The kingdome of Spaine.

SInce the first time that man began to acknowledge a su∣perior authoritie, and submit himselfe to the behests of a ruler, there was neuer a more spacious seigniorie, then that which the Spanish enioieth at this day: especially hauing vnder a colorable and defensible title embezeled the crowne Page  21 of Portugall. For 〈◊〉 the large and faire prouinces in Eu∣rope, the goodly regions of Asia, and rich countries in Africa, he enioyeth in peaceable quietnes & securitie, being not di∣sturbed or contested by any riuall or competitor, the newe worlde, in circuite more spacious then either Europe or Africke.

In Europe he is the sole soueraigne of Spaine, holding it whole and intire, a thing woorthie obseruation; because for the space of these 800. yeeres before this age, it neuer obeied any one prince, but was dismembred, and peece-meale clai∣med by diuers seigniors: He hath very much shaked Belgia, and lordeth it ouer the kingdome of Naples, containing in bignes 1400. miles: and retaineth Insubria otherwise called the Duchie of Millaine, comprehending three hundred in circuite. Of the Ilands he holdeth Maiorique, Minorique, and Huisa: the first of three hundred miles space; the second of 150. the third of eight. Sicill is reported to be of 700. Sar∣dinia 562.

In Africa he holdeth the great hauen called Masalquiuir, the most secure and safe harbor in the whole Mediterranean sea. He hath also Oran, Melilla, and the rocke commonly called the Penion of Velez: and without the Streights he possesseth the Canarie Ilands, twelue in number, and the least of seauen containing 90. miles.

In the right which he pretendeth to the crowne of Portu∣gall, he keepeth the woorthie places of Septa and Tangier, which may rightly be surnamed the keies of the Streights; yea of the Mediterranean, and Atlantique Ocean: without the Streights he holdeth the citie of Mazaga: and by the same title in the vast Ocean, he retaineth the Terceraz, Porto San∣to, and Madera, the ladie-like Iland of the Atlantique sea, con∣taining by estimation 160• miles in compasse: then the Ilands of Cape Verd, seauen in number. Vnder the aequinoctiall he holdeth the Iland of Saint Thomas, somewhat more spa∣cious then Madera, but most plentifull in sugar, and rangeth ouer that huge tract of land, which tendeth from Cape Aguer to Cape Guardafu. Lastly he is lord of all the traffique, mer∣chandize, negociating, and nauigation of the whole Ocean, Page  22 and of all the Ilands which nature hath as it were inameled the Ocean withall, and scattered in the seas, especially be∣tweene the Cape of good Hope and promontories of Guar∣dafu.

In Asia in the aforesaid right of the crowne of Portugall, he ruleth the better part of the westerne coasts, viz. Ormus, Diu, Goa, and Malaca. Ornius for his commodious satuati∣on, is growne so rich, that it is a common prouerbe among the Arabians;

A great portion of Arabia Foelix belongeth to the principali∣tie of Ormus, as likewise Baharem, the Iland-queene within that gulfe; both for the most plentifull circuite, abounding in all varietie of fruites; as also for the rich fishing of pearle.

In this sea the Portugals possesse Damain, Bazam, Tauaan, and Goa; which citie (to omit Ohial, Canora, Cochin, and Colan) is of so great esteeme, that it is thought to yeeld the king as great reuenue, as many prouinces in Europe do their Lords: and finally the Portugals hold all that sea coast which lieth betweene the citie Damain, and Malepura: wherein no prince (except the king of Calecure) challengeth one foote of land. The Iland of Zeilan, wherein they possesse a strong hauen and castle, commonly called Columbo, may rightly be called the delight of Nature; and they enioy also Malaca, which in those places is the bound and limite of their empire, and also the key of the traffique, and nauigation of the east Ocean, and of all those Ilands, which are so many and so spa∣cious, that in circuite of land they may be well compared to all Europe.

For trade with the Chinois, and Ilands of Tidore, and for their safe merchandizing with Molucca and Banda, they are so secure of their welfare, that they count it an vnnecessarie charge to erect any castles or fortifications of defence, but onely inhabite dispersed in weake cottages.

Certainly it would amaze and bewoonder a man to thinke, how many puissant kings and fierce nations are brideled and yoked by the armes of twelue thousand Portuguezes; (for in Page  23 so huge atract of land and sea, there are, nor euer were a greater number inhabiting) and not onely to haue discouered and conquered the Atlanticke, Indian, and east sea, but also to defend it against all forrein inuasions or inrodes vpon their confines; for it is 90 yeeres since they fortified those places with an ouerlasting memoriall of their valiancie. Neither can any man to ecclipse or detract from their iust commēdation, obiect vnto them the facilitie of subduing a naked and vn∣armed people, altogither raw and vnexperimented in the feates of armes; if he will recall to his remembrance, how by the vertue of their armes they tooke the kingdome of Ormus from the vassall and confederate of the king of Persia, as also that they drowned and defeated at Diu the nauie of the Sul∣tane of Egypt, fully furnished with Mammelukes, a kinde of soldier no lesse famous for their armes and discipline, then the Praetorian Turkish soldiers, called Ianizaries: as also that they made good the saide place against the leaguer of the Turkes and Guzarits: and in the red sea they haue often for∣ced the Turkish gallies to retire, with a most dishonorable foile. In the yeere 1552. they defeated his whole fleete at Ormus: In Trapoban they affronted and contested with the kings of Decan, Cambaia, Calecute, and Achem; princes both fauored, and also aided with the forces of the Turkish Empe∣rour: yea such haue beene their expeditions in Cambaia, In∣dia, the whole Ocean, and along the coasts of Asia, that in desart of glorie and admiration, they are to be censured no∣thing inferior to the victorious praises of Alexander the great; yea so much the rather to be preferred, because neither in cir∣cuit of territorie, nor numbers of people they were euer com∣parable to the Macedonians; for with nineteene ships they ouerthrew the Egyptian nauie, farre greater in number and furniture: with two thousand soldiers they forced Goa, and recouered it being lost with 1500. with 800. they wonne Ma∣laca, and not with many more Ormus.

Another member of the Spanish dominions lieth in the new World, wherein because be hath no corriuall able to make head against him; he challengeth as his owne, whatso∣euer either by discouerie or conquest he attaineth vnto. This Page  24 new Worlds dominions is diuided into the continent and Ilands.

In the north sea are so many Ilands, most of them of forty miles compasse, that their number can hardly be ascertained or knowne; some of them so rich and spacious, that they might suffice to erect a magnificent and stately soueraigntie. Of these Boriq•en is 300 •iles long, and threescore broad: Cuba is 300 miles long, and twentie leagues broad: Hispani∣ola is 1600 miles in compasse. As for the continent he is ab∣solute lord of all that sea coast which watereth Florida, Noua Hispania, Iucatan, and that spacious south erly, promontorie to the cape of California and Quiuira. For euen so farre the discoueries and nauigations of the Spaniard haue proceeded.

The coast of Noua Hispania counting his beginning at the towne of Santa Helena, and cutting by Panama to Quiui∣ra, containeth about 5000. and 200 miles in length, to which if you please to adde the vpland regions coasting towards the north, you shall finde no lesse then 9000. miles.

Peru beginning at Panama, containeth by the maritimate coast 12000. and 600. miles, of which three thousand lying betweene the riuer Maragon, and Argenteum, and including Brasile, do acknowledge the supremacie of Portugall.

In the continent are many kingdomes and seigniories, amongst which these of Mexico and Peru (once most power∣full and wealthie dominions) were counted chiefe, and as it were the two imperiall seats. The kings of Mexico did not claime by inheritance from their ancestors, but were chosen by sixe electors; Him whom they iudged yoong, valiant, and wise, of an able bodie, and fit for the warre, they crowned: and one of their kings, because he prooued a coward, slothfull, and irresolute, they poisoned. There was a Senate of Sages conti∣nually resident about his person, which consisted of fower de∣grees of Nobilitie and Magistracies; without whose authori∣tie and consent, no matters of consequence or weight could be determined or put in action. They regarded nothing so seuerely, as the good education of their youth, their ceremo∣nious superstitions, & their orders of soldiarie. Amongst them there was a most woorthie chiefetaine called Tlacaellell, so Page  25 expert in militarie prowesse, that he subdued the greatest part of the Mexican seigniorie: and of so great and admired spirit, that he obstinately refused and forsooke the kingdome being offered him; saying, that it was auaileable and commodious for the common-weale, that another should weare the crown, and he attend vpon him as a minister and counseller; and that his shoulders were too weake to sustaine so weightie a bur∣den: adding moreouer, that he would no lesse endeuour with a carefull and warie foresightfulnesse the safetie of the com∣mon-weale, then if he himselfe were inuested in the soue∣raigntie.

These kings liued in great maiestie, inhabited sumptuous palaces, and maintained a mightie troupe of their vassals for the guard of their persons.

On one quarter they enlarged their bounds; and planted their religion and language to the skirts of Teguante-Pecum, two hundred leagues remote from Mexico: and on another quarter as farre as Guatimall 300. leagues distant. In these places they made the north and south seas their bounds; but Mecoican, Tascalan, and Terpeacan, they could neuer bring vnder their yoke. Their differences and troubles with the citie of Tascala, incouraged the Spaniards to inuade their do∣minions: and being entred, made their victories easie with∣out any difficult resisting or hinderance from the pursuite of their cōquest, which happened in the yeere of our Lord 1518. The Mexicans (diuided into seauen tribes) came into those regions, from that part of the north; where of late yeeres the Spaniards discouered a most wealthie and populous pro∣uince, which at this day they call new Mexico.

The most respected honor which doth ennoble their men, is purchased by alacritie & couragious forwardnes to armes. Matezuma their last king instituted certaine orders of horse∣men, surnaming them Lions, Eagles, and Leopards. These he priuileged to weare gold and siluer, and a silken cassock after the Arabian fashion; to go shod, and occupy gilded and pain∣ted vessell; which things were prohibited to the vulgar, and forbidden all such, who had not inwoorthied himselfe by some noble seruice.

Page  26 The Empire of Peru, whose king was surnamed Inga, is found to be larger and more magnificent: when it was in the prime and highest, it reached from Pasto to Chile 1000. leagues in length, and 100. in bredth, euen from the south Ocean to Andi in the east. The mercilesse furie of the waters in some places standing, and moorish, in other running, haue gainesaid and put a period to their further progresses; when without any colorable or iust cause they inuade their confi∣ning neighbours. They most ridiculously pretend, that in the vniuersall deluge, mankind was preserued in their countrey, and so by tradition haue been nuzzeled in the true & ancient religion, which (as they say) they are bound in conscience to sowe and disperse in the mindes of all men, either by faire meanes or foule. Their chiefe gods are Viracoca, that is to say, the Creator of all things, and the Sunne. Inga Pacacuti, who instructed them in their superstitions, when he had beautified the temples with offrings and sacrifice, assigned none to the temple of Viracoca, alleaging that forasmuch as he is the ma∣ker of all things, he needeth not any thing. Amongst other memorable ordinances by him instituted in the winning of countries; one was, that the conquered land should be diui∣ded into three parts: the first dedicated to the gods, and maintenance of the charge of their ceremonies: the second and greatest portion was giuen to Inga, therewith to main∣taine his estate, the expences of his court, parents, barons, and garrisons: the third was distributed amongst the soldiers: no man could claime propertie in any thing, to say this is mine; but by the fauour and sufferance of Inga; neither might that descend by inheritance. The landes belonging to the people and comminaltie were yeerely limited, and so much allotted to euery man as might be thought sufficient for the sustenta∣tion of his family; some yeeres more, some lesse, without ex∣action of any rent: in liew whereof, they conditioned to ma∣nure the lands of Inga, and the gods: the increase they stored in most ample garners thereunto appointed, from whence in time of scarcitie it was shared amongst the people; the like they did with their cattel, diuiding them by head: which point of gouernment in mine opinion farre exceedeth either the Page  27 partitions of Lyeurgus, or the Agragrian lawes of the Ro∣maines.

Besides merchandize, incredible treasures of gold and sil∣uer are transported out of Noua Hispania and Peru: of those treasures commonly Peru yeeldeth two parts, and Noua Hi∣spania the third; which is more rich in commodities then Mexico. Amongst the rest it giueth Cochinella, a merchan∣dize of inestimable value; and infinite store of Hides. The Ilands affoord plentie of hides, cotten, wooll, sugar, canna∣fistula, hard waxe and pearles.

Amongst these riches and treasures of Peru two things are woonderfull; one, that in the siluer mines which were discouered in Potosie, in the yeere 1545. there is, and hath beene found so huge a masse of Bullion, that the fift part (which is the kings) in the space of fortie yeeres amoun∣ted to one hundred and eleuen millions of Pezoes: nei∣ther yet did two third parts pay their due to his maiestie. The other is the quick-siluer mines in Guancaualcan, found in the yeere 1567. out of which the king hath receiued 40000. Pe∣zoes, all charges defraied.

It is a strange thing to note, that whereas mother Nature hath interlaced so riotously her golden and siluer veines in the bosome and wombe of Peru, it hath bestowed no such bles∣sing vpon her neerest daughter Brasile; but in stead thereof hath inriched her with a most temperate and holsome aire, with many pleasant springs and large riuers, not without suf∣ficiencie of wood: she hath diuided the land into fruitefull plaines and delightsome hils, clothed it with the beautie of continuall greenenesse, abounding about beliefe with sugar∣canes, which the Portugals there planted, and now transport in infinite numbers into forreine regions.

The Philippinae may well be termed the appendances to this new world; and although in respect of their site by rea∣son of their proximitie, they may be thought a part of Asia; yet the discouerers thereof trauelled through new Spaine, be∣fore they could discouer them; of which Ilands more then 40. are subiect to this soueraigntie, and by them haue been redu∣ced to a ciuill kinde of life and policie.

Page  28 Now bauing generally run ouer the spacions (I will not say boundlesse) members of this empire, let vs diuide the dis∣course thereof (as much as concernes the strength and policie) into fower particulars: the first whereof shall intreate of his pieces in Europe; the second of his dominions in the newe world; the third of his territories of the west and south coast of Africke; the fourth of his principalities in India and Asia.

The prouinces which he hath in Europe are of the most puis∣sant & powerfull sort, that are comprehēded in this limitation. Spaine it selfe hath bin alway acknowledged for so wealthy, so puissant, and so spacious a kingdome: that not without good cause it may challenge the primacie of all the prouinces, and of the continent, if not in any consideration else, yet in regarde that the Romaines & Carthaginians continued so long and so cruell wars for the possession and royalty thereof. The Gothes and Vandals when they had with the streames of their ouer∣flowing multitudes swarmed ouer the greatest part of the Ro∣maine empire, here sat them downe, and made it the place of their inhabitation.

Trebellius Pollio termeth it and France the iointes and si∣newes of the Romaine empire. Constantine, when he diuided the empire, preferred it before Italie: And in the diuision when England, France, Spaine and Italie fel to his lot, he little esteeming the last, and voluntarily leauing it to his competi∣tor, contented himselfe with the three formost. Who know∣eth not that the kingdome of Naples is the flower of the Ita∣lian prouinces? Who seeth not, that nature hath confined and heaped into this territorie, as if it were into her closet, all those delightfull happinesses, which with her owne hands she hath here and there scattered and dispersed through the other of the European prouinces? What can we say otherwise of the Duchie of Millaine? And for Sicil, it may be compared to any, yea it surpasseth all the Ilands of the Mediterranean for fertilnes, for the concourse of merchants, for artizans, singular for populous townes and for stately edifices.

The gouernment of Spaine is absolute and kingly,: in their regiment we may see that they haue attained to such perfection of aduisednes, Page  29 that all things are purposely discussed and questioned in seue∣rall counsels, before they are put in execution. Where the graue and considerate counsels of Fabius are receiued, when the rash and headie precepts of Marcellus are reiected. Inno∣uations and change of ancient customes are auoided, in regard whereof, Innocent the eight was woont to say, that the Spani∣ard was so compleat in gouernment, that in this respect he neuer erred or miscarried, and by this policie he gouerneth nations different in natures, and dissonant in lawes and fashi∣ons, Castilians, Arragons, Biskaines, Portuguezes, Italians, Dutchmen, Indians, Christians and Gentils with such peace∣able vnion, as if they were his owne naturall subiects.

And whereas some obiect, that this empire cannot long remaine in this flourishing estate, bicause it is disiointed and dismembred. To such men this may be answered: that spacious dominions are easily secured from any inuasiue attempts; but not so safely preserued from intestine and home-bred dissen∣sions, as the kingdomes of smaller compasse are.

But in a state thus diuided, there is an vnion both of am∣plenes, and a measurable mediocritie; the first is apparant in the whole bodie compounded of seuerall members; the second in the greatest parcell of the members. For seeing that the portions thereof, as Spaine, Peru, Mexico are so great and goodly states of themselues, they cannot be but stored with all those good things which are necessarie either in greatnes or mediocritie, viz. both with a puissant powerablenes to frustrate forreine attemptes, and sufficient inwarde forces to prouide against all domesticall discontentments. And it is as cleere as day, that by meanes of sea-forces all these mem∣bers may strengthen one another, and stand as it were vnited, euen as Casar Augustus, by maintaining one fleete at Rauen∣na, and another at Messana, awed the whole Romaine empire, and kept it in assured concord: and also we haue seene the Portugals, by reason of their sea-forces, which they maintai∣ned in Persia, Cambaia, Decan, and other parts of the Indies, not onely to haue giuen the lawe to those famous princes, but maugre the force of their enimies to keepe it, and peaceably enioy it.

Page  30 Some wise and experienced commanders in discoursing this point, oppose the iealousie and aemulation of the Turke, and affirme, that, if the king should imploy those treasures, which now he spendeth, in the erecting of fortresses vpon the increase of his nauie; (an expence sufficient for the furnish∣ing of 150. gallies) it would be an occasion, that the Turke, whose nauie now exceedeth not the number of 130. gallies, would augment it to the number of 200. to the intent, that he may be superior and maister of the sea: and that so the king would be inforced to vndergoe an excessiue charge, without gaining any reputation thereby. But this their subtiltie is meere booke-wisedome: and it is very agreeable with rea∣son, that there is nothing so dangerous in action, and so rea∣die to imbarke a man in an irrecouerabe disaduantage, as an ouer-weening conceite, which commonly draweth with it an headdie wilfulnes flexible to nothing. But they ought to consider, not what the Turke will doe, but whether it be in his power to surmount such a nauie: And although the Turke be Lord of a larger sea coast then the king, yet he can∣not compare, either in furniture or mariners. Along all the coast of Africke he hath not an harbour, where he can build, or keepe a couple of gallies, except Algier and Tripolie. In the Euxine sea what place of name is there besides Capha and Trapezond? What better report can we giue of the coast of Asia?

More implements then a spatious sea-coast are inci∣dent to this busines: he must haue plentie of timber and cor∣dage; he must be furnished with a people practised in sea af∣faires, able to endure the labour and working of the waters; delighting in traffique and nauigation; cheerefull in tempests & rough weather, which dare dwell as it were amongst perils, and expose their liues to a thousand dangers: as for the Tur∣kish subiects the better part neuer saw sea, and those that haue vsed it, are not to be compared to the Biskains, Catalonians, Portugals, and Genowais. (I adde this people for their many good seruices done at sea in the behalfe of this crowne.) To conclude, in two things the king excelleth the Turke; the first is, that although the Turke can command more men, yet Page  31 the best and greater part of them being Christians, he dare hardly trust against vs; the second is, that the sea coasts of the king are neerer conioyned, then those of the Turke, and in that regard are sooner assembled and prouided. By this commoditie experience hath prooued that the Eastern nauies haue beene often ouerthrowen by the Western, the Southern by the Northern, the Carthaginian by the Romaine, the Asian by the Grecian. Octauius Caesar with the nauie of Italy defea∣ted the fleete of Aegypt; and in our times the Armada of the Christians, the fleete of the Turkes. The Turkes themselues confesse, that in sea-fights the Christians excell, and are vn∣willing to deale with those forces. As often as Charles the fife rigged foorth his nauie, it was so puissant, that the Turke ne∣uer durst leaue the harbour. In his iourney of Algier he rigged fiue hundred vessels; in his Tunis voyage sixe hundred. An∣drew Doria conducted so gallant an armada into Greece, that the Turke not daring to mooue out of his place, he tooke Pa∣tras and Corona in Morea.

His land-forces consist in Cauallerie and Infanterie: the best footeman of all the Germaine nations is the Wallon: to say nothing of the naturall Spaniard, it is well knowne that in all ages it hath beene accounted one of the most valorous na∣tions of the world. The French in nine yeeres were subdued to the Romane yoke; the Spaniards held out zoo. The po∣wer and person both of Augustus Caesar were requisite to the subduing of the Cantabrians. They not onely deliuered their countrey from the subiection of the Moores, but inua∣ded Africke, and tooke therein many strong places. The Portugals inuaded Barbarie, tamed the coast of Guinea, E∣thiopia and Cafraria, they conquered India, Malaca and the Moluccas. The Castilians sayling through the Atlantike sea subdued the New world, with all the kingdomes, prouinces and people therein: they droue the French from Naples, Si∣cill and Millan.

The fortune of this nation doth consist in discipline and dexteritie: for no people can readier finde the occasion, and sooner take it or refuse it when it comes: in celeritie, for through slothfulnes they let nothing slip; in loue and con∣cord, Page  32 for they were neuer knowen out of their owne borders to strike stroke amongst themselues: at a word, in suffring of hunger, thirst, heat, cold, labour and extremities, they will lay vp any nation whatsoeuer. By these vertues they haue at∣chieued the glorie of so many victories, and though sometime they haue beene ouercome, notwithstanding they haue van∣quished their vanquishers, as it fell out at Rauenna. They ne∣uer suffred any famous defeature, but in the iournies of Algier and England; the one by the casualtie of tempests; the other by the skilfull prowesse and seafaring dexteritie of the Eng∣lish. Three or fower thousand of them turned topsie tur••e the better part of Germanie, and made way euerie way with their swords thorough the thickest of their enimies. These were they that at the iourney of Caruen in Barbarie being fower thousand foote souldiers of great valour, made a braue retraict the space of fower or fiue miles, be set and charged with twentie thousand horse by the king of the Moores at least fiue or sixe times, with the losse onely of 80. men, and the slaugh∣ter of 800. of the enimie.

As concerning their Cauallerie, it cannot be gainsaid, but that the Spanish genet is the noblest horse in Christendome, far excelling the courser of Naples, or the horse of Burgundie so much esteemed of the French; or the Frieslander in so great request with the Germans. It should seeme that nature hirselfe hath armed this people, in giuing them the Iron mines of Biskay, Guipuscua and Medina, with the temperature of Bayon, Bilbo, Toledo and Calatajut, the Armories of Millan, Naples and Boscoducis, the corne and prouision of the inex∣haustible garners of Apulia, Sicill, Sardinia, Artesia, Castile and Andeluzia, with the plentifull vintages of Soma, Cala∣bria, San Martin, Aymont, and sundry other places. To con∣clude, this prince is so mightie in gold and siluer, that there∣with (to spare his owne people, ingaged in the defence of so many territories, prouinces and frontires, from vndoubted destruction) he is able to wage what numbers of horsemen and footmen of the Germaine and Italian nations it pleaseth him.

The princes, whose dominions are bordering, and in regard Page  33 of their forces are any way able to indanger his dominions, are the Venetians, the kings of France and England, and the Turke. The Venetians (long since the Duchie of Millan came to the possessiō of this crowne) haue sate them downe in great quietnes, rather looking to the strengthning and keeping of their owne townes and pieces, then to the winning of others from their neighbours. And good reason it is, sithence peace is the surest ankor-hold of their cōmon wealth, that they should eschue all occasions of war with their friends and allies. For we haue seene the Spanish in fauour of the Venetians when their state stood dangerously ingaged with the wars of Baia∣zet, Soliman, and Selin the second, cheerefully and resolutely to haue entered into the action at Cephalonia, Preuisa and Lepanto, when at the same instant they had at their owne doores, Algier, Tunis and Aphrodisium their dangerous ene∣mies, neerer affronting Spaine, Sicill, Sardinia, the Baleres, and the kingdome of Naples, then Ciprus or the Ilands of the Ionian sea.

Concerning France, they are not to be blamed if by wishes and Iesuiticall sedition they could annex it to their crowne: but saith one of their owne writers, they may long enough desire it, before they shall be able to effect it. And sithence the French haue put an ende to their ciuill discontents, what trophee, or what triumph can the Spaniard boast to haue car∣ried from them. Indeed it cannot be denied, but in elder daies the warines of the Spaniards hath turned the furious at∣tempts of the French to matter of too-late repentance. For the great Captaine surprising Barletta, and then incamping vpon the bankes of Gariglano, first tooke from them the pos∣session of the kingdome of Naples, and afterwards all hope of regaining it againe. By the same temporizing Anthonie Leua wearied king Francis at Ticinum, and Prosper Collonna cleered the Duchie of Millan. In assaulting of townes and for∣tresses, I confesse furie to be of great moment; I confesse like∣wise that by this vertue the French preuailed at Ioious, Mo∣medium and Caleis, but in set battels, as at Graueling, Saint Quintins, and Siena, most commonly they haue had the foile: for in the field good order and skilfull conduction doth more Page  34 preuaile then valour and furious resolution: in assaults, furie and resolution, more then counsell or temporizing. Since their falling at variance with the English, at their hands they haue receiued more dishonour, then in the wars of any other nation. As to detract from the fame and well deseruing glory of any Christian nation, argued rather an enuious humour, then an vnpartiall writer: so to passe the bounds of modestie in any action deserueth no lesse a reprehension. For who ac∣knowledgeth not their discoueries of the Indies to be woon∣derfull; their conquests therein maruellous; their treasures inestimable; their continuance in wars long, as being nou∣zeled therein since the infancie of Charles the fifth: the braue prouinces of Italy and Flanders annexed to their crowne to be matter of goodly consequence. But let vs marke and con∣sider their fortunes, sithence they vnsheathed their swords against the Christian world, as we shall soone see, that their treasures, their Armadas, their long experienced Infanterie, and their conquered prouinces, haue little or nothing aug∣mented; nay haue they not discountenanced their reputa∣tion in these parts? By the expence of infinite millions of gold, and effusion of so much Christian blood, what hath he gained in France? What in Netherland? The world seeth more cleere then day light, that for all their great boasts, their large territories, and infinite treasures, sithence the English haue dealt with them, held them at the staues ende, and disco∣uered their weaknes; euerie birde hath pulled a feather; their credit is broken with the bankers of Germanie; holds giuen ouer for want of pay; their sea forces foyled (if not as they say discomfited.) In the yeere 1586. Sir Francis Drake forced the towne of Saint Domingo in Hispaniola, Saint Au∣gustines, and Carthagena on the continent. And when in re∣uenge of like pretended iniuries they entred the English channell with their inuincible Armada of 150, sailes, by the fauour of God and valour of the English, they were driuen home without doing any thing worth remembrance, through vnknowen seas, with the losse, taking and sinking of one hundred of their best and tallest vessels. To requite this bra∣uado, and to teach this proud nation that the English (con∣trarie Page  35 to their opinion) were as well able to offend as defend: in the yeere 1589. they shewed their victorious nauie of 126. ships before the Groin in Galizia, assaulted the base towne, woon it, and with 6000. soldiers at the bridge of Berges dis∣comfited sixteene thousand: thence weighing ankor, and say∣ling alongst the coast and sight of Spaine, landed at length at Pincche in Portugall, woon the castell, marched fiftie miles into the lande, kept their Courts of guard in the suburbs of Lisbon, and thence returning to Caskaies without any great fight or skirmish tooke the castell, set sayle for England, and in their returne landing at Vigo, tooke the towne and wasted the countrey. Now sithence their great and considerate care of future preuention both for Spaine and the Indies; their ships burnt and taken; their galleies put to flight, Porto Rico woon by assault, Cales sacked, and the Flemish by our tra∣uels incouraged to strip him of his trade of Spicerie, may well put them in remembrance what they haue receiued at the hands of the English, sithence their first ambitious apprehen∣sion of the western Emperie. What the Turke is able to per∣forme, you may read hereafter in the discourse of Turkie.

Let vs now intreat of those countreis which the Spanish hath, as appertayning to the Portugall crowne.

This kingdome which is not aboue 320. miles long, and sixtie broad, not very populous, and but meanely rich in essentiall reuenues, yet by reason of the commodious situation for nauigation and acquisition, it hath equalized these wants with surplusage with the most famous prouinces of the whole world: yea, this good fortune hath so elated their mindes, that they haue vndertaken diuers famous expediti∣ons into Barbarie, Ethiopia, India and Brasile. Within these 90. yeeres they haue taken and fortified the principall places and harbours of those prouinces, chalenging vnto themselues the peculiar traffike of the Atlantike and east Ocean. They seised vpon the Terceraz, knowing that without touching at those Ilands no ship could safely passe into Ethiopia, India, Brasil, or the New-world. Returning from those countries to∣wards Spaine or Lisbone, they put in to releeue their wants, Page  36 and sicke passengers, and outward they touch to take in fresh water, and fetch the winde. In Africke they are Lords of those places which we spake of before in the description of Spaine. In Persia they haue Ormus: in Cambaia, Diu, Damain and Bazain: in the hither India, Chaul, Goa, and the neighbour fortresses of Cochin, Colan, the Iland Mauar, and the hauen Columbo in the Iland Zeilan. Amongst these Goa is the chiefest, as the place where the Viceroy keepeth his court. Ormus famous for the iurisdiction of the sea, and the traffike of the Persian and Cambaian gulfes. Cochin and Colan for their plentie of pepper. Mauar, for the pearle-fishing. Co∣lumbo, for the abundance of Cinnamon. Damain and Bazain, for fertile prouision. In these quarters they haue some princes their confederates, others their feodaries. The chiefe and wealthiest of Allies, is the king of Cochin, sometime tributarie to the king of Calecute, but now by the intercourse and traf∣fike with the Portugals, he is growne so rich and mightie, that the other princes do enuie his prosperitie. The king of Colan is likewise their confederate.

Their chiefe force consisteth in situation and strength of their places, and in the number & goodnes of their shipping. As concerning situation, this people wisely considering that in regard of their contemptible numbers, they were not of power to make any famous iourney into the inland regions, neither to match the Persians, the Guzarits, the princes of Decan, the king of Narsinga, and other barbarous potentates in Campania, turned all their cogitations to immure them∣selues in such defensiue places, that with small forces they might euer haue hope to diuert great attempts, and make themselues Lords and commanders of the sea and nauigati∣on: which when they had done, they intertained and main∣tained so strong a nauie, that no prince in those parts was able to wrong them, yea, they furnished those vessels so thorough∣ly, that one single ship would not refuse to cope with three or fower of the Barbarians. With this Armada of one and twen∣tie ships, Francis Almeida defeated the Mamelucks neere the towne of Diu. Alfonse Alburquerck with thirtie great ships woon Calecute: with one and twentie he tooke Goa, Page  37 and regained it with fower and thirtie: with three and twen∣tie he tooke Malaca: with sixe and twentie he entred the red sea; and with two and twentie recouered Ormus. In processe of time, as their mightines increased, Lopes Zuarezius made a iourney into the red sea with seuen & thirtie Galleons. Lopes Sequeira with twentie fower ships, but with greater number of soldiers then euer before, laid siege to Gnidda in the red sea. Henry Menesius wasted Patane with fiftie ships. Lopes Vazius Sampaius left in the Arsenal 136. ships of war, for the greater part all excellent well furnished. Nonius Acunia vndertooke a iourney to Diu with 300. ships, wherein were three thousand Portugals, and fiue thousand Indians, besides a great number of his guard and seruants, which ordi∣narily follow the Viceroyes in those countries.

Besides his confederates and feodaries, he is confined with most mightie princes, his enimies, as the Persian, who chalen∣geth Ormus as holden of him in vassalage: the king of Cam∣baia, who maketh title to Diu and other places, which were once vnder his iurisdiction: Nizzamaluc & Idalcam (for so the Portugals call the two princes of Decan) & the kings of Ca∣lecute & Narsinga. As for the kings of Persia & Narsinga, they neuer waged warre against the Portugals, because they haue alwaies had to do with more dangerous enimies: other prin∣ces though they haue enterprized to their vttermost to re∣gaine Diu, Chial, Goa, and other places, and haue left no meanes vnattempted to bring their desseignes to effect, yet their abilitie could not worke any prosperous successe to their laborious indeuors, by reason of the places situate so commo∣diously for the transportation and receit of continuall suc∣cours from the sea. And though they haue vndertaken the like actions in the deepe of winter, hoping by tempests and other casualties to barre the Portugals from their sea succours, yet they neuer preuailed, because the ships and courages of the Portugals, the one resolute to indure the siege, and by pa∣tience to ouercome, the other determining (hap what may) neuer to forsake their distressed countrey-men, haue set all vpon hazard, and exposed their fortunes to the mercy of the winde & waues of the sea. Their woorst, greatest, and fiercest Page  38 enimie is the Turke, who being backed with the like ad∣uantage of situation, which the citie of Aden affoordeth him, sometime pricked by his proper enuie, emulation, and ambition, sometime egged on by the perswasions of the king of Cambaia, hath often indeuored to dispoile them of the so∣ueraigntie of the red sea, and finally to driue them out of the east India. The greatest nauie that euer he sent against them was to recouer Diu, consisting of sixtie fower ships, and by them defeated. Afterwards he sent a nauie of greater ships to the conquest of Ormus, and that likewise was almost wholie beaten, bruised, and drowned.

In the further Indies they hold nothing but Malaca and the Moluccas. In times past Malaca was far greater then now it is: for it lay scattered three miles alongst the sea coast, but the Portugals, that they might the better defend it, haue brought it into a round forme, containing not aboue a mile in compasse. Heere the king hath two puissant enimies, Ior and Achem, the one mightie at land, the other farre mightier at sea, by whom the towne not without great danger hath more then once beene besieged, but by the aide sent from India al∣waies releeued, with great slaughter of the enimie. At length Paulus Lima defeated king Ior, and raced the castle built by him neere Malaca, wherein besides other spoiles he found 900. brasen cast peeces. This territorie is subiect to great dan∣ger, by reason of the puissance of this king of Achem, bending all his cogitations to the rooting and finall destruction of the Portugals out of this prouince, and therefore the king of Spaine of late yeeres sent Matthias Alburquerk with a great power into India, with authoritie to secure the territorie of Malaca, and to fight with the king of Achem. To secure their trade of spices and nutmegs in the Moluccas and Banda, they built a castle in the Iland Ternate, of late yeeres for want of succours deliuered vp to the Mahumetans, and the Portugals reculed into the Iland of Tidore, there establishing their trade and factorie.