And that our most gracious Sovereign standeth in highest favour with Almighty God doth not only appear by the innumerable blessings poured from heaven upon him and upon his kingdoms for his sake, by the special providence and care God hath always had of his sacred person by protecting and delivering him from his enemies.

Again, I will call His Majesty the best King for that he is a most just King, and justice is the best of all kingly virtues; and for that also he is a most bountiful King, resembling therein the Divine goodness, ever spreading and communicating his riches unto others, which we must needs remember in this kingdom; for we cannot forget it without ingratitude, since we all know that His Majesty doth not only expend the whole revenue of this land upon itself, but spares yearly out of England a great mass of treasure to support the extraordinary charge thereof, out of which the greater number of us here present, by entertainments, pensions, or rewards, do taste every day of His Majesty's bounty.

Lastly, His Majesty ought to be called the best King, as well for his sweet inclination to peace, whereby he doth make happy both his own dominions and also his neighbour kingdoms round about him, as for his singular piety and religion towards God, which is the best and highest praise that can be given to any Prince.

But I should launch forth into a main sea that hath neither bottom nor shore if I should proceed further in the praise of such a Prince, whose worthiness exceeds all degrees of comparison. It is a theme too high and too large for me to handle; it becometh me better to give thanks than praise.

And, therefore, I will conclude with most humble thanks, first unto Almighty God for giving us such an excellent King; then unto our most gracious King for appointing us so worthy a Deputy; and lastly, unto our noble Deputy for all his good services and endeavours, tending so much to the honour of God and the King and the general good of the whole kingdom.

And now I descend unto these humble petitions which I am to make, &c.

(Wherein he most humbly requesteth that the ancient rights and privileges of the House of Commons, in freely delivering their speech and minds and of being free from arrests, as well themselves as their servants, during the time of Parliament, might be kept whole and untouched; and if that in anything not well by them understood they should happen to offend, he requesteth eave, as well for himself as for the rest, to have access unto his Lordship.)

A DESCRIPTION

OF

IRELAND

BY

FYNES MORYSON,

SECRETARY TO THE LORD MOUNTJOY, THEN LORD DEPUTY.

1600-1603.