A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROSPERITY, STRENGTH, AND WISE GOVERNMENT of the united Provinces of the Netherlands. SIGNIFIED BY THE BATAVIAN VIRGIN, in her seat of unity. WHEREIN IS RELATED THE WHOLE state of those countries at this present time. printer's device of Felix Kingston, featuring two clasped hands emerging from clouds, holding a caduceus and two cornucopias (McKerrow 274) BY WISDOM PEACE BY PEACE PLENTY AT LONDON, Imprinted by FELIX KYNGSTON, for Edward Merchant. 1615. A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROSPERITY, STRENGTH, AND WISE Government of the united Provinces of the Netherlands. See how by wisdom Holland's house doth flourish, And trust not Leopard's craft that war doth nourish. A Friend to his native Country. GOd save you Batavian gentlewoman, I am very glad to see you thus triumphantly set in your throne of freedom, it seems the world goes better with you now then it did in times past. The Batavian gentlewoman. In deed (my good friend) it is true that it is otherwise with me now then it was heretofore: for now (God bethanked) I am in my first and pristinate state. Friend. Is it better with you now (gentlewoman) than it was? and are you as you said in your former ancient state? and how understand you that? I pray you tell me. Batavia. My good friend, mark the particulars, as I shall set them down plainly unto you, and you shall easily understand it. I was long since, in former time a free State; but after that, I fell into great slavery and bondage, and now at this present I am restored again to my former liberty and free state. For when my first founders came hither into this free country, which as that time belonged not unto any man in particular, but only unto those that first took possession thereof, and inhabited the same (according to the Law of nature,) in this free place they built me this house, which was called the Batavian government, and at this time the Holland Commonwealth, wherein I placed my seat or Throne, called freedom or liberty. Friend. Had you at the first no sovereign Governor, that had the chief command over your house, and household? Batavia. The government of my house was committed unto two States, chosen and appointed out of mine own people and inhabitants; that is, the noblest and honourablest men amongst them, and the best and greatest Citizens and inhabitants of the same. These were the principal Commanders of my house and household, who for the better government thereof, made certain customs and laws for the strengthening of peace therein, and had a great care over the same, for the preservation of the Commonwealth. And in process of time, there was a principal person (as a King) chosen out of those two States, who as the chiefest officer or high Steward, had the principal command over it and the commonwealth. Friend. Then your forefathers in time past were governed after a princely manner by a chief Commander. Batavia. Yea, Kings by name; as Veromerus, who was called the first Batavian King, who notwithstanding was but the chief man, amongst the principal persons of the Land, and had the first command, and chief authority thereof. So were all the rest that succeeded him, Kings over my Batavian Land, but had more authority to give their counsel and advice for the government thereof, then power to command and rule over it. For the other Rulers and States that were chosen out of the Nobility and Commons, had as much power or superintendance over the King, as the King had over them, who with him together ruled the Land. But the King had an upper command, or highest power permitted him, but not by authority or power, of, or in himself: only in regard and respect of his princely name he was obeyed, and his authority allowed with great reverence and respect, and yet he himself nevertheless subject to the Laws of the Land, as is ordinary in elective, not hereditary Kings. Friend. Hereby I perceive, that your house (called the Batavian Government) from the very first original thereof was a free Commonwealth, and your commonalty, free people. Batavia. We were never subject unto any foreign Nations, but only to our elected Governor and States, together with the lawful and probable Laws, made for the good government thereof, whereunto every man willingly submitted himself. In this state we continued long time before the Roman Monarchy, and were united unto the same, and by her lived in peace, although the Romans had the sole command and government of the greatest part of the world, and yet they were content to account of my forefathers, as their united friends; acknowledging my house to be a free State, and calling my household servants the Batavian commonalty; and when they had any wars, and were aided by us therein, they called us their fellows, and companions, (as julius Caesar did,) and which is more, esteemed us as their brethren, friends, and united neighbours, in regard of the great aid and strength they found at our hands, to help them in their need against their enemies. Friend. Then the Romans had no imperial command over the Batavian Country, when they were monarchs of the world. Batavia. No. For my forefathers of Baetavia (according to their ancient Laws) were still governed by their own people, which continued above an hundred years, during the Roman Monarchy, until such time as their friendship turned into deceit, and extreme oppression, seeking to rob and spoil me and my Land, with pretence to turn my freedom into slavery and bondage, contemning our unity, and wholly forgetting the forepast friendship and aid by us formerly showed, and done unto them. For which cause my forefathers took arms in hand, and began a lawful war, for the defence and safeguard of mine honour and freedom, whereby the name of the Romans, in short time, was wholly driven away, & clean rooted out, wherein personally they never had any absolute authority nor government. For the which my Batavian people were so much honoured and esteemed of, that as then they were called and held to be the authors of the freedom and liberty of our neighbours, and other Princes, who likewise were under the subjection of the Romans: but I obtained my freedom again, and after that continued long in my free state, and was governed by my two states of the Land, until the savage Normans came and invaded us. Friend. Was it then at that time that you began to be governed by Earls? Batavia. I, but not as Sovereign Governors, but only chosen as chief Commanders, to serve in stead of judges, we subjecting ourselves willingly under their command, esteeming and holding them worthy to be our Protectors, and to have the superintendance over our Batavian government, but had no power (by authority) to alter the Laws and customs, nor to raise tolles, nor impositions, without the consent and good will of the two States, but were bound by oath to defend and maintain the Laws and privileges of the Land, and to subject themselves thereunto. Friend. Whereby it appeareth that never any Prince nor Earl had Sovereignty, or chief power alone, over you and your house? Batavia. No: for in the time of the Earls, there have been some of them that by their bad government and life, became oppressors of the Laws and customs of the Land, and for that cause their authority was misliked, and they put out of their command. As it happened to the Lady jacobe, Countess of Holland, from whom because of her disorders, and wilfulness in her government, against the privileges of the Land. The command over my house was taken away, and transported unto Philip Duke of Burgundy, which Batavian government in process of time, and by marriages, was changed and fell into the house of Austria, and after that to Charles the first, Emperor of Rome, (who with the good will and voices of all the States of my house) made over the Batavian Principality unto his son Philip, certifying him of my privileges, and the nature of my subjects addicted unto rest and freedom, with an earnest charge and warning given him, to have a great regard and respect of the Batavian Commonwealth, and to govern them with a mild and fatherly affection: for that he esteemed the same to be the best branch of his Crown, which he with Princely words and oaths promised to perform; but the contract being made, and he having the authority in his hands, we strait found a great alteration in our Batavian house; for that he being a Spaniard, both by birth and conditions, a great Prince, and very powerful, and had the Sovereign command over many Kingdoms, and Principalities, did not respect our Batavian liberty, nor once esteemed our privileges, but contrary to his promise, broke his Princely oath. Friend. By this means your free State was turned into a bondage. Batavia. That is true, by this means my troubles began. For in stead of natural borne Princes to protect my house, I got strange outlandish wasters and destroyers thereof, who therein made a fearful stur, with most strange and great exactions, cruelties, and tyrannies over our lives and goods; to the end he might procure the breaking of the ancient authority of my privileges, the weakening of my laws, and the abolishing of my liberty: But I seeing the beginning of my overthrow, the weak condition of my house, and the subversion of my people, was compelled to seek means for the preservation of my maidenly liberty, against those that sought to spoil and bereave me thereof; but finding myself in a manner very weak, by reason that divers of my principal household servants fled from me, and that I was almost clean spoiled of my household stuff, yea and my seat very near taken from under me, which I had so long held and enjoyed from my ancestors, for that the feet thereof were almost drawn and broken each from the other; whereby in a manner I sat so wagling, that I could not devise how I should sit faster, by reason of my weak estate. But taking courage, I made means unto my neighbours for aid; but where I expected security and support, (ere I was aware) I had like to have been clean spoiled: for by the aid that was sent me, my house, Court, and Throne, was rather in worse case than it was before. Whereupon my principal officers were by necessity compelled to seek to marry me unto some one, that by his aid they might have means to help me and themselves. But not long before I had had a good example set before mine eyes, of another maid, one of my neighbours, who by her well-willers was persuaded to Handt-werpe, that is, to betrothe herself unto him that sought to bring her to Val-loos, that is, to the destruction of her and all her people. This made me (I say) to go to my cross neighbour, (who also was esteemed a maid) to get some aid of her, to help to fasten my Seat, and thereby to hold a fit place to sit in; for without that, they pretended to have broken down my Batavian house, and to have made a bridge thereof at their pleasure, to have gone over to my neighbours, thereby to obtain the like dominion and power over them; and their meaning also was, upon the old foundations and ruins of my Batavian house, to erect and build up a new Spanish regiment, and to take my seat from me, and to turn it clean over, as if I had had no voice nor command therein: which made some of my fugitive friends and well-willers to look back, and to stir up my neighbours, who as then upheld and maintained me in my right, against those that thought to have thrust me clean out of it, and by my overthrow to have overrun my neighbours, which was done by the commandment of that Spanish Earl, who as a fatherly protector was placed over me, according to his oath and promise to defend my maidenlike honour: but he sought by strange ruffians to violate mine honour, to ruinated my house and Court, (which notwithstanding was one of his fairest palaces) and also my household servants, esteeming all as nothing; and which is more, sought to make my people slaves, without once respecting my Batavian state, which is a Democraticke government. By this means (I say) hath he by his unspeakable tyrannical government, and unlawful usurparion, lost the rule and pretended right (by my old customs and ancient privileges) that he had, by the aid and help of my neighbours and friends that stood in doubt of further mischief to come, aided by the power of the principal and chief judge of judges, who after 40. years troubles, hath redcuced and placed me in my former seat of ancient freedom. Friend. Gentlewoman, you have now showed me the state of your old freedom, and withal of your troubles forepast, whereof you say you are now freed. From hence forth therefore show your maidenlike wisdom, by calling to remembrance things past, wisely to consider of things present, & well to foresee that which is to come, and which concerneth you near. Therefore let not your forepast blows (by a deceitful bright sunne-shining time) so soon be forgotten. For that many times after fair weather cometh a storm, you do well to sit at your door, to see whether it be clear weather abroad; for in truth for these 40. years together you have endured many, and too many stormy winds, mighty rains, hails, thunders, lightnings, and fiery flames. Batavia. Erasmus saith very well and truly, that industrious labour makes a man rich. So have I (by God's help) and industrious labour, with defensive war overcome and withstood the great force and power of my tyrannous enemy, and such as have by him been overcome, and forced to flee their country, and to live like strangers in other countries; I have with their wives, children, and goods received into my house, and given them lodging therein. Whereby I got both thanks and furtherance, which to him was a weakening and enfeebling, and to me a strengthening and fortification, which happened most hereabouts. But he fearing further mischief, (perceiving my fortunate proceed,) was forced to seek to me, (who at the first he contemned and esteemed of no account; yea in a manner thought verily to be his own) to make peace with him, and to acknowledge me to be a free State, without once pretending to have any right of government over me, and so I once again got my long contentions (and almost clean lost) freedom into my hands. By the acknowledging and agreement of my enemies themselves, who judged it to be my lawful right, which in truth happened and came to pass by an accusation of his own conscience, and a compulsive necessity, possessed with a desperate hope of never to overcome me. These were the special things that moved him thereunto, and not because he desired peace, nor for any good will that he bore unto the welfare of my house, and household servants. Nevertheless, I have recovered mine ancient freedom, and hope to continue in this my maidenlike state, by his aid and powerful help that hath seen my misery, and hath evidently in the sight of all the world helped and freed me from the Spanish yoke. Friend. God be praised, thanked, and glorified therefore, and to him must you pray, and in him firmly trust. But it is commonly said, that where there is no care, there is no fear: for while that you are now free and in good estate, you must be careful for yourself and your household, and that in twofold manner: First, to look well about you, that you be not deceived nor overrun by those from whom you have been delivered, and have freed yourself from their bondage, because they have done that they did upon mere necessity, and not for any love they bore to you. Secondly, that you must be provident to provide for that which is needful and necessary for you in time of need, that in time of want you run not to borrow corn of your neighbours to feed your geese withal: for a learned man wrote not in vain, when he said, Happy is that Land, which in time of peace thinketh upon war. And another learned Philosopher teacheth us, that a man must not trust his reconciled enemy too much: therefore now you sit quietly and freely in your house and possessions, it standeth you upon to furnish your house well with 4. most necessary things, wherein the whole, and all the state thereof consisteth. First, you must have true, trusty, and provident household servants, such as seek not their own good, but the profit of the common State, and those that will not lightly by themselves take any thing in hand, that may be burdensome and hurtful to the Commonwealth, and the subjects thereof. Secondly, fit household stuff, such as is honest, necessary, serviceable and furtherly in a house, to be used for the service of the Commonwealth. Thirdly, good provision of such things, as in such a house (as yours is) are most necessary and convenient, as Chests, Warehouses, and sellers, well furnished. Fourthly, and lastly, you must specially be provided of that wherewith you may do most, and which by men is most desired, for that thereby you may get whatsoever you will, yea and almost as much as you will. All this is needful for you to do, whereof you are to have a great care to be provided, that against an assault, or a hard and bad time, you may help yourself, by yourself. Also it is convenient for the female kind (specially a free maid as you are,) not to have too much conversation with strange men, specially with such as in times past sought to violate your chastity; yet I doubt not of your good behaviour in any wise, because you have already withstood many assaults, and by means of your honest mind and courage, have hitherto overcome all storms whatsoever. Batavia. My good friend, I am warned to be watchful, but I hope God will preserve and defend both me and my household. For the first, I have true and provident household servants, in my Batavian dominion, (according to the ancient manner) first, an overseer of the house, (called father of the Country,) than my two States, the noblest persons of the Land, and the men of greatest account among the Commons, who have all the care, and special charge of the state of my house, both in peace and war. Secondly, I have convenient and profitable household stuff, as good counsel, and upright dealing, wherewith my Batavian house is furnished, as with a heavenly and bright shining light, thereby to behold things past, to mark things present, and to foresee things to come. The other are as instruments in needful and profitable things, to serve the state of the Land, (each one according to his quality and condition) when time shall require. Thirdly, (God be praised) my house is well provided, (and daily more and more shall be) of that which shall serve for the Commonwealth, and such as my housholding requireth. First, my Chests and Wardrobes are well furnished with apparel of all sorts; that is, of good iron doublets, steel gloves, stiff shining collars, with the appurtenances, all fair and well kept, that when I have need of them they are ready at hand; my warehouses are well provided of fireage, which is made of black wood coals, brimstone, & faltpeter, therewith easily to set fire on my turf, which are round, and as hard as iron, and great heavy fiery arrows, wherewith to make a good fire against winter and hard frosts. And for my sellars, I have yet a great many brass vessels therein, to welcome such as come to visit me, honourably; and in divers cages I have many old geese, that when there is a fair, I may set some of them before my friends to welcome them withal. Now for that wherewith I can do most, (which is money) I have my united Commons, which are four faithful and trusty labourers; that is, Husbandmen, Burghers of towns, Sailors, and Soldiers, (who at this time for a while are at their rest, and live quietly.) These are all fast bound together with the band of unity, and are they that at all times will make provision for my Batavian house, and Holland's garden, whatsoever I shall want. For my Husbandmen at this present are well provided of corn, and other necessaries, and sell it as dear, almost, as they will or can, which also is apparent by the decking of his wise and children with gold and silver which they daily wear. The townsmen also build great and high houses, which within are richly furnished with excellent fair household stuff and movables; as tapistry, silver, and guilt plate, and he himself, and his wife and children, richly appareled and smudged up in silk and velvet, laid on with gold and silver lace, making great banquets; all which are signs of prosperity, and are every one industrious to maintain themselves in good estate; some by usury, others by trade at home, and some by merchandising, every man striving not to be the least amongst the rest. The Sailor saileth far and wide for strange merchandise; and if a rover sets upon him at sea, he can play his part so well, that he shall get nothing at his hands; and many times looks himself for such a prize, so that it oft falleth out that he can sail with a by-legger, better than he doth when he saileth before the wind. But the Soldier likes not of this sleepy calm weather, he rather desires to be rustling in the field, to show himself a gallant. But the other three are very rich, and have great means to help me, (I could not know it so well, but that they by their superfluity makes it manifest to all men) for which cause I and my household are bound to have a great care for them, and the Common wealth, for that they without me, and I without them, would be a means to overthrow both me and my house, and also the commonalty, and every one of them in their particular states would come to nothing. For if the band of unity should break, or by contention become lose, it would be their destruction, and my overthrow out of my Throne. Friend. I would feign see the pales of your gardens, and the manner of building about your house, or else of you hear the discourse of the whole situation thereof, while you are now in a free state. Batavia. My Holland garden is bordered about with a willow hedge or hurdle, called Fidelity; at the entry whereof there is a style, over the which my watchful (many eyed Lion) with his two forefeet stands looking, there to hold sharp watch. Then within, before the style, and beninde the Lion, standeth a high Orange tree, with a young sprig or branch at the foot thereof, both coming out of an old root of a tree that hath been cut down: round about this tree there is a root planted, called God's blessing. In the middle of the garden there standeth an old high strong Pyramids, called Privilege, closed about with a medicinable graft, called God's grace. This garden is made of, and filled up with good Holland earth, out of the which the Spanish unfruitful power is wholly rooted up; and therefore in, and round about it there groweth Good will, Good courage; Heart herb; Care seed: (Lady mark) also, Golden flowers, Silver herbs, Lance herbs, Knights spurs, Horseman's herb, Gun herb, and much Honour and Commendation. Friend. Is not your garden sometimes weeded and cleansed of weeds and hurtful plants? Batavia. Yea: sor we were wont in times past to be much troubled with great quantities of weeds; as with Force herb, Death herb, Catching root, Fear herb, Pine apples, Blood herb, Fire herb, Black herb, and Bitter gall nuts. But necessity, and my household servants, appointed two officers to look unto it, (which were Reason and Power) each of them, as their turns came, to weed it; for if it were not for these weeders, sometimes there would some weeds grow up in a night's space before the Sun riseth; as Romish thistle, False lilies Fox herb, Strife flowers, and After-hurt. For not many years since, there grew a filthy herb in my garden, called the devils Nay-thrid, and a herb called Divels-beet, which stank all over the garden, being of such a nature, that whosoever eat it, it made him envious, and contentious; for it is of the kind of the seed of the apple whereof Eva and Adam ate in Paradise, which then presently caused great contention between God and them, and so it did now also; for whosoever did eat thereof, thought that they were as wise as God, and knew all things, and for that cause thinking themselves to be wise in their own conceits, they fell at strife with their neighbours; but reason weeded out as much thereof as he could, and in stead thereof planted a root called Part strife, which in time will grow to be a great herb, but the devils Nay-thrid, ran almost clean through the whole garden, and hath made the Orange tree for certain years to stand still at a bay, and not to blossom, which maketh many here amongst us to long for some of his fruit, if it were to be had; but the earth of my garden is so rich and fruitful, that if once a hot Spanish sunshine should fall thereon, (after the which a Batavian stroke-raine useth to follow) we should presently see the blossoms and fruit of the Orange three show forth themselves. Nevertheless we have Oranges for a pleasant sauce, and a good savour daily in my kitchen, and also for a refreshing we have the fair Orange lily, and the Roselike thistle flower, which is placed properly in several beds in my garden. Friend. Now I have heard the manner of the situation of your garden: let me I pray you hear from you, what kind of building you have in your house? Batavia. The foundation of my house is named Unity: the principals thereof are made of great strait timber, lined and daubed with good united Netherlandish stones, the Hall thereof called the Batavian government, is beautified with eight fair clear windows, and in the middle of them all standeth one specially, as a principal shield beautifying the same. The roof of the house is covered over with fair shining shells, which cover is called Hardiness. The entry or gate thereof is named Victory: the posts and top of it are covered over with green herbs, in the middle whereof my seat standeth, called Freedom; made of firm ground wood: and above all the rest the sign of my house is Emanuel. Now my friend, you have heard and understood the manner and form of my house and garden, wherein at this present I have and hold my free habitation; which, of almost a desperate lost inheritance, I have made free again, more by honest means, and true and lawful right, then by forcible craftiness, although my ill willers behind my back report and say, that I deck myself with strange feathers, when as they notwithstanding lurk and hide themselves under my wings; nevertheless I have striven as much for their freedoms, as I have done for mine own natural and good people's liberty. Friend. Gentletwoman, Do you perceive that which I see there, which is a strange show, it seemeth to be a twin, or a body of two kinds, whereof the one half before seemeth to laugh friendly upon you, with a sweet womanlike face; and the other half behind, is armed with a cruel soldiers look, and hath a monstrous great beast by him, wherein I take no pleasure. Batavia. This party hath been here some few years since, and brought that beast with him into our Batavian house; but what shall I do, seeing he looks so smilingly upon me, whether it be in outward show, or in action, I will not as yet quarrel with him and mistrust him, before he leaves laughing, and then I will see, (and also ask him) what he meaneth to do, that he cometh here into my garden with such a hinder part, and so fair and pleasant a forepart. Friend. Do you not think that he can soon turn that laughing countenance behind him from you, and place the bitter look before: It was wont to be the Italian manner, and the Spanish custom: see you not that he hath turned the hinder part of his face towards a troop of soldiers, and the forepart towards you; the while that he with outward flearing face looks on you: with the hinder part he doth expect your overthrow; therefore it is fit that the Lion should take good heed unto him. Batavia. But (my friend) do you know what manner of man this is, and do you know the beast well? I have long time cast mine eyes thereon: let me hear what your judgement is of him, seeing you show yourself to be so careful for me. Friend. The happiness of your state makes me so careful for you, but in my judgement this man is one of the four sorts or kinds of Hermaphrodites, (which are both men and women,) which is one of the worst kind of creatures that are living upon the earth, if they may (without restraint) use and show forth their nature. For they can suffer themselves to be dealt withal in nature of weak and effeminate women, with fair shows, and sweet words to deceive withal; and as a woman by nature is mild, they can bring their subtle practices, and deceitful charms to pass, which if they effect not in two or three years, they do it in 6. or 8. and sometimes in 10. or twelve. Again, these Hermaphrodites (when they list) can be like cruel and sturdy men, and can as well by force as by craft bring many things to pass, for they are without all measure wicked and hollow hearted. Which for you (being a maid) is very dangerous, for thinking to see a womanlike face, and to hear an effeminate voice, you should with the turning of an hand fall into a snare, and be deflowered, whereby your most noble and great fame should be overthrown, and your praiseworthy name clean defaced. Batavia, this is my judgement, and a forewarning for you concerning this person, and where you think this great sweet shining nosegay to be a Palm branch, it is not so; for it is a branch of a herb called monks hood, a venomous herb, which heretofore was rooted out of your garden, which he hath taken up again, therewith to bring you at length into a sound sleep. Batavia. What think you of that monstrous beast, what beast, and of what kind and nature is it? Friend. That may well and easily be seen and judged by the speckled skin that it hath, which is like a Nay-ed or patched Monks gown; and therefore I think that it is naturally a Leopard, which is a greedy blood sucking beast, begotten of a Lioness, by a Panther; and therefore it is called by a double signifying name, a Leopard. This beast although it is brought forth by a she Lion, yet it is most greedy and cruelly bend to seek the destruction of the male Lion: but as it is bloodily minded, so it is subtle and crafty, specially to entrap his greatest enemy the Lion, thereby to fall upon him and to destroy him: to the which end he is skilful how to make double holes, one above the other, which run both into one, being wide above, and narrow or strait in the middle, whereinto he runneth, to get the Lion (following him) between them both, and so to entangle himself therein; in the mean time the Leopard leaps out at the other hole, and falleth upon the back of the Lion, for by that means the Lion cannot use his strength against him; and so he showeth his deceitful nature and condition, which by subtlety he practiseth and bringeth to pass. And yet at other times he hath showed other Leopard's tricks upon the African Apes, and West-Indian Monkeys: for upon a time when he spied many of them together, he made as though he had been dead, or asleep; in the mean time the Apes and Monkeys came without fear out of their holes, (thinking to be free & out of doubt) and were very joyful, and played many apish toys one with the other, not doubting any thing, nor once so much as dreaming of the rising up again of their slumbering enemy, who like a Leopard lay lurking, and seeing time fit and convenient, when those beasts were unarmed, and without fear, he rose up out of his counterfeit slumber, and falling upon them, devoured and tore in sunder the most part of them. This (Gentlewoman) serveth also for a warning to you: for not long since, I heard you say, that you yet have many old geese for provision for your kitchen, whose cages you are to look well to, lest this Leopard with crafty baits and force comes not suddenly and devoureth them, as he hath already devoured many Lions and Monkeys, and the same would he do unto your own person also, if he had the means according to his will. I mean this leering suitor, who with a crafty dissembling manner of suit, though not openly, seeking to get as near unto you as he can, as you may perceive by his entry into Gulicke, and Cleaveland, and from thence to Mark, and meaneth not to leave so, until he hath gotten something that may further his pretence for the war, not by skirmishes, thereby to set forth your honour the more (which he thinketh before this time to have sufficiently tried) but by long and continual policy in the end to lay hold upon you by force. For he accounts you already to be his own, although nevertheless (of mere necessity) he did acknowledge you to be a free State. But as he knoweth the nature of divers slaves whom he hath under his subjection, and perceives well that he must not use them one like another, to keep them in bondage, and to get more, he hath therein a special watch upon you, for the Angolish, Sentomish, and Guineian Moors, were with great cruelty made his slaves, and with severity held in bondage. Whereas the Brasilian Nation were by deceit and policy bereaved of their freedom, and made his, and by compulsion holden slaves. Now mark well Gentlewoman; at the first he sought to you, now he gins to work otherwise: in time passed he began it by cruel Alva, whereby he put you into so great a fear, that he was forced to call back his executioner for your people were so wild, that they from himself (as the author of the execution) got a discharge of him, so that thereupon came a great Commander, with a pardon for your obstinacy towards him, who ministered such Spanish figs (called pardons) that thereby you were almost choked in the mire, and many of you died. After him came Don john de Austria, to pacify you, who at first seemed somewhat to incline to a peace, but in short time after he made an uproar amongst you again. For that cause there was a strange present sent (but yet for more furtherance to his intent.) which was an Italian Parmesan: but perceiving that it was too sweet for your taste, and not liked of, he let the Parmesan rot, and began to come upon you with a hasty Duch-Earust: but because your Batavians are mild of nature, and can see far, he took no pleasure in such Erust proceeding: then he sent a red shining Spiritual man, that should make Albright, and clear, thinking to overcome your person, and the Batanian government with his Claer jugenious wit and behaviour, which he put in practice; but all in vain: after that he came with crafty Spinners, (and now with leering Leopards) but the Spinner's web was too weak to catch you in: for that cause he spread another Nay-d, or broad net, which he cast over your head; but it is so lose and so wide, that you can see clearly through it, unless that the show of the nose gay should make your head so dizzy, that by means of the venomous smell thereof, you should fall asleep, and that is it which this leering Leopard looks for: to bring you first to the Brasilian slavery, then to deal with you as with the Guineans; and lastly, with the West-indians. Therefore preserve your freedom, and also show that you are free; let not others appoint your laws concerning that which toucheth you, for the preservation of your house, and the defending of your next neighbours, which concerneth yourself much, for which this Leopard hath long leered (Shipper look out.) Batavia. My good friend, we are well acquainted in my house with the nature and conditions of this Leopard, we have often heard his howling in our garden, but yet we believe him not. To that end my many waking eyed Lion stands before the style and looks out; and this Leopard must not think that he is in West-India; for in stead of Monkeys, I would send great store of Grasshoppers after him, which are easily to be sound in my garden; and I have nests, yea whole regiments of swift flies, (a fig for the Spanish flies) which nestle under my Orange tree, which with their sharp pricking Augls', will so prick and sting him through his speckled skin, that you shall hear him howl into Spain, to call for help. But my water-fowles (that are very cunning in swimming) would so well watch the coasts and havens there, that not one Leopard (which are but Flutterer in the water) shall not dare to thrust their heads out of their holds, for my water-fowles are very sharply set against the Leopards, because at other times he hath often taken their eggs out of their nests, and pulled away many of their feathers, and hath cut many of them short, sometimes when they were wont with great danger to swim over the Spanish seas, into the Spanish havens, which they yet remember well, and can better revenge themselves then the Monkeys. For first my Grasshoppers for the most part of them, are old Lepers, that have good skill to leap upon the water-sides, and the hard land, as they in times past did upon Turenholt Heath, and Newport seastrand: but since that time they have brought forth many young ones, who are well learned and instructed by the old ones, and can match the flies well enough, who also are old and well experienced; for they were wont in times past, lustily to fly upon the Canary, and S. Thomas Sugar; and also upon the figs and reasons of Calis malis, which was good meat for them; but my water-fowles are so swift in flying, that their nimbleness is known in East-India, where they at other times have lustily flown upon their Nutmeg blossoms, and there left the smell and savour of the Netherlands Matelive, whereat they did not greatly rejoice; yea they are so quick and strong in flight, that they fly up through strange water and ways to Heemsche-kercke, there to hold the jubilee, and they bite so sore, that there is no Spanish Nut but they will bite it in pieces, how hard soever it be. In swimming also they are very crafty, and stout, specially upon a Spanish fleeet, to be masters of it with a small power, whereby in Spain they are called water-divels, (without once remembering that God is their Pilot) And though this Leopard is a great enemy to the Lions, whereof he hath deceived and taken many, yet he hath not found the means to be guile them all, as it appeareth; for in my Batavian house, there standeth or sitteth yet seven that looks out at the window: 1 First, my Hollands rampant Lion: Who although he doth near leave climbing still, he's not so high as he would by hit will. 2 Next him the Zelands swimming Lion stands: Who also hath a head and lives thereby, And for the Libard careth not a fly. For although he hath swum long time, he is not yet drowned, if occasion once served he would make the Leopard dance upon the water, but it should be no apish dance. 3 In a higher window there stands a Gelder's Lion. This holds a place just in the Libards' way, And when he thinks to pass, will make him stay. 4 In the window beneath him there are two Friesland Lions ready to run; Not for to run away out of his sight, But t'hinder his pretence to his despite. 5 Then there is two other Lions, each of them in a window apart, whereof the one, Stands not in Over Isel t'have a sight Of leering Libard, but with him to fight. 6 In the other window is the Zutphen Lion: Which if the Libard should begin to bawl, Would lustily with's claws upon him fall. 7 In a high window at the upper part of my house: The lusty, strong, and valiant Utrecht's Knight, Doth watch, and hath the Libard still in sight. And in the upper part of my house: Th'East Friesland quick sight Eagle looks about, With's wing's abroad to see how things fall out. And how high soever he seems to sit, yet if the Leopard gins once to play his part, he would soon i'll upon his back: for it is most certain, that all of them together, and every one of them particularly is well acquainted with the bloodthirstiness, cruelty, and craftiness of the Leopard; and have a regard to what end he comes thus leering hereabout, every one of them thinking that he leereth upon him; and therefore they all stand upon their guard, and would rather willingly leap upon him, then suffer him to lay hold on them. Friend. I am of the same opinion also, Gentlewoman, and I think that all your four men, whom you term your trusty husband men, before you should be thrown down, would rather for a time leave their tilling the land, seafaring and merchandising, and set their wives on work for the upholding of your person, and they themselves with the Soldiers, (whom they would soon raise out of their sleep) would march against the Leopard, for the defence of your Batavian government, and the keeping of the Holland's garden: yea, & before that you for want of means, or by restraint should be forced to leave your seat of freedom, your Commons would rather labour for you, till they sweat blood, and yet too great tolls and heavy burdens are cumbersome to labouring men; but the love they bear to you, and the hope they have of their happiness by your freedom, would make them forget the pains they take, for the furtherance of the Commonwealth: but the Husbandmen, Seafaring men, and Citizens, altogether with one consent, (to bring their purpose the better to effect,) wish that the Soldier also were awake with them. For a common but then seems a common ease, but an assured common rest & quietness is better, although your men apply themselves to the time. For which cause, willing labourers that are tied together in the bands of unity, deserve some furtherance, and for that you are all their natural mother, it learns every one both great and small, together and apart, to show their good wills and duties unto you in that respect. Batavia. That is true, for my State is costly to bear all the charges that are necessarily to be laid out, specially now I am set again in my free Seat; therefore I would, if I could, bring it so to pass, that no man should have any cause to find fault, thereby to make all man free in our garden. Friend. Then it is requisite and very needful to have a good regard that the Leopard makes no double holes for the Lion, that you need not stand in doubt at what hole to watch for him, and also to look well to that double face, and to have an eye to the troop of men that stands yonder, for it seemeth that they are at a stand, and would be gone away: but me thinks rather that they increase and seem to come nearer; and in the mean time this forepart giveth you a fair smiling countenance, and the hinder part is for their furtherance; and therefore a far off they assemble speedily and hold together. Batavia. Therefore we will commend the watch to our chief watchman Emanuel, and commit the charge of our house to him, and altogether from henceforth will be vigilant, and look well to the crafty fetches of the Leopard; for if I were sure that he would leeringly come too near me, and that his face would turn about, I would presently let my Lion lose to fly upon the Leopard, and wake my Soldier, to beard that marshal face, who thinketh that he that slumbereth is fast asleep, but the noise would soon awake him. Distrust and watch th'enemy to withstand, Concord and faithfulness in Town and Land, Are weapons sure and strong: But before all these things, upon him call, And chief trust in him that can do all By's power, and right thy wrong. I. Batavian Virgin fair, That sits in freedoms chair, Victoriously and well: Look to thy enemy, That on thee casts his eye. Beware of Libard fell. II. Where false love cannot win, To hate thee they begin, For when love waxeth cold, Then hatred for good will, Makes them seek thee to kill. Trust not the Libard bold. III. Sour sauce distastes sweet meat. Craft th'upper hand doth get. Revonge breaks pieces laws. The thing that's not strait won, May chance in time be done. Keep out the Libards' claws. iv He that first bragged of thee, That thou his own should be, But nothing thereby got. After long war seems meek, And maketh show to seek Thy love. Believe him not. V Though he said thou shouldst have, Thy liberty, and gave Consent to't in his need. He seeks to spoil thee now, If that he could tell how. Of Libards' wiles take heed. VI Thy true love holds him back, Thy trusty friends do make Him fear, and therefore he, Tintrap thee if he may Doth lurk. Wherefore I say, Of him still wary be. VII. Fight in thy friend's defence, If he will not go thence In time, sith he doth so, Torment them, for thy sake, Revenge their wrong, and make Him out the field to go. VIII. Fair Holland's Princely Dame, Maintain thy ancient fame, Be not at his command: Although 'tis his intent. Do nought thou mayst repent. 'Gainst Libard boldly stand. Printed somewhere in the Batavian Land, My name if you desire to understand: It is, (as men me commonly do call,) The Pleasant, Rich, and Famous Hollands Hall. FINIS.