AFter that my suddaine downfall & vnexpected overthrow ( most ancient and famous great Brittaine ) was plotted secretly in Rome , prepared cunningly in France , and executed ignominiously not long since by publique aucthoritie in the chiefe Cittie of the French Kingdome . This favour yet I had for my continuall and faithfull service done to so great a King and State , that some of my dearest friends and favourers ( whose long pleadings in Lawe , strong reasons in equitie , and earnest sute in Court nothing prevailing for the saving of my faultlesse and innocent life ) should bee permitted at last after my death , to gather together the fatall reliques and ruines of my sumptuous builded corps , to be secretly laid vp in some sure place , there to be shrouded vnto a better and more favourable age following , from the cruell persecution of my bloudie Esauiticall enemies , seeking and pursuing ( like vnto Herod through all Iuda ) from corner to corner for the anatomie of my brused bones , to be offred vp as a sweete smelling sacrifice to that Antichristian & bloudie Dragon , who daily thirsteth for the poore lyues of such harmlesse creatures as I am , manifesting to the world his foule shame , and monstrous parts . But may it not seeme ouer-strange and meruailous to the eyes and eares of the world , that dumbe and insensible creatures should speake and crie out of cruell iniustice vsed against them ? Mervailous indeed it is , because against nature , but not therfore vntrue nor yet vnlikely , considering what the Prophets haue truly fore-told , howe in the latter dayes there should many miraculous thinges fall out , and wonderfull visions appeare , both in heaven & earth . And surely ( thou new Monarchie ) the eclipse of the Sunne seene here of late , with the new starre , but more likelie a prodigious Commet in thy Hemisphere , the extraordinarie rednes of the firmament like to bloud , the continuall raines and land flouds , the monstrous births of children , and beastes on the earth , and of fishes in the Sea ; but more notable , that a new and vnknowne Astrologer in his Prognostication set out in our Cittie of Paris , should fore-shew such strange and incredible matters to come to passe , three moneths before this wonderfull accident was knowne among you , to wit , that this yeare 1605 heere should bee a turbulent Parliament , a black Christmas , and a bloudie Lent . Did not all these things agreeing as it were , and conspiring together speake and fore-warne you ( beloved great Brittaine ) even as they had beene reasonable creatures , of the great disastre likely to fall out , comming to my eares . Mervaile not then , if I that had my erection established by the sound advisement and firme decree of the gravest , wisest , and most learned Parliament of the world , & perfected by the sacred influence and infusion of all the Muses through every member of my bodie , & life given to mee by my Soveraigne King , to witnesse the safetie of his life , should not as wel speake , at least my Ghost , as did the counterfet spirit of Samuel , and rather to bee better thought of , then it , because both my warrant and cause is approovedly good . But while I stoode long time in a muse , pondering betwixt hope and dispaire , what should become of my wandring soule , and at length , thinking with my selfe , to finde out some Pythagorean Philosophers ( if anie were yet aliue ) for consulting , what bodie should be fittest for my receptacle ; certaine my loving friends in this time , inspired ( as the sequell shall testifie ) with some divine instinct , convayed me safely to great Brittaines Ocean Sea : where Neptune receaving me courteouslie at their hands , commaunded Aeolus with his fairest and readiest windes safelie and speedilie to transport me from that dangerous shore I was on , to the famous Microcosme of ancient Brittaine , the great Conquerour , somtime of my ingrate Countrie , as to the chiefe harbour of all poore distressed Pilgrimes . But while Aeolus was preparing all things necessarie for my safe conduct , Neptune willed me , brieflie to report the causes of my suddaine flight and departure from my native Countrie , which though at first I was in doubt what to doe , as fearing that hee might either bewray me to mine enemies , when I had told him all , or might stop my passage , if I told him not , at last I resolved vpon all hazards that might follow , to satisfie his demaund , as farre foorth , as the shortnes of the time , and perill of the place would permit . Then thus I spake vnto him . The causes that haue compeld mee ( O great Neptune , thou great God of the Ocean ) to seeke thy favour in this my miserie , are trulie and vpon my alleagiance vnto thee , the extreame and more then inhumane persecutions of my bloudie enemies the Iesuites both before , and since my lamentable and vndeserved death & overthrow , procured for no other cause , then for truly witnessing to the world , but more particularly to true Catholique Hugonets , and to all forraine Strangers who might dailie beholde mee in the prime of my tryumphant estate , in the most famous Cittie and place of the vniuersall world , how this mightie King & martial Monarch Henry the fourth , that now raigneth , was treacherously wounded , but yet miraculously preserved of his life , from the Esauitical plot executed by Chattell one of the novices , trayned vp in their tragicall Schoole erected latelie for teaching of bloudie precepts , for the killing of all such Kings and Princes , as being either Romanists or true Christians , shall be stumbling blocks to hinder the politick courses of their new established Machiavillian Government . Me miserûm vox faucibus haeret I cannot vtter the one halfe I would say , such hast I haue to be gone for the feare & danger I am in , by the furious pursute of my professed enemies , who tyrannouslie triumphing in mine overthrow , mangled all the members of my bodie as was pittifull to see , and yet not so satisfied , will not suffer my broken bones , no , nor my verie Ghost to remaine in rest or safetie within anie part of this ample Kingdom . These men ( or to speake more properly monsters of men ) being iustlie ( and as deservedlie , as ever anie the most haynous malefactors that ever were ) bannished out of this Realme by a generall decree of Parliament , without hope of being ever recalled home , or to creepe againe into anie grace or favour of my great Soveraigne , which they had so foulely forfaited , are nowe againe ( a wonder it is to heare ) after a few yeares exile , come not submissiuely , but triumphantly home , glorying in the spoiles of my heauie and sad fall ; dying ; and lying prostrate at their proud feete . And thus are they growne into great credite and aucthoritie by the distraction of my Soveraignes late singular favour towardes mee , which I surelie hoped , should , nay could never haue been withdrawn , being so fast tied and conglutinate to my person , as a publique decree of the wisest humane wits could devise , and ingraven besides in letters of Gold and Azure , for the more honour and ornament to vs both . But what shal I say , Nibi sub coelo durabile , et Regum gratia saepe mutabilis : For my craftie enemies had so closed vp and stopped the princelie eares of my Soveraigne ( which should haue beene open alike to all Complayners ) with a fine and subtil kind of black Cotton cunningly wrought by the finest and most expert Esauiticall Artificers that were in all Italie and Spaine , who bore his Maiestie in hand , that my brused bones broken all to peeces would bee the most effectuall preservatiue for resisting all pestilent venome of such Hereticks , as should oppose themselues against the wholesome and sound reestablishment of the Iesuites , adding moreover ( no small falsehoode ) that these would prooue heereafter the most profitable and serviceable people vnto him , that were vnder his obeysance . So my dread Liege being fully possessed by little and little with the slie insinuations of this counterfet Cotton , neither the credite of sundrie of his faithfull Counsailors , neither the waightie arguments of the most graue and iuditious Presidents of his Parliament , nor the eloquence and smooth reasons of learned Advocates , neither the subtile inventions and scholastick Sophistrie of the Sorbonist Doctors , nor the pittious plaints of poore Schollers , who delighted their eyes , refreshed their mindes , and filled their papers and bookes with the learned Muses that guarded my square bodie ; all these my favourers , I say , and continuall intercessours could prevaile nothing with my dread Soveraigne , whose pittie my enemies had captiuated wholy to their crueltie and malice , that no place was left for prayers , nor meanes anie longer for my continuance there , but Discere dura pati , and comfort my selfe with that encouragement that vertuous Aeneas gaue to his Sea-beaten Souldiours . Durato et temet rebus seruato secundis .

Thus remained then no other comfort to me , neare halfe dead before hand through dispaire , but that of necessitie ( as I well perceaved ) it behooved one to die for the sinnes of this people , and who should that be , but even I poore Pyramis , who not long before , had life with the promise of a long life , ( but what mortall men can promise life to another , that are not assured of their owne ) given vnto mee , for recording their barbarous crueltie , and now againe must loose my life , even in that place , alas , where I first receaved life , and for no other thing , then for testimonie of the truth , and to giue them a surer and longer life by my speedie death , and withall a greater honour and credit by my downefall , then ever they had since their first originall , or ever could hope for themselues in this worlde . And thus is the worlde there turned topsie turvie : The good and faythfull are taken away , and and the wicked and vngratious are hoysted vp in their roomes . O scelus , O mores , O tempora perversa in quibus vixi . O poore and miserable wretch that I am , what haue I committed , that I should suffer so cruell a punishment ? I haue continued there but a small time , considering the eternitie of yeares I should haue indured , erected also in the most eminent place of our Monarchie , to the amazement of my professed enemies ; where I indured dailie opprobrious railings and infamous Pasquils on my frontispice , taxing both King , Counsell , Parliament , and State for my sumptuous building in so famous a place , besides my nightlie danger ( for witnessing the decree of their bannishment for so infamous a fact ) to be dismembred , and by the Sturre & tumults of their adherents pulled downe before the morrow , & that not perchance without the shedding of innocent bloud . All this and much more it behooved me to indure , yea and much more would I patiently haue suffred , so as I might haue continued there , vntill I had either receaved some recompence for my faithfull service , or had beene bestowed in some other famous place , to haue served for a perpetuall memorie of that infamous treacherie , that can never be forgotten .

Thus ending my discourse to Neptune , and craving his favourable ayde for my passage to great Brittaine , my last and onelie refuge left vnto mee . The God smiling spake with a gratious countenance vnto me , Fauet fortuna votis . And so by the favour of Aeolus and the swift winges of his windes , I was vpon the suddaine ( before I could bethinke my selfe where I was ) set vpon the white & pleasant Brittaine Coast , where vpon a greene mountaine , not far from the place of my arrivall , was first presented to my view , a goodly companie of frollique Shepheards , who as they drew somewhat neare me , cast off their mourning garments , which they had worne ( as seemed ) before , for the great & horrible daunger they apprehended by their long experience , knowledge , and insight of the heavenlie constellations & caelestiall signes , of some great fatall coniurations plotted by Pluto and his Stygian furies , for the totall subuersion of this ancient Kingdome and State , and were all presentlie cloathed in white , playing and singing sweete and melodious congratulalions , for the happie deliverie both of their native Countrie from that great imminent perill , as also for my fortunate arrivall in so fit a season , wherby I might not onelie testifie to them my Countries crueltie , and her ingratitude towards mee , but that I might likewise in short successe of time eternize my name , by offering my service in publishing by open testimonie both to the great and little World , a more horrible and damnable fact , then before I served for . And so being a little comforted and put in some good hope by this their newes , my faint spirit begins to take fresh courage , and to strengthen my weake limbes , so that I began to march a faster pace , then before I was accustomed to , with desire to learne more certaintie of this newes , which yet was a mysterie vnto me : and casting mine eyes round about mee , to see if I could discerne anie thing , I perceaved betwixt mee and the skie , beeing then the dawning of the day ( before Phoebus had sent abroade his rayes for the clearing of the ayre with vniuersall light ) the whole companie of the sacred Muses adorned with their ever flourishing greene Lawrel Garlands , who holding in their hands sundry & severall instruments of musique , made the hils , valleyes , and groues to resound with their heavenly harmonie , melodious Songs , sweet sonnets , and shrill Ecchoes of their learned Poeticall inventions in all languages ; and all this they did to signifie the exceeding ioy they had lately conceaved of the thrice happie deliverance of that their great friend , darling , & favourer , the most wise , prudent , learned , mightie , worthie , and in all heroicall vertues and valour , the most rare and great Apollo , whom Mars that sterne God of bloudie battaile evermore envied and hated even to the death , for no other cause ( as can bee coniectured , or as I could learne out of their rare Ditties and Sonnets ) then onelie , for that he was entred into a sincere league and sweete societie of the caelestiall Graces , the devine Muses , and sacred Peace , ( whereto hee was preordayned at the verie houre of his nativitie ) and thereby , and by meanes of the common tranquillitie thereof ensuing , had brought and deduced from aboue , into this little world , & from thence derived to all the most famous parts of the great world , such manifold and exceeding rich gifts , bounteous favours , and invaluable benefits & blessings , as the like had either seldome , or not at all beene enioyed in anie former age , for which he was ( as he well deserved ) vniuersallie admired , honoured , and blessed over all . And therfore the greater indignation boiled in the breast of angrie Mars , who ever more grudging at humane felicitie , left no meanes or waies vnsought or vnattempted , whereby to bring our great Patron & Benefactor , and consequentlie this little world to confusion . And such was his innated hatred against him , even when he was yet in his Mothers bellie , knowing by the favourable aspects of Sol & Venus , that he should proue a most potent , prudent , wise , & blessed Prince of Peace , beloved both of Gods & men , that he this wicked Mars set on his cruell Sergeant the elder Gowrie to haue murdered that most noble Heroine the Queene his mother , & this blessed fruit of her womb , at one stab . And being prevented by divine providence of his malignitie , in this his abhominable intention , after manie other mischievous plots and practises ( all of them , as all other shall ever be made frustrate by the high hand of iust Joue ) he conspired with that variable Aeolus GOD of the windes ( who either by faire meanes , or sharpe menaces of anie great Power is lightlie wonne to worke the worst mischiefe he can ) to giue full scope and free licence to his turbulent and vnrulie windes , at such time , as our bright day-starre Apollo having accomplished the notable solemnitie of those famous nuptialls in the strong Dacian Kingdome , the middle Region of Europa , with his peerelesse Paragon , of all rich perfection the divine Cynthia ( otherwise then by himselfe immatchable ) had imbarqued him with his most lovelie beloved above all other , sailing from thence through the Ocean , towards his ancient Kingdom the lesser Albion , lying to the north of Albion maior , ( now both by his Highnes happilie reduced to one Monarchie ) then was seene the boisterous rage of blustring Boreas and his rude companions , domineering with might and maine vncontroled in Neptunes maine dominion , ( but without that great Gods assent or knowledge ) as somtime by the like permission of their flexible Master Aeolus at the request of angrie Juno , they practised the like peremptorie pranks ( vnwitting to Neptune ) vpon the vertuous and valorous Prince Aeneas in the Tyrrhene Seas . So that colleaguing themselues with that great Sorceresse Circe , and a great number of her most impious and detestable impes , all practising to drowne and destroy our Apollo and his fairest Cynthia with all their noble traine ( as after vpon their conviction they freely confessed ) they sturdilie heaved , tossed , and tumbled the fearefull billowes , hoysing one while his drearie ships vpon the high-raised waues almost to the azure skie , and then throwing them downe againe as lowe as the foundations of the earth . Yet notwithstanding all their furious tumults , and violent commotions , Almightie Joue ( whose name be therefore magnified for ever ) beholding this outragious tempest , and knowing the wicked occasion thereof ; brought them safe and sound to their own desired continent & Country . Which , when Mars vnderstood , he stamped & stared , foming at the mouth , and his eyes sparkling like fire for verie anger , that his conspiracie prevailed not , he fared like a mad man , and vowing still to pursue him with immortall hatred , swore by the black river of Stix , that his day of Mars wheron he was born , should ever proue the most fatall day of all other vnto him . And for that purpose he combined himselfe with Pluto that dreadful Prince of Erebus , who complotting together , brought it so to passe vnder cunning pollicies and faire shewes of great matters , that concerned his own person , state , and Kingdome , to bring him by the earnest labour of one of his deare favourites , to the dishonourable and disloyall house of the other Sergeant of Mars the younger & last Gowry , the bloudie nephew of a cruel trayterous Grandsire , where having locked him vp in a close roome in the hands of their sworne friends , his mortal enemies , he had no way nor meanes to escape , but even miraculously by his own stout manhood , or rather Heroick magnamitie , & the succour of a few of his faithful servants , but chiefly againe by the almightie providence of high Joue , waiting over him , at all times and places for his safeguard , hee was also delivered out of that danger . Then were Mars & Pluto more enraged then ever before , gnashing their teeth , and cursing and banning the fiends and furies , that had no more pollicie or power to accomplish their infernall plot , they were almost at a point to haue giuen over anie longer pursuit of their conspiracies , but that Pluto bethought himselfe of his deare son the red & bloudy Dragon , who throgh long & continual practise for manie ages , of all sorts of hellish stratagems , horrible massacres , blacke murders , deceitfull lies , and false miracles was growne to bee as much famed and feared in the world , as himselfe , so as it might be a question disputable in Schooles , whether Sathan the roaring and devouring Lyon , or his sonne the Pope , that red & bloudie Dragon was to be held for the greatest and chiefest lier and murtherer . Pluto therefore crying out , Flectere si nequeo superos , Acheronta mouebo , they began to be recomforted in his deare sonne , of their wicked hopes & divellish drifts for the acting of their bloudie Tragedie , ( as the last hope of all their mischiefes ) . And so adioyning themselues to this other great enemie of mans welfare , who was exceeding proude to haue the mannaging of that action referred to him , wherein the Prince of Devils had failed , conceaued presently a more horrible plot , then all the Stygian furies called together in a common Counsell could haue devised , not onely against the sacred person & life of Apollo , but also his divine Cynthia , and all their Godlike progenie , & all the Heroes , Prelates , Nobles , Statesmen , and chiefe Gentrie vnder his Domination ; all whom , and manie moe , by force of his invention , he made sure account to haue destroyed vpon that ominous day of Mars , with one blow of his fatall engine . Which complot hee gaue in charge for the more suretie to certaine of his trustie Enginers the Esauiticall band ( whose charge , profession , and practise , is nothing else but the vndermining and blowing vp of Princes , great States , and Kingdomes ) to see the same with all secret conveyance and diligence put in execution . Never before was heard of , the like inhumane stratagem , though manie cunning & cruell conspiracies proceeding from this terrible Dragon , had often been attempted against our Apolloes Predecessour , his most honoured and hallowed virgin sister , the great & mightie Diana , whom hee most maliced and hated deadlie aboue anie other Potentate on the earth , for that she as a most vertuous and couragious Princesse , and Faiths valorous Championesse , had not onelie given to him a wide & dangerous wound , that still , & still shall ever to his dying day put him to most grievous paine ; but also destroyed a great number of mischievous monsters that were conceaved and crept forth out of his foule mouth . All his practises notwithstanding , and though he did the verie worst he could , could nothing prevaile against her most blessed life , raigne , state , & governement , but that for 44 yeares together and vpward , while she ruled the famous Kingdome of Albion maior , to the high pleasure of Almighty Joue , a more flourishing and blessed estate was there seene , then was ever heard of in those times , when divine Astraea lived and ruled among earthly men . And in this meane time , while as the Almightie God perceaving this earthly Kingdome of her most happie and gratious Maiestie , to bee compassed and clogged with so many daily conspiracies and dangers , and that her sacred person having by the due course of nature runne out , & ended the glasse of her thrice happie and most renowmed government ; than it pleased him in his great and loving favour and mercie ( most happily and peaceably without anie danger or disturbance to her well long governed Kingdomes ) to translate her hence to the highest Emperiall heaven , there to live and raigne in the greatest glorie with his Angels to all eternitie . Constituting in her place this our Apollo , whom hee hath predestinated to vanquish , and finally destroy this monstrous red Dragon , whereby he shall purchase so much the greater glorie and immortall renowme to himselfe , then did the olde Apollo , by killing the huge serpent Python , by how much this Dragon is a thousand folde more great , virulent , violent , terrible , strong , and horrible then that was . This is the great cause indeede , why Mars fretteth , Pluto fumeth , the Dragon rageth , and all iointlie conioyne and conspire with all their forces against the life and state of Apollo , for whose most happie preservation from all their intended mischiefes ; the melodious Muses sang Jo Pean , with manie heavenlie notes ( sweeter farre then the concentfull harmonie of the sphericall Orbes ) full of ioy and tryumph . But reserving the residue of the rarest and secretest matter of their divine songs , vntill I shall see the end of my travailes , I will briefelie shewe , what further befell mee . Thus being heereby somewhat more confirmed of the trueth of so woonderfull newes , and advauncing my steps forward to see the end and successe of these strange incounters , I cast my sleepie eyes here & there ( the day being all spent , and blacke and raynie clouds covering the bright starres in the firmament ) when loe in an instant , there appeared to me , as it were Vulcan in fierie sparkes & shining flames of great burning fires , environing me on all parts , where I went . I misdoubting at first , that Vulcan and Pluto had conspired the burning of the whole Island I was entred into , resolved with my selfe ( if it were possible ) to returne and escape so great and imminent a danger . But being soone advertised , that the matter was nothing so , as I supposed , but that these fires were kindled onlie for ioy , according to the commendable custome of this Island , when any good newes happeneth to the State , or Countrie : Behold , I was no sooner rid of this feare and perplexitie , but that I might see three severall Currors of sundrie nations ( as appeared by their cognizances on their brest ) going for France , Spaine , and Jtalie , and seemed to bee verie passionate and sad by their countenance and cariage , whither it were for the ill successe of the plot then discovered , or for that they feared , the passages were all stopt , so as they could not giue the first advertisement to their Maisters , I leaue them to your good and friendly consideration ( great Brittaine ) who can better iudge in their matters , and tell by the Weathercocke what quarter the wind holdeth , then I poore Pilgrime . Yet thus farre I can say of them , that their courtesie and favour was such to me a poore stranger , that they could not afford me one Aue , but making sighes , and crosses vpon their faces and breasts , looked and beckened so on me , as to a Hugonet . But I sore fearing , that they had beene Sergeants at armes sent after me for my apprehension , where soever they might finde me , was glad to make a low curtsie , and passe by them , with as much speed as my wearie feet could carie mee , and having posted a mile further ( without once looking backe ) It was my good hap to meete with two English Postes , bearing the red rampant Lyon on their brests ; who were so full of indignation , as that after my double salutations , they could not for anger speake vnto me , and shewing a sad & sorrowfull countenance , whither it were , that the stranger Postes had got the start of them , or fearing that thorough favour they might get passage before them , to carrie the first newes to their Maisters , and other forraine Princes , or for what other cause I know not , nor was it fit for me , being a stranger and a bannished Pilgrime to be nimis curiosus in aliena republica . Yet staying , and viewing one another more nearlie , I began to remember my selfe , that I had seene these two English Postes oftentimes not onely passe by me in their going to the Pallace of Paris , but that they had bin also accustomed theretofore , in pointing out their fingers to me , as to a rare myracle , to shew to their Countries men newly come over , my whole Genealogie , birth , & memorable storie : And on the other side , one of them being well travaild in all Countries , by his imployment in the service of the late renowned Queene your Ladie , & given withall to the observations of antiquities abroad , drew out his bookes of those matters , which hee ever caried about him into forraine parts , and turning the leaues over , he finds the whole discourse of my life , which pondering to and fro in his mind , he begins to looke on mee more nearly & circumspectly , & ( the architecture of my stately building being yet fresh in his memorie ) he fell somwhat to blesse himselfe , & after to craue pardon of the oversight , ( as hee said ) of his duty to me , by whom he had receaved so many curtesies for his Country men , & other strangers while I stood aliue , & in credit with the great Princes & Peeres of the Realm of France , then both of them with a laughing countenance striving which of them should first embrace & welcom me , were so astonished at my presence , as they stood in doubt , whither they should reioyce at my comming over , or lament for my exile and hard fortune , I was fallen into . But yet vpon better advise , they reioyced rather , that it had pleased the mightie Jehouah , to bring me safe into this famous Island , and that I had arrived in the best opportunitie , that ever could haue beene wished , affirming that Gods great and miraculous providence was so favourable vnto me , that wheras my sworne & cruell Esauiticall enemies hoped to haue triumphed in my late down-cast , & consequently haue buried me in everlasting oblivion , they should now be frustrate of their vngodly hopes , saying thus vnto me . Be of good comfort renowned Pyramis , thou shalt bee more welcome to this our newe Monarchie , then were thy enemies to their home-caller and restorer ; and whereas thou wert permitted there to stande scarce the space of the fourth part of an age , in thy glorious Trophee , as a witnesse of two teeth strucken out of the mouth of the Lordes annointed , and for preserving one King , which their novice and parricide Chattell had intended to haue killed , and for putting but one Kingdome in danger of forfaiture to the Pope their Creator , which before in colour of a false presupposed right , hee pretended he had given to the holy Leaguers , and their coniured adherents , by excommunicating that your sacred Monarch ; we doubt not , but heere thou shalt shortly serue for a greater vse , and more glorious end , to bee erected as a witnesse and perpetuall Record of the wonderfull & thrice happie deliverie of our great and sacred King the rarest & most learned King that ever bare Scepter either in this Island , or in any age present , or past ; of his most gratious Queene that shall be by the loving favour of the Almightie , the ioyfull and blessed mother of many Kings & Queenes ; his tender & deare sonne & heire , a Prince of the greatest hope of his age ; the rest of his royall Progenie , all the reverend Bishops , graue Counsailours , and Iudges , all the ancient Nobility , Gentillity , & Burgesses chosen and deputed for Commissioners to a solemne Parliament , and of many thousand moe that were attendant to that solemnity , and of a number of forraine Embassadours , if they had come thither , as was supposed , they should ; All these , and many moe , which were all in a moment to haue beene blowne vp , by a false and cruell Foxe , ( for so was his name ) sent forth out of some of the Popes dennes , or rather Plutoes dungeons , to kill , rent , and blow vp all the innocent & simple sheepe of Christes Fold , in this new established Monarchie , at one blow . This was one of the Popes Cannons , that hath been making this yeare & halfe , by his finest & most subtile-pated Artificers , which he had hired for this horrible worke of his , and this blow should haue beene given by such a small Cannon , that was charged with no more then 34 great barrels of pouder , and with 24 stone of gad Iron for her bullet . All the thundring Cannons forged & made in the bloudie Counsell of Trent were not so dangerous , as this one was . And yet true it is , that a few of these Cannons of Trent blew vp in Paris in one night , & one morning tenne thousand people , besides 20000 they blewe vp in other Townes a little after , where one barrell of powder furnished all those Cannons . But the greatest difference was this , they there killed but thousands of poore Hugonets , but heere they aymed their murdring shot against King , Queene , Prince , Dukes , Earles , Barons , Prelates , Counsailours , Iudges , and Gentillitie of the Land ; there they preserved Houses , Pallaces , Chappels , and Schooles ; but here they would haue blowne vp the most statelie buildings , Churches , Pallaces , and Schooles that pertained to the Crown , yea the treasure and Records of the Kingdome ; there they spoiled the living onely , but heere they would haue burnt and blowne vp the sacred and dead bodies of the famous Kings , Conquerours , Queenes , & Princes , sleeping in their sumptuous Toombs , as the rich and costly beds of their last honours they had heere vpon the earth . There they imagined by killing of King Henry the third , and wounding the fourth Henry , to haue wrought the overthrow & desolation of one ancient Kingdome ; but here of three severall most ancient and warlike Kingdomes of Christendome . But having not leasure to stand on more particulers , what shall I say to thee ( O thou thrice happy exiled Pyramis ) of these their never before invented cruelties . Talia horret meminisse animus . O this wicked treacherie , and false periurie of theirs ! O cruell conspiracie , and Graecian perfidie ! O Sathanicall enimitie , & more then Neronian crueltie ! O Scythian barbarity , and Iudaisme infidelity ! O Gentilisme vanity , & more than Heathenish impietie ! and finally , O poysoned Papisticall idolatry of theirs , proceeding from their blind & devilish devotion , the ground of their abhominable & hellish treason . The treacherous conspiracie of wicked Hammon that he wrought against the Iewes , to haue had them all killed in one day , wheresoever they should be found in the vast Dominions of the great Monarch Assuerus , is not comparable to this : Nor the crueltie of Mithridates , who in one night & a day killed thirtie thousand Romanes : Nor the tyrannie of wicked Nero who killed his mother , his master , & that burnt almost whole Rome the chiefe Citie of the world , with a number of other cruelties that hee committed : Nor the bloud-thirstie mind & wicked desire to raigne of Caligula , who wished the whole Senate and chiefe men of the Romane Empire , to haue had but one necke , that hee might haue strucken it off at one blowe : Neither the secret and bloudie conspiracie of treacherous Catiline , who had privilie plotted not onelie the death of the whole Senate , and chiefe men of name in Rome , but also had destinated the most of his owne kindred to that cruell slaughter : Neither the damnable Sicilians evening sacrifices committed by them vpon the French men : Nor the Mattens of Paris performed by the French themselues in massacring their owne Country men and dearest friends , can in no degree be matched with this vnnaturall crueltie of theirs . And which is most strange how it could be , all this their whole pernitious & detestable enterprise of our tyrannous Traytors and cruell bloud-sucking Papists , that had been more then a yeare in hatching , was so cunninglie & secretly contrived and mannaged by the subtill and Machiavillian practises of some few maleconted Gentlemen ioyned to the Iesuites and Seminarie Priests , who had the chiefe imployment for matters both of Counsell & execution , that it was brought forward vnknown & vnrevealed even to the space of a verie few houres , before the time of putting the same in execution ; & according to the relation of the chiefe Counsailours of our Estate , if the Almightie God had not miraculously made our gratious Soveraigne , by divine inspiration rather , then by humane wisedom and fore-sight , to cause diligent inquirie to bee made of such suspect places of the Parliament house , as his Maiestie greatlie misdoubted after the reading of a misticall & strange letter , out of the which , his Highnes collected & apprehended more , then a great part of his Counsell could , doubtlesse this monstrous contrived treason would haue sorted to that wicked destinated event . Therefore O glorious , wise , and ever famous King , preserved wee hope , for a greater worke of God , that by thy providence and sacred experiences hast saved thy selfe , thy succession & Kingdomes , a worke which time and memorie shall never deface , but shall be eternized to the worlds end , to thy immortall glorie and renowme . But O thou mightie Iehouah , to whom the highest glorie shall be ascribed , that so miraculously hast preserved thy own annointed , and with him thy deare Church , which was environed with such incomparable daunger that never was heard of before , neither was ever hatched the like by all the cursed brood of Sathan , vntill this never before expected wicked time . Thus ending his tragicall discourse , I became so astonished and amazed thereat , as I became speechlesse , and as halfe dead , vntill these Currors began friendly to comfort mee : assuring mee , that the Almightie of his great providence had brought me here , that whereas my enemies the Iesuites & Seminary Priests , and their bloudie associates and followers , hoped to haue gotten credit and eternall reputation by the downe-cast of me poore Pyramis at home in Paris , that now I should be in a sure way of preferment , by the gratious assistance of the most High , and the favour and pietie of the great , mightie , and religious Monarch , and this estate of the new Monarchy , & little world , to receaue heere a greater glorie and honour by my newe erection in so famous an ancient Countrie , and place , then the disgrace I had in France by my overthrowe : and that where my enemies intended to haue raced out vtterly all remembrance of me , they should make me Jpsis invidis etiam nolentibus , to be more renowned then ever I was before , and more infamie to redound to them in the succeeding ages , them did to Erastratus that made himselfe infamous to this day , by burning that rare & sumptuous temple of Diana in Ephesus , held for one of the seaven mervailes of the world ; and whereas I had continued there scarce the quarter of a mans age , they hoped , that I should stand heere and , indure to the worlds end : & whereas I was builded there in the ruines of a Merchants house , that heere I should be erected in the ruines of Plutoes destinated Pallace , to stand as a witnesse of their damnable plot for the perpetuall ruine & downefall of many hundred faire houses of Nobility & Gentrie : and that where my erection was there decreed by one Court of Parliament of Paris , consisting only of Presidents & Lawyers , that here I should be ordained & confirmed by the Soveraigne Monarch , and three Estates of Parliament , solemnlie to stand in Amphitheatrick forme , after the ancient Romane manner . PROPTER REGEM , REGNVM , ET SVBDITOS SERVATOS . For preserving the King , Kingdom , & Subiects , in that same place where the fact & cruell conspiracie was intended to haue beene put in execution . And thus having discoursed vnto me this strange conspiracie , ( of all conspiracies that ever were the most capitall ) & incouraged me vpon an assurance of my advancement , they courteouslie took their leaues , after they had directed me to the famous Abbey of Westminster , whitherward I hied me fast , that there I might complaine & lament among the graues of the dead , therby to move all zealous and well affected Brittaine Commissioners of all the three States in Parliament , that detest the crueltie of so great & horrible a crime , & hate the mischievous plotters of such haynous treason , to be intercessors and petitioners to their dread Soveraigne , for my erection and advancement to the Office of High Recorder of the preservation of this new Monarchie of great Brittaine , and that place no longer to be a Parliament-house , that was dedicated to Pluto and his infernall Furies , but that I may succeede thereto , ( after that it shall by a generall decree bee cast downe ) as a iust demolisher of that Stygian field . I say no more now for very faintnes , but Misericordia Dei super omnia opera , giving thankes in the meane time to the Author of my first life , and to him next , whosoever he be , that hath preserved my reliques and broken bones to so happy a time , thereby to giue me a second life , as if I were a new Phoenix rising out of my burnt ashes , to make the world hereafter wonder at , & detest more and more the crueltie of the Pope that bloudy Dragon , and his divelish children , and from terrifying such miscreants ever hereafter in any age subsequent , to attempt the like against the Lords annointed & his Church , fully perswading my selfe , that this great worke of the Lord in discovering so horrible a fact , by which , they promised to themselues a finall & infallible overthrow of Christs Church , and true religion in this Island , shall be the meanes by Gods wonderfull favour & iudgement , that out of this Isle shortlie shal march that mightie and fearefull Lyon , that beares in his Scutchion that martiall poesie Parcere subiectis , et debellare superbos , who shall overthrowe the bloudie Dragon , that Antichristian beast , with all his whelps in his devouring denne , and shall establish Gods word there , which they purposed to haue extinguished heere . And I thinke verily , that this is their last blow , that ever they shal be able to strike , and which by the reverberating force of it shall be the most dangerous & deadlie to themselues , & for their owne overthrow , yea sorer then Luthers , that was the greatest wound that the Romish Antichristian Church receaved in our memorie , and which ( as I trust ) shall drive them in time to acknowledge their wickednes and blindnes , and to embrace the true faith in humilitie , and to craue me pardon for my downe-cast and bannishment from my native Countrie . And thus having made relation to thee ( O renowned Monarchie of great Brittaine ) both of my passed and present fortunes , and of the strange accidents that haue hitherto happened vnto me , I implore thy gratious ayde & accustomed bountie never denied to any oppressed stranger , in vouchsafing to become an earnest intercessor for me , to the high & most sacred Maiestie of thy great Soveraign ( in whose potencie , & your authority , the hope not onely of my preferment , but the certain accomplishment of all those great matters before spoken of , assuredly consisteth ) that I may be receaved and brought to the presence and most comfortable favour of his princely mercies , that by them I may haue a new life breathed into me , and be preferred to that eminent place , where I may best performe ( as dutie and thankfulnes shall binde me ) both to his Highnes and thy excellencie , that worthie and faithfull service , that shall neuer be but exceedingly well thought , & highly comended to all posterity . And to my auspitious mind , no fitter place for demonstration of my dutifull seruice ( I speak not I protest out of ambition , or anie vicious humor ) can be assigned me , than that Parliament house , which these Monsters of mankinde , the Pope & his miscreant crue had meant to haue subverted & demolished by Plutoes & Vulcans violent and boystrous fires & flashing thunderbolts , and so to haue made & consecrated it as a ruinous & fit Pallace for the habitation of the black infernall Prince , & his damned spirits and Ministers of darknes . But that I may with the greater right , and without cavill of curious or captious heads stand there aucthorized , Let me also request this favour at your handes ( most mightie Monarchie ) to move & stir vp the wel affected mindes & fierie zeales of the States of your Parliament , that at the next Session , I being as yet but an Alian heere , may by Statute & decree be naturalized , and infranchized as a borne subiect within your territorie , & so thereafter to be erected and stand in the place that was destinated for Plutoes Pallace , as a perpetuall monument and Record of this horrible conspiracie , & of thine , & our Monarchs most happy conservation , & as a caveat to the ages following of the Papistical treasons of the Romish Church , which I hope shall shortly inferre an end to that long vsurped tyrannicall raigne . And so perswading my selfe , that if neither my poore and pittious distressed estate ; neither the fine eloquence of the bannished Pyramis it selfe , speaking to you in his owne French language : newly set forth in your owne tongue , cannot perswade you to immortalize your own deliverie from the greatest apparant daunger that ever befell to you . I say , if this above mentioned reason , cannot move you to testifie in some measure , the earnest desire you haue to make this notable deliverie of GOD to bee knowne to the ages subsequent by my publike erecting again in a glorious Pyramis , by testifying your inward thankfulnes to him by this outward monument for your preservation : Yet I beseech you , although I seem perchance a stranger in outward shew , suffer me neverthelesse as a loving Patriark & simpathizing Christian , in the common cause , that these two great & wonderfull works of the Almightie God , ( may at least move and touch your hearts , from the highest degree to the lowest , from the head to the bodie , and so to all the members of this your Monarchie ) I meane his great mercie towards you all , and his fearefull iudgement against your enemies in this never to be forgotten thrice happie and admirable deliverie . His mercie , I say , appeares not onely in discoverie of your danger , but in disappointing of their cruell Parricide , and in preserving your lyues from the snares of the bottomlesse Locusts of hellish Babilon , his iudgement againe in the other part is to be admired , in suffering a great part of them to bee apprehended , and made a perpetuall spectacle to all posteritie , by a iust and most severe punishment , and the chiefest of them to haue suffered that same crueltie of punishment , by Gun-powder , which they ordained for your death . Psal. 17. Blessed therefore be the Lord of Hostes in all his workes , for his mercies be everlasting , and his iudgements vnsearchable . And let this againe be your morning and evening sacrifice , recommended to all Christians of mercie and of iudgement both , O Lord , Psal , 10● . my song shall bee : But if all this cannot perswade you to erect mee for a publique Monument of your deliverie , yet let the godlie example of Abraham , Jsaack & Jacob , stir you vp to this , who in their often deliveries & favours receaved at the hands of God , erected both Altars and Monuments of stones , as witnesses of Gods inestimable favours & blessings towards them , to their posteritie ; and seeing also that , that spirituall Monument of publique prayers religiouslie ordained by his sacred Maiestie to bee celebrated through all his Kingdomes , for stirring vp of all mens affections in thankfulnesse to GOD , appeares almost in the verie beginning to bee neglected , both in Court , Countrie , and Citie ; at least permitte then the erection of this temporall and materiall Monument , to bee an occasion and a meanes not onelie to lifte vp your externall eyes to GOD , but also rather to lift vp the eyes of your mindes and hearts to the memorie of GODS mercie towardes you all , and of his iudgement vpon your enemies . I could speake farre more in this so ample and worthie Subiect , if I should not bee thought too forward in so good a cause : but howsoever I , or the Pyramis that hath made mee thus to speake bee liked of , so that I haue preserved my selfe farre from Joue et fulmine , I care the lesse the censure of the rude , and vnlearned that knowes not , but extra crepidam , neither would I wish the covetousnesse of the rich , nor the envie of the malecontent , nor the partialitie of the indifferent , neither the favourer of Poperie , hinder so good a worke , neither dislike of mee the Patronizer thereof : adding onelie this short caveat , with your good leaue and friendlie favour , that if the least countenaunce of clemencie shall bee showne to the Romaine conspiratours and their associates , either nowe or heereafter : it is to bee feared , that your clemencie shall bee called crueltie , and your courage cowardnesse , and your loue hatred : And last of all , your Religion and Zeale towardes Christes Church and your Countrie , shall bee thought Atheisme and Poperie . Which GOD forbid should ever come to passe in such a Christian and flourishing Monarchie , where Christes word is so vniuersallie & religiouslie preached . And if that you either saue any of the greatest or meanest sort of those coniured Traytours that bee nowe in hands ; but especiallie the Iesuites and Seminarie Priests , the chiefe inventours of all those pestilent plots , & ringleaders of the rest to this damnable Rebellion , either for feare , favour , or for anie other worldlie or politick respect : I feare not onely all such that feares God truly at home , but all sincere and faithfull Christian neighbours abroad shall suspect you as betrayers both of Christes Church , his true religion , your gratious King , Countrie , yea your owne lyues , to your verie enemies : and to this end surelie the eies and eares of all those which be bound by the band of Vnitie in true religion in all forraigne Kingdomes , are bent to attend and heare of the good successe of so great a worke , put in your hand at this time ; so perswading themselues in this meane time , that seeing it had pleased God to haue blest you by all other Nations and Kingdomes of the earth , with so wise , learned , and religious a King , so graue , godlie , expert , & foreseeing a Parliament , wherein I wish , Abrahams faith , Salomons wisedome , Davids zeale , Jonathans faithfulnes , Iosuahs courage , and Judiths spirit and resolution , may appeare in everie one of you at this present , having also so faithfull and obeysant Magistrates and Subiects to execute , whatsoever your sacred King and three Estates shal decree in this present Parliament , expecting in this meane time at your hands , such godlie , necessarie , and strict lawes , with their due execution without delay & acception of persons , as Christes Church and true religion , may be without all feare of danger ; and on the other part the Papists your enemies , may be in such sure guard , with a care to disarme them , and inable them of all such meanes whatsoever , as in anie way heereafter may giue but the least suspition of anie thing , that may indanger his Maiesties person , succession , & Kingdoms , either by themselues heere at home , or otherwise abroad , by their favourers and associates . And so consider with thy selfe ( beloved great Brittaine ) the singuler goodnes of thy God towards thee , and thine annointed King , in delivering you both ( who were appointed as Sheepe to the slaughter ) from that most barbarous & savage imminent massacre , and vnnaturall conspiracie ( no age ever yeelding example of like cruelty ) & that thy deliverie & safetie came not of thy merit , but of Gods great mercie , not thy foresight , but his providence , not thy loue to God , but his to thine annointed King and his chosen people . Forget not therefore , to praise , thank , and glorifie the Lord of Hostes continuallie , for his mervailous and most mercifull work of thy preservation and safetie , for his mercie endureth for ever . Which that thou , and thy faithfull people , and their seed after them , may not onelie the better remember and be taught to doe , but learne also to abhorre the odious hainousnes of so foule a fact : Let it be ( as it is most worthie to be ) written and engraven in my Piller of lasting Marble ad perpetuam rei memoriam . And so praying the most High to blesse our good proceedings and well intended indevours with happie & prosperous successe to his glorie , the good of his Church our owne comforts , and the conversion ( if it may be ) or else the confusion of his and our enemies ; I conclude with this my last request , that such obdurate & stiffe-necked Papists , as will not be yoaked or reclaimed from their grosse & abhominable idolatries and wicked superstitions , but still like Swine swill and swell themselues with the filthie dregs , that the great whore of Romish Babilon giveth vnto them , refusing to be cured by the healthie and wholsome potion of Gods most holie truth , may not bee suffred to dwell together with mee in this land ; for neither is it lawfull for such to liue amidst Gods chosen Heritage , to defile the Land with their filthines , nor ( if they should ) can my life bee without continuall hazard and danger , by their secret and villainous attempts . Call vpon thy King therefore , to execute iustice & iudgment in cutting off these workers of iniquitie , whose religion is rebellion , whose faith is faction , whose pietie is wicked pollicie and practise of murdring both soules & bodies of Kings , and all estates of people , and to roote and rid them cleane out of the confines and limits of thy whole Monarchie , which being clearely purged of them , may ever heereafter growe vp , prosper , and flourish in quiet safetie , sound health , and invincible strength in everie member of the whole bodie of all true and truly devoted subiects , with their righteous and religious Head and Soveraigne .