The Spanish masquerado VVherein vnder a pleasant deuise, is discouered effectuallie, in certaine breefe sentences and mottos, the pride and insolencie of the Spanish estate: with the disgrace conceiued by their losse, and the dismaied confusion of their tronbled [sic] thoughtes. Whereunto by the author, for the better vnderstanding of his deuice, is added a breefe glosse. By Robert Greene, in Artibus Magister. ...

The Spanish Masquerado . Wherein vnder a pleasant deuise , is discouered effectuallie , in certaine breefe sentences and Mottos , the pride and insolencie of the Spanish estate : with the disgrace conceiued by their losse , and the dismaied confusion of their troubled thoughtes . Whereunto by the Author , for the better vnderstanding of his deuice , is added a breefe glosse . By Robert Greene , in Artibus Magister .

Twelue Articles of the state of Spaine . The Cardinals sollicite all . The King grauntes all . The Nobles confirme all . The Pope determines all . The Cleargie disposeth all . The Duke of Medina hopes for all . Alonso receiues all . The Indians minister all . The Souldiours eat all . The people paie all . The Monkes and Friers consume all . And the deuill at length wil cary away all .

¶ Printed at London by Roger Ward , for Thomas Cadman . 1589.

❧ TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVL , M Hugh Ofl●y , Sheriffe of the Citie of London , Robert Greene wisheth ●●crease of worship and vertue .

SVCH pictures ( Right Worshipfull ) as were presented to Alexander the great , had Arte to please the eie , and conceit to please the wit : Such as writ to Iulius Caesar discourses of Warres : Those that dedicated ought to Traian of peace and to Seuerus of Iustice : a●●ing the effectes of their studies to the affectes of those worthye men whome they resolued to honour , with the Patronage of their laboures : The consideration of these premises ( Right Worshipfulfull ) embouldened me to make choise of your worsh●p as a Maecenas , fittest for a worke of such gr●ue import , perswaded therunto by the report of a friend , whose opinion I craued , for the choice of a Patrone : and made the more resolute by the generall Censure that Fame sets downe , imblasoning your vertuous disposition , in the care of the common weale , and fauour to good letters : Incouraged by these causes , I present vnto your worship the Masquerado of Spaine , a deuise conteining the discouerie of the Spanish insolent pride alaied with a deepe disgrace , and their presumptuous braues pulled downe with the resolution of English souldiours : which worke , if your worship receiue as gratefully , as I present it hartelie , I haue the desired ende of my labour : In which hope resting , I commit you to the Almightie ,

Your Worships to command Robert Greene ,

Sonnet . Le doux Babil de ma lire d'iuoire Serra ton front d'un laurier verdisant : Dont a bon droit ie te voy iouissant , ( Mon doux ami ) eternisant ta gloire . Ton nom ( mon Greene ) anime par mes vers Abaisse l'oeil de gens seditieux , Tu de mo●teles compagnon de Dieux : N'est ce point grand loyer dans l'uniuers ? Ignoti nulla cupido . Thomas Lodge .

¶ To the Gentl●men Readers .

HEtherto Gentlemen I haue writte of loues ▪ and I haue found you fauorable at the least smiling at my labours , 〈◊〉 a plausible silence ; now least I might be thought to tie my sel●● wholly to amorous c●nceites , I haue aduen●ured to discouer my conscience in Religion . If I write barely in this Theological Phrase , as in al others , so I craue your fauourable patience , which if you grante , I haue my desire , and promise recompenc● in what I may , euer , and euery way to rest

yours . Robert Gr●●●● .

THE SPANISH MASQVERADO with the MOTTOS . 1 First the Pope hauing put off his triple Crowne , and his Pontificalibus , sitting malecontented , scratching of his head , throwing away his keies and his sword , in great choller saith thus . Neque Petrus , neqe Pa●lus , quid ●gitur restat . 2 Phillip King of Spaine , attired like an Hermit , riding towardes the Church on his Mule , attended on onely with certaine his slaues that are Moores , saith thus . Iubet Ecclesia , dissentire non a●deo . 3 The Cardinals of Rome , seeing that the Pope was male-contented for the bad successe of the Spanish Fleet , appareled like Mourners , go solemnly singing De profundis , from Castel Angelo to S. Peters Church : to them is said . Lugete quia cecidit Meretrix . 4 The Cleargie of Spaine , mounted richly on their Iennets , ride vp and downe consulting , and at their wits end , fuming and fretting that their counsels had no better successe : to them is said . Achithopheli● con●ilium , Achithopheli● l●queum . 5 The rest of the rascall Rable of the Romish Church , as Monkes , Friers , and di●ging Priestes , storming at these newes , sitting banquetting with the fair Nunnes , hauing store of 〈◊〉 Cates , and wines before them , stall-fed with ease , and gluttony , grone out of their ●at panches this passion . Quanta patimur pr● 〈◊〉 Christi . 6 The Nobilitie of Spaine , grieued at the dishonour of their shamefull returne : after 〈◊〉 ●onsultation , vow generall Pilgrimage to S. Iames 〈…〉 , in hope of his aide for reuenge : to them is said . Si Petrus dormit Pap●● , num Iacobu● vigilabit vobis ? 7 The Duke of Medina , Captaine general of the Armie and Spanish forces , rydeth on a Iennet , with one foote out of the Sti●●op , his cappe pulde ouer his eies , and his pointes vntrust : to him is said . P●llulae Britanic●● in dissenter●am te 〈◊〉 . 8 Don Martines de Ricaldo , chiefe Admirall of the Fleete , standing in the Hauen , and seeing his tattered Shippes , considering what goodly Vessels were taken and drowned , and what store of men and munition they had lost , leaning his backe against a broken ancker , and shaking of his head : saith thus . O Neptune , quantas ●pulas vna coen●● 〈◊〉 ? 9 Don Pedro de Valdes , Generall of the Armie of A●delosia , now Prisoner in England greeuing at his fortune , sitteth sad , and leaning his head on his hand , with a great ●●gh ●aith . He● quanta de spe decidi . 10 The Princes , noble men , and other men of name that of their free will offered themselues aduenturers in this Spanish attempte : frustrate of their intent , walke at home muffled in their cloakes , as men disgraced , and say one to another in great passion . Te●●eritatis nostra cum Briareo poenas 〈◊〉 . 11 The V●●●geren●es of his Indies hauing lo●t by Sea and land , 〈◊〉 of their Kinges treasure : sitting as discontented men on the hatches of their ships , to them is said . Si● vos 〈◊〉 vo●is mellificatis Apes . 12 The c●mmon Souldiours , haled forward , rather by commaund then cou●age , fearing at the first to attempt so dange●ous an exploit , and grieued at the la●t with their hard misfortune , halfe mu●inous , murmure this ▪ Quicquid delirant Reges , plectuntur Achi●● .

The Spanish Masquerado .

¶ The Pope hauing put off his triple Crowne , and his Pontificalibus , sitting male-contented , sc●atch●●g of his head , throwing away his keyes and his Sworde , in great ●holler saieth thus ,

Neque Petrus , neque Paulus , quidigitur restat .

GLOSSA.

REading the A●nales or Recordes making mention of Antechriste , who being the worst amongst men extolleth himselfe aboue God , calling himselfe his Uicar , and yet making his Patron by transubstantiation : Peters successor as hée faineth , and yet his enemy in ●aith : wée shall finde that since sinceritie in Religion , and humilitie were put to exile , and mens traditions and pri●e erected as pillers of the church , that from Féeders of the flocke , they haue refused to enter by the doore , and haue prooued rauening Wolues , and sub●erters of Christ and his doctrine . Their great pompe vnfitting for the humble puritie of Christes Disciples : their extreame couetousnesse selling the giftes of the holy Ghost for money : their open Simony : their secrete ●●gling in dispensation for sinnes : their Whordomes , and their Sodomie , their palpable and grosse heris●es main●ained , not with Peters doctrine , but with Paules sworde : with rigours , not with reason , prooues that since Peters time , Peters seat hath pleaded , Sede vacante , and that these shauelings are not his successors , but approoued by their liues and doctrine , to be professed Antechristes . Peter was humble and spent his time in praier and preaching , these are proude and meddle with states , Empires , kingdomes and Monarchies , pulling down one and creating another hauing Emperours knéeling at his féete , and casting off their crowns with his toe , treading on their backes , and blasphemously applying the text to him selfe , Calcabo super Aspidem , & Leonem . These presumptuous thoughtes were not founde in Peter , who imitating his Maister Christ , walked abroade to féede his Flocke : this ( the Pope I meane ) following the aspyring attempt of Lucifer , is carried on mens shoulders , and yet in his hereticall Bulles to blinde the People , hee calleth himselfe Seruus Seruorum : guarded not as Peter was with the faythfull of Israel , but either with his stout Cardinalles , Copesmates of Caiphas Crue , or with some detestable Courtizans , the best imblazers of his profession . Long did this Monster maske in a Shéepes skin , partlye couered by his owne pollicies ▪ and partlye by the fauour of Princes : but at last breaking out into his own● proper shape , his name and nature was discouered , so that Pardons , his Bulles , his Excommunications , his Curses , nor such Paltries could preuaile , but he was manifestlye laide open for Antechrist to the world . So that his verye Countrymen Italians , nursed vp vnder his nose , séeing his detestable life , his great profession , and little performance , his hereticall pompe vsurped in his Papacie , could not but in conscience in their bookes pen downe his sundry abuses and great absurdities , as Pasqum , Mantuan , , Iohn Boccac● , Petrarch , and lately Ludouico Ariosto , who in one of his Cansons describes him for a monster thus .

Ariosto . Qui●i vna Bestia vscir de la Foresta , Par●a di crudell vista , odiosa & bella C'hau●a l'orecchie d'Asino , e la testa D● lupo , e i' denti , & per gran fame asciuta Branchi hauea di Leon , l'altro chi resta Tutta era volpe , & parea scorrer tutta . Et Francia , & Italia , espagna & Inghilterra , L'Europa e l'Asia alfia tutta la terra .

Here the Poet describeth this Monster , this Antechrist the Pope , to be in forme like a beast , his eares like those of an Asse , the h●ad of a Wolfe , leane and il fauoured as insatiate of his pray , the clawes of a Lion , and what resteth resembled a Foxe . This monster saith he , had ouercome al France , Italy , Spaine , England , Europe , Asia , nay the whole world , triumphing in the pompe of his iniquitye , till his date being expired , & the terme of his raign ended , diuerse princes hating to brooke the imperious rauening of such a reasonlesse monster , sought to hunt him out off the Forrest , and therefore sent diuers good and expert Blood-houndes to rowse him from his Denne , as was Iohn Husse , Ierome of Prage , OEcolampadius , and Zwinglius After , Luther and the Duke of Saxony , who for the defence of the trueth mainteined wars , against the Church of Rome . The Hunts-men that pursued this Monster in chase , was first Francis the first of that name , king of France , who was so wh●t , that he thrust his sword to the hiltes in the ribbes of this beaste : Next him Maximilian of Austria : Third , Charles the fift Emperour , who with his speare passing eager , peirced the throat of this monster but he that with his bore-speare stabd him in the breast , & gaue the déep & mortal wound , was Henrie the eight , king of England , who séeing the abhomination of that proud Antechrist , by his lawle● dispensations for coin , & the abuse his shauelings vsed in England , their massing & masking , their gluttony and lecherie , the falsnesse of Religion : lastly , the extream abuse of their profession , flying to the text , whatsoeuer my father hath not planted , shall be rooted vp by the rootes , hee suppressed their Abbeyes , pulled down their sumptuous buildings , & scarce left one stone vpon an other , subuerted their estate , changed their religion , for blind Papistry gaue vs the light of the Gospell . This his own Countriman Ariosto re●eateth in the same Canson in an other Stanzo thus .

Ariosto . La Chanea fui elza n●lla pancia , La Spada immersa a la maligna fera , Francesco primo hanea Scritto di Francia , Massimo homo d'Austria , a par seco era , E Carlo Quinto Imperator d● Francia , Hanea passata ill monstro alla Gorgiera , Et l'altro chi d● strale gli fige il petto , Lottau● Henrigo d' Inhil-terra e d●tto .

This Monster wounded thus by so worthy a woodman who knew how to strike his game with aduantage , féeling the wound incurable , yet somewhat salued and but nowe rubbed a fresh , by our mightie and famous princesse Elizabeth daughter to that renowned Henry , who with her father rightly taking vpon her the Ecclesiastical supremacy , hath vtterly raced & abolished al his trash and traditions as absurdities & heresies , out of her Churches of England and Ireland , hating the Pope as Antechrist , and the Church of Rome as that whore of Babilon , figured out in the Reuelation : This cause maketh this Monster to stir so that to reuenge , he bent al his pollicies , suborning diuerse false Traitors to attempt her death , perswaded thereunto by false Iesuits and Seminaries sent by him into these our partes , which the Lord discouering , hath geuen them their hyre , and mightely preserued his annointed : seeing these pettie practises could not preuaile , nor his Bull would not carrie any credite , he ●lieth to incense princes to bende their forces against this our little Iland , which defended by God , and gouerned by so vertuous a Princesse as GOD hath chosen after his own● heart , standeth and withstandeth their forces , without aide of speare or horse , hauing the wind and sea Captains sent from aboue to quell the pride of such hereticall enemies of the Gospell , so that the Pope séeing his purposed intent could not spéede : as in a doubtful anguish of mind ●ell into this bitter passion .

Neque Petrus , neque Paulus , quid igitur restat .

¶ Phillip king of Spaine , attired like an Hermite rydeth towardes the Church on a Mule , only attended on with certaine his Slaues that are Moores , and saith thus .

Iub●t Ecclesia , dissentire non a●deo .

GLOSSA.

PHILLIP of Spaine no●●●ed from his infancie in the darke and obscure dungeon of Papistry , led as one blinded with the vale of ignorance , by this proud Antechrist , drunke with the dregges of that poyson which the whore powreth out to the ●inges of the earth , pleasaunt in ta●t , but more bitter then worme-wood in the mawe : offered by the flattering Strumpet , ryding on the Beast with the seauen heades , drunke ( I say ) with her impoisoned cup , he sléepeth securely in the Popes lap , till the Uiols of Gods wrath poured downe , his conscience new ●ear●d with a whot iron , then féeles the ●●ing of 〈◊〉 , as a plague following all such as haue receiued the marke of that inces●ious Strumpet . Phillip therfore taking the Pope for Peters successor , suffereth himselfe to bee led and ruled by this man of Sin , holding his pr●ceptes for Oracles , & that who sitteth in that seat , how bad so euer of life , yet he cannot erre , that what Cannons or Decretals he setteth downe , are as true , and as firmlye to bee beléeued , and obserued as the Gospell penned by the holy Euangelistes who were inspired and directed by the Holy● Ghost : whereas notwithstanding wée sée by manifest and dailye instances , tht euerye Pope abolisheth anothers Cannons and Decretals , as false and erronious : yet PHILLIP is so blinded , as he hath not an insight into this their iugling , for that hée is taught by theyr Doctrine that the Churche of Rome is the supreame Church , and that there is no Churche which is not a perfect member of the same : these , making the Church materiall , and tying is to a locall and particular Seat : Soothing himselfe vppe in these Heresies , hée so feareth the frowne of the Pope and his Cardinalles , doubting to bée excommunicated with some paltrye Bull , that what they demaunde hée graunteth , aswell in mat●ers of temporall estate , as in Ecclesiasticall rightes and Ceremonies : that if the Cleargie concludeth Peace , PHILLIP confirmeth it : if the Cleargie doe proclame Warres , hée sendes foorth straight a presse for Souldiours : so that beeing a mightye Prince of Inheritance and Reuenues , yet hée ruleth by the Cleargie and Nobilitie , especially them of the Spirituall secte : that ryding quietlie with a fewe Moores to heare Masse , hee shaketh off all cares , leauing the glory of his Kingdome in the power of his Cleargie , who béeing enemies to the trueth , seeke by all means possible to subuert the truth : wel , perswaded by the Pope , and them of the Ecclesiasticall sorte , hee prouideth a great Armado , his Shippes huge and monstrous , his men the chosen Caualiers of Spaine , Portugall , Italie and other Prouinces : For munition● , it is much and marue●lous , that the premises considered , they seeme to threaten ruine to the greatest Monarchie of the whole worlde , and yet theyr● Forces bended again●● a little Ilande , a handfull in respecte of other Kingdomes : But sée as the Lacedemonians ●ewe in number subuerted Xerxes and his N●uie , which for multitude of Uesselles couered the Ocean : Ioshua ▪ with a handfull s●rooke the Cananites : 〈◊〉 GOD hearing their great braues against him and his people , did put a hooke into their nostrilles , and a Bridle into their Iawes , and brought them backe the same way they came , not suffering them to enter into th● lande , nor to come against it with a shielde , nor to cast a bank about it , but scattered them as du●t before the wind : and no doubt if we enter into the déepe consideration of the Spanish attempt , wee shall finde it sent into these partes by the Lorde for speciall causes . First to shew vs howe for our sinnes hee can bring the very enemies of his trueth , as Ministers of his wrath , to punish offenders , as oft hée did against the Israelites when they transgressed his Statutes a●d Lawes , neglected the preaching of the Prophets , and contemned the worde , then he brought in the Edomits ▪ the Assirian● , the Egiptians , and other nation● , which caried them away Captiue . Second , séeing how secure we slept , carelesse , reposing our selues in that our owne strength , for that we● were hedged in with the sea , and had a long and peaceable time of quiet : made sloothfull by these his fauoures , his Maiestie brought in these Spaniardes to waken vs out off our dreams , to teach the braue men of this realm , that after peace comes warres , that in the greatest quiet wée shoulde applye our selues to martiall indeuours , and know how to handle the Sword a●d speare , not onely in a sloothfull securitie , to say the Lord is ●ur defence , but to vse the ordinary meanes he hath appointed , & then to inuocate vpon him , and bending ●ur sw●rdes , say in fayth , the Lorde is on ou● side , who can be against vs : for the Israelites ne●er subdued the Cananites , but the Lord did put weapons in their handes to execute the end of his victories . The third , he sent them as sommons and Ambassadors to incourage vs to attempt the like : for when the Sarasens in the time of Charles the greate , had inuaded Germanie , and the frontes of France , the newes hereof brought to the Emperour , he presently saide , how doth the Lorde fauourablye accuse vs of sloth and carelesnesse of increasing his religion by those Pagans , when they for their Mohomet and the aduancement of his blasphemies , hazarde their liues to suppresse the contrary . And I seeme to sit at home : and dare not for the Lord of Hostes cause , enter armes against the Infidels , so that awakened with this , Charles not onely withstood them in his owne land , but hauing geuen them the repulse , spent many yeares in setting foorth the glory of GOD by the sword , among the miscreants : So no doubt these Spaniardes , the Souldiors of Antechrist , are sent to tell our Nobles , Captaines and martiall men of this land , that they sléepe secure , that the Bées hiue in their Helmets , that their pampered horses serue for foot-clothes , not for the fielde : that wee suffer the enemies ▪ of the trueth too much to offer vs the braue : These causes no doubt mooued the Lord to send them , and yet to subuert them : to shew them he fouoreth his people , and vseth reuenge against the despisers of his Gospell : therefor are such men greatly to be commended , that for the benefite of theyre Countrey , feare not to hazard their liues , especially if it were with the aduancement of the glory of God . If then the mightie men which Salomon sent to fetch golde from his friendes to Ierusalem , were highly extolled : If the Portugals cronicled them which first sought by nauigation to finde out strange landes , returning with no profi●e but the discouery of Countries , how then hath this Iland cause to ●ternise with their pennes the worthye deedes of Sir Francis Drake , who passing malgrado of the Spaniard , hard by his doore , nay setting foote into his land , and hauing praies went with a few small Barkes and Pynasses into his Indies , and fetcht from them gold and treasure for the inriching of his prince and country , and returning backe in triumph feared not● what the Spaniard with all his great Uessels dard attempt , in so much that the report of his valour , both by sea as he past and by land wh●n hee arriued in India , beeing bruted in Spaine : his verye name is as great a terrour to the Spanish , as Scipio to the Numidians . Then Sir Martine Frobusher a man of greate trauell and experience in nauigation : and last M. Candish who so lately ventured with the farthest , shewing great courage and fortune ▪ in bringing home from farre so rich treasure : Thus wee may see that the Lord is on our side , that bringeth vs home safe , with a few little Pinasses from the verye iawes of our enemies , when the Spaniards could not returne , hauing so strong an Armado fu●nished for battell . These considerations no doubt maketh Phillip to let his Cleargie sweat in these frivolus attemptes , while he himselfe quietly may for excuse say , Iubet Ecclesia , dissentire non audeo .

¶ The Cardinals of Rome , seeing that the Pope was male-contented , for the bad successe of the Spanish Fleete , apparelled like Mo●●ners goe sollemnly singing De pro●●ndis , from Castel Angelo to S. Peters Church : to them is said .

Lugete quia cecidit Meretrix .

THis broode of Antechrist whome Francis Petrarch and Iohn Bocca●e calleth I●sipidum Sal terrae , the Cardinals I meane , no sooner haue any thing to contrary their mindes , but with the Pharisies they annoint themselues , and causing trumpets to be blowne before them , flye to their Dyrges & Tren●als : as , Causa sine qua non , their misfortunes may not be redressed . But seeing they oppose themselues to Christ and his religion , their lyp labour is turned vnto sin , and cry they Domine , Domine , neuer so loud , yet their fayned exclamations in vain , are only breathed into the ayre : But leauing their religion as palpably heretical to al true Christians , let vs in a word or two looke into their liues , wherein as in a Christall Mirrour , wée shall see figured and pourtraid the Anatomie of the seauen deadly Sinnes . For Pride both in their heartes , puffed vppe with aspiring thoughtes , and in their Apparell , set out with inestimable brauerie , the meanest Scholler of the least Traueyler , eyther by reading or experience may manifest : For who méeteth a Cardinall mounted , first marking the trappings and furniture of his horse richly studded , his foot-clooth of veluet fringed with golde , his braue attyre couered with his Scarlet Robe , and his sumptuous traine following him , shall thincke that hée méeteth not one of Peters Disciples , but some greate Potentate , or Monarch of the worlde , rather resembling ALEXANDER in his effeminate Persian robes , when hée surnamed himselfe the sonne of AMMON , then a Christian , a Piller of the Church , that shoulde in the humblenesse of his life , giue light vnto the People . Their Sodomie , as they kepe not very secrete , for they in their Pallaces , imitating the heathen God IVPITER , gett● them Ganimedes , which Stantes a poculis , serue for Pages : yet they as much as they can obscure , but their Lechery they feare not to make manifest , as béeing Fathers of manye Bastardes , and Paramours of sundrye Courtizans , to whome in their Carnouale , they goe in Maskes , and so openly co●rt with sundry deuelish deuises . Their slooth is séene in the securitie of their liues : for apply they themselues neuer so strictly to studye , while they are of meane degrée , yet after they attain the calling of a Cardinal , they answer with their maister the Pope , that with Peter they haue cast the Net and laboured all night , and now catcht the fish , not the soules of men , but some great dignitie and preferment : which gotten , they say to their soules , liue at ease .

Their glutony is seene in their sumptuous banquets , which excéede in such riotous aboundance , to pamper themselues , not to féed the poore , that the Monsters of Rome , their predicessors in belly chéere , Heliogabolus , Commodus , Iulianus & Lucellus Emperors and Senators , neuer surpassed in this vice ●hese péeuish shauelings : Enuie is seene , in their ●rowning at the fortunate successe of their verye friendys : for when any amongst them is preferred to the Papacie , then the rest incensed with enuie , ●all to treasons , conspiracies , priuy murders , and poisonings : that some Popes haue scarcely liued 2 daies , nay some one day : before they haue bene made away by the Cardinals , who through enuye séeke to establish the Papall seat with blood , as did pope Alexander and diuers others : so that oftimes it may be said of their Pope , as Tully said of the Consull that liued but one day : Vigilantissimum habuimus Papam , qui t●to su● Papatu somnum vix vidit .

Their wrath & furie , let the Chronicles of the state of Italie , as of Venecia , Florence , Vrb●e , Naples , Geneua & the rest , discouer : in which places , hauing bene appointed 〈◊〉 Legats , they haue displaied the Trophees of their wrath , as vpon the house of the Medices in Florence after the death of old● Cos●o against Peter Ludouike and Lorenzo , their intent to murther these braue Gentlemen , so to satisfie their extreame wrath and fury .

Their Couetousnesse Italie cries out on , as burthened with their taskes , extortions , and impositions , for Bul● , Pardons and dispensations : nay England it selfe may be produced as a witnesse , who ● long while payd to Rome many extraordinary dueties . Poole ● Woolsey are late instances , what in●atiate co●●tousnes is barbour●d vnder the pr●t●nsed shewe of their religion : these 〈◊〉 linges sléeping thus in their wickednesse , att●nding vpon that rich whore of Babilon , who professeth , himselfe Patronesse of their practizes , mourne least our abolishing of their abhomidations in England , should incense the rest of Europe by our examples , to shake off their heauy yoke of ignorance , and to imbrace the light of the Gospell , and therefore rightly to them is said , Lugete , quia cecidit Meretrix .

The Cleargie of Spaine mounted richly on their lennets , 〈◊〉 vp and downe consulting , and at their wits end , fuming a●d fretting that their counsels had no better successe , to them is said .

Ahithophelis consilium , Ahithopelis laqueum .

GLOSSA.

PHILLIP being olde , holding in the one hand a sword , in the other a crootch , as ready to step from his Scepter to the Graue , hath his minde troubled with contrarye passions , so that he may say with Don Pedro , Spiritus est ab inquietudine co●c●us . Deuout he is , although it consisteth in ignorance , ambitious , desiring still to inlarge his possessions and kingdomes : and couetous as neuer satisfied with al his ter●●tor●s and treasures : yet age somwhat cooleth th●se desires , 〈◊〉 casteth water in the ●lame , but his Cleargie make supply by their perswasions , in what his peares doe faile in defect : for they sorie that litle England should suppresse their graund Patronesse , that proud Who●e of Babilon , or oppose it , selfe against Antechrist the Pope , thinking that if either these ●●●lde , or the ●ight of the gospel did flourish , that Princes & Nations hauing a déep insight into their iu●ling● , their religion should faile : they inc●nse poore Phillip to set himselfe Ex diametro against the trueth , and to indeuour in what he may , t● subuert the estate of true Christianitie , ayming especially at our most gratious Soueraign Ladie Elizabeth , as the chiefe Defendresse and Patronesse in all Europe , of the puritye of the Gospell : giuing counsell with Achitophell against Dauid , agaynst the Lordes annointed , but hée turning their worldye wisdome into foolishnes , ouerthroweth their pollicie and practizes , veryfieng vpon their heades the prouerb . Malum consilium Consultori pessimum .

These shaulinges , this presumptuous broode of Antechrist , puffed vp not onely with this blind zeale , but with the spirit of pride , which filleth them with aspiring ambition , in so much that they imitating their father the Pope , séeke not to content themselues with ecclesiasticall power , but to entermeddle with kingdomes and states , so that they feare not to bridle the affections of Phillip , as farre as they list to limit , burning his Sonne at their pleasure , and letting him blood to abate his courage , almost to the perill of his life . Iudge gentle reader , if this becommeth a Subiect , an inferiour , ●ay a Cleargy man who shoulde be humble , and giue these duties to Caesar , that belong to Caesar , and those honors to God , that béelong to God : But the Deuill w●rking their confusion , by their own imaginations , hardneth thei● heartes with Pharao , and maketh them sham●lesse with Achitophell , to giue wicked counsel against the trueth : 〈◊〉 as Pharao was drowned in the ranckour of his thoughts , and Achitophell seeing the Lorde had ouerthrown his counsailes , went home and hanged himselfe . So shall confusion come to all that with Saule kick against the pricke , that rightly it may be said to 〈◊〉 confused C●●argie men . Achithophelis consilium , Achithophelis l●queum .

¶ The rest of the rascal Rable of the Romish church as Monkes , Friers , and di●ging Priestes , storming at these newes , sitting banquetting with the fair Nunnes , hauing store of daintie Cates , and wines before them , stall-fed with ●ase , and gluttony , grone out of their fatte pa●ches this passion .

Quanta patimur pro amore Christi .

GLOSSA.

NOw Gentle Reader giue leaue , that this crue of popish Madcaps may presume amongst the rest into our Masquerado : these are they which saying A●● Rex Iud●●orum , yet smote Christ on the face with a réede : these are the Buls of Basan , that fatted vp in the Popes stall , féede them selues against the day of slaughter : thes● are the iolly fellowes that once in England liued like Princes in their Abbeies and Frieries , whose bonnettes were valed and their top sailes so low stroken , that no winde would serue them , from sinking into the bottomlesse gulfe : These be they , who when Christ commaundeth , that who so l●ueth him shall take vp his crosse and follow him , clapping on their backes a basket stuffed with good cheare : ●ay Quanta patimur pro amore Christi . Whereupon are merily recited these verses .

O Monachi quorum Stomachi sunt Amphora Bacchi : Vos esti● , Deus est testis , mundi mala .

Of this generation Iohn Boccace in his Decamero● telleth many pretie tales : of their Lecherie , as when ●air Albe●● vnder the shape of the Angell Gab●iell , lay with Dame Lezet●a ; of their false Legend , as a Monke preaching to the people , hauing founde a verye rich feather of some some ●●range Foule , intended to make his Parishoners beléeue , it was a plume of the Angel Gabriell : Certaine good Companions his Familiars noting his knauerie , secretelye ●●ole out off his Casket the feather , and put in coales . Well , Mas Monke come once into his Pulpit , after a long Exordium , tolde to the People what a Relique he had , one of the feathers of the Angell Gabriell , but putting his hand into his casket , and finding nothing but coales , straight founde the knot in the rush , and saide hée had taken the wrong Casket , but yet brought them a Relique , no lesse pretious , which was the coales that Saint Laurence was roasted on : so that making crosses with them vpon their Garmentes hée departed with Monkish credite . Manye of these and worse pranks , abhominable to rehearse , haue their owne Countrymen and Papistes penned down against them , amongst choice one mer●ly ( I call not his name to remembrance ) setteth downe , that a Monke ●itting in his cel , had on the ●ne side his Leman a fair Nun no man on he other side , his portasse béeing thus seated as in a Dileman , laying one hande on the Nonnes knee , and the other on his Masse booke , hée fetcht a great ●●gh and saide , Quo m● vertam , nescio : the Deuill behind , made him answere , Haud refert : vtraque enim ducit ad infernum . Whereupon to auoyde the doubte , hée made proofe of both . Another setteth down these verses as a Censure .

O Monachi nigri , non es●is ad imp●a rigri , A●ran●t●t vestis , qualis intrnisceus estis .

Their religion and their nature thus agréeing , debating amidst their cups and their courtisans of the Spanish repulse , full of wine and and delicate cheare they cry out . Quanta patimur pro amor● Christi .

¶ The Nobilitie of Spaine grieued at the dishonour of their shamefull returne , after great consultation , vow a generall Pilgrimage of S. Iames of Compostella , in hope of his aide for reuenge : to them is said .

S● Petrus dormit Papae , num Iacobus vigilabit vobis .

GLOSSA.

WHen Hannibal had geuen the Romanes a repulse before Capua , the Senate hearing the il nowes , resolued in the Senate house to sacrifice vnto Mars , fearing hee was displeased with their Armie : which sentence Scipio hearing , starting vp amongst them said : I will no other God but our fortunes , no other vowes but our right , no other Sacrifice but the Sword . I infer this heathenish comparison , both accounting their Saint of Compostella with the Pagan Idols , and thinking them far inferior to the courage of Scipio , although none glories more in his Chiualr●e then the Spaniard : But I suppose his religion and his stomack to be equally poysed : the one false , the other faint , that what they attempt , is not to bee ouercome with prowesse , but to suppresse with multitudes : for their seruice in warres is either by pollicie , to circumuent by pe●iurie , to intise by treason , to vndermine , or by some litte martiall practise to weaken the enemie , whom if they finde valiantly to 〈◊〉 , their braue once cooled , they seldome or neuer dare giue a fresh Incounter wherupon these the Nobles of Spain danted , choose rather fearfully to séek out S. Iames of Compostella , then valiantly with Scipio to sweare reuenge with the sword . This custome brookes not an English heart , for our Nobles hauing taken repulse , flie not to S. George , but managing their swordes , crye , God and their right , séeking either with Epaminondas to win their honors with their bloode , or to be caried out with him resolutely on their shieldes : They faint not with Iulian at the frist frown● of Seuerus , but valiantly expect with the Argentinin of Alexander the great , the comming of their ●oes : not asking how many there be , but where they bée : not attending with Xerxes and his faint-hearted Souldiours , to haue the braue , but valiantly like the Caualiers of Troy , thrusting amidst the attending Grecians . Diuers instances , as when in the time of Robert the third king of Scottes , Earle Douglas with a mightie and puissant armie entred the Frontiers of England , making ha●ocke as farre as Newcastle , sundrye times ●ickered with our men , and gaue them the foyle : which Henry Percie Earle of Northumberland surnamed Henrie Hot-spurre noting , fuming at such bad Fortune , and as it were strooke to the heart with the dishonour of the English , sought not to S. George , or other Pilgrimages ( whereof then there were many in England ) but offering his praiers vnto GOD , and vowing a couragious resolution on the hiltes of his Sworde , hauing a very small companie in respecte of the Scottes , hée pricketh towardes them , and although he was sharply repulsed at the first and second encounter , yet thinking how swéete it were to die rather then to li●e with dishonour , hée gaue a fresh charge , and ouerthrew the Scottes with such a slaughter , that hée tooke Prisoners , the Earles Douglas , Fife , Murrey , and Angus , Thus do our Nobles of England make their pilgrimage , and end their reuenge : which if it be not true , I report● me to the Nobles of Spaine themselues , who lately had experience o● theyr Courage , that they were faine , for the vowing of their Pilgrimage to S. Iames to deserue this mocke . Si Petrus dormit Papae , 〈◊〉 Iacobus vigilabit vobis ?

¶ The Duke of Medina , Captaine general of the Armie and Spanish forces , rydeth on a Iennet , with one foote out of the Stirrop , his cappe pulde ouer his eies , and his pointes vntrust : to him is said .

Pillulae Britanicae in dissent eriam te coni●c●runt .

GLOSSA.

WHen Iulius Caesar was sent by the Senate Dictator against the Gaules , his friende Lepidus asking him whether he now iournyed : In Galliam ( quoth hée ) quae sit urus ant sepulchrum , aut honorem . This valiant resolution of Caesar was not sound in the Duke of Medina Sidonia , for though he was sent by his Prince and Soueraigne , as Generall of all his Forces , yet hee choose rather to returne with dishonour , then with valiant Caesar to séeke a Sepulcher in England : For comming with a mightie Fléete , well prouided with martiall furniture such as might haue amazed the greatest Monarch in the whole world to encounter : comming with as greate a braue towardes England , as Xerxes against Lacedemonia : setting vp his S●●●amers as Commaunders that Eolus should hée fauourable to his Nauie . And with him the Admirall Don Ma●t●nes de Ricaldo , Pedro de Valdes , Martin Bretendona , Gomes de Medina and others , whose Hierogliphicall Simb●ls , Emblems , impr●sses and deuises did prognosticate ( as they supposed ) their triumphant victorie , and our dishonorable and miserable ouerthrow , playing at dice for our Noblemen and knight● and deuiding our Land into portions : Medina and Ricaldo sytting thus as Princes of the Sea , brauing Neptune in our Straightes : no sooner came alongst our Coaste , and were encountred with our Fléete , filled with Noblemen of invincible courage , but Medina the great Champion of Spaine , tooke the lower end of the ship , Ricaldo his bed , whereas our Lord Admirall , the Lord Charles Haward , stood vpon the vpp●r decke , resolutely and valiantly incouraging his m●n to fight for the honour of their Countrie . The Lord Henry Seymer , a noble man or worthy prowesse , standing in the face of the Enemie to p●t oile in the flame , & valour in an english heart , taught the Spaniards with Bullet , that the noble men of England , ●●er●d with sparkes of honour , counted life no more but a debt , euery houre due vnto nature . With him the Lord Thomas Haward whose forward resolucion the Spaniards may reporte in Spaine , to their great dishonour . Next these , that woorthy Gentleman , that famous Caualier , the terrour of Spaine , that fortunate Knight , Sir FRANCIS DRAKE , be●●irred himselfe , as his wonted maner , not fearfully as Medina , but valiantly standing in the fore roome , deliuered with Cannon his Ambassage to the Enemie . With him Sir Martin Frobusher , Sir Roger Townesend , and others which I omit , not as men of lesse valour , but for breuities sake . Then let vs note and reioice , how our nobles of England , and worthy Knightes behaued themselues , how God inserting courage in their mindes , fought for vs , and the trueth , and how striking a terrour and cowardize into the Lordes of Spaine , as vnto Senacherib and his hoste , bending their Forces againste Samaria , the Lorde of Medina hasted out off our Seas , and our Fléete helde them long in chase spoyling and praying on their Shippes daily .

Thus the great Generall of Spaine was content to pockett● vppe this Dishonour to saue his life , and therefore must abide ●he reprochfull taunt that our English Pilles hath cast him into a laske , and such a ●yxe , as hath defiled all his honour : then ( for me ) let him haue the deserued scoffe . Pillulae Britanic●● in dissenteriam te coniecerunt .

¶ Don Martines de Ricaldo , chiefe Admirall of the Fleete , standing in the Hauen , and ●eeing his tattered Shippes , considering what goodlye Vessels were taken and drowned , and what store of men and munition they had lost , leaning his backe against a broken ancker , and shaking of his head : saith thus .

O Neptune , quantas ●pulas vna coena deuorast● ?

GLOSSA.

ALthough Don Martines , for his expert skill in Nauigation , and pollicie in nauall ●●ght , was elected chiefe Admirall of the Spanish Fléete , yet such his fate , his Fortune ▪ or his little courage , that comming to England , as proudly as the Turke came into the gulfe : yet he went away worse dishonoured then Calig●la , that in stead of Battaile , gathered Cockles on the westerne shoare .

Six yeare at the least he was greate Commaunder for furniture necessarie for this intended Fléete , which no doubt he stuffed and stored to the full , gathering together such prouision , as if shoulde with the Giantes , inte●d 〈◊〉 against Mars and Iupiter : Hee had in his Flee●● , of Gallions ▪ Hulkes , Pataches , Zabres , Galeas●●s , and Gallies ●●● . The receit beeing 57868. Tunnes 〈◊〉 , 19295. Mari●ers , 8450. And of great brazen Péeces , 2630. Prouided thus , as might be supposed , for the conquest either of Asia or Africa , hée bendeth his course aga●●st England , a little Iland , where as S. Augustine saith , their be people with Angels faces , so the Inhabitantes haue the courage and heartes of Lions : which poore D●n Martines tried true : For GOD vsing ELIZABETH his seruant and her subiectes , as his instrumentes , to punish the enemies of his trueth , no sooner cam● 〈◊〉 proud Holofernes into our seas , but the Mice crept out off little Betulia , Iudith sitting peaceably in her royall seat , & incountring fiercely with their Foes , taught them that God fought on their side , then not to be daunted with multitudes : and Martines fearfull ▪ shrunke away . But God who holdeth reuenge in his hand , let loose the windes , and threw a storme into the sea , that many of their shippes which escaped our handes , perished on the Rockes : vsing the Sea for reuenge , as he did against Pharao , when he persecuted the children of Israell : So that Don Ricaldo with dishonour passed into Spaine , and our Admirall returned with glorious triumph into England , bringing home Shippes , Prisoners , and Furniture , that our English shoares sounded with Ecchoes of triumph , and euery mouth was filled with the praises of of the Lord Charles Haward , while Ricaldo dismaied at at his misfortune , and his tottered shippes , saith . O Neptune , quantas epulas vna coena deuorasti ?

¶ Don Pedro de Valdes , Generall of the Armie of Andel●si● , now Prisoner in England , greeuing at his fortune , : sitteth sad , and leaning his head on his hand , with a great s●gh saith .

Heu quanta de spe decidi .

GLOSSA.

AMongst the Generals of these intended Squadrons , Don Pedro de Valdes was not of the meanest account , nor thought of the least valour , but suposed for his courage and resolution to be a second Hector , in so much as Medina , Ricaldo , and the rest relied much both vpon his pollicie , and prowesse , and he himselfe at his departure from the King , and his loosing from Lisbon , by his braue wordes , his great promises , and martiall threates , was of surpassing great hope amongst the Spaniardes , so that the King of Spaine sent him as Senacherib sent Rabsaketh to de●●e Ezekiah . And Pedro himselfe resolued by a pre●●xt time , to enter the Land with conquest : in so much that the Romanes neuer conceiued better hope in Horatius Cocles , in Torquatus , in Scipio African , nay in Caesar , when he was Dictator , then the Spaniards did in Don Pedro , thinking that no sooner hée woulde haue arriued in the English co●st , but he would haue written back , as the Romain Monarch did , Veni , vidi , vici : but if hée or his fellowes had read the Conquestes of England , how difficult they were , either of the Saxons , Danes , or of the Romanes , or lastly by the ●ormanes , either hée woulde haue prouided a greater Fleete , or a better courage : For béeing imbarqued in a Ship of 1330 tunnes , carryin●●●tie Cannons , after a while he had ●●ragled on our coast , meeting our Fléete , which presently gaue the charge , he was one of the first that was taken , not making anye resistance at all , or shewing any point of honourable re-resolution , not so much as drawing his sworde in defence . Is this the minde of a Nobleman of dubbed Chy●alry ? of a Captaine , to submit in the first extremitie ? Doe the Spaniards prize life so high , that they make no estimation of honour ? Fortitude is high , and will not be stained in meane daungers : Courage is like the Eagle , that catcheth not at Flies . First D●n Pedro was commaunded by his King to attempt his purpose with death his vowe was to purchase England though with death : His promise at his departure , was to conquere , or to seale the attempt with death , and yet comming in the Skirmish , a few b●llets had but bruised his Ship , and spoyled his tacklinges , but sub●●isse hée yéelded without one stroke , hauing thrée hundred and fourtie men of war , and a hundred and eightéene mar●●ers : or without one deniall with 〈◊〉 , hauing fiftie Cannons in his ship : He that like a Lion came storming from Spaine , humbly like a lambe crouched to our Admirall in the English sea● , yéelding himselfe and his , prisoners : Now note the Spanish brauing promises , what cowardly conclusions they infer . Cato V●icensis choose rather to murther himselfe , then to fall into the handes of Caesar his Enemie , nay , Cleopatra a woman , suffered rather death by stinging of Aspick●s , then shée woulde submitte to her Foe : Honour amongst Souldiours is highlie prized , and to beare the yoake of an Enemie is more bitter to a noble minde then death : Yet liked not Don Pedro of this philosophie : hée thinkes , to die is the last déed , and therefore to liue is swéete : but this was not aunswerable to hys Emblemes and Impresses which hee gaue in his En●i●nes , Banners and Streamers , ●or in the one was ●●gur●d a Sunne and a Moone , the Motto in Spanish , but to this effect ●eri plemlu●●um , hodie defectus : Ye●●erday the Full , but to day the Wane : meaning ( as I suppose ) tha● the fulnesse of Englands pr●speritie was at an end , and nowe by his meanes should it fall into the Wane : on the other side was depainted an Altar with sacrifice ●uming the Poe●●e : Sic cupio , sic cogito : Spiritus ab inquietudine ●oactus : I cannot well discourse his meaning in this : but no doubt whatsoeuer he wrote , what he inuented , yea all his deuises , practises , and thoughtes were of the subuersion of England : Wel , those Banners and Ensignes which he hoped to haue displaied in England to our great reprooch , were to his déepe dishonour hanged to the ioy of all true English heartes , about the Battlementes and crosse of Paules , and on London bridge : he himself● Prisoner , & feeling the burthen of his misfortune , coulde not ( though neuer so well vsed in England ) but sigh and say . Heu quanta de spe decidi .

¶ The Princes , noble men , and other men of name that of their free wil , offered themselues aduenturers in this Spanish attempte : frustrate of the●r intent , walke at home muf●led in their cloakes , as men disgraced , and say one to another in great passion .

Temeritatis nostra cum Briareo poe●as lui●●● .

GLOSSA.

IN this Spanish Fleete were many voluntary aduenturers , Princes ▪ Dukes , Counties , Barons , Knights , Esquires , and gentlemen , yonger brothers ▪ ●o the number of an 124. besides their Seruantes , who without request or commaund , vpon their owne frée will , offered themselues as Consortes in this voyage , mooued firste with a blind● zeale of religion , then with desire of honour , especially against the English , who they hearde were full of Coucourage : Thirdly for hope of preferment in this our Iland , after the conquest hoped for of the Spanish . Mooued with these considerations , they came triumphing in this Fléete : finding a cooling card to alay their hot stomackes , they returned hom● discouraged , dishonoured , and disgraced , in so much , tha● looking with a déepe insight , into our victorie , and their ouerthrowe : séeing our ships like little P●●●sses , and their huge barkes built like Castles , ouer péering ours : they in their owne consciences confest that God was on our side : saying , that their ouersight in béeing so forwarde was requited as the detestable attempt of Briare●s the Giant with the hundred handes , and Tiphes who , the Poets faine , did war against the Goddes , and hea●ed hill on hill , as Pelion on Oss● , to climbe vp to the Heauens , whereupon Iupiter with a Thūnderbolte , pashed them all to powder : so they , blinded with the vale of ignorance , attempted against the Gospell , the trueth , and the Defendresse of them both , Queene Blizabeth the Lords chosen , and his annointed : and therefore against God : which consideration made them murmure to themselues . Temeritatis nostrae cum Briareo poenas l●imus .

11 The Vicegerentes of his Indies hauing lo●t by Sea and land , much of their Kinges treasure : sitting●s discontented men on the hatches of their ships , to them is said .

Sic vos non vobis mellificatis Apes .

GLOSSA.

THE Indies béeing first sought out by the Portugall , and lately conquered and possessed by the King of Spaine , yeldeth him al his treasure wherewith hee féedeth his Cleargie in their pomp , his Nobilitie in their brauery , and his Souldiours in their pay . In this Conquest of the Indies , did th● Spaniard shewe his courage , his faith , his clemencie : his courage , in performing so haughtie & dangerous a Conquest : for being armed at al p●ints with his Curets , his Cor●●et , Burganet , his , horse , his Pike , his speare , with store of men at armes , and demilance , he inuaded a company of naked Moores without armour or knowledge of vse of weapon , but a few fish bones : his faith , in that these naked men flying into the woods and Mountaines , whether the Spaniard neither could nor durst march , was perswaded vpon his oath by the christian God , to come and yéeld with promise of life and libertie : who no sooner were in his reach , and circuit with his Souldiours , but breaking his o●th , as one that sware by none of his friends , he caused his Souldiers to apprehend their Nobility as prisoners : His clemencie in vsing the victory , not as Caesar , that gloried in his courtesies vsed to his foes , but like brute beasts , caused the Indians to be hunted with dogs , some to be torne with horses , some to haue their handes cut off , and so many sundry Massaquers as greeueth any good minde to report . The Spaniard seated thus in the Country , straight sought out the Mines of golde , & causing the remnant of the Moores as slaues to digge in th● Mines , sent yearly with a great Fléete , much treasure from thence into Spaine : which being blazed abroade through all the world , the report coming into England , there rose vp a man of ●igh and hardie resolucion , Sir Francis Drake : who sent by her Maiestie to discouer that Co●ntrie , not onlie found it out , but brought home great riches , and the same time as a warriour went , and malgrado of the Spaniard landed , entred vp into the country néer Carthagene , & Sancto Domingo , putting the Spaniard to the foyle , & the sword , brought home store of welth and treasure , and getting by his valour such endles fame and glorie , as far surmounteth such momentaine trash : vsing the Moores , conquered with such courtesie , as they thought the English Gods , and the Spaniardes both by rule and conscience halfe Deuils . Sir Francis Drakes happie successe in India , and the late losse of their Soueraignes Fléete , ioined together , sore danted the mindes of the India generals , that they 〈◊〉 as men discontented in their heartes : to whome is obiected ( as in deri●●on ) the verses that Virgill wrote against Batillus .

Sic vos non vobis m●llificatis Apes , Sic vos non vobis nid●ficatis Aues , Sic vos non vobis fertis aratra Boues , Sic vos non vobis vellera fertis O●es .

Meaning , that as the Bées make heauye themselues , y●t not for themselues , but men reape it to their vse , so the Spaniard digged out swéete honye from the golden Mines , and Sir Francis Drake fetched it home to be tasted in England reaping his profite out off their labours : so that the India Generals are faine to beare this scoffe . Sic vos non vobis :

12 The common Souldiours , haled forward , rather by commaund then courage , ●earing at the first to attempt so dangerous an exploit , and grieued at the last with their hard misfortune , halfe mutinous , murmure this .

Quicquid delirant Reges , plectuntur Achiui .

GLOSSA.

CAESAR béeing Dictator for the Romanes , & hauing conquered France , hearing that there was a little Ilande beyonde , full of hardy and couragious people , thirsting after honour , and coueting to increase the Romane Monarchie , hée rigged his Fleete , and cut ouer into England , where he founde such harde landing , that hée was glad to passe away with the repulse : but hée , whose minde was impatient of dishonour : after he had renewed his fléete , made a long oration to incourage them , but they found so hard a breakefast , that hardly they could be induced to giue the second attempt . The Spaniardes béeing but in respect our Neighbours , hearing how not onely we haue defended our owne Realme , but made diuers inuasions with greate victories : as Edward the thirde in France , and Henrie the fift , who forced the King by armes to proclaime him heire apparant , in so much that Henrie the sixt sate crowned in Paris . The poore Souldiours hauing heard of these and other our resolutions , were discouraged before they came , and feared to buckle with men so hardy and fortunate although they were both charged by their King , and incouraged by the Pope with a generall pardon a poena & culpa , yet al the perswasions would not serue , for diuers hid themselues , and other by fained excuses sought absence , but at last compelled forwarde , and forced to take shipping , they found here that they feared : men that durst abide their braue , and returne them blowe for blowe , not the naked Moores , nor the fainting Portugall , but English men that prize honour as déere as their liues : who if they heare but this word Elizabetha , they flie like Lions in the face of the Enemy , nay in the mouth of the Cannon , rather opposing themselues to ten thousand deathes , then the fortune of her enemies should touch her royall Maiestie with any contrary passion . Féeling thus what they feared , some taken Prisoners , others slaine , a multitude drowned in the sea by Shipwrack , the remnant of poore mercenary men cry cut in bytternesse of minde . Quicquid delirant Reges , plectuntur Achi●i .

THus Gentle Reader , thou hast seene the Spanish Masquerado , which I haue nowe deuised , to discourse to thée their estate , how although the malitious enemie séekes ( puffed vp by ambition and couetousnesse ) to subuert our religion , and make a Conquest of our Iland : yet hée that seated our most royall Princesse in her Kingdome , as his Minister to set foorth his trueth , and plant his Gospell , still shrowd●th her vnder his wing , and protectes her from the violent attempt of all her foes , and breaketh off the whéeles of their Chariotes , that s●●ke with Pharao , to persecute his people .

Then reioice and giue thankes to God for all his gratious fauours , and be faithfull and true hearted to thy Prince , whome God so loueth : stande stedfast in th● trueth , wherewith he blesseth thee , and then feare not what the Spaniards can do , for their ●owes shal be broken , and their arrows crackt asunder : the Lord shal send forth his wrath , as hot as coales , & the breath of his nostrils as a consuming fire , to burne such chaffe as purged out with the Fan of his iustice , lies scatterd abroad with the wind : I● Spaine shal attempt against England as Pharao did against the Israelites , Moses shall shew wonders to amaze them , and maugre the Prince of Egipt , lead his people through the sea . If Samaria bee begirt with Edodomites and Assirians , yet shall the Lorde send a feare and a terrour into their thoughtes , that they shall fly and ●e discomfited with their own imaginations : If the pope and Spaine with their hereticall confederates fill the narrowe seas with Uessels , whose tops muster like a wood , in the Ocean , yet shal the Lord if we kéepe his commandementes and obey his statutes , send gusts and storme● to scatter their Nauy , and confound them with his creatures as men that doe make war against God , & plant their Engine against the holy mount of Sion . Let Englishmen then shrouded vnder the wings of the most highest , not feare what thousands can doe against them : nay let them giue thanks to God who hath blest vs with such a Prince as makes vs eat fruites of our owne vineyard , and drinke of the water of our owne welles : our Cities are full of ioy , and our children are séene sporting in the st●éetes : peace and plentie flourisheth in England , and all our Land floweth with milke and ho●ie : nay more , that heauenly Manna the foode of our s●ules , the Gospel of our Sauiour Christ is franckly freely and truly not only preached , but louinglye imbraced by the Quéene and her Subiectes .

Séeing then wée are euery way blest and fauoured from aboue : that the Lorde our mercifull God maketh ENGLAND like EDEN , a seco●● Paradice : let vs ●●are to offend him , and bée zealous 〈◊〉 execute the tenour of his commaundementes , then shall we be sure his Maiestie will send our Quéene long life , his Church to 〈◊〉 faithfull Ministers , and our Realme perfect Subiectes , and shroude vs against Spaine , the Pope , and all other enemies of his Gospell .

FINIS .