Charles then despatched the Portuguese ambassador to Catherine--
from this time styled queen--in order to make arrangements for
her journey into England. Likewise he wrote a letter, remarkable
for the fervour of its sentiments and elegance of its diction,
which da Ponte was commissioned to convey her. This courtly
epistle, addressed by Charles to "The Queen of Great Britain, my
wife and lady, whom God preserve," is dated July 2nd, 1661, and
runs as follows:
"MY LADY AND WIFE,
"Already, at my request, the good Count da Ponte has set off
for Lisbon; for me the signing of the marriage act has been great
happiness; and there is about to be despatched at this time after
him one of my servants, charged with what would appear necessary,
whereby may be declared, on my part, the inexpressible joy of
this felicitous conclusion, which, when received, will hasten the
coming of your majesty.
"I am going to make a short progress into some of my provinces;
in the meantime, whilst I go from my most sovereign good, yet I
do not complain as to whither I go, seeking in vain tranquillity
in my restlessness; hoping to see the beloved person of your
majesty in these kingdoms already your own, and that with the
same anxiety with which, after my long banishment, I desired to
see myself within them, and my subjects, desiring also to behold
me amongst them, having manifested their most ardent wishes for
my return, well known to the world. The presence of your
serenity is only wanting to unite us, under the protection of
God, in the health and content I desire.
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