Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/564

550 instructions in the queen's chamber, contrary to the doctrine and practice of his ancestors, went in with a design to punish the minister; but finding he had escaped, his anger fell on his spouse, to whom he gave a blow, saying, "Madam, you want to be too wise!" and immediately acquainted her brother with what he had done; but Francis, ever mindful of his dignity and affection, severely reprimanded him for it.

This princess disliked to hear the name of death. She used often to say to those who discoursed of it, and the happiness which ensues, "all this is true; but we continue so long before we enjoy it."

Her curiosity in attending the last moments of a dying person is remarkable. It was one of her maids of honour. Some of her ladies asked her, why she looked on her with so much attention? She answered, that having often heard many learned men assert, that the soul left the body the moment it died, she was willing to see if there came from it any perceptible noise, or sound, but that she could perceive nothing. She gave a reason of her expectation, which was, that having asked the same learned men why a swan sings before it dies, they answered, that it was on account of the spirits, which were labouring to get out through its long neck. Thus, she said, she had also a mind to see that soul or spirit go out, or hear the noise or sound it made at leaving the body. She added, that if she were not well settled in the faith, she should not know what to think of its separation from the body; but that she would believe what her God and her church commanded her without any further inquiry.

Her Heptameron was a collection of stories in the manner of Boccacio, composed in a flowing and tiful