The chiefe Events in the Spaniſh Monarchy.

AFflicted Europe weepes (for many ages) from time to time at her ruines, either becauſe God doth moſt cha­ſtiſe the careleſneſſe of thoſe whom he loveth beſt, and ſo it is good will; or becauſe he moſt puniſheth the faults of them who are moſt bound unto him, and ſo it ſeemes revenge: he either trieth as mercifull or ſcourgeth as wrath­full. Sometimes ſhe ſeeth her Inhabitants bloudy themſelves in civill warres, and oftentimes ſhe ſeeth her land overflowne with barbarous Nations. Our bitterneſſe calls ſimplicitie Barbariſme and him bar­barous, who is not tedious of other mens affaires; who is content with his owne, as long as it is able to maintaine him; who to offer violence, will firſt have it offered to himſelfe; who goeth againſt a man through a deſire of preſerving him­ſelfe,2 and not through greedineſſe of growing great; who ſlayeth another to preſerve his own life, who invadeth Countries to get a dwelling place; valo­rous without cunning; hardy without de­ceit ▪ as if Nature were worſe then Art, and he beſt who much knoweth, when much knowledge ſerveth him to doe the greater hurt.

Warre was once more terrible to Na­tions when it was moved againſt them to dwell in the Country, then when the aime was domination; The one; was a­gainſt all, the other againſt one in loſing, the one obliged to change a maſter, the other to leave being one. Now adayes alſo the worſt would be our leader, if our lamentable times with a moſt evill com­pariſon did not juſtifie it. The Countries were more fortunate, the men leſſe evill. The neceſſity of living pricked men for­ward and not the greedineſſe of com­manding, nor the hatred of him that commanded. The land changed its In­habitants, it did not loſe them, men did not deſtroy the houſes where they meant to dwell ▪ they did not make the land bar­ren which was to nouriſh them, they3 peopled it, and did not lay it waſte, and it did renew it, more then ruine it; Then was Europe a prey, but to men, now it is a prey to the Sword, Fire, Famine, and Pe­ſtilence; warre taking the dominion a­way from one, and not gaining it to the other, if ſo be command is meant over men, and not over buried carkaſſes which are turned to duſt; over fruitfull and a­bounding plaines, and not a deſert, burnd, unmanured, and barren Countrie.

In theſe turbulent motions ▪ and deplo­rable, times came in the yeare one thou­ſand ſix hundred thirty nine, the fire of diſſentions burning more then ever, and like Mount Aetna, ſhewing no ſigne of going out, as if it alſo had its Scillaes and Charibdies, which devouring the wealths of Kings and Nations, did feed upon bloud and treaſure.

Germany was deſtroyed, full of civill warres. The French overcome, but not weakened, nor mortified, thought upon revenge. Great Britaine as laſt in the world, was rather then forgotten, reſer­ved for the laſt beames which made an influence of warre over Europe, and now feeling the dammages of it, ſought for a4 remedie. The ſtate of the Auſtriacall Monarchy was various; Flanders victo­rious, but not ſecure; Spaine triumphant and threatned; The affaires in Burgundy dangerous, in Braſill doubtfu•l, in Germa­ny adverſe; Weymar poſſeſſed of Briſack, the Swede of Bohemia, the Turkiſh armies ready to move, the Hans townes waver­ing, the Switzers irreſolute; The Fleet ſet upon by the Hollanders, and though not overcome, yet hindered and ſtaied. In vain did the Catholick King deſire peace, withſtood by the Rebels obſtinacie, the e­nemies greedineſs, & agreement of their Officers. Theſe not being able to bee go­verned but by the violence of motion, and the other not ſatisfying, ſome their rage, ſome their envy, but with conqueſts of new Cities and Kingdoms ▪ did already make eaſie things ſeeme difficult with ſtrange pretences, and difficult things eaſie with new tributes, levies, and En­gines.

In the meane time the body of Chri­ſtendome, infirme, languiſhing, and hurt in its moſt ſolid parts co•ſumed like an Ectick, either finding no Phyſi­cian, or wanting a remedy. It ſeemed5 becauſe of the ſharpneſſe of the ſeaſon to reſt, and accumulate matters to kindle a new paroxiſme. The motion did not ceaſe, paſſing from the body to the head, from the heart to the mind, which partly diſquieted, partly neceſſitated, ſtudied a•l meanes to trouble the bodies, and ſtirre up armes.

In France the Officers diſcourſed of making new conqueſts in Flanders of ma­king ſure the affaires of Germany, of troubling Spaine by Sea and by Land ▪ lit­tle reflecting upon the buſineſſe of Italy, where they weighed not the loſſe of ſmall places, and thought time long in conquering great ones. That in the meane time the Spaniſh Army would decreaſe, and theirs increaſe. That they wou•d goe to relieve p•aces, and force their enemies either to give over what they had undertaken with ſhame, or fight with danger. That they ſhould gaine in Flanders, and in Burgundie, and what ſiniſter accident ſoever ſhould happen they eſteemed not the loſſe of a place in Italy conſiderable (beyond which they imagined thoſe powers could not reach) they having ſo many there,6 ſo that they thought it impoſſible to be counterpoiſed, much more to be over­come.

In Spaine were very different thoughts, they looked upon the affaires of Italie, as their chiefe ſcope. That it was good to goe with great ſtrength where the reward was great, the oppoſition ſmall. The dates which they ſet in Piemont would be ſufficient to bring foorth olive trees. That to be the moſt ſenſible part of Europe. Thither to be called by men, and invited by fortune, and if the one did ſhew themſelves favourable, and the other ſhould prove proſperous, the King of France his conqueſts would be coun­terpoiſed and he would be called into that Province where he moſt feared, and be diverted from that where he had moſt hopes.

They were not careleſſe of the defence of their other States: the proviſions for Flanders were great both of men and mo­ney: Foure Millions and a halfe of ſilver; Seaven thouſand Foot at the Groine ready for to go; an Army of Germans under the command of Count Picolomini, all old Souldiers, and new Levies in the7 Country. Holſatia and Burgundia were to be releived with an Army under the Command of Don Franceſco di Melo. In Spaine, Cantabria was made ſure with foureteene thouſand Horſe and Foote who aſiſted it. And for a ſupply of the Forces in the County of R•nciglione there were great Levies appointed to be made in that Province. A Tertia of Walloones which was comming out of Flanders, the Italian Infantrie which the gallies of Spaine, Scicilie, Naples and Genoa were to bring over in the Spring. Now for to keepe the Mediterranean Sea, and the Ocean, there ſhould bee, the Navies which ſhould come from Carthagena and Cadiz, that which was at the Groine, and the Ships of the Fleet which was expe­cted out of the Indies. And to ſecure themſelves totally from the threatnings of mighty Fleets which were preparing in Britanie, the Coaſt of Spaine was all furni­ſhed, with Men ▪ Ammunition, and Pro­viſion. Providing for Land affaires as if they wanted defence by Sea; And think­ing upon the Fleet at Sea as if they could not defend themſelves by Land ▪

A victorie obtained againſt the Hollan­der8 at Sea gave a beginning to this years conqueſts, an enemy of a long time, and yet domeſticall; almoſt at home, and therefore continuall.

Some Dunkirk Ships were to goe to the Groine to take in ſome Spaniſh In­fanterie, they went to Mardick to joyne with the reſt having fought with the e­mie, who ſtrong with a Fleet of ſeaven­teene ſaile all of ſtrength, came to beſiege them at the mouth of the haven. The Generall Michael d'Orno, though une­quall in ſtrength, yet ſuperiour in cou­rage, being not able to endure the re­bells inſolence, with a proſperous wind came forth of Mardick and ſet upon them three times. The firſt time though for a little ſpace they fought generouſly, yet the Hollander made ſome ſhew of giving back ▪ the ſecond he gave back the third he fled and getting into their owne harbours left a moſt glorious vi­ctory to his Majeſties forces which joy­fully, being but eight ſhips ſtrong furrow­ed the waves to gather the fruites, many promiſing them the dominion of the O­cean yeelded by the Hollander ſhut up and weakened.

9But who is the Maſter of the Ocean? It is not overcome, though in it one o­vercommeth, yea he often is conquered by the Sea, who hath conquered man. He that was overcome fled and the Sea is overcome by flying it. He that over­commeth fighteth, and who fighteth with the Sea looſeth by it ▪

There aroſe the moſt horrideſt tem­peſt that was in the memory of th'eldeſt men, it ſcattered the ſhips & tore them, ſo that with much toile, and almoſt by miracle they came into harbour, ſome at Oſtend, and ſome at Dunkirk, without rudders, ſailes, or maſts, more like re­liques of a ſhipwrack then ſhips fled from the injury of the waves.

I could note to make you bend the eye­browes the ſtrangeneſſe of it; there be­ing but very few houres betwixt the re­joycing with triumph and the bewayling of loſſes ▪ if I would therein follow the tracks of a wiſe man who for an admi­rable particularitie of the Sea cried out, that in the ſelfe ſame place ſhips were one day playing and ſporting and caſt away the next. As if the Land did not produce ſuch effects, which are not10 thought of nor obſerved, becauſe they are more frequent. Who ſeeth not that in the ſelfe-ſame bed, where man taketh his beſt reſt, and where he enjoyeth ſome­time amorous, ſometime Matrimoniall delights, bee a ſo lets forth his laſt and vitall ſpirits and breathings with paine and horrour amidſt tormenting ſor­rowes?

The Marqueſſe of Fuentes care did get the ſhips mended, and ſhipping two thou­ſand Walloons in them for the [Groigne, cauſed them to ſet ſaile.

The Enemy was returned powerfull within ſight of the Harbour, out of which his Majeſties ſhips came, but not with happy ſucceſſe, for ſome run aground, and other for want of wind could not get out; there were but five that fought. Michael d'Orno ſet upon the Holland Admirall with ſuch fierceneſſe, that he had almoſt ſunke her, ſhee ſhunned the boarding, and preſently fled with the reſt of the ſhips, and in the flight met with two of the Kings ſhips. The Sea grew calme, the Captaine and the Admirall runne on ground, ſo that the enemy was left with the two ſhips, playing upon them with11 their Ordnance, but would not adven­ture to boord them. So here were two great victories, which the Kings Forces, obtained againſt the Rebels, the one was counterpoiſed by too much wind and the other almoſt changed for want of wind.

The Captaine got off, and all the reſt of the ſhips but the Admirall; the enemys battered retired to their owne Ports for reliefe, and the Kings ſhips to Mardick and Dunkirke, and from thence after they were mended they went away with their Walloons, and arrived ſafely into Spaine, where the Cardinall Infanta writ in what diſtreſſe Burgundy was, Weymer be­ing come into it ▪ and having taken Pon­taglier ▪ and Joigri, by meanes whereof he cut off that Province from all reliefe of Armes and proviſions from the Swit­zers.

His Majeſty ſent money, and order to the Marqueſſe of Leganes, that he ſhould aſſiſt them with men.

In the mean time Prince Thomas was extraordinarily importunate at Court, to get leave to goe and aſſiſt the buſineſſe of Italy. That his Country did burne, that the Government was ſwayed by a paſſio­nate12 woman, an unable Prince, and Offi­cers wonne, bought, hindered, and forced by the French. That the lawes gave him and the Cardinall the tuition. That hee could not juſtifie to the world his ſtay in Flanders to looke upon the flames. Hee promiſed his Majeſty fruitfull actions, and that he likewiſe promiſed to himſelfe from his Majeſty, juſtice and love, if hee ſhould have recourſe to his Clemencie, and great aſſiſtance, if there were need of power. That he had many intelligen­ces, and that he was called thither, by his friends, malecontents, convenience, ob­ligation, and hope.

Every one did not applaud this going into Italy, many believing it could doe no good, did prognoſticate great dam­mage might enſue thereupon. The male­contents within, ſhewed every thing to be eaſie for them as went out, becauſe they ſhould trouble the State; and theſe made every thing ſeeme eaſie to the King ▪ wherein they might aſſiſt him, pro­miſing themſelves more then they could performe, and promiſing more then they knew they could performe. Force of Armes, nor intelligence of Princes could13 not gaine ſo many places to his Majeſty, as the Dutcheſſe deſpaire might give un­to the King of France. True it is, that her reaſon of State is not that ſhe ſhould de­liver them into the hand of the French, and that now in caſe the affection of Siſter ſhould perſwade her to it, the love of a Mother would diſſwade her from it: But if ſhe ſhould imagine that they muſt be loſt, ſhee would ſooner fall into the armes of a Brother, then under the feet of her Kinſmen. Convenience is the rea­ſon of State, and they are all counter­poiſed while a ſtate remaines, but it be­ing loſt, revenge takes the place of con­veniencie, and rage the place of reaſon; The future is not diſcourſed upon, onely the preſent is hated, neither doe they conſider which is the beſt, when all are bad. The ſick man, whileſt he hopes to obtaine health patiently endures thirſt, hunger, iron, and fire, but if he once falls into diſpaire, he abhorres the Phyſician, and hates the remedies worſe then the diſeaſe. The powers of the Spaniard un­till that time to have ſeemed to the Dut­cheſſe to be againſt the French ▪ her ſtate to ſerve for a field to wrath, and not for14 a reward to victories. If ſhe ſee the Prin­ces of Savoy with thoſe forces ſhe will think them to be againſt her. And where­as before in caſe of loſſe, the King of Spaines more moderate mind, did pro­miſe her reſtitution; the title of Kinſ­man might deceive her, and the juſt title of the King of France; and of both theſe things did aſſure her the emulation which was between them, and the agree­ment betweene the Princes of Europe. And ſhe might now doubt that in this third, the contraries might agree, the e­mulation might be appeaſed, the Sub­jects ſatisfied, and the world contented; there being not wanting lawfull, ſpeci­ous, apparent, and hidden titles and pre­tences. Intelligences do worke better a farre off by their power, then neere by their perſon; thoughts which men have cannot be ſeen; but the eyes doe ſhew where a man meanes to hit. That Prince Thomas in Flanders did thrive and gaine as preſent, in Italic as abſent, changing of countrie he might breed turmoile on the one part and doe hurt in the other, if not in both. Oſtentation to be the greateſt e­nemy that this enterpriſe could have, e­nough15 will be done, if they can perſwade that little can be done. The Dutcheſſe will not deſperately caſt her ſelfe into the hands of the French, and they will not go with great powers, where they imagine not to gaine great rewards, or hinder great conqueſts. Scarce ſhall Prince Tho­mas appeare, but the one, and the other growen jealous and ſuſpicious, will ſtirre up every ſtone, and uſe the uttermoſt en­deavour, they will change all gover­nours both in holds and armies, and fill every thing with French; whereby the one ſide aſſured of the treacherie, and the other not forbearing to attempt it, cunning being in vaine employed, the time will be loſt of helping ones ſelfe with force. Nature hath thought craft to be hurtfull to valour, and onely help­full to cowardlineſſe, granting it to the weakeſt kind of beaſts, and denying it to the moſt valorous. They are both hin­dered when they are together, dimini­ſhing when they are mixed, and being good for nothing when they are dimini­ſhed. That it was not knowne of what degree Prince Thomas his perſon ſhould be in the army; it was not convenient he16 ſhould be ſuperiour to the Marquis of Leganes, and to have him inferiour would be diſſonant. Howſoever he would breed diſturbance, in Warre, in Peace, in o­vercomming, and (peradventure more) when he had overcome.

But wiſe men, and thoſe who under­ſtood his Majeſties mind aright, diſcour­ſed the contrarie. That it had alwayes bin helpfull to the conquering of coun­tries, to have in the armies perſons of their blood who ruled. This meanes which had ſerved many to cover injuſtice and to deceive people, would now ſerve to ſhew the truth, and to undeceive thoſe which went aſtray. That nothing could hinder his Majeſties good intention more, then the not being knowne, and that nothing could make it more knowne then the preſence of thoſe who were in­tereſted. Should he feare the Dutcheſſe ſhould deſpaire? let her do what ſhe wil, when ſhe hath done what ſhe could doe ſhe will peradventure not be more deſ­perate (and that queſtionleſſe) when ſhe is aſſaulted. Her mind cannot be gained, it muſt be forced, ſhe will give unto the French, whatſoever the Spaniards doe17 not take. That the King ought to pro­cure that ſhee might be wonne to her ſelfe, taking away her eſtate, that ſhe may not loſe it, with an intent (as a guar­dian) to reſtore it to her again when her Frenzie is over-paſt, and that ſhee hath recovered her health. In the mean time that it is neceſſarie to hinder her from caſting it into the hands of the French, and binde theſe to leave that by force, which they had through covetouſneſſe uſurped, or to reſtore it through envie. The preſence of thoſe Princes to bee ne­ceſſary, they had not yet gathered ſo ma­ny intelligences, as they would gather. Let Potentates and ſtrange Common­wealths Armies once heare them, and they will know that the King of Spaine goeth to protect, and not to gaine. Let the Subjects ſee their faces, and they will believe they come to govern them, and not to fight with them. All will follow them, partly confeſſing themſelves oblie­ged for received favours, and partly knowing themſelves freed from the oath which was given them, honour and con­veniencie not hindering them, and feare and intereſt pricking them on. That thoſe18 people hate the French, and diſtruſt the Spaniards, and ſo being unreſolved be­tween diſtruſt and hatred, they ſhall ſcarce ſee the Princes, but without exact examination of the buſineſſe, they will without any further conſideration caſt themſelves into their armes. He who is in a ſtreight betweene two contraries, feares hurt from each, and as ſoone as he ſeeth a third, without further adviſe, he runnes precipitouſly to him. The hatred will be encreaſed towards a womans go­vernment, and contempt of a childes. Diſtaſters will be imputed, ſome to the ignorance, and ſome to the evill will of them that rule. They will deſire to change their Lord, and at laſt they will change him.

They confeſſed that intelligences which are had in States, promiſe more then they can doe, counting of that which others ſhall doe, and that others are de­ceived in the doing, making accompt of that which hath been promiſed them. Hee that means to undertake an enter­priſe and ſets intelligences foremoſt in an accompt, ſhall find himſelfe deceived. Theſe ought to follow hopes, not to19 frame them, doing ſervice enough, when other things are diſpoſed, as if they ſer­ved for nothing. Great forces confirme thoſe who are well affected, and gaine thoſe who ſtand doubtfull; Small forces loſe every one, even thoſe whoſe under­ſtandings were before perſwaded; That his Majeſtie did confide in the greatneſſe of Armies, as in a ſubſtance, in that of in­telligences as in an accident. Who comes into a State with theſe two, runnes like a torrent, and the further hee goeth, the more he increaſeth. That Prince Thomas his valour, and experience in his owne Countrie (if no other circumſtances did concurre) promiſed victories. That the Marqueſſe of Leganes gentleneſſe of mind, (who without loſing the Supream power, could yeild the ſupreame honour) would ſecure all diſturbances in the pro­greſſe; And the good intention of the King and Princes, after they had gone forward. The King not weighing whe­ther it were profitable or hurtfull that Prince Thomas ſhould goe into Italie, onely willing to ſatisfie the deſire he ſee­med to have of it, granted him leave: and he came thither juſt at that time that20 the Marquiſſe of Leganes incited by ma­ny Letters of Count Duke, reſolved to take the field.

Hee knew that to overcome the Frenches valour, it would be very ad­vantagious to conquer their nature. Hee already for two yeares time had happily found by experience, what a great helpe celeritie was in Matiall affaires: and that greater ſwiftneſſe was able to counter­poiſe greater force. The nature of the heavens ſheweth it, wherein the weakeſt are made the ſwifteſt, becauſe the inferi­our ſhall not be hindered by the migh­tier. The Moone whoſe influence hath not vertue to equall Saturnes, ſheweth her effects more cleete, and if ſhe doth not produce them greater, ſhee reitera­teth them more often, ſupplying the weakneſſe of her beame, with the ſwift­neſſe of her motion. The French is brought into ſtreights by being preven­ted: either he believes not himſelfe to be come time enough to opperate, and ſo gives himſelfe over, or he moves out of time, and ſo loſeth himſelfe. The Spa­niard is not ſo: his nature is ſlow, and when that ſlowneſſe imprints a quality21 which ſeemes to be hurtfull, not failing in what is neceſſary, he brings into con­ſequence the others which follow it, in ſuch manner equalled with the firſt, that they make it profitable, or at leaſt they doe correct it. Who ſo is overcome in his peculiar quality, ruines with the con­ſequent; Not by reaſon of the firſt which he hath loſt, but of the reſt which he hath not changed.

The Marqueſſe of Leganes ſent D. Martino d' Arragon, with a part of the Army to the paſſes; And hee with the reſt came to Novara; Thither came Prince Thomas, they diſcourſed of the ſurpriſall of Civaſco, and it was reſolved in Vercelli to attempt it. The Prince with two thou and Horſe did attempt it; and having had good ſucceſſe, hee being ſtrengthened with two thouſand foot which the Marqueſſe ſent him, ſet upon Jurea, aſſaulted it, got within the Walls and wonne it, Veglia yeilded to him, and becomming Lord of both their Territo­ries, hee became Maſter of the vale of Oſta.

Don Martino of Aragon thinking that to gaine Cencio, it was firſt neceſſary for22 him to take Saliceto a ſmall Caſtle, ſent D. Lewes of Lincaſtro, thither, he raiſed a Battery againſt it with two Demi-Cannon. D. Martino went to view the place, and a Musket-ſhot hitting him in the forehead, ſlew him. A Souldier of extraordinarie valour, who had with his hand juſtified what he was; He was lo­ving to his inferiours, affable to his e­qualls, and reverent to his betters. Great in place, experience, hope and merit. Worthy to live to performe greater matters, or to die upon a greater ſervice. But there was nothing to be found fault with in him, if ſo unhappy a death had not given cauſe to accuſe fortune.

The loſſe of D. Martino, might have occaſioned ſome competition amongſt the chiefe Officers, which uſeth to end in tumults, But D. Lewis Ponze of Leon gi­ving no time to diſcourſes, came to re­medie it with his perſwaſions, and chiefly by his example; For calling them alto­gether, he ſhewed them, that he was one of his Majeſties Councell of warre, the eldeſt field Marſhall, and of the tertia of Lombardie; hee ſaid that by reaſon of theſe qualities, and of ſome circum­ſtances,23 by right the government belon­ged to him, which he did voluntarily lay downe, ſacrificing his owne intereſt to the good of the King his Maſter, who when he receives dammage by a compe­tition, every he who is in the right doth deſerve puniſhment: there being no pri­vate reſpect that can parallel a publike dammage. That advices came of the ene­mies approaching; That the command might bee better deſerved by fighting then by competition. If they did not a­gree, there would be no fighting no com­manding, and all would be loſt. That the Governour of Milan ſhewed, which way he inclined when he ſent D. Antonio Sotello to ſeize on the workes; The not yeilding to this would be a thwarting of the Marqueſſe his deſires, and to hinder rather then to accept of the command, which if it were laid downe, ought rather to be refuſed with wiſedome, then be af­terwards forcibly left with ſhame.

They all approved of this diſcourſe, content to be commanded by D. Antonio Sotello. The King in his Letter acknow­ledged himſelfe to be well ſerved by D. Lewis his diſcreet proceeding, not only24 for the preſent act (which occaſioned a Victory, and the like being not obſerved in times paſt had occaſioned great loſſes) but chiefly in reſpect of the document which ſo rare an example would leave unto poſteritie: and admitted of no ex­ception, becauſe that beſides the having right on his fide, hee wanted not great valour, and the like experience, beſides the Nobility of his famous houſe.

This action ſo new, and ſo unuſuall in the Kings Armies deceived the Cardi­nall of Vallette, and the Marqueſſe of Vil­la, who went with all their forces to re­lieve Saliceto, thinking to find the Soul­diers without a Commander, or with many confuſed ones. They found them commanded by D. Antonio Sotello, with ſo much union, order, and valour, that comming to battell, they were routed and put to flight, with the death and im­priſonment of the boldeſt. A great part of the Victory, ought to bee acknow­ledged from D. Lewes Ponze di Leon and his Regiment, who after he had modeſtly yeilded to his friends, fought valiantly a­gainſt his enemies ſhewing himſelf more fit to govern then ambitious of govern­ing.

25So was that ſtrong place wonn, which would have troubled any other Army that had not been Spaniſh, for the ſpace of a whole yeare, and was a place of great importance, one part of it ſtanding upon the entrance of Piemont, and the other to ſecure Finall.

This piece of Army was returning to joyne with the Marqueſſe under the con­duct of Don John di Garrai, and comming neere to Verrua in an evening, he tooke the out-workes; At the dawning of the day he aſſaulted it five wayes; wonne it, Set upon the Caſtle, and it yeilded to him.

Hee was revenged of the wounds which he had received in that place when he ſerved the Duke of Feria, and if hee did in ſome way diſgrace his Maſters act taking that in foure houres, which his Maſter could not take in three moneths; yet did hee doe much credit to his advice, the Dukes Counſell be­ing them to aſſault it, not to beſiege it: Then hee joyned with the Marqueſſe of Leganes, who laid Siege to Creſcen­tino, and though it had a dike full of water, deepe, and well fortified, and kept26 by a Garriſon of thirteene hundred French, yet in eight dayes he wonne it.

It will not peradventure be diſtaſtefull if I here ſet downe what reaſon moved the King of Spaine at firſt to invade the Duke of Savoy his Dominions, for the ſting of revenge, reaſon of State, nor ri­gor of juſtice are not ſufficient motives for his mild piety, to bring him on to en­dammage other men, if he were not o­therwiſe violently moved thereunto.

Marqueſſe Forni Amadeo, Duke of Sa­voy his Ambaſſadour was in Madrid, who in the name of the Duke his Maſter, promiſed all friendſhip, and forbearance of hoſti•ity, when the Duke at the ſelfe-ſame inſtant joyning with France, entred into the State of Milan; when (for feare of breeding jealouſie) it lay in a man­ner diſarmed: with an Eccleſiaſticall per­ſon over the Politick government, and an old man over the Militarie; So that from one skirmiſh to another, it came to that paſſe, that if they would not yeeld without any more ſtirring, they muſt bee forced to adventure it upon a battell at Tornevento, with ſo much diſadvantage, that nothing (neceſſity excepted) could27 have freed it from the judgement of a moſt raſh act.

Being as it were by miracle eſcaped out of theſe ſtreights, Duke Amadeo died. And what rational man then would have ſaid ▪ that it was not then juſt for the King of Spaine to overthrow his Dominions, who had deceived him with publick faith? and joyning with his enemies, had aſſaulted the State of Milan, and brought it in jeopardy of loſing. What Politici­an would not have judged it neceſſarie, not to leave an example ſo pernicious to all Monarchies, viz. that they might bee ſet upon by inferiour Princes, and thoſe Princes receive no other dammage ther­by, but the not obtaining of the iſſue-of their deſires? And what humane heart of fleſh would have blamed the King for running upon a revenge neceſſarie in Policie, and lawfull in Juſtice; Yet his Majeſty courteous, not vindicative: magnanimous, not Politick, pious with Juſtice, and not juſt with rigour, propounded Peace to the Dutcheſſe if ſhe would forbeare to aſſiſt the French, taking upon him to make an agreement between her and the Princes her Allies; what28 could he doe more to have this Vine pro­duce Grapes? yet it brought forth no­thing but wilde ones. What could he do leſſe, then come in with fire and Sword, to ſhew what gentleneſſe provoked with ingratitude, and mercy ſleighted by ob­ſtinacie can, and is able to doe? Yet hee hath not done it; he burned onely to fat­ten the ſoile, and deſtroy the weeds; He cut downe to engraft Plants, to cauſe them bring forth fruits in ſtead of thorns; He overcame the Mother, that ſhe might not ruine her Sonne; He moved war to e­ſtabliſh peace and ſeized on dominions to reſtore them.

The French were already come into low Germany, with two mighty Armies, the one under the command of Migliari, to goe upon the Country of Artois, the o­ther led by Fucchieres to enter upon the land of Luxenburg. The deſignes were to renew the name & recover the Kingdom of the ancient Auſtraſia. Surely a great thought, and befitting a high mind that were not moſt Chriſtian. The provoca­tives were the remembrance of Charles the great, and the greatneſſe of the houſe of Auſtria, the end to renew the firſt, and ruine the laſt.

29The firſt things wherein Princes are in their younger yeares inſtructed, are〈◊〉great acts of their Predeceſſors; They hear them rehearſed with delight, whileſt they are not able to act them (infirmity of humane nature, which not to remaine without glory, having none of their own, appropriate other mens to themſelves, and takes from the fortune of Birth, that which ſprings onely from the worth of the perſon.) But if their ſpirit growes up with their age, thoſe relations which once ſeemed to pleaſe, do now torment, to praiſe, reprove, and tormenting and re­proving enflameth them, firſt to be imi­tators of their Aunceſtors, and to follow their ſteps; then to emulate and outgoe them, which ever tieth them either to live idle in deſpaire, or troubleſome to diſquiet the world: And if by chance to the memory of thoſe who are paſt, be ad­ded an emulation of ſome that are pre­ſent, finding greater in their owne and other families by reading and practiſe experience. And if equalling the firſt conſiſts in overcomming the laſt, What provocations will theſe bee to fight with them? Surely very ſharpe ones. 30And what ſhall be the ends of fighting with them, certainly peace and quiet­neſſe, not of the world, but their owne, for not being able to attaine unto thoſe ends, but by overcomming the world, they ſet that at variance, and conquer it not, but diſquiet, and ruine it.

Happy is the King of Spaine (and by his meanes the Chriſtian world) who hath no emulators, who being greater then he, doe diſquiet him, and hath no memo­ries of any Anceſtors, but ſuch as tie him rather to keep what he hath, then to gaine more. His quiet is not moved, but he appeaſeth motions, he ſhuns war, and loves peace: never takes up Armes, but to cauſe them to be laid down.

The Cardinall Infanta gave order to Piccolomini to goe ſet upon Fucchieres, and bid him battell. The Marqueſſe of Fuenes to oppoſe Migliare his proceed­ings, who after the burning of certaine Caſtles and Townes, had laid ſiege to E­dino. And the Count of Fera was to watch the Hollander, who was drawing neere to the Iſland of Bommell. Things ſeemed here to be well ordered, but a ſudden accident had like to have diſtur­bed31 them. Banier had routed, ſix thou­ſand of th'Imperiall Foot, the Emperour deſired ſo many men of Piccolomini to ſupply that want. It was judged in Flan­dars, that to ſend thoſe men, would but little helpe the Empire, and occaſion the totall ruine of that Province.

That the French was to be more look­ed after then the Swede. That Banier would not effect that which the King of Sweden could not doe, the King of France might doe it. Nothing is more eaſie then to know his intent, and there is no Prince or Common-wealth in Germanie, but if he knew it, would take up armes to hinder it. All of them might hinder it, if they would determine ſo, and they would all know it, if they would reflect upon it.

The firſt thing the King of France de­ſires, is to make himſelfe Emperour, and it will bee the laſt hee will attaine to; His Anceſtors began with the taking of Metz, Tul, and Verdun he hath followed theſe with the taking in of Alſacia and Lorraine. Being Lord of Teonville, hee will now take Luxemburge, Burgundie will totally fall, the Palatinate will not32 bee able to defend it ſelfe, hee will be­come Maſter of the Land of Trever, and all the old Auſtraſia, hee will ſubdue th'Eccleſiafticall Electors, the Kings of Spaine will loſe Flanders, Caeſar the Em­pire, and the Common-wealths of Ger­manie their Liberties, and the Princes their States.