[A disputation concerning _buena querra_.]
One day after dinner, as was the ordinary custome, the generall, his
captaines, and the better sort of his followers, being assembled in the
cabbin of the poope in conference, an eager contention arose amongst
them, touching the capitulation of _buena querra_, and the purport
thereof. Some sayd that onely life and good entreatie of the prisoners
was to be comprehended therein: others enlarged, and restrained it,
according to their humors and experience. In fine, my opinion was
required, and what I had seene and knowne touching that point: wherein I
pawsed a little, and suspecting the worst, feared that it might be a
baite layd to catch me withall, and so excused my selfe, saying: that
where so many experimented souldiers were joyned together, my young
judgement was little to be respected: whereunto the generall replied,
that knowledge was not alwayes incident to yeares, though reason
requireth that the aged should be the wisest, but an art acquired by
action and management of affaires; and therefore they would be but
certified what I had seene, and what my judgement was in this point.
Unto which, seeing I could not well excuse myselfe, I condiscended; and
calling my wits together, holding it better to shoote out my boult by
yeelding unto reason, although I might erre, then to stand obstinate, my
will being at warre with my consent, and fearing my deniall might be
taken for discourtesie, which peradventure might also purchase me
mislike with those who seemed to wish [The resolution, etc.]
me comfort and restitution; I submitted to better judgement, the
reformation of the present assembly, saying: “Syr, under the
capitulation of _buena querra_, or fayre warres, I have ever understood,
and so it hath beene observed in these, as also in former times, that
preservation of life and good entreatie of the prisoner have beene
comprehended; and further, by no meanes to be urged to any thing
contrary to his conscience, as touching his religion; nor to be seduced
or menaced from the allegeance due to his prince and country; but rather
to ransome him for his moneths pay. And this is that which I have knowne
practised in our times, in generall, amongst all civill and noble
[The noble usage of the English,] nations. But the English
have enlarged it one point more towards the Spaniards rendred _a buena
querra_ in these warres; have ever delivered them which have beene
taken upon such compositions, without ransome: but the covetousnes
[but abused in these days.] of our age hath brought in many
abuses, and excluded the principall officers from partaking of the
benefit of this privilege, in leaving them to the discretion of the
victor, being, many times, poorer then the common souldiers, their
qualities considered; whereby they are commonly put to more then the
ordinary ransome; and not being able of themselves to accomplish it, are
forgotten of their princes and sometimes suffer long imprisonment, which
they should not.”
[Don Beltran satisfied, and answereth.]
With this, Don Beltran sayd: “This ambiguitie you have well resolved;”
and, like a worthie gentleman, with great courtesie and liberalitie,
added: “let not the last point trouble you, but bee of good comfort; for
I here give you my word anew, that your ransome, if any shall be thought
due, shall be but a cople of grey-hounds for mee, and other two for my
brother, the Conde de Lemos: and this I sweare to you by the habit of
Alcantera. Provided alwayes, that the King, my master, leave you to my
dispose, as of right you belong unto me.”
For amongst the Spaniards in their armadoes, if there bee an absolute
generall, the tenth of all is due to him, and he is to take choise of
the best: where in other countries, it is by lot that the generalls
tenth is given. And if they be but two shippes, he doth the like; and
being but one, shee is of right the generalls. This I hardly believed,
until I saw a letter, in which the King willed his vice-roy to give Don
Beltran thankes for our shippe and artillerie, which he had given to his
Majestie.
I yeelded to the generall most heartie thankes for his great favour,
wherewith hee bound mee ever to seeke how to serve him, and deserve it.