and advice. Thou art more happy than other Kings, thou art freed from hate and so from fear, thou reignest quietly, and rulest securely thou hast but one enemy, and thou hast an enemy for that enemy, the dog and wolf. He that was God's second best beloved was a shepherd and a King; if thou art a shepherd thou art a King, thou art happy, nay, thou art most happy, thou art a happy King.

24 March 1602.-This morning about three at clock her Majesty departed this life mildly like a lamb, easily like a ripe apple from the tree, cum leve quadam febre, absque gemitu. Dr Parry told me that he was present, and sent his prayers before her soul; and I doubt not but she is amongst the royal saints in Heaven in eternal joys.

THE

WALTER YONGE

'HE 2nd of August, 1626, anno 2 Caroli Primi, there was a general fast commanded by proclamation, that all people should assemble to their parish church and humble themselves before the Lord, desiring him to avert his punishment of the plague, which lieth heavy upon many parts of the Kingdom, and to defend us from the swelling pride of Spain. This day some of Newmarket beyond London going to church, met with eight of their neighbours which were going to reap, whom they demanded what they meant, and whether they would not turn back with them to the church to join with the congregation in prayer and fasting, that God's wrath might be averted from the land. These eight answered that they could not live by fasting and prayer, and went on in their intended course. The 4th of August, being the Friday, these eight went into the field to reap, and being there (it being a champaign country, not enclosed) there suddenly came a great storm of thunder and lightning. These having no shelter, seven of them covered themselves with sheaves; the eighth stood it out, and was smitten dead. Fire seized on the sheaves where the others lay, and burnt them, and so

scorched three of them, that they died also; the other four were so affrighted that they all ran mad and distracted. See here God's hand upon the contemners of his ordinances.

Further, it's to be observed how troublesome and wet a harvest we had before that time, in so much that people were scarce able to save their hay, and some were not able to take up their grass fourteen days after it was cut. Presently the day of the fast the weather waxed clear, and from that day fair weather came in and continued all the time of corn harvest, as all people generally in the realm know, and many have observed.

JOHN SMITH

THE SIEGE OF REGALL

THE `HE Christians encamped, but spent near a month in entrenching themselves, and raising their mounts to plant their batteries. Which slow proceedings the Turks often derided, that the ordnance were at pawn, and how they grew fat for want of exercise; and fearing lest they should depart ere they could assault their city, sent this challenge to any captain in the army.

That to delight the Ladies, who did long to see some courtlike pastime, the Lord Turbashaw did defy any captain, that had the command of a company, who durst combat with him for his head.

The matter being discussed, it was accepted; but so many questions grew for the undertaking, it was decided by lots: which fell upon Captain Smith, before spoken of. Truce being made for that time, the rampiers all beset with fair dames and men in arms, the Christians in battalio, Turbashaw with a noise of hautboys entered the fields well mounted and armed; on his shoulders were fixed a pair of great wings, compacted of eagle's feathers within a ridge of silver, richly garnished with gold and precious stones; a janissary before him, bearing his lance; on each side, another leading his horse: where long he stayed not, ere Smith with a noise of

trumpets, only a page bearing his lance, passing by him with a courteous salute, took his ground, with such good success, that at the sound of the charge he passed the Turk through the sight of his bearer, face, head and all, that he fell dead to the ground; where alighting and unbracing his helmet, he cut off his head, and the Turks took his body; and so returned without any hurt at all.

The head he returned to the Lord Moses, the general, who kindly accepted it; and with joy to the whole army he was generally welcomed.

The death of this Captain so swelled in the heart of one Grualgo, his vowed friend, as, rather enraged with madness than choler, he directed a particular challenge to the conqueror, to regain his friend's head, or lose his own, with his horse and armour for advantage: which according to his desire, was the next day undertaken.

As before, upon the sound of the trumpets, their lances flew in pieces upon a clear passage; but the Turk was near unhorsed. Their pistols was the next, which marked Smith upon the placard; but the next shot the Turk was so wounded in the left arm, that being not able to rule his horse and defend himself, he was thrown to the ground; and so bruized with the fall, that he lost his head, as his friend before him; with his horse and armour: but his body and his rich apparel was sent back to the town.

Every day the Turks made some sallies, but few skirmishes would they endure to any purpose. Our works and approaches being not yet advanced to that height and effect which was of necessity to be performed; to delude time, Smith, with so many incontradictable persuading reasons, obtained leave that the ladies might know he was not so much enamoured of their servants heads, but if any Turk of their rank would come to the place of combat to redeem them, he should have his also upon the like conditions, if he could win it. The challenge presently was accepted by Bonny Mulgro.

The next day both the champions entering the field as

before, each discharging their pistol (having no lances, but such martial weapons as the defendant appointed), no hurt was done; their battle-axes was the next, whose piercing bills made sometime the one, sometime the other to have scarce sense to keep their saddles: specially the Christian received such a blow that he lost his battle-axe, and failed not much to have fallen after it; whereat the supposing conquering Turk, had a great shout from the rampiers. The Turk prosecuted his advantage to the uttermost of his power; yet the other, what by the readiness of his horse, and his judgment and dexterity in such a business, beyond all men's expectation, by God's assistance, not only avoided the Turk's violence, but having drawn his falchion, pierced the Turk so under the Culets through back and body, that although he alighted from his horse, he stood not long ere he lost his head, as the rest had done.

SIR W. RALEIGH

TO HIS WIFE, THE NIGHT BEFORE HE EXPECTED TO BE PUT TO DEATH AT WINCHESTER, 1603

You shall now receive (my dear Wife) my last words in

γου

these my last lines. My love I send you, that you may keep it when I am dead; and my counsel that you may remember it, when I am no more. I would not, by my will, present you with sorrows (dear Bess) let them go into the grave with me, and be buried in the dust: and seeing it is not the will of God, that ever I shall see you more in this life; bear it patiently, and with a heart like thyself. First, I send you all thanks which my heart can conceive, or my words can express, for your many travels and care taken for me; which though they have not taken effect as you wished, yet my debt to you is not the less; but pay it I never shall in this world. Secondly, I beseech you, for the love you bare me living, do not hide yourself many days after my death, but by your travels seek to help your miserable fortunes, and the right of

your poor child: thy mournings cannot avail me, I am but dust.

Thirdly, you shall understand, that my land was conveyed (bona fide) to my child; the writings were drawn at midsummer was twelve months; my honest cousin Brett can testify so much, and Dalberie, too, can remember somewhat therein and I trust my blood will quench their malice that have thus cruelly murdered me; and that they will not seek also to kill thee and thine with extreme poverty. To what friend to direct thee I know not, for all mine have left me in the true time of trial: and I plainly perceive that my death was determined from the first day. Most sorry I am, God knows, that being thus surprized with death, I can leave you in no better estate; God is my witness I meant you all my office of wines, or all that I could have purchased by selling it; half my stuff and all my jewels, but some one for the boy; but God hath prevented all my resolutions, even that great God that ruleth all in all: but if you can live free from want, care for no more, the rest is but vanity; love God, and begin betimes to repose yourself on him; and therein shall you find true and lasting riches and endless comfort. For the rest, when you have travelled and wearied your thoughts over all sorts of worldly cogitation, you shall but sit down by sorrow in the end. Teach your son also to love and fear God, whilst he is yet young, that the fear of God may grow up with him; and then God will be a husband to you, and a Father to him; a husband and a father which cannot be taken from you. Bayly oweth me a hundred pounds, and Adrian Gilbert six hundred pounds. In Jersey also I have much money owing me; besides, the arrearages of the Wines will pay my debts; and howsoever you do, for my soul's sake pay all poor men. When I am gone, no doubt you shall be sought to by many, for the world thinks that I was very rich: but take heed of the pretences of men, and their affections; for they last not, but in honest and worthy men, and no greater misery can befall you in this life, than to become a prey, and after wards to be despised. I speak not this (God knows) to