HONOUR IN HIS PERFECTION: OR, A TREATISE IN COMMENDATIONS OF THE Virtues and Renowned Virtuous undertake of the Illustrious and Heroical Princes HENRY Earl of Oxenford. HENRY Earl of Southampton. ROBERT Earl of Essex, AND The ever praiseworthy and much honoured Lord, ROBERT BARTVE, Lord Willoughby, of Eresby: With a Brief Cronology of Theirs, and their Ancestors Actions. And to the eternal memory of all that follow them now, or will imitate them hereafter, especially those three Noble Instances, the Lord Wriouthesley, the Lord Delaware, and the Lord Montioy. — At nunc horrentia Martis Arma virumque Canon— LONDON, Printed by B. Alsop, for Benjamin Fisher, and are to be sold at his shop in Pater noster Row, at the Sign of the Talbot. 1624. TO THE HONOUR, AND Eternal Memory of the Four Illustrious, Great, Heroical and Noble Houses; The House of OXFORD, The House of SOUTHAMPTON, The House of ESSEX, And the House of WILLOUGHBY, and to all the living Branches, Males and Females which truly derive themselves from any of those long honoured and Princely Families. IF I should labour (right Honourably honourable, and you glorious Branches of these goodly Cedars which I would preserve to Eternity) to give a general contentment to all which shall vouchsafe to look upon this little Treatise: my work would be infinite, and the end like a shadow ever farthest off when I did covet to be most near it; for it is a maxim: That he which did well, offended some, yet an Apostle; He that did worst, pleased many, and yet was but a Beast; and He that did best of all, could not please all, and yet was God; So various are the minds of men, and so curious the diet of those which feed on variety; Besides Slander (who hath much Tongue and little Forehead, who is not pleased, but in licking of Ulcers. Is ever so Impudent, that it dare misinterpret, Nickname and abuse any virtuous meaning: therefore to these children of Spleen and Passion (who are mouthed like Anius-Satire, & can blow both hot & cold at one instant) I direct none of my Labours; But to You, You that are the Issues of true Honour; You in whom they all live of whom I have written; You whom Goodness will not give leave to do or think any thing evil; to You, in all humbleness, I direct this Servant of your Families Virtues: do not imagine it is a Chronickle of all their Noble Actions, far be it from my weakness to aim at a Work of such merit: let it suffice it is but an Essay or Imperfect offer of those excellencies, which no doubt, will hereafter draw a Pen of Immortality to to crown them. Nor was this done so much to extol and renown them, as to quicken and set on fire the noble hearts of many others, which now like some of the Statues or the Monuments in West-Minster lie sleeping on their Elbows: Thus if the Work be taken, it hath got a true Conjecture, if otherwise, that men be covetous, and will seek for more than my Knowledge is able to pay; Let them not blame me, if I give there expectations leave to perish, and only submit myself, and my Labour to Your noble Censure, beseeching Your Charity to protect it, whilst myself will ever live, A devoted and true admirer of your honoured Virtues G. M. THE FOUR REGIMENTS. The Ear. of Southampton. Col. Sr. john Burlacy Lieu. col. Sr. jarret Ashley. Ser. Mayor. Lord Wryothesley. Lord Montioy. Sr. Thomas Littleton. Captain Henry Barkley. Captain Crumwel. Captain Hubbert. Captain james jucks. Captain Goring. Captain Conieres. The Earl of Oxford. Col. Sr. james Levyston. Lieu. col. Captain Seton. Ser. Mayor. Lord Delaware. Sir Dudley North. Sir William Heydon. Sir William Brunckard. Sir john Weintworth. Sir Henry Crofts. Sir Edward Hawley. Captain Henry Weintworth. Captain William Ramsey. The Earl of Essex. Col. Sr. Charles Rich. Liu. col. Captain Swanton. Ser. Mai. Sr. Walter Devoreux. Sr. Robert Knolles. Sr. john Ouzley. Sr. Sigismond Zinzan. Captain Throgmorton. Captain Terringham. Captain Weynman. Captain Higham. Captain Daves. The Lord Willoughby. Col. Sr. Edw. Conwey. Lieu col. Cap. Tho. Conwey. Ser. Mai. Sr. Peregrine Bartue. Sr. john Ratcliff. Captain Conwey. Captain Hunks. Captain Clapton. Captain Terwitt. Captain Ashburnham. Captain Vane. Captain Goodrycke. HONOUR IN HIS PERFECTION. THE greatest and most glorious work that ever the supreme and divine Majesty brought to pass, was the Creation of the World: The excellency aed necessity of a Soldier. The most excellentest thing that he therein created was Man, And the most necessariest function which he ordained for the propagation both of the one and others Glory, was a Soldier: Then a Soldier nothing more needful, nothing more absolute, more perfect. The antiquity of a Soldier. It began with the World, for when Adam offended, a fiery Sword in the hand of an heavenly Soldier drove him out of Paradise. A Soldier is the right arm of justice, What a Soldier is, and his duties and carries the Sword; Wisdom is the left, and bears the Balance, without a Soldier no estate, no Commonwealth can flourish: Who shall unmask false pretences, but the Soldier? who shall confound the secret subtle Traitor, but the Soldier? who shall tread down the public daring Rebel, but the Soldier? and indeed, who shall or can do right to all men, but the Soldier? If then the Soldier be thus good, thus ancient, thus just, What Glories attend a Soldier. and thus needful, how many Glories ought to crown and attend him? why all whatsoever that can be accounted Glorious, as the conquest over Danger, over Labour, and over Passion; the defence of true Religion, true Titles, and true undertake: He shall have all the Glories of the Earth, as praise from the Greatest, reverence from the wisest, and wonder from all: he shall have the Glories of Garments; as Crowns, Garlands, Plumes, and Scarves; the glory of Place, as the Chair for Counsel, and the Chariot for triumph; the glory of Burial, as Tombs, Temples, Hearses, Epitaphs; nay after all, the glory of Eternity, that is, famous Chronicles to keep his Name and Reputation to eternal memory, and Heaven for his soul, where he shall live with God for ever. Why the Soldier is glorified But some here will ask me, why shall a Soldier have all these glories? only because he is needful, because he is ancient, because he is just? yes, for them an infinite number of other Virtues; for in the Soldier lies the protection of Ladies, the defence of Orphans, the relief of Widows, the support of weakness; the strength of goodness, & the utter destruction of all that can be named vicious; it is his Actions which must make up the mirror wherein true Honour is to be seen, his words that must pull Truth from darkness; and his Thoughts which (being ever busy in Heaven) must keep the Earth in form and true order: It is his Valour that must make all dangers assaileable; his Wisdom that must make a separation betwixt good and evil, his Temperance that must quench the flames of Prince's angers, and his justice that must distribute to all the portion of equity. Is the Soldier thus excellent? The Reward of a Soldier. O then! what Reward can be good enough, great enough for so infinite perfection? only three Coins must make up the full sum, wherewith to repay and reward every well deserving Soldier: The first is Fame, Fame. or Good report which all men owe, not only to those which defend them, but to all that undertake or perform any noble Action; this if we scant, we take from them the food of their Reputation, and starve all their worthy Actions; The second is Wealth, Wealth. or a competent and bountiful maintenance to support the Soldier in his place, and make him capable of glorious undertake, which abated or detained it takes from the Body strength, from the Heart courage, and from the Mind hope, leaving behind in the empty places nothing but anger and envy; The last & best of all is Honour, this the Prince ought to give to desert; Honour. this the Soldier ought to receive for desert: this when the Prince hath given, the people must and aught to admire, for Let all men honour whom the Prince honoureth; this when it is neglected, Gratitude sits wring of her hands, and cries, O Seneca! where are thy Benefits? But some will ask me, what is this Honour which I make so excellent, and that it is the only Reward for a Soldier; I answer with Cassanaeus, What Honour is. that Honour is the witness of the excellency in a man; but chiefly according to his Virtue, and therefore according to Virtue & dignity are Honours to be given; It is that (saith he) which is to be preferred before all earthly things, because it and honesty do walk continually hand in hand with man's life, it is not comprehended within the compass of this word Praise or Laud; The difference betwixt Honour and Laude. no, it is of much greater excellency; for Honour is ever of itself and in itself, but Praise is ever derived from another; to conclude, Honour is the food of every great spirit, and the very god which creates in high minds Heroical actions; it is so delicate and puer that any excess doth stain it, any unjust action dishonours it, any motion that smells either of folly, of sloth, or of rashness, puts it out of countenance; but an ignoble deed that utterly ruins it: This is Honour, and this is no unnecessary thing, for it is all the reward that Virtue can bestow upon herself or fix unto the deserts of the Soldier which is the most needful calling. It is that which preserves Order, and knits together the body of every Commonwealth, for take away Honour, where is our Reverence? take away Reverence? what are our Laws? and take away Law, and man is nothing but a gross mass of all impiety. Neither is this Honour any new thing, The antiquity of Honour. for it was invested into Adam at his creation, and thence decended to Noah; from Noah it came to Abraham, from Abraham it came to Moses, from Moses to Solomon, from Solomon to the Incarnation of our Saviour, and from him to the end of the World; and as it is thus ancient, so is Honour likewise eternal: Honour is eternal. for that Honour which is worthily given, worthily received, and worthily preserved, that Honour can not be said ever to die, for the memory is everlasting, and the reward can never perish; witness the Trumpet of Moses, the Harp of David, and the holy song in four parts of the blessed Evangelists: As it is eternal, Honour universal. so it is also General and dispersed, not confined or bounded within limits, it flies over all the corners of the Earth, and covers the face thereof as with a Curtain; there is no Nation so unfortunate, nor no people so stupid, but in some religious and formal manner they receive, prefer, and esteem of Honour, witness the infinite Titles of Honour which are at this day given through all Nations; And reason it should be so esteemed, if for no other cause, The privileges of Honour yet for the privileges which depend and belong unto it, as precendancie and priority of place, and the glories and beauties which belong to the best place; as to some the Throne, to some the Chair, to some the Bench, and to some the Altar. It hath privilege of Ornament, as Crowns, and Sceptres, Coronets, Swords, and Bautricks, Gloves, and Spurs, Mantles, Pales, and Surcoats, and a world of other, according to the greatness of the Title, and custom of Kingdoms: Honour hath also the privilege of person, for it is held ignoble in any man to do injury to a noble Captive, and howsoever they may be commanded, yet they may not be tormented; it hath privilege to dispense with years, with Laws, with Customs, and to conclude, it is only Honour which hath privilege to bestow Honours. Thus thou seest O Britain (and see it with all thine eyes) what a true Soldier is, Invocation on Great Britain. how necessary, how ancient, how just, and how glorious: Thou seest also the Reward, which in duty thou art bound to bestow upon him, Fame, Wealth, and Honour. O then rouse thee from thine easy bed of Security, and break from thy heavy eyelids thy long slumber of Peace, and look O look now upon thy Princely Soldiers, look upon these four Noblemen, The four Undertakers. Oxford, Southampton, Essex, and Willoughby, who like the four Seasons of the year, join together to make thee a plentiful harvest of thine own hearts wishes: Look upon these, and love them, look upon these and admire them: These go not, to acquire Honour, for they have infinite Oceans of their own, and infinite Seas can derive from their forefather's Virtues; but these go to do the work of Honour, a work which I hope God and his Angels will further with prosperity, and all good men will praise to the very last Generation: These go not to make themselves greater than they are, What they go to do. but to manifest to the World, that they owe unto God this service for the greatness which they hold; these clamber not up to catch the Moon, but rather look lower than themselves, that they may find out Heaven; these go not to pay a new fine for new Honours newly received from a bountiful Majesty. But these go to pay the old rent which they do, and their forefathers did owe to thee O Britain, and him that in thee is the Lords anointed; to conclude, these go not to put thee in hope of what they may do by any new attempt, but rather to give thee assurance what they will do (God prospering them) by their old most noble examples. 〈…〉 Britain. I say again, then rouse thyself O Britain, and give unto these thy Worthies, give unto these thy Soldiers that Reward which is due to their Goodness, give them Fame, give them noble Fame, give them Fame everlasting, fill every Trumpet full of their praises, and let no sounds be heard in thy Streets, but such as may bear upon them the echo of their renown and virtue; An Encouragement to her friends. bless those which shall bless them, and curse those which shall curse them; say unto those which shall wish them good luck, you are my children, and my breasts shall nourish you; to those which sing praise of them, you are my Swans and I have Laurel to crown you; to those which shall Register their good actions, I have Chronicles, and you shall write them; and to those which shall pray for them, I have Pulpits, and only you shall speak in them. Who are her foes. But unto those who shall murmur against them; to those which misinterpret, disgrace, deprave, or wish ruin to their proceedings, say unto them, they are the bastards of the great Whore, and they and their seed have been accursed before all Generations; say indeed plainly (and say truly) that they are the sons of the devil, begotten on the Pope, nursed up by the jesuit (which is the eldest son of Murder) and protected by that Nymrod which hunteth after Kings, and thinks the whole World too little for his backe-Burthen: This say unto them, and forsake them; spew them out of thy mouth, cast them from thy breast, and let them only find their portions amongst those Fugitives, which (having no Virtues to carry along with them) are truly wretched, truly miserable, in every habitation. Give unto thy Soldiers of thy wealth, Gifts for her friends. of thy riches, bring them offerings and oblations of thy store, such as may encourage them to go forward in thy work, and strengthen and support them against all the deadly assaults of Necessity, nor of thy 〈◊〉 and unworthy store, Difference of gifts. of thy lean cattle, and thy blasted fruit, of thy mouldy bread or putrifide water, but bring them of the ripest clusters of thy best grapes, the fatlings of thy flocks, and the best jewels which adorn thee; this will express the worthiness of thy nature, and this will make them find out doors and ways to enter and conquer all impossibilities; The effects of good gifts. this will make them so vigilant and watchful in occasions, so careful and secure in all attempt, and so provident and valiant in the conquest of every danger, that as Pericles said to the Athenians, so will they say to their followers, If no men but we lead you to death you shall be immortal. Lastly, give unto these good ones the full measure of all true Honour and Renown; let them have Honour in thy Streets, in thy Houses, in thy Courts, in thy Churches, and in all places; let their Statues adorn thy best rooms, let their Chronicles furnish thy best libraries, and let their memories keep thy children awake to the end of all posterity. How to help weak mind. When thou wilt seek to erect or build up a great Spirit in a weak breast, when thou wilt underprop the declining or falling Virtue of a misled goodness, when thou wilt reviuee a courage that is murdered by Fortune, or Stifled by Ingratitude, when thou wouldst inflame a soul that hath been quenched with too much Austerity, or dampt and half smothered up with contempt; or indeed, when thou wouldst to any great one do a great, a good, and a noble office, then read unto them the Stories of these Nobleman's lives, and the Stories of their Noble Progenitors; for believe it, if there be in those lost ones any matter whereon to work, if they be not all dead flesh, all phlegm, or all snow water; these and their Ancestors are Suns, whose fires are able to quicken and give life; nay even to create and give being to the driest piece of Noble earth that ever was forsaken. And first begin with Oxford, The Story of the House of Oxford compared with Caesar. whose Honour is as old as the Roman Monarchy; show them, that when Caesar flourished then Verus grew and brought forth flowers and fruits, as noble as ancient, and though in every degree not so potent and admired, yet (by the odds of ambition) a thousand times more wholesome and more glorious, and what is a blessing above all blessings, many Ages longer lasting; for what is left of Caesar but his name, when of that Verus is yet left a Vere, and to our forefathers many Veres, as good, as excellent as Caesar, but by many degrees much more fortunate; for though Caesar were never so Noble by his Birth, never so happy in his Conquests, never so much beloved for particular Virtues; yet by a jury of two and fifty of his Peers, he was condemned of Ambition; every one gave him a wound, and every wound sealed upon his body the sentence of guilty, so that howsoever he fell after an unjust manner; yet he justly fell, for the action was unjust to which he aspired: neither at this day is there left any of his blood, no, not any small sprig or spray of his most extravagant Branches: the House of Austria, though they borrow his name for glory sake, yet they cannot beg his pedigree for truth sake; they have much of Coesars' Majesty, but not all Coesars' virtue: Whereas our Vere, was with Caesar as noble, as good, as ancient as he was, and is with us as great, as worthy, as renowned, and as hopeful as ever his Ancestors was, A memorabse note. and what is the most memorablest and most glorious Sun which ever gave light or shine to Nobility? our Veres, from the first hour of Caesar to this present day of King james (which is above a thousand seven hundred years ago) never let their feet slip from the path of Nobility, never knew a true eclipse of glory, never found declination from Virtue, never forsook their Country being wounded, or their lawful Kiug distressed, never were attainted, never blemished, but in the purity of their first Garments and with that excellent white and unspotted innocence wherewith it pleased the first Majesty to invest them, they lived, governed, and died, leaving the memory thereof on their Monuments, and in the people's hearts; and the Imitation to all the Princes of the World, that either would be accounted good men or would have good men to speak good things of their actions. The Story of john Earl of Oxford the 15. Earl. Witness to this (amongst the infinite Stories of this noble House) the memorable Actions of that high and Illustrious Prince, that never enough to be praised great one, john Earl of Oxford, who in the days of Henry the sixth, took that devout and Religious King his Sovereign, and the son of Henry the fifth (his father's Sovereign) into his arms, and protected him against the many fearful and terrible assaults of the great House of York; stayed him when he was falling, raised him up when he was fallen, retained him, and put new oil to his lamp when all the first glory was wasted, and till the power of all powers would give him leave to proceed no further, he held up the poor weak royal bark (contrary to all probability) against all the waves, winds, and tempests of misfortunes; Insomuch, that Edward the fourth (amazed at his actions) said, Edward the 4. his opinion of Oxford. that Oxford was an Eagle in the Wars, and soared above the Clouds when he thought to take him, but fell suddenly upon those which held him farther off, and showed them destruction: and the Duke of Gloucester being asked his opinion of this Earl, said, He was the best Sword and Buckler that ever defended the House of Lancaster, whereas if he had been his friend, his conscience would have told him, that a wiser Prince there was not any found; a more courageous the World bore not, and a better there could not be; and to this his after actions gave testimony, for when he had seen the last ruin of his royal Master, with whom although he could not utterly fall, yet he must of necessity a little decline, and although the smallest capitulation might have made him greater than his own desires, or full as great as the greatest of his friends wishes, yet did neither the one nor the other move him, but he is content to sit silent, and fixing his heart neither on this side nor beyond the love of his Country, but just upon that object, watches and consumes his times to behold what constellation rules her: as soon as he espies that Canicular star Richard the third to arise, Oxford against Rchard the third. and sees how he burns up the Nobility, wastes the Gentry, brings into contempt the Clergy, and leaves no moisture to supple the whole face of the Land, but blood & weep; then this Roman Eagle, john of Oxford rouses himself, Oxford comes to Earl Richmund, shakes his wings, and flies into the bosom of Henry Earl of Richmund the greatest and next surviving branch of the House of Lancaster: him she inspires with the knowledge of his own right, with wisdom how to challenge that right, and with courage how to gain it; he gives him a feeling of those calamities which call upon him, shows how needful it is that those tears should be dried; and lastly, with what ease his Sword may perform both the one and the other cuer: Oxford brings Richmund into England. This done, he brings him into England, pitches his Tents near unto Bosworth, makes that field a Theatre, where Richmund acts his part so to the life, that Honour comes down from Heaven to dwell with him and his posterity for ever: and Richard acts his part, so for life, that valour and courage appear glorious, how evil soever the cabinet be which contains them; and betwixt these, Oxford acts his part with such justice, Oxford's actions at Bosworth field. that wheresoever his sword comes, Angels seem to wield it while Victory Crowns it; neither did he in this Battle suit his place according to his greatness, which Reason and the necessity of those times would have wished to have been most secure, (for there were greater expectations in him then Hazard) but he makes his Greatness now to serve the necessity of the place, and where danger appeared most powerful, there he made his abode, and there he triumphed. The Front or Vanguard that day of the Earl of Richmunds' Army were Archers, Oxford leads the Vanguard. and these the Earl lead, these he brought on with such bravery, these he ordered with such skill, and these he taught to fight with such noble encouragements, that every shower of arrows which he sent to the Enemy, fell like Tempests upon them, so that some split with the Lightning, some perished with the blow, and a world of hearts fell down with amazement; whilst still this brave Earl keeps his constant behaviour, and like a Thunderbolt flies through his enemy's Battalions and breaks them asunder, and when any of his party began to droop, it is said, that the very sight of him and his actions, like liquid Bitumen set them new on fire and made their flames so strong there was no power to quench them; Oxford won the field. thus he brought victory to the wisest of Princes (Henry the seventh) and restored again to its former greatness the almost lost House of royal Lancaster; and that it might never fall again, he joined it in a perpetual love-knot, with the House of York, making the white Rose and the Red one entire flower, by the happy and blessed Marriage with the Lady Elizabeth daughter to Edward the fourth; unto which Obligation only the Earl of Oxford first bound the Earl of Richmund before he undertook his quarrel; what shall we say more of this excellent Prince, this good Prince; Oxford's happiness. but only thus, that as few or none equalled his great deeds, so few or none arrived at his great reward, for his life was happy and crowned with all the blessings which Greatness could desire; as the love and favour of a wise King, the respect of a powerful Nobility, and the admiration of a strong and potent people. So also was his death happy, for he died ere any of these blessings could wither, and so carried them all to the grave green and flourishing. Lastly, he was blest in his posterity, for he left an Issue behind him, which were then as hopeful, and proved after as fortunate, and of this Issue Time hath yet never found an end; neither do I think it ever shall while Virtue ruleth. A discourse of john the 16. Earl of Oxford. After this, john succeeded, his son; who in the days of Henry the eight, showed equal valour, and encountered with equal Fortune, all which to express at large, were to turn a short Encomium into a large Chronicle, and therefore to those Annals I refer you: only as Geographers do demonstrate out infinite Rivers by small lines, and huge Cities by little pricks; so I will by a short relation of one of his smallest actions discover the unbounded greatness of his mind, and the rare temper of his condition. Oxford kills a Wild Boar. Being in France upon serious negotiations for the King his Master; this Earl of Oxford was entertained with all the pomp and State that either Pleasure or Magnificence could produce; and amongst the rest, by reason of his warlike disposition, he was invited to the hunting of a wild Boar, a sport mixed with much danger, and deserving the best man's best care for preservation of his safety; whence it comes, that the Frenchmen when they hunt this beast are ever armed with light Arms, mounted on horseback, and having chase staffs like lances in their hands, To this sport the Earl of Oxford goes; but no otherwise attired then as when he walked in his own private bedchamber, only a dancing rapier by his side; neither any better mounted, then on a plain English Tracconer, or an ambling Nag; Anon the Boar is put on foot (which was a Beast both huge and fierce) the chase is eagerly pursued, many affrights are given, & many dangers escaped; at last the Earl weary of the toil or else urged by some other necessity, alights from his horse and walks alone by himself on foot, when suddenly down the path in which the Earl walked, came the enraged Beast, with his mouth all foamy, his teeth whetted, his bristles up, & all other signs of fury and anger; the Gallants of France cry unto the Earl to run aside & save himself, every one hallowed out that he was lost, & (more than their wishes) none there was that durst bring him succour: But the Earl (who was as careless of their clamours, as they were careful to exclaim) altars not his pace nor goes an hair's breadth out of his path, and finding that the Boar and he must struggle for passage, draws out his Rapier, and at the first encounter, slew the Boar: which when the French Nobility perceived, The Frenchmens admiration. they came galloping in unto him and made the wonder in their distracted amazements, some twelve times greater than Hercules twelve labours, all joining in one, that it was an act many degrees beyond possibility, and that he was infinitely beholden to divine aid, for he had done more than man could promise to himself, or was likely for man ever to perform hereafter; and some of the greater sort (who had a stronger tie of his familiarity) began in the way of admiration to reprehend his too much overdaring, saying O my Lord, why would you engage your person thus dangerously, you have done an act above courage, and escaped your death beyond hope: but the Earl seeing their distraction, replied (my Lords) what troubles you, or what myrackle have I done of which I have no feeling, is it the kill of this English Pig? why every boy in my Nation would have performed it, they may be Bugbears to the French, to us they are but servants; I tell you, had an heard of Lions been in his place, I would have done as much, and said unto them with the Poet, Dominum cognoscite vestrum, I tell you man was created Master of all living Creatures; at this the French were mute and only said amongst themselves, that his valour and his Fortune had shaked hands and agreed to raise his name above comparison and so they returned to Paris with the slain Beast, where the wonder did neither decrease nor die, but to this day lives in many of their old Annals. Edward the 17 Earl of Oxford. Descend but to the noble Father of this princely Oxford now living, and you shall find, that although the blessed arms of Peace, in the blessed days of the ever blessed Elizabeth, did so fold and embrace our Kingdom about, that every valiant arm for want of employment, lay as it were manakled and fettered from the use of weapon; yet this Nobleman breaks off his Gyves, and both in Italy, France, and other Nations, did more Honour to this Kingdom than all that have traveled since he took his journey to heaven. It were infinite to speak of his infinite expense, the infinite number of his attendants, or the infinite house he kept to feed all people; were his precedent now to be followed by all of his rank, the Pope might hang himself for an English Papist; discontentment would not feed our enemy's Armies, nor would there be either a Gentleman or Scholar to make a Masse-Priest or a jesuit; that he was upright and honest in all his dealings the few debts he left behind him to clog his survivors, were safe pledges; and that he was holy and Religious the Chapels and Churches he did frequent, and from whence no occasion could draw him; the alms he gave (which at this day would not only feed the poor, but the great man's family also) and the bounty which Religion and Learning daily took from him, are Trumpets so loud, that all ears know them; so that I conclude, and say of him, as the ever memorable Queen Elizabeth said of Sir Charles Blount, Lord Montioy, and after Earl of Devonshire, that he was Honestus, Pietas, & Magnanimus. What shall I speak of the two famous wonders of our Land, Sir Francis Vere and Sir Horace Vere. the ever memorable Sir Francis Vere deceased; and Sir Horace Vere now living, his noble brother: to speak of one action, were to draw thousands into my remembrance; or to name one place, were to lay the Map of almost all Europe before me: and therefore I will refer you to the Chronicles of Spain and Portugal, where as long as there stands a Cales, or abides an Island of the Azores, you shall see a Vere in a Soldier's Triumph. Look in many of the views of France, and there you shall find Vere armed: see the Stories of the dissensions in Germany, and there you shall find Vere struggling with Honour; nay, look in all that hath been written in the netherlands, within the compass of the longest memory now living, and believe it in every page, in every action, Vere cannot be omitted: only in that Story there is one pretty secret or mystery which I cannot let pass untouched, because it brings many difficulties or doubts into the mind of an ignorant Reader; and that is, the mistaking of names, for the Author of that Work binds himself too strictly to the Scripture phrase, which is to make one name to contain another; as the name Adam to contain the name Eva also, and the word man to contain the word woman also; and so the Author speaking of many notable and famous exploits fortunately performed, delivers you peradventure but the name of Nassau, or the Dutch, and such like; whereas in truth and true meaning, the name of Vere should ever be included within them, & the sense so read, the Story is perfect. I speak not this to derogate any thing from the excellencies of that most excellent Prince to whose Virtues I could willingly fall down & become a bondflave; for the whole World must allow him a Soldier unparaleld, and a Prince of infinite merit: but only to show that the least spark of Virtue which is, cannot choose but repine when it finds a great Virtue injured by a pen whose blaunching might make the whole World forgetful. Henry Earl of Oxford the 18. Earl. Lastly, thou shalt not need to read, but with thy finger point at the life of the now Earl of Oxford, of whom but to speak reasonable truths (such is the poison of Envy,) every good word would be accounted flattery, and to speak any thing contrary to goodness, Truth herself would swear it were mere Falsehood; Therefore I will forbear his Chronicle, and only say thus, that his Cradle did point him out a Soldier; for he brought that spirit with him into the World, and that spirit he hath still nourished; for divide his Age into three parts, and I think two of them have been bestowed on Foreign Nations; neither hath he let slip any occasion (how great or low soever) which might put him into action, Sir Horace Vere. he hath hung about the neck of his noble Kinsman like a rich jewel, and the one hath so adorned the other, the one with Counsel, the other with obedience; the one showing what to do, the other doing what was fit to be done, that if there be a hope whereon mortality may build, there is none more strong, then that we have of this Nobleman. Go on then great Prince in this brave career of Honour, and fix for thine object the designs of thy famous ancestor; and as he restored the lost House of Lancaster; so I Prophesy, if thou be'st not the head, yet thou wilt be the right arm to the body which shall bring back again to the royal owner the now wasted Palatinate. Now for a Conclusion to this Noble House, Know thou whatsoever thou art which shalt read this discourse, that albe I nominate here but four Earls, and the first in the days of Henry the sixth; yet there have been of the name of Vere eighteen Earls of Oxford; of which the first, Aubery Vere was created Earl of Oxford, and High Chamberlain of England, to him and his heirs males for ever, in the days of Henry the first, who was son to William the Conqueror, which is Honour almost as early as could be; for before the Conquest there is no certainty any of Honour hereditary in this Land: and thus they have successively followed till this day. Next (O Britain) read unto thy softer Nobility the Story of the Noble House of Southampton; The Story of the House of Southampton. That shall bring new fire to their bloods, and make of the little sparks of Honour great flames of excellency; show them the life of Thomas Wriothesley Earl of Southampton, Thomas Earl of Southamton. who was both an excellent Soldier, and an admirable Scholar, who not only served the great King his Master (Henry the eight) in his wars, but in his Counsel Chamber; not only in the field, but on the Bench, within his Courts of civil justice: This man for his excellent parts, was made Lord chancellor of England where he governed with that integrity of heart and true mixture of Conuience and justice, that he won the hearts both of the King and people. Henry Earl of Southampton. After this noble Prince succeeded his son Henry Earl of Southampton, a man of no less virtue, prowess, and wisdom, ever beloved and favoured of his Prince, highly reverenced and favoured of all that were in his own rank, and bravely attended and served by the best Gentlemen of those Countries wherein he lived; his muster role never consisted of four Lackeys and a Coachman, but of a whole troop of at least an hundred well mounted Gentlemen and Yeomen; he was not known in the Streets by guarded Liveries, but by Gold Chains; not by painted Butterflies, ever running as if some monster pursued them, but by tall goodly fellows that kept a constant pace both to guard his person, and to admit any man to their Lord which had serious business. This Prince could not steal or drop into an ignoble place, neither might do any thing unworthy of his great calling; for he ever had a world of testimonies about him. Henry, second of that name Earl of Southampton. When it pleased the divine goodness to take to his mercy this great Earl; he left behind to succeed him Henry Earl of Southampton his Son (now living) being then a child; But here me thinks Cinthius aurem vellet, something pulls me by the elbow, & bids me forbear, for flattery is a deadly sin, The journey to the 〈◊〉. and will dam Reputation: But shall I that ever loved and admired this Earl, that lived many years where I daily saw this Earl; that knew him before the wars, In the wars, and since the wars; shall I that have seen him endure the worst malice or vengeance, that the Sea, Tempests, or Thunder could utter, that have seen him undergo all the extremities of war, that have seen him serve in person on the enemy, and against the enemy: shall I that have seen him receive the reward of a Soldier (before the face of the Enemy) for the best act of a Soldier (done upon the Enemy:) Shall I be scarrd with shadows? No; Truth is my Mistress, and though I can write nothing which can equal the least spark of fire within him, yet for her sake will I speak some thing which may inflame those that are heavy and dull and of mine own temper. This Earl (as I said before) came to his Father's dignity in his childhood, The Earl's education. spending that and his other younger times in the study of good Letters (to which the University of Cambridge is a witness) and after confirmed that Study with travel and foreign observation. As soon as he came to write full and perfect Man, His going to the wars. he betook himself unto the wars, was made Commander of the Garland, one of Queen Elizabeth (of famous memory) her best ships; and was Vice-admiral of the first Squadron. In his first putting out to Sea, he saw all the Terrors and Evils which the Sea had power to show to mortaiitie insomuch, that the General and the whole Fleet (except some few ships, Robert Earl of Essex. of which this Earls was one) were driven back into Plymouth, but this Earl in spite of storms, held out his course, made the coast of Spain, and after upon an Adviso returned. The Fleet new reenforst made fourth to Sea again with better prosperity, came to the Lands of the Azores, and there first took the Island of Fiall, Fiall taken. sacked and burnt the great Town, took the high Fort which was held impregnable; and made the rest of the Lands, as Pike, Saint George's, and Gratiosa, obedient to the General's service; Robert Earl of Essex. Then the Fleet returning from Fiall, it pleased the General to divide it, and he went himself on the one side of Gratiosa, and the Earl of Southampton with some three more of the Queen's Ships and a few small Merchant's Ships sailed on the other, when early in a morning by spring of day, This brave Southampton light upon the King of Spain's Indian Fleet laden with Treasure, Spain's Indian Fleet beaten. being about four or five and thirty Sail, and most of them great warlike Gallioons; they had all the advantage that sea, wind, number of ships or strength of men could give them; yet like a fearful heard they fled from the fury of our Earl; who notwithstanding gave them chase with all his Canvas; one he took, and sunk her, diverse he dispersed which were taken after, and the rest he drove into the Island of Tercera, which was then unassaileable. After this, The Earl of Essex. he joined with the General again, and came to the Island of Saint michael's, where they took and spoiled the Town of Villa Franca; Villa Franca taken, and a Carrackt split. and at Porte Algado made a Charrackt run on ground and split herself; after being ready to depart, the enemy taking advantage of our rising, and finding that most of our men were gone aboard, The Enemy's assault, and are beaten. & but only the General, the Earl of Southampton, Sr. Francis Vere, & some few others left on Shore, they came with their utmost power upon them, but were received with so hot an encounter, that many of the Spaniards were put to the sword, and the rest enforced to run away: and in this skirmish no man had advantage of safety, for the number was (on our part) so few, that every man had his hands employment; and here the Earl of Southampton ere he could dry the sweat from his brows, or put his sword up in the scabbard, received from the Noble General, Robert Earl of Essex, the order of Knighthood. Southampton Knighted. After this, Southampton goes to Ireland. he returned for England and came fortunately home, but fell he here a sleep with any enchantment either of Peace or Pleasure? O no; but here he did, as it were, but new begin the progress of his more noble actions: for now the wild and sturdy Irish rebels (fattened with some Conquests, and made strong with foreign aid, to get more Conquest) began to rage like wild Boars, and to root up every fruitful place in that Kingdom, so that without a sudden chastisement, it was likely the evil would grow passed all cure; To this work the Earl of Southampton buckles on his Armour, and after the General was chosen, which was Robert Earl of Essex, he is the first tenders his service; he is instantly made Lieutenant General of the Horse, prepares for the expedition, and with all possible speed came into Ireland, there he was a principal instrument in calming all the turmoils, and ceasing the seditions in Munster, He appeases Munster. reducing that fruitful and well peopled Province to their ancient and true obedience, and making those which favour and grace could not reclaim, by force of Arms to lie humbly prostrate before him; witness Mongarret, Donna-spaniah, the Souggan, Oni-mac-Rori, and a world of others, which being the wickednest of men, came and threw themselves at the feet of the General, and only cried out for the Queens and his mercy; Thus he also reduced the Country of 〈◊〉, and diverse other places, and then returned. But is here an end of his progress in the wars: questionless the whole world would have so imagined, for his dear and dread Sovereign, the ever memorable Elizabeth dying, the next that succeeds is the incomparable King james; he enters not with an Olive Branch in his hand, but with an whole Forest of Olives round about him; for he brought not Peace to this Kingdom alone, but almost to all the Christian Kingdoms in Europe: he closed up both ours and our neighbours janus' Temple, and writing Beati pacifici, found both the work and the Reward in his admirable proceedings; here our great Earl stops, but retires not; he keeps his first ground, and the King (like the Sun which surveys allthings) found hat he was fit for either the one or the other service; Peace and War were to him but a couple of handmaids, and he knew how to employ either according to their Virtue: hence he makes him a Privy Counsellor of the State, and in that service he spent the marrow and strength of his age. Now at last, when Mischief and Policy went about by delicate and enchanting poisons, not only to stifle our Peace, but to murder and confound all our loving neighbours which guard us; and that Charity herself complained how our alms were much to penurious; he who is one of the first which rises up to this labour of amendment: but our Southampton, he whom although the privilege of white hairs, the testimony of his former actions, and the necessity of his employments in the present state, might have pleaded many unrefellable excuses; yet he is the son of Honour, and with her he will live and die in all occasions; hence he embarks himself into this present action: Go on then brave Earl, and as thou art by years, experience, and the greatness of thy former places and commandments in the wars, the eldest son of Honour in this Army, so give unto these thy Companions examples of thy goodness; show them the true paths of Honour, and be thou the Eyes and Conduct to lead to the restitution of the lost Palatinate, for therein consists my Prophecy. After this (O Britain) read to thy growing spirits the ever memorable Story of the Noble House of Essex; The Story of the House of Essex. every small tittle of that glory is able to make a very earthy soul glorious, how much more than a soul of any reasonable good composition? thou needest not read it in any loud key, for the whole World is but a Theatre of their Renown, the Tongues of all people make but up the Trumpet which speaks them, and it is Eternity itself which shall keep them to everlasting memory. Speak then first of the Noble Walter, Walter Devereux Earl of Essex. Earl of Essex (I do not mean that in this Treatise thou shouldst speak of all his Noble actions; for great Volumes are to little to contain them:) But like an Index or Table unto greatness, point out where those glories may be better discerned: Let it suffice me to say he was a man compounded of the four Virtues, as of four Elements, Honour, Valour, Bounty, and Humility; for the first he had it from his Birth, and made an augmentation of it in his life, for from Viscount he became an Earl; the second could never be separated from his Blood, and he expressed it in his profession, for he was a Soldier; the third was the foundation of his disposition, for he could not endure to see merit weeping; and the fourth was the Issue of all the others goodnesses; for he could never endure to imagine his own shadow a hair's breadth greater than those that did walk hand in hand with him. This Earl was by Queen Elizabeth, of famous memory, made Lord Martial of Ireland; It was he that brought the great O-neale into subjection made the first evil Desmund put on the yoke of true, obedience, and reduced that barbarous Nation to their first rules of noble civility: which when he had performed to the admiration of all men; he then returned to Dublin, and there died, and was buried at Caermarden in Wales (where he was borne) and there his memory will live for ever. Robert Earl of Essex. After him succeeded in his dignity his dear son Robert (surnamed the Great) Earl of Essex, a man of whom it behoveth every man to be careful how to write, because his excellent parts were so great, and the envy which attends such excellency is so boundless; that grow the Rush never so smooth, yet there will be a knot, and let the speech be never so modest, yet there will be too much or too little spoken; Therefore, I will only fly to my Mistress Truth, and under her protection give a glance at some part of his Story. This Earl was by his father left young unto the World; The Earl's education. and therefore by his mother trained up to the knowledge both of Arms and Letters, and that with such a careful (yet Noble) severity, that the University wherein he lived will and must confess, that not the poorest Pensioner or House-scholler whatsoever kept his acts or disputations more duly, freely, and out of his own knowledge and readings then this Earl did, nor had the University (at that time) any wit more precious than other (being of his time) to which he was not an oponent, so excellent ripe was his Understanding, & so delicate his delivery of those things which he understood: As soon as he left the University, he was called for to the Court, where his Sovereign (the wisest of all Sovereigns) threw upon him all possible Favours; and although for his youth and beauty he might, like Pirocles, have made Basilius dote on his sweetness, yet such was his carriage, that he was able to have given Ornament to any Counsel Chamber. In this first flourishing time of his youth, His service in the Low-countries. Spain tyrannising too hardly upon our best Neighbours the netherlands, the ever memorable and renowned Queen Elizabeth, takes them to her protection, and with a Royal Army, under the conduct of Robert Earl of Leicester prevents those Tempests which else might fall upon them; In this Army, Robert Earl of Essex is made Lieutenant General of the Horse, in which charge he bore himself so nobly, and with such Bravery of spirit, that whilst Arnam, or the Sconces, Duesburie, Zutfen, Deventrie, Blankenburie, and a world of other places (taken from the enemy) stand, the renown of this Noble man can neither perish nor be forgotten. The Earl of Essex service in Portugal. He is no sooner entranchised from this service, but the poor King of Portugal, Don Antonio (held violently out of his right by the King of Spain after the death of Sebastian) comes into England, falls at the feet of the great Queen Elizabeth; shows his Injury, and pleads to her mercy, for Succour: She who was altogether a plentiful Fountain of pity; after cautious and assurances given of the revolt of the Portugals, if an Army should be brought to relieve him, presently vouchafes him aid, and sends away a Royal Army, under the conduct of the second Hannibal of the World, Sir john Norris Knight, and that much Sea-loved Gentleman, Sir Francis Drake. The Earl of Essex service in France. In this expedition, Essex desires to be employed; but his Sovereign, who held him either too precious, or the action too low; or else had employments for him of greater and higher nature, refuseth to admit him; which he perceiving, and being all then on fire, and such a fire as no employment of Peace was able to quench, secretly and unknown to any creature, but his dearest observer Sir Roger Williams, he stole from the Court (and the Ships being ready to dis-imboage), put himself aboard, and so went the whole voyage, what there he did the very Gates of Lysbone can testify, and the Suburbs at this day are ficke of his ruins, and had the Citizens been half as faithful as he was Valiant, Don Antonio and his seed had in probability worn the Crown till this hour. The Groin will speak of him, for she felt him; nay, generally all Portugal did admire him, and to the whole Kingdom and people of Spain his name was dreadful. Some few years after this expedition ended, The Earl of Essex service in France it pleased God by the hand of a parricide Villain (a Popish Friar, one that the Devil and the Jesuits had been long in breeding) to suffer the life of Henry the third of France to be taken away, whose next Successor was Henry the fourth (surnamed the Great) of the House of Burbone, and then King of Navarre; but up starts the Devil's ministers, by the name of Leaguers, or the League, and they withstood that invincible Prince, so powerfully (though treacherously) that the distressed King is compelled to complain to the great Mistress of comfort, the renowned Elizabeth: She presently vouchsafes him aid, and under the conduct of this most excellent Earl, Robert Earl of Essex (whom she made her General) she sent into France (number for number) the goodliest, the richest, and the most glorious Army that ever the Sun shined on. O! yet me thinks I see the interview, The meeting of the Earl and the King. or first meeting between the King and this Earl, where the Flowers of England and the Flowers of France mixing together, gold so reflected upon gold, that the Air and the Earth seemed all to be one flame, and the Sun blushing, shrunk to see his glory eclipsed. The Earl had not been many days in France, but he reduced to the King's obedience all the Country of Normandy, the City of Rouen only excepted, against which the Earl laid a strong siege, & brought it to that low ebb of safety, that he offered to give it the King when he pleased; for he had made breaches so large, and passages so easy, that there was no difficulty in the conquest; but the King said, He desired to win France, not to conquer France; so that the work by sufferance grew longer, yet in the end he made it become prostrate to the King's obedience. What shall I say to the actions of this great Earl? but only thus, that Fortune (in these days) was so far from displeasing him, that she seemed to labour for nothing so much as for his exaltation. The Earl's journey to Cales. After he had finished his great work in France, and was returned home with the admiration and applause of both Kingdoms, and had received from his great Mistress a condign reward (for the Queen made him the Master of the Ordnance.) After some few years spent in Peace, occasion being offered, by the injuries of the King of Spain (then living) who like a Lion lay ever sleeping with his eyes open, to catch all advantages which might any ways molest us: The Queen with a Royal Army, under the conduct of this thrice Noble Earl, sent him into the very heart and bowels of Spain, I mean to the most feeling members, and fruitfullest parts of all that Kingdom; here in this journey, he took the Town of Cales, sacked it and burned it; and brought away not only all the wealth of the place, but of all the Country round about it. After his departure thence, he came into Portugal, and there took the Town of Pharo, and sacked it, & had his Commission given his great heart liberty, I think his Lordship found easiness enough to have sacked also both Siuil and Lisbon; but laden with these spoils, he returned home, and brought into England an infinite mass of wealth. The next year following this expedition, The Earl's journey to the Azores. he (by the Queen's appointment raised up an other Army, and went with it to the Lands of the Azores, belonging to the King of Spain, being nine in number, to wit, Saint michael's, Saint mary's, Tercera, Gratiosa, Fiall, Pike, Saint George's, Flores, and Corum, and most of these well fortified, strongly guarded, and of great consequence: for they are the very Storehouses or garners which give relief to all the King of Spain's shipping, in their return from the West Indies: All these Lands this Noble Earl took, some he sacked, & some he ransomed, & the entire wealth he brought home into England; for which brave exploit and many others, the Queen created him Earl Martial of England. After he had reposed himself a little at home (for I cannot call it rest) the Irish Rebels, The Earl's service in Ireland. under the General conduct of the Earl of Tiron, but especially in Ulster: under the conduct of the bastard son of Desmount, Oni-mac, Sori; and others in Munster: under the conduct of Filo-macesufe, and Redmeale his broin Lemster; and under the conduct of Captain Terrol in both East-meathe and West-meathe, had set all Ireland on fire by their treacherous and base combustions: To suppress this, the Noble Essex is called for, and made Lieutenant of Ireland, a Royal Army is raised, and with it he came into that much ruined Kingdom, where betwixt May day and Michaelmas he brought Munster into obedience; drove all the Rebels out of Lenster, made East-meathe and Westmeathe as peaceable as any part of England; settled in quietness the greatest part of Conagh, even from Athlone to the foot of the unfortunate Curlewes; and brought the Earl of Tiron himself to a fearful Capitulation; But then other Planets rising, and this Noble Earls fortunes being to be governed by new constellations; he is compelled to return for England, and so shook hands with the wars for ever. Robert, second of that name Earl of Essex. After him succeeded in his dignities his son Robert Earl of Essex, now living, whom he left unto the world young and tender, yet a Soldier from his cradle; for his whole delight was in Martial Exercises, & of this I dare judge, because I profess it, that when he was a very child, both in years and strength, few horsemen in the Kingdom (the Gentleman that taught him excepted) did ride better, Mr. Henry Alexander. valianter, or with more discretion and judgement; In the University he spent his first time, where he got both admiration, love, and Learning; and indeed being the son of that Father, the very naming of his Name, was enough to raise an army to gaze upon him, & cry out, That Heaven would protect him: From the University, he betook himself to travel, wherein he spent many years for the bettering of his knowledge, The Earl went a Captain into the Palatinate. and some in beholding the wars in the netherlands, being an object to which his heart was fixed; as soon as occasion was offered he entered himself into the list of Soldiers like a Soldier, humbling himself to the lowest degree (considering his greatness) that thereby he might make his Scale more noble and perfect. In the Palatinate he did both Summer and Winter, held out all extremities, and in despite of Famine, Sword, and Sickness returned home with Honour. Now last of all (new matter being offered) he hath put himself on this present action; The Story of the House of Willoughby. Proceed in it brave Earl, and prosper; thou that art the Image of thy Father's body, be the imitator of his actions, and I doubt not but Heaven will pour upon thee a ten times treble measure of his blessed and Glorious Rewards: go on I say courageously, and be the Heart of this warlike preparation; the large heart, the unyielding heart, that thou mayst inflame & burn all things before thee, till the Enemy be glad that thy Master's Children will receive their Inheritance, for so my hopes Prophesy, and so I hope God himself hath spoken. Lastly, William Lord Willoughby. read (O Britain) to thine unkindled spirits the Story of the House of Willoughby; a Story, that whosoever will turn over that great Volume, shall find it full of Honour, full of wonder, full of Virtue, full of great actions: for mine own part, I can but touch at the names, the matter and Substance lies at large enrolled by a much better penman. And first (as fittest for this short discourse, and omitting many that went before him) I will begin with William Lord Willoughby, in the days of King Henry the eight, who was a man of infinite courage and virtue, of high thoughts, deep wisdom, and discreet carriage; he commanded (whilst he lived) in all the King's Wars; went on ever with renown, and came off ever with glory; insomuch, that Henry the eight (that potent King) held him as one of the richest Iuels which adorn his Kingdom, and thought no favour too dear or precious for such great deservings, but the best things on earth are ever subject to Mortality; for it pleased God, when this brave Lord was in his greatest prosperity of Fortune, and the highest favour with his Sovereign, to take him to his mercy; and he died without any Issue male of his body, and only left behind him a Daughter and heir called Katherine, Katherine Duchess of Suffolk. which was married to that great heroical Lord Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk, so that the King seeing the name of Willoughby, which he loved so dear, and had so dear deserved at his Royal hands, likely to be lost in this sweet Lady, began to take it to his consideration, and to make as it were a monument to preserve this great Name, and to give it still a quickening life in his remembrance; he called for a well-loved Kinsman of this Lord Willoughbies, and created him (in memory of the other) Lord Willoughby of Param: But see the effect & working of Providence, after the death of the Duke of Suffolk, this Lady Katherine his Duchess married with Bark, by whom she had a son (borne beyond the Seas) which she called Peregrine, and was in her right Lord Willoughby of Eresby. To tell the Story of this great Duchess life, how worthily, Religiously, and bountifully she lived here in England; how maliciously, cruelly, and treacherously she was hunted, and pursued for her life, over all Christendom, by an whole Kennel of the Pope's worst devouring Wolves: to tell the dangers she escaped, the magnanimity she used, the extremities she was put to; to tell the snares that were laid to entrap her; and the pretty sleights, her sweetness used to escape them; to see how busy the Devil was to undermine her, and how strong God was to protect her, would raise up amazement, even in stones, and make the Earth cry out, O Dea certe. After her succeeded Peregrine, Peregrine Lord Willoughby. Lord Willoughby, the mirror and myrackle of his time. This man must needs be a Soldier; for he was borne in the Wars, nursed in the Wars, brought up in the Wars; his whole life nothing but a Story of the Wars, and the last act of his life was played in a Town of Garrison: Of this man's actions, all the netherlands can report (and especially Bergenupzone) for in them, where was any fury of War, out of which he brought not Triumph; and the Duke of Parma himself, wheresoever his Chronickle is read of the netherlands, must be contented (if Truth be witness) to have this Lord Willoughby triumphant against him. France, thou must likewise be a Trumpet of this Nobleman's Glory; and Paris thou must be an evidence too strong to be refelled, thou knowest he blew up thy Ports, and battered down thy Walls, and had not the King's mercy thrown cold water on his anger, 'tis well known he had wrapped thee up in a bloody mantel; for exceeding great were his designs, and very good both his success and Fortune; so that lawfully (without arrogance) he might have assumed Coesars' inscription, which was Veni, vidi, vici, for allthings proved easy to his undertake. The Lord Willoughby made governor of Berwicke. Lastly, when he had performed all his great Mistresses commandments, and brought peace to her Neighbours, he then returned into England, where in recompense of his great services, she made him Governor of her warlike Town of Berwicke, and in that Government, with peace of contience, and the love of all sorts of People: he died, and was exceedingly lamented. Robert Lord Willoughby. After him succeeded in his dignity, Robert Lord Willoughby his son, now living, who hitherto hath followed his Fathesr step for step to Honour; put on his Armour almost as soon, and had employments been as frequent and abundant as in the days of his Father, doubtless he had arrived at a great part of his glories: notwithstanding, he did neither neglect, nor loose time, but took hold upon all occasions; neither did Peace or Ease cast any such mist about him, but that our Royal King james his great Master, found him worthy of employment; so that when his dear Brother, the King of Denmark stood oppressed with Injurious Neighbours, it pleased him (for his Virtue's sake) to elect this Noble man, and made him General of an Army which he sent to his succour: There this Lord acted all the parts of a most glorious Soldier; for he gave to the King of Denmark all satisfaction, made the enemy feel his courage, and his friends taste his love; he clothed every great desert with Honour, and every less with his Bounty, so that after his work finished, he returned home with praise, and found favour in the eyes both of his great Master, and Royal Mistress. After this expedition, the peacefulness of the times kept both his body and mind a prisoner, till now at last, our Neighbour's harms teaching us how to husband safety, hath given liberty to this new Army; in which this Lord is a principal Commander: Go on then brave Lord in this brave design, and make every obstacle the Enemy would find to deter or hinder thee, a new spur to quicken thy resolution, & a new flame to kindle thine anger; thou hast a plentiful Catalogue of precedents in thine own Blood, read them over and over; and when this great Substance of Martaill resolutions shall be brought to a comely and invincible Body; be thou the prosperous and successful Foot, which in despite of all oppositions, shall march forward and bring the rest to the long wished for Palatinate. Do this prosperously, do this boldly, for I presage it is a work to which God hath called thee, and Angels will clap their wings when they see it effected. When (O Britain) thou hast read these four Chronicles to thy younger Scholars; A remembrance of the Lord Wriothesley, the Lord De-Ware, and the Lord Montioy. if thou findest any heavy or unapt for Noble Action; especially, where youth and ability of body hath given encouragement of better hopes, then point them out these three young Coesars': the Lord Wriothesley; the Lord La-Ware, and the Lord Montioy, let them look upon them with admiration, and when they have perfectly viewed them, let them sigh and blush for shame that they are not equal partners of their undertake; let them behold the object whereat they look, and they shall find it is sacred and not profane, a mark of holiness, not a blazing meteor of greatness; look on the chain which draws them, and they shall find it justice, not the quarrel of earthly passion; and let them look at the end whereat they would aim, and they shall find it is Heaven and the Community with Saints, not the Court (which is the Theatre of worldly praise) nor the Prince's favour: But if all this prevail not, but still this secure Slumber of Peace will lie heavy upon them; then stir up thy warm blood, and modestly thus chide them: Tell them, that as the King is the great main Ocean or Sea of all Honour, and may bestow his waters freely at his pleasure; so he expects from those which are his petty Rivers, that hourly to him they pay back their Tributes: That hand which gives Honour, ever looks from the honoured hand to receive some service; Then you (O you young men, you ablemen) you that have received honours beyond expectations, favours past hope, and wealth past merit: Look whether your Rivers be not converted to standing lakes, and no Tribute returned, and whether your services be not concealed, whilst poor barren wishes only make good the place of a dead duty; if you find these faults amend them, if you find these faults forsake them. Again, tell these great ones (whom hardly Thunder can awaken) that when they neglect Honour, they neglect and are rebellious against God, and it is a mere folly for them to hope to rule men, when they will not be ruled by him that made them; But they will answer thee, that greatness of place, gives them privilege from Censure, and so they can carry a fair show, no matter for sufficiency. Reply thou that it is folly to think so, for assure them that a superficial show of sufficiency, is but like small Wines which will not keep, and being once tainted, no poison like that of Contempt. Say unto those which are dull, and want good matter whereon to build great thoughts, that as small springs are soon emptied if they be often drawn; so spirits that have weak foundations, silence is good to make them seem wise; but when Wisdom comes to prove them, every imagined good thing (in them) falls asunder like so many disjoined pieces. Tell the fantastic Mimmickes of honour, those which are carried away with every shadow of favour or fashion, that never fix upon any thing that is constant or serious; that always hunt after vanities, and think no exercise in Arms so meritorious, as tossing a Shyttelwike: tell them the study of vain things is a toilsome Idleness, and a painful Folly; the spirit which is struck with this disease, are very hardly cured; neither can their curiosity in this kind (how careful soever) afford them any thing but Ignorance; and believe it, there is nothing more dishonourable or dangerous either to Court or Commonwealth, than an Ignorant great one: Tell them that Henry the Great of France, called Ignorant Noblemen Golden Calves, and all that did Reverence to them, were worthy to perish for Idolatry: It was his opinion, that Noblemen might be borne good, Generous, and capable of Virtue; but Instruction only makes them wise: Wisdom cannot be gotten without pain, she cannot be sold, or if she could, it is ten to one, this sort of Nobility would never buy her, there are so many follies to step betwixt her and them, which are both cheap, and ever ready to pull down the market. Lastly, and for a Conclusion of this small Treatise, say to him, whatsoever he be that shall tax me of bitterness, or think I have gone beyond the bounds of good manners in seeking to advise them, who are above the rule of my knowledge, and that whatsoever is above me doth nothing belong unto me, tell them they are mistaken: Bid them call to mind, that the Tree which grew from Romulus' javelin (when he threw it into the ground) was walled about by the Romans, and kept so carefully, that if any man (of what degree soever) saw the leaves begin to wither, he presently gave an alarm to the whole City, and cried for water as if all had been on fire: In like manner, Subjects have cause to grieve and call out, when as those plants, from whence the hope to gather the strength of Protection, the fruits of justice and the shadow of their rest, do wither either through the negligence of those which should prune and preserve them, or through the want of good Sap, which might be infused into them by due watering and manuring. FINIS.