THE Persons whose Lives I un­dertake to write, have shown so much Magnanimity in the different Turns of their For­tune, that it is difficult to judg which they are most to be prais'd for, the Mo­deration they have us'd in their Pro­sperity, or the Constancy they have ex­press'd in their Distresses: but whatever State we consider them in, their Elevati­on and their Fall are equally Instructive; to learn never to rely on the Lustre of a great Favour, and to suffer the utmost [Page 2]Rigors of Fortune, without betraying the least Weakness.

Cornifix, Count of Ʋlfeld, was the Tenth Son of Count Ʋlfeld Lord Chan­cellor of Denmark; who in the Reign of King Christian the Fourth made him­self as Illustrious by his Merit, as he was by his high Birth; his Family be­ing one of the First and most Antient of the Kingdom, and the only One that was honour'd with the Dignity of Count, by Concession from the Empe­ror. Besides the Advantages which Cor­nifix deriv'd from the Lustre of his Fa­mily, and from his Father's Favour, who rul'd the State, Nature prov'd ve­ry favourable to him, for he was the finest Gentleman of his Time; he had a Noble easy Shape, and a Majestick Air; his Mind was great and capable of all Things, his Eloquence was beyond the reach of most Men of his Quality; his Judgment was solid; he had an un­daunted Courage without Ostentati­on; a great deal of Sweetness mix'd with Gravity, which procur'd him Re­spect and Good-Will from all Men; he was Faithful and Moderate, very Sober, Generous and Vigilant: In a Word, he would have been perfect, had he not been Ambitious.

Before he was ten Years of Age, the great Vivacity of his Mind made him commit so many youthful Frolicks, that his Father was oblig'd to send him to Paris, under the Tuition of a Gover­nour; in order, if possible, to curb him by a Change of Clime: but on the contrary, his Malice increasing with his Years, he became so rebellious to­wards his Governour, that after having endeavour'd in vain, for five Years to­gether, to alter his Temper, he was forc'd at last to acquaint his Father the Chancellor with it; who was so angry thereat, that he order'd him to forsake him absolutely, and to allow him no­thing. Cornifix finding himself thus at Liberty, tho he was but fifteen Years of Age, went into Germany, where he ap­ply'd himself to the Count of Olden­burgh, to whom he had the Honour to be Related, and discover'd the Cause of his Disgrace to him. As he was incom­parably well shap'd, and had a great deal of Wit, he soon became his Favou­rite. And during the three Years a­bode he made at his Court, he became so accomplish'd, that many Husbands became jealous of him. But his Mar­tial Temper inspiring him with a de­sire [Page 4]of War above all other Things; Count Oldenburg could not hinder him from ingaging himself in King Christi­an's Army, who was in actual War with some of the Princes of Germany: The said Count having given him a magnificent Equipage, with Letters of Recommendation to General Fowlk, one of the greatest Captains of his Time, he took his leave of him, with as much Regret as Tenderness. No Man ever began the Trade of War better than young Count Ʋlfeld; he always ap­pear'd the first on all Occasions, tho ne­ver so dangerous: and whereas Fortune was resolv'd to be prodigal towards him, (as it will appear in the Sequel) she prov'd so favourable to him, that his Reputation was perfectly settled in a short space of Time: He went through all Military Degrees; and tho he re­ceiv'd no manner of Assistance from Home, he always appear'd with so much Splendor, and made so great an Expence, that he equall'd the Chief Officers of the Army. He falling sick of the Plague, his Gentleman of the Horse, thinking he would never reco­ver, sold his Equipage: You may easily imagine his Surprize, when being [Page 5]cur'd, at a time every one expected his Death, his said Gentleman of the Horse acquainted him with what he had done; he would certainly have punish'd him severely for it, had he been strong enough to attempt it. But hearing that he had not as yet dispos'd of the best part of his Money, he wisely dissembled his Displeasure: Insomuch that the said Gentleman, who was one of those Per­sons who subsist every where, and who knew his Master's Humour, made up another Equipage again, in a short time, very little inferior to the First; which the Count was so well pleas'd with, that he pardon'd him, and made use of him as before.

The War which had now lasted five Years, ending in a Peace, Count Ʋlfeld, who hated a sedate Life, return'd into France, and from thence went into Ita­ly, where getting acquainted with Seig­nor Cremoniny a Noble Venetian, in the City of Padua, he contracted so strict a Friendship with him, that in a Year's time he profited so well by his Conver­sation, that he has often own'd since, he was indebted to him for the best part of what he knew. After having seen all Italy, he went back into Germany, where [Page 6]he made a pretty long stay; and finally, the desire of returning into his Native Country, growing the most predominant of all his Passions, he put himself in the Retinue of an Ambassador who was going for the Court of Denmark, only to honour his Embassy: And by the Charms of his Person, as well as of his Wit, he made so great a Progress in the said Ambassador's Favour, that he con­ceal'd nothing from him; insomuch that when they came to Copenhagen, he was present at all the Conferences he had with the Chancellor his Father: That Great Man, who thought he had lost one of his Sons, in the Person of Cornifix, from whom he had never heard any News in ten Years time, being ta­ken with his Wit, and admiring the Solidity of his Judgment in Affairs of State, in an Age in which most Men only mind their Pleasures; whether it were by Simpathy of Blood, or out of desire to engage Cornifix in King Chri­stian's Court, he conceiv'd so great an Esteem for him, that after a long Con­ference he had with the Ambassador, in which the Count was not present, he could not forbear acquainting him with the Sentiments he had for the Count, [Page 7]and to intreat him to let him know, how he came to engage himself in his Reti­nue. The Ambassador who lov'd him tenderly, told the Chancellor that he was a Danish Gentleman, whose Name was not very different from his, adding a great deal to the Praises he had already given him. But whereas the Chancel­lor, who knew all the Nobility of the Kingdom, could find no Family that had any Relation to the Name which the Ambassador told him the Count went by; he desir'd him to grant him the Favour to discourse him the next Day in private himself.

It would be difficult to express the young Count's Joy, when he heard the good Opinion his Father had of him, and to think what an agreeable Sur­prize it would prove to him, to hear that he was that Son, whose ill Nature had oblig'd him to forsake. It is much easier to imagine than to describe it; and we may easily conceive that it is impossible for two Persons to have a greater. Cornifix waiting on the Chan­cellor the next Day, according to his Desire, he receiv'd him with all the Ci­vility he could expect from a Man of his Character; and after having discours'd [Page 8]of several Things in general, the Chan­cellor asking him what Family he was of, with an obliging Concern, which confirm'd what the Ambassador had told him, he excus'd himself for a long while, telling him that perhaps he would not be pleas'd at it, and that he was afraid he would lose the good Opi­nion he had of him, when he knew him. But whereas this Mystery did only serve to increase the Chancellor's ear­nestness to know it; the Count told him at last, that he was that Cornifix, the Tenth of his Sons, whom he had for­sake at his Governour's Solicitation. Thunder does not surprize those who see it fall near them, more than this Confession did the Chancellor. He held his Eyes fix'd on the Count a long while before he could utter one Word: He ex­amin'd all his Features one after ano­ther, endeavouring to find out some of his own; and could hardly perswade himself, that a forsaken Child could have made himself so perfect. Joy and Shame struggled so much in his Heart, that he was quite at a loss: but in conclusion, Nature made him sensi­ble that he was really his Son; a Tor­rent of Tears gush'd out from his Eyes, [Page 9]and Embraces succeeded Civilities. As this Adventure was very Extraordinary, and as the Chancellor thought himself very happy, to have recover'd a Son whose Merit was already known at Court, he immediately acquainted King Christian and the Prince his Son therewith; who thereupon doubled the Favours they had already express'd towards Cornifix. The Ambassador was not displeas'd at this Discovery, tho it hinder'd him from en­joying the agreeable Conversation of the Count as before. And I may af­firm, that all those who were Reasona­ble, express'd the Share they took in his Joy.

Merit undoubtedly can produce much of it self, and we have many Examples of Men who have rais'd their Fortune to the highest Degree by it alone. Young Count Ʋlfeld had reason to expect all things from his, without being thought presumptuous: But yet we must needs ac­knowledg, that the Favour of his Father, who govern'd the State, did contribute considerably towards his becoming a Favourite to the King and to the Prince, who could do nothing without commu­nicating it first to him. Nevertheless tho it is natural for young Men to be [Page 10]dazled with Greatness, he liv'd with more Modesty than before; and being sensible that the Favour of Kings is as dangerous as pleasing, he resolv'd to leave the Court to go into Spain. His Equipage was ready, and his Father approving his Reasons, he only tarried for the King's Leave to go on Board; but that great Prince who lov'd him ten­derly, laid such absolute Commands on him not to go, that at last he resolv'd to stay, and to use his utmost Endeavours to preserve his Favour. Soon after this the King honour'd him with the Place of Lord-Chamberlain, which engag'd him still the more particularly near his Person; and he discharg'd the said Trust so worthily, and shew'd so much Courage in the Naval Wars which the King had against the King of Sweden, in which two of his Brothers were kill'd, that Christian could not forbear expressing his Satisfaction to all those of his Court, for having so accomplish'd a Subject.

As there were no Degrees at that time among the Danes, to distinguish the Nobles from one another, the King­dom of Denmark being then Elective, the King's Children were the only Per­sons who were above the Nobility. [Page 11]Among the Rivals of Glory young Cor­nifix had to deal with, Hannibal Séested was one of those who gave him most E­mulation: He was a very fine Gentleman, and had a great deal of Wit; so that being both partly of the same Age, and equally Ambitious, they were common­ly opposite in all Things. The King after the Queen's Death, being fallen in Love with a very beautiful Lady, of the Antient Family of Monch, call'd Chri­stina, who had all the Qualifications of a Great Princess, had she been born one, not being able to obtain any Favours from her, had married her with all the Formalities requir'd in a Lawful Mar­riage, in the presence of the whole Court, and of the Senate, with this Clause in the Contract, That the Chil­dren he should get by that Marriage, should not be Princes, and should be con­tented with the Title of Earls of Sles­wick and Holstein, of which they should have the Name and Arms, to distin­guish them from other Gentlemen: The Reason of which was, that the King having Children by his first Marriage, and there bring no Principality in the Kingdom; had those he might get by the Second been acknowledg'd Princes, [Page 12]they would have prov'd too great a Bur­den to the Common-Wealth, because they could not have marry'd with the Nobles of the Country. The Countess Eleonora deriv'd her Birth from this Marriage. Young Cornifix, who till then had been a Stranger to the Power of Love, meeting in that Beautiful La­dy all he could wish to raise his Fortune to the highest Degree, and to become the happiest of Men, fell passionately in Love with her, at a Time when Han­nibal was mov'd with the same Passion. Love among Persons of Quality, is like a Beacon, which is no sooner kindled, but it is perceiv'd at a great Distance; therefore the Count coming oftner to the Queen's Apartment than he us'd to do, it was thought he had an Inclination for the young Countess; and whereas the King's Favour, and his own Merit, gave him a great Advantage over his Ri­val, he soon effac'd those Impressions which Hannibal had made in the young Countesses Mind: But whereas she had a Prudence far above those of her Age, she did them Justice, without seeming to incline more towards the one than the other; and had it not been for the natural Jealousy they had of each other, [Page 13]they would have had no reason to be jealous of the Favours they receiv'd: They were a long while before they could discover in favour of which the Countess would declare her self, tho they omitted nothing to shew their Pas­sion for her. This made the Count so melancholy and so sad, that chancing one Day to be alone with the Countess, he look'd on her a considerable while, without being able to utter one Word: Which she desiring to know the Reason of, after he had excus'd himself awhile, he declar'd his Passion to her. The Countess being surpriz'd, blush'd at this Declaration, and looking on the Count, with a Severity capable to make the boldest of Men tremble, he repented his having said too much; but however there was no Remedy, and the Occasion had seem'd too favourable to him not to say a thing which he could no longer conceal: Therefore he threw himself at the Countess's Feet, humbly craving her Pardon for his Presumption, in words so moving and so tender, that the most cruel of Women would have pitied him. But this word Love did sound so harsh in the Countess's Ears, and she had conceiv'd so frightful an Idea of it, [Page 14]that she could not bear it. The Count, on the contrary, said a thousand soft Things to her, to perswade her that that Passion could never be banish'd from the World, without making it as wild and savage as Desarts, since it was the only thing which supported Gallan­try, and maintain'd Union even among the most Barbarous: And he had cer­tainly remov'd that great Aversion, had not the Queen come in, which oblig'd him to quit that Subject. The Count went away between Fear and Hope; and whereas it behov'd him to justify Love, before the Countess, the first time he saw her again, having an Op­portunity to speak to her; after a pret­ty long Conversation, the Countess told him, that if he did not exceed the Bounds he had prescrib'd to himself, he might hope to be hearken'd to in time: so that he went away extreamly satis­fy'd. Some time after this, having been ingag'd in a Combat, in which he gave Proofs of his great Valour, he had the pleasure to hear the Countess praise him in his Rival's Presence, with such E­logies, that he no longer doubted but she had some Kindness for him. And indeed he richly deserv'd the Praises the Coun­tess [Page 15]gave him, having done an Action which would pass for a Fable, had not his King been a Witness of it, as well as most of the greatest Men of the King­dom. It is most certain, that the City of Hamburgh being built upon the King of Denmark's Territories, they are ob­lig'd to pay him Homage for the same; and that according as they have en­creas'd their Power, they have endea­vour'd to free themselves; so that most of the Kings have been oblig'd to take Arms, either to assert their Right, or to repel those Rebellions: Which ob­lig'd King Christian, one of the bravest Princes that ever reign'd in the North, to build the City of Glucstad, upon the River Elbe, with a Fort capable to op­pose the Efforts of that little Common-Wealth, and to keep them in Awe; that the said Prince having been forc'd to take Arms, upon the Account of some Things he demanded of the Hambur­gers; he being at Glucstad with his For­ces, they set out a Fleet of several Ships, designing to make a Descent, to make themselves Masters of that Place; which they would have done, being superiour in Number, had not the extream Va­lour that generous Prince, Count [Page 16] Ʋlfeld, and a French Gentleman who belong'd to him, show'd on that Occa­sion, prevented them, they never aban­doning a Battery of some Pieces of Or­dnance, which commanded the Port, notwithstanding all the Gunners were kill'd or wounded, and that the For­ces that kept it retir'd into the Town, upon the continual Fire from on Board the Ships: But those three Heroes chose rather to die, than to suffer the taking of the Town, or to fly. And whereas nothing is impossible to those who are capable of great Resolutions, they made so great a Resistance for an Hour together, that the Garison of the Town taking Heart again by their Ex­ample, the Fleet being half disabled, was oblig'd to retire, with as much Shame as Admiration; and none of them were wounded, tho the Bullets which were shot at them, had cover'd their Faces so thick with Dirt, that they were hardly to be known again. There­fore this Action justly deserv'd the Prai­ses of the Countess Eleonora, and she could not refuse this Justice to the Me­rit of the Count, seeing that immedi­ately upon this Expedition, the King had given him the Government of the [Page 17]Isle of Funen, to honour his Vertue; and that his very Enemies were forc'd to own, that he deserv'd the Favour and Kindness of his Master. And in­deed from that time forward, the Coun­tess had a particular Respect for him, and receiv'd his Addresses in such a manner, as satisfy'd him that she was not insensible: But that which made an end of winning her Heart, and of ruining Hannibal, was another Action perform'd by the Count; which being very un­common, especially among Courtiers, will discover the Character of his No­ble Soul, as well as the Violence of his Passion for the Countess.

Jealousy, which would not be blame­able, if it did not often mistake Appear­ances for Realities and Truths, having taken possession of the Queen's Heart, upon a bare suspicion that the King her Husband was passionately in love with one of her Maids of Honour, forc'd that Princess, whose Beauty was some­what lessened by Years, to do such extra­ordinary things, in order to preserve a Conquest which she had lawfully won, and which she esteem'd above her Life, that the King was reduc'd to the dis­mal Extremity of suing a Divorce. In [Page 18]order thereunto he assembled the Senate, to propose Means about it, lest he might be tax'd with Injustice. The Coun­tess Eleonora's Tears, whom he lov'd a­bove all his other Children, could not prevail with him to alter his Resoluti­on; and all those who were at Court, forsook that unfortunate Queen, to in­dulge the King's Anger. Finally, Count Ʋlfeld prov'd the only Man, who, con­trary to every one's Expectation, un­dertook her Defence; he chose rather to venture the loss of his Favour, than to possess it, at a time when his dear Countess was in Affliction: and whereas he had no prospect of Happiness without her, after having endeavour'd in vain to appease the King, Love prevail'd over Fortune; and he had the Assurance to tell the King, that he was in hopes to ju­stify the Queen publickly. Hannibal, who fancy'd that the Count would infallibly ruin himself in taking that Party, and who was no less jealous of his Ma­ster's Favour than of his Mistress, im­prov'd that Occasion to take his Post, and to destroy him in the King's Opi­nion: He omitted no Means to succeed therein, and to the End that all the World might know it, he also took up­on [Page 19]him to acquaint the Senate with the King's Reasons. The Day appointed to plead this famous Cause being come, the King repair'd to the Senate-House, with all the Senators: The Queen and all her Children likewise repair'd thi­ther, with no body but Count Ʋlfeld, who was to defend them: And every body being seated according to their Rank, Hannibal stood up, and urg'd the King's Reasons with so much Elo­quence and Brillant, that most of those who heard him, suppos'd the Queen ab­solutely ruin'd: But they soon alter'd their Minds, for Count Ʋlfeld whose Noble Air mov'd all those who saw him, shew'd with so much Grace and Solidity the Queen's Innocence, who had only sinn'd through an Excess of Love, which can never be blam'd, since Excess alone justifies that Passion; that finally the King could not forbear mixing his Tears with the Queen's, as well as all the Senators; and coming down from his Throne, he embrac'd her, and restor'd her the same Place she possess'd in his Heart before that Mis­fortune. It is impossible to express the Applauses Count Ʋlfeld receiv'd for this noble Action, nor the Shame Hannibal [Page 20]was cover'd with, when coming out of the Senate, the Earl drew his Sword, to shew that Rival he knew how to use it as well as his Tongue: he had not the Courage to encounter him, but fled in great Disorder and Confusion. Ne­vertheless as they were the two most considerable Men of the Kingdom, the King made them Friends again; but notwithstanding the said Reconciliati­on, Hannibal ever since preserv'd a De­sire of Revenge against the Earl, and never could forgive him that Affront.

The whole Court went to congratu­late the Queen, upon her being more in the King's Favour than ever; the Earl did not fail to express his Joy to her a­bout it. You may easily imagine that she omitted nothing to shew her Grati­tude to him for the great Service he had done her; and that she us'd him with all the Kindness he had reason to expect. But that did not move him, compara­bly to what the Countess said to him after the Queen was gone, and the Com­pany had left them out of respect. That charming Creature, after having re­peated all, and even the least Circum­stances of what had pass'd in the Senate, assur'd him, that she would never for­get [Page 21]it; and that in case the King did approve his Sentiments, he would soon be sensible that she preferr'd him to all the World. As I relate nothing but what is actually true, I will not puzzle my self to find out fine Expres­sions to describe the Earl's Answer, I will only tell you, that it was as witty as passionate; that at his coming away from the Countess he was the happiest of Men; and that soon after it he was so for­tunate, that the King himself propos'd his Marriage with the Countess, and that he married her, notwithstanding all the Brigues of Hannibal: neither will I give you an Account of the Magni­ficencies which were made to honour the Wedding of those Illustrious Lo­vers, since you may easily imagine that they were not Mean; besides that, having many things to say, I might prove tiresome should I particularize every Circumstance.

The King who (as I have already de­clar'd) lov'd Count Ʋlfeld passionately, being desirous to raise his Fortune to the utmost Degree, made him Constable of the Kingdom, and soon after it Great Master; whose Power being equal to that which the Antient Maires du Palais [Page 22]had, under the first Race of the Kings of France, made the Earl the Second Person of the Kingdom, since he did exert the King's Power in his Absence: Therefore as he had nothing more to wish for, he found himself the happi­est of Men, during the Life of King Christian his Father-in-Law. He was sent Ambassador Extraordinary into France and Germany, where he made himself more considerable by his Merit than by his Quality: and at his return to Christian's Court, he officiated his Place with so much Sweetness and Mo­desty, that every body bless'd his Go­vernment. But those were much in the right, who have said, that in order to maintain a great Fortune, a second is requir'd.

For K. Christian was no sooner dead, but the Earl's Enemies, or rather the Ri­vals of his Glory, us'd their utmost En­deavour to destroy him. But whereas they were sensible that his Fortune was upheld, by the Honour he had of being ally'd to the Royal Family, tho the Danes had, for the space of Two hun­dred Years and upwards, all along rais'd their last King's Eldest Son to the Throne, they endeavoured to abolish [Page 23]that laudable Custom, and in order thereunto form'd so powerful a Cabal, that they had the boldness to maintain in a Council, compos'd of the Deputies assembled to make the Election, that Prince Frederick could not be elected, without causing the absolute Ruin of the Kingdom: But Count Ʋlfeld who was President of the Council, being sensible of their Design, asserted the Interest of the Prince his Brother-in-Law, with so much Courage and Eloquence, that the Elector who had propos'd the Exclusi­on, desisted as well as all the rest; inso­much that the Earl did not break up the Assembly until the Prince was elected King. It is true, that in order to ap­pease those who seem'd to be most dis­satisfy'd, he ingag'd, by virtue of his Office of Great Master, he being the Head and Protector of the Nobility, that the Prince would preserve all their Privileges, and that their Grievances should be redress'd. The Election was made on this Condition, as it had been done time out of mind. In the mean time, Count Ʋlfeld being satisfi'd with his having perform'd his Duty, without valuing himself upon it, by publishing the same, not having acquainted the [Page 24]Prince before nor after the Election, with all the Brigues that had been made to exclude him from the Crown, his Enemies made use of his Modesty to ru­in him; for having perswaded the King that he himself had aspir'd to the Crown, because some Votes had been given for him, and that not being a­ble to obtain his Ends, he had, in order to make himself the more recommenda­ble, caus'd the Election to be made on the Conditions I have mention'd.

This wrought so powerfully on the King's Mind, that he was thereby ex­cluded from his Favour in a Moment, without knowing the Reason of it; and the said Coldness made so much noise, that the Earl's Enemies finding the King dispos'd to believe all their Ca­lumnies, had the Malice to seduce a Woman, call'd Dina, who had an access in the Royal Family, to accuse the Count and the Countess his Wife, of having made Solicitations to her to poison the King, the Queen, and all the Royal Family.

This Monarch giving too much cre­dit to the said Accusation, without staying for any farther Informations, wrote to the Queen of Sweden, to some [Page 25]Princes of the Empire, and to the P. of O­range, to give them an Account of the said Conspiracy, and to desire their Advice how to proceed against those Traitors (for so he call'd the Count and the Coun­tess) who were in his Power; desiring them to rejoice at Heaven's having pre­serv'd him from that Treason. But whereas the Quality of the Persons ac­cus'd, oblig'd him to observe some For­malities; he allow'd them to make their Defence before the Council, lest the World should think he design'd to oppress them.

It was on this Occasion this Great Man discover'd an undaunted Cou­rage and Firmness of Mind; for with­out discovering the least Trouble in his Countenance, he made his Defence with so much Judgment, that the said Wo­man, and Captain Walter who had in­troduc'd her, not being able to resist the Force of the Earl's Reasons, were fully convicted of Perjury: Dina was con­demn'd to lose her Head, and Walter to a perpetual Exile; which was accord­ingly put in execution.

The Earl finding by this Proceeding that his Ruin was resolv'd upon, and be­ing sensible by the King's Easiness to [Page 26]believe so strange an Accusation against a Person of his Quality, that he would be easily dispos'd to give Credit to all the Calumnies of his Enemies, he re­solv'd to provide for his own Sasety, and that of all his Family.

In order thereunto, he resolv'd to re­tire into Poland, hoping to be safe there; and having propos'd his Design to the Countess Eleonora, that generous Lady would needs follow him, notwithstand­ing all the Reasons he could urge to the contrary, which could never prevail over her Affection for him.

All things being dispos'd for their departure, the Countess put on Mens Clothes as well as one of her Women, the only One she took along with her; and going on board one of their own Ships, after having been some Days at Sea, they were surpriz'd by so dreadful a Storm, that they thought themselves lost: But after having suffer'd all the Hardships imaginable for two or three Days time, they came to an Anchor in the Road of Dantzick, where they landed. The Earl being thus safely got on Shore, dispatch'd one of his Gentle­men to the Court of Poland, to intreat the King to allow him a Retreat in his [Page 27]Kingdom, and to protect him against his Enemies. He remain'd at Dantzick in expectation of his Return, where the Countess Eleonora still keeping on her Mens Clothes, in order to divert her Sorrows, made some Addresses to a Wo­man of Quality, who did not want Charms, and whose Conversation was very agreeable; and her Courtship made so strong an Impression on the Lady's Heart, that she could no longer live without her.

Moreover, the thing proceeded so far, that the Lady's Husband being grown jealous, the Countess would certainly have brought her self into Trouble, but that the Gentleman whom Count Ʋl­feld had sent to the Court, being re­turn'd with a Refusal, they resolv'd to repair to the Queen of Sweden. The Countess having acquainted the said Lady therewith, she was so strangely mov'd at her departure, that after hav­ing said the most tender Things to her, to oblige her to tarry, she was resolv'd to follow her, had not the Countess dis­cover'd her Sex to her. You may easi­ly guess her Surprize at this unexpected Confession, and what different Passions her Soul was agitated with: Shame, [Page 28]Spite and Rage, tormented her by turns, and the Countess stood in need of all her Wit to appease this abus'd Woman; but in the end, her Love being turn'd to Friendship, they parted with a thou­sand Protestations, of loving each other to the Grave.

The Earl, whose Courage was un­daunted, was overjoy'd to see the Coun­tess divert her self thus: So that those Illustrious Persons, did bear their Dis­grace with as much Constancy, as they had shown Modesty in their Prospe­rity.

The Queen of Sweden, who knew their Merit, and did pity their Mis­fortune, having assur'd the Earl's En­voy that she would grant them her Protection, they repair'd to Stockholm, where that great Princess kept her Court at that time.

She receiv'd them with all the Kind­ness they could expect from her Gene­rosity; particularly the Countess Eleo­nora, who not having quitted her Man's Clothes, a Dress in which the Queen often delighted her self: She was so much taken with her Air, that she o­mitted nothing to express her Joy to her, for being able to assist her. After [Page 29]the Earl had paid his first Respects to the Queen, he told her that he only begg'd her Protection on this Conditi­on, that he would submit to her Ju­stice, and that he would answer, before her Majesty, to whatever Accusations should be made against him.

She granted his Desires, so that they remain'd two Years at Stockholm in quiet: but when they thought their Enemies had no longer any thoughts to persecute them, the Danish Ambassador receiv'd an Order to accuse the Earl of several Crimes, the least of which would have cost him his Head had he committed it: but tho the Ambassador deliver'd a Letter to the Queen, writ­ten and sign'd by the King's own Hand, in which he conjur'd her to punish Count Ʋlfeld; She allow'd him to make his Defence before the Council: and having sent him a Copy of the Heads of the Accusation, on the Day appointed by her Majesty to plead the Cause, the Earl discover'd his Innocence by such convincing Proofs, that the Queen, and all the Senators, were satisfy'd of it; and the Ambassador was so much con­founded, that not being able to make a positive Reply to the Earl's Defence, it [Page 30]turn'd his Brains; and he left the Coun­cil in that Distraction, without taking his Leave of the Queen, and without showing the least Civility to the Lords of the Assembly.

So publick a Justification, put the Earl's Enemies into so great a Confusi­on, that their Persecution lay dormant for several Years, during which he re­tir'd with his Family into Pomerania, where he had a considerable Estate, en­joying the Sweetness and Tranquillity which a Country-Life can afford a Man who is tir'd with the Fatigues of the Court; and whereas he fanci'd that the Cause of so long a Silence could only proceed from the King his Brother-in-Law's being convinc'd of his Innocence, he advis'd the Countess to go to Copen­hagen, there to make her Court assidu­ously, and to endeavour to put her self perfectly into the King's Favour again.

But tho the Earl had written several Letters full of Submission and Respect, that unfortunate Lady was no sooner come to the Frontiers of the Kingdom, but she was inform'd that her Ene­mies had sent Forces to the first Vil­lage through which she was to pass, to secure her.

However, whereas such an Attempt had no Precedent, and that the Countess could not imagine, that they could treat a Person of her Quality with so much Cruelty, she continu'd her Journey, whatever her Servants could say to the contrary. But as soon as she was got in­to a little Plain, one of her Gentlemen acquainted her, that a Company of Foot was coming towards them with great speed: Whereupon the Countess no longer doubting but that the Advice she had receiv'd was true, order'd her Coach to turn about, and she stood in need of the utmost Vigour of her Hor­ses to rejoin the Bridg which separates the Territories of Denmark from those of Holstein, where the said Souldiers, who came within Musket-shot of her, remain'd full of Confusion at their not having been able to execute their De­sign.

The Earl being equally surpriz'd and troubled at this new Disgrace, writ to the Court again to know the Reason of it; but he receiv'd no Answer, which made him sensible that it was an Effect of the Cruelty of his Enemies, who were resolv'd, at any Rate, to keep him for ever out of the Kingdom, in order [Page 32]to possess his Places, and to enjoy the great Estates they had made themselves Masters of: Which unworthy Treat­ment made him resolve to take Arms under Charles King of Sweden, whose Protection he had also taken after the Queen's Abdication, in hopes thereby to be restor'd to the Possession of part of his Estate. It was not without a great deal of Grief he found himself reduc'd to the Necessity of employing his Courage and his Wit against his Prince and Bro­ther-in-Law; those two Qualities did long oppose within his Soul the Resolu­tion he had taken, and they did not want Reasons to break it; but finding no other way for his Restoration, he was oblig'd to embrace it.

Therefore the Earl being forc'd by all manner of Reasons to behave himself thus, made use of his Courage and Pru­dence, to satisfy Charles that he did act Sincerely. The first Proof he gave him of it, was the Reduction of the Isle of Funen, which did submit to him in so little time, that the News of it came to Copenhagen, before they knew that Charles design'd to conquer it.

Moreover, as if Heaven had join'd with the Earl to revenge the Injustices [Page 33]he had receiv'd, the Sea freezing to that degree, that the Artillery could safely be drawn over it, he perswaded the King of Sweden to march against Copenhagen with Three thousand Horse, and Six pieces of Ordinance, not doubting but the boldness of the Enterprise would cause a strange Consternation.

And indeed Frederick was so much surpris'd, to see an Army before the Gates of his Capital City, that his Cou­rage fail'd him; and in that Disorder, the most effectual way he could think on, to prevent the Ruin of his State, was to oblige Count Ʋlfeld's Agents to let him know, that in case he could mediate a Peace, he would restore him to the Possession of all his Places and Estate. Whereas Necessity only had oblig'd him to take Arms against his Country, his Friends found him so well dispos'd to forget all the Injuries he had receiv'd, that tho he was sensi­ble that nothing but the present State of Affairs oblig'd Frederick to behave him­self thus, he made so good a Use of the Credit he had acquired with Charles, that he oblig'd him to make a Peace, which was sign'd at Rosschild. By the said [Page 34]Peace, the King of Denmark yielded the Province of Schonen to the King of Swe­den, together with the Fortresses of Gabub, Hallen, Blechin, the Town of Drontem, and some others; and granted Count Ʋlfeld, and all those who had followed him, a General Pardon, and restor'd him to the Possession of all his Places, Dignities and Estates. After which, the two Kings embrac'd, with great Demonstrations of Friendship. Fre­derick also express'd his good Will to the Earl, in such a manner as made every body believe that he did it sin­cerely; and at Night the two Kings supp'd together at Frederixburg, one of the King of Denmark's Pleasure-Houses, with the Queen and the Chief Officers of the two Armies.

The following Day the King of Swe­den, after having conferr'd some Hours with Frederick, went for Gottemburg▪ and the Earl remaining with the King of Denmark, every body did conclude, that he was as much in the King's Fa­vour as ever.

But whereas Frederick was susceptible to all sorts of Impressions, and that the Earl's Enemies did dread the Loss of [Page 35]their Credit, by the Restoration of his Authority, they cast new Suspicions into the King's Mind, which oblig'd the Earl to retire upon the Estate he had in the Province of Schonen. The King of Sweden being desirous to show the Earl (who was become his Subject) the Esteem he had for him, gave him the County of Sylburg, for him and his Heirs Male for ever.

But the Earl who was in hopes, by this voluntary Retreat, to make the King of Denmark sensible of the In­justice of his Persecutors, and of the Innocence of his Conduct, was strange­ly mistaken in his Conjectures; for he had hardly enjoy'd for some Months, the sweetness which a Coun­try Life affords to those who are desi­rous of it, before the King of Sweden being resolv'd to renew the War, pro­pos'd to him to take Arms again, with such advantagious Conditions, that any Man but the Earl would cer­tainly have accepted them. Neverthe­less he refus'd them generously, and made Charles so sensible, that having no new Cause to complain of the King, his Brother-in-Law, he could not serve [Page 36]against him, without wounding his Honour, that that Great Prince, who knew the Merit of the Earl, would not oblige him to do it by Force: But whereas his admirable Qualifications had rais'd Envy against him among the greatest Lords of Sweden, especi­ally in those who were Pensionaries to Frederick, they made use of that Oc­casion to ruin him in the Opinion of Charles: And they put so malicious a Gloss upon the Earl's good Intenti­ons, that having represented them to him, in a different manner from what he had conceiv'd when he approv'd them; and no body having made an Answer to justify the Count, they rais'd such suspicions against him, for having refus'd the great Advantages he had offer'd him, that Charles was almost perswaded that he design'd by his Credit, to cause those new Con­quests, not fully settled as yet, to revolt, in order to regain the King of Den­mark's Favour. The Earl's Enemies went further yet; for having, by sur­prize, got an Order from Charles to the Governor of Malmo, he secur'd the Earl and all his Family; and upon [Page 37]this bare Surmise, the County of Syl­burg was taken from him again, which Charles had given him not long be­fore. Moreover, they did confiscate three other considerable Estates, with all his Goods, which were of an ine­stimable Value; and Count Ʋlfeld fal­ling dangerously ill at the same time, some disaffected Historians did pub­lish, that he had poison'd himself for Grief, and that he was dead, or had lock'd himself up in some uninhabi­ted Place: But it was nothing but a Continuation of the Malice of his Enemies, for he had no reason to put himself to death, nor to abridg so no­ble a Life.

Charles having allow'd him to make his Defence publickly, he receiv'd this new Disgrace without the least astonishment; and I can affirm, that neither Eleonora nor himself did ever look upon it otherwise than as the least of those they had receiv'd. Soon after their being secur'd in their own House, the Earl was cited to appear before the Senate of Malmo; but not being able to repair thither, by rea­son of his Indisposition, the Coun­tess [Page 38] Eleonora undertook his Defence; and whereas she had an Eloquence which is not common among those of her Sex, and as much Judgment as Wit, she made the Senate so sensible of the Malice of their Enemies, and of the Earl's Innocence, that he was pub­lickly absolv'd of the Crimes which were laid to his Charge; and the Senators were so much charm'd with what she had said, that they sent her Speech to the King, together with their Judgment, to be confirm'd.

A Copy of it is fallen into my Hands, which is as followeth.