ad THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



This naturall inclination is cause, that scarsely it may 

 be said, there is any kingdome stable, nor king quiet, 

 but that his owne imagination, or other princes his 

 neighbours doe trouble him. God and nature hath pro- 

 vided to your Grace, and to your gracious progenitors, 

 this Realme of England, and set it in so fruitfull a place, 

 and within such limites, that it should seeme to be a 

 place quiet and aparted from all the foresayd desire. 

 One speciall cause is, for that it is compassed with the 

 Sea : by reason therof it seemes, this notwithstanding, 

 their desires and noble courages have beene most com- 

 monly like unto others : and with marveilous great 

 labours, costes and perils, they have traveiled and passed 

 the Seas, making warre, not onely with Kings and 

 dominions nigh neighbours, but also with them of farre 

 countries, and so have woonne and conquered many rich 

 and fayre dominions, and amplified this your Graces 

 Realme with great victory and glory. And also now 

 of late your Grace having like courage and desire, 

 and not without just cause, to enlarge this your 

 kingdome, and demaund your limits and tribute of 



[I. 213.] the French king, which at that present he restrained, 

 your Grace in person passed with a great power into 

 France, putting your Graces person to great paine and 

 labour, and without doubt victoriously you had con- 

 quered the sayd Realme of France, as ye began, if your 

 adversary had not reconciled himselfe, and knowledged 

 your Graces right and title : and so promised truely to 

 pay tribute then due, & fulfill your request in all 

 things, and also desired your Grace for peace, the which 

 of your clemencie you could not refuse. 



Now I considering this your noble courage and desire, 

 and also perceiving that your Grace may at your pleasure, 

 to your greater glory, by a godly meane, with little cost, 

 perill, or labour to your Grace or any of your subjects, 

 amplifie and inrich this your sayd Realme, I know it is 



A secrete, my bounden duety to manifest this secret unto your 

 Grace, which hitherto, as I suppose, hath beene hid ; 



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