POst acceptā benedictionem. I wrote to your reue­rend Lordship frō Paris, to signifie vnto you the cause of my returne from Lions, where I recei­ued a letter frō your L. dated the 20. of March. In the which you gaue me in charge that if I had occasion to trauell into Laly, I should giue you speciall intelligence of all the occurrents that should be presented to my vnderstanding in my iourney: the 16. of A­prill in the same yeare I departed from Paris, towards these parts, passing through Campaigne: the very first day the gout began to assaile me, and ceassed not, but accompanied me to Chalons, which was wednesday being holyday; where I remai­ned in my couent vntill the wednesday after Easter.

The same day, after dinner (hauing vrgent occasion) I was compelled by meanes of my sicknesse to vse the benefite of a coach, and came the Friday following to Nance. On Saterday following I vndertooke to walke faire and softly with much paine, to visit his Highnesse, and the Ladie sister to the King, and her husband, the Cardinall, the Count of Vandemont, and the Princesse his sister. Beleeue me I cannot expresse in words the consolation I conceiued, in beholding the inseparable bond of loue and amitie, wherein these noble Princes seemed to be vnited and conformed: from whom like one loaden and charged with honourable benefits, giftes, graces, and fauours, I depar­ted to Basil on munday being the seuenth of May. Notwithstan­ding the great confort my entertainement gaue me occasion of, yet bitter spell of discontentment wounded me inwardly; for that the friday before, I had particular intelligence by the post, that the Calabrian, the false and counterfeit Dom Sebastian, as [Page 6]they termed him, the pretended King of Portugale, was ren­dred into the custodie of the gouernor of Orbetelo, a towne in Tuscane bordering vpon the Mediterranian sea, being a part of the King of Spaines territories, from thence to be conueyed to the Viceroy of Naples: so swift were those bloudie Spaniards in their cruel expeditions. The poore Prince departed from that towne the 13 of Aprill, at eleuen of the clocke at night, passing by Siene the foure and twentieth, and was deliuered the sixe and twentieth. The manner of diuulging these newes, was by intel­ligence that came to Nance by Milan in lesse then eight dayes. The eleuenth of May I came to Basill: the thirteenth I entred Soleurre, where because I was ill at ease, Monsieur de Vic (your Lordships deare friend) and worthie Ambassadour of his most Christian Maiestie in affaires to the Swissers and Grisons, in­forced me to stay and repose my selfe with him, vntill the six­teenth day: wherehence after the fruition of infinite courtesies I departed, passing by the Swissers, Grisons, Valtoline, and Val­camonica, I entred into Italy: the first towne I lodged in was Bresse, the next Verona, Vicence, Padua. The second of Iune I came to Venice, where without delay I hasted to visit Mon­sieur Ʋilliers Ambassador of his excellent Maiestie. This noble gentleman I found in all respects as your Lordship had com­mended him to me, most reuerend for honour, vertue, and wise­dome, as the world can iustly testifie. From thence I retired my selfe in his Gundelo to a friend of mine, an honourable gen­tleman, by whom with diuers other of my friends that came to see me, I was confirmed in my former knowledge, concerning the mishaps before rehearsed; vnderstanding in like maner, how grieuously the nobles and citizens of Venice, tooke the troubles of the worthie distressed King, ascribing the blame to the neg­ligence of the Portugals, that vndertooke the managing of his libertie, into whose hands they had committed him safe and sound: for as much as in those Lords presence, they seemed to acknowledge him, vnder which pretence they preased before the Senate, to signifie vnto them a truth, beseeching them to al­low him some other solemnitie in proceeding, then they vse to a common or priuate person, and to respect him as a King. The [Page 7]fourth day I returned to Padua: the seuenth I was at breake­fast in Mantua, where I was well entertained by the reuerend and vertuous Prelate, the rare and honourable Lord Fr. Francis Gonzaga, Bishop of the said citie. And soone after I had bene in my couent, and receiued the chiefe Prelates benediction, I went to salute the Duke and the Duchesse, to whom I caried certaine letters, who receiued me with no lesse shew of account then they could haue made to an Ambassadour that had bene employed in the most Christian Kings affaires.

The selfe same day to accompanie this my glorious enter­tainement, the despitefull gout made a returne into my feeble limmes, and there soiourned with me seuenteene or eighteene dayes in the same citie. In which space I drew a tree with bran­ches, expressing the genealogie of the house of Gonzaga; wherewith the Duke seemed so well pleased, that he gaue me a great present in gratification. I protest I should neuer haue dreamed that Mantua had bene honoured with a Prince so no­noble for vertue, so rare for honourable courtesie, so peerelesse for bountie, so familiar in histories, so conuersant in languages, so great a louer of rare properties, so intire a Christian. I sifted diuers of his Court as narrowly as I might possibly, and I disco­uered them to be true and faithfull wel-willers to our countrey of France.

On the feast day of S. Iohn Baptist somewhat late I set for­ward in my iourney towards Ferrara through Bologne: on the eight and twentith day of the last moneth I came to Ferrara, be­ing S. Peters eue: the next day being the feast day, after my morning repast, I went to the honourable Duke, deliuering him certaine letters, which he receiued with a smiling counte­nance, and made very faire weather to me by his honourable and courteous entertainement, so did likewise his Duchesse. All this while making no mention to me of the King, nor of the Calabrian, nor I to any man, the Duke and Duchesse seuerally demaunded of me what newes I heard of France or Lorayne, and so sleighted me off with licence to depart, saying, we will take another day fitter to handle these causes more at large: so I departed for that time. The next day following, the Duke [Page 8]came into our couent of S. Marke, where I remained, and our Prior intreated me to beare the Prouinciall companie to enter­taine his Highnesse at the Church porch: where the Duke took notice of me, and talked with me all the way passing through the entrie; and at his departure said, I will choose a more conue­nient time to talke with you more at large. After breakefast I went to the Archbishop of Pisa, and deliuered him a letter frō a very friend of his, in regard wherof he did me many kind offices. And I telling him, I had vndertaken this iourney for the dis­patch of businesse that concerned my order and my self particu­sarly, (for so was the tenor of my pasport) and to acquaint my lelfe in the families of the Princes of Italy: after long delibe­ration and pausing for the space of an houre, he demaunded of me if I had not heard any speech of a Calabrian, that named him selfe Dom Sebastian King of Portugale: to whom I answered, that being in the court of Lorayne, I vnderstood by letters sent from Milane that there was such a counterfeit, and abuser, and that therefore I would not meddle neither with him nor his affaires. And he replied vnto me, that he thought it not amisse for me to know what passed, and was done in that businesse. When I found his purpose, I prepared my selfe to heare him as patiently as I could, and he very plea­santly began this inuectiue which followeth.

This man that would be called Dom Sebastian. &c. is Ca­labrian, a merchant, whose name is Marco Tullio Cati­zone, that hath both wife and children aliue, which haue bene compelled to come from Messina to go to Naples to iustifie the truth. And the same Calabrian hath had accesse to Portugal for matters of trafficke, where some religious professors of our or­der haue perswaded him to call and proclaime himselfe Dom Sebastian King of Portugale: and the Monke hath burned and branded him with hote yrons, in the same places with the like markes that Dom Sebastian had: and the scarre which he carieth in his arme, was forced by a gash giuen of purpose with his owne hand, and the Monke that on his head. Beside, when he was first taken he had only two crownes about him: and assoone as the Venetians discharged him, the Portugals consulted how [Page 9]they might imbarke him at Liuorne, and send him presently into France. Wherof the great Duke being speedily aduertised, cau­sed all the passages to be laid betwixt Florence & the sea coast, that he could escape no way: and so soone as he saw himself pre­uented and caught, he straightway discouered his legerdemain, saying, that he was no longer able to endure those torments and grieuous imprisonments, to maintaine such foolish delusions and cosinage. Presupposed that before he made this confession, he indented to haue his life assured him, which they ascertained him of, comforting him that he should not die. And after that he was detected in Naples by the presence of his wife Donna Paula Catizzone, he was instātly sent into Spaine, without any violence done vnto him, and was there openly and generally shewed to all the word, to the end that the Portugals should no longer a­buse him, and that it might be published to the world, that he was a very impostor, a counterfeit, and a deluder. After I heard so many foolish and grosse absurdities vttered so confidently, my very soule was so deeply plunged into extreme griefe and vexatiō, that I was forced to craue pardō of that reuerēd lord, for not answering, being sore perplexed: knowing assuredly, that that Marco Tullio Catizzone died in Portugale, while he indeuored the dispatch of some businesse the King sent him thither about: which is euident by a letter sent from one D. Raimond Marqueti a Knight dwelling in Messina, by whose meanes and perswasion the King sent this Marco into Portugale. Which letter was sent by Marqueti to Venice to haue bin deliuered to Dom Sebastian, which came to the Venetiās hands, whereof the lords of Venice caused a copie to be taken, and the originall remaines in the cu­stodie of one Constantine Nicoline, citizen and inhabitant of the same citie, wherehēce a transcript was made, which I haue about me to shew. This Constantine seeing the agents of Spaine to iu­stifie an vntruth so impudently without blushing, saying, that the prisoner was called Marco Catizzone; shewed this letter o­penly in S. Markes church, to stop and confound their ma­lice. Which letter when they had scene and perused, they were neuer afterward so bold as to prosecute the matter any further, but kept silence. Moreouer it appeared that this priso­ner [Page 10]could not be Marco Tullio by another letter, written by the prisoner to D. Prospero Baracco, which he shewed me in Padua, which I craued earnestly to haue deliuered me to bring with me, but I could onely obtaine a copie thereof, which I haue also in my custody. The same is likewise testified by another letter from an Italian gentleman, attending the most Christiā king. Whoso­euer is desirous to see the said letter, shal find it in the beginning of the booke, called, Admirable aduentures, &c. which was im­printed in France before I came from thēce towards these parts. I haue set downe these proceedings in writing to your Lord­ship, to acquaint you with the forgerie and deuises of those de­tractors, called Castilians. Now to returne to the Archbishop of Pisa, whom I cannot but charge with great abuse, to report that those naturall markes were inseared with a hot iron, and to lay it vpon a religious Monke of mine owne order. But to set aside many reasons and proofes that might easily confute his allegations, this one shall serue to satisfie all men that haue any sparke of discretion or iudgement; It is impossible that any man should by art, force, or skil, make a mans right arme and leg big­ger in all proportions, then the left: that is only reserued to God that made him.

And further, this reuerend Lord would haue perswaded me, that the religious man that so marked him was D. Sampayo: which was impossible to be true, for the said father neuer once saw the King since he departed from Lisbone to go into Afrike, vntill the eleuenth of December last past, when he was set at libertie by the Venetians. Beside, this D. Sampayo neuer knew any priuie marks of the Kings bodie vntil the yeare of our Lord 1599. that he went into Portugale to inquire of them. Hearing so many reports so much differing, and knowing how hard­ly this Archbishop could hide his owne errour: and con­sidering that to answer him peremptorily, might rather hurt then further my purpose: and to saue my selfe from perill, being within his iurisdiction, I was faine to suppresse my inward passi­ons, but said vnto him: My Lord, seeing you vnderstand that the imprisonment of this man was the chiefe cause of my arriual in these parts, and as I vnderstand the honourable Knight came [Page 11]from thence, being foure times sent for by letters frō Paris to the great Duke, sithence I was in Loraine, whatsoeuer is or shall be­come of his persō or affaires I resolue herafter to take litle care, but meane to follow the other employment I recounted to your lordship. Notwithstanding, as one that hath some interest in the cause, I will render your Lordship my censure and resolution in a word, and make you partaker of my inward and secret con­templations. Forasmuch as your lordship hath acquainted with this impostor and deluders confession, dissimulation, and trum­peries, I can do no lesse thē grieue thereat very much, and the ra­ther that he escaped without punishmēt, being (as your lordship assures me he is) so vile and so notorious an offender, maruelling you would suffer so pestilent and damnable a wretch to liue, that hath bene the cause of so many mens disasters, confiscation of goods, ruines, and extinguishments, by vndertaking misaduen­tures by sea & land, and what not indemnities for his sake, aban­doning countrie, father, mother, wife, children, house and home, rest and safetie: and I wonder it pleased God to suffer such a one to be borne, that his mother in his conception, before her deli­uerance, had not bene transformed into a stone, or presently bin dissolued into smoke or aire.

What vnhappie man could haue caused me to forsake my place in Paris, where I was well and quietly seated, to thrust my life into perill, but onely he? that wicked and vngodly man. I haue twise in this vnluckie iorney bene afflicted with the gout: diuers times almost ouerwhelmed with snow, drenched in wa­ters, tormented with clambring rocks and hils, sustaining all ha­zards that sea and land might present me, with thunder and lightning from clouds: and is it iustice thinke you (my good Lord) that a man occasioning so many troubles, should liue vn­punished? This man hath troubled me much, and grieued my very soule. This (noble Duke) might by the aprouemēt of many, haue caused him to haue bene indited, arraigned, and condem­ned, and haue ministred to him some extraordinarie death, to the terrible example of all others, and haue manifested the same to all the world. In my conceit, my noble Lord, this execution had bin most expedient & conuenient, to the commendation of [Page 12]equitie and iustice. The Archbishop hearing these words pro­nounced with such vehement passion, as though my soule had giuen franke consent to my passionate vtterance, in lamentation of my hard successe, said: I am much grieued for your vexation: notwithstanding I cānot so hainously accuse nor condemne the man, but only for his folly to call himselfe Dom Sebastian king of Portugal: for surely he was a reuerend man for vertue and since­ritie of life. I could rather agree to accuse that Religious trai­tor, by whom he was first perswaded and suborned to take the name of King vpon him. These & many such like words he vsed aswell to iustifie himselfe, as to recouer me out of that affliction, which he perceiued his speeches had thrust me into; but in the end I took my leaue of his lordship, and returned to my cloister of S. Mark, where the religious fathers receiued with many cur­tesies and kind welcomes. The like entertainment I found in all other couents as I went, specially at Mantua, where I was im­portuned to remaine many daies. God giue me abilitie & grace to requite them, that I may not be found vnthankfull; for I as­sure your Lordship, I cannot expresse the merites and fauours I found at their hands, much lesse see which way I may yeeld them due recompence. From Mantua I thought best to go to Rome: in hope by the friendship of the Cardinals, and other noble Lords and Gentlemen, to find some furtherance in my affaires, to the bettering of my vnhappie Princes fortunes. That he should be my very king and lord, I am greatly fortified in hope, & find many good signes and apparant arguments amongst the most serious and religious men of estimation, Princes, Lords, and others: finding it not expedient to nominate all the fauorers of this enterprise, desiring your Lordship to pardon me for not satisfying you in euery particular, concerning my successe at this time according to your request: which defects I will repaire in my intelligence from Rome, from whence I hope to send your lordship more exact aduertisemēts, concerning the life and suc­cesse of this Prince since the battell in Africke, from whence he hardly escaped by flight: with al that past here in the time of his imprisonmēt: how, in what maner, what day & houre he depar­ted herehēce. Fa. Seraphin Banchi hath hitherto much assisted me [Page 13]in the businesse, & was very ioyfull of the honourable greetings from your Lordship, desiring his continuance in your honoura­ble fauours. By his meanes I am so much furthered, as I trust to morrow morning to be dispatched hence. The Almightie blesse your honourable person in all you desire. Florence the third of Iuly. 1601.

IN my last Letter written to your excellent Lordship from Florence, I promised to performe as much, or rather more at my arriuall at Rome; wherein I feare I shall faile (for many causes checking my will and endeuour) to keepe touch with your Lordship. First, because I came not hither so soone as I in­tended, being hindred by reason of my sicknesse which length­ned my iorney: for being in Viterbe, I soiourned seuen or eight dayes in the house of our Ladie De la Quercia, a Monasterie of our order, distant some halfe league from the towne, where God by the intercession of the Virgin doth many miracles, to the be­nefit of the wel-beleeuers. So soone as I was entred into Rome, which was Sunday the fourteenth of Iuly, I sought out my very friend, of whom I gathered, that his Holinesse and all the Lords of the Court of Rome conceiued, and were perswaded verily, that the prisoner which the Duke of Florence caused to be sent therehence the three and twentith of Aprill at eleuen of the clock at night, and deliuered into the hands of the gouernour of Orbetelo, was D. Sebastian the true vnfallible King of Portugall. Of him I learned, how he was conducted from Orbetelo to Hercules port, and from that port in a galley to Naples, and last to Castelnouo. This gally the enemies made the subiect, to giue notice to the whole world, that the said Dom Sebastian was [Page 14]condemned to the gallies, and after to the castle Del ouo. Fur­ther, I was shewed the copie of a letter, which the Count of Le­mos Viceroy of Naples wrote to the Duke of Sessa, Ambassa­dour from the King of Castile vnto his Holinesse, giuing him to vnderstand, that the same prisoner was Dom Sebastian the true King of Portugal. I haue also found out which of the Cardinals and Prelates fauour the cause of that vertuous and holy Prince. A friend of mine lent me his coach, wherein I went directly to the most excellent Prince, the Cardinall of Florence, and kist his hand, of whom I had the euidences your Lordship is aduised of, and after an houre and halfes conference with him, I departed in the same coach so visit sir Alexander Giusti Iustice de la Rota, our deare friend. From whom so soone as I was departed, I met neare his gate with another of my familiar acquaintance, that discouered vnto me certaine plots and circumuentions at­tempted and suggested by the Duke of Sesse, informing against me in the Consistorie of Rome, that I was a seditious man, pre­iudiciall to the state of Christendome generally: for that hereto­fore the Christian Princes had vsed to associate themselues in a league ioyntly to make warre against the Infidels; which I had bene a cause to hinder, by interposing diuision and contention betwixt those Princes; and as a principall reason to induce them to beleeue the same: he shewed publickly the discourse which I sent your Lordship from Lions, intituled, Admirable aduentures, &c. which for the more familiar vnderstanding was translated into Italian and Spanish. The common dispersing of which dis­course, was like to breede much dishonour and damage to D. Philippo the third King of Castile his maister, and so purchase vnto himselfe being his agent, infinite disgrace and harme by his displeasure. For my part I answered that I merited no punish­ment for traducing into writing such true accidents (as they were) the confirmation whereof increased with the time: considering they were not of mine owne inuention or stam­ping. Relinquishing this friend, I hasted straight to the Car­dinall of Ossat, into whose owne hands when I had deliuered letters, and informed him thoroughly of the cause of my repaire thither: he aduised me not to shew my selfe so openly there [Page 15]vntill such time as I vnderstood what my enemies had conspi­red to obiect against me since my entrance into this city, which could not be concealed, for that the Patriarke of Constantino­ple, (who was and is Generall of the Order of S. Francis, a Sici­lian borne, and so much the more my forcible enemie, by how much he was zealous for the King of Castile his maister) had a glance of me in the Cardinall of Florence his house. My occasi­ons detained me so long with this Cardinall till night grew on, so that his Lordship caused me to remaine with him vntill the morrow, wherehence after the hearing of his Masse, I departed to my first friends house: whither diuers persons of qualitie re­paired to visit me, signifying vnto me, that the Ambassadour for Castile intended to work me all the mischiefe he could possible: and seeing he found no sufficient meanes to indamage me be­fore the estate, he had a purpose to bring me within compasse of the Inquisition, alleaging these accusations that follow. First he obiected against me, that I had bene in England sixe or seuen yeares, and that I euer fauoured the proceedings of here­tickes; that I composed diuers bookes fraught with heresies; that at Lions I made and began to imprint a booke against his Holinesse, and the Inquisitors generall of Portugale; with many other matters which I let passe for troubling your Lordship. To all which I answered without blemish to my honour or reputa­tion, in this manner: I thanke God, all the time I was in England I liued amongst men that were religious, as mine enemies can testifie: and for my continance in France, I hope to acquite my selfe easily from misdemeanure there. To the most capitall mat­ter and of greatest importance: that I wrote and began to print a booke at Lions against his Holinesse, and the Inquisitors generall of Portugale, I can purge my selfe purely, and passe as cleare as the most vnspotted innocent, being alwayes appro­ued religious and zealous, wherein I appeale to the sincerie of al the brethren of mine own order. In that he termes me a rebel and a traitor to the King his maister, for shewing my self seruice­able and faithfull to a forein Prince his enemie: in that he is assi­stant to my affaires, recommending my estimation by opening a gap, to discipher the traiterous in Portugale, backsliders, ene­mies [Page 16]to their owne friends, and very Castilian hypocrites: that I am a disperser of many lies, in conuenticles at this instant. That article is worthy of such mens preferring as they seem to be, and not fitting men of worth and louers of Religion. As it hapneth I haue the booke about me, that was printed at Lions: which shall confute and display the malice and impudencie of him that caused the rest of my bookes to be burnt. The remainder that concernes these affaires, is best knowne to your Lordship, and therefore to conclude this point, I craue pardon for being so tedious. Now to returne to my former subiect. Sunday being the 15. of Iuly, and the Monday following, after I had finished the principall part of my intention, I determined (by the coun­sel of my friends) to returne directly to France. And being aduer­tised that the Duke of Sessa had sent beforehand some of his people to way-ly me in the ordinarie way, I changed my course by Vmbrie. I departed out of Rome the fourth day after my ar­riuall, and passing by the cities of Narne, Tarne, Spoleto, Fo­ligni, and Assise, I came to Peruse, which I did onely passe tho­rough, and shaped my course by Siene, Florence, Bologne, tho­rough the confines of Modene and Mirandole: and before I could reach to Mantua, my horse fell vpon me, and hurt one of my legs very grieuously, which caused me to stay in this place, where I might prouide the best meanes for my recouerie. I as­sure your Lordship, I tooke this mischance to be ominous, that God would haue it so, for that by my returne this by-way, I ga­thered some certaintie of much that happened to Dom Sobasti­an the King, since his slight out of Africke, vntill he was dis­charged out of this common-weale: and now I begin to make your Lordship a true relation, certaine, and without controle­ment. When it was spread at Rome that I remained in this town, and that by reason of my hurt I could not sodainly depart from hence; a friend of mine certified me by letteers the sixth of Au­gust, in what maner Paula Catizzone with her daughter arriued at Naples, being shipped from Messina by the Catholike Kings agents, to come and acknowledge this prisoner for her husbād: and the said Paula meeting in the ship with a religious man of the order of S. Francis, of her acquaintance, she dicouering the [Page 17]cause of her trauel vnto him, assuring him she knew vndoubted­ly that that prisoner was not Marco Tullio Catizzone her hus­band, saying, that same prisoner that they cal D. Sebastiā king of Portugale had sent him into Portugal, which she trusted would make wel for that prisoner, and do him no hurt at al: and that she came rather to iustifie then to condemne him. The same man, my friend promised me of particular aduertisements of whatso­euer shal be effected in this businesse. I beseech you consider the cunning the Castilians vse in the expedition of their enterprises, who are both terrible and warie in all their practises. Although they know that Marco Tullio Catizzone died in Portugale; yet notwithstanding they continue their indirect and false course, with inuentions and sleights colouring their proiects, to seduce and blind the world. This woman a subiect of the Spanish Kings, was threatned vpon paine of death, not to hinder any of the Kings proceedings; therefore she must take vpon her to know this man, and iustifie him to be her husband Marco Tul­lio, &c. though she had neuer seene him before, be the matter neuer so false, as it is most vntrue, and so proued by many rea­sons and letters whereof I made mention to your Lordship in my letters from Florence. I haue sent a copie to my friend in Rome to be deliuered to his Holinesse, and another to your Lordship with these presents, to controle all those that shall belye this action. Beside this testimonie there newly arriued a graue Portugal, a man of good authoritie and credit, that vnder­stāding at Rome which way I was departed, tooke post horses & came after me. Beside that he was one of my old acquaintance, he brought letters in his bosome of recommendation to induce me to trust him, and that he might open his secrets vnto me, which certaine Lords of Portugale (that sent him) charged him to doe. This man named the house in which Marco Tullio Catizzone died, to the owner whereof he brought and deliuered certaine letters from the King, and there were counter letters written which were neuer as yet deliuered to the King. In such sort, that this falsitie, that this prisoner is Marco Tullio Catizzone, can by no meanes be proo­ued, in fauour of the inuenters thereof. Now forasmuch as [Page 18]from time to time I am in more liklihood to recouer this mis­hap: I trust I shall not haue cause to stay in this towne to write any more letters vnto you, but purpose by Gods helpe to make small delay to come my selfe to your Lorship, and excuse all other messengers. Beseeching the heauenly King to blesse your excellent lordship. From Venice the thirteenth of August. 1601.

I Receiued letters from your lordship the sift of September last past, wherein I perceiue the resolution your Lordship hath taken, to commit your care and trust to Marco Tullio Catiz­zone, a man as worthie as able to manage such a businesse. Fur­ther, I render your Lordship a thousand thankes, for the good opinion and confidence you haue reposed in my person; in dis­charge of which trust, I will repaire my diligence, to learne newes of that Marco Tullio, who as yet is not returned into these quarters. But so soone as he shall, I will giue him to vnder­stand, how sore your Lordship longeth for his returne: and will also aduise him to execute your commaundements in all points, with exceeding care, diligence, and secrecie; and by him I will not faile to giue your Lordship to vnderstand, that when it plea­seth your Lordship to satisfie your desire, to see this countrey (haiung alreadie runne through the greatest part of the world) I shal procure your conference with these noble men, compani­ons to your aduentures which you so earnestly wish to behold, viz. the Duke of Aueyro, Christopher de Tauora, and the rest. If you please to send me some priuie markes or tokens, that they may repose as much confidence in me, as is necessarie for the [Page 19]dispatch of your Lordships dissignes in this seruice, and any other: I intend to performe to your Lordship both diligence and secrecie. As for the letter to Donna Paula Catizzone, I hold it no policie to deliuer it her, considering it is a loose aduenture in such daungers to trust a woman. Neither will I neglect to be carefull for the honour of the said Paula Catizzones house, as your Lordship required me: and in the end the effects shall shew. To conclude, I desire your Lordship to excuse me for not vsing so reuerent a stile to your Lordship as I could wish, which I hope you conceiue I refraine to do, be­cause I would not be discouered in your weightier affaires: holding this the best and safest course to do your seruice: wherein I beseech the Almightie God to prosper your Lord­ship, and grant you due successe, to whose tuition with reuerend kissing your hands a thousand times, I commit your Lordship. From Messina the eighth of October. 1598.

MOst reuerend D. Prospero, I am to signifie vnto your Lord­ship, how much I haue bene grieued for your meritlesse afflictions, hauing suffered imprisonment for my sake, by the poursuite of the Castilians mine enemies. But seeing things past are irreuocable, and are onely to be ouercome with patience, considering you are not ignorant of the whole complotment. And forasmuch as I am so restrained from writing at large, that I cannot expresse vnto you my secret meaning; I onely request you to send some trustie messenger to Messina, diligently to en­quire [Page 20]and search, whether Marco Tullio Catizzone be returned thither with any directions or not. And to that end & purpose, your reuerend Lordship may vse my name to D. Raimond Mar­queti, to whom I wrote heretofore being at Moran, if you forget not, that I receiued also answer frō him. And this Gētleman you may informe of all that hath past since that time (if you thinke good) and when Catizzone shal happen to come thither, he may direct him couertly to this place, where he may secretly giue me knowledge of the expedition in my affaires. And for the loue you owe to the Almightie, faile not one whit in a businesse to me of so great importance, considering howe much it may a­uaile, to bring my long trauailes to good end: and weying, that the Lords of Venice wil not be brought to the true period of iustice, notwithstanding I haue oftentimes labored vnto thē to do me right, and make me knowne personally to the world, saying, that if they finde me not to be D. Sebastian king of Por­tugale, without fauor let them worthily punish me. For all this sute they neither yet would nor will come to the center of my iust cause, and wrongfull imprisonment, saying, that they loued not to be mocked and trifled withall, offering alwayes very rea­dily, that if I would denie, or not professe my selfe to be D. Se­bastian &c. they would set me at libertie, &c. Loue me still as I haue done you, & so farewel. From Venice the 15. of April 1599.

I Wrote to your excellent Lordship frō Venice the thirteenth of August, and departed thence the eighteenth of the same, being then not thoroughly well: for which reason I made the way more long and tedious then I purposed. I staied many daies at Soleurre, because Monsieur de Vic would not let me passe, vn­till Monsieur de Sillery came to towne. After whose comming [Page 21]he stayed me to see the order of that Towne, in entertaining the Cantons and other prouincials at their first feast: and this com­maundement I could not well disobey. This importunitie and such other were the impediments, that I could not reach vnto Paris before the fourteenth of October. Then presently I went to Fontaine Bleau, to kisse his most Christian Maiesties hand; who entertained me verie princely, shewing himselfe glad of my safe returne. For to tell you true, I had no assured being, but in Fraunce (so offensiue and dangerous was the Spanish in­dignation vnto me). At my returne from Fontaine Bleau, I met with your Lordships Aduocate agent, praying him to giue your Lordship aduertisement of my returne: promising to write vn­to your Lordship shortly after: which I did not effect, partly for mine vnapt disposition, being vexed with slaunderous lyes and tales, which mine enemies found occasion to spreade in my absence. Who for the satisfaction of their malice, hauing nēither care of the law of God, nor of his feare, sticke not to suppresse any troth, to further the confusion of their neighbour, or Chri­stian brother. And to gorge their wicked appetits, respect nei­ther the honor of the King, his safetie, nor the fiering of Portu­gale, which they had lately kindled and disturbed: and more then that, being blinded in furie themselues, thinke no man else can perceiue their intents, be the matter neuer so plaine and manifest. But of this theame let this suffise, considering your L. is not ignorant of Castilian broiles.

At my first entrance into this place, I found certaine letters written from Rome, Venice, Padua, and other ordinarie passa­ges in Italy; all which gaue me credible intelligence, that the King my Lord and maister liues, and that he is well intreated, in prison in the Castell De Ouo. And my Romaine friend, being ioyfull of my good newes, wrote vnto me in this forme follow­ing: Forasmuch as your afflictions, daungers, and trauailes haue re­ceiued some hope of good euent, and for that it is certaine, that the troubles of those that feare God, shall be conuerted into prosperitie, so it may fall out, that Haec olim meminisse iuuabit. These words and tidings seemed very common and vulgar; which being confer­red with those things that fel out happily in Rome, for the good [Page 22]of my Soueraigne, I conceiued great hope, yet once again to see him reestablished in his kingdome. By the same letter I vnder­stand, that my intelligence hath bred him great contentment, and that also he conceiued no lesse pleasure by those copies which I sent him, to present vnto his Highnesse: which were the transcripts of those I sent your Lordship from Venice, which proue that Marco Tullio Catizzone is one, and Dom Sebastian another. A Doctor and a friend of mine dwelling at Lions, she­wed me a letter which a French gentleman his inward friend, of good calling dwelling in Rome, after he had recorded many things concerning the King my maister, reuealed as followeth. The Count of Lemos Ʋiceroy of Naples, is very fauourable to Dom Sebastian his prisoner, honouring him very much, allowing him some small libertie: which when he heard that the King of Castile tooke in ill part, he began presently to restraine and kept him sporter. When he was allowed to heare Masse amongst other prisoners, they did honor him with much reuerence, saying among themselues, that they discouered in his countenance and cariage, a princely Maiestie. And without all question, he must needs be Dom Sebastian the King of Portugale, or some diuell in his likenesse. The Ʋiceroy (as it is said) craued licence of the King of Castil, to go into Spaine, because in Naples he could not recouer his health, which the King would in no wise grant him. There be other letters sent into these parts, not from Portugals, or any other by their appointment, the contents whereof are here expressed. Heretofore it hath bene lawfull and tollerable for this prisoner that termed himselfe D. Sebastian King of Portugale, to speake with any Portugals or men of other nations, that desired to see the said prisoner, that said they had seene him be­fore: and sithence they verified him to be Dom Sebastian the true king of Portugal, he is more straightly kept from the sight and speech of any then before. Another letter (hauing recounted something concerning this King) addeth: The Count Lemos lying in his death bed about the last of October, said to his sonne in the presence of his wife and diuers other prisoners, that he should looke well to the place and charge he had, both of the Ʋiceroyship and his prisoners: for you see (said he) that I am vpon the point to go to God, to render account for that I haue done during my life: and here I must cease [Page 23]and end my worldly businesse: for the disburdening of my soule and conscience, I protest that this prisoner here, whom the vulgar call a Calabrian, is the very true Dom Sebastian, lawfull King of Portugale. I know it assuredly, hauing examined him, and for that I haue had often conference with him before his imprisonment. There­fore I commaund and intreat you to vse him well. This done, he gaue him a letter, which (said he) is written to his Maiestie, I meane the Catholicke King, touching these affaires, and vse all the diligence you can in these things I haue giuen you in charge. The father being dead, the sonne respected the prisoner with much more reuerence then he did before, but allowed him lesse libertie then he had in the old Counts life. I haue also two letters from Doctor Sampayo, the one bearing date the 18 of Nouember, the other the fourth of December, which confirme the same contents before mentio­ned. There be many other letters here lately sent from Portugals to the same purpose, reinforcing the truth: and here lately past a Portugall by this towne, that protesteth he spake with Dom Se­bastian, declaring markes and tokens of his apparell, chamber, and bed, and other appertenances. The same Portugall said fur­ther, the King inquired of him for certaine persons, which this partie being then but yong, could not remember, and therefore gaue him no direct answer. We haue here many rumours from diuers places neare about. One wrote out of Portugale, which diuers other comming from thence confirme, that vpon S. An­thonies day of Padua the last yeare, they rong the great bell at Villila in Arragone in the city of Coimbre, an vniuersity of Por­tugale, where befell a very admirable and rare wonder. In the same towne there is a couent of Canons regulars, of the order of S. Augustine, sincerely reformed, great and rich, in the which is interred the bodie of D. Alphonse Henriques, the first King of Portugale, whom they adore for a Saint. In whose behalfe (they say) God hath shewed some miracles vnto men, to cōfirme their opinion of him, that they beleeue not amisse. Many religious men for this foure hundred yeares space successiuely continuing this Saint for their intercessor to God, (vt ferunt) haue obtained much release and consolation in their afflictions, aswel strangers as the naturall countrimen; and to this effect they haue a booke [Page 24]written, recording all the benefits receiued thereby: so that this house neuer harboured any other, then those that were deuoted to this holy King. The last yeare an old man (whom age had made feeble and decrepit) vsed euer to kneele down and pray at the sepulcher of the said King: and vpon S. Anthonies day the last yeare, he there in happie time offered his solemne prayers, and continued a long time in meditation before the sepulcher, where he remained vntill he was stiffe, and not able of him selfe to rise, but by the assistance of his iuniors and religious brethren, who beholding all his face bedeawed with teares, de­maunded of him how it came to passe. This old man answered, I am very much displeased and grieued at the negligence of our Kings and Princes of Portugale, aswell dead as liuing, I meane descending from this holy King, that being assured by infinite miracles that he is in heauen in eternall glorie, and liues in the presence of God, and we neuer yet knew any man that trauelled to canonize him. To whō one or two answered, That houre shal come. And father, seeing your deuotion and loue is so great to this holy King, beseech him to be a mediator for the libertie of Dom Sebastian (descending of his masculine line) that he may be restored to his former dignities and Realmes; and that good deed will cause him to be canonized.

We haue heard lately more reports by the passengers from Italy and France, that he whom the Venetians imprisoned and released the last yeare, is Dom Sebastian our true King and Lord, and that he seemes no whit to degenerate from the steps and traces of his auncestors.

As those religious men were aduising and contemplating vpon the vision of this Alphonse, which was mentioned in the Admirable aduenture, &c. and considering the promise God made vnto him, whē he appeared vnto him in the field Orique, the sepulcher resounded vnto them three strokes, hearing the ec­cho with abilitie to iudge frō whence the noise came. The sound being past, they approched nearer vnto the tombe, continuing their discourse; and sodainly againe the tombe gaue three other great blows, so terrible that they were forced to recule for feare, and the eccho continued so long that they all were amazed, and [Page 25]became as pale and wan, as men vse to be in the horror of death. When afterward they came to themselues, recouering their sen­ses and perfect vnderstanding, and conceiued that it came by the old mans praier, they went and reuealed this accident to the Bishop of that citie who in all the time of treatie betweene Por­tugale and the King of Castile, approoued himselfe as ranke a traitor to his countrey, as he proued true seruant to the King of Spaine: who for his recompence was established in that sea, and created Bishop of Coimbre, Count of Arganill, &c. with 50000 duckets of yearely annuitie. This Bishop aduertised of the noise, came to the Couent and made inquisition, and finding it a thing so extraordinary, said: You Portugals that wonder at these toies, and giue credite to bables, know that the soule of this Saint, be­ing aloft in glory, is so sore offended with you, that God suffereth these senslesse monuments, to giue testimonie of your fopperies. These words were so ill taken by the people of the town assem­bled about that strange noise, that the Bishop was constrained to vnsay that he had said, and to confesse it was very wonderfull.

Furthermore, there are many letters come of late from Por­tugale, that testifie, that at Lisbone the last of October in the yeare 1601. the Church and hospitall of the King, (called all Saints) sodainly fell on fire by night, and flamed so furiously, that the roofe was burnt, and all the images of the Kings of Portugal that were painted vpon the wall (only the pourtrait of D. Seba­stian) was left vndefaced. The selfe same ruine happened to the armes of the Kings and Princes of Portugal, which were drawn in scutchions vpō the wall. The day following being the feast of all Saints, in the forenoone fell an infinite number of hailstones as big as small egges, red of colour, which bred as great cause of wonder, as the raine that fell the day following, which was so extreme, that (as I haue heard credibly reported by many) the people of that towne durst not go out of their doores all that day, for seare of drowning. These things to me (aswell as to others) I assure your Lordship seeme maruellous, and can find no reason of their rarenesse: God of his diuine mercie turne them to good. I could haue written to your Lord­ship more newes of great consequence, if my paper had not bin [Page 26]iniurious. But now to returne to our first subiect, which I wil in­tirely deliuer vnto your Lordship, & seeing I haue recouered my strength, I will proceed to declare vnto you the successe of D. Sebastian King of Portugale, since his escape from the battell in Afrike: which I intreat your Lordship to cause to be imprinted, that all Princes may haue free knowledge of the historie. Paris the twelfth of Ianuarie 1602.

Immediatly after my last writing, I receiued letters from my friends at Venice and Padua, by which I vnderstand, the A­gent of that signiorie (being resident in the Catholicke Kings Court) hath written a letter to that State, which hath bin opēly read at Pregay, part of the contents whereof are: That the Count Lemos Ʋiceroy of Naples, before his death wrote a letter to the King his maister, wherein he did assure him, that that prisoner which he caused to be sent him from the Duke of Tuscane, vnder the name and title of a Calabrian, was Dom Sebastian the very true King of Por­tugale, which in the yeare 1578. lost the battell in Africke: which he affirmed with many assured reasons, and trials as hauing throughly examined him of diuers things wherein he had dealt with him both in Portugale and Castile. This Ʋiceroy neuer receiued answer of this letter, in his life: and therefore (being then almost at the last gaspe) for the disburdening of his soule, he detected this secret to his sonne that succeeds in his place, in the presence of his wife, his confessour, and diuers other persons of good ac­count, giuing him also a letter for the King, wherein is ratified the same he spake before. The new Viceroy sent to the Catholike king, a noble man of the house of Manriques; of whose house proceeded the Dukes of Najara. This Siegnior he sent with his fathers letter, & it is reported that the King returned answer of the same letter to the Count Lemos, commaunding him to intreate that prisoner well, and take especial care that no disaster chanced vnto him. These news in­forced me to inlarge this treatise, I would to God they were like to be true, and that the Catholike King would answer his title with due correspondēcy to Christianitie, according to his Chri­stian stile, by yeelding libertie to his Cosin-germaine, and resto­ring all that to him belongeth: which were an excellēt branch of honour and magnanimitie, and an assured meane to settle Chri­stendome [Page 27]in peace, and to auoide the daunger of present warre, which now the lowring heauens, and malicious inclination of starres do assure vs to fall vpon vs. I confesse, that so many extra­ordinary accidents do perswade me to expect a good issue out of all these troubles, that may be both happie and profitable to the whole common-weale of Christendome. Pleaseth it your Lordship to remember that about the infancie of our amitie, I said that if the Portugals and the Castilians be not separated, it will be impossible to maintaine a generall peace in Europe: iustifying my opinion, with many euident demonstrations, and yet to this day I hold the same resolution, in which many noble men both of the counsell and others of great calling do accord, saying, They from day to day see more apparant reasons so to iudge. To that end do I dayly offer vp my sacrifices and earnest prayers to intreate the Almightie God, that it may please him of his diuine mercie, to inspire the hearts of all Christian Prin­ces, to combine in one knot to set this cause aright, before the increase of more mischiefe: for, so much the longer as they de­ferre this good worke, so much the greater will be the ruine of Portugale, and perill of our vni­uersall destruction.