OF THE STATE OF EUROPE. 449 



pose of that authority to serve his purposes : as he 

 has gotten great authority in pretending to protect 

 the church and religion. 



He possesseth the one half of Italy, comprehend 

 ing Sicily and Sardinia, with Naples and Milan ; the 

 which estates do yield him little other profit, save 

 the maintenance of so many Spaniards as he keepeth 

 there always. 



The Duke of Florence relieth greatly upon him, 

 as well in respect of the state of Siena, as of the ports 

 he holdeth, and of his greatness. Lucca is under his 

 protection. Genoa, the one faction at his devotion, 

 with their galleys : at his pension is most of the 

 greatest there. 



Besides the Low Countries, he holdeth the 

 French Comte, the best used of all his subjects, and 

 Luxembourg : the West Indies furnish him gold and 

 silver, the which he consumeth in the wars of the 

 Low Countries, and in pensions, and is greatly 

 indebted, while he worketh on the foundation his 

 father laid, to erect a monarchy, the which, if he 

 succeed in the conquest of Portugal, he is likely to 

 achieve, unless death do cut him off. 



He hath one son of the years of five by his last 

 wife, two daughters by the French king s sister, two 

 base sons. 



He hath greatly sought the marriage of the 

 Queen s daughter of France, sister to his last wife, 

 and cousin german removed. 



His revenues are reckoned to amount to sixteen 

 millions. 



