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
of Deuils the glory of the firmament the diuision of the earth the bonds and limits of the sea the secrets of hell and the terrors of the last dissolution what neede wee more or go any further for a marking stone to colour any kingdome with whereby it may be known to come neere and enioy most of those blessings wherewith God hath sealed and ratified the glory of Countries then out of the storehouse of the Scriptures To this purpose I dare be bold to aduance our England into the highest chaire as if she were to triumph for some notorious victory and that I may bring vp my forces together to a close encounter and connect my reasons with probability I will discouer at large what I haue learned out of industrious Authors obserued by my owne indeauours knowne as oculatus testis in most countries of Europe and since determined in a combat of comparisons not that I meane to rippe vp the bowels of antiquity and call in question so many thousand volumes which haue consumed as many thousand yeeres in discouery of originals and as it were tormented Time with strange discourses so that if you should take off the vaile wherewith diuers Authors haue ouermantled both Countries Kingdomes and Cities you would stand amased at their deformed shapes and remaine confounded to veiw now their disparity I will therefore leaue all maligne circumstances of my quiet and shew you with what countenance they looke vp to heauen at this instant and in what manner they seeme proud of their establishment whereby 〈◊〉 that are willing to be impartiall shall be the better enâ—…ed to yeeld vp a verdict of truth against all adulterate sophistication Yet must I adde with all this lesson of morality that in 〈◊〉 kingdome where vnderstanding hath pleasured the people with 〈◊〉 of ciuility as for barbarous natâ—…s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 onely make vse of their names Sol vitae est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Antidotus vitae patientia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c Vita vitae conscientia c gloâ—…â—…ntia For with wealth your entertainement 〈◊〉 â—…ght wâ—…th Princes attonement made with Tyrants 〈◊〉 â—…ed amongst strangers adoration aâ—… 〈◊〉 and such as know not ciuilitie will stand 〈◊〉 at thy â—…rauery and florishing By wealth are ofâ—…â—…gated imperfections remitted scandals reâ—… 〈◊〉 pardoned follies excused and the frowns 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ed For wealth beauty yeeldeth to a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…es are in opposition enforced 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 men transported to exorbitant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for strange vndecencies and all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ounded with contraries But this is a pasâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 part of my worke or meaning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for feare of longing after that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aâ—…l as the Dutchman who onâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Now to conclude The whole 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into two seuerall Bookes In the first you shall haâ—… a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Countries of the world by way 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 planaâ—…on as they are noâ—… 〈◊〉 In the 〈◊〉 as Drapers doe 〈◊〉 clotâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereby the 〈◊〉 and prerogâ—… of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 made apparâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. Discite nunc miseri Quid sumus aut Quis datus aut mâ—…ae quam mâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quis modus argeâ—…o Uâ—…le numâ—…us habâ—… Quantum elargâ—… Iussit humana qua THE CONTENTS OF THE FIRST BOOKE THe Empire of Tartaria Fol. 1 The Monarchy of China 10 The Monarchy of India 14 The Empire of Persia. 19 The Empire of the Turkes 27 The story of the Ottomans together with their conquests 31 The Empire of Aethiopia 39 The Empire of Russia 44 The story of the Goths and Lombards comming into Italy and Spaine 53 The Empire of Germany 56 The history of Coleine 64 The glory of the Spanyard 69 The Description of Italy as in times past 78 Italy described at this time 83 The story of Sauoy 93 The story of Millaine 100 The description of France 111 The description of the Low-Countries 123 The Monarchy of Great Britaine 142 The description of Ireland 144 THE CONTENTS OF THE SECOND BOOKE THe Maiesty of Salomon and happinesse of Canaan a full and absolute example for all Nations 155 Countries compared to Canaan and Salomons glorious happinesse and first of all the Tartars 162 China compared and her deficiency manifested 166 India compared and her defects manifested 170 Persia compared with her insufficiency 174 Turkie compared and her imperfections layd open 177 The lamentable death of the principall Viceer when Sultan Achmat came first to the crowne 181 The famous history of Mustapha 185 The story of a Renegado Bashaw 188 The indirect proceedings of Turkes against Christians contrary to all religion or morality 191 Their manner of aduancement and diuersity of customes farre from our example and orderly prosperitie 198 Russia compared 210 Aethiopia compared 213 Germany compared 217 Italy compared 221 Spaine compared 230 France compared with a discouery of her defects 236 England compared with the probable reasons why shee is neerer the example of Canaans happines than any other nation 242 Wherin the happinesse of England is both perspicuous and commendable 251 Forraine Cities compared to London with the defects of either made apparent and our sufficiency manifested 256 Diuers particulars wherein England excelleth other kingdoms and first in religion 270 Certaine particulars concerning the Greeke Church 282 Certaine particulars concerning the Latine Church 289 Another excellency of England exposing the noble worth of hier Princes beyond other nations 294 Another excellency of England casteth vp an account of her anâ—…quity in one vnited Monarchy before other nations 299 Another excellency of England consisteth in the happy life of our Countrey man and common people 3â—…4 Another excellency of England consisteth in the goodnesse of our nauy and shipping 309 Another excedency of England consisteth in the number riches enâ—…uors and extraordinary worth of our Marchant 316 Another excellency of England may bee drawne from this obseruation that wee haue had more glorious persons and famous Kings and Princes to visit our countrey then any other nation 320 The Conclusion 330 THE GLORIE OF ENGLAND The First BOOKE TOPOGRAFICALLY describing the Countries of the World with some historicall amplification CHAP. I. The Empire of TARTARIA ACcording to the vaine popular and indeed ridiculous error of opinion the world hath inuested nine seuerall Monarchs with his glory and from strange disproportions giuen them prerogatiues to command all the Nations of the earth interdicting any petty Prince to come neere them by way of competition or comparison First then the Empire of Tartaria laid prostrate vnder the throne of the great Cham called Dominus dominantium and Rex regum spreadeth it selfe with so large embracings that it extendeth from the northren Obba or if you will Tanais which falleth into the great Euxinum euen to the easterne sea sometimes surnamed the Atlanticke whose vast lappe is almost filled with a fry of Ilands all Idolaters and most of them enemies to strangers but especially Christians It begirteth those Countries
with Ianus looke two contrary waies and study the arts both of detracting and flattery yet there is but one truth if a man did liue in such a blessed age that he might maintaine the same with worthy boldnesse speaking what he thinkes thinking what he knowes and knowing nothing but honest certainties wherein not to be corrupted is a glory exceeding report and a worke of wonder indeed therefore as neere as I can I will reiect all impossible reports and authorities and tie my selfe to probabilities and truth or at least so much as is either receiued for currant in iustifiable relations or my poore experience dare warrant from mine owne endeauours and so I will shew you with what face Italy lookes vp to heauen at this houre and may with Heraclitus weepe for the vanities and miseries of the earth yet is cheerefull and thus like a strumpet is knowne by the pride of her eyes CHAP. XI ITALY described at this time FIrst towards the East lies the Kingdome of Naples within whose enclosures are detained the countries of Calabria Brutia and Apulia now Abruzzo Puglia and separated by the chāmpaine of Romandiola and the large Appenini which bee mountaines rising by Ancona and running forward to the great gulph that thrusteth it selfe between Rocca Imper◅all and Gallipolis It hath many townes but few cities onely Brindisi Ottonto Barletto and Naples are of some account the Countrey is rich in vines oyle and silke-wormes the people are dangerous superstitious and the Villano liues beastly the Gentle men are maintainers of liberty and pleasure scoffers at their owne religion and as great blasphemers as the Greekes of Cyprus insomuch that I haue heard them in their rages cry out Iddio Beco Puttana del Di and sweare by the absurd oath of potta del Cielo as in their commedy called Ruffiana and published in print may appeare yet is their adoration of her so superstitious that the Sauiour of the world is accounted her inferiour her attributes make heauen amazed and her altars smoke with incense and prophanation And what is this but to cause the Prophets to exclaime against the sacrifices of the Queene of Heauen and what is this but with Ahaz to make images for Baalim and burne children in the valley of Hinnon after the abhomination of the heathen and what is this but to build high altars with Manasses and like a Sorcerer to regard the crying of birds to vse enchauntments giue way to the imposturing art of witchcraft As for true religion oh God! thou laughest them to scorne as they haue the truth in derision which makes me remember what is reported in these parts of that worthy Sr. Philip Sidney who conuersing with a Neapolitane Count and brought to one of their Churches wherein he was loth to enter at that time was yet vnwilling altogether to distaste him but interiected some excuses but the Count vnderstanding him well enough bad him tarrie a while and so went into his formall deuotion but quickly returning embraced him with an oath by his Santa Donna that he would renounce all the religion of the world yea his part of Paradice before hee would trouble againe the conscience of so well deseruing a Gentle-man and companion They liue in great pomp for outward shew and make the City both rich and stately because they are not permitted to be resident in the Countrey but keepe heere continuall entercourse howeuer they groane vnder the Vice-Royes controll and the ouerwatchings of two strong castles which keepe both towne and harbour in awe and although the Spanish pride and sometimes cruelty is exercised amongst them as abating their natiue glory yet doth it little abridge them of moderne pleasures and customary wantonnesse so that if the Prophets in times past exclaimed against Tyrus and Sidon threatned Damascus and Syria prophesied the desolation of Aegypt and Aethiopia lamented Iuda and Samaria and mourned for Babylon and Assyria they might now cry out against Italy and Naples which as in times past was called Parthenope of the Syrens haunting these shores of the dangers of Scilla and Caribdis and for the notorious transhaping men into monsters by Circes allegorically alluding to the voluptuous sinnes and abusiue pleasures of this City and Countrey so still may it retaine the comparison and men bee terrified with the same dangers For if any place in the world keepes wickednesse warme with glorious flames and stretcht-out sensuallity to the length and bredth heere men are not only drunke with iniquity but commit fornication with Idols yea are mad with the rage of impiety The next is Romagnia or Romandiola called S. Peters patrimony a great countrey vnder the Pope in which are reckned the two Dukedomes of Ferrara and Vrbine of late daies fallen into the power of the Conclaue of Cardinals for want of lawfull succession or else by reason of their weaknes who peraduenture haue right but are not able to contest with so irregular an aduersary which makes them step a litle aside for feare of being trampled to peeces indeed The chiefe Cities are Rome Loretto Rimano Bologna Ferrara Vrbine Perugia Viterbium Spoletto Ancona and Rauenna all places of account well fortified adorned with palaces replenished with inhabitants and resort of Gentills both natiues and trauellers and supplied with all manner of prouision both for necessitie and wantonnes But Rome is the seat of the Pope and keepeth the Priests to the duties of the Sanctuary For the Colledge of Cardinals suffer no man to depresse the glory of the Church and proclaimes him an heretike that intermedleth with the ordinances of the great Bishop so that according to their seuerall degrees religious persons liue in great st◅te keepe Curtezans trauell in Carosses with six moiles sumptuously trapped though but a quarter of a mile to the Conclaue solemnize feasts and banquets make onely show of some ridiculous ceremonies and are in truth of slender deuotion in spirituall secrets but foolish superstition in absurd apparitions so that if I were an Atheist and a man vnconscionable to suppose that there were not a day of account to be made with the commander of all actions I had rather liue a religious man in Rome than be a Nobleman of Naples who as I said a litle before of all men liuing wash their hands in carelesnes and like Pollicrates the tyrant haue nothing to trouble them but that nothing hath troubled them concerning worldly encombrances so that with the Prophet I may well cry out the Priests are gone astray by the meanes of strong drinke and are ouercome with wine they faile in prophesying and stumble in iudgement their tables are full of vomit and filthines and no place is cleane yea the vision of the Prophet is come vnto them as the words of a booke which is sealed vp which men deliuer to one that is learned saying read thou and he replies I cannot for it is sealed then it is deliuered to an ignorant with read thou but
of Carolus Quintus inheritor of Spaine with so many titles besides that the Harolds were troubled in the proclaiming them and the stile was tedious to be divulged Betweene these two great Princes so many grudges increased and stimulatory causes of enmitie appeared that at last open defiances proclaimed an vnappeased warre and the trumpets of Bellona ecchoed nothing but disturbance in the fields of Europe especially after the Pope declares himselfe against France and by way of prophesie fore-telleth the ruine of the French gouernment in Italy adding withall some ominous signes of calamitie to ensue and casting vp an vntoward reckning in this manner That on S. Peters day at sunne-set a lightning fell on the great tower of the Castle of Millane and ouerthrew 6 fathomes of the curtaine on either side consumed 250000 weight of powder 1200 fire-pots salt for 5 yeeres and buried in the rubbish Richbowrg Captaine of the Castle with 300 Gentlemen of account vpon which aduantage the 23 of Nouember the Marquis of Pescarra with his Spanish bands the Marquis of Mantua the Cardinall of Medices and all the Emperors and Popes confederates come to Millane and once againe recouer it sacking the Towne which continued 15 daies in which time the Pope dying a new Pope called Adrian the sixt who was Cardinall of S. Sixtus was elected and admitted Sforza into Millane had not the French the yeere following attempted to recouer their losses besieged Millane againe tooke Nouarra and presumed to establish themselues more strongly which questionles they had done but that the Venetians forsaking them made the matter somewhat difficult and left the Army staggering like a tree almost tormented with the cruelty of many strokes and waueth in the winde ready to fall with the next violence At last the fatall stroke is giuen indeede mischeeues throng on one another so hastily that the French 1522 are expelled Italy so farre from hoping to augment their glories that they are in despaire to recouer their owne formerly possessed For presently the Castle of Millane yeelded to the conqueror the garrison was quickly dispersed or rather consumed with sicknesse the Spaniard insulted the Italians trembled and in a word all the French particeans were eaten out with hunger diseases and mutinies Thus was Francis Sforza invested in the Duchy of Millane and a generall league betweene the Millanoies Emperor and Venetians concluded but for all this successe of the confederates with the addition of the Duke of Burbons reuolt to the Emperor the French Armie continues in Italy and the Admirall with new forces breatheth out new malice against Millane besieging the towne battering the Citadle and trampling their best fields to durt in which times Pope Adrian dyes and Iulius Cardinall of Medices is chosen by the name of Clement the 7. who to insinuate with the Emperor beginneth a strange worke and by the way of conniuencie permitteth him to vsurpe Millane for himselfe whereupon all the Princes of Italy are terrified indeed and not only repine against the Popes proceeding but goe the plaine way to worke seeking by force of armes to propulse the Spaniard wherein the better to preuaile 1524 the French are recalled againe and by the glorious titles of Protectors of Millane the Marquis of Salust and Tremouile admitted for the French But at the last the 25 of February the fatall battaile of Pauy determined all controuersies and the Emperor triumphed in the captiuitie of the King of France which occasioned a very dissolution of the French gouernment in Italy as inforced to disclaime their interest both in the kingdome of Naples and Duchy of Millane Notwithstanding Francis Sforza is in no securitie of his estate as suspecting the Emperors demand of 1200000 ducats for his expences and that he intended a plaine vsurpation of the whole Duchie whereupon disabled by force to suppresse him he flies to the succour of his wits and tampers with the Marquis of Pescara for the inuesture of the royall mantle of Naples vpon condition to endeuour the spanish expulsion out of Millane which designe and proiect the Pope and other Princes not onely allow but as principall agents are imployed in the negotiation but the Emperor Charles is incensed and taking notice of these treasons as he now entitleth them raised vp the dust that made Sforza blinde and thus punisheth him as chiefe delinquent On the 24 of Iuly 1526. he brings his Armie to the siege of Millane and with Caesars speedinesse of Veni vidi vici circumspecteth the Citie obtaineth the conquest and settles the Duke of Burbon in the Duchy nor is his anger so moderated but seeing the father of charitie durst transgresse his owne principles he marcheth to Rome and sacketh it expulsing the Pope not in admonitory manner or after the discipline of the Church to excommunicate him ad coertionem but with violence and terror to torment him ad ruinam teaching him a new lesson of obseruing Emperors and Kings and as farre as time had discouered to his conscience shewing apparant signes of disanulling his authoritie in temporall affaires nor desisteth he so but vnderstanding of new releefe from the French and Lansguents he hurrieth about with a full resolution to make due end of all Thus endured this Duchy all the plagues depending on a miserable warre till at last 1530. the children of France are released and a peace ratified betweene the Emperor and the French King who in the articles of agreement surrendred his claime to all these territories in Italy and the Emperor is proud hee hath so easie a passage into the countrey which although seemed much distasting to the Princes and was as thornes in the sides of the Clergy as appeared amongst the Cardinals when they were enforced to ratifie the same yet was the Emperor carelesse of their displeasure and proceeded in what iourney he listed in despight of the Papacie onely with a colourable show of commiseration he restored Sforza to the Duchy of Millane but kept the Castles of Cremona and it in his hands so that presently after his death it was incorporated to the crowne of Spaine and hath euer since looked with the eyes of ielousie and repining vpon all their Gouernors CHAP. XIV The description of FRANCE THE flourishing kingdom of France euer since that Charles the great did as it were spread the wings of the Cherubins ouer sanctum sanctorum and ratified the glory of the Pope of Rome by expelling the Gothes and Vandalls out of Italy was knowne by the characters of the Christian King and eldest sonne of the mother Church But long before it suffred a diuision into Cisalpinam and Transalpinam Transalpinam againe into Celticam Belgicam and Acquitanicam whereby the best parts of Lombardy the low Countries and all on this side the Rhene westward marched vnder the standard of France and was proud to be registred in the booke of her accounts so that whatsoeuer hath bin since disioynted from this French frame may be
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
at dissensions by recording the mischiefe formerly acted But to proceede From Scithia to the prouince of Tangut they liue in troopes called Hordas and remoue from place to place according to the temperature of the season plenty of feeding and conueniencie of accommodating one another nor before the yeere of Redemption 1212 as I said did we in Europe heare of the name of a Tartar but Scithians Sarmatians Albanians and such like who were all idolaters worshipping their gods in trees hanging vp their dead on nether boughes and by way of auguring diuining their happines or damnation which custome is still reteined amongst the barbarous sort in the remotest places They are generally men of square stature broad faces hollow eyes thin beards owgly countenances and tye vp their haire to the crowne of their heads in rolles like a Snailes shell to which you may adde swarthnes of complexion not that the Sunne kisseth them with that feruencie but the aire and their sluttish customes corrupts both their blood and bodies yet hath nature preuailed ouer these outward inconueniences in the distribution of valour swiftness of footmanship vigilancie and patience to endure the many encombrances of trauell hunger and want of sleepe They loue Horses and from that loue accustome themselues to a sauage drinking of their blood practising a cunning theft herein which being vnpunishable occasioneth many prety changes both in keeping their owne and purloyning from others as if some ciuill Artist had instructed them with the Lacedemonian toleration in this kinde for the better animating one another in the spoyling their enemies yet for all this by reason they liue in tents and haue small defences for their furniture and goods theft of petty things is seuerely punished amongst them as also adulterie or if you will lying with another mans wife which is most odious vnto them because they are tyed to the trusting of one another as I said within dores and no man is debarred any entercourse it were therefore a double treachery to deceiue the trust reposed and either purloyne the goods which lye open or abuse the women which admit you so friendly They are gouerned in their trauels and remouings by the starres and obseruing the North pole settle according to her influence They liue free from couetousnes and are thus farre happy that the strange corruptions of wealth especially gold and siluer breed no disorders amongst them yet haue they a kinde of trafficke and by way of exchange continue mutuall commerces louing presents and can be contented to be flattered euen in their barbarisme and herein I thinke all the Easterne people are delighted from a receiued tradition of our Patriarkes But howsoeuer I can assure you Tartar Chrim himselfe who is the most likeliest to be spoken with of all others as being the neerest will not admit of any Christian without a gratuitie and present worthy of his fauour You must now step a litle forward toward the East and with the Sunnes rising see their glory arise For Tangut is a wealthy Prouince affording many things befitting Europes magnificence especially Rheubarb a simple of that prerogatiue as if the whole world were beholding for this distribution and had a sauing health by vertue of the same In Cathaia amongst many others the great Citie of Cambala will excite admiration if you measure a quadrant of 30 mile about and ouer-looke at euery corner a Tower 40 furlongs in circuit erected for a Seralia or Arsenall wherein the Emperors munition armour and prouision for war are secured but he himself is sequestred to the priuacie of another stately Pallace and is a strange Meteor amongst them seldome seene but for some portentous accident In Mangia as Queene of the rest is the Citie of Quinzai hauing a circumference of a 100 mile by reason a great Lake of 30 mile diuideth the streets into channels ouer which are numbred 1260 bridges some opening the arches so high and wide that a good ship vnder saile hath a passage of ease but things a farre off are quickly reported yet hardly beleeued and sometimes ouer-beleeued vpon easie report as you may perceiue by the trauels of Sr Iohn Mandeuile the writings of Munster and the constant asseueration of moderne Pilgrims who all tell of so many monstrous shapes of men in these parts that our ciuill people are affrighted at the hearing and many times come flocking to see such Trauellers as haue escaped the dangerous passages and sauage immanitie For my owne part I would perswade you that the world is a stage of variety and wonders whereon are placed more strange things of truth then the wit and policie of man can invent to seeme fabulous but as at a stage the spectators onely are a few in number to the infinite multitudes for the time excluded so in the exploration of Countries not one amongst ten thousand either take the paines or haue the iudgement to looke into the wonders of the world and therefore I would be loth to exclude all enlargements of histories from the closet of truth yet concerning those fabulous reports of Pigmies and Cranes of men with long eares one eye one foote and such like the Iudicious take vp the bookes to read as if they would excite laughter and I dare be bold to maintaine there are no such men or people in the world but all Gods images are miraculous in this distinction of voice reason and an erected countenance with a proportion of shape and what is not thus established is meerely a monster or a beast But because I am sure whether true or false there is nothing amongst them worthy respect or challenging any prerogatiue of happinesse or imitation I will leaue them to their vast territories and desist from amasing you with the almost incredible particulars of those places especially Cathaia and Mangia CHAP. II. The Monarchy of CHINA ON the second step of the earths Throne is the Country of CHINA mounted and diuided into eight seuerall Kingdomes ouer whom one principall Monarch controuleth by those high and illustrious titles of MVNDI DOMINUS and COELI FILIVS as if indeed their challenge to all natures immunities were a matter of consequence their boasting of many things before Adam true and canonicall The principall Citie is now called Faquin neighbouring Tartary out of which the Emperor neuer issueth but in time of warre which is as it were an exercise amongst them and challengeth the attendance of euery nation as if an hereditarie duty challenged the sonne to the fathers obedience one succession receiued of another what belonged to the setling their estates by attending their principall Commanders For as you haue read in England that from the Twede betweene 〈◊〉 Westmerland and Scotland euen to the Irish Seas there was a wall of a 100 mile long called Picts 〈◊〉 are at certaine spaces fortified with watch-towers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hollow trunckes placed within the curtaines receiued aduertisements one of another so that 〈◊〉 a
to their opinion which supposed it impregnable and not to be taken by force But what men cannot in the Lyons they compasse with the Foxes skin and thus farre deride both the strength of souldiers and pride of fortifications that where the minde may be corrupted vpon any tearmes of disloyalty neither wals ramparts nor manhood can preuent the power and deceit of bribery This appeared in the disposition or Bernardine and Philip of Fresques whom the cunning of Triuulce and the disbursing 20000. crownes quickly diuerted from their first resolutions and made a breach in the Citadle without mine or battery Thus was the French possessed of this Duchy without competition or diffidence and Lewis the 12 made his royall entry accordingly But marke the vicissitude of all things Millane reuolts againe and Sforza recouers all as easily as he lost it in which busines the Swisses proued very disloyall to the French and the lookers on were amazed to behold fortune proud of inconstancy so that this vse may be raised thereby How euer men satisfie ambition for the time yet are they certaine of nothing vnder the sunne Againe when by indirect courses designes are concluded they must stand the better on their guard and prepare their patience when any alteration startleth resolution thus fared it with Millane againe For as you see a glooing heat in Aprill changed on the sodaine to bitter blasts and cloudy tempests so was Sforzas iollity reuersed himselfe surprized taken and caried prisoner to Lions where denied the benefit of a princely execution and resolued nothing can be so acceptable to a man in misery as a noble death worthy the name of a Romane hee dies at once whether for griefe or great heart it matters not yet doth the King of France pardon Millane and at last keeps all in quiet But the warres of Naples are renewed 1501. and the kingdome is diuided betweene France and Aragon so that great alteration happens in Italy and within two yeeres there is a generall ouerthrow of the French with the taking of the Castle at Naples by the Spaniard yet is not Beniamin discomfited but calleth his brethren together and with more setled courages reintegrate their estates and so the French make head againe attending the good hower of a better prosperity About this time in August died Pope Alexander the sixt of poyson which he had prepared for the Cardinals but his taster by mistaking the flagons tooke away both his life and the pride of his expectation concerning Caesar Borgias glory or his further desires to set the fuell of Italy on a blaze After him to stint the strife of many Nations expecting the Papacie old Francis Piccolamini Cardinall of Sienna was chosen Pope by the name of Pius the third in memory of Pius the second his Vnkle who made him Cardinall but a yong man must prepare himselfe to dye and an old man cannot liue long so he continues scarce a moneth leauing his roome and the glory of all Rome to the Cardinall of S. Pierre who was made Pope by the name of Iulius the second 1504. in which yeere Naples wrested her head out of the French coller and seemed more glad to be supported by Arragon nor was this sufficient but vpon a supposition to extinguish the light of the lamps of France in Italy a new league 1511. was corroborated by the vnstedfast Italians against the French which when the King perceiued and that he coniectured how his barke must bee driuen to dangerous streits by the vncertaine windes of alteration he transported his Court and Councell from Florence to Millane and from Millane to Lions determining to weary them with tedious iournies and attendance so is Italy perplexed and the Nobles repine without remedy till at last the Emperor Maximilian spreadeth the wings of the Aegle and clocketh the Princes of Italy vnder her sides whereupon with the help of the Spaniard called the holy league warre is made against Lewis and the Duchy of Millane recouered againe to the vse of Maximilian Sforza grand-childe to Lodwick who was inuested Duke by the Cardinall of Sion about the end of December yet by the Swizzes assistance and loyalty the Castles of Millane and Cremona hold still for the French and the imbers are not so extinguished but fire appeares and yeeldeth this comfort that if they moderately proceed a greater heat and more quickning light may be made In the midst of which convulsions of Italy Pope Iulius dies and Iohn Cardinall of Medices succeeded him by the title of Leo the 10. whereby a second truce was ratified betweene Lewis of France and the King of Arragon so that Lewis made great benefit of this interim and cessation confederating with the Venetians by whose assistance he brought a royall Armie into the Duchy of Millane but the Pope hauing sent 40000 ducats amongst the Switzers quickly weighed downe their former stedfastnes and so when Millane and Cremona was stored with them they were corrupted to be traitors to their first masters and accordingly against all expectation with an odious reuolt encountred the French in as cheerefull a manner as euer before they had entertained the crownes of the sunne against the Italians so that ere the yeere went about the Castles of Millane and Cremona returne to the obedience of the Duke and King Lewis held nothing in Italy but the lanterne of Genes which afterward the Genouais razed to the ground both to preuent the occasion of future tyranizing ouer them and to manifest their inveterate malice against the flower-de-luce though it glistered neuer so gloriously in an azure field Now dyes Lewis 1514. but corruptio vnius generatio alterius For Francis the first suruiues and renewes the warres of Italy passing the Alpes the yeere following and surpassing considering his Royall Armie into the Duchy of Millane against the Emperor Arrogonians Sforza and the Switzers contract a league and aduance a strength to shoulder the new French King from any firmenes nay if it may be footing in Italy but like a Cedar of Libanus he standeth vpright enduring the shaking of these tempestuous stormes and so proceedeth to a warlike tryall whereby the 13 of September in a gallant encounter at Marignan he preuaileth against the Switzers besiegeth the new Duke Maximilian Sforza in Millane and coadiuted by the Duke of Burbon wrested this composition that Maximilian shall bee the Kings pentioner in France and the Switzers to depart with bagg and baggage Thus are the French once againe welcommed into the pleasures of Lombardy and Francis the first is Lord of this vnquiet Duchy which now is detained with a seeming securitie because the Pope applauded the successe and according to the superstition of those times and policie of temporizing blessed the royall standard of Valoies But about the 20 of Iune 1519. the Emperor Maximilian paies his tribute of life to the first enlarger of breath and Charles of Austria competitor with the King of France is preferred by the name
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
want of treasure the opinion whereof hath made his pride swell vncontrollable or orderly distribution the spring from whence the fluent plenty of Salomon had encrease Be not therefore affrighted at this monster opinion nor seduced with the vanity of report For put the best Hispaniolized English man to the skirmish of vnderstanding the truth and the wealth of Spaine shall prooue but false fires if you be so neere to discouer their disbursements and infinite occasions to dispend their treasure but if you should aduenture to lay their peeces to the light with Salomons cloth by way of comparison good God how course how cockeld how short how shrinking how faulty and indeed ridiculous would all appeare And thus much for their wealth Now to the rest What hath Spaine worthy commendation much lesse any prerogatiue of happinesse why Canaan flowed with milke and honey yeelding such blessings of encrease that the King not onely had his great store of prouision without repining but Israel as the sand of the sea eat dranke and made merry and can this bee done in Spaine The burnt hills and desart places will quickly answer the argument the country-man hides his garlike and onions as ashamed of his diet the Citizen powders his fish and buyes cheese of the Dutch-man the Gentle-man is limited what he shall eat and how much hee may carry home to his family the Court hath much adoe to be supplyed and many concussions are practized from the Kings prerogatiue to furnish the offices with reasonable allowance and the whole Kingdome is sometimes affrayd to want bread whereupon certaine agents are employed euen in remote countries to bring in both corne and victuall tempting both them and our selues with golde and ready payment of money for which purpose onely is a prouiso in their acts of Parliament concerning exportation of coyne of which in truth though they haue great cause to boast yet are they tied to so many inconueniencies for other wants that in their best cities is neither good fare nor good lodging nor any thing worthy the name of a blessing As for their silly praising of sallets fruits and herbs I remember Sr. Roger Williams answer to an idle Spanyard boasting of his countries citrons orenges oliues and such like I but sayd he in England we haue dainty veale and well fed capons to eat with this sawce and many delicate dishes worthy the name of sustenance indeede For God made the beasts of the earth to liue on the grasse and fruits of the same but man to liue vpon them and command all So that Adams wisdome gaue them titles and his superioriry prescribed subiection but how for mans vse mans delight mans necessity mans conuersation mans triumph Thus doth oyle make a cheerfull countenance wine a gladsome heart bread a strong body and flesh a fulnesse of bloud thus was Salomons palace and tables furnished and Dauid praised God for infinite blessings thus were odours and incense prouided and the loue of brethren compared to the deaw and balsome of Hermon or the costly oyntment on Arons vestures thus in Peters vision he might kill and eat and the Sauiour of the world liued amongst Publicans feasted at marriages and allowed of honest conuersation and thus had Canaan neighbourly meetings banquets of triumphs and times of publike and priuate celebrations But in Spaine no such matter they neither dare nor can bid you welcome For farre worse then in Italy idle iealousie filthy malice feare of expences arrogant menaces wicked suspition and such like will debarre you from the pleasure of inuitation from the freedome of entercourses and cannot sauour the noble liberty of mutuall amity Canaan had the temple furnished as God commanded the Priest obedient to the King the Prophets in estimation and the feasts of the Leuiticall Law orderly celebrated Spaine is polluted with Paganisme and inuented that cruell office of Inquisition to punish the Moores or such as adhered to their superstition is ouerawed by the Cleargy and is so terrified with the thundring voyce of excommunication that he durst not but put his owne sonne to death to please the Pope Canaan was a receptacle for strangers loued princely solemnities and could not endure neither begger nor whore of their owne nation Spaine hates all men or at least vilipends them in respect of themselues commits them to fire and sword that exclaime against their stewes and prophanation and cannot order many solemne festiuals except at a Kings inauguration a Princes marriage or a Cardinals iollity where yet an Italian inuention shall fill a table with painted trenchers and dishes of China but a hungry belly may cry for meat and not be satisfied Canaan had cities of refuge cities of store cities of strength cities for horses and the Kings magnificence to all which the high-waies were conuenient and men passed to and fro without danger or want In Spaine you must haue a Guide yea sometimes a guard and are so farre from expecting reliefe after your daies endurance that if you haue not a borracho before your saddle and commodious prouision on an Asse or Moile hired for the same purpose you may go supperlesse to bedde and peraduenture haue no other bedde but a Stramezza or some stinking tike filled with sedge and shalings of hempe Canaan had beautifull women Abraham and Isaack were afraid of their wiues least the Abimileckes might be enamored on their beauty Dina was full of fauour and her rauishment reuenged in bloud Iacob serued 14. yeares for his wiues and Rahel was a woman of great comelinesse Ruth no doubt pleased Boaz and the times afforded delicate creatures Bersabe Abigaile and Abisack are commended for their beauty Thamar was at first pleasing to Ammon and her loue molested the young Prince Ester and Iudith were Mirrors of their time the one pleased the Monarch of the world the other ouercame with a double victory the great Captaine of Assiria Susanna's beauty enflamed the Iudges and the dotards fell into the pit of burning wantonnesse Herodias was so attractiue that shee might haue commaunded halfe a kingdome the Queene Berenice allured Titus and he neglected his greatest affaires for her sake and so in thousand other relations besides the generall applause afforded the meaner sort whereby the very heathen confessed the happinesse of Iudea in this kinde and added blessing to blessing when they vnderstood their worth vertue and commendation But Spaiue must mourne for strange disparity this way and either lament that the whore of Babylon hath poysoned her Countries with the dregges of abomination or complaine that the women are painted like the images of the groues and sit in the high-way as Thamar when shee went to deceiue Iuda For if they be honest they are for the most part vnpleasing and swartisb if Curtezans dangerous and impudent so that for these and many other insufficiencies I dare be bold to say that as yet Salomon must sit vnparralel'd and Spaine can in no sort come neere the
France both cities and townes with their inhabitants and Merchants are vnfashionable sluttish dangerous rebellious and the people neither of wealth nor eminence In Paris they dare talke of a Kings wantonnesse entermeddle with tractates of Parliament and State call any Prince Hugonet that onely saies the Nostre Dame is but a darke melancholly Church and iustifie very monstrous and abusiue actions Besides to tell of their inconstant and refractary dispositions would be too tedious and sooner discouer their loathsome treasons then preuent the customary and mischeeuous practises of the people The peace of Salomon caused plenty and that spred it selfe ouer all Israel like a shady tree which as a double shelter kept backe the cold of winter and tempered the burning heate of summer so that it is apparant with the Kings magnificense at Court the husbandmans peace and wealth in the Countrey was enlarged whereupon most of them were Berzalites and would go no further then ouer Iordan with Dauid but rerurne to their owne houshold sit vnder their owne figg-trees and bee gathered together into the graues of their ancestours But France knowes not now what to say For the Court is a meere mapp of confusion and exposeth many actions more ridiculous then worthy imitation as for the Countrey-man hee is called a Pesant disparaged in his drudgery and seruile toylsomnesse liueth poore and beastly is treacherous at aduantage and yet afrayd of his owne shadow and cannot free the vineyards from theeues and destroyers yea all the countrey swarmeth with rogues and vagabonds whose desperate wants driue them to perpetrate many horrible murthers although for the most part the Prouosts of euery diuision are very diligent The wisdome of Salomon setled his cities that strangers were admitted at all times except in frontire townes which peraduenture were guarded in the night according to martiall discipline prouided that the passages were easie and secure admitted of all complainants and leuiated their greeuances aduanced himselfe on a golden throne to entertaine matters of Iustice allowed of the Prophets who yet out of zeale cryed out against the abuses of the Temple and Palace and commanded the subiect first to remember his duty to God then his obedience to the Prince and last of all his loue to his neighbour and this hee performed by admonitory preceps to enstruct the ignorant and princely indignation to punish the obstinate France referreth all to Parliaments and Presidents excludeth the reformed Churches out of the walls of the cities hath the name of Prophet in derision suffered the Iesuites to murther two famous Princes permitteth them still a Sanctuary and from worldly policy excludeth true religion out of doores In France the passages are toylesome and disordered dangerous for extraordinary robberies and vnder officers shuffle vp diuers times most notorious abuses To conclude in France many particulars choak the breath of happinesse from giuing life to a glorious Kingdome indeede if the reciprocall duties betweene Prince and subiect were but easily extended so that with these defects I cannot chuse but exempt her from sitting on any hand of Salomons throne Whither shall wee then goe to match our example or at least to come so neere that a ciuill censurer will neither flatter nor detract you know my first purpose and I now determine to lead you into the sweet and orderly fields of England CHAP. XV. ENGLAND compared with the probable reasons why she is neerer the example of CANAANS happinesse then any other nation WIthout preface or circumloquution you shall finde the Kingdome of England in geographicall dimension equall to the country of Canaan and the people praysing of God in regard of their great and extraordinary blessings For begin where you will wee shall come so neere the comparison as a close order in ranging a battalion Concerning the generall view of the same did you euer heare or read of any so well diuided into shires and hundreds with Lords Lieutenants Sheriffs Iustices and other inferiour officers insomuch that it hath layd an imposition on the endeauours of a principall scholler and hee according to the secret of satisfaction hath most worthily vnclasped the records of antiquity and with such sufficient ampliation that our aduersaries haue beene silent in excepting against it But to my first purpose I say that to match all the particulars wherwith I haue stored Salomons magnificence and the countries prosperity there is not at this houre any Kingdome in the world so ready apt or worthy to take him by the hand to pace out the measures of true glory and happinesse as the Kingdome of England Concerning our glory abroad what worthy voyages haue we made I hope no people or nation euer equalled vs witnesse Sr. Iohn Mandeuill into India by land Stafford ouer Europe much about the same time Ienkinson Willoughby Borogh and many others into Russia and Muscouia Forbisher and Hawkins to discouer the northerne passages the Fenners Ralph Lane Iohn Clarke and diuers into America another voyage where of Sr. Walter Raleigh was the proposer our setling in Virginia our traffique to the West Indies Brasill Peru Caribana and Guiana Captaine Drake round about the world twice or thrice Thomas Candish the like our trauels to the East Indies or Philippines the Earle of Cumberlands worthy voyages amongst others that to Santo Port-Ricco the Portugall voyage Cales voyage the Iland voyage and sundry others as in Master Hackluits booke about this subiect only Besides moderne trauellers both of Noble-men Gentle-men although euery man is not a free Denizon of prosperities Kingdom nor can boast of natures bounty in the gifts of vnderstanding or fortunes liberality in disposing her treasures If you would see how our marchants are bestowed look into all the Ports of the world you shall find them setled our shipping in harbour If you could view all the countries of the earth where men dare or can come we are nobly dispersed I beleeue might be pull'd out of the center of the same if such a passage did euer excite man to explore for secrets marchandize or wealth If you were admitted into the remotest palaces of Emperours Kings yea Tartary it selfe English-men would salute you and speak your owne language and if you haue a purpose to affright idlenesse with any enterprize in the world especially to make them beleeue that the hand of profit will fill their laps with plenty English-men dare set endeauours on their best feet and can tell how to tumble all blockes and hindrances aside which may either terrefie them from such enterprizes or detaine them from the glory of the actions only heere lies a secret of traducing them that a supposition of the wants of others or feare of cumbersomnesse when they meet with an indigent countrey-man abroad hath debarred free conuersation and doth make the mutuall supplying the necessity of strangers a harsh-kinde of welcome yea an absolute leauing them to misery if they haue not bills of exchange or letters of
wonder how such a corner of the world should haue such a generall confluence of all happinesse and courtship as if a raised winde should beat the swelling sea of prosperity to one shore But if you will be rauished indeede or transported with the loue of the world come and behold the beauty of our Ladies and the disposing them at a night of solemnity to which if you adde the generall contentment which our English women affoord generally without sophisticate and adulterate additions either to comelinesse or fauour there is no man can hold his peace but proclaime our preeminence Againe if you would see Iustice proud of her entertainment and how shee presents both praemium and poena to the seuerall attendants on her throne of equity looke into our Starre-chamber and view the Sunne in most perspicuous splendour without so much as the least clowdy respect of persons If you will enter our Gentle-mens houses I hope there is no such cupbords of plate beds of of veluet and embroidery hangings of tapistry variety of roomes duty of seruants order of house-keeping store of pastime and all that man can desire in any countrey in the world If you will search our cities and townes what they want in outward deceit of formality and yet I cannot so extenuate our buildings is supplyed in sweetnesse and delicacy and within doore surpasseth the best of them for wealth and furniture As for expences I am sure some Citizens of London are at more annuall charge of diet then the Dukes of Venice Florence or Genoa for their own palaces If you will examine our marchants howeuer some great Foulker or agent for a whole Kingdome in Genoa Antwerp Brussels or other citties may surpasse vs for vsury venting commodities or supposition of wealth yet I am sure there died not two such in one yeere out of one towne in the world as Spencer and Sutton As for the rest they surpasse for curious fare statelinesse following their pleasures handsome education comely entertainment and orderly contribution Besides they liue at home in ease purchase land with security bring vp their children in daintinesse maintaine their families in obedience and cannot be matched by any forraine opposition Would you be acquainted with the Trades-man Artezan and others of mannuall occupation looke how hee liues looke how he fares looke where he dwels looke what he weares looke whether he goes to buy his meat to such markets and shambles that the very sight astonisheth all strangers and once made acquainted with their variety and goodnesse they are amazed at our blessings and wonder how so much prouision can bee orderly deuoured Would you be refreshed with the pleasant countrey aire our Yeoman and Husbandman liueth in such delight and sweetnesse of situation that you may repine at his health and prosperity but if you consider in what comelinesse and decency in what peace tranquility in what neatnes and hospitality in what wealth and good condition you will fall to praising of God for imparting his blessings to our nation and wishing the like to your owne deficient countrey in this kinde For beleeue it as you shall heare heereafter whether he be Purchaser or Farmer our enemies haue repined at our prerogatiues in this kinde and our friends embtaced our noble customes with desire of imitation I could adde many things to the ampliation of our glory as our hauens and harbours especially in Ireland our riuers high wayes secure trauelling vniuersities castles bathes mines and honorable orders of watchings trainings and musters but I referre them to their due places when I shall prooue our excellency and transcending prerogatiues beyond other nations And thus much for our glory CHAP. XVI Wherein the happinesse of ENGLAND is both perspicuous and commendable COncerning the happinesse of a nation what Kingdome hath more commodities within it selfe wanteth lesse or is better furnished from forraine parts so that whether for profits sake the strangers of other countries make sale of their best things or that there is a secret in transportation or that custome or cunning hath taught our marchants euen curiosity it selfe in selecting the choycest things I know not but am sure our England is the shop of the world and London the Magazin of natures dainties But to particulars if it bee a blessing for euery man to eat vnder his owne roofe to sit with the pleasure of conuersation in his orchard or garden to enioy the fruits of the earth with plenty to liue in neighbourly gratuities and in a manner our doores open all night to haue many children seruants and store of cattle to purchase great estates marry our daughters beyond expectation and strengthen one another in worthy families and preuailing affinity looke amongst vs and tell mee where is the like If it be a blessing not to be suppressed with superiours not to haue the Common-wealth rent in peeces with tyrannie not to see others enioy the fruits of our labours not to be tormented with intrusion vsurpation or malicions lookes of ouer-couetous Land-Lords looke amongst vs and demand who can complaine or at least who is so wronged but hee may haue satifaction or redresse If it be a blessing to enioy the preaching of the Gospell to be free from corrupting and absurd ceremonies to reioyce in the liberty of vpright consciences to continue in a true perfect and established religion as heereaster shall be more amply explained to abound with reuerend learned men to haue liberall accesse and dispute of our faith with moderate perswading and disswading and to haue all controuersies tried vpon the touch-stone of Gods truth come and heare vs and tell me wherein you are vnsatisfied If it bee a blessing to haue sociable conuersation and yet with honourable respect to continue the freedome of neighbourly meetings exempted from this intolerable yoake of iealousie and suspition to loue one another with those comfortable conditions of charity to seast without scandall to entertaine without repining and to be merry without lasciuiousnesse Examine the disposition of vs all generally and setting mens imperfections aside which follow life as the shadow the sunne and tell me where is lesse offence in so great fulnesse offelicity If it be a blessing to make the best vse of natures blessings to be rather helpfull then indigent of others help to be at peace with all the Kingdomes of the world to haue confining Princes gratefie vs by Embasie to haue the greatest Monarchs allied or desiring our alliance to welcome all comers with a noble and correspondent inuitation and to thriue euery day more more in the propagation of our worth Take vp the example put vs to the triall and see whether I speake vaine-gloriously To conclude with the best of all blessings if it be a blessing to liue in expectation of a royall succession to bee confident of hopefull Princes to haue adioyning countries study our obseruation to see our owne country and people flourish with all abundance and to
haue in London those that be faire beautifull and cleanely kept insteed of foggy mists and clowds ill aire flat situation miry springs and a kinde of staining clay you haue in London a sunne-shining and serene element for the most part a wholesome dwelling stately ascension and delicate prospect insteed of a shallow narrow and sometimes dangerous riuer bringing onely barges and boats with wood coale turff and such countrey prouision you haue at London a riuer flowing twenty foot and full of stately ships that flie to vs with marchandize from all the ports of the world the sight yeelding astonishment and the vse perpetuall comfort so that setting the vnconstant reuolutions of worldly felicity aside who shall oppose against our nauy and if wee would descend to inferiour roomes the riuer westward matcheth Paris euery way and supplieth the city with all commodities and at easier rates In steed of ill fauoured woodden bridges many times endangered with tempests and frosts you haue in London such a bridge that without ampliation of particulars is the admirablest monument and firâ—… erected structure in that kinde of the Vniuerse whether you respect the foundation with the continuall charge and orderly endeauours to keepe the arches substantiall or examine the vpper buildings being so many and so beautifull houses that it is a pleasure to beholde them and a fulnesse of contentment to vnderstand their vses conferred vpon them Insteed of an olde Bastill and ill-beseeming Arsenall thrust as it were into an outcast corner of the City you haue in London a building of the greatest antiquity and maiesticall forme seruing to most vses of any Citadle or Magazin that euer you saw For the Tower containeth a Kings palace a Kings prison a Kings armoury a Kings mint a Kings ward-robe a Kings artilery and many other worthy offices so that the Inhabitants within the walls haue a Church and are a sufficient parish Insteed ofan obscure Louure newly graced with an extraordinary gallery the onely palace of the King neere Paris In London his Maiesty hath many houses parkes and places of repose and in the countries dispersed such a number of state receipt and commodity that I protest I am driuen to amaze knowing the defects of other places nor doe I heere stretch my discourse on the tenter-hookes of partiality or seeme to pull it by the by-strings of selfe-conceit or opinion but plainely denotate what all true hearted English-men can auerre that to the crowne of our Kingdome are annexed more castles honors forrests parkes houses of State and conueniency to retire vnto from the encombrances of the hurliburly of cities then any Emperor or King in Europe can challenge proprio iure Insteed of an old ruinous palace as they terme their house of Parliament Hall of Iustice concourse of Lawyers or meetings of certaine Trades-men or Milleners like an Exchange and as it were promiscuè confounding all together we haue in London such a Circo for Marchants with an vpper quadrant of shops as must needs subiect it to forraine enuy in regard of the delicacy of the building and statelinesse in the contriuing We haue in London a second building for the ease of the Court profit of the Artizan and glory of the city which for any thing my outward sence may iudge of can equall the proudest structure of their proudest townes though you should name St. Marks Piazza in Venice for so much building We haue in London a Guild Hall for a State-house and Westminster for generall causes of the Kingdome two such roomes that without further dispute maketh strangers demand vnanswerable questions and gently brought to the vnderstanding particulars lift vp their hands to heauen and exclaime O happy England ô happy people ô happy London and yet I must confesse that the hall at Padoa and great counsell-chamber in Venice be roomes of worthy note and sufficient contentment We haue in London diuers palaces for resort of Lawyers their Clients other offices appropriate all workes rather of ostentation to our selues then imitation to others Insteed of narrow dirty streets neither gracefull to themselues nor beautified with any ornament wee haue spacious large and comely streets exposing diuers workes of peace charitie and estimation Insteed of obscure Churches we haue first the goodliest heap of stones in the world namely Pauls next the curiousest fabricke in Europe namely Westminster chapple and generally all our Churches exceede for beauty handsomnesse and magnificent building as framed of hard stone and marble and exposed with a firme and glorious spectacle as for the Dona of Florence St. Marcks in Venice St. Marcks in Millane the Noterdame at Paris and some others in Germany the steeple onely at Strasborough except which is denominated Beautifull for the height and handsomnesse they are either buildings of bricke or conceited structures like a fantasticall bird-cage of a little inlayd or mosaijcke worke worthy of applause from such as respect new dainties and not to bee ouerpassed for curious pictures and paintings where yet by the way you must obserue that in those daies of superstition and particulars of ostentation concerning rich hangings imageries statues altar-cloths roods reliques plate pictures and ornaments other Churches and monasteries of Europe come farre short of our glory and Popish brauery Insteed of Gentle-men on dirty foot-clothes and women in the miry streets the one with an idle Lacquey or two the other with no company of respect wee haue fashionable attendancy handsome and comely going either in Carosse Coatch or on horsebacke and our Ladies and women of reputation sildome abroad without an honourable retinue Insteed of a confusion of all sorts of people together without discouery of qualitie or persons as Citizens Lawyers Schollers Gentlemen religious Priests and Mechanickes that you can scarse know the one from the other nor the master from the man In London the Citizen liues in the best order with very few houses of Gentle-men interposed and in our suburbs the Nobility haue so many and stately dwellings that one side of the riuer may compare with the Gran Canale of Venice But if you examine their receipt and capacity Venice and all the cities of Europe must submit to the truth Nay ' in London and the places adioyning you haue a thousand seuerall houses wherein I will lodge a thousand seuerall men with conueniency match vs now if you can Insteed of a poore Prouost and disorderly company of Marchants and Trades-men we haue a Podesta or Maior that keepeth a Princely house wee haue graue Senatours comely Citizens seuerall Halls and authorized Corporations all gouerned by religious Magistracy and made famous by triumphant solemnities so that our best Gentry are delighted with the spectacle and strangers admire the brauery To conclude if you looke on and in our London truly as it is composed of men following trades occupations there is not such a city such a gouernment such a method of conuersation such a vnity of good fellowship such a
aduanceth or deiecteth can attend the good houre and begge all such graces as a Princes fauour distributeth to the subiect yet haue I read of a King in England who importuned by a Yeoman to be made a Gentleman answered hee could enoble him with knighthood or the title of a Baron but not confirme him a Gentleman because true gentry had another manner of lustre from the raies of vertue and honour in a continuall discent of Auncestors illuminated from the sunne of worthy actions either in military profession or administration of ciuill gouernment But thus liueth our Countreyman by what name or title soeuer onely we were wont to interpose this difference betweene Yeoman Francklin or Farmer that the Yeoman was a landed man either Freeholder or coppieholder the Farmer onely hired another mans land paying a fine or rent and so growing rich had the denomination of the other and did not in times past murmure though you called him Good-husband or expert Plow-man yet call him what you will he is in some Countries able to lodge you richly set a peece of plate on the cupbord fiue or six dishes of meate on the Table sweete and fine linning on your bed cheerefully to welcome you and is so cunning besides that he can tell his Lawyer a formall tale and complaine to the Iustice if a farre better man doe him wrong and in this who can come neere vs CHAP. XXV Another excellencie of ENGLAND consisteth in the goodnes of our Nauy and shipping I Hope I shall now passe without contradiction especially when I bring you forward to our ports harbours and riuers shewing you the glory of our shipping whether you esteeme them as the Kings and onely purposed for magnificence state and occasion of warre or the Marchants for exploration of countries plantation of Colonies bringing in of commodities enriching of our Kingdoms and yet withall defending our selues or both together for noble actions memorable voyages extraordinary encounters and ceremonious brauery wherein wee haue bin so priuiledged that from the memorable fame of Edward the third to this instant we neuer met enemy but preuailed vpon equall termes yea great odds and when we had misfortunes it was as Sampsons death amongst the Philistims who pulld downe the Temple on their heads and slew more at that instant than in his former enterprises witnes many nauall battailes wherein what losse soeuer we susteined the aduersarie had double and treble euen when about the fourth yeere of Hen 8. the Nauies of England and France met at Britaines Bay and we lost the Regent of England wherein Sir Thomas Kneuet was Captaine with 700 men yet did they endure the wreck of many ships especially the French Carick called then the wonder of Europe in which Sir Piers Morgan with a 1100 men perished as also when Sir Richard Greenueild within our memory miscaried by a meere disastrous chance although I might honestly excuse it by ouer-great aduantage of both ships and gallies yet as they themselues haue confessed they had no great cause to boast or let any vaine-glorious insulting runne at random But how wee haue preuailed indeed let these few instances suffice About the 14 of Edw 3. the King gathered a Nauy of 200 saile against the French who in those daies were coadiuted with Flanders as a Peere of France wherein though he was mightily ouer-matched with numbers yet preuailed he in execution and had so triumphant a victorie that their owne account numbred 30000 men slaine 200 ships surprized and taken and the rest put to an ignominious flight The 20 yeere hee went into Normandy dismantled her Townes spoiled Cane and as a messenger of reuenge brought fire into the Harbours vntill the ships were consumed and set on a blase Anno 24 he encountred the power of Spaine and vnplumed their fethers of ostentation by taking 28 great ships and making the rest vnseruiceable Anno 33 he sailed into Picardy and so preuailed that the sea yeelded him safe passage and all Burgundy safe conduct Anno 41 with a memorable victory both at sea and land did the blacke Prince resettle Peter of Spaine and in despight of all the sea forces or other warlike opposition passed and repassed at pleasure In the time of Rich 2. about the 10 yeere the Duke of Lancaster sailed into Spaine but how glorious that victory was on our side and how surmounting our Nauie before theirs the wonderfull successe attested and their owne inventories record the losse with lamentable Items The next yeere following Richard Earle of Arundell and Thomas Earle of Notingham encountred at sea with an infinite number of Flemmings but victory is in the hands of God and multitudes of men faile in their ostentation For in that maritime contention were taken a 100 ships and better the successe filling our Cities with commodities and our mouthes with praises and thanksgiuing In the 5 of Henr 4 when the French came to the I le of Wight and assailed Dartmouth with a great Nauy the rusticall people preuailed against them and manning out but the fisher-boats of the country with certaine Pinaces attending the seruice tooke 16 of their best ships and compulsed the rest to be the messengers of their owne obloquy The 3. of Hen 5. was a yeere of triumph and a 1000 saile of ships filled the narrow seas cleared the passage into Normandy amased all men who had notice of our brauery and reioyced the rest of Europe with Encomians of our successe which followed presently in France In the 15 of Edw 4. it pleased the King to passe ouer to the aide of the Duke of Burgundy but howeuer his inconstancie proued vnsauory to vs at land it matters not I am sure the seas gaue vs way nor durst their Nauy presume to intercept vs. In the 5. of Hen 8. the former encounter which I named at Britaines bay was a day of terror and we tooke burnt and spoiled as many as we mustred out of harbour The next yeere threatning Turwin and Turnay our Nauy carying all afore it like a swelling riuer beating downe the slender banks there scarce appeared an opposite for the former losses were so great that they halted downe-right in their recouery and France once lamed in her shipping cannot euery yeere bring a new Nauy into the channell with good equipage or aduantage The 14 yeere the Earle of Surrey was Admirall and not onely preuailed in all encounters at sea but by vertue of our shipping conquered diuers townes both in Britaine and Picardy The 15. the Duke of Suffolke was sent into France with an army of 30000 who passed the seas yea the water of Some without battaile and so terrified the French with all their coadiutors at that time for you must vnderstand in those repining and murmuring daies against our glory France Spaine the Low-Countries and Scotland were either confederate or entertained for wages so that almost all the mercenary shipping of Europe attended on the payment of the