Chapter IX: French

Deux Estendars du costé de l’_Auvergne_,
Senestre pris, pour un temps prison regne,
Et un Dame enfant voudra mener,
An Censuart, mais discouvert l’affaire,
Danger de mort, murmure sur la Terre,
Germain, _Bastille_, Frere & Sœur prisonier.

English.

Two Standards in the County of _Auvergne_,
The left one taken, for a while Prison shall reign,
And a Lady shall endeavour to carry a child
To the Censuart, but the plot being discovered,
Danger of Death, murmur upon Earth,
Own Brother, _Bastille_, Brother and Sister prisoners.

ANNOT.

This Stanza being most obscure and difficult, cannot be understood so well by parcels, as by laying down the whole _Synopsis_ of it, which I do the more willingly, because I think it will be delightful to the Reader, and that the whole being known, the meaning of every particular will easily be understood.

_Charles_ the IX. King of _France_, the last of the House of _Valois_ left only one natural Son, called the Earl of _Auvergne_, who had a Sister by the Mothers side, that was called _Henrietta de Balzac_ Duchess of _Verneuil_, once Mistriss to _Henry_ the IV. by whom she had upon promiss of marriage one Son, at this time Duke of _Verneuil_, and Governour of _Languedoc_; but this promiss being made void by Act of Parliament, _Henry_ IV. married _Mary_ of _Medicis_, by which he had issue _Lewis_ the XIII. and other children: now upon the discontent of the Marshal of _Biron_, the Dutchess of _Verneuil_, the Earl of _Auvergne_ her Brother, and their party joyned with him for the promoting of the Duke of _Verneuil_’s interest to the Crown, whereupon the King sent for the Earl of _Auvergne_, who was then in his County a hundred Leagues from _Paris_; but the Earl trusting more the good will of the Citizens of _Clermont_ in _Auvergne_ who loved him, then to the Kings Clemency, neglected to come, whereupon the King sent again the Lord d’_Escures_, with a pardon for what was past; he promised to come when he should see his pardon Signed and Sealed in good form; the King was offended at his proceeding, and took it very ill that a Subject of his would capitulate with him, who intended to deal plainly and sincerely; the King nevertheless past that over for many considerations, one of them was that the Earl was of the blood of _France_, and brother by the Mother to one that had been his Mistress, besides that he was a Prince endowed with many good qualities, most of which did Sympathise with those of the King, thus the King sent him his Pardon as well for what was past, as for the present, but with this proviso that he should come; for all this, he did not stir out of _Clermont_; the King seeing that, did resolve to have him at any rate: there was several propositions made for to take him: at Hunting, at running of the Ring, at some Banquet, in the Fields, in the City; all these ways might be suspected by the Earl, but a new one was found out, of which he himself was the Author; the Troop of the Duke of _Vendosme_ was preparing for to Muster, the Earl intreated d’_Eurre_ Lieutenant of the said company, that it might be in the Fields by _Clermont_ towards _Nonnain_, because he intended to take revenge in the behalf of a Lady, upon the Inhabitants of that place. The King sent directions and orders to d’_Eurre_, how he should govern himself in that action, and gave him for Associates, _la Boulaye_, Lieutenant of the Marquess of _Verneuil_’s Troop, and _Nerestan_ Colonel of a Foot Regiment. By the Kings advice they imparted the business to the Viscount of _Pont du Chasteau_, to the Baron of _Canillac_ and some others, that had authority in that Province, and were devoted to the Kings service, and all keeping religiously the Laws of silence. The 12 of _November_ the Troop met at the Rendezvous; the Earl came thither by times with two only of his followers, thinking that the Troop should not be ready so soon, and so he should have pretext either to go back to _Clermont_, or to go on further to visit his Mistress. The prudence and diligence of those that managed the business did prevent him, and begot a suspition in him, for he was seen to truss up his Cloak and to try whither his sword did not stick to the Scabbard. D’_Eurre_ went to him, and having complemented him rode on his left hand, while the Troop was setting in order; _Nerestan_ came to salute him on the other side, and rode on his right hand, being followed by three stout Souldiers, habited like Lackeys, and appointed for this action. The Viscount of _du Pont du Chasteau_ and his brother rode out of the Troop and encompassed him on all sides. One of the Souldiers laid hold on the Horses Bridle; d’_Eurre_ at the same time laid hold on his Swords Hilt, saying, my Lord, we are commanded by the King to give him an account of your person, and we intreat you to submit unto his Majesties good pleasure, that we may have no occasion to use you otherways then we desire. _Maison-ville_ and _Liverne_ who were his two followers drew their Swords, thinking to make him way to escape, but some shot spent upon them, made them presently retire and run away. He was put upon a Trumpeters Nag as far as _Briare_, and thence conducted to _Montargis_ in a Coach, and afterwards by water to _Paris_ and put in the Bastille.

By this History, and the explication of the word _Censuart_, which is an ancient word derived from the Latine word _Censor_; and taken here for the Kingly office, the whole Prophecy is easily understood, and obvious to the meanest capacity.