The glory of England, or A true description of many excellent prerogatiues and remarkeable blessings, whereby she triumpheth ouer all the nations of the world vvith a iustifiable comparison betweene the eminent kingdomes of the earth, and herselfe: plainely manifesting the defects of them all in regard of her sufficiencie and fulnesse of happinesse. By T.G.

CHAP. IX. The glory of the SPANIARD.

THE ninth proportion of the earths hap∣pinesse * 1.1 hath so confirmed the King of Spaine in a large inheritance, that hee now lifteth vp a head of maiestie with an imperiall countenance and extraor∣dinary titles: But if I must conduct you into the enclosures of vnderstanding, how this comes about, I am affraid I shall torment former times with vaine repetitions, and confused originals; yea indeede abuse your patience with tedious and friuolous discour∣ses, considering so many excellent histories haue explai∣ned the difficulties of these people, and the moderne commentary is a true and delicate glasse to behold her forme and beauty in: Otherwise I could fill your lap with these abstracts, and make vp a kinde of reckning with pleasure and contentment from a modest amplia∣tion. That Hercules with his large and warlike embrace∣ments clasped this country about, infusing such vertue, as his father Ioue innated in him, whereby his actions tended to reformation of abuses, & purging the Kingdom of such monsters, as had both terrified them with their huge bo∣dies, and made them miserable with the confusion of rapes, murthers, and cruell oppression: so that Hesperus, Gerion, and Cacus mighty giants were subdued, and the country calmed of all stormy blasts of rudenes, and con∣fused barbarisme: That after such heroicke proceedings

he stood like a Colossus ouer the streights, naming the great mountaines of Abila and Calpe his pillers with this inscription of Non plus vltra, howeuer afterward it was * 1.2 the fortunate brauery of Charles the Emperor vpon the discouery of the West Indies to write Plus vltra, quite ob∣literating Non; as if his new glory had better conse∣quence: That hee erected a Temple in the Iland of Gades now Cales, and as it were enfeoffed the seas and streights with his surname: That from the burnt ashes of Tyrus after Dido was forewarned to abandon Phoenicia by the ghost of her husband Sichaeus, like the Phaenix sprung vp a many Phoenixes, who possessed the shores of Africke, and built an airy in Gades: that is, the bani∣shed and discomfited people of Tyrus erected Carthage, Gades, and many other townes in Africke, and Spaine: That presently followed the dissention betweene the Gaditanes, and Turditanes; betweene the Celtibrians and Iberians, setled nations in Spaine, to the deciding of whose controuersies Marrhable and Haldruball were called out of Carthage, which both made a conquest of Spaine, and proiected to clip the feathers of the Roman Aegle, who now began to spread her wings ouer the best inhabited fields of the world: That from this emulation, Rome stood on a better guard, and accounted these Africans a barbarous people in respect of themselues, as foretold from the prophesie of Daniel, and the Sibills of her strange establishment, as Queene of the world, and at last shared the plenty of Spaine: for impatient of any aduenturers in that voyage, the Carthaginians were expelled, and the royall standard of Italy aduanced: That time ouer∣wearied with the insulting of perpetuitie, at last incited the strange nations of Gothes, Vandalls, and Lombards to

labour in the worke of the god of alteration, who pull'd this country from all Emperors and Kings, and made a fearefull diuision of the same, keeping themselues warme in Spaine, when all other countries failed: That long after Count Iulian began a new worke, as if he could haue powred downe vengeance on the author of his discon∣tents. For after Rodrigo had rauished his daughter, hee called in the Mores a race of Mahumetans into Spaine to be reuenged on the King, by whose assistance he not one∣ly banished the Gothes, and other people into Castile, but kill'd the King, vsurped the country, altred the gouern∣ment, and so plaied their parts in Granado, Valentia, and Andolozia, as if they were created of purpose to shew some wonder of heauen, when dissolution of King∣domes, and punishment of offences is determined: so that they quickly made their owne conditions, and bound the countrey euer since to the ratifying of them, infecting the best families of Spaine with paganisme, whereby our moderne Kings weeding them out by litle and litle, haue also attempted to purge their Churches of such filthines, and when they could not preuaile by precept, and autho∣rity of reason, they erected the office of Inquisition, to discouer who were addicted to the adoration of Mahomet, * 1.3 and durst contest against the blessednes of saluation in IESVS CHRIST, whereupon the Mores haue raised ma∣ny innouations in the countrey, & euen the last yeere to * 1.4 the number of a million fraighted their hearts with trea∣son, and a burning desire to set on flame the wondrous compacted peace of Spaine.

Here is yet no great cause of amazement: For thus were the children of Israel persecuted by the Aegiptians, affrighted with the Philistims, maligned by the Edomites

subiected and made slaues to Babylon, tormented and threatned by Syrians and Graecians, and at last not onely subdued, but subuerted by the Romans, who of all other, put the axe to the tree, and at one stroke laid the same on the ground, leauing the holy Citie desolate as a widow, cast out as an orphan, despised as a vagabond, and puni∣shed worse than a traiterous rebell, vntill the Mahumetans by way of curtesie ridd her of her paine at once, and vt∣terly trampled her to peeces: so that now to see the peo∣ple dispersed without a law, common-wealth, or King: to view the countrey like a barren wildernes: to behold nothing but rapes and robberies, where so many promi∣ses had bin made from heauen, where such riches and ma∣iestie flourished, where such mightines and state increased, and where all prosperity triumphed, would leniat an ada∣mantine heart, and raise a crying voice from commisera∣tion, with Heu cadit in quenquam tantum scelus? tanta ini∣quitas? And thus much for example concerning the se∣uerall alterations of Spaines gouernment, now to the rest of his ostentation.

The whole countrey retaineth still the antient diuision of Baeticam, Lusitaniam and Tarraconensem, and the me∣mory of eight seuerall Kingdomes, 1. Gallicia, to which Asturia and Cantabria are connected: 2. Nauarra, the pro∣per * 1.5 inheritance of the house of Burbon in France. 3. Castiles, a coople boasting both of antiquitie and excellency. 4. Lu∣sitania, tother day Portugall, but now incorporated with the rest into the house of Austria. 5. Leon extinguished long since by the greater light of Arrogon. 6. Arrogon, laying claime to Naples and Ierusalem, and so enlarging the King of Spaines titles. 7. Valencia, mourning for her corruption in religion: and 8. Granado, to which Ando∣lozia

or the countrey of Vandalls, with the former Iland of Gades are vnited. Amongst these Portugall did once boast of the conquest of India, Aethiopia, Persia, and many other places, especially Taprabona, or the Iland of Saint Lawrence, betweene whom and Great Britaine (as I haue said before) at this instant of all the Ilands in the world is comparison for circuit, and spatiousnes of ground. But shall we let them goe on with these vaine-glorious titles of conquest and victory, when they are yet but poore posses∣sors of some harbours and townes by the sea shore, and stand on their guard with more terror to lose, than euer they entertained comfort in getting them. I, I, let them alone a gods name: For quarrels arise from contradi∣ction; and there is no disputing with men resolued in the vaine promises of worldly deceit; nor must you be in∣credulous, when a Portugall shall report, that these ex∣ploits were carried in the current of successe without the helpe of Spaine at all, as though there was euer a distin∣ction, or rather separation betweene themselues, and a Castilian; yea they proceeded further, as if there were an Antipathy in nature: For they vsed to spit at the naming a Spaniard, like simple people in England after the Deuill was pronounced. But to the rest: if you would truely vnderstand the cause of his pride and former elation of countenance, you must then take notice, that he detaineth all these Kingdoms within his owne Continent, as a com∣manding Monarch, and after many convulsions begged at fortunes hands the ratification of the Royalty, stiling himselfe withall King of Naples, Sicilia, and Hierusalem: the two former gouerning by Viceroies, the latter clai∣ming by inheritance, as vnwilling to lose himsele, or for∣get the glory of his auncestors, wherein he pleadeth imi∣tation:

For the Emperor writeth King of the Romans, not once visiting of Italy: the Denmarke King of England, England of France, and France of Nauarre: then are the Ilands of Sardinia, Corsica, Maiorca, and Minorca entred his booke of accounts; to which if you adde the noble Duchie of Millane, into whose demeanor Count Fuentes looketh with prying eies for his behalfe, & that the state of Genoa dependeth on his protection, you will say ambition set him well on worke, and as well rewarded him for his daies labour. As for the Low Countries, he would faine shew them as feathers belonging to his broken wings, and taketh the house of Burgundie for his owne, hoping that the Pope, which can canonize a Saint, will make the daughter of Spaine a Queene, especially of her owne in∣heritance.

Thus liueth and ruleth he in Europe: but all this were rather burthensome vnto him, considering the barren hills and sandy plaines of his countrey, if you looke not one way into the shores of Affricke, and another way o∣uer the bottomles Ocean, and so examine the cause of his boasting indeede, which is his store-houses of golden mines, his conquest of many nations, his reducing them * 1.6 to Christianity, and his triumph in the fruition of posses∣sed tranquillitie: For America is almost his owne, resem∣bling a Peninsule, and ioyned in the midst with an Istmus. If you begin at the streights of Magellane, they will tell you, that Magellanus a Spaniard first explored the passage: If you aske, what was done a litle before, an answer is ready, that Americus Vesputius gaue name to this new world, and Christophorus Columbus of Genoa about a 130 yeeres since, searched her entrailes, discouered her mala∣dies, and applied a Cataplasme to her most dangerous

wounds, which was irreligion and barbarous idolatry: For although he found vnlookt-for glorious Cities, and well compacted gouernments, yet was he faine by strong hand to ouerthrow their idols, and punish their obstinacy with cruelty. The south shore, or if you please the Con∣tinent on the left hand 10000 miles long called Psitaco∣rum regio, is questionles inhabited, though vndiscouered, and not fully descried. The other Continent beyond the line inuites you to the view of strange nations, whom we confound with the generall horror of Cannibals, as men or rather monsters feeding on humane flesh, Giants: the land of Patagons, and Amazons, as supposed to flie hither, when the Kings of Europe repined to see women the equall sharers of honour amongst them: But for my owne part, I rather suppose it the error of ignorant Cos∣mographers, who when they cannot, or dare not certainly deliniate a countrey, then will they fill vp a place with monsters and formidable creatures both men & women: Thus haue they done with the interior parts of Africke, and the remote countries of Mangia, and the inhabitants of Taunis, when God knowes all these places with the rest are possessed by men, and of orderly proportion, yea such men, that though they be idolaters, beleeue the im∣mortality of the soule, and care not to dye in hope of a better life: therefore let the iudicious be perswaded, that what hath not voice and reason, is a beast or monster. From hence neerer the line or more northward looking from the streights of Magellane, you come into the gol∣den kingdomes of Peru, Brazill, and Caribana, and may be pleased with the streames of two mighty riuers De la Plata, and Maragnon, which by computation maketh a winding of 5000 mile, and haue their shores stored with

Cities and inhabitants, of whom and which so many idle things are reported, that though I am not incredulous, as knowing, what barbarous nations can afford; yet doe I disclaime vnnecessary discourses, because I haue further busines in hand, and of better consequence. A litle more remote toward the West, beginneth the Istmus circum∣spected with the territories of Mexico, Cusco, and Themi∣stian, with many other Cities of such wealth and mighti∣nes, that the people were slaine by thousands, or rather millions, ere they could sauour other obedience, than ido∣latrous and sauage liberty: On the other side toward the North looketh vp to heauen the new fashioned Ilands of Cuba, Hispaniola, S. Iohns, and many others: the fur∣ther side of the land is as it were fringed with the coun∣tries of Virginia, Terra Florida, Noua Francia, Norrem∣bega, and the fishing land; I call it fringed, because as yet we haue onely entred vpon the skirts of the same, not daring further exploration, and indeed not knowing what to doe with the rest, much desiring the discouery of the north-west passage into India, and resolued there is a way, if successe would lead vs by the hand to preuent the te∣diousnes and the charge of going about by the south Cape.

Here you see is great cause of triumph: For of all these he either challengeth the principality and confede∣ration, or ouer-looketh with such ielous eyes, that they dare not start from his obedience; and would not so ma∣ny kingdomes, so many nations, and such power elate any Prince to assume extraordinary titles? But (as I said) all this were vaporous smoake, and the frothy breath of opi∣nion, if his treasuries at home were not yeerely supplied from the tribute of the Esterne & Westerne mines abroad,

whereby he presumeth to yeeld more reason of his osten∣tation, than Salomon himselfe. For though Salomon did fetch gold from Ophir, and that the pride of Ierusalem swelled with plenty, when gold filled euery mans purse, and siluer was as common as stones: yet he made it a iourney of three yeeres, and had no other cunning, no * 1.7 other wisdome, no other Philosophers stone, than the in∣dustry of Merchants, and confederation of the Kings of Tyrus and Sidon: But the King of Spaine can make a yeerely returne, or at least once in 16 moneths, as vnder∣standing himselfe thus farre, that his Cities of Toledo, Ma∣drid, Valiodolid, Leon, Barcelona, Saragossa, Valentia, Carta∣gena, Malaga, Corduba, Seuilla, Lisbone, Baione, and the rest, cannot maintaine their glories without them: That the monastery and stately Palace of the Scurial could neither invite you to her magnificent structures, nor supply ne∣cessities of life with prouision: That the Garisons of Mil∣lane, Naples, Sicilia, the townes of Africke, the inheritance of Burgundy, his owne Castles and frontiers townes, with diuers other remote in many Prouinces, would quickly decay, and haue oftentimes mutined for want of money, and their ordinary entertainment: That the Ports and Harbours would be empty of shipping, yea the ships themselues vnbuilt and vnfurnished: that the countrey commodities might be vnuttered: his souldiers disap∣pointed: his kingdomes many times famished, and his glory vtterly eclipsed, if there wanted but one returne of his treasure, or that any disastrous encounter defeated or disappointed his Nauy. And thus much for the se∣uerall principall Monarchs of the world, as at this howre they looke vp to heauen with ouer-liberall ti∣tles, and haue blowed opinion bigg with some seeming

reasons, and yet in comparison of true roialtie and hap∣pinesse, absolute partiality.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The ninth part of the earths glory.
• * 1.2

  Non 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vl•…•…. P•…•…s 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.3

  Inquis•…•….
• * 1.4

  1609.
• * 1.5

  Eight king∣domes in Spaine.
• * 1.6

  America conquered.
• * 1.7

  The true Philosophers stone.