I ragguagli di Parnasso, or, Advertisements from Parnassus in two centuries : with the politick touch-stone / written originally in Italian by that famous Roman Trajano Bocalini ; and now put into English by the Right Honourable Henry, Earl of Monmouth.

Philip the second, King of Spain, after some dispute concerning his Title, enters in great State into Per∣nassus.

PHilip the second, that potent King of Spain, who came two months ago to this Court, was not permitted to make his publick entry till yesterday: The reason why, was because in some Triumphant Arches which were built for him with great magnificence, by the Spanish Na∣tion, these words were written.

Philippo secundo, Hispaniarum, utriusque Siciliae, & Indiarum Regi Ca∣tholico, Italiae Pacis Auct•…•…ri felicissimo.

At which words the greatest part of the Italian Princes being displeas∣ed, they desired they might be cancelled, saying they would by no means acknowledge that peace from the Spaniards, which they bought with ready moneys from the Hollanders and Zealanders.

This Aromatick business suffered a long dispute; and though the Italian Princes did sufficiently prove that the present Peace of Italy ought not to be owned from any good intention in the Spaniards, who would have wholly overrun it, had it not been for that great diversion; yet in the greatest heat of this contention, the Queen of Italy with her wonted wisdom quenched the fire. For having summoned all her Prin∣ces together, she bad them leave ostentation and boasting to the Spa∣niards, and that minding realities, they should not stick to feed them with smoak. The Cavalcata was the stateliest that was ever seen in Per∣nassus, both for the number and quality of Princes who came thither to favour and honour that great King; who was placed amongst those

Monarchs who have been held famous in the world, more for their wis∣dom and sagacity in peace, then for their valour shewn in War. And therefore the Impressa which he bore in his chief Standard, which was a writing Pen, afforded much wonder to the Literati; with which Pen, as is fully witnessed by all Historians, he had caused greater ruine and hurleyburleys in France, and wheresoever else he had occasion to use it, then his Father Charls the fifth could have done with all the Cannons of Europe. This Impressa was much commended by all the College of the Vertuosi; Writers having attributed it to great honour, that a Pen in the hand of one that knew how to use it, had done such remark∣able things. So great a King is alwaies treated in Pernassus, alla Grande, for even the chiefest Monarchs of Europe have thought it an honour to serve him: In so much as, as he was under the Barbers hands the next day after his entry, the Queen of England held the basin to his neck, and the warlike King of France, Henry the fourth thought it great glo∣ry that he was able to wash his head; which he did with such dexterity, as if he had been bred up to that exercise; though some Malignants say it was without sope, and with very strong lye. This great Monarch was presented by all the Vertuosi of Pernassus, with many pieces of Poetry, and other elaborat Writings, which he rewarded very liberally. He gave twenty crowns in Gold to a Literato who presented him with a solid Discourse, wherein he shewed how the Noble Parthenope, and the whole flourishing Kingdom of Naples, which is now brought to utter desolation, by the plundering of souldiers, Judges lewdness, by the Ba∣rons pilling and polling, and by the general ransacking of the Vice-Roys, who are sent from Spain to grow rich there, might be brought to its antient glory and splendor, and gave the discourse to his Confessor, and willed him to have a care of it, as of that which was written very highly▪ But he gave twelve thousand crowns a year Rent to an excellent Politi∣cian, who gave him a long Treaty; but clean contrary to the other, wherein was discust what way might be taken to afflict that Kingdom of Naples much more then it is now, and how it might be reduced to such calamity and misery, as that generous Steed without or saddle or bridle, which the City of Naples gives for her Impresse, might be brought to bear a pack-saddle and a heavy burthen patiently, nay even to draw in a Cart; and moreover he made him a Grandee of Spain, affirming that it was discreetly written according to the true terms of good Policy.