A brief character of the Low-Countries under the states being three weeks observation of the vices and vertues of the inhabitants.

Solomon tels of four things that are small and full of Wisdome, The Pismire, the Grass∣hopper, the Co∣ney, and the Spi∣der.

For PROVIDENCE they are the Pismires of the World: and having no∣thingbut

whatgrafs affords them; are yet for almost all Provisions, the Store∣house of the whole of Chri∣stendome. What is it which there may not be found in plenty? They making by their industry all the fruits of the vast Earth their own. What Land can boast a privilcgethat they do not partake of? They have not of their own enough ma∣terials to compile one ship; Yet how many Nations do they furnish? The remo∣ter angles of the world do by their pains deliver them their sweets. And being of themselves in want, their diligence hath

made them both Indies neerer home.

They are frugal to the saving of Eg. shels, and maintain it for a Maxime, that a thing lasts longer mended than new.

Their Cities are their Mole-hills; Their Schutes and Flyboats, creep and return with their store for Winter. Every one is busie and carries his grain; as if every City were a sever∣all Hive, and the Bees not permitting a drone to in∣habit. For idle persons must find some other man∣sion. And lest necessity bereave men of means to set them on Work, there

are publique Banks that (without use) lend upon pawns to all the poor that want.

There is a season when the Pismires fly, and so each Summer they likewise Swarm abroad with their Armies.

The Ant sayes one, is a wiseCreature, but a shrewd thing in a Garden or Or∣chard. And truly so are they; For they look upon others too little, and upon themselves too much. And wheresoever they light in a pleasant or rich soyl, like suckers and lower plants, they rob from the root of that tree which gives them

shade and protection, so their wisdome is not in∣deed Heroick or Numnial; as Courting an Universall Good; But rather narrow and restrictive; As being a wisdome but for them∣selves. Which to speak plainly, is descending into Craft; and is but the sini∣ster part of that which is really Noble and Coelesti∣all.

Nay in all they hold so true a proportion with the Emmet, as you shall not find they want so much as the sting.

For dwelling in Rocks they are Conies. And while the Spanish tumbler

playes about them, they rest secure in their own in∣accessible Berries. Where have you under heaven, such impregnable Fortifi∣cations? Where Art beau∣tifies Nature, and Nature makes Art invincible: Herein indeed they differ; The Conies find Rocks, and they make them. And as they would invert the miracle of Moses, They raise them in the bosome of the waves. Where with∣in these twenty years, ships furrowed in the pathlesOcean, the peace∣full plough now unbowels the fertile earth, which at night is carried home to

the fairest Mansions in Hol∣land.

Every Town hath his Garrison: and the keyes of the Gates in the night∣time, are not trusted but in the State-house. From these holds they bolt a∣broad for provisions, and then return to their fast∣neses replenished.

For war they are Grass∣hoppers, & without a King, go forth in bands to con∣quer Kings. They have not only defended themselves at their own home, but have braved the Spaniard at his. In Anno 1599, un∣der the command of Van∣der Does, was the Grand

Canary taken. The chief City sackt; the King of Spain's Ensigns taken down, and the colours of his Excellency set up in their room. In the year 1600 the battel of Nieuport was a gallant piece, when with the loss of a thousand or little more, they slew 7000 of their Enemies, took above a 100 Ensigns, the Admirall of Arragon a prisoner. The very furniture of the Arch Duke's own chamber and Cabinet, yea the signet that belonged to his hand.

In 1607. they assailed the Armado of Spain in the Bay of Gibraeltar, under

covert of the Castle and Towns Ordnance, and with the loss of 150, slew above 2000, and ruined the whole Fleet. Certain∣ly a bolder attempt hath ever scarce been done. The Indian Mastiff never was more fierce a gainst the an∣gry Lion. Nor can the Cock in his crowing valour, be∣come more prodigall of his blood than they.

There hardly is upon earth such a school of Mar∣tiall Discipline. Tis the Christian worlds Academy for Arms; whither all the the neighbour-Nations re∣sort to be instructed; where they may observe

how unresistable a blow, many small grains of pow∣der will make being heap∣ed together, which yet if you separate, can do no∣thing but sparkle and die.

Their recreation is the practice of Arms; And they learn to be souldiers sooner than men. Nay as if they placed a Religion in Arms, every Sunday is concluded with the train'd Band's marching thorough their Cities.

For industry, they are Spiders, and are in the Pa∣laces of Kings. Of old they were the guard of the per∣son of the Roman Emperor, And by the Romans them∣selves

declared to be their friends and companions. There is none have the like intelligence; Their Mer∣chants are at this day the greatest of the Universe. What Nation is it where they have not insinua∣ted? Nay, which they have not almost anatomized, and even discovered the very intrinsick veins on't?

Even among us, they shame us with their indu∣stry, which makes them seem as if they had a facul∣ty from the worlds Crea∣tion, out of water to make dry land appear. They win our drowned grounds which we cannot recover,

and chase back Neptune to his own old Banks.

All that they do is by such labour as it seems ex∣tracted out of their own bowels. And in their wary thrift, they hang by such a slender sustentation of life, that one would think their own weight should be enough to crack it.

Want of Idleness keeps them from want. And tis their Diligence makes them Rich.

A fruitfull Soil encrea∣seth the Harvest. A plen∣tifull Sunne augmenteth the Store; and seasonable showres drop fatness on the Crop we reap. But

no Rain fructifies more than the dew of Sweat.

You would think being with them you were in old Israel, for you find not a begger among them. Nor are they mindfull of their own alone; but strangers also partake of their Care and Bounty. If they will depart, they have money for their Convoy. If they stay, they have work pro∣vided. If unable, they find an Hospitall. Their Providence extends even from the Prince to the catching of flies. And lest you lose an afternoon by fruitless mourning, by two of the clock all Buri∣als

must end. Wherein to prevent the wast of ground, they pile Coffin upon Coffin till the Sepul∣chre be full.

In all their Manufactures they hold a truth and con∣stancy: for they are as fruits from Trees, the same every year that they are at first; Not Apples one year and Crabs the next; and so for ever af∣ter. In the sale of these they also are at a word, they will gain rather than exact; and have not that way whereby our Citizens abuse wise, and cozen the ignorant; and by their Infinite over-asking for

commodities proclaim to the world that they would cheat all if it were in their power.

The Depravation of Manners they punish with Contempt, but the Defects of Nature they favor with Charity. Even their Bedlam is a place so curious, that a Lord might live in it; Their Hospital might lodge a Lady: So that safely you may conclude, amongst them, even Poverty and Madness do both inhabit handsomly. And though Vice makes every thing turn sordid, yet the State will have the very Correc∣tion of it to be neat, as if

they would shew that though obedience fail, yet Government must be still it self, and decent. To prove this they that do but view their Bridewell will think it may receive a Gentleman though a Gal∣lant. And so their prison a wealthy Citizen. But for a poor man tis his best policy to be laid there, for he that cast him in must maintain him.

Their Language though it differ from the higher Germany, yet hath it the same ground, and is as old as Babel. And albeit harsh, yet so lofty and full a Tongue as made Goropius

Becanus maintain it for the speech of Adam in his Pa∣radise. And surely if there were not other reasons a∣gainst it, the significancy of the Antient Teutonick might carry it from the primest Dialect. Stevin of Bruges reckons up 2170 Monasillables, which being compounded, how richly do they grace a Tongue? A Tongue that for the ge∣neral profession is extend∣ed further than any that I know. Through both the Germanies, Denmark, Nor∣way, Sweden, and some∣times France, England, Spain. And still among us all our old words are

Dutch, with yet so little Change, that certainly it is in a manner the same that it was 2000 years ago, without the too much Mingled Borrowings of their neighbour Nati∣ons.

The Germans are a peo∣ple that more than all the world I think may boast sincerity, as being for some thousands of years a pure and unmixed people. And surely I see not but their conduction by Tuisco from the building of Babel, may passas unconfuted Story, they yet retaining the Ap∣pellation from his Name.

They are a large and

numerous people having ever kept their own, and transported Colonies into other Nations. In Italy were the Longobards; In Spain the Gothes and Van∣dalls; In France the Franks or Franconians; In Eng∣land the Saxons: having in all these left reverend Steps of their Antiquity and Language.

It is a noble Testimony that so grave an Historian as Tacitus hath left still ex∣tant of them, and wri∣ten above fifteen hundred years ago. Deliberant dum fingere nesciunt: Constitu∣unt dum errare non possunt. They deliberate when

they cannot dissemble: and resolve when they cannot erre.

Two hundred and ten years he reckons the Ro∣mans were in conquering them. In which space on either side were the losses sad and fatal. So as nei∣ther the Samnites, the Car∣thaginians, the Spaniards, the Gaules, no nor the Par∣thians ever troubled them like the Germans. They slew and took prisoners several Commanders of the highest rank, as Carbo, Cassius, S. Caurus Aureli∣us, Cervilius Cepio, and M. Manlius. They defea∣ted five Consulary Armies,

and Varus with three legions, yet after all this he concludes, Tri∣umphati Magis quam victi sunt, They were rather Triumphed over than conquered. To confirm this, the keeping of their own language is an argu∣ment unanswerable. The change whereof ever fol∣lows upon the fully van∣quished, as we may see it did in Italy, France, Spain, England.

And this he speaks of the Nation in General. Nor was the opinion of the Romans less worthy in par∣ticular concerning these lower Provinces which

made them for their va∣lor and warlike minds, stile them by the name of Gallia Belgica, and espe∣cially of the Batavians, which were the Hollanders and part of Guelders. You may hear in what honora∣ble terms he mentions them, where speaking of the several people of Ger∣many he saies, Omniumha∣ram Gentium virtute praeci∣pui Batavi. Nam nec tributis contemnuntur nec publica∣nus atterit: exempti one∣ribus & Collationibus, et tan∣tum in usum praeliorum se∣positi, velut tela atque Ar∣ma Bellis reservantur. Of all these Nations the prin∣cipal

in valiant vertue are the Batavians: for neither are they become de spica∣ble by paying of Tribute, nor oppressed too much by the Farmor of publick Revenues; but free from Taxes and Contributions of servility; they are spe∣cially set apart for the fight, as Armour and Weapons only reserv'd for War.

All this even at this day they seem to make good: For of all the world, they are the people that thrive and grow rich by the war, like the Poropisce that plays in the storm, but at o∣ther times keeps sober un∣der

the water.

War, which is the worlds ruin, and ravins upon the beauty of all, is to them Prosperity and Ditation. And surely the reason of this is their strength in shipping, the open Sea, their many fortified Towns, and the Coun∣try by reason of its lowness and plentifull Irriguation becoming unpassable for an army when the winter but approaches. Other∣wise it is hardly possible that so small a parcell of Mankind, should brave the most potent Monarch of Christendome, who in his own hands holds the

Mines of the wars sinews, Money, and hath now got a command so wide, that out of his Dominions the Sunne can neither rise nor set.

The whole seventeen Provinces are not above a thousand English miles in circuit. And in the States hands there is not seven of those. Yet have they in the field sometimes 60000 Souldiers, besides those which they alwaies keep in Garrison, which can∣not be but a considerable number neer thirty thou∣sand more. There being in the whole Countries above two hundred wall'd

Towns & Cities. So that if they have People for the War, one would wonder where they should get mo∣ney to pay them; They being when they have an Army in the field at a thousand pound a day charge extraordinary.

To maintain this, their Excize is an unwasted Mine, which with the In∣finitness of their Trafick, and their untired Indu∣strie, is by every part of the World in something or other Contributed to.

The Sea yields them by two sorts of Fish only, Her rings and Cod, •••• sixty thou∣sand pound per annum; for

which they go out some times seven or eight hun∣dred boats at once, and for greater ships they are able to set out double the num∣ber.

Their Merchandise a∣mounted in Guicciardines time to fourteen Millions per Annum. Whereas Eng∣land which is in compass almost as large again, and hath the Ocean as a Ring about her, made not above six Millions yearly: so sedulous are these Bees to labour and inrich their Hive.

As they on the Sea, so the women are busie on Land in weaving of Nets,

and helping to add to the heap. And though a hus∣bands long absence might tempt them to lascivious wayes: yet they hate a∣dultery, and are resolute in Matrimonial chastity. I do not remember that e∣ver I read in Story, of any great Lady of that nation, that hath been tax'd with looseness. And question∣less tis their everbeing bu∣sie makes them not have leisure for lust.

Tis idleness that is Cu∣pids Nurse; but business breaks his Bow, and makes his Arrowes use∣less.

They are both Mer∣chants

and Farmers. And there act parts, which men can but discharge with us. As if they would shew that the Soul in all is mas∣culine, and not varied in∣to weaker sex as are the bodies that they wear a∣bout them.

Whether this be from the nature of their Coun∣try, in which if they be not laborious they cannot live; or from an Innate Genius of the people by a Superiour Providence ad∣apted to them of such a situation; from their own inclination addicted to parsimony; from cu∣stome in their way of bree∣ding;

from any Transcen∣dency of active parts more than other Nations; or from being in their Country, like people in a City besieged, whereby their own vertues do more compact and fortifie; I will not determine. But certainly in generally they are the most painfull and diligent people on earth: And of all other the most truly of Vesp asians opinion, to think, that Exre qua∣libet bonus odor lucri; Be it raised from what it will, the smell of gain is plea∣sant.

Yet they are in some sort Gods, for they fet

bounds to the Sea: and when they list let it pass them. Even their dwel∣ling is a miracle. They live lower than the fishes. In the very lap of the floods, and incircled in their watry Arms. They are the Israelites passing through the Red Sea. The waters wall in them, and if they set open their sluces shall drown up their enemies.

They have strugled long with Spains Pharoah, and they have at length in∣forced him to let them go. They are a Gideons Army upon the march again. They are the Indian Rat,

knawing the Bowels of the Spanish Crocodile, to which they got when he gap'd to swallow them. They are a serpentwreathed about the legs of that Elephant They are the little sword fish piicking the bellies of the Whale. They are the wane of that Empire, which in∣creas'd in Isabella, and in Charles the 5th. was at full.

They are a glass wherein Kings may see that though they be Soveraigns over lives and goods, yet when they usurpe upon Gods part, and will be Kings o∣ver conscience too, they are somtimes punisht with

loss of that which lawfully is their own. That Reli∣gion too fiercely urg'd is to stretch a string till it not onely jars, but cracks; and in the breaking, whips (perhaps) the streiners eye out.

That an extreme taxa∣tion is to take away the hony, while the Bees keep the Hive, whereas he that would take that, should first either burn them, or drive them out. That Tyrants in their Govern∣ment, are the greatest Traitors to their own States. That a desire of be∣ing too absolute is to walk upon Pinacles and the tops

of Pyramides, where not only the footing is full of hazard, but even the sharpness of that they tread on may runne into their foot and woundthem. That too much to regrate on the patience of but tickle Sub∣jects, is to press a thorne till it prick your finger. That nothing makes a more desperate Rebell than a Prerogative infor∣ced too far.

That liberty in man is as the skin to the body not to be put off, but together with life. That they which will command more than they ought, shall not at last command so much as is fit.

That Moderate Princes sit faster in their Regali∣ties, than such as being but men, would yet have their power over their Subjects, as the Gods unlimited. That Oppression is an i∣ron heat till it burns the hand. That to debar some States of antient Priviledges; is for a Falcon to undertake to beat a flock of wild∣geese out of the fens. That to go about to compell a sullen reason to submit to a wilful peremptoriness is so long to beat a chain'd Ma∣stife into his kennell, till at last he turns and flies at your throat. That unjust pollicy is to shoot as they

did at Ostend into the mouth of a charged Canon to have two Bullets retur∣ned for one. That he doth but indanger himself, that riding with too weak a Bit provokes a head strong horse with a spur. That tis safer to meet a valiant man weaponless, than almost a coward in Armor. That even a weak cause with a strong Castle, will boil salt blood to a Rebellious Itch. That tis better keeping a Crazy body in an equal temper, than to anger hu∣mors by too sharp a phy∣sick.

That Admonitions from a dying man are too serious

to be neglected. That there is nothing certain that is not impossible. That a Cobler of Ulushing was one of the greatest enemies that the King of Spain e∣ver had.

To con••••lu••••e, the Coun∣try it self is a Moted Ca∣stle keeping a Garnish of the Richest Jewels of the World in't; The Queen of Bohemia and her Prince∣ly Children.

The People in it are Jews of the New Testa∣ment, that have exchan∣ged nothing but the Law for the Gospel: and this they rather profess than practise. Together a man

of War riding at Anchor in the Downs of Germany.

For forrein Princes to help them is wise self-po∣licy. When they have made them able to defend themselves against Spain, they are at the Pale, if they enable them to offend o∣thers they go beyond it. For questionless were this Thorne out of the Spani∣ards side he might be fear∣ed too soon to grasp his long intended Monarchy. And were the spaniard but possessed Lord of the Low-Countries, or had the States but the wealth and power of Spain, The rest of Europe might he like

people at Sea in a Ship on fire; that could only chuse whither they would drown or burn. Now, their war is the peace of their neighbours. So Rome when busied in her Civil Broiles, the Parthians li∣ved at rest; but those con∣cluded once, by Caesar next are they designed for con∣quest.

If any man wonder at these contraries, let him look in his own body for as many severall humors. In his own brain for as ma∣ny different Fancies. In his own heart for as various passions; and from all hese he may learn, That

there is not in all the world such another Beast as Man.

FINIS.