Page [unnumbered]
THE TRANSLATOR TO THE READER.
COurteous Reader, it is now almost two yeares since I published to your view the Inuentorie of the French Historie: I must confesse, it had beene more safe to haue made that worke the period of my labours, and not to haue vndergone a new taske of greater difficulty. But by the intreaty of some (whom I much re∣spect) and mine owne desire to giue my countrie-men some more contentment, and to acquaint them (that haue not read it in the French) with the whole hi∣storie of the Netherland warres, as wel as with the estate of France, I haue thus venturously once againe put forth from a safe port, into an ocean of dangers, and vndertaken the tran∣slation of this historie of the Netherlands. Whereunto I was the more incouraged, by the gratious recep∣tion of my noble patrons, and the kind testimonies of approbation of many courteous and well minded gentlemen, who haue bin content to wincke at my weakenesse and defects in that worke, and to allowe of mine indeauours: yet will I not arrogate any thing that was praise worthie in that storie vnto my selfe, nor attribute the worthinesse of those authors to mine owne merit, who could both grace them∣selues in writing French, and me in teaching them to speake English. I doubt not but some will thinke it a great indiscretion to meddle with this subiect, whereas the soueraigntie and prerogatiue of a mightie monarch in those vnited prouinces is called in question. I confesse it were so, if it were origi∣nally done by me; but beeing written in the French, Italian, Latine, and Dutch, I thought I might without any imputation impart it to our owne nation, which hath had so great a share in those warr•…•…s. I assure my selfe it will be diuersly censured, as men stand affected to the cause; some (I doubt not) will read it, to be satisfied of the true causes and proceedings of this long and bloodie warre; some I presume, will curiously search out but for matter of exception, and not instruction; and I feare some will be so transported with passion, and out of charitie, as whereas before they would haue exchanged a friendly good morrow with me, they will now shunne my company, and take me for a capitall enemie to their cause. But good God, how are they abused in their conceptions? I would intreat those men to re∣member, that I neither take vpon me to be an aduocate to plead the cause, nor a champion, to defend it by armes; but am onely a bare translator, who am tied to my teacher, and cannot exceed the limits pre∣scribed me by mine author. There is nothing of mine owne in this worke; neither haue I added nor kept backe anything that was materiall for the subiect: and I may lawfully protest, that I haue beene free from passion, without aggrauation or detraction, hauing vsed all the moderation I could in the rela∣ting of any thing, where there might appeare either spleene or affection. As for the truth of the historie, and the integritie of mine author, I must referre you to Iohn Francis Petit, who must plead for him∣selfe: and therefore I haue planted his owne preface or apologie in the front of this booke; where you may both see his reasons for the course of the historie, beginning with the earles of Holland and Zee∣land, and read his protestations for his sinceritie, in the faithfull relating of all things that haue passed during the warres. If this may not suffice for his iustification, he himselfe is yet liuing here in London, and ready to satisfie any doubt that may arise. I must aduertise the reader, that to make this historie more perfect, and to continue it vnto these times, I haue beene forced to vse some other helpes, and e∣specially of Emanuel Demetrius, who hath beene very carefull and industrious to congest all things which concerne this subiect; for the effecting whereof, hee hath had very good and great intelligence. I haue also beene beholding to monsieur Hottoman, a french gentleman, who at my late beeing in