Portugal -- History -- Modern, 1580-; Portugal -- History -- Revolution, 1640
This being told _Olivarez_, he order'd him to be admitted: _Sancho_
enter'd the Room, and threw himself at his feet, crying the Kingdom was
sav'd from the Ruin which threaten'd it, since he had gain'd Admittance
to one, in whose power it was to prevent it; then told the whole Story
of the Duke of _Medina_'s Intent, encourag'd in it by the King of
_Portugal_, and persuaded to it by the Marquiss _Daiamonti_, his Design
of seizing upon the Galloons, and of making the Soldiers of _Andalusia_
turn their Arms against their King: to justify all which, he deliver'd
those Letters given him by the _Franciscan_ for the Duke and Marquiss,
and which contain'd the Scheme of the Conspiracy.
_Olivarez_, was so surpriz'd at the Strangeness of this News, that he
could not for some time utter a word, but at last recovering himself, he
prais'd _Sancho_ for his Loyalty, and told him that he deserv'd a
double Reward, not only as he had reveal'd the Plot, but also as he had
not been afraid to discover it even to the nearest Relation of the chief
Conspirator. Then order'd he the _Spaniard_ to be conducted into a
private Apartment, and be debarr'd the liberty of speaking to any one.
Mean while the Minister went into the King's Apartment, and told him all
that _Sancho_ had related, and shew'd him the Letters which he had
deliver'd him.
Never was Prince in a greater Consternation than _Philip_ was, long had
he observ'd and dreaded the haughty Carriage of the _Gusmans_; and as
the Loss of _Portugal_, which he thought was owing to the Dutchess of
_Braganza_, was still fresh in his Memory, he could not forbear telling
_Olivarez_, in a reproachful manner, that all the Misfortunes which the
_Spaniards_ had lately suffer'd, they were beholden to his Family for.
This Prince wanted neither Wit or Judgment, but he was so addicted to
Pleasure, that he would never apply himself to any thing that carry'd
the face of Business, but would rather have lost half his Dominions,
than be oblig'd to quit his indolent and effeminate manner of Living:
Wherefore having vented his Passion in this Reproach, he gave the
_Franciscan_'s Letters back to _Olivarez_, without so much as opening
them; ordering him to have them examin'd by a Committee, compos'd of
three Members of his Privy-Council, who should make their Report to
him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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