Sources:
Brieve relation de la vie de Christine reyne de Suede, jusques à la demission de sa couronne & sa arriuement à Bruxelles, pages 7 to 10, published by Gregorio Leti or Monsieur Saint-Maurice (erroneously attributed to Urbain Chevreau), 1656
A relation of the life of Christina Queen of Svveden: with her resignation of the crown, voyage to Bruxels, and journey to Rome. Whereunto is added, her Genius, Translated out of French, by I. H., translated by John Howell, 1656
User comments page for the book on VuFind (Trinity College Cambridge):
Above: Kristina.
The account:
Mais revenons trouver vostre Princesse, laquelle veritablement a esté tout un temps avant la venüe de Bourdelot fort pieuse & fort religieuse, comme j'ay desia dit: mais apres on l'a veu douter s'il y avoit un Dieu & une providence, ne croire point n'y Paradis, ny enfer, ny Saincts, n'y Diables, ny judgement, ny resurrection; & par consequent, ny l'immortalité de l'ame. Pour l'Incarnation du verbe Divin, elle passe pour une fable dans son esprit. Ceux qui n'ont pas pratiqué la Cour de Suede, auront peine de le croire; mais ceux qui l'auront frequentée durant son Regne, ne me desmentiront pas. Elle a assez souvent fait des discours en plein Virkant, qui marquoyent assez ses sentimens; j'en suis le tesmoin, & puis passer pour irreprochable dans l'estime de ceux qui me cognoissent. Une personne de probité, & dont la profession ne luy permet pas de mentir, principalement dans cette rencontre, m'a dit en particulier, qu'il avoit diverses fois entretenu la Reyne l'espace de 3 ou 4 heures, sur l'existance d'une Divinité, & d'une providence qui regle les choses du monde, en quoy il la trouvoit fort chancelante, & qui se servoit de tous les argumens les plus forts que les libertins se sont forgez pour combatre cette verité: il y a pourtant de l'apparence, que ce qu'en faisoit cette Princesse, tendoit plustost à faire paroistre son bel esprit, qu'à vouloir ruiner un mystere si bien estably dans le monde; qu'il n'y a que les foux seulement qui puissent le combattre; & dont les lumieres naturelles suffisent pour nous en donner la connoissance: Les siennes sont trop belles & trop grandes pour luy permettre d'en douter, & je me persuade, que c'estoit plustost pour exercer sa science, dont elle est fort advantageusement partagée, à l'exemple des Scholastiques, qui au beau commencement de leur Theologie disputent s'il y a un Dieu, qui en fait l'object, que par aucun sentiment qui soit criminel, ou injurieux à son existance: neantmoins on a veu cette Princesse si accoustumée à la revoquer en doute, si libre à parler contre, & si dissoluë en ses discours, que de là plusieurs l'ont soupçonnée estre fort peu fondée dans cette creance, & souvent on luy a ouy dire au sortir du presche, qu'elle s'en revenoit tousjours moins sçavante qu'elle ny estoit allée; & lors que ses Prestres se formaliserent, & prescherent mesme contre, dequoy on avoit destiné une sale toute pleine de nuditez, pour ouïr la parole de Dieu (c'estoient des peintures qui representoyent la creation de nos premiers Peres un peu trop au naturel) elle repartit qu'ils monstroient bien par là leur ignorance, de ne sçavoir pas qu'Adam & Eve avoyent estez créez tous nuds, & qu'il estoit permis d'en faire la peinture de la mesme façon qu'ils estoient sortis de la main de Dieu, & que les Idées d'un peintre n'estoyent pas plus criminelles que les siennes. Il est fort vray que cette Princesse a beaucoup terny sa reputation aupres des personnes pieuses & modestes par la liberté qu'elle s'est donnée depuis l'arrivée de Bourdelot, de faire ses plus charmans, & ses plus familiers entretiens des discours lascifs, & des contes ou des histoires toutes pleines de vilenies, dans le recit desquelles elle prend son plus grand plaisir, & veut absoluement qu'on dise les choses par leur nom sans les desguiser; ny sans y apporter cet assaisonnement ou ce grain de sel, que la modestie inspire à ceux qui en font profession, & aux ames bien nées.
Un de mes amis qui sur les commencemens qu'il entra en son service, avoit accoustumé de l'entretenir fort souvent & fort long temps, voyant que son esprit se plaisoit à ces sortes de contes, luy en fournit abondamment; mais pource que par fois il se rencontroit qu'il y avoit à dire des choses, que la Ma:té Royale, & le respect qui luy est deu, vouloient qu'on les dit en des termes plus modestes que l'expression naïfve & naturelle ne portoit pas, elle estoit toute la premiere à proferer les termes les plus propres, fussent ils les plus infames du monde: il m'en a specifié plusieurs que la modestie me deffend de descrire: Jugez de sa Religion, de ce qu'elle rode par le monde, & fait tous ses voyages sans prestre, preferant la santé, pour la conservation de laquelle elle emmene un Medicin, au salut de son ame, dont les Prestres sont les instrumens ordinaires de Dieu; elle fit semblant de s'en vouloir servir d'un qui l'accompagna jusques à Halmstat sur les frontieres du Dannemarc, ou il reçeut son congé.
A Hambourg on luy en offrit un qu'elle tesmoigna de vouloir accepter; mais l'effet a bien fait voir qu'elle n'estoit pas dans ce sentiment. Pendant le presche ou j'ay assisté fort souvent en Suede, elle s'est monstré[e] si peu religieuse, & si peu modeste, que sa contenance faisoit paroistre quelque chose de contraint & de violent; elle avoit accoustumé de s'asseoir sur une chaire de velours, & d'appuyer ses bras, & sa teste sur une autre; faisant sans doute dans son esprit des chasteaux en Espagne; & si les Prestres qui sont de grands babillards en ce païs là, à l'exemple de Martin Luther leur maistre, preschoient un peu trop long temps, & plus qu'il ne faloit pour sa devotion, son divertissement estoit de se jouër avec deux petits Espagnuls qu'elle a tousjours aupres d'elle; ou de causer avec quelqu'une de ses creatures s'il s'en trouvoit aupres d'elle; je l'ay quelquesfois veuë exciter un si grand bruit de son eventail sur sa chaire, que si le Prestre avoit esté assez defferant pour donner quelque chose à son humeur, il auroit reçeu tous ces signes d'impatience, comme un tacite commandement de se taire; mais il n'en faisoit pas moins pour cela, soit qu'il fut accoustumé, soit qu'il voulust rompre ou faire bouquer un naturel si impatient & l'accoustumer à se rendre plus modeste, quand on traitte les mysteres du ciel, & quand on est occupé aux ceremonies de la Religion; ce qui n'a jamais de rien servy ny profité, tant la teinture de Bourdelot est bonne & de longue dureé, & les semences d'impieté & de libertinage qu'il a respandu dans l'esprit de la Reyne, ont jetté de profondes racines, pour en devoir esperer aucun amendement.
Cette humeur volage luy a mesme duré dans les païs estrangers, & à Hambourg (j'en suis tesmoin) on l'a veuë dans l'Eglise assister à la parole de Dieu, avec si peu de reverence, si peu d'attention, & une si grande impatience, que par là beaucoup de personnes qui l'alloient voir par curiosité, se sont confirmez dans les mauvais sentiments qu'ils en avoyent desja conçeu par tant de discours qui s'en estoyent faits avant son arrivée: Des Prestres mesme de Suede, comme j'en sortois, ayant observé si peu de devotion dans leur Princesse, m'ont dit qu'ils aprehendoient extremement qu'elle n'embrassat les superstitions des Papistes, voyant qu'elle faisoit un mespris si sensible de leur Religion, & qu'elle n'aymoit point la Reformée; car on luy a ouy dire souvent qu'elle aymeroit beaucoup mieux se faire Papiste, que de la Religion Reformée; soit que son aversion vienne dequoy elle est mal informée de ses dogmes, ou de sa pureté; soit par ce que la Lutherienne, dans laquelle elle a esté eslevée, approche plus dans les ceremonies de la Romaine. Car à parler franchement il semble que les Lutheriens sont les vrais singes des Papistes, qu'ils imitent en la plus part de leur ceremonies superstitieuses.
With modernised spelling:
Mais revenons trouver votre princesse, laquelle véritablement a été tout un temps avant la venue de Bourdelot fort pieuse et fort religieuse, comme j'ai déjà dit; mais après on l'a vu douter s'il y avait un Dieu et une providence, ne croire point ni Paradis, ni enfer, ni saints, ni diables, ni jugement, ni resurrection — et, par conséquent, ni l'immortalité de l'âme. Pour l'incarnation du verbe divin, elle passe pour une fable dans son esprit. Ceux qui n'ont pas pratiqué la Cour de Suède auront peine de le croire, mais ceux qui l'auront frequentée durant son règne ne me démentiront pas.
Elle a assez souvent fait des discours en plein Fyrkant, qui marquaient assez ses sentiments. J'en suis le témoin et puis passer pour irréprochable dans l'estime de ceux qui me connaissent. Une personne de probité, et dont la profession ne lui permet pas de mentir, principalement dans cette rencontre, m'a dit en particulier qu'il avait diverses fois entretenu la reine l'espace de 3 ou 4 heures sur l'existence d'une divinité et d'une providence qui règle les choses du monde, en quoi il la trouvait fort chancelante et qui se servait de tous les arguments les plus forts que les libertins se sont forgés pour combattre cette vérité.
Il y a pourtant de l'apparence que ce qu'en faisait cette princesse tendait plutôt à faire paraître son bel esprit qu'à vouloir ruiner un mystère si bien établi dans le monde qu'il n'y a que les foux seulement qui puissent le combattre, et dont les lumières naturelles suffisent pour nous en donner la connaissance. Les siennes sont trop belles et trop grandes pour lui permettre d'en douter, et je me persuade que c'était plutôt pour exercer sa science, dont elle est fort avantageusement partagée, à l'exemple des scholastiques qui au beau commencement de leur théologie disputent s'il y a un Dieu, qui en fait l'objet, que par aucun sentiment qui soit criminel ou injurieux à son éxistence.
Néanmoins, on a vu cette princesse si accoutumée à la revoquer en doute, si libre à parler contre, et si dissolue en ses discours que delà plusieurs l'ont soupçonnée être fort peu fondée dans cette créance, et souvent on lui a ouï dire au sortir du prêche qu'elle s'en revenait toujours moins savante qu'elle n'y était allée; et lorsque ses prêtres se formalisèrent et prêchèrent même contre, de quoi on avait destiné une salle toute pleine de nudités, pour ouïr la parole de Dieu (c'étaient des peintures qui représentaient la création de nos premiers pères un peu trop au naturel), elle repartit qu'ils montraient bien par là leur ignorance de ne savoir pas qu'Adam et Ève avaient étés crées tous nuds et qu'il était permis d'en faire la peinture de la même façon qu'ils étaient sortis de la main de Dieu, et que les idées d'un peintre n'étaient pas plus criminelles que les siennes.
Il est fort vrai que cette princesse a beaucoup terni sa réputation auprès des personnes pieuses et modestes par la liberté qu'elle s'est donnée, depuis l'arrivée de Bourdelot, de faire ses plus charmants et ses plus familiers entretiens des discours lascifs et des contes ou des histoires toutes pleines de vilenies, dans le récit desquelles elle prend son plus grand plaisir et veut absolument qu'on dise les choses par leur nom sans les déguiser, ni sans y apporter cet assaisonnement ou ce grain de sel que la modestie inspire à ceux qui en font profession et aux âmes bien-nées.
Un de mes amis, qui sur les commencements qu'il entra en son service, avait accoutumé de l'entretenir fort souvent et fort longtemps, voyant que son esprit se plaisait à ces sortes de contes, lui en fournit abondamment; mais pource que parfois il se rencontrait qu'il y avait à dire des choses que la majesté royale et le respect qui lui est dû voulaient qu'on les dit en des termes plus modestes que l'expression naïve et naturelle ne portait pas, elle était toute la première à préférer les termes les plus propres, fussent-ils les plus infâmes du monde. Il m'en a spécifié plusieurs que la modestie me défend de décrire.
Jugez de sa religion, de ce qu'elle rode par le monde et fait tous ses voyages sans prêtre, préférant la santé (pour la conservation de laquelle elle emmène un medecin) au salut de son âme, dont les prêtres sont les instruments ordinaires de Dieu. Elle fit semblant de s'en vouloir servir d'un qui l'accompagna jusqu'à Halmstad sur les frontières du Danemark, où il reçut son congé. A Hambourg on lui en offrit un qu'elle témoigna de vouloir accepter, mais l'effet a bien fait voir qu'elle n'était pas dans ce sentiment.
Pendant le prêche ou j'ai assisté fort souvent en Suède, elle s'est montrée si peu religieuse et si peu modeste que sa contenance faisait paraître quelque chose de contraint et de violent. Elle avait accoutumé de s'asseoir sur une chaire de velours et d'appuyer ses bras et sa tête sur une autre, faisant sans doute dans son esprit des châteaux en Espagne; et si les prêtres, qui sont de grands babillards en ce pays-là, à l'exemple de Martin Luther leur maître, prêchaient un peu trop longtemps et plus qu'il ne fallait pour sa dévotion, son divertissement était de se jouer avec deux petits Espagnols qu'elle a toujours auprès d'elle, ou de causer avec quelqu'une de ses créatures, s'il s'en trouvait auprès d'elle.
Je l'ai quelquefois vue exciter un si grand bruit de son éventail sur sa chaire que, si le prêtre avait été assez déférant pour donner quelque chose à son humeur, il aurait reçu tous ces signes d'impatience comme un tacite commandement de se taire. Mais il n'en faisait pas moins pour cela, soit qu'il fut accoutumé, soit qu'il voulût rompre ou faire bouquer un naturel si impatient et l'accoutumer à se rendre plus modeste quand on traite les mystères du ciel et quand on est occupé aux cérémonies de la religion, ce qui n'a jamais de rien servi ni profité.
Tant la teinture de Bourdelot est bonne et de longue durée, et les semences d'impiété et de libertinage qu'il a répandu dans l'esprit de la reine ont jetté de profondes racines pour en devoir espérer aucun amendement.
Cette humeur volage lui a même duré dans les pays étrangers, et à Hambourg (j'en suis témoin) on l'a vue dans l'église assister à la parole de Dieu avec si peu de révérence, si peu d'attention, et une si grande impatience que par-là beaucoup de personnes qui l'allaient voir par curiosité se sont confirmés dans les mauvais sentiments qu'ils en avaient déjà conçu par tant de discours qui s'en étaient faits avant son arrivée.
Des prêtres même de Suède, comme j'en sortais, ayant observé si peu de dévotion dans leur princesse, m'ont dit qu'ils appréhendaient extrêmement qu'elle n'embrassât les superstitions des papistes, voyant qu'elle faisait un mépris si sensible de leur religion et qu'elle n'aimait point la réformée, car on lui a ouï dire souvent qu'elle aimerait beaucoup mieux se faire papiste que de la religion réformée, soit que son aversion vienne de quoi elle est mal informée de ses dogmes ou de sa pureté, soit par ce que la luthérienne, dans laquelle elle a été élevée, approche plus dans les cérémonies de la romaine. Car, à parler franchement, il semble que les luthériens sont les vrais singes des papistes, qu'ils imitent en la plus part de leur cérémonies superstitieuses.
Swedish translation (my own):
Men låt oss återvända för att finna er prinsessa, som verkligen var, hela tiden före Bourdelots ankomst, mycket from och mycket religiös, som jag redan har sagt; men efteråt såg man henne tvivla på om det fanns en Gud och en försyn, som inte trodde på paradiset eller helvetet, varken helgon eller djävlar, inte heller domen eller uppståndelsen — och följaktligen inte heller själens odödlighet. När det gäller inkarnationen av det gudomliga ordet, är det en fabel i hennes sinne. De som inte har besökt det svenska hovet kommer att ha svårt att tro, men de som var där under hennes regeringstid kommer inte att förneka mig.
Hon höll ganska ofta tal i den öppna Fyrkanten, vilket tydligt präglade hennes känslor. Jag är vittne till detta och kan framstå som oklanderligt i aktningen av dem som känner mig. En person med integritet, och vars yrke inte tillåter honom att ljuga, främst i denna rencontre, berättade särskilt för mig att han flera gånger hade talat med drottningen i 3 eller 4 timmar om existensen av en gudomlighet och en försyn som reglerar saker i världen, där han fann henne mycket olöst, och hon använde alla de starkaste argument som libertinerna har förfalskat för att bekämpa denna sanning.
Det verkar dock som att det denna prinsessa gjorde mer tenderade att visa upp sitt stora sinne än att vilja förstöra ett mysterium så väl etablerat i världen att bara dårar kan bekämpa det, och vars naturliga ljus är tillräckligt för att ge oss kunskap om det. Hennes är för vackra och för stora för att tillåta henne att tvivla på dem, och jag övertygar mig själv om att det snarare var för att utöva hennes kunskap, som den med stor fördel delas av, efter exemplet från skolastiker som i början av sin teologiska dispyt om det finns en Gud, som är föremålet för den, endast genom någon känsla som är brottslig eller skadlig för hans existens.
Ändå har man sett denna prinsessa så van vid att tvivla på den, så fri att tala emot honom och så upplös i sina diskurser att många har misstänkt henne för att vara mycket litet grundad i denna tro, och man har ofta hört henne säga, när hon lämnade en predikan, att hon alltid kom mindre lärd bort än hon var när hon hade gått dit; och när hennes präster tog anstöt och till och med predikade mot henne, för vilket en sal full av nuditeter hade utsetts för att höra Guds ord i (detta var målningar som representerade skapandet av våra första fäder lite för naturligt), svarade hon att de därigenom visade sin okunnighet för att de inte visste att Adam och Eva hade ju skapats nakna och att det var tillåtet att måla dem på samma sätt som de kommit från Guds hand, och att en målares idéer inte var mer brottsliga än hans egna.
Det är mycket sant att denna prinsessa i hög grad har försämrat sitt rykte bland fromma och blygsamma människor genom den frihet hon har givit sig själv, sedan Bourdelots ankomst, att göra sina mest charmerande och välbekanta konversationer löjliga och liderliga sagor eller berättelser fulla av skurkar, i vars berättande hon njuter av sin största glädje och absolut vill säga saker i deras rätta namn utan att dölja dem, inte heller utan att tillsätta den smaksättning eller det där saltkornet som blygsamhet inspirerar dem som gör sitt yrke av det och i välfödda själar.
En av mina vänner, som, när han första gången tillträdde hennes tjänst, var van att tala med henne mycket ofta och mycket länge, eftersom hon såg att hennes sinne behagade dessa slags sagor, försåg henne med dem i överflöd; men eftersom det ibland hände att det fanns saker att säga som det kungliga majestätet och den respekt som följde därav ville sägas i mer blygsamma ordalag som det naiva och naturliga uttrycket inte bar, var hon den första som föredrog de mest riktiga termerna, även om de var de mest ökända i världen. Han specificerade flera för mig som blygsamheten förbjuder mig att beskriva.
Döma av hennes religion, att hon strövar runt i världen och gör alla sina resor utan präst, och föredrar sin hälsa (för vars bevarande hon tar en läkare) framför frälsningen av sin själ, av vilka präster är Guds vanliga redskap. Hon pretenderade tjäna sig själv med en som följde med henne till Halmstad vid Danmarks gränser, där han blev utskriven. I Hamburg erbjöds hon en som hon visade att hon ville acceptera, men effekten gjorde det tydligt att hon inte kände så.
Under predikan som jag närvarade i mycket ofta i Sverige visade hon sig vara så lite religiös och så lite blygsam att hennes uppförande fick henne att framstå som något inskränkt och våldsam. Hon var van vid att sitta på en sammetsstol och luta sina armar och huvud mot en annan, utan tvekan göra slott i Spanien i sitt sinne; och om prästerna, som är stora pratkvarnar i det landet, som Martin Luther, deras herre, predikade lite för länge och mer än vad som var nödvändigt för hennes hängivenhet, så var hennes underhållning att leka med två små spaniels som hon alltid hade nära sig, eller att snacka med en av hennes varelser, om någon var nära henne.
Jag har ibland sett henne göra ett så högt ljud med sin solfjäder på sin stol, att om prästen hade varit vördnadsfull nog att ge något åt hennes humör, skulle han ha fått alla dessa tecken på otålighet som ett tacit befallning att hålla munnen. Men han gjorde inte mindre för det, antingen för att han var van vid det eller för att han ville bryta sig loss eller för att stävja en sådan otålig natur och vänja den vid att vara mer blygsam när man sysslar med himlens mysterier och när man är upptagen med religiösa ceremonier, som aldrig varit till någon nytta eller nytta.
Bourdelots tinktur är alltför god och långvarig, och de frön av gudlöshet och frihet som han spred i drottningens sinne har slagit rötter alltför djupt för att man skall kunna hoppas på någon förbättring.
Detta ombytliga humör varade till och med för henne i främmande länder, och i Hamburg (jag är ett vittne) sågs hon i kyrkan följa Guds ord med så lite vördnad, så lite uppmärksamhet och så stor otålighet att många människor som kom att se henne av nyfikenhet bekräftades i de dåliga känslor som de redan hade fått om henne av så många diskurser som hade förts om henne innan hennes ankomst.
Till och med prästerna från Sverige, när jag reste därifrån, efter att ha iakttagit så lite hängivenhet hos sin prinsessa, berättade för mig att de var ytterst oroliga för att hon skulle omfamna papisternas vidskepelse, eftersom hon visade ett så känsligt förakt för deras religion och att hon gillade inte den reformerta religionen eftersom hon ofta hördes säga att hon mycket hellre skulle bli papist än att tillhöra den reformerta religionen, eller att anledningen till hennes motvilja är att hon är dåligt informerad om dess dogmer eller dess renhet, eller eftersom den lutherska religionen som hon växte upp i närmar sig mer i den romerska religionens ceremonier. För, för att tala ärligt talat, verkar det som om lutheranerna är riktiga apor av papisterna, som de imiterar i de flesta av sina vidskepliga ceremonier.
English translation (by Howell):
But let's return to our Princess, who in truth was for a long time, as I have said, very pious and religious; but since, she hath been seen doubting, whether there be a God and Providence, and denying Heaven and Hell, Saints and Devils, Judgement and Resurrection, and so consequently the Souls Immortalitie. Concerning Christs Incarnation, 'tis but a Fiction in her opinion. Who has not frequented her Court, will hardly believe this: but who has been there during her Reign, will not give me the lye. She hath often made Speeches in full Assemblies, which sufficiently shew'd her sence. I am witness of it, and can pass for an irrefragable one before those who know me. A man of probity, and whose profession permits him not to lye, chiefly in such an occasion, hath told me in private, that he had divers times entertain'd the Queen three or four hours, about the existence of a Deitie, and concerning a Providence, which governs all things in the world; wherein he had found her very wavering, and making use of all the strongest Arguments which Libertines have forg'd, to oppose those Truths. Yet there is some probabilitie, that what that Princess did in those strange Disputes, was rather to shew her fine wit, then out of a designe to overthrow those Truths so well establish'd in the world, that none but Fools will oppose them; since natural lights are sufficient in those, who have the right use of Reason, to give them the knowledge thereof. Hers are too bright and great, to permit her to doubt of those high Mysteries: and I am charitably perswaded, that 'twas rather to exercise her wit and rare knowledge, as School-men put theirs forth, in the very beginning of their Theologie, disputing whether there be a God, who is the object of that noble Science; then by any belief or opinion, which be criminal before God, or injurious unto his existence. Yet it must be confess'd, that our Princess hath been observ'd, to call so often those high things into question, so ready to speak against them, and so loose in all such discourses, that thence many did suspect her to be ill grounded in her Religion: and she was often heard [to] say after a Sermon, that she did know less then before: and where her Priests or Ministers took exception at her, yea preach'd against her, chiefly because there was a room full of naked Pictures appointed to pray, praise, reade, preach (they were Pictures representing the Creation of our first parents, a little too much to the life) she did reply, that they shew'd well their ignorance thereby, not to know that Adam and Eve were both created stark naked; and that it was lawful, to make their pictures in the same fashion, as they came out of the hands of God; and that the Idea's of a Painter were not more criminal then his. 'Tis very true, she hath lost much of her good name, in th'opinion of all pious and modest souls, since Bourdelot's infernal acquaintance with her, by her licentious liberty, in making her most delightful and familiar conference of lascivious speeches, tales or stories full of obscenity, in whose relation she takes most pleasure, and will absolutely that ev'ry thing be call'd by its own name, without any disguise, or that seasoning and grain of salt, which modestie inspires to all its professors, and persons well educated.
One of my friends, who upon his admission into her Service, was us'd to entertain her both often and long, observing that her minde was delighted with such kinde of tales, did abundantly furnish her with them: yet because there were some of his narrations, which did sometimes require more modest expressions, then the genuine or natural, chiefly before a Royal Majestie, and in a maids presence; as she saw him going about his circumlocutions, and seeking civil terms, she would boldly speak out the words, though they were never so filthy; many of which he hath specified to me, which modestie forbids me to write here. Judge of her Religion, by her ranging up and down the world without a Minister; preferring her health, (for whose preservation she hath a Physician) to her souls salvation, for which those Ministers are instruments, appointed by God. She made a shew to retain one, who did wait on her as far as Halmstat, upon the frontiers of Denmark, where she did dismiss him. Another was offered her at Hamburgh, whom she made a shew to accept, though the event declar'd, she had no minde to him. And indeed, such persons had been but as thorns in her feet: for, having a designe to profess Popery, the Ministers of the Gospel were no fit attendants on her. 'Tis evident, that long before, she took no delight in all their Functions: for, as many persons can testifie, as well as I, she had at Church so little Religion and Zeal, that her countenance shew'd enough, what spirit possess'd her. She us'd to sit in a Chair of Purple Velvet, and lean her head and arms on another; questionless building (after the Proverb) fine Castles in the air: and if the Minister, through his zeal to his Charge, or for the merit of his Theme or Subject, did preach and pray a little too long, for the devotion of the Queen and all such luke-warm souls, her custom was, to recreate her weary attention, (if yet she had any at all) in playing with two little Spaniels, which are always with her; or pratling with some of her creatures, if any was then neer. I have sometimes seen her make such a noise with her Fan on her Chair, that if the Priest had had respect and complaisance enough, to give somthing to her humour, he had taken those signes of impatience, as silent commands to make a quick end: but he was no whit the shorter; either because he kept his old custom, or that he would break or bend her impatient disposition, and use her to more pietie, attention, modestie, in the celebration of Divine Mysteries, and so in the sweet exercise of Christian Religion: which could yet take no effect on her Mind, so strong and lasting are Bourdelot's impressions on her, and so deep all the roots, which the seed of Impiety and Dissolution, he sow'd in her heart, hath taken there, that no amendment can be expected from her.
That inconstant Humor has continu'd with her, even in strange Countries, & namely at Hamburgh, where we saw her at Church, hearing the Word of God, with so little reverence & attention, & so much impatience, that thereby many men, who went to see her through curiosity, were confirm'd in the ill Opinion, they had before conceiv'd of her, by divers Reports made of her, before her Arrival. Even some of her Swedish Priests, having Observ'd so little Zeal in their Princess, told me before my departure, out of that cold Country, That they fear'd very much, she would fondly embrace the Superstitions of Papists, since she slighted so visibly the Religion she was bred in, and lov'd not the other, which is known by the name of the Reformed Churches, having frequently said, "She had rather become a Papist, than of the Reform'd Religion"; meaning by this, those of Geneva's Confession, from whom she had a mighty Aversion; either because she was not well inform'd of her Doctrine and Purity, or that the Lutheran, in which she has been bred, comes somwhat neerer the Roman, chiefly in Ceremonies.
With modernised spelling:
But let's return to our princess, who in truth was for a long time, as I have said, very pious and religious; but since she hath been seen doubting whether there be a God and Providence and denying Heaven and Hell, saints and devils, judgement and resurrection, and so consequently the soul's immortality. Concerning Christ's incarnation, 'tis but a fiction in her opinion. Who has not frequented her court will hardly believe this, but who has been there during her reign will not give me the lie.
She hath often made speeches in full assemblies which sufficiently shewed her sense. I am witness of it and can pass for an irrefragable one before those who know me. A man of probity, and whose profession permits him not to lie, chiefly in such an occasion hath told me in private that he had diverse times entertained the Queen three or four hours about the existence of a deity and concerning a providence which governs all things in the world, wherein he had found her very wavering and making use of all the strongest arguments which libertines have forged to oppose those truths.
Yet there is some probability that what that princess did in those strange disputes was rather to shew her fine wit than out of a design to overthrow those truths so well established in the world that none but fools will oppose them, since natural lights are sufficient in those who have the right use of reason to give them the knowledge thereof. Hers are too bright and great to permit her to doubt of those high mysteries, and I am charitably persuaded that 'twas rather to exercise her wit and rare knowledge as schoolmen put theirs forth in the very beginning of their theology, disputing whether there be a God, who is the object of that noble science, than by any belief or opinion which be criminal before God or injurious unto His existence.
Yet it must be confessed that our princess hath been observe to call so often those high things into question, so ready to speak against them, and so loose in all such discourses that thence many did suspect her to be ill-grounded in her religion, and she was often heard [to] say after a sermon that she did know less then before. And where her priests or ministers took exception at her, yea, preached against her, chiefly because there was a room full of naked pictures appointed to pray, praise, read, preach (they were pictures representing the creation of our first parents, a little too much to the life), she did reply that they shewed well their ignorance thereby not to know that Adam and Eve were both created stark naked and that it was lawful to make their pictures in the same fashion as they came out of the hands of God, and that the ideas of a painter were not more criminal than his.
'Tis very true, she hath lost much of her good name in the opinion of all pious and modest souls, since Bourdelot's infernal acquaintance with her, by her licentious liberty, in making her most delightful and familiar conference of lascivious speeches, tales or stories full of obscenity, in whose relation she takes most pleasure, and will absolutely that everything be called by its own name, without any disguise or that seasoning and grain of salt which modesty inspires to all its professors and persons well-educated.
One of my friends, who, upon his admission into her service, was used to entertain her both often and long, observing that her mind was delighted with such kind of tales, did abundantly furnish her with them. Yet, because there were some of his narrations which did sometimes require more modest expressions than the genuine or natural, chiefly before a Royal Majesty and in a maid's presence, as she saw him going about his circumlocutions and seeking civil terms, she would boldly speak out the words, though they were never so filthy — many of which he hath specified to me, which modesty forbids me to write here.
Judge of her religion, by her ranging up and down the world without a minister, preferring her health (for whose preservation she hath a physician) to her soul's salvation, for which those ministers are instruments appointed by God. She made a shew to retain one, who did wait on her as far as Halmstad, upon the frontiers of Denmark, where she did dismiss him. Another was offered her at Hamburg, whom she made a shew to accept, though the event declared she had no mind to him. And indeed, such persons had been but as thorns in her feet, for, having a design to profess popery, the ministers of the Gospel were no fit attendants on her.
'Tis evident that long before, she took no delight in all their functions, for, as many persons can testify, as well as I, she had at church so little religion and zeal that her countenance shewed enough what spirit possessed her. She used to sit in a chair of purple velvet and lean her head and arms on another, questionless building (after the proverb) fine castles in the air; and if the minister, through his zeal to his charge, or for the merit of his theme or subject, did preach and pray a little too long for the devotion of the Queen and all such lukewarm souls, her custom was to recreate her weary attention (if yet she had any at all) in playing with two little spaniels which are always with her, or prattling with some of her creatures, if any was then near.
I have sometimes seen her make such a noise with her fan on her chair that if the priest had had respect and complaisance enough to give something to her humour, he had taken those signs of impatience as silent commands to make a quick end; but he was no whit the shorter, either because he kept his old custom, or that he would break or bend her impatient disposition and use her to more piety, attention, modesty in the celebration of Divine Mysteries and so in the sweet exercise of Christian religion, which could yet take no effect on her mind.
So strong and lasting are Bourdelot's impressions on her and so deep all the roots which the seed of impiety and dissolution he sowed in her heart hath taken there that no amendment can be expected from her.
That inconstant humour has continued with her even in strange countries, and namely at Hamburg, where we saw her at church hearing the word of God with so little reverence and attention and so much impatience that thereby many men who went to see her through curiosity were confirmed in the ill opinion they had before conceived of her by diverse reports made of her before her arrival.
Even some of her Swedish priests, having observed so little zeal in their princess, told me before my departure out of that cold country that they feared very much she would fondly embrace the superstitions of papists, since she slighted so visibly the religion she was bred in and loved not the other, which is known by the name of the Reformed churches, having frequently said: "She had rather become a Papist than of the Reformed religion", meaning by this those of Geneva's Confession, from whom she had a mighty aversion, either because she was not well-informed of her doctrine and purity, or that the Lutheran, in which she has been bred, comes somewhat nearer the Roman, chiefly in ceremonies.
English translation (my own):
But let us return to find your princess, who truly was, all the time before the coming of Bourdelot, very pious and very religious, as I have already said; but afterwards one saw her doubting whether there was a God and a Providence, not believing in Paradise, nor Hell, nor saints, nor devils, nor judgment, nor resurrection — and, consequently, nor the immortality of the soul. As for the incarnation of the Divine Word, it passes for a fable in her mind. Those who have not visited the Swedish court will find it hard to believe, but those who were there during her reign will not deny me.
She quite often made speeches in the open Fyrkant, which clearly marked her sentiments. I am the witness of this and can pass as irreproachable in the esteem of those who know me. A person of integrity, and whose profession does not allow him to lie, mainly in this rencontre, told me in particular that he had various times spoken to the Queen for 3 or 4 hours about the existence of a divinity and a providence which regulates the things of the world, in which he found her very unresolved, and she used all the strongest arguments that the libertines have forged to combat this truth.
However, it seems that what this princess did tended more to show off her great mind than to want to ruin a mystery so well established in the world that only fools can fight it, and whose natural light is sufficient to give us knowledge of it. Hers are too beautiful and too great to allow her to doubt them, and I persuade myself that it was rather to exercise her knowledge, of which it is very advantageously shared, following the example of the scholastics who at the great beginning of their theology dispute whether there is a God, which is the object of it, only by any sentiment which is criminal or injurious to His existence.
Nevertheless, one has seen this princess so accustomed to calling it into doubt, so free to speak against Him, and so dissolute in her discourses that many have suspected her of being very little founded in this belief, and one has often heard her say, in leaving a sermon, that she always came away less learned than she was when she had had gone there; and when her priests took offense and even preached against her, for which a hall full of nudities had been appointed in which to hear the word of God (these were paintings which represented the creation of our first fathers a little too naturally), she replied that they showed by this their ignorance for not knowing that Adam and Eve had been created naked and that it was permissible to paint them in the same way that they had come from the hand of God, and that a painter's ideas were no more criminal than His own.
It is very true that this princess has greatly tarnished her reputation among pious and modest people by the freedom she has given herself, since the arrival of Bourdelot, to make her most charming and familiar conversations and lascivious tales or stories all full of villainies, in the telling of which she takes her greatest pleasure and absolutely wants to say things by their proper name without disguising them, nor without adding that seasoning or that grain of salt which modesty inspires in those who make their profession of it and in well-born souls.
One of my friends, who, when he first entered her service, was used to talking with her very often and for a very long time, seeing that her mind took pleasure in these kinds of tales, provided her with them in abundance; but because sometimes it happened that there were things to be said that the royal majesty and the respect due to it wanted to be said in more modest terms that the naive and natural expression did not carry, she was the first to prefer the most proper terms, even if they were the most infamous in the world. He specified several to me which modesty forbids me from describing.
Judge of her religion, that she roams the world and makes all her journeys without a priest, preferring her health (for the preservation of which she takes a doctor) over the salvation of her soul, of which priests are the ordinary instruments of God. She pretended to serve herself with one who accompanied her to Halmstad on the borders of Denmark, where he was discharged. In Hamburg she was offered one which she showed she wanted to accept, but the effect made it clear that she did not feel that way.
During the sermon which I attended very often in Sweden, she showed herself to be so little religious and so little modest that her demeanour made her appear somewhat constrained and violent. She was accustomed to sitting on a velvet chair and leaning her arms and head on another, no doubt making castles in Spain in her mind; and if the priests, who are great chatterboxes in that country, like Martin Luther, their master, preached a little too long and more than was necessary for her devotion, her entertainment was to play with two little spaniels that she always had near her, or to chat with one of her creatures, if any were near her.
I have sometimes seen her make such a loud noise with her fan on her chair that, if the priest had been deferential enough to give something to her humour, he would have received all these signs of impatience as a tacit command to be silent. But he did not do less for that, either because he was accustomed to it or because he wanted to break away or to curb such an impatient nature and accustom it to being more modest when dealing with the mysteries of Heaven and when one is occupied with religious ceremonies, which has never been of any use or profit.
Bourdelot's tincture is too good and long-lasting, and the seeds of impiety and libertinage that he spread in the mind of the Queen have taken roots too deep for one to be able to hope for any amendment.
This fickle humour even lasted for her in foreign countries, and in Hamburg (I am a witness) she was seen in the church attending to the word of God with so little reverence, so little attention, and such great impatience that many people who went to see her out of curiosity were confirmed in the bad feelings that they had already conceived about her by so many discourses that had been made about her before her arrival.
Even the priests from Sweden, as I was leaving there, having observed so little devotion in their princess, told me that they were extremely apprehensive that she should embrace the superstitions of the Papists, seeing that she showed such sensitive contempt for their religion and that she did not like the Reformed religion because she was often heard to say that she would much rather become a Papist than be of the Reformed religion, or that the reason for her aversion is because she is poorly informed about its dogmas or its purity, or because the Lutheran religion in which she was raised approaches more in the ceremonies of the Roman religion. For, to speak frankly, it seems that the Lutherans are real monkeys of the Papists, whom they imitate in most of their superstitious ceremonies.
Note: Fyrkanten = a room in Tre Kronor Castle.
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