Note 653 — ACT III. SCENE I.

jails fly open, &c.] “Count Gondomar was the active Instrument to advance this Match [of Prince Charles with the Infanta], who so carried himself in the twilight of jest-earnest, that with his jests he pleased His Majesty of England, and with his earnest he pleasured his Master of Spaine. Having found out the length of King James’s foot, he fitted Him with so easie a shooe, which pained Him not (no, not when he was troubled with the gout), this cunning Don being able to please Him in His greatest passion. And although the Match was never effected, yet Gondomar whilst negotiating the same, in favour to the Catholick cause, procured of his Majesty the enlargment of all Priests and Jesuits through the English Dominions.... These Jesuits, when at liberty, did not gratefully ascribe their freedome to his Majestie’s mercy, but onely to His willingnesse to rid and clear His gaoles over-pestered with prisoners.” Fuller’s Church History, B. x. p. 100, ed. 1655. See also Wilson’s Life and Reign of James, p. 145, ed. 1653.