a_o brief_a and_o true_a report_n of_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o earl_n of_o leycester_n for_o the_o relief_n of_o the_o town_n of_o sluice_n from_o his_o artivall_n at_o vlissh_v about_o the_o end_n of_o june_n 1587._o until_o the_o surrendrie_a thereof_o 26._o julij_fw-la next_o ensue_a whereby_o it_o shall_v plain_o appear_v his_o excellency_n be_v not_o in_o any_o fault_n for_o the_o loss_n of_o that_o town_n imprint_v at_o london_n 1590._o to_o the_o reader_n concern_v this_o addition_n of_o the_o honourable_a endeavour_n of_o the_o earl_n of_o leycester_n for_o the_o relief_n of_o sluice_n upon_o her_o majesty_n most_o gracious_a and_o great_a charge_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o unite_a province_n if_o it_o be_v tolerable_a for_o private_a man_n to_o deliver_v in_o print_n apology_n of_o their_o own_o do_n while_o they_o be_v alive_a much_o more_o reasonable_a i_o think_v it_o for_o the_o troth_n of_o such_o matter_n to_o be_v publish_v as_o be_v conceal_v or_o misconceave_v may_v any_o way_n touch_v the_o honour_n of_o so_o public_a a_o person_n as_o the_o earl_n of_o leycester_n her_o majesty_n general_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o unite_a province_n by_o their_o own_o free_a election_n now_o decease_v and_o not_o alive_a to_o answer_v for_o himself_o see_v therefore_o it_o please_v god_n so_o well_o to_o bless_v his_o former_a action_n even_o from_o his_o entrance_n into_o that_o country_n till_o his_o first_o return_n to_o england_n that_o he_o have_v clear_v both_o the_o vellow_n and_o bettowe_n two_o rich_a pleasant_a and_o most_o fertile_a country_n of_o all_o enemy_n raze_v and_o deface_v all_o their_o sconce_n and_o castle_n or_o leave_v they_o possess_v with_o soldier_n of_o our_o own_o and_o so_o great_o enlarge_v the_o territory_n &_o contribution_n of_o the_o state_n beside_o the_o take_n in_o and_o assure_v of_o deuxburgh_n and_o deventer_n thereby_o also_o divert_v or_o remove_v the_o great_a siege_n from_o berke_n in_o ghelderland_n beside_o the_o win_n of_o axle_n in_o flaunders_n without_o the_o lose_n of_o any_o one_o town_n sconce_n or_o castle_n either_o command_v by_o the_o english_a or_o wherein_o any_o one_o english_a band_n be_v garry_v son_v till_o after_o his_o excellency_n departure_n some_o private_a pike_n and_o particular_a ambitious_a grudge_n grow_v between_o stanley_n york_n and_o other_o in_o those_o province_n cause_v these_o bad_a person_n for_o their_o particular_a passion_n in_o the_o absence_n of_o his_o excellency_n so_o much_o to_o forget_v their_o duty_n as_o traitorous_o to_o deliver_v into_o the_o enemy_n hand_n that_o town_n and_o sconce_n by_o zutphen_n god_n have_v i_o say_v so_o exceed_o always_o prosper_v his_o excellency_n during_o his_o abode_n there_o to_o the_o great_a honour_n and_o renown_n of_o her_o majesty_n as_o his_o most_o malicious_a enemy_n have_v cause_n rather_o to_o envy_v his_o fortune_n than_o backbite_v his_o government_n &_o no_o one_o town_n forte_n castle_n or_o sconce_n lose_v or_o foil_v receive_v any_o way_n by_o our_o nation_n under_o he_o till_o the_o loss_n of_o sluice_n that_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n wherein_o either_o his_o dispiteful_a enemy_n or_o ingrate_a friend_n or_o follower_n stranger_n or_o english_a can_v find_v any_o colour_n to_o calumniate_v his_o militare_fw-la action_n find_v yet_o in_o my_o hand_n a_o brief_a and_o true_a relation_n of_o his_o excellency_n honourable_a endeavour_n upon_o her_o majesty_n gracious_a great_a and_o extraordinary_a charge_n to_o relieve_v that_o town_n by_o i_o even_o at_o that_o time_n commit_v to_o writing_n when_o these_o matter_n be_v in_o action_n and_o myself_o present_a both_o at_o the_o consultation_n and_o execution_n i_o have_v think_v it_o my_o duty_n likewise_o herewith_o to_o print_v and_o publish_v the_o same_o that_o neither_o the_o honourable_a patron_n of_o this_o treatise_n now_o dead_a by_o injurious_a imputation_n be_v uniustlie_o wrong_v nor_o for_o ignorance_n of_o the_o truth_n the_o world_n seduce_v to_o think_v the_o swan_n a_o crow_n or_o the_o daw_n a_o eagle_n but_o conceive_v matter_n as_o they_o be_v in_o deed_n guide_v by_o god_n providence_n we_o may_v learn_v in_o all_o thing_n to_o give_v he_o all_o glory_n and_o modest_o acknowledge_v true_o our_o own_o private_a error_n and_o infirmity_n to_o endeavour_n hereafter_o to_o amend_v they_o ¶_o a_o true_a report_n of_o his_o excellency_n careful_a proceed_n for_o the_o relief_n of_o sluice_n as_o it_o be_v brief_o set_v down_o while_o the_o matter_n be_v in_o action_n his_o excellency_n arrive_v at_o vlissh_v towards_o the_o end_n of_o june_n bring_v with_o he_o about_o 30._o ensign_n of_o new_a levy_a english_a soldier_n find_v the_o town_n of_o sluice_n besiege_v by_o the_o duke_n of_o parma_n his_o chief_a force_n remain_v in_o the_o will_v of_o cassand_n where_o himself_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n in_o person_n the_o rest_n in_o s_n to_o ann_n land_n under_o the_o commandment_n of_o la_fw-fr mote_n salve_n that_o his_o horseman_n with_o some_o band_n of_o foot_n be_v disperse_v upon_o the_o coast_n and_o upon_o strait_n for_o guard_v of_o dikes_n and_o passage_n in_o sundry_a place_n these_o force_n of_o the_o duke_n of_o parma_n be_v lodge_v in_o such_o a_o sort_n that_o there_o be_v no_o access_n unto_o they_o but_o upon_o narrow_a bank_n the_o which_o be_v in_o many_o place_n retrench_v and_o cut_v off_o in_o such_o sort_n as_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o situation_n they_o be_v well_o able_a to_o have_v answer_v treble_a their_o force_n that_o shall_v by_o land_n have_v invade_v they_o by_o sea_n they_o have_v also_o by_o pile_n ship_n and_o boat_n in_o show_n cross_v the_o haven_n and_o plant_v certain_a platform_n of_o ordinance_n to_o beat_v such_o ship_n as_o shall_v attempt_v to_o enter_v to_o succour_v the_o town_n nevertheless_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o best_a military_a man_n this_o be_v find_v the_o only_a way_n to_o relieve_v the_o town_n and_o to_o that_o end_n preparation_n make_v of_o ship_n of_o war_n to_o enter_v &_o one_o or_o two_o ship_n especial_o of_o purpose_n frame_v with_o fire_n work_v very_o artificial_o to_o have_v break_v any_o bridge_n and_o open_v a_o passage_n although_o it_o have_v be_v much_o more_o forcible_o close_v than_o indeed_o that_o be_v true_a it_o be_v that_o the_o admiral_n nassau_n and_o his_o sea_n captain_n make_v the_o matter_n very_o dangerous_a and_o require_v that_o the_o force_n by_o land_n may_v be_v also_o attempt_v at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o at_o the_o first_o it_o be_v by_o his_o excellency_n mean_v that_o the_o camp_n shall_v have_v be_v assail_v 3._o way_n viz_o from_o isendick_n sconce_n towards_o coxey_n on_o cassand_n &_o from_o ostend_n but_o upon_o more_o deliberate_a consideration_n of_o the_o situation_n of_o these_o place_n it_o be_v find_v that_o after_o we_o shall_v have_v surprise_v the_o sconce_n of_o isendick_n there_o be_v no_o possibility_n to_o march_v towards_o sluice_n or_o towards_o the_o enemy_n camp_n but_o upon_o straight_a dikes_n with_o sundry_a abrupt_a passage_n by_o they_o fortify_v in_o such_o sort_n that_o a_o very_a few_o may_v have_v make_v head_n on_o that_o side_n to_o any_o great_a army_n and_o not_o to_o be_v pass_v without_o great_a slaughter_n of_o our_o people_n and_o long_a time_n before_o we_o can_v approach_v to_o any_o blow_n with_o the_o enemy_n on_o the_o otherside_n of_o cassand_n the_o coast_n so_o flat_a and_o far_o out_o into_o the_o sea_n as_o there_o be_v no_o land_n but_o as_o man_n must_v wade_v a_o great_a distance_n in_o the_o water_n subject_a to_o all_o the_o shot_n of_o the_o enemy_n that_o may_v lie_v cover_v under_o the_o marsh_n bank_n and_o then_o no_o way_n to_o approach_v the_o camp_n but_o upon_o fortify_v strait_n as_o before_o it_o be_v therefore_o conclude_v that_o the_o only_a way_n to_o approach_v the_o camp_n by_o land_n be_v from_o ostend_n where_o his_o excellency_n may_v in_o safety_n land_n his_o force_n &_o so_o march_v to_o seek_v the_o enemy_n on_o firm_a ground_n in_o military_a order_n not_o confuse_o with_o so_o great_a disadvantage_n as_o on_o the_o other_o part_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n diverse_a burgher_n of_o vlissh_v that_o mistrust_v the_o coldness_n of_o the_o admiralty_n and_o state_n make_v offer_v to_o his_o excellency_n that_o if_o they_o may_v have_v ship_v they_o will_v undertake_v to_o enter_v the_o haven_n and_o put_v into_o the_o town_n both_o man_n and_o munition_n without_o attend_v any_o attempt_n to_o be_v make_v upon_o the_o enemy_n by_o land_n which_o they_o see_v to_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o great_a hazard_n &_o not_o possible_a in_o reason_n to_o take_v any_o effect_n the_o strong_a situation_n of_o the_o enemy_n camp_n consider_v the_o
reason_n that_o move_v they_o to_o doubt_v the_o coldness_n of_o the_o admiralty_n be_v these_o they_o know_v they_o to_o be_v person_n whole_o at_o the_o devotion_n of_o the_o state_n how_o small_a care_n the_o state_n take_v of_o sluice_n ostend_n or_o any_o other_o town_n in_o flaunders_n be_v they_o say_v apparent_a long_o before_o when_o their_o soldier_n by_o their_o evil_a pay_n &_o provision_n be_v many_o time_n reduce_v to_o such_o extremity_n as_o it_o be_v great_o doubt_v that_o necessity_n shall_v constrain_v they_o to_o deliver_v up_o the_o town_n to_o the_o enemy_n and_o the_o year_n 1586._o when_v his_o excellency_n be_v move_v to_o have_v employ_v his_o force_n into_o flaunders_n where_o no_o doubt_n he_o may_v have_v win_v immortal_a honour_n and_o reduce_v again_o the_o most_o part_n of_o that_o country_n to_o the_o unite_a province_n the_o state_n general_o ever_o dislike_v of_o any_o enterprise_n that_o way_n and_o persuade_v his_o excellency_n whole_o to_o that_o other_o course_n of_o ghelderland_n ouerysell_n etc._n etc._n the_o reason_n that_o move_v the_o state_n thereto_o some_o suppose_n be_v these_o first_o if_o flaunders_n shall_v be_v regain_v than_o a_o great_a number_n of_o wealthy_a man_n that_o be_v now_o in_o holland_n settle_v will_v return_v thither_o and_o so_o impoverish_v great_o the_o wealth_n of_o holland_n and_o the_o state_n of_o holland_n care_v now_o the_o whole_a or_o chief_a sway_n will_v none_o of_o that_o another_o reason_n be_v that_o they_o find_v those_o garrison_n of_o sluice_n axle_n ostend_n etc._n etc._n to_o exhaust_v much_o of_o the_o holland_n contribution_n and_o not_o to_o yield_v any_o commodity_n again_o but_o the_o three_o and_o most_o forcible_a of_o all_o be_v that_o they_o have_v as_o it_o be_v think_v conceive_v a_o certain_a icalousie_n that_o flaunders_n lie_v so_o near_o england_n her_o majesty_n may_v seize_v to_o she_o own_o use_n all_o such_o port_n town_n and_o place_n of_o strength_n as_o shall_v be_v gain_v there_o and_o have_v convenient_a port_n so_o near_o her_o realm_n for_o convenient_a receipt_n and_o succour_n of_o her_o ship_n shall_v by_o that_o mean_n be_v able_a to_o rule_v they_o and_o not_o be_v rule_v by_o they_o these_o jealousy_n and_o conceit_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v the_o cause_n that_o have_v make_v the_o estate_n so_o cold_a and_o backward_o in_o the_o relieve_n this_o town_n of_o sluice_n albeit_o the_o sluice_n common_a people_n in_o many_o place_n speak_v more_o broad_o and_o say_v plain_o that_o the_o state_n from_o time_n to_o time_n have_v victual_v the_o enemy_n make_v to_o they_o of_o holland_n thereby_o a_o infinite_a gain_n and_o that_o the_o enemy_n have_v good_a assurance_n from_o some_o of_o they_o before_o his_o siege_n of_o sluice_n that_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v impeach_v by_o they_o whereunto_o they_o add_v many_o shrewd_a presumption_n first_o that_o the_o enemy_n be_v continual_o victual_v by_o their_o sufferance_n and_o licence_n second_o that_o even_o a_o little_a before_o sluice_n be_v besiege_v the_o state_n send_v for_o certain_a of_o the_o best_a band_n out_o of_o the_o town_n which_o the_o governor_n will_v not_o consent_v unto_o three_o that_o certain_a ship_n be_v of_o purpose_n run_v a_o ground_n before_o sluice_n in_o such_o sort_n as_o the_o enemy_n horseman_n may_v take_v they_o without_o which_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o have_v make_v any_o show_n of_o stop_v up_o the_o channel_n last_o of_o all_o their_o strange_a backwardness_n in_o give_v aid_n any_o way_n by_o man_n or_o munition_n when_o captain_n hart_n and_o other_o of_o vlissh_v offer_v they_o to_o enter_v before_o his_o excellency_n arrival_n so_o that_o if_o sir_n william_n russell_n lord_n governor_n of_o vlissh_v have_v not_o very_o providentlie_o &_o earnest_o travail_v to_o send_v in_o such_o provision_n as_o upon_o the_o sudden_a he_o provide_v the_o town_n have_v be_v much_o more_o destitute_a of_o all_o mean_n to_o hold_v out_o than_o it_o be_v but_o albeit_o i_o be_o not_o carry_v so_o far_o as_o to_o belecue_v all_o the_o people_n speak_v though_o vox_fw-la populi_fw-la be_v many_o time_n for_o truth_n term_v vox_fw-la dei_fw-la especial_o when_o it_o be_v ground_v upon_o long_a trial_n and_o experience_n yet_o that_o by_o fruit_n the_o tree_n may_v be_v discern_v and_o so_o a_o right_a estimate_n make_v of_o these_o conjecture_n i_o will_v report_v as_o near_o as_o i_o can_v the_o certain_a truth_n how_o matter_n have_v pass_v &_o what_o assistance_n his_o excellency_n have_v receive_v from_o the_o state_n for_o this_o important_a enterprise_n for_o the_o â—eleife_n of_o sluice_n first_o his_o excellency_n upon_o his_o arrival_n find_v in_o his_o absence_n strange_a effect_n wrought_v by_o bad_a practice_n of_o his_o enemy_n who_o perhaps_o aspire_v to_o advance_v themselves_o or_o to_o blemish_v his_o honour_n do_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n foster_v the_o seed_n of_o most_o seditious_a discord_n tend_v to_o the_o ruin_n of_o these_o province_n and_o great_a hindrance_n of_o her_o majesty_n service_n here_o his_o excellency_n i_o say_v find_v it_o very_o convenient_a first_o to_o do_v all_o his_o best_a endeavour_n to_o reduce_v this_o infect_a body_n to_o health_n and_o to_o effect_v the_o same_o forgive_a all_o injury_n do_v to_o himself_o labour_v nothing_o but_o the_o safety_n of_o these_o province_n commit_v to_o his_o charge_n immediate_o upon_o his_o land_n write_v for_o a_o assembly_n of_o the_o state_n at_o middleburgh_n where_o after_o he_o have_v too_o long_a time_n in_o respect_n of_o his_o urgent_a affair_n attend_v they_o in_o vain_a he_o go_v in_o person_n to_o berghen_n up_o some_o and_o after_o to_o dort_n to_o effect_v only_o his_o first_o purpose_n to_o recure_v all_o seditious_a wound_n and_o to_o draw_v all_o in_o one_o line_n to_o the_o relief_n of_o this_o besiege_a town_n not_o omit_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n to_o bestow_v in_o several_a garrison_n his_o new_a levy_a unarmed_a soldier_n with_o order_n for_o their_o speedy_a arm_n and_o in_o steed_n of_o they_o call_v together_o from_o garrison_n far_o and_o wide_o disperse_v four_o thousand_o or_o there_o about_o of_o the_o old_a band_n in_o her_o majesty_n pay_n and_o such_o as_o be_v arm_v &_o furnish_v be_v before_o the_o fifteen_o of_o julie_n in_o case_n to_o be_v employ_v in_o service_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n his_o excellency_n be_v desirous_a to_o know_v what_o assistance_n he_o may_v expect_v from_o the_o state_n of_o the_o country_n force_n a_o book_n be_v delâ—uered_v to_o the_o l._n martial_n of_o twenty_o four_o thousand_o soldier_n in_o their_o pay_n beside_o two_o thousand_o horse_n or_o thereabouts_o and_o beside_o her_o majesty_n aid_n of_o all_o these_o their_o force_n for_o so_o important_a a_o service_n if_o they_o will_v only_o have_v deliver_v four_o thousand_o soldier_n his_o excellency_n be_v determine_v with_o they_o and_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o english_a band_n without_o regard_n of_o any_o peril_n to_o have_v assault_v the_o campe._n but_o notwithstanding_o the_o importunate_a solicitation_n of_o his_o excellency_n &_o press_v also_o of_o his_o authority_n albeit_o count_n hollock_n have_v at_o that_o time_n as_o it_o be_v say_v six_o thousand_o man_n in_o brabant_n in_o arm_n before_o the_o loss_n of_o the_o town_n he_o be_v never_o able_a to_o get_v from_o they_o any_o one_o band_n of_o they_o and_o with_o great_a difficulty_n can_v obtain_v to_o have_v the_o english_a which_o be_v with_o he_o true_a it_o be_v that_o the_o burgher_n of_o middlebrough_n and_o vlissh_v do_v very_o willing_o offer_v their_o assistance_n but_o they_o be_v but_o few_o and_o that_o be_v do_v utterlie_o without_o aid_n or_o assistance_n of_o the_o state_n with_o these_o small_a force_n of_o thirty_o english_a ensign_n with_o four_o cornet_n of_o horse_n his_o excellency_n send_v sir_n william_n pelham_n the_o l._n martial_n accompany_v with_o the_o lord_n willoughby_n sir_n william_n russell_n and_o many_o other_o person_n of_o honour_n and_o account_n into_o flaunders_n have_v beside_o some_o few_o company_n of_o this_o country_n that_o he_o have_v raise_v upon_o her_o majesty_n charge_n &_o that_o voluntary_o from_o middleburgh_n and_o vlissh_v offer_v themselves_o for_o the_o guard_n of_o his_o person_n part_v whereof_o be_v also_o leave_v to_o accompany_v collo_fw-la morgan_n who_o be_v by_o his_o excellency_n appoint_v to_o join_v with_o the_o admiral_n nassau_n to_o enter_v the_o haven_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o l._n martial_n thus_o accompany_v the_o twenty_o of_o july_n arrive_v at_o ostend_n and_o be_v ready_a the_o xxij_o to_o have_v march_v his_o excellency_n arrive_v there_o and_o rest_v the_o twenty-three_o which_o be_v sunday_n the_o four_o and_o twenty_o day_n in_o the_o morning_n we_o march_v towards_o
the_o face_n enemy_n his_o excellency_n be_v the_o same_o night_n return_v towards_o the_o fleet_n which_o lie_v in_o readiness_n at_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o harbour_n to_o take_v the_o advantage_n of_o the_o spring_n tide_n and_o to_o have_v enter_v the_o haven_n aswell_o â—o_o have_v divide_v the_o force_n wherewith_o they_o of_o cassand_n shall_v have_v succour_v they_o of_o saint_n ann_n land_n when_o we_o shall_v charge_v they_o as_o also_o to_o put_v in_o man_n and_o munition_n into_o the_o town_n with_o this_o small_a army_n of_o 30._o or_o 32._o ensign_n of_o foot_n and_o four_o cornet_n of_o horse_n we_o march_v on_o the_o plain_a sand_n of_o flaunders_n 10_o or_o 12._o mile_n towards_o sluice_n town_n and_o rest_v not_o till_o we_o come_v to_o blankenburgh_n sluice_n where_o we_o find_v a_o strong_a sconce_n make_v to_o stop_v up_o the_o passage_n guard_v with_o five_o or_o six_o ensign_n of_o walloon_n the_o sconce_n reach_v from_o the_o marsh_n down_o to_o the_o sea_n and_o close_v up_o the_o passage_n in_o such_o sort_n that_o without_o take_v in_o of_o that_o sconce_n there_o be_v no_o passage_n for_o our_o army_n to_o set_v on_o their_o camp_n but_o only_o at_o very_o dead_a low_a water_n and_o that_o with_o many_o difficulty_n &_o extreme_a discommodity_n too_o long_o to_o be_v particular_o set_v down_o nevertheless_o it_o be_v resolve_v by_o the_o lord_n martial_n and_o the_o military_a council_n that_o without_o far_a delay_n a_o attempt_n shall_v be_v make_v to_o hew_v down_o the_o pallizado_n and_o by_o scale_n to_o enter_v and_o if_o that_o take_v not_o effect_n then_o in_o the_o evening_n at_o dead_a low_a water_n without_o sarde_a delay_n to_o march_v by_o it_o and_o albeit_o the_o army_n come_v weary_a to_o that_o place_n about_o noon_n yet_o be_v it_o resolve_v the_o assault_n shall_v be_v give_v before_o four_o of_o the_o clock_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o fort_n be_v view_v round_o by_o sundry_a person_n of_o judgement_n and_o 30._o or_o 40._o sâ—â—ine_n and_o hurt_v in_o the_o approach_n and_o view_n thereof_o with_o the_o shot_n both_o great_a and_o small_a that_o play_v continual_o out_o of_o the_o fort_n among_o us._n in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o duke_n of_o parma_n be_v advertise_v how_o never_o our_o army_n be_v come_v to_o his_o camp_n and_o our_o resolution_n perceave_v by_o our_o discovery_n and_o never_o approach_v the_o prince_n rise_v as_o we_o be_v inform_v after_o with_o a_o choice_a regiment_n to_o stay_v usthere_o which_o in_o deed_n he_o may_v full_o easy_o have_v do_v to_o a_o army_n five_o time_n as_o great_a as_o we_o be_v the_o situation_n of_o the_o fort_n consider_v but_o his_o excellency_n be_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n by_o contrariety_n of_o wind_n stay_v can_v not_o reach_v the_o float_v but_o lay_v before_o blankenburgh_n slâ—ce_n &_o behold_v the_o strength_n of_o the_o place_n and_o the_o impossibility_n for_o we_o to_o pass_v or_o to_o get_v so_o strong_a a_o plat_n in_o any_o convenient_a time_n to_o relieve_v the_o siedged_a town_n send_v sir_n harry_n goodyere_n a_o land_n unto_o we_o with_o commandment_n immediate_o without_o loss_n of_o time_n to_o return_v to_o ostend_n there_o to_o embark_v the_o army_n again_o and_o speedy_o to_o return_v to_o the_o float_v before_o the_o best_a spring_n tide_n shall_v pass_v to_o enter_v the_o haven_n &_o also_o to_o land_n our_o army_n there_o upon_o they_o with_o resolution_n to_o put_v it_o to_o any_o fortune_n rather_o than_o to_o loose_v that_o town_n the_o 25._o at_o night_n we_o embark_v again_o at_o ostend_n and_o enter_v the_o 26._o being_n wednesday_n be_v arrive_v at_o the_o float_v we_o find_v his_o excellency_n in_o consultation_n with_o count_n maurice_n the_o admiral_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o sea_n captain_n for_o enter_v the_o haven_n who_o allege_v many_o difficulty_n and_o peril_n deliver_v many_o reason_n such_o as_o they_o be_v why_o they_o enter_v not_o the_o haven_n according_a to_o agreement_n at_o that_o time_n his_o excellency_n plain_o and_o open_o charge_v both_o count_n maurice_n and_o his_o brother_n nassau_n that_o when_o the_o burgher_n of_o vlissh_v make_v he_o the_o offer_n long_o before_o to_o have_v perform_v it_o that_o they_o answer_v they_o have_v the_o best_a pilot_n captain_n and_o ship_v ready_a in_o their_o hand_n and_o can_v and_o will_v perform_v it_o themselves_o which_o they_o can_v not_o well_o deny_v &_o yet_o will_v not_o plain_o confess_v but_o that_o it_o be_v with_o certain_a condition_n crave_v that_o his_o excellency_n will_v first_o appoint_v some_o with_o they_o to_o view_v the_o haven_n in_o the_o sconce_n mean_a time_n by_o these_o their_o former_a dalliance_n the_o town_n be_v before_o grow_v desperate_a of_o succour_n the_o very_a same_o day_n while_o these_o thing_n be_v thus_o in_o debate_v sir_n roger_n williams_n not_o know_v upon_o what_o resolution_n we_o be_v call_v back_o from_o blankenburgh_n enter_v into_o parley_n and_o the_o duke_n deny_v no_o demand_n they_o can_v set_v down_o of_o honourable_a part_n only_o deny_v they_o any_o time_n of_o respite_n to_o advertise_v his_o excellency_n because_o he_o know_v they_o may_v and_z of_o likelihood_n fear_v they_o shall_v have_v be_v succour_v by_o sea_n before_o the_o best_a spring_n tide_n be_v pass_v the_o commander_n of_o the_o town_n be_v of_o like_a out_o of_o hope_n of_o any_o aid_n by_o sea_n aswell_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o small_a comfort_n return_v from_o the_o state_n by_o captain_n hart_n as_o also_o by_o the_o strange_a news_n and_o advertisement_n they_o receive_v continual_o as_o they_o say_v from_o their_o enemy_n be_v great_o distress_v by_o their_o unhappy_a loss_n of_o the_o west_n dike_n and_o see_v how_o hard_o a_o matter_n it_o shall_v be_v with_o far_o great_a force_n than_o we_o in_o any_o short_a time_n to_o defeat_v the_o camp_n be_v so_o strong_o lodge_v have_v most_o honourable_a condition_n of_o surrendrie_a yield_v unto_o by_o the_o duke_n of_o parma_n they_o conclude_v and_o the_o same_o day_n after_o our_o army_n arrive_v at_o the_o float_v whilst_o his_o excellency_n be_v in_o consultation_n for_o entry_n of_o the_o haven_n viz._n on_o the_o 26._o day_n of_o julie_n 1587._o they_o send_v away_o master_n sentliger_n to_o his_o excellency_n with_o come_v notice_n of_o their_o surrendrie_n already_o make_v and_o this_o be_v the_o plain_a and_o naked_a truth_n of_o this_o action_n i_o may_v not_o omit_v that_o albeit_o his_o excellency_n be_v furnish_v out_o of_o england_n with_o powder_n munition_n and_o money_n so_o as_o there_o be_v nothing_o then_o from_o the_o state_n require_v but_o for_o money_n to_o have_v victual_n and_o boat_n and_o skiffe_n to_o land_n our_o army_n and_o carriage_n to_o convey_v munition_n victual_n etc._n etc._n for_o boat_n and_o skiffe_n to_o land_n our_o man_n on_o those_o flat_a coast_n we_o have_v not_o sufficient_a to_o disbarke_v our_o little_a army_n in_o one_o whole_a day_n and_o for_o wagon_n his_o excellency_n can_v not_o get_v enough_o to_o carry_v two_o day_n victual_n with_o we_o to_o blankenburgh_n and_o yet_o diverse_a chief_a person_n and_o officer_n of_o our_o small_a army_n for_o want_n of_o carriage_n force_v to_o leave_v their_o tent_n behind_o they_o so_o that_o for_o this_o action_n i_o know_v not_o what_o the_o state_n can_v do_v more_o to_o make_v the_o world_n believe_v the_o common_a voice_n of_o the_o people_n for_o their_o correspondence_n with_o the_o enemy_n or_o small_a care_n for_o the_o loss_n of_o any_o town_n in_o flaunders_n to_o be_v to_o true_a neither_o can_v i_o imagine_v what_o be_v possible_a for_o any_o general_n either_o for_o travel_v of_o his_o own_o body_n both_o by_o land_n and_o sea_n or_o for_o contempt_n of_o all_o peril_n to_o his_o own_o person_n or_o by_o careful_a providence_n and_o singular_a patience_n be_v so_o ingrateful_o &_o malicious_o cross_v to_o do_v more_o than_o his_o excellency_n have_v do_v whatsoever_o common_a opinion_n lead_v only_o with_o bare_a event_n may_v conceive_v of_o it_o another_o addition_n concern_v certain_a chief_a officer_n of_o a_o army_n wherein_o by_o conference_n of_o the_o repugnant_a condition_n in_o the_o good_a and_o bad_a both_o the_o officer_n themselves_o may_v the_o better_o know_v and_o endeavour_v to_o persoâ—rme_v their_o duty_n and_o all_o other_o also_o thereby_o discern_v clecreliect_n what_o rank_n they_o be_v may_v yield_v they_o honour_n or_o reproof_n according_a to_o their_o merit_n have_v both_o by_o read_v conference_n &_o experience_n find_v before_o i_o bare_a office_n in_o her_o majesty_n army_n command_v by_o that_o right_n honourable_a earl_n of_o leycester_n in_o the_o low_a country_n how_o many_o dangerous_a inconvenience_n ensue_v where_o true_a
or_o sway_v in_o these_o intestine_a war_n for_o i_o have_v myself_o know_v many_o captain_n and_o great_a commander_n in_o those_o war_n that_o high_o esteem_v of_o right_a martial_a discipline_n &_o by_o experience_n feelinglye_o see_v the_o inconvenience_n that_o ensue_v by_o such_o corruption_n have_v the_o more_o detest_a and_o abhor_v they_o as_o likewise_o that_o famous_a prince_n of_o orange_n i_o be_o able_a to_o say_v of_o my_o own_o knowledge_n and_o from_o his_o own_o mouth_n much_o dislike_v many_o of_o those_o horrible_a disorder_n which_o nevertheless_o necessity_n for_o want_n of_o mean_n to_o pay_v inforce_v he_o to_o tolerate_v in_o some_o of_o his_o mercenary_a commander_n the_o like_a appear_v by_o the_o discipline_n before_o publish_v by_o that_o worthy_a prince_n of_o coundy_n and_o right_a militare_fw-la admiral_n shattilion_n who_o notwithstanding_o be_v enforce_v to_o suffer_v many_o of_o these_o thing_n themselves_o condemn_v but_o my_o meaning_n indeed_o be_v with_o reproach_n to_o note_n all_o such_o man_n of_o war_n as_o contemn_v all_o ancient_a and_o true_a martial_a discipline_n either_o ignorant_o think_v all_o they_o see_v do_v in_o these_o war_n fit_a to_o be_v imitate_v or_o ravenous_o for_o their_o own_o gain_n and_o particular_a profit_n will_v not_o only_a themselves_o be_v the_o executioner_n of_o so_o foul_a abuse_n but_o shameless_o maintaigne_a such_o bad_a new_a custom_n to_o be_v good_a and_o laudable_a and_o know_v their_o skill_n utterlie_o unable_a with_o any_o eloquence_n or_o cunning_a to_o defend_v so_o impious_a and_o bad_a a_o cause_n will_v either_o by_o mutinous_a faction_n violent_o endeavour_n to_o oppress_v or_o by_o false_a flander_n malicious_o seek_v to_o disgrace_v such_o person_n as_o they_o know_v able_a to_o discern_v and_o willing_a to_o make_v their_o prince_n and_o country_n trewlie_o understand_v see_v and_o abhor_v such_o horrible_a abuse_n neither_o do_v i_o hate_v the_o person_n of_o aâ—ie_n one_o or_o other_o militare_fw-la man_n alive_o for_o any_o respect_n whatsoever_o but_o only_o such_o extortion_n and_o corruption_n in_o some_o of_o they_o as_o i_o shall_v likewise_o detest_v if_o i_o shall_v find_v the_o same_o in_o my_o own_o brother_n and_o therefore_o no_o particular_a or_o private_a respect_n but_o only_o the_o great_a inconvenience_n i_o doubt_v may_v ensue_v and_o the_o faithful_a zeal_n love_n and_o dewtie_n i_o bear_v to_o my_o most_o gracious_a sovereign_n and_o country_n have_v move_v and_o induce_v i_o aswell_o while_o i_o bare_a office_n of_o comptrolement_n in_o militare_fw-la cause_v as_o now_o also_o be_v happy_o disburden_v of_o that_o thankless_a place_n so_o plain_o to_o declare_v a_o truth_n not_o fear_v to_o incur_v or_o irritate_fw-la the_o malice_n of_o so_o viperous_a and_o pestilent_a slanderous_a enemy_n as_o both_o myself_o have_v and_o all_o other_o honest_a officer_n shall_v find_v such_o to_o be_v as_o have_v vow_v their_o service_n to_o madam_n picorea_n so_o livelie_a with_o detestation_n paint_v out_o in_o her_o colour_n by_o that_o worthy_a and_o famous_a soldier_n mounsieur_fw-fr de_fw-fr la_fw-fr noüe_fw-fr magna_fw-la est_fw-la veritas_fw-la et_fw-la praevalet_fw-la finis_fw-la pro_fw-la lege_fw-la rege_fw-la et_fw-la grege_fw-la ·love_n kepythe_v the_o law_n obey_v the_o king_n and_o be_v good_a to_o the_o come_v welthe·_a â€_o these_o insolent_a speech_n of_o the_o people_n be_v repress_v by_o a_o sharp_a penal_a â—dict_n of_o the_o state_n make_v and_o proclaim_v at_o middleburgh_n immediate_o after_o the_o loss_n of_o sluice_n this_o 23._o day_n in_o ostend_n his_o excellency_n be_v like_a to_o have_v be_v slay_v with_o a_o bullet_n that_o strike_v into_o a_o jawme_n of_o his_o window_n right_a before_o he_o and_o the_o lord_n wentworth_n with_o the_o splinter_n thereof_o hurt_v in_o the_o face_n tâ—esday_n the_o dâ—ke_n of_o parâ—â—seeing_v the_o return_n of_o our_o army_n yield_v to_o any_o condition_n of_o honourable_a part_n that_o our_o besieged_a can_v demâ—nd_v â—â—che_o deny_v they_o aâ—ie_a delay_n or_o liberty_n to_o advertise_v the_o earl_n of_o lâ—ycester_n be_v this_o day_n with_o his_o army_n within_o one_o league_n of_o their_o camp_n before_o the_o hâ—uen_n â—outh_n â—nd_v ready_a at_o the_o high_a spring_n to_o enter_v the_o enemy_n very_o politiquelie_o make_v the_o commander_n in_o sluice_n belecue_v our_o army_n be_v flee_v at_o midnight_n from_o blankenburgh_n whereas_o we_o march_v a_o way_n in_o the_o day_n before_o sunset_n in_o order_n of_o battle_n and_o no_o charge_n or_o attempt_v make_v by_o any_o one_o horse_n or_o foot_n upon_o our_o rearward_n nor_o shoot_v discharge_v after_o we_o but_o only_o out_o of_o the_o sconce_n this_o surrendry_n be_v make_v two_o or_o three_o day_n before_o the_o spring_n tide_n be_v pass_v and_o the_o day_n before_o the_o high_a spring_n be_v come_v