AN extract OUT OF THE History of the last French King HENRY the fourth of famous memory, According to an Authentic Copy written in his life time.  
To which is added his being murdered with a knife in his Coach in Paris the 14. of May last 1610. Still. ROM.  
WITH AN APPRECATION FOR THE SAFEGVARD and HAPPINESS of our MOST GRACIOUS Sovereign JAMES the first, etc.  
¶ Seen and allowed by Authority.  
¶ Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. ANNO 1610.  
¶ To be sold at BRITAIN BURSE.   

TO THE RIGHT Honourable WILLIAM Lord Viscount Cranborne, sole son and heir to the Right Honourable the Earl of SALISBURY, L. High Treasurer of England.  
Right Honourable,  
THE continual favours I received from your L. at my being in FRANCE, do (and shall always) bind me to serve and honour you in what I may. And now purposing with my self to consecrate to this our Age and to Posterity, the memory of Henry the 4. the late French King, (whose most deplorable Murder, sorrow itself can never sufficiently bewail) I esteemed the Dedication thereof, (as well in respect of my own particular duties to your L. as in regard of the Quality of the Subject, whereof I writ) to belong to you, more than in Part. For with whom may my Narrations of the wonderful passages of his Life hope to find more gracious acceptance, then with your L. whom I knew to be so great an honourer of his Person, an eye-witness of his Royal Parts, and one that had received so many ample favours from him being alive?  
The Circumstances of his being Murdered, (I cannot call it his Dying, for they Die not, but are made to Die, who are so Murdered) are best known to your L. whose speedy Letters gave our STATE the first notice of his Fall. I only now set them down to propose to your Thoughts the Consideration of human frailty, and the Weakness even of greatest Greatness, so often as you call to mind that KING, than whom, the Princes of the Christian world cannot have a more ample or apposite Subject to meditate upon.  
It was about Christmas last passed (your L. did then too thoroughly think of it I am sure, ever after to forget it) that the rumour of our King's death was spread over the French Court; which (though it were but a rumour, and against which all those then about you opposed themselves) struck you notwithstanding so full of dolour and affliction of spirit, that I suppose how much your Noble and gentle nature was wounded with the sight of this King's wounds. Two notable occurrences, that in your Lordship's Travels you should hear of the murder of your own King, (which proved otherwise) and be an eye-witness of the Murder of another, which was too true; and both of them the greatest Kings of Europe.  
Your Loss in Him was great; great, in losing a KING, from whom you had received so gracious respects; great, in cutting off your Honourable purpose of following his Fortunes in those German Wars, wherein you should have seen so warlike Lessons read by so Excellent and profound a Master.  
But GOD (whose Providence and Power is as infallible, as unresistible) hath diverted him from finishing that great Affair, which he hath left (I hope) to be consummated by another. I cease from further troubling your Lordship, and so rest  
Ever humbly at your honours command, Edmond Skory.   

AN extract out of the History of the last French King HENRY the 4. of famous memory.  
THere being an Union of Virtue and Fortune in the person of this French K.H. the 4, whose life I will only point at; hath justly gotten him all the elevated titles of an immortal glory. So many actions of his person are as so many miracles, and may safely exempt him from being paralleled either in the difficulty of obtaining, or happiness in keeping so great and stirring a Kingdom. And the particulars indeed of the course of his life; seem by the Divine providence to have been conducible to the reservation of that State; which otherwise had fallen into an irrecoverable consumption. His birth being amongst the barren rocks: and his education comporting with the asperity of the place, were the ingredients with which his youth was tempered, and whereby (his body as his spirit made invincible) he was prepared fit for the accomplishment of great, and glorious labours. He had not drawn the breath of seven years in this world; but his quality drew him into the knowledge of the world: where, his royal towardness begot him estimation, and that estimation (even then) extended itself to the assured hope of succeeding greatness. By the Civil wars was his Father, (the Light, & Conductor of his Nature, and fortunes) extinguished; his Mother removed from Court; his Uncle imprisoned; his friends in disgrace; his servants banished; and his own ruin plotted.  
And now these of the Religion (being wrapped in like extremities, disposing their eyes to heaven, & their bodies to the earth, finding no other hope of safety, then in his Arms) elected him their General; the abated hopes of whom, by the loss of four Battles, could not be repaired but by the felicity of his Generous courage.  
At nineteen year old he was inveigled into his first marriage; a marriage as dangerous, as illegitimate; for celebration of which direful Nuptials; Hymen had his garment not sprinkled; but daubed all over with the blood, of the best bloods in France; his Mother lost her life, his friends were banished, himself, and his servants captived. All which mischiefs he suffered patiently, and underwent the perils, inconveniencies, and labours, (though a General) even of the Common soldier, until the time; that his wisdom obtained to his party, some relaxation of evils; and breathing from toils, by the means of a fift Edict of peace.  
But suddenly; was this calm converted into a storm, which powered upon him the charge of ten royal Armies in less than four years. At the battle of Coutray, his name was made terrible to the enemy; who, but by so apparent merit; was unwilling to have acknowledged his Virtue. A cruel tragedy ended, where France was the Theatre, strangers the Actors, the Epilogue of which was closed with the death of two Princes, who had filled the Realm with fire, blood and confusion.  
The King then reigning Henry the 3. (predecessor to this King, as well in being murdered, as in rule) being in desperate distress and almost surprised at Tours, was happily rescued by this H. the 4. whose approach (like the discovery of a Land to men long at sea) inspired a new courage into the King's drooping and disheartened forces, and had conducted him to the undoubted conquest of PARIS; but for that execrable King-killing- Friar, whose face, as his design was muffled with the veil of piety; by means whereof he was so untimely rend from himself, his fortunes, and his friends: The true natural French men (being thus desolated of their Prince, and fearing many tyrant-Kings in stead of one-lawfull) cast themselves into this man's arms, and did commit to his virtue and valour, the revenge of their slaughtered King, and the salvation of their State. Nevertheless, to such an height was the astonishment of the fact grown, and to such an ebb was the fidelity of the people drawn, by reason of diversity in Religion: that many did shamefully abandon him; choosing rather to be idle spectators in their Country's ruin, then faithful Patriots in procuring, or defending the Liberty thereof.  
All these oppositions augmented his resolution, and were but as so many dark clouds, in which his fortunes and virtue being involved, might in their due time break forth with the more astonishing violence.  
The insolent obstinacy of his rebellious subjects, made him to have as many combats, as journeys, and as many sieges, as encamp, opposing themselves against him as a public enemy to entrap him, whilst he sought them as a father his children, to gain them. Within his tent were nothing but griefs & anxieties caused by un-intermissive infidelities, and pernicious designs, discovered every moment against his person and the State: every day double combat, double victory: one against his enemies, another with his own, and himself: in the last of which, using a connivent lenity, where a sharper insight into the offences might bring damage. deep serves for example of his fidelity. Arques the scale to raise his glory. Paris believing him vanquished, was amazed to see him victorious. He made roads into divers provinces, to confirm those who were falling off. In his passage all yielded to him, and an infinite number of taken-townes received a happy proof of his puissance, and moderation. He returned with the same success and diligence, to the relief of Meulan, chase away the army, and the General of the enemies, that held it besieged: who a little after, being joined with the Spanish forces, instead of diminishing their former shame, augmented his glory, giving him new triumphs by the memorable battle of Yury. Following this happiness, Vernon, Mante, Melun, and many other places, were brought to his obedience, as Chartresse was after, and Paris itself had also been, if his goodness had not feared her ruin and desolation.  
To recount all his exploits, were matter enough for an ample History, and a task for a perfect Historian; yet through these small lights: may his conduct, experience, diligence, constancy, patience, bounty and valour (the essential parts of a General) be discerned.  
At Aumale he was prodigal of his own blood to save others. Rouen brought to extremity, saw him departed from her to encounter Strangers, which he put to flight; and had he not been dissuaded by the counsel of others from the chase, they had received the reward of Run aways.  
Thus never beaten, always victorious, conducted by God, through the pikes of his enemies, and from their clandestine machinations, (which a false devotion raised incessantly against his life) he discovered and overthrew the infernal designs of those, who (to the attaining of their licentious and cruel purposes) had made Religion their vizard.  
But, at length the hearts of the wavering were fortified, and the eyes of the over-violently-devout unseeled; who then saw the unjust causes that held them in rebellion: Then began the Towns of France, in emulation one of another, to contend who should offer first, or most their Duty. Meaux, Lions, Orleans and Bourges first in obedience, brought him the first honour; and, the King by his auspicious entrance into Paris, got an immortal glory of the knowledge of Laws, and Arms, pardoning, as well as vanquishing, forgiving in a day so many people, and rendering and confirming life and liberty to so many Strangers; who could not persuade themselves, but that they were in the jaws of Death and Bondage.  
The particular sieges of Laon, and La-Fere, the scite and quality of the garrison being impregnable, the voyage of the Franch-comte, the combats of Fountaine-François, the taking of Dijon, and other Towns of Bourgogne, the submission of many Princes, the reduction of Rouen, Newhaven, Amiens, Abbeville, Peronne, Poitiers, Perigueux, Tholouse, Marseillis, Vienne, Valence, Troy, Sens, Rhejms, and other Towns following their example, will one day fill many volumes, and confer upon this Prince the Laurels of Alexander, the triumphs of Caesar, and the felicities of Augustus.  
At his general assembly held at Roan, he furnished himself by the advise of some, for the Safeguard of all; and authorised those edicts which assured peace and rest.  
In the surprise of Amiens, in lieu of bearing ill will, the success confirmed the divine assistance, the fidelity of the French, the courage of the Prince, and the terror of the Strangers, who astonished at his carriage in this business; esteemed themselves fairly blessed, to have obtained a peace from him. The obstinacy of Brittany had given matter for his powerful justice to work upon, if the prayers of his friends, and the tears of the vanquished, had not diverted his just displeasure. And then to give France an honourable and glorious repose, and to make retribution to the State of that which had been taken from her, he displayed his Floure-de-lices within the Alps, overturning all interposed obstacles. The proud rock of Mountmeliend (which the people thereabout held impregnable) looked fearful at his presence, and humbled itself to the force of his Cannons.  
Piedmont, doubting her taking, and Milan suffering a neighbour-feare (as being a frontier) implored the Pope by persuasion to divert him; at whose solicitation he was content to desist from further prosecution; and to consecrate to the peace and good of that part of Europe, his just anger & conquests, if he had followed his courage, his puissance, and good fortune.  
To make all perfect, he espoused the Princess Maria de Medici's, whom the heavens had designed to be the ornament of Italy, the glory of Florence, the Lustre of her house, and the hope of France, with whom he made his royal entry into Paris, and thinking he had now triumphed over all the enemies of the State, he disposed himself to recompense the merits and virtues of those, who had formerly well served him; howbeit the ingratitude of one whom he had mightily raised, exasperating his nature, constrained him to deliver him to the punishment of death, whom no other castigation could reduce to amendment; giving, by this correction of one; fear and example to all. His watchfulness, stirred by this alarm; he prevented and dissipated the remainders of that treason, injecting a sufficient terror into the town of Sedan, by the only clash of his armour, who found in their tears more safety then in their rampires; and so were assumed into his favour. By this excellent example he confirmed the good in obedience, reduced others to duty, and blotted out all remembrance of their former enormous offences; preferring Mercy before justice, and Clemency before Profit. He reestablisht by solemn Edicts, such as were condemned, and banished by Arrest, and razed those monuments, sacred to his memory, because they were erected to the infamy of others. So strong is he in himself, and in the opinion of the world, that the conclave respects him: England is in perfect amity with him, Almany and Italy honours him, Spain fears him, and Belgia seeks him. And now he rejoiceth in the labour of his hands, and in the tranquillity which he hath made with the price of his blood, and from the twentieth year of his age purchased with his laborious and dangerous exercises.  
The laws & Arts enjoy a sweet repose, and large increase under his Empire, and a free commerce is re-established throughout his Kingdom; he hath adorned his City of Paris with many and excellent buildings, besides other his particular works of great Magnificence.  
He showed his peaceful providence in finances, his judgement in the choice of men, & his vive-spirit and excellent composition of mind and body in all sudden accidents; And since he was a King, his greatest enemies cannot justly upbraid him with the least breach of contracted friendship with any of his neighbours.  
And lastly, to sum up this Man of men, this princelike soldier, and soldier-like Prince: whose royal face is white with Time, with watchings and with experience, and the Laurels which begird his venerable head, & took their root in his Cask, have been gathered in the grounds of three pitched fields: of 35. encounters of armies; of an hundred and forty combats, and 300. sieges of places; in all which; his person strived (if it were possible) to have got the start of his courage: For these causes hath the Christian world reason to rejoice in the contemplation of so able a champion against the common enemy: and the French Nation to hold themselves happy in having so excellent a Prince.  
But now I must forsake this grove of bay and Olives (which his Valour and Wisdom had planted for my Pen to walk in) and address myself to speak of his Death; in which the lives of so many thousands were interessed. And as He, who being to set his hand to a Proscription of the Death of others, wished he had been ignorant of letters, rather than to use them in such a funeral affair: So I protest before the knower of all Hearts, that I do unfeignedly wish, not only that I were ignorant of letters, but that I had also lost that hand, with which I writ these lines, so that he were living; and that I had not true matter to write of his inhuman and barbarous slaughter, which I will briefly touch in the main particulars; as being a Subject in which my spirits languish, before they begin to enter, and in which being entered, I have small delight to continue long.  
The King (for explanation of his dearest affection to his Queen; and for satisfaction of his own mind) had (before his intended departure for this War) invested Her with the Crown and Title of Queen of France and Navarre. The morrow after which great solemnity, he appointed to go to his Arsenal, to visit the Duke d' Suylly his Treasurer, who at that time was in some indisposition of body. And notwithstanding (as it is written from good place) that he was dissuaded from going abroad that day by some, as a day marked out by Astrologers, to portend danger to his Person: yet he; a second Caesar as well in the course of his life as of his death, was little swayed with their dissuasions, but like a King, and a Christian replied, That it was an offence to God to give credit to these Prognostiques; and that having God to his Guard, he feared no man.  
That morning, walking in the great gallery at the Twilleries, he had been slain by this villain, (who to that purpose pestered somewhat near his Person) but that by some then about the King, he was thrust off, esteemed only as some rude rascal. After dinner, about four of story of the new King, by whosoever else shall write it: Only thus much, the Queen was proclaimed Regent; during the King's minority: the state of France yet enjoyeth her former tranquillity, and Monsieur Praslyne was dispatched away to the Army to hold some discipline until the coming of the Dukes of Nevers; and Bullion.  
The peaceful Plenty, and Discipline this King had brought France unto: the great affair of war which he had in hand, the sumptuous crowning of his Queen which he had finished; and to be thus snatched away from these, and in these, by a second Herostratus; who hath defaced one of the royalest buildings the earth bare: must power a myriad of the world's curses, and the vengeance of God in full vials upon the Actor and devisor thereof.  
That the sacred person of so great a King; should be undone by the hands of an unholy Villain, and his own vassal: that a Prince of the sword, should be butchered with a Knife: that He, who had returned victoriously alive, from the head of so many Armies (where Death keeps his open shambles) should now be rob of his life, by the hands of only one, and in the peaceful streets of Paris: which were yet warm with the glory of his Queen's late Coronation: is a villainy; that exceeds (if it were possible) the merit of damnation.  
I demand even of the Devil himself (in whose office all former villenies are enrouled) whether the preceding Ages have begot so stupendious and wicked a deed: Nay I will demand of his Astrology; (wherein he is so great a Master) whether the succeeding Times can be malignant enough to produce such another?  
Truly I confess; that the Intention of the Pouder-treason if it had come to Act: (by which our entire State had been entirely ruined in an instant) had exceeded this: (for as yet, God be praised the State of France goeth on in her former and even Course:) I confess that Treason; blew up all other treasons, as it would have blown up all us: It was the devils Masterpiece; devised by himself; exceeding all Thought, all Expression; all Example.  
O How unthankful then are we to God for that his miraculous preservation of our King for the State's sake; of our State, for the King's sake: Whose Constancy in Religion, and judicious profoundness in the controversed points thereof; whose temperance in government, and mercy even to greatest Offenders, hath given us cause to confess the value of so inestimable a King, and with public sacrifice of prayers, importune God for the continuance of his safety. How can we hear of so terrible a blow but on the other side of the wall, and forbear to fix our eyes and hearts on him, that disposeth all things, howsoever man propounds.  
And whether the speech proceeded from some planetary observation in foreign parts, or from some Intelligence broken forth from out the den of these lurking-assacinates; yet sure I am, (and my information is of credit) that even about this very time, the like assault was said should be made upon the Person of our Sovereign: which divert O God, for thy Holy Names sake, who art King of kings: for Religion's sake, he is the nurse and protector of Religion: for Nature and Humanity's sake, we are borne, and must live under him: preserve him O God, as thy image being a man; as thy vicegerent being a King; that as thou hast with a miraculous peace brought him to these his own Kingdoms; so thou wilt every night, and every morning sprinkle his diadem with the dew of Security, Peace, and Plenty; that posterity may compare his reign, with the reign of Solomon, until being full of days, he shall quietly lay down his life and resign his precious soul into thine hands, and deliver his Empires into the hands of those, who by thy Laws, and by the Laws of Nature are borne to inherit them.