400 OBSERVATIONS ON A LIBEL. 



majesty, contrariwise, from the beginning, put on a 

 firm resolution to content herself within those limits 

 of her dominions which she received, and to enter 

 tain peace with her neighbour princes ; which reso 

 lution she hath ever since, notwithstanding she hath 

 had rare opportunities, just claims and pretences, 

 and great and mighty means, sought to continue. 

 But if this be objected to be the less honourable 

 fortune ; I answer, that ever amongst the heathen, 

 who held not the expence of blood so precious as 

 Christians ought to do, the peaceable government 

 of Augustus Caesar was ever as highly esteemed as 

 the victories of Julius his uncle ; and that the name 

 of &quot; pater patrise&quot; was ever as honourable as that of 

 &quot; propagator imperil.&quot; And this I add further, that 

 during this inward peace of so many years in the 

 actions of war before mentioned, which her majesty, 

 either in her own defence or in just and honourable 

 aids, hath undertaken, the service hath been such as 

 hath carried no note of a people, whose militia hath 

 degenerated through long peace ; but hath every 

 way answered the ancient reputation of the English 

 arms. 



The fourth blessing is plenty and abundance : 

 and first for grain and all victuals, there cannot be 

 more evident proof of the plenty than this ; that 

 whereas England was wont to be fed by other 

 countries from the east, it sufliceth now to feed 

 other countries ; so as we do many times transport 

 and serve sundry foreign countries ; arid yet there 

 was never the like multitude of people to eat it 



