NOt doubting but your Worship hath heard of our late anti-parle with the Archduke Albertus heare in Ostend , which I assure ●…y ●…lfe is of many wondred at , and againe , knowing that no small number will iudge there of , some according to their vnderstandinges , and other some as they are carried with affection . I haue thought good to aduertise you of the verie truth thereof ; for your worships satisfaction , and better contentment of all Gentlemen to whome it shall please your worship to impart the same , wherein I assure you I haue plainely and faithfully set downe the truth without all fauour or affection , as hereafter followeth .

HIs Lordship hauing by many Letters for the space of two Moneths togither , solicited the States to reenforce him with fresh supplies of men , was still answered again with hopefull promises , meane time his troupes in towne were generally harrazed & worne out , especially the English by guarding & watching in the workes without the Towne euery second night for the space of sixe Moneths togither , their durtie passage thither , and their myrie guard●… there , inse●…ing them dayly with increase of sicknesse , so as by diseases and other accidents of warre , he had not remaining at the time of the Parley beg●… , being on Sonday night the 1●… of December after the old stile , of 8000 soldiers and 〈◊〉 , 2150 : and such as know Ostend as it is now , and haue withal any iudgment in martiall 〈◊〉 , can discerne that the Towne al●…ne cannot bee su●…tiently guarded with 〈◊〉 men , leauing out of this computation the outward workes and most part of the Counterscarps , which are in●…d principall pillars of saf●…tie to this place .

Againe the fury of the sea had so demolished the Rampart of the ●…owne , that the same lay very weake and open i●… many places for the Enemies passage . And ( notwithstanding that good indeauours had 〈◊〉 vsed , 〈◊〉 much cost 〈◊〉 to secure vs against both those dangers , by store of long 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 - wood lodged in ●…ile at the North-west ●…nd of the 〈◊〉 bray , ( the support of the foot of the bulwarke called the Sand-hill ) and of like wood platted along the foote of the Sandhill to the sea-ward , fastned ( besides the workmans arte ) with great stones , and well lined with sundry ranks of Pallizad●…s armed with long and strong nailes of Iron ) yet did the Enemy in the darknes of a boystrous night at a low water , so arteficially , and wi●…h such expedition put fire to the same pile , entertaining our guards a good , distance from thence , towards the North-east part of the old Towne with an alar●…m , in the meane time that few enclined their eyes to this fiery 〈◊〉 , vntill the fire had fully embraced the same pile . This alarum being ( to say truth ) coldly taken , the enemie 〈◊〉 his point till they came to the place of our new 〈◊〉 , being neare the North-east rauelling . and there finding the passage to enter open and no apparante of r●…ance , they entred , and comming to a Corps du gua●…d , they found one onely drowsey bird in the 〈◊〉 whom they killed , the rest being 〈◊〉 ●…ed after their ●…onted manne●… : yet I forbeare to name my Nation , Eupho●… gratia .

In the heate of this busines , his Lordship slenderly accompanied , fell vpon the skirt of all the place where the enemies were , and being with much ●…ifficultie perswad●…d to stay his further 〈◊〉 , till discouerie might be 〈◊〉 before 〈◊〉 , much troubled with feare of treas●…n ▪ hee sent away Capta●… Studde●… Commander of his owne companie ▪ with one 〈◊〉 Greuill , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and some one or two priuate men besides These stumbled vpon the 〈◊〉 , against whome making a countenance of a charge by their voyces , Sa , 〈◊〉 , &c. 〈◊〉 them to retire to the sands by the same way they entred ●…by it may ●…e conc●…ed they had full view of our new 〈◊〉 , there they perceiuing the 〈◊〉 of those that pursued them , turned head , and with a Musket , shot Captaine Studd●…r thorough the arme , and then made away , none of ours in case to follow them , by reason of their Cauallary , wherof we haue none in towne had this error been committed by any English Commander , I durst haue aduentured to haue made an Almanack of his end .

This fire burned outragiously for the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dayes & nights without ceasing , viz. from Thursday night , till Sonday night , neyther could our soldiers come well to quench it , the enemies Cannon still giuing against them , when they offred themselues thereto , neither could the ●…lowes of the sea , wa●…ing at euery tide far aboue the height of the fire extinguish the same . For it had gotten passage into the ground , and there found matter of continuall nourishment , by such timber & posts as were lodged there , for the support of the 〈◊〉 of the piece , & though it had been quenched sund●…y ti●…es ▪ yet doth it burst out again , ●… on Tewsday last I saw it burne againe my selfe . Our chiefest enginors are of opinion that the sand heated with such extremity , by furie of the fire in the pile of Rise , is the chiefest cause of the long continuance thereof , by this fire the Faurbray , and the side of the Sandhill lying towards the sea , were both 〈◊〉 open again to the mercy of all weathers and violence of the enemies , in far worse sort then it was before , and this was another instance of 〈◊〉 , &c.

Another is , & that not y● 〈◊〉 passage to alow for his ●… . was , we were & are stil many contrary nations in town , English , ●…rench , Scots , Wallons , & Duch , and therby a hotch-pot of contrary & dis●…nant humors . A natural instinct as the world knoweth hauing disioyntment of affections , yet hitherto wee haue had good 〈◊〉 , & by his Lordships well tempered command , all humors well tuned , neuerthelesse since the 〈◊〉 had formerly béen practising by sowing of factions amongst vs , his L. to pr●…uent the worst , layd these reasons as one step to his proiect .

Further his Lordship had 4 little fortresses called ●…eddotts in hand at the same time vpon the Rampart of the old towne , for the better securing thereof with few men if the enemy shold attempt vs , for those little skonses would haue been their scourges vpon their entrie , ( ech on flanking other ) & one guardable against their furie with few men , for besides their Ramparts they now are fenced about with heighty and very strong pallizadoes , these begun workes lay open and nothing neare ●…shed , and this was another branch of his Lordships ●…eares .

After al these commeth the maine which was , as his Lordship was certainly enformed , that the Archduke was resolued that night to attempt 〈◊〉 manner following , viz. The counte de Bukquoy , who commaundeth the forces on the East-side of the towne , was to giue onset at the North-east rauelling of the old towne vpon a low water which serued that time excéeding wel for their purpose falling out about 6 of the clocke at night .

Then from the West they purposed to trie vs by the Sand-hill , and in two places more of the old Towne viz. the port dupied which is a small rauelling in a counterscarp , lying West North-west from the towne , and is indéed a place of great inport for the kéeping of the Towne-dich full with water , and to preuent the enemies passage to scape our maine Rampart , and this place by furie of the sea , and rage of their Cannon , lay then méerely open and not tenable by any meanes .

Their other places where to come on , were our outward works , lying South and by West from the towne , called the South square , the Poulder and the West square , from which last worke commonly called the Collonels worke , they had about 3 wéekes before béene gallantly repulsed in the night by our guardants , being all English , and driuen to returne with farre lesse bloud , then they brought thither .

Another reason which was very powerfull with his Lordship , was a noble & religious care and sence to spare the 〈◊〉 of so much Christian bloud as in all 〈◊〉 , ( if the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to carrie 〈◊〉 , by the 〈◊〉 ●…urie ) must haue 〈◊〉 shed on both sides .

Inuested with these extreames of impendant dangers , his Lordship after many bitter trauerses through his great hart the scornes to stoope , to the mightiest enemy whosoeuer , found that neuerthelesse the be●… , & most a●…ured passage to general sa●…etie , was to temporize with the enemie by a parley , for dolus an virtus quis in hoste requirat , till the finishing of his works in hand , and the arriuall of his succours howrely expected , might settle him againe in tearmes of better assurance .

But by the way , I had forgotten to tell you 〈◊〉 , that vppon preconsultation , al our outward works aboue mentioned , were to be abandoned , ●… all our men draw●… int●… the towne , and so they were , for as I sayde before , the 〈◊〉 of our numbers was such as came farre short of a proportionable guard for the town alone , yet through the slacknes of the states , his Lordship had formerly béen driuen to extenuate his sayd works to halfe their greatnes , to make them guardable by few men , for they doe much import the safetie of the towne .

Nowe 〈◊〉 , to lay our weaknes thus open to the enemie , to his so great aduantage and incouragment , and notwithstanding to bee little or nothing secured thereby , what a gaule and excrutiament it might be to his L. those that know the tempe●… of his spirit , can easily coniecture .

So summoning as I sayd in sort before , all his considerations together , he fled to that refuge necessitie shewed him to be the most assured . And her 〈◊〉 called all his Captaines of the seuerall nations togither , or so many of them as were not in guard , the time would endure ●…o delay . This being towards euening on the Sonday formerly mentioned , they all hearing his conceipt , applaude it , and the Netherlanders more forward then all the rest doe almost presse him with importunities to diligent the execution thereof , offring themselues to be agents therein , but shranke in the wetting immediatly : which coldnes & refusall of theirs , had almost quite 〈◊〉 the clew of their late resolution . In the ●…nde Captaine Ogle Lieutenant Collonel to his Lordship , and Capt. Fairfax are destined to bee the men , as ●…ostages onely for such as the Archduke should send hither to trea●… with his Lordship .

And so immediately vpon sound of one of our drummes from the port D●…pied , after losse of some breath by Capt. Ogle who was vnheard , called to them a good space in Spanish from thence , they were roused to attention : being ( as was coniectured ) busie about their enterptise , and so , not so attentiue as it is like otherwise they would haue been , considering how neare and dangerous neighbours we are one to the other .

All this tedious discourse , I haue been bould to trouble your worshippe withall , onely as a lanthorne to giue you the 〈◊〉 light I could , for the through vnderstanding of our estate euery way , and now I will bring the acting of this proiect before you vpon the stage , ●…ching your pardon if I shall séeme taxable for idle lightnes , by inserting accidentall iests in a subiect of such weight and seriousnes : for many times , Ducun●… 〈◊〉 ●…ria ●…ga .

His Lordship as I haue before declared , hauing made tender of his harsh tasting parley , I name it harsh in regard of his constraint , thereto finding the enemie verie tractable , and excéeding prompt to entertaine the same , did without any losse of time the same euening send away to them the two fore-named Captaines , Ogle and Fairfax , vppon faith giuen for their safetie and returne . A truce and generall cessation of all hostilitie on both ●…des being promised during the time of their treatie for land matters , but no further . Hereby our abandoned workes remained neutrall , although quited by vs , yet not lawfull to be possessed by them . Upon the arriuall of our Hostages in the enemies armie , they were br●…ught to his Alie●…e at his ●…onse of Albertus , he for welcome vailed his hat sparingly , bad them welcome , demaunded of what nati●…n they were , whether they had instruction from our Generall , to treate with him about this place , and vppon their answere thereto negatiuely , he asked them further if there were not fraude intended . They answere as Ignorants of any , & that they are on●…ly sent as hostages for such as his highnes should please to sen●… to his Lordship about the proposed 〈◊〉 : and so with a second , but more ●…ender respect with his Hat , they were carried from his presence to the lodging of Don Augustino de 〈◊〉 , a gray and graue headed Spanyard 〈◊〉 of the Castle of Antwarp , 〈◊〉 C●…maunder of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 forces at the w●…st-end of this town , a gentleman of most accōpli●… vertoes , by their applauses : in the chamber of this youth●…ull old gallant ( for to his gray head hee weareth a greene ha●…ite ) they were lodged , the place being beautified with faue hangings and reciprocall correspondent in the 〈◊〉 . By all the gallants . 〈◊〉 , Italians , and 〈◊〉 else of other 〈◊〉 of any respect , they were entertained , and 〈◊〉 ●…y 〈◊〉 , a●…d hauing withall many watchfull ●…es , and 〈◊〉 eares on 〈◊〉 : but the gentlemen both of them , haue 〈◊〉 so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 well qualified , that neither of them will ●…sily 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…y any vna●…dnes for taxation of 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were not suffred to haue further view of any 〈◊〉 , or 〈◊〉 , then where they passed , neither were they free of a 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 guard ouer them .

Whilest these flourishes of hostile court●…sie 〈◊〉 ( n●… doubt with hope of a speedie good bargaine ) & 〈◊〉 vpon our Capt. in the enemies Campe , ●…ne Matheo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nor of Sluise , Generall o●… the Archdukes artillerie , and one of his He 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 himselfe at table . Counsell of warre , together with one Matheo Anthonias Sargent maior to Simon Anthuzino gouernour of Antwe●…p towne , both Spaniards and men of prempt and smart spiritt●…s , and Judiciall reach , came into the towne , but his Lordship proiecting still the meanes to winne time , and how to entertaine delaies , did as was imagined ( vpon the approach of the two Spaniards ) attended ouer the water at west , with about 60 horse , cause an alarum to be taken , for hee 〈◊〉 where he saw th●…m all plainely , and layd hold on the manner of their ●…mming for his aduantage , charging them with breach of pr●…mise , and other soulder-like 〈◊〉 , and so 〈◊〉 neither speake with them , nor 〈◊〉 them , but gaue per●…ptorie 〈◊〉 , that they should be foorthwith returned ●…ack , 〈◊〉 they were condu●…ed back to the place where they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ●…ut the sea being growne which his Lordship k●…we well inough , 〈◊〉 them passage , and thereupon backe againe into the towne they came fraught with new hopes of better intertainment ( the heate of their desire ●…ing vp the eyes of their iudgment ) his L. being aduertised hereof , gaue present order they should be sent 〈◊〉 by the East .

Now sir you may please to know that Serano being scarce well pleased ( not ●…ithstanding the large walke betwéene the ●…onse Albertus , and their tre●…ches ) grewe some what wearie , and desired to stay in towne all night , but that would not bee graunted , and so the Sergiant Maior of the towne ( Captaine Carpenter by name , and one Captaine Cleere a Scotsh man ) conuoyde them through the towne , with euery stepp vp the knéens ( at least ) in durte and myre , so as the tired Spaniard began to endure a breach in his pacience vpon the Spanish bulwark , which lyeth at the East-end of the towne , a speciall Maguizine of durte and myres , standing vp to the kn●…es , he desired some Tobacco for his refreshing , exclaiming in French , Ah la mechant vil●…e de Ostend , but in stead thereof ( because there was none to be had ) he , and his associates were presented with 4 potts of good English Béere , which went downe merilie , and so throughly be-durted , they were brought to the Sentinell of Cauallarie on the East-sands , and out of their extreames and my●…e wearines , they lodged at East all night , with Count De Bucquoy , not being able to recouer the Archdukes quarter before the next day at Noone . And hereby so much time was gotten .

After the returne of the two Spaniards to their Duke , the same men were againe appointed to trie his Lordshippe once more , and sending word ouer to vs thereof , were admitted to come , ( our Captaines all this while remaining with them vpon faith giuen as aforesayd . ) The Sergiant Maior of the towne demaunding which way he should bring them in , his Lordshippe willed him to guide them where they might come soft enough , for feare of embossing their féet on the hard stones : Saying withall , that besides their durtie walke , they shoulde come to as cold a bargaine as euer they met withal in their liu●…s .

Uppon their ent●…e ( which was vpon Monday night ) they 〈◊〉 directly brought to his Lordship , being in his Chamber , after enterchang of complements , his Lordship began 〈◊〉 ●…cuse sor the rudenes he had committed the night before , ●…sing he had been vn-ciuill , charging ( neuerthelesse , the occasion thereof vpon their strange manner of comming ouer , and se according to the Law of 〈◊〉 which is Que le battu payera L. Amende , they were plagued and must besides confesse themselues worthy thereof .

They being ho●… on the chest , séem 〈◊〉 to digest that , & say , now they hope his Lordship & they should agree : he 〈◊〉 , The agréement is easily made if his highnes will raise his siege , and suffer vs ( as his poore neighbours ) to liue by him in peace . Serano replied , that s not his errand thither , but hopes Que vous serez de nostre bandes , his Lordshippe ( to cutte off further progression in this discourse ) tells them after this wearie-some iourney , it is more ●…tting to entertaine them with meane refreshing , then with serious expostulation , and thervpon intreates them to Supper , whereto they yeilde . And although it were their Christmasse euen , and thereby fasting day , they did not forbeare eating fish , eggs , and such ionkets , besides as a towne so long besieged could affoord , taking out in Clarret wine what they lacked in meate . Serano drinking for his share aboue fiftie twoo glasses of wine , besides 〈◊〉 , answering euery man in the cuppe , and yet gaue no manner of appearance of yeilding any way to distemper . During their sitting at supper , many smart testes were bandied with good dexteritie on both sides . Amongst others , I remember Serano plotting a passage by circumstance of words , to discourse of their perfect busines , gaue his Lordship occasion to tell him that his Altesse desired all , and the States woulde willingly part with nothing . The Spanyard replyed , that the Archduke demaunded but his owne : to that his L. tolde him , hee had neuer studied the Lawes to Iudge of mens titles , but that in England wee doe commonly holde possession , 11 poyntes of the 12 , the lawe is bounden withall , &c. Another was , hys Lordshippe told them , that now his highnes hauing continued his siege with such admiration and fame , as that in this age & compasse of the world , the like hath not béen heard off , and driuen vs to abandon our outward works , & to retire our selues altogither into our towne , he might with great honour arise & leaue vs , and thereby preuent the ruine of his armie , which through wet lodging , and continuall labour , must néeds be extreamly decayed , and also preuent the effusion of much Christian bloud otherwise .

To this Serano replied , that since his L. had with such honour as was applauded throughout all Christendome , so long preferued this place against so powerfullan enemie , and that as they all knew most certainely , many extremities had ouertaken him , whereby he was enforced to withdrawe himselfe wholly into that little ruinous nest , it could bee no manner of blemish to him to y●…ld , &c.

Thus ●…yther of them by contrarie intended imputations laboured to extoll his owne carriage and prayses : many other prompt counterbuffes were passed , which ( to auoyde tediousnes ) I ouer-passe : after supper the S●…anyards ( wearied with their late myrie iournies ) were by his Lordshippe conducted to their lodging , where with a slend●…r guard for fashion sake , before the outwardest doores of the house , they rested til morning . Before which 〈◊〉 ▪ Shippes of warre ●…den with 6 companies of Zeland soldiers arriued in the road , before the towne , which the enemie without , se●…ng it , is easily to iudge whether he was offended or no. He●…eupon , b●…times on the Tuesdaye morning they sent in post for his L. resolution , and Serano himselfe ( although ignorant of our supplie ) importuned his L. for answere , &c. which he rece●…ues foorthwith sounding to this effect , viz.

That it was true that some wants through the long contrarietie of the winde and other accidents had ouer taken him , and thereby he enforced to m●…ke ose of his wi●… , to hel●…e ●…imselfe b●… winning of time , till his turne was otherwise sor●…ed , and that now since the states had béene mindfull of him , the winde prospicious , and his necessitie supplied , he could not in honour procéede to trafique with them any further , neither had more to saye to them , vntill a newe extremitie , ( if any might happily lay new hold on him ) should occasion him thereto , hoping his highnes as a vertuous and worthie Prince would n●…t take it ill , that as a martiall man he had practised and compassed the best meanes for the preseruation of his honour and safetie by the ordinarie and vsuall course of men of warre .

The Spaniards ( hauing the faire hopes of his fruitfull haruest thus quite blasted with this cold nipping answere ) did neuerthelesse in the most temperate manner he could , smother & suppresse his almost choaking discontent : for hee dreamed by the negotiating of this busines , to haue made himselfe famous to ensuing ages , and so with this cold breake-fast ( in stead of his Christmasse pie ) he foorthwith departed , leauing his companion behind him , till our Captaine should be returned homehis passage backe was by boate at South-west from the Polder Rauelling , where he could sée almost no part of our fortification , & vpon his repaire into their trenches , Capt. Fairfax was sent home , and the Lieutenant staied , so as they held the more worthy person . About 4 of the clock the same day , Captaine Ogle came to the sands at west against the porte Dupied , accompanied with the great Marshall of the enemies Campe , and with one Owen an Engl●…h fug●…tiue , staying for the Spanish Seriant Maior here in ●…owne . He hauing dined with my L. after the duch entertai●…ment was conducted out of towne by Capt. Studder to the same place where Serano had been formerly imboated . There was a little straining coursie ▪ who should be passed first . But the ●…utenant Collonell stoode not much thereupon , although the worthi●…r person and the subiect of a farre more absolute and greater Prince , the reason ( as I learned ) being because we had been the petitioners , and so the Spaniard carried it .

This I especi●…ly obserued being prese 〈◊〉 , and seeing the acting thereof , ●…s I 〈◊〉 also that his L. ( although hee speaketh Spanish very redily ) did notwithstanding vse onely the French tongue with the twoo Spaniardes , which ( all the Duch Captaines vnderstanding ) the●… knewe of all that passed , and therby all 〈◊〉 preuented . The truth is , the boate lay●… on our side where the Spanya●…d was , and the water then ebbing , caried it with a swift course to the enemies side , so that ( as it then appear●…d ) when they had giuen the ad●…we on both s●…des , and Capt. Ogle entred into the boate , the sh●…ps could not returne against the streame , but driuing with the same , landed him on our countersca●…p , where he thought best , and here ceased our Jubilie , I call it a Jubilie , for during this cessation of hostilitie , I thinke there issued out of the neighbour enemie townes aboue ●…coo Burgers with their wiues , &c. to come to the Archdukes campe , walking vppe and d●…wne the sandes and trenches of the enemie , verie neere the towne , as though we had béen all good friends , and so did their soldiers likewise : but ours kept within of purpose to conceale our weaknes , and notwithstanding faith enterchangably giuen to forbeare all violence during the treatie , yet did out whole troupes hold continuall , and generall guardes without relying vpon any promise at all . All this while our workes in the old Towne were aduanced with all diligence , and secresie possible , and made defensible before our Mart ended . Our newe forces landed also this day , betwéene 12 and 2 of the clocke in the culde towne , in despight of the enemies Cannon , without anye more losse then the hurt of the two shippers , & as I can learne of two soldiers , but none killed , nor those mortally wounded .

And yet to giue the enemie his due by saying the full truth , they were more then bountifull of powder and shot , to hinder our mens landing . All this while wee remayned quiet on both sides without shotte little or great , but the next morning ( being Wednesday ) they first opened the windowes of their wonted displeasure ; it being my Lords pleasure , that euerie man in towne should be quiet , till the enemie shoulde giue occasion to the contrarie , and then wee resaluted them with good Cannon , and so all thinges stand on their former frame , all our outward workes rep●…ssessed and guarded as before , and so wee liue dayly expecting more supplies from the States , that our poore men maye nowe at last bee refreshed in Holland after their longe and miserable toyle .

Wee haue vnderstoode of late by an Italian gentleman one of their Centinells Perdues , who was brought prisoner into towne , that the Archduke is highly offended with his counsell of warre for diuerting him from the execution of his resolution , which was to haue attempted vs on the Sondaye night , ( so often spoken of before ) with 6000 men , &c. that by reason of the extremitie of his passion , fewe of them dare come in his presence , for preuenting his oportunitie by their dissw●…sions : and besides that , he is no lesse displeased to haue béen so mocked by his Lordship .

For the future , if the S●…tes finde themselues able , and haue withali a will to continue the charge , which the defence of this place hath already , and will still drawe vppon them : ( the Archduke continuing his siege by reliening it with competent numbers of well affected soldiers , and other néedefull prouisions ) there is yet no appearance of daunger , nor cause to feare the enemies preuayling : but if they slacke saile , and giue the Duke such an other oportunitie ( as hee had nowe of late ) they , and all the world besides , may bée assured hee will make his best vse thereof .

By Cannon there remaineth small hope for him , if the States faile not to send Rise-wood to repaire therewith in the night what hee spoyleth in the day : for , with Rise and sande mingled , we worke chiefly on both sides , we haue alre●…dye endured abou●… 161500 Canonodoes , and yet all ou●… bastions , and defences stil firme and tenable , hauing only their outward faces 〈◊〉 discountenanced by the furie of the m●…ny shot most of them haue endured , especially the sand-hill , which is so farced with bullets , that ( our men labouring to driue in spiked pallizadoes ) doe often stumble vpon 6 or 8 in one hole togither : a●…d their piles , or pallizadoes often hindred in their entrance by the abundance of bull●…ts lodged in their way .

To vnderminevs it is not possible , so long as we can hold what wee haue , for to the Landward lie our outworks , to preuent their approches that way , & our other places of passage are washed verie high euery Tide , and so the sea affordeth them little time to worke against vs , where it challengeth passage . Besides this , all our Bulwarks looking towards their trenches are vnited , and prepared for all such accidents .

Then , eyther furie , faction , or famine must open him way , for furie here is little cause of feare , if ( as I sayde before ) the States can , and will furnish their towne with sufficient numbers of men .

For faction , the vigilancie , and 〈◊〉 of the Commander , being a man of sound vnderstanding , trained in this occupation , may easilie breake those impostumations , as hetherto his Lordship hath done , to the great increase of his honour , and better approbation of the soundnes of his iudgement : for the enemie made an English man , one Simon Co●…bye , an instrument to worke for him that way : but I pr●…sume that Conisbye by the rack , and smart of the whip at the gallowes foot , hath learned a lesson to séeke some other trade to thriue by , and the fellowe was in my charge to kéepe , and sounde by questioning , and expostulations , and thereby I knowe the managing of that busines .

And to be famished ( vnlesse both the states , and England abandon vs ) were verie strange : for ( notwithstanding all the battries the enemie hath eyther at East , or West , on the sandes or piles of the ould Hauen , or else where ) we haue , when the winde serueth , some nights 40 sailes of Hoyes and Smackes come in togither , and scarse one man hurt . We haue furthermore a new hauen almost 〈◊〉 , where night and day Ships may passe at pleasure . Besides , if both these should faile , the states may ( with long boates which they call sloupes ) land any thing in the old towne , as they did their Zeland soldiers of late , marie this place serueth only for such small open boates , but for no Hoyes nor Boates of burthen .