THE COPY OF the Anti-Spaniard made at Paris by a French man, a Catholic.  
Wherein is directly proved how the Spanish King is the only cause of all the troubles in France.  
Translated out of French into English,  
LONDON. Printed by john Wolf. 1590.   

The Copy of the Anti-Spaniard, made at Paris, by a French Gentleman a Catholic.  
THe Spaniard now after some time having by treasons, and sundry sleights and practices inveigled away no less of our dominions, then at this day remain under our jurisdiction, and presuming on his success therein, hath of late dared to advance himself above us, to whom it was accostumably: an honour to follow us, even in the second place. And now at this present feeling his aged years to hasten in, winding up his latest days, knowing well the insufficiency of his offspring, the ambition of his servants, and imminent ruin of his estate, and foreseeing that the weakened kingdom of France will and may in time recover her former health and liberty, (which as it were newly revived, and inflamed with desire of war, will in the end encounter her fiercest enemies) he laboureth before his death to chain fast that Lion, which otherwise may in short time devour both him and his children, and endeavoureth to make himself absolute Lord of all France, not regarding any rightful claim, title or pretence whatsoever. Whose desire notwithstanding I do not much marvel at, this being the most excellent pray that ever Prince obtained, but rather wish that we would here forethink us, before we be bound, for it will be too late with after thoughts to recover our liberty being once lost. For the effecting whereof his Ambassador here amongst us, (a man as it were borne to the managing of such affairs) hath proceeded so far by his extraordinary liberalities, and by means of his preaching Friars, and meetings of his jesuits (his disguised spies, whom we have freely entertained amongst us to our great cost and charges) that in the end a contract is agreed on, which in effect is the very sale of the Crown of France: for the ratifying whereof, it is even now a concluding to put the Spaniarde in full possession of the same. And that it may not be gainsaid, some labour to persuade us that it is the only and most necessary thing, as without which we must of necessity in the end become all Heretics. O most miserable wretches then that we be. Can not our Catholic religion continue without the safety of an aged Spaniard? hath it no other holdfast, then upon so slender a thread? Are we now come to this pass, that if either the King of Spain (whose aged years breed continual danger) should chance ere long to die, or the Turk should again assail him, or the Flemings renew their wars, or if the Portugese's (which can no longer brook his insupportable tyranny) should happen to rebel, whereby his leisure might not serve him, to restore France to her desired peace. And if either the one or the other should befall him (all which ere long are most likely to happen) are we then utterly to lose our Religion? why good God, who to deliver thy people from bondage, didst restrain the course of the waters, and madest a wall of the sea against the sea itself, canst thou not at this present in the secrets of thy great providence, find some means to continue the glory of thy holy name, but that of necessity we must be made the bondslaves of a most cruel master, being the most insolent tyrant that ever lived, or now doth live on earth? Must it needs he (Lord) that thy Religion, which at the beginning prevailed in France against the Roman slavery, being an assurance of our free liberty, and a pledge of thy great favour, must it now produce most contraryeffects in constraining us to yield ourselves to the Spanish tyranny? Oh happy then, yea thrice happy those our forefathers, who fight, died, rather than they would become Spaniards, must we now their successive children so much degenerate from them? and must we needs become Spaniards? Alas if your spent blood hath profited so little, yet at least, why have you not left us some spark of your Honour, or some praiseworthy motions to die in fight against those, who seek to despoil us of our liberty? Shall it remain chronicled in the histories of our time, that a few Hugunots (albeit with extremity of danger) have maintained themselves true French, not becoming either English or Germains, in such sort as that albeit we sought to enforce them with the cruelty of fire, and other torments. To alter their religion, yet spared they not to aid us themselves, in the recovery of Newhaven: and that we, whom none have dared so much as to think to constrain in our religion, and who more then doubly exceed the army of our enemy, do so slenderly regard the honour of our country, and our own proper liberty, that at the first we are contented to yield ourselves professed Spaniards? Here some will say, it is not the name of King, that he will so soon take upon him, but only of Protector. Oh learned Lawyers, and such as understand the sense and meaning of words: is not every King necessarily either a tyrant, or else a Protector. The King of Spain would make us believe that he will be our Protector. But in what sort? Did not the Romans content themselves with the bare name of friends, and allies with those, whom by conquest they had made their subjects? And doth not he at the first usurp the name of master over us? But make your meaning a little more plain unto us: Either we shall have no King at all (& yet Philip shall be our King) or we will have another, which if we have, he must needs be under the protection of the Spanish King. What? shall the King of France (who never had any other Protector but God, and the sword which he hath given him, and who never had other superior to direct and command him) acknowledge himself to be at the disposition of the Spaniard, and leave God, to be under the Spanish protection? At the beginning we were made believe, that he would take no other title upon him, than Protector of the Catholic religion. But now we find the contrary: for the very first word of the agreement which some have passed unto him, importeth him to be Protector of the Kingdom and crown of France. But imagine this (whereto we are persuaded) to bevery true, and that we had a Protector of our Catholic faith, and a King who for the preservation of the Catholic religion (as one unable to subsist of himself) should stand in need of a Protector, I would demand but this question, whether of the two should have absolute authority to command in time of war? who the direction of armies? whether the placing of governors, officers, and benefices? and if any matter of strife or controversy should happen between them, either for matters of religion or otherwise, or if the one would usurp over the other, who should procure an agreement between them? Oh rare imaginations. Is it possible the world should have two Suns? or one Estate two sovereigns? And if it be needful (as in deed it is most necessary) that the one should be under the other, whether in reasonable sense is likely to be the greater commander? the Preservovr or Protector: or he who shadowed and protected under a greater power than his own? Alas, doth he not already by these articles, take upon him the name of his Majesty without any addition thereunto? What difference is there between the name of Majesty and King, but that the first is a name of greater pride and more arrogancy. Let us say (if so much liberty be left unto us, and that we be not already become his slaves, let us boldly say that which every man doth know. That the King of Spain will be our master for a time under the name of Majesty, and of Protector interchangeably: but in the end, for ever under the name of King. He will have his Lieutenant, or viceroy of France, as he hath of Naples: and for a while he will use them that presently aid and assist him to serve his own turn, but at last destroy or at least banish them: fearing lest they will not humbly enough obey him in France: and then shall we have a Don Ferdinando amongst us, as well as his other subjects: it is expedient that we speak thus boldly. Have we not been long enough deluded with these fantasies, have we not often been told, that in sooth there is some intelligence and intercourse of dealing with the Spaniard, but not of such consequence as some imagine, & peradventure he expects, and that is necessary to retain him in expectation of some great good, but that in the end he is undoubtedly to be deceived: forasmuch as he knows not how to make his own bargain, and take good assurance of us? Is it not a good while, since the state of France is secretly bought and sold: especially at this present time, when with all manner of open hostility it is furiously assaulted? Must we still dissemble and hide the cause of our misery? or rather must we needs please our own humours therein, seduced with a vain hope of coin and silver? As though any thing could happen more miserable to a mind of any courage and valour, then to be enforced even to sell himself for mere want and penury. Are we so poor and needy? Here let me ask a question or two, what is become of those great and infinite sums of money which not long since were found in many houses of this City? Where are those huge sums that were levied of so many ransoms, lones, benevolences, and imprests? where was that money employed which was made of the sale of all our plate, of all our chains, and of all our jewels? Is the greatest part thereof transported out of the Realm? Have not certain, as it were hunger starven peasants, and greedy varlets, so enriched themselves with the remainder, that they are now as demie Princes? Have not some of them so sumptuously adorned themselves therewith, that they jet it up and down rather like new married bridegrooms, than soldiers sit for the field? Have not many of our best and richest widows of Roan and Paris, been seduced and beguiled with some part of it? In conclusion, have our treasuries been so well managed, and our revenues so well husbanded, that for need and poverty we should in the end be enforced to seek us new Masters? Was this the reason that Roland our Treasurer could never be brought to any account, for fear we should see the infinite (yea bottomless) depth of our revenues? and therewithal perceive that it is not in the power of the Spaniard to furnish us with the twentéeth part of such and so great sums. Alas good man, where should he levy so great store of silver? Are we ignorant how before he lost his great fleet (foolishly by him baptized the Invincible, of which long before we saw so many arrogant Catologues both written and printed, whose miserable slaves we afterwards received into our ports, permitted them in pity to be relieved by begging from door to door) he broke and was bankrupt with his creditors of Genova? But shall we better discover and make his penury more manifest? Let us sell ourselves to him (seeing we desire it so much) always provided, that without fail he make us ready payment, not posting us over with bonds, promises, delays, and Spanish brags (for if we be once his servants, what action may we have against our master? What plea may we commence against him? Shall our purse be at his commandment, or his at our disposition? Let us resign all these fertile fields unto him, these beautiful rivers, let us deliver all these strong and mighty towns unto him, these goodly and stately buildings. To conclude, let us surrender all France unto him, (which is the very eye and beauty of the world) and that for nothing. Let us freely and frankly give him all the riches and treasures that are contained therein. Let us give him our wives, our childen, and whatsoever else we have, and all for nothing (oh grief and intolerable misery to think upon) let him buy nothing but ourselves, and that at the lowest price. And the chepest rate that may be, so that he make ready payment. Let him disburse but twenty millions of gold for all us, all which will not amount to ten crowns a man. But what speak I of twenty millions of gold? it being so far from his meaning, who never intended to give us one hundredth thousand crowns. Oh how long is it since we are bought & sold, but no payment made yet, only two & thirty thousand crowns excepted, which lately he delivered to those sixteen thieves, and that only to solicit and hasten our delivery? But where (I beseech you) shall he levy so many millions of gold? where shall he have so much money? are they as easy to be found as promised? As though we know not that the rebellions of the low Countries have cost him as much gold, as ever he received from the mines of Peru, when he drew them driest? Or when he ransacked the whole country, murdering above two millions of those poor, naked, and innocent Indians, on whom he committed all the execrable cruelties, that either antiquity could invent, or the time present devise. The history whereof (printed in the year 1584.) was wholly smothered by means of the jesuits, who buying up all the copies that were extant, caused that it should be forbidden to be printed any more. Oh brave butchers, whose fingers ends itch, to try whether the French that doth not sufficiently humble himself before you, will prove so abject and so base as those poor and naked savage Indians. But ravenous tigers that you are, you are not yet come to that pass: know you not that you must confront so many millions of true French men, as will (if need require) encounter you with an hundredth and an hundredth battles, before they will become Spaniards? What? shall those Marranos, yea, those impious Atheiests reign over us as Kings and Princes? Shall the Country of France become servile to the commandment of the Spaniard? shall France be added to the titles of this King of Maiorica? Of this demie Moor, demie jew, yea demie Saracine? Shall it be made known to the world, that France is no more a kingdom? that France is become Spain? and that all to the river Rhine containeth nothing else but provinces of Spain? and that the three flowers de Luce are as an honour annexed to the py-balde and barrie-armes of this universal King? Oh that the earth would rather open, and the Sea break out his limits, than we do die and never remedy these outrages: Oh let us die rather than prove such traitors to our native Country, and that we subject ourselves to the yoke of the Spaniards. Let us die rather, yea let us die with our swords in our hands, thick and three fold one upon another, like the natural and true children of our forefathers, who for the honour of France, and for the preservation of their own liberty, have covered the plains of Saint Quintines, those of Rantie, and so many others with the slaughtered bodies of these accursed Spaniards. What, are we brought to that exigent, that we must needs be subject to these castilians? Have we not yet an hundredth Lords in France, who will choose to die a thousand times rather than yield the right they have, or hereafter may have to the crown of France, after the blood Royal, unto any stranger whatsoever? An hundredth Lords (I say) who cannot read any one Chapter of our histories, but they shall find sundry notable exploits and deeds of arms of their ancestors, who valiantly have died in fight against the Spaniards, and others their enemies, who always have been the very props and stays, whereon the state and Crown of France have depended, who with the loss of their blood, and by their means and valour have gotten, preserved and conquered the greatest part of this most goodly and famous Realm, and who have left unto their children all the right, interest, and possibility they had (after the blood royal) in those things which with such pains and travail they have helped both to get and preserve. There is no question but that their title will be most available against all strangers whatsoever, who under pretext and colour of aid, have a long time laboured and sworn our utter ruin and subversion. This is the reason for which we see the Spaniards treacherous proceedings against the Princes and whole nobility of France, against whom he laboureth by all means possible, to inflame the people daily more and more, knowing well that he cannot lay any sure foundation for to establish the state which he goeth about to usurp from us, but by their utter ruin, whoby no means can never brook him, or his tyranny. For he knows full well that our Gentlemen of France will never be brought every New years day to purchase a licence from a castilian, whereby they may be authorized, (if so they please) to wear a weapon by their side, as it is notoriously known, that those few which remain of the Nobility of Naples, are enforced to do at this day: the use being, that if any man be noted throughout the whole year not to have sufficiently humbled himself to the basest peasant that is a Spaniarde borne, they may do him this disgrace and dishonour, as at the years end to deprive him of his Rapier, without yielding any reason wherefore. Well wots he that our Nobility can never endure to see the Castles, Towns and fortresses of France to be in the hands, and at the disposition of the castilians. As it is most manifest that they must all be, by the Maxims of Estate which hitherto he hath most diligently practised: who can never be induced to reverence and worship such his Uizeroies, as it shall please him to send us one after another. Who in conclusion will rather have their throats cut, then that their bodies should contain Spanish souls. And here may we note the reason why our Preachers (dazzled with the brightness of his gold, and bewitched with the hope they have that the Abbeys and bishoprics shall by the spoil of those which presently possess them, be bestowed on them, grounding this doctrine of theirs upon the Council of Trent) proclaim and pronounce nought else to us, nor trouble us with any other thing but this, that the whole nobility is utterly to be defaced and rooted out, as serving to no other use nor purpose, but to brave and over-crow us at their pleasure, and that we shall never be at rest till it be clean consumed. What? shall we then destroy the race and offspring of those, who have made the French standard to flourish even in the farthest parts of the Estate? and have placed the name and honour of the French in the heavens? Shall we so unnaturally massacre those in whom nature hath seemed to frame the very perfection of true valour and prowess? And shall we be-die our native soil with the proper blood of her own children? only to please their humours who have practised the like in Flanders? Beginning with the two Earls Eigmont and Horn, whom an hundredth thousand men know well, and can witness to have died good Catholics, bearing the cross in their hands, and confessing themselves to a Priest, even in the view of the whole world. The cause of whose death was nought else, but their hearty affection, and natural love to their Country, and kind good will to their Countrymen: as those which could not tolerate the execution of a most execrable Spanish tyranny, and that a base Spanish swain should so outrageously ravish (even before their eyes) a young damsel left worth in substance above an hundredth thousand Crowns. Which extremest cruelty was no whit allayed by the death of those two noble Gentlemen, but hath rather been increased more and more even to the extirpation of the whole Nobility. For in truth what is now become of them throughout all the Provinces of Flanders, that are under the Spanish government? Where are now so many great and famous houses, wherewith all histories of former ages are teplenished? Oh poor nobility of France, must it needs be that the time shall come, when thine utter ruin and overthrow shall serve as an example to other nations, to beware of the Spanish tyranny? And will not the success of these thy next neighbours at this day any whit move or warn thee? Here some will say, what need we be so careful for the good estate of our nobility, seeing that if it be once destroyed, we shall peradventure remain free from being any more taxed, and pouled? no without doubt we shallbe taxed, no more than those of Naples and of Milane are at this day, from whence all manner of inventions and devices serving to this purpose are brought amongst us. Do we not already see how they begin to ease us of such our superfluous and never well brooked charges? we are constrained to make war under the colour of the common wealth's benefit and commodity, hoping thereby to remedy such extreme taxings as we are daily troubled withal, yet have these wars brought forth nothing else as yet but destruction with fire and sword? have we not seen our wives and children ravished before our eyes? have not our goods, our houses and ourselves been rob, spoiled and massacred? and have not our taxings been doubled? and accompanied with a number of new kinds of borrowings, lones, and imprests? being fed only with this bare comfort (which some do secretly seek to persuade us) that if any thing be left us to pay tolle, and taxes unto the Spaniarde, we shall not pay alone, for all towns and cities, shall pay as well as we, and we shall have no Nobility to trouble & vex us any more. Alas, and shall we have no Noble men left amongst us? Who shall then defend us, if we be assaulted? Shall so great a charge be committed to a few fresh water soldiers? I mean to those sixteen new hatched Cavalieroes: who know better how to cut our throats then how to defend themselves? Alas most miserable that we be, we stand in fear of our Nobility, who have lived thus long in peace among us, and yet we do not so much as dream on the covetise, cruelty, and extreme insolency of the Spaniards, who as yet being but silly adopted swains amongst us, durst upon the one and twentieth of October last passed, violently take away from the Parliament a Sergeant and companion of their own, condemned by law to die for wilful murder, making him to pass through the chief chamber of that high and honourable Court. What Lord of France did ever enterprise so outrageous a fact? But in these flattering persuasions whereby we imagine that at our pleasure we may even at one blow ruinated and destroy the whole Nobility, it seemeth that we may without controlment both check and mate the same. But oh good Lord, how much are we deceived, and how far are we from that, for that only will remain as a due scourge to chastise us most unkind traitors to our Country, and as the very patterns of monstrous ingratitude, the like whereof the world did never yield, as those that rather deserve to be borne slaves, and bred as vassals to the castilian tyranny, then in this most fair, and free Country of France. Do we not foresee that the three parts of our Nobility, are and have been of long time armed against us, and that the rest seeing these unnatural contracts with the Spaniards, for as much as they detest to have so foul and so reproachful a blot of infamy and treason engraven on the foreheads of their posterity (either manifest, for arming themselves against the Flower de Luse, or secret, for lurking in their houses like dastards, so long as this public flame doth burn in their natural Country) they prepare with all possible speed to show themselves like courageous children in the great and bloody battles, which France their natural mother, yea fair and Noble France, will present and give to Spain, if it shall perceive the same to have so much courage or so much valour, that it dare encounter us and accept of fight. Oh how hard a matter will it be to vanquaish this Nobility? being once joined together: which though it be divided, and fight against necessity, hath notwithstanding already obtained sundry notable victories, and hath brought us to so miserable a famine: this Nobility maintained by so many, so strong and so well munited cities: This Nobility on whom all the good soldiers do always attend and wait: which are the stocks on whom by reason of her great prows she is engrafted: this Nobility which hath heretofore been assisted with the goodly and strong armies of those populous and mighty nations, that at all times have been in perfect league and amity with the name of France, and enemies unto the tyranny of Spain, all which will no doubt with might and main jointly hinder the increase thereof: this Nobility led and commanded by so many excellent Captains, who maugre all these stormy winds of sedition, and to the intolerable grief of the Spaniard, do yet survive the fury of these miserable tempests. This Nobility animated, and inflamed unto war by the aspect of those bright shining stars, the children of Saint Lewis, proceeding from that warlike race, which can not, nor will not die but in the midst of bloody battles: and to conclude, this Nobility so undaunted and so terrible in arms, that knows not yet what it is to recoil and give ground, much less to be daunted with fear: which always heweth, and with the dint of sword cutteth out her way, and makes himself passage. What? and shall it be vanquished, and shall it thus be overthrown by these castilians and renegd Frenchmen? Is it upon them we must rely our hopes? Is it from them we must expect that peace, that quiet, and that happy time, which so long, and so often hath been promised us? But shall we yet more clearly consider and view into what gulf of wretchedness (besides the loss of our liberty) we headlong cast ourselves? Let us grant and suppose that the Spaniards and all their followers and subjects do gain six notable battles of us (howbeit they shall sooner lose an hundredth then get one only) how many years shall we trouble them with war (that is in regard of us, with all sorts of miseries and afflictions) ere they shall force and get an hundredth strong cities, and conquer three whole parts of the kingdom, which rather than they will yield to acknowledge any King, under what title and name soever, except their own right and lawful King, whom God and Nature, and all the laws of the Kingdom hath given and appointed them, are resolved to endure all the extremities of the world. But what do we speak of forcing and conquering of cities, when we have so lately been most shamefully chased from Senlis, and from deep? We whom Savense, Senlis, the Gautiers, Argues, and our own Suburbs have brought into so good forwardness and possession, to be always beaten? we who through false and deceiving promises of succour have suffered those of Gergeau, of Pluuiers, Estampes, Ponthoise, Meulan, Eu, Geinuille, Uandosme, Man's, Sable, Chasteau-gontier, Towoy Laual, Alenzon, Dampfront, Argentan, Fallaize, Bayeux, Lisieux, Honflew, Bridge audemer, and of Eureux, to be so vilely lost and overcome? Let us rather consider and think upon our own necessities which still do press and follow us, let us (I beseech you) remember the commodities that we have lost, & those which we daily feel the want of, and not go about to force and surprise cities which are defended and maintained by so many of the Nobility, a thing which all the strength of the world conjoined together may not, nor can not achieve and bring to pass. Here some will say, that we shall now be troubled with Spaniards those great warriors, those great bugbeares: what? those three thousand Walloons led and commanded by a reneagd Frenchman? what? and are they not the mates of those cowardly runaways of Senlis, and Argues, who being ten to one durst never attempt to charge one small number of the Nobility of France? Are these all the great and invincible Spanish forces (as for the natural, they will never be drawn to leave the Citadels?) Are these they, who without any other help will one of these days in triumphant sort bring us, all our enemies prisoners into the Bastille? who if they be so mighty, how comes it to pass that they can not defend themselves better from the open enemies of all Christendom? why have they so ignominiously suffered themselves to be chased and driven from Algiers, Thunis, and Goletta? and through their own default caused so many poor Christians to be so miserably oppressed by the Infidels? what is the reason they will not revenge the death of King Sebastian, whose kingdom and inheritance they have so wrongfully usurped? Hath this universal Protector of the Catholic faith so suffered it to fall where he should most have maintained & upheld the same? who though he care not for the increase of Mahomet, and that he seeketh to suppress none but Luther, wherefore doth he not make haste to subdue the English whom so long sithence he hath so much threatened, and yet could never hurt, who though they never threatened, have notwithstanding so greatly hurt and endamaged him? But I perceive how the case standeth with him: it is easier for him to terrify the fearful with his bugbeares, then to hurt others: it is more easy for him to promise and feed men with hopes, then helps. Shall not we think, that he will abuse us hereafter with his false promises (than which nothing is evermore uncertain) sith that in all our troubles past, he would feign persuade us, that we are beholding to him, and that the honour of the battles which heretofore we have gained on the Hugonots, is only due to him. Good God: what invincible Cavalieroes are these Spaniards? they are the cause of all our victories, and yet we could never see any of them among us: They will peradventure speak of those fifteen hundredth Harquebusiers, who at the battle of Dreux made such notable barricades with all the Carts of the army, out of which they could never be drawn to bestow one shoot on the enemy, till all the danger was past, and then they began to cry aloud Vive Espagne, vive Espagne, as if they alone had put the enemy to flight, when (God wot) they durst never look him in the face, till we had clean subdued him, and yet were these fifteen hundredth right castilians, and natural Marranos, whom they would now make us believe to be Giants, and soldiers of the other world, that they might the better hide their small number, and the want of men in their waste and desert countries. Now if this Spanish army be so terrible, and the Spaniards such jolly fellows, I pray you, what did they, and wherein were they occupied when (not long since) their greatest enemy was so long in so destitute, so poor, and so weak a town, which never saw a Camp, nor ever defended itself from any army? they were but three days journey from him, at the most. How cometh it to pass that these great Poliocetes came not altogether, where in three days they might have taken deep, and so many Noble men and Captains in it? Good God, what do I speak of three days? The Spaniard can not yet tell what it is to take a city, unless it be at three years end. He will stoop, he will linger, he will suffer, (which is the chiefest of his praise) and finding no other way (a notorious Atheist as he is) he will never attempt to win any by assault. Moreover, it were necessary that the Duke of Parma were not poisoned with a lingering poison, which (as he himself causeth publicly to be reported) his good master hath sent him. But let us suppose him to be so strong and valiant, and so well affected towards us, and let us grant him the victory of twelve battles, and that our enemies have withdrawn themselves into their holds: yet shall we be troubled five and twenty years more with him (that is the least) is it not so long, and more, that the Spaniard is about to conquer and tame his country of Flanders? and yet could never get one half of it: which to effect, we must make this old King young again, and cure him of so many diseases, that he may live fourscore and ten years more, or else shall we be left friendless and succourless, even in the midst of those wars, which we have undertaken, when most we shall need both: else in the midst of the storm and in our greatest danger shall our great Pilot be drowned, and then will a lamentable shipwreck follow our ship, that erst with full spread sails did with top and top gallant sail so stately: then will every man shift for him self and take hold on what splint soever he can get. Who doubteth that the governors of these so divided estates and dismembered Provinces will not embrace every opportunity, and show their desire of liberty (a thing that never ceaseth to set the minds of all the Spanish Slaves on fire) who doubteth (I say) but that every one will with might and main go about to appropriate that country, or place which he holdeth unto himself. Good God, what new counsels, what new deliberatives, what new drifts, and new alliances will then follow. Then will those whom now we think to be our King's greatest enemies, become his servants, only to be maintained and defended by him. And whilst the Spanish Empire shall thus be tossed and shaken, what shall become of all the goodly forces on which (as the jesuits will force us to believe on pain to be proclaimed heretics) all our Catholic religion doth depend. Let us suppose (all which notwithstanding is as it were impossible) that so many nations, which expect nothing so much as that day, wherein with what price and how soever they may deliver themselves from their miserable bondage and slavery, do so far forget their duty, and fall a sleep when it shall come. Let us imagine that the Portugese's and Flemings which never inquire for any other news, so much as of the Catholic kings health, remain as giddy & irresolute, when they shall hear this happy and so long desired news. Let us suppose moreover, that all the good hap which a man in such an alteration may wish for, do happen: yet taking all things at the best, shall we be but in the hands of an infant, of an Idiotte, and of a sickly person: who if he die (which is the desire and vow of all the Spaniards) then are we in the hands of a young woman, a Wench. What? shall France be subject unto a Distaff, as a member & dependence of Spain? And shall these Alexanders and Caesar's of France, whose ancestors the Merovees, the Clodions, the Charlemaine's, the Phillippes worthily surnamed Augusti, and Valloys. Shall Charles the eight, Francis the first, and Henry the second, who were never able to extinguish their thirst of fight, shall all these Martial minds be subject unto such, and so silly a woman as a daughter of Spain, and unto him whom she pleaseth to choose and adopt for her husband? No, no, France is not so easily gotten. France is not givien as a dowry, he that will be King of France, must be borne King of France. Vitam tibi contulit idem imperiumque dies: the Country of France is the Minion and Darline of Nature, it is the portion which she hath reserved for herself alone to dispose as best she pleaseth, with whom no contract or condition of any man shall be admitted to deal withal. France can not be gotten with one nights lying with a Wench. If the Daughter of Spain will not marry unless she make her husband King of France, she may vow virginity for ever. As far as I see then, the King of Spain is not so much moved by a godly zeal, and due regard of our religion, as by a desire he hath to have a son in law to be viceroy of France, to sway and tyrannize over us under the name of his Majesty, until he have gotten all our Fortresses and holds into the hands of his castilians, and then shall he be removed and change place with the viceroy of Naples. That is the zeal, that is the desire, those be the burning thoughts of Philip King of Spain, who never waxeth old, who faileth not (though in respect of his age he seem not to aim at France, and at the crown thereof, but to content himself with the Kingdoms, Dukedoms, and Counties which hitherto he hath so wrongfully alienated and dismembered from it) to go about by all possible means to cosm and deceive us, as whilom he did the Portugeses: for we know that Covetousness and Ambition have this peculiar condition, to increase proportionably as other passions diminish. And that Youth by reason of other pleasures and vanities is drawn and distraughted from them, but as riper age doth by little and little weaken and enfeeble them, ambition (especially in those that are high borne) entereth in their place, and daily increasing doth in time take greater holdfast. Suppose we did not apparently perceive the insatiable desire that this Spaniard hath to grow great, and advance himself under what colour and pretence soever, suppose we knew not the care which of necessity he must have of his children, and the fear and apprehension he feeleth, if he leave them so great and mighty an enemy standing, and therewithal so noble and so puissant a king as ours is: do we think in conscience that it doth not touch and prick him as near the heart, as any other particular consideration? Shall we yet a little more enter into the view and consideration of his holy and sacred zeal? would he for any thing in the world (I beseech you) that there were no difference nor controversy of Religion throughout all Christendom, and that all men were at peace? And that we lived quietly under the obedience of so great a King as ours is, and that he were in quiet possession of France, no I warrant you, for were not this controversy of Religion, and our troubles of France, he would not think himself safe in the midst of all his kingdoms of Spain? would he not fear, yea tremble (if our King should once reobtayne that which the Spaniard hath heretofore so fraudulently usurped from him in his kingdom of Navarre) lest he should one day (provoked thereunto by a just revenge, and lawful right of war) victoriously undertake the recovery of his right, and join Sceptre to Sceptre, and Crown to Crown. For is not he that great and politic commander and leader of armies? he who in counsel is a grave; Nestor, and in the midst of larums and battles a stout Achilles, who hath sooner surprised Cities, than other men can take the view of them? Who in the space of two months, in the very heart of winter, hath with the dint of sword conquered one hundredth leagues of Country in length, and fifty in breadth? Is not he that all-daring French Alexander, whom the twinne-headed imperial Eagle seeing already adorned and beautified with two Royal Crowns, beginneth to cherish and embrace, desiring to conjoin these two invincible nations in one, and brotherly forces together? To conclude, is not he that glorious King of the Flower de Luse, with the long visage, with the great nose, who by ancient prophecies is called to be the Monarch of the world? And is not this that great King who hath so often been promised unto us? Yes verily it is even he.  

The Monarch whose undaunted looks,  
and never conquered arm,  
Shall force the fury of his foe,  
to fly the threatened harm:  
Forerun, shall victory his steps.  
About his azurd shield,  
(Of terror and of wasting war,  
which represents the field)  
Shall laurel boughs, and palm,  
the trophies of his triumph spring,  
When through the world his tried fame,  
and high renown shall ring.  
Then shall he make the knights of France,  
each where to understand:  
The greatness of that honour which  
is got by armed hand.  
No wight this King shall overcome,  
in courtesy and grace:  
Yet when he takes in hand,  
his never-yelding cortelace:  
No Prince or worldly Emperor,  
how mighty that he be,  
The angry fury shall of this  
most christian Hector fly.   
It is therefore (as far as I perceive) to hinder the successful victories of so worthy a King, and to impeach the conquests that else he should have on the Spaniard, that these French castilians, or castilian Frenchmen do so trouble the state of France: it is therefore that so many do daily seek to persuade us, that he which never failed his word, will never keep that which he hath promised us in his late declaration, wherein as a good father, he hath with tears of pity, and mere compassion of our miseries, clean washed, and wholly blotted out of his remembrance all our forepast faults and trespasses, only five or six treacherous spaniolized villains excepted, who have engored the name of France in blood with the most proditorious & traitorous parricide, that ever the Sun saw yet, a parricide committed and perpetrated in the person of him, for the preservation of whom all true French men should never refuse to die a thousand deaths. Is it not for this occasion that the Spaniard doth daily cause so many to whisper in our ears, that our King is fallen into the relapse, he that never professed any other Religion, but that which his mother held, and who was never in any of our Churches but once, and that in danger to have his throat cut? Is it not for denying the omnipotency of God, that he is called impenitent, as if that God could never touch his heart? Is not that the cause that all those which go about to instruct or convert him, are called Heretics? least that in showing him the truth, he should be brought unto the mother Church again, not to assure himself of his two rightful earthly Crowns, but also of the third and glorious Crown of Heaven? Thus must we say, and thus it be hoveth us to cry, if we will faithfully serve the King of Spain our good Lord and master, otherwise his majesties affairs will prosper but slenderly, if the French should once agree and come to an unity together. Oh poor and silly miserable French men that we are, shall we suffer ourselves to be deceived and enueagled by these false traitors, who are duly paid their pensions every month, for the pains which they take to flesh and provoke us one against another, and to make us abhor the means given us by God from above, to cut off all heresies, with his bright-shining sword (that is his word) which our forefathers have used three or four times to cut off, and root out one self same error, and which all Europe deemeth necessary and expedient for to bring Christendom, and the states thereof unto an agreement and conformity, thereby to shun the utter ruin of it, which otherwise is imminent and near at hand, and to avoid the Turks invasion which cannot by means of so many divisions be deferred or withstood? These be the same pensioners that would feign make us believe that all France willbe of the Hugonots Religion, never remembering that there are not so many ministers in all the world as may suffice to allow for every forty miles of ground one only. Do you think that those of the Nobility which are Catholics? all the strong towns that profess no other Religion but the Catholic, all our Princes, all our Crown officers, all the French Cardinals that follow our King, as the true and lawful heir of France, and of the Flowers de Luse, and all Catholics else will ever set their helping hand to the overthrow of our ancient true Catholic Religion? and that he who never detested any thing so much as to win and compel souls with the sword, will in any sort compel and constrain our consciences? Even he who in the midst of the most violent wars that we have waged against him, had more than the one half of his own household servants, followers and officers Catholics, yea true Catholics, who no doubt might (if they had pleased) have been otherwise.  
It is therefore most manifest and apparent, that Philip king of Spain hath caused these tidings to be preached unto us, rather to make his slaves to engage us in a perpetual war against our natural liege King (which may well be termed an inevitable perdition) then for any motion of Christian charity that remains in him. And to say truth, when did we ever perceive any spark of charity to appear in the Spaniard? Is not this that Catholic charity, which with so notorious and treacherous treasons hath wrongfully deprived us of Cicilie, the fertilest & fairest Island of the world, and matchless price and mark. At which those two undaunted nations did in all their noble wars shoot at? Is not this the same charity that hath in like manner deprived us of the flourishing kingdom of Naples, and of the rich Dukedom of Milan? both ancient and lawful Patrimonies of the house of Angiou and Orleans, which erst cost France the price of so much gold, and loss of so much blood: Is not this that charity, which so unlawfully detaineth the principality of Flanders, and of the County of Burgundy from us? that hath usurped new France from us, yea fair France, which the fair rivers of Loire, Beine, and Somme do wash and run alongst? Is not this the very same Catholic charity, that with large promises and a little silver, suborned the confessor of one of our Kings, by whose fond persuasions the County of Roussillion was so subtly dismembered from the Crown and Demaines of France? Is not this also that charity, that Catholic humility with which he hath presumed to dispossess us of our right of precedence, and to take place before us? Alas, what an indignity is this? Is it not a shame for France, that this new upstart, this new come Christian, whom not yet long since we have drawn from the Alcoran, and from Paganism (who had not we been, should yet be a Saracen, a Barbarian, a jew) should so much as dare to think, much less to attempt to march and take place before our most Christian Kings, who successively are the successors of the mightiest and most ancient Kings of the world? But miserable and silly wretches as we are, what do we dispute and call our place and standing in question? It is not that we must stand upon now, they are other matters and of greater consequence, that this Saracin castilian, or castilian Saracin doth so busily go about. He would fain be our master, and make us all his subjects, his subjects said I? What? shall France that hath heretofore ever been so mighty in arms, France that hath ever been a terour to all nations, fair France that yet was never subdued, but through a necessity of the providence of God (who thought it expedient that his Son our Lord should be borne under one great Monarchy) at what time it was divided into twenty petty Kingdoms: Noble France which Caesar deemed invincible, and never to be conquered, if ever it might be reduced to one sole Monarchy, and under one absolute King. And to be briese, France which acknowledgeth and holdeth nothing but from God, and by the sword, which ever was her tenor: shall it now be brought into subjection and bondage? Shall it now be compelled to live in servile slavery? Shall it be made to receive and admit Uizeroys, Lieutenants, generals and Governors, and Dons of Spain? that hath of yore been one of her Provinces, and ever been ready to stand to the mercy of every conqueror and invadour: and is and ever hath been the finke, the puddle, and filthy heap of the most loathsome, infected, and slavish people that ever yet lived on earth. O Clovis, O our good King Clovis, this wicked race of those false Wisigots, with the carrion of whose carcases (after thou hadst with thine own hand slain their King) thou didst sprinkle and fatten the fertile plains of Poictou, who never thought themselves safe from the fury of thy sword, until they had past the Pirency hills again, that very same treacherous race dare at this day go about to sway and dominer over thy fair Country of France: that wicked race would make all thy people their slaves. But why do we call on good Clovis dead so long ago? This goodly King Philip, this jolly King Protector, is not he the son of Charles the fifth, that sworn and mortal enemy of our fathers, which against all right and Christianity, did kindle those two brands in Picardy and in Provence (a thing the Turk nor the Scythian would never have attempted) that set a ranseme of three millions of gold upon us? Which huge sum we have ever since felt, and yet to our common grief do feel. Who framed all his drifts, and contrived all his designs upon the ruin and overthrow of our poor France? Which purposes and intents he hath by his latter Testament bequeathed unto his son Philip? O you noble Maeedonians that wept for joy when you saw your Alexander sitting in Darius' chair, and felt no other discontent, but that your forefathers might not participate your great Comment. O most miserable as we are, we go about to place Darius in Alexander's chair, to enstal the Spaniard in the royal Throne of France, and lodge King Philip in the Lowre. Francis the first, O Henry the second, our good Kings, rise up & leave your graves for a while. Do you not see your mortal & professed enemy prepare himself to occupy and usurp your Estate, your Crown, your City of Paris, your Palace, your Lowre? Who by his Ambassador already taketh the possession thereof? Do not you perceive how he goeth about to insult and triumph over your graves, and to violate and break the same, as he hath already done that of your Constable? Be ye well assured, that he who hath so villainously brought your two last children (the very and lively images of yourselves) to their longest home, will never parden your Statues of Marble. O worthy and noble minded Philip Prince of Spain, although fortune hath not advanced thee to be Emperor, as thy Father was, yet hast thou gone beyond him far in his valiant exploits, to consume and extinguish our noble Princes of France. He never durst employ any other poison, but that of his de monte Cucullo, that was executed at Lions. And yet not withstanding left us one of our great king Frances his three children: But thou hast with thy valour utterly rooted out all the race of them, for the performance whereof, thou hast unto the secret poison of thy Salcedes (by means of thine Ambassador) added and employed the poisoned knife of a damned jacobine. But why should he spare them under the colour of mere alliance? Hath not he most unnaturally caused his own wife their proper sister to be poisoned? and his natural eldest son to be strangled? Courage then O noble Frenchmen, add valour to your strength, and valiantly take arms in hand for to follow the just, lawful and ever victorious arms of our great Henry, whom God hath even from above chosen for to revenge the blood of the Valois, so traitorously spilled, and which continually craves justice at his hands? Why do you follow so bravely the Standard ofithat cheerly homicide of your Princes? Why do you follow the colours of that empoisoner and hereditary murderer of the house of France? Will you put yourselves even in the mouth of the Cannon of your King? Will you besprinkle France with your blood, that in the end it may become all Spanish? Or will you but keep some portion of it for the Infant of Spain? And good reason, because she is the eldest, and that her youngest sister hath already the Marguisate of Saluzzo, strong Salluzzo, that footing and holdefast which we had left in Italy, and that hath been given her for the increase of her dowry: which was the Arsenal and Storehouse of munition that our Kings had beyond the mountains, wherein were more than four hundredth pieces of ordinance: which Arsenal made all things tremble under the name of France, which made the strongest walls to stoop and fall before it, that Arsenal which had already daunted the chiefest rampard or hold which the Spaniard had in Italy, against the strength of France, and which we held as a mean and gage forto recover ere long both Naples and Milan again. Alas poor France, what potion hath so deprived thee of thy senses, that thou dost not feel how by little and little thou art disabled, and disarmed? that thy weapons are taken from thee, that thou art tied in chains, with purpose to be cast into a galley, there miserably to perish and die under the stripes and cruelty of thine enemies? and if thou have any feeling, sense, or sight, oh my poor France, what charms have so besotted thy spirits, or what illusions have so dazzled thee, that thou darest seek thy welfare and protection among those which gape and seek for nothing else so much as thine overthrow and utter ruin? who like false traitors, that they may the better and with more ease yoke and at their pleasure bind thee hand and foot, do daily whisper thee in the ear, that when thou please thou shalt be free again, and whensoever thou wilt, thou shalt be able to expel and chase the Spaniard out of France: as if a man could by any examples prove that ever they would or could be removed from any place, where once they have had footing: as if they could not erect Citadels, great and stately Citadels, cemented with the blood, and built with the goods and wealth of the poor people, and Citizens: as though they were to learn how to tirannise in all Cities with their bloodthirsty garrisons, and to affright poor men with the erecting of so many gibbets, wheels and scaffolds, with which they keep men in such awe, that none dare so much as frown upon them: those of Portugal, of Naples, of Milan, and of Flanders, can with grief and experience witness what I say: but to come nearer home, what is he amongst us, that dares be so bold, as to say aloud in the grieve of Paris, that he is no Spaniard, but a true French man, and escape present hanging ipso facto for an Heretic, and heinous offender against the laws of God and man? all these robbers, all these spoilers, all these bloodsuckers, and destroyers of christians, these sixteen Cavalieroes and their adherents, which live but by the spoil of us, which glut themselves with our blood, even our heart blood, are they not the ministers and officers of the Spanish tyranny? Ministers as yet but weak, officers as yet but easy to be withstood, and punished for their faults, if there were any spark of that ancient courage of France remaining in us: but alas if we so fond suffer ourselves to be enueagled and lulled a sleep with their superficial fair words (which we have paid full dear and ready money for) what grief and harts-sorrowe shall we feel when we shall wake and rise out of our slumber again when we shall find ourselves fast chained, and hemmed in round about, so that we shall not be able to stir, no not so much as complain, when we shall feel the proud castilians proudly to tread and keep us under, holding their daggers in their hands ready to stab us at the heart, if we do but offer to wail and sigh our miserable condition. Alas it willbe too late to offer vows after the shipwreck, or to repent when the fact is done. And if we will consider how dangerous every delay is on our side, I beseech you do but behold and view how forward he is already in the establishing of the foundation of his future Empery. Do you think that that great Cavaliero, or turret of offence lately erected so aloft in the Bastile against our own City, hath been built at the cost and charges of Bussi the Clerk? Oh poor and miserable French men, are we so void of judgement that we cannot perceive how he will not employ his larcenies and stolen goods so nigh home, but that he sends and embanks them further? is there any man that knows not, or at least that will not know, how Bernardin Mendoza hath weekly paid the work men of it? and that Bussi is but a substitute of that Barbarian and squynteied great Commaundadour? who in effect is the chief Captain of the Bastille? Doth not the Spaniard also promise us that his poison shall not cease upon the utmost borders, but that it shall spread itself to the noblest and chiefest parts, even unto the heart itself? that he will not stay in Frontiere towns, but ere long enter, take, and surprise all other parts of the kingdom? and will some say that for conscience sake he will refuse Cambray, Amiens, or Aubeville? would he do it think you, if they would receive him? or is it because he knows that the Picards (as they that have of long time known his conditions) have flatly refused to accept of him? what? have those of the Frontiere towns been eccepted, because they have stoutly resolved not to receive the Spaniard, and yet all we, with all the parts of the kingdom of France are contained in this honourable covenant, or agreement, not so much as our Bastille is comprised in the same, by virtue whereof these castilians will one of these days (as well they may) at their pleasure mount and level all our own canons upon the huge Cavaliero, and first batter, and then sack and spoil our poor City of Paris, as whilom they did Antwerp. And it is not good reason, since that this Mauritanian race hath so well begun, it should continue, and so pluck out and deface the two fair eyes of Europe, and that it should make an end, and utterly overthrow those two stately and rich Cities, those two great miracles of nature, Paris and Antwerp. Oh Antwerp, whilom fair Antwerp, who of the fairest, richest, and most flourishing cities of Europe, art by the hands of these villeinous and bloodsucking Spaniards, brought to be the most delolate, spoiled, and desert city of Christendom. Is it possible that the very name of thy fall, and report of thy monstrous and horrible sack, should not make all men (especially thy neighbours) to be warned and to take heed of Spaniards? since that it doth so manifestly declare unto us, their insatiate avarice, their more than Tigrish cruelty, their filthy, monstrous and abominable luxury, their waist full burning of thy houses, their detestable ransacking and pillage of those great treasures, which from all parts of Europe, were laid up in store in thy sumptuous palaces, their lustful and inhuman deflowering of thy matrons, wives, and daughters, their matchless and sodomitical ravishing of young boys, which these demi-barbarian Spaniards committed in the presence of aged Burgeoses that were fathers, brethren, husbands or parents of those tormented pacientes, who to grieve them the more whilst they committed all these execrable villenies and outrageous cruelties, did tie and chain them at there beds feet, or in other places, and last of all the general and continual cruel tormenting and masscring of thy poor and wretched Citizens? hath not the report thereof made all them that ever heard it to tremble at the same, and feel a kind of horror in themselves? and now to take away the apprehension of so many evils from us, they go about to blear and blind us with their holy Inquisition. Good Lord, is that the first mess that the Spaniard will present us with? is that the Ring that he will wed France withal? will he endow us with that severe and barbarous Inquisition, which hath the virtue to make men rot in prison, before they know any cause, and who is their accuser? that Inquisition, which under a false pretence of Religion, doth miserably bring all them that dearest the Spanish tirannny to death and confusion? Are we ignorant how they have used the same at Naples, and at Milan, and how only that hath been the mean and efficient cause to destroy and subvert all the noble houses which before times had in any sort followed or favoured the French faenction: Is this then that holy Inquisition, of which good Catholics need not stand in any fear? no in good sooth they need not fear it, always provided that they have their souls died in Spanyolisme, always conditioned that they forget they were borne free men, that they were bone French men, always granted that they become as abject slaves, prepared to endure all cruelties, and to pocket up every castilian bravado, that none of them have any houses, offices, benefices, or any thing else whatsoever, that a Spaniard may desire or like, that no French man have a young wife, or fair daughter, which any gallant Inquisitor may have a fancy or mind unto, and to be brief, that they become so miserable, and so submiss, that neither envy or hatred, or any other such passion may move any motion in them, otherwise (I pray you do but tell me) what is he that is so pure and unspotted in his conscience, that can think himself secure and safe amongst these butcherly murderers, that subvert all orders, confound all justice, and pervert all law and equity, to bring a man to his grave, whom they hate or mislike. The rector of our University of Paris, a man for the purpose, chosen by the Spaniard, and denoted to them, not long since suing and labouring that this Inquisition might be embraced amongst us, told us that if it brought some innocent to his death, it would in recompense thereof ere long clear all the kingdom of France of Huguenots. There is no doubt of that, for when the least word that shall escape a man shall be construed to be an irremissible crime, when we shallbe enforced as soon as we see a jesuite to fall down and worship him, although he be a mile off, or else we shallbe in danger to be cast into a deep dungeon, not being allowed any man to speak for us, and to conclude the Inquisition shall no sooner be established among us, but they of Rochel will send us their keys. Here let me ask a question, why is it not used in the low Countries? how comes it to pass that he who hath such excellent and sovereign remedies against this disease can not cure himself? How can he promise health unto us, when he himself is full of sores and ulcers? Wherefore should we rather think him a skilful Phisiition, than a prattling Ciarlatan? But I see what it is, he goeth about to prefer the infirmity before death, and yet would feign persuade us the contrary. For if it be not so, how comes it to pass, that he who would fain be reputed an Angel of heaven (without whose help we should all be Hugonots) hath granted the inhabitants of Antwerp to enjoy the free liberty of their consciences for the space of four whole years? Where is that earnest, pure and Catholic zeal which he would make the world believe to be in him? And yet all this is nothing in regard of the Edict which was made at Gant in the year of our Lord 1576. For by that he yielded and promised, that none dwelling in any of the Provinces, which had submitted themselves to his laws and obedience, should in any sort be troubled or molested concerning matters of religion. And as touching the provinces of Holland and Zealand, nothing appertaining to the exercise of their religion, should be removed or altered from that it was at that present: which yet stands in full virtue and effect. Is not that a testimony of his yielding and stretching conscience, which (on condition that he may bring his intent to good and wished effect) he will turn, bend and apply to what bias a man please? He will allow of two Religions in the low Conntries, so that he might thereby recover them again, and yet can he abide but one in France, that thereby he may subvert the state thereof.  
His own subjects will not believe him touching those things which depend only of his own authority, as they that know well, and to their cost have experienced, that he never promiseth, but to deceive them: and shall French men believe and give any credit to their ancient enemy, touching those things that only depend on his life, which were he but thirty years of age, and sure to live one hundredth years more, he shall never be able to bring to pass? But let us consider (I pray you) and weigh the occasions that do so animate and move the people of the low Countries so opiniatively, or rather obstinately to endure the discommodity of such long and loathsome wars (for so I may well term them) as we see they have hitherto, and yet do maintain against him. These people (I say) who are both trusty and tractable (if the world may yield a people of such quality) is it for any pleasure they take in so unpleasant an exercise? no man will believe it. Is it because they will not be as good subjects to their Prince, as he will be gracious Sovereign to his people? Nay, so far are they from the merit of so unjust a censure, that contrariwise they maintain themselves in all duty and loyalty towards him: he hath attempted to tyrannize them with no less barbarous cruelty, than he spared not to entreat the Indians with all unchristian immanity, contrary to his sundry oaths and solemn vows made unto them. And when as by humble supplications they have besought him, sending for solicitors of their suit, of the most noble and honourable personages of the Country, to seek to mitigate his merciless malice, and to procure a remedy for so great a mischief. Even than hath he most of all (like the viper her venom) spit forth his spite, and redoubled his rage against this innocent people, most miserably and without mercy, putting them to the sword, as sheep to the slaughter, his impious Excellency being impatient of the petitions of his faithful, and (but too affectionate) subjects, as in deed to our cost we may say, they have but to much showed themselves to be. For in witness of their good wills, they have at several times (besides the revenues of his Dema●●s and receipt of tallages, subsidies, and other ordinary impostes) assented to supply the Emperor with the sum of nine millions of gold extraordinary, and in deed have not failed to furnish him therewith, though to the great damage of the Realm of France. But will you know what it is that so much moveth the patience of this barbarous King, or rather incestuous tyrant. It is forsooth, that his Father the Emperor had these contributory sums by gaining (with his Grace) their good wills, and in deed by holding a general assembly of the Estates, got them granted by a common consent of voices, but Philip his son, only by his authorities power, will wrest from the people what him pleaseth, as exacting it from a Country but newly conquered. Are we ignorant (think you) how as well by the Duke of Alva his endeavour, and by the labour of other the ministers and executioners of his mischiefs, he went about to obtain this exaction amongst them, viz. that every man should yield him yearly the tenth of his revenue, and pay him the tenth penny of every thing that should be sold, yea, and for every time it should be uttered, though it were bought and sold an hundredth times to and fro, which surely had amounted to a mass inestimable? And yet he thought he dealt very favourably with the Flemings, sith he maketh no conscience to extort the fifth part yearly of the Indians. Nay this is not all, the covetousness of this defensible pillar of Christendom, or rather offencible pillar and poller of other men's possessions, hath encroached even unto the Ecclesiastical rights and livings. For considering with himself that this intolerable tyranny, unto which he coupled that barbarous and unchristian Inquisition of Spain, might at the length breed a discontentment amongst his subjects. To give remedy thereunto, he determined upon this resolution, which was to cut off from the Clergy so much of their revenue as might suffice to maintain such a number of men at arms, that therewith he might so bridle them, & so straightly curb them with the yoke of his subjection, that though he should take all that ever they have from them, yet should they not once dare to grudge or murmur against him. Which manner of dealing made them all, both Churchmen, Nobility, and Commonalty join together to seek some means how to shake off such an insupportable burden, as lawfully they might do, seeing it merely was repugnant and contrary to the established laws of their Country, and namely to that Statute, whereby it is provided, that he shall not impose any new subsidy or taxation upon the people without the advise and consent of the States general of the country, upon which laws both he and his predecessors have been received and acknowledged for Lords and governors of their society, but with this express proviso, that if at any time they should infringe or violate those laws, they also should ipso facto be discharged from the bond of any oath of allegiance or other duty, wherein before they had tied themselves unto them. So I say, these Spanyolized Frenchmen as they know not, or at least wise will not seem to know how justly the people of Flanders are stirred up to this war, even so as men wedded to their own overwéenings for mere blindness, do they not discern the mischief into the which of a bravery they hurl themselves headlong, most miserably thrusting both their own and their posterities necks into the halter, and in lieu of the freedom wherein they have been borne and brought up, become the slaves and bondmen of the most savage, faithless, inhuman, and barbarous nation, that the circuit of the whole world doth comprehend. Oh wise, and well advised men of Holland and Zealand, and those other inhabitants of the united Provinces of the low Countries: yea I will say further, Oh most happy people, if knowing (as in deed you do) whence springeth your bliss and bale, you persist in your sage resolution, whereby you shall avoid all imminent mischiefs, and in short space enfeoff yourselves with felicity, accompanied with an assured safety from the Spanish tyranny. Surely you are more near thereunto, than the tyrant is to death, although he be already old, crazed, and decrepit. And your gladness shall bring so much the greater grief to our turncoat Frenchmen, when they shall see themselves so mated with misery, devoid of all hope of deliverance from that harm, which your prudence and foresight hath escaped, and freed yourselves from: and shall serve for an example of folly to all the world, as notable as your counsel and constancy shall be to your posterity admirable. But let us return to the Spanish King. Shall we then be such simple sots, as to believe that he would not willingly couple France to his other countries. Yea, though with condition that it were all Hugonots, or of what religion soever? Are we so blind, that we know not his butt to be the body, and not the soul, his fetch to be at France, and not at the Heretics? unless in that they are an hindrance unto his purposes, otherwise, why should he not as well join in friendship with the French, as heretofore he entertained amity with the English? until the prize of his pence was by them taken from him, which in the year of our Lord 1569. he sent into Flanders unto the Duke of Alva? till which act he had league and alliance both offensive and deffencive with them, even with those that were vowed enemies to the Pope and all Papism? Oh constant Catholic, Oh puissant Protector of the faith Catholical? whom the loss of his gold, not the lack of religion provoked, the interest of Spain, not the right of Rome stung and pricked to the heart. All the dreadful threatenings, and fearful excommunications thundered out by the Pope against the English Protestants, could never have power to make him leave league with England, when a few lost crowns made him immediately let fall both friendship, and faith, and climb up even unto the clouds with the swell of revenge and vengeance. Let men say then what they list, let them thunder, and threaten, let heaven and earth be at jar together, yet shall they never remove me from these two maxims. The one, that the Spanish religion censisteth in enlarging the meats and bounds of his dominions, his zeal in commanding his neighbour nations, and his care in aspiring to the Majesty of a Monarch, that other religion he hath none, but useth that of the people's according as it may best maintain the trade of his tyranny. The other is, that he deserveth not the name of a Christian, who doth not believe that God can far more safely conserve the glory of his name by the instructions of good Pastors, godly Bishops, zealous Ministers, and sincere Preachers of his word, than the Spaniard or other man living can be able to do with massacres, sackings, blasphemies, robbings, sacrileges, and incestuous dealings of the most cruel, disordered, licentious and insolent (though hardy) men of war that ever were assembled together. Let us bethink us then at length I beseech you, and let us look unto ourselves, let us consider on the one side, the happy estate of those eight or nine great Provinces that are already in quietness under the obedience and protection of our King, on the other side, let us behold our own miserable and accursed condition that live not, but languish in daily expectation of death through the cruel infliction of famine, which as an handmaid attends on these wars. Let us well ponder the weight of our enterprise, which tendeth to no other end but to continue, to fill France with brigandage, and bourelage, with rapes, and robberies, with theft and murder, to multiply by millions the number of poor widows and fatherless children, to no other end but to maintain the pride of the Spanish usurpation, and make ourselves the only wretched and miserable wretches of the world, and only to please the desires, and second the humours of certain desperate castaways, the horrors of whose treasons and offences hath clean consumed our kings commiseration: yielding to the appetites of those, who by their contracts being counterchanged into Spaniards, have no more any feeling or apprehension of the griefs and miseries of France, but rather contrariwife make her miseries, their mirth, her losses, their riches, and her ruin, their ●singes. If all this can not mollify the hardness of our hearts, if in our minds there remain no remnant of remorse, yet at least wise let our eyes inform us, and let us with them behold ourselves beset on every side with the fortunate and flourishing armies of our King: let us view those great and warlike septentrional nations which replenish every place with men, armour and horses, not only to defend and maintain the Sceptre of France, but therewithal and with one breath to go and abate the pride and insolency of these Negroes, who through our negligence have a few years since so saucily or rather savagely insulted upon the country's bordering round about us, making us the instruments of our own scourge, and our butcherly bloodshed, the subject of their mirth & triumphs. And in very truth, is not the hour come wherein the very ashes of our Ancestors ask revenge by our hands, whom their pensioners procured to spill each others blood, & commit so many public parricides? What? do we tarry or expect the arising of a more royal King, or victorious Captain? Have we not been long enough the laughing stock of those who heretofore could never hear us talked of without trembling? To conclude, is it not time to go bid the Spaniard battle in his own country, where the conquest is so easy, & the fruit so ripe, & so ready at hand? They of Portugal, & Navarra, do already hold us out their hands, the way will be the shorter for to redeem Naples & Milane. It is not the Alps, but the Pireney mounts that we must now pass, we must strike home at the head, the blow is mortal. See how the English men have already pierced even the very life-vaines of his golden vent, & in a manner clean shut him out of the sea. He durst not before Lisbon walls stand to fight with Norris, the general of a small English army: how will he then dare to encounter a mighty King of France, a Prince of so great puissance? he durst not once assail the English infantry, how will he then be able to withstand and escape the fury of the French cavalry? backed and fortified with all the forces of the Countries and Provinces that are on this side of him? Cheer up yourselves, add will unto your courage, the true adopted children of Bellona, let not the dread of our King keep any of you back, the gates of his clemency stand wide open for to receive all, his mercy is mighty, his grace is greater in forgiving, than our gracelessness hath been guilty in offending. Yea behold, he holdeth out his royal hand unto us all, he is our Father, our natural and lawful Father, we are all his children: but if we show coldness in confessing him, if we despise his bounty, if we mock his mildness, miserable wretches, what can we expect but the sharp effects of the rod of his indignation, as the rightful and deserved reward of our execrable offences, that our just suffering may serve for others example? Yet if we can take no pity of ourselves, let us at least have some compassion of our wives and children, whose condition is so much the more miserable, by how much they have yet no feeling of their miseries. Well, let it now, yea even now appear, if in us there be yet remaining any relic of true French men, let the desire of preserving our liberty, and the hateful apprehension of such miserable servitude, clean wash out of our memory the remembrance of our fore-conceived and private quarrels, and let us bury our old broils and civil dissension, in the entire affection of our dear Country. There are now no more, nor any other factions but the French and Spanish. Oh omnipotent God, that hast ever held the eyes of thy commiseration open to France, and hast ever plenteously filled her with thy bountiful blessings. It is now, yea very now, that we have need of thy heavenly help, and above all, that it will please thee to give sight unto our sealed eyen, that we may have power to perceive and discern our true enemies, what the Spaniarde is, what his government, what his pretence to our poor, desolate, and oppressed Country. Good Lord, leave us not now in the exigent of our extremity, being upon the point either presently to precipitate ourselves into everlasting bondage, or prosperously to purchase our eternal freedom. Assist our King, protect our Princes, animate our nobles, & strengthen our soldiers, send thy holy Angels to aid them, inspire them with an ardent zeal to maintain thy quarrel, let their foreheads be fraught with fearfulness, and their arms filled with force. Comfort this consanguinity, continue to lighten with thy grace this line of that holy Lewes, that holy Saint that ceaseth not to pray unto thee for his posterity, that thou wilt not blot them out of thy book of life, that thou wilt not take from them the comfort of thy countenance, that thou wilt not destroy them, that thou wilt not put in their place their enemy, the enemy of their forefathers: but rather that thou wilt be pleased to preserve unto his posterity the inheritance of his patrimony, and restore his France to her former prosperity, to the end that after we shall have subjecteth to the yoke of our government those that threaten us with the rod of their usurping rule, we may take in hand the accomplishment of his holy vows, and the pursuit of his religious wars against the Infidels, under the conduct of this Christian Conqueror Henry his eldest son, who is borne to advance the honour of his house, and for ever to eternize the name of the French: and that the auri-flame now joined with the Eagle, may be the guiding of so great a King, so Augustius an Emperor, overthrow the Ensigns of that proud Mahomet, and free thy people from captivity, who faithfully affying to thy never failing promises, have long attended the coming of that happy day.  

An extract of the Spanish King's declaration, which he sent to the Princes of France, and others the partakers of the Catholic Religion, against the Heretics of that Country, their favourers and adherents.  
THe Catholic King now grown old and crazed, contenteth himself with such kingdoms, dukedoms, and seigneuries, as are at this present under his obeisance, neither hath his Majesty any need of that of France. But forasmuch as he seeth the kingdom of France afflicted with Heretics, whom the Catholics of that Country (albeit they be in number twelve to one) are not able to master, his Highness hath always offered himself to succour and assist them, and in deed hath both in their first and second troubles aided and assisted them, as well with men as with money, without intention to receive any recompense in lieu thereof. All which notwithstanding, they have always covertly maintained wars against him as well in Flanders as Portugal, whereof nevertheless he hath never been willing to take revenge, nor ever would consent to frame any thing against France, since the peace concluded betwixt them.   

Hereafter follow the conditions demanded by the Catholics of France, and by his Majesty assented unto.  
1 First that his Highness shall have the title of Protector of the Realm and Crown of France, and the Cardinal of Bourbon to remain their King, whom his Majesty shall help to deliver out of captivity, and cause to be consecrated King.  
2 That his Majesty may (if he please) marry one of his daughters to one of the Princes of the blood of France, who after the disease of the said Lord Cardinal shall be crowned King, and in respect of such marriage to be had, his Highness shall give the counties of Flanders, and Burgundy to be joined and united to the Realm of France,  
3 That the ministers of the Gallicane church, shallbe reform according to the counsel of Trent.  
4 That no Spaniard shallbe endowed with any benefice, or bear judicial office in this Realm, nor be admitted to the government of any towns or bordering places.  
5 That the offices of justice shall not be made mercenary, but be freely bestowed upon good and honest persons, such as shall have bestowed their time in study and in the practice of the bar.  
6 But as for such as not being answerable to these said conditions, shall have already purchased any such places of dignity or office, being men of behaviour and Catholics: in regard that they have paid for them, and many of them yet own rents and fines for the same. It shallbe lawful for them at this time to resign unto others that shallbe capable of them, being Catholics and men learned, and of good and honest reputation, who afterwards need not make any other resignation.  
7 That his Majesty shall make a bank or stock of two millions of gold to be kept in Paris, and employed for the payment of the arrearages of the rents of the chamber of the City, and that his said Majesty shall at his proper cost and charges, and with that which it shall please our holy father the Pope to contribuite, entretain the wars that now we have in hand.  
8 And as for tallage money and impositions, that to be reserved and employed towards the payments of the debts of the Crown, and not to any other use, and the debts once discharged, the said impositions to be remitted, except only one tallage, wherewith shallbe entertained a certain number of men of war, as well horsemen as footmen, for the guard and conservation of the Realm.  
9 That from hence forth the soldiers of the King's ordinances shallbe gentlemen, and shall make their musters, and receive their pay quarterly, as well in time of peace as war.  
10 That the French men shall have free liberty to commerce and have recourse of traffic and negotiation to the lands of Peru, and other the new conquered countries of his Majesty, with free election either to associate with the Spaniards and Portingalls, or if they think good, to sail alone by themselves.  
By virtue of the articles here above agreed on, his Highness for a beginning of the said stock or bank of two millions of gold, hath caused already to be delivered into the City of Paris, the sum of four hundredth thousand crowns.   
FINIS.