Sacraments_: which, in the first edition had many strange things in it,
as it seemeth. I knew nothing of it, but as it pleased [JOHN BRIDGMAN]
my Lord of DURHAM, and [WILLIAM LAUD] the Bishop of BATH, so the world
did read.
We were wont, in the High Commission, to repress obstinate and busy
Papists.
In the end of King JAMES his time, a Letter was brought me, under the
hand and signet of the King, that "We must not meddle with any such
matter: nor exact the twelve pence for the Sunday, of those which came
not to the Church (with which forfeit, we never meddled)." And this was
told us to be, in contemplation of a marriage intended with the Lady
MARY, the Daughter of France.
After the death of King JAMES, such another Letter was brought from
King CHARLES; and all execution against Papists was suspended.
But when the Term was at Reading, by open divulgation in all Courts
under the Great Seal of England, we and all magistrates were set at
liberty to do as it was prescribed by law. And our pursuivants must
have their warrants again, and take all the priests they can; whereof
Master CROSS took fourteen or fifteen in a very short space.
Not long after, all these are set free! and Letters come from the King,
under his royal signet, that "All warrants must be taken from our
messengers, because they spoiled the Catholics, and carried themselves
unorderly unto them, especially the Bishops' pursuivants:" whereas we
had in all, but two; CROSS, my messenger, for whom I did ever offer to
be answerable; and THOMLINSON, for whom my Lord of LONDON, I think,
would do as much. But the caterpillars, indeed, were the pursuivants
used by the sectaries [_Puritans_]: men of no value, and shifters in
the world; who had been punished and turned away by us, for great
misdemeanours.
But truth of religion and GOD's service was wont to overrule human
policies, and not to be overruled; and I am certain that things best
prosper, where those courses are held. But be it what it may be, I
could not tell what to make of this Variation of the Compass, since it
was only commanded unto me, to put such and such things in execution:
but I never understood anything of the counsel, whereby I might give
my judgement how fit or unfit they were, or might speak to alter the
tenour; whereunto, in former times, I had been otherwise used. Variety
[_diversity_] of reasons breedeth variety of actions.
* * * * *
For the matter of the Loan, I knew not, a long time, what to make of
it. I was not present when the advice was taken, I understood not what
was the foundation whereupon the building was raised; neither did ever
any of the Council acquaint me therewith.
I saw, on the one side, the King's necessity for money; and especially
it being resolved that the war should be pursued. And, on the other
side, I could not forget that in the Parliament, great sums were
offered, if the Petitions of the Commons might be hearkened unto.
It still ran in my mind, that the old and usual way was best; that in
kingdoms, the harmony was sweetest where the Prince and the people
tuned well together; that, whatsoever pretence of greatness [he
might have], he was but an unhappy man! that set the King and the
Body of the Realm at division; that the people, though not fit to be
too much cockered, yet are they that must pray! that must pay! that
must fight for their Princes! that it could not be, but [that] a man
so universally hated in the kingdom as the Duke was, must (for the
preservation of himself) desperately adventure on anything! if he might
be hearkened unto.
These meditations I had with myself, and, GOD knoweth! I frequently, in
my prayers, did beg that he whom these things did most concern, would
seriously think upon them.
It ran in my mind, that this new device for money could not long hold
out! that then, we must return into the Highway, whither it were best,
to retire ourselves betimes; the shortest errors being the best.
But these thoughts, I suppressed within my soul: neither did I ever
discourage any man from lending, nor encourage any man to hold back;
which I confidently avouch.
At the opening of the Commission for the Loan, I was sent for, from
Croydon. It seemed to me a strange thing: but I was told there that
"howsoever it shewed, the King would have it so; there was no speaking
against it."
I had not heard [_i.e., at any time before_] that men, throughout the
kingdom, should lend money against their will! I knew not what to make
of it! But when I saw in the instructions that refusers should be sent
away for soldiers to the King of Denmark; I began to remember URIAH,
that was sent in the forefront of the battle: and, to speak truth, I
durst not be tender in it.
And when, afterwards, I saw that men were to be put to their oath,
"With whom they had had conference, and whether any did dissuade them?"
and yet further beheld that divers were to be imprisoned; I thought
this was somewhat a New World! yet, all this while, I swallowed my own
spittle, and spake nothing of it to any man.
Nay, when after some trial in Middlesex; the first sitting was for
Surrey, in my House [_the Palace_] at Lambeth; and the Lords were
there assembled, with the Justices of the whole county: I gave them
entertainment in no mean fashion.
And I sat with them, albeit I said nothing; for the confusion was
such, that I knew not what to make of it. Things went on every day,
and speech was of much money to be raised out of some counties, yet
afterwards it was not so readily paid as preferred [? _deferred_]: and,
at length, some refused, even in London itself, and Southwark; besides
many gentlemen of special rank, and some Lords, as it was said. And
though it was reported that "they were but a contemptible company!" yet
the prisons in London demonstrated that they were not a very few, but
persons both of note and number.
The Judges, besides, concurring another way, that "They could not
allow the legality of the demand, and the enforcement that is used
thereupon," did somewhat puzzle me, for being too busy in promoting
of that for which I might, one day, suffer. Yet, hitherto, I remained
silent; hoping that time would break that off which was almost come to
an absolute period [_full stop_].
* * * * *
But instead of this, by the permission of GOD, I was called up to
the King, to look clearly into the question. When the allowance of
SIBTHORP's pamphlet was put upon me, I had then some reason, out of
the grounds of that sermon to fear (and I pray GOD that my fear was
in vain!) that the Duke had a purpose to turn upside down the Laws,
and the whole Fundamental Courses, and Liberties of the Subject: and
to leave us, not under the Statutes and Customs which our progenitors
enjoyed; but to the Pleasure of Princes, of whom, as some are gentle
and benign, so some others, to ingreat themselves [_make themselves
greater_], might strain more than the string will bear.
Besides, now it came in my heart, that I was present at the King's
Coronation: where many things, on the Prince's part, were solemnly
promised; which, being observed, would keep all in order, and the King
should have a loving and faithful people, and the Commons should have a
kind and gracious King.
The contemplations of these things made me stay my judgement, not any
unwillingness to do my Prince any dutiful service: whom I must, and do
honour above all the creatures in the world, and will adventure as far
for his true good, as any one whatsoever.
But I am loath to plunge myself, so over head and ears, in these
difficulties, that I can neither live with quietness of conscience, nor
depart out of the world with good fame and estimation. And, perhaps, my
Sovereign (if, hereafter, he looked well into this paradox) would, of
all the world hate me! because one of my profession, age, and calling,
would deceive him; and, with base flattery, swerve from the truth. _The
hearts of Kings are in the hands of GOD, and He can turn them as
rivers of water._
* * * * *
I draw to a conclusion. Only repute it not amiss, because so much
falleth in here, to observe a few words of the Duke of BUCKINGHAM--not
as now he is, but as he was in his rising.
I say nothing of his being in France, because I was not present; and
divers others there be, that remember it well: but I take him at his
first repair to Court [_in 1614_].
King JAMES, for many insolences, grew weary of SOMERSET: and the
Kingdom groaning under the Triumvirate of NORTHAMPTON, SUFFOLK, and
SOMERSET (though NORTHAMPTON soon after died [_in June, 1614_]) was
glad to be rid of him.
We could have no way so good to effectuate that which was the common
desire, as to bring in another in his room. "One nail," as the proverb
is, "being to be driven out by another."
It was now observed that the King began to cast his eye upon GEORGE
VILLIERS, who was then Cup-bearer, and seemed a modest and courteous
youth. But King JAMES had a fashion, that he would never admit any to
nearness about himself, but such a one as the Queen should commend unto
him, and make some suit on his behalf: that if the Queen, afterwards,
being ill intreated, should complain of this "Dear One!"; he might
make his answer, "It is 'long of yourself! for you were the party that
commended him unto me!" Our old Master took delight strangely, in
things of this nature.
That noble Queen, who now resteth in heaven, knew her husband well;
and having been bitten with Favourites, both in England and Scotland,
was very shy to adventure upon this request.
King JAMES, in the meantime, more and more loathed SOMERSET; and did
not much conceal it, that his affection increased towards the other.
But the Queen would not come to it; albeit divers Lords (whereof some
are dead; and some, yet living) did earnestly solicit Her Majesty
thereunto.
When it would not do; I was very much moved [_i.e., desired by
others_] to put to, my helping hand: they knowing that Queen ANNE was
graciously pleased to give me more credit than ordinary; which, all her
attendants knew, she continued to the time of her death.
I laboured much, but could not prevail. The Queen oft said to me, "My
Lord! you and the rest of your friends know not what you do! I know
your Master better than you all! For if this young man be once brought
in, the first persons that he will plague, must be you that labour for
him! Yea, I shall have my part also! The King will teach him to despise
and hardly intreat us all; that he [_BUCKINGHAM_] may seem to beholden
to none but himself."
Noble Queen! how like a Prophetess or Oracle did you speak!
Notwithstanding this, we were still instant, telling Her Majesty that
"the change would be for the better! for GEORGE was of a good nature,
which the other was not; and if he should degenerate, yet it would be a
long time before he were able to attain to that height of evil, which
the other had."
In the end, upon importunity, Queen ANNE condescended [_agreed to it_];
and so pressed it with the King, that he assented thereunto: which was
so stricken, while the iron was hot, that, in the Queen's Bedchamber,
the King knighted him with a rapier which the Prince [CHARLES] did
wear. And when the King gave order to swear him of the Bedchamber,
SOMERSET (who was near) importuned the King with a message that he
might be only sworn a Groom. But myself and others, that were at the
door, sent to Her Majesty that "She would perfect her work, and cause
him to be sworn a Gentleman of her Chamber!"
There is a Lord, or two, living that had a hand in this achievement. I
diminish nothing of their praise for so happy a work: but I know my own
part best; and, in the word of an honest man, I have reported nothing
but truth.
GEORGE went in with the King; but no sooner he got loose, but he
came forth unto me, in the Privy Gallery, and there embraced me. He
professed that "He was so infinitely bound unto me that, all his life
long, he must honour me as his father." And now, he did beseech me,
that I would give him some Lessons how he should carry himself.
When he had earnestly followed this chase, I told him, I would give him
three short lessons, if he would learn them.
The First was, That, daily, upon his knees, he should pray to GOD
to bless the King his Master, and to give him (_GEORGE_) grace
studiously to serve and please him.
The Second was, That he should do all good offices between the King
and the Queen; and between the King and the Prince.
The Third was, That he should fill his Master's ears with nothing
but truth.
I made him repeat these three things unto me: and then I would have
him, to acquaint the King with them! and so tell me, when I met him
again, what the King said unto him.
He promised he would. And the morrow after, Master THOMAS MURRAY (the
Prince's Tutor) and I standing together, in the gallery at Whitehall,
Sir GEORGE VILLIERS coming forth, and drawing to us, he told Master
MURRAY how much he was beholden unto me, and that I had given him
certain instructions: which I prayed him to rehearse: as, indifferently
well he did, before us. Yea, and that he had acquainted the King with
them; who said, "They were instructions worthy of an Archbishop, to
give to a young man."
His countenance of thankfulness continued for a few days, but not long!
either to me or any others, his well wishers. The Roman historian,
TACITUS, hath somewhere a note that "Benefits, while they may be
requited, seem courtesies; but when they are so high, that they cannot
be repaid, they prove matters of hatred."
* * * * *
Thus, to lie by me, to quicken my remembrance, I have laid down the
Cause and the Proceedings of my sending [_being sent_] into Kent; where
I remain at the writing of this Treatise. Praying GOD, to bless and
guide our King aright! to continue the prosperity and welfare of this
Kingdom, which, at this time, is shrewdly shaken! to send good and
worthy men to be Governors [_i.e., Bishops_] of our Church! to prosper
my mind and body, that I may do nothing that may give a wound to my
conscience! and then, to send me patience quietly to endure whatsoever
His Divine Majesty shall be pleased to lay upon me! _Da quod jubes, et
jube quod vis!_ and, in the end, to give me such a happy deliverance,
either in life or death, as may be most for His glory; and for the
wholesome example of others! who look much on the actions and passions
of Men of my Place.
[Illustration]
+BEN JONSON.+
_Answer to Master WITHER's Song_,
Shall I, wasting in despair.
[Which Song originally appeared in the privately printed edition
of FIDELIA, in 1617; and was incorporated, with some variations in
the text, in _Fair VIRTUE_ in 1622, as may be seen at _p._ 454.
JONSON's Parody was printed in a very rare Collection, entitled _A
Description of Love: with certain Epigrams, Elegies, and Sonnets,
&c._, the Second Edition of which was printed in 1620. We have here
used a copy of the Sixth Edition of 1629, in the British Museum;
press mark, C. 39. a.]
WITHER.
_Shall I, wasting in despair,_
_Die, because a woman's Fair?_
_Or my cheeks make pale with care,_
_'Cause another's rosy are?_
_Be She fairer than the Day,_
_Or the flowery meads in May!_
_If She be not so to me,_
_What care I, how Fair She be?_
JONSON.
Shall I, mine affections slack,
'Cause I see a woman's Black?
Or myself, with care cast down,
'Cause I see a woman brown?
Be She blacker than the night,
Or the blackest jet in sight!
If She be not so to me,
What care I, how Black She be?
WITHER.
_Should my foolish heart be pined,_
_'Cause I see a woman Kind?_
_Or a well disposèd nature_
_Joinèd with a comely feature?_
_Be She kind, or meeker than_
_Turtle dove, or pelican!_
_If She be not so to me,_
_What care I, how Fair She be?_
JONSON.
Shall my foolish heart be burst,
'Cause I see a woman's curst?
Or a thwarting hoggish nature
Joinèd in as bad a feature?
Be She curst, or fiercer than
Brutish beast, or savage man!
If She be not so to me,
What care I, how Curst She be?
WITHER.
_Shall a woman's virtues make_
_Me to perish for her sake?_
_Or her merits' value known,_
_Make me quite forget mine own?_
_Be She with that Goodness blest_
_Which may merit name of Best!_
_If She seem not so to me,_
_What care I, how Good She be?_
JONSON.
Shall a woman's vices make
Me her vices quite forsake?
Or her faults to me make known,
Make me think that I have none?
Be She of the most accurst,
And deserve the name of worst!
If She be not so to me,
What care I, how Bad She be?
WITHER.
_'Cause her fortunes seem too high,_
_Should I play the fool, and die?_
_He that bears a noble mind,_
_If not outward help he find;_
_Think, what, with them, he would do;_
_That, without them, dares to woo!_
_And unless that mind I see,_
_What care I, how Great She be?_
JONSON.
'Cause her fortunes seem too low,
Shall I therefore let her go?
He that bears an humble mind
And with riches can be kind.
Think how kind a heart he'd have,
If he were some servile slave!
And if that same mind I see,
What care I, how Poor She be?
WITHER.
_Great, or Good, or Kind, or Fair,_
_I will ne'er the more despair!_
_If She love me (then believe!)_
_I will die, ere She shall grieve!_
_If She slight me, when I woo;_
_I can scorn, and let her go!_
_For if She be not for me!_
_What care I, for whom She be?_
JONSON.
Poor, or Bad, or Curst, or Black,
I will ne'er the more be slack!
If she hate me (then believe!)
She shall die, ere I will grieve!
If She like me, when I woo;
I can like and love her too!
If that She be fit for me!
What care I, what others be?
[Illustration]
THE
FAMOUS AND
WONDERFUL RECOVERY
of a Ship of Bristol, called the
_Exchange_, from the Turkish
Pirates of Argier.
WITH THE UNMATCHABLE
attempts and good success of JOHN RAWLINS, Pilot in
her, and other slaves: who, in the end (with the
slaughter of about forty of the Turks and Moors),
brought the ship into Plymouth, the 13th of
February [1622] last, with the Captain
a _Renegado_, and five Turks more;
besides the redemption of twenty-four
men and one boy from
Turkish slavery.
[Illustration]
LONDON:
Printed for NATHANIEL BUTTER, dwelling at the
_Pied Bull_, at Saint Austen's Gate.
1622.
[This Narrative, which is reprinted from a very rare copy of the
original edition in the Bodleian Library, was not written by RAWLINS;
but the unknown illustrator, or cementer of "the broken pieces of
well-tempered mortar," so describing himself at _p._ 607, who put the
information supplied by the brave Pilot, into its present shape.]
[Illustration]
To the Right Honourable
GEORGE, Marquis of BUCKINGHAM,
Viscount VILLIERS, Baron of WHADDON, Lord High
Admiral of England; Justice in Eyre of all His
Majesty's Forests, Parks, and Chases beyond Trent;
Master of the Horse to His Majesty, and one of
the Gentlemen of His Majesty's Bed Chamber;
Knight of the most noble Order of the
Garter, and one of His Majesty's
most honourable Privy Council
of England and Scotland.
_RIGHT HONOURABLE_,
_Seeing it hath pleased GOD by so weak means as my poor self, to
have His power and goodness made manifest to the World, as by this
following Relation may appear: I thought it my duty to present the
same unto you; whom the Majesty of England hath presented unto us, as
our Patron, and Chief Commander of our sea affairs. Accept it then,
I humbly beseech you! as the unpolished work of a poor sailor; and
the rather, for that it exemplifies the glory of GOD. For by such men
as myself, your Honour must be served, and England made the happiest
of all nations._
_For though you have greater persons, and more braving spirits to be
over our heads, and hold inferiors in subjection; yet are we the men
that must pull the ropes, weigh up the anchors, toil in the night,
endure the storms, sweat at the helm, watch the biticle [binnacle],
attend the compass, guard the ordnance, keep the night hours, and be
ready for all impositions._
_If, then, you vouchsafe to entertain it! I have my desire. For,
according to the oath of Jurors, it is "the truth, and the very
truth." If otherwise, you suppose it trivial! it is only the
prostitution of my service; and Wisdom is not bought in the market!_
Your Honour's humbly to be commanded,
_JOHN RAWLINS_.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
THE FAMOUS
and Wonderful Recovery of the _Exchange_
of Bristol from the Turkish pirates
of Argier.
The Psalmist saith, that "He that goeth to sea, shall see the wonders
of GOD!" and I may well say, that he that converseth with mariners
and sailors shall hear of the wonders of men! as by this following
Discourse shall appear.
Not that I am willing to be the author of novelty, or amaze you with
incredible reports; but because I would not let slip so remarkable an
accident, and so profitable a relation. Remarkable, as extending to
manifest the power and glory of GOD, who hath variety of supportation
in store to sweeten affliction, and make all endurances subject to
fortitude and patience: profitable, as being thus far exemplary, to
teach all men of action and employment, not to despair in distress; and
to know thus much, that brave attempts are compassed by resolution and
industrious employment, and whether they thrive or not, yet shall the
enterprise be Charactered with a worthy exploit. And if it end with
success; O how shall the Actors be remembered to posterity! and make
their fame immortal that, either purchased their liberty, even out of
fire; or delivered themselves (though by death itself) from slavish
captivity, or the thraldom of barbarous Infidels; who glory in nothing
more than the perdition of our souls, and the derision of our CHRIST.
Hearken, then, I pray you! to this following Relation! and learn
thereby, as I said, both to give GOD the praise of all deliverances;
and to instruct one another in the absolute duties of Christianity. By
the one, the Power and Providence, with all the attributes belonging
to so immense a Deity, shall be made manifest; by the other, the weak
brother shall be comforted, the strong confirmed, the wavering reduced,
the faint-hearted erected, and the presumptuous moderated. By both,
Religion shall have a sweet passage in the consciences of men; and men
made the happy instruments of GOD's glory, and their own increases of
good example and imitation.
And thus much for Preamble or Introduction. Now, to the matter itself!
* * * * *
In the year 1621, the 1st of November, there was one JOHN RAWLINS (born
in Rochester, and dwelling three and twenty years in Plymouth) employed
to the Straits of Gibraltar, by Master[s] RICHARD, and STEVEN TREVILES,
Merchants of Plymouth; and freighted in a bark called the _Nicholas_
of Plymouth, of the burden of 40 tons: which had also in her company,
another ship of Plymouth, called the _George Bonaventure_, of 70 tons
burden or thereabouts; which, by reason of her greatness beyond the
other, I will name the Admiral [_flag-ship_], and JOHN RAWLINS's bark
shall, if you please, be the Vice-Admiral.
These two, according to the time of the year, had a fair passage; and,
by the 18th of the same month, came to a place at the entering of the
Straits, named Trafalgar; but the next morning [_19th November, 1621_],
being in the sight of Gibraltar, at the very mouth of the Straits,
the watch descried five sail of ships. Who, as it seemed, used all
the means they could to come near us; and we, as we had cause, used
the same means to go as far from them; yet did their Admiral take in
both his topsails, that either we might not suspect them, or that his
own company might come up the closer together. At last, perceiving us
[to be] Christians, they fell from devices, to apparent discovery of
hostility, and making out against us. We again suspecting them [to be]
pirates, took our course to escape from them; and made all the sails
we possibly could for Terriff or Gibraltar: but all we could do, could
not prevent their approach. For, suddenly, one of them came right over
against us to windward; and so fell on our quarter. Another came up on
our luff, and so threatened us there. And, at last, all five chased
us; making great speed to surprise us.
Their Admiral was called _Callfater_; having upon her main-topsail, two
top-gallant sails, one above another. But whereas we thought them all
five to be Turkish Ships of War; we afterwards understood that two of
them were their prizes (the one, a small ship of London, the other of
the West Country), that came out of the Quactath, laden with figs and
other merchandise, but now [were] subject to the fortune of the sea,
and the captivity of pirates. But to our business!
Three of these ships got much upon us; and so much, that, ere half the
day was spent, the Admiral, which was the best sailer, fetched up the
_George Bonaventure_, and made booty of it.