ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT, CONCERning the Cessation of War, between the Archduke and the States of the united Provinces.  
Procured by a Friar, called john of Ney, Confessor to the Archduke and the Infanta.  
Whereunto is annexed the state of other things happened about the same time.  
With wars Testament, or his last Will, made at his departure out of the said Netherlands.  
Translated out of the Dutch.  
Imprinted at London for Thomas Archer, and are to be sold at his shop in Pope's head Alley, near the Royal Exchange, 1607.   

News to the Reader, or to whom the Buyer desires to send News.  
Such is the time, that when friends congratulate, the second word is what's the news? So likewise, when our urgent occasions require conference by letters, yet we expect with those letters, what News; if we come from the Court, what News; if we come from the Country, what news: So from whencesoever we come or go, what News. Therefore for them that desire news, especially to you, I present these netherlands accurrents, lately come to my hands from a worthy friend out of Holland, this 18. of june. 1607.  
Thine W. B B.   

Articles of Agreement concerning the Cessation of war, between the Archduke and the States of the united Provinces.  
YOu have heard how a Friar, the Confessor to the Infanta, hath brought about a Cessation of Arms for 8. months, to the end that in that 8. months, these States might acquaint their best friends, and counsel themselves, whether they will make a peace or no, upon reasonable terms; in which it is propounded beforehand, that the Archduke shall disclaim from all interest in them, and pretence over these Provinces united, that they shall, as a free State, treat, and hold all that they now do, except by consent, some town or place may be changed, for the accommodating of the Archduke or this States and that the King of Spain shall, within the term of three months, send to the States his agreement to and of the same Act.  
Now upon this, there hath been question moved; first concerning the word Invasion, then for the calling home of the Fleet: and what hath been done in that, I send you herewith; and the present state of things here.  
Touching the interpretation of that word, it is this concluded; that during the Cessation, their Provinces, Territories, and other particular possessions on either side, as well by water as land, shall be free from all invasion, and all manner of hostility, by Army, troup, or party.  
That in the neutral Countries adjoining, no actions of hostility shall be used against the inhabitants passengers, & others being no soldiers, nor against horses, drivers of horses, or those men which shall draw ships and boats, on both sides the rivers.  
That all actions to the contrary, shall of all sides be hindered, punished and repaired: with this proviso, that it must be understood, that such offences committed against the Contract, tend not to the violation or breaking of the Cessation unless they be done by the order and appointment of the King of Spain or the Archduke on the one side, or the States on the other.  
That all soldiers by land and water, horse and foot (out of the towns or forts where they serve) as also all others, having no passport or residing under safeguard, all unfree goods, and the persons and goods which shall be transported from one side to the other, without passport and licence, are excepted out of those limits, and remain subject to the order and rigour of the war.  
That the Contribution on either side (during the Cessation) shallbe raised & executed, as they were at the day of the conclusion of Cessation, (namely the 12. of April last) without enhauncement, and at the peril of those that shall execute the same.  

Touching Cessation of Arms at Sea.  
THe States have agreed to call home their Fleet from the coast of Spain, with their first means after the King of Spain's declaration, agreeable to that of his Highnesses, which shall (according to promise) be delivered unto them; and during the time limited for the said delivery, (whereof there is yet seven weeks or thereabouts to come) not to re'nforce their said Fleet.  
That when 6. weeks are expired, after the said delivery, all prizes (except ships of war and soldiers) which shall be taken on the sea, from the Gorlings south and towards the west, along the coast of France, Spain and Barbary, and in the Strait of Giberalter, and in the Midland sea, shall be held for unlawful Prize, and restored.  
That all Prizes on either part (except ships of war and soldiers) which shall be taken on the north seas, or on the narrow seas, between great Britain and France, as far as the Gorlings, after the fourteenth of june (after their computation) shall be held for unlawful prize, and restored.  
And those Articles of Cessation to be of force during that limit.  
Provided, that the order presently observed by the States, against the going out and into the havens of Flaunders, shall remain lawful for the States to execute, notwithstanding the Cessation; granted only to the Archduke, that they shall suffer his small Fisheries without the havens, during the Cessation.   

I Must give you likewise the Report of a Fight at Sea, between the shipping of Spain and the States.  
On the 15. of April, 1607. the States Fleet being 29. ships of war, and provision, arrived in the Bay of Giberalter, where they found the Armado of Spain, about 12. or 13. ships of war, (besides seven or eight Merchants) who had order to hale on the Hollanders, going in or out the straits. The State's ships resolved with order and courage, to attempt the Spanish, as they lay in the Road, under the shot of the Town and castle. The Admiral with another good ship, commanded by Captain Lambrecht, boarded the Spanish Admiral with full sail, and beat her so violently with ordinance and musket, that in a short space she lost her General, with almost 300. men, being a ship of 400. last or burden, manned with 500 and carrying 21. great brass pieces.  
After five hours fight, the States had the victory, but with danger: for fire happening in the Spanish Vice-admiral, when she was grappled, the State's ships had much ado to save themselves from burning. The Spanish Admiral with some others ran aground, suffered the fire to lay hold on them, and increased it, to prevent the State's profit by taking them. The next day examining the success, they left (of the 21. ships which they found in the Bay at their arrival) but two Galleons, one French ship, and a small pinnace all which were so grounded, that they could neither take nor burn them.  
Three Merchants beside, comprehended in the 21. committed themselves to the State's fleet. So that the Spaniard lost seven great Galleons, and six or seven other good ships beside. The States lost their Admiral with the first shot from the Spanish Admiral; and among others, one captain Laughen Heyndricke of Amsterdam, and captain Lambrechts' son.  
They have great hurt done to their masts, sails, cables, and tacklins.  
I Must further let you know, that certain ships of these Countries, of the Company that trades to the East Indies, have taken a very rich Carrack, which they have lightened of her most precious and rich lading, and laden it into their own ships, of which, one is come into Amsterdam, and the other into Zealand, and the Carrack, into which they have put their Spices, is coming also.  
THe French Ambassadors are gone a progress into North Holland, attending the enlarging of their Commission.  
THe most of these people conceive and fear, that the king of Spain will never send the Agreeation, upon which most depends. june 16. 1607. From the Hague.   

Later News.  
THere are letters come from Bredä, that 2000 Spaniards are entered a back way into the Castle of Antwerp, have turned the Artillery upon the Town, and do make war with the Citizens. This is believed at the Hague: but I will not report it for truth, until the first be seconded. Farewell. From the Hague, june 16. 1607.  
FINIS.    

WARS TESTAMENT, now ready to die, after so long continuance in the Netherlands.  

THe sickness great that doth oppress my heart,  
And cause each vein & pulse to pant & beat,  
As signs that soul and body must departed,  
Do show, that spite my heart, I cannot let  
The hour ta'pproch which fatal death hath signed;  
For all things must return unto their kind.   

And sith 'tis so, I then am fully bend,  
Before I part, for to declare my Will,  
And make my last and fatal Testament,  
And to each one, great, little, good, or ill,  
Bequeath my goods, and all that I possess,  
And teach all these that Martial Art profess,   

How to devise the Wars for to increase,  
And make them worse and greater than before,  
And find the means that they shall never cease,  
And that each country people, rich and poor,  
May feel the edge of my devouring blade,  
Which in the world such slaughter great hath made.   

For though I die, and Netherlands forsake,  
Yet must you think, that I mine heirs do leave,  
That will not fail in aught my part to take,  
And Countries far and near of peace bereave,  
And make my fame, when I am dead and rotten,  
Still to increase, and never be forgotten.   


1.  
First I bequeath unto the Potentate,  
That many men hath brought unto their end,  
By my contentious bloody mind and hate,  
Great store of goods and lands, his state to mend,  
And though he served me with great desire,  
And rather sought for wealth, than war require,   

And happily full many dangers past:  
Yet let him know, what ever he hath won,  
That from it all he must departed at last,  
When he his fatal course on earth hath run;  
And therefore counsel him for to beware,  
And of his life to have a better care.   

2.  
To Tyrant's great, to whom their law is will,  
Who by my means much wrong & hurt have done  
By false pretence of war, and sought to kill  
Both man and child, and many Countries won  
By fire and sword, consuming towns and towers,  
And wrongfully destroyed pleasant Bowers,   

I do bequeath Kains curse and banishment,  
And though their fame b'extold unto the air,  
Yet shall their hearts and minds be discontent,  
And filled with confusion and despair,  
And at the last with woe and misery,  
Their bodies shall with louse consumed be.   

3.  
To those that have been valiant, stout and bold,  
T'aduenture life and limb for to defend  
Their Country's cause, and it from dangers hold,  
And have continued true unto the end,  
Offered no wrong, nor used villainy,  
But with their pay themselves did satisfy,   

I cannot choose but wish them well in heart,  
And praise and honour leave them for their meed,  
And when that they out of this world shall part,  
Desire of God to help them in their need,  
And give them constant faith for to persever,  
In godly life to live with him for ever.   

4.  
To Spiritual men, that are of careful mind,  
To preach and teach, I cannot leave them much,  
And they do know, and well by proof do find,  
Their Cloisters spoiled, whereat they seem to grudge,  
Their Churches burnt, their living ta'en away,  
And which is more, where they have seen the day,   

That all their Sellers stored were with drink,  
Their Barns full, their Kitchens fraught with meat,  
And all things else what ever heart could think,  
Were in their Houses found, now nought to get,  
And they poor Priests & Covents without land,  
To other men's reversions forced to stand.   

5.  
Unto the Towns in Netherlands so great,  
I do bequeath and leave a great Excise,  
And many Impositions that are set  
Upon them, though they rather would devise  
The means to live in peace and quiet state,  
And think themselves to be most fortunate.   

Mean time they must behold their razed walls,  
Their Towers cast down, uncovered and defaced,  
Their Houses burnt, their Palaces and halls  
Even with the ground: for what can ever last,  
But must of force consume and eke decay?  
For in this world there is no certain stay.   

6.  
Unto the country Village and the Town,  
I do bequeath a desolate estate,  
And uncouth sight of Castlis, broken down,  
And houses spoiled, which war unfortunate  
Hath caused and made full many a man to be  
Amazed lore such woeful sights to see:   

I leave them Sluices fallen unto decay,  
Great store of lame and miserable folk,  
Murders committed 'mongst them night and day,  
Women deflowrde, and men brought under yoke  
Of every ravening freebooter and slave,  
To take from them what ever that they have.   

7.  
To those that by dissension and by strife,  
Deceit and subtlety have gotten wealth,  
And all the days of their unhappy life,  
Have lived by cozenage, and by secret stealth,  
Gathering great store of riches and of good,  
And never cease to suck the poor man's blood,   

And Usurers, and such as live by gain,  
And sweat of others brows, and have no care,  
But only how to get, and to attain  
To speedy wealth, to them I will not spare  
To tell them, that all gain by them so got,  
With them at last will be the devils lot.   

8.  
You Clarks that lived by my warlike bands,  
And were accounted 'mongst the Martial crew,  
And yet ne'er used weapons in your hands,  
But served for to pay the Soldiers due,  
And lay with them where ever they did go,  
Let me but tell you some that I know:   

I doubt, if that I once be dead and rotten,  
You will be glad to work and take some pain,  
And think a penny that way sweetly gotten,  
Though now by idleness you make your gainet  
Remember what I say, and pray that I  
May live, and make you rich before I die.   

9  
You Ostes, that wont were to lodge my train,  
And did prepare them meat and drink with speed,  
At such excessive rates, and monstrous gain,  
As't pleased you, respecting not their need,  
And so did fill your coffers and your bags,  
And made the Soldiers go in tornerags,   

I you bequeath a beggarly estate,  
And to be paid by gentle words and blows,  
And think yourselves well used and fortunate,  
To scape so well, and as the world well knows,  
Be glad to ebb and flow as time falls out,  
And many times be forced to play bankerour.   

10.  
To Armourers and Spurriers by their Art,  
Gunpowder men, and Saddlers that do live  
By me and mine, and get the greatest part  
Of all their wealth, a Legacy I'll give,  
Which after my decease with present speed,  
Shall be paid them at the castle of Saint Need:   

Although I know they have great store of wealth,  
Which easily into their coffers came,  
By buying goods that gotten were by stealth,  
And gave but easy prices for the same.  
But let them know, goods by that means so won,  
Consume and melt like butter in the Sun.   

16.  
Your horsemen's boys, Dead pays, & Billet men,  
All call & cry to me for some relief:  
For by my means they lived and knew both when  
And where to get their meat: but now with grief:  
They must go seek to make some other shift,  
Or else go steal to help them at a lift.   

The house of seldom full must be their Inn,  
And if they leave not off their villainy,  
The galley, gallows, prison or some gin  
Will be their last reward for knaucrie:  
Therefore beware in time, and learn to thrive,  
And seek some honest means for you to live.   

17.  
You filthy shameless Drabs, that long have thriven  
Under the guard of my most warlike train,  
And by your beastly lives, have forced and driven  
Full many a man to live in grief and pain,  
And in the end, when all from him had gotten,  
Have filled him with disease to make him rotten,   

Convert in time, ere that it be too late,  
Take better course, and now live honestly,  
And call for grace, while you are in the state  
To get the same, lest graceless you should die:  
And follow Mary Magdalen in this,  
Mercy to crave, confessing your amiss.   

18.  
Lastly unto the Hangman I bequeath  
An hundred pair of breeches that be old,  
Well filled with louse, above and eke beneath,  
For that ere it be long, you shall behold  
Great store of thieves, alongst the high way stand  
To ask your alms with weapons in their hand:   

And rather than they will denied be,  
They'll be so bold to venture (by your leave)  
To put you to the worst extremity,  
And take your purse by force out of your sleeve:  
But for reward, I will them plainly show,  
That to the gallows they are sure to go.   

Now all at once thank me for my good will,  
And every man in several wise apart.  
My course is run, I must God's hests fulfil,  
For I am sick, even at the very heart,  
I fall to ground, like to the Cripple lame,  
And must return to place from whence I came.   

Watch now and pray, attend me but a while,  
And I'll bid you adieu, for I must die.  
When I am dead, yet do me not revile:  
For though that I have caused much misery,  
I'll pray to God, and while I live, not cease,  
To send to you a long and happy peace.    
FINIS.