Catherine de Medicis, or, The Queen-Mother : a romance

Front matter

OF THE

U N I VERS ITY or ILLINOIS cezc

THE QtJEEN-MOTHEE.

Preface

people have resolved to wipe from the tablet of their memory every recollection of history, and begin a new career independent of all that has gone before.

The wheel, however, will still turn round, and that which has been will be reproduced : the same discontents amongst the working classes, the same restlessness amongst the army, the same turbulence amongst the students, and frivolity and recklessness amongst the great, will always characterise the most uncertain and vacillating people under the sun.

Their republican fancies will vanish like their imperial dreams, and some new political plaything will succeed the favourite pastime of the hour, but the late occurrences seem to forbid their best friends to hope that time will ever teach them stability.

Eemorse has generally followed rapidly upon their crimes, as in the case of the reign of massacre which characterised the time of the Valois ; but, alas ! the recollection of that disgraceful page of their history did not deter them from acting scenes of even worse barbarity at a later period, nor has it checked them in the wilful career which they have now chosen as wisest, virtuousest, discreetest, best.”

It is to be hoped that the line of conduct they have now adopted will not cause them to retrograde to the times of anarchy and civil war, of which these pages are a record.

London^ June 22. 1848.

OR,

THE QUEEN-MOTHEE.

Chapter I. La Paix Boiteuse

“ Gone to be married — gone to swear a peace ! ”

Shakspeare.

Full, bright and sparkling in the brilliant sun of early June, the waters of the Loire rolled majestically along beneath the high-arched bridge of Blois, on which stood an almost countless multitude of people, gazing with eager curiosity, evidently in expectation of some interesting spectacle. The river was covered with gaily-ornamented barges, filled with eager spectators. The royal banner of France waved from the highest tower of the castle ; and from the heights, where rose the spires of the cathedral and the palace of the bishop, streamed in the breeze, gay pennons, emblazoned with the arms of the church and of the town. The broad quays, shaded with enormous trees, were swarming with people, who pressed and crushed their neighbours in their endeavours to obtain the most advantageous position from whence to view the spectacle, for which they had waited for hours in patient anticipation. It appeared that some event of absorbing interest was about to take place, and the same eager curiosity seemed to animate every individual in that immense mass of human beings. From the river side to

B the embattled hills above^ the antique streets of Blois rise almost precipitously : many of them are cut in steps to afford an easier assent to foot passengers^ no horse_, nor vehicle of any kind being able to attempt to mount the stony way, which seems a part of the rock ; from distance to distance, where a turn of the street afforded a glimpse of the town and river below, every roof and window was crowded with heads, thrust forward with anxious desire to behold what all sought.

It was easy to detect that the havoc of recent war had left its traces on many of the houses and walls ; but the greatest care had been taken to conceal any such appearances by gorgeous draperies of tapestry hung in all directions. Where breaches still remained unrepaired, temporary scaffolding had been erected for musicians, gaily and fantastically attired, whose loud instruments joined the swelling echoes of the trumpets, which at intervals announced the nearer approach of welcome and honoured guests to the royal party, who awaited with the same anxiety as the populace the last peal of cannon from the ramparts, proclaiming that the young King of Navarre, and his illustrious mother, had entered the gates of Blois, attended by King Charles the Ninth in person, and a gallant train of nobles, all vying with each other in attentions to their long-sought visitors.

Greeted by the admiring shouts of the excited multitude, the royal cavalcade wound slowly up the steep hill which conducts to the castle : fresh peals of artillery announced their arrival before its gates, and fresh bursts of music heralded their entrance through the venerable arch, which leads to the court of Stephen.

They reached the foot of the beautiful winding staircase, whose carved ornaments glittered like alabaster in the dancing sunbeams, and through every loophole of whose elegantly wreathed and twisted tower looked forth richlydressed ladies of the court and cavaliers in splendid costumes, studding the whole surface at rising distances, till, at the dome-shaped summit, groups appeared, waving scarfs and flags, embroidered with glittering devices in honour of the day. Here King Charles alighted from his

OR, THE QUEEN-MOTHER.

S richly adorned charger, and his example was followed by all his courtiers, who approached the Queen of Navarre and her son and daughter, and assisted them to dismount.

Above the elaborately ornamented gateway, where stand in high relief the statues of the Father of his People and his beloved Duchess Anne, in a projecting balcony, about the centre of the facade of the palace, a party of magnificently-attired ladies were stationed. Conspicuous amongst them, was the majestic and commanding figure of the Queen- mother, Catherine de Medicis, and great was the beauty displayed by the distinguished females who surrounded her. As the stunning sound of the cannon told the arrival of the royal cortege, a shower of garlands descended from the balcony of the Queen-mother, at the feet of Jeanne de Navarre.

The countenance of Catherine had hitherto worn an expression of anxious suspense almost painful, as from time to time she bent over the heavy stone parapet on which she was leaning ; and her eye wandered with uneasy glances around, as she occasionally turned to some of her attendant ladies, and inquired hastily : Is the Princess

Marguerite not yet arrived } ” The reply in the negative, which had been several times given, seemed to cause her considerable annoyance; her dark brows contracted, and her lips became compressed with emotions which she seemed desirous of concealing. When, however, she beheld the Queen of Navarre alighting from her horse, her stirrup held by Charles, whose face was irradiated with smiles, and when she marked the happy, frank and grateful expression on the face of the noble-minded mother of the young Bearnois, a load seemed removed from her heart, and with a long, deep-drawn breath, she murmured to herself, ^‘^All is secured!'’ — and turning from the balcony, entered the chamber of state, into which her guests were shortly afterwards conducted by their courteous and gallant host.

Nothing could exceed the cordiality of meeting extended to the unsuspicious and open-hearted Jeanne, whose eyes filled with tears of pleasure, as she presented to the Queen-mother her blushing and beautiful daughter Cathe-

B 2 rine^ and her young son, whose bashfulness kept him constantly in the rear, close to her. Embraces, congratulations, protestations of eternal friendship, entreaties that the past should be buried in oblivion, and vows and prayers that the future might be all sunshine throughout the united kingdoms of France and Navarre, with assurances of the delight and gratification derived from the present, — all this greeted the ears and charmed the hearts of the single-minded and guileless pair whom it was intended to deceive, and who had, in an evil hour, placed themselves and their cause in the hands of an enemy unscrupulous in guilt, undaunted in crime, and unmatched in cunning.

A magnificent entertainment followed, when every device that ingenuity could contrive was employed to delight the senses and engage the minds of the unsophisticated mountaineers, whom this display of splendour was calculated to astonish. In the retirement of her chamber, that night. Queen Jeanne threw herself into the arms of her son, and exclaimed, Oh, my beloved Henry ! what have I now to wish. The bloodshed and cruelty which have so long disgraced and desolated these fair realms, are at an end, and peace is now as undoubted as dearly welcome.”

Heaven grant it, dearest mother ! ” answered Henry.

We are indeed fortunate. But I should like to see my bride elect, for all this is nothing without her.”

Queen Jeanne’s countenance was instantly overcast. She had observed the absence of the principal person concerned in their visit, and she had noticed likewise the agitated expression of Catherine’s face, as she replied to her inquiries after the Princess.

Jeanne’s thoughts in a moment ran back over a series of years. She recalled the time when her warm-hearted and confiding husband had journeyed to Paris, on the death of Henry II. ; and no welcome greeted him, no one met him on his road, no feasts were prepared for him, no palaces decorated to receive him ; but his very baggage was allowed to remain unsheltered in the court-yard of the house he entered, and this same Queen Catherine had received him almost as an alien. She reverted to the schemes and plots laid to entrap and to annoy him ; the endeavours

OR, THE QUEEN-MOTHER.

,5 to withhold from him his dues ; the injuries^ the vexations, the deceptions that had driven him from the court of the infant King ; the enmities of the Guises and Lorraines ; and, above all, she remembered with a shudder, Anthony of Navarre's last injunctions to herself, never to trust in Catherine.

All this a flash of thought brought before her, but she shook off the feeling it conjured up, and conversed with her son on the probable results of their present negotiations, and the marriage which must inevitably seal a bond of union, which it ’would be the mutual interest of each party to keep inviolate.

Henry and his mother, therefore, separated, full of anticipations, which the lately concluded peace, afterwards justly called La Paix Boiteuse,** seemed to promise them.

Catherine de Medicis had also sought the retirement of her private apartments, fatigued, more than was her wont, with the demonstrations she had found it necessary to make of her friendliness and hospitality. A few only of her confidential ladies attended her : her step was disordered, and her brow lowering, as she paced backwards and forwards in uncontrolled agitation.

Is it possible," she exclaimed, passionately, that the plans I have arranged with such care, are to be ruined by the wilfulness of a headstrong girl ? This slight must be instantly repaired. Did any of you observe when Marguerite quitted our company on the road from Paris ?

There was some hesitation amongst the ladies, before an answer was returned by Madame Claude de Lorraine, that the horses, litters and caches of the Queen-mother being before those of the Princess and her suite, her having suddenly quitted them, instead of pursuing with them the road to Blois, had been unobserved.

I can trust nobody but Bianco,'’ said the Queen pettishly ; send for him instantly. His wit must find a remedy for this business. Rene," she continued, addressing, as he entered, a remarkably handsome man, whose complexion told that he was her countryman, — ^^go, instantly, to Chenonceau, — I cannot trust myself to write to Marguerite : 1 cannot send any of my gentle- B S men^ for I would not have it known that she has acted from caprice, but it is most important that she should delay no further. You can do much — remember, she is impetuous, proud, and self-willed ; be careful not to irritate her : humour her as you can, hut gain her promise to come instantly to Blois, — nay, leave her not till she enters this chamber, and when once here I will take care that she escapes me not again. The night has not far waned, you will doubless find her dreaming over childish pleasures,— literature, poetry ! — when a kingdom is at stake ! draw her from them, use every means, hut let me hear that she has entered these gates by morning’s dawn.”

He to whom the Queen-mother addressed these words in a hurried and passionate accent, bowed low, but replied not by words. The bright glance of his significant eye, however, expressed determination and promptitude. Catherine paused before him for one moment, and then with a smile of peculiar, satisfied meaning, waved her hand, and her messenger had quitted her presence. And now,’* said the Queen, let the King my son know that I await his visit. Every one may retire ; and while his Grace is here, he careful that I have no interruption.”

Charles was shortly afterwards announced, and entered, his pale countenance lighted up with unusual gaiety. His step was light, and his eye full of mirth, as, hastening to his mother, he kissed her hand, and then casting himself on a couch, gave way to an uncontrollable fit of merriment. Catherine took a seat beside him and watched this ebullition, while a slight smile curled her lip. When he was in some degree recovered, he said, — Well, madam, tell me candidly, do you not think I have acted my part to admiration ? ”

Yes, Charles,” said his mother, your conduct has been faultless ; it remains only to be followed up.”

Oh ! ” cried the King, with renewed laughter, leave that to me • you will see with what skill I will draw them into the net. I have sent letters already to every part of the kingdom, granting these foolish Huguenots more than they demanded. I shall do precisely what my falconer does when he sends his hawks in search of prey. It is

OR, THE QUEEN-MOTHER.

beyond measure ridiculous how they all come to the call, and how thoroughly deceived the mother-bird and her halffledged birdling are. We had a most satisfactory and confidential interview before we parted for the night/’

And to what subject did you chiefly lead?” asked Catherine anxiously.

We talked of Marguerite,” said Charles. — The Queen frowned. That young haggard, by the way, had nearly destroyed all to-day by her absence, but I expatiated on her modesty, ha, ha! — on her timidity, — and Jeanne seemed satisfied. It amused me not a little that she could picture to herself Margot such an awkward frightened thing as her own daughter, who but for that, would be handsome, as De Soissons observed. The credulous mother of our affianced bridegroom suggested that the Pope’s dispensation might be long to obtain. ^ No, no,’ said I, ^ my own dearest aunt, my darling friend, I honour you more than pope or cardinal ; and as for my sister, I love her better than I fear the power of Rome. If the Pope is fool enough to oppose my will, I here declare to you that I will take Margot by the hand and lead her to the altar in despite of the whole conclave.’ She laughed at this. ‘ I am not a Protestant, as you know, dear aunt,’ I continued with a sigh, which had great effect, ^ but I am no bigot : I have given my promise, and my word is sacred.’ I then took occasion to praise her son, who looks like a young bear from his own mountains, scared by hunters ; and, in short, I have left her and our Marguerite’s husband elect thoroughly satisfied with all things.”

I trust so, my son,” said Catherine. To-morrow we shall have Marguerite here : we must amuse and humour her for the time, but I fear some outburst of thoughtless folly on her part. I dread the ridicule she will probably cast on this young Bearnois, who is certainly quite unworthy of her.”

Oh she has plenty of lovers to amuse her ; what can her husband signify ? ” said Charles, carelessly. As for him, it is clear he is a fool whom we can mould at will. We need not waste a thought on him, at all events.”

The mother and son on this parted with mutual con- B 4 gratulations, and retired to concoct fresh schemes of deception, which should render the escape of their unsuspecting victims impossible.

Chapter II. La Lune

“ J’aurai toujours au cceur ecrite Sur toutes fleurs la Marguerite ! ”

Le Blason de la Marguerite,

Marguerite de Valois was at this period in the very zenith of that beauty which was the theme of admiration throughout France, and the inspiration of all the poets of the time : her influence was felt and acknowledged wherever she appeared, and, where she chose to exert it, rarely resisted. She was totally without her mother's ambition, — to her were unknown her mother’s cruelty and harshness ; all she seemed to have inherited from her was her power of fascination. She possessed warmth of heart, generosity and tenderness, with a fund of goodhumour, and a carelessness beyond bounds. Like her aunt and namesake, the accomplished sister of Francis the First, she delighted in the society of the learned and distinguished, spent much of her time in elegant literary pursuits, and was a munificent patroness of genius and talent. Witty, spirited, full of observation and humour, ever pleased with novelty, ever seeking fresh objects of admiration, instructed even beyond her period, acute and rapid in her conclusions — all her bright qualities were dimmed by an inordinate love of admiration, and a vanity which carried her into every kind of imprudence. Selfgratification was the end and aim of her existence, and this weakness had been fostered by her mother, who dreaded the appearance of talent in all her children, jealously alive to the possibility of their interfering with her ambitious projects.

Never had Marguerite been hitherto known to allow serious thoughts or duties to interfere with her enjoy-

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merits ; and if they were forced upon her she dismissed them as soon as possible^ resolving that they should not cloud the bright sky of the paradise she endeavoured to create for herself. Too exalted in station to care for the cavilling of the vulgar — ■ too thoughtless by nature to be impressed by the world's censure — independent of every one — brought up in an atmosphere of luxury and dissipation, she was the slave or the empress of pleasure.

Her manners were seducing to a degree that surpassed belief; her smile was a spell, her beauty dazzling, and her power of fascination unquestioned. The court over which she presided, and which was one exclusively her own, seemed to combine all that can be imagined of enchantment, ease, happiness and liberty. This fairy court was now held at the beautiful palace of Chenonceau, on the Cher, which, though the Queen-mother loved frequently to reside there, she had given up for the present to the Princess, — her views and occupations making it desirable that she should always be near the King, who had on more occasions than one evinced a desire to emancipate himself from the thraldom of her presence, and to act for himself.

The reminiscences of her father’s celebrated and lovely mistress, Diana, which might have been unpleasing to a daughter of a different frame of mind, only served as an example to confirm her in her resolution to lead a life of uninterrupted enjoyment; and the halls of Chenonceau, never in the time of the fair favourite herself, could vie with the glories and enchantments with which its present deity loved to invest them.

Marguerite had consented to the union proposed to her by her ambitious and designing mother, because she was aware that her birth entailed upon her the penalty of being sacrificed to secure some supposed political good. Although, to a certain extent, indiflPerent as to who might he the husband chosen for her, she was particularly averse from becoming the wife of one whom she looked upon as her inferior in breeding, in manners, and in education. Refined to fastidiousness, outward seeming was to her a chief recommendation ; and the accounts she had heard

CATHERINE HE MEHICIS j of the young mountaineer were not calculated to excite any desire in her mind to hasten the fulfilment of their contract. When therefore she^ in obedience to her mother’s injunctions, set out with the royal party from Paris to Blois, it was with extreme reluctance ; and as she felt the fresh air of the country breathe on her brow, the thought occurred- to her that never could the romantic retreat of Chenonceau be more enticing than at this moment, when the groves must be full of nightingales and the gardens blazing with countless flowers, all wooing her visit and reproaching her absence. Accordingly she proposed to the gay party, as thoughtless and fond of excitement as herself, all devoted to her wishes and glad to escape the formalities which they anticipated at Blois, that they should turn aside from the road they had intended to take, and shape their course to the palace on the Cher.

Thither the joyous cavalcade pursued their way ; and while at the castle of Blois the gorgeous preparations were in full vigour for the reception of her intended husband, she left the care of all to others more interested in the event, and, to the inexpressible mortification of her mother, betook herself to her shades, surrounded by all that wit, talent, and mirth could furnish to render her sojourn a terrestrial paradise.

The night was far spent, the glories of the moon in its height of splendour irradiated the gardens of the famous bower of Diana ; an atmosphere of perfume rose from the surrounding flowers and shrubs ; and the chequered light which streamed through the foliage of the young trees was reflected from the bosom of a transparent lake, in the midst of which rose a fountain of delicately carved white marble, whose jets formed themselves into the semblance of feathers and flowers, and caught rainbow hues from the rays that glimmered above and around. Lighi arcades of Moorish architecture, formed of various-coloured marbles, supported innumerable small lamps depending from slender silver chains, which, waved to and fro by the gentle night-breeze, seemed like so many fire-flies in motion. At the extremity of the lake a pile of natural rocks had been taken advantage of by art, and the waters of a stream

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had been guided to fall over them in numerous cascades. Here and there, in the hollows of the grey and mossgrown stone, lamps had been introduced, and, as the waters came tumbling over the dark masses, their glow-worm light shimmered and glittered through the dancing spray. A hundred nightingales sang and answered each other in the neighbouring woods, and were heard in the pauses of the lute, which accompanied some voice as soft as their own, while their rapturous chorus acknowledged the skill of the musician which they strove to excel by louder and more persevering melody. The weather was such as is sometimes met with at the close of spring, intensely, yet deliciously warm, and the sky so clear that it seemed as though no clouds could ever be known in a region so bright and blest.

The beautiful Marguerite and her ladies were formed to enjoy such a scene, and they gave themselves entirely up to its charm, banishing all thoughts foreign to its enchanting influence, and forgetting for the time that there existed a world beyond. Ronsard, the king of poets and the favourite of kings, the adored of the Muses and the pride of France, the glory of his native Loire, and the deity of La Lune^ was there. He sang his own verses in a voice all passion. What he wanted in science and in power was amply made up in exquisite feeling and expression, and none who heard him with breathless and spell-bound attention, but wondered they could ever listen to other strains.

His quick transitions from pathetic to cheerful pleased every heart, and found admirers in every listener. Now he addressed extemporary verses to the goddess of the place, then alluded with quick thought to passing events of the day, poured forth soft compliments to each fair one in turn, and proved himself as good a courtier as a poet. Nor was the learning forgotten for which he had attained so high a reputation, and which was at that period so highly prized, though its display has since justly caused his works to be considered pedantic. But who should venture to criticise the master minstrel, who had purified the language, and introduced so many classical graces ?

CATHERINE DE MEDICIS !

So far from it, his delighted auditors were intoxicated with enthusiasm, and the enjoyment of the night was at its height, when an attendant approached the Princess, and whispered in her ear.

She started. ^^Not now,” she said ; it is impossible : were it the King himself, or my mother in person, I would not admit them. — Say, I will give audience to-morrow to any one from Blois, but not to-night. Oh ! divine Ronsard, sing again ; — why should anything of the world without intrude to break the spell you have cast over our souls

No, madam,’' said the poet ; if my songs deserve the praises you have showered upon them, the poet merits a reward ; and mine shall be to hear you sing, to listen to accents such as we only have the privilege of hearing, and such as never even bless the dreams of those beyond our paradise.”

Give me a lute,” said IMarguerite, and let me try, if the fearful thought of the chain preparing for me have not altogether scared away my powers. But the verse, dear Ronsard, shall be thy own, and must delight, even if my voice should fail. How can it fail when 1 sing the lays of him whose natural bed was of flowers, and over whom the Muses themselves poured from enchanted urns the rosy water of inspiration ! ”

The delighted poet acknowledged this complimentary allusion to the legend attached to his infancy with emotion. It had been said of him, that when a child, as his nurse was carrying him across a meadow, he fell from her arms into the midst of the flowers which grew there in profusion, and that a damsel who was passing by, bearing a vase of rosewater, as she stooped to lift up the smiling infant, deluged him with the contents. This was considered a presage of his future fame and excellence, and was frequently irientioned by his admirers.

The Princess, with a fervour and delicacy which excited in her hearers all the enthusiasm which she herself felt, then sang a celebrated song from the ‘^Amours” of the great poet.

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“ Fifteen lovely childish springs,

Hair of gold in crisped rings,

Cheek and lips with roses spread,

Smile, that to the stars can lead ;

Grace, whose every turn can please j Virtue, worthy charms like these ;

Breast, within whose virgin snows Lies a gentle heart that glows ’Mid the sparkling thoughts of youth.

All divine, with steady truth ;

Eyes, that make a day of night ;

Hands, whose touch so soft and light Hold my soul a prisoner long ;

Voice, whose soft, entrancing song.

Now a smile, and now a sigh.

Interrupts melodiously ! —

These are charms, within whose spell All my peace and reason dwell.” *

After the applause had died away with which this poem had been received, Etienne Jodelle, the accomplished poet, painter, sculptor and architect, whose devotion to the mighty master kept pace with that of his warmest admirers, recited some of his own compositions, and was followed by Baif, also a poet of the school and a worthy pupil of Ronsard. Jodelle soon after begged to introduce to the company a young minstrel, destined afterwards to become celebrated, but who was at this period not more than sixteen, — handsome, elegant, and full of genius. He was named to the gratified Princess as a new candidate for her favour, and some jests were circulated when it was remarked that the young Du Perron was a Calvinist ; and the coincidence of his arrival at the present moment might be considered propitious, as the Protestant bridegroom of his patroness could not object to him on the score of religion,

“ Alas !” said Marguerite, with feigned gravity, “ I fear the Muses will forswear me in future — the snows of Bearn will chill them, and they will forsake me. Can any tell me in what semblance my tyrant appears — has any seen him ? — what says he — what does he, besides hunt, and eat, and fight? — Has he any quality to fit him for our world, or must we bar its entrance to him at once ?

A soft voice near the Princess whispered, “If your Highness would really like to know, you have only to admit Bianco, the Italian, who waits without with some * See “ Specimens of the Early Poetry of France.” — 1835.

message from Blois : he is not a bad painter^ nor does he want wit to set off his colouring/^

She who spoke^ and while she did so, blushed deeply, was the young and lovely Marie de Cleves, about the age, and nearly answering to the description which the poet had given in the lines they had just heard, and in which he probably sought to paint her. She had approached softly from a grove of orange trees, where she had been apparently occupied in attending to the animated communication of a young page of the Duke of Anjou, who, on leaving her, retired quickly, and was lost amidst the surrounding shades. She held in her hand a billet, which bore a seal, the device on which was a vessel and star, with the words Te duce, at which she hastily glanced, not unobserved, but unnoticed, and thrust it into her bosom.