[fol. 1r] Most gracious Soveraigne may it please yow to be humbly advertised, That wheras I receaved my dispatch from your majestie towarde the partes of East frizelande som while sithence and was partly hindered in the Course of my said jorny, by reason aswell of contrarie wyndes, as for wante of convenient shipping, that might carry me directly to Embden, I lastly was putt in at the daingerous mouthe of the Maze in South Holland, with no small apparencie of casting awaie by fowle wether: And thence directing my self, upwardes arryved at Dordrecht the best place to land in and surest. Where the death of the Prince of Orenge was then recent, yet without anie astonishment at all, either of the people or Magistrates; by feare or division, Butt rather generally animated, with a greate resolucon of Courage, and hatred ingraved in them to revenge the fowlenesse of the fact comitted in the person of the Pr: of Orange, by the Tirant of Spaine, (as they terme him), and to defende their Religion and liberties advysedly against hym and his adherents by all the meanes that God had given them, even to the last drop of their blood, and the uttermost porcon of their substance: Recommending them selves throughout the Contrie, in their Consultacons and assemblies, as also in their comon and private speches to the Quene of Englands only favor and goodnesse, whome they call their Savior, and the Princesse of greatest perfection in wisedome and sinceritie that ever governed: Reculing them selves no lesse in their disposicon from the pointe to be governed by the frenche (notwithstanding their treatie in france now by their deputies) than to be tirannized by the Spaniard which they conclude equally to be alyke, and even Commutare non sortem, sed servitutem./
The Magistrates of Dordrect, with whome I have som nere familiaritie, understanding of my arryvall by their Gardes at their gates, (in which parte of vigilancie, and in the rest of their present affayres throughout Holland and Zeland, they use great order, more than ever I knew, and have putt in soldiors in eche Towne) repayred imediately unto me; not as men Condoeling their estate, or craving Courage to be instilled in them (wanting now a head) But irritated above measure to be revenged, and to defend all their heades, so apparantly sought for by the King of Spaine in murthering their head the Pr: of Orange: Whose death with much grief, they do not so much attribute to destenie, as to the ambition of Villiers the minister, becom maister of the Spyes, and was intrapped (they say in his owne nett and over weening, by favoring this Treacher and Spy beyonde reasone or sence: for by Villiers presumption creditt and accesse was given to the murtherer to execute that he intended, The wretch Continuing [fol. 1v] continueng this practise by the space of xiij weekes in and out in the Pr: Courte, to seeke opportunitie for his disseigne: In which tyme there failed not both suspition and advertisement to be had, that he was not suche in name, nor in Religion, as he pretended: Which was an error in Villiers of imprudencie and rashnesse, (they say) considering his place and the trust reposed in him by the Pr: that could not be twise comitted, And the same had at the death of the said Pr: bin lyke to have cost all the frenche their lyves, and the Papistes theirs, that were within Delft, where the fact was comitted, But that Gods only mercie and providence, preserved their estate from subdayne, violent, alteracon and ruine: which the enemie labored by all meanes to have brought to passe, by practiseng immediately with sondrie Townes of the provinces, and offering them whatsoever they would have, or demande, even till they should repent (as may be suggested) them selves. But none woulde harken unto them, which eche severall Towne and state sithence have confirmed by their particular lres and protestacons to the generall Estates assembled at Delpht, sending their absolute and irrevocable authoritie by their deputies, to stand to that, which they, the said states generall should dispose of their persones, goods and Contrie: A resolucon and agreement, that never concurred before among them to this daie, in what age or goverment soever: And hereof two things insued forthwith (As effectes) first that the motion of anie accorde was forbidden to be had or made privately or publickly with the Tirant of Spaine, under peine to be reputed ill Patriots: Secondly that they should be imediately executed that brought either lre or message from the enemie to any Person or purpose more within the Provinces./
Dordrecht also sett forth in writeng and proclaimed by sound of Trumpett, how resolute they were to dye and live in the Cause now undertaken, which is an Act registred since, and confirmed amongst the other provinces
The Copie whereof your majestie shall receave herewithinclosed./
But theie still complaine that the Pr: being reputed so wise and Villiers so wary or rather presuming so to be, That ever they would be deceaved so Chyldishly, as they were, by a partie unknowne, by a practise so repugnant in it self: An attempt unpossible in reason, and in honor not to be imbraced. for this Traitor Balthazar Gherarde of the age of xxv ^ti^ yeres, a Contempnible person in shew and stature, insinuated him self to be the son of one Guian at Bezanzon, that dyed for the Religion, was persecuted (he said) for the same, a servante in Condition, pore and obscure. And yet offred certaine Signatures of the Count Ernest of Mantsfelt, which he had counterfetted, with the signatures and seales of other Personages, that were governors of Townes and provinces [fol. 2r] and provinces under the King of Spa: To the ende that the Pr: should [ deleted: mak] make his profitt of those Impostures, and [ deleted: to] be hable to seaze som Townes therby, which was the entrie to buylde his creditt upon by Villiers interteyneng of it, A matter sufficient in gravitie, to have discovered the said partie, to be a manifest, lewd, and Cownterfett person, and no waies of the religion. But otherwise suerly he was the resolutest fellow that ever the earth bare with the daie of his execution (after so manie incredible torments susteyned before) he well shewed, sayeng at his Coming out of prison, That he would that daie make a memorable proof of his greate patience and Constancie, as in deede he did, to the wonder and astonishment of all men.
He avowed his fact to be lawfull two waies: first for that the King of Spa: who by his proscription, had invyted all men to kill a Rebell much more was he invyted thereunto, that had his Conscience prepared and assured, and was the said K: naturall subject borne in his Countie of Burgondie./
Secondarily, he might do it by the example of Judith in the Bible, a most holy and Chaste person, that notwithstanding her widowhead and holynesse, fayned her self to becom a harlott, to the end she might murther the irreligious Tirant Holophernes.: But when it was replyed unto him, that the example alledged of Judith and the proscription sett forth by K: Phillipp; were both unlawfull, and that neither respect of religion, nor justice in him the murtherer, had moved him to attempt this wickednes, but the promises only of the Pr: of Parma, and of Dassonville, to be rewarded according to the contents of the proscription, hereat as vanquished or obstinate he held his peace:
I am Right gracious Soveraigne the longer upon this pointe of verie humble dutie, and not of tediousnesse, for that it is certainely presumed and affirmed, that this forlorne persone was a Jesuite, and that it is a maxime among them, that they be all Judithes, that kill princes, and ar therfore stirred up and warranted by the Pope to be canonized for the same, beside temporall advancements if theie escape: Lyke as may appere to your Majestie, by the booke that Carter printed within your owne kingdom of the self same matter, and worthely suffred for it this last winter at Tyborn. To which race and vermin of Jesuites, coming abroade, armed with obstinate malice and treason, this late example also most aptly deciphering them and their nature It maie please your majestie to have a speciall regarde and eye. I speake [fol. 2v] I speake it in the humble depth of my loialtie and zeale, for yow se how many Seminaries of them there ar erected everie where, and one even of Deepe of Englishe and Scotts upon the brim of England, by your over presuming adversarie the Guyse. Besides that it is well knowne, that there ar entred above vij score lurking Jesuites into the Realme of late, and they doe secretly repaire more and more, to sow infection and rebellion among your subjects, and to conspire against your Royall person, whome God allwaies for his mercies sake preserve.
I brought ^over^ hither in latin, frenche and Italian, a two dozen of those bookes which my L. Treasorer is author of, touching the justice in England executed upon those Jesuites and Seminaries, not for religion, but for treason. Of which bookes I have well distributed sondrie, and ar mervailously lyked, In so muche as the Archebishopp of Colein (A prince trewly, well qualefied and greatly devoted to your majestie, whom I found at Delpht) doth cause the same to be translated into High duche that it maie be dispersed all Germanie over, And the same in uttering the trewth so wisely, is lykely to do greate good.
Duke Augustus of Saxonie, doth now see so far into the sect of the Jesuites and to their inwarde mischeifes, as he is become their open enemie and doth make his freindes against them in the Empire: He hath also chased out of his Contrie Jacabus Andreas and doth comande the Ubiquitaries of Saxonie, as men of a Condempned opinion, to silence.
I do inclose herein the Copie of the sentence translated into frenche, geven against Balthasar Gherarde, also certaine collections of his speeches and actions, before his death, whom they would not have executed so soone, but that they feared he would have dyed under their handes, being weakened with unmeasurable tortures: Herewith is the relacon also of the phisicons of Delpht in latin, touching the wound of the Pr: of Orange But your majestie shall have a larger confession of the said Balthasar Gerards secretes, with the manner of the Pr: funeralles, by this bearer, which shalbe holden solempnely on fridaie, the xxiiij ^th^ of this moneth, in the great Chirche at Delpht. But it is intended, yf the world prosper with them, to translate hereafter the said Pr: bodie to Breda or to some other place in Germanie of his proper inheritance: upon whom liveng they had bestowed the Marqueshipp of Baron, disinheriting the daughter of Merode and had elected him lykewise Erle of Holland and Zeland, which should have byn published within two monethes following, yf he had escaped this trapp and heavie mischance.
Further the said magistrates of Dordrecht discoursed with me verie largely and freely, of the present estate of their affaires, shewing that Pruneas and their [fol. 3r] and their deputies in france, were still at Roane without audience, and that the king would first see their instructions, before he proceeded to treate with them, which course they held to be strainge, and of small reputacon to them wardes, and tending rather to discover them, and to draw things in length, than to accept of their offers in the forme which they were presented, which were the same offers and Condicions, that Monsieur before should have had confirmed unto him: Holland and Zeland allwaies exempted. But it semes hereby that the frenche king in differring and temporizeng would have them fall into that necessitie and dainger, as that they should offer unto him simplye the possession of all their estates, or otherwise they to see as in a glasse their evident and hastie ruine: At least wise he woulde be maister of the Ile of Walchern and of the Sluse, which in deede (considering the saide k: puissance and nerenesse with the importance of the places) were asmuche as to be maister and owner absolutely of the whole: And they to assure them selves of the other side, from both mischief and inconvenience, would give the hotter parte of the iron from them selves to the french, and holde the colder by the staile fast. The frenche k: inwarde intention being discovered in som manner to them, and his faith holden suspected, Paul Buis at Delpht to this effect, willed me under secrecie and assurance to saie unto your majestie from him, that the said frenche k: had two monethes since sounded the Pr: of Orange by the Princesse his wyfe that in Case, he would be content to putt into his hand the Iland of Walchern, The said k: would immediatly declare Spa: his enemie, Confirme to the states their privileges, and unto the Pr: of Orange the erledomes of Holland and Zeland, with all his other lands and titles, and give him over and above a Cm [crowns] yerely of perpetuall inheritance, well assured to him and his, where he would Choose the same, Or yf he thought better, he should have in redie monie 20MC [crowns] to bestow at his pleasure: But saith Buis (his scope once sene) he shall never be trusted by us, what hasard and extremitie soever we runn into: yet he excused the Pr: that he was not frenche in mynde, but for necessitie and Connivencie, to conserve the Chyrches in france, and to brede jealousie and pyke betwene those two great Kings, wherof the defence and releif of those Contries and religion might ensue.
Those of Dordrect proceeded further with me, that the states generall would provyde som person to succeede the Pr: of Orange to be president over them, and would appointe Comissioners of good qualitie to be sent also to your majestie to reveale their estate further, and to submitt it entirely to your gracious disposition and order./
They [fol. 3v]They were assured (they said) to preserve Lyllow, wherat it is reported that Mondragon should be slaine: they provided Barrow with vij ensignes of footemen more, which place being a good frontier towardes Holland, had xj ensignes in it before, and ij Cornetts of horse.
They have an eye that no victuall should be transported to the enemie and at my Coming to Delpht the said enemie being marched from Lyllow to Howghstrate, there were men and provision dispached imediately to Husedon, to Worckom, and to Garthrud Bergh, to entertaine those passages, yf the enemie should attempt any thing.
They were offended with St Aldegondes goverment at Antwerpe, that he had so ill provyded to suffer iiijr fortes to be lost on flanders side which he (they say) was author of the building of, but more specially offended, in that he had caused Herentalles in Brabant to be abandoned without necessitie, wherby the enemie is maister now over all the flatt Contrie, and Machelin, Vilford and Bruxells straictened. Gaunt (they said) had wine, Corne, and salte for vj monethes, but that it could not be victuailed anie more, unlesse the forte of Themis, which lyeth betwene Dermont and Gaunt upon the River, were first conquered and possest.
The freeing of Gaunt would easely recover Bruges and Flanders againe for why the whole Contrie, they said, was eaten and consumed, and could not hold out yf Gaunt were sure, And the Campe of the enemies dye allso, and susteyne extreme necessitie, and dearth, ill paide and wursse victuailed, a pownde of butter being at xxiij styvers, and all other things dere according to the rate.
They have executed in Gaunt an Advocate and certaine others, having also framed Ambisens processe and passed it, wheruppon it is looked that he and Rowland Yorke should be executed forthwith./
The assurance of their present state, till the same may be assisted by som prince of power, consistes in three speciall and instant pointes: vizt: In opening of the passage to Gaunt: in prevaileng against Zutphen, where hitherto their Camp (which they have mustred and paied) hath done good devoire, defeating the enemies and their Convoyes sondrie tymes, But the issew is dowtfull, yf the enemie marche thither with intire forces, Our forces decayeng dailie and those which remaine ar but Rutters and men of lyke valew and discipline. The third, is to be assured of the Towne of Embden, wherby Groineng might be reduced to order, the king of Spa: excluded of haven, and shipping there [fol. 4r] there, and the navie, which the Hollanders do enterteyne in those partes with great Charge and small purpose, be revoked and better employed./
But if Gaunt be unsuccoured, the enemies ar maisters of all flanders withoute hope of recoverie, and then do transporte them selves with all diligence into Gellderland, where ether defeating or reculing our Campe they shall have free passages even to Utrect gates, possessing everie place behinde them by revolte: for there is noe hope of releif to the Townes of Overissell and Gelders, yf they be once abandoned, And consequently the enemie will seeke an entrie into Holland, by force or division, a Case most daingerous./
Lykewise the said enemies may be maisters of frizeland, without an assurance first had of Embden, wherin I hope in God to do som good office and advancement at my arrivall there, which wilbe within these three daies yf the winde Change having som further instructions from Paull Buis, with whom to deale in those partes most surely, and whom to avoide. Besides that I presume (knowing that I now know) to fynde the Erle Edzarde tractable in reason and that a good accorde may follow betwene the two brethren, by your majesties authoritie and gracious interposicon, Wherof verie speedily I will advertise yow at large of all thinges.
Yf the enemie may be enterteyned for these two monethes from prevalieng at Zutphen, as they were at Lyllow (which, considering his necessitie and other difficulties that he is encountred with, may be well hoped for) Then assuredly, right gracious Soveraigne, he is barred from all meanes and practises, that he had projected uppon the Pr: deathe. And the States are assured till the next spring, by reason of the waters that wilbe risen about Zutphen, and else where: During which interim, the enemie will partly consume him self, the k. of Spa: may dye, (though these be weake and no politike fundacons.) other accidents may grow, and the States are to provyde by Gods grace of further remedie abroad and at home: Towarde the which they have private wealth ynough, and better resolucon, than at anie tyme heretofore; Only wanting a sufficient head of power and wealth to Comande them And th [at] as they say, Melior, non maior pars vincit Deo iuuante.
After that I had Right gracious Soveraigne, understoode this far of the state of things at Dordrect, where I was well used and respected for your Majesties sake, (whose servant they knew me to be) I repaired to Paul Buis at Delpht, that hath presently the Cheef administracon among the states, And to whose creditt and dexteritie they [fol. 4v] they attribute the dispatche of most things, Who withall is as devoted a servant of your majesties, as anie may be, which he referres to the highest proof it may please yow to employ him in, and so desired me to assure your majestie./
He was most glad of my Coming that way towardes Embden, and of your majesties gracious opinion continued towardes him, shewing me frankly in what termes they stood at home, what a losse they had of the Pr: how they intended after his funeralles, to choose the Count Moris his sonn their Superintendant, for that they must have som forme of a head amongst them, and that the said Moris should have the tytle and state of the principalitie of Orange, and of the rest of the Pr: seigniories, invested in him, as by his fathers will was appointed, till it might be knowne what sholde becom of his son in Spa: Albeit the said will was nott fully absolved, at the death of the Pr: in respect rather of the manner than of the matter, yet was it a perfect and sufficient will, and agreed upon long before./
He shewed unto me the state of the enemie throughout the provinces, and of the negociacon in france by Asseliers, Mullerie, and Charon, wherof he had no opinion at all of successe, nor anie will [ deleted: in his lyfe tyme] but to please the Pr: in his life tyme, to conclude with the frenche, for the reasons and difficulties before alledged./
They had certaine other things in Consultacon, amongst the states to determine of, which they were sworne not to reveale to anie, but he protested that nothing should passe but to your lyking and suretie, and the same to be altered and disposed. as should seeme good to your highnesse owne authoritie, affirmeng to me sincerely that Holland and Zeland with the rest of the provinces, for the estimacon they had of your highe vertew, and temperancie, would yeild them selves absolutely to your majestie and to your Crowne for ever, or to none other, their liberties only reserved, wherof yow should have imediate possession, without reservacon of place or privilege: And the meanes should be suche, proceding from them, as your majestie might defend your Interest therin with facilitie against the whole worlde. Or yf it might please yow rather to deale with them by waie of contracte, they were redie to obay yow in either, and would under som pretence send persones of gravitie and good zeale, to treate with your majestie herein.
He herewith described unto me a platt, which those of Brabant had proposed to the states generall, for the having of an Army of xvm footmen and vjm horse, in the feilde, with the which they should be hable to expulse the enemie, and to reconquer their Townes and [fol. 5r] and Contrie lost, within three monethes following, the state and forme of things considered as they are, Of which army they reckoned to have vm English footemen and vC horse, for whose wages and paie they would be humble suters to your majestie to disburse the same to a Treasurer of your owne, that might distribute it monethly, to the English soldiors And your majestie should have delivered to your possession the Sluse and Ostend as pledges, till yow were fully satsfied of the sayd Sum, and of all other dew unto yow by the states before, As also the garrisons of these two places to be allowed at their Charges.
The proposition caryed further, that D. Cassimerus had promised to bring two M horse, paied for this service, and was content to receave the Contrie of Lymburgh and the Towne of Mastrich, when they were freed from the enemies, in pawne, as well of that he should now disbursse as had disburssed heretofore./
Touching the rest of the Charges of the warres, Those of Antwerp and Brabant offered to supply in redie monie three C M [crowns] remitting to the other provinces their rattable porcons: But this Course seemed to be lame in manie partes, and St Allgond with Villiers and Ryhover have greatly (though in vaine) urged them to rely upon the frenche and none other./
Paull Buis semed offended with one Grise greate bailie late of Bruges and now is in England, that thrustes him self to deale and intermeddle in the affaires of the low contries unadvowed, Of whome he would gladly that knowlege were taken./
The said Buis is half of opinion that if the nobilitie of the low Contrie were now sounded by a thirde meane (the Prince being dead whome they envyed) som notable alteracon might follow, wherof the Erle of Howghstrate made an offer of Conference to St Aldegond But that savored more of perill than suertie, And it wilbe ever suspicious trusting of them, unlesse they begin in good ernest, to use the advantages they have in expulsing the Spaniardes the contrey quite./
At Delpht right gracious Soveraigne; there is an other most faithfull servant of your majesties Metkerck president of flanders a man of lerning and sinceritie, who was in Comission with the Marques of Havory in England: he is seconde in reputacon here for his wisedome, and not least in zeale towardes your majestie And so doth he humbly comend his dutie and service to yow ever./ Buis and he have one speciall Care in all practises that are discovered to examine how nere anie thing may concerne your person and kingdom wherof they will advertise [fol. 5v] advertise, as matter shall fall out in importaunce. They tolde me both that the Pr: of Orange had not in redie money at his death, a C gildernes in store, which was a note of his popularitie./
His papers and memoriales Cownt Moris hath seazed, but he was prevented (as is presumed) by Villiers of the best of them.
And this is the sum R. gracious Soveraigne, of that which passed betwene Paul Buis and me at Delpht; touching whom and the premisses or touching the state of the Contrie, yf it maie please your majestie to direct me anie thing further, when I shalbe at Embden, I will make my returne by Holland into England to obay that yow shall Comaunde, humbly assuring your majestie that Paul Buis will attend with great devotion to heare by me, how graciously yow take his service in these partes, and what particularly yow be pleased to use him in./
The reverent respect is great that is born to your majestie throughout these Contries, and I having the Credit to be your majesties pore servant (though nott addressed to them) was with singular Curtesie defrayed my Charges at Delpht, provided with free waggon hither. which for good dutie I could not omitt to signifie unto your majestie./
The Count Moris with whome I was, R: gracious Soveraigne, is a gentleman of the age of xvij yeres, one of great towardnesse, good presence and Courage, flaxen heared, indewed with a singular witt and no lesse lerned for his tyme: he holdes nothing of the french nor estemes them, but somwhat resembles the Countenance and spirit of his grandfather of the mother syde, Moris. He humbly desired me to signefie unto your majestie that he had in his mynde and determinacon faithfully vowed his service to your majestie, which should be continued in his actions with all dutie, and sealed with his blood, for he knew how much his father and the Cause was beholding ever to your high goodnesse./
I visited the princesse of Orange by her owne request, whome I found in a most darke litle melancholick Chamber, which was a twise sorowfull sight to beholde her heavinesse and apparaill augmented by the dolefullnesse of the place: and trewly the perplexitie was greate that I found her in, not only for the Consideracon of things past, but for that which might follow hereafter, her afflictions having bin great. She was accompanied with the princesse of Cymay, who was newly com to Delpht, and no lesse dolorous in an other degree, than shew, But trewly a vertewous and wise ladie, whatsoever (under correction) hath otherwise bin interpreted of her. The Cowntesse [fol. 6r] Cowntesse of Swartzenburgh the Princes sister was there likwise, with the number of the Pr: daughters, And they all with a most tender affecton recommend their service to your majestie, as to a Ladie over all ladies: But especially the two Princesses in most humble and wise sorte, expressed a ceraine fervent devotion towardes your majestie: The Princesse of Orange complained somwhat of the undkyndenes of the people, and is to repaire after some time to Flysheng to the new palace built there for the marqueshipp of Vere and certaine landes purchased in france is assigned to be her dowrie./
The Archbishop of Coleine after manie grave and sincere wordes had of your majesties vertue, calling yow La fille unique de Dieu, e' la bien heureuse Princesse, desired of God that he might do yow service as yow merited./
He tolde me that the Pr: of Orange had acquainted him with a practise of the k. of Spa: which was an offer made to the King of Navarr of 400000 [crowns] in readie money, and a CM [crowns] monethly yf he would make warres with the frenche k. wherunto I answered that I thought it don with a Spanish mynde and cunning to draw the k. of Naverne, as Sebastian of Portingall was, to his ruine and losse of lyfe and kingdom, and by this meane to destroy all the religion and Chirches in france./
The said Archbishop hath lost all his state, saving two townes Bergh, and Ordinghen, and his coming into these partes (wherunto he was drawne by the Pr: of Orange, to serve the said Pr: turne and to save Gelderland by his forces, bringing him further to rely upon france hath alienated the Princes of Germanie wholly from him, except it be Casimerus, yet the Bavarian his adversarie is not admited, and allowed by the Electors to the state of Colein, but is in som sorte distressed for lack of money, the principall sinewe of warres, and thereuppon his power is scattered and mutyned, and him self left with few./
Seguris could litle prevaile, on the behalf of the said Archbishop ^ether^ with the princes of Germanie for the reasons before alledged, [ deleted: and] ^or with^ others of more pregnancie, notwithstanding that gaige which he left in deposito at Breme. The said Seguris is now at Hydelbergh.
At this dyet of Rotemburgh, by the faction that the Emperor sent thither the intents of the protestantes cam to no purpose, nor there is any better hope, that the good fundacon that the late Palatyne laied, to have bin proceeded on at Mullhwson can take anie other yssew. The princes do attend so to their particular pleasures and respects, leaving the Care of the generall aside./
The Erle [fol. 6v]The Erle of Hollock was at the Hage to attend the tyme of the Princes funeralles, who cannot well agree at the Camp with the Erle of Mewrs But he semes to be reformed in sondrie things yf it hold, And desires humbly to be knowne for one, that will obay the comandement of your majestie, more than of any erthly Prince [ deleted: living]
I doe herewith send unto your majestie a booke in figures coloured, of that which hath lyvely passed hitherto betwene the Archbishop Truchses and the Bavarian.
I do beseche your majestie in most lowlie wise, even by the trew dutie and zeale that I do sincerely beare unto your service and state, That yow will voutsave to pardon the length and tediousnes of this my rude writeng, wherin I confesse my falte to have exceeded muche the proportion and limittes of a lre to a Quene my Soveraigne, troobling your sacred eares and eyes to farr. But these be simply my Collections and observations made for my memorie by the waie, written at sondrie tymes, as may appere by their Coherencie: which when I had considered, I thought not fitt to judge of them my self, nor yet to diminishe anie parte of the Contentes, but to send them entire (though prolixe) to your self, to draw out what were fitt for your majesties service which your majestie may Censure graciously, according to your accustomed Clemency, and to my simple and lowlie intention therin./
God the giver of all goodnesse preserve and mainteine your Royall person and State, and give yow the accomplishment of your high and vertuous desires. Amsterdam, staieng for a winde the xxij ^th^ of Julie./ Stilo antiquo Your majesties most humble devoted pore servante.
