Chapter VI: French (3)

He came into the Yard, and seeing the Lieutenant of the City, in whose house the King had put _la Fin_, to secure him from all attempts, My Lord Lieutenant (said he) I am very much your friend, take heed to have any thing to do with that Witch and Magician that lyeth at your house, if you meddle with him he will undo you.

The Scaffold was set up in the corner of the Yard, over against the Garden gate, six foot high, and seven long, without any Ornament or distinction. He kneeled upon the first step, lifted up his Eyes to Heaven and made a short Prayer, like a Souldier, and went up as couragiously as if he had gone to an assault, clad in a Gray Taffety Suit, with a black Hat on his Head, but as soon as he saw the Executioner, he looked furiously upon him, and bid him stand aside till he were ready to receive the last stroke: He threw his Hat, his Handkarchief, and Doublet to the first that would take it, nevertheless one of the Executioners men was nimbler than all the rest, and looking upon the Souldiers that kept the Gate armed, with Musquets and Fire-locks. Ah! said he, must I die? is there no pardon? if at least some of those good fellows would shut me (opening his Breast) he should oblige my very much, what pity is it to die so miserably, and of so shameful a blow, then directing his speech to the Spectators, he said, I have put my Soul into such a state as she ought to be to appear before the face of Almighty God, but I pity that of the King, who causeth me to die unjustly: I have erred I confess, but I never attempted anything against the Kings Person, he should have been dead ten years ago if I would have believed the evil Councel that was given me concerning that the trouble and distress of his Soul was so great, that a little while before he said three years, and now he says ten; the Divines having setled him a little once more, he received their absolution.

The Executioner then presented unto him a Frontlet, but it proved to him a new wound, an increase of grief, and swore if he toucht him any other way than with the Sword he would strangle him, & thereupon he asked again for his own Handkarchief to make use of it, his hollow and gastly Eyes shewed he was not in his right mind. _Voisin_ intreated him to be patient, and to raise his thoughts to the place where his Soul was to go, and to be attentive to the reading of his Sentence. He was unwilling to hear the repetition of his Crimes, and to have occasion to exclaim again against the Iniquitie, of those that had condemned him, against the Kings cruelty, as he called it, that would not grant him his pardon, and that this was to make him feel death before death. _Voisin_ answered, that it could not be done otherwise. He answered that every body knew for what reason he was there and then as if it were by confession, he said, _well, read_, and thereupon held his Peace till _Voisin_ came to these words, _for having attempted against the Kings Person_; for then he fell into a passion again, as he had done before, and said, that it was false, that this never came into his mind, that as God was his Judge, he would be for ever deprived of his Grace if it were true, that since two and twenty Months he had done nothing against the Kings service, that it is true he had written some Letters, but that the King had forgiven him, protesting and calling the Spectators to Witness, that it was the truth what he spoke, as he would answer it before God, and spoke so many words, and so fast that neither he nor the Sheriff could be understood.

The Sentence being read, the Divines did admonish him to leave all Earthly thoughts, to implore the assistance of Heaven, and to resign his Soul to the Eternal providence of the Almighty, and his Body to what the Law had ordained of it, he made some Prayer to God, and bound his Eyes with his own Handkarchief, and asked the Executioner in what place he was to put himself, the Executioner pointing with his finger, said, there my Lord; he pulled off his Handkarchief in a rage, and where is that there, said he? thou seest I am blind fold, and thou shewest me as if I could see; he bound himself again, and bid the Executioner to dispatch quickly: The Executioner told him he ought to kneel, for fear he should do something amiss. No, no, said he, I shall not stir, if thou canst not do it at one blow do it at thirty, he was intreated again to kneel, which he did, and spoke these Imperious words, dispatch, dispatch, then rose up again, and untied his Handkarchief, and by casting his Eyes upon the Executioner, made the people believe, that either he had a mind to seize upon the Sword, or that he was terribly afrighted by the approaches of Death, and began again his former complaints, is there no pardon? must I die so miserably? after so many services. The Executioner intreated him to suffer his hairs behind to be cut off; he began to swear again fearfully, that if he toucht him otherwise than with the Sword, he would strangle him. The Divines told him that he was too carefull of his Body, he would hear no more of that, but fell into a rage, and swore, that he would not be toucht by so Infamous a Person as long as he was alive, that if they did provoke him too much, he would strangle half the Company, and oblige the other half to kill him, those that were upon the Scaffold went down and left him with the Executioner, who repented himself heartily that he had taken the care of him unbound.

The Divines went up again upon the Scaffold, and desired him for the love of God to resolve to step over that pass, which was necessary for every man to do, and with some few other words, whispered into his ears, did calm him a little, and made him resolve to undergo the Execution, after he had made many complaints, and shewed great fears of dying. A strange thing that as stout and valiant a man as ever was born, who had so many times cast himself amongst the greatest dangers, without any fear or apprehension, as if there was no death for him, should shew himself now so fearful at the coming of it; we may judge by this, that the apprehension of death is incomparably greater when it cometh upon a cold blood, and those that know what his Chirurgion was wont to say, shall less wonder at it; for he said, that the Duke of _Biron_ used to wonder at himself, that being not afraid of the thrust of a Sword, nevertheless he was very timerous at the pricking of a Launcet, when he had occasion to be let blood: Whereupon we must confess, that the greatest courage, and most undaunted stoutness of a man, is nothing in comparison of human Natures weakness.

The Divines judging him to be out of fear, gave him his last absolution, he kneeled again, and cried aloud three times, _My God, my God, my God, have Mercy upon me_, then turning to the Executioner, he took the headband that he had in his hand, and intreated _Baranton_ to do him that last curtesie as to lift up his hairs behind, which _Baranton_ did, and the Duke himself did tie the Handkarchief about his Eyes. The Divines seeing him in that good disposition, did assure him, that he was ready to go to Heaven, and to see God, and to enjoy his Glory. Yes, said he, Heaven is open to receive my Soul, and so stooped his neck for the Executioner to do his office. The Executioner considering, that he had untied himself three times before, and might do so again for the fourth, thought fitting to entertain him with fair words, to desire his forgiveness, and to put him in mind of saying his last Prayer, in the mean time he beckened to his man, who was at the foot of the Scaffold, to reach him the Sword, which no sooner was in his hand, but the Duke of _Birons_ Head was off his Shoulders, it fell from the Scaffold to the ground, and was thrown again by the Executioners man upon the Scaffold, the Body was stript to its Shirt, and wraped in a Sheet, and the same day buried, about nine of the Clock at night, in St. _Pauls_ Church, without any shew or Ceremony. Thus ended the Tragical History of the Duke of _Biron_.

Now follows the two last Verses of this Prophecie.

_A Post overtaken in the Countrey,_
_And the Scrivener shall cast himself into the Water._

Which as we have said before, were concerning _Nicolas L’oste_, Secretary to the Lord _Villeroy_, chief Secretary of State. The History therefore is thus.

The _French_ Embassador at _Madrid_, complained once to _Henry_ the IV. he was so ill informed, and so late of Affairs, that the King of _Spain_’s Ministers knew them before him: The King was a great while troubled before he could discover the spring of that infidelity, at last it came out in this manner. _Villeroy_ that great Oracle of _France_, and the most confident Secretary to the King, had among his servants one _Nicolas l’Oste_, born at _Orleans_, in whom he did confide so much the more, because his Father had been the most part of his life in his service.

The Lord _Rochepot_ going Embassador into _Spain_, _Oste_ desired to be admitted into his Family, to serve him as his secretary, that he might the better fit himself for publick employment. _Villeroy_’s commendation got him easily that employment, by which in a few Months he became so capable of the _Spanish_ Tongue and manners, that no body could have distinguished him from a natural _Spaniard_. The Embassador having sworn in the name of the most Christian King the treaty of Peace made at _Veruins_, the King of _Spain_ presented him with a rich Chain of Jewels, and with six other of Gold, valued at 150. Crowns apiece, to bestow upon as many of his own servants as he should think fit.

The pride and presumption of this young man was such as to perswade him he deserved one of them, and chiefly because one of his fellows was thought worthy of it, but his Master did not think so, and thus he was neglected.

Thus envy and jealousie were the Windows by which the Devil crept into his soul; the vanity, lying, pride, and debauchery gave him a full admittance, he had spent all his Money to buy the love of a Courtisane, and wanted means to follow that course which he had no mind to leave off. His Masters neglecting of him, had extraordinarily vexed him, but he comforted himself that he knew his secrets, and that in revealing them to the King of _Spains_ Ministers he shot two Birds with one shot; for he should avenge himself of that contempt he had received, and should have a way to continue his amorous expences. With that intention he made himself known to _Don Franchese_ one of the Secretaries of State, and told him what means he had to serve the King of _Spain_, and to shew him proofs of that service and affection he had vowed to him long before, by imparting to him all the Letters that the Embassador did both send and receive from the King his Master.

_Don Franchese_ heard this proposition as from a young man, whose Brains were not well settled, or perhaps did abhor such infidelity, therefore told him coldly, that the Catholick King was in so good amity with the most Christian one, that he desired to know no more of his business, than what his Embassador should tell him.

L’_Oste_ did not despond for all this, but went to _Don Ydiaques_ another Secretary of State, who knowing how important it is for a Prince to know the secrets of his Neighbours, and that the slighting of such an offer would be prejudicial to the King his Masters Service, did hearken unto this Traitor, approved of his design, and exhorted him to persevere in the good affection he shewed to the King of _Spains_ service, promised to acquaint the King with it, and to procure him such a reward, as he should have reason to be satisfied with.

The Councel agreed that L’_Oste_ should be incouraged, and _Don Ydiaques_, presented him to the Duke of _Lerma_, to whom he shewed the Alphabet of Cyphers, with which his Master writ his Letters into _France_, and for a further proof unciphered the last Letter that the King of _France_ had sent. The Duke exhorted him to continue his good Will, gave him 1200. Crowns for an earnest of the Bargain, with a promise of as much for a yearly pension, besides a considerable gratification he was to expect from the King.

Since that time the _French_ Embassador received no Letters but they were presently imparted to the _Spanish_ Councel: But the Lord _la Rochepot_ being called back into _France_, L’_Oste_ lost the conveniency of prosecuting his Treasons, and consequently the hopes of his promised reward, therefore sought means to come again into his first Masters, that is, _Villeroy_’s service, but he was a while kept back from it by reason of a difference between his Mother and _Villeroy_, about some rest of Accounts; but L’_Oste_ had rather take that loss upon him than to be deprived of that occasion. The Embassador himself gave him a large Testimony Of his ability and faithfulness, and was Instrumental for his re-admission into that service.

Thus being re-established, he became more diligent and sedulous than ever before, and not only writ more Letters than any of his fellows, but also offered them his service to help them, that he might have a more perfect knowledge of all transactions, and so impart them to the _Spaniard_, and so visited and conferred with _Taxis_ the _Spanish_ Embassador at _Paris_, and after that with his successor, _Don Baltazar de Cuniga_, with so much cunning and secrecy, that the Councel of _Spain_ received his Letters, before _des Barreaux_ the _French_ Embassador at _Madrid_, could receive those of the King.

_Des Barreaux_ sent word to the King, that when he propounded any thing, according to his Majesties command, to the Councel of _Spain_, he found them always preadvised, and could not find out by what means; certainly said the King, there must be some in my Councel that keep a strict intelligence with the _Spaniard_, and I can not tell whom to suspect. Providence doth often draw good effects out of the worse causes, and permitteth that the wicked should disclose one anothers wickedness, as a Nail driveth out another. _Loste_ had revealed himself familiarly to one _Raffis_, formerly Secretary to the Lord _Lansac_, a fugitive into _Spain_, for many Treasons, and exempted from pardon; but the _Spaniard_ had begun to cut him short of his former Pensions, since the Treason of the Baron of _Fontanelles_, Governour of _Dornavenest_ in _Brittanny_, in which the said _Raffis_ had been a principal Actor, though in vain, so that since, the Councel of _Spain_ looked upon him as an unprofitable servant, and withdrew their Pension.

_Raffis_ finding himself near a great want and misery, thought this occasion might be a means to prevent it, and to procure his return into his native Countrey, by doing so great a service to his Prince; therefore he went to one of the _French_ Embassadors most faithful servants, and told him his grief, for having had a share in so many Treasons and Rebellions in _France_, which he acknowledged God had into his particular protection, that he was resolved to blot out the memory of them by a notable service done to the King and Kingdom, but that could not be, unless he had first obtained pardon for all his former misdemeanors.

This being told to the Embassadour, he heard _Raffis_, who told him in general that the King was betrayed, and his most secret Councel bewrayed, but that he could not name the Traitor, no not to his Majesty himself, before he had his pardon: that being done, he would wholly withdraw himself from those whom he knew certainly to be enemies to the Kingdom. The Embassadour sent an express to the King to give him notice of it. The King sent him full power to treat with _Raffis_, with promiss to ratifie whatsoever he should promiss to _Raffis_; _Raffis_ could not make good his accusation, but by two Letters written by _Loste_, to a great friend of his, named _Blas_, which Letters he knew to be in a Box of _Blas_, who lodged with him; therefore upon some pretext or another, they found means to send _Blas_ as far as l’_Escurial_. In his absence _Raffis_ and _Descardes_ Secretary to the Embassadour, broke open the Box, and took out the Letters, by which _Loste_ did much magnifie the liberalities of _Spain_, as being above his desert and expectation; with this proofs and the Embassadors Letters, _Raffis_ fained to go to a Monastery near _Madrid_, and there make his devotions upon Palm-Sunday, as he was wont to do, but he went directly to _Bayone_, where he met with _Discardes_ upon a set day. _Blas_ came back after Palm-Sunday, and finding his Box open, and his companion run away, he suspected the matter, and gave notice of it to the _Spanish_ Ministers, who presently dispatched two Courriers to the _Spanish_ Embassador at _Paris_, to give him notice that a man was gone from _Madrid_; who would discover _Loste_ and his practises, therefore he should give him notice of it, and bid him look to himself, and that in case he should be taken, to keep secresie.

_Descardes_ and _Raffis_ came to _Paris_ the _Wensday_ after Easter, and carried themselves with all faithfulness in this occasion, but not with all the prudence that could have been desired. _Villeroy_ was going the same day to lie at his own House, between _Paris_ and _Fountain-bleau_, where the Court was then; they met with him at _Juvisy_, and waited on him as far as _Villeroy_, but told him nothing of the occasion of their coming by the way, till they presented him with the Embassadors Letters, which was a notable fault, for he would certainly have neglected all other business to secure his man, who was then doing his devotions at the Charter-house of _Paris_.

The next day _Villeroy_ was the first that told the King of the coming of _Raffis_, and of the perfidiousness of his own servant. As he was going back to his Lodging, notice was given him that two _Spanish_ Courtiers were arrived at the Post-house; he commanded one of the Commissioners of the Post-house, that he should cause them to withdraw into a Room, and that no body should speak with them; he charged also _Descardes_, that he should spy the coming of _Loste_, that he should keep him close company, and send him presently notice of his arrival. The Commissioner and _Descardes_ did commit here another great fault, for _Loste_ being come to the Post-house about noon, this silly Commissioner told him that there were arrived two _Spanish_ Courtiers who asked for him, that they had Letters for him, and more then that, suffered him to go into their Chamber and see them, he saluted them, and one of them whispered him in the ear that he was undone if he did not save himself presently, and that _Raffis_ had discovered him; fear and astonishment with his guilty conscience, persuaded him easily to look to himself.

Nevertheless, he settled his countenance the best he could, he went out with an intention to take his Horse again, which he had sent before, and so save himself; _Descardes_ and _Raffis_ perceived him, _Descardes_ came and saluted him, and thinking perhaps that he was strong enough to give an account of him, neglected to send word to _Villeroy_, who was then in his Closet with the Bishop of _Chartres_; _Descardes_ presence was a great thorn in _Loste_’s foot, to be rid of him, he said he was going to his Master, who stayed for him; _Descardes_ offered to accompany him: he answered, he had not dined, and that believing it was past Dinner time at home, he would go into some Cabaret to look for a Dinner, the other answered I have not dinned neither, we shall dine together. _Loste_ found another excuse, and said my Boots hurt me, I pray give me leave that I may go and pull them off; _Descardes_ answered, he must needs drink with him. Thus arguing together, they came to _Villeroy_’s Lodging, where _Descardes_ thinking to have him sure, left him in the Room, not knowing that the _Spanish_ Courtiers had talked with him, and came near the Closet to give notice of it to _Villeroy_; but as soon as he saw himself rid of _Descardes_, he went down into the Stable, and finding his Horse yet Sadled he Mounted, and with all speed rid to _Paris_; _Villeroy_ in the mean time having notice that his man was come, he commanded they should bring them in; but he was not to be found, nor his Horse neither, no body knowing which way he was gone. _Villeroy_ told the King that his man was escaped, they sent after him on all sides, and _Villeroy_ particularly sent all his Servants after into all the ways. _Loste_ coming to _Paris_ about nine of the Clock at night, went to take counsel of the _Spanish_ Embassadour, and before day, went out habited like a _Spaniard_, with the Embassadors Steward, and took his way towards _Meaux_, with an intent to get into _Luxembourg_ by Poste.

That every one might endeavour the apprehending of that Traitor, it was spread abroad that one of _Villeroy_’s Secretaries had attempted upon the Kings Person, and notice was given of his Stature, Age, Cloaths and Horse. The Sheriffs of every Countrey were in quest, and all Post-Masters were forbidden to let out any Horses, but that of _Meaux_ had notice of it too late; _Loste_ was got on Horseback already, but assoon as he began to gallop, his Horse fell to the ground, and was an ill _Omen_ to the Rider; he got up again, and shewed so much fearfulness in his Countenance, that the Postillion himself thought he had committed some notorious villany, which he did run for. Being come home, he gave notice of it to his Master, who suspecting him to be the man enquired off, he gave notice of it to the Sheriff, who presently made after him at the second Ferry of _la Ferte soubs Jouare_, where he was Crossing the River; the Sheriff cried after the Ferry man to come back, but the fear of his life, which the two run aways put him into, prevailed upon him, above the Sheriffs commands, being got over, and judging that their Post-Horses should be quickly overtaken by those of the Sheriff, they forsook them and the Postillion; and trusted to their heels in the darkness of the night among the Bushes and Brambles that are upon the River _Marne_. The Sheriff scattered his men all about, caused fires to be made, and raised up all the Countrey people thereabout; the _Spaniard_ ran over the Champion Countrey, and _Loste_ went from Bush to Bush, and whether accidentally or wilfully he fell into the River _Marne_, where he was drowned; the next day his Hat was found between two posts, and his body two days after not far from that place.

Thus you may plainly see the full event of those two famous Prophecies, contained in this sixth Stanza.