AN EXTRAORDINARY EXPRESS, Sent from PASQUIN AT ROME, To all the Princes and Potentates OF EUROPE. LONDON: Printed for Henry Hills, and are to be sold by the Booksellers of London, and Westminster, 1690. THE PREFACE. EUROPE hath suddenly fallen in very great and dangerous Convulsions, which are known naturally to proceed either from a too violent commotion or dispersing of the animal Spirits, or from an oppression caused by fear; or lastly, from the corruption of some gangrened member: Such hath been the miserable condition of this part of the World in these later times, ever since it was attacked by all these Distempers at once; for we have seen several Princes and their chief Ministers of State through a prodigious and incomprehensible perturbation of spirit, seized with an abstraction from their true interest, compelling them blindly to follow that of the King of France, to facilitate his Conquests, and to labour in promoting his Glory to the prejudice of their own. With how many fears hath Christendom been terrified during that inundation of the rapid Torrent of Usurpation, which happened within these few years last passed; when the thundering voice of the Ambassadors of Lewes XIV. was heard to roar in all the Sovereign Courts of Europe, who assumed to themselves no less a Quality than that of the Ministers of another Jupiter, whilst his Armies flew 〈◊〉 like lightning in divers Places, and the Subjects of those Princes were miserably oppressed that would not be engaged in the interests of this Monarch, on purpose to make them an example to others, and by horrible Combustions & devastations to strike a terror into the minds of all those that should dare to refuse to offer Incense to this new Deity on Earth styled Dieu donné, even to this immortal Man, Viro immortali? As for the Corruption, it was almost Universal throughout all Europe; the Gangreen in some places had spread itself from the lower members even to the head, and mercenary Parasites were employed in all the Courts; for time was, when to adhere to the interest of France, was to become à la mode, and others were ridiculed, and esteemed as dotards that knew not how to advance their Fortune. Lastly, it may be affirmed that the greatest number greedily swallowed the Spiritus Gall. as water; burnt incense with a great deal of satisfaction to this Grand Idol; ran after this Golden Lewes; and by a strange depravation had promoted their total ruin, and had desperately cast themselves on the top of a dreadful precipice without any possibility of recovery, if Heaven had not commiserated their condition, and unexpectedly snatched them from the danger by the miraculous revolution that happened as it were in the twinkling of an eye. None can be ignorant that this was the sad and deplorable state of Christendom a little before the year 1689. but since that time the spirits being recollected, all Terror is expelled, the Contagion is stopped, and a considerable part of the gangrened Members being cut off, Europe hath recovered a better air, more wholesome and more temperate, these thick and dismal clouds having passed away, and these menacing whirlwinds being altogether dissipated; for King William foresaw the Storm, and ascending the Throne of Great Britain, soon dispersed these dark Fogs, and without fearing the Thunder, caused light to spring out of the gloomy Tempest: Sequar per fulmina. These remarkable contingences and so sudden an alteration excited a curiosity in all the Princes, to go and consult the Oracle, to know what effects might the Oracle, where being arrived, the Priestess Phoebas, to express her respect to this old Gentleman, gently lead him to the Shrine, and the good Father having rested a while, approached in his slippers to the Sacred Den, and spoke to this effect. AN EXTRAORDINARY EXPRESS, Sent from PASQUIN AT ROME, To all the Princes and Potentates OF EUROPE. I. O thou suprem Deity that presidest in these lower Regions, after having rendered most hearty thanks for my promotion to the Popedom, I'm come to represent to you with profound respect how much I am surprised, that during the time of my Predecessor, the Rights of the Holy See have been violated, the Sanctuary profaned, the Papal authority threatened with rude assaults, by the Schism which the French have caused in the Church, the eldest Son thereof having lifted up his hand against his most Holy Mother, and against our infallible Power; Nevertheless at a time when the Holy See had reason to fear these menaces, our Son is returned to his Father's House, and we have seen him lying prostrate at our feet, and with a great show of repentance professing to restore all that he had violently taken away, having assured us by his Ambassador of his entire submission to our Paternal correction, promising always to maintain for the future a very good correspondence with the Holy See, and as a testimony of the sincerity of his intentions, to restore the City of Avignon and the whole County; to oblige all the Bishops of his Kingdom that were present in the General Assembly of the Clergy in the year 1682. to renounce the faith of that Conventicle; and to raze out of the Register of his Parliament all Acts derogatory from the Reverence, Honour and Respect due to my Predecessor, provided that I would use my utmost endeavours to procure a Peace between him and the Catholic Princes. Being amazed at such a sudden fit of repentance, I betook myself to this place that I might be informed from your sacred mouth of the cause of this great Revolution, and to whom I am beholding for this unexpected advantage. When the Pope had made an end of speaking, there was a great silence throughout the whole Temple, and the Oracle with a loud voice answered; William Rex. Afterwards all the Sacred Trumpets were heard to sound in the Temple in like manner as at the gaining of a great Battle: The Pope being extremely surprised at this answer could not forbear expressing his astonishment to the Priestess that conducted him to the Shrines; she replied that the good Father ought not to wonder at this answer, since it belonged only to the Gods to unravel the most hidden mysteries; that mortal men should know in process of time the truth of that which at present appeared obscure, and that his Holiness need only to make a serious reflection on what he had seen with his eyes this day. But Alexander VIII. having already been too forward in attributing these wonderful successes to his own Politic contrivances, was not very well satisfied; However, fearing lest the answer of the Oracle might be divulged, he took no notice of any thing, not being willing that it should be known to the World that he was obliged to an Heretical Prince for his repose. The good Father not being able to recollect himself from this consternation, was very desirous to add a few words before he went out of the Temple, but a sudden qualm that insensibly seized on his spirits put an end to his Interrogatories. II. As soon as the Pope was recovered from his indisposition, and whilst his Holiness' Humanity took a nap, his Nephews with the Princess Donna Maria, who very seldom leave him, and came to accompany him to the Temple, were very glad to lay hold on this opportunity to consult the Oracle; but there arose a great contest between the Father, Prince Don Antonio Ottoboni and Cardinal Patron his Son: His Eminency insisted that he ought to have the precedency as being a Prince of the Church, fearing lest in yielding it, he might incur the indignation of the Pope and of all the Cardinals his Colleagues; insomuch that there could be no means found out to decide this Controversy, however, Donna Maria, the Wife and Mother of the coatending parties thought that she had invented an expedient which should not derogate from the Quality of a Father, nor from the Dignity of a Cardinal, by imitating the ordinary disposition of her Sex; whereupon she proposed that they should speak both together, being confident that the Deity would understand every thing that was propounded though never so confusedly; but this device tended rather to laughter than an accommodation, and gave no satisfaction to either party, neither indeed was it in any wise agreeable to the reverence and respect due to so sacred a place; at last, they unanimously resolved to submit to the Pope's determination, who not being willing to overcharge his conscience, referred the matter to a select congregation of Cardinals that followed him; and whilst these Judges of the Quorum were employed in hearing and particularly examining the several pretensions of Cardinal Patron, who in a very large and eloquent Oration expressed his zeal in defence of the rights of the Church: Prince Don Antonio being tired with waiting, and soon perceiving that the Judges were favourable to him, thought fit to play an Italian trick, and taking the adventage of his Son's long speech, stepped into the Temple and interrogated the Oracle, saying; The Holy Father, my good Uncle, being promoted to the Papal dignity in a ripe age, and having found the Nepotism or Pontifical Offspring extinct, hath by a very generous effort wrought a miracle at his entering into the Church, by reviving it in favour of my Family, which in a moment appears laden with wealth and honour, invested with Principalities, dignities and authority, and abounding with great riches; but forasmuch as Laymen were heretofore prohibited by the Law from meddling with any Sacred things, and the Goods of the Church are appropriated to pious and charitable uses, I come to discharge my Conscience, and to consult thee to know whether it be lawful for us to enrich ourselves with the treasures of our Holy Mother, the Church, and freely to partake thereof during the life of our good Uncle, especially since so fair an opportunity is offered at this Conjuncture. THE ORACLE. When he that gives can absolve, every thing is permitted. III. His Eminency Cardinal Patron having finished his harangue, by which he thought he had well established his rights and privileges, departed in a great heat from the Congregation to cause Prince Antonio his Father to appear there; but he found that he had supplanted him, and was gone before. The Cardinal immediately making his protestation, went to the Temple, and said; Our Holy Father the Pope advanced me in my youth to the Purple Robes under the name of Cardinal Patron, ever since which time I have been endowed with abundance of wealth, and if his Holiness shall continue to live some years longer, I shall get up to the top of the pinnacle, and shall be in a fair way to become great and rich, since the Pope heaps up treasures only to leave us in a happy condition after his death, and althô it be done with the goods of the Church, nevertheless he is the dispenser of them; for in as much as he is infallible he cannot err, and he that absolves others can also absolve himself first, therefore without any scruple and with extended arms: I receive all that comes from the Pope's hands, who alone can make the rest of my life happy; wherefore I'm come to know whether this bright star shall ever attend upon me. THE ORACLE. No Man can be called happy before Death. iv The Prince Don Marco Ottoboni, who had joined hands with Donna Maria, thinking that it was his turn advanced, but the Princess cried out to him, Principe honore a la Signora, give place to the Lady: Whereupon Don Marco retiring made a very low obeisance to the Lady, and let her enter into the Temple to be informed of what she most desired, and having entreated the Priestess to place her in a decent posture, she muttered certain Litanies with a low voice, and then said: O thou Deity! that fillest this place with thy glory, forasmuch as nothing is unknown to thee, I'm come to implore an answer from thy sacred mouth, to know how many years the life of our good Uncle the Pope shall continue, to the end that we may be able to pursue our advantage, and to advance our fortunes by making hay while the Sun shines lest the night of his Death overtake us sooner than we should desire; For according to the Proverb Passato la Festa, Gabbato il Santo. When the Feast is past, the Saint is mocked. THE ORACLE. The Fatal Sisters spin out thy destiny as well as his concerning whom thou enquirest; thy life as his depends only on one snip of the Goddess Clotho's Sizzers. V Afterwards the Prince Don Marco Ottoboni succeeded in her place, and made his address to the Oracle. The promotion of the Pope, my Uncle, hath been very advantageous to us, the lowness of my stature caused me to be but little regarded amongst the Ladies, but since I am become the Nephew of a Pope, they inquire after me, and as little as I am, his Holiness hath made choice of me to propagate the Family of the Ottoboni; but since I'm not one of the most vigorous, I'm come to consult you to know whether I shall be so happy as to have any issue. THE ORACLE. Pigliate la Giovanetta & bella, that is to say, Take the young and the fair, and thou shalt have friends. VI The Emperor Leopoldus semper Augustus, being informed that the Temple of the Oracle was open: was glad of an opportunity to consult it on occasion of the two Wars, in which he is engaged against his two most potent and most cruel enemies, to know the success of which, his Imperial Majesty spoke thus: The Conquests that I have obtained over the Infidels, and the fame of my Victories have procured me a second War and a new enemy; for the King of France being jealous of the prosperity of my Arms, hath joined with the Turk, and declared War against me without a cause, to the end that he might compel me to divide my Forces, and to give my first enemy time and means to take respite, and with more ease to recover what he hath lost, and that in weakening me, he might make use of this Conjuncture to satisfy the ambition which he hath always had to seize on my Empire, and to cause the Imperial Crown to pass into his family. But by the means of these violent proceed he hath cooperated in the Election of my Son to be King of the Romans, who was thereupon constituted my Successor; and I am sofar from being oppressed, as this new enemy hoped, that I find myself in a condition vigorously to oppose the assaults of these two Potentates; and the Reverend Fathers the Jesuits give me reason to hope that if I continue the War against the Infidels, I shall be able to set up the Cross in the City of Constantinople; but on the other hand, all my Allies represent to me the devastations and calamities that the French have caused in Germany, and that to conquer certain barren Lands in Bulgaria, several fair Provinces on the Rhine are ruined; What measures then are most expedient to be taken by me in such an exigence, being urged on one side by the the desire of destroying the Infidels, and incited on the other by the cruelties and outrageous combustions of the French. THE ORACLE. Peace in the East, and suffer not thyself to be seduced. VII. The King of the Romans, having accompanied the Emperor to the Temple, his Imperial Majesty advised him to consult the Oracle, who said: I have been (contrary to the expectation of the enemies of the Emperor my Father) elected King of the Romans, and appointed Successor of the Empire in a time of trouble and in the midst of War, and all the means that France hath used to avoid this blow, in favour of the Dauphin, could not hinder my Election from being made without any opposition; all the promises and efforts of my Competitor have proved vain and ineffectual; and the just reputation and good Reign of the Emperor my Lord and Father hath prevailed over all the intrigues and artifices of the French Emissaries: This is such a happiness that I could not expect so soon, for which I'm come to render thanks to Heaven, as the principal cause, and to be informed of the second. THE ORACLE. The Revolution of England: but especially, become Caesar, and not a Jesuit. VIII. All the Electoral Princes having accompanied the Emperor and the King of the Romans, the Elector of Mentz advanced near the sacred Den, and spoke to this effect: I have been tormented, and my Territories have been taken as a prey, relying to much on the illusory promises that were made to me on behalf of the King of France: moreover, as an addition to my misfortunes, I found out the cheat only with the loss of my Country, and received not a penny of all the money that was promised to me; and if the Emperor, at length, had not had more consideration for me, than I had at the beginning, fidelity to him, or regard to the welfare of the Empire (though my Quality of Elector and Prince of the Empire obliged me thereto) I should have utterly perished: I stood on the brink of a dangerous precipice where my head began to turn, but thanks to his Imperial Majesty, who hath extended his gracious hand to me, and hath as it were snatched me out of the abyss of destructions, wherein the Emissaries of France had almost plunged me, contrary to my own peculiar Interest. But forasmuch as in adversity and perils, we are most apt to reflect on our former errors and miscarriages, I'm come to make a solemn protestation in this Temple, that I will never departed from the true interest of the Empire, and that I am resolved for the future either to overcome or to perish together with it. THE ORACLE. Offend no more lest a worse thing happen unto thee. IX. The Elector of Triers, approached, and said: I have fought the good fight for the Empire, and have remained faithful to the Emperor; neither promises nor threats have been able to move me, nor to separate me from the Empire, which is my true interest. I confess my Tertitories have suffered, but I take comfort in this, that it was for a good cause, and that I have persevered in all the parts of my duty and fidelity, and I patiently expect the deliverance of my Country by the hand of my Allies, and the consolation of my People, that groan under the oppression of the Usurper. THE ORACLE. Deliverance attends the just, and Heaven itself shall make a breach in the Royal mount, where thou art detained. X. The Elector of Colen, not having obtained an opportunity to consult the Oracle since the death of his Uncle, was ravished with joy at this, it being the first that happened since his election to the Electorate, and said: The Negociation of my friends hath prevailed over the pretensions of the Coadjutor, that was chosen by the Chapter; and all the machinations of France are frustrated. Since my election all the great designs of Lewis XIV. begin to fail, and the Crown of the King of the Romans hath proved only imaginary to the Dauphin his Son: My election hath served as a bridle to restrain his ambition: Colen hath limited his conquests: Rhinberg, Keiserwert and Bonne have been such hard morsels that the Cardinal of Furstemberg could not digest them; notwithstanding his taking a dose of Spiritus Gall. he was obliged to disgorge them at the first emetic potion given him by the Allies; not being any longer able to bear the Quality of Archbishop of Colen; however for his consolation I consent that he may please himself with that title during the War. Lastly, my election hath been an eclipse of this French Sun, that was about to set the whole World in a flame; but thanks be to my good Allies the State's General of the United Provinces, and to the care of his Highness the Prince of Orange, now King of Great Britain, to whom my election hath served as the first step to ascend the Throne. Thus am I now become the peaceable possessor of my Uncle's Arch-Bishopric, who was indeed blinded by France to deprive the thereof, on the simple promise of the Cardinal to give me the Coadjutorship; But this was least in the thoughts of Lewsi XIV. his interest obliging him to keep this Electorate in the hands of his Creatures; therefore it hath been preserved by Divine Providence that extracts sweet out of bitter, and I may justly affirm that the treachery of France hath opened to me a passage into the Electorate. The People of my Jurisdiction passionately desire my presence, by reason of the Calamities in which many of them are now involved; but I comfort them rather at a distance, since during my minority I leave the Revenues to satisfy the debts of my Country. However, I hope that the War being ended the Pope will grant me a dispensation to exercise the Spiritual function, and then I shall go and take possession of both at once. In the mean time what ought I to do for the good of my People and for that of Christendom. THE ORACLE. Never depart from the interest of those that have assisted to invest thee with the Electoral mantle. XI. When the Ecclesiastical Electors had finished their addresses, the Elector of Bavaria (who had done honour to the Robe) drew near, and said: Neither the promises of France, nor my Alliance with that Crown, nor even the life of the Dauphiness, my dear Sister, were able to draw me off from the interest of the Empire; The glory of vanquishing the Infidels hath often caused me to hazard my life for the defence of Christendom: My zeal for the good cause aswell as my valour hath attracted the envy of the malicious, but heaven hath thought fit that I should survive some of them, and I hope that Christendom will recover by me what it hath lost by my competitor. I will give a reason to Europe no longer to resent the loss of the brave Duke of Lorraine, and to France the marks of my just indignation: I will make it appear that the Bavarian blood still flows in my veins, and I remember the scorn put on my Alliance by their protection of the Cardinal of Furstemberg, and affronts that they have offered to the Dauphiness ever since I refused to enter into the French interosts, and to become their King's Son in law. THE ORACLE. Thy glory may procure a Crown for thy family, if it be not prevented. XII. The Elector of Brandenbourg, after having paid his last respects to the memory of the Elector his late Father, and having received the homage of his Subjects, came nigh the sacred Den, and said: I shall endeavour not to diminish the reputation and glory that the Elector my Father hath acquired in the World: The pipe through which the infectious poison of France passed into my Country being cut off by the special favour of Heaven, I will hearken to no proposition on that side, and shall always embrace the common Cause: I will purge (if it be possible) my Court from the French corruption, and none of their Emissaries shall be admitted therein: I will follow the good counsels of the King of great Britain, my Kinsman and Ally; And if nature hath proved an unkind Stepmother to me in some particulars; I will strive to repair that loss by a great and glorious name, and by the considerable Forces that I shall always maintain; nevertheless my Artillery cannot march but on silver wheels: Moreover with the help of certain subsidies allowed me by the Allies I shall essay to make myself formidable to my enemies; but without money the Machine cannot be moved. THE ORACLE. Take heed lest in milking the Cow too much, she should at last overturn the pail. XIII. The Elector of Saxony, having received but little satisfaction in his last Winter-quarters, and having deliberated in his Council what measures ought to be taken this Campagne, since the Emperor had already acknowledged the justice of his complaints, and had indemnified him as to part of his pretensions, was resolved to cause his troops to march for the defence of the common cause, and to go and declare his mind in the Temple, which he did after this manner: As to my particular, I have entered into no engagement with France; but have adhered to the common Cause of Europe, for the maintaining whereof I was only obliged to furnish my quota in the Forces of the Empire, but at the persuasion of my Allies, I have exceeded this obligation; nevertheless, the French understanding that my expectation was not answered; that no regard was had to my troops; and that I had carried on the War at my own charge, made great offers to me only to remain neuter; but I would not hearken to any of these Emissaries: Therefore the King of France can expect nothing but blows from me, provided that my troops be treated after a better manner than formerly, otherwise I shall remain neuter the next Campain, and nothing shall be able to excite me, nor to cause me to march, nor even so much as to persuade me to any thing except— THE ORACLE. William Rex. XIV. The Elector Palatin came near, and said: Ever since my promotion to the Electorate I have been as it were a victim sacrificed for the safety of the Empire: my Country and People have been offered up to the rage and fury of the French; the King of France hath honoured me so far as to set me in the rank of his greatest enemies, and hath give an apparent testimony thereof to the World, by the conflagrations that he hath caused in the Palatinate; but Heaven cannot better avenge me of this cruel enemy, than by making the Queen of Spain, my Daughter fruitful, and by Crowning William III. King of Great Britain, with victorious Laurels, to the end that after the Conquest of Ireland, he may advance to the relief of the oppressed Princes, to compel mine enemy to retire within his own just bounds, and to restore peace to Europe that is harassed with calamities on all sides. But alas! when shall this happy time come? THE ORACLE. Thy Children shall enjoy this advantage. XV. After the Emperor and the Princes of the Empire, William III. King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, defender of the Faith, etc. carrying the second Imperial Crown in Europe, came to the Temple to consult the Oracle, concerning the important affairs, in which he is at present engaged; all Christendom having their eyes fixed on him, as the deliverer of the afflicted, the hope of the oppressed Princes, and the Restorer of Europe, which would have fallen into perpetual slavery if England had not broken its fetters: Being arrived at the sacred Den, he said: The People of Great Britain have sent for me for their deliverance: My Valour hath put the Sceptre into my hands, and Heaven hath Crowned me, after I had delivered the Nation from oppression that marched on with a swift pace, and from those calamities that hung over their heads Veni, vidi, vici, I came, I saw and I overcame; for the Agents whom the King of France employed to enslave this Nation, and to bring it under the yoke of a despotic and arbitrary Power gave place at my approach. I was Anointed King as another David, in the room of my Father in Law, who chose rather to abandon the Kingdom, than to stand and justify the proceed of his Reign, and the birth of his pretended Prince of Wales before a free Parliament, Lawfully convened without any sinister courses or corruption; thus he left to me the Kingdom and the Crown, and Heaven having designed me for great and glorious erterprises, hath not put the Royal Sword into my hands in vain; and thus as it were unto another Hercules, Ireland becomes one of my labours; my Competitor is fled, and durst not appear in the Battle before me, thinking it more expedient to save himself by flying to his dear Ally, than to run the hazard of another Combat, though a King ought not to lose his Crown but with his life: but I had rather see him running away, than in my own possession; his little courage is not capable of creating any fear of farther trouble on his behalf, and all the treasons that he stirs up in my Kingdom, are but as so many vapours coming from France, which are soon dispersed by my presence: Several of my Subjects abuse my generosity, but some of the Chief being punished, as an example to the rest, shall make it appear that I know how to Reign, and that Justice and Mercy are the Basis on which my Throne is erected. I am come to consult the Oracle, that I may know to what side I ought to turn the force of my Arms. THE ORACLE. Towards the Lion of the Gaulish Forest, whose spoils shall serve as thy Trophy. XVI. The Queen of Great Britain, having accompanied the King, her Royal Consort to the Temple, had a mind also to be informed of future events; and the Priestess having rendered to her Majesty, all the honours due to her Sex and Royal Person, she spoke thus: I was born to Reign: The enemies of my glory are dispersed as the streams of water, those Owls the wicked Counsellors of my Father, have taken their flight at the approach of the King my Husband: Heaven hath frustrated their flagitious designs: truth hath triumphed over falsehood: the counterfeit Heir hath followed his supposed Father and Mother, and Heaven hath secured for me the Crown of my Ancestors, which a Mother in Law, with the assistance of her Owls, would have caused to pass into another family: the King's valour hath preserved my People from falling into this misfortune; but to make both them and me happy, there wants nothing but an heir to support my Crown. THE ORACLE. Heaven shall provide. XVII. The King of Spain, having been a great while employed in solemnising his second Marriage, and in making preparations for the reception of his new Spouse, and the Council having made several resolutions and debates relating to determine to what place his Majesty should go; their Majesties came both together to the Temple to consult the Oracle, and the King spoke first (as of right he ought) and said: Heaven hath delivered me from one that was a great friend and adherent to the King of France, who is the declared enemy of the House of Austria. Marriages with France are so many gins and snares that are laid for me on that side; I have at last opened my eyes though somewhat late, and therefore I have disposed of my Daughters on the side of Germany, and I hope that being no longer spied even in my very Bedchamber, I shall soon find myself in a capacity to oppose my enemy, and to pursue him with the assistance of my Allies. Moreover if the deceased Queen had not compelled me to restore to the French, the money that was brought from my Indies, on their account for prohibited Goods, I should have been furnished with ready cash to prosecute the War with success; my Wife, given to me by France, persuaded me to do this act against the opinion of my Privy Council, but the business is done and there is no remedy. Wherefore I come to know whether I shall get the Victory over my enemies, now that I am within the arms of a Queen, who is obliged by her interest to assist me with her wholesome counsels for the advantage of the good Party. THE ORACLE. Labour if thou canst to get a Successor for thy Country, and that is the greatest Victory that thou canst gain over thy enemies. XVIII. The new Queen young and vigorous approaching, spoke thus with a gallant To so many Kingdoms lately bestowed on my by Heaven, the addition of an Heir seems to be altogether necessary, without which my present possessions and enjoyments can be esteemed but as lame and imperfect, since all at last must devolve upon another Family. Therefore I am come to this place to know whether Heaven will vouchsafe to grant a Successor to the King, my Husband; as for my part, I shall use all possible means, but— THE ORACLE answered, without permitting the Queen to proceed. The enterprise is great. XIX. Lewes' XIV. King of France and Navar●e, being employed day and night in debating in his Council concerning the most effectual means to withstand so many powerful enemies, that had declared War against him, could not well spare time to go and consult the Oracle. However at last he resolved to set forward in his journey; but being informed that King William intended to be there, and understanding that he walks in the midst of fire, and that he is even Canon-proof, he was not willing to meet him, wherefore he sent Madame de Maintenon before, as a Scout, in the habit of a Friar, with a purse full of Lovys d'Ors, to observe the avenues, and to inquire of the Priestess Pythonissa what might happen; This faithful messenger being returned, and having made a report to the King that the danger which he feared was past, his Majesty had much ado to take up a resolution, for fear of some treachery or ambuscade: Nevertheless to prevent all disasters and for a greater precaution, he commanded all his Dragoons to serve as an Avantguard, giving them orders to surround the Temple, and a strict charge to keep a strong guard at the Gate, during the time that he remained within; lest he should be taken away for a Saint. He took also along with him the most able Fathers among the Jesuits, that he might be preserved by the merit of their holy Prayers: and for his Lifeguard, the Ban and Arriere-Ban of the City of Paris, which the Marshal de la Fevillade undertook to command, swearing by the Statue of the mighty Monarch erected in the Place des Victoires, that for his Masters greater security, he would put all Strangers that he should meet on the road to the edge of the Sword, and would carry fire and destruction wheresoever he passed, for fear of an Ambush. Thus his most Christian Majesty being accompanied with so valiant a Champion, entered into the Temple, but he was not able to forbear casting an eye on all sides for fear of a surprise: at last his spoke very devoutly after this manner: I thought that after I had extirpated all the Huguenots of my Kingdom, the Catholic Princes according to the example of my Ally, the King of England, would have joined with me and assisted in subduing the Hollanders, and after them all the Heretical Potentates, that I might be able to establish the Catholic Doctrine throughout all my Conquests, but very far from that, the whole World, Catholics and Hugonots have combined together against me, and by a strange revolution, have suffered my only Ally to be driven from his Country by the Prince of Orange. Wherefore I have been constrained contrary to the Catholic Faith, to enter into leagues for my own defence, with the Grand Signior and the Corsairs of Algiers, and compelled to engage at the Ottoman Port, to send the Dauphin with a great Army to the frontiers of Germany, to harass the Emperor, and to give his Highness my Colleague, an opportunity by dividing the Forces of the Empire, to respite and to gather his Forces together, to invade Leopold; lest the whole burden of the War should fall on my shoulders. I flattered myself with the expectation of great succours from Rome, after the general extirpation that I had caused of the Hugonots in my Kingdom, and the submissions that I had made to the Holy See, since the exaltation of this present Pope, who was pleased more over to promise that by his Pastoral authority he would procure a reconciliation with the Catholic Princes, on the account of some small restitution, to the end that I might be in a capacity to oppose the Hugenot Potentates, to which effect I had bend my chiefest forces: nevertheless with an intent to restore all afterwards to the Catholics, which I would have readily granted to them for the accommodation of my affairs: But the Venetian Policy is an impenetrable mystery to my Ministers of State, they bawled aloud at Rome, that the Prince of Orange, is an Usurper, and a more dangerous and formidable Heretic than Calvin himself, who advanced his Conquests only with the tongue and the pen, whereas this Prince makes use of his Sword; and that a remedy ought to be provided in time: but all my zeal for the Catholic Religion hath hitherto produced no effect, and it is alleged to me, that it is not a War maintained for the cause of Religion, but for that of Ambition. In the mean time thou knowst Oh Deity! that presidest in this Place, that I labour to re-establish the King of England on his Throne, and that I have almost exhausted my treasury to preserve Ireland for him; but instead of a recompense, it hath been objected to me, that it is my own interest that obligeth me to act; and the Catholics are so far from assisting me with Croisades, that they sing Te Deum when the Huguenots are victorious; this causeth me often to deliberate, whether I ought to recall the later into my Kingdom to enrage my Catholic enemies; but the mischief is, they will give no credit to my word, nor I to their. The Union of the Allies is more closely knit together than the Gordian Knot, and requires another Alexander to untie it; but it is a Clock that always goes and never strikes, it is a Lute on which some strings are always jarring, or out of tune. I have devised an Expedient to defend myself, and not to fear them, for I find them to be better Travellers than Soldiers; I hope, that if they always March as they have begun, they will soon be ready to return into their Winter-quarters, and then I shall have no longer any cause of Fear on the side of Germany. My Cousin of Luxemburgh, who is as subtle as a Fox, hath promised to deceive the Prince of Waldeck once more. I have drained my Subjects and Churches of all their Money, because I knew it is the sinews of War, and with this familiar Spirit all things may be effected, with the help thereof I penetrate every where, even into the most secret Counsels, and it is my only Refuge, my Lifeguard, and the best Ally that I have at this time: It often performs the function of a General, by gaining the Victory for me, as well as that of an Orator amongst the Ladies, and by its Virtue I subdue many Obstinate Enemies: But alas! it is my sad misfortune, that this familiar Spirit could never tame the Prince of Orange, who is the Enemy that I most dread above all others, and I am very much afraid, lest he should have a powerful party in my Kingdom, as he hath had in England; moreover, I have been assured, that he is Cannon-proof, and that he fears no danger; what course then shall I take to defend myself against him? THE ORACLE. Restore unto God and Men that which belongs to them, otherwise thou shalt drink the Juice of ORANGE. XX. MADAM de Maintonon who had accompanied the King into the Temple, afterwards entreated the Priestess to conduct her to a convenient place, and to set her in a decent posture, that she might interrogate the Oracle, which being accordingly done, she said, By the favour and assistance of the Reverend Father Lafoy Chaise, I have quieted my Conscience, and secured my Honour, against all Obloquy and Slander; never any poor Lady in France ascended to that high degree of Glory to which I have arrived, only by my Intrigues: I have refused the chief Honours of the Court, but I have exercised in a manner all the functions of a Queen. I had a respect for Madam the late Dauphiness, because she preceded me at Court, but when another shall come, I do not intent to give her the same Honour, or Deference, since I am at present the first in right: Shall it be said, that I who have attained to so great Intimacy and Familiarity with the King and his Female Counsellors, should give place to an upstart; this I confess would be a very great vexation to me; therefore I come hither to consult thee on this occasion. THE ORACLE. Women and Fruits have their Flowers and Seasons. XXI. WHEN the King was gone out of the Temple, the Dauphin succeeded in his place, and said, I fear, lest being as yet Dauphin, I should become greater than my Father, which is a thing without a precedent in France, but Woe to him that is to be the first Example. Madam the late Dauphiness often reproached me, by reason of the little share that I had in managing the Affairs of the Kingdom, to whom it chief belonged, and because very often the pleasure of a Minister of State hath prevailed over mine; indeed it is their Conduit through which I have frequently received favours from the King, who hath too much Ambition to suffer me to Rule during his Life, and (after the example of Charles the Fifth,) to put the Royal Authority into my hands: Tho' the People have much inclination to me ever since the Troubles in which they are involved; the Catholics are desirous of me, and the Huguenots wait for me with great Devotion, notwithstanding that the Dauphiness, (as many others were,) to make herself to be regarded, was accessary in tormenting them; but they are persuaded, that I was not engaged in causing the Vexations that were offered to them, and that the good Precepts of the Duke of Montausier my Governor, were prevalent in me; neither indeed could I ever approve of all the violent proceed that have been promoted with respect to them, because I well foresaw, that they would be attended by mischievous Consequences, and would partly kindle all those Combustions that we see at this Day inflamed in the Kingdom, which cannot but produce most dangerous effects. The King's Evil Council hath raised up this vast number of Enemies with whom we are now to contend, and who are resolved not to hearken to any Peace till France be abased, but it is my misfortune, that in this abasement I shall find my own. The King will not give Ear to my Counsel, and perhaps when he shall have a mind to take my Advice, it may then be too late: He always thinks that he hath strength enough to break through the multitude of his Enemies, and to make way for a favourable Peace; but this account is very different from that of the Confederates, who advance on all sides to enter into France: Peradventure if I were Master, and should make propositions to them, they would hearken to me, but the King will never consent to this till the last extremity. Therefore I come hither to know to which Party I ought to adhere, in case the Enemies should invade the Kingdom. THE ORACLE. The Success of the Campain of the Year 1691, shall show it to thee. XXII. THE Duke of Orleans tired with doing nothing, and vexed to see himself rejected and despised, went to consult the Oracle, saying, I have always very well discharged my Trust whensoever the King hath thought fit to require my Service, witness the Battle and Taking of St. Omer, and altho' his Majesty hath been pleased to express the satisfaction he received from the Glory that I had there obtained; nevertheless I remain without Employment, and the King neither talks, nor takes no more notice of me, than if there were no such Person in the World; Whence does this proceed? THE ORACLE. The King would not have his Actions Eclipsed by thine, neither doth he desire any other Glory but that which he acquires himself. XXIII. THE King of Sweden having declared that he is very willing to assist his Allies, but withal to keep a Neutrality with France, that he might thereby promote the Commerce of his Subjects, whilst the most part of other Nations were engaged in a tedious War, went to consult the Oracle, saying, The King of France offers great advantages to hinder me from affording any Supplies to the Confederates, and to induce me to stand Neuter: He hath propounded an Expedient to stop the Vessels that I am obliged to send to the Hollanders by virtue of a Treaty made with the State's General, and if I have a mind to enter into Pomerania, he will not only pay all arrears and summs of money due to me; but will also restore the Duchy of Deux ponts, and defray the charge of the War; moreover, he promiseth that the King of Denmark shall make no attempt upon my Country, but shall likewise remain neuter on my account, and that we shall both enter into a Treaty of Commerce with France, and make a league together to oppose all that shall endeavour to incommode or disturb us therein. Whereas on the one side I am allured by the advantage of Traffic; on the other, the treachery and ill usage that I have received from France deters me: all these fair propositions being only the product of that necessity with which he finds himself urged: what then shall I do? THE ORACLE. Rely not on a reconciled enemy. XXIV. The King of Denmark being solicited on the one side by the fair offers of France, and detained on the other by the interest of Prince George, who stands in need of King William's assistance to establish the Crown in the Family; and knowing not what to determine to preserve both, came to consult the Oracle on this occasion, saying: The present offers of the King of France are fair and good, but they are not to be compared with the advantages that will hereafter accrue to my Country, by a strict union with England; for if the Princess of Denmark should ascend the Throne, there would be a great and indissoluble band of unity between England and my Dominions; besides that the assurances which the King of Great Britain, now reigning, hath given me at present of his amity, and the sincerity that I have always found in the word of this Prince, have obliged me to send Forces to assist him in finishing the Conquest of Ireland; my own interest also exciteth me to afford him this supply against King James, since the later designed to exclude the Princesses his Daughters and their offspring from the Crown, to transfer it to a stranger whose extraction is unknown; but I would willingly assist the King of England, without leaving the King of France, who considering his present circumstances will not be offended as he would have been heretofore at the aid that I have sent into Ireland, since he is now as Meek as he was haughty in times past. THE ORACLE. Beware of the French disease; for that of England had its original in France. XXV. The King of Poland, being sufficiently disgusted at France, when he had caused the Sieur Granville to departed out of his Dominions, and having declared to the Queen that after the marriage of the Royal Prince his Son, with the Princess of Nieubourg, he would no longer hearken to the Ministers of France, though they were able even to bestow on him the same faculty as Midas had heretofore of turning every thing he should touch into Gold; came in this resolution to consult the Oracle, saying: The French baits have caused me to lose the high reputation that I had acquired before Vienna. I confess my weakness, hitherto in placing my Summum bonum in a little yellow clay, which I have kept more carefully than holy Relics; and I have often looked on the effigies of the Lovys d'Ors as a Tutelary God and the object of my happiness. However I now begin to understand, that these material goods are but froth in comparison of the worth of real glory, which alone can set my Son on the Throne. I know that the taking of Caminiec can at present contribute more thereto, than all the treasure of France; but on this occasion my Allies have at least this consolation, that I have taken more from the French than from the Turks, and that to exhaust is to weaken. That War can be but of little moment, where the danger and the honour are not great; therefore for the future after the example of Hannibal, I shall turn to the side of glory, as soon as the marriage of the Royal Prince with the Princess of Nieubourg shall be accomplished; and to that end I have stopped my ears against all the Sirens of France, since I observe that their King will have enough to do to preserve his Crown for his own Son, and that the Emperor alone can establish mine on the head of my heir: I am come hither to receive your wholesome Counsel. THE ORACLE. Endeavour thyself by thy own valour to secure the Crown for thy posterity. XXVI. The King of Portugal, after his Alliance with the House of Nieubourg, thought himself also obliged to embrace the interest of the Empire, and the common cause of his Allies, but the French (who are always pregnant of politic contrivances) overseeing that this marriage especially at this present juncture of affairs, might alienate that Kingdom from their interests, to amuse the Portuguese Court propounded another between their Infanta and the Dauphin, and that the issue of that Bed should succeed to the Crown of Portugal, on condition nevertheless that the King of Portugal should declare War against Spain, and that France should bear a part of the charge; wherefore his Portuguese Majesty in this perplexity went to consult the Oracle, and spoke thus: The Ministers of France continually represent to me how much both my Predecessor and myself have been obliged to them on the account of the Pyrenean peace, insinuating that the Grandeur of Spain might hereafter produce my abasement, but they would furnish me with means in this conjuncture whereby to deliver myself from all pretensions that that Court might make to my Country for the future. Now since I have an opportunity to serve France with my Commerce, to remain neuter, and to procure the Traffic of the other Princes engaged in War; why should I not improve it to the enriching of my Subjects by furnishing the French with all manner of ammunitions that they shall want in this present War? THE ORACLE. Thou dost not yet know the force of Spiritus Gall. XXVII. The Grand Signior after so many losses, notwithstanding his affiance in Mehemet Rasoul, and after the return of his Dervishes from Mecca, not knowing any longer to which Saint of the Alcoran to make his addresses, determined to go and consult the Oracle, and to try if he could there find any hopes of deliverance: Being arrived at the Sacred cave, he spoke after this manner: I have offered to the Emperor of the Christians, my enemy, all that my Law allows me to give (notwithstanding the persuasions of France) without being able to obtain any thing. I have lost my best Janissaries in battle, and my Dervishes are weary with crying throughout all the Mosques; my Treasures are exhausted, and my People raise commotions in divers Places, demanding Peace: The Women with Child miscarry at the approach of the uncircumcised; and I durst not venture to return to Constantinople with out a peace. The Cham of Tartary indeed hath promised to come to my assistance, and the great Sultan of France to pay him, and that he will send the young Sultan, his Son, to the River Rhine, to compel the Christians to departed out of my Dominions, but especially he that will never make Peace till all my Territories that I have lost in Hungary be restored to me, provided that I maintain the War as long as he; But my Forces are broken, the enemy stands at my gates, and I am continually terrified with great alarms, being doubtful whether I ought to give credit to this Sultant that bears the name of Christian. He hath often abused me, and the necessity of my affairs hath hitherto forced me to hearken to him. He proffers to swear by my Alcoran that he will keep his word; but since all his promises have had no effect, what resolution shall I take, and on whom shall I rely? THE ORACLE. On thy own Forces. XXVIII. The Deputies of the State's General of the United Provinces, being come to consult the Oracle, said: It was necessary for the security of our State, to set the Prince of Orange on the Throne of Great Britain, to secure us from the threats of France; and the assurance that the count d' Avaux gave us of a strict alliance between the two Kings, hath opened our eyes, to the end that we might take away from the King of France the means of being able to hurt us. We have by our own aid disengaged ourselves from a very great encumbrance and perplexity, and by placing the Prince on the Throne, we have well provided for our safety for the future, by that indissoluble Union that will always be maintained between the two States; but since all things in this sublunary World are subject to variety of changes and revolutions, what course must we take to preserve that high reputation which we have acquired to ourselves in Europe. THE ORACLE. Be always Masters of your own Forces. XXIX. The most Serene Doge of Venice, being ready to return laden with the Laurels and Trophies of his Victories, was extremely glad of an opportunity to consult the Oracle, and said: The most Serene Republic having been hitherto the terror of the Infidels, hath compelled her haughty enemy to sue for a Peace, but the advantage of have a Pope descended from her own loins, obliges her to continue the War, and not to separate from her Allies, though Poland stands as an idle Spectator; therefore it is time to think of a Peace, and so much the rather, by reason that a great fire is kindled in the neighbourhood of this Republic, that is capable of inflaming all Italy, if it be not soon prevented. What is most requisite to be done on this occasion? THE ORACLE. Make Peace, and return from the farthest to secure the nearest. XXX. The Duke of Savoy, having for some time amused the King of France, who only sought to seize on his Country, and having thoroughly penetrated into the subtle intrigues as well as the danger in which he was involved by confiding in the French, remembered the example of the Duke of Lorraine, and resolved to take new measures contrary to the interest of France, and such as were only able to secure his preservation; for the better pursuing of which he thought fit to consult the Oracle, and coming to the Temple, spoke thus: It was generally believed that I was so strictly united to Franc●▪ that I durst not separate myself, nor undertake any thing without the consent of their King, but the event hath shown the contrary, and that I knew my own true interest as well as the King's intentions; but if I have dissembled for some time, it was only that I might seek myown advantage and to engage my Allies; neither the tears of the Royal Duchess, nor the fair promises of the Duke of Orleans▪ could prevail with me to alter my resolution, nor never shall; the bowl is cast and cannot return again, for if I had received the French troops into the Citadel of Turin, I should have had nothing else to do but to go and keep my Countryhouse in France with the Prince of Utopia; but not being willing for the future to depend on any but God and my Sword, I have made it appear to the whole World that I'm Master within my own Dominions, by the return of my Subjects of Piedmont into their Valleys; and without delay I have embraced the common cause of the Emperor and his Allies, who will not abandon me, nor invade my Territories: And if the Cantons of Switzerland would do the same, and shake off the yoke of France, we should find employment for their Monarch on the side of Dauphine. I am come hither to know what success will attend me. THE ORACLE. Pignerol shall open its Gates to thy good fortune. XXXI. The Cantons of Switzerland being amazed at the sudden change that happened in their neighbourhood, deputed soveral persons on the behalf of the Helvetian States to be informed by the Oracle of future contingencies, who being arrived at the Sacred Den, spoke to this effect: We have seen a great light in our Neighbourhood, and have rejoiced in the brightness thereof: The recalling of the Vaudois, and the Declaration of the Duke of Savoye in favour of the Emperor and his Allies, hath caused our heart to leap for joy; moreover, we never received so many caresses from France, only to persuade us to remain neuter, but they do not as yet offer to demolish the Fortress of Hunninguen; however if they do not set about it speedily, we shall open a passage for the Germans, though as yet we divide a little spot of ground with the King of France; but forasmuch as there is nothing now to be feared, and since he can no longer by't; if he do not himself begin to dismantle this Place, we will apply our Batteries thereto: We are in good earnest brave Swissers, and will not be mocked for the future, they must now deal plainly with us and set their hand to the work: their Lovys d'Ors are good, but somewhat more must be done at this time, since ours are now more current money, for by the virtue of hocus pocus Monsieur Amelot takes us for Blockheads, and thinks to gull us as he hath done heretofore, but we have no mind to let slip this opportunity, and we will act our part before the Farce be ended: We are heavy and corpulent, therefore we march stowly. In the mean time what shall we do? THE ORACLE. Fellow the light that goes before you. XXXII. The Republic of Genoa, being very glad to see so many dogs set on the wolf, and all the Powers of Europe combined against France, the most formidable enemy that she ever had; sent to consult the Oracle to know what ought to be done in this conjuncture, saying: The whole World hath seen the submission that we have been forced to make to the King of France, after he had bombarded our City: we have been constrained to kiss the rod with which we were scourged without murmuring; and the Senate hath been obliged to go in a body to Versailles, to thank the King for his great justice; but we hope that the time is now come wherein Heaven will avenge us on them, and that the Allies will cause reparation to be made for the Damage that we have sustained. What means shall we now use to take some satisfaction ourselves of our concealed enemy? THE ORACLE. Let not thine inhabitants furnish him with arms to beat thee. XXXIII. The late King James, being obliged to abandon his Kingdoms a second time, and to departed out of Ireland; and not knowing what Saint to invocate, nor of what materials to make weapons in France, where the unfortunate are not at all welcome, went very mournfully to consult the Oracle, and said: I now acknowledge my fault, and that my misfortunes have had their original only from the wicked instigations of the Queen my Wife, and her pernicious Counsels, that induced me to seek for means to make myself absolute by virtue of an Arbitrary power independent of the Statutes of the Realm and authority of Parliaments; and to abolish the Test and Penal Laws: This model came from France, and hath lead me to the precipice and to this unhappy Labyrinth: My People could not endure neither an alteration in Religion, nor in the Succession of the Crown, but sent for a Competitor, who easily got possession of my Kingdoms, without hopes that I shall ever be able to reenter therein as long as he shall live. The greatest part of my Subjects have forsaken me, and my Friends durst not so much as lift up their head: My Forces have abandoned me, and they of my own Family have turned their backs on me. Thus am I left destitute in the hands of the French, reduced to the necessity of imploring their aid, and of making a most lamentable figure; not knowing whither to betake myself when the King of France shall be weary of me. Alas! will my banishment from my Kingdoms continue much longer? THE ORACLE. Until thy Successor shall have a mind to abrogate the Laws, as thou hast done. XXXIV. The Queen Jacomina, having seen with much consternation the return of the King, her Husband, to Saint , went accompanied with Father Peter and the little Urchin, her Son, to the Temple of the Oracle to know the reason thereof, and spoke thus: I have been always very exact in my devotions to our Lady of Loretto, and have made many vows to her, to the end that I might re-enter into my Kingdom; nevertheless we are so far from approaching it, by the way of Ireland, as the King of France vainly promised, that we are now driven back farther than ever, by the retreat of the King, who hath been totally defeated seated with his Army at the first shock of our enemies. Whence to so many misfortunes proceed that have happened to us in this World? THE ORACLE. From thyself. XXXV. Father Peter, having entreated the Queen to permit him to speak in his turn, said: I have incessantly laboured day and night for the good of the Society, and considering that a Prince of Wales created by our hand, might hereafter be a very powerful instrument for the propagation of the Catholic Faith, and the increasing of our Revenues in England, our good Lady of Loretto hath by a miracle brought this Prince to light, which was very necessary to protect us after the King's death; none but the Society know the depth of this Mystery; but in the mean time some spiteful person dis-affected to our interest, having discovered the mine, brought the storm on the King's person and all the Royal Family, and at the same time on our Holy Society; thus to avoid exposing ourselves to the mercy of the Conqueror, we were compelled to follow the fortune of the King and Royal Family, by retiring into a place of safety, to the end that by our Prayers we might be able to merit our return into England, as soon as possibly it can be effected, for the consolation of the party that we have left there, and which impatiently expects our coming. Shall we be speedily re-established? for we are all ready to repass the Sea. THE ORACLE. Immediately send for all that thou hast left there. XXXVI. The Cardinal of Fustemberg, having lost all hopes of obtaining the Electorate, and having turned that Arch-Bishopric into an Abbacy; went full of despair to consult the Oracle, and said: I have foolishly neglected the opportunity of advancing my fortune, having voluntarily renounced my right of Coadjutorship to the Arch-Bishopric of Colen; I have converted the money that I received from France to procure me friends to a very different use, and not doubting but that I should certainly accomplish my design, I spent it in treating my dear Niece, who by her fond caresses caused me to imitate the Crow in the Fable, and that which torments me most of all is, that the matter is irrecoverable, since the Holy See hath again ratified all that was done in this affair, and that my Competitor is younger than I: Thus my fortune is limited within the narrow bounds of the Abbey of Saint , However, the King gives me hopes of obtaining an Arch-Bishopric in his Kingdom, to sweeten the remorse that I might have for betraying my own lawful Sovereign; but I cannot rely upon it. The fear of some foul and unexpected chastisement caused me to withdraw from Rome incognito, to take shelter under the Culverins of the great Lewes; but in regard that the unfortunate are never welcome at the French Court, I can make but a sorry figure, and it will be yet so much the worse, if the Emperor and his Allies should gain any considerable advantages over France, for than I might serve as a Victim to a Peace, not knowing whither to fly, since all Europe only desires my ruin. Thus on whatsoever side I turn, I can see nothing but crosses and tribulation ready to attend me. I am come therefore to know my destiny. THE ORACLE. It will follow the fortune of thy new Master. XXXVII. The King of Siam, being disengaged from the French and the Jesuits went to consult the Oracle, and said: my Predecessor was much addicted to the French that were brought to Siam by the Jesuits, who having made themselves in a manner necessary by the profession of the Mathematics and Astrology, with the study whereof they had amused him, soon insinuated themselves into his favour, and by that means got possession of the most principal Places in his Dominions, with a prospect of becoming at length Masters of the whole Kingdom; designing to set one of their own Creatures on the Throne, and to seize on our Golden Gods that attract all their admiration, neither would they have preached there Religion here, but to that end; however having perceived their subtlety with the advice of my chief Mandarins I got rid of them, as also of their principal abetters and adherents. After the King's Death I took possession of the Kingdom, lest it should fall together with our Gods into the hands of the French; I am not ignorant that their King will make pretensions against me, but I fear him not as long as I can maintain an Alliance and good correspondence with the Hollanders, my neighbours; at least if they do not come to demand the presents that they gave to my Predecessor, and to Constantius his chief Minister of State, who was the instrument of all their designs, and the wheel that set the engine of the Jesuits on motion; but the first that shall presume to enter into my Kingdom, I will deliver as a prey to the wild Beasts; for I can no longer suffer such vermin in my Dominions. THE ORACLE. Be always Master. XXXVIII. The Republic of Geneva, being delivered from those terrible alarms that the King of France continually caused in their neighbourhood, on the occasion of the marching of that vast number of the enemies against whom he is now engaged, and of the great War in which he is involved; sent two Syndics to consult the Oracle in the name of the whole City, who spoke after this manner: Our condition being altered, and the tempestuous Storm having passed over our Heads, he that so lately threatened us, gins now to caress us; thus we breath in a clear and wholesome air, and we may certainly affirm that King William is a great Physician, and that his most efficacious remedies operate at a very great distance; but for as much as in all distempers, relapses are very dangerous, by what means shall we preserve the good health that we now enjoy? THE ORACLE. By the virtue of Spiritus Angliae. XXXIX. The City of Hambourgh, being obliged to publish the Emperor's Avocatoria, was not a little disgusted, and in this perplexity sent two Licenciats to consult the Oracle, who spoke in the name of their Principals, saying: We hoped that all our neighbours being engaged in War, we might have monopolised the greatest part of their Traffic by the means of a neutrality; but since jealousy often creates violence, insomuch that we have found an embrago laid on all our Vessels in England. with the Emperor's consent, we have been compelled to submit to the Avocatoria, and to cause the French Resident to departed from our Tertitories; but the King may clearly see that we have been constrained thereto to avoid the ruin of our inhabitants; for the King of England who knows not how to dally, persists in obligng us to observe the Avocatoria. Thus we are perplexed being deprived of our Commerce with France, and not knowing what party to adhere unto in this Conjuncture. THE ORACLE. Fellow the strongest. XL. The Princes of the House of Lunembourg spoke thus to the Oracle. We have had no regard to all the offers of France, and they could not hinder us from cleving to the interest of the common Cause of Europe, and from furnishing our Allies with Troops, notwithstanding the vast sums of money offered to us by the most Christian King to prevent it, but we have no mind to be harassed; we would act as we think fit, and be Masters of our own Forces; we would willingly assist our Allies, and especially the King of England, for whose valour we have a particular esteem, as our Friend and true Ally, and we are ready to concur in any thing to the utmost of our Power that may tend to his satisfaction. THE ORACLE. Glory and Victory fly before him, and Heaven is his Protector. XLI. The Marquis de Gastanaga, Governor of the Spanish netherlands, after the Battle of Fleury, fearing lest the enemies might invade Flanders, went immediately to consult the Oracle, and said: May the Heavens protect us in this Conjuncture, for if the Hollanders should retreat, my Master's Country is lost, and if the French should enter therein, they would spare neither Virgin, nor Saint, nor the most Sacred Relics. I have caused several Masses to be celebrated, and have made several vows for the prosperity of the King's A●ms, but I hope that when the King of Great Britain shall come, he will defend us from all disasters, with the aid of our good Lady of Hal. THE ORACLE. Help thyself, and the Gods shall assist thee. XLII. The Prince of Waldeck, after the same Battle of Fleury, was also very glad of an opportunity to consult the Oracle on this occasion, saying: I have been unfortunate in the last Battle, althô at the same time the French have no reason to boast; I did what I could, nevertheless I know that I am not respected by the People. Men give Battle, but the event comes from Heaven, whence then proceeds my misfortune? THE ORACLE. Consult thy strength and thy age, and be a friend to Spies. XLIII. The Kingdom of Algers, sent two of their Reys that belong to Sea affairs to consult the Oracle, who said: The French have Bombarded our City, but it hath cost them dear, they are come to demand a Peace, and have applied a Golden plaster to our Wound, and if we may believe them, we have no better friend than their King; shall we give them credit? THE ORACLE. There is no great difference between one Corsair and another. XLIV. The Czars of Moscovy, having entered upon no considerable Action against the Turks since their Declaration of War, notwithstanding all the Assurances given by their Ambassadors whom they sent into all the Courts of Europe, came both together to consult the Oracle, saying: We have declared War against the Turks, and altho' we have demanded Supplies of all the Christian Princes, yet none comes to our Assistance, insomuch that we are obliged to maintain this great War at our own Charges; if this continues we shall be compelled to make a Peace. THE ORACLE. Ye shall do no great good, nor no great harm. XLV. The Reverend Society of the Jesuits deputed Father La Chaise, and another English Father lately come from England, to go and consult the Oracle in the Habit of Cavaliers, lest they should meet with any of King William's Troops on the Road; where they were no sooner arrived, but they very confidently entered into the Temple, and said: Our Society is esteemed as the Pillar of the Catholic Church, for without it, it would have fallen in several places, and by our intercession we obtained a Catholic Successor in England; nevertheless the Sins of Men have caused Heresy to prevail for a time, but we are not discouraged, our Party always subsists there, and another Revolution may put us in possession of what we have lost. The City of Geneva was very near falling into our hands, and we had already reckoned it in the number of our Conquests: It hath indeed escaped out of the King's Power, but a fair opportunity pretermitted is not irrecoverable. We have had better success with the Emperor, and have hitherto hindered him from making a Peace with the Turks. The Martyrdoms that our Society hath suffered in England and China, caused us justly to hope that we should have been regarded by the Holy See, but it seems all our Pains and Zeal for the propagation of the Faith cannot as yet merit the esteem of the Venetians, which hath in all times been of very bad consequence to us, with respect to the Heretics; but if we can hope for no great matter on that side, we may expect much from the Most Christian King, who promiseth to himself a happy Issue of this War, through the intercession of the grand Saint Ignatius, and the Prayers of the whole Society. We have entirely devoted ourselves to France, the King of Spain being a Saint that at present can do us neither good nor harm. We had reason to hope for much, from the King and Queen of England, if Fortune had not been unkind to them; but the whole Society labours for their Restauration. Wilt thou therefore Re-establish them and us by their means? THE ORACLE. It is impossible to rise again after so great a fall. XLVI. The Right Reverend the Clergy of France, being assembled together, intended to depute the Archbishop of Paris to go and consult the Oracle, but when he was enjoined to speak the Truth, he desired to be excused, by reason that the King had promised him the first nomination to a Cardinal's Cap, and therefore being under such Circumstances he durst not disoblige his Majesty, whereupon they soon appointed the Bishop of Grenoble in his room to discharge that Office, who being arrived at the Sacred Den, spoke to this effect, I am come hither on the behalf of the most considerable Assembly in Europe, I mean the Clergy of France, and of the Gallicane Church, to pour out our just Complaints into your Bosom. The King in taking away our Revenues draws the most pure Blood out of our Veins by continual Taxes and Gratuities beyond our Ability; and by a prodigious Usurpation, this Monarch hath lately taken from us all the Ornaments of Gold and Silver belonging to the Sanctuary, without the consent of our Holy Father the Pope, under pretence of a War to be prosecuted against the Heretics, and of the Reunion of the Huguenots of his Kingdom with the Church; insisting moreover, that he hath been obliged to disburse vast Sums of Money in maintaining the Royal Mission that hath brought in great Revenues to the Church: But that which most affects the Conscience of our Prelates is, that they must believe every thing that the King requires them, and accommodate their Faith according to the Affairs that intervene between the Court of France and that of Rome. It would be great matter of Joy, if by your wholesome Counsels this Venerable Assembly might be delivered from all these Vexations, that we may peaceable enjoy our Benefices, and not be compelled to believe any thing but what are commanded by our Holy Mother the Church. THE ORACLE. Your Kings pretend that Religion may be adapted to their Ambition. XLVII. The Catholics of England in their Exile went to consult the Oracle, to know their Destiny, saying: We thought that as soon as our Zealous Monarch had ascended his Brother's Throne, the time of our Restauration was at hand, and that after a tedious Captivity, we should have re-entered upon the possession of all our Rights and Prerogatives: The Reverend Fathers the Jesuits gave us great hopes thereof; but by a strange Revolution, we find ourselves further off than we were hitherto, and by hoisting our Top-gallant too high, we have overset our Vessel at the first Blast of Wind; the Tempest soon dispersed us on all sides, like scattered Sheep, at the Mercy of Foreigners, without any prospect of returning, at least of a New Revolution, which we are forced to wait for, without so rouch as being able to foresee the least Remedy for our Calamities. Alas! When shall we meet with a more favourable time. THE ORACLE. Patience is a great Virtue. XLVIII. The Marshal de la Fevillade, having for a long time passionately wished for an opportunity, freely to disclose his Mind, went to the Temple, and said: I had foretold long ago that the Prince of Orange would at length create us much trouble; but no credit was given to my Word, and for speaking the Truth, I was very near being disgraced by the King, instead of serveing Him with my wholesome Advice; He would no longer hearken to me, because I knew not how to flatter, and I was constrained to hold my Tongue; but now that this Prince is become King of England, and hath Power in His Hand, He gins to Sing a very different Tune than he did before; and if ever He should pass over into France, we shall see Fine-work, and the Post will find good Employment. My Predictions were always true, that with too much squeezing the Orange, it would at last become bitter, but I was not heard; and when they shall be willing to give Ear, perhaps than it will be too late. Fear hath already seized the Court, and they have sent me to repair the old Forts in Dauphine, lest the Prince marching at the head of the Vaudois, should recover his Castle. The King hath charged me to take great care thereof, but I am very desirous to declare my Opinion to him. THE ORACLE. Thy Master hates the Truth. FINIS.