Parthenopoeia, or, The history of the most noble and renowned kingdom of Naples with the dominions therunto annexed and the lives of all their kings : the first part / by that famous antiquary Scipio Mazzella ; made English by Mr. Samson Lennard ... ; the second part compil'd by James Howell, Esq., who, besides som [sic] supplements to the first part, drawes on the threed [sic] of the story to these present times, 1654 ; illustrated with the figures of the kings and arms of all the provinces.

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CHARLES The fift Emperour, and the 26th. King OF NAPLES.

FOR compleating the History of Naples, I will take my rise from a High-ground,, from that Heroick Prince that Top of men, CARLOS Quinto; who was the first of the Austrian Family, that saluted in person the fair Parthenope, and mounted the Napolitan Courser. From him we will go regularly on, and draw the thred of the Story to his Great Grand-child Philip the fourth now Regnant.

THE Emperour Charles the fift, is famous for divers high Feats of Magna∣nimity and Prudence, but the greatest and difficultest Exploit that ever he did, the most signal Victory that ever he obtained through-out the whole course of his life which had bin so active, was that Conquest he made of Himselfe, when he brought his passions and height of spirit to be so succumbent and co••chant, and to stoop unto Him in so low a posture, that stripping himself of all his Imperial and Royal Robes (which he had worn in so much glory the first 36. yeers, the other 40. from sixteen to six and fifty) he reach'd them with his own hands, the one to his brother Ferdinand, to put on, the other to his son Philip, denuding himself there∣by of all earthly power, command, and wealth; and pulling off, as it were, all his clothes therby before he went to bed, and burying Himself (in a dark Cloy∣ster)

before he was dead: An act without controversy most heroick, and dis∣covering a high Soul; For as while we sojourn here among these frail and mutable Elements, the Conduct of our passions is held by the Philosophers to be the principall busines of Vertu, so the Conquest of them is the noblest part of Valour; A man need no•• go abroad to seek Enemies, wheron to exercise his Courage, if he descend into him∣self he shall find Foes enough at home; I mean those Inmates and innated rebellious appetits, those tumultuous irregular humors which lodg within him, and to give Them the check, is the hardest part of the Play we are to act upon this worldly Stage.

Charles the Emperour did this, when he had but newly finished the eleventh Lustre of his Age, being then not 56. yeers old; nor did he thus controll him∣self, by abandoning the pomp and glory of this life, and avoiding publick care, that he might retire to a Country House of pleasure, to hawk and hunt, or use such pastimes, but he remov'd from so many Thrones to enter himself into a Mona∣stery (or Hermitage rather) that by that reclus'd life he might sequester himself from all mundane negotiations and delights, to have more vacancy, not only to study the Theory of Mortification, but put it in practise: Besides this reason he de∣clard at his Resignation, that he was now weary of the incombrances of worldly affairs, wherewith he had bin laden so many yeers, for which he was becom now unweldly in regard of Age, as also being afflicted with frequent fi••ts of the Gout, which made him so crazy and unapt for Government, having us'd Tassata stir∣rops for divers yeers. One of his Predecessors, Severus the Emperour was of an other humor, for he being very sick of the Gout at the Citty of York, as the story tells us, one of his Nobles attending him at that time, told him, that the world did admire how he could govern so many separated Nations, and make such remote Expeditions, being so subject to that Arthriticall lame disease, where∣unto the Emperour with more vigor then ordinary, answer'd; Sir, I would have you know, that I rule the Empire with my head, and not with my feet, with my temples, not with my toes. Hereunto may be not impertinently answer'd, that me∣morable answer which the late Henry the Great of France gave to a Spanish Am∣bassador, who coming to visit him when he was sore sick of the Gout, and con∣doling his indisposition, he suddenly rise up off his Couch, and told him, Ventre de saint Gris sil y avoit ocasion Vostre Maistre n•• auroit pas plustost le pied dans Lestrier, qu'il ne me trouveroit monte a cheval non obstant la g••••te. By the belly of Saint Gris, if there were ocasion your Master (meaning Philip the 3d. of Spain) shold not have his foot sooner in the stirrop, then he shold find me on hors-back, notwithstanding the Gout.

But touching Charles the Emperour, whereof we have spoken; it is much that he shold be so subject to the Gout, if stirring and motion be a Supersedeas against it as the Physitions hold, because few Princes had bin so active as he from his ve∣ry youth; for he made nine journies into Germany, seven to Italy, ten to Flan∣ders, four to France, two to England, and two expeditions to Afric; He had made eight Voyages on the Mediterranean Sea, and three on the Ocean.

And what a world of Achievements did he perform in these Expeditions? He sent away the great Solyman weeping from before the Walls of Vienna, and so stoppd that huge torrent of destruction, which was like to have overwhelm'd all Germany, and quickly after the rest of Christendom; He made Barbarossa that formidable Pyrate, and his Dragon the Admiral Gal••on wherein he sayl'd, to ••ly before him; what notable Conquests were those of Goletta and Tunis, where the Roman Eagles had not flown since the time of Scipio and Hannibal, and had not the Emulation of som Christian Princes found him work at home, and diverted him, he in all appearance had conquered and civiliz'd all Barbary. To return to Europe, he took the Duke of Cleve with all his Towns and Territories, he quash'd the Duke of Sax: who was head of the Lutheran party, he imprison'd the Duke of Milan, he subdued and sack'd Rome, he tam'd the mutinous City of Gant, where he first breath'd aire and had bin rock'd in his Cradle; he pierc'd the very heart of France, forcing that King to fly to the Turk for his assistance a∣gainst him, whom he afterwards took prisoner (being the day he was born upon) yet touching that action (as he himself confess'd) though Charles had more of

Fortune therein, yet Francis had got as much of glory, considering all circumstan∣ces, being taken with naked Sword in hand, among a throng of fighting Ene∣mies, all about him weltring in blood, Colours flying, and Victory fluttering on both sides with doubtfull wings: The full discovery of the new World was made in his Raign, with the Mines of Peru; In fine, he had such a continuall tide of good success, that it seems that Age was design'd for his glory. He had twenty pitcht Battels, and above three hundred Sieges; nor did he know what a Re∣pulse was, but only at Algier, Marseilles & Mets, where the wind blew strongly in his face, insomuch that among the Caesars, Charlemain may be sayd to be only parrallell to Charles le Q••int. All this he intimated in a fluent and vigorous swel∣ling Oration before the two Queens, Elianor of France, and Mary of Hungary Dowager his Sisters, divers Knights of the golden Fleece, and a great confluence of Nobles at the Act of Renuntiation, in Bruxells; but now he sayd further, he wold court Fortune no longer (who being a Female loves young men best) and therefore he would recommend his Son unto her. He wold no longer hold those Scepters which he could not sway, nor, a Sword that he could not draw out, yet he said, that by this Surrendry he did not retire himself from either Imperial or Regal power, out of any apprehensions of any fear of future dangers, or revolts, or the power of any Potentates upon earth, nor out of a resentment of any ill success pass'd, or the least distrust of the Divine providence, and any disaffections of his Subjects, but soly to wean himself from the World, and have better opportunity to make his account with Heaven.

After such generous Expressions and a little pausing, he concludes thus in Spa∣nish. Que porsus indisposit••ones a que le avian reducido los traba••os del espiritu esta∣va resuelto de pouer todo el peso de los negocios sobre los ombros de su Hijo, y Hermano, y assi desde ••atonces renunciava en el uno el Imperio, y en el otro las Coronas d' Espa∣na, y de las diez y siete provincias de Flandes, y desobligava a todos sus sudditos del juramento de fidelidad que le avian hecho. In regard of those distempers which the agitations of his spirit had reduc'd him unto, he was resolv'd to pass over the weight of all businesses upon the sholders of his Son and his Brother; therefore from that time forward he renounc'd and transferr'd the Empire to the one, and the Crowns of Spain with all the seventeen Provinces to the other, disobliging and absolving all his Subjects from that oath of alleagiance which they had sworn unto him; whereupon his Son Philip kneeling before him bare-headed, his Fa∣ther melting all into tears (with divers of the Spectators) he put the Crown upon his head giving him his benediction & therewith the Soveraignty of all his Domi∣nions, that being disburden'd hereof he might the more easily go on in his jour∣ney to the Port of happiness, and dispose himself to the meditation of the supream Good, which is the best Philosophy, the highest wisdom, and most consummated felicity. As he was doing this he presented to the young King his Son, Don Francisco Era∣so, who had bin Secretary, and a most loyall Confident of his many years; In∣somuch that at parting, he sayd, Quanto os he dado este dia no es ••anto ••emo daros mi Eraso. That which I have given you my Son at this day, is not so much as the giving of my Eraso unto you.

A little after he sent the Imperiall Crown to his brother Ferdinand, by William Prince of Orenge who was slain afterwards, contracting with his Sons; Ferdinand shew'd himself shy at first in accepting of it, because twas too heavy for his shol∣ders, at last he took it, saying, No ac••tara si no convini••ra a la conservation de ••••s salud, pero procuraria imitar sus virtudes en parte, ya que en todo era impossible a la mayor capacidad. He wold not accept of such a Crown, did it not conduce to the preservation of his Majesty his brothers health, but he would endeavour to imi∣tate his Vertues in part, for to imitate them all was impossible for the greatest capacity.

The Criticks of those times did pass various censures upon this rare transacti∣on, upon this high affair of State, the sound whereof quickly pass••d to both the Poles, som taxt Charles of a kind of (laschete) of pusillanimity and desection of spirit in doing this, others of too much indulgence of himself, and for his corpo∣rall ease, others gave out he did it because he fore-saw those fearfull tumults

which happend afterwards in the Low Countreys by the Lutheran party: But the soberst sort of impartiall men did impute it soly to his indisposition of health, and that this retirednesse might tend to the advantage of his body and soul, which those multiplicities of cares, that attended so many Crowns as he wore, debarrd him of. It was a saying of one of our English Kings, That if one did but know the weightines of a Crown he wold not take it up, though he shold stumble at it in the high way: If this may be a caveat to those who are in health, much more shold it be to those that are indisposd and of crazy wasted constitu∣tions: As the gifts of Nature are more excellent then those of Fortune, so are they, by a well regulated soul to be preferrd before them. The Ensignes of Ma∣jesty, as the Scepter, the Diadem, the Throne, are glorious objects to behold, but when the rackings of the Gout, the Colick, or other infirmities wholy di∣stemper him that hath them, a healthfull Peasan is farr more happy, then such a Prince, if placed in opposition; such a King may be sayed to be Tantalizd all the while, for though he have an a••••luence of all things about him, yet he cannot tast of any with a true relish; so that what shold procure his happines, encreaseth his punishment, for though he can comand all, yet he cannot convert any thing to his own comfort, when the agonies he suffers make those which are gustfull to others to becom gall to him.

The pangs of the Gout alone are able to convince Zeno and his senselesse sect of Stoiks, who deny all pain and passion; For all those pleasing Ideas which the conceit of Majesty and greatnesse use to instill into the brain, cannot counter∣vail those torments which som diseases use to inflict upon the body; Therfore doubtles Charls the fift had more reason to preferr his health before his Crowns, it being a jewell so precious, that all the Diadems on Earth have not the like in∣chacd in them: It was the speech of Valentinian, That an Emperour ought to dye standing on his feet, now if he ought to be found dying in that posture, much more ought he to appear so living: Tis true we read of som Generalls who have commanded in their Litters (as Sir Francis Vere was carryed in a Chaire at the battail of Newport to direct the Army) but these examples are very few.

But we will return to take leave of Charles the fift; A little after, this once mighty Monarch, and now mortified man, removd to Flushing, to embark himself with his two royall Sisters for Spain (the foresayd Mary Queen of Hungary, and Leonora Queen Dowager of France) and thence to the haven of eternall rest; being there, he was so thin attended, that one night he had not a Servant to light som who came to visit him down the staires but did it himself: Thence he hoisd sayl for Castile, where he cloysterd himself in the Monastery of Saint Iusto, and that small remnant of time he livd there (which was not above two yeers) he imployd in divine seraphicall speculations, in divers sorts of penan∣ces, concurring with sundry acts of piety and pitty.

Thus this great H••ro became a Hermit, this glorious Monarch became an ob∣scure M••nk, and certainly he well deservd to have worn so many Crowns who did so freely quitt them, obeying therin onely the motions of his own soul, without any shew of constraint, or the lest appearance of suspecting the allea∣giance of his pe••ple.

Now touching that Arthriticall torturing disease which afflicted the Emperour Charles, his Son and immediat Successor had much more cause to be subject therunto, in regard of his sedentary and reposefull life, in regard that he kept for the most part in his Closet, wher he wold write himself his own letters, dispatches, and instructions: There he might be sayed to have a Prospective, through which he beheld what was a doing in the old and new World, yea as farr as the Anti∣podes: His Closet was the center whence the lines of his comands were drawn to the circumference, of so many vast remote Regions, as will appear in the Hi∣story of his life, which in regard he was a Prince of a strange mould, of a close dark nature, that his thought could seldom be penetrated, I will spend more oyle then ordinary to illustrat his Raign.

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THE LIFE and RAIGNE of PHILIP the Se∣cond, 27^th KING OF NAPLES.

PHILIP of Austria (second of that name) succeeded Caesar his Imperiall Father in all his Hereditary Domi∣nions by a voluntary free Resignation, wherin he might be sayed not to be beholden to death, as other Heirs ap∣parant use to be, but to his Fathers free designe: But touching the Kingdom of Naples, it was transferrd un∣to him before▪ to countenance his second marriage with Mary Queen of England and Ireland: There wanted not som Critiques that wold have derogated from the wor∣thinesse of that spontaneous Act of the Emperours, saying, That King Philip was overheard to say a while a••ter that The second day after the Resignation was the first day of his Fathers Repentance: But sure that could not be, if the Historians who were then contemporaries may be beleevd, for this was don by a long moulded preceding resolution, as they write, in regard that the Emperour had a design to do it six yeers before, when he was but fifty yeers of age; the ground of which proceeded from the speech of an old Captain of his, who de∣siring a Passe to retire from Armes, told him, Sir, he who hath a care of his soul must put an Intervall twixt the affaires of the World and Death. And now to the intended task.

Philip the second was born in Valladolid upon a Tuesdey the 21. of May 1527. in the Chair-ship of Clement the seventh, a little before that his Fathers Armie had assaulted and sackt Rome, but without the knowledg of the Empe∣rour himself, and the consent of his Viceroy of Naples at that time, which was the cause that Philip was not baptiz'd with such Ecclesiasticall Pomp and Solem∣nity that is usuall; at ten months and twenty dayes old he was declar'd Prince of Castilia and Aragon in the Monastery of Saint Hierom in Madrid, his Parents being present: when he had arriv'd to seven yeers of age (wherin Nature doth use to make som visible change, in the progresse of humane life) his Father command∣ed a house and family to be settled for him; At which time Doctor Siliceo (who was afterward Bishop of Toledo, and Cardinal) was appointed to be his Precep∣tor, who taught him to know, to love, and fear God, to read, and write, to under∣stand the Latin, Italian, & French tongues, and to have som knowledg in the Ma∣thematiques: His Mother the Empresse, Daughter to Emanuel King of Portugal, dyed a few yeers after at Toledo where Philip was bred, leaving him about twelve yeers of age, at which time he began to rule Spain in the absence of his Father, being assisted by Cardinal Tabera, the Duke of Alua, and others: At fifteen yeers of age he was sworn Prince of Aragon, where he was intitled Governour accord∣ing to the custom: At sixteen yeers of age he maried the Lady Maria Infanta of Portugal, Daughter to Iohn the third, a Creature of exquisit bewty, being of the same age with Philip.

Som few yeers after he was call'd by his Father to Flanders, leaving the Go∣vernment of Spain to Arch-Duke Maximilian his Cosen, and King of Bohemia and Hungary. He pass'd over to Italy in a Fleet of thirty eight Gallies, under the command of Andrea Doria, and landing at Genoa, he pass'd through Milan and Mantova to Germany and so to Brussels; Having their receiv'd divers good Do∣cuments from his Father, taken a survey of the Nether-lands, Italy and Germany, whither he attended the Emperour his Father to a Diet at Auspurg, having pur∣chas'd all this experience, he went back by his Fathers order to Spain, having re∣ceiued a new Commission to govern there in chief, and in the Indies also: A while after there was an ouverture of marriage made twixt him and Queen Mary of England, which was quickly agreed upon, therefore he embark'd himself at the Groyn (Corunnia) in a Fleet of sixty eight Ships, wherein was a Regiment of four thousand Spaniards, among whom were divers Noble men and persons of quality: Being arriv'd in England and royally attended to London, the Nuptials were celebrated in great magnificence; hereupon King Philip took share with his wife in the Government, by the title of King of Naples, Hierusalem, England, and Ireland, but afterwards the Parliament (when he was departed) began a Ca∣vil and wold not have him stil'd King of England, but Husband to the Queen of England, during his abode in England, his Queen and he liv'd in a sweet way of conjugall love, notwithstanding their disparity of yeers, she being above a dozen yeers elder; It was thought once she was with Child, therefore she was prayed for at Saint Pauls Cross, but in lieu of a Pregnancy it prov'd a Tympany, a Tu∣mor, or Mole, proceeding from indisposition of body: All the while he liv'd in England he advanc'd the Roman Religion, but being call'd away by his Father to Flanders, the reform'd Religion began to take footing again; After he was de∣parted from England, Calais was taken by the Duke of Guyse, who in the dead of Winter did suddenly sit before her and began his Batteries so furiously, that the noyse of his Canons were heard as farr as Antwerp neer a hundred miles di∣stant: King Philip while he cohabited with his Wife often advisd her to have a speciall care of Calais, and afterwards upon a Treaty of peace twixt Spain and France, one of the Articles were that Calais should be surrendred to the Queen of England, but she dyed in the interim.

The Family of Caraffa, who were neer allied to Pope Paul the fourth, wold needs advise his Holines to recouer the Kingdom of Naples for the Apostolicall See, the times being propitious to such a work: their counsail prevaild in re∣gard that France obligd her self to assist him, but though the attempt went ve∣ry far, yet it could not take effect; That clowd being scatterd in Italy, and the

truce being expird with France, a new War began wherin he gaind that famous Victory of Saint Quintin, which he took upon Saint Laurence day, and for the advantage of his advenues he was forcd to batter down a Monastery of Fryers, but with a resolution and vow, that if it would please Heaven to give him the Victory he wold erect such a house of Religion to the honor of God, and of the Martyr Saint Laurence that the World had not the like, which he performd accordingly at the Escuriall.

A peace being concluded afterward with France, and having put all things in a settled and good posture in Flanders, leaving there his Sister the Dutchesse of Parma to govern, he made sayl for Spain, but as he landed at Laredo, a furious tempest did rise wherin divers of his Ships perishd who were very richly laden. Not long after this his return to Spain, the Moores of Granada did cutt him work to do, and it provd a tedious and difficult task to subdue them, which yet he atchieved at last after many traverses of Warr: In the greatest fury therof, King Philip marryed the Arch-Duchesse the eldest Daughter of the Emperour Maxi∣milian, who was brought in great pomp from Germany to Spain.

At the earnest sollicitation of Pope Pius the fift he entred afterward into a league with his Holines, and the Republic of Venice against Selim the great Turk, who a little before had taken the Ile of Cyprus from the Signiory; he writ•• back to the Pope, that he held his request therin to be equivalent to a command, and so he sent order to his Viceroys of Naples and Sicily to levy Forces accordingly; which they did, sending Don Iohn of Austria his naturall Brother, to be his Generalissimo, therupon happend that famous Naval fight in the Gulph of Le∣panto, upon the successe wherof the incolumity of all Italy depended, but it pleasd God to affoord the Christians a most triumphant and blissefull victory▪ which if they had pursued, they might in all probability have overmasterd all Greece, but their own dissentions hinderd the work: The Neapolitan Squadrons did most signall services in this great Expedition, for which King Philip sent a Letter full of grace and thanks, with an inlargement of som priviledges, to the most faithfull City of Naples.

Philip had now waded through sundry sorts of difficulties, having putt a period to the War with the Caraffa's and the Pope, made peace with the French, and debelld the Mahumetans; therfore he addicted himself to erect works of piety, and among other, that stupendous Fabrique at the Escuriall, but as he was most busy about it, newes came to him of the troubles of Flanders, and it was the unluckiest newes that ever was brought to Spain, considering what a long lingring War they brought, wherin all the Princes of Christendom were direct∣ly or col••aterally engagd, it is as impossible to beleeve as to write the strange and various traverses of those Warrs, the multitudes of men who lost their lifes therin, so that those Provinces were calld Sepulchra Hispanorum, the incredible masse of treasure which was expended, for the Mines of Mexico and those of Potosi were almost exhausted to feed these Warrs, which had they not happend, the Kings of Spain might have pavd their Courts and tild their Palaces with Gold and Silver; yet in the greatest brunt and fury of these Warrs, Philip made a conquest of Portugall, for se••ing his title wold not be accepted, wherby he al∣ledged right of Succession, he made it good with his Sword, and subdued the whole Kingdom, wherin as he sayed he verified t••e saying, that

— Arma tenenti Omnia dat qui justa negat —

To atchieve this mighty exploit, whom shold Philip employ but the Duke of Alva, who had so trampled upon the Belgians, and though he was then in dis∣grace with the King, and in Prison by his immediat command, yet he had studyed his humor so well, how ambitious he was of glory, and how many proofs he had made of his fidelity and courage, that though he would not admit him to his presence and to kisse his hands, yet he sent him a Commission to be his Ge∣neralissimo in that Expedition: Nor was Philip out of his account, or deceavd in his judgment of the genius of the man, for he executed his Commission with such an exactnes of fidelity, with such rare successe, and in so short a compas of

time that one must have a strong faith to believe, with what facility he reducd all Lusitania, which provd a mighty addition to the Spanish Monarchy, for therby the East Indies, so many Islands in the Atlantic Sea, with divers Terri∣tories in Afric fell under the Castilian yoak: But as Henry the seventh of Eng∣land was hanted with walking Spirits (who sayed they were Edward the fift) whom he chasd away by sprinkling of blood, so was Philip the second troubled with two Hermits, who one after the other sayed they were Don Sebastian, and so drew a considerable party after them, but they were found to be Counterfeits, and so executed accordingly. Moreover Don Antonio naturall Son to Lewis one of the Uncles of Don Sebastian, pretended right to the Crown (as he had had, had he bin legitimat) therfore he fled to Queen Elizabeth of England for succour, who accordingly furnisht him with considerable Forces by Sea and Land, under Drake and Norris, but all wold not do.

No sooner had Philip thus securd and quieted the Kingdome of Portugal, with the vast Territories therunto annexed, but new work was cut him out in Ara∣gon, where a hideous Insurrection happened, which grew from the imprisonment of Antonio Perez, the famous Secretary of State, King Philip left him to the ordinary course of Justice, and being accusd of Homicide to have slain Esco∣vedo, Don Iohn of Austria's Secretary, and according to the Lawes of Spain be∣ing rackt therefore, he confest the Fact, but he alledged, he did it by the King his Masters command; and being pressd to discover the causes, he answerd, they were so secret that they were not fit to be publisht. Tis true that Philip did not much resent the death of Escovedo, because he had buzzd odd councels into the eares of Don Iohn of Austria, as to marry without the Kings privity Elizabeth Queen of England, to conquer Algier or Tunis, and crown himself King afterwards. An∣tonio Perez by his wives subtlety made an escape out of prison, and posted away to Aragon with two Confidents of his, where he found such potent and popular Friends that gave him Sanctuary and protection; and they drew a considerable party after them to this purpose. Now as one insolency drawes on another, they took opportunity hereby to say, that it was a breach of their priviledges to have a stranger to be their Vice-roy, as also to introduce the Inquisition wherunto Perez was like to be put over. This Commotion was like to be of very dangerous consequence, for the common people of Saragossa began to be very violent in it, King Philip raisd an Army of 10000. foot and 1500 horse, under the command of Don Alonso de Vargas, a Veteran and a great experiencd Captain; they of A∣ragon having notice hereof, were preparing another Army in opposition, but the King with his own hand writ to them a gracious Letter in these words.

No aver levantado aquel Exercit•• si no para passar a Francia, que el era mejor Aragonez, que los que aconse javan se le estorvasse el passo, y se maravillava mucho se creyes cosa que a el aun no avia passado por el pensamiento, y menos romper l••s pri∣vilegios a un Reyno a quien amava tanto The Army which he was a raising was to no other end but to pass to France, he was a better Arrogonian then those who gave advice that this Army shold be stopd in the passage, and he wonderd much that credit shold be given to things that never entred into his head, where he ne∣ver habourd the least thought to infringe the priviledge of a Kingdome, which he lovd so well. This Letter was like a gilded Pill with strong Drugs within, for no sooner was the Letter sent, but Don Alonso followd with his Army and came to the gates of Sarogosa, his Soldiers crying out for France, for France, Don Alon∣so being entred, the chief Justice of Aragon thinking to fly away was apprehend∣ed, and according to a private order Don Alonso had from the King to dispatch in the first place Don Iohn de Nuza, y que a un mismo punto le avisasse de su prisi∣on y de su muerte who shold have notice at the same instant of his imprison∣ment and death: Don Iohn being thus apprehended was hurried into a Coach, and two Jesuits to prepare him for death, he askt by vertue of what Sentence, hereupon they shewd him that short order, which Philip all of his own hand-wri∣ting had delivered Don Alonso. That Don Iohn de Nuza was the prime Officer of the Kindom of Aragon; a goodly fair young man, and of a gallant presence, therfore his death was very much lamented, specially being descended of the

most illustrious and ancientst Families of that Kingdom; many other persons of quality and the chief Ring-leaders of this Tumult were executed, and their heads and members set up in quarters upon the gates of the City; Antonio Perez had made his escape from Saragosa two daies before towards France, to the Country of Bern, where Katherine Queen of Navarr and Mother to Henry the fourth, gave him protection and entertainment, whereupon a publick Ban was pro∣claimd that whosoever could bring him alive, or dead should have 6000. crowns, therfore not finding himself secure so neer Spain, he fled to England, and thence removd to Paris, where he did lead the remainder of his life▪ gazd upon as he passd the streets as a strange Monster of Fortune, but cryed up for a person of notable sound parts, and politick Speculations.

A little after King Philip, his Generall Don Alonzo having already dispatcht the principalst part of the business before him, made a kind of progress to his King∣dom of Aragon, and convokd a Parliament to meet at Tarasona, but a generall pardon preceded his summons, only the Town of Tervel and Albarracin except∣ed with 145. persons besides, which he afterwards forgave, so he confirmed un∣to them such priviledges as he thought; he enacted new Lawes, and repeald many old, so the Kingdom gave him a present of about four hundred thousand crowns, so he returned triumphantly from Aragon to Castille, having thus deprest the courage of that high crested people; And if ever that Aphorism was verified; viz. That Rebellion supprest makes the Prince the stronger, surely it was in this great Action, as may be inferrd out of the former transactions in that King∣dom.

Upon crushing of this Aragonian Cocatrice in the shell, there was a monstrous strange Hydra engendred in France with I cannot tell how many heads: The Huguenots began to be potent and turbulent there, the Queen-mother Katherine de Medicis, with the Guisards were great Bigots, and abhorring that faction, be∣ing most fervent in the advance of the Roman cause, they made war against the Huguenots, upon those grounds; Therupon Philip being the Catholick King, could do no less in the quarrell of the holy Church then reach his Arme and assist them which he did, by sending order to the Duke of Parma his Governour in Flanders to that end, who accordingly rusht into France and pursued his march as far as the walls of Paris: At his entrance into France he repaird to the Ca∣thedrall Church of Meaux where he protested and solemnly swore, that he came to France with that Army (which consisted of 10000. foot and 3000. horse) to no other intent but to deliver the oppressed friends of the King (then under minority) from the violence of Rebells and Heriticks, in which quar∣rell he wold expose his person to any perils whatsoever, and he knew every soul under the Banners of his Catholike Majesty which were in this Army wold do the like: Having receivd this speciall command and knowledg of his sayd Ma∣jesties pleasure accordingly: This intricat and mysterious War calld the Ligue lasted by intermissions in France above thirty yeers, and it came to such a mul∣tiplicity of Interests that every Province became Frontire to one another, inso∣much that that gallant & entire compleat Kingdom was like to be cut into frag∣ments & cantonizd. Queen Eliz: of England was offerrd by the Hugonots a good part, but fore-seeing what confusion it wold bring, and how much it wold enfee∣ble the power of that Kingdom, which is the greatest one knot of strength and entire power that is able to counterbalance that of the Monarchy of Spain, she refused the proffer, and rather assisted the preservation of the Regall power in that Kingdom.

King Philip having don such signall Services for the Roman Catholicks in France, & having wownd himself out of the Ligue from warring against Heritiks (as he calld the Hugonots) he turnd his Sword against Infidels, he sent a puissant Army both by Land and Sea, under Don Francisco de Mendosa, who was Com∣mander in chief for the Conquest of Oran upon the Coasts of Barbary, which de∣sign provd so succesfull that it took effect, yet not without much expence of blood and treasure, which made the triumph more glorious for —Turpis sine pulvere palma: Having thus reducd Oran, and som Territories circumiacent from

Mahumetismie, and the half Moon to be under the Standard of the Cross, he pur∣sued his good Fortunes and assaulted another Fort in Barbary, calld Penion de Ve∣lez which he also carried but not without som difficulty.

After a little breathing from beating the Turk in Barbary, he had opportuni∣ty to meet him at Malta, which being besiegd by Solyman, he sent to his Vice∣roy of Naples and Sicily to make what strength they could to assist the great Ma∣ster and Knights of that noble Order; The Siege provd very obstinat for four months and the Canons played upon the walls of Malta incossantly, which bat∣terd som of them down to the ground, destroyed multitudes of houses, killd within the Town 7000. of all ages and Sexes, with 2000. Cavalliers, and Commanders of all Nations, who had sacrified their lives for the preservation of Malta, and therby transmitted their Fame to Posterity. Don Garcia de Toledo hereupon returnd triumphantly with his Fleet to Naples, where the three Castles and the Church of Carmine saluted him, with sundry Volleys of great Shot. The next Design was no less succesfull to Philip, for he made himself absolut Master of Melilla, notwithstanding that the Mahumetans added witch-craft to their Stratagems of War to over-throw the Spaniards.

A little after Philip understanding that Florida which belongd to him by right of discovery, being part of new-found World, was colonied and usurpd by a Plan∣tation of French Hugonots, whom he abhorrd as Hereticks in his opinion, the chief wherof was Iohn Riblaut, King Philip commanded eight Galeons with 1500. Soldiers to be made ready at Ca••es, & appointed Pedro Melendez de Valdez Com∣mander, in chief giving him the title of Adelantado or Governour of Florida, after a prosperous Navigation thither, he assaulted a Fort which the French-men had built, and he pursued the point of his Design with that vigor, that he subdued it with the loss of a 150. men, and so driving the French into the Mountains and Desarts, he made himself Master of the Country upon Michaelmas day.

The next yeer he sent Sea and Land Forces towards the Luzones Ilands which ly the South-east, which had bin discoverd by Magellan before. And he im∣ployed upon this Service Michael Lope de Legaspe, who had such prosperous suc∣cess, that arriving at the Ile of Zebu he was receivd with much humanity and frendship by Tupas who ruld ther as King; so he built ther a Town calld Saint Michel with a strong Fort, and having som Fryers aboard he raysd ther the Standard of the Cross, and many of the Indians were reducd to Christianity in a short time, acknowledging the Catholic King for their Lord Paramount; many Iles more (wherof ther is such an infinity) rendred themselfs, and in honor of the King they were Christned las Philippinas, making a Town calld Manila the chief, wher afterwards the Christian Vice-roys resided: and much about that time the Frontire Town twixt Champagne and Germany took his name, and is calld Philipsburg to this day.

All this while King Philip had the wind in the Poupe, and Fortune on the Fore-castle, but now growing old that inconstant Female fell from him, and turnd her back, and as commonly one good Success coms not alone, so disaster and misfortunes when they once com they com like the Surges of the Sea, and one wave upon the neck of another: And indeed the affairs of this instable World are nothing but Vicissitudes composd of good, and bad events.

The first frown tha•• Fortune did cast upon King Philip was under the Com∣mand of the Conde of Alcaudete at Mostagan in Barbary, wher the said Conde was slain by the Forces of the Xariphe, a petty Morisco King; and so the enter∣prizd fayld.

Not long after the Napolitan Gallies with other Christian Forces had very la∣mentable success at Los Gelves neer Tripoli, wher most of the Christian Fleet pe∣rishd: Don Alvaro Commander in chief was taken prisoner and presented to Piali the Turks General; but ther was a great deal of rashness and imprudence usd in the conduct of that expedition, which hapned in the yeer 1570. For had the Christian Army set upon Tripoli, which was a place not so strong in the ey of rea∣son and all humane probability, they might have taken it, having a competent strength to do it, for the Army consisted of 12000. Soldiers besides Comman∣ders,

38. Galeons and 26. Gallies, but as Marriages, so Victories are decreed in Heaven.

Another disastrous Accident hapned in the Port of Herradura in the Kingdom of Granada, wher Don Iohn of Mendosa son to Bernardin de Mendoza Vice-roy and Captain-Generall of Naples, who having a considerable Fleet wherin ther were 3500. land Soldiers, which were to be quarterd in the Kingdom of Valen∣tia wher an Insurrection was feard, there blew upon a sudden such a furious gust of an East-wind, that most of the Fleet perishd, and above 5000. Souls.

But this mis-fortune was inferior to that which hapned three yeers after, which was in 1574. when Aluch-Ali that famous Turkish Generall came with a for∣midable Army to the coasts of Barbary, wherwith he made himself Master of Go∣letta and Tunis, wher above 200. peeces of Ordinance were found, which the E∣nemy made prize of with other rich Booties; they destroyed all the Churches and Monasteries, except the great Church which was preservd by a ransom of money.

This crowd of Disasters ushering in one another, besides that costly and re∣mote War in Flanders, might in any mans judgment, have daunted the spirits of King Philip, who before had bin so long habituated to good success, for as the morall Philosopher tells us, Miserum est fuisse felicem, One of the worst kind of unhappiness is to have bin happy; but he was a Prince of a marvailous aequani∣mity and temper, one who had long studied the mutable condition and lubrici∣ties of this world, insomuch that these crosser traverses did rather heighten his mind then depress it; for not long after he riggd a mighty Fleet upon a great Dessign, no less then for the conquest of England, which he thought to swallow at a bit, which shews that neither his spirits nor treasure was wasted, notwithand∣ing the vast expences in the Flemmish Wars, and so many millions that he buried in building the Escuriall.

The ground of this hardy Enterprize upon England, was that he had receivd divers Indignities and his Subjects much damage from his Sister Queen Elizabeth, though for his part he ever since the death of his wife Queen Mary, forbore to do any thing that might displease her, during his aboad in England, he had don her such signall and high favors, as to preserve her head from the Scaffold, to have her allowance enlargd, to divert her Sister from a design she had to send her beyond Sea to be a Nun; and at his departure from England he desired not to carry with him but one Ring of 100 l. price, nor demanded he any thing of his wifes moveables after her death: And lastly he had shewed no small love for comprehending the surrendry of Calais to the English in his treaty of peace with France; But in lieu of these Plums he gave her, she threw the stones at him, by assisting Don Antonio the Bastard, against him about the Title of Portugal, by fo∣menting his own naturall Subjects against him, in the revolt of the confederat Provinces, as far as to send a Governor of her own amongst them, by giving commissions to rob him in the Indies, by intercepting som of his treasure in her own Seas going to Flanders, by wronging som of the Haus Towns who were under his protection: These with sundry lucitements more, causd Philip to pre∣pare this powerfull Fleet to be quit with her at once for all old Scores, and if all things had fallen right in the intended conjuncture, ther was proportion enough of strength (to speak without flattery) that might in all probability have subdued England; for ther were 130. Galeons, and Gallies; ther wer 20000. fighting men aboard, neer upon 3000. Canons with Bullets, Amunition, and all things requisit; The Duke of Parma was to cross over from Flanders with 2000. fighting men, more horse and foot, but he wanted a Fleet to transport them, which was the greatest over-sight the Spaniards committed in the tracing and conduct of this business; But this mighty invincible Armada vanisht away into smoak, by con∣trary winds and horrid tempest which attended the Fleet, from beginning to ending; for many ill-favord accidents happened at the very beginning, which might presage the Disasters following: The Generalissimo the Marquess of San-Cruzd, a long experienc'd and fortunate Captain dyed a•• he was ready to set sayl for the expedition; the Duke of Medina being chosen in his place, as soon

as he launchd out, he was beaten by an impetuous storm in the Bay of Biscay upon the coasts of France, where he lost divers bottoms, and the winds were so cross, that wheras they thought to visit England in May they came not till Iuly, wher they had such rough welcom that 10000. of their men were made food for Hadocks, three parts of four of their Navy were sunk, burnd, or taken, and those which scapd could not return the same way they came, but coasting by Denmark and Norway fetcht a compass about Ireland, and so came home pittifully shat∣terd, torn, and tatterd.

This provd a heavy loss to Spain which she could not repair (as they say) twen∣ty yeers after: The English push on their good fortune, and the next yeer take Cales, which they sackt and plunderd; divers ill successes did consecutively hap∣pen divers yeers to King Philip, so that his Fortune made him som amends, with his Age, but the reduction of Portugal under the Crown of Castile, which in modesty he calld an Vnion rather then a Conquest, though it was a tru one: He seald all his Exploits with this, and it was the last great action of his life, for ever after he meddled little with public business, but transmitted them to his Son who usd to sign and seal most dispatches. King Philip was now entring upon his 71. yeer (but a good while before he grew valetudinary and weak) for twelve yeers before his death he drank not a drop of Wine, nor did he eat b••t at set hours, and then by weight and sparingly to starve his Gout, wherwith besides o∣ther indispositions he was tormented many yeers, insomuch that death did not surpize and assault him upon a sudden, but she gave him fair warning before∣hand; ther wer divers incisions made into one of his legs, and he was content to have one of his fingers sawd off to stop a Gangrene that happened ther; at last it grew to be the pediculary disease, all which he endurd with much humility and wonderfull courage; It might be sayd that his body was the field wher his foes wer incampd, and he the Combatant, they wer both quarterd together; he bil∣lited and fed his own Enemies who wer all his Inmates: During his sickness he had frequent symptomes of mortification which encreasd with his Agonies. The last 50. daies before his death he took the Communion fourteen times, and confes∣sed so often; He began to put his house in order, and to prescribe the mode how he wold be buried, causing them to open his Fathers Coffin, and to take the mesure of it, for he wold be buried in the same posture, which was in the Frock of a poor Fryer: The Chirurgeons being lancing of his knee one day, the Prince his son askt him whether it did not pain him much, he answerd, mucho mas me duelen mis pecados, My sins pain me much more: In the height of his anguishes his speech usd to be, Padre Eterno tu voluntad se haga y no la mia; Eternall Father thy will be done and not mine.

Som daies before his last he calld for the Prince his Son, and told him, No se sentia con fuerças ni capacidad para advertirle lo que era necessario para el govier∣no de tantos pueblos que dexava a su cargo, mas que dexava un papel en poder de su confessor, en que hallaria los mas saludables consejos de sus experiencias, y los mas justos avisos que su conscientia le dicto My Son, I do not find my self now to have strength or capacity enough to communicate unto you what is necessary for the government of so many peeple which are to fall under your Government, but I have left in the hands of my Confessor a paper, wherin you shall find the wholsomst advise that my experience and conscience could dictat; so he causd him to read what Saint Lewis of France sayd to his Son Philip before his death; Afterwards he commanded an Ivory Cabinet to be brought, whence he took out a plain Crucifix of wood, and a penitentiall Whip all blooded, saying, wheras others use to leave Rings and Jewels at their death to them whom they love most, I leave you, my Son, this Discipline (meaning the Whip for so they call it in Spain) which he conjurd him upon his blessing to make often use of, for as he sayd, Con esta disciplina podria mesclar su sangre con la de su padre y su abuelo In using this you may mingle your blood with that of your Fathers and Grand-fathers: And touching that plain Crucifix, he told him that his Grand-father dy∣ed having it in his hands, and so would he, wishing his Son to do the like. The next day he took the extream Unction at nine of the night, desiring first to be informd

by the Arch-bishop of Toledo how it was usd to be usd, for he had never seen it don before; he had the Prince his Son ther present, to whom for all his spirits were so much wasted, he made this rare Speech.

He querido, Hijo mio, os hallassedes presente en esta hora, y viessedes como yo he recebido la santa Vnction lo uno porque no os suceda lo que o mi, y tengais la ignoran∣cia que yo, lo otro paraque veais en que paran las Monarquias deste mundo; ya veys, Hijo mio, como Dios me ha despojado de la gloria y Magestad de Rey para daros a vos esta investidura, a mi me pondran dentro de pocas horas una pobre mortaja, y me ceniran con un pobre cordel, y a se me ca•• de la cabes a la Corona, la muerte me la quita para daros la a vos. Dos cosas os encomiendo mucho la una que permanescais siempre en la obediencia de la santa Iglesia Catolica; la otra que hagais justicia, y ameis a vuestros vassallos, pues vendrá tiempo en que esta corona se os cayga de la ca∣beca como aora a mi, vos sois mancebo yo lo he sido, mis dias estavan contades, ya se han acabado, Dios sabe los que tendreis de vida, y tambien han de tener fin, y assi es menester no desany daros en lo que tanto importa, sino mirar como vivis, porque la muerte os halle en buen estado siempre que os llame My Son, I was willing you shold be present at this hour, now that I am taking the holy Unction for two respects, first, that you might be not so ignorant hereof as I have bin; Secondly, that you may be an Ey-witness what becoms of worldly Monarchs; you see al∣redy, my Son, how God hath disrobd me of the Glory and Majesty of a King, to transfer this investiture to you, they will very speedily wind me up in a poor sheet and gird me about with a poor girdle (meaning Saint Francis Cordon) The Crown is upon point of falling off my head, death takes it from me to give it you; I recommend unto you two things, first, that you wold continue constant in the holy Catholic Church: Secondly, that you wold cause Justice to be don to your Subjects, and that you wold love them, for the time will com that the Crown will also fall from off your head, as it doth from mine; you are young and I am old, my daies wer reckond, and the Score is onw striking off, yours also must have an end, therefore it behoves you not to be careless how much it imports you, but be heedfull what life you lead, that death may find you in a good condition when he summons you away.

Afterwards he much recommended unto him a War against Hereticks, and Peace with France,; The Prince thinking that he was now expird, and to settle the Marquess of Denia his Favorit, afterwards Duke of Lerma, he demanded the golden Key of his Closet of Don Christo val de mora, he answerd, that he could not do it while the King was living; the Prince being a little movd ther∣at Don Christoval complained to the King, who although he likd not his Sons demand por ser algo temprana, because it was somwhat to early, yet he com∣manded Don Christo val to deliver it him, and aske him pardon; Now, the King had a year before turnd his face to the wall towards death, and his back to the world, from all troublesom businesses, so that the Prince signd most Commissi∣ons all the while.

So on Sunday about five in the afternoon upon the day of rest, Philip went gently to his last, and he fell with the fall of the leaf in September, being seventy one yeers of age, to which age none of the Austrian Family ever arrivd, as it was observd. The last words which he breathd were these, yo muero como Catolico Christiano en lafe & obediencia de la iglesia Romana, y Respeto al papa como a quie•• trae en sus manos las llaves del cielo como al principe de la iglesia, y Teniente de Dios sobre el imperio de las almas. I dy a Catholic Christian, in the faith and o∣bedience of the Roman Church, and I respect the Pope as him who carries in his hands the Keys of Heaven being Prince of the Church, and Gods Lieu∣renant over the Empire of Souls.

Thus Philip el prudente Philip the prudent (for that Epithet was given him afterwards by a Parliament in Spain, and confirmd solemnly afterwards in a Consistory at Rome) took his last farewell of this World, wherin he had bin sal∣ted, as it were so long, by so many incumbrances and sicknesses. The report of his death made a great sound up and down the world, specially in Rome wher it was much resented; For the Pope calld an extraordinary Consistory the next day,

wherin he declard that if ever the Apostolick See had cause of grief and affliction, it was for the decease of this Prince, because the holy Church had left her greatest Cham∣pion, and her Persecutors their potentst Enemy, whose life was no other then a continu∣all combat against Apostacy and Error; so he compard him to David in his hatred of Gods Enemies, to Salomon in wisdom, to Josias in reformation of holy things, to Jacob in patience, to Augustus in valour, to Trajan and Theodosius in obedience to the holy Church; but ther wer two things that comforted him for so great a loss, his so immutable and rocky perseverance in his religion, his admirable resignation of his will to God, and his incredible patience in his suffrances which wer so many. By this pathetic Speech did Clement the 8th. as it wer canonize King Philip, and endear his memory to the Catholic world: In Spain the condolement for his death was so universall, that every one did put himself in mourning for him, which they wore so long, that finding a kind of gravity as well as conveniency in black the Spaniards are more addicted to that colour then any Nation ever since; and que∣stionless he was a Prince of a rare temper, of a large soul, and extraordinary in∣tellectuals; he was devoted to his Religion in an intense degree, for he wold often say, si el P••incipe su hjjo fuera hereje, scilmatico, diera el mismo la lenapa∣ra quemarle; If the Prince his Son wer a Heretick or Schismatic he wold himself find fuel to burn him: What a world of pious works did he erect, first, he found∣ed the Church of Saint Barnaba▪ the Apostle in the Escurial, he built half the Convent of Saint Philip in Madrid, he added a Cloyster to our Lady of Hope in Ocana, another to the Lady 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wher he also built a royall Chappel; he gave seven thousand Crowns to Saint Hieronimo, seven thousand more to Saint Benet in Valladolid, with a perpetuall rent of eight hundred Crowns per an: to the great Church there, eighteen thousand Crowns to the Minorits of Madrid; he made a large Colledg of Antonio Perez house, endowing with large Rents and calling it Saint Isab••l: He sent mighty presents to Loreto, he contributed much for erecting the Monarchy of the Mintins in Madrid, he founded that of Saint Paul in Arevalo, he gave our Lady de Gu••dalitire twenty thousand Crowns, and so much to the Lady of Monserrat, he erected many Bishopricks, augmen∣ted the number of Prebends in Granada, and not long before his death he found∣ed a Monastery of Augustins in Huesca, he founded also divers Hospitals up and down in Spain; But what shall we say of the royal Monastery of Saint Laurence in the Escurial, it is better to let it alone, because it is impossible to speak enough of it, being the eighth wonder of the world; let it suffice that it cost above twenty millions the building, and after it was finishd the Founder had the T••uition and pleasure of it for many yeers: It wold require a Volume of it self to relate what religious houses he built beyond the Seas in his severall Dominions; ther wer forty Convents erected in the Indies by his speciall Order and charge, and if other Kings are prayed for as being great Benefactors, if they built a Colledg or a Church or an Hospitall; what prayers and prayses did this King deserve? Moreover he causd the holy Bible to be expurgd and to be printed in eight state∣ly Toms upon his own charge. Much more might be spoken of his inclinations to piety in his way; now touching his Iustice which next to Religion is the grea∣test colman that supports a Kingdom, ther be divers examples therof, for he was the common Arbiter of difference betwixt Princes, he ended the contest between Ferrara and Luca, betwixt the Venetians and the Malteses, twixt Genoa and Sa∣voy, twixt Savoy and Mantova.

He was also very munificent, and an exact rewarder of Services, insomuch that old Commanders, knowing his disposition that way, wold com and boldly demand Ayuda de costas, or a speciall reward from him, notwitstanding that they were payed all their arreares before: One day there happend a facecious passage twixt an old Captain who had servd him long in the Belgian Warrs, and being delayed by the Councell of State, he went to find the King, who was then at the Escuriall, where it happend he was a hunting; the Captain takes his Mule and meeting the King single by himself in the field, the King began to dis∣course with him, and askd him what he was, the Soldier thinking he had bin som privat man▪ told him all, how he had servd Don Philip so many years in the Ne∣therlands,

and now he was com to demand his reward from him, the King re∣plied, asking him whether Don Philip owd him any thing in point of pay, No, answerd the Captain; then sayed the King you can demand nothing of right, being satisfied all your arreares, and I beleeve Don Philip having so many Irons in the fire, and being deeply in debt himself will hardly give you any thing, the Captain broke off abruptly and sayed, Pues que me bese la mula in el culo, Then let him kisse my Mule in the tayle; the King calld him again, and askd him what addresses he had made, he told him that he had often attended the Councell of State and Warr with his memorialls, but he could do no good, for he could ne∣ver light upon the King there; well, sayed the King, the Councell of State and Warr sit to morrow and I shall be there, for I am an Officer in that Councell, therfore if you com I shall let you in, and you shall see Don Philip himself to whom you may make your own tale; the King presided himself the next day in the Councell, and gave speciall order that if such a man came, giving a descrip∣tion of him, and his name which he had learnt of him, he shold be let in; the Captain being entred, and seeing the King there and all the Councel bare-head∣ed before him, though he knew him to be the same man whom he hed met the day before in the Escurial, & knew him also now to be the King, yet he was not much out of countenance; the King askt him whether he rememberd what discourse had passd betwixt them in the field the day before, yes Sir, sayd the Captain, then you remember you sayed, That if the King would not give you a reward he might kiss your Mule in the tail, Sir, answerd he again, Senot lo dicho dichio▪ mi Mula esta debaxo a la puertu, Sir, what I sayd, I sayd, and my Mule is below at the Court gate; The King was not awhit movd hereat, but gave him his hand to kiss, and commanded a good reward to be given him; Yet King Philip gave another kind of answer to another Soldier who petitioning him for som act of bounty, he told him▪ si a todos los que me piden daria, presto pediria yo, If I should give to all those that petition me, I shold com to beg my self: And it is a rule in Govern∣ment, that he who knows not how to deny knows not how to raign.

He had a marvailous equality of mind, and constancy of disposition, which rendred him a great Master of his passions, and to have an absolut Empire over them: Neither good or bad news could move him, or make him go from home, or depart from his wonted self, neither the one could transport him to extraor∣dinary fits of joy, nor the other to dumps of sadness, he was of such an admired temper, I will produce a few instances; The worst newes that ever came unto him was the dismall ill successe of his fleet in the yeer 88▪ and when the Courtier that brought him the first tidings came puffing & blowing with a halter about his neck, he was then looking upon a Mason settling a corner stone in the Escurial but before he wold ask him a question or receave the packet, he stayed till the Mason had don his business, then reading the letter of advice from the Duke of Medina with all the circumstance of tha•• deplorable expedition to England, without the least motion or change of countenance, he sayed onely, welcom be the will of God, I sent my Cosen the Duke of Medina to fight with men not with the Elements: Two of the most comfortable tydings that ever came unto him, wer those of the Battail in the gulph of Lepanto, the other of the conquest of Portu∣gal; when the maiden news of the first was brought him, being heightned with much Eloquence and exaggeration of speech, yet nothing could move him to go from himself, but without the least motion of extraordinary joy, he gravely an∣swerd Mucho ha aucenturado mi Hermano Don Iuan, my brother Don Iohn last venturd very far, and it was the first time he stild him brother: Touching that of Portugal, when the fi••st intelligence was brought how the Duke of Alua had dis∣comfited the Forces of Don Antonio, and made himself Master of Lisbon, and so of Portugal, one of the greatest additions that ever befell the Spanish Monarchy, he calmely sayed el Duque de Alua es un gran capitan, y muy hombre de bien. The Duke of Alua is a great Captain, and a very honest man; He was usd to have a saying often in his mouth el tiempo y yo para otros dos, Time and I will challenge any two in the world: Indeed he was mighty deliberat and cautious in all his undertakings and somwhat slow in councell, remembring the saying of his Fa∣ther

the Emperour, That Kings shold be like Saturn, which as it is the highest so it is the slowest of all the Planets in point of movement; now slowness carrieth with it commonly a stately kind of gravity which he affected much, and therin was a tru Spaniard, who will hardly change his pace though it be with a whip.

He very much honord the Sacerdotall dignity, esteeming that reverence which he did to Gods Ministers to reflect upon his own divine Majesty, A gentleman of Toledo shott a Musket at a Canon of the Church, though it missd him yet he causd the gentleman to be beheaded, and another for giving but a cuff to a Capu∣chin Fryer; Ther was a process of fower and twenty yeers standing in Valentia, who shold give the Pax at Mass to the Priest, the Vice-roy or the Arch-bishop, the Duke of Naiara had contested much for it; not long after King Philip came to his City of Valentia upon som signall ocasions, and being at a conventuall Masse in a Monastery, he commanded him who carried the Pax to give it first to the Arch-bishop, & so the suit was ended; he held that a reverend aw to the Gover∣nors of the Church was the prime support of piety, they having charge of the noblest part of man which is his Soul: And herein he was much in the right, for wher this awfull Reverence is lost, nothing but Sacriledg, confusion, and Heresy will follow, as we find by late woful experience, besides this reverence to Church-men is often very available to compose tumults: As he did put a sudden end to that church con∣testation betwixt the Arch-bishop and Vice-roy, so he had a Magisteriall and Ma∣jestick way of reconciling differences and emulations among his Nobles: In a Parliament he had once summond ther fell a high debate twixt the two great Cities of Toledo and Burgos (the one being the head of old Castile, the other of the new) who of them shold speak first, and the debate grew very high, Phillip hea∣ring of it came with all the Ensigns of Majesty to the Parliment-house, and ended the difference by this witty way, hable Burgos, que por Toledo hablare yo, let Burgos speak, for Toledo I will speak my self, so they did acquiesse, but which of them had the better, I leave it to the judgment of the Reader.

Thus the practise of this King may be a pattern for all Princes to govern by, his way of ruling may be a rule to raign by, the manner of his living and dying may be a rule to dy and live by; yet a little before his death he commanded Christoval de Mora to burn all his privat papers.

Philip the second had four Wifes, the first was the Infanta of Portugal Donna Maria, the second was Mary Queen of England, the third Isabel the eldest Daughter of France, and the fourth, Anne the Emperours Daughter (his Neece) of whom he had Philip the third who succeeded him; he had in all five Sons and three Daughters, Don Carlos was his first begotten, who dyed in the flower of his age, but because ther have bin and continue to this day divers dark discourses of the cause of the Princes death, I will be more large in the relation according to the Manuscript I had from a person of knowledg and honor. Don Carlos eldest Son to Philip the second of Spain, was born in Valladolid somtimes the Court of the Catholic Kings: In his Fathers absence he was, being com to the age of foutteen yeers, bred under the King of Bohemia his Uncle, who then go∣vernd Spain, with his Ant Donna Iuana, during that charge they had of him, they wer more carefull of the conservation of his health and growth, then of his Edu∣cation, shewing herein too much indulgency, and suffering him to have his will too much; His Father at his return to Spain observd in him som wildish hu∣mors which he connivd at thinking that time wold correct them; At sixteen yeers of age he was sworn Prince in the City of Toledo, with the greatest solemnity that ever was seen in Spain; his Father then sent him and his Uncle Don Iohn of Au∣stria, together with Alexander Prince of Parma, to Complutum or the Universi∣ty of Alcala to get somthing of the Latin Toung, and som knowledg in the Ma∣thematicks; It happend that in a waggery climing up a Ladder as he came down he fell so unluckily, that he was mortally hurt in his skull and back-bone, the King went instantly to see him, when he found him in a swown, all the Churches prayed for him, and the body of Saint Diego which is the greatest relique they have in Alcala was brought, and put upon him a good while, he then began to com to himself again, so a while after by the care and skill of Andria Basili he

was cured, but to make vent for som congeald corrupted blood that was within, he was forcd to open part of the Pericraniu••, which made him ever after to be of a weak brain, subject to extravagancies; he wold somtimes go up and down his Fathers house and abuse his Servants, he wold hurl out som out at the windows, kick and cuff others: One time he made his Shoomaker to eat a peece of his Boots, because they wer too streight for him; Cardinal Espinota coming one day to Court he grappld him by the Rocket, and threatned him by the life of his Father. These and such like exorbitances did much afflict Don Philip his Father, who once intended to have sent him to Flanders, upon the beginning of the com∣motions there, and withal the Emperor Ferdinand seemd to invite him, offring the Infanta Dona Anna to him in marriage, but the Prince continuing in his maddish fits, the King alterd his resolution and sent thither the Duke of Alua, who com∣ing to kiss the Princes hands before his departure, he told him in a great fury, that he shold not go to Flanders, for the voyage belonged unto him, and if he contradict∣ed him he wold kill him: A little after he writ to divers of the Grandees, that they wold assist him in a business which much concernd him, they returnd a re∣spectfull answer, that they were ready to serve him in any thing, so it were not against his Father: These Letters were sent to King Philip, and Don Iohn of Austria be∣ing then at Court discoverd unto him the extravagant designs of the Prince, which was to steal away to Germany, to marry his Cosen the Emperors Daughter, ha∣ving for his jorney sent him from Sevill 150000. Crowns, and he exspected ••50000. more; King Philip being then at the Escurial, and having timely notice hereof, came presently to Madrid, whither he sent for the Duke of Feria with others of his privy Counsellors; In the dead of night he went with them to the Prince his Quarter, the first who entred was the Duke of Feria, the Prince ••••aring upon him from his bed, sayed, Duke what do you here this time of night? presently after appeard his Father wherat the Prince started, saying, que es esto quiere me matar vuestra Magestad, Whats this, will your Majesty murther me? the King answerd, no, si no poner orden en vuestra vido quietaos, no, but to take or∣der for the preservation of your life, be quiet; so he took his Sword which was by his beds-head, and causd a steel Cabinet to be carried away, telling him it shold be returnd him again, after som papers of his were perusd; so the King departed leaving a guard upon him: There was a huge murmur the next day all the Court over, that the Prince shold be thus made a Prisoner, being the greatest heir in the world, but the King the next day writ to all his Vice-roys and chief Officers, that they shold not much wonder at this sudden action or be too inquisitive to know the cause of it, or trouble themselves to intercede for the Prince, let it suffize for them to know that it tended to the common good, that he was his Father, and knew what belongd to things: He sent also to all the Ambassadors at Court, not to intermeddle, or trouble themselvs about this business; the Prince being thus restraind, and his humors being as fiery as the season, which was the Dog-daies, he drunk much water coold with snow out of an artificiall Fountain he had, which with som o∣ther excesses and disorders made him fall into a double Tertian, he afterwards fell a vomiting, and to a dysentery proceeding from the extream cold water he usd to drink so much: The Kings Physitians did carefully attend him, and usd what Art cold do; but the Disease provd mortall, and beyond cure; hereupon the Councell ••at to advise whether it was fitting for the King to go visit him, som wer of opinion that the Prince was well disposd to dy a good Catholic, and the sight of his Father might happily discompose him, yet the King went in and gave him his benediction, but stayed not, and so returnd with more grief and less care: A little after the Prince expird being twenty three yeers old, he had made his Will before, which he deliverd his Secretary, wherin he desird his Father to forgive him, and to give him his blessing, to pay his debts and give his movables to Churches and Hospitals, and that his body shold be buried in Toledo, which was performd: His Funerall was prepard the same day he dyed, for at seven in the evening the Grandees carried his body out to the Court-gate, wher the Nun∣cio with other Ambassadors and a great concours of Noblemen were ready to at∣tend the Herse.

The hard destiny and death of this great young Prince with the extraordinary circumstances therof may teach the world this lesson, that the love of a Father must give place to the office of a King, and that jealousy among Princes works more powerfully then naturall affections.

1. This was one of the four Acts for which King Philip made himself so sub∣ject to be censurd abroad in the world, for papers flew in many places that h•• had poysond his Son.

2. The second was in the transaction of the business of Aragon, where he was taxd to have falsifyed his own manifesto, wherin he declard that the Army under Don Alonso de Vergas was intended for France, wheras it proovd afterwards to have bin expresly raysd to surprize Saragosa.

3. The third was the business of Portugal, for wheras he had declard that he was willing to refer the right of Title to that Crown to the decision of the Pope, he invaded and conquerd the Country before the Nuncio cold com to the Spa∣nish Court, though he knew he was upon his way and already landed in Spain to that purpose; but he sent speciall Commission to the Towns through which he was to pass, that they should entertain and regalar him som dayes, while in the interim he did his business in Portugal.

4. The fourth was the conniving at the Murther of Escovedo Secretary to Don Iohn of Austria which was perpetrated with his privity, as Antonio Perez confessd upon the Rack, which made this Character to be given of him, that there was but a little distance betwixt Don Philips risa y el cuchillo between his smile and the Scaffold, his prudence somtimes turning to excess of severity. But as the hearts of Kings are inscrutable, so their waies shold be, their actions somtimes must be at∣tended with politicall cunning▪ and extraordinary power to crush Cocatrices in the shell to prevent greater inconveniences, as God Almighty, whose immediat Vicegerents they are, doth use sometimes his omnipotence in exceeding the Rules and common course of nature.

[illustration]

PHILIP THE THIRD, XXVIII KING OF NAPLES.

PHILIP the third of Austria fift Son to Philip the se∣cond, by Donna Anna the Emperors Daughter, and his fourth Wife succeeded his Father in all his Dominions, both in the new and old World; He was born the 14th. of April, 1578. in the Palace of Madrid, and was Christned upon the Feast of Philip and Iacob, the first of whom may be sayed to be his God-father, six yeers after he was created Prince of Castile in the Monastery of Saint Ieronimo; the next yeer after he was created Prince of Aragon in Monson, the next yeer after he was created Prince of Na∣varr, in the Cathedrall Church of Pampelona, and lastly Prince of Portugal, which made him to have this priviledg above all his Predecessors, to be the first who was Prince of all Spain, in regard Lusitania had not bin before under the Crown of Castile till the Raign of Philip his Father; he was a weakly sick Child for many yeers at first, yet he survivd his four brothers; (viz. Don Carlos, Don Fernando, Don Carlos Lorenzo, and Don Diego) so easily is humane judg∣ment deceivd.

The first thing he did was the sending of a new Vice-roy to the Kingdom of Naples, then, after that long destructive War in the Nether-lands which had so ragd in his Fathers time, he made a Truce with the Hollanders, but in these am∣biguous words son contento de tratar con vos otros como con Estados libres, I am con∣tented to treat with you as with free States, wherby according to the Spanish ex∣position of those words, he intimated they were no free States, by vertu of this

word As, for it is a rule in Logic, that Nullum simile est Idem. No thing that is like a thing is the same thing; therfore if he treated with them as with free States, they were no free States: This Truce afforded much matter of discourse for the Criticks of those times.

He did this by the advice principally of the Marquess of Denia afterwards Duke of Lermanhom whom he took for his Privado or his Favorit, to whom he transmit∣ted the guidance of all great affairs being conscious of som imbecillities of his own, wherin he discoverd a great point of wisdom, whose chiefest part is for one to know his own infirmities and incapacities.

But I should have spoken first of the peace he had made with England, which preceded this, and was the first great action he did, when he began to sit at the Healm of that mighty Vessell; I mean the Spanish Monarchy, which in his Fa∣thers time had b••n tossd and weather-beaten by so many impetuous and fierce Tempests: to conclude this peace, he imployed the chiefest Officer of Spain, the Constable of Castile in a very high and magnificent equipage, in correspondence wherof England sent her high Admirall; herein he followd the counsell of Charls the fift his Grand-father, who had this saying often in his mouth,

Con todo el mundo guerra, y puz con Ingalat jerra,

With all the World have War, But with England do not jar.

Before this Embassy to England the common people of Spain were made to be∣lieve by their preaching Jesuits, that english-men since they receded from the Roman Church were strangly transformd, som had f••ces like Hogs, som like Dogs, som like Munkies, but the Constable at his return did rectifie his Country-men in this point.

Philip being now in peace with all Christian Princes, and being addicted to de∣votion in a high degree, he thought it a work acceptable to God Almighty, and agreeable to the office of a Catholi•• King to cleer Spain of the Mahumetan Mo∣riscos who had planted themselves ••her above seven hundred yeers: He put the business to many serious deliberations, the result wherof at last was, that it wold be a high act of Christian Piety, and gratefull to Heaven, so there was a royall Ban of banishment publisht against the Moriscos who were dispersd up & down specially in the Maritime parts of Spain, which border upon the Mediter∣ranean Sea in great multitudes, to the number of many hundred thousand souls, who were all hurried over to Barbary, but permitted to carry with them all their movables, and make sale of their other goods, the King providing Ships, and pay∣ing for their transfretation; the motive that inducd Philip to this Act was, that he thought it a thing unpleasing to God, that so many Infidels and Mahumetans shold mingle so thick with Christians, that many thousands had bin bapti••d, but they apostatizd and grew greater enemies to Chrsts then before, that there were sundry plots and machinations discoverd, as also the intelligence they kept with the Turk the common enemy of Spain. The first advice whereof was given by the English Ambassador the Earl of Notingham, who brought Letters with him that had bin sent King Iames, how the sayed Moriscos had a secret design to introduce the great Turk, and so to joyn with him for the conquering of Spain, as the Conde Don Iulian did with the Moors. Henry the fourth of France sent him also intelligence tending to that end. So in a short time the Country was rid of them, as it was formerly of the Jewes, in the time of Ferdinand and I∣sabella; But there were som incommodities followd, for Spain was much depopu∣lated and impoverisht hereby, specially for Corn and other Vegetals, for those Moriscos were an industrious people, & wold grub up Corn and Pulse with other things, out of the tops of those craggy Hills wherwith Spain is bunchd in most places, so that the Spaniard who naturally is slothfull unless it be in the Wars (as the Turks are) had nothing to do, but having put on his Sword and swelling

ruff, but go with his Ass to the Market, and buy corn of the Moriscos, who usual∣ly fed upon bread made of Maiz, or some other Pulse, so that the Spaniards for the most part did eat by the sweat of other mens brows.

Philip the third having as formerly it was spoken, concluded a peace with Eng∣land, and a Truce with the Dutch, passd most part of his Raign in quietness, which suted best with his disposition, he being a Prince wholly devoted to exer∣cises of piety, being alwaies fingring his Beads; He sympathizd in nature much with Edward the sixth of England, but was not so infortunat as he, for he pre∣servd what his Father left him, wheras the other lost France where he had bin Crownd King in his Cradle. And this happiness of Philip may be imputed to the sage conduct of the Duke of Lerma, who was a sound and well-weighd Mi∣nister of State, of a Debonnair and affable deportment quite contrary to the ge∣nius of his Successor Olivares who was of a rough rigid humor.

Philip the third after he had reignd 23. yeers died, as he lived in a sweet peace∣able way, and he was called Philip el Bueno, Philip the good, as his Father was calld Philip the prudent.

Philip the third to pay his Fathers Creditors, and disburden the Crown of those vast Arrears wherwith it was most heavily laden, in regard of so many Irons he had to beat all his life-time, was forcd to inhance the Gabels, and lay new impo∣sitions, as in other places so specially in the Kingdom of Naples: Now those who cut out Philip the second most work to do, were Henry the fourth of France, and Elizabeth Queen of England, the one was sayed to play the Barber and shave him, which Harry did so nimbly and dextrously as if he had bin born to the Trade, and old Bess held the Bason while he washd Philips head and face, but it was given out that he did this without Camphire Ball, or any Soap at all, but with stale Ly and strong standing Urine.

There was about that time a witty Italian Author, whose fancies are fresh to this day, who being no friend to the Spaniard, writ many things by way of drol∣lery against his mode of Government in Sicilie, Milan and Naples, specially in the last; And as he descants upon the Servitude which that wavering and wan∣ton people were reducd unto, for their so frequent Sollevations and Revolts, he sayeth, that to punish with som severity the Napolitans for thier infidelity and murmurings against their former Kings, it pleasd the Majesty of the heavenly Judg to deliver them into the hands of Pharo to receive law from him, meaning the Spaniard, who having felt the pulse of that luxurious people, by his interior Ca∣binet councell, was advisd that there was no better way to preserve Naples in a constancy of obedience, then to bring down the flesh, and tame that hot metteld, and spirited Horse or Courser which she gave for her Ensign: therupon there were appointed Riders, Grooms, Smiths, and others to look to him, and break him, they found that he was so wanton that he wold hardly receive Bit, Bridle, or Saddle, that he was of a mighty strength, therfore it was fitting so pamperd an Animal shold be brought low and mortified: Somthing was don in Charles the fift's time to this purpose, but his Son Philip did finish the work, who had almost rid him quite of his legs; insomuch that at the beginning of Philip the thirds Raign, there was a speciall ••unta appointed to meet in the Piazza at Naples to take a view in what case he stood; The poor Beast was brought forth, and he was grown so feeble that his legs could hardly serve him to be softly led into the Market-place: It was a most pittifull object to see how that generous Cour∣ser who had once so much spirit and strength as to carry two Kings at once, shold becom now so weak and meagre that he could not bear a Pigmey, one might now tell his ribs, his back also was miserably gald by carrying of Panniars, and withall he was found full of bunches, his feet foundred and one of his nostrils slit, yet those who had the chief care of him, kept locks on his feet, and a strong halter about his neck and face, with dark Spectacles on his eyes; now there was exquisit search made in the Junta how he was grown so poor, answer was made, that though he be low in flesh, yet he is as high in spirit as ever he was, and was ever and anon ready to kick and winch, therfore it was fitting that the allow∣ance of Provander which he hath now shold be rather diminisht then mended;

Therfore the grave members of the Junta appointed that the Rack shold be raisd a span higher, and that the third part of his Provender shold be taken off.

When this hapned, their chancd to be present in the Piazza, som learned men and Philosophers, who resenting much, and taking to heart that wofull Specta∣cle, out of pure pitty askt the Junta how they could find in common compassion, which obliges every one to be good to his beast, to diminish the Nutriment of that poor Animal, who was so wasted and worn away, that there scarce remain∣ed any thing of him but flesh and bone; The oldest man of the Junta gave a short answer to the sayed Philosophers, telling them that they shold do better to attend their own calling, to dispute of Entities and Quiddities, then to intermed∣dle with politicall matters, wherin they seemd to be such Simpletons: For in case that Caprichious beast were usd better, he wold quickly repay their mildness with biting & kicks, as he had most ingratefully usd som of his former Riders who were so open handed unto him, divers of whom he had thrown of into ditches, by his excess of mettle, and if one shold mend his commons that instable Animal wold foam at the mouth as much as ever, and raise tumults and seditions against his benefactors and keepers: Therfore whosoever will enter into an exact and ju∣dicious ponderation of things and of the tru Mode wherby that flouncing Ani∣mal shold be kept, he must not look upon the meagernes of his belly, or buttocks, but upon the mischievous quality of his genius, who is still as caprichious a lo∣ver of novelty as ever he was: Therfore wo be to the Catholic King if that fe∣rocious Napolitan Horse shold have strength and opportunity to put in executi∣on what he doth incessantly cast and chymerize in his own brain against the pre∣sent government; Therfore if any thing be to be complaind of it proceeds from the ill nature of the beast, rather then the severity of the Spaniards; nor can any deny but it is a high point of wisdom, & no less of charity with well weighd coun∣cels and prudent artifices to take of by way of prevention the means of doing ill from him who alwaies intends mischief, and is not capable to judg when one doth use him well and do him courtesies, insomuch that there is no medicament can cure the chanchrous humours of the Napolitan, then by applying therunto som corrosives of the Spanish severity.

The same Author proceeds further▪ and fains that Almansor King of Grana∣da, meeting casually with the Kingdom of Naples, they joyntly condole their calamitous condition of servitude causd by the tyranny of the Spaniards, as they walkd and mingld speech a good while together, Almansor observd the fashion of that Chain which the Kingdom of Naples carried on his legs, because it lookd like a Morisco Manufacture, and surely he had seen and handled that Chain be∣fore, so looking neer upon it, he struck his breast in a kind of astonishment, say∣ing that he was well aquainted with that Chain, for it was the very same wher∣with he and his Antecessors the Morisco Kings had kept most of the Kingdoms of Spain the space of seven hundred yeers and upwards in obedience and servili∣ty, therfore he earnestly desired to know how, by whom, and when Naples had got on that Chain.

The Kingdom of Naples answered, a most excellent memory hast thou King Almansor, for this unhappy Chain which I carry was brought first from Spain by Gonsaluo de Cordova calld the great Captain, therfore it is very likely that it is the same you speak of; and now it is above an age passd, I mean a Century of sad Winters that I am fallen into such a deplorable kind of slavery, wherof I know not whether I shall ever rid my self, because I find that the Spaniard is mounted to such a height of power that it hath made me loose all hopes I should have in the arme of man for recovery of my lost liberty, it is the only omnipotent hand of God can do it, by doing such another miracle as he did in the Red Sea.

Almansor replyed, the calculation falls pat you speak of, for it was about the very same time that the Spaniard shook off the Chain wherwith you go now bound; but let it not be uncouth unto thee most noble Naples, to relate how it was possible that the Spaniard shold impatronize himself so easily of a King∣dom so far distant from him by Sea and Land: Naples rejoynd, It was by fraud that the Spaniard introducd himself to Italy, for by pure force he could never

have made such acquests so far beyond the proportion of their strength; there∣fore listen well to me, and you will be astonisht of the large conscience which one King of Spain carried about him, though he made himself appear to the world like another Saint Macarius-painted upon som wall.

Alphonso my King to draw on his last, and my principall ruine, gave Isabel his Neece (for I will take the rise of my Relation from this unlucky Marriage) to Iohn Galeazzo Duke of Milan in marriage; In regard of the stupidity of Iohn Lodwick Sforza occupied the state of his Nephew, King Alfonso as nature obligd him thought to prevent that usurpation, Lodwick knowing well that he could not com to the end of his aimes without the destruction of my Kings, took a precipitat resolution to call in the French for the Conquest of me, an action which afterwards prov'd so funestous to all Italy: My Kings therupon to coun∣terbalance France, had recourse to that holy Soul Ferdinand King of Aragon their Cosen, who shewd himself so loving a Kinsman, and faithfull Confederat, that in lieu of chasing away the French he parted stakes with them, and divi∣ded me amongst them, but afterwards they fell out like Dogs about a bone, and Ferdinand made the French find their way again ore the Alps to repass shame∣fully to their Country; so Ferdinand made himself my absolute Soveraign, and without any scruple of conscience▪ and for my kind invitation he was the first who gave me this Chain you see, which as you say is of the Manufacture of Barbary: And this the holy Ferdinand did so a little after that he had receivd the Title of Catholic King from the Apostolicall See; nor do I think King Almansor that you ever heard or read of an Act of more infidelity and ingratitude, by Sara∣cen, Infidel, or Pagan.

Almansor went on, and sayed, truly I have conversd with divers Chronicles, wherin I have met with many odd foul traverses of State done by ambitious Prin∣ces in hope to raigne, But touching this Act of Ferdinand, I do not remember to have read any that can parallell it.

Naples sayed again, but O King Almansor if your Nation kept fast Spain so many yeers in that Chain, what way did they use to shake it off? Almansor say∣ed, that cursed Union which was made twixt Castile and Aragon by the nupti∣als of Ferdinand and Isabella, was the cause of my ruine, and of my Successors af∣ter me, as also of the servitude wherof you complain, a most fatall union, which all the Potentates of Europe, specially of Italy, have as much cause to curse to this day, as I have; for the jealousies twixt the Castilians and Aragonians se∣curd alwaies my Kingdom of Granada: Add hereunto that the countenance and succours which the Popes gave to Ferdinand did accelerat the work.

Hold there, King Almansor, sayed Naples, for since you were cast out of Spain, the Popes have sufferd more by the ambitious designes of the Catholick Kings then they did before; for nothing could be so disadvantagious to Rome, as to have so potent a Prince so neer a Neighbour unto her, witness that Siege and lamen∣table sack which she sufferd so soon after my servitude by the Spaniard Bourbon being his General, wherby he hansomly payed her for that assistance she gave him for the Conquest of Granada; since which time the ambition of Spain hath bin felt in Italy, and in other places so that it had bin more for the tranquility of Europe that the Moors had still continued in Spain. Add hereunto that these new additi∣ons of power to Spain have tended much to the disorders ever since that have hapned unto you in matters of Religion; The jealousies that Germany had of the growing greatness of Charles the fift, were the cause that many Princes revol••ed from him and Rome; but since the Spaniards have taken such firm foo∣ting in Italy, the main reach of their policy is to joyn me and Milan in one en∣tire peece, by subduing all the interiacent Territories, which if it happen, farewell the freedom of all Italy as well as mine.

But sayd Almansor, how are the Milaneses usd your Conterranean fellow Sub∣jects?

Naples answerd, that they of Milan were washd only with dashes of Rain wa∣ter, but a whole deluge hath over-whelmd me: Moreover the disposition of the Lombard differs from mine, for the Noble-men and Gentry there are more free

and resolute, and more far from vice, they are better Patriots and carefull of their Countries liberty, insomuch that I dare say, if there were but one tru Cre∣mona brain among my Napolitan Barons it wold be enough to dash that forcd Donative which is exacted of me ever and anon, which brings me often to feed upon bread and Onyons: Add hereunto that the confines of the Grisons, of the Duke of Savoy, and the Venetian who are all jealous of the King of Spains grow∣ing power makes him proceed with more discretion and caution in his Territo∣ries in Lombardy.

This dialog twixt Naples and Almansor being ended, the same Author faignes all the States of Europe to be summond before the oracle at Delphos to be weighd in a great balance held by Lorenzo de Medici, where the Monarchy of Spaine making her apparance in a high majestic garb, among other passages, there was a Book presented unto her by one of the Witts, the substance wherof was to dis∣cover a way for Spain to reduce to her ancient splendor and freedom the most noble Parthenope, and the once most florishing Kingdom of Naples, wheras by plundrings of the Soldiers, the corruption of the Iudges, the fleecing of the Ba∣rons, the rapacity of the Viceroys, who are sent thither as Hoggs to a sty on∣ly to fatten, the former lustre of that delicate Countrey is quite decayd. The Author receavd twenty Crowns of the Spanish Monarchy for a guerdon for this Book, promising that she wold deliver that discours and avisos to her Confessor to consider of: Another pure Polititian presented Her with a Treaty clean con∣trary, shewing her a way how the Napolitan Courser might be brought to bear a Pack-Saddle of a heavier burden, and to be made so docil, that he might be fitt to draw her Coach upon ocasion: To the Author of this discours the Monarchy gave 12000 Crowns, and a little after he was Grandee of Spain.

At this great Assembly in Delphos ther was a Contrasto happend twixt Rome and Naples, who shold have the precedency; it was decided, that for the Majesty of a Citty, Naples must eternally vayle to Rome, and Rome to Naples, for a de∣licat situation; that Rome must confesse there are more people in Naples, but that Naples must acknowledg ther are more men in Rome: Moreover it was necessary that the Witts and Wines of Naples shold be transported to Rome to receave per∣fection; it was also decreed that Naples had more skill to break Colts, and Rome to tame Men; It was confessd further that ther were more Cavaliers in Naples, and more C••mendums in Rome: That among the Romans they were only calld Knights who carried a red Crosse upon their Garments, but in Naples all men indif••erently might be calld Knights, because the Spaniard made them carry Cros∣ses upon their very skins.

Thus this ingenious Italian doth descant upon the comportment of the Spa∣niard in Italy, and his Book kept a great noise in the World, but the Spaniard owing him a revenge, and after a strict and long inquisition, not lighting upon him in any of his own Dominions, there were two Valentones, two Banditi, two Hirelings for bloud, found him out in Verona, and watching their oportunity, they went to his Lodging, under colour of a visit, and every one of them having a bagg of Sand in his pockett, they so crushd his bones, that they rattled within his skin, and having so dispatchd poor Boccolini out of this World, they fledd, having stoned him to death with Sand.

[illustration]

PHILIP The Fourth of AVSTRIA, xxix. King OF NAPLES.

PHILIP the third left behind three Sons and two Daugh∣ters: the Sons were Philip (who succeeded him in all his Dominions) with Charles and Ferdinand, who was Car∣dinal and Arch-bishop of Toledo; they both dy∣ed young in the Meridian of their yeers, one in Spain, the other being Governour of Flanders; The two Daughters were Anna of Austria, and the Infanta Don∣na Maria; the first was married to Lewis the thirteenth King of France yet living, the other to the Emperor Fer∣dinand now Raigning; King Philip was but young when he took the Reins of the Government, being but sixteen yeers of age: There was a Treaty com∣men••d a little after for a cross mariage twixt Spain and France, which took ••f∣fect though there was much opposition in France about it made by them of the Religion and their party; The Ceremonies of these reciprocall Nuptials were per∣formd the one at Burgos in Spain, the other at Bourdeaux in France. In the first the Duke of Lerma married the Infanta by commission from King Lewis▪ In the second the Duke of Guyse married Isabel Daughter of France by proxy from King Philip; the exchange of the two Princesses was made upon a River calld Bidas∣so hard by Saint Iohn de Luz which separates the two Nations: There were two stately Barges provided to transport them, with divers sorts of inventions of wit: the Spaniards on their side had a huge vast Globe, representing the world raisd upon a Pavilion very high, which made an ostentous shew; the Duke of Guyse

took exception at it, protesting that he wold never bring ore the Princess till the sayd Globe was taken down, which was done accordingly; the next day the young Queen came to Bayon, where Luynes then Favorit to the French King at∣tended her with a Letter all written with the Kings own hand, in these words.

Madam,

SInce I cannot, according to my desire find my self neer you at your entrance into my Kingdom, to put you in possession of the power I have, as also of my en∣tire affection to love and serve you; I send towards you Luynes one of my confidentst Servants to salute you in my name, and tell you that you are expected by me with much impatience to offer unto you my self, I pray therfore receive him favourably, and believe what he shall tell you: Madam from your most deer Friend and Servant,

LEWIS.

Luynes delivered her also from the King two rich Standerds of Diamonds▪ which she receivd and kissd, and from her own Table she sent him a dish of meat▪ In the morning she returnd the King this answer.

Sir,

I much rejoyced at the good news Luynes brought me of your Majesties health, I com therwith, being most desirous to arrive where I may serve my Mother, and so I am making hast to that purpose, and to kiss your Majesties hands, whom God pre∣serve.

ANNE.

THe Kingdom of Naples to congratulat the Kings Espousals, presented him that yeer with a Donative of two millions.

Not long after there was a Treaty set on foot for a mariage twixt the Prince of Wales, and the Infanta Donna Maria the Kings second Sister, but there had bin an ouverture made before by the Duke of Lerma, for a match twixt our Prince Henry of England and the eldest Infanta Anne now Queen of France, as hath bin spoken.

This Treaty with England was above ten yeers in agitation, it was a Web that lay long upon the Loom of Policy, and afterwards was torn off being just wrought to the point of perfection: By the endeavours of Count Gondomar in England, and the Earl of Bristol in Spain, matters were brought to such a hope∣full pass, that it inducd the Prince of Wales to undertake that hazardous youth∣full journey to Spain, traversing the whole Diameter of France under a disguise, being accompanied with the Duke of Buckingham, who was not only his Compa∣nion but had bin his chiefest Counsellor herein; they came both in an advantagi∣ous time to Paris, for they were admitted to see a Mask, being Carnival time, wher the Prince had a full view of the Lady Henri••tta Maria, who was designd by Heaven to be his wife afterwards, though he little dreamt of such a thing then; Thence by the name of Iac and Tom: Smith: they posted to Spain, but two daies after twas discoverd in the French Court what they were, therefore being sent after withall possible speed, if they had stayed but three hours longer at Bayon Monsieur Gramond had had order to stay them.

Being arrivd at the Earl of Bristols House in the Court of Spain at the close of the day, in the evening he was struck with amazement to see such objects there, having no fore-knowledg at all of the Plot, saying, I am afraid we are all undone; The next day there was a buz abroad that som great man was com from Eng∣land, but none imagind he could be the Prince: In the evening of the next day, the Duke of Buckingham went in a close Coach to the King of Spain, where he had privat audience, and he was returnd no sooner but Olivares was sent to visit the Prince, which was done with extraordinary expressions of joy and comple∣ment, Oliuares saying, that Spain and England wold divide the World betwixt

them; The next day, somwhat late at night the King himself came in a close Coach to visit him, but the Prince having notice of it met him half way, so they greeted one another with mutuall embraces, there were divers great Lords appointed to be the Prince his Officers and a part of the royall Pallace was preparing for his Quarter, whither the next Sunday he removd and rod in triumph, under a large Canopy of State, the King accompanying him all the way, and giving him still the upper-hand, all the Grandees, Noblemen, and Officers attended them in the same manner as they usd to do at a Coronati••n: Now it seems that Gondamar was the chief man who tracd this journey, for the next day after the Prince his ar∣rivall he was made Privy Counsellor, and suddenly after coming to visit the Prince, he told him, that he was com to tell him strange news, which was, that an English man was sworn that morning Privy Counsellor in Spain, meaning him∣self in point of affection: The third day after the Prince had bin there, the King of Spain with the Queen and the Infanta, who wore a blew Ribon about her left arme, that she might be distinguisht, came abroad in an open stately way, of purpose that the Prince might see his Mistress, which he did out of a close Coach▪ wherein Count Gondamar attended him, with the English Ambassadors.

So much for matter of Ceremony; now touching the substance of the business it self, when the Prince came thither, matters had bin brought to that perfection by the activity of Ambassadors, that there wanted nothing for the consummating of all things but the Popes dispensation, which upon news that the Prince was com to Spain, was retarded, and som advantages taken to clog it with fur∣ther clauses; The Pope demanded caution for performance of such Articles that were granted, in favor of the Roman Catholicks in England upon this match; hereupon Sir Francis Cotington rid Post about it from Madrid, Touch∣ing that point King Iames answerd, that he wold take his oath upon the Evange∣lists to accomplish the said Articles, and his Son the Prince shold do the like; His privy Counsellors also shold firm and subscribe the sayed Articles, and this was all the security King Iames cold give: Now wheras the Pope demanded that som Roman Catholic Prince should undertake for him and his Son in point of performance of Articles, he answerd, that he had not such an interest in any such Prince, so matters began to gather ill blood, and were allmost quite off the hin∣ges, insomuch that there was a dark rumour abroad, how the Prince had a de∣sign to get away privatly, and in a disguise as he came; The English-men that were then attending the Prince, wherof there were a good number that were dyeted at the Kings house, and waited upon by Spaniards, wold often times break out into bold speeches, by disdaining the Dyet and barrenness of Spain, and jeering their processions, wherat there were exceptions taken, and the main business receivd som prejudice by their indiscretions: Archey the Fool, being then in Madrid, was admi••ted one day to see the King of Spain at Dinner, where he ••ell a tal••ing and strutting up and down, The King asked what he sayd, an In∣terpreter told him that the Fool sayed, King Iames his Master was likest to God Allmighty of any King upon Earth, the King asking him his reason, he replyed, That God Allmighty had but one s••n, and he sent him to be Crucified among Iewes, So the King of England had allso but one S••n, and he sent him to be Crucified among Spani∣ards.

In the interim the Prince shewd himself passionatly in love with the Infanta▪ and courted her in a very high way; He had the sight of her often in public, and at Comedies, which are once a week in the Kings Court, where he wold fix and fasten his eyes upon her immovable a long time, without looking upon the Acti∣on of the Stage-players, to the wonder of the Spectat••rs. The King had the o∣ther side of the River Man••••••mares, wheron his Royall Pallace stands a Somer∣house of pleasure, where the Infanta was usd to go betimes in the morning to gather May dew, the Prince got up betimes one morning, and taking Mr Ed: Porter only with him, he got into that Somer-house, and was let in into the fore-Garden, but no further, because the Infanta was in the other, therupon the Prince got on the top of the Wall, and leapd down where the Infanta was, she espying him gave a kind of s••rich, wherupon the old Marquess who attended

her (with som women) came and kneeld before the Prince, desiring him to ad∣vance no further, because his life lay upon it, for he was to admit no man breath∣ing to the company of the Infanta who was then his charge, so the Prince re∣tird, the Marquess waiting upon him to the door of the Garden, and opening it with much humility, wheras before he had com ore the Wall.

As matters were thus at a doubtfull stand, because of the Popes demand in point of caution for the performance of those Capitulations which were stipu∣lated in favour of the English Catholicks, by vertu of this match, The King of Spain gave the Prince a visit, and told him, that rather then a Treaty of so many yeers agitation shold fall to the ground, and that those noble affections which he had shewd his Sister (for whom he had put hi•• person to so much hardship and hazard by that heroik journey) shold be now quite frustrated, he him∣self wold undertake to satisfie the Pope in this point▪ and offer himself to be a Pledg and Bail for the King of great Britan, and his Highness to perform the say∣ed Capitulations; the Prince thanked him in the highest degree that could be, say∣ing, that this Favour transcended all the rest wherof he had receivd such multi∣tudes from his Majesty: Hereupon the Pope being thus contented, there were Bonefires of joy, baiting of Bulls with men, and other Actions of triumph in the Court of Spain; So the dispensation being compleatly com a little after from Rome, the Desposorio's, or the day for a contract betwixt the Infanta and the Prince was nominated. In the interim the Nuncio was privatly admitted with a Letter from the Pope to visite the Prince, who made him this civill answer by an Interpreter; That he kissd his Holyness feet for the Favor and Honor he did him, which was to be so much the more esteemed, by how much the less it was deser∣ved by him, but his Holines shold see for the future what he wold do, and he doubted not but his Father wold do the like, so that his Holines shold not repent himself of what he had done.

A little after the King and the Prince had a solemn enterview in the privat Gallery, for signing, sealing, and swearing unto the Articles. The King had the Patriarch of the West-Indies, the Duke of Infantado, Oliuares, and Gondamar with him; The Prince had the Duke of Buckingham, the Earl of Bristol, and the Lord A••hton with him: so the Patriarch administred the Oath upon the Holy E∣vanglists unto King and Prince, which they interchangeably took. But as Heaven would have it, Som few daies before the betrothing day was com, it chancd that Pope Gregory the 15th. dyed, and Vrban the 8. who succeeded him fell suddenly sick; hereupon the King of Spain gave the Prince another visit, telling him that he had received ill news from Rome, for his holy Father the Pope was dead, who was so good a friend to this Match, & now he cold proceed no further for the complea∣ting of the work without a Ratification of the former dispensation by the present Pope, whom he was to obey as his Spirituall Father, which task he wold under∣take to do by his own Ministers without puting his Highness to any trouble, and the busines was of that consequence that he feard it wold require som time, in re∣gard of the indisposition of the new Pope, therfore he desired his Highnes pati∣ence in the interim, and now that he had stayed so many yeers for a wife, he shold not think it much to stay a few months longer; the Prince answerd, That he was sorry for the news from Rome, and wheras his Majesty had a Spirituall Fa∣ther, he himself had a Naturall Father to obey, who was now becom crazy and indisposd in his health, which encreasd by his so long inexpected absence from him being his only Son, therfore he had sent him a peremptory command to be in England in such a month because Winter came on a pace, to which purpose he had sent a royall Fleet for him under the command of the Earl of Rutland; besides, he had intelligence that there were some murmurings in England for his so long abode in Spain, which might break out into dangerous consequences, and hazard the rupture of the Match which had there so many Enemies among the Puritans: Moreover he sayed, that when he came to Spain he thought he came not to treat of a Marriage, but to fetch home a wife whom he was loth to trust with any but himself; the King replyed, then your Highnes may please to leave

a Proxy behind you to do the work, and I shall take it for an honor if you make me your Deputy to perform the Rites of the Espousals, which upon the faith of a Catholic King shall be performd the same week, after that the Ratification shall com from Rome, to which purpose he wold engage his Contratation house in Sevill, if need requird. The Prince shewd himself to be mightily taken with this proposall, so he left two Proxies behind in the Earl of Bristols hands, one for the King and another for Don Carlos his brother, to be his Substitutes the wed∣ding day; so the Prince put himself in an Equipage for his return to England, and the King with his two brothers and Grandees accompanied him beyond the Escuriall on his way, and wold have done it to the Sea-side, had not the Queen bin then big with Child: At their parting King and Prince often embracd one another, but Oliuares and Buckingham did not part so kindly, for the Duke told him that he was infinitely beholden to their Majesties of Spain for many royall Favors, as also to the Lady Infanta, and that he wold live and dy there Servant, and continu to do his best Offices for continuance of peace twixt tht two Crowns, but for your self Count Oliuares he sayed, I must tell you plainly you have dis∣obligd me so far, that I cannot make further profession of friendship unto you without flattery; Oliuares turnd about and made this short answer, aceto lo die∣sto, I accept of what you say, and touching the first part of your Speech, if you perform what you promise you will do well, and I must tell you that your own safety depends upon it, but for any particular correspondence of friendship twixt you and me, it matters not much, and so I bid you farewell.

Thus the King of Spain and the Prince of Wales parted with many interchan∣ges of endearment, in a field calld el Campa de Balsain▪ not far from the Escuri∣all at the bottom of a great Hill, upon which departure this monumentall Inscrip∣tion was erected.

In campo Balsain.

HEic; ubi fausta sors tulit, ad praerupti montis radices in latè patente campulo, solenni Regum venatione nobili, sed in solenni Rei e ventu longè Nobiliori; Philippus Quartus Hispaniarum Indiarumque Rex Catholicus, & Carolus sere∣missimus Wallie Princeps pactis cum Maria serenissima Infante Nuptijs, ad quas petendas (—) It Fama per orbem) in Hesperiam properabat, dextras dederunt, & in amplexus mutuo ruentes pacis & Amicitia aeterna faedera nodo astrinxerunt Herculeo: O magnum & invictum Regum Par, sine pari, Nullus mehercule Her∣cules contra duos, Ipsi potius contra omnes, perfidia fremente duo Aleydae solo & salo Iusuperabiles; siste Fama, non plus ultra; viderunt, suspexerunt, stupuerunt duo Austriacae sobolis Incrementa maxima Carolus & Ferdinandus serenissimi In∣fantes, Gasper Oliviariorum excellentissimus Comes, a Belli Statusque Concilijs, Sacri Cubiculi, & Regis stabuli summus Praefectus, Didacus Carpentis Marchio cui fas per sacratioris Aula limen; Ex Britannis Johannes Comes Bristoliae Orator Extraordinarius, Gualterus Astonus eques & Legatus ex munere Baro Kensingtonius praetorianae militiae Angliae Dux

Posteritati sacrum.

In the field of Balsain.

Here by the conduct of a propitious Star at the foot of a craggy Mountain in a spacious field, ennobled by the common hunting of Kings, but grown more noble now for the solemn event of the Thing; Philip the fourth Catholic King of both the Spaines and the Indies, and Charles the serenissim Prince of Wales, Nuptials being agreed upon with the Lady Mary the serenissim Infanta, to seek which (sa the Fame of it flies through ••he world) he posted to Spain, the said King and Prince plighted their Troths, and running into mutuall embraces they tyed with an Herculean Knot, an eternall league of peace and friendship: O mighty and invincible peerles pair of Kings, no Hercules can be against these two, and they two enough against all; let disloyalty rage never so much, two

Alcides insuperable both by Land and Sea. Fame stop thy mouth, for thou canst go no further; Two of the Royall branches of the Austrian Tree Don Car∣los and Don Ferdinand saw, beheld, and stood astonisht hereat, as also Gaspar the most excellent Count of Olivares, chief Gentleman of the sacred Bed cham∣ber, and of the royall Stables, as also Didacus Marques of Carpio who had the golden Key, among the British Heros Iohn Earl of Bristol Ambassador extraor∣dinary, and Walter Ashton Ambassador ordinary, with the Baron of Kensington, Captain of the English Praetorian Bands.

Sacred to Posterity.

In this Inscription the Duke of Buckingham was not mentiond, though he was there present all the while, which shews that the Spaniards did not so much affect him, yet was he at first much esteemd, in regard of the charge and trust he had being the Princes Gardian, but afterwards he began to grow out of request by his French carriage, and over familiarity with the Prince &c. Insomuch that his Commission being examind it was found to be signed only by King Iames and the Prince, wheras the Commission of Bristol and Ashton was signd also by the privy Councell, and exemplified under the great Seal of England. Therfore the King of Spain being instructed by Olivares, sent him word that he shold not trou∣ble himself any further in point of audience about the match, for he was resolvd to treat only with the two Ambassadors, who had a more plenary power, and under∣stood the busines better; so il blood began to engender betwixt Olivares, Bucking∣ham, and Bristol. The Prince was attended by som of the Grandees, and Count Gon∣domar to the Sea-side, where being com not without som danger, aboard the Prince-Royall, he sent Mr. Clerk a Creature of Buckinghams to Madrid, with a privat Letter to Bristol, not to proceed in the busines of the Match till further order from England notwithstanding that the Ratification shold com from Rome; Clerk lay in Bristols house, but was not to deliver him the sayed Letter till the Ratification shold com, the Earl of Bristol suspecting such a thing, causd a rumor to be spread that the Ratification was com, hereupon the Letter was de∣liverd him, so he went to confer with my Lord Ashton about it, who was in joint, Commission with him to conclude the Match; he askt him whether upon that Letter he wold suspend the busines of the Match, and Ashton answering, that the Letter was to be obeyed, Bristol replyed, that then he wold protest against him, telling him that they had a royall Commission under the broad Seal of England, signd, and seald by King, Prince, and Councell, therfore he conceivd that a pri∣vat Letter from any other could not have power to suspend the Kings immediat command but his own counter-command; he alledgd also that if when the Ra∣tification came, they shold delay a moment of the time in point of proceeding, the Infanta wold hold her self disparagd in point of honor; He subjoynd that this Match tended to the restitution of the Palatinat, and settling of an eternall peace in Christendom, which he knew wel the King their Master did desire with that ve∣hemency, so he brought Ashton to joyn with him in pursuance of the busines, which was at so fair a pass, that they both made of them a great number of rich Liveries against the wedding day, the Infanta went by the name of Princess of Wales, and the English Ambassadors wold not be coverd before her, she had got som extraordinary Masses to be sung for the Prince's safe return to England: She had divers new Sutes made for the Prince of rich perfumd Cordovan, som em∣broyderd with Perl, som with Gold, some with Silk; She studied the English lan∣guage, and wore Chapins or high shoos, which no young Ladies usd to do in Spain, till they are either betr••thd or married: Moreover the King of Spain had a purpose to make a Daughter of his a Christian, and his Sister a Wife the same day, and to that end had commanded that the Baptism and the Marriage shold be solemnizd together; to which end a long Tarass was raysd from his Royall Palace to the next Church, all coverd with rich Tapistry; All the Gran∣dees were summond to be then at Court, and the great Ordinance were ordered to be discharged in all the Maritime Towns upon such a day: So the long wishd for Ratification came at last compleat and full, but (as the Stars wold have it)

as the busines was upon its last period there come four Posts from England with∣in the space of 24 hours with a new Commission from King Iames to the Earl of Bristol, intimating that wheras he treated before singly of a match, he shold now joyn the Palatinat with it, and have a categoricall conclusive answer from the King of Spain for the restitution of it; for he wold not marry his son with joy, and leave his daughter in tears; This struck a strange kind of consternation in the hearts of all men at Madrid, who wishd that the Postillions which brought the new Commission to Bristoll had all broke their necks on the way: the Infanta retird her self, and wore a kind of mourning for som daies, and an universall sad∣ness appeard in all faces.

Hereupon the Earl of Bristol going to the King of Spain to demand a surren∣der of the Palatinat, He answer'd that it was not in his power to do it, for hee could not command an Emperour in whose hands it was, with whom if England would entertain a Treaty, if the Emperour and the Duke of Bavaria wold not com to terms of reason, the same arm which got the sayd Palatinat for his Oncle (the Emperour) shold joyn with the King of England to reconquer it for his son in law; But this not satisfying, Bristol receiv'd Letters of Revocation, and so going to take his leave of the King, he pulld off a ring of 1500 l. price off his fin∣ger and gave it him, sending him afterwards a Cup-board or old Plate valued at 20000. duckets.

The Prince at his departure left a great rope of Pearl and many boxes of Jew∣els more for the Infanta, valued at 400000. crowns; but she would not receive any till the Nuptiall day, so they were kept in the custody of one of the Secre∣taries of State: But notwithstanding that intelligence was sent how the two Treaties of Match and Palatinat were dissolv'd by act of Parlement in England, and that they were preparing for a War, yet the Spaniard comanded the sayd Jewels to be deliverd up to the English Ambassador, which after were sent safely to England: Out of the premisses it may be inferrd that the Spanyard did really intend a match with England, which he saith he hath not broken to this day: In Spain the King was young and his Favorit old, it was clean contrary in England which made the world abroad to wonder that King Iames shold be transported by the Councell of a young Favorit, as to suffer him to strain the conscience of his son so far as to break the Match; now, most remarkable it is, that as the Par∣lement serv'd him for an Instrument to do it, so the Parlement was the chief in∣strument afterwards of his ruin.

Thus the Spanish Match which amus'd the world so long, and assorded such matter of discours was suddenly dashd, that Fabrique which was a rearing so ma∣ny yeers, and brought to such a point of perfection that it only wanted a cover, fell down in a moment.

A little before these times the Duke of Ossuna a little man, but of a mighty spirit, was Vice-roy of Naples, where he had comitted more extravagances then any Vice-roy ever did; He raisd a War against the Venetian for a property of Dominion in som part of the Adriatic gulph, wherin he causd the Signory to spend much treasure, but afterwards it was found that this War was grounded rather upon the Capricio of his brain, then any just reason: Therupon the King of Spain sent the Cardinall Borja to seize upon the government of Naples, and send home the Duke prisoner if he found cause; The Cardinall carried the busi∣nes very privatly, and being com to a little Iland neer Naples, the sagacious Duke smelling somthing, sent a Bishop to entertain and wait upon him, but it was indeed to serve as a Spy to observe his motions. The Cardinal made a shew to go a hunting one day in a Sedia, wher he had appointed one to be habited just like him in another Sed••a, the Bishop being in the Field all the while, and seeing a man like him in the Sedia, he thought the Cardinal was still there, but the Car∣dinal had privatly got away to the Marine, where he had a Soldiers habit for a disguise, and a Felucca ready for transporting him to Naples, leaving the Bishop waiting stil upon the counterfeit Cardinal in the Field, & having divers confidents in the Castle where the Duke was, he got thither at the close of the day, over a small draw-bridg, and surprized the Duke: so signal being given to the Town the

Bells rung, and the great guns went all suddenly off, so the Collaterall Councell came to salute the new Vice-roy, and Ossuna was sent prisoner to Spain, with these severall accusations.

Accusations wherewith the most faithfull Citie of Naples doth charge the Duke of Ossuna.

I. THat against his Majesties will he entertained a great number of Soldiers, who by their miscarriages have committed many outrages, rapes and rob∣beries, and if any complaind against them, the Plaintiffs were sent away with threatnings and checks insteed of satisfaction from the Duke.

II. He did put his Majesties patrimony in distribution, as it appeares by the accounts of the Kings Chamber, besides he wasted much of the common treasu∣ry of the Town, depriving her of many priviledges.

III. When he sent Soldiers to be billeted in divers parts of this Kingdom, the poor people to rid themselves of the trouble & charge, us'd to resort to the Mar∣chiones of Campolataro, whom they were forced to bribe with presents to do them good offices.

IV. He causd divers of his Majesties Subjects to be taxd with som enormous offences; which he did, because they shold stand in the more awe of him: and being convinced by subordination of false witnesses, they were us'd afterwards to com∣pound the business by bribes.

V. He entertaind the sayd Marchioness de Campolataro publiquely for his Concubine, to which he us'd to send the Marquis out of the way upon remote employments.

VI. When Gabriel Sanchez his chief Chaplain left him, he sayd that hee would have never gone from the Duke if he had gone duly to Masse, and ob∣serv'd other divine Exercises, besides he never saw him confess, or come to the Communion.

VII. He tooke out of the Church of the Annunciation the box wherein the Holy Sacrament was kept, and never restor'd it again.

VIII. He committed rapes upon many young Mayds, he committed with a woman before the holy Alter, and with another in the Chancell of St. Ma∣ries Church

IX. He frequented Nunneries to profane sacrilegious ends.

X. He made a Feast of Flesh for all the Courtisans in Naples upon Maun∣dy Thursday, and was never us'd to observe fasting dayes.

XI. He made another Feast to som of the principall Courtisan•• of Naples in Don Pedro de Toledo's Garden, whom he made to confes with how many Church-men they had traded, commanding an Inventory of their names to be taken.

XII. He would often take Juana Maria a common Courtisan into his Coa••h and goe abroad with her.

XIII. He had always a Morisco Slave in his house, of whom he got a Ba∣stard, which hee sufferd to be brought up in the Mahametan Religion, and be∣ing dead, he was buried after the rites of Turky.

XIV. He did his utmost endeavour to put debate between the Gentry and Cominalty that they might both make their recours to him.

XV. As the holy Eucharist was a elevating, he took a piece of gold out of his pocket, and stood adoring it.

XVI. The same time as Cardinall Borgia came to Naples, he attempted to make himself Master of the two Castles, and intended to besiege them.

XVII. Hee procurd many blanck papers of the Gentlemen and Nobles with their hands and seals underneath, whereby he made levies of great summs out of the Duana by way of donation.

XVIII. He wastfully and unprofitably spent a masse of money against the Republic of Venice, transported therunto meerly by an extravagant humor, to revenge his particular quarrels.

XIX. He had suspectfull intelligence with the Grand Visier, and som of the Turks Bashas.

XX. He did many other acts of obscenity and wantonnes, as inviting so ma∣ny of the fairest Concubines into his Garden, where he had provided a luscious banquet for them; after which he commanded them to strip themselves stark naked, while he with a hollow trunk shot Comfets at their naked bodies, which they were to take up standing upon their high Chapins.

XXI. That he causd a Barber to strip himself stark naked, and shave his Duches below being also naked, and he all the while standing with a great knife to cut off his privy parts if he found any motion in them all the while. More∣over having extraordinary Forces by Sea and Land, he grew so insolent that he began to chop logic and capitulat with the King his Master, proposing unto him that he shold continue in this Government four yeers longer, that he shold send him Commission to pursue the War against the Venetian for dominion of som part of the Gulph, with other extravagances.

The former accusations were sent to Madrid with the Duke of Ossuna, with sundry more, yet was he admitted to kisse the Kings hand; but coming with his Sword like a Cane in his han••, because he was troubled with the gout, the King observing his posture, and turning his back upon him, went away to his private Gallery, whereat the Duke was over-heard to mutter Esto el tratar con mucha∣chos, This it is to treat with boyes▪ A little after he was confind to a Countrey House hard by, whence at last he was permitted to com prisoner to his hou••e in Madrid, being grown so weak that he was carried in a Bed upon the sholders of men: so he died a little after, and at his death he protested, That the worst thing that ever he had done against Spain, was, when he made his eldest son whom he could never ab••de.

The Duchess his Wife came one day and presented a printed memorial in a ve∣ry high language, to sollicit the King for her Husbands release, and among other motifs in her Petition one was, that som of her ancestors ha•• brought more Lands & Lordships to the Crown of Spain, then som of his Majesties Progenitors wer worth.

Ther were two Cardinals, Borgia & Sapata who consecutively succeeded the Duke of Ossuna, but neither the taxes lessened, nor the times mended any thing under their government, but the people were still pittifully peeld up and down, which made one to drop down this Satyre in divers Copies up and down the streets.

Lamento de Napoli.

Pletá, pietá che ogni speranza e vana Porgi remedio a i miei Christiani Accio non sian strutati da Marani Pater noster.

Questi son quei che sua dura Croce Sempre t' han fatto, ed anchor ti farcen guerra, Et peggio ti furan se fosse in terra Qui es in Caelis.

Quando son questi in nostre case intrati Con le coron•• in mano humanamente Ne van devoti, e pajan certamente Sanctificetur

Dal primo giorno in poi si san patroni, Ne pensan de acostarti a loro intorno Perche renegan mille volte il giorno Nomen tuum

La prima cosa che fá lo Spaguuolo Per tutti lati latua casa squadra, Et quando vede cosa che gli agrada Adveniat

Dicendo ad patron traes a ca de todo Co' l petto gonfio; & con il viso altiero Che non gli bastarebbe un giorno intiero Regnum tuum

Traes aca pollos, y de gallinas Si non os matare con un cuchille, Che convien dir a tal con basso ciglio Fiat.

Credo che sia per nostri gran peccati Che sotto posti siamo a tal gente, E certamente ognun crede che sia Voluntas tua

Signor ti prego per la tua passione Che libera rarei voglia di questi cana Et fa che non ne sia tra nostre mani Sicut in caelo

Anchor ti prego per la tua bonta Che questi che non credon nel vangelo Maledetti si sian sempre in cielo Si cet in terra

O Dio del Cielo e pur gran cosa questa. Son tanto Rei, perfidi & prophani Che vogliono ancho dar a lor cani Panem nostrum

Vn pover huomo che va a guadgnare In caepo dell' anno non fá alcun profitto Perche questi mangiano il suo vitto Quotidianum.

Et se qual cosa habbiamo da mangiare, Che servar vogliam per l' altro giorno Subito si stan dicendo intorno Da nobia▪ hodié.

Et se di questi noj ci lamentiamo Vengono sopra noj con tanto ardire Che senza dubbio siam forzati a dire Dimitte nobis

Et se in tutto no li contentiamo Metton tutta la casa in disbaratto ••••i••ando contra noi non haver ••att•• Debita nostra

Appresso a questo ogni male e poco Per voler contentar tutte lor voglie ••oglion anchor dormir con nostre moglie Sicut & nos.

Et se qual cosa noi gli diciamo Voto a Dios os dare de cuchi lladas Tal che por nollevar de bastonadas Dimitti••••s

Vn altra cosa mi manoava a dire, Son tanto rei, perfidi ed avari Che voglion anchor riscuoter j danari Debitoribus nostris

Gran Dio dacci nostra libertade Anticha, & da qui avanti Sotto il jugo de usurpanti Ne nos inducas

Sotto il Francese piu franchi vissimo, Má so questi remanemo tutti Diventati pur schiavi, & per forza indutti In tentationem

Che habbia haunto piu variabil fato Che noi non e's nation nissuna No vengi frá noi altro com Ossuna Sed libera nos a malo

Mentre che di noi tenghin ••il governo Questi maluaggi altieri popoli Non possiamo dire que di Napoli Nam tuum est Regnum.

The Lamentations of Naples.

PItty, O pitty, for all hopes are vain, Releive my oppressed Christians That they be not torn to peeces by Barbarians, O our Father;

These are they who under the hard Cross Have made and will make war against Thee And they wold use thee worse if thou wert on Earth, Which art in Heaven.

When these Scabbs enter our houses Devoutly with their Beads in hand They seem so holy as if their mouths were Hallowed

They make themselves Masters the first day, And look about what things are fit for Prey Then they prophane a thousand times a day Thy name:

The first thing a Spaniard doth He skulking goes in every part of the house And if there be any thing that like's, he sayes, Let come

Bring hither Sirrah, he sayes unto the Master With a swelling breast and such high looks, As if with the Giants he wold assault Thy Kingdom

Sirrah, bring here those Hens and Capons Or els I will hurl thee out of thy window, So he obeys, saying with a trembling voice Thy will be done.

O Lord I implore thee for thy passion To free us from these ravenous Wolfs, And grant that justice may be done In Earth as it is in Heaven.

And if perchance we have any thing in store, And reservd for another time They presently cry out and bawl Give us this day

A poor man who goes to gain a living, At the yeers end can scarce put up a penny, For these Spanish Dogs continually devour Our daily bread

And if by chance they go upon the score, Which they too often use to do, With swelling words and threats they say Forgive us our debts,

And we must do it with speed Wiping off their Scores in their presence, So that we must forgive them not As we forgive our Debtors

Great God restore us our liberties, With our ancient Laws and Customes, Under the Iron yoak of Usurpators, And lead us not

We livd far better under the French But under this half-moorish people We are becom pure Slaves, and daily brought Into temption.

There is no people hath had and felt More miseries and chances then we, Lord let there not com among us another Ossuna, But deliver us from evil,

While these Tyrants sit at the Healm And grind our face ni this manner, Lord, it cannot be sayed that Naples For thine is the Kingdom.

IT hath been formerly related how illfavoredly matters went betwixt England and Spain after the return of the Prince of Wales, for the Treaties both of Match and Palatinat were dissolvd by Act of Parliament, where the Puritan bore the greatest sway, and the Duke of Buckingham made use both of Parli••∣ment and Puritan to bring that work about, but there being at that time two Ambassadors extraordinary in England, and finding that it was chiefly by the practises of Buckingham that the Match was broken, they practisd also how they might break his neck, and demolish him; likewise King Iames was old, and they knew the least thing wold make impressions of jealousie in him, therfore by a notable way of plotting they gave him intelligence at a privat audience, of a dan∣gerous conspiracy against his Royall Authority, by the Duke of Buckingham and his Complices; The manner of which Conspiracy may be best understood out of the following memoriall or information that Sir Walter Aston, remaining still Ambassador in Spain, did present unto that King, which was as followeth, and being so remarkable a passage, I thought it worthy to take place here.

To the King

SIR,

SIr Walter Aston Ambassador to the King of great, sayth, that the King his Master hath commanded him to represent unto your Majesty, that having de∣clard to your Majesty the reasons why he could receive no satisfaction by your Ma∣jesties answer of the fift of January, and that therby according to the unanimous con∣sent of his Parliament he came both to disolve the treaties of Match and Palatinat, he hath receivd another answer from your Majesty, wherin he finds less grounds to build upon, and having understood that neither by the Padr. Maestro, or your Ma∣jesties Ambassadors, who have assisted these daies passd in his Court, there was som∣thing to be propounded, and declard touching the busines of the Palatinat, wherby he might receive contentment; The sayed Ambassadors untill now have not sayed any thing at all to any purpose, which being compard with other circumstances of their ill carriage, he gathers and doubts that according to the ill affection and depraved inten∣tions wherwith they have proceeded in all things, but specially in one particular, they have labourd to hinder the good correspondence, and so necessary and desired intelli∣gence should be conservd with your Majesty.

Furthermore he saith, that the King his Master had commanded him to give ac∣count to your Majesty that in an Auaience which he gave to the Marquess of In∣oiosa, and Don Charlos Coloma, they under cloak and pretext of zeal, and par∣ticular care of his person, pretended to discover unto him a very great conjuration a∣gainst his per••••n and Royall Dignity, which was that at the beginning of this Parlia∣ment the Duke of Buckingham had consulted with certain Lords and others of the ar∣guments and means which were to be taken for the breaking and dissolving of the trea∣ties both of Match and Palatinat; and their consultations passd so far, that if his Majesty wold conform himself to their counsels, they wold give him a house of plea∣sure whither he might retire himself to his sports, in regard that the Prince had now yeers sufficient, and parts answerable for the government of the Kingdom. The in∣formation was of that quality, that it was sufficient to put impression in him of an e∣verlasting jealousie, in regard that through the sides of Buckingham they wounded the Prince his Son, together with the Nobility, for it is not probable that they could bring to effect such a design without departing totally from the Obligation of that faith and loyalty, which they owd to his person and Crown, because the Lords made themselves culpable as Concealors, Nor is it likely that the Duke wold put himself upon such an enterprize, without communicating it first to the Prince, and knowing of his pleasure.

But because this information might be made more cleer, his Majesty did make ma∣ny instances unto the sayed Ambassadors that they wold give him the Authors of the sayed conjuration, this being the sole means wherby their own honor might be pre∣servd, and whereby the great zeal and care they pretended to have of his person might appear: But the sayed Ambassadors in stead of confirming the great zeal they made profession to bear him, all the answer they made him consisted of arguments against the discovery of the Conspirators, so that for confirmation of the sayed report, there r••maind no other means then the examination of som of his Councell of State, and principall Subjects, which was put in execution accordingly, whom he causd to be put to their Oathes in his own presence▪ commanding that such Interrogatories and Questions shold be propounded unto them that were most pertinent to the accusation▪ so that not the least part, particle, or circumstance remaind which was not exactly exa••ind and winnowed; And he found in the Duke, with the rest who were examind a ••••eer▪ and sincere innocency, touching the accusations and imputations wherwith your Majesties Ambassadors had chargd them.

This being done, he r••turned to make new instances unto the sayed Ambassadors, that they wold not prefer the discovery of the names of the conspirators to the securi∣ty if his Royall person, to the truth and honor of themselves, and to run the hazard of an opinion to ••e h••ld and judgd the Authors, and Betrayers of a plot of such malice▪ sedition, and danger, but the sayed Ambassadors continued still in a kn••tty kind of obstinacy, resolving to conceal the names of the Conspirators, notwithstanding that he gave them audience afterward••, wherin the Marquess of Inoiosa took his leave.

But a few dayes after they desird new Audience, pretending that they had som∣thing to say that concernd the public good, and condu••d to the entire restitution o•• the Palatinat, and thereby to the confirmation nnd conservation of the friendship 〈◊〉〈◊〉 your Majesty; but having suspended som few daies to give them audience, thinking that being therby better advisd they wold think on better courses, and discov••r the Authors of s••p••rnitious a plot, and having since made many instances to that effect, and attended the success of so long a patience; he sent his Secretary Sir Edward Conway with Sir Francis Cotington Secretary to the Prince, commanding them that they shold signifie unto the sayd Ambassadors, that he desired nothing more then continuance of the friendship betwixt the two Crowns, therfore if they had any thing to say, they shold communicat it unto the sayed Secretaries, as persons of so great trust which he sent therfore expresly to that end, and if they made any difficulty of this also▪ then they might choose amongst his Councell of State those whom they likd best, and he would command that they shold presently repair unto them: And if this also shold then be inconvenient, they might send him what they had to say in a Letter, by whom they thought fittest, and he wold receive it with his own hands.

But the Ambassadors misbehaving themselfs, & not conforming to any thing that was thus propounded, the sayd Secretaries according to the instructions which they had receav'd, told them that they being the Authors of an Information so dangerous and seditious, had made themselfs incapable to treat further with the King their Master, and were it not for the respect he bore to the Catholic King his dear and beloved brother their Master, and that they were in quality of Ambassadors to such a Majestie, he wold and could by the law of Nations, and the right of his own Royall Iustice proceed against them with severity a•• their offence deserv'd, but for the reasons aforesayd, he wold leave the reparation thereof to the Iustice of their King of whom he wold demand and require it.

In conformity to what hath been said, the said Ambassador of the King of Great Britain saith, that the King his Master hath commanded him to demand refaction and satisfaction of your Majestie against the said Marquis of Inojos•• and Don Carlos Coloma, making your Majestie the Iudg of the great scandall and enormous offence which they have committed against him, and against public Right, expecting Iustice from your Majestie in the demonstrations & chastisement that your Maje∣stie shall infli••t upon them, which for the manner of his proceeding with your Ma∣jestie, and out of your Majesties own integrity and goodnes ought to be expected.

Furthermore the said Ambassador saith that the King his Master hath com∣manded him to assure your Majestie, that hitherto ••e hath not intermingled the correspondence and friendship he holds with your Majestie, with the faults and of∣fences of your Ministers, but leaves, and restrains them to their own persons, and that he still persever's with your Majestie in the tru and ancient frendship and bro∣therhood as formerly, to which purpose he is ready to give a hearing to any thing that shall be reasonable, and give answer thereunto; therefore when it shall please your Majestie to employ any Ambassador thither, he will make them all good entrea∣ty, and receive them with that love which is fitting.

For conclusion the said Ambassador humbly beseecheth your Majestie that you wold be pleas'd to observe & well weigh the car and tendernes wherewith the King his Master hath proceeded towards your Majesties Ambassadors, not obliging them to any precipitat resolutions; but allowing them time enough to prove, and give light of that which they had spoken: And besides, by opening them many ways wher∣by they might have complied with their Orders if they had any such, which cours if they had taken, they might will have given satisfaction to the King his Master, and moderated the so grounded opinion of their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 proceedings against the peace, together with the good intelligence and correspondence twixt the two Crowns.

Walter Ashton.

THis memorial kept som noise in the Court of Spain for the present, and the world expected that the sayd Ambassadors at their return shold receive som kind of punishment▪ or at least some marks of the Kings displeasure, but clean contrary, the one was promoted to be Governour of Milan, and Don Carlos Co∣loma going to Flanders, continued still in employment, and encrease of favour.

So ther was a Warr menacd but not denouncd between England and Spain, which lasted not long, being meerly navall, for in the compass of a short time ther was a peace peecd up again twixt the two Crowns, insomuch that Trade af∣ter this small in e••ruption did res••••rish mightily, specially in the Dominions of Naples.

The Duke of Medina de las Torres being Viceroy in that Kingdom, ther hap∣ned an extrao••dinary accident; the occasion was given at a Ball where ther was a great confluence of the principall Noblemen and Ladies. The Duke of Matalone the chief of the Carassas and potentest Familie in that Kingdom conceivd he had receivd an affront from the Prince of Sanza at the Ball, wherupon he hird a Va∣lenton or Swashbuckler to d••y-beat and cane ••im. He••upon the Prince went and raised Forces in Campania, and so thought to revenge a privat injury in a public way, the Viceroy having notice of it▪ raisd another considerable Army which dispersed the other, so that the Prince of Sanza was forc'd to fly to ••ome whe•• he took Sanctuary; The Dukes of Medina and Matalone devisd how they might

seize upon him, so there was a paction made with Iulio Puzzolo, a great Bandito at such a price, who going disguisd to Rome about it, and understanding who was Prince Sanzas Mistress, and where he usd to hear Mass, he sent a Message to him into the Church, that his sayed Mistre••s was fallen very sick, the••fore she desird to speak with him out of hand, so going up into the Coach, which he thought had bin sent for him, that stood at the Church-door, the Bandito with his Complices surprizd him, and hurried him away to Naples, where a little after he was beheaded: The Pope sent six hundred Light-horse presently after to re∣deem the Prince, but the Bandito was too nimble for them, and wheeling about by infrequented waies, had got into the Territories of Naples before, whence he carried him away cleer, and so receivd his price of blood, and they promised re∣ward.

Philip the fourth entring young into his Government, took the Count of Olivares for his Privado and chief Pilot for the conduct of all State affairs, a man wonderfull sedulous, but not so succesfull, for the King grew alwaies to be on the loosing hand, while he put him at the Helm. One of the first losses he had was that of Ormus the chiefest Mart in the world for all sorts of Jewels; so that if the Earth were compard to a Ring, Ormus might be calld the Gemm of that Ring: It was taken by the assistance of three English Merchants Ships, who were then upon the Coasts of Persia; The Sophy Embargud and hired them for the Service, promising them the spoyles of the Church, and of the Monasteries of Ormus, being encouragd hereby they fought notably, and helped to finish the business, so accordingly they had the Plunder of all the Religious houses in Or∣mus, which they carried aboard, and it was an incredible masse of treasure they took, specially in Jewels, but it did not prosper, for the English Ship Pearl being the Admiral and laden with that rich spoil, perisht in the Port with all her Car∣gazond, the other two making for England, one of them was cast away in Alto Mari, in open Sea, the other being com into the narrow Seas, as she set Sail up∣on a Sunday morning, a horrid tempest did rise, which was so impetuous, that by the fury therof she was carried away to the Coasts of Holland, where she pe∣risht, but Captain Cartwright had preservd himself with a Girdle of Jewels a∣bout him of six thousand pounds value, which did not peosper, for going to Rus∣sia to push on his fortunes he grew to be extreamly poor: A little after Goa fell from the Spaniard, many Towns in Flanders were lost, the Condado de Rossillon at the foot of the Pyrenean Hills, with the Kingdoms of Catalonia and Portugal quite revolted from him; The first flew off because of the free quarter the Castillian Soldiers took as they passd through Catalonia towards Italy, and the Fry grew suddenly so furious, that the Vice-roy himself was murthered in his Coach with others; the Kings Seals were all broken, and they put themselves under the pro∣tection of the French.

Touching Portugal they took the advantage of those comotions in Catalonia, and likewise quite revolted from the Castillian, whom they hate above all other Mortalls. They Crownd Iohn Duke of Braganza for their King, under whom the Government in a very short time was so generally establishd, as if it had bin a hundred yeers a doing.

It seems that after the revolt of Catalonia, there were som fears had of Portugal, and jealousies of the Duke of Braganza, therfore to put him out of the way he wa•• proferd to be the Governor of Milan, but he made a modest excuse; Then it was given out cunningly that the King was going in person to Catalonia, ther∣fore notice was given, that the Duke of Braganza with the rest of the Nobles shold attend the Kings Standard, but he still excusd himself: Hereupon the King of Spain to endear the Duke, or rather to secure him unto him the more, sent him a Commission to be Generall of all the Militia of Portugal, referring it to his free Election where to fix, and in what place he pleasd neer Lisbon the Capi∣tall Citty: And withall he sent him for supply of his privat occasions, a royall Token of sixty thousand Duckets, but it seems twas a Crown that he aimd at▪ not Duckets, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 none of these proffers or reall favours could detain him from sha∣king off all alleageance to King Philip, neer whom he was bred most part of his

yeers; The Dutchess of Savoy King Philips Ant then Governess in Lisbon, had formerly sent advices one upon the neck of another, how she apprehended som fear of an Insurrection in Portugal, but Olivares slighted her Avisos, giving out that she was a silly woman, fitter to govern a Family then a Kingdom, therfore he sent her word, that if she did not comprehend the services of State, at least she shold not detect them.

Not long after som of the chief Nobility had a clan••ular close meeting at Lisbon, where it was proposed that the Kingdom shold be reduced into a Com∣mon-wealth, but that design provd but an Embryon which dyed suddenly, before it could receive any shape; Then the Arch-bishop of Sevill stood up, and coun∣celld them to cast their eyes upon the Duke of Braganza, the Native and right∣full Heir: The motion was approvd of, so one Gaston Cotigno a pragmaticall man, and a nimble smoothd toungd Instrument for such a business, and one who abhorrd the Castilians to the very death, was employd unto the Duke then at a privat house of his; he told him, that now there was a pregnant opprtunity offerd for him to recover his Ancestrall right to the Crown of Portugal, that Fortune sel∣dom proffers a man a Kingdom; He told him of the fair hope to bring the business a∣bout, he told him of the generall inclinations of the Nobility and Clergy, specially of the Arch-bishop of Lisbon, the universall disgust, and hatred of the people towards the Castillian: He bid him look upon the present face of things, which seemd to smile up∣on and invite him, how that the house of Austria was at a low ebb, distracted with Wars on every side, the Castillians had work enough cut them by the Catelans, nor could he want succours and auxiliaries from France, and others that did emulat the greatnes of Spain, therfore he advisd him to take time by the fore-top, for he is bald behind.

The Duke after a long pauze, thankd him and the Nobility for their good af∣fections towards him, but this was a business of that hazard and consequence that it requird som deliberation; that he knew well there was no Medium be∣twixt a Throne and a Scaffold, and so shewd himselfe irresolute for the present. The next night taking advise of his Pillow, and communicating the whole busines to his Wife, Sister to the Duke of Medina Sidonia a Female of a Masculine cou∣rage, and being anxious within himself whether he shold hearken to the propo∣sals of the Nobility, or go to Madrid to prevent all hazards; His Lady told him, My friend, if thou goest to Madrid, thou dost incur the danger of loosing thy head, and if thou acceptest of the Crown thou dost but run the same hazard, therfore consider well whether it be not better to dye nobly at home then basely abroad. Being incited by these words, he sent word presently to the Nobility, that he wold conform himself to their Councels, and was resolved to live and dy, and run the same adventures with them; so they securd all places of fastnes in Lisbon, and though there were Spanish and Swisse guards there, yet there was killd but one Swits in all the bustle, besides Vasconcellos the Secretary of State, who managd all things before under the Lady Governes or Vice-queen, but was extreamly hated, so he was murtherd in a Cup-board within his own Chamber, where he was usd to lock up all his Letters and Papers, among whom he fell, being shot with a Pistoll as he had shut himself among them.

Hereupon the cry went all over Lisbon, Viva El Roy Don Iuan el quarto, God save King Iohn the fourth; yet in all this hurly-burly the Vice-queen was dealt civilly withall; and when som of the Nobility came to her, she made this dis∣creet Speech unto them, being nothing at all daunted, That if this Insurrection had no other aime but to revenge themselves of Secretary Vasconcellos, the busines was done, therfore she assurd them upon returning to their obedience to gain them a ge∣nerall pardon from the King her Lord and Nephew: But they answerd her in short, Madam, We have now no other King but King Iohn, wherof we com to give you notice, so they removd the Vice-queen from the Royall Palace to another house, leaving a band of Soldiers for her security.

The Arch-bishop of Lisbon, who was the chiefest stikler in this desperat busi∣nes, to cover this Insurrection with some signal act of devotion, came forth in a solemn procession, carrying in his hand the chiefest relique of Lisbon, which is

one of the Nailes wherwith Christ was naild to the Cross: Besides, it was deliver∣ed in a Sermon, that in the person of the Duke was verified a certain apparition of Christ to King Alphonso, as he was upon point of giving Battell to ••ive Moo∣rish Kings, by which he was promised not only Victory, but that he and his Suc∣cessors shold Raign to the sixteenth Generation, at which time his Race shold be thought extinct, but it shold florish again when it shold be least of all thought upon, which Prophecy fell pat upon the motions of the present times.

There was then in Lisbon the Count de la Puebla Olivares Kinsman, with o∣ther Castillians who were kept for Hostages for som Portugals that were in the Spanish 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Upon Thursday after, the new King made his entrance into Lisbon where the Clergy gave him 600. m. Crowns, the Nobility 400. m. and the Cominalty one million of Gold, to hansell their new King.

The carriage and courage of the Vice Queen the Dutchesse of Savoy was very commendable in these confusions, for wheras the new King sent her a comple∣ment to ascertain her of such civilities that were sutable to a Princesse of her Rank, provided she wold forbear all discourse and practises wherby to infuse any opinion prejudiciall to the now establishd Government, yet she notwith∣standing with much stoutnes (but with expressions of thankfulnes to the Duke, for she wold not stile him King) fell into a large and grave exhortation to those Nobles that were sent to her to lay aside all vain hopes, and not to cozen themselves, but to return to their old alleagance according as they were obligd by oath, not doubt∣ing but they should all find pardon.

Thus what the Spaniard had possessd in so much peace for sixty yeers, was snatchd away from him in less then six dayes; news hereof being brought to Madrid, it strook a strange consternation in the thoughts of all people, but Oli∣vares came smiling to the King•• saying, Sir, I pray give me las albricias to han∣sell the good news, for now you are more absolute King of Portugal then ever, for the people have forfeited all their Priviledges by this rebellion, besides the Estate of the Duke of Braganza, with all his Complices are yours by right of confiscation, so that you have enough to distribute among your old Loyall Servants by way of reward: But herein Olivares did notably dissemble his passion, for it was discoverd that these sad tydings sunk deeper into him th••n any.

The new King Iohn was married to a Castilian the Duke of Medinas Sister, who was Governor in chief in Andaluzia, therfo••e upon som Ombrages of fear that he might be seducd, he was by a plausible message sent for to Madrid, but as soon as he came his person was securd, and another sent to succeed him.

Upon the first intelligence that came to Spain how Bragansa had bin pro∣claimd, King Philip sent him a Letter to this effect.

Duke and Cosen, som odd news are brought me lately which I esteem but folly, considering the proof I have had of the fidelity of your house, give me ad∣vertisement accordingly, because I ought to expect it from you; Do not draw a trouble upon your self, and hazard not the esteem I make of your life, to the fury of a mutinous rabble, but let your wisdom comport you so, that your person may escape the danger, my Councell will advise you further: So God guard you,

your Cosen and King.

Unto this Letter answer was made as followeth.

My Cosen, my Kingdom desiring its naturall King, and my Subjects being oppressd with Taxes, and new Impositions, have executed without oposition that which they had oftentimes designd, by giving me the possession of a Kingdom which appertains unto me, wherfore if any will go about to take it from me, I will seek justice in my Armes; defence being allowable, God preserve your Majesty,

DON JOHN the fourth, King of PORTVGALL.

THis huge loss and horrid disaster gave a shrewd alarm to the Spanish Mo∣narchy, for there fe••l from her by this revolt the East-Indies, the Tercera, Islands, the Kingdom of Algarve, Brasile, and all she had in Afric, except the Town of Ceuta, which is the only appendix that remains to Spain of the large Do∣minions of Portugal, but tis like a small crust left of a Christmas Loaf.

A little before this revolt there was a portentous strange accident hapned neer the Tercera Ilands which are subject to the Crown of Portugal, for in one of them there was a Town built upon the Sea-side under divers Clifts and Rocks▪ among which there was a great Lough, which suddenly one day broak out into a fearfull fire, proceeding it seems from som bituminous matter in the bot∣tom, the flakes of fire and smoak did so darken and obnubilat the whole Region of the Cir••umambient air for many daies, that they of the Town beneath thought ve∣rily the day of Judg••ent was com, for they could go ankle deep in the ashes which the fire drove to the streets, at last the huge Lake came tumbling down the Hills, and carryed many of them with part of the Town into the Sea: This was held to be an ominous thing and to presage som great change; but the yeer following there hapned a stranger thing, for a new Iland poppd out of the Sea therabouts, and peed above water which was never seen before.

Now ••is worth the while considering what a mighty alteration it hath made in the Christian World, to set down the right of title, that both the King of Spain, and the house of Bragansa hath to the Crown of Portugal, therfore we will plant here the Tree of their Genealogy, that the Reader may pass his judgment accordingly.

The fortunat and famous Alphonso having in the yeer 1139. obtaind a mighty battell against the Moors in Portugal, by the unanimous consent of the people he was chosen King, and solemnly Crownd in Lamego, and his Posterity made capa∣ble to succeed him to all perpetuity; all which was confirmd afterwards by the Pope▪ Among other Lawes which the three Estates being assembled at Lamego did enact, one was this; Let it be a Law for ever that the King of Portugals eldest Daughter marry a Native of Portugal that so the Crown never descend to a stran∣ger; and in case she shold marry to a Prince who is a stranger let her not be Queen, for we will never have our Kingdom go out of the Race of the Portugals, who have made us Kings by their own valor, and by the effusion of their own blood without for∣raign assistance.

Now Don Emanuel was the fourteenth King of Portugal from Don Alphon∣so, and had for his Issue six Sons and two Daughters, as followeth.

• 1. The Prince Don Iohn his eldest.
• 2. The Infanta Donna Beatrix, who was married to the Emperor Charles the fift, by whom he had Philip the second.
• 3. The Infanta Dona, married to Emanuel Duke of Savoy.
• 4. The Infant Don Luis who left behind Don Antonid an illegitimat Son.
• 5. The Infant Don Fernando dyed without Issue.
• 6. The Infant Don Alfonso Arch-bishop of Lisbon, and Cardinal never mar∣ried.
• 7. The Infant Don Henry Cardinal and Arch-bishop of Dragon.
• ••. The Infant Don Edward who left two Daughters, the eldest was Mary Wife out of the Kingdom to Alexander Farnesse Duke of Panna, the younger was married to Don Iohn Duke of Bragansa.

After the death of Emanuel succeeded his eldest Son Don Iohn who was named before, and was called Iohn the third, whose onely Son called also Iohn dying be∣fore his Father, left behind him Don Sebastian who succeeded his Grand-father, and was slain without Issue at that notable battell in Barbary 1578. where most of the Nobility and Flower of Portugal did also fall: Upon the death of Seba∣stian the Crown returnd to the eldest Survivor of his Grand-fathers Brothers, viz. Henry the Cardinal, whose old age as well as his Function made him incapable of marriage, he raignd peaceably two ye••rs; After his death there were no less then eight Pretenders to the Crown.

1. The People claimd right to elect their own King, jure Regni.

2. The Pope challengd Iure divino to be Arbiter herein, in regard that Alfon∣so the first King made himself Feudetary to the See of Rome.

3. Don Antonio gave out he was no Bastard, but his Father Don Luis was lawfully married.

4. Katherine de Medici Queen Regent of France, claimd a right as descending from Don Alphonso the third, since whom al•• the Kings of Portugal have bin no better then Usurpers.

5. Philibert Duke of Savoy, Son to one of King Emanuels Daughters.

6. Ranuccio Duke of Parma claimd the Crown in right of his Mother Mary, Daughter to Don Duarte King Emanuels youngest Son.

7. Katherine Dutchesse of Braganza claimd the Crown as being born in Por∣tugal, wheras all the rest were Aliens, according to the Primitive Law made in Don Alphonsos time.

8. Philip the second claimd the Crown by right of his Mother the Empresse, being Heir Male of Don Emanuels eldest Daughter.

Now touching the first Pretender, which was the people, it was answerd, that untill the Royall Line of a Kingdom be quite extinct there can be no right of Ele∣ction in them.

Touching the Titles of the rest they were solemnly debated in many Universi∣ties, but most concluded for King Philip, first in regard that the Kingdom of Portugal had bin before Alphonsos time, An: 1138. under the protection of the Crowns of Castile and Leon wherof he was King. Secondly, because he could not properly be calld an Alien, because he was born upon the Continent of Spain, wherof Portugal is part, being calld according to the old division Hispania Lu∣sitanica. Thirdly he might claim it, a digniori partu, because he was the first Male of an Empress, who had bin also first Daughter of Portugal.

Besides this fatall defection of the Kingdom of Portugal, with the sundry Domi∣nions far and neer, that belongd unto it; there were many other cross traverses besides that happend to the Spanish Monarchy; There was an illfavourd fire kindled in Palermo in Sicily, which by a popular fury did so rage, and was like to be so destructive that the Marquess de los Velez the then Vice-roy, was forcd to publish a Manifesto, wherin to content the rabble; he took off and abolishd to perpetuity the Taxes that were layed upon Meat, Wine, Oyle, and Cheese: Moreover the people having in the sayed Mutiny broke open the Prisons and let out the Prisoners, the Vice-roy was constraind to publish another Instrument wherin he pardond all such Prisoners, as also those who let them out, and all this was don, sub verbo & fide Regia.

The Kingdom of Naples which is also Sicily (beyond the Phare a little arm of the Sea, and thought at the Creation to be one entire continent) having intelligence how well their Neighbours and Fellow-subjects had sped, the tother side by that popular Insurrection, thought that they were as free born people as the Sicilian, and did contribute more to the Spanish greatnes, their Dona∣tives, therfore they might very well deserve and expect as good usage as they: There had bin not long before a new Tax layd upon all Fruits green & dry, which amounted to about eighty thousand Duckets yeerly. The Duke of Arcos then Vice-roy was often told that there was an universall muttering at this Tax, which might beget dangerous consequences: Hereupon som Commissioners were appointed to consult how som other way might be taken to raise monies for the King, as also to repay those sums that had bin imprested, and already lent upon the credit of the sayed Fruit Tax.

At that time there was in Naples a young fellow about four and twenty yeers old, who got his living by retayling of Fish up and down, he was of a stirring and spritfull humor, of a confident speech and utterance: This poor Retayler of Fish calld Thomas Anello and by contraction Masanello, observing what dis∣contents and mutterings raignd in every corner about this Tax upon fruit, with divers others; and the next day meeting with a great company of boyes in the Market-place, he made them follow him up and down the streets, with sticks and

Canes in their hands, making them cry out, Let the Pope live, let the King of Spain live, but let the ill Government perish. This and such like Doctrine being infusd by Masanello into his young Schollers, the Shop-keepers laught at him as he went, asking him whether he were not frantic or foolish, but he told them, yee laugh at me now, but you shall see shortly what Masanello can do, let me alone, if I do not free you from the Slavery of so many Taxes let me be held infamous for ever. At which Speech the laughter encreasd, but Masanello grew more and more inten∣tious about the work, so that he enrol••d the names of divers boyes twixt 16, 17, and 18. yeers old, so that at last he made a Regiment of two thousand, the next day being a Festivall, he marchd with his brigade of boyes after him, and it chancd that being in the Market-place the Fruiterers, and Costermongers, or Shop-keers fell out about the paying of the new Tax, and the baskets of Fruits were thrown down, and the boyes fell a gathering and eating of them in the streets, Masanello encouraging them all the while; hereupon the Lord Anacle∣rio the elect of the people, threatning him with whipping and the Gallies, not only the Fruiterers but other people threw Apples and Pears into Lord Anacle∣rios face, and Masanello gave him a good thump upon the breast with a stone; So with much ado the Lord Elect broke his way in a Coach through the crowd▪ and leaping into a Boat or Feluca he scapd.

Upon these hope••ull beginnings the Rabble flockd together in many places protesting to pay no more Gabell, and crying still let the King live and the ill Government dy; So now Masanello began to be attended with men as well as boyes, and leaping up upon a stall which was in the Market-place among the Fruiterers, he sayed with a loud voice to this effect, making this noble Speech as if he had bin inspird. Rejoyce my dear Companions, and Country-men, give God thanks and the glorious Virgin, the time of our redemption draws neer. This poor Fisher-man barefooted whom you see, shall a•• another Moses who freed the Israelites from Pharaohs Rod, free you in like manner from all Gabels and Impositions; It was a Fisher-man, I mean Saint Peter, who reducd Rome from Satans slavery to the liberty of Christ; Now another Fisher-man who is Masanello shall release Na∣ples, and with the City of Naples a whole Kingdom from the tyranny of Tolls. From henceforth yee shall shake off your necks the intolerable yoke of so many grievan∣ces which have depressd your spirits hitherto; To effect which I do not care a rush to be torn in peeces, and dragd up and down the gutters of Naples: Let all the blood of my body spin out of my veins, let this head skip off my sholders by a fatal steel, & be pearchd up in this Market-place upon a Pole, yet I shall dy contented and glorious, it will be an honor and a triumph unto me that my life and blood perishd in so glorious a Con∣quest.

This Speech did wonderfully work upon the people, whose hearts were ready to cooperat with him, so for a handsom beginning the Toll-house for Fruit with all the books of accounts were burnt to the ground, with much of the Cu∣stomers goods which were shewd there: Hereupon the Shops were shut up and down almost through all the City, and the Keepers of them went to other quar∣ters of the City where the Toll-houses for Corn, Flesh, Fish, Salt, Wine, Oyle, Cheese, and Silk, stood, all which they burnt to the very earth, withall the writing and Custom house books, as also all the Hangings and Houshold-stuff were hurld into a great Straw-fire, together with som Chests of moneys and Plate, and all burnt: And in this confusion there was this strickt point of Government al∣ready, that it was de••th for any one to pourloin or take away any thing out of the fire for his own use.

The people all this while having met with no opposition at all, grew to be a∣bove ten thousand in number, and they made towards the Vice-roys Palace, ma∣ny of them holding loafs of bread upon the tops of their Pikes, which was then very deer, because of the Toll upon corn▪ There were som among the Brigads of boyes who carried black clowts upon the tops of their Canes, crying out in do∣lorous notes as they passd, Have pitty upon these poor Souls in Purgatory, who not being able to endure so many grievances seek how they may escape away; O bro∣thers joyn with us, O sisters assist us in so just a cause: In such dolefull tones they

went about, and coming to Saint Iames Prison they freed there all the Prisoners and admitted them to their Society: At last they came under the Vice-roys window and made a hideous cry, that they wold be freed not only of the Fruit Gabell, but of all other, specially that of Corn; The Vice-roy out of his Balcone promisd them very fair to take off quite the Fruit Tax, & half of that of Corn, but this not suffizing they rusht into the Vice-roys Palace, notwithstanding the Ger∣man and Spanish Guards which were there, and breaking through all the Rooms they came at last to that Room where the Vice-roy was shut up under lock, which they broke open, but the Vice-king was fled, and thinking to go to the Castle where his Lady was retired, he found the Draw-bridg up, and so came back and fled to a Franciscan Monastery; while the Rabble was in his Palace they did much mischief, and pursuing him still, and understanding that he was retired to the Monastery, he was forcd to com out and to shew himself. The people then though in the height of fury grew somwhat more temperat, saying, Most excellent Sir, for the passion of God disburden us of these Gabells who suck our blood, let us but breath and have no more slavery. The Vice-roy giving them the charmingst language he could, causd little Cedules signed by himself and seald with the Kings Seal affixed, to be dispersd amongst them, wherin the sayd Tolls were taken off; afterwards he threw som peeces of gold and Rials of eight a∣mong them, so by that costly cunning be got away from among the Rabble for that time, to a Church hard by where they still pursued him, and wold not be satisfied till they had a perfect Instrument for the taking off the Tax upon Fruit and bread, the confusion grew higher and higher till the Arch-bishop Filomarmi came, to whom they shewd som reverence being their Metropolitan and common Father, and he at last brought them an Instrument signd by the Vice-roy for a∣bolishing the foresayd Tolls; so that gave som contentment for the present, but the Torrent encreasd presently with greater floods of water, for that Instrument of the Vice-kings being read in the Market-place, the cry was that it was imper∣fect, for they wold be free from all kinds of Tolls since the time of Charles the Emperor, Hereupon they went to the Prince of Bisignano the chief of the Ca∣raffas desiring him to be their Leader and Advocat to the Vice-roy; he went with them and being com to the great Church de Carmine, he stood up in a high place with a Crucifix in his hands, and conjurd the people for the love of God and the most blessed Virgin, to be pacified a while, and he promisd them by oath, to procure for them from the Vice-roy whatsoever they desird: But this wold not quiet them, but they rushd into the Prisons and set loose the Prisoners; They went to the Dogana or Toll-house for Corn, with Faggots on their backs, and pitch and fire in their hands in a great fury: Prince Bisignano not being able to take them off though he labourd earnestly, they put fire on all sides, and besides the houses, they turnd rich Houshold stuff, Sedias, and ready money all to ashes. The Prince being but crazy in point of health, grew weary of heeding such an unruly Rabble, therfore he rid himself of them at last by a Stratagem; The people hearing that Bisignano was gon, & wanting a Head they cryed out for Masanello, who having accepted of it, he began more eagerly then ever to invite the people, insomuch that he in lieu of water to quench this fire threw Oyle upont to make it burn more furious. The next day Másanello Captain-like divided the people into Companies and Regiments, nothing but clashing of Armes within the Ci∣ty, whether the Country Swains came with Pikeaxes Shovels and Spades; Nay, the women appeard armd with Shovels, Spits, and Broaches, and the common cry went Let the King live and the Toll perish, our Gabels our Tolls, let them go to the Devill to maintain his Kingdom of darknes; let the Raisers of them those Dogs dy, who being transformd to Wolfs have devoured the flesh of innocent Lambs, let them vomit the blood they have suckd into the Cinders of their burnt Wealth, those domestic and insatiable Leeches of Naples, let these Drones and Wasps be driven away who have suckd the sweet Hony of the Bees. With such cries and screekings they stounded the very air in such pitteous accents, which were enough to soften the hardest Marble, and draw tears from the Pumice stone. Thus horror, blood and amazements raignd in every corner; so order was sent by Masanello to all

the thirty six Precincts of Naples to arm under an irremissible penalty of having their houses burnt; Now there being som want of Gun-powder they went to a house to buy som, but being refusd they threw fird Matches into the house, which taking hold of the Powder-barrels blew up above sixty Inhabitans, and it gave such a crack as the Galeon som daies before did in the Port which was blown up, being not known whether it was done by chance, or by pure malice; Then they went to the Kings Magazin of Powder, but there was a course taken with that before, for the Kings Labourers had put it in water, by way of prevention; In the Interim the Vice-roy fortifieth himself in Castle nuovo having taken in a thousand Germans at the Gates, eight hundred Spaniards with a thousand Ita∣lians, well armd with Pike and Musket; The Vice-roy sent a Note to Masanello (the Generalissimo of the Rabble) by som of the collaterall Councell, wherin he promisd to take off all Gabels as was desird, but this wold not suffice, but Masa∣nello wold have have a ••estitution of the priviledges granted by Charles the Em∣peror, whose Statue he had over the door of his house; he proposd also that the Clerk of the Market shold be nominated for the future, by the faithfull peo∣ple of Naples, that the old office of Capo popolo shold be revivd, and that he shold be namd by the Citizens without any recourse to the Vice-roys.

Hereupon the Vice-roy sent the Duke of Matalare, with divers other popular Lords to ride up and down the City and to assure them that his excellency was ready to give all possible satisfaction: They answerd, that they desird no more but to have the priviledges of Charles the Emperor restord, wherby it was de∣creed that no new impositions should he layd upon the faithfull people of Naples with∣out the consent of the holy Apostolic See; Now since all Gabels from that time have bin imposd without his consent; som few of small consequence excepted, it was just they shold be abolishd; Moreover the people desird the Original of those priviledges of Charles quinto which was in the Archives of Saint Laurence: The Lord chief Prior was employed to find out the sayed Original which he shewd the people, but som doubting whether it was a counterfeit one, the good old Prior had met with death, had he not found a way of escape.

There was appointed to be about the person of Masanello an old Priest by name Genovino, a•• also a notable Bandito calld Perrone, these two being Coadiu∣tors to Masanello gave out a list of sixty and odd Houses or Palaces rather, of them who had farmd the Gabels from time to time, who having enrichd them∣selves, and grown fat with the blood of the people, it was thought fit that they shold be made examples and a terror to others, so the sayd houses with abundance of most costly houshold-stuff, as also their Coaches and their Coach-horses were pittifully burnt, and with so much order and neatnes of hand that he hazarded his life who shold embezel the least thing, therupon one taking away but a little Towell was killd, another for the Crouper of a horse had fifty lashes, and divers other after they had confessd to their Ghostly Fathers, were hangd up by the sole command of Masanello; And it was very dangerous to shew any counte∣nance of pitty at the burning of the sayed houses; besides all kind of rich Uten∣siles, there were Pictures, Bracelets, chains of Gold, with great store of ready mo∣ney thrown into the raging fire in the Market-place, with huge out-cryes of the people round about in such words, These Goods are our bloods, and as they burn so the souls of th••se Dogs who own them deserve to fry in Hell-fire.

While the people wer thus raging, the Vice-roy by the advice of the great Col∣laterall Councell, had causd an Instrument to be fairly printed, contianing an abolition of all Gabels since Charles the fift, and besides a generall pardon to all; This Instrument was sent to the Market-place, and the Vice-roy finding that the Noble-men were out of request with the people, he imployed two Advocates to treat with them, but all wold not do, for they found som flaw in the sayed In∣strument, therfore they demanded the Original of the grand priviledg given by Charles the fifth.

The people in this condition were like a huge River, which by an extraordinary glut of Rain having broke her banks, and risen out of her wonted bed to ramble abroad, can hardly be brought in again: The Vice-roy and Councell labourd

to make up the breaches, but all yet in vain; so they continued still burning the houses of the Gabeliers or Customers, and finding in one of their houses the Picture of the present King of Spain, they preservd it and carried it publickly up and down the streets with this cry, Let our King live a thousand years, and the ill Government ••ternally perish,

Among others which went armd there was a Regiment of women which went strutting up and down the streets with Muskets on their sholders, and som with Pikes, at last the grand Priviledg of Carlos quinto was found, and as the last remedy it was sent from the Vice-roy by Filomarini the common Father of the Citty, being Arch-bishop therof, to the Market-place, with a writing underneath, wher∣in the Vice-roy obligd himself to observe firmly for the future every particular of the sayed Character which he desired shold be publisht in the great Church of Carmine, which Filomarini did accordingly in a most solemn manner, and pre∣sently therupon this Proclamation issued.

Philip by the grace of God King, &c. Don Rodrigo Pone de Leon Duke of Ar∣cos, We by an everlasting Priviledg, do grant to the most faithfull people of this most faithful Citty of Naples, that all Gabels and Impositions be extinct and abolishd which were layd upon the Citty of Naples and the Kingdom from the time of the Emperor Charles the fift of happy memory until this hour: Moreover we grant a generall pard••n for any offence whatsoever, committed since the beginning of this present revolution to this point of time, as also for every offence and inquisition passd that related to the sayed Revolution, Given in Castle novo, 10th. July 1647. El Duca de Arcos,

Donato coppola Secretary to the Kingdom,

The sixth day after the Composition Masanello was made Generalissimo or Tribune of the people, and by the advice of Cardinal Filomarini was inducd to have a Parley with the Vice-roy in the Castle, therfore he clad himself in cloath of Silver, with a huge Plume of Feathers in his Hat, mounted upon a gallant Courser, with a naked Sword in one hand, and in this Equipage he marchd to the Castle attended by 50. M. armd men, the Cardinals Coach came next Masanel∣lo, and upon the left side of the Coach Mareo d' Amalphi Masanellos brother, did ride all in cloath of Gold being also well mounted and having Sword and Dagger sutable: The Captain of the Vice-roys Guard, but without Armes came a horse-back to meet Masanello saluting him in the name of his Master, and welcoming him to the Castle, where being entred he made a Speech unto the peo∣ple, to this effect.

My dear and much beloved people, let us give God thanks with eternall sounds of Iubile, that we have recov••rd our former liberties, but who would have thought we shold have com to so fair a pass; They may seem Dreams or Fables, yet you see they are reall Truths, let infinite thanks be given to Heaven, and to the most blessed Vir∣gin of Carmine, and to the paternall benignity of this most Reverend Bishop our Shep∣heard; Then he took from his bosom the Charter of Charles the fifth, with the new confirmation signd by the Vice-roy and Collaterall Councell, and with a loud voice, say∣ed, now are we exempted and free from all Gabels, we are easd of so many weights, all Impositions are taken off, now is restord the dear liberty in which rests the happy memory of King Ferdinand and Charles the Emperor, I for my own particular de∣sire not any thing, I do not pretend any thing but public good as this most Reverend Arch-bishop knows well; I told him often of my right intentions, I was offerd two hundred Crowns a month during life provided I shold proceed no further, but wold be an Instrument to accomodate all things, I ever refusd the offer: Moreover had it not bin to perform the promise I was tyed in to his Eminence, I wold not have apparrelld my self as you see me, I wold never have shaken of my Mariners we••ds, for I was born such, such a one I livd, and such a one I mean to live and dy: After the fishing of public Liberty which I have made in the tempestuous Sea of this afflicted Citty, I will return to my Hook and Line, not reserving to my self as much as a nail for my own dwelling; I desire no more of you but when I am dead you wold every one say an Ave Maria for me, do you promise me this? Yes, they cryed out but a hundred yeers

hence▪ he replyed, I thank you, desiring you not to lay down your Armes till a Con∣firmation com from Spain, of all these Priviledges from the King our Soveraign, trust not the Nobility for they are Traytors▪ and our Enemies; I go to negotiat with the Vice-roy, and within an houre you shall see me again, or at least to morrow morn∣ing, but if to morrow I be not with you, put to fire and sword the whole Citty: Well, well though what hath hitherto passd hath not much pleasd the Vice-roy, yet his Majesty will find that he hath not lost any thing by it, only som of the Nobility (our Enemies) have lost by it, who will return to their former beggery, those ravenous Wolfs who bought and sold our bloods, never regarding the glory of God, the service of his Majesty, or the common good of Citty and Kingdom: Now the Temples of the Spa∣nish Monarchy shall be adornd with the most precious Crown that ever she bore upon her head; that which shall be given by us hereafter shall be all the Kings, and not as in former times, for when we gave him any treasure it vanisht away, and was half drunk up by his Officers. Having spoken thus, he turnd to the Bishop, saying, most Eminent Lord, bless this people, which he did; so thinking to go on with his Calvalcata, the number of the people was so great that it filld all the Castle, and so hindred the passage, therfore because going to treat of peace, twas unseemly that such a confusd Rout shold go along; he commanded upon pain of life that no body shold make one step further, which was observd with marvellous obedience; so there went only with him Arpaia, Genovino, his bro∣ther and the Arch-bishop whom the Vice-roy came to meet to the top of the Stairs, Masanello putting himself at his feet he kissd them in the name of the peo∣ple, thanking his Excellence for the grace he had done them touching the Capi∣tulations, saying, he was com thither, that his Excellence might do with him whatsoever he pleasd, either to hang him, to break him upon wheels, or tear him with wild Horses; but the Vice-roy made him rise up, saying, He never knew him to be culpable, or that he had offended his Majesty in any thing, therfore he may re∣joyce for he shold alwaies be well regarded by him: The Vice-roy then brought him to an open Balcone that the people might see him to avoid all jealousies; so they fairly concluded the peace and parted, Masanello being confirmd by the Vice-roy to be Captain-generall of the people.

The next morning Masanello put off his Cloth of silver-sute, and took again the Habit of a Marriner, yet was he obeyd and feard as much as formerly: He wold rise betimes and give audience in the Market-place out of a window which was in his house, whither they wold reach him Petitions on the tops of Pikes, he had alwaies an Archibuz ready cockd hard by him, which was of som terror to those who came to petition or sollicit about any business.

By these furious Traverses and popular confusions matters at last came to that point of perfection that the Originall Charter of Charles the Emperor having bin publickly producd, revivd, and ratified, the Vice-roy issued forth this generall Indulgence in the Kings name and his own.

Philip, by the Grace of God King, &c.

Don Rodrigo ponce de Leon Duke of Arcos, We by an everlasting Priviledg do grant to the most faithfull people of this most faithfull Citty of Naples, that all Gabels and Impositions be extinct and abolishd which were layed upon the sayed Cit∣ty of Naples, and the Kingdom from the time of the Emperor Charles the fift of happy memory, untill this hower: Moreover we grant a generall Pardon for any offence whatsoever committed, since the beginning of this present Revolution to this point of time, as also for every ••ffence and inquisition passd that related to the sayed Revolution.

Given in Castle N••ovo 10th. of Iuly 1647. Subscribed the Duke of Arcos.

As this was to be publishd, there intervend an ill-favord Accident which much puzzled the busines, for there entred into the City 500. Banditi brought in by Perrone, who had bin admitted to be a Confederat or Counsellor to Masanello, after their entrance ther hapned som difference twixt them and Masanello upon a

jealousie, that they had intelligence with the Duke of Mataloni (which was true enough) therupon som seven of those Banditi shot at one time at Masanello, but none of the bullets could penetrat him, but to the astonishment of the world, they only singd som part of his Shirt and so he dropd down; which preservati∣on was imputed to a Medail of the Lady of Carmine that he wore about his neck. Perrone with most of those Banditi were killd and executed, and having found that they had complotted with Mataloni against the people, Don ••••seppe Carasfa brother to the Duke of Mataloni was found out and most miserably butcherd by the fury of the people.

Masanello improvd every day in strength and the opinion of the people, in∣somuch that Perrone being now dead he soly Raignd, and the Gran Signor was never obeyed and feard in Constantinople as he was in Naples. His Warrant a∣lone was sufficient to fetch any ones head, to fire and plunder any Palace as di∣vers were; he commanded that all men shold go without Cloaks, Gowns, or wide Cassocks, for fear any Armes might be hid under, and he was generally o∣beyd, for Noble-men and Church-men went up and down the streets en cuerpo; He commanded also that all women shold go without Fardingalls, and that they shold tuck up their Coats when they went to Church which was punctually ob∣servd; he disarmd all the Nobility and Gentry, and sent for what sums he pleasd from Merchants and others, upon pain of fire and plunder.

Those interruptions which the treaty of peace receivd by the coming in of the Banditi, were at l••st taken away by the prudent carriage of the Arch-bishop Fi∣lomarini, so that at last there was a solemn meeting of the Vice-roy and Masa∣nello in the great Church of Naples, where before the great Altar the Charter of Charls the fift was read & sworn unto by the Viceroy with a general pardon Ma∣sanello standing all the while with a naked Sword in his hand on one of the staires of the Alter till all was don: Then Te Deum was sung, which with the loud accla∣mations of the people made the very walls to ring agen, and re-echo with joy: Af∣ter this Masanello did King it higher and higher, and one day his Wife and Chil∣dren went in a stately Coach, she in a Gown of cloath of Gold, and her Children in Silver, to give the Dutchess of Arcos a visit in the Castle, where she had pro∣vided a sumptuous Banquet for them, giving them Jewels and other rich Presents at their departure, and a little before the end of the Banquet Masanello himself came very glorious, where twas thought he took a Figg which wrought after∣wards upon his head-peece, that he became to be twixt frantic and fool; he wold as he went along cut, slash, and killd som, he causd a Baker to be clapd in an O∣ven, and burnt alive for making light-bread, one time he leapd into the Sea clothes and all to cool himself: He had got a Catalog of all the rich Merchants and Cittizens, and sending for them, he made them under-write for payment of such a sum for the Service of his Catholic Majesty, for whom he intended to raise five millions, as an acknowledgment for taking down the Taxes; He com∣manded an order to be publishd that none under pain of death shold depart from Naples without his Warrant, wherupon divers Noble-men wold com to wait up∣on him for Pass-ports, and a Gentleman of quality of Aversa coming one day un∣to him for a Pass-port he gave him a kick in the buttock. Thus he tyrannizd more, & more &, having commanded som to be beheaded upon a Sunday morning, with much ado the Arch-bishop prevaild with him to defer the execution, it being not sitting to pollute the holy Sabboth with such Sacrifices of humane blood.

A little after he went from the Market-place accompanied with a huge compa∣ny of the riff-raff of the people all the way a foot to the Castle, having one stocking on and the other off without Band, Hat, or Sword, where being en∣tred the first word he spoke to the Vice-roy was, That he must eat, for he was ready to perish for hunger, that you shal, Signor Masanello, sayd the Vice-roy, so, as he was calling for somthing, no, my Lord sayd, let us go to take fresh air at Po∣silipo, and ther eat together, the Vice-roy excusing himself he went without him, & threw som peeces of gold into the Sea▪ making the Marriners duck for them and find them agen: so he feasted his body there very pl••••tifully having drunk for his own share a dozen bottles of Lacrymae Christi; The operation of this Wine,

with the agitation of his body began the next day to work upon his brain, which made him extravagant; He sent for that rare Artist Fonseca, and commanded him to make som peeces in Marble and Brass with this Inscription, Thomaso Anel∣lo of Amalphi▪ Prefect and Captain••generall of the most faithfull people of Naples. Thus his head having climd so high began to turn more and more and to grow in∣solent, no Law could bound his commands for life & death, he wold be more then the Sea, who though a raging Element, yet is contented to hold himself within his bounds; he wold be more then the Heavens, who though of such infinit vastnes yet keep themselves within their due circumference: The glorious Sun confines it self to the Ecliptic, But nothing could bound the vast desires of this Fisher-man, in whom was truly verified that Asperius nihil est Humili cum surgit in altum, He was so tossd with odd fancies that they bereft him of his naturall nocturnall re∣pose, they kept him from seeing that huge Precipice which was before him, the steps wherby we mount to greatnes are slippery, the top is an Earth-quake, the Descent perpendicular, the sight whereof doth use to dis-compose the mind of man, and alienat him from himself, specially when Honor falls upon a low Sub∣ject, and of a base Carat, who being mounted high looks like a Munkey clad in Scarlet, now Greatnes serves som men to bring them to their ruin, as long ha•••• servd Absol••n to destroy himself.

As he was domineering one day in the great Market-place, Caesar Spano an ancient Captain of very good respect came to him about som business, but he struck and wounded the old Captain, giving him two cuts on the face, going on a little further he met with one who he was told was thought to be a Spy, therup∣on suddenly before any process formd against him he causd his head presently to be chopd off; He met another who told him his wise was subornd & carried away by an old Bawd, therupon he conducting Masanello to the house where she was with another man, he presently commanded her to be hangd up, and the man to be broken upon wheels. After Dinner he sent a menacing message to the Duke Ferrante Caracciolo, that upon pain of death and the firing of his Palace, he shold com in person to the Market-place, because that morning the sayd Duke had not com out of his Coach to do him reverence▪

The Vice-king was passive all this while, and extreamly vexd with these De∣portments of Masanello, but he durst not apprehend him b••cause he was still backd by the besotted people, and while he was consulting of the means how to redress matters, there came to the Castle old Gen••vino and Arpaia two of the greatest Confidents Masanello had, who began to complain bitterly against the extravagances of Masanello, and one of them had receivd a box on the Ear by him, yet they knew not how to right themselves, he having at his beck 150. m. Combatants well armd▪ yet they told the Vice roy that most people began to dis∣like him for his cruelties, and if it wold please him to publish another Ban for the observance of their Priviledges, it wold be a means to make all the people return to him, wherunto the Vice-roy did readily condescend, and it was done accord∣ingly: It chancd that Masanello at that time was gone in the Dutchess the Vice-queens Coach to Posilipo to recreat himself, where he went to the Office of the Gallies, and appointed other Commanders and Captains; At his return to the Market-place he met with Genovino and Arpaia, whom he threatned because they had not attended him to Posilipo, nay▪ threatned to fire the whole Citty, be∣cause he perceivd that they declined in their wonted respects to him, and so he brandishd his Sword to and fro; Hereupon the Captains of the people with som ado brought him to his own house, where they put an extraordinary Band of Sol∣diers to guard him that night, the next day as the chief of the people were con∣sulting how to declare anew the Authority of the Vice-roy, an unlookd for ac∣cident happend, which did cooperat with their designs; For Marco Vitale Ma∣sanellos chiefest Secretary (wherof he had seven in all) passing by the Castle-gate, and meeting with som Soldiers that were banded together, he proudly askd them why and by whose Authority they had taken up Armes, one of the Captains gave a stout answer that it was by the Authority of the Vice-roy; well, well sayd Vitale, I am now going to the Market-place and thy head shall pay for it, ther∣upon

the Captain drew his Sword and gave him a shrewd slash, which being seconded by a Musqueteer, the Secretary fell down dead, and the people hearing therof as he was going to be buried, they tore his Coffin chopd off his head and draggd his Carkass up and down the streets.

That day was one of the greatest Festivalls of Naples, for it was the Feast of the glorious Virgin of Carmine, whose Church was scituated in the great Mar∣ket: Masanello had got into the sayd Church, where he attended the Arch∣bishop to sing Mass, being com, Masanello told him, most Eminent Lord, I perceive now that the people will abandon me, and go about to deprive me of my life, therfore I beseech your Eminence to send this Letter from me to the Vice-roy, wherin there is a Resignation of all my Authority into his hands; So go∣ing up the degrees of the Altar, and having a Crucifix in his hands, he re-com∣mended himself with much tendernes to the people, that they shold not now shake him off having venturd so much for them; Then a while after he fell a doting, and accusing himself of his life past, and exhorting every one to make the like con∣fession before the feet of his Ghostly Father, that Gods anger might be appeasd, so he went on in many ridiculous expressions, and som of them savouring of He∣resie, therfore his Guard forsook him, and the Arch-bishop got him to be con∣ducted to a Dormitory within the Cloyster of the Church to be dryed for he was all in a sweat, having refreshd himself ther and being leaning over a Balcone, four resolute Gentlemen came to find him out, and seeing him in so good a posture, dischargd four severall Muskets at him, so he presently fell, crying, Ah ingratefull Traytors, and so fell; hereupon a Butcher chopd off his head, which being put upon a Lance they carried up and down the street: the grosse of the common people were so daunted hereat, that they lost their former Spirits, and went all skulking away, nor did any dare to do any outrage to those who killd their Cap∣tain-generall: So his body was draggd up and down the Gutters and afterwards hurld into a Ditch; Therupon all the Nobility, Gentry, and Officers got a hors∣back and went to the Castle to congratulat the Vice-roy, for the riddance of this popular Tyrant: An hower after the Vice-roy shewd himself and came down from the Castle in a stately Cavalcata, to the great Church where solemn thanks were given, and the head of Saint Germaro the chief Protector of Naples was ta∣ken out and put upon the high Altar, where extraordinary Jubiles were sung for the quietness re-obtained by the death of so base a Rebell, who by the secret judg∣ments of God had spilt so much blood, consumd so many Palaces, reducd to ashes so much Wealth, and made himself so formidable that he terrified both Town and Country, yet a fatall Instrument of the indignation of Heaven, being offended with the sins of that luxurious Citty, who as somtimes he punishd the Egyptians with small contemptible Creatures, as flyes, Lice, and Frogs, so he chastizd the Napolitans by so despicable a person. From the great Church the Vice-roy rid to the Market-place, where there ecchoed in the air this note, Let the King live, let the Vice-roy live, and let Filomarini live, the Restorer of his Countries peace: It is reported and printed that a little before Masanellos death, San Germaro was seen over the great Church with a Sword in his hand, and many persons were examind upon oath about that Vision, besides a bright Star was seen which pre∣saged peace and happiness.

Thus finishd the life and Raign of Masanello, having prognosticated it him∣self som dayes before, when going up the Market-place, he sayed, that what he did was for the universall good of the people, but he knew well that when he had brought the business about he shold be murtherd, and draggd up and down the streets of Naples, yet he desird the people shold remember what he had done, and sing som Dirges for his Soul. As the Raign of this Ephemeran Monster was vio∣lent, so it was but short, for from first to last it continued not to ten compleat dayes, insomuch that those Lyricall Verses may be truly applyed to him.

Quem Dies vidit veniens superhum Hunc dies vidit sugiens jacentem.

The Vice-roy fearing som after-claps, fell a fortifying himself mainly, inso∣much that that very night ther entred into the Citty six hundred horse with won∣derfull secrecy, who went also to the Palace and tendred their Service, and so be∣took themselves to divers Posts: But the day following the bread which is the staff of life fell to be eleven ounces lighter, wherupon the popular fire burst out again, which took hold of the Bakers Furnaces and Goods: They went in mul∣titudes to find out the body of Masanello which was cast into a Ditch, they took it out, washd and perfumd it, and so carried high upon a Bier to the gate of the Holy Spirit, where they took down his head, and sowing it to the rest of the carkass they brought it to the great Cathedrall Church, with no less solemnity then Lamentation, so he who was cursd and draggd up and down the dirtty Chan∣nels the day before, is the next day following bewayld, missd, and prayed for; so there was order taken for his Exequies which were celebrated in marvailous Pomp, above a thousand Priests went before him with Torches in their hands, the white boyes of Loreto did attend the Hearse, Drums and Trumpets sounded the dolefull March, and as he lay lifted up very high upon his Funerall Bed a Crown was put upon his head, and a Scepter in his hand, so he enjoyed after his death those Ensigns, the Authority wherof he usurpd in his life. He was carryed about all the five Pr••cincts of Naples in this State, and passing by the Vice-roys there they made a halt under his very Balcone; At last two howers within night they carried him back to the great Church where he was buried in a particular Chap∣pell, with this Inscription upon his Hearse.

Nobilium tyrannide inusitatis oppressi••nibus & angarijs in Regnum, Cives & Exteros praeter Rerum & Naturae or••inem violenter extortis, Repressa;

Virgini Dei Matri Carmeli Die 7. Julij, 1647. gabellis publicis, facinorosis Secretis Patriae hostibus, incensis, fugatis, prefligatis, sublatis; Inconcussa fide ser∣vata: Ferdinandi primi, & Frederici Aragonensium Regum, Caroli Quinti Imperatoris Caesaris confirmatis, renovatis Aureis privilegijs.

Philippo Quarto Rege Cath••lic••, Dom: Roderico Pons de Leon Duce d•• Arcos Re∣gis vicem gerente,

Thoma Anello de Amalphi invicti populi Duce, pristina libertate redemptus Fidelissimus populus Neapolitanus, Mausolaeum in reportatae victoriae memo∣riam posteris Excitamentum p••suit.

The Tyranny of the Nobles being repressd, who beyond the order of Things, and Rules of Nature did so violently extort unusuall Taxes and Services from Kingdom, Cittizens, and Strangers.

An unshaken faith being kep•• to the blessed Virgin the Mother of God in the Church of Carmine the seventh of Iuly 1647. the Gabels being abolishd, the pub∣lic facinorous and secret enemies of our Country being subdued, banishd, burnt, and extinguishd.

The golden Priviledges of Ferdinand the first, of Fredric King of Aragon, and of Charles the Emperor being confirmd and renewd.

Philip the fourth being Catholic King, and Don Rodrigo pons de Leon Duke of Arcos being Vice-roy, Thomas Anello of Amalphi being Generall, the most faithfull people of Naples, and public liberty being redeemd.

This Monument was erected in memory of the Victory obtaind, and for an encouragement to all Posterity.

Thus the body of Masanello being redeemd from dust and dirt, together with his memory was honord by the Neapolitan people; Nor did the Insurrection dy with him, but it revivd and gathering new strength it ragd again as furiously as ever, not only in Naples it self but in all the Terri••ories, as Bitonto, Nocera, A∣bruzzo, Cosenza, and other places in Apulia and Calabria.

The people of Naples chose for their Elect Don Francisco Turaldo Prince of Massa, and the first thing he did was to command ten Spaniards heads to be fixd on Poles, and carryed in triumph up and down the Citty; he interdicted also that nothing either for back or belly shold be carried to the Castle where the Vice-roy was, he causd the whole Citty to be entrenchd, and Canons planted in

divers places, now the people thought they had all the justice in the world to continue in Armes till the confirmation of what the Vice-roy had stipulated before, were com from the King of Spain, as it was agreed it shold be sent three months after.

In the mean time Don Iohn of Austria was com hard by with a Fleet of five and forty Galeons, and sent word to the Citty that if they were desirous to have a peace and generall pardon, the people shold lay down Armes and send them to the Vice-roy to the Castle; this they wold not do, but offerd to lay them up in their houses untill the Treaty shold be concluded, so matters fell off the hinges more then ever, the three Castles shot at the Town by Land, and Don Iohn by Sea with his great Guns from his Galeons and Gallies, which made such a hide∣ous noise as if Heaven and Earth wold meet, and in the Town the huge Canons from the Tower of Carmine played incessantly; so there grew a perfect War twixt the Cittie and the Castles, a great number of fair houses were burnt, heads chopd off, and the great Bell of Saint Laurence rung out for signall of War; The Spaniards on the one side put all to fire and Sword, the people on the other side burnt the Goods, and destroyed the houses of any whom they suspected: Ma∣ny bloody Skirmiges happend in divers places; Don Iohn sent a Cavalier of qua∣lity to the Captain-Generall of the people to know the ground of this fury, and why they were so active in their own destruction with the ruine of so many inno∣cent Souls, and such a glorious Citty, but word was sent him back that when the Confirmation was com from the Court of Spain they wold send him a civill an∣swer, till then twas but just they shold stand upon their Guard, and repell any force by that power which God and Nature had given them for the defence of themselves and their liberties, together with their Wives and Children, yet with this resolution to continue in a constant obedience to his Catholic Majesty, and not to listen to the enchantments of any forrain Prince, who began to tamper with them already for a Revolt.

The Duke of Mataloni in these Confusions did many materiall Services to the Spaniards, by sending them recruits of horse and foot from the Country; At last the people grew jealous of their Elect and Captain-Generall Prince Turaldo, and so gave him his pass-port to hasten to the other world without a head, so they chose in his place one Gennaro Arnese, a man of a far inferior quality.

In this hurly-burly the French King sent the people a proffer of two millions of gold, with twenty Galeons, eighteen Gallies, and forty Tartanas, which mes∣sage was sent by a person of quality from ••he French Ambassador resident at Rome; The Citty embracd the proposall, and so employd an express to go to Rome and treat; so a little after the cry up and down the streets of Naples was Viva la Francia, let France live, and in som places let the Parliament of England live, which continued divers daies.

Don Iohn of Austria and the Vice-roy having notice of these practises twixt the Citty and France were much troubld therat, thereupon they got the Pope to us•• his Spirituall Armes, so this Nuncio in Naples desired to have audience in his Holines name, Gennaro Arnese gave it him all clad in cloth of Silver, the Nun∣cio told him that he had receivd an express Mandamus from his Holines, brought by a person of quality to exhort the City to conform to a serious treaty of peace, otherwise the holy Church must do her duty: Gennaro answerd that there could not be expected a sudden answer to so grave a message, therfore the most faith∣full people desird som respit of time to consult of it; so the Nuncio parted, and som did laugh in their sleeves at him, insomuch that this message took no effect at all.

The next day after there was a Feluca discoverd chasd by two Gallies, but nar∣orwly scaping them she came safe to Port, & she brought in her the Duke of Guise (with foru Servants only) who was all this while at Rome; he was receivd in∣to the Town with wonderfull applause, he told them that his Christian Majesty had an Army in a readines to assist the most faithfull people, so they resolvd to make him their Generall, and the next day he went to the Arch••bishops Palace to take an Oath of fidelity to the people, which he did upon the hearing of Masse and receiving the holy Communion.

Now the Napolitan Nobles had a considerable Army in the Country about, therfore the Duke of Guyse desired to have six thousand Foot and a thousand Horse to go find them out, which he did at Aversa, but he was utterly routed, with losse of above three hundred upon the place, and many more wounded, and so returnd to Naples.

The sixth of December there was a Truce concluded for three howers, during which time, Don Iohn sent notice to the Citty of a Letter sent from his Catholic Majesty, wherin he ratified all the Capitulations of peace agreed on by the Duke of Arcos, the Letter being sent to the Elect of the people, and communicated to the Duke of Guise, the sayd Duke seemd to exhort the people to accept of it, in regard their King had therin made concession unto them of so many signall gra∣ces▪ Therupon the Rabble of the people boyling with heat cryed out, that they wold be cut to peeces rather then be slaves to the Spanish Nation any longer, therupon the Duke took a Medail from his brest, and told them his Christian Majesty had given him that Medail for a pledg, that whensoever he sent to him for an Army, he shold have one forthwith, and he told them there was one already prepard, therfore he desired that som Felucas might be dispatchd towards Tolon to hasten their coming, which was done accordingly: So it was decreed that the Duke of Guise from that day forward shold be treated with Highness, others w••ld have him in imitation of Venice to be tearmd Doge of the Napolitan Republic.

A few dayes after the French Fleet was discoverd which consisted of eight and twenty Vessels, the arrivall therof did fill and affect the whole Citty with such a tripudiant humor of joy, that people went dancing and singing up and down the streets; The French Fleet appeard in form of a half Moon, but durst not com in reach of the three Castles, or the Spanish Fleet then in Port, but kept their di∣stance, yet they landed divers sorts of Provision for the use of the Citty, they came up to the point of Pusilipo and got off cleer again.

The first day of the yeer there came Letters from divers places in Apulia, that they had twenty thousand good Combatants in a readiness to assist the Royall Republic of Naples: The Duke of Arcos began now to be disaffected by the Royall party as well as by the people, insomuch that the high Collaterall Councell in the Castle sent him word that he shold forbear sitting among them any longer, but that his Highness Don Iohn shold govern, who therupon sent for the Sicilian Fleet▪ to com for the succour of Naples, as also for three Regiments from Milan; a little after the Duke of Arcos departed with his Family, and Don Iohn was heard to say Vayase en h••ra mala che ha hecho perder este Reyno a mi padre, Let him go in an ill hower for he hath lost my Father this King∣dom.

Don Iohn being sworn Vice-roy, causd a generall pardon to be publishd, wher∣upon the grave Judg Onufrio made a pathetic Oration to the people, who had a verend opinion of him, that since the Duke of Arcos with the chief Incendiaries were gone, and that they had now a Kings Son so gallant a young Prince to go∣revern them, it was high time that they shold return now to their old obedience to their Monarch, and lawfull King who had preservd them in peace and plenty so many yeers, &c. but the people lent a deaf ear to his speech, so that the next day there was new money stampd with the armes of the Royall Republic.

The first of February 1648. the Castle of Saint Elmo erected the Royall Stan∣dard upon the discovery of three Gallies wherin was embarkd the Conde d' Ogna∣te, who had receivd a Commission at Rome, where he was Ambassador to be Vice-roy of Naples, all the Castles saluted him, as also the great Bastion of Carmine from the Citty, the first did it with powder only, but the last with bullets, wher∣by som of the Gally-slaves that rowd him were slain: There arrivd from Ma∣laga a Vessell with five hundred fresh Spaniards, and thirty thousand Duckets for the Service of the Vice-roy, and this Galeon gave notice of eight more that were coming: There arrivd likewise a great supply from Genoa, both of men▪ mony, and Amunition; There came also an Ambassador from Malta with a goodly Retinue of Cavaliers, which did much enhearten the Royall party.

The French Fleet having landed, as formerly was spoken, som Provision and Commanders in Naples, was constraind by distress of weather to leave the Coasts with the lo••s of divers Ships and Marriners; now the Spaniards had se∣curd and strongly fortified the Port of Nisita, and there being a Fleet of Ships expected from Province, with Provision of Corn which were to sayl that way, the Duke of Guise went with a considerable Army of Horse and Foot, with a Train of Artillery for the reduction of that place to the Royall Republic, for it was a place of great importance.

The Conde d' Ognate now that the Duke of Guise was gone with a good part of the strength of the Citty, fell upon this design which provd as happy as it was hazardous. About twelve a Clock at night, having with extraordinary acts of Devotion implord the assistance of Heaven, young Don Iohn of Austria and the sayd Conde with a great number of Barons Cavaliers, and other ventrous Spirits marchd silently down towards the Citty; they had a Train of choise Artillery, with good store of Fire-works; Don Iohn came first to the Cisterna d'oglio with all his Brigade, and causd the Church of Jesus which was contigu∣ous therunto to be gently opened, where having made ardent prayers to the Re∣deemer of Man-kind, he desird Father Gerunda to confess him, and administer him the holy Communion: Thus he began to fall to work, and commanded a Wall to be batterd down which joynd to San Sebastian, and so he passd without interruption to Porta Alba; Being advancd so far, he got a horse-back, and rid confidently towards Constantinople street through a crowd of the Citty Ar∣cabusiers, wherof som shot, others being amazd at the suddennes of the thing stood astonishd, thence he went on to Saint Aniellos street and the Virgins quar∣ter where the most civill sort of people dwelt, who were from the beginning the most Loyall to the King: The Arch-bishop Filomarini was appointed to meet him, which he did with other Lords; thence he pursued his way to the Duke of Guises Palace, and after som Musket-shot the Palace yeelded, for the great Canons which were there planted wold not go off though there was fire put to them, which was held miraculous, and so much heightned his Spirits, find∣ing that all things conjurd to make this attempt prosperous; He marchd thence to the great Market-place, and being com neer the great Bastion of Carmine where Gennaro Arnese was with a choice guard of three hundred men, he sent him word it was fitting that Bastion shold be put into his hands for his Catholic Ma∣jesties Service, and if he wold not conform to so just a proposall he left him to consider what a high act of disloyalty it wold prove; Arnese consulting with his best thoughts came forth and prostrating his person before him, presented him with the Keys; hereupon Don Iohn inordred a Cavalier of Malta to publish a generall pardon, with an abolition to all Gabels new and old, provided that every one wold return to his former alleagance; The people with loud acclama∣tions answerd that they wold be well satisfied herewith, if Don Iohn himself wold declare this with his own mouth, which was done accordingly.

So this Noble and Magnanimous Exp••oit took effect without any effusion of blood, except the death only of two Spanish Captains, and one of the peoples, which may be imputed first to a speciall Providence of God Almighty then to the prowesse of a young Generall, and lastly to the Prudence of a grave Vice-roy: Add hereunto that the absence of the Duke of Guise condued much for the fa∣cilitating of this great Design.

The Citty of Naples being thus suddenly redued. Don Iohn sent in quest of the Duke of Guise to the Country hard by, who after som resistance was ta••en Prisoner, and clapd up in the Castle of Capua, the high Collatterall Councell adjudgd him to dy, but young Don Iohn overruld the sentence, and so sent him Captif to the Court of Spain, where having bin Prisoner a good while he made an escape as far as Victoria, within a dayes journy of France, but notwithstanding his disguise he was discoverd and so clapd up again in Prison, where he continued till the Prince of Conde leaguring lately with the Spaniard got him released.

There were Gibbets put up in divers places of the Citty to execute the chief∣est Incendiaries, but at the cryes of the women and Children to Don Iohn he

commanded them to be taken down, yet after this his departure the Vice-roy dispatched many, and gave them Pass-ports for the other world, among others too Gennaro Arnese who had bin Capo popolo with divers others, and a long time after the inquest and execution of som of the chief Ring-leaders continued by the noble sagacious proceeding of the foresayd new Vice-roy the Conde d' Ognate, a notable Minister of State, having bin traind up therunto by sundry Embassies abroad, as well to England as to other Countries.

Not long after young Don Iohn of Austria weighs Anchor, & with a Royal Fleet of Galeons and Gallies made sayl for Sicily, having bin so wonderfully fortunat as to extinguish that prodigious fire that had ragd so violently in Town and Coun∣try, which, the Capitall Citty being reducd, quickly conformd it self to its old obedience: Nor was this youthfull Generall succesfull only in Naples, but also in composing the affairs of Sicily which also was in a dangerous disorder; Add hereunto the reducing lately of Catalonia, by making himself Master of that proud Metropolitan Citty of Barcelona, after a bloody stubborn Siege of two and twenty months, where the Lord Goring his Lieutenant did signall Services, no less heroik then hazardous.

During these hideous Combustions in Naples, there was a notable peece of in∣humane Villany discoverd sutable to those times, which was this, One Francis∣co Severino a public Notary had a Sister who was a young Widdow, but being to pay her six hundred Duckets towards her Dower, he clapt her up with a little Daughter of hers in a dark Cave twixt four walls, where he fed them with bread and water with som few Roots for seventeen yeers together; This Widdow had a Son under the Tutele of an Uncle all the while, who being com to yeers demanded of the sayd Notary his Mothers Dowry, thinking she had bin dead; The rumor hereof flying among the people, being in Armes, they rushd into the Nota∣ries house, the women in the Cave hearing an extraordinary noise began to shriek, which being heard they broke down the Wall, where they found two women like Savages or Furies, with long dischevelld hair dangling about their sholders, here∣upon the Villany being discoverd the Notary was put to exemplary punishment.

These Risings of the Napolitan people and those of Sicily, with other unlucky Travers••s gave a shrewd shock to the Spanish Monarchy; It shook also Oliva∣res the great Favorit of the Catholic King, and that so ill favourdly, that his utter downfall followd: Now in regard that this Favorit slept in the Kings bosom, and swayd the Monachy of Spain so long, it will not be improper to insert here a short Legend of his life. He was born in Rome during his Fathers Embassy there in the (unlucky) Palace of Nero, and being a younger Brother, at his coming to Spain, he became a Student in the Law in Salamanca, and then got a Lay Prebendary in Sevill which was his first preferment; Having got som subsistence and knowledge, he came to Court, and insinuated into the favor of this King then Prince so dextrously that he came afterwards to have an absolute power over his inclinations, after the fall of the Duke of Lerma and Don Balthasar de Zuniga, upon whose ruines he built his fortunes: In a short time after the death of Philip the third, he was made Master of the Kings War∣drobe, Master of the Horse, great Chancellor of the Indies, which Offices with som Comanderies he got of the three Equestrall Orders of Saint Iago, Alcan∣tara, and Calatrava were worth him communibus annis 240000. Crowns But he had other reaches to grow rich, for when the Galeons set forth from Sevill, and the Caracks from Lisbon every yeer for the Indies, he usd to embark in them great Cargazons of Corn, Wine, and Oyle, Custom free, all which grew in his County of Olivares, and with the proceed of those Commodeties there were Jewels, Silks, and Spices, bought and sold afterward for his account, wherby he could not choose but gain many millions; For engrossing the Kings Favor more entirely, he had a way to restrain the Grandees, but whom he pleasd, from being about the Kings person, and for the Queen she was only Co-partner of the Kings Bed, but he kept her from having any power at all in other things; He found divers inventions for inhancing the Royall Revenew, as that all Offices and Benefices which were bestowd, shold pay half a yeers in-com to the King,

which was calld Mediannates: There were waies also found out to decry and raise the value of Coin, and not long before his fall there was a project calld Papell Sellado, which was that no legall Instrument, not so much as a Bill Obligatory shold be of force, unless it were written in the Kings Paper with a particular Seal to it, and all public Notaries with others were to buy these seald Papers at the rate the King imposd upon them, by these means there was a Computation made that above two hundred millions of gold came extraordinary to the Kings Coffers in his time: Now these new things being imposd upon Catalonia and Portugal, which claim more priviledges of enfranchisements then Castillia, it was among other the ground of their Revolt.

Now there were many things conspird to demolish this Grand Minion of the Catholic Kings.

First, A series or crowd of ill successes which tumbled one upon the neck of another, both in the Indies as the loosing of Ormus and Goa, as also in Europe, and in Spain her self by the revolt of Catalonia and Portugal, in Flanders by the loosing of many Towns which Francis the first had payd for his ransom. Nor was there any signall Exploit worth the speaking atchievd all his time, but that of Spinolas when he took the Palatinat,

Secondly, The disaffection of the Queen whom he may be sayd to have kept to her Needle and Distaff all the while, who one day broke out into such a pas∣sion against him having done her som ill office a little before, that meeting him in a Lobby she took off one of her Chapines and banging him ill favourdly about the Pate, sayed, That she wold have him know that she was Daughter to Henry the Great, as well as wife to the King of Spain: But this breach was made up present∣ly, by the patience and humble protestations of the Conde, never to offend her for the future. Awhile after the Kings affairs necessitating him to go in person to Catalonia, he left the Queen Governesse of Madrid, during which time she wonderfully gaind upon the affections of the people, by allaying the austere humor of the Spaniard with the affability of the French: At the Kings return she took heart then to speak of his affairs of state, of the interest of his Monar∣chy, of the revolt of Kingdome, ruine of Armies, and how all things went from bad to worse, and were like to continue so, if they whom his Majesty intrusted most with the management of his affairs did not look better to things: This discourse sunk somwhat deep into the Kings brest, which made his thoughts to reflect upon Olivares his chief Minister; and now the Ice being broken the next night after Donna Anna de Guevara the Kings Nurse, took heart of grace to speak also to the King, having put her self in a convenient place where the King was to pass, where falling on her knees she told him, That she was not there to beg any grace at his Majesties hands, but to render the Crown of Spain the greatest Service it cold receive, therfore her Motherly affections enforcd her to discover to his Majesty what perhaps others durst not adventure to do for humane respects; So she presented unto him the generall affliction of his people, the sad condition of his King∣dom, the many unfortunat successes which happend by Sea and Land, shewing him that these evills were the judgments of Heaven, for suffering the Government of his Kingdoms which God Almighty had appointed only for himself, to continue in the hands of another; she sayd that it was high time for his Majesty to be now out of his Nonage, and that he should not incense the indignation of Heaven, by suffring his poor Subjects to be longer abusd, at least that he wold have compassion on the Prince his Son who ran a hazard to be simple King of Castile or less, so she concluded that if she had offended his Majesty she was ready to receive what punishment he pleasd, being well contented having given her milk for the good of his Majesty, to sacrifice also her blood if need requird. The King hearkned unto her all the while with much attention, and answerd tis all truth that you have sayd: Add hereunto that there was another thing happend that provd fatall to the Duke, which was that the Infanta Margarita of Savoy who had bin Governess of Portugal, having bin restraind som yeers from coming to the Court by the practises of Olivares, at last venturd to com thither, and by the Queens favour she was admitted to

speak with the King, where with stout and pressing reasons she made it appear that the loss of his Kingdom of Portugal was to be imputed principally to the carelesness of the Conde, for she had often written to him in what a hazardous discontented state that Country was, but to her Avisos and Letters she receivd from him odd uncivill messages, telling her that she was fitter to govern a Fa∣mily then a Kingdom, and bidding her that if she comprehended the mysteries of State, at least she shold not discover them; This Speech made deeper impres∣sions on the Kings heart then any of the rest, for it was most home and plain, in∣somuch that this was the mortall wound which was given Olivares.

Thirdly, The designs he had to aggrandize his base Son who had gone many yeers by the name of Iulian Valeasar, and had married a common Strumpet, be∣ing of a dissolute one himself, and under that name of Valeasar he had born Arms in Flanders, Italy, and the Indies, where he was like to be hangd; Yet Oliva∣res having no Children of his own nor like to have any, sent for him, for Donna Margarita Spinola a Merchants Daughter, (and somtimes a Concubine of Oli∣vares) took it upon her death that Olivares had got him by Her; So being com to Court Olivares had his name changd to Don Henry Pbilip de Gusman, he pro∣curd him also to be divorcd from his first wife, and proposd a marriage for him with the high Constable of Castiles Daughter, Donna Iuana de Velasso prime La∣dy of the Court, which took effect; so having provided a great Palace for him, the Grandees and Ambassadors came to give Don Henry the conjugall joy, trea∣ting by the Title of Excellency, and sending him Presents, he was declard Gen∣tleman of the Kings Bed-chamber, and to be president of the Indies: But Don Henries carriage was so ridiculous and so unsutable to a Noble-man that there were Libells made of him up and down; This strange design of Olivares got him much hatred, specially from the Marquess of Carpio, who had married his sole Sister, by whom he had Don Luis de Haro the Present, who was common Heir in Law to Olivares, and was like to be deprivd of it by the foresayd Bastard; But upon the fall of the Conde down fell also his Bastard, and the Constable of Castile sent home for his Daughter, saying, that he had rather have his Daughter to be reputed a Whore, then to continue Wife to such a Rascall.

Fourthly, The just hatred which the Grandees and Noble-men conceivd a∣gainst him did accelerat his ruin, specially the Marquess of Carpio his Brother-in-law, whose Son though a very hopefull Gentleman he could not abide, though his Nephew by his only Sister.

Lastly, the little Prince Don Balthasar helpd to push him down, who though he was fourteen yeers of age yet by the practises of the Duke he had no Court, or Servants settled for him, but was still left under the Government of women; Now it was about the Prince that the King first discoverd his displeasure to Oli∣vares, for asking him what Lodgings in the Palace were fittest for him, and he answering those of the Infante Cardinal, the King replyed, and why not yours? for they were my Fathers, and mine also while I was Prince: This struck an Earth-quake in the Dukes brest, so that evening the King writ a Note to him with his own hand that he shold intermeddle no more with his affairs, but retire to Loches a place hard by Madrid untill further order; The next day his wife came weeping to the Queen to intercede for her husband, but the Queen answerd her very calmly Lo que hecho Dios, lo•• vassallos, y lot malos sucessos no lo puede deshazer el Roy ni yo, Neither the King nor I can undo that which God Al∣mighty, the Subjects, and ill Successes have done. So a few daies after Olivares went to Loches in a close privat Coach at the back-gate of the Court, for fear of the fury of the people, and he was seated between two Jesuits as if he had bin going to execution, which was a true morall one; but som two yeers after Death the common Executioner of all Man-kind took him away.

The next day the King calld a Councell of State where he made a Speech un∣to them, that he had deprivd the Conde Duke of Olivares of his Service not for any Crime that he had committed, but to give satisfaction to his Subjects, ther∣fore his desire was that the memory of the Conde Duke might be kept in esteem among all men for the good Services which he had so faithfully rendred to the

Crown so many yeers, protesting for the future not to give the Title of Privado, or Favorit to any Minister whatsoever, being resolvd that all weighty matters shold pass through his own hands.

This was the sad Catastrophe of Olivares his Greatnes, a man nothing of so candid and debonnair dispositions as his Predecessor, witnes his disaffection to his neerest Kindred, as also to the Duke of Lerma, against whom he discoverd much malevolence to his death; Among others, one passage was, that when the Prince of Wales was to pass by Valladolid where Lerma livd, he had a speciall Mandat sent him to absent himself in the interim from the Town till the Prince was gone; this went to the heart of the old Duke, who sayd therupon, that Olivares had done him from time to time many ill offices, but this carried more malice then any of the rest, which he much resented in regard he had so earnest a desire to see the Prince and to speak with him, he having bin the first who put the Treaty of alliance on foot, therfore it was suspected that he wold have discoverd somthing unto him prejudiciall to Spain.

But to give Don Gaspar de Olivares his due, he had solid and sufficient parts for a great Minister of state, his passions were very high for the greatning of his Master, to the transactions of whose affairs he indefatigably addicted himself; He was a professd Enemy to all Presents, he never usd to give audience to Ladies, or any women, but wold receive their busines by Letters. Lastly, the greatest fault which I find he could be guilty of was, that he was not so succesfull as he was sedulous. Thus fell that huge Swayer of the Spanish Monarchy above thirty yeers, and it seems with the Kings favor, his spirits quickly fayld him; for re∣moving from Loches to Toro, he there met with his last about sixteen months af∣ter. His body being opend there was found in his Skull above two pounds of Brains, and at the day of his buriall, there was a huge Tempest fell with extraor∣dinary fulgurations and cracks of Thunder, as we read, that when Katherin de Medici was buried in France, there fell such a hidious storm that fifty Sayl of Merchant-men were cast away upon the Coasts of Britany: The sorest E∣nemy Olivares had was the Queen, which made him say that Muger hizo echar el primer hombre fuera de'l parayso; y muger hizo echar a mi fuera del palacio, A Woman was the cause that the first man was thrust out of Paradice, and a Wo∣man was the cause that I also was thrust out of the Kings Palace.

The Conde de Castrillo brother to the Marquess of Carpio, who was brother-in-law to Olivares, was one of the chiefest Engins which helpd to pull down this great Tree, being a sober and wise well weighd man: He is now Vice-roy of Na∣ples having succeeded the little Conde d Ognate who had done such signall su∣pererogatory Services in suppressing those horrid tumults in Naples where the power of Spain was upon point of sinking; and his wisdom was no less discernd in settling peace, and stopping the wide breaches wherwith that Kingdom had bin so miserably rent, as also in finding out and punishing the chiefest Incendia∣ries, wherof there were divers who felt the sharp Sword of Nemesis; And last∣ly, for devising waies to raise sums countervaylable to those Gabels and Taxes, which the King was enforcd to abolish by the fury of the people.

And now will I take leave of the gentle Parthenope, that three Castled and high crested Citty, but a few words further of her Pedigree before we part; she was built presently after the Wars of Troy by a young Grecian Lady calld Parthe∣nope, whose statue is to be seen there: She was Daughter of Eumelus Son to Ad∣metus King of Thessaly, after her Fathers death she consulted with the Oracle at Delphos what her Fortunes shold be, the Oracle told her that she was designd for another Country, to be the Foundress of a noble Citty which shold be famous all the Earth over, therfore she embarkd her self with divers more, and sayling a∣long the Tyrrhen Sea, she landed at last in the next Promontory to Naples, whence as the Legend tells a white Dove conducted her to that palce, where Na∣ples now stands, where she began to build and trace a Citty, which she calld by her own name Parthenope, or the Virgin Citty, which appellation continued till Octavianus the Emperor who first calld her Neapolis, or the City of Navigation, she being in rising postures like an Amphitheater on the Sea-side, and wonder∣full

comodious for trafic, she abounds with Silks, Oyles, Flowers, Fruits, and a most generous Race of Horses, as any place upon the earthly Globe: As her Horses are generous, so they are observd to be more docile, and neer to ra∣tionall Creatures then any where else, for which this instance shall be producd; Cardinall Bentivoglio sent Henry the Fourth of France a choice Napolitan Cour∣ser with his Keeper; when the Horse was brought before the King, he comman∣ded one of his Riders to mount him, who neither with Switch or Spur wold scarce stir or shew any feats of activity, the King herupon and the Beholders began to disparage the Horse, taking him for som dull Jade, hereupon the King desird an Italian Rider to mount him, the Horse when he saw his own Rider rea∣dy to back him, fell a trembling all over, but the Rider being got up he began to prance and flounce so nimbly as if he wold have flown into the Air, to the a∣mazement of all the Spectators, so King Henry with the Present beggd the Rider of the Cardinall, whom he entertaind all his life-time.

The Napolitan being born in a luxurious Country is observd to be the great∣est Embracer of pleasure, the greatest Courtier of Ladies, and the most indul∣gent of himself of any other Nation, insomuch that no command of the King can make a Napolitan Gentleman to go upon any Service for three months in Sommer till the heats are over: They are full of Noble Friendship one to ano∣ther, and somtime they make their love to men controul their lust to women; As there was a notable example these late yeers in the person of the young Marquess Oliverio, who being desperatly in love with the Countess of Castleno∣vo, layd siege to her a good while, and the Count going to a Country-house of his, and taking his Countess and Family with him, the Marquess being more and more enflamd, goes to the Country hard by one day a Hawking and let flies his Hawk into the Count of Castlenovos Gardens, where it chancd he and his Countes were walking, the Marquess made bold to retreeve his Hawk, the Count with very high Civilities did welcom him, and causd a Banquet to be presently provi∣ded, where he and his Lady entertaind him; being gone the Count began to com∣mend the Marquess, telling his wife that he was one of the hopefullst young No∣ble men, and the fullest of parts of any in the whole Kingdom; These praises made such impressions in the Countess that a little after he gaind her, so the time and place of pleasure being appointed, he was let in a privat way to her Chamber, where she being a bed as he was undressing himself to go to her, she told him that he was beholden to the Count her Husband for this Favor, for she never heard him speak so much in commendation of any; Is it so, sayd the Marquess? then I shold be the arrantst Villan in the world to abuse so noble a Friend, so he put on his Dubblet agen, and departed (but with much civillity) in the very height and heat of lust, though he had so commodious conjuncture of time as his heart could desire.

But as the Napolitan have a high noble method of Friendship amongst them, so are they as revengfull as any other Italian: Among a world of examples that could be producd, let this suffice; In the ancient Citty of Nocera there were three young Noble-men calld Conrado, Cesare, and Alexandro, the eldest was Prince of the place (before Charles the Fifts time.) There was and is still in Nocera a strong Castle where the Prince Conrado had a Garrison wherof he made a Confi∣dent of his Captain, and Keeper of the Castle, the Prince most of his time kept in his Country-house and his Brothers also, but somtimes he wold com and ly som dayes in his Castle; It fortund that his Captain having a comly woman to his wife the Prince fell in love with, and never left till he enjoyd her, which he had done often to the knowledg of her husband, so beating his brains how to be re∣vengd he fell upon this way; The Prince being at his Country-house▪ the Cap∣tain sent him word that there were two wild Boares discoverd in the Forrest hard by, therfore if he and his two Brothers wold com such a day with their Dogs, he doubted not but they shold find very Princely sport; So Conrado came with his second brother Cesare, but Alexander could not com till two dayes a••∣ter, so the Captain had provided a fitting Supper for the Prince and his brother, who had brought another Noble-man with him to have part of the Sport, the

Prince and the sayd Noble-man lodgd in the Castle, but Cesare lay in the Town; The Captain was wonderfull officious to attend the Prince to his Cham∣ber, but having confederated with the chiefest of the Garrison in the dead of night they rushd into the Prince his Chamber, and the first thing they did they chopd of his Genitories, then his Head, which they put to stand on a window, and quarterd the rest of his body; This being done very silently, in the morning betimes they sent in the Prince his name for his second brother to com in all hast▪ when Prince Cesare came, the Captain waited upon him to his brothers Chamber, where the first Object he beheld was Conrados head upon a window and his mem∣bers quarterd and strewd up and down the Room; ah, sayd Cesare, is this the wild Boar you writ of, yes, answered the Captain, but I writ to you of two, so they fell upon Him also, and made the like Sacrifice of revenge upon him; this being done the Captain barrd up the Gates, and going upon the walls of the Castle he sent for the chief of the Town, & made a Speech unto them in what sla∣very they livd in under Conrado, therfore if they ever desird liberty there was a fair opportunity offerrd now, because he had Conrado in his Custody, and he could do with him what he pleasd; But the Cittizens wold hearken to no such moti∣on, so they sent speedy word to Alexander the younger brother, who coming with som Country forces, the Citty joynd with them and beleagurd the Castle, the Captain finding his case to be desperat, takes his wife first on a high Turret and hurld her down amongst them, then his Children, and afterwards murtherd himself in the ey of all the Citty.

There is no Country swarms with Nobility more then the Kingdom of Na∣ples, the number wherof do daily encrease, insomuch that the last account which was taken, there were in Naples, Calabria, and Apulia, with the rest of the twelve Provinces adjoynd, two thousand Barons, fifty Dukes, ninety Marques∣ses, seventy Earls and five Princes; But som of these Nobles have but slender E∣states, as Aretin reports, who sayes, that three Marquesses in Lunigiana were found eating of Figgs off one Tree to keep them from starving.

Now, though the Spaniard entitle himself King of both the Sicilies, yet he holds the latter, I mean the Kingdom of Naples in Fee from the Pope, whom he ac∣knowledgeth to be Lord-Paramount therof by right of Donation to the Church▪ Therfore the Spanish Ambassador upon the Vigile of Saint Peter, or every Saint Peters Eve, presents the Pope in his Masters name with a Heriot, and a Rent; viz. With a Mu••e and seven thousand Duckets in Gold, at the reception wher∣of the Pope answers, Sufficiat pro hac vice, Let it suffice for this time, and till this be done, the great Catholic King lyeth under an Excomunication, which in a short compass of time is layed on him, and taken off every yeer.

I. H. Senesco non Segnesco.

FINIS.