THE ENTRANCE OF MAZZARINI, CONTINUED Through the first years REGENCY, of ANNA MARIA of AUSTRIA, Qu. Dowager of FRANCE, and Mother of the present Monarch. LOVIS XIV.  
Wherein the principal causes of those Revolutions, that have since happened in that kingdom, may be discovered.  
OXFORD Printed by ANN LICHFIELD, Printer to the university, 1658.   

To the Reader.  
ONce, since I exposed a former part of these relations, I thought rather, to have let that go out of itself, which had gotten out into the light; then by adding more fuel to warm myself any longer at the censures of my own kindling. But leisure and a long winter, joined with the other incentives of my friends, made me light at last this end too; I doubt to wast before the Sun, and burn daylight, being only a divulger of things, that were before public in other languages. And so, my only wisdom might have been, to have hidden my head in obscurity, while I left my body so obnoxious: but I love not to compliment so far, as to furnish any one, with a real argument against myself. I had rather have it thought, as it is in truth, that I am not merely a collector out of any others, that have written in the same fashion, which no other has done hitherto: but I myself have made my own subject, and squared my design out of whole quarries' without any injury to another man's wall. Though, I must confess, I have not yet deserved to challenge so much credit to myself, without any other recommendation. But as the first is above my merit; so the second is too ●verse to my proper inclination: And therefore, I appeal rather, to the favour of my fortune, which lies in the candour of my Readers, and so take a long adieu of them, and of any the like adventures for the future.   

The Second Part of the ENTRANCE of MAZZARINI.  
THe death of Lewis, surnamed the just, was no less to be counted immature in respect of his age, which was but of two and forty years; then of that of his Successor, which was but of four and eight months: and of the interests of his crown, which, on other more accounts, were to look for most apparent and sure concussions. For his grand enemy the Spaniard, who before had beaten many ways to get a suspension of hostility, on expectation of this accident, and the consequences likely to ensue, did now confound the sent, and utterly refuse to be found again in the same tracks: but rather bent his whole sagacity and power to drive it to extremity. The dependants on the crown for it wont powerful aids particularly the Swedes and Catalonians were grievously stricken with the sense of the same thing: and a● its allies became the colder i● their Treaties, by how much the affairs were more important especially the States of Holla●● would needs let the cord sli● which so lately held them in the strictest league. Within the kingdom, the Houses of Vendosm● Guise, Espernon, Boüillon, and others of the more potent, pretended to high satisfactions, for the injuries that the late Government had left upon them. Nay, the Queen herself and Duke of Orleans, had matter of high displeasure against the creatures and alliances of the late Cardinal (which yet held the chief places of authority & dignity in France) from whom they had each endured a long persecution. The several high Officers of State and war, that had been at pleasure deprived, exiled, confined. The Courts of Parliament, whose power had been in a great part exauctorated: and the people that had suffered so long▪ and miserable impositions to the maintenance of sundry great armies, and payment of vast pensions to foreign States and Princes might now combine severally to make a new settlement very tachy and untractable. What, that the Kin● left an empty Exchequer, and necessity for the same charges, i● not greater, to be still continued while the same occasions still remained in open and vast dominions, that were environed on al● sides with potent enemies, and had no other walls, than Armies to defend them? What, that thi● defence was vain without offen● ding, and this offending was either subject to great losses; or a● best, increased those scattere● acquisitions, which drew the blood from the heart to the extremities? This was the outwar● face of things, besides the mo●● impenetrable difficulties, whic● a multitude of pretenders migh● occasion in the working of thei● interests. Let us therefore pursu● the winding of these torrents, and see how they may lose their eddiness in the current of events.  
On the day after the late King's death, the Qu. Regent, accompanied by the young King, the Dukes of Anjou and Orleans, with the guards of foot and Horse, and a numerous throng of People came from St Germans into Paris, and went straight to dismount at the Lowre: from whence the young King dispatched forthwith his Letters to the parliament, wherein he imparted to them the death of the King his father, commanding them to continue in the exercise of their charges, and that he expected when they should come to make a new oath of fealty to him, without making any mention of the Queen Regent, who thereupon (if we may believe that such an action should be done without her cognisance, expressed herself to be dissatisfied as well as the parliament, for that a new Oath was required of them against custom: but the fault was all laid upon the Ministers: and in Particular the Secretary de. Guenegaud bore some check for it, which, it may be thought, he did not feel much, as being not alone in it. The parliament expected when the Queen should come to their Court, to take possession of the Regency. The Ministers of the Court when the Parliament should come thither in their Body, and Scarlet Robes, as they use when they march in Ceremony, or assemble themselves about the public affaire● in the King's presence) to do obeisance to the King and Queen● But now (if ever) was a time t● stand on privilege. Wherefor● the parliament considering anoient customs, agreed only to send their Deputies thither in their blacks, the rather to elude the new Oath pretended to be offered them. These addressed themselves to their Majesties, assuring them of their allegiance, and beseeching the King to come and sit on his bed of Justice (as the royal Throne in the parliament is there styled.) In fine these Offices are accepted in the form as they are rendered, and their request is granted.  
But ere these Deputies part, the Duke of Orleans has other business with them, which neither any scruple within his spirit, or gout within his shoe can hinder him from bringing. He acquaints them therefore that in the time of the King his Brother, he had brought to the parliament a Declaration, and made semblance of approving it, that he might not be taxed with disobedience: but in truth that he judged that declaration to be defective, & not observable: especially in that part which restrains the Authority of the Qu. Regent, to whose prudence he intended to be the first that should remit the sum of the Government, without whateever limitations: and tells them further, that the Prince of Condè was also of the same mind. Indeed they both knew how intimately the Queen might be grieved, that, contrary to former precedents, her Regency was so restrained and hampered by the King deceased, and therefore sought by the freeing of her interests to clear their own: for the same prescript form of Government did equalise them (the First Princes of the Blood, notwithstanding their prerogatives in the custom of that kingdom) with the other councillors, and, it may be when accounts were cast, render them much inferior: for if all results were to pass by plurality of votes, 'twas easy to be guessed, that the Card. Mazzarin, the Secretary de Chavigny, and the chancellor Se●uier might join together for their common interest and sway all affairs at their own pleasure. This was a notable stroke of the Princes, that looked like a generous action, and was received with good applause as most agreeable to the Government of France, which had ever been a pure Monarchy: but there was another fate in it, than they expected, though at first it seemed to run luckily.  
On the Monday following, which was the 18th of May and fourth from the King's death, the Qu. brought her royal pupil to place him in the Throne of Justice, and herself at his right-hand; accompanied with the Duke of Orleans, the Princes of Condè and Conti, the Duke of Vendosme, and other the principal peers and Officers of the kingdom, where the young King first broke up silence with these words Messicurs, I am come to see you to testify my affections to you. My Chancellor will tell you the rest. But first the Queen and Princes of the blood took their turns, which may deserve some recital. She expressed hersel●e thus;  
My Lords and Gentlemen,  
The death of my Lord the late King, although it has not at all surprised me, by reason of his long weakness, yet has it filled me with so much grief, that hitherto I have been uncapable of comfort, or of council: and although the affairs of the kingdom should require a continual application to suffice to all occasions both at home and abroad; my affliction has been so great, that it has put me beside the thinking what i were to do, till tother day that your Deputies came to salute the King my Son and bring their protestations of Loyalty and Obedience to him, beseeching him to come and sit on his Throne of Justice, and take the place of his Ancestors, which act is considered as a mark of Royalty, which I were willing to do this day to testify to this Company, that on all occasions I shall be well contented to serve myself of your counsels, praying you to give unto the King my Son and unto Me such as you shall judge in your Consciences to be most conducible to the good of the State.  
Then the Duke of Orleans, resuming the Speech, addressed it to the Queen, remonstrating to her.  
The satisfaction which all the kingdom ought to have of her actions, as he had sufficiently signified to the Deputies of parliament the last Saturday, when he told them that the whole honour of the Government was due not only to her Condition as Mother of the King; but also to her merit and virtue: and that the REGENCY being conferred on her by the order of the late King, and afterwards verified in parliament in his presence, he did not desire any other part in affairs then what should please her to impart to him, not pretending to any vantage from whatsoever particular clause contained in the foresaid Declaration.  
The Prince of Condè applauded the generosity of the Duke, adding withal, that it was not only profitable, but also necessary to the good government of the STATE, that the chief authority should not be divided.  
Then succeeded the Lord Chancellor, and after him Monsieur Talon, the King's Advocate, whose formal speeches cannot be brought into our lists, without breaking them. At last, the Chancellor, rising from his Seat goes to the royal Throne, and Kneeling there expects the King's opinion from the mouth of the Queen, who excused herself, alleging that she had no other than the sense of the parliament. Whereupon returning to hisSeat, and asking the opinion of the rest, the Duke of Orleans added, that the ●auses inserted in the last declaration did always seem extraordinary unto him, and without example: Nor had he eve● subscribed to them, but for obedience, & not to contradict the King's will, though he ever thought they could not be put in execution; and as he had, for his own particular, quitted all pretensions in it; so now it was his judgement, that the whole authority should be committed to the Queen. The Pr. of Condè; and all the other Nobles, Officers, and counsellors concurred in this vote: and so the Chancellor (howsoever, one may conclude, against his mind) pronounced the arrest following.  
The King sitting on his Throne of justice in the presence and with the council of the Duke of Orleans his, uncle of his cousins the Princes of Condè and of Conti, and of other Princes, Prelates, peers and Officers of the crown hath declared & doth declare the Queen his Mother, Regent of France, according to the will of the deceased King, his most honoured Lord and Father, to have care of the education and nurture of his person, and the absolute, full, and entire administration of the affairs of his Kingdom during his Minority. His aforesaid Majesty doth also will and intend, that the Duke of Orleans his uncle shall be Lieutenant general in all the provinces of the said kingdom under the Authority of the said Regent; and that under the same Authority his foresaid uncle shall be chief of his council, and in his absence his x, the Prince of Condè, it resting in the will of the Queen to make choice of persons of worth and experience in such as she shall think fit, to debate in the said councils, without being otherwise obliged to follow the plurality of voices, than she herself pleaseth. His aforesaid Majesty ordains that this present arrest be read, published and registered in all Baily-wicks &c.  
The Queen felt herself now well established; and the Card. Mazzarini with the Secretary de Chavigny expecting nothing less than to be licenced, or fall into worse disgraces were ready to demand retirement; when the Queen, pretending only as she expressed herself, not to depend on her Ministers, but the● on her, confirmed in the council all that had been nominated by the King her husband: and in particular (though the scope of the parliament seemed to wind another way) treated the Cardinal with demonstrations of a singular estimation: whereby 'twas soon left to be gathered, that she was no less jealous of saving her own power, by taking caution against the only sway of the Princes of the blood; then Lewis himself had been of his children's interest on that supposal. Yet besides these sheadded to her Council the Bishop of Beauvais, her grand Almoner, sending to Rome to get the red hat for him: and joined himwith the Card. Mazzarin, and one F. Vincent Gen. of the Missionaries in the Council of Conscience for the distribution of benefices.  
The season of the year was now advanced to a high Cam●●gne; for the furthering whereof ●owards Italy, we have heard already what overtures were made to those of Venice: But to ●nforce this towards Flanders, 'tis now time to examine what issue the other treatyes with those of Holland might produce.  
It came to a signing of articles by Ambassadors, and Commissioners on either part, dated March 30 1643. the tenor of which imported thus much.  
That the King, & Lords-State shall set on foot an army of 18 or 20000, Foot, and 4500, o● 5000, Horse, which shall ente into Flanders the next May, if he that is Commander in chief fo● the King of Spain do not issu● sooner but in that case the King and the said States shall be ob●liged to set out their army's bot● at the same time, on what soeve● side the enemy shall turn: That that of the Lords' States shall atta● que some strong fortress on the● side, and his Majesty on his: o● else give such diversion to the enemy, by striking into his Country, that may divide his forces and leave the Prince of Orange, by that means, the greater facility in gaining of his Enterprise. Yet, that if his Majesty intend but a simple diversion, that then he put himself into the field a fortnight before the said Prince. But if both resolve to attaque someplace that then they shall precisely issue on the same day.  
The said Lords-States do oblige themselves, by the 8th of April, to equip at their own charges a fleet of 30 vessels of war provided with two, three, four, and five hundred boats to ply about the Coast of Calais to hinder the enemies passage into Flanders by Sea, and in case the King's Army does attaque any place on the Coast of Flanders, the said 30 vessels shall remain on the same Coast, during the enterprise, to besiege it by Sea and help to the transportation of such victual to the King's Army, as shall be sent from France, or bought of them at a reasonable rate.  
Moreover the said States do● faithfully promise to suffer the King's forces to pass to and fro, upon the Rhine to Wesel, & upon the Meuse, to Maestrich, when they shall be requested, so it may not tend to the prejudice of their States.  
They shall also keep their Army on foot, as long as the good of the common cause shall require, and the season of the year permit.  
On these Conditions his Majesty was to aid the Lords-State for this year with, a sum of one million, and two hundred thousand Livers to be faithfully expended by the said Lords, in the levying and maintaining of such forces extraordinary, as were agreed on for this purpose, which payment should be made punctually at 3 terms, (viz) four hundred thousand Livers at the ratifying of this treaty, four hundred thousand more, next July, and the rest in October following.  
Only the said Lords-States do consent, that upon the said sum of one Million, and two hundred thousand Livers received, the pensions of the French Officers should be taken out, and paid according to the treaty of June 1630, and of April 1634, whereby a sum of fifty thousand Livers, was rereserved to be distributed by the French ambassador to the French Officers.  
Lastly, that this treaty shall no ways derogate from any former; but rather confirm them all in full force and vigour.  
The stone was not rolled thus far without great travel, but it soon recoiled, and got thereby a cross-bias, wedged in with such reasons, as will discover themselves hereafter: But if ever 'twere worth the cost of such pensions, so many years continued, to purchase the slowfooted aids of the hollanders, besides the proffers of affair pa●●tage, let them account (for me) whom it more concerns, what a●● fit conditions for the English.  
But in the Interim the Spanish forces, that are left hovering about the frontiers of Picardy, are are no way negligent to gain their advantages: to which purpose they had sent before some part o● their Army, which they still augmented with new recruites (th●French corresponding with the● in the same manner) till Do● Francisco di Melo a Portughese at that time Governor of the low countries for the King of Spain, arrived with the main succours drawn from Luxenburg and the neighbouring Provinces making up in all an army of ●ive and twenty thousand men effective.  
This party was so highly satisfied with such a trust reposed in him, and so desirous to recommend himself by a brave discharge of it (so as they are commonly affected, that have no great pretensions besides their own merits) that he had multiplied letters to the Court, and council of war at Madrid, communicating his intentions about the ordering of this campaign, which were, not to attaque an● place, lest he should endanger the crumbling of his majesties forces in those parts against some rugged siege, but only to appear on the frontiers of France, and be in a readiness, when any alterations should happen there by the King's death, to follow his advantage: or siding with some party, that should have recourse to him, make his entrancewithin the heart of that kingdom, which might exceedingly enhance conditions at the opening of the treaty for a general peace, that had been now some time in agitation, and plenipotentiaries furnished on both sides. A design, wherein he met with much applause, as ●itted to the juncture of affairs then current. But he incurred the ordinary fate of such ambitions▪ as covet to overdo their actions, though he had raised in himself, no less than others, a great expectation of his Conduct in this expedition, by his success the year before at the battle of Honcourt.  
On the ninth of May he musters his troops about Quesnoy, distributing among them some pay, and then leaves the Count of Fuensaldagn●, Governor of ●ambray with four thousand foot, and two thousand horse, about those quarters to advance, as occasion should require; he himself marching with twelve thousand foot, and seven thousand horse towards La Capelle, where he made a show of sitting down: but rising on a sudden entered into Tei●asche, a Province that lies `twixt Picardy and Champagne, harrassing and burning the Country thereabouts (as if indeed his stroke pointed to the heart of France) while he sent the Count of ●sembourg with a party of six thousand▪ foot, and two thousand horse to sit down before Rocroy, a place so little, that one may think, it was not much suspected, being also so slenderly provided of a Garrison, that it had not above three hundred foot in it, without horse: yet o● great importance, because from thence there is a ready way to Paris without the passing of any river, whereupon the rest of the Army soon arrived, and se●ting themselves to storm the fortress, which was but of five Bulwark● not enskonced, but only warded by some half moons, within 3 days they carried four of these, the governor ●ussreville for scarceness of people being glad to draw his soldiers to secure the body of the place▪ yet in gaining one of them, the Cavalier Vis●o●●ti a Noble Milarese in this service, lost about one hundred and fifty of his tertia, on which the Cannon from the town charged with baggs of small shot did great execution.  
Some accuse the general in this place of too much confidence in his own forces with undue contempt of his enemy because, they say, he neither sufficiently intercepted all the advenues, whereby relief might come to the City nor yet took care to entrench himself, which had he been a true Spaniard, he would not have omitted. It may be, he did it to be punctual to his engaged design of not besieging any place, nor thought this deserved the delaying of his army: but might be forthwith carried, and otherwise not so fit to be left upon his back, when he should sweep his way before him into Fran●e, which, as he thought had no army in a readiness to counterpoise him, or once appear before the place distressed in any season to relieve it: But, if I may be as free to descant as other men peradventure Melo intended to reserve some masterpiece till he might show it in the effect itself▪ if fortune had been so favourable to his designs, as commonly those that have an ambition of glory mixed with the love of their Master's service (as if they thought themselves in effect to be free, and not in reason ●o be gauged, like mere Instruments, to the solitary ends of any other) do affect to retain always somewhat in their own power, and discretion, by which they may upon occasion, show themselves apart in some sufficiency of their own But these are not the least subject to miscarriages, whether for having too fair an hope in Contingencies, they aim at great things overhastily, and saving their activity for such periods, become too perfunctory in the intermediate actions, whereby they should secure their progress; whereas neither hope, nor proof of fortune should make one slight the least moments in the balance, and some success should rather take us up from oscitancy, because the reason of all events is so variable: or else, for being inwardly puffed up, they are apt to bound over those occurrents, which they may leave to be stumbling blocks another time.  
Yet to bring this siege to the better issue, and hinder any aids from that side, he sends order to general Bek to hold himself with a thousand foot, and two thousand horse on the frontiers of Luxenborg, in assaulting a little Castle there, upon the Meuse, which might also secure any Conuoyes from the town of Namur for the serving of his own camp, and keep those forces in a readiness to join with him whensoever notice should be given.  
The news of this enterprise●ing brought to the Duke of Eng●en, a captain of two and twent● years old, the then flower of Frenc● galantry, inspired his soul wi●● no less joy in the hope of a ba●●tell, than it would some other the certainty of a triumph rea● dressed, and set before them: As the only heroic love were t●● of glory, and the only Cour●sh● this of danger.  
He was then quartered wi●● fourteen thousand men abo●●Encre, a fair town on the utmo●● frontiers towards Ar●ois, which was the directest way from 〈◊〉 midst of ●●France to the midst Flanders: Incontinent he bea●s●● rendezvous to those troops the he had in a readiness, and se●● his march towards the Enemy, di●patching present orders to oth●● two brigades commanded by the Marquis of Géures and Monsieur d' Espenan to join with him upon the way: which accordingly put in punctual execution, he advanced with an Army twenty thousand strong to deliver the place besieged, using diligence in his march, because he was resolved to engage the first that should impeach his proceeding. But when he was come within four Leagues of the City, he had intelligence that it was invested by all the Spanish forces, hard pressed, and driven from their outer fortifications, circumstances that would have turned, or whe● his blade beyond the edge, if it had not been good mettle, but being now brought almost to the point of engagement, he foined with some suspense, to make thereby the better judgement of a pass which was to reach the heart of h●s enemy. The ardour of this Prince was happy in the symbolising of his chief Officers, but especially of the marshal de Gassion, whose pareil inclinations, heighth'ned with a lively industry, and long experience, (gotten in the discipline of the chiefest Master of the modern age, the great Gustavus) prompted his genius to the same affectations, and gained therewithal the heart of his general. Whereupon he sends him before with a thousand horse, to cast in some recruits into the place, and to discover the state of the Spanish Army, whether it were entrenched, or whether it advanced to meet the succours: Having well considered the fashion of the leaguer, for want of foot, he dismounted two hundred CaraCarabines and Firelocks committed to the guidance of the Sieur de S. Martin, and left them lurking in the hedges with an hundred horse to assist them, while he with the rest went to beat up the enemy's quarters, & fell on the guard of Cavalry which belonged unto Bucquoy: wherein though he found himself so unhappily encumbered in a marish ground, that he could not make so strong an impression as he intended; yet he did not fail of his whole design▪ for this so sudden, and furious an alarm to that quarter of the enemy made them run thither and leave an open field for the succours to enter into the City; which immediately infused such a new courage into the breasts of those defendants, that the fire which grew intense before, by being ●traitned, did now enforce its passage sage with the more violence: 〈◊〉 these considering the danger●● approaches of the enemy, that 〈◊〉 shouldered themselves under so● earth within a narrow ma●● of their town ditch, and the their Sally● port being too r●● mote, did leave them room the●● to dispose themselves at large, a● so to prepare an Assault witho● difficulty, took an hardy, and 〈◊〉 pricious resolution to slide dow● by a rampire', with their Musk● betwixt their legs, & their bac● stayed on them; which as read●● done, they hastened to storm the approach, and met so good succ●● in it, that they presently clee●● all that trench, and out in pe●● those that guarded it.  
The tempered discourse 〈◊〉 Gassion when he came to gi●● the general an account of 〈◊〉 delegacy on this affair, joyn● with so fair a proof at the first commencement of the action, did secretly transport his mind with such a passion, as, you may think, one cannot describ or imagine, that cannot have the happiness to feel somewhat like it: but 'twas as the quintessence of some rich spirits, drop by drop, infused into his flames, which at first, with a kind of unsatiable covetise of hearing, drew the matter to the centre, restraining his soul by excess of pleasure to a narrow compass so full of vigour, that it could not long contain its self from impatiency: and yet for fear, least betraying such a passion he might encounter some ungrateful contestation of his end with those by whom he was to achieve it, he matures the calling of a council of War, before which, with the continency of a well-weighed general, h● puts the question to the board● what might be fit to do in thi● juncture.  
And first the Lieut. General 〈◊〉 l' Hospital (if I may here use a privilege by prescription, which I myself allow not in a professed Historian) delivered his mind in this manner.  
Were it now a time to raise the first repute of the French nation, whose courage and prowess is the most renowned of any other; or vindicate our own valour, which is not th●● of new men, or of fresh Soldiers, from the obloquy of the world; 〈◊〉 if we had to do with rude and barbarous enemies, as we have with those that are Competito●● with us in military force and discipline, I should not utterly refuse this time for engagement, though under many disadvantages. But since our end is rather to uphold a reputation already gotten with the acquists that have attended it▪ & this may be done with honour, by a bare waiting on the enemy to straightened & incommodate him (which will be looked upon at this time as a mating and outbraving of him) and a battle can't be offered without apparent difficulties and most unequal hazards, I think it may deserve some serious pondering, if not a plain suspense of any further action at the present; unless such as I hinted before, or casting in some more succours, if need require, within the place, which if it serve but to defend it, and so defeat the Spaniards of their design, it may suffice by itself to overthrow their army without any notable loss or hazard; and this is as noble a way of overcoming, as the gaining of a field, and more Gaesarean: for he though he never refused to stand th●●ury of our untrained Ancestor● yet when he was to fight with Afra●nius or Pompey, men of the lik● expertness with himself, he studie● still to gain by his conduct, & shif● a battle to extremities. And if 〈◊〉 can earn the victory, it matters no● so much whether it be by the strok● of fortune or the scythe of time; for it will be weighed rather by its consequence, than the first bruit of it● But if we venture a battle nowwithout necessity, in my opinion we shall but lay great odds on an even wager; if (at least) I may call it even▪ while our enemies are more in number; and our superiors in artillery and ammunition: and what thoug● the issue of the battle should favo●● our audacity? What should we gai● besides the field? whereas if 〈◊〉 should fall to lose it, as what endeavours of man can hinder the possibilities of the war?) we must inevitably expose our country and ●azzard the embroiling of it in all manner of confusions: for if his Majesty should now shortly yield to his languishing, which is genarally feared, & this army, which otherwise might serve to balance the peace of France, and keep the war without it should be overthrown, I dare not imagine what might follow. Wherefore my advice at present is to temporize, rather then engage further than we may draw our army off at our own discretion.  
Thus he spoke and there were others of his opinion. But the glory, hope, and courage, which now had lighted a fire of emulation in the generous heart of Gassion were so incented by the sprinklings of these more cooler deliberations (as the most heroic spirits feel the influence of the sun upon their hearts, mor● then that other of the moon upo● their brains) that the difficulti● objected in this enterprise, mad● his virtue glow the more intensel● knowing that the merit would b● more precious by how much the present exigency of the State wa● more sensible, the renown mor● clear & evident by the puissanc● of the enemy, & the victory not u●● certain with that resolution, whic● he did not seem to himself to hav● put upon him, like an harness, 〈◊〉 to have inspired in him by the ge●nius of success. Which drew a reply from him to this effect.  
The succours, which have alread● been cast into this place, may we● serve to rouse the industry of our e●nemies, but not to secure it: and i● we will decline the battle, we mus● incur the hazard of seeing it forced to our beards; or if we cast i● more supplies, divide our strength, and neither leave ourselves in state to offer or refuse it. But in my opinion, since the enemy has 〈◊〉 rich Country of his own behind him, & is now set down without a curtain before this hold, there is no other way remaining either to in●ommodate or oppose him, but offering combat, and obliging him to accept it; which now he sh●ws a freedom to: but if we once let the occasion slip, will scarce be found so much at open guard again. For my part, I cannot count it safe to delay any time of impeaching the enemy's design, nor agreeing with the reputation of our arms, being thus near to forbear of fronting him. Nor yet that more courage should be added to his present insolency, or any despondence to our own men, which the pride of the Spaniards, and our own diffidence must needs create in them. And therefore this is my advice and de●s●re, that we make all haste possibl●●o cement with them.  
So he left abruptly, thinking that in short speech there are quicker stings, a●d prompter resentments left in the hearers; which he found true with others; but especially with the Duke, whose native ardour arising from a French, a youthful, and a Royal blood, sent such spirits to crowd that passage unto reason which dissuaded Fighting, and opened the Files to the contrary; that hardly any argument could gain access, which did not come with the sound of Trumpet, and beat of Drum to salute the General with hope of Victory. But as great Spirits have many ways to palliate their designs accordi●g to others men's reasons, which of themselves would not serve them above the half way, so he, to show himself the fitter Moderator, propounds a seeming middle way, but indeed a certain one, to engage de l' Hospital, and his other Field-Officers in a necessity of encountering. He tells them, he would march the Army as far as the Wood (for Rocroy stands upon a Green, environed on all sides with a woody place of ten miles' diameter) and there that they might be under shelter, and have it in their power to fight, or to do otherwise, as they should see reason.  
Which being the issue of that consultation, Gassion is again dispatched to clear the way before their Army, and feeze himself of such Posts as he should find convenient for disposing of the main Body which was to follow after. Whereupon he pusheth through few of the enemy's Guards, and enters into a Plain of a mile and halfs extent, that lies between i● and the City, without any other opposition, or show of being taken notice of, although the Spaniard● might easily have prevented him, if they had marshaled there first, and guarded only two Passes, which were so straight that neither he, nor the rest of the Army could have advanced through them in any order: Or if they had fallen on them while they were encumbered, have gotten a great victory. But this omission was imputed afterwards (as men are ingenious to find out faults for the unfortunate, and virtues for the prosperous) to an over weening fancy, which made them either ignorant, or negligent of the French motions, persuading themselves, that they du●st not bide a battle, but only assay the casting in some more relief; and it may be therefore feared to draw off at any distance from the place, lest the French Cavalry should find means to effectuate that design.  
Gassion, being thus advanced to amuse the Enemy, and by accosting nearer to enure his own men to be more confident, and more familiar with danger, marches on with twelve Troops of Horse to go and view the Huts of the Enemy, and what extent they occupied, whereby he soon perceived, that General Melo, as if he slighted this show as a mere bravery, did but slowly rouse to put his people in Battalia, and therefore, as a safe time, dispatcheth notice to the Duke to hasten his advancement with the rest of the Army; who no less impatient of all delays, was gone afore with a small party of Horse to pry and learn the site of the places thereabouts; but immediately upon this advice inorders the Marquis of Géures to march afore diligently with the vanguard, to secure yet further the passage to the rest: But it was so troublesome, that afore the French Army could get well through, the Spanish was come up in set Squadrons ready to charge them, which made the Duke push his Van the more forward to get room, obliging the Spaniards to quit a certain eminency which they had first gotten.  
The Captains that had been met in Melo's Praetorium to advice about the battle were diversely inclined, particularly the campmaster General, the Count of Fontaines, a soldier of fifty years' experience, delivered this as his sense: That it would be the best way to guard their station only till General Bek should arrive with his supplies of four thousand men more, but a few hours then distant, and at night to entrench themselves, that so the Enemy might not venture to come on till they were ready for them without apparent hazard. But the governor General, reputing himself to have already the overpowering of his Adversary, and the taking of opportunity by the forehand to be necessary to his proceedings, disposed himself rather to prepare for the battle.  
The two Armies being come within Musket-shot, saluted one another with loud outcries, casting their Hats in the air, and their Montiers in one another's faces: And as if the manner of managing each Army had been debated in the same Council, and Fortune resolved to put them on even terms before the Combat, they both deferred the decision of the quarrel till the next day, beating as it were an alta by mutual agreement, and that (which the oldest soldier did admire) with so much quiet on both sides (except that their Cannon began to parley before the evening, to the greater damage of the French, that were the worser furnished of Artillery) that a false alarm did not pass all night between them. The Duke though he would fain anticipate Bek, yet could not come up to engage, because his left Wing had yet but a dangerous station among the Marshes. The same respect to Bek made the governor entertain the same resolution, being herein, it may be, the more unhappy, that he neither entirely followed his own inclination of buckling sooner while the French were encumbered, nor yet the counsel of Fontaines, to entrench himself: but being still tenacious of his first conceit, lest the French should get more succours to pass into the Town, he by night withdrew his Army nearer to it, and brought himself to want such room as before he had commodious for him.  
The Marshal de Gassion made a better use of the darkness, to enlarge his right Wing (a stratagem which he said he had learned from his Master Gustav●●) with which he intended to assail tha● of the Spaniards in the Flank, and 'twas observed, that he did not herein fail of his judgement, but rather that it was a main stroke to the Victory.  
In the mean time the Duke of Anguien, to show how capable 〈◊〉 young spirit may be of commanding virtues, rides about all nigh● with some of his ●h●ef Officers to animate his Troops with his own life and presence; to acquaint them with the true reason why he did not lead them on to fight the day before; not for any shadow of fear, or diffidence, unless in the untrustiness of the ground, and promising to conduct them the next day to the head of their enemies. A thing that assured his soldiers to him; endearing his courage to their affection, and their endeavours to his utmost service. But when the armies met again the next morning, that of the Spanish houted to the French with opprobrious language, the tidings of their King's death, which indeed the French Generals had received over night, with order (as 'twas reported) not to venture on a battle; but they so prudently dissembled it, that this stratagem was deadened (like a Cannon shot in woolpacks) by the incredulity of the soldiers; and so now nothing else remained but the chocque itself.  
The French Cavalry (in all six thousand, were disposed to either Wing, and interlaced with choice musketeers to protect them; and the whole Army (except a Body of Reserve commanded by the Baron de Sirot, of about twelve hundred Horse) made a great Front, and so advanced with a just and steady pace against the Spanish Army, which had drawn itself up within an half miles distance nearer to the Town, in a readiness to receive them. But these in the marshalling of their Army were much disgusted by the setting of the Duke of Albuq●●●que, a young Gallant, privileged by his birth to be a Grand 〈◊〉 Spain, to command the Horse 〈◊〉 prejudice of the Count of 〈◊〉 quoy, an approved Captain, wh● was hereupon licenced to retire to his Government of Mons, leaving this charge to his Competitor.  
The left Wing of the Frenc● Army being led by the Duke himself, who appeared all in Iron, except his head, whereon he ●hose rather to wear his Hat and Plum● of white Feathers, begun a terrible and furious Charge, which not availing to break the ranks o● the Spaniards right Wing, began to slake its first vigour, and being hardly pressed to give back, not without disorder; the lieutenant General de l' Hospital, and the marshal de la Fertè Seneterre being both wounded, and this latter taken prisoner, though after rescued; the Spaniards gaining on this side all their Cannon, which were some eight pieces, disposed in the Front of this Wing; and the two Swiss Regiments with another of Picardy, placed in the spaces of these Squadrons, went to utter havoc. But what the French lost in one place, they gained in another; for their right Wing under Gassion, coming to charge the left of the Austrians, being weak and not sustained by any Infantry, after a first and second violent recharging overbore them, the greatest part being cut in pieces, which struck such a terror in a fresh Body of the Spanish Cavalry, that were advancing to their succour, that without one Pistol shot, or daring once fac● them (which some impute one●ly to their disgust) they retired in good order to their own Infan●try, but that could not save eithe● of them: for Gassion's men al● already fleshed in carnage, pursue● so furiously, that after some ob●stinacy at last they overthre● them, making further lavish o● two Foot Squadrons, commanded by Don Antonio di Vellanda, and the Count di Vivalda, with the death of these, and slaughter o● more than twenty Captains, and a thousand soldiers.  
This gave him leisure to attend their left wing, that reste● yet victorious: so that turning o● them in the rear while the Baro● of Sirot advanced with his reserv● and the rallied fugitives, to charg● them in the front, they oblige● them to cease their pursuit, and look to their own safety: bu● soon found themselves overpowered and put to flight, leaving the Cannon which they had taken to be reprised by the conqueror.  
Besides a few shattered Regiments, which Melo hardly drew off (being forced to cast away his general's baston to save himself) there remained nothing but 5 regiments of the Veteran Spanish, infantry, in the head whereof the Count of Fontaines made himself be placed in a chair, because he was in fetters of the Gout, resolving to sacrifice their lives together for the expiating of their own honour, and cancelling the disgrace of the rest of their army. They maintained their ground above 2 hours, having sustained 5 or 6 charges, as if they meant to hold it out till the whole dispute might be recommenced, and force their fortune yet to step into the lighter balance, wherein the noble Count showed the excellency of his direction, and these their admirable address in the performance, till the eagerness of an army just ready to touch the goal of victory, and importunely remoraed, especially the Swissers (raging for the loss they had sustained that day) bore so rudely on their Pikes, that at last they forced the remainders of them to cry forquarter. But their ground showed like the Skeleton of a battle, and the carcases lay so exactly in rank & file, with such a Captain in the head of them, as might have Kindled emulation in the general, that he had not found the same bed of honour to lay himself in, but must return to his Government to be shortly after outed; and in the mean while to hear him a native 〈◊〉 most bitterly lamen●ted by the Flamands, and himself accused of all these disastres by his incapacity (which they objected) of such a charge as he sustained. And although he published several writings (being yet a little more unhappy that none of these could fall into my hands to be inserted here in his favour) full of arguments, excusing his own cond●ct; yet it could avail nothing to stop the common Vogue, which becomes deaf to all reason, where the event answers not their needs or passions.  
The battle lasted 6 hours, & cost the Conquerors, as some account 2500 of their men; others but 1400. among which none of gre●t quality save the Count of Noailles, The Spaniards loss was reckoned at least 4000, some say 5000, among which above these b●fore mentioned was the Count of Is●mborg, and 7000 taken prisoners, with 20 pieces of Cannon, 170 ensigns, 14 Cornets, 2 Banners and all their baggage and ammunition. Nor was the staff of Melo a small embellishment to the other trophies, which (if you can but fancy it) was presented to the Duke of Anguien with this heroic elegy.  
Once, when the fair Charlotte did salute  
The chaste Lucina for her tender fruit,  
A shooting-star did through the Cup convey  
That part of heaven it had unto the boy:  
And then how it had found it told to fame  
Another centre to revive its flame.  
Then let not fame now higher soaring doubt  
To sound what wonders in Anguien sprou●n;  
Whose youthful courage●, like a lambent fire  
Preys o'er those spirits which the world admire  
In elder chiefs: the lightning of his rage  
Dissolves their swords before they dare engage.  
And while their trophies, like an ivy-bind  
Climbing by some old wall, at last do wind  
In scan●y ●wigges about their frosty eaves  
(The goodly guerdon that their age receives)  
His laurel on his temples over spread  
Doth in one triumph show another bud.  
Then take, brave son of beauty and of war  
These glittering spoises, the beamings of thy star,  
And let this staff, if it be placed so,  
As that at Tralles, to a palmtree grow.  
The news of any victory is ever welcome, especially at Paris, where they are observed to be the greatest sympathizers with their fortunes of any others: but this was not only a flourish to take with vulgar spirits, but a stroke that made an exquisite harmony at the Lowre, it being an early crisis to the REGENCY, and a symptom of convalescency: for it allayed the boiling of discontented spirits, with drawing the fuel of their presumption, and giving them leisure to settle and evaporate: it raised the allies and confederates of the crown, that now desponding of the wonted vigour of the French conjunctions, were about to treat apart their interests with the house of Austria. Nor was it now a time to derogate from this exploit by questioning how advised, since anhigh valour & a like success had approved it. But at the Court of Spain, the same messenger, which brought the news of the death of Lovis, by which they promised themselves so great advantages, brought also this of the ruin at Rocroy, which quashed all and made their hopes as jarringly recoil upon them, as curious wires that burst in over-winding and ravell upon their springs.  
Yet neither these distasters, nor this hostility did abate any point of ceremony at that Court in solemnising the exequialls of his M●j●stie● Brother in-law of France in his own chapel, where the King and Queen and chief nobility then present put themselves in ample trains of mourning, and had three solemn masses sung, the first celebrated by a Bishop, the second by an Archbishop, and the third by the Pope's Nuntio: and after that hard a pathetical oration delivered by the Confessor of the late Card, Infanta in the praise of Lovis and his most Christian virtues, with the circumstances of his death, which mollified the hearts and drew tears from s●me of the Auditory, while he p●udently omitted and covered such passages, as might have turned the minds of the Spaniards. But let us take our ●ongie here, and back again to the Court of France,  
Where the King's Council employ their accurate deliberations about some orders to be issued for the best improvement of the victory: But the Cardinal's advice (which he presented in an excellent discourse on that subject) to set presently on Thionuille (a strong place in Luxenborg, which might protect the town of Mets and the adjacent territory, assure the Mozelle with the communication betwixt France and the Elector of Triers, intercept the Spaniards commerce that way from the lower Palati●●●e, where they then ruled,) prevailed with the Qu. as a great enterprise, represented hopeful, and in case it should succeed, full of glory to her Government as what would show itself an ent●●e fruit of the present guidance o● affairs, without reference to any provision whatsoever, made in the former reign. Where upon a speedy order is dispatched to the Duke of Anguien (who was then in prosecution of his victory, ravaging the enemy's country, and sacking all places that were but weakly guarded) to hasten towards the siege of that place: but first to give the enemy a strong diversion by forcing them towards Brussels, and so leave them to suspect any other thing, rather than this of Thionville: and another order was dispatched, at the same time, to the Marquis of Géures to go forthwith with that body that he commanded in Champagne, to sit down before it, which on his part was so well executed, and the City so surprised, that he secured all the advenues till the Duke's arrival.  
The unfortunate Melo, was using his utmost diligence to recruit an army, wherewithal to oppose the French progress, & draining some of his more remote Garrisons, whereof this was one, being then 2000 strong and 80 leagues distant from the French army, to make up a strong body of Infantry, which were most endamaged in the late battle▪ but being again amused by the dubiousness of the enemies marching, he sends command to General Beck to flank them with 6000 men, and wait upon their motions: who now guessing at the true design, crossed the Meuse at Namur cutting thereby a nearer way to Thionville, and so had intercepted the Duke's march, but that the French had sent a flying army without baggage to clear the Coast before them, while the rest followed with the gross artillery and ammunition: yet he so accosted them that before they could defend it, he put in a supply of 800 men into the garrison.  
The siege was opposed vigorously by frequent shots and Sallies almost two months. The Marquis of Géures lost his life in it, The Duke at once had all his attendants wounded when he went to oversee a battery that was raising. Mons. d' Espenan was lightly wounded in the head, and Gasslon so grievously, that the Queen despeeded the Count of Rantzau to supply his place, and the Card. presented him on that occasion with a pair of Barbes, and six other Coach-horses with a purse of a thousand starlings: & there wanted no diligence to supply that army in this service. Some foot regiments were sent to recruit them out of Burgundy, of which one Italian of the Card▪ Mazzarini's & three other were raised a new to augment them under the names of the Queen and the Duke of Orleans, 500000 franks were sent to the general-duke, besides a sum●● from his father, the Pr. of Con●●● for his private expenses. The besieged sustained the springi●● of two mines, repulsed more assaults, made great slaughter, an● at last when they saw no hope 〈◊〉 succour capitulated hard: but the Duke, to make a shorter work● with them, & let them know wha● favour, he was ready to grant to their valour caused his other Mine● to be showed to their Commissioners, & after gave them honourable articles, dated the 8th of Aug. 1643.  
The Hollanders whose conjunction, according to the late treaty, was hitherto in vain expected (and when there was most need of seconding the designs of their Confederates by some diversion, whether indeed they were jealous of the French successes, or nillingly induced to comport with the Prince of Orange's desires, while they thought their own interests not much engaged) began now to be drawn by a sense of some advantage, and the Prince's indisposition of health (which as yet served for their excuse) being now well amended, he embarked his army on certain vessels to attempt the prize of Hulst: but finding the Spaniard● there too well provided, he had order from the States to attempt Sass van Gant, but herein also Melo prevented him, being ready with a good army to wait upon him, and so obliged him to retire to Assenden, where he found leisure to think of some stratagem to defray the honour and charges of his expedition, since 'twas now too late to acquit himself of either by force of arms.  
Whereupon he sends his whole cavalry with 3000 foot to surpris● the quarters of Don Andrea Cantel● in the houses about Antwerp▪ an● the next morning puts a quantit● of his men in the habit of boor● coming early to the Marke● to seize themselves of a gate 〈◊〉 the city: but the Spaniards having smelled the plot pelted the first comers with their Musket● which giving warning to the other guards and notice to the enemy of their unsuspected discovery▪ they hastened their retrea● though not so fast, but the Spani●ards with Cantelmo●, taking the alarm, overtook some of them and encouraged thereby pursued with such eagerness, that at last some of them fell on an ambush of the Hollanders, where Don Giovan●● Borgia Lieut. General of the horse, with other Officers, remained prisoners, and Don Andrea was forced to return with loss to his own quarters.  
This exploit sufficed the Hollanders for this campaign, & the Lords' States found themselves so much aggrieved at the charges occasioned by the barks that were at first employed, that all the applications of the French Ambassador de la Tuillerie, could scarce prevail with them from unseasonable reclaiming of their army to winter quarters, a thing which strangely disgusted the French Ministers, to see how little their confederates esteemed the common cause, while they loved so well their money, that sometimes they would receive it in nothing else but Franks of weight, which they might return with most advantage in the species of their own country, And when they had received it against the common enemy, employed it rather to counter-balance their friend's prosperity, as if they more desired to gauge their progress, through jealousy of the future, then advance their own interest with present acquisitions. And these misprisions were the more augmented by their starting back from the articles already made with France, alleging that the Queen being to pay them certain sums according to the treaty, which she could not do but by authority of the young King, it should be necessary to renew the overtures of agreement, wherein though they did not show themselves obstinate, but at last complied with the French Ambassador in confirming the last treaty; yet they gave the Spaniards to observe their coldness, and thereby to move with them the more instantly, to sever themselves from the French interests, and treat apart their own conditions of peace with the King of Spain: wherein they promised them the more fairly, to defeat the French designs towards the Munster treaty, as well as to divide their strength; nor failed of being well listened to, notwithstanding the great renitency of these their Allies.  
And the Swedes in Germany, that ere while had been but ill satisfied of the French addresses on their side, to counter-batter the house of Austria (since both had agreed to distract the Emperor's forces by the sound and echo of their mutual diversions, so promoting one another's pretensions to be urged in the treaty before mentioned) and being more diffident of any further vigour in th●● design to be expected from that crown, since the late Cardinal, and the King, in whose perso●● the total correspondency in this affair seemed to be involved▪ were unseasonably taken off, and a new Government to succeed, whose ability, at such a juncture▪ they were no less to suspect, than their affection, and indeed 'twas thought the Queen's conscience would have laboured hard with this doubt, joined with a passion towards her own house (if a Church●man had not stood by her chair of state with a ready hand to assist her) began now to think apart of their own interests, and what conditions to make for themselves without regard to their late Confederacy: but as soon as the Cardinal's letters were imparted to them by the Chancellor Oxenstiern, assuring them of the constant applications of that crown to prosecute, as much as ever, their common designs till the general peace: it quite restored their former confidence with resolution to persist in this issue, as was before agreed. Nor had they any reason or affection to manage their alliance so leiger-handedly as the Hollanders (to whom the Cardinal's letters of the like importance were yet so acceptable, that they sent copies of them to every good town & house throughout their states: and no less, though it may be not expressed in the same fashion, were his others to the Prince of Orange, the Duchess of Savoy, the Lady landgrave Van Hessen, the King of Portugal, and the Catalonians) but to wish as well as might be to the French progress in weakening the house of Austri●, while they themselves were there by enabled, together with the be●nefit of their pay and the Germ● booty, to exact their own adva●●tages.  
But as the blood comes of●ner to the heart before it ma●● an entire circulation; so the cur●rent of our discourse must back● again to Paris, to consider the in●ner state of France, before it ca● arrive in Italy, or in Catalonia.  
We remember what graceswe●● before granted by the late King● and how the new Governmen● did enlarge them; insomuch tha● the Queen's bounty did almost amount to a general indemnity▪ yet with obligation to come and justify themselves in parliament, which occasioned some difficulty in stating the greater cases.  
And first the Duke of Esper●o●▪ having fled into England in his father's life time (where the King conferred the garter on him) to avoid the persecutions of the late Card. imputing the loss at Fontarabie to his account, presented, with his petition, a protestation of nullity to the sentence denounced against him without any legal process, and with out much difficulty was readmitted to enjoy his estate with the Government of Guie●ne, wherewithal the Count of Harcourt, a noble cient of the Guisards, had been gratified in his absence, and in lieu thereof is now recompensed with the charge of Gran Escuyer (or Mr. of the horse) & a pension of 10000 crowns a year from the King's exchequer.  
The Duke of Guise (who before his elder Brother died at Florence) was destined to the, church, and invested with the archbishopric of Reims, the Abbacy of S. De●●● and 500000 livres rent in bene●●ces, whereof he was deprived, the late Card. (because engaged 〈◊〉 a promise of marriage) fou●● more favour yet in the proe●● of his restitution: for whereas 〈◊〉 Council were ready to grant 〈◊〉 reparation by the usual form 〈◊〉 abolition, the Card. Mazzar●● represented to her Majesty 〈◊〉 great aversation the old Dutche● had conceived against that for●●● desiring only a simple declaratio● innocency (wherein her aim 〈◊〉 at recovering the Ecclesiastic●● promotions, and all in one act●● which though her Majesty grac●●ously condescended to; yet it 〈◊〉 with many difficulties in the Par●lement, which, pleading their le●gall sentence given against 〈◊〉 Duke, pronounced an arrest, ob●liging him to take an abolit●o●●hich at last the Duke, to avoid 〈◊〉 further tediousness was will●●g to accept; and so had it rati●●●d in parliament, while the instan●● of the Pr. of Conde & Card. Maz●●ri●i sufficed towards the Queen 〈◊〉 Council to remit also his form 〈◊〉 benefices to his dispoall. Yet the ●●ke was now married to an other ●●dy at Brussels (where he retired 〈◊〉 Richelieu's displeasure, & dealt ●ith the Spaniards there for the ●ount of Soissons) than her that be●●re he had promised, though at his ●●turne into France he left her too, 〈◊〉 sued afterwards for a divorce.  
The Duke of Boüillon's case ●ust be driven somewhat higher 〈◊〉 get a true intelligence of it. ●is name is Frederick Maurice de lae 〈◊〉, son of Henry de la Tour 〈◊〉 of Boüillon, Prince of Sedan, ●●count of Turenne &c. and of Elisabeth of Nassau daughter of William Prince of Orange, and 〈◊〉 the marshal de Turenne for his on● Brother. His Ancestors were und●● the clientele of France, and 〈◊〉 father premier marshal when 〈◊〉 died: But the present Duke, ha●ving made himself a Catholick● some time before; joined in leag●●●irst with the Count of Soisso●● and after that with the Marq●● of Cinq Marcs against the crowne● (though he then commanded 〈◊〉 forces of France in Italy) an● being in both oppressed, he 〈◊〉 constrained to purchase his 〈◊〉 and liberty by putting his sove●rainty of Sedan with the adjace● domain in the King of France 〈◊〉 power. But now he hoped if 〈◊〉 to re-enter on his estates by th●● interest of the house of Orange, 〈◊〉 favour of the Duke of Orlean● whom formerly he had engaged▪ or his alliance with the Princ● 〈◊〉 Cond●, (which was somewhat 〈◊〉, by marriage of one of his ●●●ters to the Duke of Trimoüille 〈◊〉 Prince's x german) where●● the reason of state made strong ●●ainst him: yet, at least, as a Sove●●igne Prince by birth and title, 〈◊〉 obtain a worthy recompense, ●nd an high rank in France, with the title of Prince and Princess 〈◊〉 himself and Duchess, where●● he made much instance, and sound the other Dukes and Peers of France no less averse to it.  
Whereupon he chose rather, than 〈◊〉 harken to other recompenses ●ropounded to him, to retire to his ●state of Turenne in the Province of Gascony, which giving jealousy 〈◊〉 the Qu. she sent again to him 〈◊〉 come and finish the affair a●out Sedan, which he pretended 〈◊〉 satisfy; but instead thereof with●●ew privately into Italy, where he sojourned 3 years, and at last was glad to return into France, accepting the same recompense that was before proffered to him, whic● was the duchy of Awergne (with a sum of money)  
The Duke of Vendos●●e, a natural son of Henry the 4 by the Duchess of Beaufort, having mar●ried Frances, only daughter of Philip Emanuel of Lorraine Duke o●Mercoeur, by whom he had two sons, the eldest bearing title o● Duke of Mercoeur, and the younger of Beaufort, was with these hi● sons, the principal of those th●● were ingratiated and freed from the imputation of Mons. le Grands conspiracy, which as readily made way for him to all his forme● rights and privileges besides the Government of Britain, whereunto because he had some pretence of property by the said marage, the late Card, took advantage to dispossess him: as he had dealt with the former Duke of Guise, who claiming some right to the County of Provence, as descended from Renè of Aniou, King of Sicily, and Count of Provence (who left this estate to Lewis XI. in prejudice of the Princes of the house Lorraine, whereof himself was the next to the first, that now enjoyeed the absolute right and title to that sovereignty) and herewithal the Admiralty of the Levant sea, he first disseizeth him of this Government, and then procures from the King a Declaration to suppress the charge of Admiral, and instead thereof to erect that of Grand-Master, chief, and Sur-intendant general of the Navigation, and commerce of France, which he got to be invested in his own person, and left by his will to his Nephew the Duke of Fron●sac.  
And because in the Duke's absence, the marshal de la Meilleraye, by the favour of Richelie● (whose mother being the marshal's father's sister made them Cousin germanes) and of the Government of breast in Bretag●● (which accrueing to him by the Duke of Brissac's daughter, rendered it convenient to entrust the Lieutenancy of the whole province to his charge) did supply instead of governor, the Duke employs his utmost interest to recover that dignity wherein Beaufo●● casting an evil eye on Meilleraye, affected so much passion, th●● it drew the court almost into parties. This occasioned some overtures to compromise this differe●ce with a proffer to the Duke of Ven●●sme of the Governmen● of Champagne in lieu of the other, and the charge of Grand Escuyer (Than not disposed) to the Duke of Beaufort to quiet him: but nothing would satisfy at that time but a restitution, which dashed all further treating, and left disturbed spirits, to agitate the animosities of Beaufort, as it soon appeared.  
But in the mean while an accident that befell the Secretary de Chavigny somewhat like that other which broke over noyer's, if the Cardinal Mazzarini had not lent an hand at last to alleviate it, may entertain our contemplation with some other variety. Monsieur Bouthiller having had a fair time of offices and employments, was now willing to abate somewhat in the use of his fortunes and quit the charge which he enjoyed, of Sur-intendant of the finances to the Queen's disposal, hoping that this action might reflect the more favour upon his son, the Count of Chavigny, but she immediately conferred it on Mousieur le Bailleul, and Mons. d' Avaux to exercise it jointly; and whether indeed the Queen resenting that unpala●able form of message, which the Count brought with the King's declaration (according to which, notwithstanding, she had confirmed him in her Council) intended to chastise him with the veirges of royal eyes, or he having privilege to sit in Council covered, did fry (as we say) in his own grease by the daily kindlingof his conceit, that he was not had in answerable regard or estimation: in ●ine, he was so much perplexed, that he could not refrain to ease his mind in the breast of his Confessor; who thereupon preaching to him of the vanity of all worldly happiness, or Court●favour, concluded with an exhortation to him to think of another way of employing his devoirs, for the good of Christendom, by promoting of the general peace, and instead of that office of Secretary of the King's commandments, to apply himself to become a Plenipotentiary of the crown, at the Munster treaty. Which done, this Father (Amelot of the order of the Orators) informs the Countess of Brienne, what thoughts and resolutions were working in the mind of the Secretary de Chavigny, who being a Lady of high descent, & of a present and subtle spirit, applauded these his purposes, advising the Father to keep him still intent upon them. And a while after this, she sends in haste for the Priest again, and then delivers to him, under the seal of secrecy, this intelligence, which she said she had heard herself in the Queen's Cabinet, from her own mouth, that the Qu. intended to remove the secretary de Chavigny from his place, & therefore out of good affection, to prevent any such unhandsome accident, she had took that care to get a timely meeting with him (the said father) that by his means some notice of it might be conveyed to the Count to make his best advantage of it. Nor were these tidings any sooner trilled in his ear, but they found a ready credence, and as soon imported his passion with the fear of such a slur, the doubt of removal from all other public managements, and losing the emolument (which they use in France with royal privilege) of his decession, so that hastening to the Cardinal, he importunes the favour of him, to obtain a licence for him from the Queen, to deposit his charge of Secretary, and he omitted no argument to dissuade him: yet (not prevailing) would not fail to satisfy his desires, but accordingly procures a liberty for him to transfer his office to the Count of Brienne, reimbursing himself of the charges, that he pretended.  
But afore this business was well ac●complished, Chavigny had bethought himself better, and altering his resolution, employed his principal friends, and in particular the Duke of Bellegarde towards the Duke of Orleans, to help restore him to his former station. But the Queen answered, that she could not so disparage herself and government by admitting an imputation of feminine inconstancy, that he demised his charge, although to the Count of Brien●e, against her will, and now that he had the grant of it, she would not hear of any retractation, yet she condescended, at the instance of the Cardinal, to salve his Honour, in the nominating of him for one of her Plenipotentiaryes for the general peace, which did a little palliate the reputation of his discretion, from the piercing air of court-talk, that being a person of spirit & policy, he should be so trepan'd between a Priest & a woman.  
A slighter cause then, this did almost occasion a great embroilement; for one night when the Duchess of Montbazon had revels at her house, she caused one of her waiting Gentlewomen to take up two love-letters, that fell from the Marquis of Coligny, a x & a confident of the Duke of Anguyen, and so consequently of his sister the Duchess of Longueville, and thence conveying them to her own chamber▪ had them read before many Gentlemen persuading them, that that Lady had directed them to the Marquis (which was thought to be of envy, because she had a picque at this (which was the ●d) mar●iage of the Duke of Longueville.) The Princess of Condè having news of this, is presently shod with Mercury, and away she hastens to the Queen, to require justice for this injury, while the Duchess demands the producing of these supposed letters▪ to be confronted with others of ●her own, only the Husband shows to slight these passages; but the rest of the house of Condè gave to know, if the Queen did not right them, that they would fasten some affront on that Duchess, whose Husband the Duke of Montbazon▪ ● (having some ailiance by the marriage of one of his daughters, by a former venture, to the Duke of Chevre●se) with the family of the Guisardes, had these engaged therefore to protect his house from any disgrace whatsoever, And among these, Beaufort would needs be the principal. The Queen commits the cementing of this rupture to the Cardinal's politeness, and he, as the best means to procure it, persuades the Q●● to invite both parties with their relations, and some persons of high quality, to her own apartment, and there with the train and the intruders, were about 500 persons attending on this occasion▪ The Princess of Conde expressed herself ●irst.  
That since her Majesty had signified her pleasure to her, that for the benefit of the crown and her proper satisfaction, she desired to see the differences composed betwixt her house and the Duchess of Montbazon, she was most willing to condescend thereunto, since for her majesty's pleasure and the welfare of the kingdom she was to sacrifice her life and honour. But the Duchess of Montbazon, (having laid aside her mourning for that day, and richly cloa●h'd herself with her hair, her eyes & her black patches, set to her gallant humour) came close up to the Princess, and after mutual salutations began to read a billet tied to her Fan in these precise terms. I come to protest to ye, that I am— where the Princess interrupted her, saying to the Cardinal— see, s●ee knows not whom she speaks to, but the Duchess not at all moved proceeds, Madam, I am come hitherto protest to you, that I am most innocent of the baseness, wherewithal I am charged, there being no person of h●●nour, that can affirm such a calumny: and if I had committed any fault in this sort, I should submit readily to any penalty, that her Majesty should appoint me, nor should I ever appear in the sight of the world, without having asked you pardon. And I beseech you to believe, that I shall not at any time fail in that respect which I owe, and that conceit which I have of the virtue and merit of Madam de Longueville. To which again the Princess answered, Madam, I axcept readily of the assurance, which you give me of having no share in the slander divulged, referring all to the Command which the Queen has herein laid upon me. Which thus ended, the Lady of Montbazon turned to the Princess and after a short discourse, took her leave, with the like haughtiness, as she showed at her first entrance.  
And it soon appeared, that these griefs were but slightly skinned; for a while after when the Queen was invited by the Duchess of Cheureuse to a banquet, in her garden, she would have had the Princess to have gone in with her; but she refusing to come where the Duchess of Montbazon was, her Majesty sent courteously to the said Duchess, to desire her, that she would be pleased to withdraw herself, wherein when she discovered a great reluctancy, the Queen herself withdrew, much altered, and gave order forthwith to the secretary de Guenega ud, to intimate to her in her name, that she abstain from Court: and she indeed expecting nothing less, prevented that order; retiring to her place at Rochefort, about some 30 miles from Paris: but thither 'tis sent after her, that she do not stir from thence without precise order from her Majesty.  
This gave pretences to the Duke of Beaufort to get some blades about him: especially since 'twas commonly said in Paris, that the Marquis of Coligny being now on his return from the camp at Thionville, intended to retort some iujuryon of Madam Montbazon for the blemish wherewithal she had aspersed him. Nor was that common rumour of a vain surmise● for as soon as the Marquis was arrived, he sent a challenge to the Duke of Guise, as the chief of all that justified that Lady's quarrel, wherein he fell twice wounded to the ground and was permitted by the like generosity of the Duke, which scorned at first to serve it self of the prerogative of his title and quality, to rise again. But yet at last, though the Duke had received a slight wound in his right shoulder, he buckled a gain so strictly with his defier, that he forced him to part with his sword, and ask his life of him, though it could not much avail him, for (God not being so entreated) he died shortly after of the hurts received in this encounter.  
The Count of Chavigny was now providing for his journey, & whether it were for a fair diversion, or for curiosity to see some of his choicer utensils, especially a couple of stately court-cupboards of white and gilt plate, or rather intended by the Queen and Card. as an Honour to him, Her Majesty came to entertain herself with the said Count at the Castle of Boisde Vincennes, whereof he was the governor; but in the middle of this treatment arrives Beaufort, discovering (as 'twas surmised) a notable alteration in his countenance, when he missed the Cardinal there, to whom he was become diffident, and towards whom he had an ill eye, as the obstacle of his designs, while certain Cavaliers, suspected to be set by him to kill his Eminency, scouted in little parties about the Wood, leaving strange apprehensions of their design. And this notice was brough● to the Cardinal, with such an echo, as if the Duke, having failed to to find him there, was coming to surprise him in his own palace: whereupon he hasted to recover himself in the Lowre, where the principal of the Court came to congratulate with him, for the danger that he had escaped, and next day the Duke was arrested in the Queen's name, by the captain of her guards, and sent to the same Castle as a Prisoner, and the Cardinal had the like guard allowed for his person, as his predecessor had before. But this persuaded him to procure the detaining of Chavigny, as a necessary friend to have about him, and in his stead to send Monsieur de Servient with instructions for the treaty.  
The discovery of a plot gives great advantage, and just plea to any Potentate, that was the object of it, to secure himself more and root deeper; Mazzarin found occasion by this means to move the Queen to prevent all dissensions, that might be fomented in her Council, that so she might become the better fortified about her heart, to resist those qualms, which might annoy her in civil broils such as always use to infest the Minority of the French Kings, and such as did already discover some sad prognostics to he●Regency. Which so prevailed with her Majesty, that she dismissed the Bishops of Beauvais (of whom we have before made mention) and of Lisieux from sitting any longer in her councils▪ bringing in, in their steads, the Lord Chancellor and the Pen●tentiary of Notre dame in Paris, consenting likewise to bid som● withdrawing to those that we●● suspected of disaffection, or had 〈◊〉 ill character in the former reign●▪  
The Duke of Vendosuse with hi● son, the Duke of Mercoeur, were also set a distance from the court o● city of Paris, and the former by some rumours that were spread becoming more suspicious, was cited to his defence, and soldien sent to arrest him, but he made ●●cape first to Geneva, and thence into Italy; from whence how he since returned, and had the Go●ernment of Provence, with the of●●ce of Grand Master &c. that is 〈◊〉 lieu of High admiral, and the survival of this charge to his son the Duke of Beaufort, given to con●●ent him, cannot fall within mycir●●●t, any more than the following Honours of the Duke of Mercoeur and his marriage to one of the Cardinau's nieces, it being a great 〈◊〉 in policy towards a friendship to be a potent enemy, and their amity being commonly more de●ired that have power, and will, to do us mischief, than those that have both to do us good.  
The stroke, which imminent danger can inflict, was nowhere else so green and tender as in Catatalonia, since the enemies, that the feared were more potent neighbours, which had lately been the● Masters, and the aid of France, that they now relied on, was more on a nominal subjection than any real dependence (these not having any bridle put into their hands, whereby to hinder the Catalonians, at their pleasure to reconcile themselves with Spain, and help to drive out them their adopted Guardians) Therefore the more care was requisite, to exhib● tokens of good affection to these people, since it was by this only correspondence, that the interest of the one could be preserved, and the hearts of the other surmount their own Despondences.  
Nor did the Spaniards pretermit any due application of their designs to the Catalans: for whilst the imminent death of the late King was under expectation, the King of Spain in person, which since the time of Charles the fift has been somewhat rare, advanced to Saragoça to foment some revolting from his enemies and add the more vigour to his forces that way, as well as to encourage those of Arragon and Valencia, who being next neighbours, & sometimes dangerously touched by the nearness of the fire, had showed themselves very forward in raising men for his majesty's service, without pleading of their privileges, as they used too scrupulouslyon other occasions: but finding these efforts of theirs the worse seconded, by how much they did their part the better, began now to speak out their discontentments. Yet neither the news of that King's approaching, or of this King's death, the writings scattered in Barcelon●, exhorting them to return to the open arms of their true and natural Lord, while they were now freed, before any new allegiance should come to be tendered them; nor the downfall of Olivarez, who served for a former pretence to their defection, could any way alter the aversion of these people from the yoke of Castille, as they showed openly by practising the same ceremonies, at the death of the French King, which before they used for that of the Spanish, 〈◊〉 some exceedings in the sumptuousness, which was interpreted as an owning of his successor to be their Lord.  
The French ministers were no less diligent to support their hopes of wonted succour, and qualify their other jealousies, and because they could not dissemble their suspected unprovidednesle to issue in campaign by reason of these accidents, they endeavour●d to show the more courage with those they had; and sent a strong party to wast the county of Rivagerça (a vale sprinkled with good ●ownes within the kingdom of ●rragon) which therewithal took and pillaged the town and castle of Estadiglia, a place of 1000 houses, and within 3 leagues of Monçon, which it might well serve to protect in the French hands, and so defend the ground which they had gained within that kingdom.  
But his Majesty of Spain forth● with issues orders from Saragoca to D. Filippo di Silva, to go and beset that place, quitting the design of Balaguer, as too too hazardous, it being hard to get any ill disaster recruited there a little good success at first promising fairly to accumulate in its progress. Whereupon, according to appointment, the marquess of Mortara issues out of Fraga, with a body of 2500 horse towards Lerida, a place whereof the French were most jealous, to carry their solicitude that way, and otherwise to pay themselves by surprising some of their enemies in the quarters thereabouts, which taking effect, as it was designed, among the rest some 50 Catalans were taken prisoners, which expecting no other but the punishment of rebels, were freely dismissed by the Marquis, saying, that His King did not make war against his subjects, but against his enemeys. This alarm sounded high at Barcelona, where the viceroy, for want of expected supplies out of France, not being ready to put himself into the field with forces able to wage his enemy, was fain to hear his amorous pastimes objected to him, while the country was in imminent danger: and they again from him, their backwardness at such a time, to lend their assistance towards the paying of his army, whereby he got from them a sum of 50000 crowns, and then put himself on the way to Lerida, to provide for its security and that of Flix, which two he most feared. And once, when he went out with a party to clear the Coast, he fell foul on a greater number of the enemy: and, being by nature bold and froward was trapped in the middle of them, his followers routed, and himself a prisoner for an hour or two, till at last espying where a few of his guard were coming to relieve him having been by good fortune unknown that while, he spurred towards them, and by the fleetness of his horse recovered Liberty.  
Silva had by this time covered his back before Monçon, not having above 5000 foot, and 600 horse with him, because there was not forage to be had for a greater number; but he had quartered near at hand other 3000, and 1500 more to dispatch on any necessary expedition, whensoever the French should attempt to succour it, while the king himself did valiantly appoint, at Sarogoça, an hundred Masses to be celebrated every day, for the happy success of his arms abroad.  
The viceroy was sufficiently roused with this news: But what should he do? He sends to Barcelona for 500 musketeers, and they send 1000 and order the posse Principatûs, the whole Militia of the Country to attend him, wherein those of his duchy of Cardona vied to be the forwardest, and with these directly marches to the trenches of the Spaniards, provoking them to battle: but he returns answer, that first he would have Monçon, and after not refuse the combat. Wherefore finding that he could not force them, he retired with his forces back to Lerida, and shortly after to Barcelona, to their great disgust there, and the governor of Monçon was left to make his own conditions, as he did very honourably: and this exploit (which made way for that of Lerida the next year) sufficed the Spaniards for this campaign, returning to their winter Quarters, and the King with this Trophy to his court at Madrid.  
In our way from hence to Italy we meet with an insurrection of certain peasants against the exacters of the taxes▪ whereof one or two Ringleaders being taken and carried to Villa Franca, they were presently followed to the gates of the city, by about 10000 of them, with apiece of ordnance, demanding, with their fellows, the Intendent of justice, who had caused them to be arrested: but the marshal de Schomberg with a few troops out of Languedoc did soon suppress these, as the Marquis of Aumont did some others, more menacing, in Poictou and Xantongne, with a few Regiments which he had in a readiness there.  
The state of Milan having now a new governor sent them out of Flanders, the marquis of Vellada, (the rather for having been an in timate friend of Prince Thomas, when they served the King of Spain together there, he might be the more proper to reduce him to his old devotion) might have hoped for some new favour from their fortune, as usually happens at such junctures, if before he saw himself duly placed in his charge, he had not seen his enemy successful in the field by the taking of Villanuova d' Asti (a place which bridled Asti, the only prize which the French had made the last campaign in lieu of the Tortona) and now at liberty to employ their entire forces with the Savoyards on some other enterprise.  
And first they attempted Alessandria, securing all the advenues about the place with about 8000 foot, and 4000 horse excepting only one quarter reserved for the Marquis of Ville, who was now ready to return thither from Villanuova, with 2000 foot more: but the Spaniards took that nick of time to reinforce that garrison, though before well enough provided (but that the Prince trusted somewhat to his intelligence with in it) with 1000 more both horse and foot, which obliged them to give over that design, as not feasible. so that now it returned to the Council what exploit to try next, Valenza was most in their eye, but their forces scarce sufficient, because to straightened that they should be held to maintain their siege in two quarters on the opposite banks of Po; and Breme, though a noble prize, was too strongly fortified. Wherefore the result fell on Trino, a place that might be more commodiously invested a and being near their friends, might better subsist there with their army, and free them from the ordinary annoyances, which the Spaniards turned on them from that Hold: yet neither could they now wind their march with such trains though they divided and went about; as to seduce their enemy: or prevent his putting in 200 dragoons, and Cuirassiers the same night that they came to block it, making up in all a garrison of 1500 foot, and 300 horse, under the command of the Baron of Vatteville their governor.  
While the Prince, with his Brother Maurice of Savoy, and the Viscount (now Marshal) of Turenne, employed themselves in this Siege, they appointed Monsieur de cownges, governor of Casale, with a part of that garrison, and other levies made about the Country adjacent to take in Camin a little Castle which might serve to secure any convoys of victual from Casale to the camp, which happily ensued, giving commodity to the Siegers to ply it close abovea months, (when those within having stoutly maintained themselves so long, & now no longer able to repair or man their breaches) were forced to capitulate. The new Governor was advanced with a part of his army between Novara and Oleggio, to cut off the French designs of seizing any Post besides the river Tesin: but they, having well refreshed their soldiers, wheel about to Pontestura, a fortress lying upon the Po betwixt Casale and Trino, where the Marquis (since also Marshal) of Plessi●-Praslin formed the siege (Pr. Thomas and Turenne being both out of health) while the Marquis of Ville lay on t' other side of the river to hinder any succours. The garrison had 800 foot in it without horse, and were not waning to their own defence, till they themselves did accidentally set fire to a mine of their enemies which blew up the miner and two other workmen: but made such abreach upon themselves, as forced them also to accept of conditions. The governor had no remedy but to secure the places that were yet in danger, wherein he used great diligence; such as great regret and hope in the future would excite in him: & he French accounting themselves well appaied for this campaign, retired to their winter Quarters.  
But while the feud of either nation employs its force of arms on the skirts of Italy, it holds their reciprocal art and interest in no less exercise to gain authority in the heart of it, by bearing away the honour of Mediation betwixt the Pope, and the League abovementioned. And however among the infinite revolutions that every age produceth, there remains but little record to posterity; save only where a lavish sword does engrave its own track in indelible characters; yet in those emergents, which have gnawed their passage by the teeth of time, and travel through the joints of several coalescent fortunes, there are left (though in lighter mould) more curious signatures of human passions to be observed.  
When this quarrel first began, and the French to intercede in it, the Cardinal of Richeli●u was at the helm, and he in a bad opinion with the Pope: so that after the breach of the treaty at Castel-G● orgio, the French & ecclesiastics did recriminate one another, and the Pope charged Richelieu and his instrument de Lionne, to study rather to embroil all things, then to pacify: and he everywhere declaimed against the Barberini, and wrote in his own defence against the Cardinal Spada, who had been the Popes Plenipotentialy at that treaty. But when the Cardinal Mazzarini was come to the government: the Pope and the Barberini considered him as a great confident obliged to them for his advancement, and bore a better eye to any overtures that afterwards 〈◊〉 from that crown. And he, that had not so much quicksilver in his humour, as his predecessor applied himself the more seriously to gain this honour, as a notable point to illustrate the reputation of that crown and accredit himself in his own Country. Wherefore considering that although the Marquis of Fontenay's return, did somewhat reduce the French interposition into new request; yet Mons de Lionne, by reason of disgusts that had passed, could no more continue a gracious person in the way of mediating, he procures the sending of Cardinal Bichi, then in France, in a noble way, and full commission to be the Plenipotentiary of that crown, and its Mediator between the parties: which by reason of the Quality and qualities of the person, an Italian, a Cardinal, the most accort and full of Gentilesse of any other, was generally accepted with these Princes, and all proceedings towards a peace, left in suspense till his arrival, though de Lionne, and the other French Ministers, did nothing slack their wonted diligence to promote them.  
And this was a quick in centive to the Spaniard, to thrust in between this juncture, and get the standard of his auhority erected first on the temple of peace; (especially in that country where his awe had formerly borne so high, that the Princes of it durst not dispose of their subjects, of their children, or of their own persons without consent of his Council: & the French, that were his competitors, had not a foot of land in it, besides their late acquists, that yet were under contestation) but many circumstances did still create him new impediments.  
And first, that through the whole Pontificate of this Pope, which nowhad lasted 20 years and upwards, there had been perpe●uae simultates betwixt him and the Spaniards, these declaring him adverse to their interests, as in effect his Nephews were constant partisans of the other side. Then, that the Spanish Ambassador and the Cardinals, that were dependants of that Crown, had divers months since (and before Fontenay) retired in disgust from Rome (because the Portugal Ambassador (Lamego) pretending to be so received, and by assistance of the French, repulsing the Spaniard's violence, and endangering his Person in a street encounter, were countenanced more than He) whereby there rested a certain strangeness on all their interposalls, with such a distance, that every overture took wind before it took effect: whereas the French were still at hand to manage all their instances with life and presence towards the Pope, towards the republic, and towards the respective Princes. Add to these, that it was so long before any resolutions or patents could come from Spain; that those which at last arrived to the Viceroy of Naples, to the Governor of Milan, to their Ambassador at Venice, to the Cardinals Monti, Cueva, and Albernoz were all stale and importune: and so accordingly were their Ministers treated by the Cardinal Barberino, imparting nothing else but good words to them, and old rejected propositions, which had first been in the French hands, and could not be adjusted. And when they complained to the League of their non-admission to be Mediators; not withstanding their Masters good will, and right of neighbourhood, to interpose in all good offices, they receive in answer: that it was not their part to offer; but accept conditions from the part of Rome, and that they were ready to hear any, that should bring the fairest terms of peace, which they had had before in ampler manner from the French Ambassador: and therefore gained no more but compliment, and to be made acquainted civillyas they proceeded.  
Besides these, there were two other obstalces, close: but more insuperable: the first, that the King of Spain sent not any Minister on that purpose, whereas the French had first recalled the Marshal d' Extrée from Rome, because he had incurred disgusts there, and sent the Marquis of Fontenay in his stead, on this very errand: and when he also was disgusted, and gone from Rome, they soon procured his recalling; and the better to promote his applications, dispatched first de Lionne, and then Bichi, to accommodate them with the other parties: which were otherwise accepted, than the Agents or Ambassadors of the viceroy of Naples, and Governor of Milan, whose power in any emergent difficulty should refer to the Council at Madrid. The other, that when the Pope would have joined with the Spaniards to chastise the French, when their Ambassador had retired and left him hardly pressed by the League, there were no aids or Compliances to be got from them (as the Duke of Parma did also find, notwithstanding promises to keep him from accepting the French proffers, who as readily suppyed him both with men and money) whether for want of confidence, or because reduced to extreme frugality to make both the ends of Naples and Milan hold together, and lend besides an helping hand to Flanders, whereas they saw, to their great jealousy, a power of French both in Popes and leagues service, not knowing how they might be bestowed either in the wars, or after a peace concluded.  
Bichi arrived in June to execute his commission, and first takes a pass of the Duke of Florence, to conduct himself from Genova to Parma, where that Duke being then absent, the Duke of Modena took occasion to invite him thither to compliment, and prepare him for certain private interests, which he desired to have comprehended in the treaty of peace; but thought it not then time to discover himself freely, nor the other to take any cognisance, only to sound his intentions, & take the altitude of his aims, which were at other pretensions that he had with the holy See about Comucchio and Ferrar●●: Thence he takes his way to Bondeno, a town of the state Ecclesiastical, where the D. of Parma was, having taken it in the war, and treats with him about the propositions which had already been sent from Rome to him, by the Marquis of Fontenay; but he found him most determined, now the term assigned at Castel-Georgio was expired, to harken to no depositing; but effectual restitution: wherein having well informed himself of his disposition, he goes to Corraro, the Venetian Proveditor at Finale, from whom he could only get thus much in general terms, that the colleagues did desire a firm and durable peace, and that the late treaty at Castel-Georgio did admonish them to proceed with circumspection. Whereupon he addresseth himself next to the Cardinal Antonio Barberino, the Pope's nephew at Bologna, where he had the charge of his forces, acquainting him with the good disposition that he found towards a peace, and presseth the nomination of a Plenipotentiary on the Pope's part to promote a treaty; which the Cardinal answered, assuring him of his Holinesses intention to that purpose already designed in the person of Cardinal Donghi. And with this he returns again to Corraro, and General Pesaro, urging them to move their republic to the same correspondence, and writes to the French ambassador at Venice to apply himself effectually in the college to that end, and withal sends a writing to him, which had almost spoiled all in the first beginning.  
For when the Cardinal Bi●hi●ound that no good was to be ●one on the old propositions; but ●hat from him a new mediator, ●ew overtures were expected: he ●ramed a new draught at Bol●na●ut of the old, compared with the ●etters from Rome of the French ambassador, expressing the Cardinal Francisco Barberino's sense about the manner of according, which he communicated to the Cardinal Antonio and Secretary Ferragalo, and obtaining their approbation imparted them first to the Venetian Generals, and then to the French ambassador Resident there, to be communicated to the senate, whereupon he obtained from them the nomination of their plenipotentiary, the Procurator Nani. But when this draught was sent to Rome by the Secretary Ferragalo, the Card. Francisco forthwith displaces him utters raish speeches concerning Bichi, and in a Congregation 〈◊〉 state, procures the disallowing of them with marginal exceptions, to several clauses in them: and is highly dissatisfied, that such a thing should be sent from Bologna, (from whence the Ecclesiastical c●probation might be presumed) before it were exhibited at Rome: with was not all; for something was to be understood, which it grieved the Cardinal Barb. to have unwarily been expressed: for whereas the restitution of Castro was before exhibited, the Card. (who had hither to framed a 1000 collusions to evade this restitution) thought in some measure to have satisfied his passion against the Duke, by hindering him at Rome in some emolument of grain, issuing out of that state, to the Duke's bank by several patents granted by former Popes in favour of that house: but his secret drift in this business not being comprehended by his Brother An●onio, or their Secretary, when the terms of the draught came to be altered, it altered the case with it, and Bichi's proffers became thereby more ample than was intended. But he surmiseth nothing yet of what is poaching at the Court of Rome: in the mean time he takes his way towards Florence to comply also with that Prin●e, as one of the chief of the league, and learn what satisfaction 'twas that he pretended, where he found a fair reception and nothing in effect more; but that he held it not convenient to admit any negotiation apart, but that the Plenipotentiaries of the Colleagues should agree together of of what points to be insisted o● and with that answer returns to Lombardy to resume the further management of the treaty, wher● he hears, that by the instances 〈◊〉 the Marquis of Fontenay, the Cardinal Doughi was upon his way, but with order by no means to admit of his folio: but only of that exhibited formerly by the Marquis, and sent to the other Resident at Venice. But all this while the many pleas of Bichi to procure a suspension of hostility, could avail little with the parties, especially with the league, who followed their arms the more vigorously, because they being to receive conditions would be sure to bea● them down to reason, while they had their adversary at the advantage, having lately beaten them at Mongiovino, and shortly after with a greater stroke at Pittigliano, where the grand Duke's forces proved the heaviest to them. Yet the Duke of Modena was so much overpowered in his estates by the Church forces, and found the Venetians so much startled at the taking of Lagoscuro (a strong place on their ●ide of the river P●, which exposed all their palaces, and country houses to plunder & utter ruin) by the Papalins, that he could get no aids from them (they being all so poli●quely leagued, that they loved their neighbours rather, for themselves then as themselves) that he was contented to harken, without standing on terms, foreign to the plea in hand, to a fair agreement, as well as the Venetians, for the reason specified: and the Grand Duke, because nothing was to be gotten by the war: for one neighbour will not permit any augmentation in Italy to another; but all are all against him that removes the Landmarke● and plucking up the floodgates 〈◊〉 a sure lefting in some foreign in u● dation, wherewithal that country has been so often plagued. And especially, that which is gotten of the Church, being not any private Patrimony; but S. Peter● must be rendered back to the next successor, or else all Christendom engaged in the quarrel: So that though the Chu●● usurp on other temporalities, ye● her own are sacred and not to be touched. And this was the reason why the war was so temperat●● and in so long a time's continuance (above 2 years) so little do●● not that the state ecclesiastical 〈◊〉 match enough for so many neighbours (though of extent much larger within Italy, than any one of the leagued Princes: or so much richer; for it has but little benefit of the sea, and was so much exhausted, that no way was left to get money; the wealth of that state being in few hands, the peasants, miserable, and the public poor, unless the Church ●tensills be reckoned in the sum which would inflame it to a vastness: so that one Million was taken out of the castle S. Angelo, which was one of the five put in ●y Sixtus 5. on that condition that 〈◊〉 should not be taken out but in case of extremity, when the city of Rome was in utmost danger: a●d 15. Cardinals made at once to raise money) but because of the remissness of the league, as be●ng defensive rather than offensive and against the Barberini, as they would have it styled, rather than against the Church. Nor was the D. of Parma so scrupulous on this occasion, when excommunicated but he expelled all the Religions in his dominions, that were of the State-Ecclesiastial, and all that would not continue in the exercise of their charges, and promise loyalty to him: and he himself frequented Masses more than before. Nor did his Neighbours fear to join with him, notwithstanding that enchantment, set upon his doors.  
But now, that all parties 〈◊〉 peace, there is nothing more ●●noyant to it, than the point of reputation, the remora (the truest remora) of punctilios: to remove which, the Card. Bichi would omit no expedient: but what can be do, while the most remorsive of any other, stuck upon himself, when he hears how his writing had been censured? Wherefore, being on his way, from Bondeno towards Ferrara, and accompanied thither by de Lionne, the Cardinal Donhgi came at some good distance to receive him, and en●●ing all into one Coach, there passed some resentive discourse between them: which de Lionne gave the first occasion to, complaining of the vanity of any negotiation, by what was seen in the past treaty of Castel-Geo●gio, land taxing the artifice of the ecclesiastics, with aversion to the peace: which led the Card. to speak, in like manner, of the bad requital of his endeavours, by the censuring of his proposals, although he had thereby withheld the Duke of Parma from assaulting the fort of Lagofcuro, at the same time with the Ve●●etians; stopped the pretensions of the Duke of Modena; balanced the Duke of Florence; obliged the benevolence of France towards the church, and obtained the nominating of Plenipotentiaries for the treaty; that his writing contained nothing but what he had other writings to justify it by, and in 〈◊〉 nothing different from the former, sent from Rome. That it should be as if it never were, for that he would demand the original of the Vene●ian generals and burn it in the Card▪ presence at Rome, where he was resolved to conduct himself next in his own vindication, though he had reason to fear that that action would cast all things farther from agreement, than ever they were before, and bring the league more powerfully armed and combined on the state ecclesiastical, then ever to that time.  
Donghis answered, that he came as a new Plenipotentiary on a new negotiation, that the Pope did embrace his Eminency's endeavours towards the peace, and that the Cardinal Barberino's desire did only tend to that scope, that these proposals might pass only as an ●●t of the same, as he was Media●or; and not as yet allowed at Rome (for Donghi abstained as yet to express himself fully to his commission in this particular) and for his Eminency's intention of going to the Court of Rome, commended and advised it, as a thing proper for him to do, as a Cardinal and mediator, to pass the like offic●s with his holiness, as he had already done with the other Princes, assuring him, that his arrival there had been erewhile expected.  
But when the two Cardinals were come to Ferrara, they retired without d● Lionne's intervention, to debate more effectually about the means to purchase this glory to themselves, and benefit to all Italy, to compromise this difference with the re-establishment of peace betwixt all parties, and first considered of the place of meeting for the Plenipotentiaries. Bichi urged, that such a ground of confidence might be laid in the leagued Princes, as to leave it to their election, Doughi, that that respect and reverence might be done to his Holiness and the Church, to have it within the Ecclesiastical State: which was the sum of their dispute, at that meeting, and so they part both, to return to Rome by several ways.  
Bichi takes the way of Florence, and to salve his reputation of ha●ing exceeded his Commission, ●nd being disapproved at Rome, ●ives out that, that writing of his ●as not disallowed, but only disavowed by the Cardinal Barberino to be none of his, to content the Spaniards, complaining that overtutes of more importance were communicated to the French Ministers, than to those of his Catholic Majesty.  
The Imperial ambassador, being moved by the Spanish, doth yet persist at the Senate, in declaring the Pope's willingness to deposit Castro in the Emperor's hands, & acquaints them that his Imperial Majesty had licenced the Duke of Savelli from his service (because he was a Roman subject, and at this time Lieutenant General of their arms) lest his partiality should be a prejudice to his majesty's mediation. The Senate knew this to be a delusion of the Barberini (effectual restitution having been before proffered to the French Ministers) yet they answer with good respect referring to the meeting of the several plenipotentiaries▪ but when the ambassador pressed further, than an Imperial Deputy might be present at it, they put it off on purpose, to stop any such pretention.  
It does not so directly belong to this scene to follow the Cardinal Bichi in the infinite windings through which he was trained ●t Rome, nor to consider the jealousy of the Colleagues on his delaying so long there without any issue: and much longer he might have been, notwithstanding his dexterity, if the last chocque at Pitigli●no had not forced them to some conclusion: suffice it to say, that at the latter end of November he returns with his propositions well adjusted and power to treat of any neutral place, being void of garrison, within the Mantovan But considering on the way, what obstructions were likely to accrue with this designed congress, both in respect of the formalities of precedure which might occasion some distgusts: & the counter-working of so many divers heads and interests, but especially by the spleen of the Austrians, which would not cease to deal by him and the peace here, as they had done at Rome, casting all imaginable rubs against the course of it, he thought it better to treat with the interessed Princess themselves at their own places, and so passing from one to another to prepare them for the sealing of Articles interchangeably. Which once before induced him to delay at Florence t●l he had composed this design & found an approbation of it from all side●, Then he offers by the French Resident at Venice, to transport himself thither to finish this affair, which they accept the gladlier, that the Grand Duke might not rest Arbiter of the league, by drawing all the management that way; and when he arrived there, his entertainment was extraordinary. When he came to their confines, they ordered the Podestà of Chiozza, to receive him at the Polesella, and discharge him, with sumptuous treatment, through all their dominion. I omit the noble way of meeting and receiving him into their City▪ But when he came to his public audience, the Doge met him at the top of the stairs with the whole Signory; where he took off his crown to salute him, and putting himself on the left hand, walks uncovered to the Gran Sala, & so to the steps of the Throne▪ where they mounted both together, but yet the Cardinal a little befoe, and was the first placed in the ducal seat, enlarged on purpose for this occasion, to receive a persons. Being thus sat at the Duke's right hand, he presented his Majesty's credential letters, which were read by a secretary, before a numerous throng of people. After which the Cardinal delivered his public compliment, and the Doge made answer, which ended that ceremony, and prepared so well for following negotiations, that within a while after, when he took his leave to meet again with Donghi, the whole treaty had been finished; but that a dangerous sickness of the Pope had almost reversed all: but as soon as he recovered it, Donghi transfers himself to Ferrara to subscribe the articles, the other Plenipotentiaries waiting at Venice to subscribe them in like manner, and date them the same day, the import whereof amounted to thus much.  
That the Pope and Leagu● should plight their faith to the K. of France, that all things should be restored to the State wherein they were before the Wars, whereof the said King should take hostages to be delivered at Casale till the execution, and the said King should promise and engage to turn his arms on the non-observer of this accord, and should crave absolution in due manner, on behalf of the Duke of Parma, which was accordingly subscribed March 31. 1644. by Donghi the Popes Plenipotentiary at Ferrara, by Bichi for the King of France (who also stipulated for the Duke of Prama) and the other 3 Commissioners at Venice, the same day: which was the ending at present of this turmoil, to the great content and reputation of the French Ministers. But although the treaty were punctually put in execution, within the term of 60 days after signing: yet it did not long avail the Duke of Parma: for the next Pope Innocent the 10. on a sudden reprised and razed Castro to the ground, erecting only in the middle of it (as I have been told at Rome) a stone with this inscription, Qu● stava Castro. And the present Pope, Alex. 7. has reentered on these Estates, and the Emoluments of them, as confiscations to the Church (which was the Duke's undertaker towards the Montists) notwithstanding the remonstrances of his Ambassador, pretending that the sickness was only the cause why the Duke had not satisfied his obligations within the term indented: but the Duke at present is young, and under too great engagements (besides his love of pleasure) to recover these estates: nor shall ever, in any probability, be able to find the like assistance, as his Father did.  
And here I may have a fair outlet, which I would gladly have burst through, to have found sooner.  
We have now surveyed the whole campaign of this year, excepting only one encroachment unluckily jutting into Germany▪ where the Count of Guebriant, being straightened and overpowered by the Duke of Bavaria in his quarters, between Brisaoh and Strasburg, and his corres●ondents, the Swedes, diverted then into Denmark (with almost as great success, as at this instant) solicits earnestly at the Court for new recruits: which accordingly sends order to the Duke of Anguien, to dispatch some of his squadrons from Thionville thither, it being but a few days march distant, wherein when the said Duke had observed orders, he came himself to Paris, to see his Lady, and the little son, which she had lately brought him, to the great content of the kindred of the late Cardinal, whose Niece she was. The same night he went to reverence the Queen, who received him with tokens, answerable to that esteem which she made of his valour, and the signal services, that he had rendered to the crown in that campaign. But he had not rested long, before he is again designed to conduct other aids into Germany, which either the blandishments of the Court, or an opinion that such a service might be as well discharged by any ordinary Marshal of the camp, as by himself, or else that he had some other recompense in his eye, than yet he had obtained; made him frame excuses to the great disgust of the Ministers of state, who thereupon persuaded with her Majesty to commit that charge to the Duke of Ango●lesmo, who being nigh upon the place might assume it the more readily: but upon the first receipt of this commission, he immediately dispatches a Gentleman to the Court to excuse himsel● that from expedition, being hindered by the gou● from exposing himself to any other pains: which unexpected answer would have troubled the Queen and her Council, if at the same time the Duke of Angnien, being promppted with an ardour after new triumphs, had not offered to resume that trust to the great contentment of the Queen, and all the Kingdom, as the confluence of Soldiers proved. And while the rest are providing the Count of Ranzàu is dispatched afore with about 8000 choice men, drawn out of the Queen's Regiments, with the Scotch and French guards to join with Guebriant, and so to force the Bavarians out of Wirtemberg and seize themselves of their quarters: that so they might not only subsist themselves; but return the burden of those Soldiers on the estates of their own Elector, and so oblige him to harken to a peace, and raise themselves to the higher reputation, within Germany, at the opening of the Munster Congress.  
The arrival of the Count of Ranzaù (making the army up some 14000 men) was very troublesome to the thoughts of the marshal of Guebrian, lest he, being a great favourite of the Cardinal's, should be sent as his controller, and if any disgrace should happen, to be his successor, which apprehension became disastrous to his conduct: for although he were more sensible, than any other, of the danger of passing too hastily to the other side of the Rhine: yet the sense of Ranzau, being followed by the officers under him, imposed a necessity on the Marshal to put it in execution: so that on the first day of Novemb. they began to advance by a bad token; for the sky, that was clear before, mantled on a sudden, and fell in continued folds of snow for a month together, which made the ways so deep that the Cannon was not dragged without great difficulty: and general Ro●a, whom the Marshal sent before to discover and clear the coast, though he had been, at other times, a vigilant & a valiant Captain, was at night surprised in his Quarter, by one Coll. Sporch, a Captain before of no note; and his men, which were the double number, routed by 600 of this Sporch's, with the prize of 800 horse. Which news being brought to Guebrian did so amuse him, that he said publicly: that such a Capt. that had given so signal proofs of his valour, in 30 several occasions and above, which he could reckon, should be so surprised and beaten by one Coll. Sporch, did confirm in him his former doubts that, what had been prognosticated in the council, would not answer in the event, and with that he went to hear mass.  
The squadrons of Ranzau were but ill provided for the warfare of a German winter: and many got away from the army. Nor was the scarcity of bread a small disaster to it, which the beaten Soldiers put among the baggage; but the rest that carried it in their Knapsacks spoiled by the weather; so that once again, Guebrian devised to assign them to their quarters: but Rantzau again prevailed with him to assault Rotweil, a place fortified with towers and a dry trench without bulwarks: and the Snow continuing the Cannon was not yet arrived at the camp; so that the defendants repulsed all assaults with great slaughter, and prolonged the time till the Bavarians had united all their forces to come and succour it: so that once again the Gen. moved with the Count of Ranzau to withdraw their army: but with the like success as he had done before. Wherefore applying his utmost diligence to prosecute the storm, and direct the mines with one of the ordnance (that were since come in) he was stricken by a Cannon shot in the right arm, which proved mortal to him, and grievous to the soldiery (he being reputed one of the prime Captains of the age) who notwithstanding, after 14 days spent in this siege, constrained the delivery of this place.  
But least the death of Guebrian should seem to contibute to the glory of Ranzàu, while he leads the army further to Tutlinghen, the Bavarians come upon him on the sudden, by the benefit of a wood near at hand, and having surprised the artillery, unexpectedly turned it against the city, and then blocked it up, holding all the soldiers within it, Prisoners. On which noise, general Rosa hastens with his Cavalry to the Head-quarter: but finding his attempt too late, and the Bavarians set in battle, he went to return to Rotweil: but before he could recover it, he finds it reprised by his enemies. The other Quarters of the French Army were overpower in the like manner: only▪ ten Regiments of Horse took flight, which the Italian Reg●●ment of Cardinal Mazzarin coming to join withal, and to maintain their ground, remained for the most part dead (after brave resistance) upon the place. Ra●zàu himself remained prisoner, with his chief Officers, above five thousand more, and two and fifty Cornets and Ensigns, with all the Baggage and the Cannon: Yet▪ 〈…〉 jealousy to these their Confederates, about any underhand compliances, relating to their common interests, now to be de●at●d▪ His business here, is, only to attend the motions of the Fre●ch Plenipotentiaries, and to be sure (at least) to keep as much state, as they should do, about his ap●pearance, and advancement towards the place. But these we shall find in Holland, employing all their art, to engage that people to an adequate concurren●e with them at the Treaty; so that both their satisfactions should run in one line, and neither of them admit of either Peace, or Truce, without the issue of the other: and in case, the Peace should not be concluded (as it happened) before the next campaign, to prepare some overtures, which afterwards took effect, of joining their united Forces, by Sea and Land● to thrust the Spaniards out of ●raveling and Dunkirk. The success of which, as then glorious to the Cardinal's direction, and now revived by another (I hope) yet more vigorous and noble conjunction, will (no doubt) dispense with my hand, and engage sublimer Pens to glory in the subject.  
〈◊〉 sat eru●t qui dicere laudes, gall, tuas cupiant & tristia condere 〈◊〉 bella.   

Pos●scrip●.  
〈…〉 kind of pedantry) than they themselves have done those others, whose credits they usurp, which would impose upon the Reader with too●much impertinency. Yet I do not envy a fair acknowledgement, (though I am beholden to more than twenty more) to Him that has done me the greatest courtesy, for the matter of so poor a web; and to let the world know, that it is Mercurio di Siri, ● Writer so voluminous, that we need not either of us suspect a translation. Though I have rambled in such a fashion through Him, and so confounded him with oothers, and abounded in my own liberty, that I could wish it; either for the public benefit, or my own vindication. But in the interim, I do not think the end can deserve so much paius, or the poorness of my reputation provoke any free spirit, to undergo the trouble of comparing them: so that all my security is the smallness of my own merit, and the assurance of my good intention, which having done no wrong, is ●●t liable to much exception: especially, if you be pleased first, to correct these few Errata, and think, if you find any more of lighter consequence, that I either oversaw, or on purpose did neglect them.   

ERRATA.  
 
FINIS.