THe French King ( who for his singular wisedome deserueth to be reckoned a second Solomon , and inuincible fortitude an other Sampson ) hauing drawen his forces downe into Picardie , presented his armes before the town of Noyan , & begirt the same , where hauing continued the siege some few dayes , no daye frée from some hard skirmish , hot incounter , or daungerous assault , the losse for the most part falling on the enemies , whereby the said towne was in ieopardie to haue reuolted ( which was practised by some ) to the King his part , in so much they stoode on tearmes of yeelding , but that they had some small hope of succour , and supply of victualles to be sent them from Roan for the conuoying whereof ( as they vnderstoode ) should bée sent Mounsier Tauanas late commaunder of Roan , whose forses consisted of 400. Horse , and 5000. footemen euery way well fitted for such a seruice , carrying mindes resolutely determined ( as appeared by the insuing conflict ) by some sudden surprise to haue raised the siege , yea and indaungered the Kinges owne person , if God ( who hath promised to defend his seruant Iosua , that is his faithfull magistrates , & bring the counsailes of the wicked to naught ) had not by straunge meanes miraculously discouered their malicious treacherie , making his verie enimies his willing friendes at such an exigent . For Monsier Iean de Primadian , Registerer to the Bishoppe of Roan priuie to their intentions , although ( as they tearme him ) a Catholique , yet mooued in conscience to crosse by what meanes possible hée could any wicked action , or attempt that might touch the safetie of the King his soueraigne person , manifested by letters the day before , the whole plot of treason intended toward his Maiestie . Whereupon the King no lesse desirous to take the opportunitie , then carefull to preuent the euil , immediatly that night commaunded a Cornet of horse , conducted by a braue French Captaine to discouer the Enimie , who by the breake of day approched the walles of Roan , where estsoones they had spied issuing forth , the foresaid companies in martch toward Noyan , whereupon they presently retired , till by some meanes , and in some conuenient place for the purpose happily they might charge them , or at the least discry their determinations : therof to certify his Maiesty , which ( as God would ) they performed luckely : for hauing ambushe themselues in the skirt of a wood , on the sudden charged the enimies vauncurriers , ledde by a hardie gentleman ( as it seemed . ) For notwithstanding our sudden charging them ( which was done to the proofe , ) whereby they were well nigh discomfited , and that the said leader hardly escaped himselfe , with some few in his companie by his retreate , yet loth to receiue so great a wound to his reputation , as to be mated , or rather vanquished by so small a troupe , as was ours , seconded the rest of his followers , yet fighting : but though he performed resolutely his part therein , yet was it his fortune to be taken hardly with life , by one Mayster Thomas Robartes an English gentleman , the rest were all chased and taken prisoners , euen at the front of the enimies battalious , with little losse on our side , to the number of some 23. men , hurt , taken , and slaine : But the foresaid Prisoner being with expedition conuaied to the King , confirmed all that before by letters his maiestie had intelligence of , and disclosed also , what wayes , and meanes they had layd downe to surprise his Maiesties forces . The K. supposing it not necessarie to suffer them make their approach in sight of Noyan , forthwith consulted to incounter them further of , sending foorth scoutes to barre the newes of their comming from the towne , determining himselfe to follow ( as he might ) with part of his armie ( for hée thought it altogether troublesome , and vnméete to dislodge the whole . ) And in regarde of the resolute English ( for so hée tearmeth them ) whom he ment most to imploy in this seruice , of whom also he had good experience , for such like seruices heretofore by them performed , his Maiestie decrees to vse the fewer of his owne Nation , and therefore sending secretly for his approued champion Sir Roger Williams , imparted vnto him both what had bin performed , as also his intention : of which the redoubted Cheualier was verie ioyful , & as forward as valiant , greedily thirsted for the incounter , & thought euery minute an hower , til they were marching . All things being put in readines for the iourney , suddenly the espialles returned with newes of the enemies approach , and their order : which Sir Roger Williams vnderstanding , euer like himselfe , and hauing now ( as he thought ) found a danger equall to his heart ) which heart through his good fortune hath gotten a courage to despise al dangers ) earnestly desired his Maiestie doo him the honour of the first incounter , in regarde of the safetie of his Maiesties owne person ; which the King through intreatie graunted .

This request obtayned , and our Vauncurriers in view of the Enemie , worde was brought the King thereof , and being ( as God would ) in a place situate by nature for the purpose , his Maiestie caused a squadr on of pikes to march forward strongly armed , and in the Reregard of them vndiscouered certaine companies of Musquetters on the left side , in manner of an ambush ( yet as a wing to the mayne Squadron ) was Sir Roger Williams , and with him certaine Cornets of horse , and some companies of Musquetters , to second those of ours , that the Enemie had sight of , and were now readie to incounter : on the right wing was the King with most of the horse in the fielde , as well shot as other , somewhat behinde Sir Roger lying also in ambuscado , to answere the hope of the other , if néede required : But in such sort ▪ as when occasion was offered , the sayd Horsmen with those of Sir Roger Williams , answered his Maiesties expectation , and suddenly pursuing the opportunitie ( while 300. of their horse were charging our mayne Battaile , ( which strongly indured the shock ) inclosed the Enemie , and happily at the first incounter , being hotly maintained , discomfited them , and very vigorously pursued the victorie , which ( by the omnipotent power of GOD especially , and triumphant valour of the English ) being gotten , as hauing chased , and slaughtered them almost the space of two leagues , the retreict sounded , the dead were ouerlooked , and prisoners numbred : The dead were many , and captiues some fewe , all for the most part men of name , worth raunsoming , amongst whome was the Generall himselfe , Monsieur Tauanas Leiutenant of Roan , sore hurt , and likewise his Nephew Commaunder of the Fort of S. Katharins taken prisoner : which glorie was renownedly atchieued on all parts the 27. day of Iuly , Anno Domini 1591. The Lord the giuer of victorie bee praysed therefore .

This one thing remayneth yet in this report vntouched , which I cannot any way omit , and all true hearted Englishmen may bée ioyfull to record . For the French King both in this pettie battaile , and at all times els , perceiuing the hearts of the English readie prest to doo him seruice , and their haughtie mindes prompt to attempt any graund enterprise , ( whereby either glorie , or gaine may he purchased ) as also the swift forwardnes , and forward swiftnes of his Eagle Sir Roger Williams , to soare ouer and detallant the Martiall foes of so Martiall a field , his Maiestie well noting it , and in noting it scanning what was best to bee done , called them before him , where yéelding first his royall Sister , and them all immortall and most heartie thankes for their paynefull , and no lesse powerfull seruice , vttered many gracious words to the euerlasting commendation of all England . Thus farre concerning this heroicall Stratagem , and wonderfull , and no lesse worthie exployte , effected by the flower of Chiualrie , and mirrour of Curtesie the French King now raigning .

Newes is also brought to the French Ledger of the taking of 16. Ships of the Leaguers without any perill , all well laden with commodious Marchandize , and prouision for warre , right against and nigh the Hauen of Deepe the 28. day of Iuly last past , which were fraught for Roan , ( some say for Newhauen ) but by diuine prouidence brought thether . The mightie GOD of Israel neuer send vs worse newes .

Newes also from the Dukedome of Sauoy , how Monsieur de Eguidiers Gouernour of his Maiesties Forces in those parts , incountred the troupes of horse , that were sent into France by the Pope towards the strengthning of the Leaguers , and ouerthrewe foure hundred of them a little belowe the Alpes ; the rest miserably escaping by flight , the 28. day of Iuly also : Some say the remnaut is returned into Italie : others that they yet houer and liuger in the Countrey . But howsoeuer it be , it is to be hoped they shall haue as infortunate successe , as they haue had hetherto : no other reason I can assigne thereof , but this , that God now in these letter times vouchsafeth to bring things to speedie euen ▪ there by to hasten the comming of his Sonne to iudgement , for that hee hath promised to shorten those dayes ; and we knowe by all accompts that they are both likely to bee shortened , and drawe to an ende . For who doubteth but as that butcherly Citie , ( Rome I meane ) and bloudie Nation was first founded in bloud , ( the one Brother bathing his hands in the bloud of the other ) so shee shall ende in bloud and abominable desolation , as her stiffenecked Sister Ierusalem did before her . And to beleeue this I am so much the rather incited , because I both heare and see daily by the omnipotent power , and out-stretched arme of GOD , that both that Citie , that Kingdome , and all the friends and adherents of the same , doo come to perpetuall ruine , and vtter destruction , as is now exemplifled by the noble Rebels , and rebellious Nobles of France : for who estéemeth that euer the Duke de Mayne , or those noble personages , that irreligiously resist their God , and proudly rebell against their Soueraigne , could haue béen brought to so extreame miserie , and grieuous calamitie , as to flye from Citie to Citie , from Coast to Coast , from Countrey to Countrey , and finde no safetie , eyther in inward Conscience , or outward conuersation , if they were not euen those , on whom God predestinated to powre his dreadfull and execrable vengeance , permitting them like castaway Cayne , no place of safegard , but to become runnagates ouer all the fare of the earth .

A second reason also forcible enough I haue to perswade me , that euen now the kingdome of Antichrist is falling , and shortly ( the Lorde of hostes knowes how soone ) will fall , for that another piller of his chayre , or rather a mayne proppe of his pauili●●… begins to shrink , his golden Metropolis ( Spaine I meane ) who hauing now many hundred yeares maintained his Religion , fostred his sucklings , panipred his shauelings , defended his Inquisition , and furthered his proceedings , in part ●●●●●ereth and is wearie of hir burden , a burden in deede no lesse burden some , then combersome both to bodie and soule . For within these fewe dayes , not a moneth sithence , variance hapning betweene the chiefe Masters of the Inquisition , and the Kings Arch-secretarie , Sarogosa , a citie of Aragon ( wherin the saide Secretarie was borne ( began to take armes against the Inquisition , and approoue unexpected , and vntrue positions ( as they tearmed them ) contrarie to their Decretalls , their Doctours , their Diuines , and diuells . A Kingdome ( saith our Sauiour ) deuided in itselfe , cannot stand : certes then the kingdome of Sathan deuided , must needes be ruinated : for as by concord small things come to perfection : so by discorde the greatest powers , puissantes , and principalities , that euer haue béen in the Worlde , bend to destruction . Weigh the state of the 4. Monarchies both flourishing and declining , the cause of their establishment , and originall of their decaye , and yee shall finde concord a meane to the one , and discord a mother of the other : bath bringing foorth strange effects . But to come nigher , what was the first cause of planting the Gospell ( for which so many haue , and yet spend their dearest bloud in France ) but their first supplanting of common quiet , their vnspeakeable butcheries , horrible martyrdonies , and execrable massakers , all doubtles begon , and practised by the sufferance of God to none other end , but to raise vp fresh feedes , and nourish the increase of the Gospell , calling home thousands of soules elected to his kingdome . This did France , and wee are daily to hope , and howerly to pray for the like of Spayne : The Lord open their eyes to discerne white from black , light from darkenes , truth from errour in due time according to his good will and pleasure .

But leauing Spayne , let vs returne agayne to France , from wherlie euery day ( the Lord for his merries sake increase it ) are heard blissefull and most happie notes , his Maiesties affayres successiuely prospering an all sides . For sithence the departine of our Souldiers from London , which was on the 23. 24. 25. and 26. dayes of Iuly last , vnto this 12. of August , besides the Newes already set downe , many matters of great importance haue chaunced , the veritie whereof ( for that I cannot attayne , and learne the circumstances directly ) I passe them ouer in silence , onely of this passell insuing , I haue receiued credible information , that on the sixt day of this moneth , being the 16. after their computation at Bloys , his Maiesties Forces all met , and royally co-united themselues together , at what time the braue worthies and warlike Gallants of Germany appearing on horsebacke in Martiall order , euery one throughly furnished with all habiliments necessarie , were first welcomed by his Maiestie , and entertayned of the Campe with a peale of ordinance ioyfully . But whereas in the letter ( from whence I coppied out this Newes ) all his Forces be named , and yet no mention made of the English , I suppose hée meant it by the forces of the Almaygnes onely , and those his own subiects that were sent out of Brytain to ioyne with his Maiesties hoast there , and none otherwise . For there is newes come lately , that the Earle with his companies remaine yet about Deipe , there staying a while on weightie considerations , till they heare further . But how euer it bee , this is most certaine , that his Maiestie hath a goodlie armie , besides those warlike troupes the right Honorable Earle of Essex is to come with , who how they were appointed , is knowne to al England , and I neede not now discourse .

Thus farre concerning the prosperous successe , and fortunate progresse of this mighty Prince , whom the Lorde hath preserued from time to time , from yeare to yeare , day to day , hower to hower , so many times , yeares , dayes , and howers most miraculously from all the furious inuasions , and cancared conspiracies of all his enemies , and made him to triumphe ouer them , outliuing the most part , reclayming by his vertues the better sort , and taming by policie the peruerse and obstinate , being snatched from the chawes of the Lyons , deliuered from the gates of Death , and reserued from infinite perills ( as the wide world confesseth ) by diuine prouidence , to none other end , but to declare the wonderous workes of the Lorde , and shew forth his mightie acts vnto the Princes of the earth , and especially that Man of sin , and strumpet of Babylon , foster-father of brauls and battayles among Christian Princes , and generally the Bloudsucker , Butcher , and tormentour of all Europe , whome God in due time at his good pleasure will by the hand of this his annoynted ( as hee did by Dauid fighting against the vncircumcised , Philistin , ) terrifie , torment , scourge , and confound , which he hath begon by his English Debora first , and wil finish in this his Champion , ( making them both mirrours for all Potentates ) that all the world , and especially the kingdome of Antichrist may acknowledge , that there is a God that ruleth in Israel , and protecteth the house of Iaacob , making his enemies his footestooles . The Lord in mercy graunt it , to the comfort of his little flock , the abolishment of sinne , confusion of his enemies , and establishment of his owne glorie in Sion , and let all faithfull Soldiers , and loyall subiects say , Amen , and crie in feruent zeale of spirit , Lord Iesus come quickely , euen so . Amen .