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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A97083	Britannicæ virtutis imago. Or, The effigies of true fortitude, expressed to the life, in the famous actions of that incomparable knight, Major Generall Smith, who is here represented, June, 1644.	Walsingham, Edward, d. 1663.	1644 (1644)	Wing W649; Thomason E53_10; ESTC R21145	21,181	34

Britannicae Virtutis Imago OR THE EFFIGIES OF TRVE FORTITVDE Expressed to the life in the famous actions of that incomparable Knight Major Generall SMITH Who is here represented June 1644. OXFORD Printed by Henry Hall in the Yeare 1644. THE DEDICATION TO the Immortall memory of that ever famous Gentleman The Glory of our English Nation Sir John Smith Knight Major Generall of his Majesties Westerne Army under Command of the Right Honourable the Lord Hopton His servant and admirer consecrateth this E. W. Britanicae Virtutis Imago OR The Life and Death of renowned Sir IOHN SMITH WHen the Reigne of James the prudent Monarch of Great Britaines united Empire drew neare a period at Skilts in Warwick-shire a Mannour of the Sheldons was borne this ornament of our Nation I am now to treat of by a choyce and selected branch of the stout and valiant Markhams of Nottinghamshire married to Sir Francis Smith of Wotton Wavers in the County of Warwicke Heire to the Noble and ancient Family of the Caringtons famous for Sir Michael Carington Standard bearer to our first Richard in the Holy-land and renowned for the loyalty of John Carington Esquire to his Lord and Soveraigne King Richard the second upon whose deposall he was forct to flie into Italy where he grew famous for many brave and valiant acts yet at his returne he chang'd his name to Smith which all his Posterity have ever since retained untill now it hath pleased His royall Majesty to renew the ancient name of this Family in the present Lord Carington Sir John Smith's eldest brother The Escucheon of this Family is of so neere a semblance to the badge of the most Noble Order of the Garter that in my judgement it convinces it selfe to be a kingly guift bestowed upon them for some notable service atchieved by their Predecessours The particular definition whereof I leave to the Heralds as a star visible onely in their Horizon But I am sure I doe not remember to have seene any Family in England excepting this to beare in a white Field a red Crosse in a forme so genuine to that we call St Georges This Sir Francis Smith was a Gentleman of that integrity of life and noble nature that to this day his memory is still precious amongst those that knew him He was remarkeably happy for many worthy children and faire possessions but especially in his Consort a Lady of those excellencies that we could expect no ordinary peice of nature from her being also eminent for her hospitality and charity but especially for her loyalty so firme and spotlesse that it is almost incredible and beyond example what that noble Lady hath sustained when for a small contribution she might have secured her selfe she rather choosing with a magnanimous patience to undergo the losse of all then in the least manner to comply with the Kings enemies Before the birth of the Heroike child this vertuous Lady and her Knight fell dangerously sicke as if they had both contributed their utmost powers to his perfections Nature perceives him to fit her expectation and therefore impatient we should longer expect her bounty exposes him to the world at least a moneth before the usuall time It may be she desired that even in his birth the child should make the first triall of his valour and beyond example there expresse his magnanimity and contempt of danger I shall not need to aske pardon if I passe by his infancy as affording nothing but meerly shadowes of a great spirit inclosed in that little casket in a sleepe as it were expecting his maturity His infancy past he is brought from his nurse and committed to his mothers care where his education could not choose but be excellent for without vanity I speake it this Kingdome affords not a Lady that hath given more happy testimonies of her skill in that kind In the time of his childhood his sweet and tractable nature made him singularly beloved in his Fathers Family and to this day many of them much please themselves with his pretty policies and witty stratagems to compasse his sports and deceive such as held a hand over him He is no sooner capable of learning but he is sent to a Kinsmans house amongst other young Gentlemen allied unto him to lay the foundation of a Scholler where notwithstanding his active disposition he profited so well that after some reasonable preparative his Parents desirous to make him more accomplisht sent him to study and travell beyond Seas where he made so good a progresse both in the Greeke and Latine tongues that in one of the prime Classes he obtained the Emperours Chayre a Seat of eminent difference from all the rest and due to him that is judged to excell his fellowes But neverthelesse he is impatient of this manner of life his noble mind aspires to greater actions and will no longer be contain'd in this course The Almighty begins to call him to that state wherein he is pleased to imploy him Who will not be satisfied untill he be sent for England where arriving contrary to his friends desire he finds a welcome accompanied with rebukes which he long patiently sustained without any effect at last meerly to comply with them against his owne nature he takes his course the second time for the Low Countries where he takes his books in hand and againe falls to his study not without dayly conflicts with himselfe in overcoming his contrary inclination But there he demonstrated his vertue in conquering himselfe to satisfie the desires of his Parents and friends declaring he knew as well how to master his passions as his bodily enemies Which in a thing of that nature so to overcome himselfe considering his age and spirit was very remarkeable In the place where now he resides there happens a Commotion in some sort resembling ours where the dreggs and rude multitude of the City bandy against their Prince Magistrates and Nobility in such sort that nothing but ruine seemed to hang over the heads of the latter The Rebells were so numerous and violent growing dayly so insolent that at last the best sort were compell'd to endeavour their owne defence in the best manner they could for divers of their persons and houses were violated and plundered the same being imminent to the rest wherefore they arme themselves as they can and resolve to resist if any one shall hereafter be assaulted This quickly produced a Skitmish wherein the multitude prevayling our gallant young Student heares of it and can no longer containe himselfe but goes out of the Colledge where he resided takes armes from the next he meets in the street and joynes to the weaker side putting himselfe into the head of them where with his brave carriage he doth so encourage and revive them as if his valour had an influence upon each in particular Wherefore they give a fresh assault to the enemy and that with so good successe that they foyled their vanquishers who were soone

more expressed the greatnesse of his spirit and true magnanimity when the next day the potent enemy had beseiged them in Winchester Castle he would have issued out and tried the utmost of fortune rather then submit to those whom he so much detested one of which in respect of their exigence in provision they must of necessity doe But when he saw the rest disclaiming and not concurring he was faine to desist But neverthelesse disdaining to have any hand in the parley refused to subscribe to the articles of submission How undauntedly he carried his captivity is incredible as also how boldly he looked adversity in the face The Allmighty it seemes was pleased to make triall of his fortitude every way to see whether he were as couragious in suffering as fighting or as mild a Captive as a modest Conquerour Very magnanimously did he support this tedious triall of nine months imprisonment where the enemy perceived his worth so well that they were loath to part with him on any conditions that might be termed reasonable Neverthelesse when the divine wisedome saw him sufficiently exercised in this schoole of patience he is at last released to the singular joy and comfort of most brave spirits in the Kings Army some of which even with teares at Oxford entertaine him The noble Lord Herbert of Ragland wooes him to his service and makes him Lieutenant Colonell to his Regiment of horse with promise of a far more eminent place in very short time In this interim of his command here I attracted by the fame which rung through the Kingdome of him repaired unto him desiring to serve His Majesty under this matchlesse Gentlemans command and from that time to his death was an eye-witnesse of what I shall after relate There I observed the love honour and respect he had of all the Souldiers and Commanders which valued him beyond expression I could not choose likewise but see his exceeding modesty in the midst of all these respects and applauses In his expedition against Massey he expressed the naturall aversion he had from rissing the Country or enriching himselfe by those baser meanes in his frequent endeavours to restraine the souldiers from the pursuit thereof where often he demonstrsted his noble mind stored with compassion in tendering the complaints of suffering people The Court lookes upon him as one deserving greater command and more active imployments wherefore in his returne from the said expedition where Gloucesters Idoll shew'd his dexterity in running as well as his policy in other things Our worthy Knight meets with the Kings Letter whereby he is called immediately away to Oxford where he is no sooner arriv'd but commanded thence by His Majesty to the West there to take the place of Major Generall to the horse in that Army under the Lord John Stuart by whom at Winchester he is entertained with extraordinary welcome The Renowned Lord Hopton declaring that he also tooke no little content in the possession of such a Jewell Indeed it was impossible for a Gentleman to finde more honour and respect then he did from those Worthy Lords together with the whole Army the eyes of all being bent upon him Our Gallant Major Generall now setled in his office begins and prosecutes his affaires with that prudence courtesie and magnanimity that all sorts of people were enamoured with his true excellency He wonne the souldiers with his courtesie the people with his modesty and even from his enemies drew he admiration for his gallantry By this meanes his fame encreases daily to an unspeakable height insomuch that beyond Seas also he is celebrated as a worthy of the times He hath here fought so good a fight as claimes already the speedy possession of a celestiall Diadem and to that end he must now be summoned hence but yet in the most honourable way that may be whil'st he is sacrificing his life for his King and Country in the head of a gallant Army Now approaches the battaile at Bramdean neare Alresford in Hampshire on March the 29. 1644. Wherein our Worthy must put a period to all his renowned actions as if he had fore-known what was to succeed the morne before he sets out of Winchester he prepares himselfe for death in the best manner possible All the time our Army lay expecting oportunity to assaile the enemy every eye looked upon him as the loadstarre of their successe In the night before the sight he goes out himselfe and killing the enemies Centinell returnes backe with honour In truth we had not any more daring and vigilant then he It is incredible what chearfulnesse and alacrity he show'd when the sight drew nigh at meat that morning bidding his Souldiers feed heartily for they should have Princely sport anon The fight begins where our valiant Foote beat the Rebels out of the woods and bravely even bestowed a hopefull victory upon us till some out of a rash Gallantry engage both themselves and the fortune of a glorious day insomuch that the Horse must needs be commanded up though upon a great disadvantage which our prudent Knight resents and to some that were neare unto him expressed a great dislike of it but understanding that it was peremptory he esteemed his honour so highly that for a world he would not be seene to detract from any thing lest if thereupon any disaster should ensue the dishonour should light upon his innocence On therefore he goes in Heroicke obedience though expecting nothing else but what ensued In a distracted manner they are of necessity to charge a solid body of the Rebels Horse lying under the protection both of Canon and hedges lined with Musketiers their Canon when he is come almost within pistoll shot with intention to charge in flies off so freely that amazes his Horse the fire even flashing in his face causes him to reare and turne sidewise upon the enemy who seeing all his riders power imployed to keepe his saddle and recover his Horse let fly at him as thicke as haile and in this interim comes one from amongst them clad in Armes like a Lobster who with a Carbine gives him his third and mortall wound in his belly on the left side beneath his armour with this wound he falls and with him the fortune of the day and courage of our Horse for no sooner was he downe but daunted with so disastrous an accident they in a great disorder retreat scarce any but his own Troop remaining on that wing who resolving to die rather then loose so brave a Leader advanced to fetch him off even to the enemies nose indespite of them gallantly brought off him his horse Armes whilst one of the Company a reformado Lieutenant in a brave revenge rides up to the Armed monster and shootes him in the eye sending him to answer for his detested fact in so base a manner wounding to death a Gentleman every way accomplished and worthy The Almighty was not pleased that any miscreant should live to glory in so

foule an action Our Major Generall now wounded desires those faithfull Gentlemen not to suffer him to come into the enemies hands but convay him to some place where he may a while repose with security They bring him immediately to the Phisitian Generall to be drest who unfortunately missed his mortall wound discovering onely a bruise on the same side beneath it and therefore concludes he is out of danger upon this they bring him to Woonston a village 5 miles from Winchester where his Troope lately quartered here after he had drunke a posset and warm'd himselfe a while he desires to lye downe and rest a bed is prepared and he lyes downe immediately falling to sleepe which considered together with the courage he supported his mortall wounds made us confident he was out of danger his being so hearty and no sighs or groanes to be perceived as generally in dying men He was no sooner awake but he began to question how farre we were from the enemy what time a night it was and what was become of our Army and after falls into a formall discourse wherein he dispatcht some particular things concerning himselfe which because they were private I omit which done he lyes downe againe and said the conceit of our men running away did more trouble him by farre then his wounds and though others were hardly induced to beleeve it both now and before he expressed in a mild manner that his life was neare a period and conjured me by all the love and respect I ought him to certifie his Deare Mother that he died with a quiet conscience and a resigned mind hoping likewise that she would not take his death with too much heavinesse but rather rejoyce that she had a son to shed his bloud for his Soveraigne A truly Christian and Heroicall speech which though but short comprised the very Elixar of true fortitude loyalty and piety After this he prayes making an excellent act of perfect resignation saying O my Lord and God out of thy infinite goodnesse have mercy upon mee who cast my selfe into thy blessed hands heartily wishing that thy divine will may be performed in mee whilst he was thus like the Swan singing so sweet a dying Ode with eloquence scarce usuall in his life time his carriage is made ready to take him from danger imminent to a place of more security and so to Oxford if it were possible He notwithstanding his deadly wounds comes down staires on foote ascends the carriage with that stoutnesse as hardly hath beene seene in a dying man all the symptomes of paine you could perceive in him was sometimes he would bite his nether lip when his pangs with most extremity came upon him When we drew neere Andover he began to say his senses being a little astonished Good my Lord let us charge up againe let us charge them once againe and the day is ours As soone as we entred the towne he began to invoke the sacred name of Jesus often repeating it with a soft voyce as if he had taken taken a gust and sweetnesse in the divine vertue of it Shortly after over against the signe of the Angel in a mild and sweet repose he expired where it would have grieved the hardest heart to have seene him round enclosed with sundry Gentlemen condoling with teares the untimely end of so Peerlesse a Gentleman Thus alas you have seene how this Worthy of our Age one of the prime flowers in our English Garden is cut off in his youth at the age of scarce thirty yeares who seeing he was arriv'd to such an eminent excellence in so short a time what might we have expected from him had he attained but a mans age His body at Oxfora is entertained with exceeding griefe both to Court and City whilst his buriall is preparing at the Colledge of All-Soules in the Chancell his body is exposed to the peoples view whither a great number of all sorts resorted some to view his wounds and many to behold the man of whom fame had proclaimed so great things and for whom now there was so universall lamentation The next day being the first of April in the afternoone were his Funerall rites solemnized with as much ceremony as the shortnesse of time and meanes of preparation for one of his quality would permit The manner whereof was briefly thus First three Trumpets with black Scarfes went sounding very dolefully before next his Horse whereon he was slaine was led by a Page and covered in black to the ground upon which were placed his Escucheons of Armes Then two Heralds went carrying his Sword and Spurres the Corps were carried by Gentlemen of his owne Troope whilst the Pall set with Escucheons was supported by the Earles of Cleveland and Rivers the Lord Herbert of Ragland and the Lord John Somerset his brother Six Colonels on each side the Corps three carried his Armes Then followed the Right Honourable the Lord Carington as principall mourner accompanied by the Earle of Lindsey Lord Great Chamberlaine of England and the Earles of Northampton and Dover from persons of that degree an extraordinary respect with divers others of the Nobility after these came all the chiefe Commanders of Horse and Foot then in Oxford with a multitude of other Gentlemen In this solemne manner proceeded they to Christ-Church and in the South-east corner of the Chappell on the Southside of the Quire was the body of this renowned and gallant Souldier deposited at the head of the late Viscount Grandison Where after the Office of buriall was performed this following expression in honour of his memory was made by Somerset Herald THus it hath pleased Almighty God to take out of this transitory life unto his divine mercy the valiant and most worthy Gentleman Sir JOHNSMITH Knight descended of the ancient Family of Carington from Sir Michael Carington Standard bearer to King RICHARD the first in the Holy-land who for his signall valour in rescuing His Majesties Banner Royall in the Battaile of Keinton after it was possest by the Rebels at that time received the Honour of Knighthood from His Majesty in the field and since in sundry other Battailes against the Rebels hath given singular testimony of his loyalty and valour especially in that memorable Battaile of Bramdean on Friday last the 29 of March where having received severall wounds in pursuite of victory he dyed of them the day following at And over and here in Oxford is now interred God save the King Here lies our noble Heroe whose memory exacts both from his Family and our Nation a Monument to adorn his triumphant ashes which I doubt not but either of them will performe rather then suffer the least staine of so great neglect or ingratitude rest upon them In the meane time will I make bold to inscribe an Epitaph upon this living monument which I now erect unto him His Epitaph Immortalitati Sacrum SUspend your teares whilst I declare Whose ashes here enshrined are This Tombe

daunted when they saw our young Champion had laid their Mechanicke Leader upon the ground and still bestowed his strokes so freely on all that he came neere that the rest judged it better to give ground then to come in reach of his sword Their retreat was so sudden and confused that much of their Plunder was left behind where our noble youth happens upon a Cloak-bag full of Silver plate His eminent service this day procured him speciall thanks from the chiefe of the City but the other side were so enraged against him that they vowed to hew him in pieces and to that end laid wait every way to compasse him By this time an Army comes to punish the offenders and settle the City our young Souldier glad of this opportunity seconded with the necessity of avoiding the peoples fury bids his books farewell layes by his gowne and takes his sword in hand repairing to the Campe where he puts himselfe into a posture fit for a gentleman of his birth under an expert Commander and behav'd himselfe with that gallantry as purchased him love and admiration from all that knew him You have seene his introduction to Martiall attempts was both fortunate and gallant where you may observe that this noble spirit in his first enterprize shew'd a naturall aversion from base and vulgar actions and that he disdained to accommodate himselfe to Popular humors choosing rather to suffer shipwrack with the nobler sort then to stand idle and let them perish if his endeavour might the least conduce to their safety It was not long after he had entred the schoole of Mars but he had occasion given to make tryall of his wit as well as fortitude for a Party of their Horse attempted to beat up the enemies Quarters and at the first entered the place where out of inconsideration and desire of Pillage they made a way to their owne ruine by dismounting for the enemy finding a way to gather a head and call more aid came and surprized the dispersed Souldiers Our Heroike youth had still discreetly kept on Horsebacke and prevailed with some few more to doe the like which had all escaped had not the enemy strangly circumvented them They seeing no hope of escape left resolved to force a way by meere strength In this attempt he leading the way was knockt off his Horse with such a violence that quite astonished him the enemy gave him for dead he falling prostrate on his face Wherefore they busied themselves in searching for and pursuing the rest making sure of him at leisure At last recovering his spirits and memory considering how he came there he lyes still for a while till hearing the streets quiet he lookt about very circumspectly and discovers all cleare with a Stable open over against him furnished with Horses ready sadled He takes hold of the oportunity and goes in chooses one of the prime Horses commanding the boy there not to dare to speake till he was gone as he tendred his owne life After he is out he puts spurs to his Horse which with such celerity conveyed him thence that he escapt his pursuers and unhurt past by divers that met him When he arrived at the Army divers of the chiefe Commanders were full of joy to see him whose fall but even now they did generally there condole The Generall himselfe did praise his ingenuity and courage giving him one hundred pieces for the Horse he brought away This put a second vigour into him both encouraging and enabling him to continue in his present courses his successe doth animate him and his reward gives life to his encouragement He continues with singular respect and love amongst the Commanders and Souldiers most of the later proposing him as an example to themselves At last some accident or other happens which calls him into England his departure is very unpleasing to that Army nor can he get away without engagement of his honour for his speedy returne By this time his same is growne eminent and his friends began to relish his courses which makes his welcome of a better temper then before for now they did honour those excellencies in him which so prosperously began to flourish He had scarce taken time to visit his friends after his arrivall but his promise calls him backe and thither also he is already by Letter invited the imployment was so gratefull unto him that to his friends he makes a necessity of vertue and tells them he had engaged his honour for his returne under this pretence he bids them farewell and immediately repaires to his former service in the Netherlands where he serves in the Lieutenant Generalls owne Troope whose favourite he was preferred in esteeme before the rest I am sorry that I am not able to give account of sundry of his actions deserving memory performed in this time divers of which I have heard related though now I cannot call them to mind One thing I cannot omit to wit the taking of a signall Colour in a memorable Fight in those parts wherein the honour of the adverse Army was much engaged And here I may take occasion to expresse his modesty in my judgement very singular for in the gaining of those Colours he having slaine the man that carried them another takes them up when they were downe whom the enemies assaile in such manner that there had that party died had not our English Gallant rescued both him and the Colours This ungratefull man out of too much vanity claymes the reward for the action and such was this young gentlemans modesty that he resign'd it and as much as in him lay the honour of the act unto him This and such like gained him an extraordinary portion of honour and esteeme amongst all but especially endeared him to his Generall insomuch that he seeks occasion to displace his owne Captaine-Lieutenant thereby to make way for his advancement to that place Which when our gallant perceives with anger he expresses his dislike of it and absolutely refuses the offer But still seeing his Generall promoting the businesse and privately urging it with a modest indignation he protests that he will not build on anothers ruine and therefore quits the service Here you may behold an eminent effect of that true nobility which inhabited his generous brest and how much he disdained to tread upon anothers head for his owne advancement Immediately after this the Scottish Tumults began at home whereupon an honourable invitation concurring with his owne naturall inclination to that service he makes for England choosing rather to serve his owne Soveraigne then any forraigne Prince This was unwelcome newes to the Belgian Army that he should now forsake that Field where his Laurell began so happily to flourish But he will by no meanes be any longer detained from doing service to his owne Lord and Soveraigne therefore requesting them in this respect to dispence with him he takes his leave There never went thence a young Gentleman more beloved or of

whose losse the Souldiers were more sensible When he was gone long time and often was he a subject of their discourse one praised his incomparable valour another his diligence a third his obedience and modesty a fourth his courtesie and truly noble nature in fine they generally concluded that he was a prime ornament to our whole Nation nay some chiefe men amongst them did by Letters confesse they did emulate England in the possession of him By this time is our young Picolhomini arrived in England for that sirname the Netherlands had already honoured him withall he begins his Cōmand under that noble and valiant Knight Sir John Digby whose Lieutenant he was in which place he carried himselfe so worthily that no ones gallantry in that service was more famous then his of which he gave singular evidence in the Fight at Newburne At which time his Captaines captivity gave him occasion for his release shortly after to make triall both of his valour and discretion in a very remarkeable manner Douglas Sheriffe of Tividale whilst the Scottish Army lay heavy upon the North of England adventured with a party of about four score Horse to plunder a House in those parts called Stapleford belonging to Master Pudsey a Gentleman of quality Who as soone as they are arrived finds meanes to bring intelligence to His Majesties Army where Lieutenant Smith seeing few upon the newes shew any great alacrity or forwardnesse to undertake his rescue proffers himselfe to take it upon him angry as it were to see so little commiseration or resolution in many others who were more concerned in it then he Being authorized to go he selects a small party of Horse of a farre lesse number then many judged requisite for his undertaking thereby to make his enterprize more honourable calling along with him two or three Trumpets besides his owne meaning to make that discreet use of them which shortly followers This done he sets forward towards the place where he arrives with that privacy that disposing all his Trumpets but one on severall sides of the House he comes upon the Centry at unawares and cleaves him downe thorow head-piece and all then commands the Trumpet he had reserved to sound a charge which all the other did second with great amazement to the Scots who thinking themselves to be besieged on all sides could not resolve whether it were better to fight or retreit either of which they might well have done had they knowne how few their assailants were In this confusion an old woman of the House found meanes to let them in at a doore unguarded where being entred they killed sixteen in the place and the rest of the Souldiers with Douglas their Commander surrendred themselves to the mercy of this prudent and valiant Gentleman who led them captive to His Majesties Army rejoycing that he had got one wherewith to release his Captaine which by exchange was immediately performed This was the onely action redounding to His Majesties honour and the credit of our Nation performed in all that service For our owne Army was then so confounded with Faction and consequently exposed to treachery that we prospered in nothing we then undertooke What honour and fame he gained by this I need not expresse for there are few I presume in this Kingdome that are ignorant of it every one praising and admiring so much discretion and so brave a spirit in a gentleman so young Not long after our Royall Soveraigne out of His tender compassion to both the Nations and His unwillingnesse to engage them in a Civill Warre finds meanes to close up the breach betweene them though not without prejudice to His owne Royall Prerogative Now our brave Souldier betakes himselfe to a retired life in his Mothers house at Ashby Folvile in Leicestershire not ayming at any further voyage for he prudently foresaw that the former fire though now covered with ashes of a pacification would shortly breake out into a greater flame then before And was but a preamble to this horrid and unnaturall Rebellion which now sufficiently appeares in its owne shape He said he knew evidently that though the Scots had obtained their wishes yet the Faction who invited them to what they did were as little satisfied as over and consequently their unruly spirits could not long containe themselves out of action but shortly would endeavour to set the Kingdome on fire He in the interim contented himselfe with this retirement being by reason of this expectation unwilling to take any Command abroad His Majesty was pleased in respect of his eminent carriage in the last action to offer to make him a Knight Baronet as a princely reward and encouragement for his further progresse in these Heroike courses He considering himselfe to be the youngest of foure brothers that his revenewes did nothing agree with the maintenance of such a Title and believing that honour on those conditions would be but a meere burthen unto him modesty refused it contenting himselfe with his former condition which action doth cleare him from all aspersion of vanity This interim he bestowed in so good a manner that he acquired singular love and respect from all that conversed with him His conversation was so sweet and affable and his excesses so rare that most men in a Souldier admired that temperance and courtesie This time he neglected not frequently to read and study books of Military Discipline and instruction but those selected and of the choycest sort to these he added Histories seeking to extract thence in short time by Theory what many yeares practise would hardly afford him He did well discover the ignorance of such as are onely trained up in the sehoole of practise under a few yeares experience and confest that a meere practicall knowledge could not make a perfect Souldier and that practis● ought neither to march in obstinate blindnesse without speculatives of historicall knowledge and examples nor these againe without practise but that both of them should be respected as necessary parts to make a compleat Souldier Long time passed not before the unhappy actors in this present tragedy forgetfull of the honour of our Nation their duty to their Soveraigne or love to their Country bring to light this unnaturall and ugly monster of Rebellion and Civill Warre not respecting their owne happinesse in the calme of a happy peace or felicity in a King of that excellent temper for all perfections belonging to a good Prince that hardly ever did Britannia's Diadem crowne the temples of his equall This suddenly growes to that height and infolence that it was out of His Majesties power to suppresse it seeing himselfe on a suddain deprived of all His Armes Ships Forts and necessaries for Warre But soone he is brought to that exigent that either Himselfe His Queene and Royall Progeny with the whole Kingdome must be ruined or else he must endeavour to oppose himselfe by all possible meanes to hinder its further progresse To this end he casts himselfe