¶ A Dialogue or speaking together of two Personages of the which, the one is the Well willing Commonalty, and the other the Noble and most puissant Prince, my Lord the Duke of Anjou.  
OUR MOST REDOUBTED LORD. etc.  
Imprinted at London, by Thomas Purfoote, dwelling in newgate market, and are to be sold at his shop over against S. sepulchres Church. 1582.   
The well willing Commonalty. 
MOst gracious lord considering that the government of countries hath been always esteemed not only amongst the Philosophers but also amongst all nations, to be a matter of great weight and importance, specially when as a Prince and Governor doth faithfully attend on the same. Therefore now that we have conceived such hope of your highness, we have been moved firstly in all reverence to salute your highness, and thereafter as true subjects to present and show all obedience.  My Lord the Duke. 
My loving friends I thank you heartily for the love and kindness which you do show unto me. And also do promise never to frustrate you, nor make any default of the dutiful good confidence which ye do bear to my person.  The well willing Commonalty. 
We look for nothing else of your highness, but for the office of a good Prince. Which is to protect and defend his subjects from all wrong, outrage, and violence. And to love them as the father loveth his children, and the shepherd his sheep, which doth venture his life for to defend them.  My Lord the Duke. 
My friends you speak very well and I will also fervently endeavour myself to the same, for I hope even as you shall find me always a benign and faithful Governor, that I likewise shall have you obedient subjects, for like as the father is bound to love his children, and the shepherd his sheep, even so the sheep likewise are bound to follow their shepherd and show him obedience.  The well willing Commonalty. 
Your highness shall be hereof enough assured having read over our ancient Consequences and Chronicles. Wherein every where is to be found the great affection which we naturally do bear to our lawful Princes and Lords. But in case your highness did vouchsafe to hear us, it would not seem unto us to be inconvenient, (because your highness should have knowledge of all things, which is most needful for well to administer the government of countries,) that we now speaking together, might briefly discourse or run over the estate of these our low countries, and the sum of things which theirin be passed since the beginning of the troubles until now.  My Lord the Duke. 
My loving friends, I am very well pleased to hear the same and that more is, I think it wholly necessary, to have knowledge thereof. Because we might thereby in all things deal the more circumspectly, to the welfare of the country, and the salvation of us all. And therefore I request you in no wise, to hide from me the knowledge of such things.  The well willing Commonalty. 
Seeing that your highness doth request this of us, we will gladly do the same, thanking the almighty god that it hath pleased him to send us your highness hence forward to protect and make us free from the tyranny, intended to be brought upon us by our enemies. Your highness must firstly understand that the king of spain after the decese of the Emperor Charles the first of worthy memory. Of whom he hath received all these Low countries, forgetting the services, which aswell his Lord and father as also he himself had received of these countries and the inhabitants of the same, whereby specially the king of Spain hath obtained so famous victories against his enemies, that thereby his name and power became famous & feared through all the world. And forgetting also the admonition which the emperors majesty aforesaid had given him at other times to the contrary he hath bend his ear, and given credit to those of the counsel of Spain, being near him which had conceived in their hearts, and envy against these countries and there freedoms. For that they might not have any charge to govern in chief countries, nor to bear the principal estates or offices as they did in the realms of Naples, Sicilia, at Milan, in India, and at other places being under the kings dominion, whereof the most part of them knew the riches and power.  
Which Counsel of Spain or some of the principal thereof have declared to this king at divers times. That it was better for his majesties reputation, a new to Conquer these countries for to command thereover freely and absolutely, (which is to play the Tyrant according to his pleasure) then to be driven to govern under such conditions, & restrictions, as he hath been fame to swear, in the accepting of the dominion of these countries, According to the which the king hath ever since sought by all means to bring the aforesaid countries from their ancient freedoms, and under a Tyrannical government of the spaniards intending firstly under the cloak of religion to put in new bishops in the cheefeste and most principal Cities, giving and enduing them with adiunction and incorporation of the most richest Abbeys, and adjoining unto them, nine Canonicos or Regulars, which should be of his Counsel. Whereof the three should have special charge over the Inquisition▪ By which incorporation the said Bishops (which might have been aswell strangers as Native of the Countries) have had the first places & voices in the assemblies of the estates of these countries, And have been his creatures ready at his commandment and devotion: and should have brought in by the said adjoined Canonicos or Regulars, the spanish Inquisition: Which hath always been (as it is manifest unto all men) so horrible and odious in these Countries as the very bondage itself: In such wise that the said Imperial Majesty having at other times proponded the same to the countries he did let it rest again, by reason of the remonstrations which were done against it unto his Majesty, therein showing the affection which he did bear to his subjects. But howbeit divers remonstrations which be done unto the King by word of mouth as well by particular Provinces and Cities, as also by some of the principal Lords of the Country, viz. The Lord of Montingni, and the Earl of Egmont, being sent to spain to that purpose at sundry times by the consent of the Duchess of Parma then Governant over the same countries by the advise of the Counsel of Estates and Generality. And also that the said king of Spain had given unto them by word of mouth good hope to provide therein, according to their request, he notwithstanding to the contrary thereof, shortly thereafter sharply by Letters upon his indignation commanded to receive the Bishops, and to place them in possession of their bishoprics, and incorporated Abbeys, To give the Inquisition her course, where it theretofore had been, and to follow the ordinance of the Counsel of Trent. Which was in many points contrary to the Privileges of the aforesaid countries, which thing being come to the knowledge of the Commonalty, hath with good reason caused occasion of great commosion amongst them: and an alienation of the good affection which they always as good subjects have born to the said king of Spain and his Predecessors. Specially considering that not only he did go about to play the Tyrant upon their persons & goods, but also upon their consciences, of the which they think to be bound to give reckoning, or make answer unto no body but only unto God.  
For which cause, and for pity of the said Commonalty, the principal of the Countries have exhibited a certain Remonstration in the year, 1565. Requesting that for to still the Commonalty, and prevent all Seditions, his Majesty should assuage these points, and specially concerning the rigorous Inquisition and punishment of the Religion, showing therewith the love and affection which he as a benign Prince did bear unto his subjects, and for to notify the same unto the said king of Spain more nearer, and with more authority, and for to prove how necessary the same was for the welfare of the countries, and to maintain the same in quietness, to put or leave of such novelties, and mitigate the rigour of the general Petition of the Place at in matters concerning the Religion at the request of the said Governant, Counsel of the Estates, and of the general estates of all the countries, were sent to Spain as Ambassadors; The Marquis of Berghen, and the Lord of Montingni afore named, But in steed to give attendance unto them, and to provide in the inconveniences which there had been propounded, which by delaying of the remedy in due time, according as the need required, did already begin to appear or show themselves almost in all countries, amongst the Congregation, he by the alluring of the spanish Counsel, hath caused the said persons which had made the aforesaid Remonstration, to be declared Rebels and to be guilty of the crime of Treason, and consequently to be punished in body and goods. And moreover he thinking thereafter that the said Countries were wholly subdued under his subiertion and tyranny, by the power of the Duke of Alba, caused the said Lords Ambassadors to be apprehended, murdered, and their goods confisked, contrary to all common orders, or laws, which always have been inviolately observed amongst the most cruel and tyrannical Princes. And howbeit that the greatest troubles risen in the said Countries, by the dealing of the said Governant and her Adherentes, in the said year 1566. was again pacified, and many driven away which did understand the freedoms of the countries, and the rest oppressed and subdued in such wise, that the king had no cause at all to oppress the said Countries by force of Weapons, yet notwithstanding, to have such an occasion which the said Spanish counsel of long time had sought and looked for, according to the same is plainly declared by th●●… intercepted and detained letters of Alana, the Ambassador of Spain, resident in France, being at that time written to the Duchess of Parma for to anic●●late all the Privilege of the Countries, and to govern the same according to her will, tyrannically by the Spainiardes as the Jndians and the new conquered Lands: He by the motion and counsel of the said Spainiardes, showing the little love which he hare to his good subjects, contrary to that which he as their Prince, Protector and good shepherd was bound to do. Hath sent towards the said countries for to oppress them with a great army the Duke of Alba, being infamous of hardness and cruelty, & one of the principal enemies of the country: and being, for to be his Counsellors, accompanied with persons of like nature and humours. Which have executed such innumerable deal of cruelties and tyrannies upon these Countries, that the same would be to long before your highness here to be rehearsed. And thereafter the great Commandador (whom the King of Spain did send to these Countries after the Duke of Alba not for to amend aught, but for to prosecute the said way of tyranny by a more secret mean which have compelled the other countries which they kept under the Spanish subjection with their Garrisons and built Castles, for to use all their persons and might for to help to oppress them, showing notwithstanding unto the said countries which they did employ in their assistance as is aforesaid, no more favour then if they had been their very enemies, permitting that the Spainiardes under the cloak that they were in sedition before the face of the great Commandador, forcibly did enter into the City of Antwerp there according to their discretion to waste and spend for the space of six weeks at the charges of the Citizens, constraining furthermore in the mean time the said Citizens because they should be discharged of the violence of the same Spainiardes to furnish to the payment of four hundred thousand gyldrens', their demanded wages, and also thereafter the spanish soldiers using a greater boldness have advanced themselves publicly to take up their weapons against the country, thinking firstly to take the city of Brussels, and in place of the ordinary residence of the Prince of the Countries being there, to make their Cave of robbery, which thing not succeeding unto them, they have overthrown the City of Aelst, and thereafter forcibly taken, sacked, spoiled, murdered, and burned the City of Maestricht and Antwerp, aforesaid, and so handled the same that the most cruel and Tyrannical enemies of the Countries can not do any more nor worse, to the unspeakable damage not only of the inhabitants, but also almost of all the Nations of the world, which there had their wares and money. And howbeit that the said Spainiardes by the counsel of Estates (by whom at that time by reason of the death of the great Comandador was accepted the Government of the Countries by the charge and commission of the king of Spain) were declared and published for enemies of the Land in the presence of jeronimo de Rhoda, for the outrage, force and violence which they used, yet the said Rhoda by his own authority, or else (as it is to be presumed) by virtue of some secret Instruction which he might have from Spain, had taken upon him to be the Chief or head of these Spainguartes and their associated, And without to have respect to these counsel of Estates to use the name and authority of the king to counterfeit his seal, and to behave himself publicly as governor and lieutenant of the king, whereby the estates were caused to make agreement at this time with my Lord the Prince and estate of holland and Zexlande, which agreement hath been approved and been found to be good by the council of the estates and lawful Governors of the countries, for jointly and with one accord to set upon and drive out of the countries the Spainguartes as common enemies of the countries. Nevertheless not pretermitting as good subjects in the mean while with all diligence by divers humble remonstrations to the king of Spain and all fit and possible means to sue and beseek the king that he taking regard and consideration on the troubles and inconveniences which already were happened in these countries, and yet were likely to happen. It might please him to cause the Spainguartes to depart out of the countries and punish them which have been occasion of the spoil and ruin of his principal Cities, and other unspeakable outrages, which his subjects have sustained: for the consolation of those on whom the same had fallen, and for an example to other. But the king although he feigned with words that the same was chanced against his will and pleasure, and that he did intend to punish their cheifes, and forthwith for the quietness of the country to be willing to appoint some order with all favour as it becometh to a prince. Yet notwithstanding the same he hath not only caused justice nor punishment to be administered against them, but contrary wise it doth sufficiently by his deeds appear, that all was done with his consent, and by a proceading spanish Counsel, as the same within a while after found out by certain Intercepted, and detained letters, that by the king himself had been written to Rhodas, and other Captains (being an occasion of the aforesaid mischief) that he not only found their doings good but did praise them for the same and promised to make recompense, especially to the said Rhodas, as having done a singular service unto him, even as also he hath shown the same in deeds, at his return in Spain, unto him, and to all other his servitors of the said tyranny, which have been in these countries. And the king also at the same time (minding so much the more to blind the eyes of his subjects) did send as Governor in the said countries, his bastard brother Don john D'austrya as one that was of his blood who under the cloak that he did find good and approve the agreement which was made at Gaunt, the promise to defend the Estates, the Spainguartes to depart and to cause the authors of the violence and discords which be done in these countries to be punished, And to take order for the common quietness of the countries and the ancient liberties, did go avoute to divide the said Estates, and to subdue the one country after the other, which thing even as that which is fainedlye done and with outward show against, the meaning cannot long continue secret. So likewise the same breaking out before he had fully compassed his Intention. He could not perform the same according to his purpose, but he in stead of peace stirred and raised up new war, whereof he did boast at his coming and which as yet doth endure, we having resisted the same, according that reason doth greatly move us thereunto. Here you have heard most gracious Lord the principal matters which be chanced in these our low Countries during the time of the aforesaid troubles and therefore we beseech you with all reverence, That seeing your entering is most heartily welcome unto us, it may please you to receive us in your protection, and to execute at all sins on us the Office of a good Prince.  My Lord the Duke. 
Thereof my loving friends you need not in any wise to doubt as long at it shall please the almighty God to grant me his grace.  
The well willing Commonalty.  
We beseech the almighty God that it may please him here unto to preserve your highness, and to grant us together much joy, and advancement, that we may speedily see the enemy conquered by our hands.   
Finis Coronat opus.