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HEre I am still enforced to bring pregnant evidence from the dead: amongst whom I have found far more liberall contribution to the honor of true worth, than among those which now live; and in the market of selfnesse, traffique new interest by the discredit of old friends: that ancient wisdome of righting enemies, being utterly worn out of date in our modern disci∣pline.
My first instance must come from
that worthy Prince of Orange, Willi∣am of Nassau, with whom this young Gentleman having long kept intelli∣gence by word, and letters, and in affaires of the higest nature that then passed currant upon the stages of England, France, Germany, Italy, the low Countries, or Spaine, it seemes that this young Gentleman had, by his mutuall freedome, so im∣printed the extraordinary merit of his young yeares into the large wis∣dome, and experience of that excel∣lent Ptince, as I passing out of Ger∣many into England, and having the unexpected honor to finde this Prince in the Town Delph, cannot think it unwelcome to describe the clothes of this Prince; his posture of body, and minde, familiarity, and re∣servedness to ths ingenuous Reader, that he may see with what diverse Characters Princes please, and Go∣vern Cities, Townes, and Peoples.
His uppermost garment was a
gown, yet such as (I dare confident∣ly affirm) a mean-born student, in our Innes of Court, would not have been well-pleased to walk the streets in. Unbuttoned his doubled was, and of like precious matter, and form to the other. His wast-coat (which shewed it self under it) not unlike the best sort of those wollen knit ones, which our ordinary wa∣termen row us in. His Company a∣bout him, the Burgesses of that beer∣brewing Town: and he so fellow∣like encompassed with them, as (had I not known his face) no ex∣terior signe of degree, or deserved∣ness could have discovered the ine∣quality of his worth or Estate from that multitude Not withstanding I no sooner came to his presence, but it pleased him to take knowledge of me And even upon that (as if it had been a signall to make a change) his respect of a stranger instantly begat respect to himself in all about him:
An outward passage of inward greatness, which in a popular E∣state I thought worth the observing. Because there, no pedigree but worth could possibly make a man Prince, and no Prince, in a moment, at his own pleasure.
The businesses which he then vouchsafed to impart with me were, the dangerous fate which the Crown of England, States of Germany, and the Low Countries did stand threat∣ned with, under an ambitious, and conquering Monarch's hand. The main instance, a short descrip∣on of the Spaniards curious affecting to keep the Romans waies, and ends, in all his actions. On the other side, the clear symptomes of the Hectique feaver, universally then reigning among the Princes of Christendome, ordain'd (as he thought) to behold this undermi∣ning disease without fear, till it should prove dangerous, nay incu∣rable
to them. This active King of Spain having put on a mask of con∣science, to cover an invisible conjun∣ction between the temporal, and spi∣ritual ambitions, of these two some∣times creeping, sometimes comman∣ding Romish and Spanish Conque∣rors. The particulars were many, both excellent and enlightning.
As first, the fatall neutrality of France, jealous of the Spanish great∣ness, as already both wrong'd, and threatned by it: and yet their Kings so full of pleasures, and consequently so easily satisfied with the comple∣ments of words, treaties, or alliances, and since the fall of the Sorbonists, their own exempted Church so ab∣solutely possest, and govern'd by the Jesuits; as through the bewithing li∣berties, and bondages of Auricular confession, they were rather wrought to rest upon a vain security of repu∣ted strength, than really to hazzard loss, and help themselves by diversi∣on, or assailing.
Againe, on the Queens part, by the way of question, he supposed a little neglect in her Princely mildness, while she did suffer a Protestant par∣ty, rais'd by God in that great King∣dome of France, to be a ballance or counterpease to that dangerous Hep∣tarchy of Spain (then scarce visible, but since multiplyed by an unresist∣able greatnesse) I say, for suffering this strong and faithfull party (through want of imployment) to sink into it self, and so unactively (like a Meteor) to vanish, or smother out, in vain and idle apparitions. Withall reverently hee demurr'd, whether it were an omission in that excellent Ladies Government, or no, by a remisse looking on, whilst the Austrian aspiring family framed occa∣sion to gain by begging peace, or buying war from the Grand Signior; and both exceeding much to their own ends; In respect that once in few years, this Emperor made him∣self
Generall by it, over all the for∣ces of Christendome; and thereby gained the fame of action; trained up his owne Instruments Martially, and got credit with his fellow-bor∣dering Princes, through the com∣mon Councell, or participation of fear. Besides that in the conclusions of peace, he ever saved a mass of riches gather'd by Diets, Contributi∣ons, Devotions, and Levies for com∣mon defence, which out of the ill-ac∣compting hand of war, became (in his Exchequer) Treasure, to terrifie even those Christian neighbours that did contribute to it. And the more especially he insisted upon this: be∣cause all those crafty Pageants of her enemies were disguisedly acted, even whilst her Majesty had an Agent of extraordinary diligence, worth, and credit with that vast Estate of Tur∣kie, into whose absolute and imperi∣ous spirit, without any further charge than infusing the jealousies of
competition, these practises among those Austrian usurpers, might easily have been interrupted.
Lastly, it pleased him to question yet a greater over-sight in both these Kingdoms, England, and France: Be∣cause while their Princes stood at gaze, as upon things far off, they still gave way for the Popish, and Spanish invisible Arts, and Counsels, to un∣dermine the greatness, and freedom both of Secular and Ecclesiasticall Princes: a mortall sickness in that vast body of Germany, and by their insensible fall, a raising up of the house of Austria many steps towards her long affected Monarchy over the West. The ground of which opinion was (as he thought) in respect that even the Catholique Princes, and Bi∣shops themselves (had their eyes bin well wakened) would never have en∣dured any cloud, or colour of Reli∣gion, to hape changed their Princely Soveraignties into such a kind of
low, and Chaplaine tenure: as since they have sleepily fallen into: but would rather have stirred them with many hands, to binde this Miter-su∣perstition, with the reall cords of truth. And to that end perchance have set Spain on work with her new, and ill digested Conquests: her dangerous enemie Fess: her native Moors, and Iews (since craftily transported) and so probably have troubled the usurpations both of the Pope, and Spain, over that well-tem∣pered, though over-zealous, and su∣perstitions Region of It a'y. These, and such other particulars, as I had in charge, and did faithfully deliver from him to her Majesty, are since performed, or perished with time, or occasion.
The last branch was his free ex∣pressing of himselfe in the honour of Sir Philip Sidney, after this manner: That I would first commend his own humble service, with those
fore-mentioned Ideas to the Queen; and after crave leave of her freely to open his knowledge, and opinion of a Fellow-servant of his, that (as he heard) lived unimployed under her. With himselfe he began ab ovo, as ha∣ving been of Charles the fift's Privie Counsell, before he was one and twenty years of age: and since (as the world knew) either an Actor, or at least acquainted with the greatest actions, and affairs of Europe; and likewise with her greatest men, and ministers of Estate. In all which se∣ries of time, multitude of things, and persons, he protested unto mee (and for her service) that if he could judge, her Majesty had one of the ri∣pest, and greatest Counsellors of E∣state in Sir Philip Sidney, that at this day lived in Europe: to the triall of which hee was pleased to leave his owne credit engaged, untill her Ma∣jesty might please to employ this Gentleman, either amongst her friends or enemies.
At my return into England, I per∣formed all his other cōmandments; this that concerned Sir Philip (thin∣king to make the fine-spun threads of Friendship more firm between them) I acquainted Sir Philip with: not as questioning, but fully resolved to doe it. Unto which he at the first sight opposing, discharged my faith impawn'd to the Prince of Orange, for the delivery of it; as an act only entending his good, and so to be per∣form'd, or dispens'd with at his plea∣sure; yet for my satisfaction freely added these words: first, that the Qu. had the life it self daily attending her: and if she either did not, or would not value it so highly, the commendation of that worthy Prince could be no more (at the best) than a lively picture of that life, and so of far lesse credit, and estimation with her. His next reason was, be∣cause Princes love not that forrain Powers should have extraordinary
in their Subjects; much lesse to be taught by them how they should place their own: as arguments either upbraiding ignorance, or lack of large rewarding goodness in them
This Narration I adventure of, to shew the clearness, and readiness of this Gentlemans judgement, in all degrees, and offices of life: with this farther testimony of him; that after mature deliberation being once re∣solved, he never brought any questi∣on of change to afflict himself with, or perplex the business; but left the success to his will, that governs the blinde prosperities, and unprosperi∣ties of Chance; and so works out his own ends by the erring frailties of humane reason and affection. Lastly, to manifest that these were not com∣plements, self-ends, or use of each o∣ther, according to our modern fashi∣on▪ but meer ingenuities of spirit, to which the ancient greatness of hearts ever frankly engaged their Fortunes,
let Actions, the lawfully begotten children, equall in spirit, shape, and complexion to their parents, be testi∣monies ever sufficient.
My second instance comes from the Earle of Leicester his unckle, who told me (after Sir Philips, and not long before his own death) that when he undertook the government of the Low Countries, he carryed his Nephew over with him, as one a∣mongst the rest, not only despising his youth for a Counsellor, but with∣all bearing a hand over him as a for∣ward young man. Notwithstanding, in short time he saw this Sun so risen above his Horizon, that both he and all his Stars were glad to fetch light from him. And in the end acknow∣leged that he held up the honor of his casual authority by him, whilst he li∣ved, & found reasō to withdraw him∣self from that burthen, after his death.
My third record is Sir Francis Wal∣singham his Father-in-law; that
wise, and active Secretarie. This man (as the world knows) upheld both Religion and State, by using a policy wisely mixt with reflexions of ei∣ther. He had influence in all Coun∣tries, & a hand upon all affairs; Yet e∣ven this man hath often confessed to my self, that his Philip did so far over-shoot him in his own Bow, as those friends which at first were Sir Philip's for this Secretaries sake, within a while became so fully owned, and possest by Sir Philip, as now he held them at the second hand, by his Son∣in-laws native courtesie.
This is that true remission of mind, whereof I would gladly have the world take notice from these dead mens ashes: to the end that we might once again see that ingenuity a∣mongst men, which by liberall bea∣ring witnesse to the merits of others, shews they have some true worth of their own; and are not meerly lovers of themselves, without rivals.