AMong so many thousand wicked and corrupt people that liue dispersed abroad through the world, there is one sorte, if not worser then others, yet at least is such as ought to be ran­ked among those that are manifestly wicked before the world; namely, such as are ingrate, and among them a great number of those that liue in the courts of great Princes and Lords, and by all possible meanes doe labour to attaine to riches, honour, and preferment, through the helpe and fauour of these great ones, whom (whilst they are yet aliue) they doe reuerence, honour, and extoll with high and extrauagant prayses, placing them (as it were) among the celestiall powers. But those great persons [Page 2]being once dead, and consequently their hope to gaine or profit any more by them hauing now failed them, they for­get within a short time their benefactors, without speaking almost of them any more, or at least not making any hono­rable mention of them, to the end that they might perpetuate their memorie and fame to their posteritie, according as they had justly deserued at their hands whilest they liued. As for my selfe, hauing once had the honour to bee one of the most illustrious Prince HENRY his servants, and acknowledging my selfe to be perpetually bound and addebted to his Highnes, so long as my soule and body shall be united together, and therefore being unwilling to be accounted among those in­grate, and as it were disloyall persons, I haue gathered and set downe (though somewhat rudelie and confusedlie) these obseruations following, which doe containe diuers of his merrie and notable speeches, when he was yet of verie tender yeares, being infallible and certaine tokens of his great and unspeakable vertues, and of his nature good in all perfection (if any such was euer found in any Prince) which in the meane while shall serue for an abridgment of his life, untill such time as some other shall write and set downe the same more amply, and in more high and delicate termes.

First, concerning his behauiour towards God and Reli­gion, there hath alwayes bene obserued in him rare tokens of a religious and vertuous disposition; as namelie, in his deuote and reuerent manner of praying, and hearing of publicke Ser­uice and Sermons; in his perpetuall refraining from oathes, and all irreligious and lasciuious speaches, in his reprouing and dislyking of such as haue been about him, for any unde­cent or vicious behauior. And chiefly, when they did sweare or take the name of God in vaine. In so much that being yet but verie young, he tooke such order, that none of his young [Page 3]Gentlemen and Pages were taken with this offence. And if any had offended (which did fall out but seldome) he was fi­ned in some little piece of money, to be given to the poore. And for his owne part (which is more rare, and almost im­possible to great Princes) he did never sweare all his lifetime.

In his behauiour towards his Parents, he was alwayes du­tifull and respectiue farre aboue his age, and the maner of other children: for since he was but two yeares old, he both knew and respected the King his father aboue all others, and neuer was wearie to be in his companie: albeit his Majestie with the tokens of his loue to him would sometimes interlace sharpe speeches, and other demonstrations of fatherlie seve­ritie; yea his affection to his Majestie did grow with his age, for being present on a time at a fall, which his Majestie had from his horse, he bevvailed this mischance (which neverthe­lesse was lesse then it was feared to be) with tears and spea­ches full of compassion and loue. And likewise the respect which he caried to them increased daylie, as by this example I shall breefly declare. His High. one day hauing come forth of S. Iames his house a little before supper, to walck in the Parck, hauing a great number of his Gentlemen with him, & seeing the Kings Majestie a farre of returning from his walk, and comming towards him, with a verie small companie, he was ashamed, and looking about him commanded his follo­wers to depart and goe no further with him. Which imme­diatelie they did, leauing him almost alone, and thus did he meet the King, not hauing past three or foure to attend and waite on him.

The same respect likewise did hee carie to the Queene his Mother, as among manie other things he declared herein: for going often to visit her, and to shew his humble and louing [Page 4]dutie towards her Majestie, and sometimes shee being busied, or otherwayes letted by her affaires, and for this cause not admitting him to her presence (though inwardly with him­selfe he might be displeased therewith) yet in show did he ne­ver seeme to be any wayes discontended therewith, but re­turned alvvayes to his lodging vvith great patience, after that he had vvaited a long time in vaine.

His brotherly loue vvas likevvise verie great, vvhich did euidently appeare one day, the King being at Otlands, and a false rumour being spred abroad, that the Kings Majestie vvas slaine, his H. and the Duke of York his brother, remai­ning then both at S. Iames his house, hee couered for that present time his excessiue sorovv and griefe, vvhich he had conceaued invvardly, and called for the Duke his brother in great haste, that hee might once see him in safetie vvith him­selfe; & thus vvent to Whitehall together to the Queen, who had sent for the Prince lōg before more then once: but he put off his going till he had his brother to goe along vvith him.

And as for the Lady ELIZABETH his Sister, hee loued her alvvayes so dearly, that hee desired to see her alwayes by him. And (at least) they did visite each other once in tvvo dayes, if time and occasion had serued, and that they had been any thing neare together. Othervvayes he did send often to inquire of her health, vvith diuers unfallible signes and tokens of his great loue & affection tovvards them both.

In his cariage tovwards other persons, hee did behaue him­selfe vvith such due respect and discretion, as it is rare to be found in one of his ranke and age.

He vvas brought op even from his cradle, by an ancient, vertuous and seuere Lady; to vvit, the olde Countesse of Marre, vvho kept all such as vvere about him in avve: yet did [Page 5]hee not onely reverence her, but also loue her most dearly.

Towards the right honorable the Earle of Marre, sonne to the said Lady, who had the principall charge and custodie of him, he alwayes shewed himselfe most louing and duetifull, in so much as before his comming to Engeland, the Earle de­liuering him in presence of the Councell to the charge of o­ther Lordes appointed to vviate on him in his journey, hee suddainly imbracing the said Earle brust foorth into teares: albeit hee was knowen to weepe as litle as any child what­soeuer.

Next his Parents, he was alwayes most loving to his Schoolemaister S ^r. Adam Newton: notwithstanding that the said S ^r. Adam Newton did alwayes preferre his owne dutie, and his Highnes well doing before the pleasing of his fancies.

I need not record with what courtesie and discretion he behaued himselfe to all others, seeing all that knew him doe witnesse the same.

The seeds and buddes of Princely Vertues haue appeared in him, euen from his most tender yeares. His naturall in­clination to Iustice did shew it selfe continually; in that a­mongst his Pages and other young Gentelmen placed about him, he did most grace and fauour such, as euen by men of greatest judgement were thought to be of best behauiour and desert, wherein also may be perceiued more judgement then is incident to the age of a child.

His courage was alwayes seene in that he did weepe as li­tle as any child. When hee was verie young hauing hurt both his hands with a fall, in such sort that they bledde: albeit the smart which he felt wrong from him some teares: yet did he rise up in the meane time smyling, and as it were dissem­bling his hurt.

[Page 6]At another time he was so hurt in the shin, as it was scar­cely cured in a moneth after: yet being then asked whether any thing ailed him, he answered (nothing) and ran up and downe playing him as before.

An other token of his courage was, that being verie young he tooke great delight in the sound of Drummes and Trum­pets, yea and of his Pieces both small and great, beeing shot neare to him.

When he was scarcely seauen yeares of age, a boy of good courage almost a yeare older then his Highnes falling by ac­cident to buffets with him, and doing the worst he could, his Highnes both had the upperhand of him when they were parted a sunder, and loued the same boy euer after the better for his courage.

It was a great token of temperance in him, that in his diet he was naturally moderate, and lesse dainty then children use to be, yea he was easily persuaded by such, as either for their place about him, or for his opinion of their vertue and judge­ment had credit with him, to forbeare either meate or other thing, wherein he tooke greatest delight.

In patience he exceeded all others, as this historie follo­wing doth amply declare; Being at a certaine time at his hou­se of Woodstock, intending one day to ryde abroad a hunting betimes in the morning, and the time beeing come, and he ready for his Bootes, his Shoemaker by mischance had made one of them too strait, for which cause divers that stood by in the meane while checked him very sharply, labouring with all to stirre up his Highnes against him: yet he would by no meanes so do, but verie coldly and mildly commanded him to go speedily, and make it a litle vvyder. So he went forth leauing his Maister onely with one boote, who sate thus in [Page 7]his chaire for the space of an houre and more, waiting for his Shoemakers backcomming, and talking all the time merrilie with those that were about him, which in the meane while did shew themselves verie impatient, and would gladly haue had the Prince to be the like. At last, the Shoemaker ha­uing brought backe the Boote for his Highnes, not only did he not chide him, but contrariwise looked on him with a cherefull countenance, which made them all amased, toge­ther with the Shoemaker himselfe; who expected nothing lesse then such a fauorable aspect, and came all sweating and trembling for feare (as he had verie good cause to do.) Did he not herein vanquish and surmount himselfe?

He promised nothing rashly or unaduisedly to any one: but if once hee had been induced to ingadge himselfe any wayes, hee would be sure to performe what once hee had promi­sed, which by this example is manifest. One of his houshold seruants, to whom he had promised a better place then that which he then possessed, and with time had forgotten the sa­me promise, and this servant labouring hard with his Highnes by the meanes of his friends to attaine to the place that was promised to him, the time being then veri fit and convenient for the performing thereof. At first he denied that euer he had promised any such thing, hauing with time quite forgotten the mater: but in end his handwrit being produced, and the promise signed with his owne hand, hee confessed his fault freely, and immediatly without any delay caused him to be svvorne in the place, vvich he had promised to him.

Hovvbeit this illustrious Prince in diuers particular actions did testifie both his great charitie and liberalitie, as tovvards the poore and indigent, tovvards his domesticall seruants and others, and by contributing largelie tovvards the building [Page 8]and reparation of Churches, and manie other vvorkes: yet I vvill only produce these three testimonies of his liberalitie.

The first is, concerning that vvich he gave to a certaine straunger a Frenchman by nation, vvho stiled himselfe the Kings Professor of the French tongue, and had indeed some little pension of his Majestie for this same purpose. This Pro­fessor, hauing crept into some favour vvith the Prince his Chamberleyne, prevailed vvith him so farre, that at last hee persuaded him to speake to his Highnes for him, that he might haue some litle pension graunted to him, as he had of his Ma­jestie vvhich at first his H ^s: vvould not graunt, saying, that he had nothing to do vvith him. Notvvitstanding M ^r: Chamber­leyne follovving closse his sute, and beseeching him to take some pittie on him, sith he vvas a stranger, and had but small meanes to liue on, his H ^s: at length ansvvered, saying; Hovv­beit I am no vvayes bound to giue him any thing: yet to do you pleasure, and because he is a stranger and a Frenchman, I shall giue him vvhat you shall think fit; and vvithin a short ti­me after he gaue him such a pension, as pleased him verie vvell.

The second testimony is this; A good Poët, and right ho­nest man, presenting him a small poëme, he receiued it verie graciouslie, and vvilled a Gentleman that had his purse, to be­stovv on him some token of his gracious acceptance; the Gentleman asking him vvhether a couple of Iacobus vvould not serue. Fy for shame (said his Highnes) give him at least ten pieces.

The third vvas, that some fevv vveekes before his sicknes, considering vviselie, that some of his cheef Gentlemen, vvhich vvere in eminent places, and neare to his person, had but small meanes to maintaine the rank and place they vvere in, to cherish them in this their vvant, and make them goe on [Page 9]the more cheerfully in their seruice, and moreouer that they might not pretend that they were driuen through any necessi­ty, to be importune in begging of such suits at his Highnes, as could not conveniently be graunted; he provided them with honest & reasonable pensions during their liues, and if he had lived a litle longer, intended to proceed further in this kinde of bounteous and provident liberality: but being prevented by untimely death, none of these worthy projects could take any effect. This is a notable example both of his liberality, and of his wary and Princely providence.

He was exceeding magnifick and stately in all his doings, and principally in feasting of great persones, such as was the young Duke of Brounswick, the young Landgrave of Hasse, the Duke of Wirtemberg and others, which he feasted most royally, giuing them all maner of contentment, that they could haue desired of him.

And about some foure moneths before his death; at his house of Wootstock he made such a sumptuous and great feast to the Kings Majestie his Father, that after his Majestie had considered & vewed well the tables and meates set thereon, his Gentlemen and Servants richly apparelled and in good order, and all things in his house well ordered and gouerned, without any disorder or confusion, was so much amased at the sight thereof, that he was forced to say, that he had neuer seen the like before all his lifetime, and that he could neuer doe so much in his owne house.

Concerning his apparell, he loued to goe handsome and well cloathed: yet without any maner of superfluity or exces­se. But as for his seruants and Gentlemen that were neare to his person, he was some what more curious, taking pleasure to see them goe richly apparelled. Which he declared suffi­ciently by this example▪ A certaine Gentleman, who had ser­ved him a long time before, and with others was placed about [Page 10]him in his minority by the Kings Majestie, being with the rest of his houshold Servants to be sworne to him ouer againe at the taking up of his house (at which time he had free liberty to chuse such Seruants as pleased him best) he gaue way to the receauing of all the rest, saue only this Gentleman, whom he forbade to sweare, untill such time as his Father had promised to apparrell him better in time comming; and as it was fit­ting for his place. Which his Father hauing once promised to doe, at length after that all the rest were sworne, he gaue or­der likewise to admit him to his place.

He desired also, to haue good attendance of his Seruants, and to be well serued, as it may appeare by this following. One of his Sewers comming one day a litle too late to wait, when his Highnes had already almost half dined, he was as­ked by him, whence he came so late? He answered, that it was not yet eleuen of the clocke (saying so because his mai­ster dined commonly at that houre, and no sooner.) The Prince answered him againe, that he would not be serued at an appointed houre only, but at all times.

His modest disposition, and naturall hating of vaine osten­tation, began to shewe it selfe, when he was verie young. For being taught to handle the Pike, and his Teacher instructing him both by word and example to use an affected kind of sta­telinesse in marching and holding of his hand, he learned all other points of him soo well (as all men know:) but in no wayes would he frame himselfe to that affected maner. And if sometimes upon earnest intreaty he did offer to use it, he would lanch at himselfe, and presently returne to his owne more modest and comelie maner.

And whereas he had learned to daunce soo wel as none of his age being of a Princelie ranke or degree could doe it bet­ter: yet neuer tooke he much delight therein, nor offered himself to daunce, but was for the most part intreated there­to by others.

[Page 11]The like modestie was seen in whatsoeuer he did or spake: yet was this his modestie no hinderance to his heroïcall and generous disposition, which made him to performe all his exercises best, before most companie, and greatest persona­ges; as namely he neuer tossed his Pyke better then in pre­sence of his Majestie and great Ambassadours, of whom was the Constable of Castile.

From his generous mind it proceeded, that he delighted in handling of his armes, and in such other manly and mar­tiall exercises: hence also did arise his affection to learning: wherein he so well profited, as I haue not heard of manie Princes of his age that could doe better. In quicke apprehen­sion and memorie few of his age went beyond him: but none in judgement & understanding of that which was taught him.

When he beganne to haue some knowledge of the Latine tongue, being admonished to chuse himselfe a Posie out of sundrie sentences gathered by his scholemaister for this use, he read many that were good, but passed ouer them without chusing till he came to this sentence of Silius Italicus: Fax men­tis honestae gloria, Renowne is a furtherer of an-honest mind: whereof himselfe made choise. And to say the truth, none among them all did better fit him.

The Kings Majestie asking him, which were best verses that he had learned in the first booke of Aeneides, he answe­red; These,

In English;

Which indeed is a most excellent commendation, con­cerning the three principall Vertues of a worthy Prince to Wit, Pietie, Iustice, and Valour.

[Page 12]Reading this vers; Tros Rutilusve fuat nullo discrimine habebo,

Be it Trojan or Italian he, no difference will I make. He sayd him­selfe would make use of the same, changing it thus; An­glus Scotusve fuat nullo discrimine habebo. Be it English or Scot he, no differens will I make. In which change he respected the com­mendable qualities of unpartiall judgement and affection, & not the qualities of the verse, which he knew to be erroneous.

I come nowe to the rehearsall of sundry of his pleasant and witty speaches, during his young and tender yeares, where­in the pregnancie of his witt, and vertuous disposition doe appeare.

When he was but a little past seaven yeares of age, a sonne of the Earle of Marre, something younger then himselfe fal­ling out with one of his Pages, to whom (as his Highnes was informed) he had done some little wrong, he reproued him therefore, saying; I loue you, because you are my Lords Sonne and my Kousin: but if you be not better conditioned, I will loue such a one better, naming the childe that complained of him.

The first time that hee went out of the towne of Stirling to meet the King, seeing a little without the gate of the towne a stake of corne in proportion to a topp, wherewith he had wont to play, he said to some that were with him; Loe there a goodly topp, whereupon one of them saying, why doe you not then play with it? He answered; sett you it to me, and I will play with it.

Being asked very young what Instruments of Musicke hee liked best, he answered, a Trumpet.

On a time that he saw some hunting on a Deere, being as­ked, whether he loved that hunting well? He answered; yes, but I loue another kinde of hunting better. One asking him, what maner of hunting that was? hee answered; hun­ting of theeues and rebelles with braue men and horses. And [Page 13]turning him to one of his Pages descended of Highland Pa­rents, who were bruted to be theeues, he added; and such theeues as I take shall be hanged, the great ones higher then the rest, and you Sirra (if you bee a theefe) highest of all.

Once in his childhood, in a merry humour taking up Straw­beries with two spoones, when one might suffice, hee said; the one I use as a Rappier, and the other as a Dagger.

Being asked of a Nobleman, whether after his Father hee had rather be King of England or Schotland? he demanded, whether of them was best? and answere being made, that it was England, then (said he) would I haue both.

A controversy for sport being stirred up by the King his Majesty betwixt two, the one of whom, seruing him in good place by a nickname was called a Tailler, and loued very well his liquor, the other was knowne to bee a tall Tren­cherman, they were both neare falling together by the eares, when as the Prince was willed by the King to make an agree­ment betweene them, which agreement, some that were by said, must be written and sealed by them: Whereunto the Prince answered; then must W. M. (this was he which hath the nickename of a taillor) seal it with chalke, for he can not write his name, and then I will agree them, upon condition that M. G. (this was the tall Trencherman) goe into the cel­ler, and drinke with W. M. and that W. M. make a cloakbag for M. G. to cary his victuals in.

Eating in the Kings presence a dish of Milk, his Majesty asked him, why he eated so much childes meat? Sir, quot he, it is mans meate also. And immediatly after fed well of a Partrich, the King said to him, that meate will make you a coward. Whereunto he answered, though it be a cowardly bird, yet it shall not make me a coward.

The King asking him whether hee loved Englishmen or Frenchmen better? hee answered, Englishmen. The King [Page 14]demanded the cause thereof; because, said he, I am a kin to moe noble persones of England, then of Fraunce, Then the King asked him, whether he loued the English or the Ger­manes better, hee answered; the English. Whereunto the King replying, that his Mother was a German, hee answe­red; Sir, you are the cause thereof.

At the same time, his Majestie asked him upon some men­tion made of Queene Elisabeth, whether she had anie chil­dren; he answered, hee understoode of none. And hath she none (said the King) that may bee called her sonne? hee said yes Sir, your selfe: and who nixt after me, said his Majestie? Sir (said he) your Sonne. Another standing by, saying, that was Duke Charles: no (Sir) said his Highnes, it must bee the eldest, wherein his discretion and modestie in not once naming himselfe, is worth the noting.

On a certaine time his Highnes wearing white shoes, one that resorted sometimes to him, said, that he longed to kisse his feete: whereunto his Highnes answered; Sir, I am not the Pope. The other replying, that he would not kisse the Popes foote, unles it were to byte off his great too, his H ^•: answered; if you were in Rome; you would be gladde to kisse his feete, without byting of his great too.

Some one reporting to him, how the French King had saide, that as wel his Bastard as the Bastard of Normandie might conquere England: I will bee at eares with him (said his Highnes) if he go about any such matter.

Some of his Seruants running to breake their faste, and returning after a quicke dispatch, being asked what they had been doing, said they: Wee were at our disiune. One, who stood by, said, that word is French, and that the right En­glish was breakfast, it may so bee called indeede (said his Highnes) for you breakefast to it.

It being told him by some of his seruants in a house where [Page 15]once he lay, how some of them had gone to bedd without their supper, through the fault of some pinching Officers of the house, he seemed at that instant to take no great notice: but the Lady of the house the nixt day comming to visit him, whiles he was turning a booke that had manie pictures, whe­reof one was of some that were painted sitting at a feast, he said to her; Madame, I inuite you to a feast. She smiling asked him, Wat feast it was? he answered; to this feast. What (said she) to a painted feast? No better is that, said he, which is ma­de in this house to some about mee. One, who was present, and had heard his Seruants complaine before: yet not gues­sing what he meaned asked him if he understoode not that of some persones figured in the Tapistrie of the Chamber, no (said he) you know well enough who I meane.

In Sir Thomas Sommerset and Sir Henry Goodyeares pre­sence a litle before his iourney to England, the Earle of Mar­re said unto him; Sir, you heare how goodly and how rich a countrey England is: yet (Sir) considering that you haue been borne and brought up in Scotland, if I may be so bold, let me aske you, which of both countreys you loue best? Whereun­to he answered; My Lord, after I haue been there a while I will tell you.

One, who was fatt and corpulent, being by a Nobleman re­commended to his Majestie for a good huntsman: yet (said his Highnes standing by) it seemeth thereby that he loueth Venison verie well.

Whill he was telling a certaine Nobleman something that he could haue done, but that his Schoolemaister was the cau­se why he did it not: one who had some credit about him, mistaking what he said, as if he would haue layde some fault committed by himselfe upon his Tutor, said to the Nobleman; It is the Prince his maner to lay his owne fault upon others. Hereat the Prince smyling taxed his impertinency, saying, [Page 16]Sir, indeed I might haue learned that lesson of you.

A certaine courtly and merrily conceipted Lady, who had a husband, whom shee could not well enjoy in presence of as pleasant a conceipted Gentleman, who was then a widower, jesting with his Highnes, requested him, that he would send her beyond Seas in ambassage, to court a certaine Prince his daughter for him. Marry, (said his Highnes) I am contented so to doe, upon condition, that, when your husband shall die you marry this Gentleman, who being well trauelled and lan­guaged, will serue you for a good guyde.

His Schoolemaister to cherish his generous spirit, and su­renes in uttering his conceips, did giue him liberty of jesting pleasantly with himselfe, offering him sometimes occasion thereof; as once when the Prince was plaing at the Shoufle­boord, and in his play changed sundry pieces, his Tutor being desirous that euen in trifles he should not be newfangled, said to him, that he did ill to change so oft, and therevvith taking a piece in his hand, and saying that he vvould play vvell enough therevvith vvithout changing, threvv the piece on the boord: yet not so vvell, but that the Prince smyling, said; vvell throw­ne Maister. Whereupon Sir Adam Newton telling him, that he would not striue with a Prince at shufleboord. He an­swered; you Gownemen should bee best at such exercises: being not meet for those that are more stirring. Yes, answe­red Sir Adam Newton, I am fit for whipping of boyes. The Prince answered, you need not vaunt of that which a Plough­man or Carman can do better then you. Yet can I doe more (said Sir Adam Newton) I can governe foolish children. The Prince, respecting him euen in jesting, came from the further end of the table, and smyling, said, whilest he passed by him; hee had need to be a wise man himselfe that would doe that.

At another time, playing at Gauffe (a play not unlike to Palemaille, whilest his Schoolmaister stood by talking with [Page 17]another, and not marking his Highnes, warning him to stand further off, the Prince thinking he had gone aside, lifted up his club to strike the ball; In the meane time one standing by, said to him; Be ware (Sir) you bit not Sir Adam New­ton. Wherewith hee drawing backe his hand, said; had I done so, I had but payed my debts.

His Schoolemaister, hauing laid a wager with him, that he could not refraine from standing with his backe to the fire, and seeing him forget himselfe once or twice in stan­ding after that maner, said to him, Sir, the wager is wonne; for you haue failed twise. Maister, answered his Highnes, S ^t. Pieters Cocke did crow thrise.

Playing at Chitlecock with one farre taler then himselfe, and hitting him by chanche with the Chitlecock on the fore­head; this is (said his Highnes) the encounter of David with Golias.

A young man, not very staid or discreete himselfe, taxed another, and saying, there was no man liuing more fantasti­call, Except your selfe (said his Highnes.)

Learning to play at the Violl of a very skilfull Musitian, another not so skilfull, in his teachers presence tooke on him to teach him sundry points. His teacher saying, that already he had taught him. What (sayeth his Highnes, jeasting with him) will you not learne of your Maister? Hereat the other ashamed, said; Sir, I might rather learne of him. Then (said his Highnes) he is sufficient to teach me.

One said to him looking on a coffer painted on a wall, Sir, open that coffer, and bestow some gift on me. Whereunto his Highnes answered; Finde you a keye to open it, and I will doe so.

On a time as he was walking in the heate of the day, one told him, that the Sunne would scorce his face. To whom he answered; It is no matter, I am not a woman.

[Page 18]Another telling him, that his face was already scorcht with the Sunne, put it then away from me (said his Highnes.)

A Seruant of his, having prepared himselfe to waite on him, as he was to ride abroad with the King priuatly, his Highnes found fault with him for so doeing. Whereat the other taking the snuffe, and saying that he cared not for goe­ing abroad, his Highnes jeasting at his impatience said; I pray you good Sir, be not angry.

To another of like humour, taking in euill part somewhat that he had said to him, Sir, (said his Highnes) you wlli take no exceptions against that I speake.

His Highnes as hee was shooting, asking at a Gentleman that stood by, at what marck he should shoote at. The Gen­tleman said, at a Welchman who was present. Will you see then (said his Highnes) how I will shoote at a Welchman, and with these wordes he turned his backe to the Welchman, shooting his arrowe the cleane contrary way.

A Welchman, who had taken a good carouse in the Kings hearing, saying, that the Prince should haue fourty thou­sand Welchmen to wayt on him against any King in Chri­stendome, the King asking; what to doe? his Highnes an­swered merrily; to cut of the heades of 40000. leekes.

A Preacher in his presence preferring Cambridge before Oxford, the Prince asked him, if he did not use in his Ser­mons to say, Cambridge and Oxford. Hee graunting that he did soo, his Highnes said; But the first time I preach, I will say Oxford and Cambridge.

The Kings Majesty telling him, that he might not goe a­broad to hunting with him: because the weather was very hoate and vnwholsome; Then will I take my Physitian with me, said his Highnes.

A merry Gentleman, who vvas said to take his liquor ve­ry largely and kindly, giuing his Highnes to vnderstand hovv [Page 19]hee dranke oftimes to his health, said merrily, that his High­nes had part of euery draught that he tooke. Then said his Highnes, I must needes be euery day druncke.

A number of young Gentlemen that daunced in his High­nes company, failing somewhat in the right measure of the daunce, and he who taught them saying; they would not proue good soldiours, unlesse they keeped alwayes true or­der and measure in marching. What then must they doe (said his Highnes) when they passe thorow a swift running water?

A skilfull Musician, playing in his presence, one asked him, whether hee could play the same againe. Not (said he) for the Kingdome of Spaine: for that were harder then for a Preacher to repeat word for word a Sermon that hee had not learned by root. A worthy Churchman, who stood by, saying, that hee thought a Preacher might doe that. Yea (said his Highnes) for a Bishoprick.

One telling his Highnes, that some Haukes were to bee sent him, but that he thought the King would intercept some of them. He may doe as pleaseth him (said his Highnes) for he shall not be put to his booke for the matter.

A young jeaster came out of Fraunce, telling his Highnes, that the French Kings daughter sent him her heart. Haue you it then about you to giue me, (said his High.) Note, that to this Ieaster he spake in French.

The same Ieaster craued a fauour of his Highnes, and his Highnes, giuing him a boxe on the eare, persisted still in his demand, whereupon his Highnes gaue him another very soundly. Then the jeaster asking him whether those were his fauours. Yea (said his Highnes) good enouch for such as you are.

Vnderstanding hovv some of his Vnckle, the Duke of Holsteins men, behaved themselues very ill, in forcing of wo­men, and wounding of some men to the danger of their liues, [Page 20]but that they were spared by the people, for that the said Duke was the Queenes Brother, his Highnes said; whosoe­uer other spared them, my Vncle himselfe should cause them to bee hanged.

Some of the young Gentlemen about him, inuiting one another to looke on some faire Gentlewoman, that passed by, and saying to one that founde fault vvith them for so doeing, that it vvas no sinne to looke on them, his Highnes said; of looking commeth vvorse, and the Scripture sayeth; ‘ Averte oculos tuos, ne videant vanitatem.’

A certaine Physician telling him on a time that he rode to take the ayre, that he did ride too fast, he ansvvered; must I ride by rules of Physicke?

The same man a litle after seeing a Beacon neare hand, and saying it vvas in Latine (Specula,) his Highnes lifting up from the sadle his hinder part, and turning it tovvards him, said; Hoc speculum for you Maister Doctor.

The Prince using in hott vveather to eate sometimes of a colde Capon rosted the morning or evening before, one day that happened to be colder then the dayes immediately prece­dent had been, M ^r. Doctor tolde him, that vvas no good meat for so cold vveather. Then see you M ^r. Doctor (said he) that my cookes are no good Astronomers.

The same Physician telling him at the same time, that it vvas unvvholsome for him to haue eaten hot meat & colde meat together, I can not helpe that novv (said his Highnes) though they should both runne at tilt together in my belly.

One of his Highnes Carvers by chance hauing cutt his Highnes finger, and sucking out the blood thereof with his mouth, that it might heale the more easily, his Highnes being no wayes displeased with him therefore, said to him in plea­sant maner; If (which God forbid) my Father, I, and the rest of his Issue, and kinred should faile, you might claime [Page 21]the Crowne; for you haue the blood Royall in you.

His Highnes at a certaine play hauing chosen his young Gentlemen to play with him, and excluded his Seruants, it chanced that one of them well growne in yeares comming where they played, his Highnes called him to play with the young Gentlemen. Some that stood by asking his Highnes why he admitted him rather then others; Because (said his Highnes) he may lawfully be of our number: for Bis pueri senes.

The Kings Majestie upon some mention made of his youn­gest daughter Lady Marie, saying to the Prince that he had been once a girle (for such indeede at the first the Midwife fained him to be) his Highnes said to some that stood by; It was onlie vir, non Rex.

At the solemnitie of S. George, whilst the noble Knights of the Garter stood in a rowe washing after supper, his High­nes being Lieutenant of the order, said to some that stood by; Is it not strange, that I should be Lieutenant hauing 23. bre­thren all men?

Some of his Highnes young Gentlemen, together with himselfe, imitating in sport the curvetting and high going of horses, one that stood by, said, they were like a companie of horses. Which his Highnes noting, said; Is it not better to re­semble a horse, which is a courageous beast, then a dull and slow going Asse as you are?

His Highnes said to a fatt and corpulent Gentlewoman, who asked of him some Venison, should I giue you venison to make you fatter, that haue neede to be made leaner?

His maner at the play at the Basse being to choose out of euerie couple one, represented by one of two things, and being asked whether he would haue the white Rose, or the red, he answered; I must haue them both; for they haue been so long and so well joyned together, as they must not be se­parated.

[Page 22]At a solemne supper, a merry honest man of a swarfe and fat complexion, whom he called his page, whom he bid co­me neare to the table, and he saying that he durst not come neare, least he should be taken for a dish of meat, then must it be (said his Highnes) for a gamond of bacon.

A dish of Gelee being set before his Highnes in forme of a crowne with three Lilies, the said merry man said to his High­nes, that that dish was worth a crowne. His Highnes answe­red; I would I had that crowne. The other replying that to be a great wish, how can it be great (said his Highnes) when­as you value it but at a crowne?

The same man, looking at a picture something lasciuiously made, and some saying that he blushed, others, that hee blu­shed not thereat, his Highnes jeasting at his swarfe and grim­me face, said to him; Pull off your visard, that wee may see whether you blush or not.

At Greenwich his Highnes missing at his table some meate that he fancied, and was wont to haue, and it being told him that the Officers said; there vvas no more allowance thereof, he ansered; yet let them send me more, and let them set it on my head.

Once in the same place, some telling his Highnes whilst he vvas at dinner, hovv an undiscreet Officer had refused to send him some fevv Cherries: because (said he) there vvas no more allovvance, then of those vvhich vvere send him already, his Highnes, vvithout shovv of displeasure, looking to a Trout that he had disposed to eate of, and seeing no vineger on the table, asked, is there no allowance of vineger neither?

Some Abricots being sent to him, he presented them to the Kings Majesty, who tasting of them, and saying they were not ripe, his Highnes answered; I can not mend that Sir, they grew not in my Garden.

Maintaining the precedency of Oxford against a Doctor [Page 23]of Cambridge, and the said Doctor alleadging for the honor of Cambridge, that the King had thence great Statesmen and Councellors, his Highnes answered; As you of Cambridge bragge of the Kings Councell and wisdome, so can wee of Oxford of his Treasure. Whereupon the Doctor asking him, whether Treasure were to be compared with Wisdome? His Highnes answered him with another demaund, to wit, whe­ther he had rather haue more wisdome and learning, or a good benefice?

His Physician telling him that it was unwholsome for him to eat colde meate, his Highnes answered; that he had a hot stomacke.

His Schoolmaister willing to further him in other exerci­ses as well as learning, and for that cause using with him the practise of the Pike; on a time when he tossed the same befo­re his Highnes, failed insome points. Whereat his Highnes telling him his faults, jeasted with him, which his said school­maister misliking in some maner, said; that it vvas an euill hu­mor. Maister, said his Highnes: I take that humor of you. His Schoolemaister replying that it became not a Prince. Then doth it vvorse become a Princes Schoolemaister, said his Highnes.

An old man some vvhat cholerick, vvho taught him to daunce, finding fault vvith him and other young Noblemen, for failing in the measures, and taxing them as careles boyes, his Highnes said unto him; Remember, I pray you, that your selfe vvas once a boy.

Hauing by chaunce cut his finger, and the same carver, vvho once cut it, and sucked the blood thereof vvith his mouth, offering then to sucke the same, some remembring the Prince his former jeast, asked him, vvhat became of the blood Royall, that he hath already sucked? and he ansvvered, that it vvas at his hart. It seemes so indeed (said his Highnes) [Page 24]for it hath lately made you a Iustice of peace. Note, that a fevv dayes before hee came to that preferment.

His Highnes once playing him after the maner of children, his Schoolmaister desirous to dravv him to some more man­like exercise, amongst other things said unto him jeasting; God send you a vvise vvife, his Highnes added; that shee may gouerne you and me. His Scholemaister saying, that he had one of his ovvne, the Prince thereto ansvvered, But mine (if I had one) vvould gouerne your vvife, and by that meanes would gouerne both you and me.

On a time for that he bestovved not a fevv Plumbs that hee vvas eating, on some of his young noblemen, his tutor taxing him merrily, as not being liberall enough, Maister (said his Highnes) vvhen you come to my house, you shall finde me liberall enough. Whereupon his Tutor saying, I had rather entertaine your Highnes at my house, if I had one, vvhereas novv I haue a vvife, and no house for her. His Highnes ansvve­red, that is not my fault.

Mention being made of the mariage of some of his young Gentlemen, his Highnes said, I vvould not be so soone ma­ried, and yet I vvish to see my Father a grandfather.

A Gentleman much delighted in the studie and exercise of Poësie, telling to his Highnes. some strange and incredible things, another, vvho had been a Traueller said, that hee vvould leaue the report of such strange vvonders to him that vvas a Traueller. Nay (said his Highnes) this priuiledge is rather due to him vvho is a Poët.

A Gentleman, taxing his Highnes somevvhat undiscreet­ly for some pleasant and merry sports and gesture, vvhich on a time he used, said; that he resembled a little Ape. And you (said his Highnes) a great Baboun.

The same man affirming eftsoons a thing, vvhich his Highnes vvith better reason denied, I yeeld to you (said his [Page 25]Highnes) for it must bee as you will haue it.

At another time, the same man going about in an angry mood to disproue somewhat that his Highnes had spoken; Say what you list (sayd his Highnes) I will not chalenge you to the com­bate for the matter.

On a time his Highnes shooting at Buttes, a Phisitian tooke on him to teach him some rules of Archery, to whom his High. saying: that it became him better to giue precepts of Physicke then of Archery: another who stood by, commended him for a good Archer; Could you not then M ^r. Doctor (said his H ^s:) hitt an urinall at the other Butt?

A Gentleman, who hauing his haire cutt very short had on­ly left a tuffe of haire on his forehead, being asked by some, why he kept that tuffe? It is (said his Highnes) to the end that Mahomet may pull him up to Heaven thereby.

The Marquis of S. German, asking him whether he had ra­ther be a hunting then at his Booke, his H ^s: said; he might well resolue that doubt himselfe: for he had once been of his age.

As hee was tossing a little rodd in manner of a Pike, his Schoolmaister to taxe him of trifling, said in jeasting manner, that Alexander the great, being of his age, used the same kind of exercice. And his Maister Aristotle (said the Prince) had his beard trimmed after the same manner that yours is. Note, that the Barber had been with him the morning or euening before.

One telling him of abuses committed by some kinde of men, whereof he named but such as were dead; You doe wise­ly, said his Highnes, to name onely such as are dead.

Being told how one of his Seruants contrary to his direction had done somewhat, and a Gentleman going about to excuse him, his H ^s: said; Eyther shall I be Maister, or he Maisterles.

Hauing desired the Officers of his House to furnish plenty of wine and beere to a great number of his Seruants and others, that daunced and sported them about a bonfire, at his Sisters [Page 26]birth, and some good store of pottes of wine and jacks of beere being brought forth, his Highnes thinking it to bee too little, said: he would haue a Hogshead of wine, and another of beere. The Officers making some difficulty thereat, and saying, there was enough, his Highnes compelled them to obey him, say­ing; Whether am I Maister in mine owne house or you (Sirs?)

A Gentleman his Seruant, who had been sometimes a Law­yer, speaking earnestly and lowdly in excusing some whom his High. would haue corrected for their faults, his H ^s: said to him; Remember (Sir) you are not now pleading at the Barre.

One of his Seruants accustomed much to the wearing of scarfes, excusing himselfe that he might not play at Basse with his Highnes: by reason of a sore legge. Why then, said his Highnes, doe you not bind up your legge with a scarfe?

It being the custome of his Highnes and the young Noble­men about him to tell euery one an History by turne, all of them deliuering some obseruation upon the Historie told, one of them recounted how Papirius Cursor, a seuere and rigorous Commander among the Romanes, commaunded the execu­tioner to bring forth the axe, as it were to behead a certaine Captaine, for comming thorow feare too late to the field, and he looking for no other then present death, the said Papirius hauing thus terrified him, said to the executioner; Cutt up this roote, that it may not hinder our walking, and so laying a fine on the Captaine, dismissed him. His Highnes being desi­red by his Schoolmaister to declare his obseruation hereupon, said; The Observation that I gather hence, is, that as Papirius was not so terrible as hee threatned, so will you not likewise be in keeping me all after noone at my book, as you haue threat­ned to doe.

He tooke great delight in ryding of great horses, and labou­red to haue of the best and rarest horses that were to be found, and had such care of them, that he went often to the stables to [Page 27]see them, and accounted them to be a part of his best Iewels, as on a time he declared euidently. For hauing sent one of the best that he had, and which he loued dearly (named Pied-Admirall) to the Duke of Brounswick his Cousin, who had been farre in loue with him during the time that he sejourned in England, and one of his Seruants, who had gone ouer with the horse to the Duke, hauing brought backe from him to his Highnes for a token a certaine booke full of pictures of horses, with such fur­niture as belonged to them; after that he had some what slight­ly, and as it were in disdaine turned ouer some of the leaues the­reof, he uttered this speeches before the said Seruant, and all that stood by; I would rather haue my Pied-Admirall againe aliue then all these painted beasts.

I had almost forgotten his Barriers, which I will heare set dow­ne after his witty and pleasant speeches.

The sixteenth yeare of his age, being come the time of his in­uestment in the Principality of Walles, and Cornuall, he did aduance his owne Title and Right, so farre as with modesty he might: which presently was gently and louingly entertained, and graunted of his Majesty, with the consent of the right ho­norable the high court of Parliament, the fourth of Iune follo­wing, being appointed for that solemne action. The Christ mas­se before which, his Highnes not only for his owne, recreation but also that the world might know what a braue Prince they were likely to enjoy, under the name of Meliades Lord of the Isles (an ancient title due to the first borne of Scotland,) did in his name by some appointed for the same, of purpose strangely attired, accompanied with Drummes and Trumpets in the Chamber of presence, before the King and Queene, and in pre­sence of the whole Court deliuer a challenge to all the Knights of Great Britaine in two speeches, the relation whereof were out of purpose: but the summe was; That Meliades their noble Maister boyling withan earnest desire to try the valour of his [Page 28]young yeares in forraine countreys, and to know where Vertue and Valour Triumphed most, had sent them abroad to espye the same, who after their long trauels in all countryes and returne, shewing how now here in any continent; saue in the fortunate Isle of Great Britaine, they had found his wishes, which mini­string mater of exceeding joy to their young Meliades, who as they said, could lineally deriue his pedegree from the fa­mous Kings of this Isle) was the cause that he now sent to pre­sent the first fruits of his chevalry at his Majestyes feet, thereaf­ter turning with a short speech to her Majestye, next to the Ear­les, Lordes, and Knights, excusing their Lord in this their short and suddaine warning, and lastly to the Ladies, they, after hum­ble deliuery of their cartell, concerning time, place, conditions, number of weapons, and assaillaunts, tooke their leaue, depar­ting solemnly as they entred. Now began euery where prepa­ration to be made for this great fight, and happy did he think himselfe who should be admitted as a defendant, much more assaillant. At last, to encounter his Highnes with his fix assail­lants 58. defendants consisting of Earles, Barons, Knights, and Esquieres, were appointed and chosen 8. defendants to one assaillant; euery assaillant being to fight by turnes 8. speciall ti­mes, fighting twice euery time with push of Pike and Sword, twelue stroakes at a time, after which the barre for separation was to be let downe untill a fresh on-set. The great night of this solemnity now approaching, his Highnes in his owne lod­ging in the Christmasse time, did feast all the Earles, Barons and Knights, assaillants and defendants, untill the great Twelfth appointed night, on vvhich this great fight vvas to be perfor­med, vvhich being come, his Highnes, to the great vvonder of all the beholders, did admirably fight his part, giuing and recei­uing that night 32. pushes of Pikes, and aboue 360. of strookes with swordes, which is scarce credible in so young yeares, enough to assure the world that great Britaines braue HENRY asp [...]ed to immortality.

[Page 29]Against the morow after the said fight, was also prouided a magnificke feast at his Highnes house of S ^t. Iames, at which their Majesties, his Highnes Brother, and Sister, with all other the Earles, Lords and Knights of the Court were pre­sent, where after supper (according as before they had been judged) his Highnes gaue three prizes to the three best deser­uing, namely, to the right Honorable the Earle of Montgom­mery one, and to Sir Thomas Darcy and Sir Robert Gordon Knights the other two.

I will adde one Obseruation more, drawne out of mine owne experience, that out of this one particular it may appeare in generall, what opinion our neighbour nations had of his H ^s, and how much the greatnes of his name had anxiously per­plexed many of their mindes, which is this; I being in Fraunce about some 9. yeares agoe, and with others trauelling along the Riuer of Loire betwixt Orleans and Tours, there fortuned to bee in our companie a Gentleman of the citie of Bourdeaux, who upon some discours that we had together of English af­faires, told me; that those of that citie a little while before his Highnes his death, were mightily affrayed of some inva­sion to be made by him, hauing for a long time before toge­ther with the whole countrey of Gascony conceiued no small jaelousie and feare of his high and generous Spirit, the cause of this late feare being, for that the haruest quarter (at which time the English and Scotish Shippes use to arriue there to prouide themselues with wines) being then spent, and the winter sea­son come already, and no Shippes arriuing as they had wont to doe, the more vigilant and wary sort did verily suspect that the sea ports of England had been shutt vp, and all Shippes sta­yed for some great enterprise, which they could not thinke to be intended otherwise then against them, and that by the Prince his meanes only, as fearing no other. And moreouer, that at that time the citie was not prouided to indure a siege, chiefly [Page 30]through want of corne, which they could not prouide to any purpose without some time and leasure; namely, since the same could not be effected without some show of feare, which they were loath to shew openly, for discouraging of the citizens, and doubting that they might in end haue been laughed at, if it should haue come to passe that they had mistaken the mat­ter, as it fell out indeed. For at lenth (though very late in the yeare) the Shippes so long expected, arriued after the accusto­med peaceable manner, some quantity of wheate was brought downe the ryver of Garumne by accident, and not long af­ter they had certaine newes of his H ^s: his death. All which things falling out almost together, did banish all feare out of their mindes, and suddainly filled their hearts with ioy, being rid of all danger through the death of the Prince. And the fore­said Gentleman affirmed constantly, that, although they were exceeding glad to be thus deliuered from so great a feare, and to liue in peacable security, as they had wont to doe, yet on the other part they could not chuse but be sory for the losse of such a braue and hopefull young Prince, who in his youthead had already become so famous and redoubted, and had made so ma­ny nations to admire him, and stand in feare of him.

I might set downe many moe Obseruations and proofes of all maner of Vertues, wherewith this Heroicall Prince was rich­ly adorned, If I did not labour to eshew prolixity, fearing that this Treatise might grow to bigge. To be short, therefore I vvill only in fevv vvords adde, that; He vvas most vertuous all his lifetime, charitable and pittifull, familiar and gracious to all persons; of fevv vvords, using grauity vvith such as vvere graue, seuere in time and place, merry vvith those that vvere so dispo­sed, and vvise in all his actions, farre aboue his age. He kept his houshold Seruants in good order, and vvas very vigilant and carefull of all his affaires: His Court for Noble and gene­rous behauiour did resemble some colledge, that had been pikt [Page 31]and chosen out of the best and rarest Spirits of great Britaine. He fauoured learning much. He made so much of Soldiours & men of vvarre, that he made diuers Captaines Gentlemen of his priuy Chamber, and tooke great pleasure in theyr company, discoursing vvith them often touching military discipline. He admired great and rare Spirits, yea euen those of mechanicall and meane persons, retaining diuers of that sort, and vvent some­times to see them vvork in their trades.

He delighted much in Architecture and building, & had al­ready made some beginning thereof at Richmond house; And doubtlesse, if God had prolonged his dayes, he had caused build many curious and sumptuons buildings. Out of his Heroicall mind, which breathed nothing but noble deedes, he adorned likewise the British Ocean with that stately Prince, a fit name for such a goodly Ship, being as it were a Prince compared wieh other vessels. Hee loued Musicke, and namely good consorts of Instruments and voices ioyned together. In his bo­dily exercises he did not exceede the limits of lawfull mediocri­ty. He loued the Tinnish well. He tooke no delight in pleasants and jeasters, neither yet was he caried away with any affection to stage-playes. He delighted more in hauking then hunting. He was tall and of an high stature, his body was strong and well proportioned, his shoulders were broad, his eyes quicke and pleasant, his forehead broad, his nose bigg, his chinne broad and clouen, his haire inclining to bleeke, whereas before it had been of a whitish colour, the colour of his face some what swar­fe and scorched with the sunne, his whole face and visage co­mely and beautifull, looking for the most part with a sweete, smyling, and amiable countenance, and withall full of grauity, and Princely majesty, resembling much in the shape of his bo­dy, and diuers actions the King of Dennemark his Vncle. So that being thus beautified and adorned with so many excellent gifts, and most rare vertues both of soule and body, he did draw [Page 32]not only the eyes of many to come and behold him, but like­wise did easily gaine the hearts of all men, yea euen of those, which had only heard of him. This illustrious and mighty Prince increassing thus in strenght, honor, and wisdome, withall maner of vertues, being the hope and solace of the people, the glorie of his Parents, cherissed and loued of all men, euen of straungers and those of forreine nations, and thinking on no­thing lesse then such a suddaine and unexpected change, as fell out soone after, this most worthy personage (farre otherway­es then his tender yeares and age seemed to promise to us) by the will of his supreme creator was seased with a heauy disea­se, and within a few dayes after was a tached by death selfe, it so pleasing the almighty God, to take from this world up to himselfe this noble Soule, with such piety and deuotion, as could be wished in a Christian soule: to the intent that he might place him in one of his coelestiall mansions, and so obtai­ne euerlasting life. Which happened about eight of the clocke at night, on Friday the 6. of Nouember, 1612.

This terrible and fearfull ecclipse not hauing been foretold and prognosticated long before, did moue and trouble each one by diuers maners, seeing cleerly herein the unrecoverable los­se, wherewith God punished us, by taking away this Prince from the earth, from the King his Father, the cheefe staffe of his old age, and from the people their most certaine hope; which they had, to se renewed one day in this illustrions graffe all the noble vertues of his forefathers. The dolefull and lamenta­table cries of all the people were great euery where, their mer­rines turned into heauines, and their laughing into floods of teares, bewailing and lamenting dayly this great and unfortuna­te stroke, whereof the vvound yet still bleedeth. God, of his vvonted mercy, blesse and preserue our most noble King CHAR­LES, and the rest of this Royall family, vvithout kindling his vvrath any more against us, by inflicting on us the heauy and due punishment, vvhich our sinnes haue deserued.

PRINCE HENRY in the nineteenth yeare of his age, being naturally very hott, accustomed to bleede very oftentimes at the nose aboundantly, yea and without exercise, but much more after any violent exercising of the body; this naturall excretion hauing been stopt these three monethis bypast; the last summer of this yeare 1612. (being excessiue in degree & continuance of heat, more then any that now liue in England had euer seene) hauing conti­nually wearied his body with extreme exercices, and mouing at hunting, in the heat of the day, with riding, with playing at tinnish, and consequently hauing oftentimes chafed his blood after an extraordinary maner (which hauing been stirred in the morning, was accustomed not to setle againe all the day long.) And moreouer, hauing eaten fruit some what ex­cessiuely, chiefly Melons and Grapes that were not fully ripe: hauing often filled himselfe with fish, and with Oysters both raw and dressed with fire, at euery meale, three or foure dayes in the weeke; finally, to coole the burning heat that troubled [Page 34]his body in the Summer, hauing as often as occasion would serue, w. shed himselfe in the ryver, after supper, with a full stomack, remaining in the water for some houres together. After all these disorders, in end hee fell sicke at Richmond, the tenth day of October, 1612. The two next dayes after, he had two fits with shivering and heat, without any sweat follo­wing after. Which being perceiued by his ordinary Physi­cian, he hauing ordained and caused to giue him an ordinary remollitive glyster simply, without any loosing medicine, af­ter a gentle operation, the humors hauing been stirred, which were in great quantity, in this full body, upon the morow after he had 25. stooles, and there came from him a great quantity of rotten and stinking choler, and at the lat­ter end some flegme. The voyding hereof did good: but the roote remaining fast, and the body being toyled with un­quietnesse, and lassitudes, and with an interrupted and bro­ken sleepe, his Highnes his Physician thought it good to pur­ge him with the pills, which he was accustomed to giue be­fore meales, which wrought foure or fiue litle times weakly with great asswaging. Neuerthelesse after a few dayes, the disease increasing by litle and litle, and nature yeelding to the causes of the disease (although his Highnes did striue a­gainst his paine, labouring to couer the same, and shake it off) upon the fifth day after the first beginning of his sickly disposition, which was on Sunday the 25. of October, his Highnes hauing founde himselfe very ill the Saturday be­fore (though hee had played at Tinnish) and farre worse on Sunday morning, his face being pale and parched with hea­te, his eyes hollow and of a wanne colour, being at White­hall about three of the clocke after noone, fell in a light sow­ning (an accident very common to him and many of his ra­ce) [Page 35]which was followed by a light shivering, and with a heat; with great paine of the head, which had lasted many dayes, yea and with whirlings and giddinesse, chiefly when he went about to rise out of his bed. At last his Highnes had a fit of a feuer. Whereupon the Kings Majesty hauing sent to him Doctor Mayerne, his chiefe Physician, hee being come to his Highnes at eight of the clocke at night, found his High­nes in a feauer, with a red visage, with troubled eyes, that could not indure the light of the candle, his lippes blacke, his tongue drie, and an extreme thirst to drinke, which hath al­wayes exceedingly tormented his Highnes so long as his braine was free and able to feele his paine. For this time the Doctor was content to ordaine a cordiall and refreshing pti­sane, to quench the thirst, and a broth to be taken at the end of the fit. Vpon the next day came together Doctor Ham­mon, ordinary Physician to his Highnes, and Doctor Mayer­ne, the foresaid Physician to the King, sent by his Majesty, who hauing considered that his Highnes had had a most restles night (as the preceeding five or six had been) and fin­ding him to haue the same thirst and drienes which he had be­fore, together with a starting of the sinue partes, and the belly bent; and the urines crude and white, and costivenesse, with common consent they ordained a lenitive glyster for him, which caused him to voyd gently three or foure times some very stinking yelow choler. All that day long his High­nes was without any feauer, rose and played after dinner with the Duke of York, hauing alwayes notwithstanding a most pitifull countenance, and drienes in the mouth, with some great alteration; for which cause they ordained cor­diall ulleps that were tart and cooling, and (to preuent all dangers) forgot not to minister some Behezar, Vnicornes [Page 36]horne, and such like antidotes. All his brothers were made according to the same intention, and all the rest of his diet was to the same end. The next night, after the accustomed maner, affoorded him no rest, whith the drouth, which one laboured to quench with the foresaid Iuleps. The next day about noonetide the fit returned with cold, and great heate, which increased with greater measure of all its former ac­cidents, till eight of the clock: at nine, the feuer decreased, and after ten ceased altogether. The morning following his Highnes sleept quietly enough. In the meane time were heard great noyses in his belly, whereof the fore part and si­des about the short ribs and aboue the nauill, were bent mo­re then ordinary. Which being considered, the foresaid Doctors hauing all that day striuen with cordials, reckoning the beginning of the disease to haue been from the Prince his being at Richmond, and not only from the Sunday; wei­ghing the profit which his Highnes had receiued by the ex­cretions, as well naturall as artificiall, that had past before, and looking to the maner of liuing, and the great fulnes of putrified humours, that were in the naturall partes, which hauing been kindled had caused a feuer, which followed the nature of a Tertian (though venemous because of its no­table putrefaction, and ready to turne to a continuall feuer, for the quantity of the mater, as it came to passe afterward) the foresaid Physicians (I say) aduised upon a light purgation, which were able only to diminish the quantity of the hu­mors, judging the same to be so much the more necessary then the last Glyster; and the stirring noyses heard in the bel­ly did inuite one to solace nature by that part. Thereupon his Highnes was desired by the foresaid Doctors to call a Councell of Physicians, to consult and aduise more largely [Page 37]of this busines, which he flatly refused, as being unwilling to haue many Physicians, as those that came afterward might gather by his countenance, and the King his selfe can witnes. So not to spend the next day following without doing that which was most necessary; his Highnes being al­together without any feuer, there was giuen to him a gentle medicine of boiled Sene, and Rhubarbe infused in cordiall and cooling liquours, with some Syrupe Rosate loosing. This medicine wrought with incredible paine, seauen or eight times, and brought away great store of putrified cho­ler, and towards the end some putrified flegme. From that day forth the urines beganne to change, and to thicken, and to shew some litle cloude, which betokened concoction. The night was troublesome after the accustomed maner, saue in the morning. His breath which was alwayes short became more easy and longer, the paine of the head lesse. Sin­gings of the eares that continued (though unequally) from the beginning to the end; the startings being alike. In this case the Iuleps with the Behezar, Vnicornes horne, pearles, and bone of the Stagges heart, &c. were continued. Vpon the next the fit came with a light cooling, which since that time was not felt, and from that houre forth, the feuer hath been alwayes continuall, with notable remissions or brea­things, and very unequall redoublings euery day; the one great, the other lesse. In the course of this continuall feuer the tongue became blacke, the drouth, the startings and sin­gings did increase. At ths end of the fifth day nature strained it selfe to voyd some thing by the belly, but litle, the urines did nowayes shew the greatnes of the danger. Doctor But­ler was called aside from the rest, vvho counselled only to mi­nister internall and externall cordials, analeptickes, and ap­proued [Page 38]the diet that vvas prescribed, and his advise vvas fol­lovved. The night vvas very restles, and the morning, as al­vvayes, some vvhat more gentle. Vpon the sixth the entral­les hauing been vvashed vvith fruit by a Glyster in the mor­ning, about three of the clock after noone came the lesse re­doubling, during vvhich the face vvas very red, the breath short, the pulse full of svviftnesse. In the fitt the nose fell a bleeding, but after the voyding of tvvo ounces of blood cea­sed, not vvithout some easing. This bleeding shevved it selfe (though in smaller quantity) the seauenth and eight day; from that houre forth a motion vvas made of letting blood, vvhere­unto nature by this attempt did invite in a feuer, moreouer continuall, in an extreme fulnesse, in a temperature excessi­vely hott, in a subject accustomed to bleed at the nose, and de­prived of his benefite these many moneths bypast. Neuer­theles the seauenth past ouer, and the greater part of the Phy­sicians vvas of the opinion, that it vvas expedient to vvaite till the Crisis vvere come, though the disease vvas crude; and that there vvas no appearance at all thereof: Thus upon this day came the great redoubling, vvith rauing, and that he be­ing avvake: blacknesse, drienesse, and roughnesse of the ton­gue, vvith ulceration of the throat; the singings and startings vvere vvaxed greater, the urines more crude, and there vvas vvithall a fearfull unquietnes, vvhich continued the vvhole night. The increasing of the euill, and nature beginning to bovv and relent, made the letting of blood to be motioned more earnestly then before, as being the only remedy to sa­ue his Highnes, if the same vvere let in a just quantity, yea and by reiterating the same if need vvere, as all maner of like­lyhoods did shevv, in regarde of the constitution of the body, the age, the strength, and other accidents. After a very great [Page 39]debate, in end the three Doctors Mayerne, Hammon, and Butler, agreed together, the eight day after that his Highnes had taken his bed, and in their presence vvas dravven from the Median or middle vaine of the right arme some 7. or 8. oun­ces of blood. His H ^s: suffered the same vvith courage, desired them to dravv some more, vvas nothing vveakened thereby, the blood came running like a streame, and almost immediatly thereafter he felt some comfort. The blood, after that it vvas become cold, vvas seene by any vvhosoeuer desired to see it, all putrified, blevv on the upper part, and almost vvithout any small stringes, not fully thickened. His Highnes all the time of his sicknes neuer found himselfe so vvell as that day, and had no redoubling, in such sort that it seemed by his pulse, that the feuer vvould haue left him.

The singins of the eares and the startings were diminished, the night become better, though with litle rest; the urines and excrements better concocted, the drouth somewhat as­swaged, and his eyes beganne to indure the light better. Vp­on the ninth, the great redoubling came with lesse heate then had done the seauenth day. In this fit, the breath became shorter; the pulse beating more frequently, the face redder, the tongue blacker, and the drouth greater, the startings con­tinued, and the drousines began: breefly, all that appeared, which was able to make it appeare, that the blood and the humours had with aboundance and violence cast themselues upward toward the braine. This night his Highnes raued much more then before, using som discourses out of purpose, he cast himselfe out of the bedde, called for his clothes, and spake of going away. In the morning of this day Doctor At­kins was sent by the King to the Prince, who tooke his comming impatiently, untill such time as he had been per­swaded [Page 40]by the other ordinary Physicians; that hee had need to be succoured with all maner of good counsell, and that the number of learned men could not chuse but bee very health­full, and fit for recouering of his Highnes his health. Do­ctor Atkins told before the King and the Lordes of the Coun­cell, that this disease was a putride feuer, whereof the nou­rishing heat wat under the liuer, in the first passages, and ac­knowledged the malignity that accompanied it to proceed of putrefaction, which being come to the highest degree ta­keth the nature of poison. Vpon the tenth, all the accidents were increased; and the startings turning into convulsions, the rauing hauing become greater, and the drousines more troublesome, with the feuer, which was euer more violent toward the euening, and all the rest of the euils, in the mor­ning a motion vvas made to let blood, the vvhich being dis­allovved by the greater part, strong cordials vvere used, & a Glyster; by the vvhich much putrified and stinking matter hauing been brought forth, his High. did cast up the stones of the grapes vvhich he had eaten ten or tvvelfe dayes before. All vvas vvithout effect; and the night of that day his High. beganne (the feuer being increased) to raue more then euer he did, to cast himselfe to and fro, to leape out of the bed; to sing in his sleepe, and pull the sheets together to him. The convulsions (vvhich vvith the rauing vvere foretold from the fifth day of the disease (became more violent; the tongue, though dry and blacke with the whole throat did not moue his Highnes to call for drinke, an euident signe that the man­sion place of reason and understanding did suffer extremely. In end, all the eleuenth day, euery thing became vvorse and vvorse (saue some litle breathing) and the greater part of the Physicians did thinke it expedient to vvaite for the Crises, [Page 41]which were farre of, and appeared nowayes. In the night of the tenth day, cupping glasses with scarification were applied to the shoulders; and pigeons to the head being shauen. The eleuenth, a Cock clouen along through the back was applied, and the cordials were multiplied in number and in quanti­ty, all without any fruit. Then the danger appeared to be certaine, which had been foretold long ago. The which to withstand and helpe, so farre as art would permit, and the esta­te of the disease seemed to require, upon the twelfth morning the letting of blood was againe debated among the Doctors, Mayerne, Hammon, Atkins, and Butler; one of them alleadging, that the blood had cast it selfe upward violently, and by filling of the braine, did through its venemous sharpnes, and quan­tity, cause the rauing and convulsions, yet without paine, be­cause the spirit was troubled, which accidents did cast his H ^s: into eminent danger, more then the drousines, the cause whe­reof was in the ventricles, like as the foresaid hott and cho­lerick blood was in the caules or thinne skinnes, and that consequently there was no other present remedie, but to open a veine; which his strength seemed not to withstand, since the pulse was strong enough, and his Highnes did rise to go to his stoole, remaining at the same without any weaknes, which had not happened to him since the beginning of his sicknes. The rest of the Physiciās misliked this aduise, thought it good to continue, to double and triple the cordials, and to make re­vulsion of the humour from the braine with a Glyster, which wrought very well, but without any other effect, saue that his Highnes after voyding, came to himselfe, and with judge­ment and understanding gaue eare to the exhortations, and prayers of the Lord Arch-bishop of Canturberry, shewing ex­cellent [Page 42]signes of piety, and contempt of this world, and a great contentment to prepare himselfe to goe and possesse eternall rest. After this he sleept quietly enough, some three houres, the convulsions and rauings being diminished. Toward the euening besides the foresaid Doctors, the Doctors Gifford and Palmer were brought in. They went all to a consultation together, whereat some of them hauing remarked some pe­stilēce in this disease (although none of all those that had smel­led his H [...]. breath a thousand times, and watched continually neare unto him had euer found themselues ill, and that more­ouer throughout his whole disease he had neuer any sick­nes at the heart or vomiting, or any spott of purples, or other tokens on his body the others hauing denied the same flatly, and the great necessity of letting blood hauing been declared, whereof the opportunity was past for that time, by reason of the excretion of the belly, in end, by the plurality of voices the Diascordium was concluded, in presence of Sir Thomas Challoner Knight, Chamberlayne to his Highnes, who among others a most worthy Seruant of his Maister, was continually with him, and was at the greatest part of the consultations, to­gether with Sir David Murray Knight, first Gentleman of the Bed-chamber, and Maister of the Robbes and Wardrobe, whose faithfulnesse and diligent care is knowen to euery one. The relation of the foresaid consultations set downe in this treatise, may be controlled by these two persons of honour and dignity, or be confirmed by their voices: and by the con­sent of all his Highnes his Gentlemen, that were witnesses of all things. According to the resolution taken, at ten of the clock at night, or there about, was ministered the Diascor­dium, tempered with cordials which were not very hott. The [Page 43]operation hereof was small, and his Highnes rested with his ordinary accidents, though asswaged neuer so litle. After the space of four houres, the backe-bone, the shoulders, and the armes, with the tongue, suffered diuers convulsions. The ra­uing increased, the muscle Sphincter losing its naturall facul­ty, did suffer some untimely excretion to come forth, and death seemed to be very neare hand. In this desperate case euery one hasted to hinder this unspeakable losse, and out of the abundance of their affection, propounded that, which they thought might do any good. The Doctors (after that they had giuen out their prognostick, which they perceiued would proue but too true) hauing neuer preassed to giue his Highnes any thing whatsoeuer, but such whereof they knew the preparation, or making. In end, by the common consent of all six, was giuen to his Highnes a cordiall, which had its effect, by asswaging the rauings and convulsions, and causing him sweat abundantly, which was the first time that he had sweat any. But all in vaine, in such sort that this most illustrious Prince, hauing receiued no comfort by this excretion, com­mendable in all its qualities; the Councell of Physicians per­ceiuing nature to be vanquished, and that art was unable to attaine to affoord sufficient helpe unto the same, committed the rest into the hands of God, whom it pleased a litle after, to take from the world this most noble & heroicall soule up to himselfe, that he might inherit with his Sauiour Christ a perfect and permanent felicity. This happened about eight of the clock at night, upon Friday the 6. of Nouember, 1612.

VPon the next day after the death, which was on Saturday the seauenth of the foresaid moneth, by his Majesties cō ­maund, [Page 44]and order from the Lordes of the Councell, about 5. of the clocke at night, all the Physicians that had been at his cure, the Prince Elector Palatine his Physician, and others, the Gentlemen of the late Prince his Chambers, and others his Seruants, assembled together in the same chamber where he died, where such were admitted, as it pleased to be present there without confusion indifferently, in presence of the whole assembly his body was opened, by the Kings and his Highnes his Surgeons, which in its outward and inward parts was found to be such as followes.

THe Skinne (as of one that is dead) pale, nowayes spotted with blacke, or blew, or lead colour, which might breed suspicion of any violence, farre lesse marked with purples, like fleabits, which might argue any pestilent or cōtagious poison. About the Kidneys, buttocks, and hinder parts of the thighes full of rednesse, by reason of lying for a long time on the bac­ke, with great paine and labour. The belly somewhat swel­led, and stretched out through windinesse which issued forth by the least opening, that was made of the nauill (being na­turally lifted up) and immediatly the belly fell downe. The Stomach whole and sound without and within, hauing ne­uer been troubled during the whole sicknes, nor suffered any will to vomite, vomitings, hickots, nor any other accident, which might giue euidence, that it had receiued any secret wrong. The [...]iuer without, in its higher or upper part mar­ked with points; in the lower with blakish lines, and farre p [...]ler and wanner, then it should haue been. The Gall-blad­der voide of humour, full of wind. The Splene aboue, and in its low extremity somewhat blacke, filled with a blacke [Page 45]and earthly blood. The Kidneis very goodly, and without blemish. The Midriffe beneath the parts about the heart (which had too litle mater in them) spotted with blacke, and as it were a leaden black and blew colour. The Lungs almost all blacke, in the greatest part thereof, the rest being marked with blacke, puft up and full of a parched blood, and of a cor­rupt bloody serosity, which foaming issued forth plentiful­ly, at a part of the body of the lungs that was opened. In which opening and cutting the parts about to shew the heart, the Surgeon through mischance hauing cut the thrunke of the great veine, the greatest part of the blood emptied it selfe into the Thorax, leauing the lower veines empty, whereof the company was presently aduertised. From this colour and framing of the lungs, were gathered some consequences of an exceeding great fulnesse, and of an excessiue heat, which appeared yet more, in so farre as the vvindpipe, the throat, and the tongue vvere smeared ouer vvith a blacke sewet and among other accidents, the tongue drie and chinked in ma­ny places. The Heart goodly, whole in appearance, and without any fault that could be remarked, in any of its con­ditions. The hindmost veines, which are in the inner cause of the braine (called Pious mother) swelled and puft up through the abundance of blood, farre beyond the natu­rall order. The substance of the Braine very goodly and cleane: but the venticles thereof full of a very cleare water, which came forth in great plenty at the cutting. One part of these accidents was engendered by the feuer (venemous only because of the putrifaction of the same) of diuers hu­mours gathered together a long time before, his Highnes not being subject to any dangerous disease, either by inhe­ritance, [Page 46]or birth. Another part by reason of the convul­sion, ravings, and drousines, which through fulnesse, cho­king the naturall heate, and extinguishing the begin­nings of life through naughtinesse, haue brought his Highnes to his graue, without any appearance, signe, or accident of poison.

The summe of this Relation hauing been penned in pre­sence of all the foresaid Physicians, by one of the com­pany, was sent to his Majesty, subscribed by them all, the day after the opening of the body.