In after years, Digby used to say that it was in Florence he
met the Carmelite friar who brought from the East the secret of the Powder
of Sympathy, which cured wounds without contact. The friar who had refused
to divulge the secret to the Grand Duke confided it to him--of which more
hereafter.
From Florence he passed to Spain; and his arrival was happily
timed--probably by his ever anxious kinsman; for a few days later Prince
Charles and Buckingham landed, on the Spanish Marriage business; and so
agreeable was young Digby that, in spite of Buckingham's dislike of his
name, he became part of the Prince's household, and returned with the party
in October, 1623. Court favours seemed now to open out a career for him.
King James knighted him, in what might have proved a fatal ceremony; for so
tremblingly nervous of the naked steel was the royal hand, that Buckingham
had to turn the sword aside from doing damage instead of honour. He was
also made Gentleman of the Bedchamber to Prince Charles. But no other
signal favours followed these. For all his agreeableness he was not of the
stuff courtiers are made of--though James had a kindness for him, and was
entertained by his eagerness and ingenuity.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25