Page:A View of the State of Ireland - 1809.djvu/431

 OF IRELAND 133 gave of their true winnings to needfull purposes, whereas our time that gaineth excessively, and whineth at every farthing to he spent on the poore, is yet op- pressed with scarcity and beggery. The same time dwelled in Vlster Sir Robert Savage, a wealthie Knight, who the rather to preserve his owne, beganneto vvall& fortifie hisMannour houses, with castles and plyes against the Irish enemy, ex- horting his heire Sir Henri/ Savage, to intend that Worke so beneficiall for himselfe and his posterity. Father (quoth he) I remember the Proverbe, better a Castle of bones, then of stones, where strength and courage of valiant men are to helpe us. Never will I, by the grace of God, cumber my selfe with dead walls, my fort shall be wheresoever young blouds be stirring, and where I finde roome to fight. The father in a fume let lye the building, and forswore it. But yet the want thereof, and such like, hath beene the decaye aswell of the Savages, as of all the Englishe Gentle- men in Vlster, as the lacke of walled townes is also the principall occasion of the rudenesse and wildenesse in other partes of Ireland. This Savage having pre- pared an army against the Irish, allowed to every Soul- diour before he buckled with the enemy, a mighty draught of Aquavitse, Wine, or old Ale, and killed in provision for their returne, beeffes, venison, and foule great plenty, which diverse of his Captains misliked, & considering the successe of warre to be uncertaine, esteemed it better pollicy to poyson the cates or to doe