credit to ouerbeare mischances But our glory abroad is truely expatiated when you shall know how helpefull wee haue beene to other nations both with purse and forces yea contrary to the opinion of the world concerning our penury opened the enclosures of riches and hononrably supplyed the defects of other Kingdomes Wee haue made peace betweene Denmark and Sweden and pacified those troubles long agoe We haue releeued the Estates of Holland with men money and munition vnderpropping them as if a man should vndershore a ruinous wall vntill the foundation were repaired We haue assisted the Protestant Princes of of France in their first ciuill warres and beene auxiliary to many noble houses of Germany we setled the last King in his greatnesse and lifted him vp to that honour that none of his Predecessours had their crownes shining with such a lustre We playd the Physician with Geneua and administred her such an antidote that no aconite of Pope or Sauoy could envenom her to death or contriue her destruction We brought the distressed Prince Antonio to knock at the gates of Lisbone and had he not found a fatall vicissitude of times and occasions yea the minds of inconstant men corrupted with by-respects and priuate following the stronger side we might questionlesse haue preuailed in the proiect and vpon the least filling the sailes of our expectation with the winde of home assistance brought recouery to receiue the fulnesse of life Wee haue made Spaine weary of the warres and at last desire a peace which I would be loth to resemble to still waters wherein are the deepest gulphs and most dangerous places to aduenture We returned the Polish Ambassadour with admiration at our Princes greatnesse and magnanimity We haue setled the good opinion of the Muscouite Wee haue emboldned the Venetians in their last dissentions against the Pope Wee haue accorded the Arch-Duke who not onely admitteth vs into entertainment but giueth way vnto such as yet maintaine the cause of the contrary We haue welcomed the Prince of Moldauia and as farre as policy or charity could goe brought him along into the faire fields of expectation to regaine his enheritance We haue lately ouerlooked the fields of Sweden and Russia yea thought it befitting to send a martiall supply into Denmarck and howeuer the Polander repine must in the end I beleeue determine those controuersies To conclude though it shall be no cause of ostentation wee haue prospered in so many glorious thriuings that the Spanyard in his prophanation hath sworne IESVS CHRIST to become a Lutheran and railed on report for filling the world with the sound of so many memorable actions Concerning our glory at home lay abroad our example and spare not and marke the emptiest place which we will not fill vp with comparison First the best manner of gouernment from Gods own mouth which is monarchal and philosophicall principles which is a King and morall enstructions which is a distributer of Iustice and peoples desires which is an honourable preseruer of Common-wealths all vnited in one person from a continuall descent of princely ancestours gaining the loue and obedience of many nations by excelling induments of nature as wisdom learning iudgment peaceable desires honorable liberality magnanimity such like And did it please him to add some glorious repairing or rather magnificent quadrant to his palace at White-hall being the principall place of entertainement and the eye to ouerlooke such a city as is not in the world it would come neere our example indeede For the Kings house in Ierusalem was thirteene yeere a building and no one thing addes more honour to a nation then regardable edifices and eminent workes of Maiesty being the very fruit of peace and as it were the birth-right of prosperity whether it bring forth sumptuous structures or adorning monuments And if it were not a pride elation of hart to number the people looke how many nations and languages are vnder subiection namely English Scottish Irish Welch Cornish Ments Ilanders both Hebrides and Orchades the French of Gersy and Iersy so that if the honour of a King consisteth in the multitude of his subiects what Prince hath more and such variety If you looke on his palaces where are so many and so good belonging to any Kingdome in the world If you will behold his court I hope for state good order expences entertainment and continuall attendancy other places come farre short If you will view his shipping and nauies I am sure you passe away with astonishment when you are enstructed in the secrets of their seruice and strength If you will behold his armours and munition they exceede report and the Arsenalls of other countries haue neither such equipage nor sufficiency but when you shall finde euery Noble-man and Gentle-mans house so well furnished euery Hall and Company so well prouided euery Shire so willing to continue their preparation euery Master so cheerefull in storing himselfe and euery man so ready to giue eare to any martiall summons and prepare with ioy to attend the seruice you must needs returne not louing vs with feare and trembling but affecting vs with triumph and well wishes for our preuailing against the proudest aduersary If you will number vs at sea I know there is not so many good Mariners and Saylours in Europe excepting the Low Countries If you will muster vs at land who can shew such companies of foot such troopes of horse so many worthy seruitours and so well appoynted Insomuch that I know diuers Gentle-men of England who can conduct 3000. men into the field in their King and Countries name of their owne tenants seruants and friends If you will examine our Nobility I confesse they doe not boast of factious greatnesse as in France the Princes of Germany but their number noble disposition willingnes to be obedient may passe in the best items of Fames account If you would see our Councellors prepare a reuerence and settle your estimation toward them for their orderly life probity of manners integrity in deciding controuersies affability in admitting suters though you come from the Grandes of Spaine the Principalities of Italy the Electors of Germany the Dukes of France the States of other Countries yea the ostentous pomp of Cardinals yet bee not too preiudicate nor transported with selfe-conceited wilfulnes for you shall see as great brauery retinue obseruation amongst vs as any subiects in the world dare challenge or put in practise for outward glorious ostentation nay more the order of our Garter and the ceremonies of enstalling are continued with that triumph and maiesty that no one celebration of petty Princes dare lift vp a countenance of such iollity regardable honor And if you will behold the other Courtiers they are generally so many so handsome so seruiceable of their own retinues so well prouided that I protest they so farre exceede other places both for gracefull shewes and sufficient estates that I
by the hand of amasement to magnifie and extoll the heroicke spirits of our nation Againe in the 38. yeere of the King the French King the King of Cyprus and the King of Scots came all into England and made pleasure proude that it had good occasion to welcome them Besides 1367. Peter King of Spaine was disseised by his bastard brother Henry but comming into England made such impression in the compassionate soule of EDW. the blacke Prince that he assisted him in person and re-established him in his kingdome Shall I remember you of that glorious celebration of Himmeneus triumphs when Duke Tussus and many Princes of Boheme and Hungary brought that magnificent Lady ANNE daughter to the King of Bohemia and married her to King RICHARD the 2. of England during whose life such was the royaltie of our Court and State that in the 8. yeare the King of Armenia came into England for coadiutement against the Turkes In the 12. yeare the Earle of Saint Paul and many Princes out of France and other Countries came to a Iusts in Smithfield and made a iust estimation of our vnualuable glory In the 16. yeare the greatest Lords of Scotland came to our triumphes in England and checked their owne presumption for confronting vs with a supposition of equality In the 20. yeare the Dukes of Burbon and Barre brought ouer Isabell of Fraunce to be a Queene in England and glad was that Prince of Europe that had beene an eye-witnesse of our glory yea that magnificent workemanshippe concerning the exornation of the Hall of his Pallace now Westminster and by community and disparaged alteration vnregarded was as it were a magnes to draw ouer the seas thousands of people and hundreds of Princes and Noble lords to looke vpon the wonder of the world In the 4. yeare of HENRY 4. King of England the Emperour of Constantinople came of purpose as the Queene of Sheba to Salomon to set report on the touchstone of truth and see whether custome had enlarged our fame or no and here he was entertained with all the sumptuous and attractiue showes and delights that Arte and expences could deuise to satiate the minde of man But when Dame IANE Dutches of Britaine came ouer to marry our King HENRY I hope our enemies will imagine her traine and Attendants to bee much augmented with the company of many forraine Princes and Potentates And if you steppe forward to the 8. yeare of his raigne the Earle of Marre and the great lords of Scotland came to solace themselues and made their triumphes both at Tilt and Turney acceptable to the beholders The like was performed the 10. yeare when the Seneschall of Hennault with all those Princes reputed the Court of England a very Schoole of chiualry and put in practise accordingly all the braueries of marshall discipline But when the Lady LVCIA the Dukes sister of Millane came to marry EDMVND Earle of Kent both citie and pallace was so furnished with strangers and the concurses of people so well ordered that inferiours were amased at so extraordinary attraction and the better sort gaue a plaudite to our glory If you ouer-looke the time of Henr 5. surnamed the Champion of Honor though it was lamentable for the breuitie yet was it vnmatchable for the royalty For after his coronation he was scarse three yeeres in his own Kingdome and yet in the third of his raigne he welcommed the Emperor of Almaine and King of Rome and presently after graced the daughter of France and all her retinue with many forreine Princes who would not returne till they saw their Lady Katherine Queene of England To which if you adde the entertainment of the Duke of Holland and many Princes of those countries especially Freesland you cannot chuse but make vp a plentifull breuiary of Heroicke Maiesty and worthy princelines About the yeere of Grace 1502. and the 17. yeere of the raigne of Henry 7. the expectable Prince Arthur maried Katherin daughter to Ferdinando King of Spaine and his eldest sister Margaret was affianced vnto Iames King of Scots at whose inauguâ—…tion the concurse of strangers and amongst them of the choisest Princes was so great that all other adioyning Kings as much magnified our royalty as feared our power insomuch that the very report of our Kingdomes brauery draue Philip King of Castile and his wife into England About the end of August 1546. Flawd high Admirall of France was so royally entertained in England that the King lying at Hampton-Court the Prince of Wales met him comming to haue audience with a 1000 horse whereof 500 were in one liuery the coates of veluet halfe embrodered with gold and one sleeue of cloth of gold let other Princes acknowledge this magnificence Holinshed saith 2000 horse In the beginning of Henry the 8. Lewis the 12. of France maried Mary the Kings yongest sister and 1520 the great Emperor Charles the 5. came into England to visit his Aunt and within two yeere after made a second returne to view London and bee acquainted with our country from whose example Christiern King of Denmarke and his wife about the 15 yeere arriued in England and was welcommed to the pleasures of our country and variety of our pastimes The Prince of Salerne and diuers of Naples about the 30. c. Shall I name you King Philips mariage with Queene Mary I hope then I must trouble you with a tedious solemnitie and tell you that many strangers knew not the way home againe into their owne countries a long time and if the peace of their soules as they vainely imagined might haue bin added to the delight of their bodies the happines of England had bin the subiect of their tongues and the obiect of their eyes In the second yeere of her raigne Ecmondine a Prince of Germany and other Embassadors were sent from the Emperor In the third yeere Emmanuel Prince of Piemont with other Lords came into England and the next moneth the Prince of Orange landed at London But let mee passe forward to the mirror of all times Queene Elizabeth how proud was the Prince of Sweden that he was graced in England with so glorious entertainment at the beginning of her raigne Not long after 1565 Christopher Prince and Marquesse of Baden came of purpose to haue his childe borne amongst vs and reioyce in the fortune of such a godmother About the 11. yeere of her raigne anno 1568 Mary Queene of Scots though shee was surprized in her flight to France and defeated in her maine proiects yet for a long time misliked not her imprisonment and was glad to confesse the prerogatiues of her natiue soile and country In the 14. yeere Francis Duke of Memorancy and Betrawde de Saligniers Knights of the order of St Michael came both into England with other great Princes to gratulate her Maiestie and acknowledge her worthines In the 21. of her raigne 1578. Cassimirus Count Palatine and Duke of Bauaria was entertained the better
bedurty vs wee are not yet impudently to mount on a stage to be seene nor be so ignorant but we can hide our selues till we be cleaner or make a composition with mercy and pacification if the busines bee not darkned indeede with loathsomnes and euery thing amongst vs with a fashionable hansomnesse ouerswaieth nicer exception Thus I hope you will first pardon me for vaine-glory or affectation considering I speake for my country and then yeeld vnto the truth which at last must preuaile considering I haue confirmed her excellencies and prerogatiues Nor haue I taken this taske vpon me out of supposition that England would haue lost her reputation if I had not traduced my selfe in these triuiall Tractates but meerely I protest to affront some humorists who as irresolute or ignorant thinke too slightly of our worth and in my owne hearing haue presumed to match petty Princes with vs against whom I dare maintaine that if there were such occasion the Voluntaries and idle disposed of our Country would goe in such troopes and in such a manner that we need neither pay customes for silkes out of Florence Genoa Leuca or some other of their principall states of Italy nor haue our store-houses empty of the marchandice of India or China As for the gold of Ophir though many thinke ancient mines may be exhausted oh that they might try their fortune I beleeue we should not need proclamations against exportation of our coine But better is better I haue commended the peace of Salomon as one of the cheefest parts of blessednes which the birth of our Sauiour ratified and the comming in of our King exampled and let it continue a Gods name with the spreading of the Cherbins ouer sanctum sanctorum and the shadow of the Almighty couer vs vntill we come to the port indeed of all comfort happines and securitie FINIS All nations loue their owne Countrey best 1 Strangers 2 Traueller 3 Bâ—…ereader 4 â—…me-bred discontents 5 Patisis 6 〈◊〉 7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Englâ—…nd commâ—…h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a c The firâ—… Monarâ—… of the 〈◊〉 as it is now made â—…rious TAVRVS hath many names Amazones Tartarians a new name Theft lawfull and vnlawfull Râ—…barb The third Empire of the world Diuers authours write of India and would include China as one Countrey India now intermingled with Christians 4. The fourth part of the worlds honour The 〈◊〉 Tyara The Persians aâ—…e You 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The fift parâ—… of the 〈◊〉 glory Countries Cities Riches His Conquests The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…me The conuersion of the Aethiopians Prester Iehan no Priest The seuenth share of the worlds 〈◊〉 Alexander and Cleonidas Northren regions Norway Swedia Denmarke How the Goths came into Italy The eighth part of the worlds brauery Germany the greatest Countrey of Europe Germanes haters of deceit Errors of Courtiers How Germany is neighbored Fooles may giue good counsell The ninth part of the earths glory Non 〈◊〉 vlâ—… Pâ—…s 〈◊〉 Inquisâ—… 1609. Eight kingdomes in Spaine America conquered The true Philosophers stone Italy diuided Countries Cities Rome Venice Millane Genoa Turine Pauy Padoa Cremona Verona Mantua Mirandula Ferrara Parma Bononia Rauenna Urbine Ancona Florence Pisa. Lâ—…uca Sâ—…a Naples The estate of Italy in tâ—…is modern age Naples Rome Florence Leuca Venice Modena Mantua Parma Millano Genoa Trent Piemont Saâ—…y descrâ—…d Mount Melian Aguabelle Geneua Pen men mawre in Wales The occurrences of Millane The 〈◊〉 in possâ—…ssion of Millane 1515. The Spaniard taketh part with Millane against the French The Spaniard by the Popes flattery looketh after Millane for himselfâ—… The Spaniard absolute ly possesseth Millane The Topography of France Galli of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gascoine Guienne Poictoy Aniou Brâ—…taigne Normandy I le of France Berry Limosin Languedock Prouence 〈◊〉 Loraine Boloigne Picardy The glory of the sâ—…uenteene Prouinces as moderne times esteem them Limburck Lutzenburg Henault Artois Namurs Brabant 〈◊〉 Gelderland Zutphen Zeland Holland Vtrech Freesland Groining The Low-Countries is lost by the Spanyard A generall commendation England Ireland Lemster Munster Conach Ulster I haue knowne of them deliuered in the morning march along with vs the same dâ—… Salomons royalty The dominion of the great Cham compared China farre short of Salomons happinesse India commeth short of a happy countrey The Maâ—…umetans are no way neere our example The cruell gouernment of the Turks amongst themselues Mustapha's story about Hyrena The lamentable tragedy of Mustapha Looke the Commentary and Lettere de principe in Italian The doctrin of the Deruices or mendicant Priests of Turkie This was in the time of Amurath the third Prince of Moldauia Mr Christopher Willoughby The Vinyard taken by the Maltasses Edward Conach The Viceer of Arabia The Turkish gouernment deficient in exemplary goodnesse or happines The story of Scanderbeg and why he was so called The degrees of the Turks 1 2 3 4 5 6 Beg in Turkish is great or honourable 7 The manners of Turks and their gouernment Their religion The comparison layd together 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 The deâ—…cts of Russia 1588. The deâ—…cts of Aethiopia The merchandize from India and Aethiopia superfluous things and such as we neede not The imperfect condition of Germany The Emperor Charles the fift despised for his meane habit The mangled prosperity of Italy Diuers particulars concerning Italies glory disreputation Spaine wanteth many things to come neere our example Beautifull womâ—…n As the blessings of France are abused it cannot equall our comparison The law salicke in France against the law of â—…od and nations The glory of England both abroad and at home The glory of England at home The happinesse of our countrey London and Paris comâ—… Constantinople described and compared with London Why Seralio Venice described and compared with London Common places against idolatry yea the vaine erecting of images Reasons why we should not commit â—…iolatry The foolish excuse of Idolaters Romish Idols Wherein the Greeke Church is farre from true religion The greatnesse of the Creeke Church The precedency of the Greeke Church Gregory surnamed the Great Nauclerus The verity of the Greek Church The corruptions and abuses of the Romish Church The story of a conuerted Iew. The story of a Turck concerning his opinion of Rome The story of the olde woman at Strasborogh Irish deuotion The Kings of England haue exceeded for many memorable vertues and actions other Princes England the auntientest vnited kingdome of Europe The Husbandmen are happier in England then in other nations Banditi 〈◊〉 Contadino Pesant Boore Churle Yeoman Trarcklin or Former â—…man No nation euer came neere vs for so many and good ships The Marchant of England surpasseth all other Nations A glory worthy all obseruation
moderation and restraint of distempered actions The villages or dorps are foure hundred amongst whom the stately county of the Hague aduanceth her counteuance equall to a great city for their court retaineth some shew of princilnesse and the old palace maketh demonstration of those noble customes and hospitality which the ancient Earles in their former power maintained yet because it is vnwalled neighbouring a pretty parke of fallow Deere and inuiteth you to better retired places then the townes of hurliburly and continuall commerces accustome it is reputed a Dorp and seemeth much contented with her situation so remote from the forraine enemy of the State Harlem with her spaciousnesse is founded most delicately for as soone as you are entred the pleasure of a pretty wood inuiteth your abode where the Citizen in the dayes of pastime make their honest conuersation the strengthning of one anothers friendship Besides for bulwarkes harbours shipping capacity entercourse and noble meetings it challenged the precedency of all the towns of Holland howeuer Amsterdam hath got the start for riches marchants and nauigation yet hath Harlem a greater wall and better compacted buildings Dort or Dordrech some 150. yeeres since was made an Iland by the inundation of the sea which with vngentle violence at that time washed away whole fields of firme ground and like a barren vnsatiate wombe filled her paunch with aboue 200. villages It is a beautifull long towne and graced with the staple of Rhenish wine corne and timber brought in great strange and long boats called Punts which neuer goe backe againe but serue in these riuers as a receptacle of diuers families and many people who haue no other dwelling then on shipboord if you demand how they liue the voyage ended maintain their estates when the first businesse is determined They spin fish follow the league with prouision carry corne and turffe from towne to towne and are employed for the vse of bridges to transferre whole armies ouer riuers but to tell you that some of them are 160. foot long and haue three or foure diuisions or houses in one boat would raise a suspicion and peraduenture make you smile at the fiction but admire the truth Delft is so named of a ditch cut out betweene it and the Hague and is a sweet and pleasant towne although the inhabitants are emploied for the most part about brewing and spinning of wooll Leyden boasteth of her antiquity as deriuing her originall from the Legions of the Roman souldiers heere resident when the custome of warre and the coldnesse of winter did enforce them to garison and orderly sequestration it is now an Vniuersity beautified with walkes of pleasure and magnificence yet cannot wash away the imputation of many trayterous reuolts and vnconstant resolutions against the gouernment of the States Gouda is a populous towne vpon the riuer Isell yet could tell you of another of her owne name that runneth into the Ocean as if it made haste to tell you from whence it came Amsterdam besides the sea is visited by the gentle riuer Tia yet seemeth sory that she cannot be affoorded the sweetnesse of her waters and is so contriued as the channels of Venice which direct you by boat from house to house for shipping it is one of the most famous harbours in the world and hath such entercourse of Marchants and Saylors that I haue numbred 1000. ships of all sorts to goe out at one tide for buildings it equals the best and for orderly watches and fortifications the Burgers haue a blessed vniformity and glorious reputation Enchusen vpon the banke of the sea called the Zuidersea is famous for the building of ships which are heere yeerely built and orderly rigged Horne hath the same foundation and in May bringeth together such a faire of butter and cheese and in such incredible manner that almost all countries haue suppliment from thence Alcmar likewise maintaineth the dairy and encloseth such fields that a very few acres of ground raise a good farme Purmerndum boasteth of her first estimation by reason of the palace and delicate castle which belonged to Count Egmond was within her wals Edam hath great store of shipping and such kine that few oxen are larger besides heere is sowed so much hemp that most of the netting which either Holland or Zeland vse is heere made Sconhouen is a delicate towne and place of pleasure for indeed it is an attribute or significant name from the attracting delight of their gardens and hath a staple for Salmons Rotterdam a great city full of shipping yet rather boasteth of the birth of Erasmus Brill is a towne of defence and was once causionary to England in regard of great summes disbursed for the States but now of late by the Kings Maiesty resigned into the hands of the States Thus for strength fertility wealth and plenty of shipping Holland exceedeth any countrey in the world challenging no more circuit of ground as may be ghessed by the yeere 1587. when there was 600. ships arrested in the Sont by the King of Denmark and in 1588. it is well knowen that in very short warning they supplyed vs with an hundred men of warre as for Cales voyage the third part of that Nauie was theirs but if you looke further in the West and East-Indies in the hauens of Barbary and Affrick in the Arches and Constantinople in the Gulph of Venice and almost all the frequented places of the world the Hollander aduentures and is now a glorious Marchant and Mariner To conclude Holland Zeland and Freesland smile in the possession of 2500. good ships from 150. tun to 700. and although they haue no timber or at least very little growing for this purpose yet doe they yeerely set vpright 5. or 600. of one sort or other Of all in the States diuision the City and Lordship of Vtrech is principall as retaining an ancient Bishops See and shewing the ruines of a castle erected to suppresse the insolency of the inhabitants who in a pride of their owne greatnesse made a continuall sport of rebellion it is now vtterly defaced and the loyalties of their harts seeme more firme then the workes of mens hands assuring vs that so noble a citie and populous territories would yeeld a very ambitious Prince reasonable satisfaction if it might bee commanded by the authority of a Monarch and had the vnity of a well-ordered Common-wealth and Kingdome The Countrey of Freesland would require an ample discouery to extract her originall and relate her stories so would Cleeueland the land of Luke Munsterland and some others reputed Neuters that is neither maintaining the Spanyard in his military inuasion nor supporting the States in their iustifiable defences But I refer you to their own manyother cōmentaries content myself with a cursory trauell and what I can catch hold of by running touches It is diuided into two parts by the riuer Amisia which commeth downe by Embden East Freesland challenging
a particular preheminence and iurisdiction as I sayd by it selfe and West Freesland suffering this partition Ostergo Westergo Transilana Drenta Tuenta the seuen woods and Lordship of Groining a beautifull towne and famous for that siege wherein were 80000. in the field on both sides 1594. when Prince Maurice obtained it for the States being before ouer-awed 1580. by the Duke of Parma As it hath more cattle and pasture then other prouinces so more villages the inhabitants are more warlike insomuch that commonly there is a Regiment or two of Frizons in the army when amongst the foot-companies there is scarse two hundred Dutch-men besides yet haue they many troops of horse and are distinguished by diuers characters although they speake all one language either high or Low-Dutch as Resties Lansguents Frizons Switzers High-Germans Dutch and Free-booters or Boot-halers I haue insisted the longer on the discourse of these Prouinces because you may see the errours of selfe will and ill counsell euen in the gouernment of mighty Monarchs as I sayd before For the conquest of the West Indies the onely greatnesse of Spaine was not nor is so glorious to his ostentation as the losse of the Low-Countries when hee might with peace mansuetude haue opened the arms of a louing father ouer them greeuous to his remembrance and a very wound to his policy Because if these countries were vnited and altred from their Aristocratia or Democratia chuse you whether to the vniformity of a Monarchie affoording to Caesar what belongeth to Caesar raising their nobility aduancing the well-deseruers encreasing their estates disciplining their able men to the seruice of the warres and from the imitation of other countries endeauouring to raise their owne glories it would surmount all the reuenues of Spaine which for extent of ground measureth six times as much nay if I added the West Indies computatis computandis I might be beleeued after some reasonable disceptation For say a stirring spirit desired glory and pompous attendancy From hence might bee obtained infinite treasure settled content high magnificence multitude of subiects commerces of marchants store of shipping stately horses louing people and the glory of nature beauty it selfe so that if the Arch-Dukes fortune could raise him to such a height if at first he honoured the Enfanta with vshering her bare-headed into Bruxels hee might then prostrate himselfe before her throne indeed as one of the greatest Princes of the world For although his hopes did depend vpon other supportation and in her owne language he cries Kala as peraduenture determining a composition with his brother Mathias if the peacefull Rodolphus were once discharged of his debt to nature whereby she might be Empresse of Germany yet cannot a meere titular dignity come neere so great a contentment as to haue the fruition of such a kingdome and natiue felicity But if delicate life and quiet establishment of temporall happinesse were propounded amongst these is honesty of contracts probity of manners truth of word preuention of wants fulnesse of wealth delicacy of apparrell neatnesse of furniture vniformity of building magnificence of structures plenty of viands sumptuousnesse of feasts liberty of conuersation and what else enflameth our desires to helpe our deficiencie yea the very behauiour of the women enforceth admiration For being tall beautifull actiue and familiar they are yet free from those peenish humors of ielousie lightnes pride which make vs weary one of another Besides all their words actions tend to simplicitie and modest plainenes retaining with all this suppliment of wants making of cloth and knitting of lace and dainty works But when I consider their mutuall entercourses their skill in buying and selling their frequenting of the shops their going from place to place without so much as suspition of incontinencie and their loue to their husbands and children euen in the ouerflowings of naturall imperfections or if you will diseases of the Nation I stand amased and sweare that vertue cannot be poore and an honest minde will not be seduced for any worldly respects to the slauish corruption of lasâ—…iuiousnes or dishonestie CHAP. XVI The Monarchy of Great Britaine THE last of all Countries and as many thinke the least but such a least as if a pretty sparke of a pure Diamond should triumph ouer a border of soft topasses is the kingdome of ENGLAND now proclaimed vnder the royall standard of Great Britaine France and Ireland stile enough if the desire of man know what is enough But alas â—…nisi ab orbe Britanni wherein I thinke nature and glory plaied the silken Artist or Artificer chuse you whether who in sorting out his commodities laies the principall aside for a friend or his owne vse so did our first mother deale with this ILAND allowing it a double portion of blessings before the other countries of the world for her owne honour But at this time you shall not heare mee stammer out my words considering Mr Cambden hath spoken so well and distinctly as if a Lawyers cunning had not onely inlarged some excellent matter but doubly graced the same with good deliuerie and pleasing elocution Besides I must in the second booke vntie her bound-vp fardell and come to more neerer particulars and therefore there shall be now no further disputing of the same yet Ireland hath made me amased to see such an impossibilitie to reduce her which mee thinks cannot proceed from any innated hatred against vs particularly though it be an vnsauoury truth because in affecting Spaine and France shee disclaimeth their formalitie and would faine besprinkle the beautifull faces of ciuilitie gouernment formes of Cities courtlines maiestie and state with the vntoward termes and abuses of policie restraint of libertie couetousnes flattery pride and licentiousnes therefore I will bee the bolder to speake a word or two of her vnkindnes CHAP. XVII The description of IRELAND THE country and kingdome of IRELAND is generally for naturall aire and commoditie of blessings sufficient to satisfie a couetous or curious appetite but withall diuided into such fastnes of mountaine bogg and wood that it hath emboldned the inhabitants to presume on hereditary securirie as if disobedience had a protection For the mountaines denie any cariages but by great industry and strength of men so haue we drawne the Cannon ouer the deepest boggs stoniest hils and the passages are euery way dangerous both for vnfirmenes of ground the lurking rebell who will plash downe whole trees ouer the paces and so intricately winde them or lay them that they shall be a strong barracado and then lurke in ambush amongst the standing wood playing vpon all commers as they intend to goe along On the bogg they likewise presume with a naked celeritie to come as neere our foote and horse as is possible and then flie off againe knowing we cannot or indeed dare not follow them and thus they serue vs in the narrow entrances into their glins and stony
paths or if you will dangerous quagmires of their mountaines where a 100 shot shall rebate the hasty approch of 500 and a few muskets if they durst carry any well placed will stagger a pretty Armie not acquainted with the terror or vnpreuenting the mischeefe The Prouince of LEMSTER is more orderly than the rest as being reasonable well inhabited and hauing some forme of a Common-wealth so that I finde no mislike either for delight or profit but that the want of wood abridgeth their computation of happinesse yet questionles was the principall cause of our reducing them to ciuilitie and the place wherein we first setled many English families Some vnite and some diuide the kingdome of Meth from Lemster and make it a Prouince of it selfe containing East-Meth West-Meth and Longford wherein O Roorck is resident supposing himselfe the greatest Gentleman in the world yea contesting many times with Oneal how euer with much adoe he afforded him precedencie The countrey is very fruitfull and pleasant not so mountanous but ill inhabited For the warres and their owne bestialitie haue not onely made a separation of all good order but euen terrified both beast and fowle from commorance amongst them in many places The Prouince of MVNSTER hath some Townes well aduanced by the sea coasts and many excellent harbours wherein Ireland may boast ouer all the countries of Europe The grounds adiacent are very fertile and in many places afford cause of ostentation but more inward they are very barren and mountanous full of boggs wood and other remote places whose fastnes hath incited the people to ouer-great presumption yet because of the spatiousnes with men desiring good order it might be reduced and reformed as enioying plentifull and sweet riuers full of fish and some of sufficient depth to transport reasonable boates into the land The Prouince of CONACH is diuided from the rest by a goodly riuer called the Shanon being as I take it the greatest of any Iland in the world For it fetcheth a course of 200 mile and filleth his channell along the shores of Longford Meths Ormond Limrick and Kerry yet serueth them in no great stead For their shipping commeth no further than Limrick where it is fiue mile broad fresh water and 60 mile from the maine sea from thence small cotts as they tearme their boates carry their wood turff fish and other commodities but for fish as Salmon Breame Pike and diuers other sorts I shall not be beleeued to relate the numbers and hugenes by such as are enemies to obseruation or the beleefe of the blessings of other countries Within 20 mile of Limrick as I take it a litle beyond the praecinct of Caher-Castle a strange rock hath taken her lodging euen crosse the riuer and filleth the roome in such a manner that almost the nauigation is hindred thereby but what cannot men and money doe and why should not these idle people be industriously imployed to remoue the same so free the passage to Athlone As for an obiection of impossiblitie the iudgement of men hath yeelded to suruey and many examples haue confirmed the effects of more laborious attempts The south part namely Tomond for by reason of the riuers interposing it selfe I see no reason why it should be disiointed from Conach with Galloway and Clenricard is very stonie full of marble alablaster and iett and hath better order both for number and good building in their Castles than other parts of Ireland The north from Athlone to the Abbey of Aboile and so beyond the Curlewes as farre as Slego is of excellent temperature and goodnesse These Curlewes are mountaines full of dangerous passages especially when the Kern take a stomach and a pride to enter into action as they terme their rebellion and tumultuary insurrections On the other side the County of Maio consorteth with the pleasingest place in the Kingdome by whose beaten banks lye those famous Ilands of life of whom a ridiculous tale is fathered that nothing dies in them so that when the inhabitants grow old they are caried else where which custome they haue of late superstitiously obserued both in these Ilands of Aran and some other adioyning of the same condition as they suppose The Prouince of VLSTER and called the North is very large and withall mountanous full of great Loughs of fresh water except Lough Cone which ebbeth and floweth as the Sea shouldreth aside the streites at Strangford and with that violence at the ebb that a ship vnder saile with a reasonable gale of winde cannot enter against the tide These lakes nature hath appointed in steed of riuers and stored with fish especially Trowt and Pike of such strange proportion that if I should tell you of a Trowt taken vp in Tyrone 46 inches long and presented to the L Montioy then Deputie you would demand whether I was oculatus testis and I answer I eat my part of it and as I take it both my L Dauers and Sir William Goodolphin were at the table and worthy Sir Iosias Bodley hath the portraiture depicted in plano Here are no Townes or at least very few but diuers Castles dispersed and the inhabitants remoue their cabbins as their cattle change pasture somewhat like the Tartarians except in times of warre and troubles then doe they retire vnder the couett of Castles and order their houses wonde with rods and couered with turffs as well as they can bringing their cattle euen within their houses lying altogether in one roome both to preuent robberies of Kern and spoile by Wolues Amongst these euery country is subiect to the Law Tanist which is he which is best able to maintaine the reputation of their familie is the great O and commander Through the Kingdome generally the winter is neither so cold nor the summer so hot as in England by reason whereof Haruest is very late and in the North wheat will not quickly ripen nor haue they acornes once in a dozen yeere their principall corne is oates which are commonly burnt out of the straw and then trod from the husks with mens feete of this they make their bread in cakes being first grownd by calliots and drudges very naked and beastly sitting on the ground with the mill like our mustard quernes betweene their legs and then vpon broad yron presses they bake the meale when it is kneaded which custome the best obserue in Munster with their cheefest corne The continuall showers and mists make the countrey more dangerous to our Nation debarring the absolute assurance of wholesome aire and the consequent health seldome any frost continues or snow lieth long but on the mountaines in which are great store of Deere both red fallow The abundance of Wolues compels them to house their cattle in the bawnes of their Castles where all the winter nights they stand vp to the bellies in durt another reason is to preuent theeues and false-harted brethren who haue spies abroad will come 30 mile