The day the King went from White-Hall to Theobalds and so to Royston the King sent for all the Judges his Lords and Servants encircling him where kneeling down in the midst of them he used these very words My Lords the Judges It is lately come to my hearing that you have now in examination a businesse of poysoning Lord in what a most miserable condition shall this Kingdom be the onely famous Nation for hospitality in the World if our Tables should become such a snare as none could eate without danger of life and that Italian custom should be introduced amongst us Therefore my Lords I charge you as you will answer it at that great and dreadfull day of Judgement that you examin it strictly without favour affection or partiality and if you shall spare any guilty of this crime Gods curse light upon you and your posterity And if I spare any that are found guilty Gods curse light on me and my posterity for ever But how this dreadfull thunder-Curse or imprecation was performed shall be shewed hereafter and I pray God the effect be not felt amongst us even at this day as it hath been I fear on that vertuous Lady Elizabeth and her children for God treasures up such imprecations and deprecations and poures them out when a Nation least dreams even when they cry peace peace to their souls and it may wel be at this time our other sins concurring that he is pouring them out upon King Judges and the whole State It appeares how unwilling the King was to ruin Somerset a creature of his owne making But immedicabile vulnus Ense rescinâ—endum est Grace was offered by the King had he had grace to have apprehended it The King with this took his farewell for a time of London and was accompanyed with Somerset to Royston where no sooner he brought him but instantly tooke his leave little imagining what viper lay amongst the hearbs nor must I forget to let you know how perfect the King was in the art of dissimulation or to give it his own phrase King-craft The Earle of Somerset to his apprehension never parted from him with more seeming affection then at this time when intentionally the King had so exposed him to Cookes dressing that hee knew Somerset should never see him more and had you seen that seeming affection as the Author himself did you would rather have beleeved he was in his rising then setting The Earl when he kissed his hand the King hung about his neck slabboring his cheeks saying for Gods sake when shall I see thee againe On my soule I shall neither eate nor sleep untill you come again the Earl told him on Monday this being on the Friday for Gods sake let me said the King shall I shall I Then lolled about his neck then for Gods sake give thy Lady this kisse for me in the same manner at the stayres head at the midle of the staires and at the stayres foot the Earle was not in his Coach when the King used these very words in the hearing of four servants of whom one was Somersets great creature and of the Bed-chamber who reported it instantly to the Author of this History I shall never see his face more I appeale therefore to the Reader whether this Motto of Qui nescit dissimulare nescit regnare was not as well performed in this passage as his Beati pacifici in the whole course of his life and his love to the latter made him to bee beaten with his own weapon in the other by all Princes and States that had to doe with him But before Somersets approach to London his Countesse was apprehended at his arrivall himselfe and the King being that night at supper said to Sir Thomas Monson My Lord cheife Justice hath sent for you he asked the King when hee should waite on him again who replyed you may come when you can And as in the story of Byron and many others there have been many foolish observations as presage so was there in this Gentleman who was the Kings Mr. Faulconer and in truth such an one as no Prince in Christendom had for what Flights other Princes had he would excell them for his Master in which one was at the Kite The French sending over his Faulconers to shew that sport his Master Faulconer lay long here but could not kill one Kite ours being more magnanimous then the French Kite Sir Thomas Monson desired to have that flight in all exquisitnesse and to that end was at 1000l charge in Ger-Faulcons for that flight in all that charge he never had but one cast would performe it and those had killed nine Kites which were as many as they were put off unto not any one of them escaping Whereupon the Earle of Pembrooke with all the Lords desired the King but to walk out of Royston Townes end to see that Flight which was one of the most stateliest Flights of the world for the high mountee the King went unwillingly forth the Flight was shewed but the Kite went to such a mountee and the Hawke after her as all the field lost sight of Kite and Hawke and al and neither Kite nor Hawke were either seen or heard of to this present which made all the Court conjecture it a very ill omen So that you see the plot was so well laid as they could be all within the toyle at one instant not knowing of each other Now are in hold the Earle his Countesse Sir Thomas Monson Mris. Turner a very lewd and infamous woman of life Weston and Franklin with some others of lesse note of which one Simon a servant to Sir Thomas Monson who was imployed in carrying Ielly and Tart to the Tower who upon his examination for his pleasant answer was instantly dismissed My Lord told him Simon you have had a hand in this poysoning businesse He replyed no my good Lord I had but one finger in it which almost cost me my life and at the best cost me all my Hair and Nailes for the truth was Simon was somewhat liquorish and finding the syrrup swim from the top of a Tart as he carryed it he did with his finger scum it off and it was to be beleeved had he known what it had been hee would not have been his Taster at so deare a rate and that you may know Simons interest with that Family I shall tel you a story Sir Thomas Monson was a great lover of Musicke and had as good as England had especially for voyces and was at infinite charge in breeding some in Italy This Simon was an excellent Musician and did sing delicately but was a more generall Musician than ever the world had and in one kind he surpassed all He had a Catzo of an immense length and bignesse with this being his Tabor stick his palme of his hand his Tabor and his mouth his Pipe he would so imitate a Tabor and Pipe as if it had been so indeed To
Northampton though a great Clerke yet not a wise man but the grossest Flatterer of the World and as Salisbury by his Wit so this by his Flattery raised himselfe yet one great motive to the raising all of that Name of Howards was the Duke of Norfolke suffering for the Queene of Scots the Kings Mother yet did Suffolke so farre get the start of Northampton that Northampton never after loved him but from the teeth outwards only had so much discretion as not to fall to actuall enmity to the over-throw of both and the weakning that faction Suffolk also using him with all submissive respect not for any love but hope of gaining his great estate and sharing it amongst his Children but Northamptons distaste was such by his losse of the Treasurers place which he had with such assurance promised to himselfe in his thoughts that except what he gave to Master Henry Howard the rest he gave to the Earl of Arundell who by his observance but more especially by giving Northampton all his Estate if he never returned from travell had wrought himselfe so far into his affections that he doted on him And now the principall managers of the English affaires were Salisbury Suffolke Northampton Buckhurst Egerton Lord Keeper Worcester and the Old Admirall For the Scots Sir George Hewme now Earle of Dunbar Secretary Elfeston after Earle of Balmerino and as wise a man as was in England or Scotland the Lord of Kinlosse a very honest but weak man You are now to observe that Salisbury had shaken off all that were great with him and of his Faction in Queene Elizabeths dayes as Sir Walter Rawleigh Sir George Carew the Lord Grey the Lord Cobham the three first very able men as the world had the last but one degree from a foole yet served their turnes better then a wiser man by his greatnesse with the Queen for they would put him on any thing and make him tell any Lye with as great confidence as a truth Three of these were utterly ruined as you shall heare in the following Discourse the fourth being a very wise man contented himselfe with a meane place that was worthy of a much greater and although very active formerly called to minde this saying Foelix quem faciunt c. and medled with no State businesse his wisdome fore-telling his Fate if he had done otherwise for he did see one better head-peece then his owne sit tottering at that time and fell off afterwards which made him think it was good sleeping in a whole skin The King no sooner came to London but notice was taken of a rising Favourite the first Meteor of that nature appearing in our climate as the King cast his eye upon him for affection so did all the Courtiers to adore him his name was Mr. James Hay a Gentleman that lived long in France and some say of the Scottish Guard to that King this Gentleman comming over to meet the King and share with him in his new Conquest according to the Scots phrase it should seeme had some former acquaintance with the then Leiger Embassadour in Scotland for the French King who comming with his Majesty into England presented this Gentleman as a well accomplished Gentleman to the King in such an high commendation as engendered a liking that produced a favourite in thankfull acknowledgement whereof he did him many faire offices for the present and comming afterwards an extraordinary Embassadour to our King made him the most sumptuous Feast at Essex house that ever was seene before never equalled since in which was such plenty and Fish of that immensity brought out of Muscovia that Dishes were made to containe them no Dishes in all England before could neare hold them and after that a costly Voydee and after that a Maske of choyse Noble-men and Gentlemen and after that a most costly and magnificent Banquet the King Lords and all the prime Gentlemen then about London being invited thither Truly he was a most compleat and well accomplished Gentleman modest and Court-like and of so faire a demeanour as made him be generally beloved and for his wisdome I shall give you but one character for all Hee was ever great with all the Favourites of his time and although the King did often change yet he was semper idem with the King and Favourites and got by both for although Favourites had that exorbitant power over the King to make him grace and disgrace whom they pleased yet he was out of their power and the only exception to that generall rule and for his gettings it was more then almost all the Favourites of his time which appeared in those vast expences of all sorts and had not the bounty of his minde exceeded his gettings he might have left the greatest estate that ever our age or climate had heard of he was indeed made for a Courtier who wholly studied his Master and understood him better then any other He was imployed in very many of the most weighty Affaires and sent with the most stately Embassies of our times which he performed with that wisdome and magnificence that he seemed an honour to his King and Country For his carriage in State-affaires he was termed by some Princes the Kings Juggler He married the Daughter and Heire of the Lord Denny after the Earl of Northumberlands daughter and was hated of none that ever I heard of but the Earle of Northampton who had no patience to see him being himselfe of so venemous and cankred a disposition that indeed he hated all men of noble parts nor loved any but Flatterers like himselfe yet it was a great question whether he hated the Earl of Carlisle or Sir Robert Mansell most by whom he hath been heard to say Body of God I will be content to be damned perpetually in Hell to be revenged of that proud Welshman and did so hate him that he kept an Inquisition on him seven yeares to prove that he had cousened the King of fourteen thousand pounds which at the seven yeares end at an hearing before the King the Lords the Queen and all the Ladies being present with all the gallantry of the Court ended in one paire of silke Stockins given by one for a New-yeares Gift to Master Wels Sir Robert Mansells Servant at which the King stood up and sware very deeply Doe you beleeve I will take a paire of silke Stockins for my fourteen thousand pounds give me that give me that is this all the fruit of seven yeares Commission at which words Sir Robert Mansell kneeled downe and said I will now Sir take all the faults they can charge my servant with upon my selfe at which the King was very angry that so noble a Gentleman who had so wel acquitted himselfe and Honour should intrust it in the keeping of a Servant at the end of all the Earle of Salisbury kneeled down and said Sir if you will suffer malice so farre to prevaile as to have your
honest Servants traduced to satisfie the humours of any I beseech you take my staffe for were my selfe and the Earl of Worcester here present put in the ballance against Sir Robert Mansell we should prove too light I am in a great Place and cannot say but by my selfe or servants I may faile yet not with our own wils therefore Sir if you wil suffer such inquisitions there will be no serving your Majesty in such places as I hold by your Majesties favour thus ended the Earle of Northamptons malice which only served to honour Sir Robert Mansell and make a scorne of himselfe and this only to make the venome of this Monster appear who did flatter the King and dissemble with God And now begin Embassadours to appeare from divers Princes the principall were Roney Duke of Sullice from the French King the Constable of Castile from the Spanish King the Count Arremberg from the Arch Duke the former came to congratulate only and desired the confirmation of the ancient amity betwixt the two Crownes the latter two about the establishing a firme peace betwixt these two Kingdomes that had lived in perpetuall Warre and hatred of each other by which it might appeare where the advantage of such a peace would fall by those that sought or rather bought it with an infinite masse of treasure prodigally cast about the English Court To bring these Embassadours over were appointed Sir Robert Mansell being Admirall of the narrow Seas and Sir Jerome Turner his Vice-Admirall the first commanded to attend at Graveling for the Spanish Embassadour the latter at Calis for the French but the French comming first and hearing the Vice-Admirall was to attend him the Admirall the other in a scorne put himselfe in a Passage-boat of Calis came forth with flagge in top instantly Sir Jerome Turner sent to know of the Admirall what he should doe Sir Robert Mansell sent him word to shoot and sinke him if he would not take in the flag this as it made the flag bee pulled in so a great complaint and 't was beleeved it would have undone Sir Robert Mansell the French Faction pressing it so home but he maintained the act and was the better beloved of his Master ever after to his dying day This makes it appeare how jealous old Commanders were of their owne honour and of their Masters and Kingdomes honours which since hath been so prodigally wasted as we are utterly bankerupt having spent our old Stock and have not bravery enough to erect a new The Constable of Castile so plyed his Masters businesse in which he spared for no cost that he procured a peace so advantageous for Spaine and so disadvantageous for England that it and all Christendome have since both seen and felt the lamentable effects thereof There was not one Courtier of note that tasted not of Spaines bounty either in Gold or Jewels and among them not any in so large a proportion as the Countesse of Suffolke who shared in her Lords interest being then a potent man and in that interest which she had in being Mistris to that little great Secretary little in body and stature but great in wit and policy the sole manager of State affaires so it may be said she was a double sharer and in truth Audley-end that famous and great structure had its foundation of Spanish Gold The King was a peaceable and merciful Prince yet God for some secret intent best known to himself laid the foundation of his reigne with the greatest mortality ever before heard of in this Kingdome by a fearefull Plague and some by that judged what his future reign would be yet their wisdomes failed for he was a King of mercy as well as peace never cruell yet surely it had some morall He was forced by that contagion to leave the Metropolis and goe into a by corner in Wiltshire Wilton the Earle of Pembrookes House in which time of his abode there a kinde of Treason brake forth but what it was as no man could then tell so it is left with so dark a Comment that posterity will never understand the Text or remember any such treason it is true some lost their lives yet the world was never satisfied of the justice and one of them and that the only marke of Tyranny upon this good Kings reigne executed many yeares after without all president and on my conscience without any just cause and even against that good Kings will who in many things was over-awed by his timorous disposition But the Spanish Faction and Spanish Gold betrayed his life as they had done the Kingdome before and I beleeve it was one of the greatest Master-peeces of that Embassadour to purchase Rawleighs head yet had not Bristol co-operated the King would never have consented and it may be he had his secret ends fearing his wisdome might once againe have raised him to have looked over Sherborne Castle once his owne and how unjustly taken from him God will one day judge I know not whether there be a curse on those that are owners of it as Fables report but I am confident there is a curse on Bristol for taking away his life I will not take upon me too farre to pry into Gods Arke yet what is like to befall him and hath already his Son as hopefull a Gentleman as any in the Kingdome may give some token of Gods anger against him and his family But because I will not leave you altogether blinde-folded I shall as neare as I can lead you to the discovery of this Treason which consisted of Protestants Puritans Papists and of an Atheist a strange medley you will say to meet in one and the same Treason and keepe counsell which surely they did because they knew not of any the Protestants were the Lord Cobham and George Brook his Brother the one very learned and wise the other a most silly Lord the Puritan the Lord Grey of VVilton a very hopefull Gentleman blasted in the very Bud the Papists VVatson and Clarke Priests and Parham a Gentleman the Atheist Sir Walter Rawleigh then generally so beleeved though after brought by affliction the best School-Mistris to be and so dyed a most religious Gentleman This Treason was compounded of strange ingredients and more strange then true it was very true most of these were discontented to see Salisbury their old friend so high to trample on them that before had been his chiefe supporters and being ever of his faction now neglected and contemned it was then beleeved an errand trick of State to over-throw some and disable others knowing their strong abilities might otherwise live to over-throw Salisbury for they were intimate in all his secret Councels for the ruine of Essex especially Rawleigh Grey and Cobham though the latter was a foole yet had been very usefull to them as the Toole in the hand of the Workman and to have singled out these without some Priests which were Traytors by the Law had smelt
Kings Ships by Sir William Munson in whose passage a Dutch Man of Warre comming by that ship would not vaile as the manner was acknowledging by that our Soveraignty over the Sea Sir William Munson gave him a shot to instruct him in manners but instead of learning he taught him by returning another he acknowledged no such Soveraignty this was the very first indignity and affront ever offered to the Royall Ships of England which since have beene most frequent Sir William Monson desired my Lord of Hertford to goe into the Hold and hee would instruct him by stripes that refused to be taught by faire meanes but the Earl charged him on his Allegiance first to land him on whom he was appointed to attend so to his great regret he was forced to endure that indignity for which I have often heard him wish he had been hanged rather then live that unfortunate Commander of a Kings Ship to be Chronicled for the first that ever endured that affront although it was not in his power to have helped it yet by his favour it appeared but a copy of his countenance for it had been but hazarding hanging to have disobeyed my Lords Commandement and it had been infinite odds he had not beene hanged having to friend him the House of Suffolke nor would hee have been so sensible of it had he not been of the Spanish Faction and that a Dutch ship Now did those great Mannagers of the State of which Salisbury was chief after they had packed the Cards begin to deale the government of the Kingdome amongst themselves and perswaded the King to leave the State affaires to them and to betake himselfe to some Country recreations which they found him addicted unto for the City and businesse did not agree with him to that end purchased built and repaired at New-Market and Royston and this pleased the Kings humour well rather that he might enjoy his Favourite with more privacy then that he loved the sports then must Theobolds be in his owne possession as not fit for a King to be beholding to a Subject for an House of daily use but because the King had so much want of monies to expresse his love and bounty to his Native Nation Salisbury would exchange and take Land for his House and Parke in which exchange he made such an advantage that he sold his House for fifty yeares purchase and that so cunningly as hardly to be discerned but by a curious sight for he fleeted off the Creame of the Kings Mannours in many Counties not any two lying in any one County and made choyce of the most in the remotest Counties onely built his nest at Hatfield within the County where his Father had built his yet kept he still the house of Theobolds for he and his posterity were to be perpetuall Keepers of that House and many Parkes adjacent by this he not onely shewed his wisdome for his owne benefit but to the world what the Kings naturall disposition was to bee easily abused and would take counterfeit Coyn for currant payment And to fit the Kings humour and dissolve him in that delight he was most addicted to as well as to serve Salisburies owne ends and satisfie his revenge upon some neighbour Gentlemen that formerly would not sell him some convenient parcels of Land neighbouring on Theobalds he puts the King on enlarging the Parke walling and storing it with red Deere and I dare affirme with that worke the King was so well pleased and did more glory in then his Predecessors did in the conquest of France and as it was most true so an ill Omen that the King loved Beasts better then Men and took more delight in them and was more tender over the life of a Stag then of a Man yet this was the weaknesse of his judgement and poorenesse of his Spirit rather then any innate cruelty for he was not naturally cruel over lives though in displacing Officers which naturally he did beleeve was as glorious as to over-throw and conquer Kings But yet for all their setting their Cards and playing their Games to their owne advantages of getting much for themselves and friends there was one Knave in the Packe would crosse their designs and Trump in their way if he might not share with them in their winning that was one Lake a Clerke of the Signet after Secretary and after that turned out in disgrace and in truth was onely wise in the worlds opinion could swim being held up by the chin but at his fall all his weaknesses were discovered and that the world had been deceived in him I will instance in one particular amongst many that shall give you full assurance being in disgrace he gave two thousand pounds but to kisse the Kings hand beleeving that after that he might have accesse as formerly after he had paid his money he was never suffered to see the King more only jeered at by all the Court for his folly and went sneaking up and downe contemned of all men This Lake was a fellow of meane birth and meaner breeding being an under Servant to make Fires in Secretary Walsinghams chamber and there got some experience which afterwards in the Kings time made him appeare an able man which in the Queenes time when there was none in Court but men of eminencies made him an inconsiderable Fellow He had linked himselfe in with the Scotish Nation progging for Suits and helping them to fill their Purses as they did beleeve there was not so able a man in the Kingdome for in truth ever since Queene Elizabeths death the raysing money hath been the only way to raise men as being held the essentiall property of a wise man to know how to bring in money per fas aut nefas and amongst all the Scots he wholly applyed himselfe to those of the Bed-chamber and of nearest accesse to his Majesty For his good service of abusing his Country and Country-men he was made Clerke of the Signet to waite on the King in his Hunting journies and in these journies got all the Bils signed even for the greatest Lords all Packets being addressed to him so that even Salisbury and Northampton and the greatest Lords made Court to him by this meanes did he raise himselfe from a meane to a great fortune but so over-awed by his VVife that if hee did not what she commanded she would beate him and in truth his Wife was afterwards his over-throw besides he would tell Tales and let the King know the passages of Court and great men as who was Salisburies Mistris and governed all who governed Northampton and discovered their Bawdery which did infinitely please the Kings humour and in truth had so much craft as he served his turne upon all but was ingrossed by none but by the Bed-chamber who stuck so close to him that they could not yet remove him And now doe the English Faction seeing they could not sever the Scots from him endeavour to raise a mutiny
against the Scots that were his supporters their Agents divulging every where the Scots would get all and would begger the Kingdom the Scots on the other side complaine to the King they were so poore they under-went the by-word of beggerly Scots to which the King returned this answer as he had a very ready wit Content your selves I will shortly make the English as beggerly as you and so end that controversie this is as true as he truly performed it for however he enriched many in particular as Salisbury Suffolke Northampton Worcester Lake c. yet he did begger himself and the Nation in generall This also was inculcated into the eares of the Parliament when that great businesse about the union was in debate which was much crossed by that opinion if they had already impoverished the kingdome by the union they would bankerupt it But since you see by their owne valour and bravery of spirit they have made us begge a re-union with them and for ought we see all our happines is derived from their favours They that then lived at Court and were curious observers of every mans actions could have affirmed that Salisbury Suffolke and Northampton and their friends did get more then the whole Nation of Scotland Dunbar excepted for whatever others got they spent here only Dunbar laid a foundation of a great Family which did all revert into England againe with his Daughters marriage with the House of Suffolke so in truth all the water run to their Mills It is most true that many Scots did get much but not more with one hand then they spent with the other witnesse the Earle of Kelly Annandale c. nay that great Getter the Earle of Carlisle also and some private Gentlemen as Gideon Murrey John Achmoty James Baily John Gib and Bernard Lindley got some pretty estates not worthy either the naming or envying that old Servants should get some moderate estates to leave to posterity But 〈◊〉 and all the Scots in generall got scarce the Tythe of those English Getters that can be said did stick by them or their posterity besides Salisbury had one tricke to get the kernell and leave the Scots but the shell yet cast all the envie on them He would make them buy Bookes of Fee-farmes some one hundred pounds per annum some one hundred Markes and he would compound with them for a thousand pounds which they were willing to embrace because they were sure to have them passe without any controle or charge and one thousand pounds appeared to them that never saw ten pounds before an inexhaustible treasure then would Salisbury fill up this Booke with such prime Land as should be worth ten or twenty thousand pounds which was easie for him being Treasurer so to doe and by this meanes Salisbury inriched himselfe infinitely yet cast the envie on the Scots in whose names these Bookes appeared and are still upon Record to all posterity though Salisbury had the Honey they poore Gentlemen but part of the Wax Dunbar only had his Agents and could play his owne game which they durst not crosse so was the poore King and State cheated on all hands And now did a contention arise between the English and Scots about the election of a Favourite out of whether Nation he should come now was Montgomery in the wane being given more to his own pleasures then to observe the King so that alway the Earle of Carliste did invest him in his roome he as soon by his neglective carriage did devest himselfe yet was he ever in the Kings good opinion and one that he put more trust in at the time of his death then in all his other servants Then was there a young Gentleman Master Robert Carre who had his breeding in France and was newly returned from Travaile a Gentleman very handsome and well bred and one that was observed to spend his time in serious studies and did accompany himselfe with none but men of such eminencies as by whom hee might be bettered this Gentleman the Scots so wrought it that they got him into a Groomes place of the Bed-chamber and was very well pleasing to all he did more then any other Associate himself with Sir Thomas Overbury a man of excellent parts but those made him proud over-valuing himselfe and under-valuing others and was infected with a kinde of insolency with this Gentleman spent he most of his time and drew the eyes of the Court as well as the affection of his Master upon him yet very few but such as were the curious observers of those times could discerne the drawing of the Kings affection 〈◊〉 upon a Coronation day riding in with the Lord Dingwell to the Tilt-yard his horse fell with him and brake his legge he was instantly carried into Master Riders house at Charing-crosse and the newes as instantly carried to the King having little desire to behold the triumph but much desired to have it ended and no sooner ended but the King went instantly to visite him and after by his daily visiting and mourning over him taking all care for his speedy recovery made the day-breake of his glory appeare every Courtier now concluding him actually a favourite Lord how the great men flocked then to see him and to offer to his Shrine in such abundance that the King was forced to lay a restraint least it might retard his recovery by spending his spirits and to facilitate the cure care was taken for a choyce Dyet for himselfe and Chirurgions with his Attendants and no sooner recovered but a proclaimed Favourite Then the English Lords who formerly coveted an English Favourite and to that end the Countesse of Suffolke did looke out choyce young men whom she daily curled and perfuming their breaths left all hope and she her curling and perfuming all adoring this rising Sun every man striving to invest himselfe into this mans favour not sparing for bounty nor flattery which was not hard to be obtained being naturally more addicted to the English then to the Scotch in so much that he endeavoured to forget his native Country and his Fathers house having none of note about him but English and but one besides English in any familiarity with him which was Sir Robert Carre his Kins-man but above all was Sir Thomas Overbury his Pythias Then was the strife between Salisbury and Suffolke who shonld ingrosse him and make him their Monopoly each presenting proffering and accumulating favours upon Overburyes Kindred the Father made a Iudge in Wales and himselfe offered Offices but Overbury naturally of an insolent spirit which was elevated by being so intimate with a Favourite and wholly having ingrossed that commodity which could not be retayled but by him and his favour with a kind of scorn neglected their friendships yet made use of both Now was Carre Knighted and made Gentleman of the Bed-chamber and Overburies pride rose with the others honours still scorning the Chapmen as they did by their cheap offices
Alliance with so many great Princes put on him aspiring thoughts and so ambitious was he as not to content himselfe with his hereditary Patrimony of one of the greatest Princes in Germany but must aspire to a Kingdome beleeving that his great allyance would carry him through any enterprise or bring him off with honour in both which he failed being cast out of his owne Country with shame and he and his ever after living upon the devotion of other Princes but had his Father in Law spent halfe the mony in Swords he did in words for which he was but scorned it had kept him in his owne inheritance and saved much Christian blood since shed but whiles hee being wholly addicted to peace spent much treasure in sending costly Embassadours to treat his Enemies which he esteemed friends might have sent Armies with a lesse charge to conquer so that it may be concluded that this then thought the most happy Match in Christendome was the greatest unhappines to Christendome themselves and Posterity And as if to fore-tell the sad event presently after the Gallantry and triumphing of that Marriage the Kingdome was clad all in mourning for the sad obsequies of that most hopefull Prince Henry who dyed not without vehement suspicion of Poyson and I wish I could say but suspicion only but our future discourse will tell you otherwise He was only shewed to this Nation as the Land of Canaan was to Moses to look on not to enjoy wee did indeed joy in that happinesse we expected in him but God found us so unthankfull and tooke so lightly the death of that ever famous Queen Elizabeth as hee intended to make us an example of scorne now that were formerly of all glory His death was fore-told by one Bruce a most famous Astrologer of the Scottish Nation for which the Earle of Salisbury a great Statesman caused him to be banished who left this fare-well with the Earl that it should be too too true yet his Lordship should not live to see it the Earle dying in May the Prince in November following to the infinite griefe of all the Kingdome but the Earle of Somerset and Family of Howards who by his death thought themselves secured from all future dangers for he being a Prince of an open heart hating all basenesse would often say If ever he were King he would not leave one of that Family to pisse against a wall This brave Prince being dead Somerset and that Faction bare all downe before them disposing of all offices yet Somerset never turned any out as did the succeeding favourite but places being voyd he disposed of them and who would give most was the word yet not by Somerset himselfe but by his Lady and her Family for he was naturally of a noble disposition and it may be justly said of him that never could be said of any before or ever will be of any after him He never got suite for himselfe or friends that was burthensome to the Common-wealth no Monopolies no Impositions yet in his time and by his favour though not for his use were brought into the Court two meane fellowes grand Projectors the one Ingram an ordinary Waiter of the Customes the other Cranfield an Apprentice who had served three broken Citizens and it is probable by his wit and honesty he might thrive by them all and lay that for his first a foundation of his future projecting the one a creature of Northamptons the other of the house of Suffolke and these like ill birds defiled their owne nests and discovered the secrets of the Custom house yet their projects seemed for the Kings profit only though much water ran by his Mill and Suffolke did very well licke his owne fingers for Salisbury being dead Suffolke was Treasurer the proper place for Customs and his Son in Law Chamberlaine and Favourite and then what could not they two doe Yet Somerset ever kept them but like Projectors which after Favourites raised to the degrees of Nobility only Suffolke by Somersets power made Ingram a Cofferer of the Kings House which was the first apparent step to Somersets downfall for however the King made faire semblance to maintaine that Act yet made he the Earle of Kelly his instrument to set the Officers of his houshold to petition him against it and ever from the Kings owne directions to take their instructions in which one of the Principal given was not to seeke to Somerset upon any tearmes nay to deny to accept his favour though offered to disannul his owne act but to carry it with an high hand against Somerset by which assurance was given of prevailing Here was pretty jugling the Court being then but an Academy of Juglers Somerset did often Court the Officers to make him that Achilles his Weapon that could wound and heale againe but was entertained with sâ—orne yet ambition so dazled his eyes hee could not see the precipice on which he stood ready for his downfall for surely no Astrologers could have given him truer notions of his ruine then this Cranfield the other Projector soared higher though not in Somersets time could he have his feathers imped but Buckingham after did so impe them that Cranfield endeavoured to pull out his and gave him the first affront by this you may observe how the times altered from better to worse and so fittest for worthlesse men For now began to appeare a glimering of a new Favourite one Mr. George Villiers a younger Son by a second Venter of an ancient Knight in Leicestershire as I take it his Father of an ancient Family his Mother but of a meane and a waiting Gentle-woman whom the old man fell in love with and married by whom he had three sons all raised to the Nobility by meanes of their brother-Favourite this Gentleman was come also but newly from Travell and at that time did beleeve it a great fortune to marry a Daughter of Sir Roger Astons and in truth it was the heighth of his ambition and for that only end was an hanger on upon the Court the Gentlewoman loved him so well as could all his friends have made her for her great fortune but an hundred Markes Joynture she had married him presently in despight of all her friends and no question would have had him without any Joynture at all But as the Fates would have it before the closing up of this Match the King cast a glancing eye towards him which was easily perceived by such as observed their Princes humour and then the Match was laid aside some assuring him a greater Fortune was comming towards him Then one gave him his place of Cup-bearer that he might be in the Kings eye another sent to his Mercer and Taylor to put good Cloathes on him a third to his Sempster for curious Linnen and all as prefacive insinuations to obtaine Offices upon his future Rise then others tooke upon them to be his Bravoes to undertake his quarrels upon affronts
Cranfield that was the Projector and never could get higher then that title in Somersets time now marrying one of Buckinghams kindred attained one of the highest Titles in the Kingdome so that it was now generally said that for pride and basenesse these two greaâ— places were never so suited both of meane birth both proud only the one an excellent Scholler and of great parts the other nothing but a pack of ignorance sodered together with impudence to raise him besides his marriage in the lusty kindred This Cranfield was a fellow of so meane a condition as none but a poore spirited Nobility would have endured his perching on that high Tree of honour to the dishonour of the Nobility the disgrace of the Gentry and not long after to his owne dishonour who was thrust out of the Lords House with this censure that Thou Lionell Earle of Middlesex shalt never sit or have voice more in this House of Peeres and shalt pay for a fine to our Soveraigne Lord the King 20000. l. leaving him still to over-top the Gentry The Bishops kept him also from degrading which I doe verily beleeve is one cause the Gentry will degrade them The Spanish Match having been long in Treaty and it being suspected now that the Spaniard did juggle with the State in this as they formerly did in a Match with that brave Prince Henry and in truth in all other things wherein any negotiation had been only feeding the King with faire hopes and faire words yet foule deeds Whether the King suspected any such matter or any whimsey came in the braine of this great Favourite and Prince to imitate the old stories of the Knights Erland but agreed it was it should seeme between the Favourite and the Prince only no one other so much as dreaming of any such adventure except Cottington that the Prince must goe himselfe into Spaine away they went under the borrowed names of Jack and Tom Smith to the amazement of all wise men only accompanied with Cottington and some one or two more at most taking their way by France they had the Ports laid so that none should follow them or give any notice to the French Court till they might get the start c. yet their wisdomes made them adventure to stay in the French Court and looke on that Lady whom he after married and there did this Mars imitate one of Prince Arthurs Knights in seeking adventures through forraigne Princes territories First beheld this French beauty Mars vidit visamque cupit potiturque cupita as in our discourse will afterward appear from thence away to Spaine but as the Journey was only plotted by young heads so it was so childishly carried that they escaped the French Kings Curriers very narrowly but escape they did and arrived safely in Spaine their wished Port before either welcome or expected by our Embassadors or that State Yet now must the best face bee put on at all hands that put their Grandees to new shifts and our Embassadour the Earl of Bristoll to try his wit for at that time was Sir Walter Aston also Embassador at Spaine in all occurrences Aston complyed with the Prince and Duke Bristol ran counter and the Duke and Bristol hated each other mortally Bristol had the advantage of them there as having the much better head-peice and being more conversant and dear with that State wholly complying with them and surely had done them very acceptable services and in this very Treaty was of the pack Buckingham had the advantage of him in England although the King did now hate Buckingham yet was so awed that hee durst not discover it Then Buckingham had all interest in his Successor by this journy so that he laid a present and future foundation of his succeeding greatnesse For all his power and greatnesse Bristoll did not forbeare to put all scornes affronts and tricks on him and Buckingham lay so open as gave the other advantage enough by his lascivious carriage and miscarriage Amongst all his tricks hee playes one so cunningly that it cost him all the hair on his head and put him to the dyet for it should seem hee made court to Conde Olivares wife a very handsom Lady But it was so plotted betwixt the Lady her Husband and Bristol that instead of that beauty he had a notorious Sâ—ewsbird sent him and surely by reason of his said loose and vicious disposition had ever the Match been really intended for our Prince yet such a Companion or Guardian was enough to have made that wary Nation beleeve that hee had also been that way addicted and so have frustrated the Marriage that being a grave and sober people now especially when conversed with by such great forraign ghests but they wel observed the Prince himselfe to be of an extraordinary well staied temper But now many Lords flockt over and many Servants that he might appear the Prince of England and like himselfe though hee came thither like a private person many Treaties were sometimes hope sometimes dispair sometimes great assurance then all dasht againe and however his entertainment was as great as possible that State could afford yet was his addresses to and with the Lady such as rendred him meane and a private person rather then a Prince of that State that formerly had made Spaine feel the weight of their anger and power and was like a Servant not a Suitor for he never was admitted but to stand bare-head in her presence nor to talke with her but in a full audience with much company At last after many heats and cooles many hopes and despaires the Prince wrote a letter to his Father of a desperate despaire not only of not injoying his Lady but of never more returning with this passage You must now Sir look upon my Sister and her children forgetting ever you had such a Son and never thinking more of me Now the folly of this voyage plotted only by green heads began to appear many shewing much sorrow many smiling at their sollies and in truth glad in their hearts and however the King was a cunning dissembler and shewed much outward sorrow as he did for Prince Henryes death yet something was discerned which made his Court beleeve little greife came neare his heart for that hatred he bare to Buckingham long as being satiated with him and his adoring the rising Sunne not looking after the Sunne setting made the world beleeve hee would thinke it no ill bargaine to lose his Son so Buckingham might bee lost also for had he not been weary of Buckingham he would never have adventured him in such a journey all his Courtiers knew that very well And for a further illustration of his wearinesse of Buckingham It appeared in the Parliament before when the King gave so much way to his ruine that Buckingham challenged him that hee did seeke his ruine and being generally held as a lost man the King to make it appeare it was not so although as
purpose one Noy a very famous Lawyer as ever this Kingdome bred and formerly a great Patriot and the only searcher of Presidents for the Parliaments by which he grew so cunning as he understood all the shifts which former Kings had used to get monies with This man the King sends for tels him he wil make him his Attorney Noy like a true Cynick as he was for that time went away not returning to the King so much as the civility of a Thankes nor indeed was it worth his thankes I am sure he was not worthy of ours For after the Court sollicitings had bewitched him to become the Kings he grew the most hatefull man that ever lived And it s to me a wonder that this Parliament of Wonders doth not enact a Law that his very name should never more be in this Kingdome he having been as great a Deluge to this Realme as the Flood was to the whole World for he swept away all our Priviledges and in truth hath been the cause of all these miseries this kingdome hath since been ingulphed whether you consider our Religion he being a great Papist if not an Atheist and the protector of all Papists and the raiser of them up unto that boldnesse they were now growne unto who formerly had some moderation or if you consider our Estates and Liberties they were impoverished and enthralled by multitudes of projects and illegall wayes this Monster was the sole Author of all But first now because there must be some great man as a Captaine Projector to lead some on and hearten others to follow Sir George Goring leads up the March and Dance with the Monopolie of Tobacco and Licensing of Tavernes setting some up where and as many as he pleased and this done by a Seale appendicular to an Office erected by him for that purpose as if authorised by a Law besides all this hee hath Pensions out of the pretermitted Customs insomuch as I have heard it most credibly reported that his Revenue was 9000. l. per annum all of these kindes and for this peece of good service he was made a Lord and Privy Councellour to countenance his traine of Projectors the better Then did Weston enhance the Customes and laid new and heavyer impositions on all things exported or imported with such unconscionable rates upon Tobacco that millions of pounds of it lay rotting in the Custome-house the Merchants refusing to pay the Custome besides losse of all other charges for the Tobacco it selfe In short there was not any thing almost that any man did eate drinke or weare or had in his house from forraigne parts or scarce any domesticke commodities exempted but he paid as it were an Excise for it yea at last even Cards and Dice escaped not but they were monopolized by a great Councellour the Lord Cottington yea to keep their hands in ure they got Patents for the very Rags Marrow-bones Guts and such like Excrements as were thought of no use but to be cast on the Dunghils and he was held the bravest Common-wealths man that could bring in the most money yet the Kings private Purse or publick Treasury little or nothing bettered but to impoverish and vex the Subject and to no other end for which he was ordinarily rewarded with honour This good service the quite contrary way did Weston and Noy doe for the King and I beleeve you shall see God reward them and their posterity for the one like a Jonas Gourd sprang up suddenly from a beggerly estate to much Honour and great Fortunes will shortly wither the other his Son and Heire was killed in France presently after his death and when both are dead let their names and memory rot and be extinct from the face of the earth Now doth Buckingham provide for another forraigne Enterprise but carried so close I could never learne what it was nor did any wise men much inquire after it assuring themselves that such counsells could produce no better effects than those former In the beginning yea even at the very entrance thereunto he did so stinke in the Nostrils of God and Man that God made one Felton his Instrument to take such a Monster as he was indeed from his longer domineering amongst men by a blow as fearefull as strange after which he had not time to say Lord have mercy on him a just judgement on him that forsooke God to seeke to the Devill by Witches and Sorcerers in his life one whereof was Doctor Lamb who was his great defensitive preserver as he thought him whose fate it was to be brained by a Shoo-makers Last when he least look'd for it the other was stabb'd the next morning after that night he had caused a Fellow to be hanged not suffering him to have that nights respite after his sentence and offence what ere it was to repent him of his sins with this vow he would neither eate nor drinke untill he see him dye God in requitall of his mercilesse cruelty would neither suffer him to eate nor drinke before he dyed by that dismall stroake of a poore tenpenny knife of the said Feltons setting home Thus neare alike in time and manner were these two hellish Agents Catastrophees And now is set that great Sun or rather portendous Comet from whose influences all the Officers and Ministers had by reflexion their life and heat After his death the very name of a Favourite dyed with him none singly engrossing the Kings eare and favour but a regular motion was set to all Officers as appertained to their severall places as to the Arch-Bishop the mannagement and chiefe super-intendency of the Church to the Lord Treasurer the Exchequer and the Customs to the Lords Keepers of the Great and Privie Seales what belonged to equity to the Judges what belonged to Law so that one would have thought all things now went so just and equall and in their proper Channell as none but might now expect from that new and better government halcyon dayes But it far'd farre otherwise God being angry at the Nations sins the generall juggling of the State was one and a great one all those procedures being but in appearance righteous nothing really so but like the Apples of Sodome faire in shew rotten and corrupt within For now instead of the late but one Favourite every great Officer and Lord of the Councell proved a very Tyrant and it appeared that not their vertues but the former Favourites power only did restraine them from being so for that falling together with himselfe as you have heard and they left to their owne Arbitrary power you would verily have beleeved that Hell had been broke loose And to make good that Metaphor one of the Councell being told by a Gentleman that the country was much troubled at a certaine great grievance replyed Doth that trouble them by God there are seaven worse Devills to be shortly let out amongst them And in sober sadnesse they all might truly have undergone the name of