THE Second Part OF THE AMOURS OF Messalina Late Queen of ALBION. WHEREIN The Secret Court Intrigues of the Four last Years Reign are further pursued; Particularly the IMPOSTURE OF THE CHILD.  
By a Woman of Quality, a late Confidant of Q. MESSALINA.  
LONDON: Printed for John Lyford, 1689   

THE BOOKSELLER TO THE READER.  
IT cannot be denied with how much Applause the First Part of this History has been received in the World, according to the merits of it, which is in part demonstrable, from the Account most Booksellers give of their being daily importuned for the Second Part, and there having been but one Party appeared against it, viz. the Pagans of Albion, the Publisher begs to be excused for being so Dilatory in Completing this History, not being able to bring in the Seerets of the LEAGUE, the Amours of MESSALINA and Polydorus, and other Intrigues of the Gothick Court into this Part, on the account the Translator hath lain under great Indisposition of Body, for near these three Weeks past, and it was not thought advisable to interpose the stile of any other; but he being now on the mending hand, you may expect the Third Part, which Completes the whole History, with all the speed imaginable; and he hopes it will prove in this as it does in Mistresses, whose put-offs and delays in matters of possession, does but more whet on the Gallants Appetites; so that when they have once attained to Enjoyment, it becomes so Ravishing that their Lovers fancy themselves amply rewarded for all their forbearance and expectation.   

The Second PART.  
THE Pagans of Albion, had from the beginning of the Reign of Lycogenes with great assurance expected some happy, and speedy overtures for their eternal settlement in that Kingdom; Nor had Lycogenes himself been wanting in his endeavours to overrule or destroy all that pretended to oppose, or question his proceed against the Foundamental Rights of his Christian Subjects, he had already removed the most of them from all Places of Trust, and contrary to the known Laws of the Land had introduced Persons, by the said Laws incapable to Serve; he had Raised and kept up an Army composed of Mercenary's and Foreigners, not only to Terrify, but upon the first happy occasion to Oppress all that should contradict his Resolutions; he had for the first three years of his Reign, carried all things with so high a hand, that the People of Albion from the highest to the lowest, were in a strange Confusion to think of the dismal consequences that would necessarily flow from such Arbitrary Proceed: and though they had by the subtle Insinuations of a Court Party of Divines, been Poisoned with that pernicious position of Passive Obedience, yet they could not without a great deal of regret behold all the fences and enclosures of their Laws, and Libertiy's thrown down and trampled on, and be obliged to hold their Lives and Estates on so precarious Terms as the will and discretion of an Antichristian packed Council: what related to the private satisfaction of the King's humour they did with all humility, and unexpected alaerity submit and yield to, but when it was plain that the whole Kingdom was Designed and Refolved a Sacrifice, to the Interest and Ambition of a few wicked Counsellors, and a small party of Men, that had been by public Acts of the Realm declared the Inveterate and Irreconcilable Enemies of all Christians but chief of the Albionites, they then began to search into the measures of their submission, and diligently to inquire how far they were obliged to pay Obedience to the Commands of their Magistrates and Governors; and realy upon the scrutiny they plainly perceived their own weakness, and the Impositions of their Enemies, who by this subtle Doctrine had ensnared them to set their Hands to and Sign as it were their own Destruction, several of the Great and Wisest Men in the Kingdom, had been Debating on this Subject, and all concluded in an acknowledgement of their weakness in so manifestly exposing themselves and their Country to the Capricious Humours, or Tyrannical Principles that very often are found in the greatest Princes, and therefore though from their very Souls they wished all happiness imaginable to their King and Governor, yet they thought their duty stretched too far on the tenterhooks, when by a blind submission to irregular Commands they were obliged to forego the natural principles of self preservation, and that by seeking officiously to add to their Loyalty they must necessarily detract from their Judgements, Conscience, and Honesty: But Lycogenes, who by a diligent scrutiny, and long experience of the Natures of the people of Albion, (to his great satisfaction) knew how effectually the Doctrine of Nonresistance (which he and his party, with great zeal and industry had insinuated and promoted) had wrought on his Christian Subjects, thought he had laid a very sure foundation for the introduction of those Novelties and Abuses we have since had imposed on us, and was by the assiduous Instigations of his Pagan Councillors prevailed upon to resolve the total Extirpation, or at least enslaving of the Christian Heretics, as he called them, in his Dominions, and fearing that all he could do in his own life time, would be insufficient to assure and establish the Pagan Faction and Interest, unless he could find such a Successor as should confirm and strengthen what he should now begin, upon these Considerations, I say, he was easily wrought on to consent to any thing his Counsellors should propose for the benefit and establishment of Paganism in the said Kingdom, and now what more remained, than that the Priests consult and find the most convenient and speedy means to secure their own Interests to indulge Messelina's Ambition, and to sooth Lycogenes his  Zeal: Several ways were proposed, and some time spent in Arguments and Debates before they could come to a final Resolution.  
The Christians of Albion, by several Acts of their General Diets, had their Laws, their Liberties, and their Religion secured to them, and in all, or most of their Assemblies for one hundred years past, they had one or other express Law against Paganism, though none did so throughly disable and lessen their interest in Albion as that commonly called the Tests; and though some good Christian Dissenters from the Church of Albion, were therein severely included, yet they were chief intended for the discouragement and suppression of that pernicious Sect of Pagans in Albion, Lycogenes his private Counsel therefore proposed the taking away these Tests, as a necessary Preliminary for the introduction of Paganism; the Project indeed was good, but how to bring it about, was the difficulty, for besides that the general Diet would hardly be induced to abrogate those very Laws which some of them so lately had stickled for and promoted, and such Laws whereon their own and the Kingdom's security seemed more immediately to depend (the Pagan's having in all Reigns been proved the irreconcilable Enemy's and malicious designers against the peace and welfare of the Christians in Albion) besides, I say, this difficulty, they were obliged to gain the consent of Prince Anaximander and the Princess Artemisia, the Presumptive Heiress of the Crown, for the Abrogation of the said Laws, and this indeed was the great business that struck with Lycogenes, for as to what concerned the election of such Members as should serve his turn in the next General Assembly, he bid them take no care, for he was sure he could by his influence procure such persons returned as should effectually answer his utmost expectations: With all speed therefore persons are employed to negotiate with the Prince and Princess for their consent aforesaid, and to lay before them the sincerity of his Majesty's Intentions in that matter, and that his Majesty's great and only alm was for the more general accommodation of all his Dissenting Subjects, and that as their Highnesses could not believe that his Majesty would resolve on any thing to their prejudice, so he did not in the least doubt of their Highness' ready concurrence in so pious an undertaking; but alas poor Lycogenes and his Pensionary Counsel had far overshot themselves, when they believed so wise a Prince as Anaximander could beso barefacedly decoyed into an assent to a matter so necessarily and plainly prejudicial to his own and his Princess' interest, as well as to a Kingdom and People, they had reason to respect and take care of as their future loving Subjects, and present hearty Friends, they were not unacquainted with the measures Lycogenes had taken from the beginning of his Reign, so directly contrary to the Princess his Daughter's Interest, and pernicious and destructive to the Christians, and that by pure force he had already obtruded so many illegal things on his said Christian Subjects, that he wondered Lycogenes could pretend to make him or his Princess instruments of their further oppression and misery; such were the Prince's resentments, and such was the result of Lycogenes his endeavours to make him and his own Daughter Parties for the Subversion of Christianity in Albion; and now immediately a grand Gonsult is called to consider of Anaximander's resolutions, and of some other way to promote the grand concern: In the mean time Messalina had been tormenting herself with the Apprehensions of her utter disappointment; for though she had kept a constant correspondence with the Count, she could not yet perceive her affairs go on so prosperously as she had promised to herself, and the loss of so much time, to her Ambition, did very much qualify the satisfaction she received in her Amour; however tho' she had promised to repair to Art and Policy, to supply the present defects of Nature, she could not resolve to abandon the Love and Service of the Count: Nay, upon mature consideration, she concluded, that the continuation of her Amour with him, could not be any way prejudicial to the other design they were now undertaking, for supposing she should really conceive any considerable time after the feigned report of her being with Child, the absurdity of the report of this could not any way be prejudicial to the real truth of the other, the assured Birth of a Prince being all that could be expected or desired; and consequently, any reflections on the other would vanish as a mistake, which Women in such cases are very often subject to. The Marchioness de Tomazo, would daily encourage her belief of succeeding, and promised her assistance, by imparting to her a Secret to help Conception; the Queen was wonderfully pleased, even with the Flattery of the old Marron; but for fear of the worst, was resolved to have the other Project speedily set on foot, she went to the King's Apartment immediately to hear what they had resolved on, and how it was agreed to be managed, where she found the trusty Cabal in hot and close debate: She had ordered Aspasia, the Marchioness de Tomazo, & Father Pedro to be there, & Lycogenes had introduced the Count & Poliorchetes the Chief Commissioner of his Court of Conscience, having exrerienced his Fidelity in matters of the greatest importance, and had raised him to that high Station merely to be an instrument in his future undertake.  
Lycogenes upon the Arrival of the Queen arose, requiring the Company not to separate till they had wholly concluded on the means and manner of new modeling and settling the Kingdom of Albion, the Queen likewise as soon as she had seated herself commanded them to give her an account of their Proceed. Poliorchetes' the Chancellor then rising and making a profound reverence to the Queen, delivered his Opinion thus: ‛ It is not unknown, mighty Sovereign, how zealous I have been in bringing about and promoting whatsoever might be thought advantageous to your interest; nor do I now presume to recount my Services for any other purpose than to manifest my gratitude and willingness to engage again and again for ever on any action and design your Majesties, or this Honourable Board, shall think meet to prescribe; I know the wisdom of this Noble Company, cannot be wanting to appoint such Rules as shall for ever secure the Pagan interest in Albion, and satisfy your Majesty's utmost Expectation; notwithstanding since the nature of my Employments, and some years strict enquiery into the ways and Inclinations of the people of Albion, may with reason have rendered me capable of judging of the most secure, and convenient ways to deal with them. I shall not be thought vain if I presume freely, to deliver my opinion in this Matter. The Albionites where they have received Graces or Favours from their Princes, are like the wanton Ass in the Fable, ready to leap on their Master, and by the encouragement of two or three benefits, they saucily approach him with their ill natured Jests, and constantly pester him with their rude Importunities, but when too much Indulgence has rendered them Insupportable, do but show them the Rod, and like Children they shrink, and with patience submit to the Justice of your Correction; You remember their Insolence in Perkin's Rebellion, when with unbounded Blasphemy they would threaten the Safety and Honour of our Royal Master, and yet the Sword of Justice was no sooner unsheathed against them, but with horror they fly, and call even to the Mountains to cover them, you have heard with what patience they submitted to their Trials, and reproached even my Sentence with their Base Servile Sufferings, my advice therefore is to follow the example of the Great Polydorus, to get an Army of Pagans from Iberia and Gothland, and so to Dragoon them into a civil compliance, Oh! that every year would produce a Western Expedition, I'd soon rid the Kingdom of all our Antagonist's, and make every Circuit more Terrible than an Inquisition, we have too long nursed them with the Milk of our Affection, and like the profligate Israelites they grumble at their Manna, Albion has Surfeited on Ease and Prosperity, and the  can't abate but by letting of Blood, let us make a full Harvest of these  christian's (as they boast themselves) and at once root out these obstinate Disturbers of our Peac: The Queen who was naturally of a malicious sullen Temper, and who was not ignorant how stubborn and averse the Albionites were to her Interest, had heard Poliorchetes speak with a abundance of satisfaction, but being willing to hear what the rest would propose, giving thanks to the Chancellor she expected with impatience their Thoughts and Opinions. When Pedro rising up, said he could not but Applaud the Zeal and Opinion of Poliorchetes, and wished that his design could be as easily executed as proposed, that his aversion and malice to the Christians of Albion had inspired him with such desires of Revenge, that with Nero he wished they had all but one Neck, and that he among his Fraternity, did not doubt to find thousands that would strive to be their Executioner, but that to his sorrow he feared the Chancellors project, however well designed, would not be feasible, for besides the Alarm that Foreign Auxiliaries would raise throughout the Kingdom, the natural antipathy, that the Albionites had both to the Gauls, and Iberians was such, that they would incontinently rise to Repel and Destroy them, and that if those Foreigners should fail in their Attempt, the reproach of the design would be wholly thrown on Lycogenes and his Court, and that it would beget so implacable a malice in the Heart of the Albionites (who were most of them Christians) that he might justly fear a general revolt, and thereby the total ruin of the Pagan Interest in Albion for ever, his opinion therefore was, that they should rather ensnare and delude them, and so at advantage cut them off and destroy them, 'tis known said he how wonderfully our fraternity have promoted the Mahometan Interest by their subtle and secret Plots and Contrivances, have not we by fomenting and raising Divisions between the Regular and Dissenting Christians in Albion more weakened the strength of the pretended Reformadoes than ever Polydorus by his Dragoons or Contributions? Albion (with submission to the Chancellor) is not by public Hostility to be forced, they are valiant in their Natures, and stubborn in their Principles, and though the hopeful Doctrine of Passive Obedience and sweet Non-resistence has been useful unto us, and lulled them for a while, yet it may be dangerous to raise those sleeping Lions within them, lest we too late repent our overfond Credulity, and to our sorrow feel the effects of their resentments; set your Policies on work if you wish to prevail, and if you must strike, let it be in the dark; we all of us know we are sick, and out of order, but few of us consider the root and cause of our distemper, all disinteressed persons would think at first view, that we were now in a hopeful way of thriving, we have a King not only a Pagan and our Friend, but zealous and resolved to go through with his work; but alas is resolution sufficient without means? 'tis true, by his power he can secure us for a while; but what will that signify to a lasting satisfaction? How do our Enemies wait and gape for his death? And with the hopes of revenge after his dissolution they patiently submit to their present Impositions; we know the main Pillars whereon they all lean, Anaximander and Artemisia are their delight and their hope, the Princess Philadelphia waits too in reversion, and from these three do spring all our fears and misfortunes, and I and my Brethren bear the Title of our great Prophet, and suffer his Cause to be shaken by the weak intercession of three single Lives; Oh Holy Loyola, our first Holy Patron and Foander, how would thy mighty Spirit fret and and grieve within thee, shouldst thou see the degenerate baseness of thy unworthy Followers? Where are the Records of all our Glorious Heros that have trod on the Necks of Emperors, and pierced the Hearts of Kings, to propagate and vindicate our Holy Religion, can we forget Borgia, Clement, Ravilliac and others, who have freely Sacrificed themselves for their Religion, and for reasons less considerable than ours, and can we tamely remit all our present Advantages, and be baffled of our future hopes, by the weak puny opposition of three petty pretenders?' No, no, continued he, let us lay hold on the present opportunity, and at once finish our long wished for deliverance: These three must fall a Sacrifice to our Prophet, and from the removal of that cause will all our other Apprehensions cease.  
Father Pedro had always bore such reputation with Lycogenes and Messalina that they looked on his Counsels little inferior to Oracles, and though the execution of them had always proved prejudicial, through their great violence, to the Pagan Interest, yet they could not but value the sincerity of his meaning, and always applauded his wise apprehensions, they knew his proposals in this Zealous Oration were very consonant to reason, and agreeable to their true interest, but knowing that the Eyes of all Europe were upon these three Princes, and that the least baseness and imposition upon them would engage all Christendom in their quarrel, they could not so readily conclude, or resolve upon any violence against their persons; besides, Pedro in a small Apology afterwards insinuated to the Company, the inconvenience of letting the King know any thing of this Project, if happily they should all agree upon it. For (said he) though I know Lycogenes 's Zeal would make him overlook a thousand difficulties, yet nature and conscience could not with any decency or reason be supposed capable of being so wholly obliterated as to consent to any barbarity upon the persons of his own children; but again, what may prove a sufficient ground of scruple in him, may at the same time leave us free and disinteressed from every thing and person that stands in opposition to our designs. The Company however upon the Considerations aforesaid were very unwilling to engage in Pedro's Resolutions or Proposals, and incontinently desired the Marchioness de Tomazo, to give her opinion of this grand Affair. The Marchioness who had been a Woman of Amour most of her time, and who now, though Age had ungenerously deprived her of the power to please, was very fond and Ambitious of being thought a Woman of Intrigue, had heard the violent Counsels, and Proposals of the Chancellor and Father Pedro with a great deal of impatience and displeasure; she could not digest those rough and hard terms of cutting of Throats, Poisoning, or Assassinations, she had been always used to Amorous Sighs, Billet deux, and Assignations; therefore rising and making her Compliment to Messalina, and giving a hard look on Poliorchetes and Pedro, she thus began: 'Tis not without the greatest regret imaginable, that I find myself obliged to contradict persons whose known wisdom and experience in the world may with reason claim an entire submission of judgement from me, and though the command and service of her Majesty, may sufficiently apologise for the freedom and liberty of my opinion, yet I doubt not from the nature of the business in hand to prove that what both these honourable persons have delivered as their opinions, if followed, will be inconsistent with the safety of her Majesty, prejudicial to the Pagan interest in Albion for ever, and extremely difficult, if not impossible to be brought about; nor do I need to say much to dissuade this Honourable Company from the following their proposals, since Father Pedro has already evineed and made clear the fallacy of the Chancellor 's project, and the rest of the Company have sufficiently showed their dislike of Father Pedro 's; I shall now therefore proceed to give my opinion, and if I shall have the good fortune to convince your reasons, and draw you into a concurrence, you will then be so just to believe that the freedom of my censure proceeds from other causes than that of mere contradiction; we all agree in the main point, that some course must be taken for re-establishing and securing the Pagan Interest in Albion, so as that it should not seem entirely to depend on the uncertain life of the King, and though the opinion of myself and the Count Davila, who doubtlessreceives all his measures from the Conclave, and from Boanerges the Highpriest, have been by these two Gentlemen opposed, at least neglected, yet I have not been so apprehensive as to hear any new thing proposed, as is capable of making me or the Count recede from our former resolntions, I am sure if it take 'tis the only effectual way to preserve us entire; I am as sure 'tis as easy, as in a matter of that importance can be wished, it may be brought about with so little discomposure of the public peace, that it shall rather gain the general applause of the Kingdom; will not the attaining our desires answer all expectations? what necessity of cutting those Throats which with abundance of ease we can make instrumental and accessary to our designs, the supposition of an Heir Male quashes all other pretenders in a moment; and surely Albion is not so barren or ill natured as to deny Lycogenes a Son. No, no, (replies Poliorchetes, interrupting the Marchioness) we have daily experience of the fruitfulness of the Women of Albion, but yet we cannot apprehend how Lycogenes can expect to reap where he has not had the power, or the will to sow: The will indeed (said Aspasia sighing) I believe her Majesty can vouch for, but to the sorrow and confusion of us all, he wants the power: Let us then (continued the Marchioness) no longer deplore, but endeavour to supply those unfortunate defects of the King our Master, consider on what nice points our Honour and Interest depend, time will not stay for vain and fruitless wishes, and if we slip so fair an opportunity, we shall seem to despise providence, ruin our interest for ever, and fall the reproach of our Enemies, and unpitied by all the Pagans throughout the World. Polyorchetes had heard these last words with wonderful surprise, for his thoughts having run wholly on the extirpation of the Christians by Fire and Sword, he had not so much as dreamed of any possibility of milder means, and now guessing at what the Marchioness had insinuated, he was extremely tickled with the project, and desired the Marchioness, That since she had proposed something extraordinary, she would be pleased to explain herself, so as that they might endeavour to solve any difficulties that might arise upon a strict examination of the design: The difficulty's (replied the Marchioness) are so small, in comparison of that advantage we shall reap, that among us they will not admit of a dispute; besides, we have had a precedent of what I propose, which though it miscarried in the main, yet it was not for want of power, but will of some Parties concerned to bring it about; That an Heir is absolutely necessary to confirm and settle our otherwise fading hopes we all agree; and shall not we submit to necessity, and endeavour to restore by art what envious nature, or cursed fortune have ruined or withheld? It must be so, (replied Messalina) it must be so, and there is no other to uphold my tottering Crown: It must be so, and yet my boding Soul foretells it won't succeed; these saucy Albionites, will still be prying, and every step I make will have remarks. Rejoice, Dread Sovereign, (replied Polyorchetes) (who had already taken that hint) the Marchioness has in one word finished what the united strength of my dull brain could ne'er attempt, but now the game is up, I'll keep the scent, and work it on to a desired perfection. Why should your Majesty (replied Pedro) despair at all of due success? Does your Majesty want power, or friends, or opportunity to act what a Predecessor and Namesake with so much disadvantage had effected if Philippo had proved but half so generous as is the brave Lycogenes: Can you doubt the success of any Enterprise when you have so powerful assistance even from your Enemies? Can she carry on a design of the same nature even to the brink of performance, so as to amuse, nay, to convince all orders of the Kingdom of the reality of it? And can you doubt at last of failing? She had a sharp-sighted Parliament, near five hundred of the wisest in the Kingdom to combat with, who were strict in their observance, suspicious of her dealing, and resolute against any imposition; she had the Nobility on one hand, the King her Husband of the other; and yet she baffled all but that narrow-hearted Prince, who like the Dog in the Manger could neither eat the Hay himself, nor would suffer the Horses; he had seen himself incapable of re-establishing the Pagan interest by the assurance of an Heir, and was so covetous and mean as to hinder the propagation of it by another, whereas your Majesty stands on sure grounds, you have a strong party in the Court of wise and able men to advise you, you have a potent Army ready to protect and defend you, but above all you have a Husband and a King to assist, and further you; who dares even suspect you? who would presume to prove you? By your word, you create an Heir, and your command settles the Kingdom for ever. Thus Pedro spoke, and a general applause run through the whole Company, there remained only Aspasia and the Queen to give their Sentiments and Opinions, and Aspasia declaring in short, that Father Pedro had wholly satisfied her thoughts and desires in this juncture, and that she wholly submitted to the judgement of the Queen. Messalina raising herself, briefly gave her resolution thus: Nothing can give us greater encouragement and assurance of success, than the zeal and fidelity of you our beloved Counsellors, and since our business presseth for a speedy conclusion, I shall need say no more, than that I do, and shall assent to what the Majority of you, viz. the Marchioness de Tomazo, Aspasia, and Pedro have laid down; there remains therefore no more but that you immediately consult of the manner and method of bringing it on, and from time to time to communicate your advice to us; I advise and think fit that Boanerges the High Priest our most Holy Kinsman, have timely notice of your proceed, as also Polydorus our Royal Friend and Ally, that they may take care to order Affairs in Foreign Parts, so as that we may have the universal assistance of all our Friends to promote a Project so highly advantageous to all their Interests.  
This gracious Speech and Condescension was received with unspeakable joy by the Counsel, and Father Pedro stepping to the Door, gave orders for private Thanksgiving throughout all the Mosques in Albion, as also for Processions, Feasts, and other expressions of joy; and having again seated himself, they immediately fall close to the point. The first business they resolve on is, That being five in number, viz. the Count, Pedro, Polyorchetes, the Chancellor, the Marchioness de Tomazo, and Aspasia, they severally have several Employments and Offices assigned them, for the more effectual and speedy accomplishment of their business. The Count who by his Office and Interest with Boanerges, could claim a Domination over the Pagan Priests, was to summon a Convocation, and to give them instructions how to disperse the News of her Conception, and to insinuate, as if by Divine Inspiration they knew it would be a Prince, as also to quash any Objections or Doubts concerning it, and to make remarks of the persons: Father Pedro was to be made one of the Privy-Council, and as he was one of the chief Contrivers at first, so now he was to enliven and confirm the report of the Queen's Conception at the public Board, and to represent it with all the seeming Candour imaginable, he was to silence all Disputes and Contests that might happily arise upon it, and to make motions to the Board, to give such order concerning her Majesty, and the Child, as should gain a General Approbation and belief throughout the Kingdom, and though there arose a Controversy whether it were not fit for some other Pagan Lords of Albion to espouse this part, yet they soon concluded on the ability of Pedro, who was better qualified to represent it in handsome Colours, and consequently would go down the glibber, and pass secure with the people, seeing they had so good Vouchers as Privy-Councellors: The Chancellor being a Man of an hardened Constitution, was appointed to wait with diligence against the time of the pretended Birth, and by a positive Asseveration, if any suspicion should arise (as in all Cheats probably may happen) he was to maintain the Rem in Re, which from so grave a person as the chief Judge of Conscience, would surely be believed, and as readily assented to, as the words of an Oracle: Aspasia being concerned so near Messalina as Lady of the Bedchamber, etc. She was to Caress the Ladies with the joyful News of the Queen's Conception, and from time to time insinuate passages belonging to Childbearing, to give an account of the growth of the Burden, and to make the thing feasible she was to carry. on a suspicion or fear of a Miscarriage, and it being once granted that she could possibly Miscarry, included the belief that she was really Teeming: And now there was none but the Marchioness remaining, who being a Woman, as is before said, of a quick Judgement in Intrigues, and who knew well how to manage an Imposture of that nature, it was laid upon her with Secrecy and Assurance to procure two or three young wholesome Women whose time of Delivery should critically agree with the Queen's time allotted and set down by this Council; the Marchioness was not dissatisfied with the Task, though she could not but be sensible it required depth of Judgement, a great deal of discreet Enquiry, and continual Care to manage them to a Hairs breadth, lest any unlucky accident might spoil the whole Intregue, but upon a little consideration she remembered she had heard an Inkling of a young Kinswoman of her own, how that through weakness she had been forced to surrender her Virginity to the Assaults of a young Spark, who had since forsaken her, and had withal lest her a sure pledge of his Love and Vigour, so that being so well encouraged at first she readily submits to the Commands of the Board, and engages upon Honour to answer their Expectation; and now the generals being concluded on and appointed, they disperse, and forthwith apply themselves to their several Employments, and as a Prologue to their intended Villainy, they give out, among their own Party, at least, the necessity of Unity in their Prayers to their Saints and the Deity, to send their Majesty's an Heir to succeed him in his Throne and Dominions, and to settle their Holy Religion in this Heretical Land, they cause Processions and Pilgrimages, Offerings and Supplications, to be made, first to the great Saint at Loretto, then to St. Winifred; and they cause Messalina to repair to several Waters that are famous Antidotes against Barrenness, though at the same time they did not consider that the People looked upon it very awkard and strange, that the Queen had never found out this way of preparing for Childbearing before; but such are the practices of the Pagan Religion, that the greatest Villainies and Rogueries they intent to commit are still preceded and ushered in with great appearances of Sanctity; and now all things being in a readiness; the Queen declares herself publicly to be with Child, and Orders were given for public Thanksgiving throughout the Isles, and in other Foreign parts; rejoicings and Feast were made by the King's Residents and Ambassadors; especially in Rome and Gaul; as if it were not enough to impose so great a Villiany on the whole Kingdom, without enforcing them to prevaricate with the Deity in their Prayers, and to make Petitions for that which really was not; but notwithstanding all the Contrivance and Advice to carry on this Intrigue, the People, especially the Christian Nobles and Gentry of Albion were mightily surprised with so improbable an Accident; & though by reason of an Indisposition, which Messalina for some while before lay under, the King's weakness and other circumstances, they could not readily free themselves from a suspicion of Treachery, yet they resolved to bear themselves with all moderation, and to have a diligent Eye upon Messalina and all about her, the first real occasion of dislike was, that the Queen did not treat the Christian Ladies of Albion, especially the Princess Philadelpha, with that freedom as the joy and pride of so great a happiness, if real, would naturally have prompted her to; for she would resent it highly if she could but observe any of the Christians making the least observations of her Breasts, Belly, her Look, or any other Symptom, by which Women in that Condition are easily distinguished; another great reason was, that she seemed to slight the Pretensions of the Princess Artemisia, so as there was not the least intimation given her to be at the Queen's Labour till within a very few days before she was Delivered; besides, the Confidence of the Pagan Party did strangely startle the People, when like Oracles they would affirm that of necessity it must be a Prince: These and many other material circumstances made the Albionites talk broadly of the business; nor were Lycogenes and Messalina ignorant of their Sentiments; however having the Power absolutely in their hands, they were resolved to cut that knot which they found impossible to untie, and since they had thus far advanced in a business of that importance, they resolved to go through and bring it about, though with a thousand absurdities and incoherences; for besides the alteration of her Reckoning, which proceeded partly from a fear of disappointment if the Woman that came first should have brought forth a Girl, but chief to amuse the Nobility and Gentry of the Court and Kingdom, who would doubtless have made it their business in behalf of the Princess Artemisia and the Kingdom, to attend and watch that all things might have been carried fairly and above-board; I say, besides the alteration of her reckoning she would give out upon every turn different places of her pretended lying-in, sometimes she would give orders for R— d, at other times she would remove her fancy to H— Court, but in reality St. Jaques was the place resolved on, for Alba Regalis the whole party disallowed, because by reason of the multitude and concourse of People that constantly attend there, she could not possibly have been so privately Delivered as the Intrigue did necessarily require; besides, there was no conveniency for the Child to be brought through the Galleries or Lodgings, but in the Palace of St. Jaques, there was a Seraglio and a Mosque adjoining with abundance of winding by dark Chambers, secret Passages, Trapdoors and dark Corners, where not only one or two of the Women were with great security and secrecy kept till the time of their delivery, but where the Queen might have the Child foisted into her Bed reaking and hot from the Womb, but in the heat of all this intrigue and design Lycogenes was unluckily put in mind that by the Laws of Albion the presence of one or more of the Christian Prelates was to be at the Birth of every Royal Infant indispensably required; to resolve this difficulty a Council is immediately called, and after sundry debates it is concluded, that some way or other must be found to bring all or most of the dissenting part into a praemunire, and so by aggravation either to endanger their lives, or at least to clap them up and secure them till the Queen's Delivery; accordingly a flaw was immediately found and the Prelates forthwith confined: and now nothing but the presence of the Princess Philadelpha was feared, but what cannot the craft of the wicked Jebusites bring about? that Princess had unfortunately complained of some small indisposition, when the Queen immediately takes the hint, and by the means of Pedro and some other Malcontents, she prevails with her Physician to persuade her to take a Journey to the Waters of Baijae, though the Operation of those Waters was manifestly known to be contrary to the Princess' Distemper, they being loosening, and she wanting Restringents, but her absence was absolutely necessary, and therefore by any means to be obtained; the Princess according to their wishes leaves the Court, and they were resolved to do their business before her return; and now all things to appearance seemed to favour the design, the time prescribed drew near, their greatest Adversaries were removed, the Court Party, and Pagan Priests, with daily Stories and sham's were amusing and taking off the attention of the Christians; all things seemed smooth, and the Critical Minute was at hand, when news was brought to Messalina, that one of the Women was in Labour, immediately the Queen takes her Chair, and hastes over to St. Jaques, but before she had well ascended the Stairs, she was told, that Woman had brought forth a Girl, with which being for the present confounded, she descends, leaving before such Orders as were necessary; the other Women expecting their Times Daily and Hourly; and indeed ere three Days were over she receiving another Summons, repair forthwith to St. Jaques, she stays there all Night with long expectation of Success, early the next Morning she receives the glad Tidings that a Man Child was Born, which with all speed was conveyed to the Dormitory adjoining to her Bedchamber, in the same reeking Circumstances it was Born in, and having before taken care for the conducting of it to the Queen's Bed, the Alarm is given at Alba Regalis, that the Queen was in Labour; Lycogenes had that Morning risen something earlier than ordinary, and had crossed over to his own side on purpose to draw off the Men with him, and consequently to favour the Cheat, by leaving as few as possible about the Queen's Apartment; in the mean time Madamoizell de W— s having before given the Infant a small Opiate to hinder its Crying for the present lays it gently in a large Warming-Pan made on purpose, and lined with velvet for the more commodious and easy carriage, and the Queen rising under pretence of giving liberty for warming the Bed Madomo●…elle unlades her vessel and leaves the Infant in the place appointed; the Queen straight returning to Bed the Room immediately fills, though none were summoned but such as Lycogenes thought were afraid to make a doubt or a scrutiny into the truth of it, or those whom Lycogenes had already prepared to swallow and favour the imposition; and now the pretended Prince being Born the Pagans of Albion begin their Jubilee, Latroon Governor of Iberia gins to double the Persecution of the Christians there, Polydorus by a strict Alliance and LEAGUE with Lycogenes, thinks of nothing but an Universal Monarchy, Lycogenes doubles the Oppressions of his Christian Subjects, Messalina boasts of the downfall of Heresy, and a perpetual Regency, during her Life: The poor Christians, especially-the Albimites, though something apprehenfive of the Consequences of this Intrigue, were yet by their constant remarks of all Transactions since the Report of Messalina's Conception sufficiently satisfied of the fallacy and cheat, and resolved on measures which they doubted not would in a little time unravel the whole Mystery.  
FINIS.