MEROVEUS A PRINCE OF THE Blood-Royal of FRANCE. A NOVEL.   depiction of a globe 
LONDON, Printed for R. Bentley, and M. Magnes, in Russel-Street in Covent-Garden, 1682.   

TO THE Right Honourable THE COUNTESS OF OXFORD.  
THE Universal Admiration Your Ladyship has obtained in the World, having inspired a young Prince with a Curiosity to see so many Wonders as Fame does Your Ladyship the Justice to relate, He is come from beyond Sea with hopes not only of having leave to satisfy the Ambition He has of paying Homage to so many Excellencies, but likewise, if you can think fit, Madam, to allow Him a favourable Audience, He does not question but to make appear, that his Misfortunes are of such a Nature as both to merit and engage Your Ladyship's Pity and Protection. Both His Commission and Passport to Your Ladyship have something in them so extraordinary, that as One has wherewith to raise Compassion, so the Other has to create Veneration in all People. For He is addressed, Madam, to a Lady whose Family has ever, and is still at this day fruitful in Hero's, and who has likewise the advantage of being united to One that has filled the Chronicles of all Ages with its Extraordinary Performances, and miraculous Instances of a Constant Loyalty, wherein they have been so zealously followed by the present Earl, that the Best of Subjects and Greatest of Men may be proud of imitating his Conduct and Actions: Yet, notwithstanding all these Invitations, this Prince does acknowledge that he was incited to this Address more by Your Ladyships own Merit and Lustre, than all these Advantages of Extraction and Alliance: It was a Beauty, Madam, above description, a Wit beyond all imagination, and these attended by a benign Disposition, an Affability, a Goodness, and all and none but those Qualities which procure Respect and Acclamation, that made him ambitious of laying himself at Your Ladyship's Feet, and to beg leave to declare the Devotion with which I am, Madam,  
Your Ladyship's Most humble and most obedient Servant, F. S.   

MEROVEUS A PRINCE OF THE Blood-Royal OF FRANCE.  

THE Posterity of Clovis the Great begun to possess the Throne; Clotarius the youngest of his Children, remaining alone of all his Brothers to settle the rising Monarchy of the French, left for his Successors four Sons, who shared the Crown between them. Cherebert, being the eldest, had for his part the Kingdom of Paris, and its depencies. Gontran, that of Orleans: Chilperic, that of Soissons; and Sigebert that of Metz.  
Though that Union is something rare between persons of their Rank, those four Princes lived a long time in a perfect intelligence in the Government of their States, and the tendernesses of Blood were ever more powerful in their hearts, than any sentiment of ambition and jealousy. They did not think the alliance of any neighbouring Prince, was necessary to them for the support of their Thrones; wherefore when they resolved to leave Heirs, they sought not for Women elsewhere than amongst their Subjects, and as merit was the only thing that they considered, they applied themselves indifferently to Persons in whom they found most Charms, Beauty and Wit.  
Cherebert, whom Clotarius his Father had caused to marry Ingoberga against his will, divorced himself from her to take in her place Merofleda, a Merchant's Daughter: Gontrand made the like choice in his States: Sigebert lived a long time without any engagement; and as for Chilperick, he married Andevera, the truth is a Maid of mean Birth, but whom Heaven had only deprived of the advantages of Blood, that the quickness of her Wit, the greatness of her Soul, and the Charms of her Beauty might be the more admired: Chilperick had by her several Children and amongst others a Prince called Meroveus. Cherebert after having reigned six years, died in the Castle of Blaye in Xaintonge: he left no male Children: Insomuch that the three Princes his Brothers shared his Kingdom between them: but as not one of them would consent to yield Paris to an other, it was resolved that City should remain neutral, that it should be equally to all three, and that not one might enter it without the consent of the others, upon pain of losing the part he had in the succession of Cherebert.  
This Affair thus regulated, those Princes passed still several years in an agreeable Society, and only made use of their Arms to repulse the attempts of Strangers their common Enemies. But Fortune that usually takes delight in destroying all that is not its Work, let them only so long enjoy this sweet tranquillity that their Division might be the more sensible to them.  
Prince Meroveus was seventeen years old, when one Fredegonda came into the service of Queen Andovera. Meroveus and Fredegonda having the greatest part in this History, it will not be out of the way to give a light Idea of them, that they may be the better known.  
It may be said that Fredegonda was one of the most capricious Works that Nature was capable of producing: there was in her a confused heap of good and ill Qualities, all of them extraordinary: but as her Virtues possessed but the least part in her Soul, they ever served only to set off her Vices. That which rendered the world sometimes prepossessed in her favour, was that what she had best, discovered itself at first. Those who had once seen her and heard her discourse, could hardly persuade themselves afterwards that Heaven would mingle so rare Perfections amongst so great Defects. And it must be avowed that she knew admirable well how to set off the Talents she was Mistress of. Never was Beauty in all its lustre better managed and more ingeniously employed to its Designs. Never did Wit with more artifice use all the graces of eloquence to persuade; and never any heart so cunningly disposed the language of its sighs, for the gaining the tenderness of a Prince. She thought it indifferent to follow the course of Virtue or to stray from it, and she only sought it when she judged it might favour her erterprises. Ambition, Revenge, and Jealousy disposed by turns of her Soul. Love was not unknown to her, but he had never so great an Empire over her as to betray any of these passions. The greatest crimes raised no horror in her, she resolved of them without pain for the satisfying her desires. Fear had little place in her heart, because that her Policy was to prevent all those whom she believed might do her hurt, and a light suspicion was sufficient for the sacrificing them to her safety. Her resentments could not be softened by time. Her hatred was only extinguished in the blood of the person from whom she imagined to have received any outrage. Deceit, dissimulation, perfidiousness and lying, were also many Veils which concealed from the most penetrating Eyes, all the foldings of her heart. In fine to give her Picture with one stroke, it is sufficient to say that self-love was the only rule she thought worthy of being embraced in the world.  
Meroveus, on the contrary, was one of the most accomplished Princes that France had yet se●h. It was to have been wished that Heaven had brought him into the world in a less elevated degree; that not being environed with that dazzling pomp, all his perfections might have been more nearly contemplated, and his merit judged of by itself. It was not necessary to proceed to his Soul to find something in him worthy of admiration. From all the Features that Nature had printed in his Face, there resulted I know not what kind of Air which inspired love and respect in all those who approached him. Never any Prince gave so fair hopes, and in whose Eyes were read greater things. At so tender an age he had already signalised himself in Arms, and the Laurels he had gathered in several, & important, occasions, made all the world doubt if the easiness of fight was not rather born with him, than form by a long habit.  
It seemed that so many fair qualities ought to have subdued Fortune to the happiness of this Prince: Yet that cruel Enemy of Virtue made it on the contrary appear that it is in vain that Nature strives to maintain its Works, when Fortune undertakes to attack them: It was its will that the unfortunate Meroveus should search Posterity for a famous example of its power, as well as injustice.  
Fredegonda had not seen him twice when she became infinitely in love with him; and as she saw that this passion was but too conformable to her ambition, she wholly abandoned herself to it with all manner of joy. She fancied that he being of an age that has little force to resist passions, and wherein a heart is easily surprised by Love when it meets with a proper object, he would hardly escape her artifices: but all her cunning and all her address was in vain: Meroveus, after having a long time avoided her snares, at length seeing that she one day spoke to him openly of her love, rallied her publicly for it, and told her that to acknowledge the affection she had for him, he would marry her to one of his Officers.  
These words produced in Fredegonda's Soul a furious vexation and an immortal hatred, which was the source of all the disgraces of Meroveus, and which led him to his Grave. But as the force of this wicked Woman lay in artifices, she knew so well how to dissemble in that occasion, that she smiled at the Prince's answer, and even thanked him very civility. As she knew that on the first impressions, good or bad, that others have received from us, depend oftentimes all the judgements that are made in the sequel; she at first affected a conduct with Andovera, which procured her the esteem and confidence of her Mistress, and the jealousy of her Companions. All her actions were governed by a complaisance full of sweetness, a respectful submission to all that was exacted from her, and an earnestness ever new to acquit herself of the least things her devoir engaged her to.  
It is an usual defect in all good Souls to judge of others by themselves: as they are incapable of any disguise, they fancy they see in the actions of others as much fincerity as in their own, and this imprudent goodness makes them oftentimes take for an effusion of heart, what proceeds only from an address of Wit.  
The false and deceitful appearances of Fredegonda, so surprised all the affections of Andovera, that this good Princess fancied that she could not do enough to make known to her the sense she had of her services. She proposed her for a model to all her other Maids of Honour, she filled the Court with her praises, and the King was especially daily importuned with them; so true it is that we often run precipitately to our own ruin, and we become ourselves the contrivers of our own unhappiness.  
Though the Princess Andovera had already spent more than eightteen years in marriage, she was still capable of charming, and neither that long space of time, nor her Lying In, which are usually the destroyers of Beauty, had worn out any thing of that surprising lustre which conquers hearts. But as desires and hopes are the only things which maintain Love, and that nothing is more capable of making us disrelish an object than a long and peaceable possession. Chilperick's passion for the Queen did nothing now but languish, and those devouring flames which the first fight of that Princess had kindled in his Heart, were as extinguished in the enjoyment of her pleasures.  
The reputation of Fredegonda's Wit and Beauty gave him one day the curiosity of considering and discoursing her attentively. It was in that occasion that this cunning Maid neglected nothing of all she judged proper for engaging the King. She fought for Darts in her Eyes fit to discover the way to his Heart, and drained all the lights of her Wit to charm the Princes.  
It was not necessary to employ so much address upon a man who ran to meet his Chains, and who longed that a new passion might renew his desires. Chilperick told Fredegonda upon his leaving her, that he was very much satisfied with her discourse, and that he would do her some kindness in a very short time. In effect, he sent for her some days after by his trustiest Officer, and after having repeated to her the same thing, he added for the declaring to her his passion, that he had found in her more Beauty and Wit than he ought to have. desired for his repose; that it was to Love she was going to owe all the favours he should heap upon her; but as his happiness depended on her, she ought to contribute to it in giving him sensible and convincing marks of a mutual tenderness; and above all, that she should carefully conceal this Gallantry from the Queen, who would not fail to be enraged at it.  
As Fredegonda changed, as she pleased, the motions of her Face, she seemed at that moment so modest, that it helped to inflame the King's desires. She made him know that she desired nothing so ardently as to make appear to him the joy she felt to see herself beloved by so great a Prince; but that he was not to exact any thing from her that her virtue might disallow.  
The King was not yet so blinded with his passion, but that he considered that it ever becomes a Woman to make some resistance, and not to yield so soon. He was not willing to press her more that day: he contented himself with telling her that they would talk of it more than once, and that he would give her time to think of it. Having spoken these words, he took out a Table-Book with Gold-Covers set with Diamonds, which he made her a Present of.  
He had hardly left her, than that his imagination representing her to him yet more fair than she was, made him sensible of new returns of Love, and was extreme impatient to see her again; so that the next morning, while the Queen rested, he sent his Confident to tell her he desired to speak with her, and she immediately went to the Cabinet where he waited for her.  
Fredegonda knowing better how to dive into the hearts of others than they into hers, easily perceived that Chilperick was too much a slave to his Love, to be able ever to master it. Wherefore, as it was Ambition that made her act, she did not amuse herself to flatter his passion with frivoulous hopes, but had the boldness to tell him, that if he desired she should answer it, he must marry her; that her birth was not inferior to Andoueras; that nothing was so common with all Princes, as divorce, that neither reasons nor pretext would be wanting for the furthering the design; that this procedure towards Andovera, was not unjust, that it was enough for her to have held so glorious a rank near twenty years; that for her part when she should as long have shared his Crown, with him, she would endeavour to comfort herself if an other took her place; that in fine, he might assure himself, that nothing but his Faith could obtain from her what he pretended. After these words she went out of the Cabinet, and left the Prince in a mortal trouble.  
Though it be easy for Love to become all on a sudden Master of a Heart, and that one moment alone is sufficient for it to chase away all that opposes its designs, yet it does not reign there sovereignly, until after several strifes, for the rendering its Victory the more illustrious, and the more powerfully engage reason to support its interests.  
Chilperick found his mind a long time wavering between his Devoir and his new passion: if the pleasures he hoped to enjoy in the possession of Fredegonda, inclined him towards her; on the other side the Image of his Glory stained by so shameful a Divorce, and the innocence of Andovera were powerful curbs to stop the rapidity of his Vows. The great marks of Love that he had received from that good Princess, her passionate tenderness, her ardent sighs, her transports ever new, her application; cares and complaisance, knocked every Moment at the Door of his Heart, to put him in mind of recovering a lawful Empire.  
But as it is much more easy to stray from our Devoir, than to return to it when we have been once out of the way, all these objects, after having for some time shaked Chilperick's mind, disappeared at length to let Love triumph. All that virtue could obtain from him, was that he should do what he could to persuade Fredogonda, before that he resolved to be divorced from Andovera. Whereupon he besieged that imperious Mistress with all manner of Arms. He joined to the lustre of his person all the discourses of the most submissive Lovers; and without doubt, a woman less ambitious than Fredegonda, would not have been able to have held out against so many importunities; but that haughty passion had too deep roots in her heart, to suffer her to be seduced by other impressions. She was ever deaf to the Prayers of Chilperick, and after having a long time denied him, and even refused the Presents he would have made her; She once told him very sharply that he was very scrupulous, and very fearful, not to dare to take that liberty to become happy, which the example of so many Princes authorized, and which Cherebert his Brother had himself practised.  
There is no injury which so sensibly touches Kings, as the reproach of fear: as boldness is the first mark of courage, they imagine for the better, making appear the greatness of their Souls, they ought to give their power its full scope, insomuch that what moves them to unlawful actions, is oftentimes only a vain glory of making known that they are capable of undertaking all things. Fredegonda's words had so much force upon Chilperick's heart, that they partly determined him entirely to marry her. His pride represented to him, that to make the impression in the mind of that Maid, and of all his People, of a strong Idea of his independence, he ought not to defer his Divorce from Andovera; and Love applauding the sentiments of his pride, persuaded him that he ought no longer to balance the establishing his happiness, since it would only cost him one crime, which the most natural of all passions had ever rendered excusable. He told his Mistres● that he very well foresaw, that he must consent to what she desired, and that he would quickly make her see, that it was not a motion of fear that had made him resist so long.  
This discourse so puffed up Fredegonda's vanity, that she began from that moment to fancy herself Crowned, and to act like a Sovereign with all people. The Queen who was not long without perceiving it, was the most of all concerned at this Change. As she had never found any thing but submission, and respect in Fredegonda, the imperious Air with which she spoke to her, could not enough surprise her. She several times made her gentle remonstrances, and seeing it was to no purpose, she one day proceeded to threaten.  
Fredegonda, being no longer detained by any consideration, answered her sharply, and left the Chamber, telling her, that she had no longer right to use those terms, that her time was passed, and that others was going to begin. These words were clear enough to explain to the Queen, Chilperick's new engagement; but being still blinded by her easiness, they only plunged her into a great disquiet.  
As she was in these agitations, Meroveus, her Son, came to her Apartment, to make known to her the first news of her Disgrace. Meroveus having a penetrating Wit had a long time perceived Fredegonda's Designs; but being he had ever believed, that the King would have no less power than he, to resist her artifices, he had not thought fit to alarm the Queen with the recital of a thing of little consequence, and wherein he did not foresee, that the Glory and Love of that Princess were to be one day equally interressed.  
An Officer of the King's Bedchamber, deploring the approaching misfortune of Andovera, having given notice to the Prince of what passed, Meroveus believed it necessary to acquaint the Queen suddenly with it, that she might join with him to avoid the storm that was going to powder upon her. The poor Princess having learned Meroveus fatal discourse, fell into a swoon in his arms, and it was to little purpose, that the Prince remained pious in this Rencounter, and that he left her not in that oppression, being, when she came to herself, she was the more sensible of her misfortune, and delivered her mind up to the most cruel attacks of Grief.  
They resolved to go find the King out immediately, and to remonstrate to him the disorders this unhappy passion would produce, if he resolved to satisfy it at the expense of his Glory. Approaching the King's Apartment they perceived at a distance through the Glass Windows Fredegonda holding a Table-Book in her hands.  
After having stole softly to the Window, Andovera perceived it was the King's Table-Book, in which he ever set down his most secret Designs.  
At this sight the Queen was seized with a lively resentment; she commanded Fredegonda to open to her the Door, which she refused to do, threatening she would complain to the King if any violence was done her.  
These insolent words increased the Queen's vexation; and Meroveus being transported with anger, having broken the Windows, leaped furiouslly into the Cabinet, snatched the Table-Book out of Fredegonda's hands, and went to the Queen, who returned with him, to her Chamber to examine it. After having turned over several Leaves without finding any thing, she read in one place these Verses written by Chilperick's one hand, and which he had composed in the beginning of his passion for Fredegonda: 
Love only pleases for a time,  
At length we're weary of its Chain.  
Virtue the most severe, sublime,  
From a new choice can't oft restrain.   
And below these Verses, Andovera found these of Fredegonda's hand writing. 
When we have charmed a great and mighty King,  
Must we have nothing but his pantting Heart?  
His Empire ought to be our Offering,  
 we do ease his fiery raging smart;  
Yes, yes, ambition is the brightest Flame,  
What Woman wants it, is I'm sure to blame.   
What became of her after having read these stabbing words? It was then that this deplorable Princess took a full view of her misfortunes, and that she no longer doubted that Chilperick was charmed with Fredegonda, but even that this wicked Maid had already much shaken his Virtue, to engage him to marry her. She run as distracted, accompanied by Meroveus, to the King's Apartment. When they came to his Chamber Door, the Guards refused to let them in, and told them they had Orders not to let any one soever enter without acquainting the King.  
After having learned that they were there, he came to them contrary to his custom. Andovera, at the sight of Chilperick, let fall a torrent of Tears; all the Graces painted at that time, in her Face, an eloquent Grief, capable of moving the most barbarous heart; and without doubt Chilperick's would not have been insensible, if he had not been full of Fredegonda's Charms, whom he had newly quitted.  
The Queen with a languishing Voice, and which was every moment interrupted by her sighs, told the King, that the love she bore him, rather than her own interests, engaged her to make known to him how shamefully he was going to slain his Glory by the irregularity of his Passion. She prayed him to consider what could be the nature of the affection that Fredegonda had for his Person, and to judge of it by the Verses she had made upon that subject. Having spoken these words, she presented the Table-Book to the King.  
That Object filled his Soul with spite and confusion, and made him fall into furious motions of choler against the Queen. He did not permit her to speak any more; but interrupting her, he told her angrily, that he could never have believed, she would have been so bold as to have done violence to persons whom he honoured with his affection, even to force from them, the Testimonies he had been willing to give them thereof; that she as well as Meroveus should pay dear for this affront. That as for his passion for Fredegonda, if she found it was so great a crime, it was for her herself to expiate it, since she had been the principal cause; that he should never have conceived the least desire of speaking to that Maid, if she had not daily stun'd him with her praises; that it was her great importunity alone that had stirred up her curiosity; that her daily discourses repeated in favour of her Rival, had made him insensibly love her before he had considered her; in fine, that she had no body to blame but herself for her misfortune, since she had woven with her own hands the Bonds which were going to break theirs.  
This outraging reproach pierced the very Soul of poor Andovera: all the words it contained were so much the more sensible to her, for that they were true, and that she acknowledged she had been the fatal instrument of her own ruin. The excess of grief did not leave her force enough to speak: but her eyes and sighs declared all the just indignation with which she was seized. Meroveus was not so moderate as she, or rather his resentment was not capable to deprive him of the use of his voice; he told the King that since he was resolved to push things to that extremity, he saw himself constrained to be once wanting in the respect that he owed him as his Son and his Subject, for the preventing a disorder that was going to fall upon all the Royal Family.  
This menace inflamed Chilperick's anger; he caused the Queen and Meroveus to be seized, commanded they should be shut up apart, and caused Guards to be set at their Chamber doors, with express order to let no body enter. After which he returned to the Cabinet where Fredegonda expected him. She at first affected a false pity for Andovera, and told Chilperick that it was against her will that she caused so much disorder in the Court; but since it was for the better settling the happiness of her King, she did not repent it: but that it was convenient and even necessary, suddenly to make an end of the Work, and to remove the Queen while that people's minds were already prepared for that rapture.  
The too easy Chilperick, besotted with his passion, consented to all Fredegonda's propositions, and would not follow any other rule than her will. He agreed with her to send the Queen to the City of Mans. After having hastily made her a small Equipage, he caused her to departed at two days end, without suffering her to bid him farewel, nor even to speak with Meroveus. That innocent and deplorable Princess went thus from Soissons, and appeared as a wretched Victim, that her love for an unfaithful Man was going to consume by little and little. So long as she could perceive the Walls of that City, she eyed it, & sent it continually her sighs. But as soon as she was out of sight, she passed over in her thoughts all that had passed at Court: she re-called into her memory, all the Graces and Favours she had so often so prodigally bestowed upon her Rival, and for which she had not expected so fatal a recompense: but that which increased her pain was, that she was not allowed at her departure to embrace the Prince her Son, whom she cherished with a tenderness worthy of her.  
When she arrived at Man's, though that Fame had already carried thither the news of her Disgrace, all the City was in Arms to receive her, and did her all the honours that they owed, not only to their true Queen, but as to a Person who had ever reigned more sovereignly over all their minds by her Virtues, than by the Title she had born.  
Meroveus having learned his Mother's removal, conceived a mortal hatred against Fredegonda, and resolved to be revenged on her, let what would come on it: but his imprisonment not permitting him to attempt the execution of his Projects, he was constrained to stifle them. The King not being willing to keep always from the Eyes of the Court, a Prince upon whom all the people founded their greatest hopes, bethought himself of an artifice to set him at liberty: but he put him in such a posture, as not to apprehend any thing he could do against Fredegonda: He made known to Meroveus, that if he made any attempt upon her, he would immediately revenge himself on the Princess his Mother, and that the least Menace that should escape from him, should be the sentence of Andouera's Death. It was upon these harsh Conditions that the Prince was let out of Prison. The sight of his Enemy did every moment increase his hatred, and he would not have been able to have forborn the abandoning himself to some violence, if the Queen's interest had not ever retained him.  
In the mean time the pomp of the King's Marriage with Fredegonda was preparing. This ambitious Woman triumphing in herself, floated then in joy, and imagined herself already at the point of Sovereignty. But fortune which delights in selling her Favours dear, still exacted from her great Crimes, before it mounted her upon the Throne.  
The Huns, who placed all their glory in making Courses and Invasions upon their Neighbours, took a resolution of seizing Austrasia. To that end they marched out of Pannonia, and came with powerful Troops to attack King Sigebert, who prepared to repulse them courageously: But at the same time there happened to him other Affairs which constrained him to treat of Peace with the Huns, not very advantageous to him, and such as his great courage would not have suffered in another conjuncture.  
Fredegonda whose ambition increased, and seeing no more obstacles to hinder her from reigning with Chilperick, carried her desires much farther, and believed she ought not to let so fair an occasion slip, of enlarging the bounds of an Empire she fancied already belonged to her. She remonstrated to Chilperick, that while the King of Austrasia was busied in defending himself against the Huns, it would be easy for him to invade his Territories, that he ought not to be retained by any vain scruple, and to stop at weak considerations of Friendship and tenderness; that nothing was so glorious as the Title of Conqueror; In fine, that it was great to be in a posture of giving Law to others, and of making Subjects, even upon the Throne.  
It was Ambition that dictated this discourse to Fredegonda, but she had likewise other very powerful considerations to move her to it. As Policy was the principal resort that set her mind going, her passion for a Sceptre, did not hinder her from foreseeing that her Marriage would not fail to displease the Princes her Brothers, and upon their persuasion he would sooner or later be obliged to be divorced from her; Insomuch that she had already for some time sought means fit for the breaking the Union that was between them when this was presented. She did not at all doubt but that Gontran King of Orleans, who loved Peace and Justice, would ardently embrace Sigebert's Party, when be came to know the equity of his Cause; and thus she judged that the success of this War, let it be what it would, must needs be advantageous to her.  
Chilperick, who did nothing but by Fredegonda, listened to her, took Fire, and his Love making use of a sentiment of Ambition, for the concealing from him the base and servile complaisance he had for a Woman, he resolved with her to attack Sigebert, in hopes of suddenly conquering his Territories. Whereupon he raised Forces secretly, and marched himself at their Head, accompanied by Meroveus, towards Austrasia, after having left the administration of all Affairs to Fredegonda.  
Meroveus went not to this Expedition without regret, because he naturally hated Injustice: and he also made appear, he only fought for Peace, and did but show his courage for the preparing the two Kings to a Reconciliation. The Army came in a few days to the Walls of Rheims, which after having maintained some Assaults, was at length constrained to open its Gates, and suffer the victorious Enemy to come in.  
Sigebert was acquainted some days after with this sad News, and was obliged, as we have already said, to make Peace with the Huns. He sent immediately to Gontran, to give him notice of this surprise, and to desire his Aid to defend himself against Chilperick's Treachery. He likewise sent to demand Succours of Athanagildus, King of the Goths in Spain, to whom he had formerly given the like against Agila, King of the Visigoths. Athanagildus, in whom services made a great impression, did not stick to acknowledge those that Sigebert had done him, and was willing to go secure him in person: After having settled his Affairs, and trusted the Conduct of them in Persons he judged the most capable, as it was a very usual thing to the Kings of that time, to carry with them their Wives and Children, he marched out of his Territories, with a very powerful Army, accompanied with the Queen, and the two Princesses his Daughters.  
In the mean time Sigebert returned towards Rheims, in all haste, of which he became Master in a few days: Chilperick, who was gone from thence, having left in it but a weak Garrison. The King of Austrasia was not contented with having recovered that place; it was his turn, he thought, to make some attempts upon his Enemy's Territories. He went and attacked him in Fismes, where he than was for the appeasing some Sedition that was raised there; he pressed him so vigorously, that Chilperick quickly saw himself in a condition of imploring his Clemency, rather than irritating his valour: Wherefore he had recourse to Gontran, to soften him in his Favour. Gontran was arrived a little time before in Sigebert's Camp: as Peace and Union were the only things he breathed, he favourably heard the persons Chilperick sent him, and made such instances to Sigebert, that he obliged him to compose with his Brother, and to that effect to make a suspension of Arms. There was an Interview of these three Princes, and through Gontran's intercession, the Peace was at length concluded, and published. The truth is, it was something a shameful one for Chilperick; but such as he merited.  
In the mean time Athanagildus approaching nearer and nearer, having learned this reconciliation, dismissed the best part of his Troops, but upon the Princes desire he advanced towards them with his Family. They sent the Principal Lords of their Court to meet him, and received him in the Palace with great marks of esteem and affection. Sigebert, above all, particularly thanked him for the part he had taken in his Interests. There were several gallant Feasts made, of which Brunchaut and Galsuinta were ever the greatest Ornaments. Sports, Shows and Treats reigned then in all their lustre, and never did any Court, composed of so many Kings, appear so neat and so magnificent.  
While that so sweet a Calm enchanted all their minds, and that they all strove to dissipate, in so innocent Divertisements, the troubles and alarms of War; Love, being willing to contribute to the happiness of those Princes, fancied that so tranquil pleasures were not touching enough, and that for the augmenting their force, he ought to mingle with them some of his trouble. Sigebert's indifference had always appeared to him injurious to his Glory, insomuch that he resolved to revenge himself in that occasion, but he would make him at the same time find that that liberty that an insensible heart does sometimes value itself for, is but an imaginary good, and that it is necessary to feel the effects of so fair a passion, to enjoy a perfect felicity.  
Nothing can be imagined more accomplished, than this Princess was, at that time when she was seen & heard to speak, it was not known which one ought most to admire in her, her Beauty or her Wit. The surprising lustre of her Face did so balance the Charms of her Discourse, that a heart remained suspended between these two Objects, and it would have been difficult to say, which made it the soon sigh. Sigebert at each look she fixed upon him, and at each word she uttered, felt a flaming Dart which penetrated into his Soul, and inflamed all his Desires. His passion was too fair, and his Vows too well placed to dissemble them. After having assured himself of Brunchauts heart, who according to the custom of young Women only sighed for a Throne, he spoke thereof to Athanagildus.  
The King of the Goths, who besides the singular esteem he had for the King of Austrasia, was very glad to procure powerful Allies, harkened to him with all possible favour, and after having communicated it to the Queen his Wife, and to some persons of his Council, he made him a positive answer, and gave him his word for that Marriage.  
As all these Princes were willing to return, each one to his State, the preparations for this Nuptial pomp were made with all speed, but it was not the less splendid; and it appeared that those who had had the managing of it, had foreseen at first, that on one and the same day would be made a double Feast.  
Gontran had learned with a sensible displeasure Chilperick's divorce from Andovera; and as the glory of his Blood was dear to him, he could not suffer that Fredegonda should mount upon his Brother's Throne, by so unjust and shameful means. Seeing that it would have been almost impossible to have reestablished Andovera, he bethought himself of another expedient, which might in some manner repair Chilperick's Crime, which was to make him marry Galsuinta, Brunchauts Sister, imagining that the lustre of the Blood, and likewise of the Virtues of that Princess, might deface the Stain wherewith so unhappy a passion had newly stained his Brother. He acquainted Sigebert with his design, and told him, that they both ought to interess themselves in this affair, and not to let so favourable an occasion escape.  
Sigebert, whose inclinations were conformable to his Brothers, was of his opinion: they went together to find out Chilperick, and remonstrated to him that King's Marriages ought to be the effect of a wise Policy, and not of a blind passion, that when he was to associate a Woman to his Throne, he ought only to consult the good of the State, and that the heart ought not to have any part in it, that he did not entirely blame him for having put away Andovera, since that alliance had been very useless to him, but that he ought to make choice, in her place, of an illustrious person, and who might bring into his Interests the Princes of her Blood; that for the settling and cementing the Peace they had newly sworn, it was convenient he should marry the Princess Galsuinta; that it would be the means to stifle, by so near an union, all the difference that might arise in the future between the two Brothers; In fine, if he was desirous their Reconciliation should be entire, he must resolve on that Marriage.  
Chilperick being of a soft and fearful nature, durst not resist the Prince's propositions; he consented they should agree the Affair with the King of the Goths, and promised to ratify all they should do.  
Athanagildus was overjoyed with this second Alliance; but a scruple troubled him in favour of his Daughter, and he could not defend himself against the alarms that Chilperick's love for Fredegonda gave him: Insomuch that this Prince was obliged to swear upon the Altars, that Galsuinta should be henceforward the only object of his passion, and that he would wholly stifle the tenderness he had had for his favourite: a frivolous Oath, which he quickly fancied Love might dispense him from.  
In the mean time, Meroveus, in the midst of so much public rejoicing, had his Soul alone delivered up to grief and sadness. The Queen his Mother's misfortune, and Fredegonda's happiness, had rendered him uncapable of any sentiments of joy: but he was not insensible of it when he learned, that a Princess was going to possess the place designed for his Enemy; and if a change so favourable, and so little hoped, could not wholly extinguish his resentment, at least he received no small comfort to see Fredegonda's designs brought to nothing, in the moment she fancied she was above the capriciousness of fortune. He made Galsuinta several Visits, and always made appear to her, with sincere protestations, the desire he had to see her reign with his Father. He went also to see Brunchaut from time to time, and had with her several particular conferences, in which he was never wearied with admiring her Beauty, and the extraordinary Charms of her Wit, but it was ever without trouble and emotion: the fatal hour not being yet come, that Love would employ that fair one for the ruin of this young Prince.  
These Nuptials being celebrated with all manner of magnificence, they all returned towards their States. Athanagildus went towards Spain; Gontran towards Orleans; Sigebert with Brunchaut took the way of Austrasia; and all the Grandees of Chilperick's Court, obliged him to return to Soissons, to make, in the Capital of his Kingdom, a Triumphant entry with his new Bride.  
It must be avowed that Love is something very capricious, that this fierce Tyrant of Souls is extreme jealous of his Power and his Rights.  
Galsuinta had so lively and touching a Beauty, that no body could support the lustre of it without amazement; and to give a perfect Idea of her, it is sufficient to say that she was an exact portrait of her Sister Brunchaut. But though all the Graces should have transformed themselves into her, though Nature should have drained itself in forming her, Chilperick had married her without consulting Love, and this was enough to make him conceive for her sentiments of contempt and aversion. Those sweet eagernesses which usually follow the first days of Marriage, and which appear with so much the more violence, in that they are often as the Tombs of Kindness, those passionate transports, those impatient desires, those troubles ever new, those charming disquiets, in fine, all that a heart ought to be sensible of, in the first moments of the possession of what it loves, all this was unknown to Chilperick's; and if he sighed near the Princess, it was for regret of not being able to keep his word with Fredegonda. The domineering Charms of that Maid came every moment into his imagination; they were as a Veil, which hide from him Galsuinta's Perfections; and if it happened by chance that he discovered some of them, they only helped to set off those of Fredegonda, and to put that unhappy Prince in mind, that she possessed them with much more advantage. In the midst of his Court, he seemed to be in a vast solitude, and his vexations, and his mortal fears, were the only Objects which took up his Soul. The more he approached Soissons, his toruble and his disquiets were the more increased: but how horrible soever the torment was he suffered in this cruel agitation, he could have wished to have remained eternally in it. He already represented to himself Fredegonda, who with those imperious words which she was used to make use of in her resentments, came to assassinate him with reproaches, accused him of weakness, and swore to him an irreconcilable hatred. And it must likewise be avowed, that nothing has ever equalled the vexation of that ambitious Woman, and that as soon as she had received the news of this Marriage, she abandoned herself to all the sentiments of rage and despair that a woman can be capable of.  
Some days before Chilperick's arrival, she pretended to be sick, that she might not be obliged to go render respects and submissions to a person, whom she could hardly support the sight of, without dying for grief.  
In fine, that great day being come that the King entered Soissons, after having received there, with the new Queen, all the honours that Subjects use to do their Princes in such occasions, he retired into his Palace, where having immediately asked for Fredegonda, he was told she was very sick. This news gave him the more boldness to see her, but on the other side it strangely alarmed him. He stole from Galsuinta, while that flocks of people environed her, and ran all transported to Fredegonda's.  
As soon as she perceived the King and that she had observed in his Eves and his Face, the Empire she had still over his heart, she prevented him, and told him that she foresaw, that the Disease she laboured under would carry her to her Grave; but that she should enter it with joy, since she was precipitated into it by the excess of her love: that however she should have died more contented, if her virtue had permitted her to have given him more sensible marks of her passion.  
Nothing is more surprising to a Lover, than to hear kind things, and flatteries, from his Mistress' mouth, when he expected nothing but reproaches and threaten, neither is there any thing more capable of making him detest his infidelity, and inspire him with more love.  
This flattering and artificious discourse of Fredegonda, so moved Chilperick, that all the powers of his Soul remained a long time in disorder. He had so little force left, that he had recourse to his sighs, and even to some tears, for the explaining to his Mistress the despair her illness reduced him to. Striving at length to speak to her, he begged of her not to renounce life, and swore to her, that if she would promise him to take care of it, he would put her, notwithstanding the present conjuncture, in a state in a short time of reconciling her glory with her Love. He was not willing to stay any longer with her that day, lest all his Court should know he was still in love.  
Fredegonda then recovered firm hopes of mounting upon the Throne, and as the reputation of Galsuinta's Beauty and Merit, made her apprehend the King might become insensibly charmed, she resolved to dispatch that Princess as soon as possibly she could. But because she would be present herself, at that fatal execution, for the making it the more sure, she was obliged to wait sometime, for fear her sickness should be discovered to have been feigned, if she quitted her Bed all of a sudden. In the Visits that the King daily made her, she assured him that she grew better and better, and that the obliging words he had said to her, had been more healing than all the remedies of the world.  
In fine, the certainty of her recovery being spread through all the Palace, after having prepared herself for that horrible Sacrifice, she went one day to make the Queen a Visit; and chose the time that she was only attended by two of her Maids of Honour. The two Guards that were placed at her Chamber Door were Fredegonda's Creatures. Some moment's after her being there, a young Man to whom she had promised great Favours, came likewise thither, and coming briskly up to the Queen, he on a sudden plunged his Dagger into her Breast, and caused that unfortunate Princess to fall at his F●et. Fredegonda thereupon feigning a great surprise, cried out like mad, that they should seize the Murderer; the two Guards running into the Chamber seized him, and cut him to pieces, according to the order she had given them, for fear that the Rack and remorse might make that Wretch tell what moved him to so detestable a Parricide; so true it is, that great Ones, who make use of other men to execute their pernicious Designs, often resolve at the same time to sacrifice them also to themselves, that the death of these blind Ministers may serve for a Veil and Cloud to their Designs.  
The noise of this Tragical Death being spread through all the Palace, the King run to see this pitiful Spectacle. Though he did not love Galsuinta, and that by the irregularity of his passion, there arose in his Soul, I know not what malign Joy, in that he saw a person so conveniently dispatched, who traversed his happiness; however the innocence of that fair Queen, her Blood all smoking, which came in great Floods from her Wound, her Bosom which seemed still to heave; in fine, her Eyes which seemed to recollect their greatest lustre, before they closed for ever, objects so tender and so touching, excited in his heart a strong pity, and a just resentment against the Assassinate.  
Fredegonda would make him know that she was no less sensible than he for this misfortune; she even shed Tears, but it was rather for joy than grief. Yet as there is nothing more natural than to let ourselves be persuaded by those we love, Chilperick fancied she was innocent, and that she had not had any part in the murder.  
A Tomb was erected for the Princess, and Fredegonda to take away all suspicion was careful it should be the most glorious of all those that had yet appeared. She affected at Galsuinta's Funeral, all the regrets that are usual to persons really afflicted. But the clearsighted did not fail to discover, through this disguise, that it was she who had caused her death; and her Marriage with the King, which was celebrated some short time after, opening the Eyes of the most credulous, inspired in all people sentiments of hatred and indignation against her.  
Meroveus especially to whom her new Dignity, and the Death of the Princess, were equally sensible, fell into a kind of rage against her: he resolved to be revenged at the peril not only of his Life, but even of that of the Queen his Mother, who still led, at Man's, a languishing and unfortunate Life.  
In the mean time Fredegonda apprehending that Sigebert, doubting of the truth, would revenge the Death of his Sister in Law, instead of Athanagildus, whom a Fever had lately taken out of this World; wherefore she bethought herself of preventing him. And thereupon remonstrated to the King that it was of the utmost importance to make reflection upon the consequences that Galsuinta's death might have that the malignity of Men made them often treat as criminal the most innocent actions upon the least appearances; that she already foresaw that her Marriage would establish in base minds, a firm belief, that she had caused that attempt; that these false reports making a strong impression on the minds of Sigebert and his Ministers, he would not fail to form the Design of attacking him; that the remembrance of their past differences would be a powerful Spur to excite his vengeance; In fine, that it was policy and prudence to prevent him and not to stay till he came and overrun their Territories with a powerful Army.  
Chilperick whose blind passion had made him forget the misfortune that Fredegonda's counsels had plunged him into, did not balance to follow her sentiments: He caused his Council to assemble, but it was only to keep a vain formality. The War against Sigebert was there resolved on notwithstanding the opinions of those of best sense; and on a sudden Orders were given for the raising Forces, and to be in a posture of marching with the soon.   

The preparations of this War being made, Fredegonda was willing to go to it in person, for the animating the King's courage; and to hinder him from making any Peace with his Brother; She prayed him to leave Meroveus at Soissons. Chilperick granted that willingly, because he knew that this young Prince had ill intentions against his Mother-in-Law, and was likewise very willing to confide the administration of his Affairs in a person of Name and Authority. Wherefore he ordered his Son to be careful in his absence of the necessities of his State, and made him in that Place Depositer of his Almightiness.  
Meroveus received this Commission both with joy and displeasure. As he knew the injustice of that War, he was very glad to see himself dispensed from going to fight against persons whose quarrel he would have run to embrace, if nature had not opposed: but on the other side his resentment was extreme, when he considered that his Victim escaped him. The first consideration, joined to his Duty, prevailed however over his resentment. He disposed himself to fill worthily Chilperick's place, & to make appear to the people that Fate was unjust to him in letting him be so long a Subject.  
Fredegonda seeing the Army quite ready, assigned herself the day of departure, and obliged the King to it, who sleeping in the bosom of a sweet and soft idleness, did not quit without regret the Walls of Soissons, she mounted with him into a Chariot, wherein magnificence and luxury made appear all that they had most splendid. The Army, which environed this proud pomp, marched the second time towards Rheimes.  
In the mean time Sigebert was busied with making head against the Huns, who were returned to thunder upon his Territories. He ha● already for some time been assured of Fredegonda's Crime, and he waited with impatience for the end of the War, to go and demand of Chilperick, Justice for so horrid an Attempt. But as soon as he was acquainted that he himself advanced with a great Army against him, he could not delay any longer his vengeance, and was willing to sacrifice part of his Glory to so just a resentment. Wherefore he once more made Peace with the Huns, yielding up much more of his Interests than he would have done in another juncture. He advanced with speed towards his Enemy, followed by sixty thousand Germans. The two Armies met near Rheimes, where there was a terrible Checque, but Fortune contrary to its custom favoured the justest Party. She made in a little time the Victory incline on Sigebert's side. All Chilperick's Army was put to the Rout. That wretched King having rallied some Troops, fled with Fredegonda to Tournay, that they might not fall into hands of the Conqueror.  
Gontran having learned the fatal success of this Battle, could not forbear having some sense of pity for Chilperick, though he had been before odious to him for all the crimes which his Love for Fredegonda had again stained him with. He was willing to be a second time the Mediator of a Peace betwixt his two Brothers; wherefore he used all his efforts to make the King of Austrasia agree to it, on whom it depended.  
Sigebert whose heart was great and generous, seemed at first to incline to his Prayers: but it is so difficult, even to the fairest Souls, to stop on a sudden the course of their Passions, and stifle all the motions of a legitimate vengeance, that this Prince silenced his clemency, for to exercise the severity of his justice. He heard the cries of all his Soldiers, who could not suffer to be stopped in the midst of their career; and he listened more than to the cries of his Soldiers, to sentiments of ambition which now and then risen in his heart. Wherefore he made known to Gontran, that he could not consent to what he exacted from him, since that it was but too just that Chilperick should be punished for his Treachery. He went to Paris, which opened to him its Gates, and wherein he entered victorious and triumphing. Queen Brunchaut his Wife came thither likewise, after which he thought of going to pursue his Enemy. The Queen at his departure earnestly conjured him not to spare Fredegonda, which he willingly promised her. He went immediately to encamp at Vitry, where all the Neustrian Lords coming to him, made Oath of Fidelity to him, acknowledged him for their King, and Crowned him. After which he marched towards Tournay, which he quickly brought to extremity by a pressing Siege. Chilperick, wholly terrified, waited only for the fatal hour that was to deliver him into his Enemy's hands, when he saw himself in a moment secured from the danger that threatened him, by a Crime worthy of Fredegonda. That cunning Woman might that day brag she had satisfied him for all the ills she had made him suffer. She so well knew how to gain by her promises, two Inhabitants of the City, that they offered themselves to undertake blindly what she exacted from them. Whereupon they found the means of going into the Besiegers Camp, where they asked to see Sigebert, for the communicating to him a Design of great importance. The Guards by an imprudence, which is pretty usual in such encounters, introduced them into his Tent. As soon as the Murderers perceived that unfortunate Prince, they fell furiously upon him, and each of them gave him two stabs with their Daggers, of which he died immediately.  
This Parricide was hardly executed, than that all the Besiegers, being taken with a mortal fear, fell into an unexpressible consternation. They thought of nothing more than the imploring the Mercy of the Besieged, and this Camp wherein joy was so generally spread, appeared only then a fatal Stage of despair.  
Chilperick and Fredegonda, seeing their Fate changed in an instant by so favourable a reverse, went out of the City in Triumph. They returned with all speed towards Paris, where, upon the report of Sigebert's Death, Brunchaut had been secured to be delivered to them. Fredegonda would have had her lost her Life. but Chilperick once wanted that complaisance, and contented himself with banishing that unfortunate Princess to Rouen. After having caused Meroveus to come to him, he sent him to take possession of Poitou, which made part of Sigebert's Kingdom.  
This young Prince had learned the death of the King of Austrasia, with all the grief and all the regrets that can be expected from a person who hates injustice. This new Empire, of which he was Heir, had not Charms enough to flatter his trouble, he never had a thought unbecoming his Virtue and his Glory. That which most sharpened his grief, was the Commission that the King gave him, which would in some manner render him an Accomplice of Fredegonda's Crimes. Wherefore he could never resolve to execute it. He had however so much command over himself as to dissemble before Chilperick. He took leave of him to go into Poitou: but, after having traveled some days, he left that Road to go to Mans. He was willing once more to speak to his Mother, and enjoy before her Death the embraces of that good Princess. The sight of Meroveus caused in her incredible transports and ecstasies. She made them appear by her Tears and her Sighs, that were the first discourses that she held with him. After having entertained themselves with their misfortunes, and of what they had to do, they were to part. As Fredegonda had the Title of Queen, Andovera thought it unbecoming her Virtue to dispatch her by cunning and base means. She did not believe that all the Crimes of that wicked Woman, could authorize an action that should have any resemblance with hers. Wherefore she proposed to the Prince to go see Brunchaut for to confer with her, and to engage, by her means, the greatest Men of Austrasia, to demand Fredegonda of Chilperick, to sacrifice her to their King, and upon his refusal, should make War upon him, whose success would be perhaps more happy than it had been.  
Meroveus consented with joy to this proposition, and took leave of the Princess. It seemed at their parting, that Andovera had a secret presage of her Son's misfortune: a great shivering went through all her Body, her fancy was filled with fatal objects, and her tears were dried up, as too weak to express the violence of her grief, she embraced the Prince several times, and felt herself fixed to him by something more strong and more extraordinary than the tendernesses of Blood. In fine, Meroveus having forced himself from her Arms, as against her Will, he immediately left Man's to go in all speed to Rouen.  
It was there that Love and Fortune expected this young Prince, to make him sensible of all that they have most cruel, and to perfect his ruin, which they had conspired together.  
In all the way he felt himself agitated with an unknown trouble, and which he could not attribute to any of the passions he had felt. After having been received in Rouen with all the illustrious marks of honour that were due to his quality and his merit, he would go make a visit to Brunchaut. The nearer he approached the place where she was, the more his trouble and his agitations increased. By a very capricious effect two contrary motions led him on and stopped him at the same time. In fine, that secret timidity suffering him to do his Devoir, he entered the Princess' Chamber, whom he found plunged into a deep melancholy.  
Of all the Darts of Love, there are none whose strokes we receive with less resistance than those which issue from the misfortunes of the person we are to love. The affection of a fair one is so touching a Charm to a generous heart, that it is almost impossible for it to interess itself in her Fate, by the sole sentiments of pity. The Soul softened by so sad an object, easily forgets itself to consider it only: its desires are stirred up, its powers are in motion, and in the midst of this disorder I know not what kind of languishing, mingled with grief and displeasure together, penetrates all its foldings.  
If it was a happiness for Brunchaut to be beloved by Meroveus, it may be said the state she was then reduced to, was the greatest favour she had received from Fortune. Her Eyes through Rivers of Tears which run incessantly, sent fearful and languishing looks to the Prince, which immediately found an easy passage to his very heart: The paleness and alteration of her Face did not hinder the admiring still those secret Graces, which procured her as many Adorers, as there were persons who approached her. It even seemed that Love for the better securing his Conquest, had raised the lustre of them.  
Meroveus was a long time mute before her, and only answered her Tears with his Sighs. Brunchaut took his sadness and silence for an ill augure. She fancied that he came to execute some fatal sentence that Chilperick, or rather Fredegonda, had pronounced against her; that the sight and Idea of her miseries touched the young Prince: but that his generosity and compassion, would not be cap 〈…〉 of overcoming the obedience he owed the King his Father; insomuch that she thought of nothing else than of preparing herself for Death. After having striven to stop for some moments the course of her Tears, she told the Prince, sighing, that amongst all the ills she had foreseen, she had never expected from the utmost rigour of Fortune, what it was going to act against her; that she perceived her fatal hour was come; that she had courage enough not to murmur at it, and to go without regret to find out her Husband in the Grave: But that she could not suffer without complaining, that a Prince whom she had ever esteemed for his Virtue, should have charged himself with the care of her Death; that she was but too well assured of it, by those marks even of pity that he gave her, and that he made it enough known by his silence that it was all that he could grant her.  
This reproach quite oppressed Meroveus, it put him entirely out of a condition of explaining his sentiments to Brunchaut: Nothing but his Eyes had been able to have discovered something to her, if she had well consulted them. The new trouble she observed in his Face confirmed her in the error she was in. She persuaded herself that the perplexity she saw this Prince in, was a  confession of all she had said to him; when she made a strong reflection upon her misfortunes, the excess of her grief made her fall into a swoon. Her Maids who retired out of respect, run all in at the noise they heard, and brought her to herself again.  
Meroveus received the first glances of her Eyes half open. His sighs then permitting him to break a silence, that had been so injurious to her, he told the Princess that she was very cruel and unjust to have such low thoughts of him; that no design was form against her, that the desire only of seeing her had brought him to Rouen: But though that Chilperick and Fredegonda should have conspired her ruin, he would not balance to embrace her defence against them; that he was not only animated to it by his Glory and his Virtue, that he found himself tied to her by Bonds much more powerful than those of Nature, that she ought not to attribute to his pity alone, the fatal estate her sight had reduced him to; that nothing but so strong a passion as Love was capable of producing so strange effects; that he was resolved to procure her her liberty, even at the peril of his Life; that he would not force her heart to any acknowledgement for his Services; but that if without doing violence to her inclinations she could suffer his Vows, he prayed her to favour them, and consent to the happiness of a Prince who might one day make her reign upon the chiefest Throne of France.  
Brunchaut was so surprised with so unexpected a discourse, that the excess of joy made almost in her the same effect that grief had done. After having remained a long time mute, she answered the Prince that she should be very credulous to add faith to his words, the present juncture of affairs little permitting them to think of such a design; but that if he would give her real marks of his Love, he ought to endeavour her liberty, as he had newly promised her; that they might afterwards advise more at leisure, of what would be convenient for them to do, for both their repose.  
Meroveus too much respected the Princess' will to contradict it: he even stole away from the pleasures, that he should have relished in a longer conversation, to run and give her marks of his obedience and his zeal. He sent for the Governor of the Castle the Princess was in, and told him that he desired she should go out and be at liberty, that he would be responsible, the King should not take it ill, and that he would charge himself with his Conduct. This Officer too much respected his King's eldest Son, not to consent to what he demanded, he presented him with the Keys of the Castle, and told him that he might use them as he should think fit.  
A reflection which came into Meus' mind, hindered him from returning then to the Princess. Never had any fair passion in a great heart been so violent in so little a time as this was. It seemed as if Love had only spared him till then for the making him feel at once all the transports that can agitate a Lover, during several years. The possession of Brunchaut appeared to him so perfect a happiness, that it is not to be wondered, if he thought more of securing that than any thing else. By a motion of distrust, very usual to Lovers, he apprehended that the Princess once released out of Prison, would immediately vanish out of his sight; wherefore he fancied that he ought, before all things, employ all his efforts to get her consent to their Marriage.  
Whereupon he went to see her the next day: The sight of her did not cause in him any new increase of Love, his passion being uncapable of receiving any. He told her he had found the Captain of the Guards inflexible to his Prayers; ●hat that Officer durst not dispose of any thing without express Orders from Court; but upon his having assured him, that he would publicly marry the Princess as soon as ever she was set free, he had made known to him he would favour his Design; that she could not then recover her liberty but at that rate; that, since time pressed, she ought to declare herself with the soon, and to examine herself if it was not more advantageous for her to enter into Sacred Bonds with a Prince, who would make it eternally all his happiness to please her, than to languish sadly in an obscure Prison.  
Though Meroveus should have dived into all the most secret thoughts of Brunchaut, he could not more agreeably have flattered her desires. She had made several reflections upon the first visit of this Prince. As she had apprehended his Love was only a passing flame, which would be the more easily extinguished, in that it had appeared at first with too much violence, she was displeased with herself that she had not made better use of the occasion, for the deeper engaging him, and that she had too exactly observed scrupulous decencies out of season. She had considered that she could not find a firmer support against the hatred of Fredegonda, her mortal Enemy; that even Chilperick could not dispense himself from protecting her, when he saw her his Son's Wife; that her glory was interessed in this Alliance, since it was the highest Rank she could then aspire to. Neither was this young Prince so indifferent to her, but that Love made her give him the tenderest of her Vows. Wherefore she told him that since she saw herself forced to open to him all her heart, liberty was not the greatest good she desired; that she should even consider it as the worst of ills, if it only served to absent her from a person who could alone make her good or ill Fortune; that she had been no less troubled at the sight of the Prince, than he had been at hers; that in fine, the sighs of two hearts were never so well met.  
Meroveus, whom this discourse put into an ecstasy, interrupted it, to make known to the Princess the transports of his joy, by all the terms that Love can put into the mouth of the most passionate Lovers. After which he told her she must hasten so longed for moments, and endeavour without ceasing the establishment of their mutual happiness; that he was going to the Archbishop, Pretextat, his Godfather, to obtain from him the Dispensation that was necessary for them; that he did not believe he would refuse it him, having already received from that Prelate, in other rencounters, several marks of a particular affection.  
After these words he left her, and run to Pretextats house, to whom he communicated his Designs, praying him to bring no obstacle to them.  
The Prelate strangely surprised with such a piece of News, remonstrated to the young Prince, that he better ought to command his passion and moderate his desires; that what he demanded of him could not be done; that it would cause too great a scandal in the world; and that it would likewise expose them both to the King's resentment.  
This cruel refusal reduced this poor Lover to despair: he begged and threatened by turns, but his prayers and his threaten were equally in vain, and Pretextat, to avoid the ill effects they might produce, left him angrily, and run to shut himself up in the most secret place of the House, Meroveus went away in such furious transports that he was not himself. He went to Gailan his Confident, whom he asked what he should do in that sad case, and that if he judged it not convenient to go seize the Pretextat cunningly, for to frighten him, and constrain him to consent to his Marriage with Brunchaut. Gailan was a man of a ripe and settled judgement, who rather deplored the blindness of his Master than inclined to flatter his passion. He told him that he ought not to act with so much precipitation, in an Affair of that importance; that he ought to foresee the ills he would bring upon himself; that Fredegonda had already but too much embittered the King against him, without giving him still so just a subject of complaint.  
Meroveus, whose anger was inflamed at so free a discourse, silenced his Confident with furious threaten. He told him, that if he opened his heart to him, it was to learn what way he should take to arrive at the possession of what he loved, and not to know what consequences his Love might have; that he had foreseen them as well as himself, but that they alarmed him but little, that he should esteem himself too happy, let what would happen, if he once saw himself Brunchauts Husband; that, in fine, he forbidden him upon pain of Life, never to make him the like remonstrances.  
The passion of this unfortunate Prince proceeded to such an excess, that his great Soul, which had ever been capable of embracing so many things at once, was then wholly possessed with it, it remained in a kind of insensibility for all other objects, and it was not known if it was still susceptible of reason but in entertaining Brunchaut. Gailan perceiving that this Lover was not in a condition to relish any moderate counsel, fancied that the most useful service that he could do him, was to facilitate to him the possession of his Mistress, since if he came to miss of her, it was to be feared his despair might carry him to attempt something against himself. After having asked him pardon for the boldness his zeal had made him take, he told him that the surest means to move Pretextat, was not to use rigour and threaten; that he ought on the contrary renew more and more to him his prayers and submissions, and make known to him that if he shown himself inexorable, it would infallibly cost the Prince's Life, that he only saw two objects capable of giving him repose, his Marriage with Brunchaut, or Death.  
What weaknesses is not Love capable of making a heart guilty of? And what low sentiments does it not inspire it with?  
Meroveus whom the fear of the greatest dangers, nor even death before his Eyes, had ever been able to make him stoop to his Enemies, embraces Gailan, and does himself beg his excuse for his passion. He returned immediately to Pretextats house, to whom he sent up word, that he beseeched him to hear him yet once more, and that he needed not to apprehend any thing from him.  
The Prelate loving this young Prince, was not insensible to his misfortune. He was willing to give him the satisfaction he demanded, and expose himself once more to his sight. He came to him, and observing in his Face a a little more tranquillity than before, he asked him if he begun to be cured of his passion.  
Meroveus viewing him with languishing Eyes, replied, that Brunchaut reigned too sovereignly in his heart, to believe he could ever renounce her possession; that this serenity which appeared in his Face, was rather a mark of his despair, than of the tranquillity of his Soul; that before he abandoned himself entirely to it, he returned to implore his goodness; that Pretextat had his Life and his Fate in his hands, that as soon as he should have assured him that he ought not to pretend to the marriage of the Princess, he would run to Death.  
This discourse uttered with an action wholly passionate, so moved Pretextat, that he could hardly forbear shedding tears. He begged the Prince to believe that he shared in his grief, and that it was not without regret that he found himself unable to grant what he desired.  
At these fatal words, Meroveus, seized-with a blind fury, drew his Sword, and would have run himself through in that Prelate's sight, if he had not been hindered.  
Pretextat, who really found by this action, that it concerned the Prince's Life to marry him to Brunchaut, told him, to re-assure him, that since he saw this Marriage was so important to him, he would not resist it any longer; that however as he would not do any thing against his conscience, and which might displease the Holy See, he was willing to consult first the most understanding Divines of Rouen, and that within three days at the farthest he would give him a positive answer.  
But Meroveus, who, besides the impatience of his Love, feared with reason some obstacle on Chilperick's and Fredegonda's part, was not satisfied with these promises. He would not go from Pretextats house till he had assured him he would go that moment to consult such persons as were fit to clear his doubt.  
In effect this Prelate lost not any time: He caused several Doctors to assemble in all haste, they all told him it was their opinion, he might celebrate the Prince's Marriage without wounding his conscience.  
Pretextat after having settled all on God's side, was likewise willing to keep peace with the King as well as he could, or at least to procure himself Defenders against his resentment. Wherefore he proposed this Alliance to the most considerable of the City, and told them that he would do nothing without their advice. Fredegonda's Crimes reflecting upon Chilperick, begun to render him as well as she an object of hatred and contempt to all his Subjects. There was not one but looked with Eyes of pity upon Brunchaut's Captivity: Insomuch that Pretextat agreeably surprised all those he spoke to of this Affair. Very far from opposing it, they encouraged him to procure as soon as possible the happiness of these Lovers, and vowed to him that they would secure him from the King and Fredegonda's anger, or that it should cost them their Lives.  
Pretextat, after so general a consent, did not balance any longer. He sought for Meroveus to acquaint him with this favourable News. This Prince whose passion was more and more irritated, expected with as much fear as impatience the sentence that was to be given him. When he perceived Pretextat, he felt his Soul agitated with new alarms, his greedy curiosity was damped on a sudden, and he durst not ask to be informed of his Fate, imagining that he should be too soon instructed with his misfortune. But as soon as the Prelate had assured him that all favoured his Designs, he cast himself at his Feet, and vowed he would eternally remember the service that he disposed himself to do him: he prayed him to appoint the next morning for his Marriage with the Princess, and to be himself the sacred Depositor of their mutual Oaths. Pretextat easily granted him what he demanded, insomuch that the Prince upon this assurance left him, to go and give notice to his Mistress of what passed.  
Brunchaut, who was already acquainted with the Prelates opposing Meroveus' desires, was extremely grieved at it: but when this Lover had pronounced to her their mutual happiness, her Tears, with which her Face was all bathed, were dried up in a moment, her griefs vanished, and if there remained any trouble in her Soul, it was only what Love and Joy excited there. During several hours that the Prince stayed with her, ardent sighs and passionate looks, those eloquent Interpreters of the sentiments of the heart, were even their principal discourse.  
Decency having at length parted these two Lovers, Meroveus returned home to pass the rest of the night. It was then that this Prince felt more than ever in his Soul those uneasy desires, those lively eagernesses, those impatient transports, those sweet agitations ever blooming; In fine, all that an amorous heart can be sensible of, when itisi suddenly to possess what it loves.  
That so longed for hour being come, he returned to the Princess' House, whom he told that it was time she should go out of Prison, and that she ought no longer to wear any other Chains than those of Love.  
Brunchaut, being willing to make the Empire she had over Merove us, to further her Designs, viewed him with a sad Eye, and which made it apparent that there was something wanting to her Vows.  
The Prince much startled, pressed her to explain the subject of her grief. Whereupon she made all the persons retire who were in the Chamber, and told that Lover that since he had left her, she had made a serious reflection upon the important Affair she was going to engage herself in; that a second Marriage so precipitated would in some manner wound her Glory; that this might make several believe that she had been of intelligence with Sigebert's Murderers; that she fancied to have heard the Voice of that Husband, who cried Vengeance to her, and reproached her with her weakness and ingratitude.  
This Lover, to whom all these Words were as so many Darts piercing his Soul, interrupted the Princess, crying, that if she was so cruel as solely to oppose his happiness, by considerations merely frivolous and chimerical, he would give himself, in her sight, marks of his despair.  
Brunchaut, having prayed the Prince to hear her yet one moment, added to what she had told him, that she was too far engaged to give back, and though she could consent to it, she found that she had not force enough over herself, to hinder her from following the inclination of her heart; but that it was necessary that an illustrious revenge should justify her carriage, and should persuade all people that she would not have returned so soon to the Laws of Marriage, but for the better performing what she owed to Sigebert's Manes; that in fine, victim were required, and that before they went to the Altar, she exacted a faithful promise from him, that he would deliver to her such as she thought her due.  
Meroveus answered Brunchaut, that her Will should be eternally the only Rule of his Actions, because that he knew very well that in following them, he should only follow what Glory would inspire him with, whereupon putting a Fence to the ground, he took one of the Princess' hands, and swore he would sacrifice to her such Victims as she should think fit, provided she always excepted the King his Father.  
She told him that she only aimed at Fredegonda and her Creatures: Insomuch that these Lovers did easily reconcile all their sentiments. They went from the Castle to the Great Church where the Prelate expected them. Never was Nuptial Pomp prepared with so much haste, but one may say that it was more charming than all that Art or Luxury had yet shown, since Love appeared in triumph there in its greatest lustre.  
The crowd of people which run to see so fine a Sight, was so great, that the Soldiers could hardly make a free passage for the Chariot that carried these Lovers; and the joy was so generally spread in all hearts, that all places echoed the Vows every one sent to Heaven for their prosperity.  
That holy Ceremony being finished, the Prelate would treat the new married; he invited them to a Feast that he had caused to be prepared, with as much neatness and magnificence, as so short a time could permit. Several of the chiefest persons of the City were likewise of the Feast. They strove with a kind of emulation to compliment this Royal Pair, and to testify, especially to Brunchaut, the extreme displeasure they had had in seeing her so unjustly languish in a hard Captivity. The Beauty of this Princess was then in its greatest splendour; it seemed as if all the Graces were met in her; and there issued from her Eyes and her Face, I know not what lustre, that had never been observed before, and wherein haughtiness and sweetness made together an agreeable mixture.  
Meroveus fixed all his looks upon her, and could not be satisfied with contemplating her; the more he saw her, the more new Charms did he discover; and though he had already form a strong Idea of them, he avowed in himself that the presence of so rare an object effaced all that his imagination had represented to him in her absence. He waited with an extreme impatience for the end of that day, which ought to be the beginning of his happiness, when that illustrious company was told that Chilperick and Fredegonda were entered the City, followed by a Body of Horse, and that several Squadrons were perceived at a distance coming on.  
Meroveus, as struck with Thunder at that fatal News, remained a long time without motion. When he had recovered his Spirits, he did not doubt but that the King, animated by Fredegonda, would force the House in which they were, and that his Mother-in-Law would use all her efforts to ruin Brunchaut. So that to preserve a Life that was much more dear to him than his own, he obliged the Princess to fly immediately away with him. These two poor Lovers run to take refuge in the same Church, and at the Feet of the same Altars where they had newly entered into so holy Bonds.  
Chilperick, notwithstanding all that Fredegonda could say to him, durst not draw them out by force; he was still so much the Master of his resentment, as not to violate the Sacred Asile of all the unhappy. He sent word to those Lovers that they might come out with all safety, that being far from doing them any violence, he would ratify this Marriage, provided the Church consented to it. How credulous is Love, and how easily does it fall into the Snares that are laid for it? Brunchaut having still prudence enough to foresee what would happen, remonstrated to Meroveus, that they ought not to rely on so suspected and deceitful promises, and that Fredegonda's strength lay ordinarily in Treacheries and Artifices.  
But this Lover, whom his passion rendered no longer capable of any reflection, told the Princess that this distrust would only help to irritate the King, whose sight they could not long avoid; that he hoped Nature would be still so strong in his Heart, as to overcome his resentment.  
The too easy Princess yielded to the Prayers and Persuasions of Meroveus. They both went to deliver themselves as unhappy Victims into the hands of their Enemies.  
When they appeared before Chilperick, it was to no purpose their Tears spoke and raised the pity of all the People. This barbarous King, inspired by his Wife, caused them instantly to be shut up in the Castle, but each in a Chamber apart; Insomuch that the unfortunate Brunchaut seemed to have breathed only some moments of liberty, to be afterwards the more lively sensible of the rigours of her Prison. These Lovers were treated with so much indignity, as that they were even refused the persons whose service was necessary to them. They were deprived of the consolation they might have had in communicating their thoughts, and in learning what was resolved of against them; In fine, such as were obliged to come into their Chambers, to carry them the necessaries of Life, were forbidden to speak to them, and they had no other entertainment than their Complaints.  
In the mean time Chilperick caused Pretextat to be seized, whom he accused of High Treason. For trying him he caused an Assembly of several other Prelates to be held, of whom the most part were the blind Ministers of Fredegonda's passions. Pretextat defended himself so courageously, and by such strong reasons, that his Judges, acknowledging themselves his innocence, had recourse to Artifice to condemn him. They remonstrated to him, in secret, that this obstinacy to defend himself would but th● more irritate the King, who would have him owe his safety to hi● Clemency, and that as soon as h● should see in him the marks of 〈◊〉 submissive Subject, he would cease to trouble him.  
Pretextat suffered himself to b● seduced by these captious Remonstrances. When that he returne● to the Assembly, he confessed before Chilperick the Crimes with which he was charged, and made himself, by this imprudent avowal, the Sentence of his Condemnation. For these words were hardly escaped from him, than that the King demanded High Justice of the Prelates, and said that the accused aught to be judged upon his Deposition. Whereupon this innocent Wretch was immediately degraded, and banished to a little Desert Island, near the City of Coutance, from whence after a long Bondage he was at length re-called, and reestablished in his Dignity. But Fredegonda not knowing what it was to forget an injury, caused him to be at last assassinated, even as he was celebrating Divine Service.  
That wicked Woman made use of all her Addresses and Power with the King, to oblige him to put Brunchaut and Meroveus to death. As she saw that Nature was not yet wholly extinguished in Chilperick's heart, and that it did not permit him to shed so unjustly his own Blood, she only demanded that of Brunchaut: But her hatred was deceived, and her Victim escaped from her when she least mistrusted it.  
The Lords of Austrasia, who yet knew nothing of what had passed, sent Deputies to Chilperick to redemand of him their Queen, and remonstrate to him that they could not suffer she should be detained longer from them, without any reason; and that they were ready to implore Succours of all the neighbouring Princes, to procure satisfaction in this point. The Affair being seriously treated of in the King's Council, this Demand was found so just and reasonable, that, notwithstanding all that Fredegonda could say, it was resolved that Brunchaut should return unto her Territories, and should departed with the Ambassadors. Whereupon she was released out of Prison, and Meroveus likewise out of his at the same time.  
Fredegonda, in whom this departure caused transports of rage and despair, did all that she could to moderate them by an imperfect vengeance, since that she could not entirely exercise it. As it was impossible for her to find any comfort, but in the unhappiness of these Lovers, she ordered they should be released together out of the Castle; and that they should see one another once more; this cruel pleasure she only granted them that they might be the more lively sensible of their fatal separation, and that they might have the Idea of it the more present.  
Meroveus fixing his looks upon the Princess, met with hers, which for the last time sought the Prince's heart, to explain to it her Love and her Grief. Never was a farewell so tender and so mourning: Several confused sighs were almost the language that these Lovers held.  
Brunchaut at length disappearing from the Eyes of Meroveus, he was shut up in a Cloister, where, by a Capricio as fantastical as unjust, the King caused him to be shaved, and engaged him in the Orders against his Will, believing thereby to deprive him of all means of ever intriguing in the World. A strange and pernicious Policy of Men! who abuse Religion even for the execution of their Crimes, and make use of the most Sacred Mysteries, as easy Instruments for their bringing to pass their unjust erterprises.  
Chilperick, after having sent Brunchaut away, returned to Paris, with Fredegonda, and left his Son to digest at leisure his vexations in his solitude.  
It was then that the heart of this Prince was wracked by alarms much more cruel than all those with which he had been yet seized, and that he found himself agitated with all the other passions that are the usual effects of an unhappy Love. When he thought how treacherously Fortune had dealt with him, that he considered that it had only brought him near his happiness, to make his loss of it the more sensible, he fell under his Grief. That charming Image of the Princess' Beauty that was so deeply impressed in his heart, and which incessantly offered itself to his Eyes, did only help to increase his ills, and augment his regrets. But his main trouble was the uncertainty he was in of Brunchaut's Fate, and was in a mortal fear that Fredegonda had caused her to be assassinated upon the Way. He could not conceive this Idea without despair, and it was however what hindered him from attempting any thing himself, because he would not abandon his Life, without being assured of that of the Princess. It was to no purpose he inquired News of her, all People were deaf to his Prayers, and the continual Favours that Fredegonda bestowed upon that House, stopped the mouths of all the Religious. He likewise tried all manner of ways to escape from that place; but his endeavours were still fruitless, till that his Enemy herself facilitated to him the execution of this Design to complete his ruin.  
Fredegonda had lately brought forth a Son to Chilperick, whom she designed for the Throne, and foreseeing that Meroveus, after the King's Death, might return from his Vows with so much the more ease, in that his heart had ever disavowed them, she fancied that nothing but this Prince's Death could secure the Crown to her Son: Wherefore she resolved of it, let what would happen. Of all the Creatures she had made, the most powerful was Bozon, Lieutenant-General of Sigebert's Armies. This man since the Death of that Prince had ever remained at Sigebert's Court, who considered him upon Fredegonda's recommendation. She one day told this Favourite, that she must exact an important Service from him, and that she would fully acknowledge it. Bozon assured her that he was ready to undertake all things for her. Whereupon she communicated to him her Design of dispatching Meroveus, and proposed to him the proper means for that end: He approved them, and they resolved to cast so horrid a Crime upon Gailan the Prince's Confident, and to perplex him in this Affair.  
Bozon went privately away from Court, taking such persons with him as he had an absolute power over. He went to find out Gailan, to whom he said he was resolved to attempt Meroveus' Liberty, whose misfortune he deplored, that he had several Friends in the House he was in; that he hoped to oblige the Religious to leave him to him, and that he would then conduct him into Austrasia, where the Queen his Wife would be sure to receive him with joy.  
Gailan's Affection for his Master was too great to refuse so fair a Proposition. He encouraged Bozon to so fair and generous an enterprise, and assured him that if he was happy enough to bring it to pass, the Prince would not be ungrateful. They went together to the place where he was, and Bozon made Gailan to expect him at the Door.  
Bozon, seeing the Prince, told him that the resentment that he had of the ills that his Enemies made him suffer so unjustly, had brought him to that place, where, by the means of Prayers and Promises, he was suffered to come to him.  
Meroveus immediately interrupted him, to ask News of Brunchaut.  
Bozon assured him that she reigned peaceably in Austrasia, and renewing his discourse, he related to the Prince that he was upon the point of returning thither; that if he would suffer himself to be conducted by his zeal, he would procure his liberty; that Gailan expected them twenty Paces from thence with a Troop of trusty Men; that they would go together into that Country, where he did not doubt but the Queen would receive him with open Arms.  
Meroveus, transported with joy, at this obliging Discourse, embraced Bozon, told him that he would follow him where ever he would lead him, and swear to him that he would equal the recompense to the greatness of the Service.  
Bozon told him that he needed only to come out, and that the Religious, who had care of the Door, attended. Meroveus marched immediately with him, they traversed all the Cloisters, and likewise passed the Door without any obstacle; insomuch that this Prince then fancied that Fortune, after so many outrages, would be at length reconciled to him. They went to Gailan and the other persons with him. Gailan was in an ecstasy to see his Prince again, for whom he had so tender and so sincere an affection. This little Troop, without losing any time, marched with all speed towards Austrasia.  
When they were within a League of Metor, Bozon remonstrated to the Prince, that it was not convenient to pass further without giving the Queen notice, because that the sight of the Prince might alarm all the Court, who would imagine, with some appearance of reason, that it would be a new subject of War with Chilperick; that therefore it was fit Gailan should be sent, who, being unknown, might the more easily, and without being suspected, speak in secret to Brunchaut.  
Meroveus was loath to consent to this Proposition, because his love drew him with too much violence towards the Princess. But he was forced at length to yield to it, and durst not openly contradict Bozon. Gailan went from the Prince, in hopes of doing him an important Service; In the mean time he did not foresee, that his absence would facilitate to the Assassinates, the execution of their detestable enterprise.  
After that Meroveus had refreshed himself sometime, in a Country House, Bozon asked him, if he would not go meet Gailan.  
This Lover impatiently longing to see Brunchaut again, received this notice with joy. They all marched hastily towards Metor, and when they were come into a Wood which was but half a League from it, Bozon having given the signal, to those he had chosen for this horrible Sacrifice, two of those perfidious Wretches stabbed that unfortunate Prince with their Poniards, and bathed them in his Blood.  
Bozon returned immediately towards Paris, to give an account to Fredegonda, and the Assassinates according to the Order they had received, hide themselves in the Wood, waiting for Gailan, who came some moments after. When he perceived Meroveus in so fatal a condition, he was seized with such an horror, which made him make a great shriek.  
Meroveus at this noise opening his Eyes, and still knowing Gailan, rallied all the Life he had left him, to ask him how the Queen did?  
Gailan saw that the Prince was upon the point of dying, and that all the help he endeavoured to give him would be useless; so that he thought of nothing, but satisfying his last desire. He drew a Letter out of his Pocket, that Brunchaut had given him, and put into Meroveus his hands.  
The Prince re-assumed as much as he could his languishing looks, he fixed them upon this Paper, and it seemed as if Love stopped the stroke of Death, to permit this Lover to enjoy this last delight. So that he had strength enough to read the Letter; which is as follows.  
I Am extremely grieved, Sir, to see that my Authority is not yet so well settled, as to go and receive you, with all the lustre that my Devoir and my Love require. Be pleased to come this Evening secretly to Court with your Confident, who can introduce you to me, and We will advise together of the means to make you known to the People, without danger. Farewell. I impatiently long to embrace you.  
BRUNCHAUT.  
As soon as the Prince had read these last words, he glued his mouth upon the Paper, and breathed his last in a great sigh.  
At the same time the Murderers thundered out of the place they were concealed in, upon Gailan, accused him of the Prince's Death; and having seized him, returned towards Paris, and presented him to the King. It was to no purpose this unhappy Man called Heaven to Witness his innocence, and to make Oaths that caused astonishment and pity in all those that heard him. Fredegonda upon the Deposition of her Creatures, judged him Criminal, and even persuaded Chilperick, who caused his Nose and Ears, his Feet and Hands to be cut off.  
When Brunchaut had learned this Tragical Death, she did not at all doubt from what hand the Blows came. She would have invaded Chilperick's Territories, but as the Public Interest was more considerable than her own, her Council opposed this Design, wherein there was more to be feared than hoped. Thus all the Devoir she could practise towards Meroveus, was reduced to the giving him her Tears, and to nourish a long time desires, without power, to revenge his Death.   
FINIS.   

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