Sources:
Histoire des intrigues galantes de la reine Christine de Suede: et de sa cour, pendant son sejour à Rome, pages 13 to 22, 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, pages 21 to 28, translated by Philip Hollingworth, 1697 (1927 edition in second link)
Above: Kristina.
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Above: Cardinal Decio Azzolino.
The account:
... la Reine Christine reprit le chemin de Rome, dans le dessein d'y finir ses jours, mais la peste qui affligea cette Ville en 1659. la retint assez longtemps dans la Ville de Pesaro, & dans quelques autres endroits de l'état Ecclesiastique, jusqu'a ce que ce fleau de Dieu eut cessé, & qu'elle pût retourner en assurance à Rome.
Quoy que sa seconde entrée dans cette capitale du Monde n'approchât pas de la pompe de la premiere, elle ne laissa pas que d'être fort magnifique; quantité de noblesse vint la recevoir hors de la Ville, & lui fit un nombreux cortege. Elle remit sa Cour sur le bon pied, en prenant pour Gentilhommes & pour Pages, des personnes de la premiere qualité; mais il y avoit si peu d'economie dans sa maison, & elle faisoit une si furieuse depense, que ses rentes ne suffisant pas pour entretenir sa Cour trop nombreuse, elle étoit toûjours endettée, ainsi il falloit en venir jusqu'à engager sa vaisselle d'argent, & même ses joyaux quand elle ne trouvoit point d'argent sur de simples billets. Le Pape en étant instruit, luy donna le Cardinal Azolin pour avoir la direction & l'Intendance de sa maison. Ce sage & prudent econome en retranchant une partie des folles dépenses qui se faisoient au Palais de la Reine, remit en peu de temps les choses dans le bon ordre, retirant tous les effets de Sa M., & mêmes il fit en sorte qu'elle avoit tôujours de l'argent, au lieu qu'auparavant elle étoit tôujours endettée.
Cependant cet habile politique ne s'opposoit point aux Volontez de la Reine, au contraire il donnoit dans tous ses desseins. Comme il connoissoit son foible il rendit sa maison plus belle & plus fastueuse qu'elle n'eût jamais été, avançant du sien quand celui de la Reine ne suffisoit pas. Il entra par là si avant dans les bonnes graces de Sa M., qu'elle ne pouvoit parler de lui qu'avec des sentimens pleins de reconnoissance. Mais le Cardinal songeoit a plus d'une chose a la fois, il avoit regardé la Reine dés son premier Voyage, comme une personne qui meritoit d'être aimée, sans oser se declarer pour son amant, voulant songer auparavant à la gagner tout à fait & meriter son attachement. Pour le faire à coup sur, il ne lui en parla qu'apres avoir fait bien valoir ses soins, & son application à regler les afaires domestiques de S. M. La Reine qui n'atendoit que sa declaration pour se rendre elle même, le prevint en lui donnant des marques qu'il ne tiendroit qu'a lui d'être heureux, il scût profiter de cette favorable disposition en suivant son penchant, ainsi ils s'embarquerent dans un commerce d'amour. Voila ce que la medisance a publié d'une intrigue qui n'a point de tesmoin que les deux personnes interessées, mais on pretend avoir des raisons qui ne permettent pas de douter de la chose, & c'est ainsi qu'on en parle dans le Monde.
Cette conquéte, supposé qu'elle soit Veritable, dissipa bien-tôt tous les chagrins de la Reine, libre du soin de ses affaires, elle ne s'ongea plus qu'aux plaisirs, & à inspirer de l'amour à son nouveau favori. Le pretexte specieux des affaires leur facilitoit des entrevues frequentes, & bien souvent des teste à teste tels qu'il faut, pour prendre à loisir les plaisirs quand on le veut bien tous deux, & qu'on est sans fâcheux. Cependant le Cardinal continuoit toûjours d'avoir un grand soin des affaires de la Reine, mais il prenoit un ton si haut en parlant avec les autres Officiers, qu'on conclut qu'il falloit qu'il fût autorisé de la Reine, on l'eclaira deprés & l'on connut qu'il étoit veritablement le favori, & l'Intendant de la Reine. On le menagea d'avantage, sans oser parler de ses airs familiers avec la Reine, mais ce que ses Domestiques ne dirent pas alors, Mr. de Coulange le sceut dire depuis pour eux dans cette chanson.
«Mais Azolin dans Rome
Sceut charmer ses ennuis,
Elle eût sans ce grand Homme
Passé de tristes nuits.»
Dans ce peu de paroles Mr. de Coulanges dit beaucoup de choses, & fait comprendre l'intrigue du Cardinal avec la Reine, cependant il n'en dit pas assez pour faire le caractére du Cardinal; il faut tâcher de le faire connoître dans le portrait qui suit.
Le Cardinal Dece Azolin nâquit a Fermo Ville Archiepiscopale dans la marche d'ancone l'an 1623. Il étoit bel homme, grand & gras, il avoit le poil noir, les yeux vifs, & brillans, mais le nez un peu camus, cependant on peut dire qu'il avoit la physionomie Heureuse. Les qualités de son esprit étoient extraordinaires; il avoit autant de connoissance des belles lettres qu'en ait jamais eu aucun de sa Nation, & de l'esprit plus qu'aucun autre pour approfondir les sciences. La Sphere du Cardinal Azolin étoit fort etenduë, & il avoit donné une grande carriere à son esprit. Il avoit de la gayeté, & de l'enjoüement, de la delicatesse & de la force d'esprit; il parloit sur toutes les matieres assez bien, il ecrivoit juste, il brilloit dans la conversation, & ce caractere enjoué qui a fait lagrément de ses belles années, bien qu'il ne fût pas tout à fait du personnage qu'il joüoit, lui fut neantmoins d'un grand secours pour s'insinuer dans l'esprit de la Reine. Il n'étoit pas exempt de tous defauts, son esprit étoit fourbe & deffiant, il étoit souple, & patient jusqu'à l'excês quand ses affaires le demandoient; avare & interessé, mais habile à manier les affaires les plus dificiles, & à decouvrir les intrigues les plus secrétes. Il devoit son chapeau à cette habileté...
... mais la plus haute Fortune qui lui soit arrivée, est d'avoir sçû d'abord gagner les bonnes graces de la Reine Christine, qu'elle lui a conservées toute sa vie, & elle lui a tenu religieusement à sa mort la parole qu'elle lui avoit donné, dés le commencement, de le faire son heritier universel.
With modernised spelling:
... La reine Christine reprit le chemin de Rome, dans le dessein d'y finir ses jours, mais la peste qui affligea cette ville en 1659 la retint assez longtemps dans la ville de Pesaro et dans quelques autres endroits de l'État Ecclésiastique jusqu'à ce que ce fléau de Dieu eut cessé et qu'elle pût retourner en assurance à Rome.
Quoique sa seconde entrée dans cette capitale du monde n'approchât pas de la pompe de la première, elle ne laissa pas que d'être fort magnifique; quantité de noblesse vint la recevoir hors de la ville et lui fit un nombreux cortège. Elle remit sa cour sur le bon pied en prenant pour gentilhommes et pour pages des personnes de la première qualité; mais il y avait si peu d'économie dans sa maison, et elle faisait une si furieuse dépense que ses rentes ne suffisant pas pour entretenir sa cour trop nombreuse.
Elle était toujours endettée, ainsi il fallait en venir jusqu'à engager sa vaisselle d'argent et même ses joyaux quand elle ne trouvait point d'argent sur de simples billets. Le pape en étant instruit, lui donna le cardinal Azzolin pour avoir la direction et l'intendance de sa maison. Ce sage et prudent économe en retranchant une partie des folles dépenses qui se faisaient au palais de la reine remit en peu de temps les choses dans le bon ordre, retirant tous les effets de Sa Majesté, et même il fit en sorte qu'elle avait toujours de l'argent au lieu qu'auparavant elle était toujours endettée.
Cependant cet habile politique ne s'opposait point aux volontés de la reine; au contraire, il donnait dans tous ses desseins. Comme il connaissait son faible, il rendit sa maison plus belle et plus fastueuse qu'elle n'eût jamais été, avançant du sien quand celui de la reine ne suffisait pas. Il entra par-là si avant dans les bonnes graces de Sa Majesté qu'elle ne pouvait parler de lui qu'avec des sentiments pleins de reconnaissance.
Mais le cardinal songeait à plus d'une chose a la fois. Il avait regardé la reine dès son premier voyage comme une personne qui méritait d'être aimée, sans oser se déclarer pour son amant, voulant songer auparavant à la gagner tout à fait et mériter son attachement. Pour le faire à coup sur, il ne lui en parla qu'après avoir fait bien valoir ses soins et son application à régler les afaires domestiques de Sa Majesté. La reine, qui n'attendait que sa déclaration pour se rendre elle-même, le prévint en lui donnant des marques qu'il ne tiendrait qu'à lui d'être heureux; il sut profiter de cette favorable disposition en suivant son penchant, ainsi ils s'embarquèrent dans un commerce d'amour.
Voilà ce que la médisance a publié d'une intrigue qui n'a point de témoin que les deux personnes intéressées, mais on pretend avoir des raisons qui ne permettent pas de douter de la chose, et c'est ainsi qu'on en parle dans le monde.
Cette conquête, supposé qu'elle soit véritable, dissipa bientôt tous les chagrins de la reine. Libre du soin de ses affaires, elle ne songea plus qu'aux plaisirs et à inspirer de l'amour à son nouveau favori. Le prétexte spécieux des affaires leur facilitait des entrevues frequentes et bien souvent des tête-à-têtes tels qu'il faut pour prendre à loisir les plaisirs quand on le veut bien tous deux et qu'on est sans fâcheux.
Cependant le cardinal continuait toujours d'avoir un grand soin des affaires de la reine, mais il prenait un ton si haut en parlant avec les autres officiers qu'on conclut qu'il fallait qu'il fût autorisé de la reine. On l'éclaira de près, et l'on connut qu'il était véritablement le favori et l'intendant de la reine. On le ménagea davantage sans oser parler de ses airs familiers avec la reine; mais ce que ses domestiques ne dirent pas alors, M. de Coulanges le sut dire depuis pour eux dans cette chanson:
«Mais Azzolin dans Rome
sut charmer ses ennuis;
elle eut sans ce grand homme
passé de tristes nuits.»
Dans ce peu de paroles, M. de Coulanges dit beaucoup de choses et fait comprendre l'intrigue du cardinal avec la reine; cependant il n'en dit pas assez pour faire le caractère du cardinal. Il faut tâcher de le faire connaître dans le portrait qui suit.
Le cardinal Dèce Azzolin naquit à Fermo, ville archiépiscopale dans la Marche d'Ancône l'an 1623. Il était bel homme, grand et gras. Il avait le poil noir, les yeux vifs et brillants, mais le nez un peu camus. Cependant on peut dire qu'il avait la physionomie heureuse. Les qualités de son esprit étaient extraordinaires: il avait autant de connaissance des belles lettres qu'en ait jamais eu aucun de sa nation et de l'esprit plus qu'aucun autre pour approfondir les sciences.
La sphère du cardinal Azzolin était fort étendue, et il avait donné une grande carrière à son esprit. Il avait de la gaieté et de l'enjouement, de la délicatesse et de la force d'esprit; il parlait sur toutes les matières assez bien, il écrivait juste, il brillait dans la conversation; et ce caractère enjoué qui a fait lagrément de ses belles années (bien qu'il ne fût pas tout à fait du personnage qu'il jouait), lui fut néanmoins d'un grand secours pour s'insinuer dans l'esprit de la reine.
Il n'était pas exempt de tous défauts. Son esprit était fourbe et défiant, il était souple et patient jusqu'à l'excès quand ses affaires le demandaient; avare et intéressé, mais habile à manier les affaires les plus difficiles et à decouvrir les intrigues les plus secrètes. Il devait son chapeau à cette habileté...
... Mais la plus haute fortune qui lui soit arrivée est d'avoir su d'abord gagner les bonnes graces de la reine Christine, qu'elle lui a conservées toute sa vie; et elle lui a tenu religieusement à sa mort la parole qu'elle lui avait donné dès le commencement de le faire son héritier universel.
Swedish translation (my own):
... Drottning Kristina återvände till Rom i avsikt att sluta sina dagar där, men pesten som drabbade den staden 1659 kvarhöll henne länge i staden Pesaro och på några andra platser i den kyrkliga staten tills detta Guds gissel hade upphört och hon kunde återvända i försäkring till Rom.
Även om hennes andra intåg i denna världens huvudstad inte närmade sig den förstas pompa, var det ändå mycket magnifikt; en mängd adeln kom för att ta emot henne utanför staden och gav henne en talrik procession. Hon satte sitt hov tillbaka på rätt fot genom att ta för herrar och för sidor personer av första kvalitet; men det var så lite ekonomi i hennes hushåll, och hon gjorde så rasande utgifter, att hennes inkomster inte var tillräckliga för att upprätthålla hennes alltför talrika hov.
Hon var alltid skuldsatt, så hon måtte gå så långt att hon pantsatte sin silverfat och till och med sina juveler när hon inte kunde finna några pengar på enkla sedlar. Påven, som blev informerad om detta, gav henne kardinal Azzolino att ha direktion och bli förvaltare av hennes hushåll. Genom att avskära en del av de extravaganta utgifterna som gjordes vid drottningens palats, satte den här kloke och kloka ekonomen tillbaka saker och ting på kort tid, tog bort alla hennes majestäts effekter, och han såg till att hon alltid hade pengar, istället för som tidigare när hon alltid var skuldsatt.
Denne skicklige politiker var dock inte emot drottningens önskemål; tvärtom gav han efter för alla hennes dessänger. Eftersom han kände hennes svaghet, gjorde han hennes hus vackrare och mer överdådiga än det någonsin varit, och gick vidare från sin egen när drottningens inte räckte till. Han gick alltså så långt in i Hennes Majestäts goda nåder att hon bara kunde tala om honom med känslor fulla av tacksamhet.
Men kardinalen tänkte på mer än en sak åt gången. Han hade ända sedan hennes första resa betraktat drottningen som en person som förtjänade att bli älskad, utan att våga förklara sig som hennes älskare, på förhand vilja tänka på att vinna henne helt och förtjäna hennes fäste. För att göra det med visshet, talade han inte till henne om det förrän han väl hade utnyttjat sin omsorg och sin flit för att reglera Hennes Majestäts domestika affärer. Drottningen, som bara väntade på hans deklaration för att hon skulle överlämna sig, varnade honom genom att ge honom mark att det var upp till honom att vara lycklig; han visste att dra fördel av denna gynnsamma läggning genom att följa hans böjelse, så de inledde en kärlekshandel.
Det här är vad skvaller har publicerat om en intrig som inte har några vittnen förutom de två berörda personerna, men man säger sig ha skäl som inte tillåter en att tvivla på saken, och det är så man talar om det i världen.
Denna erövring, förutsatt att den var äkta, skingrade snart alla drottningens sorger. Befriad från omsorgen om sina affärer tänkte hon bara på nöjen och att inspirera kärlek i sin nye favorit. Sakernas konstiga förevändning underlättade för dem frekventa entrevues och mycket ofta tätatäter, sådana som är nödvändiga för att njuta på lediga stunderna när båda människorna är villiga och de är utan plågoander.
Kardinalen fortsatte dock att ta hand om drottningens affärer, men han antog en så hög ton i samtalet med de andra officerarna att man kom fram till att han måste vara auktoriserad av drottningen. Man upplyste honom noggrant, och det var känt att han verkligen var drottningens favorit och intendant. Man skonade honom mer, utan att våga tala om hans bekanta luft med drottningen; men vad hennes tjänare inte sa då, kunde monsieur de Coulanges säga för dem efteråt i denna sång:
»Men Azzolino i Rom
visste hur han skulle charmera hennes bekymmer;
hon hade utan denna store man
tillbringade sorgliga nätter.«
Med dessa få ord säger monsieur de Coulanges många saker och klargör kardinalens intriger med drottningen; dock säger han inte tillräckligt för att bilda kardinalens karaktär. Vi måste försöka göra det känt i följande porträtt.
Kardinal Decio Azzolino föddes i Fermo, en ärkebiskopsstad i Marca de Ancona år 1623. Han var vacker, lång och fet. Han hade svart hår, ljusa, lysande ögon, men en lätt uppnäsa. Däremot kan man säga att han hade ett glatt ansikte. Hans sinnes egenskaper var extraordinära: han hade lika mycket kunskap om les belles lettres som någon av hans nationer någonsin haft, och han hade mer kvickhet än någon annan att studera vetenskaperna.
Kardinal Azzolinos sfär var mycket vidsträckt, och det hade givit stor utrymme åt hans sinne. Han hade glättighet och munterhet, känslighet och sinnesstyrka; han talade ganska bra i alla ämnen, han skrev noggrant, han glänste i samtal; och denna glada karaktär, som var glädjen i hans vackra år (även om det inte riktigt var den personage han spelade), var ändå till stor hjälp för honom att insinuera sig själv i drottningens sinne.
Han var inte fri från alla fel. Hans sinne var bedrägligt och misstroende, han var smidig och tålmodig till överdrift när hans affärer krävde det; girig och intresserad, men skicklig i att hantera de svåraste ärenden och att upptäcka de hemligaste intriger. Han var skyldig sin hatt till denna skicklighet...
... Men den största lycka som hände honom är att han först visste hur han skulle vinna drottning Kristinas goda gracer, som hon bevarat åt honom hela sitt liv; och hon höll religiöst åt honom vid hans död det ord som hon hade givit honom från början för att göra honom till sin universelle arvinge.
English translation (by Hollingworth):
... Queen Christina took her way towards Rome, with a design to end her Days there, but the Plague, which afflicted it, Anno 1659, kept her along time in the City of Pesaro, and in some other places of the Ecclesiastical State, till this Lash of the Almighty being taken away, she might return in Safety to Rome.
Though her second Entry into the Capital City of the World, came not near the Pomp of the first, it was however very Magnificent. A great many of the Nobility went to meet her out of the City, and to give her a welcom Reception, and she had the general Acclamations of all sorts of People. Immediately after she came, she put her Court into good Order, taking Persons of the first Quality for Gentlemen and Pages; but had so little Oeconomy in her House, and made so extravagant an Expence, that her Revenue was not able to Maintain so numemerous a Court. And being always in Debt, she was necessitated to Pawn her Plate, as she had done her Jewels, for Money to pay off Bills. All which, the Pope understanding, gave her Cardinal Azzolini to be her Director, and Intendant of her House. This Wise and Prudent Oeconomist, by retrenching part of the foolish and unnecessary Expences of the Queen's Palace, put things into Order in a little time, and by receiving her Majesty's Effects, instead of being in Debt as before, he so disposed Matters, that she had always a ready Cash.
This wise and able Politician never oppos'd himself to the Queen's Will, but on the contrary, gave free consent to what Designs soever she had. And because he knew her Fancy, made her House finer and more sumptuous than ever, advancing Money of his own when the Queen's fail'd. By this means, he entred so far into the Queen's good Graces, that she could never speak of him without acknowledgement of his Kindness. But the Cardinal, who had more Contrivances in his Head than one at a time, look'd upon the Queen as a Person deserving to be Beloved, without daring to declare himself a Lover; therefore studied to gain her altogether by his Merit; And to make his Design take better Effect, he never spake to her but after he had been taking some great Care, or made some particular Application about her Majesty's Domestick Affairs. The Queen, who staid some time for nothing but his own Declaration to Surrender her self, at last prevented him, by giving him Signs that he might be happy when he pleased; and he knew well enough how to make use of the occasion, and followed her Inclination, and so they first embarked in the business of an Amour.
Behold here what ill Will has made publick concerning an Intrigue, which had no other Witnesses but the Parties themselves, pretending there are such clear Reasons of this Discovery, as will not suffer us to doubt the Truth of the Matter: However thus it is, that all the World speaks about it.
This Conquest, supposing it true, dissipated all the Queen's Melancholy, so that laying aside all care, she entertain'd no Thought of any thing but her Pleasures, and to inspire Love into her new Favourite. The specious pretence of Business did facilitate their Interviews, so that they might lay their Heads together, when they had a mind to take their fill of Pleasures, without Reflection or Scandal. Nevertheless the Cardinal continued to have a great care of the Queen's Affairs; but took upon him to speak with such Command, and in so lofty a manner to the other Officers, that they concluded he was authoriz'd by the Queen to do it; and looking more narrowly into the Reason of this, they found him to be as well the true Favourite, as the Intendant of the Queen. And it was so managed by him, that no body durst speak of this Familiarity with her. But what the Domesticks durst not say then, Monsieur Coulange afterwards express'd in this Song.
"But her dear Azzolini in Rome
So charm'd her with Delight,
From him she could not live a Day,
Nor pass a tedious Night."
In these few Words Monsieur Coulange has express'd very much, and withal comprehended the Intrigue of the Cardinal with the Queen: But he says nothing of the Cardinal's Character; which we must take in the Portraicture that follows.
Cardinal Decio Azzolini, was born at Fermo an Archiepiscopal See in the Marca Anconitana, Anno 1623. He was a handsome Person, tall, and well proportion'd, had black Hair, lively and sparkling Eyes; but his Nose was somewhat short, and yet he might be said to have had a pleasant and happy Countenance. The Qualifications of his Mind were extraordinary; He had so great a knowledge in all good Literature, that scarce any of his Nation could equal him; and had a Genius more adapted than any other to penetrate into the Sciences. And as our Cardinal's Sphere wherein he mov'd was very large, it gave a large scope to his Mind. He had an excellent Gaiety, Briskness, and Strength of Wit, spake very well on all Subjects, writ exactly, and was admired in Conversation. Which Character agreed well enough with his Years; and though he was not altogether the Person he seemed to be, was yet of great Advantage to him, to insinuate himself into the Queen's Mind. He was not exempt from Faults; for he was of a jealous and deceitful Temper; flexible and patient to excess, when his Affairs requir'd it; also covetous and biass'd to his own Interest, but of great Ability in the management of the most difficult Matters, and in the discovery of the most secret Intrigues. He ow'd his Cardinal's Cap to his Abilities this way. ...
... But the best Fortune that ever happened to him, was, that he knew the way so soon to obtain the good graces of Queen Christina; which he preserved all his Life; and she as religiously kept her Word at her Death, which she had given him at the beginning, that she would make him her Heir-General.
With modernised spelling and punctuation for easier reading:
... Queen Kristina took her way towards Rome with a design to end her days there, but the plague which afflicted it anno 1659 kept her a long time in the city of Pesaro, and in some other places of the Ecclesiastical State, till, this lash of the Almighty being taken away, she might return in safety to Rome.
Though her second entry into the capital city of the world came not near the pomp of the first, it was, however, very magnificent. A great many of the nobility went to meet her out of the city and to give her a welcome reception; and she had the general acclamations of all sorts of people. Immediately after she came she put her court into good order, taking persons of the first quality for gentlemen and pages; but [she] had so little economy in her house, and made so extravagant an expense, that her revenue was not able to maintain so numerous a court. And being always in debt, she was necessitated to pawn her plate, as she had done her jewels, for money to pay off bills.
All which, the Pope understanding, gave her Cardinal Azzolini to be her director and intendant of her House. This wise and prudent economist, by retrenching part of the foolish and unnecessary expenses of the Queen's palace, put things into order in a little time; and by receiving Her Majesty's effects, instead of being in debt as before, he so disposed matters that she had always a ready cash.
This wise and able politician never opposed himself to the Queen's will, but, on the contrary, gave free consent to what designs soever she had. And because he knew her fancy, [he] made her house finer and more sumptuous than ever, advancing money of his own when the Queen's failed. By this means, he entered so far into the Queen's good graces that she could never speak of him without acknowledgement of his kindness.
But the Cardinal, who had more contrivances in his head than one at a time, looked upon the Queen as a person deserving to be beloved without daring to declare himself a lover; therefore [he] studied to gain her altogether by his merit. And to make his design take better effect, he never spake to her but after he had been taking some great care or made some particular application about Her Majesty's domestic affairs. The Queen, who staid some time for nothing but his own declaration to surrender herself, at last prevented him by giving him signs that he might be happy when he pleased; and he knew well enough how to make use of the occasion and followed her inclination, and so they first embarked in the business of an amour.
Behold here what ill will has made public concerning an intrigue which had no other witnesses but the parties themselves, pretending there are such clear reasons of this discovery as will not suffer us to doubt the truth of the matter. However, thus it is that all the world speaks about it.
This conquest, supposing it true, dissipated all the Queen's melancholy, so that, laying aside all care, she entertained no thought of anything but her pleasures, and to inspire love into her new favourite. The specious pretence of business did facilitate their interviews so that they might lay their heads together when they had a mind to take their fill of pleasures without reflection or scandal.
Nevertheless, the Cardinal continued to have a great care of the Queen's affairs, but took upon him to speak with such command and in so lofty a manner to the other officers that they concluded he was authorised by the Queen to do it; and, looking more narrowly into the reason of this, they found him to be as well the true favourite as the intendant of the Queen.
And it was so managed by him that nobody durst speak of this familiarity with her. But what the domestics durst not say then, Monsieur Coulanges afterwards expressed in this song:
"But her dear Azzolini in Rome
so charmed her with delight,
from him she could not live a day,
nor pass a tedious night."
In these few words, Monsieur Coulanges has expressed very much and withal comprehended the intrigue of the Cardinal with the Queen; but he says nothing of the Cardinal's character, which we must take in the portraiture that follows.
Cardinal Decio Azzolini was born at Fermo, an archepiscopal see in the Marca Anconitana, anno 1623. He was a handsome person, tall and well-proportioned, had black hair, lively and sparkling eyes; but his nose was somewhat short, and yet he might be said to have had a pleasant and happy countenance. The qualifications of his mind were extraordinary: he had so great a knowledge in all good literature that scarce any of his nation could equal him; and had a genius more adapted than any other to penetrate into the sciences.
And as our Cardinal's sphere wherein he moved was very large, it gave a large scope to his mind. He had an excellent gaiety, briskness and strength of wit, spake very well on all subjects, writ exactly, and was admired in conversation, which character agreed well enough with his years; and though he was not altogether the person he seemed to be, was yet of great advantage to him to insinuate himself into the Queen's mind.
He was not exempt from faults, for he was of a jealous and deceitful temper, flexible and patient to excess when his affairs required it; also covetous and biased to his own interest, but of great ability in the management of the most difficult matters and in the discovery of the most secret intrigues. He owed his cardinal's cap to his abilities this way. ...
... But the best fortune that ever happened to him was that he knew the way so soon to obtain the good graces of Queen Kristina, which he preserved all his life; and she as religiously kept her word at her death, which she had given him at the beginning, that she would make him her heir general.
English translation (my own; this is more accurate):
... Queen Kristina returned to Rome with the intention of ending her days there, but the plague which afflicted that city in 1659 detained her for a long time in the city of Pesaro and in some other places of the Ecclesiastical State until this scourge of God had ceased and she could return in assurance to Rome.
Although her second entry into this capital of the world did not approach the pomp of the first, it was still very magnificent; a number of nobility came to receive her outside the city and gave her a numerous procession. She put her court back on the right footing by taking for gentlemen and for pages persons of the first quality; but there was so little economy in her household, and she made such furious expenditure, that her income was not sufficient to maintain her too numerous court.
She was always in debt, so she had to go so far as to pawn her silver plate and even her jewels when she could not find any money on simple bills. The Pope, being informed of this, gave her Cardinal Azzolino to have the direction and stewardship of her household. This wise and prudent economist, by cutting off part of the extravagant expenses that were being made at the Queen's palazzo, put things back in good order in a short time, removing all Her Majesty's effects, and he even made sure that she always had money, instead of like before when she was always in debt.
However, this skillful politician was not opposed to the wishes of the Queen; on the contrary, he gave in to all her designs. As he knew her weakness, he made her house more beautiful and more sumptuous than it had ever been, advancing from his own when that of the Queen was not enough. He thus entered so far into Her Majesty's good graces that she could only speak of him with feelings full of gratitude.
But the Cardinal was thinking of more than one thing at a time. He had regarded the Queen since her first voyage as a person who deserved to be loved, without daring to declare himself as her lover, wanting beforehand to think of winning her over completely and meriting her attachment. In order to do so with certainty, he did not speak to her of it until he had made good use of his care and his diligence in regulating Her Majesty's domestic affairs. The Queen, who was only waiting for his declaration to surrender herself, warned him by giving him marks that it was up to him to be happy; he knew how to take advantage of this favourable disposition by following his inclination, so they embarked on a commerce of love.
This is what gossip has published of an intrigue which has no witnesses except the two persons concerned, but one claims to have reasons which do not allow one to doubt the thing, and this is how one speaks of it in the world.
This conquest, supposing it to be genuine, soon dissipated all the Queen's sorrows. Freed from the care of her affairs, she thought only of pleasures and of inspiring love in her new favourite. The specious pretext of affairs facilitated them frequent interviews and very often tête-à-têtes, such as are necessary to take pleasures at leisure when both people are willing and they are without nuisances.
The Cardinal, however, continued to take great care of the Queen's affairs, but he assumed such a high tone in speaking with the other officers that it was concluded that he must be authorised by the Queen. One enlightened him closely, and it was known that he was truly the Queen's favourite and intendant. One spared him more, without daring to speak of his familiar airs with the Queen; but what her domestics did not say then, Monsieur de Coulanges was able to say for them afterwards in this song:
"But Azzolino in Rome
knew how to charm her troubles;
she had without this great man
passed sad nights."
In these few words, Monsieur de Coulanges says many things and makes clear the Cardinal's intrigue with the Queen; however, he does not say enough to form the character of the Cardinal. We must try to make it known in the following portrait.
Cardinal Decio Azzolino was born in Fermo, an archepiscopal city in the Marca of Ancona in the year 1623. He was handsome, tall and fat. He had black hair, bright, brilliant eyes, but a slight snub-nose. However, one can say that he had a happy countenance. The qualities of his mind were extraordinary: he had as much knowledge of les belles lettres as any of his nation ever had, and he had more wit than any other to study the sciences.
Cardinal Azzolino's sphere was very extensive, and it had given great scope to his mind. He had gaiety and cheerfulness, delicacy and strength of mind; he spoke fairly well on all subjects, he wrote accurately, he shone in conversation; and this cheerful character, which was the delight of his beautiful years (although not quite the personage he played), was nevertheless of great help to him in insinuating himself into the Queen's mind.
He was not free from all faults. His mind was deceitful and distrustful, he was supple and patient to excess when his affairs demanded it; avaricious and interested, but skillful in handling the most difficult matters and in discovering the most secret intrigues. He owed his chapeau to this skill...
... But the greatest fortune that happened to him is for him to have known first of all how to win the good graces of Queen Kristina, which she preserved for him all her life; and she religiously kept to him at his death the word which she had given him from the beginning to make him her universal heir.
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