VELÁSQEZ has handed Philip IV down to posterity
as a tragedy, kingly though in ruin. But before I
pass on to the unkingly tragedy of his son, Carlos
el Hechizado, I will mention two aspects of Philip's
character. As a French lady delicately expressed
it, "Ce prince si froid et si sérieux en apparence, que
l'on ne voyait jamais rire, était en effet le plus galant
et le plus tendre de tous les hommes." But the King
was ashamed of his loose life, and his most sym-
pathetic trait is his seeking for spiritual absolution.
From the time of the disgrace and fall of Olivarez
to his own death, Philip corresponded with a clois-
tered nun, Sor María de Agreda. He asked for
counsel and she gave it. The correspondence is
pitiful. The poor, ashamed King drops his royal
mask, and reveals a passionate desire to do his best
for his kingdom, to lead a higher life -- and yet he
clings to his gross pleasures. In one letter ( Novem-
ber 26, 1649), Sor Maria says: "I beg you, my Lord,
to propitiate the Almighty by an amended life. Fix
all your inclination and will upon the Queen, [his
fourteen-year-old niece, Mariana, married within a
week or two] and do not turn your eyes upon outside
objects [otros objetos peregrinos y extraños, a prudish
phrase]. This will please God, and you shall find less
blame in His eyes." At other times she comforted

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