IN the sacred Temple of the Almightie Iehoua , a place of residence of his faithfull seruants , there is no person on earth , more deuout then a Signor of Spaine , but in the middest of his Contemplations diuine , or making shewe of diuine , tending to the true seruice of God , it is his assiduate vse ( if his sight be guilty of any ladies alluring bewtie ) to gaze , and afterwards to cast amourous glaunces , yet Guarda los oios fuera fuera la temptatie , Bridle the sight , Banish temptation ther is no such matter : for Sig. his vital powers are all occupied in deuotion . What with crowching , knéeling , and millions of crosses , he makes an excéeding good outward shewe : After which , with a singular grace , kissing his thumbe he endeth : although he haue knéeled but on the one knée , be it no scandall , for it is his fashion . Then for the last act of the Church matter to confirme the peace , Signor bids Signor as buenas Dias . Bids the Gentlewomen good-morrow .

SIgnior at his dyet , is as a rauenous Woolfe , with the one elbow leaning on the Table , openeth his Mawe like a Iudas purse . He layeth his tallants on the meat , like a Woolfe that gripeth a Lambe : he estéemes it no shame to turne the dish , and tumble the cates topsie turuie , to seeke De buena gana with a good heart . los buenas boccades , The good morcels . the which , Ell Ventro del Vno , To the belly of one . he purposeth to send : what a Signior doeth not eate , he sleaeth , or vnséemly mangleth . A more lickorish wretch earth doth not produce , his fare must daily be fresh , both roasted and sod , besides this , he is a wonderfull deuourer of Olia podridos , and Carbonadoes , togither with an infinit quantitie of fruites , Comfites , and Succados , yet it is a hard matter , if a man hath not one good qualitie , No es barachono , you must not thinke so , except it were a chance . This is a Signiors dyet at anothers cost , but alas if you finde him at his owne Table , you may sée it stately furnished with a Sardinia , Or a crust of bread , a pot of Aqua , and perhaps a bone , yet abroad , if there be a Woolfe at the Table , Signior is one .

SIgnior in his Chamber , is as a Hogge in his stye : with filth and filthie sauour he payeth his Hoaste , euen the same which procéedeth from his pockey selfe , Las donas , 1 The Wenches . vse him so kindly , that he is wholy infected , De los boubes . 2 The pockes . La mala canera , 3 The Chamber . sticks in his buttocks . It is a Diauolos life , alwaies to be troubled with those clisters and pilles , sirropes and conserues , how is it possible Signiors daintie bodie can endure ? but indéed the Apothecaries drugges are to ease the belly , Signior being stopped like a bottomlesse barrell . Although he were honoured with the fairest and neatest Chamber in the house , he wil without respect , file it with his head or tushe . What matter is that , the Messima must conuey it fuera . The Mayd must carry it out .

SIgnior being in the stréete , or any other publicke place , his first gestures , are to bend the head , turne the eye , and Peacocke-like to behold himselfe if nothing be amisse , his gate is like one who treades the measures , he scarce takes thrée steppes , but the fourth , he againe contemplateth , Su Signoria , His Signory . sometime he wil cast a léering eie a side , to espie if the beholders admire him not , his minde stil giues him , that euery speculator saith , Ah mira ell Canalioro , Os beheld the knight . then he rowseth himselfe and expecteth a reuerence of euery one that passeth , he twisteth his moustachoes , and strokes his beard . His Trade in Spaine perhaps was to sowe hand-baskets , or to blow glasses in the Furnaces , scarce trusted to guard a flocke of Cabritoes . And here we wil beare the name of a Hidalgo or don , yet the Asse is knowne , though he weare a Lyons skinne .

SIgnior is stuffed with all maner of subtil deuices to deceiue women , which is his continuall studie . As the Foxe often ( not by force , but by subtiltie ) catcheth a praie , lo Sig. where he can espye one to his liking , presently his head is filled with a common wealth of subtil stratagems , although he sée no likelihood , yet like a valiant Champion , he stands to his sute very importunately , whereby he shewes them what mettal is in him , for he trieth in Loues scorching flames like a firie Furnace . Si la Dona eschoucha : If she listen , he intices her further to come , Fuera bowing his knées , Conquingentos suspiros , with 500. sighs and other fained adulations , he protesteth to be a deuoted Seruidor de las Donas , Seruant vnto women . and with a Besa los manos de vostra Signoria , los ciueros con Cortesia & buena Compagnia , Kissing his hands , and presenting her with al dainties . he intices her to his entent , if so be for all this she continue obstinate , and wil not pittie this amourous Squire , he betaketh his farther suite to a cunning Bawde , and doth in such sort , that many a Lambe must voyd his Lodge .

IN a Towne where a Spanish Signior lies in Garrison , he rules like a Lyon , posing all vnder his subiection , a Signior alone is wise inough of himself to do and leaue what he list , any others ( great or small ) he maketh no account of , estéeming them all as Nada . Nothing . Signior is the Cocke , he wil ouercrow all . If any one contrary his doings and sayings , then one shal sée him swear & swagger , Villain tradidor del Re , Lutheriano , Villain , Traytor to the king . Hereticke . he stands so much on his owne reputation , that none ( besides himself and his ) are Seruidors del Re , The kings seruants . he supposeth none may gainsay him , for he is maister of the place : Guarda la cabecca . Beware thy head . He sweares by God . If you abuse him , Boto a Dios , he wil reuenge it with his blood : at least he wil make you beléeue it . In fine , Signior wil be Signior , as long while as Signior is himselfe .

IN a place of garrison , where nothing is to be don but bragging and dominéering , there turn a Signior loose , he wil play his part , he estéemes his skil , far to surpasse all others , but no sooner doth he heare the thundring rumor of Los Ennemigos , or sée them plant their Tents and standards with any aduantage , before his residence , he is in a moment wholly metamorphosed , his heart shrinkes like a péece of wet leather by the fire , all his Lyon like courage vanisheth like smoake , for that from a Lyon he becomes a Hare , yet he wil séeme to cloake it , but neuer so wel , but you shal sée him making of vowes to Signior Iago & nostra dona de lorretto , S. Iames and our Lady of Loretta . the one vows a pilgrimage a foote , and the other rich gifts , his braine and sences are so affrighted with the noyse of the Artillery , that like a Hare he feareth euery cracke and blast of winde .

NEuer was there any man more vnresolute to die , then a Spaniard , especially if his fortune be to be hanged , no sooner doth he fal into the hand of a Iustice , but Signior looseth his téethe , he is a forlorne man , vale mee Dios , God defend me . from such a lot , for Signior standeth more in awe of la Horca , The Gallows . as also la Stropada , Mercy . then the diuel doth of the Crosse : insomuch that in that respect Signor non va le nada , Is worth nothing . he cries Misericordia , he vtters many gréeuous laments : but most , O dios de materra , O mal , auenturado , O thou Spanish God . in this sort to caper aboue grounde , Signior had rather goe to Rome bare-foote , then to be hanged , it is such a hard morcell , and of so bad disgesture , it is as good as Stibbium , to make him vomit vp al his vilanie to the Fryer that confesseth him , which done , he recommends his soule , ( with a thousand crosses ) to some Saint , and then leapes at a Dasie , neuer was a Lambe more méeke then a Signior vnder a Gallowes .

Some faults in particular persons , are in some sort to be tollerated , and other some not , in any wise , especially in case of gouernment . IN case that Signior had but these aforesaid vices , he were to be borne withall , although to many a ones cost , but he is moreouer so wrapped and intangled in auarice , that for money he would almost fight with the diuel , as appeares by the writing of their owne Historiographers . The auarice of the late Romanes , Turks and Heathens , were but toyes to his , not only for money , but also to scrape to himselfe euery thing else , and to tyrannize ouer all the worlde , the which they also shewe in the Indies , where aboue the Spanish Armies , at S. Domingo is written , Toth es nuestro toth es mio : The Bishops of Chiapa Pedro de chiefe Francisco loper , and other their writers . As also thereon standeth a Horse , with his hinder féete in the worlde , and séemeth with his fore féete , to leape out of the same , and out of his mouth this Motto . The world doth not suffice me , whereby they shewe their insatiable couetousnesse . The Indians also say , that gold is Signiors God , but as he thinks the worlds containes not pillage inough for him , so vndoubtedly , one day he shal be made pilladge to the world .

Sign . of Spaine is so blinded in ambition , that he enuies at anothers honor , fretting exceedingly , to see that any one besides himselfe should bear any sway , and scornes them for his seruants , whom himselfe is vnworthie to serue . The reiected Letters of an. 1589. IN ambition , Signior also is not behinde hand , he reputes himself such , as none but he may be reuerenced ( he witlesse ) thinkes himselfe farre to surmount others manners , he vnskilfull , thinkes his learning and doctrine greater then any others , his clownish and base discent , he extols higher , then others doo their true Nobilitie : and his beastly and sencelesse opinion , before any reasonable iudgement : he is so loftie , that if any other will shewe his skill and experience , in instructing him in any thing , he both scornes the Teacher , and reiecteth his willing instruction , he will not sticke ( in his humor ) to reuile and defame , with the name of Traytors , those which to serue him , haue left and abandoned God and their Countrey , as well appeared by the Letters of the Spanish Commaundor Tepeda , who durst presume to miscall the states of the other side , Traytors , which notwithstanding were of their factions , In sum , where Signor doth rule , he shews his diuellish actions .

This appeareth most manifestly to be true , by the report of their owne Bishops and other writers , which say that their bloodines and tyrannie , surpasseth all nations of the world , as also that his discent is from the most barbarous & cruellest people in Europe . SIgnior hath at sundry times through his crueltie , without mercy , tyranized and suppressed whole Countries & Kingdomes , whereby many thousands haue lost their liues : his crueltie and inhumanitie is so extraordinary , that his minde is alwaies in suspence , deuising and inuenting what new and greater torments he may vse vnto them which he hateth , cutting & hewing off , of armes and legges , killing babes in their mothers armes , yea in the wombes , and such like are common things . Moreouer , he wil take the dead bodies of the little Infants , tearing them by péecemeale , throw them to the dogges , to be enterred in their bowels . If he be victorious , all his vallor he sheweth in surh like déeds : insomuch , that he is neuer glutted with blood , he farre surpasses Pharaoh in crueltie , Herod in tyrannie , and Antiochus in bloodthirstinesse . It is inough , yea too too much knowne in our Netherlands , and not only in Europe , Asia and Affrica , but also in the farthest part of America , whereby he sheweth himselfe to bee sprung from the cruell Goths and blood-thirstie Wandals .

If a man be ambitious , it followeth that he is greedie of reuenge . This hath the Spaniard shewed in many sorts and places , especially in his owne Countrey , and on his owne Country men , viz. in the Citie of Saragossa , where he beheaded a Duke , an Earl , the head Officer , and many of the chief Citizens , only because they defended their priuiledges in the cause of an imprisoned man . To execute his reuenge , he must needs break his oth , for he hath not the heart to do it valiantly and really , for he had not only sworn vnto those of Saragossa , as to all the realme , to keepe , protect and defend their priuiledges , but moreouer according to the formal words and articles which were pronounced at his coronation , was to loose his right by default thereof , he then that in such sort vsed his own country men , and those which in Idolatry are as superstitious as himselfe , what would he , nay what ought he to do vnto those which are proclaimed heretickes rebels , and were so long since , by the holy Inquisition damned to the pit of hell . ANy iniury which Signor may haue receiued or conceiued , how small soeuer , he wil alwaies remember it in minde , ( though he shewe neuer so good semblance ) vntill he finde some fit opportunitie , which if he cannot effect to his will , vnlesse to his discredit , yet notwithstanding , he wil neither respect honour nor oath , and therefore wil execute it after the most rigorous sort possible . He will finde occasions inough to accuse one , and those commonly such , wherof the Woolfe accused the lambe , saying that he troubled the water whereof he drunke . The Indians to their cost knew it full well , as also the chiefest of Arragon and our Netherlanders the Nobler sort whereof which he could not conuict nor accuse , amongst the number of malefactors , he hath sought by all subtil meanes ( some at one time , some at another ) to make them all away by deceitfull stratagems , vnder the colour of pure loue , shadowed with the robes of true friendship , which he defileth .

TO effect and execute this his insatiable desire of reuenge ( in a periurous sort ) he abandoneth all faith , the which in any accord or agréement , he may haue sworn or promised , for although his peruerse nature be of it self too much that way inclined , yet he is strictly bound by the papal doctrine , and by the decrées of the counsel of Constans , that to the hindrance and dammage , not only of the offenders of his Maiestie , but also of Los Lutherianos , they néed not keepe any oath or promise , but with all their might procure their vtter ruine and destruction . Such his déeds are not only exempt from sin , but are moreouer reputed holy workes , in respect that they are done to the furtherance and in the behalfe of the Romish Church . And by Gods helpe when he most trusts theron , seeking to rock others a sléep , through his fraudulent adulations , his deceit and faithlesse intent , shall be manifest , and he punished for the same : for there is no conueyance of sinne , from the knowledge of God . But he that putteth his trust in him , shall euer be blest .

BVt to the contrary , to be frée from his tirannie , and in stéed of a Signior , to haue as cullars in our Countrey , our owne kindred & Countrey men , is ( according to euery ones censure ) the happiest estate , and the greatest felicitie in this terestiall orbe , yea a preparatiue & foundation of an ensuing fréedom , and a strong defence against all enemies . God through his clemency and goodnesse , grant vnto them a perpetuall fréedome , and blesse them with his celestial gifts , of wisedome , foresight and discretion , that they may vnmoueably as a sturdie rocke , withstand the violent & raging assaults of the Spaniards vntil the end , and for guerdon of their paines , remaine in a frée and happie estate with continuation . To the honor of God , and their soules saluation . Amen .