A Scourge for Rebels:  
Wherein are many notable services truly set out, and thoroughly discoursed of, with every particular point touching the troubles of Ireland, as far as the painful and dutiful service of the Earl of Ormound in sundry sorts is manifestfestly known.  
Written by Thomas Church-yard Gentleman.  
Imprinted at London for Thomas Cadman. 1584.   


Churchiards Arms.    

To the Right honourable my very good Lord, the Lord Haward of Effingam, Lord Chamberlain of the Queen's majesties household, one of her highness privy Council, and Knight of the most noble order of the Garter, Thomas Church-yard wisheth increase of honour, and many happy new years.  
AS all worldly gifts, good turns, faithful friendship and true affection springs of good will, so my good Lord, a certain kind of serviceable liking towards your Honour, thrusteth me forward to this boldness, in presenting your L. a little bare work of mine, being stirred thereunto. First, for the general favour that the world bears you (a love not won without desert) and next, for the favour your noble Parents showed me, I am encouraged not only to proceed to present some matter meet for you to read, but likewise to show myself thankful for favour received. So in weighing those causes (as becomes me) and knowing the good consideration your Lordship carries (in sound judgement) of friends that time did plant, truth makes grow, and trial doth gather, I bethought me of the Earl of Ormounde, who honoured your Parents, and loveth yourself, in which conceit of mine, I found that you hearing well of that worthy friend by my means, would believe I were zealous of your Honour, and a favourer of noble actions.  
Wherefore, and in respect a writer ought to be plain, I treat plainly in my book of the Earl of Ormoundes services (known to many, and hid to a few) naming him the scourge of Rebels as truly I prove.  
Which presumption of mine, in that regard and glory of his in gaining good report, I trust your Lordship will peyze in balance of equal weight, judging me to boldness as I merit, and his deservings, as they shall compel by proof to credit. So wishing great grace & good hap to your L. I present this my first new years gift in the latter time of mine age to your Honour, and the worlds judgement.  
Your L. humbly at comment. Thomas Church-yard.   

To the loving Reader.  
MY waking goodwill to the world, first for the pleasuring of friends, generally to please the multitude, keeps my 〈◊〉 always occupied in such matter as the time bringeth forth, which time is mother & nurse aswell to bad causes, as to good actions. And it is sufferable to a true Writer, to treat of both the ●●des, as the manner and nature in things discoursed of, giveth light unto. So finding plenty & store of matter, both to study on, & travail with, I cannot but (for easing my burden) impart a piece of my study with thee (of vertunous disposition) good friendly Reader, not that my words have such effect to work a common commodity, & lead thee to like my doings, (void of cunning, style, & eloquence) but to win thy favour, creeping as I may, under thy sound consideration, I lay myself plain & open to the judgement and hasty opinions of many, which suddenly condemn & slowly allow the labour of willing writers. The ground whereof proceeds not of envy, but of further cause than I name, (Ignorance peradventure a let for the true understanding of matter well meant) yet my hope is, thy gravity and goodness, (that bears with my overbold presumption) will accept my good meaning, & pass over the faults of my book & fantasies I had, when I took in hand to write this Discourse. The truth is in sleeping softly on the cushion or carpet of peace (where age is content to take a nap) the sound of Drum and Trumpet awakened my muse. For a loud blast and brute of Irish wars bade me look about me, and here what might be said by good services for the scourging of Rebels. Then hearing the fall or tragedy of Desmond, the faithful services and nobleness of Ormound: with many more things than now I express: I took pen and registered in memory, what was most meet, and fit for thee to know in causes not yet published by any true report or Writer, doubting not, though the matter be but little, the truth thereof shall greatly delight thee. So commending all that follows to thy upright judgement, I crave and earnestly desire thee wishingly to read this small discourse, called The Scourge for Rebels. Promising out of hand to print another work, called A rebuke to rebellion, and a triumph to true Subjects. So farewell.   

A Scourge for Rebels, of matter touching dutiful services, that merits immortal fame: wherein rebels are scourged and discoursed of, which services chief by the Earl of Ormound (and noble Soldiers under his charge) were manfully begun, worthily maintained, and happily ended.  
WHereas men of good minds, studious to set out truth, Lovers of virtue, Haters of vice, & Favourers of common weal, have framed themselves members of the state, & writers of good things worthy memory (that craveth witness of the best wits) have taken pains in publishing many volumes well penned, and printing of books needful for this time, & necessary for all ages to read & behold in time to come: and in manner written partly on reports, and partly on experience by view, have set down not only their own opinions (in matters treated of:) but also have made rehearsal of many men's actions, and last out the services of a very honourable and valiant Earl (named the Earl of Ormounde) whose nobleness both in nature and condition argues a great mind, and commands a multitude to speak well of.  
For which cause, & the rather to encourage valiant hearts to continue in virtuous actions (a thing looked for in each degree and calling) that may advance the hardy and stout parsonages, I have adventured to put pen to paper, in the behalf especially of some heretofore long forgotten, and others, both presently to be praised, and hereafter may be worthy of great renown and credit.  
And to be plain, writers are so small regarded, world so envious, and people so greedy of their own glory, that few goes about to blow the blast of good fame, towards any worthy man's advancement.  
Such is our weakness of goodwill, and shortness of breath, that we can spare no speeches (well spent and bestowed) to the benefice of such as deserves well, whose doings, claims good liking, and a general good report of the world.  
Yet commonly the best sort of companies, being inclined to noble disposition are glad to hear the worthy commended, & with sweet words furthers the fame of any one that merits commendation.  
The truth of things is well bestowed among such people & nothing should be hid from their knowledge, that so thankfully welcomes the well doing of others.  
And in effect no enterprise of value is taken in hand, but in hope that labour and pains should reap commodity and praise, a good work may not scape unrewarded, and what better work can there be, then to cut off sick and rotten members from a sound and hold body?  
I mean who can be better occupied then those that would weed out of a common weal, a number of cankered minds infected with corrupt manners that may suddenly wound harmless hearts, and break the common society of good men?  
Is there any labour more laudable, service more famous, life more toilsome, or exercises more noble, then still to be busied for the preservation of a Prince and country?  
And who I pray you lives in more hazard, eats with less quietness, sleeps in more danger, or tasteth so many miseries as the Soldier that only seeks his country's glory and his own credit?  
Deserves not that man an everlasting renown, that refuseth no journey, shuns no service, nor avoids no action to do his country good?  
Ye shall read how the Romans rewarded the valiancy of men with a Crown called the Crown Civique, which albeit, it was but of special green leaves, yet was it as much or more esteemed than some golden crowns that Emperor's ded wear in triumph, as divers Authors thereof makes mention.  
And where such Soldiers (crowned in this manner) repaired either in open pastimes, privace plays, and Comedies, or in any noble assembly where honour is to be received and looked for, the sacred Senate, and generally the whole Senators altogether would arise from their seats of majesty & show a certain salutation towards the honourable soldier, at his coming to their presence, and further to animate courageous minds, there was always an honourable place prepared (a part from common people) for the soldier.  
Whereby the world might see the soldiers worthiness, and learn to regard men worthily, whose service deserved great reputation.  
But look now what great & mighty matters were brought to pass in that age, what victories were won, what triumphs were obtained, and what riches and treasure was gotten by the invincible courage of mean, and by mean of the honour that soldiers and citizens of Rome possessed.  
Among the East Indians at this present day, soldiers are so reverenced and made of, that the mean people must not only give them way & courtesy, but also must labour for their maintenance, yea their stipends and living are so great (by a public provision) that they always live and feed on the common treasure, and every thing is allotted and appointed them, as it came by inheritance, and were possessed from their parents.  
Did not king Alexander the great, in the beginning and middle of his conquests, cause soldiers to be honoured, made orders and laws that no man should do them injury, & since his days as well as before his time, when a soldier should be judged (by a free liberty granted from kings) he might appeal to Cesar from the laws of the land, and so in every sort his privilege was so great, that all manner of men knew him to be honourable.  
Though duty and good disposition halleth men forward, to adventure great attempts and services, if same should be kept from them, their warm good wills would wax cold, and weariness would quickly overcome the willingest mind, that ever followed marshal affairs.  
For as the dumb beast being cherished and comforted with his masters sweet entertainment, draws (as seemeth) with a better delight in labour, and forsakes neither foul way, nor hard adventure for each sensible man feeling some encouragement in his travail, goes on justly to his business, and thinks the less of great burdens, because some hope leads him forward, and helps to ease his overcharged Body, and shoulders: fair words (with some fruit) and gentle behaviour, I tell you, towleth some forward, that otherwise would drag far behind, & persuades great content to an aspiring mind, that gapes after glory, and is nourished with good hope.  
Now since in our elders days (of great antiquity) souldidiers had countenance and credit, that qualified their careful turmoilings, and recompensed their labours, with a blast of noble report, this our time present must of compulsion (by mean of their prerogative) yield them praises condign for their deservings, and fit for personages of manly spirit and towardness.  
So if all nations & times allow necessary fame to valiant minds, and reason grants that good men should be honoured, (especially in a naughty world) because desire of fame breeds many worthy actions, we may the better (and with greater holdness) enterprise to register them in the renowned book of commendation.  
All this before by me written, meant only of soldiers, that serve and have served against foreign enemies. Then what Title, what honour shall I give them? and what style shall I hold in the honouring of those that continually against Rebels, have showed their uttermost force and policy, which services of theirs, springs of marvelous truth and affection, and ought not to be forgotten of no posterity nor nation: the consequent is so great thereof, and the constancy so much in them, that pursues Rebels, that no man's pen is able sufficiently to praise them aright.  
For they are such profitable props and pillars of the public pillars of the public weal, that they may march next unto honourable councillors whose wisdom trice out follies, and whose gravity graciously governs.  
And so to be short, if conscience confesseeth that each man doing well, shall possess immortal praise, I may not forget, and utterly leave out the noble. Acts and services of mine ancient Friend the worthy Earl of Ormounde, whose deeds when you hear, (though you were mortal enemies) you shall marvel of: and when you consider the the substance thereof throughly, you that have power and ability, shall imitate his steps, and be followers after the light of so noble a lantern, that in the darkest times, doubtefullest days, and most obscure season, hath showed brightness, and like a blazing star hath stood stiffly in a fixed place, and cast a clear light, so far, that all the beholders may be glad thereof, and well therein.  
First, for that the Country of Ireland hath been a long while subject to sundry seditions and sorrowful calamities most miserable for themselves, and chargeable to the Prince, the reformation whereof hath cost many a worthy man's life, and the greater hath grown the griefs because divers of that Nation neglecting their duties, have had small care of the common tranquillity and peace of poor people, by which insolence, rebellion hath been bred: and shameless dissension set abroach. And continuing in extremity, very sore wounds and maims the public state hath sustained, till GOD of his goodness raised up some such members as sought nothing but redress and quietness.  
It happened in a number of services that one Noble man was so fortunate (because of his fideltye) that many of the rest did fear him, and therefore sought his overthrow, but he being armed with a just quarrel and minding to scourge Rebels, omitted no occasion to take the enemies at advantage, but howsoever he chanced to find them, he fortunately suppressed their pride, and followed the faithful course and form of a most noble captain.  
And because it shallbe seen to the world, orderly what heedid, herein shall be set down the matter, place, and time, of a part of his honourable services, to the intent it shall not dwell in forgetfulness, and to encourage other noble personages in doing their country good to tread the steps of the noble Earl of Ormound.  
I remembering his forwardness in the young king Edward's days (with whom he was brought up) and the charge he had of some horsemen in Queen Mary's reign against Rebels in England, have called in like manner to mind, the service he did against the Omoores and the Oconnors in their rebellion of Ireland, also the overthrowing of Dunloghe, Oswillevane moors chiefest house, is worthy note: for it was in time of Rebellion, with other ordinary services, that always did testify, that this Earl was a sharp scourge to Rebels.  
And to prove that his daily desire thirsted after noble enterprises (for the punishment of malefactors) he served chargeably and in no little danger (on his own proper cost and expense) with two hundred footmen, and fifty horsemen in Ulster, the North part of Ireland against john Oneale, who was in open action of rebellion many and sundry seasons.  
In the like manner all on his own charge, he served against the scot, called james Maconell, in Ulster, whose force he overthrew to the number of two thousand men, and in the end drove the scot to fly away.  
Then having charge of Thomounde (by virtue of the Queen's highness commission) he took all the Castles and ho●●es thereof in spite of the Earl of Thomounde (who was in rebellion) slew divers of his men, and brought others of them to submission, compelling the Earl, himself (for safeguard of his life) to fly into France, where he remained, until her Majesty on her mere clemency, pardoned his life, and restored his lands. The Earl of Thomoundes mother notwithstanding, was Aunt to the Earl of Ormounde, which shows that neither respect of blood, nor friendship could hinder any piece of dutiful service.  
In another great service the Earl of Ormound hearing that Desmound went about to annoy Sir Maurice fitz Gerralt (late viscount of the Defies) he raised a power and met Desmounde in the field, gave him battle at Athmanie, slew five hundred of his men, took himself captive, and sent him into England where he remained till the Queen's highness vouchsafed to remit his offence, and returned him home to his country.  
Now in process of time, my Lord of Ormounde by the Queen's appointment, became governor of Monster in the beginning of Desmondes' last revolt, when he had of Rebels about him, two thousand able men, but he was followed so fast, and so hardly beset (by such as were appointed for that purpose) that he was driven to many extremities, partly by the aid and advice of the L. justice, Sir William Pelham, and partly by the policy and power of the Lord Governor (who chief was general in the field) that of two thousand men, the Desmound was left but one bare hundred, and as it seemed, and may be proved, the Earl of Ormounde was cause of the weakening of the enemy's force, as hereafter you may read, when it comes to that point.  
But the L. Governor being removed from that charge, came into England, from whence after some time spent there, about necessary causes, he was sent again to his former government of Monster with most noble authority and commission, and being arrived in Ireland, he made head against the Desmound with whom was a thousand tall soldiers that were gathered together in the absence of the Earl of Ormound. He coming to scourge these Rebels, and finding the enemies force strong, took order both by watch, spial, discipline of War, and warlike devices, to supplant Desmoundes determination, and marching in marshal manner towards the enemies, his very countenance daunted so much Desmoundes company, that they fell to their wonted fear, where they thought them in most safety, but being painfully followed, and pursued most fiercely as Rebels should be, they fell from flying and fighting to yielding and craving of mercy, so even as the matter fell out in the pursuit, ye shall read as follows the names of some few of the chiefest that were slain being Leaders of companies, and men of account amongst the traitors. Henry fitz Gerralt, base brother to Sir james fitz Gerralt of the Defies.  
Kennedy mac Bryen, mac Brien Ogonaghs, son Gibbon Roe, Lord of the great wood. The Dean of Brohils' sons, the Earl of Desmoundes receiver, Connoghore O Multean, Daniel Mantagh foster brother to Sir john of Desmond. Rowrie Moel mac Conoghane. Mac Thomas thief of his name. Mauryce Uale, james Uale, Brownes of the Earl of Desmoundes foster Brothers. William Graveye son to mac Bryen Ogonagh with many more too tedious, to be recited, besides two hundred forty six of their men and confederates that were put to the sword, and executed in such manner as divers other Rebels (being greatly terrifled therewith) were fain to submit themselves to the Queen's Highness mercy.  
And further, the Lord Governor caused all the Cattle of the Country, to be brought out of Desmoundes reach, into places of strength, whereby Desmounde and such of his company as remained with him, were brought to most miserable state, & driven for want of other relief, to feed upon horseflesh and carrion in such sort as with very hard shift, they saved themselves from being starved.  
And thus was the Earl of Desmound of all his force consumed and left accompanied only with seven men and his Priest, who from the tenth of the last julie, hid them in a glinne within Sleaveloghra, having no other food the space of seven Weeks there, but six Plowegarrans, whereon they fed without either bread, drink, or other sustenance.  
About the twentieth of September last, Desmounde being hardly followed by certain Kearnes appointed by the L. General to serve against that traitor, his priest was taken from him, with another of his men, and brought to the Earl of Ormound.  
Since which time, the Earl of Desmounde was relieved by a Captain of Galloglas (called Gohorra mac Donnagha mac Sweenye) whereof the Earl of Ormounde having advertisement by such as he employed to do that service, pursued him into Olearies Country where he took the most part of his goods, and left no relief for him nor Desmounde, insomuch as the first of the last November, the said Gohorra was enforced to repair to Iniskive mac Carthy Reoghs Country, in the county of Corcke, and there took thyrteene Cows and eight Garrans from one Donogho mac Teig of Iniskive aforesaid Gentleman: which Donnogho with ten more in his company made pursuit after the said Gohorra, rescued his Cows and garrans, slew the said Rebel, and sent his head to the Earl of Ormound.  
The eleventh of the said November, the Earl of Desmounde for want of the said Gohorra, to bring him his wonted nourishment was urged with mere famine, and pinching penury, to send to one Daniel mac Daniel Omoriherteighe to seek some relief, which Daniel made answer to him that brought the message, that he was bound in band, and by oath sworn to the Lord General, and also that he had delivered his pledge into the generals hands for performance of doing good service against Desmounde and his Adherentes: wherefore, he would give him no relief at all.  
Whereupon the Earl (being almost famished with extreme hunger) determined a desperate action. First, for relieving his necessity, and after, to escape the danger of other fortunes that might follow, and in that resolution he adventured to pray where he thought for that purpose, and because the very truth of his doings then, and the manner of his death shallbe well known to the world thoroughly, here is set down an examination of one that was at his overthrow, and saw his head cut off.   

The Examination of Owen mac Donill, Omorihertegh, taken the xxuj. of November, 1583. before those whose names are hereunto subscribed, of the manner and discourse how the Earl of Desmound was pursued and slain.  
THe said Owen being duly sworn and examined upon the holy Evangelist, by virtue of his oath, deposeth, that on Saturday (being the ix. of this present November) the Earl of Desmound departed, the woods lying near the Island of Rierye, and went Westward beyond Tramore to the wood called Dorremore near Bongoinder, from whence he sent two. of his Horsemen (called Conoghore Nescolly & Shane Deleo) with xviii. kearns to bring him a pray (having himself and john mac Ullug, and two or three footmen stayed there at Dorremore for them) which company (by the said Earls direction) went to Cahir nefahye (lying by west Gregory's Castle by the Sea side) and there took the prey of Maurice mac Owen brother in law to this Deponent, and the pray of Robert mac Edmound being tenants to this deponent and to his eldest brother, called Donil mac Donil Omoriherteighe in that town: that is to say, forcie cows, niene capples with great store of other goods and household stuff, and stripped naked the said Maurice his wife, and children. At the taking of which pray (to terrify the people from making pursuit) the said traitors published and said that the Earl of Desmound lay near them with the rest of his company, to aid them, if pursuit had been made after them. Whereupon the said Maurice sent word to Lieutenant Stanley (then being in the Dungle) and also to this deponent and to his said brother Dovil mac Donil (being then at Castle dromin near Castle Maing) of the taking of his prey.  
Whereupon this Deponent and his said brother Donill mac Donil (having also word sent them from lieutenant Stanley, to pursue and tract out that pray, and to call to their aid, the ward of Castlemaing, and that he and the country were making ready to follow them to rescue the same) having respect chiefly to their oaths, assurance, and promise given and made to the Lord General, to do service, set forward, being xiiii. proper Kearnes in company whereof two were shot. And this Examinate went to Castlemaing, and told the Constable Cheston of the whole matter, and besought him to rise out (according to the lieutenants direction) to follow the pray in the company of him and his brother Daniel, to which Cheston answered, that he could not himself departed his charge, and said, he would let him have some of his company, to go with this Examinate, and so sent away five Soldiers with him. This Examinate, and those five Soldiers came together to the Mountain of Sleavemisse, where his Brother Daniel mac Daniel waited for them, and from thence they came altogether toward Tralye in the Evening a Sunday (being the tenth of November) in hope that they should overtake the pray, before the same, should pass the strait of Tramore, where they were sure (as they thought) to rescue the same pray from the traitors if they had overtaken them there. At their coming to Traley, they found the tract of the pray, going Eastward to Sleaveloghra.  
Whereupon, the Soldiers which came from Castlemaing began to stay, and said they would travail no farther after the pray, but turn back to their charge, till at length this Deponente persuaded them to stay, and keep him company to pursue the prey, promising them two biefes of the pray if it had been their luck to rescue the same from the Traitors, if not, that he would give them a Beef of his own in respect of their travail. Upon which promise, the Soldiers agreed to go forward: the tract was followed by day light to Balleore, and by mooneshyne toward Glamagnitie at Sleaveloghra, where then the Elder Brother Daniel, and this Examinate took advice to get up above the Glinne to view whether they might see any in the Wood, or hear any stir, and having come to the height over the Glinne, they saw the fire underneath them.  
Whereupon Daniel said that he would go to spy, whether the Traitors had the pray there with them, which he did, and came back to the company, and told there were some of the Traitors there, which had no cattle with them, and said it were best not to assault them before the pray and themselves could be found together.  
Whereunto this Examinate agreed. In the dawning of the day, on mundaye the eleventh of November, they put themselves in order to set upon the Traitors in their Cabins. This Examinate and his Brother Donill with their Kearne, took the forward, and appointed the soldiers to keep the reward (saving that one Daniel Okelleye a Soldier which had but his Sword and Target, stood in the forward with them) they all making a great cry entered the cabin where the Earl lay, and this Examinate ran thorough the cabin after the Earl's company, which fled to the Wood, and at his return back to the cabin door, the Earl being strooken by one of the company (by whom certain he knoweth not, but that all the Footmen and Soldiers were together within the cabin) he discovered himself, saying: I am the Earl of Desmounde, save my life. To whom this Examinate annsweared, thou hast killed thyself long agone, and now thou shalt be Prisoner to the Queen's Majesty, and to the Earl of Ormounde Lord General of Monster. whereupon he took him by his arm (being cut,) and willed the Earl (who was slow in going) to make speed, else they would carry away his Head, seeing the Traitors drew very near to have him rescued.  
Whereunto Daniel mac Daniel said, I will carry him on my back a while, and so shall every one of you. Daniel carried a good while, and being weary he put him off: the Traitors being at hand, all the company refused to carry him any further, considering the eminent danger they stood in the traitors drawing near.  
Where at this deponent Owen mac Donil willed the soldier Daniel O kelleye, to cut off the Earl's head, for that they could not apply to fight and carry him away, to whose direction Kelley obeyed, saying: he would so do, drawing out his sword, and striking off the Earl's head, which they brought to Castle maing, where this Examinate and his brother Daniel mac Daniel delivered the same to be kept (as in her majesties Castle) till they had made themselves ready to bring the same to the Lord General, and have sent word to lieutenant Stanley (who followed them in arms with the force of the country, having the charge of the service in those parts by the L. General's appointment) of their happy success, & willed him to take his way to Castle maing, to meet them who came thither with his company.  
And the forenamed Daniel O kelley (being likewise examined before these, testified that the Earl of Desmounde was pursued in the order and manner afore written, and that he himself wounded the said Desmound within his cabin, and after cut off his head (lest he should be rescued) and that he the said Daniel mac Daniel laid up the same head to be kept at Castlemaing, till it had been brought by them to the Lord General.  
These things being said by oath before the right Honourable the Earl of Ormound, the Bishop of Oshry, and the Sovereign of Kilkenny.  
NOw may you that wish well to the worthy sort of men, behold how manfully good minds goes forward in scourging of rebels. And so may you note, how by God's ordinance, all naughty practices are supplanted, the wicked rooted up & the worthy preserved, and briefly to rehearse the noble exploits brought to good pass by the Earl of Ormound, it shall make thousands think, that a secret divine grace upholds the true subject, and a prepared plague (from above) plucketh down the pride of false people, that delights in paltry rebellion: for the good and sound quarrel, always overthrows the ficke and charged conscience, as is seen by this service.  
First mark, this Earl served against his own nation, against his own blood, against his familiars, and against all foreign power and devices, against whom often he obtained victories, and never took foil, where his Adversaries were conquered, and brought to utter subversion. Truly a matter to be marveled at, and a terrible example to all those that foolishly commit offence. For truth is so watchful, so stout in right, and strong in battle, that falsehood can find neither force nor cunning to avoid and resist. This Irish action & scourge of Rebels, may warn the busy wits and wanton heads to beware of punishment, and make reckless children fear the rod. Which rod and scourge, every noble mind bears openly and awfully, to make the miserable offender quake and tremble, not only at his own treachery, but also at the view of a true man's face, which forceth a Rebel to blush and turn back unto, and either mainly to run away or feebly to fight. Yea, and though a while the rebel waxeth wild & wanders at pleasure. Yet suddenly he is made tame, and taken in a net like a wild goose, that knows of no danger, till the fowler hath him in his fingers.  
Now by this notorious service of the Earl of Ormounde (and forwardness of good soldiers) the whole realm of Ireland may see that truth hath ever the victory, and treason is put to shame and dishonour, which justice of God and fidelity of man shallbe I trust, a mirror for all kind of nations to look into, and shall cause to be made clean all infected consciences, and blots of the brow that defiles the faces of many wicked people.  
So thus far I have gone in the rehearsal of a portion of the Earl of Ormoundes services, meaning to write more as time permitteth me. And thus was the rather taken in hand & finished in haste, because your good Lordship shall see how I employ mine aged years. For the exercises of pen, and travel of body, makes me look so young: And now to knit up my careful pilgrimage, I frame myself daily to purchase noble friends, whose power may further my good fortune here, and yield some spark of good report, when I am gone, and my candle is clean burned out, for which intent only I have presented your honourable Lordship this little book.  
A piece of forgetfulness hath hindered my memory, & left out a great matter which should have been mentioned in order, among the rest of this severe Earls services, who as I have said before, took no regard of blood, birth, friendship, familiarity, nor parsonage whatsoever, when it came to the point of justice. For in execution thereof, all people were alike unto him, were they never so near of his kin or consanguinity, as appeareth plainly by the hanging of his own base son, (and his Brother's son) of late: with a number hanged likewise of their followers, which noble and severe deed of his, as it is rare and most to be marveled at, so is it an act comparable to kings, that spared not their own children in causes of punishment, and showing good example. And as the other his worthy doings, merits an everlasting same: so this deserves a perpetual renown and praise, as all just men I know will confess. Further as I said, I forgot some matter, so the taking and beheading of Sir james of Desmound (which was when the Earl of Ormound was Governor of Monster) must be remembered, for I mind at the length to bring most of all his good actions to light.  
Your L. humbly and loyally in all at commandment. Thomas Churchyard.