JAMES Duke of Monmouth, Born During the time of his Royal Fathers (and our dread Soveraigns) most unjust exilement by those monstrous bloudy Tyrants that usurped a Jurisdiction over his undoubted Right, those Fiends compa­cted in the shapes of Men, first brooded in the lower Hell, and like Pandoras box sent thence to plague the World, and fill it with unwholsome Ills; therefore it may be said of his Grace in part, as it was of Anibal that Carthagenian Prince and Master­piece of War, though not born in a Winter-Camp where Drums and Trumpets charm the Globe, yet born in Tumults and bred up to great Exploits, for no sooner had he passed his tender Years, but thirst of Military Glory spurr'd him on to baffle danger, and contemn those panick fears, that like to Mill-stones clog the Soul, and with too much grossness and humidity keep her from soaring to her proper sphear, quenching those heroick fires that otherways would blaze bright, and curle among the Clouds or born on the Wings of Fame, illuminate the Nations [Page 2] round about, and make pale envy Groan that his Grace was somewhat extravagant in his Minority we needs must own, play­ing many wild freaks, not without hazarding his Person, yet this he might be over-perswaded to comply with by some far reaching Politician, who foresaw to what a height his Vertues would aspire, and in envy unto which might seek this way to nip them in their early bloom, the like president we have in Henery of Monmouth, or England's Fifth Henery, that heroick Prince whose name and worth yet haughty France may know there writ deep in characters of blood his prodigious Victories declare themselves by a total Conquest annexing that Crown to ours, the possession of which was after lost by his unhappy Son King Henery the sixth, but to return to his Graces more Manly resolution, soon gained the superiority over those frail­ties, and sent such Chimera's to wander with their mother-clouds addicting himself to actions worthy his high Birth, Arms and the God of Battel raged in his breast, and then began his Fortunes to appear, for we not having any Hostilities in these his most Sacred Maiesties Dominions: But blessed with the hap­py accents of a flourishing Peace, the greatest comfort next the Gospels freedom that a Kinstdom can enjoy: but on the contra­ry our neighbouring Nation then groaning under the heavy op­pressions of Sword and Fire, whereupon in order to his Royal Fathers will (whom God grant long to reign over us, and make his days as the days of Heaven) he crossed the raging Bellows, leading an Army in favour of the French, (though most un­worthy of his service) who were then ingaged in War against the Dutch our Protestant Neighbours, where being arrived, al­though but Green and unexperience as to the practick never be­fore having charged an Enemy, yet with the English Parties un­der his Command he performed such wonderful Exploits that many politick Monsieurs that had been trained up in War for many Years, stood amazed at so brave a resolution, and so cou­ragiously he behaved himself for the honour of his Country and the true old English valour, that many of the French Nobility began to envy what they durst not imitate, a common Maxime amongst great Ones, for at the several Sieges during his Com­mission, there he was for the most part put upon the dangerous­est Exploits which always contributed to his honour, though perhaps by some intended to a different purpose, for such was his courage and resolution, that though he was sent out with Parties much inferiour to the Enemy in number, yet he charged [Page 3] with such Gallantry that the Sallyers were beaten back, nor able to abide such force being often persued by him even to their Lines and Trenches, when the Beseigeds Cannon played most fu­riously, in their defence, and shot like Haile sung round his War­like Head, who can forget that brave Exploit performed by him at Seige of Mastrech, a Seige that got to be so Famous at the loss of many Thousand lives, the French Army having laine before it and such an Army that was Composed of all the Flower of that Kingdom for several Months their King in person, Animating them at several Visits that he made, but yet not daring to at­tempt any thing of Moment, the Counter-scarp, Ram-parts, Basti­on, half Moons, and Pallasadoes, being so Advantageously made Guarding every Pass, with such Vast Quantities of well Moun­ted Cannons, the which continually playing beat the French-men, daily from their works; slaughtering them in Numbers upon every hand, so that many began to dispair of better success, and that it would be impossible for them ever to become Masters of the Peace, and 'tis thought they would have raised the Seige without Atcheive any thing worthy of Noat, had not his Grace with his, by that time well seasoned English Souldiers, backed them on, and in the Height of courage and cavalry, boldly lead the Van, as if Inuulnerable he could unconcerned smile at Death and brave the frowns of Fate, for few or none Expected, he could have escaped a so Gallant and so daring an attempt (but Caesars Fortunes, Favour Caesars Son) preparing for the asault no sooner had he drawn his Souldiers up and come within dan­ger of the Mines, but the Beseigers sprung all though with In­considerable Execution, yet notwithstanding this might much a disheartened them in their proceedings, but Animated by his Gra­ces Example and Courage, they cryed lead and furiously pres­sed on here we may aply to his Grace that Sentence of the War­like Trajan Prince, when in the like danger (Tucer ducet Auspice Tucro) for although the great half Moon was defended with two Bastions, a wing or Flancker of small shot from the Palasadoes, and several Thousands, in the work it self being recruted with fresh Souldiers from the Town, yet so far was his Grace from being disencouraged, that he charged them in their, lines and came to Push of Pike; leaping over the Works and Trenches in his proper Person, whose Example his Souldiers Imitating, he still persued the Enemy in their retreat; beating them from one work to another, till at last he had obliged them to quit the main attacking them in their redoubts, bravely defending what [Page 4] he had gained, although the Enemy twice Sallyed in the Action whilst the Mounsiers stood gazing at a distance, not daring to aproach till he had woon the works; and consequently by his securing them, obliged the Town to a surrend, the which in few daies (with as little loss as can be Imagined, in so Perilous an Enterprize) was effected, yet instead of a reward and an eter­nal wreath of lawrel, for so great a piece of service done ingra­teful France, unworthy such a Souldiers Armes aspersed his Can­dior and diserving Fame, with many Base Indignities; as enving him the Glory of that Enterprize, his conquering Sword had won (Sed Cressit sub pondere Victus) nor can their malice shroud his high deserts. Fames Brazen Trump; Placed in her lofty Towre, will sound the worthyes Praise, and Vertue is a Monu­ment more lasting then the Mosulie and higher then all the Py­ramids the Architect of Man can frame 'tis that which devouring, time has not the power to waist.

After this singular piece of service, the greatest advantage that the French has obtained over the Dutch, before or since; his Grace seeing his warlike endeavours prized at no higher a Rate, diserted their party, and retireing himself, yet long could not be content with the pleasures of this bounteous Isle, nor the sollace of his Royal Fathers Court, his active Soul disdaining sloathful Ease, Fame still egging him on to great designes, he once again re­solves to Court her in the field, and try his Fortune in some brave Exploit. Flanders then being almost subdued by the power of France, and in great danger to be totaly lost, the Duke of Lux­emburg, lying incamped in the Heart of that province with a power­ful Army of, between 30 and 40 Thousand Horse and Foot, men disciplined from the beginning of the War, the which till his approach, the Germans, Dutch, nor Spaniards, durst not Face; but his bold Encouragement gave them New Life; as if great Mars himself had then defended from his bloody Throne, and ra­ged through all their Camp, each Souldiers Eyes shot Death; and cryed lead on, lets presently engage; whereupon his High­ness the Prince of Orange taking hold of the oportunity, advanced with his main body, resolving to attacque them, the disadvan­tage was very great, for the French being Encamped upon the most Comodious Ground in strong alodging between St. Denis and Mons backed with Woods and Flanck'd, with Lanes almost unpassible, the disproportion being so great that when the Duke of Luxemburg first saw the Princes Army begin to Move, he ut­tered these Expressions to several of his chief Commanders, then [Page 5] assembled to receive farther orders, (viz.) surely these rash Boys will not dare to attempt any thing upon us in our Lodgings &c. But the answer was a Thundering charge, and Deaths He­rangues Sounding loud on every side, for his Grace with the En­glish, Regiments charged the Enemy on the Right, with such fury that at the first Brunt he overset them disordering their Horse and putting them into Confusion that they fled far; and near whilst he persued them even to their Camp, slaughtering them through defile or duety Lanes, the which were a most Impossible as likewise my Lord of Ossery behaved himself with much Gallan­try after his Grace had beaten their Right, he turned upon the Left, and charged the Dragoons who lay Flanckers with such an undanted resolution and bravery, that notwithstanding their utmost resistance, and many succors sent to their releif, several Thousands were left upon the place, whilst the dredful in Armes Rod through the Squadorns and Buttalions giving necesary or­ders, and for the most part where the shot flew thickest, by which meanes he gave the Germaines, Dutch and Spaniards, to force and disorder the Enemies main Body, and oblige them to re­treat with the loss of about 8 Thousand men and the next day to quit their Camp. And silently depart, cle [...]ing great quan­teties of their bagage behind them, this was the first V ctory that Holland e're could boast, during that so tedious War, and doubt­less had not gained this, had not his Grace so bravely managed the affairs, where Caesar is there Caesars Fortunes will attend, that which History afirms of Henry the Fift, of Monmouth may here be worthy, our observation where 'tis related that he never fought but still remained Victorious, and that in his many Battels during his War with the King and Dauphen of France, for the posses­sion of that Crown and Kingdom, 'tis noted as a wonder the chance of War never turned against his Army, if that he was there in person.

As likewise Scotland, can amply witness, Monmouths brave re­nown, those daring factious Scots, that durst Rebel against their Soveraign Lord, and take up Armes to spoil a peaceful Land, whose unexpected Murders, Rapines, and fierce violence began to rage in Cities Fields and Walled Townes, slautering our for­ces that were set for the securing of the peace and quiet of the Realm, with Insolencies scarce e're known before, but when brave Monmouth Winged with War, first set his Foot on that Re­bellious soile to Curb their daring Arrogancies, an auful dread seased on those trembling slaves, as if some mighty Earthquake [Page 6] had unhinged the Word, and Nature did begin to sink, their lof­ty Spirits failed and they became so stupified, that fear had con­quered e're his Sword came on, for they being about 40 or 50 Thousand in Number, Guarded with a river in the Front, and Hambleton-Park, on the Rear, with all the advantage of Ground Imaginable, yet notwithstanding, the great Soul'd Duke, after their desiring a Parle for some time, and his generous promises to do his best in their behalf, to perswade his Majesty to milde Terms, if they would lay down their Armes, and yield upon dis­cresion, but they first bogling and at last refusing, he comman­ded to sound the charge, charging the defenders of the Bridge (then which was a strong party, sent down from the Rebells Camp) on the Right, with such fury and battering their order, with some Pieces of Cannon from the Left; that in less then an Hours space, he forced them to retire to their main Body; which was advancing from the Hills, whereupon the Bridge being left undefended, his Grace with the greatest part of his Army (the which was much inferior to the Rebells in Number) passed over and charged their Right Wing of Horse, who had advanced and ranged themselves to receive the first Front, but stood not long to it, for the Kings forces turning upon them they were soon bro­ken, nor stood they the first shock but wheeling of in much dis­order, finding no place of retirement by Reason of their Hot persute, rushed through the Ranks of their own Body of Foot; who had not been as then Ingaged, so disordering them, passed on and left the Field, not once so much as ralying; in a short space after his Grace sent to charge the remainder of the Rebells that had Ranked themselves again, and stood Intire and commanded a party of Musquetiers to full the hollow Ground, and serve as Flanckers to the Left, the Rebells Foot viewing this well disipli­ned order, and not seeing their Horse to appear, standing only 2 or 3 Volleys of shot, and the Duke no sooner pressing them on the Right, but all in confusion, they fled, and throwing a­way their Armes and bagage, every one shifted for himself, most of them absconding in Hambleton-park thus in less then a full day was by his Graces Courage and conduct, was this great Rebel­lion de [...]issipated, and in few daies after quite Extinguished, the which many wise Politicians did adjudg to have gotten to that hight, that it was too great to Quell especialy with so small a force, as his Grace then lead not being above Eleven thousand and most of them the unexperienced Millitia of the Country, &c. such a Souldier in a Nation, is like watch Tower, or a Bulwark, [Page 7] of defence, to Guard it from its during Foes, [...] Pillar to support the sacred Throne, and Guard it with his Loyal Sword, from all the subtil contrivings and Infernal Counsels, that the Roman Tyrant can devise, for such a ones Well-fare next their Soveraign Lords, all good Protestants are bound to pray.

'Tis much to be observed (that after his Grace had sollemnly taken leave of the Court, and in obedience to his Royal Fathers pleasure, Entered one of the two Barges, that attended at the back Stairs of the Pallace of White-Hall, in order to his depar­ture, the which was on Thursday, the 25 of September. 79. &c. what a general silence and Consternation seased on the willing Crouds, that Vieued his passage down the River, so eager and steadfast were their Eyes fixed on him, as if they would have gazed away their Souls, and sent them to have borne him Company not having power to remove them till the happy Object was be­yond their Prospects; uttering many dear Expressions of sorrow every one varying in their Opinions, with sighs and flowing Brine as if they would have made the Tide swel greater then it was Men Women and Children; flocking from all parts adjacent to take their farwell of the Noble Duke, whom the half of them ne'r saw, yet had they heard of him by Fame, and his Heroick Virtues, were too bright for envy to lay silent in the dust, where Conquering Lawrels Florish Green; their Branches spread both far and wide, Braveness of Spirit, is the Vertue which adornes a Prince, that made disputes so aften arise, whether the mighty Caesar in his conquest of the World; won more by clemency, or by his Sword, this doubtless made the Duke so much beloved and made the Nation more concerned for him, then he was for himself, and may the same a speedy Motive be to reconcile him to his Royal Fathers and our gracious Soveraignes bosom, as at first, the which past doubt, is the wish of all the Loyally affect­ed, that Tread on the British soil, and his Grace having with a faire, wind passed the Seas, arrived safe on the 28th in Holland where he was received according to his Carrecter, with all the civil entertainment Imaginable, not only at Ʋtreich, but at most of the places, through which he passed, making some stay at se­veral places, it is said, he was congratulated by many of the Dutch Nobility, with great respect, and farther that his Grace is design­ed to pass on, to Hamburrough, a free City of the high Dutch, which City the King of Denmark, and Elector of Brandenburg, are coming down to besiege; and already have begun to Block it up, part of the Danes forces lying in the Elbe, &c. his Graces [Page 8] presence may be sure of much Importance, and that through the Mercies of a never faling God, we may again behold the Royal Father smiling on his Son with joy, when he shall see him Laden in fresh Victories; and Caesars Fortune, I wait on him in all his brave attempts.