, was surpriz'd that a thing he spoke so admirable, should scape her curiosity, and earnestly de­sired the Duke to tell the par­cuticulars [Page 42]of this Raritie; the wit­ty Italian was not silent to her de­mands, but continued the Fable with as much freedom of wit, as if his own memory, and not his inven­tion, had furnish'd him with it, and begun his Discourse in these terms.

The Seventh Day.

'TIs so much the property of Love to inspire young Lo­vers with Poetry, that our Duke could not be dispenc'd with from this general Law; he made an Italian Madrigal, and repeated it the next day to the Queen, as a piece of Gallantry sent him from his own Countrey; who being an Italian, and knowing all the delicacies of that tongue, lik'd it so well, that several French Poets were ambiti­ous to translate it; and 'twas done so happily, that the King who loved Musick commanding an Ayre should be composed to these words, he and all the Court sung no other Song.

The Tune that was made to this Madrigal prov'd so sweet, that every body learnt it. But the plea­santest thing was, the Ambassador of Scotland delighting exceedingly in Musick, (as generally all his Countreymen do) sung it conti­nually. He had a good voice, and thinking to please the Dutchess with that quality, was the first that sung to her the Madrigal upon the Kiss; and quavering so long upon the passionate words, and with so much affectation, that the Dut­chess could not forbear laughing when she observ'd it; he looking [Page 52]with such languishing eyes, when he sung balmy Kiss, and another Boon, made his error seem so pleasing to Madam de Valentinois, that (not unlikely) the happy Farnese ow'd to that circumstance, the conse­quence of this divertisement. It may be some may think, that ac­cording to this Journal, Love makes great advances in a small time; but we mean it not for a Register of the dayes of our lives, but a List of Amorous affairs; therefore you must think, that all the principal Actions were attended by such circumstances, as were ne­cessary to produce them.

The Eighth Day.

THe Queen who loved not the Dutchess, having a private Alliance with Scotland, had less Friendship for the Duke of Parma, than the Scotch Earl, she being then laying the Foundation of the Alliance between the Dolphin of France, and the Queen of Scotland; and this particular Interest, making her have one more General for the concerns of the Ambassador, she was the first that observed his Love for Madam de Valentinois, and we may believe was not the last that strengthned his Hopes. She lookt upon the fair Diana's disloyalty, as the only Rock on which the Kings Love could be wreckt, and thought the Earl a fit Person to make her fall into the Snare so of­ten laid; wherefore she made all her Servants; whom she thought [Page 54]capable of serving her in this Design, flatter his Passion, and gave the Earl all opportunities she could to see Madam de Valentinois; the Queens jealousie made all fea­sible, she appearing so favourable to the Earls Amorous desires, that he could not be accused of pre­sumption, for cherishing his Hopes by her incouragement, and pursu­ing his Amour by her Assistance; but the fair Diana had no inclinati­on to him. And besides that grand Obstacle, she was as politick as those who undertook to insnare her; she knew as perfectly the Queens Intentions, as if she had been of the Privy-Counsel of her Revenge, and resolving to turn the mischief prepared for herself upon her enemies, she complained to the King of the Earls boldness, as an extreme jnjury to his Maje­sties Honour: he was almost over­come with Joy to see his Mistresses [Page 55]Fidelity in so nice a business; she drew a thousand benefits from this Affair, and so powerfully strength­ned his Love, that she absolutely gain'd his belief and assurance of her. The King lov'd the Dut­chess excessively, and being natu­rally jealous, advised with Mont­morency how to remedy this Am­bassadors extravagance, without violating the Law of Nations. Montmorency commended His Ma­jesties moderation, and desiring to make the Duke Octavo necessary, mentioned him as a fit Person for the reducing the Earl to his proper Duty. The Duke was politick and witty, and whatever was done of his part, could not be suspected to come from the King; for by the Queens advice (who endea­voured to hinder the Dutchess of all important friends) the unwary Earl had made several overtures of friendship with the Duke. There­fore [Page 56]His Majesty resolv'd upon Montmorency's advice. We see now the Duke Honour'd and made the Confident of the King his Rival, and intrusted to be reveng'd of one who begun to be so. You may imagine he fail'd not to use so fa­vourable an oportunity, but insi­nuated himself into the Kings Fa­vour with so much art and success, that this Monarch could not live without him; and adding the plea­sures of the advancement of his concerns, to that of loving Madam de Valentinois without the Kings suspition, he so well reconciled his Politicks with his Love, that he was equally happy in both, at least we have Reason to think so; for 'tis certain, the King hastned the raising of those Troops he de­signed him: and there were some Verses abroad about this time, which were thought to be his, by which we may judge he succeeded [Page 57]as well in the art of pleasing, as in that of negotiation. Some of these Verses are put here for form sake, but are left to your choice whether you will read them or not.

The Ninth Day.

THe Dutchess was building a Monastery some distance from Anet, which she visited often; the way to it lying near a part of the Forrest, the Duke who knew how to Create pretexts, managed his time and Circumstances so well, that seldom a day past wherein he saw not Madam de Valentinois in her walk to the Covent; she went ordinarily without any other Com­pany than St. Brunes, and a little Polander, who knew not a word of French, nor understood any thing but his Mistresses signs; so that he was imploy'd in all those Mysterious Affairs, which required such an ignorant Officer. One day when the King Hunted the wild Boar in the Forrest, the Dutchess being gone her wonted Pilgrimage, Octa­vo, (whose new Favour obliged [Page 60]him to be near his Majesties Per­son) cunningly stole from the Company, to a place where she enjoy'd the coolness of the shade; she rise at first sight of him, and striking him upon the Shoulder with a branch of Orange tree she held in her hand, You're very bold my Lord Duke, (said she) thus to interrupt a Ladies Privacy; ev'n withdraw your self, continued she, (and flung a handfull of Orange Flowers in his Hair) the Adventure is more dangerous than you think for, shewing him a little Hillock shadowed by a Sloe-bush in Blos­som. The Duke began this piece of Gallantry bravely, and taking her by the hand to conduct her to the place she had shewn him, You have very little Charity for poor strangers, (reply'd he in a drolling tone) thus to lie in Ambush for them upon the Kings High-way; who could ever have imagin'd this [Page 61]attaque? go, Madam, you deserve to be Chastised, and I hope to quit my self of your Ambuscado like a brave Fellow. Without question a Discourse so well begun, was carried on as pleasantly; for although St. Brune went such a di­stance from them that she could not hear their Discourse, the sub­stance of the Entertainment may be guess'd by the Verses made in that solitude.

If the Duke of Parma had con­tributed only the subject to this Song, yet he writ it with his own hand, and being 'twas with a Pencil in a Table-book, it not being so easie to make lettters upon Ivory as upon Paper, his were so diffi­cult to be known, that the Dut­chess thought it needless to wipe them out, but put them in her pocket, and return'd to the Castle, much satisfied with her happy en­counter. The Duke follow'd the Hunters, though he could hardly overtake them; yet when he found them, was outwardly sorry [Page 63]for the losing their Company; Montmorency comforted him as well as he could, telling him, the King was very much concern'd for his absence. The Duke having a mind for to droll, Had I been in Love, (said he, pleasantly) I need not complain of being so long alone; but I confess solitude is very Melancholy and dull to a man that's Insensible: You see, (an­swer'd the Ambassador) that some­times Love is very usefull; I begin to think so too, (reply'd the Duke, smiling) and two or three such ac­cidents as I met with to day, will make me hate my Indifference: These Discourses continued till they came to the Castle, where the remaining part of the day was spent in telling the success of their Hunting, which having been some­what violent, they went early to bed, and eas'd themselves of the la­bours of the day.

The Tenth Day.

THe next day the Court went a Fishing, and the Ladies were in a dress suitable to the Recreati­on; the King shew'd his magnifi­cence in the expensiveness of the Banquets, and the rich adorning of the Boats where they were ser­ved. After the return from Fish­ing, there was an Italian Comedy at the Queens apartment, and the Dutchess having some private rea­sons to love that Language, was one of the first at that divertise­ment. The Scotch Earl having the opportunity to place himself be­hind her chair, his Passion being always the Mistress of his Politicks, resolv'd to give her some new mark of that Love he could not over­come; Madam de Valentinois lift­ing up her hand to put something of her dress in order, the Earl spy'd [Page 65]a Ribband at the entrance of her Pocket, which he thought was her Table-book, softly drew it out, whilst she was looking another way, and thinking to make some advan­tage of that adventure, went to write some Gallantry in it; but casting his eyes upon that of the foregoing day, was surprized to find that Character in the Dutchesses Table­book, and the reading it raised in him so great a Jealousie, as made him fetch a deep sigh: the fair Di­ana hearing it, lookt towards him, and perceiving her Table-book, nimbly snach'd it away, letting him see by her angry looks, that she was displeas'd at this presumption; he lookt earnestly upon her when he saw her anger, and fetching ano­ther sigh as deep as the former, Ah! Madam, said he, what have I seen? At these words he left the Room: the Dutchess perceiving by them he had read the Madrigal, [Page 66]resolv'd to prevent the evil these Verses might cause if they were known; she read them first, and faining she believ'd the Ambassa­dor writ them, complained to the King of this affront, and told him, with all the appearances of a real grief, that she was very unhappy in being an object for the insolen­cies of strangers, because she was loyal to his Love. This way of changing the business, made the King so angry with the Earl, that if the private Treaty of the Marri­age which he carried on, had not caus'd the Queen to raise all her Interest to support him, the King had sent him word he might return. He Protested, and 'twas true, that he never so much as thought to write those Verses, and that he had never seen them, except in the Dutchesses Table-book; but cir­cumstances being against him, and Madam de Valentinois having rub'd [Page 67]them out as soon as the King had seen them, with a pretence of be­ing asham'd of them, 'twas impos­sible to know the Character, so that the Earl was tax'd with an Ini­quity he was nothing guilty of.

The Eleventh Day.

LOvers cannot live long in good Intelligence, the excess of Love makes them capricious, the most inflam'd hearts being the most inclinable to anger; and we had ra­ther betray our own happiness, than to Love alwayes without clashing: The Duke and Dutchess on the sudden look'd not so kindly upon each other as they were used to do, and Octavo being highly displeas'd with her disdainfull usage, was al­most resolv'd to sacrifice his Inte­rest to his Love, and return into [Page 68] Italy. Those who in that time heard of Farnese's discontent, judged it caus'd by Montmorency's proposing of him, to marry the young Princess Diana, Madam de Valentinois Daughter by the King, (to which they say he could never be perswaded;) but 'tis not like the Dutchess, who knew very well the reasons he had to scruple that Allyance, could be displeas'd with him for opposing it; and having since in his stead given her his Bro­ther Horatio, she had no reason to be dissatisfi'd upon that score. 'Twas Love only could separate hearts so firmly united, he only caus'd their disagreement, and he alone must re­concile it. The fair Diana tax'd the Duke with not being tender enough in the effects of his passion, and for retaining too soveraign a power over the faculties of his soul, in a time when pleasure should set free all its functions.

These are all the Memoirs are left of that great controversie, which divided the opinions of the greatest Wits in Europe, and which made the Pope resolve to joyn with the Duke of Milan, against the Duke of Parma; which he dar'd [Page 70]not have done, had he not hoped the unkindness grown between him and Madam de Valentinois, would cause the King of France to with­draw his assistance. But 'tis not in this affair only, that things have been attributed to the Policy and Interest of Princes, which were wholly caus'd by Love. Octavo's Crime will seem but a small fault, to those who are commonly call'd the men of Reason; but Love is govern'd by his own Laws, and according to them, this Lover was exceeding guilty. Therefore the Dutchess could no more be per­swaded to pardon him, than he to confess himself in a fault: witty Saint Brune did eminent service in the appeasing this disorder; she entreated, and begg'd; but the business being matter of Fact, the Dukes Reasons must lye in the proof; and 'tis thought the skilfull Italian perswaded Saint Brune by [Page 71]her own experience, that she might with more facility convince her Mistress; 'tis further believ'd, that this Knowledge strengthned her Eloquence, and not perceiving the Dukes silence material in that affair, it help'd her to inform the Dutchess, that it was no Crime not to observe her opinions: however 'twas, our quarelling Lovers grew Friends again. But as these picques are generally the wrack of the Lo­vers Prudence, the Duke could not hide his grief, so well as he had con­ceal'd his happiness; the ordinary Judgements attributed his Melan­choly, to the Popes Allyance with Gonsagues, but the Scotch Earl dis­cern'd what the Court could not. He had a faint remembrance of the Letters in the Madrigal, and find­ing them to have some likeness with Farness's writing, and adding this suspicion to several actions of the Duke in the time of this difference [Page 72]with the fair Diana, he compar'd the melancholy of that time, with the gayety of this, and weighing in his mind the Dukes advice con­cerning his conduct, he took that for the effects of his passion, which was only in pursuance of the Kings orders; and no longer doubted that Octavo was his Rival, and what was more, beloved. So that the Friendship he had feign'd the Earl, was a new motive to augment his fury, which grew to an unparallel'd excess. He discover'd his Jealousie to the Queen, as he had also done his Love; this Princess was ex­tremely glad of it, confirm'd it, and advis'd him wholly to imploy him­self, in the interception of some Letter, which might evidently clear their suspicion.

The Twelfth Day.

THere was no great difficulty to accomplish their design, the fidelity of Domesticks is too weak of it self, to resist the power of an angry Queen, and a man of Quality in Love, and liberall: the Earl corrupted that servant of the Dukes, who used to carry his Letters to the Dutchess, and bring him back her answers: He knew of him, that the little Polander al­ways left them in a hole, which was in the Pedestal of a Marble Mer­cury, in a cross-way of the Forrest, whither the Duke sent him for them, and made him carry the answers. You may easily think the Earl fail'd not to be there the next morning, being informed by the bribed servant of the time he should carry his Masters Letters, where he found this in Italian: the [Page 74]Earl understood not the Language well enough to know the meaning exactly, but the Queen was his interpreter, and explain'd it to him in these terms.

This Letter produced such a mix­ture of joy and grief, in the mind of the jealous Ambassador, as was like to have made him lose his wits. He would have run to the King, [Page 75]and by shewing him Octavo's trea­chery, revenge himself of the Dut­chess, by the loss of her Lover; but the Queen being less trans­ported, and consequently more prudent, was of opinion to have a Letter of Madam de Valentinois's own writing, before they under­took her ruine: The fair Diana had so prodigious a wit, and the King so much possest to her advan­tage, that she had withdrawn her­self from two or three as dangerous plots as this. And the Queen [...]earing her cunning might disap­point them, would not hazard any thing but what might be effectual. Therefore she only took a coppy of the Dukes Letter, and sealing it up again as well as she could, made the Earl carry it to the place from whence he brought it. He had hardly obey'd her commands, when the Polander came to quit himself of his ordinary commissi­on; [Page 76]and some hours after, during which you may imagine the Post was watch'd, he brought this an­swer.

The jealous Earl found his jea­lousie very much augmented, when he had read this Letter; and accor­ding to the conduct of all Lovers, felt an extreme Joy to see that there, which for his life he would not have found. He ran to the Queen, agitated by two or three several passions, crying, Victory, Victory, at her Closet door, and shewing her the Letter he had intercepted; she felt a purer joy to see it than the Earls was, immediately resolving to follow the success she hop'd from it, sending for an Officer of the Kings Guards, who was absolutely at her devotion, whom she com­manded so to order it, that the King might see the Letter, and not imagine there was any design to shew it him. For this intent [Page 78]'twas agreed amongst them, the Officer should pretend it dropt ou [...] of the Duke Octavo's pocket, and presenting it him again in the Kings presence, should let his Majesty see the hand. The Queen knew his humour well enough, to be assured, that if he saw a part of it, he would read it all; and as that jealousie is most violent that is gotten by chance, so by these means she hop'd to undoe the Duke and Dutchess, without being suspected to be the Au­thor of their ruine: while these things were transacting, the Duke was in his Chamber, as much wondring at the cause of the Dut­chesses silence, as she at his neglect. He was informed by his servant, whom he ordered to fetch his Letters, there was none in the usual place: And not knowing the true reason, he thought of twenty false ones, which excee­dingly [Page 79]perplext him. On the other side, the fair Diana being told her Lover was in the Kings bed-Chamber, and intended to go with him a Hunting that day, was so enraged at his proceedings, that immediately she repented all her kindness to the Duke, calling him ungrateful, insensible, nay Tray­tor it self; and to Punish him for all her former indulgencies, seigned herself not well, and would not see him at his return: this niceness in­creas'd Octavo's suspitions, and made him accuse the Dutchess, of the same inconstancy she thought him guilty.

The Thirteenth Day.

THe next day they were both in the Queens Lodgings, and look'd very coldly upon each other, speaking nothing of their discon­tent. Saint Brune was imploy'd again to interpret the business; which was soon done on the Dukes part, for when he had protested he saw no Letter, he was no longer faulty. They call'd the little Po­lander, who after his manner assur'd them he put the Letter in the usual place; the Dukes Servant said, he found none there, and backing the assurance of his fidelity with all the Oathes he could think on, put out two Lovers in a great perplexity. Madam de Valentinois knew she had written an Assignation very kind and passionate, the Duke was sure he receiv'd none, so that they could not suspect any body but the Scotch [Page 81]Ambassador; and the Dutchess was so vex'd to find her favours left to the discretion of a man of his hu­mour, that she could not be satis­fi'd. If to interest him in the same intrigue, would have charm'd his tongue, she had soon resolv'd upon it; but she thought not this way so certain as 'twas easie, knowing those favours seldom teach Gallants the faculty of silence. Diana ha­ving a thousand thoughts in her head, and not knowing which to chuse, put the Duke in an uncon­ceivable despair; though he needed not have been so dejected, Love taking the care of their preserva­tion, without their knowledge: for whilst the Dutchess thought her self Ruin'd, and the Queen Re­veng'd, the Officer that should have been the Minister of her fury, was kill'd at the Castle-gates: he had a Quarrel with one of his Camerades, which could not be [Page 82]determin'd but by their Swords. Fate would have the lot fall upon the Queens Agent; and since the Marquess of Jarnac's dispute, Duels were severely forbidden, which made the Friends of the deceased, carry him two miles from Anet, where in a pit they cover'd him with Chalk, and with him the Let­ters which caus's so much trouble, and were to produce such wonders. You may easily think what effect this had upon the Queen and the Earl; they abhorr'd their former precaution, and ever and anon twitted each other with the loss of that advantage, being like to have parted Interests, when they had most need of a stricter Union. The Dutchess knew not yet what cause she had to thank Love for this Murther, so necessary to her safety, but still look'd upon the Earl as the undertaker of her ruine, which robb'd her of all quiet; some [Page 83]nipping words he often let fall, con­firm'd her opinion, augmented her fears, and made her change counte­nance whenever he began to speak. One day above the rest, when the Dutchess follow'd the Queen, who walk'd in the Castle Garden with the whole Court, a sudden showr made them take shelter in a Gallery that lay between the Apartments of the Duke Farnese and Montmorency; the Pictures in it being admirable, and representing several effects of the Gods Justice upon the wicked, were the subject of their discourse: One of them shew'd the torment of Ixion, for letting his desires aspire to the Wife of Jupiter; another, the burning of Semele, and this the Queen lik'd best: but the Duke of Parma was the most pleas'd with the adventure of Diana and Actaeon; the Goddess was drawn so lovely, the Landskip so natural, and the conformity between the Names of [Page 84] Diana and Madam de Valentinois made him esteem it so much, that he could not grow weary of com­mending it. But when from the praise of the Painter, they came to the story of the Picture, For my part, (said he, pleasantly) I must beg pardon of the Ladies severity, if I esteem not this so great an example of it as they believe; I think it but equity to punish a Lover for undertaking an enter­prise contrary to his Mistresses commands, (for 'tis just disobedi­ence should have its due correcti­on;) but to imagine it unlawfull to take the advantage of chance, or that a man may not enjoy the Caresses of Fortune, when she flings her self in his armes, is past my understanding. This discourse put­ting the Dutchess in mind of the Kiss in the Grotto, and several other occurrences, where he had practic'd what he preach'd, made [Page 85]her smile, which pass'd not unob­serv'd. But pray (reply'd a grave austere Lady of the Court) what interpretation do you make of so known a story, and so well re­ceiv'd, if not that 'twas the effect of Diana's modesty, and the punish­ment of Actaeon's presumption? I conceive (said the Duke, conti­nuing his raillery) that Diana pu­nish'd this Hunter, because he pur­sued not his good fortune; very like the Goddess would have been well enough pleas'd Actaeon saw her na­ked, had his transport at the sight of her beauty, effaied his crime against her modesty. This is a new Moral to the Fable, (answer'd the Queen, smiling) and if you can draw such from all the fictions of the An­tients, they have left us a terrible doctrine. Madam, (reply'd Octavo) the Antients were so wise, that one of their thoughts may find matter for five or six of ours. Kings have [Page 86]an example in this, of the respect we ought to have for the pleasures of Princes, where we should take no greater share then pleases them to allow us. Your Majesty, who is so modest and severe, may see an example of severity and modesty. A Politician may find a Maxim, not to let them live long, who know more of our affairs than we are willing they should; but a man of my age, makes no such serious reflections, nor looks for any thing but Amorous Morals. You make very curious distinctions for one that's Insensible, (said the Princess Claudia) and Nature must needs be unjust, if she hath joyn'd a mind so able to understand Love, with a heart so uncapable to receive it. Ah Madam, (added the Earl) per­haps the Duke is not so Insensible as he appears to be, a seeming Indifference being many times the mask of a great passion: And if [Page 87]Madam de Valentinois would speak her observations of the Dukes heart, to the Queen, I dare be confident his disguise cannot escape her quick-sighted Judgement. This discourse touched the Dutchess so sensibly, that she could hardly con­ceal her disturbance; but having a great power over her self, she was soon compos'd, and told the Earl in an angry imperious tone, I am but a bad Voucher of what you de­sire, and as I believe it injustice to look into others secrets without their permission, so I think their curiosity detestable who are so in­quisitive. If the Letters he inter­cepted had been still in his hands, our Ambassador had not stood mute in so provoking an opportunity; but the impossibility of proving his malice, hindred his saying any more of it, but sigh'd for vexation, at the bad success of his enterprises. The Queen who loved not to lose sighs [Page 88]so idly, like a prudent woman took no notice of their discourse: Our Lovers had let fall a thousand marks of the private correspondence that pass'd between them, which they observ'd not; yet the politick Queen, thought they might be usefull to her in time. She com­manded the illustrious Marot to write in Verse the story of Diana and Actaeon, according to the Duke of Parma's opinion. This Poet being greatly obliged to her, and finding the subject very pleasing, made this following Fable.

The Fourteenth Day.

THe Queen had wound so hand­somely into this Fiction, a Satyr against bashfull Lovers, with the description of the too presump­tuous, she repeated to the King the discourse which caus'd this Gallan­try, in such a malicious manner, and the Dutchesses looks betray'd her so often, that she hop'd thereby to stir up his Jealous humour, and make him evidently perceive his Mistresses unfaithfulness. But Octa­vo's seeming Insensibility, his con­stancy at the Court, and the strata­gems of Madam de Valentinois, so blinded this poor Prince, that all designs to make him see more clearly miscarried. Therefore the Queen resolv'd to speak more plainly, and knowing Marots fide­lity, engaged him to make Verses, to be understood contrary to what [Page 95]they express'd, of the whole Court, and especially of Madam de Valenti­nois; nor would she be omitted her self, that it might appear with the greater plausibility. These are all that came to our knowledge.

These mock-truths, as they were then call'd, were cunningly spread through all the Court; and the Queen complaining the first of her affront, made them so publick by her seem­ing trouble, that they soon came to the Kings ear, who was transported with Jealousie; and being astonish'd to think the two persons he most e­steem'd, should be so guilty, he went to the Dutchess, who saw in his face the trouble of his mind: this politick Lady, who knew what had past, and was prepar'd for what was to come, received the King with an appearing grief, which suspended all his anger: and preventing what she thought his Majesty would say, with a flood of forc'd tears, (which women of her humour have always at com­mand) she told him, she was very unhappy to be the mark of the Queens malitious invention, and to see her innocence and virtue traduced by those persons whom [Page 97]her Love to his Majesty obliged her to respect. Then shewing him the Verses, as if she knew not he had seen them, begg'd his per­mission to retire into a Monastery, that so miserable a person might leave the world, of which he had made her the scorn and sport. This was enough to perswade a Prince blinded with Love, into a confidence of his Mistresses Loy­elty. He lifts her up with a great deal of tenderness, and after he had made her swear some of those Oaths which the direction of the Will keeps from Perjury, he conjur'd her to calm her grief, and sacri­fice to him her just anger. The Dutchess pretended she could not bring her self to that mo­deration, and still desir'd leave to withdraw; then cunningly bringing into their discourse, that the Queens hatred to her and the Duke Octavo, proceeded [Page 98]from the allyance which his Maje­sty intended for the young Diana, whom she stil'd, that poor forsaken Princess. The tenderness of a Father and a Lover, joyn'd so strong­ly to overcome our Henry, that he went immediately from the Dutchess to the Queen, to whom he complain'd so sharply of the trick he suspected she had put up­on his Mistress, as made them see 'twas in vain to undertake her ruine.

The Fifteenth Day.

THis unexpected event did so incense the Queen, (who as we observed before was an Italian) that she did all that lay in her power to be reveng'd; she oblig'd the greatest part of the Counsel to op­pose the Kings Intentions to assist Octavo, and secretly spread amongst [Page 99]the people, that the Court had rather sacrifice the lives of 40000 men to the Marriage of the young Diana with Farnese, than succour a young Queen always in league with France, and who offer'd the Dolphin that Crown they desired the King to preserve: these stratagems and re­ports reduc'd the Dukes affairs to so low an ebb, as made him even dis­pair of any good success: But he had still left him the pleasure of re­ceiving the Dutchesses consolations; she offer'd not a tear to her policy, but he privately wip'd away; and this officious Lady did so counter­mine the Queens intrigues, and confuse her designs, that she could hardly clear them. The two Ri­vals hated each other to that ex­tremity, as ever and anon made them ready to cut one anothers throat; the Duke knew the Earl was the author, or at least the in­strument, of whatever happened [Page 100]contrary to Madam de Valentinois interest; and the Earl knowing per­fectly his Rivals happiness, would have given his life to hinder his enjoyment. One day when they were both in the Kings Chamber, attending the refult of the Counsel concerning their affairs, Octavo having made the Earl a reply to something he spoke as Ambassador, and which principally concern'd him, there pass'd several sharp words concerning their different qualities, which at last caus'd a quarrel. They went down the back stairs into the Forrest, as if they had gone to walk, where they presently drew, and so furiously be­gan the fight, as might justly have presag'd a dangerous event, if the Marquess de Jarnac and the Earl of St. Andre (advertis'd by an Officer of the Chamber) had not run to part them. 'Tis not imaginable what a noise this Duel made in the Court; [Page 101]two men of their quality to go to­gether by the ears at the Kings Chamber door, and in a time whilst they were managing affairs of so great importance, seem'd a thing too strange to be believ'd; but the Queen and her faction made nothing of it, attributing that to Love, which appear'd to others an effect of their ambition; saying, 'twas no new thing for Rivals to quarrel. This so powerfully a­wak'd the Kings jealousie, as oblig'd the Dutchess to absent her self for some time from the Court, to cure his suspicions: she retir'd to a little house she had upon a River, which runs a French League from Anet; this place being design'd for Bathing, she fain'd her self not well, and to have need of that remedy.

The Sixteenth Day.

THis complyance with what Madam de Valentinois call'd the Kings infirmities, so calm'd this Princes mind, that it seem'd impossible to trouble it any more. His Mistress left the Court without repugnance, the Duke and the Earl were with him; and under a pretence of honouring the Dutchess, she was so straightly guarded, that he durst have an­swer'd for her as for himself. But of what use are Guards, when Love undertakes to deceive them? the Duke saw the beautifull Diana every night, witty St. Brune ha­ving found so great a convenience to remedy the troubles of their ab­sence, that neither all the Kings precautions, nor the Queens snares, interrupted any of their enjoy­ments. The place where Madam [Page 113] de Valentinois absented her self, was distant from any other habitation, being built after the Model of the old Roman Baths, and which (as we said before) serv'd for no other use; and accordingly had a private way into the River, that one might wash there when 'twas fair weather. Through this Passage the happy Farnese was brought into the Dut­chesses Chamber every night. He always shew'd himself at the Kings Supper and Bed-times, as if he had nothing to do but give his atten­dance; as soon as the King was in bed, he went to a place in the For­rest, where his Horse was ready, and from thence he went to the River side, St. Brune having a morning Gown ready on the other side, where he past through the Vault, and entertain'd the fair Diana two hours: These nocturnal adventures lasted ten or a dozen nights, with a success for which our Lovers [Page 104]could not give Love thanks enough. The King perfectly satisfied with his Mistresses proceedings, began to propose her return; the Queens jealousie being somewhat appeased by the Dutchesses absence, seem'd weary of persecuting her; but the jealous Earl fed not himself with these vain appearances, the Letters he had seen taught him more of their affairs, than to imagine our true Lovers kindness could be unactive. And the more the Duke was indiffe­rent for Madam de Valentinois ab­sence, the more the Ambassador was perswaded it took nothing from their pleasures: therefore he re­newed his bribes and his promises to Octavo's Servant, that helpt him to intercept the Letters; and although since that accident he was not so much in his Masters favour as before, yet by him he discover'd our Lo­vers private Journeys, and resolv'd to watch him, and not trust the [Page 105]conduct of his affairs to any but him­self; and following him at a distance, to the place where he put off his Clothes, he saw him swim over the River, and enter the Vault which led to Diana's Chamber. How unpleasantly the jealous Ambassa­dor spent that time his Rival past so agreeably! He had a hundred temp­tations to follow him, and either participate the Dukes good fortune, or stab him in those Armes where he imagin'd him. But besides that, it was doubtfull whether the door were not shut after Octavo came in: this rash enterprize was difficult to be executed, the Earl being alone, without other Armes than his Sword. And though it had been possible to kill his Rival, as he thought, what he had experienc'd of Madam de Valentinois Policy, made him fear the effect of what he had no witness to prove: he there­fore went softly back again, and [Page 106]rowling a thousand different thoughts in his head, chose that he judg'd most profitable. He resolv'd then to be at the Dutchesses a­partment the next night, in Octavo's stead, and threaten her to tell the King all he had seen, if she would not grant him the same favour with his Rival; and as it neither became the respect he ow'd the Queen, nor favour'd her revenge, to communicate to her this resolution, so he kept it from her as a great se­cret; and taking no Counsel but of his Love, he expected the following night with unspeakable impati­ence.

The Seventeenth Day.

WHen jealousie is dissembled, 'tis not half had, being an evaporation whose first beginnings are hard to suppress, but when it [Page 107]hath once o'recome it self, with ease vanquisheth the distrusts of others. The Earl appear'd so calm at the King's rising, as if his mind had not been in the greatest per­plexity that possible could be; and having liv'd quietly with the Duke of Parma, since the King reconci­ [...]ed them, he took him to dinner that day; and when they rose from [...]able, went to the Duke D'aumales, who kept his Chamber for a hurt he had received in his foot the last Hunting. When the ordinary time of going to the Queens apartment was come, they went together, and follow'd her a walking, then saw her sup. The Duke was going his usual Voyage, when the Earl found a trick to stop him, whisper­ing the Queen, that for some rea­sons he would make known to her the next day, 'twas necessary to the Dutchesses ruine, that she should retain the Duke near her the great­est [Page 108]part of the night: This jealous Princess embracing this occasion o [...] revenge, without knowing more o [...] the Ambassadors design, after Sup­per proposed falling to Play, and desired the Duke to make one this proposition caus'd so much trouble to the amorous Octavo, as it might be observed in his face; but the King coming in and approving the Queens motion, he durst not contradict it, but play'd with so much distraction, and told the Clock with so great disturbance, as would have rais'd pitty in any but a Rival. But he had more cause to grieve, when the Queen upon a sign from the Earl, seem'd to grow earn­est in her play, and resolv'd to pass with it the rest of the night; the Duke thought he should have fall'n from his Chair at this discourse, answering the Queen, that with­out question she spoke in raillery, and that sitting up so long, might [Page 109]prejudice her health; she reply'd, [...]he found no inconvenience in watching, and desir'd the King to gratifie her in it: he readily con­sented, being willing to please her in small things, that she might give him his liberty in matters of greater concernment; Farnese not knowing how to break off, since the King approved it, was forc'd to have patience, and pass a night destin'd to so much pleasure, in an exercise [...]he naturally lov'd not, and which that juncture made insupportable to him. The Earl observ'd the agi­tations of his mind, by the wildness of his looks, and felt a joy which seem'd to him a prediction of his approaching happiness. Then see­ing all secure, and not fearing any obstacle in his design, left her Ma­jesty, and rid to the same place where he saw Octavo the evening before. The happiness he had al­ready promis'd himself, flatter'd so [Page 110]agreeably his imaginations during his Voyage, that he thought the hour already come he had so long and so ardently wish'd for. He studied his Oration, and not be­lieving that the Dutchess would sacrifice her favour and his private intrigue, to her loyalty towards the Duke, (which she observ'd so ill with the King) look'd upon his future happiness as infallible; when he felt himself entangled in a net, which not only stopt him in the middle of his course, but put him in danger of drowning. He strug­led with so much violence, that being strong he would have broke the net, had thy given him time; but the noise he made in the River with his strugling, caus'd some of the Centinels to come to the water side, where they drew him out as soon and as well as they could, and led him to the Guard, whither he scrupled to go: this kind of [Page 111]proceeding surprizing him, he thought they did it of their own accord, and told his name, not fearing but that when they knew it, they would give him his liberty to go whither he pleas'd. But his opini­on deceiv'd him; the net that catch'd him, was not laid by chance. The King being advertis'd by the Spyes (which under the notion of Guards he had plac'd about the Dutchess) that every night they heard a noise in the water, he devised this trap. The lot fell upon the unhap­py, and not the guilty. The Earls ill fortune being such, that the ar­tifice he used to keep the Duke at Anet, was the cause of his delivery from the snare laid for him.

The Eighteenth Day.

THe Play could not have been interrupted by a stranger acci­dent, nor more unlook'd for than this. The King made an out-cry when they brought him the news, as if he had receiv'd some mortal wound; and as our first trans­ports are ordinarily indiscreet, he told that had hapned to all about him. The Queen you must think was surpriz'd: All that heard the adventure, could not forbear laugh­ing in their sleeves, as at the plea­santest that e're befell. But the Duke was so overcome with rage and jealousie, that he had rather have chosen the deplorable con­dition of the unfortunate Earl, than that which the Dutchesses seem­ing infidelity had put him in: he withdrew himself to his own apart­ment, liberally nursing the whole [Page 113]Sex, and his Mistress more than all of them together; no melancholy reflections but troubled his brains, nor reproaches of a betray'd Lover that he utter'd not; and having pass'd the rest of the night without undressing himself, at day-break he got on horseback, and wandred about the Forrest without knowing whither he went, or to what end he came out: one while he would take Poste and go so far, that he should never more hear of Anet or Valentinois; then again, he would return to the King, and endeavour to moderate his first displeasures, and defend the Dutchess from his anger; then from this thought, he pass'd to those testimonies of Love he had receiv'd from that fair per­son, which some places in the For­rest brought to his mind, when per­swading himself the Earl had en­joy'd the same, he resolv'd to take from him the remembrance with [Page 114]his Life: But perceiving these violent designs, like all the pro­ducts of hasty and tumultuous thoughts, bore but little shew of reason, he fix'd upon that of see­ing the Dutchess, and to reproach her unfaithfulness in the most extra­vagant terms his rage could inspire; and having evaporated in this man­ner his first transport, contemn, forget, and were it possible, hate her too, as thinking her unworthy the esteem or Love of so faithfull a person as himself. He no sooner took this resolution, than he hast­ned to execute it, and rid to the Bath as fast as his horse could gallop; his fury not leaving him any con­duct, he came thither at broad day, and went streight to her Chamber, without first asking her leave; she shouted for joy at the sight of him, and lifting up her eyes to Heaven in sign of acknowledgment, Ah, my dear Duke, (said she) your pre­sence [Page 115]brings me out of a great perplexity. Yes, Madam, said the Duke angerly, it shews you upon which of your Lovers the lot is fallen, and as the provident care you always take, still keeps you one in reserve, the Earl is only taken in the trap, and I am yet in a condition to take his place, the Dutchess knew not any circum­stance of what had hapned the night before, being only inform'd by St. Brune, that the person she expected at the Vault, had met with a snare in his passage; and the Kings express order having hindred her further knowledge, she fear'd Octavo had been in the net where the Earl was taken, But when the Dukes dis­course gave her some insight into the truth, she thought it so pleasant, that the imagination put her in a ve­ry pleasant humour; and looking up­on the Duke with a brisk airy smile, which exceedingly became her, [Page 116]What think you, (said she to him) don't you find me a wo­man of great wit to order things so well? a Lady of less prudence than I, would have lost by this ad­venture the only ground of her plea­sure, whilst I know yet where to be recompenc'd for my loss. What, Madam! (cry'd the Duke, almost astonish'd) do you make no greater scruple of carrying on two amours at the same time? That would be a very pritty scruple, reply'd the Dut­chess, continuing her raillery; pray tell me, does what you call infi­delity, leave any marks behind it? does it make the skin less fair, or the eyes less sparkling, for having ex­tended the bounds of our kindness to two several Lovers? No, no my good Lord, (said she) 'tis just contrary; a multitude of Captives, is a mark of the conquerors valour; and the more we are lov'd, the more are we charming; and I believe my [Page 117]self enrich'd with as many new Graces, as I make new conquests. Ah Madam, cry'd the Duke, (who could no longer suffer the continu­ation of this discourse) there's no man that hath a soul, or is any way capable of a true and noble passion, will be of the number of your con­quests, after this knowledge of your conduct; I esteem'd your compliance with the Kings desires, as the effect of your Interest, which I could not blame; and was so prepossess'd, that I thought your inclination for me, produc'd by the influence of the Stars, which had not power to do so much for any other; but since your favours are the weakness of your constitution, which you cannot over­come, they are so many affronts to a generous person. And though the respect I bear your Sex, hinders me from divulging your procedure, it shall never hinder the conceiving an everlasting contempt of them. The [Page 118]Dutchess, who rejoyc'd exceedingly at his transport, let him take his Carreer a good while, till pittying Octavo's trouble, My Lord Duke, said she, I could never have thought 'twould have been so easie for you to conceive such unreasonable Ideas of me; I imagin'd you had better known the Characters of those kind­nesses I have shewn you, than to think them a habit of constitution; Go, ungratefull as you are, (continu'd she, in a passionate manner) you de­serve not that I should disabuse you; but since I have more goodness, than you injustice, I will let you know that I have no part in the Earls enterprize, nor know any thing of it, but what you your self have told me. By these words, she made him so clearly see the truth of what she said, and accompanied them with so many Oaths and kind re­proaches, that she oblig'd the Duke to beg her pardon and ex­cuse; [Page 119]which he had no great diffi­culty to obtain, the transports of Lovers never passing for a crime with knowing Ladies, whether they rise from their jealousie, or their passion, they make always a pleasant figure in Loves intrigue. After they had spent what time was necessary to their reconciliation, and had confirmed it with the greatest tenderness of Love, they thought what means was necessary to settle the Kings mind, which they knew was very much discompos'd; the Duke went to imploy Montmorency in this affair, but the Dutchess trust­ing her own charms, more than all o­ther perswasions, hastened to Anet to endeavour her self her own justifi­cation, and succeeded in this de­sign as well as formerly. The Earl could not deny that he had attempt­ed this enterprize without Diana's knowledge, and what he alledg'd of the example shewn him, having [Page 120]no witness, she made it pass for a fixi­on, calling the Earl base unworthy fellow, and lyar, with so much confi­dence, that she perswaded the King he was really so. The ill conduct of this Ambassador, caus'd the Queen of Scotland to call him home, whither he return'd as ill satisfied with the sincerity of the French Ladies, as the Dutchess with the wilfulness of the Scotch Gallants: he would have had recourse to the Queen of France, as he used formerly to do, but she was so extremely angry, for his making her seem to have been assisting to a part of his design, that she would never speak word in his behalf.

The Nineteenth Day.

LOvers are never in more dan­ger of being discover'd, than when they are left to themselves; whilst a Rival observes them, or an injur'd person troubles them, they use all their wit to secure them­selves from the traps which they imagine are laid to catch them; but as soon as they leave their care, upon the opinion of the publique inadvertency, they never scape be­ing surprized. Since the Earls de­parture, the Court heard no more of Intrigues or Jealousies; the King perswaded of his Mistresses faith­fulness, and successfull abroad, en­joy'd a solid tranquility; the Duke learning every day the French Cu­stoms, augmented his charms and also his enjoyments, his pretended Insensibility giving him leave to complement all the Ladies in the [Page 122]Court, without having an obliga­tion to any, which made him pass a life whose joyes had no alloys but the retarding his concerns: But Love is a seditious fellow, and can't live quietly, and seems to renounce his nature when he is long in a place without giving notice of his being there. One evening the Dutchess was in an Arbor, cover'd with that sort of Roses which blow every moneth, and are so remarkable for their pleasant scent, a little Bank of grass loosely bespread with the falling leaves, made a bed as it were of Roses; and the King being gone to Paris, about some important affair, the kind Madam de Valentinois there expected the Duke of Parma, without other disturbance than her impatience. St. Brune watch'd at the entrance of the Arbor, and the Dutchess being almost lull'd asleep, rather by an amorous fit, than sleep [Page 123]it self, expected no surprize but from the Duke Octavo, when the King interrupted her rest; he re­turned from Paris sooner than she imagin'd, and having met one of the Dutchesses Servants near Anet, who told him she was in the Gar­den, he fanci'd it a pleasing piece of Gallantry to surprize her in her solitude; wherefore he made all his Attendants stop, and causing a private door of the Garden to be open'd, that came into the Fields, he went as if he had been guided by the God of Love, to the place where his Mistress repos'd her self. Though the day was almost shut in, St. Brune perceiv'd him through the Railes, but seeing the Duke arrive on the other side, all that she could do was to feign a Cough, and run to meet Octavo, to hinder him from coming where then he had nothing to do. The Dutchess, who took St. Brunes advertisement for the [Page 124]signal of her Lovers arrival, and her mind being fill'd with the thoughts of him, fancied she saw him, and reach'd out her arm to embrace him, with a transport that caus'd a very violent one in the poor Prince: Ah my dear Farnese, (said she) how long have you made me expect you? The King trem­bled at these words, and grew stiff in her armes, from whence he had torn himself if he had had strength enough left him; but Madam de Valentinois looking upon this as the trick of a cunning Lover, who some­times by retarding his joy, makes it the more violent, she redoubled her Caresses and embraces, accom­panying them with a thousand kind words as witty as passionate, which put the King into so violent a rage, that there was no outragious words but he said at his first emotion; his voice supplying the want of light, Diana perceiv'd her error, and pro­mising [Page 125]her self to repair it by her policy, she try'd to stop the Kings going out; but 'twas impossible to do it, he got from her embraces, which he esteem'd no better than those of a Serpent, or something more dangerous; and his present fury making him forget the mode­ration due to his dignity, 'tis said he began his revenge by some blows with his fist, and testifi'd plainly in that Adventure, that Monarchs are men as soon as they become Lovers.

The Twentieth Day.

THis unexpected blow of for­tune, so impossible to be fore­seen by Madam de Valentinois, so amaz'd her, that she sunk under it: she cry'd, tore her hair, and according to the management of [Page 126]other imprudent Women, grum­bled at St. Brune till she talk'd idly; her fury pass'd from the Confident to the Lover, she curs'd the time wherein he appear'd lovely to her, resolving never to love him more; and being of a high spirit, and knowing Hypocrisie of great use to crafty wantons, she talk'd of nothing but the great effects of Re­ligion, and writ the King admirable Sermons upon the instability of the things of this World; and then making that retreat she had so often counterfeited, touch'd the King so much by this mark of her Repen­tance, that he could not resist—