CAROLUS D. G. Anglia, Scotia, Francia, et Hibernia, Rex, Fidei Defensor    

A panegyric of King CHARLES; Being Observations upon the Inclination, Life, and Government of our sovereign Lord the KING.  
WRITTEN BY Sir Henry Wotton Knight Provost of Eton college, A little before his death.  
And Printed for Richard Marriot; London,—   

TO OUR Young CHARLES Duke of Cornwall, And Earl of CHESTER; Henry Wotton Wisheth late days.  
THese following vows and Acclamations wherewith Your Father (the best of Kings) was welcomed at his return from Scotland, I dedicate to Your highness: not unadvisedly, that when you shall be endued with erudition (the ornament long since of your ancestors) you may draw from this small memorial, whatsoever it be, a more glorious treasure then a triple Crown; namely, an hereditary image of virtue.   

To the Reader.  
Reader,  
KNOW that this piece was (by the deceased Author) writ originally in Latin; and was received generally with applause and satisfaction then: And by a person highly and deservedly valuing the author's Memory, taught to speak our English tongue; which ought not to blush, even in these times, for owning the thoughts of this much renowned Patriot, and true servant to his royal Master yet in being. Whose virtuous and happy reign was no less the admiration of his neighbours, than the just subject of this learned pen, to transmit the true lights thereof to after ages.  
And if it fail of an effect suitable now upon the Readers of these days in general; the Publisher doubts not of one in thee, whom he hopes art neither biased by desperate Interest, nor dazzled with false Illumination.  
Farewell.   

TO THE KING at His return from SCOTLAND; Sir Henry Wotton's VOTES and ACCLAMATIONS. Imperial CHARLES my sovereign King and Master;  
I. IT was an ancient custom among the civil nations, so oft as they were blessed with a just and a gracious King (lest their felicity should be mutely smothered, and moulder in their breasts) to pour forth their affections and joys in eulogies, in hearty wishes, and in applauses; especially, when any occasion did excite their acclamations. By emulation of which sacred custom, being rapt, and my very bowels in this my frozen age being warmed therewith, I have taken a flagrant confidence, to celebrate this day which hath restored your Majesty to us, and us unto ourselves: being so little daunted with the weakness of mine own elocution, that almost I am ready to esteem myself thereby the fitter to perform it. For, what need is there here of any rhetorical stuff? or why should I too curiously balance words by weight? it will be enough this day simply to rejoice. Sincerity is a plain and impolite thing, by how much the less tricked, so much the more joying in her own natural alacrity; and fine speech while it adorneth, corrupteth our gladness. Neither do I fear that this duty shall appear a flattering blandishment, or to proceed from one ambitiously projected at the feet of fortune, which intruth were unworthy of that ingenuity that I have received from my parents, and likewise of that blessed contentment, which liberal studies have taught me. Yet, one thing I confesse●d oh involve my thoughts at the very entrance, in a kind of Solicitude; namely, lest I should with true praises offend that verecundious modesty, wherewith Your Majesty doth so sweetly season all your other virtues: for although your fortitude be great against any thing that requires either constancy of spirit, or validity of body; yet, I cast some doubt, lest you should bear these applauses the more tenderly, by how much they are the more justly due.  
II. We read that Germanicus (and yet what a man?) somewhat before the battle against the Cattis; went disguised with a beasts skin about his shoulders, to listen behind the soldier's tents what opinion they had of him. So as they seem the weakest receivers of their own commendations, that are the worthiest to receive them.  
Whence I easily foresee that I must prepare a way for your Sacred ears, by more severe arguments than I can borrow from the shop of light Rhetoritians. I will therefore roundly affirm, that neither the fair, nor the deformed lives of Princes, should be suppressed under ignoble silence, but that both the good and bad, should be delivered to posterity with the same liberty in writing, which themselves used in living: and with no less reverence of truth then of majesty: the good, lest by subducting the examples of virtue from our knowledge, virtue itself by little and little should decay: the bad, that being exempt while they live, from all danger of laws, they might at least be attempered with some awe of future records. This I dare speak to yourself (most excellent sovereign) and, even that I dare say so much as this, I owe only to yourself, who have now so lived 33 and reigned almost nine years, that you are not afraid of truth.  
III. Most famous it was of old, and will eternally live, that answer of Virginius Rufus, to Cluvius: You know Virginius (saith he) what credit is due to history: wherefore if you read any thing in my books, otherways than you would have it, I pray pardon me. To whom replies Virginius; Cluvius knows this, that I have done those that I have done, that it might be free for you writers to write what you list. Which was the security (I must confess) of a brave gentleman indeed, but of a private personage.  
How much more may this day rejoice, at the reception of a King, of whose life and whole deportment we may speak both openly and safely. Yea, let me add this boldly, that if nature herself (the first Architectres) had (according to Vitruvius his conceit) windowed your breast: if Your Majesty should admit all men's eyes, not only within the walls of your priviest chamber, but into the inwardest closet of your heart, nothing would there appear, but the splendour of goodness and an untroubled serenity of virtues. What said I? if you would admit? why, can they whom the supreme power hath set in a high and lucent throne be secluded from the eyes of men? or the course of your life and government be hidden in a mist? certainly in this point, obscurity of degree and solitude itself, is more vailed than Majesty. Doth that Emperor of Abyssine (who they say is seen but once a year abroad) think that it is less known what he doth with in? Do we not know even at this day that Domitian even in his secret retied room, whither he daily in private resorted, did nothing but stick flies with a bodkin? Lay Tiberius hid in his recess to the Islands of Capri, when among so many wounds and tortures of his conscience (with which he was vexed like so many furies) many tokens of a distracted mind did daily break forth? Surely no.  
Your Majesty hath taught the Princes both of your own, & future times, the only and most wholesome way of concealing yourself, in this, that you endeavour nothing that is to be concealed. There are certain creatures of ingrateful aspect; as Bats and Owls, (Condemned by nature to hate the light,) and I know that some Prin-have held it among the secrets of Empire, and for a great mystery of craft, to be adored afar off, as if reverence did only dwell in holes, and caves; and not in full light. Whence flow those Sophistries of government? I will speak in a word, and freely; they wandered in crooked paths, because they knew not (the shortest way) to be good. But, Your majesty doth not fly the eyes and access of your subjects; you do not joy to be hid, you do not withdraw yourself from those that are yours; you do not catch at false veneration with a rigid and clouded countenance: yea, sometime you vouchsafe to descend to a certain affability without offence of your dignity: for thus you reason with yourself in the clearness of your own bosom; if it were not above our power to lie concealed, yet were it below our goodness to will it; than which nothing (in conclusion) is more popular; for good Princes are by all good men openly revered, and even silently by bad: so much do the beams of virtue dazzle even unwilling eyes. Wherefore as of late I did pass with Tranquillus Suetonius (who hath anatomised the very bowels of the Caesar's) to beguile in the time of your absence with some literate diversion, the tedious longitude of days, and had by chance fallen upon that passage, so lively describing the wailings of Augustus, after the Varian defect, often crying out, Render me Quintilius Varus; straight there arose a fervent desire of Your majesty, and wishes glowed for your return: for it seemed much juster that England should solicit her sister with panting suspirations, than Augustus the ghost of Quintilius: Restore to me, Scotland my sister, our King; restore the best of men, whom none but bad doth not love, none but ignorant doth not praise; both the ruler of our Manners, and the rule together; that we may not only be the gladder, but the better for it, while we shall never contemplate (a thing most rare) in the highest degree a pattern of the least licentiousness. Seeing therefore (excellent King) that you are such, permit I most humbly beseech you (if supplications may more prevail then arguments) that nine people of distinct language (for so many they are in my account) whose realms you moderate, may glory that you are such, and proves that not only in every one's particular Idiom, which would be in truth too narrow for our joy, but in this common language however expressed, that even foreigners may know heretofore yielded the best Emperor, and of greatest name to the Christian world, not to be so dry at this day, but that it still can afford a type of a most laudable sovereign.  
IV. Now, having as I hope a little mollified the way to your patient hearing, hence forth I shall take a pleasure, out of a general habit, & course of your life, to crop a few things like the gatherers of flowers: for, I joy more in the chief then in the plenty; though not ignorant that either the diligence, or ambition of Ancients in this kind was so profuse, as perchance Timeus did not say unpleasantly, that Alexander the Macedonian had sooner subdued all Asia than Isocra●es had writ his panegyric. The truth is, art was much cherished in those days, while in a rank age of eloquence the wits of Orators were wanton▪ but it becometh me, being mindful both of my simplicity and age, to touch rather the general heads of your due praises▪ then to prosecute the particulars; that the very brevity of my speech, may in a sort imitate the defluxion of my sliding years. Now before other things, there offereth itself unto me, the singular Nobility of your birth: whereby, in the long pedigree of antecedent King● ye are eminent above them all, even your blessed father not excepted; this I will deduce more clearly: your great great-grandfather Henry the seventh, (I know not whether more beholden to his fortune or his fortitude) being almost at once an Exile, and a conqueror, united the white and red Roses; the Armomories of two of our mighty families, by the marriage of Elizabeth of York; which being in division had so many years polluted their own country with infestous rancour and bloody feuds: A more blessed Colligation of the Kingdoms then of the Roses, we owe to the good days of your father, even for that alone never to be remembered without high veneration. But, in you alone, most imperial Charles, is confluent the glory of all nations, of all ages, which since the Romans have possessed Britanny either by right, or by Arms. In you▪ I say▪ alone, whom of all hither●o crowned, we acknowledge the only branch of the Cabrians, Anglosaxons, Scottish, Norma● and Danish Race. In this perchance (if the comparison be not too mean) not unlike to the Ister that 〈…〉 river of ●●rope, which rolling down so ●minense a 〈◊〉 enn●bled by 〈◊〉 way with the contri●●tion of so many famous streams. Among our authors, one of no mean condition, that our Elders would not legitimate the Norman government in England, till Maude marrying with Henry the first brought into the world a branch of the ancient Saxon Kings: she was the sister of David, nephew twice removed of King Ethelred your Progenitor.  
What greater cause have we to embrace Your majesty with open arms, descending to our times from so manifold a stock of Kings; adorned with access of the Cambryan line by Queen And your Mother, a Lady of a masculine carriage and more truly may we challenge that which Buchanan (who next the ancients had the happiest strain) attributed to your grandmother (to whom might a better fate have fallen)  
ye sway sceptres independing,  
From elders numberless descending.  
But these you scarcely account your own. I pass to your peculiar glories, which no less give then receive lustre.  
V. Three things are remarkable in your beginning, Best of Kings, (give me leave to call you so often) of no small moment to your following felicities; and things in their increase for the most part keep a relish of the beginnings; first, that you were not born to the supreme hope of sovereignty, whereby flattery (though a swift & watchful evil) clinging to the very cradle of Heirs apparent, slowly crept on your tender years, giving time to your natural goodness to suck in the generous juice of honesty: for certainly it much importeth the Common-weal to see that the first propensions even of private men be well informed and instilled: how much more of Princes, whereof they are not only sustainer● for the present, but patterns for the future?  
Next, that you suc●eed a brother of no small endowments of ●ature: this redoubled ●nd contracted the se●ulity of your parent's 〈◊〉 I call it sedulity, for ●t exceeded an ordi●ary care) about the ●mprovement of their ●nly son: Nay, by this, ●our own spirits were the more and more ●rected, when now such a weight of exp●●ctation was fallen onl● upon yourself; the● were they appoint●● which should fait●●fully endue with the elements of knowled● your age not yet fit f●● affairs of State: the● were such sent for 〈◊〉 might dress yo● growing strength w● feats of Chivalr● which I well remem●●er how handsomely ●ou performed in the ●rime of your youth, ●ill afterwards run●ing at Tilt I knew ●ot whether we took more joy or fear to ●ee you adventure.  
Thirdly, it falls into ●y mind how nature ●●rugled for a time with the weakness of ●our body, far unlike ●o that firm vigour which we now be● hold with joy and ad●miration: which ● think did not happ●● without a secret pro●vidence, that the● might be the more i●●tentive care of cult●●vating your mind, 〈◊〉 indeed well becam● the heir, then secret● destinated, of such 〈◊〉 King, whom of all a●●ter many ages his ve●ry maligners do not deny to have been the Prince of greatest knowledge. But I haste from your first essays to your stronger times, not forgetting my promised bre●ity.  
VI. After your travels abroad, obnoxious to many hazards, you came unto the Crown, where was seen how much you● self then dared to adventure, while in the mean time all at home were trembling fo● your sake. But, the celestial favour di●● reduce you again faf● unto us, with not s● much as a taint of fo●●raign tincture like a●nother Ulysses, t● whom it was enoug● even by Homer, to peruse the manners of men and their government.  
VII. When you had taken the Crown, before all other things, there was resplendent in you a royal religious mind: the pillar of Kingdoms and the joy of good men: the regal chapel never more decent, the number of excellent Divines daily increased, Sermons in no age more frequent, in none more learned, and the example of Prince more informing then the Sermons; no execrations rashly proceeding from your mouth; your eyes abhorring, not only any sordid, but even the least lascivious word: which perchance under Edward the 4th. while vagrant loves did reign, was accounted a piece of courtly eloquence; neit●●r was this piety immured within the Court, but diffused through the Kingdom.  
The Church revenues not touched; Temples here and there newly founded; dilapidations repaired; and, (which posterity will ever speak) the contributions of your Kingdom, excited by your majesty's most religious exhortation, to restore the Temple consecrated to the Apostle of the nations, which had suffered some injury of time; in all the Christian world, without question, the most ample work of equal antiquity; where your majesty's care was eminent in demolishing those private houses which disgraced the view of so goodly a work: Nor less in imposing the charge of that whole business, upon that most vigilant Prelat●e who for his singular fidelity and judgement, hath lately been assumed to higher dignity.  
Now (next to God) how tender was your affection to your people? when contagion grew amongst them, recourse was had to public fasts, by your own commandment: when we were pressed with greater fears than affliction of famine, the cornmongers were constrained to open their barns, and the prices underrated. Among those pious cares, I cannot omit one peculiar elegy, proper to your own providence, whereof I must fetch the beginning a little higher.  
VIII. Some years ago, certain points about sublime points of our Belief were born abroad, or rather perchance newly rubbed up out of antiquity; which when they had also flown hither unto us (as flames of wit are quickly diffused) lest here also our pulpits and pens should grow hot with public disturbance, Your Majesty hath by Edict with most laudable temper compressed all disceptation on either side. Let others think what they list; in my arbitrament (if the phrase may be pardoned) the Itch of Disputing will prove the Scab of Churches. I will relate what hath happened to me in my observation more than once: namely, two arguing about some subject very eagerly, till either of them transported by heat of contention from one thing to another, they both at length first lost charity, and then the truth. Whither (in the name of God) would restless conceit proceed if it were not bounded? there is no end of subtle arguments: but Your majesty hath found out a seasonable provision.  
Ix.. To these praises of piety I will add a mighty pattern of gratitude: and almost a greater of Constancy towards George Villers Duke of Buckingham, who being the chief concomitant adjoined unto them amongst the hazards of the Spanish Journey, Your majesty afterwards at home as it were by exchange did safely carry through all the rocks of either fortune, till the unforeseen day befell him. We have also seen no small means of your favour cast upon another of trusty & judicious associates in the same journey. Neither do I only recount these things, as arguments of an heart mindful of faithful service (which is a truly regal virtue) but likewise of singular obsequiousness towards the memory of your own parent, though then decea●sed, to whom the Duke of Buckingham had stood so many years in his special privity: as if Your Majesty reputed your self no less the Heir of his affections, then of his Kingdoms; a rare example among the memorials of all ages. He was indeed a Duke of many lovely parts, very seldom consociated, in all the limbs of his body exquisitely composed, yet doubtful whether his shape or his grace were the more eminent: undubitably of an undaunted spirit, equally attentive to affairs either imposed, or assumed: he showed likewise in the midst of so many distractions an incredible temper & equability. I will not deny his appetite of glory, whereof generous minds are not easily divested; but, that which of all I reckon the sweetest, no austerity of behaviour, nothing outwardly tumerous: but obvious, accostable & almost exposed to every man's access: as if so high felicity had scarce been sensible of felicity: for which endowment though it had been single, he might well have merited (in human judgement) at his end a softer Bed.  
X. After this there began to grow powerful in Your majesty's principal affairs and daily growth, by how much the more tried, by so much the more trusted, a person certainly of a moderate course of life, and of most weighty counsel, & with contempt of va●nity born to solid wisdom, whom to nominate were injurious, for after a sincere de●cription their needs ●ot a name.  
XI But the highest Empire over your affections, is deservedly challenged by your most worthy consort of your royal bed, herself likewise descended from an ancient line of Kings: but it is enough to say the daughter of Henry the Great, and Sister to Lodowick the Just; whom for most dear pledges already of either sex, for the endowment of chastest beautifulness, and (which chiefly blesseth the nuptial bed) for congruity of dispositions, Your Majesty embraceth with so religious and invi●lable love, that just●y you may seem to have passed from the Title of an excellent pattern, into that of an excellent husband.  
XII. To chastity you have added temperance her nearest Companion: which virtues among miserable and impotent men, who would not pass by with silence● but in a King so young, in the vigour of his age; & in such a promptness of satisfying all appetites, know not whether we should more commend or admire. Now, after these eulogies (which partly beget love, and partly beget wonder) to doubt once of the justness of your times, were most unjust. It will not yet repent me to repeat a little at large a thing of illustrious example, in a man of obscure condition. There fell out at London I know not what tumult for one rescued out of a sergeants hands, who for debt was carried to prison, where in the midst of those confusions, one or two (as for the most part it falleth out) did perish of sudden hurts; whereupon one John Stamford a stout and lusty fellow (who had fatally run into the throng) was apprehended as guilty o● murder; he watched not with Your Majesty intercessors of great name; and there was a certain hope of his pardon already in vulgar imagination conceived, because he waited on the Duke of Buckingham in his Chamber, and among attendants of his own condition was many times very acceptable to his Lord for a mighty ability of body, & skill in wrestling, whereof the memory as then was yet fresh, which perchance made the poor man the more audacious; but neither the intercessions of the living, nor the man's own well known valour, nor finally the remembrance of so well known a Patron whom he served, could prevail with Your Majesty above Justice, (but which is much to be said) after these circumstances he suffered the ordinary death—. Fresher is the execution which a Baron of most ancient lineage suffered for a fact; unworthy of his ancestors. But, if an old observation of a witty author may yet have place, that some examples are more illustrious▪ and some greater, I should think the Barons the more illustrious and Stamfords the greater.  
XII. But whither am I ravished? while I revolve these things, with no unpleasing meditation? Your Majesty hath in your Tribunals of strict Justice proper Judges; whose Sentences are rigid; you have also a most sage chancellor of right and equity (not inferior to the ancient praetors) who for the people's relief mollifieth the former severity; but, those do sit apart, in several Bars: if one should ask by chance, why they sit not together (which might seem the more expedite way) I will deliver my opinion, our Ancestors out of a most grave providence, that Justice and lenity which in the inferior Magistrate sit divided, might be consociated in the only breast of the sovereign: And truly so it is, for, composed in yourself, as it were of the very desire of your ancestors, hath so tempered them together, that none have presumption to be evil, nor grieve to be good Hitherto I desire to be understood, that I have only spoken of the restraint of common vices, which everywhere swarm, for of more hai●nous transgressions (by God's goodness) we have not a word, no not so much as a dream; we are in labour of an excellent ignorance: we know not what insurrection is: what plotter is against the Common-weal: or that is, which grammarians call the offence of Majesty: the very words are vanished with the thing●; and (in truth) no marvel; for, what wretch (unless he were of all mortal men the most stupid and felonious, and both equally a fool and a villain) would violate the quiet of so just and pious a Governor?  
XIII. Now as you maintain your justice, (which I would call the health of your Kingdom) in an even balance, without too much stretching or slackening the strings●punc; so you are not careless of the security; for so the same would fall to Empires, which falleth out in natural bodies, which subsist dangerously, if nothing but mere health sustain them: wherefore after a war with two mighty Kings together with various event (as it falleth out in human affairs) concluded by new Confederations on either side, your principal care at home, was to provide for the Maritine strength, as it became the Tutor of Insular Kingdoms; where the Navy Royal was yearly more increased and furnished; likewise more commodious roads chosen for the Ships, and of readyer issue upon sudden occasion; Your Majesty not only commanding, but with your own Eyes pe●using the places, as if in a matter of that moment you had scarce trusted another man's view: Then a more exact survey of Arms, and the general Musters at due time better executed.  
XIV. Amongst these things it were uncivil to pass over silently, that which wise men oft time have noted; namely, that Your Majesty doth more frequent the Counsel of State, than any of your Predecessors, unless perchance we should reflect our eyes upon Edward the Sixth, whom they say even in his childhood, to have been seldom absent.  
XIV. In that Session of your privy counsel, the highest Prelates add reverence, the Nobles of both Kingdoms, dignity.  
Some there are whom foreign experience, some whom the knowledge of our Laws do adorn: among whom the learned and faithful Sagacity of your Secretaries watch over all accidents; but above these the very presence of the sovereign hath always (I know not how) a certain blessed inspi●ation: it is a small matter which I have said, your Presence only, yea those which participate of your counsels, (not altogether I must confess incurious, for which I beg pardon) I have many times heard how attentvely (as often as you are pleased to be present) you resolve things propounded; how patiently you hear, with how sharp judgement you ponder the particulars; how stiff you are (for I will use no milder word) in good resolutions, and how stout in great.  
Finally, in secret affairs, what taciturnity you impose, and how severely you exact an account thereof; in this also, your own example leading your commandment. For besides other, there are two things which Your Majesty hath most blessedly bound together; namely, there was never Prince since the Constitution of Empires, a safer preserver of a secret, and yet none whose secrecy and silence we less fear; which we read anciently noted of that excellent man Julius Agricola, who was the first Roman that invaded the skirts of your Calydonia: for Your Majesty doth not suffer secretly in your bosom tyrannous and crafty thoughts, nor hatch the sparkles of offence till they flame: but if any be contrived, you do vent it and as I may say) exhale it with a high noblecan●or. Truly I confess, I do not more willingly insist in the reverence of any of your virtues, then in this very attribute of your heroical ingenuity: for as the supreme Character of the most high power is Verity: so what can more become or more magnificently invest his Representants on earth, than veracity itself? hitherto we have seen your obsequlousness towards your parents, constancy towards your friends, fidelity towards your Consort, and towards the commonwealth, not only the affection a King, but of a father; neither among these (as the condition of the times, and the perplexed state of things would bear) the regards of an excellent brother towards your only sister, whom I have always thought the only— of her sex; the greater by suffering, and the more illustrious by obscurity, & though constituted in this world under chance, yet above the command of fortune, whom how much Your Majesty loves, nay how much you esteem, did appear in a late legation, when to consolate the lo●s of her husband, you sent the chief of your Nobility, and himself a personage even of the ancient virtue and deportment; that to so loving an embassy, there might be something added by the very election of the Ambassador.  
XV. Thus much of Comfort; now for a point of assistance: did not Your Majesty give leave to a Merchant of chief Nobility in Scotland, though tied here to your person by near & assiduous attendance, to exercise his valour abroad by intricate passages in such an interruption of access, by adventures of Sea and Land; by places and towns beset with Plague and famine: where it was almost easier to conquer then to enter; and harder suffering than doing. If after this success hath wanted, yet not the generous affection of a King; not the valour of his subjects; not expenses of divers kinds; not legations upon legations, to appease if it were possible by equal conditions, and by friendly treaty the frenzy of the time: for the rest, we must repose ourselves in S●lons advice, Let no man glory before his Time.  
XVI. Now among so many cares wherewith even the best of Kings are least free; it will be no unpleasant Speculation to inquire a little how elegantly▪ Your Majesty doth dispose your vacant hours.  
You joy in Chi●●lry, and use of the great Horse, of which no man doth more skilfully manage● those that are already gentle, or tame the furious▪ Insomuch as I doubt whether it were aptly or worthily done of him who hath lately erected an Equestrian Statue to Your Majesty of solid brass, the lively work of Listerius.  
To this I must add music, which under you (both instrumental and vocal grows every day more regular; as being fitted to the judgement of your ear. This (lest it should seem too tender a delight) you temper with hunting. In which Image of War you do, so exercise your vigorous Spirits, that it is hard to say whether you love the pleasure more, or the labour, or whether you had rather wish the killing or the long standing of the Ch●se.  
But the most splended of all your entertainments, is your love of excellent Artificers, and works: wherewith either Art both of picture and Sculpture you have so adorned your Palaces, that Ita●y (the greatest mother of elegant Arts) or at least after the Grecians) the principal Nurse, may seem by your magnificence to be translated into England; what can be more pleasant than those sights? nay I am ready to ask, what more learned then to behold the mute eloquence of lights and shadows, and silent poesy of lineaments, and as it were living bless? here would the spectator almost swear that the limbs and muscles designed by Tentoret did move: here the birds of Bas●sano do chirp, the oxen bellow, and the sheep bleat; here the faces of Rafael are breathing, and those of Titian even speaking: here a man would commend in Coreggio sweetness, in Parmesano daintiness of limbs. Neither do the Belgians want their praise; who if they paint landscapes, all kind of plants seem in their verdure; the flowers do smile; the hills are raised; the valleys in depression: in your statuary works likewise learned variety, of which some glory in vivacity, some in the tenderness of limbs. But, those are the entertainment of your eye. To delight you sometime you read a book of some choice subject: but for the most part you read men, as well knowing how much it importeth a Prince to look into the nature of his people. Now and then also you please your mind with the rehearsal of some ancient Epigrams, with no less sharpness than they were composed. Thus have I cursorarily run over your serious thoughts, & your remissions: but this very pleasure which I have taken, (though but a flight transcursion) doth (I know not how) infuse into my pen now in motion a new spirit to represent (with Your majesty's leave) though it be but to myself, your true portraiture in little: and (as it were) in one short view together, which I thus conceive in my fancy. I would call your stature next a just proportion; your body erect and agile; your colour or complexion, hath generally drawn more from the white Rose of York, than the red of Lancaster; your hair nearer brown than yellow; your brow proclaimeth much fidelity; a certain verecundious generosity graceth your eyes, not such as we read of Silla, but that of Pompey; in your gestures free from affectation; in your whole aspect no swelling, no rigidity, but an alluring and pleasing suavity: your alacrity and spirit appears in the celerity of your motions, otherways stayed affections, and composed demeanour; in your purposes and promises unremovable, a lover of truth, a hater of vice, just, constant, courageous, and not simply alone, but knowingly good.  
Such you are; and being such, with what applause shall we receive you! methinks I see, when sometimes I compare together horrid and quiet times, as often as Richard the third returned perchance from his York, or further off to London, and assembled his States about him, how the heads of noble men did hang down, how pale were their cheeks! what solicitous suspicions, and murmurs they conferred together; as if suddenly some dismal Comet or inauspicious star had risen above the horizon: but contrariwise, the return of a just, and a good Prince, is intruth nothing else but the very approach of the Sun, when with his vernal beams he doth expel the deformed winter, and with a gentle heat doth comfort and ex●ilarate all things about us.  
XVII. Welcome therefore Most graceful King, to all that are good: But in what wishes shall I end? Among the ancients (by whose example I have too boldly undertaken this small labour) there was a form after the times of Trajan, under every excellent Emperor, Long Mayst thou live Antonius; long must thou live Theosius; happier mayst thou be then Augustus; better than Trajan: but let this be the concluding Character of Your majesty's time; that the things we can with, are fewer than those we praise.  
Wherefore when I have out of an ardent zeal only wished this, that CHARLES our excellent King and Master may reign and live like himself;  
I will end thus, 
Oh how extremely fortunate were we,  
If well we knew how fortunate we be!   
FINIS.