France both cities and townes with their inhabitants and Merchants are vnfashionable sluttish dangerous rebellious and the people neither of wealth nor eminence In Paris they dare talke of a Kings wantonnesse entermeddle with tractates of Parliament and State call any Prince Hugonet that onely saies the Nostre Dame is but a darke melancholly Church and iustifie very monstrous and abusiue actions Besides to tell of their inconstant and refractary dispositions would be too tedious and sooner discouer their loathsome treasons then preuent the customary and mischeeuous practises of the people The peace of Salomon caused plenty and that spred it selfe ouer all Israel like a shady tree which as a double shelter kept backe the cold of winter and tempered the burning heate of summer so that it is apparant with the Kings magnificense at Court the husbandmans peace and wealth in the Countrey was enlarged whereupon most of them were Berzalites and would go no further then ouer Iordan with Dauid but rerurne to their owne houshold sit vnder their owne figg-trees and bee gathered together into the graues of their ancestours But France knowes not now what to say For the Court is a meere mapp of confusion and exposeth many actions more ridiculous then worthy imitation as for the Countrey-man hee is called a Pesant disparaged in his drudgery and seruile toylsomnesse liueth poore and beastly is treacherous at aduantage and yet afrayd of his owne shadow and cannot free the vineyards from theeues and destroyers yea all the countrey swarmeth with rogues and vagabonds whose desperate wants driue them to perpetrate many horrible murthers although for the most part the Prouosts of euery diuision are very diligent The wisdome of Salomon setled his cities that strangers were admitted at all times except in frontire townes which peraduenture were guarded in the night according to martiall discipline prouided that the passages were easie and secure admitted of all complainants and leuiated their greeuances aduanced himselfe on a golden throne to entertaine matters of Iustice allowed of the Prophets who yet out of zeale cryed out against the abuses of the Temple and Palace and commanded the subiect first to remember his duty to God then his obedience to the Prince and last of all his loue to his neighbour and this hee performed by admonitory preceps to enstruct the ignorant and princely indignation to punish the obstinate France referreth all to Parliaments and Presidents excludeth the reformed Churches out of the walls of the cities hath the name of Prophet in derision suffered the Iesuites to murther two famous Princes permitteth them still a Sanctuary and from worldly policy excludeth true religion out of doores In France the passages are toylesome and disordered dangerous for extraordinary robberies and vnder officers shuffle vp diuers times most notorious abuses To conclude in France many particulars choak the breath of happinesse from giuing life to a glorious Kingdome indeede if the reciprocall duties betweene Prince and subiect were but easily extended so that with these defects I cannot chuse but exempt her from sitting on any hand of Salomons throne Whither shall wee then goe to match our example or at least to come so neere that a ciuill censurer will neither flatter nor detract you know my first purpose and I now determine to lead you into the sweet and orderly fields of England CHAP. XV. ENGLAND compared with the probable reasons why she is neerer the example of CANAANS happinesse then any other nation WIthout preface or circumloquution you shall finde the Kingdome of England in geographicall dimension equall to the country of Canaan and the people praysing of God in regard of their great and extraordinary blessings For begin where you will wee shall come so neere the comparison as a close order in ranging a battalion Concerning the generall view of the same did you euer heare or read of any so well diuided into shires and hundreds with Lords Lieutenants Sheriffs Iustices and other inferiour officers insomuch that it hath layd an imposition on the endeauours of a principall scholler and hee according to the secret of satisfaction hath most worthily vnclasped the records of antiquity and with such sufficient ampliation that our aduersaries haue beene silent in excepting against it But to my first purpose I say that to match all the particulars wherwith I haue stored Salomons magnificence and the countries prosperity there is not at this houre any Kingdome in the world so ready apt or worthy to take him by the hand to pace out the measures of true glory and happinesse as the Kingdome of England Concerning our glory abroad what worthy voyages haue we made I hope no people or nation euer equalled vs witnesse Sr. Iohn Mandeuill into India by land Stafford ouer Europe much about the same time Ienkinson Willoughby Borogh and many others into Russia and Muscouia Forbisher and Hawkins to discouer the northerne passages the Fenners Ralph Lane Iohn Clarke and diuers into America another voyage where of Sr. Walter Raleigh was the proposer our setling in Virginia our traffique to the West Indies Brasill Peru Caribana and Guiana Captaine Drake round about the world twice or thrice Thomas Candish the like our trauels to the East Indies or Philippines the Earle of Cumberlands worthy voyages amongst others that to Santo Port-Ricco the Portugall voyage Cales voyage the Iland voyage and sundry others as in Master Hackluits booke about this subiect only Besides moderne trauellers both of Noble-men Gentle-men although euery man is not a free Denizon of prosperities Kingdom nor can boast of natures bounty in the gifts of vnderstanding or fortunes liberality in disposing her treasures If you would see how our marchants are bestowed look into all the Ports of the world you shall find them setled our shipping in harbour If you could view all the countries of the earth where men dare or can come we are nobly dispersed I beleeue might be pull'd out of the center of the same if such a passage did euer excite man to explore for secrets marchandize or wealth If you were admitted into the remotest palaces of Emperours Kings yea Tartary it selfe English-men would salute you and speak your owne language and if you haue a purpose to affright idlenesse with any enterprize in the world especially to make them beleeue that the hand of profit will fill their laps with plenty English-men dare set endeauours on their best feet and can tell how to tumble all blockes and hindrances aside which may either terrefie them from such enterprizes or detaine them from the glory of the actions only heere lies a secret of traducing them that a supposition of the wants of others or feare of cumbersomnesse when they meet with an indigent countrey-man abroad hath debarred free conuersation and doth make the mutuall supplying the necessity of strangers a harsh-kinde of welcome yea an absolute leauing them to misery if they haue not bills of exchange or letters of
by the hand of amasement to magnifie and extoll the heroicke spirits of our nation Againe in the 38. yeere of the King the French King the King of Cyprus and the King of Scots came all into England and made pleasure proude that it had good occasion to welcome them Besides 1367. Peter King of Spaine was disseised by his bastard brother Henry but comming into England made such impression in the compassionate soule of EDW. the blacke Prince that he assisted him in person and re-established him in his kingdome Shall I remember you of that glorious celebration of Himmeneus triumphs when Duke Tussus and many Princes of Boheme and Hungary brought that magnificent Lady ANNE daughter to the King of Bohemia and married her to King RICHARD the 2. of England during whose life such was the royaltie of our Court and State that in the 8. yeare the King of Armenia came into England for coadiutement against the Turkes In the 12. yeare the Earle of Saint Paul and many Princes out of France and other Countries came to a Iusts in Smithfield and made a iust estimation of our vnualuable glory In the 16. yeare the greatest Lords of Scotland came to our triumphes in England and checked their owne presumption for confronting vs with a supposition of equality In the 20. yeare the Dukes of Burbon and Barre brought ouer Isabell of Fraunce to be a Queene in England and glad was that Prince of Europe that had beene an eye-witnesse of our glory yea that magnificent workemanshippe concerning the exornation of the Hall of his Pallace now Westminster and by community and disparaged alteration vnregarded was as it were a magnes to draw ouer the seas thousands of people and hundreds of Princes and Noble lords to looke vpon the wonder of the world In the 4. yeare of HENRY 4. King of England the Emperour of Constantinople came of purpose as the Queene of Sheba to Salomon to set report on the touchstone of truth and see whether custome had enlarged our fame or no and here he was entertained with all the sumptuous and attractiue showes and delights that Arte and expences could deuise to satiate the minde of man But when Dame IANE Dutches of Britaine came ouer to marry our King HENRY I hope our enemies will imagine her traine and Attendants to bee much augmented with the company of many forraine Princes and Potentates And if you steppe forward to the 8. yeare of his raigne the Earle of Marre and the great lords of Scotland came to solace themselues and made their triumphes both at Tilt and Turney acceptable to the beholders The like was performed the 10. yeare when the Seneschall of Hennault with all those Princes reputed the Court of England a very Schoole of chiualry and put in practise accordingly all the braueries of marshall discipline But when the Lady LVCIA the Dukes sister of Millane came to marry EDMVND Earle of Kent both citie and pallace was so furnished with strangers and the concurses of people so well ordered that inferiours were amased at so extraordinary attraction and the better sort gaue a plaudite to our glory If you ouer-looke the time of Henr 5. surnamed the Champion of Honor though it was lamentable for the breuitie yet was it vnmatchable for the royalty For after his coronation he was scarse three yeeres in his own Kingdome and yet in the third of his raigne he welcommed the Emperor of Almaine and King of Rome and presently after graced the daughter of France and all her retinue with many forreine Princes who would not returne till they saw their Lady Katherine Queene of England To which if you adde the entertainment of the Duke of Holland and many Princes of those countries especially Freesland you cannot chuse but make vp a plentifull breuiary of Heroicke Maiesty and worthy princelines About the yeere of Grace 1502. and the 17. yeere of the raigne of Henry 7. the expectable Prince Arthur maried Katherin daughter to Ferdinando King of Spaine and his eldest sister Margaret was affianced vnto Iames King of Scots at whose inauguâ—…tion the concurse of strangers and amongst them of the choisest Princes was so great that all other adioyning Kings as much magnified our royalty as feared our power insomuch that the very report of our Kingdomes brauery draue Philip King of Castile and his wife into England About the end of August 1546. Flawd high Admirall of France was so royally entertained in England that the King lying at Hampton-Court the Prince of Wales met him comming to haue audience with a 1000 horse whereof 500 were in one liuery the coates of veluet halfe embrodered with gold and one sleeue of cloth of gold let other Princes acknowledge this magnificence Holinshed saith 2000 horse In the beginning of Henry the 8. Lewis the 12. of France maried Mary the Kings yongest sister and 1520 the great Emperor Charles the 5. came into England to visit his Aunt and within two yeere after made a second returne to view London and bee acquainted with our country from whose example Christiern King of Denmarke and his wife about the 15 yeere arriued in England and was welcommed to the pleasures of our country and variety of our pastimes The Prince of Salerne and diuers of Naples about the 30. c. Shall I name you King Philips mariage with Queene Mary I hope then I must trouble you with a tedious solemnitie and tell you that many strangers knew not the way home againe into their owne countries a long time and if the peace of their soules as they vainely imagined might haue bin added to the delight of their bodies the happines of England had bin the subiect of their tongues and the obiect of their eyes In the second yeere of her raigne Ecmondine a Prince of Germany and other Embassadors were sent from the Emperor In the third yeere Emmanuel Prince of Piemont with other Lords came into England and the next moneth the Prince of Orange landed at London But let mee passe forward to the mirror of all times Queene Elizabeth how proud was the Prince of Sweden that he was graced in England with so glorious entertainment at the beginning of her raigne Not long after 1565 Christopher Prince and Marquesse of Baden came of purpose to haue his childe borne amongst vs and reioyce in the fortune of such a godmother About the 11. yeere of her raigne anno 1568 Mary Queene of Scots though shee was surprized in her flight to France and defeated in her maine proiects yet for a long time misliked not her imprisonment and was glad to confesse the prerogatiues of her natiue soile and country In the 14. yeere Francis Duke of Memorancy and Betrawde de Saligniers Knights of the order of St Michael came both into England with other great Princes to gratulate her Maiestie and acknowledge her worthines In the 21. of her raigne 1578. Cassimirus Count Palatine and Duke of Bauaria was entertained the better
bedurty vs wee are not yet impudently to mount on a stage to be seene nor be so ignorant but we can hide our selues till we be cleaner or make a composition with mercy and pacification if the busines bee not darkned indeede with loathsomnes and euery thing amongst vs with a fashionable hansomnesse ouerswaieth nicer exception Thus I hope you will first pardon me for vaine-glory or affectation considering I speake for my country and then yeeld vnto the truth which at last must preuaile considering I haue confirmed her excellencies and prerogatiues Nor haue I taken this taske vpon me out of supposition that England would haue lost her reputation if I had not traduced my selfe in these triuiall Tractates but meerely I protest to affront some humorists who as irresolute or ignorant thinke too slightly of our worth and in my owne hearing haue presumed to match petty Princes with vs against whom I dare maintaine that if there were such occasion the Voluntaries and idle disposed of our Country would goe in such troopes and in such a manner that we need neither pay customes for silkes out of Florence Genoa Leuca or some other of their principall states of Italy nor haue our store-houses empty of the marchandice of India or China As for the gold of Ophir though many thinke ancient mines may be exhausted oh that they might try their fortune I beleeue we should not need proclamations against exportation of our coine But better is better I haue commended the peace of Salomon as one of the cheefest parts of blessednes which the birth of our Sauiour ratified and the comming in of our King exampled and let it continue a Gods name with the spreading of the Cherbins ouer sanctum sanctorum and the shadow of the Almighty couer vs vntill we come to the port indeed of all comfort happines and securitie FINIS All nations loue their owne Countrey best 1 Strangers 2 Traueller 3 Bâ—…ereader 4 â—…me-bred discontents 5 Patisis 6 〈◊〉 7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Englâ—…nd commâ—…h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a c The firâ—… Monarâ—… of the 〈◊〉 as it is now made â—…rious TAVRVS hath many names Amazones Tartarians a new name Theft lawfull and vnlawfull Râ—…barb The third Empire of the world Diuers authours write of India and would include China as one Countrey India now intermingled with Christians 4. The fourth part of the worlds honour The 〈◊〉 Tyara The Persians aâ—…e You 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The fift parâ—… of the 〈◊〉 glory Countries Cities Riches His Conquests The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…me The conuersion of the Aethiopians Prester Iehan no Priest The seuenth share of the worlds 〈◊〉 Alexander and Cleonidas Northren regions Norway Swedia Denmarke How the Goths came into Italy The eighth part of the worlds brauery Germany the greatest Countrey of Europe Germanes haters of deceit Errors of Courtiers How Germany is neighbored Fooles may giue good counsell The ninth part of the earths glory Non 〈◊〉 vlâ—… Pâ—…s 〈◊〉 Inquisâ—… 1609. Eight kingdomes in Spaine America conquered The true Philosophers stone Italy diuided Countries Cities Rome Venice Millane Genoa Turine Pauy Padoa Cremona Verona Mantua Mirandula Ferrara Parma Bononia Rauenna Urbine Ancona Florence Pisa. Lâ—…uca Sâ—…a Naples The estate of Italy in tâ—…is modern age Naples Rome Florence Leuca Venice Modena Mantua Parma Millano Genoa Trent Piemont Saâ—…y descrâ—…d Mount Melian Aguabelle Geneua Pen men mawre in Wales The occurrences of Millane The 〈◊〉 in possâ—…ssion of Millane 1515. The Spaniard taketh part with Millane against the French The Spaniard by the Popes flattery looketh after Millane for himselfâ—… The Spaniard absolute ly possesseth Millane The Topography of France Galli of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gascoine Guienne Poictoy Aniou Brâ—…taigne Normandy I le of France Berry Limosin Languedock Prouence 〈◊〉 Loraine Boloigne Picardy The glory of the sâ—…uenteene Prouinces as moderne times esteem them Limburck Lutzenburg Henault Artois Namurs Brabant 〈◊〉 Gelderland Zutphen Zeland Holland Vtrech Freesland Groining The Low-Countries is lost by the Spanyard A generall commendation England Ireland Lemster Munster Conach Ulster I haue knowne of them deliuered in the morning march along with vs the same dâ—… Salomons royalty The dominion of the great Cham compared China farre short of Salomons happinesse India commeth short of a happy countrey The Maâ—…umetans are no way neere our example The cruell gouernment of the Turks amongst themselues Mustapha's story about Hyrena The lamentable tragedy of Mustapha Looke the Commentary and Lettere de principe in Italian The doctrin of the Deruices or mendicant Priests of Turkie This was in the time of Amurath the third Prince of Moldauia Mr Christopher Willoughby The Vinyard taken by the Maltasses Edward Conach The Viceer of Arabia The Turkish gouernment deficient in exemplary goodnesse or happines The story of Scanderbeg and why he was so called The degrees of the Turks 1 2 3 4 5 6 Beg in Turkish is great or honourable 7 The manners of Turks and their gouernment Their religion The comparison layd together 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 The deâ—…cts of Russia 1588. The deâ—…cts of Aethiopia The merchandize from India and Aethiopia superfluous things and such as we neede not The imperfect condition of Germany The Emperor Charles the fift despised for his meane habit The mangled prosperity of Italy Diuers particulars concerning Italies glory disreputation Spaine wanteth many things to come neere our example Beautifull womâ—…n As the blessings of France are abused it cannot equall our comparison The law salicke in France against the law of â—…od and nations The glory of England both abroad and at home The glory of England at home The happinesse of our countrey London and Paris comâ—… Constantinople described and compared with London Why Seralio Venice described and compared with London Common places against idolatry yea the vaine erecting of images Reasons why we should not commit â—…iolatry The foolish excuse of Idolaters Romish Idols Wherein the Greeke Church is farre from true religion The greatnesse of the Creeke Church The precedency of the Greeke Church Gregory surnamed the Great Nauclerus The verity of the Greek Church The corruptions and abuses of the Romish Church The story of a conuerted Iew. The story of a Turck concerning his opinion of Rome The story of the olde woman at Strasborogh Irish deuotion The Kings of England haue exceeded for many memorable vertues and actions other Princes England the auntientest vnited kingdome of Europe The Husbandmen are happier in England then in other nations Banditi 〈◊〉 Contadino Pesant Boore Churle Yeoman Trarcklin or Former â—…man No nation euer came neere vs for so many and good ships The Marchant of England surpasseth all other Nations A glory worthy all obseruation
of Deuils the glory of the firmament the diuision of the earth the bonds and limits of the sea the secrets of hell and the terrors of the last dissolution what neede wee more or go any further for a marking stone to colour any kingdome with whereby it may be known to come neere and enioy most of those blessings wherewith God hath sealed and ratified the glory of Countries then out of the storehouse of the Scriptures To this purpose I dare be bold to aduance our England into the highest chaire as if she were to triumph for some notorious victory and that I may bring vp my forces together to a close encounter and connect my reasons with probability I will discouer at large what I haue learned out of industrious Authors obserued by my owne indeauours knowne as oculatus testis in most countries of Europe and since determined in a combat of comparisons not that I meane to rippe vp the bowels of antiquity and call in question so many thousand volumes which haue consumed as many thousand yeeres in discouery of originals and as it were tormented Time with strange discourses so that if you should take off the vaile wherewith diuers Authors haue ouermantled both Countries Kingdomes and Cities you would stand amased at their deformed shapes and remaine confounded to veiw now their disparity I will therefore leaue all maligne circumstances of my quiet and shew you with what countenance they looke vp to heauen at this instant and in what manner they seeme proud of their establishment whereby 〈◊〉 that are willing to be impartiall shall be the better enâ—…ed to yeeld vp a verdict of truth against all adulterate sophistication Yet must I adde with all this lesson of morality that in 〈◊〉 kingdome where vnderstanding hath pleasured the people with 〈◊〉 of ciuility as for barbarous natâ—…s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 onely make vse of their names Sol vitae est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Antidotus vitae patientia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c Vita vitae conscientia c gloâ—…â—…ntia For with wealth your entertainement 〈◊〉 â—…ght wâ—…th Princes attonement made with Tyrants 〈◊〉 â—…ed amongst strangers adoration aâ—… 〈◊〉 and such as know not ciuilitie will stand 〈◊〉 at thy â—…rauery and florishing By wealth are ofâ—…â—…gated imperfections remitted scandals reâ—… 〈◊〉 pardoned follies excused and the frowns 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ed For wealth beauty yeeldeth to a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…es are in opposition enforced 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 men transported to exorbitant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for strange vndecencies and all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ounded with contraries But this is a pasâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 part of my worke or meaning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for feare of longing after that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aâ—…l as the Dutchman who onâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Now to conclude The whole 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into two seuerall Bookes In the first you shall haâ—… a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Countries of the world by way 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 planaâ—…on as they are noâ—… 〈◊〉 In the 〈◊〉 as Drapers doe 〈◊〉 clotâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereby the 〈◊〉 and prerogâ—… of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 made apparâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. Discite nunc miseri Quid sumus aut Quis datus aut mâ—…ae quam mâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quis modus argeâ—…o Uâ—…le numâ—…us habâ—… Quantum elargâ—… Iussit humana qua THE CONTENTS OF THE FIRST BOOKE THe Empire of Tartaria Fol. 1 The Monarchy of China 10 The Monarchy of India 14 The Empire of Persia. 19 The Empire of the Turkes 27 The story of the Ottomans together with their conquests 31 The Empire of Aethiopia 39 The Empire of Russia 44 The story of the Goths and Lombards comming into Italy and Spaine 53 The Empire of Germany 56 The history of Coleine 64 The glory of the Spanyard 69 The Description of Italy as in times past 78 Italy described at this time 83 The story of Sauoy 93 The story of Millaine 100 The description of France 111 The description of the Low-Countries 123 The Monarchy of Great Britaine 142 The description of Ireland 144 THE CONTENTS OF THE SECOND BOOKE THe Maiesty of Salomon and happinesse of Canaan a full and absolute example for all Nations 155 Countries compared to Canaan and Salomons glorious happinesse and first of all the Tartars 162 China compared and her deficiency manifested 166 India compared and her defects manifested 170 Persia compared with her insufficiency 174 Turkie compared and her imperfections layd open 177 The lamentable death of the principall Viceer when Sultan Achmat came first to the crowne 181 The famous history of Mustapha 185 The story of a Renegado Bashaw 188 The indirect proceedings of Turkes against Christians contrary to all religion or morality 191 Their manner of aduancement and diuersity of customes farre from our example and orderly prosperitie 198 Russia compared 210 Aethiopia compared 213 Germany compared 217 Italy compared 221 Spaine compared 230 France compared with a discouery of her defects 236 England compared with the probable reasons why shee is neerer the example of Canaans happines than any other nation 242 Wherin the happinesse of England is both perspicuous and commendable 251 Forraine Cities compared to London with the defects of either made apparent and our sufficiency manifested 256 Diuers particulars wherein England excelleth other kingdoms and first in religion 270 Certaine particulars concerning the Greeke Church 282 Certaine particulars concerning the Latine Church 289 Another excellency of England exposing the noble worth of hier Princes beyond other nations 294 Another excellency of England casteth vp an account of her anâ—…quity in one vnited Monarchy before other nations 299 Another excellency of England consisteth in the happy life of our Countrey man and common people 3â—…4 Another excellency of England consisteth in the goodnesse of our nauy and shipping 309 Another excedency of England consisteth in the number riches enâ—…uors and extraordinary worth of our Marchant 316 Another excellency of England may bee drawne from this obseruation that wee haue had more glorious persons and famous Kings and Princes to visit our countrey then any other nation 320 The Conclusion 330 THE GLORIE OF ENGLAND The First BOOKE TOPOGRAFICALLY describing the Countries of the World with some historicall amplification CHAP. I. The Empire of TARTARIA ACcording to the vaine popular and indeed ridiculous error of opinion the world hath inuested nine seuerall Monarchs with his glory and from strange disproportions giuen them prerogatiues to command all the Nations of the earth interdicting any petty Prince to come neere them by way of competition or comparison First then the Empire of Tartaria laid prostrate vnder the throne of the great Cham called Dominus dominantium and Rex regum spreadeth it selfe with so large embracings that it extendeth from the northren Obba or if you will Tanais which falleth into the great Euxinum euen to the easterne sea sometimes surnamed the Atlanticke whose vast lappe is almost filled with a fry of Ilands all Idolaters and most of them enemies to strangers but especially Christians It begirteth those Countries
yeeld no other they weare coloured bootes comming no higher then their knees the soles plated with yron the better sort haue them gilded painted and embrodered the women weare such too and like the Turkes are not seene abroad bare-faced all sorts loue iustice or at least the shew of it For they punish petty thefts how euer great robberies and manslaughters yea after due examination passe without capitall execution which makes me remember the answer of Cleonidas the Pirate to Alexander the Great when he sharply reprehended him for the basenes of his life and intimated besides the common scandall of a rouer the mischiefes depending as hindring the Merchant from filling the harbours and resorting to the Cities whereby the Kings customes were inlarged and the Common-wealth enriched T is true O King saith he because I rob with one or two ships I am condemned for a rouer but thou that runnest ouer the Hellespont and fillest great seas with thy Nauies art saluted a mighty Monarch and reuerenced more for the feare of thy reuenge then beloued by the extention of thy bounty or liberalitie Their coine is both gold and siluer without forme as stamped long and vnfashionable their furres fill all the world with merchandize making vs not onely warme but proud in Europe yea such is the estimation of Ermines Sables and blacke Fox from a receiued opinion of Priamus King of Troy whose mantle to the greatest shew of ostentation and magnificence was lined with Ermines that in the secrets of Armory except the Prince all persons are limited what and how to weare them and amongst themselues though the Emperor Nobles haue gownes of cloth of gold and siluer tread vpon Persian and Turky carpets and are indeed adorned with great wealth both in iewels and marks of maiestie yet hath their head attires of blacke fox the preeminence wherein he thinketh himselfe more honored than in an imperiall crowne after the manner of auntient Kings Their great Cities are very thin and villages lye scattered with low houses spatious on the ground with stones and the territories which now he challengeth extendeth almost 1200 English mile their woods foster plenty of beasts which in an extreame winter will come downe to their houses and endanger both cattle and people their horse are reasonable good many by whom they maintaine the strength of their Armies and practising them in hunting haue them the more seruiceable in the warres But I purpose no further discoueries and therefore attend the businesse proposed which is onely to giue you a superficiall view of these countries that when we come to compare England vnto them we may finde them the sooner and be able to iudge the better Thus liueth and raigneth this North-east Monarch with reputation of one of the greatest sharers in the aduenture of the worlds happines As for the other Kingdomes of Norway Sweden Goteland Denmarke with the prouinces of Bothnia Finmarck Lapland Finland and such like they are onely called Reges simplices because they liue and take care of their particular Scepters without ambitious intrusion into anothers possession to make it their owne hereditary For though sometime Sweden and Norway is vnited sometimes Denmarke triumphing and sometimes as it were disioynted yet hapneth it by seuerall factions amongst themselues and to reuenge iniuries for the present and may resemble a throng and presse of people in a yard who one while driue to that corner another while shoue to this and suddenly stand at a stay as wearied with the shouldring For as Princes are exasperated to displeasure by their owne conceiued opinions of a wrong and indignity so doe they prosecute reuenges from a wrathfull indignation and many times draw whole Armies into the field to stop further outrages and shew the aduersarie there is no end but blood and death yea the countries deuastation without an honorable agreement or satisfaction and thus haue these people vpon no other colour but wilfulnes weakned one another with counterchangeable preuailings But yet I doe not see that the Russian Emperor taketh aduantage of their disagreements onely at this instant by reason of former troubles about the succession and well-grounded suspition of the King of Polands warlike humors he standeth on his guard and for some priuate respects hath bin auxiliary to the King of Swedea to which belong so many particulars that a whole history might fill your eares with pleasure and instances of worthy prosecution which I desist from for swelling the booke too bigg with so poore a breath of common and knowne relations and will onely goe forward with some slender descriptions as the country now lieth vnder fortunes controule Norway is famous vpon the etymologie of the word as it were the North-way and yeeldeth plenty of fish called stockfish which is taken in the greatest frost for lasting and is a reasonable good country for feeding cattle the increase of a dairy and many other excellent blessings for the nourishment of life Swedia inviteth you to a Towne in imitation of Venice called Stokeholme as if shee boasted onely of this place considering the rest of her villages resemble the scattered troopes of a retired Armie yet must you not ouer-passe the famous Castle of Calmar which is proprietory to Goteland and so depending on Sweden as the principall Port Citie and fortification of these parts and aduanceth her reputation of strength in such a manner that excellent enginers and iudicious Trauellers haue ranked it next the Castle of Millaine Denmarke and his tributes are knowne to euery body with the shipping and customes of the Sont where at one time you shall haue 5000 saile brought to the barre of payment and defraying the Kings charges Their feasts and drinking customes wherein you must not challenge their liberall promises nor take hold of cursory speeches vpon an hereafter remembrance least his displeasure suppose you ouer-politicke for his plainenes yet dangerous humors in his rages Their maintayning of Gentry though fearefull for affording titles of honour by opening the enclosures of desires to affect greatnes and popularitie so that you haue no ambitious titles amongst them Their feminine scorne of mechanicall men trades or professors of Arte insomuch though a man bee neuer so excellent a scholler or Musician yet will not the Ladies of their countrey admit of their society nor entertaine their wiues with befitting complement but with a primordiall contempt of ill musico scholastico pedante or such like countermand their intrusion Their ouer-looking of passengers into the East Countries and many other things are matters of some notice But amongst other points of Heraldry the blason of the coates of these countries displaieth the profitable distribution of masts firre deale pitch tarre rosen cables ropes hempe flax and such like To which I must needes adde how from this Continent former times detruded those Nations of Vandalls Gothes Lombards Getes and other famous people who not onely blotted out the scandall
resembled vnto children pull'd out of the armes of a louing mother But I will quietly bring you into her own roomes whereby you shall partly behold the beauty and workmanship of her building onely by the way I must a litle touch the Etymologie of the word and tell you that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greeke signifieth milke and so the people from their complexion and resemblance to whitenes were called Galli or Galati For other particulars you haue Caesars commentaries and well compacted histories which haue tossed and tumbled the lodgings yea the very beds of her chambers and our owne acquaintance hath ouer-lookt her choicest closets It was once the nurse of valour and afforded her vberant paps in those daies to such men as trampled ouer the fields of Greece robbed Apollos Temple at Delphos fetcht away the spoiles of Asia and by the assistance of Brennus an Englishman performed actions of wonderment and applause It was afterward the pride of Roman Consuls and the greatest ambition thought it selfe sufficiently recompenced with her gouernment when Rome had yet lessned her roome to make it prouinciall Presently followed the diuision of the Empire and all the gouernment almost of Europe was rent asunder with the furie of very strange and sauage Nations whose confused Chaos of barbarisme the brauery and goodnes of this countrey redacted to vniformity A litle while after diuers families by being maiores palatij became masters of the Kingdome wherein some by suppression some by merit some iure militari and some by right of inheritance lifted vp the crowne and maiesticall head of this country Straight-way the Eagle of Rome was sicke and from France recouered health how euer afterward it sought for further cure from the Germanes Then followed the Law Salick amongst them with absolute interdicting the Crowne of this glorious Monarchy to fall to the distass whereupon the three famous houses of Valois Burbon Loraine entailed the same and made as it were a feofment of perpetuity wherein this Diadem still keepeth her residence and is dunged watred and liketh her manuring so that whatsoeuer hath bin long since diuided amongst many Princes looking vpon one another with the eyes of emulation and ambitious desires to become greatest in the same is now at length vnited vnder one Monarchy and title of France so that howsoeuer some will haue Loraine absolute of it selfe and no subiect some stomach that Burgoine is revolted some repine that Daulphine was vnited by donation some confound Gascoigne and Guienne abolishing quite the name of Acquitane some remember that Normandy was English some presume of Britany as a Principate of her owne some make Sauoy afraid when Geneua calls the King of France patron and protector and some by diuision and subdiuision would extenuate her greatnes yet is now all France and the worthy Princes are resolued to keep correspondency with strangers but suffer no new intrusion nor any forreine claimes to preuaile at their marble table I will therefore desist from any further vnwinding the yarne of strange bottomes but spread a moderne cloth and giue you some slender taste of her present dainties whereby you shall not depart away altogether vnsatisfied To begin euen vnder the mountaines Pirenei which diuide Spaine from France the first part is called Gasconia including Guienne and Acquitane Dukedomes once appropriate to the heire of England before the inuesture of the Principat of Wales The chiefest Cities are Burdeaux and Tholouse washed with the plenteous waters of the Garonn a riuer not onely spreading her many armes abroad to send plenty all ouer the fields but powring out her greater streames into the sea welcommeth store of ships into her ports and harbours sending them backe againe into many countries of Europe with glad tidings of an abundant vintage Burdeaux is watrishly scited by reason the riuer and springs raiseth many marshes here about yet is it wholesome and the heat of the climate can endure the moistnes of the aire the Citie is ancient and boasteth of an Vniuersitie but more properly of the great concourse of Merchants It is beautified with many monuments especially the Pallace wherein King Richard the second the sonne of the blacke Prince was borne and another without the Towne a worke euer since the Emperor Galienus and then supposed a glorious Amphitheater The towne of Tholouse is more proud of antiquitie and telleth of time before Troies devastation yea remembreth since Deborah Iudge of Israel was famous for her wisdome and gouernment It hath now a well disciplined schoole a court of Parliament populous streets and reasonable buildings but indeed they seeme very ancient and for some speciall structures may carry the credit of magnificence The other townes are many and very good except countrey villages which are as rude as in other places and the Pesant liueth like a drudge not daring scarse drinke of the wine of his owne garden lest he should not raise such profit as would answer the proportion of his rent But herein our English Merchant hath somewhat ouer-reached them For they hire the gardens themselues and make the best vse of them not trusting their labourers and husbandmen to handle the presses but as they be hired by the day or great The second part is called Poictoy a countrey so great and plentifull that there are numbred 1200 parishes and three Bishopricks faine would haue you reckon these principall walled townes within her diuision of inferior and superior The bishopricks are Poictiers Leucòne and Mailezay The superior townes Roch sur yon or if you will Rochell one of the strongest townes in Europe and the rather because it hath not trusted her walls and ramparts which are yet stupendous and magnificent but the Lord of hostes and his true religion which hath alwaies raised their spirits to an extraordinary confidence of mercy and preuailing against any Antichristian attempt Talmont Meroil Vouuant Meruant Bresfure Lodun Fountenay le Conte The inferior or townes of the lower diuision Noiart Partenay Touars Moncontoul Herenault Meribeau Chastelleraut and others of like eminence amongst whom Poictiers is reckned the most populous of all France next to Paris it is watred with the ouer-flowings of Clanius a riuer filling the Loire and sending it the faster into the sea it boasteth of some antiquities a Theater called the Sandes a palace of the Emperor Galienus an Aquaeduct to which belong certaine fountaines vulgarly called arceux de parigne and other memories from famous Romans who were here euer resident To talke of their Churches prisons walls ports ramparts arsenals towers riuers bridges and such like it were superfluous considering they are not subiects either of admiration or delicacie but euen common or ordinary buildings The third part is Aniou though a litle Prouince yet very fruitfull and affordeth such excellent vines that the common prouerbe crieth out the wine of Aniou For the stately riuer of Loire comming from Orleance posteth a pace with the glad tidings
moderation and restraint of distempered actions The villages or dorps are foure hundred amongst whom the stately county of the Hague aduanceth her counteuance equall to a great city for their court retaineth some shew of princilnesse and the old palace maketh demonstration of those noble customes and hospitality which the ancient Earles in their former power maintained yet because it is vnwalled neighbouring a pretty parke of fallow Deere and inuiteth you to better retired places then the townes of hurliburly and continuall commerces accustome it is reputed a Dorp and seemeth much contented with her situation so remote from the forraine enemy of the State Harlem with her spaciousnesse is founded most delicately for as soone as you are entred the pleasure of a pretty wood inuiteth your abode where the Citizen in the dayes of pastime make their honest conuersation the strengthning of one anothers friendship Besides for bulwarkes harbours shipping capacity entercourse and noble meetings it challenged the precedency of all the towns of Holland howeuer Amsterdam hath got the start for riches marchants and nauigation yet hath Harlem a greater wall and better compacted buildings Dort or Dordrech some 150. yeeres since was made an Iland by the inundation of the sea which with vngentle violence at that time washed away whole fields of firme ground and like a barren vnsatiate wombe filled her paunch with aboue 200. villages It is a beautifull long towne and graced with the staple of Rhenish wine corne and timber brought in great strange and long boats called Punts which neuer goe backe againe but serue in these riuers as a receptacle of diuers families and many people who haue no other dwelling then on shipboord if you demand how they liue the voyage ended maintain their estates when the first businesse is determined They spin fish follow the league with prouision carry corne and turffe from towne to towne and are employed for the vse of bridges to transferre whole armies ouer riuers but to tell you that some of them are 160. foot long and haue three or foure diuisions or houses in one boat would raise a suspicion and peraduenture make you smile at the fiction but admire the truth Delft is so named of a ditch cut out betweene it and the Hague and is a sweet and pleasant towne although the inhabitants are emploied for the most part about brewing and spinning of wooll Leyden boasteth of her antiquity as deriuing her originall from the Legions of the Roman souldiers heere resident when the custome of warre and the coldnesse of winter did enforce them to garison and orderly sequestration it is now an Vniuersity beautified with walkes of pleasure and magnificence yet cannot wash away the imputation of many trayterous reuolts and vnconstant resolutions against the gouernment of the States Gouda is a populous towne vpon the riuer Isell yet could tell you of another of her owne name that runneth into the Ocean as if it made haste to tell you from whence it came Amsterdam besides the sea is visited by the gentle riuer Tia yet seemeth sory that she cannot be affoorded the sweetnesse of her waters and is so contriued as the channels of Venice which direct you by boat from house to house for shipping it is one of the most famous harbours in the world and hath such entercourse of Marchants and Saylors that I haue numbred 1000. ships of all sorts to goe out at one tide for buildings it equals the best and for orderly watches and fortifications the Burgers haue a blessed vniformity and glorious reputation Enchusen vpon the banke of the sea called the Zuidersea is famous for the building of ships which are heere yeerely built and orderly rigged Horne hath the same foundation and in May bringeth together such a faire of butter and cheese and in such incredible manner that almost all countries haue suppliment from thence Alcmar likewise maintaineth the dairy and encloseth such fields that a very few acres of ground raise a good farme Purmerndum boasteth of her first estimation by reason of the palace and delicate castle which belonged to Count Egmond was within her wals Edam hath great store of shipping and such kine that few oxen are larger besides heere is sowed so much hemp that most of the netting which either Holland or Zeland vse is heere made Sconhouen is a delicate towne and place of pleasure for indeed it is an attribute or significant name from the attracting delight of their gardens and hath a staple for Salmons Rotterdam a great city full of shipping yet rather boasteth of the birth of Erasmus Brill is a towne of defence and was once causionary to England in regard of great summes disbursed for the States but now of late by the Kings Maiesty resigned into the hands of the States Thus for strength fertility wealth and plenty of shipping Holland exceedeth any countrey in the world challenging no more circuit of ground as may be ghessed by the yeere 1587. when there was 600. ships arrested in the Sont by the King of Denmark and in 1588. it is well knowen that in very short warning they supplyed vs with an hundred men of warre as for Cales voyage the third part of that Nauie was theirs but if you looke further in the West and East-Indies in the hauens of Barbary and Affrick in the Arches and Constantinople in the Gulph of Venice and almost all the frequented places of the world the Hollander aduentures and is now a glorious Marchant and Mariner To conclude Holland Zeland and Freesland smile in the possession of 2500. good ships from 150. tun to 700. and although they haue no timber or at least very little growing for this purpose yet doe they yeerely set vpright 5. or 600. of one sort or other Of all in the States diuision the City and Lordship of Vtrech is principall as retaining an ancient Bishops See and shewing the ruines of a castle erected to suppresse the insolency of the inhabitants who in a pride of their owne greatnesse made a continuall sport of rebellion it is now vtterly defaced and the loyalties of their harts seeme more firme then the workes of mens hands assuring vs that so noble a citie and populous territories would yeeld a very ambitious Prince reasonable satisfaction if it might bee commanded by the authority of a Monarch and had the vnity of a well-ordered Common-wealth and Kingdome The Countrey of Freesland would require an ample discouery to extract her originall and relate her stories so would Cleeueland the land of Luke Munsterland and some others reputed Neuters that is neither maintaining the Spanyard in his military inuasion nor supporting the States in their iustifiable defences But I refer you to their own manyother cōmentaries content myself with a cursory trauell and what I can catch hold of by running touches It is diuided into two parts by the riuer Amisia which commeth downe by Embden East Freesland challenging
a particular preheminence and iurisdiction as I sayd by it selfe and West Freesland suffering this partition Ostergo Westergo Transilana Drenta Tuenta the seuen woods and Lordship of Groining a beautifull towne and famous for that siege wherein were 80000. in the field on both sides 1594. when Prince Maurice obtained it for the States being before ouer-awed 1580. by the Duke of Parma As it hath more cattle and pasture then other prouinces so more villages the inhabitants are more warlike insomuch that commonly there is a Regiment or two of Frizons in the army when amongst the foot-companies there is scarse two hundred Dutch-men besides yet haue they many troops of horse and are distinguished by diuers characters although they speake all one language either high or Low-Dutch as Resties Lansguents Frizons Switzers High-Germans Dutch and Free-booters or Boot-halers I haue insisted the longer on the discourse of these Prouinces because you may see the errours of selfe will and ill counsell euen in the gouernment of mighty Monarchs as I sayd before For the conquest of the West Indies the onely greatnesse of Spaine was not nor is so glorious to his ostentation as the losse of the Low-Countries when hee might with peace mansuetude haue opened the arms of a louing father ouer them greeuous to his remembrance and a very wound to his policy Because if these countries were vnited and altred from their Aristocratia or Democratia chuse you whether to the vniformity of a Monarchie affoording to Caesar what belongeth to Caesar raising their nobility aduancing the well-deseruers encreasing their estates disciplining their able men to the seruice of the warres and from the imitation of other countries endeauouring to raise their owne glories it would surmount all the reuenues of Spaine which for extent of ground measureth six times as much nay if I added the West Indies computatis computandis I might be beleeued after some reasonable disceptation For say a stirring spirit desired glory and pompous attendancy From hence might bee obtained infinite treasure settled content high magnificence multitude of subiects commerces of marchants store of shipping stately horses louing people and the glory of nature beauty it selfe so that if the Arch-Dukes fortune could raise him to such a height if at first he honoured the Enfanta with vshering her bare-headed into Bruxels hee might then prostrate himselfe before her throne indeed as one of the greatest Princes of the world For although his hopes did depend vpon other supportation and in her owne language he cries Kala as peraduenture determining a composition with his brother Mathias if the peacefull Rodolphus were once discharged of his debt to nature whereby she might be Empresse of Germany yet cannot a meere titular dignity come neere so great a contentment as to haue the fruition of such a kingdome and natiue felicity But if delicate life and quiet establishment of temporall happinesse were propounded amongst these is honesty of contracts probity of manners truth of word preuention of wants fulnesse of wealth delicacy of apparrell neatnesse of furniture vniformity of building magnificence of structures plenty of viands sumptuousnesse of feasts liberty of conuersation and what else enflameth our desires to helpe our deficiencie yea the very behauiour of the women enforceth admiration For being tall beautifull actiue and familiar they are yet free from those peenish humors of ielousie lightnes pride which make vs weary one of another Besides all their words actions tend to simplicitie and modest plainenes retaining with all this suppliment of wants making of cloth and knitting of lace and dainty works But when I consider their mutuall entercourses their skill in buying and selling their frequenting of the shops their going from place to place without so much as suspition of incontinencie and their loue to their husbands and children euen in the ouerflowings of naturall imperfections or if you will diseases of the Nation I stand amased and sweare that vertue cannot be poore and an honest minde will not be seduced for any worldly respects to the slauish corruption of lasâ—…iuiousnes or dishonestie CHAP. XVI The Monarchy of Great Britaine THE last of all Countries and as many thinke the least but such a least as if a pretty sparke of a pure Diamond should triumph ouer a border of soft topasses is the kingdome of ENGLAND now proclaimed vnder the royall standard of Great Britaine France and Ireland stile enough if the desire of man know what is enough But alas â—…nisi ab orbe Britanni wherein I thinke nature and glory plaied the silken Artist or Artificer chuse you whether who in sorting out his commodities laies the principall aside for a friend or his owne vse so did our first mother deale with this ILAND allowing it a double portion of blessings before the other countries of the world for her owne honour But at this time you shall not heare mee stammer out my words considering Mr Cambden hath spoken so well and distinctly as if a Lawyers cunning had not onely inlarged some excellent matter but doubly graced the same with good deliuerie and pleasing elocution Besides I must in the second booke vntie her bound-vp fardell and come to more neerer particulars and therefore there shall be now no further disputing of the same yet Ireland hath made me amased to see such an impossibilitie to reduce her which mee thinks cannot proceed from any innated hatred against vs particularly though it be an vnsauoury truth because in affecting Spaine and France shee disclaimeth their formalitie and would faine besprinkle the beautifull faces of ciuilitie gouernment formes of Cities courtlines maiestie and state with the vntoward termes and abuses of policie restraint of libertie couetousnes flattery pride and licentiousnes therefore I will bee the bolder to speake a word or two of her vnkindnes CHAP. XVII The description of IRELAND THE country and kingdome of IRELAND is generally for naturall aire and commoditie of blessings sufficient to satisfie a couetous or curious appetite but withall diuided into such fastnes of mountaine bogg and wood that it hath emboldned the inhabitants to presume on hereditary securirie as if disobedience had a protection For the mountaines denie any cariages but by great industry and strength of men so haue we drawne the Cannon ouer the deepest boggs stoniest hils and the passages are euery way dangerous both for vnfirmenes of ground the lurking rebell who will plash downe whole trees ouer the paces and so intricately winde them or lay them that they shall be a strong barracado and then lurke in ambush amongst the standing wood playing vpon all commers as they intend to goe along On the bogg they likewise presume with a naked celeritie to come as neere our foote and horse as is possible and then flie off againe knowing we cannot or indeed dare not follow them and thus they serue vs in the narrow entrances into their glins and stony
haue in London those that be faire beautifull and cleanely kept insteed of foggy mists and clowds ill aire flat situation miry springs and a kinde of staining clay you haue in London a sunne-shining and serene element for the most part a wholesome dwelling stately ascension and delicate prospect insteed of a shallow narrow and sometimes dangerous riuer bringing onely barges and boats with wood coale turff and such countrey prouision you haue at London a riuer flowing twenty foot and full of stately ships that flie to vs with marchandize from all the ports of the world the sight yeelding astonishment and the vse perpetuall comfort so that setting the vnconstant reuolutions of worldly felicity aside who shall oppose against our nauy and if wee would descend to inferiour roomes the riuer westward matcheth Paris euery way and supplieth the city with all commodities and at easier rates In steed of ill fauoured woodden bridges many times endangered with tempests and frosts you haue in London such a bridge that without ampliation of particulars is the admirablest monument and firâ—… erected structure in that kinde of the Vniuerse whether you respect the foundation with the continuall charge and orderly endeauours to keepe the arches substantiall or examine the vpper buildings being so many and so beautifull houses that it is a pleasure to beholde them and a fulnesse of contentment to vnderstand their vses conferred vpon them Insteed of an olde Bastill and ill-beseeming Arsenall thrust as it were into an outcast corner of the City you haue in London a building of the greatest antiquity and maiesticall forme seruing to most vses of any Citadle or Magazin that euer you saw For the Tower containeth a Kings palace a Kings prison a Kings armoury a Kings mint a Kings ward-robe a Kings artilery and many other worthy offices so that the Inhabitants within the walls haue a Church and are a sufficient parish Insteed ofan obscure Louure newly graced with an extraordinary gallery the onely palace of the King neere Paris In London his Maiesty hath many houses parkes and places of repose and in the countries dispersed such a number of state receipt and commodity that I protest I am driuen to amaze knowing the defects of other places nor doe I heere stretch my discourse on the tenter-hookes of partiality or seeme to pull it by the by-strings of selfe-conceit or opinion but plainely denotate what all true hearted English-men can auerre that to the crowne of our Kingdome are annexed more castles honors forrests parkes houses of State and conueniency to retire vnto from the encombrances of the hurliburly of cities then any Emperor or King in Europe can challenge proprio iure Insteed of an old ruinous palace as they terme their house of Parliament Hall of Iustice concourse of Lawyers or meetings of certaine Trades-men or Milleners like an Exchange and as it were promiscuè confounding all together we haue in London such a Circo for Marchants with an vpper quadrant of shops as must needs subiect it to forraine enuy in regard of the delicacy of the building and statelinesse in the contriuing We haue in London a second building for the ease of the Court profit of the Artizan and glory of the city which for any thing my outward sence may iudge of can equall the proudest structure of their proudest townes though you should name St. Marks Piazza in Venice for so much building We haue in London a Guild Hall for a State-house and Westminster for generall causes of the Kingdome two such roomes that without further dispute maketh strangers demand vnanswerable questions and gently brought to the vnderstanding particulars lift vp their hands to heauen and exclaime O happy England ô happy people ô happy London and yet I must confesse that the hall at Padoa and great counsell-chamber in Venice be roomes of worthy note and sufficient contentment We haue in London diuers palaces for resort of Lawyers their Clients other offices appropriate all workes rather of ostentation to our selues then imitation to others Insteed of narrow dirty streets neither gracefull to themselues nor beautified with any ornament wee haue spacious large and comely streets exposing diuers workes of peace charitie and estimation Insteed of obscure Churches we haue first the goodliest heap of stones in the world namely Pauls next the curiousest fabricke in Europe namely Westminster chapple and generally all our Churches exceede for beauty handsomnesse and magnificent building as framed of hard stone and marble and exposed with a firme and glorious spectacle as for the Dona of Florence St. Marcks in Venice St. Marcks in Millane the Noterdame at Paris and some others in Germany the steeple onely at Strasborough except which is denominated Beautifull for the height and handsomnesse they are either buildings of bricke or conceited structures like a fantasticall bird-cage of a little inlayd or mosaijcke worke worthy of applause from such as respect new dainties and not to bee ouerpassed for curious pictures and paintings where yet by the way you must obserue that in those daies of superstition and particulars of ostentation concerning rich hangings imageries statues altar-cloths roods reliques plate pictures and ornaments other Churches and monasteries of Europe come farre short of our glory and Popish brauery Insteed of Gentle-men on dirty foot-clothes and women in the miry streets the one with an idle Lacquey or two the other with no company of respect wee haue fashionable attendancy handsome and comely going either in Carosse Coatch or on horsebacke and our Ladies and women of reputation sildome abroad without an honourable retinue Insteed of a confusion of all sorts of people together without discouery of qualitie or persons as Citizens Lawyers Schollers Gentlemen religious Priests and Mechanickes that you can scarse know the one from the other nor the master from the man In London the Citizen liues in the best order with very few houses of Gentle-men interposed and in our suburbs the Nobility haue so many and stately dwellings that one side of the riuer may compare with the Gran Canale of Venice But if you examine their receipt and capacity Venice and all the cities of Europe must submit to the truth Nay ' in London and the places adioyning you haue a thousand seuerall houses wherein I will lodge a thousand seuerall men with conueniency match vs now if you can Insteed of a poore Prouost and disorderly company of Marchants and Trades-men we haue a Podesta or Maior that keepeth a Princely house wee haue graue Senatours comely Citizens seuerall Halls and authorized Corporations all gouerned by religious Magistracy and made famous by triumphant solemnities so that our best Gentry are delighted with the spectacle and strangers admire the brauery To conclude if you looke on and in our London truly as it is composed of men following trades occupations there is not such a city such a gouernment such a method of conuersation such a vnity of good fellowship such a
beholding to peace and prosperitie that he tempred his warlike spirit from affecting either forreine or domesticke dissention yet did he consecrate many famous workes to the memory of his quietnes and out of a swelling of princely greatnes thought Westminster Hall the wonder of the world for a roome in a house too litle for so great a Maiestie Robert of Normandy went in person to Ierusalem and for his Heroicke successe and exploits might haue bin rewarded with the Diadem howeuer he was diuerted to returne home againe into the fields of peace Henry the first was setled in the loue of his people tamed the French pacified Normandy looked after Ireland terrified his foes corroborated his friends loued learning and was a Maecenas of all worthy conditions either in himselfe or others and howeuer the ielousie of soueraigne points intercepted the amitie of the brethren yet was his worth many waies expatiated and diuers particulars of estimation extracted from his gouernment Henry the second obtained the dominion of Ireland brought to happy period many conflicts in France stopped the breath of gaping hostilitie in England lashed the sides of his vnruly children with stripes of discomfiture and liued in great honor and estimation insomuch that he neuer exacted imposition of his people nor wanted in his warres yet left a treasure of aboue 200000 pound in ready coine besides iewels and plate which was much in those daies What thinke you of Richard the first Were not his voyages conquests titles and surname of Cuer de Lyon for his valour and exceeding courage markes of true honor Would not his life make a memorable story Shall not his actions be registred in the court of eternitie Did he not proue a worthy champion of renowme Ciprus was wonne Acon conquered Ierusalem established the confederate Princes ielous of his glory and all the countrey full of his memory so that considering his tedious iourneyes the perill of his person the successe of his actions and the noble end of his atchieuements let the proudest of the Othoman race be compared and spare not The troubles of King Iohn the Barons warres the plantation and buildings in Ireland the discouerie of the Clergies corruption the calling in of Lewis the dismissing the French backe againe and the turbulency of those times may ranke themselues with the fame of very proud Monarks Henry the third subdued the Welchmen made sundry voiages into France had many conflicts with his owne Barons set forward a notable expedition to Hierusalem shewed diuers effects of an heroicke and magnanimous spirit raigned gloriously 56 yeeres and in the interims of his peace brought many ostentous buildings to perfection Edward the first went diuers times into Scotland disposed of that Crowne as he thought good subiected them to England conquered the Welchmen appeased them with a Prince of his owne sonne borne in Carnaruan setled his estate and ended a famous life with a glorious death to which when renowne and victorie was added the applause rang through the world Edward the third and the blacke Prince haue engrossed the fame and renowne of the vniuersall earth and many memorable actions are aduanced vp as trophees of their vnimitable glory so that they may march to the palace of maiestie with the proudest Emperors For what worthy atchieuements so euer haue bin perpetuated in England Wales Scotland Almaigne and Flanders in their owne persons they haue brought to passe as if they had bin borne to shew some wonder of nature and exposed as rare examples to succeeding times And for his other sonnes step into the proudest house of Austria and tell me who can match them Iohn of Gaunt went twise into Spaine and conquered Castile in the right of his wife Lionell Duke of Clarence passed the Alpes into Italy maried the daughter of Millane reuelled in those parts with extraordinary cost pompe and attendants and wrought both a reuerence and loue toward his person from forreine people Edmond of Langley Duke of Yorke was so wise and reposed that the gouernment of England kept it selfe warme vnder the ouer-spreading of his embraces Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Glocester was so true a louer of his country and champion of honor that he contested with Maiestie for degenerating from her owne properties and durst tell his nephew King wherein he wandred from his paternall renowne Henry the fourth when he was but Earle of Hertford went into Africke bare his father company into Spaine and obtained the diadem through popular loue and respect of the people And although King Richard the second was an vnfortunate Prince yet did he surpasse both auncestors and successors for brauery in apparell costly expences sumptuous fare glorious courtship noble company princely reuels and magnificent estimation For all the while Queene Anne of Bohemia liued the fame of England was dispersed ouer the world and the King had 8 or 10000 continually in his Court whereby his pompe and port surpassed other Princes But would you wonder indeed Then looke into the 9 yeeres of Henry the fift and you shall see such a vnitie of vertues consent of graces entertainment of valour perfection of industry militarie brauery and fulnes of generous designes that his very enemies gaue way to the report of his worthy life and France in his death was left as a comfortles widow or desolate orphan I might recite the fame of Edward the fourth for reuenging his fathers death many conflicts before and after he was King his voiages into France his distastings against Burgundy his troubles at home and other princely dispositions I could also bring into your good opinion the valour of Henry the seuenth his miraculous deliuery his noble establishment his buildings and sumptuous monuments his riches and wealth his wisdome and politicke contriuing of affaires the stately disposing of his Palace and many other remarkable actions but I am affraid that I am too weakly furnished to enter into the lists with iudicious censurers nor shall be able to wrastle with opinion and seuere examination which will rather condemne me for slight extenuation in the attempt than entertaine the discourse as a befitting subiect or adapted explication of princelines Henry the eight wan Turwin and Turnay entertained the Emperor Maximilian welcommed Charles the fift compounded at his pleasure with France made voiage after voiage conquered Bulloigne had almost obtained the Empire was maiesticall in all things and died as it were in the armes of kingly reputation Queene Elizabeth deserues a whole story of her life maiestie and gouernment For the very Heathen and Mahumetans the Persians and Idolaters the Aethiopians and Muscouite doe name her with reuerence CHAP. XXII An other excellencie of ENGLAND casting vp an account of her antiquitie in one vnited Monarchy before other Nations AS no country in Europe did euer aduance vp so many excellent parts together toward the building the frame of perfection so is it apparant in nothing more liuely than in Englands antiquitie in one vnited
Monarchy without either claime or competition of forreiners vsurpation of intruders attempt of hostile invaders and desire of alteration amongst our selues whereas yet all the Kingdomes of the world especially within the reach of European knowledge within 400 yeeres haue had other titles bin subiect to strange disparitie of gouernment and religion and confronted many times with such Princes or fearefull subiects within their territories as haue made them ielous of soueraigne points yea the very losse of their cheefest crownes and dignities If you search the wounds of the Persian and Turkish gouernment as they seeme now to be healed you shall finde them badly cured and indeed festred so dangerously that they must bee better ouer-viewed or their inward putrefaction will on a sudden poyson the very entrailes For they haue bin tossed and tumbled with many alterations and euer since Tamberlaine descended out of Scithia amongst them suffred diuers concussions both in gouernment and religions so that howeuer the Persian is more noble yet he hath permitted a mixture of many barbarous people to the great disturbance of his former glory As for the Turke hee is meerely new to vs and a formidable intruder into such territories as he gripeth with a strong arme so that what you now behold amongst these Mahumetans is onely vpheld by tyrannie a band of no greater strength then power forces and reward can tye together wherein if any faile the gouernment is quickly let loose and the subiect at liberty taketh hold of euery innovation and although by tumbling and tossing like to heaps of snow rowled vp and downe they haue growne greater and greater while the frosty coldnes of our Christian Princes gaue them leaue to harden whereby they are increased to that stupendous heape you now see yet when a thaw comes and that rota fortunae is in Gyro it shall and will be subiect to diminution especially when the glorious sunne of successe shineth out the consent of our Kings to expulse them at least out of Europe if not from the vsurpation of the better parts of Asia The Kingdome of Hungary though but lately established and knowne by a different royalty from the Empires either of Greece or Germany yet as you see a prey seased on by a hawke or other tormenting vulture pull'd in peeces and cruelly rent a sunder hath suffered many dilacerations and besides the capitall enemy of Christendome her proppes sawed a sunder by some barbarous hands amongst themselues The Kingdome of Poland is not 300. yeere old For it retained in times past but the prerogatiue of a Dukes coronet and was euer in contention with Lithuania and the adioyning Princes vntill the Pope vndertooke the appeasing of those troubles and added the grace of a roiall inuesture to Sigismundus surnamed the great who at last vnited both Pomerania Prussia and Lithuania yet is not so established but the Election of the Peeres diminisheth the prerogatiue of the King and new Princes new lawes new confederacy new gouernment haue let confusion and alteration loose vpon the Countrey The Emperour Princes Electors and principalities in Germany are almost of the same nature and condition but that many liberties of Cities haue beene bought out with mony and diuers franchises purchased to redeeme themselues from the tyrannie of wanton lords so that in particular many families haue beene chopped and changed honourable houses transmuted and new names and titles haue as it were thrust the old out of doores and in generall what with the French Germanes and the house of Austria there hath not a thought passed for hereditary succession but all things haue beene subiect to instabilitie and are still hurried in the current of preuailing as either the Pope Electorum placitus or militareius filling the sailes full of winde giueth them leaue to driue the barke of the gouernment forward The Princes of Italy in worse estate then they For except the Venetians some of their Dukedomes as Ferrara and Vrbin are fallen to the Papacy some of their Kingdomes as Naples and Sicilia possessed by the Spaniard with Millane and Genoa and the rest suspitiously standing on a guard of circumspection least they should betray one another to the stronger side and whereas the Venetians doe boast of 700. yeares continuance I am sure they neuer flourished but by the dissentions of the rest and in their first inchoation these Ilands were but receptacles for banished men yea compared to cauernus for simple beasts to shroude in whom the others of prey and rapine did not looke after For the Gothes and Lombards that infested Italy made no more account of them then we did of the stragglers in the mountaines of Walles or fastnesse in Ireland but they haue beene better coadiuted and taken successe by the hand to pace out the measures of prosperity as you now see their glory riches and augmentation The Kingdome of Spaine is so new that the other day there was a King of Portugali as absolute as himselfe a King of Arragon of sufficiency to contest with Castile a King of Granado Valencia within memory subiect to Paganisme and maintaining the new sect of Mahomet a King of Nauarre as fearefull to him as the rest and sundry other abridgments tending to the diminution of Maiesty howeuer at this instant he is blowne bigge with the winde of superfluity and greatnesse The Kingdome of France but a while ago compacted For Burgundy challengeth a roialty and had afterward a Duke maintaining his owne priuiledges The Earle of Flanders writ Comes Deigratia Normandy was another mans Brittaine in a Dukes possession Gascoine Guien and Acquitane our owne Daulphin and Prouince incorporated by gift and Rhene Duke of Loraine inuested with the Toialties of Naples and thus could I runne ouer all the rest if either they were of eminence sutable to the glory of these recited or consequence to store vs with obseruations and example only England for aboue 600. yeares I might recken from Edgar but that you will answer some 400. yeeres since the Prince of WALLES was onely an Homager and SCOTLAND in continuall opposition had fedde vpon the plenty of a flourishing Monarchy and beene fatted with the well fedde dainties of an exuberant Countrie diplaying the colours of her owne roialty in such a glorious manner that shee hath not onely spread her fame with an vncontroulable hand but brought the glory of other Nations vnder the adumbration of her canopy so that if I should adde her seuerall conquests of Ireland Walles Scotland France Cyprus Ierusalem and Castile it selfe it would torment vs with remembrance of our losses or augment our iealosie for hassarding our honour by negligence and corrupted peace which was once so worthily established by the proppes and supportation of merit and vertue CHAP. XXIV Another excellency of ENGLAND consisteth in the happy life of our Countrey-man and common people IF you looke on our example you shall finde that the chiefest part of Salomons glory extended it selfe from the
abundance of his people when euery man did eate vnder his owne Vine or fig-tree when Israell were many as the sand of the sea making merry one with an other when the Husbandman plowed in peace and reaped in content and when the wrongs of the common sort were as well streightned by the line of Iustice as the oppressions of the mighty reformed by the hand of authoritie In which prerogatiues I dare be bold to say that ENGLAND excells all other nations as the light of the Sunne inferiour Planets For in some places they are absolute slaues in some places denied the comfort of their owne endeauours in some places not capable of purchases in some places not permitted to marry aboue their degree and elsewhere not suffered to enioy the freedome of life or benefit of nature as for an instance In Turkie hee is with the rest a most poore and vnfortunate slaue for whether Mustleman or Christian he dare not manure his ground to the best profit of his endeauours liuing so poorely with such sluttish and drudging company that I haue pittied his fortune and commiserated his distresse In Hungary and those parts they resemble carrion to bee preied vpon by rauens who not only feed themselues till their gorges be full but call for others to consume that which is left thus liuing vnder the Turke he hath nothing of his owne and in the Christian gouernment all is taken from him either to furnish the warres or maintaine the tribute In Italy they are a little better as long as they be able to pay their rents and husband their grounds yet doe they seldome liue of their owne or execute any thing befitting the freedome of conuersation Besides in many places they are so terrified with the troublesome incursions of the Banditi who euen make a prey of their wealth and cattle that although they know of their robberies and murthers yet dare they neither detect them nor deny to entertaine or releeue them These be men proscribed by the Law and banished from their owne Inheritances for some hainous mulct or other and flying into a stranger Princes iurisdiction liue by rapine and ouer-mastering of Passengers as they doe in Arabia and most parts of Turkie remote from the great City especially in Epyrus where both Theeues and Rouers shelter themselues within the Mountaines Assassini but seldome performe any robberie without murther whereupon as we say figuratiuely all inhumane and monstrous delinquents in this kinde are called assassini But to our Italian Countrey-man againe After the pride of Italy especially the women they will be a little gaudy in the same apparell their mothers bestow vpon them or their amorosos send as a gratuity and thus I confesse I haue seene an Inne-keepers daughter go to Church in a coloured damaske gowne with Spanish sleeues laide on with gold lace and come home to dresse our dinners the men are very industrious according to the goodnesse of ground as hauing in one selfe-same field though it be but an acre of Land both corne vines and fruite trees and in his gardens about his house rootes sallets Bees and silke-wormes boasting how the Romans maintained their Colonies from the Countrey-man and supported the Farmer as a nursing father for Souldiers nay they can remember the Law Agraria when the Gracchi lost their liues about an equall distribution of the Roman territories and the maintaining the immunities of the free Italians but they sigh to recount how it was abrogated and euer after they were suppressed in their insolencies as kept from outward pompe and pleasures of frequented cities He is now called Villano from whose character we haue a contemptible tenure of land in England called villenage seruing to no other vse but to enrich his Lord feeding himselfe vpon garlike and onions and is acquainted with no good thing but superstition a few gawdy clothes and the incontinent life of curtezans In Spaine it is farre worse and the Contadini are numbred amongst the reproches of their gouernment and almost esteemed as the asses which bring their cabages melons suchlike to the market For he neither dare atempt to cheapen any thing appropriate to the vse of Gentle-men as flesh fish wheat and excellent fruit nor must hee though he haue of his owne but furnish the market with the best feeding himselfe with the worst and vildest stuffe Besides as the errour of Italy or if you will horrible abuse if the mother haue a comely daughter shee is contented for money with her prostitution and many times is her Bawd if she can happen of a good Chapman nor desisteth she so but in one house you shall sometimes haue the mother a drudge 3. or 4. daughters mercenary strumpets All France ouer the pesant is not onely beastly within doores but churlish of condition sauouring nothing but his labour either in setting forward his husbandry or dressing his vines yet how with base and seruile behauiour with poore and miserable expences with obscene and filthy lodging with iealous and malicious welcome with licentious and ill becomming liberty of speech against both Court and Common-wealth In Germany the Boore is somewhat better for he eateth good meate sometimes though vildly dressed will bee drunke and merry must be alwaies imployed and alwaies a hungry or desirous of drinke euen when he is able to drinke no more and can apparell himselfe hansomely to go to Church either on sunday or holliday but they are dangerous in their tumults and rages and not to bee trusted in their reconciliation after a wrong In Ireland he is called Churle and if we nick-name him in England we terme him Clowne He liues in great drudgery not so much for his labour as his watches For hee is compelled to guard his poore Cattle as well as he can both from Theeues and wolues insomuch that although he haue but one poore Cabine his cow and hogge lies with him in the same But if he boast of larger increases he is then compelled to bring them all night into some bawne of a castle or vnder the loop-holes of some raft or fortification For the Kerne watch all aduantages in times of peace and thinke their thefts iustifiable in defiances of warre But looke vpon vs truely as we liue indeede and you shall finde our Yeoman of England a title of estimation in regard of his wealth antiquitie and maintenance of his familie in a continued discent so that in times past hee would not alter his title of rich Yeoman for any vaine-glorious attribute of beggerly Gentlemen you shall now see them dwell in braue houses Mannors Lordships and Parkes to the annuall vallew of a thousand poundes hauing sometimes their sonnes Knighted their daughters well bestowed their other children so disperced that Lawyers Citizens and Marchants are raised through our Kingdome from sonnes and kinred of Countreymen nay you shall behold them inuited to courtly promotion and knowing that the breath of Kings