A Journal of the Swedish Embassy in the Years 1653 and 1654, Vol II. — John Locke — John Shaqi
A Journal of the Swedish Embassy in the Years 1653 and 1654, Vol II.
John Locke · en
_March 30, 1654._
[SN: An interview with the Queen.]
One of the Queen's lacqueys came to Whitelocke's house in dinner-time, to
desire him, from the Queen, to come to her at two o'clock. Whitelocke
was a little sensible of the quality of the messenger, and therefore
himself would not speak with him, but sent his answer by one of his
servants, and accordingly waited on the Queen.
He was met at the guard-chamber by Grave Tott and divers of the Queen's
servants, with more solemnity than ordinary, and presently brought to the
Queen. After her excuse of his not having had audiences she fell into
discourse of his business. Whitelocke presented to her a form of
articles, according to his own observations upon those articles he had
formerly given in, and upon those he received from Grave Eric. Thereupon
the Queen said to him, "You will not consent to any one of my articles,
but insist upon all your own." Whitelocke showed her wherein he had
consented to divers of her articles, and for what reasons he could not
agree to the rest. They had discourse upon the whole, to the same effect
as hath been before remembered.
The Queen told Whitelocke, that if those articles should not be
concluded, that nevertheless the amity between the two nations might be
continued. Whitelocke answered, that it would be no great testimony of
amity, nor proof of respect to the Protector and Commonwealth, to send
back their servant after so long attendance, without effecting anything.
The Queen said she would despatch his business within a few days, and,
she hoped, to his contentment. Whitelocke told her it was in her
Majesty's power to do it; that he could not stay until the change whereof
people discoursed, and that he had her Majesty's promise for his
despatch, which he knew she would not break.
Then the Queen fell into other discourses, and in particular of poetry;
which occasion Whitelocke took to show her a copy of Latin verses made by
an English gentleman, a friend of Whitelocke's, and sent over to him
hither, and which he had now about him, and knew that such diversions
were pleasing to the Queen.[71]
At his leisure hours, Whitelocke turned these verses into English, which
ran thus:--
"_To the most Illustrious and most Excellent Lord, the Lord
Whitelocke, Ambassador Extraordinary to the Most Serene Queen of
Sweden. An Ode._