[33] Lord Bristol, in his defence (Camden Miscellany, vi.) gives an account of a conversation in the coach when the Prince, Bristol, Gondomar, Olivares, Buckingham, and Aston were waiting for the royal party to pass on the Sunday referred to in the text. This shows how entirely Olivares had convinced them all of his sincerity. Gondomar in boastful mood had asked Olivares if he was not justified now in all he had written from England about the real desire of King James for the marriage; and whether Bristol and himself had not proved themselves honest men. "Yes," replied Olivares, "you may both say your _Nunc Dimitis_ now, and trouble no more about it, except to claim the reward of success." No blame, he said, could attach to them in any case.
[35] _Hecho de los Tratados_, etc. B.M. MSS. Add. 14,043.
[36] The dates given throughout are old style, according to the English calendar of the time. The Spanish dates are ten days later.
[39] Most of the poets and poetasters of the Court were convinced of this, and the romantic love-making of the Prince, who for the sweet eyes of the Infanta was to make England Catholic, inspired many verses. Howel sends to a friend in England one stanza of such a poem written at this time, he says by Lope de Vega--
Carlos Estuardo, soy, Que siendo amor mi guia. Al cielo de España voy. Par ver mi estrella Maria.
Charles Stuart, here am I, Guided by love afar Into the Spanish sky, To see Maria my star.
Gongora's fine sonnet, translated by Churton, is worth quoting entire--
Fair from his cradle springs the star of day, Rock'd on bright waves fair sinks his parting light: Such be thy course, in sunlike beauty bright, Daughter of kings and born to be as they. The world's majestic wonder. Lo! thy ray Hath called a royal bird, in venturous flight, From realms where keen Arcturus fires by night The polar skies: from regions far away He wheels on swiftest wing: within thy sphere Secure his bold eye drinks the soft clear fires. Now Heaven and Love be kind; and both ordain What time his suit shall win thy beauty's ear. The Northern Eagle won with chaste desires, By Truth's pure light may live to God again.
STATE ENTRY OF CHARLES INTO MADRID--GREAT FESTIVITIES--HIS LOVE-MAKING--ATTEMPTS TO CONVERT THE PRINCE--THE REAL INTENTION OF OLIVARES--HIS CLEVER PROCRASTINATION--CHARLES AND BUCKINGHAM LOSE PATIENCE--HOWEL'S STORY OF CHARLES AND THE INFANTA--THE FEELING AGAINST BUCKINGHAM--ANXIETY OF KING JAMES--HIS CORRESPONDENCE WITH "BABY AND STEENIE"--CHARLES DECIDES TO DEPART--FURTHER DELAY--THE DIPLOMACY OF OLIVARES--BUCKINGHAM AND ARCHY ARMSTRONG--DEPARTURE OF CHARLES--HIS RETURN HOME, AND THE ENGLISH DISILLUSION