you shall haue an hundred load of stones fall at once from the rocke into the sea and almost batter the fence in peeces which in the fearefull report and sudden viewing by a new commer must needs be troublesome and indeed surmounteth any place of Sauoy or the Alps. Thus much for Sauoy whose eldest sonne is now called Prince of Piemont hauing his court a part from the Dukes palace with a small guard of Switzers and liueth in reasonable eminence knowing his father to bee an absolute Prince himselfe a nephew to Spaine neerly allied to the house of Austria As for the Dukes iealousie of the power of the Clergy and the Spanish encroachments I am resolued like a smoothering fire it will one day burst foorth into flames of despight and did he not rather feare France as a neere neighbour and more dangerous aduersary he would peraduenture attempt further into Italy in despight of Spaines ouer-watching But because it is a thanklesse labour to gleane the fields of other folkes haruest and that you haue whole volumes of the Spanish French Low-Countries Hungary Venice Portugall and Turkish affaires I will entermeddle no further onely I must speake a little concerning Millane and so leaue Italy betweene the straights of her owne pleasures at home and suspicion of forraine intrusion abroad CHAP. XIII The Story of MILLANE ABout the yeere 1492. the Realme of Naples reuolting Rhene Duke of Loraine was sent for by the Pope to be inuested King which was the first motiue for the French to be admitted into the attractiue delights of Italy For when many hands had as it were torn a peeces the peace of this Countrey it seemed a charitable and meritorious worke to contriue an establishment and redacting it to vniformity which the Controller of Kingdomes at that time I meane the Pope determined by this course had not the very next yeere his minde receiued a further perturbation For this Pope was a Spanyard by the name of Roderick Borgia or Alexander the sixt whom the Venetians and Duke of Millane beeing an vsurper at that time established in the Papacy because they might bee assisted from him in all their demands Whereupon the Duke by the name of Lodwick Sforza and an vnkle surprizeth the Cittadle of Millane insinuated into the loue of the principall nobility and confederated with many Princes of Italy to corroborate his new gotten greatnesse All this yet hindred not the next iourney of Charles the eighth King of France who now pretending a very right to Naples and Sicilia with much adoe was incited to passe the Alps and take his pleasure in these plenteous fields in which that his walkes might be the more smooth hee condescended to certaine articles with this Vsurper Lodwick much about the time that Iohn the true Duke of Millane died leauing behinde him one son and daughter in whose minority Lodwick as hee had before wrested the gouernment now assumeth the title had not his forwardnesse beene somewhat intercepted by this French visitation whereupon he perswaded the Venetians who of themselues were suspicious enough when they saw the French Kings glorious entrance into Florence to some interposition and so both Millane and Venice grew iealous of King Charles his proceedings which yet could not bee so cunningly trauersed but hee was made acquainted with their vnconstancy and held his peace till a fitter opportunity For now he was to make his pompous entrance into Rome where the wals both of the City and the Castle St. Angelo fell downe miraculously before him By which occasion as if the sword of Iehu should kill the Priests of Baal is prognosticated that by the hand of France the enormities of the Church and the monstrous abuses of the Clergy should be winnowed and throughly fanned but it should seeme there was a tricke of preuention put vpon him and the name of an Emperour taught him another way to acknowledge the Popes fauour For 1495. about the 12. of May he enters Naples in an Imperiall habit as Emperor of Constantinople by the Popes grant and confirmation but he had not possessed it fiue months before there was a generall reuolt concluded against him as at the same instant Millane had done with Lodwick whereupon the King somewhat fearefull of an Italian receipt or other strange surprizals returnes the next yeere home againe with purpose to renew the warre and reintegrate his former losses but the Cardinall of St. Malo hindred it at that instant had not the Princes of Italy perceiuing how the Venctian and Millenois triumphed for the departure of the French incensed the King againe to punish them both 1497. which was also interceded against by his brother the Duke of Orleance who disclaimed in his owne name or person to disturb the peace of Millane yet had not sufficient authority to diuert the Kings designes and so the warres of Italy were renewed Now is Lodwick perplexed indeede and compelled to prostrate himselfe before the Couchant Lyon of Venice and lower then the same vseth so his submission that the noble beast enclineth to succour him yet in such a manner as Israel assisted Iuda against Assyria being fearefull of extirpation her selfe but as soon as the publike enemy was departed the emulation at one anothers greatnesse drew whole armies into the field so playd Simeon Eleazer and Ichoconon with the Romans when their ciuill mutinies barracadoed the streets with heaps of slaughtered carkasses and filled the channels with the spilt-out bloud of murthered men For Millane is now iealous of Florence Florence of Millane both of Venice Venice of both and all three of the French yet Charles goes on and leauing garrison almost ouer all Italy returnes home againe but at his castle of Amboyse dies of an Apoplexy 1498. after hee had vnfortunately strucke his head against a low doore going to see a set at tennis Lewis the 12. then succeeded and not onely claimed the Dutchy of Millane iure millitari but takes vpon him the stile by right of succession and a property of inheritance as resolued to maintaine what his father had gotten and so gloriously purchased to which he is adiuted by all the supportation wherein Pope Alexander could animate him who to raise vp his bastard sonne Caesar Borgia to a Princely throne in Italie ioyneth with King Lewis in his enterprizes and so contriueth the matter that Millane mutinies against Lodwick Sforza and submits vnto the French with Cremona and Genes All this while is Lewis at Lyons but who will not run to carry so great a King glad tydings so that he is quickly aduertized of the fortunate proceedings of his army and as quickly trauels ouer the Alps beating the way of Mount Sinese entring Millane in triumph and left for Gouernour Philip Lord of Rauestine and Baptista Fregose his Lieutenant The castle was yet protected with the guard of 3000. men and committed to the loyalty of Bernardine of Corte borne in Pauia who by his good beginning gaue life
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
to their opinion which supposed it impregnable and not to be taken by force But what men cannot in the Lyons they compasse with the Foxes skin and thus farre deride both the strength of souldiers and pride of fortifications that where the minde may be corrupted vpon any tearmes of disloyalty neither wals ramparts nor manhood can preuent the power and deceit of bribery This appeared in the disposition or Bernardine and Philip of Fresques whom the cunning of Triuulce and the disbursing 20000. crownes quickly diuerted from their first resolutions and made a breach in the Citadle without mine or battery Thus was the French possessed of this Duchy without competition or diffidence and Lewis the 12 made his royall entry accordingly But marke the vicissitude of all things Millane reuolts againe and Sforza recouers all as easily as he lost it in which busines the Swisses proued very disloyall to the French and the lookers on were amazed to behold fortune proud of inconstancy so that this vse may be raised thereby How euer men satisfie ambition for the time yet are they certaine of nothing vnder the sunne Againe when by indirect courses designes are concluded they must stand the better on their guard and prepare their patience when any alteration startleth resolution thus fared it with Millane againe For as you see a glooing heat in Aprill changed on the sodaine to bitter blasts and cloudy tempests so was Sforzas iollity reuersed himselfe surprized taken and caried prisoner to Lions where denied the benefit of a princely execution and resolued nothing can be so acceptable to a man in misery as a noble death worthy the name of a Romane hee dies at once whether for griefe or great heart it matters not yet doth the King of France pardon Millane and at last keeps all in quiet But the warres of Naples are renewed 1501. and the kingdome is diuided betweene France and Aragon so that great alteration happens in Italy and within two yeeres there is a generall ouerthrow of the French with the taking of the Castle at Naples by the Spaniard yet is not Beniamin discomfited but calleth his brethren together and with more setled courages reintegrate their estates and so the French make head againe attending the good hower of a better prosperity About this time in August died Pope Alexander the sixt of poyson which he had prepared for the Cardinals but his taster by mistaking the flagons tooke away both his life and the pride of his expectation concerning Caesar Borgias glory or his further desires to set the fuell of Italy on a blaze After him to stint the strife of many Nations expecting the Papacie old Francis Piccolamini Cardinall of Sienna was chosen Pope by the name of Pius the third in memory of Pius the second his Vnkle who made him Cardinall but a yong man must prepare himselfe to dye and an old man cannot liue long so he continues scarce a moneth leauing his roome and the glory of all Rome to the Cardinall of S. Pierre who was made Pope by the name of Iulius the second 1504. in which yeere Naples wrested her head out of the French coller and seemed more glad to be supported by Arragon nor was this sufficient but vpon a supposition to extinguish the light of the lamps of France in Italy a new league 1511. was corroborated by the vnstedfast Italians against the French which when the King perceiued and that he coniectured how his barke must bee driuen to dangerous streits by the vncertaine windes of alteration he transported his Court and Councell from Florence to Millane and from Millane to Lions determining to weary them with tedious iournies and attendance so is Italy perplexed and the Nobles repine without remedy till at last the Emperor Maximilian spreadeth the wings of the Aegle and clocketh the Princes of Italy vnder her sides whereupon with the help of the Spaniard called the holy league warre is made against Lewis and the Duchy of Millane recouered againe to the vse of Maximilian Sforza grand-childe to Lodwick who was inuested Duke by the Cardinall of Sion about the end of December yet by the Swizzes assistance and loyalty the Castles of Millane and Cremona hold still for the French and the imbers are not so extinguished but fire appeares and yeeldeth this comfort that if they moderately proceed a greater heat and more quickning light may be made In the midst of which convulsions of Italy Pope Iulius dies and Iohn Cardinall of Medices succeeded him by the title of Leo the 10. whereby a second truce was ratified betweene Lewis of France and the King of Arragon so that Lewis made great benefit of this interim and cessation confederating with the Venetians by whose assistance he brought a royall Armie into the Duchy of Millane but the Pope hauing sent 40000 ducats amongst the Switzers quickly weighed downe their former stedfastnes and so when Millane and Cremona was stored with them they were corrupted to be traitors to their first masters and accordingly against all expectation with an odious reuolt encountred the French in as cheerefull a manner as euer before they had entertained the crownes of the sunne against the Italians so that ere the yeere went about the Castles of Millane and Cremona returne to the obedience of the Duke and King Lewis held nothing in Italy but the lanterne of Genes which afterward the Genouais razed to the ground both to preuent the occasion of future tyranizing ouer them and to manifest their inveterate malice against the flower-de-luce though it glistered neuer so gloriously in an azure field Now dyes Lewis 1514. but corruptio vnius generatio alterius For Francis the first suruiues and renewes the warres of Italy passing the Alpes the yeere following and surpassing considering his Royall Armie into the Duchy of Millane against the Emperor Arrogonians Sforza and the Switzers contract a league and aduance a strength to shoulder the new French King from any firmenes nay if it may be footing in Italy but like a Cedar of Libanus he standeth vpright enduring the shaking of these tempestuous stormes and so proceedeth to a warlike tryall whereby the 13 of September in a gallant encounter at Marignan he preuaileth against the Switzers besiegeth the new Duke Maximilian Sforza in Millane and coadiuted by the Duke of Burbon wrested this composition that Maximilian shall bee the Kings pentioner in France and the Switzers to depart with bagg and baggage Thus are the French once againe welcommed into the pleasures of Lombardy and Francis the first is Lord of this vnquiet Duchy which now is detained with a seeming securitie because the Pope applauded the successe and according to the superstition of those times and policie of temporizing blessed the royall standard of Valoies But about the 20 of Iune 1519. the Emperor Maximilian paies his tribute of life to the first enlarger of breath and Charles of Austria competitor with the King of France is preferred by the name
augment the wealth and reputation of the same nay the best of their Caesars haue beene affrighted at the fulmination of a tyrannous Pope and seduced with the imposturing cunning of deceiuing Priests and a corrupted religion nor could they goe with the wise King to view his nauies visit his cities fortifie the townes erect store-houses or come neere the six steps of golde on Salomons throne which was most apparant euen the other day in one of their glorious Princes from whom the house of Austria hath taken such firme rooting that it hopes to spred so largely and so high that no daring hand shall presume to lop a bough or breake off a principall stem I meane Charles the fift who for all his seeming corroborated mightinesse quickly lost the loue of the Princes and for want of ceremonies maintaining the glory of a King was euen scorned of Pesants The story is breefly thus Vpon the report of the losse of his gallies at Argier he had a purpose to re-enforce his nauy and as the Poet sayes saepe premente Deo fert Deus alter opem to hope that as one misfortune had ouerclowded the faire shining sunne of his glory another happy winde would ouer-blow the threatning storme and make a serene element which caused him to come into Italy for his better and speedier passage either at Ligorn or Genoa but entring into Millane a leane olde man in a blacke cape cloake the people thronging to see a glorious Emperour or at least some magnificent shew and pompous ceremonie they were so daunted to be thus frustrated and in a manner scorned to bee so disesteemed that they neither gaue him a Viue le Roy nor scarse opened a window to looke toward him nay more when hee set forward for Spaine indeede there scarse went a voluntary Gentle-man with him and the very Waggoners put their thumbs betweene their fingers in contempt of his troopes which is as disgracious a thing in Italy both amongst themselues and against strangers as either the lie in France or Beco to the Gentle-man of Venice whereat hee tooke such a conceit that he neuer returned into Italy or Germany againe howeuer some would impute it vnto his greefe for not preuailing against the Mahumetans or deuotion as desiring to giue ouer the world and not be entangled any further with disaduantagious encombrances And thus you see why Germany cannot match our example especially as the Eagle flies now with broken wings and bruized sides CHAP. XII ITALY compared SHall wee venture ouer the Alps and the gulph of Venice into Italy and search either the Appenine hils the fields of Campania the garden of the world called Lombardy the territories of Rome or attractiue Naples for an instance of greatnesse and happinesse which may come neere the example I must not now dispute what it was in the flourishing times of Augustus and other Emperors sweetning contentment with the delicates of riches and pleasure till God sent strange and cruell Physicians to purge them for their surfetting in gormandize and wantonnesse I meane the Goths and Vandalls nor will take vpon mee to presage what it might be if some diuine power would gather her plights together and make it one handsome and magnificent garment for a sole soueraigne but shew her as she is now loose vnlaced and hath her ornaments dilacerated and euen rent from her sides and shoulders Alas it is far worse with them then it was with the Israelites in the time of the Iudges when euery man did what hee listed and hauing no King as if they had beene embracers of the Tanist law in Ireland ranne like sheep without a shepheard and through the presumption of their owne forces wrested the enheritance from the true heires But more properly I may resemble them to the Anarchies of Greece who through emulation at one anothers greatnesse and credit in the world kept true prosperity indeed from a noble race and happy thriuing amongst them For as in ciuill warres while diuers factions fight one by one all are in the end subdued whereas if they did vnite themselues with a stubborne holding together they might peraduenture hazard and propulse the greatest strength and raised forces against them So in the plenties of peace and flourishes of happinesse the best portion diuided into many parts will quickly bee spent and a flowing riuer hath not that brauery when it is cut out into small brookes as in his owne streame running in a deep and fashionable channell Againe as in noble families when the mannour houses capitall messuages and populous Lordships descend to one immediate heire the dignity honour of the same is more and more vpheld whereas if they were diuided amongst many sonnes the glory would soone bee extinguished and strength of the first firmnesse rebated So fareth it with Italy the very blessings affoorded by nature are disioynted and the diuiding it into Principates hath also deuided her fortunes and former credit of rauishing beauty For in one corner rules the Spanyard at another end encrocheth the Sauoyan on this side the Venetian keepeth all in awe on that the Hetrurian Duke maintaineth a iurisdiction heere the Church with the contraries of blessing and cursing locketh vp St. Peters Patrimony as the Pope himselfe in the castle of St. Angelo there many petty Princes are iealous of forraine trecheries and howeuer they doe maligne the common enemy yet can they not agree amongst themselues but repine with an emulous hate against one another But would I could vnite them together and set vp the wals of Rome placing her seuen hils in such an order that the city might boast of twenty mile compasse and the gouernment lift vp a head as in Daniels visions Or that I might in a yeere of Iubile settle you vnder the wings of the Angell on the top of the palace and shew you the Consistory of Cardinals the triumphs of a Popes inauguration his stately carrying on mens shoulders his triple crowne and such like ostentous and pompous ceremonies with all the glorious celebrations of the other Princes either at their owne elections or entertainment of forraine Ambassadours yet would all this come farre short of our example For the very prouision of Salomons palace would exhaust the countrey consume the commodities and like a barren ground drinking vp the raine deuoure the plenty of the land and pull in peeces their best compacted husbandry of which wee haue had many instances in former times when Italy suffered diuers famines and want of corne so that if Aegypt had not beene a store-house and garner of graine to let in a supplyment as it were an vnlookt for way the people had perished for lacke of food and the countrey beene wasted for want of husband-men and tillage Againe say they could drinke in vessels of golde wherein yet I finde them very sparing and that they determined to expose the glory of some ambitious triumph Wherewith should their cups ouerflow considering
Countrey of Canaan as it was in the time of his prosperity and administration CHAP. XIV FRAVNCE compared with a discouery of her defects BVt what thinke you of France saies some iudicious Traueller is not your iourny now almost at an end and will not your searches be satisfied with the goodliest Kingdome of the world The answere shall not be a peremptory contradiction nor derogate from the merit of the least worth or vertue yet are they traduced for many defects and I beleeue will fall vnder our example howsoeuer I am sure it dares not abide the touch in the triall For setting the wisedome of Salomon aside whereof Fraunce could seldome make ostentation the Queene of Saba commended the obedience of the Princes the sitting of his seruants the ordering of the palace the furnishing of the tables the prouision for the houshold and the glory of his throne not so much for outward maiesty of the structure and princely magnificense in his attendants as the aduised care ouer his subiects and impartiall determining of controuersies In Fraunce the Princes contest with the King the Clergie affront the Princes the Gentrey murmure against the Clergie the Pages mocke the Gentlemen the Citizens complaine of the Pages and all sorts of people are proud of nothing but slouenlines familiarity and disorder so that with much adoe the Mechanicall man stands bare to the King and the Nobles sit at meate as Carriers in an hostery without any reuerence with vnmannerly noise with impudent snatching the dishes from the table by the Seruitors and confused trouble of commers and goers whereby a vild custome hauing got the vpper hand the maiesty of the Court and Kingdome is much depressed which otherwise redacted to an vniformity might indeede augment the glory of Europe The Kingdome of IVDEA and gouernment of CANAAN as soone as euer obedience had set in a foote amongst them admired the wisedome of their women as well as admitted the policy of the men and in no sort debarred the daughters neither from the princely throne nor fathers inheritances when the sonnes were extinct and the line failed in the males which all men know whose consciences are opened with the key of vnderstanding Gods truth For the daughters of Zelophaad came before Iosua and had their portion with the rest of the Tribes But in Fraunce the Law salicke debarreth the woman from her lawfull inheritance out of a wilfull position that the Flower-deluce may not go to the distaffe which I wonder at the rather because we haue such forcible instances both in Scripture and many other worthy Nations to the contrary For to enlarge our protasis a litle In the swelling fulnesse of the greatest and longest lasting Monarchy of the world I meane the Assyrians Sâ—…iramis raigned sole Empresse aboue 20. yeares When the Persians beganne to shrinke in their estimation the Kingdomes of Saca Sogdiana and Bactriana were subiect to Tamira and Tolmilanda two famous Queenes The barbarous Scithians admitted of Tomiris for their Soueraigne and how she conquered Cyrus a worthy Historiographer hath enlarged In Canaan Debora iudged Israell and Athalia was Queene of Ierusalem When Salomon had aduanced both the Temple and Palace Saba came as Empresse of Aethiopia vnto him and in the time of the Apostles Candauce gouerned the same Countrey When Caesar presaged his owne fortunes Cleopatra was sole Queene of Egipt and some write that Dido ouer-ruled Carthage and Africke In Bohemia euen of late daies Libussa and Velasca obtained the Diadem and when they supposed themselues seated in firmenesse they gathered a company of Ladies and vpon a light credulity that the story of the Amazons was to be beleeued would haue erected such a foolish Common-wealth Amongst our selues before the conquest we had a Gueudoline Queene of Brittaine a Cordelia Vaodicea and some other and since two Daughters of HENRY the 8. Amongst whom ELIZABETH was such a Prince that forrane report hath established her for the Miracle of all ages howeuer some of our selues haue beene too sparing in her admiration and enlarging her greatnesse In Italy we remember two Queenes of Naples who haue done such actions in the world that they will be remembred in despight of obliuion In Hungary the history of diuers Queenes hath startled euen men of resolution to be ashamed of their pusillanimity and incited diuers heroike persons to worthy imitation I might name the Queene of Cyprus taken out of the Monastery at Venice and so inuested with the Diadem which at last she laid prostrate before the feete of the Senate and they protected the same till a stronger arme wrested it out of their tuition Whereby I cannot but wonder that neither example nor precept can preuaile with them considering in all kingdomes with all sexes and at all times such inhibitions to debarre the right of kingdomes from the true and indubitate successors did not passe without the scandall of intrusion tyrannie and wrong Besides according to the Satyre Dum vitant stulti vitia in contraria currunt from an inconuenience as they suppose they haue fallen into a mischiefe and if I would vse it by way of personating whereas in submitting to diuine appointment in such cases they might please both God and man in ouer-ruling the truth they haue made their preposterous dealing ridiculous to all the world For howeuer they deny their owne naturall daughters this prerogatiue by a contrary fashion they admit of stranger women to bee more imperious ouer them as by the two late Queene mother Regents and both Italians of the house of Medices is made apparant by lamentable experience what the one contriued and how like a firebrand she had like to haue set all Fraunce on a blase the History is pregnant and the Legend of the Cardinall of Loraine composed by that true hearted Frenchman Francis de Lisle a man of honour is most apparant how the other is suspected is now no newes But to the rest Salomon made diuers nauies went in person to view his shippes had great custome from his Merchants loued and maintained good Marriners and pilots contracted leagues with forraine Princes making the confirmation of them honourable and performed all good offices that tended to the expatiating his glory France wanteth shipping is carelesse of nauigation raiseth few Saylors seldome attempteth voiages or discoueries and hath many times incurred the imputation of perfidious breach of faith vnder that diabolicall position fides non est conseruanda cum Haereticis as also that iesuiticall doctrine of equiuocation witnesse their horrible massacres the imprisoning the Princes of the bloud their tragicall warre the inhumane murther of the Admirall the Guisian pride and the terror Francis the third was put into when he was put into the Lovure Salomon had that good order and obedience in his townes and cities that he knew his cities of store his cities of traphique his cities of fortification his cities of refuge and his cities of composition But in
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
of Carolus Quintus inheritor of Spaine with so many titles besides that the Harolds were troubled in the proclaiming them and the stile was tedious to be divulged Betweene these two great Princes so many grudges increased and stimulatory causes of enmitie appeared that at last open defiances proclaimed an vnappeased warre and the trumpets of Bellona ecchoed nothing but disturbance in the fields of Europe especially after the Pope declares himselfe against France and by way of prophesie fore-telleth the ruine of the French gouernment in Italy adding withall some ominous signes of calamitie to ensue and casting vp an vntoward reckning in this manner That on S. Peters day at sunne-set a lightning fell on the great tower of the Castle of Millane and ouerthrew 6 fathomes of the curtaine on either side consumed 250000 weight of powder 1200 fire-pots salt for 5 yeeres and buried in the rubbish Richbowrg Captaine of the Castle with 300 Gentlemen of account vpon which aduantage the 23 of Nouember the Marquis of Pescarra with his Spanish bands the Marquis of Mantua the Cardinall of Medices and all the Emperors and Popes confederates come to Millane and once againe recouer it sacking the Towne which continued 15 daies in which time the Pope dying a new Pope called Adrian the sixt who was Cardinall of S. Sixtus was elected and admitted Sforza into Millane had not the French the yeere following attempted to recouer their losses besieged Millane againe tooke Nouarra and presumed to establish themselues more strongly which questionles they had done but that the Venetians forsaking them made the matter somewhat difficult and left the Army staggering like a tree almost tormented with the cruelty of many strokes and waueth in the winde ready to fall with the next violence At last the fatall stroke is giuen indeede mischeeues throng on one another so hastily that the French 1522 are expelled Italy so farre from hoping to augment their glories that they are in despaire to recouer their owne formerly possessed For presently the Castle of Millane yeelded to the conqueror the garrison was quickly dispersed or rather consumed with sicknesse the Spaniard insulted the Italians trembled and in a word all the French particeans were eaten out with hunger diseases and mutinies Thus was Francis Sforza invested in the Duchy of Millane and a generall league betweene the Millanoies Emperor and Venetians concluded but for all this successe of the confederates with the addition of the Duke of Burbons reuolt to the Emperor the French Armie continues in Italy and the Admirall with new forces breatheth out new malice against Millane besieging the towne battering the Citadle and trampling their best fields to durt in which times Pope Adrian dyes and Iulius Cardinall of Medices is chosen by the name of Clement the 7. who to insinuate with the Emperor beginneth a strange worke and by the way of conniuencie permitteth him to vsurpe Millane for himselfe whereupon all the Princes of Italy are terrified indeed and not only repine against the Popes proceeding but goe the plaine way to worke seeking by force of armes to propulse the Spaniard wherein the better to preuaile 1524 the French are recalled againe and by the glorious titles of Protectors of Millane the Marquis of Salust and Tremouile admitted for the French But at the last the 25 of February the fatall battaile of Pauy determined all controuersies and the Emperor triumphed in the captiuitie of the King of France which occasioned a very dissolution of the French gouernment in Italy as inforced to disclaime their interest both in the kingdome of Naples and Duchy of Millane Notwithstanding Francis Sforza is in no securitie of his estate as suspecting the Emperors demand of 1200000 ducats for his expences and that he intended a plaine vsurpation of the whole Duchie whereupon disabled by force to suppresse him he flies to the succour of his wits and tampers with the Marquis of Pescara for the inuesture of the royall mantle of Naples vpon condition to endeuour the spanish expulsion out of Millane which designe and proiect the Pope and other Princes not onely allow but as principall agents are imployed in the negotiation but the Emperor Charles is incensed and taking notice of these treasons as he now entitleth them raised vp the dust that made Sforza blinde and thus punisheth him as chiefe delinquent On the 24 of Iuly 1526. he brings his Armie to the siege of Millane and with Caesars speedinesse of Veni vidi vici circumspecteth the Citie obtaineth the conquest and settles the Duke of Burbon in the Duchy nor is his anger so moderated but seeing the father of charitie durst transgresse his owne principles he marcheth to Rome and sacketh it expulsing the Pope not in admonitory manner or after the discipline of the Church to excommunicate him ad coertionem but with violence and terror to torment him ad ruinam teaching him a new lesson of obseruing Emperors and Kings and as farre as time had discouered to his conscience shewing apparant signes of disanulling his authoritie in temporall affaires nor desisteth he so but vnderstanding of new releefe from the French and Lansguents he hurrieth about with a full resolution to make due end of all Thus endured this Duchy all the plagues depending on a miserable warre till at last 1530. the children of France are released and a peace ratified betweene the Emperor and the French King who in the articles of agreement surrendred his claime to all these territories in Italy and the Emperor is proud hee hath so easie a passage into the countrey which although seemed much distasting to the Princes and was as thornes in the sides of the Clergy as appeared amongst the Cardinals when they were enforced to ratifie the same yet was the Emperor carelesse of their displeasure and proceeded in what iourney he listed in despight of the Papacie onely with a colourable show of commiseration he restored Sforza to the Duchy of Millane but kept the Castles of Cremona and it in his hands so that presently after his death it was incorporated to the crowne of Spaine and hath euer since looked with the eyes of ielousie and repining vpon all their Gouernors CHAP. XIV The description of FRANCE THE flourishing kingdom of France euer since that Charles the great did as it were spread the wings of the Cherubins ouer sanctum sanctorum and ratified the glory of the Pope of Rome by expelling the Gothes and Vandalls out of Italy was knowne by the characters of the Christian King and eldest sonne of the mother Church But long before it suffred a diuision into Cisalpinam and Transalpinam Transalpinam againe into Celticam Belgicam and Acquitanicam whereby the best parts of Lombardy the low Countries and all on this side the Rhene westward marched vnder the standard of France and was proud to be registred in the booke of her accounts so that whatsoeuer hath bin since disioynted from this French frame may be