THE LIFE OF Count ULFELD, GREAT MASTER of DENMARK, And of the Countess Eleonora his Wife: Done out of French.  
WITH A Supplement thereunto, and to the Account of Denmark formerly published.  
LONDON, Printed in the Year, MDCXCV.   

TO THE Duke of MONT AUSIER Governor to the DAUPHIN.  
My LORD,  
SO many Books have already been dedicated to you, and their Authors have so far ingross'd all manner of Thoughts, in endeavouring to give us a perfect Idea of your Virtues, that I want words to add new Praises to those they have already given you. And indeed, my Lord, where should I find proper words to express the Confidence and Esteem which the greatest and wisest of our Kings has reposed in and demonstrated towards you, in committing the Care of the Dauphin's Education to you? This great Choice, puts your Merit so far above Praise and Envy, that there needs no other Elegy to satisfy Posterity that you are a Man without Defects. Therefore, my Lord, I am persuaded that a respectful Silence will prove more eloquent, than all what I could say, and that in dedicating my Book to you, I shall offer you nothing that is worthy of you.  
If after this sincere Avowsal, you will be pleased to honour it with your Protection, it will be free from the Censure of those Critics who never like any thing; and I will think myself very happy, to have found this occasion, to let the World know, that I am with all the Zeal and all the Respect imaginable,  
My LORD, Your most humble and most obedient Servant, Rousseau de la Valette.   

TO THE READER.  
THERE are still so many Persons at Court who have known Count Ulfeld, and his Retreat into Sweden made so much noise in the World, that every body will be pleased to hear the History of his Life, and to know the motives which induced him to make War against his Country.  
But notwithstanding you may find very surprising things in this Story, I can assure you that whatever is contained in it is certainly true; and that I have uritten nothing but what I have found in the Memoirs which were sent to me out of Denmark, by unbyass'd knowing Persons, without whom I could not have related many singular things, which were never written before.  
But whereas the matter I am treating of is considerable enough of itself to be received kindly by the Public; I will not trouble you with a long Preface: provided only you will be pleased to excuse my want of Capacity, I will think myself sufficiently rewarded for the pains I have taken in writing this History, the reading of which is as curious as it may be useful.   

The LIFE of CORNIFIX, COUNT of ULFELD, Great Master of DENMARK: And of the Countess Eleonora his Wife.  
THE Persons whose Lives I undertake to write, have shown so much Magnanimity in the different Turns of their Fortune, that it is difficult to judge which they are most to be praised for, the Moderation they have used in their Prosperity, or the Constancy they have expressed in their Distresses: but whatever State we consider them in, their Elevation and their Fall are equally Instructive; to learn never to rely on the Lustre of a great Favour, and to suffer the utmost Rigours of Fortune, without betraying the least Weakness.  
Cornifix, Count of Vlfeld, was the Tenth Son of Count Vlfeld Lord Chancellor of Denmark; who in the Reign of King Christian the Fourth made himself as Illustrious by his Merit, as he was by his high Birth; his Family being one of the First and most Ancient of the Kingdom, and the only One that was honoured with the Dignity of Count, by Concession from the Emperor. Besides the Advantages which Cornifix derived from the Lustre of his Family, and from his Father's Favour, who ruled the State, Nature proved very favourable to him, for he was the finest Gentleman of his Time; he had a Noble easy Shape, and a Majestic Air; his Mind was great and capable of all Things, his Eloquence was beyond the reach of most Men of his Quality; his Judgement was solid; he had an undaunted Courage without Ostentation; a great deal of Sweetness mixed with Gravity, which procured him Respect and  from all Men; he was Faithful and Moderate, very Sober, Generous and Vigilant: In a Word, he would have been perfect, had he not been Ambitious.  
Before he was ten Years of Age, the great Vivacity of his Mind made him commit so many youthful Frolicks, that his Father was obliged to send him to Paris, under the Tuition of a Governor; in order, if possible, to curb him by a Change of Clime: but on the contrary, his Malice increasing with his Years, he became so rebellious towards his Governor, that after having endeavoured in vain, for five Years together, to alter his Temper, he was forced at last to acquaint his Father the Chancellor with it; who was so angry thereat, that he ordered him to forsake him absolutely, and to allow him nothing. Cornifix finding himself thus at Liberty, though he was but fifteen Years of Age, went into Germany, where he applied himself to the Count of Oldenburgh, to whom he had the Honour to be Related, and discovered the Cause of his Disgrace to him. As he was incomparably well shaped, and had a great deal of Wit, he soon became his Favourite. And during the three Years abode he made at his Court, he became so accomplished, that many Husbands became jealous of him. But his Martial Temper inspiring him with a desire of War above all other Things; Count Oldenburg could not hinder him from engaging himself in King Christian's Army, who was in actual War with some of the Princes of Germany: The said Count having given him a magnificent Equipage, with Letters of Recommendation to General Fowlk, one of the greatest Captains of his Time, he took his leave of him, with as much Regret as Tenderness. No Man ever began the Trade of War better than young Count Vlfeld; he always appeared the first on all Occasions, though never so dangerous: and whereas Fortune was resolved to be prodigal towards him, (as it will appear in the Sequel) she proved so favourable to him, that his Reputation was perfectly settled in a short space of Time: He went through all Military Degrees; and though he received no manner of Assistance from Home, he always appeared with so much Splendour, and made so great an Expense, that he equalled the Chief Officers of the Army. He falling sick of the Plague, his Gentleman of the Horse, thinking he would never recover, sold his Equipage: You may easily imagine his Surprise, when being cured, at a time every one expected his Death, his said Gentleman of the Horse acquainted him with what he had done; he would certainly have punished him severely for it, had he been strong enough to attempt it. But hearing that he had not as yet disposed of the best part of his Money, he wisely dissembled his Displeasure: Insomuch that the said Gentleman, who was one of those Persons who subsist every where, and who knew his Master's Humour, made up another Equipage again, in a short time, very little inferior to the First; which the Count was so well pleased with, that he pardoned him, and made use of him as before.  
The War which had now lasted five Years, ending in a Peace, Count Vlfeld, who hated a sedate Life, returned into France, and from thence went into Italy, where getting acquainted with Seignor Cremoniny a Noble Venetian, in the City of Milan, he contracted so strict a Friendship with him, that in a Year's time he profited so well by his Conversation, that he has often owned since, he was indebted to him for the best part of what he knew. After having seen all Italy, he went back into Germany, where he made a pretty long stay; and finally, the desire of returning into his Native Country, growing the most predominant of all his Passions, he put himself in the Retinue of an Ambassador who was going for the Court of Denmark, only to honour his Embassy: And by the Charms of his Person, as well as of his Wit, he made so great a Progress in the said Ambassador's Favour, that he concealed nothing from him; insomuch that when they came to Copenhagen, he was present at all the Conferences he had with the Chancellor his Father: That Great Man, who thought he had lost one of his Sons, in the Person of Cornifix, from whom he had never heard any News in ten Years time, being taken with his Wit, and admiring the Solidity of his Judgement in Affairs of State, in an Age in which most Men only mind their Pleasures; whether it were by Sympathy of Blood, or out of desire to engage Cornifix in King Christian's Court, he conceived so great an Esteem for him, that after a long Conference he had with the Ambassador, in which the Count was not present, he could not forbear acquainting him with the Sentiments he had for the Count, and to entreat him to let him know, how he came to engage himself in his Retinue. The Ambassador who loved him tenderly, told the Chancellor that he was a Danish Gentleman, whose Name was not very different from his, adding a great deal to the Praises he had already given him. But whereas the Chancellor, who knew all the Nobility of the Kingdom, could find no Family that had any Relation to the Name which the Ambassador told him the Count went by; he desired him to grant him the Favour to discourse him the next Day in private himself.  
It would be difficult to express the young Count's Joy, when he heard the good Opinion his Father had of him, and to think what an agreeable Surprise it would prove to him, to hear that he was that Son, whose ill Nature had obliged him to forsake. It is much easier to imagine than to describe it; and we may easily conceive that it is impossible for two Persons to have a greater. Cornifix waiting on the Chancellor the next Day, according to his Desire, he received him with all the Civility he could expect from a Man of his Character; and after having discoursed of several Things in general, the Chancellor ask him what Family he was of, with an obliging Concern, which confirmed what the Ambassador had told him, he excused himself for a long while, telling him that perhaps he would not be pleased at it, and that he was afraid he would lose the good Opinion he had of him, when he knew him. But whereas this Mystery did only serve to increase the Chancellor's earnestness to know it; the Count told him at last, that he was that Cornifix, the Tenth of his Sons, whom he had forsake at his governor's Solicitation. Thunder does not surprise those who see it fall near them, more than this Confession did the Chancellor. He held his Eyes fixed on the Count a long while before he could utter one Word: He examined all his Features one after another, endeavouring to find out some of his own; and could hardly persuade himself, that a forsaken Child could have made himself so perfect. Joy and Shame struggled so much in his Heart, that he was quite at a loss: but in conclusion, Nature made him sensible that he was really his Son; a Torrent of Tears gushed out from his Eyes, and Embraces succeeded Civilities. As this Adventure was very Extraordinary, and as the Chancellor thought himself very happy, to have recovered a Son whose Merit was already known at Court, he immediately acquainted King Christian and the Prince his Son therewith; who thereupon doubled the Favours they had already expressed towards Cornifix. The Ambassador was not displeased at this Discovery, though it hindered him from enjoying the agreeable Conversation of the Count as before. And I may affirm, that all those who were Reasonable, expressed the Share they took in his Joy.  
Merit undoubtedly can produce much of itself, and we have many Examples of Men who have raised their Fortune to the highest Degree by it alone. Young Count Vlfeld had reason to expect all things from his, without being thought presumptuous: But yet we must needs acknowledge, that the Favour of his Father, who governed the State, did contribute considerably towards his becoming a Favourite to the King and to the Prince, who could do nothing without communicating it first to him. Nevertheless though it is natural for young Men to be dazzled with Greatness, he lived with more Modesty than before; and being sensible that the Favour of Kings is as dangerous as pleasing, he resolved to leave the Court to go into Spain. His Equipage was ready, and his Father approving his Reasons, he only tarried for the King's Leave to go on Board; but that great Prince who loved him tenderly, laid such absolute Commands on him not to go, that at last he resolved to stay, and to use his utmost Endeavours to preserve his Favour. Soon after this the King honoured him with the Place of Lord-Chamberlain, which engaged him still the more particularly near his Person; and he discharged the said Trust so worthily, and showed so much Courage in the Naval Wars which the King had against the King of Sweden, in which two of his Brothers were killed, that Christian could not forbear expressing his Satisfaction to all those of his Court, for having so accomplished a Subject.  
As there were no Degrees at that time among the Danes, to distinguish the Nobles from one another, the Kingdom of Denmark being then Elective, the King's Children were the only Persons who were above the Nobility. Among the Rivals of Glory young Cornifix had to deal with, Hannibal Séested was one of those who gave him most Emulation: He was a very fine Gentleman, and had a great deal of Wit; so that being both partly of the same Age, and equally Ambitious, they were commonly opposite in all Things. The King after the Queen's Death, being fallen in Love with a very beautiful Lady, of the Ancient Family of Monch, called Christina, who had all the Qualifications of a Great Princess, had she been born one, not being able to obtain any Favours from her, had married her with all the Formalities required in a Lawful Marriage, in the presence of the whole Court, and of the Senate, with this Clause in the Contract, That the Children he should get by that Marriage, should not be Princes, and should be contented with the Title of Earls of Sleswick and Holstein, of which they should have the Name and Arms, to distinguish them from other Gentlemen: The Reason of which was, that the King having Children by his first Marriage, and there bring no Principality in the Kingdom; had those he might get by the Second been acknowledged Princes, they would have proved too great a Burden to the Commonwealth, because they could not have married with the Nobles of the Country. The Countess Eleonora derived her Birth from this Marriage. Young Cornifix, who till then had been a Stranger to the Power of Love, meeting in that Beautiful Lady all he could wish to raise his Fortune to the highest Degree, and to become the happiest of Men, fell passionately in Love with her, at a Time when Hannibal was moved with the same Passion. Love among Persons of Quality, is like a Beacon, which is no sooner kindled, but it is perceived at a great Distance; therefore the Count coming oftener to the Queen's Apartment than he used to do, it was thought he had an Inclination for the young Countess; and whereas the King's Favour, and his own Merit, gave him a great Advantage over his Rival, he soon effaced those Impressions which Hannibal had made in the young Countess' Mind: But whereas she had a Prudence far above those of her Age, she did them Justice, without seeming to incline more towards the one than the other; and had it not been for the natural Jealousy they had of each other, they would have had no reason to be jealous of the Favours they received: They were a long while before they could discover in favour of which the Countess would declare herself, though they omitted nothing to show their Passion for her. This made the Count so melancholy and so sad, that chancing one Day to be alone with the Countess, he looked on her a considerable while, without being able to utter one Word: Which she desiring to know the Reason of, after he had excused himself awhile, he declared his Passion to her. The Countess being surprised, blushed at this Declaration, and looking on the Count, with a Severity capable to make the boldest of Men tremble, he repent his having said too much; but however there was no Remedy, and the Occasion had seemed too favourable to him not to say a thing which he could no longer conceal: Therefore he threw himself at the Countess' Feet, humbly craving her Pardon for his Presumption, in words so moving and so tender, that the most cruel of Women would have pitied him. But this word Love did sound so harsh in the Countess' Ears, and she had conceived so frightful an Idea of it, that she could not bear it. The Count, on the contrary, said a thousand soft Things to her, to persuade her that that Passion could never be banished from the World, without making it as wild and savage as Deserts, since it was the only thing which supported Gallantry, and maintained Union even among the most Barbarous: And he had certainly removed that great Aversion, had not the Queen come in, which obliged him to quit that Subject. The Count went away between Fear and Hope; and whereas it behoved him to justify Love, before the Countess, the first time he saw her again, having an Opportunity to speak to her; after a pretty long Conversation, the Countess told him, that if he did not exceed the Bounds he had prescribed to himself, he might hope to be harkened to in time: so that he went away extremely satisfied. Some time after this, having been engaged in a Combat, in which he gave Proofs of his great Valour, he had the pleasure to hear the Countess praise him in his Rival's Presence, with such Eulogies, that he no longer doubted but she had some Kindness for him. And indeed he richly deserved the Praises the Countess gave him, having done an Action which would pass for a Fable, had not his King been a Witness of it, as well as most of the greatest Men of the Kingdom. It is most certain, that the City of Hamburgh being built upon the King of Denmark's Territories, they are obliged to pay him Homage for the same; and that according as they have increased their Power, they have endeavoured to free themselves; so that most of the Kings have been obliged to take Arms, either to assert their Right, or to repel those Rebellions: Which obliged King Christian, one of the bravest Princes that ever reigned in the North, to build the City of Glucstad, upon the River Elbe, with a Fort capable to oppose the Efforts of that little Commonwealth, and to keep them in Awe; that the said Prince having been forced to take Arms, upon the Account of some Things he demanded of the Hamburgers; he being at Glucstad with his Forces, they set out a Fleet of several Ships, designing to make a Descent, to make themselves Masters of that Place; which they would have done, being superior in Number, had not the extreme Valour that generous Prince, Count Vlfeld, and a French Gentleman who belonged to him, showed on that Occasion, prevented them, they never abandoning a Battery of some Pieces of Ordnance, which commanded the Port, notwithstanding all the Gunners were killed or wounded, and that the Forces that kept it retired into the Town, upon the continual Fire from on Board the Ships: But those three Heroes chose rather to die, than to suffer the taking of the Town, or to fly. And whereas nothing is impossible to those who are capable of great Resolutions, they made so great a Resistance for an Hour together, that the Garrison of the Town taking Heart again by their Example, the Fleet being half disabled, was obliged to retire, with as much Shame as Admiration; and none of them were wounded, though the Bullets which were shot at them, had covered their Faces so thick with Dirt, that they were hardly to be known again. Therefore this Action justly deserved the Praises of the Countess Eleonora, and she could not refuse this Justice to the Merit of the Count, seeing that immediately upon this Expedition, the King had given him the Government of the Isle of Funen, to honour his Virtue; and that his very Enemies were forced to own, that he deserved the Favour and Kindness of his Master. And indeed from that time forward, the Countess had a particular Respect for him, and received his Addresses in such a manner, as satisfied him that she was not insensible: But that which made an end of winning her Heart, and of ruining Hannibal, was another Action performed by the Count; which being very uncommon, especially among Courtiers, will discover the Character of his Noble Soul, as well as the Violence of his Passion for the Countess.  
Jealousy, which would not be , if it did not often mistake Appearances for Realities and Truths, having taken possession of the Queen's Heart, upon a bare suspicion that the King her Husband was passionately in love with one of her Maids of Honour, forced that Princess, whose Beauty was somewhat lessened by Years, to do such extraordinary things, in order to preserve a Conquest which she had lawfully won, and which she esteemed above her Life, that the King was reduced to the dismal Extremity of suing a Divorce. In order thereunto he assembled the Senate, to propose Means about it, lest he might be taxed with Injustice. The Countess Eleonora's Tears, whom he loved above all his other Children, could not prevail with him to alter his Resolution; and all those who were at Court, forsook that unfortunate Queen, to indulge the King's Anger. Finally, Count Vlfeld proved the only Man, who, contrary to every one's Expectation, undertook her Defence; he chose rather to venture the loss of his Favour, than to possess it, at a time when his dear Countess was in Affliction: and whereas he had no prospect of Happiness without her, after having endeavoured in vain to appease the King, Love prevailed over Fortune; and he had the Assurance to tell the King, that he was in hopes to justify the Queen publicly. Hannibal, who fancied that the Count would infallibly ruin himself in taking that Party, and who was no less jealous of his Master's Favour than of his Mistress, improved that Occasion to take his Post, and to destroy him in the King's Opinion: He omitted no Means to succeed therein, and to the End that all the World might know it, he also took upon him to acquaint the Senate with the King's Reasons. The Day appointed to plead this famous Cause being come, the King repaired to the Senate-House, with all the Senators: The Queen and all her Children likewise repaired thither, with no body but Count Vlfeld, who was to defend them: And every body being seated according to their Rank, Hannibal stood up, and urged the King's Reasons with so much Eloquence and Brillant, that most of those who heard him, supposed the Queen absolutely ruined: But they soon altered their Minds, for Count Vlfeld whose Noble Air moved all those who saw him, showed with so much Grace and Solidity the Queen's Innocence, who had only sinned through an Excess of Love, which can never be blamed, since Excess alone justifies that Passion; that finally the King could not forbear mixing his Tears with the Queen's, as well as all the Senators; and coming down from his Throne, he embraced her, and restored her the same Place she possessed in his Heart before that Misfortune. It is impossible to express the Applauses Count Vlfeld received for this noble Action, nor the Shame Hannibal was covered with, when coming out of the Senate, the Earl drew his Sword, to show that Rival he knew how to use it as well as his Tongue: he had not the Courage to encounter him, but fled in great Disorder and Confusion. Nevertheless as they were the two most considerable Men of the Kingdom, the King made them Friends again; but notwithstanding the said Reconciliation, Hannibal ever since preserved a Desire of Revenge against the Earl, and never could forgive him that Affront.  
The whole Court went to congratulate the Queen, upon her being more in the King's Favour than ever; the Earl did not fail to express his Joy to her about it. You may easily imagine that she omitted nothing to show her Gratitude to him for the great Service he had done her; and that she used him with all the Kindness he had reason to expect. But that did not move him, comparably to what the Countess said to him after the Queen was gone, and the Company had left them out of respect. That charming Creature, after having repeated all, and even the least Circumstances of what had passed in the Senate, assured him, that she would never forget it; and that in case the King did approve his Sentiments, he would soon be sensible that she preferred him to all the World. As I relate nothing but what is actually true, I will not puzzle myself to find out fine Expressions to describe the Earl's Answer, I will only tell you, that it was as witty as passionate; that at his coming away from the Countess he was the happiest of Men; and that soon after it he was so fortunate, that the King himself proposed his Marriage with the Countess, and that he married her, notwithstanding all the Brigues of Hannibal: neither will I give you an Account of the Magnificencies which were made to honour the Wedding of those Illustrious Lovers, since you may easily imagine that they were not Mean; besides that, having many things to say, I might prove tiresome should I particularise every Circumstance.  
The King who (as I have already declared) loved Count Vlfeld passionately, being desirous to raise his Fortune to the utmost Degree, made him Constable of the Kingdom, and soon after it Great Master; whose Power being equal to that which the Ancient Maires du Palais had, under the first Race of the Kings of France, made the Earl the Second Person of the Kingdom, since he did exert the King's Power in his Absence: Therefore as he had nothing more to wish for, he found himself the happiest of Men, during the Life of King Christian his Father-in-Law. He was sent Ambassador Extraordinary into France and Germany, where he made himself more considerable by his Merit than by his Quality: and at his return to Christian's Court, he officiated his Place with so much Sweetness and Modesty, that every body blessed his Government. But those were much in the right, who have said, that in order to maintain a great Fortune, a second is required.  
For K. Christian was no sooner dead, but the Earl's Enemies, or rather the Rivals of his Glory, used their utmost Endeavour to destroy him. But whereas they were sensible that his Fortune was upheld, by the Honour he had of being allied to the Royal Family, though the Danes had, for the space of Two hundred Years and upwards, all along raised their last King's Eldest Son to the Throne, they endeavoured to abolish that laudable Custom, and in order thereunto formed so powerful a Cabal, that they had the boldness to maintain in a Council, composed of the Deputies assembled to make the Election, that Prince Frederick could not be elected, without causing the absolute Ruin of the Kingdom: But Count Vlfeld who was Precedent of the Council, being sensible of their Design, asserted the Interest of the Prince his Brother-in-Law, with so much Courage and Eloquence, that the Elector who had proposed the Exclusion, desisted as well as all the rest; insomuch that the Earl did not break up the Assembly until the Prince was elected King. It is true, that in order to appease those who seemed to be most dissatisfied, he engaged, by virtue of his Office of Great Master, he being the Head and Protector of the Nobility, that the Prince would preserve all their Privileges, and that their Grievances should be redressed. The Election was made on this Condition, as it had been done time out of mind. In the mean time, Count Vlfeld being satisfied with his having performed his Duty, without valuing himself upon it, by publishing the same, not having acquainted the Prince before nor after the Election, with all the Brigues that had been made to exclude him from the Crown, his Enemies made use of his Modesty to ruin him; for having persuaded the King that he himself had aspired to the Crown, because some Votes had been given for him, and that not being able to obtain his Ends, he had, in order to make himself the more recommendable, caused the Election to be made on the Conditions I have mentioned.  
This wrought so powerfully on the King's Mind, that he was thereby excluded from his Favour in a Moment, without knowing the Reason of it; and the said Coldness made so much noise, that the Earl's Enemies finding the King disposed to believe all their Calumnies, had the Malice to seduce a Woman, called Dina, who had an access in the Royal Family, to accuse the Count and the Countess his Wife, of having made Solicitations to her to poison the King, the Queen, and all the Royal Family.  
This Monarch giving too much credit to the said Accusation, without staying for any farther Informations, wrote to the Queen of Sweden, to some Princes of the Empire, and to the P. of Orange, to give them an Account of the said Conspiracy, and to desire their Advice how to proceed against those Traitors (for so he called the Count and the Countess) who were in his Power; desiring them to rejoice at Heaven's having preserved him from that Treason. But whereas the Quality of the Persons accused, obliged him to observe some Formalities; he allowed them to make their Defence before the Council, lest the World should think he designed to oppress them.  
It was on this Occasion this Great Man discovered an undaunted Courage and Firmness of Mind; for without discovering the least Trouble in his Countenance, he made his Defence with so much Judgement, that the said Woman, and Captain Walter who had introduced her, not being able to resist the Force of the Earl's Reasons, were fully convicted of Perjury: Dina was condemned to lose her Head, and Walter to a perpetual Exile; which was accordingly put in execution.  
The Earl finding by this Proceeding that his Ruin was resolved upon, and being sensible by the King's Easiness to believe so strange an Accusation against a Person of his Quality, that he would be easily disposed to give Credit to all the Calumnies of his Enemies, he resolved to provide for his own Sasety, and that of all his Family.  
In order thereunto, he resolved to retire into Poland, hoping to be safe there; and having proposed his Design to the Countess Eleonora, that generous Lady would needs follow him, notwithstanding all the Reasons he could urge to the contrary, which could never prevail over her Affection for him.  
All things being disposed for their departure, the Countess put on men's Clothes as well as one of her Women, the only One she took along with her; and going on board one of their own Ships, after having been some Days at Sea, they were surprised by so dreadful a Storm, that they thought themselves lost: But after having suffered all the Hardships imaginable for two or three Days time, they came to an Anchor in the Road of Dantzick, where they landed. The Earl being thus safely got on Shore, dispatched one of his Gentlemen to the Court of Poland, to entreat the King to allow him a Retreat in his Kingdom, and to protect him against his Enemies. He remained at Dantzick in expectation of his Return, where the Countess Eleonora still keeping on her men's Clothes, in order to divert her Sorrows, made some Addresses to a Woman of Quality, who did not want Charms, and whose Conversation was very agreeable; and her Courtship made so strong an Impression on the Lady's Heart, that she could no longer live without her.  
Moreover, the thing proceeded so far, that the Lady's Husband being grown jealous, the Countess would certainly have brought herself into Trouble, but that the Gentleman whom Count Vlfeld had sent to the Court, being returned with a Refusal, they resolved to repair to the Queen of Sweden. The Countess having acquainted the said Lady therewith, she was so strangely moved at her departure, that after having said the most tender Things to her, to oblige her to tarry, she was resolved to follow her, had not the Countess discovered her Sex to her. You may easily guests her Surprise at this unexpected Confession, and what different Passions her Soul was agitated with: Shame, Spite and Rage, tormented her by turns, and the Countess stood in need of all her Wit to appease this abused Woman; but in the end, her Love being turned to Friendship, they parted with a thousand Protestations, of loving each other to the Grave.  
The Earl, whose Courage was undaunted, was overjoyed to see the Countess divert herself thus: So that those Illustrious Persons, did bear their Disgrace with as much Constancy, as they had shown Modesty in their Prosperity.  
The Queen of Sweden, who knew their Merit, and did pity their Misfortune, having assured the Earl's Envoy that she would grant them her Protection, they repaired to Stockholm, where that great Princess kept her Court at that time.  
She received them with all the Kindness they could expect from her Generosity; particularly the Countess Eleonora, who not having quitted her Man's Clothes, a Dress in which the Queen often delighted herself: She was so much taken with her Air, that she omitted nothing to express her Joy to her, for being able to assist her. After the Earl had paid his first Respects to the Queen, he told her that he only begged her Protection on this Condition, that he would submit to her Justice, and that he would answer, before her Majesty, to whatever Accusations should be made against him.  
She granted his Desires, so that they remained two Years at Stockholm in quiet: but when they thought their Enemies had no longer any thoughts to persecute them, the Danish Ambassador received an Order to accuse the Earl of several Crimes, the least of which would have cost him his Head had he committed it: but though the Ambassador delivered a Letter to the Queen, written and signed by the King's own Hand, in which he conjured her to punish Count Vlfeld; She allowed him to make his Defence before the Council: and having sent him a Copy of the Heads of the Accusation, on the Day appointed by her Majesty to plead the Cause, the Earl discovered his Innocence by such convincing Proofs, that the Queen, and all the Senators, were satisfied of it; and the Ambassador was so much confounded, that not being able to make a positive Reply to the Earl's Defence, it turned his Brains; and he left the Council in that Distraction, without taking his Leave of the Queen, and without showing the least Civility to the Lords of the Assembly.  
So public a Justification, put the Earl's Enemies into so great a Confusion, that their Persecution lay dormant for several Years, during which he retired with his Family into Pomerania, where he had a considerable Estate, enjoying the Sweetness and Tranquillity which a Country-Life can afford a Man who is tired with the Fatigues of the Court; and whereas he fancied that the Cause of so long a Silence could only proceed from the King his Brother-in-Law's being convinced of his Innocence, he advised the Countess to go to Copenhagen, there to make her Court assiduously, and to endeavour to put herself perfectly into the King's Favour again.  
But though the Earl had written several Letters full of Submission and Respect, that unfortunate Lady was no sooner come to the Frontiers of the Kingdom, but she was informed that her Enemies had sent Forces to the first Village through which she was to pass, to secure her.  
However, whereas such an Attempt had no Precedent, and that the Countess could not imagine, that they could treat a Person of her Quality with so much Cruelty, she continued her Journey, whatever her Servants could say to the contrary. But as soon as she was got into a little Plain, one of her Gentlemen acquainted her, that a Company of Foot was coming towards them with great speed: Whereupon the Countess no longer doubting but that the Advice she had received was true, ordered her Coach to turn about, and she stood in need of the utmost Vigour of her Horses to rejoin the Bridge which separates the Territories of Denmark from those of Holstein, where the said Soldiers, who came within Musket-shot of her, remained full of Confusion at their not having been able to execute their Design.  
The Earl being equally surprised and troubled at this new Disgrace, writ to the Court again to know the Reason of it; but he received no Answer, which made him sensible that it was an Effect of the Cruelty of his Enemies, who were resolved, at any Rate, to keep him for ever out of the Kingdom, in order to possess his Places, and to enjoy the great Estates they had made themselves Masters of: Which unworthy Treatment made him resolve to take Arms under Charles King of Sweden, whose Protection he had also taken after the Queen's Abdication, in hopes thereby to be restored to the Possession of part of his Estate. It was not without a great deal of Grief he found himself reduced to the Necessity of employing his Courage and his Wit against his Prince and Brother-in-Law; those two Qualities did long oppose within his Soul the Resolution he had taken, and they did not want Reasons to break it; but finding no other way for his Restoration, he was obliged to embrace it.  
Therefore the Earl being forced by all manner of Reasons to behave himself thus, made use of his Courage and Prudence, to satisfy Charles that he did act Sincerely. The first Proof he gave him of it, was the Reduction of the Isle of Funen, which did submit to him in so little time, that the News of it came to Copenhagen, before they knew that Charles designed to conquer it.  
Moreover, as if Heaven had joined with the Earl to revenge the Injustices he had received, the Sea freezing to that degree, that the Artillery could safely be drawn over it, he persuaded the King of Sweden to march against Copenhagen with Three thousand Horse, and Six pieces of Ordinance, not doubting but the boldness of the Enterprise would cause a strange Consternation.  
And indeed Frederick was so much surprised, to see an Army before the Gates of his Capital City, that his Courage failed him; and in that Disorder, the most effectual way he could think on, to prevent the Ruin of his State, was to oblige Count Vlfeld's Agents to let him know, that in case he could mediate a Peace, he would restore him to the Possession of all his Places and Estate. Whereas Necessity only had obliged him to take Arms against his Country, his Friends found him so well disposed to forget all the Injuries he had received, that though he was sensible that nothing but the present State of Affairs obliged Frederick to behave himself thus, he made so good a Use of the Credit he had acquired with Charles, that he obliged him to make a Peace, which was signed at Rosschild. By the said Peace, the King of Denmark yielded the Province of Schonen to the King of Sweden, together with the Fortresses of Gabub, Hallen, Blechin, the Town of Drontem, and some others; and granted Count Vlfeld, and all those who had followed him, a General Pardon, and restored him to the Possession of all his Places, Dignities and Estates. After which, the two Kings embraced, with great Demonstrations of Friendship. Frederick also expressed his good Will to the Earl, in such a manner as made every body believe that he did it sincerely; and at Night the two Kings supped together at Frederixburg, one of the King of Denmark's Pleasure-Houses, with the Queen and the Chief Officers of the two Armies.  
The following Day the King of Sweden, after having conferred some Hours with Frederick, went for Gottemburg▪ and the Earl remaining with the King of Denmark, every body did conclude, that he was as much in the King's Favour as ever.  
But whereas Frederick was susceptible to all sorts of Impressions, and that the Earl's Enemies did dread the Loss of their Credit, by the Restoration of his Authority, they cast new Suspicions into the King's Mind, which obliged the Earl to retire upon the Estate he had in the Province of Schonen. The King of Sweden being desirous to show the Earl (who was become his Subject) the Esteem he had for him, gave him the County of Sylburg, for him and his Heirs Male for ever.  
But the Earl who was in hopes, by this voluntary Retreat, to make the King of Denmark sensible of the Injustice of his Persecutors, and of the Innocence of his Conduct, was strangely mistaken in his Conjectures; for he had hardly enjoyed for some Months, the sweetness which a Country Life affords to those who are desirous of it, before the King of Sweden being resolved to renew the War, proposed to him to take Arms again, with such advantageous Conditions, that any Man but the Earl would certainly have accepted them. Nevertheless he refused them generously, and made Charles so sensible, that having no new Cause to complain of the King, his Brother-in-Law, he could not serve against him, without wounding his Honour, that that Great Prince, who knew the Merit of the Earl, would not oblige him to do it by Force: But whereas his admirable Qualifications had raised Envy against him among the greatest Lords of Sweden, especially in those who were Pensionaries to Frederick, they made use of that Occasion to ruin him in the Opinion of Charles: And they put so malicious a Gloss upon the Earl's good Intentions, that having represented them to him, in a different manner from what he had conceived when he approved them; and no body having made an Answer to justify the Count, they raised such suspicions against him, for having refused the great Advantages he had offered him, that Charles was almost persuaded that he designed by his Credit, to cause those new Conquests, not fully settled as yet, to revolt, in order to regain the King of Denmark's Favour. The Earl's Enemies went further yet; for having, by surprise, got an Order from Charles to the Governor of Malmo, he secured the Earl and all his Family; and upon this bare Surmise, the County of Sylburg was taken from him again, which Charles had given him not long before. Moreover, they did confiscate three other considerable Estates, with all his Goods, which were of an inestimable Value; and Count Vlfeld falling dangerously ill at the same time, some disaffected Historians did publish, that he had poisoned himself for Grief, and that he was dead, or had locked himself up in some uninhabited Place: But it was nothing but a Continuation of the Malice of his Enemies, for he had no reason to put himself to death, nor to abridge so noble a Life.  
Charles having allowed him to make his Defence publicly, he received this new Disgrace without the least astonishment; and I can affirm, that neither Eleonora nor himself did ever look upon it otherwise than as the least of those they had received. Soon after their being secured in their own House, the Earl was cited to appear before the Senate of Malmo; but not being able to repair thither, by reason of his Indisposition, the Countess Eleonora undertook his Defence; and whereas she had an Eloquence which is not common among those of her Sex, and as much Judgement as Wit, she made the Senate so sensible of the Malice of their Enemies, and of the Earl's Innocence, that he was publicly absolved of the Crimes which were laid to his Charge; and the Senators were so much charmed with what she had said, that they sent her Speech to the King, together with their Judgement, to be confirmed.  
A Copy of it is fallen into my Hands, which is as followeth.  

The Countess ELEONORA's Speech, to the Senate of Malmo.  
Most Illustrious Lords,  
WERE Count Vlfeld, my Husband, to make his Defence before Judges less famous for their Capacity and Justice, or were he guilty of the Crimes he is accused of, his Health not permitting him to appear to justify himself, he would certainly have employed some Orator to answer the Eloquence wherewith his Enemies have endeavoured to fully his Reputation: But whereas he is conscious of no Crime, I come here, most Illustrious Lords, to discover his Innocence to you, and to entreat you, by a natural and plain Discourse, to restore his Liberty.  
My Husband is accused of Ingratitude towards the King, because he refuses to accept the advantageous Offers that are made to him by that Great Prince, to oblige him to take Arms again for his Service; and because the Chief of the Nobility of Scandinavia often come to visit him, his Enemies pretend that he designs to engage them to a Revolt, in favour of the King my Brother, in order to put himself into Favour again; and on pretence of the pretended Intelligences, which, they say, they hold together, to succeed in the said Enterprise, of which there are no Proofs, he has been seized in his own House. Truly, most Illustrious Lords, were this true, I own that Count Vlfeld would be very guilty, and that he would deserve a rigorous Punishment: But if I can make it appear to you, that it is a mere Calumny, has he not reason to expect an entire Absolution from your Justice, which may discover his Innocence to all the World? Yes, I am confident of it, since I observe it already in your Eyes; and the Noble Impatience you discover to do him Justice, is a certain proof thereof.  
I am obliged in this Place, in order to justify my Husband, to renew all my Afflictions, and to tell you things which, without doubt, you are but too well acquainted with, I mean the greatest Persecution that ever was. Be pleased therefore, most Illustrious Lords, to give me leave to tell you, that Count Vlfeld's extraordinary Qualifications, having procured him the Esteem and  of the late King Christian, my Father, at a time when I was marriageable, that Great Prince would needs inspire the same Sentiments into me, by designing him for my Husband; and in order to enable him to support the high Honour to which he raised him by his Alliance, he made him Great Master of his Kingdom, which was the most considerable Dignity next to Royalty. Tho the Earl used that great Fortune with all the Moderation of a wise Man, he could not hinder Envy from raising many Enemies against him; that cruel Envy which will not suffer true Merit to live in Prosperity, omitted no Means to overthrow our Happiness; his most innocent Actions were censured, and had not the King, my Father, been persuaded of his Fidelity, our Persecutors would have inspired the same Suspicions into him, which, after his Death, they have put into the King my Brother's Mind.  
That Prince was no sooner raised to the Throne, but he gave too much Credit to the envenomed Speeches of those Barbarians; he lost all the Esteem and Affection he had for my Husband and for me, without our knowing the Cause of it; and upon the bare Deposition of a corrupted Witness, he was so fully persuaded that we did design to poison him, and all the Royal Family, that without considering that we had the Honour to be related to him, and that those sort of Crimes require very Circumstantial Proofs, he caused us shamefully to be seized, and ordered the Senate to proceed against us. But Count Vlfeld having proved our Innocence, and that far from harbouring any such abominable Thought, he was partly the Cause of the King's being Elected, having courageously opposed the Brigues which were made to exclude him from the Crown: He was publicly absolved of that Calumny, and the Woman condemned to lose her Head; which was accordingly executed.  
Nevertheless though this aught to have opened the King's Eyes, to see that these things were only done with a Design to embroil the Royal Family, and to create Disorders in the State; instead, I say, that such a Justification ought to have restored us to his Favour, it only served to exclude us from it for ever: Moreover, it proved a new Pretence to persecute us; all our Cares proved vain, to show that we did no-wise resent that Injury, and that we were satisfied that our Innocence was known. This was looked upon as a piece of Dissimulation; our Submissions were rejected, as Snares which were laid on purpose to execute our Revenge in time; and we were reduced, in order to avoid the continual Conspiracies of our Enemies, who required our Blood, to retire under the Protection of the Queen of Sweden, which the Laws of the Country allowed us to do, in hopes that the said Retreat would evidence the Moderation of our Sentiments.  
But, most Illustrious Lords, this was so far from producing the Effects which we did expect from it, that, on the contrary, it increased the boldness of those who desired our Ruin; and they found such Dispositions in the King's Mind for their Malice to work upon, that they obliged him to send Orders to his Ambassador at Court, to accuse my Husband of several Crimes, the very remembrance of which strikes me with Horror: but having again cleared himself of this new Calumny, his Innocence only served to make him the more unhappy; for his Enemies despairing of his Ruin by the Way of Justice, prevailed with the King to dispose of his Places, and to seize upon our Estate. This last Misfortune depriving us of Means to subsist, obliged C. Vlfeld, after the Queen's Abdication, to engage himself in the Service of the King her Successor, in hopes by his Arms to recover part of our Lands.  
He performed (and it is not without Grief I am forced to speak it) Actions of Conduct and of Valour, which did not a little contribute towards the obtaining of the Victory over his Countrymen, and to make the King's Arms triumphant: He thereby gained his Esteem and . And, finally, I may say, that it was by his Means a Peace was made between the two Crowns, with so much Advantage for his Majesty. I own at the same time, that my Husband was rewarded for his Services, and that a General Pardon was granted for him and all his Followers; with a particular Clause, That all his Estate should be restored to him; which has been performed since by the King my Brother.  
The King your Master added to that Act of his Justice, a new Favour, which was the Gift of the County of Sylburg, to my Husband and his Male Issue for ever: And soon after that, the King gave us leave to retire upon the Estate we have in this Province of Schonen, which remained to him by the Peace. I own that these are Favours which did exceed our Hopes, and which show the King's Magnanimity; but at the same time I affirm, that no body can put us in mind of them to convince us of Ingratitude.  
His Majesty is willing to renew the War, and offers my Husband considerable Advantages to take up Arms again against a King, to whom he has the Honour of being Brother-in-Law; he humbly craves his Majesty would be pleased to excuse him, because the Articles of the General Pardon have been punctually performed. Whereupon Count Vlfeld's Enemies make use of the said Refusal to ruin him, and make a Capital Crime of a thing, which of all things in the World is the most praiseworthy.  
And indeed, Illustrious Lords, is not the Moderation which my Husband shows on this Occasion, worthy of Praise, since that notwithstanding the Reasons he has to complain, he refuses the Means to resent the Offences he has received, and does not accept Advantages which are so great, that they might dazzle the most Ambitious, and make them attempt any thing to deserve them? Necessity only obliged my Husband to take Arms, in hopes that by the Means of a Peace, which ought always to be the principal End of a War, he might recover his Estate for the Subsistence of his Family. That Peace has been made by his Mediation; his Estate has been restored to him; why then should he be obliged to take up Arms again, since the main Reason he had to do it subsists no longer? Advantages, they say, are offered to him, which he refuses; and that is a certain Sign he designs to take the King of Denmark's part again, and therefore it behoves the King to secure his Person, and to use him as an ungrateful Man. Ah! most Illustrious Lords, can such ill Consequences be drawn from so good a Reason? Can a Virtue be accounted a Crime? and must my Husband be punished beforehand, as if he were already convicted? No, it is impossible, without overthrowing all the Rules of Equity and of Justice; and I have reason to believe, that you will judge more favourably, than those who have surprised his Majesty, in giving him such unjust Suspicions.  
My Husband's Enemies prevail with the King of Denmark, to take his Employments and his Estate from him, without having convicted him of any Crime; he desires the Restitution of the same for his Subsistance: he is refused, whereupon he joins with the King, who is in War against him; no body can blame him, since it is very natural to seek out Means to preserve one's Estate and Life.  
He mediates a Peace; in that we may say he is deserving, and that his Country is obliged to him. Finally, by means of this Peace, he obtains what he did propose in taking Arms. There is not the least Crime in all this: But, most Illustrious Lords, could any one excuse him at present, should he engage anew under pretence of the Advantages that are offered to him?  
Would not that Ambition which alone could induce him to it, be blame-worthy? and would not his Country, which pities his Misfortunes, have reason to alter their Wishes for his Welfare, and to lose the good Opinion they have of his Virtue? Would not the King, my Brother, have a just Cause to seize our Estate anew, and to turn all the Suspicions he has received against my Husband into Certainty? And, finally, would not Count Vlfeld make a Breach to his Honour, never to be repaired again? I own that he has perhaps reason to believe that a general Pardon has only been granted to him by Force, and that the same Hatred is preserved against him as before: but though he were certain of it, that ill Example would not excuse him, and the sensibility we naturally have for those of our Blood would upbraid him eternally for having violated it. Suppose he had it not, could he without Horror contribute towards the absolute Destruction of his Country, the Preservation and Glory of which has been so dear to so many great Men, that History is full of a thousand Famous Examples, which inform us that they have preferred it to their own Lives?  
What better Party could Count Vlfeld take on this Occasion, than a Retreat and a Country Life? Certainly, most Illustrious Lords, it is impossible for him to choose another, and if I may say so, he can form no wishes but for a Peace.  
If his Country and his Blood, inspire him with Love on one Side; the Favours he has received from the King, and the Kindness he has expressed to him on so many Occasions, oblige him to remain in the Condition he is in. Count Vlfeld is not ignorant, that Benefits (being Acts of good Will, which create Pleasure and Joy in the Person who gives, as well as in him who receives) remain so deeply engraven in the Heart of both, that they can never perish: he is sensible that this agreeable Commerce of giving, and of receiving, produces a Kindness which is the stronger, by reason that being Voluntary, it surpasses that in some Measure which we are obliged to have for our Relations.  
Finally, he is persuaded that Ingratitude is a Crime so heinous, that all Nations have been seized with Horror at the thoughts of making Laws to punish it. Not but that it is detested by all Mankind, or that by that want of Laws they designed to approve it; but because Benefits can never be sufficiently esteemed, by reason that the Value of them only consists in the Will of him who gives, and not in that which is the Object of it.  
That Crime has been condemned by a public Hatred, and it has been placed among those things which are to be punished by Divine Justice. How is it likely then, that Count Vlfeld having such reasonable Sentiments, and such a perfect Knowledge of the King's Favours, should form Cabals to make Provinces revolt, which esteem themselves too happy to be under his Dominion? Can he hinder the Nobility, whose Head he was formerly, from coming to comfort him in his Disgrace, and to pity his Misfortunes? Must their Civilities be imputed to him as Crimes, and without the least Proof being given of the Correspondence that is supposed between the King my Brother and him, without any Body's justifying that he has excited any Assemblies, or proving that he has given his Majesty any prejudicial Counsels, Must he be so unhappy as to lose his Majesty's Favour? No, Illustrious Lords, I cannot believe it, since Words, though never so fine or agreeable in the Mouth of an Orator, are not sufficient to convict my Husband, nor to persuade that he is Guilty. On the contrary, I have reason to hope that you will approve his Design of remaining in his Solitude, and of wishing a good Peace between the two Crowns, since it is the only thing he can do with Justice, in the deplorable Condition to which he is reduced: Therefore I expect his Justification from you, most Illustrious Lords, to the End that the same being confirmed by his Majesty, we may be restored to our Liberty, and to the Enjoyment of our Estate, as well as put in possession again of the County of Sylburg: that all the World may be sensible that that great Prince still esteems Count Vlfeld, and that he does not think him unworthy of the Continuation of his Favours.  
The K. of Sweden was at Gottenburgh when he received the News of C. Vlfeld's Absolution; and after having read the Letter which the Senate did write to him, and the Countess' Speech, whose Wit he admired as well as her Affection for her Husband; he immediately ordered one of his Secretaries of State to write the Confirmation of it, and expressed so much Joy to all his Court for his being found Innocent, that those who had devised that Calumny remained in the highest Consternation.  
But the Artifice which Hannibal Seested made use of to be revenged of the Earl, and to render the King's Favour ineffectual to him, must needs move the Indignation of all the World against him: This Barbarian, who was become his Brother-in-Law, having married one of the Countess Eleonora's Sisters; and who notwithstanding their Reconciliation, and the Ties of Blood, preserved in his Heart a mortal Hatred against Count Vlfeld, since the Time he drew upon him, as I have said before: This Hannibal, I say, who under pretence of a supposed Discontent, was at the K. of Sweden's Court at that Time to give Frederick an account of his Designs, feigning an extreme Joy at the Success of the Earl's Affair, though he was one of the chief Authors of it; entreated Charles, with all the earnestness imaginable, to put the Letters of Confirmation into his Hands, that he might be the first to acquaint Count Vlfeld with this agreeable News. The King thinking he was in earnest, granted him the Favour he desired; but he instead of performing what he had promised, writ to the Earl, that though he had proved his Innocence, the King was still so incensed against him, that without any one's being able to discover the Cause of it, he had resolved to remove him from the place where he was kept, to put him into some Prison distant from all sort of Correspondence: and colouring this Perfidiousness with a studied Tenderness, he conjured him to endeavour his Escape by all the Means he could possibly think on, to avoid the Storm which threatened him so near, and to secure his Family, since it was impossible he should not make his Peace, since the Senate had absolved him.  
The Earl receiving this Letter before his Friends had given him an account of the Truth (because Hannibal had sent it by an Express) not having the least Suspicion that a Brother-in-Law could be unfaithful to that degree, easily gave Credit to it.  
Upon the receipt of this News, the Countess and he looking on the Danger to be pressing, without expecting any farther confirmation of it, only thought how to deceive their Keepers, to make their Escape.  
As the thing was pretty difficult, upon the Account of the great Number of Soldiers which guarded them, this Illustrious Unfortunate Couple, having communicated their Design to the Earl's Gentleman of the Horse, named Daranda, they did consult a long while for some Expedient, without being able to find a good One.  
But at last Daranda calling to mind that he had formerly observed, that the House had a secret Outlet in a by-Street, they resolved that he should try whether they could make use of it, while they did employ themselves on their side to secure their Papers and their Money. All things being disposed thus, the first thing Daranda did was to hire a Sloop, to go out of the Port at any Hour: and having discovered by his Search in the House, that going down into the Cellar, there was a Door of Communication with another Cellar, and from that Cellar into another Place, out of which they might set out without being seen by the Guards, he immediately acquainted the Earl therewith.  
But whereas there was a Sentry at his Door, and that the Countess was in a different Apartment from his, the Difficulty was to deceive that Sentry, which changed hourly, which made the thing almost impossible, they not daring to confide in him.  
The End of the First Volume.    

The LIFE of CORNIFIX, COUNT of ULFELD, Great Master of DENMARK: And of the Countess Eleonora his Wife.  
The Second Part.  
THE Count and his Gentleman of the Horse, dexterously loosened some of the Board's which made the Partition of his Chamber, and having made a sufficient Overture, dreading Visits might break his Measures, he sent to his Guards to desire them not to admit any Body into his Chamber because he was very much indisposed: Insomuch that being safely got out about Six in the Morning, they went into the Cellar, where the Earl having put on the Habit of a Priest, which Daranda had provided for him, they crossed the Town and reached the Key without any opposition; and the Earl being got on board the Sloop which the said Daranda had hired, which kept at a distance from the rest, he went back to the Countess, in order also to facilitate her Escape.  
But whereas it was Day before he came back, he met with great difficulties, being obliged to lead her through the great Gate, her Apartment being too distant from the Cellars: Nevertheless as Necessity is the Mother of Invention, the Countess who has a great deal of Wit, immediately found out an Expedient which did surprise Daranda, as much as he found it fit for his design. The Habits worn by the Towns-Women being absolutely different from those of Women of Quality, insomuch that they would deceive the most clearsighted, the Countess resolved to put on one of those Habits, in order to get out.  
Having in order thereunto sent for one of the said Women who lived hard by her, under pretence of diverting herself with her, and whose Shape was very like her own; the Countess changed Clothes with her, notwithstanding all the resistance she could make, and her Servants found her so well disguised, that they judged their Enterprise infallible: And indeed though they had upwards of thirty Soldiers to deceive, the Countess having a Set of very unruly Horses, which Daranda had set lose on purpose, they made such a terrible noise in the Yard, that all the Soldiers ran out to help the Grooms to retake them, so that there only remained a Sentry to deceive, who stood at the Countess' Chamber-Door: but one of the Countess' Chambermaid's seigning to have lost a Diamond of great value, which she was looking after with great affliction, the said Soldier was so much moved at it, that he would needs help her to seek for it; which opportunity the Countess and Daranda took to get out without the least hindrance: And their Escape was managed with so much Art, that the Soldiers never perceived it till the next day, when they were got to Copenhaguen.  
It was very reasonable to believe, both upon the account of the General Pardon, as well as because the Earl had refused to engage himself anew with the King of Sweden, that his retreat to Copenhagen would be attended with no ill Consequences, and that Frederic would keep his Word and let them live in Peace.  
Nevertheless it proved quite otherwise: for within three days after their Arrival, without knowing what new Crime they had committed, they were seized in their own House, and carried into the Isle of Bornholm, situated in the Baltic Sea, between the Province of Schonen and Livonia. It was in that Island the Count and Countess were delivered into the hands of the most barbarous of Men, called Fowlk, who was Governor thereof. They were no sooner in his power, but this Barbarian, without the least regard to their Birth, took all their Jewels and Money from them, and then locked them up in a Dungeon in which they were hardly able to breathe. This strange way of proceeding made them sensible that the Sequel could never prove favourable, and indeed they were not deceived in their opinion of this Governor's Cruelty: For after having deprived them of the Nourishment which he was ordered to give them, he took all their Linen from them, and only left them that which they had on, which being rotten in a short space of time by reason of the dampness of the Dungeon, they were reduced to a new torture, and finally not to have Bread enough to sustain a Life, which they would have put a period to, had not the Laws of Christianity forbade them so to do.  
But his Barbarity proceeded further yet; he refused to allow the Earl a Servant, and the Countess a Maid to wait upon them, and he abused his Power with so much Insolence, as to add ill Words and Reproaches to his ill Treatment. Moreover, the Patience which those Illustrious Captives expressed during the eleven Months they remained together, enraged this Cruel Governor to that degree, that after having exerted his Tyranny over their Bodies, he resolved to torture their Minds: He parted them because they did suffer with too much Constancy, and removed them into two Dungeons which were one over another; but because they had Windows on the same side, and that loving each other tenderly, they could speak together, in order to deprive them of that only remaining satisfaction, he caused their little Windows to be damned up, depriving them at once of Light, and of the pleasure of conversing together. The Countess being no longer able to bear this Treatment, fell sick, and her Illness increased to that degree that she concluded her Death to be at hand, and even then he had much ado to allow her a Woman to take care of her.  
But though the Countess earnestly entreated this Tyrant to send her a Priest to administer the Sacrament to her, neither her Tears nor Entreaties could prevail with him; and though she offered to make her Confession aloud before him, he refused her that only Comfort. Heaven's designing her for greater Sufferings yet, restored her Health at a time when she did least expect it. About that time the Woman whom the Governor had sent to take care of her in her Illness, told the Countess, that she was so much concerned to see the Earl and herself reduced to such a miserable state, that she was resolved to facilitate their Escape.  
But whereas the thing was almost impossible, by reason of their separation, and of the danger of coming down to the Sea, which beats against the foot of the Tower in which they were locked up; the Countess rejected the first Proposition she made to her about it, whether it were that she feared she had a mind to surprise her, or that she really thought the thing impossible.  
But the Woman persisting to assure her that she was sincere, the Countess found an Expedient to acquaint the Earl therewith; and he to let her know that he would neglect nothing on his side to improve this favourable Occasion, insomuch that the Countess having made Sails with her Sheets, while the Earl made Oars with some of the Wooden-Bars of his Dungeon, with so much Industry, that he could conceal them in his Clothes, and yet make as good a use of them as if they had been larger; and having also made a kind of Ladder with the remainder of his Sheets and some old Ropes, they employed it so well that with the assistance of the said Woman who lay in the Countess' Dungeon, they got down to the foot of the Tower, and going along the Strand they found a little Boat, in which they entered; and having fixed their Sails and Oars, they did commit themselves with Joy to an Element, which seemed to them less barbarous than the Governor.  
But whether the aforesaid Woman thought them safe, or that the fear of being punished by the Governor made an impression upon her mind, she acquainted him with the Evasion of the Count and Countess.  
The day was half spent, and they were already got upwards of four Miles from the place whence they put out to Sea, without having met with the least Accident, when the Governor, who could not imagine how they had made their Escape, getting on board a Sloop, with some Soldiers, made so much haste that the Earl and the Countess were retaken by that Barbarian, who had so much Brutality in his first Transport, as to give the Earl, nay even the Countess, several Bastinadoes; and after having fettered them like Slaves, he carried them back to their Dungeons, and immediately dispatched an Express to the King of Denmark to acquaint him therewith.  
Soon after this the King sent Count Rantzaw to visit them, who was their Capital Enemy, and did at that time enjoy Count Vlfeld's Place; but when he came into his Dungeon, he did not know him, by reason of the Alteration which the ill treatment he had received during fifteen Months had occasioned in him, and the ill Clothes which he was covered with. Insomuch that enquiring of him where Count Vlfeld was, whereupon the Earl answering that he was the Person, though he was his Enemy, he could not forbear weeping, and to appear sensibly concerned: But when this first motion, which Horror and Pity had excited in his Soul, was over, Hatred resuming the place it had held there so long, he told Count Vlfeld with an imperious Tone, That he came from the King to tell him that he should petition his Majesty to obtain his Liberty; and that of the Countess his Wife. The Earl having desired Pen, Ink and Paper in order thereunto, which was granted him; after he had written the said Petition he delivered it to Count Rantzaw; but he pretending that it was not submissive enough, because he would force Count Vlfeld to write another, the draught of which he had brought from Copenhaguen, he told him disdainfully, giving him the said Draught, That the only way to obtain his Liberty, was to write thus.  
The Earl observing that they obliged him, in the said Draught, to beg pardon for several Crimes which he had never thought on, far from having committed them, told Count Rantzaw, That he could never resolve to sign it, especially because the Countess his Wife was included in it, who was only a Prisoner because she loved him with too much Tenderness: but though this would have prevailed with a Generous Mind to desist from such an Unjust Prosecution; he persevered during six Weeks time he tarried in Bornholm in the resolution of obliging the Count to sign it by Force or good Will.  
But at last being tired with Count Vlfeld's resistance, he told him haughtily, That unless he signed it, he should lose his Head, as well as the Countess, without any Trial. Count Vlfeld who had never known what it was to fear Death, would freely have submitted to it, rather than to sign, had not the Love he had for the Countess withheld him: But this great Man finding that his resistance put her Life in danger, suffered far greater Torments in the Conflict he had within himself, than those which are endured by Death; for his great Courage having forsaken him, he remained long speechless, and it was with a great deal of trouble and grief he asked Count Rantzaw at last, what Crimes he had committed to be punished thus, and why they were not brought to their Trial according to the Laws of the Kingdom?  
Count Rantzaw, who was no great Politician, being surprised at this Question, made no other Answer to Count Vlfeld, but that he ought to remember that he had been engaged under the King of Sweden, and that notwithstanding the General Pardon, he should be punished: To which he answered, That it was a Violation of the Law of Nations; at which Count Rantzaw flew into such a Passion, that after having said many things to him which he durst not have thought at another time, he left Count Vlfeld in his Dungeon, and went back to Court.  
The only advantage they received by Count Rantzaw's Visit was, that at his return their Governor was changed, in whose room the King sent Colonel Skroder, whose Moderation and good Nature allayed their Affliction so much, that notwithstanding they did still remain in the same Dungeons, they did not suffer near so much by it, because he took care to visit them, and to allow them whatever they stood in need of Some Months being spent thus, Skroder received Orders from Court, to put his Prisoners at Liberty, provided they would sign a Paper which was sent to him: he thinking that this would be● very welcome piece of News to the Earl, immediately repaired to him, and told him with great Civility, That i● would be his own fault if he was not soon at Liberty, since a Ship was see 〈◊〉 from Copenhaguen for them. The Ea●● desiring time to read the Paper which he had brought him, and to answer it, the Governor withdrew and told him, That he did allow him the remainder of the Day to think seriously upon it. But whereas the Title of the said Paper was a Reversion, the Count was seized with dread and horror at it, and indeed it was not without reason, since it was indeed the most Cruel Reversion that Fortune could ever cause; it did not only oblige him to renounce the Propriety of several Estates, to the value of upwards of Three Millions; to abandon his Places, his Goods, his Debts, and his best Jewels; but that which was more cruel than all this, it did oblige the Countess to renounce the Title and Arms of Countess of Sleswick, and of Holstein, which the late King Christian her Father had given her; and finally it made the General Pardon contained in the Treaties of Peace void, in relation to Count Vlfeld and his Successors. The next Day, whilst the Earl was reading this strange Reversion, the Governor came in without being seen by him, who observing that he still remained in the same posture, said to him, Well, Sir, what are you resolved to do? To die, said the Earl, turning briskly about, rather than sign a thing which is far more cruel than Death; neither indeed can I live much longer, considering the ill Treatments I have received from your Predecessor; and I should purchase a Liberty which I cannot enjoy with Honour, at too dear a rate.  
But whereas the Countess Eleonora is as much concerned in this business as myself, be pleased to carry this Paper to her, and to tell her, That I find the Conditions of it so harsh and so crew that I will never sign it unless it be considerably softened.  
This honest Gentleman, who was very much concerned at the unjust Sufferings of those Illustrious Persons, went straight to the Countess, to whom he related the Earl's Resolution. After she had examined the said Writing very seriously for some hours, she told the Governor, returning it to him, That she was very much troubled at it; but that she would approve whatever the Ear did in such a dismal Conjuncture. The following Day Skroder went to the Ear again, and having entreated him, with Tears in his Eyes, speedily to take his Resolution, because he could tarry n● longer: The Earl answered, That he found that Writing so shameful for al● his Family, that he had rather expect the utmost Effects of his Enemy's Cruelty in his Dungeon, than resolve to sign so Infamous a thing: And adding to all this, what he had already said to Count Rantzaw, That he wondered they did not bring him to his Trial, in order to seize all his Estate by a lawful Confiscation; the Governor told him, That he had Orders to send back the Ship and the Writing, in case he made the least difficulty to sign it, and therefore that he had no more time to lose. But whereas the Count alleged still new Reasons for which he could not do it; the Governor told him, That unless both he and the Countess did sign it, he was afraid the Court would finally resolve to put them to Death.  
This Discourse reminding the Earl of what Count Rantzaw chanced one Day to say to him in the heat of their Contestations, That the Court had been ready more than once to send a Warrant for their Execution in Prison; it made him reflect more seriously upon it, and he desired the Governor to allow him a little time more to confer with the Countess about it, which was granted him.  
It was then about Noon, and the Wether was so calm, that the Earl coming close to the Grate of his Window, he called the Countess, who heard him instantly, because they never failed to speak to one another when the Winds, which are high in that Country, allowed them so to do.  
The Countess desiring to know his Pleasure, and the Earl saying, Must we die, or sign what you have read? The Countess who understands, and speaks several Languages, replied immediately in these Latin Verses, 
Rebus in adversis sacile est contemnere mortem,  
Fortius ille facit, qui miser esse potest.  It is easy to despise Death in Adversity, but he shows most Courage who can suffer Misery.  
The Earl who admired the force and presence of her Mind, and who was sensible that had not the Maxims of Christianity withheld her, she would undoubtedly have done, what the Roman Aria did under the like Misfortune, ask her again, Whether this was all she had to say? the Countess added this other Verse, Accidit in puncto, quod non speratur in anno. That may happen in a moment which we could not expect in a Year: And told the Count that this was her Opinion. But the Earl not being able to apprehend whence she could have this glimmering, or this point of hope, as she called it, in so evident a despair of their Fortune, they being locked up in Dungeons, their Family dispersed and wandering, from whom all manner of Subsistence was taken away; he remained long speechless, without resolving on what he was to do. But at last he fancied there was something supernatinal in this, and according to that beam of Hopes, which the Countess darted out like a Flambeau to light him, he w●it and signed this Reversion, which he gave to the Governor, for the Countess to do the same, which she did accordingly.  
It is difficult to express the Joy those Illustrious Captives felt, to see themselves out of their Dungeons, and the Tenderness they expressed to each other on this occasion: I shall only say, that after having been long without being able to utter one word by reason of the Agitation which Grief and Love had excited in their Hearts; the Tears which they shed for their Misfortune, succeeded their Silence: And finally after having embraced each other tenderly, they did exhort one another to bear their Disgrace in such moving words, that the bystanders seemed no less afflicted than themselves.  
Night being come, they were embarked in the Ship I have mentioned, where they were strictly guarded by twenty Musqueteers, until their Arrival at Copenhaguen, where they were conducted to Count Rantzaw's House, in an Apartment prepared on purpose for them. The following Day about Ten at Night, the Count did visit them, and told them from the King, That his Majesty having thought fit to change something in the Reversion they had signed; he did command them to make another, to seal it with their Seals; and to date it from Copenhaguen, which they did, though they were sensible that it was only done to persuade the Public, that they had done it without being forced to it.  
But after this, Count Rantzaw having again proposed an Oath of Fidelity to be signed by them, which was conceived in strange terms; Count Vlfeld could not forbear telling him, It was a very useless thing, since that considering the Condition to which his Ill Fortune had reduced him, he might more reasonably be reckoned among the Dead than the Living.  
Count Rantzaw who was pleased to insult over him, putting himself in a Passion, told him disdainfully, That unless they did sign it, they should be carried back to Bornholm, where they should perish in their old Dungeons; insomuch that the Earl not daring to make the least Reply to that cruel Threatening, signed whatever he pleased.  
But notwithstanding the Earl and the Countess had bought their Liberty at the rate I have mentioned, they could not enjoy it, and they were confined in the Isle of Funen until new Orders.  
The only Favour that was granted them, was to carry their Family along with them, and to dispose of the Income of the Estate of Ellensburg, which was worth about Twelve Thousand Livers per Annum, which the King allowed them for their Subsistence.  
This Violation of Faith will undoubtedly seem strange to every body, and indeed it shocks Divine and Humane Laws: Nevertheless considering the then state of Affairs, the King was obliged in Policy to behave himself thus, and I should freely excuse all the other Persecutions Count Vlfeld has met with, if they had had as reasonable a foundation according to the Maxims of State. The King had a mind to make his Kingdom Hereditary: Count Vlfeld by his Merit, and by his Resentment, was the only Man capable to oppose it, had he been at liberty; because he had abundance of Relations and Friends who durst not express their good Will towards him, but who would certainly have sided with him at that time, as well as most of the Nobles. Therefore it was the King's Interest not to release Count Vlfeld in order to prosecute his design, which I will now give you a short account of. All the World knows that the last Wars between Sweden and Denmark had exhausted the last in all Respects to that degree, that the People was reduced to the utmost extremity of Misery; especially the third Estate, the Nobles being excused from all manner of Impositions, which excited a mortal hatred in the Commons against them: The Nobles were also very much humbled for want of a Head to lead them, and to assert their Privileges, by which the Kings were kept in awe, and the Peasants like Slaves.  
John Nansen, first Burguemaster of Copenhaguen, a Man of sense, very rich and daring, and who did absolutely govern the Citizens, conceived the generous Design to free the People from Slavery, by making the Kingdom Hereditary. But whereas the said Design required a great deal of Prudence and of Speed, and that he could not manage it alone, he discovered it to John Swaning Bishop of Copenhaguen, his Friend, who by his Merit and his Eloquence had acquired as much Credit over the Clergy, as he had over the Third Estate.  
These two Men acting with great Secrecy on their respective sides, disposed all things so well, that they secured the Votes of the Chief of the Clergy and of the Citizens, to whom they promised Rewards suitable to the Services they should receive from them: But whereas they had not a sufficient access to the King, they discovered their Secret to Christopher Gabel, a Man whom Fortune had raised above the Common, and made him Favourite to Frederick, who undertook nothing without his Advice. Gabel was over joyed to find so favourable an Occasion to signalise his Zeal towards the King, and to be revenged of the Imperious Humour of the Nobles, who often upbraided him with his Extraction.  
Therefore having confirmed Nansen and Swaning in their Resolution, they held several secret Conferences together about this Affair; and whereas the Necessities of the State obliged the King shortly to convene the Assembly of the Estates of the Kingdom; notwithstanding that according to the ancient Custom of the Kingdom, the said Assembly was to be held in the Isle of Funen; Gabel told the King, that for several important Reasons, which his Majesty would approve of, it was necessary to hold it at Copenhaguen, which was resolved upon notwithstanding the Resistance of the Nobles.  
The Overture thereof being made, Nansen and Swaning repaired to the Castle, where Gabel tarried for them: As soon as they came into the King's Chamber, Gabel told his Majesty, that they had a Business of great consequence to impart to him, and that in order thereunto it was necessary to give him a secret Audience: whereupon every body was ordered to retire, and Nansen, Swaning and Gabel, being by themselves with the King, Nansen told his Majesty in few words, That the great Authority of the Nobles was the only cause of all the Disorders of the State, because the Counsels which depend on many commonly prove useless, either by reason of their delays, or because they are seldom kept secret.  
Moreover that the Citizens and the Country People being no longer able to maintain all the Expenses of the State alone, without having the least share in the Administration of Affairs, they were resolved for the Common Good to make the Kingdom Hereditary, to the end that all the Authority being invested in one Person, which is the most perfect Form of Government, every Man might hope to be advanced by his Majesty according to his Merit.  
The King being extremely surprised at this Proposition, told Nansen that he looked upon it as a thing impossible, and that in case they did undertake it, it would cost them their Heads, without his being able to hinder it: That he did not think fit to venture any thing, by reason of the fatal Consequences that Affair might be attended with. Nansen replied boldly, That things were brought to that pass, that they must either go through; or resolve to die; that they were certain of the good Will of the Clergy, and of the People, and that they only begged his Majesty's Approbation, and would take all the rest upon themselves. The King between Fear and Hope, having told them that he abandoned all to their Conduct, retired into his Closet, in expectation of that Revolution, which did astonish all Europe, and secure two Crowns to his Posterity.  
Nansen and Swaning, being persuaded that they should be well rewarded, retired very well satisfied, to give Orders for the execution of their Design. As they were crossing the Bridge of the Castle to go to the Chancery, they met Otho Krag, Knight of the Order of the Elephant, and Minister of State, who observing something extraordinary in their Looks, stopped them haughtily, saying, Whence come you? I see that you are caballing; but take heed, and so showed them the blue Tower with his hand, as if he designed to give them to understand that they should be locked up there: To which Nansen and Swaning barely answered, we shall see, and continued their way.  
That very Afternoon the Estates being assembled, the King desired them to consider of some Means to sustain the extraordinary Expenses of the State. The Nobles excused themselves from contributing towards it, alleging their Privileges, which freed them from all sorts of Impositions: The Clergy also alleging theirs, and the Commons declaring that they would no longer pay any Duties unless the others also contributed towards them, they broke up, so much exasperated against each other, that Nansen and Swaning, who had promoted these Disputes, seeing their Friends very well disposed, Nansen put the Citizens under Arms, and Swaning having assembled the Deputies of the Clergy, they prevailed with these two Estates to offer the King the Hereditary Sovereignty of the Kingdom; and without losing time they besieged the Nobles in their Houses, threatening to destroy them unless they gave their consent thereunto.  
The Nobles being surprised at this bold Proposition, which destroyed their Authority, endeavoured to make some resistance; but the Citizens persisting in their Resolution in a manner which made them sensible that they would get nothing by force, they desired time until the next Day, which was granted them.  
The People kept to their Arms all the Night, and Nansen shut the Gates of the City, and placed Guards in the chief parts thereof, so that by break of Day the Nobles were summoned to give in their Declaration.  
Accordingly Fourteen of the Chief among them gave it in the form desired by the two Estates, and having sealed it with their Seals, Nansen and Swaning with the other Deputies carried it to the King, who did not expect so favourable an Event.  
But the said Declaration not being thought full enough, the Nobles were summoned in the King's Name to make it more positive: The City-Gates remained close all the while, and finally the Nobles finding that there was not Medium, and that unless they did grant the King's desire, they would be exposed to the fury of the People, whose hatred they were not ignorant of, in that extremity they did consent to grant the King, and his Successors the Hereditary Sovereignty of his Kingdoms; and the Three Estates having signed the Act, they went together to present it to Frederic, and did submit all their Privileges to him, to dispose of them at his pleasure.  
The King received them very graciously, and having promised to use them kindly, he made them hope for a happier Reign than they had enjoyed till then: After which the Royal Family repaired to the Cathedral Church there to sing Te Deum, where Swaning complemented them at the Door, with an Eloquence which procured him the Esteem of all his Auditors.  
The Public Ceremony was deferred for two days longer; a Theatre was erected, on which the King, the Queen, the Princes and Princesses their Children being conducted, the King being seated on a Throne under a rich Canopy, the Chancellor made a Speech to the People about the Behaviour they were to observe under this new form of Government, and about the Oath they were to take to the King and his Children.  
After which the Nobles, the ecclesiastics, and the People, having taken the Oath of Allegiance, the whole City expressed a world of Joy, insomuch that the Danes seemed to have lost the remembrance of their past Miseries; which shows what power Novelty has over men's Minds, who always hope by Revolutions, either to ease their Afflictions, or to satisfy their Ambition.  
The King would also needs make a Public Feast for every body; but, whereas the Nobles were at the charge of it, it was observed that most of them did not come to it, and that among those that did, some refused to eat, so that the Clergy and the Citizens only expressed their Joy and Satisfaction at it: It lasted some Days, after which the City-Gates were opened to every body.  
Thus the whole State was altered in less than a Fortnight by the Conduct and Resolution of Nansen, Swaning and Gabel. The King in order to reward them for that great Service, erected the Church of Copenhaguen into an Archbishopric in favour of Swaning, and augmented the Revenue thereof proportionably.  
His Majesty made Nansen first Precedent of the Senate and Bourgrafe, which signifies Earl or Chief of the Burghers, and gave him as well as to Gabel several considerable things. And whereas the Burgermasters had also contributed considerably towards this great Revolution, the King gave them the Enjoyment of the Territory of Rotskild, which is worth upwards of a hundred thousand Livers per Annum, and granted the Inhabitants of Copenhaguen several great Privileges, and among the rest the power of possessing Fiefs; which till then had only been allowed to the Nobility.  
During these Transactions, Count Vlfeld and all his Family were at Ellensburg in Funen, where he endeavoured to recover his Health, which was strangely impaired by the Ill Treatment he had received at Bornholm; no longer concerning himself with the Affairs of the World. Neither was he moved in the least when he heard this Overthrow of all the Ancient Privileges of the Nobility, for the preservation of which, at Frederick's Election he had incurred his hatred, and had since been exposed to all his Misfortunes: And in order not to leave the King the least suspicion of his preserving any Resentment, he begged his leave to go to Spa, there to take the Waters, which was granted him.  
Accordingly Count Vlfeld and the Countess Eleonora, with all his Family left Ellensburg, to go into the Low-Countries, where after having seen several Towns, the Earl finding that the Air at Bruges did agree better with him than any other, he resolved to stop there. The Earl had not been there above six Months, when he was informed that Colonel Fowlk (that Cruel Governor who had used him so barbarously in his Prison at Bornholm) was come there to visit his Relations; but whereas his Indisposition did not permit him to call him to an account, the Earl acquainted his Eldest Son therewith, who was at the Academy at Paris, who taking Post immediately, being fired with a generous desire to revenge his Father's Wrongs, made so much haste, that he reached Bruges on the very day Fowlk was to go away from thence; so that meeting him in his Coach, he attacked him alone amidst all his Servants, and killed him, without being wounded.  
This aught to teach those who have Employments, not to abuse their Authority; and above all to keep within the bounds of respect towards Persons of Quality in Affliction; this bold Action met almost with a general Approbation at Copenhaguen: The most Judicious and those who were not influenced by Count Vlfeld's Enemies, praised the Son's Courage for having undertaken it. But whereas the King was still afraid of the Earl, his Enemies improved that occasion to raise a new Crime against him, and persuaded his Majesty maliciously, that he would never have ventured to revenge himself thus, had he not been sure of the Protection of some Potent Prince. The King's Natural Timorousness, being joined to the Discontents of several Noblemen who had a mind to take Arms, made Frederick resolve to ruin Count Vlfeld absolutely; and the better to colour the said Resolution, they accused him of having made Offers to the Elector of Brandenburg, to dethrone the King, and to invest him with his Crowns; which was a thing he had not so much as thought on, and yet this was the last pretence of his Persecutions, as it will appear by the Sequel.  
Some Months after Fowlk's Death, Count Vlfeld desired the Countess Eleonora to go into England, there to demand a considerable Sum which was due to him. This Generous Lady, who had no stronger application in the World, than to share all her Husband's Misfortunes, seeing him overwhelmed with Sickness, made no difficulty of undertaking that Journey, and without considering whether the consequences of it would prove favourable to her or not, she set out towards London. The King who was gloriously restored at that time in his Kingdoms, and who had gone through many Misfortunes himself, being thereby the more inclined to pity others, received the Countess with all the Civility and Respect imaginable; and his Majesty being informed of the Subject of her Journey, ordered his Ministers to give the Countess speedy satisfaction, in such an obliging manner, that she had reason to believe, she should not tarry long for her Payment.  
But finding, after a Month's stay, that the Ministers still put her off from day to day, and not being able to appear at Court with all the Grandeur due to her Birth, she thought she could tarry there no longer without shame, insomuch that she resolved to return to the Earl her Husband, and so took her leave of the King, who used her as civilly at her Departure, as he had done at her Arrival, expressing a great deal of concern at her not being paid.  
The Countess went back for Dover again, where she arrived the second day, in hopes of going back for Flanders, but she was strangely surprised when being got on Board to continue her Voyage, she was seized by a Danish Captain, who carried her to Copenhaguen. As the Countess did not expect this Usage, that new Misfortune affected her more sensibly than all the rest had done; for though she had ever appeared Invincible, she then abandoned herself so much to her Grief, that all those who saw her were moved with Compassion. But whereas her Tears were useless, she desired Pen, Ink and Paper, and making a Generous Effort over her Grief, she writ the following Letter to the Earl.  

The Countess ELEONORA, to Count ULFELD.  
THE Misfortune which is befallen me, not having been foreseen by either of us: I do not doubt, Sir, but it will afflict you more sensibly than all those we have already undergone, since you are not to share it with me, and that our Separation was the only thing that could exhaust our Constancy. Yes, my dear Husband, I ever thought myself above Grief and Fortune, while I suffered with you, because your Courage supported my Weakness, and that I found wherewith to comfort myself in your Conversation. But since I am now forced away for Denmark, contrary to the Law of Nations, and all that is most sacred in the World, I find that I am no longer Invincible, and that our Enemies have found my Foible. It is neither the fear of a Dungeon, nor the sight of our Enemies that makes me tremble; I am too much used to the unjust Effects of their Rigour to dread them. But when I think that I shall never see you more, that Cruel Thought creates such Violent Transports in me, that I should willingly resign my Languishing Life to have the pleasure of taking my last leave of you. Alas! Sir, how weak is Reason, when Love opposes it? And how useless is Wisdom, when Tenderness possesses a Heart? 'Tis vain to say, That we ought to arm ourselves against the worst Events; That we must bear them patiently, and put ourselves above the reach of Fortune: those Precepts make no impression upon a tender Soul, when it loses what it loves, and when it has much knowledge, it only serves to authorise our Tears instead of stopping them. However though I now confess to you, that that Constancy which you have so often commended in me, has left me on a sudden; and that in losing you, I condemn myself to weep the remainder of my Days, for the only Loss that could afflict me: It is not reasonable that you should imitate me, and that you should shed continual Tears, to the remembrance of my Misfortune. Great Men are not forbidden to shed Tears, but they must be sparing of them, or rather they must stifle them to preserve the Opinion the World has of their Courage. Every body knows that you have born your Misfortunes without showing the least alteration of Mind, and that you looked upon them rather as a Subject to exert your Virtue, than as a Subject to grieve. Why then, Sir, should you forfeit such a Noble Reputation, because I am fallen into my former Chains again? No, no, Sir, I love you too well to suffer you to make such a breach to your Glory; and provided you lock up all your Grief for my Misfortune within your Heart, 'tis all I desire. Therefore do not sigh at the News of my Captivity, all our Children are with you; and if it be true that nothing on Earth is more capable to persuade than Example, teach them betimes to bear their Ill Fortune patiently, since it is the only Good you can do them in your present Circumstances: Embrace them all for my sake, lest a long Absence should blot me out of their Memory; use them to name me often, that they may remember I am their Mother: But above all things be persuaded that I will never do any thing unworthy of my Birth, nor of our Friendship; and that though our Enemies have found the way to part us for ever, they cannot hinder me from Dying your Faithful Partner.  
ELEONORA.  
The Countess had hardly made an end of her Letter, when the Captain came to tell her that it was time to go; so that losing all hopes of Deliverance, she called for Daranda that faithful Squire, and after having shed many Tears, she took a Bracelet of Diamonds from her Arm, and gave it him with the Letter: Here said she, deliver this to my Husband, and desire him to remember me, and to take care not to fall into the hands of our Enemies like me; and above all things to bear this new Misfortune with the same Courage he has born all the rest. Ending these Words she went into the other Ship, and Daranda who dreaded the like Misfortune for his Master, went back to him with as much speed as if he had had good News to carry to him.  
At his Arrival at Bruges, he found this Illustrious Infortunate in his Closet reading some Letters he had received from Copenhaguen, where in notice was given him that being anew accused of several Crimes, especially for the Death of Colonel Fowlk, and of keeping Correspondence with the Elector of Brandenburg, he had been condemned that very day to suffer exquisite Torments, and that Mon were in search of him to execute the same on his Person, as they had done on his Effigies.  
As soon as the Count saw Daranda, he imagined by the trouble which appeared in his Countenance, that he brought him some Tidings yet more vexatious than those he had already received: Therefore as king him where the Countess was, instead of answering he only showed him the Letter and the Bracelet, not being able to utter one word: After the Earl had read the Letter, he only said, Good God, when will you cease to afflict me? Then sunk down in a Chair, where he remained upwards of half an hour without any motion.  
Nevertheless as soon as he recovered out of this Swoon, he read the Countess' Letter over again with great Attention, and having ordered Daranda to prepare his Equippage to go away the next day, he applied himself with great Tranquillity on his side to order his Affairs.  
The following day all things being ready, he went away towards Basle in Switzerland, where he remained four or five Months almost always sick, without discovering himself.  
As for the Countess she was conducted to Copenhaguen with Civility enough, which put her in hopes that they had better Sentiments towards her at Court than before; but she was no sooner landed, but Colonel Allefeld came to receive her, and carried her to the Tower of the Castle, where she was locked up with a poor Woman to wait upon her.  
That which is most surprising is, that some Persons having told her, in order to discover her thoughts concerning her Husband, that he was also secured, she looked into her left Hand, and answered, that it was not true, but that he would not live long.  
And indeed as the King was still afraid that Count Vlfeld should disturb him about the new Revolution of his State, which had disobliged all the Nobility, Frederick omitted no means to secure him: And several Persons were in search of him, wherever they thought they could hear from him.  
So that upon a false Report which was spread at Basle, that there were Persons in search of the Count, though he was very ill, he put himself at Night in a small Vessel on the Rhine, in order to repair to Brisac where he thought he should be safe.  
But that Infortunate Earl had hardly travelled ten Leagues, before the great Cold penetrated his dying Body, which was deprived of Natural Heat: and thus he ended that Languishing Life, which his Enemies had so often endeavoured to snatch from him by their Injustices, without being assisted by his Children, and by his ancient Servants, whom he had sent away in the Morning by different Roads.  
Thus died Cornifix Count of Vlfeld, about threescore Years of Age, leaving three Sons Successors of his great Virtues, of whom the Eldest who turned Roman Catholic, has applied himself to the Queen of Sweden's Service. The second is Knight of Maltha, and the third lives in England, who is one of the most Accomplished and most Learned Gentlemen in Europe.  
All those who have known Count Vlfeld grant, that he was one of the greatest Men of his Time, and that had it not been for his Ambition to make himself King, after the Death of Christian his Father-in-law, he would have been the happiest Lord of the North: But though some Historians that are ill informed, or have been bribed by his Enemies, have accused him of Treason, and of being guilty of all the ill Successes which his Brother-in-Law Frederick has met with in his last Wars, I hope the World will judge more equitably, since he has done nothing but what the Laws of the Country allowed him to do. And finally let no body accuse me of having made a Panegyric instead of writing an History. I grant, that the late King Christian having publicly expressed the small Value he had for Prince Frederick his Son, and that the Nobles not being able to accustom themselves to the Imperious Humour of the Princess his Wife of the House of Lunenburg, perhaps by reason of their Antipathy with the Germans, Count Vlfeld being persuaded by the Countess Eleonora, (who had had some particular falling out with the Princess her Sister-in-Law) had some thoughts of making himself King, instead of Prince Frederick, and took some measures in order thereunto: But besides that that was very excusable in a Man like him, some Nobles having proposed the Exclusion of Prince Erederick, Count Vlfeld who was an admirable Politician, finding his measures broken, and being sensible that he was not powerful enough to maintain a Civil War alone, wisely turned the Scales, and caused Prince Frederick to be elected on conditions which made him share his Authority, under pretence of preserving the Privileges of the Nobility, of which he was the Head, by virtue of his Place of Great Master. But if Frederick had reason to complain of Count Vlfeld on this Account, he also failed on his side, by giving too much Credit to the Calumny of Dina and of Walter, which he should have examined better before he undertook to seize Count Vlfeld and the Countess Eleonora, since in Prudence and true Policy he ought to have destroyed them quite, or to have dissembled all.  
So that we may affirm that Frederick committed a great fault against his own Interest, and that Count Vlfeld showed, by taking the King of Sweden's part, that he knew how to resent the Injuries he had received like a Man of Sense and Courage.  
But whereas the Queen was at the Head of Count Vlfeld's Enemies, and that she absolutely governed Frederick, who was easy and timorous, she followed the first motions of her Passion. In fine the Earl was too Rich, and had too many Friends, which are Crimes hard to be justified: And indeed that was the real cause of all his Misfortunes, and of those of the Countess Eleonora, who is still a Prisoner.  
FINIS.    

A SUPPLEMENT TO Count ULFELD'S LIFE,  
The Preface.  
Courteous Reader,  
THOUGH I was acquainted many Years since with the Truths contained in the foregoing curious and useful Treatise, especially in what relates to the violent and unjust Persecutions and Calumnies raised against those Heroical Persons, Count Ulfeld and his Lady, mentioned in the same, I never put Pen to Paper before, to give the World an account thereof, and perhaps had not done it now, had not the said Treatise accidentally and unexpectedly fallen into my hands, by the means of a Person with whom I was privately discoursing about these Tragedies, which made me sensible that the World was already better acquainted therewith than I imagined. Whereupon banishing all Fears, and not valuing the hatred which I am sonsible Truth creates against those who are zealous for it, who are lovers of Justice, and who are concerned for those who are unjustly oppressed, defamed and persecuted; I thought, fit both for the Glory of God, and for the instruction of others, to put the said Treatise into English, it being very scarce in French, as also to induce the English Nation, by making a due reflection on the Transactions of remote Countries, as well as their own, to be the more grateful towards God, and to bless him for the happiness of living now under a King who is a zealous promoter of Piety and Justice, abhorring Oppression and Violence, discountenancing Vice and Baseness, lest they should provoke God to give them such Rulers as they have already partly experienced, and such as are mentioned in the foregoing Treatise.  
The Additions I now design to make to the same, will consist in these three Heads.  
First, An Extract of some of the main Points of Count Ulfeld's Apology against the last Calumnies raised against him, written in French by himself a little before his Death, a Copy whereof is come to my hands.  
Secondly, The Relation of the treacherous Proceed against Doctor Otho Sperling a dear Friend of the said Count Ulfeld.  
Thirdly, A short Account of the Countess of Ulfeld's being put out of the Prison of Copenhaguen: All which I entreat you to accept as kindly as I offer it to you, and to excuse the plainness of my Style, which I look upon to be most suitable to Truth.   

A SUPPLEMENT TO Count ULFELD's LIFE.  
FIRST, As to the Count's Apology written in French by himself a little before his Death, and sent to a particular Friend of his to be perused by him, in order to the publishing thereof, which doubtless would speedily have been performed, had it not been deferred by his sudden Death mentioned in the foregoing Treatise, as well as upon the account of some particular Considerations relating to the imprisoned Countess and Doctor Sperling. The main Heads whereof I shall here insert with all the candour and sincerity imaginable, and in as few words as possible.  
First, He complains of the illegal Proceed of his Enemies, contrary to the usual behaviour of Christians, in condemning him upon pretended Accusations, without summoning, or admitting him to make his defence; nay, which is worst, for their passing a Sentence of Condemnation upon him, before his being acquainted with the said Accusation: From which he infers as a main argument of his Innocence, that it was a mere contrivance and invention of his Enemies, absolutely to ruin him and his Family, and as great a Calumny as those mentioned in the foregoing Treatise, of which he was absolved by his Judges; and therefore that his said Enemies foreseeing the like success, and confusion to themselves, in case he should be allowed to make his Defence, resolved to go another way to work by force and violence, but still under pretence of some groundiess Accusations in order as aforesaid absolutely to ruin him, concluding that he and his Lady being once destroyed, their Malice and Wickedness would be buried in Oblivion, and they freed from the public Censures they now lay privately under, and are ashamed of.  
He shows withal that their insatiable Covetousness, and desire to possess his and his Lady's vast Estates, under some lawful pretence, had no small share in their said Contrivances and Calumnies.  
To which Reasons we may add that which is alleged by the Author of the foregoing Treatise, viz. Their Apprehension of Count Vlfeld's just Resentment and Revenge for all their unjust and violent Proceed against him; to prevent which they judged it necessary, to forge the said Calumny, in order to destroy him under a specious pretence to blind the World.  
Secondly, The Count proceeds further to put down and examine the grounds of so cruel a Septence, given against him and his Family, viz. He to be put to a most ignominious Death as a Traitor and a Rebel, to forfeit all his Titles, Honours and Estate, his Children to be deprived of. Honour and Estate, banished out of all the King's Dominions, with other Cruelties mentioned in the said Sentence.  

They ground their said Sentence upon the following Articles.  
1. Upon their having Informations, Advices and original Papers from Persons of a high Degree and Quality, not to be disputed.  
2. Upon the Count's having acknowledged his past Faults under his own Hand, in order to obtain a Pardon and his Freedom, and his having since despised the King's Mercy by committing new Crimes.  
3. Upon the Count's having given a Reversion under his own Hand and Seal, promising never to attempt any thing against his Majesty, or Royal Family, or against his State, or to do any thing to his Prejudice.  
4. Upon the Count's taking an Oath of Fealty to the King, which he had also given under his own Hand.  
This is all they have alleged against him to prove their Accusation; which was that he had conspired against the King of Denmark and his Royal Family, designing to introduce a new Government in his Kingdoms, by stirring up his Subjects to Rebellion, by the alsistance of Foreign Princes which they do not name.  
In conclusion they declare, That they did not summon the Count to answer to the said Accusations, because it was a Case in which no other form of Process was required, which way of proceeding was customary in many Parts.   

The Count answers the aforesaid Articles as followeth.  
First, That Informations and Writings from any Persons of whatever Degree or Quality are not sufficient prooss to conclude a Person guilty without farther Examination; witness the two former Accusations formerly made by the King of Denmark himself against the said Count, mentioned in the foregoing Treatise, viz. of designing to poison the King, and the several Crimes laid to his charge at the Court of Sweden: which Accusations tho absolutely affirmed to be true by the said King, and Count Vlfeld and his Lady's being declared Traitors to several Princes, yet neither the Council in Denmark, nor the Queen of Sweden did take for granted, but allowed them a fair Trial, in both which the Count and his Lady were found and declared Innocent. All which notwithstanding, the said King causes the same Person anew to be condemned by his own Servants and Creatures upon the like weak ground of pretended Informations, without hearing him in his own defence, and without any probable or apparent Circumstances to confirm the matter: Therefore he desires to know the necessity there was, to precipitate a Sentence in this manner, without allowing him the little time which was necessary to make his Defence, and to hear his Reasons? Were there any Soldiers in the Field at his Devotion? Were any Levies made, even of one Man, against him or the State? Can they show or name the least Officer employed in his Service, or under his Pay to serve against them or the State? Can they prove the least Correspondence held in the Country, which might really and truly prove the least thing concerning what he is accused of? Where are his Accomplices? For it is impossible to form such an Enterprise as he is accused of, without the assistance of those of the Country. He is very certain that they can never produce real proofs of a thing that never entered in his Mind, which is but a sequel of the Contrivances and Inventions of the same Cabal which had raised the former Calumnies against him, which Persons conceal themselves under divers shapes for fear of being known. But if Reason, Justice and a good Cause might plead in his defence, he would not fear to appear before the severest Judges.  
He enlarges more than the Author of the foregoing Treatise upon several particulars, relating to the first Calumny about poisoning the King (of which Trial a particular Treatise has been published in Latin, and in several other Languages.) Whereby it may appear from several Passages and Circumstances, which (says the Count) Lomit to relate in this last Apology, that some very great Persons have had a hand in it, who may be compared to certain Herbs called Noli me tangere, having only used Dina and Walter as Instruments; which (says he) are the same Persons who have maliciously invented this last Calumny, though they have endeavoured to mask themselves under the general denomination of other Persons.  
This is in short what the Count answers to the first Article of the ground of his Condemnation, with many Inlargements worth the reading; but I am of opinion that what has been said already is sufficient to convince the impartial Reader of the slightness of the first and main ground of Condemnation in a matter of such moment; which way of proceeding without summoning or admitting the Parties to make their defence, was never practised or approved of before among Christians as they seem to insinuate, though it has been used among the Turks, especially against the richer sort.  
Secondly, As to their second Article grounded upon the Count's Confession, he answers, That it was forced from him by violence, and threaten of Death against him and his Lady, with such Circumstances as are mentioned in the foregoing Treatise, and that Count Rantzaw at first only desired him to write a Petition to demand their Freedom, which the Count wrote willingly in such terms as were most proper; but that he refused for several Weeks, as appears by the said Treatise, to write any thing like a Confession of Crimes he knew himself to be innocent of.  
In consideration of which Force and Violence the Count declares the said Ground to be vain and of no force, since it is notoriously evident, that no Judge is allowed to receive or make use in any Cause or Trial, of Writings or Declarations extorted from any Person whatever by any Force or Violence, Fear or Imprisonment, to corroborate or colour any Sentence, but such Declarations and Writings are always rejected as of no force at least among Christians.  
Thirdly, As to their third Article grounded upon a Reversion, as they call it, of the Count; he declares likewise that it is of no Validity, since it was also exacted from him before; at least that part of it which they do not mention, to conceal their wicked Ends in forcing him to make the said Reversion, viz. That the Count should transfer his whole Estate to them, consisting of Lands, Jewels and Money, amounting to a very considerable Sum. Item, That the Countess should renounce her just Titles conferred on her by her Father King Christian of Blessed Memory, viz. Of Countess of Sleswick and Holstein. Item, To renounce whatever was inserted to his advantage in the Treaty of Peace. For as to that part which they mention, he answers that it has not been proved, nor ever will, that he ever attempted any thing against his Majesty or the Royal Family, since the Treaty of Peace concluded between the Crowns of Sweden and Denmark, in which he was included; and a particular Article was inserted relating to his Person and Family, his Friends and Servants, his Goods Movables and Immovables, and that the King of Denmark should restore him to the possession of all his Estate, and make reparation for all Damages; and that both himself and those belonging to him, as aforesaid, should have leave to live in any part of the Kingdom of Denmark, where they should think fit, in all security, without the least , hindrance, or molestation: And the said Treaty was ratified anew, and confirmed by the second and last Peace concluded between the two Crowns, so that they had no reason to use him ill, for having formerly been forced by their Injustices and Violences, after five Years patience and solicitation, to engage himself against them, which was the only thing Count Rantzaw could lay to his charge, when he asked him the Reasons of his and his Lady's Imprisonment; which Question the said Rantzaw accounted a new Crime, threatening him with Death in case he did persist in disputing this matter.  
He does further allege as an Argument of the nullity of the said Reversion, that the Promise made to him in the same had not been performed, viz.  
First, That all his Papers and Writings which they had seized, should be restored to him without Exception, which was not performed; but on the contrary, after they were released out of their Prison at Bornholm, and still carefully guarded by Soldiers, and after their having written and signed the said Reversion, the King caused a Trunk full of Letters and Papers of consequence to be taken from him, out of which he picked all those which were of most consequence to them and their Family, which he has never restored, according to his promise inserted in the said Reversion.  
Secondly, The said Reversion did contain, that immediately upon the writing and signing of the same, they should be put at Liberty, but private Orders were given to the Governor to the contrary, for they were still kept under a strong guard of Musketeers after it as well as before: Moreover after their arrival at Copenhaguen they remained under the same Confinement until they had also forced them to sign whatever they pleased about the alteration of the Date and Place of the said Reversion, as also about the Oath of Fealty. It is evident that pacta sunt reciproca, and that the Covenants being broken on one side, in Equity the other is no longer obliged.  
He thinks it very preposterous, that they could persuade themselves that a private Person as he was could change or alter the least thing contained in a public Treaty of Peace between two Kings. Item, That he or his Lady could alienate that which Nature had produced and ordered, viz. The Titles of Counts and Countesses of Sleswick and Holstein, belonging to his Lady and her Posterity by her Birth, as Daughter to a great King by a lawful Marriage, as the Author of the said Treatise declares, and the Count relates more at large in this Apology; and that hers as well as the King's Father had granted to all his Children of this Marriage, the said Titles and Arms, as it appears by divers Letters from his Chancery, which he caused to be written to them on several occasions, which Settlements not Monarches on Earth can reasonably alter or annul.  
The Count insists largely on the force that has been used to compel him to sign the said Reversion. As,  
1. The Resolution the Court had taken to put him and his Lady to Death in case of a refusal, which Count Rantzaw had formerly openly declared unto him, and that in a Passion too, at a time in which Men commonly speak the truth, which design was also clearly enough intimated to him by the Governor.  
2. The unheard of Cruelties the first Governor had used towards them, which the Count relates in the same manner, as has been declared by the Author of the foregoing Treatise, but more at large; and he reflects particularly upon that Barbarous and Unchristianlike Passage, in refusing to send a Minister to the Countess who was dangerously ill, to administer the Sacraments to her, and to comfort her. Which Inhumanity Count Vlfeld complaining of to Count Rantzaw, when he was sent to them, thinking it proceeded barely from the Governor's Natural Cruelty, he assured him that it was done by a particular Order from the Court.  
He enlarges very much upon the illegality of the said Reversion, and concludes at last, That no Judges hearing the Character of Christians or of honest Men, could justly ground any Sentence upon such forced Writings, all the Laws of Christianity being repugnant thereunto, because it is very easy for those who have the power and force in hand, to imprison any Person, and afterwards to compel him by Violence, Rigour and ill Usage to sign any Writing whatever, and to give it the Title of Reversion, or any other they think most proper for their purpose.  
He also reflects upon their Baseness and Trick to blind the World, by forcing them to change the date and place of the said Reversion when they were brought to Copenhaguen, and to acknowledge that they were at Liberty, and several other things which they thought fit to insert therein: Whereas they were forced the first time to write it in their hard Prison at Burnholm, and afterwards to write it over again at Copenhaguen, being still Prisoners under a strong Guard in Count Rantzaw's House, who often pointing to them used to tell him, Behold your ancient Keepers, who are ready to carry you back to Bornholm if you make the least scruple to write and sign what is required of you. All which he does protest before the Eternal God to be true.  
Fourthly, As to the fourth Article on which the Judge's ground their Sentence, alleging that since he had taken an Oath of Fealty to his Majesty and to his Royal Family, notwithstanding which he has since conspired both against him and his Crown, the said Crime made him guilty of High Treason both before God and Men.  
To this he answers as before, That they can prove no such thing against him, and that it is a mere fiction, in order to ruin him.  
Secondly, He alleges the Invalidity of the said Writing as well as of the two former, because they were all forced from him, when he was a close Prisoner under a strong Guard, Count Rantzaw threatening him as aforesaid, in case he made any scruple to sign; adding and protesting further before God, That he signed the said Papers absolutely against his Will, and without being at liberty, which if he had been, and free to dispose of himself, he would never have sworn Allegiance to Frederick, since he had already taken the said Oath to serve the Crown of Sweden, from which he could not departed to pay Homage to any other Prince; which alone would have been sufficient to hinder him from so doing, besides that he had no reason to serve a Prince who had kept and used him like a Slave, though he was born Free, and of free Parents. Moreover that Oaths extorted from any Persons can never be pleasing to, nor binding before God, but are void of themselves; neither Divine nor human Laws allowing Oaths, Reversions, Bonds, or other obligatory Writings procured by force and violence from any Persons, being under Confinement, or forced thereunto against their Wills. And if at any tiem any Judge be so wicked, and has so little Conscience as to receive and admit such Proofs, and to ground a Sentence thereupon, it is evident that he does it either out of Passion or Interest.  
He does acknowledge himself a Subject to the Crown of Sweden, and therefore hopes that Crown will protect him as a Vassal, and upon the account of the Article inserted in the Treaty of Peace in favour of him, which cannot be annihilated by violence, and by forcing him to renounce the same in writing, especially since these hardships are put upon him, as his Enemies pretend, in private, though not publicly for his having served the said Crown.  
This is an Abstract of what the Count alleges in his own defence against their unjust and ill-grounded Sentence, which he enlarges with many considerable things which perhaps might give the Reader more satisfaction; but considering the brevity to which we confine ourselves, this much may suffice to show his Innocence and the illegality of the said Sentence.  
Towards the Conclusion he examines and bewails the Hardships and Grievances put upon his dear Lady, without being any ways guilty, and how ill she was used and rewarded in England by a Party whom out of Tenderness and Compassion they had assisted with Money and Jewels in the time of their Distress and Necessity. When Count Vifeld was solicitous with Count Rantzaw in his Prison, to know the reason why they were robbed and treated so barbarously, desiring to be brought to a public Trial to be judged according to the Laws of the Kingdom, he only answered with another Question, ask him whether he did not remember that he had served the Crown of Sweden in the last Wars? To which he gave him an immediate Answer which would have satisfied an impartial Man. But when he desired to know what his Lady had done to be treated with the same rigour, and robbed of all her Jewels, Money, Goods, etc. the said Rantzaw being at a loss, replied in great Passion, that in case he did continue to criticise and to dispute thus, he would assure them that his business would be soon done, threatening him again with Death: By which it appears that they could lay nothing to her Charge, and that she only suffered upon her Husband's account; how justly let others judge. He proceeds further to satisfy the World, how ill he is rewarded for the great Service he did the King in causing him to be elected, which Election he relates at large in the same manner as it is mentioned in his Life; how he alone stood up for him against a powerful Party, and maintained that they ought to elect him, notwithstanding all the reasons they urged for his Exclusion, insomuch that he was the chief instrument to raise him to the Throne; moreover that he was the first Person that brought him the public News thereof in the Name of the two Kingdoms, and gave him the Titles of King and Majesty, as also that he placed the Crown upon his Head with the Bishops before the Altar of the Cathedral Church at Copenhaguen. He adds that he may freely and safely affirm, That had it not been for him, Frederick had never been King, which he can prove with such manifest Evidence, that were the King acquainted therewith, he would be amazed at what passed at his Election, and that it wanted but little that another was not elected in his Place.  
Before I make an end of what relates to Count Vlfeld's Person, it will be proper to instance one Passage, by which it will appear that his Enemy's hatred and animosities against him, were not extinguished even by his Death. They sent several Persons in search of his Grave, in order to unbury him and to triumph over his Body, as they had already done over his Effigies at Copenhaguen: But their Emissaries were so narrowly watched by the poor Count's Sons, that few of them came back to give an account of their Commission, insomuch that at last they were discouraged from sending any more, besides that they found it was impossible to find him out; for as soon as he died upon the Rhine, as the Author of his Life relates, the Persons to whom he did commit the care of his Body, buried him in the nearest landing Place, which his Sons being acquainted with, they repaired thither with speed, foreseeing their Enemies would send in search of him, and desired the Bishop of the place to cause him to be removed, by reason that being a Protestant it was not fit he should lie among Roman Catholics, that place being only appointed for such; upon which account this request was granted, and they together with their Father's ancient and faithful Servants, being armed, removed him on Horseback, and buried him in a place not publicly known, and thereby deceived the expectation of their Enemies. They also expected to have found their Father's remaining Treasure consisting of Jewels sewed up in his Buffcoat, but he was rifled before their Arrival, and they could never receive the least satisfaction about it, but were obliged to content themselves with the bare Buffcoat, and with the loss of the Jewels, as well as of their paternal Estate. Some Papers were found about him written in cyphers, which one of his Sons thought might be about some Secret he had often told him he would communicate to him before his Death; which he fancied might be relating to the Philosopher's Stone about the transmutation or rather separation of Metals, the rather because he found he had a Furnace in a private Chamber, where no Body was admitted, and that notwithstanding the vast Sums his Enemies had taken from him, he never was in want, but provided very handsomely for his Children abroad.  
Secondly, As to the second part of this Supplement relating to Doctor Otho Sperling, who descended from a good Family at Hamburg, famed particularly for Men of Parts and extraordinary Learning:  
He married a Lady of the Noble Family of the Schwendys, descended from the great General and Statesman, Lazarus Schwendy, so much celebrated in History, especially in that of Hungary, in whom it may be said that Mars and the Muses had made a strict alliance, he being besides his Martial Accomplishments a person of eminent Learning, as it partly appears by his writings as yet extant, and particularly by his Epistles ad Cam●● 〈◊〉 and others.  
This great Virtue and Learning of his Ancestors on both sides, Dr. Sperling did endeavour to imitate, in which he proved very successful, and was one of the most learned Men of his Age, particularly in Physic and the study of Nature, about which he held Correspondencies in several parts. Moreover he was a Man of extraordinary Integrity and Virtue, of admirable Morals, sweet and agreeable in Conversation, which Qualities gained him the hearts of all virtuous Persons, and particularly that of Count Vlfeld, whom he became acquainted with in his Travels, (which were very considerable in several parts) and by degrees did contract the strictest Friendship with him that could be expected from two Hearts equally addicted to Virtue and Knowledge. The Count was so much taken with his eminent Qualities and great Understanding, that he took him for his Companion in several Embassies, and particularly into England, in King Charles the I's time, to whom the said Count brought Ammunition, etc. on the behalf of the King his Master; at which time these two Persons were brought into an eminent danger and had an extraordinary Deliverance, being taken and imprisoned by the Parliamentarians, who passed a Sentence of Death upon them as Friends to their Enemy, for which they had prepared themselves with great Courage against the next Morning, when unexpectedly and by a singular Providence the King's Party attacked them in the Night, took the House in which they were kept Prisoners and rescued them.  
This great familiarity and friendship between the Count and Dr. Sperling, involved the last in the unjust Persecutions of the other; being tormented by wicked Men, who naturally have an antipathy to Virtue; such as Fortune by God's permission raises against his Children to try their Constancy. This these two worthy Persons, together with the Countess Eleonora, did sufficiently experience, and therefore the Count's Enemies never failed to involve Dr. Sperling in all his Concerns, and in all the Calumnies they raised against him. So that in the first Calumny about poisoning the King, they accused him of having provided the Poison, as being then the King's Physician, of which Calumny he was then as well as the Count publicly cleared, and the Accusers punished, as it is related in the foregoing Treatise. And though he was not mentioned in the last Calumny and Sentence of Treason published against the Count, yet his Enemies in order to justify their Treachery and Baseness, prevailed with the King of Denmark in a Letter to the King of Sweden, to accuse him of having kept a Correspondence with the Count In fine, after they were firmly resolved utterly to destroy the Count, and had imprisoned the innocent Countess, the only remaining Person they were jealous of, and whom they thought capable to oppose their wicked Designs, by assisting the Count with his Advice, and to discover their Villainy, was Dr. Sperling. For which reason, they put their Heads together to consider how to secure and ruin him and his Family; but whereas they were sensible that they could not obtain their End by the means of Justice, they were obliged to have recourse to Tricks and Treachery, the same means they had used before towards the Count and Countess, his Friends.  
In order hereunto they suborned a Villain and Traitor, one Hagedorn, who put their Project in execution Judas like, in the manner following. He came to the Doctor as a Stranger, pretending to have a singular Respect and Esteem for his great skill in Physic, and desired him to visit and give his Advice to a certain Friend of his, whom he pretended to be ill of a secret Disease. This good Man dreading no Surprise went along with him in a Coach to visit his said Patient: On their return, coming by a certain place where the said Hagedorn had placed another Ruffian like himself, pretending to meet him accidentally, he told the Doctor pointing to him, That that Gentleman had been a great Traveller in the Indies and other remote Parts, and that he had an extraordinary knowledge of many curious things, ask him, Whether he would allow him to take him into the Coach. Dr. Sperling, who he knew delighted to discourse with Persons of that Character, easily consented thereunto. Soon after his coming into the Coach they drew up the Glasses, the Wether being very rainy and windy; whereupon he perceived that he was betrayed and a Prisoner, and he endeavouring to call People to his assistance, though in vain, by reason of the swiftness of the motion and the great noise the Coach and the Wind made, they gagged him, in so much that he was half choked, and in this manner carried him to Gluckstat, and from thence to Copenhaguen. In the mean time the good City of Hamburg where Dr. Sperling was very much beloved, to show their abhorrence of this Villainous Action, caused the Bell of Infamy to be rung, to give all the People notice thereof, and to register the said Hagedorn in their City-Book as a Traitor. After this the Doctor's Effects in Denmark (which were very considerable) were all confiscated without any cause, and part thereof given to the said Hagedorn as a Reward for his Treachery.  
The King of Sweden was graciously pleased to take Dr. Sperling's part, he being his Subject and under his Protection, as a Member of the Chapter of Hamburg, and did highly resent and complain of this illegal Action, as well to the King of Denmark, as to other Princes, and particularly to the King of England who was Guarantée of the Treaty of Peace between the two Northern Crowns: And in answer to the King of Denmark's Letter to him, did resute the weak grounds on which the said King endeavoured to justify the said Action; one of which was, That Doctor Sperling had formerly been in his Service as his Physician, and pretending that he still was so, because he had not delivered up his Commission; answering, That his Letter of Demission (which he had obtained on honourable Terms, at his Request, after the Trial of the poisoning business) was a sufficient Discharge from any farther obligation or subjection to the King of Denmark; so that the case was not what he had been, but under whose Sovereignty, Jurisdiction and Protection he was when he was carried away from Hamburg, which is a free Imperial City: in which case the King of Denmark was obliged to act according to Jus Gentium, to the end that the Sovereignty of the Empire, and the Jus Superioritatis of the Duchy of Bremen, to which the Chapter of Hamburg does belong, might not be violated. And that since he found by the King of Denmark's Letter that the greatest and only Crime laid to Doctor Sperling's Charge, was his having kept a secret Correspondence above all others with Count Vlfeld, he desired on that account to have a particular and exact relation of all the particulars of the Crimes imputed to both, without which he could not pass a true Judgement on the nature of this dangerous Correspondence laid to Doctor Sperling's Charge. He concludes with this confidence, that the King of Denmark will be pleased to suspend all farther Proceed against the said Doctor, and to consider his Majesty's Reasons in both his Letters, and to put the Doctor at Liberty again, and send him back into that part of the Empire from whence he was taken, his Majesty promising upon his Royal Word, That in case any one has any thing to urge against the said Doctor, and shall propose it in competenti foro, he will cause Justice to be administered without any regard to any Person whatever.  
The King of Sweden received no satisfaction to this Letter (of which I have a Copy by me, from which I have taken this Abstract.) Doctor Sperling remained still a close Prisoner, neither was the matter of Fact, of the pretended Crimes alleged against him and Count Vlfeld, clearly and circumstantially communicated to him, that his Majesty might be able to judge of it; the Danes dreading the same confusion they had formerly drawn upon themselves, when they accused the said Count at the Court of Sweden, as it is related in the foregoing Treatise: which way of proceeding may chance at some time or other to kindle a War between the two Crowns, when his Majesty of Sweden (who was then a Minor, and who is a pious Prince, loving Justice and hating Oppression) comes to inspect into the said Matter, not only because Doctor Sperling as well as Count Vlfeld were under his Protection, but also because, as I am credibly informed, a particular Agreement was made between the two Crowns, That in case any Nobleman of Denmark has a just Exception to make to the said King's Sentence against him, he may appeal to the King of Sweden.  
Doctor Sperling's Children finding no Redress by their Applications in Sweden and in England, by reason of the secret Intrigues of the Court of Denmark, presented most humble Petitions to Frederick, and after his Death to the present King Christian, and also made use of the Intercession of several other Persons of Note: but nothing could prevail while the late Queen Mother to the present King was alive, as probably it might have done for him as well as for the Countess of Vlfeld, who was released soon after her Death, which affords no small scope of Contemplation, which I leave to the ingenious Reader's Consideration.  
Thus this good and innocent Gentleman was forced to end his Days in a Prison, after Seventeen Years imprisonment, which he bore with great Courage and Patience like a Christian Soldier triumphing over his Enemies, when they thought they had vanquished him. He died in the Eightieth Year of his Age, having spent the time of his Confinement as well as his former Days in Study and Contemplation; and he told a Friend of his in a Letter, That he had received greater Illuminations in Natural things, during his said Confinement, than while he lived in the World: I have also seen a Manuscript of his written in Ciphers, which he left to his said Friend, which I partly know to be a piece of great moment.  
During all the time of his Imprisonment, and many Years after it, his eldest Son, who is a Doctor in Law, and a Man of universal Learning, lived with his Sisters at Hamburg, very handsomely upon the Means that were left them, (which their Enemies had not been able to reach) even beyond what could be expected from Persons under their Circumstances and Affliction, having suffered so great a Loss, and being deprived of a Head so capable to improve their Estate, till at last some difference occurring between him and the Senate of Hamburg, on the account of some words he had uttered out of zeal to a Client of his abroad, in a Cause he had depending before the said Senate; which being displeased thereat, confined and fined him: which Affront being highly resented by him, he resolved to secure himself from receiving the like for the future; in order whereunto he thought fit to implore the Protection of some Prince, able to keep them in awe, and not having the same interest or acquaintance in Sweden (to which King it seemed most reasonable he should make his application as being his Father's Sovereign) as he had in Denmark, where he had been formerly about his Father's Affairs, he applied himself to that Court, where by the means and interest of an old Acquaintance of his, a Danish Minister, and a great Politician, he obtained the Commission and Character of Counsellor to this present King of Denmark, under which Character he continued some Years at Hamburg without any disturbance, till at last having made greater interest yet with the said King, he resolved to live at Copenhaguen, where he is also Professor of Greek, and of History, in which he does excel and has few Equals, as well as in Antiquities, and in the knowledge of Medals.  
Thus much in relation to Dr. Sperling may suffice at present.  
Thirdly, As to the third intended part of this Treatise relating to the imprisoned Countess of Vlfeld, I shall acquaint you in few words, that soon after the late Queen Mother's Death she was released out of her Prison at Copenhaguen, but is still confined in the Isle of Laland, where she must be contented to live upon a small Revenue, instead of the vast Estate that has been violently taken from her and hers.  
This great Heroine, Daughter of a great King, by a lawful Marriage, may justly be admired, and serve as an Example to the World for her Courage and Constancy amidst the greatest of Afflictions and Persecutions, having besides her first barbarous Imprisonment of seventeen Months undergone another at least of twenty four Years continuance at Copenhaguen: which may move the Compassion of all good Christians, and particularly of Christian Princes, to assist her and the Posterity of Dr. Sperling, some of which have never engaged themselves in Denmark. The Countess has outlived her greatest Enemies, which she could never have done had she not had a Spirit above the common reach, and a knowledge superior to most of her Sex. I have spoken with some, who have seen her since her being put at liberty, who do strangely admire her great Understanding and Contempt of the World. Sic 
Stat virtus repulsae nescia sordidae  
Intaminatis fulget honoribus.  
Nec sumit aut ponit secures  
Arbitrio popularis aurae.   
FINIS.