THE LAST FIGHT OF THE REVENGE' a.d. 



1591 



nature, and by Religion ? No, they are onely assured 

 to be imployed in all desperate enterprises, to bee helde 

 in scorne and disdaine ever among those whom they 

 serve. And that ever traitour was either trusted or 

 advanced T could never yet reade, neither can I at this 

 time remember any example. And no man coulde have 

 lesse becommed the place of an Orator for such a purpose, 

 then this Morice of Desmond. For the Erie his cosen 

 being one of the greatest subjects in that kingdom of 

 Ireland, having almost whole Countreis in his possession ; 

 so many goodly Mannors, castles, and lordships; the 

 Count Palatine of Kerry, five hundred gentlemen of his 

 owne name and family to follow him, besides others (all 

 which he possessed in peace for three or foure hundred 

 yeeres) was in lesse then three yeeres after his adhering 

 to the Spaniards and rebellion, beaten from all his holdes, 

 not so many as ten gentlemen of his name left living, 

 himselfe taken and beheaded by a souldier of his owne 

 nation, and his land given by a Parliament to her 

 Majestie, and possessed by the English : His other cosen 

 Sir John of Desmond taken by Master John Zouch, and 

 his body hanged over the gates of his native Citie to be 

 devoured by ravens : the thirde brother Sir James hanged, 

 drawne, and quartered in the same place. If hee had 

 withall vaunted of his successe of his owne house, no 

 doubt the argument would have mooved much, and 

 wrought great effect : which because, hee for that present 

 forgot, I thought it good to remember in his behalfe. 

 For matter of Religion it would require a particuler 

 volume, if I should set downe how irreligiously they 

 cover their greedy and ambicious pretenses, with that 

 veile of pietie. But sure I am, that there is no kingdome 

 or common-wealth in all Europe, but if they be reformed, 

 they then invade it for religion sake : if it bee, as they 

 terme Catholique, they pretend title ; as if the Kings of 

 Castile were the naturall heires of all the world : and so 

 betweene both, no kingdome is unsought. Where they 

 dare not with their owne forces to invade, they basely 



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