138 HIS INAMORATA DIES. 



nizing effects of his deep attachment to the young beauty : 

 his " Little Dove," as he used to call her which indeed, 

 by the transposition of a single letter, her own name 

 implied. 



In 1515, Christian formed a matrimonial alliance with 

 Isabella, sister to the Emperor Charles V., with whom he 

 received a large dower. Though the Queen was herself a 

 beautiful woman, and that it had been specially agreed before 

 the nuptials that he should separate from Dyvika, he, in 

 total disregard to the feelings of his wife, and to the great 

 displeasure of the Rdd, or Council, and of the whole king- 

 dom, still openly retained her as his mistress. 



Very shortly afterwards Dyvika died suddenly, on whicb 

 Christian was overwhelmed with grief; and having reason 

 to suppose poison had been administered to her, his anger 

 knew no bounds. And there being no one now to soothe 

 the outbreaks of his ferocious temper, his tiger-like nature 

 revived with redoubled fury. 



Torbern Oxe, a distinguished nobleman at the Court of 

 Denmark, was his first victim. This man, who was held in 

 high estimation by every one, and who was remarkable as 

 well for the beauty of his person, as his proficiency in all the 

 accomplishments of the time, had been a great admirer of 

 Dyvika's extraordinary loveliness a regard which was said to 

 be reciprocal for which reason Christian always entertained 

 a feeling of enmity towards him. In addition to this, it was 

 reported that from jealousy, or other cause, the knight had 

 had a hand in the death of the poor girl. 



The Tyrant therefore caused Torbern to be arraigned, 

 and that on the most extraordinary charge of having 

 polluted the royal bed. But the Council said, and with 



