THE Pagans of Albion, had from the beginning of the Reign of Ly­cogenes with great assurance ex­pected some hapy, and speedy overtures for their eternal settlement in that Kingdom; Nor had Lycogenes himself been wanting in his endeavours to over-rule or destroy all that pretended to oppose, or question his proceedings against the Foundamental Rights of his Christian Subjects, he had al­ready remov'd the most of them from all Places of Trust, and contrary to the known Laws of the Land had introduced Persons, by the said Laws incapable to Serve; he had Rais'd and kept up an Army compos­ed of Mercenary's and Forreigners, not on­ly to Terrify, but upon the first happy occasion to Oppress all that should contra­dict his Resolutions; he had for the first three years of his Reign, carry'd all things with so high a hand, that the People of Albion from the highest to the lowest, were [Page 2]in a strange Confusion to think of the dismal consequences that wonld necessari­ly flow from such Arbitrary Proceedings: and though they had by the subtile Insin­uations of a Court Party of Divines, been Poyson'd with that pernicious position of Passive Obedience, yet they could not without a great deal of regret behold all the fences and inclosures of their Laws, and Libertiy's thrown down and tram­pled on, and be obliged to hold their Lives and Estates on so precarious Terms as the will and discretion of an Antichristi­an pack'd Councel: what related to the private satisfaction of the King's humour they did with all humility, and unexpect­ed alaerity submit and yield to, but when it was plain that the whole Kingdom was Design'd and Refolv'd a Sacrifice, to the Interest and Ambition of a few wicked Councellours, and a small party of Men, that had been by publick Acts of the Realm declar'd the Inveterate and Irrecon­cileable Enemies of all Christians but chief­ly of the Albionites, they then began to search into the measures of their submissi­on, and diligently to enquire how far they were obliged to pay Obedience to the Commands of their Magistrates and Gov­ernours; and realy upon the scrutiny they [Page 3]plainly perceiv'd their own weakness, and the Impositions of their Enemies, who by this subtile Doctrine had ensnar'd them to set their Hands to and Sign as it were their own Destruction, several of the Great and Wisest Men in the Kingdom, had been Debating on this Subject, and all concluded in an acknowledgment of their weakness in so manifestly expo­sing themselves and their Country to the Capricious Humours, or Tyrannical Prin­ciples that very often are found in the greatest Princes, and therefore though from their very Souls they wish'd all hap­piness imaginable to their King and Go­vernor, yet they thought their duty stretch'd too far on the Tenter-hooks, when by a blind submission to irregular Commands they were oblig'd to forego the natural principles of self preservation, and that by seeking officiously to add to their Loyalty they must necessarily detract from their Judgments, Conscience, and Honesty: But Lycogenes, who by a dili­gent scrutiny, and long experience of the Natures of the people of Albion, (to his great satisfaction) knew how effe­ctually the Doctrin of Non-resistance (which he and his party, with great zeal and in­dustry had insinuated and promoted) had [Page 4]wrought on his Christian Subjects, thought he had laid a very sure foundation for the introduction of those Novelties and Abu­ses we have since had impos'd on us, and was by the assiduous Instigations of his Pagan Councellors prevail'd upon to re­solve the total Extirpation, or at least en­slaving of the Christian Hereticks, as he call'd them, in his Dominions, and fear­ing that all he could do in his own life time, would be insufficient to assure and establish the Pagan Faction and Interest, unless he could find such a Successour as should confirm and strengthen what he should now begin, upon these Considera­tions, I say, he was easily wrought on to consent to any thing his Counsellors should propose for the benefit and establishment of Paganism in the said Kingdom, and now what more remain'd, than that the Priests consult and find the most convenient and speedy means to secure their own Interests to indulge Messelina's Ambition, and to sooth Lycogenes his Bigotted Zeal: Several ways were propos'd, and some time spent in Arguments and Debates before they could come to a final Resolution.

The Christians of Albion, by several Acts of their General Diets, had their Laws, their Liberties, and their Religion secur'd to [Page 5]them, and in all, or most of their Assem­blies for one hundred years past, they had one or other express Law against Paganism, though none did so throughly disable and lessen their interest in Albion as that com­monly call'd the Tests; and though some good Christian Dissenters from the Church of Albion, were therein severely included, yet they were chiefly intended for the dis­couragement and suppression of that per­nicious Sect of Pagans in Albion, Lycogenes his private Counsel therefore proposed the taking away these Tests, as a necessary Preliminary for the introduction of Pagan­ism; the Project indeed was good, but how to bring it about, was the difficulty, for be­sides that the general Diet would hardly be induc'd to abrogate those very Laws which some of them so lately had stickl'd for and promoted, and such Laws whereon their own and the Kingdoms security seem'd more immediately to depend (the Pagans having in all Reigns been proved the irreconcileable Enemys and malicious designers against the peace and welfare of the Christians in Albion) besides, I say, this difficulty, they were obliged to gain the consent of Prince Anaximander and the Princess Artemisia, the Presumptive Hei­ress of the Crown, for the Abrogation of the said Laws, and this indeed was the [Page 6]great business that struck with Lycogenes, for as to what concern'd the election of such Members as should serve his turn in the next General Assembly, he bid them take no care, for he was sure he could by his influence procure such persons return'd as should effectually answer his utmost ex­pectations: With all speed therefore per­sons are employ'd to negotiate with the Prince and Princess for their consent a­foresaid, and to lay before them the since­rity of his Majesty's Intentions in that mat­ter, and that his Majesties great and only alm was for the more general accommo­dation of all his Dissenting Subjects, and that as their Highnesses could not believe that his Majesty would resolve on any thing to their prejudice, so he did not in the least doubt of their Highnesses ready concurrence in so pious an undertaking; but alas poor Lycogenes and his Pensiona­ry Counsel had far overshot themselves, when they believed so wise a Prince as A­naximander could beso barefacedly decoy'd into an assent to a matter so necessarily and plainly prejudicial to his own and his Princesses interest, as well as to a Kingdom and People, they had reason to respect and take care of as their future loving Sub­jects, and present hearty Friends, they were not unacquainted with the measures [Page 7] Lycogenes had taken from the beginning of his Reign, so directly contrary to the Princess his Daughters Interest, and perni­cious and destructive to the Christians, and that by pure force he had al­ready obtruded so many illegal things on his said Christian Subjects, that he won­dered Lycogenes could pretend to make him or his Princess instruments of their further oppression and misery; such were the Princes resentments, and such was the result of Lycogenes his endeavours to make him and his own Daughter Parties for the Subversion of Christianity in Albion; and now immediately a grand Gonsult is cal­led to consider of Anaximander's resoluti­ons, and of some other way to promote the grand concern: In the mean time Mes­salina had been tormenting her self with the Apprehensions of her utter disappoint­ment; for though she had kept a constant correspondence with the Count, she could not yet perceive her affairs go on so pro­sperously as she had promised to her self, and the loss of so much time, to her Am­bition, did very much qualifie the satisfa­ction she received in her Amour; howe­ver tho' she had promised to repair to Art and Policy, to supply the present defects of Na­ture, she could not resolve to abandon the [Page 8]Love and Service of the Count: Nay, upon mature consideration, she concluded, that the continuation of her Amour with him, could not be any way prejudicial to the other design they were now undertaking, for supposing she should really conceive any considerable time after the feigned report of her being with Child, the ab­surdity of the report of this could not any way be prejudicial to the real truth of the other, the assured Birth of a Prince being all that could be expected or desir'd; and consequently, any reflections on the other would vanish as a mistake, which Wo­men in such cases are very often subject to. The Marchioness de Tomazo, would daily encourage her belief of succeeding, and promised her assistance, by imparting to her a Secret to help Conception; the Queen was wonderfully pleas'd, even with the Flattery of the old Marron; but for fear of the worst, was resolv'd to have the other Project speedily set on foot, she went to the King's Apartment immediate­ly to hear what they had resolv'd on, and how it was agreed to be manag'd, where she found the trusty Cabal in hot and close debate: She had order'd Aspasia, the Marchio­ness de Tomazo, & Father Pedro to be there, & Lycogenes had introduc'd the Count & Poli­orchetes [Page 9]the Chief Commissioner of his Court of Conscience, having exrerienc'd his Fidelity in matters of the greatest importance, and had rais'd him to that high Station meerly to be an instrument in his future undertakings.

Lycogenes upon the Arrival of the Queen arose, requiring the Company not to se­parate till they had wholly concluded on the means and manner of new modeling and setling the Kingdom of Albion, the Queen likewise as soon as she had seated her self commanded them to give her an account of their Proceedings. Poliorchetes the Chancellor then rising and making a profound reverence to the Queen, deliver'd his Opinion thus: ‘'It is not unknown, mighty Soveraign, how zealous I have been in bringing about and promoting whatso­ever might be thought advantageous to your interest; nor do I now presume to recount my Services for any other purpose than to manifest my gratitude and wil­lingness to engage again and again for e­ver on any action and design your Maje­sties, or this Honourable Board, shall think meet to prescribe; I know the wisdom of this Noble Company, cannot be wanting to appoint such Rules as shall for ever se­cure the Pagan interest in Albion, and sa­tisfie your Majesties utmost Expectation; [Page 10]notwithstanding since the nature of my Employments, and some years strict en­quiery into the ways and Inclinations of the people of Albion, may with reason have render'd me capable of judging of the most secure, and convenient ways to deal with them. I shall not be thought vain if I presume freely, to deliver my opinion in this Matter. The Albionites where they have received Graces or Favours from their Princes, are like the wanton Ass in the Fable, ready to leap on their Master, and by the incouragement of two or three benefits, they sawcily approach him with their ill natur'd Jeasts, and constantly pester him with their rude Importunities, but when too much Indulgence has ren­dred them Insupportable, do but show them the Rod, and like Children they shrink, and with patience submit to the Justice of your Correction; You remem­ber their Insolence in Perkin's Rebellion, when with unbounded Blasphemy they would threaten the Safety and Honour of our Royal Master, and yet the Sword of Justice was no sooner unsheath'd against them, but with horror they fly, and call even to the Mountains to cover them, you have heard with what patience they sub­mitted to their Tryals, and reproached [Page 11]even my Sentence with their Base Servile Sufferings, my advice therefore is to fol­low the example of the Great Polydorus, to get an Army of Pagans from Iberia and Gothland, and so to Dragoon them into a civil compliance, Oh! that every year would produce a Western Expedition, I'de soon rid the Kingdom of all our An­tagonist's, and make every Circuit more Terrible than an Inquisition, we have too long nursed them with the Milk of our Affection, and like the profligate Israelites they grumble at their Manna, Albion has Surfeited on Ease and Prosperity, and the Feavour can't abate but by leting of Blood, let us make a full Harvest of these Hot­headed Christians (as they boast them­selves) and at once root out these obsti­nate Disturbers of our Peac: The Queen who was naturally of a malicious sullen Temper, and who was not ignorant how stubborn and averse the Albionites were to her Interest, had heard Poliorchetes speak with a bundance of satisfaction, but being willing to hear what the rest would propose, giving thanks to the Chancel­lour she expected with impatience their Thoughts and Opinions. When Pedro ris­ing up, said he could not but Applaud the Zeal and Opinion of Poliorchetes, [Page 12]and wish'd that his design could be as easi­ly executed as propos'd, that his aversion and malice to the Christians of Albion had inspir'd him with such desires of Revenge, that with Nero he wish'd they had all but one Neck, and that he among his Frater­nity, did not doubt to find thousands that would strive to be their Executioner, but that to his sorrow he fear'd the Chancel­lours project, however well design'd, would not be feasible, for besides the Alarm that Forreign Auxiliaries would raise through­out the Kingdom, the natural antipathy, that the Albionites had both to the Gauls, and Iberians was such, that they would incontinently rise to Repel and Destroy them, and that if those Forreigners should fail in their Attempt, the reproach of the design would be wholly thrown on Lyco­genes and his Court, and that it would beget so implacable a malice in the Heart of the Albionites (who were most of them Christians) that he might justly fear a general revolt, and thereby the total ru­ine of the Pagan Interest in Albion for e­ver, his opinion therefore was, that they should rather ensnare and delude them, and so at advantage cut them off and destroy them, tis known said he how wonderfully our fraternity have promoted [Page 13]the Mahometan Interest by their subtile and secret Plots and Contrivances, have not we by fomenting and raising Divisions be­tween the Regular and Dissenting Christi­ans in Albion more weakened the strength of the pretended Reformado's than ever Polydorus by his Dragoons or Contributi­ons? Albion (with submission to the Chan­cellor) is not by publick Hostility to be forc'd, they are valiant in their Natures, and stubborn in their Principles, and though the hopeful Doctrine of Passive Obedience and sweet Non-resistence has been useful unto us, and lull'd them for a while, yet it may be dangerous to raise those sleeping Lions within them, lest we too late repent our over-fond Credulity, and to our sorrow feel the effects of their resent­ments; set your Policies on work if you wish to prevail, and if you must strike, let it be in the dark; we all of us know we are sick, and out of order, but few of us con­sider the root and cause of our distemper, all disinteressed persons would think at first view, that we were now in a hopeful way of thriving, we have a King not only a Pagan and our Friend, but zealous and resolv'd to go through with his work; but alas is resolution sufficient without means? Tis true, by his power he can secure us for [Page 14]a while; but what will that signifie to a lasting satisfaction? How do our Enemies wait and gape for his death? And with the hopes of revenge after his dissolution they patiently submit to their present Impositi­ons; we know the main Pillars whereon they all lean, Anaximander and Artemisia are their delight and their hope, the Prin­cess Philadelphia waits too in reversion, and from these three do spring all our fears and misfortunes, and I and my Brethren bear the Title of our great Prophet, and suffer his Cause to be shaken by the weak inter­cession of three single Lives; Oh Holy Loy­ola, our first Holy Patron and Foander, how would thy mighty Spirit fret and and grieve within thee, shouldst thou see the degenerate baseness of thy unworthy Followers? Where are the Records of all our Glorious Heros that have trod on the Necks of Emperors, and pierc'd the Hearts of Kings, to propagate and vindicate our Holy Religion, can we forget Borgia, Cle­ment, Ravilliac and others, who have free­ly Sacrific'd themselves for their Religion, and for reasons less considerable than ours, and can we tamely remit all our present Advantages, and be bafled of our future hopes, by the weak puny opposition of three petty pretenders?'’ No, no, continued [Page 15]he, let us lay hold on the present opportu­nity, and at once finish our long wish'd for deliverance: These three must fall a Sa­crifice to our Prophet, and from the re­moval of that cause will all our other Ap­prehensions cease.

Father Pedro had always bore such re­putation with Lycogenes and Messalina that they look'd on his Counsels little inferiour to Oracles, and though the execution of them had always prov'd prejudicial, through their great violence, to the Pagan Interest, yet they could not but value the sincerity of his meaning, and always ap­plauded his wise apprehensions, they knew his proposals in this Zealous Oration were very consonant to reason, and agreeable to their true interest, but knowing that the Eyes of all Europe were upon these three Princes, and that the least baseness and imposition upon them would engage all Christendom in their quarrel, they could not so readily conclude, or resolve upon any violence against their persons; besides, Pe­dro in a small Apology afterwards insinua­ted to the Company, the inconvenience of letting the King know any thing of this Project, if happily they should all agree upon it. For (said he) though I know Ly­cogenes's Zeal would make him overlook a [Page 16]thousand difficulties, yet nature and conscience could not with any decency or reason be suppos'd capable of being so wholly obliterated as to con­sent to any barbarity upon the persons of his own children; but again, what may prove a sufficient ground of scruple in him, may at the same time leave us free and disinteressed from every thing and person that stands in opposition to our designs. The Company however upon the Considerations aforesaid were very unwilling to engage in Pedro's Reso­lutions or Proposals, and incontinently desir'd the Marchioness de Tomazo, to give her opinion of this grand Affair. The Marchioness who had been a Woman of Amour most of her time, and who now, though Age had ungenerously depriv'd her of the power to please, was very fond and Ambitious of being thought a Woman of Intrigue, had heard the violent Counsels, and Proposals of the Chancellor and Father Pedro with a great deal of impatience and displeasure; she could not digest those rough and hard terms of cutting of Throats, Poysoning, or Assassinations, she had been always us'd to Amorous Sighs, Billet deux, and Assignations; therefore rising and ma­king her Compliment to Messalina, and giving a hard look on Poliorchetes and Pedro, [Page 17]she thus began: 'Tis not without the greatest regret imaginable, that I find my self obliged to contradict persons whose known wisdom and experience in the world may with reason claim an entire submission of judgment from me, and though the command and service of her Majesty, may sufficiently apologize for the freedom and liberty of my opinion, yet I doubt not from the nature of the business in hand to prove that what both these honourable persons have delivered as their opinions, if fol­lowed, will be inconsistent with the safety of her Majesty, prejudicial to the Pagan inte­rest in Albion for ever, and extreamly difficult, if not impossible to be brought about; nor do I need to say much to disswade this Honourable Company from the following their proposals, since Father Pedro has already evine'd and made clear the fallacy of the Chancellor's pro­ject, and the rest of the Company have suffici­ently shew'd their dislike of Father Pedro's; I shall now therefore proceed to give my opinion, and if I shall have the good fortune to convince your reasons, and draw you into a concurrence, you will then be so just to believe that the free­dom of my censure proceeds from other causes than that of meer contradiction; we all agree in the main point, that some course must be ta­ken for re-establishing and securing the Pagan Interest in Albion, so as that it should not [Page 18]seem entirely to depend on the uncertain life of the King, and though the opinion of my self and the Count Davila, who doubtlessreceives all his measures from the Conclave, and from Boanerges the High-priest, have been by these two Gentlemen opposed, at least neglected, yet I have not been so apprehensive as to hear any new thing proposed, as is capable of making me or the Count recede from our former resoln­tions, I am sure if it take 'tis the only effectual way to preserve us entire; I am as sure 'tis as easie, as in a matter of that importance can be wish'd, it may be brought about with so little discomposure of the publick peace, that it shall rather gain the general applause of the King­dom; will not the attaining our desires answer all expectations? what necessity of cutting those Throats which with abundance of ease we can make instrumental and accessary to our designs, the supposition of an Heir Male quashes all o­ther pretenders in a moment; and surely Albion is not so barren or ill natur'd as to deny Ly­cogenes a Son. No, no, (replys Poliorchetes, interrupting the Marchioness) we have daily experience of the fruitfulness of the Women of Albion, but yet we cannot apprehend how Ly­cogenes can expect to reap where he has not had the power, or the will to sow: The will in­deed (said Aspasia sighing) I believe her Majesty can vouch for, but to the sorrow and [Page 19]confusion of us all, he wants the power: Let us then (continued the Marchioness) no lon­ger deplore, but endeavour to supply those un­fortunate defects of the King our Master, con­sider on what nice points our Honour and Inte­rest depend, time will not stay for vain and fruitless wishes, and if we slip so fair an oppor­tunity, we shall seem to despise providence, ruine our interest for ever, and fall the reproach of our Enemies, and unpitied by all the Pa­gans throughout the World. Polyorchetes had heard these last words with wonderful surprise, for his thoughts having run wholly on the extirpation of the Christians by Fire and Sword, he had not so much as dream'd of any possibility of milder means, and now guessing at what the Marchioness had insinuated, he was ex­treamly tickl'd with the project, and de­sired the Marchioness, That since she had propos'd something extraordinary, she would be pleas'd to explain her self, so as that they might endeavour to solve any difficulties that might arise upon a strict examination of the design: The difficulty's (reply'd the Marchioness) are so small, in comparison of that advantage we shall reap, that among us they will not admit of a dispute; be­sides, we have had a president of what I propose, which though it miscarried in the main, yet it [Page 20]was not for want of power, but will of some Partys concerned to bring it about; That an Heir is absolutely necessary to confirm and set­tle our otherwise fading hopes we all agree; and shall not we submit to necessity, and endeavour to restore by art what envious nature, or curst fortune have ruin'd or withheld? It must be so, (reply'd Messalina) it must be so, and there is no other to uphold my tottering Crown: It must be so, and yet my boding Soul foretells it won't succeed; these saucy Albionites, will still be prying, and every step I make will have re­marks. Rejoyce, Dread Soveraign, (reply'd Polyorchetes) (who had already taken that hint) the Marchioness has in one word fini­shed what the united strength of my dull brain could ne're attempt, but now the game is up, I'll keep the scent, and work it on to a desired perfection. Why should your Majesty (re­ply'd Pedro) despair at all of due success? Does your Majesty want power, or friends, or oppor­tunity to act what a Predecessor and Namesake with so much disadvantage had effected if Philippo had prov'd but half so generous as is the brave Lycogenes: Can you doubt the success of any Enterprise when you have so pow­erful assistance even from your Enemies? Could she carry on a design of the same nature even to the brink of performance, so as to amuse, nay, to convince all orders of the Kingdom of the [Page 21]reality of it? And can you doubt at last of fail­ing? She had a sharp-sighted Parliament, near five hundred of the wisest in the Kingdom to combat with, who were strict in their obser­vance, suspicious of her dealing, and resolute against any imposition; she had the Nobility on one hand, the King her Husband of the other; and yet she baffled all but that narrow-hearted Prince, who like the Dog in the Manger could neither eat the Hay himself, nor would suffer the Horses; he had seen himself incapable of re­establishing the Pagan interest by the assurance of an Heir, and was so covetous and mean as to hinder the propagation of it by another, whereas your Majesty stands on sure grounds, you have a strong party in the Court of wise and able men to advise you, you have a potent Army ready to protect and defend you, but above all you have a Husband and a King to assist, and further you; who dares even suspect you? who would presume to prove you? By your word, you create an Heir, and your command settles the King­dom for ever. Thus Pedro spoke, and a general applause run through the whole Company, there remain'd only Aspasia and the Queen to give their Sentiments and Opinions, and Aspasia declaring in short, that Father Pedro had wholly satis­fied her thoughts and desires in this jun­cture, and that she wholly submitted to [Page 22]the judgment of the Queen. Messalina raising her self, briefly gave her resolution thus: Nothing can give us greater encou­ragement and assurance of success, than the zeal and fidelity of you our beloved Counsellors, and since our business presseth for a speedy con­clusion, I shall need say no more, than that I do, and shall assent to what the Majority of you, viz. the Marchioness de Tomazo, Aspasia, and Pedro have laid down; there remains therefore no more but that you imme­diately consult of the manner and method of bringing it on, and from time to time to commu­nicate your advice to us; I advise and think fit that Boanerges the High Priest our most Holy Kinsman, have timely notice of your pro­ceedings, as also Polydorus our Royal Friend and Ally, that they may take care to order Af­fairs in Forreign Parts, so as that we may have the universal assistance of all our Friends to promote a Project so highly advantageous to all their Interests.

This gracious Speech and Condescen­tion was received with unspeakable joy by the Counsel, and Father Pedro stepping to the Door, gave orders for private Thanksgiving throughout all the Mosques in Albion, as also for Processions, Feasts, and other expressions of joy; and having again seated himself, they immediately [Page 23]fall close to the point. The first business they resolve on is, That being five in number, viz. the Count, Pedro, Polyor­chetes, the Chancellor, the Marchioness de Toma­zo, and Aspasia, they severally have several Employments and Offices assigned them, for the more effectual and speedy accom­plishment of their business. The Count who by his Office and Interest with Boa­nerges, could claim a Domination over the Pagan Priests, was to summon a Con­vocation, and to give them instructions how to disperse the News of her Con­ception, and to insinuate, as if by Divine Inspiration they knew it would be a Prince, as also to quash any Objections or Doubts concerning it, and to make re­marks of the persons: Father Pedro was to be made one of the Privy-Council, and as he was one of the chief Contrivers at first, so now he was to enliven and con­firm the report of the Queens Conception at the publick Board, and to represent it with all the seeming Candour imagina­ble, he was to silence all Disputes and Contests that might happily arise upon it, and to make motions to the Board, to give such order concerning her Majesty, and the Child, as should gain a General [Page 24]Approbation and belief throughout the Kingdom, and though there arose a Con­troversie whether it were not fitter for some other Pagan Lords of Albion to e­spouse this part, yet they soon concluded on the ability of Pedro, who was better qualify'd to represent it in handsom Co­lours, and consequently would go down the glibber, and pass secure with the peo­ple, seeing they had so good Vouchers as Privy-Councellors: The Chancellor being a Man of an hardned Constitution, was appointed to wait with diligence against the time of the pretended Birth, and by a positive Asseveration, if any suspicion should arise (as in all Cheats probably may happen) he was to maintain the Rem in Re, which from so grave a person as the chief Judge of Conscience, would surely be believ'd, and as readily assented to, as the words of an Oracle: Aspasia be­ing concern'd so near Messalina as Lady of the Bed-Chamber, &c. She was to Caress the Ladys with the joyful News of the Queens Conception, and from time to time insinuate passages belonging to Child-bearing, to give an account of the growth of the Burthen, and to make the thing feasible she was to carry. [Page 25]on a suspicion or fear of a Miscarriage, and it being once granted that she could possibly Miscarry, included the belief that she was really Teeming: And now there was none but the Marchioness remaining, who being a Woman, as is before said, of a quick Judgment in Intrigues, and who knew well how to manage an Imposture of that nature, it was laid upon her with Secrecy and Assurance to procure two or three young wholsome Women whose time of Delivery should critically agree with the Queen's time allotted and set down by this Councel; the Marchioness was not dissatisfied with the Task, though she could not but be sensible it requir'd depth of Judgment, a great deal of dis­creet Enquiry, and continual Care to manage them to a Hairs breadth, lest any unlucky accident might spoil the whole Intregue, but upon a little consideration she remembred she had heard an Inkling of a young Kinswoman of her own, how that through weakness she had been forc'd to surrender her Virginity to the As­saults of a young Spark, who had since forsaken her, and had withal lest her a sure pledg of his Love and Vigour, so that being so well encouraged at first she readily submits to the Commands of the [Page 26]Board, and engages upon Honour to an­swer their Expectation; and now the ge­nerals being concluded on and appointed, they disperse, and forthwith apply them­selves to their several Employments, and as a Prologue to their intended Villany, they give out, among their own Party, at least, the necessity of Unity in their Prayers to their Saints and the Deity, to send their Majesty's an Heir to succeed him in his Throne and Dominions, and to settle their Holy Religion in this Heretical Land, they cause Processions and Pilgri­mages, Offerings and Supplications, to be made, first to the great Saint at Loretto, then to St. Winifred; and they cause Mes­salina to repair to several Waters that are famous Antidotes against Barrenness, thô at the same time they did not consider that the People look'd upon it very awkard and strange, that the Queen had never found out this way of preparing for Child­bearing before; but such are the practices of the Pagan Religion, that the greatest Villanies and Rogueries they intend to commit are still preceded and usher'd in with great appearances of Sanctity; and now all things being in a readiness; the Queen declares her self publickly to be with Child, and Orders were given for [Page 37]publick Thanksgiving throughout the Isles, and in other Forreign parts; Rejoycings and Feastings were made by the Kings Residents and Ambassadors; especially in Rome and Gaule; as if it were not enough to impose so great a Villiany on the whole Kingdom, without enforcing them to pre­varicate with the Deity in their Prayers, and to make Petitions for that which really was not; but notwithstanding all the Contri­vance and Advice to carry on this Intrigue, the People, especially the Christian Nobles and Gentry of Albion were mightily sur­prised with so improbable an Accident; & though by reason of an Indisposition, which Messalina for some while before lay under, the Kings weakness and other circumstan­ces, they could not readily free them­selves from a suspicion of Treachery, yet they resolv'd to bear themselves with all moderation, and to have a diligent Eye upon Messalina and all about her, the first real occasion of dislike was, that the Queen did not treat the Christian Ladies of Albion, especially the Princess Philadelpha, with that freedom as the joy and pride of so great a happiness, if real, would naturally have prompted her to; for she would re­sent it highly if she could but observe any of the Christians making the least observa­tions [Page 38]of her Breasts, Belly, her Look, or any other Symptome, by which Women in that Condition are easily distinguished; another great reason was, that she seem'd to slight the Pretensions of the Princess Artemisia, so as there was not the least intimation given her to be at the Queens Labour till within a very few days before she was Deliver'd; besides, the Confidence of the Pagan Party did strangely startle the People, when like Oracles they would affirm that of necessity it must be a Prince: These and many other material circum­stances made the Albionites talk broadly of the business; nor were Lycogenes and Messalina ignorant of their Sentiments; however having the Power absolutely in their hands, they were resolved to cut that knot which they found impossible to untie, and since they had thus far advan­ced in a business of that importance, they resolv'd to go through and bring it about, though with a thousand absurdities and in­coherences; for besides the alteration of her Reckoning, which proceeded partly from a fear of disappointment if the Wo­man that came first should have brought forth a Girl, but chiefly to amuse the Nobi­lity and Gentry of the Court and King­dom, who would doubtless have made [Page 39]it their business in behalf of the Princess Artemisia and the Kingdom, to attend and watch that all things might have been carryed fairly and above­board; I say, besides the alteration of her reckoning she would give out upon every turn different places of her pretended lying-in, sometimes she would give orders for R—d, at other times she would remove her fancy to H— Court, but in reality St. Jaques was the place resolv'd on, for Alba Regalis the whole party dis­allow'd, because by reason of the multitude and concourse of People that constantly at­tend there, she could not possibly have been so privately Deliver'd as the Intrigue did necessarily require; besides, there was no conveniency for the Child to be brought through the Galleries or Lodgings, but in the Palace of St. Jaques, there was a Se­raglio and a Mosque adjoyning with abun­dance of winding by dark Chambers, secret Passages, Trap-doors and dark Corners, where not only one or two of the Women were with great security and secrecy kept till the time of their delivery, but where the Queen might have the Child foisted into her Bed reaking and hot from the Womb, but in the heat of all this in­trigue and design Lycogenes was unlucki­ly [Page 40]put in mind that by the Laws of Albion the presence of one or more of the Christi­an Prelates was to be at the Birth of every Royal Infant indispensably required; to resolve this difficulty a Council is immedi­ately call'd, and after sundry debates it is concluded, that some way or other must be found to bring all or most of the dissent­ing part into a premunire, and so by ag­gravation either to endanger their lives, or at least to clap them up and secure them till the Queens Delivery; accordingly a flaw was immediatly found and the Prelates forthwith confin'd: and now nothing but the presence of the Prin­cess Philadelpha was fear'd, but what can­not the craft of the wicked Jebusites bring about? that Princess had unfortunately complain'd of some small indisposition, when the Queen immediately takes the hint, and by the means of Pedro and some other Malecontents, she prevails with her Physician to perswade her to take a Jour­ney to the Waters of Baijae, though the Operation of those Waters was manifest­ly known to be contrary to the Princess's Distemper, they being loosening, and she wanting Restringents, but her absence was absolutely necessary, and therefore by any means to be obtain'd; the Princess [Page 41]according to their wishes leaves the Court, and they were resolv'd to do their business before her return; and now all things to appearance seem'd to favour the design, the time prescrib'd drew near, their greatest Adversaries were remov'd, the Court Party, and Pagan Priests, with daily Sto­ries and Shams were amusing and taking off the attention of the Christians; all things seem'd smooth, and the Critical Minute was at hand, when news was brought to Messalina, that one of the Women was in Labour, immediately the Queen takes her Chair, and hastes over to St. Jaques, but before she had well ascended the Stairs, she was told, that Woman had brought forth a Girl, with which being for the present confounded, she descends, leaving before such Orders as were necessary; the other Women ex­pecting their Times Daily and Hourly; and in­deed ere three Days were over she receiving ano­ther Summons, repair forthwith to St. Jaques, she stays there all Night with long expectation of Success, early the next Morning she receives the glad Tidings that a Man Child was Born, which with all speed was convey'd to the Dormitory ad­joining to her Bed-Chamber, in the same reeking Circumstances it was Born in, and having before taken care for the conducting of it to the Queens Bed, the Alarm is given at Alba Regalis, that the Queen was in Labour; Lycogenes had that Morn­ing rose something earlier than ordinary, and had crost over to his own side on purpose to draw off the Men with him, and consequently to favour the Cheat, by leaving as few as possible about the Queens Apartment; in the mean time Madamoi­zell de W—s having before given the Infant a small Opiate to hinder its Crying for the present lays it gently in a large Warming-Pan made on [Page 42]purpose, and lin'd with velvet for the more com­modious and easie carriage, and the Queen rising under pretence of giving liberty for warming the Bed Madomo [...]elle unlades her vessel and leaves the Infant in the place appointed; the Queen strait re­turning to Bed the Room immediately fills, tho none were summon'd but such as Lycogenes thought were afraid to make a doubt or a scrutiny into the truth of it, or those whom Lycogenes had already prepar'd to swallow and favour the imposition; and now the pretended Prince being Born the Pagans of Albion begin their Jubilee, Latroon Go­vernor of Iberia begins to double the Persecution of the Christians there, Polydorus by a strict Alli­ance and LEAGUE with Lycogenes, thinks of nothing but an Universal Monarchy, Lycogenes doubles the Oppressions of his Christian Subjects, Messalina boasts of the downfall of Heresie, and a perpetual Regency, during her Life: The poor Christians, especially-the Albimites, though some­thing apprehenfive of the Consequences of this Intrigue, were yet by their constant Remarques of all Transactions since the Report of Messalina's Conception sufficiently satisfied of the fallacy and cheat, and resolv'd on measures which they doubt­ed not would in a little time unravel the whole Mystery.