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 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 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 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 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 ground-worke 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 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
SIR WALTER RAVVLEIGHS GHOST OR Englands Forewarner Discouering a secret Consultation newly holden in the Court of Spaine Together with his tormenting of Count de Gondomar and his strange affrightment Confession and publique recantation laying open many treacheries intended for the subuersion of England Cresce Cruor Sanguis satietur sanguine cresce Quod spero sitio vah sitio sitio PSAL. 14. VER 7. Destruction and vnhapinesse is in their weyes and the way of peace haue they not knowne there is no feare of God before their eyes VTRICHT Printed by John Schellem 1626. SIR WALTER RAWLEIGHS GHOST 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 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 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 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 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
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 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 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 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 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
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 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 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 sacke-cloath 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 The Mercurie of Eloquence The glorie of the Gowne The phebeâ—s in Court Nestor in Counsell Christian Numâ— 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 Colaâ—â—auâ—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 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 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 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 secoÌ„d 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 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 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 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 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 â—heir foot-hold 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 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 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 Eâ—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 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 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 meÌ„ 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 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. T is 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 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 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 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 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 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