ALthough the liberty of these times (wherein your Currants, Gazettas, Pasquils, and the like, swarme too too abundantly) hath made all Newes (how serious or substan­tiall soeuer) lyable to the iealous imputation of falshood, yet this relation I assure you (although in some circumstances it may leane too neare the florish of inuention, yet for the pith or marrowe thereof, it is as iustly allyed and knit to truth, as the light is to the day, or night to darkenesse.

To hold thee then (Gentle Reader) in no further suspence, be pleased to vnderstand, that some fewe dayes after the solemnitie of the Purification of the blessed Virgin (according to the Roman and Spanish computation) It pleased the Maie­stie of Spaine, Philip the fourth, to retire himselfe to his delicate house of pleasure, called Casa del Campo, situated neare vnto the towne of Madrid or Madrill, where his standing Court for the most part continually remaineth: And the nearest in at­tendance vnto him (next to the Cound de Oliuares) was the Cound de Gondomar, the Archenemie to the florishing Estate of our England, and the Foxe whose stench hath not cured the Palsey, but ra­ther [Page 2] impoisoned & brought into an Apoplexie ma­ny Noble and some times well deseruing English hearts. Neither was the King for his pleasure rety­red to this house of Pleasure, but rather through the necessity of some special affaires, the greatest wher­of seemed to be gathered from the last attempt of the English vpon the Fort & Castle of Punetall & the town of Cadiz or Cales, wherin though the losse was not so great or materiall as might either make the Assailant or Assailed offer Roses, or Nettles vpon the Altar of Fortune; yet the affront seemed to strike a more deepe impression in the hearts of the Spaniards, then could be well taken away with scorne (which is the ensigne of their pride) or with the hope of future aduantage (which only giues life vnto their Enuie and Malice.

And therfore now at this time & in this place, af­ter many consultations held with the Earle of Gon­domar, whom the whole world Baptized the Butte­slaue or Incendiarie of Christendome, the Intelligen­cer, Ambassadour & Iesuiticall Archbishop Leadger (as his practises in our Nation hath well witnessed) touching some notable reuenge to be had against the State of Great Britaine, being the onely Iewell on which Spaine had long since fixed her heart, to make her vniuersall Monarchie euery way full and perfect, he is by command from the King (in the person of the Cound Oliuares) to make his appearāce before the Popes Nuntio, the Duke of Lerma, the Duke of Cea, the Duke of Infantasgo & the Consta­ble of Castila, who had a speciall Cōmission signed [Page 3] for that purpose, & to deliuer vnto them all those secret aduantages, which he had either by the expe­rience of time, the cōtinuall labor of his braine, the corruptiō of his bribes, the threatnings & insinua­tiōs of his Popish Priests, the petulent flatteries of his Papisticall English Mistrisses dyuing into their husbāds Counsels, or by any other direct or indi­rect meanes, wonne vnto him selfe a knowledge or instruction for the alteration or subuerssion of that braue & florishing British Monarchie. And in this charge the C. de Oliuares according to the state and magnificence of the Spanish reseruatiōs, began to make a great florish of many demure & austere cir­cumstances vnto the E. of Gondomar, concerning the greatnes of his ingagemēt, the high Trust repo­sed in his singular knowledge, & the infinit expe­ctations the King and the whole State had fixed vpon the wisedom of his proceeding; adding ther­vnto sundrie admonishments or Caueats to call into his remembrance, touching many alterations in the State of Great Britaine, some defenciue, some offenciue since his last aboad or comerce­ment in the same; And amongst the rest as a thing of most especiall note, the Cound began to repeate many relations which Gondomar himselfe had deliuered vnto him touching the generall, war­likenesse of the British Nation, affirming that he had heard him say, that he had seene the very chil­dren and boys in the streete, make their sport and play a schoole of warre, and by imitation from el­der knowledges to expresse in childe play, the [Page 4] very excellencie and perfection of Martiall disci­pline, which had summoned in him both matter of passion & admiration, that he had often cryed out, What will the English doe, euery childe will be an Hercu­les and kill a Serpent in his cradle: This, Oliuares tould him was but a small shadow or little pricke to ex­presse a much greater substance now in vse: for since the death of King Iames, of euer-liuing and famous memorie, the Englishmen, who for the space of twenty two yeares before, had but as it were dallyed and plaid with Armes, rather seeking to affect it for nouelty then necessity, were now in one yeares deliberate and materiall exercise, be­come so singular and exquisite, that the Nether­lands blusht to see themselues ouergone in a mo­ment, & that to be made familiar in an instāt at which they had laboured to obtaine to in diuers ages.

Besides Oliuares assured him that he had receiued infallible intelligēce out of the Archduches Coun­tries, that a hundred & odde of the best experiēced souldiers or firemen (being all English) were sent frō the States of the Vnited prouinces, into Great Bri­taine, to educate and instruct in Martiall discipline euery seuerall Country and Prouince, in so much that the whole Iland was nothing now but a Nur­cery of excellent and exquisite Souldiers.

To this Gondomar replyed that he had from cer­taine Iesuites in England, receiued the like intelli­gence, and with this addition, that those excellent elected men in the Low-countries found their equall Schoole-followes, nay many Tutors and [Page 5] experienced Masters when they came into England, so that indeed their necessitie did but conuerte to superfluity and a little losse, to some that were of much better deseruing.

Yet said Gondomar further, for mine owne part though this make much for our terror & amaze­ment; and that we must with Curtius leape wilful­ly into a Gulphe of certaine ruine ere we can hope of reuenge or triumphe, yet doth this new Milita­rie course little moue my blood; for though I must confesse the Nether-lands to be the onely vnpara­leld Schoole of warre in the whole world, yet the onely thing it teacheth is Forme and Fire, Intrench­ment and Besiegement; but for the vse of the Sword, push of the Pike, bringing of Grosses bodie to bodie and hand to hand, the exercise of euery priuate strength, and the fortune of Battles; Things which the English must of necessitie be exposed vnto, Hoc raro aut nunquam; And therefore (my Lord) I tell you, I more quake when I see an old Irish Commander drilling an English Company, who neuer beheld an enemie but he felt his Sword and knew his Target, then when I see infinits of golden fellows, teaching men onely dance to the tune of Posture, or framing Chimeras in their braines, whether the Pike and the Bowe, or the Pike and Dragoone, or Pike and long Pistoll be of greater importance: But of these things wee shall haue a larger time to dis­course & thinke vpon, it sufficeth me that I knowe my Royall Masters pleasure & your honorable in­structions; all which I will studie, to satisfie onely [Page 6] diuers things are (through other imployment, laid as it were aside from my memory, not vtterly forgotten, therefore I beseech I may haue the res­pite of some fewe houres to recken with my for­mer knowledge, `and so yeeld vp the whole summe of my duty and seruice.

To this Oliuares seemed exceeding willing, & so the Earle to make choise of his best time, they de­parted one from the other, Oliuares returning to satisfie the King, & Gondomar taking his Litter, went backe to Madrill, where what contention grew be­twixt him & his old acquainted mischieues, how euery minute hee produced new and vnnaturall Cocks-egges, brooded them from the heat of his malice, hatche them with the deuilishnes of his Po­licie, and brought forth Serpents able to poyson all Europe, is a Discourse monstrous and almost inexpressable; I will therefore omit this mutinie of his troubled thoughts and onely pitch vpon this one accident, no lesse strange then memorable; wherein as in a Mirror euery eye may behold the weakenesse of a guilty thought, and how easily frailty is surprised and ouercome, when it encoun­ters with these two maine enemies of our blood, Feare and Amazement.

It so fell out, that the Morning before the Noone on which Gondomar was to appeare before the designed Commissioners, partly to refresh his perturbed spirits with the pure Ayre, and to recollect vnto himselfe all those thoughts and circumstances which might make a glorious [Page 7] passage for the huge and monstrous bodie of mischiefe where withall he was that day in labour; he caused his attendants to bring him in his Lit­ter to the Prada, neare vnto the Cittie of Madrill, being a place of recreation and pleasure for the Nobilitie and Gallantrie of Spaine, not much vn­like to our new More field walkes, neare to the Cit­tie of London, onely that this is more priuate and reserued; for as ours is common to all men of all sorts, so is this Prada onely but for the King, the Grandies of Spaine, the Nobilitie and some Gen­tlemen of the vppermost or best qualitie.

After Gondomar had in this place of recreation taken a turne or two in his Litter, whether hee found his ruminations disturbed with the vneasie pace of his Mules, or that he had not elbow roome enough in his Litter, to giue action and grace to many of those damnable thoughts which in that houre gaue him singular contentment, for the Spaniard is not of our dull English qualitie, to let his words passe from him as neglected strangers or thoughts out of the compasse of his dearest fami­liaritie, but rather as deare children or choicest friends, to lend them admiration with his eyes and hands, to adorne them with expectation in the shrugge of his shoulders, and with a thousand other minicke gestures, to make a speech that is as triuiall and vnseasoned as folly it selfe, to appeare as serious as if it were a Delphan Oracle: vpon some one or other of these Spanish disgusts, this Fox (our Earle) vnkennels himselfe and makes his [Page 8] seruants take him from his Litter, then placing his chaire (the true sworne brother, or at least the nearest kinsman that might be to a closse-stoole) vnder the shadowe of certaine trees, in a walke more reserued then the rest, he commanded his attendants to withdraw themselues; and he had reason so to doe for two principall respects: the first, least his anticke postures, mumps, moes and Munkey-like wrye faces might drawe laughter or scorne from his vassals, or lastly least the violence of his studie and meditations might make some words fall from him, which he thought too pre­cious for another mans bosome.

Being obeyed in all his commandements, and seated thus alone by himselfe, onely guarded by his two choise friends Malice and Mischiefe, he had not cald vp many euill thoughts to appeare before him, when on a sodaine (according to the weake­nesse of his apprehension) there shined round a­bout him a most glorious and extraordinary light; which might be taken rather for fire or flaming, then shine or glittering: and this appeared so so­dainely, spred it selfe so largely and increased so violently, that terror, feare and amazement at one instant raised vpon the heart of the Earle, and with their colde qualities did so stupifie, dull and con­tracte all his spirits, that as if he had seene Medusas head, the poore Don was become altogether a peece of yce or marble; he had no spirit to re­member there were spirits, his crossings and bles­sings, his holy water and his Agnus Dei, his Monks [Page 9] charmes, and his Iesuites coniurations were all now turnd to quaking and trembling, to staring & starke madnes, to gaping and groaning, to wante of words through strife for words, and indeed to what not that might shew the singularnesse of a perplexed astonishment? his night-cap throwes his hat in the dust, and his haire makes his cap fly into the aire like a feather; he doth reuerence but sees no Saint, would faine vtter either salutatiōs or curses, but knows not by what name to cal his con­troller: In the end starting and standing vpright, seeming to see what he would not see, or to finde out that with curiositie, which he had rather loose with the best care of his spirits; stradling like a Co­losses, as if he neither respected present perils, nor feared those which were further off, he lookt as if he would look through the pure ayre, and though it haue truely no colour, yet was his searche so di­ligent that he appeared to find out a constant com­plexion; yet all was but his new feare, which nei­ther the manner of his life (which had euer beene desperate, subtile, and reserued) the condition of the times (at that time and in that place free from perplexities and incumberance) the state of his affaires (rather rising then declining) nor his pre­sent negotiations strong enough to haue encoun­tred with any Goliahs amazement, was able now to keepe constant any one ioynt about him: I haue read that the Duke of Burgundie had like to haue dyed at the sight of the nine Worthies, which a Magician had discouered but: our Don Gondomar [Page 10] is like now to dye at the sight of nothing but aire and his owne imagination; for he had euery symp­tome of death about him, as a body trembling, a stomach swelling, fore-head turnd yellow, eyes dead or sinking, a mouth gaping, & what not that could say our Don is now vpon the pitch of de­parting. They say that great Princes should neuer see the portraiture of feare but vpon their enemies backes; sure I am Gondomar now sawe both feare and cowardise vpon his owne heart. But why should I driue you off with more circumstance? the nakednes of the truth is, that as he gazed thus fearefully about, there appeared or seemed to ap­peare before him the Ghost of Sir Walter Rawleigh Knight, a Noble famous English-man and a re­nowned Souldier: at this apparition the Earle fell downe flat to the earth vpon his face (for backe­ward he durst not, least he might giue an offence to his Surgion) and yet the posture in which this Noble Gentleman appeared, how euer fearefull to the guilte of Gondomars conscience, yet it was amiable and louely to any pure and honest compo­sition, for he was armed at all peeces, and those peeces of siluer, which is the ensigne of innocence and harmlesnesse: In his right hand he brandished his sword, which was an instrument that had beene euer fatall to Spanish practises, and had not the edge beene taken off by this Foxes subtilities, I perswade my selfe (by this time) it had neere made a new conquest of the West Indies; in his left hād be seemed to carry a cup of gold fild with blood, [Page 11] which blood he sprinkled, some vpon Gondomar and some vpon the ground, vttering in an hollow and vnpleasant voyce, these or the like words fol­lowing.

Cresce Cruor, Sanguis satietur sanguine Cresce, quod Spero Sitio, ah Sitio, Sitio.

Gondomars attendants who had all this while (a farre off) beheld their Lords actions, seeing him now falling downe in this trance, came with all possible speede running vnto him, but ere they could offer an hand to his assistance, they might heare him vtter words of that strange nature and qualitie, that their feares bridled their charities, and they were rather willing to let him lye still, bending their attētions to his words, then by a too officious disturbance to break off any parte of that discourse which might either make for the bette­ring of the knowledge of the State, or otherwise be applyed to future seruice, at which these vnna­turall and abortiue accidents euer point, & there­fore fixing their eyes and their eares constantly vpon him (as he lay groueling on the earth) they might heare these, or like words much like vnto these, proceed from his perplexed and amazed spi­rit.

Blessed soule (Noble Sir Walter Rawleigh) what haue I to doe with thy goodnesse, or wherefore hast thou left the peacefulnesse of thy rest, to tor­ment and call me to account ere the prefixed and full day of my tryall be comed, and that I must stand face to face with thee and a world of others [Page 12] before the greatest Tribunall, I can confesse mine iniquities, and that I haue beene to the King my master, as Borgia Caesar was to Pope Alexander the sixt, an instrument willing to take vpon me any or all manner of sinnes how odious or vild soeuer, so I might but make Spaine looke fresh, & that those imputations (which otherwise might haue drownd her) might be but put into the Catalogue of my seruices, though defame and curses were heaped vpon me, in much greater quantities then Ossa, Pelion or Pindus. I doe confesse I haue beene the ve­ry Nose of the Spanish State, through which hath beene voyded all the excrements both of the head and the whole body: I haue beene a channell or a Common-shoare to the Church of Rome, and what either Pope, Priest, Knaue or Iesuite could inuent, I haue not left to put in practise: I knew the odiousnesse of conspiracies, and how hatefull they are both to God and man, yet had I neuer the power to leaue conspiring: I knew both that the Law of God and the law of Honour, tyed Princes to detest conspiracies, and had many times read ouer that notable Historie of Lewis the eleuenth, and could my selfe repeate the noble and famous praises which all Europe gaue him for aduertising his Arch-enemie the Duke of Burgundie of an at­tempt against his person: but what hath this wrought in me? certes nothing but more flame and more fuell, so long as my thoughts were bu­sied with the studie and remembrance of an vni­uersall Monarchie.

[Page 13]I confesse I haue many times said (how euer I haue beleeued) that those great ones which seeke to make away their enemies otherwise then by Iu­stice or the euent of warre, shewes mind base and coward, and that their soules are emptie of true courage, fearing that which they should scorne: I confesse I haue admired the goodnesse of Fari­tious who deliuered into Pirrhus hand the slaue that should haue poysoned him: I haue made Tiberius Caesar a demy-god, for answering a King of the Celtes which made him an offer to poyson Armi­nius, That Rome did not vse to be reuenged of her ene­mies secretly and by deceite, but openly and by armes; but haue I pursued this honorable tracte: haue any of my ghostly fathers the Iesuites, or my masters the Inquisitors giuen examples for these restrictions? no, their lessons are of a cleane contrarie nature; they say Flaminius was an honest man when hee made Prusias the King of Bithinia violate all the lawes of hospitalitie and vertue, in the murther of Haniball, but the whole Senate condemd the action for most odious, accusd Flaminius of crueltie and coueteousnesse, of vaine glory and of ostentation: and questionlesse had they had any touche or fee­ling of Diuinitie or Christianitie they could not haue found any other ranke for him, then that next vnto Iudas: these faire paths I haue knowne, but these I haue forsaken: and as Flaminius was the cause of Hanibals death out of an ambitious emu­lation, that he might in the Histories of succeeding times be made notorious and eminent for so soule [Page 14] an action. So I must confesse I that haue the whole course of my life labourd continually in the deep myne of pollicie; haue not spared any blood (how excellent soeuer) so I might be remembred in our after Annals, for one of the chiefe master worke­men which went to the building vp of the King my masters Vniuersal Monarchy: And in this I must confesse, most blessed soule, that thy death, thy vn­timely (& to the Kingdom of Great Britane) much too early death (which with all violence & with all the coniurations, perswasions & exāples that could tye & bind together the hearts and bodies of Prin­ces I did both plot, pursue, effect and consumate) was one of the greatest masters peeces in which I euer triumphed; I haue made my selfe fat with thy downefall: and the blood which issued from thy wound, was Nectar and Ambrosia to my soule; for from thy ending I knew rightwell must proceed Spaines beginning: for neuer could the Spanish King say as the French King did, Iesuis Roy seul, I am King alone of the Indies as long as Rawleigh liued, whose knowledge and experience was able to di­uert, conuert and turne topsie turuie all his con­quests, all his proceedings. I say the tottering ground wheron my King title to the Indies stood, that it was nothing but violence and force, tyra­nie and vsurpation, and that if a stranger or more gentle army should enter, how easie it was to set vs besides the cushion; this I knew thou knowest, and what not besides which belongeth to so great an attempt and triumphe? I must confesse I haue [Page 15] called vp into my minde the honour, the antiqui­tie and greatnesse of thy great Familie, how rich thou wert in blood and friends, the whole West of the English Nation depending on thine ally­ance: The manner of thine education, which was not part but wholy Gentleman, wholy Souldier, the edowments of thy vertues, which was Lear­ning and Wisedome; the aduancement of those endowments, which was to be the greatest, the best, the most renowned Princesse that euer breathed in Europe; and in the greatest time of the greatest actions, the busiest time of the most troubled Estates, the wisest time for the discussion of the most difficult affaires, and the onely time that did produce the excellencie and perfection of wisedome, Warre and Gouernment, so that no­thing could be hid from thy knowledge, neither wouldst thou suffer any thing to be concealed from thine experience, for thou hadst euer a mind actiuely disposed; and howsoeuer thy fortune was accompanyed with all manner of felicities, things able in themselues to haue drawne thy minde from all other obiects, and to haue setled thee vpon this Theorie, and solitarinesse is the most excellentest condition belonging vnto man­kinde, in as much as in it he onely findeth the true tranquilitie of the minde, for nothing is wanting in that quiet habitation; Manna fals there, the Rauens bring bread from heauen; if the waters be bitter, there is wood to sweeten them: If the combate of Amalec & Edom be there, the triumphs [Page 16] of Moses & Iosua are likwise there, for what cannot a life retired either suffer or care in its contempla­tion; yet all this thou didst neglect, and both contradict and disproue: thou knewest this life vnfit for thy greatnesse, and thou wert not borne for thy selfe but thy Countrie, thou knewest the Sea, wherein euery great soule should wander: had not hauen but the graue, and that as they li­ued so they ought euer to dye in action. Hence it came, that euen in the very florish and glorie of all thy great estate, thou betookest thy selfe to the Seas, and what thou hast before by thy purse and infinit great charge in the actions of other men wonne and annexed to the Diademe of thy great Mistris, now thou doest in thine owne person take a vewe. and sutuay of the same, applying knowledge to report, and making thine owne experience a controller to other mens relations: I dare not (for the honour of my Nation) vnfolde the woefull perplexitie in which Spaine stood du­ring this tedious voyage, how she quaked to thinke of the generall viewe which thou hadst ta­ken without impeachement of all the West Indies; but most of all when shee was aduertised of thy long and laborious passage vpon the riuer Or ana­que, the distinguishments which thou hadst made betwixt it and the riuer of Amazons; and the in­telligences which thou hadst gotten for thine as­cent to the great Cittie of Manoa and Kingdome of Guyana; defignes which if they had beene pur­sued according to thy willingnes and knowledge, [Page 17] we had not at this day acknowledged one foote of earth for ours in all the West Indies: O the mise­rable estate of Spaine if these things had procee­ded! she had then, which now threatens all, begd of all; and the Pistolets of gold and peeces of plate wherewith it now corrupts and conquers Na­tions, had then beene turnd to Leather or Iron, or some other Spanish stuffe more base and con­temptible: Was it not now high time to con­spire against thee, to digge mine vnder-mine, to enter into familiaritie with malcontents, to seduce some, to bribe others, to flatter all; to preache a thousand most damnable false doctrines, for the subuersion of Princes and the destruction of their faithfull seruants: was it not time for vs to make Religion a cloake for our villanie, and vnder-the Lambs Furre to couer the Wolues policies? be­leeue me (blessed shadow) had we either made con­science of sin, or scruples for the maintenance of Honour, we had not subsisted as we doe, but had sadly Laine like those which now lye captiued be­low vs, can Spaine euer forget thine attempt vpon her owne confines and in her most securest places, call vp Cadiz to witnesse, she will shew you some of her ashes; call the Kings great Armada to ac­count, which was led by his twelue (supposed in­uincible Apostles) and the most of them must rise from the bottome of the seas, some must desim­bogue from your our owne harbours: Let Pharaoh in Portugall speake, and she will confesse that her Church will yet hardly couer her Idols. When I [Page 18] looke vpon the Ilands of the Azores, me thinkes I see Fiall burning in the flames which you cast vpon her, whilst all the rest bring in the tributs of their best wealths, to saue themselues from perishing. Lastly but not least, for from it I raisd the ground­worke of thy fatall destruction; I cannot but re­count thine action vpon the Towne of St Thoma standing vpon the riuer of Oronoque, how fit it lay as a bayte to drawe thee into mischiefe, and how brauely it gaue me occasion neuer to desist till I saw thy ruine; alas, was that despised Towne to be prised with thy life, with thine experience, with thine abilitie to direct, or with the least parte of thine actions? no, it was not onely my malice made it inestimable, and my continuall solicita­tions, mine imprecations, my vowes, mine ex­clamations vpon Iustice, mine instances on the actions of pious and religious Kings, and the da­rings of too bold and ambitious Subiects, was so importune and violent, that but the great forfei­ture of thy blood, my furie could finde no satisfa­ction: hence you fell, and that fall was to me more then a double Banquet; for now mee thought I saw all things secure about me: Now said I to my selfe, who shall shake any one stone in our building? who shall giue vs affright by sea, or shew vs the terrors of the land? what shall hinder vs now to bring home our gold in Caruiles, and our mar­chandize in Hoys and Flyboats? all is ours, the Ocean is ours, and the Indies are ours: this could wee neuer boast before, yet this was my [Page 19] worke, and in this I triumphed.

At these words the Ghost appeared to shewe anger, and menacying him with frownes and the shaking of his sword, the poore Don lifting vp his armes vnder his cloake, shewd his red badge of the Order of Colotrauta; but finding the crosse vtterly void of vertue to diuert that charme, he began to crye out againe in this manner.

Doe not mistake me (blessed Soule) in that I haue[?] said I triumphed, for I will now with griefe and repentance buy from thy mercy my absolu­tion. It is true that then I triumphed, for what is he that takes in hand any labor or worke of high consequence, but when he hath finished it to per­fection, hee sits downe and reioyceth? So I that saw (not a farre off but neare at hand) the infinite hinderances, rubs and impediments, which thy knowledge, thy valour, thy command and expe­rience, might bring to any worke vndertaken by my King, for the aduancement or bringing for­ward of his vniuersall Monarchie: and when I pondred with my selfe, that no Nation vnder heauen was so able in power, so apt in the nature and disposition of the people, nor so plentifull in all accomodations, both for sea and land, as this Iland of Great Britaine, to oppose or beate backe any or all of our vndertakings, When I saw France bufie both at home and abroad, the Lowe-Countries carefull to keepe their owne, not cu­rious to increase their owne; when I saw Germany afflicted with ciuill anger, Denmarke troubled to [Page 20] take trouble from his dearest kinsman: the Polen­der watching of the Turke, and the Turke through former losses, fearefull to giue any new attempt vpon Christendome, and that in all these we had a maine and particular interest: when I saw euery way smooth for vs to passe, and that nothing could keepe the Garland from our heads; or the Goale from our purchase but onely the anger or discontent of this fortunate British Iland; blame me not then if I fell to practises vnlawfull, to fla­teries deceitfull, to briberie most hurtefull, and to other enchantments most shamefull, by which Imight either winne mine owne ends, or make my worke prosperous in the opinion of my Soue­raigne. I confesse I haue many times abused the Maiestie of Great Britaine with curious falshoods, I haue protested against my knowledge, and vtte­red vowes and promises which I knew could neuer be reconciled: I haue made delayes, sharpe spurs to hasten on mine owne purposes, & haue brought the swiftest designes to so slowe a pace, that they haue beene lost like shadowes, and neither known nor regarded: I lookt into your Common-wealth, and saw that two and twenty yeares ease had made her grow idle; I saw the East Indies eate vp and de­uoure your Mariners & Sea-men, & time and old age consume and take away your land Captaines; and of all, none more materiall then your selfe: Blame me not then if I made thine end my begin­ning, thy fall[?] the fulnesse of my perfection, and thy destruction the last worke or master-peece of [Page 21] all my wisedome and pollicie. This is the free­dome of my confession, and but from this sinne absolue me, and I will dye thy penitent in sacke­cloath and ashes.

At these words the apparition seemed (in the fearefull imagination of the poore Don) to be more then exceeding angrie, and lookt vpon him with such terror and amazement, that Gondomar fell (with the affright) into a trance or deadly sound, whilest the Ghost seemed to vtter vnto him these or these like words following.

To hee whom base flatterie, wante and coue­teousnesse hath guilded with these foolish and vn­fitting hyperboles, as to call thee,

• The Flower of the West,
• The delight of Spaine,
• The life of Wit.
• The light of Wisedome.
  Gondemars false Title or Stile.
• The Mercurie of Eloquence.
• The glorie of the Gowne.
• The phebe [...]s in Court.
• Nestor in Counsell.
• Christian Num [...].

and principall ornament of this time.

Lord Diego Sarmiento de Acuna, Most honorable Earle of Gondomar, Gouernour of Menroyo, and Pennarogo, of the most honorable Order of Cola [...]a­u [...]a, Counsellour of State, one of the Kings Treasurers, Embassadour for his Catholicke Maiestie to his Royall Maiestie of England, Regent of the Towne and Castle of Bayon, President of the Bishopricke of Tuid in Ga­litia, [Page 22] Chiefe Treasurer of the most noble Order of Al­cantara, One of the foure Iudges of the sacred Priui­ledges, Pronotarie of the Kingdome of Toledo, Leon and Galitia, and Principalitie of Astures, And Lord high Steward of the most Puissant, Philip the IIII. King of all the Spaines and of the Indies.

Loe thus I salute thee with thy true Stile and eminent Inscription according to thine absolute Nature, Qualitie and Profession:

• To thee then that art,
• The poysonous weed of Europe.
• The Atlas of Spaines sinnes and conspiracies.
• The Deuils foole.
• The wisemans Bugbeare.
• The Mercurie of knauish policie.
  Gondemars true Title or Stile.
• The disgrace of Ciuilitie.
• The Buffoone in Courte.
• Ate in Counsell.
• Atheist, for the Popes aduantage, and principall In­telligencer betweene Hell and the Iesuites.

Don Diego Sarmiento de Acuna; Most dishonorable Earle of Gondomar, Pouller and Piller of Menroyo, and Pennaroyo, of the riche couetous Order of Co­latrauia, Gazetist of State, one of the consumers of the Kings purse, Intelligencer for his Catholicke Maie­stie against the Royall Maiestie of England, Spoiler of the Towne and Castle of Bayon, an ill example to the Bishopricke of Tuid in Galitia, Chiefe cash-keeper for the Order of Alcantara, One of the foure Bribe-ta­kers for the prophane priuiledges, Promoter for the Kingdome of Toledo, Leon and Galitia, and Prin­cipalitie [Page 23] of Astures, and a continuall Broker betweene the King of Spaine and the Pope, and betweene the Ie­suites, the Inquisitors and the Deuill.

Harken to my detection, and though I knowe thou canst steale and kill, sweare and lye, weepe and wound, and indeed doe any thing that is con­trarie to Truth and Iustice; yet in this accusation, shame and thine owne putrified conscience shall be witnesses so powerfull and vndaunted, that thou shalt not be able to refell any one allegation or smallest particle.

To begin then with mine owne end, though I know the day of my death was the greatest Festi­uall that euer thy fortune did solemnize, though it brought to Spaine a yeare of Iubile, to thy repu­tation Absolans pillars, and to euery Papisticall Minister in the world, the praise of his Artes-ma­ster; yet poore despised mortall, know, it was not you, but a more diuine and inserutable finger which pointed out my destinie to this manner of end & destruction, neither is it fit for the humility of ignorant man to open his eyes, as daring to pre­sume to gaze on the radiant beames of that soue­raigne power, which disposeth of secōd causes as he pleaseth: neither doe I afflict thee as my particular executioner, but as my Countries generall enemy: It sufficeth me that the great God who is Iudge of life & death, hath disposed of my life, & after this early manner, that in it he might expres the effects of his Iustice; therefore trouble not thy selfe with my death which was thy comfort, but be vexed at [Page 24] thine owne life, which is nothing but a continuall pilgrimage to Ambition, and an vndermining Moale to digge downe the Church of God, and to bring the Gospell of our blessed Sauiour into eternall captiuitie. Hast not thou beene an vnti­red packe-horse, trauelling night and day with­out a baite, and loaden like ad Asse, till thy knees haue bowed vnder the burthen of strange and vnnaturall designes, by which to aduance thy Master to the vniuersall Monarchie of all Eu­rope: This thy feare hath made thee confesse, but this thy flatterie and falshood will deny, should not the efficacie of truth make it most apparant and pregnant: Therefore to enter into the first streames from whence Spaine hath gathered the great Ocean of its Soueraigntie, there is no foun­taine more remarkable then the Battle of Alcazar in Barbarie, where the too forward Don Sebastian King of Portugall (whether slaine or not slaine) in­gaging himselfe too vnfortunately, gaue occa­sion to Philip the second of Spaine, to enter and vsurpe vpon his kinsmans Kingdomes, to expell Don Antonio from his right and inheritance, and as it is strongly supposed, to cause the true King himselfe to dye in the Gallies; hence he became King of all the Spaines and Portugall, puld to him­selfe the Soueraignetie both of the Ilands of the Canaries and of the Azores, the one securing his way forth, the other securing his way home from the West Indies, and so made the conquest thereof more safe and vndoubded: hee tooke also by the [Page 25] same interest many strong holds & marchantable places in the East Indies, so that sitting now alone in Spaine without a competitor, and hauing trea­sure from the West Indies wherewith to pay Soul­diers, and marchandize from the East Indies wher­with to enrich his owne subiects, what could he, or what did hee contemplate vpon but the aug­mentation of his Monarchie: Hence it came that his waare grewe violent vpon the Low-Countries and vnder the Gouernments of the Duke of Alua, and Don Iohn Duke of Austria, the tyrannies so in­sufferable, that all manner of freedomes were con­uerted to slaueries, and the blood of the Nobili­tie made only foode for the slaughter-house, yea such as were remote and stood farther off from his crueltie, depending vpon their owne rights and vnder the couert of their owne guards, were not yet safe from Spaines conspiracies, and that witnesseth the death and murther of the famous Prince of Orange, the imprisonment and death of his eldest sonne, and a world of infamous practi­ses against the life of Count Maurice, the last Prince deceased, and against the safetie of Count Henrike the Prince now suruiuing: what incroch­ments were daily made vpon these distressed Pro­uinces, all the Princes of Europe blush to behold, and had not Elizabeth my dread Ladie and Mistris of famous and blessed memorie, taken them to her Royall protection, they had long since beene swallowed vp in the gulphe of his tyrannie; and none of them now liuing had knowne the name of [Page 26] free Princes: and as this worke was begun by Philip the second, so it was continued by Philip the third, and is now at this houre as earnestly pursued by Philip the fourth and his sister the Archduchesse, and rather with gaining then loo­sing; so that should England but turne its face a little away from their succour, there would be a great breache made in the hope of their sub­sisting.

But you will answere, that if Spaine had fixed down its resolution vpon an vniuersall Monarchy, they had neuer then harkned to a peace with the Nether-Lands: to this thine owne conscience is ten thousand witnesses, that the peace which it entertained was nothing else but a politicke delay to bring other and impersit ends and designes, to a more fit and solid purpose, for effecting of his generall conquest: for what did this Truce, but diuert the eyes of the Nether-lands (which at that time were growing to be infinit great ma­sters of shipping) from taking a suruay of his In­dies, and brought a securitie to the transportation of his plate and treasure, and made him settle and reinforce his Garrisons which then were growne weake and ouertoyled, besides a world of other aduantages, which too plainely discouered them­selues assoone as the warre was new commenced.

As he had thus gotten his feete into the Nether-lands, had not Spaine in the same manner, and with as much vsurpation, thrust his whole body into Italy? let Naples speake, let Sicill, let the Ilands [Page 27] of Sardinia and Corfica, the Dukedome of Millan, the reuolte of the Valtoline and a world of other places, some possest, some lying vnder the pre­tence of strange Titles, but come to giue vp their account, and it will be more then manifest, that no Signorie in all: Italie but stood vpon his guard, and howerly expected when the Spanish storme should fall vpon them; how many quarrels hath beene piled against the State of Venice, some by the Pope, some by the King of Spaine? how many doubts haue beene throwne vpon Tuscanie? what protestations haue flowne to Genoa, and what threatnings against Geneua? and all to put Italy into conbustion, whilst the Popes holinesse, and his Catholicke Maiestie, like Saturnes sonnes, sat full gordgd with expectation to deuide heauen and earth betweene them.

O was it not a braue politicke tricke of Spaine, (neither was thine aduice absent from the mis­chiefe) when the difference fell betweene Henry the Great of France and the Duke of Sauoye, about the Marquisate of Saluses; the King then your ma­ster vnder pretence of aiding the Duke his bro­ther in Law, sent diuers Regiments of Spaniards which were quartered some in Garbonieres, some in Montemellion, Sauillan, Pignoroll and diuers other places about Sauoye and Piemont, but when the Truce was concluded, could the Duke vpon any intreatie, potent or message make these Spa­niards to quit his Countrie? no, by no meanes, for they were so farre from leauing [...]heir foot-hold, [Page 28] hauing receiued dtuers commandments to keepe it, both from the Count de Fuentes (at that time Vice-roy of Millan) from thee by priuate letters, and from the King your Master by sundrie Com­missions; that the chiefes of those Troopes, pe­remptorily answered the Duke, that they would hould their gettings, in despight of all opposi­tions, and were indeed full as good as their words for a long time, till at last the Duke (inforced thereunto) raised vp a strong Army, and in a fewe dayes put them all to the sword, I would here re­peate the Spanish attempt against the Castle of Nice, being the very key or opener of an entrance into the very bowels of Italie; I could speake of the dangerous quarrel raisd betweene the Duke of Sauoye and the Duke of Mantoa, for the Marqui­sate of Montferrat, and how fatall it was likely to haue beene to the whole state of Italy, wherein Fuentes and thy selfe, shewd all the arte of practise that might be, which, should become the master worke-man; but these things are so pregnant and apparant that they neede little discussion.

Let mee now awaken thy memory with some stirrings vp or practises against the Kingdome of France, no lesse but more pernitious then any of the former; who was the head or chiefe soueraigne (after the the death of Henry the third King of France and Poland) of that most vnchristian like combination, intituled the Holy, but truely vn­holy League, was it not Philip of Spaine one of your most Catholike Masters, who made the great and [Page 29] valiant Guise his sword and seruant, the ould Queene mother his intelligencer and admirer, the Cardinals his Ministers and seducers, and the Pope himselfe a Prodigall childe, to bestow and giue away whatsoeuer hee required? was not all this Philip of Spaine your Catholike Master? How long did he keepe Henry the fourth surnamed the Great, from his lawfull Throne and inheritance? what Citties did hee possesse? euen the greatest that France could number: what Countries vnder his command? all that were rich or fruitfull: and what Nobilitie had hee drawne from their obe­dience? those that were more powerfull and best beloued; in so much, that had not my most excel­lent Mistris Elizabeth, of blessed and famous Me­mory, like a strong Rocke against the rage of a furious sea, taken the quarrell into her hand, and by her Royall protection, first vnder the conduct of the Lord Willoughby, after vnder the conduct of the Earle of Essex, staid and supported that ree­ling Estate, France it is feared, at this houre had onely spoken the Spanish language: but God in his great mercie had otherwise disposed of these practises, and though with some difficulties, brought the Crowne of France to its true owner; a Prince so absolutely excellent in euery perfe­ction of true honour and magnimitie, that his pa­ralell hath not beene found in all the Historie of France, and although hee had in his very youth and almost child-hood preuailed in diuers Battles, as that at Montconter, and at Rene-le-duke; and [Page 30] although hee had beene assayled in the dayes of Henry the third, and in the space of foure yeares, by ten Royall Armies successiuely one after ano­ther, and sent one to refresh the other, and vnder the conduct of great and most glorious Cap­taines, against all which he preuailed, as witnes­sed his victorie at the Battle of Coutras and other places, though he had giuen succour to Henry the third, and deliuered him from his great danger at Tours, bringing to his obedience Gargeau, Gien, La Charite, Fluuiers, Estampes, Deurdan and diuers other places: though hee had beene generally fortunate in all his great actions, yet after the death of Henry the third, this deuillish combina­tion, or Spanish knot of the League is more omi­nous, fatall and troublesome vnto him, then all his former vndertakings; and hee found that al­though hee might haue come to the Crowne of France by succession, which was the easiest way, yet God to trie his courage, to exercise the force of his minde, and to make a foolish shadowe or Ignis Fatuus of Spaines Ambition, presented the most painefull and difficult vnto him, which was that of Conquest: Hee was forst to raise on foote (by the helpe of our E [...]glish Nation) three Royall Armies, which he disperst in three Prouinces; the first, into Normandie, where he was assisted by the Earle of Essex, the second into Champaigne, and the third into Picardie, where hee was seconded by the Lord Willoughbie, who brought him trium­phantly into the suburbs of Paris, and by the [Page 31] blowing vp of a Porte, offerd to deliuer the whole Cittie to his subiection; the Earle of Essex did as much at Roan, but the King desired to winne France, not to destroy France, yet ere the Earle de­parted, he chafed rebellion out of the most part of Normandie: the King gaue his enemis (the Spa­nish faction) battle vpon the plaine of Yury and wonne it, by which he regained in lesse then two months fifteene or sixteene great Townes, brought Paris to infinit extreamitie, made the Spaniards wish themselues on the other side of the Pereneans: and indeede such a generall amazement to all the vnhappie Leaguers, that all stood agast, as vncer­taine which way to turne them.

This when your great Master beheld, and saw that all his hopes were dying in an instant, like a cunning Coniurer hee seekes to drawe fire and lightning from heauen, to consume what his Ar­mies durst not approach or disualewe, whence it came, that he rouses vp Gregorie the 13. then Pope, who indeed was the Oracle, or rather the crea­ture of Philip your master, and makes him of a common Father betweene the head of a rebel­lious and vsurping partie, casting forth his fulmi­nations with such violence and iniustice, that the Buls were taken and burnt both at Tours and at Chalons; neither sent he out these Buls by his vn­godly and bloodie Ministers the Iesuites, or such like desperate and obscure mal-contents, but with an Army of a thousand cassacks of watchet veluet, imbrodred with gold, and Ciphers of Keys ioyned [Page 32] vnto swords (whose errand was, to demand the execution of these Buls) now seing the difficultie wherein affaires stood, vpon the vew of one hun­dred horse of the French Kings white Cornet, dare not for all the Pope or the King of Spaines hopes or commandements abandon the very sha­dowe of the walles of Verdun, but like so many Foxes lay lurking in their kennels of security, knowing they had to deale with mē, whose swords were so well steeld, that they feared not the lead of Rome, onely like so many Furies of hell they seeke to breake all treaties of peace, and made it an action treasonable and most impious, to talke of an vnity betweene the Soueraigne and the sub­iect.

But for all this, great Henry lost no time, for first, he passed into Normandy, secured his friends there, thence hee went into Picardie, besieged Noyon and tooke it, euen in the view of the Spa­nish Armie, who although they were three to one, yet durst not to hazard the Battle: which aduantage the King wisely taking, and turning head vpon his enemies, albeit hee was aduised to the contrary by his chiefest seruants, yet his cou­rage bound him rather to follow the path of dan­ger with honour, then that of safety with shame, saying as Pompey said, That in striking his foot against the earth he would raise vp Legions: so the Armies met together at Aumale, where though vpon the first approach the King was hurt with a shot, yet he had strongth[?] enough to crye Charge, Charge, and [Page 33] breaking through his enemies, he put the Duke of Parma and all his Spaniards to a shamefull re­traite; as this, so he beat his enemies at Bellencombe, he stripes them at Bure, and made them to quit Tuetot with much shame and losse.

Thus this Royall Kings quarrell being iust, and maintained by a good sword, the pride of Spaine found that if the warre contained longer, her Ca­tholike greatnesse, could haue more wood to heat her Ouen, then corne to send to the Mill.

Tis purposelesse to speake of the ruine of Quibeuf, the recouerie of Espernay, or that braue assault, where eight Horses put three hundred to route; let it suffice me in one word to conclude, that in despight of all the engines which the Pope or the King of Spaine could vse, Henry of France became triumphant, and your Masters vniuersall Monarchie was turnd topsie turuie: nay, the League the Typhon of sedition from whence sprung so many Serpents and Vipers of disloyalty, was smothered vnder the AEtna of her owne presum­ption and pride.

But did either Spaine or Rome here stay their ma­lice? fie no, but rather Anteus like, they rose vp with double vigor, and what publique warre could not effect, priuate practise and conspiracie must bring to passe, for ere the Great Henry was well warmed in his Throne, Hell and the Spanish gold stird vp a wretch, who vndertooke to kill him; the Tyger staid his hand at the shining of a glasse, and after his apprehension, confest that hee [Page 34] sawe so much pietie and zeale shining in the eyes of this Prince, that he felt horrour in himselfe to offend the Soueraigne dignity ordained of God among Angels and Men. Hence it came that all France beheld and tooke notice of Spaines Ambi­tion, & that indeed all their labour was but to re­duce that florishing Nation to a priuate Prouince, which the Parliament of Paris (after it had vomi­ted the phlegme of temporizing) taking to heart, made forth a Decree for the dispersing and ba­nishing of all the Spanish Regiments: and now fiue great Dukes, formerly bewitched with Ca­tholike incantations, fall at the foote of this great King, and confesse how they were beguy­led.

The first, was the Duke of Lorraine, which ob­tained a generall Peace for his Estate, through the mediation of Ferdinand the Archduke of Tus­canie; the second was the Duke of Mayenne, who abtained pardon through the wisedome of his carryage, hauing still a watchfull eye, that no generall ruine might happen to the Kingdome; The third, was the Duke of Guise, the losse of whose father and vnckle, made his interest the grea­test in this quarrell, yet had he the honour to re­ceiue the Kings first imbraces; The fourth was the Duke of Ioyeuse, who as soone as hee had kist the Kings hand, forsooke the troubles of the world, betooke himselfe to a solitary life; and the last was the Duke Mercure, who brought to the King, not himselfe alone, but with him the reduction of the [Page 35] goodlyest Prouince in all France: To conclude Philip of Spaine your Master, seing vpon what false wheeles his engins ranne, was content to intreate for peace of this great Cheiftaine.

But did here conspiracies and Spanish plots end? no, nothing so: for to come nearer to your owne touche, and to repeate matters of thine owne prosecution, Is it not an Historie most re­markable, and to Spaine most infamous, of that desperate vilaine borne at Negre-pelisse, who going into Spaine vpon some discontents concei­ued against this great Henry of France, and as it was strongly supposed, hauing taken some dire­ctions from you, but full and materiall instru­ctions from the Deuils post horses your masters the Iesuites, did with all violence prostitute him­selfe to murther this most Christian King; but the matter being so important, and carryed through so many seuerall hands, had lost so much strength of secrecie, that an inckling thereof came to the eares of de Barrant, then ordinarie Ambassadour in Spaine for the King of France, who instantly out of dutie, and the hatred which euery true Chri­stian ought to beare against these odious and most Atheisticall practises, complained to the Popes Nuntio, hoping of redresse, both against the vi­laine himselfe, your selfe and the Iesuites, who are both vilaines and your selfe; but the matter was fully blancht, and your impious eare (that had listned to this abhominable sinne) was excu­sed, and the whole offence of subornation was [Page 36] laid vpon a creature of yours; but one of the King of Spaines Esquiers, named by the place of his birth Valdomoro, who vpon examination (hauing his lesson fore taught him, confest all the passa­ges to the Duke of Lerma, and that not onely this slaue, but diuers others had tendred themselues to the like seruice, yet this with the greatest vio­lence, assuring him that he knew the meanes how to kill the King; which proposition, vpon some conference with a Iesuite (who neuer take distast at such a practise) he had accepted of, but yet with that caution and delay that nothing proceeded therein, neither was likely to proceed, and so all things were shut vp without any further discoue­rie, onely that de Barraut aduertised the King his Master thereof: but was this honorable or pious in Spaine? no, the praise had beene more perfect, and the merit more plaine and euident for the Spaniards, if they had punished the Traytor, made thy selfe Valdomoro, and the Iesuite exam­ples, not to listen or giue eare to such odious con­spiracies, and by a carefull aduertisement to the King, made others dread the entering into so odious a businesse, for it is true in all the lawes of hospitalitie, that this slaue ought not to haue come out of Spaine vnchastised, for all Kings are brothers, and all Kingdomes interessed in these attemps. But the designes of Spaine lookt now an other way, and the Traytor had leaue to escape, who returning afterwards into France, was by de Verdun first President of Languedoc, apprehended [Page 37] at Tholouse and there executed, and his compa­nion condemnd to the Gallies. O how farre was this action shorte, of that Royall and Princely acte of the famous late Queene Elizabeth! who hauing receiued intelligence of some Spanish mis­chieues pretended against this great King, forth­with gaue him intelligence, that a strange Gen­tleman, who was one of his followers, had no good meaning towards his person, and related vnto him euery circumstāce as she had receiued it; but such was the bountie of this great King, that allbe reason would that he should haue bin appre­hended, yet the King neuer discouered vnto him a frowne, but he still remained in the Court well entertained, was mounted out of the Kings stable, and honoured with many of his trustie cōmande­ments, till in the end torturd with his owne con­science, he stole away from the Court, & durst no longer abuse so Royall a bountie; that this was a Fauorite of Spaine your selfe cannot deny, that he fled from France into Spaine, your one Cabanet is a witnesse, and that you did preserue him for the like exploits in others places: the marke on his face, the colour of his beard, and his cloaths cut after the Walloone fashion were too apparant testi­monies.

I might here recounte this great Kings death by Rauiliac, from whose blood, neither thy selfe nor Spaine can wash themselues, though all the Riuers in the world were exhausted and thrust into one entyer Bath, and so spent vpon your particu­lar [Page 38] cleansings; but these truths are so fresh in me­morie, they need neither repeating, nor ampli­fication.

I could to these adde a world of others, as the attempts vpon the life and safety of the late Queene Elizabeth of famous memorie, and the making of all those inhumane creatures Pentio­ners of Spaine, who had either by rebellion or other treasonable practise, attempted any thing for her vntimely and sad destruction.

Was our late dread Soueraigne, King Iames of blessed and happy memorie, that Salomon of his time, a Prince so indulgent and carefull for euery good thing that might happen to Spaine, a man so tender and vigilant for her reputation, that hee euer plac'd it in the next rancke to his owne ho­nour? was he I say? was this good King free from the bloody practises of Spaine? no, to the eternall infamie of ingratefull and bloody Spaine; I may euer proclaime it that he was more deepely plun­ged and his like, more bitterly besieged and as­saulted, then any whatsoeuer before rehearsed: and to this I call vp the plot of all plots, that Deuill of many legions of Deuils, the Gun-pouder cons­piracie, that which should haue destroyed all, not a single Prince or a single man, but many Princes, many mens whole generations; here was cruell Spaine and here indeed (had not God preuented) was a strong foundation for an vniuer­sall Monarchie; and that Spaine may not in this, pleade not guilty: let her discouer to the world [Page 39] what occurrents they were which drew Thomas [...]inter into her confines, what negotiation was [...]hat which hee held with de Laxis, whence came his instructions and letters commendatorie into [...]he Archduchesse Countrie? where did Guy Faucks [...]eceiue his breeding? who gaue information of [...]is knowledge in myning? and who preferred [...]nd aduancst him to this peece of most damnable seruice? questionlesse let truth answere to any of these positions, and the speech it must vtter, will be Spanish language; who in all this Nation was so intimate with you as the Archpriest Garnet? or who like him found at your hands equall prote­ction? he confest and absolued the Traytors, and thou didst absolue and confesse him, and thereby didst get vnto thy selfe from thine owne Tribe, the nicke-name of Archbishop Ambassadour.

Thus I haue brought Spaines attemps for an vni­uersall Monarchie, from Portugall to the Nether­lands, thence through Italy, so into France; En­gland, was lookt vpon by the way, in the yeare 1588. but shee was not so drowfie as others: there is now but Germanie betwixt him and the end of his Ambition, but is that free and vntouched? woe to speake it, that of all is the worst and most horred: O the lamentable estate, of those once most happie Princes! how hath the house of Au­stria drownd them in blood? and by the worke of ciuill dissention, made them in their furies to de­uoure one another. Is there any thing in this age more lamentable or remarquable, then the losse [Page 40] of the Palatinate? or is there any thing in which thy villany can so much triumph as in that poli­tique defeature? why, the lyes which thou didst vtter to abuse the Maiestie of England, and to breed delayes till thy Masters designes were effe­cted, were so curious and so cunning, so apte to catch, and so strong in the holding, that the De­uill (who was formerly the author of lyes) hath now from thee taken new presidents for lying. I would here speake of thy Archduchesses dissimu­lation, but shee is a great Lady, and their errours at the worst are weake vertues.

Therefore to thee that hast lent both fuell and flame to all the mischiefes of Europe, and that art now bigge in labour with new troubles and vexa­tions, arise and collect thy spirits, become once hon [...]st and religious, let thy seruices depend vpon good and necessarie affaires, and not vpon malicious and bloody practises: for behold, I thy Tormentor will neuer be absent from thine el­bow, and whatsoeuer thou shalt contriue or plot for the hurt of Great Britaine, I with the helpe of the holy Angels will returne vpon thine owne bo­some and the bosome of thy Countrie, for the good of heauen and earth, who is the Protector of the Innocent; hath made Royall King CHARLES and his Throne precious in his sight, therefore if thou desirest to liue and see good dayes, touch not his annointed and doe his Pro­phets no hurt.

At these words, the glorious aparition (wauing [Page 41] his sword about) vanished out of his sight, and the poore Don as if awakened from a deadly or mortall sleepe rose vp, looking about with such gastly amazednesse as affrighted all that be­held him. In the end espying his owne seruants, with teares in his eyes, terrour in his heart, and a generall trembling ouer all his body, he went in­to his Litter, and returned home, where how he refresht himselfe, how hee appeared before the designed Commissioners, and how he answered the expectation both of them and the King his Master, shall be declared vpon the next returne of the woman Poste which passeth be­twixt the English and the Spanish Iesutis.