also from presenting though but in writing, his Reasons unto his Holinesse; even to the
telling of the Cardinal, that he wounded his conscience to deny him so just a Request;
which did him little good, further, then that the Cardinal was so moved with als[unr], as her
said he had done nothing therein but by order from his Holin[nl]esse, to whom he offered
to present him, on condition, that the he would say nothing of the subject of his Embassage,
nor of any publick Businesse of the Kingdom of Portnall, save those which concer[nl]ned
th'Inquetion, th'Archbishop, and the Chapter of Lisborn, whereof he had some charge,
as Inquisitor and Canon. The said Agent accepted very willingly of these of these conditions;
hoping that in the conference he was to have with his Holinesse, Occasion would be
presented of entertaining him with th'affairs of the Kingdome; but it tell out otherwise,
for their discourse was so short, and the subject thereof so general, that all th'advantage
be carried away by this Audience was, the kissing of his Holinesse Feet.
So as the Bishop seeing that his Agent had won no further Ground then at the first, resolved
to quit the French Embassadors house, which his Holinesse had assigned him
(wherein he had been shut up, sulseven moneths) and take one of his own in the Place
Navone; and to walk publikely up and down Rome, as a free persons, seeing that his voluntary
Prison had done him so little service: where with having acquainted the Cardinal
Barberin, he agreed, (onely by word of mouth, and without any Assurance by
writing) that he might change his House but not walke in Rome otherwise then as a
Person unkno[nl]wn, and without any marks of an Embassadour, or publick Minister; attended
on onely by 2 Footmen, and one Caroche for his Gentlemen to follow him somewhat
a far off; in which case his Holinesse would undertake for his Security; which th'
Agent received from the Pope in the Name of the Bishop, with a promise to accomphsh
th' Intentions of the Cardinal; which was confirmed in the presence of the
Sieur Bichi; Auditour of the Rota, and brother to the Cardinal Bichi: In pursuance
where of the Bishop of La Megue, going to visit th' Embassadour of France, in th' afternoon
of the 20 of August 1646 within the Limits aforesaid, at the same time th' Agent
was called to have Audience of the Cardinal Barberin at the Pallace of Montecavalls
where the Pope then was; During which this Cardinal seemed greatly troubled with
fear least some mischiefe would befall the said Bishop whereupon th' Agent took occasion
to tell him that the true, means of assuring him was, to admit him in the quality of
Embassadour to his Master; whereto the Cardinal forthwith Replyed; But you know
not the Resolution of the Marquis de Los Velos (the Spanish Embassadour:) By which
passage th' Agent sufficiently discerning, that there was some sin[nl]ister designe against
the person of the Bishop; he went speedily to give him notice thereof but his Diligence
little availed him: for the said Bishop returning home without other company
then of some of his mesnial servants; Rome beheld, on a suddain, that strange spectacle
of Castillan Insolence which scandalized all Christendom; causing a Bishop accompanied
by an Apostolical inquisitor, and 6 Priests, to be set upon in the most sacred place of
the World, and in sight of the Pope, unlesse whole protection was by a Chiefe Command
guarded with a Multitude of Souldiers called from Naples to that effect, and with 7 or
8 Caroches full of Officers led by D: John de Vargues Alfiece to the Comte of Lumieres;
and ending this cowardly and base action by the death of five persons, one of the Bishops
Retinue, a second of the Inquisitors, and three of th' Ambassadours of France.
Many conceived that this Violence would turne to the Bishops advantage, and that
the Pope would, to be revenged of the Castilians, and punish their Insolency, have entertained
him as Ambassadour; but within a shore time they were disabused: because his
Holinesse refusing to hear the Bishop, yet gave Audience in publick to the Marquis de
Les Veles; and th' Audiences which the Cardinal Barberin had formerly vouchsa[nl]fed
unto th' Agent were now altogether denied unto him: so that from that time till his
departure he got none but when he took his leave.