He knew that decomposition had made such progress even while he was still living as to render embalming impossible:  He accordingly instructed Don Christopher to see his body wrapped in a shroud just as it lay, and to cause it to be placed in a well-soldered metallic coffin already provided.  The coffin of state, in which the leaden one was to be enclosed, was then brought into the chamber by his command, that he might see if it was entirely to his taste.  Having examined it, he ordered that it should be lined with white satin and ornamented with gold nails and lace-work.  He also described a particular brocade of black and gold, to be found in the jewelroom, which he desired for the pall.

Next morning he complained to Don Christopher that the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper had not been administered to him for several days.  It was urged that his strength was deemed insufficient, and that, as he had received that rite already four times during his illness, and extreme unction twice, it was thought that the additional fatigue might be spared him.  But as the king insisted, the sacrament was once more performed and prayers were read.  He said with great fervour many times, “Pater, non mea voluntas, sed tux fiat.”  He listened, too, with much devotion to the Psalm, “As the hart panteth for the water-brooks;” and he spoke faintly at long intervals of the Magdalen, of the prodigal son, and of the paralytic.

When these devotional exercises had been concluded, father Diego expressed the hope to him that he might then pass away, for it would be a misfortune by temporary convalescence to fall from the exaltation of piety which he had then reached.  The remark was heard by Philip with an expression of entire satisfaction.

That day both the Infanta and the prince came for the last time to his bedside to receive his blessing.  He tenderly expressed his regret to his daughter that he had not been permitted to witness her marriage, but charged her never to omit any exertion to augment and sustain the holy Roman Catholic religion in the Netherlands.  It was in the interest of that holy Church alone that he had endowed her with those provinces, and he now urged it upon her with his dying breath to impress upon her future husband these his commands to both.

His two children took leave of him with tears and sobs:  As the prince left the chamber he asked Don Christopher who it was that held the key to the treasury.

The secretary replied, “It is I, Sir.”  The prince demanded that he should give it into his hands.  But Don Christopher excused himself, saying that it had been entrusted to him by the king, and that without his consent he could not part with it.  Then the prince returned to the king’s chamber, followed by the secretary, who narrated to the dying monarch what had taken place.

“You have done wrong,” said Philip; whereupon Don Christopher, bowing to the earth, presented the key to the prince.