OF Tin: NT ATI: or EUROPE.
Ho greatly entertaineth n<> amity with any prince, other than for form; neither is his friend ship otherwise respected of other*, m* in respect of the reputation of so great a kingdom. The pope bearetli a im-.a sway, and the kini; of Spain by means of Ins pensions; and of the queen-mother with the Guise; she for her two daughters, he for other regard, can do what he list there, or hinder what he would not have done. Th" division in his country for matters of reli- gioa and state, through miscontentment of the no- hiuy to see strangers advanced to the greatest charges of the realm, the offices of justice sold, tKe treasury wasted, the people polled, the coun- trv destroyed, hath bred great trouble, and like to se^ more. The faction between the house of T-jise against that of Montmorancy hath gotten griiat advantage. At this present the king is about to restore Don Antonio, King of Portugal, whereto are great levies and preparation. Francis, Duke of Anjou and of Brabant, for his calling and quality greatly to be considered as any prince this day living, being second person to the king, his brother, and in likelihood to suc ceed him. There is noted in the disposition of this prince a quiet mildness, giving satisfaction to all men ; facility of access and natural courte sy ; understanding and speech great and eloquent ; secrecy more than commonly is in the French ; from his youth always desirous of action, the which thing hath made him always followed and respected. And though hitherto he hath brought to pass no great purpose, having suffered great wants and resistance both at home and abroad, yet by the intermeddling is grown to good ex perience, readiness, and judgment the better thereby able to guide and govern his affairs, both in practice, in treaty, and action. Moreover, the diseased estate of the world doth so concur with this his active forwardness, as it giveth him matter to work upon : and he is the only man to be seen of all them in distress, or desirous of altera tion. A matter of special furtherance to all such as have achieved great things, when they have found matter disposed to receive form. And there is to be found no other prince in this part of the world so towards and forward as the duke, towards whom they in distress may turn their eyes. We do plainly see in the most coun tries of Christendom so unsound and shaken an estate, as desireth the help of some great person, to set together and join again the pieces asunder and out of joint. Wherefore the presumption is great, that if this prince continue this his course, he is likely to become a mighty potentate : for, one enterprise failing, other will be offered, and still men evil at ease, and desirous of a head and captain, will run to him that is fittest to receive them. Besides, the French, desirous to shake off fhe civil wars, must needs attempt somewhat VOL. I.- 50 ahrnad. This duke first had intelligence with the Count Liidovir. in Kinn ( tiarlc sd.tv-, and an en terprise to escape from the court, and in this king s time joined with them of the religion and malcon tents: after was carried against them; the marriage with her majesty, so mighty a princess, as it were to marry might with his ac tivity. He hath had practice in Germany to be created King of Romans, made a sudden voyage with great expedition into the Low Countries, now is there again with better success than so soon was looked for. The King of Spain, Philip, son to Charles the Fifth, about sixty years of age, a prince of great understanding, subtle and aspiring, diligent and cruel. This king especially hath made his benefit of the time where his last attempt on Portugal de- serveth exact consideration, thereby as by the workmanship to know the master. The first success he had was at St. Quintin, where he got a notable hand of the French ; he sought to reduce the Low Countries to an abso lute subjection. He hath kept France in a continual broil, where, by his pensions and the favour of the house of Guise, by means of the queen-mother in contemplation of her nieces, he beareth great sway. With the pope he is so linked as he may do what him list, and dispose of that authority to serve his purposes : as he has gotten great au thority in pretending to protect the church and religion. He possesseth the one half of Italy, comprehend ing Sicily and Sardinia, with Naples and Milan ; the which estates do yield him little other profit, save the maintenance of so many Spaniards as he keepeth there always. The Duke of Florence relieth greatly upon him, as well in respect of the state of Siena, as of the ports he holdeth, and of his greatness. Lucca is under his protection. Genoa, the one faction at his devotion, with their galleys: at his pension is most of the greatest there. Besides the Low Countries, he holdeth the French Comte, the best used of all his subjects, and Luxembourg: the West Indies furnish him gold and silver, the which he consumeth in the wars of the Low Countries, and in pensions, and is greatly indebted ; while he worketh on the foun dation his father laid, to erect a monarchy, the which, if he succeed in the conquest of Portugal, he is likely to achieve, unless death do cut him off. He hath one son of the years of five hy his last wife, two daughters by the French king s sister, two base sons. He hath greatly sought the marriage of tho queen s daughter of France, sister to his last wife, and cousin-german removed. His revenues are reckoned to amount to sixteen millions.
