APOPHTH. I.

THe first time that ever I had the hap­piness to be acquainted with this Noble-man, was by accident, upon the Welch Mountains: where I met him, flying a danger with a softer pace then it made after him: whose condition so dan­gerous, was the more desperate, because he was unsensible of the approach of any Ene­my, and his security the sooner wrought, be­cause Intelligence had not given the enemy any Information, how near they were unto him: it was my fortune, first to inform my self, and then his Lordship of the one, & after­wards [Page 2] his Lordship of the other particular, as also of the rub that I had cast in the way, that had turn'd aside the Bowle that was running so fairely towards the mark. After that I had told him all the particulars of what I had done, and what I further meant to do, in or­der to his preservation with a composed countenance, wherein you might read, not the least perturbation of mind: he gave me this Language: Sir, it is fit that you should have your reward, I am yours: and (imbracing me said.) Now I put you in full possession of your own, I pray dispose of me as you please: from which time forward untill the time that I laid him in his grave in Windsor Castle, I never parted from him.

APOPHTH. 2.

ABout the same time recovering the top of an high Mountain, by the advantage of the ground, we could see the Enemy marching another way; at which sight, the [Page 3] Marquesse dwelt with his eyes a little longer upon that Object. The Lord John Somerset (his Sonne) thought convenient: where­upon the Marquesse made his reply. O Sonne, I love to see mine own danger, especially when it is marching off.

APOPHTH. 3.

AFter that my endeavours were crowned with successe, and my diligence had wrought his security, in a place that was as private as he had made himself; having part­ed with all his retinue, we began to commune with our selves, concerning our own happi­ness; and some there were who told his Lordship, that though the place were unwor­thy of him, yet it was better then a prison: to which the Marquesse made this answer. It may be not: It may be my sinnes did not deserve so great a favour, for that is alwayes better which God sends. To which I had a Sister, which was Mrs. of the house who thus replied unto [Page 4] him: then sure (my Lord) this is best, for God hath sent you hither. But Lady, (said the Marquesse,) it had not been best, if God had disposed of me otherwise: why should we repine at that freedom of the Almighty over us, which we daily exercise over other Creatures? We im­prison harmless Creatures, and innocent Birds, within Cages, onely to sing to us and make us me­lody, and why should I do otherwise then submit unto the will of God, if it should be his pleasure to make me a close Prisoner, seeing he may delight in hearing, how prittily I would complain?

APOPHTH. 4.

I Have lived in Ragland Castle, 3 years, and in all that time, I never saw man drunk, nor heard an Oath, amongst any, of all his Ser­vants: neither did I ever see a better ordered Family, and that which is most wonderfull unto me, was, the Servants of his house, (be­ing half Papists, and half Protestants) were never at variance, in point of Religion: which [Page 5] was brought about, by prohibiting disputati­ons: neither was any man the lesse accepted for his Religion, if his service were acceptable; but when the Castle was fill'd with Officers, and Souldiers, he us'd to be much grieved, to hear, and see the Oaths, and drunkennesse, that was (then and there) too much practi­sed: insomuch, that when some of his chief Officers, had told him, how that they had fortified such and such a place, so and so: and that here the Enemy could not come, and there it was impossible; I but (said my Lord) you have left the main place open, and unfortified: you have made no fortifications against Heaven; for there is such swearing, and drunkennesse a­mongst you, that I fear me that from thence will come your greatest enemy; and you have made no provision against him.

APOPHTH. 5.

WHen the King had made his repaire to Raglan, after the Battell of Nasby, taking occasion to thank the Marquess for [Page 6] some monies lent his Majesty, the Marquesse return'd his Majesty this answer: Sir, I had your word for my mony; but I never thought I should be so soone repaid, for now you have given me thanks, I have all I look for.

APOPHTH. 6.

ANother time, the King came unto my Lord, and told him, that he thought not to have stay'd with his Lordship, above three dayes, but his occasions requiring his longer abode with him, he was willing to ease him of so great a burthen, as to be altogether so heavy a charge unto him. And considering it was a Garison, that his provisions might not be spent by so great a pressure, he was willing that his Lordship should have power given him, to take what Provisions the Countrey would afford, for his present maintenance, and recruit: to which his Lordship made this re­ply. I humbly thank your Majesty, but my Castle will neither stand long, if it leanes upon the [Page 7] Countrey. I had rather be brought to a morsell of bread, then any morsels of bread should be brought me, to entertain your Majesty.

APOPHTH. 7.

SIr, Henry Bard, who was Lord Bellamount, coming into the Hall at Raglan, and seeing so many Tables furnished with food, and feeders, swore a great Oath, that the King had a plot to destroy that Family. First, in borrowing all the old mans mony: and then in coming (thus) to eat up his victuals; which being told unto the Marquesse, the Marquesse asked the man (who made this Relation unto him) of what Garison the Lord Bellamount was Governour: it was told his Lordship that he was Governour of Camb­den house: the Marquesse replyed, That when the King had done as he said, that then his Ma­jesty might go to his Garison, and there he might have Cambdens remaines.

APOPHTH. 8.

WHen the King first entred the Castle of Raglan, the Marquesse kiss'd the Kings hand, and rising up again, he saluted his Majesty, with this Complement, Domine non sum dignus. The King replyed unto the Mar­quesse. My Lord I may very well answer you a­gain, I have not found so great faith in Israel; for no man would trust me with so much money as you have done: To which the Marquesse re­plied, I hope your Majesty will prove a defender of the Faith.

APOPHTH. 9.

SIr Thomas Somerset, brother to the Mar­quesse, had a house which they called Troy, within five miles of Raglan Castle: this [Page 9] Sir Thomas Somerset being a neate man, both within, and without his house, as he was a compleat Gentleman of himself, every way delighted very much in fine Gardens, and Or­chards, and in replenishing and ordering them with all the varieties of choisest fruits, that could be got: and in defending his new Plan­tations from the coldnesse of the climate, by the benefit of art; the earth that was so much made of, prov'd so gratefull to him, at the same time that the King happened to be at his Brothers house at Raglan: that it yield­ed him wherewithall to send his Brother Wor­cester such a present, as at that time of year and place was able to make the King, and all his Lords believe, that the Soveraign of the Planets, with all his Prince Electors, had new chang'd the Poles: and that Wales the reffuse, and out-cast of the faire Garden of England had fairer and riper fruit, growing upon her stone rubbish, then Englands levels, had on all her beds: this, presented to the Marquesse, the Marquesse would not suffer to be presented to the King, by any other hands, except his own. In comes the Marquesse to the King, at the latter end of supper, led by the arme, having such a goodly presence with him, that his being led, became him, rather [Page 10] like some ceremony of state, then show of impotence: and his slow pace, (occasioned by his infirmity) express'd a Spanish gravity, ra­ther then feebleness: thus (with a silver dish in each hand, fill'd with rarities, and a little basket upon his arme, as a supply, in case his Majesty should be over-bountifull of his fa­vours to the Ladies that were standers by.) He makes his third obeysance, and thus speakes. May it please your Majesty, if the 4 Elements could have been rob'd to have entertain'd your Majesty, I think I had but done my duty; but I must do as I may. If I had sent to Bristoll for some good things, to entertain your Majesty, that had been no wonder at all: If I had procured from London, some goodnesse, that might have been acceptable to your Majesty, that had been no wonder indeed. But here I present your Ma­jesty (placing his dishes upon the Table) with what neither came from Lincoln that was, nor London that is: nor York▪ that is to be; but I assure your Majesty, that this Present came from Troy: whereupon the King smil'd, and answered the Marquesse, truly my Lord, I have heard, that Corne now growes where Troy Town stood; but I never thought there had growen a­ny Apricocks there before. Whereupon the Marquesse replyed. Any thing to please your [Page 11] Majesty. The fruit was very much admired by all, and it was acknowledged by all that were in the presence at that time, that they never saw the King serv'd in greater state in all their lives. There were some about the King, who followed my Lord Marquesse, when he de­parted the presence, and told his Lordship, that he would make a very good Courtier. I (said the Marquess) I remember I said one thing that may give you some hopes of me. Any thing to please your Majesty.

APOPHTH. 10.

THe first night his Majesty came unto the Castle, the King desired to see the great Tower, which was the place where his Lordship did use to keep his Treasure: His Majesty spake unto me to fetch the Keyes. I ran down to the Marquess, and acquainted him with the Kings pleasure, who would needes bring them to the King, and shew him the Tower himself; when the King saw the [Page 12] Marquesse bringing the Keyes himself, he thus spake unto the Marquess. My Lord, there are some men, who are so unreasonable, as to make me believe, that your Lordship hath good store of gold yet left within this Tower; but I knowing how I have exhausted you, (together, with your own occasions) could never have be­lieved it, untill now I see you will not trust the Keyes with any Lady but your self: To which the Marquess made this reply. Sir, I was so farre from giving your Majesty any such occasi­on of thought by this tender of my duty, that I protest unto you, that I was once resolved that your Majesty should have layen there, but that I was loath to commit your Majesty to the Tower.

APOPHTH. 11.

THere was a poor Free-holder, who had a small Tenement, close underneath Rag­lan Castle, in value about six pounds, per An­num: the Marquesse had a mind to buy it of the owner, it lying within his land, and so [Page 13] near unto his Castle: treating with the owner about it, he found him extreamly averse from hearkening to any conditions whatsoever: the Marquesse (hereupon) told the man, that he made not any such proposition out of any evill intention towards him, but to his great advantage; for he would give him six­teene pounds per Annum, in any place of Eng­land or Wales, where he had any Land, or op­portunity to purchase such an inheritance for him; but the man remained obstinate, tell­ing the Marquesse, that he would not loose the sight of so goodly a Castle as Raglan, for tenne pounds per Annum: this construed (as indeed it was) an Answer no lesse peevish then insolent: the Marquess told him that he would spoile his prospect, and so dismiss'd him, causing (forthwith) a double rowe of Trees, which should (in time) take away two thirds of the Revenue, which should accrew out of the poor mans eyes. The Kings coming to Raglan, being at the time when these Trees were grown to their height, when the tall Ceder of our Lebanus, was brought so low, and those Sycamores flourished, when the royal Oake was in the fall of the leafe; It happened that his Majesty was at bowles up­on Raglan Castle Green (a place so proudly [Page 14] scituated, that you might as well com­mand all the Countrey, round about with your eye, as the Lord thereof the Countrey­men by his power and authority, where you might find a goodly prospect without loosing your own eyes,) where after that he had en­ded his recreation, his Majesty was pleased to delight himself, which observing the Coun­trey round about: It happened, that one Pritchard, the Kings Partner at Bowles (whose unmannerlinesse had informed him that Bowles had the same virtue in them, that the Foot-balls had, (viz.) to make all fellowes, presuming more upon his good bowling, then good manners continued the familiarity that should have ended with the rubbers, shewing the King where his house stood some three miles off, and told his Majesty that he must look through the wood, and he might see a white thing, and that was it; moreover, ac­quainting his Majesty what the Lord of Wor­cester had advised him (viz.) to cut down some of those Trees, that the house might be plainly discern'd from the Green, whereby his Lordship when he wanted a good Bowler, might make a signe, and so have him at a beck: To which the King replyed. Mr. Pritch­ard, let me give you better advice: put up [Page 15] more Trees, where the Trees are so thin, that my Lord of Worcester (if it be possible) may not see thy house at all. The Marquesse of Worcester supposing the King had touch't up­on this greediness of purchasing all the Land which was near unto him, shewed His Ma­jesty the Rowes of Trees, and told the King that beyond those Trees stood a pritty Tene­nement, and because he would not have Na­boths Vineyard to be an eye-sore to him, he had planted those trees to hood-winck his eyes from such temptations; whether the King had heard of it before or no, I cannot tell, but his Majesty happened to light upon the true cause of their setting up: telling his Lordship, that he was as conceited in the setting up those Trees as his Father was witty in cutting down the great Wall-nut-tree, which the Earl of Salisbury, gave an hundred pounds to my Lord of Worcesters man to perswade his Lordship to cut it down, because it hindred his prospect towards the Thames, but being cut down, the Earl of Worcester set up such a house in the place thereof, that Salisbury that way could not see the Thames at all. Whereupon my Lord of Worcester, said that the Earl of Salisbury would be even with him, for he was afraid that he would pull down his [Page 16] house ere it be long: to which the King made answer, that when the time came that he durst pull down his house, he and such as he, would pull an old house over their own head; the Marquesse replyed, if they will make so bold with their own heads, I will give them leave to be so bold with a­ny of my houses.

APOPHTH. 12.

WHen the King first entred the Gates of Raglan, the Marquesse delivered his Majesty the keyes, (according to the odinary Custome) the King restoring of them to the Marq; the Marq; said, I beseech your Maj. to keep them, if you please, for they are in a good hand; but I am afraid that ere it be long, I shall be forc'd to deliver them into the hands of those who will spoile the Complement.

APOPHTH. 13.

AT the Kings being at Raglan, there were some informations given, of some Gentlemen of the Country, who were supposed (and not without cause) to have done his Majesty many ill Offices, by with­drawing the hearts of the People from his Majesty, and obstructing many aydes, and as­sistances, which otherwise his Majesty was like­ly to have had out of these parts: these men (being thus accused) were ordered to be laid hold on, and it was executed accordingly, and they being brought before his Majesty, it was moved by some, that they should be forth­with tryed by a Commission of Oyer and Ter­miner; others advised his Majesty, that they should be sent to Hereford, and there to be kept in safe Custody, untill further consultati­ons might be had concerning them, they ex­cusing themselves as well as they could. One of them protesting his innocence with teares in his eyes, the King ordered that he should [Page 18] forthwith be released, being alwayes prone to leane to mercy rather then justice, and to fa­vourable, rather then rigid construction of his very enemies. The King, coming back from Abergaveny, where this was put in execution, The King told the Marquesse what he had done, and that when he saw them speak so honestly, he could not but give some credit to their words, so seconded by tears; and with­all, told the Marquesse, that he had onely sent them to prison; whereupon the Mar­quesse said, what to do, to poyson that Garison? Sir, you should have done well to have heard their accusations, and then to have shewed what mercy you pleas'd. The King told him, that he heard that they were ac [...]used by some contrary faction, as to themselves, who out of the distaste they bore to one or other upon old grudges, would be apt to charge them more home, then the nature of their offences had deserved; to whom the Marquess made this return, well Sir, you may chance to gaine you the Kingdom of Heaven by such do­ings as these; but if ever you get the Kingdom of England by these tricks, I'le be your Bond­man.

APOPHTH. 14.

THe Marquess had a mind to tell the King (as handsomely as he could) of some of his (as he thought) faults, and thus he con­trives his plot, against the time that his Ma­jesty was wont to give his Lordship a visit, as commonly he us'd to do after dinner, his Lord­ship had the book of John Gower, lying be­fore him on the Table. The King casting his eye upon the book, told the Marquess that he had never seen it before. O said the Marquess, it is the book of books, which if your Majesty had been well vers'd in, it would have made you a King of Kings. Why so my Lord? said the King, why said the Marquess, here is set down how Aristotle brought up, and instructed A­lexander the great in all the rudiments, and principles, belonging to a Prince, and under the persons of Alexander and Aristotle, he read the King such a lesson, that all the stan­ders by were amazed at the boldness; and the King supposing that he had gone further [Page 20] then his Text would have given him leave: asked the Marq; if he had his lesson by heart, or whether he spake out of the book: the Marquess replyed, Sir, if you could read my heart, it may be you might find it then. Or if your Majesty please to get it by heart, I will lend you my book: which latter profer, the King ac­cep [...]ed of, and did borrow it; nay said the Marquess, I will lend it you upon these con­ditions, first, that you read it, secondly, that you make use of it; but perceiving how that some of the new made Lords, fretted and bit their thumbs at certain passages in the Mar­quesses discourse, he thought a little to please his Majesty, though he pleas'd them the men, who were so much displeased allready, pro­testing unto his Majesty, that no man was so much for the absolute power of a King: as Aristotle, desiring the book out of the Kings hand, he told the King, that he would shew him one remarkable passage to that purpose, turning to that place that had this verse, viz.

Whereupon there were divers new made Lords, who slunk out of the roome, which the King observing, told the Marquess, my Lord at this rate you'l drive away all my Nobility, the Marquesse replyed, I protest unto your Majesty, I am as new a made Lord as any of them all, but I was never call'd knave and rogue, so much in all my life, as I have been since I received this last Honour, and why should not they bear their shares?

APOPHTH. 15.

AS the Marquess was in his travel from Denbyshire (where he had layen con­ceal'd some while) towards Raglan, we had determined to lodge in a poor Town called Bala, in Merionethshire, the Marquess being invited to take some repose, at one Mr. Owen Salisbury of Keeg, I and one more, went be­fore to provide accomodation for his Lord­ship in that Town, where we found that some had plaid the knave with us, and had infor­med the Tovvn, that about such a time there [Page 22] would come a party of the enemy through the Town; the Townsmen neither being pre­pared nor able to make any resistance, nor willing to harbour any such guests, were ve­ry much divided and confounded in their cousultations, but seeing none but two Horse­men coming towards the Town, they admit­ted us in, but not without some suspition, and many scores of men, women, and Children, following us at our heeles, wheresoever we went, we marvelled very much at them, and they at us: we went into several poor Innes, and we were told every where there was no lodging for us; I inquired for the Maior of the Town, he was not to be spoken with, I inquired after the Deputy Governour of the place, or any Officer, but cold not come to the speech of any of thē, the multitude increased, so did our wonders; at the last I spide a young man, who had a ribbin in his hat, with vive la Roy in it: I applyed my self to him, and told him that he by his favour should be one that loved the King, and that there was such a Nobleman who had serv'd the King in no small measure, who was likely to lie in their streetes for want of a lodging: the young man shewed me (forthwith) great respect, telling me that his Lordship should be very [Page 23] welcome to his Mothers house: vvho kept a poor Inne, & withall told us the reason of the peoples shienesse to harbour us, as aforesaid, vve vvent into the house, finding it a most la­mentable receptacle for such a person; but yet better then none at all, the parlour where my Lord was to lie, was a soft and loose ground, wherein you might sink up to the anckles every step, the top of the house being thatched with ill-threshed straw, the Corne that was left in the straw vvhere with the house was thatched; grew, & vvas all as green as grasse: the Marques (by that time that we had got a good fire, and had laid some loose boards, and strawed the new made floar with rushes) came into the Town, and seeing the manner of the house-top, and the parlour bottome, said, That he lay over a Bogge, and under a Meddow. But it being known vvho he vvas, the Maior of the Town, vvith singular respect, and much humanity came unto the Marquess, and excused the rudenesse of the Tovvnsmen, and shevved his Lordship the mistake, offering his Lordship his ovvn house, and many other civilities, and vvhat else his Lordship thought might lie vvithin his povver; for vvhich my Lord gave him many and hearty thanks, breaking out into this [Page 24] Meditation. Lord what a thing this misunder­standing, I warrant you: might but the Kign and the Parliament conferre together, as you and I have done, there might be as right an under­standing betwixt them, as there is now between you and I; some body have told the Parliament, that the King was an enemy, & their believing of him to be such, hath wrought all the jealousies which are come to these distractions, the Parlia­ment being now in such a case as I my self am, ha­ving green eares over their heads, and false ground under their feet.

APOPHTH. 16.

IN the same Town (at my Lords departure) by the carelesnesse of his Servants, 1000l. in gold was left behind, being hid under the bench: and forgot to be taken away, this mo­ney was never mist untill we came to our Journies end, at night: and it being told my Lord that so much money was missing, and where they had left it. My Lord made no other words of it, but these, you talk of a cheap reck­oning, [Page 25] but I never paid so dearly for a nights lodging in all my life; who would think that a man should leave so much money behind him, in such a lowsie Inne: one that stood by told the Marquesse, that it was a hundred to one, if ever he heard of his money again, it was such a beggerly house. O peace said the Marquess, if they won't be known of the money, you shall see it will be a brave Inne in time. This money was sent after, and very honestly restored, and de­livered into the Messengers hands, that came for it; being brought unto the Marquess, there was much wondering at the honesty of the woman of the house: others praised the whole Town, for their generall and honest dealing, seeing it was generally known: the Marquesse told them, That it may be the Town never saw so much money before, and therefore they knew not what to make on't.

APOPHTH. 17.

THe Marquesse journying on his way to Raglan, happened to come to a place that was called Strata del florida, in Cardiganshire, (which made him aske us whither we meant to carry him? saying, That we had brought already to the West Indies,) an old ruinated, but sometimes a most famous monastery; with whose ruines was built a pritty tolerable Welch Gentlemans house, where my Lord lodged that night; in which house there was showen unto us, an old, old woman: who was credibly reported, to have been living, and of years able to remember when that Mo­nastery was in its flourishing condition, and to have been at masse often-times when the place was inhabited with Monks and Fryers; this strange Relation, was no sooner carried up and presented to my Lords eares; But my Lord was as greedy to glut his eyes, with such an Object, as they to fill his eares, with the Relation. The woman being sent for, came, [Page 27] coming, the Marquess questioned her concern­ing the manner of the Monks behaviour, both in their Service, their Orders, Habits, Customes, and all other particulars; who gave his Lordship so exact an account, that he be­lieved it to be true, and confessed that it must needes be so; and questioning of her further, about her age? she said she was one hundred years of age; then the Marquess asked her: And what when the Religion altered, you al­tered with the Religion? she answered no, in truth Master, I stay'd to see, whether or no, the People of the new Religion would be bet­ter then the people of the old; and I could see them nothing, but grow worse and worse, and charity to wax colder and colder, and so I kept me to my old Religion, I thank God, and by the grace of God mean to live and die in it: The Marquess turned to the Gentleman of the house, who was a Prote­stant, and asked him whether or no, she had been noted for a Papist all her life: the Gentle­man said that she had, and could never be brought from it, and that she would often­times, steale into the Church alone with her beades, and there she would be praying by her self; The Marquess dismiss'd her for the present, but after supper, sent for her again, [Page 28] and had some more private conference with her; amongst other things he asked her, how she did do to serve God, and when she had seen a Priest last, when she had been at Masse, or received the Sacrament? the woman an­swered that she had not seen a Priest, not in 60. years; but she did ber Office daily, and never mist, and once a year upon good Fryday, she received the Sacrament at the Parsons hands, praying to God, that since she could not attain unto the meanes that God would make the Parson, a Priest to her at that day: which she believing God Almighties goodnes to be such, as that he did hear her prayers: the Marquess fell into such a fit of laughter, and thence into such expressions of admiration, that I never saw any man so transported be­tween such extreams, in my life, till at the last they both ended in pitty, and commisera­tion, which wrought in the Marquess this ef­fect, and to the poor woman this intended advantage: The Marquess gave her 10. peeces of old gold (which so glistered in the womans eye, that it would have been both a losse to her self, and an undervaluation to her Bene­factor to have taken them for Angels) telling her that if she would go with him to Raglan, and spend the remainder of her dayes with [Page 29] him, she should be welcome, and there enjoy the meanes of bringing her thither, where now she had but a little way to go, meaning Heaven, and that she should want for no­thing, neither whilst he lived nor afterwards, and if there were any friends of hers that were poor, she should give that 10. pounds a­mongst them, and she should have more: the woman fell a crying, saying, over, and over a­gain, constantly, God had sent him, God had sent him; he was a good man. And so she de­parted, resolving to go as soone as possible, towards Raglan: the next news that we could hear in the morning, was, that the poor wo­man was dead. Whereupon the Marquess excessively griev'd and wept: all concluding that she dyed with excess of joy; whereat the Marquess said thus unto us. If this poor soule died for joy, that she should come into a place, where she might serve God: how joyfully, will she serve him, where she comes into a place, when she shall never die.

APOPHTH. 18.

ON our way, we were told, that we should come by a place which was famous for miracle, which the tradition of those parts re­ports, to have been wrought, occasioned upon St. Davids preaching unto 3000. people: who that he might the better be heard: the ground it is said, to rise up, in a round knob; whereupon St. David pitched his Crosse, whereon he lean'd, whilst he was preaching; which Crosse, was yet standing, with some words and letters, which time had made unlegible, and that St. David had cau­sed a Church, to be erected in that place, as a memorial of so great a miracle; this Relation made the Marquess very desirous, to view the place, the Church and the Crosse; and stand­ing in the Church-yard, every man endea­vouring to make something of the obliterated superscription, and no man could, for there were onely these worne peeces of Characters to be seen, viz. Crx. xti. dd. and a peece of [Page 31] an S. which my Lord presently read it Crux Christi Davidis, which we all wondering, that no man could find it out, it afterwards ap­pearing to be so plain. He told us, Look you now, I without my spectacles and ill eyes could read it sooner then all you, that needed none, and had good eyes; it is not a good eye, but a good Faith, that attaines to the knowledge of such things, whilst you pore so much upon the like, you loose the meaning, now I will tell you, how I came to find it out: I considered what had been told me, with the help whereof, I came to understand what the words might signifie, so that in this, I am sure tradition was a meanes to help me, to the true understanding of the Scripture; leaving the place, as we were going along by the Church-yard Rayle, there was an old woman naked as ever she was borne, who kept her Hermitage between the rootes of an over-grown hallow Tree, she was the most lamen­table spectacle of mortality that ever eyes be­held; her eyes as hallow as a dead mans scull, and her head as bare, nothing but skin and bone, her brests hanging down like two old lethern pockets, and her belly like a satchel, her tawney skin, looking rather as if it had been loose Garments to the bones; then con­fines to any flesh and blood; In a word, it [Page 32] frightned us all, onely the Marquess was in love with her, protesting That he never saw a sight that did him so much good, saying, how hap­py were it for a man that is going to bed to his grave, to be first wedded to this Woman.

APOPHTH. 19.

THe Earl of Glomorgan, (the Marquess of Worcesters eldest Sonne) accompanied with divers Officers, Knights, and Gentlemen of high ranck and quality, all of them of the red letter, as they were on their journey for Ire­land, quartered in the Town of Carnavon (a Sea Town) in North-wales, where they were entertained with discourse at their Table, by some of the Gentlemen of the Countrey, which informed them, of the fulfilling of an old Welch Prophecy, at that very time and place, which was, viz, That there should come a Mag-pie and build her nest in the Crown, then should come a Jack-daw, and beat away the Mag-pie; and after that, there should come a Buzzard, that should beat away [Page 33] the Jack-daw; and then there should be seen no Crown but that of thornes, upon the Kings head; at last there should come a band of men from a farre Countrey, and take away the thornes, and then the Crown should ap­pear again: this they said was (thus) hither­to accomplished. viz. over the gate of Car­narvon Castle, there was the Picture of King Edward 1. in full proportion, with a Crown upon his head; there did come a Mag-pie, who did build her neast in the said Kings Crown, and a Jack-daw did beat away the Mag-pie, and the Buzzard the Jack-daw: this (said the Townsmen) we assure your Honour to be true, and all our Townsmen have observ'd it; whereupon the Earl of Glamorgan replyed, why may not we be that band of men, that shall take away these thornes, from off the Kings head, first in type, and then in sub­stance; we come farre enough off, and there­upon, all concluded themselves to be the men; in order whereunto, they all resolved, that as soone as ever they had fill'd their bellies, they would satisfie their eyes, with the sight, as well as their eares, with the Relation, and lend their helping hands to alter the figure. Dinner being ended, they all went to the Castle gate, being come, there they beheld the [Page 34] sight, the neast being disordered, with the fightings of the Combatants, the materialls made such a mournfull aspect, as if they had been artificially pleated upon the Kings head, which made Sir Vinian Moleneus say, that he never beheld a sadder spectacle in all his life. The Earl of Glamorgan could not endure the sight, but streightway Commanded the neast to be pull'd down, which was done accord­ingly, and being throwen down, they found the materials of the neast to be such, as where­with never any bird did build her neast, viz. with white thorne, which for a memorandum or rarity, every one of them, stuck a thorne in his Hat-band, and wore it.

This story was related to the Marquess of Worcester, having heard it, after some pawse, he asked those about him, what is the nick­name which the Round-heads use to give to the Bishops? there were none about him who could guesse at his meaning; which he per­ceiving, said, as I take it, they used to call the Bishops Mag-pies, whom they reproach for build­ing their neasts in the Crown; then came the Presbyterian Jack-dawes, and beat them out; and the next thing that you shall see will be the Inde­pendant Buzzards, will drive them away, and who shall come next, God knowes. One with a [Page 35] Roman nose, made answer. I hope my Lord, that after that these men have plaid their prancks sufficiently; no man will presume to build his neast hereafter in the Crown, but I hope there will be a knot of good fellowes, that may ease the Kings head from the prick­ing of those thornes, and clear the Crown from those incumbrances; whereupon the Marquess replying, asked the party that rela­ted the story, what manner of Crown it was, that was upon the Kings head? the Gentleman re­plyed, a Royal Crown. I, but I mean said the Marquess, was it an open or an imperial Crown? the Gentleman made answer, an open Crown, O then, said the Marquess, that was the Reason the Kings Crown was too open; had it been close at top, with the Crosse over head, such unluckie birds could never have come there, to have built their neasts; but one thing I mislike in the story, that after they had taken the thornes from the Kings head, they should afterwards weare them in their own Hat-bands.

APOPHTH. 20.

I Cannot (well) tell, whether it was, upon the marriage of my Lord Edward Herbert, with the Earl Carnavons sister, or the Lord Matague, with the Marquesse of Worcesters Daughter; that there happened this merry passage, or mock-wedding (as an echo to the voices, that were heard in Hymeneus Chappel, between those lovely couple (think which you please) who had newly left being vvhol­ly themselves, by being half of each other) viz. One of those two paire of Lovers, had no sooner united tvvo hearts in one, and had seated themselves, by one of the too many proprieties belonging unto the honourable state of matrimony, viz. the boord, but this Tom Deputy an old bachelour, chanc'd to cast his eye upon a pritty peece of vvaiting vvo­man, (one of the appurtenances to this ho­nourable bride) he this jovial Tom (having vvhetted his vvit by the sides of the marriage bovvle) fixes upon (being inabled sufficiently [Page 37] thereby to follovv any humour) as a fit sub­ject to make their Ladiships some sport, which happened to be so sutable to the occasion, and so well performed, that it soon captivated the eares also, of all the masculine Nobility. (Thus encountring the faire Bride.) Madam, you have the prittiest peece of necessity yonder, at the side Table, that I know not how any man can be vvithout her, that may have her for asking, Madam will you give her me? I protest I will marry her, and fancy my self to be a Lord, and her self a Lady: My mind to me a Kingdom is, vvhich shall make her a suf­ficient joynture. Tom, Tom, (said the Mar­quess) such men as you and I, whose joynts are enfeebled, with the strokes of many years, must not think to winne young maides, by promising to make them joyntures of the mind; but will you make her Deputy of Deputy-Hall? and Landla­dy of all the Land that is belonging to it? and Mrs. of all the stock that is upon the Land, and Goods that is within the house? and then, you shall heare what my Daughter, and her woman will say unto you. With all my heart (said Tom) and all the Hoggs, and poultry, that is about the house to boote: and she shall lie upon six Feather-beds the first night; why then it shall be a match (said the Lady) withall my [Page 38] heart. Give me your hand Madam, (sayes Deputy) I will have her, if there be no more necessary evills in the World, and presently makes his addresses to the pritty little Gentle­woman of the said Table, who had heard all the discourse, and was perswaded then up­on his approach, to answer his humour, with a condescention at the first word, and inform­ed, that he was an old rich whoreson: he accosting her after this manner, this pritty moppit, now thy Lady hath given her con­sent, that I shall have thee, if thou saist so too, wee'l be in bed as soone as they, with all my heart, and thank you too, said the young Gentlewoman) by my troth a match (said he) give me thy hand, 'tis done: Il'e break such a jest (this day) as I never broke in my life; but do not break your promise (said the Gentlewoman.) What, before all this Com­pany (said Deputy) that were a shame. Up he goes again, to the Lady, and tells her, that they were agreed: my Lady drank to him, up­on the same condition, he pledged her, and wish'd the wine might be his poison, if he did not marry her after dinner: The Lady (wil­ling to preferre her vvoman to such a fortune) held him to his vvord, and required perform­ance of his promise (giving her many and [Page 39] high Commendations) Tom, went not from any part of his promise, onely the time except­ed, and that in regard he meant to buy him­self some wedding Clothes: the Marquess (willing to remove that Obstacle) told him, that he thought his Clothes would fit him: and bid him goe unto his Wardrope, and take vvhat he had a mind to: give me your key (said Tom) it was delivered unto him; up vvent he, and then came down, vvith his Bever Hat, sattin Cloke, laid with plush, dawb'd with a gold & silver lace, suite of the same, silk stock­ings, with roses and Garters suitable, inside & outside, capape, all as brave, as if he carried a Lordship on his back. The Lady Bride takes her vvoman aside, and dresses her in one of her richest and new Gownes, (that should have made every day of that week sensible of an ex­change) with all things answerable thereun­to: not without some store of slight Jewels, and brings her down, as glorious, as the morne, that breaks from the eastern hill, and chases night away, they look upon one ano­ther, and all upon them both. Tom cries out, I had best be in good earnest, said my Lady, I thought you had been in sober sadnes, neither (Madam) said the new Bridegroome and old Tom, I hope (said the Lady) you vvill not [Page 40] make me take all this paines for nothing; no by no meanes (saith he) if ever we repent, vve vvill sell our fine Cloathes, and buy Cattle. It is better being a Lord for a week, then a slave for ever. Come thy wayes; happy is the wo­ing, that is not long a doing: married they were, in the greatest pomp and Ceremony; and the Queen of beauty, took delight, in loosing the eyes of the vulgar, which by this time, were altogether fixed on the Lady of the May. Tom acted his scene of mirth in the Hall, which proved to be a thing of that convenience, as if it had been an act of some set policie, to keep the crowd out of the par­lour, that the Masquers might have roome e­nough to dance in, at last vvhen the Masque was ended, and time had brought in Supper, the Cushine led the dance, out of the parlour, into the Hall, and saluted the old-new-made Bridegroome, and his Lady, leading them in­to the Parlour, to a Table which was furnish­ed, vvith the same allowance that vvas alotted for all the Nobles, vvhere they vvere soon forced to sit down first. (Tom taking upon him as much as they could give him.) In fine, Supper being ended, the Marquess of Wor­cester asked the Lady Bride, if she had a hun­dred [Page 41] pounds about her: she answered, no my Lord, but I can send for as much, I pray do, (said the Marquess) but it must be all in gold; she sent for it, and presented it to her Father, who pull'd out another purse of an hundred peeces, and put the two hun­dred peeces in the Bason, saying, Ma­dam, if you do not give earnest, Deputy will tell you, in the morning, that he married your wo­man but in jest: Whereupon, some gave fifty, others forty, some gave twenty, others ten: the least gave five peeces, who sate at the Table in all, 700 l. The Apparel and other gifts, amounting to no lesse a value, then one thousand pounds, vvhich so transported the old man, that he protested, that now he was in the humour, he vvould marry all the wait­ing Gentlewomen they had. One every day in the vveek, as long as the vvedding lasted: my Lord Marquess replyed, I but Tom, you have left out one thing that you should have said, viz. at this rate. Not to be too tedious, the man, vvhat vvith bounty, and vvhat with that, vvhich vvas as free to every man, as was their purses unto him, vvhich vvas good wine, the man was not himself, when he should have gone to bed to another, vvhich being related to my Lord, his Lordship took an occasion, [Page 42] to tell the Company, the story of the begger, vvho was made believe, he did but dreame of the happiness, that was really acted; and there­upon, the Marquess was desirous, to make experiment vvhether it could be related in the person of old Thomas: in order vvhereunto, he gave Command, that my Friend Thomas, should be disrobed of his next vvedding Gar­ment, the rest of his fine Clothes taken from him, and himself carried unto his old Lodging in the Porters Lodge, and his vvife to respit the solemnization of the Marriage-bed, untill his comportment should deserve so faire an admission: vvhich was done accordingly, the next morning made the experiment to answer the height of all their expectations; for news was brought unto the Marquess, (all the rest of the Lords and Ladies standing by) that Tom took all yesterdayes vvork but for a dream, or at least, seem'd to do so, to humour the fancy. I should be endlesse, if I should re­late unto you, the sport that this fellow made. To conclude, the Marquess call'd them both before him, and delivered unto them the money, vvith many good exhorta­tions to them both, thus moralizing upon the premisses, viz. That which was first in intenti­on, [Page 43] is oftentimes, both with God, and man, the last in execution: as for example, God had be­fore all Worlds, determined, to shew his love to man-kind, by wedding his onely Sonne to his Church; so that thus much we have gain'd al­ready, viz. That the Marriage, that was made in Paradise, between Adam and Eve, though it was the first in time, yet it was but secondary, to the first intention; and he that said, before A­braham was, I am: was also, before Adam was, and though the first Marriage, was but a type of the second, yet the second, (according to the fore­said intention) was an antecedent to the first. God, who having an intention, to wed his Sonne to his beloved spouse, the Church: gave way to this type or figure, or (to bring the similitude a little homer) mock-wedding, which was between Adam and Eve, whom to make appear more wor­thy and glorious, in the eyes of his beloved, and all other Creatures, he array'd with full Ma­jesty, and the Robe of righteousness his mercy (the Lady and Empress of all the glorious at­tributes of God) arrai [...] this type and figure of his Church, with the Robe of innocence, and gives thom both a large proportion of his grace. These blessings, Adam (by tasting the forbidden fruit) lost his Paradise and slept in death.

Gentlemen. I will not make any appli­cation hereof, least I may seeme to mistrust your wisdomes, but I have nothing to say to the Woman.

APOPHTH. 21.

THe Marquess of Worcester, calling for a Glasse of Claret-wine, it was told him by his Physitian, that Claret-wine was nought for his Gout: What my old Friend, Claret, nay give it me (said the Marquess) in spight of all Physitians and their Bookes, it never shall be said, that I forsooke my Friend for mine E­nemy.

APOPHTH. 22.

DUring the time of the siege of Raglan, there came a Musket Bullet in at the vvindow of the with-drawing roome (where my Lord was used to entertain his Friends, with his pleasant discourses after dinners and suppers) which glancing upon a little marble piller of the vvindow, and from thence, hit the Marquess upon the side of his head; and fell down flatted upon the Table, which breaking the piller in peeces, it made such a noise in the roome, that the Countesse of Gla­morgan (who stood in the same vvindow) ran away, as if the house had been falling down upon her head: crying out, O Lord, O Lord, but finding her self more afraid then hurt: she returned back again, no lesse excusing her (as she was pleased to call it) rudenesse to her Fa­ther; then acknowledging her fears to all the Company: to whom the Marquess said, Daughter, you had reason to run away, when [Page 47] your Father was knockt on the head: and paw­sing some while, and turning the flatted bul­let round with his finger, he further said, Gentlemen. Those who had a mind to flatter me, were wont to tell me, that I had a good Head­peece in my younger dayes; but if I do not flat­ter my self, I think I have a good Head-peece, in my old age, or else it would not have been Mus­ket-proofe.

APOPHTH. 23.

ONe was telling the Marquess, how strangely I escaped a shot, by the Barre of a vvindow (looking out into the Leager) as thus: standing in a vvindow of the Castle, there came a Musket-bullet, and hit full against the edge of an Iron Barre of a Chamber vvindow, so that it parted the bul­let in two, the barre expatiating it self (by de­grees) towards the middle; one half of the bullet flew by me, on the one side, and the o­ther half on the other side, so that (by Gods providence) I had no hurt: the Marquesse hearing this, asked me, in what Chamber it was, I told him, his Lordship said, as I remember, the window was crosse bard, and you will never believe me, how safe it is, to stand before the Crosse, when you face your Enemy.

APOPHTH. 24.

THe Marquesse of Worcester, was alwayes wont (towards his la­ter times) to dine and sup, by himself, and being asked the Reason (by one who thought he might be so bold) and told that it would be more de­lightfull, and chearfull to him, then to dine and sup by himself; he made an­swer, That he knew not what delight a­ny man could take, to shew himself mor­tall. The Inquisitor made answer, that every man did know, and believe that he did eat, and therefore he did not appear lesse mortall, by appearing [Page 60] so mortall: My LORD reply'd, Every man knowes and believes, that I empty, as well as fill, my body: yet it is not necessary, that I expresse that mortality, but rather seek out pri­vacie: The party that broach'd the Discourse, further said: My LORD, it is the maine occasion of humane society, and if humane society were debarr'd of that occasion of com­placence; mirth would have no roome to dance, according to the old Pro­verbe, 'tis merry in Hall, when beards wagge all. O (said the MARQUESSE,) SOLOMON was a wise man, but he appropriated musick to a Banquet of wine: and not to a Table fill'd with the mangled flesh, and Carkesses of so many slaine Creatures: that should ra­ther put us in mind of our own mor­tality, and sinnes, (seeing our lives are necessitated thereby, to be repaired by the death of so many Martyrs) and [Page 51] the Heathens supposed, their Gods to drink wine, but never to eate any meate.

APOPHTH. 25.

THere was a great man in the KINGS Army, between whom and the house of Raglan, there was (at that time) animosity. The Marquesse of WGRCESTER had heard, that this party should cast a dubious saying, (as the case then stood) viz. That he, intended to take RAGLAN in his way, and was so farre as good as his word as that he marcht into the Parke, and there drew up his men, and fac'd the Castle; whereupon, the line was man'd and Command was given, that none should be suffered to come near the line (within such a distance) which Command was so observ'd, that some [Page 53] of the Officers of the Army (approach­ing within the place prohibited) the Centry bid stand: they did not, the Centry call'd upon them again, to stand: they refused, the Lieutenant call'd upon the Centry to give fire: the Centry (preferring the knowledge of his Friends before his Duty to his Officer, did not give fire; but swore, he would give fire if they did not stand: whereupon, one of them told him, that it was such a Generall, and wonder'd, that the Officer would bid the Souldier give fire upon him: the Generall forthwith, coming to the Draw-bridge, desir'd to speak with the Lord CHARLES: whom he no sooner saluted, but required satis­faction for the affront; he was desi­red to come into the Castle, and told that the matter should be examined before him, and if any affront were given, he should receive satisfaction: whereupon, being come within the [Page 54] Castle, the Lieutenant was sent for, who told the General, that though he knew him to be the General, yet (as a Souldier,) he was not to take any no­tice of him, untill such time as he had declar'd himself, which when he did, he respected him accordingly: fur­thermore, telling him, that he had been an old Souldier, and that he had in o­ther parts, seen rewards given unto Souldiers (who stood Centry) for firing upon their Generall, having the like occasions, but never knew it a fault before. All this would not serve turn, the Generall said he was affronted, and must have satisfaction, requiring my LORD to call a Councell of Warre, and to do him justice, and so took his leave, and went his way. The Marquess of WORCESTER sleep­ing upon his bed all this while, and not dreaming of any of all this that had happened in the interim, hearing the whole Relation, he asked all his [Page 55] Officers, whether or no the Lieutenant had offended? they all answered no, and commended him, for what he had done: then said the Marquesse, This is but a pretence, they have a mind to quarrel with us: If ye should call a Councell of Warre, and acquit him: that is it that they desire, and thence they would ground their quarrel, and if ye should inflict any punishment upon him, to give them satisfaction, that were basenesse and injustice: therefore I will have it thus, send a Guard with him, to the Generall, of such Souldiers as are able to witnesse the truth, and let him try him at his Coun­cell of Warre, and see what Law he hath for it, and so we shall break the neck of the quarrell: and so said the Lieutenant, I shall hang by the neck for my labour: whereat the Mar­quesse replyed, What friends hast thou in the Garison? The Lieutenant made answer, I have a Wife and a [Page 56] Daughter; then said the Marquess with some vehemence, I protest un­to thee, if they hang thee, Il'e mar­ry thy wise, and provide for thy Daugh­ter: The Lieutenant reply'd, I had rather you would marry my Daugh­ter, and provide for me. I protest, said the Marquesse, so I will, I will marry thy Daughter, and I will pro­vide for thee—an honourable grave, but you shall be hang'd first. My Lord, said the Lieutenant, shall I bespeake my grave? Thou shalt, said the Marquesse, then said the Lieu­renant, I will be laid in the vault in Raglan Church, between your Father, and your Grandfather, and I pray God I may be hang'd before I see you again: and so flung out of the roome, leaving my LORD in the merriest vaine, that ever I saw him: who remembring himself, sent him five peeces to beare his Charges. The Lieutenant [Page 57] being brought to the Generall, to Monmouth: The Generall dismis­sed him of his Guard, and sent him to Hereford, with an Oath at his heeles. that he would hang him, if there were no more men in Eng­land.

Then the Lieutenant cry'd out, this makes for us, I do but think how finely, I shall lie between the two old EARLES; and how fine­ly the old EARLE will lie between my Daughters two young leggs. The particulars hereof, being brought to the Marquesse, the Marquesse was not a little perplext, between feare of having his new Mistresse, and loosing his old Friend: which he had runne himself into, between jest, and earnest: The time was come, that the Marquesse was not so much merrier then we, hereto­fore; but we were as much merrie as he, upon the return of this [Page 58] newes. But the greatest sport of all, was, concerning the hopefull Lady Marquesse, who was ever and anon, inquiring and asking many questions, concerning the Marquesse, whom she never saw) what manner of man he was? how old? whether he went with a staffe or no? what was the reason he kept his Chamber so much, and did not come abroad some times? what Diseases he had? and how long agoe it was since his Lady dyed? with many other necessary questions to be asked, by a woman in her con­dition: sport enough there was for both the Garisons, Raglan and Here­ford: neverthelesse, it stood the Mar­quesse upon, to be sollicitous in the businesse, being sore prest, between two strong passions, love and pitty, Me he sends to sollicit the businesse, with instructions; whose telling me (never so often) that it was no laugh­ing matter, could not make me for­bear [Page 59] laughing. But having taken my leave, his Lordship call'd me back a­gain, and with a loud and angry voice said to me, tell the Generall, that if he hang my Lieutenant, I'le hang the Cen­try, for not giving fire upon him when he was bid: whereupon I said unto his Lordship, what doth he care how ma­ny you hang? God blesse us all (said the Marquesse) if he neither cares who he hangs, [of the Kings party] nor who o­ther folkes hang, for ought I know, he cares not, and they were all hang'd. So taking my second leave of the Mar­quess, and then my humble leave of the Lady Elizabeth, who fearing nothing more but that I would prove too good a Sollicitour for her good, I went to Hereford, and made some sport there, and so brought home the Lieutenant to his Wife and Daughter, who ever after was called my Lady Marquess.

APOPHTH. 26.

THe Marquesse would often say, That all the inconveniencies, that the frailty of humane nature, was inci­dent to fall into, ever happened, through the want of this consideration, had, at the end of every action, before ever we enter­prized, a beginning, viz. What then.

APOPHTH. 27.

HE was wont to say, That a plain dealing Friend, whose friendly Councel, was requited with choller, and disgust, was like a turfe, that (whilst a man bestowed breath upon it to inliven it) returnes thanks to the well-willer▪ by spitting fire in his face.

APOPHTH. 28.

WE were talking of an old drun­ken fellow, who (having us'd his body to disorder, in drinking all his life time, and at last giving it over) presently dyed. O [said the Marquess] if you take a brand out of the fire, that is thoroughly burnt, it will fall in peeces; but if you let it lie there still, it may re­maine a pritty while, before it turne to ashes.

APOPHTH. 29.

THe Marquess was a very devout man, and us'd prayer very much, and you should never see his closet doore open, but you might perceive he had been weeping, which he would en­deavour to conceale, by wiping his eyes; but he could never wipe away either the swelling, or the redness [as it was commonly observ'd by all the Servants, that had nearest relation to him, and indeed to all those, who had any familiarity with him] for after dinner, he admitted all Gentlemen in­to his presence, whom he would con­stantly entertain with a Chapter ei­ther out of the book of patience, or else out of Derxelius upon eternity, or out of an excellent Manuscript called, [Page 64] The love of God, which had 100. Chap­ters all upon that Subject, which he would read with such devotion, that often-times his teares would over­throw their bankes, which I having observ'd to be so frequently perform'd told him, I thought it did him much hurt. No [said the Marquess] This issue of the soule must not be stopt, if you knew but what a fire I have to quench, you would rather wish me to provide more water. Have you not such a saying in Scripture, that they who sowe in teares shall reap in joy? I wish that I could so weepe, all my life, that I might laugh in death, and sing in Heaven, and I were a happy man.

A [...]OPHTH. XXX.

I Was walking one day with his Lordship in a private walk that was about the round Tower: and there we spied where a bird had made her nest, whom we di­sturb'd from hatching her young ones and sitting upon her eggs: which act of nature my Lord compared unto the man­ner of the creation; for said he, God ha­ving made his nest the world, and brought forth his young at first unperfected, did by his spirit incubare and by his wings of providence spread over them he gave them life and power, and by his word he brake the shel, et sic pullu­lavit mundum.

APOPHTH. XXXI.

WE were talking upon occasion of Christs miracles; viz of his turning water into wine, and of the five loaves and two fishes, why (said the Mar­quesse) these miracles he works amongst us every day; but that they are so ordinary un­to us that we take no notice of them: God sends rain upon the earth: this water gets up into the vine: and the sappe of the vine-tree, [Page 66] God turneth into wine. And as few graines of Corne, as will make five louves (being sowed in the earth) will multiply, and increase to such advantage as will feed 5000 with bread; and two fishes will bring forth so many fishes, as will suffice so many mouthes.

APOPHTH. XXXII.

WE were discoursing before him, concerning the errour of the Ma­nichees, who held that there were two causes of heaven and earth, viz. that the good and white God, made the heaven and man, from the middle upward: and the black and evill God, was the effici­ent cause of the earth, and of man, from the middle downward. That was but a foolish Conceit (said the Marquess:) so Gods power and wisdom is shown and seen, as well in an Ant, as in an Elephant: as well in a worm as in an angell: so his Godhead and might appears, as well in the earth, as in the heavens: but methinks it had been (on my con­ceit) a pretty fancie, and not so far from truth or reason, if they had held, that heaven and earth had been man and wife, or male and female: seeing the heaven was made as the male part of the world, by whose influence, [Page 67] motion and dewes the earth as the female part thereof (out of her wombe) brings forth all ne­cessary and living Creatures.

APOPHTH. XXXIII.

THe Marquess, was of a disposition, allways inclining to charitable con­structions: which suffered him to want excuses or some cloake or other to throw over any mans imperfection. There was a Gentleman of high desert, who chanced in the Marquesses hearing to come under the lash of some mens Censures: Alas Gentleman said the Marques, will you have Corne to grow without chaffe? or light to be without its adjoyning darkenesse? or the sweetest hony without unsa­vory wax? or the pleasant wines or liquors, without their lees and dreggs? as soon shall corn grow without chaffe, as a man of his parts shall be free from vain glory: worthlesse chaffe keeps the corn warme, and vain glory fires him to all those brave atchievements: if you set a man on an horse let him have his spurrs.

APOPHTH. XXXIV.

THe Marques was one day reading us a Lecture of patience in our adversity: among the rest of those witty sayings which came from him, he told us, that there was nothing so bad but was good for some­thing, for (said he) if there were no silence, there would be no musick; for the suddain stops that are in musick, adde to the grace and perfection of the Art: ignorance, is a spur to knowledge: darkness, a pavilion to the Al­mighty: a Cabbin or drawn Chamber, for us to sleep in a Dungeon for the Judge to punish his Delinquents, and a foile for the Painter to make his shadowes: so are afflictions, good for our instructions; and adversities for our a­mendments.

APOPHTH. XXXV.

THere was an old rich Ʋsurer and for­nicator: who had a plot upon the bo­dy and estate, of a handsome young Widow & an inheritrix of an Estate, which this old miser thought, rather convenient, then great enough for him: wherefore having a mind, rather to enjoy, then have her: and knowing that she was in [Page 69] debt, courted her with offering to leave her monies, as an argument of his affecti­on, which she accepted of, offering to bind her Estate for the repayment: ho­ping that the tie of his person, would be a freedom of her Estate: thus with his mo­ney, he got his foot into her Estate, and by a false promise stept into her bed as of­ten as he had a mind to lie doubly, six yeares he stav'd her off, who bedstav'd him in, within her own sleeping-room: but at last, that she might be sure of the sub­stance: she urg'd him to the ceremony, and that so much, that at last he gave her a flat deniall; whereupon she denies him the former familiarity: he enters upon her Estate, and answers the kindness of her admittance of him into her own bed, with the discourse, of turning her out of her own doores: she makes the Marques her friend, declaring unto him how much she had been abus'd by him: and withall, that she was willing to pay him his money, but not the use of it, as he required: who thereby thought that he had struck her deep enough, for ever obtaining a recove­ry: the Marquess sent for this whore­son, and offer'd himself a mediator: the man was unwilling to that; yet knew [Page 70] not (well) how to deny him: which the Marquess perceiving, called him aside, and bid him get her to be bound with him in a bond of 500 pound, to stand to such an a­ward as he should make between them: promising him faithfully, that he would award him use upon use. O my Lord: if you do so, I shall be much oblig'd to your honour, and will be bound with all my heart: and will send you a couple of the bravest colts, and of your Lordships own breed, as any is in the Country: well, well, said the Marquess, let it be so then. All was done accordingly; and when the business was examined, and found to be as was before related, the Marquess made this award, viz. Sir, said he to the man, she hath had the use of your money so long, and you have had the use of her body so long: and there is use upon use; so I have allowed you what I promised; whereupon the poor man, lookt, as if he would have sunk down dead in the place; which the Marquess perceiv­ing, asked, why would you have both your prin­cipall and your interest? And reason good my Lord, said the fellow, why then, you shal have both, (said the Marquess) here take her; for if you will not take both in her, you shall take neither without her; for I award you, ei­ther [Page 71] to marry her forthwith, or else to loose both your principall and interest: could you have so little conscience, as to take so much consideration for the use of a little pie [...]e, and allow no consideration, both for the use and a­buse of such a creature as this, whose prefer­ment you have marr'd: whose credit you have taken away: and whose fortunes you (thus) go about to deprive her, and her children of? can you think a bond made before a Scrivener, and signed by such Witnesses, such a strong tie on your part? and do you think that such an obligation made to her, before such a publick not ary as God Almighty: and witnessed by men and Angels, should be no tie on her be­half? go, go, take her to you, and marry her, and let me hear no more of it; for if I do, you shall soone hear from me. The man being by this time school'd into some conformity, protested unto the Marquess, that if she had prov'd with child, he would have mar­ried her. O (said the Marquess) if that be all, Ile run a hazard, if she brings you no children: you shall pay me my two colts, but at the day of the birth of your first child. And thereupon he dismiss'd them who were soone after married.

APOPHTH. XXXVI.

IT was ordinary with the Marquess, to entertain discourse with every man, ac­cording to the condition and profession he was of: And most commonly from the beginning of his discourse, you should ne­ver know what the end would be; Taking delight to deceive the expectation of his auditor. Upon a time there was present­ed unto him a Lawyer, and he was in­form'd before hand, how excellent a man he was in his profession. The Marquess thought with himself, how he might pose him, and being brought in with other Gentlemen. After they had dined, he was presented unto the Marquess: Sir, (said the Marquess,) I have received a very good Character of you: they say, you are very learned in the Law: I would very fain aske you one question, any thing my Lord, said the Lawyer, that lies within my poor ability. I pray (said the Marquess,) who was the first man that ever had a Dedimus pote­statem granted unto him? The Lawyer was so confounded, that he knew not what to say, for a long time: at last he made a long and learned discourse, concerning the ori­ginall [Page 73] of that writ. And the Marquess gave him the hearing, but when he had done, He told him, that he came far short of the Origin thereof. For Adam was the first that ever had plenitudinem potestatis granted unto him, viz. when God gave him power to subdue the earth, and to have Dominion over every li­ving creature, the Lawyer thankt his Lord­ship, and told him, that he thought the Law, had not been so antient. Antient (said the Marquess) there was the beginning of all your Courts of Justice. But I see you are but a common Lawyer that cannot derive your pedegree from thence.

APOPHTH. XXXVII.

THere was a new married couple, pre­sented before the Marquess: the Bride a goodly, proper woman, her face well featur'd, an excellent eye she had; but was pittifull dis-figured with the small pox: the Marquess looking much upon her, and saying nothing to her a long while: we all know that silence was in labour for some notable production. At last, he advances toward the young Bride, and asked her, Gentlewoman, do you know, why it is said that God Almighty created man, and builded wo­man? the Gentlewoman somewhat out [Page 74] of countenance answered, no indeed my Lord: the Marquess asked her again, do you know why you (women) are called house­wives? I think my Lord, said the Bride, be­cause good wives should keep at home, and not gad abroad. It is a good answer (said the Marquess) but not the right: for women may be bad wives at home as wel as abroad: or else they would never scold their husbands out of doores. The answer to my first question is: wo­man is not said to be made, as Adam was, which onely signifies plain work; but to be built, which signifies curiosity, & contrivance: and therefore as to my second question; a wo­man is called a housewife, because she is a house, out of which all the Royal Families of Kings and Emperors, derive their extract; nether are you onely compared unto houses, but unto Cities Kingdoms, Churches and Com­mon-wealths: but do you know what house you are like? no indeed my Lord, said the Bride, why then Ile tell you, when God builded the first woman, he made her his Store-house, wherein he had laid up all the race of Man­kind, wherewith he replenished the whole earth; but I must tell you Lady, God Almigh­ty did not make you Coaches nor Waggons, that you should be alwayes gadding abroad: whereat the Bridegroom made answer, my Lord, I thank you for this, I hope my wife [Page 75] will remember it; my Lord, said the young Bride, you will read such a lecture to my husband, that he will never let me go a­broad; O Lady (said the Marq.) he must not debar you of that liberty, provided that you ne­ver go abroad but when you go out like the snaile, who seldom stirs abroad, but whilst that blessing (the dew of heaven) is upon her earth, that she may gather benefit, and by her great­est care, and equal management still carries her house upon her back: O my Lord (said she) If I should go abroad like the snaile, I should carry a house upon my back, and hornes in my forehead; No Lady, (said the Marquess) though she forkes at you, yet they are no hornes: the snaile can soon draw them in if you touch them, which no horned crea­ture can perform; but she carries them in her head, to teach you what you should provide, and bear in your mind, against you go to hay­making: but the Marquess fearing that he had a little displeased her, he thought to make her amends by this following dis­course. Sir, (said he, to the new Bride­groom) you know I have compared your wife unto a building, and I must commend your choice; for (said he, alluding unto her dis­fugurement) a goodly house, must not be cho­sen by the smoothness or whiteness of the wall: for such a one, may be but a dairy-house, or a [Page 76] milk-house: nor according to the colours or paintings of the out-side, for such a one may be but a Tavern or an Ale-house: but if I see a house that is lofty, and stately built, and have faire windowes, though the outside be but ruffcast, yet I am sure, there are goodly roomes within. And so both parties were well pleas'd.

APOPHTH. XXXVIII.

IT was told the Marquess, that such a Romane Catholike being sorely pressed to take the oath of supremacy, and being acquainted with another Gentleman, who was a Protestant, and so like unto him, that you could hardly distinguish them, whilst they were together, much lesse asunder: this Imago sui, as if nature had chosen him to be his representative, as the others part, (the right stone being pulled out, and a Counterfeit set in the right ring) and what with the likeness of his countenance, and the identity of apparel, he past for cur­rant, which jest my Romane thought so good, that he must needes brag of it to the Marquess; but the Marquess no way [Page 77] lik'd it, asking him, would you put another upon that which you would not do your self? what if the Devil (you two being so like one another) should mistake you for him? I assure you he would go neere to marre the conceit.

APOPHTH. XXXIX.

THe Marquess had an old Servant, one Redman; this man was so much his Lordships, that in all his lifetime (which for the most part was spent in his Lord­ships service) he was never heard to con­tradict his Lord in his opinion; but to eve­ry thing that his Lord should say, (right or wrong) he still would answer his Lord, I an't like your Lordship. It hap­pened that upon a time when the Marques was much divided within himself, and rackt by Councel, that this Redman be­ing in the Room, the Marquess chanced to ask Redman his opinion, (declaring his own) old Redman constant to his old re­solution, answered his Lordship according to his old wont; I an't like your Lordship; whereupon one that was by, who at that time was contrary to the Marques in his o­pinion, [Page 78] & not a little angry with this Red­mans cukcow play, was thus bold with his Lordship, my Lord you have a man here, that I dare say, should your Lordship say unto him, wel Redman, thou knowest how I have served God all my life, and now thou seest how he deales with me at last, in delivering me up into mine enemies hands: introth now Redman, we'le even change Masters, and serve the Devil, and see what good that will do us; and if Redman do not answer you, I an't like your Lordship I durst be hanged; whereat the Marquess reply'd no no, I do not think so: wouldst thou Redman? Redman either not hearing well what had been said, or else, more to follow his own Vote, then to take off Ob­jections, answered, ant' like your Lordship, I would even take that course, and let them all say what they would. The next day after the Castle was to be surrendred, and the Marquess had Commanded, that word should be brought him, when the General was entred the Castle, that he might meet him in the Hall, the Generall being entred the outward gate, this Redman came unto his Lord, and told him, An't like your Lordship, Sir Thomas is entred the Castle. The Marquesse being disposed to [Page 79] expresse an undauntedness in that revoluti­on of affaires, did in this merriment of beha­viour at that very instant reply. Redman (saith he, as he was going to meet the Ge­nerall) this is the end of all flatterers, to flat­ter us whilst we are in prosteritie, and then to jeer us as soone as ever we come into adversity. I protest my Lord, I speak, said Redman, really; he is comming. O Redman (said the Marquess) if thou speakest really, thou wouldst never make a question, whether it like me or no. Redman reply'd with a greater vehemence then before, I protest before God, an't like your Lordship, it is true. Looke you, (said the Marquess) Sir Tho­mas is no sooner entred the castle but he is turned protestant, and by this we could see through the window, the General with all his officers entring the outward Court, as if a flood-gate had been let open: which the Marquess perceiving asked Redman, how be thought that that could like him, and leaning towards me, whom he (then) leand upon as the Genenerall was advan­cing towards him, he said these words in my ear, let these men say what they will; and do what they can, we shall never be un­done till we be damn'd: which was a saying which he often used when he heard of any mans undoing.

APOPHTH. XL.

There was a very ingenious man, and a good artist, one Duckworth the Queens servant and Cabinet-maker this man fall­ing low under the Common calamity, I found in Oxford somewhat impoverished, whom I brought along with me to Rag­lan; supposing there might be some use made of him: he was no sooner there, but beholding the Cutting down of certain trees, which stood neer unto the Garison, & might be a shelter to the besiegers standing by some woodmen, who were selling down a maple-tree, the hatchet of one of the fellers chanc'd to strike out a chip of the excrescency thereof; which being natu­rally curld and singularly various both in shape and coulours, this Duckworth takes it up in his hand, saying, I will make my Lord Marquesse the finest Tobacco-box that ever he had in his life, and so did, and presented it unto his Lordship. The Mar­quess knew not whether it was wood or marble, nor any man else, nor what it was made of; all admire it; at last being told the particulars, the Marquesse when he had admir'd it sufficiently, gave him a [Page 81] piece, Duckworth told him that it was too much in regard that his Lordship found the Materials; what a grateful man is this (said the Marquess) to acknowledge a bene­fit which would have been nothing worth without his labour? and thereupon he began (as his custome was, to apply every thing to some divine and heavenly meditation) God Almighty gives every man a stock or measure of grace, which he must polish and improve by his own endeavours, for (Sir) had you brought me my chip as you found it, I would not have given you thanks.

APOPHTH. XLI.

NEver was there a noble house so pul'd down by Prophesies, usher'd into its ruin by predictions, and so lay'd hold upon by signes and tokens; I shall tell you no more but what I have both read and seen long before the fall of that proud fa­brick, which had the honour to fall the last of any that stood upon the tearmes of honour. There was an old book of Pro­phesies which was presented to the Mar­quess, because it so much concerned Rag­lan Castle. Wherein there were these pre­dictions, viz. That there should come an [Page 82] Earl that should first build a white gate before the Castle-house, and after that should begin to build a red one, but before that red one should be finished, there should be Wars over all the Land, this was fulfill'd in the Marquesses time, who having built the one, and begun the other by rea­son of the distractions of the time, left the later work unfinished; some standing re­quested his Lordship to make haste to fi­nish his red Gate-house, because we should have no quiet untill that were up. Hark ye said the Marquess, none shall prophecie so much money out of my purse in such times as these, besides the prophet doth not say until, but before, and for ought I know, if I should make haste with that building, I should hasten the War to my own door; for the Prophet sayes, that before the red Gate-house shall be finished, there shall be Wars over all the Land; but what if I had built neither the one nor the other, how would this Prophesie have concern'd me? O my Lord, said one, it is done, and you could not otherwise chuse but do what you did, I but (said the Marquess) I can chuse whether I wil believe the Prophet.

Another Prophecie there was, that the King should lose a great battle, and after­wards [Page 83] fly to Raglan, the enemy should pur­sue him, and then should leave the Castle, and that then the Enemy should besiedge and put fire to the Castle-wall, which was fulfilled, for they burnt the Castle: Also of an Eagle that should come into the Park, and be there slain, which should be a fore­runner to the destruction of that house. Which I saw literally perform'd, but ex­ecuted by one who heard not of the pro­phesie: Also of a Cloud of Bats that should hang over the Castle a little before its demolishment, this three dayes before, all the Castle beheld to their no small a­stonishment. Which continued about a quarter of an hour, about twilight, so thick, that you could not towards the middle of them, see the skie, though clear, which being shot at with haile-shot, some of them fell down, and the rest fled away: the Marquess being told of this, he asked what those kind of Creatures might signi­fie? some about him told him, that they were emblems of ruin and desolation. He asked if they were all gone? it was told him that they were; whereupon the Marquess asked us whether or no the Ene­my had begirt us round? it was answered, that they had: then said the Marques; I am [Page 84] glad of it; for then these emblems of ruin cannot fly a way from us, but they must fly over some of their heads.

But the strangest Prophesie of all, if you will pardon the digression, both for signi­fication and accomplishment, is this which I shal set down unto you in terminis, which I read before I saw it in this book 14. years before the War, craving pardon of the English Reader, for troubling him with so much Welch, whilst I intend a serene to those who understand both languages, viz.

I shall endeavour howsoever to let you understand it, but then I must crave par­don of my Country-men if I do it not well.

Fabanne as it is one word signifies a ba­by, so that Coronog fabanne thus taken, sig­nifies a Crowned Baby, which made many to expect how that it should be fulfilled in K. James his time, because he was crowned in his Cradle; but as you make two words [Page 85] of it, fab which signifies a son, and Anne the proper name of a woman, Coronog fab Anne, signifies the Crowned son of Anne; King Charles whose two elder Brethren were never Crowned: this Crowned son is prophesied to have his teeth pull'd out of his head, or to be lead by the teeth (for as I take it, the Welch bears both significa­tions) all the Kindom over, or from the center to the uttermost circumferences thereof: This Crowned son, this Prophet tels us, shall be at first, or in his younger years, deemed to be none of the wisest, but in his latter years, ve lath a bwyalth, which is an expression so copious and e­nigmatical, for it deciphers him and his condition several wayes, and may be taken in several kinds, for first it signifies a man that is, and as we commonly say, a no­table kil-cow, or a man that bears down all before him with the weight of his ar­gument and acuteness of wit, like a man that laies about him with a battlear bear­ing down all before him, or else it signi­fies otherwise, and the words wil bear the sence as well, ve lath a Bwyalth, that is, he shall be slain with an Ax.

APOPHTH. XLII.

THe time being come, that the pro­phesie of Henry of Windsor must now fit the fatal destiny of Henry of Rag­lan, (like a Thunder-bolt that splits down­ward, from the higher to the lower branch of the same Tree) viz. that he should live long and loose all: that Garrison had the honour to make good the reare hope for a time, when the main body of the whole Kingdom, was quite forlorne. And in her last fortunate and succesful sally, (like a dying taper) to make one great blaze be­fore she went out. In which exploit, some of her Gentlemen, were so gallant, as to bring home, (as Trophies of her Victories) colours, which were no sooner unshrivel'd, but they spread (together with them­selves) the praises of their takers; these being presented to the Marquess, he turned away his face: saying, these are no natural colours: they are but borrowed, intimating how unnatural the war was, and how soon these colours must be restor'd.

APOPHTH. XLIII.

THere was a young and beautiful Lady, who was showing the Marquess that the colours that hung upon such a Tower, was one of the Curtains of her bed. To which my Lord reply'd, Madam: I would you would set the little boy, (that uses to stand behind that Curtain) on the top of that Tower. That we may see, whether or no, he would drive away all those men with his Bow and Arrowes: to which the Lady reply'd, Cupid never rais'd a siedge in his life; but he hath taken many a strong-hold, then said the Marquess, I will tell you how you shall make yours impregnable, how my Lord? (said the Lady,) the Marquess said unto her, whensoever you see a handsome young man be sure you shut your eyes or else he will take the fort of your Virginity, flying in at your windowes.

APOPHTH. XLIV.

THere was an old Servant of my Lords, who would needs make a young Cap­tain, and at last took an opportunity, to shew himself an arrant Coward; this Cap­tain upon a time was to command a party [Page 88] to go out, to make a mock-sally, but as soone as ever he came within sight of the enemy, he squatted upon his belly, behind the refuse of an old Brick-kill, for which his behaviour, he was laughed at suffici­ently, after that he came into the Castle: some there were who told this unto the Marquess, who (being willing to bring his old Servant off, with better credit, then he had brought off himself) told the in­formers, I thought I had heard you say, that it was a mock-sally, to which they an­swered that it was so, then (said the Mar­quess,) if it was but a mock-sally, he can be but a mock-coward, if you had bin in earnest, it may be, he would not have plaid the foole.

APOPHTH. XLV.

THere was a Roman Catholike who had bin converted to the Protestant Religion (and giving the Marquess of Worcester a visit) the Marquess questi­on'd him (very seriously) concerning his revolt, and the ground of his desertion, the convertite told him that the ground of his departure from the Church of Rome, was, because she had departed from her self. You say very well, (said the Marquess) [Page 89] but how do you prove that? to which demand the convertite made this reply, viz. The Scriptures tell me so: whereupon the Marquess called for a Bible, giving com­mand it should be a Bible Cum privilegie Regis, which being brought unto him, he said unto the Gentleman I will see whether it will tell me any such thing, and (holding it in his hands a pretty while) at last he o­pened the Bible, and held it open as long: then, he protested unto the foresaid Gen­tleman, that the Bible told him no such matter, and that he believed it to be so full of truth and sincerity, and that it respected the salvation of mens souls so much, that if there were any such thing, it would (in charity (with which it was so fully fraught) do no less then acquaint him also with it: to which the Gentleman re­ply'd; my Lord, it is not the letter, cover, or paper, that tels me so, it is the sence and meaning, I cry you mercy (said the Marquess,) who shall be judge of that mean­ing, you or I? to whom the Gentleman gave his Lordship this answer, he who comes nearest to the truth. Then (said the Marq:) how shall we know who comes nearest the truth? we shall know that (said the Gen­tleman) by the word it self; I have told you [Page 90] (said the Marquess) that the word it self saies nothing▪ then (said the Gentleman) there is a perswasive spirit, that directs eve­ry man, and leads them into all truth, who are seekers of her, meerely for love of her self, Indeed (said the Marquess) I have heard of such a Sect that is newly sprung up, which go under the name of Seekers, but I had rather be on the finders side; to which the Gentleman made answer, Seek and ye shall find; to which my Lord reply'd, you must have day-light or candle-light, or else your own eyes will do you no good; the Gentle­man made answer, that Christ was so easi­ly to be found of all that sought him, that if we did but groap after him we should find him: I (said the Marquess) You say well, but not when there is a light in the room: and thereupon the Marquels entred into a large discourse, perswading the Gentle­man to return to his Mother again, whose armes were alwayes open, ready to im­brace all that should return into her bo­some, to whom the Gentleman thus spake: my Lord, if I should turn now, I shall be despised on all sides, by the Pro­testants, because I have left them: by the Papists, because I sometimes left them too, and they will repose no confidence in me hereafter, fearing that I may do the like [Page 91] again: O (said the Marquess) if that be all, then all is nothing, for what can any man say more to you then thus? you have been abroad, and you are come home again.

APOPHTH. XLVI.

THe Marquess had a Daughter whose mind gave her to be a Nun, thinking to make choice of such alover as no way regarded any bodies imperfections so the mind was streight, the Marq; fearing that she might ground her resolutions upon this discontent, told her, Daughter, if thou runn'st thy head into a Nunnery, because thy shoulder is a little out, I'le strike it in with a bagge of money, that shall make thee as streight as any of thy Sisters; but if thou dost wedde thy self out of pure af­fection to thy Saviour, I shall think my self happier in thee, then in all my Chil­dren besides, that he thought me worthy of being Father unto such a Child, that should dedicate her self so wholly unto Christ: She asked her Father how much he would have given her in marriage, if she had otherwise resolved, and should marry to his liking, telling him, that she did not aske him that [Page 92] question, because she had any such thoughts in her, but that the husband to whom she had vow'd her self a spouse, should take notice of what profers she had refused for his sake; by this meanes the Marq; told her not with the least, then said she unto her Father; Sir, I am going where I shall never see you more, nor ne­ver ask you for any thing hereafter: there­fore I beseech you to grant me this one request, which is: that the portion which you were willing to give me, if I should marry, you will not grudge me as my dower, to bring to such a husband, who is my Lord and Saviour: the Marq; per­ceiving himself caught, gets out of the gin in this manner, Daughter (said he) the hus­band you talk of, will make you a very fair joynture without any portion at all but your self, he wants no money; give him your heart, and he is satisfied.

APOPHTH. XLVII.

THe Marquess had taken a new Servant to wait upon him, who had the ill luck, to think himself wiser then he was thought by others, in so much, that upon an occasion, he told the Manquess, that he was not wise in such a thing, and that [Page 93] if he were as the Marquess, he would do so and so, the Marq; hearing him, made him this gentle reply, Truly if I knew where to find a Servant that were wiser then his Ma­ster, I would give gold for such a one; but to have a Servant that thinks himself wiser then his Master, I would not give a rush: and therefore Sir, I pray provide for your self, for you are not for my turn, and so dismis'd him.

APOPHTH. XLVIII.

MY Lord Herbert of Raglan (eldest Son to the Marq;) came into Raglan Castle, attended with 40 or 50 Of­ficers, and Commanders: and his business with his Father being about procuring from the old man more money for the King, the L. Herbert in his request unto his Father, (unhappily and unawares) chanced to use the word must: which his Father (the Marquess) laying hold on, asked him, must you? I pray take it, and threw him the keyes of his Treasury, out of his pocket: whereat his Son was won­derfully out of countenance, and abasht, (being otherwise ever a dutiful and re­spectful Son to his Father) reply'd; Sir, the word was out before I was aware, I do [Page 94] not intend to put it in force, I pray will you put up your key again: To which the Marquess returned his Son these words, Truly Son, I shall think my keyes not safe in my pocket, whilst you have so many Swords by your sides, nor that I have the Command of my house, whilst you have so many Officers in it, nor that I am at my own dispose, whilst you have so many Commanders. My Lord (reply'd the Son,) I do not intend that they shall stay in the Castle, I mean they shall be gone: I pray let them (said the Marquess,) and have a care that must do not stay behind. Whereat (after that my Lord Herbert was gone out of the room) there were some who (as mannerly as they could) blam'd the Marquess for his too much severity to his Son, after that he had seen him express so much of sorrow for that over slip; whereupon the Marquess reply'd, Harke ye, if my Son be dejected, I can raise him when I please; but it is a question if he should once take a head, whe­ther I could bring him lower when I list: Ned was not wont to use such courtship to me, and I believe he intended a better word, for his Father; but must was for the King.

APOPHTH. XLIX.

MY Lord Herbert, after that he had sufficiently exhausted his Father, by all the meanes he could possibly use, for his Majesties relief, and had taken up all his Fathers moneys far and near, where he could either prevail with force or argu­ment; he chanced to hear of a sum of mo­ney to the value of 6000l. which the Mar­quess had committed to the Lord John (his Son) his care & trusty preservation abroad; this money, my Lord Herbert happened to hear of, and acquaints the King there­with, ingaging the King in the business, and tells the King, that if he would send for his brother the Lord John, to come un­to him, and would say but thus and thus unto him, that he would undertake, he might have the 6000 l. the Kings occasi­ons were then urgent (being then before Glocester, & hard pinch'd for lack of mony) through My Lord Herberts perswasion, my Lord John was sent for, came; and the business took effect, the King promising to repay it by such a time: when time and suspition perswaded the Marquess to call in this money; excuses made delaies for a time, but at last all excuses [Page 96] being set apart, by importunity: the Mar­quess wisht his Son John to go and fetch the money, or else never to see his face a­ny more; part of which injunction the Lord John performed, but never the other. Not long after the Lord Herbert coming to his Father, his Father receiv'd him with wonted (but unexpected) chearfulness: it so happened that my Lord Herbert be­gan to excuse himself unto his Father, con­cerning this business; on whom the Fa­ther bestowed this language: Son, I pray save your self the labour, for I do not blame you at all, neither am I angry with you; for I never trusted you with the money: I love no man the worse for following his profession; and you have made it your profession (all along) to deceive your Father, to help the King, but I do not love a man that will take away another mans profession from him, and deceive his own Father of his money, and his brother of his calling.

APOPHTH. L.

WHen it was told the Marquess that some would warrant him, that if he would, he might be Duke of Somerset; he made them this reply: When I was Earl of Worcester, I was well to live: since I was a [Page 97] Matquess I am worse by one hundred thousand pound, and if I should be a Duke, I should be an arrant beggar: Wherefore I had rather (if I might) go back again to my Earldome, then at this rate keep on my pace, to the Dukedome of Sommerset.

APO. LI.

AT the beginning of this Parliament, there were certain rusticks who came unto Raglan Castle, to search the Castle for Armes, my Lord being a Papist, the Marquess met them at the gate, and with a stern countenance, demanded of them what they would have: they somewhat daunted at his presence, told his Lordship that they were come to search his house for Armes, the Marquess told them, surely no, they were come to take the Castle, and all that was in it; they told him not, then he ask­ed them, why they did disarm him, if they did not intend to take away his money, they said be­cause he was a Recusant, the Marquess told them, that he was a Peer of the Realm, and no convict Recusant, and therefore the Law could not in reason take notice of any such thing, and demanded of them, whether or no they had been in any such authority before? they answer­ed, [Page 98] no: then (said the Marquesse with a loud voice) Ile make you before I go hence—and (as if some desperate and cautious resolution had kept back some words which might have discovered some design before that he had brought them to the place of execution) there making a stop, calling upon them to come along; The fillie people amaz'd and full of horrour hung back, and asked the Marquesse, what my Lord? what will you make us do? shew your Commission (said the Marquesse) they glad it was no worse, told the Mar­quesse that they were satisfied, but I am not satisfied (said the Marquesse) for now you are come you shall search, if your Lordship will have us search (said the searchers) we will, but otherwise we will take your word. O I thank you heartily (said the Marquesse) but pray come along; they followed him, but knew not what to think on't, nor what should become of them following the Marquess, as if they had desir'd that his Lordship should have shown them the Ca­stle, rather then as if they went with any authority to search for any Armes that were there, the Marquess still asking them if they had a mind to search here or there, they still answering his Lordship, no, no, [Page 99] my Lord, we know you mean no hurt, ne­ver asking him which was the way to the Armoury or the like, at length the Mar­quess brought them over the high bridge that archt over the moat that was between the Castle and the great Tower, wherein the Lord Herbert had newly contriv'd cer­tain water-works, which when the se­veral engins and wheels were to be set a going; much quantity of water through the hollow conveyances of the aquaeducts, were to be let down from the top of the high Tower, which upon the first entrance of these wonderfull Asinegoes; the Mar­quess had given order that these cataracts should begin to fall, which made such a fearful and hideous noise, by reason of the hollownesse of the Tower, and the neighbouring ecchoes of the Castle, and the waters that were between and round them both, that there was such a roaring, as if the mouth of hell had been wide open and all the devils had bin conjur'd up, that the poor silly men stood so amaz'd, as if they had been half dead, and yet they saw nothing; at last as the plot was laid, up comes a man staring and running, crying out before he came at us, look to your selves my masters, for the Lions are all [Page 100] got loose; whereupon the searchers gave us such a loose, that they tumbled so o­ver one another down the stairs, that we thought one half of them had broken their neeks, never looking behinde them, till they were sure they had got out of sight of the Castle.

APO. LII.

WHen General Fairfax came into the Leaguer before Raglan, and had sent us Propositions, wherein all the Officers and Souldiers were offered fair conditi­ons, but none at all for the Marquess: we thinking it a thing so unanswerable and dishonourable in our own opinions, as to deliver it upon such conditions, were resolved to stand it out, to the last; which resolution of ours, begat in us an expe­ctation of a storm; which expectation of ours, was improv'd, by some intelli­gence which we had to that purpose: which the Marquess having notice of, call'd all his Officers before him, and made this Speech unto them.

‘Gentlemen, I have somewhat to say to you, which it may be you may take for a complement; but this is no time [Page 101] for complement: I understand that you expect (this night) to be storm'd; where­fore I have called you before me; and do make it my suit unto you, that ra­ther then this storm should be raised for my sake, onely (which must be so, seeing that you are all offered large Articles for your selves) that I may be the Jonas to be cast over board, rather then that ye all should perish; for I have but a little old, and cold blood running in my veines, which is not worth the effusion of so much precious and youthfull blood, as is running in yours: and therefore you shall do me a pleasure, and your selves a benefit if you grant me my request:’ To which it was answered by all, that the tearmes were not honourable, whereat the Marquess reply'd;

‘Non ponebat enim rumores ante salutem, was the maxime of a Souldier as much as any thing;’ but being denied his re­quest, the Officers all told him, that they would all dye to a man, but they would have like Artiles for him, as for themselves: to which in mild tearms and Princely gra­vity, he told them: I do not like that way of imbalming, neither to be serv'd up to my eternity, as a thing newly taken out of the sowse of so many friends blood.

APO. LIII.

WHen the Garison was surrendred and the Generall had entred the Castle, the Marquesse met him in the Hall, and (asking which was he) the Marquess sa­luted him thus: Sir, I hear you are a man of you word, that was it that took the Castle: other­wise, had you been never so tall a man of your hands, you should have stay'd a little while longer, before we had bid you welcome: the Generall told his Lordship, that knowing him to be a man of honour, he thought him­self oblig'd to make that journey, on pur­pose to see his Lordship fairly dealt with, according to Articles, and to be delivered into civil hands: the Marquess reply'd, I thank you for your curtesie, but I wish that you had let it alone untill some other time, for there was no haste.

APO. LIV.

AFter much Conference between the Marquess and the General, wherein many things were requested of the General by the Marquess, and being (as he thought himself) happy in the obtainment, his [Page 103] Lordship was pleased to make a merry Pe­tition unto the General, as he was taking his leave, viz. in the behalf of a couple of pigeons which were wont to come to his hand, and feed out of it constantly: in whose behalf he desired the General; that he would be pleased to give him his pro­tection for them, fearing the little com­mand that he should have over his Soul­diers in that behalf, to which the General said, I am glad to see your Lordship so merry: O (said the Marquess) you have gi­ven me no other cause, and as hasty as you are, you shall not go, untill I have told you a story. There were two men going up Holborn in a cart to be hang'd, one of them being very merry and jocund, gave offence unto the other, who was as sad and dejected, in so much as that the down-cast man said unto the other, I wonder brother you can be so frolick, considering the businesse we are going about: tush answered the other, thou art a fool, thou went'st a theeving, & never thought'st what would become of thee: wherefore being all of a suddain surpriz'd, thou fallest into such a sha­king f [...]t, that I am ashamed to see thee in that con­dition, whereas I was resolv'd to be hang'd, be­fore ever I fell to stealing, which is the reason, that (nothing happening strange or unexpected) I go so compos'd unto my death. So (said the [Page 104] Marquess) I resolv'd to undergo whatsoever (even the worst of evil) you were able to lay up­on me, before ever I took up Armes for my Sove­raign; and therefore wonder not that I am so merry.

APO. LV.

THere was a Colonel (whose civility in other respects, deserves to have his name unmentioned) who came unto the Marquess (after the Castle was delivered) at the first as not remembering himself a Conquerour, whom the Marquess recei­ving as not forgetting himself to be Lord of Raglan, untill such time as the Colonel desired reparation of certain losses which he had sustained by his son Glamorgan, the Marquess pray'd him not to call him to account for other folkes, for he had enough to do to answer for himself: hereat the Colonel clapt his hat upon his head, and sate himself down in a chair of State, which was upon my Lords right hand, which the Marquess ob­serving, gently said unto one of his ser­vants, I pray reach him the footstool.

APO. LVI.

WHen the Marquess of Worcester was brought up to London, and was com­mitted to the Black-rod, he asked me, now what have they done with me? I answered, they have committed your Lordship to the Black-rod, his Lordship presently made me this reply: I had rather be under the Black­rod, then under a black cloud.

APO. LVII.

WHen it was told his Lordship not ma­ny hours before he dyed, that leave was obtained by the Parliament, that he might be buried in Windsor Castle: (where there is a peculiar for the family) within the great Chappel, and wherein divers of his Ancestors lies buried) with some sprightlinesse he spake aloud, God bless us all! why then I shall take a better Castle when I am dead, then they took from me whilest I was alive.

APO. LVIII.

A Little before he dyed, lie fell into many heavenly ejaculations, and Divine ra­ptures (as those who knew him b [...]st, knew those things to be but ordinary with him, and therefore no wonder that they would not leave him, till death had set Divine meditations to close his eyes) and in that intervall of deaths pangs (which we use to call a lightning before death) he hap­pened (as if his pious soul (like a candle going out) had made one great blaze) to speak these words a little before he dy­ed, to those who were about him. I pray rejoyce with me you that love me, and thank God for it: I have my liberty, my health, and my deliverance, from all mine enemies grant­ed unto me: and thereupon he paused, as if he expected (some body to speak to him, which being understood by one who was nearest unto him, he asked, how so my Lord? to which he returned this answer, My soul shall shortly have her liberty from the prison of my body, my health shall be my salva­tion, and the riddance of mine enemies, shall be my Saviours deliverance from all my sins; and thereupon he fell into a kind of laugh­ter, [Page 107] such an one as might become a dying man, transported with inward joy, and entring into his triumph over death, and said, Lord bless us, what a fearfull thing was this Black-rod? when I heard of it first: it did so run in my minde, that it made an affliction out of mine own imaginations: but when I spoke with the man, I found him a very civil Gen­tleman, but I saw no Black-rod; so if we would not let these troubles and adversities of ours, be made worse by our own apprehensions, no Rods would be black.

APO. LIX.

I Had procured for the Marquess of Wor­cester (being a Commissioner for the sur­render of Raglan Castle) these Articles in his behalf, viz. that he should have his li­berty to march and sail away with all his goods and necessaries to any part of land beyond the Seas, and that he should have under the Generals hand, pas­ses granted unto him, both by Land and Sea, with carts by Land, and waftage by Sea, and Convoies by both, paying the ordinary rates, and that in regard that he was an excepted man, a cessation from arms and work was agreed upon for se­ven [Page 108] dayes, in which time an Ordinance of Parliament was to be obtain'd for the ra­tification of the foresaid Articles; but it seemes the Marquess had let some insinu­ations of the enemy, batter his wisdome, where it lay not so well fortified as it should be, against so prevailing an enemy as covetousnesse, for if he had any fault it was that, and if any weaknesse it was that, which was rather incident to his age then him, suspition, these two agreed very well together (like fire and charcole that makes a most excellent fire to consume themselves) and destroy the subject of their residence, in quo quis peccat in eo puni­tur, beware of covetousnesse and suspect­ing your friends, for this wise man lost himself, and made shipwrack of his wis­dome, even in the Harbour after so long a voyage as threescore and sixteen years tossement upon the waves of this trouble­some world, and lost so great a bottome, and so goodly a fraught, as Raglan and all that was within her, out of a meer itching humour of getting in with that very tide: for it was that faction (that common disease that had spread it self through all the parts of the Kings Army) had now play'd his last prize, so that the ears that [Page 109] had let in so much wisdom all along, were now at last stopt with poyson so, that he could not hearken unto the advise of his best friends, after that the subtile instru­ments of his worst enemies had perswa­ded him to acts tending to his own ruine and destruction, for (the place appoint­ed for the Treaty being at one Oates his house, a place indifferent between Raglan Castle, and the General Fairfax his Quar­ters then at Ʋske) the Marquess of Worcester had caus'd a spie to creep into such a part of the house appointed for the Treaty, that he might supervise and hear all our words and actions (being drawn thereunto ra­ther by profer'd service then cause of jea­lousie) whereby insinuation had now got some advantage of ground whereon to place its engine, for this fellow after that we had concluded upon the fore-said Arti­cles (with much insistance) the Commissi­oners for the General as their last arrow, chanced to shoot this unlucky shaft which hit the mark they aim'd at, for they desired us notwithsanding al these procurements, that we would perswade my Lord to throw himself upon the mercy of the Par­liament, and that if he would do so it should be better for him, and that the Ge­nerall [Page 110] should mediate for him in his be­half, that he might have some allowance out of his Estate, whereby he might live like himself; also there was an overture of a Petition to be drawn by the Com­mittee of the County in his behalf, which should declare unto the Parliament how little hostility he had used until such time as he was provoked within the pales of his own Park, and that he never gathered any Contribution from the Country, but paid the Souldiers of his Garison out of his privy purse, &c. all which and more they might very justly have done, if it had bin possible they could have been so honest; the truth whereof made the poor Marquess the more confident of the reality: all this we thought not fit to acquaint the Mar­quess with upon our return, lest delusion should get into that ear that was too o­pen for such a reception, and pester and infect the clearness of his judgement with the evaporation of an apple out of Pale­stine: the non-performance whereof, this man makes to the Marquess, a failing of trust, and a falling short of duty in us, and withall, puts a jealousie into the Mar­quess of his own childrens, and some o­thers, resolution to carry him away by [Page 111] virtue of these Articles, and then to use him as they listed, and do wirh him what they pleased, and therefore it were better for him to throw himself upon the Parliament, who cannot possibly be so unreasonable as not to let him have what he might have had without them, whatsoever more that he was sure of, to dispose of as he list: and all this was to the end, that if he could cause distrust to be given to his own children and his faithful friends, he and such as he should have the secret conveyance of most of his money, plate and jewels, which they had; for the Marquess following their councels, threw himself upon the mercy of the Parliament, which was no other­wise then as is before related, which being once done, the trustees never saw his Lord­ship more, but sent him word that they were bound in Bonds for his sons in as much as that came unto, and now [...]hey had the means in their hands, they would save themselves harmlesse: Thus Kings may be lost by their too much goodnesse, and wise-men may be overthrown by over­wisdome, the Marquess by such hard usage on all sides, being brought so near his end, asked us what was the name of the [Page 112] place where they had brought him, it was an­swered Covengarden, he demanded of us, what we thought of Fortune-tellers? it was an­swered, that some of them spake shrewdly: It was told me (said he) by some of them before ever I was a Catholike, that I should dye in a Covent, but I never believed him before; yet I hope you will not bury me in a garden: and directing his speech to me in particular, he desired me that I would go to the Generall and tell him how it was with him, and that now he was not in a condition of desiring any earthly favour, or making use of any humane mercy, yet in regard that the General had engaged himself in some particulars concerning him, which he was confident he did perform on his part, but was a­bused in that the bare Articles of the surrender of his house were only delivered into the Parliament and not his letter, which should have signified the Articles which he waved, throwing himself upon their mercy, that he would be pleased to have some respect unto his own honour, lest that should suf­fer with him, and that he would certifie the house of Lords how ill he had been used, and that their favours might reach to that if it went no further, that he might dye a freeman. I did this mes­suage to the General, whom I found touch'd with a sence of true Nobility, ha­ting those false dealings, and sorrowing [Page 113] for his Lordships hard usage, both which procured from him, a Letter to the House of Peers, which testified unto them the truth of all the particulars required; which Letter was read in the House, but all the mercy or justice it procured to the Marquess, or respect to the General, was, that they carped at the Generals writing unto them, and not coming himself being he was in Town: and wondring that he should offer to call him Marquess and not Earl of Worcester, & so flung off all further considerations with this only satisfacti­on; that they knew as much before: where­fore let no man pitty their fall, though their Lordships were al set up like so many dumb statues in the House of Commons; but when the Marquess had an account of all the passages, O (said he) when the noblest & highest element courts the noise of the waves, the truest Emblem of the madness of the people, and when the highest region stoops unto the low­er, and the lowest gets up into the highest seat, what can be expected but a Chaos of confusion and dissolution of the universe? I do believe that they are so near unto their end, that as weak as I am there is Physick to be had, if a man gold find, to prolong my days, that I might out-live their honours.

APO. LX.

A Little before he died (reflecting upon the Articles which he had wav'd, upon the surrender of Raglan into the Parlia­ments hands) Ah Doctor (said he) if I had made use of those Articles which you had procu­red in my behalf, I had not been now so near un­to the end of my life, & the beginning of my hap­piness: I for sook life, liberty and estate (which I might have had) and threw my self upon their mercy; which when I had done, if, to seize up­on all my goods, to pull down my house, to sell my estate, and to send for up, such a weak body as mine was, so enfeebled by diseases, in the dead of Winter, and the winter of mine Age, be mer­cifull; what are they whose mercies are so cruell? neither do I expect that they should stop at all this; for I fear that they will persecute me after death. You tell me (that when I am dead) you will petition the Parliament for money to bury me; then will they appoint those, who will dispose of the time, and manner of my Buriall; and you shall see, that they (being it is so near this good time) will cause me to be buried according to the Directory: In spight of Christmas day: upon Christmas, and so they did.