252 OF A WAR WITH SPAIN. 



a hovering possession of the Valtoline, as an hobby 

 hath over a lark : and the Palatinate is in their 

 talons : so that nothing is more manifest, than that 

 this nation of Spain runs a race still of empire, 

 when all other states of Christendom stand in effect 

 at a stay. Look then a little farther into the titles 

 whereby they have acquired, and do now hold these 

 new portions of their crown ; and you will find them 

 of so many varieties, and such natures, to speak with 

 due respect, as may appear to be easily minted, and 

 such as can hardly at any time be wanting. And 

 therefore, so many new conquests and purchases, so 

 many strokes of the alarm bell of fear and awaking 

 to other nations ; and the facility of the titles, which 

 hand-over-head have served their turn, doth ring the 

 peal so much the sharper and louder. 



Shall we descend from their general disposition 

 to enlarge their dominions, to their particular dispo 

 sition and eye of appetite which they have had 

 towards us : they have now twice sought to im- 

 patronise themselves of this kingdom of England ; 

 once by marriage with queen Mary ; and the second 

 time by conquest in 88, when their forces by sea and 

 land were not inferior to those they have now. 

 And at that time in 88, the counsel and design of 

 Spain was by many advertisements revealed and 

 laid open to be, that they found the war upon the 

 Low Countries so churlish and longsome, as they 

 grew then to a resolution, that as long as England 

 stood in a state to succour those countries, they 

 should but consume themselves in an endless war : 



