Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/663

 them which are dissolved: they themselves would then rather have wished to have stolen out of the world without noise, than to be put in mind that they have purchased the report of their actions in the world by rapine, oppression and cruelty; by giving in spoil the innocent and labouring soul, to the idle and insolent; and by having emptied the cities of the world of their ancient inhabitants, and filled them again with so many and so variable sorts of sorrows.

Since the fall of the Roman Empire (omitting that of the Germans, which had neither greatness nor continuance) there hath been no State fearful in the East, but that of the Turk; nor in the West, any Prince that hath spread his wings far over his nest, but the Spaniard: who, since the time that FERDINAND expelled the Moors out of Granada, have made many attempts to make themselves Masters of all Europe. And it is true, that by the treasures of both Indies and by the many kingdoms which they possess in Europe, they are at this day the most powerful. But as the Turk is now counterpoised by the Persian: so instead of so many millions as have been spent by the English, French and Netherlands in a defensive war, and in diversions against them; it is easy to demonstrate, that with the charge of £200,000 continued but for two years, or three at the most; the Spaniards may not be only persuaded to live in peace, but all their swelling and overflowing streams may be brought back into their natural channels and old banks. These two Nations, I say, are at this time the most eminent, and to be regarded: the one seeking to root out the Christian religion altogether, the other the true and sincere profession thereof; the one to join all Europe to Asia; the other, the rest of Europe to Spain.

For the rest, if we seek a reason of the succession and continuance of this boundless ambition in mortal man; we may add to that which hath been already said: that the Kings and Princes of the world have always laid before them the actions, but not the ends of those Great Ones which preceded them. They are always transported with the glory of the one; but they never mind the misery of the other, till they find the experience in themselves. They neglect the counsel of GOD while they enjoy life, or hope of it: but then follow they the counsel of DEATH upon his first