Source:
A journal of the Swedish ambassy, volume 2, pages 149 to 158, by Bulstrode Whitelocke, published in 1772
Bulstr. Whitelockes Dag-Bok Öfver Dess Ambassade til Sverige, pages 633; pages 635 to 638; pages 638 to 639, translated by Johan Edman, 1777
The diary entry:
Lagerfeldt came to Whitelocke, and acquainted him, that there was a speciall article to be agreed uppon touching the buisnes of Guinee, which the queen and the chancellor were willing might proceed for the dispatch of Whitelocke, and that Grave Eric would have come to him about it, butt that he was ill and had taken physick. He told Whitelocke, that the queen said, he might have his last audience that day if he pleased; butt if he would be present att the solemnity of the nuptialls, which were this evening to be celebrated att court between the baron Horne and the lady Sparre, and if he desired to see the assembling of the ricksdagh to-morrow, then it would be requisite to deferre his audience till Friday; bicause, when he had taken his leave of the queen, it would not be proper for him afterwards to appear in publique. Whitelocke said, he had rather be dismissed then to be present att any solemnities; that her majesty had taken him captive by her noble presents, so that it was not fitt for him to come abroade in publique: he asked Lagerfeldt, if the prince would be heer on Friday next, if so, then it would not be convenient to have his audience putt off to that day. Lagerfeldt said, he doubted that the prince would not be heer so soone.
An officer on horsebacke, accompanyed with severall other horsemen, with four kettle drummes and eight or ten trumpets, beating and sounding before them, made proclamation in severall parts of the town, that all persons, who were summoned to appeare att the ricksdagh, should give their attendance, att the place appointed in the queen's castle of Ubsale, to-morrow by eight a'clocke in the morning, uppon payne of halfe a dollar mulct for every default.
The master of the ceremonies came to Whitelocke from the queen, and acquainted him to the same effect as Lagerfeldt had done, touching his last audience.
The master also, by the queen's commaund, invited Whitelocke to the wedding att court this night; and if he pleased to see the manner of the assembling of the ricksdagh, that he had order to take the care of it; and that it would be no hinderance to his going away, bicause the prince did not come hither till Tuesday next.
Whitelocke said, he was sorry that the prince would come no sooner to this place; butt since it was the pleasure of the queen, that he should waite uppon her this evening, he would obey her commaunds; and as to the time of his audience, he submitted to her pleasure.
The ricks admirall sent agayne to Whitelocke, to know if he would have any more ships provided for his transportation. Whitelocke returned his thankes, and that he intended not to take any of his horses with him, and therfore should not need any more ships then were already ordered.
Studely, one of Whitelocke's servants, returned to him from Stockholme, with an account, that the ship appointed for his transportation was not yett ready, which retarded his voyage to his trouble.
Between ten and eleven a'clocke att night, the master of the ceremonies came to Whitelocke's house, with one of the queen's coaches, to bring him to the wedding att court. He desired Whitelocke's two sons to goe into that coach, who excused themselves, that they had not bin in that coach formerly: the master said, that when one went to an audience, there were certain formalities to be observed, butt going to a wedding was another thing; that now the queen had sent her coach for Whitelocke as her guest, and it was proper for his sons to goe with him. Whitelocke wished them to observe the direction of the master, who governed in these things.
They went to the bridegroome's house, where were many of his friends; his uncle, the ricks admirall, mareschall Wrangell, and other senators and noblemen. As soon as Whitelocke alighted out of the coach, and the bridegroome's brother was there to receive him, and bid him welcome: neer the doore the bridegroome mett him, and gave him thankes for the favour, in honoring his wedding with his presence.
Whitelocke said, he was very ready to testify his respects to the nobility of this countrey, and perticularly to himselfe, and tooke it for an honor to be invited into such company.
Whitelocke was instructed by the master of the ceremonies, that, by the custome of this countrey, the bridegroome takes place of the king, and the bride of the queen, during the solemnities of the wedding: accordingly Whitelocke gave the right hand to the bridegroome.
After a little discourse, they tooke their coaches, first the gentlemen, then the lords, then the senators, then the ricks admirall, and senator Bundt, who being next of kinne, was to give the bride in marryage: after Bundt was Whitelocke, and after him the bridegroome, who had precedence in the queen's coach, which went last, and Whitelocke next before it, and the other coaches in their order; the bridegroome's coach last of all, as the best place. The like order they observed in their going in the castle.
Att the head of the stayres, the master of the ceremonies mett them, and brought them to the presence chamber, where the queen was with the bride, and a great company of gallant ladyes: the bridegroome kissed her majesty's hand, and then the bride's hand; the rest of the company did the like.
Between the queen and Whitelocke passed a little discourse.
Wh. "Madame, I give you humble thankes for your invitation of me to these solemnities."
Qu. "It is an honor to us, that such an ambassador will be present att our ceremonies."
Wh. "I likewise returne my most humble thankes to your majesty for your many favours, and the noble presents you have bin pleased to bestow on me, and on my company."
Qu. "Sir, you mock me; I am troubled I could not doe according to that respect which I beare you: this is only a custome of our countrey to persons of your condition, and I hope you will take it in good part."
Wh. "It is more suitable to your majesty's bountey, then to any thing I can call desert in me, who have a most gratefull sense and acceptance of your majesty's favours."
The bride and bridegroome were both clothed in white tabby; his suit laced with a very broade gold and silver lace: the bride had on her head a coronet sett full of diamonds, with a diamond collar about her necke and shoulders, a diamond girdle of the same fashion, and a rich diamond jewell att her breast; which were all of them of great value, and by some reported to be the queen's jewells, lent by her to the bride for that time.
They went all to the great hall; first the noblemen, then the senators, then the bridegroome between Bundt and Whitelocke, then the bride between two Graves, then the queen and her guards.
Then the queen presently tooke her chayre of state; att her right hand, att a little distance, sate the bride against her; att the queen's left hand sate the bridegroome, next to him Whitelocke, and then Bundt.
After they were all sate, Bundt rose up and went towards the queen, and spake in swedish with a lowde voice, to this effect, as it was interpreted to Whitelocke.
That baron Horne, a gentleman there present, of an antient and noble family, desired to have in marryage a lady who was servant to her majesty, of the antient and noble family of the Sparres; then he spake much of the pedigrees, and in the prayse of both the families: after that, he addressed himselfe to the bride and bridegroome, giving them good councell, as to the condition which they were entering into, and their demeanor to one another. Then some friends ledde the bridegroome to a place in the midst of the hall purposely rayled in, and then they fetched the bride thither also, and placed her by the bridegroome; then a grave churchman, one of the queen's chapleins, turning himselfe to the queen, pronounced the words of marryage after a forme in a booke, which he reade; and being interpreted to Whitelocke, he found it the same in effect with the words of marryage in the english liturgy. The ceremonie of joyning them in marryage being ended, two graves, with torches, came to the bridegroome and bride, and ledde them a rownd; two other lords with torches followed after them; many ladyes, two by two: the bride being brought to her seate by the bridegroome, he then tooke the queen by the hand, and they walked between the torches; then the bride came and tooke Whitelocke by the hand, and they walked after the queen. Whitelocke brought the bride agayne to her place, and being instructed, that he was to take the queen and march the rownd with her also, Whitelocke did it; and all this was a solemne walking to the sound of drummes and trumpets.
After which, every one returned to their places, and then they sett to dauncing of the brawles; and the queen came to Whitelocke to take him out to daunce with her, who excused himselfe.
Wh. "Madame, I am fearfull that I shall dishonor your majesty as well as shame myselfe, by dauncing with you."
Qu. "I will trye whither you can daunce."
Wh. "I assure your majesty I cannot in any measure be worthy to have you by the hand."
Qu. "I esteeme you worthy, and therfore make choice of you to daunce with me."
Wh. "I shall not so much undervalue your majesty's judgement, as not to obey you heerin, and wish I could remember as much of this as when I was a young man."
After they had done dauncing, and Whitelocke had waited uppon the queen to her chayre of state, she said to him;
Qu. "Par Dieu! these Hollanders are lying fellows."
Wh. "I wonder how the Hollanders should come into your mind uppon such an occasion as this is, who are not usually thought uppon in such solemnities, nor much acquainted with them."
Qu. "I will tell you all. The Hollanders reported to me a great while since, that all the noblesse of England were of the king's party, and none butt mechanicks of the parlement party, and not a gentleman among them; now I thought to trye you, and to shame you if you could not daunce: butt I see, that you are a gentleman, and have bin bred a gentleman; and that makes me say the Hollanders are lying fellows, to report that there was not a gentleman of the parlement's party, when I see by you chiefly, and by many of your company, that you are gentlemen."
Wh. "Truely, madame, in this they told a great untrueth to your majesty, as I believe they have done in severall other perticulars: I doe confesse that the greatest part of our nobility and gentry were of the king's party, butt many of them likewise were of the parlement's party; and I, who am sent to waite uppon your majesty, can (without vanity) derive to myselfe an antient pedigree of a gentleman. They would not have given the honor to any butt a gentleman to kisse your majesty's hand, and you are pleased to doe your servant right, and his company, by acknowledging that our superiors have commaunded gentlemen to waite on you."
Qu. "I assure you that I esteeme it the greater honor done to me, and, you are the more wellcome to me, bicause you are a gentleman; and had I not known and found you to be so, your buisnes would not have bin so well dispatched as it is: I see you have all the qualities of a gentleman, and I believe that you were excellent in your musicke and dauncing in your younger dayes."
Wh. "I was bredd up in the qualities of a gentleman, and in my youth was accounted not inferior to others in the practice of them; butt it is so long since I used this of dauncing, especially after we learned to march, that had it not bin to obey your majesty, I should hardly have bin drawne to discover my deficiencies."
Qu. "You have discovered nothing butt what tends to your honor, and up to my contentment; and I take it as a favour, that you were willing to lay aside your gravity, and play the courtier uppon my request; which I see you can doe so well when you please."
After the queen had daunced, many of the gentlemen and ladyes fell to dauncing of french daunces and countrey daunces above two howers togither, till many of the company, and among the rest Whitelocke, grew very weary, and thought they stayed long, which occasioned Whitelocke to fall into a piece of drollery. He told the senator Bundt, that he perceived that the queen was a great tyrant. Bundt att first startled with this expression, and seeming much to wonder att it, asked Whitelocke the reason why he should speake so of her majesty. Whitelocke said, he would tell the reason to the queen, if she asked him. Bundt said, "shall I tell the queen of it?" Whitelocke said, "yes"; and Bundt did tell the queen, who in some quicknes and seeming distast spake to Whitelocke.
Qu. "Sir, did you speake any such words of me, as to say I am a tyrant?"
Wh. "Madame, I did say so to one of your senators; and I doe believe so."
Qu. "What cause have I given you to speake so hardly and strangely of me?"
Wh. "Bicause I see your majesty even now exercising an act of tyranny."
Qu. "I pray, Sir, what act is that?"
Wh. "Madame, it is this; heer is a couple of handsome, gallant, young persons newly marryed, and it cannot butt be imagined, that they have their longings as well as others, who are made of flesh and blood, to partake of those injoyments and pleasures which they expect; and yett, madame, from these you have restrained the bride and bridegroome till now, that it is two a'clocke in the morning; and this is all the cruelty and tyranny wherwith I can accuse your majesty."
Qu. "I am glad you have nothing else butt this wherof to accuse me, and of this you shall see a present reformation"; and, laughing heartily, she went from Whitelocke, and commaunded instantly to leave off the dauncing: the company, and especially the bridegroome, giving thankes to Whitelocke for this seasonable piece of drollery, as they were pleased to terme it.
After the dauncing ended, there was brought into the hall a sumpteous banquet; the hoff marshall, with his silver staffe ushering it, and after that distributed: the queen and all the company went back in the same order to the presence chamber, and there the queen bid the bride and bridegroome good night; and so all went to their lodgings; divers of the nobles waiting on the bride to her chamber.
The queen told Whitelocke, that she believed the prince would be heer on Tuesday next, and that Whitelocke should have his audience on Friday next.
Whitelocke tooke his coach, after it had waited nine howers att the castle.
With modernised spelling:
Lagerfeldt came to Whitelocke and acquainted him that there was a special article to be agreed upon touching the business of Guinea, which the Queen and the Chancellor were willing might proceed for the dispatch of Whitelocke, and that Grave Erik would have come to him about it, but that he was ill and had taken physic.
He told Whitelocke that the Queen said he might have his last audience that day if he pleased, but if he would be present at the solemnity of the nuptials which were this evening to be celebrated at court between the baron Horn and the lady Sparre, and if he desired to see the assembling of the Riksdag tomorrow, then it would be requisite to defer his audience till Friday, because, when he had taken his leave of the Queen, it would not be proper for him afterwards to appear in public.
Whitelocke said he had rather be dismissed than to be present at any solemnities, that Her Majesty had taken him captive by her noble presents, so that it was not fit for him to come abroad in public. He asked Lagerfeldt if the Prince would be here on Friday next, if so, then it would not be convenient to have his audience put off to that day. Lagerfeldt said he doubted that the prince would not be here so soon
An officer on horseback, accompanied with several other horsemen, with four kettledrums and eight or ten trumpets beating and sounding before them, made proclamation in several parts of the town that all persons who were summoned to appear at the Riksdag should give their attendance at the place appointed in the Queen's castle of Uppsala tomorrow by eight o'clock in the morning, upon pain of half a dollar mulct for every default.
The Master of the Ceremonies came to Whitelocke from the Queen and acquainted him to the same effect as Lagerfeldt had done, touching his last audience.
The Master also, by the Queen's command, invited Whitelocke to the wedding at court this night, and if he pleased to see the manner of the assembling of the Riksdag, that he had order to take the care of it; and that it would be no hindrance to his going away because the Prince did not come hither till Tuesday next.
Whitelocke said he was sorry that the Prince would come no sooner to this place, but since it was the pleasure of the Queen that he should wait upon her this evening, he would obey her commands; and as to the time of his audience, he submitted to her pleasure.
The Rixadmiral sent again to Whitelocke to know if he would have any more ships provided for his transportation. Whitelocke returned his thanks and that he intended not to take any of his horses with him and therefore should not need any more ships than were already ordered.
Studely, one of Whitelocke's servants, returned to him from Stockholm with an account that the ship appointed for his transportation was not yet ready, which retarded his voyage, to his trouble.
Between ten and eleven o'clock at night, the Master of the Ceremonies came to Whitelocke's house, with one of the Queen's coaches, to bring him to the wedding at court. He desired Whitelocke's two sons to go into that coach, who excused themselves that they had not been in that coach formerly. The Master said that when one went to an audience there were certain formalities to be observed, but going to a wedding was another thing; that now the Queen had sent her coach for Whitelocke as her guest, and it was proper for his sons to go with him. Whitelocke wished them to observe the direction of the Master, who governed in these things.
They went to the bridegroom's house, where were many of his friends; his uncle, the Rixadmiral, Marshal Wrangel, and other senators and noblemen. As soon as Whitelocke alighted out of the coach, and the bridegroom's brother was there to receive him and bid him welcome, near the door the bridegroom met him and gave him thanks for the favour in honouring his wedding with his presence.
Whitelocke said he was very ready to testify his respects to the nobility of this country, and particularly to himself, and took it for an honour to be invited into such company.
Whitelocke was instructed by the Master of the Ceremonies that, by the custom of this country, the bridegroom takes place of the King, and the bride of the Queen, during the solemnities of the wedding. Accordingly Whitelocke gave the right hand to the bridegroom.
After a little discourse, they took their coaches: first the gentlemen, then the lords, then the senators, then the Rixadmiral, and Senator Bonde, who, being next of kin, was to give the bride in marriage. After Bonde was Whitelocke, and after him the bridegroom, who had precedence in the Queen's coach, which went last, and Whitelocke next before it, and the other coaches in their order; the bridegroom's coach last of all, as the best place. The like order they observed in their going in the castle.
At the head of the stairs, the Master of the Ceremonies met them and brought them to the presence chamber, where the Queen was with the bride and a great company of gallant ladies. The bridegroom kissed Her Majesty's hand, and then the bride's hand; the rest of the company did the like.
Between the Queen and Whitelocke passed a little discourse.
Whitelocke: "Madame, I give you humble thanks for your invitation of me to these solemnities."
Queen: "It is an honour to Us that such an ambassador will be present at Our ceremonies."
Whitelocke: "I likewise return my most humble thanks to Your Majesty for your many favours and the noble presents you have been pleased to bestow on me and on my company."
Queen: "Sir, you mock me; I am troubled I could not do according to that respect which I bear you. This is only a custom of our country to persons of your condition, and I hope you will take it in good part."
Whitelocke: "It is more suitable to Your Majesty's bounty than to anything I can call desert in me, who have a most grateful sense and acceptance of Your Majesty's favours."
The bride and bridegroom were both clothed in white tabby, his suit laced with a very broad gold and silver lace; the bride had on her head a coronet set full of diamonds, with a diamond collar about her neck and shoulders, a diamond girdle of the same fashion, and a rich diamond jewel at her breast; which were all of them of great value, and by some reported to be the Queen's jewels, lent by her to the bride for that time.
They went all to the great hall: first the noblemen, then the senators, then the bridegroom between Bonde and Whitelocke, then the bride between two graves, then the Queen and her guards.
Then the Queen presently took her chair of state; at her right hand, at a little distance, sat the bride against her; at the Queen's left hand sat the bridegroom, next to him Whitelocke, and then Bonde.
After they were all sat, Bonde rose up and went towards the Queen and spake in Swedish with a loud voice, to this effect, as it was interpreted to Whitelocke:
That Baron Horn, a gentleman there present, of an ancient and noble family, desired to have in marriage a lady who was servant to Her Majesty, of the ancient and noble family of the Sparres; then he spake much of the pedigrees and in the praise of both the families. After that, he addressed himself to the bride and bridegroom, giving them good counsel as to the condition which they were entering into and their demeanour to one another.
Then some friends led the bridegroom to a place in the midst of the hall purposely railed in, and then they fetched the bride thither also, and placed her by the bridegroom; then a grave churchman, one of the Queen's chaplains, turning himself to the Queen, pronounced the words of marriage after a form in a book which he read; and, being interpreted to Whitelocke, he found it the same in effect with the words of marriage in the English liturgy.
The ceremony of joining them in marriage being ended, two graves with torches came to the bridegroom and bride and led them around; two other lords with torches followed after them; many ladies, two by two. The bride being brought to her seat by the bridegroom, he then took the Queen by the hand, and they walked between the torches; then the bride came and took Whitelocke by the hand, and they walked after the Queen. Whitelocke brought the bride again to her place, and, being instructed that he was to take the Queen and march the round with her also, Whitelocke did it; and all this was a solemn walking to the sound of drums and trumpets.
After which everyone returned to their places, and then they set to dancing of the brawls; and the Queen came to Whitelocke to take him out to dance with her, who excused himself.
Whitelocke: "Madame, I am fearful that I shall dishonour Your Majesty, as well as shame myself, by dancing with you."
Queen: "I will try whether you can dance."
Whitelocke: "I assure Your Majesty I cannot in any measure be worthy to have you by the hand."
Queen: "I esteem you worthy and therefore make choice of you to dance with me."
Whitelocke: "I shall not so much undervalue Your Majesty's judgement as not to obey you herein, and wish I could remember as much of this as when I was a young man."
After they had done dancing, and Whitelocke had waited upon the Queen to her chair of State, she said to him:
Queen: "Par Dieu, these Hollanders are lying fellows!"
Whitelocke: "I wonder how the Hollanders should come into your mind upon such an occasion as this is, who are not usually thought upon in such solemnities, nor much acquainted with them."
Queen: "I will tell you all. The Hollanders reported to me a great while since that all the noblesse of England were of the King's party, and none but mechanics of the Parliament party, and not a gentleman among them; now, I thought to try you and to shame you if you could not dance, but I see that you are a gentleman and have been bred a gentleman; and that makes me say the Hollanders are lying fellows to report that there was not a gentleman of the Parliament's party when I see by you chiefly, and by many of your company, that you are gentlemen."
Whitelocke: "Truly, Madame, in this they told a great untruth to Your Majesty, as I believe they have done in several other particulars. I do confess that the greatest part of our nobility and gentry were of the King's party, but many of them likewise were of the Parliament's party; and I, who am sent to wait upon Your Majesty, can (without vanity) derive to myself an ancient pedigree of a gentleman. They would not have given the honour to any but a gentleman to kiss Your Majesty's hand, and you are pleased to do your servant right, and his company, by acknowledging that our superiors have commanded gentlemen to wait on you."
Queen: "I assure you that I esteem it the greater honour done to me, and, you are the more welcome to me because you are a gentleman; and had I not known and found you to be so, your business would not have been so well dispatched as it is. I see you have all the qualities of a gentleman, and I believe that you were excellent in your music and dancing in your younger days."
Whitelocke: "I was bred up in the qualities of a gentleman and in my youth was accounted not inferior to others in the practice of them, but it is so long since I used this of dancing, especially after we learned to march, that had it not been to obey Your Majesty, I should hardly have been drawn to discover my deficiencies."
Queen: "You have discovered nothing but what tends to your honour, and up to my contentment; and I take it as a favour that you were willing to lay aside your gravity and play the courtier upon my request, which I see you can do so well when you please."
After the Queen had danced, many of the gentlemen and ladies fell to dancing of French dances and country dances above two hours together till many of the company, and among the rest Whitelocke, grew very weary and thought they stayed long, which occasioned Whitelocke to fall into a piece of drollery. He told the senator Bonde that he perceived that the Queen was a great tyrant.
Bonde, at first startled with this expression and seeming much to wonder at it, asked Whitelocke the reason why he should speak so of Her Majesty. Whitelocke said he would tell the reason to the Queen if she asked him.
Bonde said, "Shall I tell the Queen of it?"
Whitelocke said "yes", and Bonde did tell the Queen, who, in some quickness and seeming distaste, spake to Whitelocke.
Queen: "Sir, did you speak any such words of me as to say I am a tyrant?"
Whitelocke: "Madame, I did say so to one of your senators, and I do believe so."
Queen: "What cause have I given you to speak so hardly and strangely of me?"
Whitelocke: "Because I see Your Majesty even now exercising an act of tyranny."
Queen: "I pray, Sir, what act is that?"
Whitelocke: "Madame, it is this: here is a couple of handsome, gallant, young persons newly married, and it cannot but be imagined that they have their longings as well as others, who are made of flesh and blood, to partake of those enjoyments and pleasures which they expect; and yet, Madame, from these you have restrained the bride and bridegroom till now that it is two o'clock in the morning, and this is all the cruelty and tyranny wherewith I can accuse Your Majesty."
Queen: "I am glad you have nothing else but this whereof to accuse me, and of this you shall see a present reformation"; and, laughing heartily, she went from Whitelocke and commanded instantly to leave off the dancing, the company, and especially the bridegroom, giving thanks to Whitelocke for this seasonable piece of drollery, as they were pleased to term it.
After the dancing ended, there was brought into the hall a sumptuous banquet; the hofmarshall, with his silver staff ushering it, and after that distributed. The Queen and all the company went back in the same order to the presence chamber, and there the Queen bid the bride and bridegroom good night; and so all went to their lodgings, diverse of the nobles waiting on the bride to her chamber.
The Queen told Whitelocke that she believed the Prince would be here on Tuesday next, and that Whitelocke should have his audience on Friday next.
Whitelocke took his coach, after it had waited nine hours at the castle.
Approximate reconstruction of Whitelocke's and Kristina's conversations as they were in French (my own):
Whitelocke: «Madame, je vous remercie humblement de m'avoir invité à ces solennités.»
Christine: «C'est un honneur pour Nous qu'un tel ambassadeur soit présent à Nos cérémonies.»
Whitelocke: «Je rends aussi mes très humbles remerciements à Votre Majesté pour vos nombreuses faveurs et les nobles présents qu'elle vous a plu de m'accorder ainsi qu'à ma compagnie.»
Christine: «Monsieur, vous vous moquez de moi; je suis troublée de ne pas pouvoir agir conformément au respect que j'ai pour vous. Ce n'est qu'une coutume de notre pays envers les personnes de votre condition, et j'espère que vous la prendrez bien.»
Whitelocke: «Cela convient mieux à la bonté de Votre Majesté envers moi qu'à toute autre chose, moi qui ai un sentiment et une acceptation très reconnaissants des faveurs de Votre Majesté.»
—
Christine: «Par Dieu, ces Hollandais sont bien des menteurs!»
Whitelocke: «Je me demande comment les Hollandais ont pu venir à votre esprit dans une telle occasion, alors qu'on ne pense généralement pas à eux lors de telles solennités, ni qu'on ne les connaît beaucoup.»
Christine: «Je vais tout vous dire. Les Hollandais m'ont rapporté il y a longtemps que toute la noblesse d'Angleterre était du parti du Roi, et seulement des mécaniciens du parti du Parlement, et pas un gentilhomme parmi eux; maintenant, je pensais pour vous mettre à l'épreuve et vous faire honte si vous ne savez pas danser, mais je vois que vous êtes un gentilhomme et que vous avez été élevé comme un gentilhomme; et cela me fait dire que les Hollandais sont des menteurs lorsqu'ils rapportent qu'il n'y avait pas un gentleman du parti du Parlement quand je vois par vous principalement, et par beaucoup de vos compagnons, que vous êtes des gentilhommes.»
Whitelocke: «En vérité, Madame, en cela ils ont dit un grand mensonge à Votre Majesté, comme je crois qu'ils l'ont fait sur plusieurs autres points. J'avoue que la plus grande partie de notre noblesse et de notre noblesse était du parti du Roi, mais beaucoup d'entre eux eux aussi étaient du parti du Parlement; et moi, qui suis envoyé pour servir Votre Majesté, je peux (sans vanité) me procurer un ancien pedigree de gentleman. Ils n'auraient donné l'honneur à personne d'autre qu'à un gentleman de baiser la main de Votre Majesté, et vous êtes heureuse de rendre justice à votre serviteur et à sa compagnie, en reconnaissant que nos supérieurs ont ordonné à des gentilhommes de vous servir.»
Christine: «Je vous assure que j'estime que c'est le plus grand honneur qui m'est fait, et que vous êtes d'autant plus bienvenu chez moi parce que vous êtes un gentilhomme; et si je ne vous avais pas connu et trouvé tel, vos affaires n'auraient pas été ainsi bien expédiées tel qu'elles est. Je vois que vous avez toutes les qualités d'un gentilhomme, et je crois que vous étiez excellent dans votre musique et dans votre danse dans votre jeunesse.»
Whitelocke: «J'ai été élevé dans les qualités d'un gentilhomme et, dans ma jeunesse, je n'étais pas considéré comme inférieur aux autres dans leur pratique, mais il y a si longtemps que je n'avais plus dansé, surtout après que nous ayons appris à marcher, que si ce n'était pas pour obéir à Votre Majesté, je n'aurais guère été amené à découvrir mes défauts.»
Christine: «Vous n'avez découvert que ce qui tend à votre honneur et à mon contentement; et je considère comme une faveur que vous ayez accepté de mettre de côté votre gravité et de jouer au courtisan à ma demande, ce que je vois que vous pouvez si bien faire quand vous le voulez.»
—
Christine: «Monsieur, avez-vous prononcé à mon sujet des paroles telles que je suis une tyranne?»
Whitelocke: «Madame, je l'ai dit à l'un de vos sénateurs, et je le crois bien.»
Christine: «Quelle raison vous ai-je donnée pour parler de moi si durement et si étrangement?»
Whitelocke: «Parce que je vois Votre Majesté exercer encore aujourd'hui un acte de tyrannie.»
Christine: «Je vous prie, Monsieur, de quel acte s'agit-il?»
Whitelocke: «Madame, voici ceci: voici un couple de jeunes gens beaux et vaillants nouvellement mariés, et on ne peut qu'imaginer qu'ils ont leurs désirs aussi bien que d'autres, faits de chair et de sang, pour participer à ces jouissances et ces plaisirs qu'ils attendent; et pourtant, Madame, vous en avez retenu les mariés jusqu'à maintenant qu'il est deux heures du matin, et c'est toute la cruauté et la tyrannie dont je puis accuser Votre Majesté.»
Christine: «Je suis heureuse que vous n'ayez rien d'autre à m'accuser, et vous verrez une réformation présente.»
Swedish translation of Whitelocke's and Kristina's conversations (by Edman):
Wh. »Jag tackar Edar Maj:t ödmjukast för den befallning jag undfått, at bivista denna högtidlighet.«
Drottn. »Det är heder för oss, at en sådan Ambassadeur behagar vara närvarande vid detta tilfälle.«
Wh. »Likaledes får jag hos Edar Maj:t aflägga min ödmjukaste tacksägelse, för den myckna ynnest mig blifvit ertedd, och de Kongl. presenter, med hvilka jag och mitt sällskap af Edar Maj:t blifvit hedrad.«
Drottn. »Herre! J skämtar med mig. Jag är ledsen, at jag icke därigenom nog å daga lagt den aktning jag bär för Eder; men som det är en plägsed at därmed ihogkomma personer af Edar värdighet, hoppas jag at J ej obenäget uttyder dem.«
Wh. »De äro et det tydligaste prof på Edar Maj:ts ädelmod och godhet för mig, och hvilket jag med det tacksammaste hjerta emottagit.«
—
Wh. »Jag fruktar at vanhedra Edar Maj:t och skämma ut mig sjelf, om jag dansar med Edar Maj:t.«
Drottn. »Jag vil försöka om J kan dansa.«
Wh. »Jag försäkrar Edar Maj:t mig på intet sätt vara värdig at föra Edar Maj:t vid handen.«
Drottn. »Jag anser Eder därtil värdig, och har därföre valt Eder at dansa med.«
Wh. »Jag får ej sätta så ringa värde på Edar Maj:ts omdöme, at jag skulle vägra härutinnan lyda Edar Maj:ts befallning; önskar endast at jag kunde dansa så väl, som i min ungdom.«
—
Drottn. »Sir! har J sagt om mig at jag är en tyrann?«
Wh. »Jag sade det til en af Edar Maj:ts Rådsherrar, och tror verkeligen at så är.«
Drottn. »Hvad orsak kan J väl hafva at yttra Eder så hårdt och strängt om mig?«
Wh. »Emedan jag just nu ser Edar Maj:t förfara på et det hårdaste sätt.«
Drottn. »Hvaruti består då det?«
Wh. »Saken är denne: Här hafve vi två unga, raska och vackra personer, som nu blifvit sammanvigde; och kan man lätt föreställa sig at de, så väl som andre hvilke äro af kött och blod, längta efter den vällust och de nöjen som vänta dem, och har Edar Maj:t afhållit dem därifrån tils nu, då klockan är tu slagen, hvilket är all den hårdhet och tyranni, hvarföre jag kan anklaga Edar Maj:t.«
Drottn. »Jag är glad at J ej har något värre at beskylla mig före, och skall detta strax blifva hulpet.«
Contemporary Swedish translation of Whitelocke's and Kristina's conversations (my own):
Whitelocke: »Madam, jag tackar Er ödmjukt för att Ni bjudit in mig till dessa högtidligheter.«
Kristina: »Det är en ära för Oss att en sådan ambassadör kommer att vara närvarande vid Våra ceremonier.«
Whitelocke: »Jag ger likaledes mitt ödmjukaste tacksägelse till Ers Majestät för Era många ynnest och de ädla gåvor Ni har behagat att skänka till mig och mitt sällskap.«
Kristina: »Min herre, Ni hånar mig; jag är bekymrad över att jag inte kunde handla i enlighet med den respekt som jag har för Er. Detta är bara en sed i vårt land för personer i Ert tillstånd, och jag hoppas att Ni kommer att ta det väl upp.«
Whitelocke: »Det är mer lämpligt för Ers Majestäts vänlighet mot mig än för något annat, som jag har en mycket tacksam känsla för och accepterande av Ers Majestäts gunst.«
—
Kristina: »Par Dieu, vad är dessa holländare lögnaktiga!«
Whitelocke: »Jag undrar hur holländarna kunde komma in i Ert sinne vid ett sådant tillfälle som detta är, de brukar ju inte tänkas på vid sådana högtidligheter och inte heller mycket bekanta med dem.«
Kristina: »Jag skall berätta allt för Er. Holländarna rapporterade för mig för ett bra tag sedan att alla adeln i England var av konungens parti, och ingen utom mekaniker från Parlaments parti, och inte en herre bland dem; nu tänkte jag att pröva Er och skämma ut Er om Ni inte kunde dansa, men jag ser att Ni är en herre och har blivit uppfödd därtill; och det får mig att säga att holländarna ljuger för att rapportera att det inte fanns en herre från Parlamentets parti när jag ser av Er främst och av många i Ert sällskap att ni är herrar.«
Whitelocke: »Sannerligen, madam, i detta berättade de en stor osanning till Ers Majestät, som jag tror att de har gjort i flera andra detaljer. Jag erkänner att den största delen av vår adel och herrskap tillhörde konungens parti, men många av de var likaledes av Parlamentets parti, och jag, som är sänd att vänta på Ers Majestät, kan (utan fåfänga) härleda mig en uråldrig härstamning av en herre. De skulle inte ha gett någon annan än en gentleman äran att kyssa Ers Majestäts hand, och Ni gör gärna Er tjänare rätt, och hans sällskap, genom att erkänna att våra överordnade har befallt herrar att uppvakta Er.«
Kristina: »Jag försäkrar Er att jag uppskattar att det är den största äran som jag fått, och Ni är desto mer välkommen till mig eftersom Ni är en herre; och om jag inte hade känt till och funnit att Ni var det, skulle Ert företag inte ha varit så bra skickat som det är. Jag ser att Ni har alla egenskaper som en herre, och minsann tror jag att Ni var utmärkt i Er musik och dans i Era yngre dagar.«
Whitelocke: »Jag är uppvuxen i egenskaperna som en herre, och i min ungdom ansågs jag inte vara sämre än andra i utövandet av dem, men det är så länge sedan jag brukade dansa, särskilt efter att vi lärt oss att marschera, att om det hade inte varit för att lyda Ers Majestät, jag skulle knappast ha dragits till att upptäcka mina brister.«
Kristina: »Ni har inte upptäckt något annat än vad som länder till Er ära och till min förnöjsamhet, och jag tar det som en tjänst att Ni var villig att lägga undan Er allvar och spela hovmannen på min begäran, vilket jag ser att Ni kan göra så bra när Ni vill.«
—
Kristina: »Min herre, sade Ni några sådana ord, sade Ni att jag är en tyrann?«
Whitelocke: »Madam, jag sagt det till en av Era rådsmän, och jag tror det också.«
Kristina: »Vad har jag gjort att Ni skulle tala så hårt och strängt om mig?«
Whitelocke: »För att jag ser att Ers Majestät redan nu utövar en handling av tyranni.«
Kristina: »Jag ber, min herre, vad är det för handling?«
Whitelocke: »Madam, det är detta: här är ett par vackra, galanta, unga och nygifta personer, och man kan inte annat än föreställa sig att de har sina längtan såväl som andra, som är av kött och blod, att ta del av de vällust och nöjen som de förväntar sig, och ändå, madam, har Ni hindrat bruden och brudgummen därifrån tills nu att klockan är två, och detta är all grymhet och tyranni för vilka jag kan anklaga Ers Majestät.«
Kristina: »Jag är glad att Ni inte har något annat än detta att anklaga mig för, och därför skall Ni att det blir hjälpt.«
_(David_Beck)_-_Nationalmuseum_-_17258.tif.jpg)
Above: Kristina.
Above: Bengt Horn af Åminne.
Above: Margareta Sparre.
.jpg)
Above: Bulstrode Whitelocke.
Note: It was Bengt Claesson Horn af Åminne (1623-1678) who married Margareta Larsdotter Sparre (1631-1660), one of Kristina's ladies-in-waiting and the younger sister of Kristina's favourite, lady-in-waiting and lover Ebba Sparre (1626 or 1629-1662), on May 10/20, 1654. Margareta's and Ebba's father had passed away in 1644, when Ebba was either eighteen or fifteen and Margareta was thirteen.
graves = counts.
to term = to end.
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