dimostrato versa di Lui, come quello, che in qualche parte impediva li loro desegni co'l favore che vogliono habbia del continuo prestato al Marescial Momoransij, et con essersi finalmente collegato con lui, et qui accendere qualche nuovo foco a maggior danno di questo povero Regno travagliato così lungamente delle proprie divisioni. Questo so bene, che il Duca d'Espernon quando passò di quà ultimamente ritornato dal suo governo non admetteva alcuno, che venisse a lui se, dopo entrata in casa, non fosse prima serrata una porta; sicchè colui non potesse più uscire, vivando con gran sospetto di poter essere offeso. Ho narrato così particolarmente alla Serenità Vostra tutto questo negotio per toccare la casa Regale, et per esser per ciò stimata importante, et di consequenza grande, il che con tutto che sia di quà assai publico, credo però sia bene tenerlo sotto quella segrezza, che si suol far le cose più gravi, concernendo il respetto et l'interesse di così gran Re, et tanto affettionato verso quel serenissimo Dominio. Grazie, &c., &c.

[Translation.]

MOST SERENE PRINCE,

Paris,

August 19th, 1583.

The King* having become somewhat suspicious that the Queen of Navarre, his sister, was leading a more licentious life than became an honorable woman, caused her proceedings to be watched for some time. Before going to Messieres he took occasion on his departure and that of the Queenst from this city, to order her also to leave and join her husband. Although she did not absolutely refuse to do so, she was constantly putting difficulties in the way, declaring in the first place that she was in want of money, a hint for which the King provided by assigning to her twenty thousand scudi for the expenses of her journey, and then pleading a slight indisposition as an excuse. She ended, however, by promising to go at once. As however, she did not keep her promise, the King, in addition to the remonstrances first addressed to her by his mother, commanded Monsignor di Bellievre to make her understand once more that she must decide upon leaving. Meanwhile His Majesty was informed that the Queen (of Navarre) had given birth to a male child, now believed to be dead. Having learnt this from what he considered a very trustworthy source, and in consequence of the vexation and displeasure

* Charles IX. †The wife of Charles and Catherine de'Medici.

which it caused him, he was led in the first place (it was said) to inform the King, her husband, of what he had heard, and then to command her to leave (Paris) under any circumstances. When he arrived here recently he sent to tell her that she was to go at once. As she continued to put off her departure, persuading herself probably that with the departure of the King for Lyons she would no longer be troubled, His Majesty returned to Paris, and two days after I had despatched my last letters to your Serenity, commanded her to leave on the following morning without further excuse or delay. He named the Archbishop of Angre, and the Signor Carlo Birago to accompany her. Although she asked to be allowed to speak with His Majesty she was not permitted to do so, as he would not consent to see her, to avoid, as he said, an occasion of treating her in a manner unworthy of the greatness and majesty of a King of France, although she deserved it. In consequence, very much dissatisfied and much afflicted, she positively decided upon leaving on the 9th of the present month. Two days afterwards, when she was on her way, her litter and the other carriages which accompanied her were surrounded by a number of armed men, who, without shewing any respect, proceeded to search them thoroughly, even raising the veils which ladies usually wear over their faces, like masks, in order to ascertain whether there were any persons to be made prisoners. They also required the doctor. But not finding the ladies of whom they were in search, as they had been sent forward because there was some apprehension of an attack of the kind, nor the doctor, who escaped, hiding himself as they stated, in a carriage, so that he was not discovered, they only detained his Esquire (or groom). The Queen, fearing that they had come by order of the King to put her to death, herself uncovered her face, and in great alarm exclaimed several times, Kill me! kill me! (ammazzatemi, ammazzatemi). Some, however, declare that afterwards, taking courage, she indignantly resented their great audacity and the great affront offered her, who was not only a daughter of France but the only sister of the King, threatening to have them severely punished. These people following the day after the ladies of whom they were in search, took two of them-one a married lady named Madame de Duras, the other a lady in waiting (figlia de Camera or Cameriera)-named Mademoiselle Bethune, both much in her confidence, and who, according to public report, led not perhaps altogether a licentious life but not a very honest one. These three persons are now prisoners, and are

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carefully guarded. I have endeavoured to discover how, and through what channel His Majesty has been informed of these particulars (relating to the Queen of Navarre's conduct), and how far they are true. I have learnt from a trustworthy source that she did actually give birth to a son two months ago, and that the child was sent to a castle three leagues distant from Paris to be brought up, and that the true cause of her putting off her departure was in the first place her pregnancy, and in the next her very ardent love for a young and handsome gentleman, formerly a favorite of Monseigneur the brother of His Majesty, whom she had in consequence seen and known. This person, has, on this account, fled, and in order to arrest him His Majesty has sent to the place where he is supposed to have concealed himself, but he has not been found. It is generally believed that he has left the kingdom to escape from the wrath of the King, which is very great against all concerned in this business. It is reported that His Majesty learnt all these particulars from the Duke of Epernon, who was irritated against the Queen (of Navarre) because she had in her room frequently spoken of him not only in a manner derogatory to his dignity, but with some contempt, discussing various things that he had done in stronger terms than were befitting his station*; and especially that when complaining to his officers that at a sumptuous banquet they had not properly performed their duty, and they excusing themselves by saying that they could not have done more had they been serving the King himself, he replied and who am I?' These words repeated by the Queen of Navarre's Squire (Cavalarizzo) gave rise to much comment on his vanity. As he considered this a very great affront, he began to inquire diligently into the proceedings of all her house, and knowing full well that the King was not well pleased with her long sojourn at Court, he seized a favorable opportunity to inform his Majesty. This gave rise to the violent proceedings against her, which have led to much discusssion, and which, without doubt, will be spread over the whole world to the little credit of all concerned. It is believed that the Queen, almost despairing of her safety, and knowing whence her great misfortunes came, will (after having allayed the first fury of her husband, which her great ability (spirito) in exculpating herself will enable her to do) attribute all that has befallen her to the malignity of persons dear to the King, and who are constantly about him; they having always shewn an ill feeling towards her as the person who had * Considerandosi diverse attioni fatte da lui con termini di maggior grandezza che si convenisse al stato suo.'

partly impeded their designs by the support which (as they pretend) she continually gave to the Marshal Montmorency, with whom she had ended by allying herself, thus kindling a new conflagration to the great injury of this poor kingdom so long troubled by its internal dissensions. This I know well, that the Duke of Epernon when he lately passed through Paris, returning from his government, would not admit any one to see him unless the door was fast closed after the person had entered, so that he could not leave the house. The Duke was living in constant fear of being attacked (offeso). I have entered into all these details in writing to your Serenity as they concern the Royal House, and for this reason are considered very important. Although they are generally known, I nevertheless think that it would be well to keep them secret, as in the case of matters of the greatest gravity, out of the respect due to and in the interest of so great a King and one so well affected to the most Serene Republic.

MADAMA,

From Signor Carlo Birago to the Queen-Mother.

Nerach, 14 Aprile, 1584.

Hieri la Regina di Navarra vostra figlia partì da Gions et venne a desinar ad alcune case del Porto Sta Maria di quà della Riviera, et essendo avvertita, che il Re de Navarra suo marito veniva, ella discese et uscì fuori per attenderlo; il quale arrivò incontinente, et avicinandosi l'uno all' altro, dissero tutti due che era lungo tempo che desideravano questo. Il Re baciatala in bocca, et alle guancie, subito l'abbracciò et li baciò anco le mamelle: poi entrarono in casa et montarono una picciola scalla il Re primo et la Regina dopo, et io appresso, che l'aiutavo a salire: quando il Re fu entrato dentro la camera si voltò, et tornato ad abbracciare la Regina un' altra volta, et baciarla come prima, si posero ad una finestra, et poi ritiratisi in un angolo della camera presso ad un letto parlarono ivi per il spacio di mezz' hora: discesero poi et la Regina montò nella sua lettica, et il Re suo marito a cavallo, et vennero raggionando insieme gratiosamente fino alla città di Nerach; ove le carezze se sono continuamente fatte maggiori; in modo che tutti i buoni servitori di V. Maestà ne sentono estremo contento. Il Re di Navarra discendendo della casa del Porto Sta Maria, ini domandò s'io restavo ben satisfatto, a che risposi che sì, come sarei stato sempre d'ogni contento suo, et

della Regina sua moglie; la quale è stata bene accompagnata da Gions a quì dalla nobiltà, dalla Maresciala di Mathegnon, et d'altre honorate Dame. Et io come humilissimo servitore di Vostra Maestà la posso assicurare, che le cose sono benissimo accomodate, et che con il buon aiuto de Vostra Maestà, et che medesimamente gli altri non manchino, tutto si mantenirà, in modo che le Vostre Maestà ne saranno contentissime; et conosceranno parimente, che i suoi fedeli servitori non hanno punto mancato del debito loro. Io mi fermerò qui quattro o cinque giorni per ricevere li commandamenti della Regina di Navarra, et dapoi m' incaminerò con la maggior diligenza ch' io potrò, per venir a fare humilissimo et fidelissimo servitio a Vta Maestà, che prego il Signore me ne doni la gratia.

Madama io prego Dio, che doni a Vostra Maestà con perfetta prosperità il compimento de suoi desideri, &c.

Di Vostra Maestà

Yesterday, the Queen of Navarre, your daughter, left Gions and came to dine at Porto Santa Maria on this side of the Riviera. Having been informed that the King of Navarre, her husband, was coming, she left the house and went to meet him. He soon arrived. They approached each other, and both said that they had long desired this meeting. The King having kissed her on the mouth and cheeks, at once embraced her, and also kissed her breasts. They afterwards entered the house, and went up a small staircase the King going first, and the Queen following him. I went near her to help her up. When the King had entered the room, he turned round, and again embraced the Queen, kissing her as he had already done. They then placed themselves at a window, and afterwards, retiring to a corner of the room near a bed, talked there together for half an hour. They then came down, and the Queen entered her litter, and her husband mounted his horse. They went, talking pleasantly together, as far as Nerach, where their mutual caresses kept increasing, to the very great delight of all your Majesty's good servants. The King of Navarre, when leaving the house in Porto Santa Maria, asked me if I were well satisfied. I answered 'Yes! as I