University of Virginia Library

The SIXTH DAY.

The Rumour of the Challenge which was to be run on Monday the twelfth, caused an infinite number of Wagers of great value to be laid: tho' that of the two Knights was but an hundred Pistoles. And as the Duke by a happy Boldness gave one Head to that dexterous Marquiss, several laid for the latter; who coming somewhat late to the King found a Challenge to hasten him; which being only in Prose, we have not inserted it in this Discourse.
The Duke of St. Aignan had likewise shewn to some of his Friends, as an happy Presage of his Victory, these four Verses.
To the Ladies.
If , O ye fair, your Sentiments agree
With mine, you shall confess this Day, that He
Who conquers Soyecourt conquers ten besides.

still alluding to his Name of Guidon the Savage, whom the adventure of the dangerous Island made Conqueror over ten Knights. So soon as the King had dined he conducted the Queens, the Duke and Dutchess of Orleans, and all the Ladies, to a Place where a Lottery was to be drawn, that nothing might be wanting to the galantry of these Entertainments. 'Twas of precious Stones, Furniture, Plate and other like things; and tho' chance used to decide these Presents, yet it certainly accorded with his Majesty's Desire, when it gave the great Prize to the Queen; every one left that Place very well contented, to go see the Running which was going to begin.

At length Guidon and Olivier appear'd in the Lists, at five a Clock in the Evening, very handsomely dress'd and well mounted.

The King and all the Court honour'd them with their Presence, and his Majesty himself read the Articles of the Running, that there might be no difference between them. The Issue was fortunate to the Duke of St. Aignan, who won the Day.

At Night his Majesty caused to be play'd the three first Acts of a Comedy call'd Tartuffe, which the Sieur de Moliere had made against the Hypocrites; but tho' the King thought it very diverting, yet he found so much Conformity between those whom a true Devotion puts in the way to Heaven, and those whom a vain Ostentation of good Works does not hinder from committing bad; that his extreme Delicacy in point of Religion cou'd hardly bear that resemblance of Vice and Virtue, and tho' he did not doubt the good Intentions of the Author, yet he forbad the publick acting of that Comedy, till 'twas entirely finish'd and examin'd by competent Judges, that it might not deceive others, who were less capable to make a just Discernment of it.