Christina, Queen of Sweden: The Restless Life of a European Eccentric, by Veronica Buckley, 2004
Histoire des intrigues galantes de la reine Christine de Suede: et de sa cour, pendant son sejour à Rome, by Christian Gottfried Franckenstein, 1697
The history of the intrigues & gallantries of Christina, Queen of Sweden, and of her court whilst she was at Rome faithfully render'd into English from the French original, translated by Philip Hollingworth, 1697
TRIGGER WARNING: RAPE AND VIOLENCE.
Angelica Giorgina was a singer and musician who served at Kristina's court during the last year of Kristina's life. She was tall, beautiful, and blonde with ruby red lips, a hooked nose like Kristina's, and sparkling eyes. Angelica was so beautiful that the "severe", "angry" and conservative Pope Innocent XI believed that Rome's worldly temptations would be lesser if she were to be put away in a convent. Angelica was horrified at the very idea and went to live with Kristina, who loved her singing and liked her very much. She/he/they took the girl into her/his/their protection and tricked the Pope into believing that she/he/they would send her to a convent as he had wished. Kristina soon had Angelica installed at her/his/their home, the Palazzo Riario, with her mother and sister, who was also beautiful but did not sing as well as Angelica could.
Angelica was a great favourite at Kristina's frequent music parties. Her sweetness and blonde beauty surely reminded Kristina of her/his/their lost love, her/his/their "Belle", Countess Ebba Sparre, whom she/he/they had last seen in 1654 and who had died in 1662. Kristina, who was now 62 years old, fell in love with Angelica and made the young lady her/his/their constant companion.
One afternoon Kristina was holding court at a musical picnic in the Palazzo's beautiful gardens, surrounded by many ladies, knights and gentlemen. It was a hot summer day, and they all sat under a tree for the shade, where they snacked on fruits and drank wine as the music played (except Kristina, who always hated wine because of the taste and consequent intoxication). Angelica played guitar, and that evening, after all the guests had gone home, Kristina sent for her so that they could spend an hour or two alone together.
But it was not to last. In the autumn or winter of 1688, Kristina's maid Giulia predicted her/his/their death (which I have covered in another post). Kristina was amused instead of upset by the prediction, and when a soothsayer warned her/him/them to dispose of her/his/their "indecent" paintings, she/he/they laughed loudly in response. In February 1689, after a winter tour that she/he/they found unpleasant, Kristina fell ill with a fever and a severe infection; and at the end of March she/he/they lay unconscious for several days before waking up with springtime.
She/he/they might have made a full recovery and lived longer if Angelica had not become the victim of a horrific plot and assault. Angelica's own mother had basically sold her for 1,000 silver crowns to the Abbé Vanini, who years earlier had abused and caused the death of another girl in Kristina's household. The Abbé had long wanted to have his way with Angelica, but she refused him every time.
One day, as Kristina lay resting, Angelica's mother took her into a small chamber upstairs. Angelica was very surprised to find the Abbé there waiting for them, but she was overcome with shock and terror as her mother left the room. She was alone with the Abbé, who took his chance quickly and raped poor Angelica. She tried as hard as she could to stop him, screaming for help and knocking over tables and chairs. Help came too late. Angelica was crying hysterically, and it was hastily commanded that the Abbé be killed for his crime, but because he had friends in high places, he was allowed to escape the Palazzo. Angelica, traumatised by her ordeal, stayed in her rooms for weeks, sickened and weeping.
By now, Kristina, who was recovering, had made Angelica part of her/his/their daily routine and was used to seeing her thus often and asked for her constantly to anyone who listened, but was told that she was unwell and couldn't come to her. Cardinal Decio Azzolino feared that the shock would cause Kristina to suffer a relapse of the illness if she/he/they were told the truth, and he had forbidden the servants to tell Kristina what had happened, but Giulia let it slip that Angelica was not sick. Kristina sent for her immediately and demanded to know what happened, but Angelica was crying so hard she couldn't talk and refused to say anything about the attack, so after relentlessly questioning and threatening them, Kristina learned the truth from Azzolino and some servants.
Kristina went into a rage and sent for Captain Merula, who had recently killed one of the Pope's men, and ordered him to bring her/him/them the Abbé's head. But even killers have standards, and he wanted things to be less bloody, so he accepted payment from the Abbé's previously mentioned friends to do nothing, and the Abbé escaped to Naples. When Merula returned empty-handed, Kristina was so furious at having been defied that she/he/they scratched him in the face and punched him, screamed at him, and tried to strangle him, but she/he/they was still too weak. The shock of the assault on Angelica and the hyperempathy for her consequent trauma suddenly hit Kristina, who fainted and whose fever returned. This time there would be no recovery.
The story in full from the source:
Angelique est une fille incomparable pour sa beauté, & pour son esprit, sa taille est au dessus de la mediocre, bien prise, & degagée, son visage un ovale parfait, ses yeux brillans, ses cheveux blonds cendrez, le nez aquilin, les dents blanches, & les levres vermeilles, la gorge bien taillée, l'esprit juste, la conception aisée, l'humeur complaisante, & je ne sçay quel agrément repandu dans toute sa personne, l'ont fait aimer des grands, & des petits, car on peut dire que depuis le sceptre jusqu'à la houléte, tous les Etats & conditions ont rendu du hommage à son merite. Enfin pour en faire un portrait qui fût juste, il faudroit prendre une Muse pour Modele, car elle en a toutes les perfections, elle chante à ravir ceux qui l'ecoutent, & touche des instrumens à merveille. Son Pere putatif étoit controlleur au Mont de pieté, & parce qu'il s'appelloit Georgino, elle en a aquis le nom Georgina. Sa mere qui est fort intriguante l'avoit euë quelque tems avant son mariage, d'un Chevalier de l'ordre de Melchisedec. ...
Un jour que la Reine tenoit une Academie de Musique dans le jardin, où elle étoit avec toutes ces filles, il y avoit une grande compagnie de Dames & de Cavaliers qui étoient assis au frais à l'ombre d'un bosquet, ecoutant une belle symphonie. Aprés qu'Angelique eut chanté son rolle, elle se glissa dans une allée avec sa sœur, & entra dans un cabinet de Verdure où Theodon avoit fait apprêter une magnifique Collation qu'il lui presenta en compagnie de son ami, où il y avoit les plus beaux fruits du monde avec des Vins de liqueur les plus exquis. C'étoit dans le tems qu'on chantoit les Flon, Flon: On avoit posté sur une Colline dans l'enceinte du jardin les Trompettes du Marquis de Lavardin, qui faisoient de tems en tems des fanfares sur le même Ton. Les Echos repétoient les dernieres paroles, tout le monde les chantoit, & la Reine comme les autres chantoit aussi Flon, Flon. La joye étoit universelle, le Vin fit devenir Poëtes nos amans, & aprés avoir bien bû, on proposa de faire chacun un couplet sur cet air nouveau. Angelique prenant sa guitarre se mit à chanter. ... L'Ami du sculpteur le Verre à la main, chanta à son tour. ... Mille eclats de rire interrompirent cette belle Musique, c'étoient les autres filles de la Reine qui se promenant dans le jardin s'étoient approchées du berceau au bruit qu'elles entendirent. On leur presenta des fruits, & elles se mirent à table à côté d'Angelique, on redoubla les santez, & ce badinage dura jusqu'à la nuit, qu'un valet de pied vint les avertir de se rendre auprés de la Reine, parce que la Compagnie se separoit. Il fallut se faire violence pour interrompre une si douce conversation, avec promesse de se revoir le plus souvent qu'on pourroit.
Mais ce bon tems ne dura gueres, car quelque tems aprés la Reine tomba malade, ce qui fit cesser toutes fortes de divertissemens. Cette maladie fut fatale à Angelique, & sa propre mere la livra à beaux deniers comprans, à un infame qui avoit dêja deshonoré le Palais de la Reine, c'est l'Abbé Vannini dont je parle, le même qui avoit abusé la Signora Giovannina, ce qui fut cause de sa mort, comme nous l'avons dit. Le Prelat ambitieux qui vouloit faire parler de soy, gagna la Signora Catarina par un present d'argenterie qui valoit plus de mille écus. Angelique avoit toute sorte de liberté de sortir avec sa mere, qui la menoit promener & en visite chez des Dames où elle rencontroit toûjours l'Abbé Vannini, qui l'obsedoit perpetuellement, mais toutes ses fleurettes ne lui plaisoient point, & elle avoit un depit extrême de ce que sa propre mere l'exposoit si souvent aux outrages de ce temeraire. Elle lui protesta qu'elle ne vouloit plus sortir du Palais de sa Majesté, dont la maladie augmentoit tous les jours, & en même tems les alarmes de la maison.
L'Abbé ne se rebuta pas des dedains d'Angelique, & il crut pouvoir obtenir à force de presens & d'importunité, ce qu'il ne pouvoit avoir par son merite personnel, mais il n'avança pas d'avantage de ce costé là, ses presens furent rebutez & ses soupirs meprisez.
Enfin étant irrité de la resistance qu'il ne croyoit pas trouver, il entreprit l'action la plus teméraire, & la plus perilleuse qui peut tomber dans la pensée d'un homme aussi meprisable que lui, qui fut de faire violence à l'honneur d'Angelique dans le Palais même de la Reine. Pour cet effet il gagna un valet de chambre de sa Majesté qui étoit Napolitain, avec son frere l'anspessade, & de Ballyeur secret, qui l'introduisirent dans la chambre d'Angelique, du consentement de sa Mere. Angelique étoit alors auprés de la Reine qu'elle n'abandonnoit point, parce que la maladie étoit fort dangereuse, ainsi elle fut fort surprise quand entrant dans sa chambre pour quelque affaire, elle vit une superbe collation preparée, & l'Abbé Vannini qui l'invita sans façon à manger avec sa mere, & les honnêtes gens qui étoient du complot.
Angelique trahie par sa propre mere fit un cri qui marqua son etonnement. L'Abbé se jetta à ses genoux, & tâcha de la rassûrer par de belles paroles, dans le même tems tout le monde sortit de la chambre où on les laissa seuls, & on peut s'imaginer que l'Abbé étant le Maître ne perdit pas le tems. La chambre étoit si haute qu'on ne peut entendre les cris d'Angelique, mais on eut d'autres signes de la resistance de cette genereuse fille, car la table & les chaises furent renversées, enfin on fit tant de bruit dans cette chambre qui étoit justement sur celle de la Reine, que sa Majesté se plaignit qu'on perdoit le respect.
Un de ses Gentilhommes courut en haut, où il vit cette belle farce, il cria au secours en appellant quelques Anspessades & valets de pied qui étoient de garde. L'amy de Theodon monta au bruit, Angelique l'embrassant le pria d'avoir pitié d'elle, il prit l'Abbé par la gorge, & l'auroit etranglé si on ne le lui eût arraché des mains.
On envoya chercher Monsieur Pompée Azolin neveu du Cardinal du même nom, pour sçavoir ce qu'on feroit de cet effronté. Sa premiere pensée fut de le faire hacher en morceaux, en cela il auroit suivi le genie de la Reine, & vangé hautement l'injure faite à sa Majesté. Mais la voyant fort malade, & considérant que l'Abbé étoit bien apparenté, il jugea a propos de ne se pas faire des ennemis, ainsi l'ayant tiré à part il le laissa evader. Il se sauva chez le Cardinal D'est, les deux Napolitains s'en-fuirent aussi, & on ne les vid plus depuis. On fit entendre à la Reine que le bruit venoit de quelques chats qui avoient renversé des meubles & causé tout ce Vacarme.
Angelique aprés un affront si sanglant s'abandonna à son desespoir, & resta long-tems pasmée, & toute etourdie, ne sachant que faire. Sa sœur survenuë au bruit la fit mettre au lit, car sa traitresse de mere s'étoit eclipsée comme les autres, la fievre se mit de la partie, & elle fut quelque-tems malade de chagrin.
Cependant la Reine commença à se mieux porter, toute le monde se rejouit de sa convalescence, car elle étoit bien aimée dans Rome, outre qu'elle y faisoit une grosse dépense qui faisoit subsister bien des gens. La Nation de la Marche d'Ancone fit une belle fête à son Eglise Nationale de Saint Sauveur du Laurier, dont le Cardinal Azolin étoit Protecteur, en l'honneur de la Reine, & le même soir, il y eut de belles illuminations dans la Rue des Coronari qui en est tout proche, avec des feux d'artifice, & autres rejouissances, au son des Trompettes & des Tambours. Le Comte d'Alibert fit aussi une fête au Jesus, fort magnifique, où l'on chanta une Messe votive de la Vierge, en action de graces de la Convalescence de la Reine. Il y avoit fait venir les meilleurs Musiciens de Rome, & l'Eglise étoit parée des plus belles tentures de tapisseries de haute lice de sa Majesté.
Tout le monde s'empressoit de venir temoigner la joye qu'on avoit du retablissement de sa Sante, mais elle s'apperçeut enfin qu'Angelique manquoit à ce devoir, elle la demanda plusieurs fois, on lui disoit toûjours qu'elle étoit malade: Le Cardinal Azolin avoit defendu qu'on parlât du scandale arrivé dans son Palais à son sujet, une certaine femme qui demeuroit au Palais où elle servoit aux Operations de la Chymie avec le Bandiere, cette femme, dis je, qu'on appelloit la sybille pour les raisons que nous dirons cy aprés, dit à la Reine par megarde, ou par malice, qu'Angelique se portoit bien.
La Reine l'envoya aussi-tôt appeller avec empressement, cette pauvre fille alarmée ne pouvant eviter de paroître devant la Reine, qu'elle croyoit informée de ses affaires, se jetta à ses pieds fondant en larmes, ne pouvant parler tant elle étoit saisie de douleur. La Reine la pressa de dire le sujet de ses pleurs, elle repondit que son malheur n'étoit que trop public: Sa Majesté lui ordonna de s'expliquer, mais ses sanglots interrompoient ses paroles à tout moment. C'est pourquoy elle pria le Cardinal Azolin qui étoit survenu alors, d'informer sa Majesté de toutes choses. Azolin fâché de ce contre-tems, voulut pallier la chose, & ne dit à la Reine que ce qu'il jugea à propos de lui decouvrir, de peur qu'elle ne se mît trop en colére, ce qui pourroit la faire retomber; mais cela ne la satisfit pas, elle vit bien qu'on lui cachoit la plûpart des circonstances, ainsi elle n'eut point de repos qu'elle n'eût appris toute l'histoire de ses autres Domestiques, à force de les questionner, & de les menacer.
Ce qu'on avoit prevû arriva, elle se mit en une colére horrible contre l'infame Abbé, & contre ceux qui l'avoient laissé echapper au lieu de l'assommer, & de le jetter par les fenêtres. Aprés avoir consolé Angelique de sa disgrace dont elle n'étoit pas coupable, elle fit entrer le Capitaine Merula, qui étoit son brave, & lui commanda de lui apporter la tête de l'Abbé Vannini, lui ordonnant de le chercher si bien qu'il prît du monde, & de l'argent autant qu'il en auroit de besoin, lui promettant une bonne recompense, & sa protection envers & contre tous. On ne sçait si cet Assassin de profession découvrit ses ordres lui même, ou si cela fut sçu d'ailleurs, mais Vannini s'enfuit de Rome à subiacco Abbaye du Cardinal Charles Barberin, dans un Carrosse de son Eminence, où il s'evanoüit plusieurs fois par le chemin, & y arriva enfin plus mort que vif, tant il est vray que le vice est son propre bourreau. On le fit de là passer dans l'Abbruzzo Province du Royaume de Naples, où il resta jusqu'à la mort de la Reine. Cependant le Merula le cherchoit par tout, ou faisoit semblant de le chercher, car on tient que les deux Cardinaux Protecteurs de l'Abbé, lui firent un present de mille écus, pour lui faire manquer son coup, outre qu'il appréhendoit leur ressentiment en cas que la Reine vint à mourir bien-tôt, comme il y avoit de l'apparence.
La Reine impatiente demandoit souvent au Merula l'effet de ses promesses, car il se retiroit au Palais de sa Majesté, ne pouvant rester en seureté ailleurs, de crainte de la justice pour les autres meurtres qu'il avoit fait. Un jour qu'elle le pressoit plus qu'à l'ordinaire, il lui avoüa sans y penser, que le Criminel lui étoit echappé des mains, & s'étoit sauvé dans le Royaume de Naples. A ces mots la Reine lui sauta au visage, où elle lui donna vingt coups de poing, en lui reprochant sa perfidie, & elle l'auroit etranglé si elle en avoit eu la force, tant elle étoit saisie de rage; mais elle se tua elle même par l'effort qu'elle fit, car cette agitation lui redonna la fievre qui la mit au tombeau dans peu de jours.
English translation (by Hollingworth):
Angelica was a Virgin, incomparable both for Beauty and Wit; her Stature was something above the ordinary size, well taken and slender; her Visage a perfect Oval, her Eyes Sparkling, her Hair of a bright Flaxen colour, but inclining to White, an Aquiline Nose, white Teeth, vermilion Lips, and her Neck excellently Shap'd; Her Wit was full and exact, her Conception easie, of a complaisant Humour, and such an agreement in her whole Person as made her Beloved by great and small, for it may be said, that from the Scepter to the Spade, all Estates and Conditions of Men have done Homage to her Merit. In fine to make a just Portraiture of her, one must take a Muse for a Model, for to all her Perfections, she would sing so rarely, that it would Ravish all that heard her, and touch'd Instruments to a Miracle. Her putative Father was Comptroller of the Mount of Piety and because he was call'd Georgino, she acquir'd the Name of Georgina. Her Mother who was very Intriguing, some time before her Marriage, had a Knight of the Order of Melchisadec. ...
One day the Queen kept an Academy of Musick in her Garden, and there was a great many Ladies, Knights and Gentlemen, under the shady Grove, where was a fine breeze of Air: Angelica, when she had sung her Roll, slipt down an Alley with her Sister, and entred into a little Banquetting-House, where Theodon had made a magnificent Collation to present her with in his Friend's Company, of the best Wines that were to be had. It was about the time that the Song of Flon, Flon, was in request; and the Trumpets of the Marquiss de Lavardin, being posted upon a little Hill in the same Garden, sounded the same Tune. The Eccho's repeated the last Words; All the World Sung it, and the Queen her self sung Flon, Flon. The Joy was universal, and the Wine made our Lovers become Poets; For after they had drank plentifully, they propos'd to make every one a Couplet to this new Air, and Angelica taking her Guitarre, began, and did it very well for an Extempory Effort, and was follow'd by Theodon's Friend. A thousand sits of Laughter accompanied the Musick, insomuch, that others of the Queen's Maids walking in the Garden, were drawn thither by the Noise. They presented them Fruits, and they sat down on Angelica's side, and drank their Healths over and over, and the Sport sted till almost Night, when a Footman came to give her notice, that she must wait upon the Queen, the Company be∣ing now gone. She broke off therefore this sweet Conversation, but with Violence to her self, and promis'd to see him again as often as she could.
But this happy Season did not last long; for a little after the Queen fell Sick, and so all sorts of Divertisements ended. This Sickness was fatal to Angelica, for her own Mother deliver'd her up to be Dishonour'd by an infamous wretch in the Queen's Palace. It was to the Abbot Vannini, (whom I have mention'd before) the same that abus'd Signora Giovannini, and was the cause of her Death. This Prelate, who was ambitious to make himself Talk'd of, had gain'd Signora Caterina, with a Present of Silver, of above the value of a thousand Crowns; Angelica having all sorts of Liberty of going out with her Mother; was carried to walk among Women, where she always met the Abbot Vannini, who perpetually courted her, but to no purpose; For she was extreamly angry, that her own Mother should so often expose her to the Outrages of this rash Man, insomuch, that she protested, she would no more go out of her Majesty's Palace, whose Sickness encreas'd daily, and at the same time, the Fears of the House.
The Abbot, notwithstanding all the Disdain of Angelica, was neither asham'd, nor dejected, but thought to obtain that by Presents and Importunity which he could not by Personal Merit; but he advanc'd nothing at all that way; for all his Presents were rejected, and his Sighs despis'd.
At last being provok'd by such a Resistance as he expected not to find, he undertook one of the rashest and most dangerous Actions that could fall into the Imagination, of so contemptible a Person as himself, which was to do Violence to the Honour of Angelica, even in the Palace of the Queen her self. To this end and purpose he gain'd a Neapolitan, who was one of the Queens Valet de Chambres, with his Brother an Anspassade, and they brought him privately into Angelica's Chamber, with the consent of her Mother. Angelica was then with the Queen, scarcely ever forsaking her, because her Sickness was very dangerous; But coming into her Chamber by chance to do something, she was extreamly surpriz'd to find a great Collation, and the Abbot Vannini, who invited her to eat, with her Mother, and those honest People, that were of the Plot.
But she, seeing her self Betray'd by her Mother, was perfectly Astonish'd, and set up a great Cry. The Abbot threw himself upon his Knees, and endeavour'd to assure her, by good Words, but in the mean time they all slipt out of the Chamber, and left them alone, and one may easily imagin that the Abbot being Master, did not loose time. The Chamber was so high that Angelica's Cries could not be hear'd; but there was other Signs of the resistance of this Generous young Woman, for the Table and Chairs were all overturn'd, and at last so great a noise was made, her (Chamber being just over the Queen's) that her Majesty complain'd they had lost their Respect.
One of the Gentlemen run up and saw this fine Farce, and cry'd out for help to some Auspessades and Foot men, who were upon the Guard. Her Friend Theodon ran up at the Noise, and she Embracing him, begg'd that he would have Compassion of her; He presently took him by the Throat, and would have Strangl'd him, if he had not been forced out of his hands.
They then sent to seek out Monsieur Pompey Azzolini, the Cardinal's Nephew, to know what they must do with this impudent Person. His first thought was, that he should be hewed in Pieces; and in so doing, he had followed the Queen's Genius, and highly reveng'd the Injury done to her Majesty. But considering that the Queen was Sick and the Abbot well Allied, he thought it convenient, (for fear of making himself Enemies) to suffer him to Escape. He sav'd himself at the Cardinal D'Estes, and the two Neapolitans Fled, and were never heard of since. They told the Queen, that the noise came from Cats, who had overturn'd the Utensils of the Chamber, and caus'd this Alarm.
Poor Angelica, after so bloody an Affront, abandon'd her self to Despair, and was a long time in a Swoon, and amaz'd, not knowing what to do. Her Sister coming up at the Noise, put her to bed, for the Traytress her Mother was as invisible as the rest, and Angelica was seiz'd with a Fever, and sick of Grief for a long time.
In the mean time, the Queen began to be better, and all People rejoyc'd for her Recovery. For she was well Belov'd in Rome, because she gave much in Charity towards the Subsistance of the Poor, and Maintain'd a great many People. The Nation of the Marca d'Ancona, made a fine Feast at the Church of St. Saviour du Lauier, in honour of the Queen, and fine Illuminations in the Street of Coronari, which is near it, with Bonfires and other Rejoicings of Drums and Trumpets. Count Alibert also made a very Magnificent Feast at Jesus, where a Votive Mass of the Blessed Virgin, was Sung in a Thanksgiving for the Queen's Health, and he had the most excellent Musicians in Rome, and the Church was hang'd with the richest Tapistry her Majesty had, and all People crowded into testifies their joy.
But at last she perceiv'd that Angelica fail'd in her Duty, and asked for her very often, but they always told her she was Sick. Cardinal Azzolini had forbidden any body to speak of this Scandal which had happened in the Queen's Palace. But a certain Woman who help'd Bandiere in his Operations of Chymistry, whom they call'd Sybil, for the reasons we shall afterwards mention, told the Queen either by Accident, or out of Malice, that Angelica was Well.
The Queen sent presently to call her in all haste, and the poor Girl being frighted, because she was forc'd to appear before her, whom she believ'd to be inform'd of all the Affair, cast her self at her Feet, pouring out abundance of Tears, and could not speak for Grief. The Queen press'd her to tell the reason of her Tears, and she answer'd, that her Misfortune was but too publick. Her Majesty order'd her to Explain her self; but Sobs interrupted her every Moment; and therefore the Queen desir'd Cardinal Azzolini who was then come to her, to inform her of all the Affair. Azzolini being troubled at the unseasonableness of the time, palliated the Matter, and told her only what he thought convenient to discover, for fear she should fall into an excessive Passion, which might make her relapse. But this did not satisfie her, for she saw well enough, that he hid the greatest part of the Circumstances from her, and therefore could not be quiet till she had learn'd the whole Story from her Domesticks, by Questions and Threatning.
What he had foreseen, fell out, for the Queen presently fell into an horrible Passion against this infamous Abbot, and against all those that suffer'd him to Escape. After she had comforted Angelica, about the Disgrace she was no way guilty of, sent for Captain Merula her Bravo, and commanded him to bring her the Head of the Abbot Vannini, and to observe him so narrowly, that he did not Escape; and because she would be sure of her Blow, she order'd what Men and Money he had need of, promising him a good Reward and protection against all his Enemies. It is not known whether this Assassin by Profession, did himself discover her Orders, or that it came to be known some other way; But Vannini fled from Rome, to Subjacco an Abbey of Cardinal Charles Barberini in one of his Eminence's Coaches, but absconded often by the way, and at last when he came there, look'd more like Dead, than Alive, so true it is, that Vice is its own Executioner. He pass'd from thence into Abruzzo, a Province of the Realm of Naples, where he remain'd till the Queen's Death. In the mean time, Merula sought him every where, or pretended so to do; for 'tis believ'd, that the two Cardinals who were the Abbot's Protectors, presented him with a thousand Crowns, to hold his Hand. Besides that, he might fear their resentment if the Queen should Die quickly, of which there was great likelyhood.
The Queen being impatient, often demanded from Merula the effects of his Promises. But one day he own'd, without thinking on't, that the Criminal had scap'd out of his Hands, and had refug'd himself within the Realm of Naples. At these words, the Queen was in such a Rage, that she Scratch'd him in the Face, and gave him twenty blows with her Fist, reproach∣ing him with Perfidiousness, and had certainly Strangled him, if she had not wanted Strength. But she kill'd her self in the Effort which she made; for this Agitation brought her Feaver on her again, and sent her into her Grave in a little time.
Above: Kristina.
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