OF A WAR WITH SPAIN. 285 



disturbance there, except it have been from Eng 

 land ; yet nevertheless I see all princes lay a kind of 

 claim unto them ; accounting the title of Spain but 

 as a monopoly of those large countries, wherein they 

 have in great part but an imaginary possession. 

 For Afric upon the west, the Moors of Valentia ex- 

 pulsed, and their allies, do yet hung as a cloud 

 or storm over Spain. Gabor on the east is like an 

 anniversary wind, that riseth every year upon the 

 party of Austria. And Persia hath entered into 

 hostility with Spain, and giveth them the first blow 

 by taking of Ormus. It is within every man s ob 

 servation also, that Venice doth think their state 

 almost on fire, if the Spaniards hold the Valtoline. 

 That Savoy hath learned by fresh experience, that 

 alliance with Spain is no security against the am 

 bition of Spain ; and that of Bavaria hath likewise 

 been taught, that merit and service doth oblige the 

 Spaniard but from day to day. Neither do I say for 

 all this, but that Spain may rectify much of this ill 

 blood by their particular and cunning negociations : 

 but yet there it is in the body, and may break out, 

 no man, knoweth when, into ill accidents : and at 

 least it sheweth plainly, that which serveth for our 

 purpose, that Spain is much destitute of assured and 

 confident confederates. And therefore I will con 

 clude this part with the speech of a counsellor of 

 state in Spain at this day which was not without 

 salt : he said to his master the king of Spain that 

 now is, upon occasion ; &quot; Sir, I will tell your majesty 

 &quot; thus much for your comfort ; your majesty hath 

 u but two enemies, whereof the one is all the world, 



