THE DISCOVERY OF GUIANA ad. 



1595. 

 withstanding he beginneth againe like a storme to threaten 



shipwrack to us all : we shall find that these abilities 

 rise not from the trades of sacks, and Sivil oringes, nor 

 from ought els that either Spaine, Portugal, or any of 

 his other provinces produce : it is his Indian gold that 

 indangereth and disturbeth all the nations of Europe, it 

 purchaseth intelligence, creepeth into counsels, and setteth 

 bound loyaltie at libertie, in the greatest Monarchies of 

 Europe. If the Spanish king can keepe us from forren 

 enterprizes, & from the impeachment of his trades, either 

 by offer of invasion, or by besieging us in Britaine, 

 Ireland, or elsewhere, hee hath then brought the worke of 

 our peril in great forwardnes. Those princes which 

 abound in treasure have great advantages over the rest, if 

 they once constraine them to a defensive war, where they 

 are driven once a yere or oftener to cast lots for their 

 own garments, and from such shal all trades, & enter- 

 course be taken away, to the general losse and impoverish- 

 ment of the kingdom and common weale so reduced : 

 besides when our men are constrained to fight, it hath not 

 the like hope, as when they are prest & incouraged 

 by the desire of spoile & riches. Farther, it is to be 

 douted how those that in time of victory seeme to 

 affect their neighbor nations, wil remaine after the first 

 view of misfortunes, or il successe ; to trust also to the 

 doubtfulnes of a battel, is but a fearefull & uncertaine ad- 

 venture, seeing therein fortune is as likely to prevaile, as [III. 631.] 

 vertue. It shall not be necessary to alleage all that might 

 bee said, and therefore I will thus conclude, that whatso- 

 ever kingdome shalbe inforced to defend it selfe may be 

 compared to a body dangerously diseased, which for a 

 season may be preserved with vulgar medicines, but in a 

 short time, and by litle and litle, the same must needs fall 

 to the ground, & be dissolved. I have therefore laboured 

 all my life, both according to my smal power, & per- 

 swasion, to advance al those attempts, that might either 

 promise return of profit to our selves, or at least be a let 

 and impeachment to the quiet course and plentifull trades 



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