But now leaue we all other Countries, and come wee to England, from whence being descended, wee by the Lawes of Na∣ture, are eternally obliged to honour and loue it; yea to preferre it and its prosperitie and glory to all other Countries of the world; wherefore let vs see Spaines Ambition and Enuy towards it; and how he hath from time to time borne himselfe to the English.

There is no Kingdome in the world, that Spaine loues better then England.

Nor no people vnder the Sunne that it hates more then Englishmen.

For Peter King of Castille, most ingratefully and basely a∣bused our famous and generous Edward the Blacke Prince, (the Or∣nament of Armes, the Glory of England, and the Honour of the World) and his whole Army in Spaine, after that he had inthroni∣sed and seated the said Peter in his Kingdome, and with his Victori∣ous Armes expel'd Henry the Bastard, who Vsurped it.

If Spaine had not loued England and Englishmen, King Philip would neuer haue married mee.

Hee loued you well Sister, but your Kingdome farre bet∣ter, for you were the Obiect of his zeale, but England that of his Ambition.

But Elizabeth, hee hated you more then euer he loued Mary.

And yet I dare truly affirme, that King Philip loued my Kingdome farre more then euer he hated my Per•…on.

To speake truth Daughter, he neither loued you, nor Ma∣ry his wife and Queene, but only England.

And I haue heard that if he had neuer married my Aunt Mary, shee had neuer lost Calais, nor consequently, England, France.

Though that Match were vnfortunate to England in the losse of Calais, yet it was fortunate in that Philip and Mary had no Children.

If we had had any Males, England had beene long since a Prouince to Spaine.

God knew so much, and therefore preuented it, wherein I qle•…se his Mercy and prouidence, as also your sterrilitie.

Aunt, and I your resolution in speaking it.

The Kings of Spnine are the greatest •…nd most potent Kings of the World.

Yea, in Ambition and ostentation, but not in power, for I proued it not so, I found it not so, I left it not so.

You Madame found Warre with Spaine surer and safer then Peace.

Yea, farre more safer, and farre more profitable too for England.

Then I wonder that King Iames my Husband so delights and drownes himselfe in his peace with Spaine.

O but Spaine findes both policy and reason enough to full King Iames a sleepe in the Cradle of Peace and Security.

I neuer feared Spaine lesse, then when I loued it not, no•… more then when it made greatest shew to loue me.

And the King my Father neuer loued it more, then now when he feares it.

But is it possible King Iames feares Spaine?

It seemes so, for else he would neuer loue it so excessiuely.

Sir Nicholas Bacon my Chancellor on his Death-bed wrote me a Letter, that the Glory and Conseruation of England consisted in holding Spaine at Rapiers point; and will not his sonne Sir Fran∣cis, the now Chancellor tell his Maister so much?

O no, he is otherwise imployed.

But tell mee Daughter, was Spaine euer treacherous to your Person?

Almost euery yeare Spaine hatched mee a new Treason, witnesse Parry, Babbington, Williams, Yeorke, Lopez, and infinite o∣thers, who sought to lay violent hands on my Person and Life, but that God in his infinite mercy and prouidence still protected and de∣fended me, to their owne confusion.

But King Phillip 2. chiefely discouered his loue to England, in the treacherous attempt of his huge Armado of 88. (tearmed by the Pope) in a brauery (The Inuincible Fleete,) at what time his ambition and greedy desire of Vsurpation, so farre ore-swayed him and his Councell, as he thought to haue made an absolute Conquest Page  35 of England; but hee was deceiued of his hopes; for God looked on England with his indulgent eye of pitty and compassion, and on that great and mightie Nauall Army with contempt and dete∣station.

Yea God was so gracious to England, and so mercifull to mee, as not only my Ships and People, but the Windes and Waues fought for my defence, and that of my Countrey, against the pride and malice of Spaine, who grew mad with anger, and pale with griefe, to see this his great and warlike Armado beaten, foyled, and confounded, in the midst of their glory and ambition.

But Sister, was this all Spaines malice and trechery towards You and your State?

No, no, for I had forgotten how before that, his Maiestie in Spaine and his Lieutenant the Duke of Alua in Flanders, embarg'd and confisk'd a world of Goods and Ships that belon∣ged to my Subiects, contrary to all Lawes of Conscience and Na∣tions.

And no other?

Yes, King Phillip beg'd my Kīngdome of Ireland of the Pope, and so assisted the Rebels, and made a confederacy with them for •…he Conquest thereof from me, bringing in first Stukeley, then Don Iuan of Aquila, into that Kingdome to the same effect: But Heauen alwayes laught at their ambition, vsurpation, and treche∣rie, which still proued as vaine, as impious and vniust.

And yet see the iustice of the Cause, and the equitie of your Armes; for Essex landed at Calez, and in despight of Spaine tooke and rifled it, beating and sinking their best and greatest Ships, in a manner without any shew of defence or resistance.

O but now the times are altered and changed, for then Spaine was poore and England rich, and now England is poore and Spaine rich: Likewise Spaines warres parsimonie, and frugalitie, makes his Men Souldiers; and our Peace, Pride, and superfluitie, hath made our Souldiers either Courtiers or Co∣wards.

France knew that I found Souldiers in England when I tooke Tourney and Bouloigne.

And Spaine felt that English were Souldiers, when my Drake beat them on my Seas and Coast in 88. my Norris at Croyden Page  36 in 94. my Essex at Calais in 96. and my Montioy at Kingsale in 1600.

But when England was delighted in Combats, Warres, and Victories, and now in Stage-playes, Maskes, Reuels and Ca∣rowsing, so as their courages are become as rustie as their Swords and Muskets, which serue to grace the walls and not the fields, ex∣cept in poore Musters, and sleight Trainings, and that but once a yeare, which vpon the whole, is more for ostentation then Seruice: Moreouer, then Englands Nauy-Royall could giue a Law to the Ocean, and now time and negligence hath almost made all these ships vnseruiceable, who lye rotting at Chatam and Rocesther.

Here Queene Mary hath reason, for now she is in the truth.

What (Sister and Brother) my Royall-Nauy lye r•…tting, who are the Bulwarkes and Walles of England, and when I left them were capable to beate the power and pride of Spaine to shi∣uers? O this grieues me! but I beleeue not that my wife and pru∣dent Successour King Iames will suffer or permit it, I pray, God-son and Nephew Prince Henry, resolue me hereof.

Indeed Madam, I confesse I haue seene so much my selfe, when God knowes I grieued to see it; neither did I faile to put the King my Father often in remembrance thereof; and his Maiestie still promised me to new build and repaire that Royall Fleete, to which number I added my Prince-Royall, a ship, who had she many fellowes, England needed not feare all the Fleetes of the World; but although the old Lord Admirall hath not beene carefull for the preseruation of the Nauy, yet the new one is.

If he be not, I grieue for the Fleet.

And I lament it.

And I pittie it.

And I bewaile it.

And not to dissemble, both Gondomar, King Phillip his Master, the Pope, my selfe, and all the Romane Catholiques of Eng∣land reioyce hereat, for the Impotency and destruction of this Royall Nauy, is the Harbinger to prepare the way, and a step for King Phillip to mount the Throne of Estate, to plucke off King Iames his Crowne, and to place and •…ettle it on his owne head.

O my Ships, my Ships: God knowes they were still deare to me, because still necessary to England. Where is my Drake, Page  37 where my Cumberland, my For bisher, my Grinuille, my Cau•…∣dish, my Haukins, my Rauliegh, and the rest: Alas, they want me, and king Iames and Englnad wants them; for when they liued, and I raigned, our valour could stop the progression of Spaine; yea my ships domineerd in his Seas and ports, and their Clouds of smoke and fire, with their Peales of thunder, strueke such such amaz∣ment to the harts, and terrour to the courages of Castille and her faint-hearted Castillians, that euery Spanish Bird kept his owne Nest, not powerfull enough to defend themselues, much lesse to of∣fend any; and lest of all England, who was then •…n her Triumphes, in her lustre, in her glory.

Grieue no more (deare Aunt) for the Nauy Royall of England; for although Nottingam were remisse and carelesse here∣in, yet braue Buckingham hath of late yeares set a new face on that Fleet: and makes it not onely his delight, but his glory to re-edifie and reforme them; yea there is not a yeare passes him, but hee brings some new forth from their Dockes, and puts in other old, al∣though Cranfield (resembling himselfe) bites his lips at the charge thereof, because he affirmes he hath other occasions to disburse, and pay away the Kings Treasure.

Nephew Wales I am glad to heare that Buckingham is so carefull of England▪ Fleet-Royall, and in very deed, his Ambition, Care, and Zeale herein, will infallibly purchase him much loue and honour of the whole Kingdome, especially if he continue it.

Me thinks Scotland annexed and vnited to England, should make it farre the stronger.

But how can King Iames say England and Scotland is strong, when he feares the powers of Spaine, and will not know or beleeue his owne.

Yea it were much honour to the King, and happinesse to his Kingdomes and Subiects, if in any poynt (knowing the weake∣nesse thereof) he would fortifie and reforme it.

And it were a great happinesse for most Kingdomes and free Estates of Europe, if they would follow the examples of the Venetians and Hollenders, who will neither trust, nor loue, much lesse, feare Spaine.

And among the rest, if England would follow it, they should drawe securitie out of danger, whereas now her apparant Page  38 danger is drawne and deriued from her apparant security.

O that the King my Husband would thinke hereof.

O that the King my Father would make vse hereof.

O that King Iames my Heire and Successour would not hearken or beleeue the contrary hereof.

But this were the way to haue warres with Spaine, and King Iames I vnderstand, is resolued to liue and dye in peace with them.

Warre cannot be bought at a cheape rate.

But it is pitty that peace should be bought at too deare and dishonourable a rate.

I haue alwayes beene enformed, that England still gets by her warres with Spaine.

I got by my warres with Spaine, and Spaine lost by it.

My Father and his Subiects lose by his Peace with Spaine, and Spaine gets by it.

When England hath lost her selfe, she can lose no more.

But Sister, your death was the death of the Popes hopes, and of Spaines pretences to England.

But they both seeme to reuiue and bud forth a fresh, if the Match betweene my noble Brother P. Charles, and the Infanta of Spaine take effect.

May Heauen deny the first, and the King your Father ne∣uer consent to the second.

So shall Spaine euer feare England, but neuer England Spaine.

But I hope the contrary; for in these dayes the King of Spaines Gold and his Ambassadour Count Gondomar act wonders in England.

Hath Gondomar propounded this Match to King Iames?

O long since, and hee hath vowed to weare out his red leather Coach and greene Buckram Litter, but he will see an end of it this Parliament.

I thought indeede it was not for nothing, that he makes Aesops Fables his daily pocket guest.

How doth King Iames relish this Match.

His Exchequer is poore, and King Philips Indies rich, and therfore his Maiestie likes it so well, as he will hearken to no other.

How doth Prince Charles himselfe like this motion?

I know not how my Brother likes it, but for my part I should euer haue preferred a Daughter of Franc•… to that of Spaine, and I hope the Match will not succeede, because my noble Brother Prince Charles is wise, valiant, and generous.

But how doth the braue and graue Parliament sauour this Spanish Match?

Fewe loue it, most feare it, But as the Match, so the Par∣liament is not yet ended.

This would be musicke indeede for the Romane Catho∣liques of England, if it should take effect; for the very first newes thereof, made them flap their wings, as if they were ready to crowe.

Yea, for they hope, and which is more, they know, that if it proue a Match, That the Infanta will soone introduce the Masse, and Vsher in the Pope; therefore they haue reason to reioyce at it.

But if the King of Spaine will not giue the summe which my Father King Iames demaunds, will not they make it vp?

It is probable and credible, That their Holy Father the Pope, and themselues will stretch both their Purses and Credites to knit the Match.

Why? hath Gondomnr such power with King Iames, to hope to see this Match effected?

O yes; for his Maiestie saith, that his Master is an ho∣nest King, and hee a wise Seruant: The first all the world knowes; and the second, I hope England shall shortly feele, at least, if all hookes take.

Indeed if Gondomar can effect this match, it is the direct way for him to be a Grande of Spaine, and to procure a red Hat for his Sonne or Nephew.

Was the Duke of Monteleone so rewarded for his French Matches?

Hee is already a Grande of Spaine, and hath the promise of a Hat.

Why then Count Gondomar need not feare, for hee hath as much policie as the Duke of Monteleone, though not so much o∣st•…ntation.

Who made and concluded the match with King Philip?

My Selfe and the Parliament.

Nay Sister, put in Woolsey and Gardyner, and leaue out the Parliament; for you onely proposed it them but for forme, and had secretly concluded it before hand your selfe.

Suppose I did, I might doe it of mine owne authority, and prerogatiue Royall.

But you offered no faire play to the Parliament, though in asking their aduise when the Contracts were ready to be sealed.

But I had reason to follow mine owne Iudgement, not their Passions.

Nay, nay Daughter, you contrariwise followed your owne passion, not their Iudgements, and so God gaue limits to Phi∣lips Ambition, and your owne desires, by making you •…orsake Earth, and he Eng•…and.

But wise King Iames is opposite to my Sister Mary, as well in Religion as sexe; and therefore, I hope, nay, I assure my selfe, he will first consult this Match with his Parliament, ere he conclude it with Spaine.

If the voyc•… of the Parliament be free, and not enforced, I make no doubt but the Pope, the King of Spaine, Gond•…mar, and all our Recusants will come short of their hopes for the Match.

Daughter, what benefits proposed you to the Parliament, by your Match with Spaine?

Strength, Profit, Honour, which England, King Iames, and Prince Charles will likewise now finde if the Match hold.

As for strength, if England would know its selfe, it neede not expect or hope for any from Spaine: for Spaines assistance hath alwayes proued fatall and ruinous, to those who haue vsed it; And if England would assume the ancient generosity of her Ancestors, and forsake her new fangled pride and prodigality: Wee know it is strong enough to beat Spaine, and all his Kingdomes and Prouinces, and no way so weake, to feare that Spaine should make England a Prouince; for it were farre safer for England and Englishmen, if they wore worse cloathes, and had better hearts and swords, and if they were more martiall and lesse effeminate.

For Profit, what Indies is richer then England? for if En∣gland want money, herselfe is still more powerfull and capable to inrich it selfe, if it would be lesse vaine, and more frugall and in∣dustrious, &c. what is a few hundred thousand Pounds to England, Page  41 if England be thereby exposed to the danger of Spaine? or that it b•… againe fetcht from them by the Bye, as it was brought in by the Maine? for was profit euer cheape when it was bought with losse and repentance, with teares and blood? or shall not euery Ducket be weighed and counterpoised downe with a farre greater preiudice and inconueniency: for if the Match hold, will not our Recusants looke a loo•…e? will not Spaniards bee so ambitiously insolent to at∣tempt to out-looke English? will not the Pope steale in by degrees, and the King of Spaine breake in either like a torrent or a thunder∣bolt, when his factors and agents haue made all things ripe and in a readinesse? will this be Englands profit?

For Honour, England and Scotland were Free, Royall, and ancient Monarchies; when indeed Spaine was not Spaine, but dis∣ioynted and disseuered Prouinces: yea, for Pompe, State, and Glo∣ry, our Princes were Kings, when their Kings were scarce Princes, nor their Princes Nobles: Therefore GREAT BRITTAINE by the Match can conferre and adde honour to Spaine; but not Spaine to GREAT BRITTAINE.

I could neuer yet affect the match of Spaine, for either of the two Princes my Sonnes: for the Spaniard is by nature as tre∣cherous as proud, and although Northampton perswaded me thereto, yet I loued true-hearted Salisbury, who alwayes diuerted me from it; as (in the depth of his Allegiance, and the profunditie of his wisdome and Iudgement) well fore-seeing they would proue •…atall and rui∣nous to England.

It is strange to see with what insatiable desire and Ambi∣tion, Spaine couets England; for hee hath already attempted it by trechery, by force, and now by the Match of his Daughter the In∣fanta to Prince Charles.

You meane King Philip the 2. and not this present King Philip the third; And as Don Iuan de Taris (the Ambassadour of Spaine) told King Iames at his first comming to the Crowne of En∣gland, that the Ambition and malice of Spaine to England, dyed with that Prince, and was interred and buryed with him.

But was this King Philip the third and his Councell, neuer acquainted with that horrible Gunpowder Treason, whereby it was intended and resolued, that England should haue beene blowne vp, ouerthrowne, and ruined in a moment.

O no, he is too Catholique a King to haue hearkened, much lesse to haue approued that Passionate plot.

You might haue said, that execrable and damnable plot of Treason, but that you will seeke to diminish and extenuate Rome and Spaines Treasons.

You infinitely wrong the Pope, and King of Spaine, to suspect, much lesse to beleeue, that they were acquainted with that Powder plot.

No? went not Faulkes (that hellish Incendary) once to Rome about it, and the younger Winter twice to Vallidolide.

Yea, about some other businesse it may be, although I must confesse it was very immediatly before that Treason was discouered.

Gondomar told me, that both the Pope and King of Spaine abhord that Treason.

I feare they abhord it, for griefe it tooke not effect.

If euer this King Philip hated England, yee may be sure now he loues it; for else he would neuer seeke to match his Daugh∣ter to it.

What force and treachery cannot effect, now affection in the match shall. Wherein King Philip is of Lysanders minde, who when the Lyons skinne will not serue, he will sowe on a peece of the Foxes tayle.

So he come into England, he cares not by which way he ariue.

So the Daughter come not into England, England neede not feare the comming of the Father.

Count Gondomar will beate his head and his horse shoes, but he will bring in the Daughter, and already his hopes and the pro∣babilities are great, for he is exceeding great and familiar with King IAMES.

Else he could neuer haue gotten open the Prison dores for the Romane Priests and Iesuites.

Nor haue made Raleighs head to caper beyond his body.

Nor haue kept back an Army from my Sonne and Daugh∣ter the King and Queene of Bohemia, when so many hundred thou∣sand valiant English Souldiers desired and longed to haue serued them in their warres.

Nor haue shipt away so great a quantitie of Ordnance for Spaine, which one of these dayes will returne bullets to our hearts.

Nor haue procured a gallant Fleete to secure the Coast of Spaine, against the Turkish Pyrates, vndeer coulour of going to Ar∣gier and Barbary.

That Fleete was fitter to haue gone to Mexico.

So indeed it might haue returned with glory and Gold, whereas now I feare it will with losse and repentance, I will not say with shame.

I know by Experience, it is an excellent thing for England to fight with Spaniards, but not to ioyne with Spaniards against others.

Why should not our English Fleetes goe for the West Indies.

If this proposition be broached, then Gandomar will run madde.

What difference is there betwixt the East and West Indies?

As much as there is betweene Pepper and Siluer, or white Feathers and yellow Gold.

O but England, neere this twenty yeares hath lost those golden times of going to the Gardens of Hesperides.

And now Holland after ten yeares tryall, and patience, re∣solues to finde them.

Now we speake of Holland: It againe exceedingly grieues me, that England goes from Holland, in that it will not protect it a∣gainst Spaine.

And truely it is my ioy and comfort to vnderstand it; for the farther England goes from Holland, I am sure the neerer Spaine comes to England.

Nay, if the Match hold, Holland can expect no assistance from England; for the Pope, the King of Spaine, Gondomar, the Ie∣suites, and English Recusants, will in few yeares so shuffle and deale the cards, as England shall not bee able to assist herselfe, much lesse her Neighbours.

Why that is the way, in a few more yeares, to make En∣gland a Prouince to Spaine.

Yea, yea, there is the mysterie; for if the match with Spaine hold, the conquest of England will vndoubtedly follow, & then Gon∣domar can be no lesse then Vice-roy or great Commander of England, for the King and Councell of Spaine will iudge him worthy of this Page  44 honour, because he hath deserued it.

It were better Spaine were Hell, and Gondomar Vice-roy to the Diuell, as he is now Ambassadour to the Catholicke King.

But is it possible that the King of Spaine hath so little Iu∣stice and charity, and so much vanitie and ambition to desire it?

The Kings of Spaine make this the tenth Article of their Creed, that the Rules of Empire and State ought to giue Lawes, but not to receiue any.

But this is contrary to the Lawes of the KING of Kings.

But in the Counsell of Spaine, the Rules of State are al∣waies too sublime and powerfull for those of Religion; yea the Pope will easily dispence with the King of Spaine, to make a Conquest of England, either by treachery, hostilitie, or the match: for it is a∣gainst an Heriticke King and people, who refuse to enter into the bo∣some of the Church, and therefore lawfull in it selfe; because it tends to the Catholique cause, the displanting and rooting out of Heretikes, and the establishing and pres•…uation of the Romane Catholikes in England.

Those giddy and passionate Romane Catholiques of En∣gland, who disire to fish in troubled waters, who delight in nothing but in innouation and nouelty, and who make a May-game of Consci∣ence, and an Ape of Religion, may peraduenture flatter themselues with the false sunne-shine of these hopes; but those of them whose hearts are better lodged, and whose eyes and iudgements can see far∣ther and clearer: Those I say who know by the Lawes of Grcae and Nature, what they owe to GOD, to their lawfull Prince and Coun∣try; those remember, that the Duke of Medina Sydonta said in eighty eight (who was then Generall of the Spanish Fleete) that his Commission was not to distinguish of Religion; but to make a pas∣sage with his Sword, ore both Religions without exception, that thereby the King his Master might haue the easier way, and fairer passage to the Crowne and Kingdome of England: Therefore wee neede no perspectiue Glasse, or Spectacles to see, that it is not the establishing of the Romane Religion, but of himselfe in England, whereat the King of Spaine still aymes.

〈◊〉 Count Gondomar is wise enough to prouide a play∣ster for that sore, for hee in netling the Nobler sort of Catholiques Page  45 with the match, hath in plaine tearmes giuen the lye to the Duke of Medina his speech, and therefore he hopes they will beleeue him.

The nobler and more passionate and factious sort of them may beleeue Gondomnr herein, but the wiser, temporate, and consci∣ous will not; and yet the Feminine Gender, are Masculine sticklers and solicitors for him, as hee and the Iesuites are for the King his Master.

Nay, the Romane Catholikes of England haue reason to beleeue Gondomar; sith King IAMES loues him well, as hee esteemes his speeches Oracles and Scripture; and who with the quintessence of his Castillian, or rather Galician braine, hath now brought matters to this passe, that no sincere aduise, honest Letter. Religious Sermon, or true picture can point at the King of Spaine, but they are called in; and their Authors imprisoned (in sted of rewarded) though neuer so honest and loyall Subiects.

But me thinkes that this is no subtill policie of Gondamar; for the more he striues to suppresse the truth, the more it will flou∣rish and preuaile; For (for the good of England) if one penne, or tongue bee commaunded to silence, they will occasion and set tenne at libertie to write and speake; as Grasse or Cammomell, which the more it is depressed, the thicker it will spread and grow.

But hath not Gondomar reason to strike whiles he findes the Iron hot, and to take the benefit of the floud, before the ebbe come or the tide be spent.

Indeed they say, hee reports that this Summer time, the ayre of London and Islington is not sweete enough, either for his Fistula, or perfumed braine, and that hee hath thereforefore gotten leaue of his Maiestie, to lodge in a part of his Pallace of Greenwich, which stands in so pure an Ayre, vpon the pleasant Christall Riuer of Thames.

That were a presumptuous part of Gondomar indeed, to as∣pire to lodge in that pleasant, and Royall Pallace of Greenwich.

But if it bee so, I thinke it is not to lodge there himselfe, but onely to square out the Infanta's Lodgings, her Chamber of Presence, and a Plot to build her Grace a Chappell against shee come, whereof Iones Sir Innigo hath already the Modell in his braines.

If King IAMES my Father lodge Gondomar this Sum∣mer in Greenwich, the next, King Philip himselfe will hope to lye in White-Hall.

Nay soft▪ first let his Daughter the Infanta come, for shee must breake the Ice, ere his Catholique Maiestie will dare aduenture to come passe the Seas hither.

Aduenture to come? why wherefore else, saith Count Gondomar, lyes King IAMES his Fleete at Alciant, and Carthage∣na, but to transport her for England this Summer?

Vntill I am enforced to vnderstand, that that Fleete is at Lisbone, the Groyne, or Saint Andera, I will not beleeue it, but then I will feare it.

So the Heretike Protestants of France feared their Spa∣nish matches, and yet we see they prosper.

It is the end which crownes the beginning, not the begin∣ning the end of a worke.

What speake you Sister of the French matches with Spain•…, to this of England and Spaine? for all the World knowes, that the Estates of England and France, are Diametrically opposite in point of Religion; for France hath fortie Papists for one Protestant, and England fortie Prot-stants for one Papist.

But those Protesting Heretikes of England, will sing an∣other tune, when they see the King of Spaine hath made their Coun∣trey his Prouince.

Heauen forbid, that euer England should sing the tune of Spaines Ballad, or Spaine liue so long to make England see that dis∣mall and bloudy day.

It were farre better, that Prince CHARLES were mar∣ried to an English Milke-maid, and the Infanta of Spaine mewed vp for a Nunne in a Cloyster.

Yea, for how can my Sonne Prince CHARLES thinke the King of Spaine loues him, when he sees that vnder-hand he is a mortall and professed Enemy to his Brother and Sister, the King and Queene of Bohemia.

You mistake Madame; for it is the Emperour Ferdinand, and not King Philip that is their mortall Enemy.

If Philip had not (vnder-hand) powerfully assisted Ferdi∣nand, His Imperiall Maiestie, had neither had legs to goe, nor wings Page  47 to flie into Prague, and yet the King my Father will not asist his Son in Law, King Frederick.

Yes to recouer the Pallatinate if that were lost; But Gon∣dam•…r through his slye crouches, and sugred insinuations, hath ex∣torred a hope, and some say wrested a promise from King IAMES not to assist Bohemia, but I hope the contrary.

But will Spinola restore those townes he hath taken in the Pallatinate.

Gondomar promised that Digby shall bring that home vn∣der his hand and seale, onely he sayes, tis fit that Spinola should be sa∣tisfied for his charges.

Thats an old baffle and tricke of Spaine, which vpon the matter, will proue but a flat denyall. Therefore if King IAMES please to hearken to my advise, I would send an Army thither and re-fetch these Townes of the Pallatinate from Ferdinand, Phillip, Albertus, and Bauari•…, with the point of the sword, in despight of Spinola, Tilly, and Cordo•…a.

If I were againe liuing in England, I would so worke with the King my Father, that this resolution of Queene Elizabeth, should neuer dye, but spedily bee put in execution; for it is the sa∣fest, cheapest, shortest, and honourablest way for England; yea what would not England doe for my deare and Royall Sister of Bo∣hemia, if the King my Father would giue it the word of command?

But content your selfe Nephew▪ Count Gondomar hath promised that his Master King Phillip will giue King Iames content for his Townes of the Pallatinate.

So Gondomar promised his Maiesty, that Spinola should neuer attempt the Pallatinate, and yet we see the contrary, and be∣ing false in this, how, or what reason haue we to beleeue him to bee true in the match.

England must beleeue him sith the King doth, and will. And herein I both triumph and glory.

Thus my Royall Father intreates; where he should com∣mand, and loues Spaine, where he hath farre more reason to hate it.

And this is my truest griefe and deepest affliction, that King Iames will still delight in contemplation, when (if his Maiesty will not) all the world sees, that King Phillip is (vnder-hand deepe in actiō.

It may be that King Iames thinkes King Phillip to be of Han∣niballs minde, who more feared Fabius not fighting. then Marcellus fighting, or of Pompe•…▪ or of Marcus Crassus their opinion, who were more afraid of C•…cero's gowne, then of Caesars sword.

Nothing lesse; for King Phillip loues King Iames his Gowne and pen, yet no way feares his sword.

But if King Iames inherited my resolution as he doth my Kingdomes, I would make Spaine feare his sword, and Rome either loue or obey his pen, and neuer consent to a Peace, much lesse to the match.

But why should King Philip feare King Iames his sword, sith he neuer yet knew the way to drawe ir: or why should his Ca∣tholike Maiesty feare the Counsell of England sith it is apparant to all the world; that the eliment and delight of their King, is bookes, not battailes, the pen, not the pike.

Why? know you not Daughter that King IAMES hath lately established a Counsell of Warre, and whereunto think you tends that.

To peace I hope, or rather, assure my selfe.

Then Sister you are of neere intelligence with Gondomar; for not long since in one of his dispatches to Spaine, he wrote the LL. of that Councell, that they should not doubt nor feare of the Counsell or warre of England; for it was (said he) but a scarre-Crow to feare, not to hurt, and would onely serue as a Vane on a house top, rather for ornament then vse. But if King IAMES were of my minde, his Counsell of warre should strike rather then threaten; and send a Royall Army into the bowels and heart of Ca∣stille ere they thought it could be ready to depart from the Ports of England.

Not into Castille; for then the peace were quite broken betwixt ENGLAND and SPAINE.

Why then into Bohemia, the Pallatinate; The Netherlands, or the States of Uenice, or wheresoeuer the Castillians Regiments di∣sturbe the publique peace of Christendome.

I see no reason to the contrary, but England should be as soone in Armes and action as Spaine.

But it is the inchanting melody of the match, that brings Page  49 England out of tune.

But in this proposition and parlee of the match, the King and Counsell of Spaine, speake faire termes, and giue reall not verball content to King Iames.

So did Philip your Husband, and his Father by his Em∣bassadours to mine at Bourbourg, thereby to •…ulle me a sleepe when his great Armado was in a manner ready to weigh Anchor, and set Sayle from Lisbone, to inuade me and my England.

But King •…Iames knowes Spaines affection and Gondo∣mars sincerity to him, and consequently to England in seeking this Match.

But England knowes neither the affection of the Mai∣ster, or the sincerity of the Seruant, and therefore hath reason, though not to feare yet to suspect both.

It rather thinkes King Philip of Pericles his opinion and Ambition, who desired that the •…land in the port of Piree mought be remoued, sith it was a moate and beame in his eye.

The morall is, that Philip would 〈◊〉 England a prouince to Spaine, but if the Match hold not; Spaines Ambition, Gondo∣mars policie▪ and both their treacherie will proue too weeke to per∣forme so strong an execution.

Then the King of Spaine will hate Gondomar, as much as he vaunts the King of England loues him: But I must count Gondomar hath liued too long to dote, or be made a Child in his old age.

No, no, Gondomar is too young to dot•…, and too old to be a child, therefore he is confident and sure that the Match will hold; but withall, he saieth the Parliament must be ended, ere these Royall Nuptiall cerimonies can begin, and I thinke so to.

Indeed this Castillian Embassadour now sailes before winde and tide, vnder fore▪ sayle, and maine top-sayle, but very shortly he hopes to hoyst vp top and top-gallant.

He may chance to packe on so much sayle, that he may at last crack the maine Mast of his policy, or the maine stay of his hopes, or be so busie and violent in the solicitation of this Match, as he himselfe may giue himselfe a Shotte, which may sinke either his reputation, or iudgement, or both, betwixt winde and water.

Intruth I found his predicessour Mendoza too busie and dangerous in my State, and therefore I forbad him my presence, and discharded him my Kingdom, whereat I know not whether he, or the King his Master, more grieued, or my Counsell and my Countrey reioyced.

Gondomar hath had time enough to know my Husband King Ianes, but it seemes King Iames hath not yet enough deeply pryed into Gondomar. In a word I know his Maiesty hath heard his tongue, but not seene his hart, much lesse the designes and resoluti∣ons of the King and Counsell of Spaine, which are inuelloped and hood-winked vnder the Mysterie of this match.

Indeed I haue read that King Phillip King of Macedon went neere to haue betrayed Arisbes King of Molesses of his Kingdome, vnder treating a Match with him.

O but that Phillip of Macedon was a Heathen King, and this Phillip of Spaine is the Catholike King, therefore King Iames need not feare his sinceritie in the Match.

Sith you are so religious Sister, pray say, how doth the Inquision of Spaine like to Match their Infanta to an Heretique Prince, for so I know they terme my Noble Nephew Prince Charles.?

Why? Digby could haue resolued you of that long since, for he knowes that the sacred and reuerend Inquisition of Spaine loue England, but not the match; our Countrie, but not our Religion and people; and yet in hope to roote out Heretikes, and to plant England with Romane Catholiques, they oppose not the Match, but rather giue way to it and approue it.

But can Royall King Iames, and his Illustrious Sonne Prince Charles obserue their Religion and Conscience, in consenting to this Matcb, or haue the Clergie of England warrant enough Au∣thenticall, out of the word of God to say Amen to it?

O no, for King Iames (though not the Prince and Cler∣gie) will now make Religion and Conscience Handmaydes to wait and attend the State.

But his Maiesty should doe farre better to defend the Faith (whereof he is the defender) and therein the State, which professeth the true and sincere Religion of Christ and his Apostles, Page  51 sith Plety is the preseruer of Kingdomes, and all our actions whatso∣euer should tend to the glory of God; which is the banishing of Ido∣latry and Superstition, with their effects and causes.

Why pray, what Marriage so religious as for Prince Charles to match with the Catholique King his Daughter.

Sister you haue still Religion in your tongue, but I feare we shall finde none in your heart, for pray what places haue you of diuine Scripture, to authorize and approue this Match of Prince Charles with the Infanta, sith they are of a different Religion and Beliefe.

As I confesse I haue none to approue it, so I am sure you all cannot alleadge any one to oppose and contradict it.

Yes, I produce Gen. Ch. 24. Ch 16. against it.

And I, Exod. Ch. 34. Iudg. Ch. 17.

And I, Iosh. Ch. 23. 2. Chron. Ch. 21.

And I, 1. Kings Ch. 11. Chap. 16.

And I, Ezra. Ch. 9. Nehem. Ch. 13.

Well, whatsoeuer you say this Match (notwithstand∣ing) tends to Gods glory, and the good of the Catholique and Apo∣stolique Church, and in the end you shall finde, that Gondomars po∣licie and Spaines Ambition will triumph ore your Scripture.

This match tends onely to bring in the Pope into our Churches, and the King of Spaine into our estate; for that is the ayme of the first, the Ambition of the second, and the obiect and hopes of both, and I feare a few yeares will proue it so; if in time it bee not remedied and preuented: which GOD of his mercie graunt, for 'tis true all the wheeles of Gondomars Art and inuention, are at worke to effect and accomplish it.

The Pope I must confesse (as Christs Vicar Generall on Earth) desires that England were Catholique, but for the good King of Spaine, hee hath Kingdomes enough of his owne, and there∣fore lookes not after England, onely he desires to see the Match con∣summated.

Yes, the King of Spaines tongue hath so long watred, and his mouth gaped for England, that after Spaine, hee wisheth England were his, aboue all the Countries of the World, and his Ca∣tholique Maiestie is very confident, that this Match will giue a maine stroke to the businesse.

If he once haue England, hee will presently assume the Title of Emperour of the West, as King Philip his Father was re∣solued to doe a little before his death; yea, his Ambition was so violent, as hee missing of England, would haue proclaimed himselfe Emperour of Spaine; and had not his Councell diuerted and pre∣uented him he would haue sailed to Mexico, and there inuested and intituled himselfe Emperour of America.

And I haue heard that Gondomar hath giuen the King of Spaine his Maister good hope of England; for 'tis certaine that hee not long since wrote to the Dukes Lerma and Pastranna, that the re∣port of the strength of England resembled those huge Pageants and Colosses erected at Rome, as the Caesars past from the Meluine bridge to the Capitoll in triumph, who were outwardly glorious, and within filled onely with strawe and poore combustable stuffe.

Indeed, it is the shame and weaknesse of England, that Spaine is no better acquainted with its strentgh.

And tis my griefe, that Spaine should see Englands weak∣nesse, and not feele its strength.

O but it is the Spanish Match which will giue fire to En∣gland, and make her welter in her miseries, and flame in her calami∣ties and afflictons.

No, no, that Match will keepe the Temple of Englands peace from firing.

Yea, as Erostratus did that of Diana of Ephesus, which in one day consumed all the wealth that rich Asia had bin many yeares and ages getting.

As Religion is the powerfullest passion of our Soule, so there is no stronger lincke of Friendship then Conscience, and there∣fore I hope my Sonne Charles will not consent to match the Infanta of Spaine.

But one of his chiefest Vertues is his obedience to the King his Father; for although the Prince be his Son, yet hee knowes he is his Subiect.

All the world cannot better teach the Prince my Sonne to obey the King his Father, then already hee knowes and doth; but I could wish that King Iames my Husband, would not inforce his affe∣ction to this Spanish Match.

If he marry the Infanta, she may proue a false and vnsecret Page  53 Secretary to the Prince her Husband, and a dangerous Princesse to the State: for hee giuing her his heart, his Highnesse can hardly re∣serue any corner for himselfe.

Yea, then euery Spanish Traytor and English Rebell will shroud themselues vnder the authority and greatnes of the Princesse.

So if England match with Spaine, Spaine vndoubtedly will in a short time ouer-match England.

And infallibly take the Crowne from it.

Borrow it peraduenture, to see it, not to weare it.

I feare to weare it, neuer to returne it.

Yea, for once gone, it is gone for euer.

And then shall Englands strong men fall vpon the edge of the Sword; her Virgins bee defloured and murthered, her Wiues defiled and slaine in sight of their dying Husbands; and their Chil∣dren and young Babes shall haue their braines dashed out against the walles in sight of their dead Parents.

Yea, then shall our Nobilitie and Gentrie, dye vpon the swords of those barbarous 〈◊〉, and those who escape and sur∣uiue their fury, shall bee fettered and led Captiues and Slaues to worke in the Mines of Peru and Mexico.

Then shall our Priests who are now cloathed in the white robes of Righteousnesse, bee drowned in those of their owne scarlet blood: No Church, no Temple, no Preaching, no Sacraments, but all couered with the thicke fogges of Romes superstitious Idolatries, and Aegyption darknesse.

Yea, then the King my Husband, the Prince my Sonne, my excellent Daughter the Queene of Bohemia, her Princely Poste∣rity, and if Spaine possibly can, all Great Brittaines blood Royall shall be rooted out and exterminated; as if they neuer had beene, or at least no remembrance left of them, or of the Name of GREAT BRITTAINE.

This were musicke indeed for Rome and Spaine to dance at, and for Gondomar to laugh himselfe to death for ioy.

But I hope God of his mercy will confound all those who wish or desire it, whether it be Gondomar, the Iesuites, Englands Re∣cusants, Spaine, the Pope, or the Diuell.